Simple Woman Monday

 

What I'm hearing...

I'm doing computer work and making up lists this morning -- something I do every Monday. I wake up slowly, get my coffee and a small breakfast and park here on the couch with my lap desk and laptop and notebooks and pens and pretend I'm making good use of my time while I wake up. So, the house is quiet -- as it usually is these days. Dan is working away in the library, but every top of the hour, his phone alarm goes off (with that cello theme from Master and Commander), and he comes out and prays the St. Andrew novena with me and Dawsey -- plus the St. Michael prayer -- to combat the evil in our country and in our world and to keep that loser at bay in our own little bubble, too -- and we add the prayer of the Miraculous Medal, (O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee), for the intention of our government, in general, that Godly people end up in charge.

 So, we just did that. And then I sat down and turned on a Youtube channel that I'm enjoying at the moment, with pretty piano background music behind the gentle voice of a young German fellow who explores and video documents old abandoned homes throughout Europe. You wouldn't believe some of the castles and manors that people just walked away from, leaving behind antiques, photos, Catholic imagery, personal belongings, whole lives...! It's crazy. And very mysterious. Great background noise with a bit of interest while I'm list making. (Weirdly entitled Bros of Decay, if you want to check it out.)

Outside my window...

Burning leaves. One of the things that living in
the country allows us to do. Makes this job easier.

It's a bright sunny day, though cold. In the 30s I think. We had a work party on Saturday (Michelle's gang, Cathy and Louis, and our good boarder friends, Anne Ng and AJ Martinez) to finally clean up the fall leaves (as much as that is possible!) and put away the pots and statues and patio furniture. So, everything looks neat and tidy and tucked away for winter now, which is satisfying!

What I'm wearing...

Colorful maxi skirt over cozy leggings (kinda my winter uniform), maroon thermal Henley and a dark green sweater. 

What 'm thinking...

Looking forward a couple weeks to the Ordinations that will take place on the 13th. Two of our particular friend seminarians, Rev.Mr. Carlos Zapata and Rev.Mr. Dennis McGuire along with Austrian seminarian (with whom we are acquainted), Rev.Mr. Joseph Weisensteiner (sp?). We are arranging to hold a celebration here on Sunday and I'm thinking ahead to how deeply I can clean house before then and what makes sense to do this remotely (like working on my kitchen cabinets and spiderwebby window casements) and also imagineering what to do with floral arrangements for the altar and lining up who would like to help with the arranging. 

What I'm reading...

Spiritual Letters of Abbot Chapman, a book recommended by a favorite priest years ago that I just happened upon in my Amazon Wishlist and had forgotten about! 

Also, still reading The Divided Mind by Dr. John Sarno. Slow going, because I need all my brain to follow him. And, well, you know... My brain and I wave at each other through windows occasionally...

And I have a Georgette Heyer compilation of  short stories that I've been dipping into for pure enjoyment, Pistols for Two.

Some Picture Thoughts for Today...

Our Advent Wreath this year.

And this thought. Every little tiny thing done for the love of God.
And hopefully this little tiny corner of the universe has merit,
but the main influence for the good of the world that I count
upon is our children, my greatest accomplishment, my purpose.

Simple Woman Monday

What I'm hearing... The Bridge on the River Kwai. William Holden's voice, but most memorable, the theme song. You know the one? It's going to be stuck in my head now. (Not a bad thing. My Dad used to whistle that tune pretty regularly, and Dad memories are good memories.)

Outside my window...  It snowed this morning! Just a smidge. But then it sleeted and rained, so now it's a slushy, muddy mess. Good reason for a nice cuppa tea and an old movie.

What I'm wearing... Gray wool skirt, striped  green turtleneck, with warm navy blue socks, and gray slippers.

                                                                        What I'm thinking... I thought I'd gotten all my errands run today, including shopping for Thanksgiving groceries, and I was patting myself on the back that I wasn't going to have to go out any more this week -- but I blew it. I took too long pulling together and boxing up one of William's birthday presents (He'll be 15 on Thanksgiving Day !), so I'm going to have to go to the post office to mail it tomorrow morning. Ugh. (whiiiiine) I don't want to have to go out again...

Used to be, I wouldn't cringe at the idea of going out in the world to rub elbows with my fellow citizens. I like people! But elbow rubbing is akin to an act of attempted murder these days, and since I refuse to cover my face with a stupid mask (it's not movie star quality face, of courses, but it's a good face, doggonit -- and it hurts me right in the liberty to cover it up) -- going shopping requires an intestinal fortitude heretofore necessary only for such things as storming castles or jumping out of airplanes.  But I'm an old war-scarred veteran Momma, and I can scrape up the courage for it, you bet! I'd be ashamed not to! Knowing that our forefathers fought and died for our liberty while all I'm doing is smiling down virtue signaling Karens in Walmart, I can do no less than refuse to wear a useless facemask, the only purpose of which is population control. Not that big a deal for me; being the mother of ten children, standing out in a crowd is nothing new -- but, gee whiz, maybe I'm just getting old or something? But bravery is exhausting! 

What I'm learning... I'm reading The Divided Mind by Dr. John Sarno, a fascinating read. I highly recommend it for understanding the mind-spirit-body connection that so affects our health -- and how conventional medicine too often only succeeds in more thoroughly ruining our health with its pharmaceuticals, discounting of the mind's power over the body. It's a little more complicated than just mind over body -- for instance our nutrition is so poor in the 21st century, and our environment filled with toxins -- but, the state of our mind and our emotions also unquestionably influences the health of our bodies. Add the state of the soul into the variables, too, and it's easy to understand why the general state of health throughout the world is so terrible.  

What I'm hoping... Almost all my hopes and prayers are going to Donald Trump and his defense team these days. So much of the future of everyone I love and everything I care about will be shaped by the outcome of this election. God help us.

What I'm working on... Got some paint supplies today to paint the old green cabinet. It's not going to be green any more. There may be an uprising. But, hey. I live here and I have to look at the darn thing. I think it'll look nice with black chalk paint, rubbed to look antique -- with new antiqued fittings and a rebuilt top with dark walnut stain. Hopefully it'll be finished by Christmas break -- just in time for the fam to come home and be chagrinned about it.

What I'm planning... Thanksgiving dinner. We're having squabs this year, just for something different, since we just did a big Thanksgiving dinner when everyone was here for Cathy and Louis's reception in October. We three girls (Cathy, Michelle, and I) are going through our Pintrest  boards for fun and different side dishes and desserts, too! Should be tons of fun!

Some picture thoughts for today...

Me when I have to run an errand and I don't wanna...
(Actually our little princess grandbaby, Claudia, who was a
grumpy  St.Barbara for All Saints Day.)

Simple Woman Monday

What I'm hearing... Nothing! Except the washing machine running in the mudroom. The parakeet just chirped. Dawsey is snoozing on the top of the couch, but isn't snoring like he sometimes does. It's very quiet around here these days with no children in the house any more. I very often will turn on a book-on-tape while I do housework, just for the company of voices. (How pathetic is that?) Dan is in the Library at work -- but I try not to bother him too much and he is a total "nose-to-the-grindstone" kind of guy. He comes out for potty breaks and that's about it! Good thing I'm not the one whose supporting income depends on being able to work from home all day! I am so easily distracted! Comes from juggling 10 or 12 balls, 24-7-365 for so many years, I'm sure! I've had so little opportunity to focus on one single thing for any length of time that I find now I don't know how to do it! 

Outside my window...  The last few leaves on the oak tree by the road are hanging on for dear life. After the cold snap a couple weeks ago, the wind, and the smattering of snow, all the color has gone out of the cheeks of Autumn, the leaves still left are exhausted, everything is wan and beige. All the corners of the property are filled with piles of crackly leaves -- from the Walnut tree, the giant cottonwood, the maples and oaks. You can trace the pattern of the wind by where the big piles ended up. I'm wondering  whether, if I wait long enough, it'll all get blown about again by disparate winds and redistribute -- like, out in the forest or down the road. ==but, sigh== I doubt it. We're going to have to get up a work-party to do some raking. We can probably lure them in with a promise of a weenie and s'more roast at the end.  

What I'm wearing... Long grey flannel skirt over leggings, grey thermal shirt under hunter green wool cardigan. Can you tell I woke up chilled? 

What I'm thinking... I've got to get Dawsey to the vet this week for his annual vet-check -- and then to the groomer. I think of that first because he's right in front of me, of course, but more importantly, perhaps, I have to get dentist visits rolling for Gabe and William in Idaho -- then get Gabe set up with an orthodontist. Maybe the week after Thanksgiving. Cruel and unusual punishment to have braces applied right before Turkey and Pie Day!

What I'm learning... I think I'm becoming more and more at peace with this new station in life, sans kids most of the time -- though it is still pretty weird. It's all simpler in that there's literally less that I need to do, but it's less simple in that I now have to figure out what I should be doing -- never had to think about that before! Thankfully, I do get to see Michelle's children at least once a week, and we still host the Sunday Afternoon Club here, so we keep in touch with what's going on with the teenage boarder girls from MDA (They are a delight!),and we're not complete hermits, but it's definitely a much quieter life these days. Maybe a God mandate, I'm learninging more and more, and a gift, because I think I need the peace and quiet. So many years of mental and physical stress (plus Lymes) has taken such a toll, I've come to understand that the only way to unroll the cumulative effect is to treat it with as much true rest as possible -- plus good nutrition, and as little conflict as can be managed. (Having gotten rid of FB should help that!) After over a year of trying the rest cure (to lesser and greater success), I know I'm the healthier for it, in general. My old carcass has had a chance to start healing itself. If I had a house full of kids still, I wouldn't have a chance at it, though. So it's all good. I'm growing accustomed to the gentle routine. And spending so much more time with Dan! That's the best thing.

What I'm hoping... To get all my Christmas shopping finished before the second week of Advent!

What I'm working on... Still working on study guides. An Enid Dinnis compilation of short stories; Enid Dinnis's The Anchorhold, and a stack of books for the AZ Sisters to use next year. 

What I'm planning... Trying to figure out what the plan is for Thanksgiving this year -- and who all is coming. Not sure if we'll have any Boarder kids, though I've heard rumors we may. Wondering if the kids will want to come over for the traditional Pie Day on Wednesday. Things that used to be a given, aren't any more!

Some picture thoughts for today...

Looking east at snow-covered-mountain clouds the other day.

Looking west, back at our homestead, from the Pigeon Creek tree line you see in the above photo.

Simple Woman's Take on an Out-of-the-Ordinary Monday

Yes, simple; beautifully simple today...  That's what I'm hoping, anyway!  I have the house completely to myself.  Which never happens.  William's in Kindygarten; Dan and the other four kiddos are still in Denver, not to return until this evening.  But no lollygagging for this mama.   I have a pile of laundry up to my neck that's piled up since the kids have gone (and since I made them clean their rooms before they left), and a few miscellaneous chores and goals I want to accomplish today in the quietude.  But, I also want to blog a Simple Woman post, so I've made a deal with myself:  I'm gonna post a couple pondering points, tackle a chore, then answer a couple more points, and so on until I get all the way through.  I'll report on what I get done when I get it done. :)

9:05  I just now made my bed and put on a load of whites.  Threw a bed pillow in there, too, and hope the bleach isn't a bad idea with that.  I'll let ya know...

Outside my window… It's a glorious day! The gold-orange leaves of the aspen and cottonwoods stand in brilliant contrast against the deep, penetrating blue of the sky.

I am hearing... The morning started off with a chill, so I started a fire in the woodstove first thing, which is just now dying off with quiet little pops and crackles. But that subtle smell of wood smoke lingers in the house. Smells, looks, and feels like autumn!

10:35 Ok -- so here I am, back to the computer.  Mixed up a batch of Pumpkin/Banana bread batter -- and got sidetracked in the middle of it -- ending up cleaning out the bottom shelf of the pantry and the top of the stove.  Took me long enough that I don't have time to bake my bread before 11 a.m. school-day Mass, so it's sitting on the counter, waiting. 

I am wearing...  layers that I've shed as the day has progressed.  Started out with calf-length leggins under my brown gypsy skirt and a white tee with butterflies on it under a cozy light aqua cordouroy overshirt.  Now I'm down to the butterfly tee and brown skirt. 

In the kitchen...  this is the recipe for the low-fat, full-of-goodness bread I'll bake after I get back from Mass.  I substituted a 1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce for the vegetable oil -- a trick I've found works for most breads --  and added a good handful of walnuts.  Can't wait to try this.  Haven't used this recipe before!

11:50  Back from Mass.  Put bread in the oven and turned on the end of "Blithe Spirit" that I'd been watching while I mixed up batter earlier.  Talk about your dark comedies...  Rex Harrison, though.  So very attractively English and tweedy -- and so young in this movie!  But, still, I can hardly watch him in any movie without expecting him to forget himself and start talking to the animals... 

I am thinking… it's been a very pleasant couple of days spent alone with my youngest.  William is quite a little character --  A couple of quotes:  "This is very good. You are and I are getting to know each other here all by ourselves, aren't we?"  and "Too bad about Adam and Eve. If it weren't for them, I wouldn't have to go to school tomorrow."

I am thankful for… every minute spent getting to know each and every one of my children better.  They're a hoot. And they grow up so quickly!

4:45 OK, so,  I put on a pot of spaghetti for dinner after lunch, swept the floors, changed over laundry, and picked up my student (my super-smart autistic buddy, Brian) for his history and English classes at 1:45.  Then, picked up William at 3:30, and headed to town to drop off the carpet shampooer that I rented on Saturday.  (Now you know what I did Saturday while the gang was out of town...)  Then, I came home, finished up the spaghettie sauce, made a salad, and broughta basket full of dinner for Fr. B. over at the rectory. Waiting for our bread to heat up here at home now, and have a minute to work on Simple Woman ponderings again...

I am reading…  a biography of St. Teresa of Avila by William Thomas Walsh -- and just got a copy of Man Alive by GK Chesterton, which I'll start dipping into here shortly.  (Long before I finish the biography of St. Teresa -- which is a tome.)

I am hoping…  the children all settle easily back into a nice, calm, every-day routine again after they get back home tonight.  Sometimes these kinds of "blips" on the calendar get everyone out of sorts... Including me.

Dinner done. William ate all of his spaghetti, onions and all!  Because I was holding ice cream for dessert over his head as a very effective bribe.

A few plans for the rest of the week...  Send box of clothes and goodies to my nephew and neices in Georgia; bring bins with warm winter blankets down out of the attic and "refit" my room to match the different color of my big comforter; get to gym at least twice; trade coffee for tea at east four mornings a week.  Start work on refinishing, this...

Found this for a song at a thrift store!  In working condition,
though it's a pity someone decided to paint over the wood
and wrought iron...  -sigh- Got my work cut out for me if I'm
gonna completely restore it!

And that (treadle sewing machine)  is one  picture thought I 'm sharing.  Here are a couple more:

From our annual fall field trip to the Ute museum in Montrose, CO.  with my homeschooler, Cathy, and my Kindergartener, William, who has a day off every Wednesday....

Sung to the tune of: We Love Us Some Tipis...

And:  When in Rome, Sit Indian Style...

Now we're hanging around -- watching Jeff Corwin on Netflix, learning about Tasmania and waiting for "the children" as my five-old-condescendingly refers to his older brothers and sisters. It's a little after 8 p.m.; they should be here shortly, so I guess I'd better sign off here and prepare for the onslaught. But, in parting...  a little gift to William -- the cartoon connoisseur:

Simple Woman Monday, September 19th

Outside my window… The sun has just come up and is picking out the millions of dewdrops on the hayfield out my east window. Sparkly. The last couple of early mornings, I've let out our little foofoo dog, Brigid, then looked out later to see that she'd joined Noey-dog and the two cats sitting perfectly still at the edge of the hayfield, gazing east.  I declare, but do you think they're watching the sunrise? (I've got to get a picture of this.)

I am hearing... Glenn Beck on the radio (Anyone out there get GBTV?)  -- and William's even more interesting narrative, as he carries both sides of a conversation with Gabe.   I always lay the boys' clothes out the night before on the book case in their bedroom, but, being crazy little boys, they bring everything out to the living room to dress every morning which is why I'm privy to this conversation about: whether you should put your shirt or pants on first:; how do you get buttons to match up right; why top buttons and sleeves are so hard to fasten.

I am thinking… that top buttons and sleeves really are hard to fasten and it's good that Mommy's here to help with that.

I am thankful for… the chance to button sleeves for my little guys because they'll be little for such a short time. It was just yesterday that I was buttoning sleeves and hooking on ties for their big brothers!


 One of my favorite things…  Sunday afternoon hikes in the mountains.

 Dan and I drove up to the top of Grand Mesa yesterday and found a wonderful hike around a lake with an island in the middle of it. It was a beautiful, crisp September day and gorgeous surroundings!  As you must have guessed, I brought my camera -- the good one, too (My Nikon 7000 that my dear husband got me us for our anniversary in May), and took tons of pictures.  Then got home and realized that there was no memory card in the camera.  Head-smacking moment, yes.   ~sigh~  I guess all the pretty scenery will have to stay stored on my own personal memory card. Until I can get back up there, anyway.

From the kitchen… Dried apples, apple pie, apple fritters, baked apples....  apples, raw, juicy, crispy, sweet.

Golden Delish, picked up at a farm stand
near Cedaredge, CO.

I am wearing... a  long denim A-line skirt, white tee, navy blue blouse, pony tail and blue earrings.



I am going… to get my hair cut next week because, now that my hair has grown ponytail-length, all I ever do is wear ponytails.  And my husband informs me that he really doesn't care, mind you, but he does like to see my hair down.  (Who knew?) 

I am reading… Just finished my latest Amelia Peabody book, the 7th in the series, The Snake, the Crocodile, and the Dog.  But I have to choose my timing carefully when I read these books, because once I dive into one, nothing else gets done until I emerge on the other side. I have Mr. Knightly's Diary on my bedside table waiting to be read -- but I'm afraid I'll have the same problem if I dip into that one, only, instead of Egyptian adventures, I'll be lolling about Edwardian England.

A few plans for the rest of the week... Finally, really, really have to get out to the barn to bring in our bins of sweaters and cold weather clothes.  The mornings are getting pretty nippy!  And while we're out there, hopefully, we'll get the autumn decorations out!  Less fun, but more practical, I need to clean out my kitchen cabinets and drawers.

Some picture thoughts I 'm sharing...

Right now, this moment:


Theresa reading over her music.
Very much a Theresa thing to be
doing.



Anna drinking the
gallon of milk in the
bottom of her bow.





I considered putting the more dignified photo of William here,
but decided that would have been disingeuous.  This is the
real William.  He is a nut.



Cathy, having one of her pumpkin
muffins for breakfast.  Best recipe ever
and low fat, too. 

Simple Woman, September 12th

Outside my window… it's overcast and cool. The Grand Mesa is fuzzy with morning haze  There's a jumprope tied from the swingset to a tree in the back yard and a paper cup helicopter on the lawn.

I am hearing...  Children getting ready for school:  Gabe freaking out because he can't find his missal, Theresa quietly flipping pages as she works on some catch-up school work, William, dressed and ready to go to school, making little boy noises as he plays with his little zoo animals...

I am thinking… I'm so glad I have a good stretch of time before I have to leave home-sweet-home again.    After this busy summer, I have a lot to get under control in my house  before the next outing...

I am thankful for… coffee.

One of my favorite things… Pumpkin Spice Latte.  Had my first of the season at Starbux yesterday, compliments of Gabe -- who gave me $3 for just that purpose -- in a sweet little hand made birthday card.  Tasted especially good since it was compliments of Gabe, and Starbux makes a good Pumpkin Spice Latte, but we actually like home-made better.  Gonna have to round up the ingredients for our own...


From the kitchen…  Zucchini Boats One good solution for monstro zucchinis (from a friend's garden -- as we weren't around enough this summer to put a garden in.)

Ingredients:

4 zucchini, halved lengthwise

3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1/2 red onion, chopped
5 plum tomatoes, chopped
1 cup bread crumbs
1/2 cup walnuts, toasted and coarsely chopped
1/2 teaspoon dried oreganoSalt and pepper
6 ounces shredded mozzarella cheese
1/2 cup grated parmesan chees

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 375°. Using a small spoon, scoop out the zucchini flesh, leaving a 1/4- to 1/2-inch-thick shell. Wrap the zucchini flesh in a paper towel and squeeze out any excess liquid; discard the liquid and set aside the flesh. Place the zucchini shells cut side down on a baking sheet and bake for 15 minutes.

2. Meanwhile, in a large skillet, heat 2 tablespoons olive oil over high heat. Add the zucchini flesh and onion and cook, stirring, until softened, about 5 minutes. Add the tomatoes and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Push the vegetables to the side of the pan, add the remaining 1 tablespoon oil and the bread crumbs, and toast the bread crumbs for 2 minutes. Remove from the heat, stir in the nuts and oregano, then combine with the vegetables; season with salt and pepper.

3. Flip over the zucchini shells and line the bottoms with the mozzarella. Pack in the filling. Sprinkle the parmesan on top. Bake until the zucchini is tender when pierced with a fork, 20 to 25 minutes.

I am wearing... Teal striped blouse, grey flannel A-line skirt, black tennies.

I am going… on a Civil War tour of Pennsylvania with my sis, Ninam, and cousin, Mick the second week of October.

I am reading…  Tilted Halos, by Robert Eimer, O.M.I.  Older book, Imprimater, 1964 -- a gift to us from Fr. Bernard -- all about the humor of the saints.   Great read!  Highly recommended if you ever come across a copy.

I am hoping…  I have the gumption and stick-to-it-iveness to actually get on a good health regimen -- to feel better and lose weight before the upcoming October trip! (Ugh.  How I hate dieting...)

A few plans for the rest of the week...  Laundry, laundry, laundry.  Chiropractor appointment tomorrow afternoon.  Getting into a good groove with my little homeschooler, Cathy!

Some picture thoughts I 'm sharing...

 What do you think of Kindergarten, William?



Simple Woman

Outside my window… It is pitch black because I am typing this in the middle of the night.  (Have I ever shared this insomniac riddle:  What do you get if you cross an insomniac, an agnostic and a dyslexic? ** Answer at bottom of post)

I am hearing...  Nothing but the ceiling fan and my fingers tapping on the keyboard.

I am thinking…  this summer has passed by like Cathy flying around our circle driveway on her bike: with amazingly fast spurts that whiz around in a blur of color --interspersed with long moments lying flat out on the lawn.  And occasional wipe outs.

I am thankful for… The long moments lying flat out on the lawn.

From the kitchen… Olathe Sweet Sweet corn (best corn in the world, and I am not kidding).  It is everywhere here -- thank-you, God -- because we have the great blessing to live smack in the middle of the valley that grows this ambrosia -- and the Sweet Corn Festival (of great reknown) was this past weekend, so the very air is full of the sound and smell and taste of sweet corn.  We've been feasting on it -- raw, boiled, plain, buttered, salted -- and are only waiting for Dan to come home to roast some in the fire pit -- and slather it with this recipe we recently found for:

Chipolte Herb Butter

3 Tbs lime zest
3 Tbs chipolte peppers in adobo sauce
2 Tbs chopped fresh morjoram
1 1/2 Tbs chopped shallot
1 1/2 tsp coarse salt
1 1/2 tsp ground black pepper

Melt butter in small sauce pan or bowl. With mixer at medium speed or with vigorous swishing of whisk, mix in lime zest, peppers, morjoram, shallot, salt, and peppers until creamy. 

Then: Roast 8 ears of corn as you like.  In oven at 350, shuck and coat each ear of corn with the chipolte mixture, then  wrap in aluminum, and bake for 30 minutes (seam side up).  Or, follow the campfire method, and brush on melted butter and chipolte sauce after roasting and shucking.  Yum!  Can't wait to try this!

I am wearing... khaki capris and an orange blouse with cowboy hats and guitars all over.  And silver dangly cowboy hat earrings.

Plans for the week...  Help the Sisters at school with whatever needs doing to get ready for 'opening day';* buy school supplies for the four going to school across the hay field with the Sisters; get ready for some more traveling because

I am going… to Omaha a week from today.  I'm taking a week to get Michelle settled back in to her school time digs, as well as  trying to catch a little time with Seminarian son, Dominic.  But most of my time in Omaha I hope to spend with our number three son, Jon.  We got to see him on our road trip earlier in the summer, but things were so busy, busy, busy that I didn't feel like I had ten words with him.  I think I'm going through some Jon-withdrawal!  I am so looking forward to some real relaxation and down time spent in his company!

I am reading… Not much right now.  Too much on my plate to hold a book!

I am hoping… for a smooth and successful school year for all of our children -- the one boarding, the one in college, those in Catholic school, the one in the Seminary, the one homeschooling with me, and the little guy who's starting Kindergarten!

I am praying...  for the 31 soldiers who perished in Afghanistan Saturday.  God bless and help them and their  families.  May their souls, and all the souls of the Faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen. 

I am hearing… Yeah, I know you know about the ceiling fan and the tapping -- but added to that now is my stomach growling.  One of the side effects of insomnia.  If you're awake more than four hours after dinner, your stomach thinks it's chow time again. To eat or not to eat? That is the question that begins to go 'round and 'round an insomniac's addled brain... (Maybe I'll have a rice cake.)

Around the house… Monday morning?  Laundry, what else?

One of my favorite things… Kitty cats:




A picture thought I 'm sharing...


<><>

One of our kitties.  "Boo" I think... 
A serene pose, but very possibly not peaceful ponderings going on there. td>

*Aside to any Grammar Nerds here present:  Standard rule is that semicolons and colons go outside the quotation marks -- but that just doesn't look right... Any Grammar Refs out there? (If there are, please have mercy on me!  Heaven knows I don't proofread  like I ought to   like I should  as I ought...)

**  Someone who stays up all night wondering if there really is a dog.  (Yeah, sorry.  That was pretty bad, huh?)

You are hearing...  Me munching on mini Creme Brulee rice cakes...

'Night all! Or, er, Good Morning!  Or whatever it is wherever you are, I hope it's a good one.

Simple Woman's Daybook

Outside my window…  Clouds are building and have finally moved in with some much needed shade and promise of rain. The wind is picking up now and the chimes are dingling.

I am thinking…  If it rains I'm going make some more ice tea and sit down with the girls in front of some good old girly black and white movie. (May do that even if it doesn't rain!)

I am thankful for…  small towns, caring friends, big families and Faith.

From the kitchen…  Making iced tea; even as we speak, Cathy is putting the kettle on.  I'm thinking  orange spice pekoe.  Maybe some scones later.  The big boys -- including Gabe this year! -- have left for Knights of the Altar Boys' Camp, and it's just me and the girls -- and William -- who tells us he is the man of the house and will be responsible for any bears that show up...  So, anyway, since William will eat anything with sugar, white flour, or strawberries, I expect we'll be making the most of our almost-boy-free zone and serving very feminine fare this week.  Plus ice cream.  Lots of ice cream.  (Sorry, boys.  You know, we really do have the better end of the deal here...)

I am wearing... a light blue crepe-cotton gypsy skirt and white tee.  Just changed out of black skirt and black gingham blouse that I wore to our friend's funeral this morning.  Barefoot and much more comfy now.

I am creating… school plans for Catherine's year.  Just ordered her books and we're both excited to get a peek at them.  Since she's a very reluctant math student, we're ditching Saxon this year and trying something new -- something a little more "Cathy friendly"...  meaning something that will appeal more to an artistic, no-nonsense tomboy homebody.  We'll let you know what we think.

I am going… nowhere until I have to.

I am reading… Prisoner of Love as my bedtime read plus occasionally relaxing with Doris Kearns Goodwin's Wait Till Next Year, and looking for the next Amelia mystery to dig into (Getting online to search out The Last Camel Died at Noon, number 6 in the series.)

I am hoping… Dan and Kevvy and the rest of the camp counsellors are on the ball about keeping little  Gabey well hydrated, and slathered in sun screen and away from cliffs and deep water and bears. Not to be a fussy worry-wart Mom or anything, but he is only seven... And I'm hoping they get all my pots get back to me.

I am hearing… the wind whistling through the windows, William making little boy noises as he plays with his blocks and his little guys on the floor behind me.

Around the house… It looks like we've been visited by a tornado.  We all hit the ground running this morning on our way to the funeral, loaded down with food and preparations for the reception afterward -- and the Boys' Camp Boys (being just Dan, Kevin, our good friend, Carlos, and Gabey this year) all had their sleeping bags and personal gear pulled out and packed at the last minute -- plus they were the transportation for most of the other camp necessities this year, from the food (which we'd stored since Saturday), pots, pans, utensils, and the canopy tent for Mass on the mountain.  I'm sure you can imagine the mess they left in their wake.  Bless their hearts.

One of my favorite things… Burt's Bees Honey and Orange Wax Thoroughly Therapeutic Body Lotion  Oh my goodness, does it smell good! Plus it's  an A+ moisturizer, nice and light -- and on sale right now at this site!  Plus you can get Burts' Bees coupons here.  (And, no, I'm not a paid representative; I just like the stuff! :)

A few plans for the rest of the week...  As little as I can get away with.  But, our teaching Sisters come  back tomorrow, so we'll wait to see what they need done and plan around that.

Some picture thoughts I 'm sharing...

Beach Feet:



Nicole treated Michelle for her first pedicure in honor of her 16th birthday. Our gal pals,
 Brenda and Emily, and I joined them.  My first pedicure, too!  But not my last!

That empty seat fourth from this end was mine.So much fun spending the afternoon with the girls, but a fruitful pleasure, too.  I didn't realize how much real good a pedicure can do!  My hard-working feet are baby-soft and callous free, my toenailsare properly trimmed, and,boy, did the massage feel good! 

The finished products.  All had hand-painted floral designs.
They were beautiful!

  These ones are mine.  See my flower? It's almost three weekssince I've had them done, and I'm so happy the pedi is still in goodshape.  It's going to feel like the official end of vacation whenthey chip and wear and I have to wipe the toenail slates clean...

No polish on these little tootsies!

Michelle, Emily and Brenda leaving footprints in the sand.

Good Times!