FOR TODAY, Thursday, December 29, 2011 -- last one for the year

Outside my window... the sun is going down and creating a beautiful sunset. Most of the snow has melted but promises to refreeze into an icy mess.

I am thinking... about 2011. A bit of a rough year for us. God still continues to provide.

I am thankful for... my family, and for reduction of hours around the farm this time of year. Thankful for Matt's hour nap which allowed me to do office work. He fell asleep again in my arms and I'm typing one-handed.

From the kitchen... leftover chicken & bean soup and chicken salad sandwiches, with coconut cake for dessert, from last night's family party

I am wearing... khakis and work shirt. I smell like french fries.

I am creating... I am hoping to "un-create" the Christmas decorations and get the house back in order

I am reading... just started "Beach Girls"

I am praying... 

     -Praying for our church building, which has a mold issue, far worse than we imagined.

     -Praying for little Sophie, 2 years old, who has brain cancer

     -Praying for wisdom regarding employment for my husband and myself

I am hoping... for safe travels for traveling family members

Around the house... excited to use my new Rubbermaid Reveal Mop

One of my favorite things...my grandma's sour cream cookies. We get a tin for Christmas every year. YUM!

 

Pondering these words... honestly, my brain is a bit fried

 

A few plans for the rest of the week... the next few weeks are pretty heavily scheduled with work

A picture thought I'm sharing... not a big fan of the first snow

 

Visit Peggy and enjoy more Simple Woman's Daybooks: http://thesimplewomansdaybook.blogspot.com/

Random thoughts and observations...

-Matt is the perfect height to see out the windows. This is great for falling snowflakes or cement trucks coming to the house next door. He is fascinated.

-Matt is also the perfect height to get into ev.er.y.thing. Childproofing? Yeah, need to take that to the next level.

-Waking up to a tidied up kitchen is a great feeling.

-Appreciating that our church sends home a verse (or verses) for each day of the week, for Advent, leading up to the birth of our Savior. Love our Bible-believing, Bible-preaching church.

-Had an unpleasant shopping trip to Kmart this week. Two very unfriendly (rude) employees. Opinion-- call the manager or let t go?

-Followed the Kmart trip with one to Walmart and had a very friendly and polite cashier. She was full of joy.

-I've had 5 days off from work (just the way the schedule works out) and I feel like I haven't been there in ages. Also feel like I should've been a little more productive at home.

-Life through the eyes of a 14 month old is fascinating.

Friday Favorites

Rachel inspired me to write a note for my Friday Favorites. I've noticed that my favorites are often things I'm thankful for.

Dear self,
As you enjoy that cup of coffee and few minutes of quiet, it's okay that you're not stressing over your half-mile-long to-do list. You should, however, accomplish something while your husband has your son so that when they arrive home it doesn't look like you were drinking coffee and blogging the whole time.

You should also finalize plans for Sunday's caroling fellowship meal at church. Browning that 30lbs of beef for sloppy joes is a great start. Remember how much you enjoy feeding people, and remember how much you enjoy seeing the variety of side dishes and desserts that are brought for fellowships.

It's great that you're thankful for Hospice and that you want to do Random Acts of Kindness for your birthday, ala www.thebirthdayproject.com, and it's pretty neat that you're combining the two things. Remember to take plenty of card-making supplies to tomorrow's family cookie/craft day. Everyone will be glad to make a card of encouragement for a Hospice patient, or a card of thanks for a Hospice nurse. And don't forget to soften the butter for the orange slice cookie dough you need to make tonight.

Speaking of cookie dough and all things kitchen related, you are keeping an eye on that browning beef, right?

I know it's your favorite time of year. Well, one of them. I know you think all times of the year have their perks. But this time of the year involves sparkly lights, great food and traditions. Feel free to go all out on decorations, or feel free to just do the minimum because your 13-month old will probably tear the place apart. Self, just enjoy it.

Self, remember that being a mama is one of your favorite things in the world, even when the Matty-destroyer has once again snuck into the bathroom and rolled all of the TP off the roll, or has pulled all books off the shelf, or has pulled every single toy out of the toybox and your living room looks as if a tornado came through. Take a deep breath, look at his cute innocent face, and remember that someday you'll miss these moments. Someday your home may actually look clean and organized.

Now finish that cup of coffee and daydreaming and get back to the kitchen to finish the sloppy joes. And the cookie dough. Remember, it's your favorite time of year.