• 3 Comments • Post A Comment! • Permanent Link

Jul. 14, 2008 - Simple Woman's Daybook

Please do go and visit Peggy at the Simple Woman's Blog to read more entries from Daybooks like this.

FOR TODAY (July 14th, 2008)

Outside My Window...it's cloudy and muggy.

I am thinking...I feel too hot and sticky!

I am thankful for...this blog where I can say things I cannot always say out loud and share my thoughts with others. 

From the kitchen...sandwiches for lunch and something from the left-overs for dinner tonight.

I am wearing...brown trousers and a red/green T-shirt, bare feet and hair needs washing (again!).

I am creating...a happy home!

I am going...to try to be less "snappy" with those who love me.

I am reading..."The Sunday Philosophy Club" by Alexander McCall Smith.

I am hoping...to receive my curriculum order some time today.  Yes, it's BOX DAY!! 

I am hearing...absolutely nothing - the house is completely peaceful!

Around the house...still more piles of ironing waiting to be done, books to be put away, all sorts of de-cluttering to do. 

One of my favorite things...the taste of that first cup of tea in the morning.  Just the boost I need at the start of a busy day!

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week:  Monday - my Vitamin B12 injection at the doctors.  Tuesday - a new hair-do for myself.  Wednesday - as it was rained off last week, to go to visit my blogging friend DeeDeeUK and deliver a shawl I have knitted for her friend Nancy who is being treated for lung cancer.  Thursday - a day full of learning fun!  Friday - a thankful heart at the end of a busy week.

Here is a picture thought I am sharing...

A view of God's creative beauty - 

• 9 Comments • Post A Comment! • Permanent Link

Jul. 12, 2008 - Slow Dance

This was sent to me this morning.  I think it makes it very clear that we should slow down and take the time to appreciate what we have got.  My way of slowing down is to pray and thank God for all the good things that I have - this makes it so much clearer and easier to appreciate and make the most of the present (which is a gift from God!).

• 1 Comments • Post A Comment! • Permanent Link

Jul. 10, 2008 - Thankful Thursday

Over at Sting my Heart, Iris posted random thankful thoughts.

I, also, have many things to be thankful for this week -

1. I am thankful that I have had a basically symptom-free week.  Not having any ailments to hold me back has made it possible to do so much more!

2. I am thankful that we have had lots of rain this week - the land was crying out for a watering!

3. I am thankful that my son, Littlesmurf, was able to achieve his 200m swimming badge this week.  He did not start swimming until he was 9 years old, so I think he has done particularly well.

4. I am thankful that we have the chance of getting a new car!

5. I give thanks for all the things I have - a wonderful family, food on the table, a roof over my head and plenty of opportunities for my son to learn.

"Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever." - Chronicles 16:34

• 6 Comments • Post A Comment! • Permanent Link

Jul. 9, 2008 - Good News Day!

Over the past few weeks, DH and I have been thinking about getting a new car on the Motability Scheme (leasing a car for 3 years at a special rate for recipients of Disability Living Allowance).  We had looked at several models and literally fell "in love" with one in particular.  The only thing was, it was such a new model that it hadn't been added to the Scheme yet!

Well, this morning, we got a phone call from the dealer - the car we want is now on the list!!!!  We have been praying for this for ages as the car we have now is just getting too old - it was bought around the time that Littlesmurf was born.  DH is desperately excited and cannot wait to get our old car cleaned up ready for trading in - whatever the dealer will give us for it will make up a large part of the down-payment for the new one!

All I can say is - Thank you, Lord for providing us with the chance to get a new car.  I would much prefer to have my health back in full - but this will make life so much easier!

• 1 Comments • Post A Comment! • Permanent Link

Jul. 8, 2008 - A little bit of fun!

Hey, everyone needs a bit of fun, right?  My bloggy friend, DeeDee,  posted this tag on her blog the other day.  It looked like fun, so I thought I'd have a go as well!

If you feel like joining in, just let me know. I'm not up to tagging anyone!

So here are the rules: All of the answers must be just ONE word.

1. Where is your cell phone? n/a

2. Your significant other? out

3. Your hair? dark

4. Your mother? passed

5. Your father? retired

6. Your favorite thing? coffee

7. Your dream last night? quiet

8. Your favorite drink? coffee

9. Your dream/goal? healing

10. The room you’re in? study

• 2 Comments • Post A Comment! • Permanent Link

Jul. 7, 2008 - The Simple Woman's Daybook

This is my first posting on this meme which was started by Peggy.  Please do go and visit her at the Simple Woman's Blog to read more entries from Daybooks like this.

FOR TODAY (July 7th, 2008)

Outside My Window...it is raining hard!

I am thinking...about all the things that need doing around our house, and the short amount of time available to do them all!

I am thankful for...having a loving family who do all they can to keep me well and happy.

From the kitchen...the sound of running water as my DH makes a hot drink.

I am wearing...a blue denim dress with embroidered front, sandals on my feet and my hair up and out of the way!

I am creating...a Shaker-type throw made up of differently patterned and coloured knitted squares.  This will eventually be used to cover up our battered but well-loved sofa!

I am going...to be taking my son for a long needed haircut later today! Hurray!!

I am reading...my lesson planning book so that I'll know what is facing us next week!

I am hoping...to have a peaceful day with my family.

I am hearing...the sound of my son playing a computer game in his room - must get him a new chair as the one he's sitting on is very creaky!  The sound of the rain outside.  An aeroplane flying over on its way to the airport.

Around the house...piles of ironing waiting to be done, books to be put away, all sorts of de-cluttering to do. 

One of my favorite things...the smell of fresh, warm bread. It always makes me think of home!

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week:
to go to visit my blogging friend DeeDeeUK and deliver a shawl I have knitted for her friend Nancy who is being treated for lung cancer. 

To get some lessons planned for my son for next week (we homeschool all year). To do some of the huge pile of ironing that is slowly gaining a life of its own!

 Here is a picture thought I am sharing...

My son meets a snake at a Homeschooling Event.

 

• 23 Comments • Post A Comment! • Permanent Link

Jul. 4, 2008 - Outdoor Hour Challenge #20 - Summer Tree Study

We began today's Outdoor Hour inside! We emptied our flower press and stuck the pressed leaves and flowers into Littlesmurf's journal. This is how the pages looked before he labelled them -

These leaves are (clockwise from TOP LEFT) - dandelion, rose bush, ivy leaf, herb Robert and an unknown leaf!

Then we have the Ox-Eye daisies (also known as "dog daisies" or "Marguerites" - these were used to treat chest complaints in the past.

Finally, we added the pressed poppies - corn poppies, by the way.  Littlesmurf was fascinated by the fact that they seemed to have changed colour from bright red to a deep purple!

We then went outside onto the "Green" to check on our Black Poplar tree. Littlesmurf and his Dad began by measuring the girth of the tree - today it measured at 103 inches (but, if you look at the measuring tape it seems to be dangling loose at the back!).

We then had a close look at the base of the tree and found new plants growing - these, Littlesmurf identified as clover and thistles.

Littlesmurf then began to look at the bark of the tree - he discovered that one side was covered in moss whilst the other was very rough and dry. After talking about this, we decided that the moss covered bark was on the side of the tree that was most exposed to the rain.

No matter how hard we looked, we could not find any insects or animals near our tree.  However, Littlesmurf did say that the wind that was blowing through the branches and leaves on the tree sounded "like rain falling lightly."

There were leaves on the tree, but no fruits at all.  Littlesmurf had a really close look at the leaves and said that they were sort of triangular in shape.

Further up the tree, we could see new growth - new branches just grown this year!

There was also evidence of even more new growth on the stump that is near our tree -

This was where Littlesmurf decided to have a rest before going back indoors!

A very enjoyable afternoon in the sun together as a family!

• 3 Comments • Post A Comment! • Permanent Link

Jul. 3, 2008 - Outdoor Hour Challenge #19 - Seeds and Germination

We began our nature study today with a quick walk around our "garden".  We had a look for flowers we had not seen before and came across these red poppies.

We were especially fascinated by the amount of pollen on the petals and by the brightness of the red petals.  The poppy is often thought of as a weed but, from my point of view, a weed is just a plant that's growing in the wrong place!

We picked two of the poppy flowers and added them to our flower press - it was difficult to press these flowers as they have a very large seed pod in the centre.  However, we decided to give them a try!

It was then time to try the germination experiment - we began by putting broad bean seeds into plastic bags as described in the instructions.  We left them for several days and, sadly, found that they did not show any sign of germinating at all!  We'll carry on for a while longer as Littlesmurf would be sorely disappointed if we just gave up at this stage!

We also planted some sunflower seeds (at last!) in pots to see whether they would germinate or not. As you can see.....they did!!!

We shall keep on watering and feeding these new little plants and maybe, eventually plant them in our garden.  They are not full-size sunflowers - they are dwarf sunflowers - expected to grow to a height of about 2 feet tall.

We will be doing our next Outdoor Hour Challenge tomorrow if the weather stays fine!

• 3 Comments • Post A Comment! • Permanent Link

Jul. 3, 2008 - Thankful Thursday

Over at Sting my Heart, Iris posted about "Freedom".  As we approach the weekend, I have been thinking about the freedoms we have in this country (England) and how I should be thankful for them.

First, I am thankful for being able to worship the Lord in the way I want - no one religion is forced down our throats!

I am also thankful that I can proclaim my faith in Christ freely - without fear of arrest.

I am thankful that, through our decision to home educate our son, we are able to share God's holy Word with him without being told that it is "politically incorrect" to do so.

I am thankful for being born in a country which has a strong Christian tradition - hard to believe now that we have so many people of other faiths living here!  I know that many people in the past have suffered and died so that we can have religious freedom - to them, I also offer my thanks.

Finally, I am thankful for being able to move around this country without border checks, identity cards (may be in the offing soon!) and "permission" for my journeys.  If I did not have this freedom, then I would have probably lost all contact with my family in Wales.

"For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God."  (Romans 8:20-21) 

• 3 Comments • Post A Comment! • Permanent Link

Jun. 30, 2008 - Interceding for our Children

This week's prayer from MommaRoar:

Father, create a longing in Littlesmurf’s heart to see Your gospel declared among the nations. Give Littlesmurf a heart for the nations of the world.

"Declare His glory among the nations, His wonders among all peoples." Psalm 96:3

My thoughts:

This past week, Littlesmurf has been seriously moved by what is happening in Zimbabwe.  He has especially prayed for the children who are suffering in that country.  I think this stems from the fact that a family we know quite well started their missionary work in Zimbabwe several years ago - they have now been moved to Mozambique.  Under the current regime in Zimbabwe, I am sure that they would have been extradited (asked to leave forcefully), if they had not already been moved by their church.

We are praying for all missionaries all over the world - may they not suffer persecution because of their work in spreading God's word.  May the people in those countries be allowed to follow God's way without fear.

• 1 Comments • Post A Comment! • Permanent Link

Jun. 26, 2008 - Thankful Thursday

After a day like yesterday, you might think that I'm not feeling very thankful today!  You couldn't be further from the truth!

First of all, I'm thankful to God for having listened to my prayers and making my bladder infection so much better.  This had really been getting me down and making me "niggly", however, it is now well on its way to being gone!

Second, I am thankful for my blogging friends and others who read yesterday's post for their sound advice regarding my son - take each day as it comes; don't quash his natural "softness"; he's going through big physical changes which he doesn't fully understand; and talk to him!  I even asked him if he'd feel better starting the day with a hug - he very nearly squashed me!  Prayer has also helped - God knows what Littlesmurf is like and how to lead him in his dealings with his parents - He has definitely used His hand today!

I'm sitting here blogging away and listening to the rain pouring down outside - but I'm thankful that God has sent the rain.  It has been very hot and sticky here over the past weeks, so this rain is very needed!  You can almost hear the plants sucking it up! 

I'm also thankful to have my life - every day is precious!

"Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful." - Colossians 4:2

• 12 Comments • Post A Comment! • Permanent Link

Jun. 25, 2008 - Not the Best of Days!

It all started at about 8 am - I had this really uncomfortable feeling in a really intimate area.  Turns out I have a bladder infection!  So I'm drinking either glass after glass of water or glass after glass of cranberry juice - I'm also starting to feel much better, which is a sign that God has been listening to my prayers.

Things went quite well then, until Littlesmurf was working on his Maths - he suddenly started crying and wouldn't tell me what was the matter (are all teenagers like this?).  It didn't help that I wasn't feeling my best anyway and I lost my temper!  He had to go and sit quietly on the sofa until he'd calmed down enough to tell me what was wrong.  He did calm down, but I'm still waiting for a clear answer.

At this point his Dad had gone to the supermarket to do the grocery shopping.  When he got back, the first words out of Littlesmurf's mouth were, "Well, what's for lunch, then?"  That did not go down well at all.

After lunch, he did some art work on the computer and got very frustrated that he couldn't get one particular tool to work the way he wanted it to.  I told him to undo the last part he'd done and re-do it - result was, I got my head bitten off!  I suppose we should have called it a day that minute but, no, we're gluttons for punishment in this house!  We took him to the Library to get some books for a research project he's doing.  Everything was fine until we were leaving - he decided to leave me to look at some leaflets and to go back to his Dad and give him a sharp tap on the shoulder!  DH very nearly layed an egg!!

What can we learn from a day like today, I wonder?  Perhaps to stop what we're doing and to throw in the towel?  But, is that the right thing to do?  Won't Littlesmurf see this as a weakness on our part?

I think we need to have a "down time" and talk about how he needs to show more respect for his parents.  He's usually very polite and willing - but today was just "one of those days" when his behaviour didn't quite hit the mark.  I think an early night is called for - not just for Littlesmurf, but for his Dad and me as well!

• 3 Comments • Post A Comment! • Permanent Link

Jun. 23, 2008 - Interceding for our Children

This week's prayer from MommaRoar:

Lord, teach Littlesmurf the secret of being content in any and every situation through Him who gives strength.


"I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." Philippians 4:12-13

My thoughts:

I think that my son has, on the most part, managed to be content with whatever happens around him.  He does sometimes "pull a face" or whinge at the thought of a particular school subject - he isn't a great fan of drawing, for instance.  He also gets very worked up about new situations where he will be meeting people he has never met before!  However, on most occasions, he is willing to put a smile on his face and just "get on with it"!

I pray that he will continue in this way and not show his grumpy face to the world!

• 1 Comments • Post A Comment! • Permanent Link

Jun. 21, 2008 - To my child/children

I received this poem through one of my home education email lists this morning.  It reminds me of how my son, Littlesmurf, treats me now that he is older and I am unable to do the things I used to do with him when he was little.  The words also made me think of how I used to (sometimes) take my Mum for granted.

• 0 Comments • Post A Comment! • Permanent Link

<- Last Page • Next Page ->