Simplicity Journal - Day 6

Outside my window it is dark. Our bedroom windows are open. It is going to be a great sleeping night.

I am thinking that I am really tired.

I am thankful for....can't share yet....may be later?

I am wearing gray workout pants, sweatshirt, and running shoes. But want I really want to be wearing are my pjs.

I am remembering that it is good to ask for advice. Especially from those who love you the most and are completely honest with you.

I am currently hearing the arrival of my eldest daughter. She just got home from a girlfriends house and they are sleeping here tonight. No school tomorrow!

I am hoping that tomorrow is a good day.

I am pondering these words...."You don't get wormy apples off a healthy tree, nor good apples off a diseased tree. The health of the apple tells the health of the tree. You must begin with your own life-giving lives. It's who you are, not what you say and do, that counts. Your true being brims over into true words and deeds." Luke 6:45 I was convicted last night at parent/confirmation night.

From the kitchen...looks like Dominoes Pizza was ordered while I returned back to work after attending Kennedy's cross country meet and Madison's school conference.

My house will most likely be in disarray by 5:00 pm tomorrow afternoon. no school day remember.

Plans for tomorrow...a selling appointment, kickboxing class, NO school, and Milo and I are attending the 'Witness' tomorrow night at theater Cedar Rapids. I am thinking we should share a bottle of wine tomorrow night.

Photo of the Day - last cross country meet of the season

Simplicity Journal - Day 5

Outside My Window it is sunny and 65. Yesterday I took advantage of the 80 degree and got my miles logged on the near by nature trail. The leaves were falling, it smelled of fall, and was stunningly beautiful when all came to a halt when a garner snake slithered across my path. YIKES!

I am thinking that I am not too excited about kickboxing class tonight at 7:30 PM. Madison has a parent/confirmation night tonight from 5:30 – 7:30, which pushes my workout to later.

I am thankful for a lost email that just reached my inbox today from over a year ago, about someone inquiring about doing a story on my Reveal business! I hope it is not too late!

I am wearing gray pinstriped pants, gray mules, gray lacey cami, a turquoise sweater and my long dangling silver necklace. Stylin!

I am learning what am I learning today?

I am remembering that the girls have a 4 day weekend coming up. Off Friday and Monday and both are really looking forward to some much needed R&R.

I am currently hearing my next door cube mate typing away.

I am hoping my motivation lasts until 8:30 tonight.

On my mind that I really need to pick up by bible study again. I miss my quiet time and how much it fuels me. That really needs to become a priority in my life again.

I am most excited about this coming weekend. We have NO kid activities. Milo and I are going to see a one man show on Friday night called Witness, performed by our pastor. Saturday I suggestion we hit the apple orchard of which I didn’t get much response. May be hiking at Palisades Park and Halloween costume creating! Fall is in full swing!

I am pondering these words life is fragile…handle with prayer.

From the kitchen The kitchen is CLOSED. Tonight is family night at church and we will eat dinner there. Pizza, I am assuming.

My house is crying for me to come home and inhabit it for the day. My day off yesterday was wonderful!

Plans for tomorrow a selling appointment, our last cross country meet of the season, dance class for Madison, and resistant band training class for myself.

Photos of the day - after work I walked into the house and this was happening

which then led to this

and this

Simplicity Journal - Day 4

Outside my window it is another beautiful fall day and I can't wait to get my butt to the near by trail to enjoy this gorgeous day!

I am thinking that it is going to be a great day. I get to feed all of my loves, shopping, sewing, and cooking! My creativity tank is low to empty and needs refueling.

I am thankful for my bedroom couch, a delicous cup of coffee, a quiet house, pets snuggled in, and a cozy blanket.

I am wearing my favorite pjs and my hair has that bed tossled look.

I am learning that it is important to have a proper balance in your life between work, family, taking care of yourself, and play. When it gets off balance I become a grumpy person.

I am remembering when Milo and I first got married at the ripe old age of 20. We lived in this tiny apartment close to the size of our bedroom in our current home. We look back and called it our simple life. Sometimes I miss the simplicity of that life.

I am currently listening to the NBC Today show.

I am hoping that Madison has finally turned the corner. She is back to school today and slept better last night.

I am most excited starting Madison's Halloween costume.

Pondering these words..Don't hog your journey, it is not yours to hog. It is your journey that can change the lives of those you meet.

From the kitchen..I need to prep the pomegrates that I purchased yesterday and can't wait to enjoy them with a dollop of yogurt. Tonight for supper I am thinking warm chocolate pudding cake with ice cream, grilled burgers, and pork n beans. I love cooking for my family.

My house needs a 10 second tidy. I love being home. I joke with Mr. Milo that we should buy a farm in the country, live off the land and love, so I can be a farmers wife. May be someday.

Plans for tomorrow. A 7:30 AM meeting, 2 selling appointments, 1 consignment appointment, kickboxing, and parent night for confirmation students. Far from the country life.

Photo of the Day. A Dogs Life

Simplicity Journal - Day 3

Outside My Window it is sunny and 80 degrees. Could it still be October? Loving it!

I am thinking that I might get a manicure tomorrow.

I am thankful for a family that enjoys Sunday Family Movie Night. Last night we saw, Social Network. Very good and I have a new appreciation for facebook.

I am wearing a tweed jacket, white blouse, and brown/black pants. I have been losing weight and moving down some pant sizes. Decided I could get into these pants that have been collecting dust in the closet. It was a good idea this morning….but now after lunch…I am looking forward to workout clothes at 5:00. But hey, they felt good this morning AND I have also decided I need to let the hem down. So needless to say am feeling a bit dumpy this afternoon with my waist line bursting and my high waters on.

I am learning or should I say continuing to learn…it took 20 years to put it on and it ain’t coming off over night!

I am remembering that my sister is taking her GRE or GER, the exam to needed to apply for graduate school. She is testing RIGHT now and I am sending positive vibes for mathematics and vocabulary her way. WOW! She is amazing! I would be scared to death!

I am currently hearing the hum of the fan behind me. 80 degrees in October means a little movement of office air needed in the afternoon.

I am hoping that Madison is feeling better. She stayed home from school today with a bad cough that she has been nursing for the past week. All compliments of RSV as a baby, colds always catch her for a week or two. I think she just needed a day to chill on the couch and rest up.

I am most excited about my day off tomorrow! 8 days in a row and 60 hours and oodles of kids activities.

I am pondering these words…. the world is full of people who will go their whole lives and not actually live one day. She did not intend on being one of them. When faith in myself was so strong that I believed I could move mountains. $1,000,000 baby!

From the kitchen cheesy spaghetti and garlic bread.

My house smells like Vicks. Madison slept on the couch with her Vicks vapor steam vaporizer last night.

Plans for tomorrow early workout in the morning, some retail therapy late morning, then spending the afternoon at the sewing machine working on Madison’s Halloween costume – Glenda, the good witch!

Photo of the day. Kennedy first attempts at photography. A natural, I would say!

Simplicity Journal - Day 2

Outside My Window it is another beautiful fall day…hence the photo.

I am thinking that I really need a day off.

I am thankful for my family. After getting Kennedy off to dinner and while we waited to transport their group to the dance, we enjoyed dinner at Applebees with Madison. It is not often that we get alone time with one kid. She talked and talked.

I am wearing black dress pants with a little print, Ivory stripped shirt with a gray vest, my never fail black (winter) dress boots. A tish more thought was put into it today, but not a lot. Got a call to come in early than the early time I was suppose to be at work this morning. So it turned into a mad dash out the door.

I am learning that it takes all sorts of personalities to make the world go round

I am remembering how pretty Kennedy looked last night and how excited she was that her marching band scored their highest score of the season.

I am currently hearing or am remembering hearing the neighbor’s dog bark, until 4:30 in the morning because she got left outside.

I am hoping Kennedy had a wonderful time. She stayed over night at a friend’s house and I got a text message at 11:15 saying, ‘Just sayin…I love you.’

On my mind the growing at home to do list

I am most excited about finding a day to spend at home with nothing to do. That might be awhile.

I am pondering these words “Be still and know that I am God.”

From the kitchen good question? That is #1 on the to do list after work is to see ‘what’s up for supper this week’ and make a grocery list.

My house was left in disarray. Milo and Madison left at 7:00 for church commitments all morning. Milo is in a drama and Madison is performing a dance at all three services. With an early call into work, I didn’t get the ‘routine’ morning chores completed

Plans for tomorrow change of plans. I am now working because I have a family that needs to be seen in the morning, which means I had to cancel my personal training session and massage. Just another day at the office and me getting back on track with my nutrition and exercise regimen. I missed the last three days due to over commitments with work, a laid up husband with a bad back meaning extra running and responsibilities for me, and LOTS of kids activities.

Photo of the day. Love..Love..Love…the change of season

Simplicity Journal - Day 1

Outside My Window it is a beautiful fall day. It is absolutely gorgeous. In fact it has been an amazing display of fall colors all week. I LOVE the change of season!

I am thinking and wondering how my hubby is handling all of the running of kids today while I am at work. From cross country and dance practices, to marching band competition, hair appointments for homecoming tonight and even bra shopping. I know he will handle it all.

I am thankful for a husband that supports me in a relationship always willing to take turns from supper preparation, grocery shopping, house maintenance and child rearing.

I am wearing brown dress pants, brown shirt, and brown shoes. It was a complete, ‘no thought out’ outfit and in hind site, I am feeling drab!

I am learning most everything in life takes time, even when I want it to operate at warp speed sometimes.

I am remembering my homecoming dance, when I raced home after cheering at the football game on Friday night to change and head back to town for the dance, jeans and a sweater. Now it is hair appointments, cocktail dresses, and dinner out - my how times have changed.

I am hearing the steady hum of the air coming through the vents at work and my fingers tapping on the keyboard. Silence is eerie in a funeral home.

I am hoping that Milo’s epidural for his low back issues continues to bring him the pain relief that he is experiencing.

On my mind my lack of energy for having missed my last three workouts, extra family commitments, doctor appointments, and long hours at work. Not a good balance. Back on track tomorrow and may be even a walk or run tonight after work and homecoming festivities.

I am excited about having Monday off! I am have personal training session, a massage scheduled, and plan to start on Madison’s Halloween costume.

I am pondering these words the grass is greener when you water it.

From the kitchen this week is going to be a clean out week. Tomorrow I plan to rummage through the fridge, pantry, and freezer and see what we can eat up this week. I call it a ‘eat the house bare week.’ I am also wondering what will I make for supper?

My house is looking like it will need a new roof. There is always something right?

Plans for tomorrow include working at the funeral home from 10 – 3. I am hoping to catch a few extra hours of shut eye in the morning. Then I hope to catch up on the weekend chores that were set aside on Saturday. Family movie night!

Photo of the day. Homecoming 2010

Tick..Tock..Tick..Tock..

A packed 4 day weekend lies ahead. A weekend I have been anticipating. I was disappointed that a lot of our family could not attend which up until Monday had me stewing. Then I turned the corner with the attitude that I was going to make it the best weekend of celebration I could for Kennedy and nothing short of love and excitment has brought me to this point. Kennedy will be confirmed on Saturday, sharing her faith that she has placed in Jesus Christ. At rehearsal on Wednesday night, I was already getting choked up. I think Saturday could be an emotional day. This year has hit me like a ton of bricks. I feel like the clock is ticking faster and faster and before I know it she will out of the house.

When she was born I focused on when she would sleep through the night.
Then when will she be pottied trained.

Tick, Tock, Tick, Tock....

It will be so much easier when she starts walking.
I can't wait until she starts school.

Tick, Tock, Tick, Tock....

When will she be able to stay home alone?

Tick, Tock, Tick, Tock.....

Did I enjoy every single moment? Or was I just too anxious anticipating the next? Now I feel like time is running out and the tick, tocks, are getting faster and faster every day.

And Saturday marks yet another milestone in her life...tick, tock, tick, tock.....

So tomorrow I took the day off to prepare. With family and friends descending on us tomorrow night and into Saturday, the day will be spent fetching groceries, meal preparation, changing sheets, house touch ups, and a few extra errands.

My plan is to serve up ALL of Kennedy's favorites. Saturday morning Grandma MoMo's hashbrown casserole is on the menu along with ooey, gooey sticky buns. Milo's mom cooks completely from the mind set of a dash of this and a pinch of that. She nevers goes by a recipe and when I called her for advice I got a lot of, 'some, a lot, and just a little.' I accused her of making the entire thing up as she could not recall exactly what 'egg dish' I was referencing. None the less every attempt I have made thus far has been met with 'This is NOT like Grandma MoMos. And there is no guarantee this one will be either.

Meat, cheese, and cracker tray for snacking before we head out early afternoon for the service. Kennedy will share her faith statement that she wrote this spring as will all of the other girls in her small group. Her small group has been together for 3 years and may of the girls we have known since they were toddlers. After faith statements there will be a service, complete with a candle light ceremony that embarks them on the next journey on their walk of faith. When we return to the house, Pigs in a Blanket, carrots and Ranch dip to tide us over until supper. Then 3 orders of Cheesy Spaghetti (word has it, 3 teenage boys are coming over just for this), Garlic Toast, Toss Salad with French and Ranch (on the side), Snicker Salad, Oreo Desserts, all accompanied with Raspberry Lemonade.

Sunday as family and friends head home, Kennedy and I have a day planned with another mom and a good friend to shop for homecoming dresses.

Plus I hope to get all of my summer decor put away to crack out the browns and orange hues of fall. My favorite season for decorating!

I have insisted that I WILL NOT purchase any new jeans, tops, or shoes until the depths of EVERY corner of their rooms is unveiled. I have managed to make a good dent in Madison's, but Kennedy's is a whole other story. She was teasing me tonight about my 'purging' efforts. I simply stated, nothing new comes in until the old goes out! End of story...tick..tock..tick..tock...

My thought for the week...Enjoy and savor every moment, because the clock nevers stops ticking!

later

jill