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What I Learned This Week~May 7th

May 7, 2013 1 Comment
What I Learned This Week On Making Our Life Matter
What I Learned This Week has always been a favorite blog meme. Reading some of Julie’s entries has always brought a smile to my face. Each week I think that there isn’t anything I could have possibly learned that is worth blogging about. Or sometimes it seems like I learn the same stuff over and over and over again. Sometimes I feel like I am doing nothing but complaining, and who wants to read that, right? But then I think, maybe someone out there understands or is going through the same thing. So, without further discussion, here is what I learned this week:

 

  • I learned this week that I love when hubby and I have date nights.  It really makes me feel so connected to my hubby when we have date nights.  Lately we have been able to see and do new things, and it makes it even more special.
  • I also learned this week that I am still waiting impatiently for Spring. We have had bits and glimmers, but I am so ready for warm days and warm evenings.  I have yet to see an fireflies.
  • I learned this week that I can’t wait for the deck to be completed so I can sit outside with a glass of wine(or two). Even if it’s 40 degrees and raining.
  • I may have learned this week that waiting for baseball season has been an exercise in patience as well. And that I love being team Mom. And having such great friends.
  • I learned this week that I really have many blessings in my life, and that I am completely grateful for them.
  • I learned this week that May is our busiest month.  And it’s only been the first week.

 


I learned a few things along the way this week, some new, some the same old same old. How about you? Join in the fun to see what others are doing and to make new blog friends. For more WILTW, please visit Julie at From Inmates to Playdates!

Filed Under: What I Learned This Week

Simple Woman’s Daybook~May 6th

May 6, 2013 1 Comment
daybook last sun feb Have you ever thought about being a simple woman or writing a daybook? The Simple Woman’s daybook is one of my favorite blog memes to do. I always get lots of comments, visits, and encouragement when I write it. My daybook always combines little parts of my everyday life. Sometimes I feel like my life takes on such a hectic pace. Blogging about my week helps me to see what my week is like, and maybe figure out how to slow things down a bit. So I hope that you enjoy this post. And join in with the Simple Woman’s daybook as well.

 

Do you have a simple life? Do you want others to share in it?

 

FOR TODAY May 6, 2013

 

Outside my window…The sun is out, but it is still a little on the cooler side. I really am anxious for the warmer weather to get here.

I am thinking…I am really glad that we decided to go ahead with the plans to rebuild the deck. As much as I didn’t want to have the huge expense, I am grateful that we will have a place to hang out during the warmer weather. Right now, there is still a 4-week backorder on the decking we chose.  I am trying very hard to be patient…..

I am thankful… I am thankful that I have such a wonderful husband. Perhaps I might have mentioned it before, but he still amazes me with what he does for me and our family. Every time I think he can’t do more for us, he turns around and astounds me more!

In the kitchen… Stuck in a rut is the only way to put it.

I am wearing… Yoga pants and a top. I am off today, and I don’t have to go anywhere, so I am going for the clean & casual look.

I am creating… A mess?? I really need to get this house back under control.

I am going… Get myself caught up on ironing! And laundry. And cleaning the bathroom.  Ugh, does it ever end?

I am wondering... If I can survive baseball season without gaining too much weight. All the eating out is bad, but when we are on the run, it is something that can’t be avoided.

I am reading…Harry Potter.  I’ve read them before, but I recently purchased them in e-book format, so I need to start all over ;)

I am hoping… That something that I have been avoiding will get done.  It’s something I know I should do because it is expected of me, but at the same time, I don’t want to set myself up for the hurt all over again.  I need prayers and strength.

I am looking forward to… Just being with my family. And making our home a haven. I am starting to look forward to our vacation in June to Wildwood, and a second road trip to Ohio/Wisconsin in July.

I am learning…That life is short, you have to make the most of it before it’s too late. And that faith in God is the only way to live your life.

Around the house… Just trying to keep things presentable. Making sure I am making the beds daily, and that the sink is empty. It really makes a big difference. And doing at least one load of laundry a day. I am also trying to keep up with ironing. At last these things *must* be done before any blogging or networking starts. And stop talking about the above statement, and just do it!

I am pondering… How to declutter some stuff without my family noticing things are gone.

A favorite quote for today… “Just Do It”. It’s an oldie, but definitely a goodie!

One of my favorite things… Sitting outside in the Spring, with warm sunshine, light breezes, and sunshine! Wait, didn’t I already say sunshine? Yes, I know. I am a broken record when it comes to the nicer weather.

A few plans for the rest of the week:

  • Monday~Housework, ironing,  blogging, and a baseball game.
  • Tuesday~Work, and more laundry.
  • Wednesday~Working, more laundry, than running Johnny to confirmation.
  • Thursday~Working, housework, and a baseball game.
  • Friday~Working, than relaxing.
  • Saturday ~Sleeping in a bit, haircuts for my boys. Hubby may go fishing.
  • Sunday~Church for all of us, then out to eat for Mother’s Day.

A peek into my day…

Hubby's new car

Hubby’s new car


For more Daybooks, please visit: The Simple Woman’s Daybook

Filed Under: Daily Thoughts

Book Review: Grounded by Dave and Neta Jackson

May 1, 2013 11 Comments

As many of you know from reading my blog, reading is one of my passions.  I enjoy books from many different genres, and always love losing myself in a good book.  As I wrote in a previous post, I thoroughly enjoyed the Yada Yada Prayer Group series by Neta Jackson. The characters in this series are so real and easy to relate to, and I feel like I could be a part of their group.  Neta has also written the House Of Hope series, SouledOut Sisters, and parallel novels with her husband Dave.

I am extremely honored to share with all my readers that Neta allowed me to receive an advanced reader’s copy of her latest book, Grounded, to read and review.  I was absolutely excited beyond belief to receive the ARC because I will admit that I just couldn’t wait for it to come out in the stores.  I hope that you enjoy my review on Neta and Dave’s newest book, and use it to make an informed decision about reading it in the near future.

groundedcover

Product Details

  • ISBN-13: 9781617950001
  • Publisher: Worthy Publishing
  • Publication date: 5/7/2013
  • Series: Windy City Neighbors , #1
  • Pages: 320

General Overview: Grounded begins with an introduction to Grace Meredith, a Christian Contemporary recording artist.  She is a young, single woman who has a very demanding and public career.  She has what she thinks is the perfect husband-to-be and a wonderful career.  Things go wrong, and she suddenly finds herself rethinking her life and what her music stands for.  Even though she is young, she has the maturity of a person far older.  She had things happen in her past that reflected on her lifestyle in the present. And unexpected storm grounds her at home with a new friend, and she begins to re-evaluate her life.  The break up in her personal life soon leads her in a new direction in her professional one, one that is fueled by her renewed faith in God.

My Thoughts: I have to admit, this turned out to be another one of my favorites.  While I don’t have anything in common with the main character Grace, I found her to be a very real character.  I enjoyed getting to know her through this story, unlike Kat the main character from the SouledOut Sisters books.  There is just something very reachable and believable about Grace that was not present in Kat’s story.  Having read all the other books in the Yada Yada series, it was easy for me to visual the current plot happenings.  A great thing about the newest book is that you don’t have to read any other Yada Yada first in order to understand Grounded, but I found that I enjoyed the book even more because I did read the other Yada Yada’s first.  I will also say that I was sad to read the last page because I knew I had to wait a while for the next book to come out.  I especially liked hearing more about Henry and Estelle Bentley.  They were characters that always showed the true meaning of God’s grace and how it is extended to everyone.

Final Notes: All in all, I really enjoyed Dave and Neta’s newest book.  If you are a fan of christian fiction, this is a book that you should definitely put on your must read book list.  If you have ever been to Chicago(I finally got there last July and will be returning again this July), you can get a real sense of where these stories are happening.  I think that is one of the reasons why I got so excited to read her new book because I recognized some of the places from our trip in the details mentioned in the book.  It made the book even more personal to me.  I look forward to the next novel coming out in October of 2013, and I hope that I will be able to do another review for the Jackson’s.

You can find Grounded May 2013 in paperback at Barnes & Noble, Amazon.com, and Christianbook.com.  It is also available in e-book format as well.

 I received an advance reader copy from the author in exchange for my honest review.

Filed Under: Book Reviews

What I Learned This Week~Last Day Of April

April 30, 2013 Leave a Comment
What I Learned This Week On Making Our Life Matter
What I Learned This Week has always been a favorite blog meme. Reading some of Julie’s entries has always brought a smile to my face. Each week I think that there isn’t anything I could have possibly learned that is worth blogging about. Or sometimes it seems like I learn the same stuff over and over and over again. Sometimes I feel like I am doing nothing but complaining, and who wants to read that, right? But then I think, maybe someone out there understands or is going through the same thing. So, without further discussion, here is what I learned this week:

 

  • I learned this week that I have limited patience when waiting on the deck people. They called last week and said there is a 4-5 week back order on the color we wanted. The weather is nice now.  We have time to sit outside and enjoy it now. Did I mention I want it now?
  • I also learned this week that it is all in the timing. God has a plan for our life, and we need to accept that.  This week, after a two-year wait-and-see, we finally got our new car.  Lots of research and planning went into this purchase, and for once my hubby did something for himself and got what he wanted.  Loved the look on his face when he climbed into the driver’s seat.
  • I learned this week that I can’t wait for the deck to be completed so I can sit outside with a glass of wine(or two). Even if it’s 40 degrees and raining.
  • I may have learned this week that waiting for baseball season has been an exercise in patience as well. And that I love being team Mom.  And having such great friends.
  • I learned this week that I really have many blessings in my life, and that I am completely grateful for them.

 

Good things come to those that wait........but I still hate waiting!

Good things come to those that wait……..but I still hate waiting!


I learned a few things along the way this week, some new, some the same old same old. How about you? Join in the fun to see what others are doing and to make new blog friends. For more WILTW, please visit Julie at From Inmates to Playdates!

Filed Under: Home and Garden, What I Learned This Week
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