The Simple Woman's Daybook

Peggy hosts this meme each week. Read other Daybooks HERE.

FOR TODAY

Outside my window...dark, as I'm a bit late in writing this up today.

I am thinking...of how stressful our first day of school was today. The first 1/2 hour went well, then it all broke loose...temper tantrums, bickering, emotional meltdowns, you name it!

I am thankful...for the cooler weather we've had the last week or so. It's so nice to have the house opened up.

From the learning rooms...started today & really hoping things get better

From the kitchen...I just picked up a rotisserie chicken & corn bread at Giant Eagle for dinner this evening. Added a salad & voila! Simple & delicious!

I am wearing...pink & white flowered shorts w/ a white T-shirt (jammies!)

I am creating...a routine for school this year. It's difficult w/ all our doctor appts. & my PT, but I'm really hoping things will settle down soon & we can just focus on school for a while.

I am going...to do a lot of praying before bed this evening!

I am reading...The Life of Our Lord for Children by Marigold Hunt (read-aloud for the kids). That's about it at the moment. I've got a few books on a side table waiting to be read, but the focus right now is on school & I can't seem to quiet my mind enough to read for myself (except for a fluff novel when I'm at work on Saturdays!)

I am hoping...that tomorrow will be a better day.

I am hearing...the hum of the dishwasher & Casinodad's footsteps upstairs as he gets ready for bed...and that's where I'm headed as soon as the dishwasher is done.

Around the house...a bit cluttered, but not too bad - typical for our family as we transition into another school year.

One of my favorite things...a full night's sleep - Hey, it can be a favorite thing, even if I haven't had one in a LONG, LONG, LONG (did I mention LONG?) time!

A few plans for the rest of the week...school, PT Wed., school, prayer group social gathering Wed., school, Mom Therapy after my dear friend watches the munchkins during my PT, & more school!

Here is picture for thought I am sharing...Bigger is NOT always better! I bought these Trolli Big Bold Bears for the munchkins a couple weeks ago. They are 4x the size of regular gummy bears. They tasted okay, but the flavor just wasn't the same. It's the same w/ the larger Reeses PB Cups...the distribution of chocolate & PB just isn't the right proportion for my taste. (The orange & red ones in the photo are the standard size bears.)

Small Successes

Sherry at her blog, Chocolate for Your Brain, hosts Small Successes each Thursday. Check it out to see others' successes & share your own. Recognizing the small things we accomplish each week helps us realize that even when it doesn't seem like it, we are getting things done!

1) I replaced two of our ripped window screens AND saved money doing it! We had an old patio screen door in the crawlspace. I took it out & cleaned off the screen, which was still in good shape. Then I cut it out of the frame & was able to use it to fix two of our window screens. HandyGramps has a special tool for replacing screens & he let me borrow it. So...I saved money on materials & labor!

2) I baked up a storm on Friday! Using veggies from our garden, I made two loaves of zucchini bread, a batch of cookies, & a batch of salsa. All three were a hit at our family reunion over the weekend.

3) I've been doing lots of weeding this week, even though it doesn't look like I've gotten very far. It's amazing how fast those things can take over a yard & flower beds!

Saintly Meme

I have been doubly blessed...My dear blogging friends, Colleen, at Thoughts on Grace, & Judy, at A Thankful Woman's Book of Blessings, both tagged me in the following meme.

Assuming you are a saint, and your cause has been executed, your miracles confirmed, your date on the calendar established, all that is required is select that of which Holy Mother Church will name you Patron(ess).

For this meme, you must name your patronage and then tag 5 other people who would like to play along. Link your answer to your nominator's post.

First of all, let me just say that I am far from being a saint at this point in my life! I know I fall short of God's expectations of me on a daily basis. Thank goodness for His everlasting mercy & forgiveness!

If by some quirky chance I do become a patron saint for others' intercession requests, I think I would be the patroness of mental health & neurological issues for children. This is based on our past couple year's experiences w/ The Archangel & his ADHD/aggression issues (& more recent issues w/ The Prophet as he is closing in on puberty).

I would join St. Dymphna in praying for those affected by the MANY mental & neurological disorders & illnesses, specifically focusing on children & their parents. My prayers have increased greatly as we try to find the right "chemical cocktail" of medication to help The Archangel. Even after all we've been through & tried, I STILL do not feel at peace w/ where we are.

So, now to tag some friends. Please forgive me if you've already been tagged in this meme by someone else. Also, if you have not been tagged & want to participate, by all means, please do! I'd love to hear your patronage!

Kristen at St. Monica's Bridge
Karen at Karen in Mommyland
Kate at Moments of Peace
JJ's Mom at Growing the Garcia Family
Lynn at Lynn Loving Life

A Thankful Woman's Book of Blessings

My dear blogging friend, Judy, over at A Thankful Woman's Book of Blessings, hosts this meme every Wednesday. Simply list five things (or a prayer or any thoughts) for which you are truly thankful this week. Voicing my thanks helps put my life in perspective & realize that, no matter how bad things might be, there is still MUCH good surrounding me.

1) I'm thankful for the Sacraments of Healing. Our parish had a service last Thursday for the Anointing of the Sick & Reconciliation. Casinodad, the two older boys, & I went. The Archangel & I received both sacraments...him for his ADHD/mental health issues & me for my back. He was SO excited to be anointed. The next day, he told me he felt it was already helping him because he felt calmer & not so angry. Brought tears to my eyes!

2) I'm thankful for family! We had a great time this past Sunday at our family reunion. Unfortunately, there were not as many able to make it as in the past, but it was still a good sized fun gathering.

3) I'm thankful for a great date w/ my two older boys last Friday. I took them to Waffle House (they've been begging to go since the one near us opened a couple years ago). They loved it & the time we spent together.

4) I'm thankful for great homilies. Our parish is blessed w/ a pastor, a retired priest in residence, & two deacons...all of whom give some wonderful, thought-provoking homilies.

5) I'm thankful for a breakthrough in my physical therapy on Monday. My therapist does some resistance exercises w/ me & during one of them, there was a pop in my groin area. He said that is a good sign & that we are on the right track!

The Simple Woman's Daybook

Peggy hosts this meme each week. Read other Daybooks HERE.

FOR TODAY

Outside my window...partly cloudy & very cool this morning.

I am thinking...of how much our family is going to miss my nephew when he heads off to Utah next Monday for college. That's awfully far away from us & we will miss him greatly! At the same time, we wish him well & know that he will have a wonderful experience.

I am thankful...for family - we had a great time yesterday at our family reunion.

From the learning rooms...getting ready to start on Aug. 22 - got our schedule ready; I also made up a list of journal themes for each day of the week

From the kitchen...leftovers from our reunion

I am wearing...a gray t-shirt & black capris

I am creating...(continuing to create) a home of peace & simplicity - clean & uncluttered!

I am going...to continue working through the 31 Days to Clean - Having a Martha House the Mary Way, working on upstairs bedrooms now & it's taking longer than I thought it would

I am reading...The Curious Adventures of the Abandoned Toys by Julian Fellowes (reading aloud to the munchkins), Catherine of Siena by Sigrid Undset, & The Imitation of Christ.

I am hoping...that we're finally on track to relieve my back pain.

I am hearing...the munchkins making their normal noise

Around the house...I'm still working through 31 Days to Clean - Having a Martha House the Mary Way. I love the reflections & tasks in this ebook.

One of my favorite things...opening the house to let in that fresh, cool morning air

A few plans for the rest of the week...PT today & Wed., park day w/ a college friend & her kids, Olive Garden w/ my parents, sister & her family to celebrate my nephew's heading off to college

Here is picture for thought I am sharing...This was on the counter when I got home from work a couple of weeks ago. Casinodad wanted to make sure I saw that he bought bananas for us!