The Simple Woman's Daybook Entry

For Today...

Outside My Window...it's very warm; but there's a breeze going on.  You can see the tops of the trees moving.  It's lovely to watch.

I am thinking...of the things I have to do and don't want to; because I'm tired!  The ceiling fans need to be dusted~again!  I have a small sinkful (thank goodness) of dishes that need washing.  My oldest son just went off to work.  My daughters are both homeschooling in their rooms.  

I am thankful... for another day.  We ordered pizza from 'Little Italy'.  Their food is so good!  

In the Kitchen...Jingles, our cat, is stretched out on the rug, dozing.  Coffee is on.  It's always on!  Can't go without it. And the sinkful of dishes, of course.

I am wearing .....a plaid shirt (evergreen and red) with loose comfortable faded blue jeans; barefooted, my hair is in a ponytail, face free of makeup.  Glasses perched on my nose, like an old granny.  But I'm not one, yet!  My oldest son will be eighteen in two days!  Time flies.

I am creating....shirts by the dozen for myself!!  Oh, how I love it!! Modest but pretty! 

I am going....to try and make orange curd!  I made lemon curd from scratch, the other day, and it was delicious.

I am wondering....about alot of things.  No one knows better than I, how your life can change in a second.     

My husband is moving back home after three years, three months separation.  I cried almost every night for over two years of that time.  Do I still love him?  Of course!  Am I afraid?  Yes!!  Has my prayer time increased?  

Yes!  I feel like I'm living in prayer.  When I awaken in the morning, the first thing on my mind...God.  When I retire to sleep...God.  Hold my hand, Lord so that I won't be afraid.  

I am reading...Rooted in Love by Donna-Marie Cooper O'Boyle and The Third Spiritual Alphabet by Francisco de Osuna.  

I am hoping...for a nice summer!  I want to make homemade rootbeer, do a little canning, sew and knit a little more,  and sew up some lovely ragdolls.  I heard of doll collecting, especially the porcelain kind.  I don't collect dolls but I just love to sew up ragdolls.  

I am looking forward to ..... a faith enrichment by participating in 'Lawn Chair Catechism At CatholicMom.com Summer 2013

I am learning....no matter how hard I tried, I couldn't make everyone happy, that walked through my life.
Some people just don't want to act like friends; some family members don't want or act like family.  This one grieved me the most, will always turn their nose at you, will turn their back on you, even after giving them your love, your 'ear', when they needed someone to talk to.  How do I handle that?  Just forgive and go on....

Around the house...are reminders of what hearth and home means to me.  Our domestic church, as we Catholics put it.

One of my favorite things.....right now is Pinterest!!  So much fun and interesting!

A few plans for the week.....Mass, home cooking, more sewing, reading, lots of time with my children.

A peek into my day...

The images are a little dark; but I couldn't help but display some of my
blouses that I sewed.  This one is a cornflower blue.  I felt so pretty wearing it!

This blouse was my 'fun' shirt!  I love novelty fabric as well as novelty buttons!  Someday I hope to have
a little backyard chicken coop!

This is a blouse I experimented with using ribbon.  My sons like to see me wear it because of
the ribbon cross. The fabric is the loveliest shade of blue!

Another fun blouse with pale yellow glass buttons which I have had for perhaps
a decade.  Finally got to use them.

My Valentine's Day blouse I sewed up especially for this day.  I wasn't able to find a St. Valentine Medal
to put in the tiny secret pockets which I usually place inside my garments.

My 'chore day' blouse.  Pretty and fun to wear!


This blouse was made entirely out of left-over scrap material.  It came out so
pretty and comfortable.  All my blouses are loose, modest and comfortable.

I didn't know I had sewed so many until I stacked them all together.  I don't like to go shopping and
find nothing pretty or feminine to wear; everything these days seems to be too sheer, too clingy, or too
revealing. I'm not in the habit of wearing items that expose cleavage, etc.  I'm too old for that anyway
and my family would never approve.

 These are the tiny secret pockets I talked about earlier; this is a blouse I sewed up for St. Patrick's Day.
It has clover print all over.  The medal is that of St. Patrick.

This was my Sunflower blouse with a medal of St. Martin de Porres inside its
tiny pocket.

These are homemade sewing labels which I made using inkjet fabric sheets. They depict a sacred picture of
the Virgin Mary or a favorite saint with a favorite prayer of mine.


 Most purchased garments have a label at the neck giving instructions on the care of the garment.
I know how important this is since some clothing are delicate and  require special care.
I believe the soul requires just as much care, therefore I also place a prayer label reminder in all
of my sewing items, including whatever shirts or pants I sew for my family.  We humans all need a little bit of queuing, right?

  

The Simple Woman's Daybook Entry

For Today

Outside my window...it's been raining for several days.  It's 42 degrees; wet, dreary-looking weather.  Dirt spattered  in pools of rain all over our sidewalk.  Our cat Patrick is whining to come inside.  Can't do that but I did open the garage door so he could come and go as he pleased...which he does very well.   

I am thinking.... how good it feels to be in the house; warm, cozy with soft glowing light from our lamps.  There's books scattered across our living room couch, my bed, a stack of cookbooks on the kitchen counter and dining room table.  My daughters and I have been reading and reading.  It should be colder and snowing outside but it's not.  It's cold, wet and yucky. 

I am thankful....for today and everyday. 

In the kitchen....there's chili beans which I slow cooked earlier in the crock pot.  Cornbread atop the oven, chocolate chip cookie dough and peanut butter cookie dough chilling in the fridge.  I'm going to try and make cookies tonight.

I am wearing... comfortable care-worn white pajamas with red trim, and a soft pink & peach checked  robe wrapped well around me.  I have on white socks with some old crochet slippers which I made years ago

I am creating....a list of new goals for myself for this year.  (Exercise more, eat healthier, write more in my journal~so therapeutic for me, keeping more time in prayer, going to bed earlier, etc.)

I am going....to the pharmacy tomorrow to pick up my son's asthma medications.  Mine or my daughters' scripts aren't due yet.  We're all asthmatic, unfortunately.

I am wondering....about tomorrow.  Will we have more rain?  We've had almost four days worth.

I am reading....'Rooted In Love' by Donna Marie Cooper I'Boyle.  It's a very good read and I'm not quite though with it.

I am hoping....for another good day tomorrow.

I am looking forward to  working on my sewing and knitting.

I am learning....how to quilt, make a rag rug.

Around the house... our house cats are scattered and sleeping on the couch, bed, on a windowsill.  My son is out with his father, my daughters and I are watching 'The Bishop's Wife'.  I just love to watch movies with Loretta Young.  One of my favorite actresses.

A few plans for the rest of the week....continue to enjoy my family time, cooking, reading and maintaining a clean home with the help of my children, keeping a spiritual environment, chaste minds, fresh smiling faces to reflect our love and providence in God and continue to be happy for all that he's done for us.

A peek into my day....

My new little 'chicken' dutch oven which

I purchased at a consignment store!  

What a great 'find'!  I love cast iron.

Did you ever see such a lid as this?  I'll be trying 

out chicken pot pies, shephard's pies, pot roasts in this!!

So excited!

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It's Friday!

This morning didn't start out too bad; guess it could've been worse.  My alarm has seen it's last day.  It went off  30 minutes before I'm due for work!  Not good.  I usually get up at 5:30 to get ready to be at the hospital at 7:00 and drink a cup of  steamy coffee before starting pt. rounding and nursing care.  Coffee is my jump start in the mornings.  This morning my alarm went off at 6:30 instead.  Oh well....sigh.....that's life sometimes.

Busy, busy, busy.  It feels like a Friday.  It's also the feast day of  St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, which incidentally,  I buy the curriculum from the The Seton Catholic Home Study School.  

The day passed quickly for me.  It snowed some around town but it quickly melted away.  My kids were warm and happy at home.  At least that's what my youngest daughter told me on the phone when she called me at work to see how my day was going.  "Great", I told her.

It's time for bed.  My daughter, Mary, will be going out of town with our homeschool basketball team, the 'Lady Hawks' tomorrow.  Melinda will be spending the day with her father; and Jacob will be working tomorrow in the evening.  His work schedule changed a little.  Time to go bed.

I'll be thinking about this song as I drift off to sleep because it has such a 'slumber' quality.  Not because I'm feeling blue; I'm really not.  I just love the song.  I first heard it when I watched a movie starring Loretta Young.  The movie is called 'Mother Is A Freshman'.  Prayers before retiring.

Home and Family

Today was so busy and yet so nice!  The minute I woke it couldn't have been busier!  Everyday that I'm off from work is always the same.  I start my coffee percolator going,  feed all the pets, start my laundry and go around the house picking up dirty socks, shoes thrown about, pieces of paper here and there, etc.  But it feels so good to be home with my children.  I can't remember a time since they were all born that I didn't feel this way.  I've always been aware of time and  how fast it flies.  

It took about two hours to get the house straightened out, while my daughters were sleeping in their beds.  My son, Jacob went to work early this morning; about 8:00 am.  I made up his bed, swept his floor and dusted where it needed.

  

Then off I went to do errands; something else that's the story of my life.  I'm forever running errands.  Went to the bread store and loaded up on bread for about 6-8 weeks.  Paid 4 bills!  Bought groceries;  money is tight so we don't get to eat out but maybe once a month. Thank you Lord! I know we're better for it.

After I got home, from the bread store, my daughters and I went to St. Vincent de Paul to look around!  The first Thursday of every month, you can fill up a large grocery sack to the brim for $7.00.  The three of us got something.  I have two new pairs of flannel pajamas, Mary has a new jacket and  a couple of t-shirts, and lastly, Melinda has a new jacket and a very pretty shirt.  We couldn't stop beaming when we left.  We love shopping at St. Vincents and consignment stores and vintage shops.  You can find so many wonderful and useful things for practically nothing.  Almost every stick of furniture in my home was purchased at a consignment store.  

Our home isn't fancy at all;  but it's clean, warm, cozy and filled with alot of love and a spiritual light which burns brightly with devotion to God.  Today was a great day to be together with my family.  Hot dogs and chips was our supper this evening.  Baths have been taken.  The outdoor Christmas lights are on again tonight.  We'll take them down after the Feast of the Epiphany. Prayers before retiring.

The Simple Woman's Daybook Entry

For Today

Outside my Window...it's nightfall.  The temperature has dropped.  I have my outdoor Christmas lights on.  They're bright red and trimming the front of my house;  so pretty! The neighbors have theirs on as well.  

I am thinking...about the bills that I have to pay tomorrow.  I tell myself, all the time, that my children and I will be all right.

I am thankful......for my faith, my kids, for the roof over our head, my life, my job.

In the kitchen...there's leftover gingerbread cake on the kitchen counter.  There'll be some for breakfast in the morning.

I am wearing... faded blue jeans, a yellow calico blouse that I sewed up last summer.  Hair in a ponytail, glasses perched on my nose~forever falling forward with me constantly pushing them back in place.  White cotton socks on;  refuse to walk barefoot inside the house or anywhere.  

I am creating...a grocery list of things we need for the house.

I am going...to bed in little while; starting to get sleepy.

I am wondering...what this new year will bring.  

I am reading...'Rooted In Love',  by Donna Marie Cooper O'Boyle;  I absolutely enjoy all of her books.  They thoroughly lift me up spiritually.

I am hoping...to get in some sewing and knitting tomorrow.  

I am looking forward to...some very enjoyable reading this year.  I have a huge stack of books that I want to catch up on.  Can't wait!!

I am learning...to accept people and certain matters in my life for what they really are and to accept myself for what I really am.  I'm committed to my faith and children; and I'm very very old-fashioned.  I've  been called a huge  'square' and I'm not embaressed about it. I'm glad.

Around the house...my oldest son has already retired to bed.  He has to get up and go to work early in the morning.  My daughters are watching a little television before going to bed.  Our five cats are all put up for the evening.  (Patrick~sleeps in the garage.  Clare, Margaret, Bernadette and Jingles sleep in one of our spare bathrooms.  Sadie (our pooch) is asleep in her little bed.  The christmas tree is glittering with lights; the house feels so cozy and warm!

A few plans for the rest of the week...a trip to St.Vincent de Paul tomorrow.  My daughters and I enjoy rummaging through the clothes and books they have.  We have the best time there.  Have to work this coming weekend at the hospital.  Prayers and rosaries to be said.

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Miserere Mei, Deus ~ Have Mercy Upon Me O God

Latin music has such a profound effect on me.  It has the ability to force me to stop whatever I'm doing;  I clasp my hands fervently in prayer.  I feel like I'm in a trance and I cannot move.  Oftentimes, during Mass, when the Ave Maria is sung. I can feel my eyes become wet with tears.  This is Psalm 51 set to music which has the same effect on me.  

PSALM 51

HAVE MERCY UPON me, O God, according to thy loving kindness:  according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions.

Wash me thoroughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.

Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight:  that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest.

Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me.

 Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts:  and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom.

Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean:  wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.

Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice.

Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities.

Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.

Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me.

Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.

Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee.

Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, thou God of my salvation:  and my tongue shall sing aloud of thy righteousness.

 O Lord, open thou my lips; and my mouth shall shew forth thy praise.

For thou desirest not sacrafice; else would I give it:  thou delightest not in burnt offering.

The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit:  a broken and contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.

Do good in thy good pleasure unto Zion:  build thou the walls of Jerusalem.

Then shalt thou be pleased with the sacrifices of righteousness, with burnt offering and whole burnt offering:  then shall they offer bullocks upon thine altar.

First Vespers of All Saint's Day

I'm feeling so rejuvenated after being off for several days from work.  My job is so fulfilling; but I'm also a huge homebody.  No cooked breakfast this morning.  Cereal w/milk.  Long talks with my daughters about nothing and everything.  At the same time, fleeting thoughts are running through my brain on what to do first today.  After the house is put to order, do I put together a batch of pie dough to make some pies for this evening?  Or should I go ahead and finish up that batch of lovely holiday aprons that I've been working on? Orrr...work on sewing Jacob some more 'work' pants?  What shall it be?  I guess maybe all of it.  Yes... but first I'll take Miss Sadie, our dog, outside this morning.

Finally the Fall season  seems to really be here!  The air even smells as well as feels like Autumn.  So many projects to be finished.  My youngest daughter has had her costume for this evening finished.

My daughters modeling some of my holiday aprons that I sewed up.

Our Miss Sadie!