The Simple Woman's Daybook

Good morning! I have the picture of The Simple Woman's Daybook on here. However, I can't figure out the technology this morning to make the picture link work in my blog but I wanted to give Peggy the credit for this wonderful journaling idea. http://thesimplewoman.blogspot.com/

I'll get it figured out....and, of course, if you have ideas on how to make it work, let me know!! Thanks.

For Today

Outside my window...a crisp looking morning in the beautiful Pacific NW. Fall is definitely in the air.

I am thinking..."I am not working today. I can relax!" "No, I can't...I have things to do!"

From the learning rooms...No longer a mom of school age kids, I am dedicated to being a lifelong learner! I am putting together my teaching things just in case I get my own classroom in one of the elementary schools.

I am thankful for...Greenbluff, a wonderful farming community north of us and provides the freshest produce.

From the kitchen...tonight's meal is corn on the cob and grilled chicken (marinated in Italian dressing all day) I'm also baking zucchini chocolate chip muffins.

I am wearing...warm sweats for cleaning and relaxing.

I am creating...this blog entry and cards for my friends, using my new Martha Stewart stamps and punches.

I am reading..."Divine Mentors" by Wayne Cordero.

I am hearing... my friend Lisa laugh as I talk with her on the phone!

Around the house...many things to be put away, in an organized fashion.

One of my favorite things...Pumpkin Spice Latte from Starbucks.

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week...having tea with my friend Charlotte, teaching the rest of the week, starting a ladies' Bible Study on Tuesday evening at church (the book of Ephesians!), headed to my daughter's house on Saturday to play with the beagle puppies.

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you...

five of the cutest puppies enjoying their lunch! I love how their feet stick out behind them, with their tipped tails waggin'.

Friday Fave Five...

I was reading different blogs today and found some that I loved! I added a link to "Friday's Fave Five" because I love Susanne's simplicity and fun loving attitude. Here's what she says on her blog about her Fave Five event: "Hello and welcome to Friday's Fave Five. A place to think back over your week and just post 5 favorite things from your week. It can be anything that tickled your fancy over the week. Favorite quotes, posts, happenings, scriptures, recipes, etc., etc. Just make your own post, be as detailed as you like, linking to Living to Tell the Story and then add yourself to the Mr. Linky. Thanks for joining in. Hopefully we'll all have some smiles, meet some new people, find out interesting things about ourselves, focus on thankfulness and the good things in our lives, and in general have lots of fun!"

I really enjoyed reading the other gals' posts, smiling about the beauty they've seen throughout their week and I can't wait to get to know them better! Thanks, Susanne, for your link! (You can follow it yourself on the sidebar at the bottom.)

Gratitude Friday list...

With the help of the same friend who got me started on "10 on 10", I'll do my Gratitude Friday list. I especially needed to read her blog tonight as I'm sitting here drinking a Starbucks alone and wondering what everyone else is doing!

1. My husband of 24 years! He's working for the county now and it's hard to be in a totally new career field after being in the Air Force for 24+ years. I'm proud of him.
2. Starbucks! My good friend, almost everywhere I go in this world!
3. My job -- I was invited to be a guest teacher two times this week and loved both experiences. Next week I have a full schedule!! Yipeee~
4. The beauty of the Inland NW -- I saw the magnificent sunset last night and just said "WOW!" This morning I drove over a bridge that crossed the Spokane River and was "wow'ed" again. The morning was chilly and there was a faint mist mixing with the river and the fall colors in the trees and bushes. I've got to take my camera with me so you all can see the beauty!
5. My cell phone! I know this sounds funny, but it's my way to keep in touch with the kids and good friends. Texting, calling, pictures and email are great for those times I need to have human contact via technology. Plus, it keeps me linked up with my guest teaching assignments.

Hey, I think I kinda did this list last Friday...it's called "Friday and blessings!"

(Ok, passing this on to whomever to start their own Gratitude Friday list! I'm snapped out of my grumpy attitude as I sip the last of my wonderful Vanilla Latte'. Thanks, Jenny and Vicki!)

Anniversary Getaway!

We drove to Silver Mountain (Idaho) for our 24th wedding anniversary. We stayed at the new Mountain Star Lodge, located next to the gondola. What a fun time!! We did the waterpark both days (wishing we'd had little kids with us because it's definitely a kid-friendly place!), had dinner, enjoyed the hottub, enjoyed a massage and ate all of the yummies left in our studio room for us!

This is one view of the waterpark. The river in the foreground goes quickly around so you can "float" all the island. Fun waterfalls and different things to watch & the sun shone on us the entire time! Beware of all of the amazing water features -- you'll never know when you'll have water splashed on you!

The FlowRider Surf Wave is much harder than it looks. This is one of the rides for the "big" kids (or lifeguards off duty!). David tried it and realizes that he needs a lot more practice. But he still had a smile at the end!

Mountain Star Lodge is beautiful! There's features galore that just made it a nice stay. I especially liked the outside fireplaces at night and the waterfalls throughout the lodge complex walkways. We plan on going back the second weekend of October for the Octoberfest so we can ride the gondola up to the top of Silver Mountain and see the fall colors!

Friday and blessings!

Blessings -- I was at a middle school today, teaching CHOIR to 7th and 8th graders. Those of you who really know me know that I'm not very good at any sort of rhythm, even clapping with the worship leader at church! So, I'm here to say that it was an amazing day -- 5 periods of watching the musical "Newsies" with wonderful results of student behavior each period. Since this was a new school district for me, new age group of kids and music, I consider it a very wonderful day.

I also had a phone call from a principal for an interview! WOOOHOOO!!! I'll be interviewing on Monday afternoon for a 6th grade teaching job. I am very excited!! Please keep me in your prayers -- for the right words to say with lots of great teaching examples.

Tonight David and I went to hear Garrett Lamp and his band Amateur Pros play downtown. A fun evening of listening to Garrett play lead guitar and sing. I've known Garrett forever and a day (he graduated with Jen and he worked with me in HUB during his high school years) -- it was an honor to support him tonight and see his mom, dad and brother, too! Nice job, Garrett!!

I'm thinking back on the day -- lots of blessings and good times. I'm headed to bed with a smile on my face and in my heart.

A quiet day!

I had a really quiet day here at home. The dogs, cat and I slept til 9:30 (I'd woken up at 5:30 to make sure I was ready for a subbing call, but no call so I dutifully put the American flag on display outside and then fell back to sleep!) Later, I tackled the gross fridge -- I told David I should have earned hazardous duty pay for it! -- did a few more things around the house and went to Costco to buy a few things. Dinner tonight was marinated teriyaki steak, mashed potatoes and steamed yellow squash with Walla Walla onions. YUM! This evening I went on a neighborhood walk with David, Manchas and Buddy (my next door neighbor's service dog). Here's Buddy and I!

Happiness and perfection

I admit, I am a perfectionist through and through! I've struggled with happiness, too, and looking in so many directions. But I found this quote a few days ago and it's settled me right down. I think you'll agree with the quote!

“Being happy doesn't mean that everything is perfect. It means that you've decided to look beyond the imperfections.”

10 on 10 September!

"10 on 10" is a tradition a friend of mine started -- take 10 pictures on the 10th of each month. I included pictures of my garage -- before and after, kinda! Still work to be completed. Along with things that make me smile and since it's my 1st anniversary of graduating from Whitworth University, I included my diploma. The last picture is our marshmallow fire at the end of the day...a nice way to complete the day! Enjoy~