The Simple Woman's Daybook: February 2019

Every year I promise myself I am going to do monthly Daybook posts, but then life gets in the way. I kind of forgot to make that promise this year, but here I am on the first day of the second month of the year and it's a day off from work. A day that is cold (the polar vortex hasn't moved on just yet) and snowy (which was a surprise this morning). I had planned to catch up on chores and run some errands, but it's yucky enough outside that I'm taking errands off the table since none of them were of the "can't wait" variety. So, with the extra time, I've decided to do my Simple Woman's Daybook post. The link up for the month isn't posted yet, but that's okay. I'll just add mine later.

For today....

Looking out my window...It's a frosted winter wonderland, but the neighborhood is quiet. The schools have all delayed or cancelled and no one is out and about because it is still so darn cold. Though today's predicted high temperature of 8 degrees is a bit warmer than yesterday. 

I am thinking...of the need to live more in the moment. It's a lesson my Bible study seems to be reinforcing over and over. I need to stop being so busy, leave work at work, and walk away from the computer a little more often than I do because lately I have been feeling caught up in the rat race...like it's all an endless cycle of the same old, same old, over and over with no point.

I am thankful...our daughter and her family live next door to us. We love our son and his family but don't get to see them very often. It is such a boon to our lives to have family close by and nearly daily visits with our youngest grandson. He seems to be the only thing that brings joy to his grandpa these days, cutting through the exhaustion of long work days and the chronic pain. Our lives would be much....less....without their presence in it.

I am creating...pages in my Happy Planner. I discovered these last summer and I am addicted! I don't know that I am any more organized, but it's so much fun to decorate the pages. Maybe I should just do one as a memory keeper? I've added budget pages, book list pages, and there are all kinds of lists and notes added. I'm so hooked I got our daughter one for Christmas that is just for mothers so she can track the days with her little one and also of her pregnancy (yes, we're getting another grand this summer!).

I am wearing...the soft, stretchy fleece top to a pair of pajamas, lined leggings (they are warmer than the pajama bottoms), and fuzzy socks. Its my day off and I'm not venturing out so I don't have to get dressed if I don't want to!

I am reading...Crucible by James Rollins. It's a timely thriller about Artificial Intelligence and book number 15 in the Sigma Force series. I have been hooked on all of Rollins' books since discovering him many years ago.

I am watching...A Million Little Things on ABC. The show sure deals with some dark and heavy topics, but the writing is incredible and the actors are very believable. My only complaint is that it's only on once a week! Waiting a week between episodes to find out the next little kernel of the story is KILLING me! I'm loving it, though. It's been ages since I've been this caught up in a show.

I am listening to...well, a lot of old stuff at the nursing home, like Dean Martin, Frank Sinatra, Bobby Vinton, Big Band, etc. We do some music appreciation times with the residents, too, and I sometimes slip in something a little more recent....would you believe they absolutely loved NSYNC and M.C. Hammer? In the car I'm usually tuned into K-LOVE for contemporary Christian music and at home I ask Alexa to play different decades of music in whatever style I'm in the mood for. She always finds a good mix.

I am hoping...still, to hear from the company I had a job interview with last week. I'm not going to be disappointed yet. It took a while to hear back about the job I have now. You never know how many people they had to interview or what their hiring schedule is like.

In my kitchen...the slow cooker is coming out of the cupboard today. I sat out a roast early this morning and in a little bit will toss it in the cooker with potatoes, carrots, a package of Lipton Beefy Onion Soup mix and a can of Coke. It sounds weird, but the Coke makes the meat very tender and mixed with the roast drippings and soup mix you get a very savory gravy that is always a big hit around here.

In my garden...nothing is happening at this time of year! However, I snagged a gardening catalog from Mom and have been thumbing through its pages dreaming of what I will grow this summer...also of what fruit trees or just-for-looks trees I might be able to talk my husband into. And then there are composters, strawberry towers, and so many garden doo-dads to admire.

A quote I want to share... “And whether you believe in miracles or not, I can guarantee that you will experience one. It may not be the miracle you’ve prayed for. God probably won’t undo what’s been done. The miracle is this: that you will rise in the morning and be able to see again the startling beauty of the day.” ― William Kent Krueger, Ordinary Grace

A moment from my day...

That's all for this month. I'm vowing to myself and in front of all you witnesses to be more in the moment and enjoy all of life's little moments this month.