First for everything

In an attempt to get organized, save money, and become efficient, I'm trying something new. I've planned menus before, but I have never tried planning them according to what I already have in my pantry or freezer. So here goes...

Monday - Stir fry & rice
Tuesday - Sloppy joes w/ peaches
Wednesday - Spaghetti w/ green beans
Thursday - Leftover buffet
Friday - Hamburgers & hotdogs

For other great menus & recipes, check out I'm an Organizing Junkie.

Progress - slow & steady

I am not a gardener. I never professed to have a green thumb. The only thing I am guaranteed to do is kill plants. That's why you'll only find fake ones in my home. But many years ago, I met a wonderful Michiganite who had been transplanted in Kentucky, and she told me to try hostas. "You won't kill hostas." I ordered ten hostas by mail. I didn't even know what kind I was getting. (I still don't know what kind they are. I actually tried to look it up to see what kind I have, but there are too many different ones! So I just distinguish them by color.) My friend was right. I didn't kill those hostas. They have grown & multiplied over these past 6 years.

My little "garden" is a work in progress. I'm not sure what good it is to take an "after" picture when you've forgotten to take "before" pictures, but there you have it. Grace helped me dig up the "odd ball" hostas & replant them in the front yard a couple of days ago. We moved all the matching "green with light green edges" to the back of my planter, and then I planted flowers on Friday. So I'm still not the best gardener, but at least I'm doing better than I was 6 years ago. :)

I feel pretty, oh so pretty...

After Phil's conquest last December, I have the unfortunate experience of having this thing hanging as a focal point in my living room, and looking down on me while I work on the computer. I decided that if I have to live with it in my house, I might as well have fun making him pretty. And I'm thinking of how I can incorporate him into my seasonal decor. He might look festive with Christmas lights! If nothing else, he'll be a great place to hang my bras to dry. I think he needs a name, though. Any suggestions?

It has been raining here for days...and days...and days. Tornadoes, I expect. I'm not prepared for this endless rain. Moss is growing on the tree in the backyard from all the moisture. Phil was commenting on it & Abbie jumped up excitedly, "Is it on the NORTH side of the tree?" We made her figure it out, and when she did, she triumphantly declared, "Man...the back of that cereal box was right!"

A good reminder

I came across this verse today:


"Then they sat on the ground with him for seven days and seven nights. No one said a word to him, because they saw how great his suffering was." - Job 2:13


Though I'm not sure I've ever met someone who suffered the tragedy that Job did, I do know many people that are experiencing hardship or suffering. I have to admit that I'm often too quick to offer practical suggestions or anecdotes. (Sorry, B) After reading this, I was convicted & reminded that...sometimes words fail. Sometimes I need to sit in the ashes for a week.

All better

Well, after running high fever all week, Grace was suddenly better Sunday afternoon. She still complains of her tummy hurting, but she hasn't run fever since then & went to school this morning. I never would have imagined you could run fever that long without there being an underlying cause for it. But thankfully, she's better & I'm working on getting caught up here at home & sanitizing the house so no one else gets it!

Thankful

Is it wrong to be thankful for the rain God sent, because it meant that soccer games would be cancelled?


Grace is still running fever - day 5. Still no word from the doctor. Her strep & mono test came back negative, but I found out today that if we want, we can admit her to the hospital & they can administer a throat culture to see if she has strep. Apparently an in-office test doesn't always cut it; they want to jab something further down her throat. No offense to the doctor, but since she's eating & drinking fine, and her fever is managable with ibuprofen, I think we'll just stay put for now & spare her the pain & suffering. The proof she's still sick? She fell asleep mid-homework.

After loving on my kids too much, I came down with fever last night. So I'm getting the rest my body needs and giving myself permission to be lazy. I'm thankful for a responsible daughter, who is fully capable of making lunch. And I'm thankful for a wonderful friend who stopped by with supper.

The boys have been having all kids of fun today; I love it when they get along. They saddled up their saw horses, got decked in their finest cowboy get-up, and have been capturing wild horses & bandits all afternoon.

Phil took advantage of a few hours of sunshine (sort of) to check on his hives. That man is dedicated. I don't think I would be willing to wade through mud just to get stung. But that is the price of sweet golden nectar.