I'm participating in A Simple Woman's Daybook carnival.


FOR TODAY

Outside my Window... the trees, grass, and flowers seem to be relishing the great rainstorm we had during the night. Our area has not had any rain in almost a week!

I am thinking... about preparing for my 19 (!) year old son's birthday party tonight. He works today so I have the entire day to make a cake, fix dinner, and wrap a couple of presents.

I am thankful for... a wonderful husband, whose lead I need to learn to follow more closely. He backs me up even when he knows I may have over-reacted with the kids and he tries to diffuse those situations where I get too sensitive.

From the kitchen... I have everything together for the birthday cakeand the dinner, and I need to start planning the rest of the week's meals. I have to get back to making a menu and sticking to it because last minute grocery store runs are ruining my grocery budget. We also have friends coming over on Thursday for a New Mexican dinner of burritos, refried beans, and Spanish rice, so I need to prepare the chili peppers, so dear husband can make his great red chili sauce tonight.

I am creating... a plan to sponge paint the bathroom area that I still have not completed. I also have some flowers that need to be transplanted to new beds - where will I move them?

I am going... to visit a friend at her business later on today and maybe (?) treat myself to a first time pampering at the salon next door to her place.

I am wearing... my walking pants and a t-shirt. I have to get going and get dressed!

I am reading... (or re-reading) a new book - The Soul of the Apostolate. By Dom Jean-Baptiste Chautard. I picked it up a few years ago and did not "get in to it", but a friend really likes it, so I think I should give it another try.

I am hoping... to have a productive, but relaxed and peaceful day. Many times the two do not go together. I also hope to catch up with a good friend who has been away for a week.

I am hearing... my 5-year old's never ending questions. I need to get off the computer.

Around the house... there is oatmeal on the stove, the dishwasher running, and the clothes calling out from the washer to be dried. Oh, and there is that ironing board I left up so I would make sure and finish my ironing this morning.

One of my favorite things... is sipping on a cup of coffee and catching up on my friends' blogs and emails. But I must get going and get dressed!

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week... starting a new sewing project and finishing several old ones, starting a home cleaning plan like my friend, Liz, (mine is all planned out, I just have to implement!), and exploring the Google docs tool on my dashboard so I might upload some of my plans.

Here is a picture thought I am sharing for you... one of my favorite pics of my middle son (use to be baby) who's birthday is today.