The Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY Monday April 27, 2009......

Outside my window...

Outside my window today it is dreary. The skies are cloudy and it is only 46F outside. Yesterday the state had severe thunderstorms and tornadoes. The county next to ours (where my son is a sheriff) had a tornado touch down. But all is well!

I am thinking...

I am thinking that warm weather is never going to come!!!!!

I am thankful for...

I am thankful for the safety of my son as he watched the tornadoes and protected his county.

From the learning rooms...

I am so excited for my grandson. We have been working very hard are his grades that were so bad when he came to live with us. Part of the problem was that he wasn't going to school and that no one at home was helping him with the things he was having trouble with. So here are the new grades:

• Math C+.............was F
• Language Arts C.........was D
• Reading C-........was F
• Spelling B-.....was C-

From the kitchen...

I'll be working today so whatever comes from the kitchen will be the creation of my husband

I am wearing...

The usual....scrubs!

I am creating...

I am creating flower beds!

I am going...

I am going to start the list of what I want to buy at the greenhouse.

I am reading...

I am still reading Death in Paradise

I am hoping...

I am hoping that we will soon have warmer weather and I can spend my days off outside.....I sound like a broken record

I am hearing...

I am hearing the birds chirping outside and All My Children inside.

Around the house...

Around the house I got the fish aquarium cleaned yesterday and lots of laundry done.

One of my favorite things...

One of my favorite things is seeing my grandson's confidence in himself grow everyday.

A few plans for the rest of the week:

Same as always: Work on Monday and Wednesday, Justin and Paige here on Tuesday and I have off Thursday and Friday.

Here is a picture thought that I am sharing:


Go here if you would like to join The simple Woman's Daybook

Sunday Stealing

Today we ripped this meme off a blogger named Miranda from the blog The Times of Miranda. She thanks to Mud for prodding some fodder her way, in the way of a meme. But, it was probably stolen at that blog as well. So, of course, that will be as far as we go. Tracing back our theft's thieves might take some time. Link back to us at Sunday Stealing!

Cheers to all us thieves!

Sunday Stealing: The Mud Meme

1. What are your current obsessions?

Currently I am obsessed with getting my grandson to pass the 5th grade. Have you tried teaching a kid how to do math?

2. Which item from your wardrobe do you wear most often?

What I wear most is my nursing scrubs because I work full-time.

3. What's for dinner?

Sunday dinner? We are going to have fried chicken, mashed taters and gravy, broccoli with cheese and Strawberry shortcake. Got plenty...come on over!

4. Last thing you bought?

I just bought my grandson some new sneakers. His old pair stinks. Now if I can convince him to wear the new ones.

5. What are you listening to?

Nothing at the moment and it is awesome!

6. If you were a god/goddess who would you be?

I would be the Goddess of Grandmotherly love!

7. Favorite holiday spots?

Huh?

8. Reading right now?

I am reading the third in the Jesse Stone novels

9. 4 words to describe yourself.

Tired, sore, aching, sleepy....that about covers it

10. Guilty pleasure?

Sour cream and potato chips

11. Who or what makes you laugh until you’re weak?

Bud Weiser

12. Planning to travel to next?

Lawrence, Kansas over Memorial Day Weekend....Yipee!

13. Best thing you ate or drank lately?

I made Lemon Angel Bars today and they were dang yummy.....mix together an angel food cake mix with Wilderness Lemon Pie filling and bake in a jelly roll pan for 15 min at 350F. Sprinkle powdered sugar on top.

14. When did you last get tipsy?

Hmmm ....it has been awhile. I had a beer this afternoon and then a bourbon and coke but didn't get tipsy

15. Care to share some wisdom?

Do your homework when Papa tells you to and I won't make you get up at 6a.m. to finish it.

16. Nicest thing anyone’s ever said to you?
You are the best grandma ever.

Saturday Nine

Welcome to Saturday: 9 . What we've committed to our readers is that we will post 9 questions every Saturday. Sometimes the post will have a theme, and at other times the questions will be totally unrelated. Those weeks we do "random questions," so-to-speak. We encourage you to visit other participants posts and leave a comment. Because we don't have any rules, it is your choice. We hate rules. We love memes, however, and here is today's meme!

Saturday 9: A Little Less Conversation

1. If you could have just one more conversation with a person from your past, who would it be? I would love to talk one more time with my best friend Nanne. She died unexpectedly last January and there is so much that I want to say to her.

2. Do your friends tend to be male or female?
My friends are female.

3. What is in your car’s trunk?
In my car trunk is a spare tire, the jack, a box of paper towels, a rain coat and umbrella and an ambu bag (in case I need to resuscitate someone)

4. What was the last CD that you purchased?
Brett Michael's Rock of Love.....don't know why, but I love it

5. What is your favorite movie and why?
I am not into movies and I don't have a favorite.

6. If you could wake up with a new talent tomorrow, what would it be?
I would wake up singing in the most beautiful voice that you ever heard.

7. What is your favorite day of the week and why?
I have two favorites and they are Tuesday and Thursday because they are both my days off work.....plus every other weekend.

8. What are you wearing when you feel you’re at your best?
Hmmmm.....something that fits and is comfortable.

9. When was the last time cried?
Yesterday.....a song on the radio made me thing about my son.

Just not much to say

Not much has been going on around here. I go to work, I eat, I sleep, I help with homework and I do laundry. Blah, blah, blah, blah!

The Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY April 20, 2009...

Outside my window...
Outside my window today the sun is shining, there is a slight breeze. It is 62F. Oh how I hope this means that spring is here.....

I am thinking...
I am thinking how glad I am that this is the last of my four day working weekend.

I am thankful for...
I am thankful for the sunshine. Who wouldn't be?

From the kitchen...
Nothing going on for me in the kitchen. Hubby will cook tonight for the kids while I am at work.

I am wearing...
I am wearing my scrubs. Today the purple top with lots of yellow butterflies.

I am creating...
I am creating a plan to paint cobblestones on my patio. I need to look for a stencil and decide if I want greys or browns.

I am going...
I am going to work soon.....that is what I do on Mondays.

I am reading...
I will be starting the 3rd in the series of Jessee Stone novels. This one is
"Death in Paradise"

I am hoping...
I am hoping this wonderful weather holds out.

I am hearing...
I am hearing All my Children in the background.

Around the house...
Around the house there is lots to do. I must make another list.

One of my favorite things...
One of my favorite things is the warm weather and the sunshine. I need it! I thrive on it.

A few plans for the rest of the week:
This week I work on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. No other plans so far.

Here is picture thought I am sharing...
A beautiful sunrise....somewhere!

Should you like to join us and do a Daybook of your own go here

Saturday Nine

Almost Famous

Welcome to Saturday: 9 . What we've committed to our readers is that we will post 9 questions every Saturday. Sometimes the post will have a theme, and at other times the questions will be totally unrelated. Those weeks we do "random questions," so-to-speak. We encourage you to visit other participants posts and leave a comment. Because we don't have any rules, it is your choice. We hate rules. We love memes, however, and here is today's meme!

Saturday 9: Almost Famous

1. Have you ever been told that you look like some famous?

Not someone famous but I am always being told that I look like
someone! Whatever the heck that means.

2. Name a celebrity that shares your birthday.

Gerald McRaney from Simon & Simon. Married to Delta Burke

3. Tell us about your first kiss.

Heck, I don't remember my first kiss. Must not have been very special, huh?

4. When you meet someone attractive, what do you notice first?


Usually the first thing I notice about ANYONE is their eyes.

5. What was your biggest mistake ever?


My biggest mistake ever.....getting married the first time. Age 18! But I would not have my sons had I not done that....so mistake that it was, I wouldn't change it.

6. Give us one random, but candid fact about you.


I am insecure at times.

7. What about your current or most recent lover excites you?

Oh for goodness sake....

8. What really annoys you?

People who lie....really annoys me!

9. How many other Saturday 9’ers answers do you usually read?


I try to read and comment on as many as I have time for!

The Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY ..........April 13, 2009

Outside my window...

Outside my window it is cloudy and dreary. It rained all day yesterday. Today the rain is gone but the sun has not returned. And it is still too cold for my taste. It is only 43F. But the wind is only a breeze.

I am thinking...

I am thinking how fast the time goes by when I am off work. I just finished having 6 days off and it flew by. Now today I go back to work!

I am thankful for.....

I am thankful for everything that I have. I am thankful that I have a roof over my head, a job, and plenty to eat. I am thankful that we do not have the struggles that some are going through.

From the kitchen...

From the kitchen today it will be leftovers from our Easter dinner. Ham with sweet potatoes, scalloped potatoes and another kind of vegetable. And cranberry salad.

I am wearing...

I am wearing my scrubs as I will be leaving for work soon.

I am creating...

As I have said before I am not very creative so I will let you know when I start to create something.

I am going...

I am going to have to get started on the flower beds soon. I hate to take the covering of fall leaves off too soon. It could still be too cold.

I am reading...

I am reading the second book in the Jesse Stone series...this one is Trouble in Paradise.

I am hoping...

I am hoping we have good luck this week with teaching division to Darian. He has so much anger that it seems when we do homework is when it shows itself.

I am hearing...

I am hearing All My Children in the background.

Around the house...

Around the house there is so much that needs done that I just don't know where to start.

One of my favorite things...

One of my favorite things is when the tulips start to poke up through the ground. It really shows that spring is just around the corner.

A few plans for the rest of the week:

I work on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, Tuesday Justin will be here with Paige, Darian needs a haircut, Thursday the kids go with mom so it is my day!


Here is a picture thought that I am sharing.....

The kids in the rain yesterday...

To join us at The Simple Woman's Daybook go over to visit Peggy here.

Coloring the Easter Eggs....

Here I am with the girls

All three kiddos coloring eggs

Darian deciding what color to use next

Do we have any more eggs Grandma?

Saturday 9

Enjoying Your Holiday

Welcome to Saturday: 9 . What we've committed to our readers is that we will post 9 questions every Saturday. Sometimes the post will have a theme, and at other times the questions will be totally unrelated. Those weeks we do "random questions," so-to-speak. We encourage you to visit other participants posts and leave a comment. Because we don't have any rules, it is your choice. We hate rules. We love memes, however, and here is today's meme!

Saturday 9: Enjoying Your Holiday

1. There are several religious holidays going on this weekend. Any plans?

We will be visited by the Easter Bunny and have Easter Dinner.

2. Do you look forward to holiday events or do they stress you out?


Sometimes they stress me out and sometimes they don't.

3. Do you have any traditional meals that you will eat?


We always have ham on Easter.

4. We are changing seasons. What are you looking forward to?


I am looking forward to warm weather. And gardening. And
swimming. And mowing grass

5. Around here it is turning to spring. What signals spring to you?

Spring to me is when the temperatures stay above 60!

6. What is your favorite season and why?

My favorite season is summer. I love the hot sun

7. Do you have a favorite food when dining out?


Not really...I am not really that fond of eating out. Now I like
carry-out and eat at home. Just don't like going out!

8. What is your favorite beverage when out?


Iced tea...

9. When is your next big night out?

Never, I hope!

Happy Birthday to Me~!!

Today, April 8th , is my 58th Birthday.
In honor of this I am going to tell you 58 things about me.

1. I was born in Nashville, Kansas. (ever heard of it?)
2. I have brown eyes and brown hair...........................
3. I am 5'10" tall....used to be taller, but I am shrinking.
4. I wear a size 10 shoe....don't do heels, not anymore.
5. I have 8 kids who call me grandma. And each one of them is as important as the next one.
6. I have one sister and three brothers. And they all live within 50 miles of me.
7. I have loved to read since the day that I learned how. I read everyday~
8. I have been married twice. And that will be it
9. My favorite season is summer. It can never be too hot for me! 100 F x 365 days would be okay with me.
10. My favorite thing to eat is potato chips and sour cream.
11. I weigh more than I want to but I find dieting too hard and so therefore I have learned to be happy with how I am.
12. I have lived in the same house for 22 years. In the same town for 43 years and in the same state for 58 years.
13. I do not believe in luck. Everything happens for a reason.
14. I do believe in ghosts. In fact, one lives in my house. Her name is Ada.
15. I love to grow plants and flowers. And I am good at it.
16. I do not like nasty comments on my blog if they do not pertain to the post they are placed on.
17. I do not get to see enough of my adult children.
18. My dad died when I was 7 years old.
19. My favorite pet of all time was a black and white dog named Muggsie. He was part Pekingese and part terrier. He was killed by a pit bull.
20. I am terrified of mice.
21. I have never had a traffic ticket of any kind.
22. I am a RN. Graduated from nursing school in 1983.
23. I will not eat breaded tomatoes. They disgust me.
24. I can type without looking at the keys. Used to type at 120 wpm.
25. I know shorthand.
26. I used to want to be a secretary. I tried it and hated it!
27. I grow orchids and African Violets. I have an African Violet that is more than 15 years old.
28. I have a live fig tree in my living room that has been there for 21 years.
29. I wish that I could ice skate.
30. My favorite place in the whole world would have to be Bangkok Thailand.
31. I hate to cook.
32. My favorite flowers are alstromerias.
33. My favorite color is purple. (for the moment, anyway)
34. I love to read James Patterson books. Especially the Alex Cross series.
35. I haven't been to the doctor in 3 years...shame on me. Bad image for a nurse.
36. I broke my right leg in 2004 in 4 places and have a titanium rod in place.
37. My mom was my hero.
38. I can't wait to retire. In fact I am counting down the days. 1462
    
39. I do not want to be older than 80. I have a plan!
40. I do not like surprises.
41. I like to gamble.
42. I have written my autobiography. I was in middle school then. I wonder where it is.
43. I wish I could be a private investigator.
44. My favorite TV shows are the CSI's.
45. I also am a VH1 junkie.....Rock of Love Bus! I am in love with Bret Michaels.
46. I love Jodi Piccoult books. My Sister's Keeper has been my favorite.
47. I have an IPOD with more than 500 songs on it.
48. I hate to exercise.
49. I love to play with my grandchildren.
50. My husband is 18 years older than me.
51. I love chocolate
52. I like beer. Especially in the summer while mowing the yard and listening to my Ipod.
53. I have a soft side swimming pool I put up every year in my back yard.
54. I do not like to eat out.
55. I hate waiting in line for anything.
56. I do not like to shop.
57. My favorite vehicle is my riding lawnmower. I won't let my husband use it.
58. This is the last time ever I will be 58 years old.
    

The Simple Woman's Daybook

If you would like to join in please go visit Peggy here

FOR TODAY..........April 5, 2009

Outside my window...

Outside my window it is dark and cold. The winds here today have
been gusting to 35 mph. And the current temperature is 33F.
Will spring ever arrive in Kansas. This morning when I got up there was blowing snow......grrrrrrrrrrr!

I am thinking...

I am thinking of what I would like to do this week. After working tomorrow I will have a full week off.

I am thankful for...

I am thankful for everyday that my youngest law enforcement son is safe.

From the kitchen...


From the kitchen tomorrow there will be chicken and noodles over mashed potatoes. I work in a Mennonite Nursing home and that is what we had today for supper. When we have leftovers they allow us to buy them to bring home. So I brought home leftovers for the husband and grandkids for supper Monday night.

I am wearing...


I am wearing my pajamas. I will be going to bed as soon as I finish this post.

I am creating...


I am just not a real creative person and I am not creating anything at the moment.

I am going...


I am going shopping this week for things for the kids Easter Baskets.

I am reading...

I am still reading Night Passage. These are the books that the Jesse Stone
made for TV movies are based on that Tom Selleck plays in.

I am hoping...


I am hoping that spring arrives really soon.

I am hearing...

I am hearing the furnace running and wondering how much longer will we have to run it.

Around the house...

Around the house I should be able to get a lot done this week what with having the whole week off.

One of my favorite things...

One of my favorite things is to work in the nursing home on the weekend. We have visitors for the residents, the pace is slower, no doctors calls, no appointments, just more laid back.

A few plans for the rest of the week:


I will work on Monday and then I have no real plans.

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

Sunday Stealing

Cheers to all us thieves!

Sunday Stealing: Our Third Meme About Blogging

1. How did you come up with your blog title OR what does it mean?

My name is Paula and this is my place..therefore Paula's Place.

2. What are your general goals for blogging?


I don't have any goals. I just enjoy blogging.

3. Do people “in your real life” know that you blog and do they comment on your blog OR is it largely anonymous?


Some people in my "real life" know that I blog. But mostly I am largely anonymous.

How often do you post (x per week)?

I usually do something everyday....

4. How often do you read other blogs (x per week)?


I usually read other blogs everyday too.

5. How do you select blogs to read (do you prefer blogs that focus on certain topics or do you choose by tone or…?)


Well I like blogs about things I am interested in. I like to read a few nursing blogs. Not too many cause I am really not that addicted to nursing myself. I like to read about home decorating. I like to read family blogs. And I love Bud's blog just because he is so darn funny.

6. Do you have any plans to copy your blog entries in any other format, 0r do you think that one day, you’ll just delete it all?


I don't have any plans one way or the other.

7. What are the things you like best about blogging?


I like putting things in writing. Someday I might figure out what I really want this blog to be all about. I love doing memes.

8. What are the things you don’t like about blogging?


So far I haven't found anything that I don't like about it.

9. How do you handle comments?


I take them for what they are worth. Most of the people who have commented on my blog have been nice.

10. Do you have any burning thoughts to share on blog etiquette?


Nope

11. Any desired blog features?


Nope

12. Have you suffered blog addiction?


I think maybe I have!!!!

Saturday Nine

Organize This

Welcome to Saturday: 9 . What we've committed to our readers is that we will post 9 questions every Saturday. Sometimes the post will have a theme, and at other times the questions will be totally unrelated. Those weeks we do "random questions," so-to-speak. We encourage you to visit other participants posts and leave a comment. Because we don't have any rules, it is your choice. We hate rules. We love memes, however, and here is today's meme!

Saturday 9: Organize This

1. Are you an organized person?

In some parts of my life I am organized and there are other areas that I am not.
I love organization however.

2. What is one thing about your home that has to be just so or it drives you crazy when it comes to organization?

My kitchen cabinets have to be organized. I hate it when my husband puts
away the groceries.

3. Do you have one little nuance about your organization that most people consider to be a little over the top? What is it?

None that I know of

4. What is your favorite organizational tool? (bins, closet organizers, etc.)

My favorite is those shoe organizers that hang over the door. They are great in all rooms but especially the bathroom to keep everything handy on the back of the bathroom door.

5. Where is your favorite place to buy organizational needs?


Walmart.....my favorite place to buy everything.

6. Are you more organized at work or at home?


Without a doubt, I am more organized at work. My boss has used the word "anal"

7. Are you more or less organized than your significant other?


I am by far more organized than my husband.

8. Does your significant other help or hurt organization?


His office desk is a mess....otherwise I organize all his stuff

9. What is the most important recreational items that you organize?


Nothing.....

My Sister's Wedding

My Walk down Memory Lane....Click on the picture above if you would like to join us!

Today I am remembering the day my sister got married. It was in November 1967.

She was still in high school and I was only 16.

She was going to marry her sweetheart and he was in the Army at Ft. Hood, Texas.

I remember that she wore a light blue suit with a little pill box hat.
I have no memory of what I wore and currently the pictures are packed away and I can't
get to them. Along with Denny, her husband-to-be and Delmar his Uncle it was just my sister and me.
We went to the courthouse in Pratt, Kansas for her to be married in front of the judge.
She didn't want a fancy wedding, much to my mother's dismay, and Denny's family
lived in Pratt. But no one came to the wedding. It was just the four of us.
We went inside the courthouse and found the proper judge's room.
The judge was a lady! He name was The Honorable Gladys Scott.
She called the four of us together and we stood in front of her.
She began the ceremony.
I started to giggle!
My sister started to giggle!
The guys looked at us with silly smiles on their faces.
The judge reprimanded us and told us how serious marriage was.
She sent us back outside and told us to think about the seriousness of marriage and
to return when we could be serious.
Wow!
We went outside and got our acts together and returned to stand in front of the judge.
I was scared to look up.
The marriage took place.
And my sister stayed married to him for the next 40 years.
But I still smile at the memory!

This is a picture of the Pratt County Courthouse long before we arrived for the wedding.