Tackle It Tuesday

Dove fains sleepy for the day is about to go into high gear

Dash is in his "time capsule" He told me he went to visit the days when Jesus was alive and the date of 4/4/02 he said. He tried to go back to his day of birth but things were too distracted.
I am off to the dentist. I'll finish when I get back.

I rested a lot today
After school I took the children to a park for a play date.
We took the children to the schools book fair. They are now very excited about reading out load.
I am cooking a simple supper of Spanish rice and corn on on the cob.
Resting a great deal today just seams like I really need too.

The Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY April 7th 2008

Outside My Window... is a freshly seeded summer lawn. Sky's blue a pale azure. The tree is missing in the yard behind me , they cut it way back and the hummingbirds absence is pronounced. I miss them.

I am thinking...I have a responsibility now to keep ready and set to task to accomplish this goal of selling. I have only to do everything in my power. The rest is up to Gods divine purpose. What a privilege that I have important work that matters so much to my families future financial success. I am so glad that I have no longer the terrible depression that so robbed me of my personality for a few weeks there. Stress was so hard on me. I feel compassion on myself for the things I endure and the slow to kindness that I offer myself. Delayed yet nurtured back into good health.

I am thankful for...A soft heart. The thing that got me so upset in the stress was all the temptations to root of bitterness. I saw how in a weakend state I was like a wounded creature with vultures over head waiting for me to die. The Semaritains that helped me back to health and paid my way were a gift. I saw love in action in so many of my friends . For this I am most Thankful.

From the kitchen...It is clean and no service of main meal offered today. It was left over elbow macaroni for the children. I have not eaten any supper proper. No real appetite tonight. Beloved had nachos and beans. He is content and appreciative of the mopping of all the floors in the house and said the place is immaculate. He said g"go rest you sure earned it"...

I am creating...A future of being debt free. A life style of family first and things after people. A schedule of family life around showing and selling a home. The dogs are being walked (or dragging me) to get them better ready to handle a showing by going for a walk.

I am going...To the dentist tomorrow to have my teeth cleaned and to talk over the implant I need done on that tooth I lost last fall. I also have an afternoon play date to the park with the children and the school book fair is tomorrow for the kids to attend.

I am reading...Up on some of those fellow bloggers who I have not been able to visit. I have enjoyed psalm 91 recently. I am looking into the lives of those who touch my own life and reading the needs for intercessions.

I am hoping...To keep this right mind and for the buyer of this home to be prepared for them to resist temptations. That I would resist temptations. To be whole body soul and spirit. :)

I am hearing...silence for the children are bedded and I click clack the letters of this post.

Around the house...It is pristine, a model home. Void of me and all of the things that were ours. Well at least most of them. I am thinking minimal is nice in it's own way. I will let go of more possessions I think when we move. Less is nice.

One of my favorite things...Peace within my mind and a calm spirit.

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week: Continued deep cleaning , windows glass and such. Taking a girl friend out one evening. going for walks with the dogs and even without the dogs. Keeping the house show ready at all times!

Here is picture thought I am sharing...

Looking to the future, knowing HIS eye is upon me.

The Simple Woman is the original home of The Simple Woman's Daybook.

The Simple Woman's Daybook will take place each Monday.

Now you can share with others a little look into your day plans and thoughts while you are focusing on the simplicity of the everyday moments around you. That is my vision for this idea! Slow down, take time and enjoy the moment...the day.

Menu Plan Monday

Keep them from starving! :)

Pasta tonight I think

Marriage Monday

Marriage For Happiness or Holiness?
Click above for more posts on this topic, or to add your own.

As I sit and type this I am impressed with the idea of what holiness means to me. Clean hands and a pure heart. Free of bitterness fleeing it like it is a plague.
Bitterness.
It inters into marriages like a masked bandit. It is a culprit of devision. Bitterness is the begining of shadows that blur a pure heart into tainted ideas and concepts.
Guarding oneself is often less confounding than you might think.
Three major enemies of any good life is
1. Being too tired
2. To Hungry
3. Too Lonely

We are a triune being Body soul (mind) and spirit ( a spirit renewed or not)
If we hunger for food, touch, education, mental stimulus, fellowship and friendship with God or others. If we need rest of body, or our mind is overwhelmed or our cup has run dry spiritually, or we need for physical intimacy we are made more vulnerable. If we are isolated, or do not get enough time with our mate or even with mutual friends these things can make us open prey to the enemy of hearts.
Bitterness is a weed best prevented to germinate, but if it does it is best to pull it soon as to not let root set and become entwined in words and regretful deeds. If it does set and flower leaves pod to the wind the havoc of seed tossed to wind makes healing a hard thing. Not impossible but you'll be pulling weeds for a long long time.

Words are seeds, pick a crop you'll be glad to live with.
Yet there are times to expose seed stores in such a way as the wounding of the other is lessoned. Some weeds are stored up. They are bagged into chambers of resentments secretly stowed for the future. Perhaps your mate hurts you and you forgive but it is still a root.
The weed may have been pulled but if you miss the root it can grow back sometimes that weed will be stronger than the one first pulled. It mulled in the soil of heart so long that the root is fast holding the deeper ground. These often need to be poisoned with the miraculous.

So Just know that Holiness is assaulted by temptations. The soil of your heart must be tilled and tendered by choice.
We must guard our hearts at all costs.
Just know that your enemy will assail you when you are at your weakest place. Assume it is him, feeding your mind with the bitter seed, he would so love to set. He is full of "crap" too he uses it to fertilize his crop. :)

Now as for happiness....
Happiness is peace with God.
Peace with man is the absence of strife.
I avoid strife like the plague it is.
That is what it is with me anyway.
Marriage is work, it is an endearing friendship that ebbs and flows. One that will flourish best when we receive what is given in gratitude and make known our desires and needs with a gentle yet firm voice. We will not always get what we want but that which God wants for us must be our goal. Not always happy but at peace. Peace is fought for it does not just come up to us and say "here I am" I am sure of Peace being a goal a quest of attainment through working out our own maturation. Supporting our mates as well as they work out theirs.
Happiness is a moment
that is fine, it feels good. It is however a moment. Peace is a life style choice. I am not speaking of subjection here in any way. I want the very best for him and for myself. In sickness and in health. We are not "happy" when one of us is sick and it hampers the others efforts or experience day to day, but it is the peace the health for each other in the midst of the storm.
Life is a battle.
If you chose sides intentionally or not you will have your standing on one side or the other. Know that life is an adventure. Marriage is sharing that adventure. With courage, and a desire to keep a soft heart toward each other.
Know who the "real" enemy is and your Happiness will not just be limited to a moment.
It becomes Peace, Joy. Long suffering that is doable and a pleasure to love another in a way that is removed of greed of the "I". I have known this love for 26 years now, and I have given this love and it is the real happiness not the counterfeit that sets so many up for desperate disappointment's.

Sunday Smiles

I had a nice week End. It was full!
With a yard sale on Saturday It began with a rush. At 12:30 a.m. I awoke thinking it was 4:30 and jumped out of bed and started the shower only to wake up the rest of the way shut it off and go back to sleep! That was weird! So when the sleep fell upon me I was then awaken by Dash around 1 a.m. , he had a bad dream and crawled in between us. We were both too tired to take him back to his bed. I then awoke at 5 a.m. and dressed and went to the store for lemon aide and a petty cash of change for the sale. Got back to see Mr U. setting up tables, and a yard sale "hawk" circling the sale she hurried to buy one of the drawers for her students.
I had so many teachers and church folks come it was cool to share with others who have hearts for children. Our favorite experience was a van full of special need adults came and they were in a van, well I gave this one girl a doll and she smiled! She cried out with glee MY BABY!!!
The children we there and saw this too. It was heard loudly as they pulled away...MY BABY" thank you for my baby! Oh it was just wonderful. Then a paster came and bought a crib we had for a church. We all but gave it to him. Several teachers of special needs kids came and got the school stuff. Mothers of children and so many clothing sales of the kids stuff. One woman was buying a figurine I had of a angle and two children. I was letting it go but still found it hard a bit. I told her I got that when I adopted my son. She said oh! I am just adopting a little girl and she will be ours this week. It felt so freeing inside and liberating to see how Gods hand worked in it. I was then easily able to let go of it.
We made 173.$ and many great memories. The children made $12-15 in lemon aide sales then paid me the split difference of the supplies. It was a wonderful lesson in sales. Dash was a real go getter, all but chasing down his customers. Dove was so excited and just giddy over every sale. It was the best part of the sale.

The sign is in.

The fellow who planted the sign was entertained by Dash. He shook his head as he finished and said" you have one very intelligent little boy there" . I agreed.

We have this bay back. I set the shelf and the table up with all the home school curriculum on it so I can do a Crags list later and try to recoup the costs. Bren I know I am trying to get to that point. :)

At the end of the sale I packed it all up and Mr U. loaded it and I took of to drop it off and he took off with the kids to the park. I met them at the park and the children found joy in climbing trees as we sat together on the grass and watched them.
Saturday movie night for Daddy Man and the kids me... I fell asleep on the sofa and then went to the bed at 7:30 p.m. and slept through tell 7 a.m. this morning RESTED!

Today I shampooed the master bath and we did a few things around the house. Tomorrow is the first day on the MLS.
We had a date at 11 a.m. our dear friend came and watched the children till 6 p.m. Wow time alone together. It was so nice. We went to lunch and then used the rest of the gift certificate buying BBQ sauce. We called the Realtor and met her at a house that I had showed the kids. It is vacant. Beloved and I toured the outside while we were waiting. She met us and he got to see the inside. I love that it is down the street from the elementary school. I has some needs but the landscaping is impressive. The house is doable. It is in foreclosure if we sell this quick we may stand a chance at it and for a low price too.
We then got a soft drink and drove around. We went to a mall. Walking together we realized it has been more then a year since we have even walked in a mall. It was peaceful together. I found out the diamond in the ring he found is not real. I still think it a wonderful gift from my Abba.
We then went to a riparian area and walked. We saw great blue herons, egrets and many stilts ducks and such. It was quiet! The bees and insects buzzed and you could hear them.
We came home after a long lovely walk and Jay and I visited as the children bathed. They had story time and are off to sleep.
I am feeling so SO much better the saritonin levels are back up and I feel like myself again. I am so grateful to have gotten the help.
Well now we have another marathon to do. Keep this place show ready. The children have 20+ days of school left and then It will get very interesting. Oh OH may it sell fast!

Honesty as a challlenge to fear of rejection.

It has been a very busy time around here lately.
Today after a morning start with lunches and all...I got a call from the Mr. the truck was running very badly and I needed to get the kids to school then meet him at the mechanic....Confused I thought that I was meeting him there.
Dash was home sick... So with Dash in tow I went there and then came home to find the Mr pulling up behind me. I was to meet him here.
He changed all the plugs and wires for another $50.! and now the truck seams to be running fine.
I took Dash to the Pediatrician and then had to have a x ray for a possible sinus infection for him. That was a new one but with all the resistance to anti-biotic I followed advice. He did not have a sinus infection but does have a virus (cold) of sorts. No anti biotic needed!
I came home and just had to lay down a while. The new medication I am on made me very tired for a while.
I awoke to find Daddy Man and Son playing on the couch too cute!

So I had a little refreshment of Carrot juice and almonds.

Beloved went and got Dove from school, and let her stay a few moments with another mother and her friend at the park to come drop Dash off at home.
After he went back to get her the kids watched a movie and I worked some on this post some.
I looked out the garage door to see this...

He was washing my car, my filthy can't see out of the windows! Car! I did not even ask. He drove it twice with the truck not running and took mercy :)

We have the yard sale in the morning. Just for the one day as to not over due myself. We all drove around and hung signs and used crept paper to make them stand out.

The gardeners worked Wednesday on the back yard.
This has proven more stress to try to deep every one off of it.
I walked the two big dogs around the block and have to try to do this often. They are not well leach trained so i'll have my work cut out for me.

The other day these things were found in the middle of the street. I called the number on the bag but they did not know the customer who may have had them. I asked around ...so I guess that I just keep them. They are fabric samples (the store said there was not a deposit on them).

I am here rested.

You see I fell asleep and jest sept for 3 hours today... I slept last night as well. Perhaps many of you can relate to sleep to some of you it my be a stranger. For me lately is was not easy to enter into. I could not calm down enough inside to rest.
Stress is a tormentor to those of us who have stress disorders.
My life has a journey of super natural restorations, but alas I am left with scars.
One of them is a Stress disorder called PTSD.
If and when I get under too much stress I have a bio-chemical challenge. My fight/flight gets stuck on. The adrenaline will not stop pumping. It is sort of like when someone chases you and you kick into high gear. Well selling of the house was on my heals, Then the Ushers thing and the" Chernobyl" question and so on, truck breaking down... and so on ...Well It got stuck on... the hamster broke the wheel and just kept on running around the stripped bearing.
It is a common affliction know to many who develop or who are prone to a chemical imbalance. It however is shrouded in inappropriate shame. I have been really struggling.
A honest heart is a good medicine. After trying to defuse and process with loved ones and friends. I still could not get my mind to wrap around the stress. I could not control the irrational stress response and became clinically depressed. I recently felt so much pain that I ran out of coping mechanisms. When the engine is not firring right all the faith in the heavens is hindered at best. A right mind hampered by the inability to focus and function smoothly.
Yesterday I braved all the courage I could muster and went to the doctor. I had been finding myself thinking of escapes from this struggle and I knew I needed help! Today is my second day on a saritonin/nor-epinephrine andti-depressant. I am beginning to feel a relaxed mind and have been able to shut off the intensity like Mania.
This has been a very hard task to prepare this home, parent my children, deal with medical issues of my child and the financial challenges at hand. The arrows are hitting behind the line and we are aware that what we are doing is right. We are just in for the fight. Truth and freedom do not come easy.
I have not blogged much due to the negative darkness that was shrouding me. I did not want to fill space with the yucky things that were filling my mind.
To those of you of faith thank you for your thoughtfulness.
I am honored by your prayers.
I am a woman who loves God.
I know that there is NO SHAME is casting a broken leg. Mental illness is a real hard thing. So many well meaning Christians have really hurt me over my life time thinking that it is something of satan.
But...if you beat a dog enough it's tail will always be between it's legs. Cause and effect it is not a weakness of character issue. So if any of you my readers can relate. Bless your hearts.
Please don't wait to get help.
The medication is sort a like a supplement for that which your body is not able to produce enough of. High blood pressure should not be neglected either and it is not evil either. I am defending mental illness....Oh ! should I not call it that? It is not a thing to be a shamed of. It is a medical condition that occurs in so many untreated people who really suffer in silence.
Please don't suffer alone. Reach out to someone you can trust. Keep reaching out.
Today I am feeling so much better! The trees even seem greener.
I think I can see the light and the tunnel is not so long of shadow.
I was so worried I might cause someone to stumble or be hindered. I was also concerned about judgment.
Well maybe It is just that YOU there just might now...well...maybe now you might know that you are not alone either.
Be Embraced.

Autism Awareness Month