Simple Woman's Daybook - May 21, 2018

Simple Woman's Daybook

For Today

April 30, 2018

{Note:  Though this Simple Woman's post is dated April 30, 2018, it was never completed; but has enough in it that I am publishing it and moving from my drafts!}

Looking out my window:  Today (Tuesday), as yesterday, it is a little overcast; we have had a lot of rain lately.  It rained just a little yesterday; and is predicted for today, too.

I am looking forward to some sunshine in this, the "Sunshine State"; not the "liquid sunshine", but real sunshine!

I am thinking:  There is a lot going on in my head; and it's not just congestion...well, the thoughts may be getting congested, in that sense; but I have been thinking a lot...

So many things to think about:  where to live, that is cheaper, but not cheap; how to cut back finances so we can stay where we are; thoughts about getting rid of a car, taking keys away...

Am I really thinking about that?!  It is a reality for the future, the very near future!

I am thankful:  There have not been any issues regarding the above thoughts; no accidents or injuries or damage...

Or, worse!

One of my favorite things:  Crafting.  But, I haven't been doing much of it.  I did attend an all-day event last Saturday; for the afternoon part of it!  Because of another meeting that morning, I didn't arrive until about 2 pm and left for home around 7 pm.

But...

I do love crafting.  Last weekend I created the two-page layout for the crop and will have photos printed to add to the pages.  The theme was "It's a Zoo in Here"...quite appropriate for the crazy group of crafters!

Photo by Barbara London

I am creating:  The above layout!  Hopefully today and/or tomorrow, I will be working with a package of ephemera I picked up at Tuesday Morning yesterday...

Perhaps make a couple of Memory Dex cards, or a Tag or ATC?!  Will see what "clicks"!

I am wearing:  Yesterday morning - pj's.  Earlier this morning - pj's!

Now, at almost noon, I have dressed in a pair of denim capris, an aqua shirt, and a pair of sandals.  Ready for our "trip" to WalMart.

I am reading/watching:  Reading "Aslan's Call - Finding Our Way to Narnia" by Mark Eddy Smith.  A great companion to understanding the Chronicles!!  {That would be "The Chronicles of Narnia"!!}.

We also finished watching this season of American Idol, with the "crowning" of the new "idol", Maddie Poppe; and the winner of the four-week Dancing with the Stars - Athletes show.  Not sure what we will watch now; but I am sure it won't be the Bachlorette.  Perhaps I would like it, but I am sure that my husband would not!!

I am hoping:  

I am learning:  Recently I was invited to attend a dementia support group, facilitated by a friend who is the director and chaplain at the senior residence.  Much information and sharing happens in these groups, and I was blessed to be able to attend.

So much to learn; and I will never know it all!  But, I can learn what it will take for us to be able to continue this journey...

But, mostly I am learning that I am not alone!

In my kitchen:  Meat thawing on the counter to make spaghetti later...with Texas toast.  That will make a great dinner, and leftovers for the next couple of days!

Post Script:  

Shared quote:  

A moment from my day:  



And, that concludes this week's Simple Woman's Daybook!  Be sure to stop by again next week to see what this simple woman has been up to lately!

Simple Woman's Daybook - April 30, 2018

Simple Woman's Daybook

It has been awhile!  The last blog post I wrote was March 26th for the Random Journal Day Reunion!  The last "Daybook" I posted was February 12th!!

Oh, where oh where have I been?

Here and there and everywhere?  Well, not really...keep reading and I may reveal a little of what has been going on.  Nothing major!  Just LIFE!

For Today

April 30, 2018

Looking out my window:  A slight breeze blowing through the trees where the birds are sitting on branches and chirping away!  The sun is shining and the temps are quickly heading up to the 80's!  Spring is definitely here; with Summer right behind!

I am thinking:  I must really need to write!  My Facebook comments have become mini posts, of sorts!  And, I keep getting these ideas in my head of things I must write...but I don't!

I am thankful:  Here is where I share a little of what has been happening!  Since the first of the year, my husband and I have had several doctor's appointments and tests and whatever the insurance company and the doctors think are necessary for "preventive maintenance".  I am not a car!  But, we must maintain our health...especially if we are a caregiver.

So, with a couple of appointments and tests behind me, I looked ahead to "the appointment" when the doctor would share the results...oh my, did my mind wander!!  And, though I knew it would not do me any good, I looked up the symptoms and tests on the computer to see what it could be!!

Thankfully, all is well!  And life goes on...and, perhaps now I can blog about things again, instead of just writing in my journal, which I do almost every day!

One of my favorite things:  Well, if you've read any of my SWD posts, you may have an idea...

Yes!  My family, and especially the grandkids are my favorite "things"!!  And, what I really love are the times we are together!!

I could expand, but it would take an entire blog post to catch up on the wonderful times we have spent together...like celebrating birthdays, going to the park, watching a 3-year old's dance recital, or even babysitting.  But, one of my favorites is always spending time with Family!

I am creating:  Always!  Even when not writing, I am writing in my head!  Even when not creating, I am creating in my head!  But, this past weekend I did create...

Photo by B. London

Three Projects Completed

And, now I am writing!!  Today is a good day...

I am wearing:  A pair of gray pj's with little blue flowers and a dark gray t-shirt; with gray striped socks...just chillin' at almost 11 am!!

I am reading/watching:  Just finished reading a book I picked up at Dollar Tree, "A Fifty-Year Silence - Love, War, and a Ruined House in France" by Miranda Richmond Mouillot.  This is the story of two survivors of the Holocaust as told by their granddaughter who spent time going through records and letters and whatever she could find to put their story together.

And, I have been following American Idol.  Down to only SEVEN and lost four really good singers last night.  Who will go next?

I am hoping:  Hope! There is that word!  My "word for 2017" that I never seemed to get anywhere with writing the words I felt.  My "word for 2016" was Joy.  I even tried to combine the two.

Here I am in 2018 and I decided to continue those two words; and quickly realized...I just need to write about what comes to me; what inspires me.

That has also failed, because words have failed me!  But, here I am...I am BACK!  I am attempting to share again the words that are in my head, and in my heart!

I am learning:  Oh my!!  I have learned/am learning so much about this caregiving journey.  So much about this "disease" that the doctors won't even diagnose.  It is so hard to determine; but tests do reveal it could be Alzheimer's disease.  And watching as my husband's memory and cognitive functions get worse and worse?  I can only think, it is!  It IS Alzheimer's disease!

Yet...I knew this, deep in my soul, I knew it was even before the doctor said..."the MRI shows..."  No, I didn't need to hear the words to know!

But, I am learning the triggers that set him off; and learning to deal with the outbursts when I can't figure out what the trigger is!  I AM learning!

In my kitchen:  Well, it is clean.  Counters wiped down; floor swept.  I haven't mopped the floor yet because my bucket had disappeared.  I was looking for my blue bucket!  Looked all over the apartment!  Hubby found my black bucket in the back of his car where he put it after washing off the car!  Oh, well!!

Dinner is in the crockpot, in the fridge.  From a couple of nights ago.  The leftovers will be for tonight!

Laundry is...oh, no!!  I need to switch it over to the dryer and put the next load in...

Post Script:  This just came up in my Facebook memories from five years ago...will try to post the link, but here is the picture:

And, here is her story:

Divine Dolphin

July 20, 2013 · 

A female humpback whale had become entangled in a spider web of crab traps and lines. She was weighted down by hundreds of pounds of traps that caused her to struggle to stay afloat. She also had hundreds of yards of line rope wrapped around her body, her tail, her torso, a line tugging in her mouth.

This is her story of giving gratitude.

A fisherman spotted her just east of the Faralon Islands (outside the Golden Gate) and radioed for help. Within a few hours, the rescue team arrived and determined that she was so badly off, the only way to save her was to dive in and untangle her…. a very dangerous proposition.

One slap of the tail could kill a rescuer.

They worked for hours with curved knives and eventually freed her.

When she was free, the divers say she swam in what seemed like joyous circles. She then came back to each and every diver, one at a time, nudged them, and pushed gently, thanking them. Some said it was the most incredibly beautiful experience of their lives.

The guy who cut the rope out of her mouth says her eye was following him the whole time, and he will never be the same.

May you be so fortunate …

To be surrounded by people who will help you get untangled from the things that are binding you.

And, may you always know the joy of giving and receiving gratitude.

SHARE to let everyone know about this story!!

Shared quote:  Those last two sentences bear repeating and highlighting; and I will share as my quote today:

"May you be fortunate enough...

To be surrounded by people who will help you get untangled from the things that are binding you.  And, may you always know the joy of giving and receiving gratitude!"

A moment from my day:  Just take a look at this picture...

And make sure you give yourself permission to rest...when you need it or even when you don't!

Simple Woman's Daybook - February 12, 2018

The Simple Woman

FOR TODAY

February 12, 2018

Looking Out My Window:

Raining; a little breezy; and in the low 60's...

A good day to stay inside and do...whatever I do!

Which turns out to be very little!  Well, I need those kinds of days once in a while...

I Am Thinking:

Still learning...

And always l earning!

I've been reading some of the articles that come in my email; articles about dementia and Alzheimer's disease.

Still learning...

How can I let this information benefit me and my hubby?  As a caregiver, I need every bit of information I can get; and use it to help me know what I need to be doing to help him (and help me understand)!

I Am Thankful:
For people who can help me answer the questions I have about this journey;

To understand when and what to say and do;

To know a little about what lies ahead for us...

I am thankful for the ability to research the questions; to find the answers I am seeking.

One of My Favorite Things:

Taking the day to relax and watch a little bit of TV...well, a lot of TV!!

{Check out "I Am Watching"...}

I Am Creating:

Funny how having a cleaned off craft table gives me the inspiration to actually create!!

Friday night I started a layout for an upcoming retreat; and finished it later.

This is actually the second layout I created for a page swap...

Because I really want to keep the first one; and now I want to keep both of them!!

Here is the first layout I created:

And, the second one:

Do I need to create a third layout to choose from?  No, I guess I'll make up my mind...

I also created a two-page layout from a pack of papers someone else put together; then we swapped after we all completed our layouts.

We call it our "Ugly Paper" swap!!  Nothing ugly about this!!!  But, mostly it's paper we just don't know what to do with...

And they usually turn out to be really good layouts.

Before I left to go home, I also created this Valentine ATC for another swap:

I Am Wearing:

A pair of gray pajama bottoms; and my gray "Challenge Accepted" t-shirt I bought for the 2016 "Write 31 Days" challenge...

Maybe it will challenge me to keep writing?!

Oh, and for once, my feet are BARE!

I Am Reading:

 Gave up on "Seize the Day" by Joyce Meyer; I guess I just wasn't in the right mind-set for it right now.

And, I finished reading "The Bridge" and "The Beginning" by Karen Kingsbury.

I am now reading "Beneath a Southern Sky" by Deborah Raney.  Once I finish that book, I will move on to the sequel, "After the Rains."

I love to read; to lose myself in the pages of a great novel, mostly fiction!  I am hardly ever without a book in the process of being read...

I Am Watching:
Bits of the Olympics!  Hubby isn't into sitting around watching it.  At my daughter's yesterday, they just kept it running on the TV, and stop to watch the events they are interested in seeing.

Not a bad idea; except at our apartment, it's usually the news that is constantly running...

Not my choice!!

I did miss the opening ceremonies; think I'll see if I can find it on cable...

And...

That is exactly what I did!  I watched the whole two plus hours of it; with a break about mid-way so hubby could...

Yes, watch the news!

But, I have finished watching it...

Oh, my goodness!!  It was amazing!!  I felt emotional and tearful and so proud of all the "coming together".

I'm not sure how all of that "coming together" and hope and peace and joy will translate into "real life" after the Olympics are over; but we need to pray it does translate to what this world needs...

I Am Hoping:
For a slow and easy and relaxing week.

I do have several things happening this week; but hope it's not too crazy busy!

I Am Learning:
More of the same?  More information about dementia and Alzheimer's disease...

I need to know exactly what I can or may expect along this journey.

I know it isn't predictable but I need to at least have some kind of idea what may be expected...

Because it's all unexpected!!

I just need to keep learning as much as I can.

In My Kitchen:

The dishes in the dishwasher just stopped!  One chore done!

Dinner will be leftover spaghetti from Sunday's youth fund-raiser.  I brought hubby a to-go dinner; and my leftovers, taking a little of his to add to mine, makes a great dinner for us!

Kitchen time will be limited!

Board Room:
Here is my Pinterest board "Recipes to Try".  Some of these I have already tried; others just looked good but I haven't tried yet.




Can't wait for our next all-day scrapbook event so I can make the Pineapple Sunshine Cake!!


Everyone seems to really like it...so do I!!!

Shared Quote:
A much needed quote to find when I browsed through Facebook this morning:

A Moment From My Day:
Yesterday was a very emotional day for me (Wednesday, Valentine's Day...since I am late finishing this post).

Valentine's Day isn't exactly one I look forward to...

It is usually just another day.

But, first thing in the morning when he got up, my husband found me in the kitchen.  He had a grin on his face and came and planted a kiss on my cheek and said, "Happy Valentine's Day."

This was totally unexpected!  It was not something that he does normally!

But, it was touching...

Later, we heard news that a "guilty verdict" was brought by the jury on a case that was being tried in our town; a know sexual offender who kidnapped and raped and killed a little eight year old girl...

And, then the news of the shooting at a high school in south Florida...

My emotions were raw; I couldn't fathom either of these tragedies.

I am still trying to lean on God and make sense of it all.  Or, at least get through it.

Nothing normal or routine about this year's Valentine's Day...

~~~~~~

And that ends this week's post for the Simple Woman's Daybook...

Hope you will join me again next week for another "chapter" in the life of this simple woman.

Simple Woman's Daybook - February 5, 2018

The Simple Woman

FOR TODAY

February 5, 2018

Looking Out My Window:

The sun is shining; though it's a bit breezy.  Currently it is 65 degrees, just after 2:00 pm.  Not really cold, just a bit chilly in the shade.

I Am Thinking:

There is so much yet to learn about this caregiving journey!  So much information to be found online and in my email and Facebook posts...

Yet, I still don't think I know what I need to know to take this journey!  I am so not prepared for it.

Still learning...

I Am Thankful:
Though I am thankful to God and my family and friends for being there for me, I lift up one special friend - one whom I have yet to meet!

She is going through problems of her own, yet she still finds the right words to share with me when needed; words that help me remember just what is behind the behavior and issues I have with my husband.

Thank you, My Friend; My Sister!

One of My Favorite Things:
I think I have said it before; but one of the things I love about being retired is being able to make plans ahead of time...

Or at the last minute!

Though not the "last minute", I made plans yesterday to meet a former co-worker and friend for dinner this week.  And, I'll be using a gift card I won!  So, win win!!

I Am Creating:
Yes!!  I am creating!!  After getting part of the craft room cleared and cleaned, including my craft table, I have actually been creating!

I have been wanting to make layouts for Kelly's Wish Scrapbook Team and can now leave a project on the table and work on it little by little.

Actually, it doesn't take much time to put together a layout, once I get it laid out on the table...

On the table!!  I love the sound of that!!

Here is one I have completed:

A second one is in the process of being completed.

I Am Wearing:

A pair of jeans and my red Puppy Crop t-shirt; and purple socks on my feet!

I Am Reading:

 "Seize the Day" by Joyce Meyer; also have started reading "The Bridge" by Karen Kingsbury; and before publishing this week's Simple Woman post, I actually finished reading "The Bridge".  And started reading a short story at the back, called "The Beginning."

And...since it's Friday morning and I haven't even finished my post...

I finished the short story and started reading "Beneath a Southern Sky" by Deborah Raney, another Christian fiction writer I love to read.

Yes, I am a "chain reader"!!

I Am Watching:
Had to add this one!!

I am watching "This Is Us"!  It is such a great show.  A real family drama show!!

True to life!

I am not really into those horror-type shows or raw comedy or the hospital/emergency/war/crime shows.  But, this one!  Yes, I love to watch it...

Even though I need a tissue for every episode!

Perhaps I need the tears?!

I Am Hoping:
At this point (Wednesday afternoon, when I am supposed to meet my friend for dinner), I am hoping my stomach settles down!

It's been acting up today...I sure don't want to cancel tonight!  But am certain it will settle before this evening.

And, it did!  And we had a wonderful dinner and time of catching up on each other's lives...

I Am Learning:
Well, it's hard to say that I am learning anything; when everything still seems so unexpected.  I have read quite a lot of information on dementia.  I have read a lot on Alzheimer's disease.

What have I learned?  This journey may last another many many years!  I don't think I am prepared for this!

And with all of the reading, it really isn't preparing me any more for the journey.

There are so many things to learn; so many things that could happen.  And, no I am not prepared for them at all!

In My Kitchen:

Dishes in the dishwasher; and leftovers for dinner.  Swept the floor and now need to bring out the mop...

Board Room:
Most of the time I use Pinterest for finding quotes and images to use in my writing.  Sometimes I use it to find examples and ideas for my crafting.

I also have a few "Boards" on my Pinterest site where I pin some of my blog posts.  Here is the link to my Pinterest site:  

Post Script:
I would also like to share this Facebook site where I find a lot of my quotes.  I first "met" this author when I wrote my very first "Write 31 Days" series in 2014.

Check out Caitlyn's  Facebook page.

Shared Quote:
And here is today's quote I "borrowed" from Caitlyn's page!

A Moment From My Day:

There are many moments in my day that I cherish.  There are some I wish to forget!

The days I love are those when it is quiet and I can actually hear the outside sounds.  Many are those of traffic or the distant train.  Sometimes I hear the birds singing in the trees outside my window.

Occasionally I hear the call of children playing; or the alarm of a car going off in the lot behind our apartment.

All of these sounds blend together in the distance as I focus on life inside my little apartment.  It's not always quiet.  It's not always happy.  It's not always clean and welcoming...

But, it's where I spend most of my days, along with my husband and the cat.

It's home!  And, home is where my heart is!

~~~~~~~

My posts for the Simple Woman's Daybook continues to be a place for sharing the life of this simple woman!

I am just a "simple woman", biding my time in this simple abode, until I can meet my Lord and Savior in my Heavenly home above.

I hope you will join me again next week for another "chapter" in the life of this simple woman.