(more daybooks at Peggy's )

FOR TODAY Nov. 8, 2010

Outside my window… Drizzle. The leaves are nearly all turned and fallen now.  Having lived in the American West for the past 8 years I have been beside myself watching the leaves change color this fall.  LOVE it.  Also outside my window on a regular basis?  Ginormous crows who sit on the neighbor's car and peck through the garbage.  We have to bag the recycling (they will only pick up bags) and the bags are no match for  hungry crows. Shoo. 

 Pondering these words…

• create, inspire, and admire rather than compete with fellow bloggers
• be understanding of each other– in the blogging community, as well as in the world
• stay away from internet/blogging bullying
• speak my opinion freely, while still being mindful of other's feelings– be tactful.
• make an effort–no matter how big or small the gesture, to spread kindness or joy to others
• acknowledge that I will make mistakes, (I am only human) but remember to learn from them
• know that at times I will post about the negative stuff in life, and maybe even some complaining (I am only human) but I will always follow up with something happy/positive too.
• believe that this world is a good place, filled with good people.

I invite you to take the Kind Hearted Blogger Pledge!  

 I am thankful for…  good friends, long talks, creative time, nice people, and things that make me laugh out loud like this site.  Disclaimer – some of the art/sentiments are racy.  There, I told you, now don't write me, 'k? But you gotta love some of those doodles….

I am hearing… Brendan walked by quietly singing "Hot diggity dog, its a bwand new day"   Day doesn't start much better than that. : )  Facebook friends heard about our radio fun last night riding home from church: Michael Jackson's Thriller – the accordian version.  Gotta love German radio! 

From the learning rooms…   I think I figured out our school's online quarterly reporting system and if I am correct I can stop worrying about all the forms we were given. Hoping so anyway because the forms make my eyes cross and send me running from the school room pulling at my hair. I love these books.  I don't love  record keeping.  

From the kitchen… We tried Chicken in Mushroom Cream sauce from Julia last night. With what turned out to be a LOT of substitutions.  so so.  The frozen chicken breasts were tough as shoe leather.  So I guess I need better raw ingredients before even tackling technique. Sigh. I have many redeeming qualities. Cooking isn't one of them.

We had better luck the night before feeding Kieran's little friend tacos and chocolate pudding. In fact the whole evening was a hit, though my coffee splashed out of my to go cup onto my thighs while taking him home.  An Irish expletive escaped my lips – though I maintain that swearing in Irish does NOT count.  Here's hoping the little man does not have a sancti-mommy. ; o  

I am wearing… yes.  I will definitely be wearing something suitably fashionable, modest, and not pajamas.

 Later. 

Around the house…. graffiti.   And we have finally tracked down the little gangsta culprit.  She is about 3 ft tall and blonde, occasionally seen sporting a pencil or marker.  Warning – she is convincing when she says she is 'doing school'.  A homeschool mom can be taken in with an alibi like this. Before you fall for that line I invite you to look at her sheets and the upstairs wall.  Geesh.  

We haven't had one this bad in over a decade. That urban artist used to leave itty bitty smiley faces everywhere.  EVERYwhere.  I actually thought I might be losing my mind at one point.  I would pick up a dishtowel after dinner and there in the corner – tiny smile.  What was that in the hem of the curtain?  You guessed it.  He gave himself away one day however when he was sooooo pleased with one portrait he signed his name to it.  Busted. 

I am creating… new curtains for the living/dining rooms.  Winter is approaching and its getting dark.  We need some perking up in here. Pulled out some barn red and yellow French cottage prints to play with.  

I am reading… Battlefield of the Mind.  Still so impressed by it. If you want to understand why I feel the way I do about positive living, this is a good start.  She addresses both the critical necessity and biblical foundation as well as what the alternative is. This is not about manipulating God with our thoughts but about aligning our thoughts with God's will for our lives and affirming in our words and deeds that we believe He only blesses us – even in our trials. We can do this. Whatever this is. 

A picture thought I am sharing…

Notre Dame du Paris