Daybook

FOR TODAY

March 16, 2011

Outside my window... it is a beautiful sunny day with temps in the 70s. It is a perfect day for a bike ride or a long stroll through the neighborhood. It looks like that is not happening here. I am inside with a sore back. I am so sad to be missing out on such a beautiful day.

I am thinking... about a nice hot bath to ease the tension and pain in my lower back.

I am thankful for… a brand new day. Everyday I can see the sun has risen and the moon at night. I give thanks to God for each day that I am alive.

From the kitchen... I am planning simple meals. I need meals that do not take much preparation and/or work to cook. I need to rest my back so I can do more yard work again tomorrow.

I am wearing... my pajamas. I am too sore to think about getting out of them.

I am creating... an SFC Facebook event -- SportsFest 2011. It is too bad I will not be able to attend. I miss my SFC family.

I am going... to win with money. Thanks to Dave Ramsey’s Financial Peace University program. I finally have a peace that I never thought I would have (See previous post) We are on way to changing our family tree.

I am reading... Financial Peace Revisited. I need to focus on one book at a time. I am not making any progress on my book a month goal for this year.

I am hoping praying... for anyone who has been affected by cancer. For those who continue to fight, keep up the good fight. You are winning! For those who have fought and won, all praise, honor, and glory to God! For those who have lost friends and loved ones, you have fought the good fight and there is finally peace and rest. May their souls and the souls of the faithfully departed rest in peace.

Prayers continued for all those who have been affected by the earthquake in Japan.

I am hearing... silence (I am all caught up early on laundry this week!)

Around the house... there are more chores to be done but they will have to wait.

My favorite things... my hubby and Gracie. I caught him napping on the couch on Sunday and Gracie was sitting in his lap keeping him company. It was such a sweet sight to see. I just could not disturb them.

These are two of my favorite things...

A few plans for the rest of the week:

Thursday: Seminar Week #4
Friday: Date night with my hubby
Saturday: Time for some ME time
Sunday: Family time

Here is picture for thought I am sharing...

A couple of interesting sights I found around town….

The Facts of Life

A fish. Why? I don't know.

 

http://thesimplewomansdaybook.blogspot.com/
The Simple Woman's Daybook is a brief outline for women/mothers who blog to use as a way to compose thoughts, plan the week, and keep a grateful heart. It is typically published once a week on Tuesdays.

Financial Peace

Kris and I decided early on that we would follow Dave Ramsey's principles to help us budget and manage our finances. I was hesitant to get on board but I had no other suggestions for a plan for budgeting. For the last 8 weeks, I have been attending Financial Peace University. I have been learning new skills necessary to plan and maintain a budget.

Financial Peace University kit

Kris has been a fan of Dave for nearly ten years and has lived by his principles. He has managed his money well and made a decent financial profile. I was always impressed with his financial success but did not think I could obtain the same success. My personal financial profile was not as well put together. I had a difficult time with budgeting and making ends meet. During the last ten years, Kris encouraged me to listen and follow Dave's principles. I was not interested in any advice that he had for me. It was not because I was afraid it was not going to work but I was afraid to face my the financial mess I had made. Before we were engaged, I thought that it was my finances and lack of control over my expenses that would be the one hump that would keep us apart. I learned later that it was not my finances that would have been the deal breaker.

After realizing that my debt was not the deal breaker, I was able to finally face the elephant who was waiting there for me. The elephant was not as big as I had feared it to be. Kris helped me to get on track financially. I was starting to climb out of my hole and started winning with money. I was able to clean up a lot of the mess I had made before we were married. I felt as if I was able to enter into marriage with a lot less weight on my shoulders.

Throughout the course of our marriage, I have had an active role in the budgeting and handling of finances for our home. I never thought I would have been capable of such a task. I was so afraid I would lose control and single-handedly bring down our family's finances. I finally have financial peace. I no longer fear if I will make it to the next paycheck. There are times when we dip below my personal security but I use that fear to push me forward. I stretch every dollar and save wherever I can. Dave Ramsey's plan has given me the confidence to start winning with money.

I look forward to the day when we are finally say, "We are debt free. FREEDOM!"

Stories of Inspiration

The story of Drs. Tim and Alison Delgado.

http://www.cnn.com/2011/HEALTH/03/05/married.doctors.emergency/index.html

In the eleven months we have been married, I have found much encouragement and inspiration from other married couples that we know. Some have only been married just a few months longer than us while others have been married for many more years than us. I have even found inspiration from others who have been married a shorter time than us. I have learned it is not about how long you have been married but the experiences that you have lived that inspire others. Common experiences have helped us to know how to handle them when we come across them in our marriage. Similar experiences allowed us to compare and contrast in order to find out and learn what will work for us in those situations. Extraordinary experiences are the ones I have found the most inspiration. To see the love between husband and wife during these extraordinary experiences have inspired me to love more deeply and to cherish what we have. 

The video and link above are a perfect example of one such experience. It brought tears to my eyes as I watched and listened to their story. I am inspired by the love that he had for his wife. He fought right along side her and kept loving her. When he had nothing else, he continued to pray for her recovery. And through that love and dedication she made an incredible miraculous recovery.

I am truly blessed to have such a wonderful husband who continues to love me and take care of me even through the extraordinary experiences. I am blessed that my husband chooses to stand beside me through anything that we face in our marriage. The depth of his love is so amazing and I could not be more proud to stand beside him as his wife.

To the one who holds the key to my heart, your love is extraordinary and I am inspired by your love.

Daybook

FOR TODAY

March 8, 2011

Outside my window... it is a very hot 80 degrees. Spring has come early. It is a gorgeous day outside.

I am thinking... too many things at once. I cannot even narrow it down to just one thought. We have so many things going on right now in so many different areas of our lives. I am waiting for things to iron themselves out and things to start flowing smoothly.

I am thankful for... the most wonderful husband. I am so blessed to have a husband who has a heart for God first and then his family. I knew I have always loved him but I have never loved this much. I grow more and more in love with him each day. 

From the kitchen... I am planning meatless meals to get through Lent. My hubby is abstaining throughout all of the Lenten season this year.

I am wearing... house clothes because it is a doing-all-the-house-chores kind of day.

I am creating... the March meal menu. It is going to take a lot more planning to keep up with no meat throughout all of Lent.

I am going... to the grocery store. I am stocking up and getting ahead for Lent.

I am reading... Dave Ramsey’s Financial Peace Revisited and The Authentic Catholic Woman. I am trying to get caught up on my book-a-month goal so I have decided to focus on these two books.

I am hoping praying... Novena to St. Gerard. I am remembering and praying the words of Mary to the angel Gabriel: “I am the handmaid of the Lord. Let it be done to me according to your word.” It is the encouragement I need to accept the plan that God has for us but most especially His timing.

I am hearing... The Dave Ramsey Show live on the Internet and of course the dryer.

Around the house... I am busy trying to catch up on chores that still need to be done. The chores have seemed to get ahead of me in this game of house.

One of my favorite things... fun times with my nieces and nephews. I spent the weekend visiting with my sister and got to have some great quality time with my almost 11-year-old nephew and almost 6-year-old niece. I am looking for ward to this weekend when we both can spend time with the kids.

A few plans for the rest of the week:

Wednesday: Ash Wednesday Mass
Thursday: Seminar week #3
The weekend: More quality family time

Here is picture for thought I am sharing...

My best friend and oldest friend from high school Chris celebrated his 37th birthday on Friday. We have been friends since we were freshman in high school more than 20 years ago. Here are some pictures from back in the day when we were young. Happy birthday Chris!

Chris and I studying in the Florida room at Chris' grandparent's house in high school circa 1991.

Chris and I with Nan and Charlie in Tolbert Hall circa 1993.

Chris and I in a photo booth in  Daytona circa 1995

Chris and I as gangsters Halloween circa 1996

Chris and I during his fraternity days circa 1997

http://thesimplewomansdaybook.blogspot.com/
The Simple Woman's Daybook is a brief outline for women/mothers who blog to use as a way to compose thoughts, plan the week, and keep a grateful heart. It is typically published once a week on Tuesdays.

Today ends life as you know it...

Brides or grooms often hear the night before they get married "Today ends life as you know it" which implies that life is over and there is a sense of remorse and regret in choosing to get married.

I have no remorse or regret about my decision to get married. My life as I knew it may have ended, but life as I dreamed it began on the day I got married.

Remember when you tell the bride or groom "Today ends life as you know it" also remind them that "Tomorrow begins life as you have always dreamed it."

You are amazing

 

Artist: Bruno Mars

Album: Doo-Wops & Hooligans

Song: Just the Way You Are

Year: 2011

Lyrics:

Oh, her eyes, her eyes, make the stars look like they're not shining
Her hair, her hair, falls perfectly without her trying
She's so beautiful, and I tell her every day

Yeah, I know, I know, when I compliment her she won't believe me
And it's so, it's so, sad to think that she don't see what I see
But every time she asks me do I look ok, I say

When I see your face, there's not a thing that I would change
Cause you're amazing, just the way you are
And when you smile, the whole world stops and stares for a while
Because girl you're amazing, just the way you are(yeah)

Her lips, her lips, I could kiss them all day if she let me
Her laugh, her laugh, she hates but I think it's so sexy
She's so beautiful, and I tell her every day

Oh, you know, you know, you know, I'd never ask you to change
If perfect's what you're searching for then just stay the same
So, don't even bother asking if you look ok
You know I'll say

When I see your face, there's not a thing that I would change
Cause you're amazing, just the way you are
And when you smile, the whole world stops and stares for a while
Because girl you're amazing, just the way you are
The way you are, the way you are
Girl you're amazing, just the way you are

When I see your face, there's not a thing that I would change
Cause you're amazing, just the way you are
And when you smile, the whole world stops and stares for a while
Cause girl you're amazing, just the way you are. Yeah


When I hear this song, even though he is singing about a girl, I think of my husband. He is just simply amazing. I could describe him in the exact same way. I see and feel sparks shooting off when I kiss his lips. It makes me want to kiss him again and again.The two things I love most about him are his smile and his laugh. They are just absolutely contagious. When I see him smile, I just have to smile, too. His laugh makes me want to laugh right along with him even if I do not think it is funny. Even when I am mad and we are in the middle of a drag it out fight, I sometimes just want to laugh and smile. He just has that effect on me.

Oh my love, you are simply amazing just the way you are and I love you!

Daybook

FOR TODAY

For March 1, 2011

Outside my window... it appears to be very cloudy. We are expecting some showers but so far I have not seen any. I am welcoming spring and the nice cool weather. I am not looking forward to the heat and extreme temperatures.


I am thinking... WOW! What an amazing year it has been so far. Last year about this time I was hoping time would go by just a tad bit faster so that we could finally get to our wedding day. Time has flown by ever since. The last (almost) 11 months have gone by too quick. Be careful what you wish for…you just might get it.


I am thankful for... finding a renter for our rental property. I am thankful we did not have to bring home big, heavy furniture. Soon this will be running on auto pilot and no more late night adventures to the rental property!


From the kitchen... I am cooking again. I feel like I have been slacking in the kitchen. Today I cooked Pancake Breakfast to celebrate National Pancake Day (Who needs free pancakes at IHOP?) and pasta and chicken for hubby’s dinner. It is so nice to be back in the kitchen and cooking again.


I am wearing... house clothes. It is a stay-inside-and-catch-up-on-housework kind of day.


I am creating... I personally am not working on much, but my dear husband has been working on the landscaping the last couple of weeks. There has been much progress in the backyard and he is starting to work on the front yard, too. GREAT job hubby! I am so proud of you!

I am going... places. We are succeeding and going places. We are changing our family tree. Thank you Dave Ramsey for the motivation and encouragement.


I am reading... too many books at once. I have not made much progress on any of them.


I am hoping praying... for good health. 

I am hearing... the washing machine and dryer…what else? My day to blog is also my day to catch up on laundry. Today it is the sheets and laundry we brought home from the rental property.


Around the house... we have boxes that need to be unpacked. I feel like we did when we first moved here. Who knew that there was that much small stuff at the rental property? There is plenty of work that needs to be done and not enough time to do it all.


One of my favorite things... naptime. But I never seem to get them.


A few plans for the rest of the week:

Wednesday: More housework
Thursday: Seminar week #2
Friday: A visit from Mom and Dad
March Madness


Here is picture video for thought I am sharing...

In just a few days, this video has exploded on YouTube. So many have viewed, shared, and commented on it. The best part it is so true which makes it even funnier.

Filipino Accent Tutorial

I am Filipino and proud!

Flag of the Philippines

Check out his other videos: http://www.youtube.com/user/MikeyBustosVideos

http://thesimplewomansdaybook.blogspot.com/

The Simple Woman's Daybook is a brief outline for women/mothers who blog to use as a way to compose thoughts, plan the week, and keep a grateful heart. It is typically published once a week on Tuesdays.