Tuesday, January 8, 2013

Guilty Pleasure

I really shouldn't like Downton Abbey. It goes completely against so many of my core beliefs. Women who couldn't vote or were limited in what work they could do is just antithetical to my sense of justice. And having nothing to do but dress for interminable dinners would drive me batty. The clothes are gorgeous but I cannot imagine be g laced into a corset every day of my life. 

But I do enjoy it! I like the interaction between upstairs and downstairs. I love the scenes of the lovely English countryside. I love the house and decor and the dresses and the white ties and the spectacular dinner tables. 

Maybe it is the knowledge that I don't have to do the dusting or wear the corsets or think of banal dinner conversation. But whatever it is I'm enjoying Season 3 very much. 

Sunday, January 6, 2013


★ Three things that made me happy today★ 

Sunshine! After a week of cold, gray, drizzly days, I welcome the sunshine!

Planning JMM's birthday!

Downton Abbey!

Friday, January 4, 2013

Goals for the week ending Saturday, January 12, 2013

1.  Continue daily Bible reading--done
2. Continue cutting out next quilt top using leftover fabric--not done; just didn't get around to it. 
3. Continue Weight Watchers 26 points per day--done. 
4. Finish Block #16 on quilt--almost finished; one more patch to finish the block. 
 5. Order seeds--not done.; must do next week.
6. Reading
     The Boy who Loved Anne Frank by Ellen Feldman--Finishhed.
     The Glorious Cause: The American Revolution, 1763-1789 by Robert Middlekauff
     Feathers: The Evolution of a Natural Miracle by Thor Hanson
     Leading on Empty by Wayne Cordeiro
7. Cook 4 dinners--done. 
10. Paint first wall in living room--not done.  Next week. 
11.  Get information on quilting class--not done. Next week. 
12. Make January soup--White Bean, Kale, & Chicken Sausage--done. Too bland but I know how to spice it up to make it more flavorful. 
13. Haircut/Manicure--done. I feel pretty, oh so pretty...
14. JMM BIRTHDAY PARTY--done. My precious husband enjoyed his bird ay party, cake, and presents. 

Goals for 2013

Goals for 2013

Spiritual
   1.  ABF & Church weekly
   2. Daily Bible reading
   3. Read one spiritual book each month

Physical
   1.  Reach & maintain my maintenance weight in Weight Watchers
   2. Have annual physical 
   3. Dental cleaning every 6 months
   4. Dermatologist 

Home
   1. Have grandfather clock repaired
  2. Replace carpet with tile in laundry room
   3. Garden
          Tomatoes
          Rosemary and basil
          Roses
   4. Paint living room
   5. Learn to make 1 new soup each month

Personal
   1. Trip to Washington, DC
   2. Read good books
   3. Take one quilting class
   4. Monthly haircut & manicure
   5. New clothes spring & fall

Financial
   1. Fund my envelope system
   2. Maintain debt-free living
   3. JMM starts drawing full Social Security in February
   4. FM applies for Social Security in October

Three things that made me happy today


★ Three things that made me happy today★ 

My dear heating pad

Mozart

Cats purring on my lap

Monday, December 31, 2012

Miss Buncle's Book by D.E.Stevenson

Miss Buncle's Book

Miss Buncle who lives in the quiet English village of Silverstream needs money. It is 1934 and her dividends are simply not coming in adequate to pay her meager bills. She considers her options and decides to write a book.  She thinks she lacks imagination and must write about what she knows. And what does she know?  Her neighbors and the people of Silverstream.  So she writes a thinly disguised novel about the people of her village.  A veritable tempest in a teapot is set off in the village. Its a pleasant story which nourished my love of English village life. 

Finished!

Finished!
This morning I finished reading the Bible in a year chronologically. Our church had challenged us to do this. I have read the Bible in a year before but never chronologically. It was a real blessing and I learned so much! I especially appreciated the emails from others sharing their struggles and blessings as we all read on together. As we read on this last morning, " 'Surely I am coming soon.' Amen. Come Lord Jesus. The grace of Lord Jesus be with all. Amen."