I'm back with another Simple Woman's Daybook! (Check out my first one from April and my second one from June, and my third one from July)
I'm linking this up to the TSW Daybook blog hop. Maybe you'd like to give it a try too? It's SIMPLE! I'm just following the prompts! I must confess, though, that I have rearranged the sections due to what I'm writing about and how each part connects with the others this time around.
For Today...
Looking out my window...
Looking out through the arch window in our front door, I can stand on tiptoe and see who's there after our faithful watchdog Persephone starts barking.
I am thinking...
...that it's been a long day. A really long day...
My three teens started back to school this morning. The one in the middle is starting 7th grade, and returning to public school for the first time since 2nd grade. (I've been home schooling her.) It's quite a transition for her, but she's handling it as confidently as she can!
She didn't have to leave the house until 8:30, but she was up at 5:30 with a plate of yummy scrambled eggs for me. We took this photo around 6:30 , when her older brother and sister (a sophomore and senior) left for their bus.
I am wearing...
...a cute banana print skirt that I found at Forever 21 (Ha! I'm 54!) while school shopping with my kids last week. I've also got on a scoop neck black shirt that I bought at Walmart to wear with it. Funny thing is that two of my children used to be banana-phobic. Yes, that is a thing. It's gotten better, but they're still like, "Ewwww!"
I am thankful...
My van battery was dead when I went to drive my youngest daughter to her new bus stop. Her oldest brother drove her instead, helped me jump the van, and then picked her up at school later when she missed her bus home and I was delayed at work because my battery died again. Their dad scouted out battery deals and helped me get it replaced at AutoZone in the evening after it died the third time. I'm now good to go, and thankful for their help.
Little metaphor here: the first time I jumped it, I had a hard time determining which terminal was the positive one because I couldn't find the + sign. My son was looking from a different angle and found it tucked under the edge of a terminal. So I guess I can say I was looking for the positive - and found it with a little help and a new perspective. After that, jumping the van was easy peasy lemon squeezy.
I am creating...
...photographic memories to encourage others.
These are from last night's "table church" - a delicious meal, Bible study, worship, prayer, and communion with friends in a home near downtown Orlando.
I am listening...
...to a song we sang at table church last night!
I am learning...
I am also listening to a lot of people on the phone in my job on the United Way 2-1-1 crisis and referral line. So much heartache and difficulty out there! On Tuesday, I had a class on handling suicide calls, which was the ending session of two weeks of formal 2-1-1 training.
On Wednesday, I supplemented that by attending an 8 hour Mental Health First Aid workshop sponsored by American Foundation for Suicide Prevention and the Rollins College Psychology Department. This class was not required for me. I just want to be more equipped to temporarily assist people through crises (such as suicide contemplation, depression, anxiety, panic attacks, psychotic episodes, substance abuse emergencies) until they can get professional help. I have so much more to learn. I'm glad they provided us with a workshop book to read at home, which also has dozens of web sites for further information. These classes, originally developed in Australia, are available all over the USA and in many other countries. Check to see if there are any scheduled in your area!
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| Marie Dudek Brown |
I am hoping...
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| Chihuly collection in St. Petersburg, Florida |
...and actually planning to go to the Florida gulf coast for a weekend next month to see art museums, botanical gardens, and the beach. I'd love to be able to travel much farther (Europe!) to see world class museums, but I realize there is so much to see within driving distance right here in Florida. This trip, a birthday present to myself, will also commemorate some of the transitions in my life this year, including going back to work and starting seminary.
Here's my plan...
Sarasota:
- Ringling Museums (art, circus, mansion)
- Selby Gardens
St. Petersburg:
- Chihuly exhibit (glass art!)
- Museum of Fine Arts
- Dali Museum
In my kitchen...
Shared quote...
“I live my life in growing orbits which move out over this wondrous world, I am circling around God, around ancient towers and I have been circling for a thousand years. And I still don't know if I am an eagle or a storm or a great song.”
“She who reconciles the ill-matched threads of her life, and weaves them gratefully into a single cloth— it’s she who drives the loudmouths from the hall and clears it for a different celebration where the one guest is you. In the softness of evening it’s you she receives. You are the partner of her loneliness, the unspeaking center of her monologues. With each disclosure you encompass more and she stretches beyond what limits her, to hold you.”
Ranier Maria Rilke, Book of Hours: Love Poems to God
A moment from my day...
...sitting in my bedroom, with my daughter cross-legged on my bed, telling me about her first day of school. Despite all of the challenges and transitions, I think we're going to make it this year.
Closing notes...
This is me about 40 years ago. Times sure have changed. I didn't even imagine then that I'd have 10 teen and adult children or six grandchildren. I'm a blessed mama.
Wherever your own life is taking you, or wherever you are taking your life, I pray you will be abundantly blessed.
Post script...
If you enjoyed reading my daybook and would like to create one of your own, HERE is the link to the format, guidelines and complete list of prompts.
Virginia Knowles
