The weather today in my neck of the woods:

Hot and very, very humid. Had to transplant some plants the past few days as the afternoon sun is really taking it’s toll on Full Sun tolerant plants.

A simple pleasure:

Talking with my best friend.

I am thankful:

That Mr. John and Miss Sam survived Miss Sam’s first driving lesson. Yeppers…you heard me correctly….Miss Sam earned her Learner’s Permit last week!!!!

From the kitchen:

I wish I could say that I am accomplishing much in the kitchen…but not only can I not seem to cook in there….the floor is beginning to look a bit grungy…from what I don’t know since no cooking seems to be taking place there.

From the learning rooms:

Miss Sam continues to be in school during the summer. Haven’t heard any complaints….course I haven’t developed the talent of getting inside her head….yet.

I am reading:

Having difficulty focusing on any book since reading Think Twice by Lisa Scottoline. It was excellent. Am currently reading The White Queen by Philippa Gregory but can’t seem to stay grounded in the castle.

I did pick up a few books at the Marion County Library Used Book Store that look pretty interesting:

Ruth A Portrait: The Story of Ruth Bell Graham by Patricia Cornwell

A Place to Stand by Jimmy Santiago Baca

and this one from the Books-a-Million clearance rack:

One Drop: My Father’s Hidden Life – A History of Race and Family Secrets by Bliss Broyard

Seems it may be a summer of Biographies.

On My Mind:

Working on my Family History. It’s a challenge when 95% of your “family” doesn’t recognize you as “family”.

Creative Projects:

• The Family History Book. It is really coming along nicely. I finally figured out the best way to display the photos/letters/documents in a fluid format. Can’t wait until all the photos/letters/documents are added so that I can begin my personal “writing” in it.
• Collecting all my lectures for all my courses and having them spiral bound. I should be finished with this particular project this week.
• Developing the Abnormal Psychology course for the Spring Semester.

Hearth and Home:

• Been so busy with my creative projects that the hearth and home have taken quite a back seat. Sigh.

I laugh:

Because my husband and daughter are two peas in a pod and I am just a visitor or rather a “stranger in their strange land”.

Inspirational Thought I’m  Sharing:

I am reading the book of Job and if you haven’t read my Facebook page you haven’t heard how I love.love.love. this particular book in the Bible. It is my favorite by far.

I am also reading Charles Swindoll’s book – A Man of Heroic Endurance: Job

Here is a great prayer that was in Chapter Three of Charles Swindoll’s book:

“O, God, I trust You. I don’t know why I’m going through this. If there’s something I can learn, wonderful. If there’s something someone else can learn, great. Just get me through it. Just hold me close. Deepen me. Change me.”

Amen.

A Picture Thought  I am sharing:

Although this is not a personal photo I truly like this particular picture and the message it conveys.

Take a chance and go for it.

The weather today in my neck of the woods:

Hot and humid with mid-afternoon thunder boomers. A typical summer day to celebrate the official First Day of Summer.

A simple pleasure:

Homemade iced coffee brewed to perfection.

I am thankful:

That although she is being forced to go (the perks of being THE PARENT), I am thankful that Miss Sam likes the Sunday night church/youth group at our new church: Reflections Church.

From the kitchen:

Made some awesome burgers for our Father’s Day “cookout” and don’t forget my super delicious baked beans…all in all….that would be it for the week in my kitchen.

From the learning rooms:

Miss Sam is doing wonderful in all her courses. She just completed Driver’s Ed (scheduling the DMV book test this week) – along with English segment one receiving A’s in both. That’s my girl!!!

We are both struggling with Algebra – but her effort deserves an A++++.

I am reading:

The Fixer Upper by Mary Kay Andrews. One of my favorite summer time authors…and this book does not disappoint.

On My Mind:

The way God is working in me as I handle more rejection from my family. I’m done. All I can do now is pray.

Creative Projects:

• Working on sorting through photos and scanning them onto flash drives then storing them in these handy dandy storage boxes….soooooo much better than the cardboard photo boxes!!!!
• Continuing to work on family genealogy. I have to do this in spits and spurts as it can be overwhelming.

Hearth and Home:

• Still waiting for those gas masks folks so I can tackle Miss Sam’s room!!!
• Gave it all a good once over this past week – should be good for another year or so.

I laugh:

Because we saw Shrek: Forever After and it was great!! I love the Shrek series.

Inspirational Thought I’m  Sharing:

An angry man stirs up dissension, and a hot-tempered one commits many sins. Proverbs 29:22

A fool gives full vent to his anger, but a wise man keeps himself under control. Proverbs 29: 11

A Picture Thought  I am sharing:

Miss Sam and her Dalmatian Posse…back when she was incredibly cute….now she is awesomingly beautiful!!!!!

See how my In Real Life garden grows…………

My very first Hibiscus. I am a proud Momma.

My very first attempt at a container butterfly garden. I created two of them.

And into each garden a snake must slither…and leave his skin behind. Ewwwww.

My Topsy Turvy Cherry Tomatoes are bountiful.

More of my Topsy Turvy clusters.

First crop of cherry tomatoes ready for a salad.

This is my Red Sweet Pepper….hmmmmm…..looks green to me and ready to pick. What do you think????

My beautiful paper white day lilies donated last year by my mother in law.

My first Milkweed purchase for my butterfly garden.

And that new hybrid day lily. I love.love.love day lilies!!! They are so easy to grow, bloom frequently and they come back in abundance the following year.

How does your garden grow???

The weather today in my neck of the woods:

Very very very humid!!!!! Heat index was around 110 yesterday. No working outside unless I can manage to roll myself out of bed around 5:00 am. Not happening.

A simple pleasure:

Going to the library.

I am thankful:

That because of my faith and intense therapy I have a confidence that will not be shaken to the extent that the tremors caused by the quaking will damage the life I have built.

From the kitchen:

Still not doing so well there. Ho Hum.

But did grill steaks this weekend. Yum. Winn Dixie has THE best steaks at a reasonable price.

From the learning rooms:

Miss Sam is finishing up on Biology II (TODAY!!!!!!! – Do you hear me Miss Sam????)

I am reading:

Could not get into Shanghai Girls so have gone back to an old favorite:

Bones by Jonathan Kellerman. It got me from the first page so that is good. His other two before this one was just a wash for me – couldn’t even get past the first chapter.

On My Mind:

Personal writings.

Creative Projects:

• Still working on both sides of the family history. Great stuff!!! Here’s a glimpse of my workstation for that. Can we say OCD????

• Working on a backyard garden for the fall – need to fence it in though. Not because of rabbits – unless a certain aussie shephard that shall remain nameless has some rabbit DNA in her.

Hearth and Home:

• Still waiting for those gas masks folks so I can tackle Miss Sam’s room!!!
• Carpets need to be cleaned.
• Entire house needs to be swiffered – I mean dusted.

I laugh:

Because my students don’t think I know whose phone  is vibrating during a documentary. They won’t be laughing when their final grade reflects a grade drop. Read your syllabus!!!

Inspirational Thought I’m  Sharing:

Our heritage influences, but doesn’t necessarily determine, our life decisions.

Life Application Bible

Some picture thoughts  I am sharing:

So how does my garden grow????

Some juicy home grown tomatoes just waiting to make friends with a grilled burger.

I woke up this morning treading in some troubled waters.  I found myself yearning to talk to someone about these deep dark thoughts that began to churn up from within what has long since been a relatively peaceful part of me. Yet, I am human and have my moments. This morning was one of them.

But who to talk to? Who is there that will not judge what I momentarily feel? Who is there that will listen quietly and assure me that “this too shall pass”? Who is there that will keep my stormy moments in their confidence?

In the early morning hours I had no answers.

Troubled with all the solutions that my human heart had come up with to ease my journey through these troubled waters I began to spiral. It happens…just not so much as it used to.

Routine is good. Instead of leading me to pursue what I thought were viable solutions to my troubled thoughts…it led me into the kitchen to put on that pot of coffee I so enjoy in the morning. With a heavily creamed cup of coffee I headed to the big blue comfy couch and settled in for my morning conversations with God.

And this is what popped out at me:

“In that day you will ask Me nothing” (John 16:23)

“In that day” there may be any number of things still hidden to your understanding, but they will not come between your heart and God. “In that day you will ask Me nothing”—- you will not need to ask, because you will be certain that God will reveal things in accordance with His will. Oswald Chambers: My Utmost for His Highest

“For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him.” 2 Chronicles 16:9

“God’s faithfulness when the issues are clear and the enemy overwhelming is more than enough reason to seek his guidance when the issues are unclear and the enemy unseen.” Life Application Bible

“The man of integrity walks securely, but he who takes crooked paths will be found out.” Proverbs 10:9

“The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life, but violence overwhelms the mouth of the wicked.” Proverbs 10:11

“He who heeds discipline shows the way to life, but whoever ignores correction leads others astray.” Proverbs 10:17

“When words are many, sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise.” Proverbs 10:19

“Hatred stirs up dissension but love covers over all wrongs.” Proverbs 10:12

These were not readings I searched for. I am in the process of reading 2 Chronicles and Proverbs and this is what was on the “schedule” for today. As was the following interpretations of what I read in 2 Chronicles today according to my Life Application Bible:

“It is not sin to use human means to solve our problems, but is it sin to trust them more than God, to think they are better than God’s ways, or to leave God completely out of the problem-solving process.

“If you want peace, check to see if there is some area where you lack total commitment to God. Peace comes as a by-product of giving your life wholeheartedly to God.”

“God wants us to give him not only the major decisions, but also our daily lives – the things we are most often fooled into believing we can control. Perhaps there is nothing major facing you today. Have you paused long enough to give your day to God anyway?

Thank you Lord for showing me that although there are many things that are hidden to my understanding, as long as I continue to turn to You for refuge’ not just during my journey through troubled waters but daily, you will make the right choices for me.

I enjoyed our talk. I feel much better now.

The weather today in my neck of the woods:

Hot and humid. Too hot to be outside gardening anymore. Although I did yesterday morning…just straightening and pruning…and of course watering!! Can’t wait for the rainy season to fill up that rain barrel.

A simple pleasure:

My quiet time in the morning. I relish it. I must confess that I let Miss Sam sleep extra because I’m not finished enjoying my “simple pleasure”. Shhhh….don’t squeal on me.

I am thankful:

That I have the opportunity to develop and teach the new Abnormal Psychology class that is being offered Spring 2011.

Did you know that as of May 25th our community college will now be a four year school?????  Our name will be Central Florida College. Go Patriots!!!

From the kitchen:

Not doing so well there. Ho Hum.

From the learning rooms:

Miss Sam is almost finished with World History….her favorite subject. Nope – she doesn’t get a summer vacation. Are you kidding????? Every day is a vacation for her!!!!

I am reading:

Shanghai Girls by Lisa See. I am really enjoying it. Funny because I have had her other book Snow Flower and the Secret Fan on my bookshelf for about a year or two (every since Heidi from God’s Grace in Practice recommended it) and haven’t read it yet.

On My Mind:

This particular post that I just read over at Heidi’s place. It really struck a chord with me as last night in my Developmental Psychology class we were discussing gene linked and chromosomal abnormalities.

Please…please….take a few moments to click over and read it:

Mother’s Lie by Lisa Borgman

Creative Projects:

• Still working on the family history.
• Working on FINALLY putting my lectures into book form and having them spiral bound so that I am not always carrying a crap load of papers with me looking like the stereotypical harried professor.
• Still designing/exploring what to do with several areas in the backyard for when the cool weather (snicker) returns.

Hearth and Home:

• Still waiting for those gas masks folks so I can tackle Miss Sam’s room!!!
• FINALLY washed the kitchen floor – the bane of my existence.

I laugh:

Because I believe I’m perfect.

Inspirational Thought I’m  Sharing:

A few things have happened on the professional front recently that really had me take a look at some areas that I wrestle with….and funny thing….Oswald Chambers JUST HAPPENED to be talking about those things in last week’s devotionals…go figure…God’s Thumbprints….they are all over the place!!!

God loved me not because I was lovable, but because it was His nature to do so. Now He commands me to show the same love to others by saying, “…love one another as I have loved you” (John 15:12). He is saying, “I will bring a number of people around you whom you cannot respect, but you must exhibit My love to them, just as I have exhibited it to you.”

The right thing to do with godly habits is to immerse them in the life of the Lord until they become such a spontaneous expression of our lives that we are no longer aware of them. Our spiritual life continually causes us to focus our attention inwardly for the determined purpose of self-examination, because each of us has some qualities we have not yet added to our lives….There is a quality that is still lacking you. Identify your shortcoming and then look for opportunities to work into your life that missing quality.

Conscience is that ability within me that attaches itself to the highest standard I know, and then continually reminds me of what that standard demands that I do. It is the eye of the soul which looks out either toward God or toward what we regard as the highest standard. This explains why conscience is different in different people. If I am in the habit of continually holding God’s standard in front of me, my conscience will always direct me to God’s perfect law and indicate what I should do. The question is will I obey?

Not only did God put his Thumbprints on my Oswald Chamber readings…I was also at Psalm 145 in my daily reading of Psalms. It provides an excellent guide to God’s standards:

The Lord is good to all; he has compassion on all he has made

The Lord is faithful to all his promises.

The Lord upholds all those who fall and lifts up all who are bowed down.

I pray continually that I will not stumble too much as I put God’s standards in front of me and strive to be more like Him:

patient; gracious; compassionate; slow to anger; rich in love; good to all; faithful to my promises; loving; just; forgiving

He want your lifestyle to leave a trail of his Spirit’s aroma of grace and peace and salvation. Erin Keeley Marshall

Some picture thoughts  I am sharing:

So how does my garden grow????

Well the squash got squashed by the rabbits once I transplanted it from a container into the ground (sigh).

The peppers (both red and yellow) are still growing but have not had any flowers on them as of yet.

But my tomatoes….my oh my. The container ones aren’t producing too much (I was more successful with the ones last year). Here is what is on the the vine with the container plant:

Now my Topsy Turvy tomato plant is doing awesome!!!  Several people stated that it was a “wash” for them and didn’t produce. Well I am glad that I gave it a try anyway!!! Here is what my Topsy Turvy tomato plant is producing:

As they say in Farmville – Yee-Haw.

I think I am going to try the Strawberry Topsy Turvy next!!!

The weather today in my neck of the woods:

Breezy and cool temperatures today. A lovely day to transplant some of those plants that are still in their pots due to the outrageously humid days we had last week.

A simple pleasure:

A few days to be selfish with my days before the Summer A Semester begins.

I am thankful:

For that first cup of coffee in the morning.

From the kitchen:

Made some delicious BBQ Green Beans for a family get together on Mother’s Day. Thanks Vicci T.!!!!

From the learning rooms:

Miss Sam continues to make progress through all her subjects. We are so blessed to have the opportunity for her to attend Florida Virtual School. It allows her a lot of freedom to spend time with family during the week.

I am still reading:

Smash Cut by Sandra Brown. Now her books ALWAYS catch my attention. This one is no exception. It’s good. Looking forward to reading it tonight as I snuggle into a bed that has freshly laundered linens on it. Luxury!!!

On My Mind:

Implementing my swimming schedule and co-ordinating it with my summer teaching schedule.

Creative Projects:

• Click here.
• See photos below.

Hearth and Home:

The most recent house cleaning led to three carloads of stuff to the thrift stores.

Next on the list…..Miss Sam’s room. Get your gas masks ready!!!!

I laugh:

Remembering the special needs dog in the movie The Back-up Plan tripping over the pile of magazines in the living room. Really cute “feel good” movie. However, the dog was the star in my opinion!!

Inspirational Thought I’m  Sharing:

Make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Peter 1:5-8

Thanks to today’s reading in My Utmost for His Highest (May 10th reading) in having me re-visit this wonderful scripture as I head into Summer A Semester.

Some picture thoughts  I am sharing:

Before:

There are approximately 6 boxes like this. However, I am working diligently to sorting and filing them with this wonderful photo storage system:

After:

I bought these boxes at Office Max but you can look at them more closely here. Each small container holds up to 100 photos.

Okay, time to get busy scanning all those photos!!!!!

Now that I have scanned every document in our family history that I have in my possession ~ I have now begun the project of scanning all the photos that have been scattered in too many boxes to count. Once all that is accomplished it will be a matter of putting together all of the puzzle pieces into an interesting and readable format. Not gonna happen this week.

The weather today in my neck of the woods:

Overcast ~ Hot ~ Humid. Cleared out the laundry room of all the hoodie hooks and put the hoodies in storage for next year….because you know it won’t get cold again until around January. We hope.

A simple pleasure:

Staying home while it pours down rain all day.

I am thankful:

For macaroni. Sam is having mac and cheese for dinner tonight and I am making plain old macaroni salad. Mr. John????? He just grabbed a frozen pizza out of the fridge.

From the kitchen:

See above.

From the learning rooms:

Finally managed to get some of those aggravating labs started (the yeast is still growing) and one finished (seems I don’t know how to wash my hands properly). Left is the math one…yeehaw.

Miss Sam will be interviewing her grandfather tomorrow for her World History assignment. This blends well with our genealogy project.

I  finished reading:

I haven’t. I checked out about 20 books from the library but could only work my way to Chapter Two or Three before getting bored with about five of them.

I am currently reading:

Smash Cut by Sandra Brown. Now her books ALWAYS catch my attention. This one is no exception. It’s good. Looking forward to reading it tonight as I snuggle into a bed that has freshly laundered linens on it. Luxury!!!

On My Mind:

Working on that minimalist lifestyle. So how long has this work been going on????? Those that have been with me for the four years I have been blogging know that it’s been about…..oh yea…four years.

Almost there. Second car load will be heading out on Friday.

Creative Projects:

• Too hot to work outside anymore. Working on plans for the fall gardens.
• Really getting revved up with the genealogy. Have all documents sorted and filed. Have all the available photos sorted and ready to scan and print. Just waiting for Hobby Lobby to have their 40% coupon…hopefully next week. I was going to scrap with the 12 x 12 book but decided on the smaller 8 x 12 because it will be easier to scan the book and send to all the siblings.
• Chess. That’s creative isn’t it???? I have never played so Miss Sam is slammin’ me. But I am going to keep plugging along.

Hearth and Home:

Spent much of the day putting the final touches on the minimalist look. Even the refrigerator got a “makeover” (see below).

I laugh:

Because Miss Sam doesn’t know that I am reading The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Chess. Shhh. Don’t tell.

Inspirational Thought I’m  Sharing:

As Spring Semester comes to a close and new opportunities within the college are opening up for me (developing and teaching Abnormal Psychology Spring 2011) and becoming involved in a new adjunct project spearheaded by the college president….I know that it is no coincidence that I read this particular reading this morning:

Satan rose up against Israel and incited David to take a census of Israel. 1 Chronicles 21:1

David’s census brought disaster because, unlike the census taken in the book of Numbers that God had ordered, this census was taken so David could take pride in the strength of his army. In determining his military strength, he was beginning to trust more in military power than in God.

There is a fine line between feeling confident because you rely on God’s power and becoming proud because you have been used by God for great purposes.

Life Application Bible

Some picture thoughts  I am sharing:

Before:

After:

My macaroni salad is chilled. Time to see who has to leave American Idol tonight. I just hope it isn’t Lee.

Before you click off to leave a comment (hint – hint) I hope that you take a moment to read two posts that my IRL friend Linda has recently written. Both of these posts have really resonated with me. I plan on addressing both topics once I have some time to “chew” on them. Please go by and read the following posts:

What You Will Get

Suffering

Don’t forget to say hello!!!

Went to the wildlife park yesterday. Beautiful weather combined with a beautiful photographer resulted in some very, very, very, beautiful shots…and not just because I’m her mom.

This is an amazing photo of how still the waters were yesterday and also how the pollen has just settled and made the surface very eerily reflective.

This one is nothing short of amazing. Several weeks ago we had spotted this nest and Miss Sam photographed the mama (a Comorant) sitting on her eggs. And voila….here is one of the eggs all hatched and hungry.

Peek-a-boo I see you.

A few months ago Miss Sam and I had spotted the Panther pacing back and forth in a part of his area that he never…ever…comes near (it is up close to the front). We got a little curious and noticed that a swan had made her nest right smack up to the fence line of the Panther!!!! It was so cool to see her nesting and sitting on her eggs but were concerned about the proximity to the Panther’s home. All is well….three little signets were hatched and this is one of them.

Miss Sam always states that the Spoonbill is one of her favorite birds. They are very difficult to photograph however because of the wired area that they keep them in. Miss Sam always manages to look past the obstacles and for her troubles gets a fantastic reward. The textures in the shot are exquisite.

The Osprey is by far Miss Sam’s favorite bird. I believe this one was posing for her on this particular day.

The enclosure for the Whooping Crane was expanded and now allows for Miss Sam to get up close and personal.

Camera??? What camera??? I no longer have one. Miss Sam has claimed mine as hers…and I must say she has a fabulous eye as it captures what she sees through the lens and makes magic happen.

Also, a big thank you to Miss Kristanne who turned this photo into a card and sent it to Miss Sam. What a thoughtful friend!!!! Hope to see you in June sometime.