Wordless Wednesday

We like guns in Arkansas

Skeet shooting

Simple Woman's Daybook

Please visit Peggy at The Simple Woman for more Daybook entries!

Outside my window... the mockingbirds are just starting their nightly noise. Can't wait for mating season to be over, because these birds sing ALL NIGHT.

I am thinking... about planning another trip to Arkansas in the fall, and taking my husband along this time!

I am thankful for... the opportunity to stay at home and rest. If I hadn't been laid off, I would not have been able to go to Arkansas to spend time with family. I find I am a lot happier at home than I am anywhere else.

In the kitchen... we had peperoncini beef sandwiches for dinner, made in the crockpot. Brian liked them, but I felt that the flavor was not strong enough.
 
I am wearing... my pajamas!
 
I am creating... slowly but surely working on my Smash journal, and getting all my pictures together from my Arkansas trip. I keep meaning to do more crafting, but haven't really had the inspiration.

I am going... to the doctor's office tomorrow. Then maybe running a few errands. Might head down to Bed Bath and Beyond to pick up a few household items.

I am wondering... if Brian will continue going to school every day, like he did today. I am used to having him at home with me while he grades or researches, but I think it is better for him to work outside of the home so he has less distractions. I sure missed him though!

I am reading... nothing right now, but I am thinking about getting back into a fantasy/science fiction series. Maybe Wheel of Time, or getting back into Dragonriders of Pern. Brian is reading the Game of Thrones series, but it might be too graphic for me.

I am hoping... that the pressure of planning a very large wedding isn't making my dear friend Jennifer crazy. I am praying that everything will work out and all disagreements will be resolved.

I am looking forward to... trying new recipes this week.

Around the house... my scrapbooking stuff is still in the living room, there are new knickknacks from Arkansas, and I'm working on getting rid of some old paperwork.

A favorite quote for today... "I am the greatest, I said that even before I knew I was." - Muhammad Ali

A few plans for the rest of the week: Doctor's appointment tomorrow, Dentist on Friday. Church on Sunday. Maybe zoo this weekend?

A peek into my day...

My favorite monkey family had twins! Here's one baby.

{Pretty, Happy, Funny, Real}

 Arkansas Edition

{Pretty}

Taking the working dogs for their walk on my Great Uncle Jim's 50+ acres of farm and woods with my Dad, brother, and cousin Shelli. Come summer these trees will be so lush and green you can barely see the sky.

{Happy}

Nothing makes me happier than riding a horse. This is Turtle, my cousin Shelli's horse she uses for team roping competitions. He's a gentle guy who doesn't get bothered by anything! We only got to go riding twice, since it rained other days and the arena was too wet. Still, those hours I spent in the arena were fantastic!

{Funny}

Does this look familiar to anyone? It's the Duggar House! The Duggars live in Tontitown, AR which is just 20 minutes east of where my family lives. It was an easy drive as we were headed into Bentonville to visit my Grandma in the hospital anyway. Finally, something I can scratch off my bucket list. Just kidding...too bad none of them came outside. 

{Real}

My first attempt at capturing the sign heading into Decatur, where my Dad's mother grew up (and still lives). Unfortunately my Dad got a little trigger happy and gassed it before I had gotten a good picture. I made him turn back around (hard to accomplish on a tiny country road) so I could get another picture. And yes, that sign says population 1,314. As my Great Aunt Jan says about Decatur, "Don't blink, you might miss it!"

More posts to come soon on my adventures in Arkansas/Oklahoma!

7 Quick Takes

— 1 — I'd like to take a second to thank all of those who commented on my last post. I truly appreciate all the kind thoughts and prayers during this difficult time. It has helped me during this transition more than you know. I wish I lived closer to all of you so I could give you real hugs, but an internet hug will have to do. -hugs-
— 2 —

This is my third year donating to Catholic Relief Service's Operation Rice Bowl. I have made it a family tradition to donate $40.00 every year in honor of the 40 days of lent. For more information please see a previous post of mine here.
— 3 — Staying at home has been an eyeopening experience. Well, other than when I'm not sleeping (which, when I'm not feeling well, I tend to do a lot of). I have been enjoying two things from my childhood lately: Pokemon and Dragon Ball Z. I've been playing Pokemon HeartGold and Pokemon White on my Nintendo DS, and watching Dragon Ball Z episodes online. If I start wearing bell bottoms I might convince myself I've traveled back to the mid 90s.
— 4 —

Novel's newest photograph, age 10. I have pictures of her from age 7 and up. She's getting tall!

I began sponsoring Novel Rosalin Prisilia Kandowangko in June 2010 through Compassion International, when she was 8. I cannot recommend this organization enough. Novel and I write letters to each other about once a month, she draws me pictures and sends me collages. For $38.00 a month I get to see a child grow up healthy and clothed, encourage her to do her best in school, and to love God. She calls Brian and I her "Mama and Papa in California," and that is priceless.
— 5 — I will be in Northwest Arkansas March 5-12, visiting my father's side of the family. I am SUPER excited. I'm a little nervous with all of these tornado warnings (though none have been in Arkansas), and I know my mother is super worried since I, my brother, and my Dad are going together. But other than fear of tornadoes, I am really looking forward to seeing my grandparents, uncles, aunts, and cousins. We are staying with my Great Uncle Jim out in the country. I'll be riding horses, shooting guns, and playing cards in just a few days!
— 6 — My brother has joined the Navy as a Submarine Machinest Mate. I am so proud of him and so happy that he has found a direction he wants to go in with his life. He leaves for boot camp August 15th. I am praying that everything works out for the best. Will you pray too?
— 7 —

Hope you all had a lovely Valentine's Day! This is usually the only day of the year that I get flowers, so I always look forward to it. And Brian always gets a fancy home cooked meal, so he's a happy camper. This year I made the following: Oven Roasted Red Potatoes (I used red and yellow Dutch, added Lawry's seasoning salt, sea salt & pepper), Garlic Green Beans (I used regular black peppercorns and added french fried onions), and Filet Mignon with Rich Balsamic Glaze. I highly recommend all three, but especially loved the potatoes!
Please head over to Conversion Diary to get your fill of 7 Quick Takes and discover great blogs!

Weathering the Storm

Last Friday, I was laid off from my job.

My 12 weeks of job protected FMLA (Family & Medical Leave Act) expired, and my employer chose to terminate my contract with them since I am still not well enough to return.

I was expecting this.

When I was first diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis (a subset of IBD, or Inflammatory Bowel Disease) in late May, I never thought it would affect my life the way it has. I try my hardest not to complain about having a chronic illness, because I know it could be so much worse. In the grand scheme of things, this is nothing. I can handle this.

I just never thought it would get this far...it's made me rethink all of our plans - especially starting a family. Forget the job, forget the money, forget the health problems, this thing has taken away my choice to have a baby. And that emotional pain hurts far more than IBD.

I'm not quite ready to get back to blogging, as my husband and I weather this storm of financial instability and medical issues. I just wanted to get this off my chest. Thanks for listening.