Spring Love

The weather was absolutely divine today - the sun was shining, blue skies with a light breeze. It was just too pretty to stay indoors so I decided to tackle an area in the backyard that was overgrown with weeds. Along with the girls help, we made quick work of it. The area looks so much better! I plan to tackle another area tomorrow.

This afternoon, I enjoyed the outdoors a bit more as I sat on the front porch and wrote in my journal and enjoyed several glasses of ice water. Being outdoors relaces me and soothes my spirit. I love to watch the squirrels run and leap through the trees and watch the birds flit here and there. I've noticed many are building nests! We also noticed new blooms in the yard - trees are getting Spring leaves and there are new flowers to admire. Spring is such an exciting time of year - full of wonder and awe!

I hope you are enjoying Spring as much as I am!

Getting Stronger

Alfred, Kayla, and I had a good workout at the gym last night. I am slowly building up my stamina on the elliptical. Whereas previously I could only stay on it 6-8 minutes, last night I stayed on it for 15 minutes with 2,000 strides. Talk about a workout! Whew - you can feel the burn! Afterwards I did walked on the treadmill and then we hit the weight machines. 

I am beginning to love going to the gym! I feel so good after working out. At first I was kinda shy about working out in front of other people, but now I just get in there and get to work. I realized that everyone has to start somewhere and people aren't paying as much attention to you as you may think they are. Also, I am stronger than I give myself credit for!

We are planning to work out on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. Tuesdays and Thursdays (when Alfred and Kendall are not gone to scuba class) we'll use the pool and hot tub to soothe sore muscles. We are also working on eliminating the junk from our diet and replacing those things with healthier options. It is absolutely a lifestyle change for me.

This morning I have been busy tackling my homemaking and there is more yet to do. But I love it and wouldn't change it for the world! I tidied and rearranged the pantry, have a load of laundry drying and one in the washer waiting to be dried, and washed dishes. Yet to be done is: vacuum carpets, mop living room and kitchen, tidy and disinfect bathroom, rearrange the bathroom closet, tidy my desk and do a little yardwork.

This afternoon I'm to take Kendall to the dentist and then we'll visit Mama for a bit before coming home to prepare dinner and watch Biggest Loser tonight.

What are your plans for the day? 

Weekend

We had a nice weekend. I got a good workout in on Saturday at the gym and could definitely feel it the next day. With the weather warming up we have been eating a lot of salads - so easy and delicious! Saturday night at ten o'clock we took the kids cosmic bowling and had a fun time. It was the girls first time bowling and they did very well, I thought.

Sunday I decided my carpets needed cleaning. They are cream colored and with dogs and children  constantly running to and fro, the carpets gets dirty fairly easily. I filled a bucket with hot water and added a little Clorox 2 to it and then proceeded to scrub the carpet on my hands and knees with a scrub brush. Talk about work! But it did the job and much better than Resolve does, I might add. I scrubbed the dining room and my bedroom and have blisters for my efforts (and clean carpets, too!). Alfred did the office carpet.

Other than a quick run to Walmart, we stayed home the rest of the day enjoying leisurely activities.

Now, I am waiting for Alfred to get home from work so we can go to the gym. He and the kids are getting in the pool. I will be working out! Afterwards, I'll make a quick dinner and then tune in to Dancing With the Stars to watch and root for Kate Gosselin!

Hope your weekend was a good one and your evening is lovely!

A Return to Gratitude

God gave you a gift of 86,400 seconds today. Have you used one to say "thank you?" ~William A. Ward

~ Watching nature reveal new treasures each day.

~ Putting my thoughts and dreams on paper in the form of journal writing.

~ The white noise from the fan that blocks out sounds that disturb sleep.

~ Books, books, and more books....all free from the library!

~ The gift of each new day.

What are you thankful for today?

Pretties

Pretty dishes

Fiestaware coffee mugs

Gorgeous bed linens

Children's tea set

Lace-covered pillows

Cutesy dishcloths

All photos courtesy of: C.S. Post & Co.

Just For Me?

Sarah commented yesterday that she thought it was neat that I am thinking of doing something just for me and it got me thinking. How rare it is that I put myself first. I give to my husband and to my children. I put their needs above my own - even to my own detriment. I guess I thought that that is what good mothers do...

But what about mothers' needs? How long do we go with our dreams swept under a rug, ignoring the heart yearnings until the dreams are forgotten? We suppress our desires for the good of the family, but at what price? When we take charge of our own happiness, deciding that, yes, we are worth it, our families would be all the better for it. Because when Mama is happy, everyone benefits.

Fitness

We recently joined the YMCA and today I went in for my MicroFit evaluation. It's no secret that I've let myself get out of shape, but with focus and dedication I can see results relatively quickly. Here's the thing though, I don't just want to be in shape - I want to be super fit and build muscle. It is my belief that women can be both feminine and physically fit with well-defined muscles.

I'm seriously considering saving up the funds needed to hire a personal trainer to work with me at the gym and help me with the nutrition part. That will ensure speedier results than trying to figure it all out on my own. And I need to be pushed beyond what I think I can do. I need to break free from excuses, being self-critical, and under-estimating myself.

In order to change we must be sick and tired of being sick and tired. ~Author Unknown

I'm ready for a change. How about you?

Rose-Colored Glasses

I have never been one to follow a schedule, but decided to create a flexible homemaking routine for myself in order to keep on top of my homemaking. I listed things that need to be done daily, others on an as needed basis, and each day has a focus area. Already this has reduced the feeling of being overwhelmed and I still have time to do things I enjoy.

Some homemaking tasks are not as enjoyable as others. I decided that I will no longer complain about them. Instead I will enjoy each and every task. Work is good for us. Even Adam and Eve had to tend the Garden of Eden! My home-keeping is indeed labor, but it is also a labor of love as I strive to create a peaceful haven for myself and my family.

So often we find ourselves stuck in a rut and in need of a change. When you find yourself murmuring and complaining, it's a sign that change is needed. Only you can decide to change and you can only change yourself - not your husband or children, etc.

Sow seeds of love, peace, and joy. Make sure you're spending time in prayer and in the Word of God each day. Be thankful in everything! Squeeze every last ounce of joy out of each day. Decide - today - to look upon life with rose-colored glasses.  

Daybook

FOR TODAY... from Tracy's Daybook

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Outside my window...you can see your breath in the cold air as you breathe outside, but the birds are singing, the sun is shining, and it is supposed to be warm today! Hallelujah!

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I am thinking...about how to create better flow in my daily routine.

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I am thankful for... sunshine, bird songs, blooming flowers and trees, kitty cuddles and kisses, and so much more!

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I am wearing...pajamas still.

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I am remembering...how good the Lord has been to me.

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I am going...to buy German coffee for Alfred's birthday. It's his favorite and such a treat!

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I am currently reading...my Bible, the most important book there is. 

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I am hoping...that it is warm when Joel comes for Spring Break the first week of April.

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On my mind...cutting expenses even more to stay within our budget.

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Noticing that...time marches on whether you want it to or not, so you may as well enjoy your life and make the most of it.

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Pondering these words...from 1 Timothy 6: 6-10 (NIV)

"But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs."

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From the kitchen... fudge brownies

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Around the house...there is always lots to do.

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One of my favorite things~ being held in my husband's arms.

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From my picture journal...

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Please visit Peggy's blog to find more Daybooks!

Really?

"No winter lasts forever; no spring skips its turn."

- Hal Borland

Show Off Your Cottage Monday

With Saturday being the first day of Spring, I felt like setting up a new table display in the dining room. Since Easter is quickly approaching, I decorated with Easter in mind. The big tall bunny was a thrifting treasure purchased for only a couple of dollars.

Bunnies are so sweet, aren't they? I found this little one at a dollar store years ago.

Another dollar store find. I love the color of the glass jar!

Bunny is all ready to garden...

Cute little chick...

The tablecloth was free. We found it in the shed! I washed it up and it looks lovely.

Thank you for visiting my cottage!

Weekly Words to Live By

To participate, please go to Notes From a Cottage Industry.

You've got a lot of choices. If getting out of bed in the morning is a chore and you're not smiling on a regular basis, try another choice. ~Steven D. Woodhull

Friday Fill-Ins #168

1. Today I will be me.

2. You can't do that and I say why not?

3. What do you think of a life of simplicity.

4. At Paula Deen's kitchen it's free Pastry Day til 1030 Friday! And the pastries have zeros calories! LOL

5. People say that what we're all seeking is love.

6. The image I cherish most is a photo of my handsome husband when he was younger with long hair and a mustache.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to watching a movie, tomorrow my plans include going with Alfred to his Dive Team meeting and possibly going to the arts & crafts fair in Fairhope and Sunday, I want to enjoy a day of leisure!

Backyard Love

I love to look out upon the yard when the grass is freshly mown...

to see trees and the fire-pit...

and our girls playing out in the sun.

I love watching nature unfold.

I love our little "cement" pond. We have to seal a few cracks and get a pump, then will add goldfish and lilypads.

Red berries add a splash of color to green bushes.

Jasmine is blooming...

It smells so sweet!

The overgrown raised veggie bed needs a complete overhaul. We'll get to work on that soon and put in tomatoes, bell peppers, cucumbers, and other veggies.

The fire-pit needs a little work. The cedar tree will have to come down. I'll also clear out the raised brick flower bed and plant colorful blooms.

I love sweet kitties, like Clover running to me...

 tiny pink blooms...

and plenty of space.

Standing at the back of the yard looking toward the house.

Another shot...

and another!

Does anyone know what kind of tree this is?

From my outdoors loving heart to yours,