The Simple Woman's Day Book, Jan. 2017

January is upon us, how can the holidays have gone by so quickly?  My year is not off to the best of starts...I have been home since Monday morning with an intestinal virus.  I do believe that maybe it is finally reaching the end of its stay and that I will be heading back to work tomorrow.  I certainly hope so, at any rate, because I am quite bored of snoozing and watching television.  That's why today I thought I'd give blogging a try and get an entry done for The Simple Woman's Daybook.

January Edition

For today:

Looking out my window...the sun is shining (a rarity in this part of Pennsylvania in January), but the wind is howling, ushering in colder weather and later this week, snow.

I am thinking...how very tired I am of being home with this bug...and also a little bit about how hungry I am.  Surely that means I am recovering!

I am thankful...for our new grandson who entered the world December 13 in the middle of a snow storm.  He was nearly two weeks early, but what a joy it was to have him with us when the family gathered together on Christmas Eve day.

One of my favorite things...the way our sweet old hound dog knows when I need some extra love and does just that in his way..."smiling" up at me with his big brown eyes, wagging his tail, snuggling up beside me, resting his chin on me, and just being there to love back.

I am creating...my 2017 bullet journal.  I'd hoped to have it done by now, but life happens and the best of plans get off track.  I love my bullet journals. Having that daily check list helps me keep my focus.  I may still not get everything done (hey, life happens, remember?) but I don't get as easily distracted and it helps me stay organized.

I am wearing...high fashion, let me tell you.  Being that I am sick and no one other than the dogs and my husband have seen me for three days I am rocking the red plaid flannel-lined leggings, a long-sleeve red shirt, and fuzzy gray socks along with my ratty old slippers.

I am reading...The Seventh Plague by James Rollins.  He is one of my favorite fiction writers.  His stories center on an elite and secret government team of former Special Forces troops turned to scientists.  While the stories are fast paced and a little far fetched, the core idea comes from science so they make you think.  In this one the team is investigating strange events that lead to the question, "Can the plagues of Egypt happen again?"

I am hoping...that things work out with the possibility of a new job for my husband.  His current job seems to be putting us more and more in the hole (long story) and a change to a company closer to home, or that provides a company vehicle or pays more would make a huge difference in our financial situation.

I am learning...to trust God.  I am doing a Bible study by Beth Moore that is teaches me how to have more faith.  It has 5 major points:

1. God is who He says He is.
2. God can do what He says He can.
3. I am who God says I am.
4. I can do all things through Christ.
5. God's Word is living and active in me.

In my kitchen...there isn't much happening...the whole flu thing.  Once I am back on my feet I am really going to tackle some slow cooker recipes.  I have a ton of them pinned and I also pinned a plan to make the meals ahead of time and freeze then all you have to do is toss them in the slow cooker.  If we are going to eat healthy, homemade meals more often than not this is a must do for me.  Otherwise, I am too tired at the end of the day to do more than throw the quickest of things together or call for take-out.

Board room...I made this amazing twice-baked potato casserole as a side dish for Christmas and it met with rave reviews.  It comes from the casserole board of Taste of Home.

Post Script...Here's a link to an article on the Breast Cancer Site that might be helpful to just about everyone.  12 Signs You Need More Magnesium In Your Diet.  I was surprised at some of the things magnesium does for your body...and how many symptoms I have of needing more!

Shared Quote...

A moment from my day...there's that beautiful outfit I mentioned earlier!

My prayer and hope for all of us is this,

that 2017 is a much kinder year

and that we, too, are kinder and gentler

than this past year proved us to be.