autumn living

I love writing. I have been a passionate writer since I was was 7 or 8, when I started keeping a daily prayer diary. Those precious simple words, printed out my young hands are a treat to read, along with the simple illustrations painstakingly drawn. 

About the time I turned 21 and moved back from Indiana, the Internet had happened, and I turned to the pages of an online blog, first on Livejornal and then MySpace. And so it goes.

Now I have two blogs. One is private, the other public here where I write about what I deem encouraging or uplifting. I always get a writer's boon each fall season. I don't know whether it has to do with autumn being my favorite season, or whether it is refreshing after our wilting Florida summers, and I am seeking to reinvent more than the sweltering weather and my burnt-out garden. I enjoy the renewal, the cathartic release of thoughts and hopes and plans.

Here's to a blessed and restful autumn season. There's a lot going on, but I am going to endeavor to snatch moments for soul Sabbath. It's been a particularly difficult year, full of changes and issues that I can't reveal (as they relate to the workings and running of the school), and I am needing the peace. Shalom to all!

My Daybook

Outside my window...
A little bird rustles around in the oak leaves. I know there are plenty of worms out there.

I am listening to...

Renee Olstead's new CD, "Skylark," and my former student Chris Stanton's new worship CD, "The Great Unknown." Both phenom!

I am wearing...

A cute yellow tank with giant buttons on the straps and blue jersey capris

I am thankful for...
My family, salvation, safety and protection, being able to pay my bills, good days at school with my students, a little break to catch up with life in general.

I am pondering...
What being an American means, getting married, cleaning my room. :-P

I am reading...

Just finished Cindy Woodsmall's The Bridge of Peace. Reading two textbooks. Going to start The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows tomorrow.

From the kitchen...

Tonight I cooked hamburger steaks with fresh baby portobella mushroom gravy, baked potatoes, and a wonderful chef salad (that Mom helped me with!).

I am creating... 

A Power Point presentation for a book report that I am doing for my special ed class...it's about siblings of autistic people.

Toward a Living Education...
This week I have learned how to treat sooty mold that is currently harming my lemon trees. I have also looked up info about various Young Living essential oils to learn more about which ones could help us to live better.

Beauty in the Home...
I have been in a cleaning streak...closets, cabinets, fridge, laundry. The laundry room and back porch are next! I am still looking for a nice fall wreath for the front door...and maybe a pumpkin for the front "stoop."

The Church...
I am not attending anywhere regularly right now. I am enjoy various podcasts though.

I am hoping and praying...
For salvation for a dear family member, for my future husband, for the peace of Jerusalem, and for grace and strength and peace and energy for each new day.

In the garden...
Nothing is blooming right now...it needs to be weeded. There is one hydrangea bloom still hanging on at school. I need to finished filling in one end of the old fish pond and create a small flower garden there with a new smaller pond. Too much to do there.

One of my favorite things...
Coffee on these cool autumn mornings! My dog waiting outside my bedroom door each morning. Hearing God speak to me in the word each day, calming my anxious heart and teaching me His ways.

A few plans for the rest of the week...

A few?  Hmmm...lunch with my older sister Cori (maybe some Thai coconut lime soup with tofu and mushrooms), finish an editing project for school, finish a book report, study for a literature test, get the laundry room cleaned out.

end draws near-errrrr

My favorite month is soon at an end. Ahhhh, September! In two weeks we have fall break at school. I am hoping to finish editing the Handbooks to have ready when we come back. I also need to tweak the October school billing.

I have this Saturday off from "cakeland," so I plan to make the best of it and get some R-E-S-T. I need a pedicure, so plans are to kidnap Cori for the afternoon. CL has been fractious this week, Sarah is super-stressed, and Tricia and I have been study-oholics. Test and more tests.

I am hosting the first senior meeting for the CIAS Class of 2011 tomorrow evening...that one always scares me...not sure why. A lot of expectant seniors and their parents will be there.

I cooked dinner several times this week. On Sunday I made a DELICIOUS bacon and cheese quiche (I think from one of my bakery research recipes). Last night I made peppered steak (onions, red & green bell peppers, strips of tender sirloin steak, a beef stew seasoning packet) over rice. It was so yummy. :-)

Work at CIAS have been especially busy. Interviews have slowed down, but teaching, tutoring, and supervising is UP. Today was nice, since a student or two was missing, so I had breaks to get busy work done. I also need to start on the rash of senior transcripts, a task that I have been putting off. I have done a few but not the majority by far. I did get to spend some time last night working on the updating the Class of 2010 grad info webpage (i.e. accomplishments, college plans, etc.).