Archive for July, 2009

Reb in our Nation’s Capitol

Wednesday, July 29th, 2009

WORDFUL WEDNESDAY

Rebecca called me last night from Washington, D.C. It was 10:30, Eastern Standard Time, and the Presidential Classroom students were enjoying a few minutes of free time before ‘lights out’. She said the lectures, classes, and work are intense. I hope to hear more of the story once she returns home on Sunday.

Here are some more photos that Rebecca sent via her cell phone:

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This is the group of students with whom Rebecca is studying global health and the environment.

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Rebecca in front of the congressional building.

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FDR

Reb is sitting on FDR’s lap!

Library of Congress

Library of Congress

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WA memorial

Rebecca in front of the Washington Memorial

Posted in Education, Family, Favorite Photos, Wordful Wednesday | 10 Comments »

From the Lincoln Memorial

Tuesday, July 28th, 2009

Rebecca just emailed me another cell phone pic from Washington, D.C. I can tell from the mischievous smile on her face that she’s thinking of the latest Night in the Museum movie where President Lincoln’s statue is a major character.

lincoln memorial

Posted in Family, Fun Things | 4 Comments »

Simple Woman’s Daybook

Monday, July 27th, 2009

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Hosted by Peggy

For Today…July 27, 2009

Outside my Window…it is truly summer! The sky is a clear, slate blue. As you look off into the distance, you can see the haziness which means high humidity. It should reach 90 degrees today. At 60% humidity, that feels mighty warm to those of us used to summer temps in the 70s/80s. There is a wee bit of a breeze, which we are augmenting with fans.


I am thinking…that my husband is going to want to go sailing during this lovely summer weather. Perhaps it’s not breezy enough out at the bay yet.

From the learning rooms…I have not yet read the 8th grade math books with which I need to be familiar before school begins again. I also want to review some books for the English Language Learners teacher at the middle school.

I am thankful for…God’s providential care over all His creatures, and His special care for His dear people (Romans 8:28). He tells us not to be anxious about anything for good reason.

From the kitchen…I am not allowed to use the oven today. I guess our company will be served ice cream for dessert this evening! For dinner I plan to serve coleslaw and shrimp.


I am wearing…my jeans skirt and a seersucker blouse. Perfect summer attire.

I am reading…I finished reading another book by Georgette Heyer, entitled Frederica. This book had some truly funny parts, involving younger brothers and a very large dog.

I am hoping…that daughter Rebecca learns a lot during her Presidential Classroom session this week in Washington, D.C. She is studying global health.

I am creating…this blog post.

I am hearing…the fan oscillating on high speed.

Around the house…there are dry, brown patches on the lawn. It has to get really hot and really dry for that to happen in northwest Washington.

One of my favorite things…is being edified by faithful sermons on Sunday. I am thankful for our pastor and our church.

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week…As my back is healing from a chronic sprain, I am planning on doing less reading, and more cleaning. I still am not to do any lifting, but my dirty refrigerator is calling to me!

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you…

photo from reb

It looks like the weather is beautiful in Washington, D.C., too. Rebecca took this photo with her cell phone and emailed it to me.

Hostess Peggy says this about The Simple Woman’s Daybook:

Are you content to linger on the simple things of life…then join me in taking a little look into the day plans and thoughts of those of us who are focusing on simplicity…the beauty of the everyday moments around us. That is my vision for this idea!

Posted in Bible Thoughts, Education, My job, Things for Which I am Thankful | 3 Comments »

Simple Woman’s Daybook

Monday, July 20th, 2009

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Hosted by Peggy

For Today…July 20, 2009

Outside my Window…At almost 9pm, there’s an amber ‘afternoon’ light, and clear blue skies. The temp is down to about 72 degrees, after a warm day for this temperate corner of Washington.

I am thinking…of the brevity of life. A friend of many years lost her 23 year old son in a swimming accident just this past Friday. I want to treasure family and friends while I have them.

From the learning rooms…I enjoy learning more about nutrition, and have been reading a few articles online about that.

I am thankful for…God’s love to me, which enables me to respond to Him in loving obedience to His wholesome laws.

From the kitchen…We had Little Caesar’s vegetarian pizza and a pepperoni pizza for dinner. I was out so much today, and needed that little break.


I am wearing…a brick red T and forest green denim skirt. No sweaters today!

I am reading…These Old Shades by Georgette Heyer. Three of my daughters recommended this Regency ‘romance’ (It’s more plain old historical fiction). So far I’m having trouble getting into it. Each character is referred to by title, first name, last name, and nick names, and I’m a bit confused! I might need to write a list of ‘who’s who’.

I am hoping…to be a comfort to my sad friend. I visited with her a bit today. She is really looking to the Lord, and hoping that her son’s memorial service will be a witness to his friends.

I am creating…a rare thing for me lately: a blog post!

I am hearing…ice cubes rattling into the freezer container. ‘Tis the season for cooling beverages.


Around the house…is a beautiful summer yard. My husband mowed the grass today, so it’s looking especially park-like.

One of my favorite things…is remembering to thank God for the little things in life.

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week…This looks to be an extremely busy week. I’ll mention just two things: My youngest brother plans to arrive Saturday from out-of-town to visit my elderly mom at her assisted living residence. We plan to take him out to dinner, of course. On the same day, our 17-year old daughter catches a flight to Washington, D.C. to participate in a one-week Presidential Classroom session on global health.


Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you…

custom home

This lovely home was designed by my husband, and built locally.

Hostess Peggy says this about The Simple Woman’s Daybook:

Are you content to linger on the simple things of life…then join me in taking a little look into the day plans and thoughts of those of us who are focusing on simplicity…the beauty of the everyday moments around us. That is my vision for this idea!

Posted in Books, Family, Health, The Simple Woman's Daybook, Things for Which I am Thankful | 9 Comments »

Simple Woman’s Daybook

Monday, July 13th, 2009

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Hosted by Peggy

For Today…July 13, 2009

Outside my Window…there’s still a bit of light in the sky at 9:30pm. It would be brighter but for the cloud cover that remained all day. Last night we had so much thunder and lightning, a rare occurrence here. The evening air is damp and cool (50-ish degrees). Not much like summer.

I am thinking…of Rebecca and Lydia, at soccer camp. This is a very intense training time for the high school girls’ soccer team.

From the learning rooms…I learn each day that I will never, ever run out of valuable things to learn. I learned from a doctor today that one way icing an injury helps is that the body sends blood to warm up the cooled area, thus bringing healing blood to the injured part. He also said that it’s important to not over-cool the area. I have lots to learn yet.

I am thankful for…my friend’s recommendation of a GENTLE chiropractor, who is also affordable, and who also educates his patients. Thanks so much, Rhonda!

From the kitchen…The doctor told me that I have a chronically sprained back, and should not plan on getting much work done for a few days. Since I didn’t want to disobey doctor’s orders, we enjoyed a Costco pizza this evening. It was so delish, with fresh basil and mozzarella cheese.

I am wearing…a long-sleeved blue thermal knit top and comfy black pants. Will tomorrow be warmer so I can don summer attire?

I am reading…Call Me Kate: Meeting the Molly Maguires by Molly Roe. This is young adult historical fiction set in the Pennsylvania coal fields in the Civil War era. What I’ve read so far makes me think I’m going to learn quite a bit about this difficult, dangerous time in our nation’s history, as a result of all the author’s research on the topic.

I am hoping…soccer camp goes well for Rebecca and Lydia.

I am creating…my Simple Woman’s Daybook entry.

I am hearing…faint echoes of daughter Debra’s audio book.

Around the house…all the plants are well-watered by last night’s downpour.

One of my favorite things…is checking my friends’ news on Facebook.

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week…I want to do the Grandma Thing and sew some pajamas for grandson Diederick, who is turning three!

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you…

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This is one of my new favorite photos of my grandchildren, lifted from my daughter Laura’s blog.

Hostess Peggy says this about The Simple Woman’s Daybook:

Are you content to linger on the simple things of life…then join me in taking a little look into the day plans and thoughts of those of us who are focusing on simplicity…the beauty of the everyday moments around us. That is my vision for this idea!

Please visit Grandmother Wren to sign Mr. Linky if you are continuing with Simple Woman’s Daybook for the summer. Thanks!

Posted in Books, Family, Favorite Photos, Health, The Simple Woman's Daybook | 3 Comments »

Ah, A Sailor’s Life for Me!

Saturday, July 11th, 2009

Today we’re enjoying a truly warm day, which is a rare thing so far this summer. To celebrate, Seth invited one of his school buddies over, and Rick took them out sailing on Bellingham Bay. That’s Seth at the tiller. Looks like Tyson is enjoying his first time out in the little Pelican sailboat.

sailing boys

Rick snapped this photo with the cell phone and emailed the image to me just a moment ago.

Posted in Family, Fun Things | 4 Comments »

Simple Woman’s Daybook

Monday, July 6th, 2009

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Hosted by Peggy

For Today…July 6, 2009

Outside my Window…We had a soaking rain on this cool day. I don’t think the temp even got up to 60!


I am thinking…I won’t get the refrigerator cleaned this evening after all. I’ve run out of ‘oomph’.

From the learning rooms…I want to learn more about Ernest Shackleton, so have checked out The Mammoth Book of Explorers, edited by John Keay. The book includes first-hand accounts by the explorers.

I am thankful for…the Lord keeping my husband and four of the children safe Saturday evening as they were traveling to see the firework display in town. A vehicle sped past them, going the wrong way on the freeway. The young man who was driving that vehicle was killed shortly thereafter, and the freeway was closed for a couple hours.

From the kitchen…I baked some gingerbread this evening. Such a chilly, damp evening seemed to call for this typical autumn dessert.


I am wearing…my denim skirt and striped orange sweater top.

I am reading…(just finished reading) A Song for Summer by Eva Ibbotson. This love story/historical fiction is set mainly in Austria in the years just prior to and during World War II. The author writes accurately and with much feeling for this time period, as she lived through it.

I am hoping…to read friends’ blogs. It seems I’ve been spending more time on Facebook, and less time blogging. Also, I did get lots done today in my real world, which gives me lots of satisfaction, but not lots of online time.

I am creating…a cleaner house. Today I cleaned and organized the storage closet in the laundry room. This closet becomes a ‘catch-all’ after a while, so I lose track of what’s in there. I know now that I have three Costco-sized refill bottles of liquid hand soap!

I am hearing…my husband sorting paperwork in the office. He’s finding some great memorabilia of the early days of his business.

Around the house…Seth and Debra are having fun setting up a Sims game. They really made the characters look like each member of our family. I’m going to enjoy peeking at their progress from time to time.

One of my favorite things…is the sense of accomplishment that comes when a good dinner has been prepared and enjoyed, the kitchen is clean once again, and it’s time to wind down before bed.

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week…There are lots of appointments in town this week. We’ll be busy!

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you…

mtbakerfrompelicanbeachlookingatsinclairisland

This is a view of Mt.Baker from Cypress Island where Rick and our oldest son went sailing last Thursday and Friday.

cypress island map

They camped on Pelican Beach. See it on the map?

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Driftwood on the beach

pelican beach on cypress island

Pelican Beach on Cypress Island in the San Juan Island system

Hostess Peggy says this about The Simple Woman’s Daybook:

Are you content to linger on the simple things of life…then join me in taking a little look into the day plans and thoughts of those of us who are focusing on simplicity…the beauty of the everyday moments around us. That is my vision for this idea!

Please visit Grandmother Wren to sign Mr. Linky if you are continuing with Simple Woman’s Daybook for the summer. Thanks!

Posted in Books, Family, Homemaking, Memories, The Simple Woman's Daybook, Things for Which I am Thankful | 5 Comments »