OK, so I think the Simple Woman is still taking the summer off, not sure when she will be back on weekly, but she has provided for us all to continue through this post.

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FOR TODAY, Monday 31st August 2009...

Outside my window... there are only 4 apples on our apple tree this year, but what appear to be loads of tiny chillies on my son's chilli plant.

I am thinking... about some concerns I have about someone close to me.

I am thankful for... the love of the Father, for friends who care, for a new opportunity for relationship that opened up to me this week, for healthy foods, for water to drink, for a fantastic local church that we are blessed to be part of.

From the learning rooms... I am still learning how to eat right. This is a journey that will take me from obese to a healthy weight, that will take me from unhealthy to healthy and it is a journey that will continue for a life time. - yes this is identical to what I wrote last time, ho hum!

From the kitchen... I have been using some new recipes over the last few weeks from a book (and tv show) called ECONOMY GASTRONOMY! It's all about saving families money on their food budgets by using what they call bedrock recipes, where you make one big thing and then use that as a base for at least 3 meals, altering it into other things. For instance last night we had roast pork in tomato sauce with polenta. Tonight we will have a pork lasagne, using some of the pork and some fo the tomato sauce. And I am also going to put a dish into the freezer, which uses the rest of the polenta (which we allowed to cool and set), and some of the tomato sauce along with butternut squash and peas.

I am wearing... brown trousers and a patterned orange and brown top, with a home made necklace.

I am creating... Still not a lot, but hoping that that will change as the boys go back to school next week and I get back into my term time routine.

I am going... to sit in front of the tv somewhat today. It's a public holiday here in the UK and that means a whole day of Extreme Makeover Home Edition! The family will complain, so I won't watch all of them, but I have to treat myself to at least some of them.

I am remembering.... that we haven't organised date night for this week yet, and so I will need to ask hubby what we're doing about that.

I am reading... cookbooks on the whole. Mainly the economy gastronomy one.

I am hoping... that friend Dana gets some peace over the situations that are facing her and that god directs every step over the next few weeks.

I am praying.... for a couple of friends who have lost family members recently, for my friend Dana, and others involved in that situation, For someone close to me, who seems down lately, for God to reveal what I can do to help in that situation, when to speak, when not to speak and so on.

I am hearing... my husband talking to his mother on the phone, and the hum of the oven in the kitchen.

Around the house... List for the next few days looks like this:

• Kitchen floor
• Toilets, bathroom, mirrors
• Laundry
• Desk
• Master bedroom
  

One of my favourite things... at the moment, is the website, Spark People. A site that allows you to track all your food and exercise, read health related articles, get support from message boards and teams, blog your journey to health and so on and the best bit of all is it is all ABSOLUTELY FREE. So far, since May 25th I have lost 28 pounds using Spark people, and have gone down 4 notches on my belt. In fact there is only one more hole on my belt, there is space for me to make another, but then the pattern of the belt gets in the way and I will have to buy another.

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

• Make a longer term, less urgent To Do List.
• email available assembly dates to a lady from church.
• email another lady from church to tell her how much money she owes me.
  
• Church small group BBQ.
• Make sure eldest (18) son attends doctors on Wednesday to see about a mole on his face that will be in the way when he starts shaving.
• Plan assemblies for Spring term.
• Book hotel.
  
• Date with hubby.
• Lots of exercise.
  

Here is picture thought I am sharing...

SO, if you want to read more daybook entries or you would like to take part yourself. Click on the image at the top of this post and check it all out.