What I Learned This Week

What did I learn this week?

I learned that sometimes the best thing to say in a situation is nothing.

This last week I went to do a talk about Clean Water Projects in Africa for a women's group. After I had finished talking, one of the ladies, in fact, the most elderly lady in the room, starting going on about how these African countries should stop relying on us for help and should just build a dam, because then they would have enough water.

I mean, seriously, there are SO MANY THINGS WRONG WITH THAT STATEMENT!
There were all sorts of things running through my head and I couldn't put anything coherent together, so I just let the leader of the group "rescue" me at that point.

Thinking about it afterwards, there were things I could have said, BUT I truly don't think any of them would have made her question her belief at all and that I did the best thing, SAY NOTHING!

If you want to participate in What I Learned this Week, head over to the website by clicking on the image at the top of this post.

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Simple Woman's Daybook

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FOR TODAY, Monday 26th October 2009...

Outside my window... it's a bit dark for the time of day, so I'm guessing it will rain later.

I am thinking... about the radio show I am listening to by Mark Gungor. He's not afraid to say difficult, even contentious things. If your marriage is struggling, or even if it isn't, he's worth listening to. And very entertaining with it.

I am thankful for... the fact that my youngest son who has been ill is feeling at least a bit better.

From the learning rooms... I am re learning how to do the healthy eating thing. I have had a bad few weeks and need to get back on track.

From the kitchen... ooooh, picked up a nice piece of celeriac for just 10p this morning. Going to do something with potatoes, onions, celeriac, cream and cheese tonight. With a roast chicken.

I am wearing... smart jeans with a stripy pastel coloured t-shirt.

I am creating... a tidy desk! Well, I am trying, so that i can then get some proper creating done.

I am going... to be on my own for a few nights in the next month. Well, the kids will still be here, but hubby is going to be away on business Wed - Friday for the next 3 weeks.

I am remembering.... that I need to plan some "shoebox" themed games for the halloween alternative event at church this weekend.

I am reading... a Joyce Meyer book on prayer.

I am hoping... that my son is properly better tomorrow or Thursday as he has a special event on Friday.

I am praying.... for people to turn up for this party on Saturday and have a great time.

I am hearing... some really encouraging information on that radio show I mentioned earlier.

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

• Kitchen floor
• Hall, stairs, vacuum
  
• Dining table
• Laundry
• Finish living room
  

One of my favourite things... is the butchers that have discovered. Awesome, friendly, knowledgeable staff, 5 out of 5 on food hygiene rating, and reasonable prices.

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

• Make a longer term, less urgent To Do List.
• Check how we are going to get youngest to his event on Friday
• lots of reading, journaling, crafting while hubby is away
• Blog post writing
• Phone friend and explain we really can't come over for dinner for at least the next 3 weeks.
  
• Arrange date for dinner at Le Fat Frog, we have vouchers that need to be used up before 8th December.
  

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.

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Simple Woman's Daybook

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FOR TODAY, Monday 19th October 2009...

Outside my window... is still a bit dark.

I am thinking... about the talk I have to give on Tuesday evening to the Townswomen's Guild about Samaritans Purse Water Projects.

I am thankful for... the walk I managed to complete yesterday!

From the learning rooms... I am learning that speaking on a topic for 30 - 45 minutes is a LOT harder than speaking on the same topic for 15 minutes.

From the kitchen... got youngest son a TAGINE for his birthday tomorrow and we'll be needing to learn how to use that.

I am wearing... smart jeans with a brown and orange top.

I am creating... Nothing, too busy with assemblies, but once those are over i need to get my craft desk tidied and get on with some creating. Well, last assembly of the OCC season (kind of) today!

I am going... to the Safari Park one day next week. Need to take a packed lunch which will keep us warm.

I am remembering.... just how tired this season of school assemblies can make me. I might only talk to each group for 15 minutes, but the prep time, the getting there and back, the time spent interacting with teaching staff, the time spent trying to encourage schools to take the other assemblies that I offer, all takes its toll and I am not used to it. Well, it's kind of the last one today. Yesterday's had me written down for another date, a date i cannot do, so I'm waiting for them to get back to me, so might end up not doing it.

I am reading... I don't know but I definitely need to spend some time reading this week, once I get today out of the way!

I am hoping... that this evening's talk goes well, that the women are nice and that I manage to make my talk last long enough.

I am praying.... for complete healing of my arm.

I am hearing... my 15 year old (YEP, he's 15 today) just leaving for the day, and now his 18 year old brother.

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

• Kitchen floor
• Kitchen counters
• stove top
• Study table
• Dining table
• Laundry
  

One of my favourite things... at the moment, is the fact that I walked up THE WREKIN on Sunday, and the photos we have from that day.

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

• Make a longer term, less urgent To Do List.
• School assembly this morning.
• Take youngest to Spanish class this afternoon
• Townswomens Guild Speaking engagement tonight
  
• Give youngest his birthday gift.
• Cheque if I have had the money from my OCC expenses claim
• Get on top of the family budget
  
• take mystery shopping cheque to the bank
• Family birthday dinner Thursday evening
• 
  

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.

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Frankie Sandford Sexy Short Haircut

The beautiful Saturdays singer Frankie Sandford has ditched the hair extensions and gone back to an uber sexy short asymmetric hair cut. She looks fantastic, here's the evidence.

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Thursday 13 - 13 walks I would like to attempt

13 walks I would like to attempt

Click on the image to go to the web page (most are pdf's) for that walk.

1. Nescliffe Nonsense
   
   
2. Nescliffe Nonsense 2
   
   
3. Bloody Battlefield
   Explore the site of a brutal battle fought between King Henry IV and the rebellious
   Harry Hotspur six hundred years ago.
   
   
4. The big walk at Ellesemere
   
   
5. Acton Scott Amble
   
   
6. Wagoner's Wander
   
   
7. Rectory Wood and Field
   
   
8. Wats Dyke Walk
   
   
9. Wrekin Hill Fort
   
   
10. Around the Wrekin
    
    
11. Reynolds Way
    
    
12. Adstone Walk
    
    
13. Any of the Geocaching Walks at the Shropshire hills Discovery Centre
    

If you want to read more Thursday 13 posts, head on over to Thursday 13 by clicking on that banner at the top of this post!

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Dannii Minogue's Hair

Is anyone else impressed by the versatility of X Factor judge Danni Minogue's bob hairdo? From the blunt fringe to the slicked back and sexy updos, she's showed us them all. Here are some highlights:

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Simple Woman's Daybook

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FOR TODAY, Monday 5th October 2009...

Outside my window... is a chilly day I will have to venture out into later and my car, minus it's rear windscreen that someone decided to smash on Saturday night. It's being repaired this afternoon.

I am thinking... about all the talks I am doing in schools this month for Operation Christmas Child, 8 this week alone.

I am thankful for... clean slates, fresh starts, renewed motivation.

From the learning rooms... I am learning that things are not always what they seem, that people can be very good at wearing masks and that you never know what is really going on in their lives. I don't want to live like that. I want to be REAL!

From the kitchen... Still using economy gastronomy recipes. Learning to make better use of leftovers, and loving my 14 year old son's interest in cooking. Yesterday he made a lower sugar bakewell tart, AWESOME!

I am wearing... black cargo pants and my "school assemblies" top, smart but not stuffy!

I am creating... Nothing, too busy with assemblies, but once those are over i need to get my craft desk tidied and get on with some creating.

I am going... to go and do this school assembly, pick up something for dinner from the smaller supermarket which is on the walk back (I had planned to nip out to the bigger one in the car but obviously can't now because of the broken glass), and spend some time with god and my journal before getting some household chores done.

I am remembering.... just how tired this season of school assemblies can make me. I might only talk to each group for 15 minutes, but the prep time, the getting there and back, the time spent interacting with teaching staff, the time spent trying to encourage schools to take the other assemblies that i offer, all takes its toll and I am not used to it.

I am reading... oooooh a friend lent me her copy of "the Power of Simple Prayer" by Joyce Meyer yesterday, so I'm looking forward to getting into that this week.

I am hoping... that the weather stays dry until after my car's windscreen has been replaced this afternoon and that the culprit comes to justice (5 cars on the road in front of our house were all attacked and nothing was taken).

I am praying.... for an OCC friend who has broken his wrist and will possibly need a metal plate put in it. For friends who need God's comfort, power and strength.

I am hearing... my 18 year old son laughing at the tv in the other room. Apparently it wasn't the tv, it was the comments he and another friend were writing on someone's facebook account.

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

• Kitchen floor
• Kitchen counters
• stove top
• Study table
• Dining table
• 
  

One of my favourite things... at the moment, is still 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.

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

• Make a longer term, less urgent To Do List.
• Date with hubby.
• Lots of school assemblies
  
• Wrap youngest's birthday gift.
• post in OCC expenses claim
• take mystery shopping cheque to the bank
• plan for food at church away weekend, and shop accordingly.
• Plan for kids meetings at church away weekend and shop for supplies.
• Pack for church away weekend
• 
  

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.

Read More