The Simple Woman's Daybook

OUTSIDE MY WINDOW... it's a gloomy, slushy and sad Winter's day.

I AM THINKING... That I will give this wee diary a chance again. I re-read the 1st seven (7) posts. Sad. Nothing has changed. Forgive me, dear Readers, if I talk again about things that have not changed. I DO hope "to be challenged by writing this Daybook" every week.

I AM THANKFUL FOR... an extra-ordinarily loving husband, TOny, who stays by me and always has faith for me/in me.

FROM THE KITCHEN... "Same home, same menu!" TOny is out with a friend, so we'll have cereal for supper. We DEFINITELY need HELP/inspiration in the nutrition/tasty nutrition department.

I AM WEARING... my (homemade) pj bottoms, a Concordia Walk t-shirt. It's 2:00 PM. :(

I AM ORGANIZING... or maybe it's more thinking--how to "handle" bill payments, on line, without crying 'cos I get nervous. Signed up last month... A month between exercises leaves me starting at "0" again. (On the learning curve, not in our bank book ;)

I AM GOING... to get well.

I AM READING... from our "Cultural Dictionary". I am NOT reading our Concordia course pack. Makes a difference in understanding the class lecture, eh.

I AM HOPING... to get well. News-worthy: I am NOT bi-polar. This diagnosis has been unsure for 14 years. And has been confirmed with the death of my Mother. So, in a few months, I will be taken off--unneeded--medications (22 years!) and finish up--very needed--therapy.

I AM HEARING... welcome silence. In the house, in my mind.

AROUND THE HOUSE... It's a bit unsettled. Reflects the innards of its Mistress, eh.

ONE OF MY FAVORITE THINGS... See photo below. Represents grace, a steady hand. Beauty, fragrance of beauty. Ability to share/communicate with others.

A FEW PLANS FOR THE REST OF THE WEEK: Hopefully, RHOTO will go to the McCord Museum and the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts... stay tuned.

HERE IS A “PICTURE THOUGHT” I AM SHARING…

RHOnda

Our Hostess for the above meme is “The Simple Woman’s Daybook”. Please visit her at the address below:
http://thesimplewoman.blogspot.com/

The Simple Woman's Daybook

OUTSIDE MY WINDOW... it is gloomy, slushy and there’s black ice. We’re definitely TAXIING today!! (There really is a verb, “to taxi”??)

I AM THINKING... That I had hoped to be challenged by writing this Daybook every Monday. But, instead I am often disappointed by the many activities that remain undone… This might be my last Monday posting (as I’m not obligated, eh).

I AM THANKFUL FOR... onze/our Erik being OK!! (See last posted article below.)

FROM THE KITCHEN... Guess what?? "Same home, same menu!' We’ll have TOny good chicken soup, small pita bread and watermelon for dessert. We ate big meals at the Mall at noon: Couscous with Chicken and Pineapple Chicken, rice & vegetables.

I AM WEARING... a burgundy, short-sleeved pullover & burgundy pull-on pants. Also a beautiful, symbolic brooch. (See photo below.) Plus my burgundy car coat, scarf and mitts. Black boots. Pretty well burgundy top-to-bottom, eh!! Well, it’s a great colour for me & we 5’1”ers look good in solid, same tones… "And accompanied by the same TOon", he says!!

I AM ORGANIZING... myself to get ready to make Christmas scarves. Today, I bought poster board to make a template. Figure it'll be easier to cut along a stiff line with rotary cutters! ‘Just found out on PatternReview.com that I really NEED to pre-wash this stuff… That’s 12 meters!! We “sewers” know that actually zoomin’ on sewing machines is approximately 0.0005% of the creating time!!

I AM GOING... to the Dentist. Actually, I went today. ‘Had a HORRIBLE time having my teeth checked and cleaned. ‘Twas really loud between my ears and hurt! And I have three (3) cavities to fill in the New Year. Ho! Ho! Yuck!! The staff is very nice, understanding & helpful with me. (I'm sorry. I've got fragile & sensitive chompers...) Some of us just aren't "the best patients". But, they do enjoy my humour & have fun "practicing English with their only anglophone client"!

I AM READING... I'm going to pick up “The Planets” by Dava Sobel again--for TOny and “the kids”. Every evening, Minky says, “Oh, Poooop!! Noooo Book!!” with the saddest face…

I AM HOPING... to feel clear-headed enough to concentrate on sewing--actually on anything besides how I'm feeling!! 'Really gets tiring, eh!

I AM HEARING... TOny listening to his favourite talk-show radio station. OF COURSE!! Auditory men love that yack-yack!! But, on the other hand, I have a man who TALKS!! Who loves conversations, word games, looking things up...

AROUND THE HOUSE... The ironing is ALL DONE!! Yippy! TOny hid the mending basket for me ‘til after Christmas. My Sewing Studio looks so nice and welcoming.

I'm going to ask Myriam, our housekeeper, to work two (2), extra days this month. Should be good for us both, eh... She can tackle the kitchen exterior/interior; the other time, she'll work in the basement.

I'll also set a date with Elsa, our Chinese student friend, to come and help us decorate the Christmas tree!! FUN!!

ONE OF MY FAVORITE THINGS... is the Swarovski brooch shown below. I chose it to symbolize a healthy daughter/mother relationship. The "Daughter" is the larger, sparkling oval; the one in front. The focus. The "Mother" is the pretty, smaller gold circle. There is a space where they "meet". But, there is also no space where they are intertwined. They float--separately--going in and out of each other; touching, but not overtaking...

A FEW PLANS FOR THE REST OF THE WEEK: ('Just as an after note, we missed the Christmas Party at Grace Dart; TOny had a cold. But, gosh, we dance together often in our own home!!)

There’s only the “regularly scheduled appointments” this week. That leaves lots of time to improvise...

HERE IS A “PICTURE THOUGHT” I AM SHARING…
Happy Monday, Everyone!!
RHOTO

Our Hostess for the above meme is “The Simple Woman’s Daybook”. Please visit her at the address below:

http://thesimplewoman.blogspot.com/

The Simple Woman's Daybook

OUTSIDE MY WINDOW… I DON’T see snow!! Many parts of Canada have had a big, first dose all ready.

I AM THINKING... that it’s wonderful to be going outside again… I have been in nightgowns for over a week. I have been reminded again that physical discomfort often goes along with mental and spiritual discomfort. My body "gets sick" and let's me "know something's going on", eh...

I AM THANKFUL THAT... TOny was so supportive when I was in bed for soooo many days in a row. He even brought home red, long-stem roses for his patient!!

FROM THE KITCHEN... I see our wonderful housekeeper, Myriam, shining everything up. When TOny first met Myriam, he said (in French), "Welcome!! You're an immigrant from Columbia?" "Yes, Sir." "Double Welcome!! I'm an immigrant too!! From Holland."

I AM WEARING... the same outfit I'm wearing on my PatternReview.com avator. And my beautiful jewelry and wee, red boots.

I AM CREATING... ideas in my head of what I can DO, now that I feel 85% better!!

I AM GOING... to go to Disco Babies at Grace Dart and then eat lunch with TOny at Paulas.

I AM READING... The new “National Geographic”. There is an article on women and healthcare in India that has touched my heart. We complain of not having doctors here in Quebec (which is true); in India, they don't bother to complain…

I AM HOPING… to start working on Christmas Elves scarves THIS week. I can start by cutting the fleece into scarf-sized pieces, eh. That's just "prep" work. I need to contact my sweet elf helper, Elsa, and see when her final exams are finished, so she can join in on the project.

I AM HEARING... The pure joy of silence (except for the tapping of my keys).

AROUND THE HOUSE... There remain THE six (6) shirts to iron!! Plus six (6), new ones... I think they "make babies", eh ;)

ONE OF MY FAVORITE THINGS... I found a photo of my engagement ring. Mind you, my gems sparkle so nicely!! WHY Birks made this photo flat, I don’t know. Anyway, the ruby symbolizes "love" and "passion"; there is a diamond each for TOny & RHOnda. I have a plain wedding band that I wear “underneath”… See below.

A FEW PLANS FOR THE REST OF THE WEEK… I could SHOCK TOny and make supper some evening... 'Twas thinking of a Moroccan dish of stew meat, prunes (!!) and sesame seeds. Served over couscous.
Grace Dart’s Christmas Party is Friday evening. RHOTO had such a good time dancing at the 100th Anniversary Party last year that we thought we’d “give this a try” together.
'Cos I have pretty co-ordinates, there's NO worries about “what shall I wear”. I have a pretty black sweater with “diamonds” around the bottom of the (not low) “V” neck, a black, swirly skirt, black sheer hose and cute, dressy Mary Jane’s. I’m set!!

Then there’s therapy, Choir Practice and our last class in “Canada before Confederation” at Concordia. (We missed two classes last week...)

HERE IS A “PICTURE THOUGHT” I AM SHARING…



Happy Monday, Everyone!!

RHOnda

Our Hostess for the above meme is “The Simple Woman’s Daybook”. Please visit her at the address below:

http://thesimplewoman.blogspot.com/

The Simple Woman's DayBook (and Update)

I AM GOING... back to bed.* I’ve had a cold since Wednesday. And, it’s my 1st ever!! I’ve always said, “I don’t get colds. I get pneumonia.” Well, now that I have experienced both, I say that I “prefer” pneumonia. It’s quite comfortable to lie in Hospital with an oxygen mask… (More dangerous, though. I know…)

A FEW PLANS FOR THE REST OF THE WEEK… I DO hope to participate in therapy and Concordia lectures. I do need to be careful about when I go back into Grace Dart, eh…

HERE IS A “PICTURE THOUGHT” I AM SHARING…

* My family-of-origin motto was, “If you’re sick, you stay in bed.” None of us “played sick” then, eh! ;)

Happy Monday, Everyone!!

UPDATE, Wednesday, November 19th
Well, I have stayed in bed most of this week... "Didn't work"! 'Missed our so-much-enjoyed Concordia sessions plus therapy with my wonderful psychologist.

Learned something "new" about myself, though... I'm quite arrogant!! I was very upset because I became physically sick, albeit "only a cold". And, I got quite annoyed 'cos I "have enough to deal with, emotionally. I work very hard building a healthy life... And, that's ENOUGH for one person!!"

Doesn't "work that way", eh... :( ;) Still think it should...

RHOnda

Our Hostess for the above meme is “The Simple Woman’s Daybook”. Please visit her at the address below:

http://thesimplewoman.blogspot.com/

The Simple Woman's Daybook

OUTSIDE MY WINDOW… I see the running, skipping beautiful golden-coloured maples—mimicking the small children across the street. I also see a huge pile of leaves on our yard—again!! It was all cleared off a few days ago…

I AM THINKING... that autumn is such a spicy, sensuous time of the year. A time for candles & soup & more bedcovers & snuggles…

I AM THANKFUL THAT... the stress I have experienced these past two (2) weeks is GONE!! (How powerful/silly calendar dates can be.)

FROM THE KITCHEN... RHOTO made a yummy salad (young greens, tuna with dill & lemon, mandarin oranges, cherry tomatoes, raisins & nuts and dressing), served with pita bread and mandarin orange green tea for lunch.

I AM WEARING... my beautiful jewelry with another wardrobe combination. (I'm going to blog about capsules another time...)

I AM CREATING... less of a mess than last week!! Some daily tidying up—before scooting out the door for the day--goes far in making RHOTO feel more “at home” and relaxed.

I AM GOING... to “be” today. I’m in a quiet, napping & puttering mood...

I AM READING... “Entre Nous: A Woman’s Guide to Finding Her Inner French Girl”. (See photo below.) This book is just for fun and relaxation. RHOTO finally got a card from our local library. So, in honour of same, I got a “French book”!! ‘Can’t believe how much more “French” this English/Irish gal has become since living in Quebec!

I’m also reading a new children’s book entitled, “Judaism”. RHOTO very much enjoys learning about different religions and cultures. It’s also helpful for pastoral/palliative care to the variety of Residents at Grace Dart.

Then there's a new “National Geographic” awaiting me on the coffee table. I especially enjoy reading about different countries and the anthropology-type articles.

We’re caught up on our Concordia readings for the moment.

I AM HOPING… to start working on Christmas Elves scarves this week. (More on that project soon...) I need to contact my sweet elf helper, Elsa!!

I AM HEARING... The pure joy of silence (except for the tapping of my keys, TOny's singing and Skype ringing).

AROUND THE HOUSE... There remains only six (6) shirts to iron!! * Halleluiah!! The basket of mending?? Is it really necessary to fully complete before I “reward” myself with sewing privileges?? I sometimes “suffer” from Protestant Work ethic. I think I’ll TRY AGAIN to learn “how to” blind hem on my machine. And, then I’ll mend… hems!! (Those store-bought pants with nylon thread always seem to “come down”). * I did two loads of laundry... Guess who has a small basket-worth of ironing now??!! Normal, eh!! ;)

ONE OF MY FAVORITE THINGS... Speaking of "Inner French Girl", the wonderful lingerie I have. I HIGHLY recommend “Passionata” and “Chantelle” brands WITH a very knowledgeable fitter to help you. French bras are $$, “oui”! But--the FIT, the Comfort!! Such a difference in my clothing and my self-esteem!! (I really SHOULD do a commercial…)

A FEW PLANS FOR THE REST OF THE WEEK… I’m going to participate at the Grace Dart Remembrance Day ceremony (“Veteran’s Day” in the USA) on Tuesday. Maybe my part will be to “make a joyful noise” with a few Protestant English/French songs added to the Mass. And to recite Canada’s most famous poem, “In Flander’s Field.”

Then there’s therapy, Choir Practice and Concordia—as usual.

HERE IS A “PICTURE THOUGHT” I AM SHARING…

Happy Monday, Everyone!!

RHOnda

Our Hostess for the above meme is “The Simple Woman’s Daybook”. Please visit her at the address below:

http://thesimplewoman.blogspot.com/

The Simple Woman's Daybook

OUTSIDE MY WINDOW… I see the beautiful golden-coloured maples swirling down and covering the sidewalks and lawns.

I AM THINKING... that 50% of me needs a retreat and 50% of me needs to feel more attached/involved…

I AM THANKFUL FOR... a new day.

FROM THE KITCHEN... Supper is light again—a nice store-bought soup, pita bread and yogurt. (TOny adds maple syrup and “squirt” to his…)

I AM WEARING... my beautiful jewelry with warm, corduroy pants, soft sweater and a feminine blouse.

I AM CREATING... nothing tangible right now. “This, too, shall pass”!!

I AM GOING... to Hopital Hotel Dieu with TOny for follow-up respiratory tests.
Then, I’m going to Grace Dart. I did some pastoral/ palliative visits there this week-end and want to do “verbatims” with my Supervisor. (Verbatims are --trying to—repeat the conversations, word for word. It’s a wonderful exercise to strengthen listening skills.)

I AM READING... our Concordia readings.

I AM HOPING… that this week is less stressful than last. The anxiety felt during several anniversary dates has shown me I have more forgiving to do…

I AM HEARING... People when they share their stories with me at the Hospital. I am hearing the “always there” support and encouragement of my TOny.

AROUND THE HOUSE... I still have half of the ironing left, plus the basket of mending. TOny hasn’t felt very “at home” in the mess, either…

ONE OF MY FAVORITE THINGS... I’m not focused on any “thing” at this time.

A FEW PLANS FOR THE REST OF THE WEEK… Now added to our “regularly scheduled appointments” is RHOTO’s choir practice for the Grace Dart Christmas Concert. The majority of the members are Residents. It’s wonderful to hear the 95+ gals singing all the carols by heart!!

HERE IS A “PICTURE THOUGHT” I AM SHARING…



Happy Monday, Everyone!!

RHOnda

Our Hostess for the above meme is “The Simple Woman’s Daybook”. Please visit her at the address below:

http://thesimplewoman.blogspot.com/

The Simple Woman's Daybook

OUTSIDE MY WINDOW… I hear children shouting, running and laughing. This French Primary School is right across the street--and one house down--from us.

I AM THINKING... that this little Daybook has had a great influence on me this week. I have been more conscious of my goals.

I AM THANKFUL FOR... a new start, a new direction, a new path. For listening to my “gut” or “that Still, Small Voice” inside me that said, “No. That’s not for you, RHOnda. THIS is the way I WILL to go.”

FROM THE KITCHEN... Pretty table settings & candles are firmly re-established. Supper is light—a nice store-bought soup, pita bread, date filling over plain yogurt.

I AM WEARING... my beautiful jewelry with another swirly skirt & feminine blouse.

I AM CREATING... peace and calm inside, where anxiety and fear was choking me.

I AM GOING... to Grace Dart Extended Care Centre. I will participate in the Resident’s “Disco Babies” exercise class.

I AM READING... Many books at a time… There are our Concordia readings, as usual. VERY interesting!! I'm also re-reading "The Key to an Open Heart" by Karen Burton Mains; it has an attached Bible Study on Forgiveness. And I’ve picked up our Hymnal again and am enjoying not only the tunes, but also the words.

I haven’t read “The Planets” to the gang all week. Minky keeps saying, “No book… Poor Minky…" We’ll get back to it, eh!!

I AM HOPING… to s-t-r-e-t-c-h myself. I yearn to be a better RHOnda. ‘Cos it feels good to grow!! (From inside, that is… Not rounder, outside!! Tee! Hee!!)

I AM HEARING... (in my mind) some of my PatternReview.com sewing friends perhaps saying that “RHOTO’S RAG” doesn’t talk much about sewing these days”. I sure don’t want to “lose friends”, but I’m also happy to be sharing multi-sides of RHOnda. The sewing will come back, just like “The Planets” will!!

AROUND THE HOUSE... I tidied up my Sewing Studio!! It wasn’t such a big project, after all!! Now, I have a big basket full of ironing and another basket of mending… L And THEN, I’ll start working on our Christmas Elves project.

ONE OF MY FAVORITE THINGS... I’ve mentioned them several times before, but… my jewelry, especially my engagement ring. (I really should post a picture…)

A FEW PLANS FOR THE REST OF THE WEEK… I start out with Wheelchair Aerobics (just TRY to keep up with us—it’s an unbelievable workout!!).

Then, there’s two (2) University sessions. Now we’re talking about the Fur Trade stories in Canadian History. These involve the Quebecois, English settlers & the Amerindians.

I also have my weekly therapy session with the most gifted Psychologist ever!! It’s kinda funny… I speak English/she answers in French. We totally understand each other. But, that way, we are both better able to accurately express ourselves in our mother tongues.

As for the rest of the week, we’re free again!! We’ll see what it brings…

HERE IS A “PICTURE THOUGHT” I AM SHARING…

Happy Monday, Everyone!!

RHOnda

Our Hostess for the above meme is “The Simple Woman’s Daybook”. Please visit her at the address below:

http://thesimplewoman.blogspot.com/

The Simple Woman's Daybook

OUTSIDE MY WINDOW... I am surprised to see that the GORGEOUS, bright red vines that tumble over from our neighbours are “all gone”. The leaves are a part of the ground’s carpet now…

I AM THINKING... that today is a fresh start for me. I’m returning to left-off activities…

I AM THANKFUL FOR... my CPAP mask!! For the first time in five (5) years, I wake up refreshed.

FROM THE KITCHEN... I’m making baby steps forward. For supper, we’ll have TOny good chicken soup, yummy, store-bought Mediterranean salads and Brie & grapes for dessert. I’m not “cooking” yet, but I am participating in the food preparation. THANKS, CPAP mask!! (“Snoutje”)

I AM WEARING... a pretty, feminine cream blouse, brown/cream swirling skirt (length is between my knees and ankles*) and embroidered plaid vest. Plus wee, red rain boots. And, of course, the beautiful jewelry my TOny has gifted me for birthdays and Christmases past.

I AM CREATING... a new life for me—and for my husband—with fresh air breathed inside and out.

I AM GOING... to Grace Dart Extended Care Centre. I will participate in the Resident’s “Disco Babies” exercise class *. WHAT a work-out!! I’ve missed these wonderful people for months now. What an ENCOURAGING place!! The optimism is “touchable” in the air.

I AM READING... “The Planets” by Dava Sobel to TOny and “the kids”. We also have textbook readings, articles and our own, extra research for our Canadian History Course. We’re talking about “Slavery in Canada tomorrow”. We had no idea…

I AM HOPING... to not put too many things on my fork—just because I am starting to sleep better! N-O-W I want to do/finish five (5) years’ worth of work, projects, plans… WHOOH, eh!!

I AM HEARING... my dear TOny singing and humming. That he does 24/7. Thank You, Lord, for such a happy and positive man!! (Although the singing does sometimes drive me nuts ;)

AROUND THE HOUSE... I walk in—and out—of my “Sewing Studio”. Unfortunately, during these past weeks (months?), it has become a “catch-all”. Oh, how GOOD it will feel if I just take some time and tackle this piled-up mess!!

ONE OF MY FAVORITE THINGS... The crunch, crunch of the autumn leaves outside. ‘Not for much longer, though, eh…

A FEW PLANS FOR THE REST OF THE WEEK: Sister Martha Helena just returned from six (6) weeks in Paris. And, her birthday is Wednesday. Sounds—to me—like a GOOD excuse for “Birthday Cake, Chocolate” (as Tiger calls it)!

Mom/Marina’s birthday is Saturday. She lives in Florida, eh, so we’ll call her to sing "Lang Zal Ze Leven", "Happy Birthday to You" and "Mon Chere Amie" (Dutch, English & French, eh).

Aside from “regularly scheduled appointments’, RHOTO has lots of open time this week to “see how things go”. EXCITING!!

HERE IS A “PICTURE THOUGHT” I AM SHARING… TOny’s artwork, made to remember the beauty that surrounds us.


Happy Monday, Everyone!
RHOnda

Our Hostess for the above meme is “The Simple Woman’s Daybook”. Please visit her at the address below:

http://thesimplewoman.blogspot.com/