Hello, Monday: Hit the Ground Running

Ever had a weekend that wasn't quite as weekend-y as you thought it would be?

Had one of those.

Saturday was a good day in some ways, but it was overshadowed by bad (no, more than bad; horrific) news, and I've spent a lot of the weekend praying to know what to say and how to say it.

Fortunately, today was a diagnostic testing day for ELA, so it was quieter than usual today in my room.

Some hellos:

Hello, heat!  

You waited until the last week of August to show up, about the time I always hope you'll go away.  Don't stick around long; I enjoyed your absence.

Hello, stomach bug.  You've arrived early, and you need to vanish quickly.

Hello, teenage hormones.  When you're gone, it will mean my kids are grown.

 I have a love-hate relationship with this truth.

Hello, tomatoes.  You're taking over the counter. 

 That means I should do something with you, doesn't it?

Hello, questions.

 Questions, questions, and more questions.

You are the faith story in progress.

Be blessed,

Ginger

Monday Musings: Hello, Again

Hello, Monday!

Hello, second week of school.  Please don't be as long as the first one.

Hello, rain-and flash-flood watch.  I can't remember a time when the ground didn't squish under my feet.

Hello, unseasonably cool weather.  I'd love for you to stick around as long as you'd like.

Hello, high school.  DD#2 is stressed to the max by you.  You're making me glad my one of my best friends does my hair color.

Hello, garden veggies!  So very glad to see you, though I find you a bit overwhelming.

Hello, migraine.  All this rain...dropping barometric pressure..ugh.

Hello, decisions and prayers.  Change is swirling around us, and yet we don't have a word yet except "wait."  So we wait. 

What's are you waiting on this Monday?

Be blessed,

Ginger

Hello Monday: Last Full Week of Summer

Hello, second half of July!

Hello, last full week of summer.  A week from Thursday it's back to work I go.  Have we had summer this year?  Between the weather and life's ups and downs, I'm not sure I feel like I've even been at home.

Hello, active resting. Big Red rattled of a to-do list of projects he intended to finish this week. 

My to-do list this week:

 finish a book.   

That. is. all.

Hello, zinnias.  You're finally blooming in mass.

Hello, album catch-up!  I made it to last summer in the girls' albums.  I'm amazed at how few pictures I took last year, and I need some fresh ideas about what and how to photograph regular events.  Any thoughts?

 Hello, school planning.  Okay, so my to-do is slightly longer than I wanted said.

 Hello, new favorite song!  Please listen.  Be blessed.

Ginger

Hello Monday: Deep Breath

Hello Monday!

Hello, car!  You and I are buds this week; I'll on the go to see my mom and later, attend a scrapbooking weekend.  

Hello, photo backlog.  Wow. You build up quickly.  *Hangs head in shame.*

 

Hello, clouds. 

Haven't you got some place else to go for a while? Thanks.

Hello, back to school prep! Big Red is fussing about me spending our budget on classroom supplies.

 The girls are fussing about my educational pins.  

Everybody wants me to just.relax.  

Deep breath.

Hello, laundry room redo! 

 I still have a bit to go before the Big Reveal, but for now my family catches me just standing in there with a peaceful look on my face.  I might have caught Big Red doing it once or twice.  

What's on your hello list this Monday?

Be blessed,

Ginger

Hello Monday: Rainy Days and Mondays

Hello, 30 seconds of sunshine!  When you appeared, I grabbed a pair of scissors and the camera to pick a bouquet and record the moment for posterity.

Hello, dead camera battery!  You blew the 2nd half of my plan.  The flowers are lovely, and you missed it.

Hello, laundry room redo!  I should have taken before pics, but I was trying so hard to get lots done before Mama's surgery that I neglected that part.  Then my super-tremendous-awesome-handsome hubby did it all for me while I was out of town.  (I'm keeping him.)  Now on to the fun decorating!

Hello, closet clean-out.  Though I purge things regularly, I've hit a frustration point with my wardrobe.  Today is "create outfits" day, and everything that doesn't seem to work is.out.of.here.  

Hello, down-hill side of summer.  Weren't we just on the up-hill side?  Don't talk to me yet about school, pretty-please.

Hello, cabbage.  You're the only thing that's been productive in our drenched garden this summer, and I am fresh out of ideas about what to do with you. Attn: Cabbage-eaters.  Please assist.

Hello, power outage!  You are a near-daily occurrence thanks to the rain and our abundant trees. 

Hello, Holy Spirit.  Keep blowing a fresh wind through our church.  We need You.

Be blessed today!

Ginger

Linking here.

Hello, Monday: Summer Speeding By So Fast It's Already Tuesday

Somebody throw on the brakes, will ya?

 

This super-short summer (seriously, nearly a month shorter than last year courtesy a change in the school calendar) is whizzing by at break-neck speed.

In fact, I meant to post this yesterday, but I got sidelined by a back pain flare-up and never got my blogging mojo.  

Today, I'm counting on prayer and Motrin to keep the pain at bay and let me get some projects done.

Today's shout-outs:

Hello, blooms!  I'm excited you're arriving one by one!

This zinnia is "volunteer" from last year.

It has NINE buds on it.

Hello, homemade laundry detergent--whole post about you coming soon!

Hello, lemon thyme (and rosemary-'cause rosemary makes lots of things better) bread; recipe coming soon.

Hello, basil and blackberries and buds on the squash plants. 

The freezer's empty from last year's crop and it's time for some replacements!

Hello, spray paint. 

 

 I'm nervous about using you today because of the clouds forming, but I'm looking forward to putting you to work on my porch.

Hello, laundry room redo.  Long overdue.  Somebody help me pick out fabric.

Hello, fun mail!  Watch for the big reveal soon!

Hello, No Other Gods Bible Study.  Wow.  You're timely. 

 What's on tap on your Monday Tuesday?

Be blessed, 

 Ginger

Hello Monday: Of Birthdays, Beaches, and Brownie Batter Pancakes

Hi, Y'all.

Didn't intend to disappear for the week; in fact, I find myself with so many potential blog posts that I might have to make myself a list so I remember them all.

Gasp.

We slipped away to the shore for a few days and discovered there was no wi-fi.

Double-gasp.

It was, as DD#1 declared, probably a conspiracy to enhance family bonding.

Undoubtedly.

We had lots of family bonding and lots of sitting around doing nothing.  

I realized sometime Friday that, other than Bible study (which was definitely thought-provoking), I'd not thought about anything important (truthfully, not anything at all) for three days.  

Quite lovely.

So now it's back to real life and lots of things to think about, not the least of which is that today is DD#2's birthday.  

I now have two in high school.

In other news, I got my hair colored for the first time two weeks ago.  

It's possible those events are related.

Now that's she's 14, she wants things low-key.  Time with a friend later this week, but today, a favorite meal and 

brownie batter pancakes for breakfast.

(Chocolate for breakfast.  That's my girl.)

via Chocolate Covered Katie

These are the moderately healthy pancakes floating around Pinterest for a while.  I'll let you know if  they're as good as they look.

Be blessed,

Ginger

Hello Monday: First Full Week of Summer Edition

Hello, Monday!  

Hello, June.  I heart you and your sun and flowers and lazy days projects!

 

Hello, near-death experience. 

Recovering with a nap on DD#1's bed.  Excuse the unfolded laundry.  Teen believes bed=closet.

 Katniss slipped out the back door this morning and into the jaws of the dog.  I awoke to the sounds of vicious battle,
 but Big Red prevailed. 

My hero--plants gardens, does dishes, saves lives.  

 In typical feline fashion, Katniss was traumatized but not particularly grateful.

Hello, dental work.  I weally wuuve having a numb mouph. 

Hello, summer Bible study. 

 

 Day three and you're already eating my lunch.  

Hello dirty house.  I've ignored your piles of junk, but now it's crunch time.  I shall be relentless...

right after I finish my new library book.

Be blessed, 

Ginger

Linking back up here.

Hello, Monday--Single-Digit Days Edition

Hello, lovely readers!
Hello, Monday!
Finishing you puts the school countdown in the single digits.  
Even though I wasn't actually in school today, it still counts.
Hello, college visit day!  I'm overwhelmed; she's overwhelmed.  It was a lot to take in, and we're just getting started.  
Hello, soon-to-have-college-student-budget! Cha-ching,  Cha-ching.
Hello, warm weather.  With your late arrival comes full-blown allergy season.  Hello, scratchy throat and sinus headache.  
Hello, salted caramel iced coffee!  Found you at a cutie coffee shop outside of college town.  A definite reason to consider that school.  
Hello, hyperactive cat.   You just circled the living room in ten seconds flat.  My furniture might not survive your kitten-ness. 
Hello, sisters.  Shhh...I won't tell anyone that you are really good friends.
It'll be our secret.  
Be blessed,
Ginger

Hello, Monday: Gone but not Forgotten (I Hope)

Hello, Monday!

I wasn't around here last week.  Sorry.

It's not you; it's me.

I was supposed to meet a friend for coffee last Friday and was so stinkin' tired that I FORGOT her.  

Instead, I lay on my couch with a book and dared anyone to speak to me.

Pathetic, I tell you.  Pitiful.  

She forgave me because she's just like that, and we're meeting tomorrow.  

The alarm is set on my phone.

People, when you need an alarm to remind you to get coffee with a friend, you need some margins.  

Or some ginko biloba.

Moving on.  

 

Hello, state testing week.  Ready--or not--here you come.

Hello, spring fever.  You explain why I was worn.out. this past week.  You make corralling 7th graders for a test they care nothing about even more fun than it already is.

Hello, spring.   I heart you and your greenness. 

Hello, Aaa -pollen- choo.

Bless you.

Hello, science fair projects (pinhole camera, anyone?), college visits (sniff!), concert practices, and assorted other errands.  You mean May is near.  Which means summer is near.  Which is a rather nice idea at the moment, actually.

So, what have I missed over your way?

Be blessed this week,

Ginger

Hello, Monday

Hello, Monday, the only day of the week that I seem to manage a blog post lately.  What is it about late winter that sucks the deep thoughts into a deep pit?

Hello, winter.  We've met, haven't we?  You're killing me.  More accurately, you're killing my hydrangeas, and that will never do.

Hello, Easter songs.  You're a mix of old and new this year, and I am really looking forward to Sunday.

Hello, Zion album.  On repeat.

Hellooooo...spring break-next-week!  Can you hear me?  Hurry and get here quickly!

Making it to 100 today!

100.  My siesta scripture memory spiral

101.  Good times with Big Red

102.  An unexpected lunch date with friends and lots of laughs

103. Having my teen admit (kind of, sort of, and definitely reluctantly) that her mom was....right 

104. Hillsong

105. Heaters

106. Jeans week at school 

107. Some kids in my last period class that make the day better, every day.

108. Clean clothes

109. Clean clothes folded

110 Clean clothes folded by someone else

111. A super-sanitized refrigerator, courtesy of Big Red, who takes his cleaning seriously.

112. An hour-long massage--an much-appreciated birthday gift!

113. Hazelnut lattes

114. Blog friends    

What's on your Monday list?

Be blessed, 

Ginger

 Linking here.      

Hello Mulititude Monday: the Let's Pretend It's Spring Edition

Hello/goodbye weekend temps that had us fooled!  For a day or two, we could believe spring was coming.

Hello, cold. Again. 

Hello, same sweaters.  Every year I say I'm going to find some "springier" styles to help me through the March/April wardrobe blahs, but I never get around to it.  Now all the stores seem to think it's June.

Hello, $20 prom dress!  *Fist pump*  You're gorgeous enough without the phenomenal price tag, but I'm so thankful for it! (And so is my girl, who was pretty darn excited to find you.)

Hello, Easter mantel.  I'm showing you off later this week. (I need all the blog help I can get these days!)

Counting my blessings, one by one:

 88. Gifts from God that make little things joyful--like consignment store prom dresses!  I love that He shows up in the small.

89. Great worship services

90. The complexity and perfection of the Word--breathtaking

91. The veil was torn!  Hallelujah!

92. Birdsong

93. broccoli plants

94. enough carrots pulled from the garden to feed the Easter bunny and all his pals

95. hot chocolate with marshmallows

96. ...and whipped cream

97. a really good pen

98. a clean sheet of paper

99. birthday cards in the mail

Be blessed,

Ginger

Hello Monday: Back to Blessings and Blogging

Hello, Monday!

Hello, winter!  Isn't your time about up?

Hello, daylight savings time! I'll like you...eventually. Today, not so much.

Hello, dark-drive-to-school.  You're one reason I'm not a fan of this time transition.

Hello, library books.  I hadn't replaced you in a while (hello, huge library fine), but this weekend I went on a major reading marathon and immersed myself in fictional complications instead of real ones.

Hello, pastor search team.  Speaking of complicated things...

In the midst of this list lies another one, blessings all...

82. enough rain to replenish the earth

83. electricity!

84. a car that's paid for! and gets me to work each day

85. libraries

86. books...and more books

87. when God shows up and blows us away 

Be blessed,

Ginger

Hello, Monday--Back to Counting

Hello, Monday!

Hello, first day of winter break!  We heart you.

Hello, cold-that-won't-die.  How many times a day can someone blow her nose?

Hello, to-do list.  This sinus infection is making me unmotivated to tackle you.

Hello, sunshine.  Stick around, will you? 

Hello, crafting!  Working this retreat team is a perfect excuse to devote lots of time to you.

Counting gifts on this Monday:

71. washing machines to hum along and get the job done

72. warm houses

73. retreat teams

74. having a plan

75. being able to let go of the plan

76. cozy mysteries

77. clean clothes

78. paying off a car!!

79. "spring cleaning" even though it's not spring yet!

80. daffodils peeking out of cold ground

 

81. a gardener husband

  Be blessed,

Ginger 
Linking here

A Hello and a List: When the Sun Shines (or Not)

Multitasking again today!

Hello, sunshine!  You are such a blessing after a week of dark and rain and flood worries.  You make up for no snow day.

Hello, cold, cold temperatures!  It's about time you showed up when you're supposed to instead of waiting until April.

Hello, third cup of coffee.  You're decaf, so maybe you're not so bad,  really?  It seems you are a comfort in these busy days; I can pretend I am lingering over the morning's quiet.

Hello, sleeping in day!  Monday off after a weekend of having to be up at dark thirty = super blessing.

Hello, parenting challenges.  Lord, teach me how to pray in this season when I am fresh out of wisdom.

My gratitude list continues:

46.  Friends who have grown kids and reassure me that I'm not crazy for thinking this is hard

47.  New Bible study group--small but sweet

48.  New CD love--The Struggle by Tenth Avenue North

49. Sunshine!

50. Flowers in a milk jug

51. Psalms

52. Chai

53. Early, early Florida strawberries on sale at the grocery

54. a nerd-girl who loves being a nerd

55.being invited to be known by the Lord, El-Elohim--the Creator--not just used by Him

Be blessed,

Ginger

Linking here

Hello Monday: Multitasking Post

Hello, Monday!

Hello, rain!  Lots and lots of rain.

Hello, return of cold weather.  Glad you're here.  It's your turn.

Hello, classroom.  Last week went by fast and fairly smoothly.  Could this week please do the same?

Hello, pastor search team.  Important stuff on the agenda.  Praying for wisdom.  

Hello, gratitude list!

36. My new favorite song (today)

37. Beans and greens

38. Time in Starbucks to write some cards

39. Opportunity to serve on retreat team

40. New Bible study Sunday nights--a participant this time with several women I don't know well--good times

41. Talk and tears with a friend

42. Ministry opportunities

43. Big Red home safely from a brief trip

44. New watch--didn't realize how annoying it was to not have one!

45. Endings=beginnings

Be blessed today!

Ginger

Linking up here and here

Hello Monday: Back to Work We Go

Hello, 5:00 am!  Other than that unfortunate day I was awake at 3:30, I haven't seen you for a few weeks.  You look...dark.

Hello, classroom! Refreshing a few anchor charts today, getting back in the groove.

Hello, lemon sugar cookies!  You are yummy and easy.  Definitely a recipe to share here.

Hello, roller-coaster weather!  We thought we were done with you.  Don't bring your friend migraine with you when you come back this week, m'kay?

Hello, retreat team!  I haven't worked one in a while, and I'm excited about you.

Hello, sink full of dishes.  Every time I turn around, there you are.

Hello, changes!  You're inevitable, I know, but I want to anticipate you with grace.

Hello, blogland!  Happy Monday to you!

Be blessed,

Ginger

Linking with Lisa.

Hello, Monday--Post Christmas

Hello, Christmas boxes.  Glad to see you come.  Glad to see you go.

 

Hello, yellow towels.  

 

You made a cool table runner.

Hello, Siesta Scripture memory team verse one:

 

In addition to the blog that inspired me to pick Jeremiah 17:7, blog friends Elizabeth and Helen confirmed it.  Love it when God does things like that.

Hello, week of break remaining.  You'll go by super-fast. 'Cause that's what breaks do.

Hello, Silhouette! 

 

 Still can't get over Big Red surprising me with you!  MerryChristmas-HappyValentines--HappyBirthday-etc. to me.

Hello, messy house.  

 

What can I say?  Went to town Saturday; did nothing Sunday. Hello Monday cleaning routine.

How's your New Year's
Eve Monday?

Be blessed, 

Ginger

Linking up with Lisa