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.

What I Learned This Week

http://ukzoe.blogspot.com/2009/10/what-i-learned-this-week.html

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.

Simple Woman's Daybook

http://ukzoe.blogspot.com/2009/10/simple-womans-daybook_27.html

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.

Simple Woman's Daybook

http://ukzoe.blogspot.com/2009/10/simple-womans-daybook_20.html

Do you Trick & Treat?

Personally we don't do trick and treat. This year my eldest will be doing a tech theatre installation at the local Victorian living history museum, on October 31st. My younger teen and myself will be at church helping organise the Shoebox party we are having.

In the past while our children don't go out trick or treating, we have had sweets and other gifts here for the children that do come.

But the issue of handing out all those sweets (candy) worries me. What are we doing to kids health, what are we communicating about health and so on. I have lost 30 pounds since may though eating less and moving more, yes, the HARD way and I have become more and more aware of what we communicate about food to each other and particularly to children.
Is there not an alternative? Well we've tried giving little booklets or bookmarks, fun things like that, but lets face it, the kids want something they can put in their mouths on trick or treat night, plain and simple. Could we try fruit? Errrrm, I can't see that going down too well somehow with the kids who come around here.

So is there any healthy alternative? What about trying an idea from Trick or Treat Me and handing out individual cartons of Chocolate milk. It's healthier because it's milk, but the kids will still love it because it's chocolate. Although our shoebox party is nothing to do with halloween, we might get some of these for that party, easy, individual portions. Can be kept at room temperature until the day you want to use them, then pop as many as you need into the fridge, so you don't use up all the space keeping loads in the fridge beforehand.

Also the cartons of chocolate milk at Twick or Tweet Me are not just healthier for your child, they are healthier for the environment too, being made from easily recyclable paper with a low carbon footprint. It's a win win situation.

So, if you're trying to come up with healthy alternatives for this years halloween, check it out!

Do you Trick & Treat?

http://ukzoe.blogspot.com/2009/10/do-you-trick-treat.html

Friday Fill Ins

1. So are we going to go to the hen night (bachelorette party) for a young lady from church tomorrow night or not? Hubby is working in the afternoon, and I'm going with him. I guess it depends on what time I get back, I think I might be too old for hen nights anyway.

2. BREAKTHROUGH is what's up ahead. Lots and lots of breakthrough. Joshua 3:4a

3. I love to take the tubigrip off my arm that I scalded at the weekend, but it really makes it itch for a while..

4. Tomorrow I will be doing shopping of some sort. That's what I'm doign while hubby is working, he'll drop me off, go to the company he's got to be at, then come pick me up when he's done.

5. I walk a new path, trodden out for me by the Father.

6. Water, water, water, water is the true elixir of life!

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to Macaroni Cheese, tomorrow my plans include Shopping and eating out and Sunday, I want to tell some people how wonderful God is and that they CAN take back the ground the enemy has stolen from them!

So, if you want to take part in Friday Fill Ins, go check out the main page by clicking on the banner at the top of this post.

Friday Fill Ins

http://ukzoe.blogspot.com/2009/10/friday-fill-ins.html

I need a new bathroom

I need a new bathroom and since my husband did a plumbing course a while back at community college, he will be able to do a lot of the work, it's just finding the money and the time that is the problem.

One way we could save some money on the supplies is to shop for bathrooms online. Better Bathrooms have a nationwide delivery service and a huge range of bathroom suites, tiles, furniture, taps, showers, cabinets and other accessories.

The main thing we are needing to replace is our shower and they have a huge range of those, inclduing some absolutely fantastic body jet models. We had thought about swapping the bath for a shower cubicle the same floor size as a bath but think we probably replace the bath with one of the shower baths that is wider at one end. I wish we could afford to also make that a jacuzzi jet bath version, but I don't think our budget will stretch to that. Delivery in England and Southern Scotland is very reasonable and remember you don't have to traipse around store after store of sample bathrooms, that all begin to look like each other after you've walked around enough of them in one day.

I need a new bathroom

http://ukzoe.blogspot.com/2009/10/i-need-new-bathroom.html

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!

Thursday 13 - 13 walks I would like to attempt

http://ukzoe.blogspot.com/2009/10/thursday-13-13-walks-i-would-like-to.html

Non Brand Name Infant Formula

I was fortunate enough to be able to breast feed both my children fully, but did occasionally need to use formula, if I was going to be away from them and did not have enough pumped milk stored.

Many mothers find themselves in that situation, wanting to breast feed, knowing it is what is best for their child but being in situations where they simply cannot, either for a short time or for extended periods of time. A recent press release that will be interesting to my American readers states that as of October 1, 2009, a new WIC initiative aimed at increasing breastfeeding rates among families reallocates funding for all currently provided foods, including infant formula, baby foods, juices, and fresh fruits and vegetables. This program could mean a reduction of up to 20 percent in infant-formula subsidies; parents who previously had most of their formula paid for by WIC may now have to purchase formula on their own.

In these current tough economic times, families who find themselves in need of using formula can save money by using store brand formula. All formulas on sale in America are regulated by the FDA and are nutritionally sound, there is no need to pay extra for a brand name, well advertised, fancy labelled product. The store brand products are an equal choice for your baby and a better choice for your finances.

Non Brand Name Infant Formula

http://ukzoe.blogspot.com/2009/10/non-brand-name-infant-formula.html

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.

Simple Woman's Daybook

http://ukzoe.blogspot.com/2009/10/simple-womans-daybook.html