The Sunday Salon: reading, blogging, life

Outside my window: The wind is blowing and very cold rain is drizzling down. We are making the change over from off and on snow showers all week to warmer (term used loosely--low 40's to be more specific) temps and rain.

I am thinking: I don't like the fact that my eyes are watering, my nose is all stuffed up, and I think this crud is moving into my chest again. It really burns when I cough. I hate having to call in sick to work--which is what I am thinking might need to happen tomorrow. Everyone else at work has had it, and it is definitely not a 24 hour bug.

I am listening to: My Norah Jones radio station on Pandora.

I am grateful for: Being able to persevere through a health insurance debacle I have been dealing with since October. The short of it? I have dual insurance coverage and they didn't want to play nice with each other. Now, I have forced them too, and payments have been made to everyone all around---including me!

I am reading: Eating Heaven by Jennie Shortridge and The Girl in the Green Raincoat by Laura Lippman. I just saw that two books I have been waiting for are set to be released:
1. Dreams of Joy by Lisa See due out March 31st. (this is the sequel to Shanghai Girls)
2. The Bride's House by Sandra Dallas due out April 26.

I am photographing: I took this photo of my snow covered pussy willow tree when the snow began falling on Wednesday.




I am listing: My menu plan for the week, and later today I will do a Mailbox Monday post for tomorrow.

I am creating: I finally finished the little dress for Adelaide--pics coming later when I get the buttons on, and now am creating a little top for the little girl due in May.




To live my faith: Lots of praying!

I am hoping and praying: That my oldest son doesn't really end up staying in China for a third year....

Around the house: We have purchased a brand new desktop computer, something that has been long overdue. Currently Sam and Dad are out purchasing a new laptop--another item that is long overdue. If you saw the dinosaurs we have been using for years and years, you would be shocked! Shocked I tell you!

From the kitchen: We had yummo chicken noodle soup last night for dinner--perfect for a bitter damp evening. Click the link in the question above of what I am listing to see the other things I am planning for the week. I am thinking if I can muster the energy, I might make some banana bread, using my mother-in-law's secret recipe!

One of my favorite things: The relief I felt when Sam walked in the door at midnight last night. His school jazz band had traveled to Moscow Idaho for the Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival. They had to come home over the mountain pass in the dark, in the icy snowy roads, in a school bus. Umm, did I mention the passes were under a winter weather advisory and how terrible treacherous the roads looked on the traffic cams? :-)

The child this week: Austen, big child, is working on more college apps for next year. Sam, the younger, is practicing bari sax like crazy. He is working on a new piece to take to State in April. He and I will be attending the little annual Stuttering workshop next Saturday. (he is a mild stutterer)

Plans for the week: Get well!! Hope I don't drown under the work that is sure to pile up if I call in sick. No one does my job when I am out.

On this date: In 2008, I reviewed The Color Purple, a book that had been in my tbr pile for ages. In 2009 I did a Poetry Friday entry complete with poem and photograph. In 2010, I wrote about some thrift store children's books finds! Every Mimi needs a children's book shelf at her house.