Finding Joy in Not-So-Joyful Tasks

Hieromartyr Athenogenes, bishop of Sebaste, and his ten disciples (311)

I decided I needed to write this down and share because I am having the darndest of a time trying to enjoy or even just not feel sorry for myself for being in charge of the home and having to do chores. I thought I’d take what I dislike doing and find something I like in it.

  • Dishes – I love the smell of dish soap and I really, really like how nice the kitchen looks when it’s done.
  • Vacuuming – I really like making designs and making the “V’s” in the carpet!
  • Mopping – I looove the look of a clean kitchen floor and it’s fun to wipe away little spots.
  • Laundry – Once again, I love the smell of laundry detergent and I like the smell of fresh laundry!

Please share the joys in your chores!

Remember me.

10An excellent wife, who can find? For her worth is far above jewels.

11The heart of her husband trusts in her,
And he will have no lack of gain.

12She does him good and not evil
All the days of her life.

13She looks for wool and flax
And works with her hands in delight.

14She is like merchant ships;
She brings her food from afar.

15She rises also while it is still night
And gives food to her household
And portions to her maidens.

16She considers a field and buys it;
From her earnings she plants a vineyard.

17She girds herself with strength
And makes her arms strong.

18She senses that her gain is good;
Her lamp does not go out at night.

19She stretches out her hands to the distaff,
And her hands grasp the spindle.

20She extends her hand to the poor,
And she stretches out her hands to the needy.

21She is not afraid of the snow for her household,
For all her household are clothed with scarlet.

22She makes coverings for herself;
Her clothing is fine linen and purple.

23Her husband is known in the gates,
When he sits among the elders of the land.

24She makes linen garments and sells them,
And supplies belts to the tradesmen.

25Strength and dignity are her clothing,
And she smiles at the future.

26She opens her mouth in wisdom,
And the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.

27She looks well to the ways of her household,
And does not eat the bread of idleness.

28Her children rise up and bless her;
Her husband also, and he praises her, saying:

29“Many daughters have done nobly,
But you excel them all.”

30Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain,
But a woman who fears the LORD, she shall be praised.

31Give her the product of her hands,
And let her works praise her in the gates.

Proverbs 31

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Published in: on July 16, 2009 at 9:31 pm Leave a Comment

Tuesday Day Book

Apostle Aquila of the Seventy, and St Priscilla (1st c.)., Our Father among the Saints Joseph, Archbishop of Thessalonika (833), St Nikodemos of the Holy Mountain, spiritual writer (1809)

Outside My Window…

It’s a 76 degree day in mid-July. I’m counting my blessings!

I am listening to…

The sound of the trees being blown by the ocean breeze.

Living the Liturgy…

Tomorrow I will (hopefully) be going to St. Paul’s to sing with Kevin and Yumi for a special weekday liturgy. It all depends on how my anemia treats me!

To Stay Fit and Happy…

I did housework and also rested quite a bit.

I am thankful for…

A good support system and people to call when I am at my wit’s end.

From the kitchen…

Tomato and mozarella salad with balsamic vinegar and basil. Mmmmm…

I am wearing…

A light sundress while all of my other clothes dry off in the dryer.

I am creating…

A baby. :-P   I do want to paint again this week. Maybe later on today if I’m feeling well.

I am thinking…

That I need God’s help more than ever in these last few weeks of pregnancy.

I am hoping and praying…

That my iron levels will get under control, that I start feeling better AND that it won’t affect the birth too much.

On Keeping House…

finding homemaking routines and establishing good habits!

One of my favorite things…

chewing ice and watching, yes, watching Emmy move around inside me.

A few plans for the rest of the week…

to make room for baby items because my shower is on Saturday!


A picture thought I am sharing…

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A sweet bear from Emmy’s godmother, Sara.


Remember me.

…we ought to learn the virtues through practicing them, not merely through talking about them, so that by acquiring the habit of them we do not forget what is of benefit to us. ‘The kingdom of God’, St. Paul says, ‘resides not in words but in power’ (I Cor. 4:20). For he who tries to discover things through actual practice will come to understand what gain or loss lies in any activity that he pursues…”

Published in: on July 14, 2009 at 10:09 pm Comments (2)

Good Prenatal Appointment

St Thomas of Mt Maleon (10th c.), Holy Martyr Kyriake of Nicomedia (289)

32 weeks and I had an appointment with the midwife today. Well, everything is good! I had a blood test to check for Gestational Diabetes and they’re going to check my iron levels for anemia because of my ice craving and lightheadedness that I’ve been having. But other than that I got the best news! Baby’s head is down!!! I was so excited when she told me that and now I know that the little things pushing on my ribs are my little girl’s feet! the information made me feel just a little more prepared for delivery and I’m very excited about what is to come! Glory to God in all things.


Remember me.


It is very useful to spend time reading the word of God in solitude and to read the whole Bible with understanding. In return for this exercise alone, without the addition of any other virtuous deeds, the Lord grants man His mercy and fills him with the gift of understanding. When a man provides his soul with the word of God, then he is granted the understanding of what is good and what is evil.
St. Seraphim of Sarov, in Modern Orthodox Saints, Vol. 5.
Published in: on July 7, 2009 at 6:11 pm Leave a Comment