I have a cold. It started coming on right after Thanksgiving. My body is achy, my sinuses are stuffed and/or running, my mind is fuzzy and my throat is sore. I'm sick.
I have always joked that I don't have time to be sick, I'll have to reschedule. There always seems to be so much to do - especially this time of year. I really don't have time to lay around and whine.
We do not condone the commercialism of Christmas. We do not run from party to party or become overly involved with church or community programs. We do not buy people presents just for the sake of them having something to open Christmas morning. We do not go overboard on our decorations or meals. We do however, open our home to friends and family as we celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. We want our home to be clean and comfortable and decorated with signs that show us that this day is different than, say, August 23rd. We desire to give our friends and family members gifts (store bought or home made) as we take part in remembering that all important Birth Day.
And so, there are rooms to clean and prepare for company; furniture to rearrange to make room for the decorations; meals to plan & prepare and make ahead where possible; cookies and baked goods to make & decorate with the kids; and gifts to buy and wrap. In the middle of all the seasonal joy, there is still laundry, dusting, vacuuming and every day cooking & cleaning.
Have you ever noticed that the size of your workload is directly proportionate with the size of your cold? Doctors are saying that they have found the hormone that stops your immune system from functioning properly. It is released into your system during times of stress. Well, aint that a kicker? No wonder the Lord God told us not to worry!
Well, having just read all of that, I decided to take a day off. We are all just chillin at my house today. Listening to Christmas Praise music, playing games, sitting outside in the cool but sunny yard. I even took a long bath! Right in the middle of the day! Supper tonight will be light and simple. We have no demands on our time this evening.
I'm hoping a day off will give my body a little boost in fighting off this nasty bug. I also hope that a day off will remind me that tomorrow - when activity is back in full swing - I can keep working without letting that little hormone take hold. I don't have to stress about these things, I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. I can do them joyfully, as unto the Lord.
I wonder if Mary had a cold on her way to Bethlehem??
Showing posts with label homemaking. Show all posts
Showing posts with label homemaking. Show all posts
Fall Projects....
We have been enjoying this wonderful Fall weather and taking advantage of beautiful days.
I decided to "remodel" our old pink garden shed and came up with this:
Princess painted flowers on the side and Carpenter built a potting bench that I will mosaic.
Carpenter and the boys had two old trampoline frames and made me a greenhouse frame. Plastic and benches are next.My first try at mosaic was with a concrete paver and a broken baking dish! Here's the result:
The welcome and birds used to be a door hanging that didn't survive the fall. :{
Virtually all of the above materials were recycled, repurposed or already sitting around. The paint was left over from previous projects, the greenhouse frame and mosaic materials were repurposed (I did have to buy a small bag of grout) and the lumber, buckets, etc were picked up from around the place. We will, of course, need to buy plastic for the greenhouse, but all in all they were cheap projects!
Maid Service
As I plunked the clean clothes basket down in the hall between the boys' rooms, I hollered, "Maid Service!". Among the bleeps and buzzes of the playstation, a voice exclaims, "Cool!"
Cool? What about "Thanks Mom" or "I'll get it"?
Cool??
Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might...Ecclesiastes 9:10a
Yes, that includes laundry. And dishes. And toilets. And vacuuming. Making my home clean and healthy - with all my might.
Equipped with the tools of my trade, I tackle the world I live in with a vengeance! Killing germs and fighting grime like a Superhero! Making sure my family has clean clothes, clean dishes, and a clean environment that they will dirty, mess and destroy so I can do it again!
A person can go to Salary.com and calculate how much money you would make at your job as a mom/homemaker, but I don't want to know. It's too depressing.
My benefit package far outweighs any salary I could make! Not the least of which is this:
Twenty minutes after I dropped off the laundry in the hall, the boy comes to me in the kitchen and hugs me tight. "Thanks for doing my laundry, mom".
Cool!
Doo, Doo, Doo
I woke up at 3:00 this morning singing CCR's "Looking Out My Back Door" It was odd because I haven't heard that song in years. I don't listen to 'oldies', there isn't a commercial with the tune, no one had been singing it lately. No reason for that song to be in my head.
I got up at 6:00 still singing that silly song! I looked up the lyrics (I don't remember it being that bazaar of a song!) and one line in particular jumped out at me. Bother me tomorrow, today I'll buy no sorrow. Hmmm....sounds a lot like "therefore, do not worry" in Matthew 6:25-31.
Coffee in hand, I sat down to check my email. I love reading Homeschooling Today and there was an article in my inbox. It was a fantastic piece on our "to do" list verses God's "to be" list. It reminded me to look for the important things in my day. The joy that play-doh brings far outweighs the mess! Taking time to enjoy my children is tantamount to worrying about the condition of the floors. I remembered that poem from long ago about how the dust will still be there years from now, but your children won't. Don't worry.
After email, I often stop by Sheryl's Place. On Friday's she hosts Faith-Lift Friday's and I always enjoy reading them. This morning was no different. She had a devotional from Crosswalk.com by Eva Marie Everson. A touching story reminding us that our Heavenly Father is concerned over every detail of our lives. If you have a minute, pop over and read the story. The point is, if it's important to us, it's important to Him. He's looking out for us, don't worry.
I'm sure by now, you are seeing a theme. Well, I didn't. Not at first. After my computer time, I grabbed another cup of coffee and headed "out my back door" to the deck. It's a new deck that we just built in May. A beautiful deck that we all worked on with love, sweat and yes a few tears! I was sitting in "my spot" looking out over the back yard.
It's a beautiful view I have. Actually, there are two views. One shows that the shop front isn't finished, the firepit isn't complete, the trailer full of scrap metal needs to be taken to the recyclers, the kids' jungle gym should be moved, the garden needs weeding, on and on.
The other view is my favorite. My husband is a very hard working man. He built the shop from the ground up and now has a place to do all the other hard working things he does! He has cleaned up the back property and a load of scrap is waiting to be taken in to pay him for his hard work! Our family loves to cook at the firepit! Family dinners last well into the evening with sweet fellowship and tons of fun. The fireflies complete perfect times! The basketball hoop, jungle gym, trampoline and bikes have all seen better days, but oh, the days they've had! Kids and grandkids playing, learning, growing, and doing it all together! The garden is lush and fruitful and beautiful and the weeds add to its fullness! What a blessing that piece of ground has been to our entire family -- friends and community too!
So, as summer marches forward, bringing bored cranky kids, extra yard and house work, garden stuff to deal with and a hot, tired mommy, I will have to remember this day. Don't worry - just look out my back door!
I got up at 6:00 still singing that silly song! I looked up the lyrics (I don't remember it being that bazaar of a song!) and one line in particular jumped out at me. Bother me tomorrow, today I'll buy no sorrow. Hmmm....sounds a lot like "therefore, do not worry" in Matthew 6:25-31.
Coffee in hand, I sat down to check my email. I love reading Homeschooling Today and there was an article in my inbox. It was a fantastic piece on our "to do" list verses God's "to be" list. It reminded me to look for the important things in my day. The joy that play-doh brings far outweighs the mess! Taking time to enjoy my children is tantamount to worrying about the condition of the floors. I remembered that poem from long ago about how the dust will still be there years from now, but your children won't. Don't worry.
After email, I often stop by Sheryl's Place. On Friday's she hosts Faith-Lift Friday's and I always enjoy reading them. This morning was no different. She had a devotional from Crosswalk.com by Eva Marie Everson. A touching story reminding us that our Heavenly Father is concerned over every detail of our lives. If you have a minute, pop over and read the story. The point is, if it's important to us, it's important to Him. He's looking out for us, don't worry.
I'm sure by now, you are seeing a theme. Well, I didn't. Not at first. After my computer time, I grabbed another cup of coffee and headed "out my back door" to the deck. It's a new deck that we just built in May. A beautiful deck that we all worked on with love, sweat and yes a few tears! I was sitting in "my spot" looking out over the back yard.
It's a beautiful view I have. Actually, there are two views. One shows that the shop front isn't finished, the firepit isn't complete, the trailer full of scrap metal needs to be taken to the recyclers, the kids' jungle gym should be moved, the garden needs weeding, on and on.
The other view is my favorite. My husband is a very hard working man. He built the shop from the ground up and now has a place to do all the other hard working things he does! He has cleaned up the back property and a load of scrap is waiting to be taken in to pay him for his hard work! Our family loves to cook at the firepit! Family dinners last well into the evening with sweet fellowship and tons of fun. The fireflies complete perfect times! The basketball hoop, jungle gym, trampoline and bikes have all seen better days, but oh, the days they've had! Kids and grandkids playing, learning, growing, and doing it all together! The garden is lush and fruitful and beautiful and the weeds add to its fullness! What a blessing that piece of ground has been to our entire family -- friends and community too!
So, as summer marches forward, bringing bored cranky kids, extra yard and house work, garden stuff to deal with and a hot, tired mommy, I will have to remember this day. Don't worry - just look out my back door!
They earned their badge!
Well, after learning the basics, pouring over recipes, making a menu and shopping for ingredients, they came up with this:
Breakfast -
Blackberry Fritters
Hot cocoa mix (Excellent! Will use this recipe again!)
Lunch -
Taco Nachos with the works (took some to the Carpenter at work!)
Supper -
Salisbury Steak w/Gravy
Seasoned Potato Sticks
Seasoned Greenbeans
Cheese Biscuits
Dessert -
Blender Milkshakes (with NO ice-cream! Yummm)
It was all very nice. Not only did they prepare and serve each meal, but they cleaned up after each session as well.
Job well done, boys!
You've earned that badge!
Breakfast -
Blackberry Fritters
Hot cocoa mix (Excellent! Will use this recipe again!)
Lunch -
Taco Nachos with the works (took some to the Carpenter at work!)
Supper -
Salisbury Steak w/Gravy
Seasoned Potato Sticks
Seasoned Greenbeans
Cheese Biscuits
Dessert -
Blender Milkshakes (with NO ice-cream! Yummm)
It was all very nice. Not only did they prepare and serve each meal, but they cleaned up after each session as well.
Job well done, boys!
You've earned that badge!
Setting the Table
My good friend Sheryl gave us a book called "The Young Man's HandyBook: Preparing Your Son on the Homefront"
We are working on our Cooking Badge.
Today those boys - those tree climbing, goat roaping, squirl shooting, chainsawing boys - set a beautiful table!
They've been taking turns with their sister doing dishes - with no grumbling, I might add. And they've been a huge help in the kitchen! We'll be cooking the rest of the week and they'll earn their badge on Friday.
Home
Well, we are back on the farm now and everyone is so glad to be home! Everyone has their room back - their stuff back -- their little piece of the world back.
Carpenter and the boys have been spending blissful evenings in the new shop with sawing, hammering, drilling and country music noises drifting into the air. I'm pretty sure hearts will be swelling as handmade Christmas presents are passed out this year!
Teenage daughter is back in her green and pink sanctuary down the hall. She's appreciating it more these days after being in the "room off the living room" at grandma's for six months. Muffled sounds of Casting Crowns and Barlow Girls are vibrating behind her door.
I am in heaven. I feel blessed beyond measure. I felt wonderful being able to help out mother-in-law when she needed us, but being back home soothes my spirit. We have all learned to appreciate what we have. Circumstances change - sometimes with less than a moment's notice - and we are all learning to love what we have at the moment, but hold it loosely. Be content in all situations and be ready for what the Lord has for you next.
Carpenter and the boys have been spending blissful evenings in the new shop with sawing, hammering, drilling and country music noises drifting into the air. I'm pretty sure hearts will be swelling as handmade Christmas presents are passed out this year!
Teenage daughter is back in her green and pink sanctuary down the hall. She's appreciating it more these days after being in the "room off the living room" at grandma's for six months. Muffled sounds of Casting Crowns and Barlow Girls are vibrating behind her door.
I am in heaven. I feel blessed beyond measure. I felt wonderful being able to help out mother-in-law when she needed us, but being back home soothes my spirit. We have all learned to appreciate what we have. Circumstances change - sometimes with less than a moment's notice - and we are all learning to love what we have at the moment, but hold it loosely. Be content in all situations and be ready for what the Lord has for you next.
Our First Place
Thanx Annie for hosting Time Travel Tuesday!
Our first home. This will be a telling post!
I was 16 when I was married and three months pregnant. I was so excited to be married with my own home. I moved from my childhood house to a small, one-bedroom home in town.
Dh was working as a bagger at a local grocery store and making decent money for 1981. He was also part of the Union, so our medical needs were met (praise God!!) I was going to school most mornings and piddling around my home the rest of the time.
Our home was furnished “Early Salvation Army” and our families were generous with their ‘extras’.
Our living room had a gold couch, a brown velvet-looking easy chair, shelves made from scrap wood and cinderblocks and tie-dyed curtains! The bathroom had brown rugs and a grey shower curtain. LOL
I was a terrible cook. Poor hubby suffered silently for many years eating pasty gravy and over-cooked meat. We ate out a lot.
We only lived in that little house for 5 months. We moved to a ‘bigger’ place before the baby was born. We have wished many times that we would have stayed there. The landlord wanted to sell it to us, but we were too young and ignorant to make that investment. He sold it for 38K and the man that bought it put a little into it and sold it for 98K 6 months later.
At any rate, our first home together was a wonderful springboard to our adventure together. The walls were block - drafty and dirty. The floors were bare, drafty and dirty. There was no air and the heater was a free standing propane ‘box’ that wasn’t all that safe. We loved that little place!
A place where dreams were born and planned. A place where we learned that life doesn’t hand you anything - you have to work for it and it’s worth it! A place where we started our life together and decided that we stay together and honor our vows NO MATTER WHAT!
And today, 26 ½ years later, we still think about that place.
Our first home. This will be a telling post!
I was 16 when I was married and three months pregnant. I was so excited to be married with my own home. I moved from my childhood house to a small, one-bedroom home in town.
Dh was working as a bagger at a local grocery store and making decent money for 1981. He was also part of the Union, so our medical needs were met (praise God!!) I was going to school most mornings and piddling around my home the rest of the time.
Our home was furnished “Early Salvation Army” and our families were generous with their ‘extras’.
Our living room had a gold couch, a brown velvet-looking easy chair, shelves made from scrap wood and cinderblocks and tie-dyed curtains! The bathroom had brown rugs and a grey shower curtain. LOL
I was a terrible cook. Poor hubby suffered silently for many years eating pasty gravy and over-cooked meat. We ate out a lot.
We only lived in that little house for 5 months. We moved to a ‘bigger’ place before the baby was born. We have wished many times that we would have stayed there. The landlord wanted to sell it to us, but we were too young and ignorant to make that investment. He sold it for 38K and the man that bought it put a little into it and sold it for 98K 6 months later.
At any rate, our first home together was a wonderful springboard to our adventure together. The walls were block - drafty and dirty. The floors were bare, drafty and dirty. There was no air and the heater was a free standing propane ‘box’ that wasn’t all that safe. We loved that little place!
A place where dreams were born and planned. A place where we learned that life doesn’t hand you anything - you have to work for it and it’s worth it! A place where we started our life together and decided that we stay together and honor our vows NO MATTER WHAT!
And today, 26 ½ years later, we still think about that place.
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