Yard Sale Score!

This weekend has been relaxing and hectic all at the same time.  Friday start with out well pump going, so we had no water a good portion of the day.

Saturday started good, went to a local huge yard sale and scored big time on lots of stuff. 
Yogurt maker, Belgian waffle maker, canner, more with less cook book, 5 books for Teenager, work out pants and 2 sweaters for me.  All for less then $8!

Then I was off to the CSA market once again to get more green beans, cabbage, kale, and onions.  I came back home hoping to prep the beans for freezing, and the power went out! No power = no water, so that put that to a stop. The rest of the afternoon was for reading and taking a short nap. 

Cabinet Maker had a gig about an hour from us, so I went with him and went shopping while he played.  I got a pretty turquoise sweater (yes it isn't pink or purple) and some sneakers. 

I start the C25K tomorrow morning.  As well as add a meal onto the Reboot.  So that will be Breakfast and Lunch each day just homemade veggie juice.  I am feeling a bit less yucky from my UTI last week and hope this slow transition to a full Reboot will be easy to stick with and less of a shock to my body.

I pray your weekends were safe from hurricane Irene and hope that your areas all recover quickly.

End of Day one

Wow 3 posts in 2 days! 
Today well hard to deal with the taste of this juice, I was very encouraged too!!

My friend Minca wants to embark on a C25K workout plan, the more we went back and forth today the more encouraged I was about adding this to my workout!  We were able to decide on our start day, which will be next Monday August 29th, 2011.  I am already walking so this should make the transition to the run walk thing next week a little easier (I hope). 

I also heard from a Congo sister that she is also doing the Reboot diet, and that there is hope that I can adjust to it and will start to feel better too.  Praise the Lord, I was very discouraged after drinking the first  batch.  I will have to try out a different combination tomorrow to see if I can find one I will like better. 

I pray that tomorrow I will have the will power and dead taste buds (no really I'm not joking) to get through day number two.  I also pray that my momentum will not change over the next month, let me keep organized as a wife, mom and employee. Let me keep the Lord in front of my eyes, and heart and let me loose lots of weight!!!

Reboot Day 1

2 posts in less then 24 hours, yeah don't expect that on a regular basis. 

Ok Reboot Day one:  Went to the farm market this morning and got my veggies, then to wegmans to get the rest of my juice ingredients.  Wegmans had a blood pressure screening thing so I did that.  The news was very bad.  My results came up as Hypertensive, I am only 35!! This is just one more reason to stick with this diet.

Day one weigh in: 200
Blood Pressure: 130/80
Pulse:88
BMI:35


Those are not good scores.  I need to get those down to healthy levels so I can enjoy my husband and son. 

I had a friend mention C25k.  Now I am not big on running, but this sounds like a great thing to add to what I am already doing.  She is in TX and me here in NY so this should be a fun way to encourage and keep each other going.  I am not sure I will ever actually participate in a marathon but if I am healthy enough to then that would be great. 

April to August How time changes everything!!

I know I know, I haven't written in a long time.  Life has changed drastically once again in our household.

First for the things that haven't changed.  Cabinet Maker is doing very well, he only ended up working with plumber dad for a few weeks because wait for it...... he has been building kitchens almost full time.  By the looks of things he is booked solid through January of this year. 

Teenager has just started his senior year of high school!!  He is doing well and we are slowly and painfully working through teenage attitude issues. 

Now for my news (which probably isn't news to most people by now).  I am now working full time for NTG.  Best Friend S.A.M.  called me mid April to ask if I would be willing to work like 20 hours a week, get this from home.  Cabinet Maker and I decided that this would be a help to our household income and decided to go for it.  After all what could be better then working from home? 

Fast forward a week I get a call from the new COO @ NTG and he wants me to work 50-60 hours a week, hold the phone did he just say 50 hours a week.  Needless to say I was stunned and we spent some time talking and praying about it.  I did accept this increase in hours and have now been working 4 months for NTG.  This are going well as far as the job is concerned, but family life has taken a huge amount of time and effort to adjust to all of these changes. 

So how does a full time wife and mom who would love to be homesteading go to being a full-time working woman?  Let's just say the transition has been painful and chaotic. 

This blog is about to change to a study in how I do it all... Or fail at it all.... Depends on which second you talk to me. 


This week's Ponderings:

Proverbs 31:22

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

First I have to say this is my favorite verse because she is one cool woman she wears purple!

Ok enough of that...

She makes coverings for her bed, she prepares and plans ahead of time. I think there is pattern here. 
Even after she prepares her household for the coming days, purchases a vineyard and all the other things she does she still has the time, and money to cloth  herself in fine material and in purple which in turn shows the world how much of a blessing she is to her husband.  It raises her husbands standing at the gates. 

So are you prepared ahead with fine things to keep your family warm and yourself covered in a way that is a blessing to your husband?


My Plan of Attack:

This the place where I hope you will all check in with me and hold me accountable for planning for my family.

• Family Chore Chart
• Menu Plan for each week (I hope to get a month done but need to work towards it)
• Actually getting things out daily for our evening meals (before I "go" to work)
• Having healthy breakfast for my family
• Exercising for a half hour a day
• Getting my portion of the chores done each day
• Spending quality time with the Teenager (if he will let me or wants to)
• Having energy for personal time with Cabinet Maker
• GET HEALTHY!!!
• Loose weight
• Bible study each day
• Honor the Lord in my work (this is a tricky one, not that I can't proclaim who I am at work, but how do I glorify the Lord in all I do, when I have very little interaction with those I work with, other then by telephone)
• Spend time with my family
• Spend time with friends
• Sleep (now that I have a list I am not sure I can)

HERE IS WHERE I NEED your ideas and help!!

I get up at 6am have to be at my desk by 7:15 Monday's and Tuesday's and 8am the rest of the week
I don't get done with work till 5pm most days Thursday's I go back to work at 6pm and work till 9pm

How do I still be a full time wife and mom and have a job oh yeah be a daughter, granddaughter, friend...?  Any suggestions?

I want to can food too to top it all off!!


My Reboot Diet:

I am going to share a personal struggle I have always had.  I am overweight and very sick from it most of the time.  Constant UTI's, ear infections, Bronchial Infections and serious intestinal issues.  I never have enough energy to do all I should, and now that makes life really hard some days. 

I lost a bit of weight when we were in Africa but have gained almost all of it back.  I had energy when we were in Africa (I could ride my bike 6-12 miles a day no problem). 

I have committed to a Reboot, it's a macro nutrient diet.  What that means is I spend the next 2 weeks preparing myself to go on a juice fast.  The juices will be veggies and fruits, basically Green veggies and fruits.  I can have as much as I want but no solid foods for 15 days.  At that point I will reevaluate how I feel and if I am doing well then I will continue for another 15 to 45 days.  This is not meant as a weight loss diet, that is a side affect.  It is meant to Reboot your system and detox it.  Right now I am only committing to the 15 days so I can monitor how I am feeling and not have any adverse affects.  I seem to be having a hard time with my sugar levels these days so I don't want to make myself sicker.

So starting weight as of today, and yes this is embarrassing but I need you to help me be accountable: 200 lbs.  weight I should be 125 that is a weight loss of 75 lbs.  I expect to be at this weight by next June that is almost a year from now.  With your help, Cabinet Makers support and lots of prayers I know I can get there and be healthy. 


Step one of this diet incorporate more veggies into every meal.

• I found a CSA (private membership based farm market) close to me and I go to get my first batch of goodies tomorrow
• Breakfast will be plain yogurt with fruit preserves in it (thank you baby sister)
• Lunch will be leftovers from dinner tonight (brown rice with onions, peas,peppers, carrots, white beans and garlic)
• Dinner I am still working on that one but probably a salad

Step 2 of preparation: Drink less caffeinated beverages and pop... not a problem just will drink more herbal tea and water

Step 3 of preparation: Consume less dairy: ok this one will not be fun cheese is my friend and I eat wayyyyyyy to much of it. 

So my first day of the Juice fast will be September 8th pray that I will not be mean and miserable on it for the first few days. 


Praying for each of my readers even I don't know you by name...

Plan ahead

THERE IS SUN AND it is getting WARMER here!!!!!!!!!!!!!  Can you tell I am sick of winter?  A year in Africa made this winter harder then normal, then we had a longer winter then normal for our area on top of it, sigh, I have been a very very cold woman this year.   But the high is around 45 for today and will be 70 by Sunday (I am praying the weather men are on target for once). 

Things are still busy around here but in a good way.  I have been learning to take more time, to tune out the chaos and focus more on my Heavenly Father and get more study time in.  I also am taking a bit more time to focus on my household things, not standing in a cold wood shop doing nothing :). 

Cabinet Maker is doing very well with being busy and getting a job or 2 more.  We are praying that between his own business and working with my dad for the summer, we/he can slowly dig us out of debt and have us on the plus side by winter. 

I have a very special young woman that I know who will be getting married in May and I will be putting together a gift for her.  I am going to try and remember to take pictures of each step and the full gift put together and post it all for you once I have given it to her, I am not positive if she reads this or not, Hi Katy! 

Today's Doings and Dones:

~Up early to be off to Spencerport to take before Pictures for Art on a new kitchen job he has. 
~Today's post on HomespunScarlet
~Spring Clean Downstairs Bathroom (it is sunny have the itch to be clean and spring smelling)
~Start on shower gift
~Blast Worship Music while doing all of the above!

Today's Ponderings:

She is not afraid of snow for her household, For all her household is clothed with scarlet.
 Proverbs 31:21

Do you plan ahead for the things that you will need?  Or do you just worry when an emergency comes up and you can't afford to take care of it?  How little worry would you have if you just planned ahead?  If you were more frugal and a better steward of what you do have, would you be a bigger blessing to your family and be able to show others around you the blessings that you do receive.

Being organized is not a normal character trait for me, not in any way.  I am a walking disaster, come into my kitchen sometime when I am cooking, it looks like everything exploded while I am in there.  Cabinet Maker on the other hand is a ORGANIZATIONAL FREAK!! I say that in a very loving way.  So by virtue of years of having him get upset at my disasters I have learned to be better at keeping things clean and organized.  But not only learning to be a better steward of what I do have has blessed me to teach and help others when needed.  Ok here is example time , this is not me telling you how you should do it, but what has worked for my family. 

We are a one income family, I do things to help out here and there but my income is not by any means consistent.  When Cabinet Maker had a full time job (with an outside company) he made decent money, but we were by no means every well off, comfortable yes, extras no.  Then we spent time as missionaries, you don't do that in prospects of being well off, your lucky if you can afford your basics.  Then we came home, Cabinet Maker was able to work with my dad last summer and fall but that again barley covered the basics.  I worked for a bit as a nanny and that didn't come close to covering the basics.  Ok you get the idea.....

In order to cover our needs I have to be very frugal with what we have.  I spend a total of $250 a month on groceries, out of this comes all groceries, paper and cleaning products, personal products (soap, shampoo etc.) dog food and any eating out we may want to do which is usually pizza and wings once every other week.  Now we have 2 people in our house with special diets, teenager can't have milk and I don't eat anything that has been bleached so that makes our budget for food stuffs even harder to stretch at times. We eat lots of casseroles, with beans in them and sometimes meat too but anything to stretch a meal to be really filling.  We eat lots of eggs, healthy a lot more filling then cereal and less money when you figure there aren't mid morning snacks because the teenagers belly is empty, again.    Rice is a staple in most meals, healthy (we eat only brown rice or wild rice) you can flavor it a million ways and it is filling. 

I also shop for most everything only once a month, this allows for bigger quantities to be purchased at lower prices.  I plan plan plan every purchase there is NO running to the grocery store for anything that hasn't been thought about for a few days.  My medicine cabinet is replenished ahead of time so there are no late night runs to the most expensive place (which may be the only place open).  With the price of gas there are no special trips out to buy that milk or bread you ran out of with no other purpose for the trip.  Cloths are purchased when they are on sale, there is usually at least one pack of socks or underwear tucked away for when the old start to fall apart (or get so dirty from mud or whatever that they need to be tossed in the rag bin).  Things are bought when they are on sale and when there is only one package left in the house, instead of once it is gone.  Example, had a coupon for $5 off $25 or more at a local store recently, had other coupon for toilet paper, so stocked up and got all my paper goods for 2 months for cheaper then normal and my plan is to stay at the big of a stock.  That way if sickness and or any other emergency strikes I have a stock pile to hold over till things settle down.  Now I do this with groceries as well.  It has taken me almost 8 months to get a food stock established.  The plan is to do this for one more month then just buy necessities for the summer.  Now grocery money will be saved to buy tons of canning jars (for the garden we will be putting in soon if the weather cooperates) or if things don't do well to buy from the farmers market.  I will also be saving towards buying meat from a processor hopefully the equivalent of a half a cow and a bunch of free range chicken in the fall.  That way I wont be paying the higher prices at the store and will have to go to the store less.  PLAN AHEAD. 

Now, I do know that this means having the space to plan ahead. I am blessed with 2 chest freezers.  However no excuses for them being too expensive.  I found one of it for free on Craigslist, it is ugly but does the job.  Use the space under your couches and beds.  Rubbermaid bins are my friends. Free book shelves from craigslist once again serve as food storage.  Be creative, need help coming up with ideas email me, I have a million. 

After this long explanation, the blessings that I am able to give because I do this are amazing.  It is always so cool to hear about a family in need, the single mom struggling to feed her children, and be able to go to my shelves and freezer and send healthy usable food their way.  I know that many items from food banks are not always the most healthy.  I never give away or buy things for this purpose that I wouldn't eat myself.  I am not tooting my own horn here, just sharing what the Lord does through us.  Last month we heard about a mom in need, and filled a weeks worth for her, and we never once, did without for giving away that much.

We do live without a lot of luxuries, but this is a matter of choice.  We drive a beat up truck and a used car.  We don't have cable or dish for tv.  We don't eat out much at all.  We don't have junk food in the house as a rule.  We don't take expensive vacations.  We don't buy brand new clothes much (for my son it's hard to find things at a consignment shop).  I shop at yard sales and Salvation Army.  I make my own laundry soap.  Each of these things are by choice, and I enjoy doing them or not doing these things.  I love hunting for that great deal or making laundry soap, and dish soap and household cleaners.  I enjoy cooking all our meals.  It takes a lot of time, dedication and planning. Detect a theme here? 

Challenge:

What are you going to change so that it is planned out?  Pick one area to start your planning in.  Set up a house hold notebook, what is that you ask?  Tune in next time for more details........


Have a beautifully planned and blessed day!!


  

Extending your hands

Hello all...  Life as always is crazy around here.  Last time I updated Cabinet Maker  was till slow with work.  Well the Lord has certainly changed that!!!  Cabinet Maker now has 2 more kitchens to work on with a possibility of another on the horizon.  He also has a custom bathroom vanity to build and then will start working with my dad again in May.  So lots to keep him busy.  

Teenager is still eating us out of house and home, and growing like a weed. 

I repaired a Storm Troopers Costume last week and will possibly be making a X wing fighter costume soon for someone.  Why do I get the strange sewing jobs? 

Life is chaotic at best around here most of the time and I am attempting to learn how to be a attentive child of God, housewife, mom, part-time nanny and seamstress.  This is not going very well for my part.  I am trying to be available to Cabinet Maker any time he wants to talk or whatever but am not getting anything else done because of it.  How do you balance the needs of your work from home husband, home responsibilities, mom stuff, and various other things and manage to get everything done?  I haven't figured this one out yet and if anyone has any suggestions I NEED them!!  Trying to find my study/devotional time in the midst of constant interruptions has equaled reading and no studying for the last few weeks. I need total peace and quiet to absorb anything and really get my focus on the Lord, reading is good but total devotion is better. 

Today's Ponderings:

Proverbs 31:20

She extends her hand to the poor, Yes, she reaches out her hands to the needy. 

So how are you doing as we work through Proverbs?  Are you able to attempt to reflect this Virtuous wife and her characteristics? 

How often do we back away from someone in need because we are too buys?  Do we cut short that phone call to the friend just needing to chat?  Do we remember a friend that seemed down and search them out?  Do we drop off that box of food to a struggling family down the street, or better yet a prepared meal?   Even when this virtuous wife is doing everything else she does in a day she still takes the time to extend her hand to those who need a lift up.  Take the time to encourage, feed, fold some laundry or just visit with someone in need. 

Today's Doings:

~Trying to get a new schedule in place so I can focus on my FATHER and my family in the correct order
~Various laundry, dishes and sweeping
~Bible Study I am determined today!!!
~Homemade bagels and loaf of bread
~Finish up my Pj's I have had cut out for a month now
~Start cutting out a new dress pattern
~Start a prayer shawl for a friend
~Being unrealistic with all I want to get done today!

Have a beautiful day today!!

Keep your focus on HIM in all you do and say

Work Ethic?

I have been busy once again.  The little red-heads' mom had to work a few extra days over the last few weeks, which means I was working too.  The days spent with them are full of homeschooling, sewing, crochet teaching, wood stacking, snowball throwing, campfire building, diaper changing (eww), puppy chasing and baby chasing.  Lots of fun to be had, lots of naps needed (maybe I was the only one needing one) and lots of kleenex being needed.  So of course they all had bad colds when I started the extra days and by the second week I had one as well, which of course turns in to a bronchial thing for me, sigh.  But I am starting to be on the mend and getting my house back in order. 

We went out and got a new to us car this weekend and I am sitting here waiting for the Cabinet Maker to get home with it.  A 2002 Grand Prix SE, in girly terms it is a sparkly maroon sporty car.  I like it!  If you want the technical stuff don't ask me.  We traded in our current car and the Lord blessed us with a really good deal on it.  So Teenager will now have more leg room and Cabinet Maker is happy with a non-family looking car. 

I have been sewing a bit lately, I was asked to make clothes for a couple of friends going to a Ugly  Disco, which means I was wrist deep in ugly polyester for a couple of weeks.  But they turned out great if you could get past the big collars and cuffs. 

Ponderings:

Proverbs 31:19
She stretches out her hands to the disstaff; and her hand holds the spindle.  Ok first a disstaff is what they used to spin wool onto and the spindle is how they would turn it into thread.  She isn't afraid to reach in there and get her hands dirty so to speak.  She teaches those in her household how to work by example, not by doing things for them but by doing things with them.  Are you teaching your children how to work?  Or do you clean their rooms, and pick up their toys?  Are you going outside and helping your husband chop wood, or shovel the driveway?  Or is FB your constant companion? 

Think about how you can show your children even the little tiny ones how to be good stewards of what they have and how to take care of it.  Help your husband with whatever you can show your children and your husband that you aren't afraid to jump right in. 

Comforts in being homespun

I am still very much  loving being home again.  Each day brings new joys in just doing the simple things, cooking, baking, sweeping, even doing dishes.  Who knew you could enjoy the simple drudgery of being a housewife?  Each day brings new joy in providing meals, and a clean place to live.  Needless to say the teenager is enjoying the meal part. 

Today's Ponderings:

Proverbs 31:18  She perceives that her merchandise is good- And her lamp does not go out by night. 
This one is simple and until recently I don't think I really got it.  She finds great comfort in her labors and she spends time into the night providing for her family.  Do you find joy in your work as a wife and mom?  How often are we discontent in our work and feel like we deserve "me" time away from all this stuff you have to do each day?  The Lord calls us to be content in every day and what it brings.  What can you do today to provide for your family and be content in what you do?  Self-less servant hood is what it is all about ladies. No where does it say that we should take time for ourselves.  But that we should be providing for our families. 

Today's Doings:

~trying to decide what to bake next, everything sounds good so have to reign myself in here but want to make something.
~ Laundry
~Dishes
~cuddle time with my doggy (still really enjoying his addition to our family)
~ cuddle time with my Cabinet Maker tomorrow will be our 17th Anniversary! I can't believe we are have been together so long, yet it feels like a lifetime!

Build your Strength

The first 24 hours of a new dog in our house has been a lot of fun!  We have learned he knows a few tricks and loves to burrow under blankets.  After making my bed 3 times yesterday I gave up, every time I turned my back he was under the blankets making a mess out of the bed. 

Cabinet Maker is busy making cabinets for a custom kitchen and is loving every minute of what he is doing.  Teenager is busy at school and currently enjoying reading books for literature on his kindle.  The addition of 2 kindles to the house hold have been wonderful, both Teenager and I love to read and it saves a ton of time in library trips and the library we are near is tiny.  So the vast amount that we have at our fingertips to read is awesome too. 

Today's Doings:

~ Various chores to keep the house organized and clean
~ Bath for the new doggy(this has since been done, he doesn't mind the bath but hates to be toweled off)
~ I want to bake something but no idea what yet so many things to choose from
~ Trying to decide on my dinner plans again so many things to choose from and just can't decide I will let you know later via twitter what I decide on
~ Praise and worship with my Lord, I plan on blasting the music and just focusing on HIM
~Practice the Bass guitar with Art tonight, a friend is letting me borrow his so I can get some practice in
~ Post a menu here of my previous shopping on $70 or less a week


Today's Ponderings:
Proverbs 31:17
She girds herself with strength, And strengthens her arms.

How often do we wallow in self-pity for our situation?  Bills you can't afford to pay, groceries you can't afford to buy, a house that is a disaster, you know all the mundane annoyances of life.  We should be spending time in Father building up our strength and focusing on being strong to get things done the best way possible for our families.  Are you building your strength every day?  Do you spend time in the word with Father every day?  Do you worship and praise HIM every day?  Are you letting the Joy of the Lord be your strength?  Are you content in what you do have so that you can build up your family in HIS strength? 

Today work on the Joy of the Lord being your strength.  Do something that will strengthen your family in the Lord.  Go the extra mile to have an area of the house clean, organized and cheerful that your husband has been complaining about.  Sit down with your child and do the craft project or make the batch of cookies your family would like to have.  Have dinner ready, the kitchen organized form making dinner and the table set for your husband tonight.  After dinner just sit and relax doing something he likes to do.  Make your day about being a Servant to all in your home. 


 Today's Stuck in your head Praise:

If you want to be great in God's kingdom learn to be a servant of all
If you want to be great in God's kingdom learn to be a servant of all
Learn to be a servant of all
Learn to be a servant of all
If you want to be great in God's kingdom learn to be a servant of all

So yesterday was a cool day in my house.  I have been wanting a dog since we got back, our fuzzball is staying with my mother-in-law, he is well loved and now at home there.  But I really miss having a dog, so I had started to look online but hadn't found the type of dog I wanted yet.  I say I wanted, but Cabinet Maker wanted a little buddy again too almost as bad if not worse then I did.  So.... anyway yesterday Cabinet Maker went looking online himself and found the type of dog we were looking for!  So off we went and got him, his name is Barnabas (which means God is our Comforter).  We call him Barney.  He spent a wrestles night but no accidents or issues yet.  He is a little skittish till he gets to know you but loving after that. 

Today's Doings:

~Shopping for a few more dog toys and treats
~Enjoy my time with Teenager not sure what we are going to do yet
~Speak with a missionary regarding pre-field Congo questions
~ Chicken Fajitas for dinner with black beans over brown rice
~Playing with the new doggie
~Watching some more Rough Science on Netflix with Cabinet Maker tonight (we really like this show)


Today's Ponderings:

Proverbs 21:16
She considers a field and buys it: From her profits she plants a vineyard. 

How often do we consider what will be profitable to the family and then turn around and try and make it grow into more of a profit or benefit for your family? 

I don’t mean making our family more money.  I mean how often do you consider what you do for your family?  How often does what you consider profit your family?  Take some time, sit down and write out all the things you should be doing for your family each day. Now how many of them are you doing?  How many do you do, with benefit of your family in mind?  Just think on this for a few days and we will come back to this.

Homespun Once again

Wow it has been a long time since my last post.  When I started this blog I intended to keep up with it a few days a week.  However the Lord had other plans for a season in our lives.  So here is a brief recap of why I have been gone so long.

As you know I was babysitting one day a week for 5 little red heads.  Well the mother of these little blessings is a Physicians Assistant for a Doctor near us, and she was in need of a Nanny for about 3 weeks and asked if I would be willing to fill in.   I started there feeling very blessed for the few weeks of full time pay.  After a week or so the mother asked me to stay on full time. Cabinet Maker and I spent a bit of time in prayer over this, it would be a huge change for our family.  I had been home for almost the last 10 years taking care of the family and our home.  But after much prayer, discussion and organizing strategies we decided that with Cabinet maker not working much that I should take the position.

 I started this position knowing it would be a very dark place to work.  I also knew that me being the one working full time was going to be a huge change and adjustment for all of us.  I started working October 25th and learned very quickly that I was the only very outnumbered in belief's as well as discipline.  It took a few weeks to settle in but the children started to respond and discipline was starting to be learned.  I have to say it has been a tough few months.  Trying to sit and do a bible study in the midst of swearing and an over all feeling of the world has been interesting.  Learning that I can not always be at home for Cabinet Maker and Teenager, I couldn't be the one preparing meals, or keeping things clean was tough for me.  But the Lord and a good friend kept me going.

So yesterday morning as I was getting ready to leave I spoke with Cabinet Maker regarding my prayers of wanting to be back at home.  Not 20 minutes later I went into work and found out I no longer have a job!  It was for the benefit of the kids for them to be put in a full time school/daycare program verses being in the home. The Lord provided a way for me to be back at home!! Cabinet Maker is in the middle of building some custom kitchen cabinets.  He has work for the month of February and we hope possibly in March.  Then he will be back to work with my father in the spring. 

I plan to start posting regularly again starting on Monday.  Over the next few days I need to get my house back in order. While Cabinet Maker and Teenager will very helpful in keeping things picked up and dishes done there was a lot of dust and grime to get rid of!  Yesterday when I got back home I enjoyed my time sweeping, mopping, making some laundry soap and some cookies.  Once my home is back in order I will once again start the process of helping you to keep yours in order. 

I really have missed you all and missed being homespun!


Today's Hum along: (oh heck with the hummimg sing it out)

Praise Him, Praise Him
Praise Him in the morning, Praise Him in the noon time
Praise Him Praise Him till the break of dawn!

Love Him.......
Serve Him...
Share Him....

Self-less Servant hood

Yesterday was a nice day.  Got up made a big breakfast for my guys, breakfast burritos with spicy sausage, peppers, onions, homefries and eggs.  Topped off with salsa and sour cream.  I only had a piece of toast till dinner time I was so full!  Then off to my favorite store, Lantz's for a cup of peppermint tea with our room mate, and some shopping for goodies!  Back home to make pumpkin cake with cream cheese frosting, 2 loaves of bread and some bagels.  Then because I got some goodies at Lantz's I made some homemade granola with sliced almonds, crazins, raisins brown sugar and cinnamon.  It is so good and will be nice to have over the next few days, if it lasts that long.  Then dinner was alfredo egg noodles with chicken and broccoli.  Needless to say my kitchen was a disaster by 8 last night.  But I was a good homemaker and got it all washed before I went to bed. I am still full I only had half a bagel for breakfast. 

Today's Doings:

~ Lunch for my dad and the Cabinet Maker in the crockpot, they are putting up the trusses on the pole barn today.
~Off to work at my moms again.
~ Get a new toaster while I'm out our toaster oven bit the dust today, very sad now I have to get a plain old toaster.
~Back here to pack up the boy-o he is going to spend the night with Cabinet Makers mom
~ Date night with Cabinet Maker!! Maybe we will actually get to spend some time together tonight!


Ponderings:

Proverbs 31:15  She also rises while it is yet night, And provides food for her household, and a portion for her maidservants. 

 Yup this really does mean it is our responsibility to get up before our husbands, and children and servants if you have them (don't I wish), and prepare the morning meal for them.  And no this doesn't mean you throw a box of cereal at them or a breakfast bar.  Not that those are bad but how much more could you do for them if you got up first and had everything ready to make the start of their day better?  I know as a wife and a mom that, mornings are not my favorite time to go make a mess in my kitchen. But I have found that a nice relaxing meal for my family in the morning makes not only their day better but mine as well.  When I get us and actually prepare things for my family, I am showing that I really care and support them and love them too.  While I do this prep work I am also praying for them and their day where ever it might lead them.  I know that not everyone is a breakfast person, but could you be up making that fresh cup of coffee (if you are lucky you have one of those push a button put in the sealed cup thingys and there you go you're done).  Could you be sending a small snack for them even if they eat lunch out, or even some muffins or cookies to share with co-workers?  Preparing for your family with a self-less attitude is the best way to start everyone's day!

Challenge for the next week:

I am giving you three days to prepare here so get thinking and planning!  Get up before your husband and children and have something out on the table ready for them when they wake-up. No matter how tired you are get yourself up and have a smile on your face when they come down.  Make them that fresh cup of coffee, try out a new homemade cappichino recipe, or fresh muffins or even a re-heated muffin from Dunkin just something that you have a hand in setting out for them. 

Now put a post it in their lunch box or on the steering wheel of the car just letting them know our appreciation for all they do and provide for us and how much we love them and will miss them.  Remember men like to feel needed and want to be noticed for all they do.  Just see the change in their attitude after a week!  Now don't forget to pray as you do each little task!

Have a great weekend!

Merchant Ship? I'm not that big!

Hello all!  I pray that you have had or are having a wonderful week.  I now have a real teen in my house here after known as boy-o.  We had the final party on Saturday, and now I can relax a little, HA! like that will ever really happen.  This week we are all back to our "normal" routines, whatever that means.  Cabinet Maker is on the last of the whole house remodel, he has a barn to build next week and a bathroom to do.  Last night we got another call, from my baby sister and her and her husband, they would like him to come and some drywalling.  We are praying about a kitchen cabinet build and a remodel on a lake house for the winter.  At this point it is just Trust in the Lord and being Faithful in the fact we know He wants us where we are. 

Today's Doings:

~Devotions, obviously
~Off to the city to purchase a computer for a client (looks like I am back in the computer set-up/training people how to use them business)
~Working at my mom's
~back home to make spaghetti with my homemade sauce, meatballs and texas toast (if I have time it will be homemade pasts too)
~Relax with my Cabinet Maker even if I have to duct tape him to a chair away from the pole barn!

Today's Ponderings:
Proverbs 31:14  She is like the merchant ships, She brings food from afar.

Remember it says like, you are not that big!  This is just simply talking about you go out and find the best for your family.  You don't just grab what is easy and simple.  You search out what your family needs to be fed with.  How often do you just grab what is easy for breakfast or dinner?  Searching out what is nutritious for your family is just as important as the act of sitting down to eat as a family.  Do you spend time planning out what your family is going to eat?  Do you go out and find all the best ingredients?  Now this doesn't mean you have to spend a fortune to get the best organic whatever to eat (read my previous post on my shopping list).  How often do we just do what is easy, head down to dollar general get a box instant mac & cheese or ramin noodles and throw it on the table?  Some days that is all you can manage but is it the norm? 

Lets take some extra time this week to get homemade prepared with your own hands meals.  Even breakfast doesn't have to consist of cereal every day. 

Have a beautiful day in the Lord!

 Song on loop in my head:

FAITHFUL (Don Colburn)

Faithful, I will trust You

You are faithful, I will follow You

Never changing, always loving

You are Faithful almighty God.

Time after time, You have been for me

A shelter from the storm, and from my enemies

Your mercy flows each morning

Your forgiveness heals my soul

And in Your presence I am made whole

I know not many of you will know this as it was written by a worship leader friend of ours.  But if you would like to learn it just ask next time you see me, I will teach it to you. 



Flax and wool what do I do with those?

Thank you for such a great response on the Shopping post.  I will be posting menu ideas based on my list, hopefully sometime this week, we will see what happens. 

My bagels turned out tasting great, looking horrible.  I need to get a couple of cookie cutters to make this easier.  I also found a recipe online for pumpkin latte's they were a very  nice yummy treat for us last night. 

Today's Doings:

~Work at my moms, cleaning outside, yuck I am going to freeze!

~Home to relax

~Try to figure out what to do for dinner tonight, nothing sounds good today.

 

Ponderings:

Proverbs 31:13  She seeks wool and flax, And willingly works with her hands.

Wool and flax are not something we deal with much any more.  The idea behind these, is that as a wife you try and look for what your family needs, and are willing to dig in to accomplish that, even if you have to make things with your own hands. 

How often do we not doing something cause you don't want to put the effort into it?  Many of us need to really be careful how we provide for our families, and a bit more effort goes into what we do have to do.  To be a virtuous and praised wife we need to be putting in that effort.  How does what we do look in our husbands eyes?  Are we putting in the effort?  Or are we reading lots of books, playing on facebook too often (I so need to be careful I don't do this), or just plain not wanting to get our hands dirty?

Go into your kitchen today and make an extra effort, clean out one cupboard, clean out the fridge, make a special treat for your family (and make sure there is some left when you husband gets home from work).  Put extra effort into all you do today!

Remember/hum/sing loudly: 

Make a joyful noise unto the Lord all ye all ye lands!!

You are my strength when I am weak

You are the treasure that I seek

You are my all in all

Seeking you as a precious jewel

Lord to give up I'd be a fool

You are my all in all

Jesus, precious lamb of God

Worthy is Your name

Jesus, precious, lamb of God

Worth is Your name

Taking my sin my cross my shame

Rising again I bless Your name

You are my all in all

When I fall down You pick me up

When I am dry You fill my cup

You are my all in all

Shop on less then $70 a week for a family of 4? Yup it's possible

A lot of people have asked me how we can do it with just one income, a self-employed income at that. Well let me tell you it is not easy, or even fun some days, but the Lord continually provides.  He has also given me the ability/hobby of loving to find the best deals and make things from scratch. 

First you need to be organized about your shopping.  I do my main shopping just once a month and I buy milk and fresh veggies to supplement weekly.  It takes planning and a really good list. 

Here is a typical shopping list for my family (there are 3 adults living here and one teenager that eats double what everyone else does, we also have people over (or take food there) at least 2 times a week.

Flour 25 lbs./ $8
Sugar 10 lbs./ $5
Salt        $2
Yeast    $5
Spices  $5
Cheese Sliced  3/$6
Cheddar Cheese 6/$12
Mozzarella Cheese 3/$6
Pasta      6/$6
Ground Beef  3 lbs./$10 (I usually buy the cheap chubs)
Ground Turkey 5 lbs./$10 (again I buy the chubs for $2 each)
Toilet Paper (12 count Scott) 1 pkg. $6
Paper Towel 1/$2
Bar Soap 3/$3
Tuna 8/$5
Peanut Butter 2/$3
Frozen Veggies 5/$5
Canned Veggies 10/$5
Potatoes 10 lbs./$5
Veggie Oil $3
Margarine 2/$3
Cream Cheese 4/$4
Yogurt 4/$5
Chicken $6
Milk 4/$8
Fresh Veggies $20
Meat (roasts, stew meat) $20
Personal Products (shampoo etc.) $3
Dried Beans $3
Rice $3
Medicine Cabinet Items $5
Tortilla Shells 2/$2
Packet Seasonings $3
Baking Extras (pumpkin, chocolate chips etc..) $10
Canned goods stock up (above and beyond what you need each month) $20
Candy (just a little is nice to have) $5
Household Cleaning supplies to include white vinegar, baking soda, cider vinegar, borax, dish soap etc $12


That leave me usually with about $40 left over for whatever else I may need in the month. 

You will notice I don't have laundry soap on there and I spend very little on shampoo.. that's because I make my own.  It costs me a total of about $5 a month for what I use in cleaning supplies, however I am really paranoid about running out so there is always a bit extra around here, which means at some point I may take a month or two off from buying stuff and just put that money towards stock up on other things.  You will also notice there are no bread products listed, I make my own, hence the need for so much flour each month. 

I have also invested in flour sack towels which I use for everything except draining oil from fried foods and washing my windows, that is what the paper towels are for.  Cloth napkins at the dinner table, cut down on the paper towel usage too. 

To have this little of cost put into our food with all the people that I feed each month I tend to make lots of casseroles.  They are cheap, filling and easy to make and people really like them for the most part.  I also make bigger batches of things when I make them, and freeze leftovers.  That way if I have a night that is too crazy or just don't feel well, we still stick to our budget because there is just something to heat in the microwave instead of ordering out. 

I hope this helps, please let me know if you have any more questions or want more information on how we do it!

Relaxing Monday

I had the day off to spend at home, just being a wife and mom! I love when unexpected blessing come my way.  After party #1 was finished I even had enough energy to clean up, so today is all about just relaxing, well and laundry that I am so far behind on with all the doings the last week. 

Today's Doings:

~Laundry
~Experiment for a bagel recipe
~Italian meatloaf for dinner
~Library
~Phase 3 of super secret mission

Ponderings:

Proverbs 31:12  She does him [her husband] good and not evil.  All the days of her life

How much good do you do for your husband, every day?  Not just cook him dinner, but real true good, every day?  Are you doing evil?  Do you argue, not complete that which you know you should, are you praying for your husband surrounding your home in prayer and worship, every day? 

How often do we just get tired and loose our motivation to get everything done each day, I understand that if you work a job outside of the home, it isn't possible to do "everything".  Heck even if you do stay home it isn't always possible to do it all everyday.  But are the days that you do get doing good done, more than the days that you don't? 

If you aren't praying for your husband, children, home and surrounding it in God's love through you, are you allowing evil into your home?  Beyond your set aside prayer time are you filling your home so that it is a direct reflection of God's character? 

We are told to not do evil but good, what does good look like in your family?

Challenge:

How can you better organize your time so you are spending less time at the computer, watching tv, reading books, just plain being busy with non-wife duties?  How can you find that one extra thing to do for your husband today?  Get out a time incrimented schedule, I can suggest one you can download if you need, and write down all you need to do in a day and all you want to do in a day.  What time does your husband get up each day, now get up with him and make him that cup of coffee or toast.  If it is cold pizza get it out for him put it on a plate, with a can of Dew next to it.  And sit with him even if you don't say a word just show him love by being next to him.  Makes is lunch, send him on his way with a kiss and a time of prayer to start his day off.  Ask how you can pray for him while he is at work.  Now time to get the kids up and going? Do so with a smile and loving words.  Turn the start of your day into a blessing instead of a fight.  

Now schedule out the rest of your day from shower to bible study, facebook, dishes, laundry EVERYTHING!  Now that you have everything written down, follow it for a few days.  Make changes till you find a schedule that works for you.  Make sure to schedule about a half hour to relax before the children come home, that way you can have a moment of peace before chaos descends.  Next schedule about 15 minuets to change into non food stained, or sweat pants into something your husband would like to see you in, for me that is jeans that are clean and a nice shirt. Greet him with a kiss and keep the kids from bombarding him.  Don't bombard him with everything that went wrong in your day yet.  Let him readjust to being home, I know you want to share your day but he needs quiet time to get back into the swing of home life not work life.

Try it might just work for you!

Level 1 Reveal

I am so excited today!!!  Our room mate and I got all the painting of walls and furniture done yesterday.  Today soon to be teen comes back and gets to see stage one of all that has been going on.  I can't wait to see his face!  Needless to say I am a bit tired and a little sore this morning from all of that painting.

I will post some pictures of everything that I have been doing, as soon as the boy has seen it all and I can get his reaction!

Today's Doings:

Vacuum boyo's room, and get everything back in place and looking clean and organized (until he gets back home at least)
Catch up on dishes from yesterday and laundry
Make some bread and start on all the cupcakes needed for Sunday's bday party with part of the family [Not only is boyos bday next Friday my brothers is tomorrow and the same brothers wife shares a bday with my boy]  So lots of baking to do
Hopefully get in a hike it is going to be 70 today!


Ponderings:

Proverbs 31:11
The hear of her husband safely trust her; So he will have no lack of gain.

How much trust does your husband have in you, to do everything in your home with out asking?  I am not fond of dishes or folding laundry, there I said it, I am not a perfect housewife.  How much more smoothly would your life be if you just did everything that was expected of you as a wife before being asked.  How much faith in your would your husband have, how many less tense discussions would there be?  How many more moments of peace would your house hold have? 

We really need to work on being content and trustworthy wives.  Get the housework done, go that extra inch to make your home a haven.  Go on over to http://www.womenlivingwell-courtney.blogspot.com/
and check out some of her ideas in making your home a haven for your family.  

Prayer in the face of business

How often do you feel like there is not enough time to spend quality time with your Father, and time in prayer each day?  I know we can pray while doing the dishes, or checking facebook.  But I mean real, quality focused on the Father only, worship and prayer.  How about that physical blessing or gift of kindness I was talking about a while back?  I have spent the last month crocheting a prayer shawl for a dear friend (darn forgot to take a picture).  I am not telling you this to say, Hey look at what I did, this means I spent the month, small snippets of time here and there, in prayer not only for the friend that received it, but just worshiping my Heavenly Father.  This is what I did, as you start the gift, no matter what it is, spend about 10 minutes in prayer for the friend you are making it for each time you pick it up to do something on it.  Whatever remaining minutes, were spent in worship for all our Father does for us.  For me this means cranking up the worship music and just fellowshipping with my Lord.  I do this sort of thing on any project I make for someone else, curtains, baby blankets, dish cloths, whatever.  Pray for the recipient.  If it is for my own home use then I pray for those in my home a little extra that day, not the normal prayers of protection or blessing but real deep down and heartfelt prayers on whatever they may need at the time. 

My prayer time this week is focused on my soon to be 13 year old, no more pre-teen in the house after next Friday, sigh, I am not old enough to have a teenager, just to clear up any confusion.  I have been deep into a super secret mission for him over the last month and am putting the finishing touches on it this week.  I made a whirlwind trip to VA and back a couple of weeks ago with our room mate, to pick up his 65 lbs. of legos that a short term missionary offered to bring back from Congo with him.  Now I am painting his room and furniture a color he wishes we would let him paint his room in.  Then we are finishing up our walk out attic which is just off his room, so that all the legos can go in there as a separate play area.  Now, this is all a secret remember.  He thinks it will be another month or so before we can even get the legos, and that the attic is missing flooring, and it's way too dark to see, and his dresser is ugly, and walls have holes...... you get the point.  He hasn't been a happy kid for a bit he really misses his legos, which is the only toy he owns.  So needless to say he is going to be really surprised and happy.  THANK YOU to all the family members who have "decided out of the blue" to take Michael for the last couple of weeks off and on so I can get all this done. 


Ponderings:

Proverbs 31:10
Who can find a virtuous wife?  Her worth is far above rubies.   

How do we become a virtuous wife?   Virtuous= good, righteous, worthy, honorable, moral , honest...
What do you do to reflect those characteristics each day?  So that your worth can be so valued by your Heavenly Father and your husband. 

Today's challenge:

Beyond fuller prayer time is what can you do today to be set apart and honoring to your husband? 


Today's Doings:

WORSHIP AND PRAYER while painting all day long
Yup that will be my day!

Have you?

Have you been reading through Proverbs 31 and Titus 2? 

Well here is another verse to add to your ponderings... Read through proverbs 31 and Titus 2 again and add this one in, Philippians 2: 14.  Do all things without complaining and disputing.  If we are complaining or disputing then we are not following our first two passages, as the complaining etc. gets in the way. 

I know it is hard to not complain or argue with our husbands especially, we think that we know a better thing to do or a better way to do it.  But it is not our place to argue with them, even if we are right. 


Today's Doings:

• Babysit for my 5 red heads
• Home to make dinner
• Family time
• Try and get packets put together for Friday night's frugal cooking/cleaning/fellowship night. 

Have a great day!! DO ALL THINGS WITHOUT COMPLAINING AND DISPUTING!!

And now back to your regular scheduled program....

I know it has been a few days.  After our day in Niagara Falls, I got hit with the flu.  My little red heads that I baby sit had been sick the week before and I guess it was inevitable that I would get it too.  I am on the mend and only mildly achy today. 

So the ponderings for this day of rest:

Break Dividing Walls

By: David Ruis

There is a place of commanded blessing

Where brethren in unity dwell

A place where anointing oil is flowing

Where we live as one

You have called us to be a body

You have called us as friends

Joined together in the bond of the Spirit

Unto the end

Father we join with the prayer of Jesus

As You are so let us be one

Joined together in unity and purpose

All for the love of Your Son

We will break dividing walls

We will break dividing walls

We will break dividing walls in the name of Your Son

We will break dividing walls

We will break dividing walls

And we will be one!

Please continue to keep my little church in LaGrange in your prayers as it goes through some tough changes. 

Plans for today:

• Church 
• Then lunch and a continuation of our bible study with some dear friends in Christ.  I look forward to these times of fellowship and oneness in our beliefs and understanding of our Heavenly Father and what he plans for us. 
• Pick up our pre-teen from his grandparents, they took him camping for the weekend. 
• Back here to the house for an evening of more good food (either Chinese or pizza) and a movie with our room mate. 

Have a blessed day of rest in our Lord Jesus Christ and renewal in the Holy Spirit for the week to come.