NOVEMBER 29, 2008

My Saturday...

I had a wonderful and productive day. I cleaned house, did laundry, and got some meat out to thaw for tomorrow’s dinner. Chanielle and boys stopped by for a visit, which is always nice.

Christmas Shopping: I visited a couple of second-hand stores and bought a stocking stuffer and some Christmas candles. I also stopped by our local Bible book store and picked up some half-priced Christmas cards and a box of candy canes and bookmarks.

Because we are cutting down this holiday season both for frugality reasons and also to get back to the true spirit of Christmas, I have some plans. For our Christmas Eve, I will be reading a couple of newspaper articles about “Christmas” today and then talk of how Christ’s birth should really be celebrated. I will tell the story of the candy cane and hand out the peppermint sticks along with a bookmark that shows a candy cane and has a saying which includes the word “Jesus” on it. We’ll then tell the story of Christ’s birth using one of the nativity sets that I have. Our treat will be hot cocoa adorned with our mint candy canes. I think that my little grandchildren will be able to understand the meaning by the use of these visuals. We have agreed on plain brown paper wrapping for our gifts. I may hand decorate mine—something I used to do years ago.



I ordered several Christmas gifts from Lehman’s this evening. Many of the products that they offer are from days gone by. I even picked up a couple of little things for myself, my much-searched-for Fels Naptha soap and a sock darner ball! I’m so excited to get these things! Since we are only spending a very small amount on each other, the price will be quite minimal over all compared to what we usually spend. It’s a nice feeling, and the stress factor is greatly reduced!







Shopping: I spent hours going through the material and craft isle at our local Mission second-hand store. What bargains I found! I am starting a collection of Barbie’s to go with the one I got as a girl. I thought that I would have a hard time finding them, and that they may be expensive. However, I found three of them at the bottom of a cake decorating box today! They were .99 a piece; I couldn’t believe it!



Someone must have unloaded their entire attic full of crafts, as there were all sorts of items from, I am assuming, the 1960’s. How fun it was to look through all of these things. I never did find the crochet hook that I was searching for but had lots of fun just perusing the treasures. I even found a dress for $3.99. I’ll wear it to Church tomorrow.

Struggles: I had the very rough decision these past weeks of whether or not I could continue school. At long last, I decided that I just couldn’t work enough hours to pay the bills and pay for school and carry my class load too. It was very difficult to come to this conclusion, as I have tried two other times to get my degree. This time, my straight-A GPA will also be ruined. It’s an ego buster, I guess, and it stays on my record for ever. I suppose that I just didn’t push myself enough. There is always good that comes out of bad though, and my good is that I will be able to spend more time in my home and domestic endeavors. Elliott has wanted me to crochet him an afghan to take on his mission, and I would like to do some sewing also.

THE SIMPLE WOMAN'S DAYBOOK

The Simple Woman's Daybook



FOR TODAY (November 28, 2008)

Outside my window...are stars shining brightly and the quiet of the eve.

I am thinking...how wonderful to have this quiet time...how marvelous to not have to go to work tomorrow.

I am thankful for...The lovely quilt laying over my lap that was made by my grandmother.

I am wearing…a long pink summer nightgown and a thick white winter robe. My winter gowns are hanging to dry.

I am creating…my life. With recent changes, I will be re-adjusting.

I am going…to be striving for a positive attitude toward the changes in my life.

I am reading…my scriptures and a Little House book in the Caroline series.

I am hoping…to persevere.

I am hearing…the blessed silence.

Around the house…it is a bit of a trying day; nonetheless, blessings abound.

One of my favorite things…Free time to use in creative ways.

A few plans for the rest of the week:Work; attempt to use my home time wisely in cleaning and beautifying.

Here is picture thought I am sharing...



**If you would like to participate in the Simple Woman's Daybook...go here: http://thesimplewomansdaybook.blogspot.com

LITTLE HOUSE

When I yearn for a simpler life, I turn once again to the Little House Books. Laura Ingalls, Ma, Pa and the rest of the family offer to me a breath of fresh air. I can read also the several generations before Laura, her ancestors, and the lives they lead. How wonderful is the gift of pen!

THE NESTING INSTINCT

What a beautiful entry placed by Peggy Hostetler on The Simple Woman, November 13, 2008. She writes in part, “I believe it is a gift from God we receive when we praise him for the nest we have, not only the nest itself, but for the nesting spirit.” http://thesimplewoman.blogspot.com/

How I yearn to exercise this very nesting spirit which is in me! I have had it since I was but a small girl. It is so very hard having to work outside of the home and to worry about the bills that never end and the schedule that it entails. Due to my absence, my poor humble abode suffers for lack of love and care. How I yearn to stay at home full time and care for and clean and cook and perform the other domesticities of which I am so fond. But, alas, I must make the best of the circumstances in which I abide. I have many blessings and must use my time more efficiently to better satisfy this homemaker’s spirit.

THANKSGIVING

Here's hoping that all had a joyous and blessed Thanksgiving. I am so thankful that we have this day to celebrate; to be with family; to give thanks to our Heavenly Father for all that he has bestowed upon us.



We went, for our 7th Thanksgiving, to my favorite get-a-way. It is a little mountain lodge that my Grampa brought us to 35 years ago this year! Wow-I can hardly believe that that many years have passed! Am I truly this old? Well, alas, we used to bring up the camp trailer and camp out in the parking lot and then go swimming in the hot springs. Or, we would rent a room or two in the old inn. The rooms were small but cozy. I hope to post some pictures soon, although I didn’t get many good ones, and they were on my daughter’s camera, which she has at her house. As mentioned in another post, though they have added extensively to the resort, I still prefer to stay in the old rooms of the main lodge. They are plain; they are simple. We had one this year with a double bed and a sink. The bath was a shared one down the hall. There are no frills, no TVs, and no phones! I get enough technology noise in my everyday life, and these non-amenities are what make this place so special.

This year, all three of my children were able to attend, along with my son-in-law and three grandchildren, my sister and family, my mom and dad, and my only remaining gramma. It is because of her and Grampa (who has passed) that this hideaway is so special. In all, we had five generations in attendance. My grandbabies many mammas! They had Mommy, Gramma, Great Gramma, and Great Great Gramma. :) Though our littlest, Christian, was quite fussy most of the time, we passed him around between the women to keep him comforted as best we could. The older boys had fun playing in the warm-water pool.

Thanksgiving dinner is put on each year by the five-star chef of the inn and is a feast indeed! A buffet of assorted meats, home-grown vegetables, and succulent desserts were available. There were 17 of us all told.

I got to wear my new modest swimming suit for the first time! It felt rather strange getting looks, as I did, but the looks were coming because it was different rather than because I was showing off my body. I felt quite comfortable around family also—a real plus after cringing each year—the one time I don clothing that covers very little (though my old suit WAS a one-piece). For anyone interested in modest swim wear, I found a wonderful site at http://www.modestswimwearsolutions.com

A FEW THINGS I AM THANKFUL FOR…

• My Heavenly Father
• The Gospel
• The atonement
• Prayer
• Family
• Food
• A bed to sleep in and food to eat
• An honest son
• The Scriptures
• Goodly parents
• Online friends
• Forgiveness
• Animals
• Children

Blessings to all :)

VINTAGE CLOTHES

We have a really neat second-hand store in town that sells day-to-day as well as vintage clothing. DH and I went there looking for an overcoat for Elliott. It’s such a fun shop to poke around in! I asked the owner if I could take some pictures, and she was happy to oblige.

DEER

She did it! This is my girl who wouldn’t step foot in the room where I dissected my science-project rat but helped butcher chickens and now, on her own, went out and skinned the deer today! She did a good job of it, and they plan on tanning the hide.

AND STILL MORE FAMILY!

Mommy finishing up the dishes—Aren’t moms great! : )



Our soon-to-be missionary son with an elder that he's helping out this week--Josh, our son-in-law is on the left



Julian, Elder Humphreys, Elliott, and our daughter’s boyfriend, Nate
We invited them for dinner tonight...



...and babysat for oldest daughter and son-in-law so that they could have a night out...Juian, Adrien, and Mommy Chanielle, our oldest, in the background



As I was cooking, Baby was crying quite a bit, so Grampa ended up with him the whole meal :) Keira, our second daughter wiping up Adrien, and Julian being, well, Julian






What a beautiful night we had

MORE FAMILY

My grandma and my newest grandbaby, Christian. This was taken a few months ago. He's now six months old.



Grampa and our second grand baby, Adrien.




Not quite sure what THIS expression is!



Our oldest grandbaby, Julian.

OUR FAMILY

Our youngest son graduated last spring. Wow! What an amazing and very strange feeling it is to have your children all grown. I always heard, "It will go fast", but you never REALLY know until it happens to you. You know, it was yesterday that I was in my 20s with three little children. Now, I'm turning 46 next month and married to a 51-year-old man! Who would ever have thought! It just is more than I can iterate until you feel it for yourselves. And, I was never one of those mothers who couldn’t wait until their children were out of the house. I still dread (although we always raised him to do so) the day that our boy leaves for his mission next Spring. Oh, I don’t know that my heart will handle it. But, he will be doing the Lord’s work, and that is the most important of all.

Here are a couple of pictures from Elliott’s graduation.

Elliott and a friend from school.



My Boy and Me

OUR GET-A-WAY

So, this is our get-a-way. This picture shows the old original wing of rooms. It is much expanded now out the back and on the side where the picture is taken from. I can't wait to go. Things have been so stressful with school and work and indecisions, that I just want to go relax. It used to be a relatively quiet place, but with advertising and many years of word-of-mouth, it has gotten very popular. I liked it better when just a few hundred people knew about it; it made it more special. Oh well, we'll still have a good time. :)

HOME-MADE LAUNDARY DETERGENT

HOME-MADE LAUNDARY DETERGENT

Alas, I am having quite the time finding ingredients for the home-made detergent that I am trying to make. I have the Borax, but the washing soda and Fels Naptha soap are eluding me. I have found them on line, but the whole point is frugality, and after paying shipping on them, I don’t know how frugal that would be! Ironically, I brought it up to my mom tonight, and she still had a partial box from years ago that she gave me! I was surprised. I may use it but wonder how strong it would still be. The bottom of the box has an area for a hand-stamped price. Now that’s going back a few years! So far, I’ve tried Lowes, Wal Mart, K-Mart, Albertsons, Target, and possibly Shop-Ko. I also checked online through our local health food store to no avail. I’ll find it. Where there’s a will, there’s a way!

A FARM DAY IN THE CITY

A FARM DAY IN THE CITY

Well, yesterday was the day that my daughters and the boyfriend of my second daughter did the deeds. Because my oldest starting raw-feeding her dog, she has been on the lookout for meat for the past while. She came across a lady who had chickens/roosters for free, so they picked up six of them. Out in my garage, in the middle of town, having never done it before, they slaughtered chickens. The three young ones, her three boys, were there and took it all in as though it were just another day in life. It took quite a while to get them all the birds scalded and plucked, but she (DD) did it! I was so proud of her—not for killing things—but for getting back to the basics like we all want to do. She could have bought chicken, but she searched out someone who raises them organically and did all the work that it entailed to process them. We love organic things and are leaning more and more toward this way of life. There are way too many people affected with cancer; I see it every day that I work in the hospital. We don’t need all the additives that are in our foods, and neither do our animals.

Also yesterday, having never done it before, my second daughter and her boyfriend went hunting, and he got a deer! He was so proud and even gutted it himself. This may not seem like a big deal to avid hunters, but it’s quite the accomplishment to a 26-year-old man who has never even been hunting before. He gutted it, and the three of them hung it up from the hoist in our garage. They plan on feeding it to their two dogs, and the family will partake also. I came home from work right as they were finishing up. They all seemed so fulfilled after their hard day’s work. For us it was a real farm day in the city.

THANKSGIVING SWIMSUIT

I am so excited for my new swimsuit. I guess that I may have already mentioned it, but if not…Every year, we go to a hot springs rustic “resort” for Thanksgiving. We have been going at different times of the year for 35 years now. My Grampa went when it was a hospital years ago. People would come for the comfort of the natural hot springs. Over the years, the proprietors have kept the pastoral nature of this wonderful place. Though they now have very nice modernized rooms of different sorts, this inn still does not offer televisions or phones—what a nice change! There is one payphone in the lobby near the fireplace for guests to use.

As this wonderful lodge holds so many memories, I still love to stay in the “old” rooms. They come with either an in-room bath and stool (tub down the hall), a sink (tub and stool down the hall), or just the bed (bathroom down the hall). When I was growing up, there wasn’t air conditioning; you would just open the wooden vent slat above the door and the outside window to get a cross-ventilation. Well, today, these rooms still don’t have air conditioning, but due to fire code, the vents (can’t think of the proper name) had to be sealed off.

The best entertainment at this lodge is sitting in the warm water while it’s snowing outside. Many evenings have been spent with Grandma and Grampa, Mom, Dad, and siblings playing in the water.

This year, though I am very excited about going, I had not been looking forward to donning a bathing suit and letting it all hang out. Though I wear a one-piece, for some reason this year more than others, it seemed so immodest to wear a swimming suit after being mostly covered up the rest of year. So, online I went. I found a wonderful place called Modest Swimwear Solutions http://www.modestswimwearsolutions.com/. These ladies offer sensible swimming suits that are either hand-made, tailor-made, or sold by the pattern for you to sew. Below is a picture from their web page, which shows the garmets.

GARDENING, HARRIED, AND ROOSTERS

I am very excited about a new way of gardening that will hopefully fit into my full schedule. I do so yearn to garden again but really haven’t been able to. In our paper yesterday, a gentleman told about a couple of different ways that he grows his own food utilizing a cart and five-gallon buckets and also above-ground container gardening. I am excited to view the web site and to learn more! My son has agreed to help me in building the containers and hopefully a compost bin as well. My daughters are much like me in wanting to go back to the basics, and my oldest daughter will probably be setting up a gardening system at her house as well. I am so looking forward to it.

It seems that every day, I yearn more and more toward going back to the basics; a simpler life; a pure and real life. Would that I go return to the time when I stayed at home as a mother and homemaker. We did that for years, but my husband was tired of always having to work two jobs, so for the past 10 years, I have worked a regular job. I don’t blame him at all for not wanting to keep working that way. It’s a catch twenty-two unfortunately. Life today is such a rat maze of harried running all day long; it just isn’t good for a person. As I sat taking my half-an-hour lunch (twenty minutes by the time I’ve gotten my food), I thought how pitiful it is the way that we are expected to always be at a baseline of high stress. I stuffed my food down (I prefer to eat slowly) while cramming in some study time. I had studied all night until 3:30 this morning and then got up at 6:30 for work. Before I knew it, it was time to race back to work then head up to the college to cram in some more studying before taking my test then finally heading home exhausted. My whole goal today was to come home, rest, and blog with people such as you who are also craving the life that I am. Ah, I’m here at last…for tonight at least. : )

A very depressing realization came to me tonight that my straight-A average has officially taken a dive. I don’t think it is ever again attainable, once it has been lost. That is so discouraging to me, as it goes on my school record for life. I guess that this time around in my schooling, I just haven’t been up to only getting a meager amount of sleep each night before heading to work in the morning like I did a couple of years ago. I just can’t seem to push myself hard enough this time. I’m not sure if I’ll quit school altogether, change my goals, or what. With the need for time and money to always be available simultaneously, it makes for quite the challenge.

Back on the domestics, my girls bought roosters today and are probably, at this moment, out butchering them. This is a first for them, so it will be very interesting. I don’t know that I could butcher them too easily myself. I could if I absolutely had to, but my heart just hurts for anything that has to endure torture or pain.

CHRISTMAS PLANS

HOLIDAYS

Well, my children and I met last evening and decided that we would cut our Christmas stress down by doing the following: 1) Rather than everyone buying for everyone else, with the inherent joy yet much stress, we will draw names this year for the very first time. 2) We can make the gift(s), buy them used, or whatever we wish, but it must not cost more than $20. 3) All gifts must be wrapped in plain brown paper wrapping.

For the little children, we (Grampa and I) will purchase either a learning game or something useful—not just another plastic toy that will soon lose its savor. We have chosen to buy them each of our little men new church suits.

For Grampa and Gramma (my parents), we will all go in on a gift. My dad is my soul mate. He, too, wishes to live in a simpler time and yearns for the days of yore. I have found a wonderful site, www.lehmans.com that carries replicas, hand-made, some imports, and Amish-made items. They feature non-electric appliances, kerosene lamps, and many other old-time necessities. I think that he will delight in these. We’ll find something special for Mom as well.

It will be a different Christmas for sure. It may take some getting used to, as we are all spoiled by the worldliness that this holiday has become. That isn’t the essence of this special time of year, however, and I am so excited rather than stressed for a change! Thank the Lord for His goodness. I love Him so very much, and love to teach my little men of Him and His love.

DAYS OF YORE

DAYS OF YORE

I just absolutely love the olden days—the simplicity, the sacredness, the wholesomeness.

I’m certain that I could live back then, during the pioneer era, but perhaps I’m wrong. Maybe I could not withstand the heavy physical labor, being dirty and smelly for days on end, and the threat of prairie fires and Indians. For some reason, the Lord placed me here in this era; wouldn’t it be fun though to travel back in time and experience some of the wholesomeness that I am sure it offered!

I found a neat site that offers items from by-gone eras, wood-cooking stoves, kerosene lamps, and lots of other things. Some of their items are pricey, but they are committed to keeping open a channel for the Amish and others who wish to live without all of the modern “conveniences”. It is called Lehman’s and can be viewed at this link. www.lehmans.com

FRUGALIITY

www.lumaxart.com

When I was able to be a stay-at-home mom and homemaker, part of what I did was to look for ways to be more frugal. It was exciting to find something new that would save us money by the hour, by the month, and by the year. I subscribed wholeheartedly to The Tightwad Gazette. Unfortunately, they (the Dacyczyns) no longer publish their newsletters, but I believe that you can still purchase their book, The Complete Tightwad Gazette. I learned so much from their tips! This family of eight was debt-free and consciously lived for frugality.

I would keep an ongoing list of the changes I made or was going to make and the amount of money each change would save me. To this day, I still use cloth napkins (purchased at garage sales), which save over cloth napkins.

It is quite frustrating to me that for the past 10 years, I have had to work and have not been able to put my efforts into this great endeavor. I have vowed anew, however, to begin again and despite time restraints get back on the road to frugality.

The Duggar family, whom I have mentioned before, is also debt free with 17 children and one on the way! These wonderful people always take the prudent road; it is simply a way of life for them. I’ll shortly (as soon as I can find washing soda) begin making my own washing detergent. It will be quite a savings! Though I have shopped thrift stores for years, I haven’t been as diligent as I should be and will be returning to those nifty deals hidden amongst the piles of so-called junk. (The Duggar Family link can be found on my home page.)

In days gone by, I made most all of our Christmas presents. It felt so wholesome, and our families loved the home-made gifts. Once again, due to time limits, this has pretty much gone by the way, and my husband needlessly spends hundreds of dollars a year on gifts. Somehow, it doesn’t seem right.

THE SOLUTION

My children and I are meeting this weekend to come up with a plan to lessen the Christmas woes and to put Christ back into Christmas. I don’t know that DH will go along with second-hand gifts, inexpensive gifts, or no gifts at all, but we are determined to put a stop to the commercialized world that we have allowed ourselves to be caught up in.

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 2008

WAYS TO SAVE

Perusing an old copy of The Complete Tightwad Gazette, I came upon a list of money-saving goals that I had made for myself. They are as follows:

• Hang laundry versus using the dryer
• Bake my own bread
• Walk to work when it’s nice
• Cut family’s hair
• Repair Ziploc bags
• Use home-made cleaning solutions
• Dry and lubricate razor
• Buy books at used versus new book stores
• Use less shampoo than recommended on bottle
• Use less dish detergent
• When using dryer, set for less time
• Use less oil in cooking
• Set hot water heater to 125 degrees
• Get designer labels for kids’ generic clothes
• Have a container garden
• Make my own cream soup
• Substitute powdered milk for whole

Some of these I did, some I didn’t, and some don’t apply anymore.

To this day, I would LOVE to hang my clothes if only I had a line. My husband keeps promising. ; )

Occasionally, I do cut a couple of my kids’ hair.

The Ziploc bag thing is still an issue in our house. My husband nearly refuses to wash them or wipe off tinfoil. Instead, he throws them away! Aaaah! I want to pull my hair out! Think of the poor Earth and how she cries with all of the waste that is piled on her daily!

I have gone off and on (more off than on) on the homemade cleaning solutions. I am once more determined in this area and am looking for solutions that truly work—not only for the money savings but for our environment and our health.

I fell off the bandwagon on drying and lubing my razor—have to hop back on that one.

Dish detergent is a sore spot with me. When I was growing up, we only used two maybe three DROPS—not squirts—of Dawn. They have thinned it down so much that I now use an exponential amount compared to what I used to use. I finally wrote the company some years back asking if they changed the product because it certainly wasn’t working like it used to. They denied any change and sent me two coupons for two free bottles. No change my little toe!

I no longer have teenage children who care so much about what they put on, so I don’t worry about style for them. My oldest, in fact, does all her clothes shopping at thrift stores! Yeah, we rubbed off!

I want with all my heart to garden, but…the school/work thing has me running from morning until night with nary a minute to spare. It is becoming more of a worry to me, though, as our seeds have been altered, natural disasters have increased, and the fertilizers and additives in food are what are causing such disease in society. I WILL find a way once again to grow my own produce!

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2008

FRUGAL PIZZA?

We had pizza tonight. Frugal? No. Absolutely delicious? Yes!

We combined our little meal with scripture and prayer, and it made for a nice family (hubby, me, and boy--Ha) time. With everyone doing their own thing these days and on their own, scrounging up a “family” is at best, tough.

Back on the pizza—interestingly for years, the kids and I were so sick of pizza that we could barely stand to look at a piece of it. My husband moonlighted as a delivery man and brought home all the old forgottens at the end of his shifts. Well, many shifts over many years equaled many many pizzas. On top of that, he would bring home mounds of pizza dough, which I would occasionally cook into bread after it had raised the refrigerator shelf off its hooks!

Spring forward a few years…now, while moonlighting—this time as a newspaper boy in the wee hours of the morn—he would pluck from the local pizza chain, unsold pies that had been thrown out at the end of the night. They were still boxed, and it was cold out, so we found them fit enough to eat though not all that tasty in reality. They were the 5$ ones, on special every day; you know the kind. Needless to say, all of the cold second-hand pizza over the years sort of wore us out on this family staple. But, since we don’t like to pay full price for them, we generally settle for second best. Tonight, however, it was Pizza Hut’s stuffed crust meat-lovers all the way! Mmmm…fresh and hot. To top it off, we had a richly-topped cherry dessert pizza that was to die for! So…Family, Scripture time, Prayer, and good hot food made it all worth it. : )

HOLIDAYS

Some of the best, and dare I say stressful times are the holidays. This Halloween, my daughter and I dressed up the three wee ones and went out.


The weeist of the wee, Tiger Baby





Next, Clown Baby





And third...Monster Boy

ANNIVERSARIES

My dear husband and I celebrated our 25th wedding anniversary this past July 9th. I can't even begin to believe that I have been married that many years let alone that I can remember 25 years ago!

It’s a strange thing it is, for I recall my parents saying very similar things. Of course, I replied with an “Uh-huh” or a “Really?” but couldn’t truly relate until it got here—or I got there—whichever it is. The same goes with children. It is still almost beyond comprehension that I am a gramma, though I have been one now for over four years. I can so readily relate with those of you who are homeschooling and raising your young families. In mind and spirit, I am the same as you, though from your prospective, I am sure that I am the older woman to whom you are replying a collective “Uh-huh” or “Really?” Well, be that as it may, life whisks by, and before we know it, we’ll be in our coffins exclaiming, “But I’m not old enough to die yet! Where did the time go?!”

So, back to our anniversary...It was absolutely magnificent! We drove 3,376 miles in my little car, from Montana to Mexico and back in a round-a-bout way. What a delight it was! This was an honor to our honeymoon, in which we also drove thousands of my miles in my little car (different car needless to say).






On this adventure, we dipped down into Mexico where I could learn some Spanish and practice the bit that I do know. This was quite rewarding, as in two past trips to Mexico, I didn’t know enough of what was being said; I only knew that they were talking of me. Well, this time, they didn’t get the chance! I think that they thought that I knew more than I did, and we had a good time jewing each other, as the old saying goes. (FYI: I never intend to degrade any sect, race, or religion. I don’t even think of the Jewish people in this particular phrase; it’s just an expression to me like hawking, etc. In fact, I love the greatest Jew of all, Jesus Christ!)


Nogales, Mexico




We saw many interesting things such as this Shoe Tree…never have seen a Shoe Tree before!





We touched the beautiful peach sands of Zion National Park, peach just happened to be one of our wedding colors, which seemed so aprapoe.





We saw the beautiful palms of Phoenix and ate freshly-picked grapefruit.





We were blessed to just happen upon Cove Fort with its impeccable gardens and rich history.





My husband and I had many more memories and adventures; these are but a few. Suffice it to say, that we had an outstanding two weeks!

SCHOOL

I love to learn. Right now, however, it is doing me in. It feels pretty near impossible to continue in the aloted time for this semester. I don't know which decision is right. Due to money (ever the all-mighty dollar), time, and/or family issues, I have had to start three times with at least two years in between restarts. I am getting impatient. Nonetheless, I don't quite know how to do it all.

Women used to be housewives. We then had to work out of the home while still keeping our duties as women of the home. We now are expected to better ourselves through learning and degrees while working outside the home and still being keepers of our home and all that that entails.

No, we don't HAVE to go to school, but if you want to earn more, in this day and age, you pretty much need to go. I guess that it's good that I enjoy learning. I don't want this to be yet another time that I must postpone or quit. But, I can't seem to make enough money for bills AND pay for school and then have the time for homework on top of it all. I just don't know how to do it all!

I am praying about it and pray that Heavenly Father shows me what I need to do.

JEALOUSIES

Jealousies---Oh, yes, that AWFUL and forbidden word! I must indeed work on myself and enjoy what I do have, which is much.

• I am jealous of those who are able to live the life that I yearn for, i.e. Mrs. G from the wonderful Pastoral Symphony Farm blog. I always wanted a bushel full of children and would have so liked to continue to raise them as we were supposed to (as posted in my "Struggles for Women" section). HOWEVER, the Lord blessed us with three wonderful children, and I am eternally greatful for these blessings.
• I am jealous of those who don't have to work outside. I am such a domestic person, and a free spirit that I wish that I could work just a bit outside of the home, as it suited me. Ha! That's not asking for much, is it? HOWEVER, the Lord has blessed me with great opportunities and many learning experiences in my jobs, for which I am thankful.
• I am jealous of those families who seem so united in serving the Lord. I would that all of my family would attend Church. HOWEVER, it isn't to be, not now at least, and all of my family are healthy and loving people.

There! My thorns are exposed! Well, at least some of them! Blessings to you all!

WOMEN

• 
  I face the worldly struggles of many women, namely trying to keep a house, pay the never-ending bills, work outside of the home, and in my case, go to school. I feel extremely overwhelmed.
  
  When my children were little, I stayed at home, homeschooled, gardened, canned, and other such domestic duties. There was such a pureness in this. I loved the feeling of jars of canned goods on in the pantry, homemade muffins, and all of the pleasures that came with this frugal way of living.
  
  Along the way, about 10 years ago, it was apparently necessary for me to quit homeschooling and staying home and to go to work. Since then, there has been a void within me. I no longer do the things I did before. A home cooked meal is now a rarity, and MUCH guilt attends it all. I must say that I do enjoy bettering myself through skills that I gain at work, and I love to learn through my college classes. Nonetheless, I am greatly overwhelmed and yearn for a simpler life. I long for my little children; I long for the wholesomeness that I feel we once had. One can never turn back time, and I don't know that we should. I still love my now-grown children with all my heart, and I love my beautiful grandbabies. I just feel caught up in this ugly world of speed and greed, I have lost lots of hair over the ensuing years, and I feel as though I live in a whirlwind for which there is no escape.
  
  All is well, however. Things can be learned from all of our experiences, and I am glad for a healthy family and for the love of the Lord.
  

FRIDAY,NOVEMBER 14, 2008

A VIRTUOUS WOMAN

PROVERBS 31:10-31

10. Who can find a virtuous woman? For her price is far above rubies.

11. The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.

12. She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.

13. She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands.

14. She is like the merchants’ ships; she bringeth her food from afar.

15. She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her

maidens.

16. She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.

17. She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms.

18. She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night.

19. She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff.

20. She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to

the needy.

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

22. She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple.

23. Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the lands.

24. She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant.

25. Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come.

26. She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.

27. She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.

28. Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.

29. Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all.

30. Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be

praised.

31. Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.

Taken from the King James Bible

OOPSES

As this is my first time using this blogging format, I am having quite a bit of difficulty editing my comments etc., so as I learn, I'll clean up my errors!

THURSDAY NOVEMBER 13, 2008

Hmmm...

I still can't figure out how to list my topics alphabetically rather than having each new topic show at the top of the page. Darn it. Ideas anyone?

MEDIA

The media all but makes me vomit. There is almost nothing left that is pure. I get quite dispondent over the blatent context of comercials and "entertainment" that I see. If it were up to me, we would watch mainly those shows with morals, good will, and happiness. I have not much choice in the the matter, however, and yearn to pray with my spouse, read the scriptures, have family prayer and scripture study, etc. PLEASE don't view me as a better-than-thou type of a person, for I am so very far from it. I have many failings. I make a multitude of wrong choices despite my morals. I have a wonderful family who are good people. This is simply the direction that I so badly want to travel and wish that all of us would band together on the road of righteousness.

AAA-BEGINNINGS

This is my very first blog, so please bear with the errors, mis-spellings, etc. Also, I am in a bit of a slump currently and am searching out for those of you who also yearn for purity, who are not perfect but who are striving. Thus, the negative essence of my first postings.

CLOTHING

I have such a yearning to dress as Heavenly Father would have us do--with modesty. This seems quite a challenge today with the fashions what they are, if one can even call them fashions. Though I know of those women and girls who wear only dresses, I don't. I think, however, that this is such a tribute to our Heavenly Father in showing Him that they are committed to dress as modestly as possible.

The Duggars, for instance, all wear dresses, as do the Bates family. This is so pure to me. I so often wish that my entire family would really be Christian in word and deed, trying whole-heartedly to please the Lord. While I am certainly no saint, nor even close to one, it would be so much easier, I think, to follow the dictates of my heart if we all worked together and taught our children such holy and pure doctrines.

I actually think that it would be so wonderful if we had the option to dress as the pioneers did with long dresses and bonnets. This may seem quirky, but again I feel a purity in this. I have a bonnet but of course no place to wear it without the stares of many and to the great embarrassment of my husband!

GREAT CHALLENGES OF LIFE

The search for purity in this era of time seems almost impossible outside of the respites of Church and the almost-gone G-rated Disney movies. It is depressing as one tries to live the way that the Lord would have us live when evil is all around.