Scrubbing thoughts ...

Photo BHG
{I'm in the process of gathering inspiration photos for our upcoming hall bathroom project}

It's been a while since I did much more then Minimum Maintenance in our bathrooms - which is something I hate to admit, but it's true. Just before Christmas I did a deep thorough cleaning, but since I came home from my parent's with an intense sinus infection and we dropped right back into our school schedule and started basketball and had a couple of not feeling so well days for the kids thrown in for good measure all at the same time ... well, I've had my reasons for just getting by with the minimum. Or excuses! Definitely excuses. 

Yesterday there were no more excuses -

I needed to deep clean. Really deep clean. 

O.K. So in reality our bathroom did not look like this truck stop bathroom. 

Thank goodness!

But it was the kind of toothpaste glob, spattered mirror, dust and hair everywhere 

kind of dirty that just really disgusts me.

We have 4 bathrooms. Don't ask me why.

They were here when we came and have come in handy when the flu hit a time or two.

Dreamer takes care of cleaning her own with spot checks from me.

The other three are on my cleaning list.

We all take turns sharing the shower in the master bathroom for several reasons.

As I cleaned, I realized we'd been using a bathroom that 

I never would have let the children use if we were out in public.

If we were at a hotel or restaurant and the washroom was as littered with hair, dust, toothpaste, soap scum and spotty mirrors that our bathroom was, I would never have let the kids use it. 

In fact, I'd be talking to a manager or someone in charge of getting that bathroom up to standard!

Why?

Because the 'filth' was someone else's.

It struck me as I happily scrubbed and sanitized that we were pretty comfortable in our own 'filth'

but are often super critical when it comes to the 'filth' of the world around us.

It's something I think our children 

are just beginning to understand.

The fact that in God's eyes filth is filth - sin is sin.

He doesn't have a sliding scale.

Sins don't come in BIG and little.

We can't be critical of other's faults when we ourselves are so very faulty.

We can call what God calls sin, sin - and agree with Him in His righteous anger towards it.

But we can't be self-righteous - because we are unrighteous apart from Christ.

To point fingers is pointless.

And getting comfortable with our own sin is sin.

The more we dig into God's Word and get a tentative grasp on His holiness,

the more clearly we see ourselves for the wretches we are.

And the more we stand in awe of His amazing grace. 

In the weeks and months to come, I know I have some scrubbing to do in my own life.

It's going to take much more then Minimum Maintenance. 

Attitudes and thinking paths that I know are sin.

Unforgiveness that I carry like a shield against the hurts I know will come {again}.

Worry that grips me tight and shines an uncomfortable light on my own fluctuating faith.

Taking a stand for truth, daily reflecting the Word of God, and seeking to live the set apart life.

Knowing that apart from Christ's righteousness, we are nothing.

Seeking to teach the children to be as turned off by the sin in their own lives as they are by what they see in the world around them, and knowing that Christ died for the WHOLE world.

Company Girl Coffee - Some assembly required

Hi Company Girls - I'm glad you could drop by today. It's over 100 F in the shade, so I hope you are ready for something tall and cold.  I'm having iced sweet tea with lemon and a fresh baked cookie.  I was crazy to turn on the oven in this heat, I know, but I had no choice.  The cookie jar was empty and the boys could not begin thier adventure today without Mama's cookies for the trip!   I'm thinking about having ice cream for supper since the boys are out and Dreamer is still at Poppa and Grammy's house!  

It's been a busy day.  I started with ironing the Historians shirts, two loads of laundry out on the line and errands to the library, the Habitat for Humanity Restore, and playing 'personal shopper' for the Historian.  When we got home at noon we had lunch and did a quick cleaning of the van before heading out for another physical therapy session for my tendinitis and then to the grocery store for provisions.  When we got home we filled the cooler with drinks and ice, and the Storyteller got in his swimsuit and 'washed' the van while I made cookies.  Frankly, if it had not been necessary, I would not have stepped one foot out my door today - this heat is debilitating for me.  I drank three large bottles of our ice cold water and kept thanking the Lord for His provision of strength and a/c!

Now, after rushing about to get final trip preparations made, I am finally sitting down. I'm trying to work up the courage to go out and get the clothes off the line, but it is still soooo hot.  To hot for me!  I hope the dog doesn't want out any time soon because since I am on solo Bailey duty, I can't send someone else out with her!

This really tickled my funny bone today - I was 'personal shopper' for the Historian because I was afraid that if I washed his running shoes again, they would completely fall to pieces!  My Historian hates shopping for shoes and he has been putting it off for months.  I think at times he would rather have all his teeth pulled than go shopping, so we went shoe shopping for him.  Storyteller and I took the three pairs that they had in his size (and our budget) and brought them to the office for a quick trying on. Thankfully one pair suited and we took the others back right away, since their return policy is pretty poor. 

Here's the funny part:  I had to put these shoes together!  I am old enough to remember when the shoes came with their laces separate and we actually had to put in our own laces.  Yes, I'm very old. I can't remember when the shoe industry began to think that consumers were too dumb to lace sneakers and started to do that dreadful chore for us, but it has been years since a new pair of shoes needed any sort of assembly for me!  I guess Nike has decided that the men of America can handle a little 'peel and stick' assembly.  The arch support was not in place and came with directions in 4 languages as far as placement and adherence! Too funny!  It made me giggle anyway - or perhaps it's just the heat!

One more sip of iced tea and I'll get those clothes in before they fade any more!  I hope you have a great weekend - thanks for stopping by.  I'm praying for safety for my family this weekend and I'd appreciate you lifting them up as well.  The Historian will log in over 1300 miles in just two days to bring our sweet Dreamer home. I'll be enjoying some peace and quiet.

There is a good reason I don't get out much

When I tell people 'I don't get out much' they generally laugh a bit or at least snicker! An ordinary mother is out a lot more than I am, I know. Many friends can't relate with my stay at home tendency, because, well - they are out and about. Like normal mothers.

I, on the other hand, am at home. A lot. Partly because my energy levels seem to nose dive when I stray too far from home. Partly because I hate shopping unless I am having an awesome time matching coupons with sales at the grocery store and saving big $$$$. That's fun, but tiring. Mostly I stay at home because I am content here. I feel very blessed to be at home, filling the role God has called me to.

I love being a wife, a homemaker, a stay at home mom and a home educator. I would not have time or energy for half the cooking, baking, reading, gardening or crafting I enjoy if I were out more. I want to be at home, and be content at home. I am not agoraphobic. Trust me, I looked it up. I'm fine with people, open places, and being outside, and I don't suffer panic attacks unless I've lost my bank card and find out it's missing in the line at Sam's when my cart is full of stuff.

There is another good reason I enjoy staying at home. My trips away from home are often met with adventure. A women in her forties with a chronic liver condition should generally avoid too much adventure, or at least the kind of adventure that seems to find me!

Take today for example. Except for a family drive to look at Christmas lights, I have not been out in public since December 21st. Yes, that is more than a week. Between Storyteller's heavy cold, Christmas, and my sinus infection, I have been staying pretty close to home. As in, at home. 24/7. Everyone else has been out and about with the Historian from time to time.

I've been at home.

Today, I needed to get out. You probably won't question why. I certainly didn't.

It is 1/2 price day at our Salvation Army Thrift store and I had a list. Good enough reason to get out for me! The kids were so excited, each hoping to find a real 'treasure' too! It was lovely to just be feeling well enough to get out of the house for a change!

We didn't get more than two blocks from home when we started to hear a loud thumping noise. It was our van. We pulled over, close to an auto body shop, with a really flat tire. I did thank the Lord that we didn't develop a flat out on the highway, or out of town, where the Sally Ann is, really I did. I stayed calm, prayed for strength and called my husband, who recommended trying to change the tire. Something I haven't done for um, 20 years, I think. Two helpful kids and the manual in hand, I was up for the adventure! Really, I was!

There was a screw, Philips style, if you need details, sticking out of our really flat tire. We were in the process of digging out the spare when our good Samaritan, Mr. Brad, came out of the auto body shop and offered to help (can you sense my relief and reverent prayers of thanksgiving?). He quickly put on our spare, we thanked Mr. Brad profusely and suddenly, my Historian pulled up in front of the van. He got permission to close up shop for a bit and come to my rescue, but he was too late! He went back to work and the kids and I headed to the closest tire place to have the tire repaired.

Instead of waiting at the tire shop, we walked to Meijer's and went shopping - my least favorite activity, but a great way to avoid the toxic rubber fumes in the tire shop, and kill 1 1/2 hours. Having not seen what Meijer's had for sale before Christmas (because I just don't get out much), can I say the Christmas clearance was a huge disappointment. Ugly at half off is still - ugly. I wasn't in the mood to see 'potential', I guess. There was s ton of stuff on the shelves, but unless you're loving the 'moose lodge meets disco ball glitz' look, there wasn't much. So we wandered and shopped.

The good thing about getting out is that you see things you might not have before. I now know every kind of bullion our Meijer's carries and even found an ingredient I was seeking for my annual January 'trial of new recipes'. The bad thing about getting out is that you spend money that wasn't necessarily necessary. It was a warm place to hang out, so were were thankful for that.

We finally got a call on my cell that the tire was unrepairable.

We limped home on the doughnut tire and we aren't going anywhere until it is fixed.

And that's why there are many good reasons I don't get out much.

If you need me, I'll be at home - thanking God for His goodness and provision, and continuing to cultivate a quiet and contented heart.

Bulletproof pie and other thoughts on hospitality

Have you ever had a day in the kitchen when things went 'suspiciously well'? I love those days! Everything turns out perfectly the first time and I am cleaned up and out of the kitchen way before expected!

Yesterday was not one of those days! Everything that could go wrong, did go wrong! Never the less, dinner was ready on time and everyone seemed to enjoy the meal. At least I didn't poison anyone - and that's always a good thing! We had the pastor from the church we are attending and his family for the first time - and we looked forward to their visit all week. Since Sundays are crazy busy for them, I figured we'd never be able to have them over for a nice Sunday dinner, so I did Sunday dinner on a Friday night! It was so nice to have them come.

I prepared Cheesy Potatoes and Mandarin Orange Jellied Salad the night before and thawed the chicken for Rolled Chicken Washington . I was hoping it would thaw enough so that The Historian could pound them flat before he headed to work, but they were still pretty frozen! I boiled the beets and made some fresh cranberry sauce before going to bed. In the morning I started Sunday Dinner Rolls and timed it they so that they would come out of the oven just in time to slip in the chicken and potatoes. I was flying through and quite sure I was going to have time to french the green beans and put my feet up for a bit!

The children got going on their schoolwork with just a little instruction from me, and I set to making dessert - and that's where everything began to fall apart! I've never had such a struggle! TWO pie crusts hit the garbage - TWO!!! The final result was a passable Lemon Tart and Cranberry Custard pie, and one bulletproof Chocolate Pie! Too funny! I was ready to get out the chain saw to cut the poor pitiful thing, but thankfully my trusty knife finally did the job, and the filling was rich and creamy as usual. My tried and true pie crust recipe failed - my error all the way! Well, that and a certain little boy who turns off the timer when I'm not looking! Ahem!

A few years ago such 'disasters' would have devastated me, but it's wonderful to have the perspective of age and the blessing of a more Biblical understanding of hospitality. When we were first married, we used an old set of camping dishes that I dug out of my parents basement for our everyday fare. They were thin black speckled tin and they clinked and clanked in the most cheerful way! They went perfectly with the table that we dug out of the garbage and painted and we had many other young couples over for meals without feeling the least bit embarrassed by our lack of real dishes.

I served our first Thanksgiving Dinner ever to my mother in law on those dishes in our first cavernous apartment. I ran up a $$ phone bill (for my dad) calling my mum in Canada for recipes and advice, but it never occurred to me that preparing a holiday dinner was something to be feared or fussed about. I just copied what I'd seen my mum do 1000 times for Sunday dinners, and it went really well. I thought the borrowed card table that we ate at was going to collapse, but it didn't!

I used to serve thick soup and homemade bread on those same tin dishes to the many folks who traveled the rails behind our parsonage and somehow knew our door was the one to knock on for a hot meal and warm facecloth. They had to stay on the back porch because often my husband wasn't home and the church folks worried about the young pastor's wife. We found a picnic table by the roadside and hauled it home to serve our backporch guests. Our church young people were served on those tin plates too - hundreds of donuts, hot from the fryer. They were cheap and filling, and the kids ate them so fast, I don't think they cared too much about the dinnerware.

Somewhere along the line, we got the 'real' dishes that we had registered for, and the lovely fine bone china set that my Nanny left for me as well. I made matching napkins and learned a few more 'company' dishes to serve. I enjoyed adding extra touches and making everything pretty ... then suddenly, I was no longer content with 'pretty' and became focused on 'perfect'. Instead of being hospitable, we were entertaining.

There is a big difference, to my way of thinking- perhaps you will agree. Entertaining is more about showing off your home, your cooking and decorating skills and pulling off the 'perfect' event. In the heart of entertaining is the desire to impress your guests and gain their approval. Entertaining has it's place - there are times when it is a necessary means to a desired end in the business world. We are not in that type of situation, so entertaining to impress was just that.

Hospitality is about making things pleasant, certainly, but it's more about opening your home to share the blessings of God with others. In the heart of hospitality, the focus is on the comfort and enjoyment of your guests. It's about sharing a laugh, getting to know one another, providing a meal and not turning 6 shades of red when your children lead their new friends in a loud 'hide and seek' game that includes messy closets and dusty cubbyholes as hiding places! It's far more relaxing for both our family, as the host, and our guests - when our 'good enough' is the goal and we don't feel like we need to impress anyone.

The children will agree that I'm still a stickler for cleanliness - and I do get a little tense when they get distracted from their tasks and make more mess than they clean up, but I working on that! We have our 'everyday' clean - they know the standard that we expect for their rooms and they do a decent job of it by keeping up with their daily 'zones'. They know that the next level is 'Grammy Ready' - which is more picked up and tidy than usual, but not perfect. Then there is 'Company Ready' which involves a little more cleaning and the complete removal of the layer of dust that accompanies life in a 1949 home. We keep the bathrooms up pretty much all of the time, so they just require freshening up and new towels before company, and the toys in the yard always need to be picked up and put away.

I don't fret so much about the dust we didn't get too these days - we just do our best and ignore the rest. Or shut the door to the room where all the junk lands! Which doesn't really help when everyone is scrambling to find a hide and seek spot!

We had a great time with our guests last night, and it was a blessing to practice hospitality again. Our children are close in age and share many interests, so that's a blessing too! I've been amazed that I am feeling so well lately - and tremendously grateful. I'm certainly not superwoman, but I seem to be able to do a bit more, and that's just wonderful! I don't know how long it will last this time, but I aim to enjoy it - and share more hospitality, as we are able.

Blessings Abound

• I awakened feeling almost 'well' on Saturday for the first time in weeks
• I enjoyed a relaxing day with my family
• we went for a drive and the leaves are hinting at future glory
• we were challenged to open our eyes to world events and see their spiritual applications by our Pastor on Sunday
• we were reminded of the solid foundation we have in Jesus Christ
  
• we have 150 productive school hours logged in for 2009-2010
  
• we started our Fall Housecleaning today - with enthusiasm
• it turns out ballerina's do like cupcakes with pumpkin shaped sprinkles
  
• we are looking forward to Canadian Thanksgiving and our 18th wedding anniversary

Blessings do abound!

A little joy to share

Do you ever find yourself so stumped by one insurmountable obstacle in your life that you just throw yourself into another project just to avoid facing it for a bit? That's what I've been doing!

The schedule puzzle thing ... it's coming together, but there are pieces that just really don't fit simply because I'm not feeling well enough to make them fit. It's as simple as that. I've got about as much energy as a wet dishcloth and I'm going to be very interested to talk with my doctor next week and find out just what's up with my liver.

That's next week. This week I'm playing. With fabrics, wood and trim! Oh my! Hmm. Just the thing I need to take my mind off myself - a new baby boy at our church is in need of some boyish kind of things to welcome his sweet self to this crazy upside down world.

I borrowed a book from the library and for once the pattern pieces were still there! This is a book I will definitely want for my shelf when I gather up enough Swagbucks to trade in for Amazon gift cards! Simple Sewing for Baby by Lotta Jansdotter is very basic - perfect for a new seamstress or one who needs to do cute projects in a hurry. You know, I always pick a simple pattern and great fabrics because I would rather have a project finished than ... not! I know me too well. Great fabrics make all the difference! The patterns are easy, can be made in a very short time, and the whole book is just inspiring! It's been so long since we cradled a baby in our home, I had forgotten how little fabric and time it takes to whip up something C.U.T.E.. Too fun!

I had so much fun making these little rattles with scraps! They are just the right size for gripping and gnawing! I made a quilted roll out change pad, some burp cloths, a cute oilcloth bib, a soft gnome hat out of pure organic cotton fleece, and a simple red' flannel on one side cotton on the other' blanket.

I don't know this family but I've been told that Hunter's Daddy is an avid hunter, so I avoided the baby blue thing and went with strong colors. Red, green and chocolate brown! Yummy! I found this Debbi Mumm fabric with bears out fishing, canoes and cabins and just had fun adding in thick red flannel and red cotton sateen.

I even made a tassel for Hunter's room. I have no idea if it will fit in his room decor, but I figured at the very least they could throw it on a Christmas tree and enjoy it then.

I painted up some blocks. All non-toxic and very chewable. With his name, naturally.

Now, I have to tell you that I never intended to go so overboard with this gift. Honestly, I didn't! I just was having too much fun to stop.

It was the first baby gift that I have made in years that was just pure joy.

If the family who receives it gets half the blessing I have had in making it for them, that would be just fine.

If you're a new reader you've probably not gone very far back in the archives. There is way too much there to plow through and it is like the rest of my thoughts - poorly organized! Last fall, I was enjoying the blessing of a sense of God's provision in taking away the long held desire for more children. If you'd like to jump back HERE and read about it, you're welcome to!

After years of infertility and heartbreak, one failed adoption, one wonderfully successful adoption, miscarriage, and one difficult but rewarding pregnancy, you might get a glimpse of just how horrible baby showers used to be for me. I made gifts, bought gifts, and sent my poor husband out to buy gifts when I just couldn't face it. I spent lots of time praying and generally tried to just put aside the bitter-sweetness of it all and just be glad for the new parents, but there was always just a little something that hurt.

This is the first baby gift I've made since God completely took away my longing for more children last fall.

It was pure joy!

I did not expect this added blessing.

I think I'll be looking around at church to see who else might be

needing a few wee things for a blessing on the way!

There is just one draw back to this - that's the sense of sadness I feel about all the friends who didn't get my very best gifts at the times that their wee ones entered into the world. I did the best I could at the time, but I wish I could have done better. If you're my dear sister or a sweet old friend looking at this happy parcel going to a virtual stranger and thinking 'hey - that's way nicer than what she gave us when little Buford was born' - you're right. I'm sorry.

I promise though, that if you'll just go ahead and birth another wee blessing, I'll do better.

Especially if I'm in the process of actively avoiding an insurmountable obstacle in my everyday, run of the mill life!

Deal?

I didn't think so.

Love ya,

I never thought I'd see the day .....

This afternoon, I took the children to 'the shady park' for an hour and a half of fresh air and exercise! The sun was shining, the mercury soared to 48 degrees, the birds were singing and we were swinging high - almost touching the sky with our tip toes! We had the whole park to ourselves and we could be as loud and silly as we wanted - so we were! The kids set up an 'obstacle court race' and there was much laughter and good will. All was joy and happiness - until ..... across the street at the beautiful old cemetery - the yard crew began ..... MOWING!

People, this is December 30th. If you didn't get it done before now, it will wait until spring. I'm quite sure of it! Honestly - I listen to the steady drone of mowers (because we live surrounded by lawn worshipers) from early April until early November - but I thought our ears would have a break for the winter. I was mistaken.

We did not let the loud mowers spoil our fun! Not us! We got louder and sillier still and enjoyed the sunshine! The mud, however was fun for the kids, but just another mess to clean up when we got home.

Can I say here that we are most definitely praying for snow? It's just so much cleaner!

I really don't mind the sound of the snow blower - somehow it is buffeted by the blanket of whiteness it is designed to move. Unless of course, it is my parent's neighbors snow blower which seems to be lacking a muffler and does a great impression of a B-52 bomber coming in for a landing. It's really loud. Back to the point - you expect snow blowers in winter if you live in a part of the world that enjoys snow on a regular basis. Apparently, we don't.

A little warm weather and four glorious days of sunshine (we were giving praise to the Lord!), and my parsley is peeking up and ready to be picked! Right beside it, the perennial bed is cheery green - unfortunately it is because the creeping charlie also enjoyed the spring like weather. Our children were running outside the other day in flip flops! There is just something wrong when the flip flops appear beside the snow boots on the shoe mat! What season is this anyways?

On the bright side, MY FIRST GARDEN CATALOG came yesterday - yeah Burpee! This year, you are the winner! I sighed and drooled, planning and scheming over that catalog all evening! Our children gave me a cool Post-It Flag highlighter set in my stocking to keep track of our school work, but I was very tempted to use it to mark out my dream garden in my Burpee catalog!

Well, I have shown my true Canadian spirit and publicly complained about the weather - you can take the girl out of Canada, but you can't take Canada out of the girl!

I promise to end the year with a more positive post tomorrow.

Especially if, by some miracle, it snows!

Isaiah 55:10

As the rain and the snow
come down from heaven,
and do not return to it
without watering the earth
and making it bud and flourish,
so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater,

New Year Fun!

I just love Kelli's creative ideas - and this one is no exception!
I loved this idea last year too, but didn't have the energy to put it together!
This year, I thankfully do - so here is a my 2008 blog review - just the first line from the first blog of each month, and a favorite picture!

Be sure to visit Kelli to see her 'New Year Fun' post and find others who are joining in too!
Thank you Kelli!

January

Yesterday I came upon a quote that suits me well today:

Winter is the time for comfort
- it is the time for home.

-Edith Sitwell

February

We didn't get the chair done last night - Mrs. M was afraid of being caught in an ice storm that began early in the evening and so she left for home before the roads got too bad.

March

Yesterday we experienced a terrible ice storm, but I am thankful that we are safe and well.

April

We are home from our brief time away - and we are all tired, but so happy!

May

Today we are preparing for a party - a farewell for friends who are moving away next week.

June

A friend of ours from our former church family in Ontario, Canada was critically injured in a dirt bike accident ...

July

I hope you had a lovely day with family and friends.

August

I'm getting my family back today - Lord willing!

September

I thought I'd better let you know why I have been MIA on my blog!

October

This is a very special day for our family!

November

Our Dreamer is feeling much much better - thank you all for your kind comments and concern!

December

I enjoy participating in Peggy's Simple Woman's Daybook as I am able.

Just where did 2008 go?

Well, now you know!

Shoehorn Not Required

With our weather man forecasting rain for Sunday making the patio table unlikely, I was beginning to wonder where we were going to fit 22 people for dinner last night, but I had a plan - we would all fit in even if we needed to use a shoehorn to do it! We moved in the table from the playroom which seats 8 comfortably and extended our regular table to it's fullest which leaves room for 12. I wasn't sure where we'd put the other two, but kids love sitting on the piano bench, so we decided that would work out. We might not have had much elbow room, but it would be close fellowship!

As it turns out, no shoehorn was required. Saturday night a family of 6 canceled because they were just too busy to come. Sunday morning we found out about two more who would not be attending - and by the time all was said and done, we had just 5 guests sitting at our table for supper. Needless to say, we have leftovers. Lots of leftovers.

Ham and bean soup? Coming right up!

Our children were really disappointed that not one other child came to our dinner. They had worked really hard cleaning their rooms and washing all of the outside toys this week. They had big plans to share and play games and show the kids all of their special treasures. Thankfully, they adjusted well and rolled with the change of plans. They made good conversation with the adults and were very helpful.

I think it was a good evening - there was lots of conversation and laughter. Everyone seemed to enjoy the meal. The two ladies graciously helped with the clean-up. We sent home leftovers, and I gave the two ladies who attended each a tassel from my growing tassel tree. All in all it was a fun evening, but a big effort for such a small group.

So, what are we doing wrong? This happens so often - we think we have a certain number planning to attend, and often we have about half actually show up. This time, way less than half. It is a bit discouraging. We are not going to give up exercising Biblical hospitality, but I really wonder if we need to do something differently. I'm open to suggestions, and we will be praying for wisdom in this area.

Is this something that you struggle with as well? When you open your home, do folks cancel at the last minute or just not show up? Are people really only committed until something better comes along? I'm just wondering.

Plowing through molasses

I shouldn't be sitting here. There is much to be done and I haven't even begun. We have 22 coming for dinner on Sunday, and all my plans to be well prepared, doing a little bit each day so that I'm not in a last minute panic, have fallen through. It's been a week of plowing through molasses, if you have any idea what I mean! I am stalled, procrastinating terribly. I am feeling exhausted and unmotivated, and my timing couldn't be worse. I have had two afternoon naps this week, which just isn't like me. I've spent far too much time on the computer, far too much time doing mindless things.

I feel badly that we have not been at the pool or out on our bikes, making the most of these last days of summer, as we should. The children are not complaining, but I long to do more with them. I am glad that we will be starting school again soon and getting back into our happy reasonable routine, but physically, I am just really tired out. My blood work from last week shows that my thyroid has suddenly taken a nose dive and my meds need to be doubled. I have good reason for this exhaustion, but still, I think I should be able to push myself a bit and move forward.

I am glad to know that as soon as the increase begins to make an impact, I'll be feeling better. Hopefully. Prayerfully. I am concerned about such a sudden change, but liver disease effects more then just my liver, and I understand that. So, for now, I'm plowing through molasses. My brain is thick and slow. I am praying it will clear soon and I'll be able to move forward. In the meantime, I am taking comfort in God's Word, again.

Psalm 127:1

If God doesn't build the house, the builders only build shacks.
If God doesn't guard the city, the night watchman might as well nap.
It's useless to rise early and go to bed late,
and work your worried fingers to the bone.
Don't you know he enjoys giving rest to those he loves?

The 'Girlfriend Warning'

There are some things that should definitely come with an official 'Girlfriend Warning', and I have two prime examples for you this week.

By 'Girlfriend Warning' I mean that uncommon courtesy that one woman must extend to another when said woman is about to engage in potentially 'risky behavior'. It's something we learned in high school, as you may recall. Often these gems of profound insight were passed along in the hallways by the lockers, cafeteria or even in the girls bathroom.

You remember. Words like, 'Don't go out with George - he has more hands than an octopus has arms!'. This warning was pretty clear - meant to help your girl friends understand that George was apt to frequently invade your personal space and was not a safe date. We all avoided George until he grew up and learned to keep his hands to himself. The 'girlfriend warning' in action.

Women have been helping one another out like this for centuries I'm certain, which is why it mystifies me that I clearly walked into two instances of obviously 'risky behavior' this week without so much as a hint of warning. A 'girlfriend warning' failure. Thankfully not life altering, but never the less, a failure.

I will not, cannot, in all good conscience allow you, my friends, to fall into this kind of circumstance unwarned. I like you all too much. After all, you read my blog, put up with my silliness, and you make kind remarks in my comments - well, some of you do!

Here, then, is my very serious 'girlfriend warning'. If this is the only gift I ever give you, it will still be of great value. Unless you choose to completely ignore me. Which is just fine. Honestly.

The first warning comes as a confession.

I went shopping without children. I went to Crafts 2000 and Hobby Lobby. Alone. For hours and hours. Ahhhhh.

Feasting your eyes on beauty, drooling over gorgeous fringe and raiding the clearance bins on your hands and knees can work up quite an appetite. Mine lead me to Panera Bread. There, on the menu board, as innocent as you please, the cream cheese selection - including - hazelnut.

No warnings, no caution - not even a raised eyebrow from the young woman taking my order.

The 'girlfriend warning' failed, and now I am subject to an addiction to Panera Bread Hazelnut Cream cheese. I can only hope it is a seasonal offering and will soon be replaced with something totally distasteful like broccoli and anchovy. It is sooooooooooo good. I wonder if there is a 'Cream Cheese Anonymous' meeting in my area? I may need it. It is a very good thing that I don't get out often - but when I am out .... Panera Bread, here I come. All other cream cheese just pales by comparison.

I'm not usually food focussed. Unless it is really good chocolate. This new addiction must result from the fact that my parents have our children and I totally want to be there jumping in the waves and getting sand in my swimsuit with them. It will pass, right?

My second warning comes from an inspiration.

I just loved a certain chenille fringe that The Nester uses in some of her fabulous tassels. I thought it might help me with a valance that I recently made that just 'needs something' 'Nester-ish' to make it truly lovely. I e-mailed her as to her secret source and she told me - Hobby Lobby. Yeah! I hotfooted it over to our Hobby Lobby, coupon in hand, and drooled over the very fringe she used. It was a dream come true.

Until I thought about just how much my husband might really hate it ... so I bought just one yard. Brought it home. Pinned it on the curtain top I'm trying really hard to like. And I hated it on the valance too - just too much poof for our bathroom. What's a woman to do with just one yard of wonderful fringe? Hmm.

Thankfully, I have a friend who loves tassels, so I thought to myself, 'How hard can it be? It won't be as pretty as the Nester's, naturally, but I could give tassel making a try!' I gathered my trusty hot glue gun, an old wooden spool and all the ribbon and trim leftovers from my past home dec projects .... and I made Mrs. M a somewhat Nester-like tassel!!!

Then, I made 8 more. One right after another. In one afternoon. When I was supposed to be sewing, cleaning and resting.

Another addictive hobby - just what I needed. My sister is already convinced that I'm the ADHD Crafter.

Where was the 'Girlfriend Warning' there, I ask you? Something clear - like 'Tassel making can be addictive. You might make tassels until your fingers cramp and still want to make more. You might dream about tassels and try to figure out how your family can eat less food so there is more room in the budget for lush trims, ribbons and fringe.'


Something simple like that would have been greatly appreciated. I'm thinking about I might need to find a 'Tasseler's Intervention' group soon or take on a part time job, because I'll need to support my new fringe buying habit, after all.

Well, I'm off to hide the hazelnut cream cheese so I don't have to share no one else succumbs to this particular 'risky behavior'. After that, I think I'll fire up the hot glue gun and make a tassel - after all my sister needs two for her family room! Honestly. She said so.

Feel free to pass this 'girlfriend warning along' and get the word out to those you care about. You just might save someone you love from ... themselves!

Proverbs 17:22

A cheerful disposition is good for your health;
gloom and doom leave you bone-tired.

The Message

Listening at the kitchen door

It's good to learn a little something new everyday. Today I learned something that might be helpful to you, just by listening at the kitchen door.

We did make it out for lunch and it was so much fun! We went to a small local très chic cafe. When I say small, I mean their seating permit is for 34. Cozy. Very tastefully decorated. Lots of black toile and good art. It was crowded - we had to wait 25 minutes for our late lunch. That's always a good sign - the food is really fresh and good. It's also expensive, which is why this was such a treat. The best part is that, thanks to my generous friend Mrs. M, I had a gift card to use.

We were seated by the kitchen door - not our preference, but we are pretty easy about that kind of thing. Now, if it were a rare romantic evening out with my Historian, a quieter, private table would be in order, but for lunch for us girls, it was just fine.

Apparently there is a regular clientèle to this little cafe - and we aren't a part of it. We weren't greeted by name, we didn't request 'our' table, and we didn't order 'our' usual. We didn't frown when they were out of our favorites, and we didn't call over the owner to complain about anything. Not once. Still, we were treated kindly, served promptly, and I even overheard some lovely remarks about the 'super polite mother/daughter duo at table 2'' through the kitchen door. Manners training is really paying off - at last! I was beginning to wonder if this day would ever come.

Lunch was delicious, fresh and wholesome. Beautiful presentation, appropriate portions and a lovely blending of flavors. Nothing we couldn't enjoy at home, but sometimes it just tastes better when some one else makes it for you. We both ate slowly and savored both the food and the atmosphere of the cafe. It is very hard not to hear snippets of conversation in a cafe so small and crowded. Some things we heard made us smile and give one another 'the look'. It's fun to be the Mommy of a ten year old girl!

One other young girl in the cafe was displaying horrid table manners, which caused our Dreamer's eyes to widen. I noticed her own table manners improved after noticing how unappealing talking with your mouth full is from the other side of the table. Our Dreamer is having a really difficult time with her latest orthodontic device, so it is quite an effort to chew and keep her mouth closed. She slips up occasionally. We all look forward to it's removal, since she is very hard to understand and speaks as though her mouth is full of cotton. She is getting very tired of repeating herself.

When it came time to pay for our meal, I gave my gift card to our server. I could hear her through the kitchen door quietly lament our use of a gift card to another server.

"Mother/daughter at table 2 is using a gift card - no tip there."

Her co-worker agreed.

"I have yet to get a tip when they use those gift cards. I wish we didn't sell them."

Our server handed my gift card back to me with a gracious smile and noted the balance remaining for me. She turned away, and I expect that she didn't hurry to pick up our bill folder after we exited.

It was quite an eye opener for me. I rarely eat out without the Historian, so I rarely pay the server or leave the tip. He takes care of all that. I suppose you all knew all about this, but it never even occurred to me that this is an issue for wait staff. When a credit card is used, a tip can be added to the total, but apparently this isn't the case with gift cards. Now, I had planned a cash tip, as is our usual practice, so it wasn't a problem. I hope that the unexpected generous tip that I enclosed in a 'Take a Tip' Gospel tract was enough to give her an incentive to actually open the little tract and read it, but I'll likely never know.

Especially since we're not going to become regulars, we're not going to ask for 'our table' next time or order 'our usual' every week. We'll save the cafe for really special occasions, and make it our girls treat. Perhaps when Grammy comes for her next visit we'll treat her to lunch at the cafe - just the three of us. We might even share an English Tea cake with her.

Maybe we'll learn some other interesting things through the kitchen door.

Tidbits of joy: lists

I can hardly believe that this is the last day of May. Where did May go? I am making plans for June, and started by thinking about all of my lists, which brought to mind this post!

Lists. Do you love them or hate them? Do you make them then loose them, or live by them daily? Do you even make them on paper, or just keep a list in you head? Do you find them helpful or do they just overwhelm you? Do you get strange satisfaction when you check things off your list, or does it just remind you of all you have left to do?

How's that for a list of questions?

Personally, I like lists. I find that with my advanced years and increasing forgetfulness, lists are a great memory aid. When I can keep track of where I left them! They encourage me to move on the the next thing, and they keep me focused on the tasks at hand.

I often find grocery lists stuck in shopping carts and sometimes glance over them out of curiosity. Sometimes they look like they were written in code! K.B. Ched Chez lrg blk? Would that be Kroger Brand Cheddar Cheese, large block? I don't read or write text messages or shorthand, but I guess a lot of folks do, so this would make sense to them. Some lists are very detailed -mine would fall in that category most often. I once found a list that was obviously written for someone unfamiliar with grocery shopping - it was so incredibly detailed it was two pages long. Exact weights, how to pick out the best fruit tips, brands, places in the store, and heavily underlined 'don't' buy' cautions galore - in red pen! That was a list 'sportin' a 'tude' if I ever saw one!

Our children have become list makers. I find them all over the house. Lists about which Webkins jewels they are lacking for that legendary 'crown of wonder'. Lists of junk food to buy for a sleepover. Lists of mysteries to solve and adventures to go on. Lists of critters buried in the Mount Pleasant cemetery in our back yard. I even found a list of all the ways to be kind to one certain 'pesky' little brother - I kept that one!

I have a list of menu ideas for summer and winter posted inside one cupboard door. I refer to it often. I have a travel list, laminated and stored in each family member's underwear drawer for trips. I have a master packing list for moving with all of the brands of appliances and model numbers listed - two international moves necessitated this detailed list! I have emergency preparedness lists. I have lists of plants that worked well for me in the garden, and lists of plants I would love to try if my garden budget was unlimited.

I have lists related to home schooling, home repair projects, yard work, gifts to make or buy, spring house cleaning, and decorating ideas. I have lists of 'theme meal' ideas and lists of favorite recipes and were to find them in my cookbooks - this list needs to be updated! I have medical history lists and lists of people to pray for. I have a first of the month checklist and a list of emergency contact numbers laminated and on the fridge. My list of lists is pretty long!

My latest list has to do with things to keep an eye out for. If we ever get to go yard sale shopping or have time to peruse Craig's list a bit - these are the things that I'm looking for. I just took ' large round ottoman' off my too look for list and wrote it on my "Sewing Projects" list thanks to my friend Mrs. M.! Here is what remains on my "Too Look For" list:

• portable basketball net - adjustable
  
• small round table
• rocking chair - paint-able for front porch area
  
• wicker rocker / chair / love seat or end table for Grammy flat porch
• old mirrors / interesting wooden picture frames
  
• old windows - to make a cold frame
• glass knobs / old hardware to repurpose
  
• E/O. Brody style milk glass footed compote / vase / tumblers ( have 2 - would like 8 more for a Martha inspired project)
• GLH books (Grace Livingston Hill)
• Nancy Drew Books for Dreamer
  
• two breakfast bar stools for Grammy flat - high back supports
  
• two end tables - matching
  
• two tall buffet table lamps
• tall book case for Dreamer's room
• tall cast iron urns
• a bit of wrought iron fence to decorate with
  
• small jelly jars
  
• wool sweaters to felt - must be 80% wool or higher

On my project list for June - organize all of my lists into a tidy binder format! I'd better add a nice binder to my next shopping list!

Tidbits of joy: a meal with friends

Last night we enjoyed a meal with friends. It's been so long since we had company - we were almost out of practice. Our last time to practice hospitality was the farewell party a few weeks ago for our friends who have moved to New Orleans.

Incidentally, they could really use prayer. Specifically for a home - they are currently living in a less than lovely hotel, which gets old really fast. Housing rentals are quite high - like $1200 per month for a 2 bedroom. They are a family of 5 with 3 large dogs. Also, a job. The dad has been out of work for over two years, but last week he was interviewing for a good position in New Orleans - hopefully they will hire him! After being out of the workforce for so long (except for brief employments), it will be a big adjustment to get back to the grind of the work a day world, so we are praying about that too. I am hoping Michele will keep us up to date on her blog, but as it stands now, her computer time is taken up in house hunting and finding a homeschool group to get involved with, etc. Maybe you can drop by and send her a word of encouragement! We are really really missing their family!

So, back to having company. In keeping with our policy to keep thing simple, we chose an easy menu - with a theme! Do you do that? It's one of my quirks! I like to pick a theme and chose foods that go along with it! Last night's theme was 'Germanic' - as in Bratwurst, Sauerkraut, German Potato Salad, Bavarian Coleslaw, with German Chocolate Cake and Bavarian Mints for dessert. Too fun! I didn't take a picture, because my camera needs new batteries, but everything turned out nicely. As usual, I did a small raw veggie tray for the children and I, and sliced up a honeydew melon and some strawberries to go with dessert - a healthy choice. We ate out on the back patio under the pergola, which is a work in progress since I haven't planted my hanging baskets, put in my annuals or spread mulch yet, but it is still a pleasant place to eat. I also need to pressure wash the patio it's self - again - how does concrete get so stained? Our lilac is still blooming nicely and smelled wonderful as we were eating our dinner!



It was so fun to have friends over - Mrs. M and I are great friends, and I think her dear husband and my Historian have a great deal in common too. I wanted to give them a chance to get to know one another a bit! They are at a very different stage in their parenting journey since their boys are almost grown - one is graduating high school next week. We are still in the trenches of parenting with our 7 - almost 8 year old and 10 year old children! I'm sure they can share a great deal of wisdom with us.


I have to tell you about my great bargains on Friday - I had a whole afternoon of running errands by myself! I finally spent my gift card from C.J.Banks from the Historian - it was a Christmas gift! They had a good sale which applied to already sale merchandise, so that worked out well! I got a cute lightweight dressy cotton poplin jacket for $6.99, and cotton fancy track pant capri's for bike riding - or major illnesses - for $7.99. I found shoes for our Storyteller at Kohl's but had forgotten my coupon - by the time I got back with my coupon, they had put the sandals on an even better sale so with my coupon they were $4.99 for leather buster brown shoes! Yeah! I also found hot pink and white gingham cotton capri's for Dreamer - for $2 at Kohl's - I don't know why they were in the clearance area, but they were - since they handed my coupon back to me, I did the purchases in two transactions and got $5 off both. That works for me!


My best bargain of the day came through Mrs. M. who is great at scouring the local shops for bargains on her lunch hour. She called me and left a message ' I don't know if you are still looking for an ottoman, but I found one ...!' I rushed over and bought it! Yeah! I have been looking for an ottoman - a round ottoman in fact! I couldn't pay the $300- $500 they were asking for a new one, just to tear off the fabric and recover it with the matching couch fabric I have - and that's just too much for a place to put my feet anyway! After my vein surgery, I really needed an ottoman! She spied it for $30!!!!! It is in great shape - large and round - very sturdy - made by a good manufacturer- and not a mark on it! I'll post a picture when I get it recovered! I am soooooooooooooo excited! Can you tell? Thank you Mrs. M.! My Mum is my wonderful personal shopper in Canada, and Mrs.M is my personal shopper Stateside! Can you tell I don't get out much to do my own shopping?


I'd better end this rambling post! It is Memorial Day - we will be heading to the cemetery later. The children have been outside this morning trying to discourage our outdoor kitty Peppermint from killing baby moles. Apparently he found a litter of them and has been amusing himself at their expense this morning. The children are heartbroken at his cruelty and spraying him with the water bottle to try to keep him away from the moles! There have been two burials at the Mount Pleasant Cemetery this morning - mole 1 and mole 2. Many tears were shed and poor Peppermint is not a much loved kitty today. Over 150 years ago our little corner was called Mount Pleasant ( though it is just a little rise and not a mount at all) and there was a real cemetery on the corner - along with a tree nursery and a general store. We are toying with the idea of calling our homeschool 'Mount Pleasant Christian School', but we are not sure yet.


I must add that our new swing is being put to good use! The other day I was searching all over the house and yard for the children. My usual places to look - the sandbox, back woods area and playroom were all empty - but I could hear voices. I peeked out the open window in our bedroom and there where the children swinging away on the back patio. The Dreamer is reading 'Journey to the Center of the Earth' to her captive audience - the Storyteller on the swing. He interrupts once in a while to ask her questions, but I noticed how patient is was answering him. It a wonderful thing!

I do hope you have a pleasant Memorial Day with your family. We are just hanging out together and enjoying our last day of vacation before we put out noses to the grindstone and finish out our school year, officially. Our summer school session will be pretty light this year, but we will be focusing on Reading and Math with Storyteller and Spelling and Math with Dreamer. I am looking forward to the 1/2 day format and a little more freedom.

May the Lord bless you with joy today!