Thursday, March 31, 2011
Choose Life~~~~PLEASE MOMMY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AJIKe9eJLh4 My friend Yolanda had this on her blog and it was so beautiful I copied it here.
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Jeff got a raise
- Jeff got a 3% raise already. This was his second day and he got a paper that said he gets a raise based on his excellent performance in 2010. We got quite a chuckle out of that one.
- Apparently next year he will get a really good raise.
- Today he was able to spend time with the gas analyzer. He was learning how to calibrate the gas log.
- He said the atmosphere is great there.
- I am so happy that he likes it there.
- They have loads of food there and make a meal nearly every day for lunch so I guess Jeff wont have to take his lunch any more. And he says they cook good food too. He said at about 11:30 the call came over all the radios for looking for someone who knows how to make gravy.
- The plant is way out in the middle of nowhere but if something happened I don't think they would starve. Not for a while at least.
- He got a company pickup the first day as well as a company cell phone.
- He gets to wear really nice dress/western style work shirts and nice jeans. The company pays for the shirts. He got to pick out the shirts he wanted.
6 months and still loving it
- I just realized we have now lived in our 5th wheel for 6 months.
- We still love it. Maybe even more than when we moved into it.
- It did take a little getting used to but we have arranged things, put up shelves, added pockets here and there and are generally satisfied with our arrangement. I love command hooks. I hang all sorts of stuff with them.
- Jeff adds a shelf where ever I ask him to.
- When my mom and step dad came to visit mom mentioned that our home is much more cosy and livable than she thought it would be. She had thought it would be cramped and messy. She was pleasantly surprised to find it clean, open and well organized. She said she loved the way I had organized it and wished I could come to her place for a few days and do the same thing for her with her camper. Mom thought it would be messy and crowded just because there are 4 people living in a very small area.
- I told her that it is because we have the 30 foot storage trailer. If it weren't for that it probably would be messy and cramped and crowded. I am so thankful for the storage trailer. The girls get tired of making trips to and from there several times a day but its worth it to have more stuff and not be cramped.
- People ask us if we are planning on buying or renting a house and we are not. We do want to buy some land so we can garden and have chickens and such but we are satisfied with our lovely home. We also want to buy some land because Joy will be coming to live with us in a few months and there is no possible way we can add one more full time adult to this mix. So if we can buy some land we could buy a small travel trailer and she could live there. Then when she moves away the other girls can take it over or it can be used for other things like company.
- Please pray that God will show us where he wants us to live and that we can find land that we can afford. I must pray, listen and wait on the Lord.
- There is something wrong with my blog, I have to do these bullets or its all just one huge paragraph. Sorry.
The cross of Crucifixion
- The cross of Crucifixion.
- Do you decorate your home with crosses?
- Do you wear a cross on your neck or ears?
- Do you think the cross is a beautiful decoration?
- When you look at the cross what do you see?
- A symbol of death?
- A pretty thing?
- Is it just bling?
- When you look at a rope hanging from a tree, a noose for the neck of a thief, what do you see? A pair of earrings?
- When you see a guillotine is it a thing of beauty? Do you want a blingy one to decorate your purse?
- If I carve an electric chair of fine wood would you hang it on your wall?
- I shudder when I see the cross used as a form of decoration or bling. To me its a symbol of death, cruel death, at least a guillotine, rope and electric chair are a quick death. The cross is a form of death that is long and torturous.
- Our savior Jesus survived that cross for three hours. His wrists and feet nailed there with long nails. All the other people crucified were hung with rope. Jesus was beaten beyond recognition, spit upon and nailed to that tree.
- Why is it a thing of beauty to thee?
- When I look upon the empty tomb, that is where the beauty should be. An empty grave, a savior who lives, that is my beauty to see.
The Cross
- The Cross
- The cross, the cross ~
- Where Holy blood, all down, did flow;
- Where people stood on Holy ground And did not know ...
- Where angels gasped and closed their eyes,
- And foolish men, believing, Became wise.
- The cross, the cross ~
- Where Love divine and bitter gall would meet,
- And tears would flow (not for Himself, but me);
- Where even nature wept and trembled through,
- Where darkness fell with force ere night was due.
- The cross, the cross ~
- Where Satan laughed and thought that he had won,
- But Christ knew (when the deed was done)
- It would not be the devil's victory.
- It would be souls that He, Himself, set free.
- The cross, the cross ~
- The ugly plan of men 'to bring most pain'
- Has brought, instead, for us a Heaven's gain;
- The symbol of a horrid death depose and Fill my heart with treasure, Christ well knows. The cross, the cross ~
- The insidious sign now made so beautiful,
- The ultimate loss - ultimate gain,
- The Son of God dead, but alive
- ; Forever more the same!
- I cannot look upon the cross but know There is no measure of the love that flows
- There is no measure of the strength of Blood;
- Oh, Holy blood, sweep o'er me like a flood.
- © 2006 by Joan Clifton Costner
Monday, March 28, 2011
Washing clothes and sewing
The local Wal Mart has a very nice fabric department so I bought a few lengths of fabric the other day. Today I am coloring my gray roots then I will shower and then get the washing started. While I am washing clothes I plan to make a few aprons. One of the aprons I want to make is a clothes pin apron. I think I have decided on a style for it too. I am going to make a half apron rounded on the bottom with the whole front also being a big pocket. It will have large scoop openings to easily grab or drop clothes pins into. I also want to make another apron for regular kitchen wear.- The one I use now needs washed now and then and while its washing I have none to wear. Then perhaps I will make a few to sell. I do not know if the women around here wear aprons when they cook or not.
- Of course I will make time to ride my new bike a few rounds around the grounds. For me being so out of shape its easier to ride a round then come back and do other things and then ride another round several times a day then it is to just ride and ride all at once. I hope to get to the point that I can take longer bike rides so we can do some exploring of the area by bike. Hannah also bought a bike but Mollie thinks I will lose interest and she can ride mine. I am hoping I do not lose interest and continue to ride and ride. Then she will have to buy one and we can all three ride together.
- Its already getting humid and sultry here. I hope our bodies acclimate quickly to this change from very dry air.
- Jeff started his new job today and he is very happy to be doing so. I think he feels like he took one too many weeks off and it was getting boring here. We had no idea how long it would take to get settled and such. We should have known that with four people working and getting things set up that it wouldn't take much time. I am so thankful that my girls step up to the plate. I am always amazed when other children refuse to help with family goals and that their parents allow them to disengage.
- A really big project I am going to get started on is to rearrange and sort through the storage trailer. We are currently renting a small rental storage unit as well as our storage trailer and my goal is to have all of our stuff in the storage trailer. I am sure there are things I can consolidate or get rid of. On the other hand there are things I am sure will be necessary if we find a piece of land to call our own. So some of it I am having trouble with the decision of keeping and paying rent to store it or sell it and buy it again later. I am just going to have to be ruthless I guess.
- One thing that is in the rented storage is two 55 gallon barrels I got for water storage. They are both empty and not doing any good. I plan to bring them here, clean them out, fill them up and store them under the overhang part of the 5th wheel. That is also where Hannah and I have our bikes. We may need to put up the skirting on that area so it doesn't appear cluttered. But I feel there is no use of having barrels for water storage if there is no water in them. It wont do us a bit of good if something happens and we don't have water because the barrels are empty.
- Quick question.... In Acts 7:54 who is gnashing who? Are the people gnashing (grinding their teeth) or are they biting Steven? What do you think? Act 7:54 When they heard these things, they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed on him with their teeth.
Sunday, March 27, 2011
Mama got a new bike
I splurged and bought myself a new bike. This is a Huffy cranbrook from Wal Mart. I paid $89.97 plus tax. I also bought a lock for $3.96 plus tax. I have always wanted a one speed bike. I just need to get a wicker basket for it and I will be set, oh and a water bottle and holder. It is very easy to ride and the seat is quite comfortable. This is the first time I have lived somewhere that the wind does not blow a gale force nearly every day. They sometimes have what they consider high winds here up to 30 mph. I have enjoyed riding this bike without having to either have the wind practically blow you down either on the way or the way back. There is a nice gentle breeze here but not the blow you down wind I am used to. My new bike is yellow and teal colored. It is quite pretty.
Do you use a mobile phone?
Studies over the last 15 years have hinted at a connection between EMFs and health problems. EMFs have been implicated in behavioral changes, birth defects, memory loss, and Alzheimer's disease. In 1976, two doctors at the Veteran's Administration Hospital in Syracuse, N.Y. showed that the offspring of mice exposed to extremely low-frequency EMFs from power lines were born stunted. Chronic exposure to high levels of EMR, especially while asleep, is a constant drain on our vitality. It creates chronic stress, which interferes with the regeneration and healing that normally takes place during a good night’s sleep. You may compare it to always swimming against a strong current and this may well make the difference between recovering from a serious disease and succumbing to it. read the article Approaching Epidemic: Brain Damage from Mobile Phone Radiation Dr. Mercola - "Using your cell phone has more life-threatening consequences than the hazard of diverting your attention from the road. The health risks of EMR (electromagnetic radiation) from cell phones are a frightening reality. Over the last ten years many, scientific reports have been published addressing the health risks from electromagnetic frequencies (EMFs) far below what is required for cellular phones to communicate. Recent clinical and laboratory studies have shown that the EMFs emitted from your cell phone can cause dangerous health conditions including : * Headache * Sleep disruption * Brain tumors * Alzheimer's Disease * Parkinson's Disease * Altered memory function, concentration and spatial awareness * Other forms of cancer ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ I am wondering if wearing your phone on your hip could cause problems with your hip bones? I feel sure it is not a good practice. I personally carry my phone in my purse which is rarely close to my body. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ What do you thin? Can cell phones cause neurological damage?
Saturday, March 26, 2011
Say what?
You think English is easy?
Read to the end . . . a new twist
1) The bandage was wound around the wound.
2) The farm was used to produce produce.
3) The dump was so full that it had to refuse more refuse.
4) We must polish the Polish furniture.
5) He could lead if he would get the lead out.
6) The soldier decided to desert his dessert in the desert.
7) Since there is no time like the present, he thought it was time to present the present
8) A bass was painted on the head of the bass drum.
9) When shot at, the dove dove into the bushes.
10) I did not object to the object.
11) The insurance was invalid for the invalid.
12) There was a row among the oarsmen about how to row.
13) They were too close to the door to close it.
14) The buck does funny things when the does are present.
15) A seamstress and a sewer fell down into a sewer line.
16) To help with planting, the farmer taught his sow to sow.
17) The wind was too strong to wind the sail.
18) Upon seeing the tear in the painting I shed a tear.
19) I had to subject the subject to a series of tests.
20) How can I intimate this to my most intimate friend?
Let's face it - English is a crazy language. There is no egg in eggplant, nor ham in hamburger; neither apple nor pine in pineapple. English muffins weren't invented in England or French fries in France . Sweetmeats are candies while sweetbreads, which aren't sweet, are meat. We take English for granted. But if we explore its paradoxes, we find that quicksand can work slowly, boxing rings are square and a guinea pig is neither from Guinea nor is it a pig.
******************
You lovers of the English language might enjoy this.
There is a two-letter word that perhaps has more meanings than any other two-letter word, and that is 'UP'
It's easy to understand UP, meaning toward the sky or at the top of the list, but when we awaken in the morning, why do we wake UP ? At a meeting, why does a topic come UP ? Why do we speak UP and why are the officers UP for election and why is it UP to the secretary to write UP a report ?
We call UP our friends. And we use it to brighten UP a room, polish UP the silver; we warm UP the leftovers and clean UP the kitchen. We lock UP the house and some guys fix UP the old car. At other times the little word has real special meaning. People stir UP trouble, line UP for tickets, work UP an appetite, and think UP excuses. To be dressed is one thing, but to be dressed UP is special.
And this UP is confusing: A drain must be opened UP because it is stopped UP. We open UP a store in the morning but we close it UP at night.
We seem to be pretty mixed UP about UP. To be knowledgeable about the proper uses of UP, look the word UP in the dictionary. In a desk-sized dictionary, it takes UP almost 1/4th of the page and can add UP to about thirty definitions. If you are UP to it, you might try building UP a list of the many ways UP is used. It will take UP a lot of your time, but if you don't give UP, you may wind UP with a hundred or more. When it threatens to rain, we say it is clouding UP. When the sun comes out we say it is clearing UP.
When it rains, it wets the earth and often messes things UP.
When it doesn't rain for awhile, things dry UP.
One could go on and on, but I'll wrap it UP , for now my time is UP , so........it is time to shut UP !
Oh . . . one more thing:
What is the first thing you do in the morning & the last thing you do at night?
U-P
Read to the end . . . a new twist
1) The bandage was wound around the wound.
2) The farm was used to produce produce.
3) The dump was so full that it had to refuse more refuse.
4) We must polish the Polish furniture.
5) He could lead if he would get the lead out.
6) The soldier decided to desert his dessert in the desert.
7) Since there is no time like the present, he thought it was time to present the present
8) A bass was painted on the head of the bass drum.
9) When shot at, the dove dove into the bushes.
10) I did not object to the object.
11) The insurance was invalid for the invalid.
12) There was a row among the oarsmen about how to row.
13) They were too close to the door to close it.
14) The buck does funny things when the does are present.
15) A seamstress and a sewer fell down into a sewer line.
16) To help with planting, the farmer taught his sow to sow.
17) The wind was too strong to wind the sail.
18) Upon seeing the tear in the painting I shed a tear.
19) I had to subject the subject to a series of tests.
20) How can I intimate this to my most intimate friend?
Let's face it - English is a crazy language. There is no egg in eggplant, nor ham in hamburger; neither apple nor pine in pineapple. English muffins weren't invented in England or French fries in France . Sweetmeats are candies while sweetbreads, which aren't sweet, are meat. We take English for granted. But if we explore its paradoxes, we find that quicksand can work slowly, boxing rings are square and a guinea pig is neither from Guinea nor is it a pig.
******************
You lovers of the English language might enjoy this.
There is a two-letter word that perhaps has more meanings than any other two-letter word, and that is 'UP'
It's easy to understand UP, meaning toward the sky or at the top of the list, but when we awaken in the morning, why do we wake UP ? At a meeting, why does a topic come UP ? Why do we speak UP and why are the officers UP for election and why is it UP to the secretary to write UP a report ?
We call UP our friends. And we use it to brighten UP a room, polish UP the silver; we warm UP the leftovers and clean UP the kitchen. We lock UP the house and some guys fix UP the old car. At other times the little word has real special meaning. People stir UP trouble, line UP for tickets, work UP an appetite, and think UP excuses. To be dressed is one thing, but to be dressed UP is special.
And this UP is confusing: A drain must be opened UP because it is stopped UP. We open UP a store in the morning but we close it UP at night.
We seem to be pretty mixed UP about UP. To be knowledgeable about the proper uses of UP, look the word UP in the dictionary. In a desk-sized dictionary, it takes UP almost 1/4th of the page and can add UP to about thirty definitions. If you are UP to it, you might try building UP a list of the many ways UP is used. It will take UP a lot of your time, but if you don't give UP, you may wind UP with a hundred or more. When it threatens to rain, we say it is clouding UP. When the sun comes out we say it is clearing UP.
When it rains, it wets the earth and often messes things UP.
When it doesn't rain for awhile, things dry UP.
One could go on and on, but I'll wrap it UP , for now my time is UP , so........it is time to shut UP !
Oh . . . one more thing:
What is the first thing you do in the morning & the last thing you do at night?
U-P
Friday, March 25, 2011
Make whipped butter using real butter
I just finished making whipped butter using a recipe I found on Tammy's recipes. It doubled the bulk of the butter so it should last twice as long. We will use it on our rice tonight but the little bit that got on my finger that I tasted was good. I am excited to find a way to stretch our butter. Hannah has been asking me to buy spreadable butter and I just cant see feeding that to my family so I am happy to have found this recipe.
Candy over at my blessed home said ground turkey was only $1.18 a pound as opposed to $2.70 a pound for ground beef. I am going to check my local grocer to see what the prices are around here.
I am a little disconcerted about having an empty freezer but I know I will find good deals and have it filled again soon.
I was able to shop at a farmers market yesterday and get some great home grown vegetables.
Candy over at my blessed home said ground turkey was only $1.18 a pound as opposed to $2.70 a pound for ground beef. I am going to check my local grocer to see what the prices are around here.
I am a little disconcerted about having an empty freezer but I know I will find good deals and have it filled again soon.
I was able to shop at a farmers market yesterday and get some great home grown vegetables.
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Cheyenne- Author unknown
"Watch out! You nearly broad sided that car!" My father yelled at me. "Can't you do anything right?"
Those words hurt worse than blows. I turned my head toward the elderly man in the seat beside me, daring me to challenge him. A lump rose in my throat as I averted my eyes. I wasn't prepared for another battle.
"I saw the car, Dad . Please don't yell at me when I'm driving.."
My voice was measured and steady, sounding far calmer than I really
felt.
Dad glared at me, then turned away and settled back. At home I left Dad in front of the television and went outside to collect my thoughts....dark, heavy clouds hung in the air with a promise of rain. The rumble of distant thunder seemed to echo my inner turmoil. What could I do about him?
Dad had been a lumberjack in Washington and Oregon . He had enjoyed being outdoors and had reveled in pitting his strength against the forces of nature. He had entered grueling lumberjack competitions, and had placed often.
The shelves in his house were filled with trophies that attested to his
prowess.
The years marched on relentlessly. The first time he couldn't lift a
heavy log, he joked about it; but later that same day I saw him outside
alone, straining to lift it. He became irritable whenever anyone teased
him about his advancing age, or when he couldn't do something he had
done as a younger man.
Four days after his sixty-seventh birthday, he had a heart attack. An
ambulance sped him to the hospital while a paramedic administered CPR to keep blood and oxygen flowing.
At the hospital, Dad was rushed into an operating room. He was lucky; he survived. But something inside Dad died. His zest for life was gone. He obstinately refused to follow doctor's orders.
Suggestions and offers of help were turned aside with sarcasm and
insults. The number of visitors thinned, then finally stopped
altogether. Dad was left alone.
My husband, Dick, and I asked Dad to come live with us on our small
farm. We hoped the fresh air and rustic atmosphere would help him
adjust.
Within a week after he moved in, I regretted the invitation. It seemed
nothing was satisfactory. He criticized everything I did. I became
frustrated and moody. Soon I was taking my pent-up anger out on Dick. We began to bicker and argue.
Alarmed, Dick sought out our pastor and explained the situation. The
clergyman set up weekly counseling appointments for us. At the close of each session he prayed, asking God to soothe Dad 's troubled mind.
But the months wore on and God was silent. Something had to be done and it was up to me to do it.
The next day I sat down with the phone book and methodically called each of the mental health clinics listed in the Yellow Pages. I explained my problem to each of the sympathetic voices that answered in vain.
Just when I was giving up hope, one of the voices suddenly exclaimed, "I just read something that might help you! Let me go get the article.."
I listened as she read. The article described a remarkable study done at
a nursing home. All of the patients were under treatment for chronic
depression. Yet their attitudes had improved dramatically when they were given responsibility for a dog.
I drove to the animal shelter that afternoon. After I filled out a
questionnaire, a uniformed officer led me to the kennels. The odor of
disinfectant stung my nostrils as I moved down the row of pens. Each
contained five to seven dogs. Long-haired dogs, curly-haired dogs, black dogs, spotted dogs all jumped up, trying to reach me. I studied each one but rejected one after the other for various reasons too big, too small, too much hair.
As I neared the last pen a dog in the shadows of the far corner
struggled to his feet, walked to the front of the run and sat down. It
was a pointer, one of the dog world's aristocrats. But this was a
caricature of the breed.
Years had etched his face and muzzle with shades of gray. His hip bones jutted out in lopsided triangles. But it was his eyes that caught and held my attention. Calm and clear, they beheld me unwaveringly.
I pointed to the dog. "Can you tell me about him?"
The officer looked, then shook his head in puzzlement. "He's a funny
one. Appeared out of nowhere and sat in front of the gate. We brought
him in, figuring someone would be right down to claim him. That was two weeks ago and we've heard nothing. His time is up tomorrow."
He gestured helplessly.
As the words sank in I turned to the man in horror. "You mean you're
going to kill him?"
"Ma'am," he said gently, "that's our policy. We don't have room for
every unclaimed dog."
I looked at the pointer again.. The calm brown eyes awaited my decision.
"I'll take him," I said.
I drove home with the dog on the front seat beside me. When I reached
the house I honked the horn twice. I was helping my prize out of the car when Dad shuffled onto the front porch... "Ta-da! Look what I got for you, Dad!" I said excitedly.
Dad looked, then wrinkled his face in disgust. "If I had wanted a dog I
would have gotten one. And I would have picked out a better specimen
than that bag of bones. Keep it! I don't want it" Dad waved his arm
scornfully and turned back toward the house.
Anger rose inside me. It squeezed together my throat muscles and pounded into my temples. "You'd better get used to him, Dad . He's staying!"
Dad ignored me. "Did you hear me, Dad ?" I screamed.
At those words Dad whirled angrily, his hands clenched at his sides, his
eyes narrowed and blazing with hate. We stood glaring at each other like duelists, when suddenly the pointer pulled free from my grasp. He
wobbled toward my dad and sat down in front of him. Then slowly,
carefully, he raised his paw..
Dad's lower jaw trembled as he stared at the uplifted paw. Confusion
replaced the anger in his eyes. The pointer waited patiently. Then Dad
was on his knees hugging the animal.
It was the beginning of a warm and intimate friendship. Dad named the
pointer Cheyenne ...
Together he and Cheyenne explored the community. They spent long hours walking down dusty lanes They spent reflective moments on the banks of streams, angling for tasty trout. They even started to attend Sunday services together, Dad sitting in a pew and Cheyenne lying quietly at is feet.
Dad and Cheyenne were inseparable throughout the next three years..
Dad's bitterness faded, and he and Cheyenne made many friends. Then late one night I was startled to feel Cheyenne 's cold nose burrowing through our bed covers. He had never before come into our bedroom at night.
I woke Dick, put on my robe and ran into my father's room. Dad lay in
his bed, his face serene. But his spirit had left quietly sometime
during the night.
Two days later my shock and grief deepened when I discovered Cheyenne lying dead beside Dad 's bed. I wrapped his still form in the rag rug he had slept on. As Dick and I buried him near a favorite fishing hole, I silently thanked the dog for the help he had given me in restoring Dad's peace of mind.
The morning of Dad 's funeral dawned overcast and dreary. This day looks like the way I feel, I thought, as I walked down the aisle to the pews reserved for family. I was surprised to see the many friends Dad and Cheyenne had made filling the church. The pastor began his eulogy. It was a tribute to both Dad and the dog who had changed his life.
And then the pastor turned to Hebrews 13:2. "Do not neglect to show
hospitality to strangers, for by this some have entertained angels
without knowing it."
"I've often thanked God for sending that angel," he said.
For me, the past dropped into place, completing a puzzle that I had not
seen before: the sympathetic voice that had just read the right
article...
Cheyenne 's unexpected appearance at the animal shelter. . ..his calm
acceptance and complete devotion to my father. . and the proximity of
their deaths. And suddenly I understood. I knew that God had answered my prayers after all.
Life is too short for drama or petty things, so laugh hard, love truly
and forgive quickly. Live While You Are Alive. Forgive now those who
made you cry. You might not get a second time.
And if you don't send this to at least 4 people ---nobody cares? But do
share this with someone. Lost time can never be found.
God answers our prayers in His time........not ours.
Those words hurt worse than blows. I turned my head toward the elderly man in the seat beside me, daring me to challenge him. A lump rose in my throat as I averted my eyes. I wasn't prepared for another battle.
"I saw the car, Dad . Please don't yell at me when I'm driving.."
My voice was measured and steady, sounding far calmer than I really
felt.
Dad glared at me, then turned away and settled back. At home I left Dad in front of the television and went outside to collect my thoughts....dark, heavy clouds hung in the air with a promise of rain. The rumble of distant thunder seemed to echo my inner turmoil. What could I do about him?
Dad had been a lumberjack in Washington and Oregon . He had enjoyed being outdoors and had reveled in pitting his strength against the forces of nature. He had entered grueling lumberjack competitions, and had placed often.
The shelves in his house were filled with trophies that attested to his
prowess.
The years marched on relentlessly. The first time he couldn't lift a
heavy log, he joked about it; but later that same day I saw him outside
alone, straining to lift it. He became irritable whenever anyone teased
him about his advancing age, or when he couldn't do something he had
done as a younger man.
Four days after his sixty-seventh birthday, he had a heart attack. An
ambulance sped him to the hospital while a paramedic administered CPR to keep blood and oxygen flowing.
At the hospital, Dad was rushed into an operating room. He was lucky; he survived. But something inside Dad died. His zest for life was gone. He obstinately refused to follow doctor's orders.
Suggestions and offers of help were turned aside with sarcasm and
insults. The number of visitors thinned, then finally stopped
altogether. Dad was left alone.
My husband, Dick, and I asked Dad to come live with us on our small
farm. We hoped the fresh air and rustic atmosphere would help him
adjust.
Within a week after he moved in, I regretted the invitation. It seemed
nothing was satisfactory. He criticized everything I did. I became
frustrated and moody. Soon I was taking my pent-up anger out on Dick. We began to bicker and argue.
Alarmed, Dick sought out our pastor and explained the situation. The
clergyman set up weekly counseling appointments for us. At the close of each session he prayed, asking God to soothe Dad 's troubled mind.
But the months wore on and God was silent. Something had to be done and it was up to me to do it.
The next day I sat down with the phone book and methodically called each of the mental health clinics listed in the Yellow Pages. I explained my problem to each of the sympathetic voices that answered in vain.
Just when I was giving up hope, one of the voices suddenly exclaimed, "I just read something that might help you! Let me go get the article.."
I listened as she read. The article described a remarkable study done at
a nursing home. All of the patients were under treatment for chronic
depression. Yet their attitudes had improved dramatically when they were given responsibility for a dog.
I drove to the animal shelter that afternoon. After I filled out a
questionnaire, a uniformed officer led me to the kennels. The odor of
disinfectant stung my nostrils as I moved down the row of pens. Each
contained five to seven dogs. Long-haired dogs, curly-haired dogs, black dogs, spotted dogs all jumped up, trying to reach me. I studied each one but rejected one after the other for various reasons too big, too small, too much hair.
As I neared the last pen a dog in the shadows of the far corner
struggled to his feet, walked to the front of the run and sat down. It
was a pointer, one of the dog world's aristocrats. But this was a
caricature of the breed.
Years had etched his face and muzzle with shades of gray. His hip bones jutted out in lopsided triangles. But it was his eyes that caught and held my attention. Calm and clear, they beheld me unwaveringly.
I pointed to the dog. "Can you tell me about him?"
The officer looked, then shook his head in puzzlement. "He's a funny
one. Appeared out of nowhere and sat in front of the gate. We brought
him in, figuring someone would be right down to claim him. That was two weeks ago and we've heard nothing. His time is up tomorrow."
He gestured helplessly.
As the words sank in I turned to the man in horror. "You mean you're
going to kill him?"
"Ma'am," he said gently, "that's our policy. We don't have room for
every unclaimed dog."
I looked at the pointer again.. The calm brown eyes awaited my decision.
"I'll take him," I said.
I drove home with the dog on the front seat beside me. When I reached
the house I honked the horn twice. I was helping my prize out of the car when Dad shuffled onto the front porch... "Ta-da! Look what I got for you, Dad!" I said excitedly.
Dad looked, then wrinkled his face in disgust. "If I had wanted a dog I
would have gotten one. And I would have picked out a better specimen
than that bag of bones. Keep it! I don't want it" Dad waved his arm
scornfully and turned back toward the house.
Anger rose inside me. It squeezed together my throat muscles and pounded into my temples. "You'd better get used to him, Dad . He's staying!"
Dad ignored me. "Did you hear me, Dad ?" I screamed.
At those words Dad whirled angrily, his hands clenched at his sides, his
eyes narrowed and blazing with hate. We stood glaring at each other like duelists, when suddenly the pointer pulled free from my grasp. He
wobbled toward my dad and sat down in front of him. Then slowly,
carefully, he raised his paw..
Dad's lower jaw trembled as he stared at the uplifted paw. Confusion
replaced the anger in his eyes. The pointer waited patiently. Then Dad
was on his knees hugging the animal.
It was the beginning of a warm and intimate friendship. Dad named the
pointer Cheyenne ...
Together he and Cheyenne explored the community. They spent long hours walking down dusty lanes They spent reflective moments on the banks of streams, angling for tasty trout. They even started to attend Sunday services together, Dad sitting in a pew and Cheyenne lying quietly at is feet.
Dad and Cheyenne were inseparable throughout the next three years..
Dad's bitterness faded, and he and Cheyenne made many friends. Then late one night I was startled to feel Cheyenne 's cold nose burrowing through our bed covers. He had never before come into our bedroom at night.
I woke Dick, put on my robe and ran into my father's room. Dad lay in
his bed, his face serene. But his spirit had left quietly sometime
during the night.
Two days later my shock and grief deepened when I discovered Cheyenne lying dead beside Dad 's bed. I wrapped his still form in the rag rug he had slept on. As Dick and I buried him near a favorite fishing hole, I silently thanked the dog for the help he had given me in restoring Dad's peace of mind.
The morning of Dad 's funeral dawned overcast and dreary. This day looks like the way I feel, I thought, as I walked down the aisle to the pews reserved for family. I was surprised to see the many friends Dad and Cheyenne had made filling the church. The pastor began his eulogy. It was a tribute to both Dad and the dog who had changed his life.
And then the pastor turned to Hebrews 13:2. "Do not neglect to show
hospitality to strangers, for by this some have entertained angels
without knowing it."
"I've often thanked God for sending that angel," he said.
For me, the past dropped into place, completing a puzzle that I had not
seen before: the sympathetic voice that had just read the right
article...
Cheyenne 's unexpected appearance at the animal shelter. . ..his calm
acceptance and complete devotion to my father. . and the proximity of
their deaths. And suddenly I understood. I knew that God had answered my prayers after all.
Life is too short for drama or petty things, so laugh hard, love truly
and forgive quickly. Live While You Are Alive. Forgive now those who
made you cry. You might not get a second time.
And if you don't send this to at least 4 people ---nobody cares? But do
share this with someone. Lost time can never be found.
God answers our prayers in His time........not ours.
Home again, home again
We arrived home yesterday in the late afternoon. It is good to be home. Its always fun to go places but always good to come home again.
Jeff's mom ended up getting the flu the day we left and ended up in the hospital because she was dehydrated. Bless her heart. She is the nicest lady. I really enjoyed our visits with her.
Jeff's dad and his wife are doing fine too. They live in a retirement community. They have been there for years and love it. They swim, play golf and enjoy the activities available there.
Today we are washing clothes. Jeff and the girls hauled the washer out of the storage shed and got it hooked up. We had started the clothes with the large buckets but it sure is easier with the wringer washer. I am happy that most of the time the wash can be done outside. Its a little breezy today so the clothes should dry fine.
I am baking rolls now that I formed into a rosette. They are so pretty. I watched a tutorial at Tammy's recipes on how to do it and they are easy peasy. They look very pretty too.
Jeff made the last riser for the sectional that we had started back in Guymon. Its good to have that done with. Now the couch looks better and is easier to sit on and get back up off of.
Hannah went out to put a bag of ice into the freezer in the shed and discovered that it was not cold. Everything in there had to be disposed of. Apparently it got plugged into the strip instead of straight into the wall and it tripped or something. It was a lesson to not have all our meat in the freezer. I am so thankful that I canned all that pork before we left Guymon. The girls cleaned everything out of the freezer and small fridge and washed them out. They are plugged in again. Hopefully this will teach us more diligence.
Well the rolls are out of the oven so I will slice them and we can make sandwiches. I hope everyone has a great day.
Jeff's mom ended up getting the flu the day we left and ended up in the hospital because she was dehydrated. Bless her heart. She is the nicest lady. I really enjoyed our visits with her.
Jeff's dad and his wife are doing fine too. They live in a retirement community. They have been there for years and love it. They swim, play golf and enjoy the activities available there.
Today we are washing clothes. Jeff and the girls hauled the washer out of the storage shed and got it hooked up. We had started the clothes with the large buckets but it sure is easier with the wringer washer. I am happy that most of the time the wash can be done outside. Its a little breezy today so the clothes should dry fine.
I am baking rolls now that I formed into a rosette. They are so pretty. I watched a tutorial at Tammy's recipes on how to do it and they are easy peasy. They look very pretty too.
Jeff made the last riser for the sectional that we had started back in Guymon. Its good to have that done with. Now the couch looks better and is easier to sit on and get back up off of.
Hannah went out to put a bag of ice into the freezer in the shed and discovered that it was not cold. Everything in there had to be disposed of. Apparently it got plugged into the strip instead of straight into the wall and it tripped or something. It was a lesson to not have all our meat in the freezer. I am so thankful that I canned all that pork before we left Guymon. The girls cleaned everything out of the freezer and small fridge and washed them out. They are plugged in again. Hopefully this will teach us more diligence.
Well the rolls are out of the oven so I will slice them and we can make sandwiches. I hope everyone has a great day.
Saturday, March 19, 2011
Vacation
We are enjoying visiting with Jeff's family. They have treated us to some fabulous restaurants. Living in the sparsely populated area that we do we are not exposed to the variety and quality of eating establishments that they take as a given. So far we have eaten at a Place called Paradise Bakery, where we had wraps. Then the next day for lunch we went to Mile High Deli and for dinner we went to White Chocolate Grill. I think my favorite so far is the Paradise Bakery. The salads looked divine and the wraps we ate were delish. The White Chocolate Grill was a super fancy cloth napkin expensive place and the food was very very good but we would not be able to afford to eat there except once every five years or so. The Paradise Bakery was higher end but a place we could afford occasionally.
There are 4 million full time residents who live in the valley. The population swells in the winter and goes back down to about 4 million during the summer. Its March right now but the weather is more like late spring or early summer that I am used to. There is very little wind so there are many restaurants with outdoor tables. Living in the mid west we were never really able to enjoy the outdoor facilities because of constant high winds and weather that is either cold or very hot.
The culture here is quite different than I am used to as well. There is a lot more fashion and fancy than I care about. The people dress high society and I am just a country girl. Here I am with denim carpi's and a tee shirt and in the next table are people who are dressed like I would for the fanciest function I would ever attend but to them its everyday attire. Instead of feeling out of place I just feel homesick. I like people who are more down to earth. People who can survive unusual circumstances and get by. Most of the ladies have shoes so tall they can barely walk let alone escape from a threat. Its kind of funny to me. I'm sure they just glance at us and write us off as country bumpkins and that is fine with me. If I had to choose I would choose country bumpkin every time. I feel like my life is more real than theirs. I am just judging by outside appearance of course.
The traffic is hectic too. Constant wrecks and delays. Everyone driving like crazy people. Its a wonderful place to visit but I am so thankful Jeff does not want to live in a place like this and that he is a country boy at heart. I am thankful as well that he is able to find work in more sparsely populated areas instead of a heavily populated area.
This morning we are hoping to visit with Jeff's mom and sister at their home. Until now we have only met in restaurants because someone or other has been sick. We have yet to meet Jeff's niece's little two year old. His birthday was the day we arrived. I have never met him and neither have the girls. Then this afternoon we are to visit Jeff's dad and his wife at their home where they are cooking a turkey dinner with all the trimmings. Jeff's dad loves to cook and he loves turkey dinners. I am not sure what the plan is for tomorrow and then we will begin our journey home on Monday and Tuesday. That will give us not quite a week to get rested from the vacation and then Jeff will start work on the 28th.
I am happy and thankful for God's provision and protection and the blessing he has given us.
There are 4 million full time residents who live in the valley. The population swells in the winter and goes back down to about 4 million during the summer. Its March right now but the weather is more like late spring or early summer that I am used to. There is very little wind so there are many restaurants with outdoor tables. Living in the mid west we were never really able to enjoy the outdoor facilities because of constant high winds and weather that is either cold or very hot.
The culture here is quite different than I am used to as well. There is a lot more fashion and fancy than I care about. The people dress high society and I am just a country girl. Here I am with denim carpi's and a tee shirt and in the next table are people who are dressed like I would for the fanciest function I would ever attend but to them its everyday attire. Instead of feeling out of place I just feel homesick. I like people who are more down to earth. People who can survive unusual circumstances and get by. Most of the ladies have shoes so tall they can barely walk let alone escape from a threat. Its kind of funny to me. I'm sure they just glance at us and write us off as country bumpkins and that is fine with me. If I had to choose I would choose country bumpkin every time. I feel like my life is more real than theirs. I am just judging by outside appearance of course.
The traffic is hectic too. Constant wrecks and delays. Everyone driving like crazy people. Its a wonderful place to visit but I am so thankful Jeff does not want to live in a place like this and that he is a country boy at heart. I am thankful as well that he is able to find work in more sparsely populated areas instead of a heavily populated area.
This morning we are hoping to visit with Jeff's mom and sister at their home. Until now we have only met in restaurants because someone or other has been sick. We have yet to meet Jeff's niece's little two year old. His birthday was the day we arrived. I have never met him and neither have the girls. Then this afternoon we are to visit Jeff's dad and his wife at their home where they are cooking a turkey dinner with all the trimmings. Jeff's dad loves to cook and he loves turkey dinners. I am not sure what the plan is for tomorrow and then we will begin our journey home on Monday and Tuesday. That will give us not quite a week to get rested from the vacation and then Jeff will start work on the 28th.
I am happy and thankful for God's provision and protection and the blessing he has given us.
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Settling in and other things
We are getting settled in here and getting things done we need to do, like get a bank account, change addresses, and other such fun stuff.
We set up the laundry but this time we did it a little different. I will have to take a picture when we get back from vacation and show you what we are doing with it.
The people we have met so far are so very friendly. Very talkative and amicable. Willing to help, forthcoming with information and helps. I think we are going to like it here.
Last evening Jeff's new boss stopped by to chat and see if we needed anything. He is very excited for Jeff to come to work and said the higher ups are already talking about taking him away from him. I think Jeff will stay at the new place for a while at least. I am happy that Jeff will be appreciated for his skills. The new boss told the higher ups that he was not going to hire any one until he found who he was looking for and he is glad he waited for Jeff. Of course he wishes he was there working already. He said the opportunity for advancement is great at the new place. I am so glad for Jeff.
We took the car in to the shop today because it kept saying to add coolant. We kept adding coolant and then a few days later the same thing. Turns out the radiator is shot. They are replacing it now. We hope its done by tomorrow so we can head out.
I don't know if I am ready for 17 hours in the car. It took us two days to get here and now 17 hours each way to see Jeff's folks. Ugh.
We set up the laundry but this time we did it a little different. I will have to take a picture when we get back from vacation and show you what we are doing with it.
The people we have met so far are so very friendly. Very talkative and amicable. Willing to help, forthcoming with information and helps. I think we are going to like it here.
Last evening Jeff's new boss stopped by to chat and see if we needed anything. He is very excited for Jeff to come to work and said the higher ups are already talking about taking him away from him. I think Jeff will stay at the new place for a while at least. I am happy that Jeff will be appreciated for his skills. The new boss told the higher ups that he was not going to hire any one until he found who he was looking for and he is glad he waited for Jeff. Of course he wishes he was there working already. He said the opportunity for advancement is great at the new place. I am so glad for Jeff.
We took the car in to the shop today because it kept saying to add coolant. We kept adding coolant and then a few days later the same thing. Turns out the radiator is shot. They are replacing it now. We hope its done by tomorrow so we can head out.
I don't know if I am ready for 17 hours in the car. It took us two days to get here and now 17 hours each way to see Jeff's folks. Ugh.
Monday, March 14, 2011
Monday but no laundry???
Today is Monday but we ended up going to a laundry mat aka washateria yesterday. Never again. I will be setting up my home laundry system asap. That laundry mat was nasty. ICK.
I think for now I will wash in the tub with the two buckets like I was doing before I set up my wringer washer. I will at least get my clothes line set up for drying.
As soon as everyone gets done showering I will begin the wash.
Jeff and I got a P.O. Box # and this afternoon we will try to find a bank to our liking. We got the forwarding address papers filled out and ready to send off.
Soon we will begin our search for a lot/land.
We woke this morning to 64 degrees. Wow. I bet we are going to have some adjusting to do this summer if its already this warm this time of year. We saw people out mowing their yards. Flowers are blooming all over the place and the gardens are being planted. I'm not sure but I think that you can garden all year with row covers and such.
I think for now I will wash in the tub with the two buckets like I was doing before I set up my wringer washer. I will at least get my clothes line set up for drying.
As soon as everyone gets done showering I will begin the wash.
Jeff and I got a P.O. Box # and this afternoon we will try to find a bank to our liking. We got the forwarding address papers filled out and ready to send off.
Soon we will begin our search for a lot/land.
We woke this morning to 64 degrees. Wow. I bet we are going to have some adjusting to do this summer if its already this warm this time of year. We saw people out mowing their yards. Flowers are blooming all over the place and the gardens are being planted. I'm not sure but I think that you can garden all year with row covers and such.
Sunday, March 13, 2011
We have little neighbors
We are so lucky in that the slot we decided to put the 5th wheel is right by a family with three little children. I think there is a girl about 4, then a boy who looks to be 2 and then a 2 week old boy. Just my cup of tea. Little ones to love and play with. Jeff said maybe my mission field is right next door. The mommy said her husband wants her to home school so they can continue to travel with daddy. I told her I would help all I could. I asked how long they will be here and she said at least a year. Yippie.
Today we get to go to the town where Joy will be having a concert. I haven't seen her since Christmas so I am ready to see her.
I am so saddened by the quake in Japan. I am amazed there not more lives lost though.
Today we get to go to the town where Joy will be having a concert. I haven't seen her since Christmas so I am ready to see her.
I am so saddened by the quake in Japan. I am amazed there not more lives lost though.
Saturday, March 12, 2011
Mark Chapter 13~we are called to watch~
Mar 13:1 And as he went out of the temple, one of his disciples saith unto him, Master, see what manner of stones and what buildings are here!
Mar 13:2 And Jesus answering said unto him, Seest thou these great buildings? there shall not be left one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down.
Mar 13:3 And as he sat upon the mount of Olives over against the temple, Peter and James and John and Andrew asked him privately,
Mar 13:4 Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign when all these things shall be fulfilled?
Mar 13:5 And Jesus answering them began to say, Take heed lest any man deceive you:
Mar 13:6 For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.
Mar 13:7 And when ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars, be ye not troubled: for such things must needs be; but the end shall not be yet.
Mar 13:8 For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be earthquakes in divers places, and there shall be famines and troubles: these are the beginnings of sorrows.
Mar 13:9 But take heed to yourselves: for they shall deliver you up to councils; and in the synagogues ye shall be beaten: and ye shall be brought before rulers and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them.
Mar 13:10 And the gospel must first be published among all nations.
Mar 13:11 But when they shall lead you, and deliver you up, take no thought beforehand what ye shall speak, neither do ye premeditate: but whatsoever shall be given you in that hour, that speak ye: for it is not ye that speak, but the Holy Ghost.
Mar 13:12 Now the brother shall betray the brother to death, and the father the son; and children shall rise up against their parents, and shall cause them to be put to death.
Mar 13:13 And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.
Mar 13:14 But when ye shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing where it ought not, (let him that readeth understand,) then let them that be in Judaea flee to the mountains:
Mar 13:15 And let him that is on the housetop not go down into the house, neither enter therein, to take any thing out of his house:
Mar 13:16 And let him that is in the field not turn back again for to take up his garment.
Mar 13:17 But woe to them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days!
Mar 13:18 And pray ye that your flight be not in the winter.
Mar 13:19 For in those days shall be affliction, such as was not from the beginning of the creation which God created unto this time, neither shall be.
Mar 13:20 And except that the Lord had shortened those days, no flesh should be saved: but for the elect's sake, whom he hath chosen, he hath shortened the days.
Mar 13:21 And then if any man shall say to you, Lo, here is Christ; or, lo, he is there; believe him not:
Mar 13:22 For false Christs and false prophets shall rise, and shall shew signs and wonders, to seduce, if it were possible, even the elect.
Mar 13:23 But take ye heed: behold, I have foretold you all things.
Mar 13:24 But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun shall be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light,
Mar 13:25 And the stars of heaven shall fall, and the powers that are in heaven shall be shaken.
Mar 13:26 And then shall they see the Son of man coming in the clouds with great power and glory.
Mar 13:27 And then shall he send his angels, and shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from the uttermost part of the earth to the uttermost part of heaven.
Mar 13:28 Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When her branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is near:
Mar 13:29 So ye in like manner, when ye shall see these things come to pass, know that it is nigh, even at the doors.
Mar 13:30 Verily I say unto you, that this generation shall not pass, till all these things be done.
Mar 13:31 Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away.
Mar 13:32 But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father.
Mar 13:33 Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is.
Mar 13:34 For the Son of man is as a man taking a far journey, who left his house, and gave authority to his servants, and to every man his work, and commanded the porter to watch.
Mar 13:35 Watch ye therefore: for ye know not when the master of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at the cockcrowing, or in the morning:
Mar 13:36 Lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping.
Mar 13:37 And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch.
Mar 13:2 And Jesus answering said unto him, Seest thou these great buildings? there shall not be left one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down.
Mar 13:3 And as he sat upon the mount of Olives over against the temple, Peter and James and John and Andrew asked him privately,
Mar 13:4 Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign when all these things shall be fulfilled?
Mar 13:5 And Jesus answering them began to say, Take heed lest any man deceive you:
Mar 13:6 For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.
Mar 13:7 And when ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars, be ye not troubled: for such things must needs be; but the end shall not be yet.
Mar 13:8 For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be earthquakes in divers places, and there shall be famines and troubles: these are the beginnings of sorrows.
Mar 13:9 But take heed to yourselves: for they shall deliver you up to councils; and in the synagogues ye shall be beaten: and ye shall be brought before rulers and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them.
Mar 13:10 And the gospel must first be published among all nations.
Mar 13:11 But when they shall lead you, and deliver you up, take no thought beforehand what ye shall speak, neither do ye premeditate: but whatsoever shall be given you in that hour, that speak ye: for it is not ye that speak, but the Holy Ghost.
Mar 13:12 Now the brother shall betray the brother to death, and the father the son; and children shall rise up against their parents, and shall cause them to be put to death.
Mar 13:13 And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.
Mar 13:14 But when ye shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing where it ought not, (let him that readeth understand,) then let them that be in Judaea flee to the mountains:
Mar 13:15 And let him that is on the housetop not go down into the house, neither enter therein, to take any thing out of his house:
Mar 13:16 And let him that is in the field not turn back again for to take up his garment.
Mar 13:17 But woe to them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days!
Mar 13:18 And pray ye that your flight be not in the winter.
Mar 13:19 For in those days shall be affliction, such as was not from the beginning of the creation which God created unto this time, neither shall be.
Mar 13:20 And except that the Lord had shortened those days, no flesh should be saved: but for the elect's sake, whom he hath chosen, he hath shortened the days.
Mar 13:21 And then if any man shall say to you, Lo, here is Christ; or, lo, he is there; believe him not:
Mar 13:22 For false Christs and false prophets shall rise, and shall shew signs and wonders, to seduce, if it were possible, even the elect.
Mar 13:23 But take ye heed: behold, I have foretold you all things.
Mar 13:24 But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun shall be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light,
Mar 13:25 And the stars of heaven shall fall, and the powers that are in heaven shall be shaken.
Mar 13:26 And then shall they see the Son of man coming in the clouds with great power and glory.
Mar 13:27 And then shall he send his angels, and shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from the uttermost part of the earth to the uttermost part of heaven.
Mar 13:28 Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When her branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is near:
Mar 13:29 So ye in like manner, when ye shall see these things come to pass, know that it is nigh, even at the doors.
Mar 13:30 Verily I say unto you, that this generation shall not pass, till all these things be done.
Mar 13:31 Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away.
Mar 13:32 But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father.
Mar 13:33 Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is.
Mar 13:34 For the Son of man is as a man taking a far journey, who left his house, and gave authority to his servants, and to every man his work, and commanded the porter to watch.
Mar 13:35 Watch ye therefore: for ye know not when the master of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at the cockcrowing, or in the morning:
Mar 13:36 Lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping.
Mar 13:37 And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch.
Our trip to our new home
God was so wonderful in providing us with a safe and sound trip to our new home. Jeff ran out of gas late the first night out in the middle of no where. We thought we had a can of gas but upon investigation it was a can of kerosene. We did have two empty gas cans so Mollie and Hannah drove ahead to the next town and filled them. By that time Jeff had driven to within 10 miles of the town. We prayed for the trip and the tires and such and were so blessed with no other problems. Thank You dear Lord.
While driving for so long I had time to think and decided I wanted to take one section out of the couch and make an office area at the end of the couch. So when we were unpacking that's just what we did. I now have a small desk to put my computer on and a place to do office work.
Tomorrow we will head to the town where Joy will be preforming in concert. It will be good to see her.
Next week we will head to Arizona for a few days to visit with Jeff's mom and dad and families.
Then Jeff starts work on the 28th.
While driving for so long I had time to think and decided I wanted to take one section out of the couch and make an office area at the end of the couch. So when we were unpacking that's just what we did. I now have a small desk to put my computer on and a place to do office work.
Tomorrow we will head to the town where Joy will be preforming in concert. It will be good to see her.
Next week we will head to Arizona for a few days to visit with Jeff's mom and dad and families.
Then Jeff starts work on the 28th.
Friday, March 11, 2011
Something to think about by Tracy Bunker
American Woman;
Weakened by Power
I have a good friend. This friend asked me to come over and help her butcher a troublesome rooster. She had never butchered anything or watched an animal be butchered. She is very squeamish about these things, and was unable to watch some portions of the butchering. She helped me when I needed an extra hand, but seemed a bit distressed about the whole affair.
I was pondering all this awhile later and decided I was angry. Not at my friend, no, I like her very much. I had decided I was angry at the society for stealing from women. For while the feminist movement portrayed women as a fragile creature and called for us to gain the courage to stand up, be strong, and do things that we couldn't before, all it did was weaken us. Now we can sit at Congress and be governors and maybe even be President, but we can no longer butcher a chicken. We cannot gut a pig because we think that is gross. We cannot ( or will not ) clean a chicken house or muck out a horse stall. We can't make cheese or bread or candles, weave fullcloth, braid baskets, grow gardens or even educate our children. We rely on a faulty system to feed our families and shape our children's minds while we are away running companies, fighting wars and leading countries.
But if you ask us, our chests swell with pride and we say we are free, strong, and powerful. But it is still not enough. Say, why can't we play football? We have fooled ourselves into thinking the feminist movement has done so much for us, made us strong and independent. In all truth, it has made us slaves. We have sold and lost all that was admirable about the classic American June Cleaver. We disdainfully think of how our mothers and grandmothers slaved away and they couldn't even vote! What these women don't realize is that the very things they despise about the pioneer woman were her virtues. And, really, if any early nineteenth century woman saw us today, she would have to laugh at how very soft and helpless we are.
So why are we surprised when we find out the food we feed our children contains so many body destroying substances such as corn syrup, MSG, aspartame, aluminum, and so many others? Could we expect much more?
Of course it should make sense when we look at the current teenage generation and a shudder runs down or spine. What will happen to us when these kids run everything? If the pregnant, drinking, smoking, foul mouthed, depressed, brain dead young woman we see every time we go to Walmart had had the womanly influence she needed that her mother could have provided, maybe she would be a very different, happier person. If her mother had not just raised her and actually trained her, maybe things would be a bit different. Maybe. We should not be startled when a small child asks us where milk comes from or if eggs come from trees. It's not cute, it is disturbing. Women are largely responsible for our new generation of confused youth.
If we talk to our grandmothers they may tell us of a time when we knew exactly what went into our children's minds and mouths because we were there, raising them in the honor and admonition of the Lord. We fed them from the wholesome bounties of our home grown gardens. We taught our daughters and passed on skills and wisdom. We raised our sons to be men. We loved our husbands and worked to make our houses homes. We fought a more important war on the home front. We fought a war in our children's minds, in our youth's hearts. We barred the way of Satan's inevitable tries to corrupt our children, the next generation. We were strong, and we did our God-given duties. What could be more admirable?
But we nervously laugh and say we are glad that age is over.
" Just think of doing all that work from dawn till dusk. All that slaving and sweating? And for what?"
Titus 2: 4 & 5 " That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children; To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the Word of God be not blasphemed."
We should do it because it is our duty. We should do it for the Honor and Glory of the Lord.
A worthy cause to say the very least.
Blessings to you and yours.
Tracy Bunker
This was written by the 17 year old daughter of Michael Bunker. You can read her blog here:http://processdriven.blogspot.com/
Weakened by Power
I have a good friend. This friend asked me to come over and help her butcher a troublesome rooster. She had never butchered anything or watched an animal be butchered. She is very squeamish about these things, and was unable to watch some portions of the butchering. She helped me when I needed an extra hand, but seemed a bit distressed about the whole affair.
I was pondering all this awhile later and decided I was angry. Not at my friend, no, I like her very much. I had decided I was angry at the society for stealing from women. For while the feminist movement portrayed women as a fragile creature and called for us to gain the courage to stand up, be strong, and do things that we couldn't before, all it did was weaken us. Now we can sit at Congress and be governors and maybe even be President, but we can no longer butcher a chicken. We cannot gut a pig because we think that is gross. We cannot ( or will not ) clean a chicken house or muck out a horse stall. We can't make cheese or bread or candles, weave fullcloth, braid baskets, grow gardens or even educate our children. We rely on a faulty system to feed our families and shape our children's minds while we are away running companies, fighting wars and leading countries.
But if you ask us, our chests swell with pride and we say we are free, strong, and powerful. But it is still not enough. Say, why can't we play football? We have fooled ourselves into thinking the feminist movement has done so much for us, made us strong and independent. In all truth, it has made us slaves. We have sold and lost all that was admirable about the classic American June Cleaver. We disdainfully think of how our mothers and grandmothers slaved away and they couldn't even vote! What these women don't realize is that the very things they despise about the pioneer woman were her virtues. And, really, if any early nineteenth century woman saw us today, she would have to laugh at how very soft and helpless we are.
So why are we surprised when we find out the food we feed our children contains so many body destroying substances such as corn syrup, MSG, aspartame, aluminum, and so many others? Could we expect much more?
Of course it should make sense when we look at the current teenage generation and a shudder runs down or spine. What will happen to us when these kids run everything? If the pregnant, drinking, smoking, foul mouthed, depressed, brain dead young woman we see every time we go to Walmart had had the womanly influence she needed that her mother could have provided, maybe she would be a very different, happier person. If her mother had not just raised her and actually trained her, maybe things would be a bit different. Maybe. We should not be startled when a small child asks us where milk comes from or if eggs come from trees. It's not cute, it is disturbing. Women are largely responsible for our new generation of confused youth.
If we talk to our grandmothers they may tell us of a time when we knew exactly what went into our children's minds and mouths because we were there, raising them in the honor and admonition of the Lord. We fed them from the wholesome bounties of our home grown gardens. We taught our daughters and passed on skills and wisdom. We raised our sons to be men. We loved our husbands and worked to make our houses homes. We fought a more important war on the home front. We fought a war in our children's minds, in our youth's hearts. We barred the way of Satan's inevitable tries to corrupt our children, the next generation. We were strong, and we did our God-given duties. What could be more admirable?
But we nervously laugh and say we are glad that age is over.
" Just think of doing all that work from dawn till dusk. All that slaving and sweating? And for what?"
Titus 2: 4 & 5 " That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children; To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the Word of God be not blasphemed."
We should do it because it is our duty. We should do it for the Honor and Glory of the Lord.
A worthy cause to say the very least.
Blessings to you and yours.
Tracy Bunker
This was written by the 17 year old daughter of Michael Bunker. You can read her blog here:http://processdriven.blogspot.com/
We made it
Just a quick post to let you know that we made it here. I will write a post about all the adventures we had on the way. We did end up in a completely different town than we had originally thought we would stop in. More later, just know we are safe and getting settled.
Thank you for your prayers.
Thank you for your prayers.
Thursday, March 10, 2011
Traveling blessing sent to me this morning
Luv u. Go bless u and keep u safe today and always. Let no evil thing come upon u. May God build a wall of protection around u and those u love. God grant u peace in every storm that comes ur way. May satan and his army quake at ur coming and flee before u arrive. God's will and purpose shall stand.
Til God brings us together again, you will be in my prayers.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I had asked a dear friend to pray for us today for safety in travel and the above prayer is what she text ed back. I thought it was so nice I wanted to share it with all of you. If you feel so inclined we would appreciate prayers from each of you for safe travels these next few days.
I think part of my nervousness is that we will have a caravan with everything we own on this earth and just want safety for our children and ourselves. Jeff will be driving the pickup with the 5th wheel, I will drive the U Haul pulling the storage trailer and Mollie will drive the car. I hope this doesn't sound selfish not to want everything we own to be destroyed but more important for our personal safety.
Til God brings us together again, you will be in my prayers.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I had asked a dear friend to pray for us today for safety in travel and the above prayer is what she text ed back. I thought it was so nice I wanted to share it with all of you. If you feel so inclined we would appreciate prayers from each of you for safe travels these next few days.
I think part of my nervousness is that we will have a caravan with everything we own on this earth and just want safety for our children and ourselves. Jeff will be driving the pickup with the 5th wheel, I will drive the U Haul pulling the storage trailer and Mollie will drive the car. I hope this doesn't sound selfish not to want everything we own to be destroyed but more important for our personal safety.
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
We got the U Haul
We picked up the U Haul truck this morning. The girls have pretty much gotten it loaded. We have a few more boxes of jarred foods to pack and then the glasses and plates and then when we hook up we need to put the cement blocks and such in there and then we are done. Oh and the pictures need taken down off the walls and appliances from the top of the cabinet. I really don't know what all I need to pack and take down because we really haven't traveled that much with this 5th wheel, we just brought it here and moved stuff into it to live. Plus we only moved it about 35 miles from our old home.
Jeff works tomorrow and then we will be done so we may take out after work tomorrow and get a few hours driving done. We plan to boon dock in a Wal Mart parking lot so if we get started we can get there at a good time on Friday and begin to get set up. That will give us all day Saturday to set up and unload the U Haul. We have to return the truck on Sunday. Then we can drive to where Joy will be having her concert and watch that.
We have to turn in our post office keys and get a refund, I called the propane company and they are going to pick up the large propane tank we rented. I hope I am not forgetting anything.
Laundry Day (Hip-Hip Hooray!) by my friend Yolanda
Laundry Day (Hip-Hip Hooray!)
“Laundry Day” is said with ease,
But I am moved to differ.
Because of e-lec-tri-ci-ty
Our joints are getting stiffer.
“What can we do?” My heart doth cry,
Are we all doomed to suffer?
With all our faculties awry
Because of power’s buffer..
Between us and the need for work?
We sit and use our thumbs,
For texting, email and the like.
We’re turning into bums.
“No! No!” I cry, it cannot be!
We need lots more activity!
Get up, get out, oh see it there?
There’s swaying clothing in the air!
The sun is out, it’s warm, it’s free!
I’m moved to tears..how can it be
This simple labor I have found
Is possible the whole year round?
My limbs and joints quite happily
Engage in this activity.
I reminisce and contemplate
Beloved Earth’s eventual fate.
If we are very circumspect,
And treat Her with devout respect,
Our grandchildren will join the throng
Of happy launderers who prolong
Their own lives, and the lives of friends.
We will accomplish the good ends
Of clean air, land and water too.
I think this is what we must do!
“Laundry Day” is said with ease,
But I am moved to differ.
Because of e-lec-tri-ci-ty
Our joints are getting stiffer.
“What can we do?” My heart doth cry,
Are we all doomed to suffer?
With all our faculties awry
Because of power’s buffer..
Between us and the need for work?
We sit and use our thumbs,
For texting, email and the like.
We’re turning into bums.
“No! No!” I cry, it cannot be!
We need lots more activity!
Get up, get out, oh see it there?
There’s swaying clothing in the air!
The sun is out, it’s warm, it’s free!
I’m moved to tears..how can it be
This simple labor I have found
Is possible the whole year round?
My limbs and joints quite happily
Engage in this activity.
I reminisce and contemplate
Beloved Earth’s eventual fate.
If we are very circumspect,
And treat Her with devout respect,
Our grandchildren will join the throng
Of happy launderers who prolong
Their own lives, and the lives of friends.
We will accomplish the good ends
Of clean air, land and water too.
I think this is what we must do!
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Author unknown
A POEM
A clothesline was a news forecast
To neighbours passing by,
There were no secrets you could keep
When clothes were hung to dry.
It also was a friendly link
For neighbours always knew
If company had stopped on by
To spend a night or two.
For then you'd see the "fancy sheets"
And towels upon the line;
You'd see the "company table cloths"
With intricate designs.
The line announced a baby's birth
From folks who lived inside -
As brand new infant clothes were hung,
So carefully with pride!
The ages of the children could
So readily be known
By watching how the sizes changed,
You'd know how much they'd grown!
It also told when illness struck,
As extra sheets were hung;
Then nightclothes, and a bathrobe, too,
Haphazardly were strung.
It also said, "Gone on vacation now"
When lines hung limp and bare.
It told, "We're back!" when full lines sagged
With not an inch to spare!
New folks in town were scorned upon
If wash was dingy and gray,
As neighbours carefully raised their brows,
And looked the other way .. . .
But clotheslines now are of the past,
For dryers make work much less.
Now what goes on inside a home
Is anybody's guess!
I really miss that way of life.
It was a friendly sign
When neighbours knew each other best
By what hung on the line.
I remember everyone giggling about how the diapers were hung on the line and it meaning the baby would soon be here. Mom was getting ready or nesting as they used to call it. A friend of mine and I were talking about a mom who had a scheduled C-section and her milk hadn't come in and the baby hasn't had a wet diaper in 24 hours. We discussed that our bodies know when to have milk when we have our babies in God's time and not the doctors.
A clothesline was a news forecast
To neighbours passing by,
There were no secrets you could keep
When clothes were hung to dry.
It also was a friendly link
For neighbours always knew
If company had stopped on by
To spend a night or two.
For then you'd see the "fancy sheets"
And towels upon the line;
You'd see the "company table cloths"
With intricate designs.
The line announced a baby's birth
From folks who lived inside -
As brand new infant clothes were hung,
So carefully with pride!
The ages of the children could
So readily be known
By watching how the sizes changed,
You'd know how much they'd grown!
It also told when illness struck,
As extra sheets were hung;
Then nightclothes, and a bathrobe, too,
Haphazardly were strung.
It also said, "Gone on vacation now"
When lines hung limp and bare.
It told, "We're back!" when full lines sagged
With not an inch to spare!
New folks in town were scorned upon
If wash was dingy and gray,
As neighbours carefully raised their brows,
And looked the other way .. . .
But clotheslines now are of the past,
For dryers make work much less.
Now what goes on inside a home
Is anybody's guess!
I really miss that way of life.
It was a friendly sign
When neighbours knew each other best
By what hung on the line.
I remember everyone giggling about how the diapers were hung on the line and it meaning the baby would soon be here. Mom was getting ready or nesting as they used to call it. A friend of mine and I were talking about a mom who had a scheduled C-section and her milk hadn't come in and the baby hasn't had a wet diaper in 24 hours. We discussed that our bodies know when to have milk when we have our babies in God's time and not the doctors.
Three days and counting
We are scheduled to leave in just three days. The U Haul is confirmed for pick up tomorrow morning. We can begin loading the heavy stuff into the U Haul then. We also have some things stored at a friends home and my sewing machine is there as well because I did much of my sewing for her.
Its time to close this chapter of our lives. I will miss the friends I have made here.
Mollie has already begun packing boxes with jarred and canned food. She is stacking the boxes with Hannah's help in the aisle of the storage trailer. When we go get the U Haul we will transfer those boxes to it. We will use the U Haul to pull the storage trailer.
We will have a little caravan of sorts when we travel. We will have the pick up pulling the 5thwheel, the U Haul pulling the storage trailer and then the car. We plan to boon dock on the way to save money and time.
Any new adventure is exciting and scary as well. I am just praying for safe passage and no car troubles. If you think of us please pray for our safety as well.
When we get to our destination we are hoping to find a spot of land that we can live on instead of an RV park. I am anxious to plant a garden again.
Jeff is counting the days left at work as well. He said they seem longer. I said its just because he is excited to move on to the next phase of our life.
One exciting bonus will be that we will get to see Joy soon after we get to where we are going. She is touring now with the choir tour and will be within a few hours of us so we will be able to drive to the nearest church for a concert and to see her.
Its time to close this chapter of our lives. I will miss the friends I have made here.
Mollie has already begun packing boxes with jarred and canned food. She is stacking the boxes with Hannah's help in the aisle of the storage trailer. When we go get the U Haul we will transfer those boxes to it. We will use the U Haul to pull the storage trailer.
We will have a little caravan of sorts when we travel. We will have the pick up pulling the 5thwheel, the U Haul pulling the storage trailer and then the car. We plan to boon dock on the way to save money and time.
Any new adventure is exciting and scary as well. I am just praying for safe passage and no car troubles. If you think of us please pray for our safety as well.
When we get to our destination we are hoping to find a spot of land that we can live on instead of an RV park. I am anxious to plant a garden again.
Jeff is counting the days left at work as well. He said they seem longer. I said its just because he is excited to move on to the next phase of our life.
One exciting bonus will be that we will get to see Joy soon after we get to where we are going. She is touring now with the choir tour and will be within a few hours of us so we will be able to drive to the nearest church for a concert and to see her.
Sunday, March 6, 2011
Saturday, March 5, 2011
Flour Sacks
This is a school picture of me wearing a dress my mom made out of a flour sack. My dad and grandparents owned and operated a large restraunt so we had access to lots of flour sacks. My mom was very thrifty and made my sisters and myself many dresses from flour sacks. She also made matching bloomers and purses from the fabric.I remember my grandmother making curtians for her kitchen shelving. Finally they saved enough money to get real cabinets with doors so grandma used the curtians for quilt backing. So for my grandma a flour sack went round and round until it finally wore out.
BY COLLEEN B. HUBERT
IN THAT LONG AGO TIME WHEN THINGS WERE SAVED,
WHEN ROADS WERE GRAVELED AND BARRELS WERE STAVED,
WHEN WORN-OUT CLOTHING WAS USED AS RAGS,
AND THERE WERE NO PLASTIC WRAP OR BAGS,
AND THE WELL AND THE PUMP WERE WAY OUT BACK,
A VERSITILE ITEM, WAS THE FLOUR SACK.
PILLSBURY'S BEST, MOTHER'S AND GOLD MEDAL, TOO
STAMPED THEIR NAMES PROUDLY IN PURPLE AND BLUE.
THE STRING SEWN ON TOP WAS PULLED AND KEPT;
THE FLOUR EMPTIED AND SPILLS WERE SWEPT.
THE BAG WAS FOLDED AND STORED IN A SACK
THAT DURABLE, PRACTICAL FLOUR SACK.
THE SACK COULD BE FILLED WITH FEATHERS AND DOWN,
FOR A PILLOW, OR T'WOULD MAKE A NICE SLEEPING GOWN.
IT COULD CARRY A BOOK AND BE A SCHOOL BAG,
OR BECOME A MAIL SACK SLUNG OVER A NAG.
IT MADE A VERY CONVENIENT PACK,
THAT ADAPTABLE, COTTON FLOUR SACK.
BLEACHED AND SEWN, IT WAS DUTIFULLY WORN
AS BIBS, DIAPERS, OR KERCHIEF ADORNED.
IT WAS MADE INTO SKIRTS, BLOUSES AND SLIPS.
AND MOM BRAIDED RUGS FROM ONE HUNDRED STRIPS
SHE MADE RUFFLED CURTAINS FOR THE HOUSE OR SHACK,
FROM THAT HUMBLE BUT TREASURED FLOUR SACK!
AS A STRAINER FOR MILK OR APPLE JUICE,
TO WAVE MEN IN, IT WAS A VERY GOOD USE,
AS A SLING FOR A SPRAINED WRIST OR A BREAK,
TO HELP MOTHER ROLL UP A JELLY CAKE,
AS A WINDOW SHADE OR TO STUFF A CRACK,
WE USED A STURDY, COMMON FLOUR SACK!
AS DISH TOWELS, EMBROIDERED OR NOT,
THEY COVERED UP DOUGH, HELPED PASS PANS SO HOT,
TIED UP DISHES FOR NEIGHBORS IN NEED,
AND FOR MEN OUT IN THE FIELD TO SEED.
THEY DRIED DISHES FROM PAN, NOT RACK
THAT ABSORBENT, HANDY FLOUR SACK!
WE POLISHED AND CLEANED STOVE AND TABLE,
SCOURED AND SCRUBBED FROM CELLAR TO GABLE,
WE DUSTED THE BUREAU AND OAK BED POST,
MADE COSTUMES FOR OCTOBER (A SCARY GHOST)
AND A PARACHUTE FOR A CAT NAMED JACK.
FROM THAT LOWLY, USEFUL OLD FLOUR SACK!
SO NOW MY FRIENDS, WHEN THEY ASK YOU
AS CURIOUS YOUNGSTERS OFTEN DO,
"BEFORE PLASTIC WRAP, ELMERS GLUE
AND PAPER TOWELS, WHAT DID YOU DO?"
TELL THEM LOUDLY AND WITH PRIDE DON'T LACK,
"GRANDMOTHER HAD THAT WONDERFUL FLOUR SACK!"
FEED SACKS TOO! > REMEMBER??
IN THAT LONG AGO TIME WHEN THINGS WERE SAVED,
WHEN ROADS WERE GRAVELED AND BARRELS WERE STAVED,
WHEN WORN-OUT CLOTHING WAS USED AS RAGS,
AND THERE WERE NO PLASTIC WRAP OR BAGS,
AND THE WELL AND THE PUMP WERE WAY OUT BACK,
A VERSITILE ITEM, WAS THE FLOUR SACK.
PILLSBURY'S BEST, MOTHER'S AND GOLD MEDAL, TOO
STAMPED THEIR NAMES PROUDLY IN PURPLE AND BLUE.
THE STRING SEWN ON TOP WAS PULLED AND KEPT;
THE FLOUR EMPTIED AND SPILLS WERE SWEPT.
THE BAG WAS FOLDED AND STORED IN A SACK
THAT DURABLE, PRACTICAL FLOUR SACK.
THE SACK COULD BE FILLED WITH FEATHERS AND DOWN,
FOR A PILLOW, OR T'WOULD MAKE A NICE SLEEPING GOWN.
IT COULD CARRY A BOOK AND BE A SCHOOL BAG,
OR BECOME A MAIL SACK SLUNG OVER A NAG.
IT MADE A VERY CONVENIENT PACK,
THAT ADAPTABLE, COTTON FLOUR SACK.
BLEACHED AND SEWN, IT WAS DUTIFULLY WORN
AS BIBS, DIAPERS, OR KERCHIEF ADORNED.
IT WAS MADE INTO SKIRTS, BLOUSES AND SLIPS.
AND MOM BRAIDED RUGS FROM ONE HUNDRED STRIPS
SHE MADE RUFFLED CURTAINS FOR THE HOUSE OR SHACK,
FROM THAT HUMBLE BUT TREASURED FLOUR SACK!
AS A STRAINER FOR MILK OR APPLE JUICE,
TO WAVE MEN IN, IT WAS A VERY GOOD USE,
AS A SLING FOR A SPRAINED WRIST OR A BREAK,
TO HELP MOTHER ROLL UP A JELLY CAKE,
AS A WINDOW SHADE OR TO STUFF A CRACK,
WE USED A STURDY, COMMON FLOUR SACK!
AS DISH TOWELS, EMBROIDERED OR NOT,
THEY COVERED UP DOUGH, HELPED PASS PANS SO HOT,
TIED UP DISHES FOR NEIGHBORS IN NEED,
AND FOR MEN OUT IN THE FIELD TO SEED.
THEY DRIED DISHES FROM PAN, NOT RACK
THAT ABSORBENT, HANDY FLOUR SACK!
WE POLISHED AND CLEANED STOVE AND TABLE,
SCOURED AND SCRUBBED FROM CELLAR TO GABLE,
WE DUSTED THE BUREAU AND OAK BED POST,
MADE COSTUMES FOR OCTOBER (A SCARY GHOST)
AND A PARACHUTE FOR A CAT NAMED JACK.
FROM THAT LOWLY, USEFUL OLD FLOUR SACK!
SO NOW MY FRIENDS, WHEN THEY ASK YOU
AS CURIOUS YOUNGSTERS OFTEN DO,
"BEFORE PLASTIC WRAP, ELMERS GLUE
AND PAPER TOWELS, WHAT DID YOU DO?"
TELL THEM LOUDLY AND WITH PRIDE DON'T LACK,
"GRANDMOTHER HAD THAT WONDERFUL FLOUR SACK!"
FEED SACKS TOO! > REMEMBER??
Thursday, March 3, 2011
Washing bedding in a wringer washer
Today I am washing bedding in my wringer washer outside for the first time. Its is suppose to get up to 70 today so I thought it would be a good day since its suppose to cool back down into the 50's.
The first item of bedding I washed was the comforter. I used about a tablespoon of eucalyptus/tea tree oil in the wash to help any dust mites or other critters that may or may not be inhabiting my bedding. I read about them and now I have the heebie geebies. Ick. It took Mollie, Hannah and I to haul that thing out of the wash and into the rinse and then out of the rinse. I knew it would be way too heavy for my umbrella clothes line and would most certainly break it so I got my big ladder out, washed it off and we hung the comforter over that. We were not able to wring it out at all so it is just dripping like crazy. I figured that would be the case so I got started as early as I could.
The next load I am doing is the sheets and the pillow cases. I think I will be able to fold them and run them through the wringer and hang them up on the umbrella line. If I am careful I don't think it will mess my clothes line up.
Depending on how long it takes to wash the sheets will decide if I am able to do any other laundry today.
Now that I have been doing my laundry at home with my wringer washer I just cannot bear to go to the laundry mat. I have read where ladies claim that doing laundry this way is very hard. I have not found that to be the case. The hardest items to wash are of course the comforters and large blankets. Next is the jeans because I do not run them through the wringer because I do not want to damage the zippers. Jeans are so expensive. When I am washing jeans I just have one of the girls come help when its time to wring them out. I have found that they usually have no problem helping me, I think they kind of like doing it too.
I arrange my schedule so that I can do the wash any day that is nice out. During the winter if we were to stay in this area I would have to go to the laundry mat but unless we have very cold weather for several days in a row I am able to wash outside right now and I am thankful for that.
The first item of bedding I washed was the comforter. I used about a tablespoon of eucalyptus/tea tree oil in the wash to help any dust mites or other critters that may or may not be inhabiting my bedding. I read about them and now I have the heebie geebies. Ick. It took Mollie, Hannah and I to haul that thing out of the wash and into the rinse and then out of the rinse. I knew it would be way too heavy for my umbrella clothes line and would most certainly break it so I got my big ladder out, washed it off and we hung the comforter over that. We were not able to wring it out at all so it is just dripping like crazy. I figured that would be the case so I got started as early as I could.
The next load I am doing is the sheets and the pillow cases. I think I will be able to fold them and run them through the wringer and hang them up on the umbrella line. If I am careful I don't think it will mess my clothes line up.
Depending on how long it takes to wash the sheets will decide if I am able to do any other laundry today.
Now that I have been doing my laundry at home with my wringer washer I just cannot bear to go to the laundry mat. I have read where ladies claim that doing laundry this way is very hard. I have not found that to be the case. The hardest items to wash are of course the comforters and large blankets. Next is the jeans because I do not run them through the wringer because I do not want to damage the zippers. Jeans are so expensive. When I am washing jeans I just have one of the girls come help when its time to wring them out. I have found that they usually have no problem helping me, I think they kind of like doing it too.
I arrange my schedule so that I can do the wash any day that is nice out. During the winter if we were to stay in this area I would have to go to the laundry mat but unless we have very cold weather for several days in a row I am able to wash outside right now and I am thankful for that.
Ok this is funny
As most of you know my husband has accepted a new job in another state and has given his notice at work.
The other day his boss came in and asked if a guy Jeff used to work with could come over now and then to help them out after Jeff leaves. Jeff told him that the guy does not know anything about PLC's so he would not be able to help them. When Jeff did work with him the man told Jeff in his interview that he didn't know what to ask him because he didn't know anything about what Jeff does. He hired him because he felt Jeff could do what he said he could. And of course he can do what he says he can.
Later his boss asked him to take two days before he leaves and train two guys to do what he does. I cracked up. Apparently he either doesn't think Jeff does too much or that he can fit 20 years of training and skills into a two day training for two guys who don't necessarily even have the aptitude to do that kind of work.
I just emailed my sweet husband and told him that he if he gets started training those two guys this morning he should be done by noon. I haven't gotten a response yet. He he.
The past is history
The future is a mystery
Right now is a gift
That's why they call it the (present)
The other day his boss came in and asked if a guy Jeff used to work with could come over now and then to help them out after Jeff leaves. Jeff told him that the guy does not know anything about PLC's so he would not be able to help them. When Jeff did work with him the man told Jeff in his interview that he didn't know what to ask him because he didn't know anything about what Jeff does. He hired him because he felt Jeff could do what he said he could. And of course he can do what he says he can.
Later his boss asked him to take two days before he leaves and train two guys to do what he does. I cracked up. Apparently he either doesn't think Jeff does too much or that he can fit 20 years of training and skills into a two day training for two guys who don't necessarily even have the aptitude to do that kind of work.
I just emailed my sweet husband and told him that he if he gets started training those two guys this morning he should be done by noon. I haven't gotten a response yet. He he.
The past is history
The future is a mystery
Right now is a gift
That's why they call it the (present)
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
Redneck Church
1. You Know You're in a Redneck Church if ....
The finance committee refuses to provide funds for the purchase of a chandelier because none of the members knows how to play one.
2. You Know You're in a Redneck Church if ....
People ask, when they learn that Jesus fed the 5000, whether the two fish were bass or catfish, and what bait was used to catch 'em.
3. You Know You're in a Redneck Church if ....
When the pastor says, "I'd like to ask Bubba to help take up the offering" and five guys and two women stand up.
4. You Know You're in a Redneck Church if ....
Opening day of deer season is recognized as an official church holiday.
5. You Know You're in a Redneck Church if...
A member of the church requests to be buried in his 4-wheel-drive truck because "It ain't never been in a hole it couldn't get out of" (Love it!)
6. You Know You're in a Redneck Church if ....
The choir is known as the "OK Chorale".
7. You Know You're in a Redneck Church if ....
In a congregation of 500 members, there are only seven last names in the church directory.
8. You Know You're in a Redneck Church if ....
People think "rapture" is what you get when you lift something too heavy.
9. You Know You're in a Redneck Church if ....
The baptismal pool is a #2 galvanized " Wheeling " washtub.
10. You Know You're in a Redneck Church if ....
The choir robes were donated by (and embroidered with the logo from) Billy Bob's Barbecue.
11. You Know You're in a Redneck Church if ....
The collection plates are really hubcaps from a '56 Chevy.
12. You Know You're in a Redneck Church if ...
Instead of a bell you are called to service by a duck call.
13. You Know You're in a Redneck Church if ....
The minister and his wife drive matching pickup trucks.
14. You Know You're in a Redneck Church if ....
The communion wine is Boone's Farm "Tickled Pink".
15. You Know You're in a Redneck Church if...
"Thou shall not covet" applies to huntin' dogs, too.
16. You know You're in a Redneck Church if ....
The final words of the benediction are, "Y'all come back now, Ya hear".
God Bless and don't fergit ta say yer prayers
The finance committee refuses to provide funds for the purchase of a chandelier because none of the members knows how to play one.
2. You Know You're in a Redneck Church if ....
People ask, when they learn that Jesus fed the 5000, whether the two fish were bass or catfish, and what bait was used to catch 'em.
3. You Know You're in a Redneck Church if ....
When the pastor says, "I'd like to ask Bubba to help take up the offering" and five guys and two women stand up.
4. You Know You're in a Redneck Church if ....
Opening day of deer season is recognized as an official church holiday.
5. You Know You're in a Redneck Church if...
A member of the church requests to be buried in his 4-wheel-drive truck because "It ain't never been in a hole it couldn't get out of" (Love it!)
6. You Know You're in a Redneck Church if ....
The choir is known as the "OK Chorale".
7. You Know You're in a Redneck Church if ....
In a congregation of 500 members, there are only seven last names in the church directory.
8. You Know You're in a Redneck Church if ....
People think "rapture" is what you get when you lift something too heavy.
9. You Know You're in a Redneck Church if ....
The baptismal pool is a #2 galvanized " Wheeling " washtub.
10. You Know You're in a Redneck Church if ....
The choir robes were donated by (and embroidered with the logo from) Billy Bob's Barbecue.
11. You Know You're in a Redneck Church if ....
The collection plates are really hubcaps from a '56 Chevy.
12. You Know You're in a Redneck Church if ...
Instead of a bell you are called to service by a duck call.
13. You Know You're in a Redneck Church if ....
The minister and his wife drive matching pickup trucks.
14. You Know You're in a Redneck Church if ....
The communion wine is Boone's Farm "Tickled Pink".
15. You Know You're in a Redneck Church if...
"Thou shall not covet" applies to huntin' dogs, too.
16. You know You're in a Redneck Church if ....
The final words of the benediction are, "Y'all come back now, Ya hear".
God Bless and don't fergit ta say yer prayers
Bible School Chior Tour
My daughter Joy is again touring with the college choir this spring. She called me and I copied down the tour schedule.
Spring Choir Tour
March 6th Rockport West Virginia, 11:00 am, Tri County Worship Center
March 6th Glenville, West Virginia, 6:00 pm, Glenville Community Church
March 7th Cottontown, Tenn., 7:00 pm, Jesus Reigns Fellowship
March 8th Hinton, Al., 7:00 pm, Apostolic Faith Church
March 9th Pine Hill, Al. 7:00 pm. Pine Hill Chapel
March 10th Porter, Texas 7:00 pm, Tabernacle in the woods/Calvary outreach
March 11th Oak Hearst, Texas 7:00 pm, Oak Hearst Full Gospel Church
March 13th am, Katy, Texas 10:45 am, Trinity Apostolic Faith Church
March 13th pm Alvin, Texas 6:30 pm, Trinity Apostolic Faith Church
March 15th Vanderpool, Texas 7:00 pm, Vanderpool Community Church
March 16th Rock Island, Texas 7:30 pm, Rock Island Full Gospel Church
March 17th Alleyton, Texas 7:00 pm, Christian Gospel Chruch
March 18th Rockdale, Texas 7:00 pm, Apostolic Faith Church
Joy will be graduating at the beginning of May. She is still the youngest in the school and at the top of her class academically and is the age that most students are when they begin college. I am very proud of her and what she has accomplished. I am sure if her dad were alive he would be very proud of her too.
Spring Choir Tour
March 6th Rockport West Virginia, 11:00 am, Tri County Worship Center
March 6th Glenville, West Virginia, 6:00 pm, Glenville Community Church
March 7th Cottontown, Tenn., 7:00 pm, Jesus Reigns Fellowship
March 8th Hinton, Al., 7:00 pm, Apostolic Faith Church
March 9th Pine Hill, Al. 7:00 pm. Pine Hill Chapel
March 10th Porter, Texas 7:00 pm, Tabernacle in the woods/Calvary outreach
March 11th Oak Hearst, Texas 7:00 pm, Oak Hearst Full Gospel Church
March 13th am, Katy, Texas 10:45 am, Trinity Apostolic Faith Church
March 13th pm Alvin, Texas 6:30 pm, Trinity Apostolic Faith Church
March 15th Vanderpool, Texas 7:00 pm, Vanderpool Community Church
March 16th Rock Island, Texas 7:30 pm, Rock Island Full Gospel Church
March 17th Alleyton, Texas 7:00 pm, Christian Gospel Chruch
March 18th Rockdale, Texas 7:00 pm, Apostolic Faith Church
Joy will be graduating at the beginning of May. She is still the youngest in the school and at the top of her class academically and is the age that most students are when they begin college. I am very proud of her and what she has accomplished. I am sure if her dad were alive he would be very proud of her too.
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
oranges
This evening Hannah and I went to Wal Mart to pick up a few things and found some oranges for ten cents each. We picked up 4 of them. Tonight Hannah ate one and gave me a slice, they are really good. We are going to go back tomorrow and pick up a bunch more. Can't beat the price. I do not know if they are available all over for that price but we are sure happy about it.
~Tip~we always just put the oranges on the counter but have found that if you refrigerate them they are a whole lot better tasting. Cool and refreshing.
I save my orange peels and put them into a gallon jug of white vinegar that is about 1/2 full. I can then use the vinegar like other orange cleaners. I also have orange essential oil that I will add to the vinegar when I put it in the spray bottle to use as a cleaner.
Waste not, want not.
Hand Cream Recipe
75 g (5 tbs) Coconut Oil
25 g (4 tsp) Almond Oil
10 drops Lemon Essential Oil
10 drops Lavender Essential Oil
Instructions
1. In a double-boiler, melt the coconut oil.
2. Add the almond oil and mix well.
3. Remove the mixture from the heat and add the essential oils.
4. Mix well and pour into a clean glass jar. Don't forget to label your jar with today's date and the content
source: http://www.relaxation-at-home.com/best-hand-lotion.html
This is a recipe I just found for hand cream. It is not my recipe I use for Pink Monkey Body Whip. I think I will try it and test it out.
25 g (4 tsp) Almond Oil
10 drops Lemon Essential Oil
10 drops Lavender Essential Oil
Instructions
1. In a double-boiler, melt the coconut oil.
2. Add the almond oil and mix well.
3. Remove the mixture from the heat and add the essential oils.
4. Mix well and pour into a clean glass jar. Don't forget to label your jar with today's date and the content
source: http://www.relaxation-at-home.com/best-hand-lotion.html
This is a recipe I just found for hand cream. It is not my recipe I use for Pink Monkey Body Whip. I think I will try it and test it out.
~~Look what I won~~
The other day I got an email that said something like last chance to respond or something from Command. I use and love command hooks so I opened the email. It said I had until the next day to respond or I would forfit my prize. What prize? I responded and ended up getting a big box with all of these wonderful command products in it.
Having purchased many command products I know that this prize is a good one a has a high dollar value. I am super excited. I actually already have a box I keep my extra adhesive and hooks in and now I have all kinds of goodies to use and put in my box.
One thing I got was a package of cord clips. I had already been using some regular command hooks to hold an electrical cord out of the way and had no idea they actually make a clip for that. Now I can take down my hooks, install the clips and have more hooks to use somewhere else. The clips are in the top photo third from left.
After I opened the package I immediatly emailed the lady who had sent me the original email and thanked her. I think I should send her a link to this post as well.
Thank you Command for the great prize.
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