Sorry haven't blogged in sometime...I just prefer facebook at this moment as a way to share. Well anyways I have a question I would love to ask those that follow the Lord. You see in my enthusiasm to share on Facebook something I found in scripture , I found many friends who did not agree with me on the subject. While I was not shocked, what was and is shocking is that after much research I still can't see their side. So I want to ask you two questions. This is not to provoke, or start trouble or to bring anger. I really want to know your answers or even if you don't anwer me, I pray you seek the answers out yourself.
First Question (two parts) Do you think the Lord created everything? And if so, do you think he created evil?
Second Question: (three parts) Do you think the Devil is a fallen angel? Most give scriptures for Lucifer (a king), fallen Angels (who are all in everlasting chains) and Satan as all being the same person. Do you know the history of these three scriptures? Have you looked into what others belive that don't think he's a fallen angel, the history they give and the scriptures they also give?
You may write me on here, in private, or not at all. I only post to (I pray) get everyone to look beyond what is taught, and look and seek the Lord in his truth. These questions may not be salvation type questions but they sure will make your love for the Lord grow when you have a better understanding of Him.
First HOMESCHOOL DEALS: (below that if you chose to skip is my organization mess)
Okay a week or so ago I went to a used homeschool book fair to get me some good deals on some homeschool books. For the FIRST time in the 6 or so years that I have been going there I went there with a cut and dry list of what I wanted. I did not walk out with all that I wanted, but I walked out very happy, and $90.00 dollars poorer!
Right up front let me start by saying that I am on a mission. You see I have found certain curriculum's, that to me, works for every type of child. They can be relaxed, or rigid, depending on what learning style they have. And so I have started buying every grade, to own the whole collection 3rd-12th grade. I have about 13 more subjects left and I am done! Oh and I love LOVE books made by the homeschooler for the homeschooler...my list shows it.
The books I use are:
Apologia science (need 2 more for high school, 4 for elementary)
Math-U-See (need 5 more)
The Mystery Of History (1-4) (need 2 more)
All American History (done)
Spelling Power (done)
At the used sale I was able to get 3 apologia science years for a little over $20 each and a Math-U-See for $10 (still needs student workbook) and a Latin curriculum for $10. I also got a KONOS high school Medieval World set for FREE! Its a massive set with all kinds of stuff, she just gave it to me because someone gave it to her! New it would cost $60.00! It covers one History, Writing, and Art credit for high school each! is that not cool or what! And because my kids seem to love hands on projects, this will be up their alley!
organization mess: (homeschool that is)
Before you read below, what I am writing may sound like lots of extra work, it is not in my eyes. I love working on my kids school and so I enjoy the 'extra work'. Also please do not think that the extra work I am providing for my children below is something they must do during *that* subject time. My children get 1 hour a day of book reading or a school DVD to do each day (weekends included-don't worry my kids love it) and this *extra* fun work can be done then.
I have been working on organizing my life little by little. You would not know it by my house as of yet, but I am. The other day at a friends home I was thumbing through her new version of the Mystery Of History book and was baffled that she had large post-it notes in each chapter with stuff I could not make out on it. When I questioned her she told me she finds books that she owns to correlate with that time frame and has her children read them. (insert open mouth shock) Of course this curriculum already lists a large number of read along books to do during private time, but she had her own collection and used hers instead. That is not the shocking part, the shocking part is by just taking a couple of hours to leave notes for her children, she now knows they will be reading those books at that time. LOVE IT! So instead of them just reading any old book during reading time, they read a books that go along with what they are studying at that time! Might sound boring to you, but it's actually really fun, I have seen my own children after reading or hearing about one subject, go to the library and get more on it.
I tried to do roughly the same concept as my friend last year with my Mystery of History book but failed at it because I was trying to do it as we went along and was frustrated that the library either did not have the book we wanted or by the time I was able to pick it up we were about done with the chapter. So early on I gave up. But now I realize that if I just start a few weeks before school begins and write in each chapter what I need, then 2 chapters before time I can easily look it up and get the books or DVD's. A little planning ahead makes light work later on.
I am also doing this for science, language arts and maybe Latin too if need be. It has been fun to get onto the libraries website and look up cool books and DVD's to go along with what Devin will be learning in science. I practically want to do school with him!
It will probably take me from now until September 1 (when we normally start school) to finish doing this, but I am so excited to start! Let the homeschool games begin!
okay before I give you what this post is about, I am giving you fair warning, what is below is a guide line for my family, not a hard fast rule! Do not under any circumstance think that what is below is a daily *have* to. We probably won't do 75% of it each day. I just need guidance, and after much prayer and hard work this is my answer:
My Daily Schedule
Chore Chart and details
P.S. It probably has a few things that will need to be adjusted as we find issues. OH AND YOU HAVE TO USE THE ARROW (that faces down) at the top of the chart to make the document larger.
I just wanted to post our homeschool meanderings for everyone. We will be starting school September 1st, like we have for about 5 or 6 years now. We do school roughly 4 hours a day 4 days a week for roughly 45 weeks a year. Taking off Christmas and Vacation/life. Giving us a total of 720 hours of 'class room' school. The other 280+ hours (MO requires 1000 hours of school) will easily be made up in many other ways, mostly in reading, writing, and school video's.
Tyrus our 4 year old will be doing miscellaneous school because I don't usually buy curriculum for a child before 3rd grade. However my friend Karen gave me plenty to keep him busy throughout the morning hours and he loves doing school with his brother.
I will be rotating our school so it will look like this:
For P.E. Devin will be volunteering at HOH every week on Tue or Wed from 2-4pm. He is also involved in Baseball, Basketball, and Bowling throughout the year.
Our Homeschool Schedule for 2009/2010:
7-9am All are done as a family except dress and rooms
-Dress
-Pick up rooms
-Cook/Eat/clean up Breakfast
-Garden chores in summer House chores in winter or a mix if needed
-Bible Time
-Get school books out and ready
Editor's note: Normally I would never post something that is inappropriate for a child, however this e-letter was meant to inform parents and I felt the need to pass it on so others will understand...no children please.
Hello Everyone, I got this e-Letter yesterday and just finished reading it (yes it takes me days to go through one e-mail) and when I was done...I was so heartbroken! I was heartbroken for that child, and sad for the many other children that will endure such a life. This e-letter (below) is reason #2 why I don't send my children to public school...reason #1 includes reason #2...but I separate them for your understanding that reason #1 covers all the other reasons that follow it.
I post this with a heavy heart because in our family most of the children that were abused (and there were many), were abused by family and not in the school, however some were abused in the school later in life. Protect your children from EVERYONE!
Homeschool News 'n Views Issue 117, May 17, 2009
By Dan L. White
Last week we held our Monday Night Thing, as usual. The normal number of homeschool teens and grads were there, playing basketball and volleyball. However, on that Monday night, the church also held a service in the sanctuary. Generally, when they are going to hold a service on Monday, which happens perhaps a couple of times a year, we get word ahead of time and cancel our homeschool activities. Of course, we're all too busy, and sometimes we don't get done all that we would like to, so we didn't know that they were having a service in the other part of the building until well into the evening.
I don't think that we were a problem for them. The sanctuary is in the same complex but about fifty feet away from the gym, so I doubt that we disturbed them. We hope not.
My wife Margie played a game of full court basketball with us, then went into the nursery to watch the grandkids so that one of our daughters could play basketball. The nursery is beside the sanctuary, so on her way to the church service, a lady saw Margie in the nursery with little kids and assumed she was running the nursery for the church service. She talked about how glad she was that the nursery was open, and then left her little girl with her. A little boy also popped in for a short while.
A little later our daughter took her kids and went home, so Margie was left with just the one little girl. The girl did not know Margie, but since Margie was apparently in charge of the nursery, the little girl trusted her and talked a lot with her. She attends public school.
This is what Margie said about her conversation with the little girl in the nursery.
“The little girl told me she was 6 yrs. old and would be 7 in Aug. She was like any other little girl of her age - full of life, giggly, her bright eyes full of expectation as she played in the church nursery while her mother attended the revival. What I didn't know until later was that those same bright eyes had been exposed to events that compromised her little girl innocence.
Later, after all the other children were gone, she began to tell me about the "bad boys" who rode her bus to school every day. I asked her how did she know they were bad. She responded by making squishy movements with both her hands, imitating what these bad boys had done. "And they even do this," she said, pointing between her legs.
"How old are these boys", I asked masking my shocked soul, thinking this must be high school or junior high boys, at least.
"Five", she said.
Her story telling began to gain momentum as she excitedly showed me numerous lewd hand gestures she had learned. Some I was familiar with; others were new to me. One in particular was like the "hook 'em horns" University of Texas Longhorns football fans hand signal but with the lapping of a dog included.
She went on to tell me about her two older sisters, 12 and 14, the older one thinking that she was "so hot". "Some of their friends," she said as she leaned over to whisper into my ear, "have sex with boys".
I wondered if she even knew what she was talking about. She was so young and seemingly tender. Yet the thoughts and ideas coming out of her mouth were just filth.
This little girl was so thankful that her mother knew and had taught her right from wrong, as some of the kids she was talking about had not been taught that. She hadn't been physically abused by these bad boys. She said they had left her alone, so far. But she had been forever changed. Her innocence was gone.
When the mother came back to get her daughter, I mentioned that I was with the homeschool group and not with the church. She said that she had been thinking about homeschooling her children. I wondered if she would if she knew what her little girl had just told me.”
We have said over and over again that the biggest education of the public schools comes from the culture and not the classroom. This is that education. This is what permeates the public school culture, and this is what kids learn there. As I have often said, we live in one of the best places in America to live, because it is one of the most Christian areas of the country. Yet when a little girl, who is regularly taken to church, goes to public school, this is what she is exposed to.
Consider that. From the age of five or six, almost all young people in America, for five days a week, about forty weeks a year, for twelve to fourteen years, are inundated by sex. Even the best of these young people are damaged by this. Many have their lives ruined.
God help us all to rescue as many young people as possible from this education.
- - - - - -
Homeschool Helpers In association with Pass It On Ministries 5017 McDaris Drive
Hartville, MO. 65667
417-741-7641 www.homeschool-helpers.info
A few weeks ago my BFF sent me a questioner and one of the questions was 5 places you would like to visit. My dear girlfriend put on there some great vacation spots, but when I erased them to add mine (cuz you have to fill it out and send it back and then to others) I could not think of ONE place I would rather be other than with friends and family.
It's not that I don't want to see this amazing world God made, it's just that to me, I need vacation to 'be' friends and family. Because after those vacations are long gone all I can remember are the great times I had with family. I don't remember a sunset, I don't remember a bright blue ocean;
I remember my mom and I laughing and having a good time with me, making brownies.
I remember my dad and our family laughing at the dinner table while eating my mom's yummy dinner!
I remember meeting my sister for the first time at age 31.
I remember standing in line at an amusement park talking to my BFF, or I remember laying on the beach watching our boys play and my friend and I just talking about good old times.
I remember the wonderful times with my grandparents Doris...who sat with me one day and told me so many wonderful stories about our families history.
I remember my Grandmother Ray, my cousin Kitzi, my mom, and my new to me sister Karrie all sitting at the table looking at old photos, some of us even crying. Oh and my grandma was a hottie! And my dad looked great in a dress!
For me, God put my vacation spot, right in the heart of another human. I just find it hard to see any 'physical place' as a vacation. Though it would surly be a bonus if I have a friend or family member at that vacation spot~
My husband thought it would be nice to take a day off this weekend to give us a four day weekend of fun family time. I am ever so thankful for it! We had a blast.
On Thursday we all went fishing at Pomme De Tarre Lake. It was too windy to catch anything really but we so enjoyed the relaxed family time.
-did I mention I have a 12 year old that eats like MORE than his dad does. It was like they we in an eating contest at lunch! I think they had 5 hot dogs each, plus chips, plus fruit!
-A nice moment came up to teach my youngest about patients while fishing it was a great time to speak to him about how the Lord desires patients. Ty is a good kid, he kept looking at me, "has that been long enough?"...lol it was funny he had no patients to be patient.
Then Friday I went to the SHEM homeschool conference in Springfield MO. I absolutely LOVE going to the conferences! I hung out with a close girlfriend of mine and we had a blast being our goofy selves...and spent loads too much on yummy homeschool books and stuff!
-I got Devin (and all 10 future children) These Great CD's on American History...I so wish I had these CD's growing up, I would have easily been a history buff!
-I also got him Math-U-See. I am just bored with Saxon and because of it's public school tendencies I just wanted it out of my house.
Saturday was a day to go to some 'tag sales' (that is Martha Stewart for 'yard sales') and get us some booty to help prepare for 'change' (That is obama for 'change'). If things get bad enough and people get homeless we want enough provisions for them to stay with us, if God so desires.
Then on Sunday it was Ty's Birthday. It was such a wonderful day! Ty got all he asked for (thanks to great yard sale deals!) He was so happy to get these items. Now I will help him pick out just as many items (if not many more) to donate to those in need, he loves giving to the kids 'who don't have any toys' as he likes to say.
Then on Monday I sat my fat butt in my office chair and did nothing like ALL DAY-except facebook!!~ A four day weekend is fun but tiring!
"I feel like I'm standing in the middle of a crowded room, screaming at the top of my lungs and no one even looks up!"
Ya'll know what movie that is quoted from?-sad to say before I was married I could quote that whole movie (probably still could ;-)
So do you ever feel like that quote? Especially when you are speaking to someone concerning your faith, or scripture, or anything to do with the Lord? I know I have felt that way more times than I care to count. But through my frustration (at those unwilling to listen) I learned so much. I learned that my frustration was not seen as frustration for truth it was seen as anger, resentment, and even arrogance! I have never ever wanted anyone to see it that way and yet...that is what they saw. So where did I go wrong, where in my search for truth and my desire to share with others what the Lord has shown our family did I go from sharing/questioning to what they saw in me?
My answer is; I personally don't think we did one simple thing before we began each conversation, and that is pray. For our family to pray before we started talking, for to the Lord to lead us in our talks with others. Maybe they would still see what we said as wrong, but I would rather be wrong (to them or whatever) and have them still feel like I respected them than to be wrong and have see this family as arrogant.
Don't get me wrong I know we can't make everyone happy, but I just think we (especially me) need to come at it with a better heart. Less bitter about the fact that no matter how loud I yell, few will hear what our family has to say. I am okay with that (well not really I want everyone to feel the Lords love the way I do or better!)
So while few will ever hear what Thor and I have to say, we pray we always have the mind of Christ (and the meekness of Paul) when speaking...This is my apology to you.
I want to thank everyone for there questions and concerns regarding my health. I know many of you are concerned and have many questions still unanswered. I pray I can bring better understanding to you today.
But before we being I wanted to share a song with you that I pray will help you understand how I see my new found sickness. This is an important part of what I am blogging about so please download it and listen/watch it first...then read on.
"Jesus Bring the Rain"
This is my way of doing a Q and A.
Well I am on a diet. Not a diet to lose weight (though I pray that is something that will happen:-) I am on a diet to rid my body of toxins.
What toxins you may ask?
Well first Candida.
Candida?
Candida is a yeast that everyone has. But for some reason- more than likely all the junk I ate my whole life-my body has allowed the candida to get out of hand. And what would be a normal amount of yeast in my body...is now wreaking havoc on me.
How do you know you have candida?
Well this is gross but I have thrush in my mouth, I have pleurisy (for almost a year now), I get yeast infections with EVERY period, serious brain fog, just to name a few.
How do you get rid of this?
Well unfortunately once candida has left your gut and is everywhere the only real way to get rid of it is to starve it to death.
What does Candida eat?
Sugar, gluten, and anything like sugar...such as fruit, starchy veggies, etc.
I am also doing this diet because my body is possibly killing itself! I have not been truly diagnosed yet (doctor's visit is not until July) but it looks like I have some sort of auto immune disorder where my body is attacking itself and causing my muscles to twitch, vibrate, and stiffen. That and the endless brain fog, and exhaustion.
What disorder is that?
Well I am totally speculating here but it looks like Multiple Sclerosis. Just for the record M.S. is where the body attacks two things, #1 it attacks the coating (this is like black electrical tape) of your central nervous system (this is like the wires of your electrical system). When the black tape is gone the electrical system starts to short circuit. and #2 it also allows cells (the cells that normally fight infection) into the brain where they attack the brain. This can be pretty bad especially later in the disorder. From all I have read, it looks like this disorder could also be linked to my poor food choices, i.e. huge amounts cola, sugared coffee, fast food, preservatives, etc.
Lots of people eat those things why doesn't everyone have this disorder?
Well that is a good question, it seems that some people have gene pools that make them more susceptible to disorders than others. There are more factors than I like to speculate on but genetics is probably a big answer to that. Also many people probably have issues that are caused by poor diet...they just don't know it.
But M.S. is not curable right?
Well that is what the medical community says, but I think it's at least naturally treatable...I won't say curable...but from all I have read if caught early enough it can be treated enough so that you don't ever see symptoms again.
What treatment would that be?
Well for one the diet I am on(for the record I am not on the full diet yet I get to that later) This diet mostly consists of eating all natural foods. NO sugar, NO gluten, NO milk, NO preservatives, etc. Eating organic as well will help. To read more on the diet go here.
I also had a hair analysis. You see my blood work, urine, and x-rays were all coming back normal even though my body was saying...YOUR NOT NORMAL! But I found with a hair analysis it sees what those test can't see. Those results helped me to see what herbs and supplements I should take to help regulate myself. It also helped me see that certain foods that I thought were on my 'can have' part of my diet are now 'can't have' due to my metabolism type and what my body is not ridding itself of (calcium and magnesium) or is ridding too much of(phosphorus). It's a long story so lets just say it helped me see how to best use my diet/supplements for the best benefits.
Soon I will see a doctor and he will help me determine if it is indeed what I think it is, M.S. He will also help get me on some supplements, and see me on my way to living a normal life again.
Why are you sharing this with us?
Because I think God wants me to share with others that what you put into your mouth, does matter. Don't get me wrong a diet soda here, and a piece of cake there...is not so much my concern. What I think God wants me to show others is that when we eat we should always be thoughtful to what it is, how much, and how often. He also want's me to share that food can make you sick and eating foods he made are so much better.
If you look at history (a great book to get on what cultures have eaten is Nourishing Traditions) their diets tell us a lot about health and nutrition. It is amazing that cultures with no understanding of the science behind it eat so much better than our culture where we know the science.
I want to emphasize I am not saying nor advocating a strict diet of any particular food. I am only wanting to stress that you pray and weigh in your prayers to the Lord your desire to take care of the temple He gave you. He will guide you.
Love,
Faith
P.S. if you want to continue on I will tell you how this all got started...in short form
*Seriously odd behavior at the end of my last pregnancy(now 4 years ago) mild depression
*mild postpartum depression for 8 months after birth of baby
*brain fog-way more than usual
*lack of caring about anything-not depressed
*came home from binging trip 2 years after birth of baby from GA with lump in throat...thought cancer...found out just reflux
*muscle cramps in legs a few weeks later-thought calcium/magnesium issues took supplements got worse plus now I had weird vibrations in chest
*went to doctor took x-rays tested my cal/mag...said nada and sent me on my way
*did this again a few days later...said nada and sent me on my way
* few weeks later sharp pain in my chest when I would breath, urgent care visit later (plus another e-ray diagnosis: pleurisy
* Got sick had to take antibiotics (because of my husbands chemo treatments) started to get yeast infections and thrush in mouth
*vibrations getting stronger plus other issues got online and realized my symptoms were from candida
* Did not due much to find out what the vibrations were because of my husband health issues...put it on the back burner for a long time
*finally had enough went to doctor with a list of my issues he put me on a heart monitor
*lady did not put monitor on right and before I was able to go back and do it again the vibrations moved to my right arm and leg also
* doctor did lupus test-normal
*doctor sent me to neurologist...but I wanted to see someone who worked naturally to fix this issue so I asked a friend to give me the name of her doctor
*He said must wait until July but a hair analysis and supplements recommended from that analysis would be a great start
*muscles went from vibrating to also twitching all muscles even large ones
* Started my diet
* Got hair analysis test back and realized a lot of the foods I was eating while healthy were not good for some of my problems.
*currently waiting for doctors visit.
I have been 'sick' for a long time now. For some reason my body is just revolting against me. I know that more than likely it is the toxic crap I shove in my face day in and day out. I realize this is not what God wants me to do or to feed my family with. I have ordered new food for my family (14She is like the merchants' ships; she bringeth her food from afar.Proverbs 31:14) and plan on doing away with many of our glutinous behaviors when it comes to food. Some items (listed below) we will not be eating for at least 6 months (a detox if you will) the list below sounds horrific to not have...but if you keep reading you will see we will not suffer. In our culture we think a delectable dish must contain the list below...but we are missing so much of God's yummy foods.
sugar-we however will be substituting with xylitol (a natural sweetener) here and there
gluten-instead we will be using nut flours, tapioca flours, rice flours, etc.
dairy-this is just apart of the detox-the human body is not meant for milk after about 3 years old
These foods in moderation are not bad, however I have eaten so much of them that my body is full of toxic waste and candida. It just won't absorb good stuff anymore. So until I am totally better these items will not touch my mouth.
Okay now for some of the yummy items I will be eating. Your not going to believe what we will be eating...lets just say your going to wish you were on this diet too;-). I wish I could say I was a culinary person who could make sugar free (sf) gluten free (gf) and dairy free-also called casein free (cf) foods like no ones business...but I can't. So instead I will be providing links to another blog that has yummy dishes that follow our families new diet.
Snacks/Smoothies/Lattes: yep your reading that right I said latte!
Nutcracker LatteThis just looks beyond yummy! Frozen vanilla tea Latte Blueberry Cream Smoothie Blueberry Almond Banana Muffins - these just make my mouth water! Lunches: as always leftovers from dinner Dinners: Salads/Appetizers: Caesar Salad Japanese Salad dressing for: Raw corn salad Spinach salad Main Dishes: Stew Broccoli Quiche I can come up with many normal dishes that are gf/sf/cf free. My biggest problem is finding gf products because so many condiments contain gluten. Also learning how to thicken items without milk and flour! and learning how to make tortilla wraps. I will list my own recipe finds/experiments later. Deserts: Chocolate Pie spiced almond brittle vanilla cookies pecan pie-you have no idea how cool it is to have this on my diet Ice cream-scroll down to see the huge lists of ice creams! This is just a small list of some of the items I will be serving our family on the new diet. what do you think? I would love to answer any questions you have. Latte
Well we are 6 months into our 12 month school year (we homeschool year round). This year is by far our most consistent year yet...but it's not what you think. Usually by December I have pretty much washed our homeschool books because we bore of them/I am lazy. But this year we love the homeschool books we have and I have forced my self to be a little less lazy. Both have paid off! So here is our updated schedule that seems to work pretty nice for us, it's an average schedule that we try to do Monday-Thursday...notice I said try. We probably only consistently do this schedule 3 times a week on average but I usually make up what school is missed on Friday and the Weekend:
3:20 I get up or see my husband off-This is usually when I blog
6:30 I get up if I don't stay up after husband goes to work-blog
8am get boys up
8-9:15am chores-has chore chart
start laundry
make bed
shower
clean room
eat
brush teeth
put laundry in dryer
start school
9:15-9:45am guitar lessons using book and CD (electric guitar primer)
9:45am-10am bible study and memorization (my oldest boy's choice to memorize)
10-10:15am snack
10:15-10:45 reading (Chronicles of Narnia)
10:45-11am spelling (spelling power)-we love this!
11am-12pm
12pm-1pm lunch
1pm-3pm KONOS or other school activity of his choosing
3-5 Free time
My summer schedule (starts first real hot days or first day of summer)will look like this:
8am get boys up
8-9:15 chores (listed above)
9:15am-10am garden/yard work
10-10:30am guitar
10:30-10:45am bible
10:45-11am spelling
11-12pm History or Science
12-12:30pm reading
12:30-1pm lunch
1-3pm KONOS or other project
3-5pm Free time
With this schedule he loses 30 minutes of lunch but gains really nice morning time outside relaxing and weeding the garden.
Do you ever get to the point when your own funky home grosses you out? Okay I am one of those strange people who wants a super organized home but I don't mind dirt-it's just too unavoidable. But there is a point you get to that you can just no longer touch many parts of your home cuz it's just so gross you think...
"should I just go ahead and clean today?-or would it be best to just condemn this house burn it to the ground and start over with a new one?"
You want to know what is really sad? I clean for a living! Well actually I am a house/homeschool/nurse/butt wiper wife and mom for a living, I just earn a few extra bucks cleaning homes and offices. Which pays well mind you.
And it's not that I mind cleaning my home compared to theirs it's just that mine takes longer!
-days longer...
Want to know why?
I have to organize, homeschool, yell at the kids, and wipe butts, as I go. When I clean other homes...I just clean. I have tried pawning the kids off on to other family members so I can clean but instead I do other things like blog, or read, or nap.
I would love to say I deep clean my home well twice a month but lately some rooms have not been cleaned 'well' in months!
So all this funky funk cleaning got me to wondering how often do you deep clean your home? Ya know where you get the funk out of the funky spots like behind your toilet...or even maybe the toilet it's self? Do tell, this cleaning lady is dieing to know!
Well I have been neglecting this blog for my frugal blog...I am just so addicted to saving money now! I mean when you save more than 70% or more every time you shop, it gets in your blood! Take yesterday for instance, I purchased $305 dollars worth of stuff from Sears, Walgreen's, and CVS and only paid around 88 bucks! And almost all of it IS stuff we need. Anything we don't need (the stuff we don't need I got for free) I donate to a local charity or give to friends in need.
Get off that ladder and get back in the Cabinet NOW!
Okay awhile back my husband mentioned he was going to throw an old rickety wooden ladder away after purchasing a swank new metal one. -I said the heck you are! I am going to decorate with it. At which point laughter and "what are you talking about" remarks from my dear Husband ensued .
All I pretty much had to do was tell him "it's free decor" and I got my ladder!-evil grin!
But over the course of remodeling, the place I had in mind (to hang it on the wall flush against the ceiling with herbs dangling from it) was replaced...will be replaced with a wood stove.
And I don't know about you but a wooden ladder with dry herbs above a wood stove sounds like a fire hazard to me?
So my next idea, well why don't you see for yourself:
On the bottom rung I put magazines (because the ladder is right next to the toilet and everyoneknowsa toilet and reading go hand and hand)
Next rung toilet paper-again, toilet=need for toilet paper
Then I put towels and wash cloths on the upper rungs and in the bottom picture you can see I put some candles on the back rungs so if someone wanted to they could light them...
but I pray not on the ladder!
Sorry I did my pictures in sepia because the paint on my walls is just plain ugly and I did not want you to see it. -I will be painting over it the next few months.
I love rustic...absolutely love it! If you have read older posts you know I am a big square and I like things that are beautiful and well basic. So when my husband told me he was thinking of going into the concrete counter top business I jumped at the chance for a rustic counter top!
This is my main (main meaning the main one we use day in and day out) bathroom counter before: Um...that is a hair tie in the sink, and do you see those black marks on the sink that is were I dropped something and it chipped the sink. I did that when we first got the house almost 10 years ago and not one time since!
Go figure!
Here is another:
you can see the chips better in this one and a the outlet without a cover...we are getting to that.
So drum roll on my new counter top!..............ththththththththtthththtthhttththththt
Don'tcha just love it! I asked for black, but it seems that charcoal was as close to back as they could get...dreamy huh! Did I mention it only cost him about $20 (counter top only) to make?
Here it is in other angles:
If you notice the crease on the counter top in the picture above it's because my husband made this one upside down...and the tape (while flat when he laid it) wrinkled from the weight of the concrete. That is also why you see such color variations, that would not happen if you do it right side up-but I love it this way! I actually love it both ways!
So what do you think? You won't hurt my feelings none! My husband earned real brownie points in my eye! Now he HAS to do the whole house (all counter tops!)
Hello everyone! I just wanted to take a moment to let you know that because I write so much about being frugal that I wanted to have a blog dedicated to just that. So now you can check out all my frugal adventures at The Organic Frugal Freak! Catchy title aye? Well on my TOFF blog you will find stuff like:
Organic recipes
Weekly Recipe swap
Weekly shopping adventures
Frugal tips
Nutritional tips
Other Frugal blogs (lots too)
Links to Giveaways, Contests, and Coupons-all organic related
I pray you find great things on my other blog that you can use!
Latte
Man this is the hardest part of raising a child if you ask me! He is at that age where the truth's about his parents not being perfect start to come out (I know I remember when I saw my mom doing things she had always done but now they were...somehow wrong) While I realize I will never be perfect, I now know it has come to a point that I need to make many changes in my life for the sake of my children's walk with the Lord. Don't get me wrong I am a much different person than I was before I had children but I don't feel I am totally where I want to be to have my children see Christ in me.
But what do I do?...that's a question I know the answer to and yet find it a huge undertaking everyday! I have just spent SO much of my life doing things my way that it's hard to shove it all aside and say now it's time to do it God's way. It's hard to shed old habits.
It's the little things that take away my day...it's me! I know the things I do in a day that take away from my son fully seeing my walk with God are me and not so much the things...but sometimes I wonder if I need to just get rid of those things...but I know that just wont work if I don't change me...
there's just no easy way to do this is there?
I am happy to make the changes, to be a joyful loving wife and mother. I just pray the children never see my short comings as a stumbling block to the Lord.
Joyfully seeking Him so that my children will seek Him also.
Amen
Don't you just love a NEW YEAR. It's hope of a new start, to reflect on the wonderful and crazy past and to move away from bad habits. My New Years Resolutions are my favorite time of the year. Three years ago I always loved to sit down and make my list and I ALWAYS stuck to it-I miss the old me(sigh). But then I had my second child...and all was lost. I have spent the past 3 years trying to gain my life back by get closer to the Lord and in doing so I am starting to see the light of day. It's amazing what hormones and lack of Faith can do to you! I don't mean lack of Faith in the Lord I mean lack of Faith in myself. Bad thoughts bring bad habits that bring bad thoughts...on and on! NO MORE! I love when I tell myself to be happy...I generally am! This past year has brought me to such a closer walk with the Lord, and a new joy with my family. So here are my New Years Resolutions:
#1-To always try and walk joyfully closer to the Lord, Jesus Christ! and in doing that I must:
#2-Love and OBEY my husband in all things-no more back talk...it's just so hard!
#3-Cherish my children-no more "in a minute" while I do something so worthless
#4-Serve others-I like the appeal of saying we are doing missionaryish work...why not in my own back yard?
#5-Prepare my home for easy maintenance!
#6-To be frugal in my meal planning and Have dinner ready EVERY NIGHT!
#7-Eat much smaller servings (don't fret over NOT having an occasional latte-instead have a small coffee cup size instead of a QUART size...I know sad huh?)
#8-Work out everyday by playing with my children and 20min on tread mill. My prayer is that by doing #7 and #8 I will lose the 30 pounds I put on 3 years ago my goal is to be 30lbs lighter by April 26th 2009!
#9-Get school done 4 hours a day 4 days a week-God must be in all the lessons-even Math
#10-Not spend so much time on this computer (no more than 1 hour a day of personal time)
In really interestingly other news I wanted to share with you a video going around in homeschool circles. It's just a bit of information that I think everyone should look at, even if you don't plan on Homeschooling. This is a big reason why we homeschool.
I pray...that we can handle this new future...please pray with me won't you?
Bring the Rain; MercyMe:
Please forward this letter on:
A Letter from Michael Farris, President of ParentalRights.org.
Dear Friend of Parental Rights,
I was in the United States Senate this past week meeting with lawyers for a Senate office. They told me directly what I have been hearing indirectly on a regular basis ever since the election.
Those who want to change family policy in America to comply with international law are preparing a full-scale effort to seek ratification of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child during this next Congress. Barbara Boxer recently told a planning group that they intend to use children’s health care as leverage to seek ratification of this UN children’s rights treaty.
Please link to our website to see a succinct summary of the problems with this UN treaty.
The strength of their forces has been greatly increased with the addition of Hillary Clinton as the nominee for Secretary of State. She will have direct control over the submission of this treaty to the Senate and will acquire the authority under international law to sign any other treaty on any subject.
Hillary Clinton was the person who made the announcement for the Convention on the Rights of the Child when her husband’s administration signed the treaty. Seeking its ratification is a lifelong dream for her.
Our situation is grim if we were to look only at the position of the elected officials.
However, recent post-election polling demonstrates that almost 70% of Americans do not believe that the use of international law in American courts on such matters is appropriate. Less than 20% favor the use of international law. (The rest are undecided). Virtually every sub-group in America opposes this kind of use of international law.
America is on our side. However, we have to be able to get the word out to help people hear the truth about the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.
Our proposed Parental Rights Amendment will permanently stop this treaty. So we have a one-two punch planned for the internationalists.
First, we must build a huge grassroots movement of patriotic Americans who believe that good families should be able to raise their children without worrying about compliance with international law.
Second, these same grassroots forces need to convince our elected officials that we are not content with defeating this treaty for today alone. We insist on a permanent solution. We need the Parental Rights Amendment.
I need you to do two things to help this become a reality. First, please send a copy of this letter to everyone you know who believes in parental rights and American patriotism.
Second, we need to raise a war chest to get prepared to launch a massive grassroots campaign. The other side has millions of dollars left in their campaign coffers, and they have the President of the United States, the Secretary of State and all the media waiting to carry their message.
We can win the debate because we have the truth on our side. And we have public opinion. But we won’t win if we can’t reach people.
Here is what they are saying about us. At the hearing which featured Barbara Boxer, one of the speakers said that the people who will oppose this treaty are the “narcissistic sovereignty crowd.” In other words, those who love America first are so guilty of excessive self-love that he describes us as having the mental illness of narcissism.
This is their real heart. Not only do they want international law to control our families. They think that we are mentally ill for loving America.
It is time for those of us who believe in loving our families and loving America to rise up! We will not surrender this country or our children to such people.
A Godly wife fights with Santa about Global Warming and Evolution
Well I never thought I would be blogging about this but...it's that time I guess. Okay let me start by saying I had the most hilarious Friday! I almost peed on myself with laughter at my cute husband. While laughing to tears I told him I wish I could have recorded this whole day. So I thought man I just as well here...this is not for the faint of heart, or men, or kids....proceed with caution or just throw it to the wind that is what I did when I posted this.
Okay now to the funny crap!~
This Friday I had a doctor's appointment to get a monitor put on my chest due to palpitations-that I have had for oh A YEAR AND 1/2 and not one doctor would due much about-to which I told them this last visit 'do something or lock me in a padded room'-I actually said that, to a doctor-probably not smart huh, but I just don't care anymore.
Sooo anyho I get into the room and the nurse is so into herself, which is fine if they must talk about their wretched lives to every Tom, Dick and Faith that comes in then by all means lay it on me...I should be a good Christian and listen right? So then in the middle of her ranting about her horse or cows or something she says "pull off your top..."
long pause
Then I try and evaluate where the robe thingy is she is suppose to give me, and then look at her like she should leave the room so I can dress into my retard suit that I can't find.
Long stares at one another..."oh you mean now...?"
Yep just pull it all off! Stupid fear starts to hit me when I remember...Oh dear God I am wearing my jeans...that are TOO SMALL!-and taking off my long top will reveal that!
"okay but here is the thing, I have gained about 10 pounds since buying these jeans I have on and I have a serious muffin top! SERIOUS!"
She rolls her eyes and says "oh girl I've seen it all"...BUT I DON"T CARE!!!!!!!!!!!
So in frustration I just fling my top off and say to heck with it.
So there I sat with my jeans that are probably 3 sizes too small, my muffin top that is 10 sizes too big, and what does she do,
stops to TALK
About what you say...I don't know because I was too busy trying to suck in my muffin top in and trying not slam her head into the bench I was sitting on. Man do some people not get how uncomfortable it is to suck in, sit up straight, and this, of course makes your ***** stick way out so then you look like your trying to show them off- ugh! Not to mention just the sheer fact that I was in my bra, talking to this lady about BS! Happy thought Happy thoughts
Okay so then I head off to the health food market to get a few things and then it hits me, the need to go potty! Man why now! They probably don't have a bathroom and I have so much to get! So I tried to hold it but, after much walking around I realized I just could not focus on shopping with this need to go, so I ask and sure enough they do have a potty room-yeah me. SO I race off to the potty and when I turn on the light guess who is staring back at me?
A mental patient!!!!!!!!!! With cords and patches on her upper chest, she looked quite scary!
Oh no wait it's me!
Yep the monitor things are sticking out of the top of my shirt making me look like I ran away from my Psycho Ward
I realized maybe I could use this to my advantage. Like I should just twitch my head and act goofy just to really freak people out. You should have seen the looks I got the rest of the day...I think people did not know what to think of all that junk near my neck...I wonder what I would have thought?
Okay so then I head to my friends house to visit her and her new baby, where I was reminded a little bit of what it's like to have a new born...you know the part where you boarder on being mentally retarded from lack of sleep and human interaction-where the only thing on your mind is poop, breast milk, and a strong desire for a bath. It was nice to visit. We talked about our past, drinking and drugs...what is so funny is that we are like the most straight, deep down Christians you will meet! We don't get drunk, we don't do drugs and yet...this is what we talked about. It was actually nice because it reminded me so much about how far God has taken me from that kind of life, and how much I really enjoy my new life with God, and Godly friends! We also talked about Santa, something that I realize some people need to understand about our family. For me I just can't lie to my children (or anyone) about anything.
Do you want to know why?
Because for years I was lied to by my spouse (old boyfriend), and that pain still affects how I act today! Finding out about Santa is one of my few memories of childhood-and I am one of those retards that remembers very little from my childhood-just ask my mom. Lying has hurt me in so many ways, that to this day I have a hard time trusting if people are being real with me.
I am not saying oh poor me, I am saying my kids will not hear a lie from me.
I just can't, even when it seems so 'innocent', it's really not. I know most people say oh I am sure you lie...and maybe to some I do but I try not to at ALL. About anything. Yes this means I tell people when I don't like their soup (only if they ask though...there is a difference between telling the truth and being rude) I always feel closer to those that are willing to tell me the truth, than say nothing or especially lie! It's just not right. How much closer will your children be to you if they know you were not willing to go with the popular census and lie to your child? Just a thought...
Well then after my visit with my friend my husband and I went out to do some shopping. That is our idea of a fun date, dinner and shopping...if it sounds pathetic but it's really not, we love these dates!-We love being perfectly boring...seriously after cancer, life can not be more sweet than the little moments!
So we get to the end of our shopping trip and we decide on an item we want to get but we are unsure if it will fit into our car, so my husband and I are opening doors to the car and measuring the openings. I of course measure using my arm from my fist to my elbow.
Isn't that how you would measure?
"yep two arm lengths this way, and 3 that way." So we close the doors and head for the store.
To which my husband tells me: Don't forget this " two brown stripes past my nipples, and just above my knees"
Is that how most men measure stuff?
I burst into obnoxious laughter, oh the laughs and the stares! My husband unlike me who used her arm to measure the size of the opening...he used his nipples and knees...oh dear God is that not funny?
So, we get into the store and find the item, I put my arm up to it, looks like it will fit that way, so my husband turns it on it's side and sure enough he shoves his whole body into the box...it looked like he was humping it! Bahahahaahahahahhaahahah, you can't make this kind of stuff up! this is where I just about peed on myself! I was laughing to hard I was crying. I know people were staring because I laugh loud! And he just kept putting his body up to the box...oh dear God! You should have been there! After a bit he started doing it just to see my laugh more...ahhh
what a fun date
So that was my hilariously fun Friday night! It still makes me giggle!
Okay now my Global Warming and Evolution issue, if you already agree that evolution and G.W. are a farce you don't have to read on. Otherwise I am bringing up some topics that I have been discussing with others on another blog. They asked me to give facts to support my theory.
I don't really give facts to support my theory...that is why it's a theory. However I am going to give facts to disprove their theory.
Bare with me I do not have a science degree, but my info comes from some super smarty pants scientist that do give facts.
Okay these are the websites where I got my info...if you want to know what they said you will have to look through all their research like I did (some are even on video's that you either can buy or rent from the library), it's extensive but worth the effort. They give facts to disprove evolution and global warming.
Does this mean I think it's okay to not be environmentally friendly? Absolutely not! I still think we impact our environment in negative ways, just not the climate/weather...or at least no one has proved it to me yet.
