Thunderwolf Ranch

{ Posted by pearls4him }
{ 01:01, Wednesday, October 15, 2008 } { 0 comments } { Link }

Outside my window... sun just up, big gray clouds and a drooping sun flower left in the garden

I am thinking... how much I need to get done today

from the learning room.... Finally all curriculum is chosen and ordered just waiting for it to arrive last coat of mud is on walls need one last sanding and decide wether to texture or just paint and go with it

I am thankful for... my husbands new job, my dauther Olivia's constant help and support with the house and youger kids

From the kitchen... nothing tonight it's Wonderful Wednesday which means dinner at Church Yeah!

I am wearing... long gray tank nighty and black slippers, oops better go get dressed

I am reading... a days journey by Jon Courson

I am hoping... to get to see ALL my kids during the Holidays

I am creating... 2 matching babies quilts that should have been done 2 yrs ago

I am hearing... the hum of my computer and my very boisturous boys upstairs waiting for the word to get up and start their day

I am smelling.. hazel nut coffee just waiting for me to enjoy

Around the house... TOO many things to actually list but here are a few, applesauce to can, laundry, general cleaning and picking up

One of my favorite things... seeing my pantry full of yummy things Olivia and I have canned

A few plans for the rest of the week... clean my office/sewing room, work on canning the apples, a girls day trip to Boise for some much needed odds& ends

Hope your day and week are blessed,

Alaina

PS I got this idea from a simple womens day book on Peggy Hostetlers blog. I hope I did it right. You are suppose to link back? which I have no idea how to do for sure.

Baby Shoes

{ Posted by Sharon }
{ 07:45, Wednesday, October 15, 2008 } { Posted in The Teens } { 2 comments } { Link }

When I was a child of about 4 years old, we lived on Drewry Rd. in Martinsville, Va. I guess we lived there maybe a year, maybe not that long. We rented a small 2 bedroom house there with a tiny front yard that seemed huge to me at the time. For Christmas that year, Mama and Daddy gave me these little Eskimo Boots:

I was so anxious to wear my new boots that Mama and Daddy let me go ahead and wear them outside to play in the snow. I still remember the thin layer of snow on the ground, the chill in the air and my failed attempt at building a snowman. Once I'd had my fill of the cold air, I ran back in the house, complaining that my feet were cold and pulled off my boots in anger. Mama sat me down in a chair near the heater so I could warm my feet and get settled.

Throughout that winter I wore my little Eskimo Boots and then when I grew out of them Daddy had Mama put them away and keep them because he loved them so much. She started to clean the mud off the bottom before storing them but he didn't want the mud removed. So, today after I have become a mother myself I have custody of my boots and the mud. Over the years the strings have torn a bit, the rings have rusted, they tried to lose their shape but I stuffed them with newspaper to make them stand more upright. I just enjoy having them and my children are already arguing over who gets the Eskimo Boots.

So as my own children came into this world and graced my life with their own little footprints, I like my father and many other parents out there, saved their first pair of shoes. Yesterday, I knew that we'd be celebrating the last birthday in our family for the year, today. It's Curtis' birthday and no one else has a birthday again until January, with the exception of my Lord Jesus Christ whose birthday is far to great to be placed in our category of birthdays. So with year end thoughts in mind, new beginnings just around the corner, I went through the house while my teens slept and gathered all of their shoes.

As I took pictures of James' shoes, I remembered my first born and how quickly he came into the world. How I had gone into the hospital at 8:00 pm on June 20, gave birth at midnight and went home the next morning at 11:00 am. I remembered how quiet he has been all of his life, how sweet and loving he was and how much he respects everyone around him, regardless of who they are. He is now 20.

Then I took pictures of Curtis' shoes and put a lot of thought into whether or not I handled things right. I have always worried over whether Curtis would feel like the "middle child". I wanted him to grow up feeling like my child, my Curtis, but never like my middle child. I watched as I grew up how some of the middle children in my family really did seem to feel like they were stuck in the middle. I probably spoiled Curtis more than the others because of this, but not so much that it prevented him from continuing to grow into the man I want him to become. He's a hilarious person, filled with energy and always near me. He is now 16.

I took pictures of Savannah's shoes and thought back to her birthday this year. It was a very simple birthday, ours usually are. I just hope she's okay with that. We've never had birthday parties, ever. I didn't want my children to ever believe their birthday was a reason to invite their friends over because I didn't want the friends to feel an obligation to my children to buy them gifts. The parties we had for our children were "Schools Out", "Summer Fun", things like that. I know little girls talk about their parties and all their birthday gifts from everyone and from time to time, I feel like I might have stolen something away from Savannah by not having these celebrations. I only hope she understands my way of thinking and doesn't hold a grudge against me later in life. She is a preciously, sweet soul. She loves hugs and following behind me all the time. She helps me with my cooking and cleaning and all the crafty little things we do so I really think she understands simplicity the way I see it. She is now 14.

We watched each of them learn to walk in those shoes with cheers and applauds for every unsteady step they took. So, after Curtis' birthday today, we'll leave this season of our lives of watching our babies grow another year older and another year closer to walking out to their own lives. How difficult will that day be when I sit on my old swing, with nothing left but empty baby shoes?

A Simple Life in 15 Minutes per Day

{ Posted by Boltbabe }
{ 07:25, 2008-Oct-15 } { Posted in Frugality-Simplicity } { 0 comments } { Link }

Simple Journey Ministries Presents

I Can’t Live Simply Until…

Enjoying Your Surroundings

There is something to be said for seasonal changes. No matter where you live across the globe things change. Here in America seasonal changes vary greatly across the states. This year in Florida it is cooler much earlier than normal. I have barely run my a/c this month. Typically, this month is an average heat month, but still warm. Those thick and fuzzy Halloween costumes that can be found in abundance are not good choices for Florida children, because it is usually too hot and humid for them. But this year is different. And it isn’t just Florida. I have noted recently in the news that some states are experiencing record breaking lows…record breaking going back 200 years or so! Some of you may already have had snow! This has brought to mind the ease of finding some simplicity in a chaotic lifestyle.

Wednesdays the new Monday

{ Posted by Shan (Sweetie) }
{ 07:04, Wednesday, October 15, 2008 } { 0 comments } { Link }

In our home this week anyway. Our son had a mid fall break from school for two days and we took he and his sister to see their natural dad in Arkansas. It was his birthday weekend so it was a good surprise for him. Today though, I have to catch up the two days I've been off schedule.

The question was asked how we are in our home, changing how we live as we combat rising prices. I have not seen a tremendous change in what I do, though I am more careful to menu plan. More careful not to waste things that formerly I might have let go (a leftover serving of food) I am packing son's lunch now instead of a school lunch, for this year it went to $3 a lunch and that $20 a week is 1/3 as much as my whole food bill.

This time of year we keep soup going almost all the time. The children eat it as an afterschool snack with cornbread and I often have it for lunch during the school day. We have always unplugged boxes for satellite and t.v. at night after I figured out unplugging xbox alone at night when they had one saved $10 a month in electricity. Our laptops were costing $7-14 a month in electricity when we weren't using them.

We've been much more frugal with clothing purchases. I use goodwill and yardsales to find the brands I like, this year we'd moreso chosen to limit outfits to 3 new per child and 2 Sunday or dressier outfits and continued the cleanout of clothes we felt were worn and out of date. Less has been much more in the clothing department....laundry bills went down, messy rooms went down, time to clean up after laundry went down. Children are more responsible when they can recognize and name all their clothing.

Fuel is something we're very aware of. Late summer I sold my minivan which was in fine shape, and bought a very used honda civic. the 35-40 mpg has made an impact on our fuel bill. When we drove to meet the children's natural father this weekend, it cost $60 roundtrip, in the past that would have been $130. Yes, I miss the roominess of the van, but with only 2 children at home, there really wasn't an excuse to keep it. Insurance and fuel bills went down.

I am also using my old standard of using things from home sales or ebay to buy those "whims" I would want that are not budgeted. In one case, I found a set of craftsman tools at a sale for $6, each piece of it would ebay for more than $2 apiece. A pain to do, yes, but even with fees, my husband made over $50 that paid for the part he needed for a reloading project. Its like "free" money to me when I can do so. I usually do it with clearance plates from known china and manufacturers, where I can get the plate for $3.99 and sell it for $8-9.

God is good, and more than anything this season I am choosing to be more content with the many blessings I have at home without buying. I have been so blessed to have the family, health, and home we have, and if I am truly honest with myself, if I simply take care of what I have I do not have time to worry about anything else I might not have! When I start worrying lately about this or that, I take time to stop myself, focus on something I am using that worry time doing that I need to be doing, and try to get back on track. Its serious work, training our thoughts, but its in obedience to God who knows I have much work to do in most areas!

Be blessed!

Sweetie

I have been thinking again......

{ Posted by In His Hands }
{ 06:35, 2008-Oct-15 } { Posted in Inside My Home } { 0 comments } { Link }

Well, not much going on here today. I do have some laundry that needs done, but who doesn't? There is a little bit of house work that needs to be finished around here. And there is always school work on the list for this time of year.

Now, what would I like to be doing for my day? I would love to be quilting, baking and even getting started on my candle making for gifts this year. I am trying to think of something else to place in the baskets that I am planning on giving to my sisters for Christmas. I was looking last night at a catalog and I found the sweetest recipe book that is for you to fill in the "family recipes". I plan on placing that in the baskets for sure a long with the candles. Now for something else..............Maybe I might order some home-made soap from someone here on line........

It seems as the days go by, our money is getting smaller and smaller. We have already cut back my budget for the grocery/household shopping each payday. I am willing to turn off the satellite dish if only my husband could get an antenna for the TV. I so wish we had not gotten in with these cell phones but we are under contract and it would cost so, so much to turn them off now. We have the family plan with 4 phones on it. My girls pay for their part so that helps.

What are you guys doing to help make ends meet? I could use some more ideas to think about. I sat last night making out the list of who we need to buy gifts for this year at Christmas. I know that we do not "Have" to buy for them, but we like to give at this time of year. I have not even though about our own family here in the house. The girls are always happy with whatever, they do not expect much. They just enjoy giving to their family members.

My husband will be getting a small bonus check at the end of the month. He wants me to use that to stock up for around the home and kitchen. I have been thinking about it and making plans but I also keep thinking maybe we should use it for the gift shopping. I know that husband is the one to say what it is used for, so I will just give him time to pray about it while we are waiting for it to get here.

If I am going to use it for the stocking up, I could also use some help, thinking about what to stock on. I am thinking about the "big" items that seem to take so much out of my budget each payday. Such items like:

bags of dog food

paper products

personal items (there are 3 of us girls in the house)

can goods

grain and /or flours

sugar

beans

meats

cleaning items

Things like that. I know I might be leaving something important out, so feel free to let me know if you think of something.

Well, the time is ticking away and I have a lot to get done around here.

Supper tonight will be: pork loin chops, rice and veggies !!

Have a good day at your home !

Road Ahead - Part 3

{ Posted by BeckyTom }
{ 06:44 AM, Wednesday, October 15, 2008 } { Posted in Road Ahead } { 1 comments } { Link }

This economic mess is not getting better. I know gas price are down, oil prices by the barrel are down, the stock market is on an up swing and something is just not right( some have called it a momma thing). I know it looks good and sounds even better, but it's not. It has taken us over a year and half to get in this mess, it will not clear up in an week or two. Please don't think everything is find and dandy now. Don't let your guard down, please. I do not have a master's degree or PhD. in our economics, I'm a simple housewife/ mother. But I do know how to handle money in a home and business and what will happen when it's not used right. This will take years to fix, not weeks. Some of you see this as great news, and are going back to life as before. I am warning you to keep a hold of your money and keep watching your spending. This is not over, it's just starting. I don't know all the proper words for this mess, but I do know it's not as good as it looks and sounds. This money going out has to be backed by something, has to come from some where, Where? What? The US owes more money than we can pay back in years. The News has said that the people(you and I) have over used the credit system, and are in to much debt. Well I'm sure our debt is not as large as the USA's. What happens to you and I ,when we over charge our credit cards and can't pay them back and spend out side our means? Bankruptcy, can't pay our bills, no money for food. Now think a little bigger (times a few million+). What will happen when much more money is spent and borrowed on credit and can't be paid back on time?

The government has put a pretty flowered band- aid on this mess, while the sore below get worse. What's going to happen when the band- aid falls off? If you don't really see the sore, it does not hurt as bad and at times you forget it's there.

I think the worse and hardest times are to come. This is now I feel and what I think. A wolf has come in, in sheep's clothing. And I know some you think I'm over reacting and that's your right. But this is me and how I think and believe. I'm trying to pull the wool back off some of your eyes.

I'm not trying to start a panic or make things look worse than they are, just telling you all what I see. Every one wants things to go back to the way they were, and they will in a few years, but not now. I don't want more people to be blind sided this go around. Please prepare for your family, think twice before buying something, and pray a lot.

In all my life, I never thought I'd write posts like these. Why, now? I'm really not sure. I feel very strongly about warning people. This is not an area I know a lot about. But then when I put it in a family aspect and did some multiplying by big numbers it became a little more clearer.

I know I'm not alone in my thoughts. As a friend, Janet, came by last night and felt the same way. She too, sees people who think it's all getting better, but it's not.

Please pull the band-aid off and take a really good look. Are we in a recession and heading for a depression?

Do you agree or disagree with this post? I would really like to know.

Becky

Technorati Tags: economic situation,recession,Road Ahead

Taking the promises & hiding in my heart

{ Posted by Amy W }
{ 5:29 AM, 2008-Oct-15 } { Posted in God is Good } { 4 comments } { Link }

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your request be made known to God. Philippians 4:6
Some times, for me, it’s not a good thing to know a verse of scripture too well. It begins to lose its sparkle and point. I see or hear the scripture and nod my head, “yes, I know that verse” and my mind continues. Know it? Check- moving on.
WAIT!
I memorize scripture for a reason- to hide God’s Word in my heart. Sometimes it’s so stuck in my head that it isn’t touching my heart.
Take the above verse as a for instance. I know that I know that I know this verse and still- today, in my quiet time reading the verse leaped out and grabbed hold of me.
Sure I know that I’m not to be anxious. God doesn’t want me to be anxious and quite frankly I don’t particularly like the feeling either. But still I often am that way- about our finances in particular. This brought a new revelation to me today. I had memorized this verse and loved this verse but I hadn’t sunk it heart deep and kept it there. Upon first reaction to this verse- I often think of the horrible, terrible, no good, very bad things that could happen- like losing my spouse or child, or physical harm coming to my loved ones, or to be driving behind one of those car haulers when one of those big SUVs lets loose from its moorings and comes barreling at me (one of my life’s nightmares). In a nutshell- I thought of the anxious things as the “big things”
And I was totally missing the point.
Don’t be anxious about ANYTHING. Ahem. That means “Nada, Zip, Zilch, Zucchini.” Nothing- NO THING. This obviously includes worrying about finances, whether there’s enough milk in the fridge, if I’m homeschooling correctly, if the quick fix job will hold on my zipper and so on and so forth.
Where does anxiousness and worry get me? If I worry and what I worried about actually comes to pass did worrying help any? Um, no. If I worry and nothing happens then what? I worried for nothing. I’ve always been a good worrier. If they handed out certificates for worrying I’d be able to paper my entire home.
In review- It seems I’ve always been able to go to and trust in God with the big things like the health and lives of my Loved ones, the roof over our head and so on. But the smaller, every day type things pull at my worry strings. And the middle of the road things- like finances. Yeah, finances are big (especially when you made as big of a mess as I did) but compared to the health and lives of loved ones- well there is perspective there. And so I have struggled on and off with periods of deep anxiety over our financial chaos. This past January was the worst I have ever felt and I do not desire to go back to that dark place.
Do not be anxious about anything. God does not have a definition about big, small, middle of the road things- He doesn’t have a list of things that it is okay for me to worry about. I’m not to worry about anything at any time.
If you’ve been a reader here for very long you would know that we are down to one last credit card company to pay back. We have contacted the company with a settlement offer. Twice. And have yet to hear anything back. When I think on this I tend to get anxious and worried- I’m afraid of court documents appearing in the mail again. But then I think to myself- the ball is in their court- I’ve contacted them- Twice! I pray- asking God to make me aware if I need to be pursuing this differently. I can feel the tug of that dark pit of anxiousness. But it remains just that- a tug. Nothing more. As soon as I feel that tug I make it a matter of prayer and I hold to the verse God gave me for this- Do not be afraid. Stand firm and watch the Lord rescue you. Exodus 14:13.
So what’s a gal to do? Wait. What more can I do with this company at this point? I’ve learned the hard way that when I’ve jumped the gun and try on my own to “jump start” what I think is God’s plan for it all . . . .. well, that’s when things go from bad to worse pretty quickly. So I will wait. What I won’t do is- Worry. I continue to send up arrow prayers when the slick ooze of anxious worry begins sliding up on me.
I will NOT be anxious about anything, especially finances. Instead I will be on my knees in prayer making my requests known and thanking Him for every blessing.
I thank God for making a well-known-to-me scripture new again and allowing me the opportunity to pull it in- all in- heart deep. Trusting Him in my head is just not enough- it must be with my whole heart, holding nothing back.

In which I make yet another batch of YOGURT!

{ Posted by Sarah }
{ 06:11, Wednesday, October 15, 2008 } { Posted in Cookery } { 1 comments } { Link }

Oh milanta... what a learning experience this is being!! HA!

Yogurt batch #3:

Didn't follow a recipe, and this is basically what I did: Heated 2 cups of water mixed with 1 cup plus a little more of powdered milk and 1 teaspoon-ish of pectin to 185' or so. I let the mixture cool to 105', and then I added three heaping tablespoons of plain whole milk commercial yogurt. Mixed well. Poured into clean tupperware. Set to incubate.

I used Frankie's heating pad again, but instead of covering it with a towel I placed the tupperware directly on the surface. Then I heated a metal mixing bowl by filling it with steaming water and then emptying it (didn't bother to try it, just shook off the excess water), then inverted it over the tupperware and wrapped it in a towel. I did this around 7pm last night so I set the alarm for 1 am to check on it. When the time came I got up, fumbled around, and carefully brought the tupperware into the kitchen, my heart pounding... did it set? Was it successful? Did the pectin work? Did it get too hot? So many questions were flying around! (Yogurting is a very dramatic experience, I've found.) I flipped on the light, gave the tupperware a tilt, and... LOVELIEST! The yogurt didn't run at all, save for a tiny bit of whey on the surface. At all! Nearly leaping with joy, I put the container in the fridge and went back to bed. I wanted to wake Todd up and tell him, but when you are my husband and you are awoken in the middle of the night and spoken to, you do not comprehend language, and after making several grunting noises you return to slumber. So I had to wait until this morning to surprise him with yummy thick yogurt for breakfast.

The yogurt was indeed good, but its consistency ended up being not just thick but basically custard-like: it could hold up a spoon on end! >.< Methinks too much pectin was the culprit this time. I think I'm on the right track, though - next batch I will add just the tiniest sprinkle of the stuff and then work my way up from there. After stirring Batch #3, it softened a *little* bit, but is now somewhere between glue and jello, or a little of both in different places. Sigh. At least it tastes good.

Behold mine efforts (I've never added a picture here before, so let's hope it works!):

It doesn't look as ridiculous in the picture as it actually is, but I assure you, it's REALLY thick. I guess I wanted thick yogurt, so that's definitely what I got! X-D Maybe I'll use this batch to drain out the whey and make Greek yogurt or spread, although I've never tried that before and I don't know what the pectin will do.

This is SO much fun, you guys. I love learning stuff like this, and knowing I'm not only saving tons of money (Todd and I are huge yogurt fans and go through it like mad, and I have a feeling any and all future Nichols will be the same way) but am able to choose what goes into what we're eating (it would be nice if we could use fresh milk instead of powdered, but we'll get there someday - the first thing I'm buying when we get onto a piece of land is a milking goat!).

Has anyone made bagels yet? How did it go? I'm thinking about trying an Egg Bagel recipe that I found online when I get the chance.

Emptyness within life!

{ Posted by TracyJayne }
{ 06:14, Wednesday, October 15, 2008 } { 1 comments } { Link }

A Proverbs woman is what I strive to be..... A help meet to my husband, but in it all I feel almost empty. I love my life but I am striving to find something. But what????? I feel satan is at our door and has been for a while. STAY AWAY He is not welcome.... I have moments of all closeness with my God and so does my hubby but we usally seem to be there on differant days.... I feel I am searching, lost so to speak in a very busy world. We are realitively young to be empty nesters, but we are and we have struggled to renew our love and life. And I do love my Man, totally and unconditionally. I pray I make him happy, and content.

I am trying to come down with a cold or sinus thing, so maybe that is why the mental confussion. I have periods like this every once in a while. I do not like it though. Positive is where I want to be. Always look upward and forward. God Bless me and my family near and far. Keep your Angels close and guarding. May your will always prevale.

Today I have to take our car to the Auto Shop, our heater core went out and of course it is 28 degrees here.... Come to find out it is going to cost us $600.00 - $700.00. It is going to hurt us.... but what do you do you have to have a heater, winter is on us and it will only get colder before the spring is near..... They have to dismantal the whole dash board to fix it. Our property taxes will probably have to be late, I just don't see another way.

A Day in the Life of Me

{ Posted by Miki }
{ 05:35, Wednesday, October 15, 2008 } { Posted in A Day in the Life of Me } { 1 comments } { Link }

Tuesday, Oct. 14:

Well, looks like Katie has come down with the stomach flu. After supper, she was laying on our bed watching t.v. when Dad came in to tell her it was time for bed. Just then, she made a mad dash for the bathroom & got sick. She got up this morning & said that she felt better than she did yesterday but her stomach still felt sick so I tried to get her to only eat light & easily digestable foods today. She ate some Ritz crackers, some rice with buttter for lunch, a banana for a snack and by supper time she was hungry & wanted an Arby's sandwich so that's what we ate for supper. She ate the whole sandwich plus the curly fries so I think that she is feeling better. Her & her sister were bickering before they went to bed so I think she is back to normal. LOL! Seems the bickering between sisters lessens when one is sick but as soon as they start up again you know everyone is feeling better. My stomach has been a bit grumbly today. UGH! When DH came home he said the same thing but he also felt light headed most of the day.

I canned up some beef vegetable soup today. I only got 9 1/2 quarts with this batch so I will make some more on Wednesday, (today! I'm a little late w/ this post!) I'm putting our ground up deer meat in it this year.

Until next time.....

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