catsnmore on the farm
Catching up
Well, good morning! It has been so long since I have written anything! I hope everyone had a blessed Thanksgiving! We had a great time with family - cousins laughing and giggling, Aunts and Uncles, Granparents... I love the sound of family laughter.
I really miss blogging and sharing with all of you!
Over the past week we had our holiday parade in town - so much fun! The youth were busy working at our house all week "creating" their float. Then on Nov. 22nd we marched down the main street of our town and saw many faces we knew!
Our little town of Roseville is turning 100 years old - little older but that is when it was incorporated - and will have a float in the Roseville Tournament of Roses Parade next year. Look for us if you watch that parade. They are getting volunteers to start attaching stuff. Could be a lot of fun!
I jhave been overseeing a Keeper's group for my homeschool coop. We have been working on crocheting and the girls are busily making hats for charity. The great thing is that the boys are even being inspired. I was at my friends house last night and her one son has chain stitched a rope that goes the length of their house - or further? I challenged him to measure it for me :)
I will try and share some pics. I so enjoy getting a glimpse into your life that way :)
Blessings,
Flossie
Odds, ends, body snatchers
Thanks to the tremendous blessing of work Bobby received last week, we were able to get our van back from the mechanic. (We have the best mechanic in the world save for two things - he lives too far away and is next to impossible to get a hold of by phone. But he’s good and he’s inexpensive.) It has now been sitting in the driveway for a week, going absolutely nowhere. Not because it doesn’t work but because going places takes gas, gas takes money and the only places I’d go I’m likely to spend money anyway. We’ve saved a lot of money the last few weeks by seldom going out. It’s not like we’re big spenders anyway, but we’ve sure cut back and learned to make do.
Use it up
Wear it out
Make it do
Or do without
We've listed our van on craigslist, hoping to sell it and buy the 15 passenger we've had our eye on for months. The fella still hasn't sold it and it just sits... and sits... and sits... He finally started moving it around a bit and I checked the tires and they're not as bad as I expected they'd be from sitting. The good news is he's also come down to $1500, which is what we're trying to get out of our van. Just praying about that one.
Bobby is working again this week, praise Yah! Looks like we’ll make the mortgage payment after all. I hardly know what to do with myself with him gone all day. I’ve gotten the kids back to some semblance of a schedule. I feel terrible that I can’t seem to keep up with this, but I’m learning. Learning to keep up with it and learning to be okay with it when I can’t.
That 99% health my family enjoys most of the time (mentioned a couple posts back)...? Well, I’ve been suffering that other 1% the last few days with a head cold. I was tickled to discovered a couple boxes of echinacea tea in the pantry that I’d gotten this summer when we had whooping cough - I forgot all about them. Also I’ve gotten to try out the elderberry cordial I made this summer. It’s delicious! So soothing to drink a hot cup of it with a dash of lemon.
I’m hoping it’s just the bug but I sure haven’t felt like doing anything. It’s hard to get around, hard to get motivated. Not sleeping as well, my hips are starting to ache and sometimes they spaz and just give out on me. I feel terribly pregnant all of a sudden and am very much looking forward to having my body back here in a few weeks (Baby’s new nickname is Body Snatcher). I suppose it’s a combination of several things; Bobby working, financial strain, being sick, being 35 weeks pregnant, the short days and dreary weather. I’m ready for a break, a change of scenery. I wish I’d gotten to paint my living room while the weather was still warm. It’s a dark green kind of color and I’ve been longing to brighten it up and redecorate. It’s also time to get things ready for the birth, but some things are just going to have to wait a bit while we scrounge up some money. But these are just more "things" I don’t have and I must focus on what I do have. Contentment is the key.
I do have a huge pile of scrap fabric and a sewing machine. Sewing is my favorite indulgence this time of year. It hurts to sit for too long, but it’s not like I can with five kids anyway! These days we’re taking turns as they continue to sew up a wardrobe for their rag dolls. Farra made a little boy doll yesterday and today she’s going to learn how to make pants for it. I got out some fabric I’d bought a few months ago and finally sewed myself a nursing dress. I love jazzing things up with appliqué and always come up with something unique. The downside is that these skirts and dresses become "special" and I have a hard time making them every-day wear which is what I could really use. But it’s so much fun.
My mom gave me about 50 movies she’d weeded out of her huge collection and I finally got them listed on half.com. I am amazed at how easy it is to sell things there! If you have movies or books or music that you don’t want lying around, get yourself an account and make a few extra bucks. All you have to do is type in the UPC/ISBN and it (usually) pulls an entry right up and you fill in the blanks about the item's condition. It usually recommends a price and you can adjust it as you see fit. It goes into your inventory and you get an email when someone’s purchased it. You click a button to print the packing slip, pack it all up and drop it by the post office within 3 business days. half.com reimburses you for the shipping costs and I’ve only shipped a few packages, but it looks like I’m actually making a little money off the shipping. Some of the movies are going ridiculously cheap, less than a dollar, but they were free to me and every dollar counts. Anyway, I just wanted to say it’s really easy and anyone can do it. I’ve started listing some books, too.
We had our first snow the other day. Nothing significant, but it came down in pretty flakes for a couple hours, melting on the ground. I was feeling particluarly foggy-headed and so wasn't as excited as I usually am. The kids are itching for some sledding snow. I still need to reorganize and make the sleds, hats and mittens more easily accessible. Yeah... I’ll put that on my list of things I don’t really feel like doing but ought to.
Gosh, I’m terrible the last few days! All feel like doing is sewing or writing. I’m actually looking forward to having the baby so I can have a week off. It’s not so much that there’s that much to do, but postpartum is the only time I don’t feel guilty for not getting it done! A whole week off didn’t exactly happen last time because Bobby had to work and I was alone with the kids a lot, but this time I will make use of my friends’ offers and call for back-up so I can stay down for at least one solid week. My older kids have learned so much since Royal was born, though... I know they’re going to be such a blessing this time. They can do just about all the housework that needs to be done, if directed, and they know how to use the stove, oven, microwave, etc.
I’ve got a lot of other thoughts tumbling about my head, but will have to get to those later. Right now I owe a letter to a dear old goat in Oregon.
crafts
I was out lurking around for a doll pattern and I came across this blog.. She has a lot of crafts things listed. When you have time check her out.. @
http://calamitykim.typepad.com/calamity_kim/advent-elf-pattern-free-p.html
Have a great day ! Blessings Brenda
Check out this great give away.
I am crazy about vintage linens. This gal is having a great giveaway. Pop over and check it out. Check out her ebay pages and website while you are there.
Christmas Ornament Recipe
Christmas Ornament Recipetasteofhome.
cookie cutters.
1 C corn starch
2 C baking soda (1-lb pkg)
1-1/2 C water
In medium saucepan stir together corn starch and baking soda. Add water all at once and stir until smooth. Add coloring if desired. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until mixture reaches the consistency of slightly dry mashed potatoes. (mixture will come to a boil, then start to thicken first in lumps and then in a thick mass: it should hold it's shape.) Turn out onto a plate and cover with a damp cloth: cool.
When cool enough to handle, knead thoroughly on corn starch dusted surface until smooth and pliable. If not to be used immediately, store completely cooled clay in tightly closed plastic bag or container with tight fitting cover: clay may be kept in a cool place up to two weeks. Knead stored clay thoroughly before using.
One half recipe of clay is enough for about 20 small ornaments. With rolling pin roll out clay to about 1/4 thickness: cut with cutters. With wooden pick or end of straw make a small hole near top edge of ornament: Set shapes aside to dry, turning occasionally. When dry, glue on decorations or paint: add ribbon or string for necklace or package hang tags.
For napkin rings do not make a hole. Roll a small amount of dough into rope. Form into circle and press ends together. Dampen clay at seam before pressing together. Dry around a wax paper covered cardboard tube. (toilet paper roll) Be sure to dry rings thoroughly, when dry glue on desired shapes.
Christmas Magnets - Press dough into clean, dry molds. Tap out & let dry. Paint w/acrylic paint. Attach magnet w/glue.
TODAY'S VERSE from HEARTLIGHT -- This is great
TODAY'S VERSE from HEARTLIGHT -- http://www.heartlight.org/--\/------------------------------------------------------------------
December 2, 2008
VERSE:
And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the
renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and
acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
-- Romans 12:2
http://www.SearchGodsWord.org/desk/?query=Romans+12:2&translation=kjv
THOUGHT:
Sooner or later we all have to make a decision: Will I be a
nonconformist? Will I refuse to be squeezed into the mold of the
world? (J.B. Phillips terminology.) Will I be part of a Christian
counter-culture? (John R.W. Stott terminology.) Will I be God's own
person, an alien and an exile in the world, put here to have a
redemptive influence? (The apostle Peter's terminology.) Jesus
simply calls us his disciples. Bottom line: until we are really
ready to cross the line and live totally for the Lord, we're not
going to be able to fully recognize God's will for us. There are no
arm-chair quarterback Christians. There are no sideline disciples.
There are no back-seat driver Christians. We either chose the
Lordship of Jesus, or else we reject it. So what's your decision?
PRAYER:
Holy God, I believe that Jesus Christ is Lord and Savior. I
believe that he came to earth as a human, lived an exemplary life
of grace and power, and died for my sins so I could live for you,
and with you, forever. Please forgive me, O God, for the times that
I have hedged on my commitment to you and flirted with the
darkness. I want to live for you with passion, joy, and
fulfillment. I want to be transformed to be like Christ. In his
name, Jesus the Lord, I pray. Amen.
http://www.heartlight.org/cgi-shl/todaysverse.cgi?day=20081202&ver=kjv
My Two Year Old Knocked Over the Christmas Tree!!!!!
Ok, stop laughing already! LOL Ok, it might be a little funny today but let me tell you, this mommy was not too happy when it happened earlier today!!! UGH!! But this pretty much explains my day today in a total nutshell.
I think Noah woke up on the wrong side of the bed or something. He was whiney and grouchy and crabby all day long. When he is like this he doesn't want to snuggle and calm down, he just PUSHES EVERY BUTTON HE CAN until you bust. LMSO So, it started off with the fabric Christmas doll on the back of the couch. He picked it up, looked at it, hugged it, and then threw it on the floor, and jumped off the couch and pounced on it. I was shocked because normally he is not like this.
Then started the whining for POP! We have a few 2 liters left over from our late Sunday Thanksgiving dinner and he saw them in the kitchen and wanted some. I said no way!! So, he turned to get the broom (I forgot to put it away last night after breaking a plate and sending shards of glass everywhere) and was using it as an entended limb to turn the light off and on, and hit me in the leg. The part of using it to turn on the light really impressed me, but I was a little annoyed he was banging me in the leg and I took it away from him and told me to follow me into the living room. Well he refused! So he got in trouble.
Then he refused to do something else, stood on toys he knows he is not allowed to stand on, and he climbed up on his little table and stood there looking out the window. About the time I hollared for him to get down, he reached up and decided to hit my expensive stained glass angel hanging in the window. (It is huge,a nd I love it so!) Well, he sat in the chair and had a talking to AGAIN.
FInally about that time, was when I decided I might need to calm down, and get him to calm down for a few minutes before his nap (in about 15 minutes). I called his dad to check on him and low and behold, while I was picking something up I had dropped, he jumps up from the naughty chair and then BAM. Down went the tree. Before I knew it the tree was on the ground and Noah was under it.
After lifting the tree off of him, and accessing the boy for any marks I picked him up and took him directly to bed for his nap. It was either that or I am afraid I might have lost my cool!!! So he was upset that I didn't do the naptime routine and I was upset that there was my tree angel laying on the floor in the corner. I was praying her porcelain face was not broken because my mother gave her to me the last Christmas she was alive. She was intact and ok! I put the ornaments that were scattered around the living room floor back on the tree and by then the phone was ringing off the hook. It was hubby saying, I heard screaming in the phone and then the phone went dead. He wanted to make sure we were ok. I told him what happened and we talked for a few minutes before getting back to work.
As I sit here now, looking at the tree, I realize there are still a few "dented" areas in the greenery that need to be fluffed more. LMSO Geesh. Maybe tomorrow will be better. I didn't get much of my list of items done today either. I did get some tidying up done, but the dishwasher wasn't set correctly last night for some reason, so when I opened it to unload clean dishes today, they were still dirty! So I ran them again, and will put them away in a bit when they cool down.
A sanctuary from the world
03:24, Tuesday, December 2, 2008 .. Posted in Family Meal Table .. 5 comments .. Link
" The family meal table is a sanctuary. It is a secret place from the daily word of strife. On of the Hebrew words for "secret" is sod which comes from the word "yasad". It means to "sit down together , a talk session, an intimate friendly convesation or a serious consultation, a company of persons in close secret talks. " Families can enjoy this special time together at each evening meal.
Psalm 23:5 " You prepare a table before me in the presense of mine enemies."
Mothers we can prepare a table that is a sanctuary from the filthiness of the world. Our husband and grown children may spend their day out in the work place. More often than not they are surrounded by filthy talk, jesting, immodesty an humanistic reasoning. If they come home and turn on the TV, this conatimination of the world will only sink deeper into their spirits. But if they arrive home to a waiting table -- a table that welcomes them with good food, love, and fellowship, the filth of the day washes away. As you communicate and talk about the things of the Lord, their souls and spirits are washed clean. " ~ Nancy Campbell, The Family Meal Table & Hospitatlity Study guide, pg. 20
_______________________________________
I was blessed to grow up in a home where the family gathered each day for dinner together. It was not just a " Sunday meal" that we enjoyed once a week, but each night we would set the table and sit around as a family and share our day. I remember when I got old enough to have friends and eat at the homes of other families, I took notice that many did not eat together as a family. Kids grabbed something on their own, or families would sit in front of the TV. I didn't appreciate the family meal table when I was a child in my family home, but now years later I look back upon that time as a treasured time in my life.
In talking to my 88 yr old father about the meal table he shared that he felt very strongly that it was so important for mother & father to sit down with the children and share a meal each day. He told me that is where values are passed down and where parents can get a feel for what their children are thinking and feeling. I am grateful to my parents who in wisdom, chose to follow the "old paths" and held family dinner each day of the week.
Today, statistics show that families eat only a few days a week together.
What has happened to the family meal table?
I am currently leading a study of Nancy's book on the Family Meal table and I have been blessed to read her thoughts on this special time of day.
I have chosen to follow the tradition my parents gave me and we do eat together each night. I too agree with Nancy and my dad that it is a wonderful time . It is a sanctuary for us! It is a time to share our hearts and thoughts, and to put aside the world.
I do hope many of you are blessed with special moments around the meal table.
~ gloria ~
Looking for?
I'm looking for used ma&pa kettle movies used..Does anybody out there have any they would like to sell?
Brenda
Out with the bad, in with the good...
I have been pondering and praying over today's post all day, I mean for real! Here it is almost 4 pm and I still have not posted, very unusual for me. :)I have had something pretty heavy on my mind. What I have decided is that I am going to rid myself of a few things... things that have been weighing my spirit down... things that are of a constant bother to me. I have a life to lead, I have a family to care for, a husband to serve and Savior to worship. And that is what I am going to do. :)
May your light so shine for HIM! :)
Truly, My Cup Runneth Over...
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