The Hard Times Cafe

~Swimming Fun~

Yesterday afternoon I took the boy's out swimming in our little pool, I thought I would share some pictures of my little guy's haveing some fun, I even joined Jarred in the bigger pool, But I dont have any pictures of that...he he he.

Jack In His Little Pool, I feel alittle safer with him in this one.

 Jarred in the "bigger" pool, cooling off.

Both the boy's haveing some fun!!!  We went out for about and hour and the boy's loved it, It got kinda cool after the sun went out behine the clouds so we came inside for a snack.

I hope you like the pictures!

Blessings

~Ruth

Gorgeously Green Part 2

Last time we talked about the ingredients in your cosmetics that were harmful.  I gave you a link for a cheat sheet on which products you should use.  I forgot to give you the final 5 things that you can do for your beauty routine:

1. Order one new personal care product from the links she gives you.

2.  Throw away all bottles containing ingredients from the "Red Alert" list.

3.  Check the ingredients in your hair dye.

4.  Buy a bottle of nontoxic nail polish. (My fave is Loreal)

5.  Buy some organic tampons, diva cup, or make your own pads.

This time we are going to talk about your Green temple-your body.  As you know your body is your temple.  You only have one so you've got to treat it with love.  It isn't necessary to be healthy to run yourself ragged at the gym.  There are only 3 things needed to get into great shape:  1) Flexibility (yoga), 2) Aerobics (swimming or walking), 3) Weight-bearing exercise to combat osteoporosis.  In the book Gorgeoulsy Green Mrs. Uliano shows poses for yoga, lunges, crunches, and kitchen exercises.  She recommends walking/swimming 3 times per week.  You can also be green and bicycle for your errands instead of using a car if you live in the city.

Another thing Mrs. Uliano stresses is hydration.  She recommends tap, but I recommend reverse osmosis through the tap.  Make sure to use a reusable water bottle instead of all the plastic.  I love my new stainless steel water bottle from www.laptoplunches.com.  It keeps the water really cool and in this heat that's a necessity.

She recommends meditation.  I recommend praying.  Spend time each morning with your Creator and that will make you feel connected.  Also, start a journal, to share your thoughts.  Sometimes writing helps you relieve whatever stress you are feeling.  Stress kills ya know.

The 5 things to remember/do for taking care of your temple are: 

1) Learn the yoga practice

2) Take a thirty-minute fast-paced walk three times this week

3)  Park farther away from the entrance to the store, or bicycle

4)  Practice the abdominal exercises at least twice

5) Meditate/pray for five minutes.

I hope to have part 3 tomorrow on SHOPPING!!!

Have a blessed day.

~Farrah

The NEA Is NOT About Education But Indoctrination!

http://worldnetdaily.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=70464-  If only Christians parents would see what 13 years in a secular enviroment is really doing to their kids. It's Babylon in America!  Ideas, not education! Let us look ONLY to scripture for our guideance and never be ashamed to proclaim the truth! God's Word NOT the world! In Your Sweet Name Jesus!

Father please open the eyes of your children and forgive me for keeping mine shut for so long!

Bless all who pass this way!

Amanda <><
II Corinthians 5:7

Update on Settlement Agreement

Photo courtesy of www.allposters.com

I apologize for my lack of entries this week.  We have been working diligently on getting the settlement agreement for modification of custody and child support ready.  The papers were sent to Nick's Mom via e-mail.  For a day or 2 she was saying she didn't receive the attachments and stuff in order to stall.  Yesterday she spoke, well yelled at, Nick, telling him that he is asking a lot.  Also, she will not sign a d--- thing if he's trying to replace her with me.  He said he's not, but he will not ever live with her and he will not visit her unless she signs the papers.  She got mad and was crying saying no she will not give him up.  What we don't get is if she isn't going to give him up then why has she allowed him to live here for 2 years without even coming out to visit him?  I would do whatever it took to visit my son within 2 years.  She hasn't had a job for 6 months!  She has had unemployment, we offered her the use of a buddy pass, and I told her she could stay here as long as Bryan's out of town-too much drama there, yikes.  Still, she doesn't visit and she makes it out to be she's not going to give up her son, who is of age to choose where he wants to live anyway.  We are hoping that she will just sign the papers so that this will not have to be taken to court.  We're wondering if she's stalling in signing because of the child support removal.  She was getting $600/mo then she insanely filed a garnishment of his wages and then got $400/mo.  In these papers it states that Bryan will continue to pay for the insurance on both Nick and Michaela (plus the rest of us), but will no longer pay child support.  He has one and she has one so that pretty much equals out.  I know she loves Nick, but he has chosen and he's old enough, plus he's lived here for 2 years.  She royally messed up with him and it has taken these 2 years to get him straightened out (at least as well as can be for a teenage boy living in the world and not of it) and she has to understand that, but she doesn't think she's done anything wrong.  Oh, goodness, I could go on and on about this situation.  I'm asking for everyone to please pray about this situation.  Thank you!

Blessings,

~Farrah

I think I am burning the candles at both ends today......

                Gee Wiz!  Today was even busier than yesterday!

   Let me see---what was accomplished at the Beale Bungalow today.  My dress for the wedding hemmed; one pair of khaki pants and two pair of jeans were also hemmed; more laundry done; my tomatoes restaked (they were blown over from the storms we had yesterday); clothes "sort of" ironed (the reason for "sort of" comes next); new iron bought; clothes re-ironed; suitcases packed; picked up a GPS from Natasha; while I bought my iron-I also bought a little pair of white sandals to match my dress; canned six pints of Sweet Pickle Relish; put up some peppers; fed Marianne's cat; vacuumed the front of the house and cleaned the bathroom!

   Yeppers!  It was a busy one!  I had everything planned and things were progressing quite smoothly until a Heron decided to perch on the electrical transformer across our street.  I was sitting at our diningroom table going over one of my lists when I saw a huge flash and heard a simultaneous kaboom!!---then the lights went out!  I was so glad that I had my relish all done when this occurred.  We were without any power for about three or four hours.  That is when I did my errands and shopping.  This outage did bring on compassion from my husband--he bought us some supper.    So, I could continue with the preparations for our trip tomorrow, and not worry about fixing supper!  Yipee for meeee.......

     Below are some pictures of my relish--

Lovely colors all soaking in some kosher salt and water...

All ready for some Memorial Day hotdogs!....

   I am hoping that my tomatoes really come in so I can the many recipes that I love.  I think they will do okay-if I can keep them from being blown over every other day!    I had to do some surgery on my cucumber vines.  There were a few dying vines, so I cut them off-composted the remaining vines and they are looking a great deal better!  I think I even saw some more little ones on the vines already!  Anyway, I am glad they are, hopefully, going to produce.  I harvested several peppers-which I promptly washed, cut and cleaned and froze.  The squash is about done I think.  When we get back I want to tear out the squash plants and prepare the soil for some beets!  Maybe! ............

     Seth is very excited about going and seeing his sister.

     He actually decided to pack himself--and I mean himself!

     Yeah!  He is my tough guy!  (Only in pictures!  Seth is a Mercy, therefore he wears his emotions and sympathy on his sleeve!  Believe me--he is only tough in pictures!)

     Well, I will not be blogging from New Jersey, so I will be back on Monday with lots to blog about.  Have a great weekend and God Bless!