...don't say anything at all!
My mom used to tell me this all the time as a kid. I hope it sunk in. Why does it seem like some people have never learned this useful little saying??
I've recently rubbed shoulders with some folks whose (I swear!) favorite thing to do is nit pick and complain about all the people they know. It's exhausting to be around. Seriously, from what their friends eat for breakfast or bedtime snack to how long of showers they take to what they wear or don't wear to bed. And why do I care about all this? I don't! Sheesh. Tell someone who cares. Actually don't.
You would think that if we choose to be around people, we could at least find something we like about them and share THAT with others. I know I've had my share of negative chit chat about others. I hope that I say at least an equal number of nice things about the people in my acquaintance.
And how, exactly, should I respond to someone who only gossips rudely about others? I've tried my best not to join the conversation but rather make a joke about how I like the same bedtime snack as the people-who-were-not-there-to-defend-themselves, or try to change the subject, or not respond at all. It's difficult.
Anyway, if you have any helpful hints about what to do, what to do (besides avoiding the negative-sayers, which is not always possible to do)....let me know, please.
Monday, November 28, 2011
Friday, November 11, 2011
The Layoff
I guess now is as good a time as any to blog my latest thoughts. Chris got laid off on Monday so we've spent the week in shock and disbelief, along with trying to figure out WHAT, exactly, we're gonna do. We haven't had much opportunity in our lives so far to trust God since we've had no hardship to speak of. Crazy how greatful I am NOW that we've had 5 years of marriage, not to mention our growing-up years, that have been relatively struggle-free. Hindsight's 20/20.
One thing's for certain: it will be interesting to see how God provides. It always is. Faith is a funny thing, you know. It's one thing to say I believe that God will supply for all our needs during week one. I'm just not so sure how I'm gonna hold up as the months roll by, as they realistically might, with no job and no income to speak of.
I, of course, hope that God provides another, better, job for Chris- and FAST. But, that just might not happen. I ought to be ready for the posibility.
We can apply for unemployment but this will not cover all the bills. Funny how it has not always been easy to be thankful for our not excessive but always adequate budget. HA! That's hindsight again. I guess I will be even more creative and resourceful. But, let's be honest. I regularly buy things we don't "need" just because I want them. And, we can afford it so, heck! Weeeeell, not so now. And that's ok. Does put some perspective on things. The things we want are not necessarily the things we need and things we "need" are probably much more extravangant than most of the world's "needs."
I am very conservative. And so are my parents. When I was growing up they had some hard times and they never accepted government assistance. We went without health insurance and food stamps that would have been used to buy "necessesities." They looked at their situation as opportunity for God to provide for them. And He did, in miraculous ways. Of course, if you're not looking for the blessings, they might not seem that way. My mom recounted a story of just such a time that I hadn't remembered, for, as a child, I wouldn't have been impressed. We were going through a job-layoff time for my dad and we were driving around the off-ramp, my mom noticed the road was covered with onions! A semi had taken the corner too fast and spilled his load. Free onions! Only God knew that we needed those onions.
Another time, toilet paper showed up on our porch. That's one of those necessities you don't think about until you're out with no money to buy more.
On the other hand, I know people who believe that the assistance available from the state is God's provision. And perhaps it is. Should I staunchly refuse assistance when this is God's answer?
So, my beliefs, or those to which I've previously held, are called into question. Can I trust God as much as my parents and so witness miracles most people don't believe exist? Or are there things I'm not willing to do without when the budget won't pay for them? And, I don't mean to say that those who accept state help don't trust God. I just wonder if they are less likely to have tp dropped off annonomously on their porch or onion trucks mysteriously tipping over in the road. I mean, come on, how often does that happen? Perhaps, the miracles are in lower demand. :}
For now, our cupboards and fridge are full, thanks in part to my latest hobby- couponing! But, I tell ya, having no income sure makes me think.
Praying for a job. Gonna learn how to live on half our previous budget. Trying to stay sane.
One thing's for certain: it will be interesting to see how God provides. It always is. Faith is a funny thing, you know. It's one thing to say I believe that God will supply for all our needs during week one. I'm just not so sure how I'm gonna hold up as the months roll by, as they realistically might, with no job and no income to speak of.
I, of course, hope that God provides another, better, job for Chris- and FAST. But, that just might not happen. I ought to be ready for the posibility.
We can apply for unemployment but this will not cover all the bills. Funny how it has not always been easy to be thankful for our not excessive but always adequate budget. HA! That's hindsight again. I guess I will be even more creative and resourceful. But, let's be honest. I regularly buy things we don't "need" just because I want them. And, we can afford it so, heck! Weeeeell, not so now. And that's ok. Does put some perspective on things. The things we want are not necessarily the things we need and things we "need" are probably much more extravangant than most of the world's "needs."
I am very conservative. And so are my parents. When I was growing up they had some hard times and they never accepted government assistance. We went without health insurance and food stamps that would have been used to buy "necessesities." They looked at their situation as opportunity for God to provide for them. And He did, in miraculous ways. Of course, if you're not looking for the blessings, they might not seem that way. My mom recounted a story of just such a time that I hadn't remembered, for, as a child, I wouldn't have been impressed. We were going through a job-layoff time for my dad and we were driving around the off-ramp, my mom noticed the road was covered with onions! A semi had taken the corner too fast and spilled his load. Free onions! Only God knew that we needed those onions.
Another time, toilet paper showed up on our porch. That's one of those necessities you don't think about until you're out with no money to buy more.
On the other hand, I know people who believe that the assistance available from the state is God's provision. And perhaps it is. Should I staunchly refuse assistance when this is God's answer?
So, my beliefs, or those to which I've previously held, are called into question. Can I trust God as much as my parents and so witness miracles most people don't believe exist? Or are there things I'm not willing to do without when the budget won't pay for them? And, I don't mean to say that those who accept state help don't trust God. I just wonder if they are less likely to have tp dropped off annonomously on their porch or onion trucks mysteriously tipping over in the road. I mean, come on, how often does that happen? Perhaps, the miracles are in lower demand. :}
For now, our cupboards and fridge are full, thanks in part to my latest hobby- couponing! But, I tell ya, having no income sure makes me think.
Praying for a job. Gonna learn how to live on half our previous budget. Trying to stay sane.
Thursday, June 30, 2011
Sick, Sick, Ick
We've been sick forEVer! It's time to document this. We don't get sick too often so this is expecially annoying...and it's summer! At least getting sick in January is okay cuz you're gonna stay inside anyway. This is not cool. We want to get OUT. I'm not even sure how it started....I think we all, save Chris, came down with a cold or something first which turned into a raging sinus infection for me. Been going on 2 weeks or so, now.
The boys get well. Last Sunday Rowan got the 24 hour flu- thank goodness it was only 24 hours. Then I'm thinkin' we're in the clear. Nope. Elias got the flu last night. And has been throwing up, barf, upchuck and vomit everywhere. Oh, yeah! Not. 18 loads of laundry later, Elias is sleeping, poor exhausted boy. The barf count is up to 4 so far. I really hope he's done. Rowan only threw up once. Probably cuz he stopped eating. not like Elias, who still wants to nurse and then barfs everywhere. Eew.
I'm finally feeling better, thanks to the mucus meds/expectorant. Still have a mild headache. Just want to feel good. Or sleep. But there are others to take care of besides me.
Rowan feels fine now and is bored. Since we've been under the weather, all we've been doing is watching tv, which I don't like. He needs a playdate.
The boys get well. Last Sunday Rowan got the 24 hour flu- thank goodness it was only 24 hours. Then I'm thinkin' we're in the clear. Nope. Elias got the flu last night. And has been throwing up, barf, upchuck and vomit everywhere. Oh, yeah! Not. 18 loads of laundry later, Elias is sleeping, poor exhausted boy. The barf count is up to 4 so far. I really hope he's done. Rowan only threw up once. Probably cuz he stopped eating. not like Elias, who still wants to nurse and then barfs everywhere. Eew.
I'm finally feeling better, thanks to the mucus meds/expectorant. Still have a mild headache. Just want to feel good. Or sleep. But there are others to take care of besides me.
Rowan feels fine now and is bored. Since we've been under the weather, all we've been doing is watching tv, which I don't like. He needs a playdate.
Sunday, June 12, 2011
Food
So, from my last post, perhaps I'm changing my tune. I recently finished reading 'Animal, Vegetable, Miracle' by Barbara Kingsolver and it has really got me thinking about buying local and organic food. The book is about Barbara's family setting out to eat only locally grown organic food for a year, much of which they grew themselves. It has educated me about the origin of our conventionally grown food, how our food choices affect our economy, health concerns and more! I HIGHLY recommend this book....except for this family's spiritual persuasions, or lack thereof, I really enjoyed it.
'The earth is the Lord's and the fullness thereof.' 1 Corinthians 10:26
I believe this is true and if so, should we not treat this earth (and the fullness thereof) as the Lord's property, with care and respect? I'm not saying let's all worship the earth. But as Christians we talk about managing our money as the Lord would have us. We mean to care for our bodies because they're the temple of the Holy Spirit. Does this care of our bodies not demand a deeper look into what goes into our mouths several times a day?
The current trend of farming in the US today is unsustainable. We're using more resources than is necessary to grow subpar food because that's what makes the quickest buck (for big business and oil companies, mind you). 'The love of money is the root of all evil.' 1 Timothy 6:10 (the root?? Wow, God has a funny sense of humor, huh?)
**Did you know? More calories are grown in the US than are needed. So, they're dumped into our packaged food in the forms of High Fructose Corn Syrup and Soybean Oil (the 2 huge crops that we grow here). Gross.
**Did you know? The US grows something like a million lbs of potatoes and exports most of them just to import even more than that. What? Why don't we just eat our own potatoes? Do you think the farmers are benefitting from this exchange of goods? I don't think so.
In order to grow animals at the highest rate of profit, they are raised in horrible conditions (standing waist-high in their own poo, shoulder to shoulder with the other cows). No wonder there is mass use of antibiotics on animals. They don't have enough natural space to be healthy. We would never treat our pets as our meat animals are treated. That would be called animal cruelty. Somehow, the idea of mass raised animals for consumption throughout the country has been perverted to its current state.
Plants: pesticides are used to kill the bugs to grow bigger, better veggies, but the pesticides also kill off the predetors of the veggie-predetors. Also, as pesticides are used, the veggies themselves lose their natural ability to withstand some predetors and still thrive. Hmmm, something's wrong with this picture. Also? How long can the dirt continue to grow plants for us without proper crop rotation? Perhaps the farmers on small family farms know it can't continue indefinitely and that's why they're using organic growing methods to farm sustainably.
Seems to me there have been lots of precesses throughout history that have been set into motion to get us something quicker, easier, cheaper, better, safer or for the quickest buck that in the long run have been shown to not be a good idea. And we go back to the way things were. Perhaps food is another.
So, I will be switching over, little by little according to budget, to buying local. This is the time to do it- when produce is in season and I can stock up and freeze and can for the winter. I'm not saying I'll be able to stock up a years worth. Little by little. Also looking for reasonably priced beef and chicken (free range, from WA). We may buy some animals from a 4H student this fall at the fair. You know those animals have been humanely treated. I'm excited to do my part for my family's health, the Lord's creation, and to cast my vote with my food dollars!
'The earth is the Lord's and the fullness thereof.' 1 Corinthians 10:26
I believe this is true and if so, should we not treat this earth (and the fullness thereof) as the Lord's property, with care and respect? I'm not saying let's all worship the earth. But as Christians we talk about managing our money as the Lord would have us. We mean to care for our bodies because they're the temple of the Holy Spirit. Does this care of our bodies not demand a deeper look into what goes into our mouths several times a day?
The current trend of farming in the US today is unsustainable. We're using more resources than is necessary to grow subpar food because that's what makes the quickest buck (for big business and oil companies, mind you). 'The love of money is the root of all evil.' 1 Timothy 6:10 (the root?? Wow, God has a funny sense of humor, huh?)
**Did you know? More calories are grown in the US than are needed. So, they're dumped into our packaged food in the forms of High Fructose Corn Syrup and Soybean Oil (the 2 huge crops that we grow here). Gross.
**Did you know? The US grows something like a million lbs of potatoes and exports most of them just to import even more than that. What? Why don't we just eat our own potatoes? Do you think the farmers are benefitting from this exchange of goods? I don't think so.
In order to grow animals at the highest rate of profit, they are raised in horrible conditions (standing waist-high in their own poo, shoulder to shoulder with the other cows). No wonder there is mass use of antibiotics on animals. They don't have enough natural space to be healthy. We would never treat our pets as our meat animals are treated. That would be called animal cruelty. Somehow, the idea of mass raised animals for consumption throughout the country has been perverted to its current state.
Plants: pesticides are used to kill the bugs to grow bigger, better veggies, but the pesticides also kill off the predetors of the veggie-predetors. Also, as pesticides are used, the veggies themselves lose their natural ability to withstand some predetors and still thrive. Hmmm, something's wrong with this picture. Also? How long can the dirt continue to grow plants for us without proper crop rotation? Perhaps the farmers on small family farms know it can't continue indefinitely and that's why they're using organic growing methods to farm sustainably.
Seems to me there have been lots of precesses throughout history that have been set into motion to get us something quicker, easier, cheaper, better, safer or for the quickest buck that in the long run have been shown to not be a good idea. And we go back to the way things were. Perhaps food is another.
So, I will be switching over, little by little according to budget, to buying local. This is the time to do it- when produce is in season and I can stock up and freeze and can for the winter. I'm not saying I'll be able to stock up a years worth. Little by little. Also looking for reasonably priced beef and chicken (free range, from WA). We may buy some animals from a 4H student this fall at the fair. You know those animals have been humanely treated. I'm excited to do my part for my family's health, the Lord's creation, and to cast my vote with my food dollars!
Monday, April 25, 2011
Healthy vs Cheap
Oh, bother! I love a deal so much....but I realize the economic importance of buying local....and I want to buy organic, cruelty-free, free-range, homegrown, pesticide-free (etc) products. Those things do NOT come cheap. I know, the more people buy local and organic the less expensive it becomes, but who knows how long it will take before it's really the better deal financially?? I'm in a quandry...so I buy the better product when I can afford it and when it's not toooooo bad of a deal, and the rest of the time, I buy commercially-produced food. *sigh* I kinda hate that I love the deal the most.
4/25/11 shopPING
I saved a bundle today and am so excited!! I spent $21 at 4 stores (yeah, I went to 4 stores with my 2 sleep-deprived children in tow. Call me crazy. It wasn't that bad, though, believe it or not.) and received $7 in +UP Rewards and will receive a $7 rebate as well. So, I spent $7 net! Not bad. Rite Aid was my biggest haul for less so I'm sharing below:
2 Spinbrush toothbrushes $7.49 ea. bogo (used 2 $2/1 coupons)
2 Orajel kids toothpastes $3.99 ea. bogo (used 1 $1/1 coupon)
Promo=buy $10 Arm&Hammer products, get $5+UP
3 PB M&Ms $.88ea (used b2g1 coupon). Got 2 $.88+UP
Subtotal= like $8.36. Used $5+UP I had previously earned. Spent $1.10 OOP. (and, remember, I earned $6somthing in +UPs for next time.)
$1.10, people!!
And, Rowan loves the Spinbrushes so, sure, I'll spend a few pennies to entice him to brush his teeth more. :D
I get such a thrill being able to buy stuff, FUN stuff no less, for very little money. It's an excellent hobby for me. I don't have lots of "extra" money hanging around to blow so this way I can buy stuff my family needs/wants and get a rush in the process. I guess it's like some people go on vacation, or do extreme sports, or take classes that interest them.... I coupon! I'm having my cake and eating it, too!
Any great deals you've found recently??
2 Spinbrush toothbrushes $7.49 ea. bogo (used 2 $2/1 coupons)
2 Orajel kids toothpastes $3.99 ea. bogo (used 1 $1/1 coupon)
Promo=buy $10 Arm&Hammer products, get $5+UP
3 PB M&Ms $.88ea (used b2g1 coupon). Got 2 $.88+UP
Subtotal= like $8.36. Used $5+UP I had previously earned. Spent $1.10 OOP. (and, remember, I earned $6somthing in +UPs for next time.)
$1.10, people!!
And, Rowan loves the Spinbrushes so, sure, I'll spend a few pennies to entice him to brush his teeth more. :D
I get such a thrill being able to buy stuff, FUN stuff no less, for very little money. It's an excellent hobby for me. I don't have lots of "extra" money hanging around to blow so this way I can buy stuff my family needs/wants and get a rush in the process. I guess it's like some people go on vacation, or do extreme sports, or take classes that interest them.... I coupon! I'm having my cake and eating it, too!
Any great deals you've found recently??
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
Mexican Turkey Loaf
I've been experimenting with meatloaf lately. I don't particularly like meat- it has to be verrrrry well seasoned for me to enjoy it. But, Chris is a carnivore. And, since ground beef is the cheapest meat you can get, I have it hangin' around. (Seen Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution?? Let's not go there.) So, I figured, if I add enough spices and extras to my meatloaf it'll taste good, right? Yes.
Recently, I bought ground turkey because it's leaner than beef, was on sale for less than $2/lb, and I assume (read: HOPE) it's sans pink slime. :} (Ok, I went there. Sorry.) So, I have this turkey. What to do, what to do...
LOAF!
I mixed up:
1 1/2 lbs ground turkey
1 egg
1/2c milk
1c bread crumbs (I make my own)
~2T taco seasoning (don't have? Use 2t cumin, 1t salt, 2t chili powder, 1/2t garlic. That'll be close.
~1/4c salsa
~1/2c grated cheddar cheese
~1/4c chopped cilantro
Mix all by hand. Put in greased loaf pan. Bake @350F for about an hour. I'm gonna serve mine with sour crean, salsa, and corn chips. You could put yours in a tortilla, make guacamole, whatever!
We'll see if this turns out.... :P
Recently, I bought ground turkey because it's leaner than beef, was on sale for less than $2/lb, and I assume (read: HOPE) it's sans pink slime. :} (Ok, I went there. Sorry.) So, I have this turkey. What to do, what to do...
LOAF!
I mixed up:
1 1/2 lbs ground turkey
1 egg
1/2c milk
1c bread crumbs (I make my own)
~2T taco seasoning (don't have? Use 2t cumin, 1t salt, 2t chili powder, 1/2t garlic. That'll be close.
~1/4c salsa
~1/2c grated cheddar cheese
~1/4c chopped cilantro
Mix all by hand. Put in greased loaf pan. Bake @350F for about an hour. I'm gonna serve mine with sour crean, salsa, and corn chips. You could put yours in a tortilla, make guacamole, whatever!
We'll see if this turns out.... :P
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