BlITZ-It Friday # 20

As many of you have been enjoying your blitzing during the past 20 (can you believe it?) weeks, I have decided to switch it up a little. It's been great tackling some form of blitzing every week and working on my big project, as often as I can, but I need a change.

I don't know about you, but I need to change gears for the weekend also. So, I find it helpful to plan for the weekend, making lists for when the blitzing should happen etc.

The goal here is not to work yourself into a frenzy all weekend; the goal is to be able to enjoy the weekend, with some peace of mind. So, all you have to do for this new and improved "blitz it for the weekend" is make a bunch of lists of things that you are going to do for the weekend.

It can be a menu, a blitz schedule, a happy thought, a focus, etc.

Your Ready for the Weekend blitz can include but is not limited to:

Weekend focus: this is what the "main activity" is. For example: hospitality, yard work, bulk cooking, lesson planning, or reading.

Weekend inspiration: this is a verse, a poem, a thought, etc. to keep your motivation strong.

Weekend tasks: this is a list of what needs to be done and how you plan to accomplish it. It can be a schedule, a list, a chart or whatever makes sense to you.

Weekend food: Yes, we probably should plan a few meals for the weekend. Or you can make a list of food that needs to get used up.

Weekend treat: Plan something fun, enjoyable, and relaxing for yourself. Use it as a motivation and a reward for getting your list done.

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Here's what I am planning for the weekend:

Weekend focus: hospitality/ cooking for guests/ visiting/ Bible discussions

Weekend inspiration: I Peter 4:9 "Show hospitality to one another without grumbling"

Weekend tasks:

Friday: grocery shopping, general cleaning, (2 blitz sessions)

Saturday: cooking, ordering school supplies?

Weekend food:

Friday: grilling pork chops, squash, wild rice

Saturday: white chicken chili, corn chips

Sunday: ham, potatoes/ root veggies, cabbage salad

baking: blueberry buffalo

Weekend treat: knitting socks!

Mr. Linky has changed; put your link in your comments, OK?

New to blitzing? Here are some links to get you started:

Basically, blitzing is forcing ourselves to focus for a set period of time on hands-on tasks.

Read about the: one hour blitz and staying focused.

Getting started with posting for blitz-it Friday.

Also, blitzing with kids is a blast if you are an airchair general.

Glad you could join us! Now you have MANY choices about using the blitz. You are welcome to do/ try any or all of them.... and so many photos to choose from!

Frugal Fashionista

I got this great idea from: Balancing Bedlam and Beauty. She is a fabulous bargain shopper. In fact, she has a real knack for finding bargain shoes. I am a shoe snob, and I almost always buy my shoes retail. So, while my bargains often pale in comparison to hers, this summer has been rather noteworthy in the fashionista department.

One day last week, some of my kids and I were out at our favorite thrift store, Thrifty Boutique. And, be still my heart... they were having a 50 % off sale!! For you Rockford locals, It's at the corner of Broadway and 7th.

So, to deck ourselves appropriately for the shopping day, I have on: some denim culottes (garage sale $2.00), a turquoise cami (retail $8.00) and a Liz Claiborne 3/4 sleeve jacket (Goodwill, $5.25) and jewelry from Joanna. Total cost: $12.25

While I was out at the Thrifty Boutique, I found my favorite outfit of the summer: this ensemble (below). Ralph Lauren button down/ very light weight! ($3.50) and lightweight denim gored skirt with frayed edge hem ($3.00), Jewelry: Joanna ($6.50 total) I must admit I feel skinny in this outfit--especially with the shoes!

Also: same retail turquoise cami ($8.00), turquoise over top ($1.00) and flirt skirt ($6.00)

Total: $15.00. Not sure I want to wear this in public, but I might on a weird day.

So, how about you? Any noteworthy fashion bargains this summer?

Need advice, if you are up for it...

I'm in a homemaking quandary, so to speak. So, I'm asking my readers for input.

Last year things got a little out of balance with too much teaching outside of the home (English classes) and 3 or 4 pilates classes also. I just felt like I wasn't home enough, and I was starting to pick up that "you guys owe me something" kind of attitude. It wasn't who I was or wanted to be.

I choose to be home with my kids, whether I'm teaching a full schedule or just doing a little reading lesson here and there. Homemaking is a choice, for me. It's certainly not because I can't get work. After I worked my two month stint as a professional organizer, I realized that my home and family was collapsing all around me. Thankfully, my big work outside the home adventure only lasted two months. It wasn't like I went looking for it. The job landed in my lap, completely unasked for. And we needed the money, and it was only a two month contract.

So, then I had the money we needed, and the peace of mind that being at home really WAS the best job, and the cost of living would have to slow us down, not entice us to "keep up"..

But now we have a genuine need again. Our kids' schooling is upon us, and last year I had the teaching job which covered it exactly. This year I only had a few students sign up for my classes, and the two co-op days were merged, so I decided to step down for a year and let the other classes fill up.

So, now I have a choice again. I have had a great summer break with a very light schedule: only teaching pilates on Wed. and Friday. I have had potentially 4 stay at home days: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday. It's been fabulous. It got me thinking: maybe that's enough. Maybe that is ALL I should do and just trust the Lord to provide the income in some other way.

I also had this thought of a mother's writing helper. I have had some encouraging feedback from people when I've given them the details of it. But I am still uncertain if I will be able to manage all the balls of constantly editing other people's writing projects. What if I get too many jobs? Life will be hectic, and I'll be on the computer a lot more. My kids will forget what it is like to have a mother who is involved with them. And I'll be a greedy pig and want to get rich off of this.

Then again, I could limit the number of clients I take, organize my time better, and genuinely help people who really need help in this area. I do have a lot of experience in teaching writing and editing. I recently did some resume writing for a client, and he just got a call for an interview. So, I have a variety of clients that would probably help me with a flyer/ webpage for reviews.

So, could this be the Lord's leading for me? I could take on-line as well as local clients for what I have in mind. By the way, this is NOT a plea for money or free advertising. I hate that kind of stuff. For those of you who know the Lord, could you give me your input on what is of faith and what is not..in this type of situation? Is it not trusting the Lord if you make your own money?

Just confused a little, but so what else is new?

Have any of you taken a serious at-home opportunity (job) and not have it take over your life at home? (I don't consider blogging a "job" since I do it for fun, and I don't really make money at it--yet)

Keeping life in balance is what MAKES my HOME SING.

BlITZ-It Friday # 19: BIG PROJECT EDITION 8

Welcome to another week of blitzing! This week I forced myself to spend another 45 minutes in my dungeon. (My mother says that I shouldn't call it a dungeon because that has negative connotations) O.K. I'll call it a cavern. How about sepulchre? still negative, eh? Well, at the moment, I can't think of anything beautiful. If I do a transformation on the space, I'll call it something beautiful like: Veronica or Helen of Troy. Right now, it's Madge, and that's not good. (if your name is Madge, I'm sorry. It has slight connections with the movie: Fargo in my head)

Anyway, after 13 minutes, I was exhausted. Ugh. I need to get a grip and make some decisions. Do you often feel that way about a hard job? It's not the actual labor of carrying and moving things that is hard. It's the "I don't know what to do with THIS!" feeling that occurs about 17 times every time I try to clean, sort, organize these things.

I can't get rid of it, but I can't keep it either.

Now, if it were somebody else's stuff, no problem. I'd be telling them, "It's junk. Get rid of it."

I think I need to get my little self down there and pretend it's someone else's stuff.

That's it. I'm going to pretend that I'm working as a professional organizer for someone else--someone who wants it to look nice and is NOT a pack rat.

There! What sort of mental games do you play to get it clean??

Next week, I am hoping that everyone can wrap up their big projects. After next week, I'll be switching up the blitz (again) and hopefully offer some prizes for those of you who have been so faithful all summer to complete your projects and/or participate faithfully in this meme. I am also going to make it a lot easier to participate in the theme and get organized at the same time.

Mr. Linky has changed, and if you do not see a link, put your link in your comments, OK?

New to blitzing? Here are some links to get you started:

Basically, blitzing is forcing ourselves to focus for a set period of time on hands-on tasks.

Read about the: one hour blitz and staying focused.

Getting started with posting for blitz-it Friday.

Also, blitzing with kids is a blast if you are an airchair general.

Glad you could join us!

What Homeschool is looking like for the 09-10 year

It's finally mid July, and all of the homeschooling mommies who have been hibernating need to start waking up now and admit that another year is soon upon us.

Well, this is the first of many "finish lines" that we are going to cross in this big journey of homeschooling. We have only one year left in which to school this guy.

Our oldest, James, will be starting his senior year in highschool.

What his academics looks like:

Classes at Hallstrom:

English: Literary Lessons from Lord of the Rings

Science: Physics with Apologia

Econ/ Government:

Spanish II

P.E.

Pre-Calc at RVCC

Extracurriculars: violin at Music Academy at Rockford College, and Robotics club

Other things to do: Take SAT, figure out college plans for next year

Joanna, 15, will be starting her 10th grade/ sophomore year in highschool.

Academics at Hallstrom:

Mythology (English/ history)

Biology

Sign Language I

Geometry

Spanish II

Yearbook

Extra-curriculars: viola at Music Academy/ Rockford College, Robotics, Gavel club, ??Driver's Ed? (not sure about this)

Hudson, age 13, 8th grade. 5'9" and growing

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Academics at Hallstrom:

Literature for boys

Pre-Algebra

P.E.

Ultimate Frisbee

Life Science

Extra Curriculars: Cello at Music Academy at Rockford College, Gavel club, .. eating..

Nathanael, age 11, 6th grade,

Academics at Hallstrom:

Beginning Drawing

Literature for boys

Pre-Algebra

Ultimate Frisbee

Life Science

Extra Curriculars: cello at Music Academy,

Emily, age 4, pre-K/ K

Hallstrom activities:

Tiny Tot choir

God made the World and me too (preschool skills)

Big manners for little people

preschool art

School with Mommy:

Teach your child to read in 100 Easy lessons

counting on abacus

read-aloud books

Bible memory/ verses/ lessons

playing care bears..

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So you may be wondering..

What is Hallstrom?

Hallstrom is fabulous Christian homeschool co-op that we attend that meets once a week. We sign up for classes, pay the teachers, and the kids do the work at home during the week. It is still homeschooling, but with a lot of support and accountability.

Do I actually TEACH my kids?

Sometimes I do, but most of the time I trouble-shoot. With Emily, I will be doing a lot of teaching, getting her ready for reading. It doesn't take all day to teach preschool, so it will probably be about 3 times a week.

Is James getting dual credit for his pre-calc class?

Yes, and hopefully this first college class will be a good experience for him.

Did I always homeschool this way?

No, not at all. When my kids were little, I taught them everything. I used to be really into KONOS and Charlotte Mason teaching. We did all of these crazy dress up things and nature journals. It was a blast. It's just been in the last couple of years that we've had them take their main academic classes through Hallstrom. The accountability, advanced instruction, and convenience won out over being Mary Poppins. After Emily was born is when we started utilizing outside of the home instruction more. I'm not sure why but I think it was because they gave me a free labotomy with my hysterectomy. Who knew that was part of the deal?

How much does it cost to homeschool this way?

For the classes my kids are taking at Hallstrom, it ends up being around $1,500.00 a semester for all of them. (does not include books) The RVC class is around $370.00. I consider it to be pretty cheap compared to private schools or DVD curricula, especially for 5 children!

Is it really necessary to have the four year old taking classes?

Absolutely not. If we were not already required to be out for the older kids, she probably would not be getting this many classes. As it is, she would be bored silly sitting there all day with nothing to do, and she appears to genuinely enjoy the instruction. (We are required to stay in the building with our kids while they take classes)

Do you think you'll homeschool all of your kids this way?

Well, so far, it has been a no-brainer decision to homeschool. They love it. I'm happy, and everything is going well. If we start to have difficulties, then we'll have to re-visit the issue. Yes, my kids DO enjoy homeschooling. I gave my oldest the choice of going to a regular school or another type of private school, and he said he really liked Hallstrom and homeschooling. I'm glad because it is a great lifestyle for both Mom and kids.

How is the co-op/ Hallstrom lifestyle different from when the other homeschooling methods?

The lifestyle is very different in a co-op. If you join a co-op, you have to submit to the schedule they have for you. You have to do the work they say to do. You have to welcome the other teachers to teach your children. If that sounds overwhelming, a co-op may not be for you.

Are you teaching at the co-op this Year?

No, not officially. Last year I taught two writing classes, which were so great. This year, I am an "after school club advisor" for the "young writer's guild". We have a group of students who would like to research getting their books published, so I am going to be the "token adult" for these brilliant kids. I am also contemplating doing an online tutoring called "Mother's writing helper" where students send me their writing, and I turn it around with corrections for a revision. They don't need to be involved with any outside co-ops to use this service, but I'm still working out the details. Do you think there would be any interest?

So, for my homeschooling friends out there, are you getting ready for the new year?

Tackle it Tuesday: sewing project finished!

Remember THIS great piece of fabric?

It's such a great color with a traditional pattern.. who can resist the handkerchief pattern? I love it.

Well, it started to become "something".

With covered buttons..

half-way through..

No, that's not a wide angle lens..

There you have it: a "retro" house dress.. just like in the 1930's? !! Oh, for a bun and a matching apron. I should be holding a loaf of homemade bread, don't you think?

sewing..you gotta love it. You can re-create history in your own backyard.

Pattern was a vintage shirtdress pattern. I got it at a garage sale, probably in the free box. Even if I had the number handy, they probably don't make it anymore. I embellished it with piping and a coordinating belt. I eliminated the elastic--ugh.. my ever-expanding mid-line couldn't take it just now.

McCalls 4769 appears to be a decent shirtdress pattern that can be turned vintage, if you like. This image from a review written on Patternreview.com, which I just signed up for. Neat site for you seamstresses out there.

For more tackles, visit: 5 minutes for mom.

How Laundry works at our house

Do you feel like THIS about laundry??

It seems like there's always ONE thing in our homemaking adventure that puts us over the top. For some of you, it's laundry. So, Heidi and Mrs. P, this POST is for you.

Some principles to keep in mind.

1. It's only stuff--clothing, underwear, towels, etc. They aren't alive and going to eat you if you do it wrong. If you completely kill a shirt or towel, it's O.K. As far as I know, they're still making 'em.

2. Nobody ever died from wearing a wrinkled shirt--that I know of atleast. So, the biggest crimes in the world do not revolve around retrieving the dryer the second it buzzes.

3. Nobody ever lost friends over wearing socks that didn't match or the same outfit two days in a row. O.K. maybe somebody lost friends that way, but I haven't. My mother, for example, wears the same outfit every day until we hide it from her. Our running joke with her is: is that your uniform? And she has a ton of friends, a fanclub, in fact. Would you like to join?

4. Employ a laundry therapist.

Speaking of my Mom, here she is, the laundry therapist. I don't actually hire her, I just talk to her on the phone a lot. I only fold laundry when I'm talking to her on the phone. (I have one of those nifty head sets)... You must have someone you can talk to while you are folding/ putting away.

All of this (principles 1-4) to say: lighten up already!!

But you want practical advice, not just humor, eh? O.K.

Practical ideas

1. Assign each child a laundry basket and have them do their laundry on their laundry day. If you are doing laundry for them, just do their laundry that day.

2. Don't mix all the kids' laundry together. Buy enough clothes so each child has enough to go an entire week.

3. Make folding unnecessary for little ones: just buy things that can be shoved into a few drawers. They can do that themselves, already. No sorting before or after, and shove it into the drawer when you're done.

4. As kids get older (around 7?) have them practice folding things and sorting stuff from their own load. No ironing type of clothes--ick.

5. Miscellaneous laundry like: dish cloths, towels, wet things etc. can be washed and dried but just stuffed into a laundry basket.

6. On my laundry day (Thursday), I make my bed and throw any clean laundry on the bed. All of the miscellaneous clean things that I find around the laundry room goes on the bed all day. As I finish loads, I throw everything on the bed.

This is where it gets fun. I have a list of people that I would like to talk to on Thursdays or I just talk to my laundry therapist. On the floor of my room, I make about 8 piles of various categories of unfolded laundry. They are sorted by where they go in the room. When all of the piles are done, I work my way around the room: folding a stack and immediately putting away that stack. It takes about an hour.

Then I am done with laundry for an entire week. My kids have the rest of the week to finish their loads. Since I only have ONE little one, I throw her stuff in with ours (yes, I do Will's laundry!)

For those of you who are doing cloth diapers and have a lot of little ones, I would still try to divide your work load so you are not mixing the kids' stuff together. If you can get by without folding the cloth diapers EVERY day, I would just do it twice a week or an infrequently as you can.

People get uncomfortable with piles of unfolded laundry all over, unless it is part of the PLAN. I am suggesting that this business of folding laundry and putting it away every day is an inefficient use of your time! Clothes are cheap--buy more so you can use your time better.

Think of it as: bulk cooking. Nobody seems to balk at bulk cooking. So, what's wrong with bulk laundry already?

Well, that's the quick and dirty about laundry from the organizing mommy. I haven't mentioned much about ironing yet. Let's just say this. Lately I've been using ironing shirts as a payment for online computer time for my teens.... Oh, the schemes we must invent!

For other great ideas, look at Moms the Word for making your home sing.

Why pat answers don't encourage me

Pat answers to problems never encourage me, so why do I give them?

About three weeks ago, I met a group of ladies for the first time. They were all in a circle talking about various things, but one mom was particularly distressed. Her nearly grown son has a serious but unknown ailment. She, like anyone would be doing, was asking almost EVERYONE she knew about doctors, alternative treatments, nutritional therapy... anything!! that could help him.

So, I blurted out some website of a nutritional medicine thingy that helped a friend of mine and acted like: here it is. This is the answer. She just looked at me, perplexed. It wasn't just me, though. We were all hurling her advice, websites, phone numbers, locations for organic beef already. She probably was just as overwhelmed as you could imagine.

I quietly rebuked myself. I went back to my knitting. Am I dork or what?? I hate pat answers. She doesn't even know me. She's stressed out. She needs compassion. She needs the Lord to do a miracle. Hey! I can pray!

The next week someone else had issues to discuss. No longer was this woman's son the problem. I think we were talking about the cow population producing too much gas--and other atrocities. But this poor woman sat in the corner. The Lord reminded me. Did you pray for him? Yes, I did.

So, I asked her, "any progress with your son?" She lit right up. Someone noticed enough to ask. I told her I was praying. There was no progress, but they had the name of a doctor and were a little hopeful.

Two weeks passed before we got together again.

The son was there with his mother. The mother's face lit up when she saw me. The son even knew I was praying for him. He said, "Your prayers are being answered. I am feeling a lot better". The whole time we were there, this woman and I were fast becoming "best friends". I learned so much about them, their 8 kids, various things their family is going through, and noticed all that I would not have noticed from an "easy answer" kind of conversation.

There is no substitute for compassion. It is golden. Why is it the hardest thing to do, then?

Pat answers are just not kind, especially when someone is hurting. I know some people need or want direct, precise answers for things some times, and that is fine. But too often, we.. meaning I.. do not consider the other option before speaking. Oh, that I would get a hold of this!!

There are SO many hurting people out there. How can we know the depths of each person's struggles? We can never assume that they are doing fine.

When we come together with the Christians tomorrow, let's leave the critical spririt in the trash can where it belongs. Look for someone to love. You will definetly see Christ in a new way.

BlITZ-It Friday # 18: BIG PROJECT EDITION 7

Welcome to another week of blitzing! This week I had another commenter (new to my blog) say she tried the blitz and really enjoyed it. It was so encouraging. Even if you don't participate in memes, I appreciate those of you who have told me that you enjoy "the blitz" around the house.

I use some form of blitzing almost every day. Today was a big day because I wanted to coordinate a clean home AND a nice meal AND do some weekly cleaning, including laundry.

One thing I do for myself and the kids is coordinate work sessions rather than have them be "on call" all day. In that way, they can have some time to do the important things on their lists and feel some sense of accomplishment in the things they are pursuing (reading books, studying for the SAT, or music.. etc.) So, today, I launched some pretty heavy tasks (cleaning bathrooms, making bread, etc.) but tried to keep them down to 30-40 minute sessions. They still had plenty of time for other things.

This kept attitudes in check and made it easier on everyone. Since we had a lot of work to do, I did 3 blitz sessions with the kids, but the last one was only 10 minutes--getting the last minute preparations for dinner guests.

As for my big project, I did not do any more sorting.. (bad, mommy) I think I'd like to modify my goals for the summer to just finish the sorting of pictures and scan in things as I have time. If 18 years worth of photos can be sorted through and maybe whittled down to maybe 1800 photos altogether (100 per year?), that might be a good accomplishment for the summer.

Also, I would like the big projects to be completed in by week 10. What do you think? Can we wrap up our accomplishments in 3 weeks?

New to blitzing? Here are some links to get you started:

Basically, blitzing is forcing ourselves to focus for a set period of time on hands-on tasks.

Read about the: one hour blitz and staying focused.

Getting started with posting for blitz-it Friday.

Also, blitzing with kids is a blast if you are an airchair general.

Glad you could join us!

Lazy Mom secrets..

After reading this, I'll have nothing over anyone. You'll know everything that I know. Even so much so that you can stop reading my blog (O.K. maybe not EVERYTHING, so maybe you should keep reading, just in case) But really.. I am pretty lazy and enjoy a cush life at the same time.

So without further ado....

1) Sleep in. That's right. Sleep in, atleast occasionally. The kids will learn everything that they CAN do without your help. They will learn to do all sorts of things that they never knew they could do. Kids ARE smart and capable. A three year old can make breakfast if needed.

2) Wake up slowly. Doodle around with a cup of coffee and a Bible reading. Hang out with the youngest child, cuddling and telling stories.

3) Stay in your pajamas. Why is everyone in such a hurry to get dressed these days? Seriously, this is summer already.

4) Make breakfast and linger around the table telling stories about your childhood or crazy memories of when Michael Jackson was popular. This will drive your kids insane--especially your teenagers, which will automatically make them retreat to their rooms.

5) Contemplate geting dressed but talk on the phone instead. You can start to pick up stuff around the house, since it's about 11:00 a.m. and things are looking grungy.

6) Tell the kids they have 10 minutes before you expect them to be on duty for a blitz.

7) Start lunch because kids who are old enough to work eventually want to eat.

8) Blitz with kids, making the house spotless. Get dressed before this, so you look official.

9) Eat lunch.

10) start dinner, take a nap, one last blitz before hubby gets home.

11) lather, rinse, repeat.

My frequent, recurring dreams..

I woke up this morning thinking how crazy the inside of my brain is that I can only come up with about 3 or 4 different dreams that all repeat themselves in one way or another. I know you are just dying to know what I dream about, unless you are my mother who has already lived through this scene many times.. LOL

O.K. Dream #1) In the dream I am in college, around sophomore or junior year, and I've signed up for a pile of classes. In fact, I've signed up for so many classes that I can not remember my schedule. And of course there's ONE class that I never made it to all semester (because I double booked my life into oblivion). And then the clincher of the dream happens when I finally realize that I have never attended the class, it's too late in the semester to drop and, alas, I failed the class. I find myself begging professor of the class to drop me instead of screwing up my G.P.A...

Why this dream would never happen: I never missed any classes in college. I didn't skip or goof around in college. nerd to the nth degree...

With that exciting dream, I'm sure you are waiting with bated breath for the rest of them..LOL.

Dream #2: Locker anxiety: Here again, I'm in high school or middle school and it's after Christmas break. I have no idea where my locker is or what number it is. When I do find it, I can not find the combination for my life. I go to the office to ask for the combination again, and they write it down for me. I am so paranoid that I'll forget it that I ask this pesky boy to memorize it for me. He agrees to do it but teases me unmercifully. I panic when he doesn't show up between classes. I give up and refuse to lock the locker.

Why this would not happen: I just never forgot my combination or where my locker is. Pesky boy always teased me unmercifully, and I would have rather written it in the form of a tattoo rather than ask for his help.

Dream #3: This may be the only one that is noteworthy. When I grew up, my grandparents had a cottage on the Lake. It was so secluded that it was like a private paradise. I still to this day have dreams about it. It has a new owner now, but thankfully, he agrees to rent it out. I've been there a few times with the new owner, and it is even better than I remember. So, if you want to rent it, think of me when you are there. It is called: Anam Cara. You won't be disappointed.

What do you dream about?

Tackle it Tuesday: Garden update and sewing

The summer is in full bloom! It's not the hot and sticky July that it could be, and we're still getting to enjoy our garden without withering out there in the heat.

Can you say "black raspberry pie"??

The lillies are in full bloom also.

Looking down on the carrot patch..

tomato plants getting bigger...

pulled some beets today...

Also, I've been indulging in a little basement sewing.. a botch up jacket is turning into a backpack style bag.. I'm thinking about using this as a gift for my blue and brown swap--except there's uhh... not very much blue or brown in it..yet. Well, maybe that's O.K.

and the blue fabric.. is starting to morph into a retro style 80's dress. Top part is done..

I'll probably have to kick up my heels for a little square dancin' when I'm done. I'm going to feel like a real prairie woman in this outfit. It's a cross between a bathrobe I used to have and a "shirt dress" that I would like to have. Now to harness up a small waistline that goes so nicely with this look...

for more tackles, check out five minutes for Mom

Menu plan and epiginosis..

You know I can never just give a menu without some sort of thought to go with it. So, lately I've been doing some heavy reading of this verse in II Peter 1:3.

According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue.

My thoughts were stopped on the thought " knowledge of him". The word knowledge (epiginosis) is "knowledge, meaning clear and exact knowledge that expresses a more thorough participation in the object of knowledge on the part of the subject--the type that has a powerful influence on the person experiencing this knowledge" ( my paraphrase of Zodhiates' The Complete Word Study New Testament)

For those of us who call ourselves Christians, we all claim to know him. Even people with no religious convictions will often say they know (of) him. This is gnosis. It's like saying "yeah.. I know him.. He's the guy that makes it rain.."

It would only make sense that a loving God would want us to KNOW (epigonosis) him. But he doesn't just barge in and take over our lives. People do that, and they can even claim they are doing the business of God. But the true God is gentle and winsome. For those who want all things that pertain to life ( a full, abundant life, not just breath) and godliness (being like God), the exploration of the knowledge of Him is an endless and yet, meaningful pursuit. It's not wrapped up in church meetings and endless discussions (although these can be important), it's wrapped up in the times you have alone with God, specifically in His word.

We're living in a day and age when so many people are disenchanted with the church that they even go so far as to abandon it altogether. While there are difficulties and heart aches in any group, the more we "know/ epiginosis" him, the more pleasant those interactions can be. So, let's not forsake the gathering of ourselves together for lack of human love, let's just seek to Know Him.

As for food this week:

Monday: clean out the fridge soup/ bread

Tuesday: moose, potatoes, veggies

Wednesday: tacos/ Mexican

Thursday: (guests over) Italian

For other menus: organizingjunkie's MPM.

BlITZ-It Friday # 17: BIG PROJECT EDITION 6

First off, I am soooooo sorry for the late posting of this meme. Friday is practically over, which means that some of you are just chomping at the bit to get your links up. sorry sorry sorreeeeeeeey...

I think I have fully embraced a lazy summer, if you know what I mean. I had a blast with my house guests: Kathy M. and her three youngest kids. She kept saying how much fun she was having, and how encouraged she was, and all I could think of was: my house is a wreck, I'm not sure WHAT we're doing for meals, and where's the coffee? We had a blast doing what girls do best: talking.

But to survive our very relaxed time, I instituted a once a day "full kid blitz" for ALL (get this) 8 kids!! It only took 12 minutes to do, and kids were running in all directions at once, but it kept the house up to speed while we had guests. We did that once a day, and I don't think I moved fast for an entire week! So, as you can imagine, I will need to do some deep cleaning as I recover from all of my fun.

As far as big projects go, I worked for two hours on my photo pile. I started a big box called the "scan box". I am amazed at how well the participants are doing on their big projects this summer. If you get a chance, check out their links and send them some blitz-encouragement.

As for me, I am going to blitz getting dinner on, so Will and I can foxtrot our way over to the Y for our final ballroom dance class.

New to blitzing? Here are some links to get you started:

Basically, blitzing is forcing ourselves to focus for a set period of time on hands-on tasks.

Read about the: one hour blitz and staying focused.

Getting started with posting for blitz-it Friday.

Also, blitzing with kids is a blast if you are an airchair general.

Glad you could join us!

Crafting update..

We've been sort of quiet around here in the blog world, but we've been busy around here crafting/ finishing projects. Joanna (above) spent a week in Wisconsin helping her friends sew, and then finally finished her own skirt. She'll probably update her own blog soon enough.

Now, I can not remember exactly when I started this orange sweater thing, but I think it was two years ago. I started it, and it landed on my list of unfinished craft projects. (that list is almost a year old, and I have finished both of the knitting projects.. yeah!) I put it away the project when I ran out of yarn. Then a year later, I found more yarn. So, with a nice long trip to MN and a couple of music lessons, I was able to finish this! (It's for Emily, our four year old). The pattern is my own design, but the stitch is a lace, cable twist, with a celtic braid cable along the sleeve.

Also, this "fabric art" was put together by a guest in our home. Do you recognize a remake on a famous painting?

There is no sewing in this. Just back pieces of fabric with Heat and Bond, cut and iron on. Pretty fun and easy, once you get the hang of it. I tried to make one also, but mine did not turn out that great..

I did manage to make ONE sock. We'll call this "basement knitting". The grey yarn is from a garage sale, and the others are "scraps". Now the real question I keep asking myself is this: should I make the next sock look just like this one OR make it look sort of like it. My houseguest says, "Duh?!! Why would you consider wearing two different socks?" I'm not sure why, but I think I would enjoy wearing two different socks.

Now, my next project WILL involve this:

I saw it in the fabric store and HAD to have it. I think I will make something to WEAR. Can't wait!

Gentle and quiet??

Sometimes it is easier to show people the inside of my messsy cupboards than to reveal any signs of inner mess. After all, we are what we DO right? No. We are what we are inside, outside, upsidedown. And here I am--not revealing my dirty closets (again) just my pathetic little self.

My dear husband takes his turn speaking at our chapel, and he did a masterful job of I Peter 3. When I say masterful, I mean.. he didn't make the ladies feel squirmish about it, including me. That is talent, because I have a lot of insecurities in these areas.

Those ladies who are quiet naturally.. you know the type.. always seem godlier to me. So, when I was younger and more energetic about these things, I just wanted to force myself into quiet and gentle. That's right. By a sheer act of the will I was going to be quiet and gentle. darn it.

This social experiement had about as much success as trying to shake up a bottle of pop and then say to it, "now don't explode.. just hold it in.." Sooner or later, the bottle is gonna blow. And then when it does explode, look out! I used to fear for the targets of my bottled up extroversion...

So, I do not really know at what age that I learned to accept the fact that I was the way I was, and I'll never cut it as a godly woman. I felt there was only two choices: 1) continue forcing myself into sealed pop bottle or 2) be myself, much to the chagrin of everyone in my path.

So, for the past 10? years I've been forging ahead with option #2 with almost no real problem with it except for periodic bouts of guilt. And then I have huge guilt whenever anyone goes to I Peter 3. I even wondered at the audacity of my husband preaching on THIS passage with ME being the way I am.

But here is what happened. Rather than using the pulpit to "put me in my place", he used it as opportunity to affirm anything good he could find in me. He mentioned that the gentle and quiet was not about personality, but on spirit. In fact, I rarely think about this but those women who are so quiet may be having a turbulent inner spirit at times also. The struggles of introverts and extroverts may be different but the goal of a gentle and quiet spirit is the same.

I found this to be encouraging--not because I think I have it all together, but because there really is room in the body for different personalities and temperments. Thank you, Lord.

BlITZ-It Friday # 16: BIG PROJECT EDITION 5

Well, hello EVERYBODEEE!! I am ready to get back into life again. Just in case you haven't noticed my absence, I've been enjoying a fantastic mini vacation in Minnesota and just got photos up.

For my regular one hour blitzes, I'd like to tell you about two of them that I did this week. One blitz was for packing to get ready for the trip. I don't know about you, but I get kind of scattered when I know I have to go on a trip, and things don't get moving until it's a "crisis". Why do I do this to myself? I don't know, but I've heard from other moms that they do it also.

So, I can create my own crisis (in a sense) by starting a packing blitz. I can start the blitz a long time before there is a real crisis. It's amazing that you CAN pack for a trip in an hour and then spend the rest of the evening just tidying up the house and such; thereby avoiding a real crisis.. oh, the games we must play....

Another blitz was this morning. I was really tired and wanted to go back to bed after I got up. (O.K. I did have a headache, but really.. ?? talk about lazy bones..) Anyway, before I succumbed to the inevitable, I forced myself to blitz the bedroom (putting away stuff from the trip etc.) and go out and weed the garden. Not super impressive, but it made some order to a day that could have been complete chaos.

You may feel like your daily blitzes aren't really worth hearing about, but they are encouraging when you write them down. I don't know about you, but I use them as an opportunity for character training (for myself), forcing the issue of discipline and self control in doing things that I'd rather put off. Any and every time we make ourselves do something that should be done (even when it is hard) is worth celebrating! And yes, I'm doing my happy dance right along with you!!

So, let's link up the daily blitz here:

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And for those of you participating in the big project edition, good for you!! Can you believe we are on week 5???

I sorted through the first big bucket of pictures, and we're on to these:


I did give it a big one hour shot today, and it is actually quite fun. I did find one "treasure" of sorts. Can you believe I hand wrote a journal for the first three of my children when they were newborns? It is so fun to go back and read it. These boxes have photographs, artwork, brochures, journals, and a few choice Dave Barry articles to boot. Hilarious. So, in a sense, I don't want to rush through this. But I would like to finish before the summer is up. How about you?

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New to blitzing? Here are some links to get you started:

Basically, blitzing is forcing ourselves to focus for a set period of time on hands-on tasks.

Read about the: one hour blitz and staying focused.

Getting started with posting for blitz-it Friday.

Also, blitzing with kids is a blast if you are an airchair general.

Glad you could join us!