Final homebirth kit list.

We are now in the waiting mode for baby to come. I am brushing up, studying last minute home birth material from various books and such. I've also begun last minute herbal, nutritional treatments to keep my iron levels boosted, infections at bay and complications minimal. I have yet to wash some of the baby and mamma items in the list (note that some of the reusable baby and momma items were made from various materials around the home and from thrift stores / garage sales). We are also in the process of moving, so I am taking my time and taking it easy while packing all the items from our small 2 bedroom apartment. My husband is in the middle of schooling and a job/career change so we know it is best to live with his grandparents until we are more financially stable. I can't wait for baby to come!

ReUsable Items:

• 2 Sets of Sheets and Pillow Cases
• Plastic Mattress Cover
• 1 Old Blanket
• 10 - 23"X36" Underpads
• 15 Bath Towels
• 8 Wash Clothes
• 2 Knee Length Gowns
• 20 Mum Rags
• 3 Hot Socks
• 3 Ice Packs
• 10 Recieving Blankets
• 12 Newborn Diapers
• 1 Undershirt
• 1 Sleeper
• 2 Pairs of Socks
• 2 Knit Caps
• Feto scope
• BP Cuff and Stethoscope
• Thermometer
• Metal Cord Clamps (Sterilized)
• Scissors (Sterilized)
• Baby Scale
• 3 Pairs of Depends
• Measuring Tape
• Crock Pot

Supplies that Get Used Up / Change

• Superglue - for perineal Tears
• butterfly bandages - for perineal tears
• Lavendar Oil
• Olive Oil
• List of Phone Numbers
• Light Snacks (high protein, fruit, chocolate)
• Herbal Tea w/ Honey
• Liquid Chlorophyl
• Chyanne Pepper
• Shepherd's Purse Tincture
• Cinnamon
• Vitamin C
• B Complex -> Vit B12, Folic Acid
• St John's Wort oil -> for perineal tears
• Echinacea for infection prevention
• grapefruit seed extract
• ice
• bulb syringe
• sterile gloves
• peri bottles
• providone
• a birth certificate
• witch hazel pads
• rubbing alcohol
• plastic garbage bags
• tylenol
• Q-tips (for cord care)

Other supplies commonly used everyday and/or luxury

• Cleaning supply -> Clorox bleach etc.
• CD Player and CD's or computer and list of music

Christian Headcovering

Here is a series of videos that explains christian head covering.

Session 1

Session 2

Session 3

Session 4

Session 5

Session 6

December 25th......

If you have time today, please take the time to listen to these videos to guard your little one's ears and eyes from being sentimentalized by this holiday. Christ was born in a holy and humble manner in a Jewish home. He was not celebrated with various pagan symbols. I pray for those people who call themselves Christians but yet continue putting so much emphasis on December 25th.

http://www.passion-for-truth.com/Audio-Teachings/truth-or-tradition.htm


http://simplelivingak.wordpress.com/2009/08/29/some-video-to-make-you-think/


http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=3277371625979987935#

When was Christ born?

Although many celebrate Jesus' birth on the 25th of December, it is true that this is an old pagan holiday which once accompanied much wicked practices that were not godly. However, I have family gatherings on this day as I know that many of my relatives and close family members are barely familiar with the Jewish calendar and holy days that are clearly explained in the scriptures. I still love to be around family, but it is difficult to discuss these biblical concepts so I simply discuss them with my husband and other Christians who understand the conservative aspects of scripture.

So when was Christ really born? Can it be determined through scripture? YES IT CAN!! Yay!

To get started it may be wise to make sure that you have an entire understanding of the bible. www.bluletterbible.org is a great place to get started as there are excellent commentaries for each verse of the bible. I used the Thru the Bible program which helped me grasp the major concepts of the bible. This was helpful because I grew up in a liberal Christian home. After you have obtained a good understanding of the bible, it is helpful to understand Jewish culture and festivals. To understand the patterns of the festivals a good grasp on the Jewish calendar is essential. Once that is obtained, it is easy to understand when Jesus was actually born!!

This website explains specific verses and Jewish events that lead up to Christ's birth. It turns out that Jesus was born during the feast of Tabernacles! This event takes place each year in September/October of the Gregorian calendar. It is so fun to study scripture!

An interesting cartoon

95 Theses to the Evangelical Church

To the Evangelical Church

"I have been writing this volume while residing in Germany for a teaching trip. I am humbled by penning these 95 theses in the same country as Martin Luther did many years ago. I submit these to the evangelical church of our day and pray that God would allow anything of truth in these pages to bend and change men's hearts back to God." - Greg Gordon

Thesis 1 - The evangelical church at large has forgotten that the chief end of man is to glorify God.(Romans 16:27, 1 Corinthians 6:20, Mathew 6:9).

Thesis 2 - Evangelicals ignore most of the methods, practices and principles found in Acts chapter 2.(Acts 2:42,44, Acts 2:46, Acts 2:38).

Thesis 3 - We meet for one hour a week and consider that apostolic church. Many evangelicals treat church like any other social club or sports event that they attend.(Acts 2:46, Hebrews 10:25, Acts 1:14).

Thesis 4 - We have made Christianity about the individual rather then a community of believers.(1 John 2:19, 2 Timothy 4:16, Jude 19).

Thesis 5 - In evangelical churches the priesthood of all believers is not acknowledged and the role of pastor is abused. The biblical view of a plurality of elders is practiced by very few.(1 Peter 2:9, 1 Corinthians 12:12, Ephesians 4:11-13).

Thesis 6 – The evangelical church as a whole has lost the concept of their being engrafted into the promises given to Israel.(Romans 11:17-18,20, Romans 11:25, Romans 11:15).

Thesis 7 - There needs to be a recovery back to teaching through the whole counsel of God expositionally.(Acts 20:27, 1 Timothy 4:6, 2 Timothy 2:15).

Thesis 8 - We take it too lightly, the blessing and honor of having God’s Scriptures in our possession.(Psalm 119:16, Acts 13:44, Nehemiah 8:9).

Thesis 9 - There has never been more access to the word of God yet so little reading of it.(1 Timothy 4:13, Nehemiah 8:1-3, Psalm 119:59).

Thesis 10 - Some read the Scriptures to attain knowledge and do not practice what they read.(James 1:22, Matthew 7:21, 3 John 4).

Thesis 11 - Worship has become an idol in many churches. The music resembles the world more than anything else. (Amos 5:23, Philippians 4:8, 1 John 5:21).

Thesis 12 - The world is shaping the views of the evangelical church more than the church shaping the views of the world. (Romans 12:2, Matthew 5:13, 1 Corinthians 1:22-23).

Thesis 13 - The evangelical church spends more money on dog food then missions.(2 Corinthians 9:6, Luke 21:2, Acts 4:34-35).

Thesis 14 - We take lightly the cost of discipleship laid out by Jesus Christ and consider following Him a sort of jovial thing rather then it truly costing us our actual entire lives.(Luke 14:33, Luke 14:26-27, Matthew 8:19-20).

Thesis 15 - There is a lack of true discipleship and making others to be obedient disciples.(Matthew 28:20, 2 Timothy 2:2, 2 Timothy 2:14).

Thesis 16 - The modern day evangelical believes the error that parts of life are to be spiritual while other parts are to be worldly and secular. Rather than our entire life’s being spiritual and our walk with God. (1 Peter 4:2, Colossians 3:3, 1 John 2:6).

Thesis 17 - The modern day evangelical finds Jesus’ command to sacrifice and serve abhorrent.(Philippians 2:21, James 3:16, Romans 12:1-2).

Thesis 18 - Self disciplines in the Christian life such as fasting, praying, suffering are considered legalistic.(2 Timothy 2:21, 2 Timothy 1:8, Matthew 6:17).

Thesis 19 - Little thought and contemplation is put towards the lostness of men, the seriousness of the gospel, and the sacrifice of the call of Christ.(Philippians 3:8, Galatians 2:20, Hebrews 10:34).

Thesis 20 - We are living with an epidemic of cheap grace in the Church. Flippant confession, shallow consecration, superficial surrender.(Luke 14:28-30, Luke 14:26, James 4:8).

Thesis 21 - Since the inception of the Church, the Gospel of Jesus Christ was preached with the requirements of repentance and discipleship.(Acts 2:38, Luke 14:26, John 8:31).

Thesis 22 - Presently, the “High-Calling in Christ Jesus,” has never been offered at such a low level. Forgiveness without repentance, discipleship without obedience, salvation without sanctity, confession without consecration.(Hebrews 10:29, Hebrews 4:11, Luke 13:24).

Thesis 23 - Such terms as: Introspection, counting the cost, godly sorrow over sin, repentance from dead works, are all foreign to this church age of cheap grace.(Acts 2:37, Psalm 119:9, Hebrews 6:1-2).

Thesis 24 - The modern evangelical church loves itself more than its neighbor. (1 Corinthians 3:3, Galatians 5:13, Philippians 2:3).

Thesis 25 - The church must repent of its idolization of personality and business principles.(2 Corinthians 2:17, 1 Corinthians 3:5, 1 Corinthians 12:23).

Thesis 26 - The elders and pastors of the church, as ministers of the gospel, are charged by Jesus to feed the sheep. But sadly many are fleecing the flock to supply their wants.(John 10:12-13, 1 Peter 5:2-3, Revelation 2:15).

Thesis 27 - The qualities most in demand in today's pastorate are frequently foreign to the qualities which are made most important in Scripture.(1 Timothy 3:2-3, 1 Timothy 3:5, 1 Timothy 1:5-7).

Thesis 28 - The professionalization of the pastorate is a sin and needs to be repented of.(2 Corinthians 11:13, Galatians 3:1, Galatians 2:6).

Thesis 29 - There must be repentance for the ambitious desire and idolization of the celebrity pastorate.(3 John 9, Jeremiah 17:5, 1 Corinthians 12:22).

Thesis 30 - The evangelical pastor must trust the Spirit, not statistics.(2 Samuel 24:1, 1 Corinthians 1:25, Romans 8:14).Thesis 31 - Modern day prophets are being stoned by criticism and neglect.(2 Timothy 4:3-4, Galatians 1:10, Jeremiah 1:7-8).

Thesis 32 - God’s prophets are ill treated and shunned by most evangelicals and considered too extreme or harsh.(Jeremiah 6:10, Isaiah 6:9-10, Galatians 4:16).

Thesis 33 - An astonishing and horrible thing has been committed in the land: The prophets prophesy falsely, And the priests rule by their own power; And my people love to have it so. But what will you do in the end?(Matthew 24:4,11-12, 1 Corinthians 1:19, Jude 8).

Thesis 34 - There are many false gospels being preached from pulpits. God has no interest and is not required to honor a gospel that is false.(2 Corinthians 11:4, Galatians 1:8-9, Jude 16).

Thesis 35 - There is an epidemic of a sort of “mock” salvation being preached from many pulpits today. It is a gospel message that is not authentic. It is correct in doctrine but false in reality.(2 Corinthians 3:6, 1 John 5:11-12, Romans 8:9).

Thesis 36 - What is this “mock” salvation that is being spoken of? Simply defined it is a salvation that does not make men holy.(Jude 4, Romans 8:1, Romans 6:17-18).

Thesis 37 - No other evangelical phraseology has caused more damage to true gospel preaching then this simple coined phrase: “we are all just sinners saved by grace.”(Ephesians 1:1, Hebrews 6:11-12, Hebrews 10:26-27).

Thesis 38 - There is a gospel message that keeps men sinners and never allows them to change and become saints in actual experience.(1 John 2:29, Colossians 3:5-8, Titus 3:8).

Thesis 39 - The warning of Christ is against this gospel where professors of religion are forbidding people to be a part of the holy body of Christ.(Matthew 23:13, Psalm 119:1-2, 2 Peter 1:3-4).

Thesis 40 - Preaching has become all about the happiness of man and not the glory of God.(John 6:26, Romans 4:20, 1 Peter 4:11).

Thesis 41 - Preachers give smooth words to entice men, yet very few give any words of correction or rebuke.(Jeremiah 6:14, Proverbs 1:23, 1 Timothy 5:20).

Thesis 42 - Run from gospels that focus on your success and prosperity. From those that use the name of Jesus Christ only for personal gain. (John 2:16, Acts 20:33, Jeremiah 6:13).

Thesis 43 - Run from gospels that focus only on self-improvement.(1 Timothy 6:5, Hebrews 12:14, James 4:14).

Thesis 44 - Run from churches where men and not Christ are glorified.(Colossians 1:18, Jude 25, John 16:14).

Thesis 45 - Run from churches where there is no Bible, no cross, no searching Word, no repentance from sin, no mention of the blood of Christ.(1 Peter 1:18-19, Ephesians 3:13, Revelation 1:5).

Thesis 46 - Run from churches where the worship leaves you cold, where there’s no sense of God’s presence.(1 Corinthians 5:4, Psalm 80:14-15, Jeremiah 12:11).

Thesis 47 - Run from churches where you’re comfortable in your sin.(1 Corinthians 14:25, Hebrews 10:30-31, Hebrews 4:13).

Thesis 48 - Run from churches that use the pulpit of God for a personal agenda.(Jude 10-11, Jude 19, 3 John 9).

Thesis 49 - Run from those who preach division between races and cultures.(James 2:4, Galatians 3:28, Revelation 5:9).

Thesis 50 - Run from ungodly, spasmodic movements and endless empty prophesying.(Jeremiah 5:13, 1 Corinthians 14:33, 1 John 2:16).

Thesis 51 - Run from preachers who tell only stories and jokes.(Ephesians 5:4, Titus 1:8, Titus 2:12).

Thesis 52 - Run from those that are only after money and they use one gimmick after another to get your money.(2 Peter 2:3, 2 Corinthians 12:14, 1 Corinthians 9:18).

Thesis 53 - The phrase “accept Jesus as your personal Saviour.” Is not found in the Scriptures.(Romans 10:9-10, Colossians 1:13, Acts 26:20).

Thesis 54 - Evidence of true conversion is something that does not seem important to modern day evangelicals.(1 John 2:6, 1 John 4:17, Matthew 7:20).

Thesis 55 - In result thousands of sinners think of God having only one attribute, love! which has allowed multitudes to sit at ease with their sins.(Romans 1:18, Acts 5:11, Psalm 2:12).

Thesis 56 - God loves you and has a wonderful plan for your life has caused much confusion in evangelism to the lost.(Romans 3:19, Acts 26:18, Philippians 3:18-21).

Thesis 57 - A Gospel of love and grace only without the law of God is being preached. Martin Luther called this gospel a doctrine of Satan.(2 Timothy 4:3-4, Romans 2:4-5, Romans 3:19).

Thesis 58 - We have inherited a system of evangelistic preaching which is unbiblical. This has clearly arisen from the careless mixture of 20th century reasoning with God’s revelation.(Colossians 2:8, Romans 1:25, Galatians 1:6).

Thesis 59 - Decisionism and the sinners prayer has been the major cause of false conversions in the evangelical church.(2 Peter 2:1-2, Ephesians 2:4-5, 2 Corinthians 5:17-18).

Thesis 60 - Evangelicals are swelling the ranks of the deluded with a perverted gospel! Many who have made decisions in churches have been told in the inquiry rooms their sins have been forgiven will be surprised to hear “I never knew you depart from me.”(Matthew 7:22-23, 1 Corinthians 6:9-10, Galatians 5:19-21).

Thesis 61 - Men have taken the place of the Holy Spirit of God in confirming men in their supposed salvation.(1 John 2:3-5, 2 Thessalonians 1:8, Galatians 6:12-15).

Thesis 62 - The doctrine of hell and eternal suffering is something little grasped by most evangelicals.(Matthew 13:42, James 5:1, Psalms 9:17).

Thesis 63 - The judgment seat of Christ is perhaps one of the most neglected topics in the modern evangelical pulpit.(2 Corinthians 5:10, Romans 14:10, 1 Corinthians 3:13).

Thesis 64 - The second coming of Jesus Christ needs to be re-instated as the general thrust and burden of the church. (1 John 3:2-3, Colossians 3:4-6, 1 Thessalonians 4:14-17).

Thesis 65 - The evangelical church has lost the fear of God and has over emphasized the love of God. (Hebrews 12:28-29, Luke 12:5, Hebrews 10:31).

Thesis 66 - The church has left evangelism to a few trained professionals rather than simply obeying the Scriptures call to personally evangelize themselves.(Acts 8:1,4, Acts 4:29, Romans 10:14).

Thesis 67 - Repentance is considered a one-time act in modern evangelism rather than a way of life.(Revelation 3:19, Hebrews 12:17, 2 Peter 3:9).

Thesis 68 - The Lordship of Jesus Christ is something that is not imposed on sinners initially and creates half-saved people who have a Saviour but not a Lord.(Acts 2:36, 1 Corinthians 12:3, Romans 6:18).

Thesis 69 - We are not open to correction, discipline or rebuke. And most would rather just move to another evangelical church somewhere down the road.(1 Corinthians 5:5, 1 Corinthians 11:31-32, Hebrews 12:7-9).

Thesis 70 - There is a great deal of preaching that amounts to a mere believing of the different theories about salvation, instead of persuading men to come to Christ and be saved.(John 5:40, Colossians 1:28, 2 Corinthians 4:5).

Thesis 71 - There has been a loss of the fullness and majesty of the gospel.(1 Timothy 1:11, Jude 25, Romans 15:29).

Thesis 72 - There is little mention of sin or the depravity of man from evangelical pulpits.(John 3:20, Galatians 5:19-21, Ephesians 5:5).

Thesis 73 - Covetousness, consumerism, and coddling the world’s goods is something that does not appear wrong to evangelicals.(Jeremiah 22:17, 1 John 2:15-16, 1 Timothy 3:3).

Thesis 74 - Little is made of the resurrection of Jesus Christ in churches or in evangelism. Yet it was one of the major themes and glories of the apostolic church.(1 Corinthians 15:14-15, Acts 4:10, Acts 4:33).

Thesis 75 - The evangelical church has relied more on technology then God.(Zechariah 4:6, 1 Corinthians 1:21, 1 Corinthians 2:4).

Thesis 76 - The prayer meeting is considered in the evangelical church one of the least important meetings. The idea of meeting for an entire day together seems ridiculous and a waste of time.(1 Timothy 2:1, Acts 4:31, Philippians 4:6).

Thesis 77 - Pastors have never prayed less than they do in the evangelical church in our day.(Jeremiah 10:21, Philippians 2:21, Ephesians 6:18-19).

Thesis 78 - Very few are waiting on God for His direction and purpose for the church.(Ephesians 1:11, Psalm 37:7, Isaiah 40:31).

Thesis 79 - The evangelical church has many organizers but few agonizers.(Philippians 3:18-19, Romans 9:1-3, Jeremiah 9:1).

Thesis 80 - We need to have the gifts of the Spirit restored again to the Church. The one gift we need the most is the gift of prophecy.(2 Timothy 4:2, 1 Corinthians 14:39, 1 Corinthians 12:31).

Thesis 81 - The evangelical church at large has never been more frivolous about the things of God. A serious, sober, self-controlled Christianity is very seldom found or preached. (2 Peter 3: 11, 1 Peter 4:7, Jude 3).

Thesis 82 - The evangelical church at large has forgotten how to pray.(1 John 3:22, Acts 6:4, 1 Thessalonians 5:17).

Thesis 83 - Churches are more dependent on tradition rather than on the leading of the Holy Spirit. (Mark 7:13, Acts 16:6, Acts 13:2).

Thesis 84 - It might seem strange to say that ministers of religion are “pleading for impurity and sin.” Yet this is exactly what multitudes of professors preach and teach that you cannot be free from sin. That you must sin!(Romans 16:18, Romans 6:1-2, 2 Peter 2:1).

Thesis 85 - The Apostles and Christ always preached from the vantage point of the possibility to walk holy and free from sin.(Titus 2:11-12, 1 Peter 1:14-16, Romans 6:19).

Thesis 86 - Sinners are not saved to sin but rather saved to holiness and good works.(Romans 6:13, Ephesians 2:10, 2 Peter 3:14).

Thesis 87 - Cheap grace means the justification of sin without the justification of the sinner. Cheap grace is the deadly enemy of the church.(2 Timothy 2:19, 1 Peter 4:17-18, 2 Timothy 3:12).

Thesis 88 - A baptism of holiness, a demonstration of godly living is the crying need of our day.(1 Timothy 6:3, 2 Thessalonians 3:6, 2 Thessalonians 2:13).

Thesis 89 - Most in the Church are utterly confused about the practical godliness, obedience, and good works which the Scriptures readily mentions.(Titus 3:8, John 10:32, Revelation 3:15).

Thesis 90 - Little or no emphasis is put in evangelical churches on the plan of God to make us like Jesus Christ, conforming us to His image.(1 Peter 1:14-16, 1 John 2:6, 1 Peter 4:1).

Thesis 91 - Christ did not die on the cross to obtain a worldly Church or for worldly Saints but for a “glorious Church.”(Ephesians 5:27, Titus 2:14, Colossians 4:12).

Thesis 92 - Christ does not come into our unregenerate, sickly, impure hearts as many contemporary theologians say. He gives us a new heart to dwell in wherein is found holiness and righteousness.(2 Corinthians 5:17, Matthew 5:8, Ezekiel 18:31).

Thesis 93 - A holy Church is God’s blessing to the world; an unholy Church is God’s judgment upon the world.(Matthew 5:14,16, Ephesians 4:1, 1 Thessalonians 2:12).

Thesis 94 - If Christianity is to make any headway in the present time, it must be proved to be more then a theory.(2 Thessalonians 3:6-7, 1 Thessalonians 4:1, 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12).

Thesis 95 - Unbelief has us captive; the evangelical church is gagged and bound as risen Lazarus, it needs release in this final hour! (Hebrews 3:12-14, 1 Corinthians 3:21-23, Hebrews 11:6).


This was borrowed from an online friend Victoria Rebecca

Alternatives to ultrasound technology

Many who choose home birth do so to avoid the heavy use of medical technology. Often times this means that ultrasound technolgy is not used to check the unborn baby for problems with the internal organs. However, this does not mean that there are absolutely no clues about the condition of the baby to the mother. In fact, simple movements inside the womb indicate a great deal about the health of the baby that is soon to come.

First of all, when a kick is first felt inside the womb it is indicative that the baby does indeed have arms and or legs. Unfortunately, it is hard to know if all appendages are in tact but this doesn't mean that God loves the child the way it was created.

Secondly a very vital indicator of the health and condition of the baby soon to arrive is the simple hiccup movement ;) When a repetitious jolt is felt intermittently within the womb, there is a very high indication that the internal organs within the baby are working well.

According to the following information one can see that many organs are needed to produce a simple hiccup or two:

"In mammals, breathing in, or inhaling, is usually an active movement, with the contraction of the diaphragm

Diaphragm

Diaphragm may refer to any of the following:Anatomy* Thoracic diaphragm, a tissue of muscle separating the thorax and abdomen of mammals...
muscle. This is known as negative pressure breathing. Normally, the diaphragm's relaxed position recoiled (decreasing the thoracic volume) whereas in the contracted position it is pulled downwards (increasing the thoracic volume). This process works in conjunction with the intercostal muscles connected to the rib cage. Contraction of these muscles lifts the rib cage, thus aiding in increasing the thoracic volume. Relaxation of the diaphragm compresses the lungs, effectively decreasing their volume while increasing the pressure inside them. The intercostal muscles simultaneously relax, further decreasing the volume of the lungs. With a pathway to the mouth or nose clear, this increased pressure forces air out of the lungs. Conversely, contraction of the diagraphm increases the volume of the (partially empty) lungs, decreasing the pressure inside, which creates a partial vacuum. Environmental air then follows its pressure gradient

Pressure gradient

In atmospheric sciences , the pressure gradient is a physical quantity that describes in which direction and at what rate the pressure changes the most rapidly around a particular location....
down to fill the lungs.

In amphibians, the process used is positive pressure breathing. Muscles lower the floor of the oral cavity, enlarging it and drawing in air through the nostrils (which uses the same mechanics - pressure, volume, and diffusion - as a mammalian lung). With the nostrils and mouth closed, the floor of the oral cavity is forced up, which forces air down the trachea into the lungs.

At rest, breathing out, or exhaling, is a combination of passive and active processes powered by the elastic recoil of the alveoli, similar to a deflating balloon, and the contraction of the muscular body wall. The following organs are used in respiration: the mouth

Mouth

The mouth, buccal cavity, or oral cavity is the first portion of the alimentary canal that receives food and begins digestion by mechanically breaking up the solid food particles into smaller pieces and mixing them with saliva....
; the nose

Nose

Anatomically, a nose is a protuberance in vertebrates that houses the nostrils, or nares, which admit and expel air for Respiration in conjunction with the mouth....
and nostrils; the pharynx

Pharynx

FunctionsThe pharynx is part of the digestive system and respiratory system of many organisms.Because both food and Earth's atmosphere pass through the pharynx, a flap of connective tissue called the epiglottis closes over the trachea when food is swallowed to prevent choking or Pulmonary aspiration....
; the larynx

Larynx

The larynx , colloquially known as the voicebox, is an organ in the neck of mammals involved in protection of the vertebrate trachea and sound production....
; the trachea

Vertebrate trachea

The traceartes, or windpipe, is a tube that has an inner diameter of about 20-25 mm and a length of about 10-16 cm in humans. It commences at the larynx and bifurcates into the primary bronchus in mammals, and from the pharynx to the syrinx in birds, allowing the passage of air to the lungs....
; the bronchi and bronchioles; the lungs; the diaphragm

Diaphragm

Diaphragm may refer to any of the following:Anatomy* Thoracic diaphragm, a tissue of muscle separating the thorax and abdomen of mammals...
; and the terminal branches of the respiratory tree

Respiratory tree

The respiratory tree describes the branching structure of the vertebrate lung. Beginning with the top of the respiratory system, the Vertebrate trachea, the order of branchings is as follows:...
, such as the alveoli." "

Of course at the unborn stage in development, the baby is not able to breath air, however it is obvious that those muscles are preparing themselves to meet the outside world. So one can see that a simple hiccup, indicates a great deal about the health of an unborn child ;) God is the perfect creator.

Of course if physical indicators are not used, basic intuition, prayer and meditation can also reveal a great deal about the health of an unborn child. A little wisdom from above can go a long way....

Thoughts on the flu "pandemic"

First of all, Bryan, Micah and I have all had our share of cold and flu like symptoms which we believe was probably the H1N1 virus. To be honest it was less voracious than the regular seasonal flu.

Although statistics show that more folks are dieing from the H1N1 flu virus than the regular flu virus it should be noted that these same folks are allowing themselves and their children to succumb to the dangers of the virus. If a child is going to a daycare.....expect diseases to return unwelcome. If a child is going to a school.....the same is true about unwelcome visitors. A sick child that is being forced to participate in several activities at once while beginning to share a infectious portion of the flu virus is not being allowed to rest and as a result the body starts working overtime.

The second reason so many folks may be fearing the trauma of this H1N1 virus is because they have forgotten the "old path" Jeremiah 6:16. They have forgotten old fashioned remedies that our great great great grand parents knew. Simple substances like garlic, onion and cinnamon all have potent effects on any bacterial or viral infection in the body. Also anything with vitamin C, kicks the body into battle mode so that it is able to fight those darn bugs. So whip up a batch of chicken noodle soup and sip a cup of OJ while enjoying a little ginger cinnamon tea. So overall, God has given us natural plants and herbs for dealing with this time bomb without having to put our trust into man's ungodly money hungry vaccination system.....

So how do you face a person that thinks you are a walking disease because you refuse to get a vaccination that is only meant for profit and not meant for health improvement......simply explain to them you have already had the H1N1 virus or tell them you are not going to put your trust into man made non-sense.

Unassisted Homebirth Supplies

This is a basic list of supplies that are useful when performing a home birth (with or without a midwife):

• Sharp scissors for cutting the cord IF it's wrapped around in such a way as it has to be cut to get the baby free.
• Shepherds Purse Tincture in case of excess bleeding/ hemorrhage.
• grapefruit seed extract to take to prevent postpartum infection (mother prone to postpartum infection)
• towels
• ice
• snacks
• drinks (gatorade, juice, water)
• Bulb syringe
• a pan for placenta
• sterile gloves (3 pair)
• Peri bottle(s)
• 6 peri cold packs
• 2 plastic backed sheets (40X 72)
• 2 plastic cord clamps
• 1 bottle of providone (4 oz)
• 2 pairs of stretch briefs or mesh panties
• 10 chux pads 23 X 36
• After birth sitz bath herbs
• 4 oz bottle of olive oil
• maxi pads
• witch hazel pads (Tucks)
• rubbing alcohol for sanitizing
• Hydrogen peroxide in case of blood stains on carpet
• 15 towels, 6 washcloths, 10 old receiving blankets
• cloth diapers for baby
• 2 little hats
• onesie and gown, nice receiving blankets
• two cord ties braided with embroidery floss
• measuring tape
• baby scale
• Superglue for tears in peri-area

This list is very simple. Many of these items can be found in pharmacies, Wal-mart/Target, at online home birth sites, sewn or made by hand and at thrift stores/garage sales.

Update: Garden and Homebirth

It has been a long time since I have posted on this blog. Our garden work is finished, besides clearing the brush out of the garden, and canning work as well. I will soon post the total amounts of produce we accumulated this season. Keep in mind this was my second garden and I was sick with morning sickness for much of the summer, so my motivation to care for the garden was somewhat limited.

We are busily planning and preparing for our home birth where we found much of the supplies we need at local pharmacies, Wal-mart, on-line with various home birth websites, at garage sales and thrift shops. I have accumulated all of the items into a small tote container. It is amazing how quickly time flys. By this Friday I will already be 24 weeks along! Some folks are starting to notice a change in my appearance while others are still wondering. I have kept much of the plans to home birth a secret and only reveal minimal information about the condition of prenatal appointments and such. Thus far the heartbeat on a simple fetoscope has been 150 BPM.

A wonderful site: Shepherd's Hill

This web page was saved in my book marks. It is such an inspiration as they share many of our beliefs and homesteading practices. If you have a home management binder, there is a lot of great information in this website that will be helpful in designing a home towards glory to God.

Shepherd's Hill Website

http://pgburrell.home.mindspring.com/

James 3 and an update

I have been thinking about these verses quite a bit lately. We have such powerful tongues. Let us use them wisely. Let them not rule over us but let us control them with the power of the holy spirit.

James 3

1My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation.

2For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body.

3Behold, we put bits in the horses' mouths, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body.

4Behold also the ships, which though they be so great, and are driven of fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small helm, whithersoever the governor listeth.

5Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth!

6And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell.

7For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind:

8But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.

9Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God.

10Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be.

11Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter?

12Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries? either a vine, figs? so can no fountain both yield salt water and fresh.

13Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom.

14But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth.

15This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish.

16For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.

17But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.

18And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.





Recently college has started at a Liberal college located in our town. A very blessed home school girl decided to brave the harsh territory and is currently enrolled as a freshman at this college. She wears a head covering according to 1 Cor. 11 and dresses in modest dresses. We invited her to our home last night to give her the opportunity to repair a choir dress to make it more modest. Although the sewing machine was slightly multifunctional, it was wonderful to know that she enjoys knowing God and obeying him.

Busy times at the end of the season

Today I made some homemade essential oils from herbs that were grown in our garden. It is very easy to make essential oils. First harvest herbs that you would wish to make into essential oils (lavender, sage, basil, thyme, mint, garlic etc). Make sure the herbs are at the pre-flower to flowering stage. Then get some clean clear glass jars and snip the herbs into pieces and put into the jars. Pour a light oil over top of the herbs. Jojoba oil and olive oil are common oils to use. Cover the jars with a plastic cover of some sort and avoid the use of metal as that can absorb into the oil and ruin the consistency. I used plastic sandwich bags and a rubber band. Next set the jars in a sunny window seal for 1 to two days. Other wise put the jars in a low heat oven (150 degree oven) for a couple of hours. I used a homemade solar cooker to keep the essential oil warm. After the oil was warmed I took a small funnel covered with cheese cloth and I poured the oil into small black dropper bottles. To get more scent and potency it is wise to squeeze the cheese cloth with the herb in tact. These essential oils will last 6 months in cool cupboard storage. These oils can be used for medicinal purposes, scent in household items, cleansing etc etc.

Besides making essential oils, I also harvested our kohlrabi, cut it up, blanched it and placed the blanched kohlrabi into freezer boxes for freezing. It was VERY difficult to peel the kohlrabi as it caused my hands to feel arthritic. Next time I believe I will harvest a few kohlrabi at a time rather than all at once.

Slope to Fascism

Are We on a Slippery Slope to Fascism?
by Jan Markell

I have been troubled as I hear people saying that America is heading down a Socialist or Fascist path very similar to what happened in Nazi Germany in the 1930s and 1940s. But I must now acknowledge that these observers are much more right than wrong. One article that convinced me was Joseph Farah's editorial on World Net Daily for August 11, "None Dare Call it Totalitarianism." He wrote a follow-up on WND August 17 listing the comparisons to Nazi Germany. I do not always agree with Farah but I feel he has done his homework on the above.

On "Understanding the Times" radio this past weekend, I had Holocaust survivor Anita Dittman share her insights on this topic. Both she and her mother were sent to concentration camps and were scheduled to be gassed but were spared by one miracle after another. Both were Jewish believers in Jesus. They saw first-hand how Germany had morphed into a Fascist dictatorship.

So, is America on that slippery slope? Unless the church gets much more involved in restoring America, I would have to say yes. It seems secular humanism is the primary religion in America today as churches grow more and more silent and stray from sound teaching. And government is god.

How can we learn from Nazi Germany's mistakes? Is there time to reverse what is happening in our great nation?

In Germany, "mercy killing" became the policy. Over 270,000 handicapped people were killed because in Germany, murder had become "mercy." Pastors went to call on their elderly members in hospitals and they had disappeared.

Anita pointed to many other troubling issues, as the people were primed for a dictator with promises from Hitler, even if they were all false. Then the government took over private business, industry, and health care.

Hitler took control of the airwaves. He allowed no dissenters. Barack Obama has recently appointed Mark Lloyd, an extreme Leftist in ideology, as head of the FCC. He is not bashful in saying that he is going to fine conservative/Christian networks for presenting the kind of programming they do. The nearly $250 million fine money will be turned over to National Public Radio (NPR). Obviously no network could survive such a fine when radio today is suffering like many other industries. While you may think he will only target Rush and Sean, I assure you that "Understanding the Times" radio is in the crosshairs.

Pastors in Germany came under the gun -- literally. If they spoke against Hitler or his policies, they were punished. We have "hate crime" laws in America now that have pastors and other good and righteous people targeted.

Anita Dittman recalls that many of the German people were blind. They were in a daze. And, they were biblically illiterate, even if they were long-time church members. Most churches had been watered down and thus marched willingly along, making no effort to stand for truth. Perhaps, had they been biblically grounded, they might not have caved.

In Germany, Fascism was basically Socialism. The Obama administration could very well be destroying the free-market system -- as did Hitler, knowing that people will have no place to turn except to government -- and this government wants to institute Socialism. Newsweek magazine said months ago in its cover story, "We Are All Socialists Now." Not quite yet, but we're heading there.

Secular humanism and Darwinian evolution were pushed in Germany. The government was god and the leader, Hitler, was a messiah-type figure. Anita remembers what oratory skills he had. He edged his way onto the political stage thanks to his communication abilities and the many promises he made. He had charisma and a charming smile that made the country trust him. Economic times were tough as people didn't have jobs so Hitler used all the skills he had to win over the country. The Socialist Germany would be the ultimate nanny state and take care of everything. Germany would soon be a proud nation again.

Joseph Farah asks in the first article I referred to, "What do you call it when government-created joblessness is used to promote policies of government control? What do you call it when the government exceeds its authority under the Constitution and ignores any limits of power? What do you call it when the government strikes fear into the hearts of the sovereign citizens it is supposed to serve? What do you call it when government seeks to take over the private and personal health care decisions of people, establishing bureaucracies to make life-and-death decisions and banning unapproved transactions between doctors and patients?"

He continues, "Everything for which America has stood for the last 230 years is under attack -- not by angry mobs, nor citizen lawlessness, and not from threats by external enemies. The threat is from those in charge of government. Americans are being seduced into serfdom and slavery. The specter of totalitarianism hovers like a dark cloud dressed up in euphemisms that would make Stalin, Hitler, and Mao Zedong proud."

We can live in denial or we can call the church into action and individuals to prayer. If America remains a praying nation, some of the worst can be averted. So, will American Christians -- and Christians everywhere -- step up to the plate? Many believers are in a state of apathy and others are becoming more and more biblically illiterate.

And a nation like America is only as strong as her churches are strong.

In spite of some of the commentary coming from Anita Dittman, her book is a faith builder! All readers report that it is also a life-changer. It puts suffering into perspective. She believed that all things worked together for good during her ordeal and she lived to see that come true.

To learn more about issues related to current events and Bible prophecy, check out the "Olive Tree Ministries" link at olivetreeviews.org

Awaiting His return,
Jan Markell

Home church today

Today my husband and I decided to home church. We listened to a sermon online and I sang sang a hymn. We enjoyed listening to http://www.goodfieldacchurch.org/. We like this anabaptist group of churches and have visited a few times.

Basic Prenatal Care Checklist

Here are some items I have been checking every so often. If you are choosing to do your own prenatal care feel free to copy and paste this list and adjust to your own needs. Occasionally I may skip some of the lab work for the following reasons: it is not available in home test kit form or private lab setting, is not really necessary, I have records of previous lab tests or symptoms can easily be resolved/prevented with therapies and treatments.

******************************************************

PRENATAL CARE

Basic Equipment

-Fetoscope

-BP Cuff

-Stethoscope

-Watch with seconds

-Speculum

-Strips for testing protein or glucose in urine

-Sterile Gloves

-Lubricant

-Tape Measure

-Antiseptic soap

-Scales

1^st Checkup: Date: ________________

History

LMP ___________________ Due Date __________________

Symptoms checklist:

1. Visual Disturbances Y/N/Slight 12. Breast Changes Y/N/S

2. Headaches Y/N/S 13. Abdominal Pain Y/N/S

3. Fevers Y/N/S 14. Heart Burn Y/N/S

4. Fatigue Y/N/S 15. Variation in heart Rhythm Y/N/S

5. Nausea Y/N/S 16. Constipation Y/N/S

6. Vomiting Y/N/S 17. Leg Cramps Y/N/S

7. Dizziness Y/N/S 18. Backache Y/N/S

8. Shortness of Breath Y/N/S 19. Edema Y/N/S

9. Back Pain Y/N/S 20. Infections Y/N/S

10. Pain when Urinating Y/N/S 21. Varicosities Y/N/S

11. Vaginal Discharge Y/N/S 22. Date Baby’s Movements 1^st felt Y/N/S

If Yes describe:

___________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________

***********************************************************

Previous Pregnancies:

Date: Conditions:

Previous Medical History:

Allergies:

Nutritional Deficiencies:

Cancers, diabetes etc:

Family History:

Blood Pressure:_____________

Present Weight:______________

Protein in Urine: Y/N

Glucose in Urine: Y/N

Taking Prenatal Vitamins: Y/N/Sometimes

Edema in Feet Legs Vagina: Y/N/Slight

Thyroid Gland: Good/Bad

Pelvic Exam:

4-5 Weeks: (Hegar’s Sign) Soft cervix (like lips not nose): Y/N

5-6 Weeks: Paper Thin Junction between cervix and uterus: Y/N

6 Weeks: Larger than Normal: Y/N

6 Weeks: Cyanosis (Chadwick’s Sign - Blue color of birth canal): Y/N

10 Weeks: Size of a Tennis Ball: Y/N

I use the twelve week checkup as a pattern for other weeks I give my self a checkup. The symptoms checklist are matched and located in the 1st checkup.

Twelve Weeks Date: ___________________

Symptoms Checklist

1. Y/N/S 12. Y/N/S
2. Y/N/S 13. Y/N/S
3. Y/N/S 14. Y/N/S
4. Y/N/S 15. Y/N/S
5. Y/N/S 16. Y/N/S
6. Y/N/S 17. Y/N/S
7. Y/N/S 18. Y/N/S
8. Y/N/S 19. Y/N/S
9. Y/N/S 20. Y/N/S
10. Y/N/S 21. Y/N/S
11. Y/N/S 22. Y/N/S

If Yes describe:

___________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________

Blood Pressure: __________________

Weight: ______________

Fundal Height: ________________

Fetal Heart Rate: __________________

Lab Work:

CBC: ___________

HCT: ____________ (35)

Hemoglobin Blood Type: ______________ (about 11.0)

Coombs Test: __________

Rubella Titre: _______________

RPR: ______________

VDRL: ________________

Hepatitis B: __________________

Rh antibodies: ________________

I will continue on the twelve week pattern until 24 weeks, not including the lab work

At 28 weeks I will get the following lab work.

Lab work:

HCT: __________________

Hemoglobin: _______________

Glucose Screening: ________________

RH Anti-Body Test: __________________

At 32 weeks I will add the following to the twelve week pattern.

Baby Position ________________

I may or may not take the following lab test at 36 weeks. Heart and Hands has a simple recipe for antiseptic treatment.

Lab work:

Group B Strep Test:___________________

At 38 weeks and the following weeks I will add the following to the twelve week pattern.

Cervix condition:___________________

I will get a checkup on the following weeks:
1st (4-10 weeks), 12 weeks, 16 weeks, 20 weeks, 24 weeks, 28 weeks, 32 weeks, 36 weeks, 38 weeks, 39 weeks, 40 weeks.....birth!

Garden and Canning

Here is a picture of our garden. There are several flowers in our garden which are volunteer flowers that I let grow.
Nearly 200 onions are under the tarp drying and getting ready for storage. The tomatoes have not made an appearance yet.

I canned some zucchini pickles. I also canned 10 jars of zucchini relish. We have so much zucchini this year I am out of ideas for recipes to use the zucchini.

Supply List

Supply List

Below are the supplies that a Pioneer family traveling west might take on their five-month journey by covered wagon. Pretend you are a pioneer and about to make a long journey to the frontier. Make a list of what you would take on the journey, keeping in mind that the wagon will carry 2,000 pounds. Compare your list with a friends.

TOOLS POUNDS

ax	15
shovel	12
hatchet	9
hammer	7
hoe	3
anvil	150
grinding stone	75
animal trap	15
rope	4

Personal Items Pounds

doll	2
jump rope	1
marbles	1
family Bible	2
books	2
hunting knife	1
bag of clothes	40
fiddle	2
snowshoes	8
rifle	10
pistol	7
first aid kit	3

Food Pounds

flour	150
tea	10
salt	50
sugar	50
coffee	100
bacon	40
dried fruit	100
dried beans	100
cornmeal	10
spit peas	100
oatmeal	8
vinegar	25
pickles	50
dried beef	25
salt pork	5
assorted spices	5
barrel of water	350
vegetables	5

Household Goods Pounds

coffee grinder	5
rug	40
bedding	20
mirror	40
dutch oven	70
butter churn	40
table and 4 chairs	200
piano	900
organ	2000
baby cradle	75
wooden bucket	10
bedpan	2
butter mold	1
rocking chair	50
pitcher and bowl	5
cooking stove	700
cooling utensils	2
stool	10
spinning wheel	80
lantern	4
clock	1
10 candles	1
set of dishes	40

Natural Remedies for Morning Sickness

I have compiled a list of things that help a mother-to-be deal with the ever threatening morning sickness. Although it is difficult to do everyday tasks while nausea and vomiting are ever threatening, it is possible to help alleviate the symptoms. I have placed a star next to the items I have tried and I have placed two stars next to the remedies that work really well.

Tips to relieve symptoms:

• Rest in warm tub 20-30 minutes* (don't let water get too hot)
• Coconut water
• Supplements like vit. B6, Iron, vit. C
• Legumes
• Lemon Water (Fresh Lemon in glass of cold water)**
• Raw Fruits and Vegetables (some fruits are acidic and cause sickness)*
• Cold Showers*
• Foot Massage
• Don't eat Sugar (eliminate cookies, candy, cakes, juice etc)**
• Lemon Wedges to suck on**
• Extra Rest**
• Sea Bands or Acupressure on wrists **
• Power Recipe (1 t brewer's yeast, 1 t-T Blackstrap molasses, 1 raw farm egg, Glass of milk) take twice a day
• Always keep food in stomach**
• Good Attitude and Medication on the word**
• Progesterone Cream**
• Eliminate White Flour and Sugar from Diet

Other Tips to make things easier:

• Make 10-20 Frozen meals
• Crock pot meals
• Packaged foods
• Allow little ones to play house
• Books on Tape for homeschooling
• Prepare little snack bags for toddlers
• Paper Plates and Utensils

Cleaning while exhausted!

I have been away from actually writing in the blog for quite some time. It was great to share with you a wonderful old fashioned home economics book. It is so interesting to know that many of the recipes that were shared in the past are less than familiar today.

Anyway, in case you haven't noticed the bottom of the blog we are expecting again! It was hard to let go back in March of a pregnancy that did not come to full term. This time I am experiencing the pregnancy symptoms fully so I hope and pray for a healthy full term baby. Once again I am doing the prenatals on my own.

Even though it is great to know that the pregnancy is going well as I am experiencing the nausea, morning sickness and extreme fatigue, it is next to impossible for me to keep up with the house work in our small two bedroom apartment. My day seems to start after noon. I am lucky if I have the opportunity to get out in the garden each day. Although a schedule seems appealing and would help me keep up.....my body simply won't let me keep a fast pace. I wish on some days that I had a very early morning 4:30 am schedule established so that after about 7:00 in the morning I would feel fine and ready to face the day. But because I complete work at the local nursing home at 11:00 pm, an early morning schedule will not work. I need at least 10 hours of sleep each day.

If you too are struggling to complete every day tasks and wish you had a handy merry maid to help you along the way...there is hope.

Whether you have a young baby, are recovering from being sick, trying to catch up after having guests, or you are just behind on your cleaning, sometimes you may just look around and not know what to do, or where to start first.

First off, you're tired. Yet, you know that you can't leave the house as it is, or unwelcome pests will come in. You can almost hear the lines of ants just scrambling to get into your messy house and crawl on everything. Ugh... And, the thought is in the back of your head: what if you get an unexpected guest? The way the house is right now would be embarrassing!

You look in your kitchen, and mourn over the fact that you can't find your sink or your counter. They are covered in dirty dishes and dirty napkins. Your table still has dirty plates on it from that special dinner you hosted the night before. When you walk across the floor, you hear the yucky sticking sounds, as you unstick your feet from some invisible film of unidentifiable gunk that seemed to somehow find its way there.

Next, you look in the living room. What color was your carpet? It is covered in toys, books, papers, cookie crumbs, and yes,- even stuff that should be in the trash.

What happened?! Just a few days ago your house was clean and in order, but now it looks as if you never clean - at all. Oh the work to get everything back to normal again!

Where do you start? What should you do first? Do you have the energy? You're awfully tired...

Introducing your battle plan:

OPERATION CASTLE CLEAN (you are the queen of your castle/home. It's time to take control, and make your castle more inviting and homey.)

1. Gather all of your dirty laundry together and put it into baskets and line them up along a wall by your washing machine, and then start your first load, right away.

2. Go to the kitchen, and pile your dirty dishes on the counter. Put all dirty plates in one pile, and dirty bowls in another; stack the cups, and set the silverware in a pile, etc. Empty your sink as well. ALL dirty dishes get stacked and grouped on the counter by the sink.

3. Put your stack of dirty plates in your empty sink first, then, if there's room, put some or all of the bowls on top of the plates. Put the silverware on the sides, around the plates and bowls.

4. Either fill your sink with hot soapy water and hand wash the dishes, or start running hot water on them, and prewash them and stick them into the dishwasher. Once your sink is empty, add more dirty dishes to it from the counter, if there are still some to do. Get all of them done and out of the way.

NOTE: Did you notice that once you sorted and organized the dirty dishes, they fit in the sink better, and didn't look like as much work? Admit it - washing dishes didn't take as long as you thought it would, did it? ;-)

5. You may not believe me, but you're almost done already! Once you finish the dishes, go see if your laundry needs rebooting, and get the next load ready if it's time.

6. Moving on... Start at one end of your house, and go from room to room, changing trashes and putting things away. Work your way to the other end of the house.

NOTE: The hardest parts are over! The next few steps are quick and easy...

7. Reboot laundry if needed, and empty dishwasher if applicable.

8. Put toilet bowl cleaner in your toilets, and let it sit for a while.

9. Grab a wet wash rag, and run it over your kitchen table and counters and sink, then over the bathroom counters and sinks. Make sure you do bathrooms after the kitchen, not before. Once you are done, throw the washcloth into the laundry, then grab your toilet scrubber and scrub the toilets and flush them.

10. Do a quick sweeping of the kitchen and bathrooms. Don't worry about moving chairs and such, just sweep around them. This is just a quick sweep, not a major floor sweepage.

11. Grab your mop, and run some hot water over it. Mop over the sticky and visible dirty spots on your kitchen floor. Do this in the bathrooms next, if they look like they need it.

12. Vacuum the living room and hallway next.

DONE! Your house is presentable, and it didn't take very long, did it? Now make a list of your major cleaning chores, and divide those tasks up for each day of the week, (take the weekends OFF) and go for it. Your palace will be sparkling again in no time. :-)

-cleaning list provided by Candy at myblessedhome.blogspot.com

Household hints and list of utensils required for succesful working

SOFT SOAP.

All mutton and ham fat should be melted and strained into a large stone pot. The practice of throwing lumps of fat into a pot, and waiting till there are several pounds before trying them out, is a disgusting one, as often such a receptacle is alive with maggots. Try out the fat, and strain as carefully as you would lard or beef drippings, and it is then always ready for use. If concentrated lye or potash, which comes in little tins, is used, directions will be found on the tins. Otherwise allow a pound of stone potash to every pound of grease. Twelve pounds of each will make a barrel of soft soap.

Crack the potash in small pieces. Put in a large kettle with two gallons of water, and boil till dissolved. Then add the grease, and, when melted, pour all into a tight barrel. Fill it up with boiling water, and for a week, stir daily for five or ten minutes. It will gradually become like jelly.

TO PURIFY SINKS AND DRAINS.

To one pound of common copperas add one gallon of boiling water, and use when dissolved. The copperas is poison, and must never be left unmarked.

FURNITURE POLISH.

Mix two tablespoonfuls of sweet or linseed oil with a tablespoonful of turpentine, and rub on with a piece of flannel, polishing with a dry piece.

TO KEEP EGGS.

Be sure that the eggs are fresh. Place them points down in a stone jar or tight firkin, and pour over them the following brine, which is enough for a hundred and fifty:—

One pint of slacked lime, one pint of salt, two ounces of cream of tartar, and four gallons of water. Boil all together for ten minutes; skim, and, when cold, pour it over the eggs. They can also be kept in salt tightly packed, but not as well.

TO MAKE HARD WATER SOFT.

Dissolve in one gallon of boiling water a pound and a quarter of washing soda, and a quarter of a pound of borax. In washing clothes allow quarter of a cup of this to every gallon of water.

TO TAKE OUT FRUIT-STAINS.

Stretch the stained part tightly over a bowl, and pour on boiling water till it is free from spot.

TO TAKE OUT INK-SPOTS.

Ink spilled upon carpets or on woolen table-covers can be taken out, if washed at once in cold water. Change the water often, and continue till the stain is gone.

MIXED SPICES.

Three heaping tablespoonfuls of ground cinnamon, one heaping one each of clove and mace, and one even one of allspice. Mix thoroughly, and use for dark cakes and for puddings.

SPICE SALT.

Four ounces of salt; one of black pepper; one each of thyme, sweet marjoram, and summer savory; half an ounce each of clove, allspice, and mace; quarter of an ounce of cayenne pepper; one ounce of celery salt. Mix all together; sift three times, and keep closely covered. Half an ounce will flavor a stuffing for roast meat; and a tablespoonful is nice in many soups and stews.

TO WASH GREASY TIN AND IRON.

Pour a few drops of ammonia into every greasy roasting-pan, first half-filling with warm water. A bottle of ammonia should always stand near the sink for such uses. Never allow dirty pots or pans to stand and dry; for it doubles the labor of washing. Pour in water, and use ammonia, and the work is half done.

TO CLEAN BRASS AND COPPER.

Scrape a little rotten-stone fine, and make into a paste with sweet oil. Rub on with a piece of flannel; let it dry, and polish with a chamois-skin. Copper is cleaned either with vinegar and salt mixed in equal parts, or with oxalic acid. The latter is a deadly poison, and must be treated accordingly.

WEIGHTS AND MEASURES.

As many families have no scales for weighing, a table of measures is given which can be used instead. Weighing is always best, but not always convenient. The cup used is the ordinary coffee or kitchen cup, holding half a pint. A set of tin measures, from a gill up to a quart, is very useful in all cooking operations.

One quart of sifted flour is one pound.

One pint of granulated sugar is one pound.

Two cups of butter packed are one pound.

Ten eggs are one pound.

Five cupfuls of sifted flour are one pound.

A wine-glassful is half a gill.

Eight even tablespoonfuls are a gill.

Four even saltspoonfuls make a teaspoonful.

A saltspoonful is a good measure of salt for all custards, puddings, blancmanges, &c.

One teaspoonful of soda to a quart of flour.

Two teaspoonfuls of soda to one of cream of tartar.

The teaspoonful given in all these receipts is just rounded full, not heaped.

Two heaping teaspoonfuls of baking powder to one quart of flour.

One cup of sweet or sour milk as wetting for one quart of flour.

TIME TABLE FOR ROASTED MEATS.

Beef, from six to eight pounds, one hour and a half, or twelve minutes to the pound.

Mutton, ten minutes to the pound for rare; fifteen for well-done.

Lamb, a very little less according to age and size of roast.

Veal, twenty minutes to a pound.

Pork, half an hour to a pound.

Turkey of eight or ten pounds weight, not less than three hours.

Goose of seven or eight pounds, two hours.

Chickens, from an hour to an hour and a half.

Tame ducks, one hour.

Game duck, from thirty to forty minutes.

Partridges, grouse, &c., half an hour.

Pigeons, half an hour.

Small birds, twenty minutes.

TIME TABLE FOR BOILED MEATS.

Beef à la mode, eight pounds, four hours.

Corned beef, eight pounds, four hours.

Corned or smoked tongue, eight pounds, four hours.

Ham, eight or ten pounds, five hours.

Mutton, twenty minutes to a pound.

Veal, half an hour to a pound.

Turkey, ten pounds, three hours.

Chickens, one hour and a half.

Old fowls, two or three hours.

TIME TABLE FOR FISH.

Halibut and salmon, fifteen minutes to a pound.

Blue-fish, bass, &c., ten minutes to a pound.

Fresh cod, six minutes to a pound.

Baked halibut, twelve minutes to a pound.

Baked blue-fish, &c., ten minutes to a pound.

Trout, pickerel, &c., eight minutes to a pound.

TIME TABLE FOR VEGETABLES.

Half an hour,—Pease, potatoes, asparagus, rice, corn, summer squash, canned tomatoes, macaroni.

Three-quarters of an hour,—Young beets, young turnips, young carrots and parsnips, baked potatoes (sweet and Irish), boiled sweet potatoes, onions, canned corn, tomatoes.

One hour,—New cabbage, shelled and string beans, spinach and greens, cauliflower, oyster-plant, and winter squash.

Two hours,—Winter carrots, parsnips, turnips, cabbage, and onions.

Three to eight hours,—Old beets.

TIME TABLE FOR BREAD, CAKES, ETC.

Bread,—large loaves, an hour; small loaves, from half to three-quarters of an hour.

Biscuits and rolls, in from fifteen to twenty minutes.

Brown bread, steamed, three hours.

Loaves of sponge cake, forty-five minutes; if thin, about thirty.

Loaves of richer cake, from forty-five minutes to an hour.

Fruit cake, about two hours, if in two or three pound loaves.

Small thin cakes and cookies, from ten to fifteen minutes. Watch carefully.

Baked puddings, rice, &c., one hour.

Boiled puddings, three hours.

Custards to be watched and tested after the first fifteen minutes.

Batter puddings baked, forty-five minutes.

Pie-crust, about half an hour.

DEVILED HAM.

For this purpose, use either the knuckle or any odds and ends remaining. Cut off all dark or hard bits, and see that at least a quarter of the amount is fat. Chop as finely as possible, reducing it almost to a paste. For a pint-bowl of this, make a dressing as follows:—

One even tablespoonful of sugar; one even teaspoonful of ground mustard; one saltspoonful of Cayenne pepper; one teacupful of good vinegar. Mix the sugar, mustard, and pepper thoroughly, and add the vinegar little by little. Stir it into the chopped ham, and pack it in small molds, if it is to be served as a lunch or supper relish, turning out upon a small platter and garnishing with parsley.

For sandwiches, cut the bread very thin; butter lightly, and spread with about a teaspoonful of the deviled ham. The root of a boiled tongue can be prepared in the same way. If it is to be kept some time, pack in little jars, and pour melted butter over the top.

This receipt should have had place under "Meats," but was overlooked.

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LIST OF UTENSILS REQUIRED FOR SUCCESSFUL WORKING.

TIN WARE.

One boiler for clothes, holding eight or ten gallons.—Two dish-pans,—one large, one medium-sized.—One two-quart covered tin pail.—One four-quart covered tin pail.—Two thick tin four-quart saucepans.—Two two-quart saucepans.—Four measures, from one gill to a quart, and broad and low, rather than high.—Three tin scoops of different sizes for flour, sugar, &c.—Two pint and two half-pint molds for jellies.—Two quart molds.—One skimmer with long handle.—One large and one small dipper.—Four bread-pans, 10x4x4.—Three jelly-cake tins.—Six pie-plates.—Two long biscuit-tins.—One coffee-pot.—One colander.—One large grater.—One nutmeg-grater.—Two wire sieves; one ten inches across, the other four, and with tin sides.—One flour-sifter.—One fine jelly-strainer.—One frying-basket.—One Dover egg-beater.—One wire egg-beater.—One apple-corer.—One pancake-turner.—One set of spice-boxes, or a spice-caster.—One pepper-box.—One flour-dredger.—One sugar-dredger.—One biscuit-cutter.—One potato-cutter.—A dozen muffin-rings.—Small tins for little cakes.—One muffin-pan.—One double milk-boiler, the inside boiler holding two quarts.—One fish-boiler, which can also be used for hams.—One deep bread-pan; a dish-pan is good, but must be kept for this.—One steamer.—One pudding-boiler.—One cake-box.—Six teaspoons.

WOODEN WARE.

One bread-board.—One rolling-pin.—One meat-board.—One wash-board.—One lemon-squeezer.—One potato-masher.—Two large spoons.—One small one.—Nest of wooden boxes for rice, tapioca, &c.—Wooden pails for graham and corn meal.—Chopping-tray.—Water-pail.—Scrubbing-pail.—Wooden cover for flour-barrel.—One board for cutting bread.—One partitioned knife-box.

IRON WARE.

One pair of scales.—One two-gallon pot with steamer to fit.—One three-gallon soup-pot with close-fitting cover.—One three-gallon porcelain-lined kettle, to be kept only for preserving.—One four or six quart one, for apple sauce, &c.—One tea-kettle.—One large and one small frying-pan.—Two Russia or sheet iron dripping-pans; one large enough for a large turkey.—Two gem-pans with deep cups.—Two long-handled spoons.—Two spoons with shorter handles.—One large meat-fork.—One meat-saw.—One cleaver.—One griddle.—One wire broiler.—One toaster.—One waffle-iron.—One can-opener.—Three pairs of common knives and forks.—One small Scotch or frying kettle.—One chopping-knife.—One meat-knife.—One bread-knife.—One set of skewers.—Trussing-needles.

EARTHEN AND STONE WARE.

Two large mixing-bowls, holding eight or ten quarts each.—One eight-quart lip-bowl for cake.—Half a dozen quart bowls.—Half a dozen pint bowls.—Three or four deep plates for putting away cold food.—Six baking-dishes of different sizes, round or oval.—Two quart blancmange-molds.—Two or three pitchers.—Two stone crocks, holding a gallon each.—Two, holding two quarts each.—One bean-pot for baked beans.—One dozen Mason's jars for holding yeast, and many things used in a store closet.—Stone jugs for vinegar and molasses.—Two or three large covered stone jars for pickles.—One deep one for bread.—One earthen teapot.—One dozen pop-over cups.—One dozen custard-cups.—Measuring-cup.

MISCELLANEOUS.

Scrubbing and blacking brushes.—Soap-dish.—Knife-board.—Vegetable-cutters.—Pastry-brush.—Egg-basket. —Market-basket.—Broom.—Brush.—Dust-pan.—Floor and sink cloths.—Whisk-broom.—Four roller-towels.—Twelve dish-towels.—Dishes enough for setting servants' table, heavy stone-china being best.

Taken from:

THE EASIEST WAY IN HOUSEKEEPING AND COOKING.
Adapted to Domestic Use or Study in Classes

BY
HELEN CAMPBELL,
Copyright 1903