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Welcome to the Raggedy Cottage and Garden. As an effort to promote home style creativity and genuine old-fashioned character, I have starte...

Tuesday, May 28, 2013

Wives who please husband but do not consider own health.

This is a response to a woman who was concerned that she was giving in to please her husband, all the while, not giving attention to the needs of her own body.  For example: drinking with spouse, working for income so that she lost her soul and such.



Its great to hang out with the guys, so to speak,or your husband in your instance   I was always a tomboy and hated the low-life gossip and scorn.  There is a point where you NEED to speak up if you want to work on clearing up your own health or follow a different route that seems to be better and healthier for both of you or even more godlier.

In our home I am in to being outdoors from time to time.  I've studied something interesting like eating wild-edible foods.  I also like to try new recipes like lacto-fermented recipes, sourdough or other interesting foods.  I'm interested in studying the biblical calendar and hebrew and even visiting the different cultures in our neighboring community.  I've done unassisted birthing.  These are all healthier than modern society practices.  I never force him to do anything that I would like to try.   In some ways I maintain a complete independence from visionary husband.  But I make sure I am clearly communicating that it is my decision to try new things.  NEVER force HIM to do what YOU would like to try.

As far as alcohol and drinking are concerned, I would definitely say clearly, "I want to improve my health and not put holes in my brain (which alcohol does do in study) and put toxins in my body that it does not need"  I've worked in the nursing home caring for old-women intoxicated by that stuff (that is actually very easy to make in nature).  Those women were not kind ones to care for because they did not express respect for their own body OR for others.

Not only that but you may also say "I like to become more feminine and not so sex-addict attracting yet still beautiful", so I always say in the clearest way "I don't want to attract attention from men to whom I'm not married but I would like to wear this nice dress" if my husband says something of that nature to try to show manliness in the flesh.  That way I'm not boiling over in anger and I am not giving into every whim without a "mind" of my own.  Instead I will smile at him regularly as much as I can and ALWAYS kindly say he is strong, handsome, intelligent, kind, boyish or something along that line......that gives him comfort despite our outward fleshly appearances.

If I had no children.....would I give into the unhealthy foods, I don't know. I may, but I believe I would pick up extra skills like crafting, trying healthy recipes, new languages or something else to fill in my time on earth.

As far as swimsuit attire is concerned, I pick out a rash-neck top and a skirt.  I have heard some women say a cheap method of getting a long swim skirt is to take good-will Swim-Trunks for men and turn them into a skirt for woman.  Yes your husband WILL like it when you put on "nothing" to the pool, but for respect of "why" you are going swimming, a good modest apparel is appropriate for a woman who doesn't want to pose as a stumbling block or in another word I don't want to steal money from that grocery store even though you say I should......  I would love to go to the pool to swim laps if I had $ and I also would like to try scuba diving again......

Homeschooling, well, just need to keep it relaxed.  In my area, my father and his family in particular has discrimination problems against it.  They just don't want to understand it as mother was a one-room public school teacher.  My husband would like to ensure the kids have reading, writing skills and such with no in-cement say on how they get those skills.  I'm mostly interested in it because the stats come back that the children are more well-rounded.  I kind of battle between what to do, yet I am capable of helping my kids pick up on reading as I am able.

Yes.....you are right.  You are "failing" when you don't stand up for yourself and your body.  I see my sister doing that to her body "thinking" it will make her husband love her more.   It never does.  Both end up loosing in the end.  I believe good education on the problems of alcohol in the body will give you strength to stand up for yourself.  http://www.amazon.com/Unleash-Power-Female-Brain-Supercharging/dp/0307888940.   This is a book you MUST read to understand psychology and what you need to stand up for your body as a whole.  It is written by a MALE but he was always surrounded by females.  OF course the bible is the final source while this is definitely like reading a book about gardening your mind in a healthier manner.

A great FREE resource to help you stand up for your "body" yet maintain a loving relationship in a female way that respects and understands male-female differences is http://www.healthhouse.co.nz/freestuff/fascinating-womanhood-book-%284mb%29.pdf and
http://www.fascinatingwomanhood.net/  Both will help you understand how to put $ into your husband's mind alone and rely on faith to accumulate what you need to survive.

Always keep the wonderful assignments in mind by Debi Pearl.  And USE that POWERFUL mind of yours to create more Biblical based assignments to build a more wonderful marriage.

Friday, May 24, 2013

Over come video games and bring out the best.

http://www.gordontraining.com/free-resources/free-parent-resources/as-a-parent-what-can-i-do-about-video-games/

Other free e-books that really plainly spelled out good parenting methods that are compliant with Christian values AND are intellectually stimulating:

http://www.gordontraining.com/free-resources/free-parent-resources/

So far the above methods have been effective in our home.

Some times just "locking it away" or coming together as a church and saying absolutely no video games or tv in the home are ineffective as the child will think he should jump ship into the neighbors worldly home where the neighbor has boose all over the place, cussing and lazy attitudes.  We DO NOT want our children to jump ship but we do want them to be educated and skillful in many areas.  We want our children to be confident that they are doing good to others and to them selves.

They say a "busy child is a happy child"  We need to train our children to be active in good and constructive activities that benefit others before themselves.

The methods described by www.gordontraining.com would work in a public school setting, however, not all schools or even communities are compliant.  Neither do all have the intellectual strengths available to pick up a new skill like "active listening"  It takes these parents needless trial-error to come to the conclusion that there is no hope, the flesh of my child cannot be conquered to improve.

In our home its working.  An example....nice boy on the street who was about to talk to some hub-bub teen-group out of curiosity asked my oldest if he wanted to come out and play.  My oldest response was to enjoy his responsibility in the home by saying "Not right now, we need to pick up some things"  He said so not in a moanful resentful or hate-the-parent way but more in a positive call to duty sort of way.

I'm also interested in www.characterjournal.com and I also like www.solvefamilyproblems.com.  If you are familiar with the Duggars, they like to use the IBLP and Bill Gothard methods.  All in all psychology of the modern man is the psychology of proverbs written in a different form of wording as I've noticed it to be.

Anyone else have other resources ideas that are working for them to bring out the good decisions in the child rather than the bondage to sin, flesh and destruction???

Active Listening

As a parent things are hard at times especially if the world or well-meaning friends or family do not want you to parent-educate or home birth or have more children or teach your child biblical things etc.  But when we follow Christ we are a servant to all man-kind.  I have noticed that a lot of people fall in to trouble (from home-educated to private educated to public educated to other educated) simply because people have forgotten the magical skill of listening to others!  Instead of running to old fashioned psych. counselors or even a pastor for help we CAN relearn the skill of listening.

The skill of listening is just that, "a skill" and it does take practice to "control the tongue"  This is an OLD skill that our fore-mothers knew, but we have forgotten in an attempt to build our own self-driven empire.

Jas_3:5  Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth!

This is a free e-book: http://www.gordontraining.com/wp-content/uploads/Rogers%20Farson%20A-L%20Article.pdf  that will help you become an effective listener and watch the problems disappear in the people you love.

Psa_145:19  He will fulfil the desire of them that fear him: he also will hear their cry, and will save them.

From my experience with effective active listening, I have found a distressed mother (yes she home-educated, had many children and knew bible quite well)  I was able to take the bitter words of discouragement that came from her mouth with out letting it invade on my life.  I loved the way she gardened and such and was so diligent on scriptural studies, but I knew she had persecutions and discouragement and even misunderstandings of how to forgive others.

Thursday, May 23, 2013

Pulling my hair out or keeping it in control

 This is a post from another mother on a forum about how to keep up with toys around the house.  She wondered what to do.

Here is what I suggest:


Some ideas:
1. Rotating toys in one easy to clean up box.   Store away the other toys and get them out one box per month.
2. Reduce toys and encourage more chore FUN around the house.  Have children give toys to charity or garage sale.  Help the child improve his or her character when doing chores www.characterjournal.com.
3. Encourage children to make their own toys out of recyclable, old toys that broke or missing pieces and natural items (sticks, leaves, rocks etc).  It will help them learn about so many subjects and help them learn to take care of things they make with their own hands.
4. Always train the child to keep surroundings neat and orderly. Say regularly "always keep your surroundings neat and orderly like this" then demonstrate by behavior.
5. If things get out of hand sweep it all into one big pile so the floor is cleared and sort through the pile.....have the kids help.
6. If you are good at managing time, try scheduling regular pick-up times 10:00, 12:00, 2:00, 4:00, evening before bed.
7. Teach good cleaning habits.  Show them a picture of a clean house or take a picture of your house when it is neat and orderly and say "I would like this house to look like that."  Teach them about how vinegar kills bacteria and then practice cleaning with it.
8. Spend time away from the house, if you are overwhelmed at times.  Attend library, college, church, park, visit elderly or even public school events
9. Learn a bible verse together and then do a cleaning task.  Learning scripture and chore balanced together makes good habit. (Don't worry I have yet to master this, I've only heard it said that another mother does this)
10. Teach organization skills, colors and counting while putting items away.......

The ideas are there, its just that we need to overcome our fleshly frustrations in the process.





I would try not to worry you are not the only one who deals with these issues.  They say that until the child is seven years old, the child will need assistance learning how to care for his own messes.  After that things start to clock in for responsibility if the mother and father chose to train the child on how to keep surroundings neat and orderly.

I look at picking up my children's stuff like pulling weeds in a garden.  They show up and children's messes happen.

I like the book by Terri Maxwell  "homeschooling with meek and quiet Spirit"  It really helped me overcome my flesh problems when I get frustrated with things like messes.

Other resources to try, "to train up a child" by nogreaterjoy.org or www.raisinggodlytomatoes.com (use discernment, wisdom and control with spanking) It shouldn't be needed after age three.

Tuesday, May 21, 2013

Sad by lack of life boat-basements in Oklahoma schools

I know that the public system in general doesn't depend on Christ.  Hence a massive titanic school system is developed with no adherence or attention of the words of Christ and no "life boat" basements are built to protect the lives of these children!!!!  MAn struggles to pay attention to the very words written in RED!  The very words written in Blood on the Cross.  As far as 'most' public education is concerned, man is first and women and children are last.

I live in a tornado ally.

I'm thinking what if this happened to MY COMMUNITY! 

Insurance rules wouldn't allow these children to go to neighbor's house for TRUE safety!

TRUE safety is in Christ and Christ alone.  God called these children home to eternity.  I pray for strength in the parents who have to suffer such loss.

O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, which killest the prophets, and stonest them that are sent unto thee; how often would I have gathered thy children together, as a hen doth gather her brood under her wings, and ye would not! Behold, your house is left unto you desolate: and verily I say unto you, Ye shall not see me, until the time come when ye shall say, Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord.
(Luk 13:34-35)


Christ SPOKE those words.  He NEVER supported any sort of non-family integrated form of education.  NEVER!!!  A charter form of public education (like K-12.com) is a wonderful gift for those who struggle to keep up but in general a good bible and regular practice and study of various subjects from it is plenty.

Our NATION.....the United States of America needs help in seeing the words of Christ.

How can we show the words of Christ by our actions??

Maybe we could call or write the local political leaders and tell them to put tax payer money towards basements in ALL public facilities (schools, town halls etc) especially if they are in tornado ally.  Stop putting funds towards evolution studies of how man "looks" like a monkey and behaves like one too.......

If we do send our children to the public schools, maybe we could "rebell" as a parent and say I am not sending my child to that school unless it has a "life boat" a basement......

Maybe we could hand out literature that shows that parent-family education is the best for young children because Christ said it was the best.....extra above rubies magazines laying around ;)

Writing an opinion in the local paper......

Moving back into teepees (an actual strong structure against high winds) doesn't seem to be strong enough in mile wide tornadoes.  Christ needs to be the strength in this matter.

Think about this.  Maybe some of those children who died in that tornado were a friend to your child who home educated.  How would your child feel if he/she knew that his or her parents did nothing to help those other children when the home educated parent had a voice to use in the political atmosphere!!!

I don't know what your heart tells you to do.....I think it is a good idea to help the other children to safety too.  Count the time on your hands.  Our time on earth is limited to a mere breath compared to eternity.  What can you do with your time?  What can I do with my time?

Mat_7:14  Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.

Monday, May 20, 2013

woman, work, income truth or deadly error

I thought this was a well written article about the truth of women and working for income (strict labor soul-robbing income that is).

http://www.generationcedar.com/main/2013/05/women-work-freedom-one-big-fat-suicidal-error.html

I know some of us are struggling financially, but God CAN and WILL give you creativity to help bring up your children despite these hardships. [Try adding a little fabric to an oatmeal container for an added storage unit, milk cartons can be cut in many ways] Suffering may occur (another woman may attack you for choosing to stay home with your children, husband may loose job because people fib about his work skills), but we must follow God's word on these issues.   The feminist idea is like telling humans we can survive on the moon.  We can't have natural births on the moon......gravity won't allow it.  The feminist idea is like telling a man he can eat a poisonous mushroom found in the woods and live.  God designed the mushroom not for human survival. We can only stand for truth in Christ in this ugly world of scornful sin driven flesh. Feed the spirit in God's word and the flesh will dissipate and feel no need to be served.


The way for a woman to get freedom in a scientific manner (yes I love math and science) is to SOLVE problems in the home.  How can she with only two hands and two feet wash those dishes, sweep the floor, wipe noses, maintain joy around husband, keep up on knowledge of medical science, learn new sewing trick to make quality item and learn about wild foods in the area all in one day?  Yes it takes a little science and math to solve these things.  But she need not depend on a pay check to figure these things out.  She may depend upon God's word to give her strength.  She may depend upon prayer.  She may depend upon witnessing to others in these matters.  The true wise-woman of proverbs 31 seeks to please God first, husband second, children third, community/church fourth, and only in the case of husband disability or paying off her own foolish debts would she choose to work in a man's position.

Sunday, May 19, 2013

Unruly neighbors.....turn to Christ.

 This is a copy of what I posted to another woman on a forum who was dealing with unruly neighbors and believes the problems are related to race of her husband:

The only one anyone can turn to when people or neighbors have racist problems is Christ.  My husband has Native complexion and he's been let go from jobs because he was a man (works with feminist natured women) and possibly for his Native American nature (unassisted birth, home-education, non-voting in US elections, home remedy, eating foods off of the land (danielon, cattail, fish etc).  Native American parents have been killed for refusing to public educate their children on US soil. Yes Native American blood line has sin problems too.  That is why Christ is there for all men.  Did he grow up in Native American culture....no.  He grew up in a Norwegian culture area on US soil.  Norway had its persecution of Christians problems too.....history of men hanging upside down in old castle structures and such.  St. Olaf is an old saint of the time.

In other words, Christ is the ONLY one left to run to when bad neighbors, in-laws or family are around.  God chooses to allow people to suffer in this life.  It is all for his glory, not for our own "human glory."  Sadly God has to call some people home when things get ugly here on earth.  Martyrdom of Christians happens today and it is increasing.

Mat_5:44  But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;
Luk_6:27  But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you,
Luk_6:35  But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil.


Definitely in this situation, STUDY what Christ said in the words in red.  Highlight every verb spoken by Christ.  Do what he says to do with the enemies and stick with it until the end of time.  Definitely teach your children the words of Christ and show by example what to do in this situation by being obedient to God's word.  If in the middle of it all, the neighbors are getting violent towards you or children call local legal authority.  If your husband senses that local legal authority will not do anything but tear your family apart or cause financial damage to you.....all you can do is submit to your husband.  In some cases you may have to live in a tent and off of the land if things are really bad and apocalyptic in a certain community.  Study http://www.ediblewildfood.com/ and other survival techniques for preparation of a absolutely horrible neighbor situation and for general good health and safety of family.  Go out every couple weeks camping to practice training your kids in worst case scenarios.

List the many ways you can "love your enemies" and do those things.  For example: have your children place flowers at the neighbor's door step, hand them Christ centered/bible study literature, print off recipes that will improve their health etc.


By the way, there is word around that the Jewish people are getting persecuted in Europe again.  They need to sell their homes and move because property is getting vandalized.  They have to pull their children out of schools because of bullying and belittling of the parents and even of children.  We all still need Christ's unending love.

Friday, May 10, 2013

Homemade solar food deyhydrator bags


Are you in need of a way to dehydrate various herbs, plants, flowers, roots and fruits from your garden or surrounding landscape?  Try making home-made solar food dehydrator bags.

**What you will need:
A method to close the bags and keep bugs out --> Ziploc bags, old zippers, Velcro, magnets, buttons, pull string etc

A breathable dark cloth to absorb suns light and allow air flow --> black toil, black wedding veil, black mesh etc.  Make sure that the holes are secure enough so little petals from flowers do not fall through.

Thread and sewing machine to sew the bag shut.

**Directions:

1. Purchase enough fabric to make several bags that will be ( 1 foot X width of fabric folded in half ).  I purchased 1 and a half yards to make about 5-6 bags.

2. Fold the Fabric in half and cut to leave about 1 foot opening.  The finished product will be about 1 foot by 3 foot long bag.

3. Sew on two edges.

4. Turn the bag right side out.

5. To add a ziploc bag closure, do the following:
      -->Cut the bag in half to leave the zipper portion and remove the bottom of the bag
      -->Turn the ziploc bag inside out so that the closure portion is on the outside
      -->Since your bag is right side out, you can now sew on the ziploc bag to the outside of the mesh bag with raw edges together.
      -->Turn the ziploc bag right side out

6. If you decide to use a different closure go ahead and sew that to the mesh bag.

7. Make more bags to hold more food or other products as the drying time may be longer than a typical food dehydrator and the sun may not show up one day.  Note: be sure to zigzag stitch on raw edges so the fabric doesn't fray.

 

Now you may dehydrate various foods in the sun or even in a dry location in your home.

****Here are some ideas on how you may dehydrate foods or other products in your bags:

--> Get two hangers and four or more clothes pins or safety pins.  Put product to dehydrate into bag.  Attach one hanger to bottom  and one hanger to top of bag with clothes pins or safety pins.  Hang the bag on a horizontal clothes line or post in your back yard or indoors.

-->Create a solar heating box with aluminum foil glued to the inside of the box. Hang or lay bags on racks in the heating box.  Unlike regular cooking boxes, do not include a glass cover but allow air to flow through the box.

      For homemade glue: Cook 1 cup flour, 1 1/2 cup water, 1/3 cup sugar, 1 tsp vinegar in a pot on stove until starts to thicken.  Store in fridge six months and is stronger than elmer's glue.

 

--> as bags are hanging on a line, create reflection panels by gluing non-shiny side to cardboard flat surface and placing around the line reflect sun better and increase heat through the bags.

-->To dehydrate liquid or sticky items cut a piece of cardboard that will fit inside the bag.  Glue aluminum foil to the cardboard with shiny side up.  To create "dishes" that hold goopy items, cut milk jugs down to flattened size like the bottom of milk jug to a1/2 inch dish.  You may hand sew, staple, Velcro strip, magnetic, snaps etc the milk jug to the cardboard piece.  Like above, hang the bag on a horizontal clothes line or post or even create a solar box that will hold the bag.

-->Another variation to dehydrate liquid or sticky items is to cut several dishes that will hold the sticky stuff with old milk jugs.  A design could be a rectangle with 2-3 inch height on sides of jug. To allow air flow cut long rectangle or slits on sides and keep sides stable so it can be stacked.    Hold bag vertically and place several dishes in the bag.  To keep stability cut cardboard that will fit into the bag and cover it with aluminum foil shiny side up.  Cut two pieces or fold the card board so that it will fill in a corner of the bag.  Maybe you could make permanent shelves by attaching this to the cardboard or using wires to connect the jug dishes.
       Hang the dish shelves that are in the bag vertically on a clothes line.

 
 -->Fold the bags over clothes line and hang like hanging clothes.

-->Hang bags from a ceiling fan and allow to swing around.

-->Lay on a cardboard-aluminum foil reflection panel and set in the sun.  Be sure to clamp down with clothes pins or rocks.

****Notes:
--The ways to use these dehydrator bags are endless.  Come up with other ways to make it work.  Maybe a velcro closure bag could go for a few minutes in your clothes dryer????

--Be sure to only use food-safe products in these bags.  UV rays kill most germs but you never know what lurks around.

--1 gallon of food will be plenty to dry in a 1 ft X 3 ft bag.  Dries a qt size of food successfully.

--Wash the bags in a regular dish washing routine.  Only put in dishwasher if you know that a plastic closure will not melt in dry cycle of dishwasher. Let dry in the sun too ;)

Thursday, May 9, 2013

How do I organize all this fun?

 These are the questions I look forward to answering!

How do you organize all of this fun????  There are so many ideas out there....How do I get going with the 7+ year old?  How do I create the fancy portfolio into an impressive masterpiece to show the public?  How do you make schooling fun rather than another "boring" school day?  How do you achieve mastery rather than just run-through of material?

Below are a few websites I would like to use.  All in all I want to organize it and stick with it and have fun in the middle of it all!  My goal is to expose my children to whatever, whenever and help him or her gain as much skills as possible as long as it is GOOD in nature and builds godly character.  I'd also like to remain as frugal as possible without paying an arm and a leg in expense for education or without having the community or public pay for it.  Stats are showing positive results with children educated by their parents and children thrive in a real world rather than living in an imitation so long as the child is supported positively in the journey.

www.triviumpursuit.com
www.homeschoolhowtos.com
www.amblesideonline.org
www.nogreaterjoy.org ---> real world math and skill, just read readers digest, classic books and a map and have child practice paying for groceries.
www.largefamilymothering.com
www.CLP.org
www.montessorimaterials.org
www.classicalcurriculum.com
www.heartofwisdom.com
www.k12.com
http://freehomeschoolinglibrar.blogspot.com/
www.letteroftheweek.com
Well Trained Mind book
www.oldfashionededucation.com
http://allinonehomeschool.com/
www.sonlighteducation.com
http://www.aplushomeschooling.com/
www.truthforfree.com
www.characterjournal.com

Another idea is to simply use the bible.  Determine what you will read for the day and then base what you will study off of words and phrases found directly from the bible!  Copy various verses at certain intervals.  Memorize certain portions of scripture.  Create new tunes or listen to psalms.  Art work from bible verses.  Study the science of the lion etc!  Count to 5000 err um do multiplication problems that = 5000 and then read how Christ fed five thousand people.  Calculus level.....study creation studies, Fibonacci numbers and such.  Study patience and various character traits!!

Monday, May 6, 2013

Lacto-fermentation and preserving dandelions

For those who desire to preserve foods for their family, check into lacto-fermentation.  There is absolutely no energy usage (no need to perk up the electric or gas bill or even scorch your eyes with solar cooking).


I have spent quite some time studying Sally Fallon's wonderful book called Nourishing Traditions.  It emphasizes that lacto-fermentation is better on our digestive system than traditional canning methods.

For more information on lacto-fermentation read the following:
http://www.simplebites.net/lacto-fermentation-a-healthier-more-sustainable-way-to-preserve-2/

or even better check out the book by Sally Fallon read it, study it or even purchase it.

This is the season of dandelions.  Don't let this season go to waste.  This food is free and its edible

Here are a few interesting recipes to try:

http://www.cauldronsandcrockpots.com/forage/dandelion/

Try lacto-fermentation of dandelion products....from roots, to stems, to leaves, to flowers.

Enjoy, have fun and happy cooking!

Friday, May 3, 2013

Wilderness survival

The fun part about raising a small brood of kids is learning how to survive in the wilderness with them. It is easy to survive without children in tact because they don't need carrying, comforting and such. Godly reality says we need to put our own needs last and their needs first......It is a fun challenge to learn how to care for their needs first and train them what to do too. B'cause of various earthly problems like famine, earthquake, political and social chaos, flood, tornado etc we all need to know how to live off of wilderness foods even in our modern electronic age.

Looking forward to picking berries, canning this summer but in the meantime learning how to prepare dandelions and minnows caught with fish traps. Its all fun and the kids love playing in the woods. I don't know if they'll eat those kinds of foods unless there was a true need for it.....Great fun preparing sourdough pancakes made from powdered buttermilk, wholewheat and soy flour. Kids like em.

To learn more about wild edible foods check out http://www.ediblewildfood.com/ Planning to make a binder with records of these good foods. Depression era mothers and wives canned the wild foods.

Its good to know what wild foods are antibiotic in nature too. Onions and garlic style plants keep doctors away. No physician around can make surviving difficult but not impossible. Chyanne pepper or cinnamon as well as psychological thinking about it stopping can stop bleeding. (learned that from unassisted childbirth and miscarriage experience)

Would you know how to survive in the wilderness if you only had a plastic sheet, aluminum foil, a Bible and a match box. What if you were in the wilderness in the winter with only these items? What if you were in the desert? Just some things to think about.

Wednesday, May 1, 2013

Keeping the home in practice

 In architecture the frieze is the wide central section part of an entablature and may be plain or—in the Ionic or Corinthian order—decorated with bas-reliefs. Even when neither columns nor pilasters are expressed, on an astylar wall it lies upon the architrave ('main beam') and is capped by the moldings of the cornice.  In interiors, the frieze of a room is the section of wall above the picture rail and under the crown moldings or cornice. By extension, a frieze is a long stretch of painted, sculpted or even calligraphic decoration in such a position, normally above eye-level. Frieze decorations may depict scenes in a sequence of discrete panels. The material of which the frieze is made of may be plasterwork, carved wood or other decorative medium.  This image is "intended to convey an idea of the details of decoration which characterized the Renaissance style during its best period, and which display considerable grace and finish. They are based on the antique Roman type, but still display a peculiar independent treatment, as in the deeply under-cut foliage in the arabesques and the lightness and clearness of the stalks and tendrils."
Your house should be a refuge for you to relax and escape into a private domain.  A neglected and messy home becomes chaotic and unhappy.  A wonderful way to take control of that mess is simply by learning about the art of  keeping the home in order.  There are many wonderful books to help you accomplish this task.  A well kept home will make you feel like the rest of your life is manageable too.

The first step in keeping a neat home is to practice keeping a neat home every day.  Your home can be as small as the size of a college dorm room or it could be as large as two football fields.  Whatever the case, practice keeping your home in order and you will feel like you can manage the rest of your life.  Train your children to do the same too with a happy smile on their face in the process.  IF they fail, which they will, have enough grace to encourage them to pick it up again until it is right.

Here are some things to consider when keeping your home neat everyday:
-Do not let things accumulate on tables
-Do not let things accumulate on counter tops
-Do not let things accumulate in the sink
-Have everything back in its proper place as you go along
-Put soiled clothes in the hamper or hang clean ones up as soon as you've taken them off
-Avoid the urge to drop things down where they don't belong and train you family to do this too
-Put away magazines, newspapers and similar items as you go along.
-Don't leave things for later or the next day as it will always look worse then.

Songs of Love and Hope