Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Sunday, March 21, 2010
hello there
It has been a week already. Missed ya'll. No, the organizing and purging project is not yet complete. My baby has awakened numerous times this week, making my evening progress slow. Who knew molars took so much time to fully come in? Apparently, her problem is that every time she teethes, it's several teeth at once.
That Water Thing
Should you ever get the lofty idea that your kids should only drink water, think again. Please. I gave this no-juice, no Country-Time Lemonade thing serious discipline. Any pediatrician would be proud of me.
And yet, for two nights I have been in heart-wrenching mommy pain watching my three-year-old battle constipation. I hope we've seen the last of it. Our family doesn't suffer from this, as a rule. It was the decreased liquid she was taking in. What an unpleasant experience!
I'm defeated. It just isn't worth it. Remembering that I didn't become an avid water drinker until my thirties, I'm realizing that this isn't something worth pursuing with young persnickety kids.
Whole Food Journey
Other aspects of our whole food journey are going well. (Yes, Jess, I would like the granola recipe. Thank you!) I'm actually enjoying all the extra cooking, and I'm learning a ton! We no longer buy anything boxed or jarred that's pre-made or pre-mixed (like pancake mix or cake mix--we make our own), and the only cans we buy are primarily those needed to whip up our own spaghetti sauce (I don't own canning supplies).
I've encountered a few problem areas, requiring more investigating at other stores:
- ketchup (most have high fructose corn syrup, and/or other additives)
- jelly (most have high fructose corn syrup, and/or other additives--paying more doesn't change this. I need to learn to make my own.)
- peanut butter (high fructose corn syrup, and/or other additives)
- 100% whole wheat bread (I am paying more money for less bread, to get rid of additives! Hoping to find a bread machine when garage sales start up.)
We'll see how it goes at a fancier grocery store, like Giant Eagle. Maybe I'll find some healthier alternatives without breaking the bank. It's no wonder that poverty and obesity are linked, by the way. Healthy food can be expensive!
Culinary Lessons
I tried a new recipe the other day--scrumptious sweet potato soup. If you click on the link, you'll notice that it calls for 1.5 cups of cooked sweet potatoes. Folks, that isn't enough potato for a soup. I knew it when I read it, so I slightly more than doubled the amount of potatoes. Still, it came out watery and lacking flavor. So, I kept putting another potato in the microwave to puree for the soup--three more times. Finally, I came up with scrumptious soup, after also tweaking the spices and sugar amounts.
The thing is, I didn't get upset! Something didn't work out initially in the kitchen, and I didn't get upset! I used to feel like crying, or actually cry, when a recipe didn't work out. For me it was confirmation that I'm lousy in the domesticity department. This time, I blamed the recipe. Poorly written recipes are not uncommon; it isn't always my failings. In my humble, non-culinary-artist opinion, a recipe should never use cups to specify how much of a fruit or vegetable is needed. Better to specify 6 medium sweet potatoes, or 5 medium apples.
A Good Read
I wanted to share a piece I read today from the Pursuing Titus 2 blog. It's about this: to be an effective parent who leaves a powerful legacy, we have to be nice to our kids. Simple. Many other things are important too, but how often do we discount the importance of just being nice? How often do we get annoyed about a muddy floor, or about another pair of dirty socks left lying around.......and then take out the irritation on our kids--lecturing them yet again? I found her post to be very convicting on many levels. It's worth reading.
Weighty Unemployment News
It's been a year since my husband first applied for unemployment compensation. The weekly amount is based on the prior 15 months' earnings (two highest earning months are used). When he reapplied this March, we found out that he'll be getting a much reduced amount, putting the house payment in serious jeopardy. Because he works part-time, most weeks he won't get any unemployment. The amount is small anyway and they subtract some when you work part-time.
We should have known this was coming, but didn't. So many are in the same predicament. In a normal economy, most people find something within the standard, 26-week unemployment period. Now, more and more people are into their second year of financial trouble, with all safeguards gone.
The government can't extend unemployment much longer, regardless of the economy. Our country just doesn't have the money!
Upon learning the somber income news, we just had to look at each other and wonder--what's next God? There are only very low paying jobs, and sometimes hundreds of people apply for the same ones--many of whom are over-qualified. I'm sure it will all work out, but we're awfully weary. He saw a job the other day for a computer tech, paying only $7.00/hr! Very discouraging for us, since that's what he hopes to become, at an entry level.
I strongly suspect that companies are taking advantage of the economy by offering lower wages. I guess some of them could be genuinely hurting themselves, but much of it is on purpose, since so many desperate people have to take any wage.
Anyhow, I won't be blogging daily anymore. Too much praying to do!
Take care, and enjoy the beautiful spring weather! There are always blessings, and plenty of them! I'm counting them daily.
Saturday, March 13, 2010
goodbye for now
Larger families living in smallish homes need to declutter at least half-yearly. This is no longer something that I should do. I have to do it, seeing as how my sanity left sometime in early February. We haven't seen it since--my sanity, that is.
I had a baby in December, 2006 and another in December, 2008. Non-stop diapers and spills and spit-up and toddler-rescues quickly took over my time. Every task is a right now task. All this, coupled with the extra laundry generated by the rain, snow and mud of Northeast Ohio, rendered decluttering a some-day dream.
But no more excuses, real or perceived. Now I have a plan. I needed a plan. Because I rather like my sanity. We had a good thing going all these years.
Today I moved every container of children's clutter (and some paper clutter) into the living room. This project will be a clandestine affair. I will organize and bag up at night, and then load the van with the loot. By day, I'll shuttle it to Goodwill or to the church nursery.
We'll attempt to keep the children out of this--they were told only that Mommy will be organizing. One in particular, my Paul, cries and stresses if I throw even a broken toy away. This reaction is rather recent, so we're thinking it stems from underemployment stress. He won't miss the things I'm purging, so I don't think we'll have any problems. Many of them were already taken out of the playroom and stored in the baby's room. We had to do it this way, when she began ravaging the playroom on a hourly basis.
I should add that we have no garage or basement--two sanity-savers most moms utilize in toy management.
I am treating myself like quite the child in all this. I won't be blogging again until the job is done. Blogging is the reward. Next time you hear from me, my friend sanity will be back.
I hope.
Bless you!
P.S. I turned 44 yesterday. Oh, the horror! While the whole thing proved significantly depressing (no cake or anything--we're too busy with everyday chores to observe much of anything right now) something good did come out of it. $125 from relatives. I got my camera!
The other day Beth sat down in a soup pot--looking so cute! I mourned the loss of the camera so much that day! It's only a material thing, but one that makes memories live on. I'm so grateful we could replace it!
I had a baby in December, 2006 and another in December, 2008. Non-stop diapers and spills and spit-up and toddler-rescues quickly took over my time. Every task is a right now task. All this, coupled with the extra laundry generated by the rain, snow and mud of Northeast Ohio, rendered decluttering a some-day dream.
But no more excuses, real or perceived. Now I have a plan. I needed a plan. Because I rather like my sanity. We had a good thing going all these years.
Today I moved every container of children's clutter (and some paper clutter) into the living room. This project will be a clandestine affair. I will organize and bag up at night, and then load the van with the loot. By day, I'll shuttle it to Goodwill or to the church nursery.
We'll attempt to keep the children out of this--they were told only that Mommy will be organizing. One in particular, my Paul, cries and stresses if I throw even a broken toy away. This reaction is rather recent, so we're thinking it stems from underemployment stress. He won't miss the things I'm purging, so I don't think we'll have any problems. Many of them were already taken out of the playroom and stored in the baby's room. We had to do it this way, when she began ravaging the playroom on a hourly basis.
I should add that we have no garage or basement--two sanity-savers most moms utilize in toy management.
I am treating myself like quite the child in all this. I won't be blogging again until the job is done. Blogging is the reward. Next time you hear from me, my friend sanity will be back.
I hope.
Bless you!
P.S. I turned 44 yesterday. Oh, the horror! While the whole thing proved significantly depressing (no cake or anything--we're too busy with everyday chores to observe much of anything right now) something good did come out of it. $125 from relatives. I got my camera!
The other day Beth sat down in a soup pot--looking so cute! I mourned the loss of the camera so much that day! It's only a material thing, but one that makes memories live on. I'm so grateful we could replace it!
Thursday, March 11, 2010
what will we do?
I eagerly anticipated Kristin's final Kenya post this morning--even asking the boys to check for it during their computer-math time. Here it is. Don't miss it.
She asks us: Now that we've seen, what will we do?
Here are some ideas:
- If you have a blog, spread the word about Compassion International.
- Sit down with your kids and see how many multiples of $38 (sponsor amount for one child) you can create by cutting unnecessary expenses/luxurious experiences.
- Read Bible verses as a family about caring for orphans.
- Spread the word to family and friends, through letters or e-mails.
This world has enough food, enough clothing, enough shelter, enough money. It's a matter of us sharing the wealth. It's that simple. Yes, governments are corrupt. But Compassion does their life-saving work despite corruption. Even North Korea allows humanitarian work to go on in their country--Franklin Graham has been there many times.
One thing is true.
We have to do something.
We will be held accountable now, for our new knowledge.
She asks us: Now that we've seen, what will we do?
Here are some ideas:
- If you have a blog, spread the word about Compassion International.
- Sit down with your kids and see how many multiples of $38 (sponsor amount for one child) you can create by cutting unnecessary expenses/luxurious experiences.
- Read Bible verses as a family about caring for orphans.
- Spread the word to family and friends, through letters or e-mails.
This world has enough food, enough clothing, enough shelter, enough money. It's a matter of us sharing the wealth. It's that simple. Yes, governments are corrupt. But Compassion does their life-saving work despite corruption. Even North Korea allows humanitarian work to go on in their country--Franklin Graham has been there many times.
One thing is true.
We have to do something.
We will be held accountable now, for our new knowledge.
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
scrumptious
Do you put your children to bed and then go right into the chores? If so, what's your secret? How do you motivate yourself at that time? I need help!
I like to read and write first instead; it relaxes me and sorts out my thoughts. Husband is only home on Tuesday and Thursday nights, and his presence on those nights helps motivate me to do chores earlier.
Other nights, I immediately sit and read or write after tucking in the last child. My mind sorts my thoughts into mental file folders so they can be given separate themes. The themes then get prioritized, and learning and focus occurs. Sounds crazy, but I do better spiritually when I make time for this thought-sorting. Must have to do with being an analytical, introspective personality?
After a couple thought-sorting hours my night person body shifts into higher gear, and I do chores. Beth wakes up for nursing a few times before 2 a.m., and sometimes I fall asleep nursing her, only to wake up at 3 a.m. or so and realize I didn't finish the dishes or shuffle the laundry that one last time.
This is a terrible system, if you can call it that! I get little sleep and feel foolish the next day, but I seem incapable of making a change right now. The kids are so little and it's all so emotionally exhausting. Still, I know all about the "me time" trap--the more you get the more you want, followed by getting less done around the house and feeling more frustrated.
Suffice it to say, when dealing with little ones life is far from balanced. I don't want to be a slave to perfectionism, or cross over into selfishness. My family deserves folded socks and underwear, tucked properly into drawers--not into clothes baskets. My baby is older now so I don't have that excuse any longer! Time to get back to efficiency.
God, get me off this roller coaster! Help me with self-discipline in this area!
Do I need some kind of token economy system, like a child would use? If I do the chores first four nights in a row, I can get a treat? Tell me I'm not that immature!
Off my frustrations now.....
...and on to that cornbread review. The 3-Minute Microwave Cornbread was delicious. My husband said it would never work--that the microwave would dry it out. But no! It was wonderfully moist and delicious. I added some extra sugar, as I like my cornbread to have a good hint of sweetness.
The black bean soup was scrumptious! I'll post that recipe sometime soon.
On to those dirty dishes, that cluttered counter, and that last load of laundry.
Good night, Friends!
I like to read and write first instead; it relaxes me and sorts out my thoughts. Husband is only home on Tuesday and Thursday nights, and his presence on those nights helps motivate me to do chores earlier.
Other nights, I immediately sit and read or write after tucking in the last child. My mind sorts my thoughts into mental file folders so they can be given separate themes. The themes then get prioritized, and learning and focus occurs. Sounds crazy, but I do better spiritually when I make time for this thought-sorting. Must have to do with being an analytical, introspective personality?
After a couple thought-sorting hours my night person body shifts into higher gear, and I do chores. Beth wakes up for nursing a few times before 2 a.m., and sometimes I fall asleep nursing her, only to wake up at 3 a.m. or so and realize I didn't finish the dishes or shuffle the laundry that one last time.
This is a terrible system, if you can call it that! I get little sleep and feel foolish the next day, but I seem incapable of making a change right now. The kids are so little and it's all so emotionally exhausting. Still, I know all about the "me time" trap--the more you get the more you want, followed by getting less done around the house and feeling more frustrated.
Suffice it to say, when dealing with little ones life is far from balanced. I don't want to be a slave to perfectionism, or cross over into selfishness. My family deserves folded socks and underwear, tucked properly into drawers--not into clothes baskets. My baby is older now so I don't have that excuse any longer! Time to get back to efficiency.
God, get me off this roller coaster! Help me with self-discipline in this area!
Do I need some kind of token economy system, like a child would use? If I do the chores first four nights in a row, I can get a treat? Tell me I'm not that immature!
Off my frustrations now.....
...and on to that cornbread review. The 3-Minute Microwave Cornbread was delicious. My husband said it would never work--that the microwave would dry it out. But no! It was wonderfully moist and delicious. I added some extra sugar, as I like my cornbread to have a good hint of sweetness.
The black bean soup was scrumptious! I'll post that recipe sometime soon.
On to those dirty dishes, that cluttered counter, and that last load of laundry.
Good night, Friends!
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