Schedules??

Good morning world.  The end of March and it is beautiful outside.  I had a couple of down days and now am playing catch up around here.  Last weeks storm pulled part of the roof off of the part of the barn we have been using as a classroom.  Patrick and I ran down, moved books and bookcases, cleared off desks and such.  The next couple of days we moved rooms around to get the classroom back into the house.  However, no one is losing their bedroom.  This is the first time the boys have had their own rooms.  After being crammed into one room for many months to accommodate others, I felt they deserved their own rooms.  So after some consideration, they are keeping their rooms and we are having school at the dining room table until we can get the classroom fixed.  I am grateful not many of the books were ruined. 

Do you ever have a day or days when you need to just do nothing?  That is pretty much how it has been for me for a few days.  Of course my house shows it.  But yesterday was a good start in getting it back in order.  The routines and schedules of the "olden days" kept their houses from being like mine got to the past couple of days.  But did not they have their down days?  Since the beginning of February I have not been able to find a notebook I kept everything in.  It had recipes, schedules and so much more.  So I made a new one.  Starting next week, I will be using a schedule.

Monday:  blessing the house, laundry, and baking
Tuesday:  ironing and mending
Wednesday:  laundry, menu planning, deep clean the bathroom and the kitchen
Thursday:  bake bread,
Friday: laundry again, dust, vacuum

This is extra to the daily chores:

Make beds, swish and swipe the bathroom, sweep and mop floors, vacuum as needed, wash dishes after meals, pick up rooms, clear off dining room table (this is our catch all), and daily paperwork.

My weekly schedule above is just an example of what I am thinking about doing.  I'll let you know how it goes. 

Be blessed and be a blessing,

Just some of my thoughts and actions,

Elizabeth

Praying

Good morning world.  I will say it again, I PROMISE I DID NOT PRAY FOR SNOW! And it is snowing right now!  I love the snow.  However, I have been looking forward to digging in the dirt and getting seeds planted.  Not going to do it when it is snowing.  I have been known to pray for snow in the winter time.  And when I would hear snow was coming, I would pray for more. 

What else do I pray for?  Do you ever have someone ask you for prayer and you always, of course, say yes I will be praying for you.  Then later when you are praying you can not remember who you said you would pray for or worse you do not remember the conversation.  Now in today's age of multiple social media, prayer requests are seen daily, at least by me.  I had decided sometime back, when I see a prayer request, I will stop and pray for them right then.  That way, when I say "Praying", I will be telling the truth.  I always have had the intention to pray when I say so, but sometimes forget.  Now I do not. 

I have known a few people who write names in their Bible and pray over their Bible or open it and pray for each of them individually.  I use to keep a prayer journal.  I love finding them now to see how many of those prayers have been answered.  Do you keep a prayer journal?  I have been thinking about doing that again.  Hmmm.

Please know that I pray for you!  I pray God will bless you abundantly and what ever you are going through in life, you have God's favor!

Be blessed and be a blessing,

Just some of my thoughts and actions,

Elizabeth

Storms

Good morning world.  The storms last night were something else.  We got hail a couple of times.  Our dirt road flooded. One of our vehicles is a suburban with a 6 inch lift kit.  It is high up, fun to get into sometimes especially when you are using crutches.  And it has 35 inch tires.  Patrick and I headed out to pick up our boys from church and the water at that time was half way up the tires.  When we came back from town, the water was almost covering the tires.  Lightening, thunder and tons of rain and with all that we did not lose electricity. 

What about the storms in life?  When things do not go as we planned or hoped.  Or situations come up that turn your world upside down.  Like the storm last night, even with the lightening and thunder and rain and hail, I do not want to lose faith in the middle of the storms of my life.  The light of Jesus does not go out like electricity sometimes does during a thunderstorm.  He is with me always.  He will not leave me.

^" Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” Deuteronomy 31:6 NIV

Since the Lord is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow, this promise is for me now.

Be blessed and be a blessing,

Some of my thoughts and actions,

Elizabeth

Anger

Good morning world.  Anger.  When I was a kid, I was not allowed to get upset or angry, especially at my brother.  And of course he learned early on how to pester me.  Then holler for Mom, to let her know I was being mad.  So things would build up inside of me as I would try to not get mad.  And yes you guessed it, I would explode.  That pattern has followed me through my adulthood.  Although, since I became away of it several years ago, it is not quite as bad.  Except for parts of last year.  I did not explode as much as I just stayed angry.  Not a good state to be in.

So what do I do.  I have been praying a lot to have forgiveness and God's love in my heart.  That is what I know to do as a start.  I have been praying more for others, even when I do not "feel" like it.  This is not always easy to do. But I have done this in the past and it ALWAYS works.

The Bible says, "In your anger do not sin": Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry,and do not give the devil a foothold." Ephesians 4:26-27 NIV

Simple? Yes.  Easy?  Not always.  However, it does make for a happier life here on this earth.

Be blessed and be a blessing,

Just some of my thoughts and actions,

Elizabeth

Spring Cleaning me.

Good morning world.  Spring cleaning in full force around here.  Started in our computer room/office.  Moving furniture around, adding some things, taking some out.  Next will be either the bathroom, which I have pretty much done in February.  Just needs some touch up.  Or possibly the kitchen.  How do you spring clean? For the most part, I go room to room.  But right now, it seems my whole house is one big mess.  Some of the things I want to get rid of are residing in the dining room waiting to be taken out.  Monday is a big laundry day and yesterday was no exception.  But it did not quite get finished.  That is something I have yet to work out.  When the seasonal things come up, keeping up with the daily and weekly duties.  But as I have said before, I am on a journey. 

I do the usual though, start at the top and work my way down.  Dust everything before I vacuum or sweep.  Pulling furniture out, sweep under or behind, polish wood furniture, clean off knick knacks before they get put back, dust walls before furniture gets put back.  The one thing I plan on doing better about is washing my windows.  I use to be much better about keeping them clean.  Here not so much.  Not sure why either.  Just have to decide to get it done.  Add it to my spring cleaning list is a first step I guess. 

In the deep cleaning mode, I have been thinking about deep cleaning myself.  Are "things" perfect in my life?  No, life happens.  It gets messy at times.  Feelings get hurt, sometimes to the point of anger.  How I react to life is my responsibility.  I am not always good at responding instead of reacting.  However, I have Jesus to help me at all times.  He will always forgive, so who am I to not forgive?  Or even ask for forgiveness.  There are times that I am not able to physically ask someone for forgiveness.  But that does not mean I don't ask Jesus for forgiveness in that situation. 

Be blessed and be a blessing,

Just some of my thoughts and actions,

Elizabeth

Heart of Hearts

Good morning world!  Have you ever had one of those feelings that all was going to be fine?  That is how I feel this morning.  It is good. Heard a sermon yesterday that would not be very popular in today's world.  In fact, it would probably top the submissive sermon.  I heard a preacher talk about in a biblical marriage the wife is a stay at home mom and the husband is the bread winner and takes care of the family.  Like I said, in today's upside down, what is wrong is right world, that is not a popular concept. 

I have always been told I could do what ever I wanted to do.  What did I want to do in my heart of hearts?  Be a housewife and mother.  But growing up in the 70's, that was not a popular idea either.  I have had both worlds.  I have worked 50 to 60 hours a week, lived in the suburbs, had the two incomes, took care of the house, and made the meals. Spent Saturdays deep cleaning the house, doing a mountain of laundry, and going grocery shopping.  All for what? 

Now I am a stay at home homeschooling mom. We live off of one income. I am frugal.  I garden, can what we grow, make what I can (laundry soap, etc.), use solar dryer (the clothes line) when the weather allows, and more.  I would not trade my life for the life I had in the suburbs for anything.  Some love it and I am happy for them.  This is my life and God is good.

Have a most wonderful Monday!

Be blessed and be a blessing,

Just some of my thoughts and actions,

Elizabeth

Grace

Grace.  I have heard about it for years.  Sing about it in church.  But have learned a lot of lessons about God's grace in the past couple of years.  What do I have to go to heaven, to be saved?  This is one of those things that is so simple and yet seems to get complicated by various doctrine and other things.  I have been taught that if you have Jesus in your heart and believe He died on the cross, rose again in 3 days, my sins are atoned and my name is written in the book of life.  Then I have heard of all the other "things" I need to do.  Dress modestly, live righteously, be submissive to my husband, and a multitude of other things. 

Here is what I have learned.  I am saved by the grace of God and the blood He shed on the cross.  I believe he arose from the grave and now sits on the right hand of the Father.  He is also in my heart.  The rest of it.... will help me to have a good life while I am here on earth.  The rest of it, I believe, is not a salvation breaker.

I had a conversation with someone who is a member of a certain denomination.  When I questioned him about a belief he has, he said it is in the Bible this way and he wants to make sure he does it as close to the Bible as he can.  When I asked about God's grace.  He agreed he does not rely on God's grace as much as he should.  Then the conversation went back to their church doctrine.  He again said he wants to make sure it is as close to what is in the Bible as he can.  I think that wanting to be as close to the Bible as possible is a good thing.  However,  I believe if I think I have to do anything for salvation, I might as well put Christ back on the cross. 

Be blessed and be a blessing,

Just some of my thoughts and actions,

Elizabeth

Peppermint

Good morning world.  Yes, it is afternoon, but somewhere in the world, it is morning.  This is one of those days I had all planned out.  And yet here I sit, on the couch, in jammies nonetheless.  Went to bed last night with a horrific headache.  Woke up this morning, feeling somewhat better but still have a headache, just not as bad as last night. Young Living Peppermint essential oil is my best friend today.  It is probably the most used oil in this house.  For headaches, I put it across my forehead, under my nose, and the back of my neck.  Depending on the severity of the headache, sometimes I put it on my temples too. 

I started our oily journey with essential oils in November of 2013.  First to be able to get to sleep and stay asleep.  And it has gone on from there.  My boys will come to me looking for the peppermint or lavender depending on their needs.  I love that my family would rather use essential oils or other homeopathic methods instead of running to the doctor or relying on medicines. 

Have a wonderful weekend all!  Enjoy the great weather!  Spring is definitely here.

Be blessed and be a blessing,

Just some of my thoughts and actions,

Elizabeth

Strike

Good morning world.  Do you ever feel like going on strike?  I have to admit, at times I feel that way and a few times, I have.  Gone on strike.  That means I will pretty much do nothing.  Laundry will not get done.  The floors stay dirty (we live on a small farm, floors get dirty daily).  Rooms will not get picked up.  My bed does not get made.  The martyr syndrome has set in. 

What is the martyr syndrome?  It is the opposite of feeling I am blessing my family in doing the everyday housework.  When I start feeling I am nothing more than the maid, the martyr syndrome has set in.  When I start cleaning and get angry because I am the only one doing anything.  The martyr syndrome has set in.  In talking to some friends, I am not the only one who suffers from this.  This is one of the main reasons for the new journey I started in February. 

Housewives set the tone for the house.  I have read that many times.  And we have all heard, "if Momma ain't happy, no one is happy".  If I am griping, complaining, and frustrated in doing what I feel God has called me to do, which is a wonderful calling, how is my home going to be a peaceful, happy home? 

"Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her..." Proverbs 31:28 NIV

I just love the learning process, don't you?  Nope, not always. 

Be blessed and be a blessing,

Just some of my thoughts and actions,

Elizabeth

Lists

Good morning world.  Nice weather is coming this weekend.  My first thought about it was to go camping.  But Patrick's first thought was how much work we could get done around here.  Today I will be making a list of what all we can get done this weekend.  However, the next nice weekend, we are camping, maybe.  My second thought about this weekend was the garden and getting it ready for planting.  That will definitely go on the list.

I am a list maker.  When I have let the house go to far or have too much to get done in a day, I make a list.  There is a feeling of accomplishment when a line goes through what ever has been completed.  I make lists for groceries, trips (even camping trips and will still forget something), phone calls to make, things to get done in a day. 

In cleaning things out, I will find an old notebook or journal book and ALWAYS in it I will find a list of "Need to get done today".  What amazes me at times is the list never really changes.  Laundry, dust, sweep and mop floors, vacuum, pick up living room, pick up my bedroom, clear off dining room table, make phone calls (the exact phone calls needed are in a separate list on the paper), and clean off desk.  That is my usual list.  Depending on the time of year, there will be seasonal things to do. 

What is on your list today?  Are you a list maker too?  The things not on my list are clean the bathroom, swish and swipe every morning so it does not make the list; make my bed, done as soon as Patrick gets up.  I am the early riser in my house.  Spend time with Jesus?  He is in my heart. 

Remember being a homemaker is blessing your family.

Be blessed and be a blessing,

Just some of my thoughts and actions,

Elizabeth

Hay Bales

Good morning world!  Hay bales is the words I heard at the breakfast table this morning.  The boys were not talking about feeding the horses.  Although we need at least 3 more bales of hay before grass really gets growing.  They were talking about the cereal they are eating, Shredded Wheat.  I try to watch what cereal I buy for the boys.  In my opinion, most of it is sugar.  I have done different things for breakfast.  I have made homemade granola.  In September, I buy a 50 pound bag of rolled oats for oatmeal in the winter.  I have made muffins, biscuits, pancakes, French toast, and waffles. Now that the chickens are laying, we have eggs and bacon a few days a week.  This reminds me of wanting to have a baking day.  Maybe today?  Anyway, I had decided the cereal to buy with the fewest extra ingredients is Shredded Wheat, new name around here, Hay Bales. 

What a great way to start the day.  Praying first thing in the morning, listening to God in the quiet.  Then listening to my boys laughing around the breakfast table. Their laughter is music to my ears. 

How do you start your day?  I like having an hour or so by myself.  Does not always happen.  But my day goes so much better when I do.  In that hour, I spend some time praying, swish and swipe the bathroom, straighten the kitchen if needed, pick up the living room if needed, at times I have swept and mopped.  Like I said not always, but when I do, I feel so much better about my day. 

Be blessed and be a blessing,

Just some of my thoughts and actions,

Elizabeth

Fresh soil and water

Good morning world.  Yesterday, I transplanted a basket of plants I had been given for a birthday present. Four small plants that were looking pretty pitiful.  I got onto the son whose job it is to water plants.  He said he had been watering them.  When I pulled them out of the individual pots, I found them to be root bound. This morning, they have perked up and are looking great!  It is amazing what some soil and water will do for a plant.  I have a couple of other plants to check. 

I have been looking at those plants this morning and wondering if my life can get like that, root bound to the point of not getting any nutrients and watering is a waste of time.  Need good soil and water to grow, both.  Not just one or the other.  Even everyday house work can get like that stagnant, root bound.  When I start feeling like a martyr,  or get upset because I JUST swept or mopped the floors and it's muddy again, maybe I'm like the root bound plants.  I need fresh soil and water to perk up.  God can be in every aspect of my life, even sweeping and mopping.

I tell my boys often, "²³ Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, ²⁴ since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving." Colossians 3: 23-24.  NIV.  When I remember this for me, it is like being transplanted into fresh soil and watered.  I have a better frame of mind to do my housework.  Then it becomes a blessing for my family.

Be blessed and be a blessing,

Just some of my thoughts and actions,

Elizabeth

Habits

Good morning world.  Spring fever has definitely hit here on the Moorhead Farm.  I hung out my first load of laundry just now.  I think everything smells so good after being hung out to dry. Windows will be opened today.  The main door opened leaving the screen door to keep out the outside cats and dogs.  What does my mood ring say this morning?  Calm, relaxing, and love, somewhere in those color spectrums.  This morning I was thinking about habits and routines.  I have read different amount of days to make a habit, 21, 28, and 30. 

This past week I have started something that I am wanting to make it a habit/routine of mine.  I read an article about drinking more water.  I have all been told I should drink 8 glasses of water a day.  Then I have read take your weight, divide it by half and that is how many ounces we need to drink.  For a while, I am trying to drink a gallon of water a day.  That is more than both of the suggestions above.  So here is how I am doing it.  I have a pretty glass pitcher that holds 1/2 a gallon.  I fill it up twice a day and keep it in the frig.  Today is day 5.  Only two of those days did I not drink enough, but close. So far I can tell you that minor headaches I was getting almost daily are gone.  I will post more results as they happen.

Even though I have started some spring cleaning, I feel like it officially starts today, with our classroom.  This year I want to have a plan.  Been looking at what others have done and have to offer.  Just not sure what is right for me yet. 

Bless your family today in someway.

Be blessed and be a blessing,

Just some of my thoughts and actions,

Elizabeth

Clarification

Good morning world.  I want to clarify something.  I started writing on this blog again after a year because I wanted to do something different.  I am on a journey to an old fashioned way of keeping house, running my household, and keeping my appearance.  The key word here is journey.  That means if I talk about doing something, it does not mean it is something I do every day.  My house is not perfect.  I use to keep a much cleaner house.  I also did not have 3 boys either.  Nor did I live on a small farm that is on a dirt road.  I do not leave dishes overnight in the sink, although last night I did.  I was watching movies with the boys and Patrick.  And I was very upset about something. They were washed first thing this morning though.  My bed is not made yet, but before I go to town for feed, it will be.  I generally wash a load or two of laundry so it does not pile up.  Mondays are a big laundry day for me as I wash sheets every Monday. 

I guess I am trying to say, I am not perfect.  So if anyone has gotten that idea from my writing, I am truly sorry.  I wanted to go on a different journey because the one I was on before was not always working for me.  It was time for a change.  That is all for now.  Have a blessed day!  For today is yes a day that the Lord has made, I WILL rejoice and be glad in it!

Be blessed and be a blessing,

Just some of my thoughts and actions,

Elizabeth

Mood Ring

On our anniversary weekend in Branson, we stopped at Dick's Five and Dime in downtown Branson.  Those of you who are fairly local, if you have not been there, you should stop by at least once.  They have the unusual, they have the old fashioned of just about everything.  They have the usual collectables too.  But it is the unusual and old fashioned stuff that I am attracted to. They sell the 70's mood ring.  And I just had to have one.  It was a whopping $1.59.  And it came with a color chart to tell what mood you are in depending on the color of the ring.  The writing of the chart is so small, I need a magnifying glass just to see it. 

The ring has changed to most of the colors on the chart except for the extreme ones, black-fear and red-passion.  Yesterday one of my boys came in and asked to see my hand.  I was not paying much attention and held it up for him to look at. He then looked at the color chart he had in his hand.  Then asked if they could ride the horses off the property.  I said yes.  Then asked him why did he look at the ring.  He said if the ring was the wrong color, he would have waited to ask me. 

I'm so grateful God does not wear a mood ring on his hand for us to look at before we ask Him anything.  His love is never ending! His grace and mercy is abounding! He wants us to come to Him with everything.  Sometimes I forget that.  I feel I can do so much on my own in my everyday life that I forget to ask God to help me, even with my bad mood when I have to sweep and mop the floor for the 3rd time in a day.  He says, ""Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you."  Matthew 7: 7-8  There are no qualifiers to that scripture.  I do not have to spin around 3 times before asking.  I do not have to make a blood sacrifice of a goat or sheep before asking.  Just ask.  It is that simple. 

Be blessed and be a blessing,

Just some of my thoughts and actions,

Elizabeth

A Clean House

Good morning world!  Opps, I did not realize the time.  My boys are due back from riding horses at any time.  This morning was sort of hectic.  An appointment for Pat's Services (Patrick's business) was suppose to come this afternoon.  They called to see if they could come this morning and were in a neighboring town about 15 minutes away.  I thought I had at least a couple of hours to dust, sweep, mop (yes again), clear off the dining room table, vacuum, clear out the dining room of stuff that goes to the shop, and half a dozen small things that needed done.  Usually I swish and swipe the bathroom in the mornings when I first get up.  Of course today would be the day I did not!  As soon as I found out the man was on his way, I hollered for the boys.  Patrick took stuff to the shop.  One picked up the mud room, one dusted the living room, one cleared off the dining room table and put a clean table cloth on it.  I dusted the dining room cleared, swept and spot mopped.  The vacuum did an ok job for the living room as it needed cleaning out.  Whew.... we did it.  The only thing not done was the bathroom swished and swiped.  Good thing he did not ask to use the bathroom. 

So what did this teach me?  First, get back into the habit EVERYDAY to swish and swipe the bathroom!  Second, I have a great family that pitches in when needed!  Third, I need to do better about having my house company ready.  That way I will not go nuts. Just ask the boys. 

Why should I bother about how my house looks?  The man that came by was here for less than 10 minutes.  He did not even look into the living room.  The front door goes straight into the mud then dining room.  I know several people who look good when they are out, but their house does not.  Maybe they either do not care, or they hide the fact.  God sees everything, the house, closets, and our hearts.  So why do I bother about how my house looks?  Here are my reasons.  First I feel great when my house is clean.  I might not like to clean toilets or clean the floors more than once in a day, but I love the feeling of pride.  Whether friends or family come over, or it is an appointment for Pat's Services, or Patrick coming home from a busy day working, I feel proud when the house is clean.  Then I want my family and company to know they are worth the extra effort and time I am spending cleaning my house for their visit.  They are special to me and I think a clean house says that.  And this is my ministry.  Yes, having a clean house for my family first and foremost my ministry.  It is not necessarily a popular idea.  But that is ok. 

Be blessed and be a blessing,

Just some of my thoughts and actions,

Elizabeth

Aprons

Good morning world!  I want to chat about aprons today.  I wear dresses 99% of the time.  I love wearing aprons.  They protect my clothes and tops especially.  I have ruined more t-shirts and blouses when I cook.  A few years ago, I read an article about aprons and decided I wanted one.  But not the regular ones I have seen in the stores.  An old fashioned one that would cover my dress.  I had a friend's daughter make a couple for me.  I have several now.  And use one everyday.  Although it dawned on me last week, I can use a clean apron each day.  I have my favorites.  And I was just hanging them up and not washing them as often as I should.  Now I use one for the day and it goes into the laundry. 

When I was putting on my apron this morning, I started thinking about the blood of Jesus.  I was taught that because of His blood that covers us, when Jesus looks at us he sees us as white as snow.  We are clean.  We are forgiven.  My apron reminds me of this almost daily.  It keeps my clothes clean of stains.  Do I mess up?  Daily!  Am I still forgiven?  Definitely!  I have a sense of peace when I put on my apron because of this reminder.  Isn't God so good?

Today I have several irons in the fire.  I am planning the garden, deep cleaning the floors, working on paperwork in the office, and planning out my spring cleaning.  Oh and I need to get the recipies for the homemade stuff I made last week ready to post.  Have a great day all!

Be blessed and be a blessing,

Just some of my thoughts and actions,

Elizabeth

Not gone.

Good morning world.  I've been MIA since last week.  We went to Branson, MO for our anniversary weekend, 18 years!  Last Thursday, I was getting the house cleaned up so when we got back, we would come into a clean house.  Friday, I got us packed up and off we went.  Dropped the boys off at Nana and Papa's.  It was relaxing and fun!  Saw the Legends in Concert Saturday night, Kenny Chesney, Lionel Richey, Bette Midler, Ann Margaret, and last but not least Elvis.  They were all good, but the highlight of the night was when Elvis, from the stage, motioned for me to come to the stage (we were on the front row), and danced with me and kissed my cheek.  I just love audience participation, don't you?

During the weekend, I thought a lot about the world we live in and how it differs from the world I live in.  I do not believe in the throw away mentality.  Patrick is a fix it man.  That is his business.  If it can be fixed, he can fix it.  Our world makes a lot of products that when they break or stop working, buy another.  Just throw it away.  Our world has throw away kids, and throw away marriages.  You do not like the one you have, just throw it away.  Patrick and I have been through our rough spots.  A couple of times I was not sure we would make it.  But with God in ours lives, Jesus in our hearts, we persevered.  Was it easy?  Not at times.  Was it worth it?  You better believe it!

Patrick and I did a lot of talking also.  He told me he loves when I greet him at his truck with a kiss, with make up on and hair done.  He loves coming into a clean house and dinner on the table to soon to be on the table.  Sounds old fashioned? Out of the 50's? When I started this blog again, I said I wanted to pursue an old fashioned life style and also my ministry is first here at home.  My job is my house and family.  I feel very blessed to have this ministry!

Be blessed and be a blessing,

Just some of my thoughts and actions,

Elizabeth

Good morning world!  A lot done already this morning.  Bathroom swished and swiped, laundry started, kitchen straightened up after breakfast, beds made, school started.  Still need to get done, floors swept and mopped, vacuuming, and dusting.  There is some things I want to get done in the kitchen a little later.  I've been told that I generally get more done before 8am than a lot get done all day.  I love my mornings.  I also love my nights after everyone has gone to bed.  

My dog, (I am normally a cat person) just jumped in my lap and tried to help me with typing this post.  Little Man, wants to be in my lap this morning.  His head is resting on the mouse part of the laptop.  Have had to correct mistakes like crazy.  Gotta love our 4 legged kids.

This morning my boys went out early to get milk.  We buy fresh cows milk from a neighboring dairy.  They needed milk for breakfast.  I wanted milk to make some flavored creamer for Patrick.  The one he wanted, Irish Cream, called for chocolate syrup.  Did not have any, so I made some.  It usually does not last long here.  So now we have chocolate syrup and Irish Cream creamer.  Now for some bread.  Baking seems to be the thing to do when the weather is as it is.  Right now as I type, freezing rain, sleet is coming down.  Snow to follow soon.

Stay warm and safe!  Be blessed and be a blessing,

Just some of my thoughts and actions,

Elizabeth

Monday blessings

Good morning world!  Yes today is Monday and I'll be blessing my house again.  However, not first thing this morning.  I have to take my oldest to work this morning.  He's feeling so much better!  Yeah!  Then off to run a couple of errands.  Back home to check my youngest school work.  Then put my middle one on the computer.  For now we are using a program for school.  I'm not all that excited about it.  But I think they need something different for now, for a season.  We might try this for a bit.  Then review and see how it's going.

Today is the day I'm going to finish making the couple of other cleaning products, deodorant, shampoo, toothpaste, cold cream, body butter and I forgot wheat else.  I have a list in the other room.  Then I will be gathering up the store bought products, boxing them up awaiting for the time to give them to the safe house.  HAPPY DANCE! 

This morning, in our family devotion, it talked about serving instead of being serve.  That is my whole ministry of being a wife, mom and homemaker.  I'll admit, there are times I want someone to do for me like I do for my family.  But during those times, I'm usually stressed or overly tired.  That is why it is so important to take care of myself.  That means to go to bed at a decent time so I can get up early and get things done that I like to have done before the rest of the clan awake.  In my quest to be the old fashioned wife, mother, and homemaker am I doing all I can do to serve and minister to my family?  This is the question I ask myself every night.  Some days I can answer yes I have.  Others not so good.  But I, like so many others, are a work in progress.  What can you do different to serve your family?  It is the little things that make a difference.  I have always brought coffee in the mornings to my husband.  Now I have been making a big breakfast for my family.  In the past, since the boys have been older, they have fended for themselves with toast or cereal.  No more. 

Be blessed and be a blessing,

Just some of my thoughts and feelings,

Elizabeth