Dear Tom,

I remember when we first met.  Me, so full of expectation; you, so full of promise.  I was in a place in my life when you seemed like just my type--natural, trustworthy, safe.  And you talked such a good game.  I knew that our relationship would go one of two ways:  either it would be all I ever hoped for, or it would stink.

Well, you let me down, Tom.  I was embarrassed and hurt, and I felt as if I had been duped. 

But, when we ran into each other again a few days ago, my weakness for your promises came flooding back.  I thought, "Maybe this time will be different.  Maybe things have changed."  I was so optimistic, so full of hope, so eager for our return to each other. 

And you, Tom, you failed me again.  Big time.  But, I won't waste my time being ashamed...I will tell the world how you lie, how you never live up to your squeaky-clean image, how you disappoint so completely.

Truth:  It is not long lasting, smells only slightly bearable, and you spend 24 hours protected from contact with other human beings, due to your smelly self.  Courtesy of Tom.

Tom, you burn me once, shame on you.

Your burn me twice, shame on me!



Busy Hands

I have been working on my bread making skills for a couple of years.  I just love making bread.  I like the kneading, the thinking that naturally happens when your hands are busy with a redundant task and the mind is free to wander.  I like the skill that comes with knowing, by sight and touch, that the bread is done being kneaded.  I used to just set the timer and knead it for however long the recipe recommended.  Now, I just know.  I like that.  My latest attempts have been with High Protein Whole Wheat Bread from the More with Less cookbook.  Oh, my.  If you are on a low-carb diet, please look away.  This will be obscene for you.

Yeah, I made those. 

I can't put the recipe on here, because I didn't make it up.  But, the cookbook is so worth the money! 

This bread is not too dense, slices beautifully and is super nutritious.  It is not, however, vegan, if that is a concern.  It is a concern for me, when visions of this book come a-haunting.

But, who could resist?

"Bring me the jam, stat."

(What does "stat" mean?)

The way my mind is wandering, you would think I was kneading something.

I Don't Iron

Well, I didn't iron.  For all of our married life, the husband has been a plumber.  His job requires that he wear jeans with glue stuck all over them, t-shirts with no sleeves, flannel (when necessary), and steel-toed boots.  And a belt...because, you know.   With his recent big news came a new work wardrobe.  He is still in the same field, just in a different capacity.  This is true for me also, as I am now in charge of ironing his collared shirts and nice pants.  I don't know how to iron.  At all.  But, Cheryl Mendelson does, and I am reading up on the "Ironing" section of her book today.  Ms. Mendelson is just as domestic as Martha Stewart, but less smug.  (Sorry, Martha.)  I have enjoyed her book immensely, as I love books that treat homemaking with the importance and fascination it deserves. 
Check it out! 

Join me tomorrow for a vacation recap...

Modest Swim wear?

I wasn't sure what "modest swim wear" would look like, but I know what immodest swim wear looks like, and I am not cool with it.

When we decided to take a vacation that would entail lots of swimming, I started looking for a swimsuit that wouldn't feel like I was parading around in front of strangers dressed in only my undergarments.

I found a suit that is well-made, flattering, and feminine. 

And covered. 

Check it out!

Yeah, that is obviously not me.  The picture is courtesy of the link below.

My suit actually has an adorable rouched skirt.  The top is the same, and it has the genius little hooks that keep the top and bottom linked together, so the top won't ride up. 

I love it!

Go to Christa Taylor online to order.

My Favorite Personal Bible Studies

(Almost) Every morning, I have a "quiet time" with my Bible while I drink my coffee.  Growing up in church, I knew that this was something I "should" do.  Now it is something I want to do.  I began practicing this discipline about three years ago, and it has changed my life. 

But, the Bible can be daunting. 

Where do I start reading? 

What am I supposed to do?

What does it mean?

I found resources that have really helped me focus during my Bible time, and I have learned so much!

All of the studies below are suggestions based on my personal experience.

An awesome study for getting familiar with who the Bible says God is...

so basically, who God says He is.

An amazing resource for teaching you to look at each verse different ways, to help increase your understanding.

Hands down, the most life-changing time I have ever spent with God's Word was when I was doing this study.  I plan to do it again.  I think He can make it new :)

A quick daily lesson, but very reflective and challenging.  It made me take a hard look at some things in my life that were just too important.

I am currently finishing this one.  It is just so amazing.  I highly recommend it!

Can you tell that I love Kay Arthur Bible studies?  They are well-written, Biblically sound, and teach you Bible study skills that you will use for the rest of your life.

The time I have spent in private Bible study have been more formative to my faith than any church service I have attended.  Church is an important part of my life, but my church life is fueled by my personal relationship with Jesus Christ.  I have found that what I know about Jesus, what I believe to be true, and what that means in my life are made very clear to me in personal Bible study time. 

I find structured Bible studies to be helpful, but you could just pick up a Bible, ask God for guidance, and go with it.

He has a way with His Word.

All images are courtesy of Amazon.com and all resources are available there.

A Time for Everything

So, what have I been doing lately? 

1.  Taking care of a temporarily crippled dog.

2.  Visiting with Mom and Dad, who are home right now!

3.  Listening to this:

4.  Reading this:

5.  Cooking from this:

6.  Doing the usual laundry, dishes, etc. (ad nauseam).

We are now up to speed.  My life is so exciting.

One thing we have not been doing is homeschooling!  I guess this year our school is getting a summer vacation.  The girls have been having fun swimming, having play dates, and doing the summer reading program at our local library. 

I have been thinking about my little blog, and how much I have missed having a place to vent my thoughts, share my ideas, and generally chronicle our lives for the whole world to read (eeekkkk!), and I have come to some conclusions:

~ I am going to be more organized in the format of my blogging.  I need a list.  I just do.

Mondays:  Menu Plan Monday/recipes

Tuesday:  Simple Woman's Daybook

Wednesdays:  Random!   

Thursdays:  Homeschooling/Kids

Fridays:  Thrifty Fun

Saturday:  Random! 
Sunday:  Bible-related posts

Do you love how I actually schedule when to be random?  So?  Don't judge me. 

~ I like blogging because I miss writing.  My favorite part of college was all the papers I had to write.  I enjoyed it immensely, the way it made me think more critically, focus on one thing (being at home is a lesson in multi-tasking), and seeing the beautiful fruit of my labors (being a homemaker often feels like an exercise in futility).  I love what I do now, but this gives me a place to think, be, share, and learn.
And be random.
At the appointed time, anyway.

Taming the Desk Pile

I had on my desk an unorganized pile of various notebooks, calendars and journals to help make my life more "organized."  This is a self-defeating phenomenon.  You see, the problem is that I had a calendar for scheduling, a homeschool planner, a notebook for daily "to do" lists and another notebook for menu planning.  Then I stumbled across this little beauty on the internet:

I purchased the Women's Day Planner from http://www.chaossimplified.com/.  It is very simple, multi-functional, and charming. 

Each month has a two page planning section in which to list expenses and income, goals for several categories (me, family, household, and finances), notes and thoughts on the month, and special dates.

 

In the calendar part, the monthly view is on the top of the page, while weekly calendar view is at the bottom. 

When you flip to a new week, the bottom half of the page turns and you still have the monthly calendar right above!  So smart.

 

Each day has room for my daily to do list, and it has a box labeled "supper plan."  Love it.  So, I am now down to two notebooks: my Women's Day Planner and my homeschool plan book. 

Now, if only my coupon organizer were more organized...

Try This

I wash dishes three times a day, at least.  This results in seriously dry hands that no lotion can cure.  Until:

It smells good, isn't overly greasy, and works great.  Plus I got it at the farm supply store, which makes me feel very rustic.  Try it!

That is so FRESH

Things that are natural and fresh: 

• Rain
• Baby Powder
• Flowers
• a tropical breeze

Things that are natural and NOT fresh:

• manure
• cows
• skunks
• mold

Imagine running as fast as you can for an hour.  Now let's say you are doing this outside, in Illinois, in JULY.  Imagine how you would smell.  If you know you would naturally smell like a tropical breeze, quit reading because I am of no use to you.  If you smell not so fresh, here is a little tip you need. 

 

This will not make you smell any better:

If you rub this on a skunk, it smells like a skunk.  If you rub this on yourself, you smell like yourself.  But, if you smell like fresh rain already, this is positive.  Otherwise, stick with synthetic freshness. Because Illinois in July smells nothing like a tropical breeze, but you can.