Creative Homemaker

Tomorrow, (or today, depending on when you read this) the 18th of February is a milestone in our family. One year ago, on that day, my brother accidentally shot himself and died. It was tragic, shocking, heartbreaking for his wife and children, and his extended family, his brothers, sisters and mother. Milestones are hard, they are reminders of the pain and loss that we thought had gone away. They are what they are and we have to deal. Every time something significant in the Old Testament happened, the protagonist would create a milestone, or a standing stone of the event. When Jacob dreamt about the ladder with the angels descending and ascending up on it, when he awoke, he set it up as a standing stone or a milestone. “'Surely the Lord is in this place, and I did not know it'....then Jacob took the stone that he had put under his head and set it up for a pillar and poured oil on the top of it." Genesis 28:17-18. Dictionary.com defines a milestone this way: "a stone ...

We all have them. We usually hate them. They come at us mercilessly with no retreat. One thing on top of another, after another. Like my bad day, which was really more like four bad days rolled into one long Mount Everest like journey. Toilets overflow. Sink drains get backed up--in need of Drain-O and spills out of the trap. Then the floor of the cupboard is warped and wet. There's a hole in the bathroom door. Breakfast messes all over, burned finger with the curling iron, (my grey hair is showing,) trying to get out the door to go to church, no socks or shoes, where's the diaper bag, Finally in the truck, buckled up, where's the crock pot for church dinner, back to the driveway, return to the car, spills the coffee, stained white turtleneck, back in the driveway, takes a Tylenol, finally on the way, only 30 m inutes late. Just getting past the morning was a challenge , but now we are listening to praise music in the car. I'm feeling better, ready to face the day and ...

I decided a long time ago that this blog was mostly for me. I'm not out to impress anyone with sewing skills, canning abilities or Biblical knowledge. This is my journal, I've just invited you all along for the ride. So, this is what my journal entry is for today. Today sucks. Big time. It started out rotten and just got worse. I volunteer at the food bank; and this morning was our volunteer breakfast. I was told it started at 7:30, didn't start until 8 or maybe even 8:30. No set time, why even bother, no one else seems to have a schedule or a life. So, I arrive and no one else was there. Ok, there was this one guy, but he's mostly a creep and I don't get a long with him. I talked, dug through my small talk repertoire and got more irritated as the morning went on. So finally everyone else arrived, we ate, and I scooted out before the "I appreciate you, but this is my program and I'll tell you how wonderful I am." speech. By the time I got home, the hou...

are the most wonderful things aren't they? Especially when they are from your sweetheart half a world away. It is so nice to be able to share and communicate just like he was at his office 20 minutes away instead of thousands of miles. God has blessed us with this communication. It hasn't always been this way. In past deployments there was often no communication for days, even weeks. I am so thankful that we can talk almost daily. It allows me the opportunity to better pray for him when I know the daily struggles he faces. Daily communication should be a part of our spiritual life too. I've been neglecting my spiritual life lately for some reason. Maybe it's that I think I don't have enough time, or I feel I've gotten too far away from God and can't bridge the gap. But yet, I know that I'm not the one who has to cross the chasm, He has done that already. Just like our earthly relationships, we need to cultivate and grow deeper in our spiritual relationsh...

Oooh, what fun! Jen at Rosey Little Things is hosting a vintage sheet swap. I joined late, but she still let me play! I've got my vintage sheet fat quarters cut, folded, rolled, tied and ready to go in the mail. I'm so excited to see what goodies I get back. I love swaps! It is such a nice way to share and get a different variety of stuff rather than the same old stuff you always pick up. Besides, vintage sheets are FRUGAL!! And I'm all about that!

Isn't that a nice way to start a post? Everyone should have a friend. I would have to say that she is my oldest friend. That is not to say that she is the oldest friend that I have, but she is the one whom I have known the longest. We probably met in our church's nursery. She is 9 months and one day older than me. We went through grade school, Jr high together and then I moved over into the next school district. Not too far, but far enough that we didn't hang out like we used to. I graduated high school, she graduated high school and then life got underway and I haven't seen her in years. She comforted me during my father's illness and death. She has shared with me joys and sadness through the years. It is so nice to be able to just pick up where we left off last. I never hear, "I called you last, it's your turn!" or "I'm not writing another letter until she returns one to me!" She's been there for me through the years, and she's...

Here's the score: 1. The battle is between Fat girl and Skinny girl. Fat girl is whiny, she doesn't want to get out of bed. Right now she has more influence over the physical body than Skinny girl. It's hard to overcome her influence when the bed is warm and the room is dark. 2. Gin Miller could kill me. She is a hard taskmaster to Fat girl. She's not as tough as Jillian and she's definitely more compassionate. But to keep up with her, Fat girl will have to move out. "Kill her, Ms. Miller!" Then skinny girl and I can keep up. 3. Hip Hop Reebok is not fun when you can hardly keep your balance enough to stay on the step. Good thing I'm not doing this at a gym where I might actually be seen! (gasp) The loud guffaws would certainly stifle my resolve. 4. The shopping list is all wrong. Starbucks apple fritters are not part of this workout, but Fat girl keeps forgetting that. Skinny girl needs to exercises her resolve and assertion and not let Fat girl bully...