What a Weekend!

The weekend is something I had really been needing, and for the first time in a long time, I woke up this morning feeling refreshed and able to tackle the week.

Barb Wire Man took me on a date this weekend!  We dropped the kids off at my parent's house (thanks Mom and Dad!), and left listening to Little Man crying because we were leaving.  Really, we should do this more often!  (No worries, he was fine within 3 minutes!)  Barb Wire Man took me out to eat at the restaurant where we had our first date.  We always go back there when it is just the two of us!  After eating until neither of us felt like moving, we took off to the mall.  The simple fact that he took me to the mall to go shopping is a miracle.  Barb Wire Man hates the mall and shopping in general.  We walked the entire mall and did a little shopping...for me!  After we were both pretty tired, we stopped and got a pretzel, and people watched while we ate.  Let me tell you, that had to be the best part of the day.  We saw some pretty....strange things.  Either I am way out of the loop on style, or those people had no clue what style was.  In the end, Barb Wire Man thanked me for being an All-American girl who dressed in jeans and t-shirt most days.  And I thanked him for  looking like a man all the time.  Of course, no trip to Amarillo would be complete without stopping at the Harley Davidson store, where I got a new shirt, and got the kids some presents for a later date.  We looked at bikes, and as bad as we both want a new one, decided now was just not the time.  We went back to my parents, and had a wonderful dinner to celebrate my sister's and aunt's birthdays.   We all almost fell asleep on the way home, then called it an early night once we made it home safely.  Sunday was another relaxed day.  Church was wonderful, and my spirit was refreshed there. The kids played outside, and Flower discovered something really neat.....

If you can't tell, that is a dove sitting on her nest!  Flower is so excited!  We are closely monitoring the situation, and are anxiously awaiting the new baby birds that will be here soon!  I will try to remember to post pics once the little things hatch!  I just hope my dogs don't hurt them!

Only 9 more days til summer, and 10 til my baby turns 8!  Wow, how time flies!  I really should not have an 8 year old.  In my mind, I'm still, like, 18!

Much to do today.  Laundry, cleaning, you know...the fun stuff.  I hope everyone has a really blessed week!

Cheap Summer Fun!?

Eight and a half more days.  Flower and I have been counting down the days until school gets out!  I don't know about your house, but for us, the excitement of summer usually wears out at the beginning of week two.  When I was a kid, we never used the word "B" word.  At least not around mom.  If she heard us complain about being bored, she could find something for us to do in a matter of seconds.  The problem was that it usually involved some type of cleaning.  My sister and I were good at coming up with things to do.

Wanted:  Imaginations
Kids today have very little imagination.  When I was a kid, we did not own any type of gaming system at all.  We did not have cable TV.  And looking back, I think that was one of the best decisions my parents ever made.  We were forced to use our imaginations, and to be creative.  My sister and I spent hours upon hours playing "house".  I bet I spent half my childhood outside.  My daughter however, has to be entertained.  She hates going into her room and "just playing".  Her mind has to be stimulated every second by something...TV, Nintendo, games.  Well this summer, that is going to change.  I started thinking of some fun, free (or almost free, because let's face it...I'm a cheap-a$$) entertainment for my kids.  Some are pretty obvious, but hardly anyone does them anymore it seems!

PARKS
What could possibly be cheaper than taking your kids to the park?!  Pack a picnic lunch of sandwiches, and let them play to their little heart's content.  There are benefits to letting your children run it out at the park, too.  One, you will all get a good dose of Vitamin D.  Two, you can get a nice tan.  Three, your precious children will sleep like angels later.

BACKYARD CAMPING
I love to camp.  I prefer camping in the mountains, but the closest thing we have to a mountain in the Texas panhandle is the mountain of trash at the landfill.  Gas is way to high to even think about loading up all the gear, and driving, so why not set up tent in the backyard?  Take the lantern, sleeping bags and everything out there, and get the kids involved in helping set it up!  Take a map of the stars, and see how many constellations your can find together.  Shoot, pull the grill over, fire it up and have a "bonfire"!  Make some Smore's, and sing a few songs.  I bet it will be something your kids don't soon forget.

VBS
I think I went to Vacation Bible School every year, and not just at my church.  I was a church hoppin' VBS kid.  I've yet to see a VBS that charges, it is full of fun, kid friendly activities, and it feeds their spiritual side.  Call around to the local churches, and find out when they are planning to hold their Vacation Bible Schools.

Field Trips
At least here, our volunteer fire department is super kid friendly.  Call to see if they give tours of the fire house!  What kids doesn't like a shiny fire truck?  Some stations do require a group, so call some friends and get a group together.  This is also a good way to teach kids about fire safety (and that is a pretty big deal for me).

Nature Walk
Set up a nature scavenger hunt for you kids!  We are blessed to be surrounded by miles and miles of Texas, where nature, wildlife and bugs are everywhere you turn.  Make a list of 15 or so things to hunt for with your kids, then take a hike!  Its great exercise, a great way to teach your kids how to respectful of the environment, and a great way to teach them about how the earth was made!

Chores
I like this one, because it helps me out tremendously!  Turn chores into something fun!  My poor Little Man is deathly afraid of car washes, and Flower asks to play in the water nearly every day during the summer.  Viola....I give Flower a bucket and sponge, and she washes my car for me.  She is helping me out, but has no idea!  She just thinks it is fun!  Find a field that needs a little trash pick up.  Have a race to see who can pick up the most trash, and give out prizes!  (Although I would recommend wearing gloves.  Seriously, use common sense, folks.)

Volunteer
Instead of demanding to be entertained, why not allow them to entertain?  Elderly people love to see children.  Take your kids, and "adopt" a grandparent.  Visit with them, make crafts for them, etc.  This is such a great way to give back to previous generations, and a great way for your kids to learn some really valuable life lessons.

County Extension Offices
At least in this area, our county extension office offers several summertime activities for kids.  They range from learning about gun safety, to learning to sew.  They rarely cost more than a couple of bucks.  Just call your local office to find out specifics.

Read a Book
"You just said to make my kids sit down, inside, and read a book?"  Oh yes.  I did.  Why do we, as parents, feel like it is our job to fill every second of our kid's lives with an activity?  Make them use their imaginations.  The more they are forced to do so, the better they will get!  What exercises imagination better than reading a book?  Make them read some classics, too.  Age appropriate, of course, but a little Trumpet of the Swan and Little Women never hurt anyone.

I'd love to hear other ideas!  Feel free to leave a comment if you have some fun ideas!

Maintaining a Positive Outlook

Before I get into today's topic, I want to encourage everyone to check out Giveaway Corner!!!  This is such a cool blog!  They have a giveaway each and every day!  Today, I happen to be the featured shop owner, and am really excited about it!  Go over, follow the blog, and start winning!  




"Life is only 1% of what happens to you, but 99% what you make of it."


I first heard that from my dad when I was just a little thing, but I have never forgotten it.  I've been accused of being a constant optimist.  Of being too naive to realize that there are so many bad things happening in this worlds, and of being blind to the severity of an issue in my life.  None of the above are true!  Right now, my life is peachy.  I have a wonderful family, we aren't destitute, and things just generally seem pretty good.  But there have been many times in my life where I wanted to just roll over and die.  Times when no one would have blamed me for climbing up a mountain and shouting "I GIVE UP!!!!"  A few days ago after a phone conversation with an incredibly negative person, I started thinking about why I am a generally happy person, regardless of my situation.  I'm no expert, but I believe I have a few reasons as to why, and thought I'd share them with you.

Faith
The first, and most obvious reason I believe I can maintain a positive attitude is because of my faith in an Almighty God.  I believe firmly that He alone is in control of my life, and that He loves me (all of us for that matter) deeply.  He does not want to see us hurting, but sometimes allows situations to happen.  Why?  So we can learn a lesson.  As parents, we don't want to see our children hurting.  We don't like to have to chastise them, but we do.  That is our job, to teach them.  But we always remind them of how much we love them.  God is the same!  He never makes us walk through a season of life alone.  He does teach us lessons, and many times, that lesson is about depending on and trusting in Him.
My first marriage was one of the worst times of my life.  My husband at the time had been having affairs.  I was pregnant.  I felt more alone and betrayed than I ever had in my life.  There were many other things going on, but I'm not screen writing for a soap opera, so I won't go into that.  I can say, without any hesitation, that knowing God was by my side was the only thing that kept me going.  The fact that I was a mom didn't even stop me from thinking some of the thoughts I had then.  I know, that the only reason I am here today is because all I had was faith.  Literally...I had nothing else!

Positive Thinking
I've never really been into the whole "positive thinking equals positive result" mumbo jumbo.  However, this is one time when I believe it has a place.  I don't care who you are, or what you are going through, there is something positive.  It might be something silly, or even the tiniest glimmer of hope, but it is there.  Anne Frank experienced some of the most horrifying experiences, that most of us will never be able to understand.  She had every right to mope, whine and complain about it, too, and no one would have judged her.  But she didn't!  She kept her eyes fixed on the few joys in her life.  Dwelling on defeat will only bring you further into the pit.  Find something about the situation that is positive, whatever it is!  The only thing that brought me joy during me divorce was knowing I wouldn't have to put up with crap like that anymore.  That made me smile.

End Results
Every bad situation I have ever been through has led me to something better than I could have imagined.  None of us know what the future holds, or the paths we will take.  Something better is in store for us!  After my divorce, I ended up moving in with my parents and sister.  My mom, dad, sister, my daughter and myself in a two-bedroom apartment.  That was rough, folks!  But looking back, it was all apart of the grand plan God had for my life.  I ended up becoming friends with my parents' neighbor, and a few years later, ended up marrying him.  Had I not walked that path, I never would have met my husband and best friend.  I wouldn't have a little boy (which, some days, doesn't seem like such a bad idea!).  Often times, the destination outweighs the struggles on the path we are taking.

Experience
I'm a much, much stronger person than I was 10 years ago, and it is most definitely because of the things I have faced in my life.  I've learned I'm stronger than I thought I was.  I learned what I will and won't put up with from people.  Take a step back from your situation and ask yourself what you can learn!

Avoid negativism
I don't care who you are...if you surround yourself with negativism, you will be negative.  I know two different women, who are the most negative, hateful and bitter people I have ever met.  I always joke that they can find something wrong with a rainbow and sunshine.  Sadly, its not that much of a joke. If I call to share good news with them, they point out everything that might go wrong with it, and even go as far to insist that it will go wrong.  I've found that when I spend any length of time with them, I begin to think and sounds just like them.  My husband can tell when I've been hanging out or talking with them just by the change in my attitude.  Its a plague...avoid it!

Remember that no one in this life is exempt from experiencing some type of painful experience in this life.  As bad as you think it is, it could always be worse.  Someone, somewhere would gladly swap lives with you if they could, and you might quickly learn your life isn't as bad as it could be.

Why I Chose No College

I feel certain I'll step on a few toes today, but really, has that ever stopped me?  Hardly.  And I will begin by prefacing myself.  No, I am not encouraging people to forgo higher education.  I will encourage my children to go. These are merely my observations after watching friends and family rack up huge loans, only to find out that their expensive education got them bumpkis.  I've seen people who had the opposite experience, too, but far fewer.

I've received a lot of slack over the years about my having not graduated from either a conventional high school, or a college.  I heard over and again that people who go to college make more money than those who do not. That is my number one reason for not going to college.  Certainly, there are some fields that do pay graduates higher than non-graduates.  (I, for one, would never go to a doctor who did not have a few degrees hanging on their wall!)  But, going to college is no guarantee that you will even get a job, let alone a high paying one!  Someone very close to me has 2 college degrees.  He had a job utilizing said degrees.  A superior informed him that they were hiring someone to take his place.  Why?  Because the new employee had no college education, but just as much real life experience.  They could pay him less.  So, really, who came out on top?  Joe Blow who worked his butt off learning from the real world...at least he had a job!

Which brings me to my next point.  College grads loose a few years of honest-to-goodness real world experience, while others are out there just learning the ropes.  They spend those 4 years racking up debt that will take forever to pay off.  And, really, what is better than starting off life thousands of dollars in debt!? I'm being sarcastic!  Consider investing that money!


Higher education.  I really hate that term.  There was a time when only a select few went to college.  That certainly gave them the edge on the great jobs.  But, these days, everyone and their dog has a college degree. College degrees no longer separate you from everyone else.  I've seen college graduates working at McDonald's, because their chosen fields were full.

But, here is probably the biggest issue I have with people who have a college education.  They become too "smart".  Not too intelligent, too smart.  Too smart for common sense.  Too smart to consider the opinions of anyone.  Too smart to trust God for anything.

Some of the world's brightest minds and highest paid people either chose not to go to college, or dropped out.  Quick!  Someone tell Bill Gates he could make more money if he had a college education!  Hurry, Mark Zuckerberg!  Go back to school so you can get rich!  Let's go back in time and tell eight Presidents of the United States that they could get a better paying job if they would go back to school! Of the successful people I know, most did not go to college.

As I was looking around, researching this a bit, I was surprised to see how many people this world deems successful with no higher education.  Eight U.S. presidents.  A plethora of TV personalities, news anchors, actors and musicians.  World leaders, world changers and authors.  Winston Churchill had no college education, nor did Mark Twain, F. Scott Fitzgerald, Benjamin Franklin, John D. Rockefeller or Andrew Carnegie.  I know its going back a ways, but even Leeuwenhoek had no formal education.

So in my opinion, not going to college has served me much better than if I had gone.  I've always had good paying jobs.  To this day, I have no desires to return to school.  I'm quite happy where I am at in my life.  Sure, I will encourage my kids to go to college, but I'm not going to force them.  You can shove a horse's head into the water, but that doesn't mean it will drink!  Likewise, I can force my children to go to college, but that doesn't mean they will learn a dern thing...the sure as heck might drink, though.

A few things to consider:

But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him. 
(James 1:5)


But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong.
(1 Corinthians 1:27)

Wait...it is only Tuesday!?

I woke up this morning thinking it was Wednesday, and was pretty happy about that.  School is almost out, and we have been counting the days here at my house...12 and a half days!  And then, I realized that it was just Tuesday.  I really hate when that happens!  It isn't so bad when its a Friday, and you think it is Thursday.  That's more of a pleasant surprise.  Oh well, there isn't much I can do about it is there!?

5:30 came way too early this morning, and despite actually getting a full night's sleep, I'm exhausted.  For some reason, I just haven't felt like doing anything lately.  I'm usually an "above and beyond" type of person.  If I need to straighten the kitchen, I end up scrubbing it from top to bottom.  If I need to make the bed, I end up rearranging furniture.  But for the last few days, I've barely been doing what I have to!  Last night, I put leftovers away, loaded the dishwasher, and left the rest because I just flat didn't want to do it!  I was so tired!  Maybe today I'll get some motivation back.  I think I may have a secret weapon...

Last night I went to the store for diapers.  That was all - diapers.  I came back with diapers and two 14 ounce containers of Haagen Daaz Dulce de Leche ice cream.  I don't buy it too often, because, well it is expensive and I am cheap.  But I couldn't resist its pull last night.  They are great for pulling out of the freezer when the kids are asleep, eating a little bit, then saving the rest for the next time.  Seriously, that is the best ice cream ever.  I love ice cream, and have eaten many different types and flavors.  Bar none, this is the best.

So today,  I think that will be my reward.  No ice cream until I finish everything I have to do!

I created something new to put up on my website.  Again, I need someone to take pictures and/or model for me before I can list it, but hope to do that soon.  But, I think I need some help.  I have no idea what to call this.  I found something similar to it, but not quite.  Anyhow, its about 50 inches long or so, and about 4 inches wide.  You can tie it around your head like a headband, wear it as a long skinny scarf, or wear it as a belt.  My husband even said it was cute, which he never does!  Its really versatile.  But, when he asked me what it was, the only thing I could come up with was, "Well, its a long, versatile....thing."  So be thinking of a good name, would you?  I'll post pictures later, if I don't run out of time, and if not today then tomorrow.  I'd love some suggestions!

Hope everyone has a great Tuesday!

Memory Monday

Happy Belated Mother's Day to all the mamas!!  I hope you all had a wonderful day!  I came to the realization that no matter what, moms just do not get a day off.  Ever.  I still had laundry to do and a house to clean.  If I hadn't, then I would have been working double time today!

We went to church and had a wonderful time.  Worshiping the Lord is one of my favorite things!  The church bought all the mom a long stem rose, and called the little ones up to the front to pick them up.  It was adorable!  My husband cooked supper out on the grill for me, and I made mashed potatoes and fried okra.  I had a day full of my sweet kids bringing me rocks, toys, and hand made cards, wrapped in whatever they could find as my "gifts".  Really, those are the best gifts!  Flower did try to help me clean up the kitchen a little, but she really isn't big on cleaning!

Just being with my family is enough for me.  I don't need gifts, cards, or anything special to know they love me.  My kids, and especially my husband, tell me everyday how much they love me.

I wasn't able to spend the day with my own mom.  Gas prices and really high miles on our vehicle put a damper on a lot of trips.  But, my mama knows I love her.  Of anyone I know, she has the most faith in me.  She always has, and likely always will.  In my top 5 friends in life, she is at the top.  I love her more than anything!

Today, I get to have a parent/teacher meeting at the the school for Flower.  I don't think it is anything, really, just an end-of-the-year progress report.  Flower and I are both so ready for summer....it is so close!  But, for now, I must get ready for the day.  I have too much to do!  One of these days, I won't have anything to do...no laundry, no dishes, no diapers, not a thing.  But it won't matter to much, because I am pretty sure that will only happen when I am dead!

Have a wonderful day everyone!

Fairy Tales and Head Coverings

I haven't written in a long time.  Partly because I have just been too busy to sit down and do so, and partly because I just haven't wanted to.  I've had a wicked case of the do-nothings for awhile.  Little Man, along with every one of the daycare kids, has been sick this week.  Bronchitis...YUCK!  Having anything upper respiratory is always miserable, at least for me, anyhow.  I am pretty sure I am getting it now, as I woke up with a really chesty, painful cough.  SUPER!  There is nothing like being a sick mama!  (Yes.  I am oozing with sarcasm right now.)

A lot has gone on in the world as of late.  The prince married his princess, and the bad guy was killed by the good guys.  Almost sounds like a Disney movie, no?  Sadly, I really did get caught up in the whole Royal Wedding thing.  I secretly enjoy things like that.  Mainly, I just enjoyed looking at all the dresses, hats and fascinators.  I love them, and really, really, reaaaallllly wish women here wore hats more often.  It was awesome to see the fact that we finally found, and killed, Usama, but I'm not going to get into that too deep.  I don't feel like raising my blood pressure today.  I will say, however, that as Christians, we are told not to gloat when our enemies die.  God loved UBL as much as He loves any one of us, and hated his sins as much as He hates our sins.  And, he wanted to be UBL's savior just as He wants to be ours.  That's a hard pill to swallow when he was such a terrible person, but it is true.

Moving on....

I recently had a woman e-mail me about knitting head coverings for her.  Honestly, its never anything I paid much attention to, until lately, and I have found myself reading as much about it as possible.  Frankly, I am not sure how I feel about it.  I will wear a triangle "do-rag" on my head occasionally, but its mainly to keep my long, thin, stringy, drive-me-crazy hair out of my face when I am cleaning.  I wear a bandanna when I ride the Harley with my husband (which, if he is reading this, has not happened in over 2 years, so its time you get that thing out and take me for a ride!!!).  I always see Mennonite, Brethren, or Amish (I honestly am not sure which) women at our local store. They always wear some type of head covering.  Jewish women wear head coverings.  Muslim women wear head coverings.  I have even found that many born-again Christian women wear head coverings.  The verse in the Bible these women are following is found in I Corinthians...chapter 11, verse 5 to be exact.

But every woman who prays or prophesies with her head uncovered dishonors her head—it is the same as having her head shaved. ⁶ For if a woman does not cover her head, she might as well have her hair cut off; but if it is a disgrace for a woman to have her hair cut off or her head shaved, then she should cover her head. I Corinthians 11:5, NIV


Like I said before...I am not really sure where I stand on this issue.  There is a lot that goes into it, and a lot of different views.  Some say a woman's hair is her covering.  Some say her husband is her covering.  Some say it was done away with when Jesus was born, crucified and raised from the dead, but then again, it is in the New Testament and the Law was not done away with but fulfilled.   Some say it is for modesty reasons, some say spiritual. I see each of those points, but can also argue against each of those points.  I'll say it again...I have no idea what I think, nor am I an expert on the issue.  I have no issue whatsoever with a women who chooses to cover her head.  In fact, it would save me a whole lotta time, because I wouldn't have to do anything to my hair!  I also have no issue against a women who doesn't cover her hair.  Truth be told, I probably would cover my hair on a regular basis if it weren't for the fact that my husband doesn't like it.  No, its not that he doesn't like it.  Its that if I have one on, he can't look at me with a straight face, and has to make a comment about my looking silly.  So, yeah.  I don't cover.  I would love to hear what other people think on this subject, so please feel free to leave me some comments!  What do you think?  To cover or not to cover?

Anyhow, that being said, I decided to knit up a few coverings of different types to show this lady.

Hopefully she will like them, if not, you can see them at 13 Plum, and you can buy them!  They are my featured items right now, and by using the coupon code FREESHIP you can obviously get free shipping!  They are kind of cute, and they look SUPER cute on little Flower when her hair is in braids!  I also knit some snoods for hair.  (I really hate that word.  It should be used to describe people.  "Did you see her?!  What a snood....")  I don't have pictures up of them, yet.  I've discovered it isn't very easy to take pictures of your own head from all angles, and have a decent looking photo.  I could ask Barb Wire Man to help me, but the pictures might come out blurry from him laughing at me.

I made a Treasury on Etsy yesterday.  Treasuries are created by the Etsyother Etsy shops.  I decided to do a little "thank you" to all the teachers I know.  (Which there are quite a few of.)  Would you stop by a take a look at it?  I'd love if you did!  I hope every one has a super weekend.  Doubt I will be back on before Monday, but hey...you never know.  Happy weekend!