Bugged

I spent yesterday sick. Not sick enough to crawl into bed and stay there, but sick nonetheless. I was doubled over in pain at times, and was bloated and gassy. I'm better today, but I still don't feel like I'm out of the woods yet. I'm no longer in pain, but still feel bloated. I slept from 6:30 last night until 11:00 in the chair...I did wake up for a bit and saw some of Remington Steele, then Hubby woke me up to take the dogs out. I was afraid I wouldn't be able to get back to sleep, but the second my head hit the pillow I was gone. Hubby said I must be fighting some kind of intestinal bug to be able to sleep so much. I'm going to keep my diet light and bland for a while. 

  

My weekend has finally started, I know it's strange to say that at 5:00 on Friday night, but I'm used to finishing my work week on Wednesday. Due to a scheduling conflict however, three students wanted to move from Tuesday to Friday.  

I hope to take it easy this weekend. Hubby has quite a bit of hockey to keep him busy and I'm going to cook as little as possible. I'd like to get that day to myself that I was spoiled by illness yesterday, we'll see. 

Day Off

Tomorrow (Thursday) is my day off...no students are scheduled and there is enough left-overs that I won't have to cook. I want to take the day for myself...do I dare?  

 
Tomorrow is my day off...there are no students scheduled and there are enough leftovers that I won't have to cook. I want to take the day for myself...do I dare? 

I was online a good bit of today, why, I don't know. Cyber life is so quiet right now, I guess most people are busy preparing for Christmas or just with life in general. All my online groups etc. are so quiet, even the people that email me regularly seem to prefer to be quiet. This time of year is always difficult for me...the Christmas decorations are out...well, most of them and my thoughts always turn to memories of my mom at Christmas. I tend to want to distract myself and stay busy and social to keep my mind from going places that only serve to bring on tears. Since my only real social life is online, I was unsuccessful in that area today. Tomorrow I may not even try, hence this post tonight instead of tomorrow.


I'll get some light cleaning done, there is always that to do. I have a letter to write and a card to make, the piano needs to know my hands still exist, not just those of my students and Suki needs some real attention in the grooming department. Oh, there is plenty for me to do apart from the internet...the question is, is it enough or will I find myself once again desperately scanning my email for life away from reality?

Good night and may God keep you safe and warm.

Preparations

It's so hard to believe we are in the very midst of the holiday season already. Life just seems to be passing me by somehow. Winters here are so hard - it seems to take all our energy just to do what needs to be done each day. Each day I try to check all my "boxes" to make sure I have taken care of all the necessities because it takes so much more effort and planning to run out for something we forgot. I wanted to have my pantry filled more than it is, but we will have to keep an ear to the news for any big storms coming our way and make the necessary purchases as the need arises. Hubby is predicting a year of heavy lake effect snows for us. Time will tell if he's right.

 Plans for the day include cleaning the bathroom, decorating for Christmas, make Italian Stew for supper and teach a piano lesson...I think I have only one today, the others had to cancel for today. I also need to squeeze in some time to trim Suki. Practice on my Christmas music. I am planning an informal Christmas recital for the studio and encouraging family and friends of students to also participate. I will be playing two pieces myself.

In God's Word this morning I'm in Leviticus, one of the dry sections of Scripture to my way of thinking and I'm struggling to read and find something applicable.

Prayer Concerns: I might be getting sick. I've been sneezing and blowing my nose a lot this morning.
Hubby's stress at work
That Hubby's customers will pay in a timely manner.

That I will be a good steward of what we have and not be wasteful or unwise in my spending.

Blessing: Hubby seems busy at work.

Verse for today:

Revelation 22:20

New American Standard Bible (NASB)

²⁰ He who testifies to these things says, “Yes, I am coming quickly.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.

Thanksgiving Down

I trust everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday - we have so many blessings and so much to be thankful for. Pastor T spoke this morning on being thankful always in all things, it was a good reminder.

I spent Thanksgiving day in the kitchen - 8 hours of work and a few short moments around the table and it was time to clean up. Don't get me wrong, I am thankful we had the food to prepare and share with family around the table, but I really do need to find a way to make this easier for Christmas. I spent the next day trying to recuperate. 

Friday my son and I braved blizzard conditions and slick roads to drive into town so he could cash his check, I bit my nails the entire trip. We stopped by a few stores in town but could not find what he was looking for. I was very happy to get back home.

Saturday Hubby had to spend quite a bit of time at the rink so son and I just relaxed and watched some movies, it was one of those lazy days. I did manage to do some organizing in my studio with some scrapbook materials. Hopefully this week I can put in some time with my craft. 

Son left this morning...I was not ready to see him go...then again I don't think I ever am. I always miss him so much right after he leaves. Daughter #2 is here...she and Hubby just went ice skating. 

My body is still complaining about the long hours in the kitchen and the overdose of food this weekend. I had just a salad for lunch today...it's time to get back on track. 

Winter is here! We had quite a bit of snow this weekend and it's coming down again this afternoon. Tomorrow, my usual schedule has been changed in order to get my car in for an oil change and snow tires. 5 months to go!! UGH! It's hard to be thankful for snow. I am thankful for my comfortable home and the fire that keeps it toasty and warm. I'll be hibernating  soon. 

 

Busy day here. 

 

 I made a long list of to-do's for today and have gotten very little accomplished. Oh, well, it will be there tomorrow and it will all get done somehow. 

 

I have our sheets washed and dried but not back on the bed yet, a load of clothes washed and another in the dryer, wiped up the bathroom, I've taught one lesson and have one more to do, I went back to the grocery store and bought two more turkeys to put in the freezer...at .96 a lb., I had to take advantage. I still have bread to make, pies to make, cheeseball to make, the microwave to clean (something exploded in there LOL), and I wanted to do some re-organizing in my studio, but it looks like that will have to wait.

I'm excited - my son will be coming home sometime today. One of his roommates is driving up, so he's coming with him. I don't know yet, but we might be driving him back...when, I don't know that yet either. We will have both him and Daughter#2 here for Thanksgiving tomorrow. 

Blessings:

I will get to spend time with my boy this weekend.

We got paid yesterday, it was a long time coming.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Warmth on A Fall Tuesday

My plans for the day include:
General cleaning
Students @ 1:30-2:15, 2:15-3:00, 3:30-4:00 and 7:00-7:15
Put Spare Ribs with sauerkraut and potatoes in the crock-pot.

Work on Christmas cards

Stop by Earthwise, our natural health store that is closing and take advantage of the 70% off sale.

Prayers today are for Hubby's shoulder, it was getting better and now has taken a turn for the worse. He is in a great deal of pain and we don't know what he has done to injure it.  

For my brother who is facing a court date and possible jail time.

For a dear friend as she sits in the hospital next to her father who is dealing with complications from his cancer and my be facing more surgery. 

We had our first winter storm yesterday, they predicted it to be much worse than it turned out to be. Even at that, today I am thankful for the wood-stove in our basement and the warmth it throws off. I'm thankful for a warm and comfortable home, I know there are many waking up this morning that don't have this luxury. God is good and He has blessed. 

Verse for today:

Proverbs 16:1-3

The plans of the heart belong to man,
But the answer of the tongue is from the Lord.
² All the ways of a man are clean in his own sight,
But the Lord weighs the motives.
³ Commit your works to the LordAnd your plans will be established.

 

Continuing in Thanks

I am so thankful I have the Lord in my life. I honestly don't know what I would do without Him.

I was watching the weather channel this morning and found myself so thankful that I have not been placed in any kind of situation like those in the wake of Sandy, however I was humbled and pray that if I am ever faced with any fearful situation such as that, that I will remember to look to Jesus and trust Him to see us through and provide for our every need. I'm not sure I would have the same strength I see displayed by some of those folks.

Matthew 14:30-31

³⁰ But seeing the wind, he became frightened, and beginning to sink, he cried out, “Lord, save me!” ³¹ Immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and took hold of him, and said to him, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?”

I've got my chores done for the day and I'm looking forward to taking a card class this afternoon. We will be making pop-up cards. 

I'm Thankful For

My wonderful husband who holds me when I need a friend or just some support.

With A Heavy Heart

Plans today are simple, it should be a quiet day. Light, general clean-up around here and some errands this morning. I need to get out for a walk this afternoon.

Concerns: My heart is very heavy for my brother and his family, things are not good there. It is the prime example of not being obedient to God's laws and paying dearly for it. What's even more sad is watching the trickle down effect to his children. I'm so sad today. My heart is in Colorado.

Today I'm thankful today for friends that God brings into our lives when we need a loving touch or a caring word. I need that today. 

From God's Word today:

Deuteronomy 5:28-33

New American Standard Bible (NASB)

²⁸ “The Lord heard the voice of your words when you spoke to me, and the Lord said to me, ‘I have heard the voice of the words of this people which they have spoken to you. They have done well in all that they have spoken. ²⁹ Oh that they had such a heart in them, that they would fear Me and keep all My commandments always, that it may be well with them and with their sons forever! ³⁰ Go, say to them, “Return to your tents.” ³¹ But as for you, stand here by Me, that I may speak to you all the commandments and the statutes and the judgments which you shall teach them, that they may observe them in the land which I give them to possess.’ ³² So you shall observe to do just as the Lord your God has commanded you; you shall not turn aside to the right or to the left. ³³ You shall walk in all the way which the Lord your God has commanded you, that you may live and that it may be well with you, and that you may prolong your days in the land which you will possess.

Post Election Outlook

Plans:
Pray, pray and pray some more. Today should be a quiet day, a quick clean through the house and then teaching this afternoon. I hope to work on some Christmas projects as well.

Update on me: I know I've been MIA a bit lately. I've been sick with Peritonsillar Abscess. It's an infection in the area around the tonsil and it caused my throat to swell to where I had great pain in swallowing and eating. I've been on Prednisone and a heavy duty anti-biotic since Friday and I'm doing  better.

Daughter #1 had the idea of instituting a secret Santa this year, instead of the need to buy gifts for everyone. All of us are facing financial difficulty, so I'm all in favor. I'm also excited to see our focus shift from gifts to spending time together as a family. I've been missing them all so much in the last few days that I can't wait for Christmas to have them all home.

God's Word: Yes, in Deuteronomy.

Concerns:
First of all, our country and what we as believers will be faced with in the coming years. 

Next, once again we await a paycheck while the bill collectors want their money. Please pray we can pay our bills soon.

Today I'm thankful that God knows and He is still on the throne. The world can take my freedoms, but they can never sever me from God.

Some verses for today that God brought to my attention during my worship time this morning:

2 Chronicles 14:11

New American Standard Bible (NASB)

¹¹ Then Asa called to the Lord his God and said, “Lord, there is no one besides You to help in the battle between the powerful and those who have no strength; so help us, O Lord our God, for we trust in You, and in Your name have come against this multitude. O Lord, You are our God; let not man prevail against You.”

Deuteronomy 4:39-40

New American Standard Bible (NASB)

³⁹ Know therefore today, and take it to your heart, that the Lord, He is God in heaven above and on the earth below; there is no other. ⁴⁰ So you shall keep His statutes and His commandments which I am ^[a]giving you today, that it may go well with you and with your children after you, and that you may ^[b]live long on the land which the Lord your God is giving you for all time.”

When the Macaroni Hits the Floor

Because of someone who recently voiced an honest opinion, I've been thinking a lot the last few days about my life, what I do and why I do what I do. I'm reminded of the scene in You've Got Mail where Meg Ryan confesses that she is never able to come up with what she wants to say when she wants to say it, but rather thinks of all kinds of good come backs long after the situation has passed. That's me!!

The opinion that was voiced was that I clean too much. I shouldn't rush to the sink to clean up a dirty dish or two, I shouldn't worry that the floor wears a few dog-hairs or that the bathroom isn't presentable for company. Instead of cleaning house I should be doing something else...what, was never offered, but in the past I have also had similar comments come to me, basically that I have wasted my life being a stay-at-home wife and mother and now especially that my children are grown I should be out bringing in a pay-check to help with expenses or out serving the Lord is some way.

Herein is my rebuttal. a practice run if you will. Hopefully by sorting this all out in my mind and getting it down in a physical form, when confronted again I will be able to recall all I need when I need it.

From my earliest of memories I had one goal in life, to become a wife and mother; that's all I ever wanted to do. As I matured in the Lord, I was taught that if we surrender our lives to Him, seek His guidance and strive to walk in His way, He will lead us to the best He has for us. Our desires for our life soon match up with His best plan and He continues to lead and guide us on our way. As I continued to grow up, I prayed for God to show me the path He had for me and my desire to be a wife and mother never changed. I studied about what it was to be a wife and mother, learned about sacrifice and being a servant, though I must admit, as the years in the occupation continued, I often struggled with the servant part. My parents started me in piano lessons and I believe now that it was their way of helping me find a way to support myself if need be. I soon felt the Lord's lead that I would use my music for Him somehow and I became interested in church music. After high school, I enrolled in a strict Bible college, where I studied music and Bible, thinking that one day I may be the wife of a music minister or choir director. To my surprise, God did not lead in that way, but I met and married my wonderful husband who believed as I, that a woman's first occupation and area of service is to her husband and children. Please don't misunderstand, my husband encourages me to still be all I can be and all I want to be, and once again my desires, his desires and God's plan for our lives came together. Call it old fashioned, call it demeaning if you have to, but I see it as Biblical. If you read Proverbs 31 carefully you will discover that the woman there was no slouch! Her husband trusts her because she stands with him and supports him. She works with her hands and makes things to sell - running a successful business from her home. She gets up early and works long into the night, it's a big job but she still takes time for herself; she works out and keeps herself  healthy and strong all the while making sure her family's needs are met. That is her job and her ministry. I have tried over the years to keep the Proverbs 31 woman as my role model. I have not always been successful, but I keep her up there, always striving for that goal.

First off, let me say, I know the choices I have made for my career are not for every woman. I also know in this difficult economy, not every woman has the choice to work at home or even work from her home. I understand that. What shouldn't change however is the mindset that no matter what other occupation we choose, our husband and family remain our first priority and I fully believe God will bless because of it. I know I have been blessed and believe me I am so thankful.

Now...yes, I clean. I spend a good deal of time in the cleaning, cooking, homemaking process. I also run my piano teaching business from my home, so clients are in and out all the time...it must stay presentable. We have three dogs...I vacuum the entire house every morning and let me say that dirt and sand is abrasive to wood floors and I believe keeping my floors vacuumed falls under being a good steward and taking care of all that God has blessed us with - not merely being a perfectionist cleaner just to be cleaning. I wipe up the bathroom out of respect for anyone who needs to use it and I keep my dishes washed and put away after every meal. I don't like walking into my kitchen and see nothing but a counter full of dirty dishes staring back at me, especially in the morning; it starts my day on the wrong note. I was criticized recently for those daily routines. I guess I'm supposed to let the dog hair swirl around my guests ankles and instead of standing for a few minutes after every meal to wash a few dishes, I should let the counters overflow before I spend an hour or more exhausting myself in front of the sink or am unable to prepare a meal for lack of counter space. I was always taught no job is finished until the clean up is done and a good cook always cleans as she goes. I look at it this way: whether I run around constantly keeping things clean and presentable, or spend an entire day on my weekend cleaning the entire place, it still has to be done one way or the other and this way is easier and less tiring for me.

Every family has to work out the chores to what best suits them. Like I said earlier, I wasn't always a good servant. I had my share of times where I felt I was being taken advantage of and where my family could have pitched in and helped, they chose not to. This often made my life difficult and put me in a place where, maybe some other things I wanted to do got put aside. If I had it to do over again, I would change some aspects, but never the goal. Now that it's just my husband and me I rarely ask for his help. Why? He works a full time job and a part time job and volunteers in his community and church. He has no more time or energy to wash dishes and I shouldn't ask it of him. Rather, I support his work by providing a clean, warm, comfortable home where he can find rest and a good, nourishing meal so he can continue to do all that he does. That's my job. I'm the support system and that's God's plan for my life and that's the way I always wanted it. I would not force this "job" on anyone who can't do it for whatever reason, so why should I be forced into a job outside the home where I am not qualified or comfortable in working?

As far as a ministry goes, I consider supporting my husband and serving him my ministry, not to mention counseling my children when needed and hopefully showing God's love to the piano students and their families that come to my home. Prayer warriors are also needed and often go unnoticed in the service community and that's fine, but we're here. Just because I'm not always in the public eye, doesn't mean I don't have a ministry. By the way...just what is an unpaid church organist if not a ministry to the church?

I think part of the problem with those on the outside looking in, is they don't see the entire picture. They only see me scurrying as I strive to stay on top of things, they haven't been able to see the blessings that come from that. Recently I had to take money from the savings account to get groceries since we haven't been paid. I was careful and tried to purchase only what we needed. I bought two boxes of whole-grain pasta and poured them together into a storage container. My husband, while looking for something to snack on, bumped the container and it fell to the floor and the lid popped off sending pasta noodles rolling from one end of the kitchen to the other! No fear, I had just run the vacuum and the steam mop and I knew my floors were quite clean, so not wanting to waste precious food, we hand picked each piece from the floor and returned it to the container. That may disturb some, I understand, but I cannot afford to waste food and had my floors been dirty I would have been forced to throw it out. I have also had the unexpected guest drop by and because I took care of my morning routine, I could, with confidence, invite them in. One time, many years ago, we had an electrical fire break out in our kitchen wall. When the firefighters came in, they tossed things out of their way and into my dish drainer and sink. Had I not cleaned up the dishes and put them properly away, I would have had nothing but broken dishes that morning on which to serve breakfast. I have seen time and time again where taking care of things as I go is the best choice for me and my family. I'm not perfect, there are times I let it go for one reason or another, but I always regret it. I admit to being a procrastinator in some things, but when it comes to my home I have established some pretty good habits.

Interestingly enough, on the other side of this coin, I have also been criticized for being "nothing but a stay-at-home wife", suggesting I sit at home and do nothing to help my family. Those onlookers seem to not see the business I successfully run from my home where I make a per hour salary that I am not qualified to make at any other job. If I can fill my schedule, I would be making a tidy sum, which leads me to something else I wanted to share with you. Last night I attended a Party-lite party given by a mother of former students of mine. Something amazing happened at the party...only what I had dreamed of!! I was talking with the women whose children I used to teach. We were talking about her kids and what they were up to and she mentioned how her daughter, though unable to use it in her life right now, still enjoys music and plays on the piano whenever she goes home for visits. Cathy told me that as soon as her daughter and her husband get to a permanent place, the piano will go to her. That not only warmed my heart, but was overheard by another woman in the room who began asking about piano lessons for herself. I talked to her a bit and made sure she had my business card and one to share with a friend. Later, two other women approached me also asking about lessons for themselves. One was the girl who runs the Party-lite business, her husband is in seminary and she will be a pastor's wife soon. It is a helpful thing for pastor's wives to know how to play piano. SOoooo...I'm hoping to hear from these three women soon and pray they will be new additions to my studio.

I hope I have not lost you in this ramble of mine today. If you're still reading, let me close by saying I am content for the most part and happy in my role as wife, mother, and domestic engineer. No matter what your occupation is, may I encourage you from Ecclesiastes 9:10 "Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might; for there is no activity or planning or knowledge or wisdom in the grave where you are going". We only have a few days on this earth to make a difference for God in the lives of those to whom we come in contact, so let's make the most of it and do our very best at what God has given us to do. When the macaroni hits the floor, be confident that you have done your job well and you are prepared.