Alrighty, the Proletarian has gone RSS. :o )

Of course, that probably doesn't mean much to many, since many don't even stumble upon this place. lol However, it's good for folks like me, who love the simplicity of knowing when new things are posted, without having to scour linkies.

So, I have me a little button over there, on the right. No, it isn't orange. I don't like orange. Call me a non-conformist if you will, but I just like to make useless buttons. lol :o )

I was pleasantly unplugged from the internet yesterday. :o )

Before my alarm went off at 7:55am, my phone rang. I looked at the clock and was quite confused, because it couldn't have been DH, calling to ask about anything. It was only 7:30am, and as I scurried through the house to find the phone, I also found DH. He hadn't left for work yet. lol So, I groggily spoke into the phone, sounded like a dying frog, and my sister was on the other end, sounding way too chipper. I guess having an infant does that to you, causing you to wake before you previously would have.

The long and short of it was that since she was already up and full of energy, Sis wanted to pick us up and go out for breakfast. I agreed that it would be a nice thing to do, and I shuffled off to change and wake up DD. We ended up going to a little hole-in-the-wall diner that serves a good breakfast for VERY cheap. For the three of us to eat, it was approximately $6 total.

After eating, Sis drove us out to wal-mart, and we shopped around there for a while. More than anything, we looked at stuff. DD and I picked out a card for Daddy, for Father's Day. I forgot to get my dad a card, interestingly enough. I think that I am a bit shocked that I don't actually feel guilty. Bad me. Anyway, Sis and I went over to the swimsuits, which is why we were there to begin with. For two weeks now, we have been planning to go over there and find out if I could get a swimsuit for a reasonable price. So, I walked around, sifting through little pieces of spandex and lycra, wrinkling my nose. I did, however, eventually find a cute swim-dress that I ended up purchasing. The bodice is still cut a bit too low, and I plan on stitching in a piece of material to cover my "assets" better. The rest of the suit is very nice though, with a skirt that covers most of my thighs. It isn't perfect, but it is far better than what I've seen. Aside from spending a good deal of money on a scuba lycra suit, this will have to do.

Leaving Wal-Mart, Sis and I went back to her place to have lunch with our "boys". It was nice to hang out and talk for a bit, before they had to go back to work. DH and I talked about the promotion that he was offered, to work at a different complex, making quite a bit more money. However, for all of the positives, there were some negatives that made the money less attractive. So, DH decided that he would rather not work downtown and deal with a high-rise, and I happily nodded my head. The money would have been nice, but we would have had to sacrifice too much of our family time because of the travel, not to mention how much more complicated it gets in working/living downtown. Some will say that it is silly to worry about such things, that the city isn't "too bad", but they are welcome to keep their opinion. If we can distance ourselves from areas of increased violence, then we are going to.

Once the guys went back to work, Sis and I went to the grocery store, and we picked up main staples and items for the birthday party she wants to throw for her boyfriend. They had lots of sales, including "buy 1, get 2 free" sales on hamburger and hotdog buns. We also got hotdogs at "B1G2", along with some sausages at "B1G4". Sis and I went in on halves for a big box of frozen hamburger patties, and I bought a small bag of outdoor gaming things. We did very well yesterday. Now all we have to figure out is how to make Buddy's cake without him knowing about any of this.

After shopping, we dropped the cold stuff off at my house, and then we headed back with Sis. I had grabbed DD's bathing suit from the house, and we were off to go swimming. It was still a little cool, but the pool is heated. Things became awkward though, because Sis spontaneously turns into a tempestuous harpy. Oh my goodness, I wanted to just run away. lol Her boyfriend had put a beer bottle, covered in a neoprene sleeve, on the hood of her truck. He was working on it, and is rebuilding it and repainting it. She yelled at him and commanded him not to put things on her truck, and got very nasty with him. It was all I could do to keep my mouth shut, and I felt like I was going to bite my tongue clean off. I have no idea where she gets the ability to be so heinously mean. She can be so sweet, and then just changes so dramatically. DD and I ran upstairs and then bolted for the pool like our tails were on fire.

The pool was cool, but the wind was worse. DD ended up playing with me for a little while, until I wrapped her in all of our towels and settled her onto a lounge chair. I braved the chilly water though, and I swam a few laps and did some exercises that I picked up at my water aerobics class that I used to attend. By the time that I got out of that pool, I felt good, but I was very aware of the muscles that I have. Woo! It would be great to do that every day. *nods* DH is going to start taking us with him to work in the morning, so we can play in the pool. We'll pack a lunch, take his break with him, and then play in the pool until he gets done with his work. If we get too tired or anything, we can go hang out at Sis' house. :o )  

Reflections on...

Created To Be His Help Meet
by Debi Pearl

Chapter 17
To Love Their Children
Titus 2:4-5: "That they may teach the young women to be sober,
to love their husbands,
to love their children..."

 

During the first portion of this chapter, Debi makes the case that overwhelmingly, there is one thing that children believe would make them happy. As a child who grew up in a rather turbulent home, I can identify with so many of these children that Debi refers to.

Out of about 75 responses, only two or three kids considered their home happy. Nearly all 75 answers of the second question were basically the same. Ten-year-olds (who could barely spell) to single college-age adults had teh same hopes and anguishes. They all said something to the effect of,"I wish Mama and Daddy would love each other."

Yes, yes, yes! I'll tell you that children don't stop wishing for peace and happiness between their parents when they reach adulthood. Watching the two people, that you have loved dearly all your life, fight and tear at each other each day, it is difficult. For all of the things that were painful for me, this was the greatest of them all. Children can be so cruel to each other, and I was a very easy target, with such a soft heart. It didn't help that I had very curly hair, which was far from fashionable, nor was it acceptable that I was poor. Every day, I would struggle to get through another day or torture at school, only to come home to more bickering and nasty attitudes. It became so difficult between my parents that they actually punished us for traits in us that resembled those of the other parent. I can't tell you how many times I was raged at for being too much "like my father", or how many times I was shunned and looked down upon for being at all "like my mother". To an extent, it still happens even now.

I cannot stress enough, how important it is for a husband and wife to love each other. I don't believe that many people understand the effect that they have on their children when they keep a home of chaos, anger, bitterness, or even hate. I grew up seeing nothing but faults in my person, because they were drilled into me, how unacceptable I was for being similar in trait to those I loved the best. As a teenager, I looked desperately for someone to love me as I was, having no faith that anyone could, because my own parents would not accept me. As a young woman, I was so terribly afraid of committment that I never planned to marry, and when I found myself in a white dress, I fought not to become physically sick. My parents had allowed their petty bickering to become such a permanent house-guest that all three of their children were unprepared for marriage, not knowing how to have a healthy relationship with a man.

Now, I don't say these things as a way to "trash" my parents. I love them both dearly. I have the most tender place in my heart for my mother, and I love my dad through the most.... interesting of circumstances. My point is that, marriage is a wonderful thing, and comes with great responsibilities. I completely agree with Debi that "blaspheming the word of God" is a very serious issue, and in doing so through refusing our commands from God, we harm ourselves and those who look to us for guidance. I lived in a home that professed God, but did not live the faith. Because of that, when I grew old enough that I believed myself mature in making decisions, I rejected Christianity. Only by the grace of God, did I come home to the Lord. I was walking a road straight into hell. I let men use my body because I was so desperate for someone to love me. I looked like a harlot, because I thought there was nothing within me that anyone could be attracted to, only the shape of my body. I believed that I could never be a mother or a wife, because the only model that I knew well was one of chaos, bitterness, and violence. No man would want this worthless person for a wife, and I believed that I would surely ruin any child that I touched.

All I had ever wanted, as a child, was for my parents to love each other. There were times when my parents were happy, and their happiness radiated over us. Life was so much nicer, and it was like coming in from a blizzard, to warm ourselves before a cheerful fire. We knew what we were missing out on, so there was no replacement that ever looked as good. We would not have been happier with divorced parents, because what we really wanted was the family that God gave us, complete and comfortable.

Next, Debi shares a letter from a ladywho believes she needs a woman to help her clean her home, even though her children are in school. This "need" comes about because the woman feels that she needs 4 hour blocks of meditation and self-actualization each day. Instead of caring for her family and drawing intimately close to her husband, she looks for another woman to have this intimate feelings with.

"You are part of a trend sweeping through church women's circles- a persuit of intimacy and deep feelings apart from your husband. This inner-self-stimualation is what my husband calls "spiritual masturbation". It has nothing to do with the God of the Bible. It is spirituality more akin to Eastern mystic meditation. You your spirituality competes with your service to others (especially your husband and family), it is just that- "your spirituality". Jesus said to Peter, "Do you love me"...then "feed my sheep." God does not call women to be mountain-top gurus or to seek one out for their personal benefit." (CTBHHM pg. 181)

It took me a little while to understand that worshipping God is something that happens with each breath, each task, each word. When I was more of a "baby Christian", after I came back to the Lord, I felt that it was neccessary for me to be in church and fellowship a great deal in order to "feel" God. There was a part of me that was dependent on the emotional, to the exclusion of ACTION. It took time for me to come to the realization that each time I do what God wants of me, I am honoring and worshipping Him as the author and editor of my life. I am not speaking ill against church meetings, prayer meetings, revivals, outreaches, etc. My observation just brought it home to me that when I honor my husband, cook dinner for my family, or teach my child- I AM worshipping God. Not only that, but I am doing so in ways that I know God approves of, because He called me to it, very plainly within His word.

 

During the section called "Raising Cows or Kids", Debi addresses something that is very important. First, that a mother is the best person to raise her children, not a sitter, teacher, friend, or even grandma. God made this responsibility a mother's duty. Going on from here, Debi shares common sense ways in which a mother may train up her child, completing the section with a special point.

"Some mothers treat their children as I treat my cows. I make sure they have good things to eat, clean water, and a place to exercise. If they show any signs of sickness, I attend to them immediately. This is good for cows, but if you raise kids like that, you're going to have a brood of little dummies. Unlike your care of the cows, the training of your children is the deepest expression of your love for them."

The rest of the chapter revolves around this basic statement, that children need MORE. From here, Debi stresses the need to make a point to teach their children, to bless them with education, and not leave them as "dumb children." Also, there is a warning for mothers to be diligent in the care of their children, not only in their education, but just by being observant. To this end, she shares statistics of children who have been improperly touched and harmed at tender ages. Again and again, she makes it strikingly clear that women need to take their responsibilities seriously.

 

Chapter 18, coming soon.......

I know, I know. My blog has got to be real boring to people these days, as I haven't had any real time to sit down and write anything of substance. On the positive side though, I've been getting a lot of work done.

As many of you know, we are having a housewarming party over at Choosing Home, on June 1st. We have received many wonderful articles, that I am sure will be an encouragement and blessing to ootles of ladies. :o )  Psssttt..... I have a little secret for you. If you were wanting to submit something for the party, and weren't able to get it in yesterday, I will take entries today and tomorrow. For submission guidelines, please go ------> Here.

I keep looking out the window, pondering the task of cutting the grass. We've had so much rain lately that our weeds are outrageous. SOMEONE needs to cut it, at least. lol I'm not sure why, but I feel terribly unenthused about rolling up my sleeves and working hard today. I just feel, weary. I filled up a large cup of water, and I've been drinking steadily since I got up this morning, hoping that it might help to energize me a bit. I think that I'm going to have to make this a willpower thing, and just push my foolish body into doing what I want it to do.

Yesterday, DD and I made a double batch of biscuits. I chose a different recipe out of my book, and I like this one much better. The flavor is fuller, which we all enjoy. Since we had so many, I took a pretty bowl and filled it with biscuits, and we went over to see DH's great uncle, who lives a couple houses away from us. I thought that biscuits would be nice, because I've cookied him out. lol Between DH's uncle and our next door neighbors, I'm going to fatten up the neighborhood. *laughs*

I've been reading more in my book, "Making Your Home a Haven: Strategies for the Domestically Challenged" by Cyndy Salzmann. I really do like this book. Now, I'm not a particularly messy person. I find that as I get older, I get pickier about my home, and how things look. So, I wouldn't have thought at first that I would enjoy a book like this so much. However, this has been a real treat. I love little tips for organization, because I am just one of those people who love to have order, even if it means putting labels on everything. I think that, in terms of home care, there is nothing more pleasant than waking up in the morning to a clean space. I was awful as a child, until I eventually learned how pleasant it was to have a clean room. One of the things that I really enjoy about this book is that, it isn't about money. The ideas that Cyndy presents aren't about buying costly supplies, or anything like that. She also doesn't try to motivate people into whirlwinds of activity, which is good. I'm not much of a whirlwind person. I make a bigger mess than I solve. But, I have been able to tackle my kitchen cabinets, and I'm so much happier for it. I look forward to working in my bedroom now, since my room is awful tricky. To accomplish much in there, I have to teach myself how to hang bifold doors, so I can take our closet doors out of my bedroom. I also need to figure out how to put up the rest of our mini blinds. I'm sure that none of that stuff is hard. I just have to take a good look at them.