Susan Boyle

OK. I think she is awesome! How refreshing to see a real person get a little recognition for a change. Her voice is stunningly beautiful. Her manner, refreshingly transparent. Her perfomance, bold and passionate. There is nothing fake about this delightful lady. I hope success doesn't change her sweetness.

If you haven't seen her, check her out on youtube. You will be amazed!

Living Frugally

Well, it has been awhile since I posted here. Things have been very busy. With warm weather approaching, I have been into spring cleaning and fix-up. My hope is to get things ship-shape inside and then concentrate my free time and energy on some yard work and a small backyard garden.(yum!)

With the economy in it's current state, it seems prudent to me to start cutting back in areas where I can. Being a hands on, project oriented person, this has become my new past-time.

I started with cutting costs in the laundry room. Rather than use the clothes dryer, I began hanging clothes out to dry whenever it is not raining. I guesstimate that this will save us around $30 a month on our electricity bill. I still use the dryer briefly for fluffing a few things and for our permanent press items. (I'm not particularly fond of ironing.) I also purchased a folding wooden drying rack for drying smaller items indoors on rainy or very cold days. And a couple of lines put up in my back utility room help with larger items if I can't hang them outdoors.

Next I searched the web for a recipe for making my own laundry detergent. With just a few basic ingredients and a few minutes of time I had approximately 2 gallons of liquid laundry detergent for an average cost of 5 cents a load. After using this for about 3 weeks, I have found it to be as effective as the Tide I formerly used.

Fabric softener was my next goal. Hanging clothes out does leave some of them feeling rough and stiff. Too bad we're such pampered folks. Our ancestors never gave such things a second thought. But I do like my laundry to be soft and cozy. My daughter gave me the solution to the fabric softener, though. She read somewhere that white vinegar in the rinse cycle would do the trick. I was afraid that this would make my laundry smell like vinegar, but had to give it a try. I am still experimenting with how much to use, but at this point I am filling my Downy ball with it and it is making my clothes much softer. And it leaves my laundry with no odor at all! What a great thing for those with allergies to fragrances.

So my quest begins. I will keep you all updated from time to time as I come across more ways to live frugally. Now in case you are thinking that I must be building up a fantastic savings account, the answer is 'no'. My main agenda is to have money for the things I want by cutting back in other areas that don't matter to me that much. I consider it a challenge, and I believe we all need a challenge routinely.

I am searching the web and blogs for more thrifty ideas. If you have any, I welcome your comments and your help.

Shoes, How many are Enough?

I just counted that I have 16 pairs of shoes!!! 2 pair of them have never been worn, but I still think I may wear them someday, so I keep them around. 1 pair is fun 'dustmop' shoes from my grandkids, so I have to keep them. I'm sure they'll come in handy one of these days. I have 4 pair of sandals. 3 of those I wear on a regular basis in warm weather, and the other pair is sort of dressy in case I ever have a dressy summer event to attend. (One can only hope.) 3 pair of croc wannabes. I wear them often, so they are keepers. 2 pair of causal winter shoes that are great with bluejeans or dress slacks. Gotta have those. 2 pair are work shoes. (Nuff said about that.) And 1 pair of worn out sketchers that I still love. So I can justify having them all. But still, it seems kind of excessive to me.
Comments???

Stem Cell Research

There's something inherently wrong with embrionic stem cell research.

When I look at our little Sammy, and think of stem cell research, I just get cold chills! You see, he was an embryo not that long ago.

What if little Sam had been sacrificed in the early stages of his development for stem cell research? Without even realizing it, we would have been robbed of one of the most excellent blessings God gives.

What if the recipient of little Sam's stem cells happened to be an uncaring, hateful person who had spent their life doing terrible things? Perhaps a tyrant or a murderer or a child predator who should have been locked away, but instead gets a chance to be cured from some dreadful disease so that they can go out and destroy the lives of more innocent people?

I know there are some wonderful people that may benefit from stem cell research, but there have been great strides in adult stem cell research that should be investigated before we sacrifice our precious children.

I shudder at the thought of creating a life only to destroy it for the sake of science. In my mind, this is just as bad, if not worse than abortion or infanticide.

Just saying....

A Well Sharpened Sword

This is reprinted here with permission from my wonderful hubby. I was so touched by it that I wanted to share it with all of you.



We went by for our usual hugs,

If you don't know who I'm talking about click here.
http://www.godtube.com/view_video.php?viewkey=f3f81e94fefac1757ff8


and she had to move this book out of our way on the couch,
as usual. In fact I cannot remember when that book has not
had to be moved out of the way to make room to sit down
on the couch with her and visit.


I have had to move this book many times before but a little voice said
take a couple of quick pics of this.


This worn book is the most important part of her daily life.
She is ever, always reading this worn book. It's like she
is almost attached to it. When I realized the power,
the hope , the faith that has transferred from the pages
of this book to her and then to many, many of us who love
her, I thought, " Wow! This is worthy of some special attention."


When I thought about how much reading was done to put the wear and tear on this book and then thought about how much of a treasure of faith and love is stored by this book being used to this point , I realized that what I have in these little quick pics is more priceless than a world famous painting.



See, my friends, this is a true living battery charger for life today, and
every day. This is a power pack, a mountain moving, faith giving,
living link to our personal LORD AND SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST.
So as this wonderful lady always says,
"BE SWEET AND SAY YOUR PRAYERS."

Little Fife

I am soooo excited! Our newest grandson is due any day. So far we have only seen him as an ultrasound image or a hidden form in his mamma's belly. But soon we will see him face to face.

He's going to be a big boy, over nine pounds. I believe that will be a good size to hold and feel comfortable with.

He will be the first for our daughter and son-in-law, and first babies are always special. But he will be our eighth grandchild. And everyone of them are special! (I know. Every grandparent feels that way.)

His first name will be Samuel. I don't think the middle name is decided on yet. At first we just affectionately called him 'Little'. But now he is Samuel or Sammy or sometimes just Sam.

I picture him as robust, alert and active. I believe he will be one that will want to touch, taste and experience everything he sees, a bouncing baby boy in every way. I see him as smart, quick and inquisitive. I think he will learn fast and retain much. I hope he will have his daddy's musical talent and curly hair, and his mommy's wit and creativity. I know he will have deep roots with the Lord because that is his heritage from past generations.

I know his parents are going to be the best mommy and daddy. They have so much love to give, and such a wise perspective on parenting. It is going to be so rewarding to watch as they raise little Sam in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.

So,yes, we are eager for this child to arrive. He is going to be such fun!

My Two Cents.....

I have a lot of opinions, and when it comes to politics there are just a couple of things that I would like to see happen.

First of all, I think that all politicians should be held to a high standard of honesty and integrity. Maybe a '3 lies and you're out' rule would be good.

Secondly, I firmly believe that no politician should be paid more than the average middle class American, and that the benefits they receive should be comparable as well.

The problem, in my opinion, is that politicians feel that they are somehow not subject to the same standard of living or the same moral standard as the rest of us. Therefore, since they are so out of touch with our reality, how can they govern effectively?

Sadly, I see a 'Lord and Serf' culture hidden in our present day society. Braveheart anyone?