I Am Just Not Dainty

I like to dress casual and tie my hair back in a ponytail when working around the house or writing. I am not good at dressing up and acting ladylike. Sometimes, though, I need to dress up for various occasions. Now they all say ‘clothes make the man’ and I do believe it to some extent, but not always.
For example, when our daughter got married some friends gave her bridal shower. I felt I should dress the part of the ‘mother of the bride’ and donned my nice clothes and tried to act lady like. I did a pretty good job until I decided to stand for some reason or the other. I forgot my cup was on the floor and I stepped to it, splashing punch everywhere ... or so it seemed at the moment.
One of my sisters-in-law is an elegant person and likes to have fancy dinners when we all get together. It is nice to have this time to enjoy all her fineries of life. I refuse to help with the dishes though. Not because I am afraid of work but because I am afraid I will break something! One day, I felt bad because I was not helping so I picked up a stack of plates and headed for the kitchen. Stubbing my toe on the fireplace, I started going down. I regained my balance and set the dishes on the table. After that, I limit did myself to napkin rings, silver and anything else non- breakable.
Once, our refrigerator stopped working. I decided to make a pot of soup out of the freezer contents. I called a senior citizen neighbor to ask if she wanted some. When she opened the door, I entered, only to trip on the threshold. Down I headed. Out of my peripheral vision, I saw a foot stool and turned my body toward it. Landing across it on my stomach I gently set the hot food on the floor only spilling a couple drops.
I guess all this started at three years old of age when I backed up in a store and much to my parents’ dismay, sat in a crate of eggs. I try not to let all these things get to me, but it does become embarrassing sometimes. God created each one of us with our own traits and I guess been dainty just ain’t one of mine!

© Belinda Jo Adams

Just A Housewife

(note from author: read to the end!)

I could be a pediatrician
Caring for children’s aches and diseases.
But, I can’t because I’m just a housewife.

I could be a secretary
Keeping files and other paperwork in order.
But, I can’t because I’m just a housewife.

I could be a laundress
Making sure people’s clothing is kept clean.
But, I can’t because I’m just a housewife.

I could be a dietician
Preparing meals both pleasing and nutritious.
But, I can’t because I’m just a housewife.

I could be a taxi driver
Taking important people to important places.
But, I can’t because I’m just a housewife.

I could have a fabulous career
Earning enough money to make me wealthy.
But, I can’t because I’m just a housewife.

But, I do have a fabulous career
That gives me wealth beyond measure
Just because I am a housewife!


© Belinda Jo Adams

Coupons

A few months ago, I signed up for coupons to be able to print only the ones I want at home. I had trouble getting it to work. I don't know if it was my old computer or what, but this morning I tried it again and it worked like a charm!
I receive email notices showing me which ones are available. Most of them I am not interested in, but now and then there are some I can use. Hope this is helpful.
Here is the site, if you are interested. Actually, it is the site, whether you are interested or not. :)

Where have all the needles gone?

During years of sewing I constantly lost needles. Does that sound familiar? I decided to make a new pin cushion. Since my old tomato pin cushion was looking ratty, I decided to use the stuffing for my new one. When I started pouring the contents from one to the other, needles kept coming out also. I ended up with more than fifty needles of all shapes and sizes! Save a trip to the store. Make a new pin cushion instead!

Next Post

I have been enjoying hitting next post and seeing different sites ... until yesterday. I don't plan to hit it again for I saw one that I REALLY wish I had not see. So, be careful with that button!

My Signature

OK, I did it. Does that mean I have to paste in the code each time?
If you don't know about the signature thing, there is a link at the bottom of my sidebar.
Or you could go to Kristy's and she explains the steps and has a link.

Quiet Moments

I am a pretty busy person. It is hard for me to sit still and have quiet time. I don't know if God or society made me this way, but I am on the go almost constantly. During the years, I have tried to slow myself down, and have tremendously, but I still move from one project to another without taking down time. Sometimes, my husband says it seems to cause me more stress to try to slow down than to go ahead and do all my projects. Recently, due to health issues, I am realizing that I must do so, though.
I like to drink a cup of coffee or herbal tea (really weak) and eat a piece of dark chocolate as a treat. I rarely finish the drink. This morning, I sat and relaxed while finishing the drink, while looking out the window at nature. 1 time of relaxation! Yea. Then, later, I sat at my vanity and rubbed my feet with cream, while taking extra time to massage them a bit instead of hurrying at it. 2 times! yea. Hope I can keep taking those moments of quiet time for my health's sake.
BTW, my health is OK. It is mainly stress and I need to relax!

Names

When our daughters were 1 and 3, our youngest called the older one, Who-Who instead of Crystal. The oldest one called the younger one Ra-rach instead of Rachael. We could understand Ra-rach, so much that it almost became a nickname, before we nipped it in the bud. But, we could not figure out Who-Who.
Years later, when they were teenagers and we lived in a two-story house, I stood on the first floor and called up to Crystal, “Crystal, Woohoo” (or however you spell that call we make) and then stopped in pause. Well, I guess that is where Who-Who had come from!

Brain Games

I have a confession to make. I like to do the picture puzzles in Highlights for Children Magazine. You know those puzzles where they have 2 pictures and one has changes in it? Usually at a doctor’s office, I look for the magazine and do the puzzle. In my head, of course, so the children can enjoy it.
Yesterday, at the grocery store, I saw a magazine on the rack at the cash register. There was only one and looked like it was out of place. I picked it up and then added it to my stack of groceries. Now, I usually resist impulse buying, but as to my confession, this one was picture puzzles! I hesitated at the $3.99 price, but then I was buying 2 dozen eggs for about that much. The book would last us much longer and I could pass it on to my parents to enjoy, and then keep it around for a conversation piece.
We have enjoyed seeing how many differences we could find and are doing pretty good. Of course, we are still in level 1 of 4 levels. They say it gets harder. But, then we are supposed to be exercising our brains, right?!
I just researched the book online. I guess it was a sample or smaller version and the #3.99 is a good deal. Their books are about $12.99 each!

When I Am An Old Lady

I wrote this about 20 years ago when I was in my 30s. Actually, I wrote it because it really happened! I still remember walking through the store and seeing her and praying that and hearing that.

"I saw an elderly white-haired lady in the story today. She had such a sweet disposition that I prayed to God “When I get old, help me to be that way.” He whispered, “Start now.”

Chicken Soup

We had our chicken soup for lunch today. We each ate a bowl and a few minutes later, I was hungry. I could not figure it out, until I realized I had forgot to put the chicken in it! Veggies go through your system faster than veggies and meat, so we laughed, I added the chicken and had another bowl. Now, I feel more satisfied.
I also had put it on low in the crock pot with some raw veggies whle we were at church. They had cooked to just the right consistency and were not mushy. Ummmmmm

Chicken Soup

My husband is sick so I made a pot of chicken soup today. I rarely buy a whole chicken, for I usually buy the white meat because it is ‘supposed to be’ healthier. But, chicken soup is just so much better to me when you start with the whole bird! I cook it in the crock pot so it is tender and falls off the bone easily. Then, I let it sit until it cools, then pluck the meat off the bones to put back into the broth for the foundation of the soup.
I could not help but remember our earlier years when it was us and the two children. We did not have a lot of money and wanted to keep me from going to work. I always bought a whole chicken back then and did what I did today. I got several meals out of that bird. None of it that was edible went into the trash can. Every little crevice was cleaned out! We had chicken and noodles, chicken and rice, etc.
I see so much waste today, it makes me sad. You see, we did not make enough money to have a lot of ‘extras’. But, at the same time, we made ‘too much’ for food stamps or other help. So, we had to not waste anything.
And, you know what?! I am glad. We had to work for what we got and looking back, we know we did it on our own without help from government agencies.
I am not condemning the food stamp program. It is a good thing to help those in need until they can help themselves again, which is what it is for. I’m just glad we were blessed enough not to need it. Praise God.
Now, to go enjoy that yummy chicken soup!

Life Without Plastic?

Plastics are part of our lives and only by difficult means or expense will we stop using it. I would like to boycott it because of it being made from petroleum and because of the possibility of the chemicals leaching into what we eat or drink. But, hey, as some of my friends used to say, "She is the Tupperware queen!" Lots of my plastic I acquired by giving parties and getting free gifts! I have retired some of it for a while, being I am not using the microwave as much, but I have much storage in the containers and I am not throwing them out!

So, I will not stop using it, but I will check the recycle codes first. According to what I researched, 'they' say if it is a #2 HDPE, or a #4 LDPE, or a #5 PP, plastic is ok to use.

Plastic water bottles (and drinking cups) is most often #1. #1 is for one time use. I've started throwing them out ... or as I have read, refill it no more than once. Of course, with the newer, thinner eco bottles, I am using them as “luxury items' when we are out and about and tossing them, because they 'taste plastic' to me the first time.
I am not going to give any links. If you are curious do a search for yourself and satisfy that curiosity. Like most other things, every person does not agree and it can get confusing.