My Website

As of Jan 2011, my website http://www.belindajo.com will be canceled. They raised their rates. I have not really seen that many books sold because of it. And I am too tired most of the time to mess with it, so we decided that could be one thing 'off my plate'.
Merry Christmas to you all.

My friend's letter excerpt

This is the item from my friend's letter. Her computer won't let her get to my blog to comment, so asked me to post it.
Take time to slow down and enjoy the season!! I am going ahead with my goal of being done with the busy-ness by the 14th. I did it last year and it was really nice. Most of the gifts are already wrapped, so it's time now to finish the cards and do some baking next week. Rush rush around now so you can rest and ponder the beauty and meaning of the Christmas holiday later on in the month. Go to a Christmas Cantata and get your mind off the worldly view of this holiday... see what Christmas is really all about. Watch a Charlie Brown Christmas - - yes, Linus quotes from Luke chapter 2 and puts things all in perspective!! Watch the Grinch - - Christmas really can come without ribbons, packages, boxes and bags!! Enjoy your December and celebrate!  Lisa

Enjoy the Season

I received a newsletter from a friend today. At the end, she encouraged us to finish all the 'chores' of the season early so we could enjoy the season. I thought it was neat. I try to do that each year, and limit what I do so I don't get overwhelmed.
I hope each of us enjoys the season and not only endure it as we rush around trying to do all that we think needs to be done.
Merry Christmas!

Need a Christmas Present for under $15?

Don't forget about my books! They can be ordered from Silent Word Ministries (it helps their ministry which makes me glad) or at most online bookstores ... or you local bookstore may order them.

Building our porch

It seems every time I try to start posting every day something comes up to keep me from it. But then, I am glad this item is coming up! One of the reasons we worked with the Census was to earn money for a front porch. It is becoming a reality. With friends and family pitching in to help, our dream is coming true and at a good speed! We sat on it yesterday! The trick is to get it to be stable without attaching it to the mobile home. Code office won't let it be attached. But, my hubby is figuring it out!

Almost done. But, it got cold. brrrr. Really, though he would still be working on it, but the stove at the church needed to be replaced and remodeling needed to be done because of it. But, I'd rather he be working inside. There will be some warm days again .... I am sure of it!

November Birthdays

A few years ago, I wanted a birthstone ring. My stone has always been topaz. Topaz was a pretty orange-yellow stone with flecks of brown. Now, mine is called citron and is yellow. It is not nearly as pretty. When I started looking for a ring, I was surprised. Clerks in stores thought I was crazy when I would tell them that topaz is not blue. It had not been as long as they had known! But, for the past forty years (at that time!) that I have known it was orange-yellow stone with flecks of brown! I assume topaz was also blue, but now they have reorganized the stones for the months. I thought monthly birthstones were something that was ... set in stone!

Today, I did a search online for birthstones. Here is a poem for November birthdays: Who first comes to this world below    In dreary November's fog and snow,   Should prize the topaz amber hue,    Emblem of friends and lovers true.

I thought it was interesting that my birth day (Friday) stone was topaz also. I never knew there were stones for each day of the week.

The birth month flower is  Chrysanthemum = Cheerfulness, friendship, abundance.

So, much for culture lesson for today! Enjoy the mum that was so pretty in my yard earlier. Now, the frost has got it.

Updates

It has been more than a year since I started using home-made laundry detergent and gave up the microwave.
The detergent seems to be doing fine. Our clothing is clean and have not rotted. And, we've saved several dollars not buying the expensive stuff.
We moved the microwave out to the shed last week. Steve's suggestion being we were not using it and needed space. I couldn't bring myself to get rid of it completely. It can be used there if needed. My idea is to have it on the counter we will  build one day in the kitchen so company can use it if they want. It can always be used for storage in the meantime. Time will tell.
I remember my first microwave. I wanted one but we could not afford to buy one. They had one at the school auction, but it did not sell. A friend owned it and had it sitting in their house. I made a comment about it. Later, I was collecting clothes for a needy family and they came over with a box. I saw it was the microwave box, but I thought it was clothes and told them to set it aside. They did and sat for a while. Finally, he said, "Well, if you don't open the box, I will." I looked at them funny and went to the box. Well, they had brought me the microwave as a gift! That was in the 80's. In the 00's we gave it away before one of our moves. That microwave was over 20 yrs old and still worked! Thanks Jim & Sally.

Birthday Showing

I had a nice surprise today. As I walked around the house, I saw a bug (butterfly or moth?). It put on quite a showing as I snapped photos if it. I could have touched it, but I knew better.

This one also made a showing, but only one photo turned out.

Sewing Again

When we moved into our house after retirement, we decided to make one room the guest room and I would sew in there also. That has not worked out for it is too crowded and not convenient for enjoying sewing. And I enjoy sewing. So.... I decided I am in the house a whole lot more than company, we should rearrange. At the same time my niece needed a bed, so we gave them the bed and put the hide-a-bed in the room for company. Then, I organized my sewing!

My Book Blog

Have you seen my other blog about my books? That is where I mostly comment on them, though, I have been slack there, also. Here is the link. Belinda Jo's books.

No carbs = no baked potatoe

I was in the mood for a baked potato with broccoli, sour cream and cheese. However, I am on no carbs (except for breakfast) for a month, so .... I just had steamed broccoli, sour cream and cheese. It was almost as good. And, I did not let my taste buds rule my eating!! Yea for me.

My girls helping in kitchen

This is a photo of my daughters watching me make a Thanksgiving pie in 1976. I wanted them to learn to enjoy cooking even that young.

Unmentionables

No, I do not mean age or weight. I’m talking about underclothing. When I was in high-school in the 1960s we called brassieres, bras. We still do but why did we do it back then? The word brassiere was taboo. You did not mention that word just like you did mention (or show) private body parts, especially in mixed company. There was a lady on television who used to advertise a certain bra. She showed it over her outer-clothing. Times have changed. Now people wear all sorts of tops that are supposed to be an outer-wear and they cover less than that bra did!
Then there are the panties, or as when I was a kid, we call them step-ins. Why? Logical. They used to cover you whole bottom. Now it seems its fashion show your panty lines through your outer-clothing.
SLIPS (in another post this same day)
Then lastly, but not least there are the pantyhose. Have you ever done a pull-wiggle? You know, during the day the material has stretched and started sliding down your body. You try to discreetly pull up on them to get them back into place.
Sometimes, I put them on without realizing I turn one leg around until it is almost on. They are our such a pain, and I hate taking them off to change it so stubbornly I decide to wear them the way they are. After walking around for a few moments, I feel like my leg is crooked, and finally give in to take care the problem.
Then what happens when you get a run in one leg of your pantyhose? It’s a shame to throw them away. The other leg is still good. So you save it until you have two of the same shade. Then you can cut off the bad legs and wear them together. If it is the kind that make you look slimmer than that you can look twice as slim. Right?
I have started wearing knee-highs. With them, you have to make sure your dress is long enough to cover them, so you do not look like an old lady with her socks sliding down her leg. But, then, I am getting to be an old lady, so why does it matter? And, you have to make sure the colors of each match.
One Sunday morning at church, though, I was able to bless someone when the knee-highs did match. During the church service, I noticed that I had on a black one and a navy blue one. I also noticed that there was a younger woman who looked a little depressed. After church, I went and sat down beside her. After exchanging pleasantries, I pulled up the hem of my dress a little and told her to look at my nylons. She had a good laugh and it helped her feel better.