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Stephanie

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Blog Entries posted by Stephanie

  1. Stephanie
    Well, my first morning to wake up with my coffee and come to this new MrsSurvival with so many wonderful possibilities! Of course I've got to figure them out a bit, but that's part of the adventure! Plus, don't you think it's kind of neat that we're all learning together! This is an historic moment for MrsSurvival and we are a part of it! How cool is that?
     
    I am discovering a little at a time some of the many perks that this upgrade has afforded us. We are in high style to put it straight. I think that as we get a handle on the new gadgets we'll be sitting pretty! Well, I'm off to investigate a bit more and see if I can't get some pictures to post or something!
  2. Stephanie
    One of my favorite Christmas Presents this year was bought with my Christmas money from my Grandmother and Mother. A series of videos from Franklin Springs.
     
    Franklin Springs
     
    I have enjoyed these videos so much that I wanted to share them with my friends and give them my recommendation. They deal with candle making, soap making, canning, gardening, cooking, herbs, etc...
     
    I also have enjoyed visiting their web page as well. They really are a delightful family, a Mom and her three daughters living out a life that many of us dream of.
     
    Homestead Blessings
     
    One thing that I found particularly interesting was the Hand Milling of Soap. My husband wants to try the pickled eggs. One of my boys wants to try the 'easiest potato bed' they demonstrated. The girls really want to try the candle dipping. They've encouraged me to try again with my herb gardening next year. Really cool videos!
     
     
  3. Stephanie

    The Worth of a Week

    By Stephanie,

    One week ago today my mom and step-dad arrived and now they have gone. It was a lovely visit and so very productive in every way!
     
    My step-dad brought all of his handy man tools and my dh took the whole week off to tackle numerous building, maintenance, repair projects in our home and on our little homestead. My two oldest ds's worked right along side them assisting and learning so much. A new kitchen counter top, a new bantam coop, new nesting boxes in the big coop, an addition to the goat stable and a new back porch are among their accomplishments, but there were more!
     
    My mom brought her wonder sewing machines, a Bernina and Serger as well. We had many sewing projects but the main thing was the period correct outfits that my dh and two oldest ds's needed. I was right at her side assisting and learning. I may even be brave enough to try something on my own now. My fellows will be among the best dressed pre civil war participants!
     
    While my mom was here I finally opened up and set up my Berkey Light! My mom is a big fan of good healthy water and so we promptly sat down and ordered her one for herself. BTW, we really like the Berkey Light and I'll try to do a review on the forums.
     
    We intended to try my Wonder Deluxe grain mill while they were here but our time slipped away.
     
    And to top off our wonderful visit, as they drove off this morning, we went to check on the broody hen and had the pleasure of seeing two brand new little chicks tucked under the momma hen's wings.
     
    It is a wonderful thing to have a supportive family, what a blessing!
     
     
     
     
     

  4. Stephanie
    I almost giggled out loud, assuming the man was making a funny. But, then I caught the sincere look on his face and caught myself. We were at Aslan's Puppy Training and he was a visitor from another class.
     
    The trainer asked how Aslan was doing with the goats and the man said, "Oh, we really want some goats. What kind do you have?"
     
    Eager to help I said, "Oh we are just getting started, we have two Nubians and two Wethers."
     
    That's when he asked, "So, do Wethers make good milk goats?"
     
    Repressing my almost escaped giggle, I answered. "A Wether is a boy goat that has been neutered." I was proud I had been able to answer evenly so as not to discourage his newbie questions.
     
    "So," he continued, completely ignoring the fact that we were in the middle of dog training, "only the girl goats produce milk?" The smile came forth, I just couldn't help it. But I still managed to carry on.
     
    "Yes, a doe is girl goat and a doe produces the milk." I paused for a moment to let him ponder this and then added. "Are you planning to have milk goats?"
     
    "Oh no," he says, "we just want a goat to help clear out some brush."
     
    "Well, sounds like a Wether is just what you need."
     
    "So you suggest that breed." He continued to querry.
     
    "Wether isn't a breed of goat, it is a condition of a goat. A wether is a neutered male, good for companion goats, weedeating or barbeque." I added for good measure.
     
    "Did I hear you mention chickens?"
     
    "Yes," I answered cautiously as the trainer stands listening intently. I tried to avert my gaze in her direction so she could finsih the class. But, now she's interested.
     
    "What kind of chickens do you have?" I tell them.
     
    "Do you have any roosters that crow?" I admit I do.
     
    Then he says, in all seriousness, "But roosters don't lay eggs, right?"
     
    I assure them that is the case.
     

  5. Stephanie
    One of the things that I've struggled with as I've tried to buy bulk foods like grain, dried beans, rice, etc... was that once it was packed away in the opaque white buckets, I couldn't easily 'see' it nor access it.
     
    When I bought the grains for grinding, I ordered the Gamma Lids. These are going to work well.
     
    However, all of these white buckets filled with assorted stuff would kind of run together. Even with my best efforts to keep the Steel Cut Oatmeal separate from the pinto beans and even though I clearly labeled with black markers...it was just an aggravation to go and find it.
     
    I found myself using the stuff I hadn't put away yet because I could see it, grab it and not search for it. Call me lazy but I will declare myself busy!
     
    Anyway, I think I've finally found my solution.
     
    http://www.amazon.com/Iris-NMP-M-Premium-A.../ref=pd_sim_k_2
     
    They arrived today and I'm very pleased.
     
    They are clear, so I can easily see what they hold and how much.
     
    They are air tight which keeps it nice and fresh and any intruders out.
     
    They are on wheels, this is a real bonus and convenience.
     
    They are FDA approved, making them safe for food storage.
     
    They are on sale at Amazon (buy 3 get 4) plus they qualified for free super savers shipping.
     
    They hold a LOT! One of them held TWO 20lb bags of Jasmine Rice!
     
    I am a happy prepper girl, and I think this will encourage me to properly rotate. I can still use the buckets (and will do so for the grains) but, I can transfer what I'm ready to start using. Just thought I'd share my discovery so that it may help someone else.
  6. Stephanie
    I love Word Studies!
     
    And this word caught my attention. Ergazomai ἐργάζομαι It is a Greek word that is found in the Scriptures 39 times. These are all found in the New Testament of course since it is a Greek word.
     
    I came across this word as I was reading the parable of the Talents found in Matthew. I have been doing some contemplating in the last week or so about living a purposed life and making my moments count.
     
    In this parable, Jesus tells of three servants who were entrusted by their master with talents (gold,money,valuable assets, or abilities). Each of them reacted differently. The each were given a different amount, according to their ability. And then the master went away.
     
    Story of the Three Servants (Matthew 25)
     
    Seeing as I have been praying about how I could best put my time, resources, monies, talents to good use - I was interested to see what the three servants did and how it worked out for them.
     
    Now, two things I want to point out here. First, when translating from one language to another, sometimes there is not a literal word to be used, it may not exist in that second language. So, sometimes translators have to choose words or phrases to best convey the message of the original text.
     
    Secondly, because of this, you may find differences in translations. BUT, themessage should be unaltered. The Word of God is not like any other book, spiritual writings or historical accounts. It is unique, it is living, it is always applicable to our lives.
     
    Here is a usage list for Ergazomai ἐργάζομαι
     
    1) to work, labour, do work
     
    2) to trade, to make gains by trading, "do business"
     
    3) to do, work out
     
    a) exercise, perform, commit
     
    b ) to cause to exist, produce
     
    4) to work for, earn by working, to acquire
     
    *****
    Okay, I think that's enough for Part I, but believe me, I'll be back for more...I am captivated by this word.
     

  7. Stephanie
    I'm a busy mom, I get tired, overwhelmed and just outright pooped sometimes.
     
    In the past, on a day like that, I'd ask dh to stop by and pick up something convenient. After all, hungry kids, a frustrated mom, lack of time, a small crisis of some manner, and etc... were the recipe for disaster. And so I excused it. Now, while we still eat out (very occasionally), it is a planned event, not a matter of convenience.
     
    In my life, Convenience has been Redefined.
     
    It started rather simply. I needed a well stocked pantry. I needed to have things on hand. I needed to have an extra loaf of bread in the freezer or even a gallon of milk, I needed to have the basics available to me.
     
    Then, it went a step further. I had to increase my skills and be able to turn that flour into biscuits without a huge ordeal. I needed to be able to improvise, out of milk...no problem we have powdered. No bread, no problem, I can make a batch of flour tortillas fairly quickly.
     
    I also began to think ahead. No one wants to face seven hungry kids without some sort of plan. I began to experiment with foods that I wanted to incorporated into our menus. I learned to try to have a big pot of some kind of soup available at practically any given time. Vegetable soup, Lentil Soup, Split Pea Soup, Potato Soup, Cabbage Soup, I could go on.
     
    Then a huge step towards Redefining Convenience, I learned to home can. It was the meat canning that really changed my outlook. What a time saver! Going to make chicken enchiladas? Just open a can of cooked, seasoned, tender and flavorful chicken. You could eat it right out of the jar if you wanted to. Need a quick Spaghetti dinner, boil some noodles, open a can of your home canned ground beef, a jar of sauce...you're done!
     
    Finally (and I'm skipping over a lot) I arrived at this newest project of mine. Learning to use dehydrated foods. I'm now amazed at how convenient these foods can make your life. I ordered (some months ago) from Harmony House their Vegetable Pantry Stuffer http://www.harmonyhousefoods.com/Vegetable...t41_p_1845.html I also ordered some things from Honeyville grains (Powdered Buttermilk, Powdered Sour Cream, etc).
     
    The last week or so, I've finally begun to open up some of the sealed quarts and tried incorporating them. I took a day to cook only from preps. I am so TOTALLY won over. You can make a vegetable soup that is wonderful out of these dehydrated goods. I even tried the TVP beef bits in my soup which were wonderful in a soup form. I made a hominy casserole and added the powdered sour cream and the dehydrated assorted bellpeppers, wonderful. I made buttermilk biscuits with the powdered buttermilk, lovely!
     
    This is how Convenience has been Redefined in my life. Quicker than I can run through a drive thru, faster than a speeding pizza delivery, I can have a wonderful meal, without chopping, dicing, peeling, processing, etc...
     
    I haven't purchased a really nice dehydrator yet to do more of the dehydrating myself yet, but will one day. You do have to have a good source of water to rehydrate but that could be found in the liquid/broth/juice of your canned vegies. I can't imagine spending unplanned money on convenience food any more. Convenience (for me) has been Redefined!

  8. Stephanie

    A Wee Bit Weary...

    By Stephanie,

    This morning I feel a wee bit weary, it's been 'coming on' for several days. That feeling of drudgery for things that normally make me smile. It blossomed into full fruition this morning when I needed to make biscuits. I just didn't want to do it.
     
    I thought wistfully of the days when every weekend I opened a bag of those lovely little frozen biscuits and set them effortlessly on the cookie sheet. Then, I regretted the fact that I had thawed out a turkey to bake today. My idea of canning some of it doesn't even appeal to me in the least at the moment.
     
    Do you ever feel tempted to 'fall off the wagon' ? I do. Sometimes I just get tired.
     
    I know this is the best way to live, I know that we are saving money, avoiding preservatives, making wise decisions. But, last night, as I rolled out 3 dozen flour tortillas, I found myself thinking I'd have gladly paid 5 or 6 dollars for a few packs from the store.
     
    I'm sharing this for those of you who may get discouraged and think no one else ever somtimes remembers more 'convenient' times. So today, my sweet dh put the turkey in the oven after he scrambled some eggs for breakfast. I blew my nose and washed my face and will get the cornbread started.
     
    As preppers, we have not chosen the easiest or most convenient path. And now and then, we may wander off picking daisies. Perhaps once in a while we just need to give ourselves a break. But, in the end, we pull ourselves up by our bootstraps and continue toward the destination we have set our sights on.
     
    Happy journey friends!
     
  9. Stephanie

    Whittling

    By Stephanie,

    A little over a year ago I ordered the nicest whittling beginner's kit for one of my sons for their birthday. He thought he'd like to give it a try, I thought it could develop into a neat hobby for him. He tried it, He didn't like it. It was too painstakingly detailed for his happy-hyper self and so, I gave him the money I had spent to go on something he liked and inherited the tools, books, blanks and etc... for myself.
     
    From the beginning, I was captivated. Taking a piece of wood and making something out of it? I spent hours and hours on my first project, a detailed cowboy boot. I took it to Georgia to show everyone when we had the get together at Darlene's. I took it to Arkansas when we visited my family. Westie said, Stephanie, I think you've found your niche'. My mom said, I'm not one bit surprised (naturally my mom would say that). But, I was surprised and secretly delighted that it seemed I might have discovered a hidden and unexplored talent.
     
    Alas, as with so many of my projects, I found myself distracted and doing other things. As we have seen a few warm days here and there in the deep south, I pulled out my whittling bag over the weekend and sat myself on the swing by the catfish pond. I decided to start a new project with one of the whittling blanks, a dog. At some point the younger children meandered over to observe me and ask about what I was doing. I proudly pulled out my ONE finished project, that little 4 inch Cowboy Boot. They admired it and went about their play.
     
    A good hour had passed and I had made a little progress on the dog, just a little as whittling is a series of tiny cuts and grooves and slivers of wood. I decided to put my things away, feeling refreshed and focused. I thought I'd try to walk around the pond until my legs ached with exertion. As I carefully gathered my glove and thumb protector and gingerly closed the extremely sharp knife... I saw it, at my feet. There laid my Cowboy Boot that I had so proudly shared. Evidently my pet Border Collie had discovered it and decided the nice soft wood would make for a good chew. It was ruined. I couldn't help myself, I just cried.
     
    Silly girl, I tried to tell myself, it's nothing to cry about. But, still I did. I looked at the disfigured creation and announced, "It is ruined." I stuffed it in the bag and took off for my walk at a brisk pace, wiping my tears as I did. I couldn't even bring myself to tell my husband or children. I felt so angry, so frustrated, so much more than I thought I should feel over such a little thing.
     
    As I walked I remembered the passage of Scripture that talks about the Potter and the clay. Do you remember? It says that the vessel (that the Potter was forming on the wheel) was marred in his hand as he made it. Unlike me, the potter did not cast it aside as ruined. Instead he did an amazing thing...he made it again, another...that's how the KJV reads. He made it again, another.
     
    With legs that were aching but a heart that wasn't, I retrieved that little boot from my bag and looked at it closely. Could it be made into something again, another? I felt a bit deflated as I realized I didn't posess the skills to figure it out. God, on the other hand can figure out what is required to remake our broken and damaged lives. He will use our imperfections to bless others. He will take us in His hands and make us again, another.
     
    I'm saving that boot, and Iam practicing on my whittling. One day, I'm going to take that piece of damaged wood and make something out of it. It won't be today, but one day I will do it. In the mean time as I work on the newest piece and learn to follow the wood grains and to take little tiny chips, slivers and grooves, I am growing more skilled.
     
    Perhaps there is a relationship, a situation in your life that has been chewed up until it is barely recognizable and doesn't even resemble what it started out to be. Could it be you even that you don't recognize in the mirror anymore? Allow the Lord to begin His creative work, He is a Master Craftsman. Some of the chiseling may hurt a bit, some of the grooves may be down right painful. But in the end, in the hands of the Master, you can become a thing of beauty that is cherished by your Creator.
  10. Stephanie

    Pay Dirt!

    By Stephanie,

    We knew that this year we were going to have to buy some dirt. I don't mean the bags of dirt which we've bought so much ofin the last three years, but dirt by the pickup truck loads. This Alabama Red Clay has been an aggravation each year as we've attempted to garden with it. This morning dh went to a gravel/soil business that opened up recently to get the prices and see what was available.
     
    The man who owns it says, "You came at the right time, you see that dirt over there, it's in my way and I'll give you as much as you want for free." He explained just how to use this free dirt to achieve the perfect mix. So, my dh and two oldest bags have just finished unloading their second load of dirt, it was still a bit wet and heavy. Their backs are aching but their faces are smiling. After all, they hit 'pay dirt'.
     
    It is always such an encouragement when you're really trying and doing your best, to catch a break. Countless times this type of thing happens to us. Being at the right place at the right time. I don't believe in coincidences, as I know full well that I have a Divine Orchestrator in my life. Thinking upon the many instances where we have experienced the blessings of God, both large and small, I am reminded of this passage in Deuteronomy 28.
     
    Blessings for Obedience
     
    "If you fully obey the Lord your God by keeping all the commands I am giving you today, the Lord your God will exalt you above all the nations of the world.
     
    You will experience all these blessings if you obey the Lord your God:
     
    You will be blessed in your towns and in the country.
     
    You will be blessed with many children and productive fields.
     
    You will be blessed with fertile herds and flocks.
     
    You will be blessed with baskets overflowing with fruit, and with kneading bowls filled with bread.
     
    You will be blessed wherever you go, both in coming and in going."
     

  11. Stephanie

    CZ 75 B (Czech it out!)

    By Stephanie,

    I am the proud owner of a CZ 75 B 9mm LUGAR. Can you believe it? I can hardly believe it myself!
     
    There are some of you saying Wow! and Kewl!
    There are some of you saying Huh? and What?
     
    As for me, I'm saying
     
    If you'd like to know what in the world I'm so excited about, Czech it out!!
     
    http://www.cz-usa.com/product_detail.php?id=29
     
    So, why in the world would I want such a thing, some of you may be asking?
    So, why in the world would you wait so long to get one others are asking?
     
    As for me, I'm saying
     
    MrsSurvival has a way of changing a person. You come in here looking for a canning recipe or how to store your dried beans and before you know it...you're investigating the best laying hens and trying to figure out the best goat milking methods...later still, you find yourself counting down the days until the weekend when you can strap on your new pistol and do a little target shooting.
     
    I'm just saying.
  12. Stephanie
    You hear that an awful lot when you live out in the country with a pond and creek and a few acres!
     
    Like today, my middle son brought me the cutest little turtle. Yesterday my oldest son brought me a humongous wood beetle. There have been collections of army ants, crickets, grasshoppers and frogs (even tadpoles). But Monday they really lucked up and found ....
     
     

     
     
    Well, we don't have a cat or a kitten and they just thought this was a DANDY addition to the menagerie. This kitten was meticulously groomed, smelled like perfume, clean and brushed. Was sure that this was someones lost pet and told the kids so. But, that was over four days ago, we've called the Animal Shelter and the local vet, left numbers and watched for posted flyers. No luck.
     
    I haven't posted a sign anywhere because I'm not comfortable putting my # out in public (crazy folks are out there...ya' know?).
     
    I did my best to determine boy or girl. I'm 95% sure it's a boy and now the name debate has started.
     
    First, we thought of Puff, since we've been reading a lot of Dick and Jane lately. Then, I talked to my grandmother yesterday ( a real treat for me ) and she said, "If its a Tom Cat, you're suppose to call him Tom!" So, one son is all for Tom as he likes Tom and Jerry cartoons. The girls are still liking Puff.
     
    I then thought about Sylvester, but my youngest boys said they could NEVER remember a hard name like that!
     
    Plus....I'm soooo sure that this is a boy...but what if I'm wrong, I'm not exactly a cat expert. So I was trying to think of something more gender neutral. If I thought is was a girl, I would have named it Lydia...just looks like a Lydia to me.
     
    Finally the two big boys said, how about SAM, you like Sam from the Lord of the Rings, and if it happens to be a girl...that's just short for Samantha.
     
    I think they have a point! But...I'm still thinking. (Of course an owner could show up at any point. )
  13. Stephanie
    Ergazomai ἐργάζομαι Part II
     
    As I read the parable that Jesus told in Matthew 25 I was keenly interested in how each of them reacted and then the results of the actions that they individually took.
     
    Remember, I had been praying about what I should do next, what I should with what I had, what I should focus on.
     
    As I began to read the verses where Ergazomai ἐργάζομαι was used, I began to get a better understanding of what the word meant. Here are a few more of the verses. I will make the word bold that they translated from Ergazomai ἐργάζομαι.
     
    Mat 26:10 When Jesus understood [it], he said unto them, Why trouble ye the woman? for she hath wrought a good work upon me.
     
    Jhn 6:27 Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed.
     
    Rom 13:10 Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love [is] the fulfilling of the law.
     
    Gal 6:10 As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all [men], especially unto them who are of the household of faith.
     
    Jam 2:9 But if you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers. *note: other translations say committed sin instead of convicted.
     
    So, here we have five different translations of one Greek word Ergazomai ἐργάζομαι .
    Try reading our original Matthew 25:16 and substitute one of these five instead of traded.
     
    Immediately he went and '''wrought a good work"
    Immediately he went and "laboured"
    Immediately he went and "worketh"
    Immediately he went and "did good"
    Immediately he went and "committed (or acted with convicted)"
     
    Now we're starting to get a better grasp of what Ergazomai ἐργάζομαι means and as for me, I was really starting to understand what I was to do with whatever God has entrusted to me.
     
    To be continued....
     
  14. Stephanie

    Seasons

    By Stephanie,

    Everywhere I look blooms are bursting forth! Our gorgeous ornamental Pear Trees are solid white with tiny beautiful flowers. The peach trees are covered in delicate pink adornments. The plum trees are starting to display a little color as well.
     
    Seasons are a lovely gift that the Lord has bestowed upon us. Each has it's on purpose and is necessary.
     
    The important thing to remember about seasons is that they change. It's not going to stay as rainy or cold or hot or dry or humid as it is right now. A new season will arrive and it will be celebrated for its unique qualities.
     
    Tomorrow is the first day of Spring and today is sunny and warm! I will gather my small army of children around me and we will commence with the spring cleaning!! This will be an on going project for the weekend. My husband is off Monday and we will hopefully get the garden started as well. He bought his tiller last weekend and eager to 'turn some dirt'.
     
    Sweeping and dusting and organizing and cleaning out and getting things in order just feels great doesn't it!! We're going to cook out hamburgers and clean out the garage. We're going to attend church and Praise the Lord for the gift of seasons.
     
    Ecc 3:1 To every [thing there is] a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:
     

  15. Stephanie

    Offended

    By Stephanie,

    This morning I was doing some personal Bible Study and read the following scripture...
     
    Mat 13:57 And they were offended in him. But Jesus said unto them, A prophet is not without honour, save in his own country, and in his own house.
     
    This made me think about being offended and what it means, how it develops and why it happens. Unless you are the Saint I Ain't, you, like me have found yourself offended at times. As a matter of fact, I'm struggling with an offense right now. Someone I love deeply and have invested a lot of my heart into gave me a 'low blow' and I'm still stinging from it a bit.
     
    If you know much about me, you know that this led to a word study, the word Offended.
     
    Here's the word in Greek σκανδαλίζω skandalizō
    It occurs 30 times in the New Testament Scriptures
     
    It means, for one thing, a stumbling block, to cause to fall away, to cause one to distrust, to have your foot entangled.
     
    You may pick up on the fact that skandalizō sounds familiar. Think the Latin word scandalum or our English version, Scandal.
     
    So, why were the people of Jesus' home town stumbling on the words of Jesus? What was the scandal all about? How did He offend them? Let's read the account in the book of Mark, starting with verse 1 in the NLT.
     
    Jesus Rejected at Nazareth
    Jesus left that part of the country and returned with his disciples to Nazareth, his hometown.
    2 The next Sabbath he began teaching in the synagogue, and many who heard him were astonished. They asked, "Where did he get all his wisdom and the power to perform such miracles?
    3 He's just the carpenter, the son of Mary and brother of James, Joseph, Judas, and Simon. And his sisters live right here among us." They were deeply offended and refused to believe in him.
    4 Then Jesus told them, "A prophet is honored everywhere except in his own hometown and among his relatives and his own family."
    5 And because of their unbelief, he couldn't do any mighty miracles among them except to place his hands on a few sick people and heal them. 6 And he was amazed at their unbelief.
     
  16. Stephanie

    Tuesday Tidbits

    By Stephanie,

    Today is Tuesday. Since Henry went to a four day work week several months ago, Tuesday is the beginning of our week days. Since Monday's are now a part of our three day weekends, I never dread Monday's like I use to.
     
    I find that I'm enjoying Tuesday's as well. I try to never schedule anything on Tuesday and just stay home and do what needs to be done after three days of projects, chores, errands, shopping,etc... It's revolutionized our life style and I am so thankful that Henry's company has given him the opportunity.
     
    So, today I'm here and seeing about my broody hen, milking my nanny goat, tidying my house, sipping on coffee, considering what we'll eat for supper and loving every minute of it. Wednesday night brings church activities, Thursday evening brings Puppy Training Classes, and then Friday is the night that we drive to the Camp grounds and see my dh and two oldest ds's inducted into the Fronteirsmen. So today, the only day we're here from waking to sleeping, you couldn't get me to budge out of my own little corner of the world.
     
    I really need to do some hair cutting, I always procrastinate doing that. So, I've told myself that when I've done the three youngest boys, I'll reward myself by jumping in the pool and get some refreshing exercise.
     
    I'm still struggling with running out of hours before I run out of things to do, but I'm not complaining. I see progress being made in most areas and my children are well fed, taught, trained and cared for. That's the priority in my life. It seems like they are growing up so fast. My second oldest son passed my in height (talledr than my oldest ds) and now he's like 3 inches towering over me!!
     
    I did a thread on Rag Rugs in the Forums and I am so excited about the possibility of doing this. I think it seems simple enough that even I can't mess it up! Plus it is very frugal and recycles old worn out clothes! How cool is that!
     
    Just jabbering, so I'll go for now. I hope you are enjoying your Tuesday!
     


  17. Stephanie
    I'm constantly finding these good things and then losing them...so decided to list them here, y'all might find them interesting and maybe I'll do better at keeping up with them. I'll add more as I find them.
     
    http://survivallady.com/
     
    http://thesurvivalistblog.blogspot.com/
     
    http://allaboutfoodstorage.com/
     
    http://www.shelfreliance.com/
     
    http://lds.about.com/library/bl/faq/blcalculator.htm
     
    Visit My Website
     
    Four thieves
     
    Positively Prepared
  18. Stephanie

    Blogging Brilliantly

    By Stephanie,

    I'm enjoying the Personal Blogs option of our new home. I've been doing some investigating, can't resist those shiny new buttons.. and thought I'd share a few tips with my Blogging Buddies.
     
    At the top of the page you will see two 'buttons' concerning 'blogs'. One says 'my blog' and takes you to your own created blog where you can make an entry to your own blog, create your own blog and set blog controls.
     
    The other button simply says 'blogs' and it will take you to a page where you will see a list of recent blog entries from others.
     
    On that page you will likely see at the very top a featured blog for the day. Below that you will see many others. If you will notice in the far right hand corner of each mini blog blurb you will see a heart. If you click on that heart you will be making that a 'favorite' blog and your favorites will show up right under the Featured Blog each time you visit that page.
     
    When you click on a blog that you are interested in reading, you can leave a comment. Unless, the blogger has chosen the option of 'no comments' in their personal blogging options.
     
    About personal blogging options... did you know that you can make your blog private so that no one can read your posts? Did you know that you can then invite people to read those private posts by creating a Private Club? Interesting way to share something very personal that you don't want all the membership to read about.
     
    You also can customize the way that your blog looks in your blog controls, for instance choosing a 'skin' (background).
     
    The last thing I want to mention is concerning personal responsibility. If you don't care for the subject matter of a personal blog, don't read it. When you are posting or commenting, be considerate of others. If you think that someone needs to moderate a blog, let Darlene know. My favorite blogs are the ones who are sharing personal experiences, projects, funny moments and basically a window into the lives of people I consider my friends.
     
    If you need any help, ask! We're all learning together with the new possibilities before us.
     
  19. Stephanie

    How is Everyone??

    By Stephanie,

    I noticed that our blogging efforts have really slowed down. Y'all must be as busy as I am. So much going on.
     
    Mom and Pop will be here next Friday so we are working like Trojans getting ready for their visit, it's been a great motivator!
     
    Dh and the boys are out in the garage cleaning and loading a trailer to go to the Thrift Store for donation. This is a very good thing!!
     
    Not only are they coming and I'm dusting things that haven't been dusted in far too long, I'm trying to prepare for our new school year as well.
     
    We start our new year officially the day after Labor Day, just like we use to do it 'back in the day', I like setting my own schedule.
     
    All seven are officially being educated this year....although I have not 'registered' the youngest two. In the state of Alabama that isn't required until age seven. And once in the system, then you're in the system.
     
    I've decided to simplify my preps, focusing on the VERY BASICS. I'll probably start a thread about my efforts later, when I have time to breathe!
     
    We're doing really good in the 'eating what you store' plan, and I'm loving those new storage bins that I wrote about in an earlier blog entry.
  20. Stephanie

    Significant September

    By Stephanie,

    For months, literally, I have been wondering what September would bring. Why September?
     
    Well, it started about seven months ago when I was on the treadmill and reading my Bible passage for the day. I was reading about Joseph when he interpreted Pharaoh's dreams.When Josephs explained to Pharaoh that this was a time of 'plenty and prosperity' and that during those 7 years that should prepare for the 7 years to come, I just knew that I was to do the same. Not necessarily for the seven years (more like months), but for the spring and summer. I felt VERY impressed that we needed to be very diligent and productive during the Spring and Summer so we would be prepared for the Fall/Autumn and a Significant Event. Yesterday was the first day of Fall/Autumn and I took a moment to look back over our Spring and Summer, to take a good look at what we had managed to accomplish. It is a lot, a whole lot, but is it enough?
     
    I don't know what the rest of September and the subsequent Fall/Autumn season will hold for us, but it has already been significant with the torrential raining and floods here in the Southeast. So, was this the Significant Event that I was preparing for? Perhaps. Perhaps Not. I do know that they just announced that more rain and more potential flooding are on the way. I do know that this all happened in the same time frame as Rosh Hashanah (Yom Teruah) which is significant to me. This Biblically mandated holiday is also known as the Feast of the Shofar, which signifies a warning, an alarm.
     
    Perhaps this flooding is just the sounding of the Shofar, the warning of things to come? I do know that I felt like my family would be significantly impacted and that has not happened yet. I also know that I've made a genuine effort to prepare and set aside and gather in and clear out and increase skills and grow in knowledge. I also know that when I'm not enough, the Lord is.
  21. Stephanie
    Welcome my friends to my little corner of our new home on the internet. I can't wait to get to know our new place! It just looks so sophisticated and classy! Thanks to everyone who worked to make it possible.
     
    I'll be adding more later, but just wanted to greet you and give you a warm welcome! Drop by often!
     
    Stephanie
     
     
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