Scenes from the Kitchen

Good Wednesday Morning, Friends!

How's your week going so far? Mine has been slow and steady, with minimal busyness, which has been great! 

Monday I had lunch with one of my oldest friends. We've know each other since our kids were in kindergarten. They are now about to be 27! Wow! How time flies! In fact, she is the one who made this adorable "paddle" when I had my first grandbaby. Isn't it so cute? I have it hanging in the kitchen, just in case I need to use it on one of them (*wink*wink).

Today I thought I would share some scenes from the kitchen...

Cornbread to go with last night's taco soup. My favorite is Jiffy cornbread. Still so perfectly priced and always sweet and delicious.

My handmade kitchen tea towel. Morgan did the stitching and it was in my Christmas gift basket

that all the kids made for me. I'm using it as a valance over the kitchen window and I love it!

Part of the vanilla cake that Addie and I made on Saturday.

It's been delicious and we ate the last two pieces last night for dessert.

I decided to drink my Vit C hot yesterday. Normally I drink

Emergen-C on ice, but hot tea sounded better.

With the ice coming this weekend, I'll probably

be drinking this a few more times.

One of my new pieces of cookware.

I had not bought cookware for so many years,

I can't even remember how long it's been. 

So...I splurged a little and bought two new pans for the new house.

As silly as it sounds, it's actually made cooking more enjoyable.

And a cute, little tower of Pioneer Woman measuring cups,

a PW butter dish and a jar full of measuring spoons.

I just can't resist all the colors and patterns.

💛

Just before we moved back to the house,

a friend asked me if I was going to continue decorating with

all the colors and cottage style decor

that I've had for years.

My response...

"I can't imagine doing anything different."

And it's the truth.

It's my style.

It's just who I am and what I like.

I need color and scenes and flowers and things that make

you smile and feel happy and cozy. 

🏡

Today I will be going to the store for a few supplies,

just in preparation for the winter weather

we are expecting this weekend.

I have pictures to hang and other

things I hope to work on

over the next few days.

It's going to be a cold weekend!

Hopefully the last hurrah before

we start seeing spring-like sunshine.

🌞

Well, I'm off to start my day.

I hope you have a great one,

my friend.

Until Next Time...

Blessings! 

 

Catching Up and A Slow Week Coming

 Good morning friends!

It's 33 degrees here in Texas and I have to say...I'm over it 🥶 I need sunshine and temps in the 60's or 70's. 

But other than the cold, it's been a great first week back in our house. I don't have any new pictures to share, but will take some this week, now that everything is in its place (except for pictures). 

We started out last week with David going back to work and me cooking our first meal of porkchops, potatoes and carrots. It felt good to sit down to a proper meal and we even had enough for the next night.

Monday I got a text from my mom. She was in the ER after having a severe reaction to an antibiotic she was given for a dog bite. The antibiotic almost killed her and thankfully she started noticing some symptoms and quit taking it, but the effects were already in play in her body and she got very sick. She has since gotten much better, but she had to take a bunch of other meds to help get her over the other one. The whole thing was terrifying, especially since she lives 5 hours away from me. Thankfully my aunt (her sister) is there with her and was keeping me updated. 

That was the 2nd incident involving a reaction to a medication that we've had in the family in just a few weeks. My SIL was hospitalized a few weeks ago for an allergic reaction to a medication that was actually in her chart as an allergy! So the doctor AND the pharmacist both missed it. I'm telling you...these medications and the medical field are a mess. 

So moving on to the rest of the week...we got to keep Asa and Sunday on Thursday while Morgan and Collin celebrated their anniversary. They were precious, as always, and we had so much fun with them. 

Then Saturday we had the three big girls all day and enjoyed the time with them, like always. David hung a big swing in the back yard and they played outside most of the day. It was cold, but they were loving it and would come in when they wanted to get warm. 

Addie and I baked a cake and she put the icing on. She and I did some art together (her favorite) and then David took the girls riding in the truck to the back of the property, which they thought was so much fun. Our 2 acres backs up to a small farm that has some longhorns, which the girls got to see on their ride in the truck. 

We have a lot of clearing and cleaning to do on the back acreage, but that will come in time. For now we are both so happy to be looking out at land and our own yard, rather than the parking lot of the apartment. 

Yesterday we took it easy and just puttered around, doing odd things here and there. We did have to make a trip to Home Depot for some light switch covers and a few other odds and ends. We treated ourselves to a drink from Starbucks and then came home and David did some small jobs and I rearranged my office a bit. 

We were both tired yesterday, I think from moving last weekend and then having a busy week. It felt good to have a day just to take it easy and putter at our own pace.

Today I'm having lunch with a friend and then will come home and work on the meal plan for the week and hopefully start hanging some pictures. I'm sure the week will fill up as the days go by. I'm hoping to get some reading in, as well as finish a craft project I've been working on. 

It might be a quiet week. We shall see 😊

Until Next Time...

Blessings! 

Dear "Anonymous"...

 Good morning friends!

One thing I love about this blogging community is that it feels like a safe space to express our opinions, talk about our days and just share the ordinary happenings in our lives. But I've noticed that every now and then we get one of "them" infiltrating our space and begging for attention. So today I'm going to give him a little. 

I've often chuckled at the "anonymous" poster that likes to make the rounds on all of our blogs. Have you noticed him? He throws jabs and insults - not just at us, but at the U.S. and all of it's doings.  He will take whatever topic you've written about and somehow weave his tiny minded thoughts about our country into his snarky, little comment. 

I imagine him in a bedroom somewhere or maybe on a ratty old couch, with garbage spread about, like he doesn't know how to clean up or is waiting on a woman to do it for him. 

He has no friends, except his fellow trolls, so he plays video games and watches the news, fueling his hatred of the big, bad United States, all the while cheering on the fake news and hatred going on around the world.

He peruses our blogs, just looking for something to comment on. I guess he's run out of social media accounts he can bother.

But he's there too...especially on Instagram. His fingers are always on the keys, waiting to write that comeback comment on ANYTHING that anyone posts that has an opinion. He throws out the bait, just hoping someone will bite, because he needs the attention. It's all he's got to look forward to.

I often wonder if he gets paid to be mean. Hmmm...some could make a good living off that! I mean, how do you set yourself up with that kind of job? It seems like a lot of people have been hired.😏

Just yesterday I commented on someone's post on social media and about 4 vultures started pecking away on their keyboards, calling me names, insulting me and my faith. You see? They're everywhere. And you know what? They all seem so miserable and pitiful. What a shame.

So today I thought I'd just go ahead and give him some attention, so he doesn't have to beg for it. 

It's just too bad that behind that keyboard, he's too scared to sign his name. I would love to visit his space online and see what his life is all about. But he's not found the courage to do that yet. 

I guess you have to grow up and get brave to open the door for others to find you. 

Poor thing. Maybe he'll grow up someday. Maybe he'll find the Lord and then find the purpose in his life. Maybe one day he'll get off the couch, turn off the fake news and put some clean clothes on. Maybe he'll comb his hair, walk out the door and find a job - a real one. Maybe he'll become a good citizen and his mind will expand and he'll wonder why he ever wasted so much time being a troll. Maybe. I hope he does all of that and more, because life is a one-time chance to live a good one and eternity is a long time to live a bad one. I pray he chooses wisely.

Until Next Time...

Blessings! 

Savoring the Days

 Good Morning, Friends!

As I eluded to in my last post, I'm taking things kind of slow around here and trying to just savor the days and the fact that I'm back home, not just house-wise, but in my rightful place as a homemaker. 

Every time I talk about this (to myself mostly) I have a guilty feeling come over me, like I'm doing something wrong by wanting to be at home, after working for 10 months. But that's not right and not fair to the homemaker I used to be and the 30+ years I put in on that job. I need to get over it, right? And I'm trying.

On the other hand, there's a new appreciation I'm feeling as well, for the privilege of being back home. 

Again...all it takes is stepping away from something old, to gain an entirely new perspective on the new, even if you've been there before.

I remember years ago, as a young homeschooling mom deep in the trenches of teaching two boys - all day, every day - and I was starting to experience burnout. Not from my kids, but from the teaching, lesson plans, spending money on curriculum every year and all the time and energy it took to be all things to all the hats I was wearing at the time. 

I would get my favorite homeschooling magazine in the mail and want to hide it, instead of read it, because I felt like I couldn't take one more article about teaching or planning. In fact, I stayed in that mode of burnout for months, just going through the motions, but not finding the joy like I once did. 

I never questioned the calling to be at home teaching my boys, but I had lost the passion, so I had to change things up; step away from all that felt mundane and routine. After a few changes to the schedule, the routines and tweaks to the way we were doing things, I finally picked up my magazines again, started reading and becoming excited and motivated again and never looked back. 

All it took was a break.

Homemaking is the same way. I think it's why some women have a hard time imagining being at home full time and sometimes why homemakers feel like they need to try something new. All the cooking and cleaning and the days and weeks can become mundane and ordinary. But I'm here to say that all it takes is stepping away, living another life for 10 months, to make you appreciate the ordinary days like never before.

That's where I'm at. 

I've been waking up this week, praising God for giving me back my life as a homemaker. In fact, it feels fragile and unreal and yet, so familiar and a part of who I am. As dramatic as that sounds, it's the truth.

So many times in life, we have to lose something to appreciate it. I wish it weren't that way. But in the losing, we often find what we were missing, and yet had all along. I hope that makes sense.

All that to say...I'm so happy to be home again. This is what I was made to do. And I'm thankful that the Lord lets us try things sometimes, because he knows it's what we need, in order to appreciate what he's already given us. 

So I'm taking it slow this week and moving at my own pace. In fact, I may sit at this restful pace for the rest of the month, but probably won't. If you know me, you know I don't sit still for very long. I've got ideas and plans and things to write and meals to create and babies to see and all the good things that life's going to bring. 

But I've got peace and that's the most important thing of all.

Thanks for following along and coming back, time after time. You are treasured, my friends.

Until Next Time...

Blessings! 

We Made It! Home Sweet Home (Again)

Good morning, Friends! 

I'm finally back and ready to fill you in on what's been going on since last week. 

The movers came Saturday morning and got all of the big furniture loaded up, but before they got there, David and I had already loaded his truck and my car full of stuff and were just waiting on them to get done, so we could all head to the house, which is about 15 minutes north of the apartment. Once the big stuff was unloaded and both of our vehicles were emptied, we headed back to get more stuff and that went on for all of Saturday and Sunday. Needless to say...we were exhausted. After the last item was taken out of the apartment, David swept (we had already cleaned everything) and locked the door for the last time. 

Our apartment living era was over. 

Sunday night we were able to look around and say "we did it!" and it felt like we were finally home. 

It looks and feels like a whole new house - so different than the one we lived in the first time. But we needed the break from the house it used to be, with it's old carpet and bad memories. And had we not moved out for those months away, we would not have the appreciation that we do now.

I keep thinking of the verse, Romans 8:28, that says "We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose." Had we not moved out, had a break from here and a taste of something different, we would not have had the resources to renovate, nor the emotional break we needed from the negative memories we had here. By moving and experiencing living in the apartment, selling a vehicle, saving money for the closing on the house (we were trying to sell it, remember?), there was no way we would be here right now with new floors, fresh paint, and a whole new appreciation for living in our own home. 

It takes all the pieces fitting together to make things happen and even though the pieces and circumstances feel disjointed, from our viewpoint, they make complete sense from God's perspective. We just have to be obedient and not try to figure out all of the pieces before He's ready to put them all together. Because it will never make sense until it does. 

 We have most things put in their place, except for anything needing to be hung on the walls, but that will be a slower process. Normally I am faster at getting things hung, but this time I feel like taking my time. And that's a post for another day 💛 For now, I'm ok with going slow, savoring each day and doing a little at a time. 

Now I'm ready to catch up on all of your blogs and see what my friends have been up to 😊

Much love to you all and thanks for sticking with me through the crazy 😅 I treasure you all.

Until Next Time...

Blessings! 

Packing and Moving and A Walk Down Memory Lane

Happy Friday, Friends! 

It's been a busy week of packing and moving and repeat and rest. Every time I take a car load of stuff to the house, I come back to the apartment and wonder why there's still so much left to pack. But David assures me we are making progress, so I'm taking his word for it.

Yesterday I went to the house twice, once to unpack my car, and once to put some packages inside that had been delivered. Today will be a two-time trip day as well and then tomorrow the movers will come to move the big pieces of furniture. My goal is to have everything out by Sunday. 

Every time I go to the house, I get more and more excited about it. It truly does feel and look like a different house. 

Yesterday I spent a little time in Home Goods looking for a few kitchen items I needed. I also bought myself a new coffee mug. I couldn't resist with the colors and the hearts. I also have a cute mug the girls gave me for Christmas. I will alternate these for morning and afternoon cups of coffee. A cute mug just makes the coffee taste that much better, don't you think? 

Today I will go to Hobby lobby and look for a wall calendar. I haven't had one in years because I keep things on the calendar in my daily planner. But, this is an old tradition that I want to bring back (maybe no one else lost it, but I did). Growing up, I always had a wall calendar, as did my mom, my aunt, my step-mom and most people I knew. 

I'm going to hang it in the kitchen for all of the family to see and use it to schedule family gatherings and other important dates. I remember when the credit union would supply us with a Norman Rockwell calendar every new year. Wow. That's a memory that just popped up. That was many, many years ago. 

And if we're going down memory lane...do you remember when banks would give you a coin purse or umbrella or rain cap, just for opening a new account? My stepmother Ruby worked at a bank and I would somehow end up with all of these goodies to take home. I also remember when the gas stations would give out a set of drinking glasses every time you did a full-service fill up. Ahhh...those were the days 😀 In fact, I remember most of our drinking glasses being from the gas station and the glass jelly jars that had cartoon characters on them.

Well, I didn't intend to go down memory lane, but here we are. That was fun!

So I'm off to start my day. I need to eat and get dressed and start loading the car with more stuff. 

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend. I will be back on Monday to let you know how it went.

Until Next Time...

Blessings! 

Decision Fatigue - How Do You Eliminate It?

Hello Friends! 

Am I the only one who feels that January is moving along so quickly? It's already the 7th! Wow!

Anyway, I've had this topic on my mind, since hearing someone mention it recently and I think it's worth sharing here in case anyone is feeling the same way.

It's about decision fatigue.

Ever hear of it?

Well, I've been feeling it lately!

Decision fatigue is pretty self-explanatory. It's the absolute weariness that comes from

having to make constant decisions about various things.

For instance, shopping for Christmas for a big family.

This can be so taxing, to keep track of the budget, what you've bought, what still needs to be

purchased, what to wrap, etc.

Whew! Thank goodness that's over!

But add that to getting ready to move, deciding what type of flooring, what color paint,

where to put everything, when to pack, when to move, when to turn on and off utilities,

change addresses on bills and so many other things that go along with moving,

I've hit a wall several times.

So when I recently heard someone talk about ways to deal with decision fatigue,

I perked up and took notice and it got me thinking about all the ways

to relieve yourself of having to make decisions over and over again.

The example I heard was pertaining to what color to paint your nails. 

Now that is obviously a frivolous endeavor, but if you go to a salon,

you know the first thing they tell you to do is choose a color.

So the example is to make a decision ahead of time, such as wearing red nail color

all winter long. Boom. Decision done. Now when you go to the salon

you don't have to wonder what to do. Just choose a red and get going.

The same can be done with weekly lunches or a weekly menu.

Back in the day, women didn't search Pinterest for a new set of meals each week.

They had set meals for certain days of the week. For instance,

my mom has told me that my grandmother always fixed pork chops and baked potatoes

on Thursdays. 

Many grandmothers fixed a pot roast on Sundays.

These are decisions you can make once, and use over and over and never have

to reinvent the wheel. 

You know what meal comes on what day and you shop accordingly.

This would also eliminate having to create a new list of groceries each week.

Capsule wardrobes or even the "uniform" trend that's been

popular over the years is a good example of how

women have tried to cut down on the decision of what to wear.

If you aren't familiar with these,

a capsule wardrobe is one that has a certain number of

mix and match items and no matter what you choose

to wear that day, your items will coordinate.

The uniform trend has taken off over the years and it consists of

a certain bottom, certain top, maybe a jacket 

and you have multiple copies of the same item and that's what you wear every day.

So for instance, you have 5 pair of black slacks, 5 white shirts and 1 pair of black

loafers and each day the decision of what to wear is eliminated.

When David and I were choosing ceiling fans for our renovation, 

we chose the same fan for multiple rooms. 

Why not?

I've never gone to anyone's house and taken notices of their ceiling fans.

Keep it simple!

I'm sure there are so many categories you can apply this to,

so I'm curious as to what you've done in your life to make 

one less decision during the week. 

Inquiring minds want to know!

Until Next Time...

Blessings! 

The Natural Rhythms of Life and Seasons

Hello Friends!

It's the first Monday of January and normally I would be chomping at the bit to start something new, because after all...new year, new month, new week...you get the idea. But this year I'm learning something that I've honestly never thought about before and it's really going to change the way I look at time and seasons from now on. 

I (and seemingly the rest of the world), have always looked at January as the time to get our act together, start life again, do better, set goals, resolutions and be a better version of ourselves than we were just a few weeks ago. And you know what? Most of us fail within weeks of all the best laid plans. 

So imagine my wonder when just recently I saw something on Instagram that talked about the seasons according to God, not the world, and it really made so much sense. Now I've seen others talk about it (hi Billie Jo!) and it's changed my perspective in the best of ways.

For years, I would jump on the January bandwagon of self-improvement and fail soon after. I never really got my act together on the new budget, any kind of goal, or cleaning out last year's files, until around March - 3 months into the new year. Every year I felt like a failure for it taking so long to conquer these tasks that I knew were important, but every year I would keep the same rhythm and not get going until March or so. 

What I'm just now discovering is that this is the natural rhythm of life! I wasn't failing; I was reacting to the natural seasons, as God has laid out, with the winter months being slow and deliberately less productive, even regenerative for our bodies and souls.

Imagine a world where you allowed yourself to take January and February to relax more, hibernate, if you will, and slowly live in rhythms that coincided with the seasons. You slowly moved through your tasks, you slowly made plans for Spring, you slowly enjoyed this time of rest and renewal and allowed all of the frantic pace of the holiday season to melt away, one day at a time, by choosing rest over crazy. 

Essentially you would start your year off with renewal and not more stress-induced goals, after having lived through two of the most stressful months of the year. 

For me, this makes so much sense. It explains why I never felt like I was getting anywhere until months after New Years and it takes the pressure off of having to live in a constant state of stress. 

The older I get, the more I think doing the opposite of what the world deems necessary, is the way to live. The world is always striving and stressing; grasping for more. But the rhythm of God's word is that everything has a season and the things that need to happen will happen in due time. 

So now I can move through the next few months without guilt or insane expectations of myself. I can enjoy the slower pace of life without feeling like I'm behind and I can rest in knowing that Spring will bring new energy, new life, new excitement as the world comes to life at the proper time. 

And for me...this will make all the difference in how I enjoy my winter.

Until Next Time...

Blessings! 

A Yummy Recipe - Blonde Brownies

 

Hello Friends!

Are you as ready to move on from holiday talk and just get back to 

our normal routines and daily life as I am?

We've been busy moving carloads of things to our house, unpacking them,

putting things where they go and going back for more the next day.

We are slowly making it look like a home again and the movers

are scheduled to move the big stuff on Saturday. 

So for now we are sitting in a sparsely furnished apartment,

with some bare walls, no dining chairs,

and anticipating what to move next so that we can be done

with nothing but the big pieces left for the movers. 

In the meantime, I haven't been to the store since before Christmas

and I was really hungry for something sweet,

so I made a batch of these Blonde Brownies

and let me tell you...delicious!  

I love desserts that are tasty, but not icky sweet,

and these are perfect. 

The recipe calls for sprinkling chocolate chips on top,

but I chose not to. I also used chopped pecans instead of 

walnuts, because I like pecans better (and it's what I had available).

This is one of those recipes that comes from the most basic ingredients,

so you can pretty much make them anytime. 

They pair great with a cup of coffee in the evening or even for breakfast.

If you make a batch, let me know what you think.

☕

Wishing you all a wonderful weekend.

Until Next Time...

Blessings! 

A Calm and Quieted Soul for the New Year

 

Happy New Year!

I never make it past 10:00 on new year's eve, 

so I woke up this morning and it was a whole new year 🥳

Thank you all for the comments and interaction on my last post.

I know that can be a touchy subject for some, but I'm grateful for all of the 

encouragement and kind words. 

Now it's time to step into a new year with new vision and focus.

I don't do the "word of the year," but I have chosen a scripture

that I want to aspire to live by this year...

Psalm 131:1-2

Lord, my heart is not proud:

my eyes are not haughty.

I do not get involved with things

too great or too wondrous for me.

Instead, I have calmed and quieted my soul.

That's my heart for this next year...to have a calm and quiet soul.

If I had to pick a word, it would be 

CONTENTMENT

and that goes along with having a calm and quiet soul.

💙

The candle in the picture above is one that I got for Christmas 

from my kids. 

The whole time we've lived in the apartment I haven't been able to to burn

candles, due to fire hazards, so my kids knew I was missing

this and they put one in my gift basket for Christmas.

I couldn't wait to take it over to the house and light it.

Why am I sharing this?

It's just twofold really...

first off - that my kids knew I missed this, so they bought me one,

and 2nd...

that this represents the simplicity of the life I want this next year.

Not that I don't anticipate challenges (every year has them).

But more so, that I want my heart and soul to remain calm,

even if the challenges arise.

I said it a few posts back and this is my reflection

on this past year...

sometimes you have to give something up,

to realize it's what you wanted all along.

I've missed my home, I've missed my life in my home,

and I've missed the simplicity of my routine on ordinary days.

This is what I want to get back to and the way I want to spend

this new year.

Simple routines.

Simple acts.

Simple meals.

Simple plans.

And a calm and quiet soul.

💙

I wish the same for you, friends.

Until Next Time...

Blessings for a simply calm new year.

We Are Not The Same

 Hello friends 💛

It's Monday morning and as I'm typing this the wind is blowing so hard outside, as a cold front moves through S.E. Texas. The highs will only be in the 50's today, but back to the 70's by Thursday. Such is life in the south. 

I'm warm and cozy, have already had one cup of coffee and thought I would sit down and share some news with you.

I quit my job at the library. I am no longer working outside the home. Praise the Lord.

I worked my last two days last week, just before Christmas and I'm so happy to say that I have officially reinstated my 32 year position as a stay-at-home wife, mom and grandmother. It's where I belong.

I have so many thoughts I want to share about this, so if you're interested you can stick around, but if not, that's ok too. I'll catch you on the next post.

Here goes...PART 1...

When I took the job last February, David had been out of a job for a few months and though God was truly providing for all of our needs, I just thought it might be time for me to find some way to make some money, so I called the library to see if they were hiring. What do you know...they were. I went on my first job interview in 31 years and was hired on the spot, in spite of the doubt of some that I could actually get a job after being at home for so long. And to them I say...don't underestimate my God. 

 For the first few weeks on the job, I grieved. I grieved the life I was giving up. I grieved not being at home, not being available for my kids and grandkids like I've always been, and for the changes that were taking place in my life. I cried for the first few weeks. It was hard. 

My schedule was different, which meant everything in my home and how I've run my home had to change. Meals were different, my ability to cook, the days I could shop, when I could see my babies, have family dinners, do the laundry...everything about my life had to change. And I hated it.

It took me a few months to feel ok about going to work and there were even days when I looked forward to being there. I enjoyed being around the books and learning new things. I made some good connections with some of the patrons and enjoyed them each week when they came in. But working with other women who had been there and very set in their ways was a little tougher. It was an adjustment, for sure. 

Though many thought it was the best fit for me if I was going to work outside the home, it was actually torturous at times. It is a small library and there was only so much work to do, which meant that many days I spent hours sitting or standing doing nothing. Anyone who knows me, knows that I am not ok with doing nothing. I was wasting valuable time, for little pay and I quickly began to dread going each day. 

We were not eating good food, because I was too exhausted to cook when I got home at 6:30 every night. All I wanted was to eat something quick and sit on the couch. I would go weeks without seeing my kids and on my days off I would feel so stressed trying to get everything done before going back to work. 

Now...let me stop here and say that I realize many who work and have always worked outside the home are playing their violins in a sarcastic manner at what I'm saying and that's ok. We are not the same. I will elaborate this point later.

So after many countless hours of feeling like there wasn't enough work to actually do at the library and being stifled when I would try to find things to do, I decided that it wasn't worth my time or all that I was sacrificing in my own life, so I gave my notice. My boss, who was always very caring and supportive (and she let me decorate, which was the highlight of my time there), was very gracious and understood my decision. My last day was December 23rd and I couldn't get out of there fast enough. I was officially done.

PART 2 - you can read on or come back later if you've grown tired of this post already 😅

I'm going to take a minute to address some things about all of this that have bothered me and it has to do with the outdated, unfounded, continual mindset that working outside the home is more valuable than working in the home. To this I say...you couldn't be more wrong. If this is still the mindset of society, then there is no hope for the ignorant. I'm just saying. And further more, I'm so over it. 

Let's just start with the comment that someone made to me when I first mentioned that I might look for a job outside the home. "Who's going to hire you?" Are you serious?

So, because I've spent over 30 years running a household (and very well, I might add), not to mention teaching two kids from K-12 twice, planning, buying and teaching curriculum for 12 years, buying and selling cars, houses, securing loans, working with insurance companies, mortgage companies, utility companies, churches, schools, scheduling, shopping, teaching two humans to drive (never again!), being a single parent while my husband worked out of town many times, planning vacations, work trips, hiring construction workers, contractors, pest control, plumbers, cable installers, paying bills, walking dogs, driving kids, etc. all while writing 5 books, reading my Bible, going to church, having set-scheduled days with my grands (even homeschooling two of them), and having a successful marriage for 37 years...I'm not qualified to get hired outside of the home? 

Then let's fast forward to our current time and me deciding that home is where I need to be...well, why? Why aren't you staying in the workforce? It's so much more valuable than being at home. It's hard, yes, so that must mean that you can't hack it. You are weak, you are giving up, surely you realize that this is life.

And again I say...we are not the same.

So, when I wanted a job, I had to convince people that I was worthy. And now that I want to return to my real job, where there is value and history and where I'm actually needed and do a darn good job at...I'm having to justify myself again. 

Ladies, never let someone tell you that work at home isn't worthy. That what happens outside the home is more valuable than what you do inside the home. That is a lie from hell, straight from the enemy. 

I've have poured my life into my home, my marriage, my kids and grandkids and for anyone to make me feel like I am a failure for going back to that, is nothing but arrogant and ignorant. 

I don't despise anyone for working outside the home. If that's what you want to do and where you get your value, then go for it. Do it with pride and joy and work at it for all it's worth. But don't dare try to tell me that my work isn't as valuable and worthy.

I'm not new to this kind of criticism. I homeschooled for 20 years, remember? I went against the tide, year after year, listening to society ask me when I was going to put those kids in "real school." Yeah? How's that working for you at this point? 

 Honestly I'm sick of having to justify my choices to a society that's in the rat race and failing miserably. People are sick, overworked, depressed, on meds, need therapy, divorced, and downright miserable, yet see what they do as more worthy than those who crave simplicity and quiet. Do you see the irony there?

I got my first job when I was 16 and worked for 12 years until a week before having my first child and yet, I've never been more fulfilled in my life, than the years I've spent serving my home and family. You will never convince me that I'm lacking, that I don't have skills or value or am not successful. 

And again I say...we are not the same. 

I know some women have to work for financial reasons, but I also know that some choose to work because they want more stuff. Some choose to work to feel valued or like they are contributing. Some work because they are bored or have an empty nest or whatever their reasons are. But some work because nothing at home is worth sacrificing for. 

You see, we all make choices and to be at home, I've always had to choose too. At times I had to choose being with my kids over being able to get my nails done or buy designer clothes. At times I've had to choose hamburger over steak, driving used cars over new and smaller houses over big ones that cost more than they're worth. I don't have fancy jewelry and I don't go overboard on Christmas gifts. But I would choose less, every time, because I'm doing what I feel called to do. 

We all make choices and some make sacrifices. 

So if your job is paying you and it's worth all the stuff, all the things you're giving up, all the stress, all the things you're missing, then great. 

My job is worth it too and I actually want to be there. 

Until Next Time...

Be kind. Quit competing. Quit thinking you're all that and a bag of chips. You're just making choices, that's all. And so am I.