Love In the Home & Then - Poems

I copied these from my other blog to share with those of you who have never visited there. Actually, it has been a while since I have been there. I hope to have more time soon to keep it up, if not, I will probably delete it.

Love in the Home

If I live in a house of spotless beauty with everthing in its place, but have not love, I am a housekeeper--not a homemaker.

If I have time for waxing, polishing, and decorative achievements, but have not love, my children learn cleanliness--not godliness.

Love leaves the dust in search of a child's laugh. Love smiles at the tiny fingerprints on a newly cleaned window.

Love wipes away the tears before it wipes up the spilled milk. Love picks up the child before it picks up the toys.

Love is present through the trials. Love reprimands, reproves, and is responsive. Love crawls with the baby, walks with the toddler, runs with the child, then stands aside to let the youth walk into adulthood.

Love is the key that opens salvation's message to a child's heart.

Before I became a mother I took glory in my house of perfection. Now I glory in God's perfection of my child. As a mother, there is much I must teach my child, but the greatest of all is love.

~Author Unknown~

THEN

~ Author Unknown ~

When I was in my younger days,

I weighed a few pounds less,

I needn't hold my tummy in

To wear a belted dress.

But now that I am older,

I've set my body free;

There's comfort of elastic

Where once my waist would be.

Inventor of those high-heeled shoes

My feet have not forgiven;

I have to wear a nine now,

But used to wear a seven.

And how about those pantyhose--

They're sized by weight, you see,

So how come when I put them on,

The crotch is at my knee?

I need to wear these glasses

As the prints been getting smaller,

And it wasn't very long ago,

I know that I was taller!

Though my hair has turned to gray

And my skin no longer fits,

On the inside, I'm the same old me

It's the outside that's changed a bit.....

Happy Homemaker Monday

The weather in my neck of the woods:

Beautiful, but it is suppose to get hot again this week.

One of my simple pleasures:
Walking in the summertime rain.

On my bedside table:
More tissues. I put the book (Flies on the Butter) away to read later; not enough time to read it now..

On my TV:
Not on.

On the menu for tonight:
We have some errands to run this evening so we will be eating out tonight.

On my to do list:

Make bed and tidy up bedroom.

Take down shower curtain in master bath and wash.

Clean kitchen

Water flowers and plant the new ones that I bought yesterday.
Skylar (4 -5 hours)

Do a few loads of laundry (wash, dry, fold and put away)
Pull weeds from flower bed around gazebo.

Cook dinner and clean kitchen

New Recipe I tried last week:
Hash Brown Casserole
2 lbs frozen hash browns
1/2 cup margarine or butter, melted
1 (10 1/4 ounce) can cream of chicken soup
1 pint sour cream
1/2 cup onion, peeled and chopped
2 cups cheddar cheese, grated
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
Directions:
Preheat oven to 350°F and spray an 11 x 14 baking dish with cooking spray. Mix the above ingredients together, place in prepared pan and bake for 45 minutes or until brown on top.

In the craft basket:
Empty. I finally made my curtains for the den/family room and main bath last week.

Looking forward to:

Having time to read some of the many books that I have.

Homemaking tip for this week:

“Do you know that blunt sewing machine needles are wonderful for ripping seems? Keep one in your pin cushion for this special purpose.”
~ 1962 Heloise’s Housekeeping Hints

Favorite Blog Post of the week (mine or other): Alabama Slacker Mom
"and then there was one.....Chelsea's beautiful life story." This post was actually posted back in April but I read it today for the first time and was so touched by the story that I sat and cried for this family's loss but I also was in awe of their strength and endurance. This is indeed a beautiful story about Chelsea's life. Both Chelsea and Robin, her mom, are beautiful people and such an inspiration to others.

Favorite photo from last week:

My husband and son will kill me for posting this but I love it. I was inside cleaning and they were outside working on the new addition to our garage when my husband called me to come outside and take their picture. I thought it was funny that my husband removed his shirt and started flexing his muscles (not bad) to look like our son (who is not flexing but does work out). I remember when it use to be the other way around.

Lesson learned the past few days:
That the less time I have to work with, the more things I get done.

On my Prayer List:
My husband and children
Skylar

Devotionals, Scripture Reading, Key Verses:

"What Good Parents Have In Common" by Janis Long Harris
1. Good parents encourage their children. (They say, "Good job!" much more often than "Boy are you stupid!")
2. Good parents communicate their love. (Speaking it as well as demonstrating it.)
3. Good parents create a positive home atmosphere. (One that is peaceful, joyful, attractive - where kids want to hang out.)
4. Good parents nurture spiritual values. (Prayer is normal, not just what is done at mealtime.)
5. Good parents show consistent, balanced discipline. (Discipline which is fair, rational and commensurate with the infraction.)
6. Good parents make their children proud of them. (They uphold the standards they preach and become respected outside the home.)
7. Good parents create community. (One which specializes in cooperation, helpfulness and loyalty.)
8. Good parents give children the feeling that they are safe and secure. (They avoid fright-producing TV, and guarantee their children that they will never be rejected.)
9. Good parents model a good marriage. (A worthy goal in itself, but the stakes are up when children are watching.)
10. Good parents spend time with their children. (Quantity, not just "Quality" time.)
11. Good parents teach financial values and skills.
12. Good parents give children responsibility.
13. Good parents are passionate about teaching values and integrity.

Thank you Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom for hosting this event each week.

Weekend Ramble & Tea

I have missed posting on my blog as well as reading the posts of my favorite bloggers. The past weeks, in addition to helping care for Skylar, I have been busy getting my house and yard in order for a bridal tea that my daughter, Jacqueline, and I were hosting for Morgan, my son's fiancee. I also puppy sat Maya 4 days this past week while my daughter went on a business trip to Chicago. The bridal tea was today (Saturday) and everything went very well. The majority of the people that we invited, family, called to say they would bring their gifts to the wedding (September 12th) but we still had a good turn out. Lee and Morgan have been blessed with all the gifts they have received over the past few weeks from everyone helping them get the items they need to start their home together. We have been working on the landscaping at Lee's house where the wedding will be and have just about got all that finished. We still need to refresh the paint on the front door and front porch posts and pressure wash the back of the house and we should be finished with everything. Morgan and Lee have been helping my husband and I on the weekends and it has been fun working with them as well as spending time with them. Lee also celebrated his 27th birthday this past Thursday (20th). I finally made my new curtains for the den/family room and main bathroom (pictures below). As you look at my bathroom photo, keep in mind, that we built our home in 1978, the summer before we married in the fall (Sept. 15th) and we have the 70's blue bathtub/shower and toilet. Speaking of the 70's toilet, I need to mention that I have not been able to find a new toilet seat that is a match to it. We have purchased several and none of them have matched. I have been asking for a redo but so far hubby is ignoring me....I don't blame him......we both need a rest. Rest......I need to get off of here and get in the bed. It has been a long day.







Thanks for stopping by and I hope you have a wonderful Sunday.

Counting My Blessings

Counting my blessings"

When I'm worried
And I can't sleep
I count my blessings
Instead of sheep
And I fall asleep
Counting my blessings
When my bankroll
Is getting small
I think of when
I had none at all
And I fall asleep
Counting my blessings

I think about a nursery
And I picture curly heads
And one by one I count them
As they slumber in their beds
If you're worried
And you can't sleep
Just count your blessings
Instead of sheep
And you'll fall asleep
Counting your blessings
~Irving Berlin ~

Happy Homemaker Monday

The weather in my neck of the woods:
Hot!!!I have been working outside in the heat (after I finish at Skylar's) trying to get my flower beds cleaned out and all landscaping finished before my son's wedding (September 12th). I am sunburned, which is uncomfortable and I have a sinus infection, brought on by my allergies.

One of my simple pleasures:
Sometimes when I am cooking or doing the dishes my husband will come up behind me and put his arms around me. I always enjoy the feel of his arms around me.

On my bedside table:
tissues, tv remote, lamp, phone, book ("Flies on the butter" by Denise Hildreth).

On my TV:
Jon & Kate Plus 8

On the menu for tonight:
Bar-B-Q, slaw, baked potato, macaroni & cheese, baked beans, and buttered Bar-B-Q bread.

On my To Do List:
Make the bed and pick up in bedroom
Go over and help Skylar (4 hours)
Do a few loads of laundry.
Wash dishes
Sweep & mop kitchen floor
Work outside cleaning flower beds in goldfish pond area.
Cook supper and wash dishes.

New recipe I tried last week:
No time to try new recipes.

In the craft basket:
Skylar's new jeans that I need to tailor to fit his legs and I still have fabric for new curtains for the den.

Looking forward to:
having more time to relax.

Homemaking tip for this week:

Beatitudes for a Housewife

Blessed is she whose daily tasks are a labor of love; for her willing hand and happy heart translate duty into privilege, and her labor becomes a service to God and all mankind.

Blessed is she who opens the door to welcome both stranger and well-loved friend; for gracious hospitality is a test of brotherly love.

Blessed is she who mends stockings and toys and broken hearts, for her understanding is a balm to humanity.

Blessed is she who children love, for the love of a child is more to be valued that a fortune or fame.

Blessed is she who sings at her work; for music lightens the heaviest load and brightens the dullest chore.

Blessed is she who dusts away doubt and fear and sweeps out the cobwebs of confusion; for her faith will triumph over all adversity.

Blessed is she who serves laughter and smiles with every meal; for her buoyancy of spirit is an aid to mental and physical digestion.

Blessed is she who preserves the sanctity of the Christian home; for hers is a sacred trust that crowns her with dignity.

Author unknown- Taken from the Yankee Kitchen Cookbook, 1969

Favorite photo from last week:

My nephew, Skylar, texting on his phone while visiting with us last week. He uses a toothpick that he holds in his mouth to text, call, and answer his phone(you can enlarge the photo to get a better view). For those who do not know about Skylar, he was in an automobile accident in September 2007 and is paralyzed from the shoulders down. He uses a sip-n-puff device on his wheelchair that he controls by sucking or blowing through a straw (the white tube in front) to get around. I am amazed each day at all that he endures and still manages to smile and I love him very much.

Lesson learned the past few days:
I've learned that it's not what you have in your life but who you have in your life that counts.

On my Prayer List:
My husband and children
Skylar and my mom.

Devotionals, Scripture Reading, Key Verses:
"Prayer is the practice of the presence of God. It is where pride is abandoned, hope is lifted, and supplication is made. Prayer is admitting our need, adopting humility, and claiming dependence upon God. Prayer is the needful practice of the Christian. Prayer is the exercise of faith and hope. Prayer is the privilege of touching the heart of the Father through the Son of God, Jesus our Lord."

Thank you Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom for hosting this event each week.

Happy Homemaker Monday

The weather in my neck of the woods:
Hot!!!!! 91 degrees

One of my simple pleasures:
Working crossword puzzles.

On my bedside table:
"Flies on the butter" by Denise Hildreth

On my TV:
Christy

On the menu for tonight:
Fried chicken, mashed potatoes & gravy, macaroni & cheese, slaw, green beans, & biscuits.

On my to do list:
Make the bed and pick up in bedroom
Go over and help Skylar (4 hours)
Run to Lowes & pick up a few more plants to finish landscaping at husband's shop
Do a few loads of laundry.
Cook Supper
Wash dishes

New recipe I tried last week: Poem
The Recipe
I didn't have potatoes, so I substituted rice.
I didn't have paprika, so I used another spice.
I didn't have tomato sauce, I used tomato paste;
A whole can, not a half can. . .
I don't believe in waste!
A friend gave me the recipe;
she said you couldn't beat it.
There must be something wrong with her
---I COULDN'T EVEN EAT IT!
~Author Unkown~

In the craft basket:
I have new fabric that I got very cheap that I am planning on using to make new curtains for my den. I just made new curtains but I have not been pleased with the way they look.

Looking forward to:
Finishing all the landscaping and getting my house in order.

Homemaking tip for this week:
Before deciding to discard unwanted furniture, take another look at it and make sure that you're not overlooking its hidden potential. Older furniture has the wood quality and craftsmanship that is not easily found in any of today's ordinary furniture stores. A coat of paint, new stain treatment, or updated hardware (knobs) can transform your unwanted piece of furniture into something fresh and contemporary.

Favorite photo from last week:

I found this on Glitter Graphics last week and loved it. I can remember my children doing this.

Lesson learned the past few days:
I have learned that when I give others my time, my knowledge, my encouragements and my support, I receive more than I give. I get a great feeling of being good, a great feeling of contributing and making a difference in the world and this feeling is priceless. Be kind! "Give and ye shall receive".

On my prayer list:
My husband and children
Skylar and other family members

Devotionals, scripture reading, key verses:
"A perfect wife is one who doesn't expect a perfect husband."
-- Author Unknown

Thank you Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom for hosting this event.