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This is where I'm doing my Christmas shopping today! Shhhhh... don't tell the children.
Today in church the one known for his chubby cheeks looks over at his father and yells out a resounding, "WAKE UP!!"
Yes. It. Was. Embarrassing.
What was even more difficult was keeping a straight face while watching the shoulders of the congregation bouncing up and down as they attempted to keep peals of hysterical laughter to themselves.
It's good to know we amuse.
(Disclaimer - Mr. P "claims" he was awake. He has absolutely no idea why anyone, especially his own dear progeny, would call him out erroneously assume he was dozing off.)
Remember that yard sale? The one with the cake pans. The one with the health books. The yard sale to end all yard sales. Remember THAT yard sale? Part two of that yard sale was today. In addition to loving gardening, cake decorating and good health, this lady was also a quilter! Her children doing the yard sale mentioned she was a quilter and that they would be having a second yard sale "before too long". I've been sitting on the edge of my seat watching the paper. And waiting.
The wait was worth it!
Here are a few of my treasures...
I think I've died and gone to yard sale heaven. *swoon*
I am a fan of labels.
I have always sought a 'box' to fit into. Boxes make things neat and organized. Boxes make things orderly. First I was a daughter, then a wife, then a mother, then a teacher. Neat, orderly, organized. Of course, I always labeled myself a Christian, though I didn't fully understand what that meant until later in life and I'm still learning. I was also a 'good girl'. I was a 'good' student, a 'good' friend, a 'good' driver. I was all-around 'good'... and I liked it that way.
Over the years, I put myself in the box of 'homeschooler', 'quiverful', 'patriarchal' and so on. Lately, though I've been becoming more and more uncomfortable with the boxes. These 'movements' are not the end-all/be-all of walking out the Christian life. In fact, sometimes they limit, and hinder, and hurt.
I cannot tell you how many women have disparaged the movement commonly called 'patriarchy' saying that their husbands are ogres and take advantage of them, take them for granted, or worse. I have debated the issue hotly. Just because someone sins under the guise of 'patriarchy' does not mean 'patriarchy' is wrong does it? (the correct answer is no)
Homeschoolers get a bad rap too. You've got your kook fringe that keeps their kids out of school so they can beat and starve them. On the other extreme, you've got your holy rollers that proclaim anyone who does not homeschool their children in a denim jumper while baking their own bread, making their own soap and rendering their own lard is on the slippery slope to hell. Where does a simple mother called to homeschool her children fit into that paradigm? I ask you.
Then there is the quiverful movement which can make a woman with less than double-digit kids feel like a failure or barren by way of sin.
The problem is I fit into all of these categories and I believe in all of those things. My general response to criticisms is what you would expect. Everyone can sin within and without of these various 'movements', but don't throw the baby out with the bathwater. But, that's getting harder and harder to defend.
What really made me ponder this recently was a certain "Christian" church. This church, without going into detail, was anything but "Christian"... at least by my understanding. I told my husband that I no longer want to be known as a "Christian" because people have broad interpretations of that word these days. The labels are limiting and defining me in ways that are less and less appealing.
So, if not a Christian, homeschooling, patriarchal, quiverful, natural foods loving, vaccine delaying, conservative but not Republican woman, what then?
Christ follower. Even better, Bible believing Christ follower. It's all the label I want and all the label I need. When you live by the Bible, everything falls naturally into place as the Lord designed it.
The rest are man made boxes open to wrong interpretation. Labels change. It used to be a compliment to your positive spirit and exuberance to be labeled 'gay'. I'm just saying... things change. Meanings change. Labels change.
There is nothing left to interpretation in the words Christ follower. It's all I am and all I ever want to be. The rest is gravy.
10. One can never own too many soy candles or too much soap.
9. Many mothers need to be introduced to the biblical principle known as the rod of correction.
8. Flattened glass bottles are all the decorative rage.
7. Christmas Village has very special bottled water that surely came straight from Juan Ponce de León's fountain of youth as it cost just slightly less than the Spanish royal jewels.
6. Anything is cute when it's covered with glitter and pine cones.
5. Double strollers take up the majority of the space in a spacious aisle.
4. A forty-something mother of six does NOT look ridiculous wearing a balloon reindeer hat.
3. Cashew brittle tastes better when eaten to the tune of Grandma Got Run Over By A Reindeer.
2. When standing in a LONG line in the ladies' room, do not lean against the wall. You might accidently lean against the light switch and turn it off. If this happens, said ladies' room will be as dark as the deepest cave. You will also have a moment or two of trouble locating the microscopic button that turns back on the lights. When the lights do come on, you will be receiving cold aggravated stares from women who do not have any Christmas spirit. Hypothetically speaking, of course.
1. Cheese cut in the shape of a gingerbread man and covered in wax is a super cute Christmas present even if you don't know who you might give them to when you buy ten of them.
I thought you might enjoy taking a peek at my first ever fall garden. It is almost as much fun as my very first spring garden. We, of course, hope it turns out a bit better than that one. My lettuces are coming up nicely. I have every exotic species of lettuce not patented by Monsanto.
I also have three varieties of cabbage, some you see here.
My strawberry beds are poised to produce mountains of strawberries next spring which happens to be 133 days away. But who's counting, right?
In this bed I have some of my broccoli and Mammoth Sweet Peas. Those didn't do well in my summer garden so I'm trying them again in the cooler weather. Trial and error are my bosom buddies.
Last but not least, my beets are finally popping up. It may be too late for them to get a good hold before the frigid angry winds of winter take firm grasp of the earth and nearly snuff the life out of her. Then again, they may do just fine and I never know it because I'm holed up by the fire. Either way, I'll let you know.
I'm particularly fond of Red Salad Bowl lettuce. This is why I have a lot of them. Too many? Not enough? Trial and error, my friends. Trial and error.
The fall garden is turning out to be a nice diversion from my usual whining and moaning about the upcoming winter. I might actually be able to distract myself right through the winter solstice.
Here is my girl during the recent infiltration of germs. A girl after my own heart.
Quotes from the Great Depression
September 1929
“There is no cause to worry. The high tide of prosperity will continue.” — Andrew W. Mellon, Secretary of the Treasury.
October 14, 1929
“Secretary Lamont and officials of the Commerce Department today denied rumors that a severe depression in business and industrial activity was impending, which had been based on a mistaken interpretation of a review of industrial and credit conditions issued earlier in the day by the Federal Reserve Board.” — New York Times
December 5, 1929
“The Government’s business is in sound condition.” — Andrew W. Mellon, Secretary of the Treasury
December 28, 1929
“Maintenance of a general high level of business in the United States during December was reviewed today by Robert P. Lamont, Secretary of Commerce, as an indication that American industry had reached a point where a break in New York stock prices does not necessarily mean a national depression.” — Associated Press dispatch.
January 13, 1930
“Reports to the Department of Commerce indicate that business is in a satisfactory condition, Secretary Lamont said today.” – News item.
January 21, 1930
“Definite signs that business and industry have turned the corner from the temporary period of emergency that followed deflation of the speculative market were seen today by President Hoover. The President said the reports to the Cabinet showed the tide of employment had changed in the right direction.” – News dispatch from Washington.
January 24, 1930
“Trade recovery now complete President told. Business survey conference reports industry has progressed by own power. No Stimulants Needed! Progress in all lines by the early spring forecast.” – New York Herald Tribune.
March 8, 1930
“President Hoover predicted today that the worst effect of the crash upon unemployment will have been passed during the next sixty days.” – Washington Dispatch.
May 1, 1930
“While the crash only took place six months ago, I am convinced we have now passed the worst and with continued unity of effort we shall rapidly recover. There is one certainty of the future of a people of the resources, intelligence and character of the people of the United States – that is, prosperity.” – President Hoover
June 29, 1930
“The worst is over without a doubt.” – James J. Davis, Secretary of Labor.
August 29, 1930
“American labor may now look to the future with confidence.” – James J. Davis, Secretary of Labor.
September 12, 1930
“We have hit bottom and are on the upswing.” – James J. Davis, Secretary of Labor.
October 16, 1930
“Looking to the future I see in the further acceleration of science continuous jobs for our workers. Science will cure unemployment.” – Charles M. Schwab.
October 20, 1930
“President Hoover today designated Robert W. Lamont, Secretary of Commerce, as chairman of the President’s special committee on unemployment.” – Washington dispatch.
October 21, 1930
“President Hoover has summoned Colonel Arthur Woods to help place 2,500,000 persons back to work this winter.” - Washington Dispatch
November 1930
“I see no reason why 1931 should not be an extremely good year.” – Alfred P. Sloan, Jr., General Motors Co.
January 20, 1931
“The country is not in good condition.” – Calvin Coolidge.
June 9, 1931
“The depression has ended.” – Dr. Julius Klein, Assistant Secretary of Commerce.
Excerpted from the article "A dose of reality?" by one of my favorite bloggers, Chain of Liberty.
