Checklist for All 12/31/2011
This monthly checklist isn't intended to overwhelm, but make your preparations easier and better organized.  Please consider reviewing the list with your husband (if you're married) and develop a plan in the event of an emergency. It should be easy to follow and allows you to make a budget and divide up your resource into different categories. You can bring your list & some cash, then spend a couple hours shopping a little bit at a time. I recently found good prices for 25lb bags of grains and other products at our local store. I also priced some bulk stored items in #10 cans ranging from $8-$25....If you just buy a few items at a time, rather than try to get it all at once, it shouldn't be such a shock to your system :) 
3 Comments Snuggle Bug 12/27/2011
MaYah was super fussy earlier, so I pulled out the handy baby sling a friend made for me, and... 
...(the pictures say it all) Joyful Homekeeping 12/27/2011
I confess that I've haven't mastered the art of homekeeping, however, over the years I have developed a heart to serve joyfully within our home. I was recently asked if I was always domestic, so here's my video response to this question: Build a Wall... 12/27/2011
In an effort to promote physical endurance, I've requested our boys to "build a wall" in the backyard every day. There are some cinder blocks and cement bricks that the boys must carry across the yard and build the wall. Each week, I plan to increase the number of bricks they are carrying so that over time they can strengthen their muscles and become more disciplined in physical activity. Last week, was just a starter session and I may possibly video tape the process once they really get in the hang of it. If you have any helpful suggestions for promoting excercise with limited supervision, please leave a reply (feedback always welcome) :) Visual Hebrew 12/27/2011
I came across this video & learned a few new things about modern Hebrew. This is exciting to me, since I've just embarked on the study in "Aleph Isn't Tough". The Unexpected Opportunity 12/27/2011
Last week, I set out to make my residence in Idaho official by applying for my driver's license. I studied the driver's manual for several hours and set out at 7am to get the process going. As I presented my proof of citizenship and residency, it came time to take the photograph (which is something that occurs before the test.) I was politely asked to remove my glasses and my headcovering (?)....I explained that I've been wearing my headcovering for religous purposes for over 3 years. The lady proceeded to ask management how to handle the situation, then they made a few calls and told me that it is their policy. I explained that when I read the manual it stated that exceptions could be made for medical or religous reasons.  After a bit more discussion, I was then told that I needed a letter from my synagouge because this exemption was only to be used at their discretion . I maintained my "shalom" and asked if I could request for that information to be clearly included in their manual and online site. If I had known about this potential delay, I could have easily had a letter prepared and avoided an additional trip to fulfill my mission. Ultimately, the situation provided an opportunity to be a witness to some of the clerks. I was asked a bit about our faith and one lady inquired about what the Hebrew writing said at the bottom of the letter . Later in the day, another sister from our fellowship was planning to get her id card and she used the same letter to maintain her conviction about headcoverings. When she went to the Department of Transportation, the manager remembered me as being very nice (versus being confrontational and upset.) This was a good witness, considering how inconvienent it was to make an additional trip and delay the process. I kept my shalom and really wasn't angered by the situation. Ultimately, you never know just how impactive your responses can be to others. The impression you leave with people just may shape their perception of others with similar convictions...Just a little thought to ponder, and perhaps it's needful to repent about your unseemly reactions in the past (?)
Wise & Simple 12/27/2011
 I was recently thinking about my maternal grandmothers financial wisdom. She had purposeful budgeting by having a collection of banks that she would regularly deposit money into for a specific goal. Whether for depositing into an account or investing in a large purchase, my grandmother was very wise in her saving techniques. Her method is very similar to the Envelop System http://frugalliving.about.com/od/moneymanagement/ht/Envelope_System.htm I can clearly remember one of my grandmother's most commonly used phrases: "delayed gratification". Since we live in such an impulsive, on-demand culture, it would be worth considering ways to save and invest your hard earned resource. Any thoughts? Winter Preparations 12/27/2011
In addition to food storage, health is another aspect of preparations to have in order for the winter. Here's a little video I made with MaYah about "Home Remedies for Babies":http://youtu.be/BKmX4PePf0Y Backyard Pals 12/04/2011
Those who have known me will remember that I've wanted milk goats for YEARS. Praise Yah, we were to recently purchase 2 does that are due to kid in March. WELCOME OUR NEWEST BACKYARD FRIENDS: "Moonlight" is French Alpine & LaMancha "Vanilla" is a Boer goat (meat breed) "Popcorn" is our Brahma hen BEWARE!! 12/04/2011
Standing in line after 2 sets of Extreme Couponers at the grocery store: OBSTACLE OR OPPORTUNITY? Okay, I know I'm not the only one who has rolled her eyes and let out a huge sigh while awaiting for that couponing diva to go through dozens of coupons while I must bite my lip and endure....Can you relate? (No offense "couponwifey," just being honest :) ) Now, I don't intend to be negative (remember this is a site for encouragement.) On one hand, it appears to waste my valuable time while this couponer takes part in this time consuming experience. OR I could slow down my normal high-paced flow and be a little convicted about ways I too can save my family more money (?) I do recognize that I AM NOT a natural couponer, YET I know many ways that could potentially save some serious bucks for our family. Like taking a day to plan, shop and prepare "convienence foods" to be frozen (see picture below) Earlier this week, I was super duper rushing with a small window of time to do an enormous amount of shopping.  I planned a crockpot roast dish and saw that Tyson was so thoughtful & made my shopping a tidbit easier. They've developed all-in-one pack of dinners for those "on-the-go" types (like me.) I desperately want to get back into meal planning and cooking from scratch, but in this case, Tyson made things too irresistable. So I bought the convience pack and later spent less than 10 minutes to put the veggies, roast & seasonings in the slow cooker to begin cooking. Now, with hopes to save money, I will set a day aside with my girls to do about 5 convienent meals for freezing/refridgerating. This is similar to the time I experimented with my once a week massive preparation/cooking day. Whenever I schedule it this time around, I want to chop up fruit to be frozen for quick morning smoothies and probably make some enchiladas and a vegetable rice dish. So, the moral of the story is that those early morning couponers did frustrate me at first, but I turned that obstacle into an opportunity. What about you...How do you view couponers? | WELCOMEOur family is on a agricultural mission!    
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