Planning Ahead... Just in case..

If the grits hit the fan, hubby got laid off from work, or something else happened... (like a hurricane), could you feed your family? 

Would you have extra to barter with to get (hopefully) things you need that you don't have? This is good to think about.

Many of us know that grocery stores basically have no back room storage… everything they have is on the shelves... and if something happened... when the trucks stop coming in... the food will be GONE.. within three days at the longest.  Which leaves you and your family with whatever you have in your pantry.  What if this was more than just a few days?  What if it was for a few weeks?  A month?  Years?

My Grandparents raised all their own food.  But these days, we are all (most of us) DEPENDENT on the stores.   You have to have food to live.  We cannot survive without it. Period.   However... There are more and more people waking up and growing more of their own food and storing/preserving it, and more people are building a food storage inventory of their own.

Canned meats.  (and going hunting a LOT)  People will be craving for meat.   I was watching a television program, and the wife was canning salmon.  I thought that was brilliant.  I am planning to get a NICE canner.  I want to start canning meats, (chili, spaghetti sauces, soups, etc).   

A can of Spam would be something to barter with, for something you don't have.   If you have a smoker, you can smoke meats too.  My hubby makes his own jerky.

Canned vegetables.  I think everyone needs to have a kitchen garden, even if its just a little one in containers.   But if you don't, canned veggies is better than nothing.

Pasta.  Cheap. Easy to store. Simple to make a meal. If you can heat water, you can eat.

Pet food.  Lots of people won’t think to store much extra pet food.  Fluffy and Rover will thank you.

Peanut butter.  Packed with calories and protein.  A MUST in the pantry.  Right next to the Marmite, which is something else that I think would be good to have, especially if meat is scarce and you're already anemic.

Powdered milk.  Most people don’t like the taste.  Bake with it to keep it rotated.  Unless you have a dairy cow or goats, this will be a treat!

Dried beans.  They are packed with protein.  Soak those beans overnight, Get out your cast iron dutch oven, and put them on to simmer with whatever you have to add to it.

Rice.  You need something to go with those beans!!   Entire cultures survive on this stuff. Rice is a staple.

Other things to have on hand in your pantry... coffee, tea....  What else?  What do YOU store?

My Catholic Bubble

Withdrawing further into my Catholic bubble has made the most sense to me for quite some time now.    And just this week, the results of this election was a punch in the stomach...  it seems half of this country has thrown in the towel with God.  I believe it's a case of about 20% are atheists, and about 30% are some form of "christian", but only on paper, and instead are a "church" of "self".   I am appalled at the number of so-called Catholics who voted for re-election.  Any self respecting Catholic who is faithful to the Magisterium would of course vote for LIFE and vote towards protecting our religious freedoms.  Being politically correct is all that matters to some of these people.   They have no problem offending God,... just as long as they don't offend immoral lifestyles.  

No.. I don't blog much anymore.  What's the point?  Isn't it a matter of pride for me to post?  I mean seriously, who CARES what I think?  Opinions are something we all have, every one of us.   Not everyone shares mine, not I theirs.  And that's fine.  Furthermore, it's not like I have some huge reader following.  LOL

I don't know what I'm going to do.  Right now I just want to stay in my bubble, hug my family close, and know that God will get us through anything and everything this world has to dish out.

Lowly am I

Lowly am I.

Jesus is the Son, and I want so much to have His Light Shine down upon me, who deserves nothing.

How I desire His Light, His goodness!

His Mercy is the only thing sustaining me.

My mouth cannot find the words to convey to Him, 

all the things my heart wants Him to know.

But He knows anyway.  

My weakness, frailty, and miserably poor spirit shame me.

I am unworthy.  Pathetic.  And ashamed.

Demons attack my family, and my heart.  

My courage and strength fail me.  My eyes, ears, and very thoughts deceive me. 

The demons even attack through family and friends sometimes.

It is painful.  I feel utterly alone, except for Him.

He alone, my heart clings to, even through my unfaithfulness to Him through my thoughts and deeds.

How miserable I am.  

Why do I ignore the One who has never ignored me?

Lowly, I am.  Deserving to be crushed.  Mind, body, and soul for my sinfulness.  

My wretchedness.  

My pride.  

His Infinite Mercy is to great to fathom.   

I am grateful He loves despite all I lack, have never and can never be.

The King and the Rock and the Great One of all ages.  

Of the Universe.

I am but a drop of water in the ocean.  A grain of sand on a beach.  THAT insignificant.

So why should He care for me?  

How can I even begin to show Him how I love Him in return?

My wretchedness.. grief.. and woefulness distress me so much... I know not where to even begin.

I am always... truly... gratefully... at His Mercy.

Catholic Tea Party Hippie: The Hippie in Me

Catholic Tea Party Hippie: The Hippie in Me: You are probably wondering what the heck I'm talking about when I say that I am a conservative Catholic Tea Party hippie, right? For starter...

Treats for Wheeters

Two weeks ago, after our homeschool group meeting (that we just started last month, and will post about later), my eldest daughter Amy decided that our two guinea pigs, Alphonse and Phoebe, needed some homemade treats.

I was a bit concerned, as I remember well when she attempted to make Sea Salt Ice Cream... and didn't measure the salt.  (completely inedible), however, she has mastered making spaghetti with sauce, and a few other things and is coming right along in the kitchen.   Besides, I considered the fact that I doubt the pets tastes are all that discriminating.  LOL

So, she started making dough for "the wheeters".  Yes, I know it's "wheek".  But we say, "wheet".    Before, when we had our guinea pig Wilbur, we used to call him "Wee Wheety Wilbur"... and thought ourselves quite funny. :)

So Amy made these treats... and I have to say, they looked like dried animal droppings.  LOL   However, the "piggies" LOVED them, and since having one each they have shamelessly begged.   Hilarious.  So, for all you guinea pig owners out there, I reccommend you make some goodies for the wheeters (wheekers) in your life. 

:)

For Today..

As time passes, I find I am more and more wanting to hide away from the world.  I continue to lose people because they are 'bothered' by my faith.  I am content to 'hole up', and live in my own little world.. I can remind myself that "Those who matter don't mind, and those who mind don't matter."    So, why does it bother me so much? 

I have lost "friends" because I will not support "gay marriage".   I don't CARE if someone is 'gay'.  I am not a gay 'basher'.  I just don't support this fake 'marriage' stuff.   Marriage is for one man and one woman only.  Two roosters don't make an egg.  Savvy?

The world seems increasingly liberal...  I don't think it actually 'is'... it's just that they seem to be the loudest.  Funny how we are so terribly 'intolerant' unless we agree with 'them'.  

I tried getting together with an old "friend" a few months ago.  She spent the first ten minutes of our 'visit' making restaurant reservations for her family and 'other' friends (in front of me), and then she and her 'perfect' son openly made fun of what I was wearing, to the point they were openly laughing at me... (long skirt and blouse), and then a while later proceeded to bash someone else, (a stranger at our church) for their unkempt appearance.  I was bothered by this...  so shut my mouth, and was polite, but quiet, on the way home.   She's hasn't said 'boo' to me since.  Which tells me she was not keen to see me anyway.   No worries.  I am aware that ship has sailed.  I'm over it.   

I am not a perfect person.  Not 'holy' enough.  Not 'tolerant' (apparently) enough, and I am certainly not without my flaws.   But why are my flaws so "wrong", but it seems others get a free pass on that?

And on top of everything else, I have someone who SERIOUSLY takes EVERYTHING and twists it.. I swear to you... things that have NOTHING to do with them.. and make it ALL about them.   To the point she is a manipulative screwball.  Unhinged.  Confrontational.  Mental.  Did I mention manipulative?   I have decided, though, that I am just "NOT" dealing with her again.  Period.  I've tried to be nice.  Kind.  I've tried being understanding.  I've listened to the crazy ranting.  I've tried to be sympathetic.  But the truth of the matter is that she is plain sucking me dry... sucking the very life out of me.  I am supposed to believe that when she does not say 'boo' to me for two years at a stretch, suddenly I "hate" her, (huh?) and I prevent her from being healthy.  (all because when she was on a freak-out rant, I attempted to explain that no one was attacking her).. but since she had her mind made up, this made me a hate-filled evil person.   Whatever.   I can't deal with her "crazy" anymore.   God knows I've tried.

So today I will plan for our homeschool club tomorrow here, and turn in my daughter's attendance for our umbrella school.  We'll make some homemade doggie biscuits, and enjoy our day.  Life inside our bubble is good. :)

Reasons I Unschool

Reasons I Unschool

Homeschooling isn't something we do.  It's our lifestyle. Learning is part of everything, every day.  We look up everything, study anything, and pursue whatever is interesting at THAT moment.  My daughter is free to follow her bliss. :)

We are not confined to a classroom.  Living life happens everywhere.  We learn everywhere, every day, in every situation.  The best lessons are the ones that happen when you're not looking for them. :)  Though observing, playing, and living.  All with your loved ones!

We spend more time together as a family.   

Her learning is more effective.. she can learn in ways that work for HER!!

No having classmates who are bad influences.

She does things for her own internal satisfaction rather than for external rewards. (Stickers?!  Stars?! Are they KIDDING ME?!)

She doesn't do "just enough" to "squeak by" and "please" a teacher.  She is her own judge of the quality of all she does. 

She's more willing to take risks and be creative since there's no worry about being embarrassed in front of others.

She's more confident since she is not subject to constant fear of criticism from other students and teachers. 

Social interactions will be by choice and based on common interests.  

Her friends are more varied, not who just happens to be born the same year!

She doesn't have feel that grades or test scores is some sort of competition with peers... so ending up either conceited towards others, (I'm smarter because I got an A), or feeling inferior (I didn't do as well) to others.  Neither is good!   

She spends her time and energy on activities that SHE thinks are worthwhile.  

She will not learn to "be OF the world", "but will, instead, be "set apart" and value morals and love more than power and money. 

She doesn't have to wait until she is grown to begin to seriously explore her passions; she can start living NOW.  

My children who learn "different" don't have to be subjected to the constant and merciless teasing, taunting, and bullying.

She is encouraged to reach her full potential and not be limited by the use of "cookie cutter" methods used in schools.  

Religious and special family days can be planned and celebrated.  :)  

She doesn't have to wait for her 2 seconds with an overworked teacher to grade and return her work... and then even later to find out if she even understood it.  What rot!

Testing is optional.   

Family's values are part of every day life... she can learn them by seeing and doing in REAL LIFE. 

More Field trips!! Which are much more enjoyable (and productive) when not with a large noisy distracting group.  (that moves at a snails pace and misses half the good stuff!)

Volunteering//mass can be included in the regular schedule.  Helping others is important in a child's development and can be a great learning experience!   

Scheduling can be flexible.  Go on trips//field trips during less busy times.  The freedom allows you to travel and do  and go more... which is a wonderful learning experience!

She is free to learn subjects not usually taught in school.  

Free to read at home! :)  No distractions like at school!

We can go outside all we want!!  Way more healthy than spending most weekdays indoors in a crowded, and often overheated, classroom.

Spending more time out-of-doors results in feeling more in touch with the changing of the seasons and with the small and often overlooked miracles of nature. 

No government controlled school.  Blech!  

Children learn to help more with household chores, developing a sense of personal responsibility.  

Children learn life skills, such as cooking, in a natural way, by spending time with adults who are engaged in those activities. 

More time spent on household responsibilities strengthens family bonds because people become more committed to things they have invested in (in this case, by working for/with the family). 

Time is available for other things... like art or music. Handcrafts. Gardening.  This leads to a richer, happier life. :)

She won't have to feel like a passive recipient of whatever the school/teacher dishes out.. she chooses!!

She learns to seek out answers to her questions herself, and learn from MANY different sources, rather than depending on the teacher to (hopefully) give the right answer. 

No bullies.  (aside from her sister) :)

No sitting under florescent lights for hours doing monotonous paperwork.  (What the heck does busy work teach?  Anything?)  On the level as everyone else... if you're a quick learner, too bad.  You have to wait for the rest of the class.  If you have a learning disability, you are under constant stress to "keep up".  Like it's a RACE.  

No moving to the sound of a bell.  Like a lab rat. :(

Not having to ask permission//wait in line for attention//help with a lesson//for food// for permission to relieve yourself.  

NO Political indoctrination.

At home, you're free to practice your faith.  At school you're not free to be a Catholic/Christian.  You can't mention it, or be caught doing anything perceived as 'religious'.

No peer pressure. Sex, drugs, indecency, immoral dress, language and behavior.  Instead, learning in a peaceful, quiet home where you are loved, accepted, and treasured! 

No forced acceptance of perversion and 'lifestyle' choice. No free rubbers, abortions, books on "Heather has 2 mommies" and so forth.  No "changed" liberal textbooks, teaching, or views.  (Sorry.. we didn't come from MONKEYS!)

At home, I can discuss "blossoming" with her.. in school she would get "sex ed". 

No disgusting school food she has to wait in line for, and then by the time she gets it and gets to a table, she has five minutes to gulp this garbage down.

No having to "dress out" for PE.  No having to undress in front of others so that you are gawked at and criticized.

She is free to play outside all she wants, and using her imagination.. instead of "dressing out" and then made to line up in the heat to do "jumping jacks" with 50 other students.  Yuck.