While listening to the radio this morning, I heard an advertisement for Earth Hour to be 'celebrated' on March 28th at 8:30 pm.
God has called us to be stewards of the Earth and all that is in it. We need to be faithful to what he has called us to do. However, I do believe that he gave wisdom and insight to men and women to invent things...like electricity. We should not be wasteful of anything with which we have been blessed. That said, I am not turning off my lights at 8:30 on March 28th! My inclination is to turn every light in the house on! Of course, that is wasteful, but in some twisted way it might make me feel better.
If "every light makes a statement"? What is your statement, WWF? This is nothing more than symbolism over substance. One night a year for one hour? What does this prove?
Turn lights and other electric using appliances off when you are not using them! Just be responsible!
OK, I'm done.
Monday, February 9, 2009
The Struggling Economy Hits Home
I was privileged to see God at work the Body of Christ on Sunday. It was, what most would call 'normal', quite ordinary. There were no bright flashes of light or angels. It was amazing.
Our eldest son lost his job on Thursday. It was totally unexpected. He is the father of our two little grandsons and husband to a beautiful, loving wife. He is a hard-worker and a good provider. He called me on Thursday morning to share the news and said to get the word out. It is important to spread the news early and often. It seems that trying to find a new job is helped by spreading the information among friends and family who would have connections to other opportunities.
Being an obedient mother, I promptly called and emailed some friends and family. Many offered prayers for another position. Some offered ideas of places that may be hiring.
On Sunday, right after church was over, I had two people--ones that I had not called or emailed--offer prayers and one offered employment information. There are two other families that I know of who have also lost their jobs recently. My husband spoke with one gentleman and I called an other's family member with job opportunities that we had heard about that may be best suited for their skill set.
It was one church family member helping another. It was genuine care and concern for the members of the family.
Our church has had a rocky ride for the last several years. Sometimes it has been difficult to see God working. It was so refreshing to be part of how God is working. It shouldn't amaze me or surprise me when God's people do what they are called to do. It happens all the time with no fanfare or bells or whistles. Just people who have the right stuff doing the right thing. These folks never make the front page or get interviewed for the TV news. They are quietly doing God's work.
Often, it is the people with the right stuff doing the wrong things that get all the attention and give Christians and church members a black eye.
Is this a huge deal? Probably not in the big picture, I guess. But for one who was able to witness how the Body of Christ is really supposed to work, it was wonderful.
"My Saviour wept that all tears might be wiped from my eyes, groaned that I might have endless song, endured all pain that I might have unfading health, bore a thorned crown that I might have glory-diadem, bowed his head that I might uplift mine, experienced reproach that I might receive welcome, closed his eyes in death that I might gaze on unclouded brightness, expired that I might for ever live.
O Father, who spared not thine only Son that thou mightest spare me,
All this transfer thy love designed and accomplished; Help me to adore thee by lips and life.
O that my every breath might be ecstatic prise, my every step buoyant with delight, as I see my enemies crushed, Satan baffled, defreated, destroyed, sin buried in the ocean of reconciling blood, hell's gates closed, heaven's portal open.
Go forth, O conquering God, and show me the cross, mighty to subdue, comfort and save."
excerpt from Love Lusters at Calvary from The Valley of Vision
Our eldest son lost his job on Thursday. It was totally unexpected. He is the father of our two little grandsons and husband to a beautiful, loving wife. He is a hard-worker and a good provider. He called me on Thursday morning to share the news and said to get the word out. It is important to spread the news early and often. It seems that trying to find a new job is helped by spreading the information among friends and family who would have connections to other opportunities.
Being an obedient mother, I promptly called and emailed some friends and family. Many offered prayers for another position. Some offered ideas of places that may be hiring.
On Sunday, right after church was over, I had two people--ones that I had not called or emailed--offer prayers and one offered employment information. There are two other families that I know of who have also lost their jobs recently. My husband spoke with one gentleman and I called an other's family member with job opportunities that we had heard about that may be best suited for their skill set.
It was one church family member helping another. It was genuine care and concern for the members of the family.
Our church has had a rocky ride for the last several years. Sometimes it has been difficult to see God working. It was so refreshing to be part of how God is working. It shouldn't amaze me or surprise me when God's people do what they are called to do. It happens all the time with no fanfare or bells or whistles. Just people who have the right stuff doing the right thing. These folks never make the front page or get interviewed for the TV news. They are quietly doing God's work.
Often, it is the people with the right stuff doing the wrong things that get all the attention and give Christians and church members a black eye.
Is this a huge deal? Probably not in the big picture, I guess. But for one who was able to witness how the Body of Christ is really supposed to work, it was wonderful.
"My Saviour wept that all tears might be wiped from my eyes, groaned that I might have endless song, endured all pain that I might have unfading health, bore a thorned crown that I might have glory-diadem, bowed his head that I might uplift mine, experienced reproach that I might receive welcome, closed his eyes in death that I might gaze on unclouded brightness, expired that I might for ever live.
O Father, who spared not thine only Son that thou mightest spare me,
All this transfer thy love designed and accomplished; Help me to adore thee by lips and life.
O that my every breath might be ecstatic prise, my every step buoyant with delight, as I see my enemies crushed, Satan baffled, defreated, destroyed, sin buried in the ocean of reconciling blood, hell's gates closed, heaven's portal open.
Go forth, O conquering God, and show me the cross, mighty to subdue, comfort and save."
excerpt from Love Lusters at Calvary from The Valley of Vision
Saturday, January 31, 2009
Commercial Food Issues
Please read this important post at Mrs. Dewey Smith's blog.
It will be vital to families and the country to grow our own food in the coming growing season. It's cold and snowy...a great time to check out those delightful, colorful seed catalogs.
It will be vital to families and the country to grow our own food in the coming growing season. It's cold and snowy...a great time to check out those delightful, colorful seed catalogs.
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Reorganized
When we first moved into this home, I was determined to get on a schedule that would help me keep up with the cleaning. This house is considerably larger than what we came from--three full floors--so I needed to get my act together. It worked great...as long as I kept to the schedule. Now I am at the point of needing to be back on a stricter schedule.
It seems that most folks work best when there is a regular schedule--a rhythm, if you will, to life. So here is my attempt at getting better organized and becoming more godly (since cleanliness is next to it).
Each day: clean up dishes
make bed
devotions
excercise
Monday: Dust and sweep second floor
Tuesday: Any ironing
Clean the bathroom
Burn paper between 9-1--don't get me started on the intrusion of our local government that tells me what day and during which times I can burn paper so it doesn't fill a land fill...ACK!!
Wednesday: Market day (spring-fall months
Catch-up day
Thursday: Sweep porch--spring/summer/fall
Feed plants
Burn in the afternoon
Friday: Dust and sweep first floor
Saturday: Market day
Burn between 9-1
Weekly chores:
Week One: Clean fridge
Week Two: Clean oven (if needed)
Week Three: Sweep down stairways
Week Four: Clean bathroom and sweep on third floor
Spring and Fall: Curtains, Windows
Fall: Carpet cleaning
Since there is just the two of us, laundry can be done as needed and according to weather conditions. It leaves time, too, for breadbaking and other baking. My hope is that, if I have cleaned the bathrooms and the rugs are swept, that if there is company coming, I just need to do spot cleaning. During the months that the garden and the yard consume a great deal of my time, this schedule allows for time to weed, cultivate, plant, harvest, mow, etc.
If I can get my chores done by noon each day, then I have time to quilt or sew or read without feeling that I am being neligent in homekeeping.
I'm open to your ideas and suggestions. Do you see something I've missed?
While the people are virtuous they cannot be subdued; but once they lose their virtue, they will be ready to surrender their liberties to the first external or internal invader.... If virtue and knowledge are diffused among the people, they will never be enslaved. --Samuel Adams
It seems that most folks work best when there is a regular schedule--a rhythm, if you will, to life. So here is my attempt at getting better organized and becoming more godly (since cleanliness is next to it).
Each day: clean up dishes
make bed
devotions
excercise
Monday: Dust and sweep second floor
Tuesday: Any ironing
Clean the bathroom
Burn paper between 9-1--don't get me started on the intrusion of our local government that tells me what day and during which times I can burn paper so it doesn't fill a land fill...ACK!!
Wednesday: Market day (spring-fall months
Catch-up day
Thursday: Sweep porch--spring/summer/fall
Feed plants
Burn in the afternoon
Friday: Dust and sweep first floor
Saturday: Market day
Burn between 9-1
Weekly chores:
Week One: Clean fridge
Week Two: Clean oven (if needed)
Week Three: Sweep down stairways
Week Four: Clean bathroom and sweep on third floor
Spring and Fall: Curtains, Windows
Fall: Carpet cleaning
Since there is just the two of us, laundry can be done as needed and according to weather conditions. It leaves time, too, for breadbaking and other baking. My hope is that, if I have cleaned the bathrooms and the rugs are swept, that if there is company coming, I just need to do spot cleaning. During the months that the garden and the yard consume a great deal of my time, this schedule allows for time to weed, cultivate, plant, harvest, mow, etc.
If I can get my chores done by noon each day, then I have time to quilt or sew or read without feeling that I am being neligent in homekeeping.
I'm open to your ideas and suggestions. Do you see something I've missed?
While the people are virtuous they cannot be subdued; but once they lose their virtue, they will be ready to surrender their liberties to the first external or internal invader.... If virtue and knowledge are diffused among the people, they will never be enslaved. --Samuel Adams
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Sunny Days and Game Nights
It was a beautiful, sunny day today...and actually above freezing! It is amazing how warm 32 degrees feels after below zero temps at night and frigid, wind chills during the day. We have over 12 inches of lovely snow on the ground! My hope that is that a good snow pack will kill off some pesky bugs and we won't be so "bugged" this summer. We told our kids that this is the kind of weather we had when we were kids; lots of deep snow that lasted until spring.
It was such a lovely day that I was able to trudge up to the clothesline to get some towels and a tablecloth hung out. The nice breeze dried even the towels.
The family is coming here tomorrow night for "Game Night"!! Since there are extended family from out-of-town, we thought we would indulge in a non-holiday funfest. Pizza is being served and, no doubt, enough finger food for a small army. I've been busy making cookies and gathering extra chairs and the card table. Speed Scrabble and Sequence are in the line-up on the game side of things. Who knows what else will be brought to enjoy. Thank goodness for my brother-in-law who could have fun with a paper bag. He has a quick laugh and is always able to create a good time for everyone. Our family's game nights have brought many of the kids' friends to join in.
If you are in the neighborhood, drop on in. We won't notice a few dozen extras--the more the merrier!
It was such a lovely day that I was able to trudge up to the clothesline to get some towels and a tablecloth hung out. The nice breeze dried even the towels.
The family is coming here tomorrow night for "Game Night"!! Since there are extended family from out-of-town, we thought we would indulge in a non-holiday funfest. Pizza is being served and, no doubt, enough finger food for a small army. I've been busy making cookies and gathering extra chairs and the card table. Speed Scrabble and Sequence are in the line-up on the game side of things. Who knows what else will be brought to enjoy. Thank goodness for my brother-in-law who could have fun with a paper bag. He has a quick laugh and is always able to create a good time for everyone. Our family's game nights have brought many of the kids' friends to join in.
If you are in the neighborhood, drop on in. We won't notice a few dozen extras--the more the merrier!
A Life Remembered
It has been some time since I posted last and I am not even sure where to begin.
My father-in-law was buried yesterday. He died on Sunday. While he was ill with cancer and in the hospice unit at the local VA, we did not expect his passing this soon. It is a blessing that he is no longer suffering. Our lives have been full with loving family.
My father-in-law was an amazing man. He could tell stories for hours, and often did. As I grew to know him, I tended to believe them less and less. This is difficult for me to reveal. I loved him, but at a distance. He was in the Army during WWII. A prisoner of war in Germany twice and escaped twice. He was a Purple Heart recipient; sent home to die. He made a remarkable recovery and lived to be 90 years old. He was quite dashing, to hear him tell it, in his prime. Swept my mother-in-law off her feet. They attended the opera and symphonies together. I know for a fact that he was one of the top ten wealthiest men in town at one time. For his profession, he was a chiropractor and a good one. In my opinion, he let his "gift of gab" take his busy practice away from him. My mother-in-law then went to work with six young children in school, when it was not common to be a working mom, in fact it was frowned upon. She is almost always cheerful and optimistic, but I often wonder if she struggles with the loss of the easier, carefree life they once had that was lost. He loved his grandchildren and was proud of his own children, though he never told them--it showed.
His passing has given me a chance to reflect on how I live my life and the improvements that need to be made. Things don't always turn out the way we think they are going to. God's plans are not often ours. We never know when we are going to be called home.
"Lord, give me more of thy likeness;
Enlarge my soul to contain fullness of holiness; engage me to live more for thee.
Help me to be less pleased with my spiritual experiences, and when I feel at ease after sweet communings, teach me it is far too little I know and I do....
Wrap my life in divine love, and keep me ever desiring thee, always humble and resigned to thy will, more fixed on thyself, that I may be more fitted for doing and suffering." excerpts from Longings After God, found in The Valley of Vision.
My father-in-law was buried yesterday. He died on Sunday. While he was ill with cancer and in the hospice unit at the local VA, we did not expect his passing this soon. It is a blessing that he is no longer suffering. Our lives have been full with loving family.
My father-in-law was an amazing man. He could tell stories for hours, and often did. As I grew to know him, I tended to believe them less and less. This is difficult for me to reveal. I loved him, but at a distance. He was in the Army during WWII. A prisoner of war in Germany twice and escaped twice. He was a Purple Heart recipient; sent home to die. He made a remarkable recovery and lived to be 90 years old. He was quite dashing, to hear him tell it, in his prime. Swept my mother-in-law off her feet. They attended the opera and symphonies together. I know for a fact that he was one of the top ten wealthiest men in town at one time. For his profession, he was a chiropractor and a good one. In my opinion, he let his "gift of gab" take his busy practice away from him. My mother-in-law then went to work with six young children in school, when it was not common to be a working mom, in fact it was frowned upon. She is almost always cheerful and optimistic, but I often wonder if she struggles with the loss of the easier, carefree life they once had that was lost. He loved his grandchildren and was proud of his own children, though he never told them--it showed.
His passing has given me a chance to reflect on how I live my life and the improvements that need to be made. Things don't always turn out the way we think they are going to. God's plans are not often ours. We never know when we are going to be called home.
"Lord, give me more of thy likeness;
Enlarge my soul to contain fullness of holiness; engage me to live more for thee.
Help me to be less pleased with my spiritual experiences, and when I feel at ease after sweet communings, teach me it is far too little I know and I do....
Wrap my life in divine love, and keep me ever desiring thee, always humble and resigned to thy will, more fixed on thyself, that I may be more fitted for doing and suffering." excerpts from Longings After God, found in The Valley of Vision.
Reselling Clothing
This was posted on "Our Plain and Simple Life" the other day. It may be beneficial to continue to write Congress.
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This was posted at Choosing Voluntary Simplicity...and I just got around to reading. Doesn't really give a breath of relief to folks like Etsy, EBay or even simple folks like us with yard sales and such, but maybe it's a small bit of common sense coming around (yeah, well, I don't really think so either, but I'm trying to be Mary Sunshine here...)
Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act — A Reprieve
Last week it looked like the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act might put an end to thrift stores, consignment stores, and home crafters who specialized in children’s products.
Then the Consumer Product Safety Commission attempted to calm the public outrage. Their press release, with the bloated title of “Requirements of New Children’s Product Safety Laws Taking Effect in February; Guidance Intended for Resellers of Children’s Products, Thrift and Consignment Stores,” was supposed to clarify the confusing new law. Instead it left many more important questions still unanswered.
Although the clarification does state that resale stores can continue to sell children’s toys and clothing without being required to test each individual product for lead, the Commission’s statement warns that the penalties are high for selling children’s products that do contain lead… and that violators will face strict penalties. A reprieve of sorts, but it still sounds a lot like a no-win situation, doesn’t it?
The new law requires that domestic manufacturers and importers certify that children’s products made after February 10 meet all the new safety standards and the lead ban. Sellers of used children’s products, such as thrift stores and consignment stores, are not required to certify that those products meet the new lead limits, phthalates standard or new toy standards.
The new safety law does not require resellers to test children’s products in inventory for compliance with the lead limit before they are sold. However, resellers cannot sell children’s products that exceed the lead limit and therefore should avoid products that are likely to have lead content, unless they have testing or other information to indicate the products being sold have less than the new limit. Those resellers that do sell products in violation of the new limits could face civil and/or criminal penalties.
While CPSC expects every company to comply fully with the new laws resellers should pay special attention to certain product categories. Among these are recalled children’s products, particularly cribs and play yards; children’s products that may contain lead, such as children’s jewelry and painted wooden or metal toys; flimsily made toys that are easily breakable into small parts; toys that lack the required age warnings; and dolls and stuffed toys that have buttons, eyes, noses or other small parts that are not securely fastened and could present a choking hazard for young children.
–press release from the Consumer Product Safety Commission, January 8, 2009
There were no clarifications or reassurances for the handcrafters and small businesses selling new items on a small scale, or for the people selling used children’s toys, books, and clothing online. The public anger isn’t going to go away on this issue. Look for more clarifying press releases coming soon…
To read more:
Resellers breathe sigh of relief after lead-testing law is eased; secondhand stores won’t have to check all items for children
Consumers, shop owners breathe big sigh of relief
Lead rule weighs on kids’ clothiers
Resellers spared lead tests for toys
Consignment, thrift store owners questioning lead law standards
Safety law has consignment store owners and sellers of homemade baby items concerned
window.google_render_ad();
This was posted at Choosing Voluntary Simplicity...and I just got around to reading. Doesn't really give a breath of relief to folks like Etsy, EBay or even simple folks like us with yard sales and such, but maybe it's a small bit of common sense coming around (yeah, well, I don't really think so either, but I'm trying to be Mary Sunshine here...)
Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act — A Reprieve
Last week it looked like the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act might put an end to thrift stores, consignment stores, and home crafters who specialized in children’s products.
Then the Consumer Product Safety Commission attempted to calm the public outrage. Their press release, with the bloated title of “Requirements of New Children’s Product Safety Laws Taking Effect in February; Guidance Intended for Resellers of Children’s Products, Thrift and Consignment Stores,” was supposed to clarify the confusing new law. Instead it left many more important questions still unanswered.
Although the clarification does state that resale stores can continue to sell children’s toys and clothing without being required to test each individual product for lead, the Commission’s statement warns that the penalties are high for selling children’s products that do contain lead… and that violators will face strict penalties. A reprieve of sorts, but it still sounds a lot like a no-win situation, doesn’t it?
The new law requires that domestic manufacturers and importers certify that children’s products made after February 10 meet all the new safety standards and the lead ban. Sellers of used children’s products, such as thrift stores and consignment stores, are not required to certify that those products meet the new lead limits, phthalates standard or new toy standards.
The new safety law does not require resellers to test children’s products in inventory for compliance with the lead limit before they are sold. However, resellers cannot sell children’s products that exceed the lead limit and therefore should avoid products that are likely to have lead content, unless they have testing or other information to indicate the products being sold have less than the new limit. Those resellers that do sell products in violation of the new limits could face civil and/or criminal penalties.
While CPSC expects every company to comply fully with the new laws resellers should pay special attention to certain product categories. Among these are recalled children’s products, particularly cribs and play yards; children’s products that may contain lead, such as children’s jewelry and painted wooden or metal toys; flimsily made toys that are easily breakable into small parts; toys that lack the required age warnings; and dolls and stuffed toys that have buttons, eyes, noses or other small parts that are not securely fastened and could present a choking hazard for young children.
–press release from the Consumer Product Safety Commission, January 8, 2009
There were no clarifications or reassurances for the handcrafters and small businesses selling new items on a small scale, or for the people selling used children’s toys, books, and clothing online. The public anger isn’t going to go away on this issue. Look for more clarifying press releases coming soon…
To read more:
Resellers breathe sigh of relief after lead-testing law is eased; secondhand stores won’t have to check all items for children
Consumers, shop owners breathe big sigh of relief
Lead rule weighs on kids’ clothiers
Resellers spared lead tests for toys
Consignment, thrift store owners questioning lead law standards
Safety law has consignment store owners and sellers of homemade baby items concerned
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