My New Blog

Sad to say - I am going to very gently and tenderly take my hands off both this blog and my dreams of being a stay-at-home mother and wife.

If you would like, please follow me on my new blog Romantic Victorian and Vintage Treasures.

It has been a joy and honor dreaming with you ladies here.  I can never repay you for your encouragement and kindness during these past few years.

Some dreams are not meant to be.  

Yet I have learned so much about femininity, biblical womanhood and my own role as a woman.  None of that has changed.

Children get older, life goes on and sometimes changes need to be made.

I wish I could have been a homemaker. The time has come to tenderly lay down my dream and move on.

New Decorating Blog!

Hello Ladies! Happy New Year!

I've started a new blog called,  "Romantic Victorian and Vintage Treasures".

I love to antique and go "junking". I thought I'd keep a blog of some of my finds and decorating ideas. If you love old-fashioned things, you might want to subscribe.

Thank you!

We Women Got Offtrack

A Wonderful Post by my dear friend at 'A Quiet Gracious Life'.   Please read it if you can - not long but quite thought-provoking.

http://aquietgraciouslife.blogspot.com/2012/01/catherine-marshall-we-women-got-off.html

Demi Moore's Insecurity

"I would say what scares me is that I'm going to ultimately find out at the end of my life that I'm really not lovable, that I'm not worthy of being loved," Demi Moore reveals. "That there's something fundamentally wrong with me."

Demi Moore is saything this? In this article, she explains how she has always had a fear of being abandoned and uncomfortable with her body.

Ladies, this woman has spent thousands on making herself look nearly perfect. And yet, she still has issues with her self esteem.  In my natural mind, I would never think someone like Demi Moore could feel 'unworthy'.

When I read this, I read my own story and most likely the thoughts of most of us women. It stunned me to think that Demi Moore could feel the same as someone 'unimportant' like me.

I wish I could introduce Demi to my Lord who could show her unconditional love and acceptance.

Pink, Romance, Roses and Girlishness!

Well, Ladies - bear with me here. 

White is beautiful.  I know because I'm here in the snow in Ohio right now.  It's beautiful...BUT....

What happened to the original Shabby Chic?  Where the main style was pink and white?  Deliciously feminine rose and floral fabrics?

When I pick up 'Romantic Homes' (which I used to subscribe to) - all I see is white and neutrals.  

I miss the romance of the early editions of 'Romantic Homes'!  All my old favorite decorating blogs have evolved from luscious pink/rose/femininity to stark white with a little beige thrown in and some fake diamonds!  Blogs that used to be deliriously romantic!

If you are like me and miss the romance that we used to see in magazines, join me on Pinterest!  I'm keeping my old-fashioned, rose-colored dreams alive!

Wintery New Year!

Happy New Year! I am writing from Ohio and experiencing my first New Year in the cold north!

I am absolutely LOVING the snowy, cold weather. It is simply invigorating to me after Florida's humid heat. I am struck in awe and breathless at the stark winter beauty. I just took a long walk in 30 degree weather and REVELED in the beauty of evergreens, brisk breezes and beautiful homes. It is so different from Florida that I feel as though I am on another planet. I would move up north in an instant but alas, my husband has a wonderful job in Florida so there I will remain. I'm grateful for his job. However, I'd be in heaven if I could live up here with seasons.

I hope you all have a blessed New Year and a happy holiday. I'll write again when I am back at home....missing the beauty of a "real" winter!

God bless -

Merry Christmas!

I wanted to wish you all a beautiful, joyous and blessed Christmas!

Thank you so much for all of your prayers.  Our situation has not changed, but it has not gotten worse either! 

I truly hope your holidays are bright with love and happiness!

Which is More Expensive?

My Dear Friends,

Tomorrow is my 25th Wedding Anniversary. We will not be celebrating it. :(

May I tell you why?

I have worked for the entirety of our marriage.   My husband and I were not Christians when we married.  We became Christians after my son was a toddler.  I took off one year when each of my children were born but that is all.  It has been a struggle for me and I have always wanted to be home. My heart has been torn in two.  Even now, successful in my career- we're still living paycheck to paycheck despite all the statements of "We can't afford it.".   However, my husband recently got a promotion at his work.

Last year, I asked my husband how he wanted to celebrate our upcoming 25th Anniversary.  I had envisioned a big party, renewing our vows, a second honeymoon etc.  My husband didn't seem interested.  I was very surprised but over the past year, I continued bringing the subject up to no avail.  I was hurt.  I didn't understand.

Our marriage, for several reasons, is at the brink.  :(  I asked my husband last night what he thought would make it better and he replied, "You coming home."

I was stunned.

I had been off this summer from my job at school and he said life was so much better and less stressful.

So I'm going to discuss it more with him but I am considering leaving my position at the end of this school year, if not earlier.


This is a frightening prospect for a woman of 45.  Yet, when I look back on it - I've not contributed so much to my family financially.  And at the end of the day, I don't contribute much to the household because I'm exhausted and my husband is exhausted. I haven't been a "keeper at home".  I haven't fulfilled my role.  Am I surprised at this turn of events?

We'll see what happens.  I am praying for God's will.  My husband and I love each other very much.  If coming home will save my marriage, it's worth it.  Regardless of the shocked responses I receive for leaving a well-paying position in these tough economic times - if I'm divorced, what good will it do me?  I can always get another job.

I can't get another husband.

I won't be able to take a trip to Paris, or to travel as much as I'd like.  But I will do what I can to save my marriage and home.  No matter what.

Thanks for reading and if you could pop up a prayer for us, I'd appreciate it. :)

Are you ready for Christmas???

Thoughtful Tuesday

I'm up for a Fall Challenge - how about you? :)  Please visit Women Living Well and join me. 

Confession Time: I have been waaaaay too self-centered recently.  It's been "All About Me" for a long time now and I have seen my sin.  Of course, it took Daddy taking practically all of our money away and finding myself standing in a food line last week for me to see my sin.... Gosh, we can be stubborn!!!  Anyway, my family is in temporary financial straits due to medical and car repairs horrible planning.  To the point where we are praying to Daddy literally to make it through the week with groceries and gas.  It will be a miracle if we do, but He's a good Daddy.   Part of the reason I'm posting this is because I anticipate telling you on Friday (payday) that He did help us through.  I'm in the thick of my trial right now though and can't see how.

You see in the past few months, my husband picked up my slack in the housework and also and began doing the finances.  I became lazy and selfish.  He became lazy and selfish.  My children became lazy and selfish.  (It continually amazes me how we women shape our homes....)  So, of course, I got mad at my husband and my children for being lazy and selfish.  >.<   Yeah, that helped. (Not!) 

Our life just blew up and we had no money, no groceries, no savings, no nothing.  Of course, that is what it takes for most of us to bashfully shuffle up to the Throne, rest our forehead on His knee and mutter, "Daddy, I need help...."  That's all He is waiting for.

He forgave me, as He always does.  He helped me sit with my husband and go over finances and create a budget.  He helped me start couponing (which is fantastic, but another blog post!).  He helped me when I prayed yesterday while driving home from work with tears in my eyes, "Lord Jesus, I am exhausted.  I don't know how I will be able to give anymore today to my family - who should be the main ones receiving my attention.  I'm so tired from work and I just want to go home to bed.  I need Your strength to cook dinner, do laundry, clean, listen, guide, care, and get ready for tomorrow.  You'll have to do it through me, Lord, because I have no more to give."

And He did. 

He will for you, too, Dear Sister.

Today, I'm literally eating a package of cookies for lunch.  I don't have anything else and no more money to buy anything.  I am making lunch for my husband and children each night and trying to eat as little as possible.  (No worries, I can stand to lose a few pounds!! LOL!)

I thought last evening while washing dishes, "I have so much to do and so little energy...why should I keep this blog? I'm no perfect homemaker."  God whispered that it is even more important for me to continue the blog because working moms need help and encouragement the most.  You all know my reverence and respect for homemakers - where I believe we all should be - so I mean no disrespect.

However, working and commuting 45+ hours a week, having a husband, children, home, pets, friends, sisters and people who demand your time and are angry when you can't give it - we working moms are exhausted.  I know I am.

Still, we can light a candle, pray, and make sure we sit at the table and eat that frozen pizza with our family.

I was 'woe-ing is me' aloud recently while slouched in the recliner.  My son looked at me and said, "Mom, look up at the ceiling." I stared at him as though he were crazy.  He said, "Just do it."  So I did.  Then he said, "Now look at the walls."  Again, I gave him a look but I did it.  Then he continued, "Now look at the floor."  Okkkkaaayyyy....... Then he said,

"All of this is yours.  This is your house.  God gave it to us.  Don't you think he can get us through the week, too?"

UPDATE: As of 1:00 p.m. today, I've had pizza, soda and two cookies - all courtesy of my Daddy! :)  One thing about these times is that I almost anticipate how God will provide - knowing He will.  And I try to remember that if He doesn't - it is for my good.  Another thing I have learned is how good a full tummy can feel! 

GOD IS GOOD!  He took care of this little one today.   Thank you, Daddy!

Brighten the Corner Where You Are!

I tend to ignore the dire warnings and unpleasant news.  In fact, I've dismissed it with a wave of my hand and "Oh, it won't get that bad."   However, this Pollyanna cannot ignore the fact that the world's economy is crumbling.  The handwriting is on the wall - just look a the news today.

SO - with that in mind, come what may - I plan on Brightening the Corner Where He Has Put Me!  :)  Yes, hard times are a'comin' but you know what?  We've had hard times before and we'll have hard times again.  We must keep on keeping on!

If you need a glorious dose of encouragement today, go on over to Aunt Ruthie's Sugarpie Farmhouse!  She has another blog post up for Fall.  Yahoooooo!

I'm still couponing and stockpiling but my main trust is in our Lord. 

http://youtu.be/HnJrXfXTeQI Sing Along! :)