A lovely day for the boys to go out and play! Spring is very welcome here.Until next time,
What Defines Us
A job is a job. It's a way to pay for a living, but that's it. Don't let it define your happiness. You work to live, not live to work. Work on what makes you happy.Boy, what a punch those thirty six words pack!
This is a concept that has been weighing on my mind as of late. Yes, I work. Yes, I need to use money for everyday living. Yes a job that pays cashy money is essential to my ultimate goals. But I will not let my worldly job define me. I don't want to come home from a day of work and collapse onto the couch, ne'er to move again. What a waste of a day.
I don't want to be the 'girl from the store' or 'the check-out girl'. That is not who I am. How dare someone generalize me? How dare they generalize you? I realize that this is something I cannot directly change, but I have been consciously not referring to people by their jobs of late, and whenever someone calls me 'the check-out girl', I politely say, "That's not all I am!", or "Yes, but I also like to garden, and I love dogs!", or something of that nature.
I think it's very important for someone to be constantly reminded about who they truly are, and what matters the most to them. I think that because, unless we are in touch frequently with our hopes for the future, our dreams, people lose sight of them. They become deeply involved in the superficial world. It is so very easy to do. I think it has always been, but I believe it's even easier to get lost in it now.
In a large way, technology has saved us. It lets millions of dollars be raised for the needy in a matter of days, able to reach hundreds of millions of people in mere hours across all sorts of platforms. Technology lets doctors perfect their craft through ever-detailed scans and images. Technology lets loved ones who are far from each other talk face to face. It lets people show and share the beauty of the world with each other.
But in the same way, it has doomed us. It has made us greedy, always needing or wanting the newest things. The best ones. It has corrupted our innocence. It has corrupted us. We are exposed to everything all at once, at the touch of our fingertips. Constantly connected and wired, constantly barraged and set on edge until we want to explode.
Doomed us, that is, unless we can break free from it like a drowning person breaching the surface of the water. A violence of water and gasping, flailing and reaching for the nearest life preserver.
Unfortunately, many of us will never realize we are under the surface in the first place. Some of us will try to stay above it, and fail for lack of willpower, or for lack of knowledge how to survive this brave new world. A few of us will grab our preservers and be towed to the boat; here we can swim in the pool at our leisure, but never fall back into it - out of control. Able to strike a balance between floating and sinking.
But because of the need to have the best of the best, people will work as much as they can, to pay for things they don't need, to impress people they don't even know. They will let work define them. They will come home to their families and then use their technology to make witty posts and hope people respond. Essentially, these drowning people are tugging on apron strings, looking for validation and attention.
That's not who I am. That's not who I want to be.
To be nobody but yourself in a world that's doing it's best to make you somebody else, is to fight the hardest battle you are ever going to fight. Never stop fighting.Until next time,- E.E. Cummings
Homestead {Yard/Garden} Plan - 2014
I will make note of month changes or plan changes so they can be compared for next year.
January
February
March
April
May
(Last frost date is May 19th)June
July
August
September
October
(First frost date is October 2nd)November
December
Good Cheer!
Well, where is yours? Are you one of those that is ready for Christmas in September, or is it more like you turn around and wham! There's Christmas Eve? Somewhere in the middle?
I certainly am in the middle. I used to agonize over what to get my family that would be useful and practical at the same time that it was desirable and beautiful. While a present or two might fit all those requirements once every few years, it's nearly impossible to recreate a perfect gift each year. What's more? If you do find that perfect gift, who's to say you can afford it? I mean, I'm sure own desire for a milk cow is well-known in my family, but it's such and impractical gift as to make it ridiculous.
Instead I strive for simple gifts that are practical for the person. Each member of my family receives what I think they'd like best. Failing to find a physical gift, a gift card works very well. Nothing extravagant, but it allows whoever to freely make a choice of gift. Though, I do try to avoid gift cards when I can, as I see them as somewhat of a last-minute gift. Or a sign that I was unwilling to take time to think of that person and what they may like.
You know what's a fool-proof gift? Food. Everyone eats. At least, everyone I know does. Nearly everyone likes cookies, especially homemade ones so close to the holidays. Even diabetics can have cookies, in moderation of course.
I like tailor each gift to the individual person, and I thought you might like to see what I gave each family member.
And so, she has no use for frippery. What are you supposed to give a person like that? Well, in my estimation, she thoroughly enjoys spending time with her family, and takes that as her gift. She enjoys seeing the family together, spending time with us. We play Rummikub and try to beat her, even though she is the far superior player.
Just small things that are practical, or that allow the receiver to choose what's best for them. It feels good to give others something, especially something they may have wanted, but wouldn't have bought for themselves.
Of course, the real reason for the season is the celebration of the birth of our Savior. He came humbly into the world, but left it a far better place. Thank God! He is ever merciful. I am ever so grateful for the gift of Salvation!
I'm hoping you had a Merry Christmas too!
Until next time,
I certainly am in the middle. I used to agonize over what to get my family that would be useful and practical at the same time that it was desirable and beautiful. While a present or two might fit all those requirements once every few years, it's nearly impossible to recreate a perfect gift each year. What's more? If you do find that perfect gift, who's to say you can afford it? I mean, I'm sure own desire for a milk cow is well-known in my family, but it's such and impractical gift as to make it ridiculous.
Instead I strive for simple gifts that are practical for the person. Each member of my family receives what I think they'd like best. Failing to find a physical gift, a gift card works very well. Nothing extravagant, but it allows whoever to freely make a choice of gift. Though, I do try to avoid gift cards when I can, as I see them as somewhat of a last-minute gift. Or a sign that I was unwilling to take time to think of that person and what they may like.
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You know what's a fool-proof gift? Food. Everyone eats. At least, everyone I know does. Nearly everyone likes cookies, especially homemade ones so close to the holidays. Even diabetics can have cookies, in moderation of course.
I like tailor each gift to the individual person, and I thought you might like to see what I gave each family member.
Gramma
Gramma has long since stopped giving gifts, and for the most part, we (her family) reciprocates. I know she much prefers to have a clutter-free home. What's the point in keeping something in storage if it's not useful? I'm not talking about the spare bed we keep upstairs against the wall, I'm talking about decorations, redundant kitchen items, and the like.And so, she has no use for frippery. What are you supposed to give a person like that? Well, in my estimation, she thoroughly enjoys spending time with her family, and takes that as her gift. She enjoys seeing the family together, spending time with us. We play Rummikub and try to beat her, even though she is the far superior player.
Mom
Mom likes practical gifts, but she's a sucker for penguins. So, I got her a Christmas card, and a small stuffed Ty brand penguin. A pine-scented candle, since those are her favorite, a few pieces of candy, a homemade candle holder, and plenty of tea-lights to go in the holder.Siblings
Siblings are, by far, the most difficult to shop for. Holly got a candle holder like Mom's, along with candy. Ben got an Amazon gift card and more candy than the other two (Mom and Holly), because his little box was empty feeling. Becca did not come home for Christmas, and so has not received her gift. I'm choosing to keep quiet about that yet!Friends
With friends I like to keep it simple, so I limit gifts to my best friend. I gave her a tin filled with her favorite candy (Reese's), and at the very bottom, a gift card to Panera Bread. Panera was recently put in the nearest city, and she's been enjoying the heck out of it.Just small things that are practical, or that allow the receiver to choose what's best for them. It feels good to give others something, especially something they may have wanted, but wouldn't have bought for themselves.
Of course, the real reason for the season is the celebration of the birth of our Savior. He came humbly into the world, but left it a far better place. Thank God! He is ever merciful. I am ever so grateful for the gift of Salvation!
I'm hoping you had a Merry Christmas too!
Until next time,
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