Home Sweet Simple Home
A bit of a snafu and new plans
It’s a hot and beautiful sun-shiny day here in my little corner of
I’ve been inside redoing my menu plan because I made a bit of a mess out of it.
It seems with all the other crazy goings on I didn’t check to make sure I had some key ingredients on hand for some recipes. Plus I pushed back my Aldi’s shopping to next week because of having to do some other extra driving this week for youth work and I knew we wouldn’t have the gas money.
So what have we done? How have we “survived”?
By God’s good grace.
Allow me to share: On Tuesday, Mr. Steady found eggs were 99 cents a dozen at the little store down the road from where he works and he bought 4 dozen. Unknown to me- on this same day I was at the little Amish store I love and found eggs were 99 cents also- good thing I only bought 1 dozen. I also splurged and dipped into my stock-up grocery stash to buy a large amount of precooked and frozen bacon crumbles (we’re talking major good deal here- as in the same price we pay for bacon and they’ve already cooked and crumbled it for us!). So on Tuesday we had cheesy scrambled eggs with bacon bits, onion (from the garden) and mushrooms I found in the fridge (thought we’d finished them up with salad last week). Yummo. With toast that was made from “free to me” bread in my freezer (passed along by a friend who is constantly being given free bread).
On Wednesday, I had massage therapy and my dad asked Mr. Steady to help him with a project for church. My mom fed my little family and I ate a bit of leftovers.
So that has all helped greatly with the great grocery oops.
And so you will once again be seeing recipes that were scheduled for this week in next week’s menu.
If there are no more huge snafus, I have the menu plan planned out for the next three weeks and even a couple days of the week thereafter.
Whew.
Lets look at what I've learned
Recapping what I’ve learned:I learned that you should never ever enter into an agreement with a debt counseling, debt solutions, debt settlement or debt consolidation agency (or any other name they might have).
I learned that I should have, when I realized that I could no longer make even my minimum monthly payments--- I should have contacted the credit card companies immediately and worked our arrangements with them myself. [I didn’t know this was an option until I’d already signed on with the debt counseling agency.] The credit card companies actually do want to work with you because some money is better than no money.
I learned to keep a file of every piece of paper that has to do with my finances, especially debts, and to keep copious notes of any and all correspondence (fax, voice mail, email, snail mail, phone calls) including the date and time of each.
I’ve learned to trust God more than ever before.
I’ve learned to lean on Him and depend on Him in ways I have never done before.
I’ve learned that I am not good at maintaining our budget unless I have someone holding me accountable (Mr. Steady).
I’ve learned that it is easier for me to stay on budget and keep track of all spending when we use the cash envelope system.
I’ve learned that I don’t need all those things I thought I did.
I’ve learned that instant gratification can really be a bad thing.
I’ve learned that planning and waiting and accumulating for purchases (vs. instant gratification) really makes you take stock of whether you actually need it or even want it.
I’ve learned- really learned better the value of “Use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without”.
I’ve learned that I actually find much joy and satisfaction in living within that phrase I just wrote.
I’ve learned to pray about all matters- from the need for car repairs to come in on budget to the purchase of a pair of needed khaki pants. [I remember praying about white T-shirts- I picked up two shirts for the girls at the store but hemmed and hawed about the purchase all the way thru the store because I knew we didn’t even have the extra $8 for those two shirts- I prayed about it and put the shirts back. That evening my momma brought me a bag of clothes she had purchased at Goodwill- with 2 brand spanking new white T-shirts inside. God knows our needs- we need to ask!!]
I’ve learned that there is no real need that God does not supply.
I’ve learned that coffee ice cream is not such a need.
I’ve learned the joy of being financially accountable for our finances to my husband- no more shame, no more allowing him to be oblivious.
I’ve learned the joy of cheap date nights.
I’ve learned the joy of coming home from a vacation that was not only totally paid for but we came back with money in our pockets! [As opposed to the old me that would put about half the vacation on the dreaded credit card.]
I’ve learned that I do not miss shopping. I have not been to a mall in 3 years.
I’ve learned to pray about all purchases- yes, even groceries.
I’ve learned that it’s okay to be honest and tell others that you can’t afford something.
I’ve learned that it’s even okay to opt out of the huge family holiday gift exchange.
I’ve learned that I don’t feel guilty for opting out of that gift exchange- but relieved and light-hearted.
I’ve learned that by stepping up and having the courage to say NO to even the good things that others will be glad you did and join you. (Once I was honest with my family about not having the means for the gift exchange others totally agreed and said they’d been trying to find a way to opt out for years! Go figure!)
I’ve learned to find deeper appreciation in the small things- such as making my own iced coffee, going to a free museum, a quick car ride to watch fireworks from the driveway of a nearby field (with popcorn we hurriedly popped beforehand), bike rides, picnics and family camp fires.
I’ve learned that God is nudging me to a new level of hospitality available to me due to what He’s been teaching me these past 2.5 years.
I’ve learned a better understanding of a want and of a need.
I’ve learned to dig deeper to pursue lining up my heart’s desires with the Lord’s.
I’ve learned that in lining up those desires the blessings are uncountable.
I’ve learned that God’s ways are ALWAYS better than mine.
I’ve learned that my family can not only survive but thrive on a combined family income that is quite a bit less than $40K. Quite a bit less.
I’ve learned that money doesn’t buy happiness. [Some lessons you just have to learn for yourself.]
I’ve learned that some things are worth waiting and saving for.
I’ve learned that some things aren’t.
I’ve learned that it makes a whole lot more sense to rely on God rather than on myself or on that darn debt counseling company.
I’ve learned that God is compassionate and loving enough to help me clean up my mistakes. And better than I could have cleaned them up on my own.
I’ve learned that God has forgiven me and does not hold those mistakes against me. As far as the east is from the west.
I’ve learned to forgive myself.
I’ve learned to see the blessings in the midst of pain and adversity and to cherish those blessings.
I’ve learned the value of meeting God on my knees.
I’ve learned that my prayer life has grown exponentially these last 30 some months.
I’ve learned that the more time I spend talking with God the less time I have to worry and the less inclination I have to worry.
I’ve learned the power of key bible verses hidden in my heart and written everywhere as reminders.
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Oh my, I could just go on and on about all I’ve learned. It never ceases to amaze me how many extra lessons I’m learning along the way as God teaches me to be a better steward! And all the extra blessings to boot!
But most of all
I’ve learned that the only one I want to be indebted to is the Good Lord!
Sharing more of my debtor story
What this has taught me so farIn the past I was not a careful manager of our money. Oh, there were times when I would get super organized, create a budget and stick to it.
For about two or three months.
Then I would go right back into my old spending habits.
I had see-it-want-it-buy-it- itus. Instant gratification, oh yeah baby.
Oodles of things I just thought we couldn’t live without.
It wasn’t big things necessarily- instead it was little things. A $30 purchase here a $20 purchase there. If went errand running to 3 different stores and overspent by $25 each store- that’s $75 over budget. It didn’t look so bad in my mind because I was only seeing it as smaller purchases- I was always thinking, “Hey, it’s just an extra $20 bucks- we can afford an extra $20.”
Truth be told- we couldn’t even afford an extra $5.
All these purchases were paid for, by you guessed it,
Credit cards.
I knew it was bad when the budget was so lousy (due to all those credit card bills) that I started putting groceries on the credit card.
My Grampa & momma always told me you don’t put perishable goods on credit- “things you’ll eat and po*p out tomorrow” is what Grampa would say. Momma was more tactful and said that by the time the bill comes you don’t have anything to show for it. I agreed and at first I listened.
And then I didn’t.
I remember once when I put myself on a strict diet- one month cold turkey, no use of credit cards. I didn’t tell anyone I was doing it- heck, nobody knew we had a credit card debt problem, not even Mr. Steady. So I went one month cold turkey- no accountability either since I couldn’t/wouldn’t tell anyone of the problem. I barely made it through the month. I distinctly remember cashing in pop cans in order to be able to buy the bare minimum of groceries that last week. I was sweating bullets. It was painfully obvious that we couldn’t even meet our bills and needs due to my overspending.
And so this is when you think I realized I had to stop. It totally shames to me to admit that not only did I not stop- I got a new offer in the mail to transfer a balance to another card for 0 percent interest and a larger credit limit.
And I did.
And things went on for another year or so. Until one day when I realized that the monthly outgo outweighed the monthly incoming by about $350. Even if I stopped using the credit cards (three of which were at their limits) we wouldn’t make ends meet. I checked with a “Christian” debt consolidation company and was told that they could consolidate all my credit card debt into one monthly payment and it would be paid off in 4.5 years. The problem was the monthly payment didn’t decrease from what I was already paying- which I now knew I could not keep paying.
At this point, hindsight being what it is- I wish someone had told me about Dave Ramsey. I wish someone had assured me that I could actually work with the credit card companies myself- that I didn’t need a go-between. But I wasn’t broadcasting my shame, no one knew the secret therefore no one knew I needed advice. Instead this nice “Christian” debt consolidation company told me that I was a candidate for debt solutions (aka debt settlement) and gave me a number to contact. The person who spoke with me was wonderful, of course. And best of all, or so I thought, he even prayed with me!! I though I was on track- I thought this was God making a way for me.
I got sucked in just like the little old lady who sends her life savings to the televangelist who supposedly is gonna heal her thru the TV screen.
I totally bought it when they assured me that I would make one monthly payment to them (which was about $400 less than I was paying out at the time) and they would in turn pay my creditors. They assured me that all of my creditors would accept their proposals and work with them. “We do this all the time,” he said. “Trust me,” he said. “We’re gonna get this all taken care of for you and you’ll be debt free in 3 and ½ years- maybe even sooner. Yeah, really, I guarantee it won’t be more than 3.5 years and you’ll be re-establishing your credit.”
What he should have said would have been, “Ok, Amy, you send us $xxx amount each month and we’ll work on paying off your debts. BUT you need to understand that some of your creditors won’t accept our proposal. They will sue you. Probably garnish your accounts and go after your wages. You will have to go to court. And Amy, just so you completely understand- I’m not going to let you know in advance if a creditor won’t work with us and when they do serve you with papers, I will no longer be able to help you with that debt and you’ll have to work on it on your own. In fact, I won’t even tell you what to do when you’ve been served- I won’t even return your calls. But I will, however, expect you to continue to pay the amount stated in a timely manner as set up in our contract. And just so you completely understand, not only will we charge you a monthly service fee to sit on your money (until we deem enough has been accumulated to make an offer of settlement) but we will expect you to pay us an additional settlement fee for each account we settle. This fee with be 30 percent of the difference.”
Since I am a pretty sensible person, I’m pretty sure I would have opted out if the dude had been truthful. Which is quite obviously why he wasn’t.
And so I remained blissfully unaware for the first year. Yeah, I was served with a court paper and various other mailings but I did as I was told and just folded them back up and mailed them to the debt counseling agency. Every once in awhile I’d get a nagging doubt and I’d call and leave a message with my credit counselor. Once or twice he called me back, assuring me all was well, that all my creditors had accepted their proposals and that I didn’t have anything to worry about. “Just keep sending us whatever you get in the mail.” And so I did. When the court papers came, hand delivered by a police officer and me having to sign for—I became upset. Again I was told to send the documents to them. I did. Then I called and asked what I should do. And then I called again and yet again leaving messages and not getting answers. I took no answer to be a good thing and just kept on keeping on. Just like I was told. For another 9 months I lived in “blissful” unawareness. La-de-da-de-daness. Until I got the mail one day with three large overdraft notices and two letters of account garnishment. In one day we went from paying our debt and putting aside money to pay our taxes and car insurance to having a negative balance. Poof. Gone.
And what did the debt counseling agency do? “Oh, Amy we’re so sorry. Didn’t you know that was court document and you were being sued? Didn’t you know you missed your court date and they garnished your accounts? We can’t help you with that now. It’s out our hands. You’ll have to work on that one on your own.”
And so I did. And I stayed with the company. We were sued again- this time I knew what the court document was but couldn’t do anything to stop it. Again no help from the debt counseling agency- expect that they did accept a lower monthly payment (we needed it lower so that we would have money to pay on the court judgement). In fact they were quite accommodating about accepting a lower monthly payment. Saying how sorry they were that this had happened and that it was no problem to lower our monthly payment to them. They even allowed us to skip a month’s payment so that we could make the first payment to the other collector on time. Hello?! I should have smelled the rat when they were so accommodating. This is their way- this is their way of keeping me longer- with me making smaller payments there was no way they’d be able to negotiate better, quicker-to-pay-off settlements on my behalf. It would take longer than the 3.5 years I was so absolutely assured of in the beginning.
How much longer?
Who knows? We won’t because I finally wised up enough to get out. After 30.5 months I finally figured that I had traded one never ending cycle for another and I jumped ship.
So what did I learn?
Well- from the debt counseling agency- I learned that they will tell you whatever they think you want to hear, sometimes it will be the truth, sometimes part of the truth, and sometimes they wouldn’t know the truth if it came up and bit them.
I learned that it is absolutely paramount that you keep meticulous notes. Keep detailed notes of the date and time of every phone call, fax and email. Ones you send and ones you receive. Write the date rec’d on every piece of mail. Keep a log of messages you left and when they were finally answered. Keep files of papers and notes on your computer but also in hard copy in a folder. Save/record phone messages. Save and make note of every possible detail.
When I would speak with my “credit counselor” on the phone I would pull up my specific file on the computer and type notes while we spoke on the phone. This would often lead me to ask more questions so that I made sure I understood something. I would go back through my notes as soon as I was off the phone, polishing and adding while it was fresh in my mind.
I know that my copious notes helped me in the end with terminating the contract and getting the fee waved. I had proof.
Continued next post- because this is getting awful long.
What hospitality does- a quote
“Hospitality does not try to impress but to serve. Entertaining puts things before people, but hospitality does the opposite. Hospitality does everything with no thought of the external reward. Instead it takes pleasure in the joy of giving, doing, loving and serving. Because hospitality has put away its pride, it doesn’t care if others see our humanness. We are maintaining no false pretension; people relax and enjoy our offer of friendship. When we are trying hospitable, we forgo the urge to ‘wow’.”-From Simple Hospitality by Jane Jarrell
I'm the second frog
A dear friend and mother of one of my youth kids sent me this today and I must share as it is ab-so-posi-lute-ly perfect encouragement for me today!TWO FROGS
Two frogs fell into a bucket of cream. The first frog, seeing there was no way to get any footing accepted his fate and drown.
The second frog didn't like that. He started thrashing around doing whatever he could do to stay afloat. After awhile, his churning turned the cream into butter and he was able to hop out.
HOW PERSISTANT ARE YOU ????
Which reminds me of that little blip I love from Facing the Giants.
About the farmers and the fields . . . . .
I continue to prepare my fields for the RAIN!
Contract Terminated- Dum dee dum dum.
My heartfelt thanks for the prayers that have been lifted up on my behalf.
I have been on my knees thanking my awesome Lord for His divine intervention. I rec’d an email yesterday evening from the manager of the debt counseling agency stating that my email had been rec’d and that he would call me in the morning after having researched my account. The email stated that the matter would be resolved.
I rec’d a phone call from him this morning. To make a long and convoluted story short- my counselor at the agency (who I had all my interactions with) never followed through on the paperwork for stop payment, even after all the emails and phone calls and the email I had from her of assurance that a permanent stop payment had been put in place after the fiasco before this fiasco.
The manager apologized and asked me a few questions. He also stated that he had rec’d the documents from my counselor stating I wanted to terminate my contract and he had already put the paperwork in place to make that happen. He would be refunding me my money minus the early termination fee of $300. I was not happy about this as they had tacked on this month’s fees already when I had requested the termination at the end of last month but the Lord held my tongue as the man asked more questions. During the course of this interesting conversation he became very surprised at how a couple of matters were handled—especially when I informed him that I had saved a couple of key phone messages for proof.
And so it ended up that he stated the following, “I will wave your termination fee. The money doesn’t make a big difference to us but it does to you. I am very sorry that this mismanagement has lost us a client. I have read your emails and am using them as feedback. Due to what has transpired with you I have now made it a policy that all emails sent into [debt agency] will be copied to me. This won’t happen again.”
My thoughts: Well, it at least won’t be happening with me!
And so I have finally been able to terminate my contract with this deplorable company. Of course I will feel even better once I verify the funds are back in my account but I am feeling quite vindicated today.
I know God made a way for me today.
I continue to pray that He will make a way with the last and final debt to be settled and we will be done.
Thank you Lord.
Thank you Lord.
THANK YOU LORD!
My eyes were opened
Dear readers- dare I ask for another prayer request?I dare.
With the current situation with the debt counseling agency, I am feeling the need to take the bull-by-the-horns with our one debt remaining with the company and contact them directly with a settlement offer.
This is also scary as this wonderful (add sarcasm here) I-dare-not-mention-their-name credit card company has not turned over the debt to a collection agency but has instead, unbeknownst to me (because I haven't had any paperwork from them since starting with the debt counseling agency- this company actually "agreed" to work with the agency and has been sending all paperwork to them) held it "in-house".
What this means is that for the past 2.5 years they have held on to the debt- knowing it will some day be paid thru this debt counseling agency, and for this whole time have been charging a horrid amount of interest and misc. fees. So much so that in just 2.5 years time they say we owe twice the orginal amount.
TWICE.
As in DOUBLE.
The debt counseling agency would never tell me what the negotiations were with this creditor but to say that negotiations were "ongoing" and that this creditor was "willing to wait", "would work with us" and "settle the account".
Yeah- they were willing to wait- held on to the account and piled on the fees with relish and delight. And the debt agency was willing to shuffle them to the end because . . . . .
They get a 30 percent cut of the negotiation.
No I did not know that until recently.
What this means is the debt counseling agency negotiates an amount with the creditor and then charges me 30 percent of the difference. Example: Say I owed a creditor $10,000 and the debt agency negotiated it down to $6,000. They then charge me 30 percent of the $4,000 difference, which means the agency then informs me that they negotiated a settlement of $7,200. They pocket $1,200. WHAT????
Not until this last settlement was negotiated did I know this was going on- not until I asked some harder questions to the debt agency did they give me a copy of transactions for my account that showed all the amounts they pocketed for doing business for me (including mailing fees that ranged from $15 to 19 a pop).
So armed with this new information I've had a bit of a realization- I realize that this creditor has seriously hiked up the amount allegedly owed to them and that in doing so the debt counseling agency would probably come in and negotiate an "amazing" settlement for me which then allows them to pocket a very hefty chunk of change.
Rubbing some salt in my wound is the fact that the current settlment being paid was not even negotiated by the debt counseling agency. They informed me back in April that the collection agency was playing hard ball and that I would have to negotiate for myself or be sued.
Of course I negotiated for myself and I did a pretty good job of it too. Then came the point when I asked the hard questions about financial numbers not adding up on my debt counseling account and found out that they pocketed almost $700 for that negotiated settlement (the 30 percent of the difference). To say I was livid to find out I did my own negotiating and paid them for the privilege is a gross understatement.
Hence my decision to immediately terminate my contract with them.
Which it seems they have obviously ignored.
But I will not be ignored any longer. I may be a debter-dirt ball (in some eyes) but I have rights and I will not watch them gobble up any more of my money for "helping" me.
Which leads me to my prayer request: I have written a letter to this remaining creditor questioning the accuracy of the amount owed and offering them a settlement. It is a very low number compared to what they say I owe.
And so
I prayed while I wrote it, I prayed while I signed it, and I prayed while I stuffed it in the envelope and I will continue to pray. And pray when I mail it.
And continue to pray.
Please pray with me that the creditor will accept the settlement offer.
Don't worry about anything. Instead pray about EVERYTHING! Phil 4:6
I will not be ignored
I have decided to inundate the debt counseling agency. I left a voice message and a detailed email requesting the immediate deposit of my funds back into my account.I also went online and found their website and using the email address on their contacts page for "Manager"- I then sent him a very detailed email about the situation and again requested the immediate deposit of funds.
It is also my plan to fax these two emails and the email I sent previously [requesting immediate termination of our contract] tomorrow morning (actually Mr. Steady will send it but that's just symantics).
The way I see it- I've called, I've emailed, I've emailed higher up and I've faxed. They can NOT ignore all of this nor can they blame "glitches" and say that they never received any such information from me.
Mr. Steady has called the bank and we have been informed by the bank that with our written proof of stop payment, Mr. Steady can fill out forms to have the withdrawal reversed. According to Mr. Steady, the bank will deposit the funds in our account and go after the debt counseling agency for reimbursement.
I have informed the debt counseling agency that they have until end of business day tomorrow to put the funds back in the account (afterall- if they can swoop in and take it in a day they can surely put it back in a day!) or we will pursue the matter through the bank.
Please continue to keep this matter in prayer. I am praying that the agency will return our money and if not- I am praying that the document we have will truly be sufficient for the bank to pursue the matter.
I must have faith that God will see this through. There has never been a time that God has not made a way for us.
Lord God they did it again
I would greatly appreciate prayer support.
We have reached yet another snafu with our remaining debt and this debt counseling agency.
I cannot possibly go into it all right now except to very simply say-- they took money- straight out of our checking account that they had absolutely no right to whatsoever [yes, I have it in writing that a stop payment was put in affect but I have yet to get a real person on the phone to deal with this directly and immediately].
But by the grace of God am I holding on.
I remind myself that God is with me.
Don't be afraid, just stand where you are and watch the Lord rescue you. Exodus 14:13
This has been my very own special verse for months now and I cling to it mightily today.
Please pray- pray for God's peace for me. Pray for this matter to be sorted out with extreme quickness and efficiency.
Please Lord, I know you hear me. I know you are here with me. Lord God help us. You know what is going on in my head and heart right now. I know you do not want me so conflicted and worried. Forgive me for these feelings Lord and establish Your Peace in me. Dear Lord help. Please help.
Please pray- Mr. Steady just returned home from work and I must inform him of all of this.
Thank you.
Simple Woman's Daybook #4
The Simple Woman’s DaybookFor a glimpse of others day book entries visit Peggy's blog.
FOR TODAY~ July 14th
Outside my Window... I see the breeze ruffling the trees, the fire pit standing at attention from last evening’s campfire, Mr. Conductor stripping the leaves off the apple mint (he loves the smell), Maiden and a friend sitting in patio chairs under the tree reading books we just checked out from the library.
I am thinking... about ways to show hospitality and thinking I should be writing them down!
I am thankful for... the opportunities God places in my path to teach and lead me and to stretch and grow me.
From the kitchen... we had gingerbread cake with raspberries for breakfast, using leftover ham from yesterday for hot ham and cheese sandwiches for lunch today and supper will be spaghetti, greens salad (from the garden!) and crusty bread.
I am creating... and reworking my home management journal and continuing to put together my fall co-op class (creative writing).
I am going...to enjoy this beautiful day. I’ve already been to the library and back, done to loads of laundry, shared Moon tea with Mr. C and checked the girls’ math. It is my plan to spend a bit of time reading this afternoon.
I am wearing... a pink shirt with Khaki capris. Of course, I’m barefoot.
I am reading... A Lady of Secret Devotion by Tracie Peterson (just picked it up at the library) AND am absorbing a couple of wonderful books on hospitality- A Life That Says Welcome: Simple Ways to Open Your Heart & Home to Others by Karen Ehman and Simple Hospitality by Jane Jarrell.
I am hoping... to make some notes on all the hospitality ideas and thoughts that are running through my head and to spend a wonderful evening with my family.
I am hearing... the kids outside and the fan humming in the dining room window.
Around the house... we have done some laundry (clean sheets on all the beds), the kids are currently reading from their stacks of new library books. The girls and I will do weekly cleaning in the kitchen later and Maiden will help me bake bread.
One of my favorite things... singing praise songs with my children- just because.
A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week... monthly reports for youth ministry, a moms Bible study at the home of a dear friend, church board meeting, massage therapy on my shoulder, church camp meetings.
Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you... my kitchen windowsill.
My little guy, Bugs, Leaves and Moon Tea
Moon TeaLast night as we were cleaning up and putting away after the family campfire, Mr. Conductor decided to go a-wanderin’ through my garden.
And pick some apple mint.
He held it tightly clenched in his fist and brought it into the kitchen where I was putting away dishes.
I smelled it before I saw him.
He came in saying, “Momma, I need a glass jar and lid.”
Of course I inquired as to what he planned to use it for- a boy coming in at twilight with a clenched fist often means
Bugs.
But no bugs- just warm crushed apple mint leaves and a little boy who had recently watched his aunt and Grammy make sun tea using some mint ‘borrowed’ from Momma’s garden.
And so it happened that we got out a quart jar, added the crushed leaves and two tea bags and the boy filled it with water.
He hugged it close as he carried it outside to leave out and make
Moon Tea.
Another opportunity for learning Hospitality
Onward with HospitalityAnd here we have yet another unremarkable-to-most tale of me stepping into hospitality that borders on the edge of my comfort zone.
And yet I lived to tell the tale.
Evening services were lifted at our church yesterday due to district camp meeting. On the way home from church, Mr. Steady and I discussed the camp meeting schedule and decided that we would not go that afternoon but instead to a couple of services during the week (we must calculate gas for this because it’s not close by and choose carefully). I remarked that it being such a nice day we should invite my brother and his family over in the evening for a campfire and pizza camp pies. He thought it an excellent notion and we decided to invite my parents also.
This was totally spur of the moment.
Lucky for me I had the most important ingredients for pizza camp pies on hand (re: wood for fire, pie irons, bread, pizza sauce and cheese). I had some pizza toppings and my sister-in-law stated that she had some onions, tomato and more pizza sauce and some pie filling for camp pie-pies. We had quite a bit of macaroni salad in the fridge (my donation to the funeral dinners held at our church on Saturday) and I thought it would go fine with pizza camp pies. My momma said she had a couple of toppings and would bring the stuff for smores.
And with that said- My momma showed up a Jell-O salad, container of beans, string cheese and cottage cheese. Oh and plastic plates and lemonade too.
Our humble camp pies turned into a veritable feast.
And so how is this stepping out of my hospitality comfort zone you ask? Its family after all.
Well, first off- it was totally spur of the moment [and forgive the big head but perhaps I should add- I’m proud to say that I was able to host it without worry about a frenzied house cleaning or the need to run to the store- in fact, truth be told I took a really nice nap and read some in the afternoon]
And
I’m not one to invite my brother and his family over often.
It just doesn’t happen.
Clashing personalities one could say.
So in the inviting, I was stepping out and saying that we would “enjoy the pleasure of their company” and by golly I would do it!
Then with my parents and sibling and family all present I looked over and saw our neighbors sitting out on their enclosed patio. A wonderful elderly couple, very sweet and nice (he lets my kiddos bike thru his amazingly smooth, slightly hilly and wonderful u-shaped drive way) and they were just sitting.
And that’s when God nudged me.
And I nudged Mr. Steady.
I asked him if he would like to go over and invite the neighbors.
And he did.
And they did (after they ate their supper but they had dessert and dare, I say, pleasant conversation- with us).
And
It was nice.
I did not panic.
Instead- I felt
Very Blessed.
And thankful for not overlooking the simple opportunity of extending hospitality on the spur-of-the-moment.
And the clashing personalities? Praise God the two got along pretty-fine-and-mostly-quite-a-bit-alright.
What's cookin' this week
Notes: We had a few menu changes last week- an unexpected date nite and then the opportunity of an unexpected dinner out as a family (gift certificate given to us) So a bit of last week’s menu is moving into this week.
From the Garden: we’ve got lettuce and two tomatoes! Plus some raspberries from last week’s picking.
B: Gingerbread cake w/fresh black raspberries
L: hot ham & cheese sandwiches, chips (ham leftover from Sunday)
D: Spaghetti, greens salad, crusty bread
Dessert: root beer floats
Daily Cost: $6.74
Tuesday
B: same as yesterday
L: Peanut Butter & jelly sandwiches, graham crackers, cheese chunks
D: Crescent Chicken Squares, steamed veggies
Dessert: none
Daily Cost: $7.54
Wednesday
B: choice: cereal/yogurt and toast
L: grab-n-go sandwiches, chips, popsicles
D: Hamburger hoagies [new recipe], chips
Dessert: ice cream sandwiches
Daily Cost: $8.10
Thursday
B: Fruit smoothies & honey oatmeal bread w/jam
L: Picnic: sandwiches, chips, cheese chunks, cookies
D: One Pot Salsa Beef skillet, cornbread
Dessert: none
Daily Cost: $10.59
Friday
B: Cinnamon Rolls
L: dlx grilled cheese sandwiches, chips
D: Maiden’s Cheeseburger casserole, greens salad
Dessert: Sassafras’s Jell-O salad
Daily Cost: $7.82
Saturday
B: Daddy Cook (egg, bacon, toast etc.)
L: Leftover Smorgasbord
D: Leftover Smorgasbord
Daily Cost: $3.00
Sunday
B: Cocoa Wheats, toast
L: BBQ Chicken, skillet potatoes, ranch biscuits
D: lunch leftovers
Daily Cost: $6.70
Weekly Total: $50.49
~~ Don’t forget to check out the yummy menu ideas every Monday over at The Organizing Junkie’s blog. You just might find your next favorite family recipe!
Berry Picking fun
On Wednesday evening
we had an early supper and then packed up the pails for some berry pickin’ over at my parents’ farm. Mom supplied us with more containers as she said the picking was so good we were definitely going to need more.
Then we hopped on the gator and took off for the “back 40”.
It was the most amazingly tranquil evening. The temperature was cool and we were enveloped in a big enough cloud of bug spray as to not be bothered.
We’d drive the gator, park and walk and do it again as we drove and walked the perimeter of a large bean field.
The children discussed how they would eat the berries- berry pies and on cereal and in muffins and such as Mr. Steady and I just enjoyed the companionable tranquility of it all.
Time flew by as we picked- the kids would wander off and explore. For a time Mr. Conductor and Sassafras picked the wild onion out of the bean field (a very good and generous thing to do) and then the two of them took to cleaning up the trail with hand-clippers. Mr. Conductor was ever so diligent about it and took to the task like it was a real job, which of course it was. He even helped his Momma out a few times when my shirt got all caught up in the overhanging brambles. He liked to walk a bit ahead of me to prep the trail.
As I said- it was so enjoyable that we totally lost track of time (we chose not to bring the cell or watches- good choice).
Upon returning to the house we realized we’d been gone about 3 hours.
And picked approx. 5-6 quarts of ripe, sweet-smelling, black raspberries.
Free except for labor.
A most enjoyable labor.
A surprise change in menu plans
Let’s see- On Tuesday my dear sweet sister-in-law (Mr. Steady’s sis) took all THREE of my kidlets for an overnighter with her brood.
That left Mr. Steady and I ALONE.
Yahoo.
Date Night.
With that news, I quickly scrapped the original dinner menu and pulled a couple of steaks and a bag of frozen shrimp out of the freezer.
The steak was thawed and marinated.
I baked a loaf of bread.
I put together a salad with garden fresh greens.
I scrubbed up a couple of big potatoes for baking.
I sliced up some store-sale strawberries for the crockpot chocolate surprise cake I was baking.
I went to the movie rental place and picked up a movie Mr. Steady had really been wanting to watch for awhile (paid out of date nite envelope- $3.50).
Mr. Steady grilled the steak and shrimp (he made BBQ grilled shrimp- delish!) while I baked the potatoes and wrapped my hospitality offering.
Of course, we had a most wonderful relaxing and enjoyable evening.
A much needed relaxing and enjoyable evening
Just. The. Two. Of. Us.
God is so good.
Photo: Crockpot Chocolate Surprise Cake
Another Hospitality step
Another Hospitality
Over the holiday weekend new tenants moved into the rental behind our home. Mr. Steady has already met one lady when he helped her back up her truck and trailer to the front of the house. In 15 min. time he got most of their story- two ladies- mom and daughter, both adults, moving from about an hour south (across state line) from large metro area to our little town mostly due to a severe problem with criminal activity in their previous neighborhood. Oh and they have two dogs too.
Anyhoo- back the mission: Seeings how I have vowed to be more hospitable to my neighbors in spite of my fears- I decided I needed to do/make something to welcome the new neighbors and since I’ve been in a bread making mood of late . . . . .
Homemade Honey Oatmeal Bread.
Of course it’s made in the bread machine- ere-go my bread making mood- easy-peasy.
Now how to present it . . . . .
Should I slice it first? Naw, that will ruin its shape!
Should I send some jam with it? I don’t have any homemade or in fancy jars . . . .
What about homemade honey butter?
And what should I put the homemade butter in?
Presentation is important but not as important as the act of giving. So I put to rest my need for perfect presentation. Wrap the bread with plastic wrap, tie it with a bow and a Welcome to the Neighborhood tag and put the homemade honey butter in a small throw-away container.
Mr. Steady accompanied me to the neighbors and I nervously rang the doorbell . . . .
And so- I was once again able to step out of my comfort zone and go forth as God directed. Yes, it felt good to do something nice and I must admit- a relief too.
Back in the online saddle
Sigh. Having some internet issues. I’ve had posts to post but no way to post them. And now- I am here.
And
There are moles in my yard.
Squirrels & birds enjoying my garden. Too much digging. Pests.
Black raspberries in my fridge (hand-picked and free!)- yum.
Library books to return and others to request.
Enjoy today’s plethora of posts.
What a weekend!
We had the most lovely 4th of July Weekend. God blessed us with
incredible beautiful weather on Friday- mid-70’s and sunny. Simply gorgeous. We enjoyed a wonderful laid back day of visiting with friends and family, playing games and eating.
Oh the eating.
Mr. Steady fashioned me a table out of 2x4s nailed to wooden sawhorses and I’m so glad he did- his homemade table was extra long and we needed it for all that food! So much food! Oh the yumminess.
My sister made 2 different versions of her deluxe deviled eggs- bacon and chives. Oh yum- 2.5 doz. just wasn’t enough for this crowd- the delectables were gobbled up in no time. My sister-in-law’s famous potato rolls, green bean casserole, potato salad, crunchy salad, Jell-o salads, Coca Cola cake, homemade ice cream, fruit pizza, fruit kabobs, homemade port-a-pit chicken, hot dogs, sausage, hamburgers, chips and cheese and on and on and on.
We spent the entire day outside with our friends and family. We visited and played games and took walks and visited some more. We capped off the evening by trekking a few blocks to an open field to watch our little town’s fireworks show. We didn’t climb into bed until almost midnight and I believe we all went to sleep with dirty feet . . . . but oh the fun and the memories.
Saturday morning had us waking up leisurely with the kidlets and some cousins camped out on the living room floor. The extra little hands were helpful in tearing down the canopy and putting the backyard to rights.
The kids and I then spent the afternoon with my brother’s wife and their 2 kids while he and Mr. Steady worked on painting the trim and such at my parent’s home (ladder work and not for the faint of heart).
We had naps.
We ate leftovers and set off more fireworks.
We soaked our dirty feet.
A good time was had by all.
Photos: 1st- Mr. Steady manning the grill, 2nd- The food spread, 3rd- fun & games
Homeschool Mission Statement
Now that I have a name for my homeschool I would like to write a homeschool mission statement.
I am very interested in knowing if other homeschoolers have written their own statements . . . .
What does your mission statement say?
What did you think was important to include in your mission statement?
I’d love it if others would share their mission statements with me in my comments or leave a link to your statement in my comments.
I’ve got some notes but it’s mostly a work in progress.
Menu - a cheap week!
Notes: We have three gallon size bags of homemade port-a-pit chicken leftover from the 4th bash. I have frozen two bags for future use and am trying to think of interesting ways to use up the third bag without getting tired of chicken. Why not freeze the 3rd bag also? Well, it cuts down on my grocery budget this week- way down!
From the Garden: we’ve got lettuce and we’re picking lots and lots of black raspberries at my parents farm. Freebies!
Monday
B: Breakfast casserole & coffee cake (leftover from Friday)
L: Ravioli and toast points
D: Aunt Florence’s casserole, greens salad, h’made honey oatmeal bread
Dessert: none
Daily Cost: $4.82
Tuesday
B: Muffins and fresh fruit
L: Chicken wraps, chips
D: Special Veggie Chicken Alfredo, salad
Dessert: Sassafras’s Zebra pudding cups
Daily Cost: $6.81
Wednesday
B: choice: cereal/yogurt and toast
L: Bologna burgers, chips-n-dip
D: Cream chip beef & mash potatoes
Dessert: Ice cream sandwiches
Daily Cost: $6.51
Thursday
B: Toad in the holes
L: nachos
D: Maiden’s cheeseburger casserole, salad
Dessert: none
Daily Cost: $7.57
Friday
B: Fruit & yogurt parfaits
L: Diner Dinner [choice of leftovers]
D: Spaghetti, crusty bread, greens salad
Dessert: none
Daily Cost: $4.20
Saturday
B: Daddy Cook (egg, bacon, toast etc.)
L: Leftover Smorgasbord
D: Leftover Smorgasbord
Daily Cost: $3.00
Sunday
B: Cocoa Wheats, toast
L: Ham (crockpot), mashed potatoes, rolls, steamed veggies
D: lunch leftovers
Daily Cost: $6.55
Weekly Total: $39.46
~~ Don’t forget to check out the yummy menu ideas every Monday over at The Organizing Junkie’s blog. You just might find your next favorite family recipe!
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My rock and biggest supporter. The glue that keeps the family sane. He is like deep, deep water- it takes a lot to see a ripple.
DD11- Our Maiden in Waiting- By the world's standard she's a 'tween'. By ours and the Lord's- this is the time of her years of preparation. She is eagerly learning what it means to keep a home and daily becomes more and more of a helper to her Mama.
DD8- Sassafras My Sassy middle child. She holds her own so sweetly and has such an empathetic heart. While real Sassafras is used for flavoring- She is that added spice of flavor to our family.
DS4- Mr. Conductor- The train aficionado in the family. He likes to think he's in charge and often is! He's also the biggest Oreo fiend in the family.
Recent Entries
A bit of a snafu and new plansLets look at what I've learned
Sharing more of my debtor story
What hospitality does- a quote
I'm the second frog
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