I'm still here!

The countdown is 7 days until our move. I'm still doing the daily husband encouragements (if I wasn't I'd probably be wringing his neck by now with all the stress from this move) but there is just no time to blog about them. We will have everything moved onto the truck on Aug 31...then it will have to sit there until Sept 4 because now we can't get ito the house until then. Oh, the stress....

30 Day Husband Encouragement Challenge Day 16

God says it's not good for man to be alone. But, are we so critical of our husbands that they want to be alone? I have to admit I've had some times where I was critical, whiney and complaining so much my hubby actually left the house to get away from it. It's embarrassing to admit that...but, I'm learning. It is something I must remind myself daily...to be more encouraging and a lot less critical.

"And the LORD God said,"It is not good that man should be alone;I will make him a helper comparable to him." Genesis 2:18

Garage Sales

I love going to garage sales. I love the opportunity to find something wonderful and make a really good deal. But, you know what I really don't like? It's being on the other side of it. The selling side.... I have discovered that I really, really don't like sitting on a Saturday morning while people come by and go through your stuff and then either try and bargain it down to a few pennies or walk away. Am I a hypocrite because I do the same thing when I go to ohter peoples sales? Although I have to admit that I won't try and bargain something down to a ridiculously low price.
But, I do know that as I sit here on this beautiful Saturday morning I keep thinking I could be doing something else....and I could just give all this stuff away.....

***Update...we made almost a hundred bucks and got rid of a lot of STUFF so I won't whine anymore.... :)

Food Preparedness Challenge

I started the food preparedness challenge 12 days ago that is going on over at Preparedness Pro.
This is day 12 for us in the challenge. Here is what I’ve learned:
1. I have a lot more food than I thought (about 6 months in most areas).
2. A large amount of the food is stuff that is to be used in making things from scratch.
3. That sounds good…unless you are the main cook and hurt your finger to the point of infection and can’t make a lot from scratch because it is downright painful.
4. We didn’t have enough comfort/snack items.
5. As soon as we get moved in I’m going to get a garden started back up because we ran out of fresh veggies very quickly when not able to go to the farmers market.
6. I don’t have enough cat food.

I’m posting this early because we are having a moving sale tomorrow and an unexpected family visit on Sunday. This has been a good experience.

30 Day Husband Encouragement Challenge Days 10-13

Ok. I hate doing this...but, I have to consolidate these posts...again. I overused my hand..opened up the wound...it got worse...and extremely painful. The pain meds are making me sleepy... Doctor says I need to keep wrapping for several more weeks and I need to be more careful. Let's see...18 more days until we move and I'm supposed to take it easy?

Day 10: Today we need to show our hubby's some appreciation...instead of spending time criticizing...spend some time telling him how much you admire him.

Day 11: This day is about showing respect to you husband. One of those ways of showing respect is by submitting to our husband's authority and leadership.

Day 12: This day is about checking in with ourselves. Do we have unreasonable or unrealistic expectations of our husbands actions?

Day 13: Today is about the sexual relationship with our husbands. This one is a pretty important issue...especially to the men in our lives. We need to be sure to encourage your husbands in the areas of lovemaking. Could be fun.... :)

30 Day Husband Encouragement Challenge Days 8 & 9

I'm doing two days in one post because the injury to my knuckle got infected...so I'm on antibiotics and pain killers and it's difficult to type with the bandage. I'm still able to work on being an encouragement to my hubby. :)

Day 8 is to be faithful and encourage faithfulness in our husbands.

Day 9 is to really take the time to listen to your husband. This isn't an easy task for me...I like to come up with answers when he doesn't necessarily want one from me. One of my goals is to work on truly listening to him.

30 Day Husband Encouragement Challenge Day 7

Finances....one of the biggest reasons for marital problems. Today we are to let our husbands know how we appreciate how he handles the finances...whether or not he is strong or weak in this area. Not necessarily an easy thing to do if you feel you could do a better job. However, it's important that we figure out ways to encourage him in the areas that he does do well in and work together to create a sound budget.

"That I may cause those who love me to inherit wealth, that I may fill their treasuries." Proverbs 8:21

Small Thing

Today's small thing is to pick a task you've been putting off and set the timer for 15 min. I love my timer! I use it regularly to get me back on track. Today I used it to get my laundry caught back up.

30 Day Husband Encouragement Challenge Day 6

Sorry this is a day late. Spent a number of hours in the doctors office. I had an accident while cutting some fabric....took a chunk of skin out of my knuckle...my finger will be wrapped for several weeks until it heals. Pretty painful...and a real pain trying to do things (like typing).

Yesterdays challenge was to recognize and appreciate our husbands "creative gifts."
Dh's is definitely his people skills and his ability to work with extrememely difficult children. He's pretty amazing. :)

"Whatever ye do, do all to the glory of God." 1 Cor. 31b

Small Thing

Todays small thing was to......make your bed. A small thing, yes. But try making your bed and seeing what a huge difference it makes in how your bedroom looks.

30 Day Husband Encouragement Challenge Day 5

Todays challenge was to build our husband up in the eyes of others. I was able to make some postive comments about him in front of our ds14.

"Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers." Eph 4:29

30 Day Husband Encouragement Challenge Day 4

Todays challenge is to let your husband know that you appreciate and value the work that he does. My challenge is that my husband was one of the many teachers in California who got a pink slip in the spring. His last paycheck came this past Friday. I'm working on keeping a positive attitude and not one of worry. I'm also trying to show him that I can be very frugal with the money that is coming in. And doing a lot of praying that the right job will come through for him.

Small thing

Todays small thing is a very important one for us ladies. Today you should do a breast self-exam. I had a scare in the spring that turned out benign...but is something I will have to have checked every 6 months. Here is a site that gives some good information on how to do this... We need to take care of ourselves so we can take care of our families....

30 Day Husband Encouragement Challenge Day 3

Todays encouragement challenge was to determine to not say anything negative to or about your husband. The idea is that you try to be encouraging instead. I did it! One thing I do know...when I am more positive and encouraging...everyone around me is more positive and encouraging.

"...love suffers long and is kind..." 1 Cor. 13:4

small things

Todays small thing is to get your school supplies organized. I can happily say that I have that one done! Ds14 has what needs in his backpack for the first day of school and the rest are boxed and ready to move.

Menu Plan Monday and Food Challenge

I’m participating in a Food Storage Challenge over at Preparedness Pro. So for the next 2 weeks I won’t be going to the store to shop. This is going to help empty out our freezer for the move in a few weeks too. I’m gonna have to get creative!

Monday:
Breakfast Easy banana bread muffins
Lunch Salad, fried rice (leftovers)
Dinner Homemade chicken strips, corn on the cob, grapes

Tuesday:
Breakfast oatmeal, turkey sausage
Lunch tuna sandwiches, grapes
Dinner bean and cheese burritos, Spanish rice, lettuce salad

Wednesday:
Breakfast Eggs and toast
Lunch smoothies (yogurt, frozen strawberries, bananas)
Dinner rice-a-roni, ground lamb, salad

Thursday:
Breakfast Oatmeal, turkey sausage
Lunch Quesadillas, fruit
Dinner ground beef, rice, leftover veggies in freezer (goulash type dish)

Friday:
Breakfast Cold cereal
Lunch BLT wraps
Dinner pasta alfredo, zucchini, rice

Saturday:
Breakfast biscuits, eggs, juice
Lunch grilled cheese sandwiches, fruit
Dinner baked chicken, cabbage, rice

Sunday:
Breakfast Pancakes, eggs, orange juice
Lunch Tuna sandwiches, fruit
Dinner Italian sausage, rice, zucchini


Ds14 is making peanut butter balls to go in the fridge for an easy snack. I also have some snack items “put away” to pull out when needed.

30 Day Husband Encouragement Challenge Day 2

Today we are to give our husbands praise for their willingness to serve others. My dh is very good about doing what needs to be done for his mom and older brother who lives with her due to some handicaps. He's been doing it for years and doesn't get enough kudos for what he does from other family members who sit back and do nothing. Anyone have some of those? In retrospect, I've come to realize I've been stingy with my own praise and with the "thank you's" that should happen on a daily basis.
It's time for a change.....

"..through love serve one another." Gal. 5:13b

Get Rid Of It #18

This past week at Kathi's Project Blog we are being encouraged to let go of 21 items. I need to let go of a lot more than that!
So far I've gotten rid of old children's books, earrings,plastic containers,shorts and shirts ds14 has outgrown and pot lids that don't match anything. That's just for today! Think I'll be doing this for the rest of the week...

30 Day Husband Encouragement Challenge Day One

I decided to start the 30 Day Husband Encouragement Challenge because I've heard some positive things about it. I'm hoping to see some positive changes in my relationship with my husband.
Todays challenge was to thank your husband for choosing you above all other women and to let him know that God put us together.

Is your husband confident that you love him?