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By bethany (dreadlock girl), February 8, 2010 23:00

I just registered to run the  2010 Eugene Half Marathon. Uh-Huh! Oh Yeah! The weird thing is that it doesn’t seem that crazy to me. And it probably should. When you consider putting yourself through what you have always dreaded, always feared, and aren’t shivering…then beware, right!?! I guess so.

You see my friends, I was a runner in high school and I kicked and fought my coaches the whole way through, really I don’t know why they put up with me. We did well, we won state in Cross Country, and in track my relay team broke records- still I was such a lazy runner. Our claim to fame was running up to get ice cream instead of going for the miles we were supposed to. Goodness, when you are young that statement of “Youth is wasted on the young” just doesn’t make sense, now I wonder what we could have done if we cared enough to train. So yes  I have feared actual real training, dreaded the thought of it all, but now I have peace.

My running time has lately been time I get to spend alone with God, it is a sweet thing and I catch myself tearing up or smiling at Him while I run. Yesterday He spoke to me several times and he just loved on me. I tried to explain to Brad what He told me while I was running, but it was more a hug from God than anything I have ever experienced before. God is so sweet to love us with that gentle loving. I came away from the hug with a sense of purpose and drive. Maybe that is why this whole thing doesn’t scare me, I know it is just running, just exercise, but I know that He has my back in this. Sort of like those trust tests where you have to let yourself fall into the other persons arms, just like that.

Don’t get too weirded out when I tell you later on, that I could be working up to a full Marathon, that is just a warning as I want to see how the half marathon goes first.  I will TRY to run with my friend Becky (who is my latest inspiration). She is running a full marathon, but the half and the full run the first 11 miles together.

I guess what I would like to say is that ‘God willing, I will run the Eugene Half Marathon in May’!! Right!? Yep. Wish me luck!

PS. I do need a local running buddy, anyone interested in running 6 miles tomorrow??

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By bethany (dreadlock girl), February 8, 2010 13:25

Nickel and Dimed: On (Not) Getting by in America

A middle aged journalist, Barbara Ehrenreich notes the obvious gap in coverage on a whole segment of society, the poverty level wadge earners (or the working poor). She chooses to go undercover (a la old school) and see if without her degrees (and a Phd.) and without her ‘luck’ and experience in past jobs- with that off the record, where would she be? Would it even be possible for her to survive financially? She does nothing but strip herself from her entitled position as a middle class citizen and education just to see if she can survive on what millions of Americans aim to survive on. These citizens who give their sweat and tears to work full-time, seven days a week, for the whole year earning a poverty-level wadge in aim to survive.  Barbara Ehrenreich decides that now is the time to find out so she strips herself of all her advantages and God knows what will happen.

Accepting jobs from working at Walmart, to housecleaning, and witnessing she is shocked to find that each of these jobs require her to put herself fully into it in order to keep up with the flow, and keep her job. The jobs all have things in common, they are high intensity, high stress, and demanding and yet they are minimum wadge or barely over that.  She chooses 3 different cites where she is going to try and make it work- and she soon finds out that just one job is not enough, if she wants a roof above her head she’ll have to be working at least two demanding jobs at a time. She soon realises that she has discarded, along with her privilege so much of where her securities were resting. No longer covered for medical expenses, dental mishaps or even just knowing that she could fall back on her education or rely on wealthy family members for a difficult season- the stress of just getting by is so much more than numbers, it is the heavy weight that one can only understand if one has been in that spot.

I strongly believe that every single person should read Nickel and Dimed, especially the overly wealthy (or those who have that type of attitude) and the working poor, every middle class white, every underpaid minority- this book crosses all the barriers and brings up issues that through knowledge we could change. The working poor is responsible for so much of the upper and middle class’ benefits, but generally they aren’t seen for the work they do, but just as a job, a label- as if that where their dream in life when they were 4.  Barbara puts a face on the working poor, a face that you won’t be able to forget even if you aim to. I highly recommend this Nickel and Dimed for perspective, awareness and so much more!

Nickel and Dimed is A New York Times bestseller, and Notable Book of the year but besides all those awards it is really- a must read.

Have you read this?? What are your thoughts? Is there another book, like this one, that has challenged your view on our societies set-up? Please share!

ISBN:9780805088380

Author: Barbara Ehrenreich

Publisher: Henry Holt and Co.

Subject: Poverty, Economic Conditions, Labor & Industrial Relations – General

Working poor – United States

Poverty – United States

Copyright: 2008

Publication Date: June 2008

I am an affiliate of  TOMS SHOES and Powell’s Books and I do receive a percentage of the sales of any item you buy using my links. Thank you!

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By bethany (dreadlock girl), January 28, 2010 00:45

Make your very own slice of heaven in a sock. Oh yeah, I promise that this simple and inexpensive hot/cold sock filled with rice and a couple drops of essential oil is your ticket to a better life. They are great for back aches, stomach cramps, leg tightness, leg pain, or just a relaxation enhancer.

They are especially good for pregnant ladies, because back aches are a biggie- so be sure to make these for all of those peeps in your life that find themselves expecting. I got these at my first baby shower from a friend and it was the one thing that fit me during the whole pregnancy, that I looked forward to more and could use after the baby too! I can’t say enough, try it.

Recipe for Homemade Rice Sock Heat pack or Cold Compress:

What you need:

*One pair of (I recommend two so you have a back up when your husband steals yours!) thick men’s socks. Just regular tube socks will do, they should be sport or working man thickness though. The bigger the better.
*Rice as needed to fill the socks half full. Get the cheapest you can find.
*Flannel or other fabric to cover your men’s sized rice socks.
*Funnel (optional but recommended).
*Essential Oils to your choosing (optional but recommended).

How to work it:

1.) Roll down the top of one of your socks, stick the funnel in and dump cups of rice into the sock until it is full until the half way point.

2.) Add drops of essential oil to the rice inside your sock (picture below). I added vanilla, about 10 drops- but whatever you like to smell would work. Also herbs would work as well, some lavender leaves and flowers or whatever.

3.) Cut fabric, I like flannel because it is warm already to the touch and soft but you could use cotton or fleece. Remember it will need to be washed and it will be microwaved along with the rice sock as well.  The size of your sock will mean you need a bigger or shorter fabric slice. I cut mine at 6 inches wide and 18 long. I had the fabric folded so I wouldn’t have to sew the bottom of the cover, but I am lazy so it doesn’t really matter if you do it that way, it is only about 5 inches to sew.

4.) Sew the top hem first, before you do the sides or bottom. Then turn fabric wrong side out or right sides facing each other and sew up the two long sides and the bottom. Right the fabric  and you are done. DONE! Slide (more like wiggle) your rice sock in and you are ready to head to the micro!

That would be right, it means that now you can enjoy. Start up your kettle, grab a good book or a stack of magazines and settle in  for a good relaxing time.

Heating and Cooling Instructions:

Heating: As sizes will vary, you’ll need to figure out how long your sock needs to be heated in the microwave. It will depend on how big it is and how much rice is in it, and how hot you want it, but mine takes 3-4 minutes- as it has quite a bit of rice in it. I recommend heating one at a time if you have two, it just kind of works better that way. Wash the cover when needed.

Cooling: If you want this for a cold compress- put it in the freezer and let it get cold. Simple right? I would go with at least an hour- but that just depends on how cold you want it.

Live it up, and share with a friend!!

What do you do to relax? What is your TV show or reading material of choice in order to achieve that perfect state of calm? Share it with me- I need to get some relaxin’ in!

Comments (7)

By bethany (dreadlock girl), January 26, 2010 22:49

We are going through the book of History for Little Pilgrims by Christian Liberty Press. It started with Adam and Eve and follows through history. Currently we are at the segment about the First Americans- or what we know as Native Americans. The people that were here before the European explorers came. I did like the information in the book, but I really wanted to expand on this section since I knew we could have some fun with it and when I plan out activities that really helps them understand it all.

First Americans or Native Americans used story telling as a form of passing on their history and their culture from generation to generation. Today in our history part of homeschooling we focused on the art of story telling. We read a story, called Falling Star about the Cheyenne People to get the idea of storytelling down, and then we wrote our own story about the boys letting them choose nature names. Jackson wanted his native name to be ‘Moose Tamer’ and Oliver chose ‘Buffalo Slayer’ (after I told him he couldn’t be called Astronaut). Then they worked together on this tale, a tale of two boys who are very different but work together for the greater good of their people.

The Story of Buffalo Slayer and Moose Tamer

Moose tamer found a moose and tried to get it. But he missed. He threw his spear at it and it missed and the moose got away. Then he ran back home saying that he didn’t find any meat. Then he grabbed his little brother Buffalo Slayer and went for a hunt, because their people were very hungry. They were gone for many days and were getting weaker from hunger. Then Buffalo Slayer slayed a buffalo to eat it with his people. And when they gained strength from the smoked buffalo meat and warm fire they set off again. This time Moose Tamer wanted to make a catch. But he was a lover and  not a killer. He wanted to bring a moose to be his pet.

So they were gone for like 40 minutes and they found a moose, it was small and it was content. Buffalo slayer was about to shoot it with  an arrow, but Moose Tamer stopped his brother and said. “No, we already have meat at the camp, we should capture and tame this Moose as a pet”. Buffalo Slayer agreed. Then they had to think of a way to catch it. They fashioned a cadge out of wood and sticks that they carved with their knives. In it they placed food that the moose liked. They snuck away into the trees and they slept. In the morning they ate their dried buffalo and drank milk for breakfast. When they looked up, still being as quiet as a star in the moonlight. They spotted the moose which was in the cage nibbling on an apple they had left for it. Quickly they raced over and closed the cage and Moose Tamer and Buffalo Slayer carried it home on their shoulders for many miles. For many moons they would work together to tame the moose-while Buffalo Slayer made sure everyone of their people was well fed with fresh buffalo meat that he killed.

-by Jackson and Oliver Canfield (2010)

Tonight we are going to act it out, they will dress up and play their parts as I read the words. The boys love learning about different cultures and history- I love doing all these fun things together!

Summary of our lesson of History and Art about the First Americans:

*Read History for Little Pilgrims pages 66 and 67 for a background information.

*Point out the locations mentioned on a globe (North and South America especially important).

*Explain that these peoples passed on their culture, memories and history with Storytelling.

*Read an age appropriate Native American Folk Story or legend. I just did a google search.

*Help children write their own story, help them come up with their own Native names and work with them on making the story somewhat logical- but don’t hinder their creativity too much!

*If your children like to draw, have them make a picture of their favourite part of their story that you wrote together. Encourage them to spend time on it. If they would rather make a sign for their play that would be great too.

*Have them dress up and act it out for their friends or family while you (or an older sibling) play the roll of Storyteller.

Outtakes

(these are the faces I got the first time I tried to take their picture, I was not a popular person!)

Can you think of other fun things to do in this lesson?? Let me know below what you think!

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By bethany (dreadlock girl), January 25, 2010 22:27

Made from Scratch: Discovering the Pleasures of a Handmade Life

This is a type of info/memoir by and about Jenna Woginrich. Made from Scratch covers beekeeping, chicken raising, antique hunting, bread making and many other rituals of the not-so-urban dwellers. Her book is set up well and there are sections of it that are extremely helpful and smart.

Many times however, I was turned off by the attempt to cover up poor writing by and addition of overly flowered and emotional prose. It was just way too loaded for me. She got emotional and excited because some friends from college were to join her at her house and so she went out of her way to make it a complete hassle-free weekend for them. She goes on to speak of how blessed she is that as she sees her friend falling asleep on the couch she knows that the food that is going through his body is from her very own farm. Cheesy! I have chickens in my backyard and I have never sat and thought that, yes I am delighted the boys get fresh eggs, and delighted that we aren’t paying into the insanely hideous picture of all those caged birds laying eggs onto a conveyor belt  for their whole lives while never to set foot on grass. Yes I am! But it seems to me Jenna goes a little overboard with her pleasure of the food that is in her friends digestive system. It isn’t just that passage either- there are more.

Besides the emotional aspect of this book (which seems to be written by someone either PMSing or enduring Menopause) I did enjoy the farming insight and tips. Although I am not quite ready to dive into bee-keeping (the neighbors probably wouldn’t like it either) I liked reading what she learned from both her mistakes and successes. I learn from other people’s mistakes when it comes to farming, gardening and such- it is way to expensive not to! Overall this was an average short and light read. It could have been so much better without the melodrama, but there were enough tidbits in it to keep me somewhat content.

If you could own one kind of farm animal (without  worrying about land space, or your neighbors) what would it be? The latest one that I want…Angora rabbits! I really want me a pair.

ISBN: 9781603420860

Subtitle: Discovering the Pleasures of a Handmade Life

Author: Woginrich, Jenna

Publisher: Storey Publishing

Subject: Do-It-Yourself – General

Personal Memoirs

Country life

Urban homesteading.

Farmers & Ranchers

Self-reliant living

Publication Date: December 2008

Pages: 184

I am an affiliate of  TOMS SHOES and Powell’s Books and I do receive a percentage of the sales of any item you buy using my links. Thank you!

Comments (5)

By bethany (dreadlock girl), January 22, 2010 11:05

Jackson (5 years) told me that he wanted to write out the Commandments. We couldn't quite fit ten on his stones.

We have been going through seasons of change, of difficulty, of quiet and silence as far as direction goes. Recently we have heard God’s leading. A while back we felt God called us to be missionaries to Spain and with all our hearts were thrilled to go. When we visited Spain we just didn’t have a peace about it at all, it was an unmistakable ‘NO’. This was confusing, nothing short of devastating but I clung to the verse that ‘To obey is better than sacrifice’ (1 Sam. 15:22) or in my case it would be to obey is better than blessing- because I just couldn’t wait to go. As much as I know the truth in that, and in serving where He has called us it was hard. So then by assumption we just decided to stay at the church to which we moved, so that we could go and work with my parents in Spain, because maybe God was calling us there instead. I do not doubt for one second that God’s plan and will was even there in that. I actually know that to be true now.

At that time we decided to pray, we have been praying since we got back from Spain in September praying for peace and confirmation about what His will for us was. The uncertain thing about prayer isn’t that God hears or  answers- but that he does so in ways we don’t expect. I prayed that God would give me the ability to not be in the way as He lead. I mentioned before that we have felt in a holding pattern- in a silent place of waiting on God. That season just ended, we are in a new season. God has recently told us to head back to Calvary Chapel and as much as we are excited to go back home- I hate looking fickle. I am the type that once I make a decision I want to stick to it even if it isn’t the right one. But that would be disobedient- and sin. So with mixed feelings of joy and shame we decide to go.

But God wants to deal with even that feeling of shame in me, to take that guilt away and give me what He intended to give me all along. After it was confirmed that we would go back, I started trying to pray and thank God,” Oh God it is so good that you brought us to this other church to reach out, to stir things up and if only to meet one person who needed us- we are so thankful” I was once again humbled as God spoke to me about how that was part of what happened because of our obedience, but not why he brought us there. This is what He spoke to me:

When you realize your place through humility, through being broken and brought down low- only then will I be glorified. Because only then will you understand completely that any step above eternal condemnation is a gift and not yours to hold to tightly, or yours to boast of, find pride in, come to expect, or feel you have earned.

That is why there is beauty in the broken and why pain brings joy. Because only then do you not lean on yourself- you have no choice but to lean on Me. No longer will it matter if others think you are obeying or hearing, no longer will it matter because you are steadfast in Me. You have surrendered.

God spoke that to me a couple nights ago. I wrote it down and the first feelings were shock, relief, joy and then embarrassment. God was working on me trusting Him, which I already thought I did. But now I realize that for me it is harder to trust Him when He wants me to do things that make me look bad, make me look indecisive or confused, or when He tells me to stay and not to go. I can be so critical, so quick to judge others- why would I assume God would share His plan for them with me? He didn’t even share His plan for me with me!!

At womens Bible study (that I have still been attending at Calvary Chapel Corvallis) our leader Cindy has been challenged that it shouldn’t be ‘more of God and less of me’, but ‘all of God and none of me’. I agree, because no matter how many bad things I didn’t do, no matter how much I could have sinned growing up and didn’t- nobody owes me anything. Actually I am the one who owes, I owe a debt that I can’t pay. I am entitled to nothing- but through God’s grace I am justified.

This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. there is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. Romans 3: 22-24

What has God been working in your lately? I’d love to hear!

Comments (11)

By bethany (dreadlock girl), January 19, 2010 15:34

Homemade Butter Recipe:

What you need:
1 Ball Jar (any size- I like the quart size but you can use a smaller one if you want to make less)
1 Large pinch of Salt
About 15 minutes of your time

Fill one ball jar half way with Heavy Whipping Cream. Put a lid on it and tighten it. Let sit out at room  temperature overnight- or for approximately 12 hours. This is to aid in souring process.

After your patient wait. Grab on to the jar and add a large pinch of salt to the cream. Then with one hand on the top and bottom of the jar shake with decisive churns. Not too quick, think of it as sudden pulses timed at about once every second. (This does not have to be exact- I didn’t do exactly that, but I write this to let you know you aren’t jiggling it constantly)

When you start to wonder if you should open the lid or you will miss it, don’t. Just keep going. It happens really quick- it goes from regular liquid to whipped cream and then to butter surrounded in buttermilk  with the jerk of the jar. When you see a conglomerate of light yellow butter in the middle (slightly bumpy and odd looking) you have it! You made butter!!

Butter is forming and swimming in a soft pool of buttermilk

Butter in jar after I emptied out the buttermilk

Empty the liquid (which is buttermilk) into a separate jar using a funnel. Rinse your butter with water making sure all the buttermilk is out, as this will cause spoilage. You can kneed it under the water, I would use cold though so it doesn’t make your butter any softer than it already is-this will be slimy, but you could just lick your fingers off!! After the water that comes off of the butter runs clear your butter is good to go.  Transfer to a butter mold or smaller jar if you choose. Store both butter and buttermilk in the fridge. If you want a soft butter- you can leave part of it out for easy-creamy spreading. Grab your toast and slab on your homemade butter! Or better yet- just grab a spoon! YUM!

Have you made butter before?? Do you have any tips or something I left out?? Be sure and let me know. If you have even considered it you really should- it is SO easy that you’ll just want to keep it up!