A Mother's Thoughts on Her Son

I know the mother of a boy with a heart the size of Texas. While the boy was growing up, his mother had, sometimes, irrational thoughts of whether he would struggle or succeed in certain areas of his life. Other times, those thoughts weren't so irrational at all. She leaned on God, praying for her son everyday, and often, many times a day. There were times when she wondered, like some parents do, if "this" is what his life was going to be about. It was not what she had prayed and hoped for her little boy. Those days were some of the most difficult days of her life as they seemed to drag on forever with intense sorrow. However, her son's thoughts began to change after a while. She could see that he was finding a new heart. It was really the same one, but something was just a little different this time- a little bigger, a little better. Happiness and joy overshadowed the pain and grief. Her prayers for time, for understanding, for "something", had been replaced by prayers of thanksgiving. The most amazing things started to happen, but this time, with her. By her son's example, she could feel her own heart changing. She thought it seemed backwards for a mother to learn from a son, but that was what was taking place. Looking into his heart, she could see the heart that God wants us all to have. She wanted so much for her son, but God had given him so much more than she could have ever imagined. She is no longer concerned about the old days that controlled so many of her thoughts and took so much of her energy. She knows things may not always be the way they are now, that the darkness tries to creep it's way in whenever it can find room, but she has seen those brighter days. She is confident and has faith that no matter what comes in his life, he will remember the One who has blessed him beyond measure. I know her every thought because I am that mother of the boy, the man, with a heart the size of Texas.

Today is my son's 21st birthday. He has surpassed my hopes for him. I am proud to be the mother of Jesse. I never imagined my life could be so blessed by someone that is a part of me.

Happy Birthday, Jesse.

Frugal Homemade Remedies

I found the following remedies from htttp://www.hillbillyhousewife.com (this is NOT my website, based on the title, as some may think). As always, use these remedies at your own risk as they are not to be considered as medical advise.

For a/an:

Headache - As a soon as you start to feel a headache coming on, drink a big glass of cool water. Headaches are often a sign of dehydration in which case the liquid will help better than aspirin. If you don't catch  it in time or the water did not help, try wetting a cloth and adding a few drops of mint oil to it. Lay the cool, wet cloth over your forehead, close your eyes and relax for a few minutes (I have used peppermint oil and it really works!).

Cough - Heat some milk and stir a spoon full of honey in it and sip slowly. Right before bed, when coughing usually gets worse, you may want to take a spoon full of honey. It will coat the throat and stop the cough (don't give raw honey to a child under the age of 2).

Also, you can rub Vick's or other vapor rub on the bottom of your feet and and put on a pair of socks to stop a cough within 15 minutes (tried and true for me).

As another option, you can place a cold, wet washcloth on your throat and then cover with a dry towel.

Cold - Take the juice of a lemon and mix it with a cup of hot water and honey to taste. The honey will sooth the throat, the steam will help the sinuses feel better, and the Vitamin C will help your immune system.

Sore Throat - Gargle with either garlic tea (press up to 6 leaves into some very warm water) or sage tea (steep sage leaves in boiling water for a few minutes).

Drink some hot milk with honey.

Ear ache - Chop up a piece of onion, wrap it in some cheese cloth or a thin kitchen towel and place it on the ear

Insect Bite - Get a solid deodorant stick and rub it on the bite.

Chew on some parsley and put it on the bite,

Poison Ivy/Oak Rash -Rub the rind of a watermelon on the rash.

Nausea - Drink some warm peppermint tea, eat some licorice, or eat some ginger.

Fun With Baking Soda

On one of my many trips to the bookstore I saw a book entitled, "Pure Baking Soda for Baking, Cleaning and Deodorizing". It has over 100   household tips and hints using baking soda for using around the house and for personal use. One hundred?! Wow, that's a lot. I LOVE a cheap book, but even more, a cheap book with helpful and cheap solutions. Of course, I had to purchase it. Some of the tips and hints I had seen and put to use before, but I even noticed  some fun things for kids in this book too! From homemade jewelry to magic beans, I think this kid is gonna love this find!

MAGIC BEANS:
Fill a vase with water, add food coloring and 1/4 cup vinegar. Then, add 3 teaspoons baking soda. Drop in buttons, rice, dry beans, or pasta. Watch them rise and fall like magic.


PLAY CLAY:
2 cups baking soda
1 cup cornstarch
1 1/4 cups water
food coloring (optional)

Mix baking soda and cornstarch in saucepan. Add water, stir to mix, then cook over medium heat, stirring constantly for 10 to 15 minutes. Add food coloring to the water to make colored clay. Don't overcook. Clay should have the consistency of mashed potatoes. Remove to a plate, Cover with a damp cloth to cool.

Make it ahead of time and store for up to one week. Keep refrigerated in a plastic container. Bring to room temperature before using.

          **Three ways to dry play clay art**
Air: Set on wire rack overnight
Oven: Preheat to 450 degrees. Turn off. Place finished objects on a cookie sheet. Leave in until it's cold.
Microwave: Place objects on a paper towel. bake at medium power for 30 seconds. Turn over. Bake another 30 seconds. Repeat until dry.

Some Ideas using Play Clay

1) Jewelry:
     *shape beads for a necklace by rolling play clay into oval or round shapes. Push toothpick through to       make holes for stringing. String on yard, thread, shoelaces, etc.
     *To make earrings or brooch, shape with a flat back and glue onto backings.
2) Other Ideas:
     *napkin rings, tree ornaments

Dry pieces can be painted or drawn on with a felt tip marker. Smooth rough or cracked edges with and emery board. Protect finished products with clear acrylic spray or nail polish.

Dirty Dozen and Clean 15

The Environmental Working Group has compiled a list of produce that has the most pesticide residue. Below is a link to the top 12 with the highest residue and the top 15 that are lowest in pesticide residue. You can see the full list of 53 produce items on the website also.
http://www.ewg.org/foodnews/summary/

**Sparkling Clean**

 I have a new love. Well, maybe not a new love but a new means to an old love, if you will. Sparkling counter tops and chrome bath fixtures are things that make me smile. Really. Don't judge me :) So when I found this recipe for tub, tile and sink cleaner, I knew I would love to give it a try. With it's light abrasiveness and natural scent, you are sure to love it too.

Tub, Tile and Sink Cleaner


1 1/2 cups baking soda          
1/2 cup liquid soap ( I used Dr. Bronner's castile)
2 tbsp vinegar                        
1/2 cup water
few drops tea tree oil (or any other essential oil that is antiseptic/ disinfecting) 


Mix all together in a bowl and pour into an empty spray bottle. Be sure to mix well so the soda doesn't clump. Spray, wipe, rinse and if you're like me, polish it up with a "drying rag" or paper towel. Shake before each use.
Let me know what you think.


recipe found at crosland.com

Homemade Baby Shampoo

I tried my hand at some baby shampoo today. Of course it's been 14 years since I've had a baby in my home, but I have friends who are expecting and I think this would be a good 'green' gift. Here's the recipe:

12 ounces distilled water
4 tablespoons Dr. Bronner's liquid castile soap
4 drops of lavender oil, optional (or relaxing/invigorating essential oil of your choice)

Heat water to just boiling then remove from heat. Add soap and essential oil if desired. Pour in a bottle and shake, This soap will be watery but very gentle for baby. Experiment with different essential oils to personalize. As with any product, test for sensitivities or allergies.

**I found my liquid castile at Target. If you can only find the soap bars, just grate them and adjust measurement as necessary and dissolve in water.

Charity (Love) After the Storm

  There are no words, really, to describe the awesome power of the tornadoes that passed through the tight knit communities of Hulaco and Hog Jaw on April 27, 2011. Although, if I try, words like devastating and sickening come to mind. While there are other places that were affected in a more severe way, I believe none other came together like ours.

  I can't tell you how many times  people living outside our little communities have told me that they have never seen people in one area pull together and care for one another like these have. I believe them. 

  In the beginning,  the only means of communication with each other, without getting in our under-gased cars and driving, was through scant cell phone service and battery-powered radios.   A radio station in the next town over, 92.7 FM, made it possible for us to communicate with each other, at least to some extent. The people of that station created a lifeline to many all over North Alabama.

  Many times, friends and even strangers from counties away pulled up in the driveways of the residents'  houses to offer water, food, and other essential items. Some even offered their time and equipment. I know that many were touched by the love and generosity in those same ways.

  While taking water, food and other supplies out to the members of the communities, many found that those who needed help the most were the ones least willing to accept charity. After all, "There are people out there worse off than we are and we don't want to take away from them." In my humble opinion, that resembles charity at it's finest.

  The "hub" of the efforts, Ryan School, was used not only as a place to drop supplies for the victims of the tornadoes, but also a place to sit and eat a warm meal and fellowship, find clothing for the families, and as a shelter for victims to have a secure  place to sleep at night. I'm proud to live in a community where, when needed, we can be our own relief fund!

  We are taught in Romans 12:15  to rejoice with those who rejoice  and weep with those who weep. I believe this is a time that we can do both. Weep with those who have lost homes and people they love. Rejoice with those same ones and others in that they still have their own lives and other friends and family around them to comfort them. May we pray that all who were affected by the storms, no matter what part of the map in which they call home,  find the comfort that only our Heavenly Father can give.