EVERY TIME I TURN AROUND

I totally understand how someone could become a hypochondriac.  Every day I hear about another health risk I should be concerned about.  I've been reading about black mold because we have mold growing behind our toilet tank.  I guess it's been there a while and I'd have to remove the tank from the wall to clean it.  So I guess it's staying there because I have no clue how to do that.  I also have to spray down the shower with clorox water every few days to control mold in there.

From what I've read about mold, the first place a person suffers from it is the lungs and sinuses.  So is it a coincidence that my daughter and I both suffer from sinus problems?  She can't even breathe through her nose some nights.  We have to run a steam vaporizer every night so she can breathe.  The vaporizer is probably contributing to a damp house, which mold thrives in.  So we run a dehumidifier as well.  Mold can contribute to memory loss, brain fog, fatigue, and learning disabilities.  Mold can get into the lungs and cause breathing difficulties and sudden onset asthma.

Another health risk found in the bathroom is fluoride toothpaste.  I recently stopped using toothpaste with fluoride after watching a video that claims fluoride is banned in nine countries because it's toxic and it causes all kinds of health problems.  You can view this video under my Labels heading on the right side of my blog.  Just click on the Videos category.

One of the ailments that is contributed to fluoride is arthritis.  I recently had a blood test that concluded I have the early stage of rheumatoid arthritis.  So I started using toothpaste I make at home and you know what?   Since I've been off fluoride toothpaste, I haven't had arthritis symptoms.  Coincidence?  I guess it's too early to tell, but there might be a connection.  You can get the recipe for homemade toothpaste by clicking the home recipes category under Labels on the right side of my blog.

While I'm on subjects that start with "f", I'll mention fungus.  Ringworm is a fungus that grows on your body.  It's extremely hard to get rid of, as I have discovered.  I have ringworm on my right leg just above my ankle.  It's embarrassing to talk about, but I guess it's easily contracted because I'm a clean person when it comes to hygiene. Ringworm can grow on different areas of the body and can cause hair loss and thick deformed toenails and fingernails.  It also causes extreme itching, sometimes a rash.  Often it forms a red ring, which is how it got it's name.

I have no idea where I got ringworm, but I suspect our cat because she often rubs against my leg (her way of showing affection).  My doctor suggested an over-the-counter cream but all that does is control it.  The itch drives me crazy at times and I would love to find something that gets rid of the problem completely.   It's strange that fungus can grow on your body and stay there, almost like parasites.

Speaking of parasites, there's another health concern. I know parasites are for real because I know two people who have had them.  I also know of a case where a young boy contracted a parasite from his dog and it eventually attacked his brain and almost killed him.  You can contract parasites from your dog, cat, or horse.  Parasites can be in your drinking water, garden dirt, or you can get them from using public toilets.

Contaminated food is another source, as well as undercooked meat, especially pork.  Did you know that Japan worms their school children every year?  Parasitic infections often go undetected by conventional medicine, especially in the United States, where people don't take parasites seriously. Also our primitive testing methods do not detect blood born parasites, liver flukes, lung worms, heart worms, etc.  If a doctor suggests you have a parasitic infection, wouldn't you look at him as if he's crazy?

Yet parasites are an epidemic in the United States.  Cancer, Aids and all chronic deadly ailments have been found to be accompanied by primary or secondary parasitic infections.  Symptoms of parasitic infections include: chronic fatigue, skin problems, headaches, constipation, gas & bloating, loss of appetite or uncontrollable appetite, itchy ears, nose and anus, nail biting, PMS, forgetfulness, premature aging, malnutrition, anemia, dull hair, brittle nails and more.  Well I guess I'll sign off for now and continue this tomorrow, when I'll finish my list of ailments every time I turn around.  I'll also share some natural remedies for some of these problems and where you can get them.  See you tomorrow.

FOR THE LOVE OF DOGS (and a recipe for skunk wash)

By Danelle Carvell

                                                                                

Jazz liked jazz music. It calmed him down on his first ride home.

I always said I'm not a pet person.  Not that I don't love animals and think they're amazing creatures, I just never wanted one in my house.  But that was before our dog, Jazz.  Jazz is special.  He's white with a band of black at the base of his tail and a patch of black/ brown around one eye.  My favorite marking on him is a black spot that looks as if someone dipped one finger in black paint and tapped the top of his head.

We believe Jazz came to us through prayer.  My daughter wanted a dog for a long time and I kept saying, No.  Eventually I softened after months of begging.  I told her to start praying for the perfect dog.  And I remembered something Pastor John Hagee shared about his family's pet.

Hagee's daughter also was begging for a dog, so he told her that if someone offered her the exact dog she wanted for free, then she could keep it.  Well she kept praying, and one day a neighbor who was moving to a place that didn't allow pets offered her the exact kind of dog she wanted at no cost. Mr. Hagee was amazed.  And so were we when we got a phone call from my mother telling us about a Jack Russel terrier mix for sale in Duncannon.  We didn't expect to get the dog for free, but we did pray that God would lead us to the right dog.  He did that through my mom.

Jazz has the cutest habits.  You can't help but love him.  When there's no water in his bowl, he flips his water dish.  I sometimes hear the clang of metal on the wooden floor early in the morning. I'm a light sleeper so I answer his request.  He'll look up at me, then look at his turned over dish, as if to say, "Sorry to wake you, but I need a drink." Once we almost bought him a water bowl that set inside a heavy wooden base.  When we realized he wouldn't be able to flip the bowl, we decided against it.  I don't mind getting out of bed for a request that cute.  To me, his cutest habit is the way he wedges himself between my ankles when I'm standing at the sink washing dishes.  And I love the way he lays in that little patch of sunshine that comes through our glass front door.

One of his funniest habits is he'll bark if a doorbell rings on TV.  He's a good little watchdog.  He gives the UPS guy a warning when he comes and the mail lady.  He considers it his job to protect us.  Sometimes he even barks at the wind.  He's on top of things that way.  We also get a kick out of the way he eats.  If he doesn't like a certain morsel of dog food, he'll carefully set it outside his dish.  Eventually he has a collection of these morsels, all the same size and color.  If he eats something he really likes, he'll walk around the house smacking his lips quite loudly.  The noise is actually from his tongue slapping all around the outside of his mouth searching for stray pieces.

Jazz got his name during his first ride home.  My daughter noticed that when the radio dial was set to Jazz music, her new dog settled down and fell asleep.  I thought it was a great name.  I call him Jazzy.  Jazzy has favorite spots to lay throughout the house.  He loves to sleep on the footrest of my husband's recliner while he watches TV.  At night, he sleeps on my daughter's bed, which I don't like.  After seeing him eat droppings from our cat (his most disgusting habit) I worry about bacteria, not to mention fleas and ticks.  But she doesn't worry about any of that stuff.  One morning I walked into her bedroom and saw my daughter sleeping with her mouth open.  Directly in front of her on the pillow was Jazz asleep with his paw on her mouth.  We've made some trips to the doctor for strep throat.  No one but me seems to think it has anything to do with Jazz.  He's still on her bed every night no matter how much I harp.

A few months ago Jazz went outside to do his business and got more than he expected.  He was nailed in the face by a skunk.  My husband was irate at first, but then took pity on him and washed him in a downstairs sink.  His little eyes were dripping tears from the strong odor all around him.  He looked so pitiful and scared.  I thought he would stink up the whole house if we brought him inside and I was ready to sleep at my mom's.  But to my surprise the house didn't smell and my husband got Jazz cleaned up to where we could barely smell the skunk odor.  I had a recipe in my file cabinet for skunk wash, just in case we ever needed it.  Most people think tomato juice does the trick, but you actually need something alkaline to combat skunk odor.  Tomato is acid PH.

Jazz has become a beloved part of our family and now I understand how people become attached to animals.  He even has eyebrows, we discovered.  That's what makes his facial expressions so expressive.  He tilts his head every time we talk to him as if he's trying to understand.  And he has the softest ears.  I love to pull his floppy ears through my fingers.  So I guess now I am officially a pet person, thanks to the little dog we prayed for.  God works all things together for good and he cares about every detail of our lives, even what kind of pet we bring home.  So if you're thinking about a pet, start praying and see what comes along.  And if that pet happens to encounter a skunk, here's the recipe for skunk wash.

SKUNK WASH HOME REMEDY

1 quart hydrogen peroxide
1/4 cup baking soda
1 tsp liquid dish washing detergent
Let pet soak for 5 min then rinse and repeat as necessary.
Be careful hydrogen peroxide can bleach your pets hair, fur, and coat.

MEET LYSA TERKEURST

www.lysaterkeurst.blogspot.com
Today I'm giving you the pleasure of reading another woman's blog because I need a blogging break.  Lysa Terkeurst is a wonderful author and speaker.  She is so honest about her own struggles and this makes her very likable in my book (If I had a book).  I first saw Lisa on TV when she was talking about her book, "Becoming More Than A Good Bible Study Girl.  I instantly liked her and what she had to say.

Lysa discusses topics that every woman can relate to.  Her newest book, Made To Crave is soon to be released and if you struggle with weight gain and emotional eating, (Who doesn't at this time of year) you will most likely find her insight helpful.  You can subscribe to Lysa's site and receive all her blog posts by email.  Hope you enjoy exploring her blog.

Oh, and the commercial I posted today is an afterthought from yesterday's blog post.  See you tomorrow.

Miller Christmas (1981)

THE WEEKS BEFORE CHRISTMAS

I'm officially in the Christmas spirit.  Our family just returned from our daughter's Christmas concert.  I haven't had a moment to blog until now.  One of those days.  It's funny how Christmas events can brighten your mood and get you humming tunes you haven't hummed for an entire year.  Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas was the opening and closing song at the concert.  That's the tune I've been humming while baking cookies at 9:00 pm.  A Christmas apron and a pair of red slippers would complete the picture.  I'll put it on my list.

Last night Charlie Brown Christmas was on TV.  That's another thing that puts me in the Christmas spirit.  All those shows I used to watch as a kid in the weeks before Christmas.  Rudolph, Frosty, and my favorite, the Grinch.  I get just as much joy watching those shows as an adult, maybe even more than when I was a kid.  I'd be upset if they ever stopped airing them.  My favorite part of the Grinch is when that little dog of his is dangling from a rope suspended from the sleigh that's about to fall off a cliff.  The Grinch pulls the dog by his paw and says, "It came without presents.  It came without tags.  It came without packages, boxes or bags."

The Christmas commercials were just as entertaining as the shows.  When you heard the repeated ping of Andre champagne glasses raised in a toast to the tune of Ring Christmas Bells you knew the Christmas season was approaching. Then there was the Budweiser commercial with the Clydesdale horses and the Norelco commercial where Santa came riding down a snowy hill atop an electric shaver.  My favorite commercial was aired by Miller in 1981, a horse-drawn sleigh ride through a snow-covered countryside to the tune of I'll Be Home For Christmas.  I have it posted above and the Norelco commercial follows it. If you keep clicking, I don't endorse anything you see beyond the commercials I mentioned. Watch them and savor the memories.

One of my favorite Christmas memories is a night in the late seventies, when I went Christmas caroling with my sister and some of her friends.  We walked around my hometown, Pillow, Pennsylvania and sang for neighbors that we knew.  There was snow on the ground, lots of it.  And as the evening progressed a light snow dusted our noses and eye lashes, just like in the song Favorite Things.  It was cold that night, but I loved it.  Some of the people we sang for invited us inside for hot chocolate.  Other folks offered us cookies or fruit.  I guess if I'm ever starving I could survive in December.  Or maybe not if I had to sing solo.

I remember the Christmas shopping trips my parents would take us on when I was very young.  That was before the mall was an option. We bought our gifts in the town of Sunbury.  About 20 miles from home, it was the closest place to find a variety of shops down each side of the street.  People were bustling down the sidewalks to the tune of familiar Christmas music.  I remember looking up as I walked from shop to shop with my parents and siblings.  Every block had a decorative arch of sparkly vine that stretched across the street.  Teal blue and red were the colors I remember.  They put the same decorations up each year, but I thought they were beautiful.
 
I love to see how people decorate their homes for Christmas, especially the outdoor lights at night.  It's neat to drive through the countryside viewing homes close up and in the distance. Like lit-up gingerbread houses, the glowing colors bring magic to the landscape and a touch of fairytale charm.  Some people really get ambitious with the lights.  I slow down for those houses.  My favorite are the blue icicle lights hanging under the roof. I'm partial to blue lights for some reason.  That's my favorite color lights to put on a Christmas tree.  Certain colors just affect your mood in a positive way and I think blue is one of those colors.

Even more fun is snooping in people's homes to see how they decorate inside.  I'm talking about those Christmas House tours that send you on a road trip stopping at churches, businesses and homes.  Some people even set the dining table as they would for Christmas dinner.  They get out the good china, linen napkins, candles, amazing centerpieces.  One woman told me tonight at the concert that she recently attended a Christmas open house and counted over 40 decorated trees throughout the house.  There was even a tree in the garage.

Some people have such a gift for interior decorating and they really put on the Ritz at Christmas.  They set out displays of sugar cookies, pastries, and breads.  Offer you a warm cup of spiced cider.  Christmas tunes play softly in the background, the scent of cinnamon and gingerbread in the air, and the only thing that makes you want to leave is the promise of something even more magical at the next stop on your map.

Christmas parties, plays and concerts, shopping and wrapping gifts, caroling in the snow, gazing at decorations inside and out, baking cookies, exchanging them with friends, and getting together with loved ones.  The tastes of the season, the smells, the sounds, a visual celebration to take in.  Christmas is a magical time. A feast for all the senses.  And if we keep in mind the true reason for Christmas, we'll have joy in our hearts as well.  I hope your calendar is filled with events and gatherings that will lift your spirits and have you humming familiar tunes, ushering in another year of  Merry Christmas memories.

ANOTHER KIND OF STUCK

Yesterday I wrote about how I was feeling stuck.  I couldn't get motivated.  This feeling was caused by physical tiredness.  Not quite exhaustion, which requires lots of rest.  I just felt a little depleted and tired of the whole routine.  Last night, at our church Christmas party, we had the pleasure of hearing a lady speak about something most of us can relate to--anxiety.  After hearing what she had to say, I realized that there's another kind of stuck--being mentally stuck with anxiety and worry that robs your energy.

The speaker shared her struggles with worry and fearful thoughts.  Her mind was stuck in a negative pattern of "what if this happens" fear and "if only I would have" regrets.  Instead of living for today, she was stuck in the future, worrying about what might happen or stuck in the past regretting what already did happen. This pattern of thinking caused her to become deeply depressed.  Her constant worry and anxiety  had robbed her energy and put her into a terrible state of mind.

She went to her pastor for help.  She also was lead to an encouraging book, Loving God With All Your Mind by Elizabeth George.  I recognized the title because I read that book and it's one of my favorites.  George says we must be faith oriented, not feeling oriented.  We should never view our lives through the lens of feelings because they are too varied and unstable.  When we feel panic, worry or any kind of anxiety we need to put our faith in God and the truth of His word, not in our feelings.

That's exactly what the speaker did to win her battle with anxiety and depression.  The first thing she did was ask God to bring any unconfessed sin to her mind so she could confess and be forgiven.  This was her way of starting fresh and cleansing her mind.  She didn't want anything to hinder her healing.  The second step was filling her mind with the truth of God's word.  She knew that she had to replace her worried thoughts with more positive thoughts.

Phillipians 4:8 was one of the scriptures she began to dwell on: ..."whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy--meditate on these things."  She said she had notecards of scripture placed around the house-- where she stood to wash dishes, at the bathroom mirror, even in her car.  Whenever a negative worrisome thought crept into her mind she took that thought captive and pushed it out of her mind.  Then she replaced that thought with the truth of God's word.

Speaking God's word out loud was another weapon she used to battle her anxiety.  Speaking God's promises out loud has great power she said.  Jeremiah 29:11 was another scripture she would dwell on to keep her mind free.  In that scripture God promises this: "I know the plans I have for you...plans for good and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope."

In Loving God With All Your Mind, Elizabeth George says God reassures us that His purposes for us are good.  Romans 8:28 says, "God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose."  We can use this promise in our prayers.  Simply say, "God, Your word says all things including this (you name the present problem) work together for good."  This is sometimes called praying God's word and it forces us to acknowledge God's involvement in our lives and reminds us that He is the source of our hope.

No matter what kind of stuck we are... physically, mentally, or emotionally, the answer is the same.  Go to God and dwell on the truth of His word.  Commit your work to Him.  Dedicate your day to Him.  Psalm 37:5 says, "Commit your way to the Lord, Trust also in Him and He will do it."  Elizabeth George paraphrases that promise this way: "Trust God to take over your career, home, work, all the circumstances, aims and ambitions of life, and He will so mold events that your deepest and purest desires shall find unmeasured fulfillment, and life will be filled with utter satisfaction"  "What a promise!," she adds. "What hope! What a plan God has for us, His children!"

TODAY I FEEL STUCK

Do you ever feel stuck?  Just tired of going through the routine of life?  Your energy is drained and you wonder if you'll get through another day.  It's not depression, it's just plain tiredness.  You feel spent, depleted, like you have nothing left to give.  That's how I'm feeling today, so I guess that's what I'll write about, being stuck.

What do you do when you're stuck?  I think the worst thing you can do when you're stuck is isolate yourself from friends, family, and community activity.  That's what I really want to do when I'm burned out, but I know it's not a good idea because isolation only contributes to that stuck feeling.  If the problem is exhaustion, we do need rest and maybe some solitude, but what we need when we're stuck is encouragement, inspiration, a fresh perspective.  Those things can only come from being close to other people and being close to God.

When I'm stuck, I can't concentrate.  Everything I do takes twice as long.  I procrastinate.  Get distracted easily.  I daydream a lot.  I'm just in a different state of mind when I'm stuck.  I need something to unstick me.  Something or someone needs to lift me up again.  And that won't happen if I shut myself off from the world and ignore God.

I think God knew how I would be feeling today, because he booked an extra busy week for me.  Lots of activity is exactly what I need.  But I need more than that.  I need to spend time with the One who knows me better than anyone.  I need to praise God for all He does for me.  I need to talk with Him.  Pour out my heart to Him.

So many people don't realize how much they need God.  They don't realize that the frustration they're feeling is actually a longing for closeness to God.  He created us to have a deep need, a longing for Him.  We feel that longing every day from childhood through adulthood.  It's a constant craving that never goes away. 

I'm grateful that I know what I really need when I'm feeling stuck.  I don't reach for a bad habit to comfort me.  I reach for friends, family, and the Comforter himself.  I know I'll be feeling differently by the end of the week because I have the cure for this ailment.  I've been stuck before and I know how to break free.  I won't stay stuck for long.

FIGHTING THE GOOD FIGHT

By Jim Carvell, guest writer


Are believers not called to be doing the Lord's work?

I was reading Paul's writings in  (I Cor. 16:10).  Paul said,"Now if Timothy comes, see that he is with you without cause to be afraid, for he is doing the Lord's work, as I also am."

Just what is the Lord's work?  And are all believers to be doing this as well today?

In verse (13 of I Cor. 16), Paul says, "Be on the alert, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong."  This to me sounds like a serious commitment.  Then in (2 Tim. 2:1) Paul tells Timothy, "You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus."  In verse 3 he says to be a good soldier of Christ Jesus.  Verse 4 says... "no soldier in active service entangles himself in the affairs of everyday life, so that he may please the one who enlisted him as a soldier."

"Be sober in all things ,endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry," says Paul to Timothy in (2 Tim. 4:5).  In all of Apostle Paul's letters, he is writing to either a particular brother or sister in Christ or to a church body of believers.  We,today, who believe in Christ Jesus and his resurrection are that same body of believers.  So that makes us soldiers as well.

What is the fight?  We are to put on the full armor of God so that we will be able to stand firm against the [schemes of the devil] (Eph. 6:11). We are not to participate in unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them (Eph. 5:11).  I believe this could be false shepherds/pastors and teachers as well as the evil darkness that is taking root in our government, schools, and sometimes our families.

Jesus said to the Jewish believers..."if you continue in my word, you are truly disciples of mine; and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free." (John 8:31-32).  This battle we're fighting is of the truth between Jesus, our light and savior, and the devil, who is of darkness, despair, confusion and destruction of eternal life.

Paul sums it up in (Eph. 3:9-11) where he states: the mystery of God's manifold wisdom, which was hidden for ages, might be made known "through the church"...made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places (Satan's demons).  This was in accordance with the eternal purpose carried out in Christ Jesus our Lord.

This battle is spiritual.  Sometimes it becomes physical, but it's real.  We are told in (Col. 4:2)..."devote yourselves to pray, keeping alert in it with thanksgiving"; and in verse 5..."conduct yourselves with wisdom toward outsiders."

I believe that through intense study of God's word we can see the truth and the evil we live in today.  "A prudent man sees evil and hides himself, the naive proceed and pay the penalty."  Prayer is the weapon that binds Satan and his evil.  "Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need" (Heb. 4:16).

If we peacefully expose evil men and imposters in our government and schools, which will grow from bad to worse in these last days (2 Tim. 3:13).  And if we warn those who may not know the truth, then we just might be doing the Lord's work.  And as Paul said..."consider what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in everything" (2 Tim. 2:7).

My goal is to be listed under the church of Philadelphia as in (Rev. 3:7-13) where Jesus states in verse 10..."because you have kept the word of my perseverance, I also will keep you from the hour of testing, which is about to come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth."

What's your goal?  Are you doing the Lord's work or are you entangled in the affairs of everyday life?

100% HOMEMADE VANILLA IS WORTH THE WAIT

I just got back from another day of shopping.  Feeling like I accomplished a lot.  Mostly I was looking for items to use in my homemade gift baskets.  The Goodwill store really came through for me.  I found some beautiful glass sugar bowls with lids for a dollar a piece.  I don't think those gals at Goodwill know what they have sometimes.  I hear stories of people finding valuable treasures in that store.  One girl said she spotted a familiar piece of pottery in the exact color she loves.  When she turned the piece upside down and saw the name engraving, she knew it was a collector's piece from the very collection she buys.  They were only asking two dollars for it, and she knew it sells for fifty.  "I couldn't get out of there fast enough," she said.  She thought they might discover the pricing error and ruin her rush.
 
I love the rush of finding treasures like that.  Some people get a thrill from buying pricey items.  My thrill comes from knowing that I'm practically stealing it.  But not really.  I'm planning to use the sugar bowls to hold my homemade vanilla sugar.  I'm also planning to give homemade vanilla as gifts.  And last night I watched a video on how to make tea cup candles.  Can't wait to try that.

I have these beautiful Victorian teacups that I found at an antique store.  They are so elegant and expensive looking because of the splashes of gold, the pretty patterns and  bold floral designs.  Some of the cups even have pedestals or little feet under them.  I fell in love with those teacups as soon as I saw them, but they've been collecting dust for years.  I'm finally going to put them to more practical use and make some candles out of them.  Teacup candles are so pretty when they're lit.  I'm sure the gals I give them to will be tickled with them.

Today I had no problem finding the paraffin wax to make candles, but I couldn't find wicks with anchors on them, so I'll share the teacup candles another time.  I like to try these things myself before explaining how to make them.  But I have tried making homemade vanilla, and that's the recipe I'll be sharing today.  I heard about vanilla sugar and I have a recipe, but I haven't made any yet.  But those sugar bowls are going to be so happy when they're filled with the wonderful scent of sweet vanilla.  Vanilla sugar is a great gift for people who put sugar in their coffee or tea.  My husband adds my homemade vanilla to his coffee and loves it.

So why make your own vanilla?  Lots of reasons.  First of all, store bought vanilla is very expensive and when you realize what you're getting, it kind of makes you mad to pay the price.  Did you know that artificial vanilla flavoring, imitation vanilla flavoring, natural vanilla flavoring, vanilla extract, and pure vanilla extract are all names that can be used to describe wood pulp that's made to taste like vanilla.  If you buy vanillin, you're also getting a cheaper, lower grade vanilla substitute.  Most store-bought vanilla contains 35% alcohol.  Real vanilla should contain 100% alcohol.  Vanilla manufacturers thin their extract with water to make a bigger profit.  If you want the best tasting vanilla, you need real Bourbon Grade A vanilla beans and you need to let them soak in 100% alcohol for three months.  But oh, is it worth the wait!

Besides the exceptional taste, one of the benefits of using pure100% alcohol vanilla is that it will make whatever you're making or baking, ice cream especially, softer and smoother.  I add two Tablespoons to a batch of ice cream, but not so much you can taste the alcohol.  Your ice cream will be softer since alcohol freezes at a lower temperature than most freezers are set to.  You can make homemade ice cream and then put the leftovers in the freezer, and it will be amazingly soft and easy to scoop the next time you eat it.  Okay, I'm sure I convinced you that it's worth the trouble, so here's the recipe.  Have fun.

You will need
12 vanilla beans about 7-8 inches long (bourbon grade A)
a fifth of 100 proof vodka (NIKOLAI is fine. Quality doesn't matter so go cheap)

Open your vodka bottle and pour out about four ounces.  It's up to you what you do with the excess.  Cut the vanilla beans down the middle with a sharp knife and scrape out the seeds (caviar) with a dull knife.  Use a funnel or carefully drop the seeds into the vodka bottle.  Then add the remaining vanilla bean skins.  Put the lid on, shake, and store in a cool, dark place.  I put my bottles in a paper bag in the back of the fridge, so as little light hits them as possible.  Light is not a friend to vanilla and it shouldn't be stored near any heat source.  Every few days shake the bottle well and then put it back to sit and steep.  When your vanilla is done steeping after three months, you can grind the vanilla skins and use them in your baking as well.  Some people prefer to strain the vanilla when it's done steeping, but I love those flecks of vanilla bean in the liquid.  If you prefer a stronger infusion, you can let the vanilla steep up to 12 months, but who could wait that long for something so good.

MAKE YOUR OWN TOOTHPASTE IN ONE MINUTE

I'm so excited! I just whipped up my very first batch of homemade toothpaste and I'm thrilled with the results.  This was not a time consuming project.  I added all the ingredients and had them mixed in one minute.  I've been reading bad things about fluoride, so I've been looking for a fluoride-free toothpaste.  Not so easy to find, and the brand I did find costs about four dollars a tube.  So I checked out one of my favorite sources for homemade everything and discovered two recipes at Passionate Homemaking.  There's a link to this site under Home and Health Links on the right side of my page.

I decided that I wanted baking soda in my toothpaste, so I made a combination of the two recipes suggested on the Passionate Homemaking website.  Here's my recipe:

                                               Nell's Homemade Toothpaste

1/2 Tbsp. Dr. Bronners castile liquid soap (or any natural castile liquid soap)
   5 Tbsp coconut oil
   2 Tbsp baking soda
   2 packets of stevia
   1 Tbsp of water (less or more depending on the consistency you want.  I added very little water).

I stored my toothpaste in a small glass jelly jar.  You can also water this down enough to store it in a new soap dispenser bottle and then you can pump it directly onto your toothbrush.  It may sound strange to make toothpaste out of soap, but Dr. Bronners soap is made with natural ingredients and organic oils.  No health hazards to worry about, unlike the store-bought toothpaste that contains not only toxic fluoride, but also might contain sodium lauryl sulfate, which is considered unsafe by some experts.  I used the orange oil soap.  It also comes in peppermint and other varieties. I found Dr. Bronners soap while out shopping one day, but it's also available at Amazon.

The coconut oil I found at Wal Mart.  It's called Lou Ana and I found it on the top shelf in the cooking oil section.  I also bought the stevia at Wal Mart.  It comes in a box of 100 packets and it's made by Spring Valley.  You can find it in the vitamin section.  Stevia is an all natural herb that is a safe substitute for sugar.

I just love homemade recipes.  It makes me feel self-sufficient when I don't have to depend on already-made store-bought products.  Anything I can make myself is just more satisfying to use.  The reason I want to avoid fluoride is because it's toxic.  And although we might not ingest much since we spit out toothpaste, I still feel better knowing the fluoride isn't in there.

Did you know fluoride is banned from drinking water in nine countries?  Yet in this country we hand out fluoride pills to children in school.  I'm not sure if they still do this.  I opted out of the school's fluoride program years ago, but I remember taking those little white pills myself in grade school.  Kids would put them in their mouths and then spit them out when the teacher wasn't looking.  Although they probably didn't realize that they were doing themselves a favor. They just hated the taste.

If you're not convinced that fluoride is worth your concern, I posted a video below that you might find interesting.

WHY PAY FOR A MOVIE TICKET?

I just returned from a day of shopping with my mom.  We walked the mall for three hours, and I'm feeling it.  The shopping headache hit at about 3:00.  Why shopping never fails to give me a headache I don't know because I do enjoy it.  I love walking.  It's the best exercise and it's nice to have things to look at while walking, unlike time on the treadmill where there's not much entertainment.

Shopping is certainly entertaining.  There's no place like the mall for people watching.  I don't know if you'd call it eavesdropping, but I love to tune into the conversations that are going on around me as I walk the mall.  The way people look at one another, the things they say and do.  I'm fascinated by all that stuff in a curious sort of way.  I witnessed an argument between a man and a woman.  She stood directly in front of him while loudly accusing him of something.  He showed no emotion while trying to change the direction of his steps so she wasn't right in his face.
 
I'm not sure which group is more entertaining, adults or children.  Kids love those fountains that you throw money into, and every mall seems to have one.  When my mom and I sat near the trickling water, just before heading home,  a young girl came running up to the fountain with such enthusiasm that she leaped across the outer perimeter and jumped up onto the water's edge.  She had a wish to make and it should have been that her mom would take it easy on her.  After throwing in her coin, the girl was met with a verbal punishment and a yank of her arm that sent her to the floor.

Why pay money for a movie ticket when there's a free show in the mall?  Walking among so many different people allows you to see glimpses of who they are.  Some of it isn't pretty, but other times you get to witness joyful moments, acts of kindness, or glances between couples that are obviously in love.  While coming out of J C Penney, I saw a man looking over at the woman who walked beside him.  It was a look of adoration that any woman would love to receive.  He was saying something to her I couldn't hear, but it didn't matter because the way he looked at her said it all.  Love walked by me and made me smile.

Then I overheard a conversation in the ladies room between a mother and her son.  I was standing at the sink while they were chatting in one of the stalls.  The boy was telling his mom about the mean kids at school and she said, "When someone talks to you like that, just say, Don't talk to me and walk away."  I caught a glimpse of them coming out of the stall as I was leaving, and again I had to smile.  It was a sweet moment that reminded me of the days not too long ago when my son was young enough to go with me into the ladies room.  It's funny how watching and listening to people can spark memories you weren't expecting to recall.

Shopping is more than looking for items to buy.  A day of shopping can be filled with all kinds of wondrous surprises.  Like running into someone you haven't seen in a long time, someone you would want to run into.  Or free samples of really good pizza.  We happened to be in the right place at the right time when we noticed a sheet of sliced pizza, fresh from the oven with a "free sample" sign nearby.  People were gathering quickly, but we managed to snatch a slice.  I especially enjoyed the crust.  I don't get people who chomp pizza up to the end crust and then toss the best part.  This pizza crust was crispy and thin, just the way I love it.

But the highlight of the day was when my mom found a red Christmas blouse with a touch of ruffles and sparkle. She tried it on and loved it.  It was so her.  But the price tag said No.  Forty eight dollars is a lot for one blouse.  After carrying it around for a bit she decided it's okay to splurge once in a while.  I watched from a distance as she paid for the blouse then headed toward me smiling with her arms in the air, waving the register tape.  I knew what had happened.  "Nineteen dollars!"  I said in disbelief.  She saved almost thirty dollars.  "Now we can go out to eat," I joked. 

I think that maybe my headache today was from taking the whole day in.  Shopping is drama.  I only mentioned some of the drama, but it was a good day.  And the thought that kept nagging me on the way home was why we don't go shopping together more often.

CRAVING COMFORT cookbook review

My neighbor brought me a loaf of banana bread yesterday.  It's neat to know that people still do that sort of thing.  As we stood at the door chatting, the bread warmed my hand.  Warm banana bread is something I can't resist.  Two seconds after saying goodbye, I was slicing a generous end piece while inhaling the sweet aroma. This bread was made with fresh walnuts, which made it extra special because I don't add nuts to my recipe.

I love to bake, and banana cake or bread is the goodie I bake most.  It seems that every week I have three or four spotted bananas on my counter that I need to do something with before they spoil.  I recently discovered that bananas freeze very well if frozen whole or in chunks.  And my sister-in-law claims that  banana is great to have in the freezer because it can be tossed in the blender to make an icy cold smoothie.  She adds chunks of frozen banana to a pack of Carnation instant breakfast and milk. Sounds yummy!

Comfort food, that's what banana bread is.  And my favorite recipe actually comes from a cookbook titled, Comfort Foods:  America's Favorite Foods Cooked The Way You Like Them by Rita M. Harris.  This book is available at Amazon and I highly recommend it.  My Comfort Foods has many stained and wrinkled pages, the sign of a good, often-used cookbook.  I like the personal notes added by the author at the top of each recipe.  She says that Moist And Creamy Banana Cake is a very old cake recipe that was given to her when her daughter was born and is her favorite cake.  Mine too.  It's moist and delicious.  

Right beside the banana cake recipe is a recipe for carrot cake, my second favorite cake.  And the Super- Moist Chocolate Cake made with mayonnaise, that's a winner too.  Some other dessert recipes I have marked as winners are Peanut Butter Bars, Macaroons, Oatmeal Raisin Cookies, Apple Pie, Chocolate Mousse Frosting, Very Rich Cheesecake, and Oven-Baked Caramel Corn With Nuts

But this cookbook isn't just about desserts.  It also contains recipes for appetizers, breads, soups, salads, sandwiches, main dishes, side dishes, vegetables, sauces, dressings, condiments and beverages.  I wrote "excellent!" at the top of the crab cake recipe.  Also marked as good are the recipes for buttermilk biscuits, stew, potato salad, layered salad, burritos, chicken parmigiana, cheese manicotti, fettucine alfredo, meatloaf,  twice-baked potatoes, and tuna noodle casserole.

There were many days when I'd come home from school and find a pan of warm tuna noodle casserole on the stove.  That dish reminds me of my childhood.  That's what comfort food is. It's memories.  It makes us feel warm and cared for.  A big bowl of buttery mashed potatoes does that for me.  That's also my daughter's all-time favorite food.  But she prefers instant, which I can't understand.  I like real mashed potatoes with lots of lumps.  And sure enough there's a recipe for Lumpy Mashed Potatoes in the Comfort Foods cookbook.

Well I gotta go.  I have a pile of laundry waiting for me and an empty cookie jar that I'm sure I'm going to hear about before the day's over.  Hope you find some comfort in your day. 

ARE YOU REALLY GONNA EAT THAT?

Writing about food the day after Thanksgiving might not be my greatest idea, but it's what's on my mind today.  I've been trying to make some changes in my eating habits and diet, which might be rubbing off onto other family members.  Yesterday I noticed that my husband didn't use the microwave.  Instead he reheated some Thanksgiving leftovers from Wednesday night on the stovetop.  This amazed me because I've been saying for years that microwaving isn't healthy and he would just laugh at me.  I gave up using the microwave years ago after reading that the molecular structure of food is drastically changed in a microwave oven and the food is left depleted of vitamins and nutrients.  I never did feel good about microwaving food.  It's one of those things that just seems too good to be true. Heating food that quickly can't be healthy.

Apparently my hubby has come around to my way of thinking after reading about the downside of microwave cooking. So now I'm wondering what we could do with that space above the stove.  Perhaps I could remove the door, disconnect the unit and use it as a space to put some potted herbs.  Or maybe a book shelf.  Hmmm.

It doesn't take much effort to educate ourselves about the food we eat and the best way to prepare it.  Yet how many people really think about what goes into their stomachs.  How many of us realize that there is a direct connection between our health and the foods we eat?  And how many of us are willing to read labels, give up certain foods or make the changes necessary to live a healthier life?  For some people it's just not worth the effort or maybe they just don't know where to start so they put it off and pretend it doesn't matter.

I discovered a good place to start if you're looking for a simple guideline on what to eat and what to avoid.  One of my favorite blogs, Hallee the Homemaker, is a treasure chest of all kinds of information in an easy to read format.  You can find a link to this blog under "Home and Health Links" on the right side of my page.  Today Hallee posted an interesting article about the health benefits of cinnamon.  If you hit the "Our Diet" button at the top of Hallee's blog, you'll discover some excellent suggestions about what we should and shouldn't eat and why.

Hallee and her family adhere to the Levitical Diet which is based on three principles that make total sense.  One of those principles is to eat only substances that God created for food. Another is to eat foods as they were created before they were changed or converted into something humans think might be better.  I especially like this principle because our food supply is polluted with food that is anything but natural.  Humans have taken the food God gave us and converted it into unhealthy substitutes.

They tell us sugar is bad for us, so they add chlorine to it, call it Splenda and tell us it's a healthy substitute for sugar.  Or maybe you prefer aspartame, which causes cancer in laboratory animals.  Equal, Nutrasweet, Sweet N Low, it's all the same processed chemicals that make us believe we're doing something good for ourselves when we may as well drink poison.

Margarine is another example.  I grew up on Blue Bonnet margarine in the sixties and seventies.  Back then it was touted as a "healthier" alternative to butter and our parents believed it.  Margarine is simply an artificial animal fat substance.  It's fake butter.  If you set margarine outside in the sun, it doesn't melt.  It reminds me more of plastic than food. Probably does a great job of coating the arteries. Everything's better with Blue Bonnet on it?  Thanks, but I'll pass.  God gave us butter and I trust Him more.

The latest health craze is soy. The soy industry spent millions of dollars putting out stories that soy is a miracle food.  What they don't tell people is soy has one of the highest concentrations of manganese.  Dr. Russell Blaylock advises people to avoid all soy foods.  In an interview with Suzanne Somers for her latest book Knockout,  Blaylock explains that soy also has very high concentrations of fluoride and glutamate.  "Manganese, flouride, and glutamate are terrible brain toxins," said Blaylock.  "Giving soy formula to children is associated with Parkinson's because of the manganese.  Women have been lulled into thinking that eating and drinking all this soy is good for them, but it is loaded with all this manganese, which is a powerful brain toxin and has been shown to cause brain atrophy."

Unless the label says otherwise, you should assume that the soy you eat is genetically modified.  The National Institute of Environmental Health Services states that unfermented soy is an endocrine disrupting chemical.  It contains natural hormones that emulate human hormones.  In case you're wondering why your son or daughter went through puberty at 11 when you went through puberty at 14, read some food labels.  Soy is in everything.  And precocious puberty isn't the only thing that results from the consumption of soy.  Cardiovascular disease, brain abnormalities, miscarriage, and various cancers are also on the list, among others.

Genetically modified food (GMO) is another example of humans messing with the natural food God provided.  These foods are scientifically engineered to behave a certain way.  If you splice a tomato with DNA from an arctic flounder, you have a tomato that can withstand cold temperatures.  Yum!  They've even created seeds that contain their own pesticides.  Isn't that clever?  And the reason they don't label genetically modified foods is because they're afraid you might be turned off by it and not purchase it.  Imagine that!

There are currently eight major GM food crops on the market, so memorizing them will help you avoid any and all food products that might contain GMO's.  Avoid soy, corn, cottonseed, canola, sugar from sugar beets, hawaiian papaya, some varieties of zucchini and crookneck squash.  You'll also want to avoid any derivative of these such as high fructose corn syrup and cooking oils.

Who knew eating healthy was so darn complicated?  Yes it's a hassle to learn these things and try to avoid the garbage out there that's being passed off as food.  You could throw up your hands and say I'm nuts and I read too much. But if you look at all the diseases that are present today, diseases that were unheard of 200 years ago, before people got the bright idea of messing with the natural forms of food, then you might start to think I have a point.  Whether you believe it or not, check out Hallee the Homemaker.  Her site just won a 2010 Best Blog Award.

THE POWER OF THANK YOU

 By Danelle Carvell                                                                                       

Until you learn to be grateful for the things you have, you will not receive the things you want.

I love a great story, especially one that inspires me.  The December Reader's Digest contains a great story about a man who had reached his breaking point.  John Kralik's law firm was losing money and its lease.  He was being sued and he was going through a difficult divorce.  Some days he was so preoccupied with his problems that he walked into the street without checking for a Walk sign.  One day a car missed him with a honk of the horn, and John wondered whether he might be better off if he had been hit.

He didn't want to die exactly, but he craved the peace he might have in a hospital room.   His list of problems grew when the woman he had been dating broke up with him.  Hoping to clear his mind, he went for a hike on New Year's Day in the mountains alone.  Only his inner voice that kept saying, "Loser" went with him.  While hiking, John became lost and he worried that he wouldn't find his way back home before dark.  Then he heard a voice.

"Until you learn to be grateful for the things you have, You will not receive the things you want." was the voice's message.  He couldn't explain the voice, but he knew the message was important.  After walking 15 miles, he finally made it home.  And John had an idea.  Every day he would find one person to whom he would write a Thank You note.

He sent the first note to his older son, thanking him for the Christmas gift he had given him, a single-cup coffee maker.  When he signed the card, See you soon, he realized that he hadn't made an effort to spend time with his son, aside from a major holiday.  He didn't even have his son's address.  So he called him and his son suggested they get together for lunch.  During that meeting, his son repaid a $4,000 loan that the father had forgotten about.  His son was selling real estate and had received his first big commission.

After this strange and wondrous visit with his son, John wrote to him again, thanking him for repayment of the loan and being true to his word.  He also wrote to his younger son pointing out the positive changes that were taking place in his life...a new job and a clean, organized apartment.  John was becoming a cheering section for his children and building a closer relationship with them by sending Thank You notes.

By February, John was sending Thank You notes in all directions.  It made him realize how many people he had neglected to appreciate.  He sent a thank you note to his apartment manager when he responded quickly to a toilet that wouldn't stop running.  John suffered from insomnia and that week he blamed the noisy toilet.  Shortly after thanking Mr Roberts, John discovered that the man had died.  He decided to go to his funeral and was surprised to see so many people there because he was an odd man with a spooky presence.

Mr Roberts had liver cancer and had been waiting for a transplant that never came.  When he was trying to fix that toilet, he was in the last days of his life.   At the funeral, John spoke to Mr. Roberts' wife and was told that he was "such a people person."  He had misjudged this dying man and was now grateful that his last words to him were words of appreciation.

Like John, I've learned to express appreciation too.  Of course I have frustrating days that lead me to complain at times.  That's part of the human condition, especially in today's hectic world.  And being a writer gives me a certain literary license to share frustrations people can relate to and maybe get a laugh from, like the many mishaps that can ruin my day, which I wrote about weeks ago in "Life In The Spin Cycle."

I have moments where I throw up my hands and say, "Lord, could you give me a break?"  But more often I have joyful moments and I'm extremely grateful for so many things, so many people, and I don't hesitate to show it.  I've given flowers to teachers and bus drivers, baked cookies for the mail lady, brought gifts to neighbors, and I've sent countless Thank You cards for every reason imaginable.  The last card I sent was addressed to the mother of my son's best friend.  I thanked her for raising such a thoughtful young man who has been a cherished friend to my son.  What mother wouldn't love to hear that?

I've said my share of Thank You's and I'll say many more as the years go by.  Since my husband reads my blog, I'm including a Thank You to him.  James, I love you and I appreciate that you take an interest in my writing.  That means the world to me.  Also, I fell in love with your sense of humor many years ago.  And although you act like a goofball at times, I would rather have laughter in my life than grouchiness.  And although you are a bit too thrifty, I'm grateful that I'm married to someone who's conservative with money.  Your frugal ways have gotten us out of debt while people much older than us are still making house payments.

And while I'm at it, I must include a Thank You to the other person in our home, my beautiful daughter, Delaina.  Lainy, you have your dad's sense of humor and it is such a wonderful thing.  I'm so glad you're in my life.  Thank you for being who you are...my talented, silly, girl.  You are such a smart cookie!  So determined to get A's.  I love your thoughtfulness and the way you love to make and give gifts.  You and Kody have been my greatest gifts.  I am so grateful that God blessed me with children.    

I also count among my blessings some pretty terrific friends and a loving family.  My dad died years ago, but my mom is living not too far from me.  I'm grateful that she's healthy...still roller skating after seven decades of life.  She's doing better than me.  I gave up skating this year after falling and needing several chiropractic visits to fix me. The rest of my family, my brothers and sister, I cherish them.  How boring my childhood would have been without them.  How empty my life would be now without my siblings.  I'm grateful that God blessed my parents with a house full of children.

As for my friends, I don't have a long list.  What I have is quality friendships with a few fabulous ladies that I look forward to seeing at our monthly gatherings, which we call girl's night.  Next month we're meeting at a restaurant.  December is the only month we break from those yummy home-cooked meals we take turns making.  Girl's night is a chatty time.  We laugh, sometimes there are tears, and we always walk away from the evening feeling like we're part of something really special.  Friends are a soft place to land when life gets messy.  Friends take the edge off life and without close ties to other women, I feel an emptiness I can't explain. 

My friends are my support group.  They're my cheering section.  They think it's great that I'm freelance writing and volunteering for good causes.  My friends see the value in what I do, so they don't have all kinds of suggestions as to how I could "enrich" my life and get "further ahead" financially.  They're not competing or comparing.  They actually care about me and what makes me happy.  

When someone celebrates your happiness as if it were her own good fortune, that's the sign of a true friend.  How many people do you know that actually do that for you?  Who comes to mind?  If I were you, I'd show my gratitude to each one of them now, while they're here and the opportunity is available.  That kind of friendship is a treasure that deserves doting over.

If we open our eyes, we can find treasure in every situation, in every moment of every day. And if we openly express our gratitude for those things, we set in motion a blessing that eventually returns to us in even greater measure.  John Kralik learned that lesson and wrote a story about it, which ended up getting published in Readers Digest.  He proved the power of a spoken, "Thank You"  Those two simple words changed his life.

Kralik discovered something that made him richer than all the people he had envied.  Never again would he question whether life was worth living.  He started paying attention when he crossed the street.  He learned that each day held something that he didn't want to miss.

Maybe that's why we set aside one day each year to remind us that Thanks giving is powerful stuff.  Some of us really do need to be reminded.  Happy Thanksgiving!

Sweet Potato & Apple Casserole

This is one of my favorite websites, Passionate Homemaking.  Spend some time exploring this site.  It's a joy to read and will inspire you to be a Martha.

Sweet Potato & Apple Casserole

TRUTH: HANDLE WITH CARE

By Danelle Carvell

If we could only open our mouths to speak truth, how often would we speak?  When we pass along information that may not be true, we are guilty of assuming...a tempting thing to do, but not the right thing.  Gossip thrives on assumptions.  Since we don't know the facts, we can create all kinds of reasons why people do things.  But are we speaking truth?  And if it's not true, will it do good to pass it on?

These are questions I ask myself every time I write, every time I share a link or a video, every time I speak.  Sharing truth is not easy.  People disagree on what's true and what isn't, so my truth isn't always seen as your truth.  But regardless of how people feel about a subject, that subject is either true or it's not true.  We can't take something as black and white as truth and make it subjective to individual areas of grey.  The law of contradiction tells us that opposite ideas cannot both be true at the same time and in the same sense. For example, the earth can't be round and flat at the same time.  It's simply not possible.

One example of making truth subjective is the belief that all religions are true and equal.  "Tolerance is the new mantra in America today...You are now supposed to accept every belief as true.  You are supposed to be especially tolerant of religions and are not allowed to question anyone else's beliefs...BUT to say that it is intolerant and narrow to question another person's beliefs is in itself an intolerant and narrow position." -Bringing Your Faith To Work  Norman L Geisler and Randy Douglass

When I'm trying to say something, I often recall that someone said it perfectly in a book I have read, so I weave their comments into my own comments.  This is how I convey truth.  I agree with what that person is saying and I believe it to be true.  But it's not true simply because I believe it.  Its true because it's true.  And if I pass along information that's not true, then I helped no one and I've contributed to a lie.  Hence the saying, "When you assume, you make an  a*#  out of "U" and "ME".

How many times a day do we assume things?  And how many people do we hurt by our assumptions?   Only the person involved can know the truth of her situation.  No one else can really know the whole story unless she herself tells it.  But for some reason we thrive on assumptions and second-hand information to draw conclusions about people.  I've done this myself and whenever I do it, I get a bad feeling.  That's the holy spirit convicting me of my wrong.  I'm so grateful to have that inner radar to set me straight again.  I'm reminded that I need to step off my all-knowing pedestal and hand the keys to the kingdom back to God.

Sometimes we simply don't know if something is true or not.  Only God knows.  So wouldn't we be better off to pray about those things than to harp on them or pass them on as fuel for the gossip fire?  Truth is a big responsibility and we don't always handle it with respect.  We get a thrill dragging others down with our gossipy tidbits.  Or when we do speak truth we speak it harshly.  Sometimes I find myself going back to past blogs and deleting certain comments because they're too harsh.  I'll remember something I wrote and it will nag at me until I reword it or delete it altogether.  Always needing to have a harsh condescending comeback is a sign of pride.  Another thing I've learned to do is pause before responding to criticism.  The first thing that comes to my mind when someone trashes me is never pleasant.  I want to tell them to get a life.  But what good would that do?

Doing the right thing, choosing the good option is a struggle.  We can either promote assumptions or we can promote truth.  But just because something is true doesn't mean we should pass it on to others.  It takes a great deal of integrity to keep truth to ourselves when sharing it would hurt someone.  I guess the ultimate question is, "Will sharing this information help anyone or will it do more harm than good?"  When that becomes our guide for exchanging information, then we've put other people above ourselves..above our need to appear intelligent, above our need to have a clever comeback, above our craving for gossip, above our wanting to lift ourselves up by dragging others down.

Assuming takes no maturity at all. Blurting out everything that comes to mind is something a toddler can do. But handling the truth in a caring manner requires discretion.  Lord help me to do it in a way that is pleasing to You.  I know I can't please everyone with my words, so help me to please You.  Then I can be sure that what I say will do more good than harm.

LIFE IN THE SPIN CYCLE

What if everything could be exactly the way you want it?  I often wish for one perfect day, just to see what it feels like.  My perfect day would begin by waking on time without an alarm clock.  I'd feel energized, rested, and eager to jump out of bed.  I'm not a morning person.  I always wished I could be, but whatever those morning people have pulsing through their veins isn't pulsing through mine.  Maybe I need to start drinking coffee.  When I wake up, I just want to go back to sleep. 

At this time of year, it's even harder for me to crawl out of bed because our house is cold.  My husband likes the thermostat set to 62 degrees.  No, that's not a typing error.  I said sixty-t-t-t-twooooo.  I recently read another woman's blog in which she was complaining that her husband sets the thermostat to 68.  She should spend a week at my house.  This morning I threw off the covers, ran to the bathroom, turned up the heat to 80 and jumped back into my warm bed.  When I complain about the cold house I usually get a speech about  our tough and frugal ancestors who lived without electric heat and trudged outside in the dead of winter to use the outhouse.  Every time I hear that speech I want to steal his toilet paper and replace it with shucked corn cobs.

My husband has his own bathroom, which is my idea of perfect.  I think every family member should have a separate bathroom.  I share a bathroom with my daughter and it's one of my biggest gripes.  Every day I'm frustrated by her habits...water on the floor, water around the sink, hair bands, hair pins, and soggy wash cloths in the bathtub, overturned shampoo bottles leaking down the drain, toothpaste tubes without the cap, gobs of toothpaste here and there, dirty clothes left on the floor.  And right now she has a collection of twelve bath towels hanging behind her bedroom door, each one used only once.  My perfect day involves none of these things.  My bathroom is sparkling clean every time I walk in.  The toilet is self-cleaning, no mold grows in the shower, loose hairs disappear instead of collecting on the floor or on the walls after blow drying, and I never have to change my socks after stepping on a wet bathroom floor.

My perfect day would have no inconveniences of any kind.  No wasted time answering phone calls from people I can't understand trying to sell me things I don't want.  And the things I do want arrive in the correct size and they always work when I first purchase them.  I don't have to ship anything back and get charged for  return postage.  I also don't have to stand in line waiting for service.  Waiting is something I don't do well. Yesterday my daughter and I both had doctor appointments.  We waited in the waiting room.  We waited in the examining room.  We waited to check out.  Then we drove to the pharmacy but couldn't get our prescriptions because the computers were down.  So we drove to Wal Mart only to find a line of people waiting.  So we drove to Rite Aid where we waited some more but thankfully the line was much shorter.  After dropping off the prescriptions, we were told it would be a thirty-minute WAIT.  Four hours later we arrived home.  I headed straight for a tub of hot water, hoping to lower my blood pressure.

I know there are worse things in life than waiting.  But for just one day I want to know what it feels like to have nothing deflate my day. No lost sunglasses, no getting home from the grocery store and discovering I forgot the most important item on the list, no automated messages when I want just one question answered, no running kids to doctors, no ugly itchy skin ailments that won't go away like ringworm and rosacea,  no discovering my favorite shoes chewed to pieces, no dog puke on the carpet or worse yet from the other end, no stink bugs in my tea cup or lady bugs in my hair, no checking ourselves and the dog for ticks after each outing, no setting off the smoke alarm with a pan of burned peas and having to scrub the black stain left behind, no forgotten cookies that come out looking like lumps of charcoal, no pink socks that should be white, no shrunken wool sweaters or twisted, stretched-out clothes from being spun too hard.

Being spun too hard.  That's a good comparison.  Life spins us too hard at times.  Sometimes we need to escape the spin cycle and make time to do nothing.  Stress is constant doing without a break   We feel like we're being pulled in a thousand directions and we have nothing left to give.  We want to cry out, "When do I get time for me?"  After the day I had yesterday, I changed my plans for today and lightened my load.  Today I'm goofing off, spending the day in sweats and slippers, sipping hot drinks  and watching the dust settle.  I learned a long time ago how to take control of my life and claim time for myself.  Even if it means saying "no" to an already scheduled outing, I'll do it without guilt.  Even if I must disappoint someone, I'll claim time for myself.  Because if I'm not mentally and physically well, then I'm no good to anyone else.

I'll never get the perfect day that I fantasize about, at least not in this life.  But I'm grateful that I have the ability to step away from the frustrations now and then.  Living in the spin cycle is a daily reality for many women.  All the frustrations I described above are chores that women tackle outside the workplace.  Add work stress to the mix and it's no wonder women are exhausted.  Maybe a perfect day means more than a day without mishaps.  At the end of the day, it's even nicer to be appreciated.  If you know a woman who is constantly doing for others, constantly on the run and living in the spin cycle, give her just one perfect day and let her know she's loved and appreciated.

A LITTLE RESPECT WHEN YOU GET HOME

If there's one place where we deserve a pleasant greeting, it's at home.  My husband hates walking in the door and being bombarded with requests.  Both my daughter and I have learned not to approach him when he first gets home from work.  We let him alone to unwind, because home should be a place of retreat, not demands the minute you walk in the door.

Today, however the roles were reversed.  I had spent most of my day cleaning and organizing a room and a closet and then I had to pick up my daughter from an after-school activity.  When I walked in the door, my husband was already home from work, and the first thing he said was, "Where's my dinner?" He did to me exactly what he hates when walking in the door.  Not even a hello.  Not a smile.  Not a pleasant tone of voice...nothing but a demand.

What woman would react well to that?  Needless to say I didn't either.  The thing about demanding is that it makes someone  feel like a slave, as if all that person is good for is fulfilling the needs of the master.  It makes a person feel lower than pond scum, and it's hardly the way a husband should treat his wife.  That comment put me in a mood and anything he said after that wasn't going to be met with a kind response.  I'm well aware of all the "turn the other cheek" scripture in the bible, but when I'm treated like pond scum I have a hard time making nice.

I often wonder how couples with no knowledge of God's word can possibly get along.  If couples like us, knowing how God expects us to treat one another, can have moments like this... is there hope for any marriage?  We all expect our spouse to meet our needs.  I have needs too.  And like my husband's empty stomach, my needs can also go unmet.  But I can imagine the reaction I would get if I demanded a hug as soon as he got home.  If I demanded a compliment or any kind of favor from him.  He would pull away exactly as I did when he demanded dinner.  Demanding anything is not how God expects us to relate to one another.  Demands cannot coexist with love.  In fact nothing kills that loving feeling faster than constant demands.

I was very demanding when I was younger.  My demands never got me what I wanted.  All demanding did was push people away and make them dislike me.  I've since learned to express disappointment differently.  Now I'm more likely to write a heartfelt letter when someone hurts me.  But being at the other end of someone's demands still gets to me.  I have a hard time controlling my emotions when someone rudely snaps at me in a demanding tone.

The difference between a demand and a request is the way it's presented.  If my husband had asked, "Did you have time to cook today?" he would have received a more loving response than the one I gave him...something about Ethiopia and appreciating leftovers.  God wants us to do things for one another out of love, not a sense of duty.  Most days I have time to cook and I do it out of love.  When he acts as though I owe him a meal every night, then it becomes a duty not an act of love. Where's the joy in slave cooking?

The point I'm trying to make is that we all have expectations.  And when those expectations go unmet, we have two choices:  We can demand a change or we can ask for one.  Demanding shows no respect.  Treat others as you want to be treated.  If you want a little respect when you come home, then be willing to give a little too.

If I didn't admit my own faults many times in this blog, I would hesitate to publish this.  It doesn't put my hubby in a very good light.  But it's a classic example of how we get off track and mistreat the ones we're supposed to love most.  Following Jesus isn't about being perfect, and I'm not afraid to admit my life is far from perfect.  But if we keep trying to adjust to that narrow path, that's the best we can do.  We are all flawed, we all make mistakes, and we all fall short of the glory of God.

WHAT'S RIGHT WITH THE WORLD?

This past weekend I went kayaking on the Susquehanna River with five of my favorite friends.  The weather was perfect for such an outing as it wasn't too hot and the river was low and calm.  While four gals waited on shore for their turn, a friend and I paddled our boats and chatted about all kinds of things.  She brought up an interesting question that probably most of us have thought about.  She said, "I often wonder how people see me."  She was wondering what words people would use to describe her and if she had any qualities that others might be turned off by.

I told her that we all wonder how we're perceived by others.  And most likely, we all have qualities that can be annoying to others.  With so many different personalities around us, how can we possibly find favor with everyone all the time?  I'm probably perceived as an extremist to some.  When something makes me mad, I write about it or share a  video on the subject.  My readers probably say, "Let's check out Danelle's blog and see what intense news she has for us today."

The last video I shared on facebook was about genetically modified food.  I think it's deceiving that 85% of all processed and packaged food is genetically modified and yet there is no labeling to let us know that.  I think it's a crime that this experimental food is unknowingly sold to us and has been since 1996.   With so many people complaining about stomach and intestinal problems, perhaps we are now seeing the result of eating this garbage for fourteen years.

Before I go off on another rant about the things that make me mad, I want to lighten it up today and talk about the things that make me happy.  What's right with the world?  It's time to talk about that.  Getting back to kayaking, one thing that makes me happy is enjoying the company of good friends and the beauty of God's creation. I love the outdoors.  I love the smell of fresh cut grass, logs burning on an open fire, and the earthy scent of a cool Autumn day.

One thing that's right with the world is our freedom to enjoy family, friends, and nature.  I can't imagine what life would be like without my husband, my kids, my mom, my sister, and two brothers.  It's good to know I have family.  I love to fill my house with people I care for.  How lonely it would be to celebrate holidays without them.  Every home is just waiting to be filled with laughter, love, and good conversation  And in those moments when everyone I love is around me, chatting, laughing, and enjoying each other, I'm my most content.  This is what life's about and there's nothing better.

The only thing that makes it better is a beautiful atmosphere.  Can you remember a time when nature took your breath away?  Can you remember being in a place that was so vividly spectacular you could barely take it in without feeling that you might burst from the awesomeness of it? I feel this way when I stand next to the ocean, or when I look across a glassy lake surrounded by deep green pines, silhouetted against the clearest blue sky. Nature is a stirring vision that has the power to fill us with breathless awe.  Our world is filled with such amazing sights, so many I have yet to see.  Just knowing that these sights are out there waiting for me is one more reason to wake up tomorrow.  Despite the problems we face, the earth's beauty is all around us, reminding us of the higher power that created it.

Which leads me to the next thing that's right with the world.  God is still in control.  Although I'm passionate about exposing error and speaking out against injustice, I know that all the things happening today are part of God's prophetic plan. My feathers get ruffled, but I still have peace.  Living peacefully among the chaos is exactly how God wants us to live.  He didn't design us for the kind of stress people feel every day.  Without a closeness to God, we don't handle that stress well and our lives will show it.  God is the greatest thing that's right with this world.  He's the only source of real peace.  You can try to replace God with other things, but you'll always feel empty when you lie waiting for sleep at days end.

God is in His heaven.  All is right with the world.

SECURITY IN AN UNCERTAIN WORLD

Read today's headlines and you can become overwhelmed, even panicked at how our world is changing so quickly.  Perhaps the biggest change is America's financial outlook. Our national debt is rapidly approaching the 14 trillion dollar mark.  Many of our state and local governments may be in worse shape than the federal government.  Consumer debt now stands at about 12 trillion dollars.  The U.S. trade deficit has exploded as billions more dollars flow out of the country each month compared to what flows in.  We also have a job deficit  It takes over eight months for the average unemployed American to find a job, and long term unemployment benefits for Americans have risen over 60 percent in the past year.

The credit crunch, the housing crisis, rising bankruptcies, rising poverty, and the coming pension crisis have also contributed to the state of financial panic that many Americans find themselves in today.  We are headed towards an economic meltdown and big names such as Tony Robbins are coming forward with warnings about how to handle our money in today's precarious economy.  Robbins is warning people not to plant seeds in winter.  He's suggesting that we be very careful with our money right now because many of the returns we once saw on our financial investments are no longer available.  Our seeds will not sprout in today's bitter cold economy.

One example of a seed that won't sprout right now is home buying as a means to build wealth.  "People shouldn't look at a home as a way to make money because it won't," says Dean Baker, co-director of the Center for Economic and Policy Research.  Many real estate experts now believe that home ownership will never again yield the rewards like those enjoyed in the second half of the 20th century. Sales of previously owned US homes have dropped to their lowest pace in 15 years (down 27%).  Many potential buyers worry that they might not have a job to pay the mortgage.  And many people can't qualify for loans because banks have tightened their lending standards.

The US building industry has collapsed and home buying is at record lows.  Even with especially low mortgage rates, few Americans are buying homes.  It seems that more Americans are losing their homes than those buying homes.  Mortgage defaults, foreclosures, and home repossessions by banks are skyrocketing.  More banks are selling homes than are realtors.  The financial future of America and the economic prosperity of its citizens  is on shaky ground.  And as tensions in the Middle East continue to rise, no one feels secure.  An all out war in the Middle East would collapse the world economy and paralyze the financial markets as the price of oil would rise to heights we haven't yet seen.

How can we feel secure when we're surrounded by so much insecurity?  Some people tell us to buy gold.  Others suggest stocking food in the basement or investing in survival items that we can use to barter with neighbors.  The value of our money is falling rapidly.  The Federal Reserve has devalued the US dollar by over 95 percent since 1913 and it continues to print money with nothing to back it, making the dollar worth less and less.  People are trying to replace their lost retirements by seeking other ways to generate income.  The problem is they are buying into worldly providence when they should be seeking divine providence.

Divine providence comes only from God.  In His word God tells us how we can remain close to Him and receive His protection and blessings in the difficult days ahead.  Instead of knocking ourselves out trying to build worldly wealth, we should be trusting God for our security.  The bible tells us how we should behave and think.  It tells us what behavior will bless us and what will curse us.  If we want God's blessings and if we want Him to provide for our needs, we need to put Him first and obey His instruction.

How many of us are putting God first?  How many of us are obeying His word?  Even every-Sunday-church- going Christians are more caught up in worldly security than godly security.  They spend more time seeking worldy wealth than they do seeking the wealth of  wisdom and guidance in God's word.  In 1 Timothy 6: 17 we are told not to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God who gives us richly all things to enjoy.  The key to survival in difficult times is not to build worldly wealth but to trust and abide in Christ.

TRUST AND ABIDE IN CHRIST
Abiding in Christ means being obedient to Him with unconditional, pure, complete faith, trust and love.  In 1 John 3: 24 we are told that he who keeps God's commandments abides in God.  God also abides in him through the Holy Spirit.  We all learned the ten commandments in Sunday school.  These are the basic rules for living that God gave us.  Are we obediently following those commandments?  And are we studying God's word and learning other ways to be obedient?

One other way to be obedient is found in Psalm 41:1 "Blessed is he who considers the poor; The Lord will deliver him in time of trouble."  By giving to the poor, we are obeying God's word and we will be blessed for it.  God's word also tells us to care for orphans and widows.  Another way to be obedient is by tithing, giving the first 10 percent of your income to God.  Donate to your church, give to charitable organizations that help the poor, or give to any organization that is working to uphold God's laws (Pro Life pregnancy centers, the ACLJ, etc.)  God promises in Malachi 3:10 that those who tithe will receive such a blessing that there will not be room enough to receive it.  God says, "try me now in this."  Start tithing and let God prove himself.  He has proved himself to our family.  Since we started tithing, we have been blessed with good health, employment promotions and unexpected financial blessings.


If we aren't abiding in Christ then we miss out on God's guidance, protection, and provisions.  "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God, and the peace of God which surpasses all comprehension will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus" 

Some people think that God owes them something, but they don't owe God anything.  This is not how it works.  If we aren't seeking God, He lets us alone to deal with life without Him.  We miss out on divine guidance and divine provisions for our every need.  We miss out on God's amazing blessings. Every promise in the book of Psalms is addressed to those who seek God and obey His commandments (notice the bold phrases below).  Psalm 91 gives us a wonderful explanation of the security that God promises to those who trust in the Lord:
"He who dwells in the secret shelter of the most high will abide under the shadow of the almighty.  I will say to the Lord, my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust! For it is He who delivers you from the snare of the trapper and from the deadly pestilence... His faithfulness is a shield and a bullwark (wall of protection)...For He will give His angels charge over you to guard you in all your ways.  Because he has loved me, therefore I will deliver him; I will set him securely on high because he has known my name."  If you're not abiding in Christ by praying, studying God's word, and praising Him, then you shouldn't expect Him to provide for you.  God doesn't come into your life without an invitation.  When we abide in Him, He faithfully cares for us.

DEVELOP A LIFE OF PRAISE, PRAYER, AND WORSHIP

We are commanded to continually offer praise to God (Hebrews 13:15).  Praise drives the power of darkness away and brings the throne of God into your circumstances.  Psalm 145 is a great praise psalm.  Give thanks in all situations.  Complaining shows that you doubt God's love and his answer to your needs.  Be careful what you say.  You can literally change the spiritual atmosphere by the words you speak.  God's word is annointed.  Speaking God's word brings you into a place where the Lord will move to fulfill what you are asking.

For every problem we could possibly face, there is a fitting promise in God's word.  For example, when I can't sleep, I say out loud every scripture I can think of that would move God to let me sleep:  "Come to me all who labor and are heavy laden and I will give you rest." That is God's promise in Matthew.  If I say out loud what God has promised me, I set in motion the fulfillment of His promise.  Prayer is so powerful.  We don't tap into that power often enough.

We can pray anywhere.  We don't have to be on our knees.  We can pray while driving, while washing dishes, etc.  We should pray relentlessly for unsaved family members, for our government leaders, for our schools and our churches.  Our churches need to wake up and stop denying the power of God through the Holy Spirit.  Our churches need to open their eyes and realize the time and the season in which we live.  No one knows the exact time that the Lord is coming to remove His followers, but according to 2 Timothy 3: 1 we should know the season when this event is near, and our churches should be preparing people for Christ's return.  Every single item on God's list that describes the last days is true of today.  The last days are upon us but who even sees it?  Who's really prepared?  Overall, our churches are doing an inadequate job of preparing people for the perilous times we live in and the promise of Christ's return. 

We should pray for our nation and that its people would turn from their wicked ways. We should pray for the peace of Jerusalem and God's blessings on Israel.  We should pray that all of Israel's enemies be overthrown.  God promises to bless those who bless Israel.  My husband sends money to the Joshua fund, a charitable organization that works to bless Israel according to Genesis 12: 1-3.  We also pray for Israel.  When you pray or donate for Israel, you will be blessed in amazing and unexpected ways.  We have seen these blessings in our lives since blessing Israel.  God is true to His word.  Praise, prayer and worship will literally change your life.  If you have doubts, try it and God will prove Himself to you.  You will receive strength, blessings, and divine providence when you develop a life of praise, prayer and worship.

Seeking worldly security is not the answer to these troubled times.  The world is an insecure place.  But God is always a secure place to fall.  He wants to be the one we turn to when life gets scary and we fear the future. Don't plant seeds in winter, unless they're seeds of faith.  Don't trust in uncertain riches but in the living God who gives us richly all things to enjoy.

LOVING THE WORLD MORE THAN GOD

Some people are never satisfied.  No matter how much you do for them, they're always waiting with a list of more things they want.  I have a saying in my home: "Push for more, get nothing."  If there's one thing that gets my blood boiling it's people who can't be happy with what they're given.  They're always pushing for more and forever complaining about what they don't have.  It's like giving a gift and then having the recipient look at you and say, "But where's that other thing that goes with it?"  They can't focus on the gift itself.  All they see is the item that wasn't included.

People are too caught up in the world.  That's the problem.  We crave all the latest toys: laptops, i-pods, MP3's, cell phones, DVD players, video games.  Every month brings a new must-have obsession.  We take our kids school shopping and think we're finished buying clothes for a while.  Then when all the girls at school start wearing a certain style shirt, we have to run back to the mall and get more clothes.  Its ridiculous!  Why so much pressure to dress a certain way?  I wore the clothes I was given and never complained.  Today's young girls behave as if they'll die without stylish clothes.  Why do we need all this stuff?!  Why can't we just be happy with what we have?  Mothers are tired of running everywhere to please kids who have a bad case of  I-need-itis.

I think God is also tired of the way we put so much energy into having things and little or no energy into having a relationship with Him.  Maybe that's what this bad economy is all about.  Maybe we all deserve to be dirt poor so we get our priorities straight for once.  The day is quickly coming when all the things we think we need so much are going to turn to dust.  All we'll have left is our relationships.  And then we can sit and regret what little effort we put into those relationships.  Husbands and wives who put more effort into their jobs than their marriages will wish for a do-over.  They'll wish they hadn't ignored their spouses pleads for more time, more attention and more affection.  They'll wish they had paid more attention to their kids.

I think God is also crying for our attention right now.  But we don't hear Him.  We're too busy running around for all the latest and greatest toys and gadgets.  We're too busy fussing about the things other people have that we don't have.  We're too into ourselves and how we look to others.  We're too in love with this world to give God the time of day. Life isn't about things, it's about people.  That's what we should be investing in.  Relationships are the only things we'll take with us from earth to Heaven.  The fancy car in the garage isn't going.  The new dress isn't going.  The laptop won't be there either.  We need to get our priorIites straight.  Because if we don't, God will do it for us.