Thanksgiving challenge

I've been thinking about this, but not logging on to blogger as often as I ought. But, I should keep trying it out!

Today I'm thankful for friends. I am thankful there are people who know me- even the ugly sides of me- and love me anyways. I am scared of losing them, as we move off in different directions (2 of my bridesmaids and closest friends are moving out of state in the next 2 months) but I am thankful that I have them now.

Bible study challenge

One of my friends on facebook is doing a bible study challenge. Here is mine for today

Hebrews 10:24-25 (New International Version)

24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, 25 not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

As a Catholic, I'm not supposed to miss church- but I never understood why. Sure, keep the Sabbath holy- I can pray at home. So what? I don't feel like getting dressed, going out, being an example to the children today. (I sub at the Catholic school so I see many of my kids there, plus I work with the youth group.) I don't want to sing in the choir today- I just wanna relax!
This, old testament mind you, verse, reminds me of why we go to church. Why we worship together. For many many reasons, but to encourage each other. This is why all the church "extra-curriculars" are so important. Sure, one girl- new, in the choir, in a weird age right now (newly married, no kids-- I find it hard to make a lot of friends!) 1 hour of church a week- no one will get to know me. As I get involved -the choir, volunteering, going to dinners at the church and talks, I will get to know others. I will be encouraged and be able to offer encouragement to others.

Help the Steiners!

This family needs our prayers. And actions.

http://plainpamsblog.blogspot.com/2010/11/heartfelt-plea.html?spref=fb

Thanksgiving 4

Today, I am thankful for my church community. I am thankful for being able to substitute at a school affiliated with my faith- to work with and know people in my community and church. They help hold me accountable.

Thanksgiving day 3

Today, I am thankful for my health. I am thankful that I am healthy- even though I am overweight, have a lot of possible-bad-genetics coming my way, I am thankful.

Tonight we had a breast cancer awareness event- a fundraiser and small musicale for those in the middle GA area. SAI, my women's music fraternity I was in during college, sang at it, they had some speakers speak, etc. I got asked to sing kinda last min, since I was in town, and knew 1 of the 2 songs.

I have an amazing friend named April. We played flute together in band and woodwind ensemble. She was always quiet, and we used to joke I was teaching her how to be "a flute diva" for when I left. Well, my last semester (while I was student teaching) she got diagnosed with breast cancer- age 24. It was scary and I couldn't be there as much as I wanted to be- or should have been. I offered to do a lot and be there, but I didn't push my way into it- and she never asked for it. She played flute at my wedding and it was beautiful.

I started a thing called "KAIMP" Keeping April In My Prayers. I got a bunch of our classmates to put it at the end of our statuses on FB- to remind her we were thinking of her and praying. She loved it. As she went through treatments, we assumed she was getting better, and it slowly got dropped. She was active in any breast cancer awareness things... we (SAI and many groups on campus) hosted our annual "breast cancer awareness musicale- loving named BCAM" in dedication of her. We sold KAIMP ribbons. It was great- and she spoke.

Some people in middle ga started a book. http://www.blessyousister.com/ is the link- please check it out! It has the stories of survivors from all over middle GA (and even all of GA, I think.) I never purchased it- I kept a distance I guess- cancer scares me. I only knew April, and she and I grew apart as she is often tired and at the doctor.

Tonight, at the event at GCSU, it really hit me. I'm not there enough. I hung out with her some and we just talked- picked up like the old days. She introduced me to one of her survivor friends and said "This is Lori. the one I thanked at the end of my story in the book."

My jaw dropped. I haven't been  enough, not by a long shot. I was humbled by her love- her graituted for all the love I gave. And I wish I gave more.

Well, recently, they found more cancer. She's stage 4. She will be traveling to ATL to Emory for experimental treatments as they try to get rid of it.

I'm bringing KAIMP back. I'm being there for her in the ways I can. She inspires me.

I'm thankful for my health. I'm thankful for April, for KAIMP!

Making my own laundry and dish detergent, fabric softener sheets

I don't remember if I wrote about it, but here it is again!

From the Duggar family www.duggarfamily.com

Powdered Laundry Detergent - Top load machine

1   Fels-Naptha soap bar
1  Cup - Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda*
½  Cup Borax

-Grate soap or break into pieces and process in a food processor until powdered. Mix all ingredients. For light load, use 1 Tablespoon. For heavy or heavily soiled load, use 2 Tablespoons. Yields: 3 Cups detergent. (Approx. 40 loads)

*Arm & Hammer "Super Washing Soda" - in some stores or may be purchased online here (at Meijer.com). Baking Soda will not work, nor will Arm & Hammer Detergent - It must be sodium carbonate!!

TIPS FOR LAUNDRY SOAP: We use Fels-Naptha  bar soap in the homemade soap recipes, but you can use Ivory, Sunlight, Kirk's Hardwater Castile or Zote bars. Don't use heavily perfumed soaps. We buy Fels-Naptha by the case from our local grocer or online. Washing Soda and Borax can often be found on the laundry or cleaning aisle. Recipe cost approx. $2 per batch.

I'm using the Fels-naptha b/c it was in the same section as Borax. -.-

And then for dishwasher detergent.

1 part powder dish washing detergent, cheap (dollar store!)

1 part borax

1 part baking soda

mix well. use 3T per load of laundry. 

 I've heard you can put vinegar in the jet dry area to help brighten up dishes.

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Inexpensive Fabric Softener Recipes (also from the Duggar family!)

Recipe #1
1  Cup White Vinegar
Add vinegar to rinse cycle. Works great. Removes residue and odors. Also helps to keep washing machine and hoses fresh and clean too.

Recipe #2

1  Container of Name Brand Fabric Softener
4  Inexpensive sponges, cut in half

Pour entire container of softener into a 5 gallon bucket. Fill empty softener container with water twice. (2 parts water to 1 part softener) Add sponges to softener/water mixture. When ready to use wring out extra mixture from one sponge and add to the dryer as you would a dryer sheet.

I'm doing recipe 2. I'm not doing 5 gallons either :D

thanksgiving day 2

I'm thankful for the church, especially my church- St. Joseph. I am thankful for the chance to sing in the choir and to be part of something bigger! I'm thankful I have the opportunity to receive Jesus weekly and the chance to be forgiven!

CLOROX VERSUS PEROXIDE

http://agodlyhomemaker.blogspot.com/2010/11/just-sharing.html

I found this interesting and insightful! Thanks!

Things I'm thankful for, and a good link

http://blushingbrideguide.blogspot.com/2010/10/top-ten.html "The Top 10 Things I Learned in My First Year of Marriage"

It was a good list. Check it out!!

Also, I see many people doing a thankful for list daily.I don't post daily, but let's see how I can do!

I'm thankful for the ability to vote, and the ability to look for candidates who support the things I support. We are lucky to live in the USA where we can vote!

Check out a giveaway

http://www.dontwasteyourhomemaking.com/2010/11/giveaway-1.html

Don't waste your homemaking is having their first giveaway! A cookbook called "Deceptively Delicious". Check it out!

Not much to say!

I haven't written in a while- sorry about that! Halloween party was fun, but I think I got a bit of food poisoning but I feel better now. We did fondue and I think I didn't cook a piece of chicken enough or something. I also ate too much cheese. Blah!

That's the final of my costume. I'm the one on the left. Holding the baby is one of my good friends Angela. That's her 1 year old daughter. The dress was made by Angela (or her mom) a while ago for a wedding. She is the one who taught me how to make the bonnet (and she made hers!)I had to put a shirt underneath b/c it was kind of see-through. I hope it's good. I liked having a modest costume this year!

I want to sew something else! It was fun!