brrr.... the cold is everywhere...

I'm sitting here wondering why I am wide awake so early, listening to the wind chimes and thinking that winter sure came roaring in like a lion, a week ago it was a whooping 82° outside. We have barely seen it go out of the twenties for a few days now. My steaming hot coffee is keeping the chill at bay, well that and the warmth of my not so small puppy curled up at my legs.

Thankfully, I am toasty warm with lots to keep me busy. 

Since I've walked away from most social media, allowing myself a few minutes here and there on a few of them to keep myself aware of what is going on in the world, I am finding that I am getting so much completed. It's amazing and a bit humbling to realize how much time of my life was being wasted.  I've even started doing my to do list again, I'd stopped for far too long. It felt like a constant reminder of all I wasn't finishing.  I didn't stop to think about the reason that I wasn't able to finish things, I just assumed I had set too high of goals. 

I definitely admit that the revitalization of Twitter is holding me a bit captive, so I definitely have to monitor my time on there.  It's become a guilty pleasure for me, it's also a great way to get fairly uncensored news.  Not perfect by a long shot, but a heck of a lot more informative than the non-stop brainwashing of local and national media. 

I'm starting to be made increasingly aware of the changes to our economy.  And personally, I'm not finding anything to be incredible where it is all concerned. While printing off our personal property taxes so Hubs could register his truck I noticed this years were already posted.  Ironically, our truck is another year older, more miles on it, working further into it's life expectancy - yet because of the created vehicle shortage and some bureaucrat it's value has gone up significantly.  Therefore, the taxes have soared as well.  

I won't pay them on my car this year, as I just bought it this year.  I can hardly wait to see the damage next year.  I own that vehicle completely, I am not really sure why I should have to pay the state an additional fee yearly to own it.  It's mine. I already pay for the required insurance and yearly registration and all of the fee's connected with that debacle. 

At some point folks need to seriously look at all of the taxes they pay for everything.  And it isn't just taxes.  Our vehicle insurance has gone up $50 per month, while a few dollars here and there doesn't seem like much, those few dollars here and there are adding up really fast.  

Hubs and I have a nice income, we are not rich, not by an incredible long shot.  But we have what used to be a very comfortable income.  Each month those dollars seem to not be stretching nearly as far as the month before. And almost daily there is another letter or email that one of the utilities or required expenses has increased yet again. 

And each trip for groceries is a painful reminder that our government is taking us the absolute wrong direction. If you truly believe that inflation is only in the area of 8 or 9%, you are evidently living somewhere other than this country. 

I am very thankful to the Lord that I have skills that enable us to stretch things a bit further, I am praying harder than ever for those that do not.  Somewhere along the way we haven't passed knowledge on to our children and grandchildren.  We haven't shared the things that are important. There are so many families, couples and individuals that are simply struggling to live at this point.  

I'm looking at paring back on the spending this Christmas, how many of them are simply praying to be able to have Christmas? Forget about Christmas, how many of them have warm clothing, jackets, food? I question the fact that we can find billions to send to other countries (and please do not get me started on that) yet we can't find billions to take care of our own people. 

There is much evil afoot right now.  There is suffering, needlessly.  It breaks my heart on a level I can't put into words.  I am not sure how to help.  It's easy to say get another job, that seems to be the default, it has to be their own fault they are suffering, kind of how we've been taught to think.  Yet what is that going to solve?  Sure they will have a few more dollars in their pockets, but after the increasing prices (on literally everything), the amount of taxes paid out of every dollar, they will simply loose more of their life to a system that is horribly broken and corrupt. 

And at what cost?  More expenses related to a second or third job?  Gas to get to and from, will dinners get made at home or will convenience food be purchased (I mean seriously that stuff is neither healthy of cheap on many levels), who's watching the kids if there are any?  So many factors, none of which bode well for the average person. 

I know, I know.  Early morning ramblings on the first cup of coffee are never good.  I've already spent a bit of time in prayer, I will be praying more while I stitch away at a quilt today (my version of worry beads or prayer beads I guess).  I am still pondering how to be a part of the solution, I am 100% open to suggestions and dialog.  I don't want to imagine how much harder life has to get for everyone before we have our ah-ha moment.  Before we reach the point they have reached across the world. Nor do I want to experience protests like they are having in Brazil, the Netherlands, France, Australia etc.  Millions marching in the streets doesn't seem very safe at all.  

Yet... as Thomas Jefferson is quoted as saying "I prefer dangerous freedom over peaceful slavery".  

Well, today is a busy one, I have a bit of canning to do and then it is back to work on the quilts I am working on, after I finish cleaning up the house for the day.  Immediately... I need more coffee and puppies need breakfast. 

Please have a wonderful day.  Prepare for things to get worse before they get better and while you are at it find a way to help someone everyday.  You never know that small simple act of kindness might be all that is holding them together right now. 

Love and prayers...

I gotta keep going...

When times seem harder than one can imagine, when things seem dark and bleak, how do you respond?  I bow my head.  This morning, I bowed my head, I turned my heart to God and Jesus and I prayed.  So much seems chaotic and unbelievable.  I am deeply saddened by what is happening in our country, our elections were, heck still are, a hot happening mess.  There is no reason that we had the challenges that were rampant all over the place yesterday.  I feel blessed to live in a little bubble that had a smooth voting experience.  

Everyone and everything I voted for did not pass, and for that I am actually glad.  I truly do not believe that every voice speaking should be saying the same thing.  Then you don't have a discussion, you have an echo chamber. Folks were friendly and supportive as the steady stream of people came and went.  So I admit that some of what I watched happening around the country made me sick.  Machines not working, polls not opening on time, no paper for machines, and worse.  I was already ill to hear we cannot count them all in one day. Not only can we, but we should.  It only blurs the perception of a fair and honest election.  Particularly when the entire democratic party was saying in lock step non-stop for the weeks leading up to the election that with modern technology we could not expect the same efficiency as we used to have with same day, paper ballot voting that worked for over 200 years. 

It calls so much into question, it makes me so sad for where we are. I felt a bit defeated this morning, my hopes and prayers for an honest, transparent election where all voices that chose to speak were included felt dashed to the ground.  I struggled for a few moments.  It wasn't about the outcome, as much as the process.  Of course I had high hopes for our country, very high hopes - I mean we used to be the shining example of what was right in the world.  

Honestly there was a time in history when if we'd have witnessed the same events in another country of equal size and stature we would have been on the side questioning the entire process.  But we have been gradually conditioned to accept a lower and lower standard. 

Last night several states passed amendments that allow abortion up until birth.  As a mother, I cannot even fathom the person that could do that.  I cannot process it on a level that is beyond comprehension.  In fact there was much that I do not even begin to understand.  

I can't do anything more than I have done.  I got up, got dressed, stood in line and made my mark.  I prayed and now all I can do is release it all to God. 

Do I still believe there is absolute evil in this world.  Yes, I do.  Unapologetically so. I believe very strongly that Satan is working hard to destroy the good, to create something that is the equivalent of hell on earth.  

But God. 

There are many Bible verses that apply in that statement.  But God. It doesn't need supporting documentation, and if you feel you do, I suggest breaking out your Bible and getting lost in his word.  

But God.  

My faith and prayers are calming me.  I was listening to a song this morning, that filled my soul to over flowing.  I am not going to question God, there is a reason for all things.  I am going to stay focused on the good that is around me in abundance.  My loved ones, the fact that while the world is not perfect it is filled with beauty and love.  And I am going to continue to have faith that God is in complete control and that he is not going to turn his back on us, as long as we open our hearts and welcome him in with arms wide open.  

So like that song said... "I Gotta Keep Going"... I hope you will approach everyone with kindness and love in your heart.  It's harvest time and we need to be our brother's keeper.  I am going to do as much good in this world as I can... will you?  

getting prepared...

I've been neglecting my "homesteading" chores this past week. I mean, I've been taking care of the absolute necessities, i.e. cooking, laundry (Hubs is never happy when he runs out of clothing) ya know, the absolute basics.  I had been completely fixated on finishing up a quilt I was commissioned to make.  Everything else has sat along the side of life, at least home making wise.  I've still made time for family, friends, and walks with pups but that is literally just about all. 

The excitement I felt putting the last stitches in that quilt definitely felt like a celebration.  It turned out wonderful, but I was a complete wreck the entire time.  It wasn't mine, I was working on creating a treasure for someone else that had simply told me "I trust you". What?  Yikes.  But it's completed and we delivered it yesterday.

Which brings me to where I am this morning.  The gift of the extra hour is definitely needed.  I'm tired, I simply could not fall asleep or stay asleep last night.  I guess that I could have gotten out of bed last night instead of lying there listening to the sounds outside in the darkness.  Instead I laid there and prayed, turned all my worries over to God and listened to my heart.  It was an absolutely restless night.  I was wide awake every couple of hours.  And while my body is a bit weary, my spirit feels revived and energized.  I feel ready to focus. 

I've been staying super busy away from social media, it's remarkable how much more one can get done when they are not fixated on propaganda and brainwashing 24/7.  I've been listening to a few podcasts, all geared towards learning things and even dug out some cd's. I'm tired of nonstop ads in everything I listen to.  

Earlier this week while working on the ironing, I was listening to one of my favorite pastors, she is honest.  She brings hope, while confronting the realities of where we are.  Right now, we are in the middle of a hot mess, and it is up to the people of this world to wake up and step away from the baloney that is being forced fed to us all. 

Several times this week while listening to news outside of the main stream media I was in awe of the things many are simply not paying attention to... we are critically low on diesel fuel.  Don't know if people realize that everything is delivered that way or not. We have states that are actually rationing it.  What?  We have American troops in Ukraine.  I mean seriously on the ground.  Pardon me?  Why do we have troops in a foreign country that is in the middle of a war.  My head is spinning on that one. And it looks like that pesky little railroad strike is still looming large, ironically it's managed to dance it's way to right after elections.  Definitely something to think about.  

I guess I could let these things derail my heart.  I mean, of course I could right? I could let them upset me and cause fear.  I'm not choosing to do that.  In fact, I'm continuing right along with my life.  Because the way we have shifted our lives means that we are going to be okay with whatever comes our way. Because I know that whatever happens, ultimately it is God's plan and he never plans to cause us pain. 

I'm going to continue to spend time in prayer, reaching out to the Lord.  I will pray for lost souls and I will pray for this world.  And while I fully intend to lean deeper into prayer.  I am also a strong believer in the adage that the Lord helps those that help themselves. 

Which means, I need to get back to work taking care of my own personal homestead.  I need to refill the beds that the squirrel was kind enough to mulch up for me.  I can't believe how many of the boxes are semi-empty right now, that little bugger, I'm guessing if I look I will find a stash of those big old acorns that have been growing out back.

I also have a full bushel of "ugly" apples (the kind that are not processed and treated with chemicals) to chop up and make Hubs some more applesauce.  I'm splitting this bushel with my friends.  I have some remnants of the summer harvest that I've stashed in freezers and such and just noticed that we need some more ketchup so that will need to get started also. 

I feel lighter in my heart than I have for weeks.  Which is ironic, as I feel this next week is going to be the beginning of a far more difficult time than we have been experiencing.  I feel that I need to dig in and finish up a few things that I have been delaying taking care of as I try to clear my mental plate. It's amazing how clear headed you become once you address things that are lingering, demanding attention. 

Those things will hold you hostage.  I often find myself in a frozen state when I allow too many of those things to pile up.  Hubs and I were discussing the other day how much more productive we both are when we make a list and follow through on it.  I used to spend an hour or so every morning organizing my day, writing my blog, making that check list to work through so nothing got left on the side of the road so to speak.  I stopped doing that a few months back, I was completely wrapped up in the things I was working on.  Focused on various projects to the point of absolute distraction.

This morning as I tidied the kitchen, I made the decision to pull my calendar back out.  To write it down.  I need to physically write things down if I am going to be successful with them. Not only do I stop forgetting things and then find myself needing to work on them in a panic, I am also far more productive in my daily tasks. 

This is going to be a busy week.  The puppies will turn a year old, we will vote, the family is coming for dinner (gonna be a big old country dinner - perfect for fall).  I need to get my calendar and to do list updated... for this little moment though.  I'm going to sit here snuggling my snuggle pup (Beau is such a big baby), drinking my coffee and watching the sun rise through the remaining red and golden leaves outside my window.  

Keep busy and keep doing for others.  The good will come back in more ways than you can imagine. 

love and peace...