Friday Fill-In #74

This weeks fill-ins are provided courtesy of Mindful Mimi.

1. For me routine & mundane is the opposite of creativity.
2. My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult was the last excellent book I read.
3. I like fill-ins because ...they make me think and give me something to post regularly.
4. In nature I like looking at the clouds.
5. The most honest person (is there such a thing in politics?!) should win the US elections.
6. The last time I laughed with all my belly was ...I don't remember.
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to sleeping in my own bed, tomorrow my plans include working a DAYSHIFT that I picked up and Sunday, I want to go to the church picnic with my husband and kids after the church service!

Friday Fill-Ins #73

This week's questions are brought to you courtesy of Michelle.

1. On my laziest day I like to sleep in and when I do get up avoid housework by surfin' the net and chatting with my friends online!
2. Making lists and crossing them off as I go makes me feel like I'm being productive.
3. I love little calories and big ice-creams.
4. This summer I want to visit New Zealand and New Brunswick...and I AM GOING TO!!
5. Gentle encouragement from a friend made me start my blog.
6. Red is many people's favorite color but not mine and orange is my son's favorite color.
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to, not exactly looking forward to but "will be" working night shift, tomorrow my plans include getting some sleep in the morning, accomplishing something outside once I get up and before I have to go back to work for another night shift and Sunday, I want to go to the Oasis church in the morning and take the kids to the Teddy Bear's Picnic in the afternoon.

WOOHOO!!

I'm just so pumped, syked, estatic...not sure how to desribe how I'm feeling right now. Perhaps I could use a tem recently used by one of my dear friends - Frantasticalim!!! I finally booked my ticket for my trip out to New Brunswick this summer to attend a friend's wedding as well as have a long overdue visit with several people who are dear to me. I kept waiting and waiting for seat sales to come on that were applicable to when I want to travel and when they finally did....AHHH!! - after taxes and all, I'd still end up paying over $800. And that's if I travelled on the cheaper days rather than the days I want. So I decided to investigate and see just how many airmiles I'd need for a return trip out East in the summer....I braced for the worse and was pleasantly surprised- I had a little more than necessary to book my flight. And on the days I WANT!!! Wow! - a ticket for free basically (well actually about $180 on my visa that made up the charges for tax, travel insurance, ect) but the rest was money I'd already spent. Now just to figure out what I want to do once I get there so I can make the most of this visit (considering the last one was 8 years ago!) HMMM let me do the math - age now + 8 years later = OVER the big 4-0! AHHHH, let's NOT go there or think about that! It seems like to long to wait but I was a student long enough to know that the summer holidays "fly by". So only 2 months, 3 weeks and 6 days to go!!...but who's counting ;)

Happy 8th Anniversary to Us

We didn't do anything special for our anniversary. Hubby worked tonight from 3:30 to 11:30pm and I took my son to soccer. Fun, fun, fun. I think my card from last year says it best - Here's to another glorious year...of whining and dining! :)

A Work In Progress

Gardening season is finally here and I'm so happy to be able to get out and "play" in the dirt. I've had some requests to see pics of my gardens. At first I thought, "not yet!" but each stage in the the growing season is so beautiful and this way I can show you what I hope to do and you can see the "after pics" once it is done (hopefully :)). As you will see in some of the pics, not all my plants are planted yet but just sitting where they are to go as we just got back from the greenhouses. So on with the tour:


This is a pic of my front yard from the road. The tree you see is an ornamental apple and in a couple weeks will be adorned in beautiful white flowers. I have a taller wood edging, that I painted the same color green as the trim on the house, that I'm going to be puting around the cedar mulch at the base of the tree.


This is the other side of the driveway. The plants at the side of the house are Black-eyed Susan vines. In the garden infront of the fence with the trellises are clematis vines. In the center of the tulips is a large lily but it still hasn't come up.


Another (closer) view of the clematis garden. I am planning on putting the black scalloped edging around it like I have around the other kidney shaped gardens.













By the front door. The pink lily is a plant I got from Cliff & the kids for Mother's Day. In the frog planter is a passionfruit vine. I didn't plan on getting this plant but once I saw the flower (see next pic), I just HAD to get it.

Passionfruit flower (see above).

[WEST]Now we are in the backyard. This is under the pine tree that is infront of the deck.

[WEST]This garden is immediatly to the left of the deck and adjacent to the flowers pots in the previous picture. I made this garden last year as this was an area that the grass wasn't growing well and is kind of in a corner of the yard that we weren't sure what to do here. So I moved some perennials from the the other garden that were needing dividing and voila! Not much is growing here yet, guess they are later bloomers.

[EAST] I took this picture of my perrenial bed (original one that was here when we got the place - I've made all the others) standing infront of the above picture/bed. Much of this bed is lilies so still too early for them to be up. Infront of the shed is a shade garden - hostas, ferns, and a few other things. Again, it's too early for them yet.


[NORTH]My rock garden at the back of the yard. On this chainlink fence is a vine (Virginia Creeper) that the neighbor behind us planted. It is very nice in the summer when it is full and green, completely covers the chainlink.

[SOUTH]This is the deck and back of the house. Oneday in the future, I'd love to build a pergola over the deck. If not the entire length, than atleast halfway (from the steps to the edge of the back door).

[NORTH EAST Corner]Last but not least, my vegetable garden. Currently, it is mostly strawberries (3 rows) and weeds as I have yet to cultivate it. Once I've cultivated it I'll plant tomatoes, carrots, peas, and beans. There is a rhubarb plant in the far back corner and some perrenial green onions at the back adjacent to my perennial flower bed.

Have You Heard Of....

...Gwen Smith? I hadn't either until just a couple days ago. To tell you the truth, I can't tell you too much about music these days unless it is kids music(ie Veggie Tales). However, I was linked to her site in one of my daily devotionals called Girlfriends In God. You can check out her website here. There is a short video on her home webpage that she talks about where she's been and how she got to where she is. As well as listening to some of her music, including a clip of the song I really like "Broken Into Beautiful". She also has a blog which I've added to my sidebar. Check it out she is very real as she is also a wife and a mother to three kids while also being a songwriter and singer. A great place to listen to some of her music is on her MySpace music page. I'm hooked and am hoping to buy a couple of her CDs soon so I can listen to some uplifting music of my own....not to say I don't like Veggie Tales. :) But there is a time for everything.

Friday Fill-Ins #72

1. There is absolutely NO way you can get me to pick up a snake!
2. My neighbor putting the roof/cover on his gazebo reminds me that summer is almost here!
3. I cannot live without my friends.
4. Bungee jumping and ballroom dancing are two things I'd like to try.
5. When life hands you lemons , make lemonade.
6. Walking through a trail in the woods by our house picking flowers and walking barefoot trough the tunnel from our pond to the river is my favorite childhood memory. (I really had to think about this one!, as I don't remember alot from my early childhood. :( )
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to finishing up the garden/yardwork that I don't complete today (since we have nowhere to take the kids tonight), tomorrow my plans include shopping for shoes; in specific a nice pair of copper strappy shoes to go with my new dress and Sunday, I want to go flower shopping at the greenhouses with my mother after church (an annual tradition on the May long-weekend)!

Those Wascaly Wabbits!!

I have 5 flower gardens in my front yard and two perrenial gardens in my backyard. Four of the front gardens have tulips and other spring time bulbs in them. It is not unusual to see rabbits running around our yard, and even our neighborhood. And as I'm sure you can guess, rabbits + tulips = bad news. Well, I have never been a real pesticide oerson, rather I prefer more natural mathods of control. Up until now the rabbits have maybe eaten the tips of of my tulip leaves...annoying yes, but not terrible. However, 2 days ago after coming home from taking Wynn to school, I lost it! I looked at my garden, and where there were 9 grape hyacinth plants growing and flowering beautifully, there were now 9 green little stubs sticking out of the dirt!!!! I was livid, that's it...now I mean war! Many people have mentioned putting moth balls on their gardens to control rabbits so I thought I'd give it a try. Conveniently, I was already making a trip to my local Walmart so while I was there I picked up the biggest box of moth balls I could find. It rained all day yesterday so I figured I'd spread them on the flowers today as the rain had stopped. First I went onto the 'net to figure out how exactly to apply these (whole, crush, sprinkle...) and that's when I read something that I hadn't realized or "put 2 and 2 together" so to say. Moth balls are very toxic just google "moth balls toxic" and you will see what I mean. Well, I defenitly don't want them in my house or even on my flowers where my children can get at them. I'm returning them ASAP and going to get some other rabbit deterrent. In my searching I read many ways people suggest of controlling rabbits from fencing, trap & release, pepper spray, and motion detectors. On one site I read, someone suggested planting chives around the flowers and someone else mentioned placeing branches from their Russian Sage bush around the flowers. These last two I prefer and may try. Have any of you had problems with rabbits eating your gardens? If so, what works for you?

Happy Nurse's Day

The week of Nurse's Week is different in the US (May 6-12) and Canada (May 12-18). However International Nurse's Day is celebrated around the world on May 12. Today's date is also the anniversary of Florence Nightengale's birthday. Florence Nightengale often considered the founder of nursing still serves as a model for nurse's today. I have been a nurse since graduation in 2000. After I graduated, I worked in palliative care nursing for 6 years and for the last 2 1/2 years I've been working on a personal care unit. In palliative care, the focus was providing comfort and end of life care to both the patient and the family. Personal care is more chronic and long-term but still we work with both the patients and the families who are often burnt out from looking after their elderly parents/loved ones at home. I really enjoy nursing as it is an ever growing and changing profession with so many different faces.

Here are just a few facts about nursing...Think you know nursing? Take a closer look:

• Nurses are the largest group of health-care providers in Canada, representing more than one-third of the health-care workforce.
• There are more than 270,00 registered nurses (RNs) in Canada.
• The average age of RNs employed in nursing in Canada is 45.
• For every RN in Canada who is 35 years of age or younger, there are 1.9 RNs who are 50 or older.
• One out of every five (20.8 %) RNs in Canada is 55 or older - eligible to retire.
• In 2005, approximately 87% of RNs were employed in the jurisdictions in which they graduated. Prince Edward Island, British Columbia, and Alberta attracted the greatest proportion of out-of-province graduates.
• Only 56.3 % of Canada's RNs are employed full-time.
• In Canada, 12.7 % of RNs report having more than one nursing employer.

Devotional for mother's day....and every day!

A link for great women's devotionals can be found here, including the devotional below:

So Where's the Proverbs 31 Woman??

• A Hurting Word...

Start looking...you may find her in the kitchen microwaving fast food, or in the car transporting kids and stopping to GET fast food. You may find her doing the third load of laundry for the day (or night, if she works outside the home too!), or cleaning toilets, changing beds, picking up clutter...OR you may just find her hassled, harried, and hiding under the bed! I know one Proverbs 31 woman who did just that. With four boys to handle, and no break time whatsoever, she'd play hide-and-seek with the boys, hide under the bed, and break-away as long as she could until they would find her!
AND if you're a mom, you may be there today--or tomorrow--for after all the wonderful Mother's Day celebrations are done, you're just beginning--another week, another laundry load, another meal, another taxi trip, another homework help--and whatever else is going on in your home--it's one wild, wacky world that we moms live in. How we survive is a miracle--and only by the grace of God do we make it! But sometimes that grace "seems" like it's not enough. Now we KNOW it IS, but somedays we sure don't feel like it! Ever been there? Those are the days we need to run to the Psalms and read all the troubles and trials of David--how God listened, loved, and brought him through (and he wasn't even a MOM)!
This devotional is for all moms hiding under the bed today! Stop laying a guilt trip on yourself for what you don't do, for what you need to do, for what you should do, for what "everybody else" does! God doesn't look at what you DO but who you ARE! And so if you're hiding under the bed (every mom does that SOME time!), and you haven't fallen asleep, get up and come to the Well--for Jesus, who loves MOMS, is waiting to love us all!

• A Helping Word...or Two!

She Knows Who She Is!

Sure, she's imperfect, sometimes impractical, somedays even impossible--give her a break, she's human! But KNOW that beyond it all, she's a daughter of the King. She's Blood-bought, soul-cleansed, beauty-clad in the garment of righteousness, and in God's eyes, she's a Proverbs 31 woman of great honor, dignity and worth! She's been given a great task, but by God's grace, she's going to lean on her Lord, love her family, and do the very best she can. That's all God asks! His words for Mom? "...I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day (2 Timothy 1:12 KJV)."

She Knows Whom She Serves!

Sure, she gets PMS, has crying spells, tired time-outs and frantic fits--give her a break, she's human! But KNOW that beyond it all, she serves her Lord first, then her family...and it MAY be fast food--but they know they are loved. Her love and devotion are strong and on those days when her strength is all gone (and that could be every day!), she runs to the Lord, the greatest Servant of all. He knows, understands and doesn't scold for every deed left undone. He doesn't even notice! His words to Mom? "Well, done, thou good and faithful servant (Matthew 25:21KJV).!" Quiet your tired heart for just a minute--and you'll hear it!

She Knows Where She's Going!

Sure, some days she has no idea where she's going or even who she is--give her a break, she's human! But KNOW that beyond it all, she's not going down the path that leads to destruction. Her eyes are on her Lord--and she may not know the whole trip plan but like Sarah (who tagged along with Abraham), she too is going out, not knowing where, but just following the Lord with her whole heart. Her eyes see beyond earthly possessions and fortunes--her eyes are on her Lord and wherever He leads, you'll find her following. Does she ever stumble? You'd better believe it--but she doesn't stay down long--for she's a Proverbs 31 woman who believes God's words, "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart, and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths (Proverbs 3:5,6 KJV)."

So where's the Proverbs 31 woman? In GOD'S loving care! He loves and understands; He's there--wherever we are--"He careth for YOU (1 Peter 5:7 KJV)."! If you know who you are, whom you serve and where you're going, you're a Proverbs 31 woman in God's eyes--so get out from under that bed, Mom! Know deep in your heart that the Lord loves you and wants you to "lie down" not under the bed, but "in green pastures,"--HIS pastures of love, peace and joy. May the Lord help us Moms all over the world to be still enough to hear His voice of love, feel His touch of grace, and know that we're going to make it! Happy Mother's Day--all year long--and if you're not a Mom, but you know someone who is, go find her and give her the hug of her life--she deserves it today and every day!

• His Healing Words

Bible Gateway.com - Psalm+139:1-24">A Psalm for Moms Hiding Under the Bed!

Bible Gateway.com - Proverbs+31:1-31">Now Get Up and Get Going--You are a Proverbs 31 Woman!

"Lord, sometimes I DO feel like hiding under a bed--guilt, self-accusations, doubts and distresses overwhelm me. On those days, help me to know that YOU love, understand and are there to see me through. I am a woman of worth and dignity--because I love You, I serve You, and I follow You. Thank You, Lord, for understanding and loving me--just the way I am; thank You for helping me become the woman You want me to be. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY !!!

Friday Fill-In #71

1. The cookies had an extra secret ingredient; it was ...a secret that the kids added!
2. It looks warmer through my window (than it feels outside).
3. Right now, I need a vacation.
4. My son's soccer game is where I went Thursday night; it was unseasonable cold.
5. Why does a paper cut hurt so much?
6. All I can think of is the friend in need I have so far away.
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to going to bed early, tomorrow my plans include going to work (BLAH!) and Sunday, I want to relax at my mother's place after a long day's work as we have been invited to eat supper there!

Praying On Your Fingers

Prayer is one thing I find very difficult to do. Often, I hear other's pray and it sounds so natural. I know you don't need big flowery words to talk to God but so often I don't even know what to say or where to start. One of my daily devotional readings last week helped me with that and I want to share it here:

"Many children learn to count on their fingers, but a nurse once taught a child to pray on his fingers. This was her method:
Your thumb is the digit nearest to your heart, so pray first for those who are closest to you. Your own needs, of course, should be included, as well as those of your beloved family and friends.
The second finger is the one you use for pointing. Pray for those who point you toward the truth, whether at church or school. Pray for your teachers, mentors, pastors, and those who inspire your faith.
The third finger is the tallest. Let it stand for the leaders in every sphere of life. Pray for those in authority - both within the body of Christ and those who hold office in various areas of government.
The fourth finger is the weakest, as every pianist knows. Let it stand for those who are in trouble and pain - the sick, injured, abused, wounded or hurt.
The little finger is the smallest. Let it stand for those who often go unnoticed, including those who suffer abuse and deprivation.

What a great tool to use in teaching children how to pray for themselves and others! What a simple and wonderful reminder to use as we pray ourselves!"

Teacher Appreciation Day

Today, May 6, 2008 is Teacher Appreciation Day. Teacher Appreciation Week this year falls on May 4-10, 2008. Even though this is not an official holiday and you can probably find a "__ Day" for everyday on the calendar, I think it deserves to be made note of. Teachers are very important people in our children's lives. My oldest son is just finishing up grade 1 but already each of his teachers have been so special and played an important part in his life. Infact, as old as I am, I can still think of and remember certain teachers that affected my life in a positive way. Here are a couple poems that I read re. teachers and want to share as I am not a great writer or speaker and feel they say it better than I can:

WHOSE CHILD IS THIS?
Author Unknown

"Whose child is this?" I asked one day
Seeing a little one out at play
"Mine", said the parent with a tender smile
"Mine to keep a little while
To bathe his hands and comb his hair
To tell him what he is to wear
To prepare him that he may always be good
And each day do the things he should"

"Whose child is this?" I asked again
As the door opened and someone came in
"Mine", said the teacher with the same tender smile
"Mine, to keep just for a little while
To teach him how to be gentle and kind
To train and direct his dear little mind
To help him live by every rule
And get the best he can from school"

"Whose child is this?" I ask once more
Just as the little one entered the door
"Ours" said the parent and the teacher as they smiled
And each took the hand of the little child
"Ours to love and train together
Ours this blessed task forever."



THE CREATION OF THE TEACHER
Author Unknown

The Good Lord was creating teachers. It was His sixth day of 'overtime' and He knew that this was a tremendous responsibility for teachers would touch the lives of so many impressionable young children.

An angel appeared to Him and said, "You are taking a long time to figure this one out."

"Yes," said the Lord, " but have you read the specs on this order?"

TEACHER:
…must stand above all students, yet be on their level
... must be able to do 180 things not connected with the subject being taught
... must run on coffee and leftovers,
... must communicate vital knowledge to all students daily and be right most of the time
... must have more time for others than for herself/himself
... must have a smile that can endure through pay cuts, problematic children, and worried parents
... must go on teaching when parents question every move and others are not supportive
... must have 6 pair of hands.

"Six pair of hands, " said the angel, "that's impossible"

"Well, " said the Lord, " it is not the hands that are the problem. It is the three pairs of eyes that are presenting the most difficulty!"

The angel looked incredulous, " Three pairs of eyes...on a standard model?"

The Lord nodded His head, " One pair can see a student for what he is and not what others have labeled him as. Another pair of eyes is in the back of the teacher's head to see what should not be seen, but what must be known. The eyes in the front are only to look at the child as he/she 'acts out' in order to reflect, " I understand and I still believe in you", without so much as saying a word to the child."

"Lord, " said the angel, " this is a very large project and I think you should work on it tomorrow".

"I can't," said the Lord, " for I have come very close to creating something much like Myself. I have one that comes to work when he/she is sick.....teaches a class of children that do not want to learn....has a special place in his/her heart for children who are not his/her own.....understands the struggles of those who have difficulty....never takes the students for granted..."

The angel looked closely at the model the Lord was creating. "It is too soft-hearted, " said the angel.

"Yes," said the Lord, " but also tough, You can not imagine what this teacher can endure or do, if necessary".

"Can this teacher think?" asked the angel.

"Not only think," said the Lord,. "but reason and compromise."

The angel came closer to have a better look at the model and ran his finger over the teacher's cheek.

"Well, Lord, " said the angel, your job looks fine but there is a leak. I told you that you were putting too much into this model. You can not imagine the stress that will be placed upon the teacher."

The Lord moved in closer and lifted the drop of moisture from the teacher's cheek. It shone and glistened in the light.

"It is not a leak," He said, "It is a tear."

"A tear? What is that?" asked the angel, "What is a tear for?"

The Lord replied with great thought, " It is for the joy and pride of seeing a child accomplish even the smallest task. It is for the loneliness of children who have a hard time to fit in and it is for compassion for the feelings of their parents. It comes from the pain of not being able to reach some children and the disappointment those children feel in themselves. It comes often when a teacher has been with a class for a year and must say good-bye to those students and get ready to welcome a new class."

"My, " said the angel, " The tear thing is a great idea...You are a genius!!"
The Lord looked somber, "I didn't put it there."

A great site to go to if you need or want ideas on how to show that special teacher of yours how much you really appreciate them is : http://www.teacher-appreciation.info/
A teacher is so often there to give you a pat on the back or that encouragement you need to do something, now is our turn to give them "a pat on the back" and say how much we appreciate them.

Tackle It Tuesday

I have thought of doing this before but because I'm such a procrastinator about certain things...housework being one of them. I never got around to doing a Tackle It Tuesday post until now. Actually my motivation came while I was reading blogs. Someone had done a meme and one of the questions was when was the last time you cleaned under your fridge. Well, personally, I got to thinking and I couldn't even remember but this person said, that's easy....she does it once a week...every Monday. I thought that was a great idea especially cause them any leftovers still there you know can be tossed rather than the usual scenario of hubby asking me, "Dear, how old is this? or, when did you cook this?". Wll I cleaned my fridge top to bottom yesterday and here is the results. You can't really see by the pictures how dirty and sticky my fridge was inside under the shelves and drawers but trust me, it needed a good cleaning!
P.S. Sorry the pics are sideways but I don't have time right now to edit & rotate them as I need to go get showered myself and then get my kids up for school. But I also don't want to leave this undone so this is it for now...I hope you don't get a sore neck from looking sideways.....





BEFORE


AFTER

Monday Meme

I saw this on another blog and since I'm not sure what to write about other than how friggin cold it is(excuse my language but it is the first week of May!!!), I figured I'd give it a try

5 Things Found In My Purse-

~only five?!...ok here it goes

• my wallet
• receipts
• pictures of my hubby & kids
• pills (mine & DH's)
• keys

5 Favorite Things In My Room-

• Hubby
• my stuffed frogs
• a big box of old letters and cards from friends
• my animal print (leopard print) bedding set
• pictures of my best friend

5 Things I've Always Wanted To Do-

• travel through Europe
• have a beautiful backyard paradise complete with a rock waterfall, pond, pergola and stepping stone walkway.
• own my own Victorian style home
• ride on a cruise ship
• go bungee jumping...ok, I like the thought of that but for real could I do it...????...besides it is more interesting/not as boring as the next thing I was thinking - have my teeth professionally cleaned.

5 Things I Am Currently Into-

• my hubby & kids
• my gardens
• trying to lose weight
• pilates
• saving money

5 People I Want To Tag-

• Whoever wants to respond....J?...BJ?.....?

How To Be A Good Wife

A friend sent this to me a while a go and I just laughed and shook my head but just recently I got this in my email again so thought it would be interesting to blog about and get other people's reaction. My how times have changed! Men's reactions will probably be much different than the woman's...

Not sure if you can read it so I will re-type it below:

• Have dinner ready. Plan ahead, even the night before, to have a delicious meal ready, on time for his return. This is a way of letting him know that you've been thinking about him and are concerned about his needs. Most men are hungry when they come home and the prospect of a good meal ( especially his favorite dish) is part of the welcome needed.
  


• Prepare yourself. Take 15 minutes to rest so you'll be refreshed when he arrives. Touch up your make-up, put a ribbon in your hair and be fresh looking. He has been with a lot of work-weary people.
  


• Be a little gay and a little more interesting for him. His boring day may need a lift and one of your duties is to provide it.
  


• Clear away the clutter. Make one last trip through the main part of the house just before your husband arrives.
  


• Gather up schoolbooks,toys,paper etc and then run a dustcloth over the tables.
  


• Over the cooler months of the year you should prepare and light a fire for him to unwind by. Your husband will feel he has reached a haven of rest and order, and it will give you a lift too. After all catering for his comfort will provide you with the immense personal satisfaction.
  


• Prepare the children. Take a few minutes to wash the children's hands and faces(if they are small),comb their hair and, if necessary, change their clothes. They are little treasures and he would like to see them playing the part. Minimize all noise. At the time of his arrival, eliminate all the noise of the washer, dryer or vacuum. Try to encourage the children to be quiet.
  


• Be happy to see him.
  


• Greet him with a warm smile and show sincerity in your desire to please him.
  


• Listen to him. You may have a dozen important things to tell him, but the moment of his arrival is not the time. Let him talk first- remember his topics of conversation are more important than yours.
  


• Make the evening his. Never complain if he comes home late or goes out to dinner, or other places of entertainment without you. Instead, try to understand his world of strain and pressure and his very real need to be at home and relax.
  


• Your goal: Try to make sure your home is a place of peace, order and tranquillity, where your husband can renew himself in body and spirit.
  


• Don't greet him with complaints and problems.
  


• Don't complain if he's late home for dinner or even if he stays out all night. count this as minor compared to what he might have gone through that day.
  


• Make him comfortable. Have him lean back in a comfortable chair or have him lie down in the bedroom. Have a cool or warm drink ready for him.
  


• Arrange his pillow and offer to take off his shoes. Speak in a low, soothing and pleasant voice.
  


• Don't ask him questions about his actions or question his judgement or integrity. Remember he is the master of the house and as such will always exercise his will with fairness and truthfulness. You have no right to question him.

A good wife always knows her place.

This is a real article from Good Houskeeping magazine in 1955. The above was from a 1950's home economics textbook intended for high school girls, teaching them how to prepare for married life.

I must admit I'm a little old-fashioned, but not quite to THIS extent! Heck, my husband goes grocery-shopping and even cooks sometimes too. Just this summer, I'm going on two trips by myself. Yup, you guessed it, hubby will be staying at home with the kids. He's even using his work "vacation" so he can stay home with the kids. :)

Friday Fill-In #70

I've been having some blogger's block (AKA writer's block) lately and so was looking for a meme or something to work on those days that I don't know what to say. Also, I think this will be fun and make for something to look forward to at the end of each week. So here it goes...


1. Two of my favorite ingredients in a drink are Malibu & Sprite/7-Up!
2. My kids often amaze me.
3. You can keep doing that forever, the dog is not going to stop barking.
4. A pinch of courage, a handful of strength, a cupful of love, and a sprinkle of endurance, mix it all together and voila! You have a mother!
5. If I had a yard with a garden, I would love to grow flowering vines (unsure what kind - honeysuckle, grapes, ivy) on a pergola.
6. Making whoopee is best au naturel.
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to going to bed after hubby gets home, tomorrow my plans include watching my four year old daughter at her gymnastics show and Sunday, I want to get out in the flower gardens and put in the new edging!

You can go here to read other peoples's Friday Fill-in responses and maybe even play along too if you like. Have Fun! (I must admit that this being my first, I did use a couple responses that I read elsewhere because I couldn't have put it better myself even if I tried.)