Thank you, Dianna!

I was just blessed beyond measure, today, by sweet Dianna on her awesome blog: Bits & Pieces!

I am beyond words.

Love & blessings to you, Dianna...

And love & blessings from Ohio to everyone else...Kim<><

Growing Older Together...A Privilege

One of my favorite movies in recent years is "P.S. I Love You". Granted, there are parts that are blipped past with the remote control, but I love the premise of the story: a young lady's husband dies young; while he is preparing for his death he makes secret plans to have pre-written letters sent to his grieving wife at certain times during the 1st year after his death. He also gifts her & 2 of her friends with a trip to his beloved homeland of Ireland, where they met, to bring her back to recognizing the foundations of where she came from and remind her of the promising person she really is...with or without him.

In the process of this 1st year without her husband, Gerry, Holly also befriends 2 other men. One of them is a new employee at her mother's Irish pub, Daniel. While Daniel & Holly are in a park they see an old couple there who are thoroughly enjoying each other in their old age. In my opinion, Daniel, then, says one of the very best lines in the whole movie: "We're so arrogant, aren't we? So afraid of age, we do everything we can to prevent it. We don't realize what a privilege it is to grow old with someone." Wonderful. And how true.

One of my daughters & I were watching this movie (again!) last night & that line just rang out to me.

I LOVE MY DEAR HUSBAND! We have been married 26 years & it has gone by in a flash. There have been deeply sorrowful times (yesterday was the 25th anniversary of our 1st daughter's passing, we have both lost a parent, losses suffered after job lay offs, etc.) & we have been through glorious, happy times (the births of our other daughters, happy vacations, sharing in ministry together, etc.) and I can't imagine going through any of it with anyone else.

Yes, Heaven is our sure reward, as Christians, and we long to be in the presence of the Lord...but our years here on earth are a reward, too. And, like "Daniel," I wonder why we try to pretend that years do not pass? Why do we dread their passing? Why do we fight it? Is it the wrinkles? Is it the pain of old joints or of the losses of life's loved-ones that we all must face? "Yes" to all of that, but even more...THOSE THINGS are what make us the people that the Lord wants us to be. By living life we have so much to offer! ~"Is not wisdom found among the aged? Does not long life bring understanding?" (Job 12:12)

He uses all of our experiences to minister to each other...and to others.

When our daughter died, friends & even relatives that we had no idea had suffered the same loss came to us to grieve with us as no others really could; since then, we have been blessed to to the same. When we had 2 miscarriages, the same thing happened. (II Cor. 1:3-4) When all those people were gone, WE were to ones who held each other through the long, long nights of prayer & tears until the new light of day called us to start again. And I can't imagine going through that with anyone else.

I treasure my years with my husband. He's not perfect ~ neither am I ~ but he IS perfect for me. I know he loves me and when I look at him I still see that handsome young man who stood at the end of the isle and took my hand from my Daddy's. I still see that sweet young man with all those hopes & dreams of family life & ministry lying ahead of us. All of our dreams have not come true although many have, and I'd live it all over again with him and I look forward to many more years together as our hair greys and more wrinkles emerge.

It is a privilege to live this life together "until the Lord shall come or death shall separate us."

Blessings from Ohio...Kim<><

The Simple Woman's Daybook ~#105~ 1/11/11

For Today...

Outside my window...Snow, snow, snow. Big, fluffy falling snow. It's beautiful.

I am thinking...that the snow may stop being so beautiful when I have to dig my car out & drive in it to work later today. :-/

I am thankful for...a warm, toasty house; hot soup on a cold day. That my stomach flu was short-lived.

From the kitchen...lots of chicken noodle soup for DD#2 who caught my stomach flu.

I am wearing...jeans, brown socks, rust thermal shirt.

I am remembering...that 25 yrs ago today, our precious Jessica became an angel.

I am going...to dig my car out of the snow & go to work, later today.

I am reading...Bible; Homeopathic Remedies.

I am hoping...that DD#2's stomach flu ends quickly & that DH doesn't catch it, too!

I am creating...a peaceful, Christ-filled home.

I am hearing...radio, washer & dryer, DD#2 watching Lord of the Rings' "Return of the King"...long movies are great when you're sick.

I am noticing...that I like to 'baby' my family when they're sick. Once a mommy, always a mommy, no matter how old they are. :-)

Around the house...picking up from messes made when I was sick, making soup, unwrapping pop-cycles to sooth an up-set stomach.

One of my favorite things...eating a hand-full of fluffy new snow.

Plans for the week...family time, work, trying to make time to see DD#1 around our schedules since I was sick on her birthday.

Pondering these words..."Making disciples means helping people discover authentic relationship w/Jesus Christ...who will help others discover...who will help others discover...who will help others discover...who will help others discover..."

Scripture thought...Luke 18:27 ~ "Jesus replied, 'What is impossible with men is possible with God.'"

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you...

Jessica ~ my little auburn-haired angel.

Enjoy 100's of other Daybooks at Peggy's Simple Woman's Daybook!

Blessings from Ohio...Kim<><

Homemade Hand Sanitizer

One of the best things anyone can have in their purse, briefcase, diaper bag, car glove box or kitchen shelf is a bottle of hand sanitizer.

Here's a simple, inexpensive one you can make yourself...

• 1 cup aloe vera gel
• 20 drops lavender essential oil
• 20 drops tea tree essential oil OR instead of the lavender and tea tree use 20 drops oil of oregano.

~Kills the bad germs w/o killing the ‘good’ germs.
~Fill a clean, used hand sanitizer squeeze OR pump bottle w/the mixture & keep in your purse or other convenient place.

Blessings from Ohio...Kim<><

Folding the American Flag ~ Why Do They Do What They Do?

A very interesting, moving and little-known part of our military tradition.

Do you know that at military funerals, the 21-gun salute stands for the sum of the numbers in the year 1776?

Have you ever noticed the honor guard pays meticulous attention to correctly folding the American flag 13 times? You probably thought it was to symbolize the original 13 colonies, but we learn something new every day!

The 1st fold of our flag is a symbol of life.

The 2nd fold is a symbol of our belief in eternal life.

The 3rd fold is made in honor and remembrance of the veterans departing our ranks, who gave a portion of their lives for the defense of our country to attain peace throughout the world.

The 4th fold represents our weaker nature, for as American citizens trusting in God, it is to Him we turn in times of peace as well as in times of war for His divine guidance.

The 5th fold is a tribute to our country, for in the words of Stephen Decatur, “Our Country, in dealing with other countries, may she always be right; but it is still our country, right or wrong.”

The 6th fold is for where our hearts lie. It is with our heart that we “pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one Nation under God, indivisible, with Liberty and Justice for all.”

The 7th fold is a tribute to our Armed Forces, for it is through the Armed Forces that we protect our country and our flag against all her enemies, whether they be found within or without the boundaries of our republic.

The 8th fold is a tribute to the One Who entered into the Valley of the Shadow of Death, that we might see the light of day.

The 9th fold is a tribute to womanhood, and mothers. For it has been through their faith, their love, loyalty and devotion that the character of the men and women who have made this country great has been molded.

The 10th fold is a tribute to the father. For he, too, has given his sons and daughters for the defense of our country since they were first born.

The 11th fold represents the lower portion of the Seal of King David and King Solomon and glorifies, in the Hebrew’s eyes, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.

The 12th fold represents an emblem of eternity and glorifies, in the Christian’s eyes, God the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.

The 13th fold, or when the flag is completely folded, the stars are uppermost reminding us of our nation’s motto: “In God We Trust.”

After the flag is completely folded and tucked in, it takes on the appearance of a cocked hat, ever reminding us of the soldiers who served under General George Washington, and the Sailors and Marines who served under Captain John Paul Jones, who were followed by their comrades and shipmates in the Armed Forces of the United States, preserving for us the rights, privileges and freedoms we enjoy today.

There are some traditions and ways of doing things that have deep meaning. In the future, you will see flags folded and now you will know why.
{Original source unknown}

{My Grandpa Chandler's flag ~ Army WWI; my Daddy's dog tags ~ Navy WWII}

Blessings from Ohio...Kim<><

SERIOUS Cold & Flu Remedy

1 grapefruit (juiced)

1 lemon(juiced)

1 clove minced garlic or Koylic drops

2 drops of peppermint oil

1 dropper of Fennel (tincture)

4oz of warm water


Mix and drink immediately

**This will cause the person taking it to expel mucus out of their nose, mouth & colon. It works in about 30 minutes to 1 hour. With the elimination (bowel movement) the fever goes down.

**Kyolic & Herb Pharm products are also available at most health food stores.

To your health!

Blessings from Ohio...Kim<><

It's Not too Early to Plan Your Garden!

Here's some very timely advice from my Farmer's Almanac newsletter. Trying to keep warm against the winter chill causes us to forget that planting those gardens ~ whether they're large family gardens, small kitchen gardens or decorative but useful herb gardens. So, since it was a good reminder to me, I though it might be a good reminder to someone reading this, too.

I hope your garden is a success this year!

Blessings from Ohio...Kim<><

Expert Advice

It’s Not Too Early to Start Planning Your Garden

• Make a garden diagram drawn to scale before placing your spring order.

• Remember this rule of thumb for planning perennial gardens: The width of the garden should be about twice the height of the tallest plant growing in it.

• Organize, clean, oil, and sharpen garden tools. A splash of bright paint on tool handles will make them easier to spot out in the yard.

• Visit a greenhouse or nursery near you and talk with the experts about your growing problems. Ask them about shrub varieties best for your conditions.

See tips on planning your landscape.

The Simple Woman's Daybook ~#104~ 1/4/11

For Today...

Outside my window...morning sunshine growing & rising over the trees. Cold.

I am thinking...of all the different roads converging in my life at this time.

I am thankful for...family to love & to love me, freedom to worship, a warm home, cars to drive, our silly little dog to love & laugh at.

From the kitchen...bread baking day, I need to make a new batch of laundry detergent.

I am wearing...jeans, rust & brown thermal shirt, brown socks.

I am remembering...answered prayer, the Lord's faithfulness in times past.

I am going...to take DD#2 to work, read a few favorite blogs, household chores, work tonight.

I am reading...Bible; considering a new book to read.

I am hoping...upon the Lord's grace & mercy in answered prayers...as always.

I am creating...a peaceful, Christ-centered home.

I am hearing...the radio, the washer & dryer, trash truck going by.

I am noticing...clothes fitting a little looser! :-)

Around the house...laundry, dusting, dust mopping on the hard floors, sweeping on the carpets.

One of my favorite things...singing.

Plans for the week...family time, work, praise & worship practice, DD#1's birthday (!!!!), worship on Sunday.

Pondering these words..."The church is the only 'organization' that doesn't exist for the benefit of it's members" ~from Sunday's sermon.

Scripture thought..."I have loved you," says the LORD. ~Malachi 1:2

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you...

Magpie Maggie Mae

Enjoy 100's of other Daybooks at Peggy's Simple Woman's Daybook!

Blessings from Ohio...Kim<><

Herbal Remedies First Aid Kit

Gen. 1:11-13 ~ "Then God said, 'Let the land produce vegetation: seed-bearing plants and trees on the land that bear fruit w/seed in it, according to their various kinds.' And it was so. The land produced vegetation: plants bearing seed according to their kinds and trees bearing fruit w/seed in it according to their kinds. And God saw that it was good. And there was evening, and there was morning - the 3rd day."

Psalm 51:7 ~ "Cleanse me w/hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow."

Esther 2:12 ~ "Before a girl's turn came to go in to King Xerxes, she had to complete 12 months of beauty treatments prescribed for the women, 6 months w/oil of myrrh and 6 w/perfumes and cosmetics."

Song of Songs 3:6 ~ "Who is coming up from the desert like a column of smoke, perfumed w/myrrh and incense made from all the spices of the merchant?"
In my quest to live a more frugal life I cook more from scratch (a little more difficult since I had to go back to work, but do-able), I make my herb mixes, many of my sauces and condiments; I make my house-hold cleaners, soaps, skin care and many home remedies. And while learning about making some of those home remedies, I put together an herbal First Aid kit. I have gathered my information from several books, magazine articles, blogs, advice from friends and co-workers and the Internet. Here is what I have chosen for my kit:

• Tea Tree essential oil ~ Truly, one of God's miracle products! It is antiseptic, antibacterial, anti-fungal. It's good for cuts, scrapes, insect bites, athlete's foot, toe-nail fungus, acne...and on and on.
• Thieves Oil ~ The same uses and benefits as Tea Tree and many more. You can buy it already made or make your own; I recommend making your own. Go to this post of mine for your own recipe and uses.
• Lavender essential oil ~ Another blessing. Also antiseptic and antibacterial, it is excellent for insect bites and stings, burns, headaches, anxiety and insomnia. When I'm about to sing or speak in front of a large audience, I take about 5 whiffs before I walk out and I'm good-to-go...it's like a deep breath of calming fresh air. On sleepless nights, simply sprinkle about 3 drops on your pillow and in a few minutes you'll be sleeping like a baby.
• Echinacea ~ Builds immunities. Capsules, Herb Pharm tinctures or Traditional Medicinals tea, or make your own tea by boiling the flowers from your own herb garden for colds, flu, fighting infections, building immunities ~ helps shorten the life of a cold or, better yet, build your immunities by having a cup or 2 a day so that you are less likely to catch a cold. A necessity in cold/flu season, if you are going on an airplane/train/bus trip or if you work w/the pubic. Cheaper and more effective than Air Born fizzies.
• Slippery Elm ~ lozenges or powder for coughs and up-set stomachs.
• Feverfew ~ tablets, tinctures or capsules for headaches, migraines and general aches and pains.
• Arnica Montana ~ sublingual (dissolves under tongue) Arnica Montana homeopathic tablets or pellets and either gel, ointment or cream. Great for painful bumps and bruises. I even take the tablets for headaches.
• Valerian or Melatonin ~ sublingual tablets for stress and insomnia.
• Comfrey ~ ointment, cream or gel for sprains, bruises, even helps in healing fractures. Also available in a comforting tea.
• Calendula ~ another great cream, this one helps w/scrapes, scratches, rashes and sunburn.
• Witch Hazel ~ helps clean and heal cuts and scrapes; also helpful for acne.
• Myrrh ~ the Herb Pharm tincture, good for sore throats and acne.
• Thyme ~ syrup or Herb Pharm tincture for coughing and chest infections.
• Garlic ~ gel capsules to take orally or puncture and apply onto infections, and comes as oil in a dropper bottle for earaches. Don't forget to keep bulbs of garlic handy in your kitchen...garlic is so good for so many things.
• Aloe Vera gel capsules or bottled gel ~ if you don't have a plant in your kitchen or you have your First Aid Kit w/you on vacation, you can puncture a capsule and use the gel like you would the meat from the plant for burns and scrapes.
• Ginger ~ natural 'candies'; great for digestion and up-set stomach from car-sickness or other causes and as throat lozenges. Also keep some ginger root on-hand in your kitchen.
• Ear Candles ~ simply an amazing invention! The soothing smoke draws ickies out of your ears. You won't believe it til you try it! Keep tightly sealed in a plastic zip-lock bag until use so that the bees wax doesn't get hard and brittle.
• Headache Balm ~ also good for sinuses and migraines. See my recipe HERE. 
• Yarrow Balm/Salve, Tincture or Essential Oil ~ well known as a wound cleanser/healer, a few drops of tincture helps with colic or up-set stomach, relieves most digestive infections, ulcers, colds and flu; taken internally (tea or tincture) or externally (balm/salve) helps with varicose veins.
• 
• Herb Pharm tinctures ~ sold at most health food stores or at their website. These are great for when you just can't take another pill or, since they are liquid, for FAST relief or benefits. Nearly every herb you can think of is available and many blends as well.
• Bandages ~ various sizes of adhesives and Ace bandages for sprains and strains.
• Thermometer
• Safety pins
• Instant ice pack/heat pack
• Cotton
• Q-tips
• Tweezers

You can learn more about homemade First Aid from a myriad of books and resources. Just some of my favorites have been:

• Natural First Aid ~ by Brigitte Mars
• Herbal Antibiotics ~ Stephen Harrod Buhner
• Learning Herbs.com

I hope this new year will be a healthy, happy and blessed year for all of you!
{Some of my own garden herbs: echinacea, lavender, rosemary, sage}

Blessings from Ohio...Kim<><

God Doesn't Move

If you feel a distance between you and God, ask yourself: WHO MOVED?

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.
~~Hebrews 13:8