I strive for and dream of a house of order

I want my house to look like a beautiful house of my friend who seems to keep things up well. I want to improve every room. I hope it will turn out to be orderly, well working and presentable to company always. I desperately yearn and strongly desire to make these changes for my family, my husband, my guests, and most importantly myself. 

I want to expand my potential for becoming a leader that has fruit on the tree.

Self mastery begins with me.

Progress report, we got 8 loads of laundry done, 5 loads put away sorted, 3 loads still need to be, and two more to be washed. This takes care of most of the boys room and the laundry room itself. 

Then of course IT hit me, I have been in bed for two plus daysunable to get up except to go to the bathroom. The coughing has finally eased some, but still there. I need to be careful about activity for a little bit to make sure no rebound happens. I am getting ready as soon as possible to go to my closet.

I had already set all my business clothing in a specific area. I need to go through and see what need to be replaced. I have focused on a lot of classic clothing, because of the timeless nature. The rule is buy better quality and less of it.

 

These are the shirts: uniform items- scouting and other volunteers organization uniforms, blazers, flannel/ denim work shirts, other business appropriate shirts that can be dressed up or down if needed. They all have collars so it makes one feel professional and ready for business. I will fill this out once my laundry is done. The slacks are on the end and skirts and dresses hang in a another area of my closet. I have totes with those clothes from earlier. These will gone through for relevance and need. I will rotate and make clusters using principles I have gleaned from Judith Rasbands book How to Clothe your Family and website conselle.com. I receive her newsletter and gleaned through all of the archives to understand the concepts she talks about. I have had prior training plus a lot of self study in fashion and dress. 

 There are people who will read and face palm but in all truth, I do know how to dress but there are days I decide to let it all go because I am so stessed out. 

I am making an effort to do better to dress even when I am home. It make me feel better, but I hate to ruin good clothes doing house hold chores. Luckily, clusters includes the out in public wear, not so much the doing painting. And caring for animals chores, garden, etc. That does not mean I get to stay in sweats all day otherwise. OK PJs while sick and in bed yes. Fitness clothing for fitness.

Capsules are closed systems and really are limited. Clusters are open and can be expanded to meet the needs of the individual. 

I will show you what I put together in the future.

Confessions of a Messy Homemaker

Yes, that is me.  You read that right.  

I am a messy homemaker.  

I greet you at the door and close it behind me quick. The kids still have dinner on their t-shirts. Their room is not better homes and garden quality, maybe Junkyard quality.

I have struggled with this for years. I have always done my best to be dressed as I should be for events. 

I have come to the conclusion that self-mastery is s must success.

For me that is mastering my schedule and my home. Here is the inspiration I am taking this from.

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  Doctrine and Covenants 109:8
  
  8 Organize yourselves; prepare every needful thing, and establish a house, even a house of prayer, ahouse of fasting, a house of faith, a house of learning, a house of glory, a house of order, a houseof God;
  
  Doctrine and Covenants 88:119
  
  119 Organize yourselves; prepare every needful thing; and establish a house, even a house of prayer, a house of fasting, a house of faith, a house of learning, a house of glory, a house of order, a houseof God;
  
  Doctrine and Covenants 132:8
  
  8 Behold, mine house is a house of order, saith the Lord God, and not a house of confusion.
  
  
  From some other reading I was looking at. First I am going through clothing for myself and my kids. Then Books, Papers, Miscellaneous things, and finally, Sentimental items.  Earlier in the month I had went through my closet and pulled things out. I am going through again and doing the same thing in my closet. I am finding what I love and getting rid of what I do not. I am finding what fits well and then getting rid of what does not. I am looking at doing clusters of clothing as inspired by Judith Rasband. I have training as a former Beauty for All Seasons consultant. My big take away there was learning to flatter my body as it was with line and design.  I plan on taking Judith training as soon as I can, it is not in my business budget currently. But I know it would benefit not only my business, but those whom I serve in the military and in my entrepreneurial ventures to learn more. The Lord will grant me the time and means to do so. 

• Now for the rest of the house, We have pulled out all of the excess dishes and have a set color for each person. Now we know who is leaving dishes out. I am getting ready to get the Spoon, fork, and knife all-in-one combo to match. I have also pulled all duplicates of other utensils. It seems silly. but we will pack most of this away and pull out only what is needed and after a while we may give it away to our children or save it for big get togethers. We will see....
• Join me in the challenge of simplifying your life.
• Update: I am feeling a bit better than I was the last few days had a bit of a cough and sore throat. Thank you oil pulling with Protective blend, oregano and peppermint essential oil. It did not hit hard so I am much happier. I am up and cleaning anyway. I can see my laundry room and where I am starting seeds.
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• 
  

Spring Flu with an Icing of Snow

It has been an interesting Spring to say the least. Tuesday and Wednesday we had snow and high winds. Those High winds about took away our chicken kennel. Though we did lose one of our chickens because it got crushed underneath it when it blew over on her. We have to find a new cover for the kennel and a other way to provide shade and wind break for the chickens. Though I think the standard Haybale will work at this point.

The week or so prior we had lost three hens, then Our Roster was AWOL for three days. We found him a little bit worse for the wear and very hungry hiding in a wood pile. More than likely a Racoon has been picking our coop.

Anyway we started over last year (2014) with 11 barred Rocks and 5 Jersey Giant hens plus a roster. We kept a couple of the old barred rocks a couple of our Americunas, plus a another black hen.
Now the count is
One Barred Rock Rooster
5 barred Rock Hens
4 black Jersey Giants Hens
1 Americuna

Plus our new additions
 6 White Leghorns 'the chicklets' or 'the chicken nuggets'

We will be getting more the end of next month.

We will be building new housing for at least 50, but will probably maintain about 40 max.

Well I guess I should get one with the fun part. It is that time of the year for everyone in the US. Everyones favorite stress day of the year. Well last year was our first year not doing our own taxes and it has been a relief. We just really good communication with our tax man. Though we did not get everything, I know we missed a few things, it is ok.

Then enter My dear husband who has been a bit under the weather for few days. He missed church on Sunday because he was laid up in bed from the CRUDE. I did get to church, but was not feeling up to par because of digestive issues, not the CRUDE. I take Protective Blend religiously to keep my immune system supported and it really helps. He did end up seeing the doctor. Nasty little bacterial/viral thing between the nose/eyes/lungs. But he is seeing and singing pretty good  now.

For the really fun stuff-Edward Turned of age to get his learners permit. As is family tradition we get it on their birthday. He did dine for his first bout out. Just if my neighbors seeing me sticking to the window of the car, he is driving.

Oh, Our Missionary is doing well in Washington Spokane Mission, She keeps telling me it is like a big old slumber party. We love and miss her greatly, only 12 more months...

So now to plant some in the Garden-a blog for another time....

There will be more good news that I cannot release until my husband has made it known.

No Poo and more

Starting in 2005 I was told I had severe chemical sensitivities and list of avoids. I went to one of my favorite authors Janice Cox whose series shows and gives recipes for various body care items. I have used shampoo bars, lye soap, pine tar soap and many others.  I went to just rinses in 2006 or 2007, consisting of Baking soda with distilled water for the first rinse- which currently results in numerous 'suds' usually. Then a rinse with apple cider vinegar and distilled water- which leaves my hair feeling silky and soft. In the past 6 months, I have used a private label shampoo, but felt it was a bit much for everyday use. The conditioner had gluten in it- so I do not use it. The hair gel had the same issue- I do not use it. The hair serum I have used, because of the essential oils in it. Currently, I am going back to simpler things. I made these below in mid March.

I am going to add a pinch of Epsom salts to my rinses to disperse the essential oils through the water.

2 Tablespoons baking soda BS

2 Tablespoons Apple Cider Vinegar ACV

30 oz distilled water (8 oz in each jar with 14 oz in the cup to be split after mixing BS and ACV into its respective jar)

Here is the mixed version plus a dry shampoo/ body powder using rice flour, arrowroot starch, chamomile herb tea, and chamomile essential oil.

I use various essential oils depending on what I am looking for in my BS and ACV rinses. Also shown hair serum, plus fractionated coconut oil, a mixing bottle, with dry shampoo. Right now I will stick with the plain rinses while my hair and scalp are in transition. I will not be doing this everyday but at least once a week Sunday BS and ACV and may only use ACV rinse only midweek plus dry powder as needed with brushing out. It really depends on how it feels to me. I may add EOs to combat candida, what some call dandruff.

I am considering going back to a Basic Bob hairstyle or keeping my long on top pixie, I go through this every 5 years chopping off my hair wishing I hadn't. But like I usually tell the stylist it is hair and it grows back.

I am on my quest for happy hair and scalp.

Small Steps to Fitness (Cardio, Flexibility, Strength)

Well I know I have needed to re-examine my fitness goals and lack of fitness doing.
Here are the small steps I am taking.

1-Get on the treadmill.
2-Put the magnet in place so it will go.
3-Press the speed button and off we go.
OR
My other activity that includes walking is store walking.
This is where I go to walk around the store looking and it takes more than 30 mins usually.

I am shooting for 30 mins or 1 mile, depending on my day and how I am feeling.

Now as far as Stretching and Strength

I am going for a very simple formula.
Doing a light cardio exercise like marching in place to warm up the muscles and bring blood flow to the body overall to prepare for Stretching and Strength work.

Stretching the muscle group to be worked gently before I perform that exercise.

Chest-Modified Push ups
Abdominals-Crunches
Upper Back-Modified Pull ups/Lat Pulls/ Band Pulldowns
Legs/Lower Back-Deadlifts
Legs/Back-Squats

I am looking at a tabata type format for time not so much for reps.
So 1 min in each exercise, then repeat 2-4 times.
As a cool down I would do some light cardio and stretching.

Initially all exercise would be Bodyweight- gradually adding weight.

The workout schedule to follow would start 2 days a week tabata style and then cardio on off days. Moving to 3-4 days days a week combining tabatas and cardio after to flush wastes.

I also need to figure out the cat rubbing on me or the dogs trying to lick my face off when I am doing floor work. Pet hair can be somewhat invasive. I may need to move my weight set back out to the living room.

Hopefully this will help you start looking forward to warmer weather.

Don't forget Soothing Blend or Soothing Blend Rub for those sore or achy muscles.

Thinking

How I feel on the inside reflects on the outside in my appearance and behavior.
When I eat well and give my body the tools it needs to accept nutrients, then it is able to heal itself.
The biggest factor in my health is my thought process  about myself.
I have to change the way I think about myself, to change how I think about others.
I change the way I think by:
Not putting in degrading and painful information from media sources of all types.
Currently I really have now desire to watch TV even movies, I would prefer to read and ponder.
So I do...
I am putting in the best information I can.
This comes from my Core book(s)-the Holy Bible (KJV-LDS Edition), The Book of Mormon,
Doctrine and Covenants, and Pearl of Great Price. I have gained so much insight from studying by topic. We are encouraged to seek knowledge of the best books, these are but a few of them.
I am studying Complimentary Healing modalities of many forms, it is interesting to be able to find examples of these in the scriptures. I take my Science based background and even find it supported there in the scriptures too. Because Heavenly Father is a being of Order and I truly desire to become like him and His Son. I must learn order in my living-My closet, my books, my clothing, everything must be in order. But I will take in small bits and pieces. I will organize them a little bit at a time, knowing I will return to reorder and chaos exists here. Clothing brings me to an interest would never guess by the way I dress. Fatigue has it's way of making us just pick whatever. Well that needs to come to order too. I know that one of the things I will do is bring my wardrobe back to order, being a former Color and Image Consultant  (yes you may gasp or laugh whichever). I will put it all back together. Because the way I dress affects the way I feel and the way I feel affects the way I think which affects the way I see myself. I no longer want to see myself as less than a precious daughter of my Heavenly Father. I am princess in training, as we all are. I must learn to be graceful and to deal with others with grace and poise. There is a lot to work through there. I will find a good mentor who can help me. Most of that wardrobe will have to be sewn from scratch as most of the things I see really do not like the color combinations or patterns. Luckily, I have basic sewing skills and a body blueprint system that will help me design and make patterns from scratch.
Those Healing modalities lead into another area too. Leadership and self-directed education which will serve me well in the future. That is another topic for another day though...

Food and Gluten Cross-contamination?

What is cross-contamination?
Cross-contamination is when a substance that causes great discomfort to an individual because they are sensitive or allergic to that substance.

This makes eating out at cheap burger joints or pizza places almost impossible, even low end restaurants or buffet bars. This has improved in the last few years in my experience.

As I have been traveling more for our businesses, I find I can get away with snacking on good food (veggies and fruit leather) as long as I eat one really good hot meal Preferably a 10 oz Steak, steamed veggies with REAL butter, a sweet potato with REAL butter and cinnamon and a good salad consisting of veggies red wine vinegar and Extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) plus a big glass of water with some of Lemon essential oil or Metabolic Blend. I find do so much better. I usually can find coconut wraps and use those to surround a 6 oz can of tuna that has EVOO, vinegar and 6 drops of Cilantro Essential oil. This makes a good travel meal and tasty detox meal. The breakfast of choice is scrambled eggs and turkey bacon or chicken sausage OR a huge steak and veggie omelet. Beverages are Herbal tisanes and Yerba Mate from South America. I keep my sugars low, except for whole fruit and the fruit leather. I make or find safe snack bars. I do find at convention centers once I explain and ask, 'can you guarantee gluten-free, corn-free, and white potato-free and no cross-contamination' most places have no problem with me bringing food and drink I can consume safely. You will notice not a lot of grains or grasses (Rice, Amaranth, etc) either, I do eat them on occasion but I keep them very low becase they do not always agree with my body.

Something I saw in an LDS Tech Newsletter, an individual wrote in about the Sacrament stating that only those with Celiac* really worry about having a completely gluten-free experience. Something that should be understood is that a Gluten-intolerant* person can have Celiac or they may not. You can be both*. I learned this through Danna Korn, founder of Raising Our Celiac Kids and speaker at many Gluten-Intolerance conferences, when presenting in West Jordan, Utah over a decade ago now.  I know from experience that the lifestyle can be maintained. But it does take vigilance in your food preparation and the items you use on your body. everything is important. That is what started my journey to making y own body care items. My food journey in reality began with Eat Right for Your Type by Peter J D'Adamo -The Blood Type diet, I experimented upon the word and took out the obvious sources of wheat and gluten for two weeks and felt absolutely wonderful. But I will save that story for a later date. I now eat more along the whole foods and GAPS diet, or maybe just more Paleo. I have done my best to reduce processed foods as much as possible. For us Growing a garden is key to that lifestyle because we can then preserve our own food for our use.

Where exactly am I going with this a very real area of concern. Food seems to be the center of most Church Activities. It is somewhat discouraging to participation in activities when you know there will be nothing there for you  or that it will be cross-contaminated in the preparation process.

It would be like telling the many diabetics in church that 'I am sorry you can't have sugar, but we really can't be expected to meet your dietary restriction.'

Think would you tell the parent of a child with a peanut allergy, 'I am sorry your child will die from consuming or being in the room with peanuts, but we cannot meet those restrictions we are serving peanut butter cookies to all the kids.' How would that really go over?

This is how a person with food allergies or restrictions feels...

I have personally donated the supplies and helped my aunt prepare gluten-free french rolls for 100 people, because they had 3 sisters who were gluten-free. It was pleasure for me to do that because I knew what it meant to those 3 sisters.

How hard is it to separate naturally gluten-free from gluten items? Not very hard it is a matter of thinking it through and planning, and being very clear about the procedures necessary in Preparation and serving. I am very blessed to have children that know first hand the results of 'a little won't hurt you'.  They act as centurions watching preparation and telling me don't eat you will get sick.

The solution is setting aside a Gluten-free and food allergy table being clear that is for those with that issue. Because like at home sometimes our 'free' food looks better than the other 'normal' food. Have plain cut up Fruit and veggies with a plain sour cream dip or safe home made hummus. At the very least share the menu so that person can bring something to eat. OR have the activity and save the time of eating until the end, so they can quietly duck out.

Something else for those who think hand sanitizer cleans up gluten from the bread or other gluten items- sorry no dice there- Only soap and water properly remove the gluten. Please let those who prepare our Sacrament know this. That little speck of a crumb you drop from your finger on that cracker can cause anaphylaxsis-been there done that-don't want to do it again. that is why I am so anal about Sacrament Prep and have been requested to hold mine in my own hands now.

As always, comments and questions are welcome.  I am willing to discuss the matter.

*includes Dermatitus Herpetiformis-includes skin contact with gluten, which results in breakout of acne like looking bumps but are painful and leak clear fluids. It does not make one look pretty.