The Dignity of Every-Day Duties ~ Laura Ingalls Wilder

 

   “It is a good idea sometimes to think of the importance and dignity of our every-day duties. It keeps them from being so tiresome; besides, others are apt to take us at our own valuation.”

~ Laura Ingalls Wilder

      Have you ever thought about the dignity of our everyday duties? Do you even think about them as duties? I know that that word is not one we use much any more. Perhaps if we did think of the work we do in our home as our duty to God and to our family, it would elevate it in our minds and lift our spirits. After all, no matter who does the housework, the cooking and such, we women are the ones who think about it. We think about all the things that need to be done, when, how, and such. 

   I want to think differently about my home. One of the duties is being a good steward of the things God has provided. These little loaves of banana nut bread were a bunch of very overripe bananas an hour earlier. They could have been put in the garbage, but instead, I stirred up some batter and made some happy faces.   

   I hope you all have a wonderful productive week. 

Laura

Happy at Home,

but currently serving 

some very special children

To My Snail Mail Friends

Just a little note to my snail mail friends. I have a nice little stack of letters and cards from my snail mail friends to answer. 

Today I wrote six cards. Hopefully, over the next couple of weeks, I will be able to respond to all of you. I love receiving written correspondence. I also love to write. I explained in the last post why I've been so busy. At night, I just haven't felt like writing. Spring has now sprung and with it new energy and motivation. So I hope to write to you soon. If there's anyone else out there who would like to correspond with me, you may write to me at laura@harvestlanecottage.com for my address.

I wish you peace, happiness and joy.

Please go to my thrifty posts for ideas how to make it through these challenging times. 

Be blessed 

Laura 

The Missing Lady of the House

 

Just one of many leprechaun traps the kids set this week.

Hey y'all,

I know I haven't been around much lately. Please forgive me. I started substituting in December. In January, I signed up for a 1-day special ed paraprofessional position. When I showed up on February 16th, they told me it was now for 3 days. I changed my schedule, and on Friday they asked me to come back. I've now been substituting for a month Tuesday through Friday at a elementary school in my town. I'm teaching kindergarten through 3rd grade special ed reading, language arts, writing, and math. I did not my plan to work more than 3 days a week, but I have fallen in love with the kids. Yes they can be naughty like other kids, but they can also be so sweet. I like teaching 1-5 students at a time more than 25-30.

The teacher that I am replacing has moved out of town. They are interviewing people now. This next week is spring break. I might come back for a day or two the following week, or I might come back for weeks or months. I don't know. Either way, I hope to write more. I also hope to find a way to be much more thrifty and figure out how to get things done at home.

Have a wonderful weekend! 

Laura 

9 Tips for Young Mothers from an Older Woman

Enough & More to Spare by Frederick Morgan

Advice to a Young Mother

Having children is a huge responsibility that never ends just like the work never ends. Please allow me to share a few thoughts.

One ~ Try to get to bed at a decent hour, so that you can try to get some good sleep.

Two ~ Require everyone to lie down for one hour each afternoon.
They may not nap, but they must lie down. Older ones need an hour of reading each day anyway. During this time, you can rest, read, pray, or do a load of laundry, whatever will help you gear up for the second half of the day.

Three ~ Make sure you’re eating fruits and vegetables, dairy and meats, not just high carbohydrate foods. You need nutrients.

Four ~ If possible, get some time away from the children once in awhile, even if it's only to go to the grocery store by yourself.

Five ~ Arrange a date time with your hubby, even if you stay home and put the kids to bed early.

Six ~ Invest time in Godly child training. 
You might look at Above Rubies. They have free magazines and lots of articles on-line.

Seven ~ Don't give up!
It does pay off even though we can’t always see results day to day. Look for the good and seize it daily.

Eight ~ Most of all, pray pray pray pray. You can do all things through Jesus Christ who strengthens you.

Nine ~ Really, this should be first, spend time with God in the Bible.

Note:  If you feel depressed for an extended period, consider speaking with your husband, an older mother, or your doctor about whether you need herbal supplements or medication to help for awhile.

Blessings from Harvest Lane Cottage,
Mrs. Lane
An Older Woman
~smile~


P.S.  See the comments below for some more great advice.  Staying home is one thing that one of my readers reminded me about.  It really helps to build routine.

~~~~~

May I suggest...

Reading... An Hour a Day Every Day
~~~~~

#090914

10 Top Tips to Socialize Kittens

Cute, cuddly kittens are so much fun. But scratchy, whiny kittens are a plague. ~smile~ Learn to socialize your kittens to make them good companions for their new owners... or for you!

Here's how I do it.

One of my favorite things... Kittens! They're one of the cutest creations God made. I find them irresistible.  A few years ago, we had a momma cat who was quite, shall we say, popular? We kept trying to get her "fixed", but we couldn't get the timing right. So, we had  the opportunity to help a number of  kittens become "value added" kittens. What made them such? Socialization! While I don't believe in socializing children, it's imperative for kittens if you want cuddly, snuggly, friendly kittens who won't make you sing Cat Scratch Fever. ~smile~ Truthfully, I don't remember the song, but the title fit. If you find yourself  with a litter of kittens, please use these tips to help them be good pets for their new owners. 

Here are my top tips 

for making kittens 

lovable and people friendly. 

• Hold and handle them often from the time their eyes open. Even small children, with supervision, can pet them. Make sure small children do not handle them alone.

• Hold them on their backs often. Remember how you held your baby dolls? They won't like it, but it helps prepare them to be handled by children and to be more docile.

• Play with them often—both inside and outside if they will be allowed both places.

• Speak and sing to them. Just get them used to your voice.

• Rub and play with their paws a lot. They don't naturally like it. It helps them learn not to scratch so much. 

• Carry them around with you as you do things. I met someone once who suggested letting them ride on your shoulder as you go about the house. It's not one of my methods, but try it if you'd like.

• Teach them to use a litter box. Just put them in there shortly after they eat. They'll figure it out.

• Take them for rides in the car. They're going to take that first car ride sometime. Help it to be less traumatic for them and for their new owner. I actually took one in the car with me one day and unexpectedly ended up in a town forty-five minutes away. After over two hours in the car, Tiger became very compliant. In fact, after using all these methods, he was such a sweet butter in your hands kind of kitten, my husband, who doesn't like cats, decided to keep him!

• Take two— they're small. Seriously, if you are going to get a kitten, get two! They are so much easier to raise in pairs. All that crazy, high energy is channeled into playing with each other instead of attacking your legs, your furniture, and your favorite sweater. ~smile~ Instead of being double trouble, they are so much more fun to watch. Plus they're double the lovey cuddles!

• Lastly, pray over your kittens. God knows the perfect home for them whether it's yours or someone else's. Pray for the right home and for the right temperament for the kitten. God cares about the details of your life.

Have you adopted a kitten? Though these tips work best from the time they're tiny, give them a try. They may just help your older kitten to become your feline best friend forever.

Be blessed!

Laura
Happy at Home