Learn to Live on Less

Learning to live on less doesn't come naturally to most of us.  Having grown up with plenty, this is a lesson that was a LONG TIME in coming for me.  Many of my young grown up years I went into debt, because I went shopping (using credit cards) any time I was lonely, unhappy, happy, sad, feeling fat, feeling thin...you get the point.

When I was preparing to get married, my soon to be husband had me show him all my debt.  He proceeded to pay everything off, and asked me to cut up my cards and refrain from using them.  That was one of the hardest things I had ever done, but I did it, because I wanted to have a happy marriage.
It was many years before I used a credit card again, and it was very hard for me to use it, and I stressed out until I paid the bill.

A year after we were married, we wanted to purchase our first home, and because neither of us made much money, we needed to reduce our expenses as much as possible.  To do that, we made the decision to cut the cable TV.  Both of us liked to watch certain shows, and this was going to be hard.  Guess what?  Neither of us died from this, and it wasn't until a few years ago (we've now been married 29 years) that we got cable (Dish) again.

Sacrificing to become debt free or start a new business is part of the growing up process.  We could have had the nicest furniture, beautifully decorated home, the newest fashions.  I could have gone for regular pedicures, manicures, eyebrow waxes, etc.   Instead, we made personal sacrifices so we could pay off our home early, while taking our children on vacations that they probably didn't need.

I see young families today that have the same choices we had.  Some make the same decisions we did, some make the choice to have all the personal "me" items they think they deserve.  The outcomes are completely opposite!  I smile when one of my children makes the decision to be financially wise, sacrificing now, so there isn't hardship later.  At the same time, it makes me sad when a child makes the choice to live in debt.  There are consequences for every choice we make.

What is the moral of this story?  Say NO to yourself.  Don't think you deserve everything.  I know what I deserve, and it isn't pretty.  Be teachable.  Learn to live with less and be happy in whatever your circumstance.  Most circumstances change with time.

Confidence and Arrogance

Common Core tests students on confidence.  There's nothing wrong with being confident, right?  But when we test and grade on whether a student is confident with their answer or not, there is something amiss.  Just saying!  If you don't know much about CCS (Common Core Standards) I suggest you research it.  When I began my independent research on it, I became very enlightened.  NOT. A. FAN.
I'm a huge fan of Classical Christian Education or even traditional Classical Education teaching.

When confidence goes unchecked, it becomes arrogance.  Arrogance shouts to it's audience, "I know it all! I do not and will not learn anything new!"  We have many arrogant people in the world today, and I sure hope I am never one of them.  I know that I have much to learn and will continue to learn the rest of my life.  As with many things, I often learn the hard way but I am OK with that because I am learning and not stagnating with the little I already know.

I remember most of our family dinners where the conversation began with. "What did you learn today?"  Dad wanted us to relate new things we had learned in school daily.  I don't know if he even realized it, but by doing this, he was reinforcing the knowledge we had gained each day.  I wonder how many families have similar conversations around the dinner table today????

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50 Years Later: Lots of Lessons Learned

50 years ago today JFK was shot in Dallas.  Do you remember where you were (all you oldies like me)?  I was at our older neighbor's house.  Helen Gardner.  Not sure if she was babysitting or if I was just visiting her, but I remember her having the TV on and being very upset.  She told me the President had just been shot.  Even at my young age, it made such an impact that I still remember it.

To say that time has flown in the 50 years since would be an understatement.  I have grown up, been educated, gotten married and had children of my own.  I've trained my children up to adulthood and seen them all married and have children of their own.  and through all that time, I continue to learn new things every single day!

This morning I learned that Lavender Essential Oil will relieve burns.  Did you know that?  I have told myself numerous times that I need to keep a couple bottles in my EO drawer, but now I know I need to order more!  

Some of the Ways I've Learned to Use Lavender Essential Oil:

1. A drop or two on each of my wool dryer balls.  This smells heavenly when I'm folding laundry and makes me enjoy a task I normally dislike.
2. On my feet at night.  2-3 drops massaged into my feet with coconut oil helps me get a good night's sleep. Lavender is so calming.
3. Diffuse.  I don't have a diffuser YET, but I know it can be diffused in the bedroom to help sleep.  I'm going to order from SPARKNATURALS and use my coupon code: reneecorrell for a 10% discount.
4. Eczema. A few drops mixed with a carrier oil will sooth irritated skin. * I use some in the cream I make for David's psoriasis, too.
5. Ingredient in the Headache Buster Blend.  (From "Riches to Rags" by Dori.)   It is AMAZING how quickly this MIRACLE works.

I saw a website a while back that had 20 uses for Lavender Essential Oil.  I am sure that there are more than that, but I will learn my lessons as I go, because I know that the things I learn firsthand are always WELL  LEARNED! 

Happy Learning!

Essential Oils 101

Yes, I am in the 101 stage of Essential Oils. Sure, I have known about them for years, and even used a few of them before, but not like I am using them now.

A few months ago I read a Facebook post about essential oils (it was more of a passing post, but it really jumped out at me).  So I got busy and started researching and then buying. And buying. And...well, you get the picture.  I have been spending money.

The first website that "made" me spend money was One Good Thing By Jillee.  My-oh-my! She sure has some (LOTS OF) good ideas. I read about so many things that I had to limit my project idea to the Wool Dryer Balls.  I found Fisherman's wool at JoAnn's and I chose cream colored yarn (not the best choice because it looks dirty quickly). When I make more, I will use one of the variegated choices.  As we speak, I am finishing laundry, and when I folded my last load, the lavender scent that I use on the balls made me so happy.  I am in love with lavender, and that is just one use for it.

If you want to start your Essential Oil collection, I would suggest lavender as one of the first oils you buy.  You can purchase from Spark Naturals and if you use my coupon code: reneecorrell you will get 10% off your order.  Of course, I will also suggest the Oil Of The Month Club, because you get 12 oils a year at FANTASTIC prices!

What is the first essential oil you bought? Do you keep more than one bottle on hand of any of your oils?

It's Always a New Day

Yes, it is me. Life can really get hold of a person and run wild at times.

Since my last post, I have resigned my teaching position and have returned home where I will help my husband with his work, and have time to cook the gluten free food that my body needs, and sew, sew,sew for myself, my home, and my precious grand babies.  How was that for a run on sentence?

Lately, I have found that my body feels best if I limit all grains, even the gluten free varieties that I have found, so I make the majority of meals vegetable.  Of course, I do need a pizza fix now and then, and found a pretty good recipe for cauliflower pizza crust, which I will share at some point, and also have another gluten free recipe that I tried last week...also to be shared.

That's all for tonight, but stay tuned foe some of what I have been up to.

Healing Takes Time

Healing your gut is not a quick process, by any stretch.  My Dr. said it would take as long as two years, and I guess that might actually be correct.  There are days that I ache like crazy, days that IBS rears it's ugly head, and days that I feel OK. I'm looking forward to the days that I feel GREAT!  I know they will come, because I am committed to eating and living healthy from now on.

I ordered a Breville juicer, and it was delivered yesterday, so now I am planning on adding juices to my meal plan.  I will do a 15 day juice reboot program beginning on February 1, and then go from there, depending on how I feel.  I keep reading about the wonderful benefits of juicing, and agree that my health is worth the small sacrifice of time it takes to make good juices.

I am finding that stress is a huge part of gut health, also, and am making preparations for that to change.  More on that in a few months:)

*Yum-yum Note: I had been craving pizza for days, so we made a gluten free focaccia bread recipe that I used for the crust, and I had a yummy cheese and pepperoni pizza with no belly ache afterward.  The recipe is in the Gluten-Free Quick and Easy cookbook by Carol Fenster.  

Keep On Keeping On

Eating gluten free is not as difficult if you eat mostly fresh fruit, veggies, and meat. The meat can be tricky if you plan on using processed meats, but it you are willing got cook our own, all is well.  I am not a big dessert person, so I didn't have any bread-like food this week.  My stomach has not had those cramps that make it difficult to live, so I know there is progress.

I guess I was thinking that all the excess weight would fall off immediately if I started eating gluten free, but alas, that is not the case.  I have seen a slight drop on the scales since before Christmas, but not the miracle I was hoping for.  But I shall persevere...more for the health than the smaller dress size, but I expect that to happen, too.  Things like not being exhausted all the time, less joint pain, no bloated feeling, and lower blood pressure are more important, so I will make those things my goals first.

David was gone this week, so my dinners were more like snacks...a little meat and some fruit or lettuce. The real lazy person's way of eating.  Maybe this week, I'll actually have a menu and eat meals instead of snacks.