Monday Message

"Our Heavenly Father created this beautiful earth, with all its abundance, for our benefit and use. His purpose is to provide for our needs as we walk in faith and obedience. He has lovingly commanded us to 'prepare every needful thing' (see D&C 109:8) so that, should adversity come, we may care for ourselves and our neighbors, and support bishops as they care for others." (All is Safely Gathered In pamphlet)

Welcome to my home! Summer is here and it's very hot indeed today!

Summer is always so busy. I wonder where they got the lazy days of summer from...?

The yard work never ends here. I should train the squirrels in the art of landscaping and how not to plant those walnuts. Or teach them to cut down the walnut trees that grow all over because they planted them grrrrr.

I hope you all are doing well. 

I see more and more people talking of tight times for their families. I sure do not expect things to get better and it will take a lot more than just saying they are better when they are clearly not.

I know it is early to mention but those who need school supplies, you might want to get a little at a time when you get groceries to spread out the cost.

Start hitting those yard sales and thrift stores - this is a must do! When you do, have a list school clothing and in what sizes needed. Don't forget winter gear - we all need to have coats... Be sure to pass down clothing to siblings. 

While talking about lists, don't forget to look for a pressure canner, vacuum sealer, dehydrator, canning tools, canning jars, a used sewing machine, look for fabric and sewing supplies, look for yarn and knitting needles and crochet hooks and other supplies, look for things you can use for gifts... yes, even items you can makeover for gifting, look for cookbooks - especially those church type cookbooks where everyone put in their favorite recipes.

We celebrated our 51st anniversary on June 15.  Since that falls on Father's Day this year, we celebrated early so we could celebrate Father's Day by itself. We like to go to the used bookstore for our anniversary, which we did, and I picked up a quilting book and a sewing book and a few quilting magazines from their sale section. These all did not cost much but I also had a coupon. It was fun just looking at stuff too. So think how could you celebrate special dates inexpensively. I plan to make a carrot cake to make it special. We don't need to break the bank.

These times we find ourselves in will require us using every tool we have, every skill we can learn. Try to work hard on the skills that can help you the most.

Speaking of working hard on a skill...

I am working hard learning this machine. I am making progress and am happy at that. I am putting lots of studying in on it. 

I am thankful to my past self for all the yard sales I went to and all that I did that is now helping me in my old age.

Set a grocery budget that is comfortable for your income and then stay in that budget. Try to do things more frugally so you can have some left for stocking your pantry.

I know it is hard. I know it is going to get a lot harder for all of us so we need to step up and put your skills to work. I am right there with you. We will all get through this, we will. Find time to find your joy in every day. Today, mine was walking up to our front door. It doesn't have to be flashy, just something to give you joy. Yes, things need painting but just for today it was a joy to walk up to the door. Mind you, it could be I just finished watering the garden but joy never the less.

I know it is very hard all the things that are going on. We need to not dwell so much on it that we fall into depression. Use your energy instead getting prepared.

https://www.queenofthehousehold.com/homemaking-skills/ - some good ideas.

https://www.artfulhomemaking.com/8-useful-skills-grandmothers-knew/ - a few ideas here as well.

https://www.christian-works.org/beating-summer-boredom/?msclkid=44f749444562123dce23210da1a9ad06&utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=CW+-+Resources%2FGeneral&utm_term=summer+activities&utm_content=Summer+Activities - we will all need these before summer is over and those in winter, there might be some things to help with cabin fever.

https://mamateaches.com/50-free-summer-activities-for-families/

Take care of yourself too. I watch podcasts while I treadmill so right now I have been watching things on learning knitting machines.

Cynthia shared this info with us....

"I meant to tell you about this. I had a friend that lives in Alabama email me and tell me that she found out about peak electric use. Someone had told her and she googled it and found that her electric company had peak hours during the afternoon in summer and morning hours in the cold times.  I googled here and Mecklenburg Cooperative has peak hours 3 pm to 6 pm during summer and 6 am to 9 am cold times. Although you have to sign up for emails or text to let you know when they think they will go into peak electric usage. You might check there."

We need to be using everything we can to make it through hard times.

Thank you, Cynthia!

Missy says she is trying to learn that knitting machine with me. She encourages you to pick a skill and master it. Make it fun, reward your accomplishment.

Tippy Longstockings says whatever you do, look cute doing it and remember you are important too, so take care of yourself as well.