| Homelife ~ September 2001 Dear Sisters, As mothers, we have an in-built maternal instinct. Using this instinct, and thanking God for it, I recently took our son, Sam to the doctor. He has had headaches on and off for some time. Because he started them in summer, I thought it was the heat. Then they disappeared for a while. Recently, however, they have returned, and although they are not debilitating, I had the urge to take him to see the doctor. What can I say? God is soooo good. Our doctor diagnosed a) migraine b) Scotopic Sensitivity Syndrome and c) that Sam's thoracic section of his spine is a little 'out' of line. This sounds drastic, and I suppose that yes, it was a shock, but now that I have read a little on these topics, with the Lord's help, I feel that we can overcome them together, and help my darling boy. Not to say that he has been ill. Completely the opposite! He has been running around, happy and as healthy as a jack-rabbit. All these symptoms put together could trigger the headaches. I hope to put information about all of them on my web page in the near future. I am so grateful to the Lord for the nudge to take Sam to the doctor, as at least now that we know, we can, Lordwilling do something about it. <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< I have started a new menu and shopping list system with my girls. I may have told you that Sarah makes the breakfast, Emma the lunch and I do the evening meal. We now eat the main meal (formerly our evening meal) at midday. Furthermore, we all have our meal menus set out. Each of us make our own shopping list, and I combine them all, and add to them when we go shopping. I've found a supplier of hormone and antibiotic-free chicken! This meat is more expensive, but because of our new meal plans, we will be eating chicken twice a week. This biodynamic butcher is also within the vicinity of our nut/ seed/ bean supplier ~ not to mention the greengrocer and fishmonger! Now that's what I call one-stop (well almost!) shopping! <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< We have been doing more gardening. Thankfully, the allergy season is not (quite) upon us as yet. I'm so grateful. We take a section each week and work on it ~ weeding and mulching. I am determined not to look at the enormous task of taking care of the whole garden. Instead, just to work in small areas, accomplish what we set out to do, then work on the next area. I don't want to even get into the business of even thinking on it. Hee hee. We have defined our garden beds, and have used recycled wood as a border (retainer). Andre had some old, rusty mesh ~ looking all forlorn and lonely. Not for long, though! Ha! With a bit of a clean, lick of paint and then a trim, this soloist will soon play an important role in deterring our canine five from frolicking in 'Mother's Beds'. <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< Like many of you, we have been deeply touched by the terrorism in the United States of America. Andre and I have discussed the situation at length, as well as with our children. My parents were surprised recently, when, while we were out at lunch, and discussing the course of events, they couldn't remember the name of the most wanted terrorist from Saudi Arabia. "Oh, you mean bin Laden, Gran?" Sam asked, matter-of-factly. It is our mind-set to now continue with 'business as usual' in our home and home business. In every aspect of it. We are aware of the sorrow and misery of others as well as grateful for the mercy and grace the Lord has bestowed upon us. I pray that you will all be able to continue with as much normality as possible, dear Sisters. <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< Whenever we can, and whenever we can afford it, we like to introduce our children to something new. And our recent introduction? Seafood Marinara! I call it 'brave' to eat squid. I 'tried' to eat it myself, and was no good example to my children, but ~ phew ~ when those tentacles seem to be looking at you......... Give me Brussel sprouts any day. Well, at least they've tried. Hmmmm....... I wonder what we can try next........ Here's the recipe: 4 cloves garlic 1 onion olive oil 1 can tomatoes tomato paste 1kg seafood marinara ~ squid, scallops, prawns (shrimp), mussels, calamari and fish pieces. Method: Saut� garlic and onion in olive oil until soft ~ not brown ~ on low heat. Add seafood marinara and stir gently for 5 mins. Then add the can tomatoes and later 1-2 tablespoons tomato paste to taste for further 3-5 mins. Serve over angelhair pasta. Enjoy! <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< Sarah did such a sweet thing for me the other day. She measured the lids to the jars we keep our flowers in and cut out circular 'caps' with the pinking shears. They are made from the same green gingham material we used for our kitchen window valances. Sarah then tied tiny white ribbons around the caps. They look so pretty, all lined up on our kitchen shelf. <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< For a while now, I've been getting quite anxious over our business bookwork. I have been to several seminars dealing with our computer accounting system, but have found the classes too large to get individual and satisfactory answers to questions that apply to our own unique business. Usually, I sit for hours on the computer, trying to work out the problems. This time, I asked the Lord to please help and guide me. As always, He did. During our morning coffee break, I told my darling Andre about my dilemma. He suggested that I get help ~ individual tuition, preferably at home. Oh Sisters, I'm so glad I took this problem to the Lord, and then my husband! I am often filled with thoughts like "I don't want to bother him" or "he's too busy right now". You may have the same thoughts over different circumstances in your life. I have learned that it is not for me to carry these burdens on my own. Our mighty, all-knowing God has given me, as a married woman, the blessing of sharing and discussing problems with my husband. Oh, I'm so looking forward to meeting Kristen, the accounting software expert. And guess what? The name of her business is "Keeping it Simple for Small Business". <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< My husband has been feeling the aches and pains of getting older and working harder! He has been eager to see my osteopath for his aches and pains, but unfortunately, my osteopath is so popular that he is fully booked to Christmas and beyond. Furthermore, he tells me "Helen, I just can't take on any more new patients" I have been so heartsore for my husband, because as we all know ~ once you find a good practitioner you hold on to them, thank God for them. I so wanted Andre to share this privilege. So much so, that this week, while Sarah was at music, I went to see my osteopath. He greeted me warmly, and sat calmly, listening as I told him about my husband's muscle woes. Praise God! Not only do I have an appointment for Andre, but also one for my number one son, Sam. They won't be seeing my osteopath, but his son who was trained by his father. God is so good! <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< I am getting into the habit of leaving notebooks in 'strategic' places of my home. In the family room, near the computer, next to my bed, in the kitchen drawer near the telephone. At the flick of a pen, I can write down notes as reminders, write thoughts I want to share with you all, write inspirations from God's Word, record decorating ideas and form 'to do' lists. Even make shopping lists! Something so simple, why didn't I do this ages ago? Smile...... <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< I have a new way of receiving and sorting mail. All mail goes into an 'In' box, which is a three sectioned wooden tray, sitting on a shelf in our schoolroom. It is out of the way, and when it becomes full, at least it is 'out of the public eye' ~ hee hee. When I get the opportunity to open the mail, I transfer all utility bills to our kitchen drawer, ready for payment via phone banking. This way, they don't get forgotten and caught up with the rest of the paperwork. When the utility bills are fully paid, I record the date and receipt number on the actual bill, then file it away in a three drawer filing cabinet. <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< Have a wonderful month, dear Sisters and remember ~ Unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen. Amen? Love, Helen |