I am working on my goal review for 2018 and my planning for 2019 now...trying to find new ways to stretch my budget is always a big deal. :-) We need money for everything we want to achieve, pretty much... for something... -- I guess deciding to have family meals together would mean a change in time budgets, so that might not be attached to money, but it could be if work is involved in the decision. For me, it is always about space to do things and the equipment I need to get things done. This is why I am always trying new ways to organize my small space. :-)
It has been raining here, and will be raining steadily for some days, but I may have a small breather today to get some raking done. I am moving the leaves across the big yard here to the spaces under the trees. That will help. I also checked on one of the berry vine spaces and it is already getting too large and wild! I need to trim it back a little. This is my first effort to create a "regrowth" plan for next year. I will be watching how the patch grows and figuring out how to CONTAIN it!!!
My envelopes for my NOVEMBER letters are ready and I only have three more to do for this month. I hope to do at least two of them when I am done with this... or by the time I need to get them into the mailbox.
I am working on my shipping issues and finding a solution that might work for my situation. I think I have one... but not sure.
I discovered a movie about someone in New York (I think it was) who baked cakes to pay her mortgage and taxes and not lose her house. From the YouTube dates, it may have happened back in 2008 or 2009, but I also saw some videos from 2014 (I think), and news reports captured in YouTube format. The movie is called "Apple Mortgage Cake" because she made cakes to get the money to pay her debts and save her home of 20 years. I tried to find a free access version of the film, but Pure Flix (.com) was the closest I got... so, now, I have to decide about signing up for it.
The trailer for the movie shows her being forced by government regulations to cease making her cakes in her home. From what I could tell, so far, she was able to access an approved kitchen somewhere in her community. Media attention spread the word of her situation and she received lots of orders and made more money than she needed immediately, so she used that to start a full-time business around the cakes. I am wanting to see the details of the movie... which I never viewed when it was happening... so many years ago.
Selling has always been my financial goal for Working Together's needs because I could never qualify for traditional funding. I haven't been able to create that yet, but I am always glad to see others succeed at it. It is really one of the only options the poor have. Crowdfunding is also a new opportunity for people like me, but it has problems associated with it as well. I have always hoped to create more options for people through WT because of these hardships for the poor... and membership is the best format for that kind of a program.
I am still thinking about a lot of issues that are related to Christian needs as the world get worse... and the statement I shared in the last blog post (about people becoming a reflection of their five closest friends) about the importance of schools, neighborhoods, and friends. News stories that I do hear always become a part of that process. Election years are always a problem for the process because it is hard to define "good" and "evil" in one person or party or goal. Bias is called marketing or advertisement or opinion... and truth is so hard to find. We never really get the truth anymore, and there is so little time to search for it.
Along my path I discovered that the enemies of Christianity used our commitments to eliminate our participation... by scheduling meetings and events at the time we are usually occupied with things of faith. This was a real "awakening" for me about the unseen battles we face... "covert" attacks is another way of thinking about it. Nothing you can say is done purposely, but those who are more strategic and committed to their cause against all things attached to GOD, and Bible, and Christianity, created these ways of eliminating participation in important decisions.
If you really understand what the Bible says, you also understand that the world will deteriorate over time, we just don't think of how that will happen.
The Black versus White issues are also focused on the oppressions of the Whites, but we don't really see the anger and hostility and actions of the oppressed... I have been reminded of some of these things by watching Remember the Titans again, but they are also seen in the actions of the gay community toward anything godly. We just don't hear about them in the media like we hear about the "approved view."
One example I have notices in music is the "token" white member in an otherwise black band... which is the opposite of the historical view of one black person included in an otherwise white group. Government can force participation, but it can't create the right heart about anything. GOD, the real GOD of the Bible, teaches the right heart about those issues we suffer through... and men have changed what He teaches to suit their own needs.
We never really see our own bias/prejudice because we have to approve of our own actions.
Human nature is a big problem... and we are always growing and changing and looking for the approval of our "peers" -- those five closest friends that create us.
I need to get my day started... I may be back... I am trying to find my best path to achieve my goals and I don't know what that will look like yet. :-) I love these end-of-the-year reviews... they really make me think about past and present and future.
Until next time,
In Christ,
Deborah Martin
work2gather.us
Working Together Inc
Building for the End Times
*
*
*
May we all be able to discover what is really true, and to become better people because of it. Amen.
30 October, 2018
26 October, 2018
For this WEEK, Friday, 26 October 2018
It has been a L-O-N-G week... some good, some bad... and now it is Friday. I decided I better write something before I forget all the details.
MONDAY was most of the ivy project getting done... and the last part of it was done on Thursday morning before the rains started. I was exhausted by Monday's effort... but I had to go to the Farmer's Market on Tuesday, which was way too much for me. I didn't do much on Wednesday... slept a lot.
Tuesday I tried to do as much as I could because I hadn't been out on my own for so long. I made it to the Salvation Army Thrift Store with my 50% off paper coupon. I spent less than $10 on a variety of things, but no jeans were found.
I found a Christian CD there and discovered it had the song LISTEN TO OUR HEARTS on it, by Geoff Moore... I have had it playing on repeat since Wednesday, and still find it moves me to worship because of the words and melody. It has been a great renewal for my soul, especially the words "Thank you for the Life. Thank you for the Truth. Thank you for the Way." Actually, I worshipped through the WHOLE song in the beginning of listening to it, but now I just enjoy the melody and message, with sporadic worship moments. I don't know how much longer I will play this song, but it is hard to think of not listening to it. I guess I am "refilling" my spiritual tank.
I would have liked to buy more at the thrift store, but I had to limit myself. I found a slightly bigger cast iron pan for my kitchen so I decided to get it. I hope it is a good pan. It has a number 5 in a circle on the bottom... no brand name though. It seems to be in great condition... I haven't used it yet. It will be a good size for smaller meals.
For my cookbook this trip I decided on a Rocco DiSpirito flip book on lesser calories at home and on the go. It should be good. I have only browsed it so far. He looks pretty young, so it is probably an older book... well, I looked... not that old... 2011. Hope he doesn't mind the comments. :-)
I got a compilation book on spiritual issues... Christian, I hope. :-)
And I was delighted to find a VHS of Remember the Titans... which I watched to check its condition, and was so great to see it without commercials. I looked for a decent link to share, but I couldn't find one... I guess one of the riveting scenes for me is when black Denzel confronts white assistant coach with the fact that he only coddles the black kids in practices... the assistant coach's thought process was caught so well... it really amazed me they could capture that "moment" of self-discovery. The process of the white team leader/captain was longer, but just as interesting. I remember some of those rough days, but I lived on the west coast, not in the heart of the struggle...the south.
I love shopping at the thrift store... but it was too long of a day for me. I had to recover on Wednesday, and Thursday (after I finished the last of my yard project). I may still be recovering... but I feel better than Tuesday and Wednesday.
Next summer... smaller projects with less labor involved!! Yes!
I bought some strange green leaves at the Farmer's Market from Udan Farms... They seemed a lot like cabbage leaves so I used them like cabbage leaves... to make some "cabbage rolls" -- I did put some shredded cabbage in the filling, so the title still works, but it isn't what people know as a cabbage roll. I have never made them before, but I have wanted to for a long time. These turned out pretty good... I will repeat the effort in the future.
I put some in the freezer to see how they cook after being frozen. For my filling I used grated carrot and potato with diced onions and a mini red pepper for some color. I made rice for the filling because I am under the impression that fillings for anything have rice in them. :-) (Stuffed peppers are on my recipe goal list, too.) The only problem was I didn't have enough flavor in the stuffing/filling. Next time I will figure out the flavorings.
The leaves got slightly cooked in water that boiled (eventually) so they would be soft and pliable. The size I cut them down to worked really great. I am happy it all turned out so good. I cooked five of them in my toaster oven for one hour, with a sweet potato that I had to save for later. Three were enough for me to be filled, but I later ate the other two and was stuffed. Nice to know.
Changing to more fresh veggies in my diet is a big thing for me. I struggle sometimes when I want chicken or something particular, but I am also cutting up veggies and just eating them more, also cooking individual fresh veggies (like carrots and beets) and eating them without making a stir-fry or some kind of mixture. More fresh cooked than cans.
I am finding more kinds of "dips" to use with my fresh veggies... like various types of hummus and beans and salsas. This is my cream cheese challenge... I have always eaten everything with a cream cheese dip that I grew up with... and LOVE. When my "ration" of cream cheese for the month is gone, I am forcing myself to find other things to use.
I am pretty much done with my budget for this month... so I am working through the rest of the month now... the days seem like weeks sometimes, but I am fine... I have food, but not always the food I want to eat. My back-up options are getting better again. We'll have to see where they are when next month's budget comes up.
My art has gone by the wayside this week... no energy or enthusiasm for it. I will try to do some over the weekend... I am working on some ideas for Christmas gifts. :-)
Only four more monthly letters left for October... that is good... I expect to get them done this weekend, too.
I was sharing in one of the letters I wrote today about a statement I read in one of the Evan Carmichael (.com) emails I get. It was very thought-provoking...
It is referring to the great influence people have on us... and how careful we need to be about who we let into that "inner circle."
I printed the email to send to one of my sons in jail/prison... he is trying to find his way to the future... and change is hard when you have mostly known the correction systems... addictions... and poverty. I wish I could have done more to help him... it is one of those domino effects of poverty and lack of education and addictions and personality and other things we face as a nation and as a world.
The legalization of marijuana is not going to make it all go away... it will just destroy more people.
Well... that's about all I can write today.
I hope you have a great weekend, and find the center of your life is GOD, salvation through Christ, and a new future. If you can find the song by Geoff Moore it will help you understand the meaning GOD brings to our lives. I wish I could find the words that would share what He has done in my life... I am trying.
Until next time,
In Christ,
Deborah Martin
work2gather.us
Working Together Inc
Building for the End Times
*
*
*
May our hearts speak only good things,
and help others to find the meaning of our joy in Christ,
our faith in GOD, and our dependence on the Holy Spirit.
Thank you, Lord, for all that you have done in my life. Amen.
MONDAY was most of the ivy project getting done... and the last part of it was done on Thursday morning before the rains started. I was exhausted by Monday's effort... but I had to go to the Farmer's Market on Tuesday, which was way too much for me. I didn't do much on Wednesday... slept a lot.
Tuesday I tried to do as much as I could because I hadn't been out on my own for so long. I made it to the Salvation Army Thrift Store with my 50% off paper coupon. I spent less than $10 on a variety of things, but no jeans were found.
I found a Christian CD there and discovered it had the song LISTEN TO OUR HEARTS on it, by Geoff Moore... I have had it playing on repeat since Wednesday, and still find it moves me to worship because of the words and melody. It has been a great renewal for my soul, especially the words "Thank you for the Life. Thank you for the Truth. Thank you for the Way." Actually, I worshipped through the WHOLE song in the beginning of listening to it, but now I just enjoy the melody and message, with sporadic worship moments. I don't know how much longer I will play this song, but it is hard to think of not listening to it. I guess I am "refilling" my spiritual tank.
I would have liked to buy more at the thrift store, but I had to limit myself. I found a slightly bigger cast iron pan for my kitchen so I decided to get it. I hope it is a good pan. It has a number 5 in a circle on the bottom... no brand name though. It seems to be in great condition... I haven't used it yet. It will be a good size for smaller meals.
For my cookbook this trip I decided on a Rocco DiSpirito flip book on lesser calories at home and on the go. It should be good. I have only browsed it so far. He looks pretty young, so it is probably an older book... well, I looked... not that old... 2011. Hope he doesn't mind the comments. :-)
I got a compilation book on spiritual issues... Christian, I hope. :-)
And I was delighted to find a VHS of Remember the Titans... which I watched to check its condition, and was so great to see it without commercials. I looked for a decent link to share, but I couldn't find one... I guess one of the riveting scenes for me is when black Denzel confronts white assistant coach with the fact that he only coddles the black kids in practices... the assistant coach's thought process was caught so well... it really amazed me they could capture that "moment" of self-discovery. The process of the white team leader/captain was longer, but just as interesting. I remember some of those rough days, but I lived on the west coast, not in the heart of the struggle...the south.
I love shopping at the thrift store... but it was too long of a day for me. I had to recover on Wednesday, and Thursday (after I finished the last of my yard project). I may still be recovering... but I feel better than Tuesday and Wednesday.
Next summer... smaller projects with less labor involved!! Yes!
I bought some strange green leaves at the Farmer's Market from Udan Farms... They seemed a lot like cabbage leaves so I used them like cabbage leaves... to make some "cabbage rolls" -- I did put some shredded cabbage in the filling, so the title still works, but it isn't what people know as a cabbage roll. I have never made them before, but I have wanted to for a long time. These turned out pretty good... I will repeat the effort in the future.
I put some in the freezer to see how they cook after being frozen. For my filling I used grated carrot and potato with diced onions and a mini red pepper for some color. I made rice for the filling because I am under the impression that fillings for anything have rice in them. :-) (Stuffed peppers are on my recipe goal list, too.) The only problem was I didn't have enough flavor in the stuffing/filling. Next time I will figure out the flavorings.
The leaves got slightly cooked in water that boiled (eventually) so they would be soft and pliable. The size I cut them down to worked really great. I am happy it all turned out so good. I cooked five of them in my toaster oven for one hour, with a sweet potato that I had to save for later. Three were enough for me to be filled, but I later ate the other two and was stuffed. Nice to know.
Changing to more fresh veggies in my diet is a big thing for me. I struggle sometimes when I want chicken or something particular, but I am also cutting up veggies and just eating them more, also cooking individual fresh veggies (like carrots and beets) and eating them without making a stir-fry or some kind of mixture. More fresh cooked than cans.
I am finding more kinds of "dips" to use with my fresh veggies... like various types of hummus and beans and salsas. This is my cream cheese challenge... I have always eaten everything with a cream cheese dip that I grew up with... and LOVE. When my "ration" of cream cheese for the month is gone, I am forcing myself to find other things to use.
I am pretty much done with my budget for this month... so I am working through the rest of the month now... the days seem like weeks sometimes, but I am fine... I have food, but not always the food I want to eat. My back-up options are getting better again. We'll have to see where they are when next month's budget comes up.
My art has gone by the wayside this week... no energy or enthusiasm for it. I will try to do some over the weekend... I am working on some ideas for Christmas gifts. :-)
Only four more monthly letters left for October... that is good... I expect to get them done this weekend, too.
I was sharing in one of the letters I wrote today about a statement I read in one of the Evan Carmichael (.com) emails I get. It was very thought-provoking...
"... you will be the result of your five closest friends."
It is referring to the great influence people have on us... and how careful we need to be about who we let into that "inner circle."
I printed the email to send to one of my sons in jail/prison... he is trying to find his way to the future... and change is hard when you have mostly known the correction systems... addictions... and poverty. I wish I could have done more to help him... it is one of those domino effects of poverty and lack of education and addictions and personality and other things we face as a nation and as a world.
The legalization of marijuana is not going to make it all go away... it will just destroy more people.
Well... that's about all I can write today.
I hope you have a great weekend, and find the center of your life is GOD, salvation through Christ, and a new future. If you can find the song by Geoff Moore it will help you understand the meaning GOD brings to our lives. I wish I could find the words that would share what He has done in my life... I am trying.
Until next time,
In Christ,
Deborah Martin
work2gather.us
Working Together Inc
Building for the End Times
*
*
*
May our hearts speak only good things,
and help others to find the meaning of our joy in Christ,
our faith in GOD, and our dependence on the Holy Spirit.
Thank you, Lord, for all that you have done in my life. Amen.
18 October, 2018
Thursday, 18 October 2018
I have been at YouTube again... so many things to learn, have to sort through all the videos I still need to watch or categorize. I think it was a shipping container link that got me there today... wow, I keep looking for homeless housing options that can be purchased like a regular home... to be permanent, stable, forever... and the right price hasn't been discovered yet. (By me.)
Crafting videos, some art journal videos which have changed my view of art journals :-), and Ted Talks... which sometimes are great. I looked into the options to have live YouTube like they have live Facebook, but I haven't figured out any live video options yet. I need the camera to get figured out first.
I did my yardwork for the day, sent off five letters, and had to take naps. I still don't have a lottery ticket yet... tomorrow is the big day, so I hope I get one before the drawing. :-) It's just the idea of being able to "win" a BILLION dollars... I think this is the second time the prize has gotten this high.
My voting ballot arrived today, and my pro-life voting guide. I still have to read up on both of them.
I haven't decided what the best way to vote is... eventually, we will probably vote from home... but they have to figure out the security issues for the internet first. I wonder how many years that will take.
Before I go to the store I need to check my budget and see what I have left to get on my list for this month, and how much money I might have to get these things. My food budget is a bit low, so I am looking into my biggest food needs. Two weeks, maybe more, is a long time for being without food items you forget you needed... running out of things is really a pain. I have been trying to stick to my budgets the past several months... going without instead of going out of the budget. My "back up" supplies have been changing because of the past experiences I have had... some of them I have shared here.
I watched two videos tonight -- one to check out a caramel recipe and one about homemade bread tips. Both had things that were good to learn. Now I have to see if I can use those ideas.
I have decided the pan is really important in making candy... since I lost my favorite one, it has never been the same. I liked the pan I saw in the caramel video, but have to check it out more. It is hard to find a TALL certain sized pan for making some recipes... that is my challenge... heavy, thick, tall. :-)
The homemade bread tips video showed a "proofing box" design. I'm going to try the hot water at the bottom of the oven next time I make bread to see if it really makes it any better. It's a new thing for me. I have read recipes for some kind of Boston bread that has water attached to it, but not regular bread.
I am trying to develop my own recipes for things I want to sell... caramels are one of those products. I love them... so it seems like a good idea. I will have to keep working on it. I accidentally created a fudge-like caramel once, and it was so good I have wanted to figure out how to make it again... my problem is that I was just using up things I had at the time, so I have no idea how to recreate that "fudge" taste. That recipe was so strange... it took several DAYS and then it died in that crystallization issue. Usually it goes sugary right away... I was shocked that it took many days before that recipe did that. So, I learned a big lesson... I may force my creations to sit at least a week before I ship them...
I am deeply interested in creating systems that utilize every aspect of their process... like making leather if I grow meat to eat, leather without chemical processes. I saw a video tonight that reminded me of that goal, but my inspiration is Native Americans... they processed their hides without chemicals... I think they scraped them until they were processed enough to use... that's what I remember from something I saw way back in my youth.
This would be the idea behind growing your own food, composting the scraps, creating better soils, selling for income, sharing with ministries, preserving for non-growing seasons, and other food processes. Natural grazing for animals is something I am trying to discover. I haven't figured out the winter process for natural grazing, but I have some ideas to try out if I ever get the chance.
I think it is all related to being self-sufficient for me... knowing the day will come that Christians will not have a lot of resources so we have to make sure we don't waste anything. Off-grid is wonderful. How much we need is the big question for me.
Food issues are important because of the need to be self-sufficient... the size of the community we will feed and shelter and provide for is still unknown. These are all the details that only GOD knows right now.
And every part of the world has different needs... different resources.
I think about these things every day... waiting for GOD to provide the ability to get them started and operating and moving toward their participants.
Well... it is late. I get carried away with all the links I find... I better get to bed so I can do my budget tasks in the morning.
Until next time,
In Christ,
Deborah Martin
work2gather.us
Working Together Inc
Building for the End Times
*
*
*
May GOD show us how to deal with the growing oppositions we face as Christians... and the technology that is used to hurt out lives... and the people who are our hidden enemies. It makes me very sad that they hate us but call us the hate-filled people, always looking for ways to violate the lives of people who have never done anything to them. How do we "fight" that kind of people? I don't know. I keep praying for GOD to show me the way through all this. May we find that path soon. Amen.
Crafting videos, some art journal videos which have changed my view of art journals :-), and Ted Talks... which sometimes are great. I looked into the options to have live YouTube like they have live Facebook, but I haven't figured out any live video options yet. I need the camera to get figured out first.
I did my yardwork for the day, sent off five letters, and had to take naps. I still don't have a lottery ticket yet... tomorrow is the big day, so I hope I get one before the drawing. :-) It's just the idea of being able to "win" a BILLION dollars... I think this is the second time the prize has gotten this high.
My voting ballot arrived today, and my pro-life voting guide. I still have to read up on both of them.
I haven't decided what the best way to vote is... eventually, we will probably vote from home... but they have to figure out the security issues for the internet first. I wonder how many years that will take.
Before I go to the store I need to check my budget and see what I have left to get on my list for this month, and how much money I might have to get these things. My food budget is a bit low, so I am looking into my biggest food needs. Two weeks, maybe more, is a long time for being without food items you forget you needed... running out of things is really a pain. I have been trying to stick to my budgets the past several months... going without instead of going out of the budget. My "back up" supplies have been changing because of the past experiences I have had... some of them I have shared here.
I watched two videos tonight -- one to check out a caramel recipe and one about homemade bread tips. Both had things that were good to learn. Now I have to see if I can use those ideas.
I have decided the pan is really important in making candy... since I lost my favorite one, it has never been the same. I liked the pan I saw in the caramel video, but have to check it out more. It is hard to find a TALL certain sized pan for making some recipes... that is my challenge... heavy, thick, tall. :-)
The homemade bread tips video showed a "proofing box" design. I'm going to try the hot water at the bottom of the oven next time I make bread to see if it really makes it any better. It's a new thing for me. I have read recipes for some kind of Boston bread that has water attached to it, but not regular bread.
I am trying to develop my own recipes for things I want to sell... caramels are one of those products. I love them... so it seems like a good idea. I will have to keep working on it. I accidentally created a fudge-like caramel once, and it was so good I have wanted to figure out how to make it again... my problem is that I was just using up things I had at the time, so I have no idea how to recreate that "fudge" taste. That recipe was so strange... it took several DAYS and then it died in that crystallization issue. Usually it goes sugary right away... I was shocked that it took many days before that recipe did that. So, I learned a big lesson... I may force my creations to sit at least a week before I ship them...
I am deeply interested in creating systems that utilize every aspect of their process... like making leather if I grow meat to eat, leather without chemical processes. I saw a video tonight that reminded me of that goal, but my inspiration is Native Americans... they processed their hides without chemicals... I think they scraped them until they were processed enough to use... that's what I remember from something I saw way back in my youth.
This would be the idea behind growing your own food, composting the scraps, creating better soils, selling for income, sharing with ministries, preserving for non-growing seasons, and other food processes. Natural grazing for animals is something I am trying to discover. I haven't figured out the winter process for natural grazing, but I have some ideas to try out if I ever get the chance.
I think it is all related to being self-sufficient for me... knowing the day will come that Christians will not have a lot of resources so we have to make sure we don't waste anything. Off-grid is wonderful. How much we need is the big question for me.
Food issues are important because of the need to be self-sufficient... the size of the community we will feed and shelter and provide for is still unknown. These are all the details that only GOD knows right now.
And every part of the world has different needs... different resources.
I think about these things every day... waiting for GOD to provide the ability to get them started and operating and moving toward their participants.
Well... it is late. I get carried away with all the links I find... I better get to bed so I can do my budget tasks in the morning.
Until next time,
In Christ,
Deborah Martin
work2gather.us
Working Together Inc
Building for the End Times
*
*
*
May GOD show us how to deal with the growing oppositions we face as Christians... and the technology that is used to hurt out lives... and the people who are our hidden enemies. It makes me very sad that they hate us but call us the hate-filled people, always looking for ways to violate the lives of people who have never done anything to them. How do we "fight" that kind of people? I don't know. I keep praying for GOD to show me the way through all this. May we find that path soon. Amen.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)