You may think that people with a ready laugh and smile are easy going, don't have many troubles, are laid back, and in general, simply right with the world. I have a secret. I am all of those things, and none of those things, on any given day. I came to the conclusion on one of my many "wandering nights" that simply leaving my circumstances was not enough to make me feel better. I started to question everything. My faith, my marriage, my kids, my church, my friends. Why was I feeling so overwhelmed, sad, dissatisfied. There began my journey of discovering what keeping my sanity really looked like, so that I would not travel into the abyss of feeling sorry for myself.
My Sanity Journey looks like this.
There are certain threads through out this tapestry that are constant. One such Thread was added to my quilt called Julie, when I decided at the ripe age of 29 to investigate the Bible. Kristen was 1yr., and the church we attended had a Tuesday morning Bible study called Women of the Word. It was a video teaching series, with a heavy load of homework/Bible study, but I was ready, and I joined. This began a journey I have continued, now hosting Bible studies in my home, having met many many wonderful women. Love My Bible Studies. Saved my life.
Going to Church saved my life and my marriage. If you are struggling in your marriage, go to church. And don't go to church looking for perfect people, go to church looking for God, and it will take the focus off you and put it somewhere else. Can't tell you how many times I needed that to happen to keep my sanity for one more day.
My friends from Lamaze class kept my sanity. Beth, Aleyne, and Sue. All of which I am still friends with to this very day. Those Fridays at McDonalds play place kept me sane. Being with women of like mind, meaning, the liked their kids but acknowledged the struggle, yup, those women saved my life. Just knowing I could get together with them regularly, to talk, to drink coffee while our kids ran pell mell through McDonalds, and knowing we shared an underlying faith, even though it all looked different for each of us, worked. Love these gals.
Through out my journey to maintain my sanity, the seasons have changed, the needs have changed in our family, and I have had to change. What I value now, as opposed to what I valued 20 years ago may seem a bit different, but I have kept what works, using the wisdom God has grown in me to differentiate what is working and what simply was not anymore.
Having a Mary Kay business in the middle of nowhere. Best Job I Ever Had. Got me out of the house, caused me to spend some time on ME, (ie: showering, fixing my hair, putting on make up and some nice clothes, its okay to do that ladies, and still be called, Mom as your main role! for real!) and forced me into leaving my small world on 15 Third Street and getting to know others in the community. I learned all the social skills I would ever need for life in that one experience. God First, Family Second, Career Third. I challenge anyone that finds a home based business that has been around as long as Mary Kay who has always held these values. Having a home spa day with just my girls, or their friends, ahhhhhhhh keeping my sanity.
I made the choice to homeschool. Lasted 2 years at it. At first, I was all agog with it. I am a natural saleswoman. I can sell ANYTHING I am currently into, and make you want to do it to! I had a lot of steam when I started, oh man, it was obnoxious. I made some wonderful friends, joined a Friday group, that was wonderful, but it was the Monday thru Thursday that was killing me. I won't go into all the details, but suffice to say, my husband came home many a day and said, Just Put Them On The Bus, Julie. So, I put them on the bus one day, cried for 6 months every day when I left them at school, but I kept my sanity, and all was well(not perfect, but WELL) and that folks, was worth it to me to keep me sane.
I don't like clutter and messes, but, guess what, when you have a house full of people, and all their stuff, you have a mess times 10. I had to let go of thinking I needed order and cleanliness for my sanity, because if I did not, I would be mad all the time at everyone. I am the only one who cares. I have tried talking, threatening, loss of privleges, family meetings, blah blah blah. I don't need any more suggestions on how to get others to cooperate, I simply needed to lower my standards. No more perfection. I clean what I can, when I can. I love having people in my home, a real motivator to pick up and throw out stuff.
I love to decorate. A sanity keeper for me. I love to find deals at TJMaxx and decorate my home with them. I tried pintrest stuff, but I have a circle foam thing in my home 1/2 covered with orange yarn hoping to turn into something one day, but, ain't happening. Getting a deal, shopping, then decorating, that's how this girl keeps her sanity.
I used to crave oodles of time alone with my husband. He's a very nice man and I enjoy his company. And I still enjoy his company, his presence is part of what keeps me sane, but after the 3rd baby, returning home to one income again, our funds and time became limited. We jokingly say, wow, in 2 years we would have made the home stretch for just you and me time, then we look at Daniel, and say, but, oh he's such a love and blessing. I had to let go of my dissatisfaction of our limited time and embrace what we have chosen, to have a family. To have children. To be engaged with them, in the short time they are with us, and to make that "our time". I still think it would fun to wisk him away for a weekend, and that will happen, in due time. Their time is "Our Time". Its what we have chosen for this season, so I have chosen to embrace this to keep my sanity.
I love to cook and bake. I had the idea, though, I had to do it every single night. This was robbing me of my sanity. You hear a lot about the family dinner table. And I love that idea. At our dinner table during the teen years especially, my girls would warn friends, we talk about gross stuff, awkward stuff, at the table, mostly sex and boys and bathroom stuff and politics and religion. yup, all while eating. and with boys present. Oh we are a party over here in the Robbins Nest. But, keeping my sanity does not involve making meals every night. I probably make 3 really good meals a week, and then we feast off them the rest of the week, heating them up in the microwave. I love to bake. I probably bake more than I cook, but when it includes pumpkin, I'm like, hey a vegetable, folks, eat up. Those chocolate chips are an excellent mood boost, and this mamma needs a mood boost.
Becoming choosy who I spend my time with. I know, I know. Sounds like I am snob. But I am not. I love everyone. And I assume everyone loves me. However, this was robbing me of my sanity. I cannot be friends with everyone. I cannot engage with everyone I meet like I have known them for 30 years, because I haven't. Not everyone wants to be my friend or has the time to be my friend. EGADS. I simply just learned this about 5 years ago, I know, I am a socially late bloomer on some levels. I sat down and thought one day. My immediate family, my married into family, my church family, ie Bible Study ladies, my friends who will be waxing off the facial hairs in the nursing home friends, (they know who they are, AND you must all have friends like these, its very very important!) adopted family members, neighborhood friends, and friends from way back in the day who knew me when I was a total weirdo and legalistic fanatic, have to keep those around for laughs, well, you get the point. I was loosing my sanity trying to keep up with all these people. I had to learn to pick. It almost sounds mean, but I had to. I had to learn to differentiate and stop trying so hard with people who really didn't care, or value me. This has kept my sanity.
The one insane thing I am thinking and praying about is getting a puppy. You can all be praying for me that I do not become insane once again!
Love, from our nest to yours,
JulieRobbins keeping it really sane, or at least trying. ;)
Wednesday, October 22, 2014
Monday, October 6, 2014
I am getting honest and tired.
Who writes a blog post about getting honest and tired?
Someone who doesn't expect anyone to read their blog, that's who.
I was talking to a good friend recently at Dysarts Restaurant about feeling like I was going crazy. She promptly said, You aren't going crazy, you are just old enough now to see things for what they really are, and we both need to develop a plan on how to deal with it.
My daughter got married this summer. To say that was unexpected, is an understatement. It was the craziest 4 months of planning I have ever experienced in my life. Recently I was invited to go to a wedding and the sole reason I considered NOT going had nothing to do with the bride and groom and their nuptuals, it was the anxiety I felt the whole week before simply going to this wedding due to what I experienced the week before my daughters wedding, and the the rehearsal, the morning of, oh my crazy crazy word. I will be honest, I am not over it. I am still tired from all that marathon planning, the moments of disappointments, the revelations, the acknowledgment that I really don't know what I agreed to and signed her up for. (And I love Lucas, he's wonderful!) Call me a wimp, but something breaks when you give away one of your children to someone else. Its all supposedly normal, natural, good, that they leave you, but something breaks. A separation occurs that no one can prepare you for, ever.
I lost family this past year. It hits me like a ton of bricks sometimes how much I miss my mother in law. She would have been so proud of Kristen. She loved her grandchildren. I wish I had invested more time in her, I really do. Especially since I have been in Bangor for the past 10 years while she was in Old Town. It kills me I did not make more effort to bring her to my house for dinner. Or that I didn't call her more often, or stop by to see her. There were extenuating circumstances at times, but I could have picked her up, and taken her to my house. She loved Daniel and so enjoyed his sweet nature.
My dear sweet sister in law Jenny lost her husband. What a dark time I walked through with her. And her girls. Loosing someone is horrible. Loosing your husband is horrible. There is no way to make that good, or right, or okay. It is simply horrible, and I am blessed to have been one of her go to people, still am. Her girls lost their Daddy. When I even begin to think about my daughters and Daniel never seeing Carl again, ever, my stomach lurches. How could I do this parenting thing on my own? Carl is our sanity. He's our emotional rock when we all want to kill each other in this female maze of hormones. Carl was there to speak a blessing over his daughter at her wedding. Imagine him Gone. Forever. That's what Jenny has walked through.
I apologize ahead of time if I seem callous to your needs. I have moved into the wrelm of "Is this life or death?" If not, heavy sigh, I am sorry if I don't appear interested.
My mother has started forgetting things. I don't even want to utter the words associated with this potential happening, because I simply cannot go there. There has been no official diagnosis, because my mother is THAT stubborn, hates doctors, hates all medication, will not talk to anyone, and somewhat like her daughter, thinks everyone is crazy. Except her. But, I will be there for my Mom, no matter what is going on with her.
I know I can not fix anything, nor does anything need my fixing. Its simply life, and it will play out as life will play out. I write in my journal daily, prayers upon prayers, words I hear from God, scriptures that speak to my heart. I am not devoid of my "God Time".
I am just tired. Its not the sleep deprived tired. I have been sleep deprived for years. I have started taking vitamins. I drink water. I am now doing this weird yoga stuff in the a.m. thinking, Why Yes, I will be swamped with energy.
Its not that kind of tired.
Please don't feel bad for me. I think I am entering into a new season of life, one that is so brutally honest that probably only my people who have known me when will be able to go to the depth with me and still love me through it. Of course, I will try to take others along with me, because that's how I am. The circle stays open, even though I am tired. and may be brutally honest, so I guess I will ask for forgiveness ahead of time.
Pray for us as a family.
Carl has a crazy year ahead of him. He's involved in a program that will take everything he's got and more. Elizabeth needs protection and guidance and strength and for good and real friends. Kristen and Lucas as both in college, working, married. Been there done that and was always grateful for all of you that prayed Carl and I through. My sweet Daniel is now in preschool, he is doing great, more prayers for me as he becomes more and more independent. For my extended family, I am praying for health and direction and guidance and protection for them as well.
So, if you see me out and about and I seem quiet. I still love you. I am just spent and I am being honest about it.
Much Honest Love from Our Nest to Yours.
Julie Robbins
Someone who doesn't expect anyone to read their blog, that's who.
I was talking to a good friend recently at Dysarts Restaurant about feeling like I was going crazy. She promptly said, You aren't going crazy, you are just old enough now to see things for what they really are, and we both need to develop a plan on how to deal with it.
My daughter got married this summer. To say that was unexpected, is an understatement. It was the craziest 4 months of planning I have ever experienced in my life. Recently I was invited to go to a wedding and the sole reason I considered NOT going had nothing to do with the bride and groom and their nuptuals, it was the anxiety I felt the whole week before simply going to this wedding due to what I experienced the week before my daughters wedding, and the the rehearsal, the morning of, oh my crazy crazy word. I will be honest, I am not over it. I am still tired from all that marathon planning, the moments of disappointments, the revelations, the acknowledgment that I really don't know what I agreed to and signed her up for. (And I love Lucas, he's wonderful!) Call me a wimp, but something breaks when you give away one of your children to someone else. Its all supposedly normal, natural, good, that they leave you, but something breaks. A separation occurs that no one can prepare you for, ever.
I lost family this past year. It hits me like a ton of bricks sometimes how much I miss my mother in law. She would have been so proud of Kristen. She loved her grandchildren. I wish I had invested more time in her, I really do. Especially since I have been in Bangor for the past 10 years while she was in Old Town. It kills me I did not make more effort to bring her to my house for dinner. Or that I didn't call her more often, or stop by to see her. There were extenuating circumstances at times, but I could have picked her up, and taken her to my house. She loved Daniel and so enjoyed his sweet nature.
My dear sweet sister in law Jenny lost her husband. What a dark time I walked through with her. And her girls. Loosing someone is horrible. Loosing your husband is horrible. There is no way to make that good, or right, or okay. It is simply horrible, and I am blessed to have been one of her go to people, still am. Her girls lost their Daddy. When I even begin to think about my daughters and Daniel never seeing Carl again, ever, my stomach lurches. How could I do this parenting thing on my own? Carl is our sanity. He's our emotional rock when we all want to kill each other in this female maze of hormones. Carl was there to speak a blessing over his daughter at her wedding. Imagine him Gone. Forever. That's what Jenny has walked through.
I apologize ahead of time if I seem callous to your needs. I have moved into the wrelm of "Is this life or death?" If not, heavy sigh, I am sorry if I don't appear interested.
My mother has started forgetting things. I don't even want to utter the words associated with this potential happening, because I simply cannot go there. There has been no official diagnosis, because my mother is THAT stubborn, hates doctors, hates all medication, will not talk to anyone, and somewhat like her daughter, thinks everyone is crazy. Except her. But, I will be there for my Mom, no matter what is going on with her.
I know I can not fix anything, nor does anything need my fixing. Its simply life, and it will play out as life will play out. I write in my journal daily, prayers upon prayers, words I hear from God, scriptures that speak to my heart. I am not devoid of my "God Time".
I am just tired. Its not the sleep deprived tired. I have been sleep deprived for years. I have started taking vitamins. I drink water. I am now doing this weird yoga stuff in the a.m. thinking, Why Yes, I will be swamped with energy.
Its not that kind of tired.
Please don't feel bad for me. I think I am entering into a new season of life, one that is so brutally honest that probably only my people who have known me when will be able to go to the depth with me and still love me through it. Of course, I will try to take others along with me, because that's how I am. The circle stays open, even though I am tired. and may be brutally honest, so I guess I will ask for forgiveness ahead of time.
Pray for us as a family.
Carl has a crazy year ahead of him. He's involved in a program that will take everything he's got and more. Elizabeth needs protection and guidance and strength and for good and real friends. Kristen and Lucas as both in college, working, married. Been there done that and was always grateful for all of you that prayed Carl and I through. My sweet Daniel is now in preschool, he is doing great, more prayers for me as he becomes more and more independent. For my extended family, I am praying for health and direction and guidance and protection for them as well.
So, if you see me out and about and I seem quiet. I still love you. I am just spent and I am being honest about it.
Much Honest Love from Our Nest to Yours.
Julie Robbins
Wednesday, September 17, 2014
Date Night With the Hubby
AHHHHH, the night had arrived for our Date.
I had recently said to my husband in a probably whiny tone, "You know, we haven't done anything fun in a very long while. Fun, meaning, get out of this house together fun. I do like you and all, and I would like to spend some time with you." His response always has something to do with money, and then I turn into Charlie Brown when listening to his school teacher, yup, that's me, and I walk away, sigh, and go read.
Carl surprised me by getting us tickets to Bill Cosby. Groupon was having a special 1/2 price off deal, and so, walah. Made the hubster happy, he HATES to pay full price for anything, ever, so half price made him happy, and me, well, I just want to get out of the house ALONE with him, and its not McDonalds or Tim Hortons and I am beginning to now NOT count those as dates. I mean REALLY.
We are still in the wrelm of needing a babysitter. I know, what were we thinking? So, I picked up Elizabeth at 6p.m. from soccer practice, thinking we could just take off. Bill Cosby didn't start until 8p.m. so that should be enough time to eat before Bill, right?
This is where the absolute FUN begins.
Daniel notices that Mom is curling her hair. Mommy, where are you going? Why are you doing Yat (his way of saying "that") to your hair? Carl and I start spelling things to each other. How are we "G-O-I-N-G to G-E-T O-U-T of here". I reply "S-N-E-A-K O-U-T T-H-E P-O-R-C-H D-O-O-R" Daniel is simply looking back and forth, back and forth, back and forth, as we are spelling these phrases out. He starts to cling. "Don't leave me with Elizabeth, she mean. I not want Elizabeth. Take me with you. Not Elizabeth!!!" Elizabeth is saying, Well, now that makes me feel good Daniel, thats not nice. that's NOT NICE.
Folks there is an absolutely GOOD REASON I tell people to WAIT AS LONG AS YOU CAN TO PROCREATE. A Very Good Reason. Actually I have 100s of good reasons to WAIT.
Finally, we put on Shrek for the 100th millionth time, and yes, I still find it funny for the 100th millionth time. We were at a field trip recently and there was a donkey the kids were being introduced to and my son says, "Oh HEY. Donkey is on Shrek, and his name is DONKEY!!! thats funny." I could here the horrified conservative first timers saying, oh my goodness, doesn't she know that movie is SATANIC??? I laugh every time I watch that movie, its an official riot in my book.
So, we finally at 6:45 p.m. sneak out one at a time to the van. Whew. Can we just roll this van out of the driveway so he won't hear it? We sped away, no one came running out of the house after us (yes, THAT has happened on more than one occasion).
Lets get something to eat.
We park out car in the downtown parking garage across from Mountain Sports. That is THE parking garage that my wonderful husband first kissed me in. We came out of the dance club, where had met a week or so prior, and he kissed me, right in that parking garage, and I remember thinking, oh WOW! This guy is a winner. The idea of this not kissing business was WAY LOST on this gal. Now, I understand the whole no sex before marriage, but really? no kissing? That's how you made the cut with me in those days, poor kisser, no chances here, plenty of fish in the sea waiting to be caught in my web who knew how to kiss well, and oh yeah, he kissed VERY WELL.
We decide to stroll in to Thia Siam. I was always curious about this place. We walked in, no one there. I am thinking, whats up? Its Friday night? And then I said to Carl. "Whats that SMELL?" He smiles. He officially gets a kick out of me. He responds, "I think its the food." "What? You can't be serious. It smells like dishwater, weird moldy something, and not sure what else". I am like, I can't eat here. So we march ourselves across the street to Paddy Murphys. We have eaten here one other time on some special deal or other, and its kinda a local hang out-ish bar-ish pub-ish place. We walk in and the sign says "Seat Yourselves" well, okay. 2 Tables were full of Bangor teachers, one of the tables got up and we slid right in. While waiting for the table to be cleaned off, a young man came over and said to us, You can't sit here. You have to move. WHAT? You have to wait to be seated. My husband says very nicely,"Thats not what the sign says." Oh, the sign wasn't changed, so you can't sit here. ARE YOU SERIOUS. is what I am thinking. So we get up, a 3-some of women sit down that were there just about the exact same time we entered the establishment, and I look at my husband, and say, you know what? that pisses me off. I am not eating here, and we are running out of time anyway.
You know, I just want to go out with my husband.
So, we walk back up to the parking garage, get in the van, and tool down Main Street.
Want to go to Tim Hortons, Hon?? Can you see my eye roll through the computer screen???
HEAVY SIGH "OKAY".
We pull into Tim Hortons. No one was there. We went and ordered. We got everything we wanted. All for like $17.00. We sat down, had a lovely conversation, ate good food and soup and latte. No tip needed.
I gotta tell you. I am all for supporting local business, but between the lack of service I got locally when planning my daughters wedding, and simply trying to go out with my husband, I am thinking, either people don't know what good service looks like anymore, or they simply aren't hungry enough. Not sure which, but, I am liking the chains more and more each and every day.
Bill Cosby was simply the best. THE BEST. I laughed SO HARD. Now that's my kind of night. Nothing scary or too dramatic. Just FUNNY. I love to Laugh. My husband knows me well after all these years. He also was actually sick that night with a very nasty cold. He had stayed home in bed all day from school so he could make sure and be up for going out with me that night. Yes, we ate at Tim Hortons, and that was okay. Better than okay. It was great, and funny, and Daniel survived Elizabeth, she even put him to bed.
The date was worth all the effort. And I can't wait to see what he plans next. I am thinking this will be his job from now on. I did tell him I would expect him to pay full price if Seinfeld every came to town. :)
Funny Times from Our Nest to Yours,
Julie, still the giggler and the kisser. xoxoxoxxo
I had recently said to my husband in a probably whiny tone, "You know, we haven't done anything fun in a very long while. Fun, meaning, get out of this house together fun. I do like you and all, and I would like to spend some time with you." His response always has something to do with money, and then I turn into Charlie Brown when listening to his school teacher, yup, that's me, and I walk away, sigh, and go read.
Carl surprised me by getting us tickets to Bill Cosby. Groupon was having a special 1/2 price off deal, and so, walah. Made the hubster happy, he HATES to pay full price for anything, ever, so half price made him happy, and me, well, I just want to get out of the house ALONE with him, and its not McDonalds or Tim Hortons and I am beginning to now NOT count those as dates. I mean REALLY.
We are still in the wrelm of needing a babysitter. I know, what were we thinking? So, I picked up Elizabeth at 6p.m. from soccer practice, thinking we could just take off. Bill Cosby didn't start until 8p.m. so that should be enough time to eat before Bill, right?
This is where the absolute FUN begins.
Daniel notices that Mom is curling her hair. Mommy, where are you going? Why are you doing Yat (his way of saying "that") to your hair? Carl and I start spelling things to each other. How are we "G-O-I-N-G to G-E-T O-U-T of here". I reply "S-N-E-A-K O-U-T T-H-E P-O-R-C-H D-O-O-R" Daniel is simply looking back and forth, back and forth, back and forth, as we are spelling these phrases out. He starts to cling. "Don't leave me with Elizabeth, she mean. I not want Elizabeth. Take me with you. Not Elizabeth!!!" Elizabeth is saying, Well, now that makes me feel good Daniel, thats not nice. that's NOT NICE.
Folks there is an absolutely GOOD REASON I tell people to WAIT AS LONG AS YOU CAN TO PROCREATE. A Very Good Reason. Actually I have 100s of good reasons to WAIT.
Finally, we put on Shrek for the 100th millionth time, and yes, I still find it funny for the 100th millionth time. We were at a field trip recently and there was a donkey the kids were being introduced to and my son says, "Oh HEY. Donkey is on Shrek, and his name is DONKEY!!! thats funny." I could here the horrified conservative first timers saying, oh my goodness, doesn't she know that movie is SATANIC??? I laugh every time I watch that movie, its an official riot in my book.
So, we finally at 6:45 p.m. sneak out one at a time to the van. Whew. Can we just roll this van out of the driveway so he won't hear it? We sped away, no one came running out of the house after us (yes, THAT has happened on more than one occasion).
Lets get something to eat.
We park out car in the downtown parking garage across from Mountain Sports. That is THE parking garage that my wonderful husband first kissed me in. We came out of the dance club, where had met a week or so prior, and he kissed me, right in that parking garage, and I remember thinking, oh WOW! This guy is a winner. The idea of this not kissing business was WAY LOST on this gal. Now, I understand the whole no sex before marriage, but really? no kissing? That's how you made the cut with me in those days, poor kisser, no chances here, plenty of fish in the sea waiting to be caught in my web who knew how to kiss well, and oh yeah, he kissed VERY WELL.
We decide to stroll in to Thia Siam. I was always curious about this place. We walked in, no one there. I am thinking, whats up? Its Friday night? And then I said to Carl. "Whats that SMELL?" He smiles. He officially gets a kick out of me. He responds, "I think its the food." "What? You can't be serious. It smells like dishwater, weird moldy something, and not sure what else". I am like, I can't eat here. So we march ourselves across the street to Paddy Murphys. We have eaten here one other time on some special deal or other, and its kinda a local hang out-ish bar-ish pub-ish place. We walk in and the sign says "Seat Yourselves" well, okay. 2 Tables were full of Bangor teachers, one of the tables got up and we slid right in. While waiting for the table to be cleaned off, a young man came over and said to us, You can't sit here. You have to move. WHAT? You have to wait to be seated. My husband says very nicely,"Thats not what the sign says." Oh, the sign wasn't changed, so you can't sit here. ARE YOU SERIOUS. is what I am thinking. So we get up, a 3-some of women sit down that were there just about the exact same time we entered the establishment, and I look at my husband, and say, you know what? that pisses me off. I am not eating here, and we are running out of time anyway.
You know, I just want to go out with my husband.
So, we walk back up to the parking garage, get in the van, and tool down Main Street.
Want to go to Tim Hortons, Hon?? Can you see my eye roll through the computer screen???
HEAVY SIGH "OKAY".
We pull into Tim Hortons. No one was there. We went and ordered. We got everything we wanted. All for like $17.00. We sat down, had a lovely conversation, ate good food and soup and latte. No tip needed.
I gotta tell you. I am all for supporting local business, but between the lack of service I got locally when planning my daughters wedding, and simply trying to go out with my husband, I am thinking, either people don't know what good service looks like anymore, or they simply aren't hungry enough. Not sure which, but, I am liking the chains more and more each and every day.
Bill Cosby was simply the best. THE BEST. I laughed SO HARD. Now that's my kind of night. Nothing scary or too dramatic. Just FUNNY. I love to Laugh. My husband knows me well after all these years. He also was actually sick that night with a very nasty cold. He had stayed home in bed all day from school so he could make sure and be up for going out with me that night. Yes, we ate at Tim Hortons, and that was okay. Better than okay. It was great, and funny, and Daniel survived Elizabeth, she even put him to bed.
The date was worth all the effort. And I can't wait to see what he plans next. I am thinking this will be his job from now on. I did tell him I would expect him to pay full price if Seinfeld every came to town. :)
Funny Times from Our Nest to Yours,
Julie, still the giggler and the kisser. xoxoxoxxo
Monday, September 1, 2014
My Wishes for Teachers
Dear Teachers,
Know that as a parent I will be praying for each of you.
Some days it may be a global prayer. Some days as God specifically brings your name and face to mind, I will speak a blessing over your day.
I will pray for your physical safety, your mental fortitude, and your soul to be soothed after a long hard day.
I send you my children.
Not only do I want them to learn from you, I want them to bless you.
I want them to bless you with the good I have instilled in them.
I want them to bless you with their respectful behavior towards you.
I want them to bless you with their work ethic and their ability to be a team player in the classroom as well as on the sports field or work place.
I want you to sense the light that is within them, that there IS a difference.
My prayer is for their light to be obvious. To be real. To be soothing to you on your hardest of days.
I respect you, Teacher.
I am a teacher. I know the value of what you do. I support what you do. I know how hard it was for you to get that education to teach, to take those board exams, to pass & to receive your certification. I honor that effort and hold it in high regard.
And because of the precious gift I am turning over to you daily, my flesh and blood, my heart beat, my life, I will expect you to honor my children.
I expect and know you will show up prepared, ready, and on target with what my child and your classroom needs.
I expect you to be respectful of my child and other children.
Sarcasm of any kind has no place in the classroom.
I expect you to have rules for my children to follow so that the classroom environment will be enjoyable, full of learning, and kind.
I am trusting you with my jewels.
I promise to support and communicate effectively with you, Teacher.
And I honor you.
Many Prayers from this Mom,
Julie
Know that as a parent I will be praying for each of you.
Some days it may be a global prayer. Some days as God specifically brings your name and face to mind, I will speak a blessing over your day.
I will pray for your physical safety, your mental fortitude, and your soul to be soothed after a long hard day.
I send you my children.
Not only do I want them to learn from you, I want them to bless you.
I want them to bless you with the good I have instilled in them.
I want them to bless you with their respectful behavior towards you.
I want them to bless you with their work ethic and their ability to be a team player in the classroom as well as on the sports field or work place.
I want you to sense the light that is within them, that there IS a difference.
My prayer is for their light to be obvious. To be real. To be soothing to you on your hardest of days.
I respect you, Teacher.
I am a teacher. I know the value of what you do. I support what you do. I know how hard it was for you to get that education to teach, to take those board exams, to pass & to receive your certification. I honor that effort and hold it in high regard.
And because of the precious gift I am turning over to you daily, my flesh and blood, my heart beat, my life, I will expect you to honor my children.
I expect and know you will show up prepared, ready, and on target with what my child and your classroom needs.
I expect you to be respectful of my child and other children.
Sarcasm of any kind has no place in the classroom.
I expect you to have rules for my children to follow so that the classroom environment will be enjoyable, full of learning, and kind.
I am trusting you with my jewels.
I promise to support and communicate effectively with you, Teacher.
And I honor you.
Many Prayers from this Mom,
Julie
Friday, August 22, 2014
A Grateful Heart
A couple of Sundays ago I sat in church with my family and we all took communion together. It was a moment that I could not have known would exist in my life 2 years prior. I did not know Lucas Sockbeson. I did not know my daughter Kristen's future. I did not know Elizabeth would have back surgery. 5 years prior to that communion moment I did not know I would have a loving 4 year old boy.
I began to ponder this moment of communion.
A communion of 6 souls in one place that God already knew about the possibilities. I became overwhelmed with an understanding that I can barely put into words. Through some hardships, lots of prayers, a mustard seed of faith and trust at times, God Knew.
My faith allows for this kind of thinking.
I know a God Who Knew.
Who Knows.
Who Sees the Future.
Just ponder that for a second.
I have tears that I simply don't have words for to express.
The day my daughter got married was beautiful. perfect. lovely. well thought out and well planned. elegant. simple. naturally coming together. all those involved did their 100% and helped create this wonderful plan of a special day for Lucas and Kristen. I am grateful.
I have faith in a God who Knew, Who Knows, Who Saw the day and the future.
deep breathe and take that all in.
With many prayers, rejoicing, lovely moments, deep commitments, and friends and family looking on, the day made an impact on me in so many ways. I would be remiss if I did not say thank you to the multitudes of people who made this day possible. If I made a list I would not want to leave anyone out. You are all so special to us.
As fall approaches, and we begin again with another year. I want to remember my communion moment.
I serve a God who Knew, who Knows, Who Sees.
At the soccer field.
At the preschool at UMaine.
On the corner of Kenduskeag and Griffin.
In Room A1-11 in the math wing at BHS.
University Of Maine, Orono.
Eastern Maine Community College.
Dysarts Restaurant.
JCPenney.
And Beyond.
God Knew, God Knows, and God Sees.
I would say my faith can grow just a wee bit bigger than a mustard seed this year, however, thats what God tells me is all I need, and He will take care of the rest.
Happy Fall everyone.
Much Love from Two Nests
I began to ponder this moment of communion.
A communion of 6 souls in one place that God already knew about the possibilities. I became overwhelmed with an understanding that I can barely put into words. Through some hardships, lots of prayers, a mustard seed of faith and trust at times, God Knew.
My faith allows for this kind of thinking.
I know a God Who Knew.
Who Knows.
Who Sees the Future.
Just ponder that for a second.
I have tears that I simply don't have words for to express.
The day my daughter got married was beautiful. perfect. lovely. well thought out and well planned. elegant. simple. naturally coming together. all those involved did their 100% and helped create this wonderful plan of a special day for Lucas and Kristen. I am grateful.
I have faith in a God who Knew, Who Knows, Who Saw the day and the future.
deep breathe and take that all in.
With many prayers, rejoicing, lovely moments, deep commitments, and friends and family looking on, the day made an impact on me in so many ways. I would be remiss if I did not say thank you to the multitudes of people who made this day possible. If I made a list I would not want to leave anyone out. You are all so special to us.
As fall approaches, and we begin again with another year. I want to remember my communion moment.
I serve a God who Knew, who Knows, Who Sees.
At the soccer field.
At the preschool at UMaine.
On the corner of Kenduskeag and Griffin.
In Room A1-11 in the math wing at BHS.
University Of Maine, Orono.
Eastern Maine Community College.
Dysarts Restaurant.
JCPenney.
And Beyond.
God Knew, God Knows, and God Sees.
I would say my faith can grow just a wee bit bigger than a mustard seed this year, however, thats what God tells me is all I need, and He will take care of the rest.
Happy Fall everyone.
Much Love from Two Nests
Friday, May 23, 2014
There are worse things you kids could be doing.........
Just as when I found out I was pregnant at age 42 and hesitated for months to tell anyone because I did not want verbal backlash, I have hesitated to talk about my daughter's upcoming marriage. I have been told to stop worrying about what others think, let it roll off me.
But here's the thing. It concerns me that people actually think the worse thing you could do with your life is get married. Especially for people who ARE married to your kids father or mother. Imagine saying in front of your husband of 20+ years,"the worst thing I ever did was marry your father." Or the husband saying "The worst thing I ever did was marry your mother." "We made a big mistake." Realllllly think about that. If you truly believe that about your marriage and your life, I would suggest marital counseling and I am guessing its not much fun to be around you or your husband, for your kids or for anyone else.
I have even caught myself when talking about Kristen saying, oh yes, so proud of her. She's going to nursing school in the fall, not mentioning her upcoming marriage. Or talking about how her tuition is covered at UMaine, etc. Or her job at Sunbury Village, and now she's being trained an extremely busy restaurant called Dysarts to be a waitress.
I took a chance last week at the hairdressers. I told her my daughter was getting married. I said she was graduating and then getting married. I waited for the judgement, the unbelief. She said nothing. Which can sometimes be as bad. And I added, I am super proud of these kids. They are NOT going to live together before marriage, they are making a real commitment, an adult commitment. I am really proud of them both. Then she smiled. That's wonderful. You are going to be a busy but happy Momma. Exhale.
Our culture seemingly accepts just about anything. The behaviors we have voted in as legal in the state of Maine in the past 10 years saddens me to say the least. But "to each his own" is the watch word and song, supposedly.
There are worse things both my daughters could be doing.
They could be pregnant with no husband or father of the baby to come forward and help out.
They could have addiction problems to either prescription drugs or illegal drugs.
They could get drunk regularly with their friends to be cool and popular.
They could have abusive boyfriends.
They could have a DUI.
They could have no plans for the future, living come what may.
They could be jobless or homeless or both.
They could be atheists.
They could care less about school or furthering their educations.
They could have no integrity, no work ethic, and/or skip school regularly.
They could think their parents owe them everything.
But instead.
My daughter and her fiancee are saving money, planning a budget to live by, that includes giving, saving, and planning for their future.
My daughter is following her conscience.
My daughter has an excellent work ethic, and she has had an excellent reputation at every place she has worked that includes being a team player, hard worker, fully efficient, and kind to others, as does Lucas have this same reputation at the 2 jobs he has as well as at his college.
My daughter and her fiance plan their church time to make sure they attend together on Sundays, whether she is serving in childrens ministries or Lucas is going to work.
My daughter has a beautiful apartment to live in that is completely within their budget that she and Lucas have established. Moving in date: July 11th. (wedding date: July 11th).
I am thinking marriage is The Best Decision I made. I have these wonderful kids, and a husband of whom supports me, loves me, and is the Cornerstone of my life.
I don't say any of this to make my kids out to be better than yours. Or to say we have not had our fair share of disagreements in this house. That would be false. I am not better than you. She is not better than any of your kids. No one's kids are better than anyone else's kids. Here me on that.
Here's the thing to think about when you start talking, and I know you have.
Lucas and Kristen are beginning their life together. They have developed a deep love for one another and want to make a permanent commitment to what they see as the greatest thing that can happen to either of them, getting married and they are including God.
Will they have plenty to learn? absolutely. Anyone of us that has been married for any length of time had plenty to learn. I still have plenty to learn, and I want to learn. Are they young? well, that's obvious. I feel so old some days at 46, I would kill to be 19 for just 1 day, and I would be 19 with my 21 year old boyfriend. ahhhhhhhh. now that would be awesome. (boyfriend is said current husband, Carl Robbins).
50 years ago this would be a boring conversation. The Norm. No biggie. We have encouraged our youth into arrested development. Wait to grow up. Live with your parents until you're 30. No biggie. Or better yet, live with your parents as adults and eat all their food, don't pay rent, and don't help around the house, AND bring friends. Why not? No need to grow up too fast.
I am beginning to wonder if college is just another way to extend the teen years. I LOVED it the day I spent with Kristen on campus at UMaine. I got to sit, listen to a professor talk, walk around campus, get my exercise, went to the cafeteria, had oodles of food choices, none of which were made by me. I thought I was in heaven. I thought, I wish I could go back to college. This would be awesome. Its all about perspective, isn't it? I am all in favor of kids going to college, please don't get me wrong, I went to college. But I also was married most of my college experience. I "missed" out on the partying, having multiple boyfriends and potential sex partners, being pressured into drinking alcohol, and the one year I did live with a roommate? Let's just say that was a little piece of hell. Mostly because I already had goals for my future, I was engaged, and I did not have my parents credit card to use to go to Canada for the weekend to get drunk. I was also working, of which no one in the dorm seemed to think you could do and go to college. I did both.
So, the cat's out of the bag. Kristen and Lucas are getting married on July 11th at Moose Point State Park, and I could not be happier for them. So now, if you see me in public, I WILL do nothing but talk about it WITH PRIDE!
Oh, and I love the family we are adding. The Sockbesons. Nicole, Andy, Andrew (jr), and Chloe. I love you all already, along with Lucas, and am praying for our lovely union as well.
I can't wait to have another boy.
Love from Our Nest to Yours!
Julie Robbins. :)
But here's the thing. It concerns me that people actually think the worse thing you could do with your life is get married. Especially for people who ARE married to your kids father or mother. Imagine saying in front of your husband of 20+ years,"the worst thing I ever did was marry your father." Or the husband saying "The worst thing I ever did was marry your mother." "We made a big mistake." Realllllly think about that. If you truly believe that about your marriage and your life, I would suggest marital counseling and I am guessing its not much fun to be around you or your husband, for your kids or for anyone else.
I have even caught myself when talking about Kristen saying, oh yes, so proud of her. She's going to nursing school in the fall, not mentioning her upcoming marriage. Or talking about how her tuition is covered at UMaine, etc. Or her job at Sunbury Village, and now she's being trained an extremely busy restaurant called Dysarts to be a waitress.
I took a chance last week at the hairdressers. I told her my daughter was getting married. I said she was graduating and then getting married. I waited for the judgement, the unbelief. She said nothing. Which can sometimes be as bad. And I added, I am super proud of these kids. They are NOT going to live together before marriage, they are making a real commitment, an adult commitment. I am really proud of them both. Then she smiled. That's wonderful. You are going to be a busy but happy Momma. Exhale.
Our culture seemingly accepts just about anything. The behaviors we have voted in as legal in the state of Maine in the past 10 years saddens me to say the least. But "to each his own" is the watch word and song, supposedly.
There are worse things both my daughters could be doing.
They could be pregnant with no husband or father of the baby to come forward and help out.
They could have addiction problems to either prescription drugs or illegal drugs.
They could get drunk regularly with their friends to be cool and popular.
They could have abusive boyfriends.
They could have a DUI.
They could have no plans for the future, living come what may.
They could be jobless or homeless or both.
They could be atheists.
They could care less about school or furthering their educations.
They could have no integrity, no work ethic, and/or skip school regularly.
They could think their parents owe them everything.
But instead.
My daughter and her fiancee are saving money, planning a budget to live by, that includes giving, saving, and planning for their future.
My daughter is following her conscience.
My daughter has an excellent work ethic, and she has had an excellent reputation at every place she has worked that includes being a team player, hard worker, fully efficient, and kind to others, as does Lucas have this same reputation at the 2 jobs he has as well as at his college.
My daughter and her fiance plan their church time to make sure they attend together on Sundays, whether she is serving in childrens ministries or Lucas is going to work.
My daughter has a beautiful apartment to live in that is completely within their budget that she and Lucas have established. Moving in date: July 11th. (wedding date: July 11th).
I am thinking marriage is The Best Decision I made. I have these wonderful kids, and a husband of whom supports me, loves me, and is the Cornerstone of my life.
I don't say any of this to make my kids out to be better than yours. Or to say we have not had our fair share of disagreements in this house. That would be false. I am not better than you. She is not better than any of your kids. No one's kids are better than anyone else's kids. Here me on that.
Here's the thing to think about when you start talking, and I know you have.
Lucas and Kristen are beginning their life together. They have developed a deep love for one another and want to make a permanent commitment to what they see as the greatest thing that can happen to either of them, getting married and they are including God.
Will they have plenty to learn? absolutely. Anyone of us that has been married for any length of time had plenty to learn. I still have plenty to learn, and I want to learn. Are they young? well, that's obvious. I feel so old some days at 46, I would kill to be 19 for just 1 day, and I would be 19 with my 21 year old boyfriend. ahhhhhhhh. now that would be awesome. (boyfriend is said current husband, Carl Robbins).
50 years ago this would be a boring conversation. The Norm. No biggie. We have encouraged our youth into arrested development. Wait to grow up. Live with your parents until you're 30. No biggie. Or better yet, live with your parents as adults and eat all their food, don't pay rent, and don't help around the house, AND bring friends. Why not? No need to grow up too fast.
I am beginning to wonder if college is just another way to extend the teen years. I LOVED it the day I spent with Kristen on campus at UMaine. I got to sit, listen to a professor talk, walk around campus, get my exercise, went to the cafeteria, had oodles of food choices, none of which were made by me. I thought I was in heaven. I thought, I wish I could go back to college. This would be awesome. Its all about perspective, isn't it? I am all in favor of kids going to college, please don't get me wrong, I went to college. But I also was married most of my college experience. I "missed" out on the partying, having multiple boyfriends and potential sex partners, being pressured into drinking alcohol, and the one year I did live with a roommate? Let's just say that was a little piece of hell. Mostly because I already had goals for my future, I was engaged, and I did not have my parents credit card to use to go to Canada for the weekend to get drunk. I was also working, of which no one in the dorm seemed to think you could do and go to college. I did both.
So, the cat's out of the bag. Kristen and Lucas are getting married on July 11th at Moose Point State Park, and I could not be happier for them. So now, if you see me in public, I WILL do nothing but talk about it WITH PRIDE!
Oh, and I love the family we are adding. The Sockbesons. Nicole, Andy, Andrew (jr), and Chloe. I love you all already, along with Lucas, and am praying for our lovely union as well.
I can't wait to have another boy.
Love from Our Nest to Yours!
Julie Robbins. :)
Monday, December 16, 2013
Why We Live Pay Check to Pay Check
This morning one of my daughters asked me to buy more cereal.
I said, we have cereal. Dad got this cereal at Sam's club and paid $2 dollars less for it because it was crumpled. The store had to reduce the price because some people would not buy crumpled cereal.
Well, I want to eat different cereal, I am tired of Cheerios. Pay day is Thursday, we need to eeek out what we have until then.
"Mom, why do we live pay check to pay check???" Sigh.
I let that question enter me like a bullet, and for a moment I felt like a complete failure.
"We don't always live pay check to pay check, and we have food in this house, plenty of food, just not food you want right now."
"Its cold in here, why don't you turn up the heat, its because we can't afford it right? We live pay check to pay check. You just said we have to eeeek everything out until Thursday!" Sigh.
My kids have heard this multiple times that is the "wrong" way to live. They have heard of stories of money falling from heaven, and think its going to land in our house. They want the heat on 70 all the time. They have heard the word "budget" like it is synonomus with scripture reading. That it is a "sin" to use a charge card.
Well, let me tell you something.
Back when Kristen was 2 and I was 9 mos. prego with Elizabeth, we spent maybe $80 a week on groceries, maybe Heating oil was 88 cents a gallon! we used 100 gallons a month for $88 dollars and I did keep the heat on 70, all the time. Our rent was $350 a month in the house we were living, a year later, we owner financed said house for 32,000 which then turned our mortgage payment into $329.08 for 12 years. lights, gas, electricity. all much less that we pay today. Of course, we were living on 21,000 at that time. We paid maybe $20 a paycheck for health insurance. And we had a lovely benefactor named Bill who felt led to send us money each month to pick up the gaps. We cannot thank Bill enough, ever. And others who felt led to donate to our household in need.
Fast forward to 2013.
5 people living in a house. Just our electric bill alone is $150 to $200. We are in over $1000 in heating costs this season, and the tank is below 1/4 full as I write this blog. Our food bill rivals our mortgage,which including taxes and insurances is almost triple what we paid in Howland. But, when we bought this house, we had our 20% down, and Carl was making less than he does now, 10 years later.
Why does it feel like we make less?
The costs of life have quadrupled at a rapid pace. And not just for us, for everyone.
And then along came this little blessing named Daniel about 3 and 1/2 years ago, which brought me home once again.
When I hear how wrong it is to live pay check to pay check I want to scream.
I want to scream because it is saying to me, well, you know you can't afford to be a homemaker, so why try, because you are wrong to live pay check to pay check. You are wrong to use a credit card, so put that baby in daycare and don't look back. You are wrong to ask your kids to eeek out the cereal until Thursday, because you are living pay check to pay check.
Well, I gotta tell you, we have always lived this way.
Always. We have never had a big savings account, ever.
But we have always had enough.
We have never driven a brand new car, ever.
But our kids don't even know life without their mother.
We did not have a bank loan on a house until our Bangor home, because we did not make enough money to get a bank loan.
And when I did work, it was in a school, on their schedule or less, and they did not miss me because they were at school while I worked.
We have always had debt, because we had to pay for life all on our own.
I can't tell you how many (most) of our friends who had parents who helped them out with college. Or a down payment for a house, or co-signed on a loan for a car, or paid their medical bills like teeth while in college. Or gave them a place to live when they were struggling. I had a tooth pulled because I could not afford a root canal, and yes, that went on a credit card. I had college loans to pay and so did Carl.
But guess what? we paid them.
We will be debt free completely eventually, because we do pay all our bills every month, and man, there are a lot of them. I am not asking for an offering, really. or sympathy of any kind whatsoever.
But here's the deal.
If you are reading this, and you have made the statement before that it is wrong to live pay check to pay check. Could you reconsider that there are actually responsible, working people, who are not only taking care of a boat load of bills, medical included, giving to their church whenever possible, and donating oodles of volunteer hours to a variety of organizations, and trying to live on one income to the best of their ability?
Just give it a wee bit of consideration.
Because it makes a hard case for the woman who wants to be at home, knows what it is like to live on one income, and knows it takes a leap of major faith at times. I happen to find it rewarding, this life of homemaker. I have had many many many jobs. I have an education. I have used my degree. Now I am using it in different ways.
Thanks for reading and considering a different way of looking at things.
Love, as always, from my Nest to Your. Julie
I said, we have cereal. Dad got this cereal at Sam's club and paid $2 dollars less for it because it was crumpled. The store had to reduce the price because some people would not buy crumpled cereal.
Well, I want to eat different cereal, I am tired of Cheerios. Pay day is Thursday, we need to eeek out what we have until then.
"Mom, why do we live pay check to pay check???" Sigh.
I let that question enter me like a bullet, and for a moment I felt like a complete failure.
"We don't always live pay check to pay check, and we have food in this house, plenty of food, just not food you want right now."
"Its cold in here, why don't you turn up the heat, its because we can't afford it right? We live pay check to pay check. You just said we have to eeeek everything out until Thursday!" Sigh.
My kids have heard this multiple times that is the "wrong" way to live. They have heard of stories of money falling from heaven, and think its going to land in our house. They want the heat on 70 all the time. They have heard the word "budget" like it is synonomus with scripture reading. That it is a "sin" to use a charge card.
Well, let me tell you something.
Back when Kristen was 2 and I was 9 mos. prego with Elizabeth, we spent maybe $80 a week on groceries, maybe Heating oil was 88 cents a gallon! we used 100 gallons a month for $88 dollars and I did keep the heat on 70, all the time. Our rent was $350 a month in the house we were living, a year later, we owner financed said house for 32,000 which then turned our mortgage payment into $329.08 for 12 years. lights, gas, electricity. all much less that we pay today. Of course, we were living on 21,000 at that time. We paid maybe $20 a paycheck for health insurance. And we had a lovely benefactor named Bill who felt led to send us money each month to pick up the gaps. We cannot thank Bill enough, ever. And others who felt led to donate to our household in need.
Fast forward to 2013.
5 people living in a house. Just our electric bill alone is $150 to $200. We are in over $1000 in heating costs this season, and the tank is below 1/4 full as I write this blog. Our food bill rivals our mortgage,which including taxes and insurances is almost triple what we paid in Howland. But, when we bought this house, we had our 20% down, and Carl was making less than he does now, 10 years later.
Why does it feel like we make less?
The costs of life have quadrupled at a rapid pace. And not just for us, for everyone.
And then along came this little blessing named Daniel about 3 and 1/2 years ago, which brought me home once again.
When I hear how wrong it is to live pay check to pay check I want to scream.
I want to scream because it is saying to me, well, you know you can't afford to be a homemaker, so why try, because you are wrong to live pay check to pay check. You are wrong to use a credit card, so put that baby in daycare and don't look back. You are wrong to ask your kids to eeek out the cereal until Thursday, because you are living pay check to pay check.
Well, I gotta tell you, we have always lived this way.
Always. We have never had a big savings account, ever.
But we have always had enough.
We have never driven a brand new car, ever.
But our kids don't even know life without their mother.
We did not have a bank loan on a house until our Bangor home, because we did not make enough money to get a bank loan.
And when I did work, it was in a school, on their schedule or less, and they did not miss me because they were at school while I worked.
We have always had debt, because we had to pay for life all on our own.
I can't tell you how many (most) of our friends who had parents who helped them out with college. Or a down payment for a house, or co-signed on a loan for a car, or paid their medical bills like teeth while in college. Or gave them a place to live when they were struggling. I had a tooth pulled because I could not afford a root canal, and yes, that went on a credit card. I had college loans to pay and so did Carl.
But guess what? we paid them.
We will be debt free completely eventually, because we do pay all our bills every month, and man, there are a lot of them. I am not asking for an offering, really. or sympathy of any kind whatsoever.
But here's the deal.
If you are reading this, and you have made the statement before that it is wrong to live pay check to pay check. Could you reconsider that there are actually responsible, working people, who are not only taking care of a boat load of bills, medical included, giving to their church whenever possible, and donating oodles of volunteer hours to a variety of organizations, and trying to live on one income to the best of their ability?
Just give it a wee bit of consideration.
Because it makes a hard case for the woman who wants to be at home, knows what it is like to live on one income, and knows it takes a leap of major faith at times. I happen to find it rewarding, this life of homemaker. I have had many many many jobs. I have an education. I have used my degree. Now I am using it in different ways.
Thanks for reading and considering a different way of looking at things.
Love, as always, from my Nest to Your. Julie
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