Jean Stockdale...

Works for Me Wednesday

I hired someone to decorate my tree. That's right. I handed off a job that I do not particularly like to do to someone who loves to do it. And doe a gorgeous job.

Sometimes it is wisdom to "spend money to buy time." Obviously this has to be budget-driven.  I am not suggesting being financially irresponsible but as a busy women, it sometimes benefits me greatly to adopt this policy. This principle buys me a great deal of emotional energy, physical stamina, and mental clarity if I can "spend money and buy me some time."

My sweet daughter-in-law is extremely gifted at decorating and floral arranging. I asked if I could hire her to decorate my tree. Although she balked at "being paid" I insisted. It would give her a little spending money and it would help me more than she could know. 

I wish I could describe what it has provided for me. My tree is gorgeous. My decorating is done without much of my involvement. I passed off a job I don't do well and don't enjoy. I am getting to enjoy the holidays without that hanging over my head. And my daughter-in-law enjoyed doing it.

If you are a mom, may I suggest that it is often worth it to spend money to buy time. Especially during the holiday crunch, you might consider hiring a teenager to come and do some deep cleaning for you. Have the teen change the linens, do some vacuuming, and scrub your kitchen floor. This will give you some time to take your little ones out for hot chocolate and a stroll in the park. Hire another mom friend to bake her specialty for you and free up some holiday time. Drop your husband's shirts at the laundry and save some time so you don't have to starch and iron them. You get the idea. At times-without being unwise financially-it is very smart to spend money and buy time.

 

This Works for Me. I hope you will consider how you can apply this principle. What could you do to ease some of the stress you are operating under in order to free up some time and energy to invest in your sweet family?

For more Works For Me ideas click here.

Gratituesday

Here is what I found Works for Me.

My Baby Grand was over for a visit. He is 2 and loves to blow bubbles. When he spotted my economical gallon sized bottle of bubble juice - well, he was beside himself. I am grateful for the simple joy of blowing bubbles and watching the delight it evokes in a 2 year old.

I am also grateful for this contraption. It is battery operated and helps a grandmother keep up with the demand for bubbles-more and more bubbles!

For more Works for Me Wednesday click here. And for more Gratituesday click here.

Alarming

Multi-tasking is not my strong suit! My efforts to do such have led to burned green beans, wet clothes left in the washer, and clean clothes left to wrinkle in the dryer.

I have discovered that I am easily distracted! So I have begun to use my iPhone to set alarms to prompt me to remember to stir the beans, check the dryer, change the washer, and even wake up from a short cat nap!

This may seem silly to you, but I find my household is running smoother and deadlines and details are not getting past me so often!

This Works For Me. For more Works For Me Wednesday click here and visit with We are That family.

Works for Me Wednesday

Slipper Genie. It's a mop. It's a slipper. It's MOP SLIPPERS! Are you kidding me? 

Why have I not seen these before? Where have they been all my life? I found these little jewel-daddys at Wal-Mart. I paid a whopping $5.99 for a pair. A pair, I say. That's right - one for the left foot and one for the right. That's so you can multi-task and use both feet to damp mop at the same time. 

The Slipper Genie comes with these warnings:

1. Exercise care when using this product-can be slippery.*

2. Do not slide or run.*

3. Do not use if you balance is not stable.*

4. Do not use on wet floors. Slipper Genies are to wipe or dust, they are not for washing floors.*

5. Slipper Genie cleaning slippers are not a toy.*

But if you are careful, and promise not to run or slide, and are not off balanced, and do not consider cleaning supplies to be a toy, then you too can own and operate this fabulous product! 

Truth be told, I mixed up a mild solution of vinegar and water and mopped my floor with a small amount of water. Please do not tell the creators of this item because I obviously misused their product. 

Does it work, you ask? You betcha! Whoa baby! Buy these and you will be a kitchen floor mopping fool!

I'm just saying.

For more Works for Me Wednesday click here and read yourself silly! Blessings.

Works for Me Wednesday

One of the Baby Grands stopped by to stay with JJ and Poppa for the evening. 

Bath time has always been a bit nerve-wrecking to me. Wet slippery babies and hard bathroom surfaces make me nervous, so I always approach bath time with great caution. My jacuzzi is a large sized one, making it difficult to keep a good grip on our little monkeys. But then I had this idea.

I filled the tub up with warm water and then set my laundry basket in the jacuzzi. When I put Grayson inside the laundry basket, I set it away from the facet and easily within my reach. I was able to bathe him without fear of him slipping or bumping his face. He could play and splash while being secure.

 

This Worked for Me. Try it. I think it might work for you too. For more Works for Me Wednesday click here and go to We are THAT Family.

Lashes to Love

I have found something that really Works For Me. Don't you just love long dark lashes?

I sure do. I do love to wear mascara but gave it up long ago because I could not find a brand that did not flake off. I have tried dozens of brands - some expensive and some cheap - but in no time I would have dark black circles under my eyes. Since I can grow my on dark circles, I wasn't crazy about the idea of adding to that. 

That is . . . until now. 

Have you met Cover Girl's Lash Blast?

All I can say is where have you been all my life?

I am grateful for Cover Girl Lash Blast that only cost about $6.99 and is available at nearly every Target, Wal-Mart, drug store, grocery store, and any other store you already cost at. Be still my beating heart.

That's what Works For Me. Click here and read more at We Are THAT Family.

Works for Me Wednesday

Spoiler Alert: This is a Cat Story. If you are a non-cat lover, move along. 

I have a gorgeous chocolate point Siamese. This elegantly marked tawny cat with chocolate ears and mask is officially named Joseph and His Coat of Many Colors. Joseph, unlike most of his feline counterpart, is an affectionate companion and confidente. Noble by birth, Joseph moves with elegance and ease. His regal bearing makes him appear to be tip-toeing as he walks silently on his mink-colored paws. Joesph’s majestic appearance belies that fact that he is quite a hunter. 

On Saturady I was sitting on the couch workng on my laptop. Joseph was perched on our bed in the master bedroom. From this vantage place Joseph can reign over his kingdom. Out of the corner of my eye I saw a flash of tawny fur. His long hairs glistened in the sliver of sunlight peeking through the transom over the front door. Joseph was on the hunt! Against the baseboard in my den, a tiny gray mouse set on his haunches, cleaning his face with his front paws. He was obliviously to the danger that lurked at his heels. Joseph crouched, shifting his weight to his back legs. His alternatively flexed his front paws as he mentally prepared to snag his next meal. Back arched. Ears perked. Eyes widened. Whispers twitched. Muscles tensed. Joseph prepared to pounce. God was about to call a mouse home.!

Lesson for the Day: It is better to feed one cat than 1000 mice! 

For more Works for Me Wednesday click here and go to We Are THAT Family. And don't forget to stop by on Friday to play 5 Things Friday. This week is 5 Random Facts! 

And don't forget our on-line Bible study "High Stepping in Heavenly Places" on the book of Ephesians. If you are a MOMMA and could use some encouragement and some inspiration please join us for this 10-week study. Click here for more information.

Works for Me Wednesday

It was time. It was way past time. 

I decided it was time to clean our my kitchen cabinets. I pulled out all the dishes, pulled out all the old liner, wiped out the shelves, sent all mismatched dishes and I-wonder-why-I-ever-bought-those, and the I-am-so-over you- dishes to Goodwill, and put in new shelf liner. I bought some of this Rubbermaid shelf liner from Wal-Mart. While it is a bit time consuming to stop and cut a length to fit each shelf, it does make for a nice cabinet. It makes a soft place to land for our glasses and dishes and it serves to protect the shelves. So there you have it. This Works For Me.

Would you like some more great ideas? Click here and visit with We Are THAT Family. 

And swing back by to play 5 Things Friday with me. Blessings.

Works for Me Wednesday

As a grand, I have tried to outfit my house  with all the necessary baby paraphernalia so that my children don't have to empty their homes and haul all things baby to my house every time they stop by for a visit. Feeding our Baby Grands requires a high chair in order to slow them down enough to eat! They are busy boys and I would not have it any other way! To solve the meal time problem, my daughter-in-law brought this boaster seat over. This little jewel Works For Me.

This boaster seat is made by Fisher Price and retails for around $25.00 depending on the gadgets you opt for. Click here to read more about it. This really Works for Mes and the two little boys that have own my heart. Check it out and see if it might Work for You too.

Unlike a traditional high chair, this Fisher Price boaster seat is compact and easy to store. It has a smooth molded seat and a slick finish which makes it easy to clean. I wash it with warm soap and water and then wipe it down with a Clorox wet wipe to ensure it is ready for the next visit. This seat is made to fit on a chair but both our little baby grands are wiggly and I don't want to invite trouble.I also don't want them to get hurt at my house! So I sit it on the floor, strap in our little guys, pull up a chair, and share a meal together. The baby grands seem to think it Works for Them too. See how it works:

And this:

And this:

Isn't life grand?

For more Works for Me Wednesday click here and visit with We are THAT Family.

And don't forget to stop by on Friday and play 5 Things Friday. Blessings.

Works for Me Wednesday

This week on Works For Me Wednesday, the theme is organizational tips. Here is my tip for the week. Hope it helps!

In my kitchen I have this small chest of drawers. In one drawer I keep gum and mints so we can grab them on our way out the door. Minty fresh breathe is important, don't you know?!!?!? 

Anyhoo, this drawer needed some serious organization. Here is how I cleaned it out.

 

This may not work for you, but this Works For Me! 

For more Works For Me click here.  Because We Are THAT Family is serving up some great tips on organizing. And don't forget to stop by and play 5 Things Friday with me.

Also, MOMS, we are about to launch an online Bible study on the Book of Ephesians. Are you interested? My study is designed for moms from Toddlers to Teens to Turning Them Loose! It is non-denominational, full of loads of sanctified humor, practical, profound, relevant and Biblically based! Interested? Check back for details. We should be ready to roll in about 2 weeks. Please consider joining us and tell all your MOMMY friends.

Works For Me Wednesday

My assistant, Renae, and I spent much of the day trying to post my messages from my study on the Book of Philippians as a PODCAST that would be available from a link on my BLOG. I am a Bible study teacher and I have written and taught a study called Joy in the Journey. I have produced a 10-week series of messages to accompany my workbook. The study is appropriate for any woman seeking to develop personal holiness and practical righteousness in their life. But I have designed my studies to apply especially to MOMS. The responsibility to raise up the next generation for the glory of God is so great. And I consider it a holy pursuit to invest in teaching and training women, especially MOMS, in the fine art of Christian mothering. In an effort to make the messages easily accessible, I tried to link a PODCAST of each of the 10 lessons from my blog. My lessons are on how to have Joy in the Journey. How ironic. I almost lost my joy wrestling with the computer and the programs necessary to make the PODCAST available from my blog!

In Philippians 4:4 God's Word says,

• Rejoice in the Lord always ; again I will say, rejoice!

God's Word WORKS FOR ME.

The PODCAST Is not currently working for me, but stay tuned. In a day or so, I am hoping to be able to announce that the PODCASTS are up and running for my study on the Book of Philippians entitled Joy in the Journey!

For more Works for Me Wednesday click here and go to We are THAT Family.

And please stop by and play 5 Things Friday to share your list for 5 Things I Know For Sure.

Works For Me Wednesday

Welcome to my Works For Me Wednesday. I love participating in this carnival and I enjoy visiting other blog sites. I have read so many great ideas from other bloggers. Here is my tip for today. I hope you find it helpful and that you will take time to leave a comment. I love to receive comments and try to respond to each one. My blog is designed to encourage MOMS in the awesome but overwhelming task of raising the next generation of great kids!

I am a grandmother to two little guys.

Just in case you wanted to know what they look like. I keep a basket of baby items close at hand to wipe sticky hands and faces and to make quick diaper changes. I found this great little product made by Sassy at Wal-Mart. It is called a diaper sack dispenser, cost $4.00 and includes 25 bags. It is refillable and the refills cost @2.00. This handy little thing keeps plastic bags close at hand and it looks cute in my basket too.

This Works Great For Me. If you have little people in your house, I think it would Work For You too!

Oh, and 5 Things Friday works for me too. It is a carnival I just started on Fridays. I hope you will join me with 5 Things Friday. This week the list is on 5 Fun Summer Activities. Click here to see last week's blog post.

For more great Works for Me Wednesday, click here and go to We are That Family. Blessings.

Works For Me Wednesday

I just love it when the Baby Grands come by for a visit. Grayson is 1 year old and Declan is 2. Both of the little guys love to be outside. In my quest to find something that both boys would enjoy, I re-discovered the joy of blowing bubbles. Who does not like bubbles. I got several different styles for hand held bubble blowing. But then I found the grandaddy of all bubble blowing machines. This is what WORKS FOR ME.

This is a battery operated bubble blowing machine. Fill the reservoir with bubble solution, push the button, and oh my soul . . . bubbles. Lots and lots of bubbles. Who does not love BUBBLES?

And that is what WORKS FOR ME. For more Works For Me ideas click here and go to We are THAT Family.

Works for Me Wednesday

As a part of my massive overhaul of my home, I have been throwing away, giving away and putting away. Although I am not naturally an orderly or organized person, I have come to the conclusion I simply have too much STUFF. The thing about STUFF is you have to maintain it. Dust it. Move it around. I am tired of dusting. So . . . it was time to bring in some organization and toss out some stuff.

I have a drawer of gift wrapping ribbons, etc. I bought plastic shoeboxes to contain my spools of ribbons.

I needed to purchase some more of the plastic shoeboxes. In order to assure I got the exact same style and size, I took a picture with my Iphone of the plastic shoebox. When I arrived at the store, I whipped out my Iphone, scrolled through my pictures, and confirmed the style number of the plastic box. I left the store with exactly what I needed. 

Both of these ideas may be very obvious to you, but for me . . .  well, they have proved to be a great storage solution and a big time saver. And that Works For Me!

For more great ideas, click here and go to We are THAT Family.

Mr. Clean

I have 2 grandsons. Declan is 2 years old and Grayson is 1 year. For the first time in a long time, I have little ones crawling, walking barefoot, wallowing, worming, squirming, playing, and/or laying on my kitchen floor. Now I am in no way obsessive about keeping a clean house. To let you think otherwise would be misleading. But I am concerned about what our Baby Grands are exposed to while visiting at our house. Toddlers put things in their mouths. Things that have been on the floor. Toys. Fingers. Food. Whatever. So I have began to rethink what I clean with. I have rediscovered the value of vinegar for all-around cleaning. VInegar Works For Me. It is all natural. It is cheap. It does a great job and it eliminates the concern for harsh chemicals. This WORKS FOR ME.

This cleaning "recipe" is from a site called Vinegar Tips which gives about a million ways to use vinegar. Check it out.

Get a shining finish on a no-wax vinyl or linoleum floor by cleaning it with a solution of one cup white distilled vinegar for every gallon of water.

By the way, I have raised 2 little boys into men. Great men. Godly men. Great husbands. Fabulous daddies. Little boys are the only raw material God uses to build men. And He uses MOMS (just like me and you) in the process. Stunning, I know. Desperate, dysfunctional, damaged MOMS like me to raise children. Moms, like me, that quickly discovered I was in way over my head trying to raise children, and was left with no other option than to cast myself upon the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ. And He has been FAITHFUL. "Even when we are faithless, He remains faithful for He cannot deny Himself." FAITHFUL. God is faithful. 

Having said that, MOMS, can I give you a word of advice? DO NOT TRADE A PERFECTLY CLEAN HOUSE (OR THE PURSUIT OF IT) IN THE EXCHANGE FOR TIME WITH YOU KIDDOS. Little ones grow up very fast. Investing in a house (or anything else for that matter) is a poor trade-off. While my own boys were young, we had a saying around our house. "We are raising boys, not a house."  I am not encouraging you to be slothful or lazy or neglectful. Homes must be maintained. But character must be built. Fun must be had. Memories must be made. Games must be played. Books must be read aloud. The love of the Lord Jesus Christ must be displayed in your (an mine) flawed humanity redeemed by grace. Otherwise, you are silently communicating the great value you place on your home, your reputation as a perfect mom, the pursuit of perfectionism, your value of possessions over people, and/or your need to meet unrealistic expectations. 

Sweet MOMS, step away from the sink. Put down the vacuum. Don't dust today. Grab some books. Gather your flock. Sit on the floor and play for a while. When your little guys ask, "Mom, what is up with this?" Give them a hug and tell 'em its a gift from ME. That, is what WORKS FOR ME!

I am launching a carnival on Friday called "Five Things Friday." Each week I write about 5 Things I Wish I Had Known When My Children Were Small. Please join me on Friday and play along.

Want some more WORKS FOR ME WEDNESDAY. Click here and go to We Are THAT Family.

Orange Sherbet Soda

Orange Sherbet Soda

Orange Sherbet

1 Orange Kool-Aid made with sugar according to package's directions

In a tall glass, put several large scoops of Orange Sherbet. Pour Orange Kool-Aid over the orange sherbet. Serve with a fancy cookie, a long spoon and a straw. Yummers!

This is one of my favorite desserts in the summer. It is a quick refreshing dessert.

For more great ideas, check out We Are That Family.

Works For Me Wednesday

I am a grandmother, and frankly, I make no apologies. This Works For Me. 

When the baby grands visit, time stands still. Agendas are put on the back burner. Schedules are suspended. Phone calls are not taken. Twitters are ignored. Email sits in the inbox. Facebook spins in cyberspace without my input. For that time, I (and Craig, if he is home) am in the moment-lost in a world viewed from the floor.

My boys are grown up. Raised and released into the adult world. Married and raising babies of their own. Gentle mommy reader, may I encourage you to stop more often to sit in the floor and play. Enjoy these moments. Although it does not seem like it if you have little ones, mothering has a shelf-life. It is not a "forever job." It is a holy occupation, but it will come to an end when your children leave home. That day is coming . . . and sooner than you would believe. Don't let the moments of joyful play pass you by because of a long "to-do" list. These moments are evaporating and they cannot be regathered. My philosophy when my boys were young - "I am raising boys into men. I am not raising a house." A house can wait. A boy will not! 

I am not suggesting that you are slothful or careless with your home and other responsiblities. I AM saying that keeping a "perfect" house (or any other time consuming task) is a sad tradeoff for impacting your children with your faith and values. Faith is much more easily transferred to the next generation through the day to day moments - as we live out the reality of the life of Jesus Christ in us. When we walk by the way. When we rise up. When we lay down (See Deut 6). As we go. We share Jesus. Casually. Faithfully. Prayerfully. The window of time when children are teachable is short. Don't waste it. Play often. Pray always.

This Works For Me. Consider my words carefully and see if it Works For You too. For more Works For Me, click here to go to We Are That Family. Blessings.

Works For Me Wednesday

Do you have a pair of shoes that you love but that rub you the wrong way? I discovered this product and it Works For Me. Dr. Scholl's Moleskin Plus is an inexpensive and effective way to deal with those worrisome spots where that darling pair of shoes, that is your absolute favorite pair, rub your feet and threaten to cause a blister to form. Simply use a pair of scissors and cut the moleskin to any shape or size. Apply to the problem area and Wallah! No more problems. I even cut narrow strips of Dr. School's Moleskin Plus and stick in the back of my heels to protect my feet from blistering. Cut. Cut. Snip. Snip. Oh what a relief it is. This Works For Me. I hope it Work For You too. For more tips, click here to go to Works for Me Wednesday.

Works for Me Wednesday

In the never-ending quest to live out my Christian faith in the midst of the chaos and the craziness that is my life, I listen to alot of Christian music. I have found that I am far more able to keep my mind focused on Christ if I keep Christian music playing in the background of my life. 

Colossians 3:1-2 says, "Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth." The steady influx of Christ-centered music helps to continually lift my thoughts to the things above and not the things of this earth.The things of this world will grow strangely dim in the light of HIs glory and grace. This Works For Me. Try it and see if it Works For You too. Blessings.

If you would like to read more things that work, click here to head over to We Are That Family.

Works for Me Wednesday

Here is a simple tip that Works for Me. I am a busy  lady, just like all of you, although my children are grown and out on their own. Frankly, I think the whole concept of multi-tasking is over rated but I can see it has its own merit. However, it often ends in disaster for me. Trying to juggle too many things at one time often ends badly. Concentration on one task can cause me to totally forget an equally important household chore. I have found that a cheap timer can work wonders. When I need to be reminded to start the dishwasher, check the dryer, take a dish out of the oven, or return a phone call, I set the timer and carry it with me as I move between the many tasks at hand. When the timer dings, I am immediately reminded of what else I need to stop and do. This is a simple solution to minimize frustration and maximize productivity in multi-tasking. This Works for Me. For more tips, click here.