tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post1425928130726396503..comments2024-03-26T00:26:19.756-07:00Comments on The Bluebirds are Nesting...: Pantries and Preparedness. This is a REAL job.Annabelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09027539528156492413noreply@blogger.comBlogger55125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-52584523294250102742015-08-05T07:27:13.856-07:002015-08-05T07:27:13.856-07:00Leslie, I loved your comment! To hear your young ...Leslie, I loved your comment! To hear your young daughter loves to help make jam brought back memories of my childhood, stirring big pots of jam, spaghetti sauce and stewed tomatoes, all of which went into the freezer for winter! :) TeriTeri Snoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-21850277376112404652015-08-05T04:53:26.270-07:002015-08-05T04:53:26.270-07:00I would love to see your pantry! It sounds wonderf...I would love to see your pantry! It sounds wonderful to me! And yes it is your job and it sounds like you are doing very well at it!<br />I bet they liked the jam too! <br />To me shelves full of preserves are a beautiful sight! xxxAnnabelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09027539528156492413noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-1527832551623430622015-08-05T04:46:29.993-07:002015-08-05T04:46:29.993-07:00I have always been a homemaker and now that our ch...I have always been a homemaker and now that our children are grown and gone from home, I have even more time to can and preserve..Not too long ago, my brother and his lady friend were here for a visit. I opened the pantry door to give them a jar of my homemade jam when his lady friend exclaimed, "you need a job!", meaning I had too much time on my hands! I was amused by her statement! I should have said that IS my job, lol!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-24667925365426220502015-08-02T22:53:39.338-07:002015-08-02T22:53:39.338-07:00Dear Annabel, somehow I missed this post. It's...Dear Annabel, somehow I missed this post. It's true what you say.<br />The comments were well worth reading. There was so much wisdom in them all.<br />I was thinking of what Cath shared. Our income was $240 per week when we started and our mortgage repayment was $120. Glen sold wildlife photos to supplement our income. Every spare dollar that came in went towards our mortgage.<br />Allowing for the difference between Glens wages now and the price of a small home in Brisbane......houses are more expensive.<br />I think now that if we want our Mums to stay at home, grandparents need to do what they can to encourage them. <br />Love Helen Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01022606699440794764noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-71189897786762088352015-08-01T17:51:41.245-07:002015-08-01T17:51:41.245-07:00Dear Leslie,
Thank you! As I had two children I kn...Dear Leslie,<br />Thank you! As I had two children I know the work of having eight would be enormous. Anyone thinking you need to work MORE needs their head read.<br />It is a full time job x several! <br />I am so glad you have just stuck to it and your children have thrived on you being there with them. And yes they learn everyday from the things we do. No wonder there are so many young ones who dont know how to cook or do basics. No one has shown them. <br />Thank you for sharing this Leslie! With love, Annabel.xxxAnnabelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09027539528156492413noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-90386625853322997922015-08-01T17:47:56.685-07:002015-08-01T17:47:56.685-07:00Dear Tania,
I see how much you save in a week! It ...Dear Tania,<br />I see how much you save in a week! It would be hard to earn that much and be around for the family as well. I think you do a wonderful job! <br />With love, Annabel.xxxAnnabelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09027539528156492413noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-4361891926418304582015-08-01T14:07:11.562-07:002015-08-01T14:07:11.562-07:00Thank you for this post! I now have 8 children so...Thank you for this post! I now have 8 children so nobody tries to give me advice or "work"! ;) But years ago, I had women make suggestions. We have lived on my husband's income since our oldest (he's 17) was born. When times are lean I'm always tempted, and have even tried, to make money on the side, but God has never rewarded my efforts. He does seem to go before me when I buckle down and stretch our budget. Free produce has even turned-up on our doorstep and the amount we've been able to glean through the years has been amazing!<br /><br />And I'll tell you a secret. When kids see their mother work hard around the house, they respect her and her job more. I even have kids beg to help me! This am my 5 yr. old daughter wanted to make freezer jam with me. She pulled her stool over and stirred the pot and helped fill jars. She kept gushing, "Mommy, it looks so beautiful!"<br /><br />Keep up the encouraging words!<br />Blessings,<br />Leslie Leslie McKinleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08082544707682903607noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-70298224399315390952015-08-01T01:39:31.056-07:002015-08-01T01:39:31.056-07:00Dear Bridge,
What a perfect balance and solution f...Dear Bridge,<br />What a perfect balance and solution for you! I am so glad to hear this. Plus this extra time with Grandparents will be so good. No one loves a child (after the parents) like Grandparents! Plus H will develop such close relationships with them. This will surround him with love.<br />I know you cherish every moment and see the point of it all. I am just so pleased you have wonderful family support. That is just lovely and makes a real world of difference. I was very lucky with this. The girls grew up so close with my Mum and Dad and still are. It is beautiful! And has many benefits. <br />Thank you Bridge, With love, Annabel.xxx<br />Annabelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09027539528156492413noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-61721615985328221962015-08-01T00:23:48.134-07:002015-08-01T00:23:48.134-07:00What a beautiful and encouraging post. This spoke ...What a beautiful and encouraging post. This spoke right to my heart. I am probably going to go back to work and teach part time, at the most 2 days. I cried at the thought of daycare and child care centres, I could not sleep at the thought of him ever going in one. I know people that work in child care can be very kind but they do not love my son like I do, nor can they teach him our values. This is priceless, not one dollar can be put on this. I'm very lucky, the grandparents will look after him each for one day and I know he will be very spoilt! I would never want to do more than this though. I brought him into the world and I just want to love him and appreciate him every day. I would rather camp than have expensive holidays. Cook instead of take away. And get one good present for birthdays and Christmas instead of lots! Lots of love, Bridge PS- thank you for being so encouraging to us. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-46644949525330109272015-07-31T17:02:20.137-07:002015-07-31T17:02:20.137-07:00Yes Annabel, I can so relate to this post. So won...Yes Annabel, I can so relate to this post. So wonderfully written and expressed.<br /><br />I often feel guilty about not going out to work and contributing to the family, money wise. Then I remind myself how much I save by being at home and all is well in my world again. Being at home has meant that I have been here for my four children, and have provided them with love and support, and good homemade meals etc. Yes they are grown now, and I am still as busy as ever. I continue to try my best to be resourceful and frugal, so we can have savings for retirement when that arrives.<br /><br />I am PROUD to say I RAISED my own children and they turned out to be the best human beings a mother could wish for.<br /><br />Lots of love,<br /><br />Tania xxTaniahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10176661940614462611noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-50810095584518172562015-07-30T20:15:12.889-07:002015-07-30T20:15:12.889-07:00Dear Laura,
Thank you! Here in Australia there are...Dear Laura,<br />Thank you! Here in Australia there are all sorts of financial incentives from the government to put children in daycare. It is as if they believe this is good for children. I would sooner die that let my grand daughter go in one! I have seen soemthing of them too. There is a small one on the road to Lucys place. It is filthy, looks like a condemned house.In my old town there was a mentally disabled girl who lived in a filthy house and she was a government approved day carer and people left their kids with her. Now she was not a bad person or anything she just wasnt capable... which is very frightening. And this is how things are!<br />You are so right, the children are only little for a short time. You dont get another chance to experience it. Enjoy every moment and keep life simple so you can both enjoy it time wise and afford it money wise.<br />I did laugh about the idea of quality time together holidays after the bulk of the time spent unnecessarily stretched and stressed. My Dad says a funny thing... "if you stop hitting your head with a hammer it feels quite nice" I think your SIL needs this one!<br />Stick to your convictions and I know you will greatly reap the rewards.<br />Thank you so much for your comment and I am thrilled to have yo here from the UK! With love, Annabel.xxxAnnabelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09027539528156492413noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-47706730856916511232015-07-30T20:07:32.266-07:002015-07-30T20:07:32.266-07:00Dear Kaye,
You have done a good job. And homeschoo...Dear Kaye,<br />You have done a good job. And homeschooling on top of the normal stuff is a lot! Well done!<br />I have always found a lot of money makers from home... I sold embroidery and sewing, cooking etc and no we have e bay! There are a lot of little ways... but overall saving money is often the best way!<br />Even today I am sewing... I will have to try and imagine the retail value at the end. I could not make that much money in a day at a job!<br />Have a wonderful weekend! With love, Annabel.xxxAnnabelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09027539528156492413noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-53039290290782828362015-07-30T08:24:47.236-07:002015-07-30T08:24:47.236-07:00Oh Annabel thank you so much for this post. I am ...Oh Annabel thank you so much for this post. I am a sahm to 3 boys. The youngest is 9 and I constantly get asked when I am going to get a job and go to work. I was asked by my brother and his wife who both work when am k going to get a job. I asked them why they both work as my brothers wage is more than enough to cover bills etc. I was told it was so they could afford holidays where they get to spend quality time together?!? My sister in law is constantly tired and meals are whatever she picks up from the supermarket on the way home. I explained that because I am home I'm not stressed, I get lots of quality time with the family, when my husband comes home because my work is done I can spend each evening with him talking, playing board games etc and that we were all getting good quality meals made from scratch for a fraction of the cost they are spending. <br /> <br /> We have our children for such a short time we should make the most of it. <br /><br />Over here in the UK there is free childcare schemes set up to get mothers back to work. I feel a lot of people don't want to but are made to believe they can't afford to stay home. <br /><br />Blessings to you xxLaurahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00575093219760266158noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-88643495164096555392015-07-30T05:11:20.642-07:002015-07-30T05:11:20.642-07:00Dear Cath, Thank you for sharing your story. You a...Dear Cath, Thank you for sharing your story. You are right ... we dont have to have perfect homes, perfect anything, its about family.<br />Many times I have wondered WHY am I doing this or that and had to reassess and work out my priorities. Many things just arent important and can go! A lot of money has been saved this way and a lot of stress. From time to time I need to do it again!<br />You help many people work out how to live on less and more simply. I am sure that helps a lot of families have happier lives. What you say it so good as it comes from real experiences over the years. <br />I really appreciate all the help you have given me and your countless tips and ideas. We keep learning! With love, Annabel.xxxAnnabelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09027539528156492413noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-30465552467711255442015-07-30T05:03:27.703-07:002015-07-30T05:03:27.703-07:00Dear Heidi,
I am sorry you dont have supportive fa...Dear Heidi,<br />I am sorry you dont have supportive family or friends on this,that makes it even harder. I only had challenges in this from further removed people but my Mum and Dad especially were very supportive about this. I am very grateful for that.<br />Read Laines Letters, she says it better than me and it is like a Bible study as you read them. These helped me so much when the kids were little.<br />But you are doing a good job! Stick to your guns and cherish the moment. With love, Annabel.xxxAnnabelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09027539528156492413noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-80344903543586339712015-07-30T02:43:08.937-07:002015-07-30T02:43:08.937-07:00Lovely post Annabel. I strive every day to emmulat...Lovely post Annabel. I strive every day to emmulate the Proverbs 31 woman. I still have a ways to go, but I keep on trying. I love working, showing others how they can live a good life for less, but I love being a wife and mother more. All I wanted was to grow up and have lots of children and care for them, much like my mother cared for me. Well I grew up and fell in love and married a good man and we have three children (grown-up now) and I was blessed to be able to be a full-time wife and mother. <br /><br />I worked from home and still do. I taught creative tapestry in our lounge room of an evening when the children were in bed when times were tough to earn a little extra cash because I never, ever wanted to leave my babies with anyone else, they were my responsibility and I wanted to raise them with our morals and standards and beliefs. I am still a stay-at-home wife and mother, and I still work from home. I fit work in around my family's needs and it works for us. And if I had it all to do over, I wouldn't change a thing. <br /><br />We went from a two income (I worked part-time) family of 4 to a no income family of 4 with one on the way in the space of 3 days and it was almost 5 years before we had a regular income again.<br /><br />We lived for almost 5 years on and average of $287 a week, paying $190 a week off our mortgage, but we were able to make it work so I could stay home with our children. <br /><br />It wasn't easy and we didn't do a lot of things our friends and family did, but we had a roof over our heads, food on the table, clothes on our backs, each other and happy, healthy children. God supplied our needs, and what more did we need - absolutely nothing :)<br /><br />Mothering is hard work, and I often wonder if that isn't why some mothers say they'd be bored at home (impossible, there is always something to do) and "need" to work, they've been brainwashed into thinking that all mothers should be perfect, with perfect children in perfect homes. Our home wasn't and isn't perfect, our children were children with all the associated grizzles and grumps and laughter and kisses and fun and as a mother, well I know I could've done better. It's sad that perhaps the illusion of the perfect family is setting a standard that some women believe they'll never reach, when they don't have to. All they need to do for the perfect family is what makes their family happy, not what makes other families happy. That was a real "aha" moment for me - when I realised we could ditch the stuff that wasn't important to us so we'd have the money, time and energy to enjoy the things that are my life as a wife and mother became so much easier. <br /><br />Goodness this is a ramble, sorry, but it's something I am passionate about and believe every wife and mother should at least have the opportunity to try before they decide it's not for them.Cath Armstronghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12982092492622482815noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-65814266956444062632015-07-30T01:00:59.217-07:002015-07-30T01:00:59.217-07:00Great post Annabel. Agree so much with everything ...Great post Annabel. Agree so much with everything that has been written or commented on. I think most people have given up on me after 25 years at home. They consider me unemployable, but I know I could do some home based things once homeschooling my youngest finishes. I have done various volunteer positions over the years while raising my family, but full time homemaking is the most satisfying to me. Learning to manage well, be debt free and enjoy mostly everything (like holidays) but within a budget is a definite edge in the days we live in now. I think we are all well equipped because of how resourceful we have been on limited income. KayeBhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02893434891123813140noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-38515873744943779712015-07-30T00:41:06.454-07:002015-07-30T00:41:06.454-07:00Encouraging post! It is hard at times to go agains...Encouraging post! It is hard at times to go against the tide when family and friends do not understand, let alone those outside your close circle. But so good to find like minded ladies like you :)<br />Heidi xxAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-62784452647633201882015-07-30T00:03:20.580-07:002015-07-30T00:03:20.580-07:00Dear Karen, I am glad if it was timely for you! Th...Dear Karen, I am glad if it was timely for you! Thank you so much for commenting and letting me know! With love, Annabel.xxxAnnabelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09027539528156492413noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-73536854908537810062015-07-30T00:01:53.113-07:002015-07-30T00:01:53.113-07:00Dear Kathy, Thank you so much. I have known severa...Dear Kathy, Thank you so much. I have known several ladies that worked very hard at jobs and in shops and made a significant loss financially. So they missed out in both counts. Which I dont understand at all. It just makes no sense to me. <br />So in my opinion you were very wise to do the maths and assess this. And as we always say we can save so much money, stretch a dollar and so many other things that build up the home. <br />At least if the maths are done and everything is weighted up a sensible decision can be made. <br />Thank you for your encouragement! With love Annabel.xxxAnnabelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09027539528156492413noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-2563216825009675452015-07-29T23:57:52.645-07:002015-07-29T23:57:52.645-07:00Thank you Teri! Your words were very helpful. Many...Thank you Teri! Your words were very helpful. Many of us have been through this.<br />Thinking about it more today I realized I have never had a man be mean to me about being a stay home Mum, it was always women! Men have been more like REALLY? you mean you cook? lol rather taken with the idea. <br />So isnt that interesting, you would think women would support each other. Some do of course but I had many be openly hostile to me if I said I thought what I was doing was important.<br />When we are young this can really hurt and be a discouragement. Now days I know with more certainty and think to myself WHY is this person trying to puch me around. Its a form of bullying! <br />Thank you so much for your help again. With love, Annabel.xxxAnnabelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09027539528156492413noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-15012319624210236822015-07-29T22:41:22.157-07:002015-07-29T22:41:22.157-07:00Annabel what a wonderful timely post! Thank you!, ...Annabel what a wonderful timely post! Thank you!, so glad I popped by todayKarenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13514458242678896136noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-50970480512499699472015-07-29T20:21:50.969-07:002015-07-29T20:21:50.969-07:00You already know that you blessed a lot of women w...You already know that you blessed a lot of women with your post. I wish more women were speaking out like you are. One of the things that a lot of ladies don't factor in when the kids are little and they are told they should have a job is the tax bracket! When our kids were small and I thought about going to work outside the home I did the research and between the child care and the tax hit, it would have cost me money in the long run to go back to work! Keep encouraging those young moms who are fighting even harder than I had to - to be who they are meant to be. Great post!Kathyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18209722078916803400noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-46067573137084012452015-07-29T20:13:08.943-07:002015-07-29T20:13:08.943-07:00Dear Annabel, You did a fantastic job on this pos...Dear Annabel, You did a fantastic job on this post! The pictures are so beautiful! Thank you for letting me "speak" my mind! I'm so glad you are reaching young moms who can use this kind of encouragement!! I know I sure could have years ago! Love, TeriAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11121050316735832052noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-24560002409831843432015-07-29T19:15:04.955-07:002015-07-29T19:15:04.955-07:00Dear Rhonda,
Thank you! I know you will stick to y...Dear Rhonda,<br />Thank you! I know you will stick to your guns. The world has gone mad! Imagine our lives if we listened to that stuff. As you say your life runs better and homekeeping really IS the paycheck as imagine the savings.<br />thank you for commenting and encouraging others too! With love, Annabel.xxxAnnabelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09027539528156492413noreply@blogger.com