The British Homemaker - One day at a time

I'm not really a huge fan of this kind of post but now and again I need to put something out there that not only reminds me but anyone else that is feeling down and beaten. This blog is real, I am real, what you see is what you get but that doesn't mean I don't improve or learn, I'm always getting better, failing, getting better again and on it goes. Sometimes though one person can do so much damage with lies that you have to react in the appropriate way. We each have good points and bad points. Far too often we spend time thinking of our bad points, things we can't do or talents we don't have etc. I want to do the opposite, and if that makes me sound conceited then I'll take it. People are so much better than they give themselves credit for. Even the mean people have good points, I wish I could get them to see that they chosen method of speaking/acting hurts them as much as the person they are trying to hurt or in some cases the person they're trying...

For as long as I can remember I've been easily able to count my blessings in the darkest of times through life, I learned that to be able to do this keeps challenges in perspective, no matter how hard they are. It's also healthy in many other ways to find a positive in a tough time, for one it keeps insanity at bay. I don't mind admitting that I still have tough times accepting my arthritis, how quickly its set in and all the ways it has robbed me of independance. Some days all I want to do is cry with sheer frustration and pain and while now and again I do give in to it, I do pick myself up and carry on. The alternative isn't an option and lets face it, it's not a condition that is terminal, it's just never going to go away so its a life long adjustment process. In 7 months I've gone from limping with knee pain, swelling and weakness to hold myself to being in a wheelchair. Lets talk about this a minute... Getting crutches was the difference between ...

Do you like white Christmas trees? I have to be honest I have never, ever liked or appreciated them, that is until I saw my moms last year and I kinda sorta maybe almost liked it, a teeny, tiny bit! Being in temporary accommodation when Christmas came last year we had zero tree/decorations so I set out building my own, or at least I planned to when my mom offered me to use her green one. The kids jumped at it and who was I to say no? I mean, they'd had so much to deal with for the previous 8 months that I was going to do anything to put some magic back in their lives if only for a couple of weeks. I think I should learn to stop digressing! ;) This week I went into town to get a couple of things I'd 'added' to my list, one being a 6' white Christmas tree. Now for those of you that know me in real life will know that my Christmas tree is the pride of the season seconded only to the Saviour himself. I usually have a huge one, 8' high by 5' wide at the...

I meant to post this on 1st December to see if it could be added to and/or altered for other fun crafts. My teen isn't huge on crafting but the dude is, he will sit for hours making, drawing, designing, writing, colouring and creating something from almost nothing. Add that to the fun of Christmas crafting and it makes for a happy mommy! Every year we have our own little routine in preparation for Christmas, quite simple really and it keeps the kids happy on the colder days and longer nights. Goes something like this: 1st - Tree goes up and decorated 2nd - Decorations around the house From here on we have a rough sketch of what we want to do each day up to Christmas Eve: Make window decorations paper chains operation Christmas child boxes {between 2 ad 6} paper bunting felt ornaments bread and pastry goodies soap/hand lotion gifts teacher/church teacher gifts salt dough decorations personalised baubles chocolate and marshmallow chocolate gifts cookies, cake...

The Lds church don’t believe that Jesus Christ was born on 25th December but we do celebrate the day for a few reasons. One being that it’s an opportunity to share in the birth of Christ with other religions and non faith people, two being that we love to have a good time when it is good and uplifting and three because it’s an event that very often brings people together. Our church is all for unity; unity of people, of faiths and of hearts. Today, in our Branch Council Meeting I was deeply touched by the vision our recently called leaders have for the coming year. We have been called the ‘happening branch’; we are well liked and respected by other wards/branches in our stake and I  know from experience we give the warmest welcomes to visitors, members and non members. Our activities are driven by the spirit (I know cos I am the activities leader!), we are driven to include anyone that wishes to come along and take part. We do not ‘bible bash’ and preach. We are friendly, bus...

Monday Charley nominates me to be one of 4 to make Christmas goodies for the school fair. Tuesday Having 2 ear infections/sinus trouble and a head cold qualifies me to not cook dinner. Yay to two kids! Wednesday There is nothing better than sitting and talking in front of a log fire with someone who is as as appreciative as me on the rights and wrongs of life. Thursday Official meetings can be fun. Businesses can grow by just a good and balanced reputation, which thankfully I happen to have. Friday The day we go for a walk as a family. The Kymin - steep but awesome views and a great trail for gathering natural foliage for my winter/Christmas projects.      

You understand why the family unit is so important Becoming a teacher of all good and healthy things feels like you should earn a degree by the 10th year Giving up is not an option, simply because the Lord has made it clear on a load of occasions that He will get me through Being so tuned in to your children fuels your sense of worth and purpose Quitting on your kids is not an option Knowing that the kids have security, faith and acceptance from me is priceless Cooking and baking becomes second nature, especially with all the activities we and the kids share in Some days its hard to remember that we have a deeper understanding of parenting, some days its just so very overwhelming Accountability becomes another title Faith and gratitude override all the downsides, the tough days and the worries. Debs

Get life going so much that you end up burning out. Why? It’s a harsh world out there, we have mortgages to pay, cars to maintain, children to care for and a whole other range of things but let me tell you something… It is more in your control than you think. Shocking? Shocked that I’ve just simplified life as a mother/partner/friend and all other titles we have? You’ll live. I promise. And deep down you know I am right. I used to blame living in a city on how crazy my life was. I dreamed of living in the country to have the slower pace, the nature all around me. I believed once I had all that my life would be idyllic. Cr*p. It' doesn’t work like that. We do. In my time out I had many conversations with so many different people from all walks of life, one in particular, with a local radio show host (more on that soon as its related to The British Homemaker) and off air we talked about how he felt relaxed and inspired talking to me. He proceeded to ask me the s...

Twice a year The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints hold a General Conference where we get guidance and inspired revelation from many of our church leaders. For those that are not in Salt Lake City to be there in person, many watch it via satellite broadcast at their Stake Centres or, like me, at home. However it is listened to or watched depends on what works for the family but it is an event that really should be prepared for in advance to be able to get the most out of it. We watch most of the sessions online whilst in pj’s, eating a range of nibbles and lounging on my bed! Charley will either play with his toys and raise his head occasionally to ask a question about what he’s just heard or, in the last session, he has worked through the various GC packets that have been available to download. The next General Conference is 2nd and 3rd October and now is the time to begin preparation if you haven’t done so already. If you want a totally awesome website to go to with...

Charley: This week Charley started a new school . With having rather drastic winters here and having no car for a long time I realised that the local attachment school held more appeal than I realised. So I checked it out, both my neighbours send their kids there and they gave great reviews. We looked around, asked questions and Charley was sold. Bigger school, lots of after school activities, bigger classes and more advanced work than he was doing. Monday we spent most the day getting the sweaters, PE kit, book bags and all that stuff ready. We labelled, washed, ironed and set out the weeks requirements. Charley loved doing this and is definitely showing signs of preferring to be organised and up to date with things. We made cupcakes, lollipops and bread, packaged some up and gave them to friends in his old school, including teachers. We collected his new glasses, picked up his shoes from Clarks and chose the winter coat he will need shortly, just a shame we had to order one in f...

Driving across town today, enjoying the sun, the breeze and the knowledge that my kids where happily in school I got to thinking about the talk given by President Uchtdorf. It’s not a new one but its one that continually resides in my mind, especially when I am trying to make some positive changes to our lives. I plugged in my ipod and listened to the talk again… Like most things in life, the more I hear this the more my thinking expands. Whilst I am taking more time with myself and my kids just now I am seeing the blessings unfold before my eyes just by not clock-watching or trying to fill up every waking minute of the day. Instead, because I know this time out is only to recoup and reset some values I want the kids and I to strengthen I feel like I am being taught so much more. I love learning, even if I forget a lot of stuff, I still retain bits of it to ponder then eventually the whole principle of something just clicks. Light bulb moments are rock...

Today is the first day that I make time out for me. Just me. Alone. Today I have walked 3 miles. Today I have swam 20 lengths. Today I have done the exercise bike for 30 mins to work my knees. Today I have ate breakfast and prepared my lunch. Today I feel on top of the world. Today will come around again tomorrow. Then I will pay for today and consider giving up. But I wont, because I am determined to: return to my size 10 jeans. be able to breathe without gasping for air. feel like I am 41 not 60. respect my life and good health. build up my self esteem and really feel like I am worth something. In just a few weeks I turn 42. I don’t mind my age, I have 4 great kids and an awesome granddaughter to show for it. I have memories that no one can take, destroy or rewrite. I have laughed till I fell off chairs, cried till I couldn’t breathe, loved till my heart exploded and all because I have a life. I am a person. I have an individuality that makes m...

Becoming a Nanna has been a great thing for me so far. Being a mom I have always enjoyed that role and felt it is truly best area in life. That’s not saying I’m the best mom or I get it all right or that I or my kids are perfect, I am just continuing to do the best I can and never unwilling to try new ideas or methods if it means my kids benefit and grow the be the best they can be. Now I have a baby granddaughter to add to that mix. I have a new role to move into and for as much as I love that little girl I know I will play an integral part in her life so I want it to be appropriate, fun, strong and as supportive to her parents as possible. Bailey makes me feel things that only my children have managed so far in my life. She is a perfect gift from a loving Heavenly Father to me as well as my son and daughter in law. It’s time for me to review my relationship with the Lord to be sure I get His approval of the things I hope to do and share with Bailey. Checking my email I found o...