A woman's closet

Have you ever noticed how much bigger and fuller a woman's clothes closet is than a man's.  I know-funny question, huh?!  And I often wonder, "Why?".  Well, we all know the answer to that question!  WE LOVE CLOTHES!  Not just clothes, but accessories too.  Shoes, sandals, boots, scarves, hats, belts, purses, bags, clutches, etc.  But more than just our LOVE of clothes and all that goes with them-we have to be ready for any occasion at any time.  From mowing, raking, planting, cutting flowers in the yard to entertaining at home or in a 5 star restaurant, playing putt-putt with the grandchildren or 4-wheeling across the family land.  The men in our life slip on a shirt and pair of pants (long or short-they're still pants), put something on their feet and off they go.  Women on the other hand:  crew, henley, Vneck, boatneck, scoop neck,...; sleeveless, short sleeve, 3/4 length sleeve, long sleeve,...; jersey knit, sweater, woven, natural fiber, synthetic,...shorts, slacks, jeans, capris, skirt-mini, maxi, Aline, gored, straight, gathered,...; flats, heels, slip on, mules, flip-flops, athletic,...  OH MY-the choices are endless and mind boggling but one thing I can guarantee-the woman who Uses Her Good Dishes will be prepared for anything and dressed to the nines! 

Moving...

Almost 15 years to the day is how long we were in our 'House on the Hill'.  June 4, 1996 Steve and I moved into our dream home on 6+ acres of land in Coffeeville.  We had some fabulous times there.  Turned the house into a home and loved every minute we spent there, but...  15 years do make a difference and as Steve puts it, "That place just outgrew us".  So...  We made the decision to downsize and here we are.  One week shy of our 15th anniversary in Coffeeville we spent the first night in our new home.  It has been bitter-sweet for sure, but from the first time I walked in this house I felt that it would be a very comfortable home for us and so far it has been.  We have been steadily moving things over (and will be for weeks to come) and with each load this becomes more like HOME.  We have had to cull and give up some things-that comes with downsizing-but one thing is for sure...  We still USE OUR GOOD DISHES!

To be a wife of Noble Character

Can you imagine what life would be like if we women were all wives of noble character as set forth in Proverbs 31?  Our lives would be in order, our homes well appointed and welcoming to all, husbands well thought of, children well fed and clothed by the work of our hands, and husbands and children alike praise her...  Nothing about Proverbs 31 focuses on the what the woman gains-it speaks of what she does, the work of her hands, the decisions she makes, how she spends her time, the words spoken from her mouth, etc.;  yet she gains it all.  I am thankful to have the opportunity each day to strive to be a wife of noble character.  To bring good to my husband, my home, my family.  To fear the Lord and earn my reward and praise at the city gate.  Until we all feast at His heavenly banquet-Use your good dishes!  I'm sure the wife of noble character does!

Easter Eve

Here I sit on the day before Easter-expecting at least 25 friends and family members.  I think I'm ready...  Tables 'decorated', some food items prepared, others will be made later this evening.  Of course the ham and lamb will be cooked tomorrow and others are bringing a feast.  Will we use our 'good dishes'?  Yes and no...  Gonna use a mixture with real plates but plastic glassware.   I know, I know-It is hard for me to do but sometimes you've just got to make compromises.  I hope that this will not reflect too poorly on me.  And who knows, before it is all said and done, the stemware just may come out of the cabinet.  Now that I give it more thought,...
Celebrate the Resurrection of Jesus, enjoy your family and friends, and Use Your Good Dishes!!

On being Organized...

Let me tell you-this 'Blogging' is not as easy as it seems!!!  The first couple came to me pretty quickly, but now-not so fast...  So I decided today to discuss the virtues of being organized.  If I had to use one word to describe myself or my best quality it would be ORGANIZED!  I do not like chaos and have found the simplest way to avoid it is to remain in an organized and orderly space.  For me that just comes naturally.  I do not remember having learned to be organized-I just am.  It just is.  That is as much a part of me as the hair on my head or the organs in my body.  Advantages to being organized are:  less stress, neat and tidy spaces, easier housework, saves time and money, you know what you have and where it is, etc.  Disadvantages:  don't think there are any...  I've often thought about giving classes on being organized, but
I have learned that you cannot make an unorganized person join the rank and file of the organized!  You've either got it or you don't!  You walk the walk and talk the talk or not.  There is no gray-it's black or white all the way.  To those of us that covet the order of the system, you can bet we USE OUR GOOD DISHES!

On being cheap...

Okay-so I like to try to replicate high end items for cheap!  There, I said it!  I'm cheap!!  Years ago I saw some large beaded crosses for mega bucks.  Because I'm cheap I looked it over and thought, "I can do that!"  And do it I did.  Probably about 50 times...  You will be amazed what you can do with a wire clothes hanger, some glass beads and wire.  Just last week-when Mom was in the hospital, Suzanne and I went to the gift shop and I saw another style of a wire and bead cross!  I am so anxious to make some!  If they turn out as I hope there will be some for sale at the annual Methodist Women Bazaar in November.  Some (like it or not) may get one as a gift.  If you do, please try to remember aside from the fact that I'm cheap, that I thought of you with love as I created a one-of-a-kind item.  And know this-while I'm beading I will-Use My Good Dishes!

Angel soap

I have a confession to make-There are some things that I find it very difficult to actually use!  For instance-I received a box of Angel Soap this past Christmas that I have yet to use.  I have even had to go and buy soap several times since then.  I suppose it all comes down to the idea of 'having your cake and eating it too'.  I can 'have' those pretty decorated disks of soap or I can enjoy using them as they were intended to be used.  I have a decision to make.  I can leave the four soaps in the box, open it occassionally to see what's inside, then after a period of time-try to remember when and where I got them...  Or...  Put them out on a pretty soap dish, lather up (with thanks to the one that thought of me when giving them), and enjoy the gift.  I think I just talked myself into it.  Taking my own advice-metaphorically speaking-I'm gonna Use My Good Dishes!

Everyday is a Special day

I have stuff (mainly dishes) that for years just came out during the holidays. Or practices that I would do then that I wouldn't normally do everyday; i. e., serving milk out of a pitcher instead of the plastic jug, using napkins as opposed to paper towels off the roll, actually setting the table properly, putting condiments in bowls instead of plopping the jars on the table, ...  Then one day I woke up and realized that day was just as special as a holiday!  The people in the house that day (even if it was just me and Steve) were worth the extra effort to make things nice, so...  I started the practice of setting the table, using more serving pieces, and striving to treat each day as the special day that it is.  Don't get me wrong-there are still times that yes-the mayonnaise jar sits on the table, but it is not uncommon or unexpected to  find the ketchup in individual sauce bowls at each plate.  Today is a gift from God and each person that enters our hearts and homes are worthy of us giving our finest for them, so go ahead and Use Your Good Dishes!

Temporary Custodian

Who among us doesn't know that Elizabeth Taylor just recently passed away?  She was a very beautiful woman, wonderful actress, wife to many, mother to four, the list goes on and on.  I enjoyed many of her movies but never really considered myself a 'fan'.  I did not hang on her every word or keep up with her comings and goings.  Upon her death however, I read a quote from an interview that she had given that really impressed me.  I will not embarass myself by trying to quote her verbatim, but the topic was about her many fabulous jewels and she said something to the effect of, "I have been very fortunate to be the temporary custodian of some very beautiful things."  That really got me to thinking!  Isn't that all we really are?  Just 'temporary custodians'; of our body, the possessions we gather, the space we occupy, the land we till and toil over, ...  God has a much more permanent plan and place for us all but until we enter into that glory with Him-Use your good dishes!

Saving 'for good'

Good morning!  And it is a very good morning!  You know Mom is feeling better when she says stuff like, "I bet they let me go home today", "I don't need to worry about what's for dinner because I'm going home today", etc. 
For some reason I remember that when we were young we had stuff (mainly clothes and shoes) that we were 'saving for good'.  That meant that those things were to be used for Church on Sunday or special occassions, but often times we had out grown them before they were used very much.  As I got older 'saving for good' took on a whole new meaning.  I began to look at that phrase as meaning 'saving forever' in that new, pristine, unused condition.  Think back to your favorite stuffed animal, pair of jeans, shoes, blanket, ... Were those things in pristine condition when they were retired from use?  If I were a betting gal I would say, "No!".  So how do you want to treasure the things you love?  With memories of them carefully boxed up and sitting on a shelf only to be looked at and used on very rare occassions, or with memories of the time you did this or that and how the crack came to be in it or the time ...  Well, you get the message.
So I leave you today with this thought-Use your good dishes!

Beauty in ugly places

One thing leads to another and who would have thought that Mom having a low heart rate would lead to Suzanne and I creating blogs.  This is going to be short and sweet, but here goes...
I am intrigued by those people that live a life worth blogging about.  Fair warning-I am not one of those people.  I live a simple and mundane life but I do enjoy beauty and order in my days.  One thing I know- beauty can be found in even ugly places.  As I drive down the iron ore road at work, I marvel at the Wisteria blooming everywhere.  God can and does make something beautiful out of even the hardened...
Until next time (whenever that may be), Use your good dishes!