Closing my Household Account

Throughout the year, I kept a record book of my household expenses.  The majority of entries were entered by my youngest son, John (15). I have taught him general bookkeeping by having him look over my receipts, organize them, and enter the totals of my spending. 

At this very moment, he is closing out my accounts for the year.  He is in the process of getting monthly spending totals, by looking over the handwritten entries in my old fashioned ledger book.  He is analyzing the numbers and thinking about all the different things his mother spent money on this year.

 (There is no computer doing this for him. It is an old fashioned method of thinking and seeing the history of our financial life.)

When he finishes the monthly totals, he will give me a final figure of exactly how much money I spent during the entire year. 

Tomorrow, we will set up a new household account in our ledger book. This will be for 2013. We will make plans and goals and find ways to be as economical as we can.  Since John has been working with me all year, I will seek his advice, ideas and input.    This is a very precious way for him to learn how to manage money, by helping his Mama to manage her household funds.

Blessings
Mrs. White


Great Peace - The Note in Mother's Pocket.

When Things are Going Wrong - Forgotten Kindness in Marriage.

We Took One of These - A Vow of Poverty.







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My Books

The Following is a list of 2 of my books which are currently available.   More will be added when they are ready.   These were written from my rural Vermont home, designed to encourage mothers and homemakers.


1. For The Love of Christian Homemaking.




Details:

- 274 pages, paperback

- Includes a complete index of 160 entries.


- 6" x 9"

- Front cover image is from Mrs. White's home.

- Available for sale at Amazon.


From the back cover:

"You won't find cleaning advice or the latest ideas for saving money in this book. What you will find is a collection of over 150 visits from Mrs. White's parlour during her homemaking breaks.

Each visit is from her daily life. These include remembrances, ideas, essays or short daily journals. There are sad times and happy times; sickness and health; different moods; and dealing with the good and the bad. These are designed to encourage, inspire and motivate you to keep charm and romance alive in a humble home."






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2.  Mother's Faith.



Details

- paperback


- 6" x 9"

- Available for sale at Amazon


"Essays, Lamentations and Encouragement From a Christian Mother of Waywards"

“A little book of hope for the difficult years of Mothering older children.”

The book contains a collection of essays, gathered from this blog. They were specifically written by this mother of five, in the midst of my own sorrow and trials, over the course of 3 years.

 It is a plain, small paperback book, but packed with an important, ongoing message - Mother's Faith must never waver, no matter what the waywards do in the home. Mother will one day reap a harvest of joy. This book will help give you a holy patience.


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For the Love of Christian Homemaking

My New Book Is Ready!

 "For The Love of Christian Homemaking: Pleasant Visits from my Parlour "

Details:

- 274 pages, paperback

- Includes a complete index of 160 entries.


- 6" x 9"

- Front cover image is from Mrs. White's home.

- Available for sale at Amazon.


From the back cover:

"You won't find cleaning advice or the latest ideas for saving money in this book. What you will find is a collection of over 150 visits from Mrs. White's parlour during her homemaking breaks. 

Each visit is from her daily life. These include remembrances, ideas, essays or short daily journals. There are sad times and happy times; sickness and health; different moods; and dealing with the good and the bad. These are designed to encourage, inspire and motivate you to keep charm and romance alive in a humble home."


This is a compilation of posts from the past 3 years, specifically chosen for the Christian homemaker.  I would love your help spreading the word.. More books are in the works. Thank you so much for your support, kind comments and continued encouragement! 

Blessings
Mrs. White




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The Note in Mother's Pocket

Throughout the day, worries often come to mother's mind.   She may be troubled about this child, or that one.  She may be concerned about finances or stormy weather.  She may be worried about her husband or how to handle some difficulty.

These thoughts can make her shaky, sad and fearful.  But the wise mother has learned a little secret.  She keeps a note in her pocket.

This note is a little reminder of the answers to all her troubles.  She will go about her homemaking duties, washing clothes, polishing furniture, doing dishes, tending the children and making food.  Every so often, she will reach in her pocket and remember the note.  This soothes her rising fears.

Sometimes, when times get really tough, mother will take the note out of her pocket.  She will lay it down on the table before her, and she will read it.  Seeing the words on the note comfort her greatly.  Then she puts the paper back in that special place, where she can carry it around everywhere. 

There is something from Scripture in I Samuel 17:47.  It is a very precious message.  No matter what our troubles, no matter what Goliaths we face, or our children face, ". . . the battle is the Lord's. . ."

And these are the very words on Mother's note.

Blessings
Mrs. White

Many Won't Like the Answer to This - Why The High Cost of Food?

Are You One of These?  - The Old Time Housewife.

I am  - Not Happily Married.



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Christmas in Vermont

It is snowy and quiet here in Vermont.   There are no crowds. There is little traffic.  The world will stop its hustle for just a little while.   In each country, throughout the entire world, many will pause and consider the birth of Christ, the coming of the Savior; and they will be humbled and grateful.

In many homes, families will gather together.  Businesses will close.  Children will look forward to Christmas dinner and Christmas treats.  They will enjoy a national holiday that acknowledges the Christian faith.  It is an amazing time.

There is a spirit of kindness, of caring and of concern for fellow man.   There is no other day like it.

From our Vermont home to yours, Have a joyful, peaceful Christmas!

blessings
Mrs. White


{If you are receiving this post by email, click on the link to take you directly to the blog and hear Christmas Cannon.}




Christmas Past:

- To Encourage the Downcast Housewife 

- A Christmas without Presents

- Mothers with Christmas Courage




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Spotting the Holy

In the old days, a child would see a police officer and know he represented help and safety. The police officer was trusted. We all knew who the officer was because of the way he dressed and the way he carried himself.  He was an ambassador for the law.

This should be the same way when people spot a person on the street. They may notice a kind demeanor, kind eyes, and a humbleness about them. Onlookers might notice a peace and they may think, "here is one of God's own."

Recently, on the news, I saw a modern day nun.  I was deeply saddened by her appearance. I am not sure which denomination she was from, because I realize not all nuns have changed, but this one was a modern one.  Her hair was dyed blond. It was hanging down and messy.  She was wearing common clothes.  Looking at her, you would have no idea she was a nun. You would have thought she was a regular, everyday person.  Why did this make me sad? Because a nun has consecrated herself entirely to God and His work.  She dresses in a specific "uniform."  When people see her, they immediately consider her to be a missionary worker for the Lord and a source of help and hope. 

This "spotting of the holy" should not be taken away.  Each of God's children must dress and carry themselves in a way that is selfless in this difficult, self-centered world.  Each representative of holiness must be somehow a little different from the masses.  And this will create thousands of lights across the land to lead many home.

Blessings
Mrs. White

Old Time Religion - These Things Will Comfort my Children.

What Will You Do? - When There Isn't Much.

Seek not thine own glory -  The Behind-the-Scenes Mother.





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A Home without Chaos

Some days I sense enough anxiety that I feel as if it will choke the life out of me. But this is what slows me down. This is what stops my busyness and takes me to a precious state of contented weariness.

It makes me yearn for a life of peace and happiness.  And this anxiety helps make it happen.

Grandfathers and Grandmothers who have slowed down, and keep to a home routine are the most peaceful people I know.  They have lived long lives and have experienced many things. Very few things surprise or startle them anymore.  They smile knowingly and have the greatest amount of patience in anyone I've ever seen.

The home routine of the elderly goes at a slower pace.  They are not rushing off to this event or that one.  They have homes without chaos.  This may seem difficult to replicate when there are little ones and teenagers with so many needs, but it can happen.  It comes from the heart.

I have cut back on so many things that there is much time for leisure.  This time of leisure makes me patient and loving and able to endure many things. 

Those around us may have trials and troubles, but Mother's presence calms and soothes it all.

 To have a home without chaos does not mean there is no trouble, for that would be a lonely, solitary place with no residents.  This home I speak of, the peaceful home, comes from a soul weary mother who is heartsick for heaven.  There is a joy in her demeanor that quiets onlookers. 

Modern day troubles are nothing to her, because they are nothing to her God.  She knows who is sovereign over all. She has great faith that He is in control. Why should she fret?

 Her heartsickness makes her talk of the great journey she is slowing taking towards her eternal home. Why should she be caught up in the trials of this life?  Her King will take care of that.   

A precious, peaceful home is a state of mind.  It is deliberate, but takes much effort.   It can happen for those who are weary of this world's game.  It starts with a mother of great faith, who knows to whom she belongs.

Do you see that heavenly light in the window?  Do you see the peace and warmth in Mother?  She is the keeper of the home without chaos.  All who enter her house, despite what they see before them, are quickly comforted by the welcome of the heaven-bound mother.

Blessings
Mrs. White

Home Memories - Security of Home Routines.

A Slow and Simple Life - How a Housewife Passes the Time.

A Peaceful Place  - A Special Kind of Home.





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When it's Time to Walk Away

Many families are living on debt. They keep borrowing money and using credit cards just to survive. I know one family who repeatedly took out home equity loans for years until the bank finally took away their home.  It is unwise to live on someone else's money knowing it can't be paid back. It is unwise to dig oneself into such a deep debt that they can never escape.

There comes a point when one has to walk away. . .

A business would never stay open if it continually lived in the red.  The responsible thing for them to do would be to close the doors, take the losses and move on.   Modern families are facing the same thing, like no time in history. Easy credit, easy loans and the brainwashing in our culture that we can pay for everything later is destroying many.  It has created families who are, without realizing it, living a financial lie and they know not how to recover.

The only way to stop the deadly financial hemorrhaging is to walk away and start over.  Find a cheaper home - an apartment, mobile home or live with relatives temporarily.   If you are renting and have a lease, explain to your landlord that you are in dire financial straights and must move.  If you own a home that is far too expensive, or that has seriously lost its value and you can't sell, tell your banker about your financial difficulties and see what they can do. If nothing is available to help, then tell them to take the house back, then walk away. 

Walk away, but only if you've tried everything else.  Walk away and start at the bottom and begin to recover. Begin to be able to buy food again, have heat in the house and clothes that are not tattered.  Begin to breathe and start over.

This may seem radical, or even irresponsible to some, but if you are continually living on borrowed money, racking up debts higher and higher with no light at the end, it is time to walk away.

There is something called debt forgiveness, and debt counseling to prevent this from happening again.  Please don't continue to live on the edge of the cliff. There is help.  And there is a light at the end of the tunnel.

Walk away and start again.  Everyone deserves a second chance.

Blessings
Mrs. White

This post was written as a response to an anonymous comment on my  Living Without Credit Cards  post.  There are many readers in her situation. I hope this helps them.  Please realize, I am not suggesting everyone walk away from their financial obligations, but those in dire straights have that option. I do not want them to feel so trapped and hopeless that it is difficult to go on.



We must understand this - Financial Separation of the Social Classes.

Be Proud to be one of these - Blue Collar - Working Class Housewife.







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Homeschooling at the Library

When home got too difficult, distracting and unfriendly- to- quiet for my youngest homeschooler (15), I packed up his books and took him to the library.   Every morning, we got dressed up and took his books to the large, elegant library in town.  We went upstairs in the antique building with all its stately furniture, and sat in a large room, for 2 hours, and did his studies.  It was inspiring!

It seemed like we were in Boston, sitting in one of the rooms at Harvard College. (Okay, I have a vivid imagination!)  But the environment of that library inspired us to want to learn. . . To want to be quiet and to really study.   While my teenager worked on his books, his math and his writing, I crocheted or read from John Wesley's journals.  I sat across the table from my student and was available at any moment to help him.  But we mostly worked quietly and independently because that is how the best of learning takes place - when one is thinking and analyzing on one's own.

At times we would take breaks. I would look at the archives of historic books in the vaults, or take in the old artwork on the walls.  My student would walk through the different rooms and see what kinds of books were available. Then we would get back to our quiet little world of learning.

This daily excursion went on for months.  All too soon, the season changed and many new patrons were arriving to use computers. The tables and desks in every room were crowded with people needing wifi, and that took away the beauty and the silence of the inspired world of old fashioned learning.  So we stopped going.

I am remembering this today because, once again, my home has become crowded with noise, distractions and a great many people. The environment has become unfriendly to education.  So I must find a way to turn my own stately old home into a library of sorts. I will work on enticing the family to want to sit and learn in any of the rooms. I must pull out exciting literature, decorate the walls with art that makes one think, and try my very best to compete with the allurement of video games, computers and television. Somehow, I will make my home into a pleasant type of library that is far more interesting than the distractions that go on here.  And once I set my mind to do this, the happiness it brings me will be infectious!  All the children will think learning is pleasant, and that studying is delightful.  Even if it is only for 2 hours each day. 

Blessings
Mrs. White

Never Forget This - Education Must Not Be Rushed.

The Comfort of Home - The Light in the Window.

No Chores For Me - Mother's Cleaning Recovery.





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The Basics of Lovely Housekeeping

Some days it doesn't take very long to tidy up my house.  The kitchen is quickly cleaned, the parlour is neat, the laundry is in the machine and the floors are swept.   Once everything is in order, I sometimes wonder, "Have I done enough?"   or  "Is it possible that I can go do some other pleasant thing?"  Those are the lovely moments of doing basic housekeeping.

Yesterday, I was reading from Great Expectations.  One of my girls found a beautiful hardcover copy of this at Marshalls the last time we were in the city.  I was delighted when she bought it for me.   The rich literary wit and historical insights are amazing.   I found myself taking the book into other rooms in the house to share interesting passages with the children.  Next, I took an early afternoon rest by watching an old Frank Sinatra movie.   But one can only take so much of worldly amusements, so I turned on the gospel music and did some more housework.

Even though the day was slow paced and pleasant, I was still busy with the grandbaby, my teenagers and errands.  The housework seemed to take care of itself, in very quick bursts of cleaning.  I had much leisure time and was delighted.

When a child gets ready to do some home chore, he is often overwhelmed. He may procrastinate and take hours on a job that really only takes minutes.  This is what makes housework seem tedious, boring and painful.    When we mothers go in with a cheerful attitude and a spring in our step, we can make very basic housework look delightful.  We can accomplish a lot in a short time and then be free for other things.

One of my girls is like that.  She will go into a room, tidy up a mess in minutes and come back like she didn't exert herself in any way.  The bright happy look in her eyes and the pleasant proud smile delight our home.    She can make the house look so pretty with very little effort.

If we just realized that basic housework is only sweeping, cooking, washing, laundry and other such minor tasks, we would enjoy much more time of looking about the room, sighing content and sitting to rest in a happy, clean home.

Truly, Housekeeping is a lovely occupation.

Blessings
Mrs. White

When Things are Going Wrong - Forgotten Kindness in Marriage.

Keep it Precious - The Simplicity of Old Fashioned Homemaking.

Please Be One of These! - The Mother Who Isn't Busy.



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A Christmas Without Presents

I used to read a story to my children when they were little. It was a Christmas story. There was this young destitute boy, walking on Christmas Eve trying to find shelter. He went to a rich home. He heard laughter and happiness.  He saw lots of people in the windows, eating and very merry.  A servant came to the door, took one look at him, and sent him away.  "We don't need the likes of you here!"

Onto the next house. The boy thought the rich people would be kindly. He thought they would give him a little food and offer him a place beside the fire so he could rest and be warm.  But house after house turned him away.  This little "vagabond" would ruin their parties. He was not welcome.

The boy was just about to give up.  Tears streamed down his face as he walked out of the city. He prayed and begged God for help.   He stumbled onto an old shack with a small light in the window. He timidly knocked.  An old women answered the door. She had a great heart of motherly compassion.  She brought this poverty - stricken stranger into her home and set out to take care of him.  He was placed near the warm hearth and given a blanket.  The boy looked around at the sparsely furnished old room while he ate a warm bowl of soup.  The woman was so kind to him.  His weary soul was refreshed and grateful.

But something started to happen.  Back in the rich houses, a cry came out.  "There must be a fire over there!" They looked out the window down the street.  There was a bright light coming from an old shack.  The wealthy folks left their parties and headed towards the light.  But it wasn't a fire.  The light of holiness had shined down so bright because of the kindness of the old woman, and the joy in the heart of the poor boy.  When the rich people saw this, and that it was the boy they had turned away, they repented of their callousness.  They wanted what that boy and old woman had.  They wanted the joy of godliness and love and something far more valuable than an abundance of gifts and parties.

This year, in many homes in America, many families will not have Christmas presents. Many will not have a tree or decorations or much food.  The economy is so bad, that even if these families had a little extra cash available, they would be terrified to spend it on gifts, when that money may be needed to repair a car, pay a heating bill or make sure the family had enough basic food. 

Many homes this year will look destitute from the outside, but inside the sweet and humble hearts will be filling their homes with love and gratefulness because they have each other, and a little warm soup to share.  This year, we may very well see a bright light coming from many humble homes across the land on Christmas Eve, and those lights will not be from decorations.

Blessings
Mrs. White

What it is Like - Living Without Credit Cards.

No Money for Christmas - To Encourage the Downcast Housewife.

Make it a Lovely, Precious Place - The Romance of Home.



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Mother's Faith - My New Book

Christian Mothers today are often struggling with having a happy home because of wayward teenagers.  These mothers have spent years praying, teaching and training their children in godliness. They have a great hope for a godly family and for children who grow up to bring joy to their hearts.

Instead, many teenagers and young adults have periods of waywardness.  Their pain, their trials and their choices bring weeping and sorrow to their godly mothers.  But this is not the best way to face the trials of mothering older ones.

"Mother's Faith" is designed to help comfort these mothers. It is designed to inspire courage and bring them joy. 

The book contains a collection of essays, gathered from this blog. They were specifically written by this mother of five,  in the midst of my own sorrow and trials, over the course of 3 years. 

 It is a plain, small paperback book, but packed with an important, ongoing message - Mother's Faith must never waver, no matter what the waywards do in the home. Mother will one day reap a harvest of joy.  This book will help give you a holy patience.

Please help spread the word.   After reading the book, if you would like to leave a review on Amazon, I would be most grateful.

Blessings
Mrs. White


What Would Happen  - If I Visit You at The Dinner Hour.

Remembering When My Children Were Younger - Gathering the Supermarket Bounty.

This is so important! - Mother's Rest.




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