A Few Pictures; Staying Home

Hello Everyone,

I have been fully absorbed and you might also say confined at The Manse this week. The rooms are all occupied. I’m finding it a challenge to get out the door quietly and walk in the sunrise while guests enjoy their last hour of sleep. Exercise is essential to my stamina and well-being, and so, I am managing it practically without being seen, by incorporating stretches and such during all the other things we are doing.

The older ones are content to listen to the complete works of Beethoven while inventing new ways to make things that work, and do needed repairs and changes on The Manse. The younger ones promised their parents they would ask permission before doing things, but I finally had to tell them you don't have to ask permission every day to dig in the dirt, run in the sprinkler or walk on the ceiling. They only restriction for walking on the ceiling is that, since it tends to make some children dizzy, there is a limit of 5 minutes, or one walk through The Manse and then put the mirrors aside. I do not want them stumbling when they think they are stepping over a light fixture. 

I ordered some cotton fabric from Hob-Lob. Interested descendants want me to leave it to them in my will, but I plan to sew something before that.  

You might be able to order this cotton print by searching for Fabric Traditions and floral print on light blue background. 

Last year someone threw a cat out of a moving vehicle and he has been here ever since but he spends most of the time outside and is very polite.

A rooster appeared this week and I’m wanting him to move on. He is not as courteous.

I would like to say that being a homemaker cuts down on the drama in life. I am still aiming for toward that goal and I hope you are too.

I would like to show you pictures of what the Manse looks like after everyone gets up in the morning before they put it all back together neatly, but I don’t want to frighten you too much. 

We were all talking about what a good experience it is here verses an impersonal stay at a resort😊 The cluttered table, blankets and pillows all askew, demolished kitchen, cooing doves, the rooms with views and the loud, rude rooster—the ambiance of it all should require higher rent.

They leave reviews and tips for me in a basket. I’ll read some of it on my next broadcast. 

The wheat has been taken off the field, and there is a layer of mist.

I tried to catch the Morning Star, which appears just before sunrise:

I took this picture at sunrise while one

of the lesser lights (Genesis 1:16) was still in view:

Breakfast at The Manse is not usually like this, but I was trying to impress one of the older descendants/residents who is staying for part of the summer:

I have a brown paper challenge going on, to see what we can all create from that ancient type of paper and other things already available at home.  I hope to show it all to you eventually. One of the children found a feather, and made ink out of cocoa baking powder, and used the brown paper for a writing tablet.

We use the heavy brown paper grocery sacks for these creations, and I have noticed the bags are thinner than they used to be and not as strong.

Brown paper Slippers

Hat

A Topic to Consider

My subject today involves children, or if none at home, how being home can give you some ideas for cutting down on unnecessary anxiety or exhaustion.

Have confidence that you can manage your home, your homeschooling, and yourself without so much outside help. If learning something requires getting in the car and attending, think of alternatives. Can you stay home and view the lesson on the web? Can you find it in a book? Can you figure it out by yourself?

 Sadly, some homeschoolers are gone all day ferrying their children to activities, when they could better reinforce home life by doing it themselves. With practice, homemakers can be do-it-yourselfers and stop outsourcing learning or experiences. It is entirely possible you can do a much better job yourself at home.

Since the descendants have been here for awhile, I'm learning more about being resourceful with what I have at home, and being  more inventive and creative without going out.

 Almost everything that is done "somewhere else" can be done at home. We have written a story and will turn it into a play. We have created a poem and turned it into a song. We have been painting pictures, swimming, taking care of the house and having quiet times too.  

Let me know in the comments what you think about this.

Lydia Ruth