WARNING ... Computer Safety

Hello fellow bloggers and faithful readers.  The new look and layout for Her Peculiar Life has been interrupted by a professional computer hacker.

Today, I am posting from the public library because while home alone our OG accepted an unsolicited telephone call from a "fishing hacker".  This criminal preyed upon her youthful inexperience and literally guided her through the steps necessary to install a "fishing program" from his web-site onto our home computer and she unknowingly gave him all information necessary for remote access to our home computer. 

We are now having our entire computer hard-drive "wiped out" and all programs re-installed, just like a brand new computer.  The admissions clerk at our computer repair shop informed me that by 9:00 AM this morning she'd had 3 other phone calls regarding the same scenario.  It appears these criminals are targeting our area.

Please warn your children, teens and elderly parents to NEVER accept any phone calls or e-mails from companies contracted by or claiming to be Microsoft.  Made sure they understand that Microsoft will NEVER phone your home.  Microsoft will never contract or outsource to any company that would phone your home.  Please educate them on safeguarding all access to your computer.  Inform them that they are to NEVER allow anyone remote access to your computer(s) nor should they ever download, run, or install any programs or systems to "help" or "improve" your home computer's function.

If you do find yourself a victim of this type of activity.  Please do the following IMMEDIATELY.

DO NOT CONTACT THE FOLLOWING VIA YOUR HOME COMPUTER - a fishing program has been installed and any new account numbers, PIN's or passwords will be "fished" off by these criminals.

1.  Contact your banking institution(s) via telephone to notify them that your debit card(s), account number(s), routing number(s) have been compromised.  Ask them to issue you new debit card(s), new PIN's, and new passwords.

2.  Contact ALL your credit card companies via telephone and report your credit cards lost or stolen.  Ask for new cards with new account numbers.  Ask your credit card representative to verify that all charges up to the time of your call are yours and only yours.

3.  Contact ALL vendors via telephone with whom you do on-line business.  Explain what has happened and ask for new account numbers AND PIN's.

4.  From your office computer, the library, a neighbor's computer, etc. change ALL your on-line account passwords. (ie, e-mail, blogs, Face Book, twitter, etc.)  Do not use your home computer OR your home's modem and router to make these changes.

5.  If you used your home computer to file your taxes, contact your local social security office and place a FRAUD alert on yours, your spouse's, and dependent's social security numbers.

6.  For any documents or photos you MUST retrieve from your computer take the following steps:
a.  unplug your modem and router from the electrical socket (these fishing programs use your home internet connection to send and receive info.  These programs are disguised and your hard-drive must be wiped clean in order to extricate it.)
b.  open and print all documents, photos, etc. that you do not want or can not loose forever.

7.  Take your computer in and have the hard-drive wiped out and all your programs re-installed.  This may be an opportunity to upgrade to newer versions of your programs.

8.  After you've retrieved all necessary information and your home computer is disconnected from your internet service.  Contact your internet provider and set up a NEW user ID and password for your service.  DO NOT reconnect your computer until the hard drive has been "cleaned". 

9.  You may also consider obtaining identity theft insurance.  Why?  Because the "helpful" professional on the other end of the phone just stole your and every member of your household identities.

Under Construction

I am in the process of making a few changes.  Since leaving the workforce my computer skills are not what they used to be, so please be patient with me as I attempt a new look.
Thank you & Blessings to you and yours.

Blogger Help, Anyone?

I am so sad ... My dashboard is not showing my reading list from the blogs I enjoy following.  I've clicked on "blogger help" in an effort to figure out how to "fix" this.  I've also tried to re-enter various blogs in my reading list to no avail.  My reading list is just blank, as if it doesn't exist.  Does anyone have any suggestions on how I can get my reading list back?
Thank you for taking time to help me.

Caffine, Anyone?

We do not like nor drink coffee.  Our sweet tea and hot teas are decaffeinated.  I consume only 1-2 colas per month.  We NEVER consume energy drinks, especially after learning that a close friend of Grandpa's survived a type of stroke directly linked to the consumption of energy drinks.

Although I do not like to indulge in caffeinated beverages, after updating my calendar this morning I can certainly understand why so many Americans simply can not make it through the day without their morning pot of coffee and afternoon 20oz. cola or large mugs of coffee. 

Mid March marks the beginning of our busy spring season.  Yesterday marked a considerable amount of time spent updating the household calendar.  It is quickly being filled with baseball & softball practices/games, 4-H meetings/events, music practice/completions, garden prep/planning, church activities/commitments AND driver's ed classes every weekday evening for the next 10 weeks.

Not only will I most likely find myself joining the majority of other Americans by consuming more caffeine loaded colas than I should, I also expect that blogging will be moved way down toward the bottom of the priority list.  I will check in and update when and if our schedule allows.  Most importantly, I will try to remember to carry a camera and snap some photos so that when I do find a few free moments in our schedule, I will be able to share our activities with you all.

Blessings to you and yours.

Technical Dificulties

Tuesday afternoon it finally happened ... the very old laptop computer I use CRASHED - totally crashed.  Thus, we are having some up-grade work done on our older desktop so I will have a computer for all my computing needs - like blogging and such. While it's in the shop, I will be away.  During my absence, I pray God abundantly blesses you and your family.

40th Anniversary

Today, January 22, marks the 40th anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court's Roe vs. Wade ruling that resulted in the legalization of abortion in the United States.  According to the National Right to Life Committee there have been 54,559,615 legal abortions in the United States since 1973.  That equals 158 per minute OR 2 1/2 every second of every day.

For those of us who are Pro-Life, lets make some decisions to get involved in the movement to change our culture and offer help to women and men facing unplanned pregnancies so they will choose life.  Heartbeat International has many pregnancy care center affiliates across the U.S. that minister to women with unplanned pregnancies.  These centers provide free pregnancy testing, nutrition education, mentoring classes, mothering and fathering classes, birthing classes, marriage enrichment programs and financial courses.  These sorts of programs and classes give women and men facing unplanned pregnancies hope and it helps them make informed and honest decisions that usually result in the decision to choose life.

Equally important are abortion recovery groups like Forgiven and Set Free, Surrendering the Secret, and Rachel's Vineyard.  If Christians are to impact our nation for Life, it is vital that we offer those affected by abortion, including men, the hope and forgiveness of Jesus Christ.  When those affected by abortion accept Christ's forgiveness, it enables them to share their personal experiences and realities of abortion with others.  Thus, arming those facing unplanned pregnancies with truths about how an abortion choice could affect one's emotions, mental health, and relationships.

Today, won't you pray and ask the Lord where you would be most effective in the fight for Life?

The Local Food Bank

OG and EJ are participating in our county's 4-H club this year.  As part of their community service, the club has decided to volunteer at our county's local food bank.  Most folks would consider this a worthwhile cause, right?  I mean, helping to ensure that the poor have food to eat is the least that a community can do, right?

Anyone who knows me personally knows that feeding others is what I do.  For decades I have donated food and personal hygiene supplies to my church food pantries, I have delivered bags of food and necessities to others in need, cooked and delivered meals to the ill, fed everyone who enters my home, including laborers whom I'm paying to do a job.

20+ years ago when our family lived at the poverty level, we never visited or accepted food from a local food bank.  Individuals have left bags of groceries for us on our door steps and various churches have also blessed us with bags of groceries at Thanksgiving or Christmas, however, we never asked for or expected it.  We were simply blessed by others whom God moved upon their hearts to help or assist us, even though we, ourselves, were not serving the Lord at that time.  So, our recent volunteer experience at our county food bank has been my first experience with a local food bank and how that system works.

I couldn't believe how discriminating this system was toward senior citizens and  the working poor.  When I use the term working poor, I am referring to those individuals and families who work to earn a living but make just a few dollars over the maximum guidelines to qualify for government assistance, such as food stamps, WIC, etc. OR those who do qualify but choose not to accept government assistance based on personal morals, religious conviction, etc.

While volunteering I asked Mrs. S, our county food bank coordinator, what the procedure was for folks in our community who had a need for these donations.  Mrs. S explained that since our county food bank accepts food donations from the U.S. Department of  Agriculture (USDA), the administrative department of the federal government that operates our nation's food stamp benefit programs, she MUST follow very strict rules set by the USDA regarding whom the food is given to, veering from these rules is a crime and punishable by closing the food bank, fines and imprisonment.

Our local food bank pantry is a 25ft. x 25ft. gated and locked room located in the back of our senior citizen community building and consists of 2 sections.  Section 1, 90% of the pantry's floor space including a refrigerator and two freezers, is reserved for the weekly food delivery from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.  Section 2, literally two 6ft. shelving units placed in a corner, are reserved for private donations from the community.  The food bank is operated and staffed by local volunteers.

Mrs. S informed me that only those who receive government food stamp benefits will be given food from section 1, which is boxed and bagged, labeled with the recipient's name and placed on a table for pickup or delivery.  These boxes and bags contain enough food to feed my family of 4 for a week.  If recipients need or would like donations from section 2, the private donation section, to supplement their food box they may choose a few items.  However, senior citizens who qualify and receive food stamps are eligible to receive only specific products from section 1 and are barred from products in section 2.  These items make up less than 50% of the selections of what their socioeconomic peers will receive and it is only enough food or 2-3 small meals.

Section 2 is reserved for those in need who do not qualify for or accept government food stamp benefits.  These folks are not allowed, regardless of hardship, to receive any food or products from section 1.  Also, non-food stamp citizens are not allowed to receive any food from section 2 until all the food stamp recipients have been served.  If there is anything left in section 2 after this, non-food stamp residents will be given a maximum of one bag of any left over groceries from section 2.  If there is not enough groceries left in section 2 after the food stamp recipients have made their selections, then non-food stamp recipients must locate other resources for help.

After being given this information, I visited the United States Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service web-site to inquire what the qualifications were for food stamp benefits and how much a family of 4 would qualify for.  It must not be very much if our local food bank gives a week's worth of groceries out to food stamp recipients each week, right?  I was very surprised by what I found.

According to the USDA Food and Nutrition Service web-site a family of 4 can qualify for a maximum of $668.00 per month in food stamp benefits.  Of course this amount would be reserved for families who are completely on well fare and do not work to earn a living.  Please note, that is $218.00 per month more than our family's personal grocery budget of $450.00 per month, $25.00 of which is reserved for food and necessities for our church's food pantry.  But if a family does have an income from working how much in food stamp benefits, if any, would they qualify for?  A family of four's gross income can not exceed $2,050.00 per month.  At the maximum income allowance a family of four qualifies for $321.00 per month in food stamp benefits.  (please note:  senior citizens are segregated into a very different qualification procedure and must have a much lower income and qualify for less than 1/2 of what  their younger socioeconomic peers qualify for.)

$321.00 - $668.00 per month for a family of four, plus boxes of food each week from the local food bank, plus free breakfast and lunch for students during the school year at the public school?   Contrary to what the public service ads on T.V. and the federal government tell us, if the well fare and food stamp benefit poor in this nation are being honest and refraining from well fare fraud, how can they possibly be hungry?  They have far more food resources than we (and most other hard working families I personally know) have budgeted per month for groceries.  This information helps me understand how well fare recipients can commit well fare fraud by selling their food stamp benefits for 50 cents on the dollar in exchange for cash. (Throughout the years I've encountered several food stamp recipients who've tried to sell me food stamp benefits for cash. I've never agreed to this as it is a federal offense and punishable by prison.  NEVER enter into this type of agreement, no matter how desperate the offending party may appear to be.  It is well fare fraud and you will get caught, you will go to prison and you will loose everything that's important to you).

The Lord has always impressed upon my heart to give to our church's private food pantry and specific individuals rather than government assisted food banks and organizations.  When I give to my local church and private organizations that do not accept government assistance, senior citizens and those in need who do not qualify for government benefits can have their needs met and they do not have to wait in line hoping for the leftovers of those who receive government benefits.  No, I will not give to government assisted programs.  Yes, I will continue to give to churches and private organizations as the Lord leads me.

If you, or someone you know, are in need and do not receive government benefits or are a senior citizen, I encourage you to visit your local church's food / clothing pantry.  We are there because you have a need and we want to help you.

Tax Update

2nd posting - Information every taxpayer needs to be aware of

Several weeks ago our tax accountant sent us a 2012 Mid-Year Newsletter Tax Update.  After reading over it and talking to a couple friends about the information, I thought my blog readers might also benefit from the information.  This information has been helpful in preparing me for the 2013 tax increases that our family will experience.  I hope it will also assist you and your family.

Here are a few highlights from the newsletter:

1.  Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT) increases.  Today approximately 3-5 million middle and upper middle class taxpayers find themselves paying an Alternative Minimum Tax.  Starting in 2013, this number could exceed 20 million taxpayers without an extension of the AMT "patch".

2.  Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) available for fewer taxpayers.  During 2012, the number of taxpayers who qualified for this popular tax credit was greatly expanded with changes in this credit.  Those expanded income qualifications and added dependent categories are scheduled to roll back at the end of this year.  If you received EITC in 2011 or expect to receive it in 2012 you should forecast the impact it will have on you in 2013.

3.  Child Tax Credit cut in half.  The Child Tax Credit is $1,000.00 in 2012 with some of the credit being refundable.  Refundable credits can give you money back even if you owe no Federal Income Tax.  In 2013, the credit is cut by 50% to $500 and the refundable nature is set to expire.

4.  Social Security Tax Cut is Gone.  After much debate, Congress granted a 2% drop in employee and self-employed social security taxes through 2012.  This "found money" is gone after 2012 creating an average annual drop in over $500 per employee's take home pay.

5.  Medical Expense Threshold is Going Up.  When the Health Care Reform Act was signed into law it included a tax provision that raises the threshold for medical expenses prior to being able to deduct them from your income, for all income levels.  The new threshold goes into place in 2013.  Effective 2013 and beyond, the Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) threshold limit goes from 7.5% to 10% of your AGI.  Thankfully there is an exclusion built into the law that allows taxpayers 65 or older to continue to use the lower 7.5% of AGI amount.

6.  Income Tax Rate Changes for Married Filing Joint/Widow.
AGI $1 - $17,400 will increase from 10% to 15%.  (the lowest income earners in our society will see the largest tax increase of 5%)
AGI $17,401 - $70,700 remains steady @ 15%
AGI $70,701 - $142,700 will increase from 25% to 28%
AGI $142,701 - $217,450 will increase from 28% to 31%
AGI $217,451 - $388,350 will increase from 33% to 36%
AGI over $388,350 will increase from 35% to 39.6%
Plan now to ensure you will not be surprised by the drop in your after-tax income with the increased rates.  (please note:  these tax increases also apply to Single, Head of Household and Married Filing Seperately, HOWEVER the income thresholds vary for each category.

7.  Starting 2014 - Employer Health Care Benefits Will Be Taxed as Income.  Again, when the Health Care Reform Act was signed into law it included a tax provision that counts employer health care benefits as income.  This will raise the Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) of millions, thus raising their tax rates even more than projected above.

8.  Starting 2014 - Health Care Devises and Hospital Stays will be Taxed.  Another tax provision of the Health Care Reform Act that was signed into law includes a provision to apply sales tax to all health care devices (such as bandages, crutches, wheelchairs, diabetes testing and injection supplies, inhalers, blood pressure testing supplies, etc.) and all hospital stays, including out-patient/day surgery stays (prep and recovery rooms, etc.).

As stated above, I hope this information will help you and your family plan and prepare for the upcoming reduction you may see in your take-home pay AND expected tax bill or refund.

What Your Hair Stylist Doesn't Tell You

OG and I have long hair.  Longer than the "average" length of long hair.  We are often asked not only why do we wear our hair long but also HOW did we get it to grow so long.  Well, the why is a personal conviction to our faith.

OG's hair has NEVER been cut more than a 1"-2"  trim.  Mine?  Well, when I was a young girl it was REALLY long - down to my knees long.  But since having it cut short, like the back of my neck showing short, and then re-growing it, I've never had the patience to grow it longer than mid-buttocks.

I'm really surprised at the number of ladies and girls we meet who tell us they would like longer hair but they just can't seem to get it to grow.  They tell us that they are careful to have only the ends trimmed every 6-8 weeks but their hair seems to stay about the same length.  Well, there's a secret to growing long hair that's not really a secret.  My aunt P was a hair dresser/stylist for 40+ years & when I was in Jr. high school, she told me the secret to "growing out" one's hair, especially if interested in a new longer style.

The average person's hair grows only 6" per year - that's only 1/2" per month.  If you get a 1' trim every 8 weeks, most people cut off all the new length thus, their hair seems to ALWAYS stay the same length and not grow.  More than 25 years ago when I decided to grow my hair longer, the first thing I did was stop my frequent visits to the hair dresser.  Instead of getting a 1" trim every 8 weeks I started getting a 1/2" trim every 12 weeks.  In order to keep the ends from getting too scraggly I also made sure I used a good quality conditioner and moisturizing shampoo.  Not only do I need to avoid hair color and other chemical treatments like the plague, I also do not use heated styling tools (including a blow dryer) on a regular basis.  When these tools are used frequently, they cause significant damage to the naturally dryer ends of longer hair.  If there is a special occasion, I'll use a curling iron, hot rollers or straightening iron, however, on an average day my hair is in a barrette, ponytail or a casual up-do.  By the way, a casual up-do and a ponytail with a stylish barrette or clip is GREAT for the" in between" period while trying to grow one's hair longer.

I am living proof that my Aunt P's secret really works.  At 18, I boasted cute pixie.  At 22, I was the original inspiration for Jennifer Aniston's famous "do" (just joking, but my hair was styled almost identical to her current style).  It's now been more than a couple decades since I was 22 and I've worn my hair significantly longer than my waist for over 2 decades.  So, trim if you must, but never more than 1/2 an inch every 12 weeks.

Oldest Man In the U.S.

I am sure many of you saw this ( http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100921/ap_on_re_us/us_world_s_oldest_man ) article on the yahoo news today. If you didn't, it is worth a "click" and short read. The gentleman pictured at right is named Walter Breuning. He was born in 1898, that makes him 114 years old.

As I read this story, I thought of Mr. B's wonderful grandmother who as born in 1912. I also thought of all the history Mr. Breuning and Granny, as we all liked to call Mr. B's grandmother, experienced through out their lives.

I always enjoyed visits with Mr. B's Granny, because she always had so many first hand accounts of history to tell. She was also eager to share not only the events but also the mood and thoughts of her generation and culture during the many changes she witnessed. Sometimes I think I garnished more from her, regarding 20th century history, than from all the stacks of history books I've read.

Since I lived a significant portion of my childhood with my own grandmother, who was 60 years my senior, I've always held our older generations in high esteem. Many of them have a wisdom, a hind sight, and of course experiences that all of us could learn from, if we'd only allow them teach us.

If you have an elder in your family or neighborhood, I urge you to spend some time with them. I promise as they share their life's history and perspective, you will be abundantly blessed with a wealth of knowledge and information you never expected to receive.

Where, Oh Where, Has That Peculiar Lady Gone?

Most recently, she went to Chicago! Well, not exactly Chicago ... we all went to the northern suburbs of Chicago, specifically the Great Lakes/Waukegan/Gurnee areas. Why, oh why would we go? To see JP graduate from Navy Basic Training, of course! Yes, that's right folks, we are now officially the proud parents of a U.S. Sailor!

Our trip was absolutely WONDERFUL. Mr. B flew in from North Dakota (ya know, he still works up that way), AB and BT flew in from North Carolina and New Jersey, and the little ones and I drove up with my dad (aka, Grandpa). The weather was free from snow and ice so everyone arrived and departed without delays.

I also want to send out a warm THANK YOU to all the citizens of the Chicago area. Southern hospitality has nothing on you guys! Everywhere we went, folks held doors open for us, they said thank you, please and literally went out of their way to be polite and courteous. I was overwhelmingly impressed!

(by the way, I FINALLY figured out how to download photos onto my blog using this silly old laptop - HOORAY!) back row, LtoR: AB, me (Mrs.B), our Sailor, JP, Mr. B / front row, LtoR: EJ, OG and BT

JP moments after we found him amid 1,500 other boot camp graduates.

Recruit Training Navy Marching Band

Busy as a Bee on a Spring Bonnet

I must extend an apology to my faithful followers. I had promised that upon our return home I'd post about our time up in the Northwest farmland AND include photos of the many beautiful places and things we were blessed to see and experience. Things have been so rushed since our return home, that I often don't know if I'm coming or going.

So we could continue with our remodeling, we immediately began moving furniture into storage - including our good desktop computer. Thus, I am still using our very old and not so good laptop. This little laptop doesn't work very fast AND it locks up nearly any time we try to run more than one application. Downloading photos has proven to be a HUGE waste of time - I literally spent hours and days trying to down load photos while on vacation and I just couldn't get it to work. When I have my desk top back - I PROMISE I will post vacation photos.

I must also ask for your prayers during this transitional period. Due to the remodeling, our home is in disarray. I like things orderly and in their place - when things are out of sorts, I find it difficult to focus and I easily become overwhelmed. My father has arrived to help me with some projects and he and I work VERY differently. I am a planner, a goal setter AND I work tirelessly until a job is completed - he is the fly by the seat of your pants sort and if it gets done, well good - if it doesn't get done, well that's O.K. too. These differences and the chaotic environment have me a little stressed. So, if y'all think about it anytime during the up coming days, I'd appreciate any little prayer you can offer on my behalf.

Thank you, dear readers for your understanding. I'm looking forward to the day when things are a little more routine around here and I have more time to share with you all.

Blessings,
Mrs.B

Retail Industry Pay Increases?

This evening I popped in on Mrs. Kay over at The Rustic Cottage ( http://therusticcottage.blogspot.com/) and found the following link to an article about Hobby Lobby increasing it's full-time employee's pay. This is such a refreshing news in today's economy. As Mrs. Kay mentioned, doing business God's way REALLY pays off. Link to article: http://www.sj-r.com/homepage/x1263224102/Hobby-Lobby-increases-pay

How To Ship Perfect Pies & Cakes

When baking a pie or cake that you'd like to ship to someone out of town, bake your pie or cake in a foil pie or cake pan that comes with a plastic domed lid. After your pie or unfrosted cake has cooled, cover with plastic wrap and freeze. (note: when shipping cakes it is best to ship them unfrosted. I pack an 8 oz. jar of frosting in the box and my loved ones frost the cake when it arrives.) The next day remove it from the freezer and follow these simple steps:Step 1
Assemble the following items:
frozen pie or unfrosted cake & frosting in an 8 oz. jar
plastic domed lid
packing material such as, newspaper, shredded paper or foam peanuts
box large enough for pie or cake pan
packing tape
address label

Step 2

Place packing material on top of plastic covered pie or cake.

Step 3

Using packing tape, affix the plastic domed lid over the packing material. This will keep the pie or cake from shifting during shipping.

Step 3

Place the pie or cake in a box and stuff with additional packing material.

Step 4

Using packing tape, secure the box closed and attach the address label.

Step 5

Immediately go to mailing center and ship via next day delivery. (note: if your loved one lives in a very small town, 2 day delivery will also work well.)

Pies that ship well include fruit pies with a double crust, thick custard pies such as pumpkin and pecan. Cream pies and meringue pies DO NOT ship well.

Away For Just A Little Bit

I recently received a message from a friend wondering where I've been and inquiring as to if I needed any prayer. Is that not sweet or what? Well, we've all been fine ... we are just real busy remodeling our kitchen. I'll be back soon!

"Shocking" Video

Earlier this morning, I stumbled upon a video of a sermon given by a Southern Baptist minister at a Southern Baptist Youth Convention. Although our immediate family does not attend the Southern Baptist denomination, I found his message to be one that crosses denominational lines. I think it is relevant to all Americans who call themselves Christians, regardless of their chosen denomination. Here's a link to the video: http://www.godtube.com/view_video.php?viewkey=19fd9c84c942a08316e0

If you choose to watch, please watch the entire video (it's about 45 minutes long) and please try not to reject this pastor's words because of his references to the Southern Baptist denomination, (after all he is speaking at a Southern Baptist youth convention), as it appears several other's did from the response posts.

I pray this pastor's message will give you an even stronger desire to have a closer walk with Jesus.

Automobile Tires

THIS IS A MUST SEE for every family that owns, drives or rides in an automobile ...

My friend, Nichol, over at Heart4MyHome has posted a 20/20 news clip regarding the purchasing of what the consumer thinks are new auto tires. Although the tires have never been used, often times they sit on shop storage shelves for years. Over time the rubber on the tires age and they become VERY unsafe. These "old" tires have resulted in numerous FATAL accidents. Here's the link: http://heart4myhome.blogspot.com/2008/06/what-you-need-to-know-about-tires-on.html.

Modesty Survey

Hey Parents!

I just stumbled across a web-site that conducted a survey regarding women's clothing. Only males were surveyed. What did they find modest? What did they find immodest? What did they find to be "stumbling blocks"? Here's your chance as a parent to get a pulse on what today's young man is thinking with regard to your daughter's clothing. Some parents may also be able to use this as a tool to help guide their daughter's many fashion choices. In my personal opinion, when discussing clothing choices with our daughters, it would also do us good to reinforce Matthew 5:28 - "But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery WITH (emphasis mine) her already in his heart". Here's the link: www.therebelution.com/modestysurvey/browse.

I'm Back!!

Several weeks ago, I sustained an injury and was not as mobile as I usually am. Thus, I got behind on several of my more physically demanding chores. This past week, I felt much better and have been healing up so nice that I decided it was time to get caught up on some of the things I had been forced to neglect. Of course, since I was working on other things I did not have the time to keep my blog updated. Well, I am caught up, for now, and back on-line. I've had several things rolling around in my head and I hope my upcoming entries will be a blessing to you.
May God Abundantly Bless You,
Mrs. B

Gaining an Objective View

Recently, I have been reading a lot about Christian women and modesty. I am not writing today to debate or even suggest what I would define as modesty, but rather to address the problem today's Christian woman has in finding modest clothing that is complimentary to her shape, skin tones and personal style. I have never personally met a woman who did not care about her appearance to one degree or another. Admittedly, some women tend to focus on their appearance too much, but that is another topic.

Much to my husband's delight, I am one of those ladies who abhor shopping. However, when I go out for supper with my husband, to a social gathering or even to church on Sunday morning, I do not want to look like, as my grandmother used to say, an orphan. Thus, I must occasionally go shopping. I average about once every 18 months and will purchase 2 or 3 inter-changeable outfits.

Last year I had an occasion to need a couple new outfits and on a whim I found the most useful shopping tool, ever! Well, actually two tools - a friend AND a digital camera! I didn't take the friend to help with suggestions, I brought her along to operate the digital camera. (Don't worry, at the end of the day I did buy her lunch - after all, photography is a very labor intensive task and it was the least I could do.)

The results were AMAZING! The digital camera gave me an instant objective image of how I looked in any particular outfit. I was instantly able to see if the colors complimented my skin tone and hair color. I instantly saw whether I looked fat or frumpy. And, I had a full-length objective view of whether the outfit was modest for my figure and was complimentary for my hair style. I don't know what it is about a photograph, but I found it really gives a more objective view than any mirror.

Because I KNOW I look nice in them, the clothes I bought last year are still my favorites. After that shopping trip, I received, for the first time in my life, compliments from others regarding my appearance. Who would ever imagine a simple little digital camera would solve all my shopping dilemmas? Now, hmm, if I could only find an equally simple solution to housework ...