A Different Kind of First Lady

I'd like to see a different kind of First Lady in the White House. 

Wouldn't it be refreshing to see a woman with a large family who practiced the principles of Provident Living. I'd like to see a wife and mother who lives within her means and shows an example of frugality with taxpayers money while in the People's House. I'd like to see a woman who teaches by word and example that the United States of America is a great nation with an eternal destiny to stand as a shining city on a hill. I'd like her to teach that knowing the Constitution and history of our founding is some of the most important knowledge you'll ever learn. I'd like her to be an example of graciousness and kindness, serving others in quiet ways without fanfare or media press conferences. I'd enjoy a woman who teaches virtue and morality, who explains the need for strong families in order to have a strong nation. It would be totally refreshing to have a First Lady who is more interested in what she can do for her country than in what she can get out of her country. I'd like a First Lady to promote Liberty and Individual Responsibility.

I'm rather tired of the First Nanny/Queen who currently occupies the White House.  

More Politics

Here are two articles over at Breitbart News that I invite all Ron Paul (or other candidate) supporters to read. This election is critical to the survival of our nation and while we can wish it was different, there are only two candidates that have a chance at winning. When a vote is cast for a third candidate it is wasted and the chances for the wrong candidate to win increase, which I believe is just what Satan wants to happen.

http://www.breitbart.com/Big-Government/2012/09/18/Time-for-Ron-Paul-Fans-to-Support-the-Constitution

http://www.breitbart.com/Big-Government/2012/09/23/Why-Libertarians-Need-To-Vote-Romney-Part-II

I can certainly understand the desire for a Libertarian candidate. We are at risk of losing our freedoms. But liberty is different than license, as in we have liberty to choose for ourselves, but we are still accountable for those choices and will suffer/enjoy the consequences of them. Legalizing or giving license to all sorts of immoral behaviors doesn't change the consequences, it just encourages people to believe there are no consequences or that the government will take care of them.

As I've listened to Mitt Romney speak and have read his book I can see that his world view is filtered through the lens of the Gospel, and the teachings of the Book of Mormon regarding this great land. Do you seriously think he's in this race for the power, money or fame? He neither needs nor wants any of that. He is running for office because he feels a responsibility to restore the governance of our nation to the founding principles of the Constitution and Declaration of Independence which are based on an acknowledgement of a Creator, our accountability to him, and the destiny of this precious land.

One commenter called Romney "too socialistic" for her taste. I hope she will elaborate on which of his actions demonstrates this. Recently we have seen numerous stories come forward of his continuous charitable acts and donations, all done without fanfare and publicity, but in the spirit of "When ye are in the service of your fellow being you are only in the service of your God," and "Inasmuch as ye have done it unto the least of these, my brethren, ye have done it unto me." He gives of his own time, money and other resources to serving others. Socialists collectivize and use someone else's money to "redeem all mankind, that one soul shall not be lost." Voluntary versus force has been part of the fight from the beginning.

I cannot convey all the details of how he put together the health care insurance plan in Massachusetts, but I will tell you that the main stream media has not portrayed it correctly. He worked, at the request of others, to put together a plan so that all Massachusetts citizens would be able to purchase their own affordable insurance if it was not available either through their employers or another way. The mandate to have medical insurance is similar in theory and practice to the mandate in many states to have automobile insurance for the financial protection of all. The final product was not exactly what he wanted because the Democrat leaders in the state senate tacked on some conditions and such, but he felt it was a good compromise all things considered. I highly recommend the book No Apology: Believe in America for understanding Romney and his positions.

Our family is reading the Book of Mormon, a chapter each morning after breakfast and before we disperse for the day. The other day our reading included Helaman 13:26-28 and I thought that it sounded like a description of the current campaign. I LOVE the Book of Mormon, it truly is the handbook for our day.

A declaration of our beliefs about government was adopted by unanimous vote at a general assembly of the church in Kirtland, Ohio on 17 August 1835. "That our belief with regard to earthly government and laws in general may not be misinterpreted nor misunderstood, we have thought proper to present at the close of this volume our opinion concerning the same."

We believe that governments were instituted of God for the benefit of man; and that he holds men accountable for their acts in relation to them, both in making laws and administering them, for the good and safety of society. 

We believe that no government can exist in peace, except such laws are framed and held inviolate as will secure to each individual the free exercise of conscience, the right and control of property, and the protection of life.

We believe that all governments necessarily require civil officers and magistrates to enforce the laws of the same; and that such as will administer the law in equity and justice should be sought for and upheld by the voice of the people if a republic, or the will of the sovereign.

We have not been left without direction so it is up to us to follow that direction and elect leaders whose morals, values and world view align with the knowledge we have received.

My Kitchen - The Rest of the Story

I like to think of myself as an honest person which is why my conscience demands that I tell the rest of the story of my kitchen. I've given you tiny glimpses but not the big picture. Today I'm sharing that.

Join me for a tour of my totally inadequate humble kitchen, little changed from when it was built in 1922.

View from the door of the Dining Room into the Kitchen

We'll begin at the sink, and make our way around the room
These were the only cupboards, and counter, in the room when I moved in.
Next to the sink is the door to the Laundry room, and then outside.

Can you count the doorways? Left to right: Laundry room, Pantry, Dining Room

Next to the door into the Dining Room are some shelves and the stove

Another view of the shelves, with a corner of the work table - such spaciousness

Next to the stove is the original chimney, then the freezer/workspace, with cupboards installed this year
and the refrigerator placed in front of the door to the Living Room.

And here's the fifth door which goes down to the basement.

In front of the windows are the other set of shelves for all my pans and appliances.
The work table takes all the floor space.

This is probably not the worst kitchen in America, just the worst I've ever lived with. In spite of all the inconveniences I will count my blessings--I have hot and cold running water, lights, a fridge, and a stove (although the oven still is not working properly). I have a vintage dishwasher, I mean, I am the vintage dishwasher, 1957 model. I have an ice cream bucket for collecting scraps for the compost pile instead of a disposal, and I have a ceiling fan and windows for cooling and ventilation.

What more could I ask for? By the way, I read another blog where the engaged young woman talked about the log home her man was building for her and the open shelves she designed and how wonderful they were going to be. HOGWASH! Open shelves are the worst! All the grease, dust, dirt, cat hair and other disgusting floaties land on everything on the open shelves and you have to wash anything you want to use. It makes for a horrible lot of work. Give me cupboards with doors, please!

There you have it Rozy's Kitchen, in all it's cluttered glory. Doesn't this make you grateful for the kitchen you have?

Sometimes Comparisons are Helpful

Often at church we're told not to compare ourselves to each other, and that's a good thing. We see each other at church and compare our worst self, the one we know intimately, to the best, Sunday self of the others in attendance.

Once in a while, though, a comparison is a good thing. I try really hard to keep my house clean, not just tidied, de-cluttered, and such, but clean, as in windows washed, walls dusted and washed, floors swept and vacuumed, bathrooms clean, kitchen scrubbed and clean, etc. Because I live with a bunch of males that don't see things my way it never quite measures up to my standard, but over the years I've learned to live with it. During the time I had lots of little children my standards had to be regularly retrieved with a posthole digger.

Sometimes I have gotten really envious of someone else's beautiful home, wondering why can't I have a well decorated, lovely home like theirs. Occasionally I go to someone's home and leave with the feeling that mine, in comparison, is absolutely wonderful.

A while ago I had occasion to go inside a home while waiting for a ride to an activity. Immediately stepping into the house I was overpowered by the smell of animals. It actually made my eyes and nose water. An area rug on the floor was so covered in animal hair that I couldn't see the color. Dust and debris covered all the furniture, piles of papers and books were everywhere. It was pretty disgusting.

Later when I returned home I felt better about my humble, but CLEAN, home. Sometimes comparisons put things in perspective and I find I'm on the long end of the stick!