#GoRedForWomen 2018

My interview with Eve Walker from Season 1 of Daily Spark with Dr. Angela (99.1 FM Atlanta). She speaks about her personal relationship with heart health and being a spokesperson for the American Heart Association.
Enjoy!

Modern Feminists Wear High Heels with Ysan Roche

When did you decide you want to be a writer, not just a musician?
A: I have always felt that there is a connection between music and writing. We all want to have a voice in our society. We want to inspire and make a difference. I believe writing and music are both equally able to reach people's heart and touch them deeply. I have always wanted to express myself and be understood.
Probably because I mostly felt that people didn't see the real ME. So Writing offers me the possibility to show who I am and what is inside of them.

You write about modern feminism. What do you mean by that and what does it mean for you to be a MODERN FEMINIST?
A: I believe women today realize more and more that we have been lied to. Sexuality and intelligence of a woman have become disconnected. I have experienced how I lost my power in society, mostly by being stigmatized when growing up and enjoying to play with feminine attributes. While living in Germany, it became almost a burden to be a feminine woman. By feminine, I mean loving dresses, high-heels and a certain kind of sexiness. I noticed how many stigmatizations were attached to it. People almost hate on women who are overly feminine. Men have learned to even play that part better in Transvestite Shows, where they can perfectly play with all the attributes of a woman and make them bigger, as a woman you are being called cheap or certain other names. 

I have always been an intellectual (or being named as such). So to me this had become a trap, a trap I needed to escape from. So I created my stage persona YSAN ROCHE who would express all my creative traits, my inner me. As Ysan Roche I was listened to. As a woman (the woman I feel I am) I am taken less seriously. It is frightening. WE NEED FEMININE, EMOTIONAL WOMEN. Being emotional and loving ones female attributes to me, means modern feminism.

What exactly happened in Germany? Do you believe other countries are less judgmental towards feminine power?
A: I seriously don't know what's wrong in this country? A lot of frustration might have built up. I am German and went to some great schools in Germany. But only when I moved to America, I began to feel AT PEACE and home.

I have heard that women had similar experiences. But Germany is an extreme, however, other countries are similarly oppressing feminine energy and might not even be aware of it. I feel women of today should be fine with having plastic surgery and changing or deciding the way they look. They should not be ashamed of loving to be attractive and using this power to their advantage. Hey!! A tall basketball player is not being judged because his height gives him an advantage in sports. So why are attractive women being judged for using their looks? Our society is superficial. We have to educate our women, but we should not be ashamed of wanting to get ahead in life.

What scares you most about our society today?
A: The obsession with media and celebrities. The media has become a substitute for god. People seem empty and many are obsessing about lives they see online (that have been fabricated to a huge extend). This is meant to keep us in a constant state of unhappiness and dissatisfaction, which in the end leads to consumption and more Sales for the companies who sponsor those celebrities.

Men today have a much harder time committing to one women unless they're extremely confident personalities, because the next dating site, Instagram model or hot chick on Facebook is just around the corner.


What do you think is the solution to this problem? You seem to be highly active on Social Media, too. So isn't your opinion contradicting?
A: Well, yes and no. We need to encourage people to think. I understand why philosophy isn't being taught in our school systems today. It clearly wouldn't benefit the BIG Bosses in certain companies if people would use their brain more. We are all visual beings. But if we begin to inspire each other to create more depth and meaning by connecting visual stimulation with great messages - I believe it goes in the right direction.

We need to turn our back to all the BIG PSEUDO celebrities like the Kardashians or Hollywood Media and choose very wisely who to follow. Do you really want the messages of the Kardashians in your subconscious mind? They are not even allowed to make statements that would make people feel good about themselves. People need to understand the background of the media better, THERE IS ALWAYS AGENDA. I have heard that from a Chinese Business Man and was impressed how people here have a better understanding of how the media operates.

And teach your girls from a young age that dating men up to 20 years older IS NOT OK for god sake. Another thing that has become slowly socially accepted. Do women benefit from this in any way?

One last question. What are your favorite books and why?
Right now, I'm reading everything I can get by Jane Austin. I love the art of Chivalry and how feminine and ladylike women behaved those days. I believe it also teaches us where modern relationships go wrong. 

People quickly lose respect for each other. Modern relationship resembles friendships, men don't see a feminine counterpart they can admire and feel fascinated by. And women don't see a strong man they can admire and look up to. And forgive me because I know this will anger some of you. But women are simply not meant to be like men. We are not meant to compete. We are meant to support and complement each other. ANOTHER SOCIETY CONSPIRACY???? I'm just joking. Well, maybe I'm not.

To purchase this book from Amazon click here.

To follow her on Twitter click here. 

Healthy Body for Life with Carla Hampshire

Can you tell us more about your book, Healthy Body for Life – A Guide for Women Over Forty? What is it about?

ANSWER: Healthy Body for Life is a comprehensive guide to health and fitness, especially directed to women over 40 and their particular health concerns. The book teaches and encourages women to embrace a healthy lifestyle – to invest in themselves now so as to fully enjoy life, and the years to come. It is written in an easy-to-read format, supported by inspiring stories from women successfully facing the aging process.

Can you tell us about some of the essential principles of health and fitness that the reader will learn about in the book?

ANSWER: The principles presented in Healthy Body for Life will help readers dramatically improve their physical and emotional well-being. These are some of the topics covered in the book:

·         how to remain optimistic about the years to come

·         effective ways to prepare yourself for wellness

·         how to meet the nutritional needs for women over 40

·         advice about how to stay fit, including an illustrated body-weight workout and a stretching routine

·         strategies to help you cope with hormonal changes

·         tips to help you achieve restorative and rejuvenating sleep

·         simple techniques to reduce the stress in your life

I know the title of the book is very specific, but could women younger than 40 or perhaps men gain any benefit from reading Healthy Body for Life – A Guide for Women Over Forty?

ANSWER: Absolutely! My Amazon reviews indicate that men are indeed reading my book. I find this very encouraging. The teachings of this book are basic principles that men would greatly benefit from as well. And the section on hormone management can help them gain greater insight into what their spouse may be experiencing. Younger women are also engaging with the book reporting that it is helping them prepare now and be in a healthier state as they enter their 40's.

How is your book different from other health books?

ANSWER: The book lays out the information in a clear and concise manner. It is written like one girlfriend talking to another – giving her advice, encouragement and easy-to-implement strategies.

What encouraged you to write this book?

ANSWER: That’s a great question. This book comes from a place deep inside – a place of passion. A passion for being as healthy as I can be, a passion for being as fit as I can be, a passion for healthy aging. And last but not least, a passion to share what I know because I want all women to experience a healthy body…for life!

What guidance would you offer to someone who is new to the world of wellness?

ANSWER: If you have the desire to make changes in your life, it’s important to remember to start small. It’s far too easy to become overwhelmed and give up. It happens all too often, and then we revert back to our default ways that don’t contribute to improved health. If for you it means being aware of how much water you drink in a day and increasing that by one cup for now. Then congratulations, you have just taken your first step. Maybe it’s deciding that you will begin by walking 15 minutes a day. Excellent! Start now then build upon that. Results will follow and that will motivate you to continue. Step by step guidance is provided in the book.

Outside of writing, what else do you aspire to do?

ANSWER: Writing is just one of the tools I use to reach out to women. I love speaking to large audiences of women. To see that look in their eyes when they feel inspired by something I say, that’s just so rewarding.

What sorts of books do you enjoy reading and why?

ANSWER: I am big into self-development books. I am currently reading Talk Like Ted – The 9 Public Speaking Secrets of the World’s Top Minds, by Carmine Gallo, because I strive to improve as a motivational speaker. Another great book I picked up at an airport bookstore is Jack Canfield’s, The Success Principles – How to Get from Where You Are to Where You Want to Be. Just growing in all areas of my life excites me. And that’s why I never pick up a novel. I enjoy expanding my knowledge and the feeling of being inspired by other authors.

Can you tell us a little bit about your personal life?

ANSWER: I am a happily married woman. We have been married for over 36 years. We have 6 grown children – one daughter and five sons. We are also the proud grandparents of 5 lovely grandchildren. I receive a lot of support from my family, for which I am extremely grateful. My husband has always championed my dreams. I could not have written Healthy Body for Life without his constant encouragement.

What do you do for fun and recreation?

ANSWER: My husband and I absolutely LOVE the mountains. We are very fortunate to live just an hour from the Rockies here in Alberta, Canada. On Saturdays, you can find us hiking up some mountain and taking in the beautiful vistas. There is something so very magical about being in nature. I always return home feeling revitalized and ready for the week ahead.

Besides hiking, what do you do for fitness?

ANSWER: Are you ready? I lift heavy things! At the ripe old age of 46, I took on the world of competitive bodybuilding. I know! Crazy, right? I have since competed 13 times across Canada and the United States. I came first in a couple of competitions in my second year and earned my Pro Card. I was now classed as a professional bodybuilder! I eventually went on to compete at a World Championship taking home the first-place prize…at age 51, competing against younger athletes. Although I am retired from competition, I still train 5 days a week and include hiking on the weekends. I continue to train and push myself because I want to live a healthy, happy, fulfilling life well into my 90’s and beyond.

Now I’m curious about your nutrition.

ANSWER: Our metabolism has a tendency to slow down with age. I like to keep my furnace burning bright by providing my body with healthy fuel at regular intervals throughout the day (every 3 to 4 hours). If I want to train hard and be able to recover well, I need to be mindful to eat wholesome foods right through the week, with a break on the weekend where I will allow myself some pizza and ice cream, for example. Vegetables and fruit, chicken and fish, yams and brown rice are just some of the foods I eat on a regular basis. It almost doesn’t matter how much exercise you do if you just go home and eat unhealthy foods. There is a saying among bodybuilders, “It’s 80% nutrition and 20% exercise.” That’s how important nutrition is!

Where can our readers find out more about you? Do you have a website or a way to be contacted?

ANSWER: You can visit my website www.CarlaHampshire.com or come chat with me on Facebook at www.facebook.com/HealthyBodyforLife.

If you had one last thing you could tell our readers, what would it be?

ANSWER: You have one body. Respect it and give it the love and care it deserves, and it will serve you well into your 40’s, 50’s and beyond. Ask yourself this question, “How am I going to live differently from this day forward?” Then pick up my book, Healthy Body for Life, and start making the changes that will bring you one step closer to wellness. And remember that health is a journey. Begin today!

Where can our readers pick up a copy of your book?

ANSWER: It is available globally through all online retailers: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, iBookstore, Kobo, Nook, and Kindle. And of course, if you wish to receive a signed copy, visit my website at www.CarlaHampshire.com. 

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About the Author

        

My interest in nutrition, health and fitness began when I stepped into a gym for the first time in my late 30s.  My trainer encouraged me to go to the library and start reading everything I could on nutrition and bodybuilding.  The more I learned, the more I wanted to participate in the sport of bodybuilding.

At the age of 46, I became a competitive bodybuilder.  I competed until my early 50s earning the title of Professional International Bodybuilder — a first place honour.

Through my sport,  I gained a great respect for what I was able to achieve at my age with the right nutrition and fitness program.  I wanted to encourage women to embrace a healthy lifestyle.

I returned to school so that I could have the education to add to my life experience.  I became a certified personal trainer and earned a diploma in holistic health and nutrition.  I was now equipped to bring my book to life!

My book, Healthy Body for Life, is a guide to help women achieve health and well-being in their 40s and beyond, offering tips and encouragement on topics such as nutrition, exercise, dealing with changing hormones, improved sleep, stress management and more.

Bio

Carla Hampshire is a Holistic Nutritional Consultant, Motivational Speaker and Author of Healthy Body for Life – A Guide for Women Over 40.

In her youth, her fitness endeavors revolved around classical ballet and cross country running.

It wasn’t until much later in life that she fell in love with the sport of bodybuilding.

She started competing at the age of 46, earning her Pro Card in her second year, and capping off her Professional Bodybuilding career with a first-place finish at a World Championship at 51. 

As a role model for women's health and fitness, she was invited to write for fitness magazines on topics of interest to women over 40. 

Carla continues to encourage and empower women to embrace a healthy, happy and fulfilling life through her book and inspirational speeches.

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Follow Carla online here:

AMAZON link: https://www.amazon.com/-/e/B01LWHNU20
WEBSITE link: http://www.carlahampshire.com/

FACEBOOK link:https://www.facebook.com/healthybodyforlife/
TWITTER link: https://twitter.com/carlahampshire
INSTAGRAM link: https://www.instagram.com/carlahampshire/

FREE Download

Enjoy February's Free Download - The Proverbs 31 Woman

To download simply right click and save as.
Enjoy!

Worthy Women's Brunch in Indianapolis

Are you in the Indianapolis metro area? 

Join Tanessa Burch and special guests for faith, fellowship, food and fun on March 25th. 

Get tickets now!

House Cleaning Schedule

When I was a stay-at-home Mom, I loved it.  So, I tend to still get many of the newsletters on home & housekeeping. The tips they share are great and can make the difference in your work load, as well as, if you wish to become a stay-at-home Mom.

The entire article is listed below, however, you can also click on the title to see it on it's website.

House Cleaning Schedule

Good house keeping starts with a good cleaning schedule, and there’s nothing like walking into a house that smells as good as it looks. When floors are washed, beds are made and dishes are put away, the family gains a sense of comfort in knowing that their surroundings are under control. Being clean and organized saves you both time and money. When all things are put in proper order you don’t have to spend minutes or hours looking for lost items. And when supplies are carefully organized, you can easily find them instead of replenishing stock. That's where a schedule like this comes in handy!

This schedule focuses on house cleaning. It does not cover meal planning, bill payment or personal hygiene. It is designed to get your house in tip-top shape each week and keep it looking that way.

Tackle one area of your house/day, and before you know it you’ll have it sparkling clean from top to bottom! If you’re starting from scratch, then the first week or two will take up much of your time, because there may be areas that you haven’t been cleaning on regular basis. But once you get a good deep cleaning done, up-keep will be a breeze!


My sister Betty always says, when the dishes and laundry are done a woman is happy, but that happiness dissipates quickly if we don’t make a daily effort to keep up those areas. Dishes and laundry are constantly in use, and therefore we must constantly be on top of those kinds of jobs.

This “Daily Upkeep” section of the schedule covers the cleaning that you’ll need to tend to each and every day.

Make the Beds

It only takes five minutes to make a bed. Five minutes goes a long way to making your family appreciate you. If your children are old enough, ensure that they make their own beds before school. Caring for the house is a great habit for all kids to get into.

Laundry

Depending on the size of your family, you may need to schedule anywhere from one to four loads of laundry/day. Start with two loads each day (Monday-Friday) and decide if you need to increase that number or not.

While the water is running in the machine, wet a light-colored rag and wipe down the washer and dryer if necessary (keep a few on hand in that room). Throw the rag into the load.

Set a timer so you don’t forget to put the second load in. The timer is also necessary for clothes that are drying. Whether they are in an electric dryer or hanging on the line, we want to fold them as soon as possible to prevent wrinkles. And besides that—fresh laundry smells incredible!

Once they are folded, put everything away. Piles of laundry littering the couch only takes away from the hard work you have done.

About line drying: I had a clothes line in my last house that ran from the back door to the back lane. I loved using it in the summer time--felt like I stepped back into the '60s! Since moving to this house a few years back, we haven't put up a clothes line yet. However, I do try to dry sheets and towels and blankets on my deck railing when the weather is nice. It's not the best alternative, but it satisfies my craving for the outdoor smell.

Here are just a few reasons that line-drying is good:

• We save money on hydro
• The sun kills germs and therefore the clothes smell so much better
• Dryers are more apt to shrink your clothing
• The sun doesn't cause static cling
• Hanging clothes is good 0ld-fashioned exercise

While I was in Jamaica I noticed that nearly every house had a clothes line. So when I mentioned it to our tourist guide, she told me that her doctor recommended line drying for good health. Makes sense since the sun offers vitamins and kills germs.

If you don't like the crunchy feeling that you get from hanging up towels and jeans, dry them 3/4 of the time on the line, and finish the load in the dryer.

Vinegar in the wash is also a great way to kill odors--even odors as foul as cigarette smoke. Don't worry about your clothes coming out smelling like pickles, the vinegar smell also washes away in the water and gives the clothes a good cleaning.

Wash Your Dishes

Empty your dishwasher every night, or put your hand washed dishes away. This clears space up for the next day’s activities. Keep on top of dishes that don’t fit into the dishwasher and wash them as soon as each one is emptied. Pots, pans, plastic bowls and juice jugs can clutter a sink, and a cluttered sink takes the charm away from any dining experience.

Find a liquid soap with an aroma that’s pleasing. It will make your dishwashing experience a more pleasurable one and your hands will smell great.

Every time you wash the dishes, also take a moment to sweep the kitchen floor.

10-Minute Tidy

In addition to your daily duties, which I will outline below, set your timer for 10 minutes three times/day and tidy things up. You’ll be surprised at how much you can achieve in only 10 minutes time. I like to do this after breakfast, lunch and supper. This step is in addition to laundry, dishes, and shedding your junk, which we’ll get to next.


Shed Your Junk

Again set your timer, but this time it’s only for 10 minutes/day. Tackle any cluttered area that you desire and discard junk. Have one box for “giveaways,” and another for “throwaways.”

(Also see my article "Toss out 25 Things")

While you’re purging, keep this rule in mind: if it isn’t pretty, useful, or sentimental, get it out of the house. As for clothing, if you haven't worn it in the past year, you likely won't wear it again. If you're hanging on to clothing "just in case" you might decide to wear it, chances are you won't. The longer it sits in your closet the less likely you are to ever put it on. Pack it up and give it to someone who will cherish it as much as you did the day you brought it home. Besides--how much clothing do we really need?

Lighten your load by giving away items that you don’t necessarily need. Want—perhaps, but need—no. Having less stuff makes cleaning and organization easier and there’s far less dusting to do!

Incorporate Routines to Your Schedule

Everyone's schedule is different and therefore one routine does not fit all. Choose daily routines that work for you and your family. It could be as simple as listing three cleaning chores for the morning and three more for days end. Don't overwhelm yourself with enthusiasm or you might tire out. Handle some tasks today, and others tomorrow--it will all get done in time.

Start a Journal

It may be helpful to start a home maintenance journal where you can record your routine, keep track of this schedule, grocery lists, plan menus and keep track of important "to-dos." A small three ring binder about the size of a Daytimer works well since the pages are removable. Target carries the cutest little notebooks, and of course I have a few on hand. You can't insert pages, but if you're creative you can always glue a little pocket onto the inside front cover to store coupons and grocery lists. Brown paper kraft paper is the perfect weight for book pockets. Cut out a square, fold the edges under on three sides (about 1/3 inch), apply glue for the three edges and fasten to the inside cover.

Don't Get Sidetracked

One of the best things I've ever purchased was a telephone headset. Mine broke about a year ago, but it's back on the top of my Christmas list for 2010 [update: I got it!]. Phone calls can be so disruptive when you have dishes to wash, and unless you're as talented as my friend Sandra, it's difficult to be juggling both. A hands-free headset is well worth the money if you find that telephone calls are tying you down. I roam the house with mine.

The computer is also a huge distraction for women today. Used to be that soap operas distracted women, but as least they were still able to turn up the volume and move freely through the house to get their cleaning done. Not so with computers. Facebook, Twitter, and Blogger are all things that draw my attention away from my home. I need to be cautious that I'm not too sidetracked when there is house work to be done. Sitting in front of a monitor will not result in a clean house, ladies.


Monday

Clean the bathroom/bathrooms. Wet a cloth and sprinkle soap onto the cloth, wipe down the bathtub, the sink and the counters. I use a hand scrubber to remove tough grime. Use one scrubber for the toilet, and a separate one for the sink, bathtub and floors.

While my sister was working for a professional cleaning company, she picked up an awesome cleaning tip from them. Instead of using a standard cleaning product, my sisters are now using laundry detergent to clean their bathroom sink and tub. Keep a small box of it handy under the sink (but away from the reach of little children) and sprinkle a bit onto a damp cloth. It works great for removing bathtub scum. Since it's much cheaper than the standard chemicals I'm switching too!

Paper towels are my best friend when it comes to the bathroom. After I wipe and scrub the areas with the hand brush, I dry with paper towels that I can discard. I also like to hang on to worn out socks, or undershirts that I cut into pieces and use as disposable cloths. One pair of long underwear goes a long way! Cleaning your bathtub weekly is important as a ring can build up, making it difficult to remove.

Give special attention to the floor. The area behind the toilet is a gathering place for filth, especially if you have little boys. Reach in with a moist hand brush, and wipe dry with paper towels.

Keep the soap and brush under the sink where you can easily touch up areas during the week.

Clean the mirrors with window cleaner until you can hear them laugh. Then use the moist paper towels to wipe down the door handle and light switch.

* See window cleaner recipe below.

Look up. Is there a fan that needs to be cleaned? Check your shower liner. Is it time for a wash?

Don't forget to empty the garbage. Next time you're picking up cleaning supplies, find a box of great smelling fabric softener and throw a sheet into the bathroom garbage to freshen up the scent. It doesn't have to be brand name, it just has to smell good.

Remember, when guests are sitting on your throne, they have nothing better to do than observe what kind of a housekeeper you are.

Tuesday

Spend time in the bedrooms on Tuesdays.

Change bedding, and toss sheets in the wash. Note: if you purchase deep sheets, they won't pop off of the corners as often. If it's nice outside, try hanging your sheets and blankets outside.

Organize clothes, and dust off your dressers. Take a look in your closet to see what you can give away. If it doesn’t fit, or you haven’t worn it in over a year, there is no reason to keep it. Put as much junk away as possible so that all clutter is eliminated.


Keep DVDs, CDs, and jewellry off of the dressers. Keep one or two books on each bed stand and put the others away in a book shelf.

Clean the windows and mirrors, and occasionally wash your drapes. Wipe down window sills, and clean inside the tracking of sliding windows. They say not to clean your windows on a sunny day, and the reason is that they dry too quickly, leaving you with a streaky finish.

Empty space makes for a comfortable bedroom so do your best to shed items when it comes to the most restful place in your home.

Wednesday

This is kitchen day. The kitchen is the hub of the family, so in addition to the daily maintenance you do, deep cleaning this room is necessary once a week.

Organize your pantry and discard old food. Repackage items that have torn torn or open boxes, and consider storing them in Tupperware to eliminate the threat of insects.

Empty and wipe out your refrigerator. Thursday is shopping day and you’ll need all of the space you can get. If you leave this chore to doing once monthly, you’ll find it’s far more difficult to get done. Constant maintenance is the key to keeping a refrigerator clean and functional.

Fill a glass bowl full of water and add about 1/4 cup of vinegar to it. Place the bowl in the microwave for about three minutes. This should be long enough to steam the inside of the microwave. Now wiping it down is a snap! (My sister says she skips the bowl and just puts a wet cloth in--even easier!)

Wash your counters and disinfect them. Note: vinegar is a great disinfectant, and since it's edible it's a safe alternative to use on kitchen surfaces.

A little vanilla on vinyl flooring hides pet odors, but beware of possible stains.

Have a coffee maker to rinse? Powdered automatic dish detergent is the best for removing coffee stains whether they are in the pot or on your counter. Just a little bit will do. It also works well to clean a stainless steel sink.

Wipe down your appliances and your cupboards.

Empty your garbage. And before you put the next bag in, throw about five bags into the bottom of the can. This makes changing the garbage every day an even easier task.

Organize one or two drawers. Here's the thing--did you realize that most women have the same odds and ends in their "junk drawer?" Yes, we do. Ask one of your friends, and you'll see. And if you took a minute to analyze the junk you'd also see that this junk can be organized into 5-6 categories. Grab a handful of large Ziploc bags and slip items of similarity into each:

• Pens, pencils, erasers, markers
• Scotch tapes, masking tape electrical tape
• Candles, birthday candles, matches, lighters
• String, twine, shoelaces
• Keys, padlocks
• Etc.

It's a lot easier to pull out a bag when you need masking tape then to sift through a drawer of junk looking for it.

It's also a good idea to designate a shoe box for warranties, instruction booklets, and important receipts. It only takes five minutes to find a shoe box today, but you'll save yourself all kinds of time and frustration in the future.

Once per month clean the inside of your stove.

Use the hose of the vacuum to suck up crumbs when you're cleaning the toaster, and also use the vacuum hose to clean crumbs from the cutlery drawer. (Yes--we all seem to get crumbs in there!)

Thursday

This is grocery day. Plan your meals for a week and write down the supplies you will need. Check to ensure that you have an adequate stock of light bulbs, cleaning supplies, toiletries, and the like.

If you have collected any coupons during the week, put them in your purse.
Call your husband to see if there is anything that he needs from the store before heading out.

If you have errands to run, this is a good day to do them. Save time and gas money by grouping trips together, and try to schedule errands for this day as well .

Friday

Vacuum all carpeted areas and clean all other floors. Pull the couches away from the walls and get behind there. Every second week, remove the cushions and vacuum the inside of the couch on this day.

* Also see carpet cleaning below.

Grab a dusting rag or a bounce sheet and dust any surfaces that you haven’t touched yet this week. Clean any windows and mirrors that haven’t been cleaned yet this week. See any scuff marks on your walls? Try using toothpaste to remove them.

Several decades ago, my sister Betty decided to jump on her bed with a pencil in hand. When mom discovered the mess she had made, Betty was sent to her room with an old toothbrush and toothpaste. It all came off.

Saturday

Spend time with your family working outside. This is a great day to mow the lawn or shovel the walk, depending on the time of year. In summer, transfer your plants, in winter hang Christmas lights. Check your front door. Does the welcome mat need cleaning? Does your front steps need a shovel or sweeping? Consider what you want done, and use this day to do it.

Grab a garbage bag and clean out your car. Vacuuming and cleaning the interior should be done 2-3 times/year, but let’s stick with home maintenance here.

Take one day/month to clean out the garage. You may ask your husband to help you if it’s too large a job to take on yourself. If he agrees, spend the time cleaning with him.

Sunday

Take time to enjoy a day of rest with the family.

Women, Stop Submitting to Men

I found this article to be very well written and powerful. Let me know how you feel about it.  The entire article is presented, however, you can click the title below to see the article on it's website.

Women, Stop Submitting to Men
written by Russell Moore  12/5/11

Those of us who hold to so-called “traditional gender roles” are often assumed to believe that women should submit to men. This isn’t true.  Indeed, a primary problem in our culture and in our churches isn’t that women aren’t submissive enough to men, but instead that they are far too submissive.   First of all, it just isn’t so that women are called to submit while men are not. In Scripture, every creature is called to submit, often in different ways and at different times. Children are to submit to their parents, although this is certainly a different sort of submission than that envisioned for marriage. Church members are to submit to faithful pastors (Heb. 13:17). All of us are to submit to the governing authorities (Rom. 13:1-7; 1 Pet. 2:13-17). Of course, we are all to submit, as creatures, to our God (Jas. 4:7). And, yes, wives are called to submit to their husbands (Eph. 5:22; 1 Pet. 3:1-6). But that’s just the point. In the Bible, it is not that women, generally, are to submit to men, generally. Instead, “wives” are to submit “to your own husbands” (1 Pet. 3:1). Too often in our culture, women and girls are pressured to submit to men, as a category. This is the reason so many women, even feminist women, are consumed with what men, in general, think of them. This is the reason a woman’s value in our society, too often, is defined in terms of sexual attractiveness and availability. Is it any wonder that so many of our girls and women are destroyed by a predatory patriarchy that demeans the dignity and glory of what it means to be a woman? Submitting to men in general renders it impossible to submit to one’s “own husband.” Submission to one’s husband means faithfulness to him, and to him alone, which means saying “no” to other suitors. Submission to a right authority always means a corresponding refusal to submit to a false authority. Eve’s submission to the Serpent’s word meant she refused to submit to God’s. On the other hand, Mary’s submission to God’s word about the child within her meant she refused to submit to Herod’s.  God repeatedly charges his Bride, the people of Israel, with a refusal to submit to him because they have submitted to the advances of other lovers. The freedom of the gospel means, the apostle tells us, that we “do not submit again to a yoke of slavery” (Gal. 5:1). Despite the promise of female empowerment in the present age, the sexual revolution has given us the reverse. Is it really an advance for women that the average high-school male has seen images of women sexually exploited and humiliated on the Internet? Is it really empowerment to have more and more women economically at the mercy of men who freely abandon them and their children, often with little legal recourse?  Is this really a “pro-woman” culture when restaurant chains enable men to pay to ogle women in tight T-shirts while they gobble down chicken wings? How likely is it that a woman with the attractiveness of Henry Kissinger will obtain power or celebrity status in American culture? What about the girl in your community pressured to perform oral sex on a boyfriend, what is this but a patriarchy brutal enough for a Bronze Age warlord? In the church it is little better. Too many of our girls and young women are tyrannized by the expectation to look a certain way, to weigh a certain amount, in order to gain the attention of “guys.”  Additionally, too many predatory men have crept in among us, all too willing to exploit young women by pretending to be “spiritual leaders” (2 Tim. 3:1-9; 2 Pet. 2). Do not be deceived: a man who will use spiritual categories for carnal purposes is a man who cannot be trusted with fidelity, with provision, with protection, with the fatherhood of children. The same is true for a man who will not guard the moral sanctity of a woman not, or not yet, his wife. We have empowered this pagan patriarchy. Fathers assume their responsibility to daughters in this regard starts and stops in walking a bride down an aisle at the end of the process. Pastors refuse to identify and call out spiritually impostors before it’s too late. And through it all we expect our girls and women to be submissive to men in general, rather than to one man in particular. Women, sexual and emotional purity means a refusal to submit to “men,” in order to submit to your own husband, even one whose name and face you do not yet know. Your closeness with your husband, present or future, means a distance from every man who isn’t, or who possibly might not be, him. Your beauty is found not in external (and fleeting) youth and “attractiveness” but in the “hidden person of the heart” which “in God’s sight is very precious” (1 Pet. 3:3-4). And it will be beautiful in the sight of a man who is propelled by the Spirit of this God. Sisters, you owe no submission to Hollywood or to Madison Avenue, or to those who listen to them. Your worth and dignity cannot be defined by them. Stop comparing yourselves to supermodels and porn stars. Stop loathing your body, or your age. Stop feeling inferior to vaporous glamor. You are beautiful.  Sisters, there is no biblical category for “boyfriend” or “lover,” and you owe such designation no submission. In fact, to be submissive to your future husband you must stand back and evaluate, with rigid scrutiny, “Is this the one who is to come, or is there another?” That requires an emotional and physical distance until there is a lifelong covenant made, until you stand before one who is your “own husband.” Wives, submit yourselves to your husbands as unto the Lord. Yes and Amen. But, women, stop submitting to men. Dr. Moore is the Dean of the School of Theology and Senior Vice-President for Academic Administration at s the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.  This article appeared on Dr. Moore’s Blog, Moore to the Point, and is used with permission.

Get To Know The Girls - Advice From A Survivor

My article for Breast Cancer Awareness Month, was selected for inclusion on AlwaysNewYou.com  Please take a moment to stop by and read it. 

In every culture, the woman is responsible for taking care of the household. Duties range from nurturing the children, preparing the meals in a healthy manner, begin the chauffeur, nurse, counselor and all around “World’s Greatest Mom.” Women have taken the task of keeping everyone they are responsible for, seriously. They will sacrifice in order for others to have, with no expectation of return or gratitude.

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Modesty Helps Women Be Friends

This piece from the National Catholic Register has to be one of the best articles I’ve ever read on reasons for modesty, highlighting one I don’t think many of us consider…but one that is nevertheless very important: our relationships with other women.

Though each woman may have different ideas about exactly what it means to be modest, there is a general agreement that putting forth some level of conscious effort to avoid looking like a backup dancer in a Snoop Dogg video is a good thing. And it’s fascinating to see the effect that it has on women’s interactions with one another….

Discussions about the benefits of modesty tend to focus on preserving the dignity of women and respecting men who are seeking chastity. Those are great points, but I think that the impact that it has on relationships among women is a huge benefit that is too often overlooked.

Read entire article here

Before You Tie The Knot

Congratulations,on your engagement! 


Taking the next step in planning with premarital education, shows that you are taking getting married seriously, and that's good.  Preparing for your married life will help ensure that you are prepared for the bumps in the road of life.


This workshop provides an in-depth look at the issues that come up most often in married life. No subject will be glossed over. Our goal is to prepare you. To empower you.


Topics include: Career, Sexual Expectation, Children, Family (In Laws) and so much more.


Join us for this premarital education workshop.  You'll be glad you did.


A certificate of completion provided.