| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| TheSoapMaven |
Posted - Oct 23 2004 : 7:43:24 PM
I am Susan, married to Jerry for 27+ years. We have 6 children ages 26, 24, 23, 16, 12 and 8 (3 boys and 3 girls). We have 3 cats, Seamus, an 2 year old neutered black kitty, Moe a year old neutered tabby and a newly found (he found us) Ling, Siamese mix who is gorgeous and very loving. I am probably sharing way more than you want but might as well show my cards from the get go.
Often times when I meet people and they find out I am a stay at home, work at home (I own Dahlem's Soapworks), wife, mother and homekeeper, gardener, they assume many things about me and find most of the time they have been wrong or only partially right. I am right where I am supposed to be. I go to bed every night knowing that the work I have been doing for the past 27+ years has been as important or more important than anything anyone else has done. And I take it very seriously.
We live in beautiful but hot NW Louisiana on 5 acres at the end of a dirt road. We love playing in the dirt and have raised beds for veggies and herbs and a fairly large corn/pumpkin patch. Hubby is into landscaping as well as gardening.
Our home is called Rose Cottage - and it is just that a cottage. Small but homey. With massive pink roses on almost every inch of the fence that surrounds the yard with arbors over the gates. It is a sight to behold in the Spring.
Hubby works for an energy company, I have a soap business, 3 of our children are grown and gone from home (one is married), and we homeschooled them and are homeschooling the younger three. Can't imagine doing anything else. The older three turned out okay~all are productive citizens and no one has a criminal record so...we will just keep on keepin' on. And we have one grandson Sam who is a year old.
Now in closing, a few things we live by...bloom where you are planted, be the first to forgive, learn to apologize without saying "but", never go to sleep mad, make love ~ not war, don't judge, practice tolerance, don't argue about religion or politics for they are too personal to be right or wrong, learn what it means to be a friend and then be one, open your home, don't hit others, trust but don't be gullable ~ if something looks too good to be true it probably is, plant a little garden, take a nap every day whether you think you need it or not, never drink that first cup of freshly ground coffee unless you can continue to do so, learn to make bread, make your home a sanctuary (everyone needs one), read at least one book a month just for pleasure, be a giver not a taker, a lover not a fighter and a creator not a destroyer. Never break your spouse’s or your child’s spirit. DO NOT NAG anyone. And never look at another’s life and think it is better than yours ~ you never know what goes on behind closed doors. Be loveable. Be loyal to your spouse and your children above everyone else and do not complain about them for you never know what tomorrow brings or takes away. Learn early in life that the world does not revolve around you or because of you. Make up your mind you are going to be happy and then do it.
Blessings & Bliss!.· ´¨¨)) -:¦:-
¸.·´ .·´¨¨))
((¸¸.·´ .·´ -:¦:-~Susan~
-:¦:- ((¸¸.·´*
Wife, Mother, Savonnière, Writer, Baker, Gardener, FarmGirl at Heart
Soulmate to Jerry for 30 years
Mom to Zach, Gesikah, Nathan, Hannah, Rachel and Benjamin
Yetta to Sam
If your knees aren't green by the end of the day, you need to seriously re-examine your life. |
| 25 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| Eileen |
Posted - Jan 07 2005 : 07:34:12 AM
Welcome Robin!
Sounds like you belong here with the rest of us. So glad to get to know another Washingtonian! I am hoping to learn to hook rugs this winter. Got a frame at a yard sale this summer and don't know how to set it up so I will have to go to a craft store to learn how. I have lots of wool scraps to use up so am really excited about the possibilities.
Eileen
songbird; singing joy to the earth |
| jpbluesky |
Posted - Jan 07 2005 : 07:24:22 AM
Hello all -
I have a friend who has a poem about the beach above her computer. Somewhere in that poem are her passwords, and if she forgets any of them, she just looks at the poem and it reminds her. If I did this, I would go through every darn word of the poem trying to remember what word I chose! :) But it works for her. My father-in-law also chose a word that is written on some appliance nearby. That helps him remember and it also probably helped him decide when he was choosing in the first place. What I find hardest to remember is the questions that only you know the answer to, when a password is being verified. I can NEVER remember the question I posed! Sorry, I guess I am waxing too eloquently on the joys of my senior moments!
Welcome Shepherdess, I look forward to hearing about your many projects Your farm home must look so cozy with all the hand-made things you do in your life.
jpbluesky
Love those big blue skies and wide open spaces. |
| shepherdess |
Posted - Jan 06 2005 : 10:47:28 PM
Thanks for the welcome. We are waiting for the snow tonite but live in kind of a banana belt here so don't always get snow when everyone else does. I love snow. So I hope we get a little.
Robin
" From sheep to handspun " |
| Clare |
Posted - Jan 06 2005 : 6:21:47 PM
Welcome Robin, from a fellow Washingtonian. You live in a beautiful part of the state! Glad you've joined in. Look forward to hearing more from you.
****Gardener, Stitcher, Spiritual Explorer and Appreciator of all Things Natural****
"Begin to weave and God will give the thread." - German Proverb |
| shepherdess |
Posted - Jan 06 2005 : 12:10:01 PM
Hello
I am also sort of new. I have been a memeber for a while but forgot my user name and password. Finally figured it out today.Geez.
I have a small sheep farm in Western Washington State. I have also been a stay at home mom and loved every minute of it. My 3 kids that are grown and I have 7 granchildren.
I spin my wool, make soap, knit, garden, do rug hooking, quilting and have done basket making however not for a while.
I am almost 61 and have been married to my husband for 41 years.
I participated in the Premiere Issue Round Robin. It was really fun.
I think your words to live by are great and I totally agree.
Hope to participate more now that I have my password
Robin near Mt. Rainier in Washington
" From sheep to handspun " |
| jpbluesky |
Posted - Dec 31 2004 : 10:03:51 AM
Happy New year to you and your family, Susan. God bless you for loving your family and taking care of them so well. I am glad your mom is getting some long deserved rest. And you, I am sure, have stars in your crown!
jpbluesky
Love those big blue skies and wide open spaces. |
| TheSoapMaven |
Posted - Dec 31 2004 : 05:44:29 AM
Just popping in to say hello and Happy New Year to you all. We made it thru the holidays fine. Of course there were times of great sadness but overall we were all just very thankful to be together. We had one "Christmas" on Dec 18th. My husband works on a two week schedule and was to be leaving Dec 22. So we had our big celebration then. It was wonderful. All 6 of my children and their spouse/s.o., my mom and us. We had wonderful food. My mom made the dressing. My husband cooked all the meat (fried turkey, smoked ham) and we had plenty of food and visiting. Then we got together with my two brothers and families on Christmas and the day after.
My mom is doing remarkably well. She misses my Dad terribly but it is also like a horrible weight of worry has been lifted off her. She is a different person. So much less stressed. What a terrible time she went thru - my dad had been sick for 25 years. He is in a better place and she can cease waiting on that moment when he crossed over.
Thank each of you for your kindnesses. Blessing to each of you!
Blessings & Bliss!.· ´¨¨)) -:¦:-
¸.·´ .·´¨¨))
((¸¸.·´ .·´ -:¦:-~Susan~
-:¦:- ((¸¸.·´*
Wife, Mother, Natural Woman, Savonnière, Writer, Baker, Gardener.
Soulmate to Jerry for 30 years
Mom to Zach, Gesikah, Nathan, Hannah, Rachel and Benjamin
Yetta to Sam
If your knees aren't green by the end of the day, you need to seriously re-examine your life. |
| Idahospud |
Posted - Dec 02 2004 : 10:00:33 PM
((((Susan))))
I am sorry for your loss. I know you will miss him, as will your family. How wonderful that you are not only close emotionally, but physically to your mother at this time, and that you and your children can take comfort in the memories that you have built in your lifetimes. I wish you peace and comfort, healing and hope.
Nikki |
| Eileen |
Posted - Dec 01 2004 : 3:01:51 PM
Susan,
Sending you warm thoughts to wrap up in. Comforting words to hold on to. And light to see in the dark. So sorry and full of sympathy for your loss. Thankyou for keeping us up to date on the process.
Lifting you and your family up in prayers and sending healing thoughts so the colds go away soon.Your mom needs the comfort of those great children right now and the illness needs to vanish so asking for a miracle now.
I go for surgery on Monday the 6th of december to replace my left knee so will also need the prayers of my family and friends for healing. It is a long process.
God wrap you in loving arms of comfort now.
Eileen
songbird; singing joy to the earth |
| bramble |
Posted - Dec 01 2004 : 09:57:51 AM
Susan-- Please know that you and your family will continue to be in my thoughts and prayers as you adjust to the loss of your father. May you find comfort in the arms of your family, peace in knowing the long strugggle for your Dad is done and joy in the memories of all that you shared with him. Please take good care of yourself and
know that I wish you kindness,compassion and healing. Bramble
with a happy heart |
| MeadowLark |
Posted - Dec 01 2004 : 06:17:32 AM
Dearest Susan, Your father touched many lives...and he went on his next journey wrapped in so much love...Your words about him inspired me, I gave my dad an extra hug and kisses and told him how much I loved him Thanksgiving day. Just know that I care for you and tears are flowing right now. God Bless and be safe and strong in His love...Jenny
"Out beyond ideas of wrongdoing and rightdoing, there is a field. I'll meet you there." Rumi, 13th century. |
| TheSoapMaven |
Posted - Dec 01 2004 : 03:47:34 AM
Just a note to let you know my father passed peacefully November 17th at around 2:30pm surrounded by his family. He fought the good fight but his body was just too weak to recover. Thank you all for your concern and prayers. My mom is doing fairly well. She spent her first night alone last night and I am anxious to talk to her when she is up. My girls had been going over and sleeping at her house but all of them have colds right now and as much as they want to help their grandmother, they want to be home when they feel ill. Thankfully my parent's place is just across the road from us.
Hold those you love close this holiday season. Blessings to each of you.
Susan
Blessings & Bliss!.· ´¨¨)) -:¦:-
¸.·´ .·´¨¨))
((¸¸.·´ .·´ -:¦:-~Susan~
-:¦:- ((¸¸.·´*
Wife, Mother, Natural Woman, Savonnière, Writer, Baker, Gardener.
Soulmate to Jerry for 30 years
Mom to Zach, Gesikah, Nathan, Hannah, Rachel and Benjamin
Yetta to Sam
If your knees aren't green by the end of the day, you need to seriously re-examine your life. |
| Eileen |
Posted - Nov 08 2004 : 1:59:10 PM
Susan,
What more can I send than to join with all of these wonderful people in sending you love, light and strength to be in the here and now and strenght to go through to the tomorrow as well as the very wonderful memories that keep us connected to those we love.
My father has been on the other side now for 5 years. I still get visits from him in my dreams. Always when I need courage and encouragement.
Sending you light and peace. Eileen
songbird; singing joy to the earth |
| jpbluesky |
Posted - Nov 08 2004 : 1:46:49 PM
Dear Susan - I will pray for your father and your family. I lost my dad as a teen and I still miss him. I hope that your dad can improve and you all can be together for a while longer! You are so fortunate to have a father you love and who loves you - what a gift! So many do not know that kind of love.
Just today I was reading MJF's magazine and a story she tells of how her father used to clean her fingernails with his pocketknife during church on Sunday mornings. She would give him her hands, one at a time, and he would gently clean her nails. That father/daughter story touched me deeply. May you think back and remember a time when you and your dad shared a moment like that.
jpbluesky
Love those big blue skies and wide open spaces. |
| Clare |
Posted - Nov 08 2004 : 12:13:21 PM
I'm thinking of you too, Susan. My Dad has been 'on the other side' for 13 years now, come next month and I still miss him. Fathers and daughters do seem to have a special bond. It's not easy to deal with the health issues, I know.. my Dad did for 10+ years and two open heart surgeries and other complications. But I think in the end, he was ready. He knew he had led a fulfilling life and was ready for the next step. The hardest part is for us, those remaining, to accept this as good and right and another fulfilling step.
Take care of yourself too, Susan. It's easy to be totally wrapped up in the situation at hand and the next thing you know, you collapse with exhaustion. Sending you lots of light...
****Gardener, Stitcher, Spiritual Explorer and Appreciator of all Things Natural****
"Begin to weave and God will give the thread." - German Proverb |
| Aunt Jenny |
Posted - Nov 08 2004 : 11:33:53 AM
I will for sure keep you in my prayers. I have been there!!
Jenny in Utah
Bloom where you are planted! |
| MeadowLark |
Posted - Nov 08 2004 : 05:19:24 AM
Dear Susan, I will lift your father up in my thoughts and prayers, as well as you and your family. My Dad is 80 and wow is he dear and precious to me... Fathers and daughters seem to have a special bond and I know this must be a painful time for you...keep a light heart dear and we are all here for you.
"Out beyond ideas of wrongdoing and rightdoing, there is a field. I'll meet you there." Rumi, 13th century. |
| TheSoapMaven |
Posted - Nov 08 2004 : 02:14:04 AM
Good morning! Sorry I have been scarce but we have suffered a family crisis and I could use some prayers, good thoughts if you have a moment. My dad has suffered a stroke and his kidney's have failed and he is in the hospital and on dialysis. Things looked very grim until yesterday when he showed some signs of being more alert. His doctors are very concerned because his is also a heart patient and has had to drop all his meds due to the dialysis. Just to let you know what shape he is in: he's an amputee (left leg off above the knee for 37 years), both rotator cuffs (shoulders) are out and his shoulders are out of socket, actually there just isn't much socket left due to walking on crutches for 37 years, has had 4 heart attacks - his first at 43, 2 open heart surgeries and received a pacemaker 2 years ago...the list is long. My mom is 74 and bearing up pretty good under the circumstances. I will let you all know how things progress. We were pretty hopeless day before yesterday but with his improvement so our spirits. But he may have to go to a rehab center or extended care facility for a while, provided he pulls through all this. I tell you, he is a tough one. Lesser men would have already died. His doctor who has been his dr for 45 years told him 2 months ago he had been on borrowed time for 15 years. So his passing is always in the back of my mind, just not ready for it. Guess you can't really get ready for that.
These changes will alter my life as well no doubt because I am the closest child. I have two younger brothers but I live across and down the road from them.
Just thought I better let you know I haven't abandoned you all...just no computer time at all. I love this place and hope to someday be more active.
Blessings & Bliss!.· ´¨¨)) -:¦:-
¸.·´ .·´¨¨))
((¸¸.·´ .·´ -:¦:-~Susan~
-:¦:- ((¸¸.·´*
Wife, Mother, Natural Woman, Savonnière, Writer, Baker, Gardener.
Soulmate to Jerry for 30 years
Mom to Zach, Gesikah, Nathan, Hannah, Rachel and Benjamin
Yetta to Sam
If your knees aren't green by the end of the day, you need to seriously re-examine your life. |
| Aunt Jenny |
Posted - Nov 03 2004 : 9:57:00 PM
When I buy my lye for somemaking at a soapmakers "supply" place up north I have to sign a paper saying I won't do anything but make soap with it, and that I will be safe with it around children. Well, Duh..but I guess thats the sort of world we live in now. I never knew that meth was what people do with it. I couldn't imagine...
Susan..I love your children's names.
Jenny in Utah
Bloom where you are planted! |
| TheSoapMaven |
Posted - Nov 03 2004 : 5:37:57 PM
No problems here so far. I buy it a couple of cases at the time...the grocery orders it for me. They haven't said anything about it being a problem. Who know though. I haven't bought in a few months. I know you can't buy more than 1 box of Sudafed at the time in WalMart!!! Evidently you can do something besides unstop your nose with it!!!
Blessings & Bliss!.· ´¨¨)) -:¦:-
¸.·´ .·´¨¨))
((¸¸.·´ .·´ -:¦:-~Susan~
-:¦:- ((¸¸.·´*
Wife, Mother, Natural Woman, Savonnière, Writer, Baker, Gardener.
Soulmate to Jerry for 30 years
Mom to Zach, Gesikah, Nathan, Hannah, Rachel and Benjamin
Yetta to Sam
If your knees aren't green by the end of the day, you need to seriously re-examine your life. |
| Eileen |
Posted - Nov 03 2004 : 5:12:09 PM
Hi Susan and all,
I have just had a very interresting conversation with my local hardware store manager. I went to purchase a box of Red Devil lye so I could try my first batch of soap making from an old recipe of my mother-in-laws. He informed me that he is not allowed to stock it anymore but can special order it for me if I promise him I have no intention of making meth amphetamines with it! I had no idea. He told me that the local law inforcement came by the store and gave him a list of things he cannot have out for sale anymore due to the fact that they are used in this illegal activity. Anybody else heard of this?
Eileen
songbird; singing joy to the earth |
| Kim |
Posted - Oct 30 2004 : 07:44:43 AM
What a great site Susan and welocome aboard. You'll fit right in!! I can't wait to place an order. I signed up for your e-mails.
farmgirl@heart
Be at peace with yourself and the rest will follow |
| Eileen |
Posted - Oct 29 2004 : 7:18:05 PM
Here is my welcome to you also Susan. I too love your webb site! One of the hats that I am wearing now besides my mini-farm and upholstery business is making 100% organic soywax candles fragranced with botanical oils for a woderful couple who have a business called J.P. Durga. They have a line of Shampoos, lotions.etc plus soaps and candles that are all as close to organic as possible and use no petrolium based products. They have a Webb site too www.JPDURGA.com.
Today we discussed them teaching me how to make thier signiture soaps. I am excited about it. Do you have a large market for your granola? Sell to co-ops or just locally? I have a great granola recipe that I have been making for over 20 years now but never thought of trying to sell? The creative people on this web forum are amazing, you included.
Eileen
songbird; singing joy to the earth |
| bramble |
Posted - Oct 25 2004 : 11:12:49 AM
Welcome Soapy Susan!( Sorry I'm in a goofy mood...) Just checked out your website and it is lovely! How nice that you can share this business with your family! That soap looks good enough to eat!It looks as if your business is about to take off. The roses already have,they are gorgeous!
As for your intro and comments elsewhere...no need to apologize. Your philosophy is one alot of us share. We welcome and are thrilled that you are a person who knows your own mind, is taking her own path and is cherishing the life you are creating for you and your family. Welcome! We are all of like minds here and you will find they are funny,interesting, caring and sharing. Grab a cup of something good to drink and join us! Bramble
PS...I've got family in St. Bernard, came to NO for my brother's wedding and was once stranded in the literal center of the Lake Poncitrain bridge, that is my exceedingly limited knowledge of Louisiana! I enjoyed every minute!
with a happy heart |
| deaf-huntress |
Posted - Oct 24 2004 : 4:28:20 PM
Susan,
Your website is lovely. You sound so much like the rest of us farmgirls. I homeschool my 8 wee ones too! Also, some are not so "wee" anymore. Mine are 5,7,10,11,12,13,16 and 17. All adopted!!!
Your philosophy on life is a warm breeze on the spirit!
Magi
It's not what you hear, but how carefully you listen. |
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