They Finally Asked!!!

Surprisingly it has taken 5 years but I finally had this question directly asked, "wow, you're a stay at home mom. Your husband must make loads of cash?"

I was somewhat shocked to be asked, taken aback, though you have to give credit to someone "ballsy" enough to(or as I like to say "with the ovaries to...") speak aloud what they are thinking.

No, no he does not. When we made the choice that I was going to be at home with our children (then, just one child), 2/3 of our income disappeared. This has been a true venture in trust and in the faith that God will provide.

I truly believe that almost anyone can be a stay at home mom - given that they are willing to make a lot of sacrificial choices. I am sure that my wardrobe is clear evidence of the fact that though I sell Epicure and walk a little guy to school (and get paid for that, amazingly), those incomes go straight to the family coffers and don't provide for any extras such as clothing purchases. Yes I would love to spend oodles at Value Village loading up on new to me outfits (because I can't fathom paying what it costs to buy new, let alone the environmental stress caused by it), but when weighing that against spending cranky days at a full-time career and letting my child be raised by someone else, my choice is clearly the ratty apparel.

We have been blessed by and through many people - which has enabled us to be in a little less debt. Expired food from mom's general store, hand-me-down clothing for us and the kids, holidays at my parent's timeshare, a hair stylist sister-in-law way too generous with her minimal cost haircuts, a great aunt generous in too many ways to mention, endless and countless other blessings.

So that is my quick, simple answer (because you know I could go on and on!)as to how many loads of cash we bring in....

Tunic Trouble

When looking for information on tunics (because it is such a common item to seek after all!?) be aware of the fact that you may discover a little too much information about feline vaginal infections. I am not kidding. Did you know (and you may if you are a vet or a person hyper-aware of his/her cat's anatomy) about "tunic vaginalis"? Saving you the detail and picture (apparently anything CAN be found on the internet), I will only share that it involves nasty repercussions after an injury/infection and that no cat, let alone person surfing the net (save for afore-mentioned vets or hyper-knowledgeable anatomy studiers), should have to uncover or experience this.

Crazy internet. Just a few weeks ago a few of us, post-meeting, were exchanging tales of people's bold statements that "this will NEVER get off the ground..." (Yes, it was a church meeting and yes the main discussion was change!) One woman's story of her grandfather laughing hilariously about how anyone could ever think a TELEVISION would ever get into every household in North America, let alone ONE home was topped only by another's uncle stating firmly that "what are they thinking? This crazy ole computer thingie won't ever hit it off...waste of money, time, and energy!" (Which may very well be true - about the waste of time, money, and energy -and yet still...)

Why the search for tunics? I am not learning to sew (my peach and burgundy velour jumpsuit, sewed inside-out for a public school 4H project, should have been warning enough about my personal tailoring abilities). I am not becoming a fan of medieval fashion. I have decided that this distribution "career" of mine needs some sort of "title"....now just wait: LEGAL distribution, and not simply my Epicure Selections business. Since children arrived in our home I have become (willingly) some sort of central location where items (mainly baby and kids' clothing) arrive, are organized by yours truly, and then re-distributed for free to people who need them. Everything from training potties to baby bikinis have temporarily habituated in our basement.

This is our attempt to assist in a solution to many issues: lack of funds (it has certainly aided us), saving of the environment through efficient re-use of items otherwise destined for landfill, responsible stewardship...

So why tunics in the title? Two Tunics (and perhaps "trading" in small letters underneath? Still to be determined.). Luke 3:11 "John answered, 'The man with two tunics should share with him who has none, and the one who has food should do the same.'"

So, tunics and vaginas...who knew?!