HOW TO COPE WITH UNEMPLOYMENT.

look, I already look kind of homeless and it's not so bad.

sometimes your husband gets laid off, and sometimes you need to do things that keep you from being depressed while taking a break from near constant job hunting.

 here are things we've been doing instead of crying:

well for starters, I've been cooking/baking a lot. Like almost every night. And I'm sure better housewives (and mothers) than me would scoff at that, but I mean I've been going HARD in the kitchen. Like I am getting in trouble because we have too much leftovers.

For example, I've made this (as pictured above). and this. and this to go with these. and this. and these.

And most of it was with the help of my lovely new kitchenaid!

Which I'd like to point out was pretty much free.

We spent almost 5 days straight in the house in attempt to find a job for Taylor and also save money, obviously. BUT yesterday we caved and decided to go see The Dark Knight Rises. DON'T WORRY, it was the super matinee so it was only 5.50 a ticket. And Batman is my favorite so I had to go, finally.

It was sooo grood.


To supplement our income and also to be nice we have been dog sitting for the family that I "nanny" for while they are out of town for the week. It sure is different having  TWO regular sized shedding dogs in our house on top of my sassy little virtually shed free cotton ball. But they are really sweet and Lux likes to boss them around and make sure they don't get on the couch and they think she is an idiot, but strangely, they are also scared of her. Also they are basically in love with Taylor.

the boss

lily and ella

And then today we decided to plant some flowers in our ugly back yard.

IT'S SO BEAUTIFUL I MIGHT NEED TO HAVE A GARDEN PARTY!! and get some G.D. garden lanterns.

If you're wondering how the job search is going, it's going well. I mean not well in the sense that we have any specific leads but there are plenty of jobs for Taylor to apply for. In fact, so far I've compiled a list of about 80. And that was a list I made while being picky about locations. Currently Tayl is thinking about switching to teaching so we're trying to get more information about doing that. So if anyone knows anything about becoming a teacher in the state of Georgia (for someone with a Masters Degree), holla at us.

All of your kind words and prayers and helpfulness and well wishes are GREATLY appreciated. We love you all! We're gonna be okay. Probably. But if not, I think I could find a way to make a cardboard box a home. I'm resourceful.

wifed up wednesday: the two A's of an ideal homemaker

this week, I present to you, a lesson in homemaking.

You may find yourself scoffing "WHAT DO YOU KNOW ABOUT HOMEMAKING?" Well, I know what I've learned from reading this book.

You see, I found this book several years ago at the D.I., I saw the title and I saw the year it was published (1967) and I knew it had to be mine, because I knew it would be filled with sexist gems.

Since then, I haven't been able to get past the first chapter, but I've decided that from here on out I will pop in every now and then on wifed up Wednesday with a lesson in homemaking which I will learn from this book, which will require me to read it.

In the beginning of the book, she compares homemakers like unto a diamond. "Perfectly cut so as to bring out countless beautiful highlights. In both homemakers and diamonds, certain qualities must be present if each is to sparkle brilliantly and thereby be valued and cherished."

She then goes into listing a the twenty "facets" of an ideal homemaker....

Today, I am going to teach you about FACET NO. 1: "the two A's" that have the ability to completely change your world (assuming that your are a "real" lady and your whole world only exists within your home, as it should.)

The first is "A" is ATTITUDE

Your attitude can MAKE or BREAK your homemaking experience. You should not simply view your housework as a necessary evil that you must complete each day in order. If you don't enjoy your housework but complete it anyway, this is not good enough. You must love those dirty dishes, the skid marks on the toilet, the cooking, and the mountains of laundry. Otherwise, no one is going to appreciate what you do, and no one will like you. If you're struggling with this, it might help you to take your wedding picture and remind yourself of what a "SWEET" bride you were. Strive to be that sweet girl that your husband married, EVEN while cleaning the litter box.

The second "A" is APPEARANCE

BEAUTY IS A DUTY! Every morning you should get dressed VERY first thing in the morning. Getting dressed includes putting on comfortable clothes, combing your hair, applying make-up (EVEN A BARN LOOKS BETTER PAINTED), and putting on shoes. The reason most husbands are unhappy is because their wives have neglected their appearance. They find their wives slopping around in housecoats and curlers in their hair! CAN YOU IMAGINE? (Oh, don't forget about perfect posture!) 

Remember, if you LOOK THE PART of a perfect housewife, you will ACT THE PART.

Are you still confused about what you should look like right after waking up?

Let me help you:

or actually, prettier than this.