I am Tammy Cardwell, she of the cluttered desk. (Hey, you think I'm kidding?!) I'm having a blast here in Blogland and invite to you to peruse my ramblings. Like a buffet, they offer variety - essentially whatever makes it to the top of the piles that sometimes clutter my brain. We'll eventually cover it all - homeschooling, God, our church, the Eclectic Homeschool Online, books I'm writing and publishing, conferences I speak at, the joys of grandmotherhood, and hopefully chocolate. Of course, this is only what's near the top now. Who knows what's in those piles?

You’ve heard the old saying, "Tough times don’t last, but tough people do." I was thinking, today, about how tough life can get, how fiercely the storms can rage, and the differences between those who stand strong in the storms and those who falter. I’m not speaking strictly to homeschoolers today, but this is a big issue among homeschoolers. I know this because I’m active on multiple lists and it’s not at all uncommon to see a new homeschooler asking how to keep their kids up to speed academically (meaning at the same level as their local public school) just in case something really bad happens and they have to give up homeschooling.

Here’s the deal. No matter how much we all hate to admit it, the Bible clearly tells us in many different ways that trying times will come. For most of us, there will be many "something bads" that will happen that could cause us to give up - to give up homeschooling, to give up our dreams, to give up whatever. The key is to prepare for those times before they happen, to strengthen your position so that you can stand tall, refusing to give up, no matter what.

Through the years, as people have learned some of the things my family has faced,  I’ve been asked many times, "How did you keep on?" I answer in various ways depending on the question, but the foundational key is that for years I’ve constantly worked on keeping my priorities in order. Were there ever times that got exceptionally bad, when we truly could have been tempted to give up? Yes, a handful, and every one of those times was a result of our own actions - of letting our priorities get out of order. So what are those priorities?

God, Spouse, Children, Church, Academics/Job/Family Business

It really is that simple, if a little hard for people in our society to believe. When we keep our priorities in the right order, in biblical order, we can stand through any storm. That’s not to say we won’t feel the wind and the waves, but they’ll not overcome us.

This is a topic I can go on and on about, because I’ve learned a lot not only through living life and watching others live their lives, but through studying the Scriptures for myself. In truth, I have "gone on and on" after a fashion. I’ve given workshops to homeschoolers on this very topic, and written an ebook about it as well. Technically, they’re written to the homeschool community, simply because it is my largest audience, but any Christian who wants to know more would benefit from listening to the workshops or reading the ebook. All three are available from CJ Press, my publishing company.

The two audios, though they have different titles, are really more like two parts of one message.

Cherry Pie: Recipe for a Successful Christian Homeschool

Homeschooling Through Hard Times

And the ebook…

A Homeschool that Handles the Hard Times: A Guide for Christian Homeschoolers

I promise you, Child of God,  if you keep your priorities in order you will find yourself better prepared to handle all of those "experiences" that life throws at you.

Celebrating Jesus!

Tammy C

On the first day we walked the mall last week (No, [sigh], we’ve had NO time to walk this week.) I happened to notice that my favorite store was hiring seasonal help and mentioned to my husband that I was sorely tempted to put in an application. I mean, when you’re already addicted to the store’s products anyway; you know employees probably get really good discounts; and you know it’s seasonal, which means there will be an end to your working-outside-the-home days…

So, on the second day we walked, he called my bluff and picked up an application for me. LOL! I thought about it that afternoon and decided, "Why not?" So I filled the sucker out and dropped it off while we were walking on the third day.

It really was done on a whim and I honestly didn’t care if I got the job or not. After all, with a publishing company (CJ Press, please go visit and buy my ebooks and audiobooks! [grin]), a magazine (Eclectic Homeschool Online), and my soon-to-come used book business on my plate, not to mention my ministry obligations, do I really need to take on something else? Sure! [BWG]

So I had an interview yesterday. It was funny. It dawned on me on my way to the interview that this is literally the first time in my life that I’ve applied for and interviewed for a job. ALL of my jobs, and I’ve had some good ones, have always come to me; I almost wish I’d done this years ago so that I’d have had my own experience to draw from when helping my sons prepare to apply for jobs.

But to get back to my story….

The interview went great. I really liked the store manager; she seems entirely professional, but also laid back and easy to get along with. Admittedly, I was more at ease than I would have been if I’d had my heart set on getting the job, but still, it was a good experience. Then she handed me a sheet of paper, explaining that all applicants had to take a phone assessment, which I needed to do within 24 hours, calling her back when I’d finished.

THAT was the interesting part! I talked to my sister about it afterwards and she laughed at me. She says I’ve been away from the mainstream for too long, because the questions astounded me. Actually, the questions appalled me - that they felt the need to ask them, I mean. The implication of that assessment, at least as I saw it, was that employers in general assume that the average person has no real concept of right and wrong and wouldn’t think twice about stealing money or store goods or going to work while under the influence of drugs or…

It’s probably a good thing that computer couldn’t hear me muttering at it, because I was doing some serious back talking. "WHY are you asking me THAT?!"

It was the drugs thing that probably put me over the edge of appalled hilarity. I think I must have spent five solid minutes answering "no" to every conceivable rephrasing of the question, "Do you use drugs?" I mean, this is Tammy I-don’t-even-do-doctors Cardwell answering these questions; the one who told God, "I do not understand why people poison their bodies with cigarettes;" the gal who’s been on staff at a church for…ten years? My biggest challenge with the stupid phone assessment was my own lack of patience. It kept insisting that I wait until it had finished asking every question before hitting the # 3 (Er… that would be "NO") and I kept thinking, "Why don’t you offer me the option of, ‘What? Do you think I’m an idiot? I’ve never in my life tried illegal substances!’"

My sister implied that I may be the only one in the U.S. who could have used that answer. Please, some of you, post comments and assure me that I’m not!

The one that really got me was, "If getting the job relied on it, would you take a drug test?" The thumb came down hard on the # 3 at that point and even as I hit it I realized I was probably putting the end to any chance of getting the job, but… Nope. Not likely.

Let me say this before I go any further. I am TOTALLY in support of business owners making their own policies; their employees and potential employees can then choose to abide by them or find another job. Having said that, however, I must point out that we still live in the land where the legal system is supposedly built on the concept of innocent until proven guilty and, in my opinion, blanket drug testing walks counter to that.

Lemme ’splain.

The company does a standard background check on the potential employee. They get no indication at all that the person in question is using illegal substances (aka "doing drugs"), yet they require said applicant to take a drug test anyway. What are they saying? They’re saying they don’t believe it, that in their opinion the odds are too high that the person does, indeed, use illegal substances. In other words, the person is considered guilty until the drug test proves them innocent.

Now, before I get flamed, let me step back a bit and say that yes, I do understand that if said employee is going to be in positions where drug use might cause him to run over people with trucks, or tear buildings down with forklifts, or put kids at risk, then perhaps (perhaps - still not sure, myself) it is wise to go ahead and test everyone up front. I’m talking, though, about "regular" jobs where your average Joe or Jane is going to stand at a cash register, walk a sales floor, or whatever. In those cases,the manager should be keeping enough of an eye on the employees that if something is up with one at some point it can be dealt with then and there.

I’m ranting, aren’t I? Well, we all know I’m good at that.

The problem, I suppose, is that I’m a thinker; in fact, there are those who contend that I think too much. I tend to think through issues that other people take for granted. Thinking through the nutritional issues led me to vegetarianism for several years (I still don’t eat much meat), thinking through the realities of system education kept me adamant about homeschooling, thinking through governmental issues led me to lean more in the Libertarian direction… I think. I think constantly. So taking that phone assessment was pretty much guaranteed to make me think too, even if it was a pretty simple thing that tens or even hundreds of thousands of people take every day. In truth, I almost felt like it was worth having applied for the job just to have a reality check about the way businesses apparently perceive the American people, even if I don’t see them the same way. I just don’t believe that the average man is a low-down, lying, theiving, drug-abuser. Call me naive, but I don’t.

Oh yeah… I did get the job. Now that I know I’ve got it, I’m really looking forward to the experience. It will be a change from what I’ve been doing for the past ten years or so, which should be a good thing; if nothing else, it will make me even more appreciative of being self-employed. The extra money will be a great thing during the holidays and, this truly being my favorite store in the mall, I’m already thinking in terms of what I hope is a great employee discount. I feel Christmas shopping ahead!

Celebrating Jesus!

Tammy C

Yes! When I got home from my day’s work at the church, it was to come into my bedroom/office and be serenaded by the wonderful sound of power tools right outside the window. Picture me sighing in pleasure.

We’re still not started full time, and I don’t know when we’ll be started full time. At this point, the contractor took today off to work here and will take Thursday and perhaps Friday off to work here. After that, I think he’s going to be splitting his days or something, working part time on the other job and part time on ours.

Regardless, today they got all of the lumber sorted and carefully under wraps (It’s just been sitting under tarps on our lawn since it was dropped by the lumber yard people) and they got most of the forms built for the foundation beams for the office addition. All things being equal, the plan is to finish the prep for the beams on Thursday, have it inspected Friday, and pour concrete either Friday afternoon/evening or Saturday. Getting those beams done will be a HUGE step forward, one I am very much looking forward to.

Celebrating Jesus!

Tammy C

You may not be aware that I have an Amazon.com store. You can access it from the tammycardwell.net home page by scrolling down until you see Tammy C’s Bookshelf in the left-hand column. Click the link and you wind up in TammyC’s Bookshelf, my Amazon.com store.

My store is still rather small, because I’m very particular about what I add. If it’s in there, you can take its presence as a recommendation from yours truly; the only products I’ve not personally read, used, or at least seen are the journals and I figure they’re safe enough to recommend without using them myself. I included them because I HIGHLY recommend prayer journaling and they seemed to be the best I could find.

I’m writing tonight because I just added two things I want you to know about.

The first is one of the most important books I’ve ever read other than the Bible. It’s Driven by Eternity: Making Your Life Count Today & Forever, by John Bevere. My plan is to reread it at least once a year; given the amount of time I have available for such reading, that should say something. If you want to know more about my thoughts on this book, check out my recent review of it, published at the Eclectic Homeschool Online.

I’ve also added Noah’s Pals. If you are looking for a great Noah’s Ark collection for your children, one you can build one animal pair at a time, you may want to consider this one. Again, if you want specifics you can read my recent review of Noah’s Pals at EHO. As you know, I edit the product reviews department of this online magazine. Even though I’m the editor and in theory have first pick of all review products, it is very rare for me to actually sit down and do reviews; I simply don’t have the time. Noah’s Pals, however, was too good to pass up; the more I studied them the more determined I became to build a set for my grandson. He has a child’s love for animals of all sorts and these are particularly well suited for his young self in that they’re safe for children as young as three while being of such quality that they will continue to interest a child as he grows.

I appreciate everyone who shops Amazon through Tammy C’s Bookshelf, whether you buy one of my recommendations or just use my store as your point of entry into Amazon.com (Yes, I get referral credit even then). If you’ve been reading my blog, you know that my husband’s health has been less than wonderful in the past couple of years and I’m doing everything I can to bring in extra money. This bookstore is part of that "everything" and I am very grateful to those who support it.

I hope you’re all having a wonderful Sunday evening!

Celebrating Jesus!

Tammy C

Right after I hit "publish" on my last blog post, my alarm went off on my cell phone. It was telling me to pray.

This is something new for our church. In fact, it’s so new that it hasn’t even officially started, but already we’re seeing results. God gave one of our staff members a vision for unified prayer. She shared a picture of throwing a ball against a window, that if she were to toss a ball against the window it would probably bounce off, but that if two hundred people were to all throw balls against the window at the very same time, chances are the window (the barrier) would shatter. So this is her goal, to get 200 people to commit to pray in agreement over specific things for our church body every night at 9:00.

As we were discussing it, she told me about a conversation she had with someone else in the church. In that lady’s previous church, they had committed to pray, just like this, for a specific group of soldiers who were being deployed to a hot spot overseas. When they all returned to the states a year later, they made all the newspapers, because this group, though it traveled one of the most dangerous roads every day, had never suffered a single loss. I’m thinking she said there weren’t even any injuries.

Anyway, when she told me about it, I insisted that she put me down as being one who is committed to this thing. I wrote my name on the pad and am number 21, and there is something very special about knowing that every night at 9:00 there are at least twenty other people praying in agreement with me over the needs of our church and the individuals that make up our church body. I look forward to seeing great things come as a result of this unity, because, as we know, where two or more agree as touching a thing, it shall be done. (Matthew 18:19)

Celebrating Jesus!

Tammy C

I think I’ve figured out where I went wrong.

When I moved my office into my bedroom, evacuating the first room that got moldy, I was hoping the move would be a temporary solution and so I only set up a temporary "office." The result has been that a great deal of work that has needed to be done in recent months has gone undone because I’ve had to dig and dig in order to find each little thing as I needed it. Plus, typing has been a pain because I didn’t have anything even remotely resembling a real desk; I was working on an antique vanity that has tiny, multi-level surfaces. Well, DUH! Murphy’s Law says that if I’d gone all out and turned half of the master bedroom into a for real office from the beginning, we would have been in the new house already. Right?

So today’s efforts have been mostly invested in that very thing. My back is screaming at me, and I’m nowhere near finished, but I’m almost to the point where, if my Editor in Chief were to call me asking for something, I could put my hands on it right away and answer the question. That means, of course, that the same applies to personal stuff, publishing stuff, book writing stuff… Like I said, I’m not finished yet, and my back is telling me to wait until tomorrow to do the rest, but I’ve made serious progress here. In fact, I’m quite pleased with the results.

But that’s not all! Murphy’s Law says that if Jack and I start a habit of walking daily then surely we’ll start construction on the new house on Monday as is currently "planned" and he’ll be so tired by the end of each day that getting him to walk will be a struggle. So we walked the mall again today and have already made a definite date to walk tomorrow. He’s even talking about, when it gets cooler, walking around the track at the local elementary. (Few people are walking outside right now.)

So we’re challenging Murphy just as much as we’re able. Here’s hoping it works and we actually DO begin for real construction on Monday!

Celebrating Jesus!

Tammy C

Avid readers and homeschoolers will want to check this out. When my kids were younger, I built our home library in  part by taking advantage of library book sales. Unfortunately, it was a challenge to find out about them in time; I usually seemed to learn about them after the fact.

But I’ve pretty much decided to go into the used books business and in preparing for this new venture I’ve been reading Steve Weber’s The Home-Based Bookstore. If you want to earn money from home by buying and selling used books online, I recommend it, but that’s not really the point of this post. The point is that one of the resources he recommends most highly, for buying the books you’ll resell, is library sales, and he tells you where to go to find out about the sales before they happen. Are you ready for the secret?

Book Sale Finder

At this one site, you’ll find information on book sales all across the US. You can even subscribe to their email alerts and they’ll send you notices of sales that are happening within a specified (you specify) number of miles of your home. This could make building your home library almost alarmingly easy. In fact, I hear assorted husbands cringing right now.

Celebrating Jesus!

Tammy C

I weighed 153 when I stepped on the scales this morning!  :::::doing the Snoopy dance:::::

Yeah, I know. You’re not supposed to ask a woman about either her age or her weight. Well, I’ll tell you straight up. I’m 45, will be 46 in December, and I am very happy to have made it below 155. You may or may not remember that I pretty much stopped drinking sodas some time back. That and actively drinking more water are the only two changes I’ve made in my diet, and no, I’ve not been exercising more either. Even so, those two changes have been enough to make me lose 14 pounds over the course of several months. I recently bought three pair of size 10 jeans (been a while since I’ve seen that size) and, since they are stretch jeans that get really loose as the day wears on, I’ve about decided I really should have tried on the size 8s instead. I don’t know when I last wore a size 8, but it’s not since I got married!

I mentioned my weight loss this past weekend and had a lady ask me, "How many sodas were you DRNKING?!"  Honestly, I’d only been drinking about four sodas (20 oz. bottles) a week. Most people don’t consider that to be much at all, but it was enough to keep a ridiculous amount of weight on me. Too, I learned years ago that water is the best diet aid there is, so making sure I drink enough water is definitely another factor. (Did you know that the vast majority of Americans are dehydrated, and that affects how their bodies retain water?)

Now I need to look at the exercise department. My husband and I did actually go walk the mall today (WALK, as in for exercise. hehe…). He wasn’t thrilled, but it’s the most exercise either of us has gotten in a while and it was in a relatively comfortable atmosphere, which is an issue on the Gulf Coast. I"m hoping to talk him into doing this at least three times a week; it’s a fact that we both need it.

Celebrating Jesus!

Tammy C

This is going to be brief, I’m afraid. We have two huge meetings going on at our church in the next several days and my life has been tied up in the get ready for them to such an extent that I’ve not spent a whole lot of time at home.

Which is not a bad thing because, no, we’ve not made any progress on the new house and yes, the mold is growing in the current one. I’ve reached the point where I spent 98% of my time at home in the bedroom, which is as far away from the bad area as possible.

Construction has been held up by two things: rain and the contractor’s schedule. All of you who are in drought? I’m sorry, but the shipping clerks keep making mistakes; they keep sending all of the rain down here.

And speaking of… No, we were not affected by the hurricane, bless God. We were supposed to be. When I went to bed about 10:00 last night we were expecting it to come right over the top of us. Believe me, I’d done my share of fervent praying! After that, though, I was totally able to trust God with the situation and go to sleep without concern. That felt pretty good, actually, and "as it happened" it not only never strengthened beyond category 1, but also turned aside. We really got very little rain, for which you know I’ve been thanking God! The areas that were hit, though… Well, let’s just say every hotel room in town is now full; the power company has teams going into a LOT of areas east of here, trying to get power restored. Prayers for those affected would be a very good thing.

And that’s pretty much all the time I have now. I’ve been working outside of the home and that’s meant that on those rare days when I’ve actually been home I’ve had to devote all my efforts to the volunteer work I do for EHO, and even in that I’m behind; a lot has fallen on my Editor in Chief (THANKS BEV!). So yes, I’m way behind on email if you’re waiting on a response from me and yes, I’m way behind on posting here.

I do hope we can begin construction this next week and my plan is that once construction begins I’ll post at least one photo a week so all of you can see what’s happening. It’s just that right now nothing is happening to post about.

But we’re still…

Celebrating Jesus!

Tammy C