logo
Previous Thread
Next Thread
Print Thread
#24254 01/28/05 12:48 PM
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 5
Newbie
OP Offline
Newbie
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 5
hello everyone... my name is Meg and Im a single mother of a 2 yr old and im pregnant with my second child (a girl). My problem is, I know NOTHING about homemaking!!! Its almost humiliating.. Im almost 25 and I cant sew, cook, or do anything that isnt microwavable or store bought. smirk And im very very poor so i need to learn these skills!!! Does anyone know of any free courses or anything to teach homemaking or anything? My mother is impatient and wont teach me plus she is out of state and i have no friends nearby. Since Im not working now this is the perfect time for me to learn. Please help!!! Thanks!

Meg

Sponsored Post Advertisement
#24255 02/10/05 01:16 PM
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 23
Newbie
Offline
Newbie
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 23
hi meg

check with the local community centres and high schools. they would be most likely to have lists of courses you could take as well as possibly other resources you could use to help yourself (ie child care while in class, etc.)

anita

#24256 02/10/05 10:10 PM
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 54
Amoeba
Offline
Amoeba
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 54
Also try your local County Extension service. I'm sure they could steer you in the right direction

#24257 02/16/05 04:27 PM
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 1,462
Chipmunk
Offline
Chipmunk
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 1,462
Hi Meg. My name is also Meg!
I have four kids and have been married for almost 9 yrs now. My kids are 8, 6, almost 2 and 2 months.

I didnt know how to do any of that either until I read the book "Living More with Less" and "The More With Less Cookbook" - it teaches a person how to cook from scratch. Another book is "How to Boil Water".

Sewing isnt cheap, buying thrift is cheaper. It is helpful, however, to be able to mend. You can take classes for around $20 at craft stores, or maybe you can find someone to help you out and teach you. My mom taught me, I'm not good at it and I don't enjoy it, but I can mend clothing, patch clothing, repair buttons and hem - that's all I've ever needed to know how to do. Have you joined your local FreeCycle BellaOnline ALERT: Raw URLs are not allowed in these forums for security reasons. Please use UBB code. If you don't know how to do UBB code just post here for help - we will help out!


Meg
The World is Our Classroom!
Homeschooling

Exotic Pets
#24258 04/01/05 03:34 PM
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 40
Newbie
Offline
Newbie
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 40
Hey Meg,
I don't know if you attend church or not, but there might be assistance there for you as well.

Not only assistance, but a good place to meet people.

Just a thought.

Kelli <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

P.S. Best of luck to you. You'll do fine, just have a positive outlook and a positive attitude.

#24259 04/01/05 11:03 PM
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 764
Gecko
Offline
Gecko
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 764
Hi Meg Jenna here...

I am 41 now, I have 3 kids...mostly grown and gone now, my youngest is the only one left and he's 14 now. (that's him on the side)

I taught myself everything...since I spent alot of time at home, I watched alot of cooking shows. there are some really good ones on PBS if you don't have cable.

One recipe that I saw one day and think is really good is Chicken Parmagan:

1. Skinless Chicken Breasts or Frozen Chicken patties work just as well
2. Mozzerella Cheese chunck sliced kind of thinnish.
3. One or Two tomatoes sliced into rather thick slices (wide)

So you cook the chicken breasts in the oven with salt and pepper, and when they are just about done, you take them out, put on one or two tomatoe slices and cover it with the cheese. You can use some individual tinfoil shaped into little cups to keep everything together. Then you turn up the oven to "broil" and slip the chicken breasts in the broiler to melt the cheese. By the time the cheese is melted and has a nice brownish tinge, the chicken breasts are cooked all the way, the tomatoes keep the chicken from being dry.
You can cook up some spagetti noodles and add some crushed, sauteed garlic* and butter and parmasen cheese or prepare a salad** with some bread sticks. The stores have these frozen bread sticks that you just unroll and put in the oven.

*To sautee the garlic all you do is
1. peel the garlic clove
2. separate the actual cloves
3. peel the cloves untill you are at the smooth pieces.
4. Take a knife and turn it sideways and "crush" the cloves.
5. Pour some cooking oil (not very much just line the bottom) in a small pan (small flat is saute pan)
6. Turn the burner on high and wait until oil is hot, then add the garlic
7. Stir it around in the hot oil until it begins to sizzle and turn brown
8. Add it to the spagetti noodles and stir it in.
9. Add the cheese..it will stick real good because of the oil.

** The best way to make an "Italian" salad is:
1. Take a head of regular lettuce and tear or chop it up after washing it.
2. Shake it dry and use a clean dish towel or paper towel (preferrably) to dry the lettuce.
3. Add some Italian salad dressing, tomatoes, purple onions - chopped, some green peppers - chopped small pieces, and then some parmasan cheese
4. toss it all together.


Another recipe I learned how to make from watching Tv was breaded porkchops and baked potatoes:

1. Any kind of pork chops
2. a couple eggs
3. salt and pepper
4. One Big Bag of Lays Potatoe chips

Break the eggs in a bowl, scramble (uncooked), and add the salt and pepper. Open the bag of chips and pour a good amount onto a plate. Crush all the chips into crumbs...add more if you need to. Take the pork chops and dip them into the eggs, then immediatly lay the chops in the chip crumbs. cover the chops completely with the chips. and put on a cookie sheet. Add more salt and pepper if you want. The chips are pretty salty so you may only want to add more pepper. Remember, pork chops don't take a real long time to cook, a good rule of thumb is to watch for the "goo" to stop oozing out of the chops, then they are done...cut to make sure they are cooked all the way through.

Baked Potatoes:

Take medium size potatoes (brown ones), wash in clean water and dry. Poke ALOT of holes with a knife or fork and roll in some semi melted or just soft butter. Salt all the way around and then wrap in tin foil with only the top showing. Don't cover the potatoe all the way because it takes longer for them to cook. You know when they are done when they are "pinchable" but do it with a pot holder cuz the potatoes are really hot.

You can add some country gravy if you want to...goes real good with this meal. Salads are a good way to get veggies and bread or biscuits go good with this too.


These are just a few... I've got a ton.... But these should get you thinking and cooking anyway. Both of these recipes can be frozen and warmed up...

As far as housework....my favorite cleaner that I use is Lysol anti-bacterial cleaner...good for the kitchen, walls and doors and bathroom...if you have young children, I would avoid cleaners with bleach. try to vacuum at least twice a week to keep allergens from building up. Dishes have to be done everyday, if your like me and don';t have a lot...otherwise you could get "critters"....yuk! And laundry can be washed all together in cold water...nothing will shrink or bleed in cold water.... when in doubt airdry... Good Luck..don't get bogged down...take it one day at a time.

Enjoy your children, don't worry about the other stuff. Keep the kids stuff clean for their health, but as they get older they love to help mommy. 2 year olds are GREAT dusters and they can push a Swiffer around real easy. They can learn to fold towels and stuff too.... One other suggestion is paper plates a paper cups...disposable...lol...use tin foil to cook with as much as possible..saves clean up time...

As you can tell - I can't spell "Parmasgan"...lol

Last edited by Jenna - Christianity Editor; 04/01/05 11:09 PM.

JESUS DOESN'T HOLD UP A STANDARD, HE HOLDS UP A MIRROR AND SAYS REFLECT ME!
Jenna Robinson
Bella Online Bible Basics

Moderated by  Lisa - Moms, Traci - Moms 

Link Copied to Clipboard
Brand New Posts
Make It Sew Easier
by Cheryl - Sewing Editor - 03/27/24 04:34 PM
2024 - on this day in the past ...
by Mona - Astronomy - 03/27/24 01:31 PM
Planner Template Kit - Weekly Layout Template
by Digital Art and Animation - 03/26/24 07:39 PM
Planner Template Kit - Yearly Layout Template
by Digital Art and Animation - 03/26/24 07:37 PM
How to Use Digital Planner Template Kit
by Digital Art and Animation - 03/26/24 07:36 PM
Review - 20 Illustrator Color tips Helen Bradley
by Digital Art and Animation - 03/26/24 07:32 PM
March Equinox to June Solstice
by Mona - Astronomy - 03/26/24 12:27 PM
Hobotrader unleashes never seen opportunity with i
by Jamal molla - 03/26/24 11:55 AM
Psalm for the day
by Angie - 03/25/24 09:05 AM
Genealogy, Sort of
by Angie - 03/24/24 05:39 PM
Sponsor
Safety
We take forum safety very seriously here at BellaOnline. Please be sure to read through our Forum Guidelines. Let us know if you have any questions or comments!
Privacy
This forum uses cookies to ensure smooth navigation from page to page of a thread. If you choose to register and provide your email, that email is solely used to get your password to you and updates on any topics you choose to watch. Nothing else. Ask with any questions!


| About BellaOnline | Privacy Policy | Advertising | Become an Editor |
Website copyright © 2022 Minerva WebWorks LLC. All rights reserved.


Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.5