The seed catalogs are beginning to trickle in. I flipped through the Burpee one and still can't figure out why anyone would want a seedless tomato? How are you going to grow more?
I am thinking that we are going to plant, lettuce-Romain, potatoes-red skin, and these really fun purple ones that Richard picked up in TX, tomatoes, green peas, green beans, collards, zucchini, yellow squash, okra, corn, pumpkins, garlic, carrots, green peppers, purple hull peas, spinach, cucumbers for salad and pickles, and probably more but I can't think of what.
I was also looking at the fruit trees and berries. I would like to get apple trees, peaches, blackberries, blueberries, strawberries. Maybe try a few plums, pears. I've also thought about grapes but I am still not sure.
Our Co-Op manager had said that the fruit trees would be in around Christmas, but they still haven't come in. Hopefully soon, but now that I think about it I don't think that even Wal-mart has their trees in yet.
So we need to get the ground ready, we have a very large garden space, thanks to a neighbor. He turned over a plot 165'x65'. But sadly we still do not have a tiller or tractor, I am praying that we will be able to get one this year. My FIL did come over last year and gave us hand, with his tiller, but I think that it was too late in the season so the weeds and grass took over.
My garden goal for this year is to put up as much as possible. I do need to get a pressure canner, lots of jars, figure out the pantry space to store all of the jars once they are full. And pray that we don't break to many jars during the canning process. We've been using our jars for other things and many are getting broken. Time to go back to plastic cups again.
The boys and I also need to sit down and draw out the garden so that we can plan out we are going to plant everything.
We need to get the chicken coop cleaned out, the rabbits poo is also really good to use, the pigs are swimming in mud that can also be used, and when I want the cow manure I can go to Dad's and he will fill the pick up. So we are not short on the fertilizer, but we might need top soil or something. I know that stuff will grow out there, besides the weeds, I just need to be a lot more dilligent aobut getting out there everyday. Trying not to waste our money on buying plants before I have anywhere to put them.
31 December, 2008
30 December, 2008
Our lifestyle
eWe are a very unique family. I wear only dresses/shirts, wear a head covering, dress the boys in a very modest style, Rachel is already in dresses and a covering-which she waits for when it is time to get dressed
.
And yet my husband is in the Army. Most Plain communities would not welcome us because of that. But I have an online friend who is living the way that we hope to, that also feel that being in the military is not a bad thing.
Which is good since at least three of the boys say they want to go into Air Force or Army.
I personally feel that serving your country is a very good thing. I also feel that it is a good job. No you will not get rich in the military, but you will /should always have a home, benefits, a steady income. It is also a good way to go on to college if that is something that you want.
We are raising our children to step back from the world. To look at it in a much different way than most people do.
My Grandmother, my Mom and I were talking about being conservative on Christmas day. She mentioned that she had watched the Duggar show where they went to a movie. She could not understand how a family that conservative, would be at the movies any movie. But then add to the fact that it was an R rated one and well that just sent her over the top. Why she kept asking? I don't know, I do know that all of my friends watch movies and they are all conservative. A few of them even know the Duggar's. We watch movies, in our home. Not as much as we used to. There are something that the children are not allowed to see. We are getting better at what we watch overall. We do still have satelight, not sure how long I will be keeping it on, because we really don't watch it. I was watching the Duggar's and other shows about large families, but what I should be doing is focusing on my own.
We've had some really fun nights the past couple of weeks were we just sit here and sing out of the hymnals. I do wish that one of them would pick up playing the piano again. We've played baord games. Tonight once the little once had gone to bed the three older boys played go fish, only to realize that there are a LOT of cards missing from the deck that they were using.
Which brings me back to Grandma, this would also be a bad thing that we are playing cards, when I tried to tell her that one of our favorite games is Dutch Blitz and that I get it in a horse and buggy Amish store, well I thought that her eyes were going to come clean out of her head. This game is solitare without the face cards in it. She had never heard of the game.
So I think that the thing for me is next time I see her I need to remind her that we are, all of us(my friends, & the Duggar's) first generation conservative Christians.
We grew up one way and are trying to raise our children in a completely different way. And it is hard. But everyday we learn a new way to let go of something that we probably shouldn't have, or dealing with that item in a way that is God honoring.
.
And yet my husband is in the Army. Most Plain communities would not welcome us because of that. But I have an online friend who is living the way that we hope to, that also feel that being in the military is not a bad thing.
Which is good since at least three of the boys say they want to go into Air Force or Army.
I personally feel that serving your country is a very good thing. I also feel that it is a good job. No you will not get rich in the military, but you will /should always have a home, benefits, a steady income. It is also a good way to go on to college if that is something that you want.
We are raising our children to step back from the world. To look at it in a much different way than most people do.
My Grandmother, my Mom and I were talking about being conservative on Christmas day. She mentioned that she had watched the Duggar show where they went to a movie. She could not understand how a family that conservative, would be at the movies any movie. But then add to the fact that it was an R rated one and well that just sent her over the top. Why she kept asking? I don't know, I do know that all of my friends watch movies and they are all conservative. A few of them even know the Duggar's. We watch movies, in our home. Not as much as we used to. There are something that the children are not allowed to see. We are getting better at what we watch overall. We do still have satelight, not sure how long I will be keeping it on, because we really don't watch it. I was watching the Duggar's and other shows about large families, but what I should be doing is focusing on my own.
We've had some really fun nights the past couple of weeks were we just sit here and sing out of the hymnals. I do wish that one of them would pick up playing the piano again. We've played baord games. Tonight once the little once had gone to bed the three older boys played go fish, only to realize that there are a LOT of cards missing from the deck that they were using.
Which brings me back to Grandma, this would also be a bad thing that we are playing cards, when I tried to tell her that one of our favorite games is Dutch Blitz and that I get it in a horse and buggy Amish store, well I thought that her eyes were going to come clean out of her head. This game is solitare without the face cards in it. She had never heard of the game.
So I think that the thing for me is next time I see her I need to remind her that we are, all of us(my friends, & the Duggar's) first generation conservative Christians.
We grew up one way and are trying to raise our children in a completely different way. And it is hard. But everyday we learn a new way to let go of something that we probably shouldn't have, or dealing with that item in a way that is God honoring.
Getting ready to say goodbye
Well as of tonight it looks like the children and I will be heading over to Atlanta to pick up Richard on Friday.
We will more than likely spend a little bit of time over there as we are all wanting to go to IKEA and look around. We also need to go to the Apple store so that they can fix his iPhone, something is wrong with the iPod feature it will only play one song even after you've touched the shuffle button.
He also needs new pair of running shoes as one of his students seems to have taken them. Not to say that people are bad, but it does make me wonder what else might have been taken from his truck whether accidentally or on purpose, after cleaning out the truck on Sunday I really don't think that he would know, unless he was looking for something specific and couldn't find it.
The children and I had to go into town to the laundry mat today so that I could wash my down comforter. I had just walked into the bedroom on Sunday and Richard had changed Rachel. She was in her birthday suit and my hands were cold, so guess what she peed all over me and the bed. But I have found that our little town actually has 2 laundry mats and I kind of like this one better. A lot more larger washer, more washer in general. But I don't like that there isn't anyone there or even a phone number if something happens or you need a refund because the machine you choose is broken. But the there was a good amount of dryers that said HOT on them and they were, because my comforter was dry in 24min. I am thinking about going up there and washing everything that we own once and for all and when I am done it will all go straight across the street to the thrift store. I would love to do this, but I will more than likely just box all the good pants, collared shirts, and smaller stuff and once they can show me that they can and are willing to take care of their clothing then we can go shopping in the boxes.
Then there will be no more of the I can't find this that or the other, because they will each have 1 outfit. That has to be washed every night in the home washer.
I should think that 2 pairs of underwear, each 3 pairs of socks, maybe 2 pairs of jeans that way if they get messy at the barn they will have something to change into, in the middle of the day.
Then once we get all of the laundry done we are going to say goodbye to all of the toys. I only want them to have a few things, Lego's, Lincoln logs, matchbox cars, Thomas the train stuff, board games, books, but I need to get things back into buckets and bins. I would love to get one of those organizers for like a preschool and then we could just box up the items, and when they are done they know what color bin to put things in. But I think that what we are going to do is this thing called ITSO that Target has. I kind of think that it is really based on something that we might be able to find when we are at IKEA. We shall see.
I am great at planning and organizing everything on paper, but don't ask me to actually make it happen. Because you might still be waiting 30 minutes from now.
Anyway I am off to bed. We still need to finish getting all of the Army things together so that Richard has what he needs while he'll be away in Boston.
We will more than likely spend a little bit of time over there as we are all wanting to go to IKEA and look around. We also need to go to the Apple store so that they can fix his iPhone, something is wrong with the iPod feature it will only play one song even after you've touched the shuffle button.
He also needs new pair of running shoes as one of his students seems to have taken them. Not to say that people are bad, but it does make me wonder what else might have been taken from his truck whether accidentally or on purpose, after cleaning out the truck on Sunday I really don't think that he would know, unless he was looking for something specific and couldn't find it.
The children and I had to go into town to the laundry mat today so that I could wash my down comforter. I had just walked into the bedroom on Sunday and Richard had changed Rachel. She was in her birthday suit and my hands were cold, so guess what she peed all over me and the bed. But I have found that our little town actually has 2 laundry mats and I kind of like this one better. A lot more larger washer, more washer in general. But I don't like that there isn't anyone there or even a phone number if something happens or you need a refund because the machine you choose is broken. But the there was a good amount of dryers that said HOT on them and they were, because my comforter was dry in 24min. I am thinking about going up there and washing everything that we own once and for all and when I am done it will all go straight across the street to the thrift store. I would love to do this, but I will more than likely just box all the good pants, collared shirts, and smaller stuff and once they can show me that they can and are willing to take care of their clothing then we can go shopping in the boxes.
Then there will be no more of the I can't find this that or the other, because they will each have 1 outfit. That has to be washed every night in the home washer.
I should think that 2 pairs of underwear, each 3 pairs of socks, maybe 2 pairs of jeans that way if they get messy at the barn they will have something to change into, in the middle of the day.
Then once we get all of the laundry done we are going to say goodbye to all of the toys. I only want them to have a few things, Lego's, Lincoln logs, matchbox cars, Thomas the train stuff, board games, books, but I need to get things back into buckets and bins. I would love to get one of those organizers for like a preschool and then we could just box up the items, and when they are done they know what color bin to put things in. But I think that what we are going to do is this thing called ITSO that Target has. I kind of think that it is really based on something that we might be able to find when we are at IKEA. We shall see.
I am great at planning and organizing everything on paper, but don't ask me to actually make it happen. Because you might still be waiting 30 minutes from now.
Anyway I am off to bed. We still need to finish getting all of the Army things together so that Richard has what he needs while he'll be away in Boston.
22 December, 2008
could be Wed night, probably early Thurs am
Or more than likely it will be breakfast time Thursday before he rolls in.
He didn't come home this weekend, so that he could come home early on Wed and then have two full days with us. But then the student he had got fired and they didn't have a new one to give him. So with the runs that he had, he ended up with a 36 hour reset. He could have taken it down in TX, but instead took it up in Florence. By doing that it meant that we would be able to spend the day with him on Sat.
It was a rainy wet day that we really spent most of sitting in the van. We did run around Lowe's and if I'd had 1000.00 I would have a really nice front loader now, but alas it has been a very bad month, so it will wait.
But then I am sure that it has been a bad month for a lot of people and for that I am grateful that he has a job. I do wish that there was a lot more stability in his work, that when they say that he will be home at a certain time then he will, not hours or days later.
We did get a new kitchen faucet that Thomas installed for me today, and he fixed the hose on the shower(we have one of those double ones, works great with bathing the little ones)head. We also looked at the wire shelving, kitchen sinks, kitchen cabinets, area rugs, the huge outdoor play sets, enclosed trailers, and drywall.
There is so much that we need to do in the area of home repair, but the hardest was coming home after having a pretty nice day(it was raining after all), to find our two goats dead.
They were just fine when we left 12 hours earlier, but there were gone. So on Sunday instead of attending church, Thomas and I dug a whole and buried them. It seems so strange to go outside and not hear them talking to us. They were really just pets, large animals to help us in getting used to large animals. We bought them two years ago this coming Feb, around the same time we bought our Great Pyrenees Toby, he also died this past year, just past his 1st birthday. A great big white puff of a dog that didn't like cars, and yet he was run over by a neighbor, who did quiet a bit of damage to her car. But I guess that if animals all go somewhere they are all together again now.
Not sure what I will do now, we have chickens that aren't laying eggs, chicks that are trying to survive this cold weather, a sow and her altered son, and two each male and female rabbits.
Sad little homestead we have here, but then again perhaps it was a sign from God. We are to look to Him, to seek His face everyday in all that we do. Perhaps we did something, or we are supposed to be doing something and He is trying to tell us that.
Off to seek that answers in His word. Have a blessed evening.
He didn't come home this weekend, so that he could come home early on Wed and then have two full days with us. But then the student he had got fired and they didn't have a new one to give him. So with the runs that he had, he ended up with a 36 hour reset. He could have taken it down in TX, but instead took it up in Florence. By doing that it meant that we would be able to spend the day with him on Sat.
It was a rainy wet day that we really spent most of sitting in the van. We did run around Lowe's and if I'd had 1000.00 I would have a really nice front loader now, but alas it has been a very bad month, so it will wait.
But then I am sure that it has been a bad month for a lot of people and for that I am grateful that he has a job. I do wish that there was a lot more stability in his work, that when they say that he will be home at a certain time then he will, not hours or days later.
We did get a new kitchen faucet that Thomas installed for me today, and he fixed the hose on the shower(we have one of those double ones, works great with bathing the little ones)head. We also looked at the wire shelving, kitchen sinks, kitchen cabinets, area rugs, the huge outdoor play sets, enclosed trailers, and drywall.
There is so much that we need to do in the area of home repair, but the hardest was coming home after having a pretty nice day(it was raining after all), to find our two goats dead.
They were just fine when we left 12 hours earlier, but there were gone. So on Sunday instead of attending church, Thomas and I dug a whole and buried them. It seems so strange to go outside and not hear them talking to us. They were really just pets, large animals to help us in getting used to large animals. We bought them two years ago this coming Feb, around the same time we bought our Great Pyrenees Toby, he also died this past year, just past his 1st birthday. A great big white puff of a dog that didn't like cars, and yet he was run over by a neighbor, who did quiet a bit of damage to her car. But I guess that if animals all go somewhere they are all together again now.
Not sure what I will do now, we have chickens that aren't laying eggs, chicks that are trying to survive this cold weather, a sow and her altered son, and two each male and female rabbits.
Sad little homestead we have here, but then again perhaps it was a sign from God. We are to look to Him, to seek His face everyday in all that we do. Perhaps we did something, or we are supposed to be doing something and He is trying to tell us that.
Off to seek that answers in His word. Have a blessed evening.
18 December, 2008
Finally ordered the book Nourishing Traditions
I've heard really good things about it for a few years now, but just didn't think it was something that I wanted yet.
Well last night I was reading over on Katie's blog about making baby formula. Well don't ask me why but that was it.
So over to Amazon to see what I might be able to find used. I love books, used books can be a really interesting thing. Because sometimes you can get notes that other people put in them. So I found one that sounded good, I ordered it and should get it by Friday.
That was until a few minutes ago, I got an email saying that their ad was incorrect and they were going to order be a brand new, their cost and have it shipped to me.
I am happy and a little sad as I was looking forward to possibly seeing someone else's notes in this book.
Oh well, I hope that I enjoy it as much as I think I will.
Well last night I was reading over on Katie's blog about making baby formula. Well don't ask me why but that was it.
So over to Amazon to see what I might be able to find used. I love books, used books can be a really interesting thing. Because sometimes you can get notes that other people put in them. So I found one that sounded good, I ordered it and should get it by Friday.
That was until a few minutes ago, I got an email saying that their ad was incorrect and they were going to order be a brand new, their cost and have it shipped to me.
I am happy and a little sad as I was looking forward to possibly seeing someone else's notes in this book.
Oh well, I hope that I enjoy it as much as I think I will.
08 December, 2008
Planning the nex 6 months of school
As we get ready to begin the new year, I have decided once again to make a year book. It will include things that we do in our school, around the homestead, and just a general look at our lives.
I am thinking that we will work once a week, it will count as handwriting, English, Art, creative writing, and whatever else I can think of.
My thoughts are that they will learn a lot about themselves, each other and our family.
It will be a good way to show Richard what we really do each month too. As he will be going away to school for the Army next month and we will not be able to see him. It gives us a goal in getting the month of Jan in the books.
I will do 2 books, 6 months at a time, that way if they really get into it we won't have to down size and decide what doesn't get to go in the book.
My other thoughts on this project are that they will be able to look back when they are older and see what their handwriting looked like, what they did in school and everything that I wished that I had now. I know that my step mom, has been doing scrap books for years, but I don't really think that she has years-full years of what my brother and I did.
But since I have been saying that I was going to do this for the past couple years, I am really going to make this work.
I am also going to try digital scrap booking, that way I will be able to get some of the older pictures that I have into albums too. We won't even begin to talk about how far behind I am in my scrap booking. So this is a way to get started and hopefully back on track, slowly but back on track.
I am thinking that we will work once a week, it will count as handwriting, English, Art, creative writing, and whatever else I can think of.
My thoughts are that they will learn a lot about themselves, each other and our family.
It will be a good way to show Richard what we really do each month too. As he will be going away to school for the Army next month and we will not be able to see him. It gives us a goal in getting the month of Jan in the books.
I will do 2 books, 6 months at a time, that way if they really get into it we won't have to down size and decide what doesn't get to go in the book.
My other thoughts on this project are that they will be able to look back when they are older and see what their handwriting looked like, what they did in school and everything that I wished that I had now. I know that my step mom, has been doing scrap books for years, but I don't really think that she has years-full years of what my brother and I did.
But since I have been saying that I was going to do this for the past couple years, I am really going to make this work.
I am also going to try digital scrap booking, that way I will be able to get some of the older pictures that I have into albums too. We won't even begin to talk about how far behind I am in my scrap booking. So this is a way to get started and hopefully back on track, slowly but back on track.
07 December, 2008
Time flies when you don't have a lot of it.
Richard had Drill this weekend, yesterday he went to Florence and the children and I drove him up there. Which also meant that we would be spending the day in the van. Which is ok on a normal day but it was chilly yesterday.
So we walked around a few stores, I couldn't bring myself to brave the mall. We checked out the library which is really nice, more along the lines of what I am used to back in FL.
Fought a raging headache most of the day, actually took two naps in the van trying to fight my headache. Finally while we were at the library, they have a little coffee shop in the lobby and I broke down and bought a Coke, then took some more Tylenol and it finally went away.
We went to pick Richard up, then showed him this beautiful on the outside old large house for sale. I have since found it on line and it is completely modern inside. Which although it was something completely outside of our price range, it was a very pretty house. But it was also right in the historic district of Florence, which also happens to be very very close to the University of North Alabama. If only we could find a large farm house on some land that would be wonderful.
Anyway, we then went to Target and looked around. We needed milk so we went over to Aldi's and got 4 gallons for the week. Then we finally headed home. Once I started leaving the "city" everyone fell asleep, except for Thomas he always stay awake.
We got to Russelville and got gas for 1.56, and then got a couple bacon cheeseburgers and fries from Jack's and came on home. Got everyone inside and into bed and we also turned in.
So today, we've go the whole day and it still flew by. We got up around 7, feed the animals, made and ate breakfast, then I really don't know where the rest of the day went.
We did manage to sit down at the table at 6, but then somewhere between eating supper, giving the little two baths, some playtime with them and getting them into bed I lost an hour and a half. So here I sit at quarter to 9, and I am going to finish getting Richard ready for tomorrow. He will be pulling out in the morning after they come a jump his truck, his truck is such a thing. If he doesn't start it several times during the weekend, then it won't start. So because we were all gone yesterday it's dead. So sometime tomorrow, a service person will come out and help him start his truck and his day.
I am off to make sure that he doesn't forget anything.
Have a great week and God Bless.
Debi
So we walked around a few stores, I couldn't bring myself to brave the mall. We checked out the library which is really nice, more along the lines of what I am used to back in FL.
Fought a raging headache most of the day, actually took two naps in the van trying to fight my headache. Finally while we were at the library, they have a little coffee shop in the lobby and I broke down and bought a Coke, then took some more Tylenol and it finally went away.
We went to pick Richard up, then showed him this beautiful on the outside old large house for sale. I have since found it on line and it is completely modern inside. Which although it was something completely outside of our price range, it was a very pretty house. But it was also right in the historic district of Florence, which also happens to be very very close to the University of North Alabama. If only we could find a large farm house on some land that would be wonderful.
Anyway, we then went to Target and looked around. We needed milk so we went over to Aldi's and got 4 gallons for the week. Then we finally headed home. Once I started leaving the "city" everyone fell asleep, except for Thomas he always stay awake.
We got to Russelville and got gas for 1.56, and then got a couple bacon cheeseburgers and fries from Jack's and came on home. Got everyone inside and into bed and we also turned in.
So today, we've go the whole day and it still flew by. We got up around 7, feed the animals, made and ate breakfast, then I really don't know where the rest of the day went.
We did manage to sit down at the table at 6, but then somewhere between eating supper, giving the little two baths, some playtime with them and getting them into bed I lost an hour and a half. So here I sit at quarter to 9, and I am going to finish getting Richard ready for tomorrow. He will be pulling out in the morning after they come a jump his truck, his truck is such a thing. If he doesn't start it several times during the weekend, then it won't start. So because we were all gone yesterday it's dead. So sometime tomorrow, a service person will come out and help him start his truck and his day.
I am off to make sure that he doesn't forget anything.
Have a great week and God Bless.
Debi
01 December, 2008
Plans for the next month
Well we all said our goodbyes to Richard this morning as he left for work, the good thing is that he will be home again this weekend. It is Drill weekend so we won't really get to see him much but he's still home in the evenings.
I am still trying to figure out how I can get to KY to see Mary and the girls and possibly catch Bryce and Heather while they are home for Christmas, praying that it happens. But there will be other times if it doesn't.
Richard will be home again two weeks later for our family weekend not sure what we are going to do yet, but we will probably be doing our Christmas dinner. He should be home on the 25th like last year, but I won't believe it until I see it. Especially after this weekend and him being told that he should be able to get home early, well it was early alright 2:15 or something in the morning, oh and that was Saturday morning.
Then the last weekend of the month he will be turning in his truck to the terminal in Atlanta so that he can go to school in Boston for the month of Jan and part of Feb, then he will be home for like a week-maybe, he might just go back out on the road till he has to do the next schooling. Well that is really a little more than the next month, but hey it is the plan.
The thing that bothers me the most is that we won't be able to see him for the time he is in Boston, it is a 21 almost 22 hour drive and I just don't know how I feel about trying to drive in snowy weather for a weekend visit. I mean I would love to go up to Boston and see what we might be able to see, but a big van, 7 children and cold cold weather, ummm I think that I will pass. The time will go by quickly, then we will be together again in our unique way that we are together, life as a family of a trucker.
I am still trying to figure out how I can get to KY to see Mary and the girls and possibly catch Bryce and Heather while they are home for Christmas, praying that it happens. But there will be other times if it doesn't.
Richard will be home again two weeks later for our family weekend not sure what we are going to do yet, but we will probably be doing our Christmas dinner. He should be home on the 25th like last year, but I won't believe it until I see it. Especially after this weekend and him being told that he should be able to get home early, well it was early alright 2:15 or something in the morning, oh and that was Saturday morning.
Then the last weekend of the month he will be turning in his truck to the terminal in Atlanta so that he can go to school in Boston for the month of Jan and part of Feb, then he will be home for like a week-maybe, he might just go back out on the road till he has to do the next schooling. Well that is really a little more than the next month, but hey it is the plan.
The thing that bothers me the most is that we won't be able to see him for the time he is in Boston, it is a 21 almost 22 hour drive and I just don't know how I feel about trying to drive in snowy weather for a weekend visit. I mean I would love to go up to Boston and see what we might be able to see, but a big van, 7 children and cold cold weather, ummm I think that I will pass. The time will go by quickly, then we will be together again in our unique way that we are together, life as a family of a trucker.
26 November, 2008
Happy Thanksgiving!
Hope that everyone has a safe and happy Thanksgiving.
That family time is a happy event and that the Lord blesses everyone with save travels and wonderful visits with family and friends.
That family time is a happy event and that the Lord blesses everyone with save travels and wonderful visits with family and friends.
12 November, 2008
Sense and Sensibility now has ePatterns
I have always loved this period of clothing.
I have looked over these patterns many times and now that she has ePatterns I plan on getting several of them, because one of the biggest problems I have is that I loose pattern pieces. Having them always in the computer they can't go anywhere.
I am trying to choose between the underpinnings and the Spencer-I have always loved this style of coat. Probably will start with the underpinnings as I have been looking for a way to make our female underthings.
So go over to Sense and Sensibility and look at her new ePatterns.
I have looked over these patterns many times and now that she has ePatterns I plan on getting several of them, because one of the biggest problems I have is that I loose pattern pieces. Having them always in the computer they can't go anywhere.
I am trying to choose between the underpinnings and the Spencer-I have always loved this style of coat. Probably will start with the underpinnings as I have been looking for a way to make our female underthings.
So go over to Sense and Sensibility and look at her new ePatterns.
06 November, 2008
Happenings on our homestead
So on Sunday three of the pigs went to the butcher, and two are still here, they will both be fattened up and go in a few more months.
I ordered 25 more chickens yesterday and still need to get a couple roosters. We also need to build a real chicken coop and get them out of the barn stall that they have all been in for so long. I need that stall for other things.
I am not sure that our mama pig is bred back, so we are going to be watching her, and I am going to be looking into getting a calf that we can fatten up for the freezer. She has really fattened up since we moved her and the one little pig left, I should be able to send her over around the end of Feb and get a good bit more pork for the freezer.
The other big thing that I am working on is getting the third bench installed in the van to make it a 12 passenger, that way we can spread the children. The only draw back to that is that it will be a lot harder when getting feed and such, so that means, I am also going to be getting a trailer hitch and be on the lookout for a small enclosed trailer. That I can use not only for when we get feed, but to also use when we go to the grocery store.
I have decided that I am about done with Walmart, our little store might carry something that you like, then it's just gone and no they will not order it again for you.
So even though it is a drive there is an Aldi up in Florence, I am really looking into heading up there and really looking at everything that they carry. Since I am not one to really buy boxed food, I am looking at canned things and possible frozen items. We already have a really nice large cooler, but will probably getting at least two more for this kind of shopping and the distance. The last time I was in Aldi's the had a really great price on gallon milk.
I am still very much interested in getting a milk cow, but first we need to fence in at least an acre for her and a calf. I talked to Jeff up at Co-Op and it will probably cost about 40.00 to have all the fencing supplies we will need delivered, but this way things won't get bent or messed up as the truck is longer than our little pickup. The other reason to pay for the delivery is that it is a good 20 miles into town and I just can't leave the children here alone even for a quick trip in with the pick up.
I am trying to plan out our orchard, I would like to have peaches, apples, plums, pears and cherries-even though I don't like them I am sure that they could be used to make some jams or something that we would possible be able to see at the farmer's market. I am not sure what all of the things that you can sell at ours, but I would think that jams and preserves would especially if I am selling homemade bread too.
Our garden is the next big plan. I should think that seed catalogs should start arriving soon. I know the basics that I want, it is just trying to get the right quantity of plants. I am thinking that we need at least 200 tomato plants, 100lbs of potatoes-Richard bought some purple fingerlings that we are going try. Green beans, peas, romaine lettuce, zucchini, yellow squash, watermelons, pumpkins, collards, okra, garlic, carrots, broccoli, must think about what other veggies we want to plant and put up.
I ordered 25 more chickens yesterday and still need to get a couple roosters. We also need to build a real chicken coop and get them out of the barn stall that they have all been in for so long. I need that stall for other things.
I am not sure that our mama pig is bred back, so we are going to be watching her, and I am going to be looking into getting a calf that we can fatten up for the freezer. She has really fattened up since we moved her and the one little pig left, I should be able to send her over around the end of Feb and get a good bit more pork for the freezer.
The other big thing that I am working on is getting the third bench installed in the van to make it a 12 passenger, that way we can spread the children. The only draw back to that is that it will be a lot harder when getting feed and such, so that means, I am also going to be getting a trailer hitch and be on the lookout for a small enclosed trailer. That I can use not only for when we get feed, but to also use when we go to the grocery store.
I have decided that I am about done with Walmart, our little store might carry something that you like, then it's just gone and no they will not order it again for you.
So even though it is a drive there is an Aldi up in Florence, I am really looking into heading up there and really looking at everything that they carry. Since I am not one to really buy boxed food, I am looking at canned things and possible frozen items. We already have a really nice large cooler, but will probably getting at least two more for this kind of shopping and the distance. The last time I was in Aldi's the had a really great price on gallon milk.
I am still very much interested in getting a milk cow, but first we need to fence in at least an acre for her and a calf. I talked to Jeff up at Co-Op and it will probably cost about 40.00 to have all the fencing supplies we will need delivered, but this way things won't get bent or messed up as the truck is longer than our little pickup. The other reason to pay for the delivery is that it is a good 20 miles into town and I just can't leave the children here alone even for a quick trip in with the pick up.
I am trying to plan out our orchard, I would like to have peaches, apples, plums, pears and cherries-even though I don't like them I am sure that they could be used to make some jams or something that we would possible be able to see at the farmer's market. I am not sure what all of the things that you can sell at ours, but I would think that jams and preserves would especially if I am selling homemade bread too.
Our garden is the next big plan. I should think that seed catalogs should start arriving soon. I know the basics that I want, it is just trying to get the right quantity of plants. I am thinking that we need at least 200 tomato plants, 100lbs of potatoes-Richard bought some purple fingerlings that we are going try. Green beans, peas, romaine lettuce, zucchini, yellow squash, watermelons, pumpkins, collards, okra, garlic, carrots, broccoli, must think about what other veggies we want to plant and put up.
04 November, 2008
I voted today, Have you?
I have to say that it is a lot different here in Alabama compared to what it was back in FL.
First off we live in a very rural area, my little town has a post office, one gas station, a bank, city hall, a new medical clinic, and three different churches, oh there are also two restaurants, the auction house-for the once a month auctions, and the discount flea market & grocery store that is only open on Fri & Sat.
Anyway our voting place is at the city hall. I did take all of the children with me and we were there while another young man was there. Back in FL you had the old style, where we had that lovely chad problem, then we had the touch screens.
Well here in my neck of the woods, we have a ballot that is a fill in the bubble. Then you put it into this big box that had a counter on it and I was the 33 ballot into the box. As we were leaving there were more people coming in to vote.
The poll workers were all very nice and gave I voted today stickers to all of the children. I got one too.
Have a great day!
First off we live in a very rural area, my little town has a post office, one gas station, a bank, city hall, a new medical clinic, and three different churches, oh there are also two restaurants, the auction house-for the once a month auctions, and the discount flea market & grocery store that is only open on Fri & Sat.
Anyway our voting place is at the city hall. I did take all of the children with me and we were there while another young man was there. Back in FL you had the old style, where we had that lovely chad problem, then we had the touch screens.
Well here in my neck of the woods, we have a ballot that is a fill in the bubble. Then you put it into this big box that had a counter on it and I was the 33 ballot into the box. As we were leaving there were more people coming in to vote.
The poll workers were all very nice and gave I voted today stickers to all of the children. I got one too.
Have a great day!
03 November, 2008
Got my laptop fixed.
It seems so silly to think that this is just a computer, I've only had it for a year or maybe almost two. But having to go back and use the desktop after having been on this one for so long was like having to tie a rope around my waist and run around the house, while the other end of that rope was tied to the inside of the front door. It took forever and it was hard and slow going, trying to get things done.
But it is now working again, the tech guy even came out to me and was super cool, because he didn't mind having all the boys ask questions, even took the time to tell them and showed them everything that he was doing and what things did. That is the best thing in my book, when a person will take the time to talk to children while they are providing a service.
But now the bad news, I just went to use the usb ports on the side and they are in crooked, so I suppose that I am going to very carefully take this apart and see if I can fix it myself. Bummer, oh well at least the computer is running again.
But it is now working again, the tech guy even came out to me and was super cool, because he didn't mind having all the boys ask questions, even took the time to tell them and showed them everything that he was doing and what things did. That is the best thing in my book, when a person will take the time to talk to children while they are providing a service.
But now the bad news, I just went to use the usb ports on the side and they are in crooked, so I suppose that I am going to very carefully take this apart and see if I can fix it myself. Bummer, oh well at least the computer is running again.
23 October, 2008
Getting children to obey
I am the mother of 7(so far) blessings, and have been in some sense of the word a single mom for a while now. My DH is in the Reserves and is a over the road truck driver, which means he's just not really home a lot.
Over the past 3 months, we've been able to have 1 full two day family weekend-and that was back at the beginning of August. So I am often left to double parent then children and when needed, he is able to talk to them over the phone. It's really a good thing that our cell company offers an unlimited plan.
In the last, oh probably 6 months the attitudes in this house have been just terrible. No one does what they are asked or told to do without some whining/grumbling or complaining. And I am tired of it all.
So next week we are going to begin a program called Bootcamp. More or less they are all going to be treated as if they were in the military-which most of them say that they want to do that anyway. So for the next 6 weeks they will only be able to say "Yes, Mom", "No, Mom" and Yes and No Dad when they see him or speak to him on the phone. Then after some time, once they all understand that this is the way life will be, they will be allowed to appeal or ask questions to the task(s) that they were given.
They are able to speak out of turn in an emergency. Like if I asked someone to change a diaper or bring me the supplies and we were out, or they weren't able to prepare a meal because something was missing.
I am praying that this really works, because they are getting old enough that this is going to effect their work habits later in life and I wand they all to be happy in what ever type of job/career that they seek out.
So for tomorrows game plan, we will not be heading up to my BF's place, the responsibilities that they have all know about since Sunday are still not complete. We are going to complete them and we are now working on a point system, as long as they do everything they are asked/told to do in the next 14 days then we will try to go then. (secretly I will probably go then anyway, but they will not be allowed to what they would normally be)
Please forgive me if there are spelling errors, I am really tired and will proof read tomorrow.
Have a blessed evening.
Over the past 3 months, we've been able to have 1 full two day family weekend-and that was back at the beginning of August. So I am often left to double parent then children and when needed, he is able to talk to them over the phone. It's really a good thing that our cell company offers an unlimited plan.
In the last, oh probably 6 months the attitudes in this house have been just terrible. No one does what they are asked or told to do without some whining/grumbling or complaining. And I am tired of it all.
So next week we are going to begin a program called Bootcamp. More or less they are all going to be treated as if they were in the military-which most of them say that they want to do that anyway. So for the next 6 weeks they will only be able to say "Yes, Mom", "No, Mom" and Yes and No Dad when they see him or speak to him on the phone. Then after some time, once they all understand that this is the way life will be, they will be allowed to appeal or ask questions to the task(s) that they were given.
They are able to speak out of turn in an emergency. Like if I asked someone to change a diaper or bring me the supplies and we were out, or they weren't able to prepare a meal because something was missing.
I am praying that this really works, because they are getting old enough that this is going to effect their work habits later in life and I wand they all to be happy in what ever type of job/career that they seek out.
So for tomorrows game plan, we will not be heading up to my BF's place, the responsibilities that they have all know about since Sunday are still not complete. We are going to complete them and we are now working on a point system, as long as they do everything they are asked/told to do in the next 14 days then we will try to go then. (secretly I will probably go then anyway, but they will not be allowed to what they would normally be)
Please forgive me if there are spelling errors, I am really tired and will proof read tomorrow.
Have a blessed evening.
22 October, 2008
It looks like I'm going to Best Buy again
This morning Prince A was holding Princess R and she knocked over my coffee cup onto the laptop.
And now it's dead.
Ugggggg.
And now it's dead.
Ugggggg.
20 October, 2008
mid afternoon snack
For the past couple of years I find that around early afternoon, anywhere from 2-5pm I get super sleepy.
I have tried turkey and cheese on crackers, PB&J on bread or crackers, even those Slim Fast bars.
Well last week I was at the Pharmacy looking for fish oil tablets like the ones that I get at GNC, they didn't have anything close. I turned on a different isle and saw the energy bars.
Our Walmart has a rather large selection of single bars that you can get, so I picked a handfull of different companies to try. I got a Zone, one by Kashi, and three different flavors from Cliff Bar.
The Kashi one was gross as far as I am concerned, the Zone would run a very close second on the ick factor. The first Cliff bar was ok, but I don't remember why I didn't like it. I think that one actually had peanut butter and chocolate. The second one was just chocolate chip and it was my favorite, and today I ate the last one called crunchy peanut butter-this one was pretty good. But as I sit here I am finding that I have a funny after taste.
I need other ideas for snacks that are high in protein, because I find that if I eat junk food it makes me feel worse.
Yes, I have had my sugar checked and I am fine. I just think that for me, I get up very early 4.45-5.00am and I am busy all day. Untill about that time of the day, which is quiet time or at least it is supposed to be. Prince C & The Princess both understand that have no problems, it is the older Princes that have a problem with doing quiet activities, they got out of the habit last year, around this time and it's been hard to get them back on track, but they are getting better at it.
I have tried turkey and cheese on crackers, PB&J on bread or crackers, even those Slim Fast bars.
Well last week I was at the Pharmacy looking for fish oil tablets like the ones that I get at GNC, they didn't have anything close. I turned on a different isle and saw the energy bars.
Our Walmart has a rather large selection of single bars that you can get, so I picked a handfull of different companies to try. I got a Zone, one by Kashi, and three different flavors from Cliff Bar.
The Kashi one was gross as far as I am concerned, the Zone would run a very close second on the ick factor. The first Cliff bar was ok, but I don't remember why I didn't like it. I think that one actually had peanut butter and chocolate. The second one was just chocolate chip and it was my favorite, and today I ate the last one called crunchy peanut butter-this one was pretty good. But as I sit here I am finding that I have a funny after taste.
I need other ideas for snacks that are high in protein, because I find that if I eat junk food it makes me feel worse.
Yes, I have had my sugar checked and I am fine. I just think that for me, I get up very early 4.45-5.00am and I am busy all day. Untill about that time of the day, which is quiet time or at least it is supposed to be. Prince C & The Princess both understand that have no problems, it is the older Princes that have a problem with doing quiet activities, they got out of the habit last year, around this time and it's been hard to get them back on track, but they are getting better at it.
18 October, 2008
He's on his way!!!!!
Well after what looked like he wasn't going to make it home, he is currently on his way. He should be here by probably 10 tonight.
So that means we will get all day together as a family. The best part is that it is Princess R's 1st Birthday!!! Yeah, not sure what we are going to do yet, but it should be a good time together.
So that means we will get all day together as a family. The best part is that it is Princess R's 1st Birthday!!! Yeah, not sure what we are going to do yet, but it should be a good time together.
16 October, 2008
Today
Today, well it began with me waking at 4 something, looking out at the moon and really wishing that I could take some photos, it's been hanging out of my bedroom window the past few mornings and is just beautiful.
Just when I thought that I could sneak off to the kitchen I realized that Princess R was awake and looking at me. So I had to grab her and Prince M meets us in the kitchen. We all head to the bathroom, where she gets to tub surf-I don't like putting her on the bathroom floor, I know don't ask.
Today was Prince A's 10th birthday, well it seems that they didn't get any thing done from the night before. So the morning bell went off at 5.30am, Princes J & C were left in bed as J had done quite a bit last night, and with C only being two, I just left him.
They weren't too happy to say the least, but you know what I am getting tired of assigning chores only to have to finish them myself. They are all old enough to do what they are told, when they are told to.
Prince A did get his gifts, a new Lego Star Wars sleep shirt, and an action figure from one of the Star Wars movies, his Great Grandmother called and wished him a happy day and said that his card should be here today-it was and he got $10.00. Which he spent at Barnes and Noble, he got this wonderful little blank journal, that I am sure will end up being filled with drawings and short stores of the Stars Wars nature and a Strawberries and Cream Frappachinio.
I found a new homeschooling magazine-it was the only one that I was able to find, it might not be that new, but it's new to me. Looks pretty good, so far I have only managed to read one article, I am really looking at all the ads.
We did get almost all of our schooling done today, they didn't get Science. I am trying to decide how I want them to do the Radish project from Sonlight Core 3-groups, individually, or just one and we all use just that.
That and I am going to buy a huge storage building that they sell/rent to own around here and make my own little school house. Because I know without question, that if I were to remove all of the schooling stuff from our home, we would have room to move. LOL! It is so funny, we have so many books, games, and other educational stuff that we really just don't have the room to move. It might have something to do with the fact that the house is only 913sq ft.
My friend Deanna, was just looking at one 12x24 and she thought that it was really nice and she too wants to get one to use as a school house. Just pop a little ac unit in for the summer, maybe a little wood stove for winter and we are ready. Eat breakfast in the house, keep the playpen set up for naps for the Princess. Then when I want something I can go well it's over there, not like today when I went looking for something only to remember that it is in town at the storage place-I was in tears, how can I teach them well when I can't keep everything in one place? UGGGGGG. I need to get my act together.
Just when I thought that I could sneak off to the kitchen I realized that Princess R was awake and looking at me. So I had to grab her and Prince M meets us in the kitchen. We all head to the bathroom, where she gets to tub surf-I don't like putting her on the bathroom floor, I know don't ask.
Today was Prince A's 10th birthday, well it seems that they didn't get any thing done from the night before. So the morning bell went off at 5.30am, Princes J & C were left in bed as J had done quite a bit last night, and with C only being two, I just left him.
They weren't too happy to say the least, but you know what I am getting tired of assigning chores only to have to finish them myself. They are all old enough to do what they are told, when they are told to.
Prince A did get his gifts, a new Lego Star Wars sleep shirt, and an action figure from one of the Star Wars movies, his Great Grandmother called and wished him a happy day and said that his card should be here today-it was and he got $10.00. Which he spent at Barnes and Noble, he got this wonderful little blank journal, that I am sure will end up being filled with drawings and short stores of the Stars Wars nature and a Strawberries and Cream Frappachinio.
I found a new homeschooling magazine-it was the only one that I was able to find, it might not be that new, but it's new to me. Looks pretty good, so far I have only managed to read one article, I am really looking at all the ads.
We did get almost all of our schooling done today, they didn't get Science. I am trying to decide how I want them to do the Radish project from Sonlight Core 3-groups, individually, or just one and we all use just that.
That and I am going to buy a huge storage building that they sell/rent to own around here and make my own little school house. Because I know without question, that if I were to remove all of the schooling stuff from our home, we would have room to move. LOL! It is so funny, we have so many books, games, and other educational stuff that we really just don't have the room to move. It might have something to do with the fact that the house is only 913sq ft.
My friend Deanna, was just looking at one 12x24 and she thought that it was really nice and she too wants to get one to use as a school house. Just pop a little ac unit in for the summer, maybe a little wood stove for winter and we are ready. Eat breakfast in the house, keep the playpen set up for naps for the Princess. Then when I want something I can go well it's over there, not like today when I went looking for something only to remember that it is in town at the storage place-I was in tears, how can I teach them well when I can't keep everything in one place? UGGGGGG. I need to get my act together.
off to the computer hospital it went
Well the new power supplies arrived today and nothing happened. So I loaded everyone up and we went to Tupelo and Best Buy, where they also tried to power it and well of course nothing happened. So 85.00 dollars later it is going to be sent to Louisville, KY-which is funny because neither of the ladies could say it right.
Anyway I guess the only good thing is, I have DH's laptop until he leaves on Mon. Then I am chained to the old desk top.
We need another laptop here at the house. I can't get anything done when I am stuck in one room, while the children are running around.
So my wish list of things to get just keeps getting longer.
Newer/larger van
front loader washer
Digital SLR camera
another Laptop
Macmini
Macbook
iPod classic
iPhone for DH
3500 sq foot addition
pigs to the butcher-this one really needs to be up at the top.
well you get the idea
Anyway I guess the only good thing is, I have DH's laptop until he leaves on Mon. Then I am chained to the old desk top.
We need another laptop here at the house. I can't get anything done when I am stuck in one room, while the children are running around.
So my wish list of things to get just keeps getting longer.
Newer/larger van
front loader washer
Digital SLR camera
another Laptop
Macmini
Macbook
iPod classic
iPhone for DH
3500 sq foot addition
pigs to the butcher-this one really needs to be up at the top.
well you get the idea
14 October, 2008
I've really become spoiled with my laptop.
Yesterday my laptop was knocked off the end couch(I had it opened because I was listening to some music-which is why I need an iPod) and I guess it messed up the power cord. I am praying that is all it is. I quickly searched over on EBay and found two new ones, DH's had died a few weeks ago and well honestly it wasn't placed high on the fix list. Praying that it arrives quickly. Add to the fact that my battery is dead, I bought a new one but something is wrong with it too, so I am sending it back to get it replaced. I am having to use this one and it has been a long time.
Everything about this computer is strange, the keys, the noises it makes, the screen is probably the biggest thing that is bothering me. It is a 17", but it is older and a box. I should look into getting a flat panel then that would make it better.
I am also looking at working our way over to a Macmini in the next few months. I really like the looks of the Mac's and so I am going to start there, well really DH is going to be getting an iPhone this weekend while he's home. I can't wait because I want to play with it before he leaves on Mon, I will probably be getting one also, but I still have a few months before I can make an upgrade.
So our new computer shopping list is looking like this, iPhone, Macmini, iPod Classic, then perhaps a Macbook, I would love to get the Macbook Pro, but we will have to see, if I can get DH to go Apple I know that he would get the Macbook Pro, just because he does a lot more than I do, but ya know maybe if I had a computer that was easier to use the maybe I would use it a lot more than just blogging, reading my different forums, and getting activities for our school.
Off to get the children feed, so that we can start school and I have some dresses that I am making for some ladies.
Have a wonderful day.
Everything about this computer is strange, the keys, the noises it makes, the screen is probably the biggest thing that is bothering me. It is a 17", but it is older and a box. I should look into getting a flat panel then that would make it better.
I am also looking at working our way over to a Macmini in the next few months. I really like the looks of the Mac's and so I am going to start there, well really DH is going to be getting an iPhone this weekend while he's home. I can't wait because I want to play with it before he leaves on Mon, I will probably be getting one also, but I still have a few months before I can make an upgrade.
So our new computer shopping list is looking like this, iPhone, Macmini, iPod Classic, then perhaps a Macbook, I would love to get the Macbook Pro, but we will have to see, if I can get DH to go Apple I know that he would get the Macbook Pro, just because he does a lot more than I do, but ya know maybe if I had a computer that was easier to use the maybe I would use it a lot more than just blogging, reading my different forums, and getting activities for our school.
Off to get the children feed, so that we can start school and I have some dresses that I am making for some ladies.
Have a wonderful day.
13 October, 2008
Not sure WHY I was trying to start yet another blog?!
What was I thinking?? I really don't know, even though it might say that I have two, for now I will only be posting on this one.
I just spent about 10 minutes trying to find the perfect name for another blog, boy was it hard. There are a lot of titles that I would have loved to use but they were all taken, and then I thought why not try 6toads1princess, it surprisingly was not taken. However, I can not call my boys toads, so what made me think of that in the first place?
Well in the last week they have found several toads, and these toads sound like birds. They are the coolest toads. When I was little I lived in FL and I of course had a little sand pail. This pail was often the home to toads and frogs, but my Mom would almost always tell me to put them all back. She told me a few years ago that she always felt sorry for the one on the bottom, because he/she was usually half dead by the time I got around to setting them all free.
Tomorrow after I pick up my camera from Wal-Mart tomorrow I will share a few pictures that we took of the first one that they had found. He was played with for a little while but then quickly returned to where he was found.
Today as a treat we had Subway, I don't usually get fast food of any kind. But I was really in the mood for a sub. Since there is a Firehouse Subs anywhere close to us, Subway will have to do. It was really good considering it has probably been a year since I've had one.
The rest of the treat will be tomorrow when the children are allowed to have a glass of Coke.
Sometime at the end of December 2006, I happened to catch the movie Super Size Me on tv, and boy did it open my eyes. I decided that in January we would not eat out for the whole month, no fast food and I stopped drinking Coke.
The good news was we made it through the month, I stopped the Coke consumption and lost something like 21lbs. WOOO HOOO!!!!
Better yet was in March we were blessed to find out that I was pregnant with our first daughter. Princess was born 19 Oct and will turn 1 in 6 days, I can't believe how fast this year has gone by either.
So because of that movie, and moving out to the country so much of our lifestyle has changed:
we rarely eat out
drink Coke or really any sugary drinks
eat sugary snacks
drink things with red dye
listen to the radio-we do listen to music, mostly classical, hymns, and other uplifting pieces
we are working on limiting TV to just a few hours a month, including DVD's that are not school related.
I am sure that there are many others but those are all I can think of right now.
It is a family weekend, DH will be home for his first weekend off in almost 3 months. Because he drives a big truck he is always at work, then he also has Drill weekends and because of how they fell he wasn't able to come home every two weeks like normal. But this week he will be home on Friday-we are praying that it is early enough in the day that he will get to spend almost 2 and a half days with us. It is also a very special weekend as Thursday Prince A turns 10, and of course Princess turns 1.
So we will be cleaning like the cleaning service is here, to make sure that the house is nice for DH while he's home. There is a lot to do, not including the projects that I am working on. Part of me just wants to say lets just load up and go somewhere to really have fun with him, but then I know that he probably has a list of things he'd like to get done around here. It should be fun to see what we end up doing.
Off to get everything ready for the boys to get their school work done tomorrow. I am looking at possibly taking them into town for a 4H club meeting on Friday. I don't know that they are ready to do the work though. They have been very lazy with their school work lately and that concerns me. Probably has to do with me being lazy with my work, say a prayer for me that I am able to find my focus and get back on track.
God Bless.
I just spent about 10 minutes trying to find the perfect name for another blog, boy was it hard. There are a lot of titles that I would have loved to use but they were all taken, and then I thought why not try 6toads1princess, it surprisingly was not taken. However, I can not call my boys toads, so what made me think of that in the first place?
Well in the last week they have found several toads, and these toads sound like birds. They are the coolest toads. When I was little I lived in FL and I of course had a little sand pail. This pail was often the home to toads and frogs, but my Mom would almost always tell me to put them all back. She told me a few years ago that she always felt sorry for the one on the bottom, because he/she was usually half dead by the time I got around to setting them all free.
Tomorrow after I pick up my camera from Wal-Mart tomorrow I will share a few pictures that we took of the first one that they had found. He was played with for a little while but then quickly returned to where he was found.
Today as a treat we had Subway, I don't usually get fast food of any kind. But I was really in the mood for a sub. Since there is a Firehouse Subs anywhere close to us, Subway will have to do. It was really good considering it has probably been a year since I've had one.
The rest of the treat will be tomorrow when the children are allowed to have a glass of Coke.
Sometime at the end of December 2006, I happened to catch the movie Super Size Me on tv, and boy did it open my eyes. I decided that in January we would not eat out for the whole month, no fast food and I stopped drinking Coke.
The good news was we made it through the month, I stopped the Coke consumption and lost something like 21lbs. WOOO HOOO!!!!
Better yet was in March we were blessed to find out that I was pregnant with our first daughter. Princess was born 19 Oct and will turn 1 in 6 days, I can't believe how fast this year has gone by either.
So because of that movie, and moving out to the country so much of our lifestyle has changed:
we rarely eat out
drink Coke or really any sugary drinks
eat sugary snacks
drink things with red dye
listen to the radio-we do listen to music, mostly classical, hymns, and other uplifting pieces
we are working on limiting TV to just a few hours a month, including DVD's that are not school related.
I am sure that there are many others but those are all I can think of right now.
It is a family weekend, DH will be home for his first weekend off in almost 3 months. Because he drives a big truck he is always at work, then he also has Drill weekends and because of how they fell he wasn't able to come home every two weeks like normal. But this week he will be home on Friday-we are praying that it is early enough in the day that he will get to spend almost 2 and a half days with us. It is also a very special weekend as Thursday Prince A turns 10, and of course Princess turns 1.
So we will be cleaning like the cleaning service is here, to make sure that the house is nice for DH while he's home. There is a lot to do, not including the projects that I am working on. Part of me just wants to say lets just load up and go somewhere to really have fun with him, but then I know that he probably has a list of things he'd like to get done around here. It should be fun to see what we end up doing.
Off to get everything ready for the boys to get their school work done tomorrow. I am looking at possibly taking them into town for a 4H club meeting on Friday. I don't know that they are ready to do the work though. They have been very lazy with their school work lately and that concerns me. Probably has to do with me being lazy with my work, say a prayer for me that I am able to find my focus and get back on track.
God Bless.
12 October, 2008
Deanna's family
My friend Deanna and her family, only she's a child short. Where's Emily? You really need a new photo!
I should post the last family photo that we had taken, LOL I am about 5 children short.
Yes I took this from your Photobucket, among other things.
Now Mary knows what you look like. LOL!!!!
ETA: Actually I was pregnant with Prince N, but you probably would not be able to tell except for the dress I had on. It was from Motherhood Maternity, but you probably couldn't tell that just by looking at the picture. I will see if I can find it tomorrow.
I should post the last family photo that we had taken, LOL I am about 5 children short.
Yes I took this from your Photobucket, among other things.
Now Mary knows what you look like. LOL!!!!
ETA: Actually I was pregnant with Prince N, but you probably would not be able to tell except for the dress I had on. It was from Motherhood Maternity, but you probably couldn't tell that just by looking at the picture. I will see if I can find it tomorrow.
Running around outside
The boys are all running around outside, it is twilight and they could careless. Last night they were all there past dark, running in circles around the tent that is set up in the front yard.
We have been so blessed with the current weather, today it did look as though it might rain, but it never did. The clouds would cover the sun, and then the sun would burst through again to say hello, on and off all day.
I would have taken pictures of them playing outside but I still can't find the camera. I am so sad about that. There was something like 90 pictures on it and I hadn't copied them to the computer.
I am still praying that we will be able to find it though. I am going to call Walmart and see if perhaps someone might have turned it in. PRAISE THE LORD they have it!!!!!!!!! I will be going there to get it tomorrow. God is so good.
I think that I am going to work on my Nephew's blanket. I am crocheting it and I have two more scans of yarn left. Then I am going to start a blanket for Rachel, and a quilt for Caleb. Once I am done with those we are going to work on quilts for all of the older boys, but they are going to be the ones cutting their squares and sew the pieces together. Then I will probably do the actually quilting, they will get to try some I am sure.
We have been so blessed with the current weather, today it did look as though it might rain, but it never did. The clouds would cover the sun, and then the sun would burst through again to say hello, on and off all day.
I would have taken pictures of them playing outside but I still can't find the camera. I am so sad about that. There was something like 90 pictures on it and I hadn't copied them to the computer.
I am still praying that we will be able to find it though. I am going to call Walmart and see if perhaps someone might have turned it in. PRAISE THE LORD they have it!!!!!!!!! I will be going there to get it tomorrow. God is so good.
I think that I am going to work on my Nephew's blanket. I am crocheting it and I have two more scans of yarn left. Then I am going to start a blanket for Rachel, and a quilt for Caleb. Once I am done with those we are going to work on quilts for all of the older boys, but they are going to be the ones cutting their squares and sew the pieces together. Then I will probably do the actually quilting, they will get to try some I am sure.
Today is the day that I can't find the camera
Yesterday we went into town and got some pictures developed and while we were there I was going to look at what was on the camera and try to make a scrapbook page. Well I decided to just come back home and do it from here and just send it to the store.
Only now we can't find the digital camera. I am a little stressed about this as the camera is only about 6 months old and I happen to like it. I am looking at getting a SLR Digital hopefully for Christmas, but until then this is the only camera that I really have.
I also was planning on posting some pictures here today as well. Off to look in the van, maybe I missed it.
Pray for me that we are able to find it and soon.
Only now we can't find the digital camera. I am a little stressed about this as the camera is only about 6 months old and I happen to like it. I am looking at getting a SLR Digital hopefully for Christmas, but until then this is the only camera that I really have.
I also was planning on posting some pictures here today as well. Off to look in the van, maybe I missed it.
Pray for me that we are able to find it and soon.
11 October, 2008
07 July, 2008
Need help with my Bosch mixer
I bought a Bosch Universal Plus at the end of March. I have used it maybe half a dozen times.
The problem that I am having is that the bread dough wants to walk up the middle and gets all in the gear thing. I also bought the cookie paddles with this and they can't handle the cookies that I make the most.
So I am looking at replacing this mixer with a 10qt mixer that I found over on eBay. I just hope that once I get it that I like it. Because it costs a whole lot more. But I would think that something that big won't have any problems with what I am trying to make. The other option is getting the professional series Kitchen Aide, Deanna has one and she can make my cookies with no problem.
So what am I doing wrong with this mixer? I have also called the place that I bought it from and she said that she would call me back and she hasn't yet. But anyway, I am at my wits end with this thing. Oh and the other thing DH doesn't really care for the taste of the cookies.
I was using two K-Tec mixers at the same time or just one of them, washing it and using it again. Getting the Bosch was supposed to simplify my life but I am starting to think that it has made it more difficult, because I am not making bread like I was before.
Help me, someone please.
Blessings,
Debi
The problem that I am having is that the bread dough wants to walk up the middle and gets all in the gear thing. I also bought the cookie paddles with this and they can't handle the cookies that I make the most.
So I am looking at replacing this mixer with a 10qt mixer that I found over on eBay. I just hope that once I get it that I like it. Because it costs a whole lot more. But I would think that something that big won't have any problems with what I am trying to make. The other option is getting the professional series Kitchen Aide, Deanna has one and she can make my cookies with no problem.
So what am I doing wrong with this mixer? I have also called the place that I bought it from and she said that she would call me back and she hasn't yet. But anyway, I am at my wits end with this thing. Oh and the other thing DH doesn't really care for the taste of the cookies.
I was using two K-Tec mixers at the same time or just one of them, washing it and using it again. Getting the Bosch was supposed to simplify my life but I am starting to think that it has made it more difficult, because I am not making bread like I was before.
Help me, someone please.
Blessings,
Debi
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
