I closed up my dad's house, and drove away...for the last time. On the way home we stopped at Chili's for dinner, then took the kids to Peter Piper Pizza to play games.
We got home at 8 pm, and I immediately logged into one of my online courses. The deadline was today. I wasn't able to get by my advisor's office today, so more than likely I will take an F in a Co-op course I was enrolled in last semester. We have a difference of opinion on the number of classes I missed. She claims I didn't show up, but I did, but she had cancelled several classes, and then never contacted me about make up days. In addition, she is VERY hard to reach by phone and email, and I just don't have the kind of time to swing by her office all the time to see if she happens to be in.....She really isn't a good advisor or instructor, and this is not just my opinion, but the opinion of MOST of the students I know who have had her. This will be the only F I have ever received, as I have a 3.6 GPA, which is about to change, but with all that has happened recently, I really do not care anymore.
Tomorrow will spent on cleaning up my house, which has been neglected for two weeks.
Friday, August 31, 2007
Thursday, August 30, 2007
Finally Done!
With the exception of one small box, and a king size mattress and box spring (that is scheduled to be picked up tomorrow) I am finished clearing out my dad's house. It has been a long week, and I am extremely tired.
My brother still has to finish the garage, move it all to storage and have his car towed out of there.
My sisters came over and went through a box of papers and sorted it into trash, shred, and keep piles for me. I feel bad, but I am NOT cleaning any portion of that house. I've had enough, and I need some sleep.
Stopped by Candi's house on the way home to see if a bag of clothes fit her eldest son. Walked in my house at 10 p.m., took a shower, put Hannah to bed, and am now ready for bed myself.
Supposed to meet with the lawyer next week to get the papers assigning me as Administrator for my father's affairs.
Going to bed....
My brother still has to finish the garage, move it all to storage and have his car towed out of there.
My sisters came over and went through a box of papers and sorted it into trash, shred, and keep piles for me. I feel bad, but I am NOT cleaning any portion of that house. I've had enough, and I need some sleep.
Stopped by Candi's house on the way home to see if a bag of clothes fit her eldest son. Walked in my house at 10 p.m., took a shower, put Hannah to bed, and am now ready for bed myself.
Supposed to meet with the lawyer next week to get the papers assigning me as Administrator for my father's affairs.
Going to bed....
Wednesday, August 29, 2007
It's Wednesday!
We moved most of the furniture out of my dad's house yesterday, and brought it to my house. We spent all afternoon, and evening (until midnight) rearranging my house, and figuring out what to do with the furniture, until my sister's are ready to move what they want to their own homes.
I just need to pack up odds and ends, clean, and make sure my brother cleans out the garage.
My sister Ann and I packed up all the clothes, and need to contact someone to come pick up the clothes. My sister April was calling to have a local charity come by and pick everything up, but I haven't heard from her. I think I am going to set it out on the curb for people to take if they want.
More later....have to take my son to college.
I just need to pack up odds and ends, clean, and make sure my brother cleans out the garage.
My sister Ann and I packed up all the clothes, and need to contact someone to come pick up the clothes. My sister April was calling to have a local charity come by and pick everything up, but I haven't heard from her. I think I am going to set it out on the curb for people to take if they want.
More later....have to take my son to college.
Sunday, August 26, 2007
Sunday....
I didn't go to church this morning. This entire week was tiring, and so I slept a little late, cleaned up a little, and prepared for my family descending on me. We had lunch together here at my house, and then went to lay flowers on the roadside where my dad was killed.
Later, my friend Perla dropped by to notarize Power of Attorneys for my brother and my youngest sister. I am the Administrator for my dad's affairs, and I hope it will fall into place. We don't have to go through probate since my dad's assets are considered too small.
Everyone bugged out for home around 7 p.m., and I am preparing for tomorrow.
My son starts college on Monday, which is a scary feeling....for me.
After that I am headed to the police department with my brother to pick up my dad's property. Then over to my dad's to start getting his house packed up. We are trying to be out of there by Friday, so we won't have to pay another month of rent.
Off to bed....
Later, my friend Perla dropped by to notarize Power of Attorneys for my brother and my youngest sister. I am the Administrator for my dad's affairs, and I hope it will fall into place. We don't have to go through probate since my dad's assets are considered too small.
Everyone bugged out for home around 7 p.m., and I am preparing for tomorrow.
My son starts college on Monday, which is a scary feeling....for me.
After that I am headed to the police department with my brother to pick up my dad's property. Then over to my dad's to start getting his house packed up. We are trying to be out of there by Friday, so we won't have to pay another month of rent.
Off to bed....
Saturday, August 25, 2007
Memorial Service
The memorial service is over. I am so tired. This week has been tiring. My grandmother arrived on Wednesday evening. I last saw her last Thanksgiving, she looks more frail. I think she is 76, but not sure.
I spent the morning shopping in a nearby town and getting the kids appropriate things to wear to the memorial service. I also had to stop by the funeral home and drop off the hub cab that we were having cremated with my dad. He used to joke about being buried inside his 1958 Chevy Biscayne, so we figured this was the next best thing.
The cremation took place this afternoon, and I am supposed to pick up my father's ashes on Monday, but will wait until the director contacts me before I go up there...
The service this evening was good.
The order of service looked like this:
Cliff (former music director when I was young) sang Because of God's Amazing Grace
Pastor Kelly talked about the story of the Good Samaritan in the Bible
We played the song "I can only imagine"
Then Kelly read the euology (see http://www.hurleyfuneralhome.com/ for the obituary)
The song "I lift my eyes up" was next
My husband read something he had written for the occasion, we were all very surprised.
He's not a public speaker, and normally keeps to himself, but he and my dad did a lot together.
The last song played was "Daddy's Hands" by Holly Dunn.
This last song was sufficient in reducing everyone to tears. All in all, the service was good. I think it was made easier by the fact that we didn't actually have my father there. That would have been hard to do, but we wouldn't have been able to have a viewing or open casket anyway, so the cremation, I guess, was actually a good idea, though I am still struggling with this...I try not to think about it.....
The church was full, between his co-workers, old friends, church members, my friends, and several family members we had lost contact with. It was glad to see more Queens, as there aren't many around. So, now I am in contact with my Cousins again, and am happy about that...
We had a picture of my dad in a race car blown up to poster size, along with the flag we received for his military service, and the scrapbook I had worked on last night, it was a great service. I was worried my grandmother would think it was not traditional enough, but the goal I wanted to strive for was an upbeat type of service that wouldn't make us feel any worse. She was happy, and told me we did a great job, which means a lot. I wanted her to be okay with the memorial, since she struggles with the cremation. Along with all the flowers, and friends, we actually had a good time talking with old friends and church members, and even meeting new family members we had heard about but never met. A few had travelled from WV, which surprised us!
I am off to bed....
I spent the morning shopping in a nearby town and getting the kids appropriate things to wear to the memorial service. I also had to stop by the funeral home and drop off the hub cab that we were having cremated with my dad. He used to joke about being buried inside his 1958 Chevy Biscayne, so we figured this was the next best thing.
The cremation took place this afternoon, and I am supposed to pick up my father's ashes on Monday, but will wait until the director contacts me before I go up there...
The service this evening was good.
The order of service looked like this:
Cliff (former music director when I was young) sang Because of God's Amazing Grace
Pastor Kelly talked about the story of the Good Samaritan in the Bible
We played the song "I can only imagine"
Then Kelly read the euology (see http://www.hurleyfuneralhome.com/ for the obituary)
The song "I lift my eyes up" was next
My husband read something he had written for the occasion, we were all very surprised.
He's not a public speaker, and normally keeps to himself, but he and my dad did a lot together.
The last song played was "Daddy's Hands" by Holly Dunn.
This last song was sufficient in reducing everyone to tears. All in all, the service was good. I think it was made easier by the fact that we didn't actually have my father there. That would have been hard to do, but we wouldn't have been able to have a viewing or open casket anyway, so the cremation, I guess, was actually a good idea, though I am still struggling with this...I try not to think about it.....
The church was full, between his co-workers, old friends, church members, my friends, and several family members we had lost contact with. It was glad to see more Queens, as there aren't many around. So, now I am in contact with my Cousins again, and am happy about that...
We had a picture of my dad in a race car blown up to poster size, along with the flag we received for his military service, and the scrapbook I had worked on last night, it was a great service. I was worried my grandmother would think it was not traditional enough, but the goal I wanted to strive for was an upbeat type of service that wouldn't make us feel any worse. She was happy, and told me we did a great job, which means a lot. I wanted her to be okay with the memorial, since she struggles with the cremation. Along with all the flowers, and friends, we actually had a good time talking with old friends and church members, and even meeting new family members we had heard about but never met. A few had travelled from WV, which surprised us!
I am off to bed....
Wednesday, August 22, 2007
Tuesday
I want to thank everyone who posted their well wishes here on blog, sent emails, called, etc.
I really appreciate it.
Today was a good day actually. I did go to the funeral home this morning to make the arrangements for my dad. This was the most stressful part of my day. I took my kids with me. They thought it was "cool" to look in the casket room. My four year old was enthralled with the shiny pink and silver "Barbie" casket. Go figure....
My dad asked to be cremated, so I filled out the paperwork for that, but had to bring it to have my 3 sisters and brother sign too. My friend Perla brought her notary stamped and notarized everything at the house. Which was a good thing as my youngest sister Ashley was not in any shape to go to the bank tomorrow to have this done. I have such good friends. Perla came and stayed four hours with me tonight. I sure do love her. We had to get my grandmother's consent also for the cremation, which was touchy at first, but my aunt managed to persuade her that it was dad's request not our decision.
I hope everyone doesn't think we are morbid or unfeeling, quite the contrary. I miss my daddy already, but he had a personal relationship with God, and I know he is in heaven now with his dad who passed away when I was 10, in 1979. The strange thing is that his dad passed away August 14, 1979 and my dad passed away August 19, 2007. Both in August. Kind of awesome when you think about it. My dad also had severe nerve damage in his hands from using that hand cleaner mechanics used, that greenish goo stuff. Plus, arthritis. He was in constant pain from that, a previously broken spine, and severe migranes from a former head injury where half his skull was crushed then pieced back together. He used to be addicted to morphine, but weaned himself off here in TEXAS, since the humidity is much lower here in South TEXAS than on the East Coast where we originally lived. He's in no pain now, which I am extremely thankful for. I know I will kind of miss his constant complaining about how high his medications were, and how he was getting screwed over by the insurance company. LOL!
My dads neighbors and landlord were great too, which I was surprised about, since he lives in a large town of over a million people. His neighbors and landlord brought food and tea which is very much appreciated. His neighbors just loved him. I live in a small town where it is normal for your neighbors to band together, but not so in a major US city. I guess neighborliness is alive and well.
We all spent the day cleaning my dad's house, washing clothes sheets, towels, etc., and getting the house ready for my aunts and grandmother to stay in...We also fumigated the house tonight with several bug bombs, as well, my dad was not the cleanest person. My sisters were kind of grossed out. I don't know why I wasn't grossed out, as well, it's a part of life, so we just deal with it.
Tomorrow my sister Ann and I will go pay my dad's utilities (he just recently paid all his debts so we just have his regular stuff to pay) so that we can keep the house ready for guests and to clean it out. He was just renting, so we don't have to worry about selling the house.
My dad had just bought a new car this past Friday for his birthday present for himself. It is a 2007 Dodge Charger and is Inferno Red. He LOVED this car, it was his first NEW car since 1973. Well, after the accident it dissappeared and the police couldn't locate it. We found it tonight, it had been towed back to the dealership, since it still had the temp tags on it. We don't know if they are going to take the car back or what....none of us want the high payment, so we have to figure that out.
We collected a whole bunch of change today while cleaning and are calling it "Ashley's College Fund". She is my 21 year old sister. She's worried about college and such as my dad was helping her. I think everything will be okay once everything is settled.
I worry for the person who actually caused my dad to be killed. I am sure they are feeling extremely bad right now. If I knew who they were, I'd call them and let them know it's okay, God needed him.
I really appreciate it.
Today was a good day actually. I did go to the funeral home this morning to make the arrangements for my dad. This was the most stressful part of my day. I took my kids with me. They thought it was "cool" to look in the casket room. My four year old was enthralled with the shiny pink and silver "Barbie" casket. Go figure....
My dad asked to be cremated, so I filled out the paperwork for that, but had to bring it to have my 3 sisters and brother sign too. My friend Perla brought her notary stamped and notarized everything at the house. Which was a good thing as my youngest sister Ashley was not in any shape to go to the bank tomorrow to have this done. I have such good friends. Perla came and stayed four hours with me tonight. I sure do love her. We had to get my grandmother's consent also for the cremation, which was touchy at first, but my aunt managed to persuade her that it was dad's request not our decision.
I hope everyone doesn't think we are morbid or unfeeling, quite the contrary. I miss my daddy already, but he had a personal relationship with God, and I know he is in heaven now with his dad who passed away when I was 10, in 1979. The strange thing is that his dad passed away August 14, 1979 and my dad passed away August 19, 2007. Both in August. Kind of awesome when you think about it. My dad also had severe nerve damage in his hands from using that hand cleaner mechanics used, that greenish goo stuff. Plus, arthritis. He was in constant pain from that, a previously broken spine, and severe migranes from a former head injury where half his skull was crushed then pieced back together. He used to be addicted to morphine, but weaned himself off here in TEXAS, since the humidity is much lower here in South TEXAS than on the East Coast where we originally lived. He's in no pain now, which I am extremely thankful for. I know I will kind of miss his constant complaining about how high his medications were, and how he was getting screwed over by the insurance company. LOL!
My dads neighbors and landlord were great too, which I was surprised about, since he lives in a large town of over a million people. His neighbors and landlord brought food and tea which is very much appreciated. His neighbors just loved him. I live in a small town where it is normal for your neighbors to band together, but not so in a major US city. I guess neighborliness is alive and well.
We all spent the day cleaning my dad's house, washing clothes sheets, towels, etc., and getting the house ready for my aunts and grandmother to stay in...We also fumigated the house tonight with several bug bombs, as well, my dad was not the cleanest person. My sisters were kind of grossed out. I don't know why I wasn't grossed out, as well, it's a part of life, so we just deal with it.
Tomorrow my sister Ann and I will go pay my dad's utilities (he just recently paid all his debts so we just have his regular stuff to pay) so that we can keep the house ready for guests and to clean it out. He was just renting, so we don't have to worry about selling the house.
My dad had just bought a new car this past Friday for his birthday present for himself. It is a 2007 Dodge Charger and is Inferno Red. He LOVED this car, it was his first NEW car since 1973. Well, after the accident it dissappeared and the police couldn't locate it. We found it tonight, it had been towed back to the dealership, since it still had the temp tags on it. We don't know if they are going to take the car back or what....none of us want the high payment, so we have to figure that out.
We collected a whole bunch of change today while cleaning and are calling it "Ashley's College Fund". She is my 21 year old sister. She's worried about college and such as my dad was helping her. I think everything will be okay once everything is settled.
I worry for the person who actually caused my dad to be killed. I am sure they are feeling extremely bad right now. If I knew who they were, I'd call them and let them know it's okay, God needed him.
Tuesday, August 21, 2007
In Memory of...
My daddy....he passed away late Sunday evening at the age of 59. This was very unexpected. He left my home at 8 pm, and stopped to help a family who was involved in an accident. While helping them another vehicle had a blowout, struck the guardrail, which then broke off and killed my poor little daddy.
I am so glad that he showed up unexpectedly Sunday evening. We went to dinner for his birthday which had been on Thursday. We talked that evening about finishing his will, and what he wanted....which kind of was creeping me out. He told me he wanted to be cremated, which further made me cringe, as I have a hard time with cremation.
My sisters, Ann and April came over today and we spent the time talking, making plans and contacting the necessary people. My brother flew in from the army base in Louisiana. My mom and youngest sister will fly in Tuesday night, while my dad's sisters and mom will come in from Maryland and West Virginia.
Trying to decide what to do with the contents of the house....a very daunting task.
I have an appointment with the funeral director here in town in the morning to sign the release papers for them to handle the arrangements, etc. Then off to pick up my dad's car from the police station, and to start cleaning his house, as our out of town guests will be staying there....
My poor little daddy......
I am so glad that he showed up unexpectedly Sunday evening. We went to dinner for his birthday which had been on Thursday. We talked that evening about finishing his will, and what he wanted....which kind of was creeping me out. He told me he wanted to be cremated, which further made me cringe, as I have a hard time with cremation.
My sisters, Ann and April came over today and we spent the time talking, making plans and contacting the necessary people. My brother flew in from the army base in Louisiana. My mom and youngest sister will fly in Tuesday night, while my dad's sisters and mom will come in from Maryland and West Virginia.
Trying to decide what to do with the contents of the house....a very daunting task.
I have an appointment with the funeral director here in town in the morning to sign the release papers for them to handle the arrangements, etc. Then off to pick up my dad's car from the police station, and to start cleaning his house, as our out of town guests will be staying there....
My poor little daddy......
Monday, August 20, 2007
Laundry Day....again
Today is laundry day along with a lot of other chores.
My plans for today are:
call college and get Taylor's classes scheduled
laundry
garden
clean house
bank
dollar tree
post office
sew
UPDATE:
1. called college and the special education office is working on Taylor's class schedule
2. Hung out two loads of laundry and put a third in the washer. I like to four done by noon, but didn't happen
3. Checked the garden...beans look pitiful, several green tomatoes on the plant, picked off a bad one. A baby chick was killed by a stray cat
4. Cleaned half the house, still need to do the hall, bath and my room and finish the playroom.
Lunch is next....
My plans for today are:
call college and get Taylor's classes scheduled
laundry
garden
clean house
bank
dollar tree
post office
sew
UPDATE:
1. called college and the special education office is working on Taylor's class schedule
2. Hung out two loads of laundry and put a third in the washer. I like to four done by noon, but didn't happen
3. Checked the garden...beans look pitiful, several green tomatoes on the plant, picked off a bad one. A baby chick was killed by a stray cat
4. Cleaned half the house, still need to do the hall, bath and my room and finish the playroom.
Lunch is next....
Saturday, August 18, 2007
Absotively, Posilutely
Read something this morning that bothered me more than usual. I consider myself a very positive person, at times, I get a little down of course. I DO NOT have rose colored glasses on when it comes to life in general, or the government. Let me preface this "tirade" by saying I do not and will not apologize to anyone for anything I say, because well...this is my blog. My statements are based on my life experience, my exceptional intellect (LOL!) and my biblical knowledge.
I get really peeved when I hear people trash the government and the United States. This is MY country and I LOVE IT. My family came to this country in the late 1640's, and have been here every since, fought in every war (no we are not war monger's), because sometimes it is necessary to fight a war. War is ugly, war is sad, but it is inevitable at times.
I really hate it when so called Americans make it sound like the entire United States is polluted and an unfit place to live because of the actions of our politicians. While I do not agree with every decision my elected officals (mayor, govenor, president) makes, I do recognize that they are human and make mistakes. In the same situation, how would I do? How would these naysayer's react? No one can honestly say what they would do if they were president, and had to decide on a war, oil, food, electricity, etc., etc., so while I acknowledge that everyone has their rights, people take this too far. Freedom, and rights does not mean you have the RIGHT to do whatever you want. That is not freedom, that is selfishness and anarchy.
Yes, I believe more and more of our rights are being taken away. Yes, I believe the government messes too much in the daily lives of it's citizens. Yes, I believe the government lies and creates scenarios to convict innocent people of horrible crimes. Yes, I believe we need a better form of government and HONEST leaders. But this is NOT the American people. This is the government that has twised, and corrupted itself. The average American citizen fools themself if they believe they can change the way the government is going on an individual basis. More Americans need to get involved with changing things from within, running for political office, and not just running their mouths.
Be positive, be proactive, don't be part of the problem.
I cannot tell you how many times I read on the internet ALL these "Americans" who trash this government and country, and feel by posting their thoughts on the internet that it will somehow "change" anything for the good. Vote, run for office, lobby, write for the newspaper, protest maturely, stand up for yourself, but do so while respecting those in authority over you. IT IS POSSIBLE TO RESPECT THE OFFICE IF NOT THE OFFICIAL.
This is a biblical mandate. I do not believe we are called to sit blindly by while we are mistreated, but to use the law in our favor to change things for good. We cannot do this by being subversive, immature, and closet traitors. Be true to your God and your country, or please go live somewhere else.
I get really peeved when I hear people trash the government and the United States. This is MY country and I LOVE IT. My family came to this country in the late 1640's, and have been here every since, fought in every war (no we are not war monger's), because sometimes it is necessary to fight a war. War is ugly, war is sad, but it is inevitable at times.
I really hate it when so called Americans make it sound like the entire United States is polluted and an unfit place to live because of the actions of our politicians. While I do not agree with every decision my elected officals (mayor, govenor, president) makes, I do recognize that they are human and make mistakes. In the same situation, how would I do? How would these naysayer's react? No one can honestly say what they would do if they were president, and had to decide on a war, oil, food, electricity, etc., etc., so while I acknowledge that everyone has their rights, people take this too far. Freedom, and rights does not mean you have the RIGHT to do whatever you want. That is not freedom, that is selfishness and anarchy.
Yes, I believe more and more of our rights are being taken away. Yes, I believe the government messes too much in the daily lives of it's citizens. Yes, I believe the government lies and creates scenarios to convict innocent people of horrible crimes. Yes, I believe we need a better form of government and HONEST leaders. But this is NOT the American people. This is the government that has twised, and corrupted itself. The average American citizen fools themself if they believe they can change the way the government is going on an individual basis. More Americans need to get involved with changing things from within, running for political office, and not just running their mouths.
Be positive, be proactive, don't be part of the problem.
I cannot tell you how many times I read on the internet ALL these "Americans" who trash this government and country, and feel by posting their thoughts on the internet that it will somehow "change" anything for the good. Vote, run for office, lobby, write for the newspaper, protest maturely, stand up for yourself, but do so while respecting those in authority over you. IT IS POSSIBLE TO RESPECT THE OFFICE IF NOT THE OFFICIAL.
This is a biblical mandate. I do not believe we are called to sit blindly by while we are mistreated, but to use the law in our favor to change things for good. We cannot do this by being subversive, immature, and closet traitors. Be true to your God and your country, or please go live somewhere else.
Friday, August 17, 2007
Position Open: Ark Builder
The river it's arising! The rivers around me are so high. All the creeks, culverts, ditchs and such are so filled with water that sections of the roadway washed away. Uprooted trees were against the guard rails, debris on the roadway, and several roads closed. The rushing brown water in the Medina River was awesome! I wish I had a video camera, or my digital camera so that I could share a picture with everyone. If you want to get an idea of what it looks like around here go to www.ksat12.com and read any of the news story related to the flooding/weather.
I drove into town this morning, since the rain stopped, to pay my car payment, and run a few other errands.
Picked up Candi's daughter. My daughter is having a High School Musical 2 Slumber Party tonight, so we will have three 9 year old girls bouncing around tonight, along with our 4 year old girl. Should prove a very NOISY evening.
I drove into town this morning, since the rain stopped, to pay my car payment, and run a few other errands.
Picked up Candi's daughter. My daughter is having a High School Musical 2 Slumber Party tonight, so we will have three 9 year old girls bouncing around tonight, along with our 4 year old girl. Should prove a very NOISY evening.
Wednesday, August 15, 2007
Roof woes!
The insurance adjuster came out and we have good news/bad news. He doesn't believe he can give us anything to fix the leak in the roof, as he couldn't locate any wind damage, only rotted roof, so it looks like we will have to fix it on our own. He did agree to give us $400 towards tree removal, and is replacing the entire front slope of the roof, and the porch roof. So, that is something. It looks as if we will be spending the winter tacking tar paper to the back side of the roof, until we get our income tax refund in the spring to fix the roof.Two chicks were killed last night. Lauren neglected to close up the coop AFTER I specifically asked her to. One of the ones killed was her favorite one, the first one hatched. I am highly upset at her disobedience, not to mention the death of two of my chicks.
Taylor has left to take his cousin to college, and help her move her things into her dorm. His grandparents are driving them up and will be bringing Taylor back tomorrow night.
Watering the garden right now, need to go shut the water off and lock up the coop.
ETA: I guess after last night's massacre of the baby chicks NONE of the chickens wanted to go in the coop tonight. We had to hunt down the two hens (in the rafters of the garage) and the mama hen and babies. They were bedding down in different spots. I think I will leave them cooped up for a couple of days to remind them where they live.
Tropical Storm Erin is entering the gulf, and while we live 2 hours from there, we are getting prepared for rain, and wind that is forecasted for the next 3 days. I hope it holds off until the morning. I need to get the hay put up better, and clear some clutter out of the yard. Hey! maybe we will get some "light" wind damage to the back part of the roof, and the insurance can replace the entire thing~!
Tuesday, August 14, 2007
Homeschooling Plans
I was reading another blog and realized that I need to sit down and work out my goals, objectives and plans. I had already planned out the first month lessons, but want to delve deeper into my plans.
I'd like to get Lauren caught up through the 5th grade. In Spring of 2006, she finished the 3rd grade Abeka curriculum. Her father insisted she attend public school that fall. Due to her age the school would only place her in 3rd grade, discounting ability and what she had done the year before. So she repeated 3rd grade, and was totally bored. So, this year we are going to try and combine 4th and 5th grade. I don't know how I will do that, and am not really too worried, as I tend to jump all over the place depending on her interest and skill level. We will focus on her reading level and math primarily this year.
As for my 4 year old Hannah, my goal with her this year is to learn all of her letters, numbers, her name, and to begin sounding letters. She already knows her numbers by sight to 10, and can count much higher, and knows several letters, primarily the ones that start with all of our names, and the letters in her name, and is a whiz on the computer at Starfall.com
I was planning to do Abeka again this year, but made a new friend last December, and we decided to do the Prairie Primer together this year, which I am excited about! For math, I still plan to purchase the Abeka, but will be reviewing at first, so will order in a couple of weeks.
I cleaned out the nursery, throwing out trash and old toys. I had new shelves put in one side of the closet, and have all the blankets, sheets, sleeping bags organized on the shelf, and am leaving one of the large shelves for all the homeschooling stuff. Then I'd like to move in two small desks (the kind with the chair attached) and put all the school posters on the wall. Thus transferring the unused nursery into a useable playroom and schoolroom. The room is only 8 X 10, so is very small, but I think it will work out.
A couple of other things I'd like to work on this year with Lauren is scripture memory, praying, and trusting in God in all aspects of your life. I struggle with this myself, but know it is really important. I'd like to work on homekeeping skills, and homesteading skills. I am hoping to impart to my kids the need to be self sufficient. I am hoping that they will start out in life with the desire to be debt free, and to live as simply as possible. Thus, avoiding the need for a full time, career. While I want to instill a good work ethic, I want them to be able to not have a job consume their live day in and day out. But to have a job that provides for their needs, keeping their materialistic side down. I hope by living the way we do, and continuously downgrading our dependence on electricity, and a large amount of money, that they will see it is a positive way to live!
I'd like to get Lauren caught up through the 5th grade. In Spring of 2006, she finished the 3rd grade Abeka curriculum. Her father insisted she attend public school that fall. Due to her age the school would only place her in 3rd grade, discounting ability and what she had done the year before. So she repeated 3rd grade, and was totally bored. So, this year we are going to try and combine 4th and 5th grade. I don't know how I will do that, and am not really too worried, as I tend to jump all over the place depending on her interest and skill level. We will focus on her reading level and math primarily this year.
As for my 4 year old Hannah, my goal with her this year is to learn all of her letters, numbers, her name, and to begin sounding letters. She already knows her numbers by sight to 10, and can count much higher, and knows several letters, primarily the ones that start with all of our names, and the letters in her name, and is a whiz on the computer at Starfall.com
I was planning to do Abeka again this year, but made a new friend last December, and we decided to do the Prairie Primer together this year, which I am excited about! For math, I still plan to purchase the Abeka, but will be reviewing at first, so will order in a couple of weeks.
I cleaned out the nursery, throwing out trash and old toys. I had new shelves put in one side of the closet, and have all the blankets, sheets, sleeping bags organized on the shelf, and am leaving one of the large shelves for all the homeschooling stuff. Then I'd like to move in two small desks (the kind with the chair attached) and put all the school posters on the wall. Thus transferring the unused nursery into a useable playroom and schoolroom. The room is only 8 X 10, so is very small, but I think it will work out.
A couple of other things I'd like to work on this year with Lauren is scripture memory, praying, and trusting in God in all aspects of your life. I struggle with this myself, but know it is really important. I'd like to work on homekeeping skills, and homesteading skills. I am hoping to impart to my kids the need to be self sufficient. I am hoping that they will start out in life with the desire to be debt free, and to live as simply as possible. Thus, avoiding the need for a full time, career. While I want to instill a good work ethic, I want them to be able to not have a job consume their live day in and day out. But to have a job that provides for their needs, keeping their materialistic side down. I hope by living the way we do, and continuously downgrading our dependence on electricity, and a large amount of money, that they will see it is a positive way to live!
A Day By The Pool
We left the house early this morning for my sister's house. I met Candi near her house, and she followed me to April's. My sister April has a swimming pool, so we took lunch stuff and headed on over. My sister is a school teacher, and she heads back to get her classroom in order, so it was a good time to spend some time together. All the kids swam, and the moms sat around and talked.
After returning home, I started dinner. I made tacos, and they were really great. Restaurant quality if I do say so myself. Here is how I made them:
1 lb of ground turkey (browned)
2 TBSP flour
1 TBSP of Taco Seasoning (a blend of chili powder, garlic powder, salt, pepper and comino/cumin)
1/4 cup dried or fresh onions (mine are dried from the garden)
1/2 cup water
1 TBSP oil (vegetable or olive oil)
Brown the meat, then stir in the flour, add rest of ingrediets and cook 5 minutes
Use fresh flour tortillas from a local Mexican bakery, or make your own
Chop fresh lettuce, make some salsa using one tomato, one jalapeno, a sprinkle of onion, a sprinkle of cilantro
Place all ingredients on the tortillas add some shredded cheddar and there you go....a great meal!
The tortilla recipe can be found at www.hillbillyhousewife.com
Now it is on to organizing the playroom and my sewing projects.
After returning home, I started dinner. I made tacos, and they were really great. Restaurant quality if I do say so myself. Here is how I made them:
1 lb of ground turkey (browned)
2 TBSP flour
1 TBSP of Taco Seasoning (a blend of chili powder, garlic powder, salt, pepper and comino/cumin)
1/4 cup dried or fresh onions (mine are dried from the garden)
1/2 cup water
1 TBSP oil (vegetable or olive oil)
Brown the meat, then stir in the flour, add rest of ingrediets and cook 5 minutes
Use fresh flour tortillas from a local Mexican bakery, or make your own
Chop fresh lettuce, make some salsa using one tomato, one jalapeno, a sprinkle of onion, a sprinkle of cilantro
Place all ingredients on the tortillas add some shredded cheddar and there you go....a great meal!
The tortilla recipe can be found at www.hillbillyhousewife.com
Now it is on to organizing the playroom and my sewing projects.
Monday, August 13, 2007
Hello from Hades...Level 1
Hello from the 1st level of Hades! I say that because it was 101 degrees today.....not because I was having a bad day. LOL!
Today was a very busy day. Went into town to deposit tithe checks from church, and a couple of checks in my account from sewing orders. On the way back home I stopped at a local Thrift bakery. I remembered my mom shopping here when I was a teenager, and the prices were really cheap....well that was the 80's. I didn't find very many good prices there, everything at the regular grocery store was cheaper or the same price. I did find a good deal (to me) on hamburger buns. They were donated by Wendy's. There are 9 large buns in a bag, and the bags were 65 cents each. I also picked up a bag of powdered donuts and one of cinnamon. There were bags of white corn tortillas (90 count) for less than a dollar, so I got two of those too. For spending over six dollars I received a bag of square shaped "bagel bread"
I divided these between me and Candi. Stopped by her house on the way home to drop off the bread and other items. Swung by the grocery store to pick up a couple of items, as I am trying to use what I have in the freezer, but desperately needed T.P. and milk.
After dinner, I worked on the first month of lesson plans for the girls, and looked up events at the local parks for field trips.
Made chocolate chip cookies for the week.
My shelves are finished in the play room, so I spent the rest of the night folding blankets, feather duvets, sleeping bags and sheets and placing on the shelves. Everything has just been piled (and I mean piled!) on the floor in the playroom closet. The shelves are made from 1 X 12 and are 24 inches deep, 24 inches wide, and 18 inches apart. I wanted to be able to place rubber maid totes on the bottom and the other shelves, if needed.
Tomorrow we are going swimming at my sister's, and will spend the evening sorting through toys, and organizing the playroom. I'd like to use the playroom as the schoolroom also, so really need to get the toys under control.
I have two little green tomatoes on my tomato plants, and lots more flowers, so it looks like I will have a second "crop" of tomatoes.
Today was a very busy day. Went into town to deposit tithe checks from church, and a couple of checks in my account from sewing orders. On the way back home I stopped at a local Thrift bakery. I remembered my mom shopping here when I was a teenager, and the prices were really cheap....well that was the 80's. I didn't find very many good prices there, everything at the regular grocery store was cheaper or the same price. I did find a good deal (to me) on hamburger buns. They were donated by Wendy's. There are 9 large buns in a bag, and the bags were 65 cents each. I also picked up a bag of powdered donuts and one of cinnamon. There were bags of white corn tortillas (90 count) for less than a dollar, so I got two of those too. For spending over six dollars I received a bag of square shaped "bagel bread"
I divided these between me and Candi. Stopped by her house on the way home to drop off the bread and other items. Swung by the grocery store to pick up a couple of items, as I am trying to use what I have in the freezer, but desperately needed T.P. and milk.
After dinner, I worked on the first month of lesson plans for the girls, and looked up events at the local parks for field trips.
Made chocolate chip cookies for the week.
My shelves are finished in the play room, so I spent the rest of the night folding blankets, feather duvets, sleeping bags and sheets and placing on the shelves. Everything has just been piled (and I mean piled!) on the floor in the playroom closet. The shelves are made from 1 X 12 and are 24 inches deep, 24 inches wide, and 18 inches apart. I wanted to be able to place rubber maid totes on the bottom and the other shelves, if needed.
Tomorrow we are going swimming at my sister's, and will spend the evening sorting through toys, and organizing the playroom. I'd like to use the playroom as the schoolroom also, so really need to get the toys under control.
I have two little green tomatoes on my tomato plants, and lots more flowers, so it looks like I will have a second "crop" of tomatoes.
I didn't complete my devotional today, and I feel bad. I always have a bad day when I forget to read my Bible. I need to get a new devotional book.
Well gotta go, I want to catch a nap before getting up at 2 a.m. to see if I can locate any meteors (the Perseids).
Sunday, August 12, 2007
Inventory......Whew! I need a day of rREAL rest!
It's Sunday again. I normally enjoy Sunday's, but today I am irritable. I think I figured out what is wrong with me (okay you guys close your ears!) I think I have PMS. I was looking at the symptoms and yep that's me to a "T". Grumpy, angry at nothing, headaches, muscle and joint aches. I thought I had the flu, but nah.....okay, enough personal stuff. LOL!
I have children's church during August. We start the worship service by singing, and right as the sermon is set to start I exit the room, and the kids follow me, quietly. We have a small lesson in the foyer of the building, for about 30 minutes.
I have been printing bible lessons with the scripture verse, memory verse, color page and a word find off the internet at http://www.calvarychapel.com/. Today's lesson was on John the Baptist. Last week's memory verse was Luke 2:52 "And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man." My daughter Lauren, and niece Leighann were able to say the verse to me, so I let them pick a prize from my bag.
Normally, we have a book that the church purchased to do children's church, but no one has given it to me yet, so I am doing my own. I am working on the kids looking up the scripture references, taking turns reading the scripture (which they were shocked about) and working on a memory verse this week. The one for this next week is Luke 3:3. I purchase fancy pencils, little notebooks, small dry erase boards and a bunch of little trinkets at the Dollar Tree, hoping to give some incentive to learn the verses.
Decided to clean up today, so that I could do laundry and run into town tomorrow. Finished cleaning up a little for today......and getting ready to make some laundry soap. I really want to take a nap, but can't do that with the kids running around.
Took an inventory of my food storage, and am very dissappointed. I have a LONG way to go before I get a year's worth of food on hand. I have about 21 lbs of flour, which equates to 10 days worth of flour, I guess if I was baking everyday and only used 2.11 lbs a day. The amount recommended for a family of 5 is 773 lbs of flour or wheat for a year. So you can see I have a long way to go.
Here is an inventory of the rest of my food stuff:
ITEM NEEDED ON HAND
Wheat/flour 773lbs needed - 21 lbs on hand
Corn Meal 133 lbs needed - 21 lbs cornmeal
Rolled Oats 173 lbs - 1 lb
Barley 14 lbs - 0
Pasta 150 lbs - 13 lbs
Whole Wheat Flour no recommended amount 5 lbs on hand
Beans 250 lbs - 10 lbs
Dried Soup 35 lbs - one package of dried onion soup mix
Oil 24 qts - 4 qts
Shortening 10 qts - 4 qts
Mayo 5 qts - 1 qt
Salad Dressing 5 qts - 2 qts
P. Butter 5 qts - 2 qts
Dry Milk 70 lbs - 1.5 lbs
Evap Milk 60 12 oz cans - none
Choc Chips 10 lbs - 1 lb
Sugar 196 lbs - 4 lbs
Brown Sugar 15 lbs - 2 lbs
Molasses 5 lbs - 1 lbs
Honey 15 lbs - 1 lb
Corn Syrup 15 lbs - 1 lb
Jam Preserves 24 lbs - 24 lbs (plus I am making more)
Powd. Fruit Drink 29 lbs - 10 kool aid packages
Jello 25 lbs - none
Salt 39 lb - 6 lbs
Dry Yeast 2 lbs - 2 4oz jars
Baking soda 5 lbs - 3 lbs
Baking powder 5 lbs - 1 lb
Water 70 gallons - 1 gallon (do have own well though)
Canned fruit Any (enhances diet) - 17 cans
Nuts 6 oz packs - 2 packs
Tomato Sauce 10 cans on hand
Canned vegs 15 cans
Trail Mix 6 oz packs - 5
Canned meat 9 (tuna, chicken, spam, salmon)
Soup cans 35
*Plus I have an assortment of gravy mixes, season packets, grits, instant oatmeal, hot sauce, condiments, spices, and about a month worth of meat in the freezer, and about 6 cans of frozen juice
I have children's church during August. We start the worship service by singing, and right as the sermon is set to start I exit the room, and the kids follow me, quietly. We have a small lesson in the foyer of the building, for about 30 minutes.
I have been printing bible lessons with the scripture verse, memory verse, color page and a word find off the internet at http://www.calvarychapel.com/. Today's lesson was on John the Baptist. Last week's memory verse was Luke 2:52 "And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man." My daughter Lauren, and niece Leighann were able to say the verse to me, so I let them pick a prize from my bag.
Normally, we have a book that the church purchased to do children's church, but no one has given it to me yet, so I am doing my own. I am working on the kids looking up the scripture references, taking turns reading the scripture (which they were shocked about) and working on a memory verse this week. The one for this next week is Luke 3:3. I purchase fancy pencils, little notebooks, small dry erase boards and a bunch of little trinkets at the Dollar Tree, hoping to give some incentive to learn the verses.
Decided to clean up today, so that I could do laundry and run into town tomorrow. Finished cleaning up a little for today......and getting ready to make some laundry soap. I really want to take a nap, but can't do that with the kids running around.
Took an inventory of my food storage, and am very dissappointed. I have a LONG way to go before I get a year's worth of food on hand. I have about 21 lbs of flour, which equates to 10 days worth of flour, I guess if I was baking everyday and only used 2.11 lbs a day. The amount recommended for a family of 5 is 773 lbs of flour or wheat for a year. So you can see I have a long way to go.
Here is an inventory of the rest of my food stuff:
ITEM NEEDED ON HAND
Wheat/flour 773lbs needed - 21 lbs on hand
Corn Meal 133 lbs needed - 21 lbs cornmeal
Rolled Oats 173 lbs - 1 lb
Barley 14 lbs - 0
Pasta 150 lbs - 13 lbs
Whole Wheat Flour no recommended amount 5 lbs on hand
Beans 250 lbs - 10 lbs
Dried Soup 35 lbs - one package of dried onion soup mix
Oil 24 qts - 4 qts
Shortening 10 qts - 4 qts
Mayo 5 qts - 1 qt
Salad Dressing 5 qts - 2 qts
P. Butter 5 qts - 2 qts
Dry Milk 70 lbs - 1.5 lbs
Evap Milk 60 12 oz cans - none
Choc Chips 10 lbs - 1 lb
Sugar 196 lbs - 4 lbs
Brown Sugar 15 lbs - 2 lbs
Molasses 5 lbs - 1 lbs
Honey 15 lbs - 1 lb
Corn Syrup 15 lbs - 1 lb
Jam Preserves 24 lbs - 24 lbs (plus I am making more)
Powd. Fruit Drink 29 lbs - 10 kool aid packages
Jello 25 lbs - none
Salt 39 lb - 6 lbs
Dry Yeast 2 lbs - 2 4oz jars
Baking soda 5 lbs - 3 lbs
Baking powder 5 lbs - 1 lb
Water 70 gallons - 1 gallon (do have own well though)
Canned fruit Any (enhances diet) - 17 cans
Nuts 6 oz packs - 2 packs
Tomato Sauce 10 cans on hand
Canned vegs 15 cans
Trail Mix 6 oz packs - 5
Canned meat 9 (tuna, chicken, spam, salmon)
Soup cans 35
*Plus I have an assortment of gravy mixes, season packets, grits, instant oatmeal, hot sauce, condiments, spices, and about a month worth of meat in the freezer, and about 6 cans of frozen juice
Saturday, August 11, 2007
Tired...Yawn! And Behind on My Sewing!
I am so tired! I have like zero energy. I wonder what is going on? Everything is stiff and hurts, and I feel so sluggish. I wonder if there is some pollen or such in the air making me feel this way? It came on so sudden!
My friend Perla asked to come over today. She wants to scrapbook. I like to scrapbook, but I have so much to do, I feel bad about sitting down for an entire day scrapbooking. I seriously need to finish my sewing orders. I am almost done, but wanted to get it in the mail yesterday.
Need to call the insurance company as the adjuster NEVER called me.
I am not going to the grocery store this week, as I am trying to use everything in the freezer and cabinets before going again. I am trying to build some storage shelves and for the pantry, so will use my grocery money for that project.
My to do list for this weekend is:
go to bank and deposit checks
clean bedroom
clean out closet so shelves can be built
SEW!
My friend Perla asked to come over today. She wants to scrapbook. I like to scrapbook, but I have so much to do, I feel bad about sitting down for an entire day scrapbooking. I seriously need to finish my sewing orders. I am almost done, but wanted to get it in the mail yesterday.
Need to call the insurance company as the adjuster NEVER called me.
I am not going to the grocery store this week, as I am trying to use everything in the freezer and cabinets before going again. I am trying to build some storage shelves and for the pantry, so will use my grocery money for that project.
My to do list for this weekend is:
go to bank and deposit checks
clean bedroom
clean out closet so shelves can be built
SEW!
Friday, August 10, 2007
Morning on the farm
There's something about hanging up laundry in the early morning hours. Walking through the wet grass, watching the chickens scratching through the garden and the compost pile, and listening to the birds.
Taylor had his assessment test this morning, so we were up early, around 6:30 a.m. I sent him to get money out of the bank for gas for his cousin's car, and for lunch for him. Made sure he took his medication, and ate breakfast before he left. Please pray he does well, he is worried he will fail, though I explained it just is to see what level he is at, not for a grade. He's still anxious.
He is overwhelmed with how much there is to do to just get into college and in his classes. Definitely not like high school, where you just show up with some paper and a pen.
Had tea and toast for my breakfast and am sitting here going through my emails, updating my blogs and checking in with a few friends through their blogs, plus waiting for Candi. We are headed over to a local church to put our order in with the Angel Food Ministry program http://www.angelfoodministries.com/. (I am so glad Candi is closer to me, it takes 15-20 minutes to get to her house, compared to over an hour before. This means we can do more things together, and see each other more often than once every two weeks.)
Neither of us have purchased anything before through the Angel Ministries, so I will let you know how it turns out. Feel free to go to the website above, and see if there is a participating church near you.
Other items on the list to complete today are:
go to post office
take dog to vet
go to thrift bakery
call man about cradle
pick up cradle
pick figs
wash hair
sew on orders
Taylor had his assessment test this morning, so we were up early, around 6:30 a.m. I sent him to get money out of the bank for gas for his cousin's car, and for lunch for him. Made sure he took his medication, and ate breakfast before he left. Please pray he does well, he is worried he will fail, though I explained it just is to see what level he is at, not for a grade. He's still anxious.
He is overwhelmed with how much there is to do to just get into college and in his classes. Definitely not like high school, where you just show up with some paper and a pen.
Had tea and toast for my breakfast and am sitting here going through my emails, updating my blogs and checking in with a few friends through their blogs, plus waiting for Candi. We are headed over to a local church to put our order in with the Angel Food Ministry program http://www.angelfoodministries.com/. (I am so glad Candi is closer to me, it takes 15-20 minutes to get to her house, compared to over an hour before. This means we can do more things together, and see each other more often than once every two weeks.)
Neither of us have purchased anything before through the Angel Ministries, so I will let you know how it turns out. Feel free to go to the website above, and see if there is a participating church near you.
Other items on the list to complete today are:
go to post office
take dog to vet
go to thrift bakery
call man about cradle
pick up cradle
pick figs
wash hair
sew on orders
Thursday, August 9, 2007
Thursday...
We were up early this morning as my niece wanted to use my fax to send financial aid forms to her college. She leaves next weekend for a university in Northeast TX, the name escapes me at this time.
Afterwards the kids and I left for Candi's house. On the way I swung by a bakery in the next small town over from me to pick up breakfast. I bought a dozen donuts, a cinnamon coffee cake that was 20% off and eight loaves of bread. The bread was 50% off and buy one get one free. I have two loaves or regular bread and 6 of oatmeal bread. This bakery has really great stuff, and is popular with this area and in town. I split it with Candi. I plan to go back to see what else I can get.
Arrived at Candi's house and we sat and had tea and the coffee cake. The kids wolfed down the donuts. My son is the worst offender when it comes to eating, followed by Candi's son. It appears that we continuously starve our teenage sons. We are such bad mothers.
The bean plants I had started for Candi, were doing great, and we planted eight in her garden today. Blacked eyed peas are next. Hopefully now that the rain has stopped the plants can actually grow. Very few around here are having a good garden this year due to all the rain. We needed more sun, and now we are getting it.
Candi watched the girls while I ran Taylor into town to the community college, he was scheduled to take his assessment tests. It was postponed to tomorrow morning, so his cousin plans to take him, as I have appointments in the morning.
Went back to Candi's for lunch, and to pick up the kids. Candi's daughter is staying the night with Lauren, they are both 9 but Lauren turns 10 first, though Mary is double Lauren's size.
The girls are bunking down in the living room, and I just finished picking up and cleaning the bathroom. I really need to get organized and declutter. It's amazing how fast the summer has gone by, and I didn't accomplish any of my goals! School starts soon, and I need to get my lesson plans finished.
Afterwards the kids and I left for Candi's house. On the way I swung by a bakery in the next small town over from me to pick up breakfast. I bought a dozen donuts, a cinnamon coffee cake that was 20% off and eight loaves of bread. The bread was 50% off and buy one get one free. I have two loaves or regular bread and 6 of oatmeal bread. This bakery has really great stuff, and is popular with this area and in town. I split it with Candi. I plan to go back to see what else I can get.
Arrived at Candi's house and we sat and had tea and the coffee cake. The kids wolfed down the donuts. My son is the worst offender when it comes to eating, followed by Candi's son. It appears that we continuously starve our teenage sons. We are such bad mothers.
The bean plants I had started for Candi, were doing great, and we planted eight in her garden today. Blacked eyed peas are next. Hopefully now that the rain has stopped the plants can actually grow. Very few around here are having a good garden this year due to all the rain. We needed more sun, and now we are getting it.
Candi watched the girls while I ran Taylor into town to the community college, he was scheduled to take his assessment tests. It was postponed to tomorrow morning, so his cousin plans to take him, as I have appointments in the morning.
Went back to Candi's for lunch, and to pick up the kids. Candi's daughter is staying the night with Lauren, they are both 9 but Lauren turns 10 first, though Mary is double Lauren's size.
The girls are bunking down in the living room, and I just finished picking up and cleaning the bathroom. I really need to get organized and declutter. It's amazing how fast the summer has gone by, and I didn't accomplish any of my goals! School starts soon, and I need to get my lesson plans finished.
Wednesday, August 8, 2007
The Kings Fifth
The Kings Fifth is another book that I read yesterday regarding Coronado's search for the Seven Cities of Cibola. It was a fictional story told from the point of view of the 17 year old cartographer (map maker). You can go here to order if you like. http://www.dorothyhoobler.com/us/1900/0395069637/The_Kings_Fifth/
The title refers to the fact that the King of Spain was entitled to a fifth of whatever treasure that was found. It was a very good book, and reminded me that the King of Kings is entitled to ALL of my treasure, but only asks for a tenth.
****************************************************
Today was a good day. Started out slow, didn't get out of bed until 9:30 this morning. I felt really tired and blah, and have been yawning all day. I don't know what's up with that, but hopefully it gets better.
Worked on my sewing orders, and helped Lauren with her crochet. I taught her to single crochet a chain last year, but we added onto that yesterday and I showed her how to double crochet. She used some scrap yarn in pink and ended up with about a 2 inch wide strip and about 20 inches long piece of crochet. We crocheted a couple of single chaings and tied on the end, and she is going to wear as a belt with her jeans. It looks really cute. I will try and get a picture and post it.
We went out to dinner tonight at a local Mexican restaurant. It was really good, but I couldn't eat it all. I made $100.00 this week in my homesteading business and took everyone out to dinner, and put the remainder in the savings account.
Hannah was really cute tonight she brought me a pencil and asked me to "duck" her while she sings. (she meant conduct). I'd wave the pencil and she'd sing and dance, when I stopped she would stop in mid song and dance move until I started waving it again. She made me laugh.
When we got out of the car tonight she asked me "Jesus died on the cross right mama? He died for our sins right mama?" I told her yes, and asked her what sins were....she said "that's when we "distobay" and are "thievers". I told her very good, which for being four I think it is....especially just saying that out of the blue. I guess she has been listening and paying attention!
The beans I started for Candi's garden have sprouted, and I will be taking them over tomorrow to plant.
The title refers to the fact that the King of Spain was entitled to a fifth of whatever treasure that was found. It was a very good book, and reminded me that the King of Kings is entitled to ALL of my treasure, but only asks for a tenth.
****************************************************
Today was a good day. Started out slow, didn't get out of bed until 9:30 this morning. I felt really tired and blah, and have been yawning all day. I don't know what's up with that, but hopefully it gets better.
Worked on my sewing orders, and helped Lauren with her crochet. I taught her to single crochet a chain last year, but we added onto that yesterday and I showed her how to double crochet. She used some scrap yarn in pink and ended up with about a 2 inch wide strip and about 20 inches long piece of crochet. We crocheted a couple of single chaings and tied on the end, and she is going to wear as a belt with her jeans. It looks really cute. I will try and get a picture and post it.
We went out to dinner tonight at a local Mexican restaurant. It was really good, but I couldn't eat it all. I made $100.00 this week in my homesteading business and took everyone out to dinner, and put the remainder in the savings account.
Hannah was really cute tonight she brought me a pencil and asked me to "duck" her while she sings. (she meant conduct). I'd wave the pencil and she'd sing and dance, when I stopped she would stop in mid song and dance move until I started waving it again. She made me laugh.
When we got out of the car tonight she asked me "Jesus died on the cross right mama? He died for our sins right mama?" I told her yes, and asked her what sins were....she said "that's when we "distobay" and are "thievers". I told her very good, which for being four I think it is....especially just saying that out of the blue. I guess she has been listening and paying attention!
The beans I started for Candi's garden have sprouted, and I will be taking them over tomorrow to plant.
Monday, August 6, 2007
A Sense of Community
I am reading a book entitled "Black Angels" . It's about a white girl growing up in Georgia before the Civil Rights Movement. She sees a trio of little black angels everywhere and wonders why....I am not finished with the book, but a quote struck me while I was reading and it hit "close to home".
In the book the girl Celli has a black housekeeper named Sophie. Celli's mother is out of town and Sophie is caring for her and her brother. They both attend church with Sophie and visit the sick from Sophie's all black church congregation. Sophie is trying to teach the children to be "neighborly", and says the following to the kids "You white folks got nothing to bind you together. That's the problem. When times get hard you all just go it alone or stuff it in the kitchen closet with the brooms. Lord Jesus, what a sorrowful lot."
Now, I am white, and when I have had troubles or problems I rarely turn to anyone to share it with, whether friends, family or fellow church members. I wonder why this is....
In the book the girl Celli has a black housekeeper named Sophie. Celli's mother is out of town and Sophie is caring for her and her brother. They both attend church with Sophie and visit the sick from Sophie's all black church congregation. Sophie is trying to teach the children to be "neighborly", and says the following to the kids "You white folks got nothing to bind you together. That's the problem. When times get hard you all just go it alone or stuff it in the kitchen closet with the brooms. Lord Jesus, what a sorrowful lot."
Now, I am white, and when I have had troubles or problems I rarely turn to anyone to share it with, whether friends, family or fellow church members. I wonder why this is....
I have lived in my current home for almost 15 years, and it has only been the past couple of years that I have made the effort to get to know my neigbors. Well, I have two direct neighbors, but only "talk" with one family. They are a Hispanic couple in their late 50's across the street from me. He gives me plums, I have given him vegetables from my garden and eggs from my hens. We keep an eye on each other's houses, and his granddaughter used to play with my daughter regularly until his granddaughter moved. This past weekend, they helped to remove a dead tree from our yard. With the exception of my two girls, we were all out there pulling on ropes, carting off cut wood, etc. I think this is what a sense of community, and being neighborly is all about.
My other neighbors I rarely talk to, the funny thing is they are white. Normally, I don't think about the color of someone's skin, but this book had me thinking about how the different cultures associate and help each other out. One of the reasons that I don't really associate with the other neighbors is their lifestyle. They are very big into drugs. I don't have a problem who truly need help in the way of food stamps or other government assistance, but I do have a difficult time with those who don't try and better themselves, and have baby after baby just to keep their welfare benefits. I feel so sorry for the little ones running around there....I would be friendlier with them, IF it weren't for the fact that they use and deal drugs. The local police here don't really seem to care, as nothing has been done about the drugs. Oh, it used to be a lot worse when all of their kids were younger. There was a constant stream of drive by drug deals going on....it made me very nervous. We live in a very nice small town, and I moved here to give my kids a better life out of the big city, but the drugs are worse here than where I lived before. I just don't understand it. Now their kids have moved on, and it has died down quite a bit, but is still going on.
Anyway, back to the sense of community. I don't know that I have a well developed sense of community and would rather be on the giving end, than the receiving end. Even as a Christian, with a close knit church family, it's hard for me to go to them with things that I need help with, or problems I am dealing with, I just don't know how. Oh, superficial things, like borrowing a tiller or helping me pass out flyers when I ran for city council were okay, but deeper issues like marital problems, child rearing issues, financial problems are just too personal to talk about with them.
I often think about the lone pioneer woman out on the prairie somewhere. Who did she talk to? Who helped her? How did she feel? If there were other women around, I have read that they helped each other with the canning, quilting, and child birthing, but did they ask each other's advice on marriage and how to raise children? I think this is what your extended family was for, and know that there used to be many generations living all under one roof, so maybe this helped as everyone knew what the problems were. I just get the impression that the pioneers were an independent, hardy bunch, and probably didn't feel too comfortable asking for help, and being "beholden" to anyone. Is a coincidence that most of the pioneers appear to be white? (Oh I know other nationalities were mixed in, but they were mostly European).
Among the black culture, I think there is a great sense of community, grown out of isolation, oppression, and a need to survive. They needed to band together, and the same with the Hispanic community. Don't get me wrong I don't think "neighborliness" is entirely a race issue, but a cultural, regional, country vs. city issue; and I definitely don't believe that the blacks or hispanics have had a harder time than any other group. Each disadvantaged group has had, in their time, their struggles, and women have struggled even longer. I am not one to apologize for the past ills that cultures have suffered, especially if I didn't personally cause someone to suffer. But I do take notice of the way each deals with each other, the good and the bad, and try to learn from them. I also take notice of how people pull themselves up and better their lives and the lives of their families through hard work and determination. Wallowing in the past does not help anyone.
As an American, independence is strongly encouraged and admired, which may make it even harder for Americans to ask for help when it is really needed.
Okay, off my soap box for now, I will let everyone know how the book turns out.
I finished the book tonight. It was very good. The culmination of the story is that Sophie gets involved with the Freedom Riders during the Civil Rights Movement and Celli discovers that her Daddy was 1/2 black 1/2 white, which makes her 3/4 white and 1/4 black. She is shocked when she discover this during a meeting with her Daddy's mom, who is obviously not white.
She attempts to come to terms with this, and believes that the angels she sees were meant to help her through this transition in her life, while living in Georgia in 1961.
****************
I spent most of the day cleaning; doing a better job than normally. I know I have mentioned it before but I really like to follow a routine in my household duties, and in cleaning. I ALWAYS start at the front door, in the foyer area. I dusted today, swept, mopped, vacuumed, then moved on to the living room. The living room is normally in good shape as I clean this room every day, in case of company. The dining room was a bit of wreck due to the kids (along with my niece) working on craft projects last night. I had glitter dusting every surface. Kind of pretty,
The kitchen takes me the longest to finish. I washed dishes, put up the jelly making pots, and placed the finished jelly in the jar box and set the box on the buffet waiting for orders to be filled, or just a jar to give away.
Laundry was next (though also done throughout the day, as Monday is laundry day). My goal is to complete all my laundry on Mondays, but I also washed sheets and blankets today which take longer to dry on the clothes line, and kind of backs up the drying process with the other clothes, especially jeans. It was hot today, but the everything took a LONG time in drying. It's after 7:00 pm, and I put the last load of the day in the dryer, as there is no way it will dry before dark.
The bathroom I bleached and then did a better than normal job on my bedroom, though I have three piles of clothes in here that need to make their way to the laundry room. Primarily blankets. I am going through comforters, and blankets and getting them aired, washed and holes mended in preparation for placement on the beds in October. (I know way ahead of schedule. LOL!) My bedroom tends to be the "catch all" for the entire house, and there is too much clutter, though I am happy with the result from today's effort.
I had put a pork tenderloin in the crock pot this morning. I will share the recipe with everyone, as it was wonderful! Everyone loved it.
1 pork tenderloin
2 cups of water or 1/2 water and 1/2 red wine
3 TBSP of soy sauce
one package of dried onion soup mix
garlic cloves (I used garlic powder and sprinkled on top of tenderloin)
sprinkle with pepper
cook all on low for four hours
I served this with green beans and fresh bread. I cut the tenderloin in rounds and served the broth in a small bowl on each plate to use in dipping the meat into. Man! I almost wish I had cooked two tenderloins, it was that good!
The guys spent the early evening cutting the fallen tree into manageable pieces and stacking in the front yard, plus clearing up smal branches. I talked to the insurance company today, and the claims adjuster from the insurance company should be out here sometime this week. The tree really damaged the brick walk out front (my poor 100 year old bricks!) There are two HOLES where the tree CRUSHED the bricks as it fell. It's amazing that the roof survived in tact. Actually, I guess it isn't amazing. I was praying the entire time that God would spare the roof from being crushed, and He did. There are a few spots of damaged shingles and two spots where the plywood has a hole punched into it, about 3 inches in diameter. The top part of the tree was so dry that when it fell, it broke rather than crushing the roof. The bottom part of the trunk, is probably what did the damage, from weight alone. The pecan tree is over 100 years old, so pretty huge. Thank you God for answering my prayer!
Sunday, August 5, 2007
A Day of Rest
The title is deceptive. I was a bad girl today. I didn't rest at all. Sorry God, I feel really bad about that.....now at 10:30pm, I see God's goal for asking us to have a day of rest. To equip us for the week ahead.
I was up early this morning and made waffles for breakfast, we then got ready for church. The month of August is my turn to teach in children's church. I didn't have the lesson book, so I printed off a lesson from the internet about the boy Jesus in the temple from Luke 2:29. I had the girls look the verse up in their bibles, which was new for them, and take turns reading the scriptures. We then did a word find for the verse and colored a picture of Jesus teaching in the temple.
I was up early this morning and made waffles for breakfast, we then got ready for church. The month of August is my turn to teach in children's church. I didn't have the lesson book, so I printed off a lesson from the internet about the boy Jesus in the temple from Luke 2:29. I had the girls look the verse up in their bibles, which was new for them, and take turns reading the scriptures. We then did a word find for the verse and colored a picture of Jesus teaching in the temple.
My niece LeighAnn came home from church with us and is currently giggling up a storm with Lauren in the nursery. They are camping out on the floor. Okay, back to my day.
I made jelly, canning 12 pints of jelly. It doesn't sound like a lot, but making the jelly and the cleanup afterwards took most of the day. I still have about 20 more pints to make, and 10 smaller jelly jars to fill. As tired as I am right now, I hope I can get it done.
I hung laundry out, washed a lot of dishes, and made spaghetti for dinner.
My plans for tomorrow are:
clean up the house
laundry (hang it out as it supposed to be sunny)
sew on orders
make jelly
Good night everyone!
I made jelly, canning 12 pints of jelly. It doesn't sound like a lot, but making the jelly and the cleanup afterwards took most of the day. I still have about 20 more pints to make, and 10 smaller jelly jars to fill. As tired as I am right now, I hope I can get it done.
I hung laundry out, washed a lot of dishes, and made spaghetti for dinner.
My plans for tomorrow are:
clean up the house
laundry (hang it out as it supposed to be sunny)
sew on orders
make jelly
Good night everyone!
Saturday, August 4, 2007
Chores Around the "farm"
Today started late....I didn't get out of bed around 9 a.m. I felt so tired still....and everything hurt...even my hair! I made a simple breakfast of fried potatoes with cheese then washed all the dishes.
I picked a large pan full of grapes....making more jelly tonight.
Cleaned the coop out, and put all the old hay on the compost pile. The hen and chicks had the run of the yard, and the chicks were so fun to watch as I kept working in the yard. The picture above reminds me of them.
Buried the eggs that didn't hatch. (I sure hope there are only 1-2 roosters in the group that did hatch)
Used the weedeater on the weeds in the garden. Put hay around the beans and cucumbers. Set up another trellis for the beans to grow up.
Propped up the tomatoes (have more flowers on the plant, so hopefully will get another batch of tomatoes).
Found one large cucumber when picking grapes. There are alot of flowers on the cucumber vines but no more cucumbers...yet.
My Thompson grape is growing good up the trellis. It didn't seem to be doing much until I put the trellis up for it, and now it's growing wild. I might actually get grapes from it next year. We'll see.
We had a large pecan tree that died over the winter, and the local governmental type people have been harassing us to cut it down. The tree removal companies wanted over $400 to take it down (in hindsight this would have been a good idea).
The neighbor helped Rodney to take it down. Everything went great until....the last piece needed to come down. We had a rope tied around it, which was tied to my car, the neighbor Mr. Castro and Taylor were pullling on the rope, and Rodney was using the chain saw....we all began to pull as Rodney cut, and it started to fall our way, but then twisted and fell on the roof!
We have two small holes and several shingles are damaged, probably will cost the same amount to repair as it would have to get a professional to do the tree....go figure...
Now, all we need is a huge thunderstorm for the roof to leak.
I came in to take a cold shower, and am resting in bed as I am beat! I am still redfaced and I think I have a sunburn underneath the heat flush.....
Naptime....
I picked a large pan full of grapes....making more jelly tonight.
Cleaned the coop out, and put all the old hay on the compost pile. The hen and chicks had the run of the yard, and the chicks were so fun to watch as I kept working in the yard. The picture above reminds me of them.
Buried the eggs that didn't hatch. (I sure hope there are only 1-2 roosters in the group that did hatch)
Used the weedeater on the weeds in the garden. Put hay around the beans and cucumbers. Set up another trellis for the beans to grow up.
Propped up the tomatoes (have more flowers on the plant, so hopefully will get another batch of tomatoes).
Found one large cucumber when picking grapes. There are alot of flowers on the cucumber vines but no more cucumbers...yet.
My Thompson grape is growing good up the trellis. It didn't seem to be doing much until I put the trellis up for it, and now it's growing wild. I might actually get grapes from it next year. We'll see.
We had a large pecan tree that died over the winter, and the local governmental type people have been harassing us to cut it down. The tree removal companies wanted over $400 to take it down (in hindsight this would have been a good idea).
The neighbor helped Rodney to take it down. Everything went great until....the last piece needed to come down. We had a rope tied around it, which was tied to my car, the neighbor Mr. Castro and Taylor were pullling on the rope, and Rodney was using the chain saw....we all began to pull as Rodney cut, and it started to fall our way, but then twisted and fell on the roof!
We have two small holes and several shingles are damaged, probably will cost the same amount to repair as it would have to get a professional to do the tree....go figure...
Now, all we need is a huge thunderstorm for the roof to leak.
I came in to take a cold shower, and am resting in bed as I am beat! I am still redfaced and I think I have a sunburn underneath the heat flush.....
Naptime....
Wednesday, August 1, 2007
Okay, everyone is getting a scarf for Christmas!
I learned how to knit today, just the basic stitch and casting on...I met another homesteader via the Internet and traveled to her home about an hour away....took a few jars of jelly and a bit of herbs for her. They live on 400 acres, which I would love!
I plan to go back in a couple of weeks, and Tracye will teach me how to do the purl stitch and do the binding off. I have been practicing what I learned earlier this morning, all afternoon and evening. I think I have it down. Sometime in the future I will teach them how to make the wild mustang grape jelly, and they will teach me how to make cheese.
Tracye also has a really good pattern for making dolls. They are so cute! I would love to learn how to make these dolls and sell them on my website. I am really excited about learning a lot of new skills.
Well, that's my day. Candi is coming over tomorrow and we will be hunting for a midwife for her. She is due in 4 months and it's making ME anxious! LOL!
I think she is finally getting her house in order after moving two weeks ago, which I know will take a big load off of her. I really wanted to help her, but it's her home, and she is the only one who can decide what she is keeping, and where she wants something. I just don't want her to tire herself out (my big sister personality is kicking into over drive I think).
Hannah informed me that she is having a bad day. I found her crying in the bath tub. She said everyone keeps hitting her and it frustrates her and gives her a headache. What can you say to that? She's four....I felt like laughing, but she looked so pitiful. I had to remind her that maybe is she stopped hitting, she wouldn't get hit back. She gave me a really indignant look and said "I hit them, because they are all on my last damn nerve". (Excuse the curse word, it's what she said.) I was kind of shocked, and guess I'll have to remind the guys to please watch their language around her. It's hard to turn a little girl into a lady when you have these negative influences (I mean how does crossing your legs compete with a belching contest?)
I plan to go back in a couple of weeks, and Tracye will teach me how to do the purl stitch and do the binding off. I have been practicing what I learned earlier this morning, all afternoon and evening. I think I have it down. Sometime in the future I will teach them how to make the wild mustang grape jelly, and they will teach me how to make cheese.
Tracye also has a really good pattern for making dolls. They are so cute! I would love to learn how to make these dolls and sell them on my website. I am really excited about learning a lot of new skills.
Well, that's my day. Candi is coming over tomorrow and we will be hunting for a midwife for her. She is due in 4 months and it's making ME anxious! LOL!
I think she is finally getting her house in order after moving two weeks ago, which I know will take a big load off of her. I really wanted to help her, but it's her home, and she is the only one who can decide what she is keeping, and where she wants something. I just don't want her to tire herself out (my big sister personality is kicking into over drive I think).
Hannah informed me that she is having a bad day. I found her crying in the bath tub. She said everyone keeps hitting her and it frustrates her and gives her a headache. What can you say to that? She's four....I felt like laughing, but she looked so pitiful. I had to remind her that maybe is she stopped hitting, she wouldn't get hit back. She gave me a really indignant look and said "I hit them, because they are all on my last damn nerve". (Excuse the curse word, it's what she said.) I was kind of shocked, and guess I'll have to remind the guys to please watch their language around her. It's hard to turn a little girl into a lady when you have these negative influences (I mean how does crossing your legs compete with a belching contest?)
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