The temperature tonight is supposed to get down to 28F.  It was chilly all day, my bet is that it did not get out of the 40s.  It was sunny but cold. 

We went by the Hopsice Thrift Store to talk to the "lady in charge" about Lauren volunteering.  She wasn't in.  We left our name and number.  Afterwards, I took the kids to the local playground where we ate lunch and they played for about an hour.  We dropped Lauren off at art lessons, and then headed home.  It was wonderful being home.  Hannah and James played outside with the baby goats, and I picked up the house, did dishes and started dinner. 

Brought a load of wood in for this evening, as it supposed to be cold.  It is amazing how much warmer it is...I still marvel at the way just one inch of styrofoam insulation can REALLY help.  It is almost unbelievable.  If we hadn't almost froze to death last winter (a slight exaggeration) I would have thought it just a conincident.  But is has been as low as 19 already, and it was way bearable.  Last year, if it was around freezing (32) we had to leave.  I am so thankful that the Lord provided the money to insulate the majority of the cabin this past year..there are still a few places (like under the kitchen sink), behind the couch, and one piece on the roof (right above the wood stove of all places) that are without.  Mainly due to awkwardness, and the inability to place the insulation without emptying the cabin of it's contents.  The roof piece defies any type of glue/adhesive to make it stick.  But the thermometer reads 80 in here, though it is a little cooler on my bed...that is THE coldest place in the house at night.

The lil goats and mamas are in the barn, hopefully this helps keep them warm.  They went willingly into the barn tonight.  They are getting so big and feisty, and won't let you catch them without a fight and flight.
James gets so upset when he can't get one.  Hannah or Lauren normally grabs one so he can pet it.  It is cute how this little thing makes him so happy.  He gets a huge grin on his face.

The girls were teaching him new words today like "beep beep", "oh man", "hey man" and "hey mama".  He also used the potty again tonight at bath time.  It's the only time he will voluntarily sit and go.  He always looks at the Tinker Bell book too.  I know "sitting" and "Tinker Bell", can you tell he has sister's? Ha! Ha!

I need a turbine!

The wind we have out here is amazing!  I wish I had a wind turbine to generate electricity, it would keep us in lights that is for sure!

Trying to get back into my routine.  I desperately need to stay home and catch up on paperwork, bills, and baking.  Tuesday is my baking day.  I'll be making bread in the morning, we are out of bread for sandwiches.  We have been so busy lately I have been buying bread at the store, but I am trying to wait until my normal shopping day. 

Man!  something just hit the back of the house!  The wind is really whipping it up out there.  I am scared to go out and check, because several times roofing tin that is stacked by the barn has been know to be flying around.  No matter how securely I think I weight it down, the wind will find a way.

Anyway, back to the bread.  We'll probably make cookies or cupcakes too, though the doctor did tell me yesterday I need to lose 40 lbs.  My blood pressure is way too high, along with my stress level.  So, hopefully help with the pain that I am in, losing weight will alleviate it.  We'll see.  I guess I am back to my healthy way of eating.  I had abandoned it for a bit, due to depression.  No one wanted to join me.  It's no fun eating healthy and being good all by your lonesome.  ;-)

My menu for the week looks like this:

Monday: Spaghetti (it was great by the way)
Tuesday: Pork Chops, rice, corn
Wednesday:  Turkey Chili, cornbread, green beans
Thursday:  Chicken Fajita Tacos (lettuce, tomatoes, peppers, cheese)
Friday:  Roast Chicken, Bread, green beans
Saturday:  Turkey Pot Pie (using up those leftovers)
Sunday:  Grilled Cheese and Soup

Please pray for us.  We are having some financial issues that we need to get under control.  My goal is to pay off medical bills and be TOTALLY debt free.  It's an ongoing process to be diligent and obedient to the Lord in relation to money matters.  It is VERY hard.  Something always crops up...

I am working on my website.  Since I have closed the shop, due to zoning issues, I thought I'd take a few of the really cute items, and sell them online.  I hope this works out.  I'd really like to make money online.  If someone has a craft item them want to include on my site, let me know.  Or if you want to purchase something, let me know.  I am trying to get everything up and going over at http://www.amysattic-texas.blogspot.com/

Goodnight!

Old Man Weather Has Arrived!

Happy Belated Thanksgiving All!  We went to the Zoo the day after and had lots of fun.  It was James' first trip to the Zoo, and he really enjoyed all the animals.  Especially the monkeys.  We were able to interact with them, and even made a treat for them.  How cool! 

The temperature the past couple evenings has been extremely cold for South Texas, with a recorded low of 23 and 27 respectively.  The woodstove was cranked up high each evening, as we bundled into bed, and hunkered down to enjoy the evening.  Normally, the kid's watched t.v. (the Disney Channel or the Discovery Channel).  We really enjoy watching The Duggars, Little People Big World, and the Little Couple.  Plus, The Deadliest Catch is a favorite of "dad's".  I make sure to catch Sarah Palin's Alaska series that is on right now.  Pretty country that is for sure!

Our bottle baby goat Dakota is heartsick, calling for her baby.  Dakota's baby girl, Kaya, died the other evening.  She hung herself in the horse's hay bag.  So no more hay bags will be in use.  The goats get their horns caught in them.  I've had to take them off several times.  I never thought one would get strangled though.. How horrible! 

The Thankgsiving break was a wonderful time to rest, and get lots of things done.  I did lots of laundry, Lauren cleaned the loft to the playhouse, so now they have a place to play out of the cold.  "Dad" picked up trash outside this evening and burned it all.  We have been baking most evenings, and I have been taking stock of my pantry.  I am out of several key items, and my meat level is lower than I prefer.  I will be stocking up next week when I make my monthly run to the grocery store.  Other than that, I have a lot of other things that I need to start fixing, and need to rotate through my pantry. 

I was reading through my preparedness handbook this evening, to determine what I need to purchase.  I like to refresh my memory every now and then.  I really need LOTS of non-food items, such as:  kerosene, propane, hay, fuel, hygiene products (mainly t.p., and shampoo).  Matches need to be put on the list.  I have had over a year supply of these items, and due to money shortages last year, was unable to replenish the stock.  I have put it off so long now, that I feel I am dangerously low.  I don't like the feeling.

The night tonight is so dark, no moon to speak of...the dogs are barking their heads off so I can only assume, they hear and smell something I can't see or hear.  Possibly, coyotoes, but we did notice the horses smelled like skunk, so really there is no telling what is out there at night.  I do know that Bo, our Pyr, LOVES the sound of his voice and barks constantly.  We had him tied up for over two months, but recently let him off, as the rope was chafing his neck.  Need to get a better collar and a chain to keep him contained.  So far so good, he has stayed put, but the barking! Yikes!

We are off this week to pick up a load of firewood from a family's property.  It has already been cut and split previously, and is just waiting to be transferred here.  I have a feeling we will be needing it this Winter.  It is already proving to be quite chilly so early!  I also picked up a large load of pallet wood that was cut into pieces.  A friend used the good middle pieces to refloor her kitchen.  This pallet wood will make great kindling, with the larger, more nail riddled pieces being used as bon fire material.  The girls love bon fires!  Now that it gets dark so early, when we have company over, which isn't often, we have a bon fire.  Now I won't have to use my wood stove wood, but can use the pallet wood.  Praise God!  Such a little thing, is really a blessing.

I will be working on cleaning (still) and rearranging to make room for our small Christmas tree.  I cleaned out around the wood stove, and need to rearrange the book shelves again.  They tend to become a catchall of lanterns, matches, fire starters, pieces of clay, and various animals parts (wings from butterflies, feathers, etc.).

Researching switching to Samaritan's Ministries with the possibility of cancelling our health insurance, but we'll see.  We will be weighing the costs and praying for God's guidance in this issue.

Fall on the Farm

Derek (a friend's son), Hannah, Lauren and James

at the Corn Maze in Hondo TX for Homeschool Day 2010

It's really wonderful!  The weather is so cool, that I keep the fire going in the wood stove until about noon, and then let it die out.  I have a candle that the kids messed with so much that the wick was buried.  I sit this on top of the stove, and it melts and puts out a good smell.  It is a Yankee Candle, the Harvest scent.  It is so relaxing!

The past few days have been busier than usual.  With the change in time, and the days getting darker earlier, it is an adjustment to make sure all the outside chores are done before dark.  I absolutely hate feeding animals by lantern light. 

I went out about 5:30 this evening and put the two mamas and their babies (all four) in the barn.  Gave them alfalfa, fresh water and locked the door.  The Pyr is tied up outside the barn (with food, water, and the dog house close by).  This will hopefully be a deterent to any wandering coyotes looking for a meal.  The goat pen has been partitioned off.  The goat shed has a fence on one end now, and an opening into the field to allow the goats to get out of the rain and cold.  The other part is open for the dogs to be penned up.  The little pups (5 months about) are terrozing the new goatlings. 

We managed to clean the pen yesterday, removing any droppings, old hay, broken dishes (Baeta loves to chew plastic).  We put the old truck bed lid leaning against the barn wall to give the dogs a place to get out of the rain and cold.

The horses have water, and normally shelter under the trees, along with Jack (the donkey).  We have pens built for them, but I REALLY want to get their shelter going, even just two sides.  The north side definitely, along with the existing barn wall, and a roof would do wonders for providing a place out of the elements.  They are used to having a huge barn to shelter in, but not here.  Good thing we have good tree cover.

Muffin (our little chihuahua) has taken to sleeping in the playhouse.  I leave the top of the little half door open under the porch, and she jumps through and sleeps on a blanket.  Keeps her out of the wind.  The cats like to sleep under the floor where the wood stove is at...I guess it generates pretty good heat out the bottom and side wall of the "cabin". 

Tomorrow is the last day of Fall co-op.  Praise God!  I am so ready to get back into a better routine and really buckle down and work on more school work.

I am going to start having Lauren prepare one meal a week, to help teach her how to cook. 

I spent all last weekend cleaning out the cabin.  I was able to do a pretty good job winterizing the place for us.  I moved the end table into the bedroom, and wedged it under the loft ladder.  I placed another lamp in there.  It was much needed as I couldn't even see to read my Bible or anything else.  I shampoo'd all the carpets, dusted, threw out a big bag of trash, went through summer clothes, and exchanged for warmer ones.  I need a winter coat for Hannah.  I think I saw a pretty purple one at the shop, that I will get. 

Thankfully all the clothes that James was given last Christmas fit him (well except for being a tad short, but nothing to get new ones over).  He has loads of sweaters, jeans and jackets.  So other than some socks and a new pair of shoes, he is good to go for the Winter. 

I really need to catch up on laundry.  I wash every day, but with the weather being so dreary and cooler, the clothes don't dry very fast on the line, which puts me behind.  Monday is laundry day, so when we return from co-op I will get busy.  I'll get a good 3 hours before it gets too dark. 

I am reading a lot of books on labor, birthing, babies, pregnancy, etc., all in preparation for moving forward on becoming a midwife.  It will be a bit, until I can wean James, I won't be able to get my CPR/First Aid certification, so can't even sign up for the program until then.

I have a few tasks to complete for church:  call New Haven regarding ministry opportunities, call local nursing home, talk to local law enforcement and see if there is a children's shelter in the area.  Our congregation is interested in these possible ministry opportunities, if we can receive permission to help out.  So far, there hasn't been a good response due to "security" issues, which I find extremely silly.

Also, need to contact my insurance agent regarding the accident I was in last week.  It was very minor, so minor I thought the other driver and I had decided to not contact our insurance, but she must have changed her mind because I received an email from my friend and agent this past Friday.

Bluebonnet (mama) and Dandelion "Dandy" on left and

Chamomile "Cami" on the right

Bluebonnet nursing Cami

Well, I am off to put more wood on the fire and head to bed..good night all!

November Happenings!

I thought I'd catch everyone up with what has been happening around here.  For Halloween, we went to a friend's house for a party.  She has this every year that we have known her.  The kids had loads of fun. 

We have been pretty busy with the homeschool co op.  We only have two more Mondays to attend before breaking until after the New Year.  The girls love their classes.  Hannah's favorite is Earth Science, and Lauren's is Intro to Chemistry.  Hannah is taking Ballet in San Antonio once a week, while Lauren loves her art lessons.  A local retired schoolteacher and artist is her instructor.  Pretty cool!

The weather has been much milder.  A blessing after the heat of the summer.  Though last summer's heat was much more intense.  The winter weather was not fun either.  We have been cleaning up the land, burning trash, getting rid of lots of stuff, clothing, etc.  I am in the process of readying the cabin for the upcoming colder weather.  With luck and prayer we won't see the extreme low temps that we did last year.  The cabin is basically insulated, at least as far as I am going to do this year.  The main room (the bedroom) is where we spend most of our time, what with sleeping and watching t.v. there.  The living room/kitchen is only used for cooking and schoolwork.  It tends to be a "collecting point" for everything that doesn't have a proper place.

Today, I organized the school shelves.  Putting everything in order by grade, then subject.  We are making a Natural Science shelf for those things we find outside.  Snake skins, butterfly wings, strange insects, coyote skull, fossils and more.  I still wanted to totally clean out the bedroom of extra "stuff".  I don't want to feel crowded when we spend so much time inside during the colder days.

This week, I will rearrange the furniture a little to make it a little more inviting and useable for the colder weather, and to make the best use of the heater/wood stove. 

We had our first fire of the year tonight in the wood stove.  Pretty nice.  We had baked potatoes for dinner, along with sausage.  A pretty good cold weather meal.

We are working on our playground area.  I am very excited, as are the kids.  We managed to pick up three more play items.  A Little Tikes basketball hoop, a kitchen set, and a sand box w/ lid.  Tomorrow we pick them up (didn't have my van today).  Then we'll get some playground sound, and start looking for some sand toys.  Bought a few little dump trucks and cars at a local second hand store for James.  He was so tickled over the dump trucks.  He has been carting it with him all over the land.  I keep trying to get him to leave it at the play ground but he won't do it. 

This weekend will find us working on a shelter for the horses.  We need something for them to get out of the rain and wind.  We have the corral, but it needs a roof.  Am working on an idea for that, and how to implement.  I feel sorry for them the past few days, it has been raining, chilly, windy, and we had pea size hail the other evening.  They were gathered under the trees, which is okay, but I'd rather have something better.  Feel sorry for the goats too.  Need to re-work their pen.  The dogs are in there now, as they bark so much at night it keeps us awake.  I'd like to get rid of all the little dogs, and keep Beta out all the time, but she just finished coming into season, and we had way too many stray dogs show up.  Thank God, we locked her up.  People need to keep their dogs contained.  I take my responsibility in this area seriously, and wish others would too.

We are still in the process of cleaning out the shop and getting rid of all the junk, so that Rosalinda (my friend) can have her house back.  She plans to let another friend use it to live in after Christmas. 

We planted wheat last night, but as luck would have it, a large flock of black birds descended on the field.  I went out with my gun and managed to scare them off, and shot one.  I don't know how much they ate, and won't be able to tell until or IF it grows. 

Another election day is past.  I was thankful to be able to vote, and while my party didn't make the ballot, I was able to vote for a few Republican candidates I was okay, the rest I voted Libertarian (especially for local positions).  I can't wait until the Constitution Party gets more candidates for me to vote for....

Ten candidates out of twelve were elected to state positions.  These men are very supposed to be very family friendly, and homeschool friendly.  A vast improvement over the men there now.  Many who have been trying to push through a day time curfew that would have impacted homeschoolers.  Of course, it goes without saying that I wouldn't comply.  I don't take well to my rights being violated, and feel entirely at peace with not complying with unconstitutional laws. 

That is all I can think of for right now.  Hope everyone is having a great fall.  I'd love some company, so if you are in the area stop by for a visit!