The chickadees are back.  I'm not sure if these 2 are the same one or not.  I cant' tell which one is the male or female.  Need to do some research on it. 

They have been busy.   I looked at a minute ago and one was sitting on  the rail, the other one flew down and put something in the others mouth and it went to the house and kept sticking its head in.  I'm wondering if they are building the nest or if there are little babies already.  I havnet' heard any chirpings coming from it and I really don't think there has been enough time for them to incubate.  I looked in the house about 3 weeks ago and there was nothing in there, not even the makings of a nest.  They are so cute, tho.  I love to hear them sing. 

We are taking the week off from school.  Dh has taken a week off from work so that he and son can do some turkey hunting.  Ds's mind is so full of "turkey" he wouldn't be able to concentrate anyway.

Have a great day.

EDIT---I just saw one of the chickadees land on the porch with a mouth full of nesting material.  So, they are in the process of building their nest. 

I really don't know if anyone is reading this thing or not.  But I thought I'd give an update anyway.

We have had some beautiful spring weather here in the mountians of western NC.  We are desparate for rain tho and there have been reports of fires getting out of control.  They are asking people not to burn until we get a significant amount of rain, which is not in the forecast for the next week.

I've started cleaning my kitchen cabinets.  Yesterday I cleaned the stove, still have to wipe it down tho.  I have to make a trip to town today, and we have church tonight so I'm not sure how much, if any, I'll get done today.

My son did the self test in english yesterday.  I still have that to go over and his math.  I believe he was finally able to grasp the english.  He struggled with the beginning of the pace but did well as he went on.

He and his dad are starting their lawn service again this yr.  They are going to do their first yard this week.  Son does most of the mowing, dh does the trimming.  He is letting son keep the money but he has to pay for the gas out of it, which is going up day to day. 

On the news last night, they were saying that it could be over $3 a gallon by summer.  I personally believe it is just a money game.  The oil companies know that people have to have gas to operate their vehicles, etc. in order to get to work, deliver goods, etc.  The news said that around here, which is a big tourist area during the summer, that some hotels were not booked like they have been in the past.  So, it is going to affect all aspects of the economy.

I know that we will have to rethink our budget.

So, that is all for now.  Have a great day

Thought I'd share a picture of my son's "catch".

He loves catching crawdads.  And lizards. 

He's isn't feeling well today.  My son, who was 15 in January, is not one to be sick.  When he was 7, he was in public school.  He had strep from August until April when they finally took out his tonsils.  He was on about 7 different antibiotics during that time.  I was afraid of what they were doing to him.   But since then, he has not been sick,except for a bladder infection earlier this yr. and sinus infection.  When he had this, I asked him if he felt like he was running a fever and he said "how does that feel?"  
He has been complaining with his jaw and below it hurting and I feel a little lump in there, and then he said it feels like he's cutting a tooth back there, so don't know if that is it or what.  I'll keep an eye on him.

It is a rainy, stormy Monday here in my little spot of western NC.  We are under a tornado watch until 11:00.  This doesnt' happen often here.  I've been wondering which direction should I run if it happens?  We live in a mobile home, so I have to go somewhere. We are located in a little "holler", kind of a dip, valley, what ever you want to call it.  It actually think this used to be a river bed once upon a time.  We still have a creek, which is probably where we would go.  There are several good spots that are low and covered.  I really don't think one will happen tho. 

Anyway--

So, how did you all do with the daylight savings time?  It will take a few days of adjustment but I usually get adjusted pretty quick.  I haven't been sleeping well, 1-because of the pain I've been having in my leg and 2-because of my thyroid meds being messed up.  I'm praying that the dr will get ahold of the insurance today so I can go back on the regular brand. 

Yesterday--both services were good.  One of our young ladies went to the altar.  It was a blessing to see the young ones respond to the message, which was about how to please God, living a life pleasing to God, whether it be at school, work or at home.  I'm concerned about our youth, my son included.  I pray that he will make sure that his relationship with Christ is real. 

Last nights message was about hospitality.  I really need to be more hospitable to others-in my home and outside my home.  I tend to put up a wall when I meet others because of past hurts.  I think people see me as kinda snobby, I don't mean to be.  I guess I really don't know how to act around people.  I don't know how to give of myself freely becuase when I have, I've been taken advantage of, I guess.

I know that to have a friend, I must first be friendly.  I'm working on that with the help of God.

Today is our Pastors birthday.  We had a dinner for him after church yesterday.  I LOVE church dinneres.  All the good food and fellowship.  YUM!!

Today--here in my home, I need to get the house cleaned after the weekend.  I have clothes to wash, dishes to wash, refrig to clean out, next 2 weeks menu/grocery list to start, some clothes to iron, supper to figure out, school with son.  I'll need to take dh some lunch. 

We are starting revival tonight.  I'm looking forward to it.

This month will be our first month on our budget.  We are hoping to be debt free in 2 yrs.  We are following the steps that Dave Ramsey recommends.  We don't have the full $1000 in an emergency fund but it is close so we are going to go ahead with the debt reduction plan and start paying on the lowest debt, which shouldn't take 2 months to "slay".  It will take lots of prayer and frugal living but God is the supplier of all and He will supply our NEEDS.  

I'm going to try to start the Clean Heart, Clean Home Challenge that  DandelionSeeds has started.  I think it is a wonderful thing and I really need it.  I need to bring my heart back to where it is suppose to be.  You know, in anything you do, if your heart isn't in it, you just don't do a good job.  We are to do as unto the Lord in whatever we do.  Do I serve my family and my home as unto the Lord?  Do I serve them as I would company?  Unfortunately, I have to say no.  And I think that is true for all of us.  I need to work on that.

I read the devotional this morning. "Let all things be done decently and in order." I Cor. 14:40.  Even God had order in how He created the earth and how He wants things run in the church.  God is not the author of confusion and if our hearts and home are chaotic and disorderly then there is confusion.  God cannot live in that.

In an earlier post, I posted a picture of a bird house with a chickadee on it.  This birdhouse is on our porch, these chickadees have been coming to it.  I looked in it yesterday but nothing was in it. I'm not sure if the one is trying to get it's mate to build there or not.  It, he or she, I'm not sure, will get on it and sing it's little heart out.  They are so cute. I'm going to try to get some more pictures of them.  I love to watch the birds.  I love to hear them sing.  We have quite a few eastern bluebirds here and some goldfinches have started coming to the feeder. 

OK, gotta get off and get the day started. 

~~til later.

I just went to T2CHK site and Sylvia has started a spring cleaning adventure as well.  She is calling hers "Your Clean and Godly Home".  So, now I have 2 "cleaning" devotions that I can do.  I love this group of ladies.  I've been on this board for several yrs now and they are just wonderful.  Sylvia has a heart for helping others.  Check it out.

I have no clue.  But I've thought that all day.  I had to call the dr about some meds and I thought-they better call me soon so I can get it today and not have to wait over the weekend.   Oh well,  it's been one of those weeks.

I was rudely awakened this morning about 4 o'clock with excruciating pain behind my left knee.  I finally had to get up, walked around some and laid down on the couch.  It finally eased off.  I'm not sure if it something in my knee-maybe pinching a nerve or if it is the nasty looking vericose veins I have on the back of that leg.  I've asked the dr about it before. She said it wasnt' anything to worry about.  Oh, she did have a CAT done of my knee and told me I had runners knee.  I really don't think that's where the pain is coming from.

I've really messed myself up with my thyroid meds.  I thought I'd try the generic brand (becuase there is no copay), called my dr., she said ok, have tried them for a month and I am totally messed up.  This past week has been awful.  I have been so tired, to the point of tears, and it hasnt' helped my fibro either.  I have ached so bad, all over.  I called the dr and told her, she said to go back on the regular but I didn't have the money to get them filled so I just got the generic til I could get the other next week but then I got to thinking, the insurance will only cover 1 mo. supply.  So, I called them and they won't pay for another one unless I can get the dr to call them and then they have to approve it.  Why do I do these things?!?!?!  I'm jsut toatlly frustrated with myself and with my dr because she didnt' say<"you know you really shouldn't be switching meds like this becuase the genenric doesnt' work like the name brand." ARGH!!  I'm seriously thinking of going to an endocrinologist.  I just don't feel that the dr and I are in the same page. kwim?

OK,  Enough ranting.  

My son has been working on the ACE paces.  He has done excellent in the math review. But hasn't done so well with the english review.  I think it is the way the instructions are worded.  I know that with ACE the student is suppose to work on their own but I just really don't see how that is going to help him so I am working with him.  I'm going to try to find something else that might help him also.

Earlier this yr, my son bought a "trail cam" with some of his Christmas money.  He and dh set it up near the house of one of our deacons.  They have been getting some pretty neat pictures on it.  Below is a picture of a good sized bear and a male turkey.  They have also gotten pictures of a coyote, racoons, and squirrels.  I think they are pretty neat.  And it's exciting to see what you've "caught".  The camera is motion sensored, so if something comes in front of it, then it takes a picture.  It uses a card-like goes into a digital camera.

Ok, I typed this once already and it disappeared.  So here goes my second post, if I can remember what I typed.

It is Spring here in the mountians of  NC.  Not the warm, sunny Spring weather you would think of tho.  This week, we have had a day of rain and sleet and night before last, thru into this morning, we have been having snow flurries. 

March came in like a lamb, nice warm sunny weather.  Don't know if you have heard of the saying, "In like a lamb, out like a lion".  And the month isnt' over yet.  I wonder what the end of the month will bring.

But I know that Spring is right around the corner.  I can see the signs.  The birds are busy building their nests.  The daffodils, crocuses, johnny jump ups, bradford pears and weeping cherries are blooming.  My clematis and bleeding heart is putting out.  Spring has always followed winter.  It has never failed.  So, even tho we are having this weather, I have faith that Spring is going to come.

I was thinking of this the other day in terms of my faith in God.  Even tho I've been going thru a "winter", a season of cold, bleak, dreary times,  I know that "spring" is sure to follow.  This has been a time of rest and restoration, gaining strength in order to grow and blossom into the Godly woman He is molding me into.

I see the signs in the promises that He has written in His Word.  Promises like- "I will never leave you nor forsake you",  "Ask and it shall be given, Seek and ye shall find, Knock and it shall be opened unto you",  "Take my yoke upon you and I will give you rest".  So many promises that God has given us, food for our soul. 

I see the little "sprouts" on the prayers that I've been praying.  I see growth on the things that I thought were dead-places where I saw no hope. 

So, I know-I have FAITH-that this season will pass and spring will burst forth.

As the birds sing their praises, so am I this morning. 

As always in the spring, there comes the storms-the lightening and the thunder.  But I know that God will be with me.  He will be holding me in His arms, sheltering me from the storm.

There is a song I love that says,  "Sometimes He calms the storm, but other times He calms His child."  And an old favorite of mine, "Til the storm passes over, til the thunder sounds no more, til the clouds roll forever from the sky.  Hold me fast, let me stand, in the hollow of Thy hand.  Keep me safe til the storm passes by."  I LOVE that old song and what it says to me. 

Well, that is what is on my heart this morning.

Sometimes, I feel that I'm all alone where I am in my life but I know that God is there and He cares for me. 

~~til later.

Well, I had a post going and I lost it.  So, I'll start over. 

This is a picture of an African Violet that I have.  I counted today and it has over 15 buds and blooms on it.  I think it is just beautiful. 

The first day of Spring. It has been a cold, rainy day here.  Sleeted quite abit today.  It's really messy.

Our landlord is having city water put in and they came Saturday to put in the line for it.  They came right down the middle of the driveway.  Our driveway goes uphill and there is a drop off to another driveway on one side.  This rain has turned it into mud.  I went out earlier today and slipped and slid.  My dh took the car out this evening, washed it off and left it at the top of the driveway.  His truck won't make it out in it.  I'm glad I don't have to go anywhere tomorrow.

I've been reading the latest issue of "Making It Home".  I love these magazine!  Some of the articles really speak to me. It is a daily struggle to be a Godly wife and to try to keep that frame of mind and to keep the worlds view out. It seems I have had to constantly talk to myself today about something's that have been bothering me.  I'm trying not to dwell on them as I know they will only get out of proportion and seem bigger than they really are. 

I'm so thankful that God is always there, making a way of escape from the firey darts of the devil.  And I'm thankful that I have scripture that I can read and God's promises that I can claim and His Holy Spirit guiding me.

I havent' been getting up early the past week like I had been.  I just can't seem to get awake in the morning.  I need to get back to it.  The time is going to change soon and I'm sure I'll have trouble then, til I get used to it.  But I"ll be glad to have more sunshine of the evening.  You can tell the days are getting longer. 

So, I'm off.  Think I'll get into my nice warm jammies and read for awhile.

~~til later. 

Woke this morning with a headache.   This is what it feels like. 

I've taken some meds but they haven't helped yet. 

I need to do quite abit to day, too and I just plain don;t  feel like doing it.

The dishes didnt' get washed last night.

  Our choir at church went to another church for their revival service.  Dh decided not to go.  I had supper fixed for him and ds, I didn't eat anything.  I didnt' get home til about 10 and the dishes were still there.  I really would have appreciated it if dh had washed them, but, he didn't.  Oh well. 

We had about 10 or more gold finches at our bird feeder this morning.  I need to get some more thistle and get the thistle feeder hung back up.  The males are such a beautiful bright yellow.  I need to figure out how to keep the squirrels and the crows off of the feeders.  I think they have a partnership in this.  The squirrels with get on the feeder and throw birdseed every where and then the crows will come eat it off the ground.  Hmmm!

My son has been doing well with the ACE curriculum so far.  He says he likes it. 

He is wanting to go fishing today with my mom.  They both could sit for hours by the lake.  I get too impatient just sitting there.  I'd just as soon be home doing something else.

Well, I really don't have much else to say. I'm having trouble typing correctly too, so I'll get off.  See if I can get this headache to go away.

~~til later

OK.  I posted earlier that I was going to have chicken casserole, broccoli salad and homemade bread for supper.  Well---the chicken casserole got made, I fixed some fried okra  and corn bread muffins to go with it.  I have not have a good day today.  I'm just so tired and achy.  I don't like having days like this. 

One thing I wonder about is if it has something to do with not getting enough protein.  I've eaten mostly carbs today.  That may be it.

Anyway, I'm posting the recipe for the chicken casserole.  It is a favorite of the family and it is so easy to make.  I usually have cooked chicken in the freezer.  I like to buy whole chickens, boil them til they are done, cool and pick the bones.  I chop it up and put about 2 cups into each freezer bag.  I use this for casseroles, chicken chili, chicken salad, stir fry, chicken rice soup.

Hope you enjoy.

CHICKEN BROCCOLI CASSEROLE

1 (3 lb) broiler-fryer or 2 cups cooked chicken

1 bunch of fresh broccoli (I usually just use frozen)

1 can cream of chicken soup, undiluted

1/4 c. mayonnaise

1/2 tsp. lemon juice

1 tsp. curry powder (opt. but gives it a wonderful flavor)

1/2 c. fine dry bread crumbs (I use Ritz crackers)

2 Tbsp butter, melted

1/4 c. shredded sharp Cheddar cheese

Cook chicken, remove from bone and chop meat.  Cook broccoli in small amount of water until crisp-tender, about 10 minutes.  Drain, Set aside.

Combine soup, mayonnaise, lemon juice, shredded cheese and curry powder.  Arrange broccoli in lightly greased 13x9 in. bkaing dish.  Top with chicken and soup mixture.

Comine bread crumbs and butter, stirring well.  Sprinkle over top of casserole.  Bake at 350* for 30 minutes.  Top will be a light golden brown.

If you don't like broccoli, you can leave it out.

YUM YUM!!!

It is a beautiful Tuesday.  The March winds are blowing tho.  Kinda chilly.  Yesterday was in the 70's.  I had my son cut these daffodils for me. I bought this vase last summer at a yard sale and hadn't used it yet.  I put some glass marble things in it to keep the daffodils standing straight.  They look nice on my kitchen table.  It brightens it up in there.

I have to tell you about my first experience using a pressure cooker.  It wasn't a good one.  We were given some venison last yr and we still had a roast left over.  The first one I cooked was kinda tough so I decided to fix it in a pressure cooker I had gotten last yr at the same yard sale I bought the vase at.  It was in very good condition and I had been wanting one for a while.  I've never used one but my mom cooked in one alot.  Well, it had sat on my counter since the day I had bought it, becuase I had no room in my cabinets to store it. 

I read over the instructions, browned the roast, added the rack and water, put the lid on and the thing that show the lbs of pressure at 10 lbs.  It started spewing steam, I'm assuming this is normal, out from around this lbs thingy but it never did jiggle.   Now I've used a pressure canner, had no trouble with them but something just didn't seem right with this thing.  So, I called my mom.  She said to set it off, let it cool some and bump this lb thingy to make sure it is set properly on that little stem thing.  Well, I did and it was, so I put it back on the stove, still no jiggle.  After about 5 minutes, I started smelling something burning but I wasn't sure if it was the stove eye or what.  Decided I'd better turn it off.  A few seconds after I did, the safety valve POPPED!! and steam and smoke came spewing out of the hole.  So, I knew then what I had smelled. 

The roast was ruined, I had no other meat thawed except some ham that I bought to use on dh's breakfast sandwiches.  But that's what we had-I fried some of it, made biscuits and heated some applesauce to go with it.  And---I threw the cooker away.  Those things are just too stressful.  I know that it could have been a number of things gone wrong, most likely it wasn't sealing enough to allow pressure to build up.  The house still smells this morning.  I had opened all the doors and windows, had the exhaust fan going and another one pullling it out thru the front door.  What a smell.

I have my house straightened, I did laundry yesterday so I don't have that to do today.  I laid out some cooked chicken pieces for a chicken casserole tonight. I'll fix a broccoli salad and rolls to go with it.  I need to get them started in my bread maker.  I'll post the recipe for the casserole and salad later. 

I put some great northern beans on to cook.  I'll used these in soups or chicken chili.  I have several soup recipes that call for these.  I love almost any kinda bean. 

On Tuesday I focus on my living room.  Last week I decluttered the bookcase, moved it and to our homeschooling things organized-well, I still have a bit to do on that but it's coming along. 

Today I will give the computer desk some attention.  We have a file cabinet at the side of it and there are a couple drawers in the desk.  These are desparately in need of decluttering.  

We started on the ACE curriculum yesterday.  Ds says he likes it, it's "fun".  LOL!!!  I hope that lasts.  Today he said that he liked the setting the goals.  I had actually started not to do this.  I'm glad I did.  It gives him something to work toward and to see what he has accomplished.  I think it helps him to know what he has to do each day.  He needs structure.

I will post more later on today.

~~til later.

Good morning to all--

I was awake at 4 oclock this morning and finally got up at 5.  I went to bed last night about 10, slept good.  I've started taking calcium/magnesium tablet at night.  Think it helped.  So, I'd rather have 6 hours of good restorative sleep than 8 hours of tossing and turning.  I didn't wake up with my bones aching this morning either. 

So, I got up, took my meds and drank a cup of coffee.  I read some in the ezine I get from t2chk.org.  It is a wonderful group of Christian ladies.  The topic of this months ezine is "Spirit led women".  Wonderful articles, recipes and crafts.

I was thinking this morning how God is bringing me out of the depression that I've been suffering for awhile.  He is so faithful when we finally give it all to Him.  I'm starting to WANT to take care of myself, look good, I've started eating better-not the impulse, nervous eating like use to be.  About 3 weeks ago I started getting up earlier and getting in the shower and taking care of my personal grooming before dh got up.  Use to be, I'd be til 10 or 11 before getting in the shower or even just getting dressed.  I feel better and I  think dh likes having me look ready for the day when he leaves.  That is really what got it started.  I was reading an article in the "Making it Home" magazine that was written by Pamela Spurling.   She was talking about "Is your marriage next?".  She talked about our appearance and how we take care of ourselves.  I got to thinking about dh and the young ladies he works with and how they are dressed for the day when he sees them.. I got to thinking about how I looked when he would leave for work-no showere, still in my pjs, hair uncombed, no makeup, teeth unbrushed.  YUCK!!  No wonder he didnt' want to give me a kiss on the lips when he left.  This has just been a step on the journey that God is taking me on to becoming the wife, mother and woman He wants me to be.

It's wonderful.

I spent the day at the drs office yesterday with my mom.  She had a colonoscopy, thankfully, nothing was found.  She has had several before and they have always found polyps but not this time.  Afterwards she bought my lunch at Cracker Barrel.

So, I didnt' get much done in my house.  I did get a load of laundry washed and hung out before I left.  When I got home, I heated up the meatballs, (which I had laid out of the freezer the night before) with some spaghetti sauce and made meatball subs and had fries with them.  Quite tasty.

Today, I will be catching up in the house.  It's pay week, so I'll work more on the bills (made most of them out last night), working on a menu and grocery list, running errands, go to library, and to the health food store. There is some decluttering and moving around I want to do here in the living room.

I'm hoping I get the curriculum I ordered today.  I would love to get started on it as we are having to go back and review.   I want my son to be where he needs to be so he can start 9th grade in this curriculum next yr.

Dh and I are starting on a "debt reduction journey".  I'll post more on that later.  God is working.

~~til later

Ok, so I've taken the plunge-again.  I did have a blog on xanga, took a break from it and have decided to start back up here. 

I'll share a bit of info about me.  I will be 42 in July, I've been married 19 yrs, I have a dd in college and a son, who I homeschool.  We are in our 2nd yr homeschooling.  We have tried several different curriculums and havent' found one that "works" for us.  I have looked into School of Tomorrow and I've decided to try it.  I beleive it will work for us.  We are going into the highschool yrs, "GULP".  I had really decided that he would just get his GED but dh wants him to be prepared in case he decides to go on to college.  He wants to be a game warden or wildlife resource officer, which ever you want to call them.  He loves being outside in the woods, whether it is hunting or just walking.  He enjoys fishing also.  I'm hoping to get the paces I ordered this week.  We are having to go back and review in math and english. 

So, I've started this blog as a way of journalling our days, keeping track of what we do, sharing our accomplishments and frustrations. 

Also to share my journey as a woman who is striving to be what God wants me to be.  I know He is working in my life and my marriage.  It's a good feeling, too.

So, that is a bit about me. 

til later