Good Morning Ladies!

Welcome back to Show n' Tell Fridays with Canadagirl. If you'd like to find out more and participate in this meme just bop on over to our favorite hostess Mary.

At the end of August I had my 25th High School Reunion. I hadn't attendended one since our 10th because it just seemed like HS again; people trying to out do each other and very clicky. Last spring an old band member I know took over the reins of planning and was relentless in his emails for me to attend and to contact anyone else I knew. I finally gave in and decided to go. I went went without my Beloved because I knew he'd be bored out of his mind and would have been kind to be with me all night anyway. I had a great time! I talked with HS buddies down to Catholic grammer school. I actually spent more time with the Grammer school pals than anyone else.

I was also very blessed to spend time with a HS band buddy who is fighting brain cancer. She flew in from WA and we had a great time chatting. She also introduced me to my best friend! I will treasure this picture always. Here it is: I'm on the left, then WA friend and in front another good friend.

I've taken on double duty today! I just don't seem to get time to post every day so I thought this would do.

Since it's Tuesday I'll start with TT first:

My Tightwad Tip is using coffee twice. I'm a HUGE coffee drinker and tend to like "real" coffee as opposed to the canned variety. To offset this cost I reuse the coffee grounds twice. The first time is fresh grounds alone. The second use is adding fresh grounds to the previouse days coffee grounds. The ratio I use is 1/2 to the full amount the previous day. Example: if I made coffee for 8 the previous day I would add enough grounds for 4 to the previous days 8. Clear as mud?   I'm also reusing the filter from the previous day saving twice!

My Antiprocrastination Challenge is our basement. We live in a almost 100 year old farm house and our basement isn't pretty. We have huge boulders for our foundation and when it rains hard our foundation "pees" like a little boy in the woods! LOL We affectionally refer to this as my basement has the Mississippi running down the center of it! Even a bigger laugh since we live in Minnesota! teehee Our challenge is to get everything off the floor, into tubs (miceville is also in the basement), and make the space usuable but flexiable to get everything off the floor when the floods come. I'll post a pic tomorrow of the before. It's a hugemungeous YIKES!

Blessings from our Little Farm to you!

Hello Show n' Tell Gals!

Welcome if you've never participated before and welcome back to my bloggy buddies. If you'd like to participate in Show n' Tell bop on over to our dear, dear friend CANADAGIRL, check out what you need to do and include and remember to get comments, give comments!

This week's S&T is a catch up one for me! I've wanted to share a few things but before I know it the weeks gone and then another.

First thing I'd like to share is the accrediation association we joined called T.E.A.C.H. 

I'm not sure that all of you know but our family has had a very challenging 5 years and it looks like it's going to remain challenging and character building for the next 5 years also. So...this was the main reason we decided to join TEACH., we needed to be accountable to someone else during this challenging time. We have an individual consontant who helps us set goals for our family accademically, character wise and spiritually. She then checks with us monthly to see how things are, if we need any help and how we're meeting our goals.

TEACH also keeps Possum's (dd age 14) transcript for High School. Ican't tell you what a relief it is not to have to keep the record my self. I know we could do it but now the pressure is off and I can focus more on what Possum needs and not keeping every little record all be myself. They also plan a graduation ceremony and invite really neat people to speak. Last year it was U.S. Representative Michele Bachmann a great pro-lifer and homeschool advocate. Basically it gives me joy knowing that our kids will have a very special graduation ceremony and that our family is being supported spiritually and academically. Peace of mind...

Secondly I'd like to share a pic from my Dad's birthday celebration. This is the FIRST time we've all been together since Christmas and his accident. See post Jen's Dad. We were all in tears during the prayer and I was just so grateful we could all be together. Here's the pic.

Hey Ho Show n' Tell Friends,

It's S&T time again, if you'd like to join in please stop over to our hostess Mary aka Canadagirl to see how to join etc. Hope to see you!

I'm so excited to be back and see what all you ladies are up to.

This first pic is an update on my dear Dad. He's sitting up here (about a month ago) all on his own. Each small feat is a miracle. I love the look on the PT's face!

The next pic is of Beloved, Possum, Lou and Bub on Bass Opener...so proud! We take a pic each year from this spot to see how much the kids have grown.

My last pic is of my Bub last spring as he was awarded his Timothy Award from Awana club. My precious boy worked his fanny off to earn this; considering he struggles with reading at all, this is a hugemungous accomplishment. Mama is soooo proud. Made me cry...Life was so crazy that we had a hard time finding time to workon doing verses.

Since February 2008 our lives have been a constant faith journey. There were times we didn't know Dad would live another day or ever come home. The kids were watched by loving, generous friends sent from above and they even helped "do school". There isn't any way to thank them enough for how they've blessed our family. Then all of you dear women who prayed along with our church family, co-op friends and more. Thank you, bless you, and may our Father in Heaven bless you as you have blessed us!

I'll give more details about my folks in future posts. Again, it's great to be back and I so look forward to hearing from you!

Blessings from our little farm,

Jenny

Hi all!

Yes, it has been a really, really, really long time since I've been here. As you know, sometimes life just becomes complicated and blogging was something I had to let go for a while. Here I am again! TaaDaa! LOL

My wise Beloved decided we needed to hold off on school one more week to get the rest of our harvest put up and our heads in the game. We decided to go with an accreditation association this year. Why you ask? Well, we honestly needed more accountability educationally and spiritually and more support for our family. The last year was a doozy with my family and we just needed some "form" to our life. The association is called T.E.A.C.H. a christian group of godly men and women dedicated to helping families turn their hearts to Jesus. We are very excited to see what God will do!

I need to go can those peppers!

Blessings from our little farm,

Jenny

Hello Friends and guests! It's time for Show and Tell. If you'd like to join the "gang" just hop on over to Mary aka Canadagirl for rules and regs. She's a peach and godly woman; one of the best!

My Dad

The past 8 weeks have been a challenge mentally, physically and especially spiritually (See all about Dad post if you don't know the story), but they have also focused my attention to learning all I can about my mom and dad before they are called home. I've been scanning old photos into my new CM software (I love it!) and I'd like to share some photos that are my faves of dad.

my dad on his uncle's farm 1937

Dad loved dogs and still does

Dad in Korean War

Please keep praying for my dad...we have a long way to go before he can come home.

hugs rom the farm,

Jenny

Happy Birthday Lou!

Today is my baby's 10th birthday. The slideshow above is in honor of him!

If you'd like to see more S&T's just contact Canadagirl, our hostess with the mostess!

Blessings everyone!

Hello friends,

It's been a long time since I've been around and frankly I've missed all of you!  I hope you are well and feel blessed today.

My show today is a current picture of my side of the family...

L to R: my niece, mom, dad, me and younger sister in back

Please excuse the blurriness its from my phone.

My Tell this week is that my dad is healing very slowly but things are looking up. My mom is not so good; we fear the Alzheimer's is progressing and some major adjustments and decisions need to be made quickly.

Please, please pray for my family. There are days that I look at my life and say how do I do this and keep standing? Iknow that the only reason we are standing is that my Savior loves us and people are praying! It can't be more simplier than that...

Please take advantage of every moment with your loved ones! Now that we don't have much time with mom we cherish every good second.

If you'd like to see more show and tells, hop on over to my favorite Canadian Mary. She's our hostess with the mostess.

Blessings on you and yours, take care!

Jenny

Hello Friends,

I hope no one minds that I keep chatting about my Dad but right now he and my mom are on my heart constantly.

Here's the latest picture of them taken a 10 days ago. Dad doesn't remember this picture, he still has short term memory loss. This is the first time he smiled when asked and I'm so blessed I caught it on a photo.

please keep praying for him and my mom who has stage three Alzeimers. Thanks friends! take care

Show & Tell is a great way to meet new bloggy friends. Check out Canadagirl's blog . To see how to join in.

My show & tell is my dad.....

Just in case you didn't know; my dad had the flesh eating bacteria we've all heard about sometime in the news.

He had most of his left arm taken and his left side of all its muscle. We've been at the hospital most days for the last three weeks. Dad is still in critical condition but can now respond to us and recognize us.

Last night Dad asked me many questions about what happened and I was the first person to tell him about loosing his arm. My heart broke watching dad process the information. He didn't want me to cry so I sent my hubby and kids in to cheer Grandpa up, then I broke down outside the room. A daughter shouldn't have to tell her father he's lost his arm...

I've set up a Caring Bridge site if anyone is interested in seeing it. Caring Bridge site for Jen's dad

Thank you for all your prayers friends, they mean the world.

Take care everyonem

Jenny

Hello friends!

Today's Show n' Tell is about my boys Bub & Lou. They are best buds, and are pretty much inseprarable. Here they are enjoying a movie...

and here is Lou ready to go skating but finishing up his school work with cowboy hat on, skates on, sharktooth necklace on, thinking hard! I just about died when I saw him...soooo cute!

Come join in the Show n' Tell fun by visiting our wonderful host Mary for all the details and other friends who you can see their S&T!

I thought I'd give this a try...no promises

Bible Study - The Search for Significance

Home Keeping - get back to the chore chart!

Train them up - taking responsibility for choices

Must Do - Laundry (towels & undies), homework for class, valentines day cards, send cuz flowers.

Menu:

Monday - Marinaded chicken packets (30 day gourmet in freezer)

Tuesday - Salsberry Patties (30 day gourmet in freezer)

Wednesday - Fish Nuggets with Mac & Cheese

Thursday - Chicken Divan (30 day gourmet in freezer)

Friday - pizza

taadaa all done!

Blessings on your day...

Today's show and tell is about our anniversary trip to Flordia...being from Minnesota anything warmer is better than what we have currently so...off we went! If you'd like to see more Show n' Tell visit our wonderful hostess Mary at her blog Raising 4 Godly Men!

Last year was our 15th wedding anniversary and we had hoped to take a small trip together but since my Beloved started a new job so we had no vacation, no trip. This year Beloved starting asking me what we should do for our get-a-way; since our anniversary isn't until April I was a bit stumped. Beloved thought that I needed to get away (he was very right) so I relented after days of saying no. He planned everything in one week and we were off Monday on a plane to Clearwater/St. Pete! We had a wonderful 6 days of waves, beach and time...just what we needed. Here's some pics of our restful anniversary trip.

I loved all the birds on the beach!

Me sketching on Seista Key beach

Our "private" sunset sail...no one else showed so we had the whole boat!

The trip was wonderfully peaceful and I wish we could go every year...

Blessings from the beach!

Jenny

It's Shown' Tell time! If you'd like to join in click Here and our lovely host aka The knitting queen aka Mary/canadagirl will show you the way!

I struggle in late autumn & wintertime with light deprivation that can for me lead to depression. I wanted to "show & tell" some of the solutions that help me.

The coolest thing we've found is the Soliel Sun alarm clock. You set the alarm and 30 minutes before you want to get up the alarm starts to light up gradually. At your appointed time the clock light is fully on.  I've found that this gently wakes me up & my hubby too. Now I have to warn you that this clock isn't cheap but for me it was worth the price.

The next you probably know about: Vitamin D and calcium suppliment (helps body absorb vit.D.

Along with this season comes anxiety for me. The holidays along with trying to keep up when I don't feel like it and to deal with the usual stress can be very hard for me. My solutions for this include:

• having coffee with friends
• crocheting, right now my challenge is following a pattern mittens
• scrapbooking with my Girlygirls (four of us who regularly get togeher)
• take a mini vacation with my Beloved or with kids
• blogging with you my blogging friends
• crafts
• good book

These things relax me and i love them. The key seems to be for me is to be able to set aside the stress/anxiety and take time for me or I'm useless to my family. My Beloved is so supportive in this, I am truly blessed.

Thank you for blessing me blogging friends, you help more than you know.

Blessings from the cold little farm,

Jenny

Holy Smokes, When it rains it pours here !

Last night at 11 PM our youngest son Lou came in our room saying his ear hurt. Now for Lou to complain about anything is unusual and rare.  He broke his hand and didn't tell us until later in the afternoon! We stayed up pretty much the whole night and I promised Lou we'd call the doctor. Morning came and Lou was miserable and I was the walking dead... I called, got an appointment (PTL) and then Lou started getting sick....and more sick. Grabbed a bucket and he did his thing. We went to the clinic and waited....then saw the doc and she said that he had the worst ear infection he could get and because of the pain he was vomiting. Then she said most people are in the hospital because of the pain.

I think this is where Lou gets to be an honorary Marine! He was a trooper through the 40 minute wait at the pharmisist. I'm ready for a break and bed. The Lord has blessed me with enough wakefulness that I'm actually pretty good but will welcome my bed tonight.

Blessings from the little sick farm,

Jenny

You know it's going to be a good day when...

• the dog swallows your pill
• you can't get a hold of the Beloved to help
• Beloved calls you and talks to vet
• I have to put down hydrogen peroxide down adorable dogs throat
• dog starts to throw up all food she has had that morning (kids really fed her because she had swallowed
• kids sort through stomach contents and find pill
• kids clean up stomach contents and learn the lesson of not over feeding adorable dog!
• wash floor many, many times!

Can you say exciting morning!! I can! LOL

Blessings from the exciting dog filled and filled out little farm,

Jenny

Wow do the weeks fly by! It's time again for Show n' Tell with Canadagirl. Come join the fun and meet new friends by clicking on Canadagirl.

Today is my neice's birthday! Each year this an extra special event because our gracious God allowed her to remain with us. Her parents (my older brother & my sil) were driving to sil's high school reunion and 5 miles from their destination they were hit head on by a drunk driver. My brother died at the local hospital taking the brunt of the crash. My sil and neice were flown to Mpls where my sil died the next day and my neice continued to fight for her life. Each time the doctors had to turn down the oxygen for fear of brain damage my neices little lungs (she was 18 months) kicked in and she slowly recovered with much physical/occupational therapy. My parents raised her and now this year she turned 20.

Here's a pic of my folks and neice.

Due to the accident she has some brain injury and her lungs are weak. She is a very sweet girl and will need all of us in the future to look after her. My Beloved has always been open to this bless his heart. Please pray for her to keep trying her best and for us who will be watching over her in the future.

Blessings from the very chilly little farm,

Jenny

Thank you to my Secret Sister who blessed me with a beautiful organizer (which is helping a ton), cool pencils and very cute, very soft scarf to keep me warm! Of course prayer with a nice note. Thank you for being so sweet. I can't tell you how thrilled I am to get actual mail...LOL I'm just a goose.

Take care Secret Sis and many thanks again!

Jenny

Christmas was over and the countdown began again for Christmas...I became really sad and discouraged. I hadn't come close to the goals I wanted to achieve this past holiday and it all looked insurmountable.

Time to countdown to something else! Here in snowy, cold Minnesota the winter starts to get long in Feburary so Spring is a very welcome sight. The bonus is that my birthday is the first day of spring! So I've been sneaky and reminded the world when my b-day is.

I also have a prayer request. My mom is currently going through testing to see if she has the beginning stages of Alzheimer's. We were in the doctor's office and even with a prompt she couldn't remember my birthday, my sister's birthday and my sister's name. Please pray God's will in this situation and for peace for my family. If this does come to fruition I will be bearing the brunt of the support and work (we live 50-60 minutes away). Pray especially for my mom; this is overwhelming her.

Blessings from the snowy little farm,

Jenny