Sep. 24, 2009 - A 1st In 40 Years

Getting A Cast

Exactly one month after turning 40, I had a cast put on my foot. This is the first cast I have had in 40 years of life.

Almost 3 weeks ago, I turned my foot over walking up to my parents' house. This is a common occurence for me, so I didn't think anything about it. I turn my feet all the time. 2 days late my foot began to hurt and swell. I stayed off of it most of the weekend and by Monday it felt better. I repeated the same process the next weekend, but this weekend things changed.

I was on my feet more this weekend getting ready for DD's birthday dinner. The pain started getting a little more noticeable. By Sunday morning, it still hurt a great deal. I didn't get much relief from the pain as I slept either. So, DH decided it was time for me to go to the doctor. I agreed because it was starting to get to me.

I went to a foot doctor Monday morning at 11:00. They took x-rays of my foot. They believe I cracked a bone in the arch of my foot. He told me I could go for a MRI to confirm it, but the treatment he would recommend would be the same regardless. Since I dislike being in enclosed spaces and am scared of the MRI machine, I told him to go ahead and treat it. He put me in a soft cast which I have to wear for 2 weeks, which will make bathtime interesting. I also have to wear a soft boot which comes up to my knee when I am up on it, however he told me to stay off of it as much as possible. So needless to say things will be very interesting around here for the next few weeks.

This isn't the first bone I have cracked. I cracked on on my ribs when I had bronchitis real bad. I have never completely broken a bone or required a cast before. Now that I am 40 it happens. LOL!

I hate being immoblie. It isn't going to be fun. I hope I won't be to big or a burden on DH or DD. I hope I don't turn into a shrew. I need your prayers added to mine during this time.

Lord, I pray for patience and courage. I pray that I can face this time of healing with dignity and grace. I pray that I can let the housework go for while I heal. I pray that I heal quickly so I won't have to another cast put on for an additional 2 weeks. I pray that I let my family know how much I appreciate what they are doing for me. I ask these things in Your Son's name. Amen! 

Sep. 8, 2009 - About Me

Hello, this is user strs. I started this blog way back in the summer of 2007. I have enjoyed blogging and getting to know people here, especially a few very special people. I had a hard time blogging though. I tried to blog the way other people blogged here, instead of following my own path. I tried to do and keep up with memes. I tried to run a weekly meme of sorts, but I couldn't keep it up. I tried to blog daily and felt pressured to do so. That is when bloggers' block set in. Blogging wasn't fun anymore. So, I took a step back, took a 3 month break, did some editing to this blog, and came up with a new plan. I now feel ready and energized to blog again.  

STRS are my intials, which stand for Shannan Tafy Richey Sills. I go by my middle name, Tafy. An unusual name I know. I really don't know how my parents came up with the name. There was something about them being at Myrtle Beach and seeing a Saltwater Taffy sign, but who knows. And yes, saltwater has been a nickname of mine over the years. Anyhoo!

I am a country girl born and raised. I am a proud southern whose family goes back in this area for more than a 150 years. I love my God, my family, my country, and my roots. I have been married to my high school sweetheart for 21 years, going on 22. We have 2 daughters; one in heaven and one here on earth. Both were born prematurely.  Our oldest was 18 weeks early and lived only 3 days. Our youngest was 14 weeks early and spent the first 3 months of her life in the hospital. Through many answered prayers and by the grace of God, she lived and has grown into a beautiful, healthy young lady of 19 years of age.

We are striving to walk closely with the Lord. We want our lives to reflect to love and glory of God. We want to lead a godly life and not be conformed to the things and the ways of this world. In our pursuit, we realized that learning to live more simply and learning how to provide for ourselves should become part of our lives. An Amish lifestyle is not the goal, but we do realize there are material things we can do without. Although DH does work outside the home to provide us with income, we do all we can to ease the finanical burden the world tries to put on us. We garden and raise chickens for eggs. We try to live as frugally as possible, but DH never deprives us simple pleasures; such as trip to the beach,  to the mountians, to the movies, to a resturant, or to an ice cream store.

We go to a little non-denominational church having left a major denomination over their  refusal to identify the struggle of homosexual behavior as a sin, along with other issues.  (The hierachy of the denomination was under attack from the Gay agenda activist and refused to take a stand.) Our little church stands firmly on the Bible and the adherence of its truths. Not legalistic, mind you, but the truths and guidance it gives. They made all of us feel very welcomed and loved. After attending for a little over a year, DH was voted in as a deacon.

We homeschooled our DD from 7th grade through graduation. Her first years of school were spent at a local public school. I went to college and have a degree in elementary education. I wanted to teach full time, but the Lord had other plans for me. Little did I know at the time no job offers came, He was preparing the way andmaking it possible for us to homeschool. DD graduated last summer with a lovely ceremony held here at our farm.

I love to read, especially books about the Amish and  Mennonites. Beverly Lewis being a favorite author. I like to cross-stitch and embrodier. I like to scrapbook and have many albums planned or in the works. I like visiting historic sites. The Biltmore Estate is a special favorite of mine. Disney World is  our number one family vacation spot. We have a Disney cruise planned for our 25th wedding anniversary. We enjoy going to the mountains and the beach. I like to swim and am  given  unrestricted use of my in-laws pool. Flowers bring a smile to my face and I enjoy growing them. Dogs are my favorite among the animals.

Well, that is a little info about myself. More than probably some of you wanted to know. Ready or not, I am back in the Homeschool Blogging World! I am looking forward to getting to know to old friends again and making new ones!

Feb. 16, 2009 - A Week In The Life...

...Of Me

I have read several blogs where they post their life in a day or week. I don't think I have ever done so. So, here is a peek into my life for the week of Feb. 9 - 15, 2009.

Monday, Feb. 9th:

• got up at 8:30 am
• took care of my morning routine
• posted a "The Simple Woman's Daybook" entry
• went outside to weed the last garden bed that needed it
• spread out the manure, grass clippings, and mulched leaves piled in the same garden bed
• fixed lunch, leftover Chicken Broccoli Alfredo w/ bread, made a meat loaf for supper
• DD did her ironing, than I did mine and put those clothes away
• went back outside to clean up around the doghouse
• watered potted plants and trees
• also cleaned up around the rain barrel and emptied it, putting the remaining water in 5 gallon buckets
• put away clothes I folded up over the weekend
• checked the chicken coop for eggs, found 3 today
• fixed meatloaf, cheesy cream potatoes, corn-on-the-cob, and tomato slices for supper
• did a little work and updating my home management notebook
• read a little before bed
• lights out at 10:45 pm

Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2009:

• got up at 8:00 am
• started my morning routine
• left for chiropractic appointment @ 9:10 am
• 9:30 chiro appointment
• did a little shopping @ Walmart after appointment
• bought seeds to start the garden with, a shower curtain liner, 2 coffee mugs, dish clothes, and a few personal clothing items
• dropped by vet's office to make an appointment for Snowflake's routine check-up
• back home by 11:15 am, finished my morning routine, started the laundry
• fixed lunch; leftover meatloaf, a microwaved baked potato, apple slices 
• updated calendar, started menu for next week
• hung up 2 loads of laundry out on the line, dried 3 loads in the dryer
• checked chicken coop for eggs, found 3
• computer time
• fixed cube steak, parmesan noddles, slaw, pickles for supper
• folded up 4 loads of clothes
• lights out at 10:30 pm

Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2009

• got up at 8:00 am
• took care of my morning routine
• got the pinto beans for supper soaking
• went to take care of my nephews' dogs
• spring cleaned our guest bathroom
• spring cleaned the laundry room
• straightened up the entire house
• put misplaced items back in their proper places
• put the clothes I folded up last night
• put on pinto beans to cook to make chili beans for supper
• checked chicken coop for eggs, found 3
• fixed chili beans topped with cheddar cheese & cornbread
• went to Bible Study
• cleaned slop pot when I got home
• lights out by 9:30 pm

 Thursday, Feb. 12, 2009

• got up at 6:15 am
• took care of my morning routine
• got ready to go to work
• got the laundry separated & ready to wash
• ran an errand during one planning period
• dried 3 loads of clothes when I got home
• hung one load of clothes on the line
• fixed chicken pot pies, broccoli casserole for supper
• made vanilla pudding for dessert
• finished up menu and grocery list
• lights out by 9:30 pm

Friday, Feb.13, 2009

• got up at 7:00 am
• took care of my morning routine (minus feeding the animals, DH off from work took care of that chore)
• got ready to go to work
• dried 1 load of clothes when I got home
• got ready to go on our date
• took DD to her grandparents
• went to see the movie Taken, did a little shopping, ate at Outback
• picked up DD
• lights out by 11:00 pm

Saturday, Feb. 14, 2009

• got up at 9:45 am (wore out form working & our date)
• took care of my morning routine
• washed 4 loads of clothes, dried 6 loads, and hung 2 loads outside
• spring cleaned half of the master bathroom
• made of lemon poundcake
• ran an errand, wrapped a present
• fixed spaghetti, salad, and Italian bread for supper
• put pinto beans on to soak for supper tomorrow night
• lights out at 9:45 pm

Sunday, Feb. 15, 2009

• got up at 8:45 am
• fixed pork chop biscuits, eggs, and pineapple slices for breakfast
• went to Chapel
• spent time on computer when we got home
• watched the Daytona 500
• got things ready for our KAH meeting tomorrow
• fixed steak fajitas for supper
• put up 4 lbs. of strawberries in the freezer (I didn't get to this Sat.)
• folded up clothes and put them away
• cleaned the slop pot
• lights out at 10:20 pm

Jan. 2, 2009 - Out With The Old, In With The New

Happy 2009!

Happy New Year, Everyone!

How has everyone's week been? Our's has been busy and full. DH worked on and finished moving fencing. He worked on and completed the firepit area. I took pictures to post as soon as I am shown how to download them on to the computer. DD has been helping me house chores as well as her daily chores. She also has been reading classic novels off of her reading list and cross stitching an hour a day. She received a Prince Casipan game as a present and is allowed to play that an hour a day. I have been cleaning house, putting away Christmas gifts, and slowly taking down Christmas decorations. DH and I took down the tree this afternoon. DH took down the outside decorations yesterday afternoon. I plan on taking the house decorations next week. It was so warm here one afternoon I went outside to work on my garden beds.

I have several other projects lined up for next week. I plan on leaving out my snowmen decorations and putting out the Valentine's Day decorations. DD's closet which is half storage needs to be cleaned out and straightened up. I will have a writing desk to organize and to find a place for in our living room. I ordered it this past Sunday with the money I received from my in-laws for Christmas. Finally, I will have a place to spread out my scrapbooking material and leave it. I am very excited.

Over the past few days, weeks really, God has been helping me with organize my thoughts and my vision for my blog. I am just about ready to put those plans into action. However, I will keep my main focus on my family and my service to them. They are my main mission now and forever.

Well, I need to go get ready to go out to eat. DH wants to go to Cracker Barrel for some Chicken Fried Chicken, which is fine with me. Anytime I don't have to cook a meal is a blessing to me. I'm off!

Dec. 18, 2008 - Tis The Season...

...To Be Busy!

My how time has flown since my last post. With DD's college exams over, I thought we would be going at a slower pace. Who was I kidding! The past few days have been very full ones.

Last Friday, DD and I went to my MIL's house. Loaded with clothes to wash, I spent the morning decorating her house. I enjoy this and don't mind helping her out since she does so much for us. DH got off from work at lunch, finished his Christmas shopping, and got a hair cut. When DD and I got back home, I spent the rest of the afternoon wrapping presents. DH arrived home around 3:30 and we laid down to take a nap. I was wore out from all of the running I had done all week. DH was wore out from working, preparing to lead the Wednesday night Bible study for the past 3 weeks, and feeling upset over the co-workers that lost their jobs the day before. We had a rather late but delicious supper of fried pork chops, pinto beans, cornbread, and slaw. We settled down in front of the tv after supper to watch a movie we rented, August Rush.

Saturday morning, we slept in. DD was up and busy doing her chores long before we were. DH and I ran to our small town to get pictures developed for Christmas presents at Walmart. We had a few food items to pick up. We also made a stop at Chapel to pick up music so that DH could organize the papers in alphabetical order. Back home, DH worked on odd jobs and I washed my hair, then I got busy on the wreck of a house we had been living in all week. I made up all the beds. I put up the wrapping stuff because all of our presents are wrapped.I arranged all of the presents under the tree. I cleaned the living room and master bath. I baked strawberry muffins and made Italian bread. I washed clothes, dried clothes, and folded clothes. The clothes had been piling up all week. Most of them were clean, but there was always dirty clothes to replace them. I made spaghetti for supper. The bed felt good on this night, but I was far from finished with everythng I needed to do.

Sunday, I wasn't feeling very well. I stayed at home and didn't go to Chapel. I spent the morning slowly putting away clothes, listening to John Hagee's sermon, and reading blogs. DH ran a few errands when he and DD got home from Chapel. I got busy getting the food ready for the KAH's Christmas meeting we were having on Monday. DD and I were in charge of the refreshments for this month. I made peanut butter cookies, Cheerwine punch, and fruit dip. I then made Banana Nut Bread for my mother in exchange for her making a cheese ball for our meeting. We had baked chicken, rice-a-roni, and a vegetable salad for supper. We ran up to my parents house to get the cheese ball and drop off the Banana bread. We stayed for a visit. Back home, we watched football and the finale of Survivor.

Monday morning, I was stayed up after DH left for work. I got the rest of the food ready for the meeting, as well as reddying up the house, and feeding the animals. The girls arrived at 9:00 am. We had a little house keeping to do then we decorated our salt dough ornaments and played games. After the games, we feasted on ham & cheese sandwiches with lettuce & tomatoe, cheese ball, chips with salsa, apple slices with fruit dip, and Cheerwine punch. For dessert, we had peanut butter cookies and hot chocolate. We all had a good time. Everyone left by 12:30, DD and I began the clean up. Around 2:00, we had everything back in its place and we laid down to take a nap.  Neither of us did much the rest of the afternoon. Supper was a repeat of the morning fare. There were no complaints from DH. We saved a meal for another time.

Tuesday morning dawned rainy and foggy. It was hard to get going. When I finally did, I ran to the grocery store for milk, flour, and eggs. I alson mailed a package of Christmas cards to a member of our KAH group that in attending a Christian boarding school in Texas. I needed the flour and eggs to make more cookies. I made my M&M Choclate Chip Cookies for DH to take to work for a Christmas lunch they were having, then I made Snickerdoodles for a friend's family mourning the passing of a beloved grandfather. Clothes were also on the agenda for the day. Supper was homemade hamburger/pepperoni pizza with a garden salad.

Wednesday morning after our morning chores were finished, DD and I went to my MIL's house to wash clothes and rearrange her presents under her tree. We also took a side trip to deliver the Snickerdoodles to my friend's house. We  did our ironing once we got back home. I also made more slat dough ornaments which we are givng to my grandmothers and aunts for Christmas presents. We had a quick meal of fish stick sandwiches for supper so we could get to Bible study a little early for DH to set things up.

This morning, we did our grocery shopping. I straightened up the kitchen and put my cabinets back in order. DD puts away all of the groceries but she hasn't got the hang of packing  the food in our small cabinets to make everything fit, yet. I folded up the last of the clothes and put them away. I stared decorating the salt dough ornaments and now I am sitting her blogging. I don't have to worry about supper tonight. DH is bringing it home from the Golden Arches Country Club. Tomorrow, we have nowhere to go. I don't plan on going anywhere either. Saturday starts our family gatherings. I will be cooking Saturday morning for lunch at my grandmother's house (my daddy's momma). Sunday should be relaxing and calm. The beginning of next week should be that way until Christmas day.   

Dec. 6, 2008 - The Joy of Christmas

Finding Joy

From my post yesterday and the day before, I told you I had been feeling a little blue and wasn't really feeling the spirit of Christmas in my heart. After much prayer and relying on the knowledge that God is in control, my blues have lifted. However, I was still searching for the joy surrounding this season. Today, I found it in a most unexpectant way.

DH was up early for a Saturday morning. He got up around 8:15 and I got up shortly after. I got busy with my morning routine, went through my to do list, and started getting out the Christmas ornaments to put on the tree DH went and got yesterday afternoon.  I had some cooking to do for a family reunion we are going to tomorrow. I decided to put on some Christmas music. I laid out the items I needed to start baking and cooking. In between mixing, cooking, and washing dishes; I put ornaments on the tree. Going about the busyness of the morning, a sense of peace and joy just washed over me. The  sights, the smells, and the sounds of Christmas began to filter in my heart and in my soul. I realized life was just to precious to fret over things I can't change and people's hearts I can't renew. God is more than capable of doing the worrying for me. God is so good and patient with His worrywart child. Thank you, God.

Today went on to be a wonderful day. I spent some time outside enjoying and admiring the stark, bleakness of the cold wintery day. I admired the beautiful, sturdy deck DH built for me as I swept it. Back inside, I looked at the beautiful ornaments we have been able to buy over the years and the ones made by our DD. I relished the chore of cooking that I really enjoy doing when I am in the mind to do it.

DH went to chapel to do work on a few projects, but was home by lunch. DD spent the morning doing her cleaning then she joined me in the kitchen. She helped me make two potatoe salads; one for supper tonight and one for the dinner tomorrow. She also washed up the dishes. I fixed lunch and BBQ sauce; sauce I used for BBQ sandwiches for supper tonight and sauce for the cocktail wienes I am taking to the dinner tomorrow. Once the kitchen was cleaned up and lunch had been consumed, we all laid to take a nap.                                                        

As I put Oakley out before we laid down, I discovered snow falling from the sky. That makes the second time, snow has fallen this week. It didn't amount to much, but it was nice to see and to watch. I am hoping and praying for much more this winter. This has been the coldest Fall we have had in our area for 50 years. So much for global warming. Maybe, we will have a white Christmas this year.

I started working on the rest of supper when we woke up from our nap. I also worked on Mt. Washmore that had been growing all day long. We had our supper by candlelight. DD is in her room watching a movie. DH has church music spread all over the living room floor, sorting it. Oakley is begging at my feet as I type wanting someone to go sit down on the couch and cuddle her. So I am off to do just that.

Dec. 4, 2008 - What's Been Going On...

Since I've Been Away.

Wow! It seems kinda of funny that after I wrote a post where I was wondering about what was going on in the blogging world, that I seem to disappear from the blogosphere.   I didn't intend on that happening.

Life happened. The every day living things we all share. Clothes to wash. Meals to prepare. A house to clean. Cherished time spent with DH. Encouraging DD as she prepares for an oral presentation in one of her college classes. Family meals to share and to be eaten as we gather to celebrate Thanksgiving. All of these activities seamed together into every day life. A life to be enjoyed, savored, and cherished.

The days slipped so seamlessly into one another before I knew I hadn't blogged in over 2 week . I missed it, but am I overwrought because of it , No! Blogging is not my life. My family is my life and they will always come first.

As I was checking our e-mails this morning and printing off coupons, I realized just how taxing all of this technology can be on a person. The internet has opened up a whole new world for people. One that can slowly and cunningly suck the very life out of you. We can become consumed by it, taken over by it, and overwhelmed by it. I know it has happened to me. I don't like the way it makes me feel. I refuse to let it be my life.

Okay, okay, I will get off of my soap box now and will stop venting my frustrations over my lack of self-control. I will get to the real reason for my post. What I did while I was away.

Nov. 20th, was our 21st wedding anniversary. We didn't do anything to special that night. I fixed DH one of his favorite meals, steak fajitas. DD ate in her room, so her daddy and I could have a nice candlelight supper all by ourselves.

The next morning DD went to her grandparents house to spend the weekend. DH went to work and worked til lunchtime. I made cookies for a former co-worker of my DH. This man's mother died in a car crash earlier in the week. DH and I deliverd those cookies after lunch. Back home, we got ready to go out. We went junk shopping, I mean antique shopping and then ate at O'Charley's. We stopped by the video store on our way home and rented Get Smart.

Saturday morning, we slept in. When we woke up, we decided to go to the mountains. It had snowed up there Thursday night and Friday morning. I told DH I wanted to see some snow. On our way up the mountain, we stopped at other junk stores, antique stores to look around. I actually bought 2 cups and saucers that matched a platter and several plates I saved from the landfill when my mother decided to throw then away years ago. The platter and plates have turned out to be quite valuable.(My mother is blown away by this. She bought those dishes at a Winn-Dixie store before she and daddy got married. They used them for years.) I saw the snow which was beautiful then we headed back down the mountain. We stopped at Wally world to do a little more shopping then came home for a nap. We went back out to get supper and bought it home to eat. Later, we headed to our monthly Rook night.

Sunday, DD came home before her grandparents headed to church. None of us went to church. DH and I continued on with our anniversary weekend and went grocery shopping. DD finished working on her research paper. I also started a long involved project, decorating the house for Christmas.

Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday was filled with cleaning house, washing clothes, running DD to her classes, and decorating. Tuesday, I finished up my part of the Christmas shopping list.

Thanksgiving Day dawned cold and bright. DH had errands to run and started hanging the lights on our porch and deck rails. DD and I continued our tradition of watching the parade on TV. I continued decorating. We went to my aunt's house for supper. I didn't have to spend any time cooking, because between my aunts, my mother, and grandmother there is usually so much food an army couldn't eat it all.

Friday morning, I continued decorating. DH worked on a few odd jobs. I fixed a broccoli casserole to take to my in-laws for lunch. We spent most of the afternoon there after lunch. I played with our nephew and great-nephew most of the time. They love to play Peek-A-Boo. When we got back home, my mother called and invited DD to come up and spend the night with her cousins. We took her up there and visited for awhile. Back home, DH and I watched Kung Fu Panda and Hancock. I wasn't to excited about Kung Fu Panda but it turned out to be a really good movie. Hancock was also a good movie. The language was a little rough but the story was good.

Saturday morning, DD was home bright and early. I spent the day decorating and washing clothes. DH worked on our fence and then helped my daddy cut more wood. Sunday, we were glad to get back to chapel. After chapel, DH had to run to town to pick up chicken feed. He brought us milkshakes from Dairy Queen as a treat. I continued to decorate. I watched Fred Clause while I decorated. It was good, too.

Monday and Tuesday, I continued to decorate and clean. DD had her class on Tuesday, too. Wednesday, I finished decorating and cleaning. (It took me a long time to decorate this year. For some reason, my heart just wasn't in it this year. I will talk about the cause in another post.) I even started wrapping presents.

Today, I took DD to her class. I did the grocery shopping while she was in class. We then had to go to the eye doctor to have DD's glasses looked at. There was something wrong with the frame. It turned out we had to pick out new frames which meant new lenses. I told DH we did our part to help stimulate the economy today.  We dropped my in-laws house for a little bit. We discussed the menu for Christmas Day and plans for decorating their house for Christmas. ( I plan on doing that next week. ) We picked up a few more groceries, then headed home. We put away groceries and fixed lunch. DD worked on her finally copy of her research paper and submitted it. I washed, dried, folded, and put away clothes. DD spen the rest of the afternoon watching Prince Casipan which arrived around 2:30 this afternoon. DH brought pizza from Pizza Hut hme for supper. He is a band practice now and I finally found some time to sit down and blog.

Now that my house is decorated and cleaned, I hope I will be able to blog more than I have in the past 2 weeks.  I  have some ideas rolling around in my head about things I want to talk about. Now to the wonderfully sweet people who have left me comments in my absence, thank you, and I will be getting back to you soon. Thank you for letting me know there are people reading and gleaning something from my mostly aimlessly ramblings. Your kind words are greatly appreciated.

Nov. 8, 2008 - A Week of Life on the Farm

An Update From The Farm

On the night of the 31st, we went up to my nephews' treehouse for supper by the campfire. My momma fixed a big pot of chili beans. I fixed a cake of cornbread. DH made quesdillas over the fire. All of it was delicious. For dessert, my momma made a popcorn cake with candycorn in it. We roasted marshmallows and made smores. It was cold but the wind wasn't blowing making it much nicer to be out. We all stayed out there till 9:00 pm.

The next day, DH was up early moving part of our fence. He wanted to straighten up an awkward corner of the fence and move a gate away from one of our big oak trees. He worked on that until 2:30 pm, then went and helped my daddy cut wood for my grandma.He was home around 4:15 pm. He got cleaned up and then settled down to watch "This Old House." I didn't do alot. I straightened up the house and washed clothes. I went outside and moved my flower pots that I am going to keep over the winter to the south side of our house and around the heat pump.( I didn't have much energy due to my starting of a severely heavy menstrual cycle.) I tried a new dish for supper. It was called  "Chicken and Rice Wraps." The recipe used spanish rice-a-roni in it. It was good. DH and DD thought so. DD had seconds which is unusual for her. DH had seconds and thirds. There may have even been a fourth.

Oct. 24, 2008 - An Update From The Farm

Happenings, Here At The Farm

The rest of last week was busy for me. I did alot of housework, in preparation for the busyness and the lack of time to do housework  this week. Last Thursday, DD started her Tues./Thurs. class at the community college. While she was in class, I did my grocery shopping. Afterwards, we ran several errands. We went to "The Goodwill Store" for the first time, where we found suitable skirts for her to wear.We had a hard time finding skirts anywhere else.  Thursday afternoon, I spent time sprucing up my blog and rearranging things. I am still not finished. I also spent time answering comments. So my lack of entries was due to my computer time being used for this work.

Friday, I worked all day, subbing in a 6th grade classroom. Saturday was busy, too. Besides my encounter with our chick, I made Banana Nut Bread to give to my daddy for his birthday and Potatoe Candy to give to my brother for his birtday. We had their birthday dinner after church of Sunday at my parent's house. We had an enjoyable time. The men moved all of my momma's plants from outside into the sunroom. DH and I took a short nap when we got home.

Monday morning dawned as our first day of the busy week. We had our monthly KAH meeting at 9:00 am. The girls are working on their First Aid badge. We discussed First Aid tips. They made Christmas cards for one of our former members that is in a boarding school in Texas. We also played a "Guess Who" type game.

Tuesday, DD had to be at the college at 9:00 am and would be there for 3 1/2 hours. I came back home instead of waiting in town. It was a good thing I did. I started feeling light headed and had to lay down. I slept for a hour and half. (I believe my sinsuses caused the light headness. My allergies are troubling me again.) Afterwards, I cut up sweet peppers to put up in the freezer. I cut up enough for another gallon size bag full. I stopped by MacDonalds to get us lunch before i picked up DD. Back home, we ate. DD went to her room to do more school work. I cut up more pepper, cleaned out the frig, washed crowder peas, put the peas on to cook, and washed dishes. I also washed, dried, folded, and ironed clothes. I put the peas in containers before I started supper. There were 4 pints all together. I still have more to shell. We had tacos for supper. 

Wednesday morning, I slept in. I went to bed at 9:30 the night before and didn't get up until 8:30. I was so tried. I took care of my morning routine and cut off 3 rows of lettuce. At 11:45, we left to take DD to the college for her mid-term college algebra exam. While she was taking the exam, I ran to Walmart. Guess what I bought? Can you guess? I bought Christmas wrapping paper. I know, I know. It is too early, but I got to go through a brand new box and pick out what I wanted instead of having to take from everyone else's leftovers. When we got back home, DD took a nap. She was worried about how she did on her exam and was a little stressed out. I did a very odd jobs and washed the lettuce I had got off early. DH was th eonly one that went to Bible Study. DD was still tried. I knew I needed to get to bed early since I was going to work the next morning. I also knew DH, other men, and the preacher were suppose to discuss a few things afterwards. Who knew when what time we would get home. I turned out to be right DH didn't get to work until 10:00.

Thursday, I subbed for an eight grade teacher. I meet DH at the garage around 5:00 to drop off my car. My clutch has been getting hung up and needed worked on. DH had supper in his car. We came and ate, then DH went to choir practice. I spent some time blogging and worked on the menu/grocery list.

This morning, DD and I are headed to the Board of Elections to early vote. DD will be going to the library while I do the grocery shopping. It is suppose to rain all day. DH will most likely get off from work at 11:00. He intends on early voting, too. However, I still see a nice long nap in our future.

If you aren't registered to vote, please do so. As you think and pray on how you are going to vote, vote for the candidate that upholds Biblical principles the most, then go and vote for the moral  Biblical choice. Neither candidate is the perfect choice, but what man will ever be the perfect choice. 

Have a wonderful day!

Oct. 11, 2008 - Life With Farm Animals

Taking Care Of Animals

I knew having animals required alot of work, but taking care of baby animals is even more work. Our baby chicks are over a month old now. All of them are still alive. Everyone seems impressed that we have been able to keep all of them alive. Some of them are very use to us and climb up on our hands to be held. One likes to climb up our arms and sit on our shoulders. Others are still shy and get upset when we try to pick them up. Those chicks will be the ones we sell.

We have moved the chicks out of the brooder box DH set up in his workshed.The move came just in time. The box was getting small for 16 growing chicks. They are now in the big house. It will get crowded in the months to come as they grow bigger. That is why we will be selling some of them.

The chicks don't require as much attention as they did when they were very little. However, we still have to constantly check their food and water. We also give their water trough good scrubbings regular to keep bacteria and viruses at bay. We also have to keep their feeding trough cleaned out and filled. They seem to think the feeding trough is a bed and a bathroom. They are for ever sleeping and pooping in it.

Our big chickens are now outside chickens. We have been letting them roam the yard during the day for several weeks now. They were a bit bewildered the first night wondering why they couldn't get back in the chicken house. They have adjusted and sleep under the chicken house at night and enjoy their freedom during the day. Their fate is still undetermined. They may wind up in our freezer, yet. That sounds cruel, I know.  It will be better for us to feast on them instead of the fate they would face if the coyotes or racoons that roam our neck of the woods gets ahold of them.

By spring time, our little chicks should be ready to start producing eggs. I can't wait. Although we spend extra money to buy good organic eggs at the store, nothing beats eggs fresh from the chicken house. Bake goods especially benefit from the fresh eggs.

Dogs are the only other animal we have here on our little farm. They still require a great deal of attention. I wash the outside dogs water and food bowls at least twice a week. Now that it is getting cooler, I have put a basket on our deck for our 14 year old fiest. This basket is full of towels and old sheets. It is tucked in a corner of the deck and Cheyenne spends a great deal of time curled up in it. I wash her bedding once a week. Our lab's doghouse needs to be winterized. It once was a well house, so it is insulated, but we pile it full of cedar shavings to provide her a warm place to curl up.

Annie Oakley is still our spoiled child. She requires the attention most toodlers need. There are times I have to stop my work to pick her up and hold her. She is so sweet and funny.

One reason my animals get so much of my attention is that my mothering instincts kick in when I take care of them. With only one child to nuture, I had so much left over it needed to go somewhere else. LOL. My animals are special to me. They are special to DH though he won't admit it.

It has been awhile since I checked on the chicks, so I best be doing so.