January 4th--
January 5th--
Monday, January 6, 2014
January 4th and 5th
Things have been rather hectic the past few days... from school shopping for Courtney, to family dinner, to babysitting. But I want to make sure I keep up with my 365 Grateful pictures!!
January 4th--
It makes me feel pretty darn good to sit back and think about the fact that I have 2 grown, adult children!! Both have graduated from high school... neither have any children of their own yet, and both are taking steps to make the most out of their lives!! Josh has a full time job and a place he shares with his girlfriend. He also does his computer consulting work on the side! Courtney is getting ready to head off to college (3 hours away) to continue her education. I have done something right, in regards to my children...and for that, I am forever grateful!
January 5th--
Having a little person, in a car seat, in my truck... definitely makes me smile!! Kara is visiting for a few days while her mom and dad are with her older sister in the hospital. We are all making the best of it... and having some fun! I am grateful that I can help out my oldest and dearest friend when she needs me!
January 4th--
January 5th--
Friday, January 3, 2014
January 3rd 2014
Boy, the snow sure came down last night... and these sub zero temps are BRUTAL!! Kids came home early from school yesterday and they cancelled school today...just when I thought I was going to get a break from kids...lol!
We are on countdown time to our trip to take Courtney off to college. Yesterday we went and renewed her driver's permit...so she can take driving lessons while she is there. Now we need to start washing up and packing up stuff. Unbelievable, really.
Stacy and Brittany are both feeling under the weather the past few days...I am really hoping it doesnt get worse and it doesnt spread through the house.
Tonight is going to be a movie night for our family. It is just too cold and everyone feels too drained to do much else.
I have been thinking about making a "bucket list' for Stacy and me. Most ideas that have been thrown around from others are based on travel...which is nice. But I am also thinking about some other things. Stac and I will have to sit down and have a chat about it! I cant wait to share what we come up with!!!
OK... 365 Grateful... My pic for today-
I LOVE the way, after almost 7 years... he still reaches over to hold my hand when we are on the go, in the car!! It is the little things like this that mean so much, and I am forever grateful for them!!
I still remember the first time he reached over to hold my hand...
We had just loaded up the escort, to take it to the relay for life car show... I just shared some crazy news with him, and I watched him take it all in and chuckle. Then, once the car was loaded, we hopped in his bronco and set off to Berrysburg. Once we were out of his parent's driveway and heading down the road...he reached over and snatched up my hand for the very first time.
We are on countdown time to our trip to take Courtney off to college. Yesterday we went and renewed her driver's permit...so she can take driving lessons while she is there. Now we need to start washing up and packing up stuff. Unbelievable, really.
Stacy and Brittany are both feeling under the weather the past few days...I am really hoping it doesnt get worse and it doesnt spread through the house.
Tonight is going to be a movie night for our family. It is just too cold and everyone feels too drained to do much else.
I have been thinking about making a "bucket list' for Stacy and me. Most ideas that have been thrown around from others are based on travel...which is nice. But I am also thinking about some other things. Stac and I will have to sit down and have a chat about it! I cant wait to share what we come up with!!!
OK... 365 Grateful... My pic for today-
I still remember the first time he reached over to hold my hand...
We had just loaded up the escort, to take it to the relay for life car show... I just shared some crazy news with him, and I watched him take it all in and chuckle. Then, once the car was loaded, we hopped in his bronco and set off to Berrysburg. Once we were out of his parent's driveway and heading down the road...he reached over and snatched up my hand for the very first time.
Thursday, January 2, 2014
365 Grateful
This sounds like a perfect idea to start off with the new year!! Every day I will share a picture of something I am grateful for that day. It may be a big thing... or just a little passing thing that caught my attention if only for a few seconds! It may be completely silly... or totally serious. Either way, it will have brought me some kind of happiness that day.
Most definitely...my January 1st picture will be this one-
I can not even begin to tell you how much I love everyone in this picture. I am so very grateful for the moments we all get to share together!! I sometimes feel those moment are few and far between... but when I get them, I cherish them and will always be grateful for them!! Having us all together to bring in the new year was priceless to me!!
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Today's photo-
Having the love of this little dog makes me VERY happy!! It is hard to believe that something so small can carry so much love and emotional healing... right when I need it most!! She just knows when to come and curl up on my chest, or lap to make the world a better place. What she lacks in looks, she sure makes up in personality!!
Today she helped keep me warm after I came home from running some errands and also made me chuckle when I didnt think I could...because while running errands everything just seemed to not go very smooth at all!
Most definitely...my January 1st picture will be this one-
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Today's photo-
Today she helped keep me warm after I came home from running some errands and also made me chuckle when I didnt think I could...because while running errands everything just seemed to not go very smooth at all!
Where did it go??
Well, December sure didnt stick around very long!! I cant even believe how fast it seemed to sneak up and then speed away.
I am glad it was filled with plenty of good memories tho!!
We did some hunting as a family... which was soooo much fun!!! It was Nathan's first year going out, and I think he did pretty good... considering he is 12, has ADD and IS Nathan...LOL!! We spent HOURS out in the cold, snow, ice... did I mention cold?!? But we had soooo many laughs and made it a good time no matter what!
Our hunting season ended with Stacy pulling some rambo moves, while Brittany was eyeing up a deer. Needless to say neither one of them ended up with a deer. None the less, it was fun... and funny... and made a great "hunting story"!!
December was also full of cheer, school programs and LOTS of grooming!!
And of course, there was Christmas!
We had a pretty laid back Christmas. Brittany some how talked me into making a ham dinner... even tho I was set on NOT cooking at all...LOL! Funny how kids can make you change your mind.
Family came and hung out some. Then we topped off our day at the new movie theater in Millersburg, seeing "Frozen"! GREAT movie... GREAT small town theater!!
We had a fairly modest Christmas this year. In November we took all of the kids and let them each upgrade their cell phones... for a Christmas gift. Then on Christmas day they all got a Rainbow Loom... and a few small things they needed. Nathan got some school embroidered clothing. Brittany got her comp cheer jacket. Courtney got a gift card to use for things she will need while away at school. And of course, Josh got his AAA membership... and his slinky.
I also threw in the traditional Christmas stocking items... hair care products, toothpaste, dental floss, razors... etc.
Even with our "Christmas lite"... we all had so much fun together!! Those Rainbow Looms really kept us all busy... including Stacy!! Who, as an added bonus, was off work for 8 days over Christmas!! :-)
We did managed to also sneak in a mini cabin trip to Rickett's Glen, over the break. We had sooooo much fun!! The bed that was suppose to sleep me and Stacy ended up holding ALL of us on the first night. All because my kids, at some point, watched "Cabin in the Woods".... Worst, but funniest, night of my life!!! We did some great off roading too!!! I LOVE MY TRUCK!! It just crawled through whatever mud, snow, ice and slush that was in front of us... even the really deep stuff!! No problem! Stacy got to finally do donuts in it too...which I would never let him do before...and probably wont again. LOL!
We did end up cutting the trip short tho... no one wanted a repeat of the first night... and Brittany fell on some ice and was in some pain... so we just packed up and headed home. We decided that winter camping really isnt our thing... we couldnt really do all of the hiking and outside stuff we enjoy most. The snow and ice that was falling from the sky the entire time made everything difficult... even the truck froze shut... after only a few hours of sitting!!!
New Year's Eve was the typical for us. We spent it at home. Stacy, Nathan and Brittany werent feeling the best. But we made the best of it. Josh and Ashley joined us!! We rented some movies and then watched all of the NYE excitement on TV... until the ball dropped in New York!!
In between we got a lot done around the house... and in my shop! Tore stuff down in my shop and did some detailed cleaning and disinfecting... in the things that usually dont get taken apart, because it is just not practical... Like my soap system and in the corners BEHIND my tub. Oh boy... good times...NOT...LOL!
Let me tell ya... the 2 weeks leading up to Christmas were brutal!!! I was squeezing appts in all over the place... and even opened up the Sunday before Christmas for appts!!! BUT, I did manage to stick to NOT taking any the entire time the kids and Stacy were off!
So, I guess that sums up the last month of 2013! I havent really had time to sit down and made too many plans for 2014 yet... other than we have some appts coming up with our adoption agency!! ;-) We havent given up... but we did take a much needed break from it all.
That is all for now... I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas and New Years... and I am praying we all have a safe, healthy and happy 2014!
I am glad it was filled with plenty of good memories tho!!
We did some hunting as a family... which was soooo much fun!!! It was Nathan's first year going out, and I think he did pretty good... considering he is 12, has ADD and IS Nathan...LOL!! We spent HOURS out in the cold, snow, ice... did I mention cold?!? But we had soooo many laughs and made it a good time no matter what!
Our hunting season ended with Stacy pulling some rambo moves, while Brittany was eyeing up a deer. Needless to say neither one of them ended up with a deer. None the less, it was fun... and funny... and made a great "hunting story"!!
December was also full of cheer, school programs and LOTS of grooming!!
And of course, there was Christmas!
We had a pretty laid back Christmas. Brittany some how talked me into making a ham dinner... even tho I was set on NOT cooking at all...LOL! Funny how kids can make you change your mind.
Family came and hung out some. Then we topped off our day at the new movie theater in Millersburg, seeing "Frozen"! GREAT movie... GREAT small town theater!!
We had a fairly modest Christmas this year. In November we took all of the kids and let them each upgrade their cell phones... for a Christmas gift. Then on Christmas day they all got a Rainbow Loom... and a few small things they needed. Nathan got some school embroidered clothing. Brittany got her comp cheer jacket. Courtney got a gift card to use for things she will need while away at school. And of course, Josh got his AAA membership... and his slinky.
I also threw in the traditional Christmas stocking items... hair care products, toothpaste, dental floss, razors... etc.
Even with our "Christmas lite"... we all had so much fun together!! Those Rainbow Looms really kept us all busy... including Stacy!! Who, as an added bonus, was off work for 8 days over Christmas!! :-)
We did managed to also sneak in a mini cabin trip to Rickett's Glen, over the break. We had sooooo much fun!! The bed that was suppose to sleep me and Stacy ended up holding ALL of us on the first night. All because my kids, at some point, watched "Cabin in the Woods".... Worst, but funniest, night of my life!!! We did some great off roading too!!! I LOVE MY TRUCK!! It just crawled through whatever mud, snow, ice and slush that was in front of us... even the really deep stuff!! No problem! Stacy got to finally do donuts in it too...which I would never let him do before...and probably wont again. LOL!
We did end up cutting the trip short tho... no one wanted a repeat of the first night... and Brittany fell on some ice and was in some pain... so we just packed up and headed home. We decided that winter camping really isnt our thing... we couldnt really do all of the hiking and outside stuff we enjoy most. The snow and ice that was falling from the sky the entire time made everything difficult... even the truck froze shut... after only a few hours of sitting!!!
New Year's Eve was the typical for us. We spent it at home. Stacy, Nathan and Brittany werent feeling the best. But we made the best of it. Josh and Ashley joined us!! We rented some movies and then watched all of the NYE excitement on TV... until the ball dropped in New York!!
In between we got a lot done around the house... and in my shop! Tore stuff down in my shop and did some detailed cleaning and disinfecting... in the things that usually dont get taken apart, because it is just not practical... Like my soap system and in the corners BEHIND my tub. Oh boy... good times...NOT...LOL!
Let me tell ya... the 2 weeks leading up to Christmas were brutal!!! I was squeezing appts in all over the place... and even opened up the Sunday before Christmas for appts!!! BUT, I did manage to stick to NOT taking any the entire time the kids and Stacy were off!
So, I guess that sums up the last month of 2013! I havent really had time to sit down and made too many plans for 2014 yet... other than we have some appts coming up with our adoption agency!! ;-) We havent given up... but we did take a much needed break from it all.
That is all for now... I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas and New Years... and I am praying we all have a safe, healthy and happy 2014!
Tuesday, November 26, 2013
11/26/2013
I have had a rough past few days.
We were informed that Tony's foster parents have decided to adopt him. :-( I am pretty devastated by the whole thing. The adoption "journey" isnt for the weak... that is for sure!!!
When I found out, I am pretty sure my heart skipped a few beats... and I went into denial. The news was confirmed yesterday... and I am slowly coming around to the fact that, that adorable little guy wont be calling our house, "home".
It has me feeling all kinds of different things... I am mad, because this family could have adopted him at any time over the past 2 yrs, and they didnt. I am upset because we are back to the beginning and cant recover any of what we spent. Yes, we were made fully aware of this at the start of the process... but that doesnt make it any less upsetting.
I am also happy. I am happy that Tony wont have to make the transition into a new family. He wont have to feel scared or confused... or worry if a new family will take care of him properly. In the big picture... this is what is best for him.
Stacy and I have talked about our plan... and how we want to proceed... what we should do next... Quit, move forward, give up, continue to on this journey...
I spoke with an awesome woman at the agency we are working with... we do plan on moving forward. And she thinks she does have some options for us... and more than likely we will have a new addition or 2 by spring.
I will be cautiously optimistic... time will tell. I believe that God will put the right child/ren with us... in his own time. Everything happens for a reason and the timing was just not right yet.
In the mean time... I will NOT be looking at ANY adoption website!!
We were informed that Tony's foster parents have decided to adopt him. :-( I am pretty devastated by the whole thing. The adoption "journey" isnt for the weak... that is for sure!!!
When I found out, I am pretty sure my heart skipped a few beats... and I went into denial. The news was confirmed yesterday... and I am slowly coming around to the fact that, that adorable little guy wont be calling our house, "home".
It has me feeling all kinds of different things... I am mad, because this family could have adopted him at any time over the past 2 yrs, and they didnt. I am upset because we are back to the beginning and cant recover any of what we spent. Yes, we were made fully aware of this at the start of the process... but that doesnt make it any less upsetting.
I am also happy. I am happy that Tony wont have to make the transition into a new family. He wont have to feel scared or confused... or worry if a new family will take care of him properly. In the big picture... this is what is best for him.
Stacy and I have talked about our plan... and how we want to proceed... what we should do next... Quit, move forward, give up, continue to on this journey...
I spoke with an awesome woman at the agency we are working with... we do plan on moving forward. And she thinks she does have some options for us... and more than likely we will have a new addition or 2 by spring.
I will be cautiously optimistic... time will tell. I believe that God will put the right child/ren with us... in his own time. Everything happens for a reason and the timing was just not right yet.
In the mean time... I will NOT be looking at ANY adoption website!!
Sunday, November 24, 2013
11/24/2013
It is a whopping 19 degrees out this morning!! I took the pigs out... and they didnt even want to be out there!! I no sooner put water in their bowls, and it started to freeze!
It made it pretty damn clear that I NEED winter cover-alls. I was using my hunting ones... but since I am actually hunting this year...I am not "allowed" to wear them out for animal care. It almost kills me to have to go and buy another set!! I guess I will pull out my TSC 10% off coupon and suck it up to stay warm this winter. :-/
Stacy's tractor is frozen too. It wont start and he is NOT a happy camper!! He has some yard clean up to do... since they worked on the roof yesterday and everything ended up in the side yard (extra metal scraps, the chimney they tore down & screws).
They did manage to get roofing on ALL of the actual house roof!! WOOO HOOO!! We just have the side kitchen yet (which was a porch) and the front porch. I am sooooo happy about all of the roof progress!!! It took 2 yrs for us to get a front porch, and this is the second fall that we have had the roofing laying in our yard.
There isnt going to be a "family dinner" today. Instead we are all going to go out to the gun club and shoot hunting rifles! :-) I sure hope the sun warms us up some!!
I finally got most of the rows back on the blanket that I had to rip out the other day... all because I some how managed to add 3 stitches and it would have drove me crazy if I wouldnt have fixed it. This is what happens when I crochet AND do a million other things like help with homework, carry on a conversation and try to keep up with what everyone is doing! LOL!!
I didnt sleep all that well last night. I am really hoping that tonight is different. That is 2 nights in a row I was up and down all night! I HATE when that happens.
Nathan spent the weekend with Debbie. He will be home around 11 to go shooting with us. He is always a real "joy" when he comes home. She doesnt follow our strict NO DYES rule... so it takes me DAYS to get him back on track.
This week is THANKSGIVING!! I cant believe how fast the year has gone. Next weekend this time I will be up to my eye balls in Christmas decorations! LOL!! I wish we were able to spend Christmas week at the cabin again... :-( Last Christmas was such an amazing trip. The snow was perfect... all 18 inches of it!! Hunting was fun... but the kids are severely allergic to whatever wood is being burnt up there... and since it is a mix, we have no clue which on it is.
I guess I should get to work! I have body butters to whip up... for Christmas gifts and a special blend for my piggies. Then I need to get started on some special crocheted gifts.
I officially started my Christmas shopping on Friday... I ordered my first gifts!! :-) I hope to have the rest all done this week... then I dont have to worry about it!! It will be smooth sailing into the Holidays at our house. I know my shop will be pretty chaotic and busy... usually is over the Holidays. Everyone wants pretty pups when people visit for Christmas!! Let's hope they dont wait until the last minute... Because I WILL be closed for the 2 weeks over Christmas and New Years this year!! I have some changes I want to make... I am going computerized... for billing and scheduling!! EXCITING!!! I just hope the "growing pains" arent too awful. LOL
It made it pretty damn clear that I NEED winter cover-alls. I was using my hunting ones... but since I am actually hunting this year...I am not "allowed" to wear them out for animal care. It almost kills me to have to go and buy another set!! I guess I will pull out my TSC 10% off coupon and suck it up to stay warm this winter. :-/
Stacy's tractor is frozen too. It wont start and he is NOT a happy camper!! He has some yard clean up to do... since they worked on the roof yesterday and everything ended up in the side yard (extra metal scraps, the chimney they tore down & screws).
They did manage to get roofing on ALL of the actual house roof!! WOOO HOOO!! We just have the side kitchen yet (which was a porch) and the front porch. I am sooooo happy about all of the roof progress!!! It took 2 yrs for us to get a front porch, and this is the second fall that we have had the roofing laying in our yard.
There isnt going to be a "family dinner" today. Instead we are all going to go out to the gun club and shoot hunting rifles! :-) I sure hope the sun warms us up some!!
I finally got most of the rows back on the blanket that I had to rip out the other day... all because I some how managed to add 3 stitches and it would have drove me crazy if I wouldnt have fixed it. This is what happens when I crochet AND do a million other things like help with homework, carry on a conversation and try to keep up with what everyone is doing! LOL!!
I didnt sleep all that well last night. I am really hoping that tonight is different. That is 2 nights in a row I was up and down all night! I HATE when that happens.
Nathan spent the weekend with Debbie. He will be home around 11 to go shooting with us. He is always a real "joy" when he comes home. She doesnt follow our strict NO DYES rule... so it takes me DAYS to get him back on track.
This week is THANKSGIVING!! I cant believe how fast the year has gone. Next weekend this time I will be up to my eye balls in Christmas decorations! LOL!! I wish we were able to spend Christmas week at the cabin again... :-( Last Christmas was such an amazing trip. The snow was perfect... all 18 inches of it!! Hunting was fun... but the kids are severely allergic to whatever wood is being burnt up there... and since it is a mix, we have no clue which on it is.
I guess I should get to work! I have body butters to whip up... for Christmas gifts and a special blend for my piggies. Then I need to get started on some special crocheted gifts.
I officially started my Christmas shopping on Friday... I ordered my first gifts!! :-) I hope to have the rest all done this week... then I dont have to worry about it!! It will be smooth sailing into the Holidays at our house. I know my shop will be pretty chaotic and busy... usually is over the Holidays. Everyone wants pretty pups when people visit for Christmas!! Let's hope they dont wait until the last minute... Because I WILL be closed for the 2 weeks over Christmas and New Years this year!! I have some changes I want to make... I am going computerized... for billing and scheduling!! EXCITING!!! I just hope the "growing pains" arent too awful. LOL
Saturday, November 23, 2013
11/23/2013
The guys are hard at work on the roof. We are sooo close to having it done!!
Today they are removing the chimney from what use to be the summer kitchen, but is now my laundry room. Finally figured out where the previous people had the dryer vented to... the chimney! LOL! Since we werent sure, Stacy put in a new vent when we first moved in.
After the chimney is gone... they will be installing the roof on that part of the house! After that... only my side kitchen and the new front porch will need done!! :-)
I can not tell you how much of a relief it will be once the roof is 100% complete... and not laying in our yard!! It will be one more thing checked off the "to-do" list that we need to have done before we bring home a new child!
Hunting season is fast approaching!! Mine and Nathan's guns finally came in. We will spend tomorrow sighting them in!
BUT, before I can worry about hunting season... We have to make it through Thanksgiving!! We are hosting dinner, as is our tradition! Only this year... I am not making EVERYTHING. This is a huge change for me... since I LOVE cooking all of dinner for everyone! We have just been saving and pinching in every area... since we will need to be providing for another "special needs" child soon. There is so much that we will have to have and buy... I just want to make sure the money is there when we need it.
I have decided to go without so much... and it is soooo worth it, and really not a big deal!
I gave up my satelite radio...which I do miss, but I am not in my car for huge periods of time every day... so no biggy.
I cut down on my Icee runs... except on high stress days... then I NEED them...LOL!! It helps that BK is having trouble keeping the machine working...so even when I do have a weak moment, 75% of the time the machine is down...LOL!!
I also cut back on the data plan for my phone. I thought about switching back to just talk and text... but I use my phone to make bank deposits and keep my shop appt book and the kid's activity calendar... plus notes and lists that get me through day to day life. I would seriously be lost without the features of my smartphone and it's apps!! Now if I could just get my hubby to cut back on his data usage...which is an ongoing battle!
We have opened up more of the house to the coal heat, by cutting our existing doors into dutch doors!! I LOVE THEM!! It keeps dogs contained without blocking the heat flow!
I make as much of the things we use as possible! Laundry detergent, fabric softener, snacks, breads. I make very few things out of a box.
AND... we have become a whole lot more resourceful or finding things that work, instead of buying new! Like the piggy pen we built last night!! Skids, stall mats, cinder blocks and an old dog kennel... all things we had laying around (except the cinder blocks... they came from Stacy's dad!)
Anyway...
I am completely fascinated by these pigs!! I cant believe how smart they are... and how loving they are! They have feelings and emotions just like ppl (proven fact)!!
I went and talked to some very knowledgeable pig ppl today... got some tips and tricks... so I am pretty excited about that! I just wish I could get Wilbur (yes, changed his name AGAIN...LOL) neutered. I cant stand how smelly he can be... especially when he catches sight of Piglet!! YUCKY!! Makes it hard to spend extra time with him... getting him use to people.
I LOVE the piggy pen Stacy and I built last night!! Easy to clean and they wont be able to let themselves out when I cant be sitting right next to them. I just need to find a FREE dog house, or build one from stuff we have sitting around!! That old truck cap may be a perfect resource... if the guy who wants to buy it never comes for it!!
I am going to try putting together a homemade coconut oil mix to battle Piglet's awful skin... plus I went and paid the $4 for Horse de-wormer just in case she has mange or mites... or whatever else could be causing it.
I got some GREAT pointers on helping Piglet drop weight without making her feel like I am torturing her or starving her! She is already shedding some pounds... her chins dont drag on the ground anymore, and you can see some extra skin hanging under her belly now. But she still a lot of fat rolls and there is no sign of hip bones!!
I am pretty sure we are past the "sugar crash" stage of getting her off the buffet of apples she was accustomed too. Her temperament is way more pleasant and she comes up to me for belly rubs and to be petted. Before she was just plain pissy!! LOL
Yes, I am probably a bit obsessive about these pigs... but they are just so cool!
The kids are all doing well. Brittany is adjusting to less cheerleading, now that football season is over and she didnt do winter cheer because of all the adoption stuff. It is nice having her home too.
She made HONOR ROLL for the first marking period! I am so super proud of her!!
Courtney got some great news too!! Her official start date at HGA is January 13th!! Which means we will be taking her up the Saturday before!!! I am soooo very proud of her, and excited for her!!! It has been a loooong battle, getting her in there.
Once we get through holidays, we can start packing up necessities and things.
Oh yes... Christmas... fast approaching!! I am doing a lot of homemade gifts, as I do every year. I am also letting the kids have more of a say in what they get this year. Usually it is a huge surprise Christmas morning... but they are all getting older now, and like what they like... not always what they end up with. LOL
Monday is Nathan's Turkey luncheon at school. I am in charge of the gravy!! They are making 4 20lb turkeys for this gathering... I guess it is going to be HUGE!! Stacy was suppose to attend with me... but since the guns needed sighted in, we opted for him to be off tomorrow. Instead, I will be taking Courtney with me to lunch! She just doesnt know it yet...LOL
It will be fun to gather with Nathan's school "family" for lunch!! I am so very thankful for NDCS... they have gone above and beyond with Nathan. Every one of his teachers are WONDERFUL and I have a great, open line of communication with them!
I better get into the kitchen. Nathan brought home a ton of bananas from something they did at school during the week. He had plans of me making banana bread with it... so that is what I will do! :-)
I also have to make sure the soup is hot when the guys want to eat lunch. AND deal with some clutter!
Today they are removing the chimney from what use to be the summer kitchen, but is now my laundry room. Finally figured out where the previous people had the dryer vented to... the chimney! LOL! Since we werent sure, Stacy put in a new vent when we first moved in.
After the chimney is gone... they will be installing the roof on that part of the house! After that... only my side kitchen and the new front porch will need done!! :-)
I can not tell you how much of a relief it will be once the roof is 100% complete... and not laying in our yard!! It will be one more thing checked off the "to-do" list that we need to have done before we bring home a new child!
Hunting season is fast approaching!! Mine and Nathan's guns finally came in. We will spend tomorrow sighting them in!
BUT, before I can worry about hunting season... We have to make it through Thanksgiving!! We are hosting dinner, as is our tradition! Only this year... I am not making EVERYTHING. This is a huge change for me... since I LOVE cooking all of dinner for everyone! We have just been saving and pinching in every area... since we will need to be providing for another "special needs" child soon. There is so much that we will have to have and buy... I just want to make sure the money is there when we need it.
I have decided to go without so much... and it is soooo worth it, and really not a big deal!
I gave up my satelite radio...which I do miss, but I am not in my car for huge periods of time every day... so no biggy.
I cut down on my Icee runs... except on high stress days... then I NEED them...LOL!! It helps that BK is having trouble keeping the machine working...so even when I do have a weak moment, 75% of the time the machine is down...LOL!!
I also cut back on the data plan for my phone. I thought about switching back to just talk and text... but I use my phone to make bank deposits and keep my shop appt book and the kid's activity calendar... plus notes and lists that get me through day to day life. I would seriously be lost without the features of my smartphone and it's apps!! Now if I could just get my hubby to cut back on his data usage...which is an ongoing battle!
We have opened up more of the house to the coal heat, by cutting our existing doors into dutch doors!! I LOVE THEM!! It keeps dogs contained without blocking the heat flow!
I make as much of the things we use as possible! Laundry detergent, fabric softener, snacks, breads. I make very few things out of a box.
AND... we have become a whole lot more resourceful or finding things that work, instead of buying new! Like the piggy pen we built last night!! Skids, stall mats, cinder blocks and an old dog kennel... all things we had laying around (except the cinder blocks... they came from Stacy's dad!)
Anyway...
I am completely fascinated by these pigs!! I cant believe how smart they are... and how loving they are! They have feelings and emotions just like ppl (proven fact)!!
I went and talked to some very knowledgeable pig ppl today... got some tips and tricks... so I am pretty excited about that! I just wish I could get Wilbur (yes, changed his name AGAIN...LOL) neutered. I cant stand how smelly he can be... especially when he catches sight of Piglet!! YUCKY!! Makes it hard to spend extra time with him... getting him use to people.
I LOVE the piggy pen Stacy and I built last night!! Easy to clean and they wont be able to let themselves out when I cant be sitting right next to them. I just need to find a FREE dog house, or build one from stuff we have sitting around!! That old truck cap may be a perfect resource... if the guy who wants to buy it never comes for it!!
I am going to try putting together a homemade coconut oil mix to battle Piglet's awful skin... plus I went and paid the $4 for Horse de-wormer just in case she has mange or mites... or whatever else could be causing it.
I got some GREAT pointers on helping Piglet drop weight without making her feel like I am torturing her or starving her! She is already shedding some pounds... her chins dont drag on the ground anymore, and you can see some extra skin hanging under her belly now. But she still a lot of fat rolls and there is no sign of hip bones!!
I am pretty sure we are past the "sugar crash" stage of getting her off the buffet of apples she was accustomed too. Her temperament is way more pleasant and she comes up to me for belly rubs and to be petted. Before she was just plain pissy!! LOL
Yes, I am probably a bit obsessive about these pigs... but they are just so cool!
The kids are all doing well. Brittany is adjusting to less cheerleading, now that football season is over and she didnt do winter cheer because of all the adoption stuff. It is nice having her home too.
She made HONOR ROLL for the first marking period! I am so super proud of her!!
Courtney got some great news too!! Her official start date at HGA is January 13th!! Which means we will be taking her up the Saturday before!!! I am soooo very proud of her, and excited for her!!! It has been a loooong battle, getting her in there.
Once we get through holidays, we can start packing up necessities and things.
Oh yes... Christmas... fast approaching!! I am doing a lot of homemade gifts, as I do every year. I am also letting the kids have more of a say in what they get this year. Usually it is a huge surprise Christmas morning... but they are all getting older now, and like what they like... not always what they end up with. LOL
Monday is Nathan's Turkey luncheon at school. I am in charge of the gravy!! They are making 4 20lb turkeys for this gathering... I guess it is going to be HUGE!! Stacy was suppose to attend with me... but since the guns needed sighted in, we opted for him to be off tomorrow. Instead, I will be taking Courtney with me to lunch! She just doesnt know it yet...LOL
It will be fun to gather with Nathan's school "family" for lunch!! I am so very thankful for NDCS... they have gone above and beyond with Nathan. Every one of his teachers are WONDERFUL and I have a great, open line of communication with them!
I better get into the kitchen. Nathan brought home a ton of bananas from something they did at school during the week. He had plans of me making banana bread with it... so that is what I will do! :-)
I also have to make sure the soup is hot when the guys want to eat lunch. AND deal with some clutter!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)