AND WE'RE OFF TO CAMP

How delusional I was last night when I wrote the previous post from upstairs where the air conditioner drowns out all the noise below me. I headed to bed only to find everyone was still wide awake but Ariel. The three older girls were all set on sleeping in the twin bed while Ariel alone was on the far edge of the double bed. It was crazy. Bailey had maybe six inches of space to sleep in. I tried and tried to get them to spread out into the double bed but to no avail. So I told them to just be quiet and go to bed.

Next, the boys room was rockin'--Brock has some really "creative" ideas. I fussed at them and got them all back in bed--the teddy bear fan pull was making too much noise for Brock (yeah, right) so I clothespinned the fan pull to the light cover so it would not move and disturb Brock. Then Blaine had allergies--I had already medicated him so put that new nose medicine on him which, of course, required the other two boys to watch me doing it with Brock telling me how much he hates that stuff. Finally, they were all settled back into bed so I went to bed myself. I could hear them all talking and laughing for some time but I let it be as I figured additional fussing would not solve anything. At last it was quiet by midnight but now I was wide awake. By 1, I think I fell asleep. Hank, you really let me down tonight.

My worries of having the kids be hard to get up the next morning so early were entirely unfounded. The boys were up at 6:45 and all HUNGRY so Tammy fed them. Girls were easy to wake up and got ready quickly. The morning went very smoothly.

I forced the kids to pose for a group photo outside before we loaded up for camp. Don took the boys in his truck and I took the girls. The three big vans were already at HEB when we arrived and took our information and meds and seemed to be old hands at doing all this stuff. So you parents can relax knowing they are in vans with seat belts and not a school bus. They all got in the same van and sat together. There were quite a few other groups of kids with grandparents or aunts. All the kids did great--no tears or demands to go back home with me. So off they went.

One little girl, who looked about six, was busy telling the counselor that she better be nice to her cuz she had a 14 year old brother who would beat up anyone who was mean to her. She was quite the little spitfire but the counselor looked rather experienced in her job and took it all in stride. Can't wait to hear camp stories when they come home.

And I do plan to sit them all down and lay out a few house rules-- Like stay out of closets. This morning I could not find the boys and they were all three piled in the toy room closet with a flash light. This would have been no big deal but you see, Tammy and I cleaned out the toy room (remember Ariel's stuff has been added to mine) to give more space for beds and suitcases and boys and it was all stuffed in that closet--you could hardly close the door--yet the boys were squished in there, too.

And the girls kept asking over and over if the camp seperated the boys and girls---and Rebecca said she sure hoped not. Not sure what that means.....

LET THE WILD RUMPUS BEGIN !

Sunday, 7 of my grandkids--ages 6-10 arrived to spend the week and go to day camp. There are three boys and four girls. They are all super great kids who love to be together.

They quickly moved into the “toy room” (boy’s dorm) and Beki’s old room (girl’s dorm) and began to play and talk and explore the house. Then I served them what will probably be the most nutritious meal of the week--a true “Sunday dinner” : pork roast, augratin potatoes, corn casserole, and a salad right out of the garden. They were not impressed. Pop-Pop told them they had to eat a tomato and a cucumber slice in order to get dessert…..they were all very clever in how they managed to get those veggies down, but they did it cheerfully. Brock had no problem with anything as his plate was clean quickly and Blaine only wanted his salad so that suited him. But we had a fun dinner and conversation anyway, then we headed outside to gather eggs and do the barn chores--the girls, Mason, and I. Blaine and Brock were having too much fun playing with a marble game. They gathered eggs, helped feed the goats, and just ran around looking at everything. Then we had our Dump Cake and ice cream dessert and said farewell to Micah and Tania who left dreaming of their quiet week ahead.

Then, Pop-Pop took them down to the pond--all but Brock and Blaine who were still engrossed in the marble game. Tammy and I took that time to finish cleaning the kitchen and try and get the bedrooms organized for sleeping. It was getting pretty dark outside and still the pond group was not back so I turned on the lights outside to give them a hint; told the two boys to get their pajamas, on when in trooped some very soaking wet kids--ALL OF THEM, INCLUDING POP-POP. They had all gone swimming in their clothes in the pond and had a total blast doing so. Don said they exclaimed over and over how “ my mama wouldn’t like this” but he said he had never heard so much giggling and screaming and laughing. A good time was had by all. The floor was like a skating rink it was so wet; the laundry room was piled with soggy clothes and towels; the bathroom after they all bathed was flooded with water…and those girls played in the tub with all the bath toys from their parents babyhood and giggled some more. (sorry about the not bathing together rule, but I learned my lesson). They already asked if they could swim in the pond again tomorrow--but I think we will opt for swim suits next time and I will hose them off outside or have them dunk in the swim tank afterwards. I did force them all to let me put alcohol in their ears afterwards to avoid any pond germies.
Finally, by 9:45 we had them all tucked in bed and bless Hank the Cowdog as they were all asleep by 10. (I got Hank books on tape from library and put them on in each bedroom for them to listen to as they went to sleep). That was a trick we used to use at the ranch when my younger kids were out there and we wanted them to go to sleep and it always worked. So glad it still does.
It is blissfully quiet and I am going to bed. Morning comes early. I can’t wait to hear of their adventures at camp.
Thank you parents for loaning me your children for a few days--it all brings back so many wonderful memories as I make new ones. I am truly a blessed Gema.

My Reunion Slide Show

Me and My Preachers

I have always struggled with finding a "quiet time" that worked well with me so that I could be consistent with it. When I first wake up, I am not too coherent until the coffee kicks in so reading my Bible or even praying just does not work out too well. But I love listening to Joyce Meyer on TV and she is lively enough to wake anyone up so I begin my morning at 5:15......well, ideally, but thank goodness for DVR for those mornings it is 5:40 when I awaken. I always make coffee the night before and set it to come on at 5am so it is ready when I get up. I come downstairs quietly, get my big mug of coffee and a carton of yogurt, then go sit at our desk upstairs, put the earphones on the little TV by the desk, and turn on Joyce. Between her feisty preaching and that glorious cup of coffee I come awake. I am not an audio learner so I have to take notes as I listen.
After Joyce, comes Creflo Dollar....a pretty feisty black preacher with a great sense of humor who delivers a really good message. He has really helped change my "survivalist" tendencies to "trust in and stay close to God" tendencies regarding the times we are facing now. Just some real good, down to earth preaching.
Then at 6:30 I used to do my Bible reading but one day I left the TV on and saw that Billye Brim was a guest on Kenneth Copeland's program and she was doing two weeks of studies on the Great Awakenings in the world--especially America. She is such a gifted teacher and it was all so very interesting. I love learning about God's moves in our nation.
And then at 7:00 James Robinson's program from Dallas comes on and I have always loved his "Wednesdays with Beth (Moore)"--but he usually has really interesting guests on the other days, too, so I have added him to my preacher list. Last week he had a woman named Starr____, who wrote a book called Uncle Sam's Plantation, about how the government welfare system another form of slavery. She came out of that system and is now living in Washington working to change the system back to the churches taking care of people in need---not the government. I want to read that book. I love to hear about people who rise from the pit, allow God to change their lives, and go on to work to help others out of the same pit.
Then at 7:30 I finish my programs with Andrew Womack. I really like him and learn so much. This week and last he has David Barton as his guest. David Barton is an authority on American History---specifically our Christian heritage. I learned so much. If only our congress would be required to study history under him before coming to Washington. I really want to get his DVD set. It is so important for us----and ESPECIALLY, our children to know the truth about the founding of this nation and our wonderful Christian heritage.
So, each morning I get two hours of teachings. I look so forward to it each day. Then later in the day--during the heat of the day when it is so good to be inside---I read my Bible. Don and I are doing this program where you read the Bible through in a year by reading a passage in OT, NT, Psalms, and Proverbs each day. We like it because we read the same thing so we can talk about it together. It has just been so nice to be in the Word so much. I just feel such a thirst to learn and grow as much as I can. I just want to learn to be more sensitive to God's voice and know Him better. So that is what I have been up in the early morning hours of this summer.

I just need to blog

I feel like it has been forever since I just sat down and wrote my thoughts out on this blog. I don't know what has been wrong. I feel like I just lost my words. I would be out gardening or inside doing housework and think of so many things I want to blog about but when I finally got to the computer my mind was a blank. Or else it was racing so fast on so many topics I could not capture even one of them. So here I sit at the library (because their internet is actually HIGH SPEED), unlike ours at home that is supposed to be but only causes me much frustration and anger with its sloooooow, crawling nature.
We had a simply wonderful family reunion last week. It just flew by and I missed everyone already as we were pulling out of the park. We found the perfect place for our family--so much room, so quiet and private, high humidity but glorious cold air-conditioned buildings to bring refreshment. The kids--all 13 of them, ages 1-12--had a blast playing with each other. They never complained of the heat; of the lack of a good swimming place; never fought with each other; were so content to explore the outdoors and fish and fish and fish. They came in to eat and were off again. No TV, Video games, Computers--just plain old fashioned fun. We all had such a good time.
It was great to have to only be involved in preparing one meal. And such good food. It was great to feel free to play games, just sit and visit, go fishing or hiking, or go take a nap. Relaxing.
I can't wait for next year--but we need to add another day. I want two full days of being together. I made a video and hope it will load in the next post. Jenny's photos can't be beat--but maybe mine will add some variety. I think her photo of Jess napping on the porch wins as best photo. I love it!
Back at home.......my garden is struggling to survive our 100+ temperatures. Tomatoes are doing ok but the squash has gone to the bugs, the beans are drying up, and my goats found their way into the garden and ate my popcorn patch that Mason and I planted. All is brown instead of green everywhere that does not get my water hose. I feel I spend the majority of my day watering. So, have just had to let some things go. Made lots of notes how to do this better next year. The chickens are devouring most of my pot plants as there is just nothing green around but them. I pray for rain daily--it is getting scary it is so dry.
I miss the ranch something awful. It has been so long since we have been out there for very long. I plan to make a run out there this week to check on things. It is calling me.
Will post this and check on how the video is loading.

Oops

Sorry about the following post. I previewed it and it looked perfect with the writing right beside the photos and now look at it. I am so tired and going to bed. I hope you can get something from it.

What I've Been Doing: Gardening

Back in January we began building some garden beds following the "Square Foot Gardening" book. The first ones were built out of wood and then we decided to try two using cinder blocks.

It was most helpful to have good cat supervision while constructing the beds.

This is how it all looked on completion. The bed in the forefront was our first built back in November--our winter garden. It produced lots of good spinach, swiss chard, onions, beets, collards, and lettuce.

The PVC on top is so we could cover it during hard freezes.

I recycled three leaky swimming pools that our ducks had used and turned them into growing beds for melons and squash. I planted several varieties each of winter and summer squash and lots of different melons.

The garden shortly after planting it. We put out lots of heirloom tomato plants. Used a cattle panel down the middle for cucumbers and beans and to tie the tomatoes to.

When Mason was here in May, he and I planted this popcorn patch with a Jack O Lantern pumpkin plant in the middle.

Look at all those grapes!

I planted a row of Autumn Sunflowers at the end of my sweet corn bed. This was the first one to bloom. I think it is so pretty--I just love sunflowers.

The asparagus bed looked lonely with just the asparagus so I added 4 tomato plants at each corner. It is not too lonely anymore...

This is a 24' long bed with about 40 tomato plants, peppers, cucumbers, squash, and beans. Everything is growing great. We left the old pig shed up to give the peppers a little shade from our hot Texas sun.

I potted my old wringer washing machine. Tammie and I washed many a load of clothes in this machine when the kids were small. I just could not bear to part with it so I potted it. And the little "JellyBean" tomato plant I put in there was the first to bear fruit.

Cute little baby squash.

A baby watermelon---I think this is my heirloom variety called "Rattlesnake watermelon".

So that is what keeps me busy and I love it.

Grant at Strawberry Farm (start from bottom)

I think I'll go find another one. This is FUN!

Yep, it sure was yummy.

Ooh, this looks like a good one!

I'm Still Here

Gosh, I guess I missed the whole month of March. Where have I been? What have I been doing?
Our internet service has been awful lately. First, we blamed it on the wind--such high winds we have had for a month now---then, who knows-it was just sooooooooo slow it would make me angry and ruin my day so I stayed away from the computer. I have missed all of you bloggers and still have catching up to do.
And I have been working my tail off outdoors in the garden and other projects around here. I feel i am hardly ever in the house. Still have lots to do--just wanted to check in and report I am still alive and kicking. I do want to write a long blog and catch up on stuff and I will, I really will. It is just that in Texas if you don't get your garden going in time the heat will overtake it and burn it right up so I have been working really hard.
My son, Brian and his family are moving back to Texas from Colorado and will be living with us for awhile until they can find jobs and get settled. So I have been working on re-organizing the house a bit for another family to move in and getting ready for them.
Still have not found out what is going on with our interenet connection but it is working fast today so thought I would take advantage of it.
Later, will post more.........I hope.

On the way home from New York

(This post was written on Monday, Feb. 16--I've been a bit busy since getting home.....)


We’re on the plane headed back home now. What a morning. Up at 5:45 to get to train station by 7. We have to switch trains at Seacaucus--and I goofed up big time and got us on the wrong train. We ended up in New York City Penn station instead of the Newark Airport station----which cost us an extra $30 and an hour wait--to get on the right train. So, we missed our flight but got put on another one going through Dallas instead of Chicago and we had to rush to get on that one. Only one security line which took forever and I misplaced my boarding pass….found it on the floor, and we made a run for the gate which, of course, was at the farthest end of the terminal. BUT….good news, the plane was delayed AND we got First Class seats again. This was so wonderful to hear as it is a 3 ½ hour flight to Dallas so the extra room AND the wonderful breakfast they served us was so nice. Thank you, Lord, for taking such good care of us even when we mess up---ESPECIALLY WHEN WE MESS UP. And thank you, Josh, for being a pilot and allowing us to fly like this--cheap, last minute, and First Class. Guess I’m reaping the rewards of those college expenses.


We have had a very enjoyable time in New York, in spite of the sad circumstances. Fun to be with members of Don’s family we don’t get to see often. We learned a new game--it is a Gin rummy sort of game--but you can play it with 2 players or up to as many as you want--you just have to have a deck of cards for each two players. It was lots of fun--easy but challenging.


On Saturday Don and I went into New York City for the day. We did not have long to stay as there was a big family supper and game night that night at Barb’s we wanted to be back for. So we left on the train early, headed for Wo Hop’s in Chinatown for Won Ton soup and Egg Fu Yung for our breakfast. Was as delicious as always. Was a cold, breezy but sunny day so we headed toward the Brooklyn Bridge to do our traditional walk across it. But, after walking about 10-12 blocks through the Bowery, Don figured out he had headed us in the opposite direction of the bridge. Soooooo, we changed our plans and decided we would head over to Astor Place and catch the subway up to the Empire State Building.(Yes, I did get to be at the Empire State Building on Valentine's Day) But we were walking through areas we had not walked before and I was loving all the architecture and sights of the city and taking lots of photos since I had not been there (NYC) with my new SLR camera before. So when we did get to the subway stop we decided we would just walk to the Empire State Building. Mind you, we were walking up 4th Avenue and just hit 1st street and the Empire State Building is on 34th street. But we kept going knowing that, if needed, we could catch a bus. We passed the Flat Iron building and got some good shots of it; a farmer’s market in Union Square; and lots of other interesting sights to photograph. I was having a wonderful time and it really felt good to walk.


Got some great pics of the Empire State Building and got a stranger to take our picture with it in the background to prove that we were there on Valentines Day (even though we didn’t get to see it lit up pink at night). The lines to go up in it were very long so we decided to forego that and save our $40 so we just kept walking. Soon we were at the New York Public Library where we took my picture with the lions and walked around inside that incredibly beautiful old building. Then I saw St. Patricks Cathedral down the street--it looked so close but really was at 50th street--so we walked there, then to Rockefeller Center to watch the ice skaters, then to Times Square back down around 42nd street. So all in all, including our hike from the subway into and out of Chinatown we figure we walked close to 100 blocks. Don’t have a clue how long that would be in miles but it was hours of walking. I loved it! Great way to see sights you would never see otherwise and just get the true feel of the city. At Times Square we bought a hot dog with kraut from the street vendor, then caught the subway back to Penn Station and caught our train back to Barb’s house. Was a great Valentine’s Day.

Josh and Kevin ( husband and son of Angie, Don’s sister Chris’s daughter) had come to the city with us but they did their own adventures like the Museum of Natural History and the cool Toys R Us store. Angie and family live in Kentucky and we don’t see them often so was so fun to get to spend time with them and their two boys, Kevin and Kyle.

I am so looking forward to being back home. I am homesick. I just really miss home and my animals and church and everything. Can’t wait to get there.

Want to go back a bit though and talk about the funeral. It was a Russian Orthodox funeral--done mostly in Russian. Very different and interesting. Wally’s parents immigrated here from Russia--came through Ellis Island--but Wally was born here. Lots of very interesting history of his life was given at the funeral. I want to write about it but will wait until I get the actual transcript from his son, Gary, as I don’t want to mess anything up. The weather that day was so warm and sunny--so glad--as that allowed so many more friends to attend. He was a much loved and respected man. It was so touching to hear his sons speak about him and what a great father he was to them. One of the neatest things he did was take them on extended camping trips every summer as they were growing up. As his son Stephen said, it was on these trips they really got to know their father and be guys together and really talk with him about anything and everything. I just think that is such an awesome thing for a father to do with his kids and it paid off as both sons had such love and respect for their Dad. I just feel so blessed and honored to have known him and so thankful that he brought so much happiness to Mom. She is doing very well. It will just take some time to heal that void in her life, to get used to a new routine without him. She misses his companionship so. But she has two of her daughters close by and many close friends to help her.

We are all looking forward to June when niece Kim marries Josh (Chris will then have two sons-in-laws named Josh) in Florida and we can gather once again as a family for a joyous occasion instead of a sad one.

Photos to go with previous blogs

One of our raised beds we were mixing soil filliing

what I see looking out Barb's window

pretty sunset at home

Don's dirty face after working with dirt in the fierce wind all day

another golden end to the day

unusual, cool cloud formations at sunset

almost looks like a tornado forming, doesn't it

"I wanna go, too, Mama"

"I can play Wii just like my bubba"

This is a typical Wally pose--He was always interested in what others had to say. He was the ultimate good listener.

Wally and Mom dancing on her 80th birthday.

I loved Wally in the hats he wore. He was such a treasure to us.

Barb and Carol's house I love this place!

Snowy woods beside their house

It is just so pretty outside. Quite different from our brown at home.

Update from New York

Wally and his son, Steven

Note: this blog was written Sunday (yesterday)


Right now I am on a plane headed for Chicago, then to Newark. Sure was not planning on this trip. We love going to New York but this is twice in a row we have gone for funerals of loved ones. We don’t like that--much prefer going for birthday parties.



Wally, Don’s step-dad, passed away yesterday. He was dearly loved by all of us--a real treasure. I always looked forward to chatting with him and seeing his beautiful smile. He was such a sweet heart. It just won’t be the same without him there to lighten up the room, crack a joke, or give his opinion on something. I feel blessed to have known him for the past 8 years. Mom and he were so very happy together.


We spent all day Saturday in Johnson City taking a CPR/AED/First Aid class for Red Cross. We have to have this class to drive the ERV and we just plain like having the skills and knowledge it teaches. I think everyone should have this course.



On our way home we got the news about Wally--so we knew we would be leaving today. Ran some errands in town then spent the rest of daylight finishing up tasks outside--like planting the two peach trees we bought at Sutherlands…..and the 20 asparagus plants that arrived in the mail..and just getting things set for Alisa to take over. We ran into her in Walmart so that worked out well. We were stocking up on ammo in Walmart as we are scheduled to take the Concealed Handgun course in a couple of weeks. But Walmart said as fast as they get ammo in it is bought up and they did not have any that we needed for our guns. I guess lots of folks are worried about the state of our country and what our President may do. Did you know that in part of his stimulus package is a clause that any schools or public facilities that receive money from this package can no longer rent to or allow a religious group to use their facility. So no more could churches hold services in a school gym or auditorium if that school receives funds from this stimulus bill. That package is so full, so many pages, no telling what other little clauses like this are lurking inside it. ok-I will get off my soap box now.


If you have a chance please go view my daughter Jenny’s new website and see all the awesome photos she has taken. It is http://www.sprinkleofgracephotography.com/ An awesome website. I think Jenny did a terrific job of expressing just what her photography business is all about and described her heart for expressing her creativity through photographs.


Almost to Chicago so I will close. Miss you all. I am so sad that I had to miss our gathering in Austin for Josh’s birthday. We were so looking forward to seeing those family members on the southern end of the state.



Ok--It is Monday morning now and I am sitting at Barb's breakfast table enjoying the beautiful view of the snow covered ground. The weather is sunny and gorgeous.

We left home at 5am Sunday after about 3 hours of sleep--so much stuff to do before we left and then to try to pack for really cold weather. Thank goodness Josh is a pilot and we get those flight privileges so we can easily leave on a moment's notice. Our flight was at 7:25--through Chicago instead of Dallas this time. We thought it would be nicer to break the flight time up into 2 - 2 hour segments rather that a short one and a really long one. Weather was gorgeous and looked good in Chicago so we took this one and we got to fly First Class. Wow! Was that nice--lots of good food, lots of room.

It was a great day of travel. And to top it off when we got on the train to take us to Pearl River, NY where Mom lives, we met up with niece Kim, arriving from Florida. We arrived at Mom's to a huge feast being prepared by two dear family friends, Judy(fondly known as Princess Judy) and Eileen (the owner of those gorgeous gardens I photographed last summer). Judy makes the most wonderful pasta sauce and Eileen made a huge, wonderful salad and the greatest, most garlic laden, garlic bread ever, and they topped it with fresh fruit to dip in a heavenly chocolate fondue. What a delicious way to show their love for Mom and all of the family. Mom was doing well and delighted to have all her children and dear friends surround her. Later in the evening Wally's son, Steven, arrived from Texas. It was a nice, warm family gathering. Just what Wally would have wanted. But I must say it was so nice to get to Barb's house and crawl into a warm bed and catch up on some sleep.

I must get out and take snow pictures. Us "girls" of the family are going to go out and "stimulate the economy" (go shopping). Barb is busy putting together a slide show of pictures of Wally. The wake is on Tuesday and the funeral on Wednesday.

Here is something interesting: In December Don and I watched that best movie of all time, SLEEPLESS IN SEATLE and I mentioned to him that I would love to be in New York City on Valentines Day. And now....the possiblity is here...we will see how it pans out. Wouldn't it be so cool to go up on the Empire State Building on the evening of Valentines Day?

More news from down on the farm...

Note: this blog was written Friday and just posted today. We are now in New York.


Today Don and I worked all day getting our raised garden beds ready to plant. We bought a pickup load of compost from the nursery down the road and mixed it with peat moss and coarse vermiculite. Sounds simple but it was not. We were using the stock tank/swimming pool as a mixing bowl and our feet and legs were the mixers. But the peat moss was all clumpy and we had to stomp on it to get it to crumble. So picture Lucy and Ethel stomping grapes. Talk about leg exercise--try walking around in knee deep planting mix kicking it around and mixing it up. And all this being done with 15-25 mph winds with gusts higher than that. It was crazy.
But we got it done. Filled the 4’x4’ asparagus bed, the 4’x12’ bed, and most of the 4’ x 24’ bed. They look so pretty and nice.

Also, that same day my next shipment of fruit trees arrived so I planted 3 plums, 1 apricot, 1 pomegranate, and Don planted the two pecan trees and 10 blackberry vines.

And then I tackled my chicken problem. Moved the three girls who insist on setting into a separate pen and used dog crates for their nesting boxes (so I can lock them up safe from predators at night). Moved them eggs, nest, and all --boy, were they ticked off-- they all had a giant hissy fit. It was like they were telling the rest of the chickens they were being violated so the whole barnyard got involved and carried on squawking their heads off loudly. But now they have settled down and seem happy in their new quarters. It is much nicer to gather the eggs without getting my hand pecked when reaching under them to swipe the fresh eggs other hens lay in their nests.

So that is the news from down on the farm.

Yahoo Groups and some other stuff..........

Don had been telling me for months that I ought to check out gardening groups or photography groups or anything--just take a look at all the groups available on Yahoo groups. Well, I ignored this until one day over Christmas when I was sick and had not energy to do anything but surf on the net. So I checked out the groups--oh, man, there is every interest imagainable. I went crazy and joined about 7 groups--gardening, homesteading, frugal living, and some preparedness and survival groups. I must confess I have mostly been a "lurker"--just reading the posts and not sending in my own. I have commented on a few but mostly just read. They are all so interesting and informative. Really have enjoyed them.

Most of them are Christian groups. Read a lot of scary stuff on many of them--fears of what lies ahead for us in America because of the economy and of course, Obama. I really struggle as I want so badly for Obama to be a good president--and govern with integrity and the best interests of our nation at heart. I pray for him and I will support him and do my best to think the best of him.....but I am watching him like a hawk, too. There is just something in me that does not trust him. Yet, I really really hope I am proved wrong here.
But to go on, I hear lots of things on these groups and I fear of passing them on to my family and friends as I do not want to be thought of as a kook or fearful or paranoid or crazy or pessimistic. I am not afraid. I know and trust my Lord and I KNOW He is in control of everything and I am safe in his hand. But does that mean that I just sit back and do nothing and let what may come, just come. Is it wrong to want to be prepared and wise to the best of my ability and to warn others to do the same? We have many seperate issues going on here--the collapse of economies worldwide; war and terrorism; Obama. So even if Obama is an outstanding , wonderful president he cannot control the other two. So I just think we all need to be wise, aware, pay attention to the news and what is going on in the world, pay attention to what goes on around you. By this I mean--listen to lots of things--what are people saying,?are those around you losing their jobs? do you no notice bare spaces on grocery shelves?, are more and more major companies going under each day? how does the dollar compare to other currencies? are more of the rights we used to take for granted being taken away--even in the name of national security? Just pay attention--that is all I am saying. Pray for God to give you wisdom. Buy a few extra groceries each week and stash them away. Keep cash on hand. Keep your gas tank filled. Work hard to get out of debt. The best way I know of to think of this is to pretend a hurricane is coming your way and it is likely you will be out of power for a couple of weeks and that all stores and gas stations will be closed. Could you survive for those two weeks on what you have at home? Where would you get water? How would you stay warm? How would you communicate with loved ones? Do you have a battery radio so you can stay informed as to what is going on? Do you have enough diapers? formula? baby foods? your food? pet food? another way to cook besides electricity? Everyone should have one or two out of area--preferably out of state family contact for emergencies. Often, for whatever reason it is easier to reach someone far away than across town in emergencies. We should have someone out of state that can take messages and relay them for us. I suggest for our family we use Barbara Barlow in New York or Chris Elder in Florida--Don's sisters who are listed on the family address sheet I emailed everyone. And everyone should fork out the $29 for a weather radio and put batteries in it NOW. That is an emergency broadcasting station, too, for your local area for emergencies other than weather.
I am just going to start posting (at the risk of my family calling the little guys in white coats) anything I come across that bears hearing. You can do with it what you want. I just don't think I could live with myself to just keep quiet and let my loved ones be surprised by events that I think are quite likely. The main one being food shortages. Frankly, I think all of us would be wise to try to grow at least a little bit of food--or at least buy some seeds to keep on hand (non-hybrid ones). That's all for today. (please don't think I'm crazy)

Busy, busy, busy down on the farm

I have been away again--from blogging, not home--for far too long. We have just been real busy around the ole' homestead. Both Don and I are deep into "homesteading mode". We want to grow lots of our own food so we know where it is coming from and that it is safe and that it is real food. I am really into growing heirloom vegetables--the good old varieties that have not been messed with by Monsanto and genetically altered. They should taste better and just be unique. As I mentioned in my New Year's goals, I would love to be able to grow and sell heirloom tomatoes. So this year will kind of be my trial year--I am planting about 18 different varieties and will try to keep records of which one do best and that we like the best and then zero in on those. We are going to plant just about every other vegetable imaginable, too.
Don has been busy building us garden beds as we are using the Square Foot garden approach. This is where you plant intensely (close together) in 4x4 size beds. So far we have a 6x7' bed that I planted last fall with winter vegetables. Yea, it is off size but we found it in the barn at the ranch and it was designed to dovetail together so we used it as is. It is a bit hard to reach across to the middle but I can live with it. All our lettuce, onions, spinach, chard is growing nicely but the brocoli did not do so well. I think I will have to use transplants next fall instead of direct sowing.
So back to Don's building..he built us a 4x24' bed; a 4x12' bed, and a 4x4' bed all of which share the space inside the old pig pen (the one with the chainlink fence around it back of the goat pen). But I still want one more 4x12' bed so we are going to fence a little area off next to this area and add some more room. It is hard figuring out just where to plant everything so that something does not shade something else, etc. I think I have it all figured out on paper.....now I need to start planting my little peat pots so things will be ready to set out in April. I have stacks of gardening books and seed catalogs all over the kitchen table. Have all my seeds bought. I ran into a great deal last week at Ace Hardware--all their last year seeds were 10 cents each and they had lots of the heirloom varieties in there and lots of flower seeds too, so I went kind of crazy and came home with a whole bag of seeds. If you keep them cool and dry seeds will last for years.
I also decided we needed to revive our old orchard, too, so ordered a dozen fruit and nut trees. Six of the fruit trees came in last week and we got them planted. There were 1 plum, 2 peach, 1 apricot, and two Apricot/Plum crosses--1 called an Aprium and the other a Pluot. I love apricots and plums. Then I have some more plums, apricots, pecans, and a pomegranite tree coming in early February. I also want to buy locally a Loring peach (my favorite) and a fig tree.
And we ordered six blackberry vines to plant where grapes used to be in the orchard and 20 asparagus crowns to put in that 4x4' bed. Asparagus is a perennial that should last 12 years or more.
We also accomplished something else on my goal list: got three cats spayed and their shots and got rid of two wild feral cats. So now we have only 1 cat on the place that is not fixed--she is a wild one that lives under the old white pickup. She is tough to catch but we sure want to do it before she adds more kittens to our lot. Now we just need to get our older cats caught up on their shots and we will be up to speed. Also need to haul the billy goat, the two mamas and their 4 babies back to the ranch. It is getting too expensive to feed them all here. That will leave us with 3 pregnant goats, 1 pregnant ewe, and 1 ram.
It is so so dry here--not a blade of anything green. The chickens get let out of their pen after noon and love to roam and scratch and are roaming farther and farther in search of food. We have got to figure out a way to let them out to scratch and range but keep them contained somehow, too. Right now, they don't do much harm but I would like to plant some muskmelons and watermelons and corn and pumpkins in the orchard, too, and they would really make a mess of that.
So that is some of what we have been up to lately and what has kept me from blogging. But today is drizzly, cloudy day--the kind it is nice to stay inside and blog kind of day so I will add more in next blog.

Happy

I am so happy. Last Sunday Don and I visited a new church--Hill Country Fellowship in Burnet. We have been feeling the call to find a new church home for some time now. That is so hard. But when we walked into this church we knew we were home. We both loved it. God was there. We loved the worship, the preaching, the pastor and other leaders. It was all about Jesus and praising Him--no agendas, no programs, just people gathering to love the Lord togeether. So we now have a new church home. And even though the church is in Burneet, there is a home group that meets just about 2 miles away. We saw so many old friends--it was like coming home again. We sat next to Ronnie and Jodie Waggoner and Stefani Powell. I am just so excited about getting involved there.
Can't remember if I blogged this earlier but back in December I went to a community Christmas program--MESSIAH--by myself as Don was sick. I just love Christmas music and this was directed by my friend, Barbara Bend, and it was so wonderful. And I ran into two old friends from home schooling days--Suzan Leggett and Stefani Powell. We had such a good visit and they invited me to a book club they have started that includes some of my other old friends. I am so excited to be getting together with some women friends once a month. The book we are discussing this month is THE MEMORY KEEPERS DAUGHTER. Anyone read it?
I have started my own little workout using a book I ordered from Amazon. I like it. I am also trying to walk everyday with Don--we have a 2 mile route--and I want to work out on my cardioglide 3 days a week. I already feel better. And I want to follow the Superfoods RX eating plan. BUT......my sweet tooth is hollering something awful. I just crave sweets. I am going to have to give all those Christmas goodies leftover to the chickens tomorrow to save myself.
So I am feeling energized and ready for the new year. But I gotta go to bed now. Night, night

Grandkids at Christmas time

Mason and the string of fish he caught with Pop-pop in our pond.

Pop-pop and his fishermen

Rebecca

Elizabeth

Grant, the "I-refuse-to-wear-shoes" boy, loves being outdoors.

Star football player, Blaine, runs to catch a pass in a football game with daddy and his uncles.

Hayden and his grandma

Hayden things Mason bouncing a ball is the funniest thing ever.

Beauty

Thought I would share some photos I took of the sunset tonight and some birds at my feeder.

2009

This is the year:

1. I will lose 20 pounds and keep it off. (had to start with that one, right?)



2. I will have a quiet time with the Lord early each morning and continue to chat with Him throughout my day.



3. I will eat healthier. I will concentrate on eating the Super foods.



4. I will walk two miles at least 4 times a week and do a workout 4 times a week.



5. I will be active in our new church--Hill Country Fellowship



6. I will grow heirloom vegetables and practice organic gardening methods. I will work hard to learn how to be a better gardner and grow more of our own food.



7. I will plant more fruit trees.



8. I will learn more about animal husbandry--especially chickens, goats and sheep. I will develop a market for my fresh eggs.



9. I will get all our cats fixed.



10. I will get caught up on all the animals vaccinations.



11. Don and I will finish the ranch fence so that our animals have access to entire ranch.



12. I will find ways to volunteer and be more active in my community.


13. I will plant lots of flowers.


14. I will improve in my photography skills.


15. I will spend more time with my family and friends.


16. I will play games more.


17. I will pray that together Don and I will develop a home farm business that will produce an income, delight us and our customers, bring families together, help others and bring us all closer to the land and to God. I pray for God to lead us to something akin to the strawberry farm--an activity/business that could complement that enterprise.


18. I will work hard at learning to remember people's names.


19. I would like to write more and improve my writing skills.


20. I would like to read more for pleasure and relaxation.


21. I would like to be more confident with my cooking and invite others over more.


22. I will strive to have positive thoughts, a cheerful countenance, and gracious speech.


23. I will have an attitude of gratitude. I will make a habit of sittin' in the sunshine and counting my blessings.


24. I want to have a teachable spirit and to accept criticism graciously and to learn from my mistakes. I want to be quick to recognize my faults and repent. I want to be quick to forgive and difficult to offend.


25. I will practice building up and encouraging others. I will smile more.


26. I will fight for my country to remain a Godly nation.


27. I will be alert, vigilant, and informed on any attempts to destroy the rights and freedoms given to Americans in our constitution.


28. And the only reason I might succeed in any of these resolutions is because: I CAN DO ALL THINGS THROUGH CHRIST WHO GIVES ME STRENGTH.

Happy New Year

I'm glad to be in the new year. I love Christmas and we had a wonderful one but I am glad to get back to normal life....whatever that is. Yet, at the same time it is a bittersweet parting. The house looks so sad and lifeless without the Christmas lights and decorations. And it is so quiet (after having grandkids here for five days). I loved having everyone around--both at Tammie's for Christmas and here at home for New Years. We played lots of games but the best by far was our New Year's eve game of Capture the Flag. Tammie and I rocked! One of us captured the flag in each of the three games. We showed those youngsters how to play. Adam would be so proud of us--yet so mad if he was on the opposing team. It was great fun.
Seemed that most of us went through the stomach bug, too, at some point during the holidays. We share everything in this family.
I am sitting in front of a nice roaring fire on this very cold, rainy evening. We have had our woodstove for nearly 30 years but it never drew really well so if you left the doors open smoke would fill the room. We got the chimney worked on and it draws so much better now that I can open the front doors to the stove and put on the firescreen that came with it and it is like a fireplace. I love it. Sitting on my new couch, cozy by the roaring fire, surrounded by several sleeping cats, and catching up on the blogs. Doesn't get much better than this.
But then.....the telephone rang and it was the Burnet sheriff calling us about a house fire in Granite Shoals--10 people lived in the trailer that burned to the ground--thankfully, none were home when it happened. So looks like we will have to out in the cold and wet and do our Red Cross duty.
I will try to be better at blogging. It is just that sometimes my life seems so uninteresting. I am not being a snob, or lazy, just hate to be boring.