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Well, I have not posted in a while. What a surprise. I have decided I just have to post when I can. Life can be very busy here and posting is not at the top of my list. The Fall was the last time I caught up. So I thought I would do another catch up. So many great things have happened this past year and into this new year.

1. I found my long lost friend. Her husband is in the service and they moved to Germany . We lost track of telephone numbers until she came back to the states. Much catching up to do. Sooo thankful for that.

2. My husband and I celebrated our 25th anniversary. I would most definitely do it all over again and can't wait for the second half . God truly blessed me with that guy.

3. We had three birthdays at the beginning of this year. That brings me to a grand total of five, count them, FIVE, teenagers. What a........ blessing? No, just kidding. They are and I love them.

4. My chickens are giving eggs like nobodies business. Hooray.

5. Finally, God continually blesses, encourages, comforts, and guides me everyday. And if I am paying attention, I get to witness His beauty.

I am posting a series of pictures from Fall to winter. I love to be able to look back at all we've been up to.

The September Masacre

August shot by very quickly. We started back to school and "boy, oh, boy" has it been hard. We decided to try a new curriculum this year. The older three have all their work on the computer. Sounds easy enough, but.......NO. It has been a learning experience for sure. We have always used a literature based curriculum, which means I did a lot of reading out loud. I love to read to the children and it was better for them (dyslexia). I am not one to rush kids in education and believe waiting can be better in some things. I did notice however that there were some things I wanted to cover earlier with my youngers. You live and learn. The oldest are always the guinea pigs. Poor babies. All that to say the curriculum for the younger children is very different(but in a good way) from the way they are used to learning. Their brains are having a hard time adjusting. I know how they feel though. Every time I think I might have figured out my children, friends, life in general, etc. - things change. It stretches my brain. And you know, that can hurt. lol.

September- The Month Of The Masacre

This spring I purchased chicks and raised them. They were beginning to lay ever so lovely. I mean I was getting at least a dozen a day. I was even starting to sell them. Then one day we left for a few hours to go see cutting horses at the Ag center. They are really cool to watch. Any ways we returned home to find about 5 of my chickens laying around the yard and my only two ducks. They were not eaten but just senselessly killed ,for the fun of it . And who do you think committed such an evil act? These two.

These two have appeared before the judge and have been sentenced to time on the back deck . They will serve this time whenever their parole officer is not at home. They were quoted as saying they do not enjoy being locked up and feel regret for their past deeds. They have also issued an apology to the 14 surviving members of the victim's family. The victim's family say this has made them fearful and they no longer feel safe in their own neighborhood.

This brings us to October. My " marvelous middle" child had her 14th birthday. I cannot believe she is 14. That means she will want to drive next year. I know people say "where does the time go?" but really, where does it go? This is when you realize you need to enjoy each day, whatever it brings, because it will be gone tomorrow. We are continuing in school and I am praying about what my next thing will be (project- christmas gifts, money making on the farm, simple living, etc.) Hopefully, I will not have to do a three month catch up again. Hope everyone has a great week. Happy Birthday Livvy!!

I MISS MY GIRL

This has been the kind of day I like to have.  I went to the doctor to find out I am not dying.  Yeah me!  Just normal, old, growing old, stuff.  Then I came home and cleaned.  That's it.  It was great! Isn't that absurd?  I have been running so much lately that once in a while it's nice to stay home and actually accomplish something.  I can go to bed tonight and not feel all the " I should'ves".  And today was another unusually cool day in TN.  It was beautiful!  

We put our 17 yo on a plane to Nevada this past Saturday.  She flew out to see her Nana.  I think she is having a great time.  I say "think" because she really hasn't called me.  She has called Jeff  once or twice.  Today she they were in San Francisco. She said they were going to some restaurant where they had .....seals?  Then they were riding these things.  Jeff said " you mean a trolley?"  She said "No. These are on a track and in the road."  Jeff-" Thats a trolley"  Sus-"Thats not what they called them." Whatever. lol  Then I think her second call was to see if he cared if she got her nose pierced "because there a shop here that do noses." Jeff promptly told her that "YES" he did care.  That girl.  Gotta love her.  I miss her.  

 

IT'S BEEN TO LONG

I am constantly looking at my friends blogs and feeling shameful that mine has sat dormant for so long.  But I have decided that I do this blog as a memory of things for me.  And I guess that I haven't wanted to remember much lately.  What I am realizing is that it is selfish of me.  I need to realize that others may be carrying a load like mine and might be encouraged to know that others are too.  This may seem silly to many but we have a 17 year old who is trying to declare her independence.  Now that may not seem like suffering and probably is mostly normal, but her mother is a control freak and has trouble trusting God.  Therefore, this mother (me) has trouble letting go.  I know in my head God will and is taking care of things but I have this addiction to step in and control.  I know and you know suffering is a part of this world but it doesn't make it any easier.  I think it only becomes easier if you find others who are willing to share their ups and downs.  So maybe no one will read this and maybe someone will. And that someone will be encouraged.  I hope so.  If you really want to be encouraged, you should read my friends blog,  www.dailycopingskills.blogspot.com.  She has  some great stuff  about coping with suffering.

Now on to the farm.  Olivia began horseback riding lessons.  Of course so did the horse since she has never been trained.  But they are both doing great.  My oldest got on a plane this morning to go to Nevada.  She went to visit Nana for the week. My second oldest got a job babysitting a very active three year old.  This is going to be a great learning experience for her.  And the younger two are just enjoying the summer. My new chickens have not started laying yet but they should start next month.  I am hoping to sell the eggs. Our little nubian had babies about 2 weeks ago.  They are both boys. Sweet.  So Cute.  I am working on a stanchion this weekend.  Wish me luck on the milking.  I have never done this before. We plan on drinking the milk, making cheese, and possibly soap.  Thats the plan anyways.

HOT,COLD, COLDER, HOT?

   Today it's back to winter.  The last two days have been in the eighties here.  It was wonderful.  Monday my friend came and tilled up the garden and even made it a bit bigger.  Ssshhh!  Don't tell Jeff.  I was able to plant cabbage, brussels sprouts, swiss chard, broccoli, cauliflower, onions, and strawberries.  So glad I put it all in before it turned cold again.  I hear it is supposed to get even colder tomorrow.  

   We went to the dentist this afternoon and left with no cavities! Hooray!!!  Of course tomorrow I will be there at 8:00 in the morning.  I had a filling fall out this past week.  There is a huge hole in my tooth.  I will probably have to have a crown.  That made me start thinking how we don't think about some long term consequences.  I wasn't thinking about how all the fillings I had as a child would probably fall out one day.  Maybe I should have tried to avoid so many cavities. That made me think what do I not think about now.  What do I do now that might have consequences I don't like later?  Do I take care of my body so that it will last a long time?   I can tell you probably not.  O.k., definitely not. Do I treat my relationships like I want them to be around for a long time?  Just something to think about.  

     We have church tonight and I am teaching the 4,5,and 6 year olds.  They are loads of fun.  They have so much to tell and soooo much energy.  Speaking of which, I probably should finish preparing for class.  And of course people around here are fond of eating dinner.  Can't imagine why. lol.  I need to get dinner started.  It's hamburgers tonight.  Have a great evening. 

Angie

     I wanted to post today but I am having trouble knowing where to start.  I have soooo many things rolling around in my little brain.  I guess I will start with money.  I love the idea of living self sufficient, at least when it comes to food.  I think that is one reason I love to can.  I am also sure you have noticed rising prices at the grocery.  So I have been thinking of ways to save money when it comes to food.  I have been clipping coupons and finding great deals(thanks to my sister who is the coupon guru).  I really think the best way to save money is to stock up.  I don't mean go out and stock up, but stock up when stuff is on sale. I like being able to go into my pantry and throw something together at the last minute.  It helps to keep us from eating out which also saves us money. I also think when I make menus and stock the pantry I don't run to the store as much, which also saves us money.  I have found that if you just get the free stuff at CVS, you can stock up with toiletries quickly.  I also like having things in the pantry to fix spur of the moment meals for sick friends or for the kids to take to the church pantry.  Now what would really be a money saver and really cool is if we grew and canned everything for our pantry.  No silly, not the toilet paper!!  Just the food. lol. 

     I guess I am thinking of this because today was market day for me.  I was headed out to a few more places when the vet and the farrier showed up to work on Little Bit's hooves.  The vet sedated her and the farrier used a hack saw and a sander to take off the ridiculously  long hooves.  And then she was given some pain medicine.  So hopefully she will be feeling better soon.  The vet said he had only seen pictures of hooves this bad.  Speaking of Little Bit reminds me that I need to check on her before I head to bed.  Hope I haven't rattled on too much.  Hope everyone has a restful evening.

Angie