Garden Time

Here are some of the raised beds that have seen better days.  They have lasted a long time...but it was time for a makeover!

Steve and his Dad worked on the beds for a few days.

Now they look so much better.  They made a wider row between so the mower will easily fit.

There is still more than a few beds to finish...perhaps next year.    Hopefully these will hold up for a long long time.

Maggie at the Mile Run!

The camera is still being a pain but it did give me one picture of Maggie at the run. 

National Run a Mile Day

Here is Doug running on National Run A Mile Day.  He did great.  I think he came in third (although it wasn't a race)

Here is his time...Not bad!

Curt's turn.  I was afraid he wouldn't make it around the track!  Steve said he would be much faster if he could run in a straight line.  :)  Steve and the boys ran with him to encourage him and cheer him on.  He finished!!!

Here is his time.

Maggie also ran and finished...but my camera is being a pain and won't download the pictures!  She did great too!  It was a fun day!  We went and had slushies for a treat afterwards.  Oh yeah Jacob...who didn't want to run...ended up probably running more helping Doug, Maggie and Curt finish.  I was proud of him that he was willing to run beside them on the edge of the track and keep them going.  It was a beautiful thing to see them all working together and encouraging each other.

Peacock and Rooster!

Here is Mr. Peacock. Up in the window of our barn.

The neighbors rooster.  I call him Mr. Fancypants.  He thinks he is "All that" and then some!

Him trotting across the lawn.  I just hope some day he doesn't attack me or the kids.

Painted kitchen

Here is the old color of the kitchen. 

Here the kitchen is after we painted it beige

I even organized some cupboards.  Yeah me.

chicks getting bigger...and uglier

 All their poof is starting to go away...feathers are coming out and they are definitely growing tons.

Little Cuties!!!

These are our little chicks.  They are golden comets and they will lay brown eggs.  I can't wait until the kids get home and see them.  They have wanted chicks for a long time.  I hope this chicken thing is as easy as they say...

Steve's Uuucky Foot... Warning graphic pictures ahead...

Here is some pictures of Steve's foot...had to take him back to the doctor today because it was getting red and ooozy...and he was running a low temp we found out.  Warning...

This on the bottom is where the drain came out after surgery.  The doctor opened that blistery thing up and it drained gook out.  Very cool. He says it feels much better now.  Lots less pressure.  The doctor also upped his antibiotics.  Return appointment on Mon.  Hopefully it will be looking better by then!!!

To Do List Today...

I feel the need to organize myself. 

1. Laundry (most done yesterday) but need to get to sheets etc.

2. Kitchen...shouldn't take too long...just have to get going

3. Pick up dining room and living room...sweep floors

4. Clean bathrooms

5. Pick up our bedroom...how does it get so messy when we only sleep in there???

There only 5 things on my list.  Problem is it could easily take me most of the day to do one of them.  Time to get dressed and get moving.

update...

Steve did great yesterday.  He is feeling fine and has had no pain at all. 

...Water softener second opinion...they fixed it for $80. 

Now on to the car situation...waiting for it all to work out.  Van fixed for $300.  Not too bad so far.

Things are working out fine.

Our Crazy Life...

This week has been crazy.  Well lets start out with a few weeks ago we found out Steve's car would cost about $700 to fix.  Since it is only worth way less than that we were formulating other plans...so he began driving the van to work.  Last Fri the van broke down on the side of the road.  Still waiting to here if it is worth fixing...Then the water softener broke that softens the water for the whole house.  Our water is terrible and this is not something one can live without for long.  They could fix it for about$600 but didn't recommend we do that as other things could go wrong since the system is about 20 years old.  They recommend a new system...I keep blanking out what they said that would cost...a couple thousand.  Steve is having surgery on his foot tomorrow and will be out of work for about a month.  Not only are they going to use all his vacation for his recovery but then he gets disability at 60% of his pay.  It is going to be a tight month to say the least.  Still trying to figure out what to do...where to spend or not spend the money...We thought we would be ok with the surgery because we have some tax return left...now it looks as if it will all disappear quickly.   For whatever reason we haven't been able to make any decisions right now.  I think denial is where we are at right now.    My plan is to get Steve through the surgery and then maybe we will be able to make some  other decisions.  It isn't like me to be so calm about this kind of stuff or to not jump in and make a decision about what we should do first and how.  I have been doing a lot of praying about it and hoping his weird calm is because the Lord is going to open up a way to accomplish all the things that need to be done. Trying to be patient that I will get some answers soon.

Giving in to Demands

Here is Curt's picture.  He was mad after seeing the last post without a close up of him.  Well here it is!  Happiness and Harmony  at (almost) all costs!

Almost Spring...

Winter thaw

Fun in the waterWho knew sticks and dead leaves could be so much fun.

My beautiful country girl...

Hope for spring!

Family Team Meeting AKA Mom's had it!!!!

Tonight's team meeting will be an inservice about how a house is run...

Agenda:

1. How to close the front door.

2. How to clean the spit you lovingly left all over the sink.

3. How to bend over and pick up stuff on the floor.

4. How to throw wrappers in the garbage.

5. How to put your dirty plates in the kitchen.

6. How to finish a bowl of cereal.

7. How to turn off a light switch.

8.  How to pick up dirty clothes.

9. How to pick a pair of matching socks.

Last but not least...

10.  How to flush a toliet!!!!

Discussion followed by demonstrations and then hands on learning.

Yummy homemade bread.  Still experimenting with reciepes...wish it would look prettier...but it tastes pretty good.

Clothing Manna from Heaven

This week has been a clothing God send.  Yesterday after Jacob's Dr appt  we ran into the Walmart for one thing.  Passing the boys clothing section.  This outfit for $3.  Boys sweatpants and sweatshirts $1 each.  I got two $3 outfits (they only had 2 styles) that Curtis desperately needed, and some $1 sweatpants and sweatshirts for Curt and Doug.  Passing the girls dept.  I got this dress for $1.  The tights were a splurg for $5.  I bought her two new dresses.  So for less than $20 I got 3 outfits for Curtis, one for Doug, and 2 outfits for Maggie.  Why didn't I buy one for Jacob...well cause he was being a 13 year old poopy head!!!

The best of all.  Last week on Mon (I think) Doug came downstairs with high waters on.  He had spurted out of all his jeans. Now at least an inch too short.  Way too short!  I sighed and thought of having to drag everyone clothes shopping...the whinning...the money...the frustration!!!  Wed night a dear sister from church left a bag of clothes in our car.  We got home and low and behold!!!!  6 pairs of Jeans that fit Doug perfectly!  Perfectly!!!!  Plus enough stuff to get us through summer too. 

We have been given clothing from Heaven!  Definately.

Curtism

"No bag of chips survive when I'm around!"

Curtism

"Mom there is dog hair everywhere...on the floors, on the walls, on the bed...  This is the type of thing you should know before you get a dog."

New Laundry Room

Here is the big project that Steve has been working on for the past few days.  My wonderful new laundry area.  We had the laundry upstairs...which is good...but it made our bathroom turn into a huge laundry hamper...which is bad...

Now I have room to fold and put laundry baskets.  We have a laundry chute...which I love more than I expected.  Next is the floor in the whole basement.  That will make things very nice.

Locks of Love

Maggie decided to donate her hair to Locks of Love.  It was getting very difficult to brush out and take care of so she took the plunge...we cut off 10 inches which is the minimum they will take.  Her hair is so soft now and we woke up without having a tangled mess of hair.  It should save us about 15 minutes each morning.  I evened it up more after this picture so I think it looks a bit better.  I am so happy that she didn't cry after.  Phew!

Pack Meeting / Derby Races

Here is Doug getting his religious square knot from the Bishop.  Yeah Doug!!!

Here is the boys with their cars...ready to race!

The big race...Let's just say Doug came in 2nd.  :(    Cody's car kicked butt!  It was a great night!

Organize, Clean, Purge...

I love when we undertake a big family project.   My kids (I think) can take it or leave it...  We decided to switch bedrooms last weekend.  It has lead to much cleaning and organizing....and the best part purging!!!  We made the kids try on every piece of clothing...they got rid of stuff they don't need.  Every corner got cleaned and wiped down.  Don't get me wrong...the place is still a mess work in process.  My favorite part is the bags waiting at the door to go to the Goodwill.  Yippee!!!

Today (might) be the Day

Today I see the surgeon again.  Hopefully today is the day I get to drive again...and hopefully today is the day I get to burn this corset/belt thingy I have been wearing for 3 weeks...and hopefully today is the day I can bend over...

Although I am looking forward to a doctors excuse not to do laundry for another year or so...


Update:  I can drive again...get to keep the corset/belt thingy for a few more weeks...and gentle bending...no twisting.  Everything looks fine.  Return appointment in March.

New Glasses Arrive

Doug first glasses ever.  He only has to wear them about an hour a day to help his eyes work better together. 

Maggie's new "pink" glasses.  I think they are cute but she has had purple glasses everytime.  I have to get used to them.  Her eyes are getting better and now one lens is clear.  Yippee!

And last but not least....drumroll please....Jacob in his new contacts!  He is probably happiest of all.

Closet beginnings

Here is the old door configuration.  The plaster was very bubbled and pulling away from the lath.  Then the new opening...shelves on the inside...and finally drywall up.  He also moved the light switch so you don't have to stretch your whole arm down the wall to turn off the light.  Next hopefully trim and more inside shelves. 

Cherry Apple Pie ???

Today I made a pie.  Didn't have enough of one kind of filling.....so I used cherry and apple mixed.  I hope it tastes good.  I am not sure yet...after dinner will be the test I suppose.  Wish me luck!

Homemade Laundry Soap

I got this recipe from the internet world.  I thought I would give it a try.  I have done the liquid homemade laundry soap.  That worked just fine.  Here is the powder version.

1 Cup Shredded grated bar soap (I used Ivory)

1/2  Cup Washing Soda

1/2 Cup Borax

Use 1 Tablespoon per load in front loading machine.

****Just a disclaimer...THESE ARE NOT MY ARMS AND HANDS...THEY ARE MY HUSBANDS!!!!  I just want to clarify that I do not have manly arms. *****

This was a double batch.

****Just a disclaimer...THESE ARE NOT MY ARMS AND HANDS...THEY ARE MY HUSBANDS!  I just wanted to clarify that I do not have manly arms. ****

Back to Normal...and normal is good.

Today is the first day the kids are back at school.  It is quiet again.  Steve has a project going upstairs...it is snowing and I finally get to use my new mixer to make chocolate chip cookies. 

Steve is working on the boys closet.  Making it bigger and more efficient.  LOVE THAT!  He also painted the foyer/entry way this week.  It is nice that he has to be here for this and that because of my operation.  Not being able to drive has really put a crimp in him going to work.  Oh well. Hopefully only a few more days and I will have wheels again. (and a new closet :) )  I love when he is home and a bit stir crazy...things get started that he has been meaning to do for a while. 

We are mostly doing doctors appointments the next two weeks...Dermotology appt today, Eye appt thurs, ortho appt monday, dr appt tues and eye appt tues, and finally Dr. Musser (surgeon) on Fri. next week.  Then I hope to start physical therapy and get my WHEELS Back!

I will post some pictures when the closet comes along more. 

I am so excited about it being done.