Field Trip Report

Cowpens Battlefield was a great field trip. Their visitor's center had a movie that explained the battle (the whole battle took less than an hour) so clearly, I think the kids really understood. The kids did the junior ranger program activities, so we were there for about three hours.

Before we went, we stopped at the Majesty Music store. Those are the folks who make the Patch the Pirate recordings. The kids love those, so I was tickled to find out they live in Greenville.

After we went, I dropped the kids at home and ran to the grocery store to get the makings for a salad and then we went to church for a pizza party. Needless to say, we were pooped by the end of the day. Good day, though.

Lenny the dumb basset hound is still here. We can't call the pound. I offered him up on my home school loop, but he might end up living here. He is a nice dog. We are suckers. What can I say? There is a huge difference to me between someone else's dog on my property and an orphan.

Today, Dan is going to finish up Alec's room and bed and I am going to organize the mud room. It is a weird room. It is probably 12 x 14, so it can be more than just a mud room, but what?

Is That Dog Still Here??

I got all the evil paperwork filed yesterday. It was such a mess and I am sooo happy it is cleaned up. I also cleaned out my closet and ended up with a box for Goodwill. Today, I think we are cleaning up the mudroom before we go on our field trip. There are too many coats in there. Or maybe not.

We are going to the Cowpens Battlefield today. It is about an hour from here. It was the site of a Revolutionary War battle. And it is free to visit--that is the best part for me.

OK, who was mad at me about the dog story yesterday? Dan got home and there the dumb thing STILL was. Dan thinks someone dumped him. Apparently, that is not uncommon here. He is the friendliest stupid dog ever. Dan named him Lenny and said if he was still around tomorrow he would call the pound. Thinking he wasn't one of the countless neighborhood dogs that run free around here softened my heart towards him considerably. I gave him some dog food and he followed us around while we worked on the green house. After all the yelling and stuff we did to him, he just wanted to be with us. I am sure he would be a good pet, but I can't see him serving any purpose, like keeping critters away.

Unwelcomed Guest

I was worried a skunk was eating the cat food, but we figured it out--it is a basset hound! The little boys were on the tramp and he came in the yard. This stupid, stupid dog would not leave the property. Alec stung it with the BB gun with no response and swacked it with a broom. It just rolled on it's back in submission but wouldn't leave. We all went inside and then five minutes later I see it come up and start eating the cat food. It had a collar with no tags (not even the rabies one). I told Alec to shoot it with the BB gun as hard (you adjust it by how many pumps you give it) as he could. I'm not feeding someone's dog.

I ran an errand today and almost ran over a little dog--I have never seen so many lap dogs running loose. Actually, I don't think I have ever seen a lap dog running loose before I moved here. When Ev and I were walking the other day, we had a tiny little black fluffy thing follow us home. We couldn't get that one to leave, either.

My greenhouse is now at 103 degrees! Ya think I need to work at getting it regulated??

Doomed to Paperwork

Today can not end until I have all the paper work and files in good order. It is a mess from the moving experience. It is just about time to do taxes, so it is very necessary to get them cleaned up.

We put the heater in the greenhouse last night. This morning, it was only eight degrees warmer inside than out. We are brainstorming right now, because that just ain't gonna work. I am going to start putting my artichokes outside. Did I tell you about this? If you keep the outside for at least a few weeks when the temp is between 32-50 they think they lived through a winter, so they will produce their first year. Otherwise, it takes two years. I am going to stick them in front of the garage so if it is going to freeze, I can pull them in. Hope that works out. That will make more room in the craft room--it is jammed packed right now.

Fencing!!

I need fencing!! There have been ten goats on sale (cheap!) on craigslist in the last few days and I have no fencing!! ARGH!!!!

Evan and I went to the chiropractor--he is the nicest man. We were talking about my insurance. I was going to pay something towards my bill because I have a deductible to hit now, but he wouldn't let me. He also mentioned my insurance covers 90%. He said he just wouldn't charge me the 10% I am responsible for! I told him I wanted to pay it because it was worth it, but he said no. He must figure we are going broke raising all these kids! HaHa. Very nice man.

I met a Scrappin' Up lady yesterday to get a catalog from her and she told me about a scrapbook store not far from me. I stopped in today. Wow--it was a rockin' place. There were a bunch of retired gals making cards--I think they must have spiked their iced tea! They were wild. One lady showed Evan a magic trick with a dollar and then gave him the dollar. Anyway, I signed up to scrap a week from Friday. Yeah, I am getting out a little. Also made an appointment for a haircut, which for me is pretty rare. And started cleaning out my closet.

Looong Night

My back felt much better yesterday, but as soon as I got in bed, it was really overwhelming. It just feels like a knife is going in my sacrum. Dan finally figured to put the futon mattress on the floor and that was where I slept. I guess I need something much firmer than my mattress. Glad he figured it out because I was starting to get loony. The thought of not being able to get comfortable enough to sleep freaks me out.

I have always had mattress issues. We bought a Select Comfort one when we moved to Wisconsin. That never did anything for me, so after about six years we bought an expensive pillow top that I hated from the start. I just don't know which direction to go with it. Every once in a while I will sleep on a mattress that feels good, in a hotel--you'd think with all my problems, I would offer to buy it (or sneak it in my suitcase). Aunt Marie has a pull-out couch that I am sure is older than me and I slept great on it when we went to visit. Go figure.

Anyway, I will go to the chiropractor today and try to figure out how the futon on the floor is going to fit into my life. I can't really have the frame just sitting in the living room. I have been thinking it might be time to go couch shopping, anyway, even though we aren't close to working on the living room. Who knows.

Addie slept until 9:00 yesterday and was shooting for it again today, but I woke him up and told him we need to get him back on schedule.

Something was trying hard to get into my cat food bin two nights ago. We need to move the cat food down by the dogs, I think. Mama Kitty isn't scared of them, but hopefully whatever else is wanting to eat her food will be.

Dan got the greenhouse plastic up yesterday and put the thermometer in. This morning it was colder inside the greenhouse than outside! It is cloudy and rainy today, so it won't warm up much. There is some tweaking left to do to the greenhouse and then I will put in my heater and warm it up.

Nothing has happened on the house lately because of his trip and all the little jobs needing attention. He has to get the trim up in Alec's room still and then I think we are going to work on bringing the washer dryer down stairs. I think. Oh, he needs to finish the log bed. Lots to do. I told him yesterday he ought to switch to part time at work! HA!!

Home Again

We left at about 1:30 yesterday afternoon and went to the Billy Graham museum in Charlotte. It was very well done and there were lots of nice volunteers. Our timing worked out pretty well--we went to dinner afterwards and then sat at the airport for about 30 minutes before they arrived. There are always so many interesting people to see at the airport.

I swear Adam grew while he was gone. He showed me the pictures he took on his camera right away. The little goofball took more pictures of the dog he got in his happy meal than he took at camp. He had a good time and I am going to let him sleep as long as he needs to this morning. They brought me home a long sleeved t-shirt and a hoodie (that is the first time I have actually used that word). They made sure I knew they were 50% off. Guess that is why I got two.

My back was sore but tolerable until I got in bed and then I was a mess. I finally got up and tried my body pillow and that put me in the right position, thankfully, to be able to sleep. I am a little nervous that the baby's position is causing this and it is here to stay. I will go to the chiro again tomorrow.

Hopefully, tonight, we will get the greenhouse put together. My cassabanana and morning glories are getting humongous.

Better Already

I started calling chiropractors--the first two I called were no longer at the number I called and the third had a weird, out of town number. Goodness. These were providers I got from my insurance company. Go Blue Cross!! Finally found a guy who could get me in this morning. I was amazed at how antiquated his office (and secretary!!) were. They actually used typewriters instead of computers! Remember those?

Anyway, he was a very nice man and the adjustment helped tremendously. I feel much better. He told me to take a walk, so Ev and I will do so after lunch.

Ouch

I seem to have hurt myself. While we were watching a riveting documentary about skunks last night, my back starting hurting. No biggie, it hurts more often than not. In the night, I woke up in terrible pain. I feel like I cracked my sacrum. I got up (very slowly and awkwardly) and took some meds. I iced it, also. It didn't seem to help at all. This morning, it is really hard to walk.

I had planned to get the house as clean as my energy level would allow and then find something to do in Charlotte before the guys fly in at 7:30 and head up there. Instead, I think I will try a shower and then start calling chiropractors.

Happy Stuff

Oh, the things that makes us happy--here is the thing that thrilled me today: I decided to take a different way home from church and not two miles from church, I found a Tractor Supply Store. That is the closest thing we have to Fleet Farm (also know as the Man Mall). We needed chicken starter feed and I thought I'd have to drive 30 or 40 miles to the one I had found in some town I can't even remember, but there is actually one we will be right by once a week. This is fabulous!

Also fabulous is the pizza party at church next Friday. This is the first even outside of the Sunday service they've had since we started attending.

There was another really good thing, but I already forgot. Maybe I will ramble here for a bit and it will come back to me.

I got a book on growing in greenhouses. I was looking through it, I decided I need to start more flowers. I think I'll wait until I get the stuff I have out to the greenhouse, first.

Oh, the other great thing is the Bible Bee. It is a national bee, like spelling or geography one. The first prize for the teen aged group is $100,000. Yowzer. Alec is excited.

And then the other, other great thing is there is a new home school group starting in Greenville. I joined their email loop. I am actually in touch with other homeschoolers again. Yeah!

Talked to Dan. Their camp is officially over, but they are spending another night and flying out tomorrow. He asked if there was some work he could do, but they invited them to join the activities of a church group that is coming later today. They were ice skating when I called. Our old cell phone carrier didn't come in down in the valley but our new one does. Anyway, Adam likes ice skating.

Have you gone through that thing were your little kids get upset they can't participate in communion, so they tell you they are a Christian? Ev has been like that. Today he told me he was a Christian because he didn't do Halloween. Funny kid.

I am going to go play with my flowers now.

Saturday with Just Us Four

Evan was funny this morning. He told me I had made a funny sound. I asked when. He said, "Well, when I heard it, of course." Makes sense. Then, I told him we needed to look for the pancake recipe because Alec and Ian wanted to make us pancakes. He said, "OK, you look on the right and I'll look on the left."

We watched the dumbest movie last night. It was called Space Chimps. Ev started acting funny and I thought he was scared of the movie or was just tired. He told me this morning he was sad because he missed Adam. Poor guy.

My winter wheat is finally coming up. We had thrown the old green house plastic on part of the garden and it really sprouted in that section. The other plants I have out there under cover don't seem to be doing much. At least they are still alive.

The two kittens we had seemed to have the same thing the other one had. Lulu was starting to get skinny like the other one. We decided to put them down before they suffered a long drawn out death. So, we just have mama kitty. She seems perfectly healthy. We have never had a problem with a sick litter. I have been to farms where all the cats just look terrible, but ours have always been healthy. I wonder if Lulu came to our house with something. She looked fine, but the problem started after we moved here and she came to live with us as soon as we moved. Anyway, we will disinfect everything and assume mama kitty will meet a southern tom and babies will come in the spring.

Dan said he would try to climb out of the valley to call us today. Hope they weren't too cold last night!

FTF #3

We were up at 5:00 and out the door by 5:30. Got Dan and Adam off at the airport and found our museum without a problem. Charlotte has a lovely downtown. Lots to see and do. The boys actually got to walk on a high wire (about 20 feet up), as the main exhibit was about the science of the circus. The older two, that is. We found a nice place to have lunch downtown and went back to the museum for a little bit and headed home. I really like the museum--it had a lot of small exhibits and then the big circus one.

Talked to Dan and Adam. He really was at a perfect age for a plane trip. I can see him talking the flight attendant's ear off. He is very happy right now. They have landed and played in Madison for a bit and are on their way to the camp. It is down in a valley, so he won't get cell phone reception once they are there.

I have a feeling it will be an early night at our house.

Change of Plans

We decided that we would all take Dan and Adam up to Charlotte tomorrow and see them off. Then the remaining shorties and I would go to the Discovery Place in Charlotte. We have to leave here at 5:30, and it doesn't open until 9:00--that will probably give me an hour or two to be lost up in Charlotte. Good.

I was wondering around the yard this afternoon. I bet we have a whole acre that is just covered with brush and kudzu and yuck. I want to buy a couple of cheap goats to clear it, but Alec wants to buy a machete and get paid to clear it. Goat would cost less, but I have to let the kid earn money. Maybe I could get him a goat assistant.

Boring Plant Stuff

Nice to hear from you, Kristi. hope all is well.

I am just writing this to document it for me. I repotted everything left that had sprouted and threw a few last attempt seeds in with the ones that have not sprouted yet. I can hardly walk around in the room, it is so packed.

I need to do some research to see if I can stick the onions I started outside now and when to stick my artichokes out. They say if you stick them outside for a few weeks when it is cool but not freezing, you can trick them into thinking it is winter and you will get artichokes the first year.

Sock in the Vacuum

I sucked a sock up in the vacuum and can't get it out. I guess that ends my housekeeping for the morning.

I had planned to go to the big, main Greenville library for our field trip tomorrow. Adam informed me that even though he wasn't going, he thought it was a bad field trip. Then Ian told me it didn't seem like a field trip. Alec was excited because he is a bookworm. Now, I am rethinking. Maybe we will go up to something in Charlotte, North Carolina. That is two hours away, like Atlanta. That is where Adam and Dan are flying out of tomorrow. We'll see.

Got the update on the funeral of Grandma Peggy's husband from my cousin. She mentioned I should pass the information on to my brother if I hear from him (I mostly certainly do not hear from him, thank God). She told me she hasn't heard from him in 15 years, but the Christmas cards she send him don't get returned, which makes her happy. Folks, I don't even get Christmas cards from her and I do respond. Good night, I have got me one loony family.

Got my grow light up last night. I am surprised the drop ceiling hasn't dropped from the weight of all those lights. I need to go down and move things around. I also need to buy more dirt. Buying dirt seems as goofy as buying water.

A Few Steps Forward, A Few Back

Ran some errands this afternoon and raced home to have time to get the greenhouse plastic up and secured. They sent us the wrong size. Will send the correct size tomorrow. So, next week I guess we will get that put together.

I ordered raspberries tonight. Mostly gold ones, but some red ones, also. The gold ones taste better. Also ordered some elderberries. I had already ordered the strawberries and grapes. We have blueberries here. Did I forget anything?

I bought yet another grow light for my seeds. They have some seeds out now. That is really bad for me, because I can hardly walk past seeds without picking up some. I bought delphinium and some bell type flower I can't even remember.

Alec was very excited to tell me he can bite with his front teeth. Small victories.

Oops

I didn't mean to post this post earlier. I meant to save a draft to add to later. I am so flaky.

Evan and I went to the midwife's today. Uneventful, except she gave a me maternity shirt she found at Goodwill's "By-The-Pound" store. Do they have those elsewhere? You just put your stuff in a bag and pay by weight. Cool.

I couldn't figure out how to pack, yesterday, without Adam knowing. If clothes were missing out of his dresser, I know that stinker would notice. So, I told him about his trip. He was certainly quite excited. He helped me pack, although we need to do some revising. They have to bring bedding, towels, swimming stuff and pillows. That is a lot to get in suitcases.

I had my third attempt at making 7 grain bread. I added more gluten and a little dough enhancer and it turned out fine this time.

I found a Creative Memories lady who holds scraps. I will try to go to one next month. I emailed 5 different scrappin' up ladies and only one wrote me back.

I got a call from my insurance company (who will not pay for homebirths). Apparently, 3M pays for a prenatal program. You get assigned a nurse who will help you with pregnancy questions and try to monitor high risk issues. I would not have agreed to it, but they give you $50 to join, so what the heck. I can be bought. I talked to the gal for an hour.

I haven't gained any weight yet, for the record. Also, for the record, I certainly don't need one ounce of extra weight, so this is a good thing.

Watched It and Cried

The little boys and I and ran some errands and picked up some pizzas to eat while we watched the inauguration. The little boys won't remember a word spoken, but they'll always be able to tell you what kind of pizza we ate while watching it. I am quite sure Alec will never forget it because he kept looking over at me and watching while I cried. Couldn't help it.

If that event does not inspire you to lead a righteous, holy life, I do not know what will. God puts our leaders in place and we got exactly what we deserve, today. He really is all we deserve. Repent!

More Resolutions

I am very happy with the resolution I made about not wasting energy on fruitless relationships. I was surprised to see how much time I put into them. Today, I came up with two more resolutions I think would improve the quality of my life. Here they are:

#1 Stop watching and reading the news. When was the last time you watched the news and learned something that was really useful to your life? Other than when the storm was supposed to hit, I can't think of any. It just frustrates me and it is time to stop.

#2 Stop going to Walmart. We had such a nice Walmart in Menomonie. It was clean and well stocked and the people working there were reasonably friendly. The one closest to me down here is so poorly stocked, I can't believe it. I looked for socks for Adam today and they hardly had any--just a big empty wall display. And the people are so unfriendly. The greeters don't even talk to you. I tried the one in Anderson, about 20 miles away, and it is no better. The last time I was there, we waited in line longer than I am sure I have ever waited in line in my life in a store. Dan called while we were leaving and asked where I was. I told him Hell. I was close. I feel like I ought to shop there because they do tend to have lower prices in general and I am not one to run to this store for their deal on two things and then to that store for their deal on two other things. But, enough. I can hardly get out of a Walmart here without using bad language, so it is time to stop going there.

Where's the Snow?

Imagine that--still no snow today. I am relieved to see the weather reports look good for Madison, WI later this week. To fly north in the winter seems like a dicey plan. I need to start packing today. We will see if I can do it in secret.

I really need to take the time to find a chiropractor. I have a list of them in the area who take my insurance, but I don't have the gumption to start calling.

My grandmother's husband's funeral is Wednesday. Just got an email about it last night. My cousin thought I might come. Sure, with two days notice. Two of my cousins (Aunt Marie's kids)will be there but I am not close enough to them to make an effort to see them.

I have such a weird family. I have first cousins I have never met. And an uncle I haven't met. I wrote them all a few years back, but never heard anything from the cousins. The uncle's wife sent me an email saying she'd write me and tell me about their life, but she never did. Weird family. I have second cousins in Colorado from my father's side and then Aunt Marie, who is my mother's half-brother's wife and that is about it for family.

I got in touch with a first cousin on my father's side a few years back. She lives in Connecticut in my paternal grandmother's former home. When I went out to see Aunt Marie with the kids a few years back, I wanted to stop and see her and I thought it would be neat to see my grandmother's house. She got weird on me and wouldn't let me come to the house. She said she would meet me somewhere else, but not at the house. When I first called her, I talked to her adult son. I explained who I was and that I remembered when he was born. He replied, "Oh yeah? Well, then tell me when my birthday is." Weird people. I finally gave up on her.

Well, that is enough about Rena's weird family tree for this morning.

No Snow...Yet

Well, it didn't snow last night, but they are sure we will get three inches by tomorrow morning. Can't believe how much those folks get paid to not get the weather forecast correct.


My greenhouse plastic came today. As Alec was unpacking it, Adam asked if he could watch (he was supposed to be doing something else). I told him it wasn't very interesting. After watching Al unpack it, Adam said, "You know Mom, you were right. That wasn't very interesting." Love that kid. We got the old plastic off, the weeds cut down and the floor tarp put down. We needed to move on to other things, but will hopefully get the plastic cover on tomorrow.

I have been hemming and hawing about whether or not the kids would be watching the inauguration. I decided it was worth watching, regardless of the person being inaugurated, or coronated, as this one feels. Being that it is MLK, Jr. Day, may I just point out that nobody ever seems to discuss the content of his man's character, but ONLY the color of his skin??! The older kids have even picked that up from watching the news. We do not see this as a historical event, at all. We could not care less what color he is. We pray for him, because the bible says we should , but we ain't impressed.

Finally Almost Normal

They just said on the news that it might snow an inch overnight! I bet people are storming the stores right now to stock up on food!!

Someone at church today made chess cake. Why has no one ever told me about that stuff? It is made out of basically nothing good for you, and tastes as fabulous as things that are no good for you generally do.

I talked to a gal at church from the U.P. who is expecting her 5th baby (although her kids are much younger than mine) and has a cow and chickens. She grew up in the Finnish Apostolic Lutheran Church. Never heard of those folks. She said her husband came down to South Carolina to work and after a few weeks informed her they were moving done. Did you hear that fabulous former neighbor?? Does that mean you guys might be moving to Texas??

The plastic for my greenhouse is supposed to come tomorrow. Hopefully, during the day I can figure out how to get the old stuff off so Dan can help me get it back together. Then I need to figure out how to get the heat regulated and, hopefully, soon I can get the plants out there. I am running out of room as more and more plants need to be repotted.

So, Friday Dan and Adam get up really early and drive up to Charlotte to fly up to Madison to drive to Father/Son camp up by Sparta. Adam still hasn't figured this out. They get home late Monday night, so they will be gone four whole days. I think this will be the first time I will single parent down here. I need to pull out the winter clothes. They also have to bring their own bedding and towels. That is a lot to get in suitcases.

The Log Bed in Progress

Feeling More at Home

It is 17 degrees. That seems to make a little more sense for January. I was thinking all you folks in Wisconsin ought to leave all your cars running constantly since gas is now affordable. That global warming deal doesn't seem to be working out for you all. I think you need to encourage it.

When did Bob the Builder stop being a friendly contractor with talking machines and become a nut-job environmentalist?? I used to like that show.

The museum was interesting yesterday. They have such a complicated history down here. The churches are such a big part of life down here but they were such a huge part of justifying slavery and segregation. The lady we went with told me she had gone to the confederate museum in town and that Abraham Lincoln is cast as a vile, evil man. The only good thing about Greenville is it is filled with transplants. Anyway, we went to her house for a snack afterwards. We have lived here almost three months and this was the first time we have been in someone else's house. That seems so wrong.


I made her one of the stationery boxes, which she seemed to like. I finished the ones for my former neighbor girls up north. Will have to get them in the mail Monday.


We lost power in the middle of typing this. It was out a couple of hours. I am glad it happened. I had been thinking about what I need to be prepared for such things and it helped to actually have it out. We really need a generator. I think everyone does. Since we have city water, we could still flush (that doesn't work when you have a well) and the gas stove worked, which was good because we were in the middle of making pancakes. It got cold fast in every room except the living room with the fireplace. I taped the fridge closed right away to remind my people to not open it. Alec and I have been going through the Lehman's non-electric catalog--I wanted to order some oil lamps. Oh, I am rambling here, but it is good food for thought. I don't think many people (me definitely included) are prepared for a storm that would leave them without power or access to stores for a time. I don't want to be one of them.

The only plants that I am having trouble with are the kiwi and papaya. Can't get those buggers sprouted. I need to do some research on that. I have three of those wall o' waters and am planning on setting out some tomato plants the first week of February.

Two things I would like to get going in the next month would be getting some Parmesan cheese made and aging and making up some soap.

Dan is working on the log bed. The tool to make it cost $300. He did not purchase it. He is trying to make it with what he has.

Field Trip Friday II

We are going to a South Carolina History Museum with a lady from church and her 16 year old daughter. I wonder if my five year old or the sixteen year old are less excited.

Evan told me he was totally bored while he was emptying the trash cans this morning. I asked him how exciting he expected emptying trash to be. "Not at all. I just wanted you to know I was bored."

I just got an email that my grandmother's husband died. She died about five years back. He was a lot younger than she was and took care of her; she was 96 when she died. I sort of toyed with the idea of sticking everyone in the car and heading up to Vermont but I talked to Aunt Marie in Maine and she isn't going to go, so there wouldn't be too much reason to go. We would have to be home by next Friday for Adam to get up to Father/Son Camp. I really didn't know him very well at all. I wrote him regularly, but didn't hear back very often. He was definitely an odd duck, but most people related to me in any way are, so no surprise there. He had two daughters, but apparently they didn't talk to him and weren't planning on going to the funeral. Enough of that.

Feeling sorry for all you frozen people in Wisconsin, if that helps at all.

I Did It!

I seriously didn't know if I was going to be able to put this together without help. I am tickled pink at how the first one turned out. I have parts of the other two done and some templates made so I can make them again. I will probably make 20 of them so I don't forget how.

Useless Docs and a Carpeted Chicken Coop

I am teasing Ian this morning. He has a headache but won't say anything because he wants me to notice and ask about it. So, he is walking around holding his head and moaning. I watched him out of the corner of my eye walk down the hall fine and then as he got by me the hand went to the head (apparently the universal sign for headache) and the mild moaning began. I think it is driving him nuts that I am not saying anything. I am so mean. He really is getting a lot more headaches lately. I thought I had it all figured out. He gets constipated easily and if things aren't moving, he gets headaches. Why is that not the case lately? The doctor was no help. He was busy making sure Ian had all his teeth and his that his leg kicked when he hit it. Doctors are so helpful. Speaking of that, Margie told me a friend's mom went into the hospital with a broken hip last week and died of an infection she got in the hospital. So going into the hospital killed her.

Alec has his doc check up this afternoon. He was bummed he had time to do school. Last doc appointment--yeah! I see the midwife next week, though. Those appointments seem dumb, too. She doesn't do anything I coudn't do myself at home. Taking blood pressure and dipping a protein stick in a cup of pee doesn't take a genius. Goodness, I am chipper this morning, aren't I??

I moved my morning glories out onto a window sill with some sticks for support. They are growing so quickly. One is already about six inches tall. I had a bunch of tomatoes sprout yesterday. I took one of the cauliflower plant out to the garden and stuck a milk jug over it to see if that is enough to keep it going in this weather. I need to cover things the next few nights. It is supposed to be about ten above Friday night. Yes, I realized you Wisconsinites are laughing at that right now. Dan told me it is 17 below at our old home right now. It is 60 degrees above that here.

My greenhouse is covered with a thick plastic. Some of it has torn and needs replacing. We found a place online to order from. After we replace it, I was going to use the old stuff as a cover in the garden. My wheat never sprouted. Not sure why. I think I planted at the appropriate time.

We decided to not start the chicks in the garage but right in the coop. That means a lot of cleaning before they come. They actually had CARPET on the floor!! Is there anything grosser you could think to put in a chicken coop than carpet?

The How-To

In case anyone might be interested in making the stationery box, this is a link to the directions. I ended up taking mine apart and figured out how to make it, which is unbelievable for me.

The Box that Wasn't

This is the box I was making today. Got all ready and realized I had the directions for the wrong project. Waiting to see if Kris will send me the correct ones. If you are up by Menomonie and are not frozen still, you ought to check out her blog. She teaches classes really cheap. She is so creative. Unlike yours truly.

Had a seven year old give me attitude today. He didn't want to read to me when I wanted him to read to me and he thought giving me a bad attitude was the way to deal with it. Good grief. I do not get paid enough to deal with attitude.

Ask for Squirrel

I check Craig's List Farm section every day to see what animals are available. There are always some chickens and lots of horses. Today there were goats for sale. The ad said to call the number and ask for Squirrel. SQUIRREL?? Good grief.

Making Alec muffins this morning. He seems ok, but doesn't seem to know where his lips fit in all of this.

My huge, wild goals for today include doing my laundry and the husband's laundry and actually getting it put away. Last week it took until Sunday before I put it away. Terrible. Then, I was to make this paper box for the lady from church who we are going to a history museum with on Friday. The box holds cards and a pen--I have one and the directions to make it but have not yet. I wanted to make a couple for fabulous former neighbor's older two daughters, also. I doubt I could pull out three of these in one day though. Who knows if I can pull out one. I really have a hard time seeing how to put things together. Anything. That part of my brain just does not work right.

I decided last week I wanted a cement mixer for my birthday. Just one of those small ones. Wouldn't that be neat? Think of all the damage I could do with one of those.

Only Two Years to Go

Kitty Cat Saga Continues

Adam decided to wash Kitty Cat with his RED sheets today. Need I say more? He ran out here with glee to show me the new pink KC. Good grief.

He asked me at lunch if "torso" was a dirty word. It was hard not to giggle while answering. Right after that, Evan announced "puke" was another word for throwing up. Fun lunch.

Chores and NASA and Braces

Took Ian to his check up this morning. They asked me the same thing they did with Adam--if he was involved in sports and other outside activities. I said, "No, he just does a lot of chores." People actually seem to be very respectful of homeschooling down here, but they always seem to ask if we are involved in coop classes. I tried those and found them to not be helpful in our academic pursuits. There are a lot of them down here. In fact, the two hs groups in our town of Easley are both coops.

On the way home, Ian told me he wanted to work for NASA. He is studying astronomy this year and really enjoys it. I told him that was fine and that he need to look into what kind of classes he would need to focus on. I also told him I thought that would mean he would have to live in either Florida or Texas and explained that meant his children wouldn't know their grandparents or cousins very well. He got very upset with me. Just trying to prepare him. He has told me before he wants to live right by me so his kids can go over to their grandma's house whenever they want.

Alec goes in to get his braces put on in a couple of hours. I will have to post a picture later. Anyone who has been through this and has tips for me, they would be appreciated. I get kind of emotional about it. I am not sure if I just feel bad for the discomfort he is going to deal with or that my baby is growing up or what my problem is.

Seven Year Old Thinking

I was cleaning the living room this morning. Adam came out and asked me if I was just cleaning it so it would look nice. Was that a trick question?

Five Year Old Logic

Evan just told me he is out of socks so he has to wear shorts today. Does that makes sense? It is 29 degrees outside. Shorts. Goofy kid.

The floor is done in Alec's room. They have to put the trim back and then move all his stuff back in. I still need to find something for his windows. I am terrible with window dressing. He is happy with the look of his room. I am not sure which room is next, to be honest.

Lots of flowers are starting to sprout downstairs.

I am not really ready for Monday.

Talked to B finally. We didn't discuss the issue of me not telling her about the pregnancy when she thought it was appropriate. Just got on with life. Her younger son got accepted to a school in Pennsylvania for second semester so she is about to become and empty nester. If you have a big family, you don't go through that. That grandchildren come while the younger kids are still at home. By the time this baby is Alec's age, Alec will be 26. Well, I guess the older kids have to stick around for that to actually work. That was the other sad thing--she is sure her kids won't move back to where she lives.

Also talked to fabulous former neighbor. Her hubby is going to go down to Galveston, TX to work because a hurricane wiped out a lot of the houses there. He is a contractor and there isn't much work in Wisconsin. If he thinks it is safe enough, the whole family will go down for a few months. Now, the neat thing about that is we could meet some time in Alabama, which is halfway. Never, ever, ever thought I'd vacation in Alabama!!

Why Rena Needs DSL

I used to upload my pictures to Walgreen's from home and then run and pick them up. Easy as pie. Today, I loaded my pictures on one little card from my camera, only to find out I didn't have enough room for them all so I found another card to load them onto. Went to Walgreen's and their computer couldn't read my card. Home to put them on a memory stick. Couldn't fit them all on. Took what I could fit and went back to Walgreen's. Had to wait awhile for a computer. Got them ordered and came home to erase those and put the rest on. Will go back to Walgreen's later to order those and pick up the first batch. Nice restful Sunday.

B finally called me last night. I was beginning to give up on her. I was in the midst of barfing, so I didn't pick up. Will have to call her later.

Dan has the floor done in the bedroom but many of the boards were off colored so he is taking them back and getting new boxes to do Alec's closet.

Overkill

I just counted how many different kinds of seeds I have started. I counted 52. Wow. That isn't completely different plants--there were four kinds of tomatoes and four kinds of pepper, etc. Still seems like more than I have downstairs.

That isn't the overkill part. I counted how many different kinds of watermelons, squash, pumpkins and melons I have. I counted because I want to try them on trellises this year and need to figure where I am putting them. I counted 16 different varieties! Good grief. I really went overboard on melons. I never had great luck with them in Wisconsin and I have very high hopes of growing some wonderful sweet ones this summer.

The Floor Going In

Everyone (except me) got involved in the floor.

They have to measure the different sizes to decide which one goes where.

If Dan were alone, he would eyeball it, I am sure, but he had a lot of help.

Floors and Seeds

All the baby stuff in my innards is pushing other stuff up into new positions already. The thing I really notice is whenever I eat, I pop out really far really high up. I eat and then suddenly look much more pregnant. Nice.

We didn't get the border in Alec's room up until this morning. It took three of us to get it up, but it looks nice. Now Dan, Alec and Adam are putting in the floor.

Ian helped me plant some cabbage, broccoli, lettuce, and spinach outside. We also put the leeks I started inside out there and covered it all with my row cover. I have no idea of what I am doing, so I look forward to seeing if it worked. It is 50 today but not sunny at all.

We also re-potted the morning glories, echinacea, and all the herbs into larger pots and seeded more echinacea, poppies, catnip, ground cherries and cosmos. I took pictures of them all in the craft room, but it didn't look interesting enough to post.

I bet they will get the floor done tonight.

Documenting Plants

The zoo trip was nice. It is a really small one, which I think is grand. Big zoos get boring to an animal liker.

This afternoon, Ian and I replanted the rhubarb, cassabanana and artichoke. We started all the tomato and peppers.

Field Trip Friday

Well, it is only 32 degrees, but the plan is to go to the zoo. I suggested it was too cold, but was informed we own coats. Huh. We'll give it a try, at least.

That reminds me--before I got pregnant with Alec, I was always cold, but something changed at that point and ever since I have been hot. I had to be careful about where I wore sweaters because I would just bake. Ok, forward to today and this pregnancy. The thing that clicked unclicked because I am freezing all the time now. I moved to the south and I am freezing. It will be 60 outside and I will have a coat on in the house. Crazy.

Dan went to the beekeeper meeting last night and enjoyed it. He learned a lot about keeping bees down here. It will be nice to not lose them to the cold. They get more expensive every year.

He finished painting Alec's room. Tonight, we'll put up the border and then go buy the flooring. He still has to make the headboard and footboard for the bed. That will be a new thing. We brought down logs from Wisconsin--he said he needs a new tool but he thinks he knows how to make it.

The Plants Don't Know it is January

We spent the afternoon outside. It is freaky windy, but it was sunny. I am amazed--there are bulbs (I am assuming they are something like grape hyacinth) coming up and my blueberries have buds. The rose we brought down with us is budding, also. So is the clematis we brought. Um...it is January. Nothing should bud anywhere on earth in January.

Lavender and Doctors and Bees

Well, I am so happy to say I finally have a few lavender seeds sprouted. I didn't know how long they took to sprout--obviously a lot longer than whatever else I am growing. Still no papaya. The cassabanana is beautiful, already. I am getting my peat pots in the mail Friday (I love UPS tracking) so I can transplant some things and then start new plants in their spots. I love starting seeds.

Addie has his check up today. He is at the age where he talks so much. He told the doctor so many stories. We stopped at Whole Foods Market afterwards and bought beautiful eggs that looked just like ours--all different colors and sizes. They were obscenely expensive, but they are beautiful. Chicks coming in about four weeks. Need to set them up a home in the garage.

Dan and Alec got the top half of his room painted last night. Two different colors going on with a border in the middle. Top color looks great. Dan does plan to put down his floor this weekend. We are going to do hardwood. We have only refinished hardwood or laid laminate, so this will be new.

He found a local place to order bees from and found the local bee keeper group. They have a meeting tonight--I am hoping he goes. It will be nice to touch base with other nuts, um... I mean beekeepers.

Cheese Making

Did you know I used to make cheese? I stopped when we moved into the tiny house. I'm ready to start again. I ordered some things from New England Cheesemaking. The gal who runs the site has written some good books about the subject. The neat thing is you can buy kits to make simple cheese without a big investment. I would think kids would enjoy it--some of mine have. You need a press if you are making hard cheese (cheddar, parmesan) but there are lots of soft cheeses that are pretty easy to make. The site has a 30 minute mozzarella kit that I enjoyed.

Something I Don't Get

I do not understand how people can receive plant catalogs in the mail and not stop whatever they are doing and drool and/or weep over how wonderful they are. They make my heart jump and my credit card tremble. I love them. Received a Jackson & Perkins Rose catalog today. The only one better than that is the David Austin catalog. J & P has more of the tea roses and David Austin sells more the old English ones. We need to buy fruit trees this year, so I probably can't do much rose shopping, but oh how I want to. Oooooooooooh, how I want to. OK, enough of that.

We went out to eat. Adam was playing with his straw and ended up spraying a whole straw-full of soda on his beloved mother. Joy.

While out, I saw a bumper sticker with a rebel flag and "Pride & Prejudice" written on it. Where have I moved to???? Good grief. I saw a kid with a shirt on a few weeks back that said "Preserve Southern Heritage Cock Fighting." Help!! This is a weird, weird place. Yeah, I know I am a weird, weird person, but a different kind of weird. Good weird. Not freaky weird.

At Least it Doesn't Leak

Guess what I don't have today? A kitchen sink. It was leaking so Dan took it out. I have paper plates for breakfast and I think I will take us out for lunch and then to buy a new one he will put in tonight.

They got Alec's closet painted last night (it is a BIG walk in closet). I assume by the end of the week they'll have his room painted. It will be green on the bottom half and tan on the top half with a border of deer in the middle. My little hunter boy. All his stuff in in the mud room right now, so it will be grand to get his room done. I think Dan is going to put down the floor as soon as the paint is done to get him back in his room. I assume. Ought to double check that.

We don't love the laundry room upstairs (the house shakes when it is spinning) and we want to use that little room for a nursery. We have been trying to decide where it will work down stairs. Dan doesn't love plumbing, but he is handling it. I think we decided to put it in the den in the back corner and then put book cases in front so you don't see it. We talked about having it in the mud room or in the craft room, but I think this will work best. The basement is all block so it isn't easy to do the plumbing for it. That will be one of the next projects. Fun.

Rain, Rain, Fall at Night Instead of Day

Hey kids, we made it to Tuesday. Ain't that grand? Let me tell you something about South Carolina. IT RAINS. A lot. They are officially in a drought, which I find strange because it rains so often. When you all are getting snow, I am getting wet. What? Nobody feels bad for me?? I felt bad for me today. I took Ev out to the doctor and it poured the whole time.

He had a check up today, Ad is Thursday, and then next week Ian is Tuesday and Alec is Thursday. I just wanted us to get in with some doc so I have someone to call when someone has a weird rash or something I can't cure. Didn't love the guy but he was ok. They don't introduce themselves when they walk in a room. In Wisconsin, even the nurses and techs introduce themselves. I think I need to face the fact I am soooo not in Wisconsin. In Wisconsin, 20 year olds do not call you "honey." They do that down here. I had a gal call me "baby" one day. Have you EVER thought of me and had the word "baby" come to mind?

Margie is home with her daughter. Life continues. There is more to do to try to figure out what is up with her, but at least she is feeling normal.

Dan got my grow light set up on some shelves so I can get more seed started. I am waiting for my peat pots to come in the mail (could not find them locally) so I can repot the artichokes, cassabanana, and rhubarb. I wonder how long it takes to get rhubarb from seed--will report when I know. Waiting for papaya to sprout. Reseeded the lavender and kiwi. Still nothing there. Believe it or not, I am trying to not go overboard on this planting stuff. I would like to do so much more. I got my floating row cover so I am going out to plant some thing right in the garden when it quits raining.

Alec is getting his spacers today. Braces on next week.

Out of the Mouths of Goofballs

I was telling the kids about Marg's daughter and how she was so ill she didn't know who she was. Adam asked, "Well did her mom tell her???"

Update

Talked to Margie. Her daughter just suddenly got a terrible headache yesterday. She vomited from it and couldn't remember who she was so they took her to the ER. After two hours of waiting to see anyone, they ended up sending them to Children's. They have done a lot of testing and are waiting to do an MRI before going home. They are assuming it is just (just???) a migraine. Margie is like me, in that we do not love doctors. It was hard for her to have her daughter in overnight. In all seriousness, I spent the morning wondering if we were going to be driving up to Minnesota in case something was serious.

Today was one of those bang Mondays where I got a lot accomplished and am feeling well. I am determined, this afternoon, to find Ian some sneakers that fit without yelling at shoe boxes in Kohl's, like I normally do.

Boom, Boom, Boom

I rent a fetal monitor when I am pregnant (from a place in Arvada, CO!). I just heard the baby's heart beat for the first time. It was 158. I can't remember if I am 13 or 14 weeks. Does anyone remember? I had the kids listen. I think on a scale of 1 to 10 for a neato factor, they would not have gone over 6. Oh well.

Pray, Pray, Pray

Crazy Margie sent me an email to say her ten year old daughter had to go to the hospital last night with a terrible headache and confusion. That is all she told me. Waiting to hear more.

Where Did My Two Weeks Go?

How could tomorrow be back-to-real-life day? How did that happen so quickly? I think I forgot how to do real life--of course, I wasn't doing it so well anyway, so maybe it is better I forgot. Dan and Alec are priming his room and closet right now. He got a lot done. He is probably excited to go back to work for the break.

I am determined to not go to bed tonight before I do Evan's school scrapbook pages FROM LAST YEAR. I never did any of the kids' pages. Well, we are half way through this school year, I think I better get a-movin'. The plan is to finish that tonight, then catch up on my family album this week (September through the end of the year) and then do each of the other boys' school albums. I also have to finish my ironing tonight so I can put the board away. I started on a necklace today, which tickled me to no end. See, I'm doing stuff; work and play.

A very nice lady at church asked me this morning what God was teaching me lately through his Word. I said, "Well, I am reading the book of Revelation right now so I have no idea what he's teaching me because I am just really confused." I am fairly sure that did not impress her, but you can't fault me for not being honest. I am moving to Romans next. I get Romans.

As a family, we have been reading about Abraham and Sarah. You know, that gal was old when she had her baby. Some kid of mine asked how old ladies can be now and still have babies. I said they generally can't have them past 50. So, Ian announced I could still have ten more babies before I have to stop!! Sure, honey. He also said he had a vision that I was having a girl. Sure, honey.

A Bit of Progress

Well, I received some very nice emails today, filled with support and good ideas. I really do appreciated it.

I bought some folding tables today and brought up basically all my crafty stuff. I have a table with scrap booking and stamping stuff and another with punch need and jewelry stuff in my room. Then I brought the sewing machine up and put it on a table in the living room. At least I have something to do now besides stare at the TV when I am not feeling well.

I also worked on my schedule to work out how to keep the house in better order and made a to-do list for the next week. I feel a little more on top of life right now.

I bought the paint for my craft room--it is called Bridal Rose. I slapped some up and I love it.

Dan and Adam made the race car he wanted to make and Alec and Dan made the live trap for the skunk. Adam and I made the design for the Kitty Cat punch needle I am going to make (try to make). That was about the day.

I know Rome wasn't built in a day but at least I get that I need to take the bull by the horns to get myself out of this. Let's see, are there any more cliches I can pull out of my hat??

The Digging Out Has Begun

Well, been thinking about what I can do right now to work my way out of my little pit and have come up with a few good ideas. They seem obvious but when I feel so poorly, it is hard to get myself to do things I know will make me feel better. Wanna hear them?

As simple as this sounds, I need to keep the house cleaner. It is such a dump, it seems silly to take time to keep it up. But I need to clean it as if it were in the shape I want it to be in. Just being in the habit of doing so will help me feel better. I need to work on my schedule to make sure I keep it up regularly.

I also need to get outside everyday. I am just not the outdoorsy type and it is easy for me to not spend time outside. I know, though, I feel better when I spend time in the fresh air.

I think we need to start having regular field trips. I don't know if once a week or every other week will work, but we need to go exploring more. I pulled back from that in the last few years when gas got so expensive but it is cheap now and it is silly to be in a new area and not explore more.

I need to exercise more. I started doing my pregnancy aerobics but quit while Dan was home. He is setting up a DVD player in our room so I can do it without an audience. I also am far enough along I can start the pregnancy yoga DVD. Stretching always makes me feel better. And the dog walking went by the wayside while Dan was home working. We just play with them in the yard but the walk is good for all of us.

I need to get some tables set up with my sewing machine and my jewelry making stuff. I need to pull out my punch needle stuff, also. I have all the making to do a punch needle of Kitty Cat (!!) but I haven't even started it. It is something I can do when I am feeling poorly and just sitting around.

Well, I suppose that is enough for now. I am going to Home Depot today to buy the paint for my craft room and look for peat pots to replant my artichokes. Their garden center is open year round. They actually have some flowers for sale right now.

I think the drywall is almost ready to prime downstairs.

Time to Dig Out of the Pit

I don't know if you've picked up on this lately (she said in a very sarcastic tone), but I have been in kind of a funk lately. I was reading some blogs today that were very positive and optimistic and I felt like I was from a different planet--I could just not relate. I can't believe how firmly entrenched I am in survival mode and how I am just waiting for the next ball to drop--all the time. Aside from playing with my seed starting, I am really not doing anything other than the basics of survival and I am not accomplishing them very well. I have lost all sense of adventure, creativity or just plain old fun.

I know I need to give myself grace because of the obvious big changes in my life, namely the move and the pregnancy. And then the byproducts of the pregnancy--being exhausted all the time and feeling like barfing most of the day don't make life a picnic. Living in a house that is such a mess when I thrive in a neat, organized abode is a huge part of this, also. Knowing it will be like this for some time is challenging.

Well, this is just not going to work any longer. I have got to pull myself out of this pit and find some joy in the midst of the mess. This seem like a big duh to you all but to me it was kind of an epiphany today. I really have no idea of how I am going to do it but it needs to be done and it needs to be done now. So, let's go. Any suggestions will be appreciated. Prayers, also.

Home Again

We drove all over this morning and then came home and got a call from a gal who found Brody and Beulah. She lives about a mile away. I had driven by her place this morning and didn't see them at all. She had a black lab and my dogs were hanging out with him when she got home last night (she works at a vet clinic!). The only tags they had were their rabies one (yes, I know that is stupid). Fortunately, I thought to call my vet this morning and give them our new number. Well, one problem resolved. Now, we will just wait to see what new problem turns up. Alec just pointed out our lives are never dull.

Addendum: I ordered dogs tags. Finally.

Oh Where, Oh Where Has My Little Dog Gone?

Actually, it is the big ones. Dan was out playing with them yesterday and they took off. And they are still gone. We noted Beulah appears to be in her first heat cycle, which is what we assume led them to take off. I guess Brody is her chaperon.

We both drove around and Dan walked the block--I am surprised Brody wouldn't come home. He has never been gone this long. Have to say, I am more annoyed than sad. We keep them in a kennel except when we are out playing with them and they usually stick right around us. I am so glad we weren't able to bring the other animals. All of our time up until now would have been spent on putting up fencing. We still need to do that, but I am glad it wasn't an emergent need. Well, maybe it is if these beast are going to keep taking off.

Anyway, pray my pups find their way back, please.

Upgraded

Kitty Cat got upgraded from a stretcher to a wheelchair.

2009, Day One

Hey, guess what I got accomplished yesterday! Nothing! Never got to working on the yard clean up at all. Just wasn't up to it. I did wander to Target and got some shelves that I am going to try to hook growing lights under so I can get more plants started. I could probably fill the whole garage with plants right now. My greenhouse needs repairs so I can't work in there yet. Right now it is going to be in the craft room with a little heater to keep it warmer. This is my favorite part of the growing season--buying, planning and starting seed.

Everyone who lives here, except me, stayed up until midnight. More power to them. Only two are just getting up now. Apparently fireworks are very popular here for New Year's. I guess it is too cold in Wisconsin to do that this time of year.

Did you make a resolution? I heard Margie's very wise and thoughtful ones--what are yours? I wasn't going to make any, but I changed my mind. I think my resolution to to stop putting effort into friendships that only continue because I make an effort to keep them going. I have always been one to stay in touch with people and check in on people and, frankly, I think it is a waste of my time. It is actually even worse than that. I even try to help other people stay in touch with each other! Good grief. Well, enough of that. If our friendship has continued over the years primarily because of my effort, hope you have a nice life. I'm done. Happy New Year!