Homestead Dreams

  What is normal, really? I don't think things were ever normal per say. LOL But we are back to our regular scheduled program.  Grinding is over and my husband is back working his regular 6 to 5 hours instead of the afternoon hours that he had for the past four months. And school will be up and running  tomorrow morning.

   We would have started back with school this morning but I had a doctors appointment with my GYN.  I have a love hate relationship with this man. Love the person that he is, but hate what he does, if you know what I mean. The most embarrasing day of the year for me, the wellness visit.  Yuck! And it probably wouldn't be that bad if it would end after only the one visit, but each year there is a problem that needs futher attention. And this year is no different. I have been having pains in my lower stomach and lower back area so he wants a vag. ultrasound. I had them schedule the mammogram and the ultrasound on the same morning of Jan. 29th.  He wanted to do a MRI but me and those tiny sausage like machines don't get along. Last time I was stuffed into one I paniced and had to be removed after only about 30 seconds. So I nixed that idea right away. The ultrasound was option B. I'm not going to know anything for at least another six weeks so I'm not going to stress or worry about it. God is in control, so no need for worries.

   Also ran to the DMV today after the doctor's appointment to drop off a license plate of a car that I just sold and to get my 15 year old an ID. He is way big for his age and no one believes him when he says that he is only 15. He turns 16 this next Monday on the 12th and now has to buy hunting and fishing licenses,  so he will need this  ID to do that. Well nothing got done at the DMV because as soon as we opened the door I saw that the place was packed to the roof. What is it about DMVs?  I told him we would return  early in the morning  and try to beat the rush. He was a little disappointed but understood. He is such a good kid.

   I took my current issue of Mother Earth News with me to the doctor's office today and read a few aticles on gardening. I am so ready for a spring garden, heck I'm just ready for spring, period. I'm done with the cold and all the brown deadness everywhere. Bring on the color and the flowers!

It definantly felt like a typical Monday. I think I ran around like a chicken with my head cut off. I havent been spending as much time at the shop the last couple weeks, so some paper work kept getting pushed aside. As the new year is here, I had to get all that paper work done. On top of that, we found out Friday that the Credit union that we have our business account with is closing this Friday, so I had to go open new accounts for the business today. I also had to do the paperwork and write a check to get the new license plates for out Suburban. Lunch was in there somewhere, and so was a little bit of school. I did not get to any of my Monday chores. I guess Tuesday will be a catch up day. I have a lot more paper work to do down at the shop too, but I am waiting to hear from our accountant so I know exactly what I should be doing. You know, I love learning new things, but sometimes it is kind of scarry. Especially when it could affect other people not just me. So far, I seem to be doing everything okay with the book keeping end of the business, so that should make this end of the year stuff easier to accomplish.

It has finally quit snowing. But it is still cold. I think 35 is the warmest we have had in the last three weeks. I got together with a friend of mine the other day and we sat with our cups of coffee (tea for me! I am still doing good with no coffee!) and planned out our gardens for this year. We had a great time. Hard to believe that in a couple of weeks I will be starting seeds in the house!!! I cant wait. I always look forward to that time of  year.

Have a blessed evening, I am off to try to get the laundry done at least!

FOR TODAY...

Outside my window...grey, dreary, COLD day.  But it IS a day that the Lord has made, so I will rejoice & be glad in it!

I am thinking...that this is a week of 'back to normal' and life will take on it's regular pace.

I am thankful for...the safe and blessed delivery of my friend's sweet baby boy on Saturday morning!  This is my dear friend whose husband was killed in a motorcyle accident back in July.  This baby is SUCH a miracle - it had TWO tight knots in it's umbilical cord and is perfectly normal!!  One of the nurses told her that certainly the Lord let her husband watch over that baby to make sure it got here.  Please keep her - and their (now) 4 children in your prayers.

From the learning room...Back to school today!  On the plate are:  Bible, American Gov't, Composition, Life Skills, Marine Biology and Nature Journaling/Art; gym will resume on Thursday.

From the kitchen...simple soup and sandwiches...or maybe salad for lunch; chicken breasts, snap beans w/almonds and garlic/rosemary roasted potatoes for supper.

I am wearing...jeans, burgandy shirt, blue 'house socks'.

I am creating...by tearing down.  We will be taking down our Christmas tree and other decorations today.  Boohoo! 

I am going...to the grocery and the bulk food store this afternoon.

I am reading...Bible; reading through DD#2's schoolbooks and doing some extended planning...that I DIDN'T get done while on Christmas Break!

I am hoping...that an important appointment for DD#1 goes VERY well for her tomorrow.

I am hearing...Glenn Beck on the radio and the girls walking around up-stairs.

Around the house...putting things back in order after the Christmas decorations come down, laundry, homeschool...

One of my favorite things...newborn baby fingers and toes.

A few plans for the rest of the week:  homeschool, gym, THURSDAY IS DD#1's 21st B-DAY!!!  Practicing the 4 songs that DH & I will be singing at my mom's church on Sunday.

Here is a picture thought I'm sharing...

In light of DD#1's 21st b-day...wasn't this just yesterday?!?!

Read and enjoy other Daybooks by clicking on:http://thesimplewomansdaybook.blogspot.com/

Blessings from Ohio, Kim Wolf<><

We have been focusing lots of our time with my son.  His visit home has been wonderful.  He said it has been just what he needed.  The girls and I have been keeping the meals and baking going almost non-stop since he came home.  I am glad to see him enjoying home cooking so much.  He still has a couple more weeks with us. 

Today some of life needs to go back to normal.  Emily starts work again (after a couple week holiday break) and I think I will have the youngest kids do a little school.  Jacob may go out and about in town with Richard today so he may not start school yet.  He is way ahead of schedule anyway so I am not too concerned about it.   

On my to-do list today is laundry and housework.  I need to get some floors mopped and some dusting done.  Wood heat seems to create a lot of dust!  I also need to get the kids back to my daily house cleaning chore list today.  With all the fun times and off schedules my house is showing a bit of neglect.  So that much of a normal schedule will start today! 

Tobin and I will be having our weekly date so I need to get a pot of bean soup cooking before we leave.  I was thinking Italian Pintos were sounding pretty good.  Maybe I will find the time to get some French bread made before I leave too..  we will see how the days goes.   

I will be back soon to more blogging and sharing but for now life seems very focused on my kids and family.   

I wanted to leave with a pic of my grandbaby Elizabeth taken at Christmas time..  she is growing so quickly! …

Hope you all have a great Monday on your Homestead!

Its Monday morning and time for things to get back to some kind of routine here after the holidays.  It's been a nice break and we have all enjoyed it.  Its cold here this morning and they are saying we could have some ice coming our way today.  What happened to snow?  Seems like it is always freezing rain and sleet lately.  I would like to see one pretty snow before winter gives way to spring.

We had baby rabbits born this weekend--things are getting a bit crowded in there right now--tis the season-lol.  The goat kids should be arriving next month--hopefully the new barn will be ready just in time!  It looks to be an exciting spring full of new arrivals.  The pigs are bred now and should be birthing at the end of April.  That's real exciting for me as I have never seen new baby pigs.  I have spent the weekend reflecting on everything that we have done in the last few years and I am totally amazed at how much we have learned and grown.  There is really something to be said for starting from scratch.  Take this current barn we are building...only a few years ago it would have been a huge project that would have seemed almost impossible to do--and now it is something that we all enjoy and is actually fun.  Oh how things have changed in our lives--and all for the good.  I am so thankful to God for all his Mercy and Kindness.  Enjoy your day friends-each and every one is a gift.  Blessings>faithfarm

I have been bit by the sewing bug again, finally.  I haven't been in my sewing room since the craft festival.  I have thought about it, only to say, "No way".  I don't know, it must have been all those nights of being in there until 3 am that helped me to shun my  love of sewing for all this time. 
So I had been thinking of making my children some colored pencil rolls.  I thought they would be a nice thing to have to take along to church, on field trips, to have on hand when they want to sketch something... I also thought I would make them a bag to hold their pencil roll, their Bible, and a sketch pad... I still have to make those. :)
So Saturday afternoon, I seized my opportunity to go into my sewing nook.
And here is the outcome.
The one above is Cameo's.  She loves the fabric.  I made 14 slots in hers... 12 is because colored pencils come in a 12 pack at the dollar store and then I wanted her to have a place for a pen and a pencil.
It was a strange thing when I went to the sewing nook to pick out the fabric... I pulled most of the fabric off the shelf, sorted, folded some neatly and came to realize that the deer/elk fabric was the only boyish fabric that I own! NO JOKE! How sad is that! I know that there is some really cute boyish fabric around but I own only the half a yard or so I used to make these roll ups.  So I had to make two different colored ties for Eli and Abrams so they could tell them apart.
I ended up making myself an apron after I finished the pencil rolls and I will show you pictures of that later on. 
And if that didn't tickle me enough, I taught myself how to knit a little.  Oh, am I awkward and silly looking right now... but I figure in time it will become easy to me.  I know how to cast on, and how to do the knit stitch. I am so tickled.  I have been practicing over and over and am so slow. haha. Next I will learn the purl and hopefully try and make something... hooray! :)
Have a great week friends.
My Cup Runneth Over...

I thought I would share this photo of my children -- taken a few weeks back at our little church's Christmas pageant. My camera broke down that night and my pastor's wife took this snapshot. :)  I loved it........ this was our children's first ever Church Christmas pageant.  Our previous Church never held Christmas pageants or Christmas' Eve services, so you can imagine how very excited the kids to be involved with the nativity pageant this year!  The text was taken right from the bible word for word, so the kids had a bit of memorizing to do - but they did a great job and enjoyed themselves.  ( they are holding treat bags in the photo -- the "wise man" brought "gifts" for the children)

The kids had the following parts:

Hannah: Mary

Jacob: A Wise Man

Rachel: A sheperd

Samuel: Joseph

Paul: Zachariah

Peter: An angel

Rebekah: The angel Gabriel

Sarah: A Sheperd

John & Naomi :  "sheep"

I am so thankful for my little Church that focused on the true meaning of Christmas this year and really chose godly activities to bring Jesus front and center to the Holiday season.  It is so refreshing.

~ gloria ~