Olde Tyme Acres Homestead

my son just test my patience. He can be so hurtful and mean in what he says to me.....I just want to be just as hurtful back. But I know it's his age 11, and I'm in the middle of a divorce and his dad is bribing him to come live with him by promising to buy him video games (M rated, at that), just buying him whatever he wants to try to win him over to his side. I hoping this divorce will be over soon.

Went to my attorney's yesterday, after nearly a year negotiating with him to try to keep costs down and being civil about the whole matter he just keeps wanting more, well my attorney is MAD and sent his attorney a fax telling him all negotions are done, we'll be going to medation. So please keep my son and me in your prayers and that soon this will be over.

By the  way my son just came in an apologized to me for hurting my feelings. I do feel better.

Thought I'd do something neighborly for the neighbors.....bake some zucchinni bread and give them some eggs. The reason being our guineas seem to have heard that her bird seed is better than what I throw out there for them. Her husband came down Halloween day and complained about them, so we said we keep them penned up (as we just moved here and don't have a run for them). I thought to myself....we have 20 acres and I got to keep my animals penned up).

Well the next day he came back and said him and his wife talked about it and decided it wasn't fair to keep them penned and he wanted me to let them out. So I did and said I want no trouble with the police, he said he wouldn't. I thought that was pretty nice of them.

Well the other morning my son let guineas and the chickens out (told him to throw out corn first and he didn't) well the guineas were in a dead run to the nieghbors. By the time I got up to their house she was chasing them out of her yard. She said were neighbors we can get along, their headed back down the road. I just chase them away from the bird feeders.

Then I think I will finish cleaning up the house. The unpacking is done so I can sit back and relax a bit today.

I'd like to have finished the house......unpacking, wiping down dining room, cleaning under the kitchen sink.....and I should still have time to do the regular housecleaning.

I got to say not too bad.....this Friday will be 4 weeks we have lived here and I got the house, shed, and summer kitchen unpacked, cleaned and organized. Just in time for the holidays.

I can't wait to start planning the veggie garden and landscaping........that's my favorite past time in the winter. Soon all the seed/plant catalogs will be arriving.

FOR TODAY November 10, 2008...

Here is picture thought I am sharing...

and I'm still working on organizing, unpacking boxes, cleaning etc. Oh the joys of moving....but so worth it.......I JUST LOVE IT out here. We had our first snow fall last Tuesday and Wednesday.....what a doozy it was.....no electric for 6 1/2 hrs and the phone was out for 30 hrs......talk about starting to panic on the electric tho, really made me start to think 'WHAT IF' and to start preparing better for those what if times.

My oldest son is home on days off so were planning on working on the chicken coop.......it needed winterized and a friend suggested using all the cardboard boxes from unpacking. It seems to be working too. I found some old storm windows in a pile in the woods so I nailed them to the wire area.....I think it may work for this winter.

We have 5 guineas (don't know much about them, but I think they are males), and 17 chickens. Well our neighbor up the road came and complained  last Friday about the guineas being up in their yard chasing the birds away and to keep them in our yard or he was going to shoot them.....so I kept them locked up the next day.....well the neighbor came back the next day and said him and his wife decided it's not right to keep animals locked up (I said neither did I that's why we moved out here) so he wanted me to let them loose and he would deal with it.....I said I don't want no trouble with the State Police (cuz I know from the previous homeowners he called them on their guineas), he said he wouldn't. So we are on the look out for a chain link fence that's really cheap or free for the dismantling and were going to build a rather large area for the chicken and guineas to wander around in mext year especially by gardening time....if you know what I mean.

Went and measured the fenced in garden area to make sure it was large enough for us.....95' x 88'......I think that's quite big enough for all my gardening plans......oh what to fill the area with. I found a old corn crib that I think I can use for a greenhouse to start all my seeds in, now if I can get it ready by then and before the snow falls. So much to do and not enough time or $$ to do it all.....oh well I JUST LOVE IT out here!

Have been down fishing in the pond a couple of times, that's rather enjoyable for me. Helping my friend catch fish for bait for trapping season. The boys have been out sighting in their guns.

I will have to post pics when I have a bunch of time as we now have dial-up.......

for a few days. The checks came today and closing is at 10 in the morning. Were estatic that this is finally going to take place.

We have a few extra hands at helping to move, so I want to use this to our advantage.

Thanks for all the prayers for us in getting this house. I will post pics of the house once things get settled.

insurance is taken care of and the attorney's are working on the closing paperwork.....but the checks still haven't arrived. Closing is set for 10 Friday morning. I need to call attorney's today to let them know if they arrive, if not closing will have to be rescheduled.

I don't need to tell you all the stress and panic I'm feeling......

Did get the mailbox in the ground yesterday, walked around the property (was so peaceful......that will be my happy thought for the day). Got nearly all the packing done, will work on this more tonight. I'm off to clean another house today then I'm sure I will be busy running errands.

on the house....and the paper will be dropped off to the attorney tomorrow, Both the 401K check and the check my Dad is sending should be arriving tomorrow also......

Well the house or should I say kitchen I cleaned today.....took me nearly 6 hrs....I felt bad I didn't get anymore of the house cleaned, but when things are let go for so long it does take longer. But once I get it looking the way I like it to be cleaned then cleaning will be a breeze.

Got a truckload of boxes, so I'm good for packing tonight, if I have the energy, that is. Time to get busy.

what else might could go wrong with this house/loan. Were waiting on the check to arrive (from profit sharing or 401K..something), well I had my son call yesterday to make sure they really did send it...and he asked how much the check was for (thank goodness), $3000 less than what they told him (and the bank)...now why would they lie? So we were freakin' on how to come up with this......well I got the nerve and asked my Dad and he said Yes (I was totally blown away with that answer)....now I'm hoping to get it in time (by Thursday).....still waiting on the insurance company.....he needs to know the market value of just the house and the bank has the information (which was closed yesterday!).

I've got nearly all the packing done, ran out of boxes, will try to find time and gather more today. Got a house to clean (new customer) and I'm coming down with a cold......I'm running on empty....

Oh, and the guy that was to let us use his covered 20ft. trailer.....got fired from work yesterday......so that deal is off.....

My mom and step dad are planning on coming to help, my brother is suppose to be bringing a trailer also.....so we may be just fine anyways.

but we did manage to get most things done on my list. Grabbed all the boxes that were available, packed up the rest of my canned goods. Will do some more packing today, would like to get the walls washed down in some of the rooms, but I think that will have to wait till I get it more empty as is it becoming a surround of boxes in here.

Well were still waiting on in the insurance company to get someone to insur us. We should be hearing something on Monday. He was trying to get us farmers insurance.....I said it maybe near a year before we get any farm animals....why should I be paying for something that hasn't happened yet. So he's looking for homeowners insurance.....DUH!!! Like were made of $$$$.

It is a good thing Brian decided to wait another 2 weeks to close as this was an unexpected expense, having to pay for a year of homeowners insurance in advance. Probably looking at $600-700.

Sitting here looking around at all that has to be done....it's overwhelming, but I'm telling myself not to stress out, take a deep breath that it isn't so bad, take one step at a time. Got myself a list of things that need to be done (just so I don't forget anything).

It doesn't help that the kitchen faucet quit working the other day....so I go to the bathroom and draw my water from there (it's a inconvience, but atleast I have running water). Brian is suppose to look at it today, sure hoping we don't have to purchase a new one.....no more expenses! Only have 6 more days till we move....and yes I can do with out a kitchen faucet till then if it come to purchasing a new one.

Going to work at the orchard for a bit today, then I'd feel better if I got a few more boxes packed.

This week has been phone call after phone call for things to do with the house and closing. I can see this is going to be a hard fought battle to the end....but God wants us to be forever thankful for this house.

Heard from the insurance company yesterday (we've been customers for several yrs.) that they cannot insur becuz some siding is missing from where the owners had taken down a fireplace/chimney. So we are trying another company and if no luck there I'm going to ask State Farm if we replace the siding this weekend will they insur us.....got approval from owners that they will help us put it up if need be.

Only 7 more days......please keep us in your prayers as to things going thru. Thanks in advance.

Will be a super busy weekend cleaning, packing, picking apples at the orchard, and possibly residing the house....whew! I'm super woman I can do this......NOT! But I will try my best.

Finished up slicing carrots, chopping green peppers and jalpenos for the freezer. I'm so glad the garden is finished with.....but I'm waiting on concord grapes from this lady and I may do something with a bushel of Spy apples. Then I was reading an article on canning meatballs....think I may give this a try once we get moved and settled somewhat.

FOR TODAY..... October 6, 2008

Outside My Window...it's getting dark, earlier every night. I will miss the long days of summer but the wintery days ahead are a sign of slower days.

I am thinking...I've got lots of packing to do for the move next Friday 10/17

I am thankful for...my healthy family, friends, a safe trip back from seeing the elk, time to visit with my parents.

From the kitchen...as much as I hate to admit this I got a few dirty dishes waiting on me.

I am wearing...a brown t-shirt and tan lounge pants.

I am creating...(or trying to) a healthy and more self sufficient lifestyle for my family.

I am going...to review my son's homework and help him with studying for a test.

I am reading...Divine by Karen Kingsbury

I am hoping...a nice day tomorrow as we need to go pick apples at the orchard.

I am hearing...the radio.

Around the house...it's the norm lots of activity.

One of my favorite things...flowers.....I got a new cleaning customer today that is a master gardner with lots of plants.

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week: to get more packing done, any canning that needs to be done. Help my son with his leaf collection.

Here is picture thought I am sharing...

relaxing and fun. Here are a couple pics of the elk we went to see, it just amazes me they are able to hold up their heads with a rack that size.

Got to visit with my mom, step dad, brother, sis n' law and neice. Nice but glad to be back home.

Need to check on 2 more cleaning customers this morning, things are going to be busy right before we move. But that's the way things usually happen for me.

before we leave on Saturday. Made Pumpkin Butter last night, cooking the Apple Butter now....and if I get time before I totally just fall down, I'd like to make some Apple Jelly before going to bed.

Wash my truck, get boxes, and get some dye for traps is tomorrows plans and don't forget to pick apples and make another batch of apple cider.....it's going to be another busy day. Whew! I'm about sick of looking at apples.

Going to be nice taking a day off from everything, but driving also exhausts me. It's only going to be a 3hr. drive (one way) then I'm going to spend the night at my mom's as I don't like to drive or see to well at night. Stop and sight see on the way home, Sunday.

understand where Brian is coming from.....he has decided to wait till the 17th to close anyways, just for the extra $ were going to need. I booked the U-Haul trailer and got the phone set up, did the change of address cards.

Got a house to clean, work at the orchard (need cider apples gathered), gather leaves after school. Just felt so nice to be lazy yesterday (did make homemade bread and finished the spiced apples). If I'm not too worn out tonight I'd like to make apple jelly/butter.

happening earlier? Brian found out yesterday when trying to get all the paperwork ready for the purchase of the house that he's only $1600 away from the down payment (he will have that on Friday). I asked him do you think we can move in earlier?......we'll have to probably wait till next week sometime for them to get all the paperwork done......I'm so excited!! I got so much packing to do.......among other things. Woke up a few times during the night so excited about moving.

With it raining today, I doubt I'll be going to the orchard to work, don't need to be getting sick. Maybe I can do some more canning, no matter what I choose I'm sure I will be busy.

Dakota and I went out collecting leaves yesterday from Drake Well and Woodlawn Cemetary. Planned on doing more today, but if it's raining not going to chance getting sick or catching a cold.

Well finally last week has ended and this week will be much more calmer. And yes, finally made my Spiced Apples!! Would like to make a couple apple pies this morning and maybe Sweet Cider Apple Butter.....will probably need to grab a few more apples and some cider from work today.

Only 18 more days left.....I'm nervous I hope all goes well with the closing on this house especially with this bailout business. Did get a few boxes packed, Reading things on other sites about being prepared.....the world is pretty scary now. I was hoping were prepared enough but when I read this stuff......I'm not near enough prepared for a crisis.

and I was hoping it was the end to a busy week, but it's apple picking time and I imagine I will be there (apple orchard) most of the weekend. My own house is being neglected in cleaning.....etc.

We are soon to be moving (21 days), I got a lot of "to do's" in my head, packing and cleaning to be done, phone calls to make. My son, had gotten 2 guys to help in the move (I'd like a couple more) and a couple trailers....that would be a godsend as our stuff is strewn out between 3 places.

I wasn't sure if I wanted to take on another house cleaning job, but I reluctantly accepted it, but said give me a couple weeks to get some things in order around my place. I've learned this week cleaning 4 days a week is getting to be too much for this older body.

Funny (well not really) how you hurt in places you never thought you could, my wrists are aching from the heavy apple crates we lift off/on the trailer, my back is nearly in a hunched position till I get the creaks worked out...then when I sit or stand in one place it starts hurting again. Oh well......I grin and bare it. Keep thinking if I'd lose 40 pounds I'd be fitter and maybe just maybe I wouldn't have these back problems. Dieting.....another subject......let me get rid of this full plate and I will concentrate more on that issue.

Dakota came home from camp yesterday and with a preteen attitude and an appetite. Ate roast with carrots/potatoes, 4 biscuits, and bowl full of freshly done corn (YUMMY!!) but was too full to eat any apple crisp. He's going to love me this morning.......before we leave I'd like to get our house cleaned and laundry done and maybe get another box or 2 packed.

to slow down.....I've learned I can't do as much as I use to be able to do. I'm just plain wore out, started feeling like I was getting a cold yesterday, but then it went away. Good...no time to be getting sick now.

Dakota comes home today, I'm sure he will have a ton of stories to tell. Will have to show him the pigs we picked up the other night...he loves the animals.

Will be busy at the orchard again for the weekend and next week as we are taking next weekend off to go see the elk and spend some time with my Mom. I haven't seen her since June. She said once she gets rid of the shingles shes coming to stay with me a couple of weeks.