Friday Update

ELECTRICITY: I guess I read it right last week after all. We are down even more which makes me happy. What makes me happier is the fact that we are below 200%. I am still trying to figure out mentally how to keep the winter usage down. Hopefully, I will have something figured out that is feasible by next winter.  
Meter reading: 72027
Usage: 352kwh
Percentage: 167%

IDC: April 15 to August 15 is our pork fast. We abstain from pork during that time. With a freezer full of pork, it can make it harder. So, I cleaned out the freezer, took all the water that was on the bottom, and replaced it with all the pork except the pork sausage, placed the “false bottom” back in place (it is nothing more than cardboard) and put everything else back in. (It makes it easier to reach things and saves the back.)
Anyway, I raw packed well over 20 pints of pork sausage and canned it. I now have tons of canned sausage to go into storage ready for use when August (or an emergency) rolls around.

GARBAGE: I made two trips to the recycling place today and George took some garbage into town with him. I had cleaned the back porch and the floor in the kitchen. I uncovered a lot of garbage.

GASOLINE: $20 went in the truck yesterday. Why we went through so much gas, I have no idea. Wait. Yes I do. We went to St. Louis. Duh.

MONEY: The trip to St. Louis was financially a lot less than we had anticipated. The parking was $11 and the planning ahead with the snacks really saved on money. I am pleased with the financial outcome.
Then, I blew money Wednesday evening by going to the corner store and picking up burgers and fries for everyone.

HOMESTEAD: The chicks and turkeys survived the transition fairly well to the kidding area. We lost maybe half a dozen chicks. The turkeys all survived the move. We picked up a five gallon waterer for them and I am going to put that on a flat surface to keep the straw from getting into it.
The rabbits have all been moved outside where they have a little bit more room to jump, run, and play. The hutch were the lone rabbit was has been repaired (she had made a few holes) and the male was put in there. The female got moved in with the other females.
Last night, Gi-gi had her babies. She kidded twins. One boy and one girl. The girl looks exactly like Gi-gi. The boy is huge and is a dark brown. They both have Gi-gi’s ears. (Or lack there of.)  

HOMESCHOOL: Charlie is still having a hard time staying focused on math. He gets it, but he just has no use for it in his mind. So, we are working with him. It just takes time and patience.
Hannah doesn’t know how to count. That surprised me. So, it is time to teach her how to count.
Bethany still argues over writing her letters. When given a paper and pencil, even with the letters written out for her to trace or copy, she still won’t do it. But, she’ll do it for the piano teacher.

GOALS ACCOMPLISHED:  
1. Finally finish the garage and shop. – I cleaned the back porch and the kitchen floor and rearranged everything. Does that count?
2. Get the walk path done. We started doing this, but the ground is so wet that when you step on what you hope is nothing more than mud and pull your foot out, the hole where your foot was fills with water.
3. Get the rest of the plants in the ground. – Weather has been non-cooperative. Today and tomorrow are supposed to be beautiful outside so hopefully, some work will get done.
4. Carpet clean the master bedroom. – Well, the bedroom still exists.

NEW GOALS (Do they look familiar yet again?):  
1. Finally finish the garage and shop.
2. Get the walk path done.
3. Get the plants in the ground.
4. Carpet clean the master bedroom.