Saturday, January 31, 2009
Dinner pictures
This is the size stock pot I use. It hold 4-6 gallons. (Maybe more. I've never actually measured.)
Here is our soup bubbling away.
And here is a bowl just for you. Doesn't it look yummy?
Recipe:
a bag of red pinto beans
a bag of white navy beans
Cook over night
In the morning, slice up a pound of carrots and toss in.
Cook up half a pound of chorizo and an onion. I used the juice from the pot to keep the sausage and onion from scorching the bottom of the fry pan.
An hour before serving time, add in a frozen bag of collard greens and two frozen bags of mustard greens.
While bland in terms of kick (I'm going to use a full pound next time) this is still a very good, very filling, hearty meal that is high in protein and fiber. Hannah and Bethany had two bowls each and I just finished a second bowl.
Menu
So I seem to be incapable of posting a menu. It just keeps falling apart. Oh, well. I guess everyone will just have to wait for individual pictures and recipes rather than reading the full menu.
I do have some wonderful soup on the stove that smells heavenly and has a very rich flavor. When the pictures get uploaded, I will share them with you. Meanwhile, I will be canning this delicious soup that is on the lunch menu for the month.
Friday, January 30, 2009
Random Letters
To the woman on the side street trying to get out,
I spent a full light cycle waving you out in front of me. I know that side street is hard to get out of. You saw me beeping and waving. I left three car lengths worth of room. You chose not to move. Don't cuss me out when the light changes and I decide to go ahead. You had more than a chance and you chose to sit there.
To the nursing home staff,
My MIL is an individual with valid needs. If you get too busy to bathe her, fess up. Don't give me the run around. When I ask a question, give me a straight answer. Her physical pain is real. So is her dignity. Treat her right.
To my friends,
Sorry I have been neglecting you all. I am not much fun to be around and all I feel like doing is griping or crying. Please be patient with me and hopefully, I will return to the land of the living soon. (No pun intended.)
To my children,
Grandmom is dying. She has a matter of weeks. Most certainly less than a month. If you were older or there were a better way to explain this to you, I would. Needless to say, Grandmom won't be around after a while. (You'd think living on a farm would make this easier.)
To my husband,
I love you. Thank you for putting up with me.
I spent a full light cycle waving you out in front of me. I know that side street is hard to get out of. You saw me beeping and waving. I left three car lengths worth of room. You chose not to move. Don't cuss me out when the light changes and I decide to go ahead. You had more than a chance and you chose to sit there.
To the nursing home staff,
My MIL is an individual with valid needs. If you get too busy to bathe her, fess up. Don't give me the run around. When I ask a question, give me a straight answer. Her physical pain is real. So is her dignity. Treat her right.
To my friends,
Sorry I have been neglecting you all. I am not much fun to be around and all I feel like doing is griping or crying. Please be patient with me and hopefully, I will return to the land of the living soon. (No pun intended.)
To my children,
Grandmom is dying. She has a matter of weeks. Most certainly less than a month. If you were older or there were a better way to explain this to you, I would. Needless to say, Grandmom won't be around after a while. (You'd think living on a farm would make this easier.)
To my husband,
I love you. Thank you for putting up with me.
Friday Update
ELECTRICITY: Double, double, toil and trouble. Electricity rises and bursts the bubble! (Really, really bad Shakespearean rip-off.)
What’s been going on:
1. I took down the material that was in the doorway between the kitchen and the main area.
2. The heater in the garage is still on and had been turned up a few times. The heater is going to stay on because Flora is days away from kidding and after last year, I don’t want to see a kid frozen to death. (This has not changed although the vulva is very loose and flabby.)
3. We are not running the fan, but maybe we should start doing that again.
4. We’ve stopped running the solar panels. I am thinking the ones above Charlie’s room should start running again.
5. The truck has been plugged in.
6. I cranked the heat up to 70* a couple of times this week. (This is probably the biggest.)
7. George runs the dryer.
Anyway, without further ado, here are our readings:
65963 reading
2683 kwh
1272% of the national average. Ouch! No more electricity for me. (Ok. Not really, but I do need to crack down on our usage.)
IDC: We planted heirloom seeds that a Homeschool mom brought with her. (That reminds me. They need water.) I canned some chicken soup and am getting ready to can some cabbage soup. I am also going to start on the kale soup for canning.
GARBAGE: The shredder is working again which makes me very happy. George fixed it. He is talented like that. This also means that our garbage usage should go down.
GASOLINE: For the pick-up, 26 gallons at a cost of $65.
MONEY:
Restaurants: $199. WAY, WAY, WAY high, but this also includes an almost never happens date with my husband and no children.
Groceries and Misc.: $365. This includes stock-up and emergency supplies
Clothing: $79. Can I just say that Goodwill has gotten expensive?
Payback if money owed: $70.
HOMESTEAD: Flora’s vulva is not just protruding, but swollen and flabby. I gave her fresh water this morning and she pooped in it so it needs to be cleaned again. I will use the opportunity to examine her to see if there is any streaking.
HERBAL STUDY: I did no herbal study this week. Being on constant watch for my MIL has me side tracked. I have not forgotten that I want to study diabetes and will keep it on my goals for the week.
HOMESCHOOL: Charlie is still doing well even though we have been scatter-brained this week. I want to take him with me this week to help with price comparison so I can update my info. And to see if I notice anything like what I saw at K-mart on Wednesday.
We picked up a pair of snow pants for Bethany. I saw these snow pants last month for $8.00. I did not pick them up because I was hoping for a used pair at Lighthouse Mission or Goodwill or something. But I did make mental note of the pants and the price.
Wednesday was the day of the BIG SNOW. (Ok, so in Indiana, it is a BIG SNOW.) We were bill paying and stopped at K-mart for underwear, socks, and a few groceries and decided we just couldn’t wait for snow pants anymore.
We got them on clearance. They were $12.00. FOUR DOLLARS MORE.
So, I figure this would be a good real life lesson for Charlie. I also have something else in mind for Charlie, but I need to talk to the piano teacher first.
Charlie has gotten vocal about his likes and dislikes and wanting to do more for himself and take on more responsibility. I am thinking about six months in the future of him actually working for his piano lessons. Doing work for the piano teacher that would amount to one lesson a month with us still paying for the rest of the lessons.
I’m still working it out in my head and still need to talk with the teacher. I don’t know if anything will come of it, but it is a thought that is working in my head.
WEIGHT LOSS: I am 258 this week. I am maintaining and with everything else that is going on, that is about the best that can be said.
GOALS ACCOMPLISHED:
Exercise: Does running myself ragged count? Or parking at the far end of the parking lot? I really do need to do some exercising. Not just for the weight loss aspect, but to help me be focused and take time out to take care of myself if only for a few minutes each day.
Sewing: I’ve done a bit of sewing but nothing is completed. I’ve been passing out once I hit the pillow at night.
Control journal on laptop: I’ve started. Just like everything else. I get started then I stall.
NEW GOALS:
Exercise
More sewing
Get my control journal on this laptop
(I’m keeping them the same.)
HERBAL/ILLNESS STUDY OF THE WEEK: Diabetes. I want to study diabetes and see what herbs (besides fenugreek) help with maintaining a healthy glucose level.
(I’m keeping this the same.)
What’s been going on:
1. I took down the material that was in the doorway between the kitchen and the main area.
2. The heater in the garage is still on and had been turned up a few times. The heater is going to stay on because Flora is days away from kidding and after last year, I don’t want to see a kid frozen to death. (This has not changed although the vulva is very loose and flabby.)
3. We are not running the fan, but maybe we should start doing that again.
4. We’ve stopped running the solar panels. I am thinking the ones above Charlie’s room should start running again.
5. The truck has been plugged in.
6. I cranked the heat up to 70* a couple of times this week. (This is probably the biggest.)
7. George runs the dryer.
Anyway, without further ado, here are our readings:
65963 reading
2683 kwh
1272% of the national average. Ouch! No more electricity for me. (Ok. Not really, but I do need to crack down on our usage.)
IDC: We planted heirloom seeds that a Homeschool mom brought with her. (That reminds me. They need water.) I canned some chicken soup and am getting ready to can some cabbage soup. I am also going to start on the kale soup for canning.
GARBAGE: The shredder is working again which makes me very happy. George fixed it. He is talented like that. This also means that our garbage usage should go down.
GASOLINE: For the pick-up, 26 gallons at a cost of $65.
MONEY:
Restaurants: $199. WAY, WAY, WAY high, but this also includes an almost never happens date with my husband and no children.
Groceries and Misc.: $365. This includes stock-up and emergency supplies
Clothing: $79. Can I just say that Goodwill has gotten expensive?
Payback if money owed: $70.
HOMESTEAD: Flora’s vulva is not just protruding, but swollen and flabby. I gave her fresh water this morning and she pooped in it so it needs to be cleaned again. I will use the opportunity to examine her to see if there is any streaking.
HERBAL STUDY: I did no herbal study this week. Being on constant watch for my MIL has me side tracked. I have not forgotten that I want to study diabetes and will keep it on my goals for the week.
HOMESCHOOL: Charlie is still doing well even though we have been scatter-brained this week. I want to take him with me this week to help with price comparison so I can update my info. And to see if I notice anything like what I saw at K-mart on Wednesday.
We picked up a pair of snow pants for Bethany. I saw these snow pants last month for $8.00. I did not pick them up because I was hoping for a used pair at Lighthouse Mission or Goodwill or something. But I did make mental note of the pants and the price.
Wednesday was the day of the BIG SNOW. (Ok, so in Indiana, it is a BIG SNOW.) We were bill paying and stopped at K-mart for underwear, socks, and a few groceries and decided we just couldn’t wait for snow pants anymore.
We got them on clearance. They were $12.00. FOUR DOLLARS MORE.
So, I figure this would be a good real life lesson for Charlie. I also have something else in mind for Charlie, but I need to talk to the piano teacher first.
Charlie has gotten vocal about his likes and dislikes and wanting to do more for himself and take on more responsibility. I am thinking about six months in the future of him actually working for his piano lessons. Doing work for the piano teacher that would amount to one lesson a month with us still paying for the rest of the lessons.
I’m still working it out in my head and still need to talk with the teacher. I don’t know if anything will come of it, but it is a thought that is working in my head.
WEIGHT LOSS: I am 258 this week. I am maintaining and with everything else that is going on, that is about the best that can be said.
GOALS ACCOMPLISHED:
Exercise: Does running myself ragged count? Or parking at the far end of the parking lot? I really do need to do some exercising. Not just for the weight loss aspect, but to help me be focused and take time out to take care of myself if only for a few minutes each day.
Sewing: I’ve done a bit of sewing but nothing is completed. I’ve been passing out once I hit the pillow at night.
Control journal on laptop: I’ve started. Just like everything else. I get started then I stall.
NEW GOALS:
Exercise
More sewing
Get my control journal on this laptop
(I’m keeping them the same.)
HERBAL/ILLNESS STUDY OF THE WEEK: Diabetes. I want to study diabetes and see what herbs (besides fenugreek) help with maintaining a healthy glucose level.
(I’m keeping this the same.)
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Back to normal
Or whatever is being passed off as normal this evening. Hannah came down stairs and is asleep on the couch. Bethany is chattering away up in her room instead of sleeping. George is playing his sniper game.
We did a bit of shopping today to pick up some much needed clothes for our ever growing children. Bethany has outgrown her dresses. They hit the back of her knees. Charlie's shirts were getting too short in the body. Hannah was running out of shirts that fit. So, we hit Goodwill and Lighthouse Mission thrift stores and went looking. We found a very nice selection of clothes even though it took some hunting.
Yesterday, we got Charlie some underwear, socks, and under shirts. Poor kid. His underwear were a size four and he takes a 6-8. So he had been wearing underwear two sizes too small for a while now. Since I have not dressed him in a few years, I have not been doing a very good job of seeing if under things fit. Out of sight, out of mind I guess. Anyway, it got taken care of.
George made a really good find. He found a yogurt maker for $2.50. The lidded jars are a white Pyrex type glass. It even had the original sales receipt with it from Service Merchandise in 1980. Reading the instructions (yes, it still had the original instructions) you can tell it was from the 1970s era. It had things in it like "Try making your yogurt with goat, sheep, or buffalo milk for a "far out" yogurt experience." Yes, it really said "far out." I think it was even hyphenated. I don't remember. But, yeah. I got a yogurt maker. Groovy. We'll find out if it works over the week-end.
We saw my MIL today. She did not look good at all. She was in a lot of pain. Her mouth smelled horrible. She had not been bathed. Her hep lock was blocked. The saline bag that was hung yesterday had very little gone from it. The bag of antibiotics was set of gravitational feed (the IV pump was not working) and there were no antibiotics getting into her. Who knows how long all of this would have gone unchecked had George and I not shown up. Next time I go (tomorrow) I am bringing my stethoscope and thermometer. She feels like she is still running a fever and her respiration was 28. She sounded horrible. I can not wait until she can be brought home.
We did a bit of shopping today to pick up some much needed clothes for our ever growing children. Bethany has outgrown her dresses. They hit the back of her knees. Charlie's shirts were getting too short in the body. Hannah was running out of shirts that fit. So, we hit Goodwill and Lighthouse Mission thrift stores and went looking. We found a very nice selection of clothes even though it took some hunting.
Yesterday, we got Charlie some underwear, socks, and under shirts. Poor kid. His underwear were a size four and he takes a 6-8. So he had been wearing underwear two sizes too small for a while now. Since I have not dressed him in a few years, I have not been doing a very good job of seeing if under things fit. Out of sight, out of mind I guess. Anyway, it got taken care of.
George made a really good find. He found a yogurt maker for $2.50. The lidded jars are a white Pyrex type glass. It even had the original sales receipt with it from Service Merchandise in 1980. Reading the instructions (yes, it still had the original instructions) you can tell it was from the 1970s era. It had things in it like "Try making your yogurt with goat, sheep, or buffalo milk for a "far out" yogurt experience." Yes, it really said "far out." I think it was even hyphenated. I don't remember. But, yeah. I got a yogurt maker. Groovy. We'll find out if it works over the week-end.
We saw my MIL today. She did not look good at all. She was in a lot of pain. Her mouth smelled horrible. She had not been bathed. Her hep lock was blocked. The saline bag that was hung yesterday had very little gone from it. The bag of antibiotics was set of gravitational feed (the IV pump was not working) and there were no antibiotics getting into her. Who knows how long all of this would have gone unchecked had George and I not shown up. Next time I go (tomorrow) I am bringing my stethoscope and thermometer. She feels like she is still running a fever and her respiration was 28. She sounded horrible. I can not wait until she can be brought home.
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Special Treat
I am in bed watching "Criminal Minds" and blogging and have a full belly and a quiet house. This in and of itself is not what is special. The specialness is the reason for the quiet.
Tonight, we were supposed to go out for steak dinner taking my SIL with us. She had other plans. "Instead of all of us going out, how about if I watch the children while you and George go out for dinner."
Now, I love my SIL dearly and would never want to hurt her feelings, so instead of denying her the chance to spend time with her nieces and nephew, I decided to generously and graciously accept her offer and sacrifice an evening of bickering, snuggling, hugs, and fights so that she can enjoy such an atmosphere in her own home.
We went to Outback and had a Bloomin' Onion, Aussie Fries, salad, steak and potato. I was full before the salad came. We went over to Gander Mountain to look at guns we can't afford, checked out heaters, and came home.
We came home and checked on Flora. No baby yet. I threw a load of laundry in and it looks like children or no children around, things are still the same.
We will be picking them up tomorrow after we go see MIL. Then, piano lessons, then home.
Tonight, we were supposed to go out for steak dinner taking my SIL with us. She had other plans. "Instead of all of us going out, how about if I watch the children while you and George go out for dinner."
Now, I love my SIL dearly and would never want to hurt her feelings, so instead of denying her the chance to spend time with her nieces and nephew, I decided to generously and graciously accept her offer and sacrifice an evening of bickering, snuggling, hugs, and fights so that she can enjoy such an atmosphere in her own home.
We went to Outback and had a Bloomin' Onion, Aussie Fries, salad, steak and potato. I was full before the salad came. We went over to Gander Mountain to look at guns we can't afford, checked out heaters, and came home.
We came home and checked on Flora. No baby yet. I threw a load of laundry in and it looks like children or no children around, things are still the same.
We will be picking them up tomorrow after we go see MIL. Then, piano lessons, then home.
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Have fun and give
I got this idea from Sasha over at http://www.xanga.com/Sashahomeschoolmama who got it from Tabitha at http://omelay.wordpress.com/
The first five people to respond to this post will get something made by me. I will try to make these be about or tailored to those five lucky people. This offer does have some restrictions and limitations: lucky people.
1. I make no guarantees that you will like what I make!
2. What I create will be just for you.
3. It’ll be done this year
4. You have no clue what it’s going to be.
The catch? Oh, the catch is that you have to put this in your journal as well, if you expect me to do something for you! And please link to your blog so that I can visit and read in case we are new friends.
The recipients will most likely get goat milk soap from me. Or a homecanned product. Or maybe something totally different. It will be a surprise.
The first five people to respond to this post will get something made by me. I will try to make these be about or tailored to those five lucky people. This offer does have some restrictions and limitations: lucky people.
1. I make no guarantees that you will like what I make!
2. What I create will be just for you.
3. It’ll be done this year
4. You have no clue what it’s going to be.
The catch? Oh, the catch is that you have to put this in your journal as well, if you expect me to do something for you! And please link to your blog so that I can visit and read in case we are new friends.
The recipients will most likely get goat milk soap from me. Or a homecanned product. Or maybe something totally different. It will be a surprise.
Science
Today was an over-all lazy day for me physically speaking, but I have been putting together the February menu and putting together my shopping list for tomorrow.
We did science today and I started putting together a list of heirloom seeds from a catalogue that I am drooling over. A left it for me to go through and I've pretty much decided I want it all. I've started a wish list of the heirloom seeds I want. I haven't even started looking through the herbs yet and I am up to just over $60 worth of seeds.
Anyway, today we talked about the plants we planted a couple of weeks ago and the sad report is two of them died. But, the third one they took home is still alive and thriving. (It also sounds like it is doing better than the ones here.)
We talked about what plants need and how they are fragile and alive so they need to be taken care of carefully. A seemed concerned about her girls playing and not paying attention. It really isn't something I worry too much about because small children do absorb a lot. My only concern is if I ask a question, I like some kind of response even if it is a whisper to the mom. At least I know that while they are playing with legos and blocks and who knows what else, they are listening.
Anyway, we got to the fun part and played in dirt A brought heirloom seeds (and let me have some) and the children planted tomato and watermelon seeds. I asked what happens next and they called out water.
We watered them and I asked what happens next.
They have dirt.
They have water.
The lights are on.
What next?
They grow!
How long does it take?
One girl said 5 minutes.
Charlie (I think it was) said 100 minutes.
A guessed maybe a week.
We didn't see any green after 5 minutes. We didn't see any green when they left. We'll see what there is next week.
They are coming again Thursday for Literature. A part of me was worried they wouldn't come back because of the rabbit incident. The rabbit jumped out of my arms when I went to sit down on a bale of straw and landed on one of the little girl's face. The poor girl got terrified and her face had some scratches on it.
I know. I'm paranoid and insecure.
Anyway, I am drooling over seeds and putting the final touches on Feb menu.
We did science today and I started putting together a list of heirloom seeds from a catalogue that I am drooling over. A left it for me to go through and I've pretty much decided I want it all. I've started a wish list of the heirloom seeds I want. I haven't even started looking through the herbs yet and I am up to just over $60 worth of seeds.
Anyway, today we talked about the plants we planted a couple of weeks ago and the sad report is two of them died. But, the third one they took home is still alive and thriving. (It also sounds like it is doing better than the ones here.)
We talked about what plants need and how they are fragile and alive so they need to be taken care of carefully. A seemed concerned about her girls playing and not paying attention. It really isn't something I worry too much about because small children do absorb a lot. My only concern is if I ask a question, I like some kind of response even if it is a whisper to the mom. At least I know that while they are playing with legos and blocks and who knows what else, they are listening.
Anyway, we got to the fun part and played in dirt A brought heirloom seeds (and let me have some) and the children planted tomato and watermelon seeds. I asked what happens next and they called out water.
We watered them and I asked what happens next.
They have dirt.
They have water.
The lights are on.
What next?
They grow!
How long does it take?
One girl said 5 minutes.
Charlie (I think it was) said 100 minutes.
A guessed maybe a week.
We didn't see any green after 5 minutes. We didn't see any green when they left. We'll see what there is next week.
They are coming again Thursday for Literature. A part of me was worried they wouldn't come back because of the rabbit incident. The rabbit jumped out of my arms when I went to sit down on a bale of straw and landed on one of the little girl's face. The poor girl got terrified and her face had some scratches on it.
I know. I'm paranoid and insecure.
Anyway, I am drooling over seeds and putting the final touches on Feb menu.
Monday, January 26, 2009
Geography
Although we did not have geography with others today (her children are sick) we did have geography with just us. And some outside influences.
I got in contact with the truckers! YAY!
Driver B is M's dad and he is currently at home in Tennessee. He got in contact with a friend of his (Driver L) who I talked with and is very eager to help us out. This is definitely going to be a fun way to teach/learn geography. It is also very easy to age/grade it to different levels.
Young children (like Bethany) can help find the states and older children (like Charlie) can look up the towns. This can also be used to help teach computer use. Things like mapquest, city-data, etc and learn about the different towns.
Driver B and Driver L both sent a cell phone picture of their trucks and Charlie got all sorts of excited. He loves big trucks and having truckers talk to us about where they are going and what they are doing just has him over the moon.
We looked up Manchester, NH and Jay, ME. I pointed out the road that Driver L was on and showed him the distance that he still has to go. Then showed him the comparison of where he is going and where he's been by reminding him of where we are.
This afternoon, I am going to do a basic drill with him for state memorization. We'll work on it after piano lessons.
I was going to teach M how to can since I have several quarts of chicken soup made and needing canning. It's going to get done today regardless, but it is nice to be able to show someone who is genuinely interested in learning.
Flora is still pregnant. I was looking at some old posts from my old, old blog of when I was in labor with Hannah. The feelings (impatience) are very similar. But at least I am not the one carrying.
Time to serve the children lunch and get the canner out.
I got in contact with the truckers! YAY!
Driver B is M's dad and he is currently at home in Tennessee. He got in contact with a friend of his (Driver L) who I talked with and is very eager to help us out. This is definitely going to be a fun way to teach/learn geography. It is also very easy to age/grade it to different levels.
Young children (like Bethany) can help find the states and older children (like Charlie) can look up the towns. This can also be used to help teach computer use. Things like mapquest, city-data, etc and learn about the different towns.
Driver B and Driver L both sent a cell phone picture of their trucks and Charlie got all sorts of excited. He loves big trucks and having truckers talk to us about where they are going and what they are doing just has him over the moon.
We looked up Manchester, NH and Jay, ME. I pointed out the road that Driver L was on and showed him the distance that he still has to go. Then showed him the comparison of where he is going and where he's been by reminding him of where we are.
This afternoon, I am going to do a basic drill with him for state memorization. We'll work on it after piano lessons.
I was going to teach M how to can since I have several quarts of chicken soup made and needing canning. It's going to get done today regardless, but it is nice to be able to show someone who is genuinely interested in learning.
Flora is still pregnant. I was looking at some old posts from my old, old blog of when I was in labor with Hannah. The feelings (impatience) are very similar. But at least I am not the one carrying.
Time to serve the children lunch and get the canner out.
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Shhhh
The children are nestled all snug in their beds while visions of chickens dance in their heads.
Ok, so I don't know if they dream about dancing chickens or not, but they are in bed and sleeping. For that, I am thankful.
After church today, we went to see MIL and she did not look good. I am hoping she perks up some. She was perky and alert yesterday. Today, she was very out of it. I spoon-fed her some water and brought some home-canned apples with me for her to have. She enjoyed the flavor of it, but she was just wore out and seemed to be in a lot of pain.
Tonight's dinner was a hit. There were no left-overs and no mess on the floor. Not only that, but they ate every bit of what was left over from last night's dinner. I was going to serve it for lunch tomorrow, but that's obviously changed.
Last night, I put a whole chicken in the crockpot. Tonight, I deboned it, shredded it, cooked up some brown rice and added an enchilada seasoning mix I made about 6 months ago, shredded some cheese, and wrapped it all up in tortilla wraps. I baked it for about 20 minutes to give the flavors a chance to meld.
I served it up and you would have thought I was serving gold.
I took the chicken and seasoned rice that was left after making the wraps and put them back in the crockpot, added water and we will have chicken soup for lunch tomorrow. I like when things come together easily.
Flora is still pregnant and is driving me nuts. (Give birth already, will you?!?!) She is pawing at the ground and has been nesting. I'm going to put fresh straw in there tomorrow.
Tomorrow is George's birthday and we are just going to ignore it. Death and blizzards happen on his birthday so he prefers to stay under the radar on this day. Wednesday, we will be going out for steak dinner (he has me craving steak) and SIL will be coming along. It will do her good to get out and have an enjoyable, relaxing evening.
Tomorrow is Geography and I have nothing specific planned. Maybe we'll play twister again and start learning where the states are on the map. I am also going to start having them memorize the states. M's dad is on the road again so I'm going to see if I can get a hold of him and we will try to find him on the map. I need a better US map. The one I have from Dollar Tree is obviously cheap and no longer suits my purpose.
Ok, so I don't know if they dream about dancing chickens or not, but they are in bed and sleeping. For that, I am thankful.
After church today, we went to see MIL and she did not look good. I am hoping she perks up some. She was perky and alert yesterday. Today, she was very out of it. I spoon-fed her some water and brought some home-canned apples with me for her to have. She enjoyed the flavor of it, but she was just wore out and seemed to be in a lot of pain.
Tonight's dinner was a hit. There were no left-overs and no mess on the floor. Not only that, but they ate every bit of what was left over from last night's dinner. I was going to serve it for lunch tomorrow, but that's obviously changed.
Last night, I put a whole chicken in the crockpot. Tonight, I deboned it, shredded it, cooked up some brown rice and added an enchilada seasoning mix I made about 6 months ago, shredded some cheese, and wrapped it all up in tortilla wraps. I baked it for about 20 minutes to give the flavors a chance to meld.
I served it up and you would have thought I was serving gold.
I took the chicken and seasoned rice that was left after making the wraps and put them back in the crockpot, added water and we will have chicken soup for lunch tomorrow. I like when things come together easily.
Flora is still pregnant and is driving me nuts. (Give birth already, will you?!?!) She is pawing at the ground and has been nesting. I'm going to put fresh straw in there tomorrow.
Tomorrow is George's birthday and we are just going to ignore it. Death and blizzards happen on his birthday so he prefers to stay under the radar on this day. Wednesday, we will be going out for steak dinner (he has me craving steak) and SIL will be coming along. It will do her good to get out and have an enjoyable, relaxing evening.
Tomorrow is Geography and I have nothing specific planned. Maybe we'll play twister again and start learning where the states are on the map. I am also going to start having them memorize the states. M's dad is on the road again so I'm going to see if I can get a hold of him and we will try to find him on the map. I need a better US map. The one I have from Dollar Tree is obviously cheap and no longer suits my purpose.
Saturday, January 24, 2009
Pureed Bacon
Yep. You read that right. We went to see MIL today and brought her dog to visit. SIL fried up some bacon and pureed it for her since she like bacon. I gave her a bite and she didn't care for it. Oh, well. She did take in some water, though.
Although she looks better, looks more alert, her input and output is not that great. She doesn't have long. At this point, if she wants a diet of ice-cream and soda, have at it. It's not like we have to worry about diabetes or heart attacks anymore. She has two months at best.
For dinner tonight, I made baked spaghetti and cheese. The cheese sauce was pretty good even though it was made with whole wheat flour instead of corn flour. Bethany had three or four bowls. Hannah had two bowls. Charlie had two or three bowls. I guess they liked it.
Since we are going to see MIL tomorrow after church, I am planning on baking some quick bread to take with us. I just need to find my quick bread recipe for the bulk mix. I am also going to have to put the crockpot on a timer. Or maybe I will make granola and put it on a timer. Never mind. No butter. Quick bread it is. I have some canned peaches and apples. Apple bread sounds better than peach bread.
Flora is still pregnant and I am getting impatient. I am tired of waiting. She better kid soon or I am going to dive in and pull the kids out. OK, not really. But still. It is getting aggravating going out there and seeing nothing.
I spent an hour and a half on the phone talking with a friend of mine and I gotta say that it is nice talking with someone and being able to say (or hear them say) "Yep, my child has done that." She is an amazing woman. She has been through a LOT and has kept things (and herself) together.
I am barely holding it together and I have three healthy children, a devoted husband, and a functioning farm. I am just now treading water. The only thing going on right now is my MIL is dying. That's it. With the way I've been feeling overwhelmed, you'd thing there was something much more dramatic. My children are over the pneumonia and have discovered new ways to get in trouble.
Oh, well. Each of us have our thing and our own way of dealing. Mine is by griping and moaning here.
Although she looks better, looks more alert, her input and output is not that great. She doesn't have long. At this point, if she wants a diet of ice-cream and soda, have at it. It's not like we have to worry about diabetes or heart attacks anymore. She has two months at best.
For dinner tonight, I made baked spaghetti and cheese. The cheese sauce was pretty good even though it was made with whole wheat flour instead of corn flour. Bethany had three or four bowls. Hannah had two bowls. Charlie had two or three bowls. I guess they liked it.
Since we are going to see MIL tomorrow after church, I am planning on baking some quick bread to take with us. I just need to find my quick bread recipe for the bulk mix. I am also going to have to put the crockpot on a timer. Or maybe I will make granola and put it on a timer. Never mind. No butter. Quick bread it is. I have some canned peaches and apples. Apple bread sounds better than peach bread.
Flora is still pregnant and I am getting impatient. I am tired of waiting. She better kid soon or I am going to dive in and pull the kids out. OK, not really. But still. It is getting aggravating going out there and seeing nothing.
I spent an hour and a half on the phone talking with a friend of mine and I gotta say that it is nice talking with someone and being able to say (or hear them say) "Yep, my child has done that." She is an amazing woman. She has been through a LOT and has kept things (and herself) together.
I am barely holding it together and I have three healthy children, a devoted husband, and a functioning farm. I am just now treading water. The only thing going on right now is my MIL is dying. That's it. With the way I've been feeling overwhelmed, you'd thing there was something much more dramatic. My children are over the pneumonia and have discovered new ways to get in trouble.
Oh, well. Each of us have our thing and our own way of dealing. Mine is by griping and moaning here.
Friday, January 23, 2009
Science in action
We have a couple of wooly bear catapillars that came in on our clothing last fall/early winter.
Deciding they would be a good science project for the children, we put them in a mason jar and stabbed holes in the lid. I've been keeping a bit of water and alternating between basil and lemon balm stalks for them to live on.
I checked on them about a week ago and noticed one in a cocoon. Yesterday, I noticed the beginnings of another cocoon.
You can see the "hairs" of the new cocoom being formed. This morning, I noticed the cocoon was fully formed an will get pictures of it to upload later.
Deciding they would be a good science project for the children, we put them in a mason jar and stabbed holes in the lid. I've been keeping a bit of water and alternating between basil and lemon balm stalks for them to live on.
I checked on them about a week ago and noticed one in a cocoon. Yesterday, I noticed the beginnings of another cocoon.
You can see the "hairs" of the new cocoom being formed. This morning, I noticed the cocoon was fully formed an will get pictures of it to upload later.
Who am I?
Who is this strange person who comes over to start a new blog without even so much as a "How do you do?"
I am a married woman with three small children. My husband and I homeschool, homestead, and are homebirthing and breastfeeding advocates.
I've been blogging for over two years now and am moving here from Livejournal after having problems there for about six months.
I blog on a daily basis (occasionally missing a day or two here and there) and on Fridays, I post an update of our farming, homeschooling, and personal goals.
We have 5 goats two (possibly three) of which are pregnant. Flora is due any day now and is a first time kidder. Robin is due in about a month and this will be her last kidding. After she kids and milks this cycle, she will be given a year of retirement before being taken in.
Yes, we eat our animals. The goats are milk and meat.
We also raise chickens and rabbits for eggs, meat, and fur.
My husband is a disabled vet. We have been married for 10 years come April
Charlie is 6 and is doing very well with his schooling (not counting handwriting) and loves to "teach" his sisters.
Bethany is 3 and is a high-needs sensory seeker. Everything with her is very intense.
Hannah just turned 2 and loves to take drama lessons from her sister.
We try to live as naturally as possible not only in how we eat, but in how we raise our food (animal and plant) and how we treat ourselves medically.
I am not anti-medicine, but I am anti-over prescribing. I am very thankful to have a doctor who does not seem to mind the fact that we don't vaccinate right now (we will for tetanus as they get bigger) and I would just as soon treat a cough with honey rather than cough syrup.
So, for my regular readers, welcome to my new home. For first timers, welcome and make yourselves at home. The coffee and chocolate are on the table and the bathroom is down the hall and around the corner. But be warned, we use cloth toilet paper.
I am a married woman with three small children. My husband and I homeschool, homestead, and are homebirthing and breastfeeding advocates.
I've been blogging for over two years now and am moving here from Livejournal after having problems there for about six months.
I blog on a daily basis (occasionally missing a day or two here and there) and on Fridays, I post an update of our farming, homeschooling, and personal goals.
We have 5 goats two (possibly three) of which are pregnant. Flora is due any day now and is a first time kidder. Robin is due in about a month and this will be her last kidding. After she kids and milks this cycle, she will be given a year of retirement before being taken in.
Yes, we eat our animals. The goats are milk and meat.
We also raise chickens and rabbits for eggs, meat, and fur.
My husband is a disabled vet. We have been married for 10 years come April
Charlie is 6 and is doing very well with his schooling (not counting handwriting) and loves to "teach" his sisters.
Bethany is 3 and is a high-needs sensory seeker. Everything with her is very intense.
Hannah just turned 2 and loves to take drama lessons from her sister.
We try to live as naturally as possible not only in how we eat, but in how we raise our food (animal and plant) and how we treat ourselves medically.
I am not anti-medicine, but I am anti-over prescribing. I am very thankful to have a doctor who does not seem to mind the fact that we don't vaccinate right now (we will for tetanus as they get bigger) and I would just as soon treat a cough with honey rather than cough syrup.
So, for my regular readers, welcome to my new home. For first timers, welcome and make yourselves at home. The coffee and chocolate are on the table and the bathroom is down the hall and around the corner. But be warned, we use cloth toilet paper.
Friday Update
ELECTRICITY: It went up! UP!
What’s been going on:
1. I put material over the entry ways to keep the thermostat stable (theoretically) for the living room area. What has happened is it has kept the kitchen area very warm while the living room has been made colder. So those are coming down. We’ll readdress the issue come summer time.
2. The heater in the garage is still on and had been turned up a few times. The heater is going to stay on because Flora is days away from kidding and after last year, I don’t want to see a kid frozen to death.
3. The ceiling fan has been running to try to push the heat downstairs. And it has been working. But the fan sounds sick.
4. We’ve been running the solar panels and the ones that are above the master bedroom cycle very quickly. They run for a few minutes, the shut off then a minute later run again. The blower motor to push the heat through the vents does not work properly and I know that HAS to be draining electricity. The blowers for the solar panels are run on conventional electricity.
Anyway, without further ado, here are our readings:
63280 reading
1362 kwh
646% of the national average. Ouch!
IDC: We haven’t planted, preserved, or harvested anything, but I have been using my stores. Yesterday for lunch, I opened up a couple of jars of peaches that we canned last fall and I served them over toast. We had it for lunch and along with being cheap, easy, and healthy, the children had it half gone before grace was even said. I suppose if you want to add some protein, you could put cream cheese on the toast before pouring the peaches over it and breaking it up.Last night, I brought in a box of fruit that had been canned since I can’t seem to keep fresh fruit in the house. The jars are apples and peaches. And, they look good!
GARBAGE: The shredder is not working. I think I over worked it. It need to be looked at and hopefully fixed some how. I already miss it. I have a stack of papers waiting to be shred.We finally finished filling a very large trash bag and brought it in to town. We are down to our last trash bag and will be going back to using feed bags as trash bags.
GASOLINE: No gas was bought this week and the van is hovering around empty. With MIL being in the nursing home, I am not going into town every single day. Once we get money for gas (Wednesday) I will be going in every day again. She has a few weeks left at the most.
MONEY: We picked up butter, a couple of sodas, and a candy bar this week.
HOMESTEAD: Flora is days away from kidding. There are no roosters left except the ones we want to live to lead and protect the flock. The hens have been released and we will start looking for eggs next week. George is working on plans for a windmill that is highly efficient and portable. We will get any parts he needs for it on Wednesday.I have taken over animal care now that the chickens are either in the freezer or out in the yard. Checking on Flora several times a day will help her get used to me again when it comes time to start milking her.
HERBAL STUDY: I was going to do research on high fevers and I still want to, but got side tracked. What I do know (and has been confirmed by the doctor) is that the body has a safety mechanism in place to keep it from going over 105* barring outside forces. (Heat stroke, etc.) Brain damage does not occur until 107*. (This is in otherwise healthy children.)
Febrile seizures do not occur because of a high fever, but because of how fast the fever rises.
Drink fluids. Fevers can dehydrate the body.
COLD baths are a no-no. You can shock the system. Lukewarm baths are fine. For a small child (like Hannah) who is delusional due to the fever, wet a washcloth with rubbing alcohol and rub the legs and bottom of the feet. (Full immersion alcohol baths are dangerous.)
HOMESCHOOL: Charlie is currently working on his math. We’ve started reading “Captain Courageous” by Rudyard Kipling. (Published in 1897) I do some of the reading out loud, but am having Charlie do most of it. With the date it was published, some of the words are a bit long, but he is doing an amazing job of sounding them out. We read a few paragraphs, talk about what we read, then read a few more.
WEIGHT LOSS: I am 258 this week. This is the same as last week. I am maintaining which I guess is better than gaining. Once we get back into a rhythm, I should be better able to focus on this. Right now, I can’t even remember what day of the week it is (the children missed piano yesterday) much less focus on anything else. I did start doing sit-ups again last night and I did some crunches and push-ups this morning. If I can at least keep that going, I will be happy.
GOALS ACCOMPLISHED: Walk Away The Pounds. FAIL AGAIN! But I did do some sit-ups, crunches, and push-ups! It was only last night and this morning. But that counts, right? Right?
Herbal Study for fever. Somewhat. I already knew quite a bit all of which was confirmed by the doctor, but I never had a chance to study beyond that.
Mend Clothes: Nope. But I did find a skirt that I started last year and it just needs the elastic sewn in.
NEW GOALS:
Exercise
More sewing
Get my control journal on this laptop
HERBAL/ILLNESS STUDY OF THE WEEK: Diabetes. I want to study diabetes and see what herbs (besides fenugreek) help with maintaining a healthy glucose level.
What’s been going on:
1. I put material over the entry ways to keep the thermostat stable (theoretically) for the living room area. What has happened is it has kept the kitchen area very warm while the living room has been made colder. So those are coming down. We’ll readdress the issue come summer time.
2. The heater in the garage is still on and had been turned up a few times. The heater is going to stay on because Flora is days away from kidding and after last year, I don’t want to see a kid frozen to death.
3. The ceiling fan has been running to try to push the heat downstairs. And it has been working. But the fan sounds sick.
4. We’ve been running the solar panels and the ones that are above the master bedroom cycle very quickly. They run for a few minutes, the shut off then a minute later run again. The blower motor to push the heat through the vents does not work properly and I know that HAS to be draining electricity. The blowers for the solar panels are run on conventional electricity.
Anyway, without further ado, here are our readings:
63280 reading
1362 kwh
646% of the national average. Ouch!
IDC: We haven’t planted, preserved, or harvested anything, but I have been using my stores. Yesterday for lunch, I opened up a couple of jars of peaches that we canned last fall and I served them over toast. We had it for lunch and along with being cheap, easy, and healthy, the children had it half gone before grace was even said. I suppose if you want to add some protein, you could put cream cheese on the toast before pouring the peaches over it and breaking it up.Last night, I brought in a box of fruit that had been canned since I can’t seem to keep fresh fruit in the house. The jars are apples and peaches. And, they look good!
GARBAGE: The shredder is not working. I think I over worked it. It need to be looked at and hopefully fixed some how. I already miss it. I have a stack of papers waiting to be shred.We finally finished filling a very large trash bag and brought it in to town. We are down to our last trash bag and will be going back to using feed bags as trash bags.
GASOLINE: No gas was bought this week and the van is hovering around empty. With MIL being in the nursing home, I am not going into town every single day. Once we get money for gas (Wednesday) I will be going in every day again. She has a few weeks left at the most.
MONEY: We picked up butter, a couple of sodas, and a candy bar this week.
HOMESTEAD: Flora is days away from kidding. There are no roosters left except the ones we want to live to lead and protect the flock. The hens have been released and we will start looking for eggs next week. George is working on plans for a windmill that is highly efficient and portable. We will get any parts he needs for it on Wednesday.I have taken over animal care now that the chickens are either in the freezer or out in the yard. Checking on Flora several times a day will help her get used to me again when it comes time to start milking her.
HERBAL STUDY: I was going to do research on high fevers and I still want to, but got side tracked. What I do know (and has been confirmed by the doctor) is that the body has a safety mechanism in place to keep it from going over 105* barring outside forces. (Heat stroke, etc.) Brain damage does not occur until 107*. (This is in otherwise healthy children.)
Febrile seizures do not occur because of a high fever, but because of how fast the fever rises.
Drink fluids. Fevers can dehydrate the body.
COLD baths are a no-no. You can shock the system. Lukewarm baths are fine. For a small child (like Hannah) who is delusional due to the fever, wet a washcloth with rubbing alcohol and rub the legs and bottom of the feet. (Full immersion alcohol baths are dangerous.)
HOMESCHOOL: Charlie is currently working on his math. We’ve started reading “Captain Courageous” by Rudyard Kipling. (Published in 1897) I do some of the reading out loud, but am having Charlie do most of it. With the date it was published, some of the words are a bit long, but he is doing an amazing job of sounding them out. We read a few paragraphs, talk about what we read, then read a few more.
WEIGHT LOSS: I am 258 this week. This is the same as last week. I am maintaining which I guess is better than gaining. Once we get back into a rhythm, I should be better able to focus on this. Right now, I can’t even remember what day of the week it is (the children missed piano yesterday) much less focus on anything else. I did start doing sit-ups again last night and I did some crunches and push-ups this morning. If I can at least keep that going, I will be happy.
GOALS ACCOMPLISHED: Walk Away The Pounds. FAIL AGAIN! But I did do some sit-ups, crunches, and push-ups! It was only last night and this morning. But that counts, right? Right?
Herbal Study for fever. Somewhat. I already knew quite a bit all of which was confirmed by the doctor, but I never had a chance to study beyond that.
Mend Clothes: Nope. But I did find a skirt that I started last year and it just needs the elastic sewn in.
NEW GOALS:
Exercise
More sewing
Get my control journal on this laptop
HERBAL/ILLNESS STUDY OF THE WEEK: Diabetes. I want to study diabetes and see what herbs (besides fenugreek) help with maintaining a healthy glucose level.
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