Stuff

Today was a blah/boring/normal day.  Days like that are good.  Charlie's started reading The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas.  I would love to get more of these books for Charlie.  (And the girls.)  I think we found these at a yard sale.  I did find a site for them and am eyeballing them so we can get more.  Charlie absolutely loves them.  If we had a few hundred dollars laying around, I would get all the ones he currently does not have.

I did some work with Bethany today.  She is getting better at writing her letters for me.  Granted she did it with the knowledge that she was going to see Miss L (her piano teacher) today and wanted to practice for her.  (Stinker.)

While George took Charlie and Bethany to their piano lessons, I delivered some eggs as a gift to some friends visiting from Arkansas.  Then, I took Hannah to a local diner for a treat since she and I rarely have any "Mommy and Hannah" time.  I blew my points with the peanut butter pie.  *drool*  I made up for it by only having asparagus for dinner, but still managed to go over.

We were going to stop at a second hand store, but by the time we were done with our pies, gone potty, and left, they were closed.  So, we went to CVS and bought supplies to restock our first aid kit.  We realized we were dismally low on basic supplies so we got a few things and will get more tomorrow.

After dinner and clean-up, I went outside and took care of the rabbits, gathered a few more eggs, checked on our broody (one of the eggs looks like it is starting to hatch) and used the reel mower out front for a bit.  We are not going to be able to use it in the backyard until it gets mowed at least once.  But we can't mow until the backyard stops being squishy and while we wait for it to dry out enough to mow, the grass is just going to get deeper.  And it is supposed to rain more tonight and again tomorrow.

Please watch this movie

Please.  The movie is an hour and a half, but it is very eye-opening, scary, educational, and well worth the time.  Having small children, I had to watch it in bits and pieces.  I am beyond furious.  I am spitting angry at how our food supply is handled.  (Not surprising.)  Surprising is even though I knew it was bad, I did not realize just how bad.  We had already made radical changes over the past few years because I don't trust the food system in this country.  I trust it even less now.  Living in the middle of Ag farms, now I have to worry about the seeds blowing into our yard and contaminating our garden?  

This is scary stuff.  Just please watch.

http://www.hulu.com/watch/67878/the-future-of-food

And now for my points:  32.  The amount I am allowed each day.

A Reel Entry

I have some reely exciting news.  This is reel cool.  Before I reely push you over the edge with my reel bad spelling of the word "reel" maybe I should fill you in on my reely bad pun.

I got my reel mower set up and I love it.  It does not like sticks.  Not even bitty twigs.  But it cuts nice.  Husband said to me "Have fun."  I just did a small patch and will be doing the yard tomorrow.  I am going to keep it at the highest setting for now.  

We also picked up half a dozen chicks at Rural King while we were there picking up veterinary supplies.  They are cute and supposedly pullets.  So we should have some more healthy hens to add to the flock that is rapidly diminishing.  Last night's rain offed a few more chicks.  We are not having very good luck this year.  

I did a little bit of outdoor work today picking up stuff and basically trying to get things looking half-way decent for Saturday.  I'm thinking of rescheduling the cook-out, but I also want to have it Saturday.  If we were to wait until things are "perfect" then we will never have the church cook-out.  We were supposed to have it last year, but it got rescheduled, then cancelled till this year.  I don't want to do that again this time.

WW Points Used:  27

Midwife/Homebirth

I received this in my e-mail today and I have already contacted a few of our state representatives.  I realize that the homebirth bill is dead right now, but I am hoping that when it comes up again next year (Indiana has been fighting for 16 years or more) those in position to move it through and pass it will keep this in mind.

--------------------------

Flu Cases Raise Concern About Shortage of Midwives With Expertise in Out-of-Hospital Birth 

Advocates Call on State and Federal Policy Makers to Prioritize Maternal and Infant Safety 


WASHINGTON, D.C. (April 28, 2009)—Maternal and infant health advocates are calling on policy makers to take action to ensure that there are enough Certified Professional Midwives (CPMs), who are trained as experts in out-of-hospital delivery, to meet the needs of pregnant women in the event that a flu pandemic makes hospitals unsafe settings for the provision of maternity care. 

“Hospitals filled to capacity with flu patients are unsafe and inaccessible places for healthy women to deliver their babies,” said Colette Bernhard, Vice President of Illinois Families for Midwifery. “Fewer than 3 percent of nurse-midwives have undergone the additional training needed to establish out-of-hospital practices, while legal and reimbursement barriers at the state and federal level prevent far too many Certified Professional Midwives, who already have the necessary training and equipment, to utilize their services to the fullest. Given the very real possibility of a flu pandemic, the need to fully incorporate CPMs into our health care system could not be more urgent.” 

Certified Nurse-Midwives (CNMs), who are trained to practice in hospital settings, are legally authorized by all 50 states and are federally mandated Medicaid providers. CPMs are the only professional midwives in the United States whose educational and credentialing process requires them to develop the specialized skills necessary to safely deliver babies in private homes and in freestanding birth centers. However, CPMs are legally authorized to practice in just over half the states and are eligible for Medicaid reimbursement in fewer than a dozen states. 

Recognizing the need for more midwives with expertise in out-of-hospital maternity care and risk assessment, as well as the ability to safely triage laboring women during a disaster, advocates called on state and federal policy makers to take immediate steps to safeguard maternal and infant health in preparation for a possible flu pandemic. 

“First, all states need to get on board and license CPMs to practice legally,” said Russ Fawcett of The National Birth Policy Coalition. “But it is every bit as critical that our federal policy makers require Homeland Security to include CPMs—who function as mobile primary care facilities for pregnant women—in disaster planning at local, regional, and national levels and as eligible providers for the National Health Service Corps.” 

In the wake of Hurricane Katrina, members of the White Ribbon Alliance for Safe Motherhood formed the National Working Group for Women and Infant Needs in Emergencies in the United States , and the group’s April 2007 report includes CPMs among those who can educate and train home-based delivery skills to institution- based birth providers. 

CPMs in Indiana have been filing legislation for the past 16 years which would incorporate them into the Indiana health care system. Although Indiana CPMs would be willing to aid Indiana mothers in the event of an emergency, the Indiana legislature again failed to grant licensure during the 2009 session. 

The Big Push for Midwives is the first initiative of the National Birth Policy Coalition (NBPC), whose mission is to promote the autonomous practice of Certified Professional Midwives and Certified Nurse-Midwives and to ensure the availability of safe, evidence-based care during pregnancy, labor, birth, and postpartum. The Big Push is a nationally coordinated campaign to advocate for regulation and licensure of Certified Professional Midwives (CPMs) in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico , and to push back against the attempts of the American Medical Association Scope of Practice Partnership to deny American families access to legal midwifery care. 

Through its work with state-level advocates, the Big Push is helping to build a new model of U.S. maternity care built on expanding access to out-of-hospital maternity care and CPMs, who provide affordable, quality, community-based care that is proven to reduce costly and preventable interventions as well as the rate of low-birth weight and premature births. Media inquiries: Steff Hedenkamp (816) 506-4630, steff@thebigpushfor midwives.org.

Weigh Day

Well, not surprisingly enough, I gained.  I am up 1.4 pounds.  I knew this would happen, but it doesn't make it any easier to accept.  In eyeing my pedometer, I learned two things.  One is that on a "normal" day where I am not doing any actual workout, I am walking an average of five or more miles a day just doing my basic day to day activities.  Two; during the conference, I was lucky if I hit 3/4 of a mile by the end of the day.  I am guessing that during the annual conference and Holy convocation, it won't be much different.  I am going to watch my points close this week and try to stay under my allotment.

Tomorrow, I have a 10:00 appointment with Dr. E for a basic "I must lose weight" check-up.  I am going in fasting so that I can get my cholesterol levels done and get a baseline.  I also want to talk with him about a goal weight.  I don't know if 160 is good for me or if I should aim higher or lower.

While I was at the meeting tonight and standing in line for weigh-in, someone came in behind me and said "You have a flat tire."  I looked down at myself thinking it was code for something like "Your bra is undone" or something.  (Left-over thinking from when I was nursing.)  She asked "You drive a minivan, right?"  (Oh!  I have a flat tire!)  Then it sunk in.  "Yes" I replied with dawning realization.  "Your driver side front tire is flat."  Deciding that I will check on it right after I weigh in, I call Husband and let him know what is going on and checking to make sure that everything I needed to change the tire was there.  

I went outside and the tire was not just flat.  It was very flat.  I've seen better shape and form in pancakes.  I open up the back to get the jack, tire iron, and attempt to lower the spare.  Uhhh, where is the hole to stick the extension in to lower the spare?  I looked and looked and looked.  I called Husband and while he loaded up the children and drove 30 miles, I went inside.  There was a woman there who had tools and volunteered her services to help me.  C was also there and I used her air compressor to air up the tire.  It didn't hold.  (Did I mention I had apparently been driving on it while it was flat?)  By the end of the meeting, the spare was finally lowered and Husband had shown up.  I left him to do the actual change while I enjoyed the last couple of minutes of the meeting.

Tomorrow, we will get a new used tire in Clinton.

Total Points used today:  15

Friday Update on a Sunday

ELECTRICITY: This is very telling. We left Wednesday afternoon and came back this (Sunday) evening. The usage is roughly the same as last week when taking into account the extra couple of days. The actual number is up, but the percentage is down. Translation: We have a lot of standby waste going on here. It is time to reinvestigate that.  
Meter reading: 72388
Usage: 361kwh
Average per day use: 40kwh
Percentage: 133%

IDC: Not a lot happened here since we were gone. Actually, nothing happened here since we were gone.

GARBAGE: We took our garbage into town before leaving on Wednesday so we have a fresh slate so to speak. I did bemoan the Styrofoam that was being used this week and tried to keep one cup to use for water with my name on it. It was tossed with the comment of “We have plenty more.” They already know I’m nuts so I didn’t argue too hard.

GASOLINE: Obviously, this was increased considerably this week. I also discovered that diesel is cheaper at the Indiana/Illinois border than anywhere else. And in some places, diesel is cheaper that regular unleaded.

MONEY: All things considered, we did very well. We actually did amazingly well compared to past events. However, I know we can do better and come August, we will have things fine-tuned a bit more.

HOMESTEAD: I am kicking myself. I was going to clean the chick area and put down fresh straw and everything for them and I never got around to it. Now, we have been losing more turkeys. Final bird count:
Turkeys: 5
Hen chicks: 35
We’ve lost a lot. But, before we can rebuild the flock, we need to rebuild the garden. The extra turkeys were to sell and barter at Thanksgiving and Christmas. Now, we don’t have that flock I was wanting. But, the garden must come first.
K and H did an amazing job taking care of the animals for us. I am more than pleased and hope they will want to do this again in the future. (Like around August???) I am also thinking that instead of them having to drive back and forth, having them stay here. It might make things easier for them. I am also realizing that I am going to have to make sure emergency supplies like flashlights are accessible. And have things printed out like I intended.  
Anyway, like I said, they did a wonderful job and I have zero complaints. (Except for my wilted basil but that was my fault. I got focused on the animals and forgot about my poor indoor plants.)  

HOMESCHOOL: Early in the week, Charlie did math and Bethany did writing. I did pack school work, but nothing got done except for reading.

GOALS ACCOMPLISHED:  
Ahem. We were two states away. Is that a valid excuse?
(Not so new) 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.

Leaving soon

Tomorrow, we will be heading back home.  I have kept in close contact with the person taking care of the animals and other that what sounds like a case of mites, it sounds like things have been going very well.  The chicks have nto hatched yet which us good since they are not dut to hatch for another week.  The goats have done very well and Gi-gi let K hold one of her babies.  I think she said Robin let her hold one of her babies as well.  The rabbits are reported to have been doing fine and the weather has apparently cooperated.

Here in Wisconsin, we have rain, thunder, and lightening.  We picked up some trash bags to stuff the suitcases in.  There is laundry going to save on one chore when we get home.  It is 11:30 (10:30 here) and the children are wide awake.  The girls slept hard during the concert tonight.  (Of course.)  

I missed last night's service because I ate something (I don't know what) and it went through me.  It affected Bethany as well because she was up during the night with the runs as well.  Whatever it was, I am happy that it is over.  

There is more I want to talk about, but that is going to have to go in a separate, locked entry and will wait for another day.  Meanwhile, I am going to do some more packing and try to have the morning go as smoothly as possible.

We're here!

We've arrived in Racine, WI and I have decided that I don't like Chicago traffic.  

We paid a few bills this morning before leaving and stopped at K-mart (the only slightly less evil of evil empires) and picked up a few things.  They had a big cardboard box of t-shirts of all sizes (ranging from child 2-4 to adult 2X) and solid colors with no writing or cartoon or logo or other commercialized emblem splayed across it so, I dug through them pulling out eight of them for Charlie.  Being $1.00 per shirt, I couldn't pass it up and put them aside for him for when he goes to summer camp.

I brought the Walk Away The Pounds dvd with me so I can work out to it after the afternoon meetings and before the evening service.  I am hoping that this will help me to if not lose this week, then at least not gain.  We are also at the end of the hall on the second floor.  So, I walk to the other end (which is a nice walk) and take the stairs both up and down.  I am also planning on walking the halls and stairs and maybe spending a little bit of time at the gym downstairs.

We have a cooler full of raw fruits, vegetables and peanuts.  (Yes, the peanuts are raw as well.)  That will also hopefully help.

Weigh Day

No fancy picture this time because I am tired and don't feel like browsing for a good picture.

Anyway, I am down 4.4 pounds for a total loss of 19 pounds over the 9 weeks I've been in WW.

I am a bit nervous about this week.  I am going to be gone to conference and while I am thankful that meals are provided, they are not always cooked in the healthiest of ways.  They are getting better.  But I am still nervous about weight gain.

Anyway, I am heading to bed here shortly.

Call me names

I really don't care.  But if you cuss on my blog, you will be deleted.

That said, and out of the way, on to more important things.

We had a business meeting today and I actually got the report right!  YAY!  Being an auditor, it is easier to look over someone else's work.  But doing it myself, it is a bit more time consuming.

We had a carry in today and I didn't have time to make anything so I threw together a simple, healthy, filling meal.  Lentils, brown rice, tomato juice, and water.  Put the crockpot on high, let it cook, and by the time service is over, business meeting is over, and dinner it ready, it is ready.  We'll have the left-overs for dinner tonight.

I saw R at Earth Day yesterday and it was wonderful seeing her.  She has been teaching this year so we have not been able to just hang out like we used to.  But one more month and we can get back into that.

I am hoping the milking machine will start behaving before Wednesday so that K can milk the goats for us.  I am not worried about Robin or Gi-gi, but with Flora having no kids nursing on her, milking needs to be done.

For those that are chomping at the bit to try to find out who does what around here physically, my husband and I are a team.  Things get done very slowly at times, but they get done.  Sometimes three or four railroad ties will get moved, sometimes only one or two are able to be moved.  And we will go a couple of weeks between moving them because I do not have the physical strength to do it by myself and I have to wait until George is having a day where he feels strong enough to be able to help.  Does that answer your questions?

And yes, the pigs were also a two person operation.  Put up a piece of board on either side, drop the door down to the trailer, open the door to the pen, stand there one on either side, and they walk in.

Anyway, we leave Wednesday for Racine and will be back on Sunday.  I am really excited about going.  I have the girls mostly packed (I started when we got home from church) and I need to start on myself.  It looks like we are going to have another suitcase because the girls are growing like weeds.  Their clothes take up the large suitcase.  So, we are going to have to clean up the small suitcase for my stuff.  I have no clue what to pack for myself yet.  I need to do some laundry and see what I have.  I am hoping to be finished packing tonight so I can make a list of what is still needed.  I know tights won't be because I had new tights set aside for this.  Hopefully, we won't need anything.  Although I do need to go through Charlie's undershirts and socks.  His underwear should be fine.  I sorted through those not too long ago.  Dry cleaning will need to be picked up tomorrow.  I must remember to do that before my WW meeting.

Last night, George and I were talking about life insurance.  Having none except the little bit we get through the credit union is a not good thing.  His mother had cashed in his policy years ago and he has been unable to get coverage since.  No one want to cover someone with seizures and diabetes.  (The plate in the head is a non-issue.  It is the other problems that arose from the injury that resulted in the plate in the head.)  The diabetes in controlled by medication.  While no longer insulin dependent, he still has to take Metformin.  So, we are hoping that he can be controlled by diet alone.  That means getting "The Blue Stuff."  (Equal.)  This goes against everything we believe and try to practice when it comes to food and what we put in our bodies.  But, if it can make the difference in getting and not getting life insurance, maybe it will be worth it.  I don't know.  There is a part of me that is screaming no.  He tried Stevia before and detested it.  Maybe I can slip it in something and get him to try it again.

Bethany is singing at the top of her lungs "I want to be like Daddy and Mommy" over and over again.  Hannah has joined in singing "I want to be like Mommy to and Hennanny."  (She says "Hennanny" instead of "Bethany.")  I'm smiling to myself and thinking "You want to live on a farm and drive yourself bonkers over milking machines and coyotes?"

Charlie and Bethany were playing last night.  They were making out a grocery list for me.  Charlie asked Bethany what she wanted from the store and Charlie wrote it down.

Food
WATeRLeMON
APPLeS
ceRUTeS

Knowing my children as well as I do, I had to ask specifically if they wanted the food or the seeds to grow the food.  They said food.  So I am going to take them and their list and go to the store tomorrow and pick up watermelon, apples, and carrots.  I'm just happy it's fruits and vegetables rather than the four Cs.  (Candy, Cookies, Cake, Chips.)

Anyway, I am off to do laundry and get some more packing done.

So I am hanging out on a message board

And one of the threads got into a discussion about politics when I had posted an op-ed piece that I liked and found amusing. As a spin off, I had started a thread based on a fantasy world where people are actually encouraged to take personal responsibility for their education, health, etc and had included other things that I believe. Here is what I said:

"I believe the Constitution needs to be followed. Not piece-mealed.

I believe that all children under the age of 18 should have access to affordable health care. Once they hit 18 and have graduated high school, then they need to find their own. (High school drop outs will be covered until their 18th birthday.) People with disabilities already have disability available to them.

SS needs to be done away with and allow people to control their own retirement.

18 either is or isn't the age of a legal adult. If it is, allow adults to make their own decisions about drinking. If it isn't, then 18 year olds who are obviously not competent enough to have a beer with his wife while on leave on a Saturday afternoon is not old enough to decide the future of this country or to fight and die for this country. You can't have it both ways.

CPMs will be legal in every state and it is up to the parents to decide where and how to give birth. Not major medical corporations.

Breastfeeding will be assumed unless the mother specifically requests otherwise in writing.

Full college scholarships will be guaranteed to anyone who maintains a 3.8 or better GPA through high school and stays out of trouble. (hooky, cow-tipping, drugs, drinking, etc.) Otherwise, find your own grants, scholarships, etc.

Formula advertisement will be banned. (It already is, but the laws will be enforced.)

Non-violent offenders will have rights reinstated upon release from probation. (Voting, firearms, etc.)

Businesses will be allowed to fail.

Banks will be allowed to fail.

Pot will be made legal and subject to the same laws/taxes as booze and cigarettes.

Instead of taxes on lottery winnings, tax the lottery itself. Pay a sales tax on the tickets. (I wonder if the states would make more money that way.)

No more tax on inheritance.

Flat tax rates for everyone. A flat percentage. It doesn't matter if you take home $500 a month or $50,000 a month. It will be the same percentage.

No more reimbursement for charity. If you generously give money, clothes, etc. you have given it. End of story. No "tax deduction" (reimbursement from the federal gov't) for it. Either you give or you don't. Don't force the gov't to do it by paying you back.

No more intersection cameras. George Orwell was a warning, not a how-to book.

The electoral college will be disbanned and presidents will be voted in by popular vote. Not by an electoral college. Twice in history, the electoral college did not match the popular vote and that is two times too many.

Complete overhaul of the VA healthcare system. My husband and other vets deserve better. Instead of centralized VA hospitals which are filthy at best, give them a card much like the CHAMPVA cards and let them choose their own healthcare provider and bill the VA/gov't like CHAMPVA."

Apparently, I ask too much. Or I'm too cold-hearted depending upon who replies. Oh, and I'm a hypocrite because we have CHAMPVA and my husband collects disability. (He served in the military and had his skull smashed into his brain!)

I do not want Universal Healthcare or Socialized Medicine or whatever label you want to slap on gov't run health care. But I also don't want to see children without medical care so that is why in my imaginary world, all children will have health coverage until their 18th birthday.

And now people are sniviling about the poor deprived drunks and meat eaters. Eating meat causes colon cancer you know. (snark)

What is wrong with expecting people to take personal responsibility? Asthma, cancer, diabetes, etc are all very valid concerns and I am not discounting them. People should be able to have healthcare. I am not discounting that. But the gov't does a poor enough job running the one healthcare system that they do have (the VA.) Do we really want them running the healthcare system of the whole country?

And my children who are supposed to be in bed are running around.

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.

Consumeristic Envy

I have a couple of friends who have a wii fit.  I've pretty much thought to myself until today "How nice.  I am happy for them, but have no need for one myself."  Then I tried it today.  I did the hula hoop, soccer, tightrope walk, skiing, yoga, and a few other things.  OH, MY GOODNESS!  I WANT ONE!

Then I did the math for the things we will need to get to have a wii fit:
Television:  $500
Wii:  $250
Wii Fit:  $100

Total:  $850 before taxes.

There is no way we can afford to shell out close to $1,000 for what is basically a toy.  Yes, it is a very fun toy and I am sure it would get a lot of use and have many useful aspects to it.  (Exercise, fun rainy day games, balance, hand-eye coordination, etc) but I need to remind myself that bottom line, it is a toy.  A very expensive toy.

Even if we had a TV that could support a wii (a 9" television will not be compatible with a wii), it is still close to $400 just to get the wii and wii fit.

Consumeristic envy sucks, but so does the fact that we don't have the money to be able to give into the desire to have one of these.

In other news, we have our rabbits outside.  I've started the outdoor habitrail for them to free-range as much as possible.  I took the sides off of some of the cages and wired them together, then I attached the whole thing to the old dog house with the help of my husband.  They seem happy.  All the females are together and the male is in the hutch.

The broody hen is still happily sitting on seven eggs and seems to be doing very well.  Keeping her supplied with food and water rather than throwing her off the nest to get her own seems to be working well.  

We lost Friendly.  The children found her carcass by the back deck.  It looks like a possum or fox got a hold of her.  It doesn't look like a coyote.  She was our most affectionate hen and our blue egg layer.

Weigh Day

I lost a whole 0.2 pounds.  Ugh.  I need to do better.  Granted, I had two square donuts on Thursday, a "home style" type buffet on Saturday and church food on Sunday.  But, it was my choice to put the food in my mouth.

In other news, today, I scrubbed my kitchen floor.  I pulled EVERYTHING out that could be moved.  Fridge, chest freezer, counter, stove, shelves, etc.  I scrubbed baseboards, corners, and about two feet out on my hands and knees and used a steam cleaner on the rest.  I want to get in all the cabinets tomorrow.  I am sick on ants. 

St. Louis Zoo

The zoo is magnificent.  We had two hours to wander and look around at the different animals.  We didn't even get to see half.  We would love to come back here and spend the whole day at the zoo.  

Yes, according to everything I had heard, the zoo is indeed free although there are exhibits that do charge.  But there is so much to see that is free that not going to the paid exhibits in no way takes away from the experience.  

Parking was $11.00.  But, there are places to park that are also free.  This is a very affordable, educational, fun trip that is really not all that far.  It definitely is a full day trip and with a farm is not a spur of the moment trip.  But with planning, we can get up early to have breakfast and feed the animals, leave at 7:00am (Indiana time) and arrive at the zoo at opening time (9:00 St Louis time) and spend the day.  (Closes at 5:00.)  Bringing a cooler full of drinks and snacks (that is where they try to get you, but there is no ban on outside food or drinks) and you are good to go.  Staying until closing time, get home around 9:00pm, send the children straight to bed and do a late milking and the night time feeding.

As I said, it would take some planning, but it is totally doable and a lot of fun.  I just need to remember my hat the next time.  My face is sunburned.  We are also going to bring the wagon to carry the backpacks, cooler, and children.  We didn't have a cooler this time, but will next time.  So, the wagon will be necessary.  We just need to clean it of yard debris.  (Dirt, poop, etc.)

Friday Update

ELECTRICITY: We’re down which surprises me. I honestly thought we were going to go up. Granted there is the possibility that I read it wrong since I read it at 9:30pm under the glow of the cell phone. But, I am not going to complain.  
Meter reading: 71675
Usage: 482kwh
Percentage: 228%

IDC: I have some ham and beans canned. I canned a variety of different beans with the ham so we can have a small selection to choose from. I made more laundry detergent this week since we were running low. In the IDC of waste, we had to trash seven quarts of syrup due to mold. I was not happy and will try to figure out what happened.

GARBAGE: We took four bags to my SIL, but that was three weeks worth of trash. Once everything gets cleaned out and cleaned up, I would like to try for zero trash. That is a goal of mine and one that I know is possible.

GASOLINE: $50 worth of gas went into the pick-up. It is warm enough on a consistent basis to start the switch to the waste vegetable oil. Ok, I know that was said two weeks ago, but we still haven’t gotten to the WVO yet. I think we are going to wait until we get back from Conference.

MONEY: I went to the Evil Empire this evening to get Bethany a pair of play shoes since hers are now too small. The Evil Empire was the closest place open that sold shoes. They were probably made from some poor, starved, Chinese prisoner or Chinese slave whose childhood was stolen by greed and communism. I also went to Sav-a-lot and picked up snacks for the trip to St. Louis tomorrow. Between the two places, I spent less than $25.00

HOMESTEAD: The chicks (turkey and chicken) have all been moves to what is normally the kidding stall. They outgrew their cages and need to learn to scratch and peck the ground. So, with the straw and water feeders (which we picked up a five gallon last night to go with the two single gallon ones) and feed put in both the bowls and spread on the ground, they get plenty of food, water, running, and heat as they grow and (hopefully soon) move outside.
We are getting close to a gallon a day from Flora and she has calmed down a lot. She is letting other people milk her and she is staying on the stand after milking. I am definitely feeling much better going to conference knowing that she will allow others to milk her and knowing that she is in good hands. I trust K and H to take care of the animals and have no worries about either of them getting hurt too badly by the animals. (Getting a foot or hand stepped on notwithstanding.)  

HOMESCHOOL: Charlie has finished Captain Courageous and I am now looking at some of our other books to see what might peak his interest. He has a love for reading that I want to encourage.
We’ve been working on math and while he seems to get it, he doesn’t enjoy doing it. So he needs the occasional poke to get him going on that.  

GOALS ACCOMPLISHED:  
1. Finally finish the garage and shop. – I’m just going to hang my head in shame.
2. Get the walk path done. We had a LOT of rain, wind, some snow, freezing temperatures, etc.
3. Get the rest of the plants in the ground. – Did I mention rain, snow, freezing temps, and the fact that I lost a good portion of my plants?
4. Carpet clean the master bedroom. – I vacuumed it. Does that count?

NEW GOALS (Do they look familiar):  
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.

Not sure what to blog about

Today we had US Geography where we followed Trucker L for the past couple of weeks.  (We missed Geography last week due to helping a family move.)  He traveled quite a bit and I got tired just following him on the map.  

This afternoon, a long lost friend came over with her two children.  I have not seen her in a couple of years.  We had a lot of catching up to do.  It was good to sit and talk and relax.

I did not get my exercising in today.  I am hoping to be able to do some crunches at the very least tonight.

We have a baby chick with a broken foot.  When transferring them to a larger area out of their cages, her foot got caught in the wire.  So, she is in a box with a sling that I made to keep her up and the weight off her feet while she heals.  She can eat, drink, sleep, just not walk around.  Basically, it looks like she is in a hammock with little holes for her legs to dangle.  I change the sling every time she poops so she doesn't sit in it.

I got the lavender and lemon balm soaps wrapped and have an order to put together that I will mail out tomorrow.

Tomorrow is my Friday Update and I know the electricity is going to be high because the laptop has been plugged in quite a bit.  The battery does not last a full 50 minute work-out.

Mission(s) Accomplished

More soap is in the molds.  We have plain, eucalyptus, and cedarwood all setting.  The oatmeal has been cut for final drying.  Mozzarella cheese and ricotta cheese has been made.  More cheese is waiting to form and will be a hard cheese.  I have the whey set aside to make more bread.  The pressure canner is going with different bean soups.

Ham and Black-Eyed Peas
Ham and Split Pea
Ham and Black Beans

I had two jars more than what would fit in the canner so they are in the fridge and we will have them for lunch (or supper) tomorrow.

George set up the donate button on the sidebar.

K and her family came over so K can do some milking.

I did a three mile on Walk Away The Pounds and I have started jogging the last mile when the video has walking.  I am hoping to be able to find the time to do a one or two mile tonight even though it is already 8:00.

I found three turkey chicks dead this morning and George said one of them did not look good this evening and he was not sure if it would make it.  So, we have lost half of our turkeys now.  I am planning on getting more when we get back from conference.

I also lost most of my crop to the hard freeze that we've had.  Not the least of which is 72 Heirloom Tomatoes.  I had too much to ground to cover.  That's one of the hard things about trying to grow your own food.  You lose the crop and have to start over, it is not a small task.  Even with warning, there aren't enough blankets, sheets, etc to cover it all and still have bedding for us.

Anyway, more seeds (and starts at this point) with no guarantee of it being heirloom due to the fact that heirloom is not cheap.  But, genetically modified seeds are.  However, along with being genetically modified and no guarantee of it being organic despite what the package says, the seeds can not be harvested with any kind of guarantee of edible production the following year.

And, more turkey chicks.  And turkey chicks are not cheap.  The cheapest I have ever seen is just under $6.00 per bird with a five bird order minimum.  We didn't get the number we wanted to begin with when we ordered them because they are so expensive plus there is shipping cost.  How many we will be able to get, I don't know.  I have to look at our finances and see.

Anyway, Charlie has been doing very well with his Bible writing.  Using the Bible for his copy work is working out very well.  After we did his math, I sent him upstairs to do his writing and he went running saying "Yay!  The Bible!"  Ok.  Knock me over with a feather why don't you?

Hannah has been snotty and not breathing well at night.  She has been coughing a lot and running a fever at night, but fine during the day.  (Except for the whole snot-face thing going on.)

Bethany spent last night and is spending tonight at my SIL.  I am sure she is being pleasantly spoiled with a whole princess thing going on.  I talked with SIL earlier (and briefly, Bethany) and she had said they had pizza, watched movies, and stayed up late.  (Shocking, I know.)  But that's ok.  Going there is a special treat.  They watched Esther and another Bible movie this morning.

Anyway, I have laundry to take care of and a load of toilet paper to do.

Weigh Day

Breakfast:
Oatmeal with flax and brown sugar - 5 points  
coffee - 2  

Lunch:
salad - 0  
turkey - 2  
dressing - 3  

Dinner:
Salad Dressing and Salad - 1  
McDonald's Grilled Chicken Sandwich - 7

Point total: 20

I lost 2.4 pounds.  I only have 0.6 pounds until I get another gold star to make a 15 pound total weight loss.  As long as I keep going down, I'm happy.  I'm hoping to be able to do Walk Away The Pounds video more often this week.  I did a one mile today with my neighbor.  I want to do the three mile as well.

Madder than a wet hen

Kill the wabbit, kill the wabbit

Ok, so maybe not kill the rabbit yet.  While out picking up feed, we decided to go wandering around.  We drove past this home that had a sign.  "Rabbit for sale."  We go, knock, and discover no one is home.  We call the number on the sign and leave a message.  We leave and about ten miles down the road, we get a return phone call.  They are home.  We turn around, go back, and look at some rabbits.  They are HUGE.  They also had a variety of breeds.  We told them we wanted them for meat so we were shown the largest of the rabbits.  We picked up two females and a male.  I will get pictures tomorrow to share.  I will also need help coming up with names.

I've decided to start recording here what I eat each day to help me stay on track.  Do I really want to have to confess to chocolatey goodness?  Well, if I eat chocolate, I will have to admit to it here.

Anyway, my meals for this day:

Breakfast:
Pancakes, syrup, coffee: 14 points.  (The pancakes are high in points for some reason even though they are homemade and whole wheat.)

Lunch:
Subway Veggie Sub:  9 points.  (It was a footlong.)

Dinner:
2 oz Pork Steak: 2 points
Green Beans: 0 points
6 oz Sweet Potato: 3 points
Salad: 0 points
Fat Free Vinagrette: 0 points

Total Points: 28

10 Years

10 years ago today, I married the best guy in the world.  God has truly blessed me with a strong, loving husband and has given us three beautiful children.

My husband has a sense of humor, a sense of family, a sense of duty, and a sense of service.  His humor has helped me to laugh at myself and helped me to keep my cool when I was about to lose my temper.  His sense of family has allowed him to take the role of head as God intended to heart and leads this family down the path of righteousness and helps us to serve God in all that we do.  His sense of duty keeps us learning the basics of homesteading and keeping the two of us homeschooling our children.  His sense of service reminds us that everything we do should be done to the glory and service of God.

I don't know if any of that made sense.  I just know that I have a wonderful man by my side who has a heart, soul and mind to serve Christ in everything we do.

Friday Update

ELECTRICITY: We’re up. Of course we’re up. Why wouldn’t we be up? Just because I didn’t do a reading until seconds before H and K got here and our furnace has been running and I’ve been using the dryer (which has to stop) doesn’t mean anything. We’ve also been using heat lamps which I know drain electricity. Excuses, excuses. I need to make some changes and keep on them.
Meter reading: 71193
Usage: 614kwh
Percentage: 153%

IDC: I have plants in the ground. I have more waiting to go in. The chickens have been getting into the garden. I am going to talk to George about closing off the gate and just using the milking door as the entrance and exit to the animal yard. Anyway, not much has happened this week in terms of IDC. 

GARBAGE: Yes, we have garbage. We are going to make a run to the scrap yard with some metal. This has not changed since last week. We helped someone move and that took a few days in a row.

GASOLINE: We both filled up our tanks on Tuesday.

MONEY: We both had Subway on Wednesday. I don’t remember how much it was. I need to keep better track.

HOMESTEAD: K has been doing an excellent job learning the fine art of milking a goat. I had mentioned that she might want to learn to do it by hand in case the power goes out and she mentioned bringing a couple of fully charged deep cycle batteries.
As has been previously mentioned, the chickens have been getting into the garden and that is unacceptable.
The chicks are doing well in the garage. I have been thinking of moving them to the pen, but I will wait until after we get back.  

HOMESCHOOL: Charlie has been doing is copy work and reading Captain Courageous by Rudyard Kipling. He has been really enjoying the book. We have also started on Story of the World (Thank you!) and I’m not sure how he feels about it yet. I like it. We are going to work through it slowly so that I know he is understanding it.  

GOALS ACCOMPLISHED:  
1. Finally finish the garage and shop. – Uhhh… Did I mention that we helped a family move?
2. Get the walk path done. – Yes, this is still on the todo list.
3. Get the plants in the ground. – Got quite a few of them done.
4. Carpet clean the master bedroom. – Our carpet cleaner was being used by the family that moved. I have it back now, though.


NEW GOALS: (ok, so a repeat from last week.):  
1. Finally finish the garage and shop.
2. Get the walk path done.
3. Get the rest of the plants in the ground.
4. Carpet clean the master bedroom.

Update today

I helped M do some cleaning and unpacking today.  I was over there for several hours today.  My knees and feet hurt from standing and climbing.

WW-wise, I did blow it today big time.  She has LOTS of snack and junk food.  Some of which I availed myself of at her request.

We have storms rolling through tonight.  I've had the lights flicker.

Tomorrow, K and H are coming over to milk the goat and are staying for dinner.  I have ham in the crockpot and will most likely have rice and squash to go with it.  I do need to pick up some salad fixings.

I was talking with A on the phone and she is (hopefully) going to be coming over on Thursday.

Maybe tomorrow I will have more to share.  Right now, though, I am tired.

Quick Update

I've been helping a friend move these past couple of days.  She is moving to a little town surrounded by the Amish.  It is a nice area and she has a Friend's Church across the street.  I don't see a lot of problems in her neighborhood.

Yesterday morning, before going to help her move, I had my science class and we had a salad made from dandelion greens.  The mom who came said "Salad just got a whole lot cheaper."  The children basically devoured it.

Tomorrow, I am going back to my friend's new house to help her clean and unpack.  I am so happy for her and getting this place.  I can't wait for her to get settled in.  

Anyway, it is late and I am tired.  I will hopefully have a better update tomorrow.