Down on the homestead - March 13 - 19th

**homesteadmamma** · 03-13-2005, 11:10 AM

Good morning everyone. I woke up to a dull day outside and its looking like it might snow. Yesterday we had very high winds and drifting and they ended up closing some roads again. I do hope this isn't a sign of another windy spring/summer.

Today I'm:

~washing laundry (bedding)
~working at a couple crafts. I'd like to get a couple rows done on my afghan and then do some quilting. I also need to help dd design another quilt and try to figure out what her design means.

~I need to make some homemade soup today.
~later tonight I'm off to clean the post office and mop the front entrance.
~I also want to watch the figure skating on tv this afternoon

Hope everyone has a wonderful Sunday.

**forestdale** · 03-13-2005, 02:49 PM

Good morning, homesteaders. It's been raining overnight which is really good as everything is very dry.

I have some phone calls to make at 9am and then I'll be off to visit my friend Diane to discuss ebay. Rick is over from Bali for a week or so and he'll be there and helping us with some questions we have on getting dresses made and importing clothing. After that, I'll do my supermarket shopping.

I'll be sewing and cooking this afternoon.

Not much else to report on this Monday morning.

**DaisyLady** · 03-13-2005, 03:33 PM

Rhonda ~ it's funny to hear you say that it is Monday morning when it is only Sunday here!

The sun is shining here and it is quite mild but windy. DH is working today and I was the only one who got up to go to church. March break and the kids figure they can sleep in!

Not much happening this afternoon. Mostly I am reading and the kids are either outside enjoying the sun or (in Josh's case) holed up with the headphones on listening to music. I am trying not to do any knitting or crocheting today

Not sure I can do it.

We are having a nice family dinner tonight after DH gets home from work. Roast beef, veggies and maybe some rice.

Have a wonderful Sunday (or Monday) afternoon!

**slowtypinwoman** · 03-13-2005, 08:28 PM

Good evening everone,
Hello CJ, Rhonda, and Chriss, Glad to hear you all are having relaxing days and keeping warm.
Today has been a busy one I worked on some crafts. I have a show in the middle of April and I don't want to be scrambling. I am making bracelets necklaces with slides and my purses. I worked on all of the today. This is going to be the year they do well. I can feel it.

I also:~~ did the laundry
~ made dinner
~ went and tanned
~swept

Have a great week all!
Marcia

**dmvezina** · 03-14-2005, 09:36 AM

Good morning!!
Again, I couldn't get in here for a few days! lol I don't think the Village likes me anymore!! jk, lol

Over the weekend we had a snowstorm. We got at least a foot of snow! I need spring!! lol Today though, the sun is shining nice and bright!

I hope you all had a great weekend.
DD-16 got her first job and starts tonight. I hope she does well!

Breakfast today was oatmeal and a choice of a muffin or peanut butter bread.

Dinner will be onion meatloaf, pasta and carrots

I need to do:
1 load of laundry **done**
polish livingroom furniture
clean livingroom windows
dust tv & lamps in livingroom
wipe fingerprints from lightswitchs/walls in livingroom
clean livingroom pictures
clean livingroom ceiling fan
clear cobwebs from livingroom
vacuum livingroom
clean chiminea
straighten books in livingroom
wash knick knacks & shelves in livingroom
clean end tables
wash livingroom floor
call child support office
make snack for kids

I've been wanting to start working out again for quite some time but keep procrastinating. Well, this morning I finally started!! lol
I did half an hour of yoga. I figure that's easy to begin with for now. I feel good now!!

Well, now I must get my work done.
I hope you all have a great day!!

**Michele Annette** · 03-14-2005, 02:05 PM

Hi Everyone!

DH is sick. He caught my cold yesterday and is home from work today eating toast. I just went to get him some more bread during my lunch hour. He's getting better though.Yesterday we spent most of the day lounging. I didn't even sew. I was just not feeling well, so I finished my book and made some dinner, watched a movie and finished the laundry. I still can't hear great in my left ear and it's driving me batty!

I'm starting to get a little anxious about work. DH is taking the job in Denver and is waiting for a written work policy from the new company. This has got me thinking about meetings with my Art Director and two bosses. I won't be talking to them until next week, but it's been heavy on my mind. DH can tell that I'm worried about it.

I forget how much of an adventure it is to move to a brand new place! I'm excited, yet apprehensive. Calm yet hyper! When I went home on lunch to see DH he was on the phone with a realitor in Denver...his second one. I am nervous about not generating an income right away and where my new job will be and what I will be doing. Will it pay more, less or the same? Currently I make slightly over what my DH makes and it's very important to me to have something I like with genuine people. DH does not want me to commute, nor do I!!! I hate traffic! I'm sorry to ramble. This is where my brain is these days.

I hope you are all having a great day!

**DaisyLady** · 03-14-2005, 06:32 PM

Michele ~ my left ear is still all blocked up from my battle with the cold too. It was interesting trying to sing with the worship team at church on Sunday. I'm singing harmony right now and I still don't know if I hit any right notes

Hope you and your dh are feeling better soon.

Dawn~ glad you were able to get back in. I've missed your menus! You are my inspiration

Rather quiet day here today. I did my workout this morning, had a leisurely bath and then did some work in my office. This afternoon I did some reading, a bit of crocheting in my office and practiced some of my songs for choir.

Supper tonight was spaghetti, fruit smoothies and chocolate pudding cake.

The kids are not killing each other yet but after three days at home boredom is setting in. Andrea has arranged to go shopping with a friend tomorrow and Josh has a doctor's appointment. That just leaves William at loose ends. His friends are all away this week

Have a great evening everyone!

**homesteadmamma** · 03-15-2005, 11:29 AM

Good morning everyone. Its snowing and coming down in big huge flakes. Were suppose to get a good amount and I need to go into the city tonight. UGH!!

Michelle, what an adventure your on. I hope everything works out for you.

Not much happening here on our homestead. I've been trying to do some decluttering, sewing, quilting and baking. Its been a bit difficult to get everything done because of the meetings I've been having and they go into the first week of May. I need to schedule a few of the meetings so that I'm not on the road all day long. I already had one changed this morning.

Tonight I'll be cleaning the post office and then coming home and reading. Hopefully I sleep better tonight than I did last night. I should have gotten up and came and chatted here.

Hope everyone has a great day.

**Michele Annette** · 03-15-2005, 12:54 PM

Good Afternoon!

I hope you are all doing well!

Rhonda- I hope you are having a good day!

Marcia- I would love to hear more about your show! Good luck getting everything finished!

Dawn- How was your DD's first day at her job? I hope she likes it!

Chriss- I hope your hearing comes back too. Mine is a bit better today.

CJ- I hope it stops snowing for you to make it into town without a problem!

Doing better today. I have been searching online for some jobs, even though I'm not really "ready" to look for work yet. I psyching myself up! I hope to have some pictures for you all to look at hopefully this weekend. We didn't deal with them last week because of being sick.

I've been thinking of my Mom. She is having her second hip surgery (other hip) on April 12th. I am debating to go see her because:

A) She doesn't want me there until she is healed and able to move around freely.

B) I have no idea when exactly we will be moving, the more detailed plan, etc.

C) I feel totally guilty if I don't go. KWIM?

I will talk to Mom and DH about it. It won't cost a lot to go, so I may just do it. She really doesn't want me there though...stubborn.

Well I hope you are all having a pleasant day.

**Mom23boys** · 03-15-2005, 02:59 PM

Michele. I knwo you want to be with your mom. That has to be a hard decision to make.

We are on spring break this week.

I have been trying to get as much done as I can. So far I am on track with what I have had planned.

Yesterday, I searched and planned my vegetable garden. I am so excited. I talked it over with DH last night and he is all for it!! Now we just need to get to work on it.

Today, I pulled everything out from under my kitchen sink. I have a bigger cabinet than normal under the sink. Well it has been getting cluttered with junk....household cleaners, pet supplies, tools, drill, extension cords, paint, wood finisher, etc. I don't even know why half of these items were ever even under there. I tossed just about everything and put the tools, paint, etc. back in the shed where they belong. I kept a few tools for a home toolbox...like a hammer, 2 screwdrivers, pliers, tape, and staple gun w/staples (comes in handy

). I put the cleaners back in the tote they were originally suppose to be in. It looks really empty under there. I am glad for that. I tossed just about everything and had to make a garbage run.

While under there I noticed we had a leak. The dishwasher pipe was leaking. I knew we had some extra plumbing pipes in the shed, so I fixed it!! I tried it out just to make sure!! All is good again!!

I have been trying to catch up on laundry which seems never ending. I have been hanging it to dry on the drying racks. Have to keep them inside because it has been raining on and off today.

I hope you all have a great day!!

**forestdale** · 03-15-2005, 03:30 PM

Hello homesteaders.

I'm struggling with a decision here. Rick, the bloke who lives in Bali and who will send us lots of things to sell on ebay, wants to be involved in our ebay business. I like rick and have no problems working with him but I fear the business will get too big and busy when I want to leave that behind. Needless to say, I've discussed it with DH and I'm still pondering. I think I need a session on the front verandah.

We got cable internet during the week and I love it. DS took it upon himself to download songs for his iPod and consequently we've aready used up half our 1 Gb limit. Grrrrr. I have to wait now to list more things on ebay because I don't want to be in the middle of selling things and I loose the internet. I've already increased our usage plan but it won't take effect till next month.

So today I'll concentrate on needlework and start up a new design. I think I'll keep stitching till I finish all of them and then sew them into whatever they're supposed to be. I really like hand sewing, it's relaxing and gives me lots of time to think. apart from sewing I'll be baking bread and making coconut macaroons today. I might do some ironing this afternoon when I watch Martha this afternoon.

Marcia, I'l love to hear more about your crafts and the show too.
Chriss, I hope you're feeling a lot better after your cold. I hope the kids don't kill each other.

Dawn, why are you having problems getting in?
Michele, I'm so excited for you. New job, new home, new state and who knows what else will be new. I love change, it's so invigorating! I hope you get to see your mum. I'm sure she'd love to see you and maybe you can help her get ready for her second surgery.
Take care on the roads, CJ. I hope you have a lovely day.
Michelle, I will love watching your progress with that garden. I'm looking forward to hearing what you'll be planting. Do you have a garden every year or is this the first?

Enjoy your day, ladies.

**DaisyLady** · 03-15-2005, 07:15 PM

Good evening homesteaders,

Michelle ~ I'm really impressed that you fixed that leak yourself. Bet it felt good!

Rhonda ~ I think you just gave me a really great excuse NOT to get highspeed

Another sunny, mild day here today. We are expecting a few snow flurries tonight though. Andrea was up and out shopping with her friend by 8:30 this morning. She bought herself lots of "girl" stuff including a really cute pink hat. It's sometimes hard to believe she is my daughter cause she is such a girly girl and I am such a tom boy. Oh and I hate shopping which she just loves. I took Josh to his doctor's appointment this afternoon and then stopped at the grocery store so he could stock up on his "snack" foods. He also got a lesson in frugal shopping. When I got home I had to get straight back in the car and go to the shops with William. He needed to get some clothes and a pair of sunglasses. William and DH also spent some time outside with the dogs today and flying their toy helicopters that they got for Christmas. Willliam cooked supper (frozen pizza) for us.

Not much on for tonight just some tea and the tv.

Goodnight!

**dmvezina** · 03-15-2005, 07:38 PM

Good evening!!
Geez, I don't know what's going on, but I couldnt' get in again last night or all day today until now!! Frustrating! lol

Well, today I did a deep cleaning of my entryway. Not much work there. I had to bring dd-16 to her counseling appointment.
dh took her out driving after dinner. She started her 1st job last night and loved it! lol See how long that lasts!

Breakfast was blueberry pancakes w/blueberry topping
Dinner was a vermicelli ham bake and dinner rolls

Well, I'm going to try and catch up around the Village now!

Have a great night!!

**Michele Annette** · 03-16-2005, 10:37 AM

Good Morning Everyone!

I feel so much better, I can hear!

Michelle- Great job at fixing your sink! Enjoy your time off!

Rhonda- I hope things are able to present themselves more clearly with your ebay business, so that you are able to make a good decision. Also, I have to say high speed internet is one of the best things and one of the luxuries that we can't live without.

Actually if I had telecommuted for work, I wouldn't be able to do it without highspeed internet for transfering the files to my work server.

Chriss- Wow, that's a lot of running around. I hope you were able to relax some!

Dawn- I'm glad your DD likes her job! I hope it does last for her.

It is a beautiful day here. Sunny and mild temps. It is so nice to not have to wear my hat and gloves all the time! I want Spring!

We are now in clean and sort mode. DH is going through all his car parts and giving away/selling anything he doesn't need or doesn't want to move. We are also going through our books. I won't need to get rid of too many of my things because I already went through everything a few months ago. I am however using up my beloved stockpile. It bothers me to see that I have run out of papertowels and cans of stewed tomatoes, but I will buy them now as I need them to keep from moving it all. We are moving as little as possible and then starting over when we move. I feel there is no reason to move heavy canned goods and ten rolls of papertowels. Plus food and supplies are much cheaper in Denver than they are in Vermont! So I think I will be able to stock up more quickly once we get settled.

We have been talking too about how we are going to move everything. As these subjects come up, it still surprises me to hear DH saying that maybe we should stay...I know he really wants to move, we just keep forgetting that it isn't as easy as we thought. Not that it isn't worth it, just that it still comes as quite a shock! So we decided on a "Two Year Plan". We will give Denver two years and then we can decided if we want to stay or come back. One year isn't enough time to really get acclimated and we know there will be some things that will be hard to get used to, so we are giving it a good honest try. I will let you know more as these issues come up.

Thank you for all your support!

The great thing about all of this is that I have all of you with me no matter where I am!

**dmvezina** · 03-16-2005, 12:02 PM

Good morning. I think it's still morning! lol

The sun is shining again today!! I wish it were warmer, but I guess I have to wait! lol

I was out of the house by 9am to do my groceries and have already deep cleaned my diningroom. I just need to sweep & mop that floor. The kids have an early release today for teacher conferences I think it is. But dd-16 has dance practice after school so I need to pick her up around 2.
I've already done 1 load of laundry and the last of it is waiting to be folded in the dryer.

Breakfast was poptarts & a banana
Dinner will be fiesta ravioli, salad and garlic bread.

i got a call yesterday afternoon from ds-7's teacher. I got one last week too. He's been misbehaving pretty badly in school. UGH! He has adhd and is on concerta. He's been on the same dose for at least 5 or 6 months now. He has an appointment next week for a med check. Unfortunately I think it's time to increase the dosage. I don't always like medicating children, but sometimes it's just needed and in his case, it most certainly is needed!! He is a totally different child when not on his meds or not on the right dosage. He becomes intolerable both at home and school. When the teacher starts calling because he's so frustrated and doesnt' know what to do, then there's a problem! Yesterday, Ryan was jumping up and down on chairs, running around the classroom like a monkey, as the teacher put it, and just being disrespectful and rude. Now, when he's on the correct meds, he is quiet, attentive, focuses, etc.
Well, anyway, I must go finish up my work!

I hope you all have a great day!!