Down on the Homestead - April 10 - 16th

[homesteadmamma]

Good morning everyone. It looks like we might have rain here so I'm off to rake the grass over at the post office. I'll be back in an hour or so.

Rhonda -

Be back soon.

[Michele Annette]

Hello Everyone!

Dawn- I am so sorry to hear about your son. Poor littl boy, it's terrible what he and you are going through right now!

CJ- Thanks on the sewing machine advice. I will start looking again maybe in the Fall.

Rhonda- It will be so fun once your sewing room is finished. I will have to take a picture of mine too!

Michelle- Glad to hear Dakota is feeling better!

Chriss- I'm sorry to hear about your flat tire! I hate it when those problems arrise.

Kim- I'm sorry you had so much rain! I hope it stays dry for you for a while! I'm glad to hear the duck family is back!

Yesterday I spent a good half of the day Spring cleaning. Took the plastic off the windows, opened them for lots of fresh air! I made dinner in the crockpot so I didn't have to spend a lot of time cooking.

I'm now going to get moving. It's after noon and I haven't done much today yet. I hope you all have a very good day!

[DaisyLady]

Good afternoon homesteaders!

The sun is shining here and it's warm enough for just a light jacket. DH is working and William is off at a friend's. On the way home from church, I noticed that our local chip (as in french fries) wagon was up and running for the season. So after changing clothes, Andrea, Josh and I headed off to have french fries and a coke for lunch. Not very healthy for the body but great medicine for the soul.

Yesterday was a busy day with lots of driving. William had band practice and I decided to go to the home improvement store and price some stuff. We are hoping to renovate the kid's bathroom in May. I also went in search for a new battery for my cell phone and discovered that it would be cheaper for me to get a new phone:surprise: My phone is about 8 years old and the battery has to be special ordered. So since DH's phone is also on it's last legs we had to make a decision as to whether we would invest in new ones or do without. I only use mine for emergencies and so the kids can reach me if they have an emergency when I'm not home. DH uses his to call me from work if he can't get to a pay phone. I had pretty much decided that even though we can get "free" phones, the monthly cost was more than I wanted to pay and so we would do without. But, I got overruled DH says I am being cheap not frugal, that he doesn't want me driving without a cell phone in case I have an accident or flat tire or something. (I do a lot of driving on country roads with minimal traffic). So I will be buying cell phones this week.

This afternoon, I am going to make a cup of coffee (I didn't have any this morning) and go enjoy the sunshine with a good book.

Hope you all have a wonderful Sunday!

[Michele Annette]

Andrea, Josh and I headed off to have french fries and a coke for lunch. Not very healthy for the body but great medicine for the soul.

Chriss- This reminds me when Summer is finally here I take a drive to a small diner where they have the best maple milkshakes. I only have them once a year, but it has to be on a nice hot, sunny day! Enjoy your french fries! I hope you get a good deal on a new cell phone too!

I am slacking today. It is beautiful outside and I need to be sewing. So then somehow I seem to gravitate towards the computer! Ah well.

[forestdale]

Hello Ladies.

I'll be finishing off my sewing room today and I'll take a photo to post. I think it would be fun to have all our sewing rooms posted. How about it, girls? We'll post them over in the sewing threads.

I'll also be baking cookies (for Casey and the nurses)and bread and listing on ebay today.

CJ, I hope you're enjoying some warmer weather, even if it is raining. Thanks for the hug.

Chriss, I just love those change of season rituals, like your coke and chips. I hope you all enjoyed your lunch. I'm with you on the cell phone thing. I only receive calls on mine and only take it because I'm always asked "do you have a phone?" when I'm walking out the door.

Michele, enjoy your lazy day. You deserve it. I'd love you to take a photo of your sewing room too. Let's list ours and hope the other ladies join the party.

Dawn, I hope you and your little fellow are doing much better.

There is still no change with Casey. I'm going in with Diane to see her tomorrow, hence the cookies. She's having more tests today so I guess we'll know more tomorrow.

Be safe, everyone.

[Heather]

(((HUGS))) ladies.

It's a beautiful sunny warm day here today....hope it lasts into the week. Delaney and I went to church this morning. I didn't teach Sunday School so it was nice to stay up and hear the sermon. After church I helped DH get everything ready for his days away in the truck....stocked up on food and got his clean clothes put in the truck. DH started a new run so he'll be leaving on Sunday afternoons and getting home on Thursdays.

My Mom and Dad visited for the afternoon. It was great seeing them again...they live about 2 hours from here. We had more birthday cake for Delaney...her BD is going on a week now...lol!

Tonight the kids and I are having a quiet night. I'm curling up after supper and reading a book my Mom brought for me.

Have a wonderful night friends.

[homesteadmamma]

Woo hoo Heather is back!!!! Yes, yes, yes!!!!!

After I posted this morning, I went out to get into the van to run over to the post office and we had a flat tire. Dh changed it and we all headed over there. We took the storm windows off, uncovered the a/c and raked up the grass. Thats all done for this spring. I still need to go over there tonight and clean.

Yesterday I finally finished the afghan I was working on. It called for tassles but I don't like them so I did a search on net for the shell stitch and was able to figure it out. It finished off the afghan perfect. Today I was working on yo-yo's for a bit.

Then I headed into my sewing room. I finished a couple of blocks for dgs's quilt and cut out a number of 3 1/2 inch black squares for his quilt. I'd love to post a picture of my sewing room Rhonda, but its so small I can't take a picture of the whole area. I'll try to get a couple pictures taken once I get new batteries for my camera. For some reason my battery recharger isn't charging my batteries.

Chriss, we always love it when the drive-in opens too. Chips and ice cream are always a huge hit with us. Glad you enjoyed them.

Rhonda, any news on Casey?

Michele, how is your quilt coming along?

Were having stew for supper and then I'm heading over to the post office. When I get back I plan on reading.

Have a wonderful evening everyone.

[forestdale]

Heather, it's so good to see you back here. How are you now? I hope all is well in your neck of the woods and that you're feeling better.

CJ, I just spoke to Diane, Casey's mother. She said the specialist told her yesterday that Casey's MRI was clear but they might still find problems after the swelling goes down. He told her to expect Casey to be in the spinal unit for several weeks and for several months of rehab.

Casey is much brighter. They took the brace off her neck yesterday and discovered she had long hair!! It was all scrunched up, full of grass and rubbish, inside the neck brace. The nurses brushed her hair and took out all the rubbish and braided it. They bathed her and dressed her in a purple nightee, which Casey absolutely hates. lol good old Case. She feels much better since they cleaned her up. The nurses weren't allowed to move her until after the specialist had seen her.

I'm going to visit her tomorrow and I'm sure I'll feel better after I see her for myself. She is such a sweet girl who has had a few horrible things happen to her in the past few years - her father hanged himself three years ago. Anyhow, she is surrounded by a loving family and many friends who are hoping she recovers fully.

I'll let you know how she is after I see her tomorrow.

[QuilterMom]

We're just in from the beach. Ds and I found a clam that the birds hadn't gotten to so we brought it home and opened it up (science class LOL).

I did a bit of work in the garden this afternoon before we went. Now we're about to have dinner and I'll camp out in front of the tv and watch Extreme Makeover Home Edition.

Glad to hear Casey is doing well!

[Mom23boys]

Good evening.

Michele, I think it's good to be lazy once in a while. Enjoy it while you can.

Chriss, I love those little signs of the season changing. I am glad you enjoyed your chips and drinks with the kids.

Rhonda, I am glad that the nurses were finally able to clean Casey up and I bet she loved her hair being braided.

Heather, so glad to have you back!! You have been missed.

CJ, I bet your finished afghan looks beautiful.

Kim, I bet the kids enjoyed their science project! I love hands on teaching.

It has been a beautiful day here. Now they are calling for severe thunderstorms. There are warnings out. Hopefully it won't be anything too extreme, just rain.

I bought some more things for the garden today. I also bought a journal that is going to be my gardening journal. I want to start tracking what is working and what is not so I will know what to do next year. (Thanks Rhonda for this idea.)

I haven't done much else today except laundry of course. I think that is also a must do in this household. I think our clothes are multiplying and producing offspring.

I did take some outgrown clothes to MIL so she could pass them along to others. I am trying to get rid of them.

I also talked to MIL about FIL's cat scan and they weren't able to get in with the dr. yet. She is calling in the morning to see if they can get in.

I hope you all have a great evening.

[forestdale]

Pssst, check out the sewing forum. I started a photos thread. CJ, my sewing room is so tiny! But it's my space and I have all my stuff there. I've just been in there writing in my journal.

[dmvezina]

Good morning ladies!
The sun is out but it is supposed to be 20 degrees cooler than yesterday. I believe we hit 70 yesterday too! So, today is going to feel cold! lol

Thank you all for the good wishes for ds. He is doing better & the new meds help a little for his adhd. He has such an extreme case of adhd!! But at least there haven't been any more hallucinations!

Today I need to do:
2 loads of laundry
polish livingroom furniture
clean lr windows
x dust lr tv & lamps
wipe fingerprints in lr
clean pictures in lr
clean lr ceiling fan
clear cobwebs from lr
x vacuum lr
clean chiminea
x straighten books in lr
wash knick knacks
clean end tables
change curtains
x wash lr floor
take grapes off stems & wash
scoop the cat box
bleach toilets
tidy desk
clip coupons
mail movie
mail coupons

Breakfast was oatmeal, 1/2 a bagel and a banana
Dinner will swiss dip sandwiches, mashed potatoes & corn

I have to bring dd to work for 3:30 today which means I need to leave here around 2:20, pick her up from school, I need to get gas, pick up ds because his bus drops him off here around 3:20 so I need to get him from school, get dd to work & get back home. Then she gets out at 6:30. The whole week is going to be crazy around dinnertime! lol Between the different practices, dd's drivers ed & work! Life with children! lol

I hope you all have a great day!!

[Lauraleah]

Good morning everyone--We had thunderstorms starting last night and they rumbled through all night . Lightning, thunder and heavy rain but nor hail thank goodness. We are suppose to have thunderstorms today and tonight.
Our fields and yard are wet and muddy , but everything is green and flowers , shurbs and tress are leafing out and buds setting on.
My dianthus that wintered over has blooms on it , lilacs are budding out, peonies are up , the redbud and dogwood trees are beautiful.
Lauraleah in Missouri

[homesteadmamma]

Good morning everyone. Rhonda that is such good news about Casey. Hopefully she will have a full recovery.

Dawn, glad to hear the new meds are helping.

Michelle, let us know when you find out about your fil. I've been thinking of you often.

Kim, did you have fun at the beach.

Well I've only been up for an hour so haven't gotten much done yet. The kids are now eating breakfast and then we will start their school day. This DST has really got them mixed up. Even Michael is sleeping in, unheard of for him.

Once their school is started, I'll start on the kitchen for the spring fling challenge. I plan on going through the top cupboards today and seeing what can be flung. I'll wash the inside of them as well, they need a good cleaning. Thankfully I don't have to do walls because we haven't painted them yet.

This afternoon I think I'll do some journalling. I feel ready to start and actually am looking forward to it. Michelle I also plan on having a garden journal and completing it this year.

Later this afternoon I have to head into the city for a group session. I also need to pick up a few groceries and some kitty litter (much cheaper in the city). Then when I get home I have to also clean the post office.

I'm off to check the sewing section. Can't wait to see your room Rhonda.

Have a wonderful day everyone.

[Michele Annette]

Good Morning Ladies!

Just a fly by post for me. Another beautiful sunny day!

Rhonda- I hope you have a wonderful visit with Casey. I keep thinking good thoughts for her I love the pictures of your sewing room and your new machine looks great!!

CJ- The quilt is almost completely pieced. I am not actually "quilting" this quilt because I don't have time to hand quilt it and my sewing dealer is out of the walking foot for my White machine. They have more on order, but they are not sure exactly when they will be in. So I am tying the quilt. Actually my ties will not have ends and so they will just look like close tacks on the back, but you will not see them on the front. The piecing is very intricate and full of color so the quilting will not be missed too much in this one...not alot of open areas. I could try to stitch in the ditch on the outside of the blocks, but I don't trust not using a walking foot. KWIM? As soon as I can I will post pictures. The final size will be 45" x 45".

Dawn- I am so glad your son is doing a little better!

Heather- It is so nice to see you here again!!! I hope you are doing well!

Kim- Glad you were able to find a cool clam at the beach!

Michelle- i keep thinking the same think about our laundry! It's never ending! Hope you didn't get the thunderstorms!

Welcome Larualeah! It sounds like a beautiful Spring where you are!

I'm paying a few bills today and sewing on lunch. I hope the day goes by fast. I wish Monday's were optional!

Have a nice day today!