Down on the HOmestead - July 17 - 23rd

**homesteadmamma** · 07-17-2005, 10:13 AM

Good morning everyone. Its a cool morning here with nice breezes. We got a deluge of rain last night, so I'm expecting most of my tomatoes are probably done. I'm not sure how everything else is going to turn out. I would suspect that the potatoes are a lost cause has well.

This morning I'm going to grind up some grain and make bread. The kids are protesting about the white bread bought at the stores. Can't say I blame them, the taste is awful.

I plan on doing some quilting this afternoon. With the cooler temps, it won't be too hot in my sewing room.

Not much else planned for today. Hope everyone has a good one.

**DaisyLady** · 07-17-2005, 12:34 PM

Good Sunday afternoon homesteaders,

CJ, we had a bad thunderstorm and plenty of rain yesterday and it's supposed to rain again today. Unfortunately, it hasn't cleared out the heat and humidity! Are you still plagued with mosquitoes?

Rhonda, hope your dh's finger heals up quickly!

Michelle Annette, I hear you about the heat. No motivation here either and I'm sure that's why.

Today is a quiet day, I plan to knit a bit (in the basement where it is cold enough to wrap up in a blanket!), read a bit and if the rain stops long enough attempt a short walk. I really should finish cleaning my bedroom and bathroom that I started yesterday too.

I would really like to get out and accomplish some yardwork but it's not going to happen. I have managed to do a bit of weeding on Friday. We had less humidity. I'm very glad we did not put in a garden this year. Raspberries are ripe here now so I will be going to a local grower and getting a bunch to freeze and make jam. Also I noticed the road side stands have early corn this morning. I don't usually freeze any but we do like a good feast of corn on the cob over the summer. Hoping beans and peas will be ready by the end of the week though.

Well off to get a cup of coffee and sit with my book for a while. Have a blessed Sunday all.

**QuilterMom** · 07-17-2005, 04:03 PM

Hi all. Another scorcher here. Thank goodness for a/c inside and shade outside! I mowed and dh has been trimming trees. He did that as well yesterday and both days I have helped carry small pieces down to the gate. I've also done a wee bit of trimming along part of the fence and around some trees. Dh made a huge pot of homemade soup today so I'm having a bite of that and will hop in the shower to get cleaned up so we can go to the beach.

**Strawberry** · 07-17-2005, 09:32 PM

Hello Homesteaders

I planned on taking the day to rest but things just keep happening to prevent that. Dd's friend was supposed to pick her up at 10:30 this morning and by noon we were getting worried. She is not usually more than 15 minutes late. By 12:30, friend's mom called and asked us to go look for her. To make a long story short, we found her making out with a boy in her car. At first I didn't know what to do. I'm not the type to go knock on the car window but I had to call her mom back. After a bit the friend saw dd walking back from the coffee shop, they were in the parking lot of the coffee shop, and the friend followed dd to our car. Dd was so mad and hurt that she would stand her up and lie to her that dd wouldn't talk to her. I smoothed things over and told the friend that her mom is worried and to call her right away, it would be better then me calling. By the time I got home her mother had called back. I feel awful telling on her but her mom asked me direct questions and I wasn't going to lie. Anyways, I spent the afternoon talking to dd and then to her friend. The friend's parents are extremely strict and things were getting ugly. Everything has now finally settled down and the girls are spending time together. As a side note, this friend was very sorry for what she did. She is not that type of girl, she just made a mistake and fell for this boy's smooth talking.

So now I'm hoping to sit outside on my porch swing and read the rest of the day away.

CJ - Dh is doing ok. Last weekend was very rough but this week has been pretty good. It is difficult adjusting; in many ways he is a different person. His problem solving and multi-tasking skills are just not there. He forgets things so easily. I've been doing lots of reading on head injuries and it's scary. We are still fighting the disability company for money. Thankfully we got some unemployment insurance money on Thursday. We only get more money for 5 more weeks but we're praying the disability will take over from there. It was so nice to pay all our bills and buy some groceries

**Michele Annette** · 07-18-2005, 08:52 AM

Good Morning Everyone!

I hope you all had a good weekend! Ours was hot, but I managed to clean quite a bit as we are having company come on Wednesday and staying through Friday then we are going with them camping over the weekend in southern VT.

DH was on a road trip until yesterday morning, so I took advantage of the time by going grocery shopping on Saturday night. I needed the AC too!

I also had a very strict budget and it's so much easier for me to stay focused if I go by myself. To make a long story short, I helped bag the groceries, put them in my car, came home, unloaded them and put them away and then noticed that 10 of my items were missing!!! I called the store twice but they couldn't find them. I checked the car, etc. I was so angry with myself as my items came to about $10. Then I calmed down and relaxed and hope someone that needed the food found the bag somewhere I misplaced it. The store said that I could come in with the items circled on my reciept, but I thought since they couldn't find the missing groceries then it definately was my fault. I have been scatterbrained lately.

Rhonda- I hope you are able to finish all of your design work in time! I wish I were there to see them!

CJ- I'm sorry you are losing your vegetables. It's always so disappointing when these things are out of your control.

Chriss- I seek my basement for refuge as well. It's only about 5 degrees cooler, but it's better then nothing. Ugh!

Kim- I'm glad you are able to enjoy some time outdoors without rain! Did you find any cool things at the beach?

Tina- Your story about your DD's friend reminded me of me. My parents were strict! I used to sneak terribly as they wouldn't let me do anything. My Dad caught me one time making out with a boy at the rollerskating rink. That was a bad day!

I hope you all are having a good Monday!

**homesteadmamma** · 07-18-2005, 11:46 AM

Morning everyone.

Chriss, the mosquitoes are worse than they've ever been. The province has ordered Melathione spraying in the city of Winnipeg. Over 3,800 mosquitoes were caught in traps. If we had traps, I'm sure the count would be higher. With all the rain we can't expect anything less.

Tina, praying your dh gets better and that the finances come through.

Michele, sorry to hear about your groceries.

Kim, hope your weather cools down soon.

Were running late this morning. I let the kids sleep until 10, then woke them up and just finished making breakfast for them. It was so cool last night, we all enjoyed a good night's sleep.

Were looking at a major move next fall so this week is going to be busy seeing how we can put more $$ towards our debt. Were also setting some new goals for the next 3, 6 and 12 month intervals. I find we focus much better when we do that. Were also making plans to do a couple craft sales this Christmas so I need to get busy today and go through the patterns and let dh know what I want made. Its so hard to predict what people will purchase from year to year.

This afternoon we have to go and pick up eggs from the farmer. Once back, I'm going to do some quilting. I was able to get all of dd's blocks quilted yesterday and I also worked on a couple other blocks for the charity quilt I'm making.

If it dries up this afternoon, I need to go over to a friends and pull weeds in her flowerbed.

Tonight its over to clean the post office and then home to read. I want to finish The Yada Yada Prayer Group book I'm reading and then start on another book.

Hope everyone has a great Monday.

**QuilterMom** · 07-18-2005, 01:05 PM

Ds and I have already been out this morning - went to purchase one of our vehicle tags (the offices are in a new location now and no one was there! It's the quickest I've ever been waited on - woohoo!), returned items to the library and stopped by Dollar Tree to get a sympathy card. I've been puttering around online since we've been home and playing Mahjong (you should have never mentioned it here on FV CJ - now I'm hooked! I do much better when ds doesn't come and distract me every 30 seconds though!). We're about to have lunch and then I'll tackle the never ending mess in the house.

Hope everyone has a great day!

**QuilterMom** · 07-19-2005, 04:27 PM

Wow, I can't believe no one has posted in this thread today!

I got a load of laundry washed and hung to dry this morning, did some other stuff around the house, and then had the brilliant idea to go out to the garden and quickly gather up the few remaining carrots and bring them in. The heat must have gotten to me because I ended up very nauseated and have been lying down for most of the afternoon. I'll be taking it easy for the rest of the day for sure!

**Michele Annette** · 07-19-2005, 05:24 PM

I hope you are feeling better Kim!

I haven't had a chance really to post today. Here and there, but not a good chunk of time. I have been busier at work this week and am taking a half day off on Friday, so I'm not sure how much I'll be here the rest of the week.

Today feels like the hottest day of the year. Oh I thought that was yesterday! It even rained this afternoon for twenty minutes and helped for a little bit then the sun came back. So we have been eating salads, fruit and fudgsicles.

I have been trying not to dwell on visiting my parents until the time comes (three weeks away). I keep thinking that maybe I should have waited to gather up a bit more money, etc. At the time I thought it was a good idea but now I'm worried about money and the tickets are not refundable or transferable. My Aunt keeps telling me not to worry, but I am taking 6 days off unpaid. I wish I would have thought this through a little more. My bills will be paid, but I won't have any extra next month and that scares me! What's done is done and seeing all of my family together at once is a miracle in itself! Also my grandparents are not doing well health wise, so it's time that I see them. I just don't want anything bad to happen that will cost money! KWIM?

I hope you are all doing well. Take care and have a good day!

**Mamaw** · 07-19-2005, 09:07 PM

Kim, I sure hope you are feeling better. This heat can get to you quickly
Michele, I just know you are going to have a wonderful time visiting your family. My father always tells me that "things have a way of working out" and I believe him. Try to relax and enjoy

Well, after work today I managed to pick beans from the garden. Then I blanched and froze them. Ended up with four nice size freezer bags full. Also picked a few zucchini and made two different casseroles with them. The sugar snap peas are also producing now but I eat those too fast to ever freeze any. Put them on a big salad tonight for dinner. It was wonderful.
I noticed the flower beds are in need of a good weeding again but I am not sure when I can get to them. It is funny but fall is already around the corner. I can see the difference in the flowers and plants already.
Well hope all you are well, safe and happily tucked away in your homestead.

**homesteadmamma** · 07-20-2005, 10:05 AM

Kim, I decided I needed to stay away from majhong. It is just too addicting. When I looked at how many minutes I had played it, it was mind boggling. I kept thinking of all I could have been doing instead of playing majhong.

Michele, it will all work out. Don't let finances spoil your visit okay. You won't ever regret going to visit your family even if your money is tight next month. It will all be worth it in the long run.

We've decided to do some fun things each day over the next few weeks. Yesterday we headed into the library and then went for a drive. We picked up a snack along the way. When we got home I weeded the front flowerbeds, then started reading Left Behind. I read late into the night, I just couldn't put the book down. Dh is going to read it as soon as I'm finished.

This morning I need to pick beans, cut them and then freeze them. Not sure how many I'll get, although I'll be thankful for anything.

This afternoon were going to pick up my antique quilt. Not sure what we will do while were out.

Tonight, its over to the po, then home to do more reading. Its been so nice to have everyone sitting in the living room reading, rather than watching tv.

Have a great Wed. everyone.

**forestdale** · 07-20-2005, 04:00 PM

Hello homesteaders. I don't have much time to post over the next two weeks.

I'll come in and read, and post in my pantry challenge, but that's it until things calm down a bit here.

Take care everyone. Kim, try to rest while it's so humid.

**QuilterMom** · 07-21-2005, 09:49 AM

Good morning! I had to go have blood drawn this morning and that is something I hate, hate, hate. I was hoping I would get the same person as last time, but no such luck. The lady today was clueless - couldn't even read my lab order correctly and was asking me what I was supposed to have done (and was trying to leave out the main thing I had been sent for!). Sheesh! She left me sitting there for 10 minutes while she went and asked everyone how much blood she was supposed to draw (you would think she would know that!). I tried not to let her stress me out too badly.

Nothing special planned for today - more reading (The Runaway Quilt, which I am enjoying very much), I'll look through Haley's Hints that I have from the library a bit more, put away some laundry, etc.

Have a great day!

**homesteadmamma** · 07-21-2005, 10:04 AM

Morning everyone. I've been having so much fun these past couple days. Our family is spending some much needed time together doing some fun things. Yesterday we were at a recreational area and feeding the baby billy goats. What a hoot they were.

I go to pick up my quilt today. When my mom heard I had put another one away, she said she would pay for it too. I'm so blessed to have a mom who spoils me every now and then, even at my age.

While there, we will also hit the library.

Later I need to do my Swiss chard once again. I'm hoping to freeze another 3-4 bags of that. Yesterday I froze 4 bags of beans. I had more beans than I thought I would so that was good.

Not much else happening here. Have a great Thurs. everyone.

**Strawberry** · 07-21-2005, 10:26 PM

Good evening

It's been a beautiful sunny day. This week has had a lot of appointments and running around. Today, besides taking dd to work, I have been at home

I've been cleaning the house and moving furniture around. My mom and dad are coming sometime next week and I need to get my house back in order. It's not there yet but I'm a lot closer. It's amazing how fast the house can get messy. I know part of my problem is all the time I need to spend with dh that other things have to slide.

Dd is off work at 11 tonight but I don't need to pick her up because a friend is so I can actually go to bed early. Maybe I'll finally get some sleep. If dh sleeps then I can, but otherwise I'm up with him because I can't trust he won't get into some kind of trouble. It's kind of like having a toddler around. Most nights he only sleeps till 3 or 4 and then he's up till around 6 or 7. At that hour I need to be up so I'm averaging about 4-5 hours of sleep a night. No wonder I feel bagged. Oh well, I'm so thankful I still have him around!

Tonight I'll spend sometime outside reading in my swing and then I might watch some tv while I knit a dishcloth. My dishclothes are in bad shape and it's time for new ones.

Have a good and rest evening!