Down on the homestead - Oct 30 - Nov 6

**forestdale** · 10-30-2005, 07:59 PM

Good morning homesteaders. It's still morning but only just. I'm running late today as I had to go and do the shop banking.

All those mad crazy drivers on their way to who knows where. All speeding and pretending like they are the only people on the planet. Blah.

OK, I feel better now. LOL!

Isn't it wonderful to have so many new posters to our thread. Welcome to every newcomer. I hope you post whenever you can and share your daily lives with us.

It's going to be a busy week for me. I'm supposed to be sending my submission off to the publisher on Friday.

I'm not sure if I'll get it finshed but I'll try my hardest. Most other things except laundry and basic cleaning will have to wait until next week.

Oh, and it's Melbourne Cup day tomorrow. All Australians, every person, every business, stops to listen to that horse race. It's a great tradition that's been going on since the 1800s.

I hope everyone enjoys their week.

**Mamaw** · 10-30-2005, 08:54 PM

Hello all

Its Sunday night and the weekend is almost over. YUCK!!!
Well, yesterday I did some shopping with MIL and took care of a few chores for her. The week before I kept staying up half the night reading and Saturday it finally caught up with me. By the time I finished at MIL house, I hit that proverbal "wall" So I laid down for a nap. Three hours later DH woke me up and wanted to know if I was ill since I never nap! LOL Not at all like me but it sure felt good. I just have to start going to bed at a decent hour!

Today was my "catch up" day. I spent the entire day doing chores here at home. Dusting, sweeping, mop the floors, 4 loads of laundry and organizing. Had a roast in the crock pot so the family all sat down to a nice dinner together.

DH cleaned the chicken coop and the goats pen and did a few chores in the yard. Mork and Mindy love to follow him around when he is doing chores. But he has to watch that they dont get near the apple trees! We planted 3 last year and those darn goats think those leaves are candy!

DD brought home a new "friend" He seems like a nice young man and it is certainly nice to see her smile. So we will see....
Spoke to DGD on the phone today also. She got to go to a Halloween fair and they had ponies. So she got to ride a pony again. She will be 2 in November and is already horse crazy! My kind of girl!!!

My oldest DD is so, so ready to have the baby. She has a doctor appointment tomorrow so we will see if we are inducing labor at the end of the week. I am certainly ready to meet the new arrival! LOL

Rhonda How did the race turn out? It sounds like a big event for you all down there. I bet it is exciting!

Well, I am off to a long hot soak in the tub. I treated myself to some new coconut lime bubble bath and it is calling my name!
Hope you are all well and safe in your part of the world!

**Strawberry** · 10-30-2005, 11:01 PM

Rhonda, I hope you get some time to finish your writing.

Mamaw, I'm glad you took the time for nap and I hope you enjoyed your bubble bath. Coconut lime sounds wonderful

Well the building project is going much slower then anticipated. It took all Saturday to tear down the deck and cold room. It was glued and nailed very well which on one hand was great, yet when you tear it apart, it's not so great. Today they started rebuilding the cold room but again it's slow going. Dh is frustrated with himself because he can't think and reason as fast as before as is having to redo things. The boys are learning and that can slow things down too. All in all it's going well. They are still laughing and joking while working and no one has been hurt. They're sure having some good bonding time

even if it's slow going.

I have been keeping them going with coffee, juice, muffins, sandwiches and such. My boys are eating like horses

I've gotten another cross stitch ornament finished. Four done, four more to go.

Today we took an hour and went to the park and took some pictures for Christmas gifts. Some turned out really nice but I need to take our middle son back and do some more of him. His pictures didn't turn out well.

I'm being paged again, someone needs something so off I go. Have a great evening everyone

**QuilterMom** · 10-31-2005, 11:41 AM

Rhonda - Your new pic is fabulous! Love your hair!
Mawmaw - I agree that the coconut lime sounds divine!
Tina - My dh can empathize with you guys on the glue. With all the remodeling we're doing, he's finding that the former owners used liquid nail (and in excess) on anything and everything they could. It's not made for lots of fun when trying to tear stuff out and do as little damage as possible.

Today is laundry day. I didn't feel well yesterday and completely forgot that laundry needed to be done! It's nice here and we still are able to have the windows open, but I have had to shut the windows on the east side of the house many, many times already this morning due to the construction 2 properties behind us. They make noise for 15 minutes, then don't for 30 minutes, then for another 10, then don't for 20, etc.

I also had to deal with the dr.'s office this morning because it turns out my appt. was scheduled for a time that I stood and said right to the receptionist's face that I could not come. I have no tolerance for stupidity anyway, but with my moodiness increased now I really have no tolerance for it. She just expected me to come then anyway and didn't want to reschedule. Grrrrrrrrrrrrr!

I also need to get busy putting shelf liner down in the lower cabinets that dh has installed in the kitchen and there's still one upper cabinet that needs it. He had hoped to get more lowers installed yesterday in an area that never had cabinets, but removign what was there (and the lovely mounds of liquid nail) slowed him down quite a bit and he didn't make as much progress as he hoped. He hopes to get home at a decent time tonight so he can work more on that.

Have a great day!

**Emerald_Mommy** · 10-31-2005, 12:04 PM

Hello, everyone! Here's my first post as a new Homesteader

Today we have to take Ingrid for her check-up. I'm most anxious about her weight. She's a little petite thing (like me & her sister, I guess) and I think she's healthy but the dr. does watch her closely.

Tonight we're taking the girls trick or treating with my brother and a friend.

Other than the cleaning I did this morning (homemade cleaners) I don't have much else going on today.

Like your new avatar, Rhonda!
Glad you got a nap & bubble bath, Mamaw!
Hope everyone has a great day and gets their to-do lists, done

**Valerie in WA** · 10-31-2005, 12:33 PM

We went out to dinner Saturday night, and then walked the mall (I only go there two or three times a year), just talking and looking at things. At home dh watches a TON of tv, so it's good to have time to talk.

I also bought something at the mall! Me! Scandalous, eh? It's a pretty blouse for dh's work holiday party. I have very few nice clothes. Plus I've gained about ten pounds (on top of other unwanted pounds). This blouse looked really good on me. It was $40!

I'm keeping the tags on it. Maybe I can find something cheaper (I'm usually the thrift store queen), but if not, I can go the party feeling pretty and confident. Sometimes that's worth $40.

Sunday, dh worked again! Ugh! After he got home, I did spend about 2 hours in the attic, sorting and organizing and purging. It feels great!! I have another hour or so of going through some seasonal kitchen stuff and my clothes. I also have another couple of hours going through toys. I'm finding it very difficult to just get rid of 'perfectly good' toys because my dc have more than they can manage. I'd like to get organized enough to rotate toys monthly or so. If the umbrella clothes-line isn't too tall, I should be able to fit it up there! Very exciting.

I finished a bible cover for a Christmas gift. It came out looking better than I thought it would. I had to kick my 6yo off the sewing machine so I could use it.

She's loving her new skill. I'm going to set her up with nine-patch today or tomorrow.

I made leftover soup for dinner, bread machine bread and homemade vanilla pudding (first time). It was all pretty good and very frugal. The soup even included half a chicken breast from our dinner out!

Today is a bit of a kitchen day. I'm going to try to make my homemade noodles for the 'cooking from scratch' forum. I also need to do laundry: my jeans smell like cigarettes from the restaurant. The dd's have gymnastics this afternoon, followed by trick-or-treating with local merchants. Dh has promised not to work late today.

Hope everyone else has a peaceful and productive day.

**forestdale** · 10-31-2005, 01:46 PM

Good morning ladies.

I had a good night's sleep but woke at 3.30 instead of 4am. Grrr. As I had to get up to go to the bathroom, I decided to stay up as I didn't want to wake DH. He had a very big day yesterday with 12 boxed deliveries arriving at the same time.

I'll be doing laundry x 3 later and then writing.

Kim, this photo is about a year old. I don't have it on my computer anymore but found it here: my daily pix #4 UPDATED
That photo is huge and I have such a stupid look on my face! I had to capture it and made it into my new av.

Mamaw, the race is on today. I'm hoping that a mare called Makybe Diva wins. She's our champion mare and has won the two previous Melbourne Cups. The race is over 2 miles for it's a tough one.

Tina, I hope you get the project finished soon. It's good you have all those willing helpers and nice that you keep them going with warm drinks and good food.

Karen, welcome to the thread. It's good to have you here. Your little girls are adorable in that photo. I hope there are no problems with Ingrid's checkup.

Valerie, I'm really pleased that you pampered yourself with that new blouse. You do so much for your family, it's nice to know you gave something you wanted to yourself. I hate cigarette smoke smell too. Thankfully, smoking is banned in restaurants and most indoor public places here.

**homesteadmamma** · 10-31-2005, 04:39 PM

Valerie, good for you on that new top. I pampered myself today too. I purchased a huge bag of bubble gum.

Bad I know, however I love the stuff. It's replaced Pepsi I think.

Kim, sorry to hear the appointment was messed up again.

Tina, hope everything gets finished without any incidents. It'll be great once the job is all done.

Karen, welcome to the thread. I agree, your girls are so cute.

MamaW, hope that bath was nice and long. The bubble bath sounds divine.

Rhonda, good to "talk" to you today via pm.

This morning I had to make a quick trip into the city. I ended up spending more time there than I had planned, however was able to get everything done in one trip. Now I shouldn't have to go back in until next Monday (I hope).

This afternoon I'm just reading here. I really don't have much on the agenda this afternoon. I could go over and work on the garden I'm working on for a lady in town, however dh took the van to work with my shovel. Gives me a bit of a break though from working there the past couple days.

Tonight it's over to the po and then home to quilt.

Hope everyone is having a great "BOO" day.

**DaisyLady** · 10-31-2005, 07:08 PM

Hi all,

Hope everyone had a great weekend! I worked all day Friday and Saturday so I took some time off yesterday and did absolutely nothing

Okay, except finish off a shawl I've been working on. One for me this time so I thought it was okay to work on it yesterday.

This morning started off sunny and bright but by 10 am it was back to dreary and very, very dark. I worked at the store for a few hours today, did some banking and some shopping.

This afternoon I got caught up on my email and then spent a couple of hours working on sock samples for my knitting class on Thursday. I want to have a couple of samples of different types of cuffs and heels ready.

We've had only two sets of kids at the door. My favourite neighbour hood kids that I hardly get to see know that they are all in grade 1 and at school all day. They all looked spectacular in their costumes. We probably won't get too many more. We live on a dark street and there are only houses on one side of the road.

Some more knitting and maybe some television tonight. I am at home working for two days now so I will probably knit on some not-work-related projects.

Have a great evening all!

ps Mamaw, I did post the moisturizer recipe for you in the Simply Made thread. Yell if you have any questions.

**forestdale** · 10-31-2005, 11:49 PM

MAKYBE DIVA WON THE CUP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This is sporting history in Australia! No horse has ever won three times. The Melbourne Cup is one of the world's toughest races and she won it with 58kilos! Amazing. It almost made me cry.

**PrairieRose** · 11-01-2005, 10:12 AM

Rhonda I have to tell you about my Aussie penpal and dh that came to visit us one summer. His Dad was a champion off road driver.....I think that's right. I need to check with Gripey about that before I swear to anything. Their last name is Griffin and the dh was a para-olympic champion silver medalist in swimming competitions. We just love them. They are the sweetest people.

**homesteadmamma** · 11-01-2005, 12:32 PM

That's great news Rhonda.

I'm off to music lessons in about 15 mins. While were in town, we will also hit the library and the grocery store to check their loss leaders. Not sure if I'll purchase anything or not, we shall see.

This afternoon I'm over to finish the one garden plot I'm working on, then home to do a bit of quilting. Somewhere in there I also need to grind up some grain and bake bread. Dh wants to take a loaf over to a widower either tonight or tomorrow. He loves whole grain breads.

Tonight we will finish watching Chariots of Fire with the kids, then I'll do some reading before bed.

Hope everyone is having a nice Tues.

**QuilterMom** · 11-01-2005, 02:09 PM

We're trying to manage the days with the windows open and the a/c off. Temps during the day are getting into the mid-80's again. Ugh!

I got the laundry put away from yesterday and got another load washed and hung to dry. I need to get part of our stockpile items moved onto a shelving unit in the laundry/utility room since a couple of shelves are cleared now that the cookware and bakeware are put away in the new kitchen cabinets. We're still plugging along on getting the remainder of them in. Some outlets have to be moved and the dishwasher is being moved so we're stuck on all that until the electrician can come. Dh is still working on repairing drywall where the former owners used too much liquid nail and we damaged the drywall removing the old cabinets.

Nothing else planned for today. Dh might pick up the Star Wars dvd that came out today since none of us have seen it.

**Strawberry** · 11-01-2005, 02:28 PM

Good morning everyone

Rhonda, it must have been an exciting horse race. WTG Makybe Diva!!!

CJ, I just noticed your new award. Congratulations

Kim, don't you wish house repairs happened much quicker

Yesterday I had to pick dd up from college early because she was sick. Today she's still not feeling well but she has a test and a quiz she can't afford to miss. I said she could miss her math class and do the work at home.

The repairs are coming along, slowly but surely. The roof should be on today. Before dh's accident, this would have been a quicker job for him and now it's taking twice as long. I'm okay with it but dh is frustrated with himself.

Today I'm trying to get bread made, cookies baked, laundry finished and general pick up around the house done.

Tonight I'll work on Christmas gifts and maybe read.

Have a great day

**forestdale** · 11-01-2005, 02:28 PM

Good morning homesteaders.

Well, Makybe Diva won the Melbourne Cup for the third time. I still can't believe it. I love horses and have watched or listened to every Melbourne Cup, except 2 when I lived in Germany, since I was 4 years old. Never did I think I'd ever see a horse who was capable of winning 3 times. It's such a long race - 2 miles. Horses come from all over the world to compete in this race. It's a real spectacle. The arabs have their horses here , so do the Japanese, English, Irish and New Zealanders. So for her to win it again with such great competition, was just incredible. When they did the presentation, her owner announced that it was her last race and that she will now live a peaceful life in lush green paddocks. Australia went nuts! Everyone is so happy. It's just the best thing to happen in sport here, EVER. OK, I'll stop now. DH has had to put up we this all night.

Lisa, can't say that I know of the Griffins but those para-olympians are very inspiring.

I hope everyone enjoy their day.