Down on the Homestead November 27th-December 3rd

[AmyBoz]

Good morning, all! I trust everyone is well this Sunday morning, evening, or whatever it is wherever you are in the world!

The kids got up this morning pretty early, so I brought them down to the playroom to play so dh could sleep. He was up with Julia for a bit last night. She was complaining of an ouchy ear. Luckily, we have our follow-up appointment with the ear, nose, and throat doctor tomorrow.

While Rob and Julia go to church, Patrick and I will go to ShopRite for our weekly shop. I have a bit on the list because we are out of meats, but I do have coupons for a bunch of the stuff we are getting. I'm doing a bit of stockpiling with some sale and coupon items. I also still have a $4.00 off your next order coupon which I got with my last visit and a 10% off your order that I also got with my last order. I should also be getting my $10 off for baby bucks that I've earned. So, hopefully the total won't be too overwhelming.

We are not having weekly Bozza bagels at my father-in-laws this afternoon since we were all together on Thanksgiving. I guess everyone needed a break. That's too bad because then the kids can't play with their cousins, but good for me because it means more time around the house to get some chores done.

I got most of the laundry put away last night while watching Harry Potter: Prisoner of Azkaban, but I still have two baskets left. We also want to run to the actual brick and mortar store of Bed, Bath and Beyond to see if they have the shade we'd like for the bathroom. Along with the $25 gift card I found in my wallet, we got a coupon for $5 off in the mail the other day. That should make it much more reasonable, and we can finally take the piece of newspaper that has served as a window shade for the past year off of the window!

I never got around to making cookies yesterday, so perhaps we'll do it today. Julia is also really enjoying working with me in this Pre-K workbook we picked up awhile ago. She "discovered" it yesterday and asked if we could do more work in it today. Fine with me! So, we'll do a little of that while Patrick is napping.

In Rob's "nesting" last night, he put up the valences in Julia and Patrick's rooms, fixed outlets and cable outlets, and vacuumed my bedroom. I got on the bandwagon and cleaned off the tops of surfaces in my bedroom, throwing quite a bit out and dusting the surfaces once they were clear. I also re-organized some things in our bedroom. It's a much more peaceful place today! I may send Rob to my parents house to pick up our full-length mirror that they've had in their basement since we moved a year and a half ago. I could use it and now we have the space for it again!

My hope is that I spend at least 1/2 hour tonight working on my book also, but I'm being observed by the vice-principal tomorrow and want to make sure my lesson is all in order, so I may spend time working on that instead.

I hope you all have a wonderful end to your weekend as well!

[Darlene]

Goodmorning! Sounds like you have a busy day planned Amy. Love how your husband is "nesting"

I haven't been here in a while & thought I'd just jump back in. Trying to make a few changes in my posting habits and want to become a regular here.
Today will see Jack and I working on hauling a tree the family cut down for firewood up the hill so it can then be split. Tree was leaning towards the water and instead of fighting the tree, we let it fall where it wanted. Extra work to haul it up the bank but oh well. Need to cut down one more tree and we'll have enough wood for next year.
Later this afternoon we'll be bringing Mark to his roomate Joe's house (hr. away) and they'll ride the rest of the way back to College (2+1/2hrs) in Joe's car. So glad we don't have to make the long trip just to turn around & come back.
Laundry to do too, woohoo.
Hope you all have a great day on your homesteads!

[baxjul]

Good morning!

Today, we have to put up our tree, then DH and I will be going for a motorcycle ride this afternoon.

Tomorrow it is back to work, so this evening will be getting everyone ready for the morning. I hope everyone has a great Sunday.

[RuthNY]

Hi all,
Well, today is my Thanksgiving feast so the overriding event in this household is cooking. I did the baking yesterday. The pies look fantastic. I do bake a nice pie, I'll give myself credit for that
I wish the cheesecake hadn't darkened as it did but it'll be fine once the cherries are on it.

Darlene, that's a LOT of work you're doing cutting wood! We have a tree that we are hoping to be able to cut after the closing but time and weather may not allow it until spring. I hope we can cut it down so it will have time to season it for next winter.

Darlene, I've also done those 3 hour each way college drop-offs. I can't say I miss them at all! Fortunately when I was doing them gas prices were more affordable.

Well, I'm just planning on enjoying the day today with the family and also enjoy the last day off of my 17 days off vacation. Tomorrow morning is going to be tough for me

[owiebrain]

The only thing I've accomplished so far is cleaning the house and feeding the kids lunch. I'm moving sooooo slowly!

Hubby's working today to make up for taking Thanksgiving off but he'll be home early, about 4 o'clock. Once he gets home, we'll head up the hill and work on the new house. Today, I think he'll surface bond the rest of the blocks and then it's clean up time so there's room for the tractor to move around in a couple of days.

Before he gets home, I'm going to try to get some plant work done. I have 10 or so brugs that are rooting that need to be potted up. I have another 6 that are already potted but need to in larger ones--probably do that today, also. The most dreaded chore today is cleaning off the top of the deep freeze. We've been piling stuff there and it's just a pain to get in and get anything out! We need to try and live off what's in there for the next month in order to afford Christmas and the few last construction supplies needed. It'll be much easier to do if I can actually get into the freezer without an avalanche. LOL

After everyone is asleep for the night, I'm going to get my seed stash organized the rest of the way and make update my trade list on GardenWeb. I've been putting this off for so long because I have so many seeds but tonight's my self-imposed deadline.

[midwestgal]

Our realtor had an open house yesterday. When we arrived home after three hours, he was already gone, so I don't know if we had any lookers. That's the last one though! (He's had four.) I just don't believe they are worth the time. I'm anxious to sell and get the show on the road!

I turned the heat on yesterday for the open house, but it's off again today. When we woke up, it was 55 degrees in the house, and three hours later, it's still the same temp. DH and I are dressed in layers, and he even wears his hat in the house. I cut the meat off the turkey and am now boiling the carcass to make turkey rice soup. That should warm our vittles!

I have 26 auctions ending today on eBay. I hope I hit at least $200. I have some misc. doctor bills to pay off.

We had a little bonus recently. When we lived in Minneapolis, we were on Blue Cross Health. (a program for the self-employed.) Well, it seems that MN's Blue Cross was the winning recipient of a large tobacco lawsuit, and we were mailed a check for $270, even though we haven't lived there for 4 years. A portion of that will be very handy for Christmas. I have several large boxes to ship as well.

The funeral for the fallen Marine was yesterday. (DH's cousin's grandson, age 19) It was very moving. Besides the music, messages and eulogy, there were many special and dignified touches. One hundred boyscouts lined the perimeter, each holding a large American flag. Marines, state patrolmen and other army veterans were present, looking splendid in full uniform. A Marine officer presented the family with the purple cross. There was a 21-gun salute. After the flag was folded that draped the casket, the Marines presented that to the mother. (When making presentations, the Marines kneel before the family to show their respect.) Then taps were played. Finally, four jets flew overhead in a diamond formation, turned around, and flew back. But one jet fell away in a looping motion to represent the fallen Marine. The other jets flew off without it. You just can't imagine a more moving, sorrowful and yet uplifting farewell. This fine young man will be buried in Arlington National Cemetary in DC.

[Mom23boys]

Amy, hope you get 30 minutes to finish up your book today.

Darlene, wow! Sounds like you have hard work ahead of you.

Julie, enjoy that motorcycle ride. Sounds like fun!

Ruth, I hope you have a great Thanksgiving with your family today!

Diane, good luck with your seed organization.

Midwestgal, good luck with your ebay auctions!

DH has to work today. His schedule changed from Mon-Fri. to Sun.-Thurs. I liked him having the same days off as me, but at least he is working 40 hours. Some guys aren't even doing that.

It is very windy here today and warm! I can't figure out if I need summer clothes out or winter clothes out. A few days out of the week you have to wear pants and the rest , shorts.

The boys talked me into finally putting the tree up. I let them decorate it the way the want. Richard and Chris decided they wanted to put up the Christmas lights on the house too. So I let them. I helped decorate the porch. They can't wait until night so they can turn them on and see their handiwork.

I had to rearrange furniture to get the tree in the LR. I also rearranged my bedroom in the process.

Now who wants to wrap the presents that are suppose to go under the tree? Richard said he would wrap them for me. Hmm, that's an idea. I will just put his up. I will probably let him help me.

[baxjul]

Hello.

Went for motorcycle ride, it was fun. DD stayed home with FIL (poppy). Now it is on to getting ready for the work week.

We put our tree up, and the lights outside this morning. Now, I just have to start getting presents! I've been so lazy this year!

Michelle - I hope that your weather cooperates!

Everyone have a good night! I'll check in tomorrow evening!

[dwallyfam]

Today it started out pretty warm. Right now we are under tornado watches. It is pretty weird.

Went grocery shopping and picked up a few odds and ends. I will be under budget for this month. Picked up items at the DG. Starting to do the stockpile thing. Then it was the mountain of laundry. I did have to use the dryer as I am a little behind and I don't have enough line space for everything inside.

tonight I will be scanning my pizza ads. Got to get those in so I can get $$$. Then I will be relaxing by the christmas tree and veging out in front of the TV while sewing.

Kellie

[Mom23boys]

Julie, now the temps are falling and it is starting to get cool again. I tell you it is CRAZY!!

Kellie, enjoy your evening by the tree!

[MACMOM6]

Well, I did not get one thing accomplished today. I honestly cannot even think of what I did. How sad is that?? Yesterday I got our room cleaned which was a huge thing. My dad bought us a room-in-a-bag for Christmas. I need to get rods to hang my drapes and I will for the first time in my married life have all matching stuff...YAY

MidwestGal, we also had a fallen hero here in our town. I think his funeral was this weekend too. So sad.
That is awesome though about your $270. That would be so nice right about now.

I hope tomorrow is more productive for me.

Have a great night,

[lizard22]

11/27

I worked all day and dh stayed home with the girls. I did bring breakfast and lunch with me.

When I got home both dd's were making Christmas gifts for friends and family. They were using some store bought supplies and stuff found around the house.

They are so proud of their work I wonder if they are going to be able to part with it.

[favesis37]

well the puppy i am babysitting got me up at 2:00 this morning, so i was up and on a potty misison, then he went back to sleep but i stayed up. i went back to bed at 3:30, got up this morning and everyone had left me, they never even said good bye! i must have really needed the sleep.

i got up and made cinnamon rolls, and a loaf of cinnamon bread, swept the kitchen floor, and am now going to start laundry.

i need to work on the tube quilt see if i like the way it looks when it goes together

everyone have a great day!

[homesteadmamma]

Good morning everyone. We had a really nice relaxing weekend. I managed to get lots of quilting done, read 2 books, got the laundry all caught up and baked bread and squares.

This morning, I need to:

~get the kids up and their school work started
~do last night's dishes
~mail all the Christmas ornament pkgs, the contest ornaments and a couple of RAOK's.
~go through the kid's dresser drawers and see if they have any clothes they aren't wearing. I'll package those up and put them in the thrift store bag. We have to go into the city tomorrow and I have 3 boxes to donate along with a partially filled bag.

This afternoon, I'll do:

~science (lab), Bible and history/geo with the kids.
~work on another baby quilt
~send out a couple e-mails
~make pizza for supper. I'll have to grind up some grain for the dough and shred up some cheese.

Tonight:

~it's over to the po to clean
~home to read and possibly do a bit more quilting

I've also been painting Christmas ornaments. Dh was told he can take some to work (his part time job). All the monies from the sale of the ornaments goes towards the charity quilts for material and mail costs.

Hope everyone has a great Mon.

[Darlene]

Goodmorning! Kids are all back at school today so I've got some cleaning up to do from their visit and help Jack with the tree. We should be able to get it all up the hill this afternoon. Not much else on the agenda, just have to figure out whats for dinner.Hmm

Hope you all have a lovely day.