Abandonment Issues

I'm back, did you all miss me! LOL! We went up to see our monsters that are away at University! It was a great couple of days. We really missed them. We missed them so much we even brought the oldest her boyfriend. The first night we were there we went to the schools hockey game. Home team won! It was a great game. Very old school, if you know what I mean. The next day rained all day. So whats a family to do?!? We went shopping. Even the fella's got in on it. I was finally able to get a pair of winter boots. What I should say is that I finally able found a pair that I love. They have water proof stitching, wool lining and they are knee high. I even got myself a pair of lifetime warranty wool socks. If they ever get a hole in them they will replace for free. I'm thrilled about this part! Can't go to the dorms without going grocery shopping. You know for the kids that didn't pay attention to the fact that mom usually buys sale, couponed, or discounted items. They now have enough food to get them through till they come home at Christmas.

The next day we hiked on of the big hills and then we went out to the bog. We also got to meet all of the friends. It was nice to be able to put a face with a name.

We are all home safe and sound. The trip took me completely out of my routine. But I did pretty good. Grim has been home this week on vacation. So we have been trying to get stuff done around here.

Tuesday, we got the engine put back together. We need to get the timing reset and it should be good to go... Well, as good as a car with no fenders can go! Soon, she will be back together completely.

Wednesday, we had to go and pick up a dresser for his mom who is in a nursing home. The one she had didn't work very well. So my SIL purchased a new one, and since we are the only ones that have a truck we picked it up and delivered it. Then we met up with my SIL and her family and had supper together at our favorite Chinese restaurant. Oh, almost forgot Grim got a laptop of his own. Now he doesn't have to be stuck in the basement by himself on the old desktop.

Today we have been running around like crazy. Doing a ton of little things and one big one. Grim got me a new stove. Its a whirlpool, made in the USA. I'm so happy. Its going to be delivered tomorrow and I will be baking bread before the day is out. Little miss says she gets dibbs on using the oven first to make cookies.... LOL! We really have missed having an oven. I can't wait to put the electric roaster in the closet.

It was 38 this morning. I'm hoping for November 15th before turning on the furnace. We will see. Last year we made it to November 9th. 2 of the windows are completely shut, storms and all. I foresee more being shut up soon rather then later. But they are calling for 60+ next week. This weather is crazy.

Gotta go do dishes,

Yart

Summer is almost over!

This summer has been busy doing nothing... Well, that's not true. I have become care taker of my mother in law. She was diagnosed with vascular dementia about 6 months ago. Since then she has need some extra attention. 

My oldest monster has been home from university. She ended up being in a roll over car accident. She is fine... The driver of the car and her were both able to walk away from it.

We went on a weeks vacation camping. During that time it rained so we could get into the property to do anything. But we were able to do some off road ing.

I was able to do a few shows with Thirty-one! I have more planned for the upcoming months! Can't wait... I've already seen the new fall catalog and I want everything in it.... LOL! The life of a consultant! : p

I was in a parade for the 4th of July. I'm the treasurer for the ladies auxiliary of the VFW, now.

We have had 2 weddings! Both cousins of mine! Both absolutely stunning Brides!

Picky monster and I went across country to the junior Olympics! She won a Silver and a Gold Medal in her age divisions.

We have one new family member and another on the way! Both cousins!

And of course in all this free time I started another blanket! This is the pattern that was used by the mother in breaking Amish!

In just about 2 weeks, we take the oldest back to school! And we start Picky monsters Senior year of High School and Mouthy Monsters first year of middle school. Oh, how the time flies!

Until the next installment!

Hugs,

Yart

Football and Pumpkins

Band monster has a football game tonight. It will be a loverly 55 degrees out on the field. Trust me that isn't a complaint. She won't be freezing or getting rained on and with the uniform she will be nice and toasty. But she will be gone for most of the night again. I give that kid a ton of credit, she is busting her butt to pull of marching and keep her grades up.

I was able to get a galeux d'eysines pumpkin. I would never have had the courage to purchase something like this. But Judy over at My Freezer is Full planted them this year and had a bumper crop. So I decided to get one when the opportunity presented itself. I plan on cooking it up on Sunday. Judy stated that the more warts the sweeter. I can't wait to dig into this one. I also plan on saving the seeds so that I can grow some of my own next year. I think I'm going to try and do several varieties of squash next year. Give the garden a break from peppers and eggplant. ( Went out in the garden today and found another 8, when will the madness stop!)

Grim helped me put in a walk way yesterday in front of the house in the boulevard. It has been a mud pit since we moved in and that is where I park. With the monsters back and forth nothing grows there. Every time it rains, they track a ton of mud in the house. I purchased the blocks a couple of weeks ago. The mood hit yesterday to get the deed done. Let me say that I am lucky to lift my arms today. Grim is only one handed since it is really strenuous work. He was a great help. But see usually I get these things started and he comes by and helps out and then takes over. He can't do, so I got stuck doing it..... LOL! I should know better. We need to get two more blocks but it looks great now. Bring on the rain!!!!

I decided to wait to pull out the garden till the first frost threatens. Yep, you guessed it. LAZY! All of the canning that was demanding my attention is done. I still have more if I choose to do it. But I'm not being rushed to get stuff put up before it spoils. I figure that the garden will give me just a little bit more before it's got to go. Anyways I still need to go and get more compost. Once I get off my butt and do that then I can plant the garlic and say g'night!

Gotta Run,

Yart

The apples they hate me

I didn't get to the apples on Monday like I said I would. Some other more pressing stuff happened. But I did get up early on Tuesday and got started on them. I heated up the sauce and started the water. Got everything ready for the first 7 quarts. Got them into the water. I get 3 jars in and I hear a pop. I look and don't see anything floating. I add 2 more jars and I hear another pop. Now I start lifting the jars to see what is going on. You guessed it 2 of the jars lost their bottoms. So the water is all yucky with apple sauce but I went on to can up 10 1/2 quarts of sauce. They are sitting on the counter waiting to be washed and put in the basement.  I think more went into the garbage then I canned up this year. Recap: a whole crook pot of apple butter and the 2 quarts of sauce. I think it bothers me so much because I had to do it by hand. I cored and cooked then put through the hand cranked food mill (last year doing that). Lots of hard work wasted. But enough of that. I was able to get a ton of apple pie filling and jars of sauce. I guess that is what I need to focus on.

Picky monster comes home from school yesterday and tells me that before the science test the teacher called some of the s.ed kids to leave the room to get the test read to them. Picky was not one of those kids. But she was given a s.ed test. She is dyslexic. She can do it, it just takes forever. So I called the school and of course school had only been out for 20 minutes but there was no one to answer the phone. I leave a message and they call back this morning. And of course I have the wrong teacher....... I get transferred to the right person and I explain the issue. She tells me that it will be taken care of. She also tells me that Picky is due for her 3 year testing. She says that she feels that the testing is a waste right now, as Picky is still benefiting from the program. I tell her I agree because if Picky were to be tested right now and hit the borderline then she would be pulled out of s.ed and put in general education. Right now she is at a 5th grade level in 8th grade. She would never be able to keep up. Grim and I talked about it and we agree that if that were to be the case then I would be pulling her and mouthy out and homeschooling them. Picky so that she didn't feel behind and mouthy just because she couldn't stand letting her sister be home all day everyday while she had to deal with her arch nemesis.... LOL! Long story, one day I'll write about that.

Today has not been the greatest of days. We dropped off forms to be filled out by Grims doctor's office. We even have to pay $10 for each form. And this is a regular occurrence, each appointment we have forms. Each time we seem to have problems getting them filled out. We went in last Friday to see if they were ready. I was told that they took 7-10 days and it was only the 7th day. So today is the 10th day. I called about an hour and half ago. They can't find the forms.... Go figure! I already paid for them to be filled out and I told them that if the one form isn't filled out my husbands job is going to fire him. Which is the god's honest truth. They now after 6 months of me sending them everything they required are threatening us with if the forms aren't received by October 6th my husband will be terminated. Even though they have a note from the doctor that Grim will have surgery on October 11th. AHHHHHHHHHHHH! Is it really to much to ask that people do the job they are paid to do?!? So here I sit waiting for the doctor's office to call me back. I'm only going to give them another hour then I'm heading up to the office. Cause I think it is one of the out of sight out of mind things!

Gotta Run,

Yart

I survived

(image from photobucket)

All of the corn is done for this year. I got a total of 41 quarts done. I know I said that the next big venture would be the carrots and potatoes, maybe beans. But I lied! There I said it I lied. More people should be honest like me... LOL! Instead of these staples that really are needed I went and got 2, let me say that again two bushels of McIntosh apples. They were only $15.50 for seconds per bushel. See why I couldn't pass them by. Oh, the wonderful goodies that I will make with these slightly imperfect gems! Ah, almost sets my heart to swoon! While I was at the orchard I also picked up a bottle of homemade Blackberry Vinegar. It sure sounds yummy, I just don't know what to do with it.

I will be going later this week to get the above mentioned items. That way maybe I can be done canning produce before the end of September. I really need to do that, as I still have to clean out the freezers. I went to start to do that today. But like the best laid plans, something else came up. We as a family cleaned out and up the entire basement. It only took a couple hours but really needed to be done before winter sets in for the long haul. See I have terrible allergies with dust and mold. Both of which are very present in the basement. I even had a mini asthma attack. It took awhile for the coughing and wheezing to stop. All better now and I can breath in the basement now... Yeah!

We took the monsters to the zoo on Sunday. We got a membership a couple of months ago but this is the first time this year we have had a chance to take the girls. They had a ton of fun. There is a whole new kids exibit that they get to do hands on things and a huge play area. Plus, the zoo is also implementing a lot of eco-inovations. The 2 press flush, the air driers in the bathrooms, LED lighting, solar and wind power. It was fasinating for the kids to see these things first hand. And of course there were several baby animals that they abosolutely loved. I had a great time in the garden section seeing how they had planted and what was growing. Of course I forgot my camera. Isn't it always the way, though.

The monsters are all having night before school starts jitters. The older two are both going to new schools and the little one doesn't want to leave me. I guess she just had to much fun at home with me this summer. All the clothes are laid out and showers were taken. Bangs were cut and backpacks packed. New school year here they come for better or worse only 9 months / 40 weeks, the countdown begins! And after the littlest one is safe and sound in class I will cry all the way home. I hate school!

Band monster hits me up today with I really want to go to homecoming. So she is going to ask her best guy friend if he wants to go with her as a friend. I think he will say yes. That means that we need to get our butts moving and get out and get her a dress and shoes. There are several places around here to look, hopefully, we can find something. My sewing skills are not that good and she is almost 6 foot tall so I can't just go to the thrift store to find the dress. That's ok, she is my baby and we will do what we have to.

Here I go again just rattleing about everything and nothing.

Gotta Run,

Yart

Slow Days

Winter seems to go by so slowly! Even with hobbies and animals and monsters to take care of the days take forever to end. I know that sounds really depressing.... LOL! I don't mean it to be. We are so close to Spring that I can almost smell it in the air.... Well, not really but I can hope. One day last weekend the snow was gone and the yard was muddy. The monsters were feeling very cooped up so through on old clothes and play in the yard, "I said". What a mistake that was!!!! Here is the back landing where they came in at.



Needless, to say it took quite awhile to clean that mess up!

Today, Teenage monster turned 15. She got her Varsity jacket with her band letter from us. Then she got books and jewelery from her Grand's. Yesterday we took her to Red Robin for lunch as this is where she wanted to go and her dad was off work for the day. Then today we had an ice cream cake. We all decided that next year she will just get the ice cream as none of us liked the cake..... Blech!!!

I just made popcorn on the stove for the monsters. They are going to be watching the Legend of the Seeker. The popcorn was more for me then them. I have been gluten free since Friday. Before I get to the hows, let me tell you the why's. I read an article about gluten intolerance.... I don't remember where. But one of the symptoms is a red face. That kind of struck me, my face gets very red. Thursday I ate a decent breakfast, then for lunch I ate one piece of pizza about 20 minutes later my face was really red. So that is why I have decided to try and be gluten free. I have done really well, this weekend. Plus, it is forcing me to eat more vegetables as I can't fill up on bread or pasta.

But back to the riggers of winter. I am so ready for spring if no other reason then to get rid of the junk that has accumulated in this house. I plan on having a yard sale and what doesn't sell will go to good will. Either way I will be happy the stuff will be gone! Yeah!!!

We were able to get another tree that was cut done. I think it will be about a 3/4 of a cord, once we can split it. A tree company was cutting it done about 8 house away in the alley. So I had Grim walk down and ask if we could have it. They looked at him like he was crazy but said we could have it. They loaded it up in the backhoe and delivered it to our garage. Now we have more wood and only a fire pit. But if we do get a woodstove this year then we will have split & dried wood to burn.

I have rambled enough!

Gotta Run,
Yart

Snowy Day

The monsters are home today.... Yeah! Snow day!!! But they are very antsy today.... I remember when I had snow days I was always busy doing something...... Because it was better then being in school... But not these monsters, they want to be up our butts..... LOL! I guess that is the curse of being cool parents! LOL! They are in watching some movie with Grim. Earlier they were out playing in shoveling the snow. Then they went over to my mom's and shoveled for her. I was so happy as I think I am coming down with a cold.... You know how you can just feel it looming just at the edge of your body. Well, that is where I am now. If the monsters have school tomorrow that is fine because then they have mid winter break. They won't go back to school until Tuesday! So I will have a ton of time to rest up and get feeling better.

I worked bingo last night. We had 29 people.... What a waste of time and money.... I feel we should have canceled. But I am just a band parent with no say. Really, I'm alright with that as I don't have the time nor the patience to be a chairperson. So I grumble a bit and do what they ask of me. Once I was out of there, Grim and I went up to the one posts to meet up with my brother and my buddy. They were up there playing Euchre. They won 1st and 2nd. Not bad for a couple of hours. Then we hung out with them and headed home. I was so tired when my head hit the pillow I was sound asleep.

I am going to tell you all about a recipe that I make. For those of your that are new to cooking please turn away now, as the following will not make much sense. And for those of you that do cook, please don't judge me to harshly..... LOL! This is what I use:
Ham Goodness
Leftover ham
Leftover pineapple juice & (any leftover pineapple)
2 - 3 tablespoons of butter
3 - 4 tablespoons of brown sugar
pepper (to taste)
a little bit of cornstarch mixed with pineapple juice to thicken ( not a lot as it shouldn't be a gravy just not juice runny)

First add the juice to the pan, heat, add the ham, butter, pepper and brown sugar. Heat to a boil, turn down the heat to a simmer. Simmer until hot then add the cornstarch mixture bring back up to a boil. As soon as it thickens turn off heat. I serve this with rice.

Last night I added to mine steamed broccoli. Oh, my was it good. Every time I make it I seem to try and add something new to it. It is a very forgiving recipe. You can use more or less brown sugar for your taste. I came up with this recipe a couple of years ago after Easter when I had all this ham but not enough for another meal. I chopped it up and used everything I had used to bake the ham originally.

Well, I'm off to make mini-burgers called sliders for dinner tonight!

Gotta Run,
Yart

Snow

We finally have snow! It has been coming down since around 11am with no signs of stopping. We have gotten maybe 4 inches. But that makes me so happy. I love the sparkly, clean, bright white snow. Everything looks wonderful. Now I know for those that have to drive in it, I feel bad. But the monsters are hoping for a snow day tomorrow. And if it happens I won't have to leave to go anywhere until 5pm. Then the plows and the salt trucks should have done a great job clearing the roads.

Thank you all for the well wishes for my littlest monster. Her nose has already started to heal. Grim changed the bandage today and said it looked a lot better. I can only change bandages if no one else is around. I get so sick to my stomach. And it's not just a family thing, anyone's boo boo's make me sick. I know you all wanted to know that nasty tidbit about me.

I need to really get cracking on this basement. I have some really high hopes for it. But can't do anything until I get off my arse and get rid of stuff. Cleaning is the easy part. Going through stuff to see if I absolutely still might possibly one day down the road need it. LOL! I went through the house a couple of years ago and tossed out and gave away so much stuff the garbage men were leaving me hate notes and friends stopped answering their phones when I called. I was a pack rat, on the verge of being a hoarder. Due to some personal problems, I had the opprotunity to take a good hard look at my life and see where some desperate changes needed to be made. And I made a ton of them. As with anything the clutter creeps back into our lives when we're not looking. So game plan and lists here I come.

Gotta go and hang that last load of laundry for tonight. And maybe empty out a box or two.

Gotta Run,
Yart

Blogs and Answers

I had a thought that as I go through all of your wonderful blog that if I come across something that I will post my response or answers here. Plus it gives me stuff to write about when my life has one of those uneventful days.

Kathie, over at Two Frogs Home asked "What moments are you enjoying?" And of course I still have to go through Grim's computer to upload pictures (that is why there haven't been any recently). But I digress.... I am enjoying:

1. having a full pantry (so I don't have to go out in the snow)
2. having two big bags of yarn that will keep me busy
   
3. having lots of big, heavy blankets to crawl under at night
4. having taken off the whole month of January from Bingo
5. having animals that want to cuddle when it is cold

Yes, most of what I am enjoying is about warmth.... LOL! I love the winter and the snow, but I dislike very much the cold.

Barb over at The Big Red Barn was talking about growing hops. Well, that got me thinking. I talked to Grim about it and since he is a home brewer this is one of the first times he has been really excited about this whole farming thing.... (he has always wanted property not all the farm stuff that goes with it, that is my dream). So we are going to sit down this week and start to plan how to make it happen. Grim at the earliest can retire in 14 years. That way he can still work as we get the farm set up. So we are thinking that we if set up a 5 year plan, we can make it happen.

1. Make a list of debt
2. Pay off debt outstanding debt
   
3. Stay current with all current bills
4. Create budget

You know stuff like this. I mean we have been working on this stuff but without a formalized plan it has been willy nilly at best.

Phelan over at A Homesteading Neophyte has said that if you live in zone 5 or 6 it is time to get the cold weather seedlings going. And since I am so new ( wet behind the ears.... LOL) I am going to take her advice and get them started. I need to go to the dollar store and get the aluminum pans with the plastic lids. I used them last year to start some seeds. They worked really well. And of course where they went, I can only guess.

Did I say uneventful earlier.... I so know better.

And of course right as I am writing this blog, shit hits the fan... I had to take my youngest in to the ER. She's fine, she bumped her sister and had a cup of hot chocolate dumped in her face. Luckily, we got her into the shower right away and then off to the hospital. She has mostly 1st degree burns with a spot of 2nd degree burn. They gave me cream and bandages to come home with. I have to take her into the doctor on Monday. She was a trooper, she never even cried. The er doc said that there shouldn't be any scaring. It is just like a really bad sunburn..... Woooooooh! I was scared wittless. But thank the Goodess, my baby won't be scarred for life!!!

I am off for the night!

Gotta Run,
Yart

Wednesday Musings

Wow, were has the time gone. It is already the 4th of November. I guess that I am just posted out or is it because I don't fell like I need to post every day. But in my defense I have been super busy. Where to start?!?

Monday, I decided to run to the store and get two chickens. We were going to have baked chicken for dinner. I cleaned them and stuffed them with onions. Then I had Grim go and get me some carrots out of storage. Needless to say, he brings up both of the 25 pound bags. They are rotting and need to be processed right away. I don't know what happened they should have been fine in the cold storage?!? So I go through the bags and salvage what I can. I lost about 5 pounds, 10%. I washed and cut off all the ends. Got dinner going and after dinner went to work bingo. Band monster peeled all of them for me. Once I got home from bingo I diced them all up and into the fridge they went.

Tuesday, the monsters didn't have school due to election day. So we all slept in. I got up and made sure all of my facebook apps were ok. Then I started to pressure can the carrots. It went alot faster then I thought it would. The last thing I pressure canned was meat and that takes forever. But I was able to get 21 quarts done last night. (3 more quarts, maybe? to do). I made hamburgers for dinner and Band monster had practice.

Band monster had practice, because they are going to state finals this weekend. So the instructor wants them in tip top shape! We are going into finals in 7th place due to issues with the judging last weekend. Not happy with the judges. They know better. Since we are freshmeat, this is our first trip to finals. I guess that there is a ton of stuff that we can buy. YEAH! Sorry had to toss out some sarcasm. Like band hasn't cost enough. That is why I work the bingo's to off set the costs.

Today, Picky monster had a half day of school. We have conferences this afternoon. I will be leaving in a few minutes to run to the Legion to help with an Audit for the District. I am hoping that it will only take a short while. I am very disappointed with the group as a whole right now. And unless there are big changes in the near future I won't be a part of the active group. There is very little participation and I can't do it all my self. And with having been busy with band and school and monsters not much has been done at the post.

Once all that is done, I still have to do dinner?!? Get Band monster to practice, finish the carrots and work on the hat more!

Gotta Run,
Yart

Thoughts

I was hit with a thought this morning. And I'm saddened a bit by it. When I took the monsters to school it was still very dark out. The side streets were all but deserted. The wet leaves that had finally given up their last hold were laying lifeless on the ground, shining in my headlight beam. After Band monster was dropped off dawn decided to make its appearance. Reddish and purple hues of autumn, reflected on the world. This breif moment in time only lasts for about a week, as the fime change happens this weekend. And come next Monday the sun will be out and the birds will already be starting the day way before we even open our eyes. I love this week but it is bittersweet as it only lasts as long as the blink of an eye!

I had a bit of a fright yesterday. Nothing major just got me to open my eyes and appreciate what I have a lot more then I had been. I see now that I was slacking in some important parts of my life and those of my family. So with an empty head (LOL!) and open heart, today is a new day with a chance to make/do things different. I know that probably didn't make all that much sense from the outside, but from here it was just a reminder in print of what I want to try to accomplish.

Yesterday was a busy day. So busy in fact that I forgot that I was suppose to go to a meet and greet with the special ed teacher for Mouthy monster. Mind you there is nothing wrong with her, she just didn't go to preschool. What that means is they actually need to teach this one... LOL! And they put the kids who need this into the special ed class. Now I have Band monster who generally is a straight "A" student and I have Picky monster who is in special ed because she is Dyslexic and needs accommodations, because by the time they figured out something was wrong she was already behind. Enough of that. But with Mouthy, she gets it, she just isn't where they want the kids in 1st grade to be.

Back to yesterday, wow, I do ramble! I cooked pork chops in a tomato puree /w some BBQ sauce and green peppers. It was a bit hit. I also got around to making laundry soap again. The laundry is only a little backed, up maybe 3 loads. The 5 gallon bucket will last me for months now. I love saving money. And the work isn't hard just time consuming. Same with making bread. It's not had work at all. It can be daunting in the beginning. After you do it a time or two, you can get a rhythm down. Like for me, got home from taking monsters, mixed the bread and kneaded it. Cleaned kitchen, dining room and living room during the first rise. The punched the dough down, separated it for individual loaves. Now they are rising for the second time and I am doing laundry and all my internet stuff. Then once the loaves go into the oven I will clean the bathroom.

I don't know what I'm going to do for dinner. I might make calzones tonight and lentil stew (got the idea from Mother Hen over at Ship Full of Pirates) for tomorrow night.

Gotta Run,
Yart

Getting Caught Up 1

Since I missed posting the other day I needed to do 2 posts today. That's ok, I have lots to say. LOL! The chili last night was a hit. And I also don't have a ton leftover. This was a much better recipe. Tonight I will be making baked mac and cheese with canned ham. Yummmmm! This is a family favorite.

Mouthy monster came home from school yesterday with an envelope that contained a tooth. Then while eating dinner she lost the other one. So now she is wanting her two front teeth for Christmas. Hopefully, from the looks of things she won't have to wait to much longer. I am so happy when teeth just come out. No pulling, no blood no crying (me). But isn't it always in the fall that they seem to loose these particular teeth? Hmmm? I think the other two lost theirs around the same time. Must be all the apples!

Right now I am waiting for the oven to heat up so that I can get the bread in the oven. Yes, I finally got everything out and the dough made. And yes, like I thought I loved getting my hands back into the dough, kneading it and punching it down. Now that I have started again I don't know why I waited so long. :O)

I watched the last hour of The Biggest Loser last night. I really thought that they should have voted off Tracey. She is just a drama queen, who needed to go. Will they have another chance to vote her off? We'll just have to wait and see. I think they keep the drama llama on the show to add excitement.

Speaking of the drama llama, it keeps shitting all over my facebook account. You all have one of those friends that no matter what happens in their life they just need to share it with the world. Well, I have 2 such people on my friends list. They are constantly tell all the world what is wrong with them or their lives. I rather try and stay on the positive side of things and be proud of my accomplishments. I know I don't always succeed but at least I try. Ok, enough of that topic!

Grim has been a working fool the past couple of weeks. We went from him working a day or two each week to every day. Not complaining, loving every minute of it! But I do miss him when he isn't here. Some days I don't see him at all. Some times that isn't all bad though.... *TEASING* Grim reads the blog. Gotta poke fun sometimes.

We only have 3 more competitions for Band and then if they make it to State finals. That means in 4 Saturdays from this one we are done with Band until May of next year. Counting down the days. But I will continue with working the Bingo's, as it is putting a lot into her account.

Gotta Run,
Yart

Tuesday's Musings

I know I said I would get here yesterday. But I had tons of stuff to do. We have an appointment with the orthopedic doctor on friday. Had to call the band director to tell her teenage monster wouldn't be going. I was told that yes she would go and they would make all accomidations for teenage. That way she doesn't loose her spot. Kewl!

I went to knitting class last night. I learned the continenal method of knitting. I can now knit and purl. I have a whole skein to practice on till the next class where we are going to learn how to yarn over...... Can't wait.

Gotta Run
Yart

Recap

Like I said before DH has been off work for almost 2 weeks with vacation. It was a really good thing he was. We have been having difficulties around here a plenty. Frist we are approached by one of the local police. He proceeds to tell us that our dog supposidly bit another dog. Huhhhhh? The only opening in the fence that we have is a 1" - 1 1/2" in gap at the bottom of the gate. We have a 6 1/2 foot privacy fence that goes all the way around the yard. So we freak! Then we wait most of the week for the dog catcher to come.... Needless to say we are scared that our dog will be taken and put down. Well, he come by and talks to us. He said we did everything right and he doesn't see how it was possible for our dog to get his snout out of the yard to bite the other dog. Or for the other dog to have gotten under our fence (Shar-pei). By the way we have a rottie/chow mix. If he had gotten a hold of the other dog I'm fairly certain there would have been a bottom bite mark. Which there wasn't. So that was the begining of the week. Think it won't get any worse... Guess again.

Usually on Fridays the monsters go and visit Grandma. So they went, we went home to get ready to go out. I'm just out of the shower when the cell phones start going crazy...... Teenage monster is down and can't get up...... We take off like a bat out of hell to get to her. Get to the park where they are playing and sure enough. She is down and can't get up..... Laying on her side. So DH looks at where it hurts and she says that it wasn't a pop it was a crack that she heard. We carry her to the truck... (the hospital is 300ft from where we are standing, no point in calling an ambulance). Get her to emergency, they take x-rays. Sure enough its broke. And it is the type of break that will require surgery. So off to the Children's hospital we go. They do surgery at 1:30am. She got released from the hospital at 2pm on Saturday. She is doing really well. Getting use to the crutches. Luckily, she doesn't have a cast they have her in an immobilizer. In 10 days we go to she the doctor that did the surgery to see what happens next.

So now there will be no band camp for this year. I am hoping that she will be able to still be in the orchestra band for the 9th grade. This is really screwing up a lot for her. Good thing DH already had this part of his vacation. The next one will be the end of the summer when she will be up and moving around again.

Gotta Run
Yart

Weekend Recap

Friday DH and I went out on the bike after taking the monsters to school. Went to breakfast. Then went and picked them up as it was a 1/2 day for the last day of school. We went to some yard sales. I got an oil lamp, 2 glass pie plates and a couple of canning jars. Then went to Dairy Queen, last day treat. Got home and went for a bicycle ride with all the monsters. Brought them home and went and got pork chops. Tried to get a tree that had been cut down. No luck though. Cooked and ate. Showered and napped. Then took the monsters to see Flicks on Bricks. It is kind of like the drive in but it is a grassy field and a portable movie screen. The monsters loved it. We saw Shrek. There are going to be 2 more before the summer is over and we are looking forward to them. After we took them home we went back out on the bike. Then hooked up with my Dear Brother and another date. Needless, to say we didn't get home until super late.

Saturday, my birthday! I got to sleep in.... Yeah! Then we went for a drive out in the country. We stopped at a road side stand, I got eggs and strawberries. Came home and had hamburgers and hot dogs for dinner. Cake was kindly provided by 2 sources. We had a fire, burned some paperwork and went to bed early... LOL!

Sunday got up fairly early. Went to the fabric store and found sheer material on clearance. I am going to make the produce bags that are featured in Mother Earth News June/July edition. Hopefully, I will be able to sell them. There are 2 farmers markets that I can set up at. So you never know. Then hit a couple more yard sales. I got an old meat grinder, a glass globe for one of the hurricane lamps, couple more canning jars and an orange hunting hat/face mask. We had meatloaf and mashed potatoes for dinner. Made the strawberry cordial. It will be ready for straining next Sunday. Then we went to the local outside track and the monsters walked around and I rode my bike around. We think the monsters did about a mile and I did 2 or better. WooHoo! Then came home and basically fell into bed.

Monday up with the sun. I have already been outside in the garden. Working on laundry as I type. The monsters are working on their rooms. About time! You would have thought I had real live pigs living in this house by the looks of the rooms. But today that all ends. We are tossing everything that is no longer good for man nor beasty. LOL! The rest will be donated.

Gotta Run,
Yart

Popping In

I am just popping by to say hey.... I have been super busy the past couple of days. I will fill you all in really quick. I met up with my boss yesterday morning. I got my check and he told me I am laid off till the end of March. I told him you can call me but I may have another job by then. I really hope to have another job by then. I don't want to go back there. But on to happy news I got my dehydrator yesterday. It has settings for different things. I will post more about it later.

Went to the fish fry and that wasn't to bad. We had more people this week and hopefully with lent coming we will have lots more. The fish fry's are providing a way for us to raise money to support our veterans. Then Dh and some friends and I went out to the bar. Loads of fun was had by all. I was the DD for last night. Everyone got home safe and sound.

Today we went to a motorcycle swap meet. It was lame. I was hoping to find some things that I have been looking for. I have a 200cc bike that needs a couple of parts. I so want to get that running for this summer. I want to ride around town. I would love to get a vespa. But I can't afford them. So my little bike will have to do. LOL!

The mouthy monster is not feeling well again. She was fine Thursday night and went to school on Friday. So I don't get it. We decided not to go out tonight. We are watching movies, playing video games and eating pizza. Not to bad for a Saturday night, everyone is happy.

Tomorrow is SUPER BOWL SUNDAY, SUNday, SUnday.... LOL! I love doing that sunday thing. I think that the cardinal team is going to win. Why do I say this, you ask. I don't watch football all year. But I love super bowl sunday. We go to bowl party and every year I choose to root for the underdog team. I understand football I just choose not to follow it. So as you can see I don't know anything about either team. Last year, can't even remember the team but I loved rooting for them and they won.... That was so great as everyone told me that I shouldn't root for them. LOL! I sure showed them. So I will continue to root for the least favored to win and maybe I will get lucky again this year.... GO CARDINALS! YEAH TEAM! roflmao!


Well, anyway this is my prediction for tomorrow! I will talk to you all again after the game!
Yart