Catching up or longer then I planned

Here is picture I took from the bridge of Mackinaw. The sky was beautiful and Lake Huron was very calm. Which was a good thing considering that I hate heights and water. We went up into the UP. It was very nice. The weather was much nicer then at home. We looked at several parcels of land. Unfortunately, we don't have the money to make that type of purchase but it is nice to dream.
Mackinaw City has a multitude of wind turbines. I think that this is the kewlest thing as I use to work in the renewable industry. There are 8 of them, they help power part of the harbormaster building and an ice suppression system in the dock area. I love seeing more eco energy options being used.
In my last post I was complaining about the garden. Of course I just needed to wait a few more days. Here is a nice little haul that I got this week. I ended up dehydrating all of the hot peppers. There is Hungarian Hots, Peter Peppers and Ancho Peppers. If they keep production up I will have a jar of each in the pantry.... Yeah! I did go out to the you pick farm. He said that his tomatoes are about 2 weeks behind because of the weather. So I don't feel so bad now.
Here is the picture of the wall color before we painted. It was a gray / purple. I loved this color. It was in the bedroom for over 10 years. It was time for a change. So we went with the dark green walls, butter cream for the trim and the linens are a rust color. I am very happy with the new color scheme. It is just taking a little time getting use to the new layout.

As you can see in the tires are potatoe plants. I probably should have left them for a little while longer.But of course I have never been patient. So we ended up with 39.2 pounds of taters. We ate some with dinner tonight and they were very good. Since these aren't for storage we will be eating the rest of them over the next few weeks.

All of the tires are now up against the fence. It will give us more room to manouver. Plus, we want to build a fence with a gate. It will block the dog from the garden. Right now we are using metal stakes with snow fencing. It looks horrible and I am tired of climbing over the fence to get in the garden.

I have an appointment with my real doctor tomorrow. I don't know what is going on, I am almost done with the antibotics the urgent care doc gave me and I'm still not better. Then Thursday I have a dreaded dental appointment. I hate, hate, hate going to the dentist. It has been like 4 years since I've been. But with what ever is going on with my sinus's / ear, my teeth have been hurting. So to the dentist I go.... blah!!!!

I worked in the pantry the other day. I cleaned out almost 40 jars of food that just weren't a hit. There was lemon juice that didn't quite turn out, pickles that tasted great but were mushy, apple sauce that went south and kidney beans that were yucky. I was sad to toss out all that food. The work that went into making it wasted. :o( But that was really just a lesson learned. Make less of new items. With that work done I organized the pantry a little bit... ( it needs more attention, then I have time for right now). I have room now for all the canning I want to do this year.

1. Spaghetti Sauce
2. Ketchup Recipe here
   
3. BBQ Sauce Recipe here
   
4. Dill Pickles
5. Chicken Stock Great sounding recipe here
6. Corn Relish Recipe here (not sure how to eat this but it sounds good)
7. Sauerkraut
8. Beef Stew Recipe here
9. Vegetable Soup Recipe here
10. Taco Sauce Recipe here
11. Carrots
12. Corn
13. Potatoes

I think that is a good list to start with. LOL! I know I tend to bite off more then I can chew. But I want to get the pantry full for winter. I need to make a list of things like toilet paper that needs to be stock up on. I just have a feeling that this winter is going to a bad one and want to be prepared. I know, I know foreboading arn't I.

Gotta Run,
Yart

Took a Break

Even though it was completely unintentional, I did take a break. I have been resting my foot which seems so much better without the help of the doctor. My MRI showed nothing wrong, but go to therapy and take pills was his answer. I wanted to know if doing these things would make it worse since I didn't know how I hurt it to begin with. He couldn't answer me. So I have been soaking it and doing mini stretches and it seems to be doing better.

I have been sewing up a storm. I have 4 aprons and 5 bags ready to picture and post on etsy. I am nervous about it. But I can't make a million dollars being afraid can I. My model will be here tomorrow ( I hope he is willing ;o) ). I have a ton more material to cut and sew up. Just haven't had the time.

Since I have been resting I have been watching the Olympics. I love the Olympics!!!! Here is my favorite clip of the 2010 games!
Meryl Davis and Charlie White



I had a bittersweet moment last night! Team USA won against Team Canada in Hockey. I was so happy that The US won but at the same time I was really sad that Canada lost! Being that I am a half breed it is hard for me to pick one side over the other.

We got a lot of snow last night. Ours was the only school district that didn't cancel school. But the roads were bad so I kept the monsters home. They are watching some show with Grim. And his truck isn't running well so he will take my car to work tonight. So I can't work Bingo.... big loss, NOT! I really didn't want to work it. I am counting down the days. 5 more fish fries, bingo until June 21st, my presidency until June 20, School out June 18th! Then I can concentrate on the yard.

We went to look at wood burners last week. I almost put the money down to order one. But good thing I didn't. One of the basement walls is caving in. Sooooooo, that will have to be replaced before I can see spending $3k for a wood burner. That doesn't mean that I won't get one before next winter. I just won't have one before this winter is over. Man, I hate when I have plans to do something and the fates think I need to do something else! But it is what it is!

Last night I cooked up a chicken for the broth, 6 yams were cooked and then pulled out of the skin and put into dinner sized bags. I blended the carrots, onions and celery to make for a little thicker broth. I am going to use some to make a baked potato soup. The rest might get canned or I might just freeze the rest for broccoli and cheese soup next week.

Off to figure out what to make for dinner!

Gotta Run,
Yart

Monday Rambling's

I am still here.... But I am still off my feet. I went for the MRI last Wednesday. I won't know the results until next Monday. I also went and had a physical therapy session. They didn't understand how to bill my insurance so I wouldn't have a $20 co-pay so that is the end of them. If I had paid them the co-pay I would be out a butt load of money. We are talking like $3-4 hundred dollars, and I don't have that type of money laying around. Especially since we don't know what is wrong with my ankle yet. It still is no better actually I think it might be worse. This is why I usually suffer in silence.

Anyways, even though I am off my feet I have been busy. I have been working on my MaryJane Farm's Merit badges. I still have to take pictures but I did manage to make my first apron.... well, not my first one..... My first time making one but it is actually for Grim. That makes sense I think... LOL! Years ago I bought material to make Grim a pair of casual pants, which I never got around to making. With all that material laying around I thought that I would put it to good use. So 1 apron down, and I also finished up that beginner level bag. It taught me a ton about doing what you know is right instead of following the pattern. I know just enough to be dangerous. And that is usually my downfall. But it is done now!!!! I also made the little sewing kit. I think it turned out really cute.

I got a dresser from my mom this weekend. It got put into my room as the old one I had, had to go (today is garbage day). It is smaller then the one I got rid of so I had to go through my clothes. Two garbage bags to donate and I know I will find more as I go through them again. It feels so liberating to get rid of stuff. Now all I need is Spring to show up so we can paint the bedroom and rearrange and it will be good for another couple of years!

Since I haven't been exercising, I have been trying to eat better. I have made sure that I am eating a salad with dinner and eating either broccoli or brussel sprouts. I have cut down on my pasta and bread consumption. I did slip up and have an ice cream sundae. But that's life, right?

They are calling for 4 inches of snow tonight. I am kind of hoping for more. We really haven't had much snow this winter. But then on the other hand I really want the warmer weather to hurry up and get here.... I know I'm fickle... LOL!

Gotta Run,
Yart

It's Offical

I got back to an exercise program last week. I got on the treadmill, you remember the one that I have been avoiding since my ankle started bothering me. I decided to take it slow and only do a mile. Well, let me tell you once the mile was done, my ankle was on fire. So I got off my a** and called the doctor.

He was able to see me this morning. I'm figuring that I have a really bad sprained ankle...... NOPE! He thinks that it is a frayed Achilles Tendon. But he is sending me for an MRI to make sure that it isn't torn. I also now have a sleep stint, therapy 3 times a week for 4 weeks and meds to take. Not to mention that I need to go back and see him again in 2 weeks. The only time in my life that I have ever been off my feet was when I broke my leg when I was 17. I had crutches and didn't care back then. Now I need to be off my feet as much as possible, with all this other stuff. Man, this is going to suck, big time!!!! Yes, I am pouting!!! I'm the one that takes everyone else to therapy and doctors appointments and is encouraging when there is some type of new test that needs to be performed. If I could stomp my foot I would.......grrrrr! Alright, tantrum time is over. LOL!

Like I don't have enough craft ideas to do, I go out and buy one of those pre-printed things on material. You know that ones that you just cut out and sew together. It is a really kewl re-useable shopping bag. *sorry I just realized that this is a rant post* Since I am still very new to this whole sewing thing I thought that this would give me great practice. I sewed wonderfully straight 1/2" seams. Then I realize that the material is crooked.... not my fault but the pattern on the material is crooked and now it is bunched up. I had my mom look at it and even she said it was my fault.... I was ready with the seam puller.... but she said no worries. Once the bag is together I will post pictures!

I will post my fit as a farm hand tomorrow.

My monsters and I found an awesome site thanks to Annette over at The Ward House she was speaking about re-purposing and gave a video from an awesome site The ThreadBangers! We found a site that was making underware...... It is from CLAREBARE.COM. She is the kewlest! When I grow up I want to be able to sew like her!

Gotta Run.... Hobble.... Crawl..... LOL!
Yart

Healthy New Year

January has always been the month for doctors around here. And since we have already made a trip to the ER this year is no different. As you know mouthy has had to go to the pediatrician after her burn. She also has to go back to get her last set of vaccinations, before the end of the month. Teenage monster has an appointment with the orthopedic surgeon to see what he is going to do about the screws in her leg.... Can you believe that it has been just over 6 months since she broke her leg. I have my yearly exam that I have put off for the past couple of years..... Yes, I know better, but at least I'm going.

This month is no different for Grim either. I don't know if I have ever mentioned that Grim has heart issues. He has damage to the upper quadrant and he has a 30% build up of plaque in his arteries. The damage we aren't sure what caused it because he doesn't have high blood pressure and he isn't diabetic. That is all irrelevant really, the damage is done and now we have to deal with it. Since we found out about the damage we have been seeing a cardiologist. The last time we went to see him, he basically said that you need to do this and this or die. The this and this was take this high dose of a cholesterol med (they make Grim sick) and go vegetarian. Neither was an option, so we have found a new doctor for Grim. We went to see him yesterday. He wants Grim to go for tests so that he has a make current evaluation. He took the time to talk to us and answer all of our questions. Grim had blood work done yesterday and has to go today for an echo cardiogram. He will also be going for a sleep study, nuclear stress test and a weight loss program. I really like this doctor, he at least seems concerned about the same things that we are concerned about. And he was cool with the vitamins that I have gotten Grim to take. As a matter of fact he was like I would have told him to take the vitamins if he wasn't already on them..... Yeah! Another plus is this doctor is right out of the hospital that is in town.

Now that he will be all taken care of I will be making an appointment with the foot doctor. My ankle is still no better. But it really isn't like I can kick my feet up all day and heal.... Or can I?!? Hmmmmm! LOL! I had to go around this time last year also. That was for a sprained big toe..... now isn't that the funniest thing.... I did it on the treadmill and that's how I think I did this injury as well.

Gotta Hobble,
Yart