Chatty

I guess I should go away more often. I come back just aching to type... LOL!

This summer has been a whirlwind of activities.

I didn't have time to sit and read one book.

But I did get started on yet another afghan.

Well sort of....

I cut up a bunch of old t-shirts and made my own yarn

Cause I have nothing better to do with me time.

LOL!

This yarn is now being turned into a rug for the camper.

Hoping it turns out. 

I may have to frog what I've already done, because I don't like how the end looks.

To tight.

Decisions, Decisions!

Hugs

Yart

Simply Blessed

With selling 31 this is the phrase that I have embroidered on all of my items. It is something that just resonates with me. I am Simply Blessed. The family that I was born to, the friends that have become family, the experiences both good and bad, have brought me to this place of being Simply Blessed.

Like I said in my last post. We just got home yesterday afternoon. We were gone for 7 nights and 8 days. I had internet but limited my time to it as we were spending some much need down time together as a family. Today, I was back at the grind. Picky monster need to go to the school to get everything in order for her Senior year. I had to switch appointments and make appointments for my MIL. I made a list of goals and broke them down into bite sized pieces. I had to go to the grocery to get a few things.

The aisles are long and at the end of the first one is the eggs and milk. There was an older couple in front of me. As I waited my turn at getting the eggs. The woman turned to me and said that I could get what I needed because they were getting a lot. They told me that they eat at least half a dozen eggs every day and that they needed to stock up when they go on sale. They told me a bit of their life story. To which I listened and she told me that when things look down that she just reminds herself that she is blessed. To this I showed her my bag and said that more people needed to remember the blessings in life. We said our good byes. I don't think I would have ever given them another thought much less written about them on my blog. But they came in at a time that I didn't think much about my blessings, just my challenges.

Once dinner was done and my first blog post of the day was done, it was time to read up on my favorite blogs. This is where my blessings come into play. I read the title of one of my fellow blogger. It says with an aching heart..... My first thought is that she and her family were giving up on the homesteading way of life. Which tends to happen to the best at times. But what I found when I read the blog had me in tears. A fellow blogger SciFiChick of Bacon and Eggs passed away last week.

Now I never got the chance to meet with her and her husband Mars. But for years I have read her story, her hopes and dreams. Her successes and failures. It is always sad to hear of someone you know but don't really know, passing away. She touched so many lives, and got so many of us on the path.

I found this quote earlier today. I don't know if she wanted to inspire, but she did. We are better off having had the opportunity to see the world she chose to share!

Again I say that I'm Simply Blessed with the events that unfold in my life.

Yart

Feeling Elated

We have just come home from taking our oldest monster to school for her Sophomore year at university!!! But that's not why I'm happy.... LOL!

Grim and I were able to speak to the township executive. She was super nice and was able to help us out with all of our questions. She told us that the well head protection area was set up back in 1994 when the county came in and capped all the wells in town. So that has nothing to do with us. The next question was should we get our well tested... She said that she has been drinking from these artisan wells for her whole life. But if we wanted we could have it tested... Nope, not gonna happen.... Just saved us a ton right there. Then she told us a bunch of other stuff that is going to make our lives so much easier when it comes time to build.

Grim and I were able to rent a brush hog while we were there this time. We would have gotten more done but our stamina just didn't hold out. In 5 hours we got a ton done. If only we would have been able to do this while our oldest was with us or even my brother... He was already there when we got into town on Sunday and he stayed with us Sunday night!

While we were there we decided to layout where the house will be. Remember its suppose to be 16 x 20. Good thing we tried to stake it our first.... Cause we have now come to the conclusion that we need to double the size of the house. So it will now be 16 x 40. The loft space will be attached in the middle. So we will have one big room or two decent sized ones... Not sure yet on that.

Grim and I plan on taking another trip in November to cut the trees with the orange paint. They are either diseased, dying or in the way ( only 2 are in the way ).

We are going to try and get the Barn floor done. Once that's done we can make some head way with the electricity next spring. Sorry I didn't think to take pictures of the inside of the barn but it is 24 x 24. The monsters and I did measure it.

Come Spring we have a ton more work to do. The orchard needs to be cleared. It is 50 x 150. Now that's been measured I can get down to the placement of the trees that I want to order. On the list right now is Walnut, Mulberry, Paw Paw, Pear, Apple, Apricot, Peach, Plum and Almond. I already have the Almond. As long as it survives the winter down here that is! :o) 16 trees total!

Well, that's about it for now... Need to go and make some money to pay for these dreams!

Hugs,

Yart

Possible New Home

Grim and I have been looking around like crazy, talking to builders and scratching our heads.

Money is tight, but when isn't it.

I came across plans for 16 x 20. They have multiple sizes to choose from.

I purchased it for $9.95 through paypal. 

Its the Pioneer Cabin.

Then I became an affiliate. If you want an affordable, small home this is worth looking into.

When we are in our county in a couple weeks, we will be asking if this is something that fits in with the building codes for the area. Keeping fingers crossed that this will work. Its in our budget and the perfect size as the monsters are getting bigger and moving out!

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

Views

This is the view from my bed in the camper. We set it up this past weekend.  Grim wanted to flush the water system. Good thing he did as the hot water heater didn't make it through the winter. Once the whole system was filled, the pump was turned on. We ended up with water all over the inside of the camper. So I won't have running water this summer. I'm alright with this.

I was able to get a lot of it organized. I still have more I can do but that can wait. I did get dry goods into canning jars. Pasta, sugar, puddings,  jello, Kool aid, tea & coffee.

Can't wait to take her out!

Soon I should have pictures of the new camper that has recently fallen into my life.

Yart

Weeds

You know they say weeds are just plants that grow where they're not wanted. This was the case this morning. I went out to do some weeding and I stumbled across lemon balm growing amongst my hostas. So what was I to do... I plucked it up and now have it drying on the table. No point in letting it go to waste. Gotta love volunteer plants!