What people say about me

I'm not sure about all this but...here it is...In my "Rural Lite" class, this is what they say about me.

There is no way

that I can do it all!

Felt and a little elf costume got me to thinking.  Thinking about some adorable little things to make and maybe even sell.  But there is no time.  No time at all.  What to do?!  Start now!  If I start now, I will (maybe) ready for next year.  Would that just be awesome if I were actually ready for next year?!  Yeah!

Ok - here is what I'm thinking...
My youngest son loves crafts.  He wants to learn everything that I know how to do.  Knit, crochet, sew, stitch, glue or whatever else there is to do with crafts.  By the way - I don't glue very much at all.
So...I found these links and I am gathering my things and getting ready for next year and here they are...
Felt -o-rama
Felt Mitten and Ice Skate Ornament
Peppermint Swirl Ornament
Felt Christmas Ornaments
Christmas Owl Ornament
Felt Christmas Ornament
Wintertime Felt Ornaments
Embroidered Felt Ornament
Peppermint Candy Stars
Cute Elf Shoes
Partridge Ornament
15 Felt Ornaments to make
Ginger Bread family and a Guinea Pig
Felt Birdcage Ornament
Felt Ice Skates
Jingle Mouse Ornament
Peppermint Bark
Candy Cane Mice
Make a Snow Globe

I think you may have an idea now as to why I can't do it all.

Lazy me

I know somebody somewhere thinks I sit around watching soap operas all day and that I never get anything done.  Well you know what? They are wrong.  Some days I never get anything done but it isn't because I sit around watching soap operas.  So...here is a little bit of what I do...
These things are not in order of how they were done.  Sometimes in a world of chaos, we just take things as they come, order or no order.

We moved a chicken house. 

I crocheted a few (at least 75) flowers for a wonderful person.

We found a corn snake and put him in a safer place.

I finally learned how to make a "tooth brush" rug.

I found a sunbeam in my yard.

We hiked 3.2 miles and swung on a vine.

We saw a Fox Squirrel on a post.

The dog even helped roll the kids around in the barrel.

We rolled our kids around in a barrel.

We stuffed a kid in a barrel.

Almost 50 pounds of sweet potatoes.

Me and the boys dug some sweet potatoes.

The SWAT bus I drove in the memorial day parade.

I bought the piece to fix the toilet.  I was going to fix it but

 my husband beat me to it.

 

The tiny screen from the cold water for the washing machine.

This is what came out of the screen.

This is what it should look like.  No sediments clogging it up.

I fixed the washing machine while Superman was out of town.  This was to fix the agitator.

Elf Yourself

Tomorrow is our Christmas party at church and...they want us in costume "if possible".
"If possible"?  Well of course it's possible.  I just had to think and think and think some more...Until, I finally found this website

and here is what I did...How to make an elf or Peter Pan costume

and here is a picture of me wearing it.  Ok - I look like the elf that ate one too many cookies.  

Sometimes I am a Dingbat

According to Urban Dictionary a Dingbat is...
A weird thing, person or situation, a person considered stupid or foolish.
A set of fonts showing pictures instead of letters.
Someone who attempts to provide a definition of the word "Dingbat" and misspells the word "retarded" in his or her definition.
A term used to describe a person (often a woman) who does not think before acting and most times acts on pure impulse.
Yes there are a few others there too, but...we need to recognize other websites.

According to Wikipedia a Dingbat is...
An ornament, character or spacer used in typesetting, sometimes more formally known as a "printer's ornament" or "printer's character".

And, last but not least...
Merriam Webster says that a Dingbat is...
a typographical symbol or ornament (as *, ¶, or X) nitwit or kook

I drove all the way to Gainesville today to buy Almond milk.  Not just any Almond milk.  It had to be Silk Almond Milk (unsweetened).  I choose Gainesville because I needed some Whey Protein too.  So...I gather up my money and my coupons.  Get it - coupons.  I bet you have guessed it by now.  LOL  I stopped at the first Publix along the way and discovered that they did NOT have what I needed or wanted.  Grrr....now I have to drive more into the city.  Did I say Grrr....!  So through traffic.  Ok, not just traffic, it was Gator game day traffic.  Yeah!  I check out happily with my Unsweetened Silk Almond milk and head home.  Secretly there is a half gallon of Publix Pumpkin Pie ice cream in the cooler too.  Shhh....  I finally get home and empty my pockets and find....Yes, Dingbat me, finds the coupons for the milk in my pocket.  Have I said Grrrr....yet?!

I think my "best friend", Webster, figured me out again!

Simpler

Odd looking word.  Simpler - just came to me today when I was trying to explain what my blog is about.  I tried to sum up the blog in, well, should I say one word.  I guess I did it.  Anyway...

simplercomparative of sim·ple (Adjective)

Adjective:

Easily understood or done; presenting no difficulty. Plain, basic, or uncomplicated in form, nature, or design; without much decoration or ornamentation

I think I did it.

Halloween

Do you celebrate Halloween? As a kid growing up, we dressed up and went door to door and called it "Trick or Treating". We never, ever did any tricking. Hmmm....must not of been allowed. As I grew older, I "Trick or Treated" a lot less. Now that I have kids, I certainly have mixed emotions about "Trick or Treating".

How about this...

Do you celebrate Fall Harvest? Our church does have a Fall Harvest and it is just that. We celebrate, Jesus and fellowship and the harvesting for preparation of the approaching winter.

Regardless of what you call it, there is a history behind it all.

Here is something taken from History.com...

"Halloween has long been a favorite holiday, a day for trick-or-treating, parties, costumes and candy. Where did these Halloween traditions come from, and what was their original purpose? The one-hour documentary The Real Story of Halloween uncovers the true history of the holiday, from its sacred roots to today's secular celebrations of hidden identity and marvelous masquerade. The special explores Halloween's origins, tracing it back to the Samhain festivals of the ancient Celts, when communities would gather around November 1 to mark the end of summer. This was also the time of year when the spirits of those who had died were thought to return to visit their homes. As a result, ghosts and fairies became associated with these observances, including the Roman festivals of Feralia."

Whatever you call it or however you celebrate it, remember to keep it safe for everyone!

Monday is over

I am so extremely GLAD that Monday is over. So today...I'm having a Tuesday. Kinda makes ya wonder what having a Wednesday is like. Guess I'll find out tomorrow.

Yesterday was "Meatless Monday" and today I tried something really out there. I gotta ask...Am I turning into a hippy? A few of my friends are starting to call me that.

Today I tried "cauliflower rice". Yes, you silly thing, you read it right. One (1) cup of rice is 170 calories and one (1) cup of cauliflower is only......drum roll.....30 calories. Can you grasp that?! So... that means that I can enjoy other things too.

Here is a video that I found on how to make it ("cauliflower rice"). Oh it was so YUMMY!

I saw a video for "cauliflower pizza dough". Yeppers, that's next.

I'm having a Monday

It has been a long, long time since I have had a Monday. Well...after today, I cannot say that anymore. So...today, I'm having a Monday!
That's how my day started out anyway. The barn was a WRECK and I mean a genuine WRECK. My youngest child is responsible for feeding the horses right now and gosh, I guess that's all he does out there. What ever happened to cleaning up behind oneself? What ever happened to having a "safe" work place? What ever happened to learning from older siblings? Blah...Blah...Blah!!!

I had to call Superman and ask him if he could come home and help me "un-hang" a roll of hay. My youngest had somehow, someway, managed to roll a HUGE roll (not bale) of hay and get it hung on a shelf that is in the barn. So...my wonderful husband aka Superman came home from work, changed clothes, wrestled a roll of hay, changed back into his uniform and returned to work as if nothing happened.

Now my Monday is much better!

Fall is in the air

Oh the beautiful scent of fall in the air! The cooler air as you open the door, the smell of of fall. Today was our local peanut festival and as usual, it was very crowded. Lots to see, friends to reminisce with, people smiling and taking in the "grilled peanut butter and jelly sandwiches". I walked, reminisced but I did not eat the "grilled peanut butter and jelly sandwiches". It was nice to just walk around and not have to make any decisions on which vendors to buy something from. Ha ha....I left my money at home.

And with that, I will close with this...
Heavy on my heart is a sister in Christ who recently suffered a horrific loss in her life.

When you are sorrowful look again in your heart, and you shall see that in truth you are weeping for that which has been your delight. ~Kahlil Gibran

My eldest child

I'm gonna try to catch you up to date on my eldest child. Hmmm...rolling eyes around while brain searches for 411.

William is my eldest child and (if you've been keeping up) you know that all three of our boys are adopted. And if you haven't been keeping up, now you know. William is now in Brunswick, GA at Job Corps. And I gotta tell ya, my dear husband has been catching it from his mom. Oh yeah! She has been giving him an ear full. Back to William. He was going to age out of school and he's at that age where mom and dad just aren't hip (cool) (down with it) (or whatever it's called nowadays) anymore. Hey you remember when you were 17 going on 40! William was and still is very excited about the Job Corps program. This is a good thing. He will either get his diploma or a GED and he will get job training for a career path that he chooses. And...get this...they pay him. For real! I think it is a great program. It wasn't easy to send him out into the world, so we figured an environment that is still controlled and monitored not only eases our minds but helps him to ease into the world.
Our calls to him have been uplifting and we can hear his excitement over the phone.
His one request is for us to please send him some toilet paper, striking paper, toilet tissue or what ever you wanna call it. It's the stuff you clean your bottom with. He says that people still it from the bathrooms.
I know...I'm as clueless as you are.

I Love Yarn Day

Simply amazing! Yes, you read it right...I Love Yarn Day. Who woulda thunkit!
And before I get side tracked and forget what I was talking about...October 14th is the official "I Love Yarn Day". How utterly cool is that!

Science

I think science is really cool but do I teach it...I try not to. Well, maybe that's not correct. We do birds and plants and critters and gardens and butterflies and insulin shots to cats and shots to horses and on and on. Do I teach science? Nope, not really! I just live it.
Now getting to my point.
I am in the process of checking our "Science in Motion" or "The Science Bus". And dig this...the buses name is Galileo. How cool is that! Well I am really excited about checking this bus and this science program out. I personally think it is going to be just awesome! But I promise to let you know as soon as I discover it for myself.
If you happen to beat me to it, please let me know.

Dolphin Tale

We L-O-V-E-D it! No joke! It was an awesome movie. Now...as with most things, there are pros and cons or good and bad things that are involved.

Pros: excellent movie, excellent people, excellent friends.
Cons: not enough people, I wore blue (as instructed) and no special matinee price.

Honestly - I don't mind the cons because the pros surely out weigh them.

If you get a chance to watch the movie, please do.

AND...

We are talking about a Road Trip to go see Winter!

Slackin on postin

I went a long time without posting. I actually thought about (ssshhhhh) not blogging anymore. I know, can you believe it? Not blog?! Who am I kidding?! Any way - I did do some "slackin on postin". I think I'm over that for a little bit. Once again my mind races with things to blog about. I want to tell you everything in our daily lives but I'm sure you would get as dizzy as me or then again, you may just get bored silly. Regardless, I'll do my very, very bestest to not make you dizzy or bore you.

I have several a whole bunch of pictures that I want to share. So...in the next couple of days, keep a look out for whats been happenin in my world.

What every happened to family movies?

Have you ever wondered what ever happened to family movies? I have wondered it many times. It always seems like there are plenty of movies with lots of skin or kissing or fighting or shooting or such. But never any really good movies that touch the heart and leave you feeling like God is present. A movie with true values and morals.
Don't forget to visit
Giveaway! Calling All Moms, Families, and Homeschooling Leaders to Help with Dolphin Tale! to read how this came about. Truly inspiring! With that said, check this out!

Homeschool Day Press Release

Homeschool Movie Club announces Homeschool Day
A designated event where homeschooling families and groups from around the country will gather at their local movie theater to support the release of a worthwhile, positive movie. Homeschool Movie Club founder, Sydney Taylor, says, “This is the opportunity for the homeschool community to unite and show Hollywood that homeschoolers are valuable customers that can impact ticket sales and the entertainment industry.”

The first Homeschool Day event will support the film Dolphin Tale and will take place on Friday, September 23 and will take place during the matinee screenings of the film. Taylor says, “We had the opportunity to see Dolphin Tale early and we found it to be an extraordinary clean family film. We’re very proud to designate Dolphin Tale as the first film to represent Homeschool Day.”

Starring Morgan Freeman, Harry Connick Jr., and Ashley Judd, Dolphin Tale is the inspiring true story of a dolphin named Winter and the people who banded together to save her life. Those interested in joining/attending Homeschool Day should register with the Homeschool Movie Club at http://www.homeschoolmovieclub.com

Homeschool Movie Club is a fun online community created to help homeschooling families discover new and old movies, media & curriculum to help augment their home education. Homeschool Movie Club offers discounts, givewaways, curriculum and special screenings for homeschoolers and their families. The mission of homeschool movie club is to create a community and resource that will help families find the right movies to use for their home education and enjoyment. To learn more, visit http://www.homeschoolmovieclub.com

Dole Bananas - Goin' Bananas Videos

You have got to go see this video! Really! There are actually several videos but one of them is about harvesting and packing Dole bananas. I was amazed. Go...Check it out!

Dole Bananas - Goin' Bananas Videos

Geocaching

Look at what we have started. We really enjoy Geocaching!

I have been wanting to do this like....F-O-R-E-V-E-R!

The boys and I use my "smart phone". Ha ha - All of my phones before must have been dumb.
Now I would like to get the boys a GPS but of course we all know about $$$ - yeah - money. I'll have to see what I can find. Now...I want to get some of my friends involved too. But first things first. I gotta get better at Geocaching!

Solar Shower

I think I mentioned that we were putting in a solar shower. Well here it is! We just finished it Monday, so it is still in it's testing faze. I am just so excited about it and I can't wait until a hot day of working outside to run over and jump in. I have kinda thrown around the idea of putting a water trough with it so that I could actually have a combo shower and bath. That idea is still in the planning stage. LOL

Toenail Fungus Day #1

I tried to tell you this was coming. If you have a weak stomach, you might want to turn back now. Just remember...I warned you.

I have had a toenail fungus for a while. Yes, even a couple of years. I have tried several things to get rid of it. And I still have it. Needless to say, the things I tried in the past didn't get rid of it. I have tried Vicks Vapor Rub, Vinegar and some prescription med. I kept reading about Tea Tree Oil and I thought to myself, I have tried everything else, why not that. I went into our local Holistic shop and I started talking to the lady and she recommended Lemongrass Oil. I bought some. She had both of the oils and they were both the same price, that leads me to believe that she wasn't just trying to push something on me.

Last night and today I tried to take a few pictures. I think my toe should now sign autographs because of all the photo shoots it had to be in. Finally, I think I have a couple of decent pictures. I have to use the term "decent" lightly when I am talking about this fungus. Why? Because it really is ugly! I mean gross, ugly! I will do my very, very best to get the pictures put on here tomorrow.

So...For day #1, I have taken pictures of my toe and toenail and I have put Lemongrass Oil on and under the toenail.

Stay tuned for updates.

A Giveaway!

I have a beautiful friend. Ok - a couple of them. But...This one in particular is having a giveaway on her blog. Really, I promise, I am not kiddin! Here...Go check it out!

I'm a JESUS CHICK

Yes, I'm gonna enter in the giveaway! Aren't you?!

Here is what I gotta do...

(1) First become a follower of my blog if you haven't already. Already done that!

(2) On your blog, promote this Giveaway in a post and on the same post (doing that now), give 3 random things about yourself.

(3) Give me the link to that post so I can see that you did post it and as soon as I see that you did, you will be entered in the Giveaway. I'm gettin to it!

3 random things about me...

1. I own property in 2 different states.
2. I am defiantly a country girl.
3. I love to play in the rain.

A little greener

Is it really possible for someone to "go green"? Well...if it is possible. Then that is what I am doing. I get so tired of gas prices. I get so tired of the excuses to raise the price of oil so the price of gas will go up (again). If a gnat farts over the gulf and creates the winds to change direction then the price of oil jumps. And...the price of gas is a reason for the price of everything else to skyrocket.
So...
I am a little greener!
A few months back a friend was showing me her homemade laundry soap. It smelled really nice! And I said to her, "I want the recipe". Yes, I have the recipe and guess what. You can have it too!
The recipe is from "The Family Homestead" and here is the direct link for the laundry soap.

Before the laundry soap, we were a little green. We saved recycled aluminum cans, grew a garden, traveled as little as possible, had home cooking, opened windows from time to time, pushed the thermostat up, had energy saving bulbs, compost some things and a few other things that I just can't remember right now. Hmm...must be old age, I mean kids. Ok - just forgetful.
Now...
We make our own laundry soap. Yes it is much, much cheaper (less expensive) than buying it in the stores. I cannot even imagine the amount of money that I have spent on laundry soap. I could have been saving that money all along. Rats!
Yes, we recycle, reduce and reuse.
I'm getting to it!
Yesterday I had a few errands to do in a little town not far from us. So...I drove to the town (7 miles) and I filled up the car with gas, then I drove to the library. Then me youngest son and I walked a few blocks to the Dollar General store and then to the post office. We took care of our business and then we walked back to the library. Usually we drive to all of the places. Not yesterday.
Today we did the same thing. It's really neat to me.
So I am a little greener and I like it.
ps...A solar shower is in the planning stage. And...How to treat a toenail fungus.

A phone call from a friend

Some things just seem to open our eyes when other things don't. I think it is because we try to put things and feelings into words and we just can't seem to find the right words. I think that is where a metaphor would come into play. Metaphors can certainly help us to understand things a little better. Therefore, opening our eyes. Kinda like this..."Life is like a box of chocolates". Yes most of us can remember and relate to that.

Yesterday, I was on the phone with a friend and she began telling me about her day. Kinda funny how I thought she was commentating one of my days. Yes, it sounded all too familiar. She went on to tell me about a little story that she read the other day. I just had to find it and share it with you. And here it is...

There's a Hole in my Sidewalk
by Portia Nelson

Chapter 1
I walk down the street.
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.
I fall in.
I am lost…
I am helpless.
It is not my fault.
It takes forever to find my way out.

Chapter 2
I walk down the same street.
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.
I pretend I don’t see it.
I fall in.
I can’t believe I am in the same place.
But it isn’t my fault.
It still takes a long time to get out.

Chapter 3
I walk down the same street.
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.
I see it there.
I still fall in…It’s a habit.
My eyes are open.
I know where I am.
It is my fault.
I get out immediately.

Chapter 4
I walk down the same street.
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.
I walk around it.

Chapter 5
I walk down another street.

Yeah! A break!

Nope it isn't my leg or anything like that. We actually took a break today. I met some of the home school group at the springs for a day of sun and fun. I had to leave and go to a meeting and some of the moms kept an eye out for the boys. Once my meeting was over, I picked up the other boys and took them to the springs. I love it when we can take a break like that. Just leave all the studies and responsibilities behind.
I love hanging out with the other moms!

Everyday

Some days I want to sit and tell you everything. Other days...well, mind your own business.
Do you ever have days like that? Com'on now, tell it like it is. You know you do too.
Ok...Here we go.

Today I sat in a "canning class". I actually learned a few things.
One very important thing that I learned is that the way my parents and grandparents used to can would kill us these day. Ok, maybe not would, but certainly could.
I learned that the USDA doesn't have a way to can yellow squash. Homemade canning I mean. Not store bought canning.
I learned that you need soft water to pickle the best pickles. Now get this. Hard water has lime in it and you gotta get it out of the water to pickle pickles cucumbers. And...you have to buy lime to use it in the pickle recipe. Hmmm....I think I'll be thinking on this one for a little while.
Speaking of canning.
I'm growing a garden again this year. I grow a small garden just about every year. Now that the boys are older and I seem to have a few more minutes during the day, I think I want a little bit bigger garden. My horses supply me with all the compost I can use with plenty left over for anyone interested in hauling some away. I will pick the first yellow squash tomorrow. There are tomatoes about the size of marbles. This year I planted running beans. It is so neat to watch the runners grow.
And speaking of runners, I'm gonna run right outta here for now. See you soon!

Something I'm doing

Created by MyFitnessPal - Free Weight Loss Tools

Today, I've been

Busy.
Yeah, that's a good word for today.
I did a little school with my youngest. I did a little sewing. I started making some tarn (t-shirt yarn). It's kinda my first. It isn't difficult at all. Just time consuming and it makes my thumb hurt. Guess I'm gonna need a rotary cutter. A little laundry, cooked supper, let the dog in, let the dog out, let the dog in again, let the dog out again. Yes, we do that - a lot.
Now that it's close to midnight, I think I'll call it a day.

Have you ever?

Wanted something but you just couldn't figure it out. "It" today is...Well, shoot. We haven't figured "it" out. Hahahahahahaha
I sometimes wonder where I go with my thoughts. It kinda seems like I run in place with them. But for some reason, I feel like I have ran around the circumference of the planet earth. That would make me think that running in place gets me nowhere fast.
Ok, these are my rambling thoughts for the day. Hey, are you asking me where are they? You just read them silly!
Now I gotta get outta here and get a few things done.
See ya!

Who woulda guessed?

I have been thinking about blogging again. I came here today and started playing around with the design and thought...I think I will start blogging again. I enjoyed it then and I will enjoy it again. Of course "it" is blogging in this case. Just wanted to make sure you understand. Remember, I live in a house with a bunch of teenagers.

And, besides that...I have a couple of friends that blog and I really want to stay in tune with their blogs.