The start of something exciting

Can you guess what this is going to be?







Can you say CHICKEN COOP?

A sad day

Well, here goes.

I haven't mentioned it but I've finally been getting really close to getting those chickens. I've gotten my husband on board and my Uncle was determined to get me some chicks. So, on April 7th he got some fertilized Barred Rock eggs and stuck them in an incubator. He's been very dedicated to turning them a few times a day. Today I asked how things were going and I got an e-mail back stating there had been a power outage on Tuesday for three hours and the incubator had gotten down below 70 degrees for about ten minutes. He kept turning them hoping they would be alright. But this morning when he went to turn them they were starting to smell. I almost cried when I read the email. So, now we've got to start over. It's a sad, sad day here. *sniff*

The beginning of something special

Mmmm, most of these are my tomato plants. This is a first for me so I'm holding my breath to see if it actually works.

I didn't have a light I could move up and down so I'm moving the plants down as I need too. Don't you just love my fancy set up. LOL

Braggin' It Up

My first pair of handknit socks. I'm so proud of myself!

I want some

I love these, I want some. I wonder if they are comfortable?

A taste of summer

My love and I just got back from a trip to Florida, may I just say oh my. Most days it was in the lower to mid 80's. It was beautiful and warm. We ate fresh seafood and ate outside for almost every meal. It was wonderful.

This tree was beautiful, if we had been here a week or two before it probably would have been covered in these huge red blossoms.

One of the many sunsets we saw.

Us our last day there.

Vacation

My DH and I are getting ready to go on a little trip. Someplace really warm. I can hardly wait, especially since it snowed yesterday. No real accumulation but, still it just sucked. I'm so looking forward to just hanging out all day, knitting, reading, sunning just a little, I'm a fair skinned redhead, I've got to be careful in the sun. So, I'll be thinking of all of you and sending warm weather thoughts your way in hopes that it will be above 50.

A touch of Spring

I would have to say that my favorite flowers are Gerbera Daisies but, these orange tulips are making me smile everyday. Here's something else to make you smile there's a contest over at Happy Handwork. She's giving away some yummy yarn so, go check it out even if you're not into yarn go check it out, you can always give the yarn to someone you love, hint, hint, nudge, nudge! Happy Spring.

Get Well Soon

Just a quick note, anyone reading could you please send healing thoughts and prayers to frugalmom. She's quite ill with a flu type virus and could use the positive thoughts and prayers. Thanks everyone.

My God

I don't talk about my faith or my belief system much. But it is a big part of me an I will be sharing more of it from here on out. I stumbled on to this video a while back, before the darkness came. I went looking for it again today. What I saw was me over the last year struggling against something and crying out to God. It was so powerful for me. I hope it touches you, as well.

Self-care

That's what I've been concentrating on lately. Not actually putting it into practice, so much as, figuring out how to do it. My counselor and I have been discussing it. It's what she suspicions is behind the depression. So, my homework was to make a list of ten things that I could do, that would be "self-care" for me. It was hard for me to come up with ten things but I did and here it is.

1. Exercise- I know that I feel so much better when I get into a routine of this-I just need to do it

2. Read a book- Sounds simple, right? But for me just taking that time for myself is hard

3. Take a knitting class- this is tough because I have to go out of town to take one and I have to come up with the money to take it

4. Piano Lessons- this one I really want, because it is absolutely just for me. So, we are trying to figure out if we can swing it within our budget

5. Manicure/Pedicure- I've not actually had either before but it seems very indulgent to me
6. Massages- I love these

7. Raise Chickens-This one is tough on two levels, first I have to get everyone on board with me, i.e. Husband. Second it costs money!

8. Crafting- I love to craft-knitting, stamping, making cards, sewing, beading. Love, love, love it.

9. Knitting for me-I hesitate to knit things for myself. I tend to knit for others

10. Buy fresh flowers regularly-Especially in the winter months

The hardest part of this is that I'm supposed to do these things even when I feel like I'm not doing my stuff around the house. So, what do you do for Self-care? And how do you feel about doing those things if you aren't fulfilling your other responsibilities?

Aahh, I can breath again

Thank the Lord I am feeling much, much better. I feel like myself again. That dark cloud seems to have vanished. After so long of it being here I kind of catch myself looking for it. But I feel free now. I can tell everyday things are better. Just little things I catch myself doing that I haven't done for so long. So, for me meds aren't the answer. At least not this time. Counseling instead. I'm a talker, go figure. So, maybe now I'll be more active posting? Maybe.......maybe not. LOL

Healing

So, I went to the Dr. for this crazyness, tried some meds and once again(I've tried anti-depressants in the past and not been able to take them successfully)have not been able to take what was prescribed without feeling horrible. So, I went to church on Sunday, I didn't want to go but went anyway. And guess what, the sermon was great and so was communion and it was like God whispered in my pastor's ear and said this one needs to be for Mindy today!

I feel so much better. The whole time I've been going through this I've been praying for help but not letting go, not handing it over to him. Some how thinking that I could fix it, even though it was obvious that I couldn't. So, now I'm walking in faith that everyday is going to be better. And so far so good.

Where oh where have I been?

It's been over two months since my last post. I just haven't had that much to say. I've been fighting that blue monster again. I'm trying to break free of it. Maybe soon?

And the winners are......

Michelle at Heart of the Prairie won the Meditations for New Mothers book and Teddy bear.

Laura at Laura Williams' Musings won the Preschoolers busy book and Mr. Teddy.

Erin at Just Some of My Scrap won the Great Craft book.

Eden at Once Upon A Dream won the knitting book.

Congrats to all. This was the first giveaway I have ever done. It was fun, once I figured out the most efficient way to draw names.

Halloween '07

My Boys- A hobo and a Nascar Driver
Baby Bunny Boo
My Crazy Nephews- An exectioner and an Evil Wizard
Baby Ladybug Sophie

Handmade Inspiration

Here's a nifty site. Lots of inspiration for holiday gifts here.

I wan it I wan it I wan it

K, this is my second go round of trying to win one of these babies. Go check it out there's only two days left.

Fall Y'all

It's finally fall here in the Midwest and I thought I would join in a giveaway that's goin' on. So, here's how it works: If you live in the lower 48 and would like to win something please leave me a comment before 10pm CST on November 2nd. Please state in your comment if you want entered in all 4 drawings or which ones you are interested in. All items are new. Good Luck!

Here's what I'm giving away:

1-a new Meditations for New Mothers book with a nice cozy bear for baby

2- The Preschoolers Busy Book with a great Mr. Teddy

3-Great Stuff craft book

4- Knit Ponchos Wraps & Scarves book

Almost 3 months!

Me and Sophie, she's almost three months now. She's lovely.

BOO!

He's here, Benjamin Oliver born October 18th. He's a sweetie. Congrats to my sis and her hubby.

Bring on the fall!

I'm lovin' the cool mornings. I am ready for the days to be a little cooler too. Maybe next week.

With the trees changing their colors and losing some of their leaves it's got me yearnin' for a change on my top as well. So, tomorrow I'm going to get a cut and color (and a wax of the ol brows and facial hair) Here's what I'm taking in for her to do:

Not quite this short. I've been letting it grow ya know. So a little longer version of this. Lots of choppy layers and great color to accentuate those layers. I think it will be a great autumn change. If it goes well I'll post a pic of myself with the new do.

I don't know if I'm brave enough to do a before and after.

Now if there was just some way to make my face and body look that young and tone with out breaking the bank. Oh and with out scary surgery. Yuck!

Laugh Out Loud

Answers given by 2nd grade school children to the following questions:



Why did God make Mothers?

1. She's the only one who knows where the scotch tape is.

2. Mostly to clean the house.

3. To help us out of there when we were getting born.



How did God make Mothers?

1. He used dirt, just like for the rest of us.

2. Magic plus super powers and a lot of stirring.

3. God made my Mom just the same like he made me. He just used bigger parts.



What ingredients are Mothers made of ?

1. God makes mothers out of clouds and angel hair and everything nicein the world and one dab of mean.

2. They had to get their start from men's bones. Then they mostly use string, I think.



Why did God give you your Mother & not some other Mom?

1. We're related.

2. God knew she likes me a lot more than other people's moms like me.



What kind of little girl was your Mom?

1. My Mom has always been my Mom and none of that other stuff.

2. I don't know because I wasn't there, but my guess would be pretty bossy.

3. They say she used to be nice.



What did Mom need to know about Dad before she married him?

1. His last name.

2. She had to know his background. Like is he a crook? Does he get drunk on beer?

3. Does he make at least $800 a year? Did he say NO to drugs and YES to chores?



Why did your Mom marry your Dad?

1. My Dad makes the best spaghetti in the world. And my Mom eats a lot.

2. She got too old to do anything else with him.

3. My Grandma says that Mom didn't have her thinking cap on.



Who's the boss at your house?

1. Mom doesn't want to be boss, but she has to because Dad's such a goof ball.

2. Mom. You can tell by room inspection. She sees the stuff under the bed.

3. I guess Mom is, but only because she has a lot more to do than Dad.



What's the difference between Moms & Dads?

1 . Moms work at work and work at home & Dads just go to work at work.

2. Moms know how to talk to teachers without scaring them.

3. Dads are taller & stronger, but Moms have all the real power, cause that's who you got to ask if you want to sleep over at your friend's house.

4. Moms have magic, they make you feel better without medicine.



What does your Mom do in her spare time?

1. Mothers don't do spare time.

2. To hear her tell it, she pays bills all day long.



What would it take to make your Mom perfect?

1. On the inside she's already perfect. Outside, I think some kind of plastic surgery.

2. Diet. You know, her hair. I'd diet, maybe blue.



If you could change one thing about your Mom, what would it be?

1. She has this weird thing about me keeping my room clean. I'd get rid of that.

2. I'd make my Mom smarter. Then she would know it was my sister who did it and not me.

3. I would like for her to get rid of those invisible eyes on the back of her head.

She's so precious

We got to babysit for the first time the other night. She is such a sweetie. She's still having a hard time taking a bottle. She would much rather snuggle up to her mom and eat.

My boys could eat her up. I have to tell 'em to back off and let her breath.

Check it out

My oldest has decided he wants his own blog. So, we've been working on it. Go check it out!

House Guests?

My boys have spent the last several weeks catching, playing with and then releasing lizards. They have now somehow convinced us to allow them to keep some in an aquarium in the house. I'm still not sure why I caved on this one. I just made it very clear that if they got out that would be it. No more lizards in the house. The scary part is they are pretty sure they have a male and a female. I'm hoping there's no lizard lovin' goin' on after midnight. They have named them Elvis and Priscilla.

Brown and Blue Swap Swag

There was chai, one of my favs, chapstick, a spatula, a couple of towels, a great chicken magnet and see that little brown box? It had(notice it's past tense) some wonderful chocolate covered toffee confection in it. Super yummy! Thanks goes out to my swap buddy Stephanie.

Do you think he's smitten?

More, More, More

Finally, a name!

Miss Sophia Danielle Pearcy is officially on her way home.

Sorry, no new pics. I forgot my camera today. I'm a bad aunt. ;0(

Another Picture

Still no name!

Taaa- Daaa

Still no name. But she's just precious and I love her no matter what her name ends up being.

Happy Birthday

We have a new niece. My baby brother and his girlfriend had their baby girl this morning. I will take pictures after much holding. And post them as soon as I get back.

Recent thrift finds

I found these about a week ago. I love them. $4.



I found this today while thrifting with frugalmom. I love it. Even if it is huge! $6.

Blackberry Results

So, I went with the cobbler. It's yummy! I also made jam, mostly seedless.

Here's my favorite way to eat it though.

MMMM Berries

The boys and I spent about an hour outside picking blackberries. We have wild blackberries all along our tree line. Now I just have to figure out what to do with them. Hmm, blackberry cobbler, blackberry jam, hmmm, I just don't know. Any suggestions?

Drinking Water

Have you ever thought about your drinking water? Well, if not take a look at these pictures. These are the filters for our reverse osmosis water filtration system. Can you tell which ones are the new filters?

Filter 1


Filter 2


Filter 3

Our system is a five step filter system. As you can see filter 1 and 2 our just plain gross. The filters are somewhere between a year and a half and two years.

All that brown stuff is what's pulled out of our water on a daily basis. Think about that the next time you turn on your faucet for a little tap water.

Check This Out!

My friend gnightgirl is putting a call out to everyone she knows and everyone they know to help her soldier son in Irag. She's not asking for much. It's an easy way to help.

Please go take a look Toys for Troops.

One of my favorite summer things

Cucumbers in Sour Cream

Thinly slice 1 large cucumber; sprinkle with 1 teaspoon of salt. Let stand 30 minutes. Then drain off the accumulated water.

Combine:

1/2 c. sour cream

1 Tbls. vinegar

1 to 2 drops of hot sauce

2 Tbls. chives, chopped

1 Tbls. grated onion or dried chopped onion

Dash of pepper

Pour over cucumbers and refrigerate 30 minutes.

The only thing wrong with this recipe is it takes too long. I want them now!

For a friend

This is my June post. So, there Frugalmom!

I love May