Thursday, October 28, 2010

My First

Isn't it cute? It's my first tiny orchard. I ordered all dwarf trees because we don't have alot of space here that isn't all downhill. Our yard has one high corner and the rest just slopes all the way down to the creek. Anyway back to the little trees. I have 1 each of red delicious and golden delicious apples, 1 necterine, 1 peach, 1 sweet cherry, 1 pie cherry and 1 pear tree. I really wanted to grow our own fruit here and this seemed the best way for us right now. Not only did I learn lots about planting and care of the trees but I will also find out what grows best in out yard. I also got a tree for my Great Grandfather. This tree was special to us all because he used to tell us stories about a tree he and my Great Grandmother (deceased) had when they were newly married. It was called a Fruit Coctail(?) tree. He said they used to walk outside and pick 5 different kinds of fruit off of one tree. Well I was a total non-believer until I found one in the catalogue I chose my trees from. I can't wait until I see it give fruit!

Wednesday, October 27, 2010

More Sad News

This year has felt very long for us. This lovely couple (above) have recently passed away. My aunt died just after we had visited one day. She had been telling us about her legs going numb and that she would be going to the doctor soon if it did not stop by Sunday night but she simply stopped breathing and never woke up. Midget was very sad because she loved to spend the night over there. About 4-6 weeks later my uncle was in a car wreck and died as well. Now I'm not much for fate but this couple was together for many years and if it were me and my children were grown I think I would want to go with my wife. If there had been a choice I don't know what he would have chosen but they said that he did not suffer. Though it was very hard for my cousins to deal with both losses so close to each other and Midget sometimes remembers that things are different not when she spends the night with my cousins children I think it mostly gets to her when she sees pictures and things. She has coped very well with loss this year but the healing is not so quick for the older generation I'm sure.

Tuesday, October 26, 2010

Puppies!

I am still quite behind in my posting. We have almost resolved our $ woes so I get to use our computer again yay! Anyhow our dog D.O.G. had puppies and I kept one and then we had her "fixed". Then D.O.G.'s baby had 2 puppies and we had her "fixed" but they died and then one cold morning I went outside and found the new puppies mom dead out side our chainlink fence. This was at least a year ago and we have all moved on but when I asked Midget what I should post about tonight she chose the puppy picture. We had been wanting to keep a pup just for her because all the dogs are older than she is. I wanted a pet she could grow up with. I think this kind of friend is important to have because I hoped Midget would learn how to love and care for someone who could not tell her what they needed or wanted with words. There will be times in her life when she will need to know how to read a persons actions instead of their words.

Friday, October 22, 2010

Celebrations

It's Halloween soon and the parties have already begun. Yesterday at our favorite museum thay had a historic themed party and today the school had its trunk-or-treat party. It always seems to creep up a little sooner each year. Midget was going to be the witch (same as last year). I always try to buy her costumes a little big so she can use them for dress up all year long and since this year has been a bit hard a new costume is out of the question. But 3 days before the first party she tells me " I want to be Wednesday Addams" (from the movies). I guess it's my fault anyway because we had already started our family tradition of holiday movies. 2 weeks before a major holiday we begin watching a movie per night as long as it is somehow related to the holiday. Anyway with this new costume I was thrilled. Mostly because Midget knew who she wanted to be and decided this on her own. In previous years I always had to say "Oooh this one is pretty/scary/funny etc. and then she would nod or shake her head at me. Also I already had the right dress for this! Yay! All we needed was a shirt with a collar and we were done. On a side note I have chosen today to post because I had a little time and access to a computer hope to post again soon. Probably Monday afternoon.

Monday, October 18, 2010

Library

Well here I am at the library and I have figured this thing out I think. I still don't know how to check my e-mail and I can't get a picture off of my own computer from here but I can blog! If you've ever used a library computer you know that time is of the essence. Essence being 30 minute incriments and mine happens to be an afterschool visit so I cannot run over my time or I put someone else behind and so on and so on. For now I can say that it is hard being willingly without power during sunlight hours. We have decided to keep our power on because we have a well and the well pump needs power. However we are keeping all the lights off and not watching TV or anything except for 2 hours after dark falls. Perfect for movie time (just ask Midget). I may have to cut this post short because it took me a few minutes to get to this point and will take all the rest of my time to figure the E-mail thing out but next week I should be able to breach more subjects.

Saturday, October 16, 2010

Our Future

So now it is time to say goodbye but only for a while. I will be able to post ocasionally from my local library. Our (mine and Midgets) official library day is Mondays but I sometimes stop in at the end of the week as well. I don't know how it works but I'm going to try it out this Monday and see how it goes. If this doesn't work then it really will be goodbye for a while and since I've only just begun to catch-up and get into recent happenings that would be a real shame.

Thursday, October 14, 2010

Bad News

We just got some of the most discouraging news in ages today. My mother was in an accident 3 years ago. It was not her fault. Some Boy ran into her from behind (he didn't even try to stop) which smashed her into the car in front of her. She was injured, I would call it a serious injury, and had to have several parts popped back into place. She has nerve damage and crippling pain in her back+ribs, legs, neck and shoulders. She can no longer sit or stand for more than 20 minutes at a time nor lift. Walking is so hard that I have to push her in a wheelchair in the stores. 3 times she had been denied for disability and so we still have to fight for that. Now when we thought this case would all be settled we find out the boy is claiming that all these injuries cannot have been his fault and they are not going to pay the doctors bills. I can't even really allow myself to think about what this is going to do to our family. All these bills must be payed by someone not to mention that none of the injuries will ever get any better which means that more doctor bills are forthcoming well into the foreseeable future and beyond. Now add in that she is only in her mid fourties and you begin to see the new doctor bills for the depression all of us will be facing soon. Life around here is about to get so much harder. I may be disconnecting our home from telephone service soon as well as many other things that will have to go. Maybe we will find a windfall under some rock I haven't found yet. Maybe not. I will try to remain hopeful.

Pullets

They grew so fast. We almost didn't get their outside home finished before they were ready. This is one of the only pictures I could find of their first real coop. I must have misplaced an album somewhere because I was so proud of this coop design. It was never supposed to be a forever home but only until they were big enough to survive on the ground. Plus our dogs needed to get to know the girls so they wouldn't eat them!

Wednesday, October 13, 2010

My Style

I decorated this kitchen when I was about 17. It was the first house I lived in alone and I wanted it to be mine. In retrospect the colors are a little odd but I loved the colors together and I worked hard on all the stenciling. I also did my hutch in these colors but with white being the main color and the trim in green and the inside in purple. Well my Father just let it slip that when I moved out and he sold the house the new owners repainted right away! I know that not everyone likes the same things and that if I were painting it again now I would not choose that color scheme but it still hurt. Especially when I think of all the days I worked on that project (moving after all that was hard enough) but that they repainted so soon after I had finished. Plus the fact that daddy said he hated the room the whole time. I nearly cried! I have pictures of baby Midget in that room. Anyway I have almost gotten over it now and I probably would have repainted myself after a few years. Chat Later!

Tuesday, October 12, 2010

Intro's

Time to introduce myself. I am on the right. Not particularly thin or tall but me all the same. I've always liked the way black and white photos feel. Ancient and sort of delicate. I found a b&w disposable camera once at a CVS I think. I just had to buy it! Then of course we got our digital camera and I found out it did B&W too! I was thrilled.

Sunday, October 10, 2010

Fall Trip

Went on a road trip about an hour away to pick apples and on the way home we saw a sign for a pumpkin farm. We decided the we could use a stretch break. We fed the animals which included this cute Alpaca and some goats. Picked out some pumpkins and ran around taking pictures at the kids area. Our trip was beautiful with the trees beginning to change and the breeze flowing through the car.

Saturday, October 9, 2010

I Loves

I love this picture! I found it at the local thrift store. Its not even all about the subject either though I do love the periodness of it. Mostly its because it isn't some mass produced printed thing. This picture was created by the hand of the artist. That is pretty important to me. Someone made this, and now it's hanging on my livingroom wall. Here is something else I love, Reading Blogs. I have been passively seeking a little piece of land for my family. I don't know where I want to live yet but by reading farming blogs from all over the US I can see some of the goods and bads from someone elses experience and read of droughts and floods and everything in between. I have found this very helpful in narrowing down my dream farm of 5+ acres preferably more with a bit of forest. Right now I'm following several blogs and one of them is hosting an AWSOME giveaway. Jenna at Cold Antler Farm is giving away a drop spindle and some roving from her OWN sheep Maude. I am so excited!

Thursday, October 7, 2010

Down Boy

The police dogs are awesome! We learned about them, at the library, of course. The poor dog was so excited he could hardly sit still like he was supposed to (frozen on comand) but the children couldn't either so maybe they're squirminess was catchy. They all wanted to touch him of course(the dog not the cop) though they did want to feel the shiny badge. The officer explained the rules about getting to close or sneeking up on a police dog. I had mixed feelings about this visit because I know what the dogs are trained for and how fast things can go wrong but it was important for Midget to know how these dogs help and to meet a real polieceman. She has always known she is supposed to ask them for help but she was afraid of the police. I guess all strangers are scary but at least now she might find the courage to get help if she has to.

Wednesday, October 6, 2010

Sad News

Little Midgets Grandpa died. She didn't get to spend much time with him because he's been in the hospital/nursing home since shortly after she was born. We did visit but not as often as we should have. My only excuse is that it was over an hour from our house to his Home. Midget has never been good with long rides, she gets carsick. Grandpa gave her a music box for christmas just that year and she cried over it for a whole day almost. She still cries for grandpa sometimes and I just play the musicbox about 6 times, each time moving it about 3 feet away from her and by the time I get to the livingroom shes usually asleep. I guess it doesn't matter that they hardly got to see each other she loves him just because he was her grandpa.

Tuesday, October 5, 2010

The Library

We are not rich people and I don't buy many books but I do know all the Librarians' Names and so does Midget. We have a standing date for Mondays after school and check out so many books per week the Librarians have told me that it has helped the small town district stay open. Mostly I get childrens books and read a few every morning. I do love to get a little something for myself every week. We buy most of our books from the Library Sale in April every year. I save all year and spent about 100 dollars on books and movies. They sell all kinds of things including old records and we hit the jackpot when they phased out all the childrens books on tape (with the books) we spent almost all our sale money buying them all. Now we are reading one each day and then sending it to her school because once she can read it to me we don't need it anymore. Next time I'll try to put up a reading list of some of the things I'll be reading this winter.

Sunday, October 3, 2010

She's Good

Midget is learning how to aim and shoot a pellet gun. She's pretty good so far, hiting the cans and bottles 3 out of 5 times. Which I think is good considering she needs glasses for far away. Next we get to play with our bow and arrow set but that is after a few weeks of this kind of aiming. She's so excited to get to learn from our Eddie. He is the one who taught me to shoot as well.

Chores

Even little girls must take care of what belongs to them. Midget is good at keeping her room clean and tidy. With all her toys and books neatly arranged on her shelves. Me I'm not quite so tidy! I do know where everything is I just couldn't tell anyone how to get it. Something about being in the place where it should be reminds my hands to reach a certain drawer or shelf.

Saturday, October 2, 2010

Cheap Redo's

I wanted to redecorate my bedroom but I didnt have a lot of cash. Luckily I heard of a guy who had either collected or had leftover paint from jobs. He had so many colors it was hard to choose but I am a fan of the color green. Almost all greens. I had the guy mix 2 greens to get this color and I love it. I also looked in the already cut and rolled linoleum at Lowes and found this lovely floor with green hints. The art is from a yard sale there were two one was a morest/mountain oil painting, it's on the opposite wall. The last thing I bought was a few base board trim and some stain. All in all only about $175.oo was spent and I am pleased with it all.

Feathering Out

The chicks grew so mush faster than I thought they would. This was our first experience with chickens. I honestly cannot remember having ever seen a live chicken before I chose and ordered these chicks. Thats not something I want Midget to ever have to think. I want her to know where her food comes from and how to get it without a store. Just in case there is ever a time when she has to have this knowledge. I chose to keep only 6 of our 29 chicks. None of the keepers were roosters so I have already resigned myself to having to buy chicks from the feed store but at least my hens have lasted these 2 1/2 years and are still producing enough to have a dozen to give away every week. Little Midget enjoyed loving the chicks and letting them hop all over her legs but I had to keep the chicks safe so this picture was taken when both her and the chicks were small enough to fit in a storage container. I let her play with them like this until they started fly/hopping out then it was time for the outside coop to be built. I've designed 3 coops only the last as a permanent home. If I find pics I'll post them.

Posting Often To Catch Up

All those apples went to a good cause of course. Homemade Apple Jelly. My first sucess. I did try one set before this, a low sugar recipe, but it never setand was instead used for apple juice concentrate. Just open a small jar and add it to a jug. Then add 5 jars of cold water and stir well!
I gave away a few and we are currently eating the rest. We bought some cider. I had wanted to make our own but we decided I wasn't ready yet. About a third of the apples got eaten sliced or in a lunchbag. A third got made into apple sauce I even let midget take a few jars to school for snack time. The rest are jelly.

Family Trip

I've never been patient enough to homeschool but I do try to supplement Midget's education with frequent field trips. Lately the cheaper the trip the more likely we'll be able to go but once a year we go big ($300-400.00). This was a not so expensive trip to Coston Farm (costonfarm.com) to pick apples. Pick apples we did! LOTS! She got to see over a dozen different kinds of apples. I chose this trip to show her what I hoped our mini orchard would look like later but more about that later. They have a small store where they sell things they have made from there apples and some related knick-knacks. We pulled a wagon all around that orchard exploring the trees, bugs, and the texture of different fruits. We also stopped at whatever looked interesting on the way home so the day was full and happy.

I Found It!

Friday, October 1, 2010

Snake!

The dogs had an exciting day. Snakes come up from the creek on a semi-regular basis. Freaks me out of course. I'm not into snakes at all, in fact you could say I hate them. In the spring and summer they infest our creek and the surrounding area. They slither up the trees and hang there. Ocasionally drop unexpectedly right beside you while your clearing out the underbrush. Which is a definite ocasion for screams all around : ) .
The dogs nipped at this one until the killed it, then played tug-of-war three way with it. It was funny to watch after all the panicing was done with. To be fair though I do sometimes rescue the bigger snakes (so they wont eat my smaller dog) by curling the snake around a rakes tines and throwing it back into the creek.