Another Monday

Oh my!  It has been a week since I posted last.  Goodness, how time flies!  I'm becoming one of those unpredictable bloggers who only posts sporadically.
But... things have been busy here so I guess I've got a few reasons I haven't been blogging.  The boys and I were out of town all weekend at my parents house to see my oldest sister and brother in law who were visiting from Colorado.  We had a lovely weekend but I didn't get anything done at home- which puts me behind with all my tasks here.  V stayed home to tend animals and do some work at home.
Work has been busy.  Holidays are always rough times and this year is no exception.  Sometimes working in psychiatry has its drawbacks.  Most of the patients right now are really, really ill so it has made work a bit more stressful than usual.  sigh....
I've been getting some sewing done in the evenings. Justine's quilt is nearly finished and I've got plans for both boys- assuming I can get them finished in time for the holidays.  Justine will be home in 2 weeks so I really need to get cracking.  She has a new beau who will be coming to visit for a time between Christmas and New Years.  Hmmm... I haven't met him yet but he seems like a nice guy.
I'm still harvesting out of the greenhouse.  The weather has been somewhat of a roller coaster here.  Last week we had a day where we had a low of 12 and today it was near 70.  Go figure.  But even the really cold snap we've had didn't take out my greens.  Hurray!  We had lovely salads this evening with  lettuce, spinach and slivers of black radish from the greenhouse.  Yummy.  Egg production has been continuing low.  sigh...
I've been continuing to exercise regularly (yeah me!) but I'm at that awkward stage where I can feel my clothes are fitting more loosely but the number on the scale isn't really moving. grrr  But I'll keep at it.  July will be coming sooner than I think and I need to be ready to run.  It is going to be really hard to avoid all the holiday goodies around work but I'm working on my willpower.  We'll see how long that lasts when people start bringing in the fudge!

Now- I've gotta get going and see what else I can get done.  I've been wasting too much time online this evening.

Thankful

Yesterday was such a full day that I didn't have much computer time so I'm a day late with my Thankfulness.  But, since I try to find something everyday that I can be thankful I guess it doesn't matter too much.
We have so much to be thankful for here.  I have a happy, healthy family. We have a warm home, enough to eat and enough money left over to allow a few luxuries every now and then.
I'm thankful that my dear hubby and sons pitched in to clean the house on Wednesday while I was at work.  I15 did a grand job vacuuming!
I'm thankful that my baby girl, even though far away, was able to spend the holiday weekend with family out east.
I'm thankful that my parents are still with us and were able to come for dinner yesterday.  Mom baked the bread for the meal and brought pumpkin bars for dessert.
I'm thankful that my brother and sister-in-law came over for dinner- in spite of her pet allergies.  And they brought a fabulous butternut squash soup for the first course of dinner.
I'm thankful for good friends who consented to share the day with us.  Roger and Sharon (and Sharon's absolutely wonderful sweet potato pie) and Fred (who brought wine to share).
I'm thankful for lively conversation and many laughs.
I'm thankful that the cats decided that yesterday was NOT the day to decide to sleep on the dining room table!  And I'm thankful that the weather was nice enough yesterday (mid 60's!) that we could leave the dog outside during dinner and that he was well behaved!
I'm thankful that we have the means to provide a meal for our loved ones.
I'm thankful that I have a job that I love and wonderful co-workers.
I'm thankful that I am NOT shopping today!
And I'm thankful for all of you who come here to share our sometimes chaotic journey.


There is so much more,  but this is a good start.

Thursday thoughts

It has been a busy, busy week.  But now I'm off for a few days.  Things may be crazy around here so I may not be posting much.  My MIL was to arrive this afternoon but she had car trouble in Illinois and now won't arrive until tomorrow.  She was driving her brand new car (got it last week!) when the truck in front of her threw a piece of tire debris up and she was unable to avoid it.  Unfortunately, it hit the front of her car then rattled around underneath, ripping hoses and damaging the air conditioner and radiator.  At least she is OK!  She had to wait for 2 hours on the side of the interstate for the tow truck due to a mix up.  Evidently, it will take a week for her car to be fixed.  So, since I have tomorrow off, I may be driving to pick her up, or she may get a rental car to complete her journey as she wants to visit others out here while she is in the midwest.  She was tired and not in much of a mood to make that kind of decision when V talked to her this evening.
Of course, I'm not complaining that she is a day later- it gives me a bit more time to tidy up the house and clean the spare room for her.  And I've got tomatoes to can and plants to water and laundry to do and weeds to pull and......  you get the idea!
A few observations of the day- interestingly, the hybrid tomatoes I planted are the ones having the most trouble with blossom end rot.    I planted two hybrids (a beefsteak and a paste tomato) because in the garden rotation I'm back to the end where we had blight really bad three years ago.  But, of the Big Mama paste tomatoes- probably over 80% are unusable due to really bad blossom end rot. The beefsteaks are a bit better but almost all the heirloom varieties are much, much better (except the Amish paste which are struggling).  Hmm, makes me wonder if the heirlooms are better suited to these adverse conditions.  The Black Sea Man and Amana Orange tomatoes are going gangbusters.  I got one Amana Orange that weighed in at 24.5 ounces (just over a pound and a half!) Not bad for scorching, dry conditions.
We continue without rain.  Nothing new there.  This week our county was one of many more declared a disaster area due to the drought.  Not that it surprises me.  Our neighbor's corn is barely taller than the fence and already turning yellow.  Trees are already turning and dropping leaves.  The grass is brown and crunchy. We've had trouble with numerous critters eating the ripening tomatoes- I think for the water content.  I've noticed, for the first time EVER, immature boxelder bugs eating tomatoes.  I've never seen that before.  We're keeping the old kiddie wading pool half filled with water for birds and wildlife.  It is common to see 20-30 birds out there at a time.  Of course, I think that has been helping with the insect population as I haven't noticed as many bad bugs as I had feared.
The honeydew vines were really curled and wilted this afternoon.  I'm not sure if they just needed watered of if there is some pest causing trouble.  I watered them well this evening and will check them in the morning to see how they look.  Of course, with no rain and high temps in the mid to upper 90's (we hit 100 on Tuesday again) I'm amazed that anything is still alive.  I've lost several of my fall seedlings already.  Even well watered and mulched, it has just been too much for them.
I don't think there is any relief in sight.  I can't believe that school for the boys starts in only two weeks. I can't imagine, if the weather doesn't break, how they can hold classes in some of these un- or poorly air conditioned buildings.  We'll see what happens when the time comes.
Now, gotta run throw some laundry in the wash and clean the spare room.  I've procrastinated enough!

Have you noticed...

... that the news lately has been really, really depressing.  I just want a little bit of good news.  A few tidbits of happiness and positive outlooks.
I'm not asking for much... just a day of positive news:  A day without people killing each other for stupid reasons; a day without hate, prejudice or war; a day where people don't feel that their political or religious beliefs give them the right to persecute others or tell others how to live their lives.  I just want a day (or even better a lifetime of days) where people respect and value each other as humans.  Oh, and where they respect and value the world around them, as well.
Is that really too much to wish for...  respect for everyone, regardless of age, gender, abilities, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, religious beliefs, nationality or the color of their skin?

And I guess while I'm wishing for the impossible, I'll wish for everyone to have access to affordable healthcare; healthful, affordable, real food; clean water; decent shelter and the means to support themselves with meaningful activities and/or work.

What do you wish for?

Wednesday wonderings

Many things have been on my mind today.  Work was quite busy again.  Hopefully tomorrow will slow down a bit.   But, in spite of all that, I've had time to wonder...
Will the recent solar flares do anything dramatic?
Will we be able to work out finances to send J17 to the school of her dreams without too much hardship on the rest of the family?
Will we be able to do the plumbing reroutes quickly and easily on Saturday? Or will we be without water for a while?
Is this the end of winter?  After the next few days, the extended forecast calls for low temperatures not even below freezing.
Will I be brave enough to plant some cool loving seeds in the garden this weekend?
Will I be able to finish that baby quilt this weekend with all the construction plans?
Will I escape the stomach bug that seems to be going around work?
Will V's sister be able to get the cabins reserved for our family vacation this summer (we're all sharing 2 cabins this summer)?
Will I find a chicken and cat sitter while we're gone? (the dog will go to his favorite vacation kennel for the week)
Will I need a chicken sitter for the weekend MY family is having a get together?
Will J17 finish the dishes tonight?
How can I save a few more dollars each month to help the budget?
How can I get V a bit more on board with disaster preparation? (Not "Doomsday Preppers" extreme but ready for bad weather, power outages, etc)
Will I be able to get some decent sleep tonight?  For some reason I haven't been sleeping well recently and I really need some good rest.

Other than this.  I've got nothing.  Not much going on here other than my busy brain.

Asset or liability?

Hmm...  I've been musing today while I quilted.  It was pretty mindless and made for an idle mind, ripe for wandering.  I mentioned last night that J17 and I watched a zombie marathon yesterday.  We watched the marathon of The Walking Dead leading up to the new episode.  I don't know how I have managed to miss this show before now.  I LOVE zombie/alien/end of the world movies and shows.  But, I don't generally watch all that much TV so I guess I just never stumbled onto it before now.
But, watching that got me started thinking....  Am I Zombie Ready?
Not in terms of prepping for TEOTWAWKI...  I've got lots of skills and knowledge- we've got some food stores and are working to become more self sufficient.  I mean... am I ready?  Physically?    I've got tons of skills for rebuilding society if needed, but would I survive long enough to be useful?  Would I be an asset or a liability in a true life or death struggle?  Crazy thinking, huh? Shows what happens when I've got an idle mind.
But, I'm nearer to 50 than I want to think about.  I'm overweight and out of shape.  I would never make it.

I've been needing to lose weight and get in shape for a while.  I work at it in fits and starts but never seem to stick with it for very long.  So.... I'm going to start again.  This time... I'm going to get Zombie Ready. LOL!  Maybe this will help me stick with it.

What do you think?  Do you think it will work?

Fortunate

V's oral surgery went well this morning and he is currently sleeping off his sedation.  Of course, the man is not to be trusted as initially he kept trying to get up and walk around on very wobbly legs, running into walls and furniture, so I've been sticking within close earshot to hear him if he wakes.  I'm hoping that he'll be much more steady on his feet when he wakes and I can go off and do other things.  I'm thankful that we could come in through the back door and get him deposited on the couch in the basement so we didn't have to negotiate any stairs.
While I've been waiting today, I've been doing some musing on how fortunate I am.
*I've got a job that I love and wonderful co-workers.
*We are doing well enough financially that I no longer HAVE to work full time (90% is close to full time but that extra day every other week is wonderful).
*We're by no means wealthy by this country's standards but we are comfortable and can afford a few luxuries every now and then.  By the world's standards, we are incredibly rich.  And, with some juggling and belt tightening, we'll be able to send J17 to college in the fall.
*We've been able to purchase our acreage and have been pursuing our (my) dream of a more self sufficient life. And again- we can afford to rehab our house and farm a little at a time.
*We are capable of many things and are willing to do work ourselves- which helps with the finances.
*The children are old enough to be mainly self sufficient, freeing me to pursue some leisure activities that were missing for a while.
*The children are also old enough to be quite useful when working on house or farm.
*We all have our health, unlike some of my blog friends who are facing health crises (I'm thinking especially of Lisa and Linda) with more grace and class than I could probably ever manage.
*My job is secure, unlike some who are facing uncertainty or who are out of work.
*My work provides excellent healthcare benefits so we don't have that worry.
*I've been fortunate to be married for 25 years to a man who is my best friend.  Oh, things weren't always great and we almost called it quits once but we have come back even stronger.
*My children are bright, creative, caring individuals and, even though they would deny it to your face, love each other fiercely.

Life isn't always bright and shiny but we're content.  Things haven't always been this great and I'm sure they're not always going to be this easy but for now... I'm feeling very fortunate.

Musings on women who do too much

It has been a trying week at work.  I've been struck by the number of women coming in who have reached their limit.  Why is it, that as women, we are so good at taking care of everyone and everything else but lousy at taking care of ourselves?
Oh, I know- I'm sometimes guilty as charged.  BUT...  I know I take on too much sometimes and make sure that many of the things I take on are things that I get pleasure out of.  Sadly, there are way too many people, women especially, who do everything for everyone else but nothing fun for themselves...

Like I said... it's been a rough week.  Thankfully, not rough for me personally but rough professionally.

Some things...

Some things you don't think about when you live your dream.  I heard some news today that made me sad.
Acoustic Farms, local makers of fabulous cheeses- and arguably the best cheese curds in the world- has gone out of business- a victim of their own success.  (you can listen to the interview on Iowa Public Radio HERE).  The dream of being micro cheese producers was so successful that they didn't have time for life anymore so they stopped.  How sad.  No more creamy, Jersey cheese curds with fresh tomatoes and basil in the summer...  sigh......

You just never know....

Hug your loved ones tight and let them know you love them.  You just never know.
Two disturbing deaths in our area in the past few days.  One we knew, one I've never met.
The one we've never met was a young man, 41, with three young children. He was the brother of the best friend of one of my coworkers.  He was killed in a farm accident on Wednesday evening.  Many people out there don't consider farming a dangerous occupation.  How wrong they are.
Also on Wednesday, the husband of one of my friends from church died suddenly.  I'm not sure of the circumstances, I'm guessing his heart but I'm not going to call her up and ask the details. He was only 50, the same age as V, and leaves behind his lovely wife Brenda and 4 children ages 7-12 ( if I remember right).  This was one of the guys V really liked talking to at church, we had borrowed power tools from them (they have a power post hole auger we used for the deck) and they have come over sledding on several occasions.
Just makes you think....  Life is so precious.  Make the most of every moment.
I didn't get as much accomplished today as I had wished.  I was a bit distracted.  I've got to go throw sheets over the tomatoes, we've got a frost advisory tonight and I've finally got a bunch of big green tomatoes on.

Knock me over with a feather!

My darling hubby still surprises me sometimes.  This morning was one of those.  As a background- we moved out into the country, in a large part, because I wanted to, and because he thought it would make me happy.  We went through a really rough period in our marriage a few years ago (before I started blogging) and I think he still worries that I'll leave him if I get unhappy again.  But enough of that...
This morning, before the children got up, V and I were talking over coffee.  We were discussing our weekend plans and of course, finances came up since V said he wanted to go pay off the Menard's bill this weekend (this has half of the cabinet/counter purchase on the charge card- the other half is on my MC).  He also informed me that there is some piece of electronic, sound processing equipment he wants to get (he does record some of his own music) that is $400.  OK.  So, if that's the case I guess he doesn't mind that I spent $100 on row covers and hoops for the garden....  so the conversation progressed and he said he wouldn't mind if I ordered a hoop house- um, yeah, I don't think he has a concept of how much one of those would cost....   Well, I mentioned that probably the only reason I would need a big hoop house was if we were going to go into market gardening.  He gave me an odd look so I asked him if he was planning to retire into market gardening and sell CSA shares.  He laughed and said "No, silly, we retire to market gardening and have the market here.  We could contract with other small producers as well. We've got a prime location on the highway and this area is developing fast.  We're much closer into town than many of the other small farms that market around here.  And we could own the web presence around here."

like I said.... knock me over with a feather.  Some kind of market gardening has always been a dream in the back of my head but I had no idea he was in on the idea as well...  I thought he wanted me to be happy but I have noticed that, even with all the work and chaos going on out here, he's having fun and coming up with all sorts of plans on his own...
And part of my plans to cut my work hours was to have more time to devote to the gardens.  Hmm, maybe he is on the same page??!!  

Hmmm, now I have to think......

RIP

Brian Jacques- 15 June 1939 to 5 February 2011
Your wonderful stories will live on but we shall miss additions to your universe.
You inspired us to read.
You kept us entertained on long travels.
Your lavish descriptions of food made my children want to eat turnips.
Your creative genius will be missed.

I'm still here

Just been busy.  Wrapping up the end of the year.  I guess I'll have to go over all of my goals for 2010 some time soon.  I know there are some I met and some I didn't, some that have been put on hold or altered in some way.  Maybe tomorrow or Friday.  I've got Friday off for the new year's holiday.
My other excuse for not posting here is that I've started a new blog. This one is closed to everyone for now but I may eventually open it to selected readers.  Right now it is sort of a personal log.  Let me explain....
I have spent the past few days feeling rather pathetic.  I know I'm overweight and out of shape. my blood pressure is up and I need to do something different with my life and health- I've known this for a while.  So, for Christmas, I asked, and V got me, an elliptical machine (AKA the torture device).  I was appalled at how out of shape I was and how hard it was for me to do even a few minutes. So, I have begun, in earnest to make some changes in my life, weight and health.  Hence the new blog to use as a record that I can go back to and see where I've been.  I will eventually need some cheerleaders (otherwise known as people to keep me accountable).  I've already found one.  C, a therapist who works for us occasionally when she is on break from her university teaching position, is also wanting to make some changes in her life.  So, last night we had a workout challenge.  We're hoping to keep it up even when she goes back to her real job.
So, this week I've been working, doing the usual household tasks and embarrassing myself with my 'out-of-shapeness'.
On a brighter note- the seed catalogues have been coming in fast and furious.  Too... many... choices... not... enough...time.....
And, after talking to my immediate supervisor, I have to write a proposal about wanting to go to 90%.  I have to detail how I see this working and the impact it will have on patient care.  I've got the option to do half a day every week or a full day every other week.  While time every week would be nice, I'm leaning to the every other week option simply because of travel time to and from work.  With the bus trips, I spend probably an hour and a half commuting every day.  And, I'm thinking that with a full day off, I would be more likely to be able to get larger projects accomplished.  Still, I would LOVE to go to 80% but I know that financially that would never work with as tenuous as V's work situation is.  Freelancing is definitely NOT that profitable- at least not when he's just establishing himself out there...  And, we have to remember that J16 will be a senior in high school next year and is beginning to look at colleges.  sigh....  I'm going to be working until I drop.
Again, I'll try to post a goal update later this week, and I need to start thinking about my goals for 2011.

Disheartening...

While the children were in rehearsals for tomorrow I helped wrap gifts at our church. Every year we have an Angel Tree for families in need. I have been involved with this, in some form, for years. This year, our congregation provided gifts for 52 individuals in, I think, 10 family groups. For these gifts, the parent, or head of the family, gives suggestions for gifts (ideas, sizes, etc). I was wrapping the gifts for the largest family group we had which was a grandmother, her daughter and the daughter's 6 children (ages 16 to 2). While this event usually brings good thoughts and warm feelings, this year it left me quite disheartened. Definitely a sign of the times, parents asked for many more practical gifts for their children this year. Where I usually wrap toys and games, this year there were requests for socks, a new coat, flannel pajamas and children's clothes. All the wrappers this year commented on this and it seemed to make all of us a bit sad.

How sad that the economy is so bad that parents who can't afford gifts for their children are desperate enough to ask for socks and underwear.

How disheartening for a four year old to get only one toy and the rest clothes.

How disappointing for 16 year old twin boys to get socks and pajamas for Christmas.

How sad that a mother, instead of asking for something for herself, requests a gift card to the local grocery store.

These are, indeed, the dark days of winter....

Happy Thanksgiving!!

This is it. Here in the US it is Thanksgiving Day. A day when we are to step back, spend time with family and friends, share a feast and give thanks for another year and a bountiful harvest. Unfortunately, it seems that many have forgotten the Thanks part of Thanksgiving and are more focused on the food and planning their shopping extravaganza.

I'm Thankful today that I've got friends and family who share the idea that we need to give thanks.

I'm thankful for all of you who have been along on this journey for another year.

Have a safe, wonderful day. Thank the farmers who helped provide your meal, and if you produced it yourself, be sure to thank the earth for it's bounty.

Still Thankful- part 4

I should be running out, right? But there are so many things I'm thankful for that I certainly can't name them all. I did an activity with patients looking for the positives in not so positive situations... and we even decided that we can be thankful for laundry- because it means that I have clothes to wear and a family to generate more.

I'm thankful for dishes- even though I hate doing them- because they mean that I have food to put on the table. I'm thankful for my freezers and well stocked pantry to see us through tough times- especially with food prices that keep climbing.

I'm thankful that I live in a prosperous country where I'm free to do what I choose (within reason and law!) and I am truly indebted to all the brave men and women who serve to defend our freedom- both at home and abroad. I salute all of you and wish you all a happy Thanksgiving.

Still more to come.....

Thankful- part 3

Tonight is a quick post because I've been busy. But that, in and of itself, is something to be thankful for. My job has kept me hopping recently. I am incredibly thankful that I have a job that I love, co-workers whom I adore and who are a pleasure to work with. I get an incredible sense of fulfillment with my work, helping others to overcome the obstacles that life has placed in their ways. It isn't always easy and it isn't always fun, but it is definitely worth it.

We're closing in on Thanksgiving, I'll have more tomorrow to be thankful for.

Thankful- part 2

Another day of Thankfulness. Where to begin... there are so many things.

Today we had a cold front move through so I am thankful for my warm house. I may complain of all the work that still needs done, but the fact remains that my home is lovelier and larger by far than the homes of most of the world's population. I am grateful that my family and I have been granted the challenge of taking this poor, neglected house and turning it into a warm, snug home.

I am continually grateful that we have been graced with ownership of our land. Five acres of heaven. Oh, some may call parts of it a swamp and a weed patch- but where they see swamp and weeds, I see wetlands and wildflowers. We still have a long way to go to bring this land to it's full productivity- but I'm patient. I'm also grateful that my family is along for the journey, learning and growing alongside me.

K10's beans

K10's beans are growing well in the south window. They are over a foot tall at this point and growing strong. I'm thankful that he has a glimmer of the joy for growing things that I do. I'll have to nurture that joy as we nurture the beans.

It's a great feeling to focus on my blessings. Anyone want to count their blessings along with me this week?

Thankful- part 1

We are creeping up on Thanksgiving Day here in the US. A good time to reflect on what we are thankful in life. So, I'm hoping to post a little every day this week about what I am thankful for in my life. I've been feeling quite whiney lately so this will help.

First and foremost, I am thankful for my family. My darling husband who has been with me for more than half of my life at this point. Where would I be without him. He has strength, both of character and of spirit as well as physical strength and knowledge to keep us going on all the work that has been done on this house and farm.

And where do I start with my children. They are brilliant, creative, self assured creatures that I am truly blessed to have. And, even at 16, Justine is not ashamed to go shopping with her mother and have lunch at the mall- in sight of everyone (gasp!)

I am also thankful for our pets. They bring a richness to our lives. Chase the deer from the garden and catch mice in the house. They also are loyal, loving companions who are great to snuggle with on a cold night.

I am truly blessed to still have my parents. They are both in their 80's now and still going strong. They have contributed so much to my knowledge and love of life that it is a debt I can never repay.

I am also blessed to have loving siblings, nieces and nephews, all who "get along", which I have learned is not always the norm in life.

Tomorrow I'll find a few more things to be thankful for.

Sunrise, Sunset

Sunrise

Sunset

Swiftly flow the days....

I've always loved that song. You've got it going through your head now, don't you?

And it seems like a fitting song for my life recently. I've barely been home when it's been light this week. Crazy schedules, teenage angst and just plain life have been getting the best of me. But, it's Friday and I don't have anywhere to go.

Have a weekend as glorious as that sunrise.