Canning Plans This Weekend

Today was Thursday.  That means Friday is not far behind!  These days I seem so tired.  I'm always ready for the weekend.  It is a mental thing that I think I'm going to get to rest on the weekend.  The weekends are just as busy, only different!   I really need to start back with my vitamins and supplements.  I think that would help my energy and well-being so much.  I got off track when the tornado came here, and we were without utilities for 7 days.  Some how other things just got in the way!  I'm planning to start walking, too.  I need to get on the wellness wagon!

Today I ordered blackberry bushes for Pappy to plant.  He is considering trying to sell blackberries next year.  They went for $20 a gallon here last year.  So if we are going to do that, we need more plants.  I ordered 20 plants total of four thornless varieties.  Pappy's favorite variety is called Apache.  They should arrive in time to plant before winter.

I am thinking about trying to find out how and when to plant Stevia plants.  I read that you can dry the leaves and use as a sugar replacement.  I'm sure you all knew the sugar replacement part.  I just didn't realize it was that easy.  We use a lot of sugar here.  About 10 lbs a week.  Baking, sweet tea each day, and I have a little sugar with my coffee!  So it would be nice to be able to replace some of this with a product we could grow at home. 

We buy very little in the grocery store, and even less that we HAVE to have.  I buy a lot of dairy products:  milk, buttermilk occasionally, yogurt, American and cheddar cheese, occasionally other cheeses, sour cream, I think that's it.  We buy bread, sugar, coffee, and tea.  We buy some fruit, vegetables, potatoes, and onions.  That is really about it.  The items we don't HAVE to have, that makes their way into our cart, are frozen pizzas when they are reduced to $4.50 each, the marked-down baked goods, and some deli items on clearance.  Come to think of it, I also buy graham crackers, saltines, and vanilla wafers. 

This weekend I plan to can grape juice.  We wash and bag our fruit and put it in the freezer until we have more time in the fall, to process it.  Now we need the room for the meat we are butchering.  I've never canned grape juice before, and I can't wait to try it.  Juice is high at the store!  For each quart of juice, you place 1 cup of grapes in a quart jar, and 1/2 cup of sugar.  Add boiling water and process jars.  That sounds simple enough.  We will soon see!

I'm debating buying apples for winter.  Scott's Apple Orchard here is now selling apples.  The are $16 a bushel.  I think we should buy some, but Pappy doesn't think we need any.  I may have to go buy a few, and some cider and vinegar anyway.  If I buy a few different kinds, they will look pretty as a centerpiece for fall.  What do you think? 

I guess I have chitchatted enough tonight.  I really need to start doing this earlier, so I am not rushed.  Talk to you tomorrow.  Honey

My Real Farm Life

GrandBoy washing dishes with Daughter #2.  So cute!

Today is Wednesday, and it was a busy day on the farm.  The day started out with me going to work.  Shortly after I got there, the tractor repair man called.  I gave him both Pappy's cell number and the farm office number.  I worked half day, and went to mail letters telling some people I was taking over management of the units they rent.  I called trailer movers to move one of our mobile homes that is empty.  We are moving it for Daughter #3 and GrandBoy to live in.  Pappy wanted to move it tomorrow, but the soonest we can get it done is Monday.  Pappy had a load of gravel delivered to the lot, and spent part of the day working on that project.

The local pumpkin patch, Tate Farms, bought 10 of our bunnies for their petting zoo.  I think this is about the fourth year they have used our rabbits.  We usually do 20, but a predator got several.  So they bought what we  had that was the right size.

I shelled a basket of October beans.  I think it is the last of them.  Pappy picked them for me.  I have two baskets of cayenne pepper to do something with.  I think I will "string" them with a needle and thread and hang them to dry.  They look pretty that way for fall.  Then in the winter, when they are dry and you are tired of looking at them, I take them down and put them in jars to use in cooking.

Our hens have pretty much stopped laying.  It seems early, but that is how it is.  We froze a bunch of eggs to try out this winter. 

When Pappy put our pork in the downstairs freezer, it was full!  He will go to pick up the lamb we had butchered next week.  So I need to find a place to put it.  I think it is time to clean out the big freezer of all the fruit waiting to be juiced.  Pappy wants to make wine, but I want to can grape juice.  I'm sure we will do both.

I hung out three baskets of clothes and washed two.  The laundry never ends, does it? 

I had a flat tire today.  GrandBoy discovered it.  I guess I ran over something.  So we had to drive a different car to church.

So now GrandBoy is here to spend the night.  He and Pappy have a big day planned for tomorrow!

I guess that is enough updates for today.  Night, all!  Honey 

Sorry I've Been Missing!

Well, its been almost a week since I've been here, and I don't know what to say.  I've been sick, and very busy.  I'll give you a little rundown on what's been going on around here. 

Wednesday GrandBoy turned three.  Pappy picked him up at daycare early that morning, and they traveled to Tennessee to the Processor.  We had to drop off some sheep for processing. Then they came home and GrandBoy opened presents on and off through out the day!  That night we had dinner and people dropped in  and ate with us.  One of the guests was my sister, Carla.  She stayed and went to church with us.  One of GrandBoy's favorite places is church!  So since his birthday was on Wednesday, church day, I made a small cake to take to church.  He was so excited and really enjoyed his church party!  After church, we went home and cut his real birthday cake that his Aunt YaYa made for him.  That is what he calls Daughter #1. Aunt YaYa made a John Deere Tractor cake for him.  What boy wouldn't love that?   I think GrandBoy had a wonderful birthday!

A mobile home lot came available  in the small town we live in.  I rented it immediately.  We are going to move a mobile home on the lot, and hopefully it will work out where Daughter #3 and GrandBoy will live there. 

Twice this last week, investors contacted me to manage their properties.  I met with one by conference call, and definitely will start managing her properties October 1.   I met the other two gentlemen Saturday, but I think they are just shopping around and not ready to make a change yet.  We will see.  This will really be a blessing for me.  I make less than half the amount I made two years ago, because of cut backs and the economy.  So it would be nice to make a little extra money again.

Saturday GrandBoy came back to spend the night.  We watched Alabama football and had two of our daughters' boyfriends over for the game and food!  We had a nice afternoon.  Made even better because Alabama beat Arkansas! 

Sunday we went to church.  We had a nice day.  GrandBoy's mom didn't let him stay his usual time, so that was a little upsetting to all. 

Today was drizzly.  I know so many areas need rain.  So it was cool and foggy.  I parked and walked up to the courthouse to pick up some papers I needed.  Then I had other errands to run.  I posted an eviction on a trailer where they hadn't paid their rent.  I texted another tenant who's file is going to the attorney tomorrow unless she pays.  I don't think she believes me.  When i got to our farm, there were several police officers here.  I forgot that today was the day that Pappy was taking a group of guys up to the processor to pick up pork.  We took orders a few weeks ago for hogs, and today was the day to pick up the processed meet.  I had a twitter party for Bible in 90 Days tonight.  I was a co-host.  Today was also the last day of 21 Days of Praying for your Son.  Today I had a training call at 1:00 for Blessings Direct.  I forgot till 1:40, but that's OK, cause the call is recorded and I can listen to it tomorrow when there is less going on.

So that is about all the catching up around here.  I am currently behind in my Bible in 90 Days reading.  I got to the New Testament last night!  But I'm sure the reading will go faster since I got to the Gospels! 

Pray for my Daughter #2.  She is looking for a better job.  One that will support her while she chases her dreams of getting started in the legal field.  She is getting a little discouraged, but I know that "God's time" isn't always the same as "our time"! 

I will let you go now.  Hope to see you tomorrow!  Honey

GrandBoy Turns Three!

Happy Birthday, Sweet Boy!  Honey Loves You!

Sister Got Good News!

Today I am giving thanks.  My sister received a call from her doctor today, and her biopsy came back cancer free!  Praise God.  God is so good all the time, but especially when He answers our prayers.  Thanks to all of you who prayed, too. 

Pappy and GrandBoy went back to the cow sale today.  They bought 4 cows.  Pappy thinks beef is a safer place to put our money than the stock market.  So far so good!  Besides our 50 herd cows, we have about 9 investment cows.  These are cows we will sell in a few months, not hold for breeding stock.

GrandBoy is having a story book character party at daycare tomorrow.  He didn't have a costume to wear, so I sent one.  I also sent diaper wipes for his cubby, but that is another story.  I sent his spider man pajama top, which has netting under his arms, so it looks like he can fly.  I sent sweat pants to match.  The directive stated that boys could be super hero characters.  He is not yet three.  My daughter called and said the costume won't work because if he moves his arms his stomach shows so it didn't fit.  I told her to put an undershirt on him.  He is three.  This is an unscheduled costume party in September, at daycare.  What difference does it make?  I'm just not that kind of mom.  Or that kind of Honey, either, I guess.  I just think if you save your money for the important things that are necessary, the money needs will take care of themselves.  Later she talked about Halloween costumes and how they were $20 at the Big box store.  I told her his last years' one will still fit so he should be a cowboy.  She said he wants to be a "cars" character, and the consignment shop has them for $10.  I said she should still save her $10 and let him be a cowboy.  I don't think those conversations went the way she wanted them to. 

Today in 21 Days of Prayer for your Son, it is day 10.  Today we pray for Love.  I always prayed about this for my girls. 

Today was the first day of Maximize your Mornings.  I am leading an email group (#76) and am also in a twitter group (#2).  I'm really excited about this group.  I didn't realize this morning that I was in the twitter group, but I am pleased because I was missing it.

Well, it is getting late here, and I still have a lot to do.  So glad tomorrow is Friday and the start of the weekend.  Hope your Friday is blessed!  Honey

Groups Galore! So Excited!

In the morning (Thursday) Maximize Your Mornings starts.  I'm so excited!  I have really missed this group during the break.  My group is an email group, so I don't know if any of them have twitter.  But I will email them, and look for their emails, then hop over to twitter for some quick encouragement for myself from my friends.  I'm NOT a morning person, and I really would like to be better with my mornings.  So this group is really an encouragement to me.  My goal is to get up at 5:30 each morning.  Currently I get up at 6:30.  So we will see.  There are so many things that I could do with this extra time that would benefit me and my family.  So I am going to put this time to good use.  Also, I can use the time in the morning to get caught up on my quiet time with God. 

Next group:  Bible in 90 Days!  I have not caught up with my reading yet, but I am still reading.  I am currently in Jeremiah.  I will have extra time this weekend, cause GrandBoy won't be coming Saturday to spend the night.  It is his birthday party day, and so his mom wants him to come home and play with his toys.  He will be three next Wednesday!  So I plan to put that time to good use with my reading.

The last group is Warrior Prayers - 21 Days to Pray for Your Son.  Today is Day nine, and we are praying for honor.  This is a wonderful program, and it is very intense.  I guess we are almost half way through this program.  I think this has been great training to teach us how to target what we need to pray into our kids' lives.

One other thing I wanted to mention is my sister's surgery.  She had surgery yesterday, and is at home recuperating.  She had what started as a routine mammogram, then lead to many tests, and finally to two separate biopsies.  We won't know the results till Friday, but her surgery went well.  We are praying for no cancer, and a complete healing of whatever the problem is.  Please remember her in your prayers.  She is a single parent, and her children would like her to hang around a while!

Thanks so much for stopping by.  I missed you yesterday.  I didn't realize till this morning that I forgot to post anything.  I guess my mind was still at the hospital.  I look forward to seeing you all tomorrow, and I can't wait for the weekend!  Honey

Day Seven Purity

Today in Warrior Prayers 21 Days of Prayers for our Sons, the topic is Purity. This is a topic that is important for all children, not just boys.  Actually it is important for adults as well.  Join us in praying this blessing on your children. 

How Parenting has Changed My Life

I've been doing a lot of thinking about how parenting changes us.  I know it has changed me.  When you start out being a mother, you have such plans and dreams.  You know exactly how you want things to end up.  You have pictures in your mind's eye about how you want things to play out.  If you are lucky enough to have a husband, you also have to take into consideration how he feels, what his dreams are, etc.  And you live life one day at a time.

Before you know it, several years have passed.  I remember saying that I could remember every day of my girls' lives, and there was no way the twins could be twelve!  But they were.  And as much as we tried to change it, they continued to grow up. 

As children grow up, their world expands.  They spend more time with other people, and see that all families are not the same.  When your family is different from other people's families, for what ever reason, your children draw the conclusion that their family must be odd.  That is what I feel happened with us.  We are a very conservative family.  I owned a private Christian preschool and my husband was a police officer.  I wanted God to be a part of every part of my children's lives.  Not just on Wednesday and Sunday. 

So now, to speed this story up, we arrive at today.  My children are 22, 22, and 21.  One of my children has very little to do with her family.  We hardly talk to her.  She only wants to communicate with us by text.  I have really struggled with this lately.  My husband and I are business people in our community.  We go out in public, and people tell us how our daughter has been in, belittling her family because we don't accept her life choices.  I have come to the conclusion that I cannot make her be the person I want her to be.  I can't make her live a healthier life.  I can't make her return to the path that God has chosen for her.  I can't make her make wise choices.  The more I have struggled with this, the more I notice myself pulling closer to God.  I feel almost like this is avoidance, like there is something I should be doing to fix this.  But she is an adult, and although she is making poor choices, I can't change them.  And a lot of this is painful to watch.  So although this is a rough patch in my path of motherhood, I have grown a lot in my Christian life. 

My husband asked me recently why, if I was a Christian, that God was not answering my prayers.  I panicked, I'm sure.  I wondered what he thought my prayers were.  I wondered if he blamed me.  I tried to explain to him that prayers aren't always answered when we want them to be, but in God's time.  I guess this isn't God's time yet.  I think she is too wrapped up in a life that does not involve God. 

I told my husband that I just can't pray enough to keep her safe.  There has been times that she has planned to do something that I knew wasn't right.  I prayed for her, even after I thought it was too late.  Then she would come in hours later, and tell me that she never did what she had planned, she just drove around for hours, thinking.  But the next day, I'd have to go to work, and I wouldn't be there to "pray" her out of trouble.  That is what life seemed like in a nutshell.

So now I feel resigned to the fact that I have to stand aside and let her be.  I have to quit saving her, and trying to keep her out of trouble.  People tell me all kids grow up, and this is just a phase that she will outgrow.  I hope so, but I've never faced this before.  I can't see past this right now.  But I certainly hope they are right.  I hate to think that for the rest of my life I will have so little contact with my baby.

I am very thankful that my other daughters are living a healthy lifestyle.  That they are happy and well.  I thank God every day for all my children, but I'm waiting for the day that all of them are enjoying the life God has planned for them.

I'm sorry to have digressed.  Tomorrow we will return to life on the farm.  Honey

Sunday

Today is Sunday.  GrandBoy spent the night last night so he could go to church this morning.  As you all know, today is September 11th, the ten year anniversary of 9-11.  That is all you see where ever you look on the TV and Internet.  I have seen things today that I never saw before.  That incidence changed our country, and I don't think it will ever be the same.

We went to church today.  After I went to look at a rental house in the town where we live.  It was nice, and would be very nice for Daughter #3 and GrandBoy, but she is not speaking to me, so I can't tell her about it.  Maybe I could send here a letter.

Pappy and I are looking at pasture land.  Some is about one road over from us.  There is also a 70 acre farm about an hour from here that is for rent.  We don't need pasture now, but we will in about a year.  So we will see how this all goes.

This will be a busy week.  I can already tell.  I went to look at the two empty rentals today. One is in good condition.  The other is not bad, just not cleaned up.  I have an appointment to show it to someone tomorrow who has seen it before.  I think he will take it.  I'll put the other one on Craig's List tomorrow night.

I have been reading the Bible a lot this weekend.  Trying to get caught up.  I will be caught up before we finish.  I do this every time.

Pappy has been busy this weekend bush hogging.  Tomorrow he will try to get some cows together to take to the sale on Tuesday. 

Well, I guess that is about it for here.  Oh, yeah.  Pappy wants me to order some wildlife cameras so we can try to catch our varmints. Hope to see you back tomorrow.  Honey

Saturday Happenings. Work, Alabama Football, Freezing Okra

Today I did something I rarely do.   I went to work on Saturday.  I was off Monday for the holiday, and Thursday I was sick, so I went in to try to get caught up today.  After that, I went to the grocery  store, and Farmer's Market.  Daughter #1's discount at Kroger ends today.  They get a 20% holiday discount around most of the larger holidays.  This discount was for Labor Day.  They won't get another one till Thanksgiving.

 Today is the second week of College Football.  Alabama beat Penn State.  It was a good Saturday!

I picked up GrandBoy during half time.  After the game, he helped me put Okra into bags for the freezer.  He always has to help!

I didn't get to post anything yesterday because I was sick and went to bed early.  I remembered when I was laying down, but didn't want to get up.  I am better today.

Yesterday was Day 4 of Warrior Prayers 21 Days of Prayer for My Son.  Day 4 covers Integrity.  Day 5 is Avoiding Foolishness.  Avoiding foolishness is something we all need to do.  We've covered a lot in these five days.  Can't wait to see what develops from all this devoted prayer.

Daughter #1 starts her new job tonight.  She is still with the same company, but moves to a new store and begins a new position.  I hope she is very happy.

Daughter #3 is moving to a new home this weekend.  Daughter #2 is contemplating taking a second job.  Seems like life is full of changes around here.

Seems both our rentals are finally empty.  One I found empty today.  The key was above the door.  It is in pretty good shape.  The other, the lady called and said the key was in the water meter box.?  She said there were people there cleaning, and a BIG fat snake came in the basement, and they all left.  So the cleaning was not completed, and now a BIG fat snake lives in the house.  I'll check this out tomorrow.  After church, of course.

Hope your Sunday is blessed!  Honey

GrandBoy Hits the Cow Sale & Day 3 Warrior Prayers

We took GrandBoy to the Cow Sale today.  I was staying home from work because I have a sinus  and ear infection.  So Pappy asked me to come along, so he could bid.  It is hard to bid on cows and watch GrandBoy at the same time.

The top photo shows the arena where the sale takes place.  The second photo shows a large cow running through the chute.  My photography is not that great, and the lights were dim in there.  GrandBoy loved the cow sale.  Pappy bought four cows today.  But GrandBoy's favorite was walking on the cat walk to look down on the cows.  They wanted me to come, but I did not.  I'm afraid of heights, and so that was not very appealing.

Today is also Day 3 of Warrior Prayers - 21 Days of Prayer for Boys.  Today we prayed about Submission to Authority.  I have a great group, and I am enjoying comparing notes with them.

Well, I guess that is all here today.  Hope you all have a great Friday, and a wonderful weekend.  Honey

GrandBoy Loves Church

Today is Wednesday and GrandBoy comes on Wednesday for church and to spend the night.  He came first thing this morning and Daughter #1 (his Aunt Yah Yah) kept him this morning.  After lunch Pappy watched him until I got home so Daughter #1 could go to bed.  She works tonight.

The rain finally stopped here today.  What a blessing.  We needed the rain, but we've gotten a lot over the last few days. 

Today was day 2 of Warrior Prayers 21 Days of Prayer for sons.  It is getting easier, and the ladies in my group are really nice.  I'm enjoying this time of prayer and friendship.  Today we prayed for obedience.

Daughter #2 presented two of her projects at school today and did very well.  Tonight she is studying for a presentation tomorrow.

Daughter #3 is moving this weekend.  She will be closer to us.  This will be nice.  She also got a new job that she starts tomorrow as a housekeeper.  She is excited.

Well, I have to go and search for tires for Pappy's tractor.  They cost $600 a piece!  We are trying to see if we can find them cheaper.

I will see you tomorrow!  Honey

Feels Like Fall!

Oh, my goodness!  It is 55 degrees outside, which is about 40 degrees cooler than our temperatures last week.  I had to wear long sleeves and a light cardigan today.  But I still wore my sandals though.  This time of year is kind of depressing to me.  I think about how much of the year is gone, and how much I still need  to do before the end of the year.  I'm going to work on not getting caught up in that this year.  I'm sure GrandBoy will be a big help in that area.  Every day is such an adventure when he is around!  We are so blessed to have him.

I went to check my rental houses today.  Neither were empty.  Maybe they will both be empty tomorrow.  We can only hope.

Rent collection is going very well this month.  I'm not sure what that is about, but I'm thankful.  I think I've collected a third of our money already, and it is just the first week. 

Today was the first day of Warrior Prayers Challenge. We prayed about a change of heart.  It was a chore to try to get all the praying in.  I thought of it often, but would be doing something and not have my list with me to pray over.  So I just prayed anyway.  I'm sure I will get better at this, and I know all prayer matters!  But I am so wanting to smother GrandBoy in prayer for his future. 

I just thought of something cute GrandBoy said.  You know, at "almost three"  he is somewhat limited in his vocabulary.  Really he is advanced, but you know small children only know so many words.  Well, to him, any body of water is a "bathtub".  His wading pool, the lake, etc.  It is really cute.  And any sphere with a face on it is a "pumpkin".  Pappy got a lawn ornament that looks like a yellow smiley face.  It is in the flower garden.  Well, GrandBoy noticed it as soon as we got out of the car, and he wanted to make pumpkins, too.

I guess that is all for tonight.  Praying for some peace about many issues.  I hope you all are enjoying your fall weather.  Hope to see you tomorrow.  Honey
 

Staycation Ends. 21 Days of Prayer Begins.

Well, in the morning I go back to work.  Our staycation will be over.  I have enjoyed it, and wish it were longer.  But the weekend will be here again before I know it.  Today I took GrandBoy home to his Mom (Daughter #3).  I had never been in their home before.  Her boyfriend was at work so she asked me over to visit.  I picked up some things at the store for lunch and carried Grandboy home.  I didn't stay long.  It was raining and her boyfriend wanted to come home, and she kept telling him no, she was visiting with her Mom.  So I left.  I don't know what else to say about that, except I wish things were so different.

We could also use prayers for our other prodigal daughter, Daughter #2.  It seems she is about to hit the road again, and fall off God's path one more time.  Prayers are needed for all of us.

Tomorrow the Warrior Prayers 21 Day Prayer Challenge starts.  This is where we pray for our sons and grandsons for 21 days.  I am looking forward to this and can't wait to get started.  I'd love for you to join us!

I have collected rent each day of our staycation, I believe.  But that is a good thing, and I'm not complaining.  Tomorrow a house is suppose to be empty, and another will be empty the next day.  So I will go by and check on them, and hopefully we can rent them fast.

Well, that is all the news from here.  Hope all of you are having a great week, and are ready for fall.  It is rainy and cool here, due to Tropical Storm Lee.  Take Care!  Honey

Just a quick announcement!  I am leading a group in the 21 Days of Prayer for Sons Challenge.  If you have an interest in joining this group for 21 days of directed prayer for your son or grandson, please leave me a comment, and I will let you know what you need to do.  This group begins Tuesday and goes through the 26th.  Many of you probably know I don't have any sons.  That is true.  But I do have a three year old grandson, and I pray he will be a great leader for our Lord one day.  His mom is a single parent, and probably doesn't have as much time to pray over him as I do.  So I want to make sure to smother him in prayer!  Join me, and we will all learn about this together!  Thanks so much for stopping by!  Honey

Truth or Consequences - Lies Women Believe

I have been looking forward to a study of the book "Lies Women Believe - A Life-changing Study for Individuals and Groups" by Nancy Leigh DeMoss.  This study is being done by Hallee the Homemaker and is also being posted at Seed of Faith Women.  I recently helped close down a thrift store that was going out of business.  Ironically, I found this book and the Companion Guide at that store and brought it home.  So I was so excited when I heard of this study.  I wrote on my calendar the day this study was suppose to start, but I didn't write where, because I thought I would remember and I didn't have enough room on my calendar.  Yesterday I kept checking my email to see if I could figure out where the study would take place!  I'm so glad I found it. 

One of the questions Hallee asks us is if we feel we are experiencing the abundant life Jesus came to give us?  Or are we just existing, coping, surviving, or struggling along?  I feel extremely blessed.  I have been married to a wonderful man for 28 years.  We have three beautiful adult daughters, and one marvelous grandson.  What I struggle with is the fact that we have a prodigal daughter, and another who has come home, but still has "one foot out the door".  I pray every day that our daughter will see the light and return to the path God has planned for her.  I pray that she will leave the daily situation she has put herself in, and make a life for her and her child that is like the home she grew up in.  I pray that she returns home, but I know that is not likely.  This whole situation with my children is a large stumbling block of mine.  I'm uncertain how to deal with it.  I feel like I should turn away from my children if they aren't living a Godly life, but if I do, what incentive will they have to return?  I just don't know. 

Hallee asks if there is any area of our life that we fear we will never be free?  My children would be that struggle.  I just don't know what the right thing to do is, and if I did know; would I be able to do it? I will keep praying for them as long as I have breath in my body, that they will return to the Lord, and live their lives for Him.

We were asked to make a list of the primary sources of input we have coming into our lives.  These would include such things as TV, Internet, movies, etc.  I would say TV is limited, except for commercials.  I only really watch Fox news and TLC.  But commercials introduce you to information you don't need to be aware of, many times!  Internet would be high on my list, but I don't use social networking sites like Facebook or Myspace.  Just email, newsletters, and Twitter.  I read a tremendous amount of books, the Bible and study materials, magazines, newspapers, etc.  The only other areas I can think of are work and church.

It is very important to be selective about what we allow to take up space in our heads, hearts, and lives because once you allow something in your mind, you can't remove it.  It will always be there.  The devil uses our weaknesses to chip away at us and make us weaker.  He also wants us to think that everyone else is doing it so it must be OK.  I think this was a tactic used with our children.  Although they were raised in a conservative home, they saw so many of their friends homes as different from ours.  In the end, because they saw so few families with rules and lifestyles like ours, they decided that we were "odd" and different.  We were different.  But they were sucked in to the idea that what everyone else was doing was better and more fun.

The premise of this book, I believe, is that we should ask God to show us what lies we believe, that are tripping us up and keeping us from the life we have promised to us.  I look forward to continuing this study.  Thanks for stopping by.  Honey

Saturday Happenings. A Quiet Day at Home. Roll Tide!

Today is Saturday.  The Saturday before Labor Day.  This was a quiet day for us.  The air conditioner repair man was suppose to be here at 10:00 this morning.  Well, he called at about 10:15 and said he couldn't come because all the parts houses were closed for the holiday.  So I talked to Pappy and we decided to see if we could find anyone else who was working today.  Because if we had to wait till Tuesday to get our air fixed, we were going to be very hot this week end.

I found two companies who were working.  One came and fixed our unit.  The unit needed a capacitor.  So it was a pretty quick repair, and I'm so thankful it was not serious.  Now we are waiting as the house slowly cools down.

While I was trying to find a company to fix our air,  Daughter #3 called to say GrandBoy was ready to be picked up.  Her picture appointment was at 11, and it was 11.  I asked how that could be, and she said they went early.  Well, since I was busy, Daughter #2 went to pick up GrandBoy.  Before they got home, Daughter #2 had to stop to get gas, and GrandBoy proceeded to pull the nozzle out of the car.  They both smelled of gas and had to have baths!

College football games started today.  We are big Alabama fans in my family.  My parents left Wednesday to go to Tuscaloosa for the game.  My sister left yesterday afternoon.  We always watch the game from home.  Today we ate our own grain fed beef hamburgers, salad, chips with several different dips, and crock pot blueberry cobbler with ice cream.  I got the cobbler recipe from http://www.crystalandcomp.com/
It was super easy and every one loved it.  I will definitely make it again.  We of course loved the ending of the ballgame!

We are discussing what we are going to do with the rest of our long weekend staycation.  The rain is suppose to arrive tomorrow morning and we will get about three inches by tomorrow night.  I think we will just spend a quiet weekend at home!  See you tomorrow.   Honey

Baby twin sheep born on the farm

Unclaimed Baggage, Day with Daughter #1

Today was Day 1 of our Staycation.  Full of events and good times for sure.  Daughter #1, GrandBoy, and I went to the Unclaimed Baggage Outlet in Scottsboro.  It is within driving distance of us, and that is our main deciding factor this year.  We had a great time, and stopped at a few other places we noticed, as well.  At the Unclaimed Baggage Outlet, I found a few Melissa and Doug toys, some books, and a few other items.  Daughter got several items, too.  We had a great day.  Husband said it should have been good, we were gone 8 hours!

Got an email from our eviction attorney while on the road trip.  We should be able to have the sheriff put our tenant out of our place next week.  The tenant with the bounced check also called.  I picked up the money for the bad check, as well as half of September's rent.  That was nice.

My sister got her test results.  She is not in the clear yet.  The test just don't look right, but they haven't found the problem yet.  She will have another procedure next year.  Please continue to pray for her.

Last, but not least, our central air unit quit working.  Pappy called and said it was 86 degrees in our house when he got home.  The repair man will come in the morning at 10.  I guess it will be a long, hot night!

College football starts tomorrow.  I've already been planning what we are going to eat, and counting heads to see how many will be here.  We love this time of year!  Roll Tide!

Honey

Staycation Begins!

Well, Our Staycation has begun!  It was delayed a little, but none the less, we made it!  GrandBoy came last night, in time to go to church.  He will be here until Tuesday, except for Friday night.  He will go home to his Mom's, and have his picture made the next morning for his birthday.  Then he will return.

Today I got off work at 12 noon, as planned.  The first thing I did was go pick up GrandBoy's WIC.  Daughter #3 told me she needed me to do this.  I asked when, and she said whenever I wanted.  Well, I didn't know until last night that he had an appointment yesterday.  So I went today, and they let me pick up since my name is on the list.  Then I delivered the coupons to Daughter #3, since I was afraid she needed them so she could shop.

The next place I went was to the post offices and the bank.  No rent at either post office, but a BOUNCED rent check was at one!  I was furious.  She just gave me that check Saturday.  So not a week later it bounced.  I went to her bank to try to cash it, but still no good.  I called and left messages on her phone numbers.  The messages probably weren't very nice.  I just don't understand people.

The next place I went was to Walmart.  Pappy wanted me to pick up a window unit air conditioner.  I got that, and a few other items, and rushed out to head home.  I had one last stop to make.  I had a notice at the post office where we live that we had a package that wouldn't fit in our box.  Our Daughter #1 had a book and camera battery at the post office that needed to be picked up.

Just a few minutes after I got home, I got a phone call.  There was a problem at work, and I needed to come back.  It was 4:05, and I was on Staycation!  I loaded back up, after unloading my car, and headed back to the office. I was there about an hour and a half, then started home.  I stopped and picked up dinner, at Pappy's suggestion.  On my way home, I called my sister to see if she wanted to go to the unclaimed baggage center with us tomorrow.  I was unaware she was having health problems, and had a procedure done today.  She will get test results back tomorrow.  Please pray for her that she receives good news.  Funny how talking to someone who is in a "worse place" than you are at the moment, will straighten your mood right up.  I let go of the anger I had over my interrupted vacation, and prayed for my sister.

I did reach one conclusion though.  The first of next year, I am putting it on my schedule to make reservations for next labor day week.  I'm planning to leave town, as usual!

Hope you have a great and safe holiday weekend.  Honey