Giveaway ~ Spring Extreme Clean

This is the next book I am giving away.  It's a hardcover, used library book (discarded and purchased at a thrift store).  It's a story about a family going from Indiana to California, and all that happens in between.

Be the first to ask for it, and it's yours!

Spring Birds

My son gifted me this over a year ago.  I had good intentions of hanging it in the tree in front of the front porch.  However, I did not.  I'm thinking, due to it's size, I will put it by my back porch, in hopes to lure in some more wrens.  Their song is so beautiful.  Hubby says no.  He wants it to stay inside to enjoy (never thought I'd hear him say that!).  I have a similar one I left out all winter (that lights up inside during the night), and has weathered well.  Decisions, decisions....

Today it's cloudy, but no rain.  I have lots of laundry to do, as the girls waited until they ran out of clothes before bringing it all downstairs.  The temperatures will be up in the 60's this weekend.

Hubby and I stopped to walk through a thrift store yesterday.  I'll have a few items to share with you next week.  I also have one more item that was in the box sent by my Aunt.  I should have photos to share that as well.

Have a great weekend!  

Awesome Auntie Mail

My Aunt sent me a box full of fun and family history.  The blanket was crocheted by my Great Aunt, the wooden spools are all from my own mother's sewing supplies (that were given to my Aunt, and now to me), and the other items are from my Aunt's friend and from an antique store.  The doilies are already underneath my wooden candle stands.   The blue embroidered placemats and napkins will be used for "date night" with Hubby, the pillow case will be used on our bed, and the blanket will definitely be used.  I have a plan for the spools too, but want to put good use to the thread on each one too.

My family history project has begun as well.  All the letters, stories, and photos will be organized over the next few years....more on that later.

Writing Woes ~ Spring Break ~ Home Repair Wish List

It appears I need to do more diligent planning, to create more uninterrupted writing time in my day.  The other day I only got 247 words finished in a short story, in less than 30 minutes.

I feel like the Mom and the Muffin story - one thing secretly blindsides me into doing something else.  Or could I be inadvertently procrastinating?

I'm not giving up.  I worked all my life for everyone else, and I deserve to do something that I have wanted to do for a long time, which has been delayed more and more, over the years.

I just need some cheer leaders to cheer me on.  Got any pom poms?

The weather is up in the 40's, with high's expected in the 60's this Friday.  Spring break is over, and the kids are back in school today.  Hubby took the entire week off for vacation time as well.  He booked a room at a local hotel, and let the kids swim from check in to check out.  It was their last fling before school started.  It think they enjoyed it. Even the older ones drove over later after goat milking, and had some fun.  This is about the only "vacation" the kids get every winter, other than summer camping.

Our Spring Extreme Clean continues.  We have started a list of much needed repairs and a wish list - new front screen door (metal hinges are broken), and new front room ceiling fan (broken and light fixture is worthless).  

Yesterday, Hubby and I drove to Bass Pro and let the younger girls try out a bow.  We earned $200.00 in gift cards from our health insurance (yes, they took away our co-pays last year, but gave us gift cards).  We decided to use the cards to purchase one bow, some arrows, and a target.  They have already been out practicing.  One daughter may yet seek out an archery program (or team), if we can locate one.  The nice part about this bow, is that even I can use it.  It was the last "fun" thing we did before school started again.

Speaking of school, one already called and has forgotten her gym clothes.   



 

Giveaway

A paperback (used, like new) copy of Joyce Meyer's Battlefield of the mind - for Teens. 

Simply be the first one to ask for it.  I have a few more that I will be giving away.  Spring cleaning is in progress.

No Worries

Ever since Hubby and I  took our short trips to regain our sanity last year, we've been saying "no worries" a lot.

There is one thing my Hubby got right.  He bought me this t-shirt, and a matching one for himself.  That particular saying has been our marriage slogan.  It brings us good memories of our "sanity saver" getaways.  

Guess what we're wearing today?

From the Homesteading Journal . . .

. . . ordered 30 white rocks (for meat) and 6 more barred rocks (layers).

. . . my daughter finished the gate on the goat's "birthing" stall, and sold both bucklings already.

. . . put the seed potatoes in a single layer in front of the corn/pellet burner to encourage the eyes to produce sooner.  

. . .Hubby picked up 1 1/2 tons of stone (cost us $20.00) to upgrade the driveway.  He also had a neighbor drag the driveway (pulling a piece of equipment behind his tractor) to smooth out all the dips made over winter.

. . .finishing painting the kitchen cupboards (yahooooo!) today.  We just need to install knobs on the upper cabinets.

. . .started the process to locate someone, and tear down one barn.

. . .my 16 year-old daughter made a batch of goat's milk soap yesterday.

. . .put up Hubby's nephew's camper and made repairs on the door and table, so it can be put up for sale.

. . .gave away our kids (wooden framed) play set to extended family today.  They are bringing in a trailer to haul it out.

. . .received my cheese making supplies this week, to make 2 batches of soft cheese with our goat's milk this year. 

. . .our "extreme clean" week is starting - my 19 year-old daughter cleaned the utility room, and my 20 year-old son swept off the wood debris on the front porch (and brought out my front porch furniture - YAY!).  I started organizing one hallway. I need a new spray bottle to mix up my tea-tree oil/water mix to clean mildew off windows.  Two girls are still at 2 night sleepovers, so their work will be upstairs in their own rooms.  We'll definitely need to make a trip to the dump, after cleaning up.  Lots more to do yet.