Ten Minutes of Torture ~ School Closed ~ Playing Hookie

I am feeling better somewhat, so I walked 10 minutes on the treadmill.  This was torture, considering I coughed a few times (I was told you should not exercise with a cough).  I took it easy, but those ten minutes felt like 2 hours.  I have not walked, nor exercised for several weeks now.  I think I heard bones creaking - ha ha ha!

School is closed today.  It works out for us, although we have some errands to run, before Hubby and I run away for the weekend.  Yep!  We are on the road, so say a prayer.

First we need to go visit an insurance office.  Our current insurance company first quoted us $4,600/year for insurance (with the two sold and a new one to replace), then she called back with $3,600.00.  

We didn't like this woman, as she avoided our questions, and didn't answer us on others.  My son was the driver in an accident over 3 years ago, and we asked about her reviewing our coverage, and possibly going down.

So....hubby got on the phone and got more quotes for car insurance.  This time we were told, that accidents go off after 3 years, however, hubby had a speeding ticket a year ago (tsk, tsk, tsk).  Anyway, she's quoting us a much lower rate - $2,400/year.  The other place told us that it is 4 years (she "thinks" that accidents are removed). 

Hence, the trip to town, on icy roads to get the better insurance today.   Say a prayer for our safety today and this weekend.

Farm updates:  We are low on wood and hay (very low).  We are searching for hay, which is the worst of our problems. 




A year of quotes:
"It's time to start living the life we've imagined."
   ~ Henry James

Pampering Myself ~ More Snow

Hubby had to work late, so I decided to do foot soaks and pedicures with the girls.  Well, some of them.  With 5 kiddos still in the house, I plan to do more self-pampering for stress reducing reasons.

I failed to get housework finished, but did get the bedding on the clothesline yesterday.  I'm not stressing over it, but will write down what I do get done vs. a "to-do" list.  Then tackle what I haven't completed.

Also, with the older two (19, and almost 21) not being employed yet, I have a list of chores for them too - chicken coop cleaning, taking donations to the thrift store, taking recycling to the recycling center, taking returns to the library, picking up jugs of water, and a few other jobs.  

The snow is still falling, and is making laundry day havoc.  

 
We had some strong winds prior to this snow arriving, and have tree branches to pick up now.

As you can see the days have been cloudy, and the sunrises have been hidden most mornings.

Hubby and I started discussing our spring plan for ordering more layers and meat chickens, however, I lost my copy of Backwood's Home Magazine (detailing the types to buy for meat).  I hope to find it this week.

Yesterday I baked banana muffins that were absolutely wonderful.  I've been baking banana bread for a long time, but never got the rave reviews I got over this recipe:  Banana Muffins II

I still have one rotten banana to deal with, and may make our zucchini-banana brownies.  

 





A year of quotes:
"There is nothing we cannot live down, rise above, and overcome."
   ~ Ella Wheeler Wilcox