The Loss of Gus

(photo taken by my 16 year-old daughter in September of 2012)

Last night Gus lost his life to a driver.  My son was out walking them as he always does, but but Gus chased after something.

The driver never stopped, and my son was outside when it happened.  The driver left behind their front license plate attached to a portion of their car, and our dog. 

We'll never know if it was truly an "accident" since the driver kept driving.

We've had very little traffic due to road construction, but all it took was one driver.

Please pray for our family, as we grieve over the loss of our dear family member Gus.  He will be forever remembered.

This is a very difficult day for our family.  My thoughts and stomach are not in agreement to write much more today, and several of the kids have final exams at school today.  I am not sure that any of us slept last night.  

   

Many exciting days ~ Dark Days Challenge

I'm sharing a photo that I took yesterday.  I was out putting clothes on the line, and heard this little guy pecking away at this dead part of the tree.  Sure enough, when I went and go my camera, he already went inside his new home.  I have such a difficult time taking good photos of birds, but keep trying.


It's busy week, starting this weekend.

In-school Christmas Choir Concert on the 21st.

A holiday gathering on the 22nd.

Our youngest celebrates her birthday on the 23rd.

We have another family gathering on the 24th.

Christmas at home on the 25th.

My wedding anniversary on the 26th.  Hubby has to work, so I have to figure out a plan for a romantic evening, and a 2 night getaway in the near future.   

I made a sausage/pototo soup for Dark Days Challenge.  I used corn that I bought locally, and had blanched for freezing.  I would have added garden carrots, but we are already out of them.  It tasted pretty good too.

My 18 year-old's friend was over yesterday, and I found out she works at a local meat store.  I found out they have hormone free/antibiotic free (and local) meats.  Next time I have extra cash, I'll be venturing over to see what I can buy for meals.

 
 

Pen in Hand . . .

 . . . got paid about $30.00 from one writing job.  I won't see it for a few days, but it will help this season.

From the Homesteading Journal . . .

Yesterday I posted that we broke into these bad boys, and boy did we.  He he he!  Snort!  I even got caught making the chocolate almond coffee and not saving any for my 16 year-old.

...."Mom?!  What's this?" she said waving the empty coffee wrapper. (he he he)

 . . . we finally got the goat stalls started in the other barn.

 . . . this is where they will be going.  I must move my windows that will eventually be my greenhouse, and that fencing will be the new grazing area for the goats.

  . . . this door will come in handy, as the fencing will be behind this side of the door.

. . . we have some work to do yet.  this door has missing boards, so we will need to do more repairing as we build the stalls.

 . . . here is one recycled gate that came out of the barn we will be tearing down.

 . . . the weather has been a bit wet, but you can see we do not have snow yet.  Thankfully.  

 . . . this week I am still working on homemade Christmas gifts.
 
 
 


 



 

Saturday was a doozie

Our day was everything but "farm" related I think.

First, we started out the day with a good work out at the gym.

Second, my oldest brother and his wife came over to help move my 18 year-old's belongings to the house (she's on break from college) and then took 2 of our 5 kids, that were home, out to dinner.
   

Thankfully, through a series of e-mails, we found a home for this precious pup, named Molly.  She turns 2 years old next March.

Times are tough, financially, for many people right now, and my ex-husband had to move and could not keep Molly.  She is a purebred chocolate lab and we had the blessing of having her for a day and night.  I'm so glad we did find a good home, or I would have kept this girl.  She is sooooo sweet.  It was sad and happy when we met up and delivered her to her new home.  The new owners were super excited to get her, and have had labs in the past. It couldn't have worked out better.  I have to admit, I already miss her.  She'll get lots of love.  I can't wait to get pictures when she has her puppies in the future. We even tied a bow onto her collar.

This morning I am breaking out these bad boys.  I already downed 2 cups of Creme Brulee (my brother and his wife gifted me these yesterday).

Last night ended with a bang.  A real bang.  You know when mother's get those calls and something just doesn't feel right?

I got several calls, but when I went to answer or text back....nothing.

Then I get a call on my 18 year-old daughter's cell, but it's not her.  It's her boyfriend's mother.  My daughter was in the hospital, and getting released already.  I was frustrated with not having had communication via cell phone, but hospitals kind of make it that way.  Plus, her phone had been left in the car, and only my daughter was taken to the hospital in the ambulance, while her boyfriend stayed back to talk to the police.

Her boyfriend picked her up to go to the movies.  They never made it there.  They were in a one-car, car accident, but thankfully they are both okay.  They will be very sore, as the seat belts and air bags both worked.  The car is a loss, so they are lucky to walk away from this.

Moms and Dads, go hug your kids.       

Pasta Salad

~1 pkg. Hodgson Mill Veggie Rotini (no preservatives etc)

Excerpts from a Journal Junkie. . .

from the homesteading journal . . .

...dh won't be hunting for deer this upcoming weekend - no extra cash for the hunting license.  I've only spotted 3 deer here this season.  There has also been talk of sick deer this year.

...dh and I have been reading up on what types of meat chickens are best (check the latest issue of Backwoods Home Magazine for a good article).  We've raised one breed so far.

...there's a job opening for a cook at the county jail, but I'm afraid to ask hubby if he approves (most likely not).

...hubby and I have talked about investing in a hand pump for the well in the future.  We are still talking about plans for raising meat (pig and cow), and possibly a dairy cow.  

...I am very impressed with the new handmade recipe I found for grout/tile cleaner.  It's inexpensive,  works better than store brands, and does not have a nasty chemical smell.
 


from the Handicraft Journal . . .

(Started 9-20-2012)

 (one finished, the second is half done)

...almost finished a pot holder set for my mother's cousin.  I got side tracked with other work.

 ...crocheted cup cozy, just like the one above, for a stocking stuffer for one of the girls.



from the Family Journal . . .

...our 10 year-old is entering the seasonal "design a Christmas card" contest.

...I checked out 2 card game books from the library.  I am going to re-teach myself how to play Gin Rummy and teach my kids.

 (side with driveway)

 (front porch and upper floor)

...put up the outside Christmas lights this year. We haven't done this for almost 5 years now.  This is not as easy as you think.  We have zero outlets on the old farm house.  When the last homeowner added on, they added outside outlets on the back half.  My son had to "McGiver" these to one outlet and a then a timer.




from the Gratitude Journal . . .

~my clothesline (even when it's snowing out) 
~cheap coffee
~friends
~our canned food supply
~pen and paper
~mild weather
~natural salves for tired and sore hands
~God's Promises  
  




from the Exercise Journal . . .

...walking at least 2 miles a day (running 3 minutes), down another 2 pounds.