I will be going in for surgery on
4/29/09
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Monday, March 23, 2009
Homesteading Updates
This is what everyone has been looking for...our homesteading updates...
My back problem started on the way home from our visit to our new friends at the intentional community we visited. The last time my back blew out was the day before we were to close on the property in Holmes County, so this seemed like it might be an indication that this was not the path we should choose. We're still open to God's leading in moving so far, but also in trying to find His will closer by too.
We still long for one of our friends from the homeschool group, or church, or even the readers that have contacted us previous to express a true motivation to move ahead with a local intentional Christian community. It's hard to not see the direction our country is moving in, and the daily destruction of the Constitution, economy and the move to end time scenarios (new currency for example). Call me an alarmist if you must, but when the time comes and there are food, energy shortages and rationing, you will know that those who ran for the hills now were right. I don't want to be in the situation of knowing and then being stuck and looking back with an "I should have...." Please, If you feel this way too, are a 912-er, etc, PLEASE email because we found a wonderful property!
We have looked at a few properties that we are considering. The one that is the most attractive has a lot split so we could share it with 2-5 other families if the interest is there. It's still in central Ohio, but far enough out that crime and other factors shouldn't be an issue. The property that we are looking at getting into already has a shop ready for the MAN's business.
(The business is one of the reasons we feel lead to stay in Ohio rather than move out of state. We are currently booked out by about 5 weeks and have also been lead to expand the business into LOG FURNITURE. You'll be hearing more about this soon. We've had requests and now we are working to follow up on an opportunity that seems to be God-lead. )
The property has a house that is a bit less to be desired, but is livable for awhile until we could put something else up. It has plenty of room for animals and gardens. It's close enough in that I could commute to work as long as needed. It really is a beautiful piece of God's earth!
The other one we considered, ended up only miles away from the first. It is also a contender as it has many of the things needed for our business...shop, right on a major road. Amish neighbors with a sawmill (this one is hard to pass up!) and this one was fenced. The house is...ok...well liveable but not very nice, and unfortunately it could only support one family and is landlocked, so it doesn't lend for encouraging others to join us in an intentional community. It's also on only 1/3 of the land of the other property.
We've been wanting to get this house here put up for sale, but I've got so much STUFF that needs dealt with that we haven't gotten to that point. We are now considering putting the house up for auction, like the Amish do, to just get the sale over with!
New baby chickens are slated to hatch in about 20 days, then we have about 18 weeks before the roosters crow so there are some time limits--grin! We are looking at adding rabbits even while we are still in the suburbs. The first animal once we get to the farm, I think, is going to be a Nigerian Dwarf Goat, followed quickly by a Dexter Cow. And even more chickens. I want to be wherever we are going by May 1st as that is planting time. God will dictate the timeline, and now with the added complication of my spinal issues, we really are relying on His Grace.
So, feel free to email or comment! I'll try to do a better job at updating, but sitting is difficult with the nerve pain-thus the reason I haven't been posting all along.
My back problem started on the way home from our visit to our new friends at the intentional community we visited. The last time my back blew out was the day before we were to close on the property in Holmes County, so this seemed like it might be an indication that this was not the path we should choose. We're still open to God's leading in moving so far, but also in trying to find His will closer by too.
We still long for one of our friends from the homeschool group, or church, or even the readers that have contacted us previous to express a true motivation to move ahead with a local intentional Christian community. It's hard to not see the direction our country is moving in, and the daily destruction of the Constitution, economy and the move to end time scenarios (new currency for example). Call me an alarmist if you must, but when the time comes and there are food, energy shortages and rationing, you will know that those who ran for the hills now were right. I don't want to be in the situation of knowing and then being stuck and looking back with an "I should have...." Please, If you feel this way too, are a 912-er, etc, PLEASE email because we found a wonderful property!
We have looked at a few properties that we are considering. The one that is the most attractive has a lot split so we could share it with 2-5 other families if the interest is there. It's still in central Ohio, but far enough out that crime and other factors shouldn't be an issue. The property that we are looking at getting into already has a shop ready for the MAN's business.
(The business is one of the reasons we feel lead to stay in Ohio rather than move out of state. We are currently booked out by about 5 weeks and have also been lead to expand the business into LOG FURNITURE. You'll be hearing more about this soon. We've had requests and now we are working to follow up on an opportunity that seems to be God-lead. )
The property has a house that is a bit less to be desired, but is livable for awhile until we could put something else up. It has plenty of room for animals and gardens. It's close enough in that I could commute to work as long as needed. It really is a beautiful piece of God's earth!
The other one we considered, ended up only miles away from the first. It is also a contender as it has many of the things needed for our business...shop, right on a major road. Amish neighbors with a sawmill (this one is hard to pass up!) and this one was fenced. The house is...ok...well liveable but not very nice, and unfortunately it could only support one family and is landlocked, so it doesn't lend for encouraging others to join us in an intentional community. It's also on only 1/3 of the land of the other property.
We've been wanting to get this house here put up for sale, but I've got so much STUFF that needs dealt with that we haven't gotten to that point. We are now considering putting the house up for auction, like the Amish do, to just get the sale over with!
New baby chickens are slated to hatch in about 20 days, then we have about 18 weeks before the roosters crow so there are some time limits--grin! We are looking at adding rabbits even while we are still in the suburbs. The first animal once we get to the farm, I think, is going to be a Nigerian Dwarf Goat, followed quickly by a Dexter Cow. And even more chickens. I want to be wherever we are going by May 1st as that is planting time. God will dictate the timeline, and now with the added complication of my spinal issues, we really are relying on His Grace.
So, feel free to email or comment! I'll try to do a better job at updating, but sitting is difficult with the nerve pain-thus the reason I haven't been posting all along.
Personal Updates
Like I mentioned yesterday, I started having the same type of back pain, and leg pain that I had two years ago...I didn't let it go like before and got right into the doctor. Last Thursday, I saw the surgeon, and he said about 5-6% of patients "re-herniate" and I was one of them. I had a few options (that were really non-options) and surgery. I am going to go ahead and have the surgery. I am waiting, right now, for the phone to ring with when they can get me in. I'm off of work on Short Term Disablity. My homeschooling mom friends have been stars...again! Everyone is praying, so hopefully it won't get as bad as it did in 07 where I was basically unconscience for 7 weeks.
Also, 12 hours after my MRI last week, I was also in a car accident. When it rains... The accident was at low speed, so there is really no additional injury, but my poor car is hurt. I was tboned in the passenger side of the car. It doesn't look horrible, but it's on the door into the fender and it clipped the frame so the door makes a funny "WRRRoooonggGG" when you open and close it. And you have to seriously slam it to get it to close. Luckily, her insurance company is taking 100% of the liablity, and I will be taking my car in tomorrow to have it fixed and to pick up a rental car while it's being repaired. No out of pocket there! Yeah!
I did also FINALLY get all our junk out of the storage unit...I am only 1 month behind on that goal. But it is done. Sadly, now I have boxes all over the place I need to deal with again, and unfortunately with my back I am not able to do much about it. So good with bad.
Also, 12 hours after my MRI last week, I was also in a car accident. When it rains... The accident was at low speed, so there is really no additional injury, but my poor car is hurt. I was tboned in the passenger side of the car. It doesn't look horrible, but it's on the door into the fender and it clipped the frame so the door makes a funny "WRRRoooonggGG" when you open and close it. And you have to seriously slam it to get it to close. Luckily, her insurance company is taking 100% of the liablity, and I will be taking my car in tomorrow to have it fixed and to pick up a rental car while it's being repaired. No out of pocket there! Yeah!
I did also FINALLY get all our junk out of the storage unit...I am only 1 month behind on that goal. But it is done. Sadly, now I have boxes all over the place I need to deal with again, and unfortunately with my back I am not able to do much about it. So good with bad.
Sunday, March 22, 2009
Very Quick Update
I have lots of updates on the homefront, but haven't been able to sit for long enough to type it out...one quick update though before I go again...I have re-herniated my disc in my back (The same one I had surgery on back on 08/07. I will have to undergo surgery again. I will find out on Monday (tomorrow) what date my surgery will be on and will update you then. In the meantime, I am trying to get the laptop (very old) to "talk" to the desktop so I can update everything else that is going on.....
Until then...
Love, Rea
Until then...
Love, Rea
Saturday, February 28, 2009
Thank you for your patience!
Here is the post you've been waiting on....
Our trip. It was a wonderful trip! We left on Wednesday morning, after a stop to the library to pick up a few books. I wish I had taken a picture of BOY before we left. The van was packed with two beds to be delivered, and the boy was all smooshed in his seat with bed rails popping through all over.
The wind was pretty fierce most of the way there. We made a stop off in St. Louis to deliver the first bed, and the BOY now has a friend in the state of Missouri. He makes friends so easily. After the quick stop there, it was onward.
We arrived to our destination at about 12:30 am. About 14 hours after we had started. We followed our host to his home and met his lovely wife and 3 out of 4 of his sleepy kids. After talking for about an hour, we were given their bed. How hospitable is that?!? I was ready to crash! At that point I had been up about 30 hours with the exception of about an hour nap going through Branson, MO.
The next morning was cold outside, so I stayed snuggled in the house (for the most part) holding the new baby of the house. I love holding new babies!!! My Man put up the bunkbed he brought for the host's kids. The kids loved it and all 4 played like monkeys on it. His beds are so sturdy! It was great to see first hand kids enjoying the fruits of Man's labor! The Man and our Host did chores and ran errands and talked. Our hostess and I talked. The kids all got along beautifully and played. Inside, outside, all over. They went out to look at the new baby goat that was born just hours before we arrived. It was a really nice day of getting to know one another. My hostess and I took a hike up to the top part of the property and I got to see the baby goat and the adult male goats that looked as though they were wearing toupees! Then when the Dads got back the whole gang of us hiked the whole property (or at least the perimeter). We hiked right at sunset. What a beautiful area. And would you know it, I forgot my camera! What a great blogger/scrapbooker am I??? We returned back to enjoy pizza and more fellowship. And another night with our new friends.
The second day dawned much warmer than the day before. The Man and I went off to hike the property again and to talk over what we had each learned so far and our thoughts and leanings towards pursuing moving here. There were some concerned and some thoughts. But still lots to figure out and pray about before a decision can be made. After hiking a bit, we cleaned up the kids and headed out for a potluck at another of the family's house. There are 5 families interested currently. Our host is the founder, then the "C" family, and then the "R" family, then us, and also a man who has had a vision for this for many years and has a website. His wife was not able to make it to the potluck. Neither was the husband in the "C" family. "C"'s wife and kids were there for a short time and were lovely people, I would love to get to know better. They have a teenage daughter that just glows. Her eyes show what a wonderful young lady she is. Then another daughter who is also sweet and a son that is our BOY's age. He and Boy got off to a rough start, and finish. BOY is a bit "city"fied and has had a mom that has told him as long as he's been alive to "don't get dirty." The family that had the potluck was the "R" family. Very sweet with two beautiful little girls. After eating the guys got down to talking about logistics and the ladies sat in the comfortable living room by the wood stove and also got to know one another. The guys spoke long into the night. We finally left at 12:30 am, after being there for almost 10 hours. We crashed again at our host's house. Early (8am) we left for Ohio.
On the way home, we did make a stop in St. Louis, this time at the Arch. It was COLD! We took pictures and checked it out, but it sure didn't take long...then we were on the road again for home. I drove for the last 6 hours. The drive home was spent in thought and prayer and bursts of talking and comparing ideas. We haven't yet come to a conclusion, except that our host has a wonderful opportunity, and a generous heart. He has the equipment and the drive to get everything going right now. We are still praying that we could do something right here in Ohio. Since returning, God has really blessed our business and we have quite a few orders to take care of. We've been contacted by a few people locally that are interested in Intentional Christian Community here in Ohio.
It was a wonderful trip. It was eye opening and educational. Even if we don't join up with this particular community, it spurred us closer and gave us more thoughts and answers on how to get this done. I can't even imagine that God might be using us to be the visionaries for such a community here in Ohio, but He doesn't call the equipped~He equips the called. So...with trepidation we go on looking and listening for God's will. Man and I both feel like time is very short. That with the economic uncertainty and the energy situation, that we need to make a decision and get going with our plan. We pray we are following God's plan for us, but know that even if we have mis-discerned His will, that He will catch us when we fall. So many times in the past few years we've gone ahead with what we thought was our calling only to be stopped at the last minute. Each time was difficult and sometimes devastating. But in hindsight, which is 20/20 we can clearly see where we prayed God's will and asked that if it were not so that the door would be firmly closed. He loves His children and will protect us.
So, we have not given up on community, and have an even clearer picture of what it can and should be. We are open to moving, but also open to staying in Ohio. We want to continue to talk with the people here in Ohio that are truly interested in being in a God centered community of like minded believers.
We are NOT a cult. Wouldn't you love to let your kids out to play and know that each adult they encounter is "safe" and has the same belief system that you do? Yes, it may be true that "It takes a village to raise a child...." I've seen my current village and I want NOTHING to do with it raising my child. In an ICC, you could have that village of believers that will help raise your children without undermining you! Wouldn't it be wonderful to not only be able to go to your neighbor for a cup of sugar when you run out, but also to ask for prayer?! How about being able to count on your community to help you with "barn raisings" and "work frolics"? Have you ever looked out your front window and been surrounded by people, yet are so lonely you could cry? Are you tired of putting on a "happy face" and a "good show" for the neighbors? Or have you gotten tired of them "keeping up with the Jones?" Do you feel like you have community the 2 hours, 2-3 times a week that you are at church, yet as soon as you walk out the door, your community is scattered to the wind not to be heard from until the next time you are "scheduled" to be at church?
I know I have. And I would rather have a Christian community surrounding me, not just emotionally, but physically. And if that isn't possible, then just give me some land that I can have my chickens and gardens and maybe a cow or two.
I've gotten a few emails from the blog of folks who are interested in forming a community here in Ohio, if you are a "lurker" but are seriously interested, please let me know. We would like to start a dialog with you and your family and see what God can put together in the next weeks. Again, we don't think we have much time, so time is of the essence. Experience or not!
Our trip. It was a wonderful trip! We left on Wednesday morning, after a stop to the library to pick up a few books. I wish I had taken a picture of BOY before we left. The van was packed with two beds to be delivered, and the boy was all smooshed in his seat with bed rails popping through all over.
The wind was pretty fierce most of the way there. We made a stop off in St. Louis to deliver the first bed, and the BOY now has a friend in the state of Missouri. He makes friends so easily. After the quick stop there, it was onward.
We arrived to our destination at about 12:30 am. About 14 hours after we had started. We followed our host to his home and met his lovely wife and 3 out of 4 of his sleepy kids. After talking for about an hour, we were given their bed. How hospitable is that?!? I was ready to crash! At that point I had been up about 30 hours with the exception of about an hour nap going through Branson, MO.
The next morning was cold outside, so I stayed snuggled in the house (for the most part) holding the new baby of the house. I love holding new babies!!! My Man put up the bunkbed he brought for the host's kids. The kids loved it and all 4 played like monkeys on it. His beds are so sturdy! It was great to see first hand kids enjoying the fruits of Man's labor! The Man and our Host did chores and ran errands and talked. Our hostess and I talked. The kids all got along beautifully and played. Inside, outside, all over. They went out to look at the new baby goat that was born just hours before we arrived. It was a really nice day of getting to know one another. My hostess and I took a hike up to the top part of the property and I got to see the baby goat and the adult male goats that looked as though they were wearing toupees! Then when the Dads got back the whole gang of us hiked the whole property (or at least the perimeter). We hiked right at sunset. What a beautiful area. And would you know it, I forgot my camera! What a great blogger/scrapbooker am I??? We returned back to enjoy pizza and more fellowship. And another night with our new friends.
The second day dawned much warmer than the day before. The Man and I went off to hike the property again and to talk over what we had each learned so far and our thoughts and leanings towards pursuing moving here. There were some concerned and some thoughts. But still lots to figure out and pray about before a decision can be made. After hiking a bit, we cleaned up the kids and headed out for a potluck at another of the family's house. There are 5 families interested currently. Our host is the founder, then the "C" family, and then the "R" family, then us, and also a man who has had a vision for this for many years and has a website. His wife was not able to make it to the potluck. Neither was the husband in the "C" family. "C"'s wife and kids were there for a short time and were lovely people, I would love to get to know better. They have a teenage daughter that just glows. Her eyes show what a wonderful young lady she is. Then another daughter who is also sweet and a son that is our BOY's age. He and Boy got off to a rough start, and finish. BOY is a bit "city"fied and has had a mom that has told him as long as he's been alive to "don't get dirty." The family that had the potluck was the "R" family. Very sweet with two beautiful little girls. After eating the guys got down to talking about logistics and the ladies sat in the comfortable living room by the wood stove and also got to know one another. The guys spoke long into the night. We finally left at 12:30 am, after being there for almost 10 hours. We crashed again at our host's house. Early (8am) we left for Ohio.
On the way home, we did make a stop in St. Louis, this time at the Arch. It was COLD! We took pictures and checked it out, but it sure didn't take long...then we were on the road again for home. I drove for the last 6 hours. The drive home was spent in thought and prayer and bursts of talking and comparing ideas. We haven't yet come to a conclusion, except that our host has a wonderful opportunity, and a generous heart. He has the equipment and the drive to get everything going right now. We are still praying that we could do something right here in Ohio. Since returning, God has really blessed our business and we have quite a few orders to take care of. We've been contacted by a few people locally that are interested in Intentional Christian Community here in Ohio.
It was a wonderful trip. It was eye opening and educational. Even if we don't join up with this particular community, it spurred us closer and gave us more thoughts and answers on how to get this done. I can't even imagine that God might be using us to be the visionaries for such a community here in Ohio, but He doesn't call the equipped~He equips the called. So...with trepidation we go on looking and listening for God's will. Man and I both feel like time is very short. That with the economic uncertainty and the energy situation, that we need to make a decision and get going with our plan. We pray we are following God's plan for us, but know that even if we have mis-discerned His will, that He will catch us when we fall. So many times in the past few years we've gone ahead with what we thought was our calling only to be stopped at the last minute. Each time was difficult and sometimes devastating. But in hindsight, which is 20/20 we can clearly see where we prayed God's will and asked that if it were not so that the door would be firmly closed. He loves His children and will protect us.
So, we have not given up on community, and have an even clearer picture of what it can and should be. We are open to moving, but also open to staying in Ohio. We want to continue to talk with the people here in Ohio that are truly interested in being in a God centered community of like minded believers.
We are NOT a cult. Wouldn't you love to let your kids out to play and know that each adult they encounter is "safe" and has the same belief system that you do? Yes, it may be true that "It takes a village to raise a child...." I've seen my current village and I want NOTHING to do with it raising my child. In an ICC, you could have that village of believers that will help raise your children without undermining you! Wouldn't it be wonderful to not only be able to go to your neighbor for a cup of sugar when you run out, but also to ask for prayer?! How about being able to count on your community to help you with "barn raisings" and "work frolics"? Have you ever looked out your front window and been surrounded by people, yet are so lonely you could cry? Are you tired of putting on a "happy face" and a "good show" for the neighbors? Or have you gotten tired of them "keeping up with the Jones?" Do you feel like you have community the 2 hours, 2-3 times a week that you are at church, yet as soon as you walk out the door, your community is scattered to the wind not to be heard from until the next time you are "scheduled" to be at church?
I know I have. And I would rather have a Christian community surrounding me, not just emotionally, but physically. And if that isn't possible, then just give me some land that I can have my chickens and gardens and maybe a cow or two.
I've gotten a few emails from the blog of folks who are interested in forming a community here in Ohio, if you are a "lurker" but are seriously interested, please let me know. We would like to start a dialog with you and your family and see what God can put together in the next weeks. Again, we don't think we have much time, so time is of the essence. Experience or not!
Thursday, February 26, 2009
We're back!
I've be so neglectful of the blog as late. Here they come, excuses, excuses! I was having a birthday/valentines, preparing Boy to do his PRESIDENTAL speech (he did great, btw!), packing, getting ready, trying to coordinate getting our broken refrige fixed, getting a tree off our house, working OT and generally running around like a chicken....wait...I am a chicken hugger...I don't like that expression. How 'bout "running around like a woman who has lost her ever-loving mind!"? Yup, that about covers it!
But now, we're back from our jaunt and I'm ready to take a deep breath and tell you all about everything that has been going on. Perhaps in more than one post as I tend to be....um...rather verbal!
Our refridgerator has been broken for over 4 weeks. We had a power surge/brown out at the house and pow, the fridge took on a life of it's own...temp at 50*, fan screaming in terror, a brief period where I thought the good Lord above had answered my prayers and healed our machine. Then finally giving up and calling the insurance company to find out the bad news. $500 deductible...ouch. Then I called Samsung and ...la...da....they said they would extend our warranty out and covered all the repairs. Seems the ice maker (which we think has always been broken) dripped water into the motor, and then the water froze and expanded and cracked the condenser motor case or some such thing...But after only 6 days, the ice machine works again and so does the fridge!!! YEAH!!! Now, the water dispenser is not working though, which makes absolutely no sense.
There is still a tree on the house. Still in the power line. Still freaking me out. BUT...I've gotten the estimates I need and the guy is supposed to be out TODAY to get it off of our house, off of our yard, outta here! And he's taking out the little tree that also fell down but didn't get any press because, well it landed in the yard and not on the house. Updates on that after we see what happens today.
We lost our chicken Starr to her impacted crop while we were gone on our fact finding mission (yes, I will get to that!!! Be patient!). So I was grateful that I didn't have to cull her, but sad that I couldn't do anything to save her. Interestingly enough, the other girls did not peck at her sad little body as chickens tend to do (they will eat anything! I think they'd go after us if we weren't bigger than them.) But instead, they buried her in the hay. I took care of that matter and in respect, went and ordered 10 "nuggets" (which is what I call "day old baby chicks") They will be hatching on April 5th!! We know what we are getting and what some of their names will be... Connie, the new Americauna~Maran, the Cuckoo Maran~ and Becky, the Buckeye. I also ordered 4 "American Eskimo" chickens, but they come straight run (we won't know if they are boys or girls until some of them either start laying or crowing!) So we haven't thought up names for them yet. Oh, and on the day we returned from our trip, Arica started laying again! WooHoo.
The homeschool group did a "Hall of Presidents" like they have at Disney World, for President's Day. Each student had to stand up on the stage, with a mic and give a speech about their life, or recite a speech their president had given. It was a very fun night. BOY was President Zachary Taylor, old rough and ready! He did a really nice job. And I learned quite a bit about our 12th president. Now we are preparing for the Pinecar Derby on Saturday.
Speaking of our trip....NEXT POST~
But now, we're back from our jaunt and I'm ready to take a deep breath and tell you all about everything that has been going on. Perhaps in more than one post as I tend to be....um...rather verbal!
Our refridgerator has been broken for over 4 weeks. We had a power surge/brown out at the house and pow, the fridge took on a life of it's own...temp at 50*, fan screaming in terror, a brief period where I thought the good Lord above had answered my prayers and healed our machine. Then finally giving up and calling the insurance company to find out the bad news. $500 deductible...ouch. Then I called Samsung and ...la...da....they said they would extend our warranty out and covered all the repairs. Seems the ice maker (which we think has always been broken) dripped water into the motor, and then the water froze and expanded and cracked the condenser motor case or some such thing...But after only 6 days, the ice machine works again and so does the fridge!!! YEAH!!! Now, the water dispenser is not working though, which makes absolutely no sense.
There is still a tree on the house. Still in the power line. Still freaking me out. BUT...I've gotten the estimates I need and the guy is supposed to be out TODAY to get it off of our house, off of our yard, outta here! And he's taking out the little tree that also fell down but didn't get any press because, well it landed in the yard and not on the house. Updates on that after we see what happens today.
We lost our chicken Starr to her impacted crop while we were gone on our fact finding mission (yes, I will get to that!!! Be patient!). So I was grateful that I didn't have to cull her, but sad that I couldn't do anything to save her. Interestingly enough, the other girls did not peck at her sad little body as chickens tend to do (they will eat anything! I think they'd go after us if we weren't bigger than them.) But instead, they buried her in the hay. I took care of that matter and in respect, went and ordered 10 "nuggets" (which is what I call "day old baby chicks") They will be hatching on April 5th!! We know what we are getting and what some of their names will be... Connie, the new Americauna~Maran, the Cuckoo Maran~ and Becky, the Buckeye. I also ordered 4 "American Eskimo" chickens, but they come straight run (we won't know if they are boys or girls until some of them either start laying or crowing!) So we haven't thought up names for them yet. Oh, and on the day we returned from our trip, Arica started laying again! WooHoo.
The homeschool group did a "Hall of Presidents" like they have at Disney World, for President's Day. Each student had to stand up on the stage, with a mic and give a speech about their life, or recite a speech their president had given. It was a very fun night. BOY was President Zachary Taylor, old rough and ready! He did a really nice job. And I learned quite a bit about our 12th president. Now we are preparing for the Pinecar Derby on Saturday.
Speaking of our trip....NEXT POST~
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
UPDATES:
This will be a short post to update everyone about what is going on:
- There is still a tree on our house. We're trying to get tree guys, AEP power and everything coordinated. The insurance adjuster was out yesterday and said that it couldn't have fallen in a better way. Very little damage except to the deck. Oh, that and the fact that it is still tangled in the power line. That is freaking me out a bit, and keeping me praying for no fire.
- Arica hasn't layed since the 9th...so I'm not sure what is going on there. I don't see a problem...yet...maybe she is about to molt. I'm adding prayers to see a green egg soon.
- Starr is still with us. I haven't yet been able to post about what is going on with her. She hasn't layed since late January. She has an impacted crop and it is filled like a balloon. I should have culled her but haven't had the heart to do it. Having an impacted crop means everything is staying in her crop and she isn't getting any food/water into her. But apparently she is getting something as she is still hanging on. So we wait on her....
- Good news is that we are still getting an egg a day...the Buffies take turns laying.
- Now the big news, I'm packing up to go on an adventure. We will be delivering a bed to St. Louis and the BOY will get to see the Arch (God's hand in bringing a "one off" order from St. Louis!!), then off to meet and greet our new friends and find out more about the intentional community. Man has become good friends with the founder of the community and we are excited to meet them IRL (in real Life) and meet the other families committed to the community. We will be staying a night with one of the other families and there is a potluck planned at one of the other family's house.
While I am in the car, it's my plan to get caught up on my blogging and get everything posted in the various areas when I return, so be watching for updates!!
Thursday, February 12, 2009
'tis a bit windy....
OK, so that is slightly an understatement!
Here's BOY beside the rootball. And he's 52 inches tall.
We had the big wind storm last night (the same storm that brought Tornados to Oklahoma.) We lost power almost as soon as it started. I think the power came back on about 2 am. I was at work, so I'm not sure exactly when (Except estimating by the flashing digital clocks.)
I was delighted to see the power back on when I rolled up to our house this morning. The chickens are all accounted for. (Although Starr is not looking well, more on that soon). Then I went to go out the back door to feed the chickies and what do I see....
Yes, that would be a tree on our house...
It unrooted itself and broke through the deck railing and onto the roof over the living room / kitchen, is peeking into the BOY's bedroom window, and then on up on the top roof over the bedrooms. It's a 30+ year old tree that is about 70 feet tall....I'm thinking enough for a bed or two :)
I'm praising God that it didn't go through any windows, or through the roof. We don't know yet if the roof is damaged. I'm waiting for the assessor to call. Also waiting on the power company because we do have power but the branches are all over the power lines leading into our house. And it's still VERY windy today, so I pray that nothing shifts and breaks the lines or starts a fire. We also had damaged gutters and downspouts.
It's hard to see but the power line is running through this mess!
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Intentional Christian Community
This is an email that MAN recently sent out to our homeschool group about Intentional Communities....
"Have you ever wondered if you could ever life like the Amish? If you're like me certain aspects of it are appealing. Not everything, of course, but then not everything in our modern life is all that appealing. Ok, so I wouldn't adopt Amish doctrine and I'm not talking about an isolationist cult but a Christian community of caring, loving, serving, like-minded folks who still are hungry for more of what the Lord has for us
and to be obedient to the Great Commission. The new term is Intentional Christian Community.
I've mentioned this once before briefly and since then Rea and I have done a little research into the subject. We even traveled to a small one community in eastern Ohio and met with folks for a day. Each community would certainly have its own unique characteristics and this one was on the wane and had little land left to develop.
The idea is simple and mostly self-sufficient and debt-free living depending on technology as available and focusing on developing the simple skills of farming, construction, and home-making. Members have the choice and are encouraged to attend their own church or attend "simple church" or housechurch as some of you have heard of.
Recently a start-up community contacted me through a network of interested folks. We have been having a wonderful time of online and phone fellowship and discussing the development of this community. We haven't decided to join yet as there are lots of details to work out and to determine our compatability.
In the next few weeks we will be traveling to meet with the founder and 3 or 4 other
families who are planning to start developing the land this year. 150 acres are
already purchased and somewhat developed. There is more land nearby and they are also looking at an additional 60 acres with some infrastructure, pasture, and
timber.
Interestingly the founder and I have both attended a log home builder's school in Washington state. Neither of us had any prior knowlege of this. He has weighed
the benefits and low cost of building log homes from scratch and is leaning toward a compressed adobe (rammed earth) type construction. It's cheap, available, fast, uses on-site resources (dirt) has superior insulation properties, and needs no mortar. Details and videos areavailable online at http://www.adobemachine.com/ .The whole idea appeals to me considering the times we live in. There are huge uncertainties facing all of us (especially Christians) who want to preserve our faith for future generations. Economic upheaval, energy, food, climate, political. Know this, that if you don't know what might hit you, then you won't be prepared when it does. I believe that the time to prepare is now while our government is still able to keep things afloat for a little longer.
If any of you are interested I will add you to my email list and try to keep you informed of our progress. I won't be using GBHEF for this purpose so you will have to let me know your email address to keep informed.
Thanks for your time. God keep you and
bless you."
Like he mentioned, we have been to visit a community that was about an hour and a half away from our current home. We are going out to meet the founder and his family (and the other families) of this new community. It's further away than we had planned for ourselves, but if it's God's calling then that is where we will go. We are also open to the idea that maybe this is a fact mission to start our own right here with the families that we already know and love, near our current church. We are in deep prayer as this will affect our family in a BIG way. But as I've said before, we have a BIG God! We have some very large hurtles that stand in our way, but if it is His will....
Please pray with us that we would be able to discern what we are being lead to do, and to be bold and brave with whatever the outcome is. And that the fears that we both have would be calmed and questions answered.
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Sorry I've been MIA! Chicken Update
WHEW...it has been awhile since I've posted! The boy came down with a bad cold, and that's when he feels the most lovey-dovey. Guess who he lovey-dovey-ed (is that a word) on? Yup, that me! So then I got a really good cold. I haven't called into work since last February, and I actually called in on 1/14. And that was a GREAT night NOT to go to work. We got about an 1/2 inch of freezing rain followed by about 3 inches of snow...followed by negative temperatures. So...I stayed under the heated blanket and slept! Oh, and for all the times I've said that sleep is over-rated.....I WAS WRONG! :)
What's been happening? Hmm...let's see...let's start with the chickens. Yes, I will get pictures up of Arica and Star...soon, and also our winter shelter. But for now (since I am stuck at work without the tail to my camera...again!) I'll give the lowdown on the eggs...
1/8
1/9
1/10
1/11
1/12
1/13
(I'll update these tonight as I don't have my "egg calendar" with me.
1/14- 0 eggs
1/15 - 1 egg also 1* outside.
1/16 - Bought a Brooder heat lamp at the feed store-2 eggs
1/17 - 2 eggs
1/18 - 4 eggs /Star's egg was crushed in the box
1/19 - 3 eggs
1/20 - 1 egg
I'm concerned about Star's eggs. She has had the most issues of all my birds (well, besides the one that died-grimace!) She is the one with the lame foot, and a huge patch of broken feathers on her back (They still haven't grown back and we've had her for almost 3 full months). Well, she consistantly give the JUMBO eggs...usually with a double yolk, but then some days she lays the "egg liner" with no shell and no egg. Her eggs, even when jumbo, have a very brittle shell. The others have hard shells and there is grit mixed with their food, so....she may have to be Sunday dinner. I'll give her another month or two, and in the meantime be checking the internet to see if there is anything else I can do for her.
I have put an ad on Craigslist to get some other people to go in on a chicken order for February. It looks like I might actually have enough interest to put an order in. I only need 4 (possibly 10), but you can't order less than 25. We have decided on a new breed to raise and sell (maybe). First, check out this auction...now I realize that this may be a fluke auction but still......
http://www.eggbid.com/listings/details/index.cfm?itemnum=1231471540
And here is the "American Eskimo" Chickens that we want to raise to sell...
As a day old chick..
As a "grown up"
What's been happening? Hmm...let's see...let's start with the chickens. Yes, I will get pictures up of Arica and Star...soon, and also our winter shelter. But for now (since I am stuck at work without the tail to my camera...again!) I'll give the lowdown on the eggs...
1/8
1/9
1/10
1/11
1/12
1/13
(I'll update these tonight as I don't have my "egg calendar" with me.
1/14- 0 eggs
1/15 - 1 egg also 1* outside.
1/16 - Bought a Brooder heat lamp at the feed store-2 eggs
1/17 - 2 eggs
1/18 - 4 eggs /Star's egg was crushed in the box
1/19 - 3 eggs
1/20 - 1 egg
I'm concerned about Star's eggs. She has had the most issues of all my birds (well, besides the one that died-grimace!) She is the one with the lame foot, and a huge patch of broken feathers on her back (They still haven't grown back and we've had her for almost 3 full months). Well, she consistantly give the JUMBO eggs...usually with a double yolk, but then some days she lays the "egg liner" with no shell and no egg. Her eggs, even when jumbo, have a very brittle shell. The others have hard shells and there is grit mixed with their food, so....she may have to be Sunday dinner. I'll give her another month or two, and in the meantime be checking the internet to see if there is anything else I can do for her.
I have put an ad on Craigslist to get some other people to go in on a chicken order for February. It looks like I might actually have enough interest to put an order in. I only need 4 (possibly 10), but you can't order less than 25. We have decided on a new breed to raise and sell (maybe). First, check out this auction...now I realize that this may be a fluke auction but still......
http://www.eggbid.com/listings/details/index.cfm?itemnum=1231471540
And here is the "American Eskimo" Chickens that we want to raise to sell...
As a day old chick..
As a "grown up"
They are called "Silkies" and their feathers are like fur, they have as BOY puts it "Slippers on their feet." and the meat is actually black skinned.
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
January 7th: Day 7
Alright, so officially it is day 7, and I realize it is the middle of the night for most everyone else...but I want to be more diligent about posting daily. So, I've started the post for today. I wanted also to let you know that I have another blog going, and will have a 3rd going up soon.
Why? You ask. My life is very full and somewhat fragmented. I have 7 areas in my life that I want to start new habits in, and improve myself plus if I posted all that was going on in my mind and life on a daily basis, I'm afraid that someone might want to have me commited (haha). Plus the posts would be huge! I would love comments, so I don't think I am on this journey alone, but even if you can't comment, let me know that I'm not just rambling on and on and spending too much time typing for nothing!
So anyway, I already have up my "Scrap-tastrophe Studio" Blog (it's on the sidebar) and that is focusing on my Faith goals, my Faithbooking goals, and my scrapbooking goals. It's likely to become photo heavy. I have also decided to put a link to my homeschooling blog, because I get lots of questions about that and it will help me to be more focused and diligent in that area of our life. It's hosted on another blogroll, so I have to figure out how to link it here. Watch for it in the sidebar if you are interested.
I have Homesteading goals which are housed here on the orginal site and I've kinda put my financial goals here to. I also have home improvement goals that when I actually am able to do them will appear here. I am also wanting to become a more adventurous / consistant home baker/ cook, so I may include some of my recipes, etc as I make ones that aren't a flop GRIN!
My physical fitness goals are still hidden, but as I get braver, they may appear as well.
You'll also be seeing some advertising popping up along the bottom or side. I am trying to make sure it is not very intrusive. If you are interested, please do click into them. I do get a penny a click and am planning on doing a cool giveaway like I see on other blogs once I get to $20 or more dollars. Stay tuned there!
I am really grateful for the handful of you that do read my blog, and the few that are able to comment. Please check back and keep me accountable. I joke with my family that because of my odd hours of work, all my friends are inside my computer and I mostly have "virtual" friends. Virtual or not (imaginary or not-haha!) I love you all and appreciate you taking time out of your day to spend a few minutes with me!
Why? You ask. My life is very full and somewhat fragmented. I have 7 areas in my life that I want to start new habits in, and improve myself plus if I posted all that was going on in my mind and life on a daily basis, I'm afraid that someone might want to have me commited (haha). Plus the posts would be huge! I would love comments, so I don't think I am on this journey alone, but even if you can't comment, let me know that I'm not just rambling on and on and spending too much time typing for nothing!
So anyway, I already have up my "Scrap-tastrophe Studio" Blog (it's on the sidebar) and that is focusing on my Faith goals, my Faithbooking goals, and my scrapbooking goals. It's likely to become photo heavy. I have also decided to put a link to my homeschooling blog, because I get lots of questions about that and it will help me to be more focused and diligent in that area of our life. It's hosted on another blogroll, so I have to figure out how to link it here. Watch for it in the sidebar if you are interested.
I have Homesteading goals which are housed here on the orginal site and I've kinda put my financial goals here to. I also have home improvement goals that when I actually am able to do them will appear here. I am also wanting to become a more adventurous / consistant home baker/ cook, so I may include some of my recipes, etc as I make ones that aren't a flop GRIN!
My physical fitness goals are still hidden, but as I get braver, they may appear as well.
You'll also be seeing some advertising popping up along the bottom or side. I am trying to make sure it is not very intrusive. If you are interested, please do click into them. I do get a penny a click and am planning on doing a cool giveaway like I see on other blogs once I get to $20 or more dollars. Stay tuned there!
I am really grateful for the handful of you that do read my blog, and the few that are able to comment. Please check back and keep me accountable. I joke with my family that because of my odd hours of work, all my friends are inside my computer and I mostly have "virtual" friends. Virtual or not (imaginary or not-haha!) I love you all and appreciate you taking time out of your day to spend a few minutes with me!
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
MON: Day 6
Well, today was a bit of a bust on the homestead-except we were back to getting 4 eggs! Good girls!
I'm working mandatory OT at my J.O.B. on both Mondays and Tuesdays for the whole entire month, add to that already working an extra 14 hours this weekend....I'm tired.
Boy had a vision therapy appointment, but we didn't make it because he woke up sick. Poor thing. Might have something to do with the fact that he was out riding his razor yesterday with a spring jacket on...but Stormy the dog, now HE had on a winter coat, over his God-given fur coat. SIGH.
Money spent today $2.29 for my Diet Citrus Drop addiction. (12 pack- should last 4 days)
Breakfast: Bananas, Cookie Crisp Cereal, and vitamins
Lunch: Man had canned soup and crackers, Boy and I slept through lunch
Dinner: Man had frozen lasagna, Boy had boiled Star egg, peanut butter crackers, cheese stick, and lego fruit snacks (I orginally gave him Mac n Cheese and was told it smelled like poison-yeah, I feel great about my cooking ability. grin)
OK, so our meal options were not great today, that happens with oodles of overtime and sick kids. Tomorrow I will be making bread again, and something warm and nutritious.
ON HOMESTEAD NEWS: I've started perusing the seed catalogs and dreaming of spring. Later this month I will get my itty bitty tomato seeds planted under a grow light in the house. I will also be planting lettuce, spinach and herbs to grow because they are so quick growing that we can just eat them from out of the window box.
I also spent last night looking at numerous chicken hatchery sites trying to decide what 3 chickens we are going to add to the family. I really like our 4 and am tempted to just get the same breeds, but then I also want to try other breeds. Boy I wish we were out in the country so I didn't have to limit my chicken habit.
Here are the ones I am thinking of....another Arica, a Cuckoo Maran (lays dark chocolate colored eggs) A silkie bantam. For non-chicken hugging readers: Bantam means smaller than the standard breeds. Silkie is just that, their feathers are more like down and very soft and lays down more like hair. Some also have feathers on their feet that look like slippers. They lay smaller eggs, but from what I've read the yolks are the same size as standard eggs and actually lower in cholesterol. I also like the Lace Wing Sussex because they are really pretty. I've thought about getting a white egg laying hen also. I posted an ad on Craigslist to find others that needed day old chicks, because they won't send less than 25...and really, I CANNOT have 25 more chicks...really...no, Rea, you CANNOT! Opinions are welcome.
I'm also excited because it looks as though I may have more customers for my eggs than I thought. At church on Sunday, I was talking with my one friend who has said all along that she wanted eggs, and another mom piped up that she wanted some too! Horray! I don't think that I will make money at selling eggs. My goal for selling eggs is to maintain the chickens. The money I get for eggs goes back into feed for them, plus we are still getting eggs for our family. I figure at the pace they are currently going, I will be able to do just that. Feed is about $20 a month, two dozen eggs a week at $2.50 a dozen will be exactly that. And leaves about 4 eggs per week for us to use.
Monday, January 5, 2009
MON: Day 5- January 5th
Today was a shopping day! But I stayed in my $25 budget and by grocery gaming I ended up getting $52 worth of items. I >heart< Meijers! $23.45 spent.
1 bag big carrots, 1 bag baby carrots, 2 celery, 1 bag of onions, 3 bags of spinach, 2 bags of premade salad, 1 bag of coleslaw, 4 cans of Campbells tomato soup, 4 cans of Campbells Healthy Select soup, a gallon of milk, bottle of V8 juice, 2 boxes of electrsol (This was my coop buy- Regularly $3.69, on sale for $3.00, and had 2 coupons for $2.50 off-so, $0.50 a box!) and a 2 pound chuck roast. We will be having Roast with veggies tomorrow and salad with hard boiled eggs for lunches.
Lunch: left overs
Dinner: I actually am not sure what they had because I had overtime and was into work by 5:30.
The chickens only laid one egg today. I'm pretty sure it's because of the light. The light had (I thought) burnt out. They need 12-14 hours of light to lay. The boy climbed into the coop at some point while I was napping and discovered the bulb was just loose and tightened it, so the girls have light again. Hopefully tomorrow we will be back to 3-4 eggs.
1 bag big carrots, 1 bag baby carrots, 2 celery, 1 bag of onions, 3 bags of spinach, 2 bags of premade salad, 1 bag of coleslaw, 4 cans of Campbells tomato soup, 4 cans of Campbells Healthy Select soup, a gallon of milk, bottle of V8 juice, 2 boxes of electrsol (This was my coop buy- Regularly $3.69, on sale for $3.00, and had 2 coupons for $2.50 off-so, $0.50 a box!) and a 2 pound chuck roast. We will be having Roast with veggies tomorrow and salad with hard boiled eggs for lunches.
Lunch: left overs
Dinner: I actually am not sure what they had because I had overtime and was into work by 5:30.
The chickens only laid one egg today. I'm pretty sure it's because of the light. The light had (I thought) burnt out. They need 12-14 hours of light to lay. The boy climbed into the coop at some point while I was napping and discovered the bulb was just loose and tightened it, so the girls have light again. Hopefully tomorrow we will be back to 3-4 eggs.
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