Firewood from Friends 5/2/15

Some friends down the road have about 7 acres of land, and a lot of trees down. (We started looking for firewood for the winter very early this year after last year's harsh winter).  Our friends invited us over to cut wood to add to our woodpile.  

After working with his birthday chainsaw that he got last year, Boy was beyond frustrated because it wouldn't stay going.  Dad to the rescue!  Since Man wasn't allowed to do any really heavy labor, he went to Rural King and got Boy a chainsaw!  He loves his machinery!!

Our friends also have this awesome John Deere tractor.  Boy asked lots and lots of questions about it~  Our friends let both of us drive it around their farm.  It is NICE!!

We are truly blessed to have friends that are neighbors who blessed us with firewood and help!

Take a Bite out of Lymes #TBT 3/24/15

I have been blessed with a "Friend of a friend" that has become so dear to me! My friend, Erin, has Lyme's disease, but is one of the most uplifting people I've "met".  She has such a love for the Lord and sweet disposition, that everytime we "talk" I am immensely blessed.  March  was Lyme's disease awareness month, and to raise awareness, you needed to take a "bite out of Lyme's" and then post a picture.....here's ours:

And my Man turned a pen out of the Lyme's color for me to send to Erin:

Isn't it gorgeous.

Here's some facts about Lyme's Disease:

http://www.ilads.org/lyme/lyme-quickfacts.php

1. Lyme disease is a world-wide infectious disease and has been reported in all 50 states, 25% of the reported cases are children. Lyme disease had been found on every continent but Antarctica.
2. Typically Lyme disease is transmitted through a bite from an infected deer tick. These ticks, often the size of a poppy seed, can leave an undetectable bite.
3. Fewer than 50% of people infected get the bull’s eye rash. Some develop flu-like symptoms a week or so after becoming infected, however, many people are asymptomatic but can develop Lyme symptoms months, years or decades later.
4. Common Symptoms include: fatigue, neck stiffness or pain, jaw discomfort, muscle pain, joint aches like arthritis- typically in the knees, swollen glands, memory loss, cognitive confusion, vision problems, digestive issues, headaches and fainting.
5. The Lyme spirochete bacteria is hard to detect and hard to kill. Lyme disease is growing at epidemic proportions in the United States.
6. It is called the great imitator; looking like many other health problems (Fibromyalgia, Arthritis, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Bells Palsy, ADD, MS and Lupus).
7. The medical community is divided over the diagnosis and treatment guidelines. Health insurance often doesn’t cover the treatment for Chronic Lyme disease.
8. The standard and most commonly prescribed for diagnosing Lyme test is the ELISA test. This test, often not sensitive enough to detect Lyme, can produce a false negative. The more sensitive test is called the IgG and IgM Western Blots test. The preferred testing lab is IGeneX Lab in Palo Alto. www.igenex.com.

Good friends and Firewood!

With all of the health issues Man has been having we've been behind on getting ready for winter.

We heat with wood, so firewood is essential for us.

Great friends of ours (Boy's Best Friend's family) arranged for some wood to be dropped off and also brought another load.  We had a firewood work day as all the "boys" cut and split wood.

When it was all said in done, we had another 3 cords to keep us warm this winter!

A HUGE THANK YOU to our friends!

A Homestead Birthday Gift from Boy's Best Friend

Boy's Best Friend gifted him a great homestead gift of a chainsaw.

He's so excited to use it!

A Day at the Fair

Boy is in 4-H.  His plan was to show breeding rabbits and do a woodworking project.

Unfortunately, with his Dad being very ill, the plans were derailed and we didn't make it to the fair to show.  However, we did make it to the fair to see Boy's Best Friend and his award winning turkeys!

And came home to a gorgeous summer sunset!

I am Thankful for....Day 7

Yesterday I was thankful for family that are friends...

today I am thankful for the friends that become family!

 

I've read a saying that friends are the family you choose....

...and I have been blessed with some very special ones!

First is Reyn BFF.  We have been friends for ....mumble...mumble...well, I'm not going to put how many years but since we were both in 2nd grade FOREVER ago.  She and I were both the "new girls" as we moved to the school district at about the same time.

She shouted in a boy's ear that was harassing me....and we've been BFFs ever since.  She is one of my most diligent encouragers of my blog and leaves comments all the time so I know that I'm not just writing to the wind.  She has always been an encouragement to me and has supported me in everything...hairbrained or not!  She is my sounding board, my joy, and is one of those friends that you can call at 3 am crying and making no sense...and she understands.

I'm so, so blessed...

My Soul Sisters

Second, are the ladies and their families that have come into our lives and stayed.  Our kids are friends, our hubbies are friends, and we all have a great time together.

Me and KA (the awesome lady that recently did our portraits!
and the one that takes cryptic FB posts and comes to the rescue)

 

Not the greatest picture...I don't have a picture of my friend, HH, probably because she's frequently off patching up a booboo on one of their 5 kids-the oldest son is Boy's BFF)


 

Finally for today is a relatively new friend, that I only know through the internet, but I have been blessed beyond measure by her words and support.  My dear Man used to tease me about my "imaginary" friends on the internet.  And SP is my BIFF (Best Imaginary Friend Forever) that has made the leap despite the fact that we might run into one another at Lowe's and not even recognize each other (grin).  She was my first "cow" friend and has been a support to me in my first year of cow ownership.  But it was when Bess became ill, that we became very close.  She was asking all the time via IM how she was doing.  Helping me to cope...knowing that despite a cow being "just a farm animal" how attached you can be.  It was then that we started to explore and expand our friendship until now I consider her a soul sister too.  (And am considering moving to her farm in Tennessee!)

Just yesterday, I was chatting with both my cousin BFF, and my BIFF.  I said basically the same thing about my day to both of them (in separate chats) and they both came back with the SAME response! 


I am wonderfully Blessed and so very thankful to have these lovely women to share my confidences and heart with, knowing that they will come along side of me and pray for me.  There are many people that I consider my friends, and I love them for what they are to me, but for most there are only little segments and pieces of my life that they share....unlike these 4 women that know it all...and love me anyway!

Fun Day!

We had a fun out-of-the-ordinary day on Thursday!  It counts towards the 101 too!

I took Boy and his friend to the greatest roller coaster park in the country-Cedar Point.

 

It was a L O N G  day, but a very, very fun one! 

I'll take help wherever it comes from....

Our friends came over for a picnic last night....but they needed to come early enough for their oldest daughter (and Boy's Best Friend's younger sister) to help me milk.  She milks goats, so it was a fairly easy task for her and she was very quick!!

She's been wanting to do it for some time, and I would be glad to keep her here as she is such a thoughtful young lady!  (And already makes great pies!)  Thank you, Miss M!

Of course, Danny needed to "help".

Independence Day!

This year we didn't plan on doing much for Independence Day.  Last year, I walked a cow home is 98* heat, milked for the very first time, and then threw a party for 30 people.  The party was fun...but way too hot.

The big gun range/campground that is about 1 mile down the road puts on a great show that we can see perfectly from our pasture.  I had a really hard time, just letting that go.  Plus...it was only 75*...I know how to milk now....etc., etc.

My Boy's Best Friend's family is also our closest friends.  They called yesterday and asked if we wanted to come over for some "redneck" fireworks.  They were great, as was the company, and the vanilla coated popcorn...out of this world.  We took Boy's friend back home with us, and then they came over tonight to enjoy a picnic, the campground fireworks, and then the firework show ala Nana.  (Nana and I drove WAY out of town to go get some fireworks today.)

We had such a blast.  It's the second night in a row I haven't been in bed by 9:30-10.  YAWN!!  It is worth it though!  AND we saw two shooting stars, too.  God's Fireworks!!

Happy Independence Day (OK, a day late!)

Spring has S P R U N G

At this point, it would have to take a 10 day blizzard to convince me otherwise.....

Spring is here:

Last months chicks:


 Popples born this morning:








Turkey hatching in the laundry room:



Boys digging big holes:



The extra boy is my Boy's very good buddy who slept over last night (although I am hearing that much sleep was NOT involved. )

Other fun stuff not pictured: Tomato sprouts on the counter, 3 chicks born earlier this week, SIDING FINISHED!!!

Oh...yeah....the Christmas gift....

Finally everyone has their Christmas gift, so I can spill what I made....

Homemade (Homebrewed) Vanilla Extract!

It was much easier than I thought it would be.  I found the recipe online on an "Unprocessed" blog hop I was on.  I was so excited to try it.  And couldn't blog about it as I knew that some (most) of my loyal readers would be recipients of the yumminess.  I think keeping it to myself was the hardest part of the recipe!!  It needs to brew for about 6-8 weeks, so keeping quiet that long....whew!

What's going to be even HARDER??? I've already found things I want to make for gifts for NEXT Christmas!  48 weeks of keeping quiet.  YIKES!

What a blessing friends are....

Today I am grateful for friends.  Friends that touch our lives in so many different ways. 

We had dinner on Monday night with a family that we are friends with.  We so rarely go anywhere that this was a huge treat.  The moms had mom time, the dads had dad time, and the boys!  We'll these are my boy's best buds so they had a blast!  Thank you so much!  It may have been a just little get together and a meal, but already I am seeing that it may be an answer to long awaited prayers!

Then are the friends that I don't get to see and talk to very much, but I never doubt their love.  I know if I needed it, they would be there in an instant!

Just today, I went to the mailbox and found love in it.  Two homeschooling friends sent notes along to my boy with money FROM THE KIDS to help with Kristl's medical treatment.  We are getting closer and closer to being able to have her amputation surgery.  But we are also in a quandry.  As much as we love Kristl, we have been wondering and praying if this is the right thing to do.  The money we've raised could go to other worthy things....two other good friends are raising funds to adopt from Ethopia and China.  These are children that will be brought up in God's love...which is more important than a mere pet (as much as we dearly love her).  So what do we do.? We went to a different vet yesterday and the leg definitely needs to go...we did get a smaller estimate ($500-$750), and we are starting to get donations and selling treats.

Happy Wednesday!

I had my MRI and blood tests yesterday...it was not a good day in the Wallace Homestead.  But today is a new day.

I had one of my closest friends come over and spend most of the afternoon with me.  She brought her 3 boys which are Boy's best buddies.  They had a blast playing in the barn...eating in the barn....playing with the cats...I haven't really been out to the barn to see what they were "building" but I am sure it will be fun.

My friend looked at my 101 list and there is 2 on there inspired by her and she is going to help me accomplish them!! WOO HOO!  She is one of those friends that inspire you to do things you've never done before.  She really pays attention to what you say and makes you feel like you are her most important friend...and she has a lot of friends (and that's probably why!).  I love spending time with her.   And Boy loves her boys and constantly asks if one of them can be his "brother" even if it's just for one night.  I can understand that, because I am so glad she is my "Sister" in Christ! So we try to get together when we can.

The garden is in a doing fairly well.  I haven't gotten the official count, but there are at least 40 tomato plants and 20 pepper plants.  The tomatillo is blooming.  The potatoes are doing well also.  I will take pictures later.

I'm off to try to help in Man's business.  I don't think I am much of a help, but I guess any little bit helps.

Out to dinner

So 40 has...started to....turned around.  We spent the evening with cherished friends.  We all went out to Red Lobster for dinner while Boy spent the evening with his favorite girl and her sister (their girls).  Then the ladies went to Hobby Lobby and the guys went to Lowes.  We met back up at their house and enjoyed a rich and delicious cherry cheesecake with candles on it for my birthday.  AWW....how wonderful!! 

Thanks guys for making me feel so loved!! <3

BFFs

I have been very blessed in my life with friends.  I have some very, VERY good friends, most in the same place of their walk in life as me.  (Homeschooling moms, Christian).  Each one brings out different sides of me and all are a huge blessing.  They inspire me as to who I should 'grow up to be.'  Some I don't get to see very often, but when we do get together, it's like we've never been apart (Hello, Mabel!)

But God has given me 3 lifelong friends.  I have no doubt they will be with me until my dying day.

 First is my DH.  God knew just what He was doing when He brought us together.  I could go on and on about why we are a matched set, but I will save that post for later this week....on his birthday.

I was recently explaining to my wonderful Boy how we have the family that we are given...then we have the family that we choose. (Close friends).  This conversation came about after he asked me how he ended up with SO many Aunts.   So then we got to my cousin....and she is family I was given and family by choice.  We will always be friends because, well, we are related....and truly we are so different.  I grow rutabaga, she refuses to believe it exists.  But we are alike in some crazy ways.  And, I can't imagine my life without her in it.  In our family she is Aunt N.  She is a BFF!

Then there is Aunt S.  Aunt S and I have been friends since we were in the 2nd grade.  She screamed in the ear of a bully to get him to leave me alone.  We were both the new girls in class.  Despite me moving quite a bit, we stayed really close friend all through school. Then my cousin BFF met my school BFF and they became friends...how cool!  Then I moved to Arizona....yet we still managed to stay friends.  I moved back to Ohio and you would think with the closer proximity we would see one another more often...but we are both busy in our respective lives....she works days, me nights.  She has teenagers (Oh, MY!) and I have a bazillion chickens.  You get the idea.  But we stay in touch with email and I know that if I need her, she will be there.  Crazy enough, it's been about 4 years since we physically saw one another.  But....I sent an email about my grandma's passing and she was there at the visitation a few hours later.

Below all are represented in these pictures. 

My dear, wonderful husband (BFF) spent time talking with (I hope) one of my future BFFs (Boy).

Man was documenting the farewell to my beloved grandma...and caught me breaking down..

...followed by....being comforted by Aunt S...

....and then Aunt N...

And then Boy wanted to comfort (and be comforted) too...

I love all four of you!!  Thanks for being my BFFs.

My wonderful Friends...and gardening update!

My wonderful friend came out with her two girls to "exercise her inner farmer."  What an awesome friend I have.  She brought pizza, and helped me weed my weedpatch...I mean garden.  Sometimes working 3rd shift makes it difficult to be a farmer.  Having friends like Kerry make life worth living.  Thank you, friend!!

YOU ARE A STAR!!

Having my friend kick me in the bum...I mean motivate me to get going...I got over 200 tomatoes (19 varieties) planted.  Along with 5 types of peppers, zucchini squash, acorn squash, pickling cucumbers, salad cucumbers, brussel sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, watermelon, and cantaloupe.  All were started in our laundry room!

The corn is about waist high, but had a poor germination rate.  The popcorn only has about 10 stalks, and the Inca sweet, and ruby sweet is about 20 stalks.  The weeds are overtaking the bean patch too, so it's hard to see what we have.  The peas did not come on at all which is really disappointing as I spent extra on those seeds.  I got sucked into the hype about how wonderful they grow.  The name should have warned me "Mira-peas"  Your miracle peas...yeah, a miracle if they grow!

The Berry Barn Party

Good friends of our family celebrated milestone birthdays today by having a party at a working farm called "the Berry Barn".  It was a lot of fun.  Man joked that when we get together with our friends, it's the only time he takes off of work.  He took the whole.day.OFF!

Their youngest daughter is one of Zachary's best friends, and she spent the night at our house.  Her older sister turned 13 and had a slumber party, so we wanted her to have something special to do too. 

Boy and she had great fun getting dressed up for the party.  What was especially fun and somewhat disturbing is that he now almost fits in the cowboy hat and cowboy boots that his daddy wore when I met him....he's getting way too big!

It was fun seeing the berry barn. Some of the old "stuff" that is in their barn is also lurking in our barn waiting for us to bring it back to life!

Then there was horseback riding.  Boy LOVED it.  Especially after last weekend at the Evan's barn mucking stalls.  These are halflingers.  This ones name is Joseph.

When we returned home, he found a baby bird that was out of its nest and couldn't yet fly.

Finally, we are still missing Stormy something awful.  Boy and Kristl have been loving on each other more to help each other with the loneliness.