Most of the time, they are pretty fun, running around getting all the errands done, with the only rough part being pretty wiped out by the time we get home and not really wanting to unload and put stuff away. I do it anyhow, because then I can sit down and relax for an hour or so to catch my breath, before I get outside in the last of the daylight and do whatever. Today has been no exception - this is the time when I'm relaxing for a bit, and there's plenty of daylight left to get things done. I have a lot to do, and boy, do I want to get on it.
We did the usual lunch-groceries-laundry routine, and also hit up one of the dollar stores in town, as it's right next to the laundromat. Mainly because they have some seed packets left at 4 for $1, so between what veggies and flowers they have left, I'm starting to clean them out. Then there's the dollar store at the other end of town to clean out, the one grocery store and the hardware store in town. (Never mind the three or four dollar stores in Harrison, lus the hardware stores there.) Just seeds though, no bulbs or plants. No time to deal with those right now, I have enough going on, haha. The seeds are being saved for next year, for planting and/or trade goods and/or growing seedlings to sell at the farmer's market. See, I'm already planning for next year and this one has barely gotten started! The good part is, now that Quentin understands my reasoning, he's totally on board with it, to the point that he reminded me of our trip to Branson the weekend before our anniversary in a few weeks. (It falls on a Monday, so we're doing the shindig the Saturday before.)
He reminded me that there are about four dollar stores up there, plus a couple of hardware stores, too ... Good thing we have been putting back funds for a few months for that day, I have a feeling I will be bringing home LOTS of extra seeds. I'm all for that. If I don't grow it myself, or grow and sell the seedlings from it this or next year, they can be saved, or traded or whatever. Oh wait, I just said that, haha. I'm just that happy about it.
It's been raining off and on all day again, meaning I likely won't get outside today, but that's okay, as there's plenty to do in here. I did notice on the way indoors with things today that those flowers I planted a few days ago are already sprouting up! One sweet pea, five of the eight or nine marigolds, and I'm not sure on the snapdragons, because it was starting to sprinkle hard again and I wanted to get indoors. The tomatoes are blooming like crazy, the rest of things I started from seed is either not doing anything yet or is starting to spring up in the seed starters. Overall, it's a good day, despite working 11 hours again last night (and sleeping in to make up for it!). So I'm off to hunt down elusive books and have fun. See you later!
KINDLE FREEBIES OF INTEREST
(2 BOOK BUNDLE) "How to Knit Scarves" and "How to Knit Socks": Learn How to Knit Scarves and Socks Quick and Easy
Crochet Stitches For Beginners (Learn How To Crochet)
Vegetables and Spices
THE BASICS OF GROWING GREAT TOMATOES: Seeds, Soil, Planting, Caging, Watering, Etc.
Natural Dyes From the Backyard (Techniques from Lakeshore Textiles)
Building a Wood Fired Oven in a Day
(2 Book Bundle) "Knitting Stitches Dictionary For Beginners" & "How To Knit Socks For Beginners" (Knitting For Beginners)
Saturday, May 31, 2014
Friday, May 30, 2014
Corporate ain't liking me
Because we worked till 4AM again last night (this morning!), I called corporate again just now and left a message for a fellow there telling him how I feel about all this massive overtime. Mind, I don't mind some, but 8 or more hours of overtime in a week is insane. So far, in two days, I've worked 22 hours. There has been talk all week of us working a FOURTEEN-hour shift tonight - yeah from 5PM tonight until 7AM tomorrow morning! It's nuts. That would make a nearly full forty-hour check for me in just three days. Nobody can keep up that pace without issues, no matter how tough you are.
Ah well ... slept in a bit this morning, and for once, so did hubby, which is highly unsual for him. But he's pretty wiped out, too. Only bad part is, I'm too tired to get outside and do anything that needs doing. If we didn't need the money so bad, I'd call in and so would Quentin, because I'm not kidding, this is just beyond nuts. So I'll hunt y'all down some books (which I'd do for myself anyhow), and then I have to try to pull together for work, assuming I can wake up enough. Hugs, all - this homesteader is not having a happy day.
KINDLE FREEBIES OF INTEREST
Soap Making From Scratch: 30+ Handmade Soap Recipes and Tips. Complete Beginner's Guide to Handmade Soaps (Soap Making Book)
Lavender the Universal Herb (Herbal Amicus)
Scoodie Hooded Scarf Crochet Pattern
Organic Composting: Reduce Waste, Save Money, and Improve Your Garden (How To Garden, How To Compost)
Baby Cocoon And Owl Hat Crochet Pattern
NATURAL HOMEMADE PEST REPELLENTS: Quick and Easy Solutions That Are Safe, Organic and Non-Toxic (THRIVING GREEN)
Ah well ... slept in a bit this morning, and for once, so did hubby, which is highly unsual for him. But he's pretty wiped out, too. Only bad part is, I'm too tired to get outside and do anything that needs doing. If we didn't need the money so bad, I'd call in and so would Quentin, because I'm not kidding, this is just beyond nuts. So I'll hunt y'all down some books (which I'd do for myself anyhow), and then I have to try to pull together for work, assuming I can wake up enough. Hugs, all - this homesteader is not having a happy day.
KINDLE FREEBIES OF INTEREST
Soap Making From Scratch: 30+ Handmade Soap Recipes and Tips. Complete Beginner's Guide to Handmade Soaps (Soap Making Book)
Lavender the Universal Herb (Herbal Amicus)
Scoodie Hooded Scarf Crochet Pattern
Organic Composting: Reduce Waste, Save Money, and Improve Your Garden (How To Garden, How To Compost)
Baby Cocoon And Owl Hat Crochet Pattern
NATURAL HOMEMADE PEST REPELLENTS: Quick and Easy Solutions That Are Safe, Organic and Non-Toxic (THRIVING GREEN)
Thursday, May 29, 2014
It's raining!
And yeah, we need it, but ... but ... but I had PLANS to get outside and DO things, darn it! How am I supposed to do things outside with the garden if it rains! Not that I mind the rain, because we do need it, just ... can't it hold off till I'm NOT trying to get things done, haha? Oh well, just means I take a nap today after hubby leaves for work, because we worked till 4AM again, and I'm whipped. With my enlarged heart (I have LVH - Left Ventricular Hypertrophy) and skipping heartbeats going on, I can't take all the caffiene stuff that most of the people I work with can take, like Yellowjackets and Black Bombers and Mini-Thins and the like. They would increase my heart rate to dangerous levels, and I could easily end up in the hospital for it. No thanks, I'd rather avoid that. So instead, I get extra sleep when I can, which also helps fight off fibro flares (which totally are rotten ... you feel about twice your age and move like it, too).
Since I took the domes off the seed starter trays a few days ago, I'm going to have to dump out the excess water and tie the domes back on for a bit. We're expecting a lot of rain the next few days and I don't want the seeds that haven't sprouted yet, along with what has, to drown out. I do really need to get so many things done, but with work and all, it's difficult. I really want to get at-home income up to around $200 or so a week, because that would replace my income from work. I actually make around twice that, but with not having to pay for gas and other extras that come from working off the property, it would save a lot. So $200 a week is my goal. Anything over that is just icing on the cake.
Speaking of stuff that's popped up, I'm seeing lots of little bits of green in those cell packs out there. I can't WAIT till things really get growing in the next few weeks. And my Arkansas Traveler tomatoes have really started to bloom well. Yet another reason I need to get some tire beds set up - they're getting a bit crowded in that big pot they're in and I need to carefully separate them and transplant them in individual spaces - which I would have done to start if I'd had the time to get things done like I wanted. Grrr. (Hang on - rain has stopped for now - gotta go put the domes back on quick before it pours some more.)
Ok, I'm back and whee! I have an acorn squash up now, too! Some things that still haven't come up yet are starting to bother me, as they are late. As in nearly a week late. If they don't come up by this weekend, I'll replant. Among about a zillion other things that need to get done. Sure, I'll just slot that into the schedule, too. My to-do list grows all the time. I need an it's-already-done list to grow, haha!
We did do some looking and discussing and deciding over the last few days, on what to do about a place to buy. With our credit the way it is, we are not likely to be able to get a mortgage. This despite that we pay all our bills in full, on time, and even ahead of time. Oh yeah, it's that "no credit cards around here" thing again. So, instead of saving for years and years and buying a place outright, we're going to save for a year or so and buy bare land. It will likely be about like this place, minus the house already on it and the trash piles from former tenants - basically trees and ticks. Then we'll buy a plot outright (saving a bundle on no interest from a mortgage). Then save up to have a driveway area and about an acre of land cleared for a house, toolshed and garden start, along with having the driveway, parking area and probably the house area done in poured concrete.
That only takes a couple of days to cure, so then it's have a Derksen cabin brought in and dropped on the house pad. While that's a bare bones cabin, it could be camped in, more or less, once we got a small solar system set up to run bare bones of TV, internet/laptop, his alarm clock, and recharge our cell phones. A 500-watt system plus batteries, MPPT controller and an inverter won't cost a whole heck of a lot and will power the basics. A good generator for power tools, the microwave and etc. wouldn't get run much and would cost less than $800. Derksen cabins don't require any credit checks or downpayments ... so buy the property and within three to four months later, move in and fix up the interior as we live there. The only other alternative for a house would be to buy a used trailer which means a "mortgage" and a big downpayment. It would be a finished house and all, but that "mortgage" on it really would kind of bite. There's still one on the Derksen, but with no credit check like buying a used trailer would require, we have a shell of a house.
Besides, we like the Derksen cabins. If you are homesteaders and like the cheap route, they are good. Graceland cabins are basically the same thing and about the same price, so if you want a prefab cabin exterior, go with either one, as both have the same payment options and all. We just like Derksen better as the local dealer has an actual office staffed by him and his wife. The Graceland dealer just has display buildings out and nobody staffing the place. Easy choice - I want to talk to a real person when I buy something.
So there's our plan for getting a place of our own. Within two years, we'll be starting over again, but on our own place. It's going to be a heck of a ride in the meantime, but the good news is we can take all the lessons we're learning here and apply them THERE, wherever there ends up being. And honestly there's land around here in good sized chunks we can get for around $12,000, so that really isn't out of financial range! Some of them are even partly cleared already, which would cut down on a lot of work.
My, I'm glad I took a moment to cover the seedling trays back up - it just started drenching outside again. Gonna be a wet ride to work. But I have to go look up books and try to get a short nap in and all, so time for me to quit being a wordy wordsmith, cuddle Smudge The Afraid of Everything Cat, and get busy on other things. Hugs, all!
KINDLE FREEBIES OF INTEREST
A Beginners Guide to Home Canning & Food Preserving: Recipes, Jams, Marmalades, Jellies, Chutneys, Relishes Plus More... (Simple Living)
Herbal Tea Recipes: Refreshingly Quick, And Easy to Make Tea Recipes That Are Healing, Nutritious, Relaxing, and Energizing!
Ketchup :The Ultimate Recipe Guide - Over 30 Delicious & Best Selling Recipes
Can, Preserve, Survive: The Prepper's Guide To Canning, Preserving, and Food And Water Storage
Can It!
Growing Your Own Vegetables - 3 Book Bundle: Container Gardening, Raised Bed Gardening, Companion Planting
How To Make Soap
50 Things to Know About Home Composting: A Beginners Guide to Learn How to Enjoy Composting Inexpensively
The Coriander Book
Since I took the domes off the seed starter trays a few days ago, I'm going to have to dump out the excess water and tie the domes back on for a bit. We're expecting a lot of rain the next few days and I don't want the seeds that haven't sprouted yet, along with what has, to drown out. I do really need to get so many things done, but with work and all, it's difficult. I really want to get at-home income up to around $200 or so a week, because that would replace my income from work. I actually make around twice that, but with not having to pay for gas and other extras that come from working off the property, it would save a lot. So $200 a week is my goal. Anything over that is just icing on the cake.
Speaking of stuff that's popped up, I'm seeing lots of little bits of green in those cell packs out there. I can't WAIT till things really get growing in the next few weeks. And my Arkansas Traveler tomatoes have really started to bloom well. Yet another reason I need to get some tire beds set up - they're getting a bit crowded in that big pot they're in and I need to carefully separate them and transplant them in individual spaces - which I would have done to start if I'd had the time to get things done like I wanted. Grrr. (Hang on - rain has stopped for now - gotta go put the domes back on quick before it pours some more.)
Ok, I'm back and whee! I have an acorn squash up now, too! Some things that still haven't come up yet are starting to bother me, as they are late. As in nearly a week late. If they don't come up by this weekend, I'll replant. Among about a zillion other things that need to get done. Sure, I'll just slot that into the schedule, too. My to-do list grows all the time. I need an it's-already-done list to grow, haha!
We did do some looking and discussing and deciding over the last few days, on what to do about a place to buy. With our credit the way it is, we are not likely to be able to get a mortgage. This despite that we pay all our bills in full, on time, and even ahead of time. Oh yeah, it's that "no credit cards around here" thing again. So, instead of saving for years and years and buying a place outright, we're going to save for a year or so and buy bare land. It will likely be about like this place, minus the house already on it and the trash piles from former tenants - basically trees and ticks. Then we'll buy a plot outright (saving a bundle on no interest from a mortgage). Then save up to have a driveway area and about an acre of land cleared for a house, toolshed and garden start, along with having the driveway, parking area and probably the house area done in poured concrete.
That only takes a couple of days to cure, so then it's have a Derksen cabin brought in and dropped on the house pad. While that's a bare bones cabin, it could be camped in, more or less, once we got a small solar system set up to run bare bones of TV, internet/laptop, his alarm clock, and recharge our cell phones. A 500-watt system plus batteries, MPPT controller and an inverter won't cost a whole heck of a lot and will power the basics. A good generator for power tools, the microwave and etc. wouldn't get run much and would cost less than $800. Derksen cabins don't require any credit checks or downpayments ... so buy the property and within three to four months later, move in and fix up the interior as we live there. The only other alternative for a house would be to buy a used trailer which means a "mortgage" and a big downpayment. It would be a finished house and all, but that "mortgage" on it really would kind of bite. There's still one on the Derksen, but with no credit check like buying a used trailer would require, we have a shell of a house.
Besides, we like the Derksen cabins. If you are homesteaders and like the cheap route, they are good. Graceland cabins are basically the same thing and about the same price, so if you want a prefab cabin exterior, go with either one, as both have the same payment options and all. We just like Derksen better as the local dealer has an actual office staffed by him and his wife. The Graceland dealer just has display buildings out and nobody staffing the place. Easy choice - I want to talk to a real person when I buy something.
So there's our plan for getting a place of our own. Within two years, we'll be starting over again, but on our own place. It's going to be a heck of a ride in the meantime, but the good news is we can take all the lessons we're learning here and apply them THERE, wherever there ends up being. And honestly there's land around here in good sized chunks we can get for around $12,000, so that really isn't out of financial range! Some of them are even partly cleared already, which would cut down on a lot of work.
My, I'm glad I took a moment to cover the seedling trays back up - it just started drenching outside again. Gonna be a wet ride to work. But I have to go look up books and try to get a short nap in and all, so time for me to quit being a wordy wordsmith, cuddle Smudge The Afraid of Everything Cat, and get busy on other things. Hugs, all!
KINDLE FREEBIES OF INTEREST
A Beginners Guide to Home Canning & Food Preserving: Recipes, Jams, Marmalades, Jellies, Chutneys, Relishes Plus More... (Simple Living)
Herbal Tea Recipes: Refreshingly Quick, And Easy to Make Tea Recipes That Are Healing, Nutritious, Relaxing, and Energizing!
Ketchup :The Ultimate Recipe Guide - Over 30 Delicious & Best Selling Recipes
Can, Preserve, Survive: The Prepper's Guide To Canning, Preserving, and Food And Water Storage
Can It!
Growing Your Own Vegetables - 3 Book Bundle: Container Gardening, Raised Bed Gardening, Companion Planting
How To Make Soap
50 Things to Know About Home Composting: A Beginners Guide to Learn How to Enjoy Composting Inexpensively
The Coriander Book
Wednesday, May 28, 2014
Urgh
The garden is finally starting to pop. Thank goodness, because I was begining to think that it was going to flop with as late as I had to start everything off. I know, you're not supposed to start stuff like the cucurbits in flats, but kind of had to this time as the beds are not ready. Gotta hurry on that one and get something going with it so the beds will be there when the plants are a bit bigger.
Nothing to speak of got done yesterday, because I woke up sick as the proverbial dog. Ok, well not quite woke up that way, but went downhill pretty fast. I managed to get my morning going just swimmingly, packed for work, though I wasn't feeling totally up to par, and headed to Harrison to get a couple errands done before heading to work. One of the errands was to try to get a new bank account opened locally.
Well, lo and behold, because we don't have/use credit cards, and pay everything cash or the debit card, what do my wondering ears hear but, "You don't have anything recent on your credit report, so we can't give you a checking account. We CAN give you a spending card, though!" Excuse me? A spending card? If I wanted a spending card, I could get one of those from Wal-Mart! I want a checking account! Apparently, that ain't gonna happen, so we are still just using our accounts up in Missouri. That's fine, at least we have bank accounts. Only if we need to make a deposit, we either have to drive 1 1/2 hours or mail it to them and wait for it to clear. Grr.
So, upon leaving there, I head to work ... well, start to head to work. I didn't make it very far, because there's a state welcome center not far north of the WalMart and all in Harrison. I had to pull in because I wasn't feeling too good. Me and the bathroom had a nice time visiting for about ten minutes. Then I had to call the hubster and let him know I wasn't coming to work because I was feeling like crap. Got home, let him know I was safe and called in, before spending most of the next six or seven hours choking up my toenails. I'm pretty sure I lost a kidney in there somewhere, too. Urgh. It was awful.
So I lost my holiday pay for Monday what with missing yesterday, but it was worth it. The way I felt, I wouldn't have even made it to break before being sent home for how I was not doing. Still not doing great today, but as usual, I'll make the effort. If they send me home, fine. If not, I'll do my best to make it through. Still feeling pretty crappy, but bills have to be paid, so what you gonna do? Can't sit around for forever, ya know. Stuff has to be done, and one thing folks don't realize about homesteading is that you have to do it even when you are sick, unless you are so sick you literally can't move like I was yesterday. Seriously, just sitting up made me want to choke up more toenails. I spent most of the day on the couch, and getting from there back to bed about 11PM to crash for the night, being just that tired, took everything I had to stay upright. I was so out of it, I was bouncing off the hallway walls like a drunk on a week-long bender.
Able to keep solids down now, so hopefully, I can get to and through work, though I hope it won't be as long as last night. Hubby didn't make it home till around 5AM, because some motor burned out and they kept right on trucking to the bitter end. If that's the case, I'm leaving early because my body won't take that much hammering this soon after being sick. It's going to be hard enough to get through as it is. Right now, my head still feels like it wants to explode and I have a serious frog in my throat. Hubby joked that the Robertson's of "Duck Dynasty" called and want their frog back out of my throat, they're short one set of frog legs for dinner. Ha Ha Ha. Very funny. (Worst of that is, I really do have a horribly froggy throat, and if I try to talk much, it starts to sound like a mouse in my throat. Ha bloody ha.)
KINDLE FREEBIES OF INTEREST
100 Housewife's Helpful Hints for Home and Health
How to Make Colorful and Fragrant Soap at Home: Unique Soap Making Recipes With Step by Step Photos (A Soap Making Book)
Candle Making: The Simplified Guide to Making Candles
Sustainable Living Explained
Companion Planting Guide: A Companion Gardening Book for Growing Organic Vegetables, Herbs & Fruit in Your Backyard! (Beginners Guide to Companion Planting)
Growing Tomatoes - Your Guide To Growing Delicious Tomatoes At Home
DIY Household Hacks: Save Time and Money with Do It Yourself Tips and Tricks for Cleaning Your House (FREE Book Offer Included): DIY Projects, Household DIY, Organize Your Home, Cleaning Clutter
Nothing to speak of got done yesterday, because I woke up sick as the proverbial dog. Ok, well not quite woke up that way, but went downhill pretty fast. I managed to get my morning going just swimmingly, packed for work, though I wasn't feeling totally up to par, and headed to Harrison to get a couple errands done before heading to work. One of the errands was to try to get a new bank account opened locally.
Well, lo and behold, because we don't have/use credit cards, and pay everything cash or the debit card, what do my wondering ears hear but, "You don't have anything recent on your credit report, so we can't give you a checking account. We CAN give you a spending card, though!" Excuse me? A spending card? If I wanted a spending card, I could get one of those from Wal-Mart! I want a checking account! Apparently, that ain't gonna happen, so we are still just using our accounts up in Missouri. That's fine, at least we have bank accounts. Only if we need to make a deposit, we either have to drive 1 1/2 hours or mail it to them and wait for it to clear. Grr.
So, upon leaving there, I head to work ... well, start to head to work. I didn't make it very far, because there's a state welcome center not far north of the WalMart and all in Harrison. I had to pull in because I wasn't feeling too good. Me and the bathroom had a nice time visiting for about ten minutes. Then I had to call the hubster and let him know I wasn't coming to work because I was feeling like crap. Got home, let him know I was safe and called in, before spending most of the next six or seven hours choking up my toenails. I'm pretty sure I lost a kidney in there somewhere, too. Urgh. It was awful.
So I lost my holiday pay for Monday what with missing yesterday, but it was worth it. The way I felt, I wouldn't have even made it to break before being sent home for how I was not doing. Still not doing great today, but as usual, I'll make the effort. If they send me home, fine. If not, I'll do my best to make it through. Still feeling pretty crappy, but bills have to be paid, so what you gonna do? Can't sit around for forever, ya know. Stuff has to be done, and one thing folks don't realize about homesteading is that you have to do it even when you are sick, unless you are so sick you literally can't move like I was yesterday. Seriously, just sitting up made me want to choke up more toenails. I spent most of the day on the couch, and getting from there back to bed about 11PM to crash for the night, being just that tired, took everything I had to stay upright. I was so out of it, I was bouncing off the hallway walls like a drunk on a week-long bender.
Able to keep solids down now, so hopefully, I can get to and through work, though I hope it won't be as long as last night. Hubby didn't make it home till around 5AM, because some motor burned out and they kept right on trucking to the bitter end. If that's the case, I'm leaving early because my body won't take that much hammering this soon after being sick. It's going to be hard enough to get through as it is. Right now, my head still feels like it wants to explode and I have a serious frog in my throat. Hubby joked that the Robertson's of "Duck Dynasty" called and want their frog back out of my throat, they're short one set of frog legs for dinner. Ha Ha Ha. Very funny. (Worst of that is, I really do have a horribly froggy throat, and if I try to talk much, it starts to sound like a mouse in my throat. Ha bloody ha.)
KINDLE FREEBIES OF INTEREST
100 Housewife's Helpful Hints for Home and Health
How to Make Colorful and Fragrant Soap at Home: Unique Soap Making Recipes With Step by Step Photos (A Soap Making Book)
Candle Making: The Simplified Guide to Making Candles
Sustainable Living Explained
Companion Planting Guide: A Companion Gardening Book for Growing Organic Vegetables, Herbs & Fruit in Your Backyard! (Beginners Guide to Companion Planting)
Growing Tomatoes - Your Guide To Growing Delicious Tomatoes At Home
DIY Household Hacks: Save Time and Money with Do It Yourself Tips and Tricks for Cleaning Your House (FREE Book Offer Included): DIY Projects, Household DIY, Organize Your Home, Cleaning Clutter
Tuesday, May 27, 2014
Weekend's over
And the internet is being a bit of a butthead, in that it is being really slow for no good reason other than it's slightly cloudy out. There is a nice breeze though, and that's good, though I won't get to get ouside to enjoy it today. Too many errands to run before work. Not a ton of them, but things that need doing, and I hope I can wake up enough to do them. If not, it's not a disaster, but they do need doing. The trials of having fibromyalgia ... which I likely wouldn't have if not for my first husband getting us into two car wrecks, one of them serious. It was after that when the symptoms starting showing up and the whole thing's just gotten worse over time. I really hate it, too ... there are so many days when I'm just so tired from it, or forget things due to the fibro fog, that it's ridiculous.
For those that don't have it, and can't imagine how it feels, let's try this. Think of how it feels when you overdo it on chores or something, and sit down to relax for a few minutes. You know how good that feels to sit down? Then you go to get back up and moving a little while later and your arms and legs are all tied up in knots from lactic acid buildup in your muscles? You know how much that hurts? Now, take that pain, make it all over, in every skeletal muscle from head to toe, all day, every day, times about ten and you have an idea of how it feels to be me. Because that's how it feels to have fibro in a mild form. There are those who have it so bad they are in wheelchairs and on heavy drugs like Darvocet and Vicodin and Oxycontin and the like. Yeah, it's that bad.
Telling us that if we'd just get up and exercise we'd feel better doesn't help. Don't you folks that say that think that if I could get up and do more that I would? Do you people that say that really think I enjoy being tired and sore all the time to the point where all I want to do is sleep so I can have energy enough to do something for an hour or so? Do you think I enjoy having to have a job where I can sit down a lot, or for some sufferers, no job at all? Yeah, I'm having a bad day today and woke up to a number of emails from folks who just don't get it telling me all the usual, and it doesn't sit well today. I took a great nap yesterday and it helped a lot, but I'm tired again as usual today and hurting and I would really just like to go back to bed after I get some breakfast and snooze for a couple of hours, but I can't because there's things to do.
So I have to get up and deal and then go to work. I'm not happy about this, because I'm exhausted from fighting the fibro, depressed because the pain never goes away and leaves me alone and feeling normal (which I haven't felt in nearly 25 years), mad because people just don't get it and at myself for not being more healthy, hurt because I get called "lazy" or whatever so much. So please folks, before you start giving well-meaning and well-intended advice to someone who suffers fibro and is doing the best they can, or saying something mean, think about what you're about to say, and then don't say it. Ask instead if there's something you can do to help. Ask what the person needs done. Offer help, because trust me, most of us will take you up on it.
Today is a rough day and it's only just begun for me. I hope it gets better. For those looking for the booklist, it's short today, there's not much besides a ton of recipe books that really aren't that great. Hugs all, I'm off to try to get into some kind of shape for work. Ugh.
KINDLE FREEBIES OF INTEREST
The Prepper's Guide to Survival Food Storage (Survival Family Basics - Preppers Survival Handbook Series)
Container Gardening For Beginners: Simple Tricks And Ideas To Container Gardening Made Easy!
Raising Chickens For Beginners
Organic Herb Gardening: the Beginners Guide to Planning, Growing, and Preserving Your Own Culinary and Medicinal Herbs (Organic Gardening Beginners Planting Guides)
Grow Herbs Indoors: A Beginners Guide To Growing Your Own Herbs Indoors (beginners guide to indoor herbs, how to grow indoor herbs, indoor herb gardening, grow herbs indoors, grow basil, beginners)
For those that don't have it, and can't imagine how it feels, let's try this. Think of how it feels when you overdo it on chores or something, and sit down to relax for a few minutes. You know how good that feels to sit down? Then you go to get back up and moving a little while later and your arms and legs are all tied up in knots from lactic acid buildup in your muscles? You know how much that hurts? Now, take that pain, make it all over, in every skeletal muscle from head to toe, all day, every day, times about ten and you have an idea of how it feels to be me. Because that's how it feels to have fibro in a mild form. There are those who have it so bad they are in wheelchairs and on heavy drugs like Darvocet and Vicodin and Oxycontin and the like. Yeah, it's that bad.
Telling us that if we'd just get up and exercise we'd feel better doesn't help. Don't you folks that say that think that if I could get up and do more that I would? Do you people that say that really think I enjoy being tired and sore all the time to the point where all I want to do is sleep so I can have energy enough to do something for an hour or so? Do you think I enjoy having to have a job where I can sit down a lot, or for some sufferers, no job at all? Yeah, I'm having a bad day today and woke up to a number of emails from folks who just don't get it telling me all the usual, and it doesn't sit well today. I took a great nap yesterday and it helped a lot, but I'm tired again as usual today and hurting and I would really just like to go back to bed after I get some breakfast and snooze for a couple of hours, but I can't because there's things to do.
So I have to get up and deal and then go to work. I'm not happy about this, because I'm exhausted from fighting the fibro, depressed because the pain never goes away and leaves me alone and feeling normal (which I haven't felt in nearly 25 years), mad because people just don't get it and at myself for not being more healthy, hurt because I get called "lazy" or whatever so much. So please folks, before you start giving well-meaning and well-intended advice to someone who suffers fibro and is doing the best they can, or saying something mean, think about what you're about to say, and then don't say it. Ask instead if there's something you can do to help. Ask what the person needs done. Offer help, because trust me, most of us will take you up on it.
Today is a rough day and it's only just begun for me. I hope it gets better. For those looking for the booklist, it's short today, there's not much besides a ton of recipe books that really aren't that great. Hugs all, I'm off to try to get into some kind of shape for work. Ugh.
KINDLE FREEBIES OF INTEREST
The Prepper's Guide to Survival Food Storage (Survival Family Basics - Preppers Survival Handbook Series)
Container Gardening For Beginners: Simple Tricks And Ideas To Container Gardening Made Easy!
Raising Chickens For Beginners
Organic Herb Gardening: the Beginners Guide to Planning, Growing, and Preserving Your Own Culinary and Medicinal Herbs (Organic Gardening Beginners Planting Guides)
Grow Herbs Indoors: A Beginners Guide To Growing Your Own Herbs Indoors (beginners guide to indoor herbs, how to grow indoor herbs, indoor herb gardening, grow herbs indoors, grow basil, beginners)
Monday, May 26, 2014
Memorial Day
I won't say Happy with that, because this isn't a day of happiness. It's a day to remember all those who fell in service, to preserve our freedoms and way of life. I could very easily sit here today and whine about the issues I'm having today with a sore throat, or how I had to go weedwhack the yard in the muggy heat, or how I can't work on the bailer bucket until I get a new set of homeowner's tools from Wally World because hubby has "borrowed" a lot of them and not put them back. I could very, very easily sit here, and write, and whine and cry about it, and pull a personal pity party out of my hat and talk about that for several paragraphs. But this is not the day or the time.
Instead, I'll crow about how I checked stuff and my sole ornamental gourd that's popped up has it's first true leaves, how my arkansas traveler tomatoes are bursting with blooms, how I got the little military/tool box bottom setup by the stairs yesterday (and filled with humanure and topsoil and planted with sweet pea, snapdragon, and marigold seeds), and how exactly ONE cucumer has sprouted but hasn't pulled free of it's seed coating yet. Mythree little lettuces haven't got true leaves yet, and the rest of the squashes haven't pulled out of their seed coatings, but that's GOT to be coming, right? That's the extent of this year's garden right now, lol. Thank goodness our summers are long here, so there's plenty of time to grow stuff.
And even more instead of whining, I'm going to ask everyone to thank at least one veteran today. Just shake their hand and say, "I want to thank you for your service." Salute, if you like, instead. But thank them. It's their service that gave you your freedom to be able to call them rude names (anybody old enough to remember the Vietnam vets being called "baby killers" when they came back?), wear your pants around your knees, and other things that don't make your country a better place. Be grateful for them, darned grateful, and thank them. I know if I didn't, my granddad would make his way here from the afterlife and kick my butt.
I have had family in every branch of the US Services, except the Coast Guard (which all the service members in my family like to call "shallow water sailors"). I've had my granddad in the Navy in WWII as a ship's cook, a cousin in the Navy stationed in Sicily (where his first two kids were born on base), my stepgrandad was in the Army, my mom's brother was in the Army, a step-uncle was in the Air Force, and hubby was in the Marines. I've got a military family and bless every last one of them and their brothers and sisters in uniform. So today, please remember what the day is really about here in the US. Thank a servicemember. Or two, or three, or every one you meet. Don't just think it's about what to drink and what to toss on the grill and who you really want over for a get-together. If you want to have folks over, invite a few servicemembers. Thank them. Feed them. Spend time with them and make friends with them.
Our grill's going ... we have six friends and their spouses coming over who were in service in Iraq and Afghanistan. THAT'S our kind of cookout on a day like this. Potluck side dishes, I'm making cheddar brats, mashed potatoes, stuffing and a ton of green beans. Grilling the brats and the other things I'll make in the kitchen. Gonna be a few gallons of water getting used, lol. (I'll make the menfolk go refill water jugs before dark, haha.)
So, please excuse me, I'm off to start whipping up the tater salad, too. Forgot to mention we are having that also. Gotta put those taters on to cook while I eat something and find y'all some books.
KINDLE FREEBIES OF INTEREST
Greenhouse Gardening: Quick and Easy Guide: Master the Basics of Becoming a Greenhouse Gardener!
Homesteading: Your Guide to Self Sustainability, Growing Food, and Getting Off the Grid (Homesteading Basics - An Essential Guide to Creating Your Own Homestead for Sustainability and Self Reliance)
Start Your Own Organic Garden This Year - And Feed Your Family Some Produce From Mother Nature
The Herb Garden (The Herb Books)
Boxed Set 1 Natural Health
Boxed Set 4 How To Make Natural Skin Care Products (How To Make Natural Skin Care Products Series)
Soap Making For Beginners - How To Make Amazing Natural Handmade Soap (FREE BONUS INCLUDED) (Soap Making, How To Make Soap, Soap Making Books)
Survival Pantry: The Beginners Guide To Food Storage, Canning, Preserving And Surviving (The Prepper's Guide To Food Storage, Water Storage, Canning And Preserving)
Newsboy Hat Crochet Pattern
Instead, I'll crow about how I checked stuff and my sole ornamental gourd that's popped up has it's first true leaves, how my arkansas traveler tomatoes are bursting with blooms, how I got the little military/tool box bottom setup by the stairs yesterday (and filled with humanure and topsoil and planted with sweet pea, snapdragon, and marigold seeds), and how exactly ONE cucumer has sprouted but hasn't pulled free of it's seed coating yet. Mythree little lettuces haven't got true leaves yet, and the rest of the squashes haven't pulled out of their seed coatings, but that's GOT to be coming, right? That's the extent of this year's garden right now, lol. Thank goodness our summers are long here, so there's plenty of time to grow stuff.
And even more instead of whining, I'm going to ask everyone to thank at least one veteran today. Just shake their hand and say, "I want to thank you for your service." Salute, if you like, instead. But thank them. It's their service that gave you your freedom to be able to call them rude names (anybody old enough to remember the Vietnam vets being called "baby killers" when they came back?), wear your pants around your knees, and other things that don't make your country a better place. Be grateful for them, darned grateful, and thank them. I know if I didn't, my granddad would make his way here from the afterlife and kick my butt.
I have had family in every branch of the US Services, except the Coast Guard (which all the service members in my family like to call "shallow water sailors"). I've had my granddad in the Navy in WWII as a ship's cook, a cousin in the Navy stationed in Sicily (where his first two kids were born on base), my stepgrandad was in the Army, my mom's brother was in the Army, a step-uncle was in the Air Force, and hubby was in the Marines. I've got a military family and bless every last one of them and their brothers and sisters in uniform. So today, please remember what the day is really about here in the US. Thank a servicemember. Or two, or three, or every one you meet. Don't just think it's about what to drink and what to toss on the grill and who you really want over for a get-together. If you want to have folks over, invite a few servicemembers. Thank them. Feed them. Spend time with them and make friends with them.
Our grill's going ... we have six friends and their spouses coming over who were in service in Iraq and Afghanistan. THAT'S our kind of cookout on a day like this. Potluck side dishes, I'm making cheddar brats, mashed potatoes, stuffing and a ton of green beans. Grilling the brats and the other things I'll make in the kitchen. Gonna be a few gallons of water getting used, lol. (I'll make the menfolk go refill water jugs before dark, haha.)
So, please excuse me, I'm off to start whipping up the tater salad, too. Forgot to mention we are having that also. Gotta put those taters on to cook while I eat something and find y'all some books.
KINDLE FREEBIES OF INTEREST
Greenhouse Gardening: Quick and Easy Guide: Master the Basics of Becoming a Greenhouse Gardener!
Homesteading: Your Guide to Self Sustainability, Growing Food, and Getting Off the Grid (Homesteading Basics - An Essential Guide to Creating Your Own Homestead for Sustainability and Self Reliance)
Start Your Own Organic Garden This Year - And Feed Your Family Some Produce From Mother Nature
The Herb Garden (The Herb Books)
Boxed Set 1 Natural Health
Boxed Set 4 How To Make Natural Skin Care Products (How To Make Natural Skin Care Products Series)
Soap Making For Beginners - How To Make Amazing Natural Handmade Soap (FREE BONUS INCLUDED) (Soap Making, How To Make Soap, Soap Making Books)
Survival Pantry: The Beginners Guide To Food Storage, Canning, Preserving And Surviving (The Prepper's Guide To Food Storage, Water Storage, Canning And Preserving)
Newsboy Hat Crochet Pattern
Sunday, May 25, 2014
Sleepy day
But what the heck, it's Sunday, and I really needed the rest. Got to bed about my usual time, and Quentin, for whatever reason, had gone to bed way earlier and snored through. So he was up much earlier than normal and working on changing the oil in the vehicles by 8AM. Then he got under the car and I swear, I got woke up three times between 10AM and 11AM. First it was, "I found your exhaust leak!" which is going to require a trip to the shop because part of the pipe coming off the header is what rusted out, so there's got to be some welding done. Then it was, "I got the oil filter off the car and the oil drained!" Next came, "The car's done!" HELLO! I AM TRYING TO SLEEP!!!!! He called me a grouch, and left me alone for about a half an hour. Turns out he got the wrong oil filter for the truck, so "we" had to go back to OReilley's to exchange it (why I needed to go, I still don't understand - it's a guy thing!) So of course, I'm having a rather rough day with a fibro flare. Ouch.
So we get back and I straighten out the bed (we are really rough sleepers) and my plans are partially shot because I need more sleep, so I crash for another couple of hours. Still tired, but I bet I will sleep good tonight. May not get anything done outside, because it does look like it will finally rain, but I can at least work on the bailer bucket starting Wednesday. I'd work on it over the holiday weekend or Tuesday, but over this weekend, he'll try to hijack it, and Tuesday I have to run to Harrison and get a new bank account started that's more local. If the weather holds for another couple of hours so the heat breaks, I will get out and do some gardening, otherwise my gardening for the day will be limited to seeing if I can get seeds to sprout on foam plates in the front bedroom as I have a desk there I can use once I clear it off. Sprouting them will help me determine which are good seed and which are not, as well as give them a head start towards germination. Should have done it with the current batch and I'd already have at ton of seedlings growing but I was eager to get them into the ground.
But if nothing else, I hope to get out today and get that military/took box bottom up by the stairs and filled, and pop in some sweet peas, marigolds and snapdragons for fun. Overall, though, despite the start to the day, I'm having an AMAZING time with my weekend. How about you guys? Till later, folks - I have stuff to get done!
KINDLE FREEBIES OF INTEREST
One Direction Beanie Easy Knitting Pattern
How to Plant and Grow Tomatoes
Worm Composting & Woodworking Plans: 2 BOOK BUNDLE for Use in Organic Gardening of Growing Vegetables & Herbs
The Complete Composting Guide for Beginners: Grow Your Own From Home!
How To Grow Potatoes, Growing Potatoes Made Easy
Home Grown Peppers: Beginners Guide To Growing Peppers & Chili
Vertical Gardening: Designs & Wood Working Plans - Ideas for Organic Gardening & Urban Gardening
50 All Natural Fragrance Recipes - The Art of Perfume Making Made Easy
So we get back and I straighten out the bed (we are really rough sleepers) and my plans are partially shot because I need more sleep, so I crash for another couple of hours. Still tired, but I bet I will sleep good tonight. May not get anything done outside, because it does look like it will finally rain, but I can at least work on the bailer bucket starting Wednesday. I'd work on it over the holiday weekend or Tuesday, but over this weekend, he'll try to hijack it, and Tuesday I have to run to Harrison and get a new bank account started that's more local. If the weather holds for another couple of hours so the heat breaks, I will get out and do some gardening, otherwise my gardening for the day will be limited to seeing if I can get seeds to sprout on foam plates in the front bedroom as I have a desk there I can use once I clear it off. Sprouting them will help me determine which are good seed and which are not, as well as give them a head start towards germination. Should have done it with the current batch and I'd already have at ton of seedlings growing but I was eager to get them into the ground.
But if nothing else, I hope to get out today and get that military/took box bottom up by the stairs and filled, and pop in some sweet peas, marigolds and snapdragons for fun. Overall, though, despite the start to the day, I'm having an AMAZING time with my weekend. How about you guys? Till later, folks - I have stuff to get done!
KINDLE FREEBIES OF INTEREST
One Direction Beanie Easy Knitting Pattern
How to Plant and Grow Tomatoes
Worm Composting & Woodworking Plans: 2 BOOK BUNDLE for Use in Organic Gardening of Growing Vegetables & Herbs
The Complete Composting Guide for Beginners: Grow Your Own From Home!
How To Grow Potatoes, Growing Potatoes Made Easy
Home Grown Peppers: Beginners Guide To Growing Peppers & Chili
Vertical Gardening: Designs & Wood Working Plans - Ideas for Organic Gardening & Urban Gardening
50 All Natural Fragrance Recipes - The Art of Perfume Making Made Easy
Saturday, May 24, 2014
Reeee-hydration time! Come on!
Seriously, it's HOT. The riding around all over to run errands was hot, as it's in the high 70sF at it's lowest, and we just got home a bit ago to find that the house is around 90F in the living room. The bedroom is hotter, I think. We only had one fan last summer and we kept it in the living room blowing air around there and down the hall, and it was enough. However, it wasn't quite as warm last summer as it is now, or at least not as early in the year, so one was really enough. Add in that we had a lot more breezes (which made burning trash a lot of fun, let me tell you), and it made it quite bearable.
This year so far is hot and windless. So we spent a hard-earned $22 at the dollar store while the laundry was going to get a second fan. Cheaper to buy and run than an A/C unit and less noisy. The old one is still in the living room. This one went in the bedroom door at the hallway, to have plenty of room behind it to pull air around and blow across the bed from the foot up towards the head, and it's running quite well. Comfy in here again now in just a few minutes. Thankfully, we have the other door into the bathroom to use, and will just have to go in and out of the bedroom through the bathroom like we do all winter anyhow.
I said rehydration time, because truthfully, this windless heat is just dragging me down today. I've been sucking down cold tea and lemonade all day long while we've been out, but riding with Quentin isn't easy - he doesn't like all the windows open because of his long hair, which he won't pull back on weekends, and which then blows into his face while driving if the windows are open. HE gets to have his window down for his comfort. Heaven help me if I want one down for mine, because his hair gets blown around. Some days, I can't win for losing. So I end up with a bit of heat exhaustion on summer errand days. Thus, I'm now slamming lemonade to rehydrate while I rest a bit, before finishing up chores in the dark (putting away laundry, etc.). Good health as a homesteader is highly important, because otherwise, you are not going to get much of anything done.
We did get a lot done though. Found some non-Miracle Gro fertilizer granules for the tomatoes at Home Depot, and they were less expensive as well. I also got the other two nuts for the bailer bucket project which I forgot the other day from miscounting how many I would need. So tomorrow sometime, I hope to get a good run at that and maybe get it done. The other usual stuff, and we got all the goodies for changing the oil in both vehicles. Two and a half more days of off time, due to Memorial Day, and I have a feeling that with all that needs doing, we are going to need every waking moment of it.
And at Wally World, we saw the holiday's most important people. Three of our nation's veterans, sitting and gathering donations for the Veterans of Foreign Wars by "selling" the fake poppies. I shook all their hands, thanking them for their service, then we both saluted them, and received salutes in return. Memorial Day isn't just about cookouts and a day off work. Memorial Day (as it is known in the US, Remembrance Day elsewhere) is a day to remember and honor our fallen heroes and heroines. I'll talk more about it Monday, when I will likely be rather somber, from thinking of family that have served, and one who is no longer with us (from old age). So until then, it's time for books and some fun. Hugs, all.
KINDLE FREEBIES OF INTEREST
Growing Organic Berries: Everything You Need To Know To Grow Healthy Berries (Strawberries, Blueberries, Blackberries & Rasberries)
Homesteaders: Raised Bed Gardening - Quick Bites Guidebook (K.I.S.S Quick Bites)
Crochet Patterns For Beginners (Learn How To Crochet)
How To Go Organic: Your Guide To Converting A Non-Organic Garden Into A Sustainable One
(2 BOOK BUNDLE) "How to Knit Socks" and "Beginners Handbook of Knitting Stitches": Learn New and Unique Knitting Stitches and How to Knit Socks
Homemade Soap: 60 Recipes of Cold Process Soap Making
Beginner's Guide to Raised Bed Gardening: Grow your Own Salad Garden
A Mummy's Guide to Gardening
(2 Book Bundle) "Knitting Stitches Dictionary For Beginners" & "Beginners Guide To Knitting Scarves" (Knitting For Beginners)
This year so far is hot and windless. So we spent a hard-earned $22 at the dollar store while the laundry was going to get a second fan. Cheaper to buy and run than an A/C unit and less noisy. The old one is still in the living room. This one went in the bedroom door at the hallway, to have plenty of room behind it to pull air around and blow across the bed from the foot up towards the head, and it's running quite well. Comfy in here again now in just a few minutes. Thankfully, we have the other door into the bathroom to use, and will just have to go in and out of the bedroom through the bathroom like we do all winter anyhow.
I said rehydration time, because truthfully, this windless heat is just dragging me down today. I've been sucking down cold tea and lemonade all day long while we've been out, but riding with Quentin isn't easy - he doesn't like all the windows open because of his long hair, which he won't pull back on weekends, and which then blows into his face while driving if the windows are open. HE gets to have his window down for his comfort. Heaven help me if I want one down for mine, because his hair gets blown around. Some days, I can't win for losing. So I end up with a bit of heat exhaustion on summer errand days. Thus, I'm now slamming lemonade to rehydrate while I rest a bit, before finishing up chores in the dark (putting away laundry, etc.). Good health as a homesteader is highly important, because otherwise, you are not going to get much of anything done.
We did get a lot done though. Found some non-Miracle Gro fertilizer granules for the tomatoes at Home Depot, and they were less expensive as well. I also got the other two nuts for the bailer bucket project which I forgot the other day from miscounting how many I would need. So tomorrow sometime, I hope to get a good run at that and maybe get it done. The other usual stuff, and we got all the goodies for changing the oil in both vehicles. Two and a half more days of off time, due to Memorial Day, and I have a feeling that with all that needs doing, we are going to need every waking moment of it.
And at Wally World, we saw the holiday's most important people. Three of our nation's veterans, sitting and gathering donations for the Veterans of Foreign Wars by "selling" the fake poppies. I shook all their hands, thanking them for their service, then we both saluted them, and received salutes in return. Memorial Day isn't just about cookouts and a day off work. Memorial Day (as it is known in the US, Remembrance Day elsewhere) is a day to remember and honor our fallen heroes and heroines. I'll talk more about it Monday, when I will likely be rather somber, from thinking of family that have served, and one who is no longer with us (from old age). So until then, it's time for books and some fun. Hugs, all.
KINDLE FREEBIES OF INTEREST
Growing Organic Berries: Everything You Need To Know To Grow Healthy Berries (Strawberries, Blueberries, Blackberries & Rasberries)
Homesteaders: Raised Bed Gardening - Quick Bites Guidebook (K.I.S.S Quick Bites)
Crochet Patterns For Beginners (Learn How To Crochet)
How To Go Organic: Your Guide To Converting A Non-Organic Garden Into A Sustainable One
(2 BOOK BUNDLE) "How to Knit Socks" and "Beginners Handbook of Knitting Stitches": Learn New and Unique Knitting Stitches and How to Knit Socks
Homemade Soap: 60 Recipes of Cold Process Soap Making
Beginner's Guide to Raised Bed Gardening: Grow your Own Salad Garden
A Mummy's Guide to Gardening
(2 Book Bundle) "Knitting Stitches Dictionary For Beginners" & "Beginners Guide To Knitting Scarves" (Knitting For Beginners)
Friday, May 23, 2014
Oh. My. God.
I ache in places I didn't know I had places. Through last night, I've already got five hours overtime, and who knows what time we are getting out tonight. I wish I could just call in, but in order to get holiday pay, you have to be there your full scheduled sfhit the day before the holiday and the day after. My plans for today before work are shot, because once Quentin leaves for work (he likes to go in way early and socialize), I'm turning on my alarm for about 3PM and heading back to bed for a nap. There's so much to do, but if I don't get a bit more rest, I will not be in good shape for work. Wish I could just quit and concentrate on stuff here, but back bills need paying off and a downpayment has to be pulled together. This means I either have to work off-farm, or I have to hustle butt to develop an on-farm income while working off-farm, just so I can quit working off-farm. LOL. Makes for a heck of a life some days, let me tell you. I think about all I'm going to get done is watering stuff, because the promised rain didn't materialize yesterday so I have to water the tomatoes and the three little lettuces that decided to poke their heads above ground yesterday in a surprise move.
I do hope we can get more of the "yard" weed whacked this weekend, though. The ticks are out in force and my legs look like a dartboard of sorts with all the bites on my lower legs. Of course, being human, they itch, I scratch, and I end up with scabby legs. I hate ticks with a passion. One day, they won't be a problem for me, and I look forward to that day - probably when the move from here to a new place takes place. So much has been and will continue to be accomplished here, but a new place likely won't have the issues this one does. I'm hoping one place I've found stays up for sale for a looong time. It's not quite three acres, but it has more than one trailer on it, and the others could be sold to a local mobile home place. All they'd have to do is bring a check and plenty of trucks to haul them off. It's also mostly open land, so there wouldn't be any clearing, just plop down raised beds and get busy. AND all paved roads all the way to work. I just have to hope it stays available for a bit so a downpayment can be gotten, and that the owner will sell on land contract. It's not a perfect place, but it would do. If it's not there, something else suitable will be when the time is right.
I really want to get something productive done around here, like putting a couple more things up on the Selz store, and doing a bit more writing, but that may not happen. All depends on how well the caffeine infusion works. Anyhow, time to suck down some coffee (cappuccino really) and try to wake up (HA!) or get a quick nap in after finding y'all some books. Hugs all, till tomorrow!
KINDLE FREEBIES OF INTEREST
Backyard Chickens: The Beginners Guide to Raising Chickens in Town or Country (Sustainable Living & Homestead Survival Series)
Backyard Organic Gardening: Easily and Effortlessly Create Your Own Organic Gardening Oasis for Optimal Health and Nutrition (Seven Steps to a Successful ... Backyard Homestead, Gardening for Beginners)
Homesteaders / Smallholders 'Quick Bites' Guidebook - Canning & Food Preservation (K.I.S.S Quick Bites)
Learn to Crochet - A Blanket Pattern for the Very Beginner
Grow Your Vegetables For Your Nutritional and Financial Health
Starting a New Garden (VOL. 1): How to Transform Your Yard and Patio Into Beds and Container Gardens (Growing Organic Vegetables at Home)
Homesteaders 'Quick Bites' Guidebook: Raising Chickens - My 5 Top Tips (K.I.S.S Quick Bites)
Prepper Survival Pantry: The Survivor's Guide To Food Storage, Water Storage, Canning And Preserving
Garden Pests And Problems: Simple Solutions to Rid Your Garden of 10 Common Pests and Problems (The Constant Gardener)
I do hope we can get more of the "yard" weed whacked this weekend, though. The ticks are out in force and my legs look like a dartboard of sorts with all the bites on my lower legs. Of course, being human, they itch, I scratch, and I end up with scabby legs. I hate ticks with a passion. One day, they won't be a problem for me, and I look forward to that day - probably when the move from here to a new place takes place. So much has been and will continue to be accomplished here, but a new place likely won't have the issues this one does. I'm hoping one place I've found stays up for sale for a looong time. It's not quite three acres, but it has more than one trailer on it, and the others could be sold to a local mobile home place. All they'd have to do is bring a check and plenty of trucks to haul them off. It's also mostly open land, so there wouldn't be any clearing, just plop down raised beds and get busy. AND all paved roads all the way to work. I just have to hope it stays available for a bit so a downpayment can be gotten, and that the owner will sell on land contract. It's not a perfect place, but it would do. If it's not there, something else suitable will be when the time is right.
I really want to get something productive done around here, like putting a couple more things up on the Selz store, and doing a bit more writing, but that may not happen. All depends on how well the caffeine infusion works. Anyhow, time to suck down some coffee (cappuccino really) and try to wake up (HA!) or get a quick nap in after finding y'all some books. Hugs all, till tomorrow!
KINDLE FREEBIES OF INTEREST
Backyard Chickens: The Beginners Guide to Raising Chickens in Town or Country (Sustainable Living & Homestead Survival Series)
Backyard Organic Gardening: Easily and Effortlessly Create Your Own Organic Gardening Oasis for Optimal Health and Nutrition (Seven Steps to a Successful ... Backyard Homestead, Gardening for Beginners)
Homesteaders / Smallholders 'Quick Bites' Guidebook - Canning & Food Preservation (K.I.S.S Quick Bites)
Learn to Crochet - A Blanket Pattern for the Very Beginner
Grow Your Vegetables For Your Nutritional and Financial Health
Starting a New Garden (VOL. 1): How to Transform Your Yard and Patio Into Beds and Container Gardens (Growing Organic Vegetables at Home)
Homesteaders 'Quick Bites' Guidebook: Raising Chickens - My 5 Top Tips (K.I.S.S Quick Bites)
Prepper Survival Pantry: The Survivor's Guide To Food Storage, Water Storage, Canning And Preserving
Garden Pests And Problems: Simple Solutions to Rid Your Garden of 10 Common Pests and Problems (The Constant Gardener)
Thursday, May 22, 2014
Lovely day outside!
And I intend on spending a little of it before I head to work accomplishing things out in that loveliness. There's so much to get done, and so little time to do anything, and things are moving along so slowly that it's driving me up a tree. I do wish that banks would be better on lending to folks with low debt, though. Seriously, my debt is about 30% of my annual income right now, and going down by the week. Things are getting paid off. Not fast, but they are getting paid off. Does this mean anything? Noooo ... apparently, loathing credit cards to the point you refuse to have one at all for any reason means you are not credit-worthy. I don't want to have to wait until five or ten years down the road when I have enough saved up to buy a place outright, so if a bank won't lend to me once I have a decent downpayment put together, I will likely have to go owner finance or the like. It's tough, but doable. I've already looked into tax sale for the counties I'm willing to live in for this year and there's nothing of interest except one parcel that has been through this before. It got claimed by the state for back taxes, sold, and then was redeemed by the original owners barely prior to them losing it permanently. Now it's up for sale again - with that kind of history, there's not alot of folks willing to take on bare land full of trees on the off chance that the person the State seized it from won't redeem it.
But in good news, I do have some photos for y'all which also prompted me to go spend a little bit of money on Amazon last night. I had a bit on gift card balance so that knocked down the total price for me. I ordered a copy of "Seed to Seed," because with putting in a garden and wanting to save seeds from stuff, I need to know what I'm doing. Why waste time and effort on a steep learning curve when I can do the research and let someone else tell me what to do or not do?
Lookie! It's teeny, but it's a tomato blossom on one of my Arkansas Travelers! WHEE!
And this is one of the large ornamental gourds. The photo of the Straightneck Early Yellow Squash didn't come out at all ... might have helped if I'd kept my fingers out of the photo. (Sorry it's blurry, this camera doesn't do closeups very well.)
And this is two of the three Kabocha squash that are coming up! Now if everything else would hurry up and start growing ... but I really do need to get beds finished up for them first, lol. I only have so much time before stuff has to be transplanted to get beds put up and corn and beans in the ground so the squash can grow on and around the corn and beans in the Three Sisters method!
Time to mainline some caffiene so I can get awake enough to do some outside stuff before I go to that hellhole of a job that I'm rapidly starting to loathe for some reason (probably all the excessive overtime - we are supposed to be done a 130AM, there's a lot of nights we don't get out till 230 or 3! I don't mind a little OT, but that much every night gets tiring after a while.)
KINDLE FREEBIES OF INTEREST
Homemade Soap Making: A Beginner's Guide to Organic Soap and Natural Body Scrub Recipes
Worm Farming: Everything You Need to Know To Setting up a Successful Worm Farm
How To Grow Garlic, Growing Garlic Made Easy
Soap Making Business: How to Start and Manage Your Own Home Based Soap Business (Home Based Business)
Natural Kitchen Cleaners :The Ultimate Guide - Over 30 Green & Eco Friendly Solutions
Growing Vegetables: KnolKhol, Lettuce and Zucchini
Vertical Gardening: What You Need to Know to Grow Organic Vegetables and Fruits for Your Family
How to Save Energy at Home - 101 Great Home Energy Saving Tips
But in good news, I do have some photos for y'all which also prompted me to go spend a little bit of money on Amazon last night. I had a bit on gift card balance so that knocked down the total price for me. I ordered a copy of "Seed to Seed," because with putting in a garden and wanting to save seeds from stuff, I need to know what I'm doing. Why waste time and effort on a steep learning curve when I can do the research and let someone else tell me what to do or not do?
Lookie! It's teeny, but it's a tomato blossom on one of my Arkansas Travelers! WHEE!
And this is one of the large ornamental gourds. The photo of the Straightneck Early Yellow Squash didn't come out at all ... might have helped if I'd kept my fingers out of the photo. (Sorry it's blurry, this camera doesn't do closeups very well.)
Time to mainline some caffiene so I can get awake enough to do some outside stuff before I go to that hellhole of a job that I'm rapidly starting to loathe for some reason (probably all the excessive overtime - we are supposed to be done a 130AM, there's a lot of nights we don't get out till 230 or 3! I don't mind a little OT, but that much every night gets tiring after a while.)
KINDLE FREEBIES OF INTEREST
Homemade Soap Making: A Beginner's Guide to Organic Soap and Natural Body Scrub Recipes
Worm Farming: Everything You Need to Know To Setting up a Successful Worm Farm
How To Grow Garlic, Growing Garlic Made Easy
Soap Making Business: How to Start and Manage Your Own Home Based Soap Business (Home Based Business)
Natural Kitchen Cleaners :The Ultimate Guide - Over 30 Green & Eco Friendly Solutions
Growing Vegetables: KnolKhol, Lettuce and Zucchini
Vertical Gardening: What You Need to Know to Grow Organic Vegetables and Fruits for Your Family
How to Save Energy at Home - 101 Great Home Energy Saving Tips
Wednesday, May 21, 2014
No errands today, but biggish progress happening
So, yesterday was a bust for Quentin. He'd parked behind me Monday night when we got home, and had just enough energy to go out and move the van so I could leave for errands and work. What he describes as the way he feels, he said he figured felt about like me with my fibromyalgia. Then he says he will never, EVER call me a wuss again, because if I can deal with that and get up and moving and work and do all that I do, while hurting that badly, I am tougher than he has given me credit for. But accomplishments have been made.
A big little chunk got paid on a bill. Well, I got the money order, and it's ready to go, I'll drop it off today on my way to work because I have a package to pick up anyhow. And Home Depot finally had all the parts I needed in for the bailer bucket, so the threaded adapter, bolt, nuts, check valve and rope reel have all been bough. All told, I've spent about $40 on this thing. We'll work on building it this weekend. Quentin was going to take it over from me, and I said no, I just want you to do A, B, and C to help out. It's MY project. He says he's going to kiss me if it actually works, and I'm pretty sure it will, it's just a matter of actually doing the thing up and seeing how much I can get out in one go. Assuming it works like it's supposed to, it will make watering the garden a lot easier and help fill house water jugs faster and easier than dragging them to the gas station and using their hose, then having to haul them all the way to the house.
The boys are enjoying the heck out of the warm weather. They love their kitty shelf in the one bedroom window best of all, though they can look out just about every window in the place. That is THEIR window, and they spend most of their nap time up there. That's where Bouncer is at now, napping. Smudge has decided that Momma's leg is perfect for curling up next to and pincushioning with happy paws, so I have to stop typing every so often to pet him. He's a silly kitty, but he's grown into such a loving fellow from the scardey-cat kitten we first adopted that it's impossible to not give him attention.
Today there are no errands, other than a quick stop at the Postal Orifice on the way to work, so I can lollygag a bit over breakfast, and get some work done outside on the garden, before I pack up and head in. With a three-day weekend coming up for Memorial Day, they are hammering us hard and it's not a lot of fun. Thank goodness for caffiene! But honestly, I'm just so stoked that things are starting to come together around here, finally.
The bailer bucket and a garden are big projects I've been wanting to get done for over a year, and it is starting to finally happen. All I can say is, it's about time some things got done and starting going the way I want them to on this homestead, lol!!! Oh yeah, some of the seeds I planted are starting to sprout, so there will be photos soon of those, as well as improvements (such as they are) to the garden! (Though I think I'll have to get epsom salts and fertilizer sticks for the tomatoes this weekend - a couple of them are getting lower yellowish leaves, which also means repotting them ... knew that was going to have to happen though.) And I did get a couple more pages formatted on the latest book ... which is kind of a goofy gift baskets thing, I'm calling them "survival kits" - full of things to bring a smile to the recipient's face and remind them why they are so important for what they do. So far, edited through page 7 of what will be far less than 79 pages when it is done!
KINDLE FREEBIES OF INTEREST
Seed Saving The Beginner's Guide: How To Save Time And Money By Preserving Rare And Unique Seeds
Fall and Winter Gardening: 25 Organic Vegetables to Plant and Grow for Late Season Food
The Essential Guide to Container Gardening: Growing Organic Herbs & Vegetables In Any Space or Container Has Never Been This Easy! Grow Like A PRO And Have Fun Doing It!
The Crafty Beekeeper: Support Your Hobby by Creating and Selling Handmade Gifts
Easy Soapmaking for Beginners: Learn to Make Homemade Soap, Plus Dozens of Easy Recipes
Organic Vegetable Gardening: The Beginners Guide to Growing Vegetables the All Natural Way
Weeds, Water & Mulch (Gardening Briefs for Beginners)
Organic Vegetable and Fruit Gardening: A Beginners Guide to Growing More in Small Spaces
Raised Bed Gardening Planting Guide (2) - Making The Most Of A Raised Bed Garden For Growing Vegetables (Gardening Techniques)
All Natural Cleaning Recipes: A Non-Toxic Household is a Healthy Household
Aquaponic Gardening: A Step by Step Guide for Beginners
Beginner Soap Making: Simple Homemade Recipes
A big little chunk got paid on a bill. Well, I got the money order, and it's ready to go, I'll drop it off today on my way to work because I have a package to pick up anyhow. And Home Depot finally had all the parts I needed in for the bailer bucket, so the threaded adapter, bolt, nuts, check valve and rope reel have all been bough. All told, I've spent about $40 on this thing. We'll work on building it this weekend. Quentin was going to take it over from me, and I said no, I just want you to do A, B, and C to help out. It's MY project. He says he's going to kiss me if it actually works, and I'm pretty sure it will, it's just a matter of actually doing the thing up and seeing how much I can get out in one go. Assuming it works like it's supposed to, it will make watering the garden a lot easier and help fill house water jugs faster and easier than dragging them to the gas station and using their hose, then having to haul them all the way to the house.
The boys are enjoying the heck out of the warm weather. They love their kitty shelf in the one bedroom window best of all, though they can look out just about every window in the place. That is THEIR window, and they spend most of their nap time up there. That's where Bouncer is at now, napping. Smudge has decided that Momma's leg is perfect for curling up next to and pincushioning with happy paws, so I have to stop typing every so often to pet him. He's a silly kitty, but he's grown into such a loving fellow from the scardey-cat kitten we first adopted that it's impossible to not give him attention.
Today there are no errands, other than a quick stop at the Postal Orifice on the way to work, so I can lollygag a bit over breakfast, and get some work done outside on the garden, before I pack up and head in. With a three-day weekend coming up for Memorial Day, they are hammering us hard and it's not a lot of fun. Thank goodness for caffiene! But honestly, I'm just so stoked that things are starting to come together around here, finally.
The bailer bucket and a garden are big projects I've been wanting to get done for over a year, and it is starting to finally happen. All I can say is, it's about time some things got done and starting going the way I want them to on this homestead, lol!!! Oh yeah, some of the seeds I planted are starting to sprout, so there will be photos soon of those, as well as improvements (such as they are) to the garden! (Though I think I'll have to get epsom salts and fertilizer sticks for the tomatoes this weekend - a couple of them are getting lower yellowish leaves, which also means repotting them ... knew that was going to have to happen though.) And I did get a couple more pages formatted on the latest book ... which is kind of a goofy gift baskets thing, I'm calling them "survival kits" - full of things to bring a smile to the recipient's face and remind them why they are so important for what they do. So far, edited through page 7 of what will be far less than 79 pages when it is done!
KINDLE FREEBIES OF INTEREST
Seed Saving The Beginner's Guide: How To Save Time And Money By Preserving Rare And Unique Seeds
Fall and Winter Gardening: 25 Organic Vegetables to Plant and Grow for Late Season Food
The Essential Guide to Container Gardening: Growing Organic Herbs & Vegetables In Any Space or Container Has Never Been This Easy! Grow Like A PRO And Have Fun Doing It!
The Crafty Beekeeper: Support Your Hobby by Creating and Selling Handmade Gifts
Easy Soapmaking for Beginners: Learn to Make Homemade Soap, Plus Dozens of Easy Recipes
Organic Vegetable Gardening: The Beginners Guide to Growing Vegetables the All Natural Way
Weeds, Water & Mulch (Gardening Briefs for Beginners)
Organic Vegetable and Fruit Gardening: A Beginners Guide to Growing More in Small Spaces
Raised Bed Gardening Planting Guide (2) - Making The Most Of A Raised Bed Garden For Growing Vegetables (Gardening Techniques)
All Natural Cleaning Recipes: A Non-Toxic Household is a Healthy Household
Aquaponic Gardening: A Step by Step Guide for Beginners
Beginner Soap Making: Simple Homemade Recipes
Tuesday, May 20, 2014
Hoping to get stuff done
Quentin had a restless night last night which kind of kept me half awake all night. I really want to get to Home Depot for the rest of the parts for the bailer bucket, but I might end up taking a nap instead. There is just so much to get done that napping isn't really an option what with having to work, too. At least not until things are where one income will cover it all and leave some left over for other things .... Stuff's gotta get done.
Seriously, when you homestead, unless it is raining pretty hard (a good sprinkle doesn't count), you need to be outside in all the good weather doing something. Today, my good weather is going to have to involve that trip to Home Depot and a stop at Wal-Mart for a money order to pay on a bill. Then I need to grab something to eat and get to work for more fun playing with chicken boobies. My job's actually not that bad and kind of fun, we get to talk a lot and all, and it's a pretty relaxed atmosphere. So it's not too bad. I guess it's just all the menopausal stuff going on with my body that's making me feel kind of messed up, because it only hits for a few days a month (you ladies know what I mean).
I can hardly wait for more stuff to come up in the mini-greenhouses. The garden is a big part of why I'm not letting myself lay around and be lazy. I have a deadline to met with getting stuff ready for the seedlings to be transplanted, and it's not one I can go, 'Oh, there's plenty of time to worry about it!" because it's not the middle of winter anymore. Anyhow, hubby isn't feeling too great, time for me to make him up some soda water so he can get the creeping crud up and out. Then I can find you guys some books. (Gee, the joys of my life, lol. And the joys for him of being married to someone who fully believes in natural healing as much as possible.)
KINDLE FREEBIES OF INTEREST
Everything about Rabbits: Including an Exhaustive List of Rabbit Breeds
Organic Vertical Garden: Beginners Guide To Growing Healthy Organic Gardens
You Can Do It Yourself: Great Do It Yourself Home Improvements On A Budget
Indoor gardening - How to grow beautiful tomatoes, bell peppers & avocados at home (Indoor Gardening, How to Grow, Vegetables)
Recipes in a Jar: How to Can Fruit
Indoor Container Gardening: A Beginner's Guide to Growing Herbs, Vegetables and Fruit
How to Build a Hanging Garden for your Balcony, Deck, Patio, or Sunroom
How to Paint and Decorate Your Home - 121 Great Home Painting and Decorating Ideas
Food Drying: How to Safely Dry and Store Food (Food Preservation)
Seriously, when you homestead, unless it is raining pretty hard (a good sprinkle doesn't count), you need to be outside in all the good weather doing something. Today, my good weather is going to have to involve that trip to Home Depot and a stop at Wal-Mart for a money order to pay on a bill. Then I need to grab something to eat and get to work for more fun playing with chicken boobies. My job's actually not that bad and kind of fun, we get to talk a lot and all, and it's a pretty relaxed atmosphere. So it's not too bad. I guess it's just all the menopausal stuff going on with my body that's making me feel kind of messed up, because it only hits for a few days a month (you ladies know what I mean).
I can hardly wait for more stuff to come up in the mini-greenhouses. The garden is a big part of why I'm not letting myself lay around and be lazy. I have a deadline to met with getting stuff ready for the seedlings to be transplanted, and it's not one I can go, 'Oh, there's plenty of time to worry about it!" because it's not the middle of winter anymore. Anyhow, hubby isn't feeling too great, time for me to make him up some soda water so he can get the creeping crud up and out. Then I can find you guys some books. (Gee, the joys of my life, lol. And the joys for him of being married to someone who fully believes in natural healing as much as possible.)
KINDLE FREEBIES OF INTEREST
Everything about Rabbits: Including an Exhaustive List of Rabbit Breeds
Organic Vertical Garden: Beginners Guide To Growing Healthy Organic Gardens
You Can Do It Yourself: Great Do It Yourself Home Improvements On A Budget
Indoor gardening - How to grow beautiful tomatoes, bell peppers & avocados at home (Indoor Gardening, How to Grow, Vegetables)
Recipes in a Jar: How to Can Fruit
Indoor Container Gardening: A Beginner's Guide to Growing Herbs, Vegetables and Fruit
How to Build a Hanging Garden for your Balcony, Deck, Patio, or Sunroom
How to Paint and Decorate Your Home - 121 Great Home Painting and Decorating Ideas
Food Drying: How to Safely Dry and Store Food (Food Preservation)
Monday, May 19, 2014
Hey, I might get outside for a bit today!
The rain didn't hit last night, but it sure did look like it would for a while. I may have to actually water the tomatoes today! I'm going to try to get myself out and redo the ID markers for the seeds I planted, now that I found my craft sticks, because that styrofoam isn't going to work forever. The sunlight coming through the dome already has it breaking down, and I don't want to forget what got planted where in the mini-greenhouses, and hope they all grow!! I know it's late because of the way spring weather's gone (and trust me, I am jealous as all get out of folks who are already getting produce from theirs), but I want a garden in this year, darn it! There are still the tire beds to get down, and such, but I know that once things sprout, it will give me incentive to get things done. I do have a few things that I hope will suddenly surprise me and germinate in the next couple of days, per expected dates of germ. on the seed packets. I can but hope!
The weather has the boys blowing coat, Smudge way worse than Bouncer. I'm glad I'm not allergic to cat dander, the way Smudge blows coat spring and fall and ends up with loads of dander speckling his coat at the same time. Honestly, Bouncer hardly sheds at all. Smudge ... well, you can pet him and end up with enough loose fur to make another kitten!
I did get some work accomplished on farm website stuff over the weekend, so I'm glad of that, as it's one thing completely done and scratched off the to-do list. We have found some free (my favorite word, haha) options for a webstore, through an app called Selz, which works on Facebook as well as linking all social media, etc. I will still be putting items up on Etsy, eBay and Bonanza (an eBay alternative - less traffic, but less hassles, too), and I think the Facebook app Easy Social Store which allows you to integrate with your stuff for sale on Etsy and Amazon, so there will be webstore(s) of a sort that will consume nothing but time. I've looked hard at Selz and it even allows for digital downloads of products and they do the storage! All good for me, and I think if I do things right, I may be a bit more successful that way. Ok, Selz really isn't completey free, there is a per-sale fee (5% + 25c), but that is IT. No monthly fees, no listing fees, no nothing. It has what sound like a number of nice features, and I likely will try it to see what happens with it. Worst comes to worst, all I'd have to do is set up a regular domain and store anyhow, right? So it could be a good thing ... I need to get more good photos and all and see what it does for me.
Mind, I'd love to add in some affiliate marketing stuff, but I don't know that that will happen if I can't get banners to display somehow, somewhere. I think Selz, from what I've read, gives me a fully customizable storefront, so I may be able to get banners to rotate that way. We shall see. I need to do a lot of things before I get that far. I'm a bit excited to know I have some good options and we shall see what happens with them. But now it's book time - enjoy, because there's a small bunch today!
KINDLE FREEBIES OF INTEREST
Homegrown Humus: Cover Crops in a No-till Garden (Permaculture Gardener)
Growing Organic - 2-Book Combo: Companion Planting And Pest Control In An Organic Garden
The Ultimate Container Gardening Handbook: Everything You Need To Know About Container Gardening Plus More. (The Definitive Gardening Guides)
Vertical Gardening: The Definitive Guide To Vertical Gardening For Beginners. (The Definitive Gardening Guides)
Container Herb Gardening: The Definitive Guide To Container Herb Gardening For Beginners. (The Definitive Gardening Guides)
Companion Gardening: The Definitive Guide To Companion Gardening For Beginners. (The Definitive Gardenninig Guides)
Indoor Gardening: The Definitive Guide To Indoor Gardening For Beginners. (The Definitive Gardening Guides)
Raised Bed Gardening: The Definitive Guide To Raised Bed Gardening For Beginners. (The Definitive Gardening Guides)
Modern Rustic: Starting a Homestead: A Guide to Buying Property and Moving Toward Self-Sufficiency
Sock Monkey Knitting Pattern
Canning Meat, Fish, Poultry and Wild Game (Canning and Preserving Guides)
Canning Collection, 5 Books In 1, Canning Meat, Fish, Poultry, Wild Game, Vegetables, Fruits, Pickles, Salsa
Seed Starting, Starting And Transplanting Seeds, Step By Step Guide
Canning and Preserving at Home - Delicious Sauces, Jellies, Relishes, Chutneys, Salsas, Pie fillings and more!
Survival Pantry: The Prepper's Guide to Survival Food Storage (A Simple Guide to Emergency Food Storage- Learn to Can Food, Store Water, and Preserve ... Pantry,Preppers Guide,Food Pantry Storage)
Backyard Aquaponics Made Easy
Organic Square Foot Gardening: The Definitive Guide To Organic Square Foot Gardening For Beginners. (The Definitive Gardening Guides)
The weather has the boys blowing coat, Smudge way worse than Bouncer. I'm glad I'm not allergic to cat dander, the way Smudge blows coat spring and fall and ends up with loads of dander speckling his coat at the same time. Honestly, Bouncer hardly sheds at all. Smudge ... well, you can pet him and end up with enough loose fur to make another kitten!
I did get some work accomplished on farm website stuff over the weekend, so I'm glad of that, as it's one thing completely done and scratched off the to-do list. We have found some free (my favorite word, haha) options for a webstore, through an app called Selz, which works on Facebook as well as linking all social media, etc. I will still be putting items up on Etsy, eBay and Bonanza (an eBay alternative - less traffic, but less hassles, too), and I think the Facebook app Easy Social Store which allows you to integrate with your stuff for sale on Etsy and Amazon, so there will be webstore(s) of a sort that will consume nothing but time. I've looked hard at Selz and it even allows for digital downloads of products and they do the storage! All good for me, and I think if I do things right, I may be a bit more successful that way. Ok, Selz really isn't completey free, there is a per-sale fee (5% + 25c), but that is IT. No monthly fees, no listing fees, no nothing. It has what sound like a number of nice features, and I likely will try it to see what happens with it. Worst comes to worst, all I'd have to do is set up a regular domain and store anyhow, right? So it could be a good thing ... I need to get more good photos and all and see what it does for me.
Mind, I'd love to add in some affiliate marketing stuff, but I don't know that that will happen if I can't get banners to display somehow, somewhere. I think Selz, from what I've read, gives me a fully customizable storefront, so I may be able to get banners to rotate that way. We shall see. I need to do a lot of things before I get that far. I'm a bit excited to know I have some good options and we shall see what happens with them. But now it's book time - enjoy, because there's a small bunch today!
KINDLE FREEBIES OF INTEREST
Homegrown Humus: Cover Crops in a No-till Garden (Permaculture Gardener)
Growing Organic - 2-Book Combo: Companion Planting And Pest Control In An Organic Garden
The Ultimate Container Gardening Handbook: Everything You Need To Know About Container Gardening Plus More. (The Definitive Gardening Guides)
Vertical Gardening: The Definitive Guide To Vertical Gardening For Beginners. (The Definitive Gardening Guides)
Container Herb Gardening: The Definitive Guide To Container Herb Gardening For Beginners. (The Definitive Gardening Guides)
Companion Gardening: The Definitive Guide To Companion Gardening For Beginners. (The Definitive Gardenninig Guides)
Indoor Gardening: The Definitive Guide To Indoor Gardening For Beginners. (The Definitive Gardening Guides)
Raised Bed Gardening: The Definitive Guide To Raised Bed Gardening For Beginners. (The Definitive Gardening Guides)
Modern Rustic: Starting a Homestead: A Guide to Buying Property and Moving Toward Self-Sufficiency
Sock Monkey Knitting Pattern
Canning Meat, Fish, Poultry and Wild Game (Canning and Preserving Guides)
Canning Collection, 5 Books In 1, Canning Meat, Fish, Poultry, Wild Game, Vegetables, Fruits, Pickles, Salsa
Seed Starting, Starting And Transplanting Seeds, Step By Step Guide
Canning and Preserving at Home - Delicious Sauces, Jellies, Relishes, Chutneys, Salsas, Pie fillings and more!
Survival Pantry: The Prepper's Guide to Survival Food Storage (A Simple Guide to Emergency Food Storage- Learn to Can Food, Store Water, and Preserve ... Pantry,Preppers Guide,Food Pantry Storage)
Backyard Aquaponics Made Easy
Organic Square Foot Gardening: The Definitive Guide To Organic Square Foot Gardening For Beginners. (The Definitive Gardening Guides)
Yarn giveaway contest!
Normally, I don't post something like this as a separate post, but I want to remember to do it. Plus, I bookmarked the contest entry page so I'll remember to enter every day through the end in a month. I REALLY want this, lol. I so rarely win contests of any kind, and this one is right up my alley. If it's something you'd like, go ahead and enter, too. You never know, you might get lucky!
This contest is for the STITCHES Ultimate Yarn Bundle Giveaway, gifted by Knitting Universe. From AllFreeKnitting's page for the contest, they say:
"The STITCHES Ultimate Yarn Bundle is valued at $600 and includes:
* An Alaskan Moose Scarf Kit from Windy Valley Muskox
* Four skeins of Baby Boom yarn in Misty Morning from Fiesta Yarns
* Four skeins of Riveting Sport yarn + a Tabitha pattern from Kollage Yarns
* Phoenix Print Scarf Kit from Trendsetter Yarns
* Blue Sky Alpacas Heart Yarn Sampler from Jimmy Beans Wool
* Four skeins of Bijou Spun ÒHimalayan Yarn + Vest Pattern from Bijou Basin Ranch
* $100 Gift Card to DrewEmborsky.com"
Man, I could go NUTS with that. Four patterns/kits, lots of yarn for other stuff, a gift card ... Quentin would go nuts that I was bringing yet MORE yarn into the house, lol. (What he don't know won't hurt him, right?)
Oh yeah, and I'm sharing this like crazy on social media, lol. (Can you guess that I really would like to win this?)
Night all - I need to get some other work done, like wishlisting more stuff on Amazon for myself, and working on the current book, and getting ready to put a store together with Selz on Facebook and put stuff in it. Help! I have a ton of stuff on my plate, lol.
This contest is for the STITCHES Ultimate Yarn Bundle Giveaway, gifted by Knitting Universe. From AllFreeKnitting's page for the contest, they say:
"The STITCHES Ultimate Yarn Bundle is valued at $600 and includes:
* An Alaskan Moose Scarf Kit from Windy Valley Muskox
* Four skeins of Baby Boom yarn in Misty Morning from Fiesta Yarns
* Four skeins of Riveting Sport yarn + a Tabitha pattern from Kollage Yarns
* Phoenix Print Scarf Kit from Trendsetter Yarns
* Blue Sky Alpacas Heart Yarn Sampler from Jimmy Beans Wool
* Four skeins of Bijou Spun ÒHimalayan Yarn + Vest Pattern from Bijou Basin Ranch
* $100 Gift Card to DrewEmborsky.com"
Man, I could go NUTS with that. Four patterns/kits, lots of yarn for other stuff, a gift card ... Quentin would go nuts that I was bringing yet MORE yarn into the house, lol. (What he don't know won't hurt him, right?)
Oh yeah, and I'm sharing this like crazy on social media, lol. (Can you guess that I really would like to win this?)
Night all - I need to get some other work done, like wishlisting more stuff on Amazon for myself, and working on the current book, and getting ready to put a store together with Selz on Facebook and put stuff in it. Help! I have a ton of stuff on my plate, lol.
Sunday, May 18, 2014
What a day
Yesterday was not fun. When we got to work, we were supposed to only be there for 4-5 hours. Then it got extended to a full shift. Before we'd worked an hour, it was up to a minimum of ten hours. Considering Quentin had already put in 45 hours over the week, and me close to 40 over four days, without consulting the other, we made the same decision. We bailed at break. We both took a half-point and LEFT. Notified our supervisors and took off, because there was no way we were going to get out of there and spend our one day off doing nothing but hustling to do two days stuff in one day. It didn't make many people happy (and one of our buddies texted to let us know when they got done - 4AM - that's ELEVEN HOURS, folks! We don't need the money THAT badly!), but we were at a point of going screw it. We left and went to Wal-Mart for necessities, came home and got stuff put away. All we did today was laundry and drive by a couple of houses in the area to see if they were in good shape.
We really do like it here, but we want to buy, and if we can find something at least 2 acres and in our price range, with owner finance available, we are snapping it up. It may end up being a fixer-upper, but it can't be any worse than dealing with all the trash here, and I may have an open area for a garden a lot easier, too. Now THAT would be nice for me. A small shed for a workshop for Quentin would be nice, too. Not having to clean up a bunch of outside trash also would be nice, though we'd likely negotiate to still come up here to cut firewood. And pick up all the scrap metal we can get our hands on, there is a LOT of it buried around here in the trees. If it cools off a tiny bit after I get my shower, and doesn't start to pour buckets, I may be able to get out with my grabber and a garbage bag to pick up a bunch of the loose tin cans off the ground to take and sell for scrap. Hahaha. That would be nice, yes?
I will hopefully be getting to Home Depot in the next day or so before work to get the rest of the parts for the bailer bucket. It's been a crazy week, very tired most of the time, so no interest in doing anything. I guess I'm lucky I got the bills paid from our checks and we got groceries and such. It's just been that kind of a week. Still nothing sprouting, which means I may have to either replant (I did find my craft sticks for plant markers and my sharpie for writing), or splurge on that little popup greenhouse from Home Depot for $30 to get them more warmth, if they are not doing anything by next weekend. Mostly, I'm just not looking forward to going in to work tomorrow on a short weekend. I love my job, but for some reason, I'm getting to where I don't like going in at all, and would rather be here doing things that need doing or crafting or whatever.
The website design is going well, though a couple of javascripts I want to have going, for various advertising banners, the WYSIWYG editor does not display. I need a webpage for that and it just isn't happening yet. I think maybe this week or next week, I will get the domain and hosting going and start uploading what pages I have. I had to get new batteries for my digicam yesterday because the ones I've had for about 3-4 years are starting to get old - corroding a bit and not holding a charge as well - and I have a bunch of things I have made up in the way of baby stuff that needs photographing so they can go up in the farm's webstore and on Etsy, Bonanza, eBay, etc. Basically anywhere I have a chance at selling them.
My dilemma now is that with it being warmer weather, and I haven't had a chance to get to the local homesteader's swap meet yet, is where to vend on Saturdays. The swap meet is only $5 but I don't know what traffic is like to it and past it. There is an open air flea market on the way into Harrison, so it's on the main drag, but it's $20 a week to set up there. I'm dithering between alternating or what. The Harrison farmers market is also a possibility, but I can't seem to get in touch with the person who runs it to find out rules and fees. This is not fun, folks! I'm also working on my next mini-book. I have it typed out but I have to do a lot of formatting yet and it's going to probably be around 50 pages when it's done. I hope to have it done by next weekend, but I am not holding my breath. The good thing about most of my upcoming mini-books is that I have all the notes for them, I just need to do a lot of typing and formatting to get them done and ready for sale. That is exhausting in and of itself, but I keep slogging, because I know that sooner or later, all this work I am doing on the website and writing and crafting and all will turn into a real business and be a living income for me. But for now, it's time for books. Enjoy!
KINDLE FREEBIES OF INTEREST
Patio Planters: & Vertical Gardening - Designs & Wood Working Plans Volume 2 (Patio Planters: & Vertical Gardening - Designs & Wood Working Plans)
Learn How to Crochet Quick And Easy
Backyard Chickens: The Ultimate Beginner's Guide To Raising Chickens, Selecting Chicken Coops, And Excellent Chicken Care, Giving You A Natural, Round-The-Clock Egg Factory
Natural Green Cleaning: Eco-Friendly Recipes to Clean Your Home Naturally
Create Captivating Water Gardens in Containers: Step by Step Guide to Enjoying Water Gardens on a Small Scale (The Weekend Gardener)
Aquaponics for Beginners - A Step by Step Guide to Aquaponic Gardening in Your Own Backyard
Food Dehydration For Beginners, Drying Vegetables, Fruits, Herbs, Jerky, Seeds, Nuts
How to Maintain Your Home - 201 Great Home Maintenance Tips And Ideas
(2 Book Bundle) "Beginners Guide To Knitting Scarves" & "How To Knit Socks For Beginners" (Knitting For Beginners)
Your Organic Square Foot Garden: Starter Plan For Organic Square Foot Gardening (beginners gardening, vegetable gardening, vertical garden, urban farming, ... gardening, beginners how to garden, organic)
We really do like it here, but we want to buy, and if we can find something at least 2 acres and in our price range, with owner finance available, we are snapping it up. It may end up being a fixer-upper, but it can't be any worse than dealing with all the trash here, and I may have an open area for a garden a lot easier, too. Now THAT would be nice for me. A small shed for a workshop for Quentin would be nice, too. Not having to clean up a bunch of outside trash also would be nice, though we'd likely negotiate to still come up here to cut firewood. And pick up all the scrap metal we can get our hands on, there is a LOT of it buried around here in the trees. If it cools off a tiny bit after I get my shower, and doesn't start to pour buckets, I may be able to get out with my grabber and a garbage bag to pick up a bunch of the loose tin cans off the ground to take and sell for scrap. Hahaha. That would be nice, yes?
I will hopefully be getting to Home Depot in the next day or so before work to get the rest of the parts for the bailer bucket. It's been a crazy week, very tired most of the time, so no interest in doing anything. I guess I'm lucky I got the bills paid from our checks and we got groceries and such. It's just been that kind of a week. Still nothing sprouting, which means I may have to either replant (I did find my craft sticks for plant markers and my sharpie for writing), or splurge on that little popup greenhouse from Home Depot for $30 to get them more warmth, if they are not doing anything by next weekend. Mostly, I'm just not looking forward to going in to work tomorrow on a short weekend. I love my job, but for some reason, I'm getting to where I don't like going in at all, and would rather be here doing things that need doing or crafting or whatever.
The website design is going well, though a couple of javascripts I want to have going, for various advertising banners, the WYSIWYG editor does not display. I need a webpage for that and it just isn't happening yet. I think maybe this week or next week, I will get the domain and hosting going and start uploading what pages I have. I had to get new batteries for my digicam yesterday because the ones I've had for about 3-4 years are starting to get old - corroding a bit and not holding a charge as well - and I have a bunch of things I have made up in the way of baby stuff that needs photographing so they can go up in the farm's webstore and on Etsy, Bonanza, eBay, etc. Basically anywhere I have a chance at selling them.
My dilemma now is that with it being warmer weather, and I haven't had a chance to get to the local homesteader's swap meet yet, is where to vend on Saturdays. The swap meet is only $5 but I don't know what traffic is like to it and past it. There is an open air flea market on the way into Harrison, so it's on the main drag, but it's $20 a week to set up there. I'm dithering between alternating or what. The Harrison farmers market is also a possibility, but I can't seem to get in touch with the person who runs it to find out rules and fees. This is not fun, folks! I'm also working on my next mini-book. I have it typed out but I have to do a lot of formatting yet and it's going to probably be around 50 pages when it's done. I hope to have it done by next weekend, but I am not holding my breath. The good thing about most of my upcoming mini-books is that I have all the notes for them, I just need to do a lot of typing and formatting to get them done and ready for sale. That is exhausting in and of itself, but I keep slogging, because I know that sooner or later, all this work I am doing on the website and writing and crafting and all will turn into a real business and be a living income for me. But for now, it's time for books. Enjoy!
KINDLE FREEBIES OF INTEREST
Patio Planters: & Vertical Gardening - Designs & Wood Working Plans Volume 2 (Patio Planters: & Vertical Gardening - Designs & Wood Working Plans)
Learn How to Crochet Quick And Easy
Backyard Chickens: The Ultimate Beginner's Guide To Raising Chickens, Selecting Chicken Coops, And Excellent Chicken Care, Giving You A Natural, Round-The-Clock Egg Factory
Natural Green Cleaning: Eco-Friendly Recipes to Clean Your Home Naturally
Create Captivating Water Gardens in Containers: Step by Step Guide to Enjoying Water Gardens on a Small Scale (The Weekend Gardener)
Aquaponics for Beginners - A Step by Step Guide to Aquaponic Gardening in Your Own Backyard
Food Dehydration For Beginners, Drying Vegetables, Fruits, Herbs, Jerky, Seeds, Nuts
How to Maintain Your Home - 201 Great Home Maintenance Tips And Ideas
(2 Book Bundle) "Beginners Guide To Knitting Scarves" & "How To Knit Socks For Beginners" (Knitting For Beginners)
Your Organic Square Foot Garden: Starter Plan For Organic Square Foot Gardening (beginners gardening, vegetable gardening, vertical garden, urban farming, ... gardening, beginners how to garden, organic)
Saturday, May 17, 2014
Yuck
Just yuck. One of these days, things will work out and I won't have to go to the plant anymore. I keep that thought firmly in the front of my thoughts to encourage me to keep on trucking on days like today. Because today, when I'd rather be doing errands and enjoying the day and all, we have to work. There've been some breakdowns lately at the plant that have put us all behind schedule, so the whole place has to work today to make it up, otherwise, there's a lot of chicken in the coolers (which are actually kept at near-freezing) that has to be processed in order to avoid the dreaded QA Hold For Bacterial Counts. Once it's butchered, our chicken can only be held in the coolers for two days at most before it is on hold and has to have a number of the birds randomly checked for bacterial count if it is to be run. Since we've had major breakdowns the last two days, and we are not working tomorrow, that means that the stuff from Thursday HAS to be run today or it's on QA Hold, as does the stuff from yesterday, or it would absolutely have to be run Monday. Add in that we can't work past 3AM on second shift in order to avoid USDA fines out the wazoo ($25,000 for every 15 minutes or portion thereof) and to allow the cleanup crew time to wash and sanitize everything properly, it means that yesterday's leftovers might end up on QA Hold. Yeah, this is my life, folks. I love my job, but there are days I could cheerfully just shoot myself.
Good news though. While I see nothing popping up yet in the mini-greenhouses (and I even took the dome off one and checked a cuke seed - not even a root tip yet, bummer), the tomatoes are not dead. The one has a partly open blossom on it! Time for the calcium in the pot, to avoid blossom end rot, and epsom salts. Might try sprinkling a little in the mini-greenhouses, too, to help with germination ... sure can't hurt. I do need to get a beer trap going though, as I found a snail out there the other day. I pulled it off and threw it as far as I could ... apparently Mr. Red-Tailed Hawk was looking for a snack as he swooped down out of the big, blue sky without warning and snapped it up!
KINDLE FREEBIES OF INTEREST
How to Grow Herbs: A Step By Step Guide to Growing Herbs
Canning And Preserving: How To Can, Preserve, And Store Your Food In Jars
Container Gardening Designs & Woodworking Plans - Volume 1 - Ideas for Organic Gardening & Urban Gardening
A Beginners Guide To Companion Planting, Companion Planting Vegetables, Flowers, Herbs
How To Viking Knit: Crafting jewelry using the Viking Knit Technique
The Tomato Manual: How to Plant Tomatoes: Including Recipes!
Gardening in a Cool Climate
Growing Vegetables: Artichokes, Crosnes, Broccoli and Chives
Fingerless Gloves Knitting Pattern
Container Vegetable Gardening Made Easy: How To Grow Fresh, Healthy Vegetables At Home In Pots
Good news though. While I see nothing popping up yet in the mini-greenhouses (and I even took the dome off one and checked a cuke seed - not even a root tip yet, bummer), the tomatoes are not dead. The one has a partly open blossom on it! Time for the calcium in the pot, to avoid blossom end rot, and epsom salts. Might try sprinkling a little in the mini-greenhouses, too, to help with germination ... sure can't hurt. I do need to get a beer trap going though, as I found a snail out there the other day. I pulled it off and threw it as far as I could ... apparently Mr. Red-Tailed Hawk was looking for a snack as he swooped down out of the big, blue sky without warning and snapped it up!
KINDLE FREEBIES OF INTEREST
How to Grow Herbs: A Step By Step Guide to Growing Herbs
Canning And Preserving: How To Can, Preserve, And Store Your Food In Jars
Container Gardening Designs & Woodworking Plans - Volume 1 - Ideas for Organic Gardening & Urban Gardening
A Beginners Guide To Companion Planting, Companion Planting Vegetables, Flowers, Herbs
How To Viking Knit: Crafting jewelry using the Viking Knit Technique
The Tomato Manual: How to Plant Tomatoes: Including Recipes!
Gardening in a Cool Climate
Growing Vegetables: Artichokes, Crosnes, Broccoli and Chives
Fingerless Gloves Knitting Pattern
Container Vegetable Gardening Made Easy: How To Grow Fresh, Healthy Vegetables At Home In Pots
Friday, May 16, 2014
Hopeful for the weekend
And I'm hopeful for it to go either way. This weekend (today and tomorrow) is Crawdad Days in Harrison again. Currently, we are scheduled to work Saturday, and while we'd love to go to Crawdad Days, the hours would be nice, too. So either way, we'll be happy about it. Quentin figured out that if we work the scheduled 5 hours Saturday, he'll have almost NINE hours overtime. With what we've worked over so far, plus Saturday, it would give me just short of a full 40 hours plus my holiday pay for Monday for my anniversary holiday. So our checks will be VERY nice next week. I am really enjoying the extra cash, because we're allowed now financially to do some things that we need to do, like pay off back bills and get things we need. Like the parts for the bailer bucket, and next, build the solar dehydrator ... I've got enough stuff to make do for now with garden beds without building them. I can work on that after the dehydrator's built. I'm gonna need it if I can get everything in.
That reminds me, after Quentin leaves and I get my lazy butt actually dressed and all, I need to get out and see what the last couple days chilly weather have done to my tomatoes and see if any of my seeds I planted last weekend came up. I'd really love to have me one of those little $30 knock-together greenhouses with a few shelves in it to start seeds in, but I think this year, I need to concentrate on the bailer bucket first, and the solar dehydrator next for major projects. With not having a good way to pressure can, I don't want to do that if I can avoid it.
The hot plate is great for general cooking, heating water, etc., but I don't think it would be all that great for canning on, and we don't have the approximately $500 to spare right now for an apartment-sized propane stove and the tank and hose and getting the tank filled and all the other assorted whatnot that goes into that. And since the electric here isn't that terrific, I don't want to be running something like an Excalibur all night while we're at work, or all day while we're sleeping, and running the electric bill up. I'm a cheapskate. Sunlight is free. There's room to put a solar dehydrator (with the legs in old plastic coffee cans of water to keep the ants out) outside, adn even if it takes a few days to get things dried enough, dried stuff takes up less space. We also don't have the similar amount of money it would take to buy a small upright freezer ... even the smallest chest freezer is too deep for someone as short as I am, and once again, I worry about the electric pulling too much juice and tripping a breaker, as odd as the electric is here. So it's solar dehydrating or bust!
With any luck, if the seeds I planted last weekend are coming up, I may have photos in a few days. The wonky spring we've had has seriously delayed all my gardening, but I'm determined to do something this year. No matter what. But, hey, at least the rain has helped in that our area is getting up to near normal for needed rainfall (only 7 inches short as of a few days ago) and it has saved me having to water the maters! Not too many books today, but still a few goodies!
KINDLE FREEBIES OF INTEREST
Container Vegetable Gardening Made Easy: How To Grow Fresh, Healthy Vegetables At Home In Pots
Pest Control for Organic Gardening: Natural Methods for Pest and Disease Control for a Healthy Garden
Natural, Non-Toxic Cleaning Made Simple: A Collection of Easy, Inexpensive, All-Natural Recipes
Slouchy Hat Knitting Pattern
Permaculture: A Step by Step Guide For Home Permaculture: How to Become an Expert in Home Gardening Techniques
(2 Book Bundle) "The Beginners Guide to Knitting" & "How To Knit Fingerless Gloves And Mittens" (Learn How to Knit)
Organic Gardening The Beginner's Guide: How To Start Your Own Natural & Healthy Garden
That reminds me, after Quentin leaves and I get my lazy butt actually dressed and all, I need to get out and see what the last couple days chilly weather have done to my tomatoes and see if any of my seeds I planted last weekend came up. I'd really love to have me one of those little $30 knock-together greenhouses with a few shelves in it to start seeds in, but I think this year, I need to concentrate on the bailer bucket first, and the solar dehydrator next for major projects. With not having a good way to pressure can, I don't want to do that if I can avoid it.
The hot plate is great for general cooking, heating water, etc., but I don't think it would be all that great for canning on, and we don't have the approximately $500 to spare right now for an apartment-sized propane stove and the tank and hose and getting the tank filled and all the other assorted whatnot that goes into that. And since the electric here isn't that terrific, I don't want to be running something like an Excalibur all night while we're at work, or all day while we're sleeping, and running the electric bill up. I'm a cheapskate. Sunlight is free. There's room to put a solar dehydrator (with the legs in old plastic coffee cans of water to keep the ants out) outside, adn even if it takes a few days to get things dried enough, dried stuff takes up less space. We also don't have the similar amount of money it would take to buy a small upright freezer ... even the smallest chest freezer is too deep for someone as short as I am, and once again, I worry about the electric pulling too much juice and tripping a breaker, as odd as the electric is here. So it's solar dehydrating or bust!
With any luck, if the seeds I planted last weekend are coming up, I may have photos in a few days. The wonky spring we've had has seriously delayed all my gardening, but I'm determined to do something this year. No matter what. But, hey, at least the rain has helped in that our area is getting up to near normal for needed rainfall (only 7 inches short as of a few days ago) and it has saved me having to water the maters! Not too many books today, but still a few goodies!
KINDLE FREEBIES OF INTEREST
Container Vegetable Gardening Made Easy: How To Grow Fresh, Healthy Vegetables At Home In Pots
Pest Control for Organic Gardening: Natural Methods for Pest and Disease Control for a Healthy Garden
Natural, Non-Toxic Cleaning Made Simple: A Collection of Easy, Inexpensive, All-Natural Recipes
Slouchy Hat Knitting Pattern
Permaculture: A Step by Step Guide For Home Permaculture: How to Become an Expert in Home Gardening Techniques
(2 Book Bundle) "The Beginners Guide to Knitting" & "How To Knit Fingerless Gloves And Mittens" (Learn How to Knit)
Organic Gardening The Beginner's Guide: How To Start Your Own Natural & Healthy Garden
Thursday, May 15, 2014
Sunny but chilly
It's sunny today, but it's chilly as all heck out. Barely going to make it into the 50s these next few days. My poor maters. I hope they and my seeds I started in the mini-greenhouses don't go and end up dead on me. That would be a crying shame. I do wish I could quit being so tired all the time. Part of it I know is because I can't get Quentin to sleep with the curtains closed. With working second shift, that means it's daylight when we are sleeping and I don't sleep well with light in my face. He knows this. Yet he insists on the curtains being open all the time. Guess I need to start burrowing under the covers better, lol. I'm tired of needing to take a nap after he leaves for work, just so I can get through the night. I don't get anything done that way, and it's not pleasant to know I'm not accomplishing the things I want to do. I get grumpy. I do not like being grumpy. Grumpy is not fun. (Though I did get a tiny bit of a start on another book last night (2 1/2 pages).)
On the other hand, the nap is nice, lol. I don't get stuff done outside or any writing done, but it is AWFUL nice to just snooze without having him talking to me or sitting on the bed to fix his hair, lol. (He has REALLY long hair.) What I want is to have lots of time to just work on things without worrying about stuff so much. I'm a chronic worrier. Am I doing enough? Is it good enough? Why aren't I getting it done as fast as my mind says I should be? Of course, I really don't want to be working away from home, either. I'd love to stay home all the time, take care of the house and all and work from home. But there's so much to do that I can't do it for a while yet. So it's suck up and deal, just like any other homesteader. You do what you have to do when you have to do it, and the rest just has to hurry up and wait. I'm off to find books and maybe squeak in a bit of a nap before work. They're killing us with love (aka OT) at work this week and I think that's part of why I'm so tired. I may not be getting much done, but I am having some fun, so that's all to the good!
KINDLE FREEBIES OF INTEREST
Make Your Own Organic Scrubs and Masks: An Everyday Guide to Simple Homemade Beauty Products
Organic Gardening The Beginner's Guide: How To Start Your Own Natural & Healthy Garden
Basket Weaving 101: The Ultimate Beginner's Guide For Getting Started Basket Weaving - Techniques, Secrets And Tips
Pottery Making: The Ultimate Beginner's Guide, Secrets And Techniques For Crafting Your Own Pottery
How to Grow Gorgeous Gardens Indoors with Modern Gardening Techniques: Ultimate Guide to Indoor Gardening
Square Foot Gardening - How To Grow Healthy Organic Vegetables The Easy Way: Including Companion Planting & Intensive Vegetable Growing Methods
Container Vegetable Gardening Made Easy: How To Grow Fresh, Healthy Vegetables At Home In Pots
Alpaca Keeping Raising Alpacas - Step by Step Guide Book... farming, care, diet, health and breeding
Shampoo From Scratch: An Ultimate Guide To Create Your Own High Quality Shampoo
Permaculture: A Step by Step Guide For Home Permaculture: How to Become an Expert in Home Gardening Techniques
On the other hand, the nap is nice, lol. I don't get stuff done outside or any writing done, but it is AWFUL nice to just snooze without having him talking to me or sitting on the bed to fix his hair, lol. (He has REALLY long hair.) What I want is to have lots of time to just work on things without worrying about stuff so much. I'm a chronic worrier. Am I doing enough? Is it good enough? Why aren't I getting it done as fast as my mind says I should be? Of course, I really don't want to be working away from home, either. I'd love to stay home all the time, take care of the house and all and work from home. But there's so much to do that I can't do it for a while yet. So it's suck up and deal, just like any other homesteader. You do what you have to do when you have to do it, and the rest just has to hurry up and wait. I'm off to find books and maybe squeak in a bit of a nap before work. They're killing us with love (aka OT) at work this week and I think that's part of why I'm so tired. I may not be getting much done, but I am having some fun, so that's all to the good!
KINDLE FREEBIES OF INTEREST
Make Your Own Organic Scrubs and Masks: An Everyday Guide to Simple Homemade Beauty Products
Organic Gardening The Beginner's Guide: How To Start Your Own Natural & Healthy Garden
Basket Weaving 101: The Ultimate Beginner's Guide For Getting Started Basket Weaving - Techniques, Secrets And Tips
Pottery Making: The Ultimate Beginner's Guide, Secrets And Techniques For Crafting Your Own Pottery
How to Grow Gorgeous Gardens Indoors with Modern Gardening Techniques: Ultimate Guide to Indoor Gardening
Square Foot Gardening - How To Grow Healthy Organic Vegetables The Easy Way: Including Companion Planting & Intensive Vegetable Growing Methods
Container Vegetable Gardening Made Easy: How To Grow Fresh, Healthy Vegetables At Home In Pots
Alpaca Keeping Raising Alpacas - Step by Step Guide Book... farming, care, diet, health and breeding
Shampoo From Scratch: An Ultimate Guide To Create Your Own High Quality Shampoo
Permaculture: A Step by Step Guide For Home Permaculture: How to Become an Expert in Home Gardening Techniques
Wednesday, May 14, 2014
I gots buds!!!
Sort of. They are really tiny buds on the tomatoes, nowhere near open to blossoms yet. I just hope this cool snap we're having on temps in the 40s and 50s and all the rain don't freeze or drown the poor things! Oh, yeah, and I found a trowel for $2 at the dollar store yesterday afternoon, so a bit of a score there. Bit of a long night last night ,and honestly, I'm just tired. So much to do and no ambition. Plus it's raining, which always makes me sleepy. So pardon the shortness of this today. I'm finding books for y'all and going back to bed until I HAVE to be up to get ready for work. SNXXXX. (That's me snoring, haha. Hubby jokes, "Some homesteader you are. Soon's it rains, you fall asleep!" Like there's anything better to do when it's pouring and you don't have livestock?)
KINDLE FREEBIES OF INTEREST
Seed saving-Discover all the secrets to saving seeds-Tips & Techniques:all you need to know for seed starting (doctor gardening books collection)
Food Canning: How To Safely Preserve Foods
Organic Gardening - Beginner's Guide Learn the Healthy Way to Plant
100 Year Old Recipes You Can Still Make Today: DRINKS FOR ALL AGES
Raised Bed Gardening: How To Build, Maintain And Best Use Raised Garden Beds (beginners raised bed gardening, square foot gardening, vegetable gardening, raised bed vegetables, beginners gardening)
How to Crochet: Beginner's Guide
The Backyard Chickens Handbook: What You Need to Know to Raise Backyard Chickens (Modern Homesteading)
Food Preservation Book Package: Food Drying and Food Canning (2 Books)
Container Gardening Made Simple: Beginners Guide To Growing Health Vegetable & Herb Gardens
Survival Seeds: The Emergency Heirloom Seed Saving Guide
COMPLETE HYDROPONIC GARDENING BOOK:: 6 DIY garden set ups for growing vegetables, strawberries, lettuce, herbs and m (Vegetable Gardening)
Successful Raised Bed Gardening:: A Beginner's Guide
Food Drying vol. 1: How to Dry Fruit
How to Make Candles at Home: The Simple Candle Making Guide for Beginners! Discover How to Easily Make Gorgeous Looking & Beautifully Scented Homemade Candles Yourself!
Raised Bed Gardening Planting Guide - Growing Vegetables The Easy Way (How to build a raised bed and grow vegetables with minimum fuss) (Gardening Techniques)
How to Grow Vegetables & Herbs in Containers - Container Gardening for Beginners
Knitting for the New: 5 Easy and Comfortable Sock Patterns for New Knitters
Indoor Gardening: Indoor Gardening Secerets You Wish You Knew
The Western Gardener's Ultimate Guide: Expert Tips on How to Create a Western Garden at Your Own Home
Growing Organic Berries: An Easy-to-Follow Guide on how to Grow your own Organic Blueberries, Strawberries, Raspberries and Blackberries
Crochet Craze: Easy And Fun Baby Patterns For Crocheting At Any Level
KINDLE FREEBIES OF INTEREST
Seed saving-Discover all the secrets to saving seeds-Tips & Techniques:all you need to know for seed starting (doctor gardening books collection)
Food Canning: How To Safely Preserve Foods
Organic Gardening - Beginner's Guide Learn the Healthy Way to Plant
100 Year Old Recipes You Can Still Make Today: DRINKS FOR ALL AGES
Raised Bed Gardening: How To Build, Maintain And Best Use Raised Garden Beds (beginners raised bed gardening, square foot gardening, vegetable gardening, raised bed vegetables, beginners gardening)
How to Crochet: Beginner's Guide
The Backyard Chickens Handbook: What You Need to Know to Raise Backyard Chickens (Modern Homesteading)
Food Preservation Book Package: Food Drying and Food Canning (2 Books)
Container Gardening Made Simple: Beginners Guide To Growing Health Vegetable & Herb Gardens
Survival Seeds: The Emergency Heirloom Seed Saving Guide
COMPLETE HYDROPONIC GARDENING BOOK:: 6 DIY garden set ups for growing vegetables, strawberries, lettuce, herbs and m (Vegetable Gardening)
Successful Raised Bed Gardening:: A Beginner's Guide
Food Drying vol. 1: How to Dry Fruit
How to Make Candles at Home: The Simple Candle Making Guide for Beginners! Discover How to Easily Make Gorgeous Looking & Beautifully Scented Homemade Candles Yourself!
Raised Bed Gardening Planting Guide - Growing Vegetables The Easy Way (How to build a raised bed and grow vegetables with minimum fuss) (Gardening Techniques)
How to Grow Vegetables & Herbs in Containers - Container Gardening for Beginners
Knitting for the New: 5 Easy and Comfortable Sock Patterns for New Knitters
Indoor Gardening: Indoor Gardening Secerets You Wish You Knew
The Western Gardener's Ultimate Guide: Expert Tips on How to Create a Western Garden at Your Own Home
Growing Organic Berries: An Easy-to-Follow Guide on how to Grow your own Organic Blueberries, Strawberries, Raspberries and Blackberries
Crochet Craze: Easy And Fun Baby Patterns For Crocheting At Any Level
Tuesday, May 13, 2014
Wet day but progress is happening
It rained yesterday afternoon and last night. It poured buckets. It was a total downpour. So today is far too wet to get out and do anything, but that's okay. I have an appointment to get my hairs cut this afternoon anyhow. We are both getting a bit shaggy and Quentin is going in to get his done around his usual time, and our lovely hair lady Kendra can squeeze me in as a penciled in walk-in - our hair will once again fit under hairnets without having to hold the bangs back out of the way to stick them under the front edge. Bad thing is, as wet as it is, the ticks are going to be out in force. Oh well, no nap for me today, and truthfully, I need one because Quentin really doesn't let me get a lot of sleep some nights, and last night was no exception, because he kept stealing the darn blankets. I'm going to finish this up ASAP and then see about a short nap before getting up to head in to get my hair done if I can.
Progress ... I finally convinced Quentin that 1x6 boards are not that expensive for building beds, so once the bailer bucket is done (hopefully this weekend), I can start in on building beds. A couple of 8' boards is about $20, and Home Depot will make one cut for free. A couple of 6' boards is less than that. I can get in some good 4' x 4' beds for larger areas and 2' x 4' beds for narrow areas where a smaller box is a good idea (under the bedroom window and by the front stairs mostly). So instead of a mucked up mess of cobbled together planters, I will have nice beds from pretty much the start. Which means I can actually do square foot gardening the right way! Whee!!
And I made some good progress on the website last night. Not serious progress, but good progress. I found a free WYSIWIG editor called Kompozer and am using that for the design. It's pretty good, not great but good, especially if you know a little HTML, so you can make the code the way you want it. (It has a habit of adding in all kinds of extra things you don't really need to force the fonts to what it thinks are good choices, rather than leaving them plain like I want.) So the main page is done, the navbar is done, the kindle freebies page is started (yeah, I'm going to post them there, too), and I can make a start on things like events and photos and recommended products before I even get the site domain bought and hosting paid for. This will save a lot of time and money when the time comes. Yes, there are links to the blog there and there will be an actual webstore for stuff I have for sale in the way of my books, crafts, gifts in jars (which for shipping, will actually be in ziploc bags, because jars just do NOT ship well a lot of the time, no matter how many times you mark something as fragile), and etc. There's going to be a LOT of stuff on here, but it will be nice to get it done and have another project out of the way.
But now it's time to find some books and get books done so I can get ready to roll and maybe get a short nap in before I have to be out the door for a haircut and work. I am hoping work tonight is not overlong, because I'm pooped and I need a nap, lol. Hugs, all!
KINDLE FREEBIES OF INTEREST
Modern Homesteading - Self Sufficiency. 5 Books Bundle Beginners Guide: Canning & Food Preservation; Raised Bed Gardening; Raising Chickens; Growing Organic ... Vermin Control (K.I.S.S Quick Bites)
Natural Cleaning Tips 101 - Using Vinegar, Baking Soda, and More
Canning Pickles, How To Can Pickles, Step By Step Guide (Canning and Preserving Guides)
Growing Berries: How To Grow & Preserve Strawberries, Raspberries, Blackberries, Blueberries, Gooseberries, Redcurrants,Blackcurrants & Whitecurrants.
The Perfect Compost Plan: Simple Guide To Making Healthy Compost
Food Drying vol. 2: How to Dry Vegetables
Gifts in Jars: Recipes for Easy, Delicious, Inexpensive DIY Gifts in Jars
Making Homemade Wine: The Ultimate Easy-to-Follow Guide to Making your Own Quality Wine from the Comfort of your Home
Candle Making for Beginners: Step by Step Instructions for Included Projects
Seed Saving for the Organic Gardener (Organic Gardening Guides)
No Toil Organic Soil, Nutrient Rich Soil For Nutrient Rich Plants, Step By Step
Vegetarian Super Value Pack I - 602 Vegetarian Recipes - Veggie Lunch, Brunch, Dinner, Snacks, Appetizers and Slow Cooker (Vegetarian Cookbook and Vegetarian Recipes Collection)
Homemade Beer: The Ultimate Guide to Brewing your own High Quality Beer
How To Grow Plants: The Ultimate Guide To Planting Seeds And Plant Care (Plants, Plant Care, Plants Grow, Grow Plants, Growing Plants)
Knitting Socks for Beginners: Quick and Easy Way to Master Sock Knitting in 3 Days (Sock Knitting Patterns)
Quilting Techniques For Beginners: The Ultimate Quilting Tips, Tricks And Guide For Beginners
Progress ... I finally convinced Quentin that 1x6 boards are not that expensive for building beds, so once the bailer bucket is done (hopefully this weekend), I can start in on building beds. A couple of 8' boards is about $20, and Home Depot will make one cut for free. A couple of 6' boards is less than that. I can get in some good 4' x 4' beds for larger areas and 2' x 4' beds for narrow areas where a smaller box is a good idea (under the bedroom window and by the front stairs mostly). So instead of a mucked up mess of cobbled together planters, I will have nice beds from pretty much the start. Which means I can actually do square foot gardening the right way! Whee!!
And I made some good progress on the website last night. Not serious progress, but good progress. I found a free WYSIWIG editor called Kompozer and am using that for the design. It's pretty good, not great but good, especially if you know a little HTML, so you can make the code the way you want it. (It has a habit of adding in all kinds of extra things you don't really need to force the fonts to what it thinks are good choices, rather than leaving them plain like I want.) So the main page is done, the navbar is done, the kindle freebies page is started (yeah, I'm going to post them there, too), and I can make a start on things like events and photos and recommended products before I even get the site domain bought and hosting paid for. This will save a lot of time and money when the time comes. Yes, there are links to the blog there and there will be an actual webstore for stuff I have for sale in the way of my books, crafts, gifts in jars (which for shipping, will actually be in ziploc bags, because jars just do NOT ship well a lot of the time, no matter how many times you mark something as fragile), and etc. There's going to be a LOT of stuff on here, but it will be nice to get it done and have another project out of the way.
But now it's time to find some books and get books done so I can get ready to roll and maybe get a short nap in before I have to be out the door for a haircut and work. I am hoping work tonight is not overlong, because I'm pooped and I need a nap, lol. Hugs, all!
KINDLE FREEBIES OF INTEREST
Modern Homesteading - Self Sufficiency. 5 Books Bundle Beginners Guide: Canning & Food Preservation; Raised Bed Gardening; Raising Chickens; Growing Organic ... Vermin Control (K.I.S.S Quick Bites)
Natural Cleaning Tips 101 - Using Vinegar, Baking Soda, and More
Canning Pickles, How To Can Pickles, Step By Step Guide (Canning and Preserving Guides)
Growing Berries: How To Grow & Preserve Strawberries, Raspberries, Blackberries, Blueberries, Gooseberries, Redcurrants,Blackcurrants & Whitecurrants.
The Perfect Compost Plan: Simple Guide To Making Healthy Compost
Food Drying vol. 2: How to Dry Vegetables
Gifts in Jars: Recipes for Easy, Delicious, Inexpensive DIY Gifts in Jars
Making Homemade Wine: The Ultimate Easy-to-Follow Guide to Making your Own Quality Wine from the Comfort of your Home
Candle Making for Beginners: Step by Step Instructions for Included Projects
Seed Saving for the Organic Gardener (Organic Gardening Guides)
No Toil Organic Soil, Nutrient Rich Soil For Nutrient Rich Plants, Step By Step
Vegetarian Super Value Pack I - 602 Vegetarian Recipes - Veggie Lunch, Brunch, Dinner, Snacks, Appetizers and Slow Cooker (Vegetarian Cookbook and Vegetarian Recipes Collection)
Homemade Beer: The Ultimate Guide to Brewing your own High Quality Beer
How To Grow Plants: The Ultimate Guide To Planting Seeds And Plant Care (Plants, Plant Care, Plants Grow, Grow Plants, Growing Plants)
Knitting Socks for Beginners: Quick and Easy Way to Master Sock Knitting in 3 Days (Sock Knitting Patterns)
Quilting Techniques For Beginners: The Ultimate Quilting Tips, Tricks And Guide For Beginners
Monday, May 12, 2014
I'm floored
Simply FLOORED. I never realized I was making an impression on folks until yesterday. Okay, so fellow homesteaders have told me they are amazed by our progress around here and by all we do, and yada yada yada. But non-homesteaders really don't chime in much, so I don't really know if they are reading or learning or amazed or what. Until yesterday.
One of the ladies I went to high school with took a bit of exception to my calling myself "a poor, poor start of a homesteader." She said, "I read your post and am amazed by all that you do/have done at your homestead. I wouldn't even know where to begin! ...not that I'd even try to live a homesteading life." Then added the hastag of "leftanimpressiononme." I'm simply floored by this. Ok, so she'll never likely ever homestead or put in a garden or know the joy of canning and dehydrating and using it in the cold months to feed your family, and knowing it was your hard work that put that food there that tastes so absolutely amazing you can hardly get enough of it.
But to know someone who doesn't homestead and probably never will is still amazed by all we are doing here ... wow. Just WOW. Seriously, folks, what we do here really isn't all that amazing. We cut down scrub trees and turn them into firewood (some days, it seems like all we DO is cut firewood). We weed whack what "yard" we have because of the rocks that would kill a mower or brush hog, because we want to keep the local tick population down to a dull roar. Which is another reason to cut down a lot of the trees - they harbor ticks as well and the little vampires like to drop down out of the trees as you pass to ride around on you. Plus the bites itch like freaking fury - if you get them off you inside of a day or so, you can usually avoid diseases like Lyme, but the bites, oh my god, the bites itch. It's worse when the little monsters bite you in a place that you really can't scratch in public without looking like a total pervert, because, like any itch, they itch worse than ones you can comfortably get at.
We clean up trash and burn it along with our own. We use a sawdust toilet, we haul in water and shower with a Coleman camp shower (talk about water savings, haha). I heat water on the hot plate (no stove) to wash dishes or for us to shower in cooler or wet weather. In hot weather, the camp shower bag just goes out on the deck on a towel so it doesn't get stuck on anything and spring a leak. (All that because we don't have running water.) I'm working on a garden this year. We take scrap metal to the recyclers for a little extra cash. I'm working on the website for the farm to help bring in off-farm income other than our jobs, through affiliate products, Amazon products reccommendations, and my own books, crafts, and seeds.
It sounds like a lot, but it doesn't seem like it sometimes. It's just life in the country, and you get used to it. You learn to schedule things. Like last night, when I wanted to catch up on my favorite programs on Hulu (hubby gets the TV because his shows don't usually show on Hulu like mine do, plus it means he and I don't interrupt each others watching with convos that drive the other one nuts). Anyhow, while show #1 (Arrow) was loading up, I put the laptop in a safe place to load the show while I made the bed. Seriously, if you're going to live in the country, homesteading or not, you learn really fast to not only multi-task, but to seriously prioritize and to do as our Grandparents did in the Great Depression - "Use it up, wear it out, make do, or do without."
Quentin is fond of whenever I wear out a t-shirt, for example. When they start to get see-through from wear and tear, of which there is often a LOT around here, or just generally get stained and torn, I will cut them up into small grease rags for him for his various vehicular projects and repairs. When he's done with one, it becomes a firestarter for a burn barrel. If one of us wears out a pair of jeans that are generally in good shape, I will either turn them into a pair of cutoff shorts (depending on where the rips and tears are), or they become jeans purses and/or patches on a denim quilt. (Which, by the by, are around as warm as one of the scrap yarn afghans I make that hubby is so fond of snuggling under.)
This is just typical life for us, outside of our jobs at Tyson's. I don't think I really am all that amazing. Truthfully, several of my relatives are more amazing. My Mom just retired after 26 years in business for herself (I wonder just WHERE I get that entrepreneurial spirit from?). My daughter is in college as a vocal performance major and already puts her stuff to work with her jobs (yes, multiple) singing. Mom's brother retired from GM and he likes to work on motorcycles (specializing in his and his wife's beloved Harleys). Mom's Dad was a preacher and soup chef. HIS Dad was a master chef and was in the local paper back home once (so was Granddad for that matter). Mom's brother (yeah the GM retiree) - his oldest has worked for McDonald's ever since he first could hold down a job. I have a second cousin who is an actor. I have another second cousin who is a dog trainer teaching Reactive Rover classes. Now THOSE are some awesome and impressive people, folks. I am NOT impressive. I will deny it to my dying breath.
And the funny thing is, in saying that, I realize that I'm saying the same thing all those relatives of mine likely did and do. "I'm nobody special. I'm not impressive, I'm just me, doing my thing that makes me happy and allow me to support my family." But it's that "just me" vibe that so impresses others, I think, and I like to believe that somehow, in some way, someone is going to someday be so impressed by me following my dream of homesteading and writing and crafting for a living, that I've had for so many years, that they'll dust off an old dream or two of their own and say, "You know what? I'm going to do it, just to see what happens." Go ahead and give it a whirl, folks. Because while it's still going to be an awful lot of a hard, freaking slog to get anywhere noticeable to yourself, every little step will show to others, who will be awed by you. And you'll be ridiculously happy with who you are and what you're doing, that the discomforts will be as nothing. (Trust me on this one - we have no running water and have to haul it all in, so a shower with the camp shower is sheer delight ... but the no running water thing really isn't so bad once you get used to it and learn to work around it.)
With all that said, I'm going to enjoy the rest of my day off, and find y'all some good free books, and just generally have a good time the rest of the night, basking in my own awesomeness for a few hours, before the reality of how big that to-do list really is hits me again and brings me back down to earth and takes me out of the stratosphere. So thanks to everyone who reads and cheers me and hubby on, whether you comment or not. Thanks a lot for all your thoughts and prayers and support. It means more than you know.
KINDLE FREEBIES OF INTEREST
$1 Per Pound Grocery Shopping
Homemade Wine Making: Delicious And Easy To Follow Recipes For Creating Your Own Wine
Canning and Preserving: The Ultimate Guide to Canning and Preserving Food Using Jars (Canning Books, Canning Books Free, Canning Recipes, Canning Meat, ... Preserving Food, Preserving Food at Home)
Natural Pain Relief Using Common Natural Ingredients in Your Kitchen
Aquaponics At Home: Growing Fish & Vegetables
Raised Bed Gardening: 3 Books bundle on Growing Vegetables In Raised Beds.
Tomato Container Gardening: Growing Tomatoes In Containers, Planters And Other Small Spaces (Gardening Techniques)
Master Quilter: Important Tips To Be A Quality Quilter In Less Than A Week (A Beginner's Guide)
One of the ladies I went to high school with took a bit of exception to my calling myself "a poor, poor start of a homesteader." She said, "I read your post and am amazed by all that you do/have done at your homestead. I wouldn't even know where to begin! ...not that I'd even try to live a homesteading life." Then added the hastag of "leftanimpressiononme." I'm simply floored by this. Ok, so she'll never likely ever homestead or put in a garden or know the joy of canning and dehydrating and using it in the cold months to feed your family, and knowing it was your hard work that put that food there that tastes so absolutely amazing you can hardly get enough of it.
But to know someone who doesn't homestead and probably never will is still amazed by all we are doing here ... wow. Just WOW. Seriously, folks, what we do here really isn't all that amazing. We cut down scrub trees and turn them into firewood (some days, it seems like all we DO is cut firewood). We weed whack what "yard" we have because of the rocks that would kill a mower or brush hog, because we want to keep the local tick population down to a dull roar. Which is another reason to cut down a lot of the trees - they harbor ticks as well and the little vampires like to drop down out of the trees as you pass to ride around on you. Plus the bites itch like freaking fury - if you get them off you inside of a day or so, you can usually avoid diseases like Lyme, but the bites, oh my god, the bites itch. It's worse when the little monsters bite you in a place that you really can't scratch in public without looking like a total pervert, because, like any itch, they itch worse than ones you can comfortably get at.
We clean up trash and burn it along with our own. We use a sawdust toilet, we haul in water and shower with a Coleman camp shower (talk about water savings, haha). I heat water on the hot plate (no stove) to wash dishes or for us to shower in cooler or wet weather. In hot weather, the camp shower bag just goes out on the deck on a towel so it doesn't get stuck on anything and spring a leak. (All that because we don't have running water.) I'm working on a garden this year. We take scrap metal to the recyclers for a little extra cash. I'm working on the website for the farm to help bring in off-farm income other than our jobs, through affiliate products, Amazon products reccommendations, and my own books, crafts, and seeds.
It sounds like a lot, but it doesn't seem like it sometimes. It's just life in the country, and you get used to it. You learn to schedule things. Like last night, when I wanted to catch up on my favorite programs on Hulu (hubby gets the TV because his shows don't usually show on Hulu like mine do, plus it means he and I don't interrupt each others watching with convos that drive the other one nuts). Anyhow, while show #1 (Arrow) was loading up, I put the laptop in a safe place to load the show while I made the bed. Seriously, if you're going to live in the country, homesteading or not, you learn really fast to not only multi-task, but to seriously prioritize and to do as our Grandparents did in the Great Depression - "Use it up, wear it out, make do, or do without."
Quentin is fond of whenever I wear out a t-shirt, for example. When they start to get see-through from wear and tear, of which there is often a LOT around here, or just generally get stained and torn, I will cut them up into small grease rags for him for his various vehicular projects and repairs. When he's done with one, it becomes a firestarter for a burn barrel. If one of us wears out a pair of jeans that are generally in good shape, I will either turn them into a pair of cutoff shorts (depending on where the rips and tears are), or they become jeans purses and/or patches on a denim quilt. (Which, by the by, are around as warm as one of the scrap yarn afghans I make that hubby is so fond of snuggling under.)
This is just typical life for us, outside of our jobs at Tyson's. I don't think I really am all that amazing. Truthfully, several of my relatives are more amazing. My Mom just retired after 26 years in business for herself (I wonder just WHERE I get that entrepreneurial spirit from?). My daughter is in college as a vocal performance major and already puts her stuff to work with her jobs (yes, multiple) singing. Mom's brother retired from GM and he likes to work on motorcycles (specializing in his and his wife's beloved Harleys). Mom's Dad was a preacher and soup chef. HIS Dad was a master chef and was in the local paper back home once (so was Granddad for that matter). Mom's brother (yeah the GM retiree) - his oldest has worked for McDonald's ever since he first could hold down a job. I have a second cousin who is an actor. I have another second cousin who is a dog trainer teaching Reactive Rover classes. Now THOSE are some awesome and impressive people, folks. I am NOT impressive. I will deny it to my dying breath.
And the funny thing is, in saying that, I realize that I'm saying the same thing all those relatives of mine likely did and do. "I'm nobody special. I'm not impressive, I'm just me, doing my thing that makes me happy and allow me to support my family." But it's that "just me" vibe that so impresses others, I think, and I like to believe that somehow, in some way, someone is going to someday be so impressed by me following my dream of homesteading and writing and crafting for a living, that I've had for so many years, that they'll dust off an old dream or two of their own and say, "You know what? I'm going to do it, just to see what happens." Go ahead and give it a whirl, folks. Because while it's still going to be an awful lot of a hard, freaking slog to get anywhere noticeable to yourself, every little step will show to others, who will be awed by you. And you'll be ridiculously happy with who you are and what you're doing, that the discomforts will be as nothing. (Trust me on this one - we have no running water and have to haul it all in, so a shower with the camp shower is sheer delight ... but the no running water thing really isn't so bad once you get used to it and learn to work around it.)
With all that said, I'm going to enjoy the rest of my day off, and find y'all some good free books, and just generally have a good time the rest of the night, basking in my own awesomeness for a few hours, before the reality of how big that to-do list really is hits me again and brings me back down to earth and takes me out of the stratosphere. So thanks to everyone who reads and cheers me and hubby on, whether you comment or not. Thanks a lot for all your thoughts and prayers and support. It means more than you know.
KINDLE FREEBIES OF INTEREST
$1 Per Pound Grocery Shopping
Homemade Wine Making: Delicious And Easy To Follow Recipes For Creating Your Own Wine
Canning and Preserving: The Ultimate Guide to Canning and Preserving Food Using Jars (Canning Books, Canning Books Free, Canning Recipes, Canning Meat, ... Preserving Food, Preserving Food at Home)
Natural Pain Relief Using Common Natural Ingredients in Your Kitchen
Aquaponics At Home: Growing Fish & Vegetables
Raised Bed Gardening: 3 Books bundle on Growing Vegetables In Raised Beds.
Tomato Container Gardening: Growing Tomatoes In Containers, Planters And Other Small Spaces (Gardening Techniques)
Master Quilter: Important Tips To Be A Quality Quilter In Less Than A Week (A Beginner's Guide)
Sunday, May 11, 2014
Happy Mother's Day!
A very Happy Mother's Day to all the Moms, Grandmoms, Great-Grandmoms and even the Moms-to-be out there! This is OUR day, let's celebrate!!!
Mine is just starting, on account of being on second shift. I'll make dinner quite a bit later for us, as we ate out for today as usual and called it an early Mother's Day lunch. Making chicken alfredo later. Hubby swore he'd help today with whatever I wanted without griping. There's a lot to get done that I want to do today and tomorrow. (Come Father's Day, I will help him with projects and gripe at him just as much as he gripes at me today. Fussbudget! It is till death do us part, but only if I don't kill him first, lol.)
How come tomorrow? Well, being the age that I am, I'm not willing to sell my vacation time back to the company, and since our hiring anniversary and birthday holidays have to be taken as days off in order to be paid the holiday pay ... I'm taking tomorrow as my three-weeks-late anniversary holiday. Still had to fill out the paperwork for it, but I have a free day tomorrow. This will go on allll summer long as every other Monday off, because in two weeks is Memorial Day and two weeks after that is my birthday and ongoing all summer, with the last day I get free being Labor Day in September. I think I will enjoy this summer.
We still need to get a few things for the bailer bucket, but I found a video online that shows a guy using one in a shallow well, and Quentin was impressed. It was a shallow well, but the folks at Hydromissions, where I got the idea from, have said it will work in as deep a well as needed - just make sure you have enough rope. The guy who does it there has said they've used it in 400-foot wells, so with our water table only 125 feet down, I don't think we'll have an issue. And since the well is spring-fed, that's good, clean water year round now that I have hubby convinced it's a good idea.
But I have a lot to get done ... other than finding books for y'all today. I have stuff to plant, maters to water since it's not expected to rain today (though it feels like it could), a bit of tomato trellis to put up and more beds to get installed. Mostly though, it's going to be getting seeds planted in the mini-greenhouses so they can get a healthy start on life and growing food for us! (Also maybe some to sell later, but we'll worry about that when the time comes!)
After: Yep, it's going to rain. But at least I got a bunch of stuff planted, to where the mini-greenhouses are full. The lids don't stay on tight, so thankfully I am a knitter, because some long pieces of scrap yarn tied around both short ends will help hold the lids on. Shoot, they are already getting condensation buildup on the inside of the lids, it's just that warm. I planted canteloupe, watermelon, lettuce (that went in the four pack from when I got the Arkansas Traveler tomatoes a few weeks ago - I don't need THAT much lettuce!), eggplant (which I've never had but what the heck, I'll give it a try), ornamental gourds (went through and tried to get six different seeds, will be crafting with and selling these), cucumber, four kinds of peppers (jalapeno to sell, california wonder and mixed color bells, and mixed mini sweet bell), five kinds of squash (kabocha, zucchini, straightneck early yellow, acorn and butternut), and four kinds of tomatoes (brandywine red, roma, large cherry and super sweet 100). The peppers and tomatoes got two six packs each, the rest got one, barring the lettuce as I mentioned. It is not nearly enough.
The trellis didn't get put up quite like I wanted - Quentin got a wild hair that he thought he knew what I wanted and did it that way, instead of asking me how I wanted it done. I gave up ... I'll fix it myself tomorrow the way I want and then I will know it will stay put. So now he's out fussing with his trailer, and I'm okay with that because it gets him out of my hair to do a couple things I want to get done. Not everything will get done today that I wanted to get done, but I may be able to get at the couple of things I wanted to do yet tomorrow afternoon or early evening, because I also have plans to go to Home Depot for more dirt and to Pizza Hut for an early dinner (with leftovers to come home for noshing after dark at my usual break time). Today is being a generally nice day, and tomorrow promises to be nicer. (Now if I just didn't have to go to work at all anymore, lol. That would be ideal! Days like today everyday!)
I still need to get the beds fixed up the rest of the way so I can direct seed the flowers, onions, carrots, spinach, collards, turnips and turnip tops, corn, beets and radishes. (Thank goodness for long Ozarks summers.) Plus once I get the booklist done and all posted all over, I need to also get a spreadsheet going with what was planted, when to expect germination, a column for actual germination, days to maturity, and I want to track how much I harvest and what is done with it. I am hoping to soon find a good free downloadable accounting program. I don't see the sense in having one I can only access as an online app, or that I have to pay through the nose for. I'm a poor, poor start of a homesteader, lol. But I am proud of myself. At least this year, I got a garden started! A year later than intended, but better late than never. We will eat good later this summer with salads and of course also with food over the winter.
KINDLE FREEBIES OF INTEREST
Boxed Set 1 Make Money Series
Blueberries in Your Backyard: How to Grow America's Hottest Antioxidant Fruit for Food, Health, and Extra Money (Booklet)
Grandma's Favorites - Over 30 Tasty Time Honored Cookie Recipes
I CAN CAN RELISHES, Salsa, Sauces & Chutney!! How to make relishes, salsa, sauces, and chutney with quick, easy heirloom recipes from around the world ... or sell (I CAN CAN!! Frugal Living Series)
Hi Top Sneakers For Baby (Crochet Pattern)
How To Knit For Beginners: Learn To Knit Like A Pro Even With Zero Experience (Knitting for Beginners)
Boxed Set 1 Carrier Oils Guide
Growing Upside Down Tomato Plants: Learn How to Set Up a Topsy Turvy Planter (Vegetable Gardening)
The Cookie Book - Make Your Own Cookies Easily
Tasty Country Cooking
The Beginner's Guide to Greenhouse Gardening: Grow Beautiful Flowers and Delicious Foods in Your Greenhouse (Greenhouse Gardening, Greenhouse, Sustainability)
Harrison Family Cooking Volume 3
Paracord bracelet instructions: Popular bracelets explained
Long Bridge Cook Book
Mine is just starting, on account of being on second shift. I'll make dinner quite a bit later for us, as we ate out for today as usual and called it an early Mother's Day lunch. Making chicken alfredo later. Hubby swore he'd help today with whatever I wanted without griping. There's a lot to get done that I want to do today and tomorrow. (Come Father's Day, I will help him with projects and gripe at him just as much as he gripes at me today. Fussbudget! It is till death do us part, but only if I don't kill him first, lol.)
How come tomorrow? Well, being the age that I am, I'm not willing to sell my vacation time back to the company, and since our hiring anniversary and birthday holidays have to be taken as days off in order to be paid the holiday pay ... I'm taking tomorrow as my three-weeks-late anniversary holiday. Still had to fill out the paperwork for it, but I have a free day tomorrow. This will go on allll summer long as every other Monday off, because in two weeks is Memorial Day and two weeks after that is my birthday and ongoing all summer, with the last day I get free being Labor Day in September. I think I will enjoy this summer.
We still need to get a few things for the bailer bucket, but I found a video online that shows a guy using one in a shallow well, and Quentin was impressed. It was a shallow well, but the folks at Hydromissions, where I got the idea from, have said it will work in as deep a well as needed - just make sure you have enough rope. The guy who does it there has said they've used it in 400-foot wells, so with our water table only 125 feet down, I don't think we'll have an issue. And since the well is spring-fed, that's good, clean water year round now that I have hubby convinced it's a good idea.
But I have a lot to get done ... other than finding books for y'all today. I have stuff to plant, maters to water since it's not expected to rain today (though it feels like it could), a bit of tomato trellis to put up and more beds to get installed. Mostly though, it's going to be getting seeds planted in the mini-greenhouses so they can get a healthy start on life and growing food for us! (Also maybe some to sell later, but we'll worry about that when the time comes!)
After: Yep, it's going to rain. But at least I got a bunch of stuff planted, to where the mini-greenhouses are full. The lids don't stay on tight, so thankfully I am a knitter, because some long pieces of scrap yarn tied around both short ends will help hold the lids on. Shoot, they are already getting condensation buildup on the inside of the lids, it's just that warm. I planted canteloupe, watermelon, lettuce (that went in the four pack from when I got the Arkansas Traveler tomatoes a few weeks ago - I don't need THAT much lettuce!), eggplant (which I've never had but what the heck, I'll give it a try), ornamental gourds (went through and tried to get six different seeds, will be crafting with and selling these), cucumber, four kinds of peppers (jalapeno to sell, california wonder and mixed color bells, and mixed mini sweet bell), five kinds of squash (kabocha, zucchini, straightneck early yellow, acorn and butternut), and four kinds of tomatoes (brandywine red, roma, large cherry and super sweet 100). The peppers and tomatoes got two six packs each, the rest got one, barring the lettuce as I mentioned. It is not nearly enough.
The trellis didn't get put up quite like I wanted - Quentin got a wild hair that he thought he knew what I wanted and did it that way, instead of asking me how I wanted it done. I gave up ... I'll fix it myself tomorrow the way I want and then I will know it will stay put. So now he's out fussing with his trailer, and I'm okay with that because it gets him out of my hair to do a couple things I want to get done. Not everything will get done today that I wanted to get done, but I may be able to get at the couple of things I wanted to do yet tomorrow afternoon or early evening, because I also have plans to go to Home Depot for more dirt and to Pizza Hut for an early dinner (with leftovers to come home for noshing after dark at my usual break time). Today is being a generally nice day, and tomorrow promises to be nicer. (Now if I just didn't have to go to work at all anymore, lol. That would be ideal! Days like today everyday!)
I still need to get the beds fixed up the rest of the way so I can direct seed the flowers, onions, carrots, spinach, collards, turnips and turnip tops, corn, beets and radishes. (Thank goodness for long Ozarks summers.) Plus once I get the booklist done and all posted all over, I need to also get a spreadsheet going with what was planted, when to expect germination, a column for actual germination, days to maturity, and I want to track how much I harvest and what is done with it. I am hoping to soon find a good free downloadable accounting program. I don't see the sense in having one I can only access as an online app, or that I have to pay through the nose for. I'm a poor, poor start of a homesteader, lol. But I am proud of myself. At least this year, I got a garden started! A year later than intended, but better late than never. We will eat good later this summer with salads and of course also with food over the winter.
KINDLE FREEBIES OF INTEREST
Boxed Set 1 Make Money Series
Blueberries in Your Backyard: How to Grow America's Hottest Antioxidant Fruit for Food, Health, and Extra Money (Booklet)
Grandma's Favorites - Over 30 Tasty Time Honored Cookie Recipes
I CAN CAN RELISHES, Salsa, Sauces & Chutney!! How to make relishes, salsa, sauces, and chutney with quick, easy heirloom recipes from around the world ... or sell (I CAN CAN!! Frugal Living Series)
Hi Top Sneakers For Baby (Crochet Pattern)
How To Knit For Beginners: Learn To Knit Like A Pro Even With Zero Experience (Knitting for Beginners)
Boxed Set 1 Carrier Oils Guide
Growing Upside Down Tomato Plants: Learn How to Set Up a Topsy Turvy Planter (Vegetable Gardening)
The Cookie Book - Make Your Own Cookies Easily
Tasty Country Cooking
The Beginner's Guide to Greenhouse Gardening: Grow Beautiful Flowers and Delicious Foods in Your Greenhouse (Greenhouse Gardening, Greenhouse, Sustainability)
Harrison Family Cooking Volume 3
Paracord bracelet instructions: Popular bracelets explained
Long Bridge Cook Book
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