I Remember Liver Pills and Jelly Beans

Did you ever wonder the who, what, where, when and why of your (don't even know what to call it really, so will just throw it out there) "political mind"?

I pretty well remember little tidbits of each President throughout my younger life and of course, what the history books taught me in school.  But did you ever wonder what shaped you?

Is it our parents?  Our faith?  A certain issue?  What is it?  Was there a point in your life that you realized it matters?

I think the natural evolution of 'growing up' may have something to do with it.  The older I get, the more it seems to matter.  Yes, for me...there was a catalyst that popped my eyes wide.  I think her name was Mona or Veronica or ooooh yeah...Monica.  Just sayin'.  From there on out, I paid much better attention.

For the record, here, it doesn't matters which party you lean or candidate you support.  I think there is -or can be- something good in most of them.  And that sorta irks me too...because sometimes, voting for the lesser of the evils is aggravating!

So yup - I remember Liver Pills, Jelly Beans and Monica.  How 'bout you?

If ya can't find at least one good thing in your every day, then ya ain't lookin' hard enough.

Change Is Good

Not long ago, I asked my SIL Jen to give things around here a face lift.  Boy howdy, she delivered!

I have to laugh because just the other day she said she could show me how to do this and that and this and blah, blah, blah.  (hehehehee!)  It was a total glaze over moment.  See, I used to be a real whiz-bang with computer stuff.  Really, I was. 

These days, I just don't mind resorting to bribery.  I mean really, why not support your local -um- economy(?) and let those who excel at one thing or another get something in return?  And I know she really wanted this (which reads him) in return:

Need a closer look, you say?

Well hot damn!  Mmmm-mm! 

Eric Northman from True Blood.  Alexander Skarsgard in real life, but we just call him, "Yes, you can bite me there, Eric."  And might I note that he is from Svweeeden and younger!  Chicken Mama...are you listening???

Yes, it was a good trade.  She got Season 3 of True Blood and I got this awesome new blog!

Thank you Jen!  I know it was a pain in the patoot, but ya did good!  And I would be remiss if I did not also give thanks to her husband for coming up with my new catch phrase of "The Apple Pie Gal...Returns to the Farm".  He actually said to Jen one day something along the lines of, "Hey, didn't Di grow up on a farm or her family or something?"

Isn't Jen just a lucky LUCKY gal for that wonderful husband she can call out to as "Eric" and he's none the wiser?  Lucky, indeed.

My gosh, I think I've crossed a line here that I have never stepped over!  I should apologize to both Eric the Husband and Pig Pen.  :o)  Should.

I should go feed the chickens.

Things I've (Ahem) Found...

Things I have found in the last week range from good, to "Oh, what the heck", to downright frustrating!

Let's start with the frustrating and end on a good note!  Ever since we got struck by lightening, the electrical issues have plagued us.  Not to mention dealing with insurance.  Alot of out-of-pocket expenses and we aren't done yet.  For one, we had to get "repairmen" and quotes.  Do I really need to tell you that we don't ever have to call repairmen???  Pig Pen is a built-in, ready-made, jack of all trades.  So dealing with multiples of real "repairmen" has been ....errrrrr.  But we have to in order to get it covered.

I still need to get on them to finish up!  Why do you have to (for lack of a better word) nag to get them to complete a job?  My computers still need a good check up.  I believe we 'lost' one entirely.  My laptop is making me nuts!  I'm not sure if it's zapped or has a virus lurking or both!  And it doesn't help that the new wireless card we had to replace is a real pain in the patoot!  8 times out of 10, I can't even load my own blog-page!  As in, can't even see it!!

But I thought you would get a kick out of a complete idiot-moment I had the other day.  This is what found out when you have too many electrical devices plugged in various outlets that do work:

...and you run your Grain Mill without the catch bucket lid firmly attached.  :o)  Note to self:  sit on lid.

The garden is slowly recovering from the rains.  This is the 5th highest rainfall level for any June on record in our area.  We are sitting just under 15".  Yup, that's alot of water!

See what I found there?

Been doing a little (ahem) shopping around this past week.  Ya know, cuz the garden was too wet to tromp in! 

Tricia needed a super-duper pair of Cowgirl Kicks!  Far be it from me to deny any girl a pair of boots!

I assured her she would walk tall and proud in them.  She does!!

And here are the ones I just couldn't pass by:

Twenty-Bucks on clearance!

And I mighta mabye fell in love with these too: 

But I didn't bring them home, yet.  OK, so there is more to that story, but why go there?

Then Marcia and I hit some awesome Garage Sales!  If you ever see small town wide sales, as in rural communities...Pay Dirt!

We went home with some awesome antiques that were a steal!  Random type things and of course something I have always wanted...

Full working order!  Again, $20 was the magic number!

So I either have really great friends who are bad influences on me or vice-versa.  You can decide.  Either way, I really enjoyed hanging out with my girlfriends!!!

But before you decide if I have great friends or not...

Marcia gave me this belt on long-term loan.  I say long-term because when she told me how much it cost her brand new, I about threw up in my mouth and needed to rip it off me.  Me thinks I should have security guards surround me when I go out in it.

Saaaweeeet!  Yeah, it was way more than $20 bucks!  She's my Cowgirl Queen  :o)

Is it the End?

Every once in a while, I am faced with a question.  Some people approach me lightly because it can be a sensitive subject, others just come right out with it.  In the past few days, two folks have come right out with it.  So I thought I would would go out on that limb.

Have any of you heard that the world is supposed to end on Saturday, May 21st at 6:00 PM?

 

I hadn't.  But apparently many people have.  The rock I have been under and all!  I don't know the exact details of the prophecy nor do I feel I need to -personally.  However; because there are so many folks out there whom I love dearly and am praying for faithfully, I wanted to share my understanding of the matter.

So follow along if you will.  If not, that is OK too.  I won't be offended nor will I be ashamed.  If I didn't love, I wouldn't bother.

When will the world end?

Matthew 24:36-44 (NIV)
36 “But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. 37 As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. 38 For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark; 39 and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away. That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. 40 Two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other left. 41 Two women will be grinding with a hand mill; one will be taken and the other left.

42 “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come. 43 But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into. 44 So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.

1 Thessalonians 5:1-4 (NIV)
1 Now, brothers and sisters, about times and dates we do not need to write to you, 2 for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. 3 While people are saying, “Peace and safety,” destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.

4 But you, brothers and sisters, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief.

Do not be deceived.

Matthew 24:1-8 (NIV)
1 Jesus left the temple and was walking away when his disciples came up to him to call his attention to its buildings. 2 “Do you see all these things?” he asked. “Truly I tell you, not one stone here will be left on another; every one will be thrown down.”

3 As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately. “Tell us,” they said, “when will this happen, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?”

4 Jesus answered: “Watch out that no one deceives you. 5 For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Messiah,’ and will deceive many. 6 You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. 7 Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. 8 All these are the beginning of birth pains.

What should we do?

1 Thessalonians 5:16-22 (NIV)
16 Rejoice always, 17 pray continually, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

19 Do not quench the Spirit. 20 Do not treat prophecies with contempt 21 but test them all; hold on to what is good, 22 reject every kind of evil.

God's Promises.

Hebrews 6:13-20 (NIV)
13 When God made his promise to Abraham, since there was no one greater for him to swear by, he swore by himself, 14 saying, “I will surely bless you and give you many descendants.” 15 And so after waiting patiently, Abraham received what was promised.

16 People swear by someone greater than themselves, and the oath confirms what is said and puts an end to all argument. 17 Because God wanted to make the unchanging nature of his purpose very clear to the heirs of what was promised, he confirmed it with an oath. 18 God did this so that, by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled to take hold of the hope set before us may be greatly encouraged. 19 We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, 20 where our forerunner, Jesus, has entered on our behalf. He has become a high priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek.

2 Peter 3:9 (NIV)
9 The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.

Hebrews 13:5 (NKJV)
5 Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”

Salvation.

John 14:1-7 (NIV)
1 “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. 2 My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. 4 You know the way to the place where I am going.”

5 Thomas said to him, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?”

6 Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. 7 If you really know me, you will know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him.”

Romans 10:8-13 (NIV)

8 But what does it say? “The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart,” that is, the message concerning faith that we proclaim: 9 If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved. 11 As Scripture says, “Anyone who believes in him will never be put to shame.” 12 For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, 13 for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

If you've made it thru to the end of this post, then I want to thank you for going out on a limb with me on the proverbial Tree of Life. 

It is not often that I refrain from fun and mischief, however there is no greater exception to be made. 

I fully realize this post may be difficult, thought provoking 

or encouraging. 

Above all things, I hope it relieves you of any fear or doubt.

"For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

Jeremiah 29:11

That said...I will close by saying...

"See y'all after 6pm on Saturday!"

Welcome Home Day!

Some of you may have noticed a new blog on my sidebar:

Agent Orange Legacy:  Children of Vietnam Veterans

I stumbled across this recently when I had one of those "A-Ha!" moments.  You all know this guy:

Well, Dad's already had a heart attack, recently diagnosed with Diabetes and arguably PTSD.  Although he's been told he doesn't have PTSD, we all think he's a tad bit "off" ...in a good way!  :o)

We've been told that Diabetes can be hereditary.  I have also been told that PCOS is hereditary.  Now these things have boggled my mind.  You know I come from an huge-HUGE family.  Why-Oh-Why, can't I find these in our family tree????

I lean towards the theory, the "A-Ha!", that Agent Orange, my Dad's direct contact with it from his years in Nam...and well, there you have it!  Monsanto, hell...they've GMO'd US!!!  Do you think they will try and patent that also?

I haven't been following this blog all that long and am just now tapping into it, as well as other resources they link to -particularly Monsanto and all the horrible things coming from it and it's evil -AGH!  I know you know what I simply can not put into words. 

However all the evilness aside, I was entirely THRILLED to learn this:

"The U.S. Senate recently passed a resolution to honor veterans who served in Vietnam by designating March 30 as Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day."

Borrowed from Agent Orange Legacy - Children of Vietnam Veterans

And I second that!  Frankly, it's about damn time!  Pass it on folks!

A very long overdue, Welcome Home!!!

How cool is that?

Crack The Whip!

Talk about getting thrown into the fire!  It has been an extremely long week.  You know...the kind that feels like you lived an entire month crammed into one week.  Body buzzing from all the caffeine and exhaustion, ever had that?

There was no 'easing' back into the job.  It was a rat race from from the get go. 

88 (eighty-eight) hours my first week back!  And no reinforcements.  Yup, all by my lonesome...  Help is on it's way however.  After next week!  Then it gets to be fun actually!  Deb and I go places and do things at least.  It also makes the long hours go by faster.  I have always believed in the "Whistle while you work!" theory.  Looking forward to the whistle!

Everyone around me is sick or getting over being sick.  I am hoping like heck that it doesn't make it's way to me.  I don't know what would happen then!  Not good.  I had a bit of a scratchy throat early in the week, but I think it is more the lack of humidity in the air right now.

The place I am staying at takes great care of me.  All I gotta say about that is, THANK GOODNESS! 

I got back to my room at 10:30pm on Wednesday and was welcomed with a note that read "Look in Fridge".  Bless Becky! 

She made homemade Beef Stroganoff and gave me a huge portion!  Along with asparagus and a biscuit with butter...Yum!  I ate it for dinner that night and lunch the next day and dinner the next night!

And for the questionable throat, she gave me this...

Heaven!  I left her a note telling her she's evil!  :)  I will have to get the recipe for sure!

I sat down this morning and read a bunch of your posts.  You guys have been busy!  Sewing, cookies, deep thoughts (write the book, get the goat!), crochet, picking schools, must read books, more shoveling, pressing oils, grinding flour (want one of those!!!!!), starting seeds (so jealous).  Now I am tired again just thinking of everything you have been up to!

Luckily, I do have Internet thru the hot spot on my cell phone.  However, I haven't had time to sit and figure out the LogIn issues.  So I can't leave comments.  It gives me some sort of goofy something or other.  You know what I mean. 

Well, I hope you all have another wonderful and prosperous week!  I miss you guys!

Hi Ho!!!

The Dwarfs are calling!  Blech!  Hackaloogie!

As the song goes, "Hi Ho, Hi Ho, it's off to work I go!"  It was rather sudden and I am frantically trying to get myself and my house in order!  I should have had the weekend to get things done, but that was kaboshed when they called and asked me to come in over the weekend too!  But the good news is, I was able to get my Peeps delivery date changed!

The bad news of course, with such little notice, I haven't had time to pack (yet) or stock up anything for Pig Pen.  The last time I traveled for work, everyone joked that he would end up in a corner sucking his thumb in nothing but his boxers...it could happen.

I'm kidding!  But what's the big deal you say?  Well, it's not a local job.  So it's hotel living, eating out and praying for Internet service.  I am not sure which of those I dread the most.  Certainly not "fine" dining!  If I have Internet, I will do my best to keep up with you guys (over-time allowing).  If not, I will miss you all dearly!  So fingers crossed!

Awe, Shucks!

Jane at Hardwork Homestead graced me with this pretty little thing.  First, I have to say that I am honored, albeit undeserving!  (Stylish, I am not!) 

Jane is my go to gal of all things homestead-ish, from gardening to canning, DIY, livestock, re-purposing, bargains, all things homemade or hard worked!  But above all things, she is my "Think Pad".  To say she is inspirational is an understatement. 

If you have never checked out her blog, I highly recommend it.  I am fairly confident she doesn't get much sleep with all the things she does in a day.  I only wish I were half as amazing as she is!  Click Here for Jane's Link!

Part of receiving this award is sharing 10 things about myself that you may not already know.  That's a tough one...

1)  OK, how about the Awe, Shucks -  when I was a kid, my Aunt used to prop me on the bed of a Pick-Up truck and make me shuck corn.  When I found ones with worms in them, I would scream like a girl and throw them as far as I could.  In High School, I broke the girls record for frisbee and softball throw.  Corn shucks must have paid off!  These days, my girlfriend, Heather, gives me the wormy ones to shuck.  I have no fear of most insects unless they bite or sting.  Then I am still a girl. 

2)  I never had a nickname growing up and always wanted one.  When I started my first 'real job', I got my first nickname and answer to it to this day.  It's "Stinky".  Some folks even forgot my real name!  It was entirely related to a horrid perfume I wore to work one day.  I have since acquired several more nicknames including Little Greek Girl, Little Sh*t, and (cleaned up version) Flippin' Genius or FG.  I hate being called Diane with an "E".

3)  I wanted to be a lawyer, motivational speaker, teacher and a mom.  I went to college and majored in English instead.  I became none of the above and never even finished college.  I have no regrets however.  I am exactly what I am supposed to be.

4)  I have always wanted to write a book.  If I thought I had anything worth saying or a story worth telling, I would!

5)  During High School and College, I was actively involved in Student Government.  I have never once considered running for Public Office for two reasons:  I don't want to declare a party and I would have to admit, "I inhaled".

6)  If I could buy any "toy" in the world, it would be a wave runner!  I love tearing thru the water, being in the water or any where near water!  I taught my little brother how to swim, but still have to plug my own nose.

7)  When I was little, I was always sick.  I missed alot of school and almost got held back in the 3rd grade because of it.  Then my parents had my tonsils and adenoids taken out and I have been mostly great since!  The worst is the occasional cold and seasonal allergies to all things outdoors (bummer!).  I have only had the flu once.  And I haven't been sick in almost 2 years now...knock on wood.

8)  I hate crowds and large gatherings and always sit in the back of the room.  My girlfriend Sue calls these "Mandatory Formations".  I can't take in all the energy in the room at once, it overloads my circuits and makes me cranky.  I would rather take a months worth of quality coffee breaks and visit with each family member than sit thru a big "Show and Tell". 

9)  Up until the 6th grade, I never completed more than a year at any one given school or town.  I stopped counting after having moved 25+ times.  I have never lived out of my home state however.  I learned very early that kids are mean and I hate bullies.  Therefore, I have always been an advocate for the underdog even when it means throwing myself in front of the bus.

10)  Working for a large company most my young adult life, I designed and developed -from the ground up- a computer program that is used from here to the East Coast.  It is somewhat outdated and needs work, but no one has been able to design an alternative or upgrade to the program.  After 15 years, it is still being used today.  I never saw a dime for it outside of my weekly paycheck.  This has always been something I felt very accomplished about (refer to cleaned up version of a nickname) and then in the other sense -extremely ripped off.  I should have been a millionaire long ago and living on a mountain range somewhere in the middle of no where surrounded by chickens, cows and pigs!  If only I had known... 

Again, I want to thank Jane for sharing this with me!  I love you girl!  But now I have to pick one person to pass this on to.  That's the really hard part.  You have all sparked my interests, inspired and taught me things!  Oh and you make me laugh...gosh how I love to laugh!  With you of course, never at you :)  Well, maybe at you sometimes! ;o)

So the person I chose, I hope you will all agree is someone who is very deserving and stylish as well.  One thing I love about her -her blog is an information super-highway!  She is very thought provoking and diligent with all tasks that she decides to conquer.  She has a love of animals and raises them humanely with great care.  She makes the best possible use of her land and puts the health of her family at the fore front by gardening and raising as much as possible within her means.  And she shares it all with us!  Truly admirable.

The award is being passed to Leigh at 5 Acres and a Dream!  Please do check out her blog and get to know her!  You wont be sorry that you did!

Tough Questions

Who here has found that like anything, finding info on say, S510 (like any other), is like trying to navigate Chicago rush hour traffic?  What's real, what's not, what to expect behind that curtain?  How will it be twisted?  Where is that wonderfully hidden little loophole they always plant?

I wonder if the small farmers in America ever thought Feds would knock on their doors in the wee hours, arrest them, search them and then bury them under red tape they could never afford to scratch their way out of?

I wonder too, if disarming isn't just about gun control.  If we disarm our ability to grow and raise our own food, take away our right to protect ourselves...shall we all line up for that 'shower' like herded, innocent sheep?  Only to meet our end?

I wonder if 'they' think they can provide "Safer" food for us?  Really?  How often do we hear on the news that us weird, self-sufficient bound goof balls, poisoned our own family?

I wonder if their 'work areas' are clean?  I wonder if they wash their hands?  Really?

I wonder what kind of crazy modified crap we eat that we don't even know about yet?  I wonder why after all these things they don't just go ahead and clone?  I mean, why not?  (sarcasm) 

The thing I find 'funny' is that alot of people might consider a can of beans on a store shelf as safer than a home-canned can of beans on my shelf.   Isn't that funny? 

So where do you go for your information?  Help us all out.  And more over, what do you do about it?

PJ's, Puppies and Peanuts

Today I finished a quilting project that has been needing done.  Now I can clean my house up from the Christmas Chaos!  Or not...whatever.

So I wanted to follow up with a few pictures and clips of what Christmas is like in our neck of the woods.  For starters, it's always "PJ's and Puppies".  Over the years, the Peanuts were added...as in Rugrats or Apple Dumplin's.

This year the out-law ladies got all coordinated from our trip to the cracked out home goods store:

And here we have the puppies, minus fat-head Missy.  She's just a big lug that would knock the Peanuts down.  I know, I know...she doesn't get to do anything and Yes, I sleep with one eye open now.

Here ya go...I brought a picture of her instead:

While we opened presents at my Dad's house, he actually had his quilt all snuggled up around him!  He said he likes to 'wear' it a certain way so that he can see the little note on the back.  He said he knows it's back wards.  Whatever makes him happy!

Here we have The Enabler in the family.  She was the recipient of the enabling stuff of TicTacs and kiddie chapstick.  She uses the TicTac's to "shut'em up" in the fabric stores.  The only problem is...she let the poor little thing eat the ENTIRE Valu-Pak.  MmmHmm, she did.  With the defense that Grama's do that ;o) 

I was happy to have been able to try out my new loaf pan yesterday on a new recipe Jane at Hardwork Homstead sent me!  Super easy and -sit down now-  Pig Pen ate it up!  He's not a fan of Wheat breads.  Or so he says.  But he had one piece with butter, two pieces with homemade grape jelly, and then two pieces of toast.  Yup, five pieces in one night.  We wont discuss how many I have eaten thus far but those were the best turkey samiches I ever ate!

I had been trying to find some really good airtight containers to store dry goods in.  The Click Clack Accents seemed to top out all the consumer lists.  My MIL got me three!  Woohoo!  Sounds like a darn good reason to get back to the Amish bulk goods.  Like I really needed an excuse!!

The Seed Catalogs are pouring in!  I have to sit down and get my head straight.  Leigh over at  5 Acres & a Dream posted her 2010 review and it reminded me I haven't even done that yet!  It would help if I put pen to paper in the old journal and then ordered my seeds.  Any one else on top of this yet?  Where are you ordering from this year? 

The Fat Man Hillbilly Style

In blog hopping the past week or so, there has been alot of talk about "You know you are a homesteader when..."  Everything you want comes from a Tractor Supply store!  Who doesn't love a Tractor Supply store?  So this one is dedicated to how we do the Fat Man Hillbilly Style and from the "Fun" Store...

First, we unwrap our gifts wrong...upside down, inside out, whatever works:

Then we take the innocent and corrupt them thoroughly:

What?  No - who, would wrap a 3yr olds present in camo?

Moreover, what's in it???

Oh, the who part goes without saying, right?

And this 'Big Girl' got something too...

Yeah, baby!  Look out...here I come!  Pig Pen got me a gun and scope!  (He forgot bullets, HA!)  That's ok though, he picked some up on his way home yesterday and I got to try it out!  15 rounds and only 2 misses from 50 yards!  Practice  - Practice!

And the little terd got me a Keurig also.  Waaay overboard.  And you already know how horribly he wrapped my Birthday presents.  Well, it was a darn good thing my brother got me a Buck knife.  It came in pretty handy.

Yes, I did get Pig Pen his wretched Wader Pants.  We also managed to get each other Chicken stuff.  Feeders, waterers, scoops etc.  Oh, and my SIL got me Chicken Poop Boots!  I was very excited about those!  :0) 

Now if I could ever get Pig Pen out and about in that 5th wheel, we can use the nice double burner propane cook top I got him too!

Oh...can't forget the big reveal on his quilt!  This is what I worked on at Retreat.

 

This one didn't come from a Tractor Supply Store, but it still fits the bill!  My MIL remembered me ogling over Jane's and got me one! 

Can ya see it??  See...people listen!

My Dad and Connie got us more trays for our dehydrator too!  Yup, whatever we can do to keep the food!  Yeah!!!  And my SIL Jen is wanting more breads (haha!), so she got us a long loaf pan and hamburger bun pan too!

And this one, I know you guys will love!  My SIL Meagan made this binder up for me.  Now, will you just look at the title???  Darn TP!!!!  HA!

She loaded it up, first with a very nice letter (cuz that's what Meg does) and then printed out pages of neat projects and DIY things!  So I can't wait to try them out and report back!

The days were long, lots of fun and more to come...I think I need a nap!  Hillbilly Christmases...awesome!  But I swear I can't get unburied!  And there is lots of that to do...because if you can't tell, our family is full of very generous, giving and loving people.  This barely touches the tip of the iceberg and to all of them, thank-you!  We love and appreciate everything so much...even when we know it humors you ;o)

Childless at Christmas

Being childless at Christmas -for some- can be nearly as hard as Mothers or Fathers Day.  In general, Christmas is centered around kids.  So what is Christmas like for us?

Well, being in the 'bum luck' crowd is from where I speak.  There are some brutal truths forthcoming.  And I want to say right now that I don't feel this way today.  You follow?  As time goes by, things get better and better.  Which is a beautiful thing. 

This is years worth of thoughts and feelings for you to consider when dealing with your own friends or loved ones who have been slapped by that 'bum luck'.  A shoe on the other foot!  The funny thing about "feelings" is that there is no right or wrong, just ownership. 

So here goes your peek:

1)  We are not second class citizens.  Because we don't have to put someone down for a nap is it OK to assume we can roam about with out a care in the world?  Treat us with the same considerations that anyone deserves, don't punish us for being childless.  We've done enough of that to ourselves.

2)  We still have lives, loves, hopes and dreams.  Our lives are not worthless nor empty.  They just aren't 'full' of the same things.  Now how wonderful is that?  Isn't that every one's wish?

3)  We aren't stupid.  IQ has not, never was, nor ever will be based upon whether or not we had kids.  Do not disqualify us!  We simply 'know' different things.

4)  We are approachable, even when it hurts.  Are you pregnant or planning?  Don't be afraid to tell us.  Yes it can hurt for us.  But for as much as it may momentarily sting, we still rejoice for you.  I do. 

5)  Never assume we didn't want children.

6)  And my new favorite comeback line...knowing there is a little 'homesteader' in us.  When that rude and slightly jealous person asks, "Gee, is there nothing you can't do?" 
My response, "Yes, make babies."  That'll shut'em up.

We are just people.  The measure of our worth is based on things like who we are, where our hearts are, how we treat others and how we live.   

So I don't know if I answered the question "What is Christmas like for us?"

Same as it is for you of course!  IT'S CHRISTMAS!  It's too many parties, driving in the snow, making cookies, wrapping presents, being with family and on and on!  But mostly...It's a Miracle to be Celebrated!!

Life is beautiful!

We are thankful! 

We are blessed...Even though we are childless!

If "Tis the Season" Means THIS...

Tis the Season to Lose All Reason

Phooey!  I don't like it and don't want it.  For some crazy reason, I have been stuck on stoopid all day again. 

Things started at 4am when Pig Pen's cell phone rang.  Any time a cell goes off at random hours, it spells trouble.  Well, LLL's plow blew a hydraulic and he needed help.  No biggee, all good now. 

But did I go back to bed?  Nope.  Knew I should have.  Instead, I made coffee and started in for the day. 

I ran into town.

Came home and wrapped presents.  Forgot half my head.

I ran into town.

To the Post Office this time.  Yup, I am one of those horrible people who mails Christmas goodies to a few friends...late.  My excuse?  Stoopid.

Then by the time I got home and start cracking on some handmade goodies, daggummit...I ran out of things I needed.  I always did stink at math.

I ran into town.

Guess what?  I ran out of stuff again.  I am either really really stuck on stoopid or I need to take my shoes off and use my toes next time too.

Now I refuse to go to town again.  Straight up not doing it.  Three times is more than I run in a week sometimes!

Then I went to grab something out of my purse and LO AND BEHOLD, the nice little cards that were supposed to accompany the packages I sent...in my purse.  They should be in packages en route (late).

Stuck.On.Stoopid

And I thought my only problem was that I feel just a smidgen under the weather.  Heck, I am under a massive brain fog.

So if this is the season, then yeah, I've lost it.  How bout you's?  Or am I stuck all by my lonesome?

Where's my damn hat????

"The Doll"

Christmas memories are steeped in tradition.  We associate with our inner-child at this time of year more than any other.  Don't you agree?

When I was a kid, all I ever wanted was the popular Cabbage Patch Kids doll.  All my friends had them!  (No, I would not jump off the proverbial cliff!)  I just desperately wanted one!

Well, I never got one.  Not really anyway.

My older brother must have felt like I deserved one though!  When I was maybe ten years old, he got me "The Cabbage Patch Doll Kit".  It was a DIY...make it yourself Cabbage Patch Kid!  I was in dreamland!  That very same year, we had horrible weather and were snowed in.  Much to my delight, my Grama was snowed in at our house too!  Grama sewed...really well!

So on that snowy day, Grama and I made my first Cabbage Patch Doll!  She was beautiful!  Grama and I laughed and had so much fun putting her together.  This my friends, is a most cherished memory of both Christmas and Grama.

I loved this doll so much, that the very next year for Christmas, I gave her back to my brother!  She has been floating around the family every year for -a really long time- umm, 29 years!  (How'd that happen?) 

We call her "The Doll".  She has had some upgrades over the years.  My SIL, Laura, gave her lipstick, and boobs.  Mom gave her some new hairs and she's had an outfit a time or two.  But mostly, she's holding up well and is as pretty as ever.

This year, Mom got her.

Cute...ain't she?

Betcha wish ya had "The Doll" too, huh?  Ah, yes!  She's the gift that never stopped giving! 

Don't go falling in love with her now!

Since then, I have learned to sew much better...(wall hangings I made for each of the guys):

 and...Mom did get me a Cabbage Patch Doll.  Chuckle, chuckle, guffaw...Two years ago!  ;o)

What goofy, eye-brow raising, crazy kind of stuff do you and yours do... but might be a little ashamed to admit?