Can You Believe it 33 Years and Counting

     It has been 33 years since I married the love of my life! I  can tell you now that I broke the life expectance record  by three years being married too. I never thought 30 would be a year in my life until I met Thomas! 30 was a great year even after stressing over turning 30 at 29. Here I am passing the 33rd mark of marriage with Tom. And I remember hearing it will never last from oh so many of my family members.

    After raising our kids together and dealing with all the pitfalls and unpleasantries of life, we have finally come to a time in our lives that many never get to either due to breakups or lose of a loved one. I am very grateful to have such a loving mate that supports me in all things. You see, I almost lost Tom in 2019 to a heart attack and if it weren't for the fact I have been so into natural health and wellbeing I may have missed all the signs and lost him. That was a scary few days for me too because it was at the height of covid 19. Thank God I was home and retired by that time or I may have found him in the front yard as he was mowing. 

    We have made some bold moves since then and moving was one of those things. Moving so far from family to a place we knew no one to boot. We scaled down from a 3 bedroom place to 390 square feet of living space on the most beautiful 3 acres yet right on Goose Creak. Granted all our children found it to be a far away but enchanting place but too far for them to just drop in whenever. Now days we have to coordinate the times in which we visit and that in itself is a true task. We really thought since we were so close to the beaches they would find it easy to come visit. Not always the case!

    We have added space to our living area with our 12x32 shedroom master suite and created a living room on our closed in porch with a great view of the creek. We also have added our greenhouse and carport. We are still working on scaling back on things we brought from  the old house to make room for an office /craft /guest space in one of the 2 containers we have purchased. The other is a work space for tools and shop for Tom.

    Together we have planted gardens and trees for the future and are working on a few other projects this year that include closing in the front porch  with windows and building a covered walk way between the shedroom and the house to weather proof the journey back and forth. Oh yes and the deck and dock is needing some attention also. But all in all we have made the change and the jump to a new place a success and we love what we have. I couldn't ask for a better 33 years. Oh yes the grands are coming to spend the weekend with us too!

Happy Anniversary My Love and a Eternity More!

What is going on?

What is going on?

     This Coronavirus is getting too bizarre. You know the world is going crazy over it, yet I don’t remember the H1N1 being this crazy, I just remember they wanted everyone vaccinated.  I know I shouldn't have wigged out over it because it really isn't as bad as they say and they never say anything about how many people die from the flu which is right up there as high risk. I guess that having asthma and thinking about not breathing is my thing. I can't even watch things on TV that are closed in spots. I would much rather die in my sleep suddenly without any symptoms.

Can we get the facts about the coronavirus?

     There are so many different opinions coming from the president, news folks and the CDC and it seems like everyone has a different take on it in so many ways. Everyone wants to get in on it by scamming the public to giving their own medical advice. Who do we trust?

     I know that I for one am at risk and so is my hubby but we cannot just quit living. I have been looking for a job and I wonder if I get one will it come to an abrupt halt because of the economy falling out or will I become a statistic for wanting to go to work. I need to make some type of living here, my retirement money flew right out the door. I think about my hubby if I do get a job and I get sick. I do not want to share it with him. I told him if it happened I would stay in the “honeymoon suite” AKA the camper in the front yard just to protect him.

     Have you wondered how you would self-quarantine if you or one of your loved ones were affected? I know we ca never be too careful and we most definitely do not want to be the bearer of bad things for our families. Maybe you have an extra room that your family member can stay in. Hand washing to me seems like one of the best things we can do in order to keep the virus from spreading. I know hand sanitizer is a great thing to keep on hand too. Using that elbow for coughs and sneezes will somewhat keep the germs from spreading but nothing is truly preventable.

     I can tell you I have a very big disadvantage to this whole thing because of my lungs already being compromised and my immunity is shot when it comes to getting sick easy. Despite what others believe the colloidal silver is one thing I truly believe in. It has saved my butt more times than I can count. Keeping up with my vitamins helps me too. But do folks ever thing about their sugar intake when they get sick? They say that good health starts in your gut.  I fail in this area so many times too. I want to eat the sweets when I get wiggy. I might have to rethink that part of my plan to stay well.

Thinking of another crazy thing Friday the 13 is upon us and I am sure there are many of you that will really be on your toes about things going on. Well I am not one for superstitions. It is just another day to me.

     For those of us who are over 60, have risky health problems and all you might choose to stay away from the big crowds, especially if you have an international metropolis that you live in. You are more apt to be exposed to the virus. For now living in the country rural area works for me. I just hope that whatever happens we can all be better prepared for it. I hear China has slowed down in those effected which can be a good thing, but until the time it filters through us we have to be at a heightened risk for all of us. Just be wise and don’t go to work sick and see a doctor if your symptoms are truly what we are being told they are. Do not submit yourself to a hospital or doctor’s office if at all possible especially if you know the virus is local, for treatments that can be taken care of right at home. Pray a lot that it will end its course and be kind to others and respect them.

     Today’s Quote:     

  

“In preparing for battle I have always found that plans are useless, but planning is indispensable.” Dwight D. Eisenhower

     Scripture of the day:

Proverbs 15:22 Plans fail when there is no consultation, But there is accomplishment through many advisers.

B day Being Prepared Up on the Farm

B day

Being Prepared Up on the Farm

     This year I want to be prepared and have a systematic way of doing things, like budgeting, being on top of things, simplifying, minimalizing and being a bit smarter. I have been reading a lot of books on how to help us with this here on the farm. I am not a prepper per say in the way most folks plan for Armageddon, I just want to be more organized this year.

     Planning gardens and raising animals on the farm can be a bit daunting, especially as we get older and things are not just as easy as they once were. January is a great month to get started with plans of what we are going to do. You know all those things we may have got done last year but were derailed somehow. Or maybe starting a greenhouse business.

     Since I am no longer working I have to set time to find a new job, one that accommodates not only the farm but my field service, yet pays the bills too. Now that takes some major planning there. First thing every morning I look at the jobs that might fit my criteria. That is a hard one because I already have the farm job that will been a huge undertaking again since my hubby has been working it mostly by himself for the last several years as I worked. I want to work in a place where it will not only help with the monetary things but also help with the farm. We have flip-flopped our job descriptions a few years back and now I want to get back to farming but not by myself. Really we can use all the help we can get.

     We have so many things to do here on the farm and I always seem to add to the list. Fences are one of the things that is top of the list right now. We have new piglets arriving soon and the pen is not the pen we once had. we need repairs there as well so getting the fences in the pasture ready will give us the chance to do repairs on the barn and the pens around it. We also have a few pigs that need to be processed and that is a couple  whole days job and then some.

     I have saved seeds and set them aside for this year’s garden and that will be a huge job to get ready. I want to have all my seeds started in advance that need to be started now. For spring planting that means that I have to find a place to store them. This year I want to add more herbs for teas and soap.  we are going to be potting existing plants we have growing here to sell like blueberries, Carolina Jasmine, Forsythia and wisteria. We are going to start out small though no need to get too crazy.

     We are getting ready to make up a few batches of soap and I have already made up arnica and cayenne salves and lip balms and not just for us, but our children. They have found that the things that I make here on the farm benefits them in their lifestyles also. I just ordered my supplies for much of that. It never hurts to restock up the first aid kit right from the start.

     My list for being prepared seems endless, at least I have begun to get things started. I know we will still be pushing it for a lot of it but we have to always remember to take on day at a time and move ahead. Lots of prayers and hard work, time to study my bible, and get out in service always comes first and time to relax seems to fall in last but I have a plan and that is all I need to keep somewhat on track for this year. I just hope it doesn’t get derailed this year. I hope you have plans to start out the year on a better note from last year, Even if they are small that always counts.

     I just had a call from one of my boys and he needed advice on delivering puppies. now that is a whole other thing to plan for, the momma had two puppies and one* was alive and one was dead when he found them and he needed advice on what else to do because this is a big breed dog and she should have more than just two pups and it is not her first litter. I told him to put her in a calm area and sit with her to make sure she was ok and keep the one pup warm. We have whelped a many a pup and kitten in our day and birthed so many pigs and goats in our time, but sometimes things don’t always turn out as they were planned even if they should be able to birth on their own. Sometimes you might just have to intervene and sometimes even a vet needs to be part of the plan. All I can say is to sit and wait it out as long as the animal is not in pain or peril. Keep the vet in mind and hope for the best.   * The pup didn't make it and the momma is going to the vet. So sad and I am sorry this ended this way.

     Plans are always needed even when we don’t thing they are. always keep that in mind. But even best plans can change and go awry so it is good to have that back up just in case. The best laid plans need a great prayer system to go along with it because the grand creator is the best source of all planning since he created all things. We have to remember that it took more than one day to do it too, so don't over do it. Hope this year brings happiness to all who reads this and I ope your plans work out just as you would have them to.

January has Flown on by

      Wow can you believe we have already flown through the first month of 2019?  I can’t, seems like we haven’t even hit the end of last year! I have managed to make a plan for this year’s projects. Making a list of all the things that need to be done here on the farm and when I feel these projects should be accomplished. Weather here has not been a great thing to move forward on much of anything but making sure we have enough firewood cut as we have had some major cold days and wicked nights, Rain too. Keeping all the animals dry and warm has been crazy. Downsizing has been on my mind a great deal too. Weeding out all our unregistered pigs and having a slaughter day. We have someone who would like to have the last 6 piglets to start their own pig farm. That works for us. Starting off with a plan will keep things less crazy and easier to manage.

     We have had three piglets out running the top of the hill along with the goat. They have all but dug up the new garden area all the way around the pool and my herb garden. They have uprooted all my flowers and dug up my brick sidewalks which doesn’t make me very happy at all. I had planted hostas and hydrangeas in my herb garden and they are all gone. Knowing that the house project will be an ongoing thing for a long while, fences will be the next thing in line for priorities.

     I have already selected my seeds for this year. Adding new seeds to the ones I have saved over the last planting season. I need to replenish the soil in the boxes and maybe build a few more. There will be a fence around the garden, don’t need no critters eating my lunch.

     For the time being I have been creating crazy little tiny rooms out of stuff that would otherwise go to the garbage. I have always loved building doll house furniture and houses.  This year instead of crocheting I decided to create a tiny world here in my tiny office. Who knows one day I might have a tiny she shed to build tiny stuff for sale. I just love to create. I introduced this art to my g kids and they have tried their hand at it. Until the weather warms up enough to get out and do something that will be where you can find me.

Heading into 2018

My Office

     I didn’t write an exit for the last year because I felt that it had been one of many pains. Many plans were made and very few were ever accomplished. That being said I want to start out this year in a whole new way of doing things. This year I want to try and be spontaneous, without plans, then I can say that things great were accomplished when they do happen. Plans for me seemed to have eaten away much of my happiness. I drove myself crazy planning the plans for our house and who knows what will ever come of that. I am not going to open that plan again to make changes they are set in stone and it is what it is. Family plans also have been futile.

     This year I want to work on more important things such as the fruitages of the spirit; love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith, mildness, and yes self-control. There is much I am lacking in all of these things and I need to improve on all of them. Putting my mind on more spiritual things can only make my life better as I grow closer to my heavenly Father Jehovah. I know I have tried to do things on my own and have failed to leave my anxieties in His hands and it have added to many stresses in my life. I have to believe and have faith that all things will work out.

     As far as the farm goes it has been funny kind of things that have come about. For instance on the coldest of days my chickens have been laying eggs like it is no bodies business. I even have broody chickens, not just one but a few. They are sitting on eggs. Mind you it is 30 degrees out there too. I guess they have plans of their own. Our pigs are all growing fat and no more escapes can be reported at this time, which is good for those of us who have to chase them when they do. The goats were wormed the other day and boy are they woolly, fat and sassy.  We had fire wood delivered to hopefully last the rest of the winter. There isn’t much left of the old tree that came down during the hurricane. The man that came with the wood said he would cut down that big old oak (that has been plaguing me for all these years) for $500 and he would take it in payments. Now that is the best news of last year!

     Since I have been back at it with my annual asthmatic bronchitis bout and the flu and cold weather had wrecked any of the plans for the house, I have put my energy into crocheting. This is my favorite pass time during the winter months. I have made blankets, hats, several different scarfs, and shawls since I have been on my school break. This to me is a mindless way to keep from going crazy. I have even learned some new stitches. I have also painted a few things. I do have a set of art pencils coming in the mail and will get back to drawing too. I can say too I love my new office space.

     All in all I guess nothing ready bad has come about in the past year, yet nothing good has got me too excited either. No weddings, no births, no deaths, just a year. One to say I have aged one more and I am still alive. I hope whatever things are in the future are good and not too much bad may come. Thankful for all I have and cleaning out all the useless things that clutter both my home and my brain. Looking forward and not back, moving in the right direction even if it is narrow. I guess I do have a plan after all... Life.

Planning Time

I have been working on many things this month. I have my prep time started for the ending of this year and starting plans for the following. I have really been doing a lot of research about homesteading.

 I have plans for a goat stand ready to build. We are taking in one more goat. It is castrated but he will be a good mower. I am still looking for a buck for Chloe the goat to breed with. She has become less skittish which helps when we breed her. I hope we will have a baby or babies from her this year.

 We should be getting eggs from the older hens soon since they are settling into their new digs. By the end of next month our younger hens should be laying. The one who lays now is adjusting to her mates too. I will still save eggs to eat but leave some for the hens to hatch for meat chickens.

Our registrations for our pigs are back now. We will now be able to trade for a boar or sell all of our boars to buy one of a different lineage. We will breed Lady Cersei in August along with our other females. By spring we should be ready to sell some piglets.

I would love to be able to put up some tomatoes but my plants never put out the first bloom. I am getting ready to plant the fall garden this next week. I am going to stop by the farmers market to see what is out there. Apples will be one thing I will be putting up this year. I did get a few bags of blueberries in the freezer.

I have been looking for some New Zealand white rabbits to start breeding for meat too. I found a very cool hutch plan today that allows you to save the poo to a bucket. That will be in the making soon too. For now the g-girl’s rabbits will be just pets and if we get babies from them we will sell them.

There are just so many things I want to do here and only so many hours in a day and so much money we don’t have to get things done but little by little I will check them off my list of things to be done and hopefully we can see some income coming in instead of always going out.