Do You have a Fear You Just Can't Get Over?

     Do you have a fear of something you just can't get over? I know I sure do and it is something that has been with me all my life . No matter how much I prayed about it or how hard I tried to get over it, it just puts me into a real tail spin and my anxieties are pushing me right over the edge. You see I love to read and I can read very well but when it comes to reading off the written page out loud, I see the letters jumping around the page and changing into words that they are not. Been that way as long as I can remember. Also I have a fear to speak in front of my peers and my tongue gets totally tied. I have been working on being able to speak without starting to shake from the inside out. My brain seems to not match up to my mouth. Funny thing is I can write in somewhat of an eloquent way when I need to and I never have any hard time putting words to paper so I don't understand why I can't speak.. I even ended my college days with a 4.00 GPA which just makes no since in the matter at all. Thankfully I never had to speak in class as it was all online.

    I have always written great letters to let folks know exactly how I feel. I just felt it was something very easy to do. Today I am working very hard to raise my hand in my worship and answer questions and no matter how hard I try even when I have prepared my answer well in advance I just can't spit it out like I planned it to come out and I always feel so stupid and feel everyone wonders where the heck I was going with that answer. Most times I leave out the most important thought all together. 

    I am suppose to be a good example of a well polished person and I still feel like my edges never seem to shine as I open up my mouth. It really makes me feel very small and a huge failure. I hope that some day I can express myself in word of mouth and by pen and paper in the same way. But for now I continue to feel that churning in my stomach and the anxieties coming up in my throat every time I open my mouth. How  in the world I taught classes for so many years is beyond me. I would love to have a Bible study one of these days again with some one who really wants to know what it really teaches. It has been a long time since I really had one that lasted any thing passed the first 5 chapters of whatever book I was teaching out of, so maybe I wasn't so hot after all. Lord knows I do my studying and research. That is what got me through college. 

    Maybe one day ... 

    I did some research, and it truly is really a thing and it is called hyperstimulation  and it takes the body about 20 minutes to go back to its normal self. So I feel better knowing I am not crazy as I thought I was!

Boy it Really is a Challenge

     Here I am working on the 9th day of the month and I realized I have not hit every day as I tried to do. This writing is a challenge when you have not been doing it for a while like I used to do. Yesterday I got side tracked (which I do a lot these days) ;)  because it was bill paying day and Monday was well Monday I reckon. Not living on the farm anymore where there was always something going on each and every day seemed to be way easier to write on a daily basis. 

    For the last few days it has been rainy and we have not really got out to get anything done, not to mention the heat index is still three digits for us. I do know for certain that soap making is one of those things that need to get done while it is not pouring down rain. Just like baking a cake the weather can screw up a batch of soap and I just can't afford to let that happen. I sold my last 5 bars of patchouli soap last night. Everyone seems to love it and we call it our hippy soap. I cannot keep it in supply even for myself and that is the only soap I use. Pop on the other hand will add whatever scent I might throw in his as long as it is not girly smelling. Funny thing is all the guys love my hippy soap too. I am glad I bought plenty of patchouli leaf to add to my soap so I don't have to worry about running out real soon. 

    I still have a truck load of dirt and a trailer full to unload off into my garden beds but with the rain we have had it will be waterlogs and heavy so I will pulse on that for a moment  but I do know sooner or later it is something that needs to get done. I have several herbs that need to be planted in their permanent space before too long. 

    Yes finding something to write about every single day is a challenge but I will try hard to get as much of the 30 days done even if I have to go into the next month. But for the rest of the day I will call it a day for my blog page.

Empty Nesters Again

     Here we are once again childless and kind of sad to see my babies off to go back home to their mom. We had a great time together in just the few days we spent together. I only wish the time had not flown by so fast! I hope they come back in September with their momma. and Poppa Jimmy and the rest of them. We can make the trip to the beach again. We had a great game of Beatles Monopoly the day it poured down rain all day even if Jacob cheated by collecting all of Grace's money and properties when she decided to quit and go back to what she does best: playing Roblox. They brought their kitten down with them and they played with the cat toy. Stella was pretty wild when she got here but after being here for a few days she had settled down quite well.   

                                                                    Savanna and Stella

    I just texted the kids to see where they were and they said they were in Savannah. taking in the sights! I told them they had to stop in and see their uncle, if they are that close. I know they are all teens and thinking they are adults but... and they want to do their own thing but going off and not letting anyone know they were going is no being responsible in no shape or form. There are folks that pray upon children with no parents! Danger Will Robinson Danger!!!      All in all though I look back at all the times I left home to visit Ohio University when I was 15-17 years old by myself to see my boyfriend and I will let things slide. But these kids are my babies and I do worry still. They're all growing up way to fast. Empty nesting is great but I do love to see the g kids. Time passes too fast and we see them far to less than we used too that is for certain.  

Everyone is Ready to Go

         Today we are all off to the beach! This is what the grands have been waiting for! So off we went in 2 different vehicles. We started off by going to the drift wood beach but the kids didn't like it so we drove on up the way to the place Pop and I were last year and it was just what the kids were hoping for. Not too many folks crowding and plenty of beach space to set down our beach rug. lots of space for the kids, ha! but little did we know they would take off on down a ways away from us and we couldn't find them until almost the time we packed up to go. Well you know how kids are they find adults boring and no fun. Pop and I went out into the water together for a short time but being in the water is not Pop's thing, so I stayed out all by myself for most of the time we were all there. Pop sat on the beach basking in the very hot sun and turning 5 shades of red in doing so. I came out for a short time to hang with him then he went to eat. Me back tot he water I went which is fine with me as I love how the water makes my broken old self feel. As time passed I could tell it was time for me also to get out of the sun. Packing up we finally found the kids and asked if they wanted to eat and there were no takers so we bit them farewell and told them not to stay  too much longer. As we drove off the rain started to fall. By the time we got home the kids were not far behind us. Everyone on tired and a bit weathered from the sun we all called it a great day at the beach. 

Downpours of Rain

 The rain started late last night, but not before the marshmallow and graham crackers and candy bars came out and the fire was lit. It is so great to have my g kids here a visiting. We had a blast roasting marshmallows and having pop make up long forks from serving forks and duck tape and bits and pieces of an old couple of pieces of an old lawn umbrella. Great minds think on their feet, Recycle, Recycle, Recycle.

    Now for today it has been raining all day. We were planning to take a trip to Savannah to go visit our son but being there wasn't anything that he could figure to do cheap or free and his work schedule didn't allow too much time so we decided not to go. One of the kids went to have a dinner date with her boyfriend and the other has opted to hang with us and play her game on the computer. 

    We can't let the day be a total washout though, Pop is going to go pick up a couple of IBC tanks to build a nice little chicken coop when it is not pouring down. I have wanted to have a few chickens here since we moved I so miss my farm. Gardening is great and all but it is not the same as having live animals to help feed you. We use more eggs than you would know especially when we make homemade ice cream every other night. Since we live in a nice little subdivision in the country but live at the very end of it all and have a wooded acreage between us and the rest of the street  chicken may be the only thing we can keep as farm life is concerned. I would give anything to have my goats again though. Using the IBC tanks will give me just the coop size and grazing area I need. Recycle is great!

                         (Mother Earth News Photo by Mary Whitcomb)

   The rain has come and gone but will be popping in again later in the afternoon through the evening So things need to get on the ball. 

 

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!

Brutal Heat, Extreme Weather and More All Over

     As we travel from one place to the next we have seen some very hot temperatures all over the place. It has left many in dire straits as far as safety is concerned. Temperatures soaring as high as the triple digits and no end in sight. This is not just here in the US but around the world. This heat is causing droughts to continue and in some places storms that have been said to not have ever happened in our life times or for many many years. We have had fires raging out of control because of the droughts or lack of rains in some areas and landsides in others. 

    How did we get this far in the way we have treated our earth? I guess many do not see that we only have one place to live and it is being destroyed faster each and every day. What are some of the damages that man has created during his time of ruling himself? Many trees have been cut down and lands have been stripped of all its fertile substances. More highways and more cars sending off gasses, trains carrying toxic waste have derailed and polluted water ways and air ways just to name a few. Plastics were meant to help us in our every day lives yet the oceans are full of them and our ocean wildlife has paid a high price for this. We are losing wild life left and right as we build and take over the lands that these animals have been privy too for centuries. 

    Have you ever thought about all this suffering we are causing one another? Or who really is responsible for our suffering? How many have lost loved ones,  dealt with unbearable sickness,  lost homes, jobs and other things and blamed it all on God? We suffer and struggle to see where all of this pain stems from. Maybe we are looking to blame others for all our short falls. Maybe we haven't even truly thought of the answer at all. One scripture comes to mind here found at James 1:13 "When under trial, let no one say: “I am being tried by God.” For with evil things God cannot be tried, nor does he himself try anyone. So how can we blame God for all the crazy things that happen to us? Think about it, Jesus gave us the answer when Satan offered him the whole world to rule over. Satan just wanted him to bow down to him and worship him and not his heavenly father Jehovah.   Have we made the mistake and taken up sides with Satan or are we on the side of God? 

    There are so many other things we have seen with our very eyes that prove things are not going well for us like; wars, famine in many countries now and threatening our country too. Disease, we just dealt with a huge epidemic of Covid19 which is still prevalent, How about deteriorating attitudes or even family breakdowns. Searching the world over people refuse to see the warning signs of what is about to come in the very near future, destruction that no man has ever witnessed before. Who's side will you find yourself on at that great day. I know exactly who I will side with I have great faith in the Grand Creator in saving me.  God will “destroy those who are destroying the earth.”—Revelation 11:18 this includes Satan. 

    God “did not create [the earth] simply for nothing, but formed it to be inhabited.”—Isaiah 45:18 In the beginning he wanted Adam and Eve to be fruitful and fill the earth and his original plan has never changed.  “The meek will possess the earth, and they will find exquisite delight in the abundance of peace. The righteous will possess the earth, and they will live forever on it.”—Psalm 37:11, 29. I am looking forward to what wonderful plan we have to look forward to in the coming days. Just think we will no longer have to worry about the extremes of course if you count extreme happiness due to enjoying life forever in a new paradise earth!  Who will be going with me in this wonderful prospect of life? If you want o learn more please let me know I will be glad to help you find the answers to a happy fulfilling life of peace forever. If you want to check out more please got to JW.org

30 Day Challenge- Writing Something Once Again Every Day

August 1, 2023 

     It has been awhile since my last blog post and my best friend suggested I start blogging again. I  have been so busy with all the things life has thrown at me since we have moved that just sitting down and adding it to paper has just slipped my mind.. I know I will never publish a novel or book of any type but I do love to put things into words. I haven't even kept up on my own personal journal these days!

    Just a review can get my juices flowing of what has been going on in the last month. At the beginning of July my hubby and I got to partake in an abundance of spiritual food that was given at the 2023 Convention of Jehovah's Witnesses entitled "Exercising Patience"! Exercise Patience Now who doesn't need that these days!!! Despite not being able to attend in person, it was a fabulous 6 days we spent together watching all the talks and videos the society had presented. I cried and my heart was quaking with all the great information we were given. Go check it out!

     Next I was finally able to attend the Pioneer School of Jehovah's Witnesses for the for the first time in the middle of the month for one glorious week. I had been looking forward to this for years since the last time I had to come to an abrupt end when my hubby fell at work and I had to quit my Pioneer work several years back. Pioneering this passed year has strengthened my faith and brought me so much closer to Jehovah than ever before. I want to encourage all who ca to come join me in this wonderful work of preaching the good news. It is something that will never be repeated again in our time and it is something that must be done before the end of this old system comes to its close. We learned so much and not only were we fed spiritually but the food for breakfast, lunch and snacks were unbelievable! Thanks to our great bunch of Brothers and sisters preparing all those meals! I met so many wonderful brothers and sisters and we all were just like true brothers and sisters by they time we left each other. We all need to Donkey on! Just as our brother and instructor taught us in sign language- meaning "move forward"  I have surpassed my goal for my hours this year in service and have set a new goal for the coming years. Special Pioneering!

    I am challenging myself to get back into writing . I know it will be a challenge indeed, but I think it will be a good thing to keep my mind sharp. So August will be my starting point. It is our 33 year anniversary on the third so that will be a great thing to talk about  and how it went. My Grand daughters are coming to visit this week also. Updates will be available for that too. Many home projects will be coming together as we work on our new home. Can't wait to share on that too! But for now I will say see you tomorrow!

May we all Donkey on or move forward in our life's adventures! 

Summer Time Projects

     Wow where did spring go? Can you believe June is all but gone! Yes things are hopping here and man is it hot! Summer got here a lot earlier than we all expected. We are well on the way here as we work to finish up our "shedroom"  and bath. We have gone and bought pretty much all the supplies we needed to get the job done. We have just about connected the sewer line to the septic tank and run electric and waterlines  to the "shedroom" too. We have picked out tile for bathroom and have toilet sink and shower all ready to go as far as parts and pieces to construct. We even got a great deal on windows to close in the screened porch and have enough to use in the bath and in the walkway between the house and the shedroom when we get to that project and the containers.

    As far as my garden grows it was a complete mess. every time it rained the sand washed over the new starts. Yes raised beds are going in for sure for the new season.. Hills and sand don't mix. All of my herbs and peppers have grown like crazy and so have all my trees. They really love the hot weather. 

    Getting ready for the G daughters to come visit The two oldest have their license now and are coming with the next to the oldest soon. I can't wait to see them. How much we have missed them all!   

     In the in between I have been busy sharing the good news of the kingdom jw.org We have a convention coming up this weekend I am looking forward to that! 

     I have been building dollhouses again also.

Earthsblessing Living: Garden is in!

Earthsblessing Living: Garden is in!: Well it may have taken me a few days to do it but I have all my vegetables planted in my garden now. It is not very big but it has a good va...

Garden is in!

Well it may have taken me a few days to do it but I have all my vegetables planted in my garden now. It is not very big but it has a good vatiety of things to look forward to. Here is my list; asparagus, cayenne peppers, jalapeño peppers,  thai pepper, eggplant (both white and Black beauty), broccoli, cabbage, lettuce mix, long beans, yellow, purple and green bush beans, sweet potato, acorn squash, zucchini squash, tomatoes, strawberries, butternut squash, celery, and potatoes. 

We have planted two banana trees one lemon tree and four orange trees. Also one pear tree, three mulberry trees, one mango tree and an avacodo tree (which come in the house in winter months.) There was a persimmon tree already on the property too. We have four elderberry bushes too.

I have basil, sage, lavender, purple salvia, oregano, thyme, garlic, ginger,  pepermint, lemon balm and turmeric, patchouli and rosemary planted in my herb garden pots. 

We have started making soap again. One batch of Sandalwood and Cedarwood and two batches of Patchouli one in which we sold as a whole slab. Our next batch will be a turmeric bar. 

My friend gave me serval plants to add to my collection. Catus, a rubber tree, mother-in-law plants and several others. Come cooler weather we will be putting many in the greenhouse since our house is so small. 

We are getting ready to start on our shedroom and I can't wait. That I will update on another day.

We lost my sweet lab Trillian last month and we planted a lilac bush over her grave so we won't forget her when the wind blows when the bush blooms.

spring is near

 

Spring is Near

     We have made it through our very first year of winter here in Jesup. Thank goodness it was a mild one. I did lose a few of my plants during a few of the nights it got down into the twenties even being under a roof didn’t keep them safe. All my citrus trees are thriving and so are all my mulberry trees.

     Fencing is up and ow our dogs can safely stay in our yard. We lost two of them early on. They took off and we could not find them. I sure hope they found a good home and not the alternative. We almost lost another one as she must have had a miscarriage and we didn’t even know she was pregnant. She lost so much weight and I had to hand feed her for a few weeks. Finally, she pulled out of it and has put back the weight, but she has turned against her sister and that possess a whole other problem, now we must keep them separated. One is in our bedroom at night and the other is in the cabin.one goes in the crate when the there comes in the cabin and they can’t be let out together.

     I have planted a few plants already for the garden; tomatoes and squash. I had some seeds to start from what I saved last year which was not much. I put in a sidewalk to the front gate, and we put led lights and timer lights out on the deck and corners of the house. I even put in a firepit. We added steps to the bedroom and I cemented a small pad at the bottom of them  to avoid a mud hole. The azaleas are starting to bloom and there is a Japanese magnolia in the yard and a few stray hyacinths here and there. I cut down the lantana at the mailbox it was way too leggy and big. I paid for that too as the thorny stems got me good. We removed a few trees along the driveway so we could park more vehicles in a row and not back into any behind.

     Sunsets and moon shots have been one of my favorite things these days. I take great pictures to share with family and friends. Bird watching has become another favorite pastime Just this morning I seen a pair of hawks mating. woodpeckers, owls, ducks, and geese have resided here as well. I see egrets and red winged blackbirds, finches and so much more. I saw my first rabbit the other night. There is so much wildlife here I just love it. The geese have been very vocal over the winter. They honk at all hours of the day and night and Sometimes they wake me in the middle of the night they are so loud. The squirrels have a gay time playing in the woods too. I love to watch them chase each other up and down the trees and all around. Oh, and I can’t forget my lizards they are everywhere I even have one that lives in my living room. I keep water out for him. He has been let out but he keeps coming back.

     There is always something to do here. yesterday we went fishing and who cares whether we caught anything or not. Life is good being retired.

 

 

New Beginnings

    

New Beginnings

 

As we have gone through these last few years, we have had many changes unfold. One I quit my para-pro.  position at the school in November of 2019 just before the pandemic really hit. Both my husband and I were some of the first to get sick and we may not have gotten hit hard, but we were both sick for a month and more for me.  My hubby had a heart attack and had 4 stints put in.  I thought for sure things couldn’t get worse. But then my husband lost his dad shortly thereafter. I was struggling to keep up with all the animals and not doing a great job of it because my lungs were shot. We had pigs, chickens, guineas, goats, and ducks that needed to be fed. 

We were preparing to get things together and were going to start back fixing up the house on the hill. But with his dad's death we were blessed to change that in so many ways. We started looking for a new place to move. The house on the hill just was not worth fighting for, with the mold and everything else that was going on. We couldn't do anything right off hand as so many things had to fall into place. Patiently waiting we kept up with all the farm duties. I lost my goats to predators, and we were trying to decide whether to keep the pigs. We had tried to find someone interested in buying them over several months but no takers. We bid on a house that we could have taken the pigs with us, but it fell through, so we were back to the drawing board.

          In June of this year, we finally got the funds up to pay out right on a house and things started to move very fast for us. We gave all the guineas, chickens, and duck to one of my husband’s friends. That just left the pigs. We had a few people who wanted but never came to get them. We found the house we couldn't say no to. It meant downsizing a bunch. We found a cabin on Goose Creek 4 hours away farther south. It was 390 square feet with a huge deck and closed in porch on Goose Creek. When my hubby said he wanted it I thought he was crazy. We would kill each other! We called the realtor and said we would take it and that very next day we drove down and checked it out. Wow it was prefect too. I was sold after that. I didn't want to leave. The town was small enough for me too. Our son came to check it out and he was ready for the move too. He saw fishing and that was all it took.

 We went back to the house on the hill and started packing. We were supposed to close early but the owners had a lien on the house they wanted to come off before the closing, so we had to wait till the first part of August and past our anniversary. We were supposed to close at the end of the month. We took another trip down to come for the inspection. We took our 2 granddaughters with us. They loved it. We took 3 of out 5 dogs with us too. The girls fished off the deck and I took in the sights of our front yard. We talked the owners into renting it to us till closing time. We stayed for a week. The last part of the week, my hubby got a text from someone saying we were being evicted from the old house.  So, we came back a day early to see what was going on. A court date was set now we were in a crunch time situation. We made several trips down to the new house. I drove down with my one granddaughter 3 of the dogs, 2 cats and our birds the first trip. That meant I stayed at the new house while my hubby went back and forth with our brother we adopted. Our son came to help from Savannah and hung out to fish also. We decided to have a shed delivered to add more living space to the house. It arrived before we came down. They couldn’t move it to where we wanted it. Then we had a couple of freight containers ordered for more space.

July can and went and we were still moving. The freight containers came while my hubby was gone. We are using one for a tool shop for my hubby and the other for my arts  and craft, a place to build doll houses. 

Court came too. Nothing happened though because they tried to change owners in between time, and no one paid of the liens on the housed on the hill which was a huge number. The case was thrown out. That gave us some more time to move. We finally found someone who wanted the pigs.  Our other 2 dogs and cats made it down also. Our friend that was taking care of them was so glad for that. The time was getting down to the wire and I was counting down the days to closing. Then it was postponed a few more days. I was getting worried them. My daughter came down to pick up my granddaughter and wanted to know where the rest of the house was. She loved it though because she knew we had to move or die in that other house. The mold had gotten worse and so did other things. My hubby came home for a week, and we celebrated our 31st anniversary together.  I didn’t want him to go back but he had his VW Bug to bring back.

 In the meantime, we had a few hurricanes. We found out the property was sold up there. (Wow she, daughter of the original owner was going to get her money somehow.) She was quit claimed the property, yet never paid the liens on it.  The man that was buying said take your time. But even he decided to not buy the place. The “new owner” started to come up and take things she didn’t own. Our tractor, the dog pens, tire, and rims that belongs on the trailer, a car and anything that was metal to sell. She is a drug user and I guess things were getting rough money wise. Someone even took the tile we were going to use for the bathroom. She even pulled up the electrical wire in the yard.

I had plants to have someone get for me.  my daughter got what she could. I told everyone to forget anything else we might have wanted and get out of there. What was left we can do without.

          We had been sleeping on a sofa bed for a while and it was time for my back to have real sleep again, so we moved out many of the boxes from the shed and put up the bed. Oh yeah!  A great night sleep again.  Since then, we have added steps to the shed and added a closet.

 Things are getting better. My daughter came down once more and so did my other son and family. She brought several of my plants too. Everyone loves the place. My hubby brought the rest of the plants his last trip up. I have planted many of my plants to their permanent homes.

I even painted some new signs for the house. Finding room for everything is a chore but things are coming together. Everything is paid for in full and we are happy that we have no more mold or leaky roofs.  We have wonderful neighbors too. We got replacement deck board given to us by one and another is giving us his too. That neighbor will help get the freight containers moved for the new garage and house space. We need to cut down a few more trees and put in some concrete but that will be another day. For now, we will take a day at a time to get the place together. Soon I will get my green house up and plants started. The farm may be gone as far as animals, but I want to have a greenhouse business But that will be another day too.

 

 

Entertaining the kids during the Corona Break

Corona Break for Kids

     By the time we all get through this quarantine period and state of emergency we all may be quite crazy so I thought I would make a list of things more for you to do with the kids to make it fun.

     I know every kid loves slime right so here is a recipe for slime the kids will truly love and they can eat it!

1 cup Gummy bears

3 Tablespoons Corn flour

food coloring (optional)

4 tablespoons icing sugar

2-3 Tablespoons icing sugar (extra for your hands)

Place the gummy bears into a bowl with the corn flour and microwave for 30 seconds then stir, microwave for another 30 seconds, stir and then put it in for another minute until you see it bubble right up. Stir in food coloring and LEAVE TO COOL (caution sugar gets very hot).

Knead in the icing sugar

This gummy bear slime is super stretchy and really fun to play with but a little sticky, you will need to use some extra icing sugar on your hands to stop it sticking to your fingers. Recipe by Ann Reardon

     How about making a chalk board for the kitchen. All you need is any color of acrylic paint and some Plaster of Paris and a bit of water and a board of any size.

Mix just small amounts because it dries fast.

2 Tablespoons of Plaster of Paris

1 Tablespoon of water

 Mix well

Add 3 Tablespoons of paint and mix well.

You will need to paint at least three coats to cover the board. Let dry a few hours.

To make the chalk work well on the board lightly coat the painted board with chalk then wipe with a clean wet cloth. Now your kids will have a blast playing school right at home. (What’supmom.com)

     How about make a batch of caramel popcorn and watch kid’s choice movie together. Or you can make my favorite chocolate popcorn. This is an easy recipe just make a batch of chocolate fudge and pour it over the popcorn and stir well.

     Have a drawing contest. See how well you can draw a picture without picking up you pencil. This will gets some giggles I am sure.

     Have the kids plant an herb garden using a few cans or start a small garden in the backyard. Use the chalk paint to label your herb cans.

     Make a crescent pizza ring for a change from traditional.

Unroll your rolls and place them in a circle with the points on the outer edge of a cookie sheet. Spread your favorite pizza sauce over the crescent rolls and add your choice of pizza treats, then take the thin ends and tuck it over the top of all the filling. Brush over with garlic butter and bake. You can do the same thing to make tacos. Just turns it into a circle of fun.

     Paint rocks then place them in your garden or give them as gifts.

     If you are worried about kids falling behind in class you can use the Khan Academy program to improve on their weaknesses. khan academy

     How about star gazing. Can you show your kids where they can find certain star clusters it may be a treat for them that they will learn more about as time goes by? Check out my blog on stars from earlier this month for more information. 

     Make a kaleidoscope here is a cool video link to make your own. kaleidoscope with no mirrors The kids will have hours of fun watching the color patterns.

     Make a doll house out of found things around the house.

     Go out and see if you can do cartwheels with the kids if you are brave enough. I can still do them lol. Play kick ball. Play catch.

     Well I hope this will get you started. I know I will be doing a lot of these things with my g kid. Stay healthy have fun and enjoy family activities together. Keep them hands washed.

Quote of the day:

“ The desire to create is one of the deepest yearnings of the human soul.” Dieter F. Uchtdorf

Scripture of the day:

Matt 7: 11 Therefore, if you, although being wicked, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more so will your Father who is in the heavens give good things to those asking him!

Stop the Chaos and Panic

Stop the Chaos and Panic

     Sitting here wondering how many people will be affected by this virus they call Corona. As we have all been told we are under a state of emergency and schools have closed along with sports programs and many other things. I dearly believe that we need to take the time to think about others and not ourselves for a change. I know that panic has set in all over the world and what does that really get us, nothing.

Help out the less fortunate

     I have made a point here to check on those who are less fortunate or the elderly to see if they have what they need in order not to have to go out and be exposed. I reached out to my family members to make sure they are safe. With all our children out of school and many places shutdown it will be a chaotic time for many especially those who have young children are home while some still have to work.

     Now is the time for parents to take stock of what their kids are doing and having to deal with in school, even sit down and tell them what is going on and let them know that you are there to protect them and reassure them that things will get better. Spend some time playing games or putting puzzles together with one another. Read a book together or even bake with them. If you can take a walk together and look at all the beautiful trees and other things that are starting to take on new life. Maybe you can take pictures of the buds on the trees and compare them with others.  Teach you kids a new card game. There are all sorts of things we can do to entertain ourselves. We all need to keep calm and hope for the best through these hard times. When was the last time you sat down and colored? That is my daily thing. I bet there is a recipe you are wanting to try out, well now is the time.

     We cannot let this virus scare us into something that could be worse. We have to use our minds for more positive things. Panic can only end badly. So connect with your families have a great meal enjoy one another’s company. Now that it is nicer outside for most of us you could go out and have a fire in the pit and share stories, roast wieners and marshmallows, or go fishing. It is a great time to reconnect with nature and with our Grand Creator. I bet so many have little faith in that, these days but just remember that God is on our side and Satan is the one controlling the earth. He proved that when he told Jesus he could give him all the kingdoms of the earth if he just bow down to him.  Matt 4:8 Again the Devil took him along to an unusually high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory.  

     Be thankful for what you have and enjoy some time off if you can. Remember too that hand washing helps keep the virus down and that is a great thing to teach your kids to do too. It only takes 20 seconds. I am spending time with my g kid and we could get into trouble together!

     Quote of the day:

“Cleanliness is next to godliness.” unknown

 Scripture of the day:

Titus 1:15 All things are clean to clean people; but to those who are defiled and faithless, nothing is clean, for both their minds and their consciences are defiled.

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.

March Planting and Cold Frames

March Planting and Cold Frames

Have you started planting things yet for your garden this spring? It is coming fast this year and one of the earlier springs we have had recently. Here are a few things you can do before planting time. Check your soil; do you need to amend it with anything? Depending on where you live you may want to have a few cold frames ready just in case your zones still may be experiencing frost. Or even a day of winds. Here is how to build a cold frame.

Cold Frames made Simple

Things you will need:

• Jig saw
• Drill
• Measure
• Pencil
•  Miter saw
• Straight edge
• 2-4 Hinges with screws
• Hook and latch with screws
• Box of screws 2 1/2 “
• Old window frame
•  2x4x8’ rot resistant planks depending on size of window
• 1-2x2x8 used for the corner braces

     Measure the window the long length to give length for front and back plank length. Measure and cut 3 planks to the size of the window. The third plank is for the back side to add height for drainage.

     Next Measure the short side of the window and this will be the length of each side of the cold frame. Cut 2 (1) for each side.

     Cut a 3^rd plank the same size and mark an angle from one corner to the opposite side to make a wedge using your straightedge. This is in order to let the rain run off of the window and give a more direct sunlight pattern on the plants. Each piece will be placed from back to front at a downward slope of the top side piece when screwed together on each side.

     Once that is done cut the corner pieces that will be used for bracing to the corners of the 2 back planks then add the side piece bottom plank first then add the top wedge piece to the top of that. The front corner braces can be measured and cut. And placed in each corner.

     Now that you have your box created you can now add the window to the top. Place the hinges on the top edge of the back side of the box then add the window to the top and screw the second part of the hinge. In the front edge of the window in the middle add the hook and the latch to the middle front part of your box. Your box is now ready to be placed in your garden area. To keep the box from touching the ground, a frame of brick to the bottom edges can be laid . Add your soil and you are ready to plant.

What to grow for your zone.

1-2 zones you being that you are in an area that the frost is not expected to end soon here are a few things you can grow.

•  Asparagus
• Celery
• Chives
•  Endive
• Leeks
• Radishes

Zone 3 – 4 these all can be started inside

• Onions
• Tomatoes
• Cauliflower
• Cabbage
• Brussel Sprouts
• Peppers
• Eggplant

Zone 5- For all the seeds started inside you can plant them in the garden by the end of the month of March or early April.  

• Potatoes 
• Peas
• Lettuce
• Radishes
•  Carrots

Zone 6 Roses, trees and shrubs can safely be planted outside. Plants that were started indoors can be transferred outside.

• Broccoli
• Cabbage
• Cauliflower

Zone 7

•  Carrots
•  Beets
•  Kohlrabi
• Lettuce
• Turnips
• Swiss Chard

Transplant

• Onions
• Shallots
• Broccoli
• Cabbage
• Cauliflower
• White Potatoes
• Collards
• Asparagus
• Chives
• Rosemary
• Thyme

Zone 8

• Spinach
• Turnips
• Mustards
• Beets
• Carrots
• Broccoli

Mid-month you can plant

•  Corn
• Tomatoes
• Squash
• Peppers
• Cucumbers

Zone 9 is basically the same as 8 but you can add

• Asian Greens
• Lettuce
• Parsley
• Cabbage
• Broccoli
• Spinach

Zone 10 All of the above and can be add

• Okra
• Sweet Potatoes
• Melons

     Use those cold frames for indoor plants that have been transferred outside or start seeds recommended for your zone. This will protect them just in case there is a sudden drop in temperatures. I hope this helps you get started on your garden.

     Quote of the day:

“God Almighty first planted a garden. And indeed, it is the purest of human pleasures.” Francis Bacon

     Scripture of the day:

Ps. 119:2 Happy are those who observe his reminders, who search for him with all their heart. 3 They practice no unrighteousness; they walk in his ways.