The Funny Farm

My  finger is really sore as one of our rabbits bit it this morning!  I didn't know rabbits would bite?  Well they do.  I guess the poor girl was hungry, I was filling her feeder when she decided to latch onto my little pinky.  It makes it hard to type........so this will be short.

The insurance adjuster came this morning.  The building that burned was not listed on the policy, so not covered, which we pretty much knew.  Only the garage and 2 open sided sheds were listed.  The other little buildings (misc. chicken houses and such) are really not worth enough to insure.  Until this happens, then you wish they were!  But the garage siding will have to be replaced and he said he would include the shingles on that side also. 

So, since we felt that we should wait until he came to start clean up, we did get a little done on that this afternoon.  We picked up all of the tin, which made a huge difference in the looks of things.  The roof was tin and also the sides were lined with tin inside the building, so quite a bit of tin was laying around.

No baking today, a little laundry, chores and just everyday things other than that.  Hubby has been promoted to dish washer for a few days!

Country Blessings,

Marilyn~at Heritage Hill Homestead

Where, oh where, did she go??  Was she accidentally locked away in a neighbor's shed? .....Trapped in someone's garage? ...Or...maybe even holed up and hiding out in the barn on the hill, awaiting the departure of the two little weiner dogs who were visiting us?  Only Mac, herself, knows for sure...and she's not talking (...not a word, other than repeatedly telling me her name..."Maaac - mmmaaac").  All I know is that after four days, her mommy was happy to see her once more! 

Welcome home little prodigal.

 I thought I'd share with you a raw draft of Shaun Groves new song.  Enjoy!

Well, I have SO many people to thank today and so much to be grateful for!

My day started off today with getting the kids up and off to school.  I'm not as good at getting up early since the Christmas break - I think we lost the routine big-time!  Hopefully it will get easier!!

This morning I received a package from Ellie, who lives CLEAR ACROSS CANADA in Nova Scotia.  She e-mailed me on Sunday, when I was having a down day, to encourage me.  Well, today I received a beautiful card with a wonderful hand-written note of encouragement and a stack of scripture verses written on squares of beautiful coloured card stock!  Now, how wonderful is that?  How encouraging is that?  She even sent it by express so that it would reach me in my time of need!!!  SO thoughtful!!  Ellie, you are just WAY too kind for words!  Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!  You are a doll!

I am also thankful for being reunited with my dear older sister yesterday.  We had a falling-out a couple of years back, and let's just say I'm WAY stubborn.  Anyways, we saw each other yesterday and she has forgiven me and we are moving ahead to the future.  A blessing for sure.  My sister is also VERY knowledgeable regarding nutritional info - has done tons of research over the years - and is helping me to get on track with my required supplements to help build my immune system for my upcoming surgery and subsequent treatment(s).  She is also going to be there for my surgery next Wednesday. 

I have also received several encouraging e-mails today from a lot of different people - some I know well, some I don't.  Thank you ALL (you know who you are!) for taking the time from your busy days and lives.  It is appreciated more than you'll know, and is so uplifting to know that people care enough to write a note to me.

My dear friend, Connie, also called me today.  We haven't seen each other a whole lot lately.  I think I've been too self-absorbed or whatever, and well, Connie has SIX children - need I say more???    She encouraged me, as she always does, and told me of her plans to help out after my surgery - what a blessing she is to me!!  We are having coffee tomorrow morning at Tim's, so I'm really looking forward to that!

I also was able to help to reunite a little lost bird with her owner in Vancouver.  The owner called me this morning to see if I could post her little Parrotlet on www.911ParrotAlert.com as lost.  I volunteer with this organization - check out the website.  Companion birds are NOT equipped to be out in the wild - especially in this weather.  Anyways, I told the owner to go outside and just call her bird repeatedly over and over.  You can't care about what you look like or sound like,  or what the neighbours think of you when your bird is lost.  Well, the lady called me back a couple of hours later and told me that it WORKED!  The little bird was in a big tree, and finally flew down to her after she had been calling and calling and calling the bird.  Halleluia!  Not often we see reunited birds and owners.  A lot of people give up, or birds get run off by larger birds or caught by birds of prey.  So, on this dull, rainy day here on the Canadian West coast, there was a ray of sunshine with a little bird who was lost briefly and then reunited with her owner!  I'm glad that my suggestion worked - so often we suggest many, many things and there is no luck.  Each case is different.  Thankfully this one turned out well!  Here is a little Parrotlet similar to the little one who was lost & found today!  Cute, huh!???

And so, AGAIN, I have LOTS to be thankful for today!  In fact, not just TODAY, but EVERY day!

I'm still very nervous about the upcoming surgery - it's next Wednesday - now 6 days away!  YIKES!  I know that God is with me and is always there with me, but I WILL be glad when I'm home recovering and the surgery is OVER!  I still need all your prayers and they are so appreciated!  So much is hinging on the outcome of the pathology from the surgery - stage of cancer, extent of spread, treatment options, etc. etc.

On a final note, I did speak with DH regarding needing more support.  I think I'm just ultra-emotional right now and everything is affecting me ten-fold!  DH DOES love me, and DOES care.  He just doesn't  show it always and with my emotions being what they are right now - well, let's just say that I feel MUCH better.  If I need a hug, I have to realize that I have to ask for one or just grab one for myself!!  I'm just ultra-sensitive and needy right now, for obvious reasons.  I feel like I'm losing my mind, but I think it's pretty normal to be so out-of-whack when you've had a cancer diagnosis.  It's true what they say - that the waiting is the hardest part - INDEED it is! 

And so, I'm am blessed to have had such a good day!  Many, many things to be thankful for in my life.  I also have my family here and all of our critters, who are so therapeutic for me!

Oh, and another blessing is that the RAIN is washing the SNOW away!  YIPPEE!  I don't mind snow, but not in the quantities that we've seen it in the last 3 weeks - YUCK!  Unfortunately, the heavy rains are causing flooding in many regions, so that is very sad. 

Blessings to all!    Thank you AGAIN for ALL of your encouraging notes!!!!! 

~ Audrey ~

This is the skirt I made for my daughter out of an old pair of my husbands jeans. It was super easy. It took maybe an hour from start to finish.

I cut the legs off the jeans & cut the heavy seam from the legs & the cuffs. Then I took those  pieces & sewed them together. I made a casing at the waist & added elastic & then hemmed it. I added the lace trim & voila! it was finished. She loves it by the way .

Nothing fancy but a nice play skirt & since it was completely FREE you have to love it. I am thinking about adding some back pockets just for fun but not sure yet....

And, just for fun, here is her goofy little brother getting in on the action...

Blessings.

I have to admit i have not been this wiped out in a long time. This cold has knocked me on my butt..... I went to bed yesturday afternoon around 1 and only got up enough to go to the bathroom and get a drink of water. I have done this all day yesturday, last night and today.. I am still wiped... I cant talk, my throat is hurting, my chest hurts, my head hurts.. YOu name it i just feel alround bad.... I know that it was a blessing that this showed it head before surgery.. I sure did not need this to happen after surgery or while i was in the hospital. i am sure that it would have only hurt my recovery time. So if i can say anything I can thank God that he allowed the cold to come out before i went to the hospital.

Today has been a day. You know what no matter how much you think you are ready for your divorce papers to come into the mail and no matter how much you know that what has taken place is the only thing that could have taken place.. Still when you get those papers you hold them in your hands and feel like a failure.... I mean there is no other words that can fill how i have felt today.... A failure.... I mean I knew the papers were in, I knew that i was divorced, I knew that the judge had signed them and  to be honest i also know that me and the children are better off now.. But to hold that stack of papers that round out the last 20 years of your life in your hand and it is so cold and so uncaring... That stinks....

have a blessed day all

glenda

I’m getting lots done around here.

I made some diaper rash ointment for the boys yesterday in my baby crock-pot. I don’t remember who gave it to us when we married, but it’s the perfect size for my herbs and salves and tinctures. The four of us have pretty much out-grown it, though, and it never EVER was big enough to hold a whole roast. Back in my more primitive days, I once sawed a roast in half to wedge it in there.

That’s okay, though. In a step of faith that our family size will one day be worthy, I now own a 22-quart roaster. Did you know these work as mini ovens? You can even make bread in them. And they can also serve as a really large crock-pot for big families? One of these days, I’ll have three teenagers (or possibly even more!!!), Lord willing, and I have a feeling that the capability of making three gallons of chili at a time might come in handy! lol

I’m getting so much de-cluttered that it’s wonderful! I might actually get to some deep cleaning soon. Or even surface cleaning. I don’t like clutter, so cleaning is what gets pushed to the back burner around here. Who cares what the mirrors look like if I can’t walk for toys?

When I first came off of bedrest, it really seemed to stress my body to “do stuff”. Several times I had contractions 5 minutes apart for hours. At this point, things have calmed down to the point that “Hey, you want to work hard? Go for it!” and I might get them 15 minutes apart.

So, yes. It feels as if I could be pregnant forever. But, also, it’s lovely to get caught up and reign as Queen of My Own House again.

Last I knew, about a week ago, the baby was only a -3. I must carry my babies really high, or at least this one; because the little feet haven’t been under my ribs for a while now. It was kinda a neat feeling – and it was unique to this pregnancy. I miss it. I almost wonder if the baby is a -2 now, but I’m too nervous to hope. I go back to see my midwife tomorrow – I’m sure she thought I’d have this baby by now, but like I said, my body seems to have adjusted to the strain of going from comatose to active. It’s been the calmest week ever! *sigh*

Still, I trust God’s timing. And I’m willing to wait for it, really. That actually has something to do with why I’m due with another munchkin when my sweet Elijah just turned 15mo yesterday. His spacing, not mine. I do happen to think it’s delightful to be expecting a baby just when my last baby is suddenly becoming very Mommy-independent! Would I be as happy if I thought their spacing was just a fluke? Maybe, maybe not.

Of course, there are those that would say that he’s becoming independent because suddenly I’m not going to have the time for him like I used to; bosh! I’m with my babies 24/7. I do all the clothing, feeding, kissing boo-boo’s and wiping noses, singing, reading, counting, laughing, scolding, praising . . . they get a whole lot more of me than they would if I were working!

So, soon there will be three of them sharing me. Oh, the horror! But how many share one teacher in school? How many children share one day-care worker? Honestly, is a one-to-three ratio that dreadful?

Maybe it’s the close spacing that’s bad. Who can cope with three little ones pulling in different directions? But it’s closer to the spacing which is “ideal”, which is all the 5yo together, all the 6yo together, etc. It means they have very similar interests. Surely it’s somewhat easier to have one almost 3yo, one 15mo, and one newborn rather than 3 newborns, or three 15-month olds, or three 3yo?

Yes, no? These are just thoughts I ponder occasionally. Where do we get the idea that a young mother of three little ones is a stressed out mess (not to say I’m sometimes not) but that a child-care specialist with 8 of the same age is somehow more capable?

Here is an excellent blog that puts so much more into perspective than I can. From a mom of fourteen:

“. . . you may have gotten the impression that I think that having a large family has been the driving force in my life. This is so far from the truth.

The message, if any, that should be drawn from the testimony of who I am is this: She trusted God and surrendered, and it was good.”

Amen. That’s what it is all about . . . . it isn't about hitting a certain number of children. It's about letting go of my ideas and plans. Finding joy in God's design - surrender. Trust. Faith. Hope. The whole article is so good. You should really take the time to read it. I want to be like her when I grow up! *smile*

~Ashley~

As planned, Mr. Steady and I met with our Pastor yesterday evening.
As to be expected, my pastor was understandably surprised that I desire to step down from youth ministry.
When we presented him with our proposal of working less hours (which by the way was extremely difficult to come up with and instead of it being a 10 hour proposal it was a 12 hour proposal which was really a 14 hour proposal without 2 hours on--- extremely difficult for me to find a way to be productive and effective on 10 hours- impossible really to do what needs doing . . . .). He did not accept the proposal because he felt I was cheating myself because I would continue to work the hours anyway. He wanted to clarify to me that I am salaried and that means if it takes 5 hours or 10 hours or 30 hours to do what I do my pay remains the same. He asked that I stop worrying about the hours. He also wanted to ease my mind about the money- that the church is becoming more financially stable with the pay cuts already in affect and some other changes and there is no need for me to take less pay to do the same amount of work.
Mr. Steady explained that I can’t do the same amount of work and he and Pastor discussed what Pastor wants to see in the ministry and what I have been doing- which according to my pastor was above and beyond. He encouraged me to cut back and not worry. He also encouraged me that when others in the church give me flack that I should let it go and/or forward them to him- telling the person(s) “Pastor and I have discussed this and you can take it up with him.”
Pastor was hoping by alleviating some of the stress of hours and pay and other people’s expectations that I would “keep on keeping on” but Mr. Steady and I remained firm on the fact that God is calling me to step down. I shared that I have been feeling this nudge from the Lord for months but felt I needed more clarity from the Lord and He has now given that clarity to me.
I could tell from snippets and body language that my pastor is concerned with how they will replace me. I shared that I felt God would fill the position. It has to be God- not just because the church is so low on volunteers you couldn’t get someone to hold a door open or because the church really can’t financially afford to bring someone in (as they would definitely want more money than I am making)- it’s not about those seemingly insurmountable obstacles- it has to be God-led no matter what. I have to believe that God’s will will be done and am praying for him to send someone.
How the meeting ended: My pastor would not accept a formal resignation but acknowledged that I want to phase out of paid ministry by early May. We both want my last few months as youth ministries director to be joyful- that I would spend time teaching and enjoying the kids and with that in mind, He asked that this stay between us at this point and not involve the church board as he feels it will quickly leak out and do harm to the youth ministry during the transition. He stated that I did my part and it is now in his hands to see it through (which I take to mean finding a replacement?).
So this is a beginning to an end. I have to say that I still have questions and concerns about how the next few months will go and just how this is going to end but I am doing my best to set that aside and remind myself that God is in charge, not me. I’m not borrowing worry for the next 4 months, but want to do as directed- teach and enjoy.
Harder said than done for me.
Just one more thing that God wants to work in me is my guess.
And so- should you ask, “Do you feel relieved? A great weight lifted off of you?”
Umm.
Yes.
and No.
But God is God
And I’m more than okay with that.

One day last week I remembered that I had bought some heavy cream over the holidays for Moma's Favorite Cookie, which I am GOING to post the recipe for! REALLY! :)  Well, I thought with this much cream, it would be a good time to show the children how to make butter... well the easy way to make butter.
We pulled out the ole food processor.
Poured in all that cream and turned it on...
There were a few different stages that I told them we would see...
First of all we saw it just as a liquid, as it is as cream.
We would start seeing the cream slowly becoming thicker, until we had it at the whipped cream stage.
They all tried it at this point and sneered... sadly they thought it would taste like cool whip.  Pitiful, huh? I told them at the enormous amounts of 'stuff' added to cool whip and this was so much better, and that we could add a little sweetner if we wanted whipped cream, but we want butter!
Keep it moving, keep it moving...
FINALLY!
BUTTER! :) HURRAH!
Please forgive the skunk stripes down my child's hair... our New Years Party got a bit crazy! :) haha
Mmm... this butter is good, Mom!
We even took the buttermilk and put it in a jar to use later and washed the curds with ice water to help get all the milk off so the butter would last longer.
Now a solid. How crazy are we? Doing school when we are supposed to be on holiday? haha... so is the life of a homeschooler.
I hope you have a great day friends.
From My Homestead to Yours,
~Chas~
Chasity L. Burrell
Heritage Acres Farm