I did some light shopping this last Sunday after church at the Super Wal-Mart.  We weren't in the store long, but while there, I noticed several people that I just wanted to toss on the ground and tickle till they laughed and couldn't breath.  LOL  I mean there were people in that store that look at you while pushing their cart and if looks could kill, I would have been 6 feet under!!!  ONe old lady had the most sour persimmon, or maybe lemon face on.  She looked at everyone with her nose wrinkled and her brow wrinkled and an awful look on her face and "Do not even try to make me smile" was virtually written across her forehead.  After passing her and making sure no one was looking, I tried to make the face she was making, and it honestly HURT!!!  My forehead and brow hurt from making that face.  I can't imagine how badly her face must hurt after hours and days, possibly months and years, after making that face continuously.

I try to be polite in crowded areas like this, and even if it is not my fault, will always say, oh excuse me ma'am, or excuse me sir when I walk past them, or have to swueeze up the aisle. But I get the stare down when I do.  As if, what the H#%& do you want lady???   When I am walking up an aisle and someone is in the middle of it, I will try to move over and wait until they are done to pass them, and I try not to take up a whole aisle while looking for my own purchases.  It is amazing how you can come up an aisle and all of a sudden, the woman who was so nicely helping her daughter pick out just the right kind of hairspray, will push her cart in the middle of the aisle blocking your passage, and not only that, but give you the look, as if to say, "I was here first!!!  You can just wait until we are good and ready to leave!!!!"   I see parents letting their children drive grocery carts like they are little racecars all over the aisles without supervision, and think, shouldn't you have to have a lisence to drive one of these?? LMSO  Shouldn't you be mature enough to handle all that power first, or possibly shouldn't the parents PAY ATTENTION TO THEIR CHILDREN AND DISCIPLINE THEM A LITTLE?????  I mean most parents just smile at you when their child almost side swipes you with a cart!!!!

Now when I first starting telling hubby this when we had finished our mini shopping spree and were headed home, he made a comment that older adults are treated so poorly by most, that maybe they think you are going to treat them with the same disrepect.  Then I told them, no no, these were not mature eldery people on medicare.  No no, I have fun visiting with them in the store.  They usually light up when they see Noah and he waves at them, and if I say hi to them they just beam and ask me all sorts of friendly questions about Noah and is he talking, how old is he, etc.  No, these were people between their 40-60 maybe.  These were people that are old enough to know better.  People who I am sure if their own parents were alive, would have repremanded for acting so selfishlessly and ignorant in public.

Let me also add that in my case, it is mostly the women who are treating me and acting like this.  I don't understand it.  Now, there have been a few men who have given the death glare, but most are nice and polite and say excuse me ma'am, or will move out of the way for you to come down an aisle when needed.  I think it is mostly gentlmanly politeness, and maybe it is simply because I am a woman, but I enjoy it, and I thoroughly expect my husband to be like that with other women!!!  He opens doors for me, but for other women as well.  If we were on a bus and there was no place for a woman to sit, he would stand up and let her sit while he stood next to me.  I want him to be polite and help a little lady out if she has dropped her groceries in the parking lot, and I have seen him do it before too!!

So tell me ladies, have any of you experienced this same thing??? 

Please make sure, at any age, that you are not one of these sour puss faced ladies!!!  Remember when you are out and about, that you are supposed to be showing them who you are, a Child of God.  Show them the love and respect, and unselfishness that God would want you to.  Even if you only see that person for 5 seconds, make sure you are polite and they remember your smile and kindness instead of your sourpuss face and rudeness!!!

In fact, even when I am in line at the store, I make sure to speak politely to the check out guy or girl.  I have watched while standing in line how rude customers can be.  Crossing their arms and huffing and puffing and complaining about how long of a wait they have, and whispering loud enough I can hear, so I know the check out gal hears them as well, about how slow she is.  I started thinking one day about how they must get that all day long!!!  Or the people who just see them as "woking class" and don't think they have it in them to speak to someone who is "beneath" them on the ladder of success.  Yeah, I have seen this many times in line as well.  You can tell they want to hurry up and get out of there and hopes no one talks to them before they do.    I have found out that I get better service where I shop or eat when I speak to the check out lady or the waitress.  If I see a name tag, I will call her by name and say, sorry you got stuck with me in your line today, I have 2 carts worth of groceries!!!  LOL  (We shop monthly)  And that usually breaks the ice, and she will repond with no problem, its my job or something.  I will ask her when she gets off work and what she plans on doing after work.  This usually gives me a little information about her, whether she is going home to fix dinner for hubby and the kids, or whether she is going home to do homework, etc.  I just keep light conversation while she is checking me out, and I always try to say thanks for taking care of my groceries for me, and tell her to have a nice day before going.  I always leave her with a smile, and even the most sullen faced, tired, aggrivated check out gal, or waitress will return my smile by the time I leave.

So, my other question is, do you converse with people at the store, or the resturant??? Or do you treat them like workers, and that this job is theirs to do??  Oh how I hope you all are the first!!!  Remember these servers and clerks are people too!!!  They work hard for the money to take home.  They leave their family and friends to work and deliver your food and sack yoru groceries!!!  Don't treat them like you have absolutely no appreciation for what they do.

Just think about it next time you go into a resturant to eat our, or the next time you go into a store, whether it be a large chain store, or a small mom and pop store, to be personable.

are a fond childhood memory!  Today hubby had a Dr. appointment so we were off to Topeka for most of the day.  I went to Goodwill while he was at the Dr. office, more on that in a minute, we then ate a very late lunch and went to the grocery store.  In passing the candy isle I noticed right on the end a bag of chocolate stars.  I mentioned to hubby when I caught up with him that I saw them and hadn't seen them for a long time and didn't even know if they still made them.  Ok, we stop at another little store on the way home to check out any specials they might have and you guessed it, I saw another bag of chocolate stars...............I really am not looking for chocolate stars, honestly.  I said, "there are chocolate stars again".  Next thing I know hubby has grabbed a bag and we are on our way to the check out.  (Not too fast, I ran into an old friend and we had a nice little chat.)  So on the way home we snack on......Chocolate Stars!!  Now, for the meaning behind this story.  When I was little and my folks and I would go to Emporia shopping Mom would buy chocolate stars and we would eat some on the way home.  My Daddy really enjoyed them.  So they brought back a very fond memory for me. 

Well, I had a great Goodwill shopping trip.  I found 6 pair of slacks in various colors that fit me!  I tried on a couple more that didn't fit perfectly so put them back.  Most times I would be happy enough with the way they fit and made do.  I couldn't believe what was available today.  Also got 2 knit tops and a pretty little soap dispenser for the bathroom for 68 cents. 

The phone rang this morning with the news that our chicks were at the post office.  We had plenty of time to get them settled in before having to leave.  They seemed pretty happy when we got home, had only lost one.

I was very thankful that they did not come yesterday as the weather was COLD!   It was 52 when I got up and never got above 57 all day!   Today started out pretty chilly, but this afternoon the sun came out and was really nice later.

That cool weather made for a nice day to work in the kitchen.  I made 6 batches of grape jam, it is yummy!  Got 6 peach pie fillings frozen.  And one ready to use tomorrow.  Also am working on 14 day sweet pickles this week.  I hope to get apples picked tomorrow.  However since we were running around today, I didn't get any baking done for Saturday's Market..........so tomorrow will be a busy day.  One good thing (I guess) is that we don't have produce to get ready now.  That really takes a lot of time to pick and wash.

Better get to bed as I need to get up and going fairly early in the morning.

Country Blessings,

Marilyn~at Heritage Hill Homestead

I am so sorry, but I could not resist!!!  LOL  The first thing I thought of when I saw this was, that would come in handy while 8-9 months pregnant!  LOL   Ok, I am not sorry!!!!  LOL  I think it is hilarious.

For anyone who sees this and might be offended:

Get over it!!!! LOL  Loosen up a little and have a great laugh once in a while.  And wipe that stern look off your face.  LMSO   I crack myself up!!!  I really do.

Hi everyone,  I woke up today to a sick dh.  He's been running a fever almost all day.  He told me after he ate breakfast it started.  He thinks it was the banana he added to his cereal.  Around lunch time I made him 2 cups of broth and gave him crackers.  He has problems with his sugar and he was feeling shakey.  He took his sugar and it was 95.  We're not sure why that was happening.  Does anyone else have this problem sometimes? 

After lunch I went to run off the 400 newsletters and stopped by AC Moore.  I bought beige yarn with dark red and dark green color.  I plan to knit some dishcloths.  I'll post a pic later when I'm done with the first one.  I really like what I see. 

I was supposed to go to a MADD meeting but decided to stay home with dh.  I worry that his sugar could go low when he's ill.  He went to bed early tonight.

I plan to knit more tonight and then see what I can do with my quilting.  I want to make a picture quilt but I"m not sure what color of fabric s I want to use.  As of now I'm watching McCain on tv. 

I'll post more tomorrow.  Hopefully I'll have my first dishcloth done.  Cya then.  Jeanne

Thank You Jesus For Everything!

This day is yours to experience. This life is yours to live. This world is a place in which you can act to make a positive, meaningful difference. This moment is one that's filled with possibilities.

It can often be difficult to make your way forward, and it is all too easy to lose sight of the unique and beautiful person you truly are. Take time to remember the best that is within you, and know that your authentic, miraculous life is stronger than any obstacle.

Choose to fill this day with your very own special expression of what it means to be alive. Right now is your opportunity to fulfill those yearnings that have always called to you.

You have the power to take any ordinary moment and put joy into it. Your happiness comes not from what you may seek to take away from life but from what you give, what you create, and what you share.

This is your moment to live with all the purpose and richness you can imagine. Realize that nothing is really holding you back, and make this the best day ever.

-- Ralph Marston

We limit ourselves I believe because we allow fear to control us, lets become childlike and then the sky is the limit cause you never knew what you can do until you try. Let's not look to others to make us happy~ we can do that ourselves just by looking within and finding the real us that has been hidden and then discovering the real I AM.

Living, laughing and learnin, rilda *U*

 Can ya guess what Seth and I did today?

         Yeppers-grocery shop! 

   We finished with our schooling day, and I had studied the sale papers, so off we went.  First Walmart, second Farm Fresh, third Food Lion and fourth Kroger.  I only spent $124 (rounded up), and I saved $26 (rounded up) in sale savings.  That was the main reason for me going shopping today.  Well, there is a storm, Hannah, that is supposed to drop a great deal of rain this Saturday, so I wanted to be prepared.  This shopping trip actually only took 3 hours to complete.  So, this afternoon went by quite fast.

   There isn't much to say about today, other than my collards are dying.  It is soooo..... hot.  Too hot for the leafy green veggie that I love.  So, I will be replanting as soon as it cools off.  I am not in the gardening mood, so the waiting for cooler weather sounds like a good excuse for me. 

   Supper was a left over event tonight.  I had tons of food, but I didn't want to cook any of it; I was really tired.  The refrigerator looks comfortable after losing the extra weight. . . oh, that sounded so corny!

   Anyway, that is it from the Beale Bungalow.  It is time for a shower and some shut eye!  Good night and God Bless!!

I made Elderberry jelly today and its the first time I made jelly that didn't come out. Now I've been told you can re-batch it but does that mean I have to add pectin again or what? I could use some help here..Thanks..

Brenda

Noah went right to bed last night, after the second time he threw up and I had to change him, and the bedding.  Bless his heart.  He is so good about it though.  LOL  He was confused as to where his favorite stuffies and pillows and blankies were but most were dry adn ready to go for his naptime today adn he was so happy about that.  I told him at naptime, we needed to go get Rusty and Cat, etc. out of the dryer, and as soon as I opened the dryer door (wish we could have hung them to dry, but it has been raining and chilly here for the last 4-5 days) he almost crawled in!  LOL  He found Rusty and cat immediately, and I found his taggie blankie (a present from my mom at Christmas before she died in March of the following year, so it is super special), and then buried under tons of other things was bunny.

So, no more sicknesses last night, and I feel fine, but we are still covering the household in prayers of good health.  It sounds silly to some that we pray for this, but it works!!!  Last year when Noah and I got the flu for the second time, Matthew pranced around the house praying and quoting scriptures and claiming health and wellness for himself.  I sked him if he wanted me to sleep on the couch so I didn't "breath" on him.  LOL  It is silly, but I didn't want him to get sick either!!!  He said no of course not.  Breath on me baby, my God is keeping my health for me even if you breath on me all night long.  He didn't get that flu either.  He used to get EVERY cold, sickness, runny nose, flu, etc. even if he was only with that person for 15 minutes.   Prayer works people.

So, today I went to the Health Department for my "official" weight check and blood pressure check (I go in weekly), and blood pressure was peachy, and the official numbers on weight loss is 15.  My unofficial amount at home is 18 and this is because..............I have to wear clothes when I go to the health department. LMSO  It is chilly here today so, I was bundled a little more than usuall.  I figure 2-3 pounds of that is clothing.  And then, upon leaving, I treated myself to a fish sandwich adn a small orange pop at McDonald's. LOL    Anyway, the other reason we were there is to get our vouchers for WIC for Noah.  He is underweight. and ai had to jump through a few hops, but Doc suggested I get him signed up with WIc adn they would pay for the Pediasure he wants him on.  So, I came home today with almost $100 of the 24 oz Pediasure bottles in every flavor they have for.....................FREE!!!!!!!!  I am so thankful for this too, because we simply don't have the money to spend over $100 on just drinks for Noah.  This high calorie drink should pack on some pounds hopefully.  And yes, we feed him lots of protein (he loves peanut butter), but he still isn't gaining.  So, we will see how this works for Noah in the next few months.

Noah and I are staying home tonight and Matthew is planning on stayin in town after work adn going straight to Bible Study and then come home.  Noah's schedule has been off today since he didn't get to be for real sleep until after 11pm last night, and since we both slept in late today as well.  So he is taking a late nap, and I will get him up in 1 hour instead of two.  Hopefully by this weekend, we can get him back on schedule.

Well, that's all for now.  I will check in on all of you soon!!

So I've been searching for plans for chicken coops.  In our search for a home here in NYS, I'm trying to keep in mind we'd like some land in the country to have chickens, goats, etc.  Sounds silly to those of you who know doug and I in real life, BUT we've always had this dream.

Thing is, he works in the city limits and finding a small homestead or a home on a small piece of land within our budget, has proved to nothing more than trying.

We won't let that get us down though.  If the good Lord wants us in the city limits, then we should plan accordingly.  Some cities allow chickens.  In fact, some allow chickens, just not the loud roosters within the city limits.

With that in mind, I've been looking for regular chicken coop plans AND small city type chicken runners that can move.  You can imagine my surprise when I found a site by OMLET that sells Eglu's.  Yup, IGLOOS for chickens are made from energy efficient polymers using modern construction techniques and at the end of its life it can be 100% recycled. 

Take a Look at their Brochure online in PDF

Above you'll see a guide to keeping chickens. The little girl is SO CUTE and the eglu is in the picture.  I just found the little girl to be so precious that I had to post this.

My one true concern with this is in the harsh Upstate NY winters, how the chickens would get on and not freeze to death.

This is where you avid homesteaders come in.  What do you think?  Have any ideas on what to do in the wintertimes?  Have any other ideas or plans?  How bout plans for bigger size coops if we do find a home with some land?

Let me know your experience and feel free to comment.

Blessings!

Rebekah

Dearest Readers,

What a glorious Autumn (almost) day here on Honey Hill Farm!  I have delighted in this day, its gentle rhythms soothing my soul.  A little laundry, time in the garden gathering the harvest, some sewing on my winter curtains ( I'll post that later) and, of course, time spent here with you dear friends.....

Earlier, I put up a few Autumn decorations...I am not nearly finished as I will be adding cornstalks and pumpkins from my garden as soon as they are ready.  But I just couldn't help myself....so take a look around, won't you?

This adorable flag is one of my favorites! 

It is easy to add a bit of Autumn almost anywhere...

Even a favorite chair sports a touch of Autumn!

I saw the idea for the "bunting" while watching HGTV....how easy and inexpensively you can celebrate.  This is 4 yards of fabric, just gathered....no sewing!  You can wash it at the end of the season and pack it away for next year.

Instead of putting my porch cushions away for the season, I cover them with vinyl tablecloths.   The cushions stay dry and I can change them for each season or holiday.  I found the cute "harvest" tablecloth for $4.00 at the discount store. Besides, we have so many beautiful sunny days here in Colorado, you might find yourself sitting out on the porch in the middle of January, just soaking up a glorious afternoon!

I hope you are having a blessed day and enjoying all the beauty that this season has to offer!

Yours ever so kindredly,

Shan

P.S. Thank you for all the kind comments about my youngest heading off to college.  You are all so dear, you bless me with your friendship.