Courtney is all ready to go I think.  She has enough clothes to start, but she will need more jeans once the weather is colder and she can't wear shorts and capris anymore.  She has all of her supplies too I think.  Unless once she starts she needs something special for certain classes.  She is taking band this year.. so she is really excited to meet the band director and officially decide what instrument she wants to play.  She said she is leaning toward the flute.  I figure with that and her piano, she should be set pretty well.  I kind of wanted her to learn a string instrument as well, but she may pick that up on her own later. =)  I hope so.

I am going to take Courtney over to the school tomorrow, if it is open, so she can put some stuff in her locker.  Her first year with a locker. =)  I got her some magnetic organizers to put inside it.. and a mirror.  And we also got some stuff to decorate the front of it.  The football players and cheer leaders decorate their lockers with helmets and megaphones, respectively, out of construction paper.  So that should be fun. =)  Maybe I will take a couple pictures of the finished product and post them so you all can see. 

Well the fair is coming up and we have made a major decision.  We have decided we aren't going this year. =(  Sadly, there are just too many things that came up, not in our favor, this year.  Firstly, our truck is broke down and is sitting in Zanesville right now.  Even once my husband gets it running again, it is still unable to pull the horse trailer due to the spring shackles being broken.  So that will also have to be repaired before it can haul any weight.  We have been struggling terribly financially ever since my husband had to have three months off to have his back surgery.  We are still trying to pull ourselves back above water so to speak.  We are getting there, but it is slow going.  Not to mention the money we would need for the fair itself.  Darcie would need to get her shots, and since the shot clinic was canceled, we would have to pay a farm call for a vet to come here to come and do the shots.. this round of shots are required to be given by a vet.  Hubby and I would have had to buy week passes, $20 each, we would have had the camper registration, $75 and we would have had to stock the camper with food/etc for the week.  Plus whatever money we would spend at the actual fair.  We usually do a good bit of eating at the fair.. and it is so expensive.  So, once we actually decided it would be best if we didn't go, it was a huge weight off my shoulders.  Courtney was a bit disappointed at first, but once it sunk in, she said she was kind of relieved as well.  Which made me feel a whole lot better.  I hate having to disappoint her.  But she really hasn't put much effort forth this year where the horses are concerned.  So maybe next year if she decides she wants to do it again, she will be a bit more motivated.

We did finally find out who hit my husband's bike that night in town.  It turns out it was a police officer and he was at the class reunion that night.  He is being very cooperative and an insurance adjuster is supposed to come out Wednesday to look at the bike.  My husband has two estimates to show him.  Plus he needs to get ahold of my brother for a receipt for the custom paint job that is on the bike.  My husband is really hoping the insurance will cover the paint or at least part of the cost of it.  But I don't know.. I guess we shall see Weds.

Kaitlyn and Haley are here. =)  Kaitlyn came out last night.. Haley spent the night with her grandparents.. and we went to a cookout at Jenny's mom's.  They were having a get together for their youth group from church and she invited me along.  We went to get Haley today and then went to Jenny's for dinner.. lol  I am getting spoiled, not having to cook.  Tomorrow we will be back to normal though.   I am not sure what I am going to have for dinner.. I guess I will leave it up to Kaitlyn.  She doesn't get many home cooked meals.  She doesn't do much cooking at home since it is just her.  Whenever Dusty is home, they go to his mom's.. which Kaitlyn isn't crazy about.  I told her that she needs to start cooking at home and expecting Dusty to be THERE, not at his mother's.  It is one thing to spend ONE night there for dinner, but they really need to break away from her some I think.

Our new little kitten is so sweet!! I just love him.  He is having a bit of an issue right now though...  He has a hole in his right cheek.  And it is all swollen around it.  I don't know if he might have had an abscess or if he might have gotten bitten by a spider or something.  I suppose I am going to have to take him to the vet.  And the little booger is still getting outside and I have no idea how.  I want to put claw caps on him, but I hate to do it until he stops getting out. 

Well, that about does it for tonight I think.  I have written alot, because I haven't posted for a while.  I need to do better about that.  I will try.

• 0 Comments • Post a Comment • Permanent Link

Happy Birthday to my sweet girl Courtney!!  She is 12 years old today.. well actually the 13th, but I am just now getting around to this. lol  We had a very nice day. We went to her grandparent's in Wooster and had a party.  She had been there since Saturday.  She got lots of fun gifts.  I bought her an MP3 player since her iPod is messed up.  I still plan on sending it back to get it replaced, but it is going to cost me twice as much to do that as what I paid for the new MP3 player.  I am currently converting all her songs on iTunes to MP3 files so I can add them to her play list.  Sheesh, technology these days. lol  She has 72 songs on her iTunes play list.. so it is taking a while.

Courtney got alot of clothes from grandma and grandpa.  They always help with school clothes and shoes.  She got a new pair of really cute Nikes.  Last year they got her Sketchers and they just didn't hold up very well.  I feel they are more of a fashion shoe.. and she is super hard on shoes!!!  Must be a kid thing.

Now, we have alot of work to do.  Her bedroom is a MESS!!   Momma is NOT happy!!! She had been cleaning it, supposedly, before she left for her grandparents'.  But I saw it today and needless to say, I should not have taken her word on it.  Bleh.. I don't feel like dealing with it. But it must be done.

We are having a hard time with 4-H right now.  Our truck is broke down.. so we have no way to get to 4-H meetings with the horse. And Saturday night,  hubby went to a class reunion and was riding his motorcycle.. as he was leaving, he was standing out on the sidewalk and watched as a truck backed into it and knocked it over and drove away.  So we are down to one vehicle only.. my car.  The police aren't being very helpful with his bike either. =(  He ran down the street and got the plate number and borrowed someone's cell phone to call 911, but they are giving him a hard time. They won't give him the driver's information due to privacy laws, but we have to get ahold of him to let him know he was involved in an accident.  In my opinion, it should fall on the police department to notify the driver of the truck and his insurance company if the driver is uncooperative.  But that is just my opinion.  Humph!!  So anyway, back to 4-H, I emailed our adviser tonight and told him what is going on.. so I will wait to see what he says.  We are supposed to have a meeting Thursday night.  According to the rules of the club, each member must attend a minimum of so many meetings to be able to go to the fair.  I asked our adviser in the email if she had met that requirement yet.

I went and picked up my canner at Wal Mart the other day.  I opened it and looked through the whole booklet that came with it. I was hoping it would be the Ball Blue Book of Canning.. but it wasn't.  So I will have to buy that one I guess.. which is fine.  I don't think our Wal Mart has it though.. but the one in St. Clairsville does.   It seems to have a good bit more than ours does, which is kind of irritating.. not that it is any farther, but I am in Cambridge more often.. and St. C is in the opposite direction.  Oh well.. a good reason to hit the mall.  lol

Well my garden is pretty much done I think.  I am so disappointed.  I didn't even get enough tomatoes this year to keep me in sliced ones. =(  I think it is partly my fault though.  I don't think it got water consistently enough.  It was raining so much there in the beginning, I got used to it and then when it didn't rain for a day or two, I didn't water.. was waiting on more rain.  So now I know.  And something has been into my tomato plants.  It has to be deer, because the tops are chewed off of them.  But we have a dog not very far from the garden.. and she is the that will bark her silly head off at a ground hog.. so I can't imagine she is allowing deer to dine on my tomatoes.. but who knows I guess.. if she is sleeping and they are quiet it might happen. 

Oh I have a kitten.    A cute little silver/ gray tabby.  Kaitlyn called a week or so ago.. I can't remember exactly when.  She was crying and all upset.  She was at her grandparent's house and there was a little kitten outside playing in the driveway.. she called Dusty to ask if she could have it and he told her no.  Well, her grandpa Tom told her if she didn't take the cat, he was going to shoot it.  Now, you have to know my daughter, she is an extreme animal lover.. like her momma, and she was very distraught over the whole situation.  She called me to ask if she could bring the kitten out here until she had time to work on Dusty and maybe talk him into letting her keep him.  I didn't want to say yes or no.. as I have gotten myself into trouble with hubby many a time in the past over critters.. So I turned the phone over to hubby.  Knowing full well he wouldn't tell his sobbing daughter that she couldn't save the life of this poor little kitten.   So now we have Taz.. short for Tasmanian Devil.  And let me tell you, he is living up to his name.  I had forgotten what it was like to have a kitten in the house.  Crazy little booger.  The last kitten I had was Sassy, my Himalayan and she was so calm and laid back.. HA! Not Taz.. he rips and tears all over the place.. like he was born and raised here.  AND, he now has a new trick.. he is getting outside somehow.. and back IN!!  If we are outside, he shows up outside.. like today.. before we left for the party, he was outside and wouldn't let anyone catch him.. we get home, and where is he? Perched on the sink, pretty as you please.  I have no idea how in the world he is doing it.  We should have called him Houdini I am thinking.  =)

I am going to go for now.. it is late.. I was going to add pictures, but I am still trying to figure out the MP3 player. 

Blessings! 

• 3 Comments • Post a Comment • Permanent Link

Well my last entry was kind of down hearted.  I was feeling badly because of my garden doing poorly this year.  But thanks to a dear friend, I now realize, it is the Lord's will.  He knows my heart better than I do.  He knows how intimidated I was feeling about the whole canning thing.  I am so blessed.  If I would have had a booming garden, I would have felt alot of pressure to do alot of canning.. even though I am just starting out. =)  As it is now, my canner is in, and I can play with it all winter canning my home made soups and chili.  And whatever else I decide to try.  Granted, I will be using store bought ingredients, but that is ok.. for now.  Praise the Lord!

• 1 Comments • Post a Comment • Permanent Link

Yep, I got the email yesterday.  Good news right?  Well, I guess.  The bad news is my garden is hardly doing anything.  I don't know if it is the soil or not enough or too much rain or what..   I mean, I can still do my soups and stuff.. but so much for doing Salsa and pickles. =(  It is very disappointing.  But what can I do.. other than buy vegetables to make my stuff.. but that kind of defeats the purpose.  So I don't know.  I feel like everything I try to do ends up going awry.  So anyway, I still have to go pick it up from WalMart.  Will probably do that on Sunday.. I think Kaitlyn and I are going to go in town to do some shopping for Courtney's birthday.  I am not yet sure what I am getting her.  She has a little list made up for me. lol  I want to go to Fashion Bug.. I got a sale flyer today and they are having 65% off alot of things.. and I got a coupon for $10 off any purchase of $25.  I can ALWAYS find things for Courtney there. =)

Well, I guess that is about it for tonight.. I am not in a real chipper mood.. not sure why.  Tired maybe.  Kaitlyn and Haley were here last night.. Kaitlyn and I were up late and then Haley got us up kind of early.  I will probably go to bed and read a bit.

Blessings!!

• 2 Comments • Post a Comment • Permanent Link

Good evening!  I haven't written for what seems like a long time... but I guess it has only been a couple days.  Funny. 

First off I want to thank the two people that left comments on my pickle canning question.  Apparently it is best to do a water bath canning for pickles.. so that is what I would do.. however.. my pickling cucumbers are turning out very weird. They look like little toy tops.  Big around at the top and then just a little bitty pointy tip.   And I only have 3 of them.. at least that I saw on about 6-9 plants.  I have some tiny baby ones starting.. but they are only about the size of half a AA battery.  So I figure doing pickles is going to be out.  Unless I can find some pickling cucumbers to buy somewhere.  Any ideas?

Our pool is doing great! It is so nice and clear now.  Courtney has been in it every day.  Go figure.  I even got in it the other night.  I had been working outside doing some mowing and weed eating and I was all hot and sweaty and had grass stuck all over my legs..  I was taking a break and walked over by the pool and put my arm in the water.  It was sooo warm.. mainly because it was late, almost dark and getting cooler outside.  So I thought ya know, I bought the bathing suit.. and we got the pool going.. I am going to get in.  So I put the dogs in the house so I didn't have to worry about them and put my swim suit on and went swimming. =)  It was so nice.. so relaxing and refreshing all at the same time.  No one was home.. Courtney was at Makayla's and hubby was on his way home from Culver Indiana from a gig he did.  They play at a military academy there every year..

My garden is NOT doing very well.  I don't know what is wrong.  It is so disappointing. I haven't gotten any more cucumbers out of it.. and only a few small tomatoes here and there.  Something has been eating some of my tomato plants.. not all of them, which is weird.. it has to be deer.. because it is the tops of the plants that are missing.  So I don't know.  I am so disappointed.  I was really wanting a good garden this year.. to do some canning.  I did get a few peppers today.. my green ones aren't doing any good. The plants are tiny and only one pepper on each plant and they aren't much bigger than golf balls.  I got a red pepper though.. and a couple banana peppers.. and one of my 'Fooled You' peppers.. which is supposed to be very close to Jalepeno only without the heat.  I was hoping to have big crop of peppers and tomatoes to do some Salsa.. but what do I do with just a hand full of peppers??

And, I haven't heard a word on my pressure canner yet. =(  That I ordered from WalMart.com.  I called our WalMart the other day because I hadn't heard anything.. and we were supposed to be going camping.. and I also ordered an air mattress.. well the lady I talked to said that she didn't have specific paper work but she did see where it said estimated delivery date of 8/11.  I ordered the stuff 7/17 and it is supposed to be delivered to my WalMart for pick up in 7-10 days.  I need to get back on the WalMart.com site and get the phone number for customer service and call them.  We were supposed to go camping this week.. but we were unable to go, had some things come up.  But it is ok.. we are getting alot of stuff done around here. 

So much that needs done before winter.  I should make a list on the side over there..<<<------  I will do that. =)  Maybe not tonight. 

What else.. Oh I talked to Kaitlyn tonight.. she got Haley's pics back from Olan Mills.. she said they didn't turn out as good as she had hoped.. but I told her they will keep getting better and better.  She wants to go to Bon Ton's which is a local photography studio here.. that is where I always took the girls to get their pictures done for Christmas.  Maybe I will spring for Haley's pics this year for Christmas as a surprise for Kaitlyn. =)  Haley will be 3 months old tomorrow.. the 5th.. I can't believe it!!  She said she laughed out loud yesterday for the first time.  Kaitlyn said she nearly cried when she heard her.  Cute!  I am not sure when they will be coming back out.. probably soon since Dusty left today for another 10 days.

Well, I suppose I should close this for now.  I am surfing photobucket trying to find some different backgrounds for my blog.. I am just not happy with it yet.. it just doesn't come together as well as I had hoped it would.  More trial and error.

Courtney has a piano lesson tomorrow at 5.. not sure what we are doing after that.. Maybe I will post another entry tomorrow night.

Blessings!!

• 0 Comments • Post a Comment • Permanent Link

Here is a whole list of wonderful crafty things that I got from GrandmaRosie's Blog.   Thank you very much!

Denim gift pocket http://www.wrights.com/wrights/class/kidscrafts/denimpocket/ denimpocket.htm Thimble Ornament http://www.wrights.com/wrights/class/kidscrafts/thimbleorn/t himbleorn.htm Snowman Snowcone http://www.tallmouse.com/projects/xmas/snowmansnowcone/index .htm Popcorn filled ornaments http://www.tallmouse.com/projects/xmas/popcorn/index.htm Pretzel Wreath Ornament http://www.craftbits.com/viewProject.do?projectID=431 10 creative uses for old Christmas cards http://www.activityvillage.co.uk/christmas_cards.htm Candy Cane Candles http://www.rumpets.com/GoodiesCrafts5.html Christmas gift cans http://www.kidsdomain.com/craft/giftcan-christ.html Clothespin Reindeer http://www.kidsdomain.com/craft/reindeer.html Clothespin Santa http://www.thefamilycorner.com/archives/crafting/6.shtml Heart Angel Crafts http://www.activityvillage.co.uk/christmas_angels.htm Holiday Picture Frame http://www.craftown.com/xmas/craft60.htm Paper Christmas Tree from children's handprints http://www.enchantedlearning.com/crafts/christmas/handtree/ Paper Wreaths made from handprints http://www.enchantedlearning.com/crafts/christmas/handwreath / Paddle Pop Star (popsicle sticks) http://www.kidsdomain.com/craft/popstar.html Paper Box Craft http://www.enchantedlearning.com/crafts/papercrafts/box/ 1. True Meaning of Christmas Ornaments http://familycrafts.about.com/library/projects/blchtradition orn.htm 2. Muffin Pan Snowmen http://www.geocities.com/laurak_1969/muffinpansnowmen.html 3.Tealite Snowman http://www.geocities.com/heartfeltholidays/tealightsnowman.h tml 4. Chopstick Santa http://www.geocities.com/heartfeltholidays/chopsticksanta.ht ml 5. Chopstick Snowman http://www.geocities.com/heartfeltholidays/chopsticksnowman. html 6. The Innkeeper's Key http://www.geocities.com/heartfeltholidays/innkeeperskey.htm l 7. Dustpan cookies http://www.geocities.com/heartfeltholidays/dustpancookies.ht ml 8. Advent gift http://www.geocities.com/heartfeltholidays/adventgift.html 9. The Newlyweds Christmas Tree (12 ornaments) http://www.geocities.com/heartfeltholidays/newlywedsChristma s.html 10. Christmas Candy M&Ms http://www.geocities.com/heartfeltholidays/Christmascandypoe m.html 11. Chocolate Spoons http://www.geocities.com/heartfeltholidays/chocolatespoons.h tml 12. Hersey Kiss Poems http://www.geocities.com/heartfeltholidays/christmaskisspoem s.html 13. Tree Angel Poems http://www.geocities.com/heartfeltholidays/treeangelpoems.ht ml 14. Festive Napkin Rings http://www.marsbrightideas.com/christmas/decorating/d_18_1.j sp 15. Red Nosed Reindeer Favors http://www.marsbrightideas.com/christmas/family/f_38_1.jsp 15. Paintbrush Reindeer Ornament http://www.nicolecrafts.com/asp/project/project.asp?id=1102& d=1 16. Paintbrush Snowman Ornament http://www.nicolecrafts.com/asp/project/project.asp?id=1103& d=1 17. Paintbrush Santa Ornament http://www.nicolecrafts.com/asp/project/project.asp?id=1101& d=1 18. Snowman Spoon http://www.nicolecrafts.com/asp/project/project.asp?id=62&d= 1 19. Snowflake Beaded Ornament http://www.nicolecrafts.com/asp/project/project.asp?id=189&d =1 20. Beaded Angel Ornament http://www.nicolecrafts.com/asp/project/project.asp?id=190&d =1 21. Carnation Angel http://www.geocities.com/cindi_lou_who1/CarnationAngel.html 22. Reindeer on duty (Plastic canvas) http://www.tsplace.com/html/reindeeronduty.asp 23. Angel ball ornament---good for kids to do http://www.duncancrafts.com/ProjectDetai....4b-f32cdb031c22 Christmas Crew http://jas.familyfun.go.com/arts-and-crafts?page=CraftDispla y&craftid=10424 Merry Christmouse http://jas.familyfun.go.com/crafts?page=CraftDisplay&craftid =11154 Santa and Elf Shelf http://familyfun.go.com/arts-and-crafts/season/feature/famf1 28santacrafts/famf128santacrafts3.html Sock Snowfolk http://jas.familyfun.go.com/crafts?page=CraftDisplay&craftid =11326 Snowman Garland http://jas.familyfun.go.com/arts-and-crafts?page=CraftDispla y&craftid=10125 Tea Box Snowman http://jas.familyfun.go.com/arts-and-crafts?page=CraftDispla y&craftid=10825 Snowman gift bag http://jas.familyfun.go.com/arts-and-crafts?page=CraftDispla y&craftid=11298 Christmas Tree Gift Bag http://jas.familyfun.go.com/arts-and-crafts?page=CraftDispla y&craftid=11296 Reindeer Gift Bag http://jas.familyfun.go.com/arts-and-crafts?page=CraftDispla y&craftid=11297 Country Elegance Holiday Wreath http://www.familycorner.com/homegarden/crafts/elegance_wreat h.shtml Clay pot gingerbread pals http://www.familycorner.com/family/kids/crafts/clay_pot_ging erbread.shtml Advent Countdown (scroll down the page....to advent countdown) http://www.daniellesplace.com/html/christmas_page2.html Stick wreath craft (kids) http://www.santa-at-home.com/pages/craft1.html Gingerbread Girl Sign Stake http://www.michaels.com/art/online/projectsheet?pid=e03562&c ategoryid=64588 Spoon Reindeer Favor http://www.michaels.com/art/online/projectsheet?pid=e03563&c ategoryid=64588 Snowman Jingle Bell Necklace http://www.michaels.com/art/online/projectsheet?pid=k00308&c ategoryid=64588 Jolly Jingle Bell Necklace http://www.michaels.com/art/online/projectsheet?pid=k00307&c ategoryid=64588 Snowman Mirror Ornament (kids can do) http://www.michaels.com/art/online/projectsheet?pid=k00292&c ategoryid=64582 Penguin Clay Pot Shelf sitter http://www.michaels.com/art/online/projectsheet?pid=24186b Craft spoon snowman (kids) http://www.amazingmoms.com/htm/christmas__stixsnwmn.htm Craft spoon Christmas tree (kids) http://www.amazingmoms.com/htm/christmas__stixtree.htm Frosted Beaded Ornament http://www.hobbycraft.co.uk/ideas_library/idea_217.html Claypot Snowmen http://www.betterbudgeting.com/frugalcrafts/claypotsnowmen.h tm Flower Pot Pens http://www.allthingschristmas.com/crafts/flowerpens.html Food for Thought http://www.allthingschristmas.com/crafts/atccrafts.html#food forthought Christmas crafts for kids (check out page 2 also) http://www.daniellesplace.com/html/christmas.html# Santa Door Knob Hanger http://www.dltk-holidays.com/xmas/mhohoho.htm Wreath Photo Ornament http://www.makingfriends.com/winter/ornament_wreath_photo.ht m S'moresSnowmanOrnament http://www.makingfriends.com/winter/ornament_smores.htm Beaded Pipecleaner ornament http://www.makingfriends.com/winter/snowflake_pipecleaner.ht m Beaded Snowflake Ornamentshttp://www.makingfriends.com/winter/snowflake_beaded.htm Gingerbread Birdhouse Ornament http://www.makingfriends.com/winter/ornament_gingerbread.htm Christmas ornaments http://www.makingfriends.com/xmas_ornaments.htm Safety Pin angel http://www.makingfriends.com/safepin/safety_pin_angle.htm CD Ornaments http://www.makingfriends.com/recycle/cd_ornaments.htm Tissue Paper Ornaments http://www.makingfriends.com/tissuepaper_ornaments.htm Christmas Shelf pot sitters http://www.michaels.com/art/online/projectsheet?pid=24186b&c ategoryid=83 http://www.michaels.com/art/online/projectsheet?pid=24186a&c ategoryid=83 http://www.michaels.com/art/online/projectsheet?pid=24186d&c ategoryid=83 http://www.michaels.com/art/online/projectsheet?pid=24186c&c ategoryid=83 Clay Pot Snowman and Reindeer http://www.michaels.com/art/online/projectsheet?pid=20177 "Let it Snow" http://www.geocities.com/kraftproject/Instructional/letitsno whanger.html Snowman A-Glow http://www.geocities.com/kraftproject/Instructional/snowmana glo.html Snowman Hurricane Globe http://www.geocities.com/kraftproject/Instructional/snowmanh urricane.html Winter Friends http://www.geocities.com/kraftproject/Instructional/winterfr iends.html Lace Snowflakes http://www.geocities.com/kraftproject/Instructional/lacesnow flakes.html Victorian cones http://www.geocities.com/kraftproject/Instructional/victoria nvalentinecones.html Christmas Choir http://jas.familyfun.go.com/arts-and-crafts?page=CraftDispla y&craftid=10115

• 1 Comments • Post a Comment • Permanent Link