Quiet Life Homestead

A Quick Update

I wanted to take a moment before the storms hit here in Arlington to let you know that we have found an apartment!  Praise God!!!!  We appreciate your prayers very much.  We signed the contract this afternoon and can move in tomorrow. 

The apartment has three bedrooms and two bathrooms and we get to have the dog and cat with us.  It is located about 8 miles from Charlie's work, which is a huge blessing.  The only catch is that the rent is a bit higher than we feel comfortable with, still in our price range but we'll have to be very careful with money. 

Thank you for your prayers and well wishes!

Vicki

Some Exciting News - We've Moved!!!

Sorry that I haven't been on in a while.  Charlie got promoted and we are now in Texas.  He will be working at corporate in Ft. Worth and we're currently looking for a place to live.  We got here today and are staying in Arlington.  We'd all like to sleep for a week or so just to recop from the past few weeks of uncertanty, packing, and moving.  Please keep us in your prayers, that we'd find a place to rent quickly.  As far as we know right now, they aren't giving Charlie a raise and we're having a difficult time finding something in the south Ft. Worth/ Arlington area for under $800 a month.  Also, we're having my mom watch the dog and cat and are trying to find a place for them as well.

Anyway, I wanted to keep you updated!

Vicki

Baseball Update

Yesterday's Mark Harmon Celebrity game was a huge success!  They raised over 300 thousand dollars for the children's hospital in Bethany, Oklahoma!  The turnout wasn't as large as I wish it would have been.  They always have a RedHawks game afterward, and it was packed for that game.  Its a shame that the first game wasn't packed as well!

My mom gave us some tomatoes (by the way, mine are starting to turn red!), yellow squash, cabbage, and broccoli.  We're going to be eating good tonight!

Birthday, Baseball, & America's Cheapest Family

First of all, Bethany turned 13 on Thursday.  I can't believe we now have THREE teenagers!  It really isn't so bad, but I love saying that.  :)  I was going to post on her birthday earlier, but we've been really busy these past few days.

After Charlie and Bethany wake up (my two sleepy heads) we're heading out for OKC.  Today is the Mark Harmon baseball game and we're going again this year.  I hope I remember to bring some sun screen because I don't want to get a burn.  Every year my sister gets us tickets to the game (and the RedHawks game afterwards) so its kinda like a family tradition. 

I've begun reading a wonderful book, America's Cheapest Family Gets You Right on the Money.  I first found the book at Barnes and Noble and then went home and requested it from our library (hey, I saved money :) ).  I remember seeing something about this family and their grocery shopping habits a few months ago on the news.  Since then, I've tried to use some of their ideas such as looking for meat priced at or under 99cents per pound.  I'll let you know more about what I'm learning at a later date.  What's so inspirational is that this family of seven were able to do what my family wants to do on about the same amount of money that Charlie makes each year.  I think the things they did that I want most to do are spending only $350 a month on groceries and paying off the house in nine years.  Of course, we may need to get a different house, or at least a different loan.  When Charlie discussed paying it off early, the lady for our mortgage company said that the loan isn't a mortgage, its an interest bearing loan (or something like that).  Funny, its for the mobile home and the company specializes in mortgages for ......mobile homes!  What a coincidence! 

Lastly, Charlie has an opportunity to get some of his leatherwork in a local art show.  He has to apply by the end of June and we find out if he is chosen sometime in July.  Please pray that God's will would be done in this matter.  We really are hoping he'll be chosen to be in the show and that it will be profitable not only financially, but to get leatherworking seen as art - something that's been Charlie's passion for quite a while now.  He's been working slowly but surely to get the art world to see leatherworking as another form of art, but its an uphill battle.  Anyway, if you feel led to, please pray about the show.  We'd appreciate it!

Have a great day!

Money Saving Ideas Needed

I was talking earlier with one of Charlie's co-workers about how difficult the times are becoming lately.  Gas and food prices are climbing higher and the company they work for doesn't pay for cost of living, in other words, we have to make do with what they get paid now, no matter how bad things get.  I've "planted" a few veggies and we're trying to watch what we get at the grocery store - more dried beans, rice, turkey or ham because they can be stretched. 

I told him that I've been wondering as well what things could be done to help out and to "tighten down the hatches."  I was wondering if you would be so kind to give a few ideas that you've come up with - things that actually work and are worth the time and effort.  I know that there are things I used to do but their benefit was small in comparison with the effort it involved. 

Once I finish the craft area, I'm going to pull those "Its so easy to sew clothing" books out and start studying, AGAIN.  We don't purchase clothing very often, and when we do it is at second hand stores, but it would help out if I could make clothing instead.  One thing I need to figure out is underwear and socks.  I have so many pairs of socks to repair, it isn't funny.  Then, the new seams are uncomfortable.....

Belle inspired me to go ahead and have the kids wash the dishes by hand.  I have a stack of ziplock bags sitting by the sink that need to be washed anyway, and otherwise they'd just pile up until I get sick of looking at them. 

Tuesday Evening Happenings & Money-Saving Tips Tried

We were awakened by storms again this morning and are to have some more tonight.  The tomato and pepper plants love it.  The aloe vera.....not so much.  I guess I may have to bring it in if we get much more rain.  Silly thing doesn't realize that the rains keep it cooler here.  It would probably say to me, "Silly thing, I love the heat and dry weather."  Oh well.....

I got all the shelves made and are in the process of organizing the material.  I'm really looking forward to having it all where I can access it easily.  Charlie taught himself to knit and is in the process of teaching Bethany.  Afterwards, he's going to teach me.  Its pretty sad when your husband has to teach you how to do something like that!  He taught us both to macrame, and I've been having fun with that.  I only know one knot but that's okay for now.

I heard something on the radio about ways to save money on utilities and have decided to try a few.  Right now one thing we're doing is turning the dry cycle off on the dishwasher.  I'd love to go back to handwashing the dishes, but right now the kids are doing the dishes as part of their chores and I'm too lazy to sit there and make sure they wash to my satisfaction.  I need to change that, I know.  Also, we're trying to not have things plugged in when we aren't using them.  But that's a little easier said than done.  We have tried the light bulbs in the past but had to give them up.  Even though they weren't in an enclosed holder, they only lasted a couple of months and also the quality of light wasn't what Charlie needs for his leatherworking. 

Well, I think that's all for this evening......

Memorial Day

We had a nice time visiting with Charlie's family.  His brother and family came down from Wichita and we spent yesterday with them and his parents.  Since we spent extra money at the zoo this year for our membership (became donors) we were able to get everyone into the zoo for free.  We also get free train and carousel rides.  We've been members for years but had never rode the train.  It was actually kinda nice.  It was also nice to finally be able to get others in for free, we bought this current membership at the beginning of the year and this was the first time we had someone come with us.  Afterwards we cooked out and had an overall great time eating and watching the kids swim.

We had a front move in last night - lots of wind and cool temperatures!  It felt so wonderful!!  After a while the rain came, which was nice too.  Our pepper and tomato plants seem to be doing just fine.  Also, we noticed a little while ago that our elephant ears have come back!  We were hoping they would.  Right now Bethany's checking to see if any of our bulbs from last year have come back as well.

I spoke with my mom Wednesday night to let her know that we wouldn't be attending the graduation.  She understood and said that with it being such short notice she knew that we wouldn't be able to.  We are suposed to go to the Mark Harmon game this weekend if we can get some new tires for the car and figure out what's up with the radiator.  Also, she invited me to a women's trip she and her Sunday school class are taking in September.  I think it will be a lot of fun!

The kids are enjoying working at the library so far this summer.  Later on is when they get a little burned out but I think it will be alright.  Dallas is thinking about applying for the part time job there once the summer ends and in preparation for it, they've got him working two days a week by himself so that he can learn some of the other things he'd be doing.

I thought Charlie was going to apply for a promotion but I guess he changed his mind.  Things are still really hard here and the change of scenery at least would have been nice.  I know that if it is God's plan for us to be transferred or anything like that, He'll make it happen.  I need to work on my contentment.  STILL!

We got some old shelving from Charlie's store and I spent the better part of the day putting them together with some help from Bethany.  We're going to use them to arrange our material on them and hopefully make it where we can get the rest of our sewing stuff organized.  Its hard to work on things when you don't know what you have or where it is.  :)

I just finished reading Alas, Babylon for the self teaching part of A Thomas Jefferson Education.  I haven't picked what my next classic will be yet.  It was finally my turn for Joel C. Rosenberg's latest book at the library, so I'm working my way through it.  I find it really odd that I just finished a book about nuclear war and here I am reading another one about the same thing.  I look at it and the higher prices for things as God's reminder that we (our family)  have to get serious and on track with our bills, groceries, and, most importantly, our spiritual lives.

I'm going to go check on the games now.  Go Wings!  Go Pistons!

Update on my potted plants

The tomatoes and peppers seem to be doing rather well.  We still don't have any big enough to harvest yet and the tomatoes are still green, which doesn't bother me a bit.  Fried green tomatoes, baby!  :)

I still haven't started any beans, but the kids got some other things planted - not quite sure exactly what they planted.  I guess it will be a surprise.

In a Bit of an Uproar

The "storm" hasn't quite hit yet, but soon will. 

You see, my oldest niece is graduating from high school tomorrow.  Pretty cool, huh?!  Except for the fact that I just found out this past weekend when her graduation is.  Well, actually, it could have been maybe Thursday or Friday of last week.  Did I get an invitation in the mail?  No.  Did I get a phone call to let me know and invite me?  No.  I happened to call my Mom (my niece is living with her again) about something else and she oh, by the wayed me with the information.  I was quite preturbed at the short notice and lack of any type of phone call or anything from my niece to tell me.

Saturday I telephoned my Mom once again to let her know that I had found these special paints she's looking for.  While on the phone she asks if we're coming to the graduation.  I say that I don't know for sure, the car needs some work, Charlie and Dallas are both working that day and the day after (so we'd have to go right back home after the graduation, which starts at 8pm, a two hour drive that would guarantee at least an 11 o'clock arrival), also, we're suposed to be going to OKC the weekend of the 31st.  So she's relaying all this to my niece, who says that if I don't make it to "The most important day of my life" then she'll never talk to me again.  My thought is WHATEVER!  If this day were so important and if it were so important that I come, why did I not find out about it earlier?  It is as if I'm suposed to drop everything at the drop of a hat to come and do what she wants.  Charlie says, absolutely no way are we going.  I was a manipulator when I was young, so I know when someone's trying to do it to me.  She may have my Mom and sister in her little dramas, but I'm not going to be a part of it.  She's 18 and wants to be her own woman, but yet wants everyone to do everything for her, and I'm not gonna.

Sorry about my rant.

Container Gardening & Recent Happenings

We purchased some plants from WalMart and are going to try container gardening.  We bought a tomato plant and a bell pepper plant, both which already have yummy things growing.  Also we purchased some seeds which we're starting in small containers which we will later on transfer to larger ones.  Also, we bought two hanging plants (strawberry and tomato) that are more like kits.  Charlie surprised me with an herb collection kit and some basil and lavender.  This will be our first garden of any type in a few years, so I'm pretty excited to see how it all works out.  I'm going to move everything outside tomorrow as the storms should all be history by then.  My aloe plant got a little too wet so I had to bring it in, hopefully it will be okay.

We bought some turkeys from Target tonight, one goes into the freezer and the other into the fridge to thaw.  I want to try Trisha Yearwood's turkey recipe and see how it works for us.  I'll let you know how it turns out.

Last night we left the kids here while we made a quick trip to the grocery store.  They were under orders to peel potatoes for mashing.  While we were gone they not only peeled and cut the potatoes (plus put them on to boil) but rearranged the living room!  We were only gone maybe 20 minutes, but they got lots done.  We were so surprised!  I think maybe we'll keep them!  :)

Rainy Wednesday & A Thomas Jefferson Education

Its raining right now, just a light, relaxing rain.  I was getting sleepy studying A Thomas Jefferson Education and so I decided to check in and see how everything was going.

I'm really enjoying the book and have learned SO MUCH!  I've had to set aside my homekeeping book for right now, as A Thomas Jefferson Education is an interlibrary loan and I can't renew it.  I'm finding myself encouraged and I love how it works with what we already are doing (Robinson and personal library books).  I am going to probably have to tweak the list a little bit in order to take out what we don't need and make sure we have what we do need.

I spoke with my sister yesterday as it was her 40th birthday.  We're going to go to Stillwater again in a few weeks and the kids are very excited about that.  This time I hope to be able to walk around the campus (Oklahoma State University)  a bit and maybe even visit the student union to see about picking up some veterinary books for Bethany.  We'll probably eat at Eskimo Joes since last time we ate at Mexico Joes.

I guess I'd better get back to my studies.  The kids are outside playing baseball and the ham is in the oven smelling WONDERFUL! I hope you enjoy the rest of your day!

Saturday

I just read Kitty's page about the Duggars!  They are such an inspiration!  I read the article to both Charlie and Dallas and they both thought it was neat.  I've always wished that I could have more children and I love to see how He's blessed them.

Charlie's teaching a basic leather class this morning and we're going to go with him.  The store will be open while he's teaching, but we thought we'd come and sweep the floors and such.  Actually, the kids will probably sweep the floors while I help with the ever present inventory count.

For an early Mother's Day, we went last night and ate at El Chico.  Also, we went to Bath and Body Works so I could purchase more soap for the house.  They are currently having their 5 for $10 sale and so I loaded up on 15 bottles (three bathrooms plus the kitchen).  I know the soap isn't exactly economical, but we purchase it because I'm not allergic to it (the cheaper soaps make my hands hurt and the skin peel) and also its great for cleaning leather dye and paint off the hands.  My third Mother's Day gift was getting to purchase the Home Management Binder and Mom's Survival e-books from Candy.  I haven't gotten to look at them just yet, but I will as soon as I get off here.

Tomorrow we're going to do our traditional zoo trip and have invited Charlie's parents to come with us.  I hope the weather will be nice.  The zoo is having an orchestra come to play classical music in the afternoon, but it will be too packed at that time.  I'd like to go first thing in the morning, before the crowds and before the heat, especially if his parents come.

I hope everyone has a wonderful Mother's Day!

Pet Odors

Thursday Thoughts and Happenings

Well, we made it through the storms last night.  We live on the south side of our little town and on the north side (approx 5 miles or so) they had 85 mph winds.  We had rotation and wind and rain, but that was all.  Charlie insisted that we all get into the fraidy hole and to me that was much worse than anything else.  I'd rather try my "luck" with the tornado than to be where there are spiders!  I saw a mole cricket in the dark and just about lost it.  Dallas shone a light on it to prove that it wasn't a giant spider, but I know what eats mole crickets and was ready to get out of there!  Once the rain left and we'd had our dinner - I only made it maybe 5-10 minutes in the shelter and then went back into the house - I took a shower.  I felt like things were crawling all over me!!  Yikes!!!

We've been doing really well with our nightly Bible studies.  Sometimes its hard to remember to make time for it, but we've only been doing it for a week or so.  My poor hubby,  he wants to really dive into what we're reading (Matthew right now) and pick apart every verse (and sometimes word) for meaning and such.  Me, I want to get to the meat of what we're suposed to be doing, how to live, etc.  We had a great talk after the kids went to bed last night and shared our views and all.  I told him that I'd try to be more patient, and he promised to not get too bogged down.  I'm trying very hard to be supportive and to let him go at the pace he feels is best.  I just have this almost urgent feeling of we need to change and we need to do it ASAP.  We're still trying to find a church home.  Each one we've visited has left us feeling empty.  Don't get me wrong, we're not looking for a "feeling" what we want is some place where the people are as hungry and serious about truly living the Christian life as we are.  Its really bad when you're trying to hear the sermon and the people in front of you, or even the ones in back of you, are just talking away about their weekends, what so-and-so is wearing, etc.  I'm just tired of compromising, tired of being too much into the world and not enough into the Word, so to speak.

Charlie's newest article is already out although we haven't seen it yet.  Hopefully it comes in soon.  He's bogged down working on the next one because they asked him to add some things and to even write a second article on those things (basically how to carve stars).  Dallas sold one of his wallets the other day to our local librarian.  He was very excited and so proud to be able to help the family with groceries and such!  All three of my guys have been working hard on getting projects finished to sell.  Pretty soon we'll be able to start going to some shows and such. 

Bethany continues to get better all the time.  She's FINALLY back up to 100lbs!  Also, she's been going outside and playing with the boys and the neighbors almost every day.  Her energy is almost back to normal, and we're praising God for her recovery! 

I have lots of cleaning to do, so I'd better get off here and get started.  Oh, on the homekeeping subject, what I'm starting with is Training Our Daughters to Be Keepers at Home and Home Comforts.  Thank you for the ideas.......

Rainy Day & Homemaking Ideas Requested

We woke up this morning to the refreshing sound of rain!  I love the rain!!  Something about it refreshes me.

Today will be a cleaning day on our little homestead.  The kids will do their schooling and then they will join in.  I broke down this morning and purchased some dishwasher detergent.  I still haven't been able to get Maa's baking soda & salt recipe to work for me, it keeps scratching the dishes, no matter how much or little salt I use.  We'd been trying to have the kids do the dishes, but they kept piling up with other things we've been having to do lately.  I'll get us caught up and then they will get back on task with it. 

I was planning on making some bread today but will have to put it off.  Does anyone else have problems with their bread if they make it on a rainy day?  Mine just doesn't seem to rise like it should with all the humidity.

I've decided that I'm going to give myself a home-making, home-keeping (whatever you want to call it) course to learn all the things I never have learned but need to.  I'm talking about basics and on.  I was wondering if anyone has suggestions on some books and such that have helped them in the past and that they would recommend.  I'm wanting to learn some of the following: how to simplify, how to run a home more effecently (spelled wrong, sorry), home sewing, etc.  I do have a copy of Training Our Daughters to Be Keepers at Home.  Should I start with that?  Any ideas would be appreciated.

That time of year again

The kids have an appointment at the library tomorrow afternoon.  The summer reading program is getting ready to begin and this year all three of the kids are old enough to volunteer.  Unfortunately, the library is rather small so only two of them will be working on any given day.  I was wishing that all three could work on the same days to save on gas, but it isn't going to happen.

Some of the birdseed we've been putting out all winter seems to have begun growing.  We aren't quite sure what exactly is growing, but it will be fun to watch and see.  We've been enjoying observing the trees and noting which ones have leaves.  We lost a lot of limbs this past winter and at least one really big tree.  It will be interesting to see if any of the trees have problems this year. 

We have a chance for thunderstorms tomorrow and Friday.  We haven't had much bad weather, just some rain. 

Does anyone know if you can plant regular pinto beans?  By regular I mean, the kind you purchase at the grocery store.  I thought about trying to see if it would work but wondered if anyone else knew.

What's been going on lately

Hey all, I sure haven't been keeping up here lately, even though I said I would.  Now I have to catch up on all that's been going on with you all. 

We now have neighbors living next to us.  They are very nice and have a boy inbetween our boys' ages so they play football and baseball all the time.  They used to homeschool and are new to the community.  Unfortunately, their mobile home blocks out our wonderful view of the trees and wildlife.  It takes some getting used to, but we knew we couldn't be here all by ourselves for ever.

I've been sewing like crazy (quilt tops) and am almost ready to start quilting (hand - I can't stand machine quilting).  I might as well admit it - I don't do well fighting all that material to try to quilt it on my machine.  It just seems easier to put a hoop on it and do it that way.  We still haven't started making clothing yet, for some reason I keep putting it off.  I need to stop that and just dive into it.

I've been crocheting dishrags and pot holders with all the spare yarn I've inherited.  Bethany would help, but right now she's working on making enough yo-yos to make a doll.  The boys and Charlie have been working on leatherworking projects, trying to get them done to sell.  The goal is for Charlie to be able to make a living on his leatherworking and magazine work. 

We took Larken to the vet last month to "get the works."  She had her dew claws removed (kept scratching her eyes trying to groom like the cat), spayed, current shots, heartworm test and preventative medication, and ended up getting eye and ear medication as well as antibiotics for the staff infection.  We didn't realize she still had the staff from last year, but apparently she did.  Tomorrow she takes her last antibiotics.  Also the vet said that she's allergic to most dog food and wants us to purchase some food that costs approx $70 for a 30lb bag!  Being an english bulldog, her mouth is really weird and so she has problems with small food - being able to chew it instead of just swallowing it.  We're currently looking for cheaper hypoallergenic food (venison and potatoes) as her first bag is almost gone.

Bethany's doing quite well, back to normal in fact.  She's been doing great remembering her pills and its nice to not have any appointments for a few months.  We go back in July for a check up. 

On the homeschooling front, we've gone 100% back to the Robinson method - with adding a few books.  The kids are progressing quite well in both the reading and in their Saxon math books.  We keep plugging away in spelling and are getting ready to do a bit of grammar as a refresher.  With all we're trying to get going, this simplification is really helping and it is refreshing to hear the kids remark on what they're learning.  Now if I can only find a way to get them studying the vocabulary..........

We planted some onions, not sure if they're going to grow or not.  The peppers haven't done anything yet either.  We found a new (to us anyway) vegetable stand type facility and will probably go there a lot this year.  We had planned on asking for permission from the land owner if we could pay a type of rent on the property next to us so we could plant a garden - but people moved in on it.

Also, the flowers (bulbs) we planted last year haven't come up yet.  I guess they must have been annuals (isn't that what they're called if you plant them each year).  At some point I'd like to get some more but will do research to see what kinds automatically come up next year.

Spring - For the Time Being, At Least

We're having wonderful weather today and are suposed to for the next few days.  The boys have been playing outside once their schoolwork is finished and I may even get Bethany to go outside.  We have a nature reserve type place near here and may go there tomorrow.  I'm hoping the ticks and fleas aren't out yet.  It seems every time we go (Oxley Nature Center) we get covered in ticks and mosquitos.  I suppose I can see if we have some repellant handy.

The kids and I watched the movie Martian Child yesterday and really liked it.  Also, we watched Sense and Sensibility - Bethany's going through quite the Jane Austen faze right now.  I honestly had never seen Sense and Sensibility before, though I've seen both Pride and Prejudice and Emma on several occassions.  I need to do a search and find a list of all Jane's books so that Bethany can read them all.

I STILL haven't planted anything, I haven't even purchased any seedlings or seeds.  I may go to Sutherland's this weekend and see what they have to offer.  Also, we found a really good produce market and will be checking that out as well.  I know it would be cheaper to grow our own food, but we still don't have permission from the lot owner.

Time to go outside............................

Driver's Ed and Other Adventures

Dallas officially started Driver's Ed today.  I had purchased Driver Ed in a Box and we finally got Oklahoma's permission to begin.  He's not liking it very much right now - mostly it is the woman's voice on the computer.  Also, I think that he was expecting to get into the car and start driving.  I explained that we do this first, then is the permit test, THEN he gets to learn to drive.  If anyone's reading this who lives in Oklahoma and has been through this, do we still have to get the reading test? 

Bethany's back to her old self.  Her energy is back to normal and today she ate TWO chili cheese dogs!  She still hasn't gained the weight back, but we're being patient and encouraging her to eat what she can.  Her doctor's appointment went really well and we go back later this month for another follow-up.  Bethany will have to take birth control pills to keep her other ovary under control, I hate that she has to take them, but at this point, we're praising God that she's alive!  Also, if this is what it takes to help her keep the ovary so she can possibly have children later, we're gonna do it.

I've been reading the book The Forgotten Man lately and am learning a lot about the Great Depression and the 1920s and 1930s in general.  I must admit that a bit of the financial stuff goes over my head, but not so much that I'm discouraged.  I may need to purchase a copy because it is taking me a long time to read it and there are others waiting for it at the library.

Well, I think that's all for right now......

Some Progress in Simplification, Questions, Too

I've finished the master bathroom and am almost finished with the master bedroom.  Right now, I've got a bunch of boxes with material in them that I need to get organized. 

We're really trying to simplify our lives and thought we were almost there - financially anyway until all this stuff with Bethany came up. 

I got several books from the library on decorating and have been looking at them for inspiration as far as what to keep and what to toss.  We're still trying to find a system that works as far as sewing machines and sewing supplies - where to put them, etc.  We were given a box of thread and so we're pretty well set in that area.  If you sew, what does your sewing area look like? 

Also, we're looking into starting a container garden and are trying to decide whether to purchase seeds or seedlings.  Have you found much difference?  I know the difference between the two, but am asking if you've had more success with one or the other.

We're out of birdseed once again and are trying to decide if we want to purchase more.  After a few days of having the seed out, we get a bunch of black birds who come in and scare all the cardinals and such away and eat the food.  Does anyone know, is there a way to keep that from happening?

We've had a few days of great temperatures  but Monday it will drop about 40 degrees.  I can't remember a winter hanging on so long here in Oklahoma.  Its pretty weird. 

Anyway, if you have any advice on the above topics, I'd really appreciate it.