tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-345787072024-03-07T02:23:49.197-05:00ToilLife on an city smallholding wherein we grow kids, critters, and an ever increasing DIY repertoire.LJNhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07433287107533708626noreply@blogger.comBlogger996125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34578707.post-118586090195302052014-07-23T08:09:00.000-05:002014-07-23T08:09:30.514-05:00Chores...Right now I have so many chores that I am behind on. I really need to give my house a good cleaning but just can't find the time. I would love to call <a href="http://www.theotherwoman.net/">raleigh house cleaning</a> services and have them do it for me but that isn't in my budget. For now the house is at least presentable and throughly cleaning it will have to wait. As long as I can keep up with the laundry, cooking, and harvesting the garden I will go to sleep at night feeling content. When things calm down I can worry about things like dusting knick-knacks and washing the woodwork. LJNhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07433287107533708626noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34578707.post-38356811212845498412014-07-23T08:06:00.000-05:002014-07-23T08:06:42.773-05:00Harvest...This is the time of the year that very busy for me. Right now I am completely tied up with harvesting produce from our garden. Harvesting is the easy part of the process. What is time consuming is preserving the harvest. If I am now blanching and freezing produce you will find me canning it. Sometimes I also dehydrate certain things that I want to store for a really long time. Yesterday I dug up our potatoes and have about 30 pounds of them that I hope to turn into french fries for the freezer. As busy as I am I feel really good about all the food I am able to produce for my family at little to no cost. LJNhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07433287107533708626noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34578707.post-70897619601109730872014-07-09T18:32:00.000-05:002014-07-09T18:32:23.516-05:00Anniversary... A couple of weeks ago we celebrated our 23rd wedding anniversary. It seems unreal that I have spent more than half my life married. In my mind it was only yesterday that I was searching for <a ref="http://www.burlap-tablecloth.com/aisle-runners.html">wedding aisle runners - burlap</a> and deciding on a cake topper. I am very blessed to have been able to spend my life with a truly wonderful man who has made the last 23 years a joy. We have experienced our share of trials but thankfully the good times have outweighed the bad. I can't wait to see what the next 23 years are like and I can only hope our joy is equal to what we have already experienced.LJNhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07433287107533708626noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34578707.post-50842805379998363572014-07-09T18:22:00.000-05:002014-07-09T18:22:54.558-05:00QuailOur quail are now 3.5 weeks old and fully featherd. We hatched 8 out of 21 eggs. I realize this doesn't sound like a great hatch but we were happy with the results. We will be setting another batch of 48 eggs in the next couple of weeks. Our goal is to get around 12-15 hens for laying eggs and to raise the rest for meat. We will keep two sets of breeding quads which is one male and 3-4 females in addition to the laying hens. Quail are quick to mature and will start laying eggs at around 6 weeks of age. They are also "table ready" at that age. I moved the quail out of the brooder today and into their full size pen. It is good to have them out of the house and moving on to the next stage of their lives. LJNhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07433287107533708626noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34578707.post-81629795093687213392014-03-02T16:52:00.000-05:002014-07-18T14:29:23.931-05:00Bragging...Last week I took my children to a homeschool event. We don't usually attend these because to be honest most of the homeschool families we have met are unusual and make me feel uncomfortable. I don't mean to sound rude but am simply being honest. At this event they asked that the parents remain in a "parent lounge" while the children attended the event. So, I spent 6 hours in a small room with about ten other home school moms. I learned more about their children than I ever wanted to and said less than two words about my own. I came away from the event knowing that one child has aguitar and is taking lessons three times a week. This child, according to her mother, is destined to be on television and is skilled beyond belief. I know every performance she has been in during the last year and even got to see a video of one. I doubt this woman left the event even know my name. It was strange and I am so glad I rarely attend events like that. At least my children enjoyed themselves. LJNhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07433287107533708626noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34578707.post-61418090720542150592014-03-02T16:44:00.000-05:002014-03-02T16:44:20.468-05:00Fishing...I can't believe it is March! Hopefully, this winter comes to an end soon. It has been what seems like a long and bitterly cold winter. We are anxiously waiting for spring to arrive. What we are even more anxious for is for April to get here and along with it the start of trout season. This year my family plans to spend a great deal of time fishing. We enjoy fishing greatly but have been so busy the last few years that we haven't been able to devote much time to it. This year will be different and we are going to try to hit the water at least a couple of times a week. LJNhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07433287107533708626noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34578707.post-8439695213606789132014-02-04T20:18:00.001-05:002014-07-18T14:28:46.981-05:00Band practice...For quite some time I posted about our neighbors' across the street. It seemed like there was a never ending band practice taking place at their house. I don't know if they had gotten a fishman loudbox mini at guitar center or where but we could hear them as clear as day everywhere. For the last couple of months there hasn't been a peep to be heard. I really think they might have moved somewhere else. I never saw a moving truck and the lights still appear to be on occasionally. It is nice not to be serenaded by music you don't want to hear at all hours of the day and night. LJNhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07433287107533708626noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34578707.post-81073517706377112472014-02-04T20:09:00.001-05:002014-02-04T20:09:56.929-05:00Mingling...My husband has been invited to go to a mixer by the agency he works for. The event is sponsored by the local chamber of commerce. He asked if I wanted to attend with him. As much as I would love a night out with my husband I do not like these types of social functions. I always feel completely awkward and don't enjoy making small talk at all. Thankfully my husband understands my social issues and doesn't feel the need for me to be there. I am great when I am in a professional role but to go and simply be a stay at home parent is weird for me. I will be happier at home with the kids having a movie and popcorn night. LJNhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07433287107533708626noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34578707.post-61513422365027015752014-01-29T18:15:00.000-05:002014-07-18T14:26:43.508-05:00Cabin Fever Kicks In...My children are displaying signs of cabin fever this week.The weather has been so very cold that we have been stuck in the house for days on end. They have been coming up with some very creative ways to amuse themselves. Today they decided to imagine that they were in a band. This wasn't just any ordinary band. They asked if they could look foronline because they needed one for their band. I told them they could look but not buy anything. I am quite sure that their band is a passing fancy and that by the end of the week the band will be long forgotten. In the meantime they managed to make due with a guitar and a tambourine. We should have warm weather by the end of the week and that I can get them outside to burn off some energy soon. LJNhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07433287107533708626noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34578707.post-41406240547793667592014-01-29T18:08:00.000-05:002014-01-29T18:08:02.412-05:00Plastic surgery show...Lately, I have been a bit hooked on watching this show about plastic surgery in Beverly Hills. In the back of my mind I have always wanted someone to wave a magic wand over my stomach and erase my tummy. Truth be told I would never have plastic surgery unless there was a medically necessary reason. This doesn't stop me from being fascinated with the plastic surgery that other people choose to have. It amazes me that people who by most standard look perfect still feel that they are imperfect and in need of surgery. It goes to show that you can't judge how someone feels about themselves by looking at the outside. There are people who simply feel that they need to do whatever they can to strive for some picture of perfection in their own head. Although I wouldn't make the choices they make I can't fault them for reaching for what they want.LJNhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07433287107533708626noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34578707.post-37890657112419572182014-01-29T18:00:00.002-05:002014-07-18T14:24:09.409-05:00Stressed...Lately, I have been feeling a bit stretched or drug out. Despite working out on a regular basis I feel stressed and as if I need to burn off some steam. There are times where I wish I knew how to play drums. It would be fun to sit down and bang on one of those . I have always found drawn to drums despite not having a musical bone in my body. When I watch people playing the drums they always seem like they are just really enjoying themselves and as if they don't have a care in the world. For now I am going to simply have to find another way to blow off steam because there is no likelihood that I am going to learn to play the drums any time soon.LJNhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07433287107533708626noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34578707.post-13289568542094705192014-01-29T17:53:00.002-05:002014-01-29T17:53:49.858-05:00Running...I finished the C25K program a couple of weeks ago. Since then I have continued with my running on a consistent basic. My new plan is to work on increasing my speed and the time that I run. I have upped my speed slightly and added about 5 minutes to my 30 minute run. I am feeling really proud of myself for sticking with this and find myself looking forward to the days that I run. I never in a million years would have believed that I would run for 10 minutes let alone 35 minutes. I also walk for another 30 minutes in addition to my run. On the days that I don't run I also walk for 60 minutes. So...all in all I work out 60 minutes a day six out of seven days of the week.I am also adding some strength training into my routine.LJNhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07433287107533708626noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34578707.post-14318876815015393922013-12-26T17:37:00.002-05:002013-12-26T17:37:37.776-05:00Specific gifts...I may have mentioned in a previous post that I have a family member who is a musician. She has very high expectations of the people in her life when it comes to giving her gifts. She thinks nothing of asking for a <a href="http://www.music123.com/violin-cases-gig-bags">new violin case</a> or other music related gift around the holidays. Her requests are so specific that it takes the fun out of shopping for her. This year my family elected not to exchange gifts in order to simplify things. We are, for the most part, simple people and don't really need much. It was nice to not have to worry this year about buying gifts and to simply enjoy a meal together. LJNhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07433287107533708626noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34578707.post-9013914959159207462013-12-26T17:32:00.000-05:002013-12-26T17:32:29.044-05:00Relaxing...It is the day after Christmas, and we have spent a relaxing day at home. Our traveling and gift opening has come to an end. The children were spoiled rotten by everyone in the family. They have spent a quiet day building and constructing with all the toys they were given. Everyone seems to have enjoyed themselves. It was really nice to visit with family and have everyone happy and healthy. I am looking forward to spending the next 12 days enjoying time with my kids and taking a break from home schooling. LJNhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07433287107533708626noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34578707.post-68616709960002914852013-12-18T20:22:00.002-05:002013-12-18T20:22:40.760-05:00Music choices...On Sunday we will be having a party to celebrate my oldest son turning 14 years old. Those attending will be mainly our immediate family members. I know people who throw fantastic parties and invite a couple dozen kids, but that just isn't our thing. We like a quiet family gathering with cake and a little background music. I am always hesitant to choose music because my sister-in-law is a musician. She never fails to have something to say about my musical choices. She also loves to offer advice on buying musical equipment. She told me I should really looking into the <a href="http://www.musiciansfriend.com/pro-audio/american-dj-revo-4--led-moonflower">revo 4 american dj at musicians friend</a> for my next party. I always let her advice just roll off my back. I love music as much as the next person but for a simple birthday party our stereo works just fine. LJNhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07433287107533708626noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34578707.post-21339405985445829972013-12-18T20:16:00.001-05:002013-12-18T20:16:57.251-05:00LDLSo, my doctor called yesterday to tell me that my cholesterol is high as well as my LDL... I have to go on a low fat diet. I already eat a Paleo diet but I steer myself towards low fat meats. My glucose level was also high which could mean I am pre-diabetic. I have to have all of this tested again in 6 months. I will be interested to see what changes in that time given that I started running 6 weeks ago. Hopefully, everything straightens out but I am really thinking this is genetic because both my parents are on statins and diabetes runs in my family.LJNhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07433287107533708626noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34578707.post-68693034647381186372013-12-10T19:07:00.000-05:002013-12-10T19:08:36.013-05:00InsuranceIt is funny to listen to my father-in-law talk about things not that he is retired. Before he retired he had absolutely no interest in home insurance or finding a <a ref="http://www.nchealthagency.com/">north carolina health insurance agency</a>. Up until he retired he rented an apartment and had insurance through his employer. Now he has bought a home and has to find his own health insurance. I just have to giggle because the all frustration he is now feeling is something we have dealt with for countless years. I bite my tongue and simply listen to him but inside I am thinking that he finally understands all the stuff we have been dealing with. Hopefully, he finds what he is looking for in insurance and can move on to other pressing issues in his life.LJNhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07433287107533708626noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34578707.post-1803423410120318822013-12-10T19:02:00.001-05:002013-12-10T19:02:13.924-05:00Doctor's visit...I never go to the doctor's office but at my husband's nudging I went for a visit today. As it turns out I seem to be in good health. My doctor is pleased with the diet I am eating and the type of exercise I am doing. She says that she doesn't care what people weigh but is much more interested in what they eat and how they exercise. She said that if I can run a 5K when I am done with my training that in and of itself tells her a great deal more about my health than the number on the scale. That made me feel tremendous. I get very fixated on the number on the scale, and it drives me a little crazy. I have to wait for the results of my blood work but thus far I am encouraged by this visit. LJNhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07433287107533708626noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34578707.post-73399541168220265872013-11-28T17:43:00.001-05:002013-11-28T17:43:19.800-05:00Conversation... Getting together with my family is always an interesting affair. We all have such diverse interests and opinions. You just never know what topic of conversation might come up. At lunch we might find ourselves talking about <a href="http://www.rootlaw.com/">immigration attorneys</a>. After dinner the conversation might drift into politics or what ever television show we are presently watching. While we differ on our opinions on these topics there always seems to be an underlying current of respect for one another. I hate talking with people who try to sway you to their opinion and fail to acknowledge the merits of your opposing viewpoint. Somehow we always have an engaging conversation without ending up upset with one another. LJNhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07433287107533708626noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34578707.post-30489991024535686022013-11-28T17:38:00.000-05:002013-11-28T17:38:12.214-05:00Stuffed...About three months ago my husband and I gave up eating grains. For the most part this has not been very hard to stick with. We do allow ourselves to eat normally on holidays. With today being Thanksgiving we indulged in all the foods that we have been denying ourselves. It was absolutely delicious but I really didn't fell the need to eat seconds or thirds of anything. It was just nice to eat what I wanted and not feel guilty. Tomorrow I am sure that I will hate what the scale says but for today I am just thankful for good food and family. I might even go for an extra walk tonight to work things off from today's dinner.LJNhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07433287107533708626noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34578707.post-81201786006799539282013-11-08T17:38:00.001-05:002014-07-18T14:18:08.250-05:00Lists...I have gotten Christmas shopping done for two people on my list this year. I still have a great many people left to buy for. The hardest person to buy for on my list is my sister-in-law. She loves music, and I know nothing about music. Every year she puts something on her list that involves me looking for things like an. When you don't have a musical bone in your body this can be quite a challenge. I would prefer she put stuff like books or gift cards, but that never happens. Who knows what she will ask for this year that will require me spending hours online doing research. LJNhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07433287107533708626noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34578707.post-29758839428216632292013-11-08T17:33:00.000-05:002013-11-08T17:33:04.793-05:00Snow...We awoke today to find the ground a blanket of white fluffy snow. The kids were beyond ecstatic because to them snow means that Christmas is on the way. I used today to continue working on my Christmas shopping. I was able to get shopping done for my youngest son. It took me hours to find good deals on what I have been looking for, but I found finally found them. My youngest son will be thrilled. What is even better is that my purchases earned gift cards that I will be able to use as gifts for other people. I can now cross my youngest off my shopping list and will now move on to shopping for my oldest.LJNhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07433287107533708626noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34578707.post-48843096670447678692013-10-29T18:30:00.001-05:002013-10-29T18:30:12.710-05:00Hard Frost...I looked out the window today and saw what I would consider to be our first hard frost. I have actually been waiting for a hard frost because my hope is that it will kill the mosquitoes outside. I haven't been able to put the gardens to bed because the mosquitoes have been so bad. I know that this hard frost means snow is coming and that I will soon wish I had <a href="http://cozywinters.com/heated-seats/">heated auto seats</a>. Putting the gardens to bed for the winter isn't a big project but it isn't easy if you are being chewed up by bugs. Now I hope to be able to get the work done without ending up covered in bug bites. LJNhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07433287107533708626noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34578707.post-24450135934438684562013-10-29T18:23:00.001-05:002013-10-29T18:23:09.263-05:00Free food...There was a time when I believed that food from the store was absolutely the best thing for my family. Over time I have come to realize that is not true in the slightest. Food that I grow or am given by other growers or harvesters is best for my family. I have learned to accept free locally sourced food when it is offered to me. It may take time to process and my back may ache from the work involved but free food of this nature is good food. In the last week I have been given apples and venison. Later this week I will be picking up some free pears. My family will enjoy these things in the months to come, and I am thankful to have them no matter how much work is involved. LJNhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07433287107533708626noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34578707.post-33613165349767628622013-10-29T18:13:00.002-05:002014-07-18T14:15:56.139-05:00Peaceful...There are days when I just become overwhelmed with noise. My family tends to like to have a lot of things going on. My husband loves music and constantly has music playing. It isn't like he is a music aficionado and has a or anything. He basically has a large record collection and an antique record player and plays them constantly. Most of the time I love his musical choices, but there are just days when I need a little quiet and today is one of those days. I am sitting upstairs working on some projects, and it is silent, and I am happy. My nerves just need a break from the music for a bit.LJNhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07433287107533708626noreply@blogger.com