Urban Homesteader

My garden, is in shambles

Posted by gokings13
07:18, Monday, August 25, 2008 .. Posted in OH! THE GARDEN .. 4 comments .. Link
Spring in Indiana was cold and wet.
It killed my first 100 tomatoes.
It diseased my second round of 100 tomatoes.

Finally, I am getting "some" fruit.
The tops are cracked ((due to a lack of water, then too much, then a lack there of)), and they have spots ((that peel off when I blanch)).
They are small. About 1/2 the size they should be.
And for every 5 ripe tomatoes, 2 are rotten.

Can you recommend a good fungicide that will cover a 36 x 36 area?

My peppers grew weird.
My cucumbers are long and odd shaped.
My onions are about 1/2 the size they should be.
My egg plants are JUST NOW coming on.
My pumpkin vine is dying already.

But my herbs?? They did amazing.
Too bad you can't live off of basil and sage! HA HA

I am so sick about this garden. Sick.
It's heartbreaking to look out the window.

So, what do you want to do when you grow up?

Posted by gokings13
07:09, Monday, August 25, 2008 .. Posted in Politically Incorrect & Potentially Offensive :-) .. 2 comments .. Link
You hear adults ask little kids this question all the time.
I was asked recently "when you were a kid, what did YOU want to do when you grew up"........
My answer?
I wanted to be a Las Vegas Show Girl.
Really.
With the big feathers on her head and the sequined outfits!
Either that, or a Rockette........

Now, today, at 40+, what I 'want' when 'I grow up'?

I don't want to work anymore.
I don't want to be in debt.
I want to cook, clean, take care of the kids and our house.
I want to spend as much time as needed in the garden.
I want to have free time to give if it's needed.
I want to breathe.

I am too old to be a Las Vegas Show Gal, but.........hopefully, soon, I can achieve my second goal!

Boltbabe...............Another excellent blog!

Posted by gokings13
08:32, Sunday, August 24, 2008 .. Posted in Politically Incorrect & Potentially Offensive :-) .. 1 comments .. Link
I just haven't had much to say in days, but have read some great entries this morning.

"Journey to Simplicity" has a series of blogs about teaching kids responsibility.
As a mother of teens (and I think these articles are really geared for littles) I would like to share our experience........

From the time the kids could drag a laundry basket behind them, they were taught that they were 1/5 of a family equation.
They were taught that it takes all 5 of us working together, to function.

We tried the colorful charts, the prizes, the money, the stickers and glitz and glam.
It all lead me back to this:
I was bribing them to be part of the family. I was paying them to perform family duties........that I had to "remind them" to do!!
Not only that, I was teaching them that only X was their job, and I was robbing them of the ability to take the initiative.

Side note / Left field comment.
I am seeing in the generation of kids age 16-30, that they cannot function unless someone is telling them what to do. If it's not written down, or you are telling them what to do........they stand still, or worse, horse around.
They have no idea how to "see that a table is dirty, therefore it needs cleaned up" reguardless if it's in their section or not".
They have little or no idea or concept of team work.
They have little or no idea of work ethic.
They really have no idea of 'service'.
I know every generation says "Kids these days......" but I am here to tell you as someone who works in the service industry........that generation has no manners, no work ethic, no concept of service, no ability to take the initiative they can only function if someone tells them what to do or they work off a list.......they have no ability to free think. And to boot? Don't expect any above and beyond the call of duty type behavior. If they ain't gettin' paid extra, they ain't doin' no extra...........It is sad, and frustrating when you try to hire them to work, you set an appointment for an interview, and of 10 calls, 8 no call no show..........so I will dismount now :-)

I wanted to instill in the children they are part of a family, it takes 5 to make thing function properly, if you see a mess clean it regaurdless if it is yours or not.

I would walk them thru a room and say: Whats wrong in here? We'd take notes, then fan out and work together on getting it cleaned.
Now at 18, 16, 14 they know that before daddy gets home, the house is to be right. They know that before company comes, deeper cleaning is required. They know that before mommy comes home, just have the kitchen clean. When they see something out of place, they put it away.
I don't have to make lists, I don't have charts, and I don't pay them a dime. Taking care of the home we live in is the least we can do for the blessing God has given us.

I have no complaints when it comes to chores / cleanliness of my older teens. A good work ethic was instilled in them at a young age. And it shows today!

Keri Mae..........you hit the nail on the head!!

Posted by gokings13
08:12, Sunday, August 24, 2008 .. Posted in Politically Incorrect & Potentially Offensive :-) .. 2 comments .. Link
Maybe it's just me.......
But I was at  "A Happy Home"  and whamo.
Like a 2 x 4 this hits me right between the eyes.

"I wanted to say "yes". I want to be liked"

Taking three steps back and applying this to myself and my obligations.........

Why do I do 99% of what I do?
I want to be liked.

I sign up to do this and that for ___________.
I want to be liked.
I run a _______ why?
I want to be liked.
I am working two jobs why?
I want to be liked.
And on and on and on..........
Really.......who am *I* serving? ME. Me and my feelings. Me and my wants and desires. Oh I am doing work for others, but deep down inside, I am serving myself.......who am I kidding!!

I *serve* on this committee or this ministry. Yeah right. I *serve* me.....oh I can sign up, volunteer, and look real compassionate. But guess what? When everyone *sees me* and says *awwww she is so compassionate, she is so _________* then I have received my reward. I got just what I wanted. Recognition for a job well done.
What a selfish sick person I am.
Romans 7:7-25

But what have I done "in secret" to please the Lord?
How have I served Him in "secret" as He has instructed me?????
Secret in the original Greek language?
Means: Hidden
Hidden means, no one sees. No one knows. No one hears.
No applause, no atta girls, no "oh this is so nice".
Nada, zip, zero.

See Matthew 6.
The first line says it all;
""Be careful not to do your 'acts of righteousness' before men, to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven."

Then it goes on and on about how you should not do things for show.Or, so that you "will be liked".............

Thanks Keri. I really needed to see this today.

Paragraph by Paragraph: The InTangible August 20th, 2008

Posted by gokings13
08:59, Wednesday, August 20, 2008 .. Posted in LISTS ! .. 0 comments .. Link
Paragraph One

My Walk.
Walk is a verb.
Right now I am sitting.
Sitting with my back to the Lord.
Oh sure when I want something or need something
I will talk to Him.
But, my 'walk' is not.
It's a sit.
This just has to change.

Paragraph Two

Learn to say no.
And mean it.
I am too over extended.
Too many irons in the fire.
My mind, it is so busy
I do not rest.
Sinner, party of one your table is now available!
This just has to change.

Paragraph Three

Give.


Paragraph Four


Change.
Things just have to change.
I just can't stand
myself
anymore.




Paragraph by Paragraph: The Tangible August 20, 2008

Posted by gokings13
08:30, Wednesday, August 20, 2008 .. Posted in LISTS ! .. 0 comments .. Link
Paragraph One

My crazy house
I need to plan, once again, room to room.
Start with the ceiling.
Work my way down and get each room done.
When the market rebounds
this house is
up for sale.
Purge
Purge
Purge
Neutralize

Paragraph Two

Prepare for winter.
Winter should be a four letter word
Wntr
I do not look forward to winter.
However, like it or not, it will come.
So I must prepare.
Again. Mr. List

Paragraph Three

Going along with Paragraph Two, I need to plan
out my flower beds so that
when the time comes
I can place my flower bulbs.
Not much I can do now.........I still have flowers
blooming!!
None the less, I do have to plan
Not only for the existing side bed, but to expand
into the front yard.
The lady that appraised our home said if we put in
flower beds, it would increase the value
of the home almost 10,000.00
OK flower beds it is!!

Paragraph Four

My car.
She is dead and I don't know how to fix her.
I cannot buy a new one.
Or a used one for that matter..
I love my car.
I just don't know what to do.
I really want to fix her.
I need to sell my 4-runner.
It just sits.

Paragraph Five


Clothes.
I must buy myself some new clothes.
It's not to 'update' a wardrobe.
it's to have something to wear!!
I have not bought myself clothes in years...
Thank God that my size has not changed.
Or
I would be running around
with only
2 outfits!
Ha








My Daughter Laura's Engagement Story!

Posted by urbanhomemaker
05:58, 2008-Aug-12 .. 3 comments .. Link

Last week I was invited to the home of local Paonia residents Joan and Ron Beers, grandparents to my daughter's boyfriend Brandon Coble, for a family dinner. Brandon's parents, sisters, sister's boyfriend, sister's husband, uncle and aunt were there as well. (Stephen and Mary were out of town.)

Brandon has been serving our country in Baghdad for the past 8 months and has been home for an 18 day leave before returning to Iraq for another five months. Laura and Brandon have been friends for the past three years and have been dating long distance for the past 5 months. ( With Duane's permission.)

After dinner I was busy visiting with Uncle Rick and Grandpa Ron, and Mom Karen, while the grown children were enjoying a spirited word game called Probe. Apparently this game requires each contestant to spell out one word, and everyone takes turns guessing one letter, and as in Wheel of Fortune, if the letter is there, then the card is overturned and you can take a guess at the word.

All of a sudden Grandma Joan, comes into the room and says, "Marilyn I really think you need to see what's going on with this game."

My reply was, "I don't do word games." But Grandma Joan insisted, "Marilyn! I REALLY THINK YOU NEED TO SEE WHAT'S GOING ON WITH THIS GAME IN THE KITCHEN!"

Meanwhile, my daughter Laura is calling, "MOMMY, MOMMY, MOMMY!" At this point, I realized I better get up and see what the commotion was all about. As I entered the kitchen I saw a sparkly ring upon Laura's ring finger.

It turns out Brandon's 15 letter "word" was really a phrase "Willumarryme". Look at the above picture carefully.

No one was getting Brandon's word, until Laura's turn, when she called out "l" and "m". Her startled and nervous response to the word/phrase was "ARE YOU SERIOUS?" At which point, Brandon got down on his knee in front of Laura and his family, and asked "Will You Marry me?" and Laura said "yes!" This is the point at which I discovered what all the commotion was about and that my daughter had just become engaged!

So, I am a very excited mom this week , although sad to not share the happy event with Duane. Duane had already decided before his death that he would give his approval to a winter wedding.

So shouting from the roof tops, I am pleased to announce my daughter, Laura's, engagement to Brandon Coble for a January 3, 2009 wedding. More details and pictures will be at my blog, marilynmollcom as soon as I get to it.

Now, I'll admit I shouldn't have been too surprised because Brandon had asked for my permission to marry Laura before Laura received the ring. Nevertheless, I really didn't know when, where and how this special event would happen, nor did I expect to get to participate in the excitement! God has been so good t o us.

Please be sure to be praying for Brandon and the thousands of other troops deployed in Baghdad and around the world.



ENTITLEMENT

Posted by gokings13
07:55, Tuesday, August 12, 2008 .. Posted in Politically Incorrect & Potentially Offensive :-) .. 5 comments .. Link
I am sick sick sick up to my *#($&@ eyeballs with people who have entitlement issues.

How about this:

I have worked for the same boss for 4 1/2 years.
Every night, at the end of the shift, my boss buys each employee who has worked, dinner.
He created a special button on the computer "employee meal".
It's the WHOLE menu.
He takes off the first 16.00.
So if I get a steak dinner, it only costs me 5.00.

Ok.

My boss gives us dinner each shift we work.
Let's look at the benefits he receives by giving away food.

1. We know what it tastes like so we can better describe it to customers.
2. It is his way of saying 'thank you' to his staff. A way for him to show his appreciation to us. But he receives no "benefit" for this gesture.

Ok........that's it. ONE benefit.

Now, what do we, the employees receive?

1. Free food. Not just any food, but really good food. Food cooked with the most expensive ingredients. Very good food.
2. We are the recipients of our bosses generosity.
3. The ability to taste everything on the menu at a HUGE fraction of the cost.
4. We know that we are appreciated.
5. We can take it to a friend or neighbor who has baby sat for us, or whatever.

OK NOW LETS LOOK AT THIS:

Boss buys us dinner.
You have an employee that starts grumbling that boss should include a salad.
That same employee is totally offended that boss charges .25 (that's right a quarter) for us to get it to go (um because we are using all of his to go boxes that cost money to buy, duh).
This employee begins to "rebel rouse" and grumble about how unfair it is.
She causes friction amongst the other employees.

Do you know why?

SHE has entitlement issues.
SHE thinks she is entitled to whatever her heart desires.

I have a question.

What is wrong with people today? When you do something nice, when you go OUT OF YOUR WAY, to do something nice, when you go out of your way and receive little or NO BENEFIT YOURSELF to do something nice..................why is it that there is always someone RIGHT THERE to push it? Someone who just can't look at a situation and say "wow, thank you for what you have done?"

What is wrong with people?
It's no wonder I don't want to leave my house.
Ge-ma-nee-christmas.

The Indiana State Fair

Posted by gokings13
08:05, Friday, August 8, 2008 .. Posted in GOALS .. 1 comments .. Link
What am I going to do at the Indiana State Fair???


Milk a cow
Ask a 1,000 questions about cows.
Ask a 1,000 questions about chickens.
Ask a 1,000 questions about my garden. I will come prepared with a piece of fruit, effected leaves, and soil. I will have photos and temp charts. Oh yeah, I am loaded for bear.

I will collect enough information that I will need a back pack to carry it.

I will pet the piggys
I will pet the pony's
I will pet the goats (pu smelly goats!)

I will go fishin' in the pond.
Shoot a bow and arrow
Shoot a 'virtual' shotgun

Eat a ribeye sandwich, corn on the cob, an elephant ear, and anything else that is moving slow enough for me to catch!!

I will take tons and tons and tons of photos.
I am going next week and I simply, cannot wait!!

Canned yesterday

Posted by gokings13
07:59, Friday, August 8, 2008 .. Posted in OH! THE GARDEN .. 1 comments .. Link
Drum roll please..............

I canned three, (3), trace, twa, dry, yes, THREE PINTS of tomatoes yesterday.

Why only 3 pints you ask?

Well of the 100 tomato plants in the ground, I only had enough ripe fruit to can 3 pints...........

Those 3 pints are now little jars of gold, that will hold places of honor on the canning shelf in the basement.

I think I will start going to the farmers market and buying tomatoes to can.

I am crying on the inside.

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