Hickory Springs Farm

parental joys........

Last night was ugly. Turns out that Mat was overtired, but that was not seen until later. The rule is that I am allowed to spot check math timed tests at any time and if htey are not 100% complete, no youth for that not. Mat had been doing a good job so I wasn't spot checking. My mistake. But we are trying to let Mat have some 'control' and responsibilities. So I realized my mistake when it dawned on me that I was asking if his timed TEST was done. I could've shown you each day he had math on a Monday. ARGH! Another 25+ tests WERE NOT DONE! So no youth. The amt of caterwalling I heard was beyond unreasonable. Which garnered him loosing youth for all of Dec (which in retrospect is 2 meetings!LOL). Meanwhile, he was very, very angry. He wrote on his shirt in green pen. Which this morning he learned lost him all of December's allowance to make up for the shirt. I went in at 10 last night tho (he's normally up WAY past 10!) and he was GONE! DEAD TO THE WORLD! Needless to say, today has gone MUCH better and he's almost caught up on timed tests and the world can go on.........LOL

But today I haven't done much. CLeaned up, put away the dry laundry, etc. Realized that Mat's 'fun' last night cost me a trip to the grocery. So that's what we are doing today. I also dont' know when the last time his amphians were fed so we're going to the 'big' town and getting crickets and my reward for yesterday will be a Starbucks (have no fear, I have gift cards!LOL).

I also made the cheeseballs today so we'll drop that off at horseman's.

What to do when a 15 year old boy shows up at your door late at night and tells you that he's run away from home?

You panic! That's what I did.

Here's the story. Years ago when my youngest son was still attending public school he made  a friend. The cutest little black boy named Kia. He  spent many nights and weekends at our house for  years. He was a good child to say the least.  He is one of three children that his single mom is trying to raise. I had no problems with him at all. Then once I took Zack out of school we didn't see the little fellow as much. But they still talked on the phone from time to time. I was sad that they didn't remain close close.

Then last night around 8:45 there is a knock at my door. I freak, as I ususally do when there  is a knock late at night. You always fear the worse for a moment. He had grown a good bit so I didn't recognize him at first and was wondering what the hey is this kid that I don't know doing at my house this late. Then when he said my name I realized who he was. He was crying and informs me that he had ran away from home. His story was unclear about why he was doing this, buy I did get that his mom would be very very upset with him for something that he had done and in his words, "kill him". At first I thought he was exaggerating, but through more conversation with him I found out, if his story is true, that his mom is abusive to him, he even mentioned a baseball bat.  To see this women, whom I never really got to know all that well, you wouldn't think she would do this. But as my husband said, "you never know what people are truly like behind closed doors."

So as we sat on the front porch swing I prayed for God to help me give this child the right words. I told him that he could spend the night here with us IF he called his mom and let me speak to her. He didn't like that, he didn't want her to know where he was. The child was really frightened of what he was facing.  I offered to bring where ever he wanted to go. His grandfather lived not too far from my home. He said no. I offered to call anyone he thought might help him, a friend, a relative, a teacher, a pastor, anyone. I didn't know what to do for him. I didn't know where he lived since they had moved in the past year, I didn't know any phone numbers or even names of his relatives. I felt useless and helpless. He had come to me and I was not helping him.

After almost an hour, he promised me that he was going to go straight to his grandfather's house, but I knew better since he wouldn't allow me to bring him there. I prayed for him, hugged him and watched him walk down my dark road.

I cryed and then decided to call the police. After about 20 minutes of them trying to decide what department to give me and my problem to, they told me thay would send out a car to look for him. They also told me that they would contact me with any more info on him. I stayed dressed and up untill the wee hours of the morning, and never heard from anyone. And as I said I don't have any phone numbers to call and check up on him.

 I pray that this child was helped in some manner by someone. I felt helpless in the whole situation. I wanted to just invite him into my home and let him stay forever if  that's what he wanted. But that wouldn't have been fair to his mother. And I also didn't want to cross any legal lines, you know how thin those lines are now days.

I just hope God is watching over Kia today and always. Could I have done anything different?

turkey stock

I hit the big 3-0 today!

No not years, (Lord I hit that mark some 16 years ago). The big 3-0 in pounds. Yay me! I finally hit the 30 lb mark this morning on the scale. It only took me 6 weeks, lol. I stayed stuck on that  28th and 29th lb. for weeks and weeks. I thought I would never hit it.

I have not been this "lite" in some 13 years. I had joined TOPS when my youngest was two years old and lost like 60+ lbs in less than 7 months. BUT gained it ALL back when I took a desk job, at night no less. Then through out the years was able to take some of it back off,  but stayed stuck at a certain point for years. When mom moved in with us and started going down hill with her Alzehimers I started stressing out. Once the storms hit, I was a mess for sure. I think I went two days without eating anything but a handfull of grapes. My dd had to fuss me to get me to eat something. I ended up losing 18 pounds in about three weeks time.

Well I'm not stressed anymore but decided to go with losing of the weight but with in healthy manner. So I have stopped eating red meat, sausage, bacon and other high fat meats. I also try to eat only high fiber foods, lots of friuts and veggies and have completly layed off of the snack foods. I eat only granola, yogurt, friut, and rice cakes for snacks.

I love how I feel! I use to want to lose the weight so that I could look better, now I just want to live to see myself with my grandchildren. Now to get to work on those other 50  LBS.

Thanksgiving Sucess!!!!!!!!!!!!

We had a GREAT Thanksgiving!

Let me backpedal a bit. Friday I took Mat back home for a lockin and we got haircuts and I went to see my (mom's) coat at the cleaners. After they finally FOUND the right ticket, I saw the coat. He's going to work some more on it and hopefully it will look a little bit better. The hair cuts went well. Except that I managed to put my hands in the wax strips from my brows while inspecting Mat's cut and that was a mess!ROTFL! The place is kept under lock and key, but that's another issue. It was very quiet and professional and I did appreciate that aspect.  Then to drop off all the pies for the Thanksgiving meal at the church and Mat's stuff and find the accessories for mom's sewing maching (PHEW!) and this combine that she'd been hunting for. By then it was supper time so we stayed for pizza and heade out. I had stuff to get done at home for the Thanksgiving on Saturday still!

Dh was a HUGE help! He didnt' even go into work on Saturday! I nearly keeled over! He rigged some mess that would be a huge fire hazard under the table for the crock pots!LOL He also did a great job ont th bird AND he peeled all 10 lbs of potatoes!!!! Meanwhile, I had worked out, showered, made the california medley, sweet potato casserole, dressing (the RIGHT way!LOL) and we got the little things done. Then I did the mashed potatoes. I was done by 11! Which meant that I had plenty of time to visit, and that was nice. We all had a very nice day and a nice time chatting and catching up.

Dh wanted to go do a house w/my BIL (he does lead testing) so they left to do that while some of us played Euchre. ;) When they got back, we ate supper and cleaned up. We got done at 8. I was DEAD!

Yesterday was the church celebration so things were all out of whack. But I'm officially done teaching Sunday School.;) We got our class organized for the next lessons and worked on the church calendar that we do as a fund raiser. Then to the satelite site for the service and lunch. We got home and I made the turkey salad (some of mom's eggs were vertical while boiling which means they do not make very good deviled eggs so we used those for turkey salad) and was going to do something else when DH told Joey to get off the computer or he'd be late for Christmas program practice. It was my night to help at kid's club, but I had TOTALLY FORGOTTEN PRACTICE!!!!!!!! So I got dressed and we buzzed out the door. I did get to the grocery for the carrots and onions for the stock during practice!LOL So it was another long, but fun day.

Today is more of the same. I'm ready to toss the 5th load of laundry in, have the turkey stock boiling, the pumpkin is cooling so I can puree that, and Joey's done w/school. I've gotten all my calendar ads renewed and ready to put in the mail and updated and balanced the checkbook. I also got my kombucha tea made. I only wish I could take a nap!!!!!!!! I just ate bfast a bit ago and it's almost lunch time!

Oh, I forgot the 'fun' stuff. Mat LOVED the lockin. He's not done anything like that before and the object was to be up all night. They were making breads and rolls for their fundraiser and they watched a movie, had a worship/communion, etc. Mat got sick--IN THE SANTUARY! I'm still not sure why THERE, but he got overheated. Another girl did as well. My dad picked Mat up at 8am and Mat was DEAD. So what does my dad do? Go to the local coffee hangout and drank coffee w/his buddies for an hour while MAT SLEPT IN THE BOOTH!!!!!!!ROTFL! Oh well..........

And the winner is.......

And the winner is.......... CINDY  at  Prairie Mouse's House.  Cindy has won the Christmas cards and stamps package that I was giving away this weekend. Congrats Cindy. Thanks for playing along.

Thanksgiving Menu and plans for it

Here is my Thanksgiving menu and the list of plans that will help keep me on track.

 Roasted Turkey

 Cornbread Dressing

 Green Bean Casserole

 Rice Dressing

 Peas

 Sweet Potato Casserole

 Cranberry Compote

 Rolls

 Coconut Cake

 Watergate Salad

 Pecan Pie

There is something for everyone here. Some like this, some like that, so everyone should be able to find something that they can fill up on.

Now here is the list of plans that will help keep me on the right path to that perfect meal. ha ha

Sunday

~Make menu and grocery list. Done

~ Pray that I get through the week and nothing burns. Done, and will do again.

Monday

~Go through freezer and pantry to make sure I have everything I need.

~Check off what I do have and make list for what I don't.

Tuesday

~Head to the grocery store for items needed.

~Move turkey from freezer to the ice box to start the defrosting process.

~Give the whole house a good once over.

Wednesday

~Make sure I know how many people are coming for Thanksgiving meal.  I want to always have enough.

~Do any baking the cake, cornbread, and  pecan pie. Also make watergate salad.

~Boil and de-bone chicken for cornbread dressing.

~Chop all seasonings needed for each dish and refrigerate.

~Take out ground beef for rice dressing and let defrost.

~Put turkey in a cold salt water bath to finish the defrosting.

~Check one last time for last minute items needed and make a mad dash to the grocery store if need be.

Thanksgiving Day

~Cook!

~Eat!

~Clean!

~Rest!

Friday

~Eat leftovers.

~Help dh cook spaghetti and meatballs for some "man" thing that he has this afternoon.

Saturday

~Go eat out!

Anyone heard from Glenda?

Just wondering if anyone had heard from Glenda lately?  You can PM me, if you would, and let me know how she is?

Thanks,

Rhonda

It's giveaway time again! A Christmas Package

 I posted once before about all the "free" stuff I receive in the mail from many organizations and charities that I sometimes donate to. Well once again I have an abundance of items that I will not be using. This times it's Christmas cards and gift labels. I am not the type of person that throws ANYTHING away. I always try to find another use for it or another home for things.

So I thought with times being the way they are and just yesterday on the blog someone mentioned that they can not afford to buy or mail cards this year, I thought I would offer a package that may be helpful to someone.

I have a package that I have put together that includes the following items.

• 72 gift tags
• 35 or so Christmas cards with envelopes from different organizations or groups, all too cute.
• a 2009 wall calendar
• a smaller one page 2009 calendar with a conversion chart on the reverse side, great for the kids.
• a Christmas CD with 29 great Christmas songs on it from the Disabled Vets
• I will also include a book of 20 Christmas theme, (if I can get Christmas ones) stamps to help with the mailing of the cards.
• And maybe an extra added surprise or two for good measure, lol. 

Sorry I don't have a picture, my camera is still not working, I'm so lost without it too. So if anyone is interested in these items just leave a comment here on my blog. If I should get more than one comment I will draw a winner from the bunch. I will let this ride over the weekend and pull on Monday morning. Hope this is helpful to someone.

Almost ready for Thanksgiving!

God must know I'm going to be eating like a pig cuz my workouts have been 'boot camp' style!LOL BUt that's good. Laundry is done and SHOULD be dry by tomorrow. The onions and celery are ready to saute for the dressing. The sweet potatoes are ready to boil as well. We'll get the leaf in the table and move furniture as soon as Mat is done w/school. I found all the paper goods (I bought Thanksgiving stuff in bulk one yearL!OL) and have plenty and will drag the crock pots out in a bit. I need to find out how many the rest of hte family is bringing so I know what can go where.

That leaves mainly peeling 10lbs of potatoes for tomorrow. DH does the bird so that's off my hook. The rest of the stuff is mainly dump, mix heat and toss into crock pots to stay warm until ppl arrive.;)