Providence Acres
• 13 October 2008 - Not sure WHY I was trying to start yet another blog?
Posted By Debi
What was I thinking?? I really don't know, even though it might say that I have two, for now I will only be posting on this one.
I just spent about 10 minutes trying to find the perfect name for another blog, boy was it hard. There are a lot of titles that I would have loved to use but they were all taken, and then I thought why not try 6toads1princess, it surprisingly was not taken. However, I can not call my boys toads, so what made me think of that in the first place?
Well in the last week they have found several toads, and these toads sound like birds. They are the coolest toads. When I was little I lived in FL and I of course had a little sand pail. This pail was often the home to toads and frogs, but my Mom would almost always tell me to put them all back. She told me a few years ago that she always felt sorry for the one on the bottom, because he/she was usually half dead by the time I got around to setting them all free.
Tomorrow after I pick up my camera from Wal-Mart tomorrow I will share a few pictures that we took of the first one that they had found. He was played with for a little while but then quickly returned to where he was found.
Today as a treat we had Subway, I don't usually get fast food of any kind. But I was really in the mood for a sub. Since there is a Firehouse Subs anywhere close to us, Subway will have to do. It was really good considering it has probably been a year since I've had one.
The rest of the treat will be tomorrow when the children are allowed to have a glass of Coke.
Sometime at the end of December 2006, I happened to catch the movie Super Size Me on tv, and boy did it open my eyes. I decided that in January we would not eat out for the whole month, no fast food and I stopped drinking Coke.
The good news was we made it through the month, I stopped the Coke consumption and lost something like 21lbs. WOOO HOOO!!!!
Better yet was in March we were blessed to find out that I was pregnant with our first daughter. Princess was born 19 Oct and will turn 1 in 6 days, I can't believe how fast this year has gone by either.
So because of that movie, and moving out to the country so much of our lifestyle has changed:
we rarely eat out
drink Coke or really any sugary drinks
eat sugary snacks
drink things with red dye
listen to the radio-we do listen to music, mostly classical, hymns, and other uplifting pieces
we are working on limiting TV to just a few hours a month, including DVD's that are not school related.
I am sure that there are many others but those are all I can think of right now.
It is a family weekend, DH will be home for his first weekend off in almost 3 months. Because he drives a big truck he is always at work, then he also has Drill weekends and because of how they fell he wasn't able to come home every two weeks like normal. But this week he will be home on Friday-we are praying that it is early enough in the day that he will get to spend almost 2 and a half days with us. It is also a very special weekend as Thursday Prince A turns 10, and of course Princess turns 1.
So we will be cleaning like the cleaning service is here, to make sure that the house is nice for DH while he's home. There is a lot to do, not including the projects that I am working on. Part of me just wants to say lets just load up and go somewhere to really have fun with him, but then I know that he probably has a list of things he'd like to get done around here. It should be fun to see what we end up doing.
Off to get everything ready for the boys to get their school work done tomorrow. I am looking at possibly taking them into town for a 4H club meeting on Friday. I don't know that they are ready to do the work though. They have been very lazy with their school work lately and that concerns me. Probably has to do with me being lazy with my work, say a prayer for me that I am able to find my focus and get back on track.
God Bless. |
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• 13 October 2008 - Running around outside
Posted By Debi
The boys are all running around outside, it is twilight and they could careless. Last night they were all there past dark, running in circles around the tent that is set up in the front yard.
We have been so blessed with the current weather, today it did look as though it might rain, but it never did. The clouds would cover the sun, and then the sun would burst through again to say hello, on and off all day.
I would have taken pictures of them playing outside but I still can't find the camera. I am so sad about that. There was something like 90 pictures on it and I hadn't copied them to the computer.
I am still praying that we will be able to find it though. I am going to call Walmart and see if perhaps someone might have turned it in. PRAISE THE LORD they have it!!!!!!!!! I will be going there to get it tomorrow. God is so good.
I think that I am going to work on my Nephew's blanket. I am crocheting it and I have two more scans of yarn left. Then I am going to start a blanket for Rachel, and a quilt for Caleb. Once I am done with those we are going to work on quilts for all of the older boys, but they are going to be the ones cutting their squares and sew the pieces together. Then I will probably do the actually quilting, they will get to try some I am sure. |
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• 13 October 2008 - Today is the day that I can't find the camera
Posted By Debi
Yesterday we went into town and got some pictures developed and while we were there I was going to look at what was on the camera and try to make a scrapbook page. Well I decided to just come back home and do it from here and just send it to the store.
Only now we can't find the digital camera. I am a little stressed about this as the camera is only about 6 months old and I happen to like it. I am looking at getting a SLR Digital hopefully for Christmas, but until then this is the only camera that I really have.
I also was planning on posting some pictures here today as well. Off to look in the van, maybe I missed it.
Pray for me that we are able to find it and soon. |
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• 11 October 2008 - A link for the goat shelter.
Posted By Debi
• 11 October 2008 - The cool night air
Posted By Debi
Tonight as I sat here working on the blanket that I am making for my nephew, I was again amazed by the weather that we've been having. It is pleasant during the day, it was up to 83, I believe inside the house, but when you went outside the breeze was cooling.
We opened all of the windows in the boys room, even though they have popped out the one screen. I will have to get some more of the stuff that holds the screen in place tomorrow.
The crickets are making their music again tonight as were the coyotes. Tonight they did seem to be a little bit closer, it also sounded as though it was coming from a different direction. But they have stopped or moved on for now, I might hear them again during the night.
I saw on another blog a great little shelter for goats, that I am probably going to make for our two girls. We have Boer goats that are probably more like pets than farm animals. But they are currently on leads and BBQ got herself tangled the other day, making her foot swell up. But she is much better now, however it really makes me want to move them into a fenced area where they can both run and play. So I am going to get more T posts and some fence, might also run hot fence to make sure they don't get out. I think that they would both enjoy being able to run around and bonk heads.
I might also try this shelter once we have a milk cow. Just depends on how tall she is.
I tried to take some pictures of the children outside tonight as the sun was setting, but my little digital just couldn't handle the distance shots, everything was coming up blurry or just terrible. I am going to look for a nice SLR digital, I've got a great 35mm. Which I might bless my sister with. She is really into photography and has a great eye. Not sure that she would want it though, as just like me she would probably rather have a digital. We are all spoiled with instant photos. Off to ebay to see what it out there.
Blessings,
Debi |
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• 10 October 2008 - Cleaning the house
Posted By Debi
Today we've been cleaning the house. The boys are working in finding the floor in their bedroom, it is a sad affair. But once they are done we are going to sort the toys and only keep certain things. Then once the weather changes those toys will be packed up until next fall. They need to learn that they must take care of everything that they have.
Right now Thomas is vacuuming the kitchen because one of my large baking dishes broke into ten thousand tiny pieces. Sadly this is one of those 10x15 glass pans. I had found them at Wal-Mart for 5.00 a piece, I am glad that I do have two others.
I am also looking to up grade our oil lamps, Deanna has mentioned that there is a place over by her that sells Alladin lamps for around 60.00. I might have her pick me up a couple before we meet up again. She is also working on some dresses for me and Rachel with a pattern that she has and has yet to give me. Perhaps she will have them ready next week and we can meet up in Tupelo. There is a new Barnes and Noble over there and it is so nice to have a real book store now.
I think that the boys and I are going to fix the riding mower tomorrow, maybe check and see if Walmart still has that push mower on sale and tackle this place.
Off to get something for supper.
Blessings,
Debi
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• 10 October 2008 - The weather here is beautiful
Posted By Debi
For the past month I've had the house open. Enjoying the cool breezes and the soft patter of rain over the past two days.
Tonight as I sit here listening to the crickets, toads, and off in the distance I hear the coyotes and their cries. It makes me so thankful to be able to live in the country.
We are on a paved road that during the day has a bit of traffic, they boys all like to get the logging trucks to honk at them, but after a time it all dies down and then we can hear nature. There is a rather loud cricket at the window now looking for a mate perhaps?
There is this spot up in the wooden part of our place that I am planning on building a small cabin. I think that I want it to be our one room school house. But then I find really nice cabins and think it is so much shadier back there ir would make a nice area for our home. Not that there is anything wrong with this house, but I prefer to have my home under the shade of many a tree.
But for now I am just going to keep dreaming and planning, then once I have it all figured out I will make it happen.
The boys and I are also working on a double project, well there is more than that but they have decided that they want to build the first set of triple bunks. I've already bought the plans for them, I just need to go to the lumber yard and find out what all the lumber is going to cost plus delivery, as I don't have a trailer or a trailer hitch for that matter. The other thing that they want to do is build an outside storage building, a chicken coop, a playhouse/fort, and I'd like a greenhouse. All in due time I am sure as I am not sure wher I want some of these located, I have to make sure that DH can get the truck and trailer in and out when he's home. Wouldn't want to build something only to find that it's in his way.
I am getting every Tervis tumblers for Christmas and that is it. Might also get them a new tire swing or playset. I'd like to get some bookshelves from IKEA, then I could just fill a whole wall and hopefully get everything out of boxes. I love books so I would still buy more, but since we homeschool and don't really have a decent library close by it would all be good. Perhaps when I build my cabin, I can make this house our library, with it's own little coffee shop.
Up to late and need to get a ton done tomorrow.
Blessings,
Debi |
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• 7 October 2008 - It rained here today in our little part of Alabama.
Posted By Debi
The boys didn't get to play outside like they have been doing for the past several weeks. They are all crabby now and probably should just go to bed.
It seems that as the weather changes around here so do the attitudes, sunny days I get happy semi helpful boys, gloomy wet days and no one wants to do anything to help momma. Sorry guys I have to do everything everyday and so shall you one day.
I have added a play list so that you can listen to some music. If you are a reader of Eyes of Wonder/Jewel's blog then you might know some of it. I find such peace in listening to the music she has and from reading her blog. She lifts my spirit just when I need it.
I am looking forward to next weekend, DH will be home for a family weekend for the first time in well a while, it has been all Drill weekends for far too long.
We are doing a major cleaning of the house right now and the boys are learning how serious it is to do what momma says. They don't need toys, they were playing with granola bars and peppermint candies the other day. So I am going to downsize everything, if I can't make it fit into the toy box that Papa gave them then I guess we don't really need it. I will say that there are a few things that really won't fit in there and they will be kept, because I know that Rachel really enjoys playing with them.
I have written so many posts over the past several weeks and haven't posted any of them, not really sure why. Knowing me I got busy and just hit save, then when I go back and read over them I can't remember my train of thought so for now I am just keeping them to myself. As time allows I will try to post them.
Rachel is going to be 1 in just a few more short weeks, where has the year gone. She is getting so big, and is such a beautiful little girl. I am so blessed to have such a wonderful child. Not that they boys are not each just as special, there is just something about having a daughter that is different from having sons. I love them all and pray that the Lord is not done blessing us with children. Because each one of them is a blessing and I can not imagine my life without any one of them. It would be so lovely to have a few more daughters and sons.
The leaves here a beginning to change and it is so pretty, I am still getting used to watching everything change. Back in FL it might have cooled off for a day or two but you did not really get to see the fall rainbow that is on the trees. I am planning on going up to KY soon so that we can really see the leaves. I know that the drive up there will be just beautiful, it will be hard to get pictures, but I am going to see how well Thomas does with taking them while we are driving.
We have watermelons still growing in the garden, and a few cherry tomatoes. Sadly the weeds got the best of the garden this year, and then when the lawn mower died a sad little death, it was barely a month old. The yard has pretty much taken over. I am watching a mower up at that big store in town, if DH's check is enough for all the bills this week then I will get it and we can cut the grass for maybe the last time this year. Probably not considering how bad it has gotten. We do have a riding mower but it needs a lot of TLC, and it will really only cut the front yard as it is a different grass then what is around the rest of our place. So we've been able to some what maintain it, but it is getting a little shaggy now too.
One of the big purchases that I plan to do this coming year is a nice tiller, unless we are able to find a really nice used tractor. I would not mind one that comes with a bush hog and a tiller. I am leaning more towards just getting a second push mower, seeing if the rider still has some life in it and getting a really nice tiller. I really want to make our garden work next year.
The pigs are also something that I am having a really hard time with, our male is really getting mean. I am going to ask my Dad if he can come out this weekend and run Cowboy and at least two of the piglets to the butcher. I am unsure at this point how I will do pigs next year, perhaps we will only buy a female to raise for the pantry. Still need to pray about the best course of action on this one.
I am also looking at getting the supplies to build a real chicken coop and getting the ladies out of the barn. They really need to be able to run and scratch in the grass. I need to also locate a new rooster as ours has died, I was so saddened by this as he was such a nice rooster. But he was given to us full grown so he could have been older. I wonder if I should order chicks now so that they will be laying come Spring, or wait until Spring. I think that I will order now, and then I can still get babies from Co-Op in the Spring. I am also thinking about getting some turkeys, guineas, and ducks-even though we do not have a pond I think it would be fun to have ducks. Probably will not really get them, but who knows.
I am still after that milk cow, might contact the guy that is up in TN and see if he has any bottle calves this month and run up there and get one. I know that it will take longer before we have milk but we would know our girl and that could be a better thing for all of us in the long run.
I do still think about moving to a larger piece of land, but for now, at this point I think that we are just going to stay here, work on getting rid of as much debt as possible. Then if it is God's will, add on to this house sometime next year. It will be some what of a burden for the children and I while it is all going on, but it will be so worth it once it's all done. We are looking at adding 2400 sq ft, which will include a new kitchen/dining area, school/play area, a family closet/laundry room, the pantry, a bathroom all down stairs, then upstairs I think we are going to do 4 bedrooms and at least two more bathrooms. Then the old house will be converted into our new living room, with a guest room. That way should anyone want to visit they will have a place to stay that is semi-private. There will be a large bedroom, with a semi private bath, while the rest of the house will be seating, with our tv and other equipment. I am not ready to let go of it yet, but we are working on only a few hours a month, but we do have several movies that we enjoy and Franklin Springs Media is always working on new things that are just wonderful for the family. There are several programs that we all enjoy on TLC, Science, Discovery and other stations that I deem to be ok. But I am really thinking that we need to find a different way to view the programs we like, because the commercials are just terrible.
Today Thomas found an old car magazine of his Dad's and came out and asked why they had to have adds like this. I told him because they just do and to put it away, but now he has those images in his head, and there is no way to remove them.
Caleb has curled up on the couch beside me and fallen asleep, and then Midnight our cat has decided that he's not so bad when he's sleeping so she's trying to lay down on top of Caleb, silly kitty. She's starting to come out more and more during the day, but she is still some what cautious of the children. But I do think that she will come around and be a great family cat.
God is so good, He gives us breath everyday, He fills us with hope and the promises of His wonder. I love the Lord with every fiber of my being, because without him I would be lost. I know that if it was not for having God in my life I would not be the person I am today, and for that I am forever greatful.
I am off for now, please forgive me for any typos as sometimes my hands get faster than my brain. I tried to go back over everything, but sometimes things just slip through.
Enjoy this evening with your families and this beautiful fall weather.
Blessings,
Debi
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• 6 October 2008 - AL in the Fall
Posted By Debi
So the weather here has been so nice that we've been outside almost everyday for at least the last month.
Not really getting a lot of "book" schooling done but they are getting plenty of life studies. They have found a toad that sounded like a bird, a snake that moved really fast-wasn't able to get pictures because of that fact.
They also learned that if you twist the rope that you've made into a swing one to many times it will break and drop your brother to the ground.
They made bows and arrows from sticks and strings in the yard, they were surfing with cardboard boxes, they have the tent set up in the front yard where they have all been playing.
They are now running around collecting the pecans that have fallen off of the trees.
I am really enjoying living in the country.
Blessings,
Debi |
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• 28 September 2008 - There is garbage on Homesteadblogger today, becareful where you go.
Posted By Debi
I was randomly reading this morning and wow oh wow did I get a whole lot more than I wanted, worst of all was Noah my 8 yo was looking too. AHHHHHHH, why do people feel the need to put that stuff on a family place.
I do hope that someone from the support team will be able to do something about it and soon.
Please Lord erase those images from my mind and from my sons, in your precious name Amen.
Blessings,
Debi |
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