Quiet Life Homestead

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!

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.......

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......

Saturday Evening

We just got back home after a short (24 hour) trip to Oklahoma City.  Yesterday, we met my mom in Chickasha for lunch then went to the college where Charlie and I met (USAO).  We spent a little time reminiscing - the kids thought we were silly!

Today we went to the Friends of the Library book sale where we got some great bargains - I purchased two Saxon math books for $1 each for example.  We ended up spending about $43, not too bad considering everything was either fifty cents or a dollar!

Afterwards, we went to the Oklahoma City Zoo.  Charlie hadn't been since all the improvements had been completed.  So we went (and were a bit cold), but we enjoyed it.  He took lots of pictures, some hopefully will end up in his artwork or leatherwork at some point.

I think we're going to eat something light and then hit the rack.  But I wanted to check in......

Tuesday Afternoon

Hi all!  Thought I'd come on and give an update on Bethany.  She's doing very well!  You would not know that she had surgery a week ago by looking at her.  The tenderness is still there, but that is to be expected.  Now if we can just get her to eat more, I swear, she looks like a skeleton.  I know that will come with time......

So, not to be outdone, Charlie has an infection near a nerve in his jaw.  One of his teeth has a cavity and I guess that's where this all stems from.  He went in for an emergency visit and they gave him antibiotics and pain meds.  That was Friday, now his left side of his face is all swollen up and there's much pain and pressure.  He phoned the dentist and they said that he probably needs stronger antibiotics, but are very busy this week so he should see if someone else can work him in.  Gee, thanks a lot!  He's going to a different dentist tomorrow morning so hopefully they can figure this out.  They were shocked on the phone that the other dentist didn't at least phone in a stronger antibiotic.

Otherwise we're doing pretty well.  The kids are working hard on their homeschooling - though not as hard as I'd like.  We're talking about trying to go to Oklahoma City this weekend for the library book sale, but may just have to visit Gardner's used books here instead.

Has anyone seen the previews for Prince Caspian?  I wonder why they are skipping all through the Chronicles of Narnia series.  I know that The Magician's Nephew was the last to be written, but as it is set in front of The Lion The Witch and The Wardrobe, it explains so many things.  Then they've skipped over The Horse and His Boy for Prince Caspian.  Oh well........

My seed catalogs have started coming in the mail and we're getting very excited about planting.  Since we're still here on the rented lot, we'll have to use containers for the most part, but this year I want to be better prepared.  Now we have a better idea of sunlight and water areas - hopefully that will help.  We'd love to have our own land, but I don't think that's going to happen very soon, so we'll make do.

I've been trying to rearrange the living room so Bethany and I have more space for sewing.  Charlie brought home a bunch of boxes yesterday so we're going to go through our possessions to try to get rid of some and thus have more room.  One of the biggest messes is Charlie's "leather shop" area.  I'm not going to mess with it though since another magazine article is due next week.  I'll just try to focus on my stuff and the kids stuff and look the other way on his.

Hope ya'll have a great day - might be 60 degrees here!  :)

Tuesday

Bethany continues to improve.  It is such a blessing to see her upbeat spirit and smiles.  I was thinking about it last night and realized how close we were to losing her.  It seems sometimes we take our children, or other loved ones, for granted until either we lose them or almost do.  I wonder why that is?

We're excited because Jericho returns tonight!  Lost started two weeks ago and we've been watching it, but it will be nice to have this one back on as well.  We've also been watching the Terminator series since it started, so we have three shows.  This will be our last year of television shows since we are determined NOT to get the upgrade in order to watch television next year.  Our XM gives us all the news and sports we could possibly want, and after all, television is a waste of time.....

I put the kids back into Saxon for math.  They are behind where they were before we put them into Rod and Staff, and I am a bit upset about the wasted time, but they are working through these at a good pace and seem to be enjoying math again.  Charlie bought me a new printer that I can use to print out our Robinson books, so we've been able to go back to the combined Robinson and personal book list.  This is the first time I've been able to print the books out with no difficulty and it is so refreshing to not have to worry if a printer is going to konk out on me.

We had rain and thunder last night along with cold temps.  I'm really looking forward to spring.  I purchased two types of bird seed and some squirrel feed at the store Saturday morning and the little critters are just loving it!  The dog and cat sit in the window and watch for hours.

Charlie went to work for a few hours so he could check on the store, do paperwork, etc.  He's still there as he had lots to catch up on.  I went to the library yesterday to relax - books do that for me, and I guess part of why he went to work is for the same reason. 

Bethany received some flowers and a "goody bag" from Charlie's co-workers today as well.  Her face lit up so beautifully.

I'd better get off here and see about doing some housework.  I've been letting it slip these last two weeks and its driving me crazy.......

Update on Bethany

Bethany's been doing "laps" around the house this morning.  She still walks with some difficulty (due to the abdominal muscles) but is doing really well.  Her spirit is up and she's a little work horse.  We don't have to tell her to walk or to rest, she pretty much takes care of it all by herself.  I showed her at the hospital how to get out of bed by herself - I had three c-sections so have some experience with that.  Also, I encouraged her to get up and walk every so often.  Once we got home yesterday I showed her how to lay down and get up from both my bed and hers, also the toilet and the chair.  I made her do it on her own as much as possible with me observing, now she's doing it all on her own.  Sometime during the night she got up and used the bathroom, then woke one of her brothers to help her get back into bed - they are on the other side of the house from Charlie and I, so he was closer.

I helped her with her first shower earlier, having her do as much as possible, and she did really well.  I wish I'd recovered from my surgeries that easily.  I spoke with a friend from soccer and she said that both she and her sister-in-law each had children with only one ovary.  It is very encouraging!

News Around Here

Once again, I haven't been writing like I should.  I really need to work on this!  Lately, I've been trying to keep homeschooling going, house cleaning, etc. 

I spoke on here once before, not too long ago about Bethany having a pain near her right hip.  Well, I took her to an urgent care facility yesterday, who promptly placed us on an ambulance  to the hospital (to a different hospital - we'd been to two others for this previously). 

She had blood and urine tests, an x-ray, CAT scan, and ultrasound.  She underwent surgery last night which lasted from 9-midnight, and ended up having her right ovary and fallopian tube removed.  

She's here, at home, now, resting and doing very well for a 12 year old.  She's in pain but being a trooper.  She will end up having to take birth control pills (or something like them) from now on to keep her left ovary from freaking out and messing up like her right one did. 

Please keep her in your prayers.................................

Saturday Evening

Once again, I've let life slip by and haven't been on here in what feels like ages!  We're all doing well and I hope all ya'll are, too!

I spent quite a while yesterday online, checking out various colleges to see their requirements for homeschoolers and such.  It's not as bad as I had thought it would be.  Of course, I may say otherwise when I'm having to make out the transcripts and such.

Its very cold here but still no snow.  We had a light dusting a few weeks ago, but that's all.  Up in Michigan, they've been having snow and I really miss it!  Oh well, I say, "Come on spring!"  I'm ready to have the windows open with the breeze going through.  I pray this year we'll have fairly mild temps like last year (except for August).

Anyway, I'll try to do better keeping tabs.  I'm going to check out how a few of ya'll are doing........unless dinner stars to burn!  :)

January 2

Silly me mentioned last night that we should start getting up early from now on...... It seems my early bird first born heard this night owl and figured she was serious.  Well, actually I was serious, until 6am!  Now I'm ready to order DNA tests! :)  My two other children (also pretty night-owlish) are trying to stay awake on the sofa.  We're all waiting for the coffee to be ready......................

We changed our living room around yesterday and it looks really neat.  I've given up posting pictures, so you'll just have to trust me on it.  Also yesterday ended our year sabbatical from video games.  I told the kids they would survive. 

I'll try to get on here once I'm more awake....................................

Sunday Happenings and Whatnot

We've been working hard, trying to get the house ready for company.  My mom and sister (and her kids) will be here tomorrow afternoon/evening and then Charlie's parents are coming over for Christmas dinner.  We've never had his parents over and so I'm a wee bit nervous, but I know all will be just fine.

My asthma has been kicking up quite a bit lately.  Nothing to be too concerned with, just an annoyance.  At least we have inhalers now.  When I was a kid, I had to take some awful liquid stuff.  YUCK!

We got a light dusting of snow yesterday.  The boys played outside in it for an hour or two and had a great time.  Of course it wasn't enough snow to really do justice to football and hockey was totally out of the picture, but who cares?! 

Our power went off for about two hours yesterday.  We watched the transformer blow - very pretty, but scary!  Right afterward, the firemen came around in their firetruck just to check out the neighborhood and make sure everyone was fine.  I told the kids that is one of the reasons why its great to live in a small town.  People care.  When I called 911 when my dad went into his coma (way back in 2002) in our small town of Mustang (where we had lived for 20+ years), help came before I even hung up the phone.  And ALL the firemen, emts, and a lot of the police came.  You'd think we were having something happen that had injured several people - nope.  They all knew my dad and wanted to help out!  My dad died a few days afterwards and I remember seeing quite a few of those same guys at his funeral.  As much as I like moving around, I very much appreciate the benefits of planting roots in a small town. 

We watched The Miracle Worker on OETA (PBS) last night.  I hadn't seen it in many years and it was the first time for Bethany and Cody.  They really enjoyed the movie and for once in a week everyone wasn't counting in my dreams last night (we just finished inventory at Charlie's store), they were all signing to each other!  We had started learning ASL when Charlie first started losing his hearing, but once it leveled off, we stopped.  I have a feeling that there will be a request to pick back up on it now.

Well, the coffee Cody made is now ready and Dallas is chomping at the bit to go onto foxsports.com so I'd better sign off.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!!

Tuesday Evening

I'm so tired!  We've spent all day at Charlie's store helping count the inventory.  It looks like we'll have to be there at least tomorrow, if not Thursday as well.  At least they aren't expecting us to do it this weekend!  I'm hoping we get finished tomorrow so we can get back to our homeschooling.

We aren't going to go to Wichita this weekend, so I don't know when we'll be having Christmas with Charlie's family.  We're all still recovering from unexpected expenses from the ice storm, so it may be a week or two.  My family will be here on Christmas Eve but will have to go back sometime Christmas Day because everyone has to work the day after Christmas.  We don't buy presents, we make them, but we are so far behind this year, it isn't funny!  We may just have to give IOU's.

The weather's pretty nice, highs around 56 or so.  Much better than last week!  I'm ready for spring - who's with me?!  I like the snow - although we don't usually get much, if any, in Oklahoma.  I just wish we could have snow with warmer weather!  I know, I'm a baby.

Wishing warm thoughts......................................

Blessed Today!

Charlie took Cody to work with him since yesterday was Cody's 14th birthday.  It is a family tradition that the birthday kid gets to go with Dad to work and since Charlie was off yesterday, they did it today.  I can't believe its already been 14 years, but then again, don't we always say that?!

One of Charlie's co-workers, well I should say two because they are married, gave us some food.  We now are the proud owners of Prairie Gold Hard White Spring Wheat (two 50lb buckets), and several large cans - one of each of the following: banana slices, apple slices, rolled oats, butter powder, dry milk, instant banana pudding, and instant chocolate pudding.  I don't know the size of the cans but they are the same size that I purchase at the grocery store for things like corn, green beans, green peas, etc.

Charlie's been making "wheat thins" alot lately and so we're especially glad to have the wheat as the thins cut into my bread making supplies.  Now we just have to figure out how to grind it into flour.  This should be lots of fun and we have many theories and ideas to put to the test.

Everybody's finally well over here.  We're busy making Christmas presents, right now its checker games made out of leather for two sets of cousins.  We're putting the boys in charge of this and they are really enjoying it.  The tree still isn't up yet but we're into the Christmas mood with the music and presents being made.  I got a book at the library about Hanukkah (I think I spelled it wrong) and we'll be reading that on Monday as part of our schooling. 

Anyway, I wanted to share with you about the blessing of food we received.  Praise God!!  I hope you have a good night!

Nebraska and Other Stuff

Lets us all keep the families of the shopping mall victims in Omaha in our prayers. 

Bethany's been complaining of a pain on her right side today.  It seems as though nothing we do helps for long.  Once Charlie gets home from work he'll take a look at her.  I'm praying that it isn't anything serious.  We've all had colds around here lately (I'm still trying to get over mine), so we could use some healthy time.

Each night we've been watching DVDs from the PBS series The War.  I had requested them from the library some time ago, and they finally were ready for us to pick up.  We're trying to hurry and get them finished before they are due as there are others waiting for them as well.  Also waiting at the library for me is a copy of Amazing Grace.  We had given up getting to see it and had rented it from Blockbuster.  Now it is finally ready for us as well.  We enjoyed the movie, but are trying to decide if we're going to check it out or just let the next person have it since we watched it so recently.

Our schooling is doing better.  We basically took off yesterday because I was feeling so awful.  We've been incorporating more of the Heart of Wisdom approach lately, trying to get more Bible time into our lives.  We still aren't at the two hours mark each morning, but we are in the Word more and are learning more.  Dallas is a little frustrated because we're going over stuff he already knows, but we'll be moving into new territory soon. 

I found out we'll be spending the weekend before Christmas in Wichita.  Then Mom, Staci, and the kids will be here on Christmas Eve and part of Christmas day.  We're really struggling financially right now, so they are going to do more of the food purchases this time.  It will just be nice to have them here again as Thanksgiving was a lot of fun!  Plus my turkey cooked in whole cranberry sauce was a huge hit.  My Mom had never had it before so I wasn't sure if she'd like it or not, but she did and is requesting it again.

Charlie should be home soon and the beans STILL aren't done so I'd better get off and see what the problem is.

Thanksgiving Part 2

We spent last night visiting with and eating with Charlie's family.  The food and fellowship was great and the kids had a wonderful time playing with their cousins, even though they are many years younger than our kids.  I love how my kids are much better about playing with younger children than I was at their ages.  I think it has to do with homeschooling and not feeling the peer pressure to be cool.

Caitlyn's arm is healed and you wouldn't have known anything had happened.  Her mom said that they just put a really heavy splint on it - no cast - and in a few weeks, the bones had fused right back together.  Praise God! 

My other sis-in-law made a snack that all the kids just loved and so I thought I'd give you the recipe so ya'll could try it.  Personally, I don't like the peanut butter taste in it, so I'm going to tweak it and see what I can come up with.

3 bags microwave popcorn     3 TBSP peanut butter     1 bag white chocolate (the kind you find in the candy making part of WalMart or Hobby Lobby)                                                                                                          Melt the chocolate and peanut butter in a pan while you pop the popcorn, then pour the mixture over the popcorn and serve.

Bedlam is today (Oklahoma vs Oklahoma State) and I sure hope we (Oklahoma State) does well.  We're suposed to go back to visit this evening and everyone else there - well, all that will be there with the exception of Bethany and I (Dallas is neutral) - are huge OU fans.  Its bad enough normally, but if we lose really bad, it will be almost unbearable.  Funny though, one year we all watched the game together and OSU won.  No one said anything!  Go figure :)

Thursday Evening

Well, my family's all on their way back home now and we'll be having Thanksgiving with Charlie's family tomorrow night.  I'm exhausted, but in a good way.  It's too bad Charlie has to get the store open so early tomorrow because we could all use a "sleep-in."

Come to find out, we only needed one turkey, but that's okay because I can boil the rest off the bones and also make broth.  Our refrigerator is full and that in itself is a blessing.  There are many families who don't get to have a large Thanksgiving like we've enjoyed.  In fact, just two years ago, our dinner was provided for us through charity.

This holiday season, let's remember those who aren't as well off as we are.  Our family is still right along the poverty level, but we're better off than many.

If the Lord brings us to mind, would you please say a prayer for us.  We have another financial  issue that has just popped up that we thought was behind us.  I know the timing is an attack, aimed at throwing us off our Bible studies and trusting in the Lord. 

I hope you all had a great Thanksgiving!

Almost Thanksgiving

Hello all!  I can't believe that I've let my blogging go (how cliche is that?).  We've been pretty busy  with homeschooling (I'm currently re-reading my Heart of Wisdom Homeschooling Approach book to incorporate more Bible time into our homeschool), but mostly I've been keeping the computer off as much as possible during the day - trying to cut down on the electric bill.

My mom, sister, nephew, and two nieces will be up tomorrow evening to spend the night and then to celebrate Thanksgiving.  Unfortunately they have to work on Friday (as does Charlie) so they will not be able to spend the whole day here, as they will have to drive back home.  It will be really nice to spend a holiday with them since we haven't done that in about three years.  I'm so looking forward to it and will try to get on and let ya'll know how it went.

Monday

Well, fall is in bigtime here.  The highs have been in the low 70s-the upper 50s, with lows almost at freezing.  We have the windows open during the day and closed at night.  The cat has found a new perch on Bethany's sewing desk and I don't think she's gonna budge anytime soon.

We've been watching the World Series, rooting for the local boys (Colorado Rockies - many of whom were playing here in Tulsa last season).  Unfortunately, we didn't win, but we're sure proud of them anyway.  In the meantime, it seems that my beloved Yankees are looking at a few changes, not feeling too confident about that!  The real downside of watching the series was watching all those players spitting.  It seemed as if everytime someone was shown, they were spitting.  To me it is a very disgusting habit and watching the boys outside playing catch right now, I'm noticing that Cody's spitting like crazy.  I guess we have a new habit to break.

I've been looking through even more decorating books from the library, getting ready to change a few things up for the holidays.  I'm not talking the whole Christmas tree and stuff, but colors and accessories for the fall and winter months.  We've invited my mom and my sister (and her kids) to spend Thanksgiving here with us.  As they both have to work the Friday after (as does Charlie), they won't be spending the weekend here, but we'll have fun while they are here.  We haven't had a Thanksgiving together in a few years, so it will be really nice.  Bethany and Cody have been making Christmas decorations and listening to Christmas music for weeks now - I guess we're all in a bit of the holiday spirit (Bethany put up her toy-style nativity set in the living room a few days ago).

My mother-in-law and I got together on Thursday and made pumpkin soup.  It was really good, but come to find out, the kids don't like it.  They love pumpkin pie, but each pumpkin soup recipe I've tried they've hated.  Maybe we'll try pumpkin bread.  That's what the cooler temperatures do to me - make me want to cook and bake.  Well, and sew also.  :)

Tomorrow night, on XM, will be three different versions of War of the Worlds on three different channels, and at three different times.  First will be the original (we love that version and are getting ready to have to once again replace our cd copy), then they will have one done by the original cast of Star Trek, and finally one by Glenn Beck.

A bit of a catch-up

I hadn't realized that its been so long since I've written on here.  A friend sent me a comment to make sure I'm still alive.  Sorry about that!  We've just been so busy here with homeschooling and trying to clean the house.  My sister and her kids will be here tonight and she's going to help with some decluttering. 

We have a chance for tornadoes today.  In fact the words they used were severe tornado outbreaks.  We'll see about that..................

Charlie just got back from a leather show in Wichita Falls, TX.  While there he signed many magazines (which made him very uncomfortable) and also found out the magazine wants to publish his wildlife series.  Very exciting and ALL the praise goes to God!

Oops, I'm burning food so I'll have to get back on here later!

Just Had To