A day on the farm

Rugs made out of sheets

 I went to a couple of yard sales and at one I found this plate. It was just calling my name. At only $3.oo who couldn't resist. So, I bought it with the intentions of hanging it in the house but after I got home. I found that I had no where to hang it. So, I ended up hanging it on the porch on the side of the house. I also put an old table , with an old doily that was tore up in places, a lamp, and one of the rockers. It makes a nice little cozy place to sit and watch the horses, or just watch the kids or whoever in the pool.

I also bought some mop dolls for $6.oo and ended up putting them in the rocker. I also found some old sheets that I liked and bought them. I had to hide them from DH for I already have soooooo many sheets that I  have enough to make a whole bunch of rugs. Hello, christmas gifts. Now, if I can only get myself motivated to start ripping them up and getting started crocheting.

I got another letter from my son. He is making if fine. Said that he was missing everyone and home but all in all was doing better.  I can't wait until November when he comes home.

David has been working his ponies every night for he has a pulling coming up this next Saturday here in our hometown and he really wants to do good for the hometown folks.

We finally got some rain late yesterday evening. It wasn't enough to soak everything but atleast it did settle the dust. Everyone has been sick with colds or allergies, or sinuises so maybe now they will start feeling better.

Today is just going to be one of those hot days, we will feed, milk, wash clothes, hang them out, making the week's menu and grocery shopping.

Friday August 17

I honestly believe that we are just going to keep on getting hotter temps. Today was over 100. There was some neighboring counties that got some rain this afternoon but here in our town we recieved none. Sure, we had some clouds with thunder and lightening but no rain. Surely with Erin and Dean coming in, we would recieve some rain from them. It has been over a month  without rain. Our lawn is brown along with our pasture. My garden is nothing but stems and dried plants. My flowers have burnt up. Hopefully, we will get some rain before too long.

I recieved another letter today from JB. He is making it some what better than the last letter. We are hoping to go and see him the last of September. He said he will let us know the exact date of family weekend.

I have posted some pictures of here around the farm on my other blog, www.2lmzfarms.blogspot.com I still can't get my pictures to download here on this blog. I know it is something that I'm doing.  I'm not that computer savey.

I went to a couple of yard sales this morning and found some things. I bought some sheets which I will tear up and make rugs, a hat, a nice wall plate that I hung up outside on the porch, and a denim tote bag which I plan on either putting my intials on it or putting yo-yo's on the outside of it , just to dress it up some. We are getting up at 4 in the morning to go and hit some yard sales in the town next to us. We have found out that it is true, the early bird does get the worm.

I hope at the end of this day, you will find yourself with joy and contentment

Thursday August 16

Today has been a hard on for me. Jon Brandon turned 20 today. This is the first birthday I haven't been able to give him a hug and kiss. I thought back 20 years ago when I held this tiny little boy. I have to admit, I wasn't married when I had him. All I wanted back then was to be a mother and have a family. At that time, I didn't care if I was married or not. I got talked about and got some strange looks then. I could have cared less. When JB was laid in my arms, I thought to myself this is what life is about. Having someone to love and know that they would love you back. It was hard for us to survive but we did it. I had did something right, I had a beautiful son and I was finally a Mother.

 Today has been another hot one. Our heat index for all this week has been well over a 100. Our pool feels like a hot spa.

Haven't done too much here around the house. David and I have both been a little on the puny side. I think the heat has our sinius messed up. I know  that is David's problem. He bought a pair of pulling ponies and has been working them at night and the dust plus with horse hair has choked him up.

My plans for tonight and tomorrow is to finish painting our dining room( I started the project 2 years ago and haven't finished it yet). It has this awful wallpaper on it with HUGE cabbage roses on it , I want to paint the walls a pale yellow and decorate it with chickens and sunflowers.

Our plans for Saturday, is to get up early and hit some yard sales. I have a man coming late Saturday evening to look at one of my goats. His grandson wants to start showing and someone gave him my name and number. Maybe he can take a few off of my hands.

Sunday

I believe the heat has gotten everyone dragged down. We have been lazy today. I did go out and do some grocery shopping. I washed a load of clothes and hung them out. I know, Sunday is for rest. I have no dryer and if I don't stay on top of my washing, it piles up and then we have no clean clothes. David came in this afternoon with a load of dirty clothes. He went to a pulling this weekend and everything he brought was fiflthy. He did feed and milk for me this afternoon.  I went on and made some tuna for lunch this week and for supper, we had hamburger steaks, homemade fries, homemade garlic toast and sweet tea.

I recieved a letter from Jon Brandon yesterday. I just cried and cried. He is making it okay. He stated that he was the leader of his platoon. It said it was hot there. You can tell in his letters that he has changed. He stated that he had the most amazing family at home.(wow, it took the army to make him see that) He also said that he didn't realize how lucky he had it till he got there. He asked for everyone to remember him and his troop in prayers. I also got an email from my friend Kathy, whose son is in the military. I would like to ask that you remember her and Dusty in your prayers.  You know, it takes a special person to join the military and to take the oath to protect and serve our country. It also takes a special family to give up their loved ones to go out and to watch over us. I am very proud to be a military mom, I am very proud of my son to do this special job.  I am also thankful for every service men and women out there who are protecting our country and for their families, my thanks and hearts go out to them.

Tomorrow is a brand new day and I'm anxious to see what the day brings. I pray that the week ahead will be a good one. I pray that at the end of this day, you will find yourself fulled with contentment and joy.

Staurday August 11

I got up at 5 this morning to go to some yard sales with some of my family. We went to Tupelo and found several but noting really caught my eye. I did buy a pattern for $1.00. I also bought me and my little cuz some knitting rounds. If someone had very small children, you could have hit the jackpot. There was little girls and boys clothes for sale everywhere. We got home somewhere around 10. I went and picked Emly up from her Dad's. Came home and I laid down for a while. I was exhausted. I took me a little nap and then I have been cleaning out my car. Emily and Kristen cleaned the pool and now they are suppose( notice I said suppose) to be washing the car.  Sounds more like a water fight. I believe more water has been on them and the ground then on the car. lol

Today is another hot one. We do have a breeze but goodness it is even hot.

I need to go and do some grocery shopping but if there is anything I dislike it is that. Everytime that I go there is always a bunch of Mexicans at either 3 stores. Now, mind you, I'm not talking about them , it just burns me up the way they block the asles and talk in spanish and just staring at you. I know they are talking about me but what they are saying, who knows. Sometimes, I tell them to speak in English.  It has gotten here where I live, it is awful trying to get into a store and shop. Some of them act like they own the store. 

Sorry, if I upsetted anyone speaking my mind. Please forgive me.

Wednesday August 8

My friend Tina over at www.gardengoose.blogspot.com  is having a contest. We have to tell her in 20 words are less what the south means to you. I added a few of my thoughts but asked her not to enter me in drawing for I live here in the South.  The South is different than any where else. Not to say that anywhere else does not have it's great qualities. Don't get me wrong, the south does have it's batch of weird folks. Believe it or not, there are some people who are just like some of the tv shows protray. I like to say that they are cut from a different cloth. The south is known for it's hospitality. Yes, I have opened my home to strangers before. So, I thought for the heck of it I would list some things that the South means to me, or maybe just Mississippi.

Cotton is cheaper, Elvis, Big hair is BIG business, Strangers still say "HEY", mud pie, Mannings are as abundant as mayonnaise, no syrup, just honey, no oatmeal, just grits, the Delta,  cat-head biscuits and sawmill gravy, boiled peanuts, anybody else got a town named ' Hot Coffee', the 70's never went out of style, farm-raised catfish, catfish souffle, the River,tomato sandwiches, banana sandwiches, second helpings are encourage,black-eye peas, greens, the Natchez Trace, the Gulf, magnolias in the spring, squirrel hunting a nice pastime for the whole family, sweet tea, others have forests, we have tree farms, Bo Diddley, B.B. King, brakes last longer due to the lack of inclines, we eat both supper and dinner, redbuds in the spring, barges,best corn bread on earth, worst case of football fever on earth,overalls are business casual, everyone is related. moon pies,lightening bugs, where else can a blue tick hound sit at the dinner table, Muddy Waters, Howlin' Wolf, Gumbo!!!, did I mention Elivs?, sitting on the porch, lazy evenings, everything moves at a slower pace, always looking for an excuse for a family eating, Paula Deen, some of the greatest writters are from the south, but for me just being a true Southern Belle.

I hope that at the end of the day, you wil find yourself full of contentment and joy.

Tuesday August 7

david started back to school today. He is finally a SENIOR!!!!! Today the temp reached over a 100 with a heat index over 110. There seems to be no relief for the rest of the week. We hauled hay late this afternoon and boy, did it stick to us. 

Jennifer, you asked what all did I make, well, a little bit of everything. I love to take old sheets, doesn't matter if there is holes in them, tear them up in strips and crochet them into rugs. They are so soft and lovely. I also take the sheets and cut them up into pillow squares and that is how I make alot of my pillows for my porch. I have started making potholders out of old fabric to have for gifts. I also do a lot of fillet crochet. I haven't quilted in a long time but plan on started back when things slow down this summer. I have to do something with my hands. I'm not much into sitting down in front of the t.v and just watching, I have to have my hands busy. Now, I'm going to throw the same question back to you. "what all do you make?"

I got out and casted my vote today, did you?  I prayed hard on some of the people who are running for office. 

I hope that at the end of the day , it will find you with contentment and full of joy.

Monday August 6

The heat index today was well over a 100. The weather man is saying that as the week goes on the temp will be over a 100 with the heat index going up to 110.  I have been trying to get the outside work done very early in the mornings and late in the afternoons. I don't remember it ever getting this stuffy before. Maybe it is because I am getting older. 

Today is my baby sister's b-day. She is 32. I have been working on some outdoor pillows for her. I make all my gifts and some people really like homemade things then you have those who rather you spend money. Personally, the homemade means more to me than anything store bought. They put their heart and soul into it.

I need to load up two goats and take them back to the girls that show for me. I brought them home with me Saturday after the show. I gave them the cd&t shot. So , now they won't need another one until they turn a year old. I could've took them home yesterday but I didn't want to stress them out too bad. We have finally gotten them gaining and I didn't want them to lose any.

I hope that each and every one of you have a blessed day.

Laura

Friday August 3

The heat and humidity is about to get to me. Yes, this southerner has had enough!!!!!  I was finally able to get my computer to download the copy of Small Town Living. I loved it. My dear friend Tina and her husband is the ones who publishes this and they do a wonderful job.

Tess, the oldest of the kids, told yesterday that one of her students was killed in a car wreck. The girl was only 16. The girl's Mom teaches school with Tessa. That makes 2 young lives taken here this past week. So sad.

I was contacted by my church, I have to do the program this coming Tuesday night in our Ladies Prayer Group. My mind is blank. I have nothing there to do the program on. I would really like to do the program on blessings. Do we really sit down and count and name our blessings one by one? I know that after I read a friend's blog I didn't. I believe that sometimes we just take our blessings for granted. Like the air we breath, living here in America., all the small things that are a blessings but we only take them as part of life. Like we are suppose to have this and that.  My questions is, will they actually listen or will they just sit there and think," I wish she would hurry up, I'm hungry".  Yes, there are a few that looks at the get together as just for eating. Not really listening to the person giving the program. How often have we sit through sermons and only thought of hurrying up and getting out. I'm quilty. I have done that before, it's not something that I'm proud of.

Heard from my son yesterday, well, he sent a letter before they left out for the field. He is still homesick. Just remember to keep him and his troop is your prayers. Also pray for my friend Kathy and her family. Her son, Dusty , left the same day my son did. They are in the same force but at different places.

Thursday Aug 2

Tueday July 31

I find it hard to believe that July is gone and August is knocking at our door. That would mean only that the summer is gone and the start of a new school season. No, I don't homeschool, wished I did though. My son David who is 18 will be a senior this year. He has some learning disabilities. So really he won't be getting a normal diploma but a special one. I often wonder where his life will take him. He is the reason I really got into the goat business. I wanted something that would be an income coming in for him.  He has trouble controlling his emotions but I often wonder if that comes from him living with his Dad for 3 years. His Dad turned the boys loose and they had not parent control. David is really a good kid and very tender hearted. The first year he moved back in with us was horrible but things are settling down and as long as we stay on a routine everything works out.

Emily will be going into the 8th grade. She moved in with her Dad last year. I worry about her for he leaves her alone too much if you ask me. She is a straight a student and is on the high school cross country track team, high school soccer team, junior high basketball team. I miss my baby but I know in time that she will be like the boys and come home to Moma.

Today has found me being lazy. I did work on some things but not a whole lot. It is hot and very humid here in the South. Even at 5:30 in the morning it is hot. I did hear thunder in the distance so I pray that maybe we will get some rain today. Only one good thing will come out of this drought, come fall the trees will have some of the most beautiful colorful leaves. Here in MS, our winters are not winters, it does get cold but nothing like some of you friends that live in the North. Snow, it has been a long time since we have had snow. Sure ever once in a blue moon we have an ice storm but to wake up to a white landscape only in our night dreams. 

sav

As I have told in the past , I'm not computer savy. I have tried and tried to download pictures but still not able to. I also don't know what happened to my little doo-dahs that usually hang out on the side of my posts. I probable done hit something that I wasn't suppose to do. That happens alot with me. Here is my addy on the other blog if you would like to check out some pictures www.2lmzfarms.blogspot.com

For the past couple of weeks, I have felt incomplete. Like I wasn't doing the right thing being a wife, friend, and Mom.  Like because I didn't wear dresses or didn't homeschool my kids, I was on the wrong path. In other words, I wanted to be like so and so. It took reading something from a dear friend that made me realize, that was not who God intended for me to be. Yes, I would have liked to homeschool my kids but my x wouldn't let me.  I was not made to be like so and so. I was made to be me. I guess I was trying to live like the Jones's. I would try to do this and that and I would fail. I believe the reason I failed was because it wasn't God's decision. Sometimes I try to do things my way instead of waiting on my heavenly Father to give me directions.

Right now, I am at the point in my life where it is going in several directions but I have learned just rely on God and things will work out. It may not be what I want but it will be what God intended for me. 

Monday July 30

I over slept this morning. I guess I just can't hang with the big dogs. I have been staying up late the past week. It's been close or after midnight before I got in bed this weekend. Sometimes my body just shuts down. 

Yesterday, Lamar, Nikki, Justin, David and I went to an ole country horse show. I didn't run for the ground wasn't cut up but Justin did. He ended up 3rd in barrels. We had a good time.

One of my dearest friends has a magazine on the web. It is called Small Town Living. It is a wonderful magazine and you can get it from the web. Here is the addy; www.stliving.net . The front cover is the picture of Jewels  's daughter with her goat over at http://eyesofwonder.typepad.com/my_weblog/ . Also there is an article written by another friend of mine from over at Mary Janes Farm connections. If you have a chance please check out this wonderful magazine.

I'm carrying the Army flag this weekend at the rodeo in another county. I'm riding in honor of my son. I'm going have to ride another horse so I plan on going over to Chris's house some this week and riding. So I can get use to the horse. This is the horse that my neice runs in barrels. I just want to get use to the mare before I jump on her and take off.

Saturday July 28

I talked to Jon Brandon thursday morning. He sounded good. He started crying so that got me to crying. It was so good just to hear his voice. I lost it when he  said"Momma".  He said that it would be around 3 to 4 weeks before I heard from him again. He was leaving Friday to go out into the field. I just pray that God will keep him safe and sound and protect him.  I know that he will be fine but it doesn't make the hurt and scared feelings go away.

Milk here has already gone to $5 a gallon. I figured up and my milk cost me around $1.25 a gallon. I get a gallon a day off of my goats. I noticed that when I mentioned goats milk to my friends, they make faces and say they aren't drinking goats milk. I told them, my milk didn't have all these additives and whatever else in it and atleast you know where it is coming from. I wish there was some way to enlighten people about goats milk.

Last night was my first rodeo without my rodeo partner. It was a sad and bittersweet event. I wore his shirt and belt so that atleast something of him would be with me. It's a good thing he wasn't there last night for I rode like someone who didn't know what they were doing.  I got  the second and third barrel.

I have some sewing to do today.  I plan on trying to make some potholders. I have alot of extra fabric that would be great and make some nice cute one too.

Tuesday July 24

                                                                     Hamburger Hoagie

1lb ground beef                                                                      1 can cheddar cheese soup

1 bell pepper, chopped                                                         Mozzarella cheese

1 onion, chopped                                                                  garlic salt

Cook beef, bell pepper and onion until done. Take off stove and add soup. Spread between long loaf of French bread. Sprinkle with cheese and garlic salt. Wrap in foil and place in the oven at 450. Bake until cheese melts. Slice and eat.

    We all love this and it easy to make. Also very fast. I like to use my homemade french bread. I got the recipe from my friend over at www.elizabethsclothesline.blogspot.com. It is very good. And she always has some of the most wonderful recipies on her posts.

Monday July 23

I read on Mary Janes Forum about how someone had made a comment about 'trailer trash'. It brought back some painful memories for me. I was raised up in a trailer. I can remember that some kids wouldn't be friends with me because of what I lived in. I was called trailer trash and such. My parents done the best they could to provide a home for us and to put food on the table. No, I didn't wear the name brand clothes or have a new car. But I had a home and there was love in it.  The remarks that kids made really hurt my feelings and to this day, I can still feel the hurt.  Those kids who made those comments are now either trashy themselves or on drugs. No, I don't have much today but I have a home filled with love , food on the table, clothes on my back, a loving husband, and some wonderful kids.

When people hear about Mississippi, they think that we are a bunch of rednecks, who are toothless, marry our cousins, and who hates blacks even in this day and time. Why, because of what the tv and books repesents us. 

It is sad how people get stuck with labels. Whether it is being called 'trailer trash' or a 'redneck'. Makes one wonder what are they going to do when they enter heaven's gate and see us trailer trash and rednecks.

Saturday July 21

Today starts the beginning of our show season. I had planned on taking 7 goats. Well, two of them Dad and I have two little girls showing them, then I was going to take 5 from here at the house but it looks like , counting the two the girls have I will only be taken 4. I do know that July 31, I will take all 7.  We had rain off and on yesterday so that sortof put a damper on getting things ready.

Abbye, Jon Brandon's girlfriend, called the other night, said that she had talked to him and he was doing fine. He said that Friday, he was being moved to someother place and as soon as he got there he would write and send everyone his address. I'm proud of my little boy but I sure do miss him. I have been doing alot of praying for him and Dusty who is in the same force but they are at different places. I just know the Lord is going to lay his protective hands on them. Kathy and I lost our little boys but in their places we now have two fine young men. 

Have a wonderful and blessed weekend.

Friday July 20

I had a lady to reach out to me the other day when my son left. She knew what I was going through and even though her heart was breaking just like mine she put her feelings aside and reached her hand out toward me. Her son left for the military the same day mine did. I honestly believe the Lord brought us together. He sent her to me so I would have someone to talk to and know the same feelings that I was having. After we chatted, through email, she is only 2 hours away from my son and was kind enough to tell that that if he needed anything to contact her. What a precious friend. Her son is in South Carolina and is in the same force as Jon Brandon. They are not on the same base but it just makes me feel better that they are in the same force. I trully believe that these two young men will meet face to face and develop a friendship.

Our goat showing season starts tomorrow and I haven't done anything to prepare for it. I have 7 goats that has to be clipped and trimmed for the show. So, that means my day today will be clipping and trimming. I know that there will be 60 goats in the show. I just hope that some of mine will be in different weight classes.

My garden is slowing down some now and in places are drying up even with the rain that we have had.

Wednesday July 18

Why is that when you have things or your agenda completely planned out , the plan gets throwed right out the window. ? I guess  it just goes to show that no matter how we try to take control of our lives there is someone greater than us who is always in control of our lives.  No matter how hard you try to do this and that, if it isn't in God's plan than you can just hang it up. He is and will always be in control.