mommato3boys

Dear Diary,

Today was a killer day. It was sad in a way. We have left behind civilization well what is left of it and now we are on the plains. I am not sure that the ranchers are going to welcome us with open arms any better than the towns did that we traveled through. But is also a happy day we are getting closer to our new home. We are leaving behind cars and pavement for flat land and dirt and gravel. We will have to keep a better check on hooves now. Rocks will cause one of the horses to come up lame faster than anything. Not only that but the oxen will stop if their hooves start hurting and stand there.

The barometer has dropped and that has brought on a migraine. So I am living off tea and crackers today. The swaying of the wagon and the jarring of the ruts are not helping. But at least it was cloudy and drizzly rain so the inside of the wagon was cool enough that I could keep the curtains drawn to block out light.

We rearranged the wagons yet again before pulling out this morning. We were really getting strange looks. We ended up almost totally unpacking one wagon and repacking it. Some (Michael and Lori especially) were shaking their heads at some of the stuff I had packed. So of the benefactors couldn't figure out why I was handing out safety glasses and bandannas to my crew. But I guess they figured that out when we had those high winds and just about everyone was blind from the dust except us. I think I would have felt a little smug if my head didn't hurt so bad.

DH delivered a bag of kibble to Mother today for the newest member. He is still not to sure about having a pregnant dog along on the trip. He is not thrilled about the idea of her whelping on the trail. He did say he was hoping she was far enough along that the ride would not cause her to loose them. He may even have a soft spot for the ole gal. He asked if I had packed all that old news paper that we had and I said yes that it was in the wood stove. He said we should pull some of it out and send it over to Mother so that she would have it on hand for when Sasha went into labor. Said it would make clean up easier up until the pups got big enough to waddle around and potty outside. He also wander if Mother had anything big enough to make Sasha and the puppies a bed. Hummm he may have a point. Sasha is a huge dog I do wonder what Mother is going to do for a bed. I can't picture Mr. Mom letting Sasha and puppies sleep with them. Well maybe after my head eases up some I will stroll over and ask Mother if she has something. May have to use the newspaper to weave a basket for Sasha. It won't be much but at least it will keep the pups together so they don't get squished.

Well like I said today has been a killer day. Even Michael wasn't a peppy as he usually is. As the days get longer we are staying on the trail longer. I think we are trying to make up some time from having to travel so slow through all those towns and then that extra lay over we had didn't help. I think we maybe behind schedule. I know every one was hoping to arrive in time to get an early garden planted but it doesn't look like that is going to happen. Hopefully we arrive in time to get a garden planted. I need to ask Mt. Rider what planting zone we are going to be in and when the first frost usually arrives. Maybe we can still get to harvest in.

Dil2b is starting to grumble she is ready for a normal bed. I think we are all ready for that. At least she is not a spoiled brat and used to having the best of everything. She seems to have gotten over her spill from the other day. Hubby and DS#3 did make her and extra step to put on the ground so it would be easier to climb in the wagon. Her and her short legs were having a hard time there. They attached a rope to it and tied it to the seat so she could pull it up after she got in the wagon.

I need to rethink our meals. I was hoping not to touch the freezer until we got settled but the guys are needing more calories than I first planned. They are needing more protein. I guess I will move some meat to the ice chest so it will have a chance to thaw. Ds has asked if we have steak. I think I have some cubed steak I will make him some country fried steak and potatoes. That will be easy and I have potato flakes so cooking won't be so hard. However tonight will be sourdough biscuits and eggs maybe even hash browns and sausage. That will make them happy and we will have the biscuits for breakfast in the morning. Dil2b can cook the eggs and sausage. Don't think I will be able to handle the smell tonight.

I think tonight we will be lucky to have camp fires to cook food on. Hopefully we can get the fires going before the wood get too wet.

Good night all.

She's registered! and from what I can see she has had all her shots too. Bill you just might have save that dog from having to be left behind."

This is something that needs to be STRESSED - DO NOT EVER- leave an animal behind. As much as I hate to see a life destoryed whether it is a beast or not DO NOT EVER take the chance that like that. If mother had been biten we would have to cage the dog and take it with us just so we could watch it to see if the dog got sick with rabids. Since she was not biten and we didn't know who's she was I am sorry to say that maybe the best thing for the dog would have been to put her down. She was skin and bones, sooner or later (probably sooner since she was pregnant) she would have gone feral. Whether the towns people like us or not we don't need to leave dangers behind us if we can at all help it.

I know people's opinion will vary on this but it is something that you will have to think about. As times get tougher in real life and you can not care for you beloved house pets what are you going to do? I personally think it is cure and unusual to turn a house pet loose to fend for themselves. Not only that but they will be more apt to go into the general population because they have been around people. IRL the animal shelters around here are over flowing with animals that people can no longer take care of it is all they can do to feed their kids.

Ok getting of my soap box and going back to my wagon. Mother I have 10-20#bags of kibble. I think I can spare one bag with no problem. Like I said Boss gets all of scraps unless there is no scraps then he kibbles (even IRL and he pouts then) I just get a puppy out of the deal. I love saints, we just won't tell Saintsfan that I am

getting a puppy 0:-)

"Well, hello." MtRider crouched down to dog level....which wasn't very far with this beast. "You, dear doggie, have my immense gratitude!" OH....she's pregnant! Poor baby! You're skin and bones too. Trying to feed your growing ones to the expense of your own body. Can we get her fattened up? Do you think the babies are all right? ...What? What are you laughing at?

Ok so she is a Bertie instead of a Barney...puppies....well we know where all the extra goat milk will go now don't we

I am feel like I have been road hard and put up wet. I am bone wear tired today. was up early this morning, not sure I ever went back to sleep last night. I had just dozed off when all the gunfire went off. And yes Mother it was just a cougar. I wonder if that is the one we caught scent of before we caught up with you guys. If this is the one he has been stalking ya'll for a while. We picked up his scent when we crossed that ditch back there. I know Boss (our black lab) has been bristled up for a couple of days and clingy worse than a sick child. He would not let anyone leave camp without him. Mother glad to know just your pride was all that was hurt and you have a new best friend. I have some extra kibble I could share until we get to the next big town. I hit a sale on BOGOF just before we left and I stocked up (IRL I really did hit a BOGO sale on dog food although Boss doesn't eat it that much he had rather have our table scraps)

I am concerned about this dog though. Who's was/is he...where has he been...and what is kind of nasties is he carrying? I mean we are not in the greatest situation if he comes down with rabies. I am concerned about how it will react to the rest of the group once we start mingling and hanging around Mother. What happens if one of the little ones run up to Mother without thinking. Mother is such a tiny thing and this is a big dog, can she control him...will he be willing to be controlled by her? It makes you want to stand on your wagon seat and yell STRANGE DOG STRANGE DOG. But I guess this is where we will have to follow Mother's lead and see how he reacts. Barney may surprise us and be a good dog I hope so. Aw sucks I have done it now I have gone and named the lump of matted fur guess we are stuck with him.

Ann I understand about the jerky. I am tired of jerky and chicken myself. Tonight we are having shepherd pie made with that no-no dried ground beef. My lettuce is just about big enough to start pinching leaves off of so we can have salads again. As much as I would love a really nice dinner I sure don't feel like cooking it at night after we make camp. We pull in at dusk, set up, rinse a few things, tend to animals, and then cook over an open fire or on the camp stove. I miss my oven and microwave oh and my crock pot those items sure made cooking a lot easier. The camp stove is ok but it just does not do justice to cooking. I am wearing out quick...MtRider how much longer do we have until I can soak in a big tub of Epson Salt?

Over all we are holding up rather well. Mother DS didn't come down with anything I think it was just allergies and sinus drainage. He has gone to wearing a bandana over his face to help keep dust out and he seems to be doing better. We were kind of at the back of the wagon train and he breathed dust all day. As much as I don't relish traveling in the rain this place really needs some. I am worried about how dry it is are we going to be able to have camp fire? The little stream back there sure didn't look very inviting either is really kind of muddy and stagnant.

Just a word to the wise this will not be the only aggressive wild animal we will cross paths with. As we come in to towns we need to watch out for feral dogs. Cats too but I don't think cats will be as big of problem as dogs but with children around we all need to be on guard against house cats gone bad. Maybe we should say animals in general, if they are not yours then treat them as if they are wild.

Well the guys made it back and with a surprise M&Ms. They seem to think that if no more than 4 or 5 go into town at a time then it wouldn't be big problem Mr.J and MrH went them and it is civil. We are in the back side of the "better" part of town. Still they are very leary of strangers especially in large numbers.

MrH talked to a couple of grocery stores they are not getting the shipments they use to get because people just can't afford to buy. They are willing to sell to us but they will limit what we can purchase and how much we can purchase. There are two large grocery stores that are willing to deal with us. The small mom and pop store would like our business but MrH suggest only going there if we can not find what we need in the larger store. He said their prices are just way too high. They told him that they will probably be closing their doors after the first of the year. They are really not well stocked either but they do carry quite a bit of local stuff like local honey and seasonal veggies. They do have a good supply of fresh fruit at all the stores so we should be able to restock on that.

Thanks to MrMtRider Dil2b is moving fairly well. The compresses that Q suggested are helping with the bruising and swelling. But she is still stiff and that comes from riding all day. She is trying to be brave but I keep telling her that her body has to heal and if it means 1 or 2 days riding in the back of the wagon that sure beats weeks that she maybe out of she doesn't take care of herself. DS#2 is starting to cough but I pulled out grandpas homemade cough syrup and he will sleep tonight. Not only that but I have increased his Vit. C dosage for a couple of days. Hopefully that will nip this bug in the butt.

Mt.Rider you have ruined it now...ice cream...strawberry cheese cake ice cream...oh wait butterpecan ice cream....aaaahhhhhhh.

OH GREAT!!!!!!!!! BUGS!!!!! Meal worms ... I hate bugs. Well I guess I will just have to deal with it. Hummm think think.... My o2 pack must be out of juice. Everyone check your supplies.

Our wagons were loaded, and ready to go. We had all our fishing gear, clothes lines and other camping gear nice and neatly stoed away in the wagons. But we had to stop this morning before getting started good and replace a shoe. One of our horses threw a shoe. Hubby said that we will need to trim hooves and reshod them all on the next long lay over. The pavement is rough on shoes. The oxen on wagon 2 do not like the pavement either. It seems that the pavement chips off in the hooves and we have to keep a close watch on them and keep them clean.

DH is beginning to feel this trip in his knees. Dil2b fell out of the wagon well not really out she missed her step getting in to the wagon and now has a sore shoulder and bruised leg so she did not drive the team today. I sent her over to see Mother but she come and said she didn't want to get to close because Mother was sneezing and coughing so she went to see Mt. Rider. Mt. Rider fixed her up, thanks Mt. Rider.

We are all exhausted and the grumbling has started. The guys are going through their withdrawals from technology and cell phones. Guitar Hero was their past time. They are missing hanging out with their friends at college and miss being able to run to the store for junk food. DS#2 is wishing for a Chicago style pizza. Dil2b is missing her family and wishes she had stayed behind but doesn't want to leave ds and ds won't stay behind without us. I miss my appliances like the washing machine and dryer. I also miss my dish washer. Hopefully now that we are with the group and we can slow down our pace some we will all be in better spirits.

Lunch today was left over biscuits and ham and the last of the fresh fruit. Dinner will be a hobo dinners. That way clean up will be easy. Will wash the foil and use it again when I bake potatoes. There is beans soaking in the pot in the back and they will go on to cook for lunch and dinner tomorrow. I plan on making tortilla shells tonight so that we can have bean burritos tomorrow on the road. Saintsfan doesn't know but he is getting a treat tonight. I found and bucket of sugar sugar I thought we had finished off but it still has about 6 cups left in it so I am going to make him some oatmeal boiled cookies tonight. That is if he can beat the boys to them first.

Mother like you I am hoping this is a good town. There are a few things I am running low on and would feel better about the next leg if I had a few extra goodies to pull out to prop up the spirits. PMS has settled in here and a big bag of peanut M&Ms sound wonderful.

Two of the boys and four other men have taken our bikes in to town and to check it out I am getting worried they are not back yet. I hope they are ok.

Wheww what a day yesterday was....all the bedding was pulled out and aired blankets dried and the mounds of laundry done. While I waiting for the clothes to dry I wander along behind Mother taking notes along the way. The next few meals will be interesting to say the least.

MrMtRider and Michael were both thrilled with the addition of guards. Michael was slapping his head and saying why didn't I think to bring a bike. Mother those bikes are how we found you guys. Ds#1&2 would ride in to town and meander around listening. Ya'll have caused quite a stir along the way. Thank goodness people were still talking about you when we came through. Yes we saw the ruts in the ditch. When we got to the ditch we stopped and wasn't too sure if we were going the right way and if we should continue until we saw your trail. We did have ever go down about a quarter of mile where it wasn't so rutted and went across rather easily.

Last nights dinner was rather simple I was too tired to really make a big production so it was chicken noodle soup and sourdough biscuits. The leftovers will be served at lunch today. I have beans soaking for the meals tomorrow so hopefully I will get them cooked tonight and use the left over chicken to

make chicken chili. I think while we are stopped I will make Mexi-corn muffins to go along with the chili.

I will have to say that I am please that dil2b has fell in line and pulled her weight. She is having the time of her life. I was wrong to worry about how she would fit in but I guess she will be ok. She is having withdrawals from her cell phone and texting though. ***snicker snicker snicker*** To be honest I guess that is the hardest thing for my group. They are all tech savay and now they have very limited access.

Saintsfan is adjusting to life on the road. He likes to say he is a jack of all trades but a master of none. He and ds#2 have gather enough wood for the next few days. This morning I found him and Michael strolling through camp with coffee mugs in hand. I was really surpised that he was up so early he is not a morning person but he said that the coffee was calling his name. LOL

Well I guess it is time to clean up the wagons and organize them. I dont' know how the early settlers did it. I thought surely with the 3rd wagon it would not be so unorganized but I guess since we are living out of boxes and totes instead of a panty and closets things get suffled around alot.

Whewwww glad ya'll stop for a couple of days didn't think we would ever catch up especially after that early morning departure. We had a little trouble back there trying to figure out how to get around the town. It was not a pretty sight but we stayed way out on the outskirts. Thought we would going to be another day behind you but since we only have 3 wagons we were able to get through before they knew much of what was happening.

Sorry we are so late but saintsfan and sons would not leave the computer behind so we had to come up with a way to charge batteries along the way. So ds#2 (the geek) along with saintsfan set up wagon#2 to be a turbine of sorts. They have it rigged so that when the wheels turn it will charge the batteries that we run the small freezer off of. Sorry I had just bought a months worth of meat and didn't have time to can it before we left. But we do have a way to freeze water for ice packs. We also have a little electric refrig. I will need to plug it back in and let it cool but we can put stuff in it need be. I am so glad I have a geek for a son.

I have an extra couple of guys with military experience for guards. Also had to bring along #2 sons girlfriend he would not leave her behind Not sure how she will work out but too late now. She is good with kids and will do what she is told. She may have to be showed a couple of times but she catches on fairly quick. So far she has been a big help. My arthritis has kicked my butt with all this wet weather and handling the team has really taken its toll. She got a crash course along the way of driving the team. The boys had bail and run recons. Those bikes have come in handy. They are really quite too.

Quit laughing Michael yes those are flower boxes on the side of my wagons. There is lettuce and herbs planted there. And yes that is a wagon towing a cattle cart. The poor little goats could not keep up as fast and hard as we were going trying to catch up so we rigged that up cart. It saved them a couple of times ... unfriendly dogs.

Did I hear some one say vit. C I have some stocked up just before we left. Spent the last of my flex spend on cold and flu meds. Saintsfan said we would part with one of our wagons for a while if you needed it for sick folks. Sons #1&3 could walk or ride in one of the other two wagons.

Glad we are stopped for a couple of days. This will give me a chance to cook up some hot meals. Like I said we have been running long and hard (no we haven't been pushing the animals) we have just not made too many fires and stay as quite as possible since we were running alone. It is nice to be with the group so we can have fires again and hot food. We have been using the camp stove sparingly didn't want to draw attention to ourselves with the smell of food cooking. The boys have been living off of left over MREs from hurricane season but I don't need that many calories. I am sure they will like some home cooked food.

bumping again because several of us are looking at getting goats or have just gotten goats

DS#3 wore out a pair of cons but refused to throw them away. They were literally falling apart so he duct taped them they lasted until I caught him gone one day and threw them away. I have used duct tape to fix a rip in a skirt. I was at work and ripped my skirt so I went in my office and shut the door took the skirt off and put tape on the inside. It worked until my son could get here with something else to wear (I had a hard time getting the tape off to repair the rip I was about ready just to leave it on there)

Okay here's another one....maybe I don't see the value in it yet because I don't have babies....but drop-in, DISPOSABLE baby bottle liners ?

 

This came to mind because I just received a sample of a new Playtex baby bottle (hey, it was free and I thought it would be good to give as a gift). I remember the old ones - the plastic bags that were supposed to collapse to decrease air in a baby's stomach...

 

What happened to washing a bottle and filling it up? Why do you need to line a plastic cylander? Aren't the plastics bad for you? What is the sense in throwing part of it away each time?

I have to say NO these are not unnecessary at least they were not for my ds#2. I could not nurse him, everything I ate gave him gas. He ended up on this horrible smelling forumla and I used those playtex nursers. They were wonderful. They really do help with the gas. I tried regular bottles oh heavens you would have thought we were beating the child. I don't know which was worse the gas from me nursing him or the gas from him not burping good on regular bottles. These were a life saver. Yep I would spend the money today if I had to do it all over again.

Ok how about the pre-packaged dinners in the meat sections - like the pot roast...you get a roast and a few carrots and potatoes and a seasoning pack for outlandish amount.

What gets me is these commercials - you have probably seen this one.

The mom is driving home and all of the fast food icons are following her home. She jumps out of the car and holds up a meat loaf and says back off. Then it goes into a spiel about serving your family a homecooked meal. Please!!!!!

Originally Posted By: Momo

 

What do you nominate for the dumbest, laziest, stupidist products invented? There are so many to choose from.

 

I'll start off with the frozen peanut butter sandwiches at the grocery store. I don't understand what is so hard about making a pb&j sandwich. It takes a few seconds and requires no special handling. I have to admit I've never tasted one from the store, but I can't see how it could taste better than one I can slap together. I think the small box I saw was over 3$. WOW.

This one gets my vote. They look nasty. First of all frozen bread. then frozen peanut butter. I am pretty sure when they are thawed they get mushy... BARF!!!

And Momo you right about the price. For $3 you can buy a loaf of bread and a jar of peanut butter and get 3 times as many sandwiches and they are fresh, not frozen.

Hey Mother,

Don't forget dealing with the dead. Methods of embalming, and cremation.

Not just humans but we need to discuss livestock and pets.

Emerency Childbirth delivery.

I know we can not give medical advice. But what happens if your baby decides to make its grand enterance and you can't get to the hospital, the midwife can't get to you...who's gonna catch and what to they need to do.

Well as we all know tornado season is upon us already and hurricane season officially begins June 1 which is next Sunday. I suggest that you take a good look at Darlene's pictures and if you do not have basics or you know of someone that does not have the basics then show them these and give them a swift kick in the butt.

Basics I am talking 7 days people SEVEN DAYS

Food for everyone in your family for 7 days

Water for everyone in your family for 7 days

Meds for everyone in your family for 7 days

Don't forget the can opener

You can get a little one eye heater that will fit on top of a little propane canister fairly cheap. If you drink coffee then there is must for hot water.

If there is another Katrina you need to be prepared to care for you and yours for at least 7 days. People need to realize that there is no magic wand to wave and get things from point a to point b in a matter of minutes or hours.

If there is more than one area affected then resources will have to be split. And if we have storm on top of storm the way we did in 2004 then people are going to be exhausted. They are not going to be able to respond a the drop of a hat.

Please remember that outside of the military 99% of the people that respond are VOLUNTEERS. Those red cross people don't get paid they are regular people just like you and me. They have left behind family and jobs to go help.

Quick List

food

water

meds

flashlights

batteries

radio

work clothes

sturdy shoes

gloves

a couple of complete changes of clothes for each member of family

tools to clean up debris with

emergency numbers and back of important stuff on computer

insurance papers

and personal documents

a tetanus shot if your last one has been longer than 7 years

http://www.redcross.org/services/prepare/0...,0_239_,00.html

Thanks Cricket. I guess I just got it in my head that a dial was the only way but now that I think about it my mothers canner didn't have a dial only had a weight.

May have to get that one at WM oh and I was wrong it was a Mirror not a Presto. The presto was the pressure cooker a whole different thing.