Homesteader

How ironic. Early December reminds me of many family members who died. MIL died 2 years ago. My first MIL who I loved dearly died the same day as second MIL but she died 12 years ago. My BIL died in Dec. but it was a suicide and he was very young. I always remember deceased relatives on their birthdays and death days. DH can't believe I do it but it's easy for me to remember dates. I think it is really good to think about our folks and friends who are gone. Both the good and the bad memories. On the happy side I celebrated my 5 year cancer free anniversary last week.

Glad you all made it safely through Friday the 13th. I had a Dr. appt in the big city today and DH and I finished up a few loose Christmas ends while there. Stores weren't bad at all considering it was a Friday and close to Christmas. Got to make my big to do list tonight so I don't forget anything. Next Saturday is my DS's birthday too and we are having a BIG party. I guess I will spend most of next week baking and wrapping.

Oh Mary, great minds think alike. I just came in to visit MrsS after about a half hour of sitting in my dark living room admiring my lit up tree. How peaceful and pretty. All of my ornaments have a special memory attached to them. I was nearly in another world when DH came in and flipped on the light and brought me back to reality.

Glad to hear it! Hope Reci will be back in time to post Christmas leftover RECIpes.

Welcome Thyra!!! Hope to hear how the brining works for you.

Glad you got your wheels turning the right direction!

We'll hear you yelling alright Reci. But it will be when you start opening your bills from the hospital etc!! We'll behave until you get back. (Wellll, most of us will behave) Take care of yourself.

Oh Loggie. I know a little of what you are going through. The same thing happened to my best friend. After 15 years of marriage he told her he thought he was attracted to men. She was ready for an immediate divorce but I suggested a legal separation since neither one of them was ready to move on to new partners.(Plus there was a child involved) It gave her time to think and protected her financially for things such as insurance. When he met his new partner it was a real blow to her. How could she compete with another man? It took her a few years to dust herself off and bounceback but she has. I know it wasn't easy for her since she was 53 years old and in poor health. I do think knowing the truth has been good for her in the long run. It took a while but she is doing really well now. It will be impossible to put things back the way they were but you WILL get through this. You are one of the Survivors at MrsSurvival! We are all pulling for you!

Yes I ate what I wanted to for 2 whole days. Didn't count a single carb for Thanksgiving Day and Friday after. No, I didn't have any sweets but I sure had a big craving for stuffing!!! I felt more stuffed than the turkey by Friday night. I've been on under 20 grams a day since mid January so I guess I'll survive this little diet vacation. Now I have to decide if I can have another break for Christmas. Hmmmm, there's food for thought.

Usually drive my minivan. But just in case we get snow or ice I have my tractor standing by. Also known as a Jeep Grand Wagoneer with 4WD and a "granny gear". Only got to "rough it" once so far but there's always hope for a BAD winter!!!

We're all pulling for your family. I know how it feels when parents are on the decline healthwise. All you can do is be there for them. Take care of yourselves too!

Glad to hear it. With it being cold and people cranking up furnaces and fireplaces the risk for home fires is higher than in the summer. At least the holiday season will be a little safer.

Brigid just reminded me of that commercial when I was a very young child. Some lady would say "When you've got your health you got just about everything". It sounded silly then but now I understand!

DH and I took a long drive in the country today. It was just beautiful. Cool, crisp clear air. All the beautiful colors of changing leaves. The beautiful mountain roads lined with rivers, lakes and ponds. Just gorgeous. It made me remember that after all the problems and worries in this world, there is still so much to be thankful for. This year everyone in my family is relatively healthy. All the young ones are flourishing. The middle aged ones have good careers. The retirees are getting by okay. Better enjoy it and appreciate it while we can. Who knows what tomorrow holds?

DH has met alot of famous and infamous people. He has travelled alot in his career. Myself, I've only met 3 that I can think of right now. John Glenn was jogging on the beach by our house when I was a little girl. Hank Williams Jr. was on a commuter type plane with me. I talked to Sally Struthers at a car show in Buena Park California once. My son met Gwen Stefani in LA when No Doubt was still a garage band. My Aunt sat next to Gary Cooper on an airplane in the late 50's and got his autograph. My Dad met alot of bigwigs when he worked at Cape Canaveral. One of his favorites was Walter Cronkite. My MIL dated Howard Hughes once, but I think nearly every woman out west did back then. LOL. I should make DH get in here and tell you how many he's met but he's shy around puters!

But Snowmom..if it was tooo nice up there we'd have to rename you Tropicalmom. (Then Dar would be jealous)

My, this is quite taxing

I'm always working on mine Snowy..just not at a feverish pace. I try to keep from getting tooo consumed with it. However, my Ancestry membership is about ready to run out so I better start tying up all the loose ends I can for now. But first...I am going to run over and look at Cat's Litter on her web site. Meow.

Was standing there grabbin'

?????????? But turkeys don't have tails...do they????????

Reci..just make sure you take them off before you throw them!!!!

Oh Jo..don't feel strange. I think your feelings are perfectly normal. I had a father in "physical presence" also. It sounds like your Dad did not choose this though. He couldn't prevent getting sick. I'm sure he loved you alot but he was hurt so much by his accident etc. that he couldn't help his behaviour. You just have to do the best you can. It only hurts YOU to be bitter or to dwell on it. Try to look at this as a step in building your character. You are learning to deal with the harsh realities of life at a young age. I understand about not crying at the funeral. You never knew your REAL Dad. The man he was before this happened to him. The man who gave you life and loved you so much. Anniversaries have a way of reminding us of both sad and happy occasions. In the long run you will have many more happy than sad ones. Keep your chin up!!

This is way too heady..

Oh Reci!! All these recipes are making me hungry! Why are you tempting me? At least I can eat all I want of the sticky chicken. No carbs there.

Well we are going to get below freezing tonight for the first time. About 25 degrees. We put the dog in the garage to help her stay warm, the chicks already have a little cozy house, and the goat has a "Goat condo". We also put out some hay for the pigs and they covered each other up in it. Just checked them out a few minutes ago and they look so cute with their noses poking out of the hay. Fortunately for us it doesn't stay cold long here.