Littlesister

I am running in slow motion this morning. Working in the house today as it is cold outside. Though might warm up a bit later. If it does, I will stack more wood. 

Still need to finish getting the highchair put together and finish getting the empty plastic tubs into the attic and out of the living room. Then go through what little bit is left in there and get all of that out and then I can move that living room suit back into the living room and move the dining room table into the den. This was the plan but with new furniture but put the new furniture on hold due to the economy right now. Just don't want to spend the money till I see how things are going to go. Just buying the things for garden beds and the longer screws and hinges for the front door. The ones that are on there now are worn out. I was told that during construction when one of the guys was at that door seeing that it had dropped on the hinge side and told me what was wrong. It was nice of him to tell me, but it wasn't in the list of construction things so he couldn't. add it on. But I have someone that can do it for me anyway. Just haven't gotten around to doing it. I think now is the time to get the new hinges and get that done. 

 for Israel. 

Mt. Rider hope all goes well with the riding tomorrow. 

Jeepers, hope you can get a ride back home and back to the garage when they fix your car. 

Mother, using some of that wood for the raised beds is what I am planning. GS has a pile of smaller pieces of wood stacked for me plus I saved all the branches that GS cut off the fence. That is also in that pile. As soon as we get the rest of the firewood stacked, I will be pulling out the raised beds to put in. GS has been looking at my plans. Just hope we can get it all done before they call him into boot camp. Otherwise, my DGSIL will be helping when he can. He's on duty with Coast Guard all this week so can't even go home this week. But it will get done one way or the other. 

Still working on flower beds also. Need to cut back the rosemary as it is taken over the flower bed on other side of porch.  The basil has grown into a bush and getting bigger. Need to cut that back as well. And on the other side of the basil, there is another herb growing and taken over and needs to be pulled up as I can't remember what it is. No smell to it yet. I'm thinking oregano. but not sure. Need to pull out my book to identify it.  

Going to be dehydrating a few herbs and giving away a lot of it as well.

Jeepers, glad you were able to have that heart monitor over with. Now for waiting for results and I hope all goes well.   You could call and ask how long it will take and if they have someone that can take you back home and then pick you back up. Some places do have that option. Last time I needed a ride home, I was with my DH and a man from the fire department down the street from me was there and offered to take us home. That was really nice of him to do that. He was heading to the station and would have been passing my neighborhood, so it wasn't out of his way. My SIL took us to pick it up later that evening as he was off by then. 

GS was off today, and we worked on wood pile all day. Got a lot done. But still a long way to go. He still has to put the last two log holders in place using the cinder blocks and then we can hopefully have that all finished. We got what wood was left in house by the wood stove out of house and stacked all the wood from last year on the small wood holder. And got what was still left on porch on there as well. So, all the older wood is in one place to be used first. Put a good dent in the new wood. But there is still a lot more and GS thinks I might have to buy at least 2 more wood holders. But I am holding off to see for sure as I still have 2 and 1/2 wood holders left to fill up.  Getting my plans together for the raised beds. I have a list of what I need and checked to see what I already have for them. So hopefully will start on those as soon as the wood pile is done.  I think I have less than a cord left to stack. 

Getting things together for the front flower bed.  I found 2 cinder blocks so only need 2 more. Decided to use the wood from the old, raised bed boxes as they were falling apart. for the front flower bed. Just lay the flat boards across the cinder blocks and That will be set up for the pots. That will save some money by reusing those wood raised bed boards. I'm all for recycling stuff.  And they are weatherproof. 

MidnightMom, I love your garden. It is so cute. 

I ordered 10 very large pots from Temu, as that was the cheapest prices. Pots around here are very high priced and I need to many of them to not buy from a company that is not American made. But sometimes we have to do what we have to do. What I have bought from there so far has been really good stuff. So, hoping these pots will be good ones. They had a very high rating. 

Need to head to Walmart for some fishing supplies. I hate shopping at Walmart but is the cheapest place for the things I need. More hooks, fishing line, bobbers, and not sure of a couple of other things yet. Need to get GS out there to check some things also. 

I stopped doing garage sales a long time ago. People would come and steal it, so I gave up. And when my DD had a yard sale you should have seen the fights over old pillows. Have to say it was funny but stupid.  Many people around here said they quit having yard sales because of the theft. Hope that has gotten better by now. 

Usually, I will give things to people that need it or donate it. But thinking about one for pictures I have stacked up and can't use and some knickknacks that I want to sell. Won't be till the fall though. Or I might take items to pawn shop. That will depend on what price they quote me for them. 

My shoulder and knee are a bit sore today but will do a bit of work outside after the sun goes around to side of house and off the front of house. Going to be a hot one today. Very sunny and 80*.  Though I still haven't had to turn on the air conditioner yet. Every year I hold out as long as I can. DH and I used to have a contest with both the electric and gas to see how low we could get the bill every spring and fall till we had to turn on one or the other.  The lowest we ever got was $10 on the gas and $17 on the electric. With all the increases over the years it will never be that low again.  But fun trying. So far, the house on days like today have been fairly cool and sometimes a bit cold but doable. 

Started working on clearing out the boxes in living room and getting things in their place. Then going to start moving furniture around to the different rooms I am changing up. Need to start washing windows and blinds soon also. But waiting till this messy pollen has stopped. It is slowing down a bit but still a lot of green on everything. My car turned green because of it a few weeks ago. I still need to finish cleaning it up but need to go buy more topsoil before I finish cleaning it out. I didn't have enough to finish filling the holes in yard where tree roots under the ground have rotted out. 

I saw that on Pinterest. Was thinking about trying it out. Be good to put in the other flower bed on other side of front porch. 

Glad you didn't get the really bad weather Jeepers. You don't need tornados running through the neighborhood. 

I am beat tonight. I knew my shoulder and knee would act up after doing all the yard work. But I will just have to muddle through it. It has to be done. Did some work in house this afternoon after working on the flower beds. I think I have chewed off more than I can handle, but it will get done at some point. Then maybe I can sit back and enjoy it all.

It tried to rain here a little while ago but was just a few drops and stopped. So, if we don't get any rain tonight, will work in yard again tomorrow if I'm able to move. 

MidnightMom, I don't understand it either. But he is now 22 years old and also deals with depression which he is now doing much better with handling it as well as his anger issues. The anger issues seem to have stopped now. And he is dealing with the depression and is getting better with that. He has put me through the ringer, and I have had to really get tough on him, but it seems to be paying off now. 

So, A fishing trip it is before he heads to boot camp. 

His mother was trying to force him to go into the Navy which he didn't want to do. She should have let him make the choice of what part of service he wanted instead of a forced to go into Navy deal. I think this was some of his issues plus what was going on in middle school that he still to this day won't talk about. So, I let that be. When he's ready he will talk but is something he is dealing with right now. But is doing better at putting it behind him.

That is true about the kidneys and protein. You can only take in so much of it with kidney issues. 

Miki, glad Bo is doing great. Sounds like she's going to fit in really well. 

Got 2 of the flower beds cleaned out and then took the 3 bags of topsoil I had to fill in some holes in the yard.  Was hoping to get a third one done but knee and shoulder said not today. But tomorrow is another day. Since my yard guy didn't step up to the plate, I have to get it done. But once done he will not be cutting my yard next year. I need someone that is willing to do the whole yard not just someone wanting to cut grass and nothing else. 

So far for my yard I have only spent $25 for 25 bags of mulch. Haven't set up the raised beds yet. Thinking about getting GSIL to help me set it all up. But this week he is at the Coast Guard base for the whole week, so GD went to stay with her mom in NC. So, I have a free week this week. They sign off on the house on May 8th. So, they will start packing up what they can and only hold out on what they need. DD and I will be keeping the baby at my house while they are moving. So, will only be keeping the baby when they have something they need to do. GD doesn't like to keep taking the baby in and out of car because she doesn't like being restrained in a car seat. So, if they have several places they need to go they bring the baby to me. 

Time to get off of here and get to work. Need to try to week flower beds and lay the groundwork for the raised beds. 

I have a boat load of sinkers as my DH had all the stuff to make them. He made several different sizes.  But on bobbers, I need to buy those. I didn't see any in the tackle box. Might need a few other things as well.  I want to get GS out fishing before he leaves for boot camp. 

I think Food Lion is trying to get him to make a career out of Food Lion. They really like him there. But he has his aim toward Coast Guard and hopefully saving money for what he really wants to do for a career. (game designing). Very competitive. But he loves it. Will see where that goes. He wants to go in the first 4 years as a cook as he loves cooking. Then he wants to reenlist for marine science. After that he doesn't know yet. He sounds like he wants to make it a career and then for the computer gaming to come out retired and then pick that up. Said he will be studying for it the whole time he is in Coast Guard. So will see how it goes.  At least he is finally trying to get his medical bills paid off. He usually just throws them aside and pretend they don't exist. Wish I could get away with that. They would probably throw me in jail for nonpayment. 

I also have memories of my DD growing up. She was cheer leader in high school and was in the senior pageant. They did the roaring 20's theme. Yeah, try finding that type of clothing in the 80's. Had to make the dress. She still has that dress to this day. Found the beads and things they wore and even the type of hat they wore back then at yard sales. But it was all fun.  I have film of all that as well as other things she did. 

Necie, congratulations for your daughter. 

You have been busy with getting everything fixed up. 

Sitting here drinking coffee and trying to decide if I want to try cleaning out flower beds or work in the house again. I really do need a break from working in the house.  My yard man came by to cut the grass right as GS and I were leaving to head to Lowe's. I talked with him about the mulch and told since he didn't get the mulch, we were heading out to buy it. He said he didn't get it because I hadn't cleaned out the flower beds. And I reminded him that I was not physically able to do it and needed him to clean them out and put down mulch. What it really is he doesn't want to do it. So here I am. GS can't help today because he has both a doctor's appt. and working. So, no help today. But at least he got another wood stacker set up and ready for me to take what is left of the wood from this past winter and stack it on the small wood holder. I still need to finish stacking the new wood. Might do some of that today also. I can get up to 4-wheel barrels full done before I have to call it quits and take a break. GS will fuss at me when he sees what I did. But it has to be done and he only works on it on his days off. He leaves here at 2:00 to head to work and doesn't get home till midnight. They have been working him a lot lately. And he looks really tired. But at least he was off so I could get the sale on the mulch. Can't believe I got 25 bags on that second round. Might go back today for some more and then some other things I need while there. GS can get it out of the car for me tomorrow if I decide to get more. I can get someone to load it in the car for me. Will need a good car cleaning when this is over. I really miss the truck. But it is what it is. 

In a couple of weeks GS and I will be moving furniture around in the living room, dining room and Den. Not going to buy furniture right now due to economy. But can get the rooms set up like I want with the old furniture. SIL is bringing me a sewing table that he made, and I need to make room for it in dining room since that is going to be my sewing, craft and reading room. Just not fully set up till I get the China hutch sold. But that might be on hold for a while. 

Jeepers, I can a lot of veggies, soups and stews but being a diabetic, I have to eat a lot of protein. So that is why I can so much meat now. Back in the day I didn't can as much meat. I make chicken salad and other things as well. Sometimes I will use the canned beef for my veg. beef soup. It's one of the ways I keep it rotated. 

Jeepers, it sounds like you need an adjustment on your medication for the B/p.  

I had decided to can meat first to rebuild my meat supply due to the shortages and the prices going up all the time. Only buying what I can get on sale. I am up to 24 pts. of hamburger now plus the I think it was 12 pints of meat balls. I have about 50 or more pts of chicken and maybe 60 or a little more of beef.  Pork only about 27 jars and would like to build that up if I can find the Boston butts on sale at a good price. Will be spending most of the summer canning veggies and building that back up when the produce comes in. Hopefully in about a month or so. 

Worked on bedroom most of the day.  Sorted through clothes and shoes. Had a lot of shoes I can't wear any longer due to my bone spur and plantar fasciitis. All heading out to Goodwill or will just wait till I get the paper in the mail for Salvation Army. I can put that on front porch, and they pick up on a certain day. 

GS worked on the wood pile today and got another rack set up. Then he played with the neighbor's dog a bit and then we went to Lowe's to get mulch. Took 2 trips but we managed to get 25 bags. At $2.00 a bag, I couldn't pass that up. Just need to work on the flower beds. which won't be easy with my knee right now, but I need to get it done. 

Talked with my yard man today as he finally came and cut the grass. It was totally out of control. I really need to find someone new to take care of the yard that will do it all. I asked him why he didn't get the mulch for flower beds, and he said because I didn't get them cleaned out. I reminded him again that I was not physically able at this time to do it and that is why I wanted him to take over the job of doing the whole yard. Nope all he wants to do is weed eat and cut the grass. Nothing more. So here I am trying to get it done and still looking for a full-on yard man. 

Working on switching out summer and winter clothes this morning. Need to go through all the summer clothes now to see what fits and what doesn't. Getting ready to open all the windows in the house to air it out. But waiting for the sun to go around the side of house before opening the front windows.  Trying to see how long I can go before turning on the air conditioner. 

Went through more paperwork and will be paying bills later today.  Hoping my knee will hold out so I can go for at least a short walk this evening. 

I know how that spell check is. I hate it also.  And why do they add and s on the end of words that you don't need an s added to. Spell check is good for that also. 

MidnightMom, I think we were typing at the same time. 

All that is so funny but so true.  And I am getting really mad at Alexa. I would be watching TV and tell Alexa to put a movie on and no answer. So, I would say Alexa wake up 2 or 3 times before I get a response. It's nighttime but I get good morning, how is your day. She needs to get off her cell phone and look at a clock. 

Mt. Rider, it's getting closer for you and your DH to head to Maui. Hope you can find someone to care for the pup. I remember those days well. Going on vacation back in the day and had to board or get someone to take care of 2 cats and 2 dog.  It's definitely not cheap. 

I have canes, wheelchair, bedside commode, and a lot of other things from my DH's dilemma. I also have a pull up bar with a seat on wheels to move a person around. 

Cleaned up kitchen from all the canning yesterday. Working on boxes again. Need to get the plastic containers I have emptied into the attic for the time being. They are in the way, and I need to empty the living room to move the furniture from den back to the living room. Then move the dining room table into the den.  Holding off on buying anymore furniture due to the economy. Possible collapse of the dollar. But at least I will have the rooms set up in the areas I need them to be. Just stuck with the China hutch still in the dining room as it is too tall for the den. without covering up my pictures. But I can work around that. 

GS is off tomorrow, so will have him either working on the wood pile or helping me with moving things into attic or both depending on what time he gets up tomorrow. He has been really tired as he has been stocking mainly by himself for the whole store all week. Not much in the line of help and one that either calls in, or when he does come in, he stays in bathroom or disappears outside, and GS has to put his stock up. They are assigned isles to do. GS has his 2 which are the can goods and boxed cereals and such but ends up doing at least 4 isles a night. The one guy is getting ready to get fired. Seems people only want a paycheck but not do the work. 

Jeepers, you just won't do. That was so funny.  And yes, we will be seeing more butt cracks and shorts that don't cover much. Summer is around the corner and no telling what else we will be seeing. I'm over the men that can't keep their pants up where they belong. 

I remember a guy coming into the Bennett's Creek market and DH's cousin interviewed him. Went through the whole spill with this guy and then asked him how he was going to carry hot food and other things as it takes two hands to do the job. And from the looks of him he needed one hand to hold up his pants and the other one to work and this job takes both hands. And then told him he couldn't use him. 

Necie, that soup looks really good. Maybe I should be picking dandelions. They are growing all over my yard and flower beds this year. 

I have never heard of or seen that brand around here. The Reuben sandwich looks good.

I have several cans of the corn beef hash in cans that I use to make corn beef and cabbage and other things. I also have the corned beef hash with the potatoes in it. That is great with eggs for breakfast. 

Checked my jars a while ago and all have sealed. 

Becca Anne everything is looking great.  

Cleaned kitchen after all the canning was done. Jars are still sitting on counter to be labeled and put away tomorrow morning. 

Sat down for a bit and watched TV with the heating pad on my knee. I forgot to sign out earlier. I do that sometimes. 

Canning is done. Got 12 pints of hamburger, one pint of shaved ribeye steak and 2 pints of top round thin steak. They were in the fridge and was not going to use them fast enough so figured I would finish filling the second canner with it. Really wasn't enough to can but all worked out in the end. 

I do the same thing. but only water bath canning and dry canning. I have a lot of the Classico jars. Though I think they would work for pressure canning. 

Didn't go to Church today. Overdid it with my knee. Woke up with it very swollen and sore. So decided not to drive today. So church was from home. I can watch the service on FB. Going to watch Jimmy Evans preaching later today also. 

Getting ready to can hamburger in a bit. Just getting things together that I forgot to do yesterday with everything going on.  Knee is on ice and heating pad in between. Swelling is starting to go down some. 

Becca Anne, never give up hope on what you can and can't do. Just learn what triggers an episode and take it from there. If bending over for too long can cause that, you are already on it by getting a rolling seat for weeding the garden. You can also get the grandchildren to help with weeding when they are there. It would teach them about gardening also. Something all children should learn to do in this day and age. 

My DH had both a deliberator and pacemaker for years. He learned his limits and managed some days to work past those limits on his better days. Though his reason for having them was for a different reason, he managed to learn his limitations and move on. You will figure it all out.  You will get your homestead up and running like you want, it just might take a little longer, but you will get there. 

Becca Anne, I know where you are coming from.  My family isn't on board either. But I think my GD and her DH are to a point.  My GSIL said something about the water barrels and things and how the situation with war and this economy is going. He is in the Coast Guard, and they do a lot of talking. They did buy a small freezer and filled it with meat. I am hoping after my GD gets settled in the new house that she will take an interest in learning how to can.  My GD in Washington State has been wanting to learn but I can't teach her being over 2000 miles away and she doesn't always follow the process. She will skip on things and that makes me leery to try to teach her. But she does other things like forging and dehydrating.