Littlesister

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. 

After my GD and her DH gets moved into the new house, they will be much closer to me. She wants us to start back doing what we did when they were living in the apartment near me. We picked Friday and alternated eating at each other's house for dinner.  She wants us to start back doing that again. So, think that just might happen.  We both enjoyed doing that and it gave each of us a day off with no cooking.  Her DH did the dishes at both our houses on that day. Can't beat that.  Did get a few more things out of the living room this afternoon but still a bit more to go. I have a lot of empty plastic tubs I need to maybe just put in attic for the time being just to move them out of the house. They are containers that I have already gone through and got rid of stuff from and now piled up down a wall in that living room. 

Jeepers, I really hope and pray that all goes well with that test.  Good results are in order. 

I am going to start filling my quarts with water and canning it. Cheaper than buying bottled water and if going somewhere that I want to take a bottle of water, I have stainless steel bottles for the car that I can pour a jar of water into my stainless-steel bottle. I also need to get my Berkey water system set back up. It got packed away during the remodel and construction and I never set it back up. I have it unpacked again now but just need to set it up again. 

Will be canning that hamburger tomorrow. With the price of meat going up again and the possibility that there will be even more shortages of it. I will be glad I got more of it to can up. Might do some of it for meat balls again also. Those were good.

MidnightMom, Gotta on that jar. I was thinking since we were talking about the mom's jars that I was thinking that was what that jar was. 

I have mostly Ball jars. I can get 8 wide mouth and 9 small mouth quarts in the canner. On the pints I can get 10 wide mouth and 12 small mouth. I cannot stack my jars as there is not enough head space between the stove top and the vent hood.

MidnightMom we were typing at the same time. Seeing that jar I have a couple of those jars. They have that same picture on them. Didn't know they were Mom's jars. 

I also have been canning since the early 70's but I really don't remember the mom's canning jars or lids. Or maybe they didn't sale them on the east coast of VA.

I thought for a while my canning days were over till, I married my DH in 1985. I have been heavy into canning again ever since. It has slowed down a bit since DH's passing but I am still canning. 

Necie, you can put those in the antique section. They are really old. Glad they will still work. Never heard of Mom's mason jar lids. Bet they don't make that brand any longer. 

I am canning hamburger tomorrow.  

Jeepers, you will make through the monitor yet. 4 days left. It will be done and over before you know it. 

We also have had this blustery wind.  No issues other than the trashcans are empty and they were getting blown over. 

Mt. Rider, I hope you can find a dog sitter for the pup. I wouldn't want to put her with the Pitbull's either. You never know they might get along and then again might not. Hope you will be able to find someone to take care of her. 

Went back to the furniture store today and got the bookcase and the dresser. Both are Amish made. The dresser is solid oak and heavy. That will be what my craft and some sewing things will be in. All together in one place finally. My GD and GLIL helped met me there and put it on his truck and got a friend to meet him at my house to help get them into the house. Then we had lunch. And they went back home.  Baby needed a nap. She was all giggles this morning. She's starting to stand up holding on to things. So, I need to hurry up and get the house in order. GSIL and GD got all the Christmas boxes out of the dining room and up in loft in shed. So, all of that is out of the way now. Dining room feels empty now. So just dusting and cleaning up. Will have the dresser in the dining room even though the dining room furniture hasn't sold yet. That is the room it will be in anyway so just sitting in there for now. Just can't place it where I want it yet in that room yet. 

Resting my knee now as I did a bit too much today on it.  I am beginning to feel like there really is a light at the end of the tunnel. Just trying to get organized and get things in its place. Still a lot of things to get rid of but it's getting there.