Monday, November 30, 2009

Nov. 30... last post of Thanksgiving...

It's hard to believe that this month has quickly passed by. Some good days, some bad, some I hope to never remember or relive. Days of waiting, worrying (or trying not to), trusting, crying, praying, with a few days sprinkled with laughter and a smile here and there.

On this last day, I am Thankful that God is seeing  my family and myself through the days. He is never late, never early, always on time. How I grate at that one... God's time isn't MY time. Of course I can't see the whole thing that is going on... I can only see my small view... I feel like a horse must feel with side blinders on. You go in one direction and that's it. Forward, you can't see what's on either side, just what right in front staring you in the face.

I'm so glad that I've also "met" some very sweet and special people through the 30 Days of Thanksgiving. :)

I Slept...

Yes I know I missed the 29th day of Thankgiving. However I did manage to get some extra sleep, which at this point is a good thing.Anyway today I'm make up for yesterday and today... the very last day of November. where has the month gone?

For the 29th I'm very thankful for take-out. It wouldn't be the holidays with out it. :)

Today it's back to the ole grind stone and I need to be up and at it. Need to run into Wally World for diesel treatment and hydraulic fluid. Have a leak and no $$$ to fix it. sigh...

pip pip and cheerio y'all!

Saturday, November 28, 2009

Day 28...

Today I am thankful for:

The farmer who plowed the ground, and grew the wheat, that made the flour that I used to make cookies today's. Farmers are good things and people. How would we eat if it weren't for farmers? In all honesty here...

Cookies...



"Soft Molasses Cookies"

OHHHHHH so good... if you want to make them go HERE for the recipe.

Tired of Turkey...

It's official... I'm sick of turkey. Morning, noon, and night... turkey... Hot, cold, semi-warm, and in sandwiches. Ugh... WHERE'S the BEEF?!?!

Friday, November 27, 2009

Went with the Wind... :)





We all need a laugh!

The 30 days of Thanksgiving...

Are slowly coming to a close. Where has the month gone??? OK I know where the month has gone... I'd rather NOT relive the days of November 2009 if you don't mind. I keep thinking that the days can't get any harder than the next. HA I say HA!

Yesterday takes the cake... I'm not going into it because I'm TRYING to be a good person and forgive, let go, and love they enemy err neighbor. I can telling it's been up hill work ALL bloomin' day! Right now I'm in the "I'm just going to ignore those people, afta all tomorra is another day." "And as God as my witness, I'll never wave at them again, nor any of their kin!" and let me tell ya, that is going to cut down my waving a great deal!

I have GOT to watch Gone with the Wind soon... I'm getting rusty :) ... Some days I just feel like Aunt Pittypat... "I need, my.... smelling salts..... (crocodile tears and waling)". :) Right now I'm mostly feeling like Scarlett in the fact that I need a Rhett... A good looking, wealthy, Rhett who will let me save and fix up "Tara"... lol and let me have all the neighbors "PEA GREEN with being a thorn in their sides." God forgive me... but that's the tamest I can get in written words. God knows my heart... he knows it's just hurting and wanting to fight and say horrible things. Things that to most people I would regret. Things that to these people would go over their heads... which is even more frustrating.

All in all yesterday was a good day. A day of remembering, relaxing, and right down good food. Even if I do say so myself... SELF, ya did good! :) OK so the dressing was a tiny bit salty (oysters fault), and I only burned one finger,the turkey was for the most part done (had to go back in for the final cooking but enough was done so we could eat) and I'm still alive to tell about it. After 4:30 it got rather... well lets not go there... remember we are letting it go... really I am... PROMISE! At least until I forget and start waging a little inner war again. It does amaze me though that people can be so insensive. I could expect it any other time, but on Thanksgiving day... it was more than any of us here could take.


Today I'm thankful for my family... yes we get on each other nerves (more than normal due to the stress), we each have our own way of doing things, and thinking, but I'm still thankful and love them all... We've been through some pretty nasty stuff, some good stuff, fun stuff, and everything thing in-between.

Thursday, November 26, 2009

Memories... from my mother...

 The following is a Thanksgiving memory of my mothers... it made me cry... dang it and I said I wasn't going to cry today... Love you mom...

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I have many Thanksgiving memories. They begin as a little girl and the thrill of going to my Grandma's and Grandpa's for our Holiday celebration. My Grandparents lived on a farm, and that is the reason why I farm today. It was the only place where I felt completely safe, our home life was less than ideal, so when my Mom and I got in the car to go to Grandma's house it was cause for rejoicing. We always sang on those trips, just her and I, "Over the River and Through the Woods to Grandmothers House We GO", and also our favorite hymns. When we started, Momma was crying, but by the time we got to our destination, she would be smiling. I never knew till I got older just how hard life was for her and on her, it was a definite sacrifice of praise on her behalf. Then we would walk up the sidewalk to the back porch, Pansy the border collie, and Lady the white American Eskimo would be there to greet us. To open the door to the kitchen, and all those wonderful aroma's and Grandma, in her apron, so glad to see us, is a memory that still gives me comfort to this day. Momma would begin to help Grandma, and I would go find Grandpa, he usually was in the Living Room, either reading a hunting and fishing magazine, or working on his coin collection. I liked to help him with the coins, and then read the stories, OF how I was attacked by a Grizzly Bear and Survived!! I got caught up in the drama of it all. Then my mom's younger sister, my Aunt Linda and her husband Uncle Larry would come and I was always thrilled to see them. We would set down at the dinning room table, in the dinning room, we always had the same places and I always set by Grandpa, he took care of me. The table would be crowded with such good food, most of it raised on the farm. Grandpa would say the Blessing and then we would eat, talk, fellowship, most usually there would be duck, because Grandma raised duck, only if Grandpa won a turkey in a turkey shoot, would we have turkey, then there would be mashed potato's,dressing with half oysters and half plain,homemade noodles, that my Mom and Aunt still make to this day, There would be corn and green beans, and carrot or cranberry salad, brown and serve rolls, and pumpkin and pecan pie. Then everyone rested in the afternoon, or at least pretended to, I had to get outside and see the animals. Then there was evening chores, a supper of leftovers and then it was time to go home. I never wanted to go home, it would be dark, and I would lay down on Momma's lap and she would tell me stories. I am so very Thankful for those memories, I hope in Heaven somewhere, there is a little farm, and my grandparents are there waiting. But till then, I am thankful for my family and friends that make life joyful and a farm I that I have walked, loved and tried to replicate the love and safety I knew as a child. Happy Thanksgiving!!!!!!


Love Kim

Thankful


Wishing, everyone here, there, and yon. 

A VERY Happy Thanksgiving.

Have safe travels if traveling, eat dessert first (hey I read if you do that you can eat more of the other good stuff... HONEST!), and if your mad enough to go shopping in the weeeeeee hours of the morning tomorrow you have my prayers.


HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!!!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


I found this through a link of a friend off facebook. We truly have much to be thankful for.


Here is a story of gratitude. It’s taken from the book, Windows II: book for those with a heart for helping kids heal, by Dr. James Sutton (www.docspeak.com).
……………………………………………
On November 11, 1620, the Mayflower dropped anchor in a natural harbor on the inside of the northern tip of Cape Cod. There it stayed. The location was not the Pilgrims’ first choice; they had planned to settle near the mouth of the Hudson.
The area where the ship made landfall had belonged to the Patuxets, a fierce tribe that took intense delight in murdering anyone who would dare invade their territory. A sickness, however, had wiped them out, leaving their land free for the taking. (Other Indians, fearing “bad spirits,” would have no part of it.) The Pilgrims didn’t even have to clear fields for planting. They were alread there for them.
The nearest neighbors were the Wampanoags, a civilized tribe ruled by Massasoit. The chief and his people accepted the Pilgrims and helped them. Squanto, a lone survivor of the Patuxets, made his home with this new inhabitants and taught them how to survive in this new and challenging land.
Although the bounty of the summer of 1621 brought a time of heartfelt gratitude (the first Thanskgiving), the Pilgrims’ obligation to repay the backers who had financed their voyage left them dangerously close to starvation. Food stores had all but disappeared.
At one point, a daily ration of food for a Pilgrim was 5 kernels of corn. With a simple faith that God would sustain them, no matter what, they pulled through. History records that not a single one of them died from starvation that winter. Not a one.
The harvest of 1623 brought a surplus of corn, so much that the Pilgrims were able to help out the Indians for a change. So joyous were they that they celebrated a second Day of Thanksgiving and again invited Massasoit to be their guest.
He came, bringing with him his wife, several other chiefs and 120 braves. All sat down to a feast of 12 venison, 6 goats, 50 hogs and pigs, numerous turkeys, vegtables, grapes, nuts, plums, puddings and pies. But, lest anyone forget, all were given their first course on an empty plate.
They were each given 5 kernels of corn.
…………………………………………………………………

Wednesday, November 25, 2009

What's in YOUR oven...

Or rather what is going to be in your oven, or what has been in your oven in preparation of the feasting tomorrow?

Here is what is, has and will be for our oven.

Brined Turkey... MMMMMMMM
Scalloped Corn
Green Bean Casserole
Plain Dressing and Oyster Dressing
Salad
Cranberry sauce (homemade and the yummy canned stuff that is soooo good with saltines.)
Cheese Ball
Mashed Potatoes
Noddles (some have gravy, we have noodles... sooooo good)
some Jello salad concoction... EWWW :)
Sweet Tater Casserole
Baked Butternut Squash
Pumpkin Pie
Pecan Pie
Homemade Rolls

So there will be enough leftovers for a few days... :)

I'm so thankful most of the cooking was done today, I'm also thankful for having an oven that is working!!!! I'm a much better cook with a range that works right.

Tired y'all... hitting the hay early tonight.

Tuesday, November 24, 2009

It's the day before

the night before Thanksgiving... and I'm trying my level best to remain upbeat and thankful. I know I have so much to be thankful for. More than most of the population of the world. It's amazing to me tho, how just one word can change a persons mood or outlook, for the better or worse. This is besides the point however...

Today's thankful moment is brought to you by Thanksgiving... have you been grateful or thanked someone today? We now return you to your regularly scheduled programing...

I'm most thankful today for:

1. Head warmers... don't leave the house without one in winter!
2. Scrunches ... for keeping Medusa's locks out of the way... rather my locks. Tomorrow I am cutting my bangs though... I can't stand it any longer! Who knows I might do it tonight.
3. The ability to read and write (with pen and paper)
4. Thread... you can't sew without it
5. Fray Check... love this product!

Monday, November 23, 2009

Few and far between...

My dearest of mothers posts few and far between. Here is her latest post... true story... I was there :), going the 40 miles back and forth from home (love that word) to the hospital twice a day or more. Chores don't stop. And I can tell you it's not fun when you have to choose between taking care of your living or being with your mother who by all accounts shouldn't be here.

I gave myself one day of letting my mind run rampant with the what if's, planning it all out (I have a vivid imagination so I could "see" it all), and crying. Then it was no more, she would be fine, I wouldn't let anyone tell me otherwise. I KNEW it, down deep in my soul.

Moral of this is, NEVER let people tell you the worst is going to happen, to just take it and go on. God knows what he wants for you, and people will always plan your world to small. Be led by Peace... after all God's got your back, front,... he's got it all.

It's been a day... Day 23

It's been a long day and yet a short one also. Chores went as smooth as the ever go, I got two books :) crafting that is, I'm going to try making some jewelry so we'll see. Doing something, gets my mind off of dwelling on non productive things. Like the what if's or how? WHY!!!!! I'm sure NO one knows what I mean. :)

Today I am thankful for Peace... we have to be led by peace. Peace is a good thing, a thing of rest, and restoration. I think I'm in the rest part. I know there is nothing more I can do, we (my family and I) have been put in a box only God can get us out of and I'm resting in that. While I don't know what the future holds, I hope, and pray. I'm at PEACE knowing that things are working out for our good. Is there any better place to be?

It's getting late and I'm getting tired and yet there is an email to be written and sent. Will post the revised reply here. G'nite all... OR Good morning! :)

Sunday, November 22, 2009

Day 22...



Today I am thankful for memories... They can take us back in time to warmer and sunnier days. To our childhood when all we had to worry about was cartoons, playing with friends, the beginning of school and the joys of the last day of school, birthday cakes, fireworks on the 4th of July.

Memories can also take us back to times when we were hurt (feeling and physically), hard times and make us realize that when we really think we are having it rough there is something that could be worse.

I'm not feeling down, just thinking and trying not to think. Ya know?

In summing up things, I'm thankful that I can be thankful!

Praise the Lord!!

Sunday Stills... Horses


"Smokey"

He is no longer with us, and this is the only picture I have on him on my digital camera. All the others are on a camera that uses FILM! :)

For more Sunday Stills go HERE.

Saturday, November 21, 2009

Day 21 already???

Where has the month gone? Wow it just seem like yesterday we were counting down the almost weeks to Thanksgiving, now it's days.

Today my thankful list is:

Diesel fuel: Don't run a tractor without it! :)

A sharp blade in my knife for cutting bale wrap off the bales. There is nothing worse than a dull blade. It's like chewing steak with no teeth.

Apples... one a day should keep the doctor away... hmm better eat more of them. :)

Ibuprofen... 4 of those a day (at least at night) will relax a person so they can sleep and get some rest. Add in some benedryl SP, a little caffeine... and your good to go!

Yes I'm giddy tonight...why????? I haven't a clue, it's either extreme tiredness, the peace of God, or seeing it's almost Sunday and I can maybe take a nap, watch a movie or both. OR all of the above.

Thanks and yesterday...

I just wanted to say a huge THANK YOU to all of you who have left comments, or are praying and believing with us. I know it's helping. The days are still hard, getting up and going like nothing is wrong. We have our moments when the worry and doubt try to flood over us, but yet we stand (sometimes it's a little shaky but hey! :)... )  THANK YOU!!!!!!

Yesterday was an odd day, the morning was spent with me crying all though chores, it didn't help that our neighbor had came by. I try to love our neighbors...OK let me be honest... I have tried to love our neighbors. It's up hill work let me tell ya! Anyway one of them came by yesterday morning. My grandmother talked to him, he was worried about us (SHOCKING), he wanted to know if we were OK (again... SHOCKING), he wanted to help (my reaction was huh??? well that was the second part of it... the first was a tad bit sarcastic and snotty even if it was true.). He thought they might try and take the cows and if so we could bring them to his place to keep them safe. That was nice of him to offer, but thankfully all the animals, personal property is ours. He also wanted to know if there was anything he could do, she told him to pray... he said he would be.

In farm news, the tractor tire had gone flat for the 7 time, I personally want a new tire. They can't find anything that's making it go flat in the tire it's self. GRRRR  The odds that the same tire is going flat every time is slim, don't you think. I go the same way coming and going, NOW, would it not make sense, that if I was driving over a nail in a board that at some point I would hit it with the other tire? Sigh... God Bless men... actually bless their minds, they need it. :)

Later on in the afternoon I was sitting out in the swing enjoying the day. When I looked over and saw a little squirrel on the ground, he looked dead so I just watched for awhile. Bless his little heart, he was alive. I managed to get him in a laundry basket without the "help" of our dogs who would have just done what dogs do, so I won't go there. And brought him in the house. I didn't know what to do with him, for him. After all what do you do with a squirrel who's back is broken?  What happened I THINK, was that a Hawk tried to get him and well you know the rest. His last hours were at least warm. RIP little guy... I have to say this little one was my favorite one, also our only squirrel. He would just chatter at the bird something awful. :)

Friday, November 20, 2009

Day 20 and the Long and the Short of it...

Today I'm most thankful for blue skies, shampoo, clean clothes, warmth of the sunshine and Sonic's Route 44 drinks. Yup that's all I can manage today... at least it's something. Right?

OK, I'm going to be blunt here about what we are going through. I have it down pat to a 15 minute low down in person. I'll see what I can do here. Bad contractor took $53,000, only spent $18,000-$20,000. Leaving 33,000 not accounted for. left us with a basement that had to torn out due to the fact it would have come down if the house had been put on it and if we would have had codes in my county, would have been condemned.And had yet to tell us after 2 years where the money went. First attorney tried to bluff them all, didn't work, said I'm sorry you can live above the law office until things are worked out. NO I'm not joking. Second atty filed a law suit to no where. :) after more than a year and a half we have gotten no further than filing, thanks to Perry and Double D.  It's a whole mess, and if we only had $$$ we could have fought them all.

We had to redo the contract with the private investor (Perry) who wanted to make it uncomfortable on us so we would get AWAY from him (he was trying to help us... makes you wonder what he would do if he wanted to hurt ya doesn't it?). He made it so much so we couldn't keep up with the payments due to the record low milk prices, cows not getting bred back when they should have, and having to almost starve them last year to be able to pay him then.

So he has the right to foreclose on us, and he is exercising those rights. Right now these are our options... GOD (our best and really only option), pack up and leave (to where I don't know, I found a really nice sound place in NY, but that's rather far), fight (take chapter 12 or 13) which is a long shot at best, OR come up with $320,000.00 by the 9th of December. So that's it in a nutshell... sorta... how do you condense 2 years worth of lies, waiting, hoping, blah blah blah, lip service ... trusting and believe the lies you've been told into 15 minutes and 2 pages? I don't know... All I know is that the laws need to be changed! This can't be the first time these people have done this to someone, they are to good at the shell game for this to be the first time.

Also we have forgiven L. ... (contractor who was a CHRISTIAN, a PK to boot, and took the money and ran) we want to let the law suit go... our current atty won't. Why you may ask? I haven't a clue... and it doesn't matter at this point. But some how I bet if we had $$$ coming out of our ears things would be moving right along, if we had that kind of money we wouldn't have bothered.

I can't sleep...

I'm numb... I've cried and cried. And there is nothing to be done for us. Unless anyone knows of someone giving away a huge amount of $$$$. I've all but lost my hope and faith. What is the point... I'm hurting. I can't stop the tears. I keep waiting for God, for a miracle. SOMETHING!!!!!!

I can not believe that is it God's will to take everything we have worked for away, all because Leonard Smith, Ginny Kurtz, Perry Thompson, and Double D homes were greedy. They have all been paid, and have taken and taken from us, lied to us, and ran (OK not Perry... he's the one taking the farm).

Was it a sin to want to be warm? Was it a sin to not want to live in a house where snakes hibernate in the attic and fall through the ceiling?? Was it a sin to trust people? The answer it seems is yes. How do you stop these tears?

I'm sorry to bear my heart, which I'm sure is a sin also... oh well I'm batting a thousand today it seems.

Thursday, November 19, 2009

Day 19

Am I thankful today... that is the question. The honest answer is... I don't know. Deep down I know I am, however that is DEEP DEEP way DEEP down. Right now I'm numb, tired, and trying to rest and let go and let God.

Right now the only thing I'm thankful for is soap. The bubbles that come with it, the sweet scent... that will last until chores in the AM.

Nite all...

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

Day 18...

The days come and go... Stress comes and goes, really everything.... Comes and then goes. Life is ever changing. Me I always "think" change is something wonderful. Until it happens, then I'm not fond of it, and when I look back I'm still, not fond of it. I'm a rut kinda girl I've come to find out.

The older I get the more rutty I become and maybe nutty also. :) Where is all this going, I don't know... For today I'm thankful for my sewing machine. It gives me joy when I have time and can relax enough to sew. And it also gets me out of a rut in a good way. HA! see I managed to tie it all in... :) Sigh... it's sometimes hard to be up when you have the weight of  your world on your shoulders, and so do your family members. I'm also thankful for all the prayers that are being prayed for us right now. It truly does make a difference.

Right now I'm ready to go to take a nice hot shower, get warm, and go to bed... or the sofa which ever happens to feel the best at the moment.

It's foggy out...

Yup, it's foggy and gloomy. Just like me this AM. Yes I know I should just be perky and happy and all that jazz... but I'm not. Might as well be honest. Most of the time I do really well at being happy when I'm blue, sad and hurting. Not so much so when I'm angry... :)

Tomorrow can't come soon enough. At least tomorrow afternoon. Will fill y'all in more after wards.

Yesterday we got a load (22 bales) of hay for the moo's. Our field-man came at the same time to take a milk sample and since he also milk (jerseys :)...), he preceded to tell the guy it was over priced for what it was. And it was, but what are you going to do? OH well... at least I got to chat with him a while before I started to unload the hay. It was miserable day to do that kind of a job. The front tractor tire was going flat, it was drizzling, wind blowing. And to top it off, the blasted bales wouldn't go on the "forks"! ARGH There was one bale that just would NOT go, I even turned it, flipped it, and finally just rolled it off! I finally managed to get all the bales off. But it was by trial and error. :)

Hey can someone tell me WHY, men who deliver hay have the need to stand and watch you while you unload it? Oh that drives me batty! It's about as bad as a man telling you how to back up and when to stop. I'm sure they think they are "helping", but good heavens it just about does me in some days. :)

Well time for chores... back later to be thankful... :)

Tuesday, November 17, 2009

Day 17 thankful and rant....

Today has yet to dawn. No sun on the Eastern horizon as of yet. Although it's so cloudy and miserable out I would be able to see it anyway!

Today I am thankful for the consumers who buy US made dairy products. Who have educated themselves and care about the small farmers (who should be put on the endangered species list). Who buy local and support us. WHO know that if it's higher than the store price you are getting a better product (more than likely) . BUY LOCAL, SUPPORT your family farmers!

Remember dairy products don't have COOL (country of origin labeling), but so do say where they were manufactured. See this... never will I buy Nestle's anything again. Or Borden for that matter. I'm sorry but I want to eat US made cheese, not cheese from Mexico (mozzarella I believe, don't quote) , Australia (we import American cheese from there), or cheese made from MPC's that come from India. I'm sorry... I'm just picky I guess.

OK, I have one tiny little rant. It's not good for me to be totally awake in the AM's. This is what burns my biscuits. I am tired of people who down grade what is happening to farmers. Saying well everyone is hurting not just farmers. EXCUSE ME!!!!! We KNOW this country is hurting, but there is a difference when you keep putting if off on the farmers to keep food prices low so you can go buy TV's, cars, second and third homes, etc. This country economy was once fueled by the farmers. If we did good, so went the country.  Now not it's not so. If people are spending money left and right, going in debt for STUFF this country is doing well.

Sigh...During the boom years of agriculture farmers did well, the housing market did well, this NATION did well. No we didn't have every new gadget that came on the market, but we had quality of life. Now the more we advance, the further behind we fall. Could anyone live with out their cell phone for 1 week? Computer/internet? TV shows?

What happened to books? Seeing people face to face? Writing letters... you know with stationary, a pen, a STAMP!?

OK... I need to say this also. Sorry for the rant... there are just times it all bottles up and I can't stand another person saying I have it worse than you, when you are going through some pretty nasty stuff.

I don't care who you are there is always something worse out there happening. But this does not mean we need to stop giving compassion to people who are facing hard times of their own. What happened to compassion and caring? When did this Nation turn into a ME ME ME and ONLY me country?

Monday, November 16, 2009

Da Stove is in DA house...



Finally the stove is here, in the old house, but here none the less.

Taking the joys as they come... Sara

Day 16 ... standing

Simply stated... we are standing. We may have tears, we may have moments of how in the world is God going to take care of this mess, we may get angry, but never the less we are standing. Praise the Lord.

 

Isaiah 41

The LORD Controls Human Events
 1Be silent and listen,    every island in the sea.
   Have courage and come near,
   every one of you nations.
   Let's settle this matter!
    2Who appointed this ruler
   from the east? [a] Who puts nations and kings
   in his power? [b] His sword and his arrows
   turn them to dust
   blown by the wind.
    3He goes after them so quickly
   that his feet
   barely touch the ground--
   he doesn't even get hurt.
    4Who makes these things happen?
   Who controls human events?
   I do! I am the LORD.
   I was there at the beginning;
   I will be there at the end.
    5Islands and foreign nations
   saw what I did
   and trembled
   as they came near.
   
What Can Idols Do?
 6Worshipers of idols    comfort each other,
   saying, "Don't worry!"
    7Woodcarvers, goldsmiths,
   and other workers [c] encourage one another and say,
   "We've done a great job!"
   Then they nail the idol down,
   so it won't fall over.
   
The LORD's Chosen Servant
 8Israel, you are my servant.    I chose you,
   the family
   of my friend Abraham.
    9From far across the earth
   I brought you here and said,
   "You are my chosen servant.
   I haven't forgotten you."
    10Don't be afraid. I am with you.
   Don't tremble with fear.
   I am your God.
   I will make you strong,
   as I protect you with my arm
   and give you victories.
    11Everyone who hates you
   will be terribly disgraced;
   those who attack
   will vanish into thin air.
    12You will look around
   for those brutal enemies,
   but you won't find them
   because they will be gone.
    13I am the LORD your God.
   I am holding your hand,
   so don't be afraid.
   I am here to help you.
    14People of Israel, don't worry,
   though others may say,
   "Israel is only a worm!"
   I am the holy God of Israel,
   who saves and protects you.
    15I will let you be like a log
   covered with sharp spikes. [d] You will grind and crush
   every mountain and hill [e] until they turn to dust.
    16A strong wind will scatter them
   in all directions.
   Then you will celebrate
   and praise me, your LORD,
   the holy God of Israel.
   
The LORD Helps the Poor
 17When the poor and needy    are dying of thirst
   and cannot find water,
   I, the LORD God of Israel,
   will come to their rescue.
   I won't forget them.
    18I will make rivers flow
   on mountain peaks.
   I will send streams
   to fill the valleys.
   Dry and barren land
   will flow with springs
   and become a lake.
    19I will fill the desert
   with all kinds of trees--
   cedars, acacias, and myrtles;
   olive and cypress trees;
   fir trees and pines.
    20Everyone will see this
   and know that I,
   the holy LORD God of Israel,
   created it all.
   
Idols Are Useless
 21I am the LORD,    the King of Israel!
   Come argue your case with me.
   Present your evidence.
    22Come near me, you idols. [f] Tell us about the past,
   and we will think about it.
   Tell us about the future,
   so we will know
   what is going to happen.
    23Prove that you are gods
   by making your predictions
   come true.
   Do something good or evil,
   so we can be amazed
   and terrified. [g] 24You idols are nothing,
   and you are powerless. [h] To worship you
   would be disgusting.
    25I, the LORD, appointed a ruler
   in the north;
   now he comes from the east
   to honor my name.
   He tramples [i] kings like mud, as potters trample clay. [j] 26Did any of you idols predict
   what would happen?
   Did any of you get it right?
   None of you told about this
   or even spoke a word.
    27I was the first to tell
   the people of Jerusalem,
   "Look, it's happening!" [k] I was the one who announced
   this good news to Zion.
    28None of these idols
   are able to give advice
   or answer questions.
    29They are nothing, [l] and they can do nothing--
   they are less
   than a passing breeze.

Sunday, November 15, 2009

Being Thankful... Day 15

It's been a rainy day in these parts. Today I am thankful for the roof over my head, that for tonight I have a place to rest my tired, wet, and hurting head.

This is all for the moment folks... my tears are starting to come to my eyes.

Saturday, November 14, 2009

Sunday Stills... the early edition


"Kodie"
Playing with a stick... it's still attached to the tree... Silly puppy...


"My Crew"
Front to back: Wallace *AKA Wally or Bunny*, Ranger *he's not fat, he's just a solid fluffy*, Scout ... words can't begin to describe her. :)


"You lookin' at me?!"

KJ or King James... He definitely has the little man ego problem. He's a banty cochin rooster, who likes the big girls over his own kind girls. :)


"Just a swingin'"
Good ole Bernice... she a bird of a different color mentally wise.


"Hillbilly Koi Pond"

Yeah, they are goldfish. Yeah they are in our concrete water tank (it's 2.5'x12x12). It waters 3 different pastures. and yes they do just fine during winter. Providing the water level doesn't freeze to much if it's low.
Some day I would like the "real deal" but for now this is it. :)

For more Sunday Stills go HERE... :)

Bitter Sweet...

We have lights in the new house. It was bitter sweet moment. We've only waited 2 years, and then it can the day after the "NEWS". I've turned every light on that's hooked up. I wanted to start singing:

Every light in the house is on
The backyard's bright as the crack of dawn
Thr front walk looks like runway lights
It's kinda like noon in the dead of night
Every light in the house is on

I didn't know whether to cry for joy, or heartache. The microwave works, the refrigerator, stove with a working OVEN. speaking of which, we are supposed to get our new on Monday. Good ole DCP couldn't get us any sooner. I have problems with our propane company. Almost every time I call for propane, they find the need to remind me they have to have a check or they won't deliver. They do it to everyone who doesn't prepay in the summer. Sigh... it just makes a person feel lower than scum. It's so refreshing when I called last week to have them fill the barn tank and the house that I wasn't "REMINDED".

So today I am thankful for people who don't feel it their need to put me or others down. I'm thankful for lights. I'm also thankful that we've only had one person stop to ask where the butcher shop is. Let me tell ya, there are draw backs living so close to one during deer season which started today. I'm also thankful that Uncle Larry got the tractor bucket fixed and back home. I even did a little hauling off of mounds of poo in the dark. BEHOLD the POWER of a bucket on a tractor!!!!!!

Have a good evening all!!!

Friday, November 13, 2009

laughter...

It does do good, like a medicine. Even if it just a little ha ha, chuckle or something. Even to be able to smile... does wonders. We are still facing a terrible thing, no doubt about it, but as much as part of me would like to cry, be numb, go into a fetal position and hid from the world. Life is still going on...

SOOO for today I'm thankful I can still find some humor,a chuckle, laughter, and the good kind of crying over the kindness people have shown. I'm thankful also for the power of prayer... BEHOLD... the power of prayer. Some day I'm going to be able to say that and have a testimony of what my family and I have been through and that God, faith and prayer have gotten us out.

I found this rather funny so I thought other might, if you read it before, OH WELL... if not enjoy... besides being funny it gives a person ideas of what to do if you get bored in a store. :)

After I retired, my wife insisted that I accompany her on her trips to Target. Unfortunately, like most men, I found shopping boring and preferred to get in and get out. Equally unfortunate, my wife is like most women - she loves to browse. Yesterday my dear wife received the following letter from the local Target.


Dear Mrs. Samuel,

Over the past six months, your husband has caused quite a commotion in our store. We cannot tolerate this behavior and have been forced to ban both of you from the store. Our complaints against your husband, Mr. Samuel, are listed below and are documented by our video surveillance cameras..

1. June 15: Took 24 boxes of condoms and randomly put them in other people's carts when they weren't looking.

2. July 2: Set all the alarm clocks in Housewares to go off at 5-minute intervals.

3. July 7: He made a trail of tomato juice on the floor leading to the women's restroom.

4. July 19: Walked up to an employee and told her in an official voice, 'Code 3 in Housewares. Get on it right away'. This caused the employee to leave her assigned station and receive a reprimand from her Supervisor that in turn resulted with a union grievance, causing management to lose time and costing the company money.

5. August 4: Went to the Service Desk and tried to put a bag of M&Ms on layaway.

6. August 14: Moved a 'CAUTION - WET FLOOR' sign to a carpeted area.

7. August 15: Set up a tent in the camping department and told the children shoppers he'd invite them in if they would bring pillows and blankets from the bedding department to which twenty children obliged.

8. August 23: When a clerk asked if they could help him he began crying and screamed, 'Why can't you people just leave me alone?' EMTs were called.

9. September 4: Looked right into the security camera and used it as a mirror while he picked his nose.

10. September 10: While handling guns in the hunting department, he asked the clerk where the antidepressants were.

11. October 3: Darted around the store suspiciously while loudly humming the 'Mission Impossible' theme.

12. October 6: In the auto department, he practiced his 'Madonna look' by using different sizes of funnels.

13. October 18: Hid in a clothing rack and when people browsed through, yelled 'PICK ME! PICK ME!'

14. October 21: When an announcement came over the loud speaker, he assumed a fetal position and screamed 'OH NO! IT'S THOSE VOICES AGAIN!'
And last, but not least:

15. October 23: Went into a fitting room, shut the door, waited awhile, then yelled very loudly, 'Hey! There's no toilet paper in here.' One of the clerks passed out.

Thursday, November 12, 2009

Prayer...

I want to start off by first giving my 30 days of Thanksgiving. First off I want to say, that in the following days if my thankfulness seems silly or stupid, please bear with me. You'll understand in a little bit why. I hope...

Today I'm thankful that God is here with me. That it may be dark (let me tell ya, it's DARK), but he is the light. that NOTHING is impossible for God, even though it may seem so. I'm also thankful that at some point in my life all the tears, pain, and tiredness will be a thing of the past and there will be good in me and my families life.

OK, without going into to many details (if I do I'll just start crying again) my family and I are in need of some prayer. The money hungry lender (private investor) who is holding our mortgage is exercising his rights. We can not refinance our loan to get away from him due to the fact that the project is not done, milk prices have been so bad NO bank is lending to a dairy farmer, and we have been told more than once it's fraud, but we don't have to money to fight a fraud case. If they do take the note, that would be letting PT off the hook. We we redid the note last year we had no choice of terms as we were at his mercy or he would take the farm. He was doing us a favor by making the terms impossible for us to  keep up so we would find other financing.

I have been to more atties that I can to count. Right now we need as much prayer as can be given. We need a miracle... I'm trying to be positive, I know God is in control. That he is never late nor early, right on time. I just have trouble because his not late or early is different than mine.

PS. It's been a 5 piece of Super Bubble day... note... you can't cry and chew gum at the same time. Thought you would like to know that. Until tomorrow...

Wednesday, November 11, 2009

Slow day...

It's been a slow paced day. Rather nice... but long.

Today's thankful moment is to the men and women, past, present and future who have served, are serving, and will serve during times of peace and war. And their families who have also made great sacrifices for us and our country. To them... THANK YOU!!!!!!

It's days like today that I wonder what our founding father would think of what has be come of the country they fought and died for. What would they think of our current leaders? I some how doubt they would say well done. This was indeed our vision for this country.

 In farm news... I've managed to (90%) thwart the goats of getting out of their new pen!!!! WOO HOO!!!!! Score one for me... As I was talking to them tonight, yes I talk to my animals... yes they understand me... I KNOW they do. I used to be a nice and fairly calm person until we got goats. Now, even though I love them dearly, they do stress a person out. They go nuts if they aren't in constant contact with their family group. They will scream bloody murder until they are reunited. :) I think they all need goaty cell phones with little goaty headsets so they can go around in goat lingo saying "Can you hear me now?" Wouldn't that be a hoot!?

Yes I'm a little off tonight. I'm blaming it on being up from 2-4 this morning. Couldn't sleep... my mind would just race from one thought to another. Tomorrow I'm going to take some pictures of the new house, it's mold, it's mushrooms, where it's still leaking. And begin to tell the story of DD Homes and the Wild Contractor.  :) And how everything (or so they want us to believe) is and was our fault.

Until tomorrow...

Tuesday, November 10, 2009

What a day...

It's a good thing I didn't hold my breath, the stove didn't make it to SGF until this afternoon. It didn't get to the store in town until 4:00 PM, and we MIGHT get it tomorrow IF DC Propane isn't overly busy. *drumming my fingers*... *aggravated SIGH*... To have a stove, with a working oven a few miles away is just almost more than a person can take. Maybe we should go and visit it... recipes are waiting in the wings with good things to fill the oven with... sigh. My prayer for tonight... Lord, PLEASE let there be an opening tomorrow to allow them to install the stove, Thank you...

OK, Day 10 of 30 Days of Thanksgiving... To day I'm thankful for SALES! :) I don't think I bought anything that wasn't on sale or clearance. It's a good feeling... And I'm also thankful the sun shone a little today, that I might have found a source for our hay this winter (I'm still waiting on my prayer to be answer about good quality FREE hay... HEY I prayed that last year... and we did get some free... I just wasn't specific about quality. This year I'm being specific about what I want...)

This is all I can do for now... It's been a hard day emotionally. Just tired of it all...

Monday, November 9, 2009

Waiting and wondering...

Well I was going to post my 30 Days of Thanksgiving after we got what I was going to be thankful for. HOWEVER, it didn't show up... grrr You see the oven in our stove went out and so did our washing machine, well not it's oven but it just shot craps. All in the same week, well a dairy farm can not live without a washing machine, so that was #1 on the list. This took 2 weeks to get.

Well after much research, price comparison shopping we went with a local store who ordered our new stove. It's such a popular model that it was on back order for a month. Well a month came and went, rain fell, so did the leaves, cow calved and the world kept right on ticking along. So FINALLY we called (I should say my grandmother) called 2 weeks ago. It would be in next week (last week), delivered by Thursday at the latest. OK so Wednesday came and went, so did Thursday and Friday. :-/ Would you believe that the stove came in, but was damaged?! Sigh... not to fear though, they had found us another oven in St.Louis!!! YIPPEE!!! it would be shipped down on Saturday and delivered at 1PM today. 1 o'clock came and went, so did 2,3,4 O'clocks ... funny thing... the stove hadn't made it to the warehouse in Springfield SO the guys could pick it up, BUT it should be there now or early AM tomorrow. Y'all I'm not going to hold my breath. I would cry but I can't. I think I've sprained my tear ducts from all the tears of the past 2 years.

ON the bright side... it didn't rain (#1 thankfulness), I've managed to thwart the goats for a few hours (wickedly laughing and #2 thankfulness), it was in the 70's today (#3 thankfulness), and I'm very thankful for Ibuprofen... I will be taking some to relax these pent up muscles of mine.

In other news, 3 flocks of geese went over. It's the 4th I've seen this Fall... 1st one was a flock of snow geese, these last 3 were Canadian. It always fascinates me at there ever changing flight patterns in the sky. Then I wonder... do the same geese stay in the same flock, do they know each other, if other flocks land at the same place to rest do they leave all at the same time or do they leave when their flock leaves, and how fast can they fly, and how far do they go in a day? It's always a sad time when the geese go over in the Fall, it truly seems to make it real that winter in on it's way.

Sunday, November 8, 2009

It's a beautiful morning...

And there is a little brown dog at my feet looking up at me from under my desk... :-( little brown dogs have such a hard life dontcha know... :) I think he wants to go out an play. While speeding Mennonite are in church it's safe to let him go free. OH to have a fenced in yard.

Today is going to be a day of rest... we all need it around here. This past week has been a long one. Maybe I'll even try to take a nap. Who knows.

I've been reading "Not without my Daughter". We all remember the movie with Sally Fields, right? Well, I finally read the book. It just boggles the mind that there are places and people who are so fanatical about things, and being right, the all about me thing. And to hide behind religion to make it all OK.

Today I'm thankful that I do not have to live in such a country (some times though I wonder how far we are from it). That I've not been beaten, berated, lied to, forced to live in a country I hate and in turn the people hated me and my home country. We truly do take a lot for granted.

Saturday, November 7, 2009

30 days of Thanksgiving - Day 7

As this long day is finally coming slowly to an end. I'm so very thankful for being about done with doing chicken for the year, 27 qts chicken canned, 28 qts chicken noodle soup canned, and 40 pounds of fryers in the freezer...

I'm also thankful for living in the country and being able to see the stars every night. At least when it's not cloudy. The thought of living in a city with so many lights that you aren't able to see the starts is just something which is hard for me to imagine (and believe me... I have a good imagination!).

And I'm also very thankful that we are done with Fall calving... I can a a brief rest before Winter/Spring calves are hitting the ground...

I'm not thankful as of yet...

Just kidding... but it is entirely to early for me to be having any thoughts that might make sense. I'm just not a morning person and for some reason I keep waking up at 5 AM new time. It wouldn't be so bad if it was old time, but this new time thing has got to stop, rest... I need rest!

Clouds... last night coming home with chicken, flour, apples, spices, freshly ground honey roasted peanut butter (and milk chocolate honey roasted peanut butter), fabric... :) I noticed "mares tails" in the sky. Sigh... a sure sign the weather is going to change with in 48 hours. So we MUST enjoy the weather while we can. Today's shot as it's going to be full of canning and soup making. So forth and so on. Of which I was thinking tonight... err this morning, do I have enough onions, celery, and carrots?

Last night I had to make a run into town for clean jars. After being gone all day no one much felt like washing dirty (and I do mean DIRTY) jars. Our IBA route guy gave us tons of jars. His mother had passed away not to long ago and he knew we would use them and put them to good use. He's been a good guy to us.

So anyway we have 27 qts. of canned chicken done. I filled and mom watched and timed the canner. And some how I just went to rest for a minute and fell asleep. I didn't mean to... but it happened. I guess my body took over. It didn't help that I was warm and relaxed.

As of yet I can't make anymore sense of anything than I could however many minutes ago I started this... so until later on...

Friday, November 6, 2009

I've decided...

I can't be meaningful in the early mornings... it's just to much on a brain that is not awake.

That I'm going to start writing down the whole story of what has happened over the past 2 going on three years with our house. WITH pictures. :)

That bagels are a GOOD thing.

That the lack of sleep will catch up with a person at some point.

That Hughes net is over rated and over priced.

Everything is better with real whipped cream! :)

Baby calves are cute when little... but very few stay cute after you chase them when grown down the road a few times.

Time for chores y'all!!!

Day 6...

As I sit here in the predawn of a new day, my mind is drawing a blank. I'm just being honest... it's not that I'm not thankful for all the things I have, can do, etc. so forth and so on. I just want there to be some meaning to it all.

So today will be a simple one. I'm thankful to day for the Sun... I find myself just wanting to sit and breath in clean warm breezes. October was a month filled with rain, clouds, storms, flooding... (and no I'm not going to be thankful for flooding... there is no good thing about it. Just like flies...not one good thing).

November has been what October should have been, warm, sunny, breezy... It doesn't make Spring seem so far off. Just think of what life would be like without both the Sun and the Son. Our lives may never be perfect, but thankfully we have the sun to brighten our days (literally) and the Son to do the same and so much more.

Thursday, November 5, 2009

I'm cold...

I'm cold... It's mornings like this that make me want to have not very nice thoughts towards certain modular home dealership people, mortgage company people, contractors in general, and attorneys. I've come to the conclusion, THAT, they are all leaches on society. (Forgive me in advance here OK... I know not ALL of the people in these professions are horrible, but the better part of them are. For those who don't know what we have been going through the past 2 years please feel free to go HERE). So it's looking like another cold winter in this house. Does anyone know how tired one gets of being cold? To have to look at a home you can't live in because yet again contractors have messed up? ARGH!!!!!!

Last night while trying to do a good deed for a goat and her feet, I manage to cut, snip, slice... my middle finger on my left hand. I dripped blood from the big barn to the milk barn. And evidently I must have got a nerve ending as it hurts!!! OH boy does it hurt... and it doesn't help that I keep banging it and trying to type with it. Right now it's at a dull throb...

So it's Thursday again... and tomorrow is Friday. We go and pick up the chicken tomorrow. And my weekend of canning will begin. I'm trying not to be disappointed about not being able to go to the NAILE . I've only wanted to go for the past 8 years... oh well maybe next year. :) I keep saying that, maybe one of these next years I'll go!

Does anyone know how hard it is to type with out the middle finger for help??? Middle fingers... they are a GOOD THING... when not injured.

30 Days of Thanksgiving.... Day 5

Today, I am thankful that I didn't cut my finger any worse than I did last night. It's deep enough as it is. I'm thankful that our bulls we shipped went by the head and not the pound and I got 3 times more than I was expecting!!! (I cried) Praise the Lord!!!! Every harvest has to start somewhere... And we are due for a huge harvest (and no I don't mean a farming harvest).

Wednesday, November 4, 2009

Where or where will

the cows be, oh where or where will they have gone?  :) Good morning y'all... As I was sitting here pondering the day ahead. I was wondering if the milking moo's had found the open gate and were on their fresh pasture this AM. I'm sure some of the toast colored bovines have... others... God bless 'em, they don't have the sense God gave a gourd!

Take this for example, you are trying to get your very nasty bull penned up. You have the gate WIDE open, as wide as it will go!!! He has seen other walk right on through the gate... but will he? NOPE, nodda, not one step in that direction. GRRR (which BTW was what he was doing)... We did finally manage to get him penned up.

Then last night... I had just 2 more bovines to get moved... One... her and I have issues... I love her... she won't let me with in 50 feet of her. Would she go through the gate? NOOOOOO we have to RUN like I'm trying to kill her (OK so I've thought about it once or twice... JK!!!!!! maybe). If she wasn't out of such a good cow I would have sold her long ago, but she is the only one I have. What's a girl to do???

Well I best get ready for chores, it's going to be a busy day!

Thankful Day 4


"Grass in a tree limb"

Today's Thankful moment is... SIGHT. It's something we use everyday, take for granted, can give us joy, make us cry, it can make us happy, sad, mad, ill...

Our sight, given to us by our Lord and Creator is a wonderful thing.

If we lost it, think of what we would lose besides our vision. We wouldn't be able to see the oddities, such as grass growing in a living tree 10 above the ground. The joy at seeing the the first blossom in Spring (also in my case a ceratin loud mouthed heifer... :).. )

The sorrow at reading of a friends passing and no one bothering to let you know.

The pain that a picture can bring for the slums of countries far away and the children who are suffering there... and then in our own country.

The ability to read and make new friends whom you would never other wise meet.

I am truly thankful for my sight this 4th day of November. While there are a great many things I would rather not see, there are a great many more that I would hate to miss out on!

Until tomorrow...

Tuesday, November 3, 2009

Thankful


"Santa Anna"

I'm thankful on this 3rd day of November for this little girl and all the other moo's, large and small. Thankful that the bank is working with us and won't be taking them. While we have many more things that are weighing on our shoulders (like will be able to keep the farm, feed prices, bills). The knowledge that what we have worked for all these years isn't going to be taken from us is, is cause for Thanks and Praise.

From more 30 Days of Thanksgiving go HERE.

ps. promise to make up the first two days!!!

Bubble Gum

I do adore bubble gum. SUPER Bubble to be exact... do you know you can not find Super Bubble in the store here anymore??? Did you know Wally World had it as Halloween candy and that me, myself and I bought four bags of the 50% of SUPER BUBBLE. At one piece a day... OK two, THREE on the stressful days it should last a while.

HOWEVER, I wouldn't want it to get hard so I may need to revisit the whole limit on the gum thing.

Hope you all have a warm sunshiny day! I'm off (as soon as the sun comes up) to sort and move bovines.

Sunday, November 1, 2009

No Sunday Stills....


Being one that was never all that into Halloween and such, I decided to just opt out of doing this weeks assignment on Sunday Stills, and rather to post some random pics through the years...