There have been plenty of things happening. We are enjoying an exciting fall.
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Nice Matters
I've been very impressed with nice people as of late. It makes my heart fill up to know that their are kind and considerate people everywhere.
Take for instance the cashier at Sam's Market. Brother had fallen down and gotten a sliver in his hand at the park while we were roughin' it in Grace. I didn't have anything to get it out, so we went across the street to Sam's. She directed me toward their straight pins, came back to see if my screaming child was ok, and even brought us pain relieving neosporin and a band aid.
I took Sissy into an oral surgeon on Monday to see if/when she'll need a frenectomy. The Dr., bless his heart, consulted us for about 15 minutes. At the end he told his nurse that there would be no charge. Seriously, I thought all doctors slapped you with a $75 bill, regardless of how long or if at all they even saw you. What a nice guy.
This morning my husband informed me that someone was here. We were all scrambling around since we still in our pj's. In a bit of a panic, I looked out the window to see the garbage truck parked in our drive way. "Shoot! Garbage day and I didn't have it out to the road- and it's full." Rather than just pulling in and turning around, as is customary, he came up to our house and took the garbage out so he could dump it into the truck. What a lifesaver. He must know how much I hate it when I miss pick up and have to suffer with an overflowing garbage for an entire week.
All this nice people talk has got me feeling a bit guilty. I guess I'd better be a little nicer.
Has someone been nice to you lately? Leave me a comment.
Take for instance the cashier at Sam's Market. Brother had fallen down and gotten a sliver in his hand at the park while we were roughin' it in Grace. I didn't have anything to get it out, so we went across the street to Sam's. She directed me toward their straight pins, came back to see if my screaming child was ok, and even brought us pain relieving neosporin and a band aid.
I took Sissy into an oral surgeon on Monday to see if/when she'll need a frenectomy. The Dr., bless his heart, consulted us for about 15 minutes. At the end he told his nurse that there would be no charge. Seriously, I thought all doctors slapped you with a $75 bill, regardless of how long or if at all they even saw you. What a nice guy.
This morning my husband informed me that someone was here. We were all scrambling around since we still in our pj's. In a bit of a panic, I looked out the window to see the garbage truck parked in our drive way. "Shoot! Garbage day and I didn't have it out to the road- and it's full." Rather than just pulling in and turning around, as is customary, he came up to our house and took the garbage out so he could dump it into the truck. What a lifesaver. He must know how much I hate it when I miss pick up and have to suffer with an overflowing garbage for an entire week.
All this nice people talk has got me feeling a bit guilty. I guess I'd better be a little nicer.
Has someone been nice to you lately? Leave me a comment.
Halloween Preview
Today was the Joy School Halloween parade. I asked Brother if he was excited to go to the party and he said, "It's not a party, it's just Joy School." So either Joy School is always a party or he didn't think he'd have fun since it was "school."
It seems as though he might share my same excitement in dressing up. Last night we finalized that he was going to be a pirate. I found a flour sack dish towel in my closet and went to work creating him a little pirate shirt. We made shiny buckles for his shoes and a red sash to round out his other pirate accessories. He was so excited and could hardly talk.
Since I had my sewing machine out, I decided to try another skirt for Sissy since the last one ended up as a mini skirt. Much better results this time. It's amazing what a little measuring can do. Then I decided a little Halloween tutu could be fun. I sifted through my resources and found enough goods to bring my thought to life.
And of course, I can't resist an opportunity to get dressed up. I found my striped tights and witch hat. Good thing Halloween is still a week and a half away, more dressing up for all of us!
It seems as though he might share my same excitement in dressing up. Last night we finalized that he was going to be a pirate. I found a flour sack dish towel in my closet and went to work creating him a little pirate shirt. We made shiny buckles for his shoes and a red sash to round out his other pirate accessories. He was so excited and could hardly talk.
Since I had my sewing machine out, I decided to try another skirt for Sissy since the last one ended up as a mini skirt. Much better results this time. It's amazing what a little measuring can do. Then I decided a little Halloween tutu could be fun. I sifted through my resources and found enough goods to bring my thought to life.And of course, I can't resist an opportunity to get dressed up. I found my striped tights and witch hat. Good thing Halloween is still a week and a half away, more dressing up for all of us!
Sunday, October 19, 2008
Having a Hay Day
The kids and I made a day out of taking Brent lunch in order to enjoy the beautiful weather. They were cutting and chopping hay out by the river. It is such a pretty field. We saw lots of deer tracks, two dozen wild turkeys, and the changing leaves. The kids and I ran the swather while Brent moved the handlines. It was no small feat getting the machine to run with Sissy on my lap, let alone driving in a straight line. We didn't get fired, so it must have been a pretty decent job.
Joy of Joy School
This past week, we had Joy School at our house. Brother was so excited to have all of his friends come to his house. We learned where food comes from. The first day focused on seeds and plants and the second day highlighted the products we get from animals.
We picked apples from our tree, made applesauce, and learned the letter A.
On Thursday we read The Little Red Hen, made bread, "milked" a cow, and turned butter. I filled up some latex gloves with water, made holes in the tips of the fingers and let the kids "milk" into a pail. They loved it and waited in line to milk for a 2nd and 3rd time.
I had a lot of fun putting the lessons together and can't wait for our next time to host Joy School.
**There are supplemental cd's with songs that have cute little songs that correspond with the lessons. It is fun to see the kids learn the new songs and sing them throughout the day at random. I am amazed at all the things Brother is learning.
We picked apples from our tree, made applesauce, and learned the letter A.
On Thursday we read The Little Red Hen, made bread, "milked" a cow, and turned butter. I filled up some latex gloves with water, made holes in the tips of the fingers and let the kids "milk" into a pail. They loved it and waited in line to milk for a 2nd and 3rd time.I had a lot of fun putting the lessons together and can't wait for our next time to host Joy School.
**There are supplemental cd's with songs that have cute little songs that correspond with the lessons. It is fun to see the kids learn the new songs and sing them throughout the day at random. I am amazed at all the things Brother is learning.
This Wanda's Review
Last night my friend, Stacey, and I hosted the Wanda Witch Party. After weeks of lying and hours of planning and preparation, the event finally happened. The weather was absolutely beautiful. Most of the evening we didn't even need a jacket.
Brent and I arrived at the appointed meeting place and our team captains found us. Our first clue was written in code. It took awhile for my team to figure it out, but then we were off. The hunt took us to:
a cemetery flagpole where the clue had been hoisted to the top and hidden in a peanut M&M
Movie Gallery to find Hocus Pocus and retrieve our clue from the clerk
deserted house where our clue was hidden under a rock
cornfield where we had to walk into the 3rd pivot tower
pond where the clues were floating and lit up with glowsticks (tied to the bank with fishing line)
obstacle course mailbox
Our House
Looking back hindsight:
Everyone seemed to enjoy the party. I hope people had fun. It was a good chance to meet new people and extend our circle of friends outside our ward group.
Once teams arrived, there was a buzz talking about their adventures.
There was an hour and 35 minutes difference in arrival times between the first and last teams which really surprised me.
Most of the teams relied one or two of their emergency clues.
The clue hidden in the M&M really stumped people and caused the most problems- funny.
Of course, there is a big list of people we wish we could have invited. Only 10 of the 30 invited couples which was a little disappointing. But by time we sent out the invite and follow-up postcard, there just wasn't time to extend the invitation to more (perhaps more willing) people.
Everyone suspected me from the get go. . . which tells me one thing: other people need to start throwing parties of their own ;)
I thought MeckMom's projected budget was way out there, but it the end- it end up costing a bit more than I anticipated by time you accounted for postage and refreshments.
Everyone was talking about "next year's" party. . . hmmm. Maybe in a year when I forget all the frustrating hours of neglecting my children so I could work on clues I'll be more tempted.
It was a lot of fun watching the evening unfold mostly as we expected. I was relieved I didn't botch up any clue order or emergency clues.
Definitely one of my favorite parties. It's an experience all of it's own.
Brent and I arrived at the appointed meeting place and our team captains found us. Our first clue was written in code. It took awhile for my team to figure it out, but then we were off. The hunt took us to:
a cemetery flagpole where the clue had been hoisted to the top and hidden in a peanut M&M
Movie Gallery to find Hocus Pocus and retrieve our clue from the clerk
deserted house where our clue was hidden under a rock
cornfield where we had to walk into the 3rd pivot tower
pond where the clues were floating and lit up with glowsticks (tied to the bank with fishing line)
obstacle course mailbox
Our House
Looking back hindsight:
Everyone seemed to enjoy the party. I hope people had fun. It was a good chance to meet new people and extend our circle of friends outside our ward group.
Once teams arrived, there was a buzz talking about their adventures.
There was an hour and 35 minutes difference in arrival times between the first and last teams which really surprised me.
Most of the teams relied one or two of their emergency clues.
The clue hidden in the M&M really stumped people and caused the most problems- funny.
Of course, there is a big list of people we wish we could have invited. Only 10 of the 30 invited couples which was a little disappointing. But by time we sent out the invite and follow-up postcard, there just wasn't time to extend the invitation to more (perhaps more willing) people.
Everyone suspected me from the get go. . . which tells me one thing: other people need to start throwing parties of their own ;)
I thought MeckMom's projected budget was way out there, but it the end- it end up costing a bit more than I anticipated by time you accounted for postage and refreshments.
Everyone was talking about "next year's" party. . . hmmm. Maybe in a year when I forget all the frustrating hours of neglecting my children so I could work on clues I'll be more tempted.
It was a lot of fun watching the evening unfold mostly as we expected. I was relieved I didn't botch up any clue order or emergency clues.
Definitely one of my favorite parties. It's an experience all of it's own.
Monday, October 13, 2008
Not Any Too Soon
Saturday brought a close to our corn chopping season. It wasn't any too soon since snow was beginning to fly. The chopping season spanned 90 degree days and snow. Quite the weather spectrum.
Our farming season is anything but over, so hopefully the weather will cooperate and let us get the high moisture corn combined, hay chopped, and ground worked.
Grace
We spent the last week down in Grace chopping corn, which is to blame for my blogging absence. It it always a change of pace and scenery for us to make the 1.5 hour drive with my in-laws camping trailer in tow. The kids and I set up "camp" and busy ourselves with feeding the crew of six, running parts, and checking out the local attractions.
I was especially surprised to find that the water lines had all froze and broke, so long running water. (Someone got in big trouble for not winterizing it properly.) And Monday night I went to bake some lasagna and the stove didn't work. uugghh!We tried to make the best of things. The kids and I would have to haul water. We became little pioneers in our own right (which was fitting since the valley was settled by early Mormon pioneers.) I washed potatoes in the headlights with a garden hose and heated water on the stove to "wash" my children. Some meals adapted so we could fix them on the stove top skillet. My skillet apple crisp got rave reviews.
The job took a day longer than expected, so we rationed food and fed leftover. Finally at midnight on Thursday, we rolled back into town. I used the bathroom and washed my hands with warm, running water! I have never felt so spoiled in all my life. My home seems like a mansion and my kitchen is such a dream to use (with working appliances and all.) As for the modern day comforts that I take for granted, I'd have to agree: Absence makes the heart grow stronger.
I've added some pictures of the photo shoot in front of buildings on an old homestead.
Sunday, October 05, 2008
Peaches and Pears
My dad had a bumper crop of peaches and pears. His poor peach tree was breaking limbs trying to carry all of the weight. The kids enjoyed helping me pick. . . the first bushel. Finally after filling all the baskets, I decided I'd better go in. On the way to the house I was met by Hudson who scolded "no more!"
It took the majority of the day to get the fruit sealed up in bottles. I'm used to canning by myself, but an undertaking of this magnitude was greatly aided by some good company. Read Deidra's account of our funny story. It was time well spent.Wednesday, October 01, 2008
Cheap Fun
I picked up a few Halloween accessories at the dollar store. The kids have been having so much fun with them. I'm pretty sure they'll be broken or worn out by Halloween, but oh well.In other news, corn harvest continues. I never would have thought that not being "needed" as a truck driver would be hard. Having two kids in the truck would be insane and well. . . dangerous (although I've done it before.) I have to keep reminding myself that it's a good thing that we've finally gotten enough help. Some days I just really miss feeling a part of all the harvest hustle. In the meantime, the kids and I will keep delivering food to the crews and try to feel needed.
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