The van was repaired yesterday. I love my mechanic! He replaced the rebuilt alternator that he put in on Monday with a brand new one and he didn't charge me a penny! I drove it home and there seems to be no problems.
I actually got several things accomplished yesterday. The mudroom door and trim are all stained. The stray cat's owner appeared to remove her cat. I washed all the winter coats etc. and hung them out to dry. I started to organize the mudroom and get things on the shelves. We condensed all of Hannah's older show chickens into one pen so that we can put the newer birds outside today.
I really want to uncover my sewing machine area today. It has had everything from the mudroom area piled on it while we worked on the mudroom. Abby and Nathalie are outgrowing clothing quicker than I can produce it. Pants I made for Abby for Christmas are now too short for her. Nathalie is a bit thicker than Abby so the pants, custom made for Abby, don't fit Nathalie unless I alter them. Which means unburying my sewing machine.
I also need to pull out the summer clothing as the weather forecast is calling for mid to upper 70's for this week. Chaos in the laundry room as everyone tries things on to determine who fits what and who needs what. I used to have a system, but since Abby and Nathalie are wearing nearly the same size, and Rachel and Samantha are almost the same size, my system doesn't work.
I am mentally preparing myself for a meeting tomorrow about Rachel. My level of frustration is very high. Every "expert" I contact says I have to have the school take certain steps before they can get involved. The school doesn't want to take those steps. Meanwhile, the kid struggles. I am beginning to think the school would just love for me to throw my hands up and say, "Fine! I'll homeschool her!" It would certainly remove any $$ burden from them. Seven weeks left in the school year. What are the chances that they will do anything?
Showing posts with label mudroom. Show all posts
Showing posts with label mudroom. Show all posts
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Tuesday, April 8, 2008
My "not real" Farm
Calico Jack and Capt. James Flood are banded (Trust me you don't want to know what that means). Jones, Abby's 11 pound buckling, has been disbudded. The yard is getting there. As my mom so aptly reminded me yesterday: "You have a working farm, you're not going to have a Better Homes and Gardens house". Even if Kelly W. says it isn't a "real" farm like Donna's. ;)
I have about 15 Brownie Scouts coming on Thursday to learn about hobby farming. We will talk about beekeeping, goats, chickens, and sugaring. They will get to taste honey, goat cheese, and maple syrup. They'll get to feed and milk the goats, pet a chicken, feed the free range chickens, and I've set up an empty bee hive for them to check out. If there is time I will show them how to make cheese (Just a quick vinegar queso blanco). If we run out of things to do, I am ready to do a bit about gardening. One way to get the peas in!
The daffodils are blooming; the irises (or is it irisi??) are up. This morning I have to finish washing the tile in the mudroom so Sam can grout it. I have to clean out the green trailer so the new owner can pick it up at the end of the week. The new chicks need chick feed. We are almost out of goat grain. We are down to 30 bales of hay. The barn needs a thorough cleaning. The Older Reds need to get out of the barn. The doghouse needs to be moved so we can get the dogs away from the property line with our neighbors. (Their kids think teasing the dogs is fun). The garden needs to be turned over... The list is endless, but at least it isn't a "real" farm.
I have about 15 Brownie Scouts coming on Thursday to learn about hobby farming. We will talk about beekeeping, goats, chickens, and sugaring. They will get to taste honey, goat cheese, and maple syrup. They'll get to feed and milk the goats, pet a chicken, feed the free range chickens, and I've set up an empty bee hive for them to check out. If there is time I will show them how to make cheese (Just a quick vinegar queso blanco). If we run out of things to do, I am ready to do a bit about gardening. One way to get the peas in!
The daffodils are blooming; the irises (or is it irisi??) are up. This morning I have to finish washing the tile in the mudroom so Sam can grout it. I have to clean out the green trailer so the new owner can pick it up at the end of the week. The new chicks need chick feed. We are almost out of goat grain. We are down to 30 bales of hay. The barn needs a thorough cleaning. The Older Reds need to get out of the barn. The doghouse needs to be moved so we can get the dogs away from the property line with our neighbors. (Their kids think teasing the dogs is fun). The garden needs to be turned over... The list is endless, but at least it isn't a "real" farm.
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
Rain and mud
Apparently it is supposed to rain for the next 3 days. We have had to lay boards along the path from house to barn because the mud is now 6+ inches deep and evidently has an appetite for boots. You would think the children would have figured out how to walk just slightly off the path where the mud is not as thick, but then you would be wrong. Even the goats have better sense and are staying off their pathways.
Speaking of goats, Lucy hasn't kidded yet. Last year she only went one day past her due date. Tomorrow will be day four.
Hannah's Chicken Emporium is finished except for the painting. As soon as we get a warm dry day, she'll get to paint it.
Jack and James are doing very well and have survived disbudding. I asked Donna to do it as she is better at it than I am and Abby needs them to be scur-free for her cart driving team.
I began to clean my office today. The Rodgers are having a tag sale in April and have graciously offered to let us join them. The pile marked "APRIL" is growing steadily! The pile marked "MUDROOM" is growing too....
Speaking of goats, Lucy hasn't kidded yet. Last year she only went one day past her due date. Tomorrow will be day four.
Hannah's Chicken Emporium is finished except for the painting. As soon as we get a warm dry day, she'll get to paint it.
Jack and James are doing very well and have survived disbudding. I asked Donna to do it as she is better at it than I am and Abby needs them to be scur-free for her cart driving team.
I began to clean my office today. The Rodgers are having a tag sale in April and have graciously offered to let us join them. The pile marked "APRIL" is growing steadily! The pile marked "MUDROOM" is growing too....
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
The Mudroom has been painted!!
Today, after Sam and Hannah finish "Hannah's Chicken Emporium" for her show chickens, Sam will start on installing the ceiling! He says I shouldn't hold my breath....
We went on a "date" last night. Our normal date place: Lowe's. We scoped out what it will cost for the cupboards and cabinets in the mudroom. If we go middle of the line, it will be around $400. We priced out my "dream" cabinets just for perspective: $750! We even looked at the really cheap plastic versions. They weren't that much more inexpensive at $300 and they definitely won't hold up to the way the children will most assuredly abuse them. Sam is going to work it up to see what it would cost for him to make them himself. I told him to factor in for my frustration level when it takes him 6 months to build them.
Today, after Sam and Hannah finish "Hannah's Chicken Emporium" for her show chickens, Sam will start on installing the ceiling! He says I shouldn't hold my breath....
We went on a "date" last night. Our normal date place: Lowe's. We scoped out what it will cost for the cupboards and cabinets in the mudroom. If we go middle of the line, it will be around $400. We priced out my "dream" cabinets just for perspective: $750! We even looked at the really cheap plastic versions. They weren't that much more inexpensive at $300 and they definitely won't hold up to the way the children will most assuredly abuse them. Sam is going to work it up to see what it would cost for him to make them himself. I told him to factor in for my frustration level when it takes him 6 months to build them.
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
They're ALIVE!
We left yesterday morning, right after the bus picked up the two little ones for school. We brought two goats to the auction. One was Nathalie's kidd from last year which just wasn't growing right and the other was a doe which we have been unable to get bred for two years now.
On our way home we stopped at the bank and paid off a loan. WooHoo!! we then stopped at Lowe's to buy the tile etc. for the mudroom floor. This particular Lowes was in the middle of "Inventory" so we weren't able to get everything we needed. So we headed up the road apiece to another Lowes, where we were able to get the rest of our items.
When we returned home I saw the most glorious sight! BOTH hives of my bees were flying! One hive is definitely weaker than the other, but they are ALIVE!! With two more packages of bees coming, I'll have 4 hives to harvest, "Lord willin' and the crick don' rise!"
On our way home we stopped at the bank and paid off a loan. WooHoo!! we then stopped at Lowe's to buy the tile etc. for the mudroom floor. This particular Lowes was in the middle of "Inventory" so we weren't able to get everything we needed. So we headed up the road apiece to another Lowes, where we were able to get the rest of our items.
When we returned home I saw the most glorious sight! BOTH hives of my bees were flying! One hive is definitely weaker than the other, but they are ALIVE!! With two more packages of bees coming, I'll have 4 hives to harvest, "Lord willin' and the crick don' rise!"
Thursday, February 14, 2008
Doin' the happy dance!
MY TAXES ARE DONE!!!!!!
Woohoo! I finished yesterday, e-filed and should see my refund in about 2 weeks! I haven't filed my state taxes since I owe them money. I'll wait until April 11 or so to send them.
The state taxes always confuse me. Last year we got a large refund from the state. This year we owe them a small amount (Less than $300). It does this every time. One year we'll get a huge refund and the next year we will owe some small amount. I am sure there is a logical reason for why this happens, but I cannot figure it out. Our income doesn't change all that much because the fire department hasn't handed out raises since the oversight board took over in 2000. (Yes folks, that is 8 years without a raise.)
Another reason for the happy dance: I am getting my living room, entryway, and hallway painted! We finally decided on a color: It is kind of a peachy-orange-tan. It is a nice and warm, neutral-ish color that will work in the three very different areas. My entryway is lit up with a set of lights that are bright but are not natural light. My living room has huge amounts of wall space and and a large bay window that faces east southeast; so lots of natural bright light. My hall is narrow and dark.
And the third reason for the happy dance: it appears, barring any unforeseen disasters, that my mudroom will be finished either Saturday or Sunday! So far the only issue we have found is that the ceiling slopes by about an inch towards the center of the room. This was easily accommodated by my amazingly talented husband!
And the icing on the cake: Bee school tonight! Donna's driving, so we'll see if we can run over any more ambulances....
Woohoo! I finished yesterday, e-filed and should see my refund in about 2 weeks! I haven't filed my state taxes since I owe them money. I'll wait until April 11 or so to send them.
The state taxes always confuse me. Last year we got a large refund from the state. This year we owe them a small amount (Less than $300). It does this every time. One year we'll get a huge refund and the next year we will owe some small amount. I am sure there is a logical reason for why this happens, but I cannot figure it out. Our income doesn't change all that much because the fire department hasn't handed out raises since the oversight board took over in 2000. (Yes folks, that is 8 years without a raise.)
Another reason for the happy dance: I am getting my living room, entryway, and hallway painted! We finally decided on a color: It is kind of a peachy-orange-tan. It is a nice and warm, neutral-ish color that will work in the three very different areas. My entryway is lit up with a set of lights that are bright but are not natural light. My living room has huge amounts of wall space and and a large bay window that faces east southeast; so lots of natural bright light. My hall is narrow and dark.
And the third reason for the happy dance: it appears, barring any unforeseen disasters, that my mudroom will be finished either Saturday or Sunday! So far the only issue we have found is that the ceiling slopes by about an inch towards the center of the room. This was easily accommodated by my amazingly talented husband!
And the icing on the cake: Bee school tonight! Donna's driving, so we'll see if we can run over any more ambulances....
Monday, February 4, 2008
Countdown to chicks
Today is Feb. 4th. Is my barn ready for the chicks? NO! My loving and sweet and, oh who am I kidding?!?! My husband has decided that since he now has more free time due to being laid off and there being no part-time work anywhere within the state of Connecticut, he is going to build me my mud room. And not just any mudroom, the mudroom of my dreams. Complete with shelving, built-in boot bins, hat and mitten storage, specially designed top shelves that will accommodate our plethora of sleeping bags and miscellaneous camping equipment. Seriously, I am the mother of five kids and leader of numerous 4-H'ers, I really do dream about mudrooms.
Not only is he going to build me this luxurious room, he is also, get this, going to complete it BEFORE the chicks come on or around Feb 18th. Because, he has decided, that even though we have the heat lamps, it simply will not be warm enough in the barn for the chicks.
Now this may seem that I am complaining about my husband and his thinking/planning process, but in actuality, I am thrilled. You see, he has finally figured out that age old adage, "If Momma ain't happy, ain't nobody happy." If I have a mudroom in which I can shut the door, I am happy. If I am happy, I will tolerate 50+/- chicks in my house for a few weeks.
Not only is he going to build me this luxurious room, he is also, get this, going to complete it BEFORE the chicks come on or around Feb 18th. Because, he has decided, that even though we have the heat lamps, it simply will not be warm enough in the barn for the chicks.
Now this may seem that I am complaining about my husband and his thinking/planning process, but in actuality, I am thrilled. You see, he has finally figured out that age old adage, "If Momma ain't happy, ain't nobody happy." If I have a mudroom in which I can shut the door, I am happy. If I am happy, I will tolerate 50+/- chicks in my house for a few weeks.
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