Saturday 4:47 a.m.

  Mornin' world! T just left for a day of OT. George just flopped in my lap to help. They are such a hoot. They are growing so fast.
  The radar is showing a lot of rain/mix out there and the temp is hovering between 31*/32*. I haven't bothered to look out or step out there. I didn't see anything while T was backing out of the garage. Gonna be 45* later today. Yay!
  I don't have a lot in mind for my chore list today but I need to get the regular stuff done. You know, a small load of laundry out of the way, dishes to be done. We'll have left over pizza for dinner and I have some tuna for lunch. Just need to figure out breakfast- oats- done...

 I think I'll get some blackberries from last season out of the freezer and have a cobbler for dinner too. 

  I got my first seed catalog just before Christmas. I sure would like to grow something this year. Just a few things to add to our groceries. Maybe I'll feel better this year and be able to do more. I've resigned myself to the fact that T, no matter where his hearts at, he's not gonna help with a garden. Every year he says he will and every year he doesn't have time. Oh well, if I want it bad enough it will happen. 

 I already have a crop of prickly pear. Sells for $2 a lb at the cheap store. Wonder how many lbs I could harvest out front? lol Last year I got a couple of plums, a couple of tomatoes, some blackberries and that's about it. Isn't that pathetic? The drought heat was a problem. Even my houseplants that were outside hated it. Nothing could produce anything. This is actually the second year in a row we've experienced drought. Dang I hope and pray for a good year. 

  Guess I'd better get around. Got miles to walk haha. Later, 

have a diamond day. I'm going to. 

Last day of 2012

  Well, I figured I'd better at least post on the last day of the year. I did better this year than last on the number of posts I think. I'm not going to bother deleting this year. At least not any time soon.
  Between laundry, cooking tater soup and the phone I'm not sure I can get this posted before the new year. lol
  T wasn't feeling so good today so he's resting. Not being able to edit photos on this laptop makes it a pain to post pictures. I hate to have to download on the pc, edit and then download or send them to this one. How silly.
  The past few weeks I've been down. Between the season and the weather I guess. I so wish it was already spring time!
  We got the cats all fixed! Yay! No babies now. You couldn't even tell they had been operated on. That same evening they were running and playing like crazy. Hoping to get the dogs taken care of this year. It's just healthier for them. Well, maybe not Misty as she's too old I think for surgery unless it's mandatory. You know what I mean?
  Jeanne is still having trouble with her feet. I know sometimes it takes months but I hate seeing her in such pain.
  My sister and I went to see our step-mom at the home and went grocery shopping after. Had a quick visit and spent the rest of the day shopping. My dogs were barking when we got home. My feet, not my real dogs.lol I had already walked a mile on the treadmill before she picked me up. Two stores later and then I had to feed the horses again after dark. Dang what a long day but had fun.
  Our "storm" turned into a nice cold rain but it will freeze tonight and make it slick by morning. Although it's already dark and the temp is still at 33*. I wish the horses would stay in the barn but they prefer the woods.
  Well, here it is another day has passed. It is now Jan 1 ! A brand new year, a fresh start for us all. My friend Jan called this evening. Sounded sad but hopeful. Life wears you down after a while , you know what I mean? It was nice to hear from her. We don't talk much these days. Her phone is limited on minutes.
  We had a nice quiet day. A perfect way to start the year. We don't do the "new year's dinner" superstition thing. We had spaghetti for dinner. This morning we had creamed eggs on biscuits. Good stuff. Not real healthy but good anyway.
  Enough rambling. Maybe this year I'll have more to say.

Saturday .......

   Hard to believe it's just a few weeks away from another new year. As they say, the older you get the faster the time flies by. If the political idiots of the world play there cards right they might just be able to destroy the world this month. Chemical weapons! It's all insane. Never mind.....not worth the time spent to think about it.
  T is working OT today. Was off yesterday. We messed with the horses some and just messed around the house. He went to the feed store so I wouldn't have to. I did my treadmill and just finished it for today. 2.1 miles in one hour.... I'm now resting my bones...lol

 5# apples

 finished ! 

 pumpkin finished!

  I get no respect! That's her tongue sticking out! 

  

    It's going to be a diamond day. Gonna take a nap now before it gets too late.   Oh, the pictures are my pies from Thanksgiving day.

Already November!

...good grief, I've tried to write some posts but it hasn't happened as you can see. I won't try to catch you up but sis and I did take a road trip to Spfd and we both got new glasses. Mine had changed  little in the last 2 years. Hers had changed in the last 12! years. We had a really fun day! Left early and came back late afternoon. Long day for me. She's probably used to it as she is always running all day long. She takes care of her family and several of the neighbors. They are always running some kind of errand.
  Anyway, the farrier was out. He said he thought it was thrush. I picked up some thrush remedy and we've been treating Jeanne. This will be day four. We treat for a week and then once a week after that. We will see how that plays out. I feel so bad for her but we're doing all we can. The farrier will check back in January to see if we need any work done on anyone. The rest of the crew looks good. We'll start working with the youngsters on their feet. They wear them down quite nicely so far but in the future they may need some attention. We keep everyone barefoot. We have ez boots if we need them.
  The kittens have settled in quite nicely in the household. They get along with the dogs and so far haven't gotten into too much mischief. They sure have a good time. I've got two on my chair with me right now - taking their morning nap. They sleep hard and play hard.

  Tim is off today. He worked OT again yesterday. I'm letting him sleep for a change. He likes for me to wake him when I get up but he's worked 60 hours in the last 5 days. The kids are coming up today for a short visit. Not seen them since Halloween. Here they are at Roaring River. It will be nice to see my kidlet. He was working on Halloween til late.
  I need to send some more pics to this computer so I can upload them. Dang it. Gotta go for now. It's gonna be a diamond day, I'm just sure.

Beautiful start to the morning,,,

..Tim made coffee and went directly back to bed. Haha He's on vacation this week so he's catching up on a little sleep. I hope so anyway. He works a lot of OT - he mowed the yard yesterday and it sure looks nice for the beginning of fall.
  I got most of my houseplants inside the past few days. A few are still on the back porch wishing they were inside. Banana tree is crying and all but banging on the door. We also moved the orphans into the house a few days ago. They are so cute. And have made their selves quite at home. Themselves? Not sure which is correct. Anyway, they have settled right in and are playing with dogs on occasion. Hank is afraid of them. Hannah is desperately trying to figure out the best way to play with them - Sheba is used to cats as she was raised with two.
  Fast forward 5 days ...I never got back to this until this beautiful morning. It's Sunday and the storms are over. Yesterday morning we had 2.7" of rain and haven't checked the gauge to see what we got in the storms that rolled through last night. Quite a bit I'm thinking.
  On Thursday we bought a little 1988 Escort that is still in pretty good shape from Marge. We're calling it Tim's rain suit. It will be so nice to have a little commuter car for T to take to work. They had been getting 32-40 mpg! It has over 300,000 miles on it. Got it washed and vacuumed out and almost clean. lol It still needs some elbow grease used on it. Marge even delivered it to us. Her daughter and son in law helped bring it down from the lake. I can not imagine what she's going through right now. How lonesome she must be without him. I know she lost another husband years ago that was the love of her life but now at this age it must be terribly difficult. She's a strong woman from strong stock and I know she'll be lost for awhile, but she'll be fine.
  Talked to big brother a bit on Friday. He's thinking of spending the winter in Arizona - fishing. I wish he would. He works hard and drives a lot of miles. He says he'll take a pole and bobber. No hooks ......and his cooler with a recliner . All he needs. Sounds like a plan.
  Well, sis has been dealing with C this week and more power to her. I'm still pissed at C for the way she has dealt with the situation this whole year. She has not done what she promised the folks she'd do. She has pawned it off on sis and her own son. I'm afraid I would not be as nice as sis about the whole deal. Glad I don't have to. Thanks Sis!
  Gonna put this on hold again, later.
  Fast forward again. The gauge had another 2.5" of rain! Good for that grass and everything else. Got another .2" in a little storm that came through.
 I have a helper this am. A little white kitten with no name. She's the last one to be named. We have George, Gracie and Patch so far.
  It's been several more days and not much going on. Same ol' same ol' . Daily chores and enjoying our place and our animals. Life is good. Some days are diamonds.....some days are stones. I like the diamond days much better!
  Buck is feeling better and Jeanne is actually showing a little improvement! A long ways to go but is improving. Jose got his well in and we closed the gate and turned the horses out on the west pastures. The wind was a steady 30 mph and 40 mph gusts. Tim put my plastic up again on the back porch. Just wanted to keep it somewhat dry this winter since the quail are still there.  I had it up but didn't put the lathes up with it so it didn't hold. Dang it!

  I've been in a writing slump as I'm sure you've noticed. When I think of something to say I'm busy doing other things and when I have time....I'm brain dead. Such is the way of it...........I love this picture of Jr Mom and Gpa. What a time they must have had. When ever you think you're having a bad day just remember how rough our ancestors had it on a day to day basis. We're very lucky to live in the time we do.

Monday , Monday

   Tim worked OT on Sat and Sun, now he's working his reg trick. He got the little pasture over-seeded on Friday. We may be able to do the other little one soon. Jose came by last week and said he was going to put in a well for the cows. We also got 2.7" of rain this weekend and the weekend before that we got another .8"! We have a start now on doing away with this dang drought. We're no longer in the severe category. Yay!
  The kittens are thriving without their momma. The are beginning to try to eat dry food. I hope they catch on quick. They are so cute. I love watching kittens play. Here's Number One:

 Yesterday I went to my sister's and enjoyed a good visit. I know she was unpacking boxes and I just  watched but we had a nice visit anyway. Her new house is beautiful and coming along nicely. It will be a home in no time. She took her Sheltie to the vet this a.m.. got him on some pain killer and some steroids for a few weeks and see how that goes. Not looking too good for the old fella.
  Here's Number Two:

   We actually had to mow the back yard last week! First time in months. Of course with the drought it wasn't growing. Time to mow the front now. At least part of it.
  Cheryl never made it down for another basket class and neither did Marylou. They just don't know what they are missing. lol. Now that it's cooler I will probably make a few more. I think I will have to make them outside - I've got to clear my sewing table off so I can do a little sewing too. So many projects and so little time! I've also got to get my houseplants ready to come in for the winter! Talk about a honey do list! Only this time it's MY list.
  It's been a diamond day but I gotta go for now.

Throwaway Thursday and rambling along

  Well, what to throw away today? I'm positive it will not be hard to find something.
We had 3 storms roll through yesterday that left us with 3.6" of rain. Trying to catch up on the drought thing. Doing a good job. Had a little hail to go with the rain and wind.
  Meanwhile, here's a few pictures to share.

I really liked these brownies. Tim wasn't sure of the "icing stuff" on the bottom. Makes them really gooie. They were the best ones I had made from scratch that I can remember. Yummmy....

Oooo...pot of beans I made a couple of weeks ago. They were pretty good too.

 And last but not least a pot of tater soup! Was really good too. If I do say so myself.

Here's another outdoor oven idea for you. This time a toad cob oven. Need to borrow a better picture.

This is Ollie. Previously known as barn kitty number 2. They both are growing fast. As of yet I don't think that Sam had ever gone out hunting like Ollie. He has gone with Mama Cat several times for a couple of days at a time. Sam is always out in the shop. So far haven't seen mice in months. Yay!

I told you I had been thinking about the stocking up the pantry. Well, I think about it all the time but what I mean is, I've been thinking of actually posting about it. lol If you just add a little tiny bit each week or two to your grocery list or just buy 2 of things on your list it adds up fast. This is geared for a family of two so adjust accordingly. It's also getting on to winter so don't forget to rotate the emergency stuff in your vehicle. Food, batteries etc. Warm clothes added. Bag of kitty litter for traction. Folding shovel etc etc.

Week 1

6 cans peas

6 cans tuna

4 cans cream of chicken soup (I make my own as needed)

3 bags pasta

2 containers salt of your choice

1 lg pkg of TP

cold meds if you use them

Been plugging along on my family tree stuff. A tidbit here and a tidbit there. A few pics of headstones - I know that sounds gross to some folks but to a genealogist it's information. Sometimes it just has the year but most times it's a birthdate. Or a name of a wife/husband that you did not have. You never know.

Like finding where James O was buried. Finally found his grave and the name of the son he went to live with. Aunt Jo had told me something about some woman he ran off with or something like that but he was living with Charles and family. Also mentioned before was a time Emma went to live in California because John V was abusive? Never heard that before - need to ask about that. Who knows what kind of things you'll find while searching. You know what they say about skeletons in the closest. lol

      Have rambled long enough and been all day.
                                               Some days are diamonds.

Wonderful Wednesday

  I know it's early but I'm just sure it will be a great day.
Here's a little of yesterday:

New babies - day 3 and they're still alive. Momma is doing better than any of them did before. She's had them on the ground at night- no losses, out of the hen house and back in again-no losses. The hens before always deserted them if the didn't keep up. Keeping fingers crossed these guys will make it.

This is Number 2 . Another barn cat. This one goes hunting with Momma Cat out in the big world of the woods. Makes it back too. The kitten "3" didn't make it back one time. Actually I think it was the first time they went out to the woods. "3" didn't make it back. He's either still out there and chooses not to come back.... or he was someone's dinner. Number 2 goes out and back at least once, sometimes twice, a week.

Poor tomato plant. See how it has no leaves? That's what the dang hornworms have done to it. I hate those little beasties. People actually say not to kill them cause they make such nice moths and only eat leaves. Well, dang, that stresses the plants and they can't produce maters!

Can you see it? The little red spot points at it.

This one is in between the yellow lines. They sure are hard for old ladies to spot. I squish them and leave them for the chickens to find. If I throw them toward the chickens alive they are almost afraid of them. How funny.
  I picked off 6 bigs one and 3-4 little bitty ones yesterday and 2 this morning. I've never tried it but they say the stripes glow at night under a flashlight so they are easier to pick off. I'm not that dedicated.

This is a picture I borrowed from the net that's much better.

  Guess that's one of my problems. haha I'm just never dedicated or passionate about anything in my life. Jack of all trades and master of none so of thing. Always wanted to be good at it all!