Cuteness Overdose.

Hi, My name is Ming Ming. Today my buddies and I had our very first swimming lesson.

This crazy woman, The Homesteading Something or Other took us and stuck us in this great big bath tub.
We made her proud. We took to swimming like a duck takes to water!
I don't really understand why she insists on taking so many pictures of us though.
Or why she starts talking all funny and saying Ohhhhh every time she looks at us. I think she may need help.
Till next time... Ming

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Breaking Into Song

Oh, What a Beauuuuuteeeful Mooooorning!

Oh, What a Beauuuuteeeeful Day!

I've Got a Beauuuuuteeeeful Feeeeeling!

Everythings Goin My Wayyyyy!

Well, at least till the kids get up.

**sigh**

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Lookie What Came in the Mail!

So the phone rings at 5:12am this morning.
A sweet but exasperated sounding woman on the other end of the line begged me to come to the post office to pick up a package.

This is the package.

What could it be?

Otis didn't trust it one bit.

I slowly and cautiously opened the box...

ooooh Hello there!

The seasons Chicks & Ducks are here! Yippeeee!! I just love getting the first chicks & ducks of the season!! Babies... Is there anything cuter than a baby?? This is the first year for ducks... I am in love!

Don't feel bad for them because they are all cramped together in a little box. They ship them that way so they can keep each-other warm and snugly. These little guys are only ONE day old! And they have already made their first trip far from their parents to their new home! Amazing man! just amazing! Did you know that a baby chick doesn't need food or water for the first 2-3 days of life? This is how they can ship em. They are still using up their yolk from their egg. It's just too cool!

I'll be back in a bit to show ya how we get the cute little guys settled in... Till then Otis will keep his eye on 'em.

UPDATE

We got the chicks all settled into their brooder.

I took each one out of the box one at a time and dipped their beaks into the water and set them under the heat lamp. The seem to be doing Great!

The ducklings are at home in their plastic box in the boys bathroom too. Is there anything cuter than a duckling? Nope.. I don't think so.

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My Secret From The Past...

They say confession is good for the soul.

I feel that y'all know me well enough now that I can share something with you.

Something that I have told very very few people.

I can only hope that you'll understand.

Many Many years ago I fell in love.

Before my first marriage to "B", before my children, before I was even a bonafide adult.

I fell hard for "Chub" (don't ya just love the silly nick-names that true loves make you come up with?).

Chub came into my life at a time I was innocent. I was wanting to explore the world, I lived with reckless abandon, I didn't care about tomorrow, Heck.. most of the time I didn't even care about today!

He was so sweet.

When I was down, Chub made me feel better.

When I cried, Chub was there to comfort me.

When I celebrated, I celebrated with Chub.

The more time I spent with Chub the more I felt my love grow.

I didn't tell anyone about Chub. I wanted to be the only one to know.. My little secret love.

I started spending more and more time with Chub.
Soon we were together every night. Sometimes we would even get together during the day!

Chub was everything a girl could ask for.

So I thought...

As time went on I began to realize that our relationship was not as perfect as it appeared.

Chub could be very cold.

I would turn to Chub when I had a problem and, altho he made me feel better, it was always a temporary quick fix.

Chub never really solved any of my problems.

Chub never even offered ideas for solutions.

I didn't like the person I was becoming when I was around Chub, I became very jealous. I didn't want anyone else to know about Chub. I would not share.

When I would go to the places he should have been hanging out or just chillin and I could not find him, I would fly into a rage.

My relationship with chub was quickly becoming unhealthy.

So
I ended it.

I said good-bye to Chub.

I was sad, but life moved on...

I married "B", I became a mother.

There was still a part of me that longed for my first true love, but I dealt with it.

Then one day out of the blue I saw him. My excitement took me by surprise!

I wanted nothing more than to hold on to him and never let go.

So... I went to him and we had a little fling.

He was as sweet and wonderful as I remembered.

When I was with him I felt complete. I felt happy, I had my Chub back!!

But then I realized that Chub was getting way too clingy. He wanted nothing more than to grab onto my body and never let go. It was not good.
I was tired of sneaking around, I was tired of being with Chub only in the dark of night because of the fear that someone would find out that we were together again.

I ended it once more.

After a few years I never even bumped into him anymore. I would go to the places where Chub always hung out and waited for me and he was no longer there.

It's been over 6 years since I even saw Chub.

I am in love with The-Man-of-My-Dreams.

I am happy.

I am complete.

Chub never even crosses my mind.

Then this morning it happened.

I went to the grocery store. And guess who I bumped into?

Yep, Chub!

Chub looks the same as I remember.

I am ashamed to admit it, but I brought Chub back home to our house.

The-Man-of-My-Dreams is working out of town.

I am lonely.

I am sad from missing him.

Is it so wrong to find comfort with an old love?

What harm can one simple night together really cause?

No one needs to know.

No one needs to tell The-Man-of-My-Dreams.

When we got home I could not resist.

Oh you just have no idea how wonderful it was...

When my lips touched Chub it was as sweet as I remember.

I felt the love that I had turned my back on so long ago.

I am excited. And a little bit ashamed.

I should NOT be doing this.

Please help me have strength.

Help me resist this burning desire I have to jump in and enjoy this guilty pleasure.

Just once more. Just one more time.... it cant be THAT bad .... can it?

I snapped a picture of Chub so I can have something to remember.

Because I know I cannot start meeting Chub again.

This has to be a one time only deal.

Just once.

Look at how wonderful Chub is below....

And tell me honestly.... could YOU resist him?

(Who can resist fudge covered, peanut butter filled pretzles, in silky smooth ice cream, blended with thick chocolate fudge & peanut butter swirls? Not Me!!)

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Keepin Him Busy.

How do you keep Otis The Boston Terrier Puppy busy?



Now he has more trouble in the house...
Not only does he have to fiercely protect us from the evil vacuum cleaner Monster, the wicked broom monster, And the horrifying hair dryer imp. Now he has to deal with the Incredibly terrifying Treadmill!!

Poor Poor Otis....
what's a dog to do?

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Uh Oh....

I just got a phone call.
I have been waiting for this call for a long time.
I searched and searched for years for something that I really wanted.
I found it, and it is being delivered today.
It took me forever to find a quality one.
I said it would help me in my goals.
I needed one to protect me from the harsh Texas weather.
I need one to smash through my walls of excuses.
I need one because it would be "fun".
I said the reason I hadn't reached my goals before now was because I didn't have one of them in my life.
I didn't have one in my life because they are not cheap. most are down right expensive!
But they had to go and stick one on clearance and let me pay for it in 6 installments.
The problem is, Now that I will have one, I will have no excuse NOT to reach my goal!
Now I will have no-one to blame for my problem cept for ME!
I am stuck.

in less than one hour my monster Treadmill will be at my front door.
Now what am I gonna do?
me and my big mouth.... (well I have several other "big" parts too! thus the need for the tredmill)... will keep ya posted!

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Leading by example.... yeah right!

If my math is anywhere near right, I have said the phrase "Put Your Shoes On Before You Go Outside!" at least 57,968,077 times in the past 5 years.

So, I go to put Otis the killer Guard Boston Terrier Puppy outside.
This is like 10 steps out of the front door.

Do ya think I put on my shoes? nope.
Do ya think I saw the dopey from just waking up honey bees feeding on the clovers? nope.
Do ya think I could have missed a few of them while walking? nope
Do ya think I managed to pull out two stingers from the arch of my foot without crying a little bit? nope.
Do ya think my children gave me any sympathy? nope.
Do ya think they have missed one opportunity to lecture me on wearing shoes? nope.
Do ya think they forgot to tell anyone who would listen this story? nope.
Do ya think my short people are sweet empathetic darlings? NOPE!

Poor Poor Dana.

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He did it!!!!!!!!!!

Worker #1 took his written drivers test today. (because is SS card finally came in the mail remember why? read that part HERE) and Low-n-behold HE PASSED!!!
He now has his drivers permit!!

Oh Dear Lord Help me!!

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Our Visit w/ Rita (are YOU ready) part 3

We were relieved that we were spared a direct hit from Rita.
But the tornadoes hit our area hard. Driving down our road you could see the tell-tale signs of tornadoes.
Several houses that were just fine with some small limbs in the yard and shrubs laying down from the wind.
Then a house or two with the tops of trees gone and bigger limbs down on the houses and in the yard.
The there would be a house that lost it's roof.
Then there would be a house smashed under an ancient old oak tree.

As we slowly worked our way down the 2 miles to our house I was praying that our home was one of the ones that was spared. I was praying for my animals that I had left behind in the old shed/barn. I was praying that the huge oak tree right behind our home would still be standing where it belonged and not in the middle of our living room.

As we made the curve to our driveway I prepared myself for the worst. Then I saw it and started to cry...
Our home. Our 100+ year old farmhouse was still standing!
The barn/shed had lost quite a bit of it's tin roof but was still standing and despite the high winds. I was so relieved and thankful that I just couldn't contain the tears.

We pulled into the drive and I went to check on the critters.
My favorite pig, Sausage (Saucy) ran up to the car to greet me.
I could hear the goats yelling before I even got out of the car.
They were wet from the open roof, they were scared, they were unhappy, but they were fine!
The chickens were still snug in their hen house.
Then I went to check on the pigs.
A large pin oak tree had fallen on their pen.
Saucy was out and running around.
Hot Dog was trying to nap amongst the oat leaves.
But I couldn't find Bacon. He was our only Duroc, a big pretty red hog. He was nowhere to be found.
I called for him.. he did not come.

Then I heard the-Man-of-My-Dreams calling me from the house.
"Whew!! I said, "we are so lucky! That everything is fine!"
"Not Quite" he said. uh oh...

It seems that the high winds picked up the porch of the house and basically ripped it at the seam where it met the living room. The more we looked, the more damage we found. There were some broken windows, and the house had been knocked askew from it's foundation. But it was still standing! We were still very lucky.

The funny thing about the way Rita hit our area is the fact that we really didn't get much rain. Lots of wind, lots of tornado's, but little rain.
All in all we were blessed to have dodged the major bullet named Rita. Now we just needed to clean up and make repairs. And Thank God that it wasn't much worse.

Little did we know that the hardest part was yet to come.

To Be Continued....

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whoops!

I know, I know... I promised the nest installment of Our Visit with Rita yesterday....
Well.... the thing is.....
I didnt get it done. ;)
but it'll be here today I promise!

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Our Visit w/ Rita (are YOU ready?) part 2

Part ONE of the story can be found (HERE)

When we left home we had no idea what a ride we had in front of us. I was driving the Suburban stuffed full of personal items, 4 children & 3 Great Danes. The-Man-of-My-Dreams was driving the truck with the 4-wheeler, 1 son, and gas cans.

The traffic was unbelievable! Jam-packed roads. There were broken down cars on the sides of all of the roads because they had been there so long that they were out of gas or their engines over-heated. All of the gas stations had huge signs that said (OUT OF GAS) in front.

It was a nightmare... all of these people were trying to flee to safety but they ended up stuck out in the open with no food, no gas, and no shelter in the Texas summer-time heat.

My father-in-law was trying to make what normally would have been a three hour trip to San Antonio. His trip took over 14 hours! And he was one of the lucky ones who knew his way along the back roads and actually made it to his destination.

We decided to try to go against the flow of traffic and actually go INTO Houston as everyone else was trying to leave. This worked out to our advantage. But what usually took an hour ended up taking us three hours, but we did reach my mothers house in Houston.

The problem was... Houston was not any safer than our farm was. The plan was to meet up with my mother, sister & grandmother, then we would all head out for safer ground.

There was no way this was going to happen unless we wanted to join the crowds of stranded motorists jamming all of the highways.

As the storm approached, I became more and more anxious about my critters that I had left behind at the farm. All I wanted to do was go home! I understood that our safety was more important than the animals. But it was awful to think about them being afraid and in danger. My goal was to leave for the farm as soon as the worst of the storm had passed.

As we waited for Rita to blow in I realized that my mothers house is surrounded by very tall pine trees. I was worried.. what if the wind blows the trees over onto our cars? How would we be able to get back to the farm quickly? We were in Houston after-all... we were not in Kenefick with access to our chain saws, and come-a-longs that we could use to move fallen trees. We made the decision to go to my ex-husband's house. He lived in a newer subdivision with very few mature trees to worry about.

Rita hit Houston in the middle of the night. The winds howled, Trees snapped, debris flew around, and we lost power. The only thing we could do now was wait for it to pass. We were safe in the house, But our minds were all on the farm and what we had left behind.

When daylight broke, the worst of the storm had already passed. The Man-of-My-Dreams and I decided to make our way back to the farm to survey the damage and check on the animals. We left the kids in Houston, put the dogs in the Suburban, and hit the road.

It was very eerie driving along the roadways... There were abandon cars everywhere and not a person in sight. It looked like a scene from a movie showing the aftermath of some big catastrophe or war. It was quiet, still, and looked lifeless. There was no power, traffic lights dangled precariously from one wire, there were tree limbs in the road and various pieces of debris thrown everywhere.

As we slowly made our way, I saw houses with roofs missing and windows blown out. Homes that once kept their families safe and dry were smashed into what now looked like piles of toothpicks by HUGE hundred-year-old oak trees. The closer we got to our place, the worse the damage looked, my heart was in my throat as we headed down the long road to our farm.

To Be Continued....

(don't worry... it should be later today)

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Stay tuned!

Our Visit w/ Rita (are YOU ready?) Part 2
will be posted in the morning.
Hang on to your hats!!

The storm is closing in!

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I'm Just Sayin... (rant of the day)

Ok.... the time has come for me to address this growing epidemic.
When did "I'm just sayin" , followed by a long pause/silence, become the way to make everything that you shouldn't say or isn't nice to say OK to say?

examples...

I'm not tattling on Him for breaking the window.
I'm just sayin....
You might wanna change those pants... I'm not saying you look fat in them. I'm just sayin.....
I'm not sayin your kids are the worst kids in the world... I'm just sayin...
I'm not saying I haven't seen uglier girls. I'm just sayin...
I'm not saying it's inedible. I'm just sayin...
I'm not saying I hate him. I'm just sayin...
I'm not saying I'm better than you are. I'm just sayin...

I have been forced into the position of "pop culture expert" because I am forced to live with teenagers. Thus I notice these trends when they appear.

This one bothers me even more than the ever hated "snap" that was said after everything a few years back (that is a whole other rant for another day.. snap.. how stupid was that?!?!?)

Or the "Right?" that so many people say after every sentence that comes out of their mouths. Kinda like they are trying to convert you to their way of thinking.... and make sure everyone in the room agrees with whatever they say. "Right???"

I guess the reason it rubs me the wrong way is because people seem to use this term to excuse mean or rude behavior.
When did being rude or nasty become ok?
Do we really need a cutsie catch-phrase to make it easier for people to put other people down?
Don't most people do it ok now? Why make it easier?!?

I just don't get it.

I'm not saying there aren't worse things that people could say... I'm just sayin.....

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Isn't That special?

Gee.... How nice....

I wake up bright and early...
Come to check out this page....
and what do I see on the right-hand side?...
a HUGE pink ad that says...

Are YOU fat?

Why Yes, Yes..... as a matter of fact.. I AM FAT!
happy now?
geesh great way to start the day! (thanks Google ads!)
I think I'm goin back to bed!

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It Is FINISHED!!

Ok.... so it took me a little bit longer than a day...
But in my defense, I could have finished it in one day had I not taken so many breaks.
But 25 and a 1/2 hours ain't bad for a whole quilt!

Worker #4 loves it!
The fact that its flannel makes it super-schmooshy and super cuddly-warm.
And the fall colors and simple design make it perfect for a manly-man boy.
(oh don't let me kid you.... it's simple because I have no idea what I'm doing... But I'm loving doing it anyway!)

This is a close up of the raw "snipped" edges. after washing. See how cute they turn out? They curl up and get kind-of "fluffy". I LOVE the look of a rag quilt.
And it couldnt be easier to make! Even for a not-so-good-quilter like me!
I have gotten a few e-mails from other not-so-good-quilters asking me to make a picture based tutorial on how this super-simple quilt is made...
look for it in the next few days.

Oh.. this quilt and all my other attempts at learning to quilt can be found on my Quilting Page HERE.

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Todays BIG challenge. (quilt in a day)

OK... it's nothing new when I say I am the queen of Procrastination Land.
Today I aim to fix one of the things I have been putting off....
Each of my boys has a quilt that Their wonderful, beautiful, Kind, benevolent, Mother.. (that would be me) made for them..... well... everyone but Worker #4.

I have had the super-warm flannel for his quilt for months.
I have had the matching thread for months.
I have had the batting for months.
I have had the sewing machine for years.

and yet.... he still has no quilt.

Today I am going to make a quilt.
A whole quilt.
Start to finish.
all TODAY!
(ok... half of the flannel squares are already cut from a fabric swap last year)

I am going to make worked #4's quilt in the biscuit style. They should go fast...
The question is.. can I make a whole quilt in one day??

We shall see....
I'll be back with updates and pictures....

Pray for me.
Pray for my fingers.
Or.... eat a piece of cheese cake for me ok?

it is now 7:03 am

5....4...3...2..1.. BLAST OFF!!!


UPDATE 9:58am

All the fabric squares have been cut!

Between getting the kids to school, feeding the critters & a visit from my father-in-law.. Things are moving now.....

Ok... now to cut the batting squares....

Wish me luck!

be back later!

10:46am... Have I ever mentioned that I HATE cutting batting??? Hand Lotion Anyone??

11:48am.... Lunch break.... I STILL hate cutting Batting!! (ok... I don't let my kids use the word "hate" I really realllly dislike cutting batting, I loath cutting batting, I detest cutting batting, I abhor cutting batting, I can't stand cutting batting..... should I go on? cause I can ya know! I really can!!)

2:30pm UPDATE... Everything is cut out. Now time to sew. I would have been MUCH further than this if I didn't have the 4 yr old Little-Foreman-in-Pink "helping" me. Oh and if I hadn't stopped 47 times to cry about how much I dislike cutting batting.

7:00 pm UPDATE.... Well, things slowed WAY down with 4 kids coming home from school. I had to go pick up worker #2 from Drivers ed, cooked and ate dinner. But, I finished sewing all of the individual squares together!

Now the shower assembly line is starting. While the dirty short people get clean, I will begin to sew the squares together into a quilt! whoo hooo!! we are in the home stretch!

Here is worker #4 arranging the squares to his liking. He is excited!

9:42pm UPDATE- OK.... now comes the time where we must ask ourselves... What is the definition of "finished"? Worker #4 is indeed sleeping under his brand new schmooshy warm flannel quilt. BUT I am making this quilt a rag quilt. And for it to truly be finished, I have several hours of snipping of the seams to make em look worn & frayed. It IS together.

I COULD leave it this way. Altho it would look kinda funny. I guess I didn't really, totally, completely, 100% finish the quilt. But it's together! He is sleeping under it. Does that count? Whatever the verdict... I am proud of myself for getting this thing done (sortof kinda almost)

Pictures tomorrow. I'm goin to bed. Nite Nite

7:00 am 2/20.... snip snip snip snip snip snip snip snip snip **sigh**

8:30 am FINISHED!!!!

This is worker #4's quilt! roughly 24 hours after I started it. As you can see, I snipped all of the seams. To get the desired effect I just threw it into the washing machine.. this will help the edges fray and curl up a bit. Here is a picture of it BEFORE washing. I'll post the washed picture after it comes out of the dryer. Whoo Hoo!! I am proud, if I do say so myself!

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Our Visit w/ Rita (are YOU ready?)

During the pre-dawn hours of Sept 24, 2005 , Hurricane Rita paid a visit to Clover Country Farms.
It was just a few weeks after the horror stories from Hurricane Katrina hit the news. So luckily, we had preparations fresh on our minds because we knew that But By The Grace Of God... those stories could have been us.

As Rita made her way into the gulf we made sure we had everything put up or tied down that could blow in the fierce winds.
We put tin up all around the chicken & goat house to give my girls some better shelter.
We moved the pigs into a pen that didn't have such large trees around it.
We made sure all of our animals were tagged with our contact information just in case they got away due to damaged fences.

We watched the weather channel non-stop to see where they thought it was going to hit.
I decided I was not going to leave. I couldn't bare the thought of leaving my animals here with no-one to look after them! We were on high ground.. I was not worried about storm surges, I was not worried about flooding. But the high winds and tornadoes were on my mind.
The Man-of-My-Dreams said "We are leaving...." after the news said it was headed our way.

So we began our final preparations.
I filled all of the bathtubs & sinks & pots-n-pans with water. (good to have in case we came home to no water)

I put out several extra feed bins & hay bales for the critters. (I didn't want them hungry AND scared!)

I made sure every inch of our freezers were full of blocks of ice. (when you lose power the fuller and colder you can keep your freezer, the longer your food will be OK)

I stuck the oil lamps, extra oil, ammo and candles in our oven. (this way I'd know where they were when we returned home to a possible damaged and dark house.)

The men-folk boarded up windows.

We each had a small box of "special things" ready to grab and take with us. (just in case we came home to a ruined home.)

I filled a large cooler with drinks and snacks. Gas tanks full, our medicine/first-aid kit, and blankets and put it all in the car.(for the long drive and possible traffic nightmare)

Took all pictures and special breakables and put them in dresser drawers. (in hopes of keeping them safe and dry)

We had lots of canned goods, Lots of meat in the freezer, and plenty of water. (for our return)

I took pictures of everything in our house (for ins.)

Loaded the kids into the car. Loaded the 4-wheeler into the back of the truck (in case we had to deal with blocked roads on our way home)

That decision to leave was heartbreaking for me.
I can't say I wasn't crying as we drove out of the driveway. I snapped a few pictures, not knowing what we would find, if anything, when we returned.

To Be Continued....

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You might be a Homesteading Housewife If...

1.) If you have more pairs of rubber boots than most people have shoes. (and you actually wear em all!)

2.) Your new barn fund is growing faster than your kids college funds.

3.) You tell The-Man-of-Your-Dreams to order your baby chicks for Valentines Day instead of sparkly jewelry. (a diamond may last forever... but do they give you eggs?!?)

4.) Your horses get their teeth cleaned more often than you do.

5.) You have ever had you child say he wants to be a cow when he grows up.

6.) You realize you put more time & thought into the name of your newborn goats than the names of your children! (umm maybe it would be best NOT to tell the Short people bout that fact!)

7.) The High School AG teacher has ever called YOU to answer a question from a student.

8.) The smell of dirt is one of your favorite smells. (right on up there with a camp-fire)

9.) The big burly man who lives down the lane calls YOU (the girl!) to put down his favorite old horse.

10.) You have helped a goat give birth, made homemade noodles, nursed a fussy baby, and castrated a pig all before noon!

Feel free to browse the other You Might Be a Homesteading Housewife lists HERE.

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Are YOU ready? (part 1)

Let me start by saying that I am not talking about some big old Dooms-day-is-coming preparation thing here. (that's a whole nother topic that is covered by more than enough people already, if you look hard enough)

We live in Texas. We have hurricane season here...
Thus, we have hurricanes to worry about.
You might live up north where the threat of ice, snow and winter storms may be a concern.
Or maybe you live in Tornado ally... Oh joy!
Even if you don't live where there are extreme weather conditions, you can still lose power. A tree limb can fall on a power-line anywhere...

Are you ready and able to get along without power for a day? a week? a month?
Could you stay warm and dry?
Would you have enough to eat?
Could you stay comfortable in the hot summer-time?
What would you do with your children with no TV, no radio, no school?

Sounds like fun huh?
Well it is not fun... but it can be done.. it can even be kind of an adventure!

We found this out when Hurricane Rita came to our homestead for a visit.
In her aftermath The-man-of-my-dreams myself our 5 children and critters, were left with no power for several weeks.
Oh... and did I mention this was in the hottest part of the summer?... In Texas? fun fun fun!!

I'll start with our Hurricane Rita story tomorrow.
What we did right.
What we did wrong.
And what we learned.

Hang on to your hats y'all!
A storm is commin!

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You can Huff.... You can Puff..... (are YOU ready?)

Man oh Man what a storm we had last-night!
We knew it was coming so we prepared best we could.
We were under a tornado watch for hours.

Moved Jack & Jr into the pasture with the shed/barn.
Made sure the Smarter-than-your-average-cow & the Dumb-blond cow were safe.
Locked up all the other critters.
Moved the cars/trucks to safer places.
Tied everything down that could be tied down.

And, because we almost ALWAYS lose power in a storm...

Made sure the generator & oil lamps had gas/oil.
Had candles ready.
Cell phones charged.
Took showers early.
Unplugged anything that could be unplugged from the wall sockets (that weren't on surge protectors. We have lost enough over the years to power surges to know to do that!)

Then we went to bed as the storm blew in.
You know how they always say a tornado sounds like a freight train coming towards you?
Well... We have train tracks about 200' into the woods from our place.... we had actual freight trains coming through.. So That piece of advise helped none.

We slept peacefully through the night.

This morning...
the sun is shining.
everything is wet and soggy.
lots of branches and limbs down, a few pieces of tin blew off of the barn/shed roof.
But all is well.

It could have been a very scary night...
But we were not scared. cautious, yes. But not scared.
Isn't it nice to know you are as prepared as anyone can be in these type of situations?
God takes care of the rest.

We live in a place where hurricanes happen.
We have no control over the weather.

This would be a good time for everyone to take stock.. are you prepared?
Would you have the needed supplies and knowledge to be OK if you lost power for a day? a week? a month?

Over the next few days I'll go over our list and we'll figure out what we may or may not be missing in our preps.

Join me... maybe we'll all find our holes in our preparations and fix em before we really need em.

Have a great day!!
I'm off to pick up limbs and enjoy the soggy sunshine.

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Another Bad Mother Moment...

Well.....
I told ya bout taking worker #1 to get his driving permit.

This is a very exciting and important time in a young mans life.
He plans for it.
He dreams about it.
It's his path to freedom.
It's their way to manhood. (or so they think)
He studied for his test.
He took countless online practice tests.
He was ready.
He was excited.
and....

Mom (aka ME) couldnt find his Social Security card. (I last used it to enroll him in school. I have every other childs card BUT worker #1's!!)
I went to the Social Security office. (the DPS said the paper from Social Security wouldn't do, they need the card.)
Filled out the paperwork...
and have to wait for it to come in the mail.
3-4 weeks.

I suck.

and yep.. of course you can find this confession and many others from myself and other brave brave moms at
http://www.BadMothersAnonymous.com/

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Oooh Thank You!!

Thanks to Bob & the folks over at The Modern Homestead!

I feel special!! ((((blushing))))

If you'd like to read my interview on their site, just click here.

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White-Knuckling it today

Oh My Lord.....
Please pray for me today....
If you don't pray, please send warm safe thoughts....
if you don't do warm safe thoughts, do a dance for me....
If you don't dance, eat a piece of cheese-cake or something for me....

I am leaving my house...
Taking this kid to take his test at the DMV for his driving permit!!
HELP!!

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Child Labor (Start em Young!)

Ahhh the joys of child labor.

The Little-Foreman-in-Pink is quickly becoming worker #5!

She has to be a "big girl" and do whatever she can By Herself.

It's time to feed the critters...

She only fell in the feed barrel one time.
Notice her fashionable boots! (on the wrong feet of course)

She'll do work, but she'll do it with style!
These feed buckets are HEAVY!!

Don't worry though.. she is up for the task.
So serious about her work!
Yep.. the bucket is indeed full.

It's a long haul out to the donkey pen.
We do need to work on her ability to stay on task...
all it takes is a little red ball to distract her.
finally....
they eat.

Donkeys fed... time to walk the logs.


Now to give the cows their hay....
we do need to look for some platform rubber boots...

it's hard to throw hay over the fence when you are short!
She even gives them all treats.

She is growing so fast. I am so proud of my little girl.
But I must admit...
I cry a little bit every-time she says..
"I can Do It MYSELF!!"

**sniff**
my baby....

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www.BadMothersAnonymous.com

Whoo Hooo!
our Bad Mothers Anonymous is now official!!!

Check us out on www.BadMothersAnonymous.com
Read our Bad Mother Confessions
Or... if you have the guts....
Feel free to add your own!!

C-Ya there!!

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Reason He is The-Man-of-My-Dreams

He drives me CRAZY!
He finds what he wants and will not shut up about it till he has it.
He can speed-dial me and bug me until I give in.
He can get me so frustrated and mad that I threaten to poke out his eye with a fork.

Then all he has to do is walk through the door and I melt and am un-mad (I just love making up new words) once again.

Grrrrr...
Sometimes it would just feel good to poke his eye out!!!

**sigh** but that's another rant for another day.

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Cool Feelings....

When your on your way home from shopping, and you reach for your debit card and it isn't in your wallet. (don;t worry, it was in my pocket) that split second of freaking-out panic.
That's a cool feeling.

When you are in the bathroom... doing.. well.. what you DO in the bathroom... then you realize there is no toilet paper.
That's a cool feeling.

When you go to the Doctors office, are escorted into the little room to wait for him. Get undressed and wrap yourself in one of those really cool scratchy Dr's office gowns. Only to have him come in and say... Why are you undressed? I just wanna go over your lab results with you.
That's a cool feeling.

When you have been away from home for about 2 hours, and begin to wonder... "Did I remember to turn off the coffee pot?" (the next two hours are spent with visions of your house burning down in your head).
That's a cool feeling.

You go in for an important meeting at your child's school to talk to them about advanced placement for your little genius.... on your way home you see that you have deep burgundy lipstick smeared on all of your front teeth.
Now.. THAT'S a cool feeling!

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Look who moved in!!

There is something about a donkeys eyes....
They are so sweet....
So soulful.....
So gentle and kind....

Take Jack for instance....
Look at those eyes.



This is Jack's son, Jr.
standing pretty.
They are so sweet.
They especially took a liking to worker #4.
It didn't have anything to do with the apple-flavored treats he had in the red coffee can... Nope, nothin to do with them at all.

Jr on the other hand... fell in love with the Little-Foreman-in-Pink.
I was lucky enough to find these fellas and get them from a sweet older lady who loved them dearly, but could not take care of them anymore.

Jack is in great shape. But Jr, needs some weight put on him.
And if there is anything I can do.... It's fatten something up!


I am in love....
Just what I need in my life.....
More Jack-As*** (oh nevermind.... thats just too easy)

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Why?

1.) Why does The-Smarter-Than-Your-Average-Cow know exactly where the fence is a little weak when I don't have a clue? (brand new pasture... I walked the fence-line and it looked fine, 2 minutes she was out! grrrr)

2.) Why does the water pump to the well go out only when I have all of the Man-of-My-Dreams clothes to wash so he can go back to work?

3.) Why do they sell every single pressure valve for water pumps EXCEPT the one our water pump needs?

4.) Why does the salesman tell you "Oh this water pressure valve will work... It just looks different than the old one" when it does NOT.?

5.) Why does the check engine light come on when you are on your way to have the truck inspected? (did you know they will not pass a truck with it's check engine light on?)

6.) Why did the light company guy mix up MY house with my neighbors who did NOT pay their bill... and turn our power off? (Of course we were in town buying the wrong water pump pressure valve when he did this)

7.) Why did it take 3 hours for the light company man to get back to our house to turn the power back on??

8.) Why can't the Man-of-My-Dreams boss call on a day that we are doing nothing to tell him he has to come back to work (out of state!) early for an important meeting.?

9.) Why did a bird decide to fly off course and hit my window right after we changed the glass, and never ever when it was already cracked?

10.) Why didn't I just stay in bed yesterday?

yep.... it was a real winner!

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I will NOT sleep !

For the first time in forever I have no Men-folk in the house!
The two younger ones are in Houston with their father.
The two older ones are at a friends house.
The Man-of-My-Dreams is working out of town.

It's just the Little-Foreman-in-Pink and I here tonight. (did you make note of the perfect grammar there? You might wanna cause it aint gonna happen again till 2012 or so.) But she is no help... she fell asleep in the car on the way home and is still crashed!

It's not that I'm not tired... I am dog tired!
I could easily drift off into a drooling-shamelessly-slumber all by myself in my schmooshy bed.

But shouldn't I be doing something that doesn't happen when the men folk are here?

like...
Siting on the couch nekkid watching Big Love re-runs and eating ice cream right out of the container with tons of whipped cream (you know, the spray kind.. I just love the spray kind.. how can you here the sound of the fake whipped cream coming out of an aerosol can and NOT smile?) loads of fake red maraschino cherries, and sprinkles.

Or popcorn with an additional stick of melted butter poured on top. (so much butter ya need a spoon to eat your pop-corn) While sipping yummy hot cocoa?

Maybe I should be wearing a mud mask and giving myself a pedicure, while sitting in front of the magnifying mirror plucking hairs that somehow have managed to stray off course? (dont'cha just hate those hairs?!?)

Or I could be a good mom and clean everything that needs cleaning? (I couldn't even type that one with a straight face!)

I could actually sit down and write thank-you notes for Christmas gifts.

Any other ideas?

Cause I'm sitting here fully dressed....
Writing here and listening to the TV that is still showing kiddie cartoons!!

**sigh**
I'm goin to bed....
Nite Nite

I just hope I don't dream of this fella **shudder**

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Join BMA (Bad Mothers Anonymous) !!

Our club is growing!!
I'm in the process of launching the Official BMA web site!

Please feel free to drop in and add your own
BMA confessions...
or read some of ours ----> HERE

Remember.. there is no such thing as a "perfect" Mom!

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