Sunday Blessings _ May 31, 2020

My Sunday blessings post today is written with a lot of pain in my heart. I have written a post as to why my heart is broken and so for this I just want to share a few photos and a Bible verse. 

Thank God he is my strength today and everyday!

This little lady is my blessing each day!

Please share your blessings with us each Sunday! Just link up below!

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My Heart Is Broken

My heart is broken for so many reasons this morning and I am finding it hard to write my thoughts down. The farm is my happy place and I am thankful to be here this morning. My safety doesn't feel threatened here and my heart feels blessed here, but still broken. 

First of all, a dear family friend lost his mother last night. Please say a prayer for Marge's family. Her son and my brother were childhood friends and so her and my mom became friends as well. Later in life, ( I was 22 or 23), her son and I dated for awhile and when he left for Desert Storm, I was thankful to be able to be with him as he left and visit with her as she struggled with him leaving. Although, we did not continue dating, her son and I have remained very close friends and he has even lived with my husband and I several times where he has struggled with life. Marge and her husband allowed me to travel to North Carolina a couple of times to see him while he was in training there and they remained a close part of our family for all these years. 

I visited with her several months ago, but then Co-Vid 19 hit and I was not comfortable visiting her as I knew her health was already compromised. I was able to call her and I was able to keep telling her that I loved her and that I would always watch over her son. She worried about him so because he has struggled with many issues throughout his life, much of it caused by PTSD, I am sure. 

My heart also is broken due to the state of unrest that our country is in. The racial divide seems to be getting larger everyday and there truly is no reason for it. Skin color is no reason to divide people! Mr. George Floyd did not deserve to die on that street with that police officer on his neck and two other officers on his back and legs. His family did not deserve to lose him in that manner. The police officers family will also suffer a loss as he goes to prison, where he deserves to be. 

Blacks, whites, Hispanics, Italians, Jewish, Christian, Muslim, - all races and religions should be allowed to live together and get along without these kinds of issues separating us. God loves each of us and holds all of us in His hands. He doesn't approve of the looting, burning and destruction that is happening in many cities throughout the US right now. 

Peaceful protests will work if done right. However, white police officers killing black men, has been protested in many ways and it seems to continue to happen. Stephen Jackson, a former Indiana Pacer player, spoke yesterday and said he " is tired of" these acts and "is tired of showing love for others and getting none back". I understand this! 

I am not writing of this to start a political issue or to spark any kind of confrontation or argument here, I just simply feel my heart needs to speak. During a discussion yesterday, I was referred to as an overprivileged white girl- well, I have never been privileged other than being born white and I don't consider that being priviledged. I grew up poor and in a home with an alcoholic abuser. I have worked hard to get what we have and since being married,  my husband and I have put in many long, hard hours of labor to get the things that we have. 

My opinion is that to earn respect, you show respect. To have a good life, you work your butt off and make it happen. I believe that the devil has a good hold on our country and he is not letting go for awhile! Stay safe wherever you are! 

A Day's Work On The Farm

Hello! Most days by work begins early and continues until around 11 p.m. I am usually up around 5:30 a.m. and I begin my day by having a cup of coffee and my devotional. I will also usually spend 30 minutes or so reading before Mr. F is up for the day as he likes to sleep till 7.

I always have his coffee made before he gets up and starts his day. Call it old fashioned or crazy, but I feel it is my place to have his coffee ready. I am already up and having coffee and it is not hard to place a K Cup into the coffee maker and make a cup of coffee. 

Since mornings are the only time we really have to talk to each other, this is our time to share what is planned for the day. His phone usually starts ringing by 8 a.m., so we usually chat for an hour before my work begins. First chore of the day, usually occurs around 8 a.m., as animals are wanting to know where their food is. LOL! A trip to the barn to feed horses, cows, chickens, and the pigs followed by feeding the dogs, cat, and checking on my father in law. 

Following that, I usually work the time that I am scheduled with the home health agency for my father-in-law and then I work on farm work again after lunch. During the time, I am with my father in law, I am cleaning and cooking for him and planning what the rest of my day will be like. 

Once my work is done there, I continue home to begin lunch and check emails. Once lunch is over and dishes are finished, I tend to cleaning the house, working on the plants outside, doing any yard cleanup that might need to be finished. Usually, I try to be finished with this by 3 p.m. so that I can make a quick trip to the bank , post office, or store if needed. 

From 3 p.m. to 5 p.m., I attempt to work on my Pink Zebra business, learn new things about the Melaleuca business that my daughter is involved in, plan some activities for my grand doll for the week, and make phone calls. Those two hours go fast and I never finish all that I need to do. 

Time to begin dinner and you can almost always count on that being at least a two hour slot of time. I have a hard working husband and he enjoys his meat and potatoes meal. Even if he doesn't get many potatoes because of being diabetic. He is usually in by 6 to eat and I can't leave a dirty dish before I leave my kitchen. 

Following dinner, it is time to feed the dogs again, take my shower, finish paper work that I might need to do, catch up any orders that I have not finished for the day, or simply finish a letter, or possibly some preferred hobby, I might be working on. It is a busy day, but that is how our house works! 

Whew! I am tired just writing about it, so imagine living it. I love farm life and I love being a farm wife, but it is tough at times. 

Take care! 

Days on The Farm - During Co-Vid 19 Quaratine

Many of you are fully aware of the work that comes with the animals that we have and all the other aspects of living on a hobby farm, but I wanted to share some photos of the things that we have been doing while being quarantined due to Co-Vid 19. 

The nice thing about living in a rural area and on this small farm is that there is plenty to do while having to stay home and plenty of land to roam around on, while being home. We have taken plenty of walks on the property and we have found many plants and other fun things while doing our walks. With the grand doll being next door, it is easy to see her and since she had been with us when things started getting bad, we continued to see her as if we had been exposed, then she had as well. 

She was very proud of herself for getting these plants ready for us. Plus, she loved the wild flowers (the yellow plants) that she chose for me. 

She was careful to get the seeds exactly where she wanted them. It is so exciting to see her learning while doing something to help us out. 

This is the way we start our plants for our garden here. I use recycled K Cups.

With this large front yard, who needs to leave? We were excited to get this large wooden swing set as it helps with being bored.

This small flower garden area near the porch is another spot that we have worked on some. I truly need to purchase mulch soon. There are some nice lilies coming up here. 

The remainder of the wood piles that need to be used and restacked. My Christmas tree near the back of the trampoline that I replanted from last Christmas is still green and growing, but keeps leaning to the right. I need to put some more dirt around it today. The fence in the background has seen better days and will be gotten rid of this year. 

Rocky, our new puppy. We adore him and he does well with staying around without the fence, but he had been chasing chickens, so he was in trouble. He's really a good companion around here too!

Doesn't she clean up good? This was Easter and she was so excited the Easter Bunny had been here. She looked so pretty in her dress!

She had company, her cousin from Virginia, and they were able to ride Sugar for a bit. Of course, it was an argument over who would ride first. I explained that T did not have horses at home and needed to ride first. It was okay then. 

Of course, Sugar does ride double so they were both able to ride at one point. That made them happy! Usually, never need two helmets, but this taught us to purchase another one, which I can say is now in the tack room. 

We decided that we would go for a walk on the library story walk one day to get out and about. She loves to go and I don't mind at all. It's a short trip and a beautiful area, when it is sunny and warm. 

A nice place to sit and rest along the longer trail at the library. 

More photos of the library and the story walk. Each little stand has a page or two of the book on it.

This blessing box is near the trail, as you can see, and it is a spot where we take items weekly to place in for less fortunate people to be able to pick up some food and other items. I have a plan to make some nice packets for here later in the week and we will take up for my grand doll's birthday as a way to give back. 

This is our free little library. We use this as well and some days it has been a bright spot to get a new book while we were giving some away. I love the idea of these little libraries! 

This is a nice statue in the "courtyard" of the library and many of the kids that visit like to play here. 

A sign of our freedom! What a lovely sight even against the cloudy, gloomy skies.

I will leave you with a sight of our favorite bird feeder in the yard. Our bird bath sits below it, which will be moved later as it gets too much feed in it now. I am hoping to learn to make some suet cakes soon like these as I can no longer purchase them anywhere near us. 

I hope you have enjoyed a few days here on the farm. Talk to you all soon! 

Celebrating Mom - Sunday Blessings # 11

Mother's Day- a day to celebrate Mom! What an honor that we have a day to celebrate the woman that gave us life. I am combining my posts today to include a tribute to my mom who I am blessed to have in my life and what a better Sunday Blessing post. 

Feel free to link up to my Sunday Blessing post and share your own blessings for today!

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Many of my readers will remember that a few years ago, my mom suffered a rare medical condition that placed her in ICU for a month and then in rehab for another month. Her life hung in the balance for a long time as she was only given a 5 % chance of surviving the surgery that she desperately needed several hours before our local hospital bandaid station realized just what was truly wrong with her. The original diagnosis was pneumonia, which I questioned multiple times, but was told that they were sure that was the issue. Instead, she had ruptured her esophagus and was very septic when they realized what was wrong. 

Anyway today, she is 84 years old and going strong! She still drives on her own, went on vacation on her own last summer, cooks her own meals, and multiple other things on her own. She is quite amazing. My mom worked in retail most of her life, so I am fully aware that she was never in a position of easy work. She was married for 19 years to a man that abused her multiple times and would drink up the money she earned while she tried to raise my brother and I. Her life has not been easy and yet, she is happy and carefree most of the time. Anytime you see her, she is smiling and when asked how she is , she always comments " Mean as ever". Isn't that special? 

The first photo is when she was so very sick and the second is before her second surgery to repair her esophagus.

These are photos taken with her grandkids and great grandkids. Also, one of her opening Christmas gifts, which always include a puzzle. She can do some of the toughest in a matter of a few hours. 

Celebrating Easter last year.

Four Generations( with my mother in law in the background).

A classic picture of Mom on the farm.

Friday On The Farm

Another week has passed while we are still dealing with the Co-Vid 19 virus and the many changes that it has brought into our lives. As I hear unemployment numbers and the death toll that this virus has brought with it, I am deeply saddened. I worry that we will see many more spikes in unemployment as companies begin to attempt to reopen under new guidelines as to how to operate businesses and that some will find that the guidelines are just not workable. I worry that many employers will find new ways to run their businesses with fewer employees in order to cut back on expenses and the number of people in offices and other work spaces. 

What accomplishments have you made this week? I have not felt well most of the week and so I have been taking life a little easier than in the past. I have still accomplished a bit this week. Normal housework is finished and normal cooking has been done. I have also managed to keep my office space organized and I am still working on some of it. I also have managed to work my Pink Zebra business quite a bit as well. Sales have been very good lately and for that I am thankful. I am very satisfied with where I am in the company and what this company allows me to do. My husband was thrilled with my commission check this month as well. He seen a profit. LOL!

Today, I have made a trip to town to purchase some supplies, caught up on all feedback on eBay purchases, managed to text some friends, spend time with my grand doll, and actually make a really nice dinner as well. Pork roast with twice baked potatoes, green beans, rolls, and strawberry shortcakes for dessert. It is going to be a nice Friday night dinner! I do enjoy cooking when I have the time to spend making plans for it. I do not like to hurry to cook a meal. My husband says my hurry meals are better than my thought out ones, but I certainly don't feel as they are. 

I have brought all of my garden plants in as we are under a freeze warning tonight. Freeze warning in May is absolutely ridiculous! I just am amazed that we are to be that cold tonight. I certainly hope my onions that I planted yesterday are able to survive the cold. I am thankful that we have not planted our garden yet! I would be so upset. I just pray that following Mother's Day our weather improves and we begin to see some spring temperatures and plenty more sunshine. It seems as though the month of April was cold and wet and now May is following the same path. I prefer sunshine and warmer temperatures myself. 

My daughter will finally be able to go dress shopping on Monday for her wedding dress. I am so excited! I am very glad that she is able to go as she has really been stressing about it since two appointments were cancelled before now. I am hoping she finds one that she loves! I know I found one, but I am not sure that she is going to agree to the price it is. I will help all that I can with her getting it if possible! It is a beautiful dress! I can't wait to be able to share photos of her in a dress, but I guess that will be awhile since her wedding is not until May of 2021. 

Well, I better finish dinner and see where the working man is. He should be about done considering it is Friday and he knows I have a nice dinner planned. Have a great weekend!

Planting Hacks - Down on The Farm

For many years, I have made annual trips to the store to purchase peat moss cups, potting soil, as well as seeds to start our garden vegetables for the season. The past couple of years, I have been a little more frugal and decided that I should share these ideas to help someone else. Recycling can save a family plenty of money and we all know that, so this is a time saver and a money saver. Depending on what the cups cost at your house and whether you use the items that I am going to tell you about will depend on if this saves your family money or not.

Normally, a large part of our supplies each year are these small brown earthy type cups that are called peat moss cups. You are able to purchase them, add potting soil, and then put your seeds into them, and even add the cup to the dirt as you plant in the garden as they are decomposable. 

However, I am truly not a fan of these as I think that they are such a waste of money each year. I would rather have something reusable or use something that I already am putting to waste. I improvised last year and this year and now will share the hack with you. I have been using empty K Cups that are coffee are in. Yes, the little plastic cups that you place in your Keurig or other brand individual coffee maker. I simply clean them out and give them a quick rinse and let them dry. Then I add my potting soil and my seeds. They work great!  They are the perfect size and even have a small drain hole in them. 

   Another hack that I want to share today is that you can also start your seeds in egg cartons. Add soil or potting mix to each individual egg spot and place a seed or two in each one and you instantly have a small indoor spot for these seeds to begin to grow.  I have used egg cartons for many things over the years, but I had never thought of them as a garden spot until this year. Some of even cardboard, which is possible to plant with the plant in it and allow the cardboard just to rot away in the ground. I usually remove my plants, but my daughter has planted some of hers and the plants are fine. Of course, I recommend cutting them apart if you intend to do that. 

My daughter has also used some plastic trays that we decent size to plant in this year and some paper cups. Oh, another hack those small cups like you would have for the bathroom that are paper, those work amazingly too. Use your imagination and you will find that there are many options available in place of those cups that you must purchase each year. Recycle, reuse, and reduce the waste in our landfills! 

HAPPY FARMING

Life on the Farm During Quarantine -Adding Exotics

Our state has decided to slowly reopen as it seems that suddenly everyone is concerned about working and getting back to their normal lives. I am still deeply concerned about bringing this virus home to my family and I won't allow myself to get drawn into the hurry to open and go back to whatever normal life is. My only normal will revolve around the work that the farm takes and the animals and people that are here. The cows, horses, chickens, and ducks still have to be cared for daily. My father in law still needs daily help and my mom is still here with us. My grand doll is still next door and is still one of my favorite people in the world. Not much has changed their, but life has slowed and many of you are fully aware that I needed that. 

I have done many things while in quarantine and I have greatly enjoyed it. I have read, written some of a book that I someday hope to publish, I have begun working on some pictures that needed to be in albums. I have also worked on many things that needed to be cleaned up and many things that have needed to be sorted through. I am also working to make sure that I do a deep sanitizing routine on a daily basis of our home. My husband is still working daily and so I worry that with my home health job and his job, we really need to be more sure that sanitizing is much more common than before and more detailed. I Lysol the floor each day when I steam mop and I sanitize the counters, door handles, and even the toilet seat daily. 

I have also searched for a zebra. Yes, a zebra. As in a four legged animal, with stripes. 

I have wanted one for many years and I think that I could easily put one in with my horse and once they were together for a bit, would get along fine. I love zebras and find that they are beautiful and amazing animals. I truly want to bring one to the farm. Is there an exotic animal that you would like to have?

I have also thought that a zedonk would be fun as well. They are simply a mix of two animals and might be a little calmer than just a regular donkey. My daughter would like to have a sloth, but after reading a bit about them, I am not sure that they would be a good farm pet. Do you know much about slothes?

Isn't he cute?

I am thinking that I should own an exotic zoo as many of the animals that I truly think are special are exotic. Being exotic can be special and would be such an unique aspect to the farm. I just need to convince my husband that we need to add them.

I doubt that I get to add either of these to the farm, but I would like too and I can still dream!

Sunday Blessings #10

Good Sunday Morning and it looks as though it will be a beautiful morning. I am so thankful for sunshine and warmer temperatures. As our state begins to lift some restrictions and allow retailers and other business to reopen following this month of pandemic, I will say that I am thankful for the reset button I have been able to use and recharge my battery so to speak. Life was hectic and it seemed as though always throwing curve balls my way, but now things have settled and are at a slower pace for my family and I am enjoying the time. Yes, I miss my friends but I am able to speak with them on video calls and over the phone. We have set up a group text that we check with others daily on and it is such a nice way to keep in touch. 

Anyway, my daughter and I were able to look at a couple of venue ideas yesterday for her wedding. We looked at a church that she truly loves, but I am not sure that it is large enough and then we know the fellowship hall is not large enough for the reception. Also, we looked at a fire station. It is large enough and we could do the reception there as well, but I am just not sure of how we will make it decorative enough that pictures won't include a lot of fire gear and other items that might not add to the wedding photos. I was not as excited as she was about the fire station, but it would work. I just need to see some way of making it beautiful for her perfect day!

I was also able to see a friend yesterday that I had only seen once in a month and that was through her front door when I made a porch drop. It was nice to see one another and actually spend the time talking, wedding planning and just visiting. How we have taken things for granted lately and I will not allow myself to do it again. Family, friends, and just everyday life is special and we can make small memories really special if we try. I have enjoyed seeing more families talk of playing board games and spending time hiking and other outdoor activities that I truly believe some had simply let go of due to so many sports, school activities, work , etc. Work seems to control our lives and it is sad. I am fully aware that people need to make money, but children need their parents. Children need the parents to be focused and attentive to them. So many parents, I feel allow the schools and sports coaches to be the influencers in their lives, when it should be the other way around. 

I was looking at a site earlier this week and found their list to be one that I feel every family could benefit from by putting some of the ideas into their daily lives. Read it here. We need to actively engage with our children daily! We need to make sure they know that we are able to spend time listening to them and being with them. Many parents seem to always be on the phone, on the computer, or just simply ignoring their children and that is not acceptable. Many families have mentioned how nice it is to sit down and eat at home together. My question is why is that not a daily practice? Why do children not eat at the table with their parents these days? 

Just take the rest of the time that we are in this pandemic to relax a bit, spend time with your loved ones, enjoy the simple moments in time, enjoy a virtual chat with a friend and share a cup of coffee, tea, or a glass of wine. Enjoy a special phone call with a parent, grandparent, brother, sister, aunt, uncle, cousin, or a child. Sent a note to someone special to let them know you are thinking of them. Take a care package to an elderly neighbor or family member and make a porch drop. All of these actions might be a bright spot in someone's life! Care for one another! 

This is my Sunday Blessing Meme and I hope that my Mr. Linky link works today, although it has not seemed to recently. IF any one read this and it is not working, please tell me what is wrong if you know. Thank you! I will leave you with my Sunday Blessing photo and God Bless You! Please feel free to link up if the link works and feel free to share with your other blogger friends.

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