Applehead

2011

2011-12-22T12:26:00.002-05:00

2011 is almost finished. It has been a rough year, to say the least. Diagnosed with skin cancer in March, June was taken up with chemo and then I have a lower dosage three times a week until next August. Side effects include: dizziness, MUCH fatigue, and chemo brain. It's annoying more than anything. That's it. That's as much of an update as you get. I'm doing fine. thanks for asking. Let's hope 2012 goes better...

Hi there.

2010-05-09T11:21:00.002-04:00

Vivian vomited in the car on the way to church this morning. the other three kiddos are not happy at all that they had to turn around and could not go to church. Mamaw came through as we passed her on the way back home and brought them along with here. Viv and I are cleaning the house. Stephanie is working at the cracker barrel as usual. Papaw is raking the hay today, we should be baling it tomorrow. The strawberries are starting to ripen. it won't be long until a blanket of red covers the hillside. I know the date today. I see how long it has been since I posted. You would get this update and more if you followed me here. I'm funnier there I promise. Here is the facebook page for the farm.

2009-12-14T16:12:00.004-05:00

I learned many lessons during my college career. One of them being you can't do everything. My freshman year I was in the concert choir, show choir, opera scenes, spring musical, symphonic band, jazz band and saxophone quartet. Plus my course studies, private voice lessons, getting married at Christmas (which I didn't do much in the planning stages, looking back. That's another post.)

I tell you this because every year, our church has a Christmas dinner. I had a friend come up to me yesterday and ask me if I was going. I replied, "I hadn't planned on it, I have all the kids, Stephanie is working." etc. He, in turn, gave me reasons why I should be able to make it. I didn't have to bring anything, there will be plenty of food, good entertainment, just show up, etc. I left feeling bad that I had no intentions of coming. Later on that evening I was thinking about it. I gave him valid reasons. Stephanie works 12 hour days on the weekends, I work 50 hour weeks, not including the private lessons I have picked up during the week AND the farm work. This whole paying down debt thing is takes hard work, patience, time and then some. It would have nice to have been able to go the the church dinner, but it was nice to have an evening to relax. I can't do everything, I learned that lesson about 15 years ago.

Nolan and I baked a cake from scratch last night. It has been dubbed the Watermelon Cake.

What!?!? two days in a row? Fail.

2009-11-19T17:07:00.004-05:00

I was visiting a school today (as I do everyday.) The teacher and I got into a conversation about students failing. He stated that it is easier to give the student a D- then to fail them. I was shocked. Really? If you give a student an F, then you need to prove that you tried to teach that concept, idea, whatever, etc ten times. We were talking about children who have IEPs (Individualized Education Program) and normal children (who doesn't have an IEP anymore, btw?) so I could get this wrong. The point is it is easier to give a student a D- than fail them. That is the most absurd, asinine thing I have ever heard. What kind of teaching is that? Is the system really set up that way? Some teachers take the easy road when I know this is reality I have been around the block, I taught in the public schools. I know what goes on.

Seriously? This is why society is like it is today. Nobody fails anymore. We give participation trophies to all the kids in little league even though they didn't win a game. We have kids now that can't hold jobs as adults because they were never taught how to learn from failure as a child. Let me share something I teach my children: FAILURE IS YOUR BEST FRIEND. We learn from failure. We pick ourselves up off the ground and try again until we succeed. That is what the country is founded on and that is how this country has succeeded for the past 233 years.

I could go on for a while, but I just wanted to share the conversation that I had today. Full disclosure: I taught for a year in public school, my wife taught for four years in middle school, bless her heart, and we home school all four of my children (no IEPs), and live on a farm in the middle of nowhere so you can't find us.

who is this?

2009-11-18T13:23:00.002-05:00

Don't adjust your computer screen..I am posting. I drove past Kroger's today. They have Christmas trees set out to buy. Did I time travel two weeks into the future? Has Thanksgiving come and gone already? The answer is no. I don't time travel (yet), Thanksgiving hasn't passed me by. Why do the retailers think that Thanksgiving does not exist? Why did I watch a Christmas special on TV BEFORE Thanksgiving?!? Do they think we will spend more money if they advertise earlier? The answer is yes, probably. I won't spend more, but other people might. there is a statistic out there somewhere.

I haven't been out to hunt this fall yet. I have been picking up the slack on the farm lately because Paul has been to the hospital more often than not in the last month. He is doing great btw. I'm am not complaining. I enjoy the work at the farm and I will get out to hunt this fall eventually. The chicken house is almost completed. The kids think the attic is their new playhouse. My brother and his friend came down to hunt Monday, It was nice to see him, can't wait until he stays a bit longer next time.

Well then, I might post again before Christmas... Be sure to follow me on twitter, and even if you don't twitter, just put twitter.com/t100acres in your reader subscription and your all set.

work has slowed down.

2009-09-29T11:25:00.001-04:00

but I haven't. I will check in here and there. Follow me.

Why I didn't bother going to work on Friday.

2009-08-03T10:11:00.003-04:00

more progress on the chicken house.

2009-07-28T21:36:00.003-04:00

Here are the updated pictures from this morning. Tomorrow morning we will set the 11 trusses. Then we move onto the roofing.

chicken house in progress

2009-07-26T19:24:00.003-04:00

Here are some pics of the chicken house. All of the wood you see here except the sheets at the end of the floor, and the 2x8 plates on top of the walls are native wood. Right out of the woods we live in.

Kellen's birthday

2009-07-22T11:12:00.003-04:00

Yesterday we took Kellen and Miles to see Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince. I thought it was very well done. After that we took some old band instruments into be salvaged and managed $186.91. Not too bad of an income for an eleven year old. Then when back home to enjoy homemade pizza, topped with anchovies and portobello mushrooms. We then baled about 130 bales of hay, unloaded 2 tons of hog feed, and played some Legend of Zelda, Twilight Princess on the Wii. I haven't played it yet, but you know I will be on it soon. Thanks Mom and Dad! My back has been giving me fits lately. I am in good shape, but every now then, I pull something out of whack in my lower back. Can't tell you what it is, because I don't know. It takes about a week to get over. Then I am back to normal. It happens about every 6 months.

This morning, we unloaded the rest of the calf and cow feed (1ton) and finished up installing the floor for the chicken coop/storage building. We will be firing up the saw mill very soon.

In case you don't follow me on Twitter, or see me on facebook, here's a sample of what you're missing:

Speechless

2009-07-14T14:06:00.003-04:00

We have had it. We have waited long enough. The speed was killing me. The grinding of the gears, the dust accumulating. The thing is almost 10 years old. I am rarely on it at home. I deliberately wait to get on at work. Heck, my phone is faster at home. I decided we needed to get a new one. I have a friend at work who is a real geek at this stuff. He said he would build it for me for free. So here's what I got.

Midsize tower with 450Watt PS

22" LCD monitor(that's bigger than our first television.)

Operating System-Vista Home Premium with free upgrade to Windows 7 Coupon

350Gig HD

DVD Burner

4Gig RAM

512Mb Video Card

Gigabyte Motherboard

Dual Core 2.5Ghz Intel

All for $529.92

I am speechless. I can't wait until next week.

I will continue the Tim Allen grunting for the next year..... argh, argh, argh

Anyone need a fiberglass sousaphone?

2009-07-06T12:25:00.005-04:00

I thought the summer days at work would be boring, but it didn't turn out that way. I ended up working at our Charleston office for almost three weeks. We were doing inventory and we have 5 garages (that's right five) that had stuff in piles and they didn't know what to do with it all. I suggest that we build shelves and organize a bit. The boss agreed. So I went out and spent a lot of his money buying steel shelves and assembling them in the garages after everything was taken out. I was able to get one picture while working. We could not believe the amount of fiberglass sousaphones he had.

After two and a half weeks or so, I built 20 steel shelves, and one from scratch

(wood). Stephanie said I should have taken pictures and put it in her make it from scratch carnival, but I was only able to take the two pictures.
you can see from the picture on the left, that there are four garages on the right hand side. That is how much stuff we have. I convinced him to throw things out that needed to be tossed, but we are still saving more stuff to be rebuilt and sold at a later date.

You can see the size of the garage and what is looked like after we took all the sousaphones out.

So, now that I am in Huntington, I have a load of stuff to list on Ebay, and I have to gear up and get ready for band camps. Then you wont see me until October. Between all the things going on at the farm, and work. I should be pretty busy. Follow me on Twitter for a more rants and raves.

O my

2009-06-19T18:56:00.003-04:00

sorry I haven't been writing this month. The boss has me working in Charleston, so I have limited computer time. I have been building shelves for the office for floors that haven't seen the light of day for about 20 years and that's no joke. After 10 days and 20 shelves, I think I'm done building shelves. I seriously need to start selling things...

Stephanie is having a party tonight woman's night out I guess. I am tired and busy. This week I switched from diet to regular pop. I have been physically working hard enough to justify it.

I don't think there is any more non important stuff to tell you. Follow me on twitter you read more of me there for sure.

extra pig barn income Palm pre

2009-06-06T10:37:00.002-04:00

With Stephanie working on the weekends the extra income has been nice. She has been working for three months now and don't tell anyone, but I think she likes it. I know my bank account has enjoyed it tremendously.

Work provides my cell phone(pictured) and it provided the best that was out there at the time. It is nice. I enjoy using it and most of the time it get better internet that at home. the palm pre is being released soon I think. I don't know, because I don't buy the first version of any electronics gizmo out there. I always wait until it has been out for a while for a number of reasons:

Price. It is always better to wait. Especially electronics. The phone work provided me was obsolete after 6 months.The price always goes down with time.
Version. It gets an upgrade about 2-3 months after the first release.
Did I mention price? The best financial decision is made with time. Plus, you will almost always get the better price with time.

Here's a post that says to wait on the palm pre that I totally agree with.

This month should be the start of the pig farrowing. We have four sows that are all due within 4 weeks of each other. I should post pictures but I am too tired to think about it after the fact. So if anyone wants a feeder pig come fall organic, hormaone free, free ranged hog let me know. it is good. We will have about 35 available....

summer work goat

2009-05-28T11:55:00.002-04:00

Well, most of my schools are out for the summer. and that means I am back in the office. inventory week is coming and collections (repo horns) are about to be collected, things that go on in the office. I will also be sitting in front of the computer more too.

I need to find another source of income. Stephanie has been kicking my butt lately in this area. She is crushing our debt each week and I love her for it. We have paid off at least two credit cards AND we are caught up on the mortgage (rental in A-town) that was behind 3 months. we are continuing to plug away at it and it feels good. I would highly suggest anyone in debt get out of debt ASAP. No matter what. It has been a hard lesson learned.

At the farm, we have been rotating cows and sheep in different pastures. We are almost to the point of a nice rotation to get the most out of all the pastures. We baled 130 bales of hay the week before memorial day weekend, dug a duck pond and filled it. This week it is mowing the pastures for even growth, (I still have a goat to butcher as well) then on to the saw mill to cut wood to add onto the pig barn that will house 4 sows and their litters that will show up in mid June. After that more hay, then I don't know what...

So about the Cavs.... I write this Thursday before game 5. Do I care? yes and no. I grew up too emotionally involved with Cleveland sports, so now that I am an adult, and moved 4 hours away... It is easier to deal with the consistant losing in Cleveland. So I still like Cleveland sports? Absolutely. Is my week effected by a Browns/Cavs/Indians loss? No. that's all I have to say about that.

I have been spending more time on Wolfram|Alpha lately. that is a fun website. and more time playing Super Mario Galaxy. I have 45 stars now....

2009-05-25T16:41:00.001-04:00

Finished watching night at the museum. Very funny. Worth watching. Hank Azaria is classic. The movies are expensive, $37.50 for the 6 of us.

2009-05-23T13:13:00.001-04:00

I am sitting and waiting for a teacher. Getting a lot of work done this week. Jake and delilah are down for the weekend. Listening to relpays of LBJ...

Wolfram|Alpha

2009-05-18T19:01:00.002-04:00

Has anyone else seen this? Thanks Michael for letting us in on this. Kellen should have a good time here and everyone else that likes geeky stuff.

2009-05-16T10:30:00.001-04:00

stephanie is a canning machine..stoptheride.net

2009-05-14T16:44:00.001-04:00

blogger has made it easy for me to post from my phone now. Expect more..

Nolan Bday Sheep and Vans

2009-05-12T09:49:00.003-04:00

Happy Birthday Nolan! He is 5 already. I can't believe it. I am old. Kellen gave him a sword and shield. Making it out of an old metal trash can lid and a dowel rod. He even painted it metallic silver. I heard a rumor that we might be getting another wii game as well. That's not a bad birthday at all.

Saturday, we sheared all the sheep. I think it went well. we were all tired after that day's work. Sunday we ran more electric fence to start rotating the sheep in pastures.

Yesterday, the homeschoolers thing made it into the local paper. You can read it here.

Worked on vehicles this morning, Have to replace the motor mounts and and transmission fluid in the '95 plymouth Van. We rotated the tires and pulled the brakes on the work truck.

As far as the gardening is concerned I have done nothing but haul manure. The early garden has been producing lots o' lettuce, and radishes. but the ducks ate all of the snow peas. We did contain the ducks. It should be easier to find their eggs. Oh, and one of the hens are sitting on her nest. I will try to update you more often.

google competing with facebook?

2009-05-01T09:46:00.003-04:00

As I was checking my emails and watching some twitters fly by. Something came across that looked interesting, and scary. This article states that google is starting to provide profiles of the people you search for.Here's a small example from the article:

Now Google itself is offering some solace. Last week, the company gave self-Googlers more power to control their online image. Now, in addition to everything else that Google turns up on a vanity search, it will also display a link to your Google Profile—a page that Google is encouraging everyone to create. Type in "farhad manjoo," and at the bottom of the first page you'll see a link to my profile, which leaves out the nasty bits—I tell the world about my job, my schooling, my link-blog, and my book but not that some people on the Web have accused me of villainy.

I might be getting a little skittish about the government and computers taking over any thing. If you read or know me very well there's no doubt that I am getting a little anxious over everything that going down. I had a band director that just retired a year ago that would not touch a computer saying they were from the devil. Most of that came from not wanting to enter any grades and attendance for his job. I tried to explain to him that there is as much new technology in the phone that he is wearing on his belt that is in that computer he wouldn't touch...

So I have been getting the yucky feeling about google for a while now. They know too much already and now they are inviting you in deeper into the google realm. Is there any place where google does not have their hand in? I'll admit I did delete my open office apps and use only google docs now. We shall see. and yes, I went ahead and filled out my profile in google. I don't know if I am already sucked in and can't escape, but I'll still be cautious. I can still hit delete blog any time. (I hope)

they say it's your birthday

2009-04-21T08:21:00.002-04:00

Now every one knows I am a whack job reading Ron Paul. Get over it.
Why would anyone in their right mind vote for this thing again?
Click here

http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=s111-324

It is my birthday. who hoo. Stephanie, send Kellen out mushroom hunting.I am grossing people out left and right now. What else can I divulge for you people to think I am a whack job, nothing much you don't know it already. Thanks for all the b day wishes on face book already...

Here's a nice b day present..

Wii Music chicks washers budgeting science lesson

2009-04-17T10:06:00.003-04:00

One of my teachers I call on let me barrow his Wii Music. It has been fun and I would recommend it if you were thinking about buying it. Stephanie say she hates to play music theory with me because I can't help but tell her the right answers. I get all the answers right anyway, I should too, I paid some serious cash(college) to know this stuff. back to the pros, instrument playability is very smooth for any instrument. It makes it s easy at first but then when you get the basics down you need to incorporate the buttons to do glissandos and arpeggios, etc. You can create your own music videos and create your own CD jackets and share them online. The more you play, the more instruments and songs styles you unlock. I have enjoyed it. I think you will too.

We have had the chicks for a week and have only killed three. They have changed a lot in a week most of them have tail feathers and wing feathers now. They are still cute.

With Stephanie working at The Cracker Barrel, we don't see each other much in the evening. We have to finish our budget but we are not ready to work it out both at the same time. She kept me up last night talking so I didn't get on the electric fence that I wanted to finish. Maybe I'll finish it tonight.

Do you twitter yet? twitter.com/t100acres

Click here to learn something new today. I did. Pretty cool.

Falling asleep during jury duty is one way to get out of it.

I bought Stephanie a washer for her birthday. Not a good idea you say? I am just taking after my father in law. One year he bought his wife a washer and dryer set for their anniversary... Lets just say that wasn't a good idea.I really didn't get it for her birthday, it just happened to be bought close to it. I bought her a Maytag Neptune top loader. the thing is computerized, and she just washed a sleeping bag and it was not even full.

OUCH

2009-04-14T17:27:00.002-04:00

This is why Varejao is so popular. This guy takes it like a man.wow.

Serious David Crowder

2009-04-08T13:00:00.001-04:00

I just can't believe that this would happen to a band that was so good....

3 days later

2009-04-07T11:27:00.002-04:00

I posted just three days ago? I think the gap is closing but still don't hold you breath. I am sitting in Charleston, WV today helping to cover the office. I had a rental meeting last night and didn't get home until 10p. A nice 15 hour day is ok now and then, I didn't want to get up this morning though. You know how it feels when you wake up in the middle of a dream when you are sleeping hard? That's what it felt like this morning. I actually drank 2 cups of coffee. Do you also know how is feels to type on a nice keyboard? I feel like I am typing 1000 words per minute on this thing . It feels good. I like to compare it to playing a guitar. I have a beginner guitar that is older, but plays well. When I pick up a nice pro guitar, my fingers fly ten times faster. I sound that much better. This feels the same.

Sunday night we huge winds and storms and the 20'x20' canopy we have located right next to our house blew up and over, again. Steph and I were outside about midnight picking up the pieces. Everyone is still deciding what to do with it now. Paul wants to relocate it and still store things there, which is practical, we have things that still need to keep semi dry. Stephanie says the time it will take to set up the canopy is the same amount of time to build the chicken house(we need to cut lumber to build it, that would add another day of work, totaling that would alleviate the need for the canopy and she would have the chicken coop built. She also thinks the canopy is ugly. I have no opinion right now. I feel like Tevye from the Fiddler on the roof. On one hand, it is nice to have another covered space. and on the other hand, it is big, and if it is there, we will fill the space with something, and I would rather fill the chicken coop with feed and chickens (Did I mention that steph bought 50 chicks that will be shipped to us Weds?) So that is why she is wanting the chicken coop. Don't hear what I am not saying. This isn't the place to gang up on Paul. I am more or less thinking out loud for everyone to read. What do you guys think?

I won the pool this year for march madness. Guess how much I won? The same amount I bet.$0.00

Michelle shared this nice addition to any mother's wardrobe. My question is how much did that model get paid? I don't know if this is much better?

My Mom and Dad are coming down today, and will be here until Friday. We should stay busy, it will be fun.

We have cut back on the Wii consumption gradually each day. Kellen is spending most of his computer time on Amazon searching the best deals on games and accessories.

I'll leave you with a nice cover from John Mayer

2009-04-04T10:26:00.002-04:00

I hang my head in utter shame when I see how long it has been since I posted. The gap is closing. Maybe I will post two days in a row soon. I wouldn't hold my breath. So for last week's recap:

Thursday, March 26th: Homeschool day at the capital. Band sounded great. Our van broke down on the way there, (transmission gone) rained ALL day.
TuesdayMarch 31st: Pulled broke transmission gave it to mechanic to rebuild.
Weds April 1st: Stephanie's birthday
Thursday April 2nd :Left early from work to grab a new axle for the work van and replace it. Replaced both outer tie rod ends and one inner tie rod end on the broken tranny van, went to replace the axle on work van, the store gave me the wrong axle, right axle won't be in until Weds April 8th. had to put old cut CV boot axle back on.
Friday April 3rd: Stayed home from work because I am working Saturday, Went with the family to run errands The kids bought their new Wii. I looked at the log at the end of the day. We spent 6 hours on that thing the first day. Come Monday it will be back to the 1 hour a day limit. Just like they had with the Nintendo 64. I do like the Wii. You know what I will be doing the night Stephanie is working after I put the kid to be early every night. I also sighted in the .22 long rifle. That is a fun gun to own.
Saturday today: Get up and start working on the Geo (again pulling axles.) pick up rebuilt Tranny(for $700, nice price huh?)Work until 3p then put the rebuilt transmission back in before the cold hits Monday Tuesday and Weds. If we have daylight after the tranny then we will start more fence in the pasture.
Sunday church, more farm work, Wii, etc. Monday I am working from 7a to 9p, I don't know who is going to be home first Stephanie or me that night. Sorry Paul and Linda the teacher just sprang it on me this morning.....

I am checking out these from the library:

That's it, talk to you later

Failure is my best friend

2009-03-30T13:59:00.002-04:00

Why did I NOT learn that as a kid growing up? (Stephanie, don't answer that.) Lately, I have a hard time accepting that. but failure is your friend too. it is the only way we learn. People in the past have said I am a "late bloomer," but that only translates as "slow learner."Steph and I are learning that hard way with the financial situation right now. She is working her tail off and the Cracker Barrel, and she brought home a lot of dough her first week serving tables ( all of it going to the student loans...) We both are exhausted, but it feels good now that we have a plan. I am not as depressed now.

Yesterday, driving out the driveway, on the way to church, we saw a ruffed grouse walking along the road. It didn't get spooked when we drove up to it. I tried to get pictures but it was so well camouflaged you couldn't see it in the pictures. It was cool looking though. It is now 7 pm and I am done at work.

May 12th was my last post?

2009-03-20T12:32:00.002-04:00

I am slacking. sorry I know everyone has been at the edge of their seat waiting for me to write more. Today, I am trying to stay awake. I woke up and helped Paul finish the refrigerator, It hasn't worked well in a few months and now it basically ran as a glorified cooler. Paul has done all the work really. We found a small leak of refrigerant, then vacuumed the system and put more in. Now it is working but it is cold enough. The freezer is down to 20 degrees but the fridge is only at 40. So it need to drop down at least 10 more in the freezer and 5 in the fridge. We also learned that the washer that we have been fixing off and on for the last 2 months, the drum is rusting out, so that is finished. Luckily we have been using another one that will suffice, but not nearly big enough to do all our laundry in a week. Now Stephanie is waiting tables at Cracker Barrel, it is slowing down and yes, I actually have to do some of it too...

Check out the latest episode of awesomeology. Where everything there is awesome. Walt continues to deliver. Here is an example.

Just a couple more links for you to peruse.

Reading this post will only confirm your suspicions of me forming my own militia soon. Articles like this one and this one do not help things much do they?

I think I love you

2009-03-12T17:27:00.001-04:00

I have not heard a woman write like this in a long time.

DST Goats Mike Rowe

2009-03-09T17:52:00.003-04:00

When did I last post? I don't remember. I could look at my dashboard and see. ok March 3rd. It seems longer than that. This past week went pretty fast. Friday I went home early because I had to go to Marshall for another band festival Saturday. I say it begrudgingly, because this was the second weekend in a row I had to go schmooze at a school. Don't get me wrong, that's my job, and I am paid hourly. and I enjoy it, but it would be nice to spend a full day at home...
Friday I went home early, I also sold the Subaru. I have been trying off and on to sell it for a year. Finally the right buyer came and liked it. It is a nice chunk to the savings.

Saturday I spent half the day at Marshall, then came home and worked on the farm. I have been trying to write this post for 3 hours now doing work at the same time. So things are fuzzy. I have been on the phone with the big boss for an hour working up figures for another school.

Sunday went to church, and then planted the garden and brought back the new goats to introduce them to the herd.

Here is a good video that Scribbit let me in on. It is Mike Rowe from Dirty Jobs.

Make It From Scratch

2009-03-03T00:00:00.000-05:00

Today, I bring you the Make It From Scratch Carnival.

It was created by my fabulous wife Stephanie.

She is the most talented woman I have ever met.

Crafty
Rose presents Mosaic Mirror from Recycled Credit Cards (free tutorial) posted at Fine Craft Guild .com.

Joanna presents It Was "TuTu" Easy posted at OneKrustyMama.

Cindy presents a colorful-recycled-motif-granny-tote-bag posted at www.myrecycledbags.com.

Stephanie presents What to do with toilet paper tubes. posted at Stop the Ride!
Our bathroom is filled with these.

Rose presents Making Fabulous Paper Flowers with Tissue Paper posted at Fine Craft Guild .com.

Stephanie presents Handmade Cards From the Heart posted at Make It From Scratch.

Condo Blues presents How to Make a T Shirt Quilt posted at Condo Blues.

Food
ChristineMM presents Homemade Whipped Cream Cheese posted at The Thinking Mother.

Kate presents Chocolate Cupcakes with Vanilla Buttercream Frosting posted at Our Red House.

HowToMe presents How To Make Two Pork Loin Meals in Minutes posted at HowToMe.

SimplyForties presents Cranberry Chuck Roast posted at SimplyForties.

Mama Bear presents Flourless Chocolate Valentino Cake posted at I've Got A Little Space To Fill.I've never seen anything like this. Impressive.

Annette Berlin presents Healthy And Delicious Cream Soup posted at Craft Stew.

Leigh presents A Relaxing Evening with Kale posted at Cheap Healthy Good.

Rani presents Brownies #2 posted at Christ's Bridge.

Carrie presents Martha Stewart's Cookies posted at Less is More.

vh presents Cheap Eats: Grilled pork tenderloin posted at Funny about Money.

Alexandra presents Make Your Own Teriyaki Sauce posted at Happy Hearts At Home.Stephanie hasn't tried this yet...

Kate presents Crispy, Sauteed Potatoes posted at Our Red House.

Linda Mundy presents Smothered Pork Chops posted at LJM's Kitchen.Pork must have been the theme last week. I think we ate it three times.

Carrie presents Fudge posted at Less is More.

Thank for checking us out!

Be sure to find the carnival over at I've gotta little space to fill with mama bear!

just to show you I am not dead

2009-02-21T11:20:00.002-05:00

The last week I have been getting over a nice head cold, I don't get sick that often, so when I do it is a surprise. We have picked up the pork that was butchered for us. and yes, it is that good, if you follow me on twitter you know my thoughts on that. It tastes better than good. I don't know if it is psychological because we raise our own animals, or we are just proud of ourselves for not killing off the animals before they were ready to go to the butcher. I will brag, we now do not buy any meat from the store except pepperoni and Stephanie is saying we can make that ourselves too. I am not complaining. I am bragging. Some more bragging on my dear wife, she and Kellen made homemade tortillas the only problem I had with that was that she didn't make enough. They were thicker than store bought and reminded me of the chalupas you would order at Taco Bell.

I was off yesterday because I am working today. Yesterday:

I replaced the rear wheel bearding hub assembly on Stephanie's van,
Disbudded the two newborn goats (that would be searing {branding} the top of the head where the horns start to grow out preventing the horns from growing.)
put the washer back together with a lot of help from paul that thingwas so greasy and the thing still doesn't work, so I have to look at it again.
haul more straw to the pigs
replaced the H burner in my grill that blew off the deck in the wind storm a week or so ago. So Stephanie (how many web sites can she have?) can grill my fresh pork chops

The last ime I checked I have about 75 RSS (Really Simple syndication) feeds that I subscribe to. Here are a few I thought you might be intrested.

LeVar Burton- remember Reading Rainbow? who doesn't? At his blog he even reads his posts to you if you want. Just listening to him brings back memories.He also twitters
Awesomeology.com If you are not watching this, than you are missing all things awesome.
Political Cartoons there are some pretty funny ones here.
just to give away my political leanings, I think Bobby Jindal is my new hero.
I like Tweetgrid the best.
and last but not least, How would you like to read this on your cake?

Talk to you soon. I will try to post on a more regular basis.

nothing much here

2009-02-11T17:00:00.003-05:00

I have been trying to help work on the pig barn almost every chance I get. I get up early in the mornings and the make it off to work when I need to. I have a list of other things I need to do as well, but they can wait until the barn is finished, I have to:

hang up two more light fixtures for stephanie's seed starter aka our bath tub,
pull out the refrigerator and clean the coils and put a fan behind it to keep the air flow going because both sides are not running well.
put the washer back together, we are using one that is twice as small right now because the other one needed new parts.
castrate the piggies
butcher the goat
That's all I can think of Stephanie will definitely add to this list... please feel free to follow me

2009-02-05T16:53:00.002-05:00

I have a hard time picking out the right movies. When I rent the movie, I would give myself the benefit of the doubt, saying I pick a good one 85% of the time. Stephanie just laughed, because she would say it is maybe 50%. Last Monday's free redbox I picked out the happening by M. Night Shyamalan. It was freaky just like I expected. I think I liked it. Stephanie just thought ehh. ok.

If we go to the movies sometime soon, I know I will score, taking her to see this. I think it looks good. Any other straight man would puke, but I also went to see PS I love you in the theater, because I have a not so secret man-crush on Harry Connick Jr.*smile*

One goal for Kellen?

2009-02-04T11:12:00.002-05:00

I woke up this morning at 4:30am to go to a school that is 2 hours away. The school didn't call off for snow ( like the other schools in that area did)and I had another two schools to visit also. I asked Stephanie to watch the web page and call me if they went on a delay or called off later. I arrive at the school at 8am, so I left the house at 6am. I had a hard time staying awake. I was drifting off a lot more than I usually do. I really should have had a cup of coffee or two. When I finally arrived at the school it was really snowing and the roads were not looking so hot. but there were cars in the parking lot and lights on so off I went. I walk into the office, and the secretary looks up recognizes me and says " Oh, I'm sorry, we just called off school 5 minutes ago." I did have to drop off a repair, so it wasn't for nothing. As I was leaving Stephanie calls me to say the the other two schools I was going to see called off as well. So I just drove back to the office, putting in four hours to drop off a repair. You don't know how much I would rather be working on a pig barn right now.

I bragged about Kellen being pretty good on the trombone. Here is a video of a trombone quartet. That is pretty impressive...I;m not setting him up or anything....

A Classic KISS Performance

2009-02-03T15:16:00.001-05:00

You must watch most of it to really appreciate what is going on..

amish country pig trombones

2009-02-03T11:20:00.003-05:00

Still busy. the pigs were born last Friday. The barn is still a work in progress, but coming along rather nicely. If you are interested, we are selling the feeder pigs now, they are now ready email me if you want some yummy pork.

Stephanie guest posted today over at Scribbit. She shares her Amish country travels here.

Sunday we all got together to cut, chop, and split fire wood. Kellen wanted to try his hand at splitting wood with an axe. He did very well, I even let him use the maul. He split the pine stuff fairly easy, then moved up to oak, and split that with some more elbow grease. I was rather proud to pass some of my masculinity to the boy. I had another proud moment yesterday at band. At the beginning of one piece, the trombone section starts out by themselves. It has been a rather hard task for the four of them to hit the right note all together all the time. Two of them were talking while I was trying to start the piece, and Kellen came right in on the right note. It was satisfying to hear. I did tell him that after band, he shrugged it off like a pre-teen would. He does really well with it.

I could be grumpy

2009-01-29T15:10:00.004-05:00

We haven't had power since yesterday morning at 4am. I am actually ok with that, if I didn't have to go to work. This morning we tried to herd 22 pigs down to their new home and it was actually funny. I had to leave in the middle of the literal chaos that was ensuing. I was an hour and a half late to work. Having no power has really not inconvenienced us that much, we have a spare kerosene heater that helps and last night I came home to a nice venison, cabbage, (which I am really getting to like now...shhh don't tell Stephanie)and broccoli stir fry. The kids slept in front of the fire and Steph and I used a couple more blankets and we did fine. I did get up early (4am) and try and start a fire. Then gave up and told Stephanie to start it. I can't seem for the life of me to start fires without my torch...

I have been in the office all week because of all the schools out. I may be back in business next week.

The pig barn is officially in use now. Flame will have her litter in less than 3 days I predict. charcoal will not be far behind. I would post pictures but we have no power at home where they are stored in our computer.

Robbyn wrote something that is worth reading. (not that she doesn't usually)

I will keep you up to date on the power. Linda (MIL, works for AEP) says we wight be getting it later tonight. Lets hope so.

Here is a funny bit from John Stewart. He makes fun of George W. (but when doesn't he when given the chance.)But he also makes fun of President O....

The Daily Show With Jon StewartM - Th 11p / 10c

Changefest '09 - Obama's Inaugural Speech

Daily Show Full Episodes
Funny Political Videos

Free Glenn Beck

2009-01-24T07:09:00.002-05:00

Sorry I haven't posted for a while, I do twitter a lot, sometimes giving you too much information, follow me here.

I came home yesterday and found a package addressed to me. It contained an autographed copy of Glenn Beck's latest book, the Christmas Sweater, his latest DVD, and a t-Shirt and a 1 GB flash drive. It was great! The only problem is I don't know how I got it. I didn't recognize the return address, (not that I know Glenn's address) and I can't remember signing up for anything of his either. I watched the dvd last night and it was funny, really funny.

I had a dream last night that I was over at Phelan's helping out for the day. I don't know what that means either. Sorry P, the milage is a bit far on my end too.

I should be getting ready to go to my mom and dad's house. We are leaving this morning. Stephanie is up at the barn feeding goats and sheep. I should finish this before she get back...

this week's wrap up

2009-01-13T11:09:00.002-05:00

A week gone already? yes. It is finished. Tomorrow I leave for Columbus for the OMEA convention. I will have a booth there as always. I look forward to this weekend. I get to schmooze with a lot of people. The boss takes us out for a nice dinner every night. I get my own hotel room, etc. The down side is that I am in Columbus for four days, I have a wife and kids at home and a farm to help run. I fed the pigs this morning so Paul won't have to until Thursday or Friday morning. So I am looking forward to this weekend, yet. I feel bad. I will be however, twitter through out the weekend ~~just to rub it in,~~ I mean let you know. So follow me here.

Have you seen the new phone Palm unvailed? I am drooling, but I will wait. wait for a long time....

Lydia 7

2009-01-12T11:01:00.002-05:00

My girl Lydia is seven today. I enjoy getting old this way. My kids are growing up fast and I love that I am doing what I want with them. homeschooling, living in the middle of nowhere. Teaching my kids what I want, when I want. Dirt poor or not, I am loving every minute of it.

awesome?

2009-01-10T11:21:00.002-05:00

So just to keep you updated on what has been happening with me(us.) I have to preface this by saying blogger is not cooperating with me on my computer at work I am going to try to post link and an videos writing the HTML out my self, we will see.

Maggie had her lambs Thursday morning. Twin ewes, one is spotted. I docked their tails yesterday, they seem to be doing just fine. I mined for clay mud all day yesterday. Paul got the excavator stuck a few days ago, after he pulled it out, both tracks were packed full of mud. So yesterday, while he was hauling stone for the driveway to the pig barn, I picked frozen mud out of the tracks. The day got warmer as it went a long so by the afternoon it went fairly easy. (I am not complaining.) We got the dump truck stuck twice. It is nice to own a bull dozer you can just pull it out with. It was also nice to have a day with out precipitation that we could work in.

After the day of digging, went went to our friends house and had dinner, and played some Wii. They have the Wii fit game so, of course, the was the game of choice. Stephanie crushed me on the hula hoops.I enjoyed the ski jump quite a bit.It is pretty amazing how sensitive that Wii board is.

Did anyone else read about the 6yr old boy bringing a loaded gun to school? Am I the only one that thinks clearly on this subject?

Obama wants to extend the digital deadline
because Americans are not prepared. This is just another example of the nanny state we are in. I was annoyed that they started telling us about the switch in September. That was how long ago? Jake elaborated on it a bit too.

and last, but not least let me introduce you to Walt. He has been entertaining me for a while on the web, and I am sorry I haven't linked to him lately. His awesomeology.tv episode 3 is up and it is always worth your time.

Browns hire Mangini

2009-01-08T05:39:00.003-05:00

Let me state a fact (according to Colin)first before I say anything else. The farther you move away from a city, the more rational sports fan you become. Having lived in Ohio for the first 30 years of my life, I can say that I was well doctrinated into being a hard core Cleveland fan. Now living in WV, I have a clear head when discussing sports with other people. I think the rationale is worse down here in WV. If you don't wear something green and white (Marshall,) blue and yellow (WVU) on a weekend, people look at you funny. Getting back to my point. The farther away you live from a city, the more rational you are about the sports teams. Sorry NE Ohio, but you are pretty much off the deep end most of the time when it comes to your sports.

Saying that, I think the Mangini hire is a good one. You will have arguements on both sides, but I will tell you in any regular job, I will hire some one in Mangini's spot a second. He just got fired from a job he wasn't that bad at. Everyone learns from their mistakes (ok, not everyone but most people.) and I think Mangini will learn from his mistakes at NY. That's it. You can talk about who the GM will be and talk about who he will hire as his coordinators, but right now, he is a good choice. Sit back and watch things unfold.

Terry Pluto has a couple articles on this.

How did I miss this?

2009-01-06T11:28:00.001-05:00

oh, that's right. It is on ESPN I don't get that channel....

Homesteading goals, part one

2009-01-02T11:44:00.003-05:00

Phelan posted her goals for this year. So I thought I might as well too. Here is where it get hairy. Stephanie has goals, Tim (me) has goals, Paul and Linda have goals. The process of which they all come together is what I would define as living on the farm. Right now we have a number of projects we have started, but have not finished: in no particular order, trust me...

Pig barn
High tensile wire fencing around about 60-70 acres
Chicken coop/storage barn
Birthing lambs (any day now)
Birthing goat kids (with in this month)
Birthing piglets (within this month)

Things on the list to be done, again not in any particular order..

wean four calves (cow)
butcher the whether (castrated goat)
butcher the pigs (we have about 20, will send them to the butcher, not do it here at the farm)
build a smoke house for the aforementioned pigs
build a maintenance barn
buy more chickens
plot a new garden for perennials (asparagus, strawberries,any thing else my wife has got her hands on)
work with biscuit, our horse, he needs some quality one on one time.

There's the list I can think of. Please feel free to add or subtract from that list, fellow family members. I am sure I overlooked something

5113

2008-12-31T10:07:00.002-05:00

Today marks the 5,113 day (14 years) I have been married to my wonderful wife. Isn't she hot?

end of the year numbers

2008-12-30T16:59:00.002-05:00

Just to brag a little bit here, I was looking up my sales figures today, (being the end of the year and all) and I sold 20K more this year than last. I think I am happy with that. Lately I have been getting frustrated with the money situtation and I am trying to figure out how to increase the income. Any ideas would be great.

holiday update

2008-12-30T10:45:00.003-05:00

Hi again, here is a post to keep Mandy satisfied, and to bring you some links that you would not have found if were not for me. We spent the weekend in Ohio at my mom's house. Spent All day yesterday at the house in Akron working on the vacant apartment and fixing some things here and there. I apologize to everyone that we didn't get to stop and see. We miss everyone in Akron. Spent some quality time with the family and with guitar hero. That game gets better each time I play it.

I work today (tues) and tomorrow (weds) until noon, off Thursday and then work Friday. Saturday we are off to get hay, we will get about 170 sqaure bales. It won't be soo bad with all the help we will have....

For Christmas I got a scope for my remington shotgun. I have to look up how to unscrew the two bolts that hold the trigger in place. they have used some sort of counter sunk screw. I will let you know how it turns out. (sorry about the pun)

Phelan will posting about butchering her goat tomorrow. That gets me excited. I can't wait.

With two boys, I don't know if I should be scared about this article or not.

I will guarantee that this UPS driver got fired.

Steph, Jake, and Delilah and I are going to see a movie this week. Michelle just convinced me to see this one.

When (I emphasize when) we build, I want this bath tub.

Thanks Walt for some of these fine links!

Famous?

2008-12-23T15:26:00.000-05:00

I just met the guy who plays the sxaophone in this video.

Parenting.

2008-12-23T10:33:00.002-05:00

I will be the first to tell you that I don't know everything about parenting. I think it is a learn as you go process. Sometimes I come off like I know it all, but I think that is because I have four kids that have given me some experience.

So yesterday, I had three customers. Two out of three bought an instrument. That's nice, you say two out of three ain't bad (there's a song here.) and I agree with you, this December has been going very well (I just sold $120 of stuff today and it isn't even noon.) These parents were all really, really picky. and grumpy. I could tell if it was the holidays, or not enough sleep or what. The one parent told me that the used baritone that I was showing her looked as if I just picked it right out of the dumpster and tried to sell it to me. I wasn't too offended, I knew what kind of customer I was dealing with going in. both parents that were very critical of my instruments had one underlying attitude. They both expected perfection when for their children. They both said almost the exact same thing. "I want my children to have the best, because I didn't have anything growing up, so I am going to give my kids the best there is, etc" I don't know if these two examples are the predominant schools of thought when it comes to parenting, but it does represent our culture today. Most believe the advertising they see and hear on the TV that translated into the thought process that we deserve everything we want and need it right now. Forget delayed gratification, working hard for what you have and appreciating it.

Another family came in to the store and when I asked them how I could help them, both parents deferred to the teenager. I looked at her and asked her what I could do, she looked at me then took out her blackberry and texted (is that a word now?) someone. I just stared at her in disbelief, not saying anything. She then looked up at me and shrugged her shoulders. I tried to clarify what clarinet she was looking for. Both parents again deferred to her. I asked her another question about what clarinet she wanted, and she again did not look up, grabbed her blackberry (and why does this 15 year old have a crackberry anyway?) and again texted someone. After this, I inhaled to tell her to put that thing away or I am going to ask her to leave, because at this point I was getting nowhere with these three. The dad beat me to it and told her to put that thing away and talk to me. After about 15 minutes I finally got her to the one she wanted and then she decided she wanted a saxophone. I asked her what sax does she play now? She replied, "I don't even know how to play the sax, I just want one." I almost threw the sax at her. I sold her a clarinet, after which I learned that she was not with her parents at all they were her grand parents they looked like they 40. I couldn't tell.

Maybe I'm grumpy. But I think kids don't need the best things. Kids need to learn about real life. Right? Isn't it our job as parents to teach kids to become responsible adults by the time they are adults? Isn't teaching them to work hard for the things they have better than giving them everything they want?

a more instructional video

2008-12-22T18:08:00.002-05:00

Crystal wanted a more instructional video. So two humans in Alaska has brought you one. Warning if you like PETA, this is not the video for you. If you don't killing animals or watching it then don't watch this.

I will try killing them like they do here, but after that, I hang the rabbits by the hind legs and then skin and gut them, and the you are done. Thanks guys for the great video!

Happy Christmas

2008-12-22T17:16:00.002-05:00

Hi there everyone. this is the Monday before Christmas, and every year it seems that it comes quicker and quicker. I'm at work tonight until 7p. Then I have to go home and try to fix my washer. Stephaine told me it broke, but I don't know what is broken yet.

I sold a flute and a clarinet today, the last month sale have been very good for December. On my way back to Huntington, Stephanie had a list for me to buy at CVS. I bought $50 worth of stuff, and with the coupons and CVS bucks she gave me I paid $17. Not a bad deal if you ask me.

the week's plan includes: 3

Spending Christmas day with the family,
Then leaving Friday morning to go to my parents house for the weekend.
Leaving the kids with my mom and dad to go up to Akron and work on the duplex we own
Leave to go back to WV Monday evening leaving the kids behind with my parent until Weds.
New year's Eve is our 14th wedding anniversary What are we doing Stephanie?
Friday through Sunday we are getting together with the inlaws.
Jan 5th, schools are back in session.

I would like to hunt sometime during these next two weeks but I don't think that is going to happen. That's ok, because I live out in the woods.

Everyone have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Rabbit butchering video

2008-12-18T15:28:00.001-05:00

It's 4:03 EST

2008-12-12T15:46:00.002-05:00

and I am am keeping up at work while I type this. I an usually bored at work on Fridays when I sit and working the office, but today has gone by fast and I have sold a bunch of stuff. Two clarinets and a french horn totaling $2813. That's not bad. we go to the Richardson's for dinner tonight, and then I have the homeschool band concert Monday at 7p if you want to come and don't know how to get here email me and I will tell you.

I just got a tweet showing Ron Paul talking about the bail outs and what not. He is right on the money (pun intended.)

After a small interruption, I am back to the typing, but alas, it has come to an end. I have customers. Talk to you later. Have a good weekend.

homeschooling

2008-12-09T15:01:00.003-05:00

Today Stephanie took the kids shopping today, and then took me out to eat at the golden corral. As we pulled up and parked two school buses pulled in and unloaded. They took up the entire left side if the restaurant. I had never seen anything like it at all. We stayed a little bit after they had left, and the entire side was demolished. It looked like a city after a hurricane went through. I just smiled. Vivian did leave kicking and screaming beacuse she wanted more ice cream. She didn't kick and scream for long though.

Yesterday, while I was at a school talking to a band director, I mentioned that one of my friends homeschools. Just as I said that, the choir teacher walks in and says, "Oh, I hate homeschoolers, they're horrible!" and walks away. The band director and I started laughing becuase she obvisouly did not know that I too homeschool. After the class ended she came back in. Now She and I have a good relationship, so I was excited to razz her about it. When I told her, her eyes got SOO big. I laughed so hard. She felt bad, and I told her I was happy to know some one else besides me talks before they think.

December

2008-12-02T12:51:00.004-05:00

It is December already, and we haven't slowed down much since August. Between school starting and rental season, then deer season then harvest, I don't get much down time. We cut down our Christmas tree last weekend, and have most of the decorations up. The kids are enjoying it. I enjoy watching the kids grow up. Each one of them have their own personality. Vivian is coming into her own it seems, while Nolan, who I thought would be a handful, has found respected his boundaries quite well. (I did have to spank him this morning for ~~shutting~~ slamming Viv's finger in his bed room door. She was fine just a small cut. Just another adventure. Kellen is busy helping out on the farm and starting science projects, like creating electromagnets out of household things he can find. Lydia is now reading music, and probably start the trumpet next year. I would like her to start piano but it is not convenient.

Terry bagged a button buck this weekend and we cut it up pretty quick. I still haven't seen any deer to write about. I did take his 25.06 rifle out Saturday. I felt like a sharp shooter with that thing. It had a scope that you could dial in at 400 yards if you needed to. I sat perched upon my rock, scoping out the hill on the other side of the holler. It felt good.

The upside of staying busy right up until January, is that I was the leading salesman at the store for November (2nd under the big boss if you combine both stores) and I thought I took a pretty big hit compared to October. We shall see, I have 10 drum sets I can sell, plus two clarinets, an alto saxophone and a Bari sax that are leads right now. I should know an answer for all four by the end of next week.

There have been many blogging giveaways this week for the holidays and it is not very hard to enter. Michelle has a forum where you can check things out. Amy at momadvice.com and Jenn at frugal upstate are just a couple that you can browse at your leisure.

We try to take advantadge of the free redbox codes every Monday. I rented Cloverfield last night, and I vowed I will never rent movie when I am hungry and grumpy. I never rent good movies when I rush through things and last night was no exception. I even missed the part where you are supposed to put in the free code and ended up paying for it. (It is only a $1.05, but I was mad at myself anyway.) I didn't really like Cloverfield. But after watching some of the extras and being reminded how many people it takes to make a movie, I can respect the fact that they tried. The movie was too predictable, and almost contrived. I wouldn't bother watching it, even for free. It was all handheld, luckily it lasted only 1:24, so you didn't have to endure it long.

I saw the trailers for the new Star Trek movie that comes out in May, and yes, Stephanie you can roll your eyes now, I am excited. I won't bore you with any more talk of that, I will talk about this movie instead. It stars Gerard Butler who you will remember, if you are a woman, from P.S.I love You (which I only went to see, because it starred Harry Connick Jr. oh, and my wife dragged me) and, if you are a man, from the movie 300. Anyway you will have to wait until April 3rd to see it in theaters. I say all of this but yet to have seen Quantam of Solace. Which I will wait and rent it for free when Stephanie has no say in the matter....

If you find me entertaining, to say the least, you can follow me on twitter, I always have more to say on there. I generally update you two threes times (or more) throughout the day. Yes, this has been a slow day. Thanks for catching up with me.

Thanksgiving day

2008-11-28T11:38:00.003-05:00

Yesterday came and went with much food. I really think Martha Stewart is no match for Stephanie. We had a 23 lb turkey, 5 lb roast leg o' lamb, (fresh from our pasture) mashed potatoes, gravy, sweet potatoes, carrots, oyester stuffing, cranberries, dinner rolls, iced tea, and Merlot. That was just the main course. For dessert we had 4 pumpkin pies, 1 mincemeat , 1 pecan, and a huge bowl of Amish date pudding. I don't think any one moved after that meal. I had a good time. I went out after noon ( and the meal) to hunt, I didn't see anything and then went in about 5:45pm. I will go out again tomorrow. We think that we will have the fence finished and will be able to let the cows into the new pasture it is about 60 acres. Then we can move on the to the pig house. the two sows are bred to ferrow in January. oh, I almost forgot, Maggie, our sheep is starting to milk up so that doeasn't give her too much longer. and Sally (I think.) one of our goats, will have twins in January as well. She is huge!

I have found it...

2008-11-21T13:34:00.002-05:00

I have found my hero. This guy has been doing everything that I want to do around the farm and more. Just when you think you are a serious homesteader, Ron shows you up. He just butchered his 2nd pig this fall! and I was thinking hard whether or not( pun intended, a whether is a castrated goat) to butcher my goat myself. After taking my deer to the butcher to have it cut (time vs. money thing) we were pretty dissapointed in the cuts. You get what you pay for and as papaw proudly states. "It you want it done right, you gotta do it yourself.! So I think we may be doing more butchering. I don't mind. It does goes back to the time vs. money and in this case what your money gets you. When I butcher myself, I cut off the bone knowing how I am going to cook it. I cut all the meat off the bone. I especially enjoy the fillets that come from the tenderlion (or backstraps as they are also called) The butcher just cuts everything off the bone, so I don't get the whole meat fillet. So there.Speaking of meat, I am going home early to hunt before gun season starts Monday and all the lunatics come out to shoot everything that moves...

Is Mrs.Palin Helping herself?

2008-11-21T11:32:00.002-05:00

I saw on the fox news feed that Sarah Palin was pardoning a thankgiving turkey at a butcher. and she is interviewed while they are butcherhing other turkeys... I laughed so hard the entire time... I told Stephanie I can't watch or listen to the woman. It is not that I think she is stupid, well, I'll let you figure that one out. Watch the interview....

another nephew

2008-11-18T11:21:00.002-05:00

I am sitting here at my desk procrastinating my work I have to do. Kerri had her baby las night His name is Parker Andrew he came in at6 lbs and 15 ounces, 20" long. Everyone's is healthy Kent is not losing any sleep yet.

It snowed pretty good last night. I had to put the pump away and the rabbits needed their water changed ( Kellen did all of that.)

Now as I was saying, I was trying to procrastenate work, but during my typing here a truck pulled up and dropped off 2 pallets full of drum sets. So now I am really busy....

Saturday nightrn

2008-11-15T22:22:00.002-05:00

Today I helped move some furniture, and was treated to ihop. I then went home and butchered three roosters and four ducks. It will be nice to wake up to one rooster crowing instead of four. We had Miles and Ashley and Micah over and ate dinner while we watched Fiddler on the roof.The kids made it through ok,It is a three hour movie.Kellen had all kinds of questions. That wasn't anything unusual. I have people begging me to play on the worship team at church. I am holding out for the big bucks though.( not really I am not ready for the weekly commintment.)

Speaking of big bucks, I just read the report that the Yankees are throwing cash to CC Sabathia. I am both mad and happy at the same time. CC deserves the attention, but it could be from anyone but the Yankees...

Pool trick shots

2008-11-14T11:46:00.001-05:00

TV isn't that good.

2008-11-14T10:47:00.002-05:00

If you read me often you know this already, but I don't think TV is worth much. Do I watch it? Yes. Every night? No. Just last night Stephanie wanted to watch tv and I wanted to read my book (Clear and Present Danger) I argued that there wasn't anything on worth watching, and she argued that she wanted to veg out and not read and fall asleep after reading for an hour. I didn't argue with her and let her turn the tv on. She then turned it off after ten seconds and picked up her book. I say all this because NBC cancelled My Worst Enemy. I watched two episodes I think, and they were far better than knight rider, but still not great. I watched 1/2 an episode of knight rider and turned it off. I remember saying earlier in the fall that My Worst Enemy was going to be bad and cancelled before the year was over because of all the hype it was given, and all the commercials that were played almost three months before the premiere. The more the hype, the worse the show. That is almost always true. Stephanie would argue that each time she watched heroes, she gets even more confused. I enjoy it because of the sci fi factor, I still think it is a glorified soap opera just like most dramas on tv. oh, and just an FYI, we are not in a hurry to get one of those digital converters that are being advertised we shall see. Will we really go with out tv?!??! ever?!?! We shall wait and see.

the real video

2008-11-12T17:04:00.002-05:00

Here I am from this morning...

video

2008-11-12T10:07:00.000-05:00

I was going to post a video from my phone, but it is too big a file for the palm email program. I am waiting for my 2nd teacher that is MIA. I have other things to besides wait. I will post it when I get back to my computer this afternoon.

Down chi-low!

2008-11-11T13:56:00.003-05:00

If you haven't heard or read Herb Score died today and I think I am getting emotional about it. I do feel bad when someone dies, but I don't cry about it...I think the reason I am emotional because when I think of Herb Score, I think of all the broadcasts that he did, while I was growing up listening and watching the Indians lose. It took me back to the days of going to Municpal staduim and dad listening to the game on the radio while watching it on TV becasue he couldn't stand the TV announcers. Herb said things wierd like down chi low ball 4, and many other phrases and sayings. RIP Herb Score.

The back forty wants answers...

2008-11-11T09:35:00.002-05:00

Robyn at The Back Forty has some chicken questions, and Since Stephanie's busy and running every day this week, I will answer some farm questions for you.

1. Do you have a particular favorite breed of chicken, and if so what is it and why do you prefer it? Or if more than one, which ones, etc? We have Buff Orpingtons and a couple of Rhode Island Red mutts. They were given to us for free, so we didn't have any pereferance, I like the buffs because they are docile, I had a Red Rooster that would attack the kids.

2. Do you use your chickens for your family, to sell, or both? Meat, or eggs, or both?Yes, all of the above.

3. What advice would you give to anyone wanting to start out raising them, other than reading some good books on the subject? Have a good coop that you can close up at night and a nest box or two depending on the number of chickens you have. Then have at it. It is pretty easy maintenace.

4. Do you primarily keep your chickens in a coop/enclosed chicken yard, or do they roam your property? I let them out to roam during the day and have a light in the coop to bring them back in at night.

5. Do you ever let them into your garden? If no, do you have a fence or something to keep them out? We let them when the garden isn't grown up to fruit. and then there are always some renagade chickens that get into it after the harvest qhich is fine.

6. Do you ever use a chicken tractor, and if so, is it for meat birds only? do you use electric/ net poultry fencing? I'm interested in which has worked for you and which has not. What has been your experience with pastured poultry 'a la the Joel Salatin sort (follow behind the livestock grazings at the optimum time), if that applies? We do let the chicken mingle is with the rest of our livestock. luckily they have not messed with them. The pigs leave them alone, they do enjoy running behind everyone cleaning up the place.

7. Do you keep chickens year-round, or raise them for seasonal processing? We keep them year round. We keep them untill they stoop producing, then it is too the freezer.

8. How many chickens of a certain type do you raise at one time (what works best for you as far as how many to raise at a time?) We have 20 hens and four roosters three of which need to go into the freezer. we have the land for more if we need it, and the coop space as well.

I will be happy to answer all of your homesteading questions if you have them.

what to say what to say

2008-11-08T14:55:00.002-05:00

I had to work on Saturday, I took Tuesday off so I worked weds -sat. It was out of my normal routine. now I am going home to hunt.

Another reason not to watch TV

2008-11-07T14:34:00.003-05:00

Stephanie may post about this as well, but I will post my 2 cent cents.

We were watching survivor last night with the kids Kellen and Lydia Stayed up while Nolan and Vivian fell asleep in their beds... and during the hour they had a commercial for 2 1/2 men (I think I wasn't paying attention until the end) and the commercial showed this stripper ripping off her shirt while she was sitting on top of a guy. I almost ripped the TV out of its socket. It wasn't even

9 o' clock yet. I could understand them running it at 10 o ' clock. I emailed a complaint on the web site today. I am not by all means a prude, but I don't want to be answering questions that my 10 and 6 year old have. I will not watch CBS anymore. Ok, I might watch on Sundays at 8pm.(Amazing Race) but no more CSI... I they were getting old anyway.

I tried to find the commercial but I couldn't, and I didn't think you needed any visuals.

It is raining, so I don't think I am going hunting tomorrow morning. I twittered yesterday that the Browns would win. I was close... I am glad I didn't watch it, again, I don't even know if I could have watched it on TV last night anyway, I was too busy watching the stripper...

Who's that Little fire fighter?

2008-11-03T17:42:00.002-05:00

Mary over at Our Quiver is Full posted her pictures and of course at least one of my offspring is posing, can you guess who Vivian is? That's right she's the one in the middle with her hands on her hips and the wind blown hair.... this my friends, is why I am buying guns.

This week went fast, did it not?

2008-10-31T14:35:00.002-04:00

I think it did. Did I mention my new favorate band is Anberlin?

This weekend will go fast too. I will try to get some hunting in and I will also be driving posts for fence. Haven't you been installing fence for a while now? You ask? Yes, we have and we have some more to go. We have the bottom part ran in the woods where it is the hardest. The easier part is coming now. After that we will be able to run the cattle here closer to the house.

The Homeschool co op that we belong to is coming to the farm tuesday to enjoy the wonders of a farm.... My co worker who has been to my house just once before, asked me "who's flyin' em in" He thinks we live out in the middle of nowhere, and he's right, we do, but I don't think it is that far out....When I look at the satilite picture there is only a driveway that leads to us, and nothing but woods for a couple of miles around...

This kills me. I have a 76 year old co worker who uses to computer more than I thought he would, but everytime he sits down to log in and clock in, he thinks he needs to close every other program that is is use at that time. Well, I have 3-5 programs/tabs in use at the time and when I get up to do something, he will sit down at my desk and clear everything out before clocking in or out... It drives me nuts. I have had many conversations with him instructing him on how he doesn't need to do this, but he still does it anyway. It only causes me to be inconvenienced.

1st deer taken this year, picture too

2008-10-29T20:56:00.004-04:00

I went out hunting this afternoon. I took a spike buck. If that's all you want to know then don't need the long story...

First I went to my rock where I sit up high. I sat there for a while and didn't see anything but a loud flock of turkeys too far away to shoot at (not that I would shoot anything out of season...) Then I walked up to the skinny ridge and saw nothing as well. So I decided to head back up the pasture where the deer tend to graze in the evening. the excavator is parked up there beside the pasture, so I sit atop that and wait. As I approached the excavator, I saw two deer 120 yards ahead to my right near the camper (for those of you who know where I am talking about) they saw me and scampered away. There ended up being six or seven, I just didn't see them until they scampered. After about 15 minutes, I see two does walking up the road from the towers, they approach very cautiously, still about 75 yards away. The one in front stares me down thinking something is not quite right. I am not moving a inch, almost not breathing because she is staring me down. After about 3-5 minutes f looking at me, she steps backward watching me as she trots away calling the other doe with her. I relax for about 15 more minutes and then I hear more scuffling in front of me in the woods( the woods are 40 yards away from me) after 5 minutes of listening to the leaves shuffle around, a nice looking spike buck appears in front of me about 2 o' clock. I have my bow drawn and ready as he is eating and doesn't notice me. He walks toward me with his head down, I don't have a shot until he turns to his right showing me his body. He turns. I shoot. I hit him as he was walking, so the shot hit him in the back part of his ribs and stomach. he flees and lays down just 10 yards into the woods. Just about the time Paul comes down the tower road from working on fence and I am able to haul the deer back to the house on the trailer. I get back to the house and the kids are happy. I will take him to the butcher tomorrow morning, as I have to work, and don't have to time to take care of it myself.

Pardon the blood and that's not a UFO above my head, it is the tractor...

don't hear what I'm not saying.

2008-10-27T17:50:00.002-04:00

Saturday Terry shot a doe so we spent the afternoon skinning and butchering it. It went fast, and we like to have the fresh meat that day. We got to use our new meat grinder and it is really nice....

I missed shooting deer. I didn't think I did that much. I went out Saturday. I only saw a doe that was about 75 yards away in the woods. She would only pace back and forth and not come any closer.

I found out there are 4 other Tim Appletons in the USA just by looking here.

Why is it that we are 8 days away from voting in the next president, and I have the desire to go buy a 9mm glock? I also have the desire to buy a 7mm rifle, but that's just me.

If you follow mw on twitter, and log into Facebook, then you basically have updates from me all the time.

Nothing to do with anything.

2008-10-24T16:10:00.004-04:00

This has nothing to do with my response to Delilah's blog but it is funny.

Thank you Todd.

Bow season tomorrow

2008-10-17T16:15:00.002-04:00

Bow season starts tomorrow and I am a bit excited. We shoud get a few more than normal. The office has been with out internet for a day and a half. Just a bit inconvienced that's all. I will post pictures when we get the deer. How presumtuous is that?

It is official

2008-10-10T13:14:00.003-04:00

I have uninstalled firefox, I didn't think that I would be saying that this soon, but the thing just continued to bog down my computer. I don't know if I had too many extensions, but I have comitted to Google Chrome. Chrome is simple. It doesn't have many bells and whistles so that has cut down on my internet useage, and I think that is a good thing. I also use google reader now instead of the feeds through firefox. The bad part is that I tend to lurk more than I comment. If I don't comment on your blog, don't take it personally. I read all of yours every time you post. I will comment more in the future. Yes, I know it is still in Beta, but I will take my chances, this is Google we are talking about they are going anywhere.

You know most of the news from Steph and Kellen's blog. We are going to put up fence Saturday. This will the fence the pasture that connects the pastures from the barn back to our pastures in the woods. It is a lot of fence.It will take more that a month to finish it off if we are lucky.

Things are slowing down a bit

2008-10-04T10:13:00.002-04:00

I am down to 110 hours this pay period and I am actually writing post. I got to take a day off from work this week, and finished tearing down the barn we started Sunday. It was fun. You can see more picture here and here. We have to go back to load up another load of wood, but it was worth it. The 2x6s we scored are beautiful. My hands hurt and I could use a morning to sleep in, but I am not complaining.

We spent the evening at my friend's house hanging out and watching the HD TV. I will admit to you that I like living in the middle of nowhere, and not having the nice technology, and trying to live simple and all that, but that the 50 inch HDTV is worth watching. I enjoy every minute of it and almost wear out my welcome watching everything that I can in the couple hours that I am there.

Back to the barn, we will unload the trailer today after I get home from work and then go back to load the last of the wood probably tomorrow, we might do it tonight, but Paul will be in the middle of something so we will finish that first. I am guessing fencing in the upper hay field for the horses.

only 60 hour this week.

2008-09-26T16:46:00.003-04:00

I don't share my work hours to brag or to get sympathy (maybe a little), I know there are people in my circle of friends that put in many more hours than I do. I tell you because I'm just sharing parts of my life with you.

I am tired, ready to get home. I think I am catching up at work. I was following some things on twitter, and aparantly there is a drinking game to go with the presidential debate tonight, drink for every time Johnny say "my friends," and every time Obama says "change." I would add everytime Obama says "mmmm." I thought that was funny. One more week of craziness to go.

77

2008-09-18T07:54:00.002-04:00

Hi there, I know you haven't read much from me lately and there's been good reason. That number 77? That how may hours I am putting in a week for the last three weeks. ( I already have 37 and it is Thursday morning.) I am not trying to get a big pity party, I know there are plenty of people out there that work harder than I do. Just wanted to let you in on what has been going on the last few weeks. I have been twittering, and if I may add there have been quite the colorful entries too. If you really miss me the way I know you do, follow me and I will keep you up to date. Here's a video for your enjoyment no poin to this video really, just a cat that moves closer but you never see it move.

You know I'm tired when...

2008-09-05T12:45:00.002-04:00

I am laughing so hard, I start crying.

hey who's that?

2008-09-02T20:45:00.002-04:00

Get off my blog you impostor! this is my blog! no more double posts! Do you think I don't have time to write a paragraph or two?

My listening habits

2008-09-02T20:36:00.003-04:00

I listen to ESPNradio almost all morning, I cut in and out from that to Glenn Beck , and surprise, fox news. all this , of course is on my XM Radio. I did get to listen to the ESPN radio online today because of a car insurancecompany pays for it now. I thought was very nice of them. It was the one company that you can save 15% or more by laughing at the caveman commercials, or listening to the lizard talk in the cute English accent....

603 posts?!?!

2008-09-02T20:24:00.004-04:00

I have been so busy I forgot to mention that I have posted 603 times. that seems like a lot. I am too busy to even spend time on here, but I 'd thought I'd let you know that I am still alive, and just working my tail off. I clocked in at 6am this morning, and will leave the office about 9pm tonight. that's all. renting a lot of horns and selling some too. Steph and I went to see the dark knight last Saturday, I think I have waited long enough, and at the end I made the comment that there hasn't been a movie that had exceeded my expectations for a long time. she replied with something like a "Yeah, it was ok, I had enough dark intense scary special effects after the first half hour." So we "discussed" the subject more n the the way home but all I could get out of her was "ehh, it was ok." Then I told her that Heath what's his face died before the opening of the movie, then she thought that was a bit creepy. I, however, really enjoyed it.I would be shopping for Orlando vacations, but I am too busy.

Officially the busy season

2008-08-25T20:58:00.002-04:00

I guess when there are parent meetings three nights out of the week and Saturday work is required too, we are officially into the busy season. I should say the busy season that never ends. The work busy season goes straight into the hunting season that goes straight into the holiday season. So things will slow down say about February. Just in time to check out Brazil vacation packages. HA!!

chicken

2008-08-23T09:59:00.004-04:00

Don't expect much posting from me lately. I am starting up the beginner rental season and this week alone I am working Mon Tues Thurs Fri and Sat besides my regular schedule. Yes, it is that busy until the end of September, I didn't slow down until December last year. I am however twittering away it is easy to send a text and keep you up to date rather than sit and take time to blog typing out this long post. You can always email me to talk to my mother has found the internet and it has been easy to catch up on things that way. Need acne creams ? I don't need these any more, I never used them to begin with.

So yeah, chicken. Paul and I were clearing away brush for a lane in the pasture. We then took the tractor to push the brush out of the way, well we couldn't see, and the right front tire went over the edge and took the rest of the tractor with it. The tractor didn't fall entirely over the edge, the rear right tire was holding it up out of the heaping pile of brush it would be landing in soon. So after lunch we took the big tractor over and began to pull it out. Paul wanted me to get on the little tractor (it is small, weighing in at 4 ton) I said, uh no thanks, ( there's the chicken part, he didn't call me a chicken, he didn't want to get in there either) I don't want to go over with it. So sure enough, when he tried to pull it out the first time it went right over, not completely on it side though. After that I was able to ride it out and we then successfully got it out of the pile o' brush. It may not sound like it but I was pretty scared. oh while we were getting that out, the cows got out of the new pasture we were working on to get patched up so we then had to get them back in and start fixing fence, the thing we were there to do in the first place....It is always an exciting day working on the farm.

Home school band

2008-08-15T12:15:00.001-04:00

The home school band meeting will be on Tuesday Aug. 26th at 6:30pm. The first rehearsal will be on Sept. 8th. The Aug 26th meeting will be for every one to pay up for the month ( $5 per rehearsal, per child. Parents usually pay for the month up front.)and to let me collect any horns that need to be repaired, and or adjusted. This will be your chance to rent an instrument if you need to as well. Regular rehearsal will be on Mondays from 3p-5p. Beginners for the first hour and then Middle-high school the second.
Any questions feel free to call or email me.

I guess I am a real farmer.

2008-08-15T11:15:00.002-04:00

This morning we had another litter of pigs. Stephanie has pictures. you can read and see all of it here. I had to stitch one of them up. It was pretty fun. Yes, I laid him right on the kitchen table (the table cloth was old.) I guess I am a real farmer stitching up pigs and all. I have given the goats and sheep shots before. I forgot I have done that before.

Don't bother clicking here

2008-08-13T14:33:00.002-04:00

I don't have much to say about anything. I am starting to work more hours and I lost my wallet, someone picked it up and treat apparently a host of people to McDonald's for $50. and then some gas, c'mon, you better get your gas while it's free! I'm not in the best of moods today, I don't feel like being here at work, I'd rather be working at home. This picture should make you smile, It made me laugh.

Rebuilt Xylophone

2008-08-08T17:35:00.002-04:00

I just finished rebuilding a Musser two and one half xylophone. It only took one week. about 6 hours of labor and parts together came out to $699. It included a new stand with it too. I will deliver it next week.

Speaking of stands, my friend scooter gave us his old TV it is a 27 inch upgraded us from an old 19 inch that we bought at a garage sale in college. I don't need any tv stands for it, as it fits right into my cabinet just right. The picture is much better, and bigger. I am enjoying it very much.

I am going home to butcher my 12 rabbit tonight and tomorrow. TTFN

the week flying by

2008-08-08T15:09:00.002-04:00

We have spent the week working on the farm as usual. Paul has purchased another tractor.This one has a PTO. The back tires on it are taller than I am. You can see pictures of one similar too with a front loader. Ours doesn't have a front loader. Yes it is that big. the pigs are looking good. We are waiting for flame to farrow now. It should be soon with in this week I would guess. I am going to butch the rest of the rabbits this weekend. I think there are 12 or soo that is a whole day's work I think.
We finally have the apartment rented out. The one floor has been empty for too long. It will be nice to keep it full for a while. With all the farm work I don't need to buy diet pills online. Do I?

Just a clean red neck

2008-08-02T22:07:00.002-04:00

Today was my day to find the yellow jackets nest. I only got stung three times. We were unloading the freshly cut locust posts into a pile when we needed to make a new one. well, the yellow jackets had a different idea. I say it was my turn, because Paul found one a week ago when we were shoveling manure around the barn. Before that I found one clearing out a path for the electric fence. that time I got stung about ten times no exaggeration.

So today we cut fence posts, then went over to where we keep the cows pastured and cleared trees that had fallen over the fence but not on the fence, we then continued to trim the trees above then fence about 100 yards or so. Steph and I planted the garden, and realized we didn't grow many potatoes in the tires just great dirt. I'm sure she will update you on that. After we were done with the trees, we went up to the other garden and finished picking the corn, we came out with 12 walmart bags. yeah, you read right 12. She is husking them now as I type.

The older three left with my mom and dad. Dad has his company picnic at Cedar Point Monday. I am jealous. Kellen is tall enough to ride the big rides now, and I wish I could go with him but I can't...I haven't been there since the top thrill dragster opened, and I didn't get to ride it because of maintenance..... We did go there when we were kids, I can remember the magnum was the tallest ride and we used to stay at a cheap hotel with a pool. It's one of those weird things you remember as a kid. Another example is Stephanie brought home a big jar of White House applesauce. When I first met my dad (step dad, long story) he kept cans of White house applesauce in his refrigerator.

This post is sponsored by acne treatments.After all that talk about being a kid, I might break out again...With that, I took a shower at 10pm and came out a clean red neck, not a dirty one. I got a little sun today too.

happy birthday dad.

2008-07-29T09:46:00.004-04:00

Yesterday was my dad's birthday, Tell him happy birthday when you see him, if you haven't already.

He is the guy without the hair doing the peanuts pose.

ellipticals

The week is almost finished

2008-07-26T11:01:00.003-04:00

Kellen has had a good week at the fair, He received a blue ribbon for showmanship, and he placed 6th out of 12 for market rabbit. The judge had a very hard time deciding between 3rd-6th, he took a lot of time. Kellen was disappointed at first but got over it quickly. He said he was happy wth his placings. Last night at the market auction he brought in $125 I think. I was soo tired last night. He even hinted that 4H isn't so bad, and he might be doing it next year. (he told us he doesn't want to do it again next year before the fair)the company who bought the rabbits gave it back to be resold, so Kellen can keep them if he wishes. We were there until midnight last night. They had pizza and pop after the fair closed at 11p. We were there to be resold anyway, so we stayed. I slept in this morning until 8am. Today I am working, and then I will meet everyone there. The fair closes at 11pm and we have to stay until the fair closes to tear everything down, so it will be another long night.

I have been behind this week because of my work van being in the shop. the rear wheel bearing was gone,( not gone just worn out.) and the right front axle neede replaced. I took it in last friday (the 18th), told them exactly what needed done, they called me back that day, telling me that I was right. The service manager said he didn't have the parts in that he needed, and that they (the dealer) didn't like to use after market parts on this repair because he has some trouble in the past. ( translation: your a business and we need to make more money here.) I didn't mind that because it is the work van, etc. Sometime the dealer parts are better. They said it would be done Tuesday or Weds. I call Weds after noon, the parts were not in yet. He said Thursday morning it would be done by noon. It would happen that Thursday is the day I planned to be out on the road because the van was in the shop. Thursday morning, the dealer calls me and says they recieved the wrong part, and that they would just get it from NAPA. That would be aftermarket parts... I would have had the van much earlier. People wonder why I will just do it myself. I ended up leaving much later than expected, and working Friday day instead of just half. Not taking the days off that I could have because I work on Saturday.

Another note, I borrowed Ted's van to go sell stuff, and brought it home. I know Ted is not very mechanically inclined, so I thought I would check his van out and make sure there in nothing wrong. While driving it, I heard a rattling noise that sounded like a belt tensioner pulley. I need to check fluids to, because Ted ,admittedly, does not do this. Here is the list of things I had to do:

So Friday morning I go to open the hood and the latch is rusted shut. The cable pulls but the hood doesn't pop up. After I got the hood opened:
ALL the fluids were low brake fluid, oil, Transmission fluid, antifreeze, power steering
I added 3 quarts of oil ( this should never be this low...)
replaced two hoses
Checked the PCV valve ( that was the rattle)
fixed the cruise control ( He said he couldn't remember the last time it worked)
filled the tires to the right lbs
I would have checked the AC pressure ( because it lost cool for a while) but I didn't have time.
The serpentine belt need replaced, but I didn't have one there, and it is easier to replace with two people. I'll do it later (or when it brakes)

It only took me an hour. I was happy to help out. Ted, thought I was a genius, I said it is nice to have the right tools. Having me service the vans is much cheaper for George then the dealers...I told him I am driving his van home once a month....
Maybe I can cure mesothelioma while I'm at it.

fair week.

2008-07-21T13:06:00.004-04:00

It is Monday and I have spent the entire morning running errands for this week. Dropping off a water pump core, parking my four wheeler, getting feed in Milton, and stopping by the fairgrounds to buy week passes for Steph, Lydia and myself. The office doesn't open until 2pm. So I have to go back there again. I had to park the four wheeler in my parking lot, because the dealer is not open on Mondays. I went to buy a pad lock to lock the hitch (so no one decided they can back right up and pull out with a nice quad) and the lock was too big. So add that to the list of stops. There has been my Monday so far, weigh in is at 6p tonight. I drove past the building where the rabbits will be, it is sooooo small. We are used to the Wayne County fair that everything is dwarfed in comparison.

Did you remember it is Kellen's 10th birthday today? He's over half way to legal adulthood... Steph posted more too. Drop by and tell him happy b-day. Or better yet buy him some handcrafted jewelry! Well, maybe not.

I update on twitter about three times a day or more, so if you want to know more details that you can't get here, follow me on the twit side.

hello there

2008-07-18T13:10:00.001-04:00

Hi, I have been busy at work. My posting will be cut down to once a week, I'm afraid. but you can keep up with me on twitter see the link above on the right? Yesterday Paul raked and baled hay all day,. Then I cam home and helped get everything on the trailers and then up in the barn, with some much appreciated help from the neighbors, we got all of it up in the barn. Saturday morning we will help the neighbors pour a footer for the addition onto the house. that should be fun.

Did I tell you that we dug post holes and set posts for the pig house? Well we did that too.

The dark knight is out now. I don't think I will be able to talk Stephanie into going to see that with me. The equals out to me waiting until it is out on rental. which doesn't bother me too much.

twittering again.

2008-07-16T17:27:00.002-04:00

I figured out how to text my twits, so I am doing that again. You can follow me if you want. I am getting busy at work now so I may resort to twitting form now on. So much happens, and there is not enough time to write it all down.

Last week end you may remember I stayed at home with the two youngest ones whilst my beloved took the two oldest to Kings Island. We had a good time. I worked and got spoiled by papaw as well as the kids. We had shrimp and steak for dinner one night. I stayed up late and played a lot of Zelda: the ocarina of time. I watched some movies as well. (28 days later)

We got the lamb back from the butcher last week as well. It must be the whole raising your own food, because this tasted exquisite. We had lamb chops ( on the grill) the first night, and it was tender, pulled right off the bone. The next meal ( I think a week later) we had some of the ground up meat(do you call it lamburger?) on the grill again. Stephanie said all she did was add salt and pepper to it and grill. I did not use any condiments at all it was that good. I could on but then you would start to get jealous.

We started building the pig house. Paul and I dug post holes, and set the posts (12 6x6x12) this morning. We hope to get it usable by the time they have their piglets. I think that all for now. Here is another funny/scary/crazy video:

Just what every parent wants to hear.

2008-07-14T13:32:00.002-04:00

Nothing like that would come out of my child's mouth, but Bucky has let us in on his adventures in parenting as well:

Cow Appreciation day!?!?!

2008-07-11T14:29:00.003-04:00

I was unaware of this day until I saw it on Momadvice freebie Friday....

If you have the gumption enough to do this, you can go to Chick Fil'A dressed up like a cow to receive a free combo. Dress the kids up too and have a free dinner. I am very tempted to do so. Seriously. So get all gussied up, I mean bessied up, and go out to eat tonight!