Mr Sandman Where Are Thou

Mr Sandman where are thou, I need you to come back to my house tonight.  I went to bed last night at 9 PM and was awake at 12:30 AM.  So I got up at 1:00 AM and have been working on my store marking down all the items.   I need to make room for things I plan on purchasing in April on our trip to Pennsylvania.  We will be gone for a week and I can hardly wait to go.  We have only been to Amish country in Pennsylvania one time about 20 years ago.
Our almost 18 year old granddaughter will come over and help our grandson who is 23 that lives with us take care of all the chickens and turkeys.  While we are gone hopefully there will be some turkeys hatching.  Every Sunday I put the turkey eggs in the incubator from the week.  Out of the the 4 turkey hens only one is old enough to lay and I have been getting 5 eggs a week from her for the last 2 weeks.  The other 3 hens should start laying in about a month.  I will continue to try to hatch all of the eggs myself and then when it gets warmer I will let them hatch some if they go broody. 

Surgery Needed

I guess I am going to have to finally have surgery.  I've put it off long enough.  The doctors told me long ago about this problem but I just didn't want to have to go under the knife.  The surgery will be on my bottom (butt). 
They discovered I have a strong magnet in my butt and that is the reason I am not able to get out of my recliner to do anything.  The springs in the chair are metal and the magnets strong pull is holding me in the chair.  So you see I have an excuse for not doing anything.  I need to have it done soon if I want to get up and get things done around here.  Please keep me in your thoughts and hope for the best outcome.  Thanks

The Deviants of Decay, Forgive Us Our Trespasses Art Show

  
Last night we attended "The Deviants of Decay, Forgive Us Our Trespasses Art Show" where our son Ron and 5 other photographers displayed some of their work.  There was a nice crowd and we had a nice time visiting and seeing everyone's photos.  You can check out and Like/Follow Ron's Facebook page to keep up with his works of art.  Sit back, relax and take a look at all the beautiful photos he has on his site.  Also click on "About" and see why he is inspired to take photos like this and if you have any questions you can contact him on the site.

Ron and some of his work.

Ron's work.

Several of the display items came from my auction finds.  Ron borrowed them for the display.

My 3 beautiful grand daughters; Reagan, Hannah and Eliz.

Sisters, Hannah and Eliz.

Cousins; Reagan and Eliz.

A Lazy Do Nothing Day for Me

The big snow from yesterday is still coming down.  It slowed down for a little while but has picked up again.  We received about 9 inches of new snow on top of the 7 inches we got this past weekend.
 
I had 2 wisdom teeth pulled yesterday and was scared to death with them telling me about all the pain I was going to be having.  So far I took 1 pain pill and that was before I went to bed, I thought it might help me sleep.  Well I was wrong about that, I did not sleep well at all.  I was awake about every 1/2 hour.  I don't know why I couldn't sleep, I wasn't having any pain I just did not sleep.

I've declared today is an official PJ's day for me.  No reason I see of to get dressed, not going anywhere and I'm pretty sure no one will be coming here.  All schools and some businesses are closed and there is very little traffic on the roads.

I can throw my coat on and still go out and gather eggs, the chickens are not into fashion so they could care less what I have on.  I guess I better get out there and see how good they have been and then I am going to take a nap.

Snow, Snow and Never Ending Snow

This past Friday and Saturday we received 7.5 inches of snow.  They had predicted some rain and sleet with it but we got very little of that which was OK with me.  Tomorrow NWS says the following:
Tuesday: Snow, mainly after noon. High near 24. Wind chill values between zero and 10. East northeast wind 7 to 14 mph, with gusts as high as 17 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New snow accumulation of 2 to 4 inches possible.

Tuesday Night: Snow with areas of blowing snow. Low around 17. Wind chill values between 5 and 11. North wind 14 to 17 mph, with gusts as high as 24 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New snow accumulation of 3 to 5 inches possible.

So that means on top of the 7.5 inches we have now we could get another 5-9 inches.  And if that isn't enough snow they are saying we will be getting MORE on Friday or Saturday.
This for sure has been the year of the snow and horrible cold temps.  They said we had weather like this 35 years ago and if it was up to me it could wait another 35 year to repeat itself.
On the bright side.................... well right now I can't think of anything.  :)

More Snow in the Forecast

Looks like we will be getting more snow in the next 3 days, just what we need.  I guess there are some positives:  snow melts and fills my well, the farmers need it on their fields, I can tell if any animals have been around the yard or by the coops by looking for foot prints.  My negatives are:  I have to shovel it, we've had our share this year, the chickens won't go out in the run until I shovel them a path and I am just plain tired of it. 
Last year we were spoiled and had less than 4" for the whole winter so I guess we are making up for it this year. 
I think the worst part of this winter has been the horrible cold temps.  We haven't experienced this type of temps in over 30 years.  When it does get below zero we seem to have the horrible wind with it and that just makes it worse.  I stay nice and warm in the house but I would like to spend more time outside.  Right now all I do is go out to collect eggs several times a day so they don't freeze and to feed the chickens and turkeys.  A couple of times I did walk around the yard to pick up twigs and branches from the white pine tree.  We have a huge pile of branches we've lost from that tree this years because of the ice and wind. 
Well no matter how much I complain about it there is nothing I can do to change it.  My daughter Renee said yesterday at this point you just have to laugh when you hear snow in the forecast and I guess she is correct.

Beautiful Sunny Sunday

Wow what a difference just a few days make.  It is a beautiful day, sunny and 41 degrees out.  I didn't put on a jacket when I went out to tend to the chickens.  They are all out enjoying this nice day.  When we were shopping yesterday I picked up 2 heads of cabbage at Aldi for $1.29 each and Ron hung one of them in the run for the girls to eat.  I try and do this every couple of weeks, it gives them something to do and some good greens to eat.  It took them about 2 hours and it was gone but they had fun picking at it while it lasted.  I told them to enjoy this day because tomorrow the high will be 1 degrees, no not a typo, it will be one degrees for the high tomorrow.  Mother nature has a way of building our hopes up and then knocking us down real fast.
On this nice day I have a small hen turkey that we butchered last month baking.  I also have a nice pan of dressing in with it.  At Thanksgiving I made a huge amount of dressing and then portioned it out in containers and froze it for times like this.  We've used some already and have 2 more containers in the freezer.  After I use that up I need to make some more of the dried dressing mix that I made last year, that stuff was simply delicious and so easy to make. 

The chickens out enjoying the sunny day.

My turkeys.

The 3 males, brown one which you can only see part of and the 2 black ones.  The white one is 1 of 4 females.

Several of the chickens in the coop, the brown and white one is my favorite and she lays green eggs.

More of the girls decided they wanted their picture taken too.

Front yard, can you tell where the septic tank is?  Your correct it is the big bare circle up at the front of the house.

Horrible Case of Cabin Fever and Old Age

The American Heritage Dictionary describes "Cabin Fever": Boredom, restlessness, or irritability that results from a lack of environmental stimulation, as from a prolonged stay in a remote, sparsely populated region or a confined indoor area.
Yep that is exactly how I feel.  I looked at the projected 10 day forecast and it doesn't look promising.  Just going out to tend to the chickens is an enjoyable part of my day right now.  I talk to them, scold them and encourage them to get out of the coop into the horribly cold weather.  I'm beginning to think they have "Coop Fever".  I have found out who the egg eater is but need to wait until it gets a little warmer to do something about it.  Someone suggested I trim her beak and I am going to try that when I go out later today.  If that works her death sentence will be commuted.  I sure hope it works because it is just to darn cold to have to butcher her.  

I also don't feel the best right now.  I went to the doctor the first of the week because I have a horrible pain on the right side of my neck.  He said it was probably a pulled muscle and prescribe a muscle relaxer.  The problem with it is it makes me tired so I only try to take a half of one during the day.  It hasn't gotten a whole lot better yet.
I have a wisdom tooth that I chipped and can't get into the dentist until next Tuesday.  They won't do anything that day, you have to have a consult with the dentist first. :(
I had a panic attack that woke me up last night so I got up and took my blood pressure like the doctor wants me to do.  I sat on the "throne" while I did it.  My BP was OK but my heart rate was 109 so I sat there for a while and I either fell asleep or passed out and woke up and took it again and it was 92.  My legs at this point had fallen asleep and when I got up I could not stand and twisted my left foot and fell against the wall.  I am positive I broke a small bone or two on the side of my foot but I refuse to go to the doctor.  It is swollen and hurts like heck but I know that the only thing they do is have you wear one of those wooden shoes and I know I wouldn't keep it on so there is no need wasting my money.
I am just an accident waiting to happen; I forgot that on Monday I was introduced to a patch of ice out by the chicken coop but am feeling much better from that fall.  Getting old is not fun sometimes.  Oh well it could be worse.

Needs vs Wants

I've thought about writing this post for some time and just decided to go ahead and do it.
What has happened to our society where wants come before needs.  Yes we need a place to live, food to eat and clothes to wear.
I see and hear of young and old alike living way beyond their needs.  Before I go any farther yes I have things that I could live without BUT I did not purchase these items when I had commitments that needed paid or done. 
I have always taken care of my needs the best I could and if their was a want it came AFTER the needs.  I see way too many who take care of their wants before they take care of their needs.  Where as a society have we gone wrong?  We need to live within our means, take care our bills before we take care of our wants.  Pay for things with cash instead of plastic unless it is an absolute emergency don't use plastic.  If you must use plastic pay it off as soon as possible.
We need to learn to work for the things we get, no one owes you anything.  I worked with a gentleman once who said the employer "owed it to him".  Guess what that person no longer has a job with that company and has been unemployed for almost 2 years.  His attitude finally caught up with him and he was let go.  I don't wish that on anyone but remember no one owes you anything, you need to work for everything you get.
I am in my sixties and have finally came to a point in my life where I can afford "wants" but I limit them still.  I purchase almost all my clothes secondhand, I buy at least 95% of everything I purchase when I find it on sale.  I grow what I can and then preserve it and I wouldn't have it any other way.
Do I expect everyone to agree with me, no.  This is my blog and I just needed to vent.

What A Different Week

Last Monday at this time we were -18 with wind chills in the -35 range.  It is just a little after 9 AM and it is 38 degrees out, partly sunny and beautiful.  Just came in from gathering eggs and feeding everyone and did not need to put a jacket on.  Last week when I went out I would put on a jacket, 2 scarves, a face hoodie, 2 hats and gloves and was still cold.
We got a huge head of cabbage for the hens yesterday and hung it in the run so they would have something to do and also a treat.  All that is left right now is the core of the cabbage.  I need to do that more often as it is so good for them and helps pass the time so maybe they won't eat their their eggs.
I and they need to enjoy today because the weather is changing and by the end of the week the high will be only 20 degrees.  Oh well it is winter and I live in Central Ill and this is to be expected.

This is me and what I had to wear just to go out and gather eggs last week.

The Thrifty Amish and Mennonite Closet's Facebook Page

Hop over to my new stores Facebook page and "Like" it so you can follow along with some of what is going on.  Thanks so much.

You can also send me a "Friend Request" to Paula Osborn and follow me on Facebook.


https://www.facebook.com/AmishClothes

A Tour of My Chickens and Turkeys for a Former Coworker

 http://www.amazon.com/Cattle-Tales-Seven-Cowboy-Stories/dp/149435151X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1388449786&sr=8-1&keywords=cattle+tales

Yesterday morning one of the guys I used to work with came over with 2 of his kids to see my setup for the chickens and turkeys.  He has just published his first children's book and was thinking about getting some inspiration for another book and wanted to visit.  Shaun, Sophie and Christopher were my captive audience as I showed them around and tried to share everything I know about raising chickens and turkeys.  I'm sure at some point I was boring them but I was so eager to share my knowledge.  The only thing I miss about not working is having interaction with people on a daily basis.  My husband IS NOT a talker and neither is the grandson who lives with us, so when someone comes over I so enjoy it and NEVER shut up.  They were here for almost 2 hours and after talking outside we came in and the kids enjoyed some hot cocoa.
Sophie who is 11 was interested in seeing all my canning stuff so I was more than glad to show her my canning closet.  I also shared with her the stuff I dehydrated.  We talked about other things and then it was time they left so they could finish their Saturday chores.
Go to the link above and take a look at Shaun's first book. 

Unwanted Visitor

A couple of weeks ago Ron spotted a coyote in the back field, we've seen coyotes out back before. This morning when going to collect eggs I noticed large tracks all around the coops and yard. I followed them to see where they went and where they came from. I followed them through the field and had to stop tracking them when they disappeared behind the neighbors wood pile and down into the gully and woods. The tracks were all over the front yard, side yard and back yard so he was exploring the entire area. Our runs and coops are very secured so nothing happened to the chickens or turkeys. We have a trap that we can set out but first need to find out if it is legal to do so. I don't want or need any coyote hanging around this close to our house. He has plenty of fields and woods to roam without roaming my yard.

Keurig Coffee Machine

Last week Ron and I used the Christmas gift card from his work to purchase the Keurig Platinum K75 Brewing System.   It is a luxury item and that is the only way we would have got it.  I've WANTED one for a while but did not necessary need it.   It is perfect for the couple cups of coffee I drink each day and Ron and Ian drink hot chocolate.   After I use up the 60 K cups that came with it I will use can coffee with the K cup filter that came with it.  Gina took us to Costco so we could get it there because it was so much cheaper and she has a Costco card and we don't.   Ron also used some of the money to get a nice space heater for his new workshop.  Thanks Alter Trading for the Christmas gifts.

My Horrrible Experience

We experienced the worst weather in Central Illinois than we have had in 25 years in the last 48 hours. We've had snow, horrible winds and way below zero temps.  I've went out several times today to check on the turkeys and chickens and on my second trip out I noticed the chickens couldn't get to their water because it was drifted over 18" in spots so I went in the run with the shovel (the run is only 4' high so I am stooped over the whole time). Shoveled them a path and backed my way out, about 20' and couldn't get out. The latch had fell and I was locked in the run at -9, wind chill -25. Lucky Ian was home today so I called him to come out and save me. I was properly dressed but even at that my fingers were frozen. When I came in the house I cried for over 5 minutes while trying to get them warm. I forgot to tell you I am claustrophobic!  I can tell you for sure that this will never happen again.

Feeling Horrible About This Blog

Looking back at the lack of posts for 2013 makes me feel horrible.  I can use the excuses I've been busy, don't know what to write about, or the real truth is I am just to lazy and need some inspiration.  I plan on posting at least 3 times a week this year and hope I can keep up with my promise.  So those of you who are still reading the blog please stick with me and I promise I will do a better job this year.  Thanks

Where Did It Go

I've looked everywhere but I can't find it.  I am not a person who can sit still and have nothing to do, I have to be busy ALL the time or I am bored.  Ask my husband and he will tell you that I am not a happy person when I get bored.
Well today I can't find my get and and go.  I have no energy, have a headache, and ambition is a foreign word.  Is it the weather or the mile long list of things that need done?  I'm not sure but I hate when I get like this.  I have to be productive, get something done, accomplish a task.  Right now the only thing I am doing is sitting here thinking of all the things that I should be doing and wishing someone would vacuum the house, it needs it so badly. 
I have been up since 6 and have only answered some emails, started a load of wash, measured some Amish items getting them ready for pictures so I can post them and gathered eggs.  For 4 1/2 hours that is nothing. 
If you find my get up and go please send it back to me as I need it ever so badly.  Thanks for your help.

Taking a Break

Thought I would sit and rest from working on taking pictures of stuff for Etsy and catch up my neglected Blog.  I had about 130 items to get photographed today, then I will tweak the pictures and then get them posted.  I have about 40 more items to photograph yet today so I can work on the tweaking part tonight.  Etsy and eBay are 7 days a week and all day jobs. 
My son Ron came over on Wednesday and transferred the stuff from my old laptop to the new one, cleaned up the screen of un used items and gave me some pointers.  The only thing about this laptop is that it has a very touchy control pad (mouse).  I don't have the space on my lap to use an external mouse and I will just have to get used to this one.  I now like this one a whole lot more than I did Monday.
Watched Eliz on Thursday while Gina was in school and she slept most of the time.  She was dressed in a Winnie The Pooh outfit for Halloween.  She was 11 weeks old on Friday, time sure flies.

 

Ian went to a wedding a couple of weeks ago and here are some pictures of him and him holding Eliz.  Ian is not a baby person at all and you sure can tell by the way he holds her.

 

 

Well this isn't getting the rest of my pictures done so I need to get busy and get them done.  I still have 3 totes of stuff that I need to get hung and then do all the pictures of them.  Busy, busy old lady but it keeps me out of trouble. 



 

 

New Laptop Has Finally Arrived

I had a super high at 11:30 when FedEx delivered my new laptop.  By 12:30 I was at a super low.  My desktop and old laptop had Vista operating system and this laptop has Windows 8 operating system.  To me it's like speaking English to speaking a foreign language.  The only thing I was able to do on my own was set it up, connect to wireless and install MS Office Software.  Ian helped me the best he could and he has it functional right now and my son Ron will be over Wednesday afternoon to help me and to transfer the needed things from my old hard drive to this one.  It sure is a learning curve and feel better tonight about things. 
I need to play around and explore more on it and find all the those hidden gems. 
The laptop itself is beautiful, have a 17' screen, number keypad, nice shinny black and of course it is a HP the only brand I will purchase.  In a couple of weeks I will be sailing very smooth but right now the seas are a little rough.   

Catching up

It's been a while since I had time or made time to sit down and write.  Two weeks ago I finished up dehydrating shredded potatoes and have 3 half gallon jars full.  That is a lot of potatoes and should last until next year.  Went to a nice auction the first of the month and picked up a lot of nice linens that I need to get listed on Etsy and eBay.
My corner of the living room: reclining chair, end table with light and a wooden tray where I keep my laptop next to my chair. Last Monday night I was getting out of my chair in the living room and picked up my tea glass that has a handle on it and tapped it on the edge of the wooden tray and the bottom of the glass just sheared off and tea went into my laptop.  I dried it, took the air hose and blew it out, and put the fan on it and my laptop is fried.  It is about 5 years old but was in excellent condition because I took good care of it.  I was devastated, we were leaving the next morning for Indiana and Ohio and I always travel with it and also the thought of buying a new one was pretty upsetting.  I have a desktop but it is in the back of the house and not convenient to use.
The trip went real well until Friday morning when Ron was turning around in a parking lot and a loud bang and out went the power steering.  We drive a super crew F 150 and no power steering is a bad thing.  He looked under the hood, power steering fluid OK, belt OK and could not see anything wrong.  Across the street from where we were in this small town was a little mechanics shop and we went over and asked if someone could look at it.  They came over and made the same observations as we did.  He said it needed to be looked at by a Ford dealer and told us where 2 were.  Now we had a big decision to make, go to the dealer to see if they could look at it and if so if a part was needed would they have it in these 2 small towns or just try and drive it home or as close to home as we could get.  We decided to cut the vacation short by 1 1/2 days and start home.  We had a truck with 7 totes and over a dozen garbage bags full of Amish and Mennonite clothing and if we got stuck who would be able to come and get us; no one.  We drove until dark Friday night and then got up early Saturday and we made it home.  On the way home Friday I called the Ford dealer where we get service and made an appointment to drop it off Sunday night so they could look at it today.
In August we had it in for new tie rods and other front end things.  The problem was when they put in new tie rods they also put in a new power steering gear box and it was defective so it did cost us anything as it was covered under warranty.  Good for the no cost but still a little upset that we didn't get to all the places I had planned.
Our son Ronnie hunted for the best bargain he could find for a new laptop and placed the order for it Thursday night.  Now it's just a waiting game.  We should be able to get the hard drive info transferred from the old one to the new one.  Ron had Blossem pick up what ever it is so he can do it.
So for now I am stuck in the back room in the corner all by myself if I need to use the computer and with well over 1000 items to get listed so I can sell them I can see I will be spending a lot of time here.  :(