I can tell my momentum is lost. Probably it has a lot to do with the heat. It is no fun to run in 90+ degree weather. We've been getting up early just so we can run when it is in the 70's. Really that is still too hot for me but it is sure better than the alternative.
The scary part is that I actually have a race I'm registered for at the end of August. A 5K Color Run. I'm getting to see a friend/co-worker that I haven't seen in 12 years or so. That will be a lot of fun. I'm just hoping that the paint/color is nice and cold for during the run.
I'm finally up to running 30 minutes in a stretch. I still usually fudge it and end up walking a little in there. I will be very happy to have the weather turn in the fall when it comes to my running.
A little bit of what we've been up to:
Farmer's Market on Saturdays. I've been selling my hand spun wool. Well, at this point the more correct statement is that I have it for sale. I've been selling the Wooly Balls though. They take the place of dryer sheets and do the same job.
I've been volunteering at a co-op grocery store that is going to open soon. That has been quite a bit of fun even if it is scrubbing shelves and building them up.
We've been enjoying just spending some good family time. Tom has the rest of this week off and then he's back at school. The international kids get there before everyone else and he is more or less in charge of getting them settled in.
Bear starts school mid-August. Kindergarten! We have most if not all of his school supplies ready to go. He'll still need some shoes, especially for p.e. but that should be about it. He wants to use his backpack from last year so I need to repair the bottom of it.
Mia is going to be broken-hearted when she can't go to school. She won't even be old enough for pre-school this year. She just doesn't make the cut-off. And I probably won't put her in until she is 4 anyway. No sense in spending that much money for a couple of years. We'll just have to do some school time here at the house with her.
Although I don't know where I would put it I want to do a little kid table and chairs for the kids. I think they would both love it. My major issue is figuring out where to put it. I'm trying to figure out some good storage for their rooms too. We just put up a bunch of hooks in Bear's room which helped out a bunch. Mia still needs something and the closets need another rod down at their level.
Oh, and one last thing we've been up to. Canning/preserving. We have oodles of food right now and I'm struggling to keep up with getting it all in the pantry. No complaints by any means though. Tomatoes should be ready soon. That is what I'm most excited about. That and we should start seeing peaches from Colorado soon.
Tuesday, July 30, 2013
Tuesday, July 23, 2013
He's at it again.
Bear must be growing again. We've had several days of 4 hour naps and insane amounts of food. When he grows like this the food just disappears in my house. The other day breakfast was a banana, an apple (or peach can't remember which), and then 2 pancakes and 2 slices of bacon and a large glass of milk. I can't eat that much. Granted he then didn't eat much for lunch but ate a decent dinner too.
Today was fruit for breakfast and then a roll-up (tortilla with peanut butter and honey), a yogurt, applesauce, and 2 plums for lunch. And he was still telling me that wasn't going to last the day. I really do dread him becoming a teenager. I know he is going to be the kid that comes home from school, eats two huge sandwiches and then asks me what is for dinner.
It is funny the difference between the kids too. Mia goes through her spurts too but she just doesn't pack it away like he does. She also seems to like to make her food last as long as possible where he scarfs. He loves fruits and veggies and she is pretty indifferent to them for the most part. She very much as her standard foods based on chocolate milk where Bear eats pretty much anything and everything he can lay his hands on.
It makes my grocery shopping nuts too. This week we went shopping on Friday and it is now Tuesday. We have been through 1 bunch of bananas, a 2.5 pound box of nectarines, almost through a 2.5 pound box of peaches, 6 plums, almost through a 3.5 pound bag of apples, a clam shell of blueberries, and most of a bag of cherries. I didn't even get any of the blueberries. Neither did Tom. The kids sat and had the clam shell for breakfast. This is just the fruit that is used on top of the vegetables we get with our CSA and from our garden. That includes lettuce, carrots, herbs, zucchini, tomatoes, onions, garlic, greens, and peas.
Thank goodness the kids like the veggies and the fruits. It does get pricey in the winter though. Summer isn't too bad since the stuff is in season. I'm looking forward to the next month. We should start seeing peaches come up from Colorado. I'm determined to buy a large box and can peaches this year. I will miss the prune and apple trees we had in Montana but I'm finding plenty of other goodies here too.
I'd better see if the zucchini bread is ready yet. It should be getting close.
Today was fruit for breakfast and then a roll-up (tortilla with peanut butter and honey), a yogurt, applesauce, and 2 plums for lunch. And he was still telling me that wasn't going to last the day. I really do dread him becoming a teenager. I know he is going to be the kid that comes home from school, eats two huge sandwiches and then asks me what is for dinner.
It is funny the difference between the kids too. Mia goes through her spurts too but she just doesn't pack it away like he does. She also seems to like to make her food last as long as possible where he scarfs. He loves fruits and veggies and she is pretty indifferent to them for the most part. She very much as her standard foods based on chocolate milk where Bear eats pretty much anything and everything he can lay his hands on.
It makes my grocery shopping nuts too. This week we went shopping on Friday and it is now Tuesday. We have been through 1 bunch of bananas, a 2.5 pound box of nectarines, almost through a 2.5 pound box of peaches, 6 plums, almost through a 3.5 pound bag of apples, a clam shell of blueberries, and most of a bag of cherries. I didn't even get any of the blueberries. Neither did Tom. The kids sat and had the clam shell for breakfast. This is just the fruit that is used on top of the vegetables we get with our CSA and from our garden. That includes lettuce, carrots, herbs, zucchini, tomatoes, onions, garlic, greens, and peas.
Thank goodness the kids like the veggies and the fruits. It does get pricey in the winter though. Summer isn't too bad since the stuff is in season. I'm looking forward to the next month. We should start seeing peaches come up from Colorado. I'm determined to buy a large box and can peaches this year. I will miss the prune and apple trees we had in Montana but I'm finding plenty of other goodies here too.
I'd better see if the zucchini bread is ready yet. It should be getting close.
Thursday, July 18, 2013
Last days until payday
I really don't like the day before payday. We tend to be out of fruit more than anything. And of course that is the day the kids pick to really want it. They haven't really cared the whole month and the day before we get paid they really want fruit. Go figure. I was going to make graham crackers today too until I realized I'd forgotten to get whole wheat flour last time I went grocery shopping. Guess that will have to wait until this weekend/tomorrow's grocery trip.
I just realized I go pick up our CSA tomorrow too. I gotta get the last 3 zucchini processed before I do because I'm sure she'll have piles for us again. I think I'll have to pick up some peppers or something so I can do up some sort of zucchini relish. I have plenty of dried zucchini. I will still build some more zucchini bread. It is a great and handy thing to have around.
Thinking about our food storage and all has me also thinking about Costco. I miss having a Costco close by. It is funny the things you take for granted until they are gone. Luckily this September we'll be headed to Colorado where there is a Costco. Yay! I can pick up some things. Granted I will probably have to slim my list a little but it will be nice to do things like pick up pecans before the holiday season starts.
I also try to stock up on all my baking supplies during the holidays. They all go on sale then so it works to pick them up then. Last year I found flour at $.99 for a 5 pound bag. Why I didn't buy more of it I don't know. I think I was in a hurry or something and then of course the sale ended. Dang!
It is funny I know folks who think they have a lot of butter when they have a couple of pounds in the fridge or freezer and I start getting really nervous when I get down to 4 pounds. That is something I like to stockpile because it is normally pretty expensive so when I find it at a good price I stash it. It keeps wonderfully in the freezer and then when I need to bake I just go to my freezer instead of the store. I'm at that point right now of being way down on my butter. That is what made me think about it. I'm hoping butter goes on sale. Unfortunately it isn't really a back to school item. :)
Speaking of back to school... Bear will be headed for school next month. Holy cow! Time sure flies. Tomorrow we'll be doing the required physical and eye exam. Then he'll be completely registered for kindergarten. A few more school supplies and probably a new pair of shoes and we'll be good. Oh, and a backpack repair. Yes, he wants his repaired not replaced. I asked. He apparently really likes his from last year. I'm good with that. Much cheaper to pull out the sewing machine and put a new bottom in than to buy a whole new backpack. I was prepared to buy a backpack though so if he changes his mind it isn't a big deal.
I'd better get off the computer and get checking on critters. Now that we have chicks and kittens I've got to get it in gear faster in the morning.
I just realized I go pick up our CSA tomorrow too. I gotta get the last 3 zucchini processed before I do because I'm sure she'll have piles for us again. I think I'll have to pick up some peppers or something so I can do up some sort of zucchini relish. I have plenty of dried zucchini. I will still build some more zucchini bread. It is a great and handy thing to have around.
Thinking about our food storage and all has me also thinking about Costco. I miss having a Costco close by. It is funny the things you take for granted until they are gone. Luckily this September we'll be headed to Colorado where there is a Costco. Yay! I can pick up some things. Granted I will probably have to slim my list a little but it will be nice to do things like pick up pecans before the holiday season starts.
I also try to stock up on all my baking supplies during the holidays. They all go on sale then so it works to pick them up then. Last year I found flour at $.99 for a 5 pound bag. Why I didn't buy more of it I don't know. I think I was in a hurry or something and then of course the sale ended. Dang!
It is funny I know folks who think they have a lot of butter when they have a couple of pounds in the fridge or freezer and I start getting really nervous when I get down to 4 pounds. That is something I like to stockpile because it is normally pretty expensive so when I find it at a good price I stash it. It keeps wonderfully in the freezer and then when I need to bake I just go to my freezer instead of the store. I'm at that point right now of being way down on my butter. That is what made me think about it. I'm hoping butter goes on sale. Unfortunately it isn't really a back to school item. :)
Speaking of back to school... Bear will be headed for school next month. Holy cow! Time sure flies. Tomorrow we'll be doing the required physical and eye exam. Then he'll be completely registered for kindergarten. A few more school supplies and probably a new pair of shoes and we'll be good. Oh, and a backpack repair. Yes, he wants his repaired not replaced. I asked. He apparently really likes his from last year. I'm good with that. Much cheaper to pull out the sewing machine and put a new bottom in than to buy a whole new backpack. I was prepared to buy a backpack though so if he changes his mind it isn't a big deal.
I'd better get off the computer and get checking on critters. Now that we have chicks and kittens I've got to get it in gear faster in the morning.
Monday, July 15, 2013
Bring it on
I am adding more chores to my life. I get chickens this week! Well, chicks that will grow into chickens. So now we will have lots of babies around here. Yes, it means my carpets are toast. It is a good thing they will be going away. Between the occasional accident from Mia and now the new puppy, along with all the foot traffic from kids and dogs my carpets are gross. I vacuum a lot and we have spot cleaner that we use a lot too, but I will be renting a shampooer again before too long. I'm hoping next Fall's big project will be floors around here. This year it will be the wood stove.
Along with having loads of babies around here it is officially harvest season. I have zucchini everywhere! I didn't even grow any thank goodness. Our CSA share has been providing more than I know what to do with. In fact that will be today's project. Zucchini bread, shred and freeze zucchini, dry zucchini, and start some sauerkraut with the two heads of cabbage I have. I also need to freeze my cilantro, parsley, and some garlic scape pesto. I have a lot to do and my list just gets longer.
To be honest I couldn't be happier about that. The kittens are pretty self-sufficient. I just make sure there is food and water out for them and the litter box (which I hate) is clean. I'm working on moving them outside so they will hopefully not be needing a litter box too much longer. Kyra, the new puppy, is pretty good too. She is quiet. Almost to a fault. Although she was a good dog yesterday, along with Buddy. They alerted us to a great big bull snake in the yard. At first from the hissing rattle sound it made at Buddy we thought it was a rattlesnake. Tom was our protector and went to deal with the snake and then realized it was a bull snake which is basically a non-poisonous version of the rattlesnake. They make a hiss/rattle sound that mimics the rattlesnake with their mouth somehow. They are actually good snakes to have around since they usually run off the rattlesnakes. They do still bite but at least they aren't poisonous.
We were glad the dogs did a good job of letting us know something was different. This is one of the many reasons we have dogs. Let's see, we have 2 kittens, 1 puppy, 1 dog, a 5 year-old, a 2 year-old, and soon will have 3 baby chicks. Sounds kinda like Old McDonald's Farm around here. :) I don't think we'll get too much crazier this year. We'll get these babies grown up and then we'll see where we are at next spring.
I suppose I should start tackling my to-do list. My chicks are here sometime in the next couple of days so I need to make sure their brooder gets to the right temp. (90-95 degrees F). And then I'll take care of kitten chores and then start in on the veggies. Somewhere in there too I'll have to do some laundry and the rest of the day-to-day stuff.
Along with having loads of babies around here it is officially harvest season. I have zucchini everywhere! I didn't even grow any thank goodness. Our CSA share has been providing more than I know what to do with. In fact that will be today's project. Zucchini bread, shred and freeze zucchini, dry zucchini, and start some sauerkraut with the two heads of cabbage I have. I also need to freeze my cilantro, parsley, and some garlic scape pesto. I have a lot to do and my list just gets longer.
To be honest I couldn't be happier about that. The kittens are pretty self-sufficient. I just make sure there is food and water out for them and the litter box (which I hate) is clean. I'm working on moving them outside so they will hopefully not be needing a litter box too much longer. Kyra, the new puppy, is pretty good too. She is quiet. Almost to a fault. Although she was a good dog yesterday, along with Buddy. They alerted us to a great big bull snake in the yard. At first from the hissing rattle sound it made at Buddy we thought it was a rattlesnake. Tom was our protector and went to deal with the snake and then realized it was a bull snake which is basically a non-poisonous version of the rattlesnake. They make a hiss/rattle sound that mimics the rattlesnake with their mouth somehow. They are actually good snakes to have around since they usually run off the rattlesnakes. They do still bite but at least they aren't poisonous.
We were glad the dogs did a good job of letting us know something was different. This is one of the many reasons we have dogs. Let's see, we have 2 kittens, 1 puppy, 1 dog, a 5 year-old, a 2 year-old, and soon will have 3 baby chicks. Sounds kinda like Old McDonald's Farm around here. :) I don't think we'll get too much crazier this year. We'll get these babies grown up and then we'll see where we are at next spring.
I suppose I should start tackling my to-do list. My chicks are here sometime in the next couple of days so I need to make sure their brooder gets to the right temp. (90-95 degrees F). And then I'll take care of kitten chores and then start in on the veggies. Somewhere in there too I'll have to do some laundry and the rest of the day-to-day stuff.
Thursday, July 11, 2013
The things kids say...
Bear asked me this morning when he could have his own cell phone. What?! I would have sworn I wouldn't be hearing these questions for a couple of years yet. I told him he could when he could pay for it. I know all of the kids are starting things earlier and earlier but really? Four days after your fifth birthday and I get asked about a cell phone. Why? Actually I do know if I really think about it. We were talking about when his next birthday would be and having friends over for it. I said something about by next year he'll hopefully know how to get a hold of his friends in the summer so we can have some over. Then he hit me with the cell phone question.
It is amazing how fast this is all going. I swear I just brought him home from the hospital and now he is going to kindergarten with his little sister catching him rather quickly. He was just a little bitty baby with all the little baby rolls, wobbly head, and drooling. Now there is just a tiny hint of the dimples on the hands, he is strong and coordinated, and wants to do things by himself (sometimes to the great fear of Mom). He is a boy that is very full of it. To the point that he can kinda drive me crazy some days. Mostly I just need to figure out how to direct and focus that energy. This can be tough for me since I don't always know how to get myself focused.
Besides having amazing reserves of energy Bear is a pretty good kid. I love that he takes his dishes to the kitchen, usually, and is a huge help with his sister. He loves to read, watch t.v., ride bikes, play in the garden, and play with friends. And he makes friends soooooo easily. I wish I could make friends as easily as he does. The other thing about Bear that I love is he loves fruits and vegetables. This makes it easier to get Mia to eat them. I think she would be pickier but because big brother loves the food she has to at least try it. Peas, tomatoes, carrots, kale (I can barely keep this growing because he'll pick it way down), and salad are some of the favorites. Apples, bananas, melon, grapes, apricots, plums, peaches, pears, and anything else fruit-wise he can get his hands on. We do really need to figure out where we want our orchard because this kid can eat now and by the time he is a teenager I'd better be growing most of our food. Otherwise we'll go broke.
I suppose I should go turn the water off. I was a total slug yesterday. I really didn't get much of anything done. I didn't go for a run or do much of anything. Not sure what happened. Although I got up pretty grumpy this morning I'm feeling better. I hate those days where you have no energy to do anything. Today is much better so I'd better make use of it.
It is amazing how fast this is all going. I swear I just brought him home from the hospital and now he is going to kindergarten with his little sister catching him rather quickly. He was just a little bitty baby with all the little baby rolls, wobbly head, and drooling. Now there is just a tiny hint of the dimples on the hands, he is strong and coordinated, and wants to do things by himself (sometimes to the great fear of Mom). He is a boy that is very full of it. To the point that he can kinda drive me crazy some days. Mostly I just need to figure out how to direct and focus that energy. This can be tough for me since I don't always know how to get myself focused.
Besides having amazing reserves of energy Bear is a pretty good kid. I love that he takes his dishes to the kitchen, usually, and is a huge help with his sister. He loves to read, watch t.v., ride bikes, play in the garden, and play with friends. And he makes friends soooooo easily. I wish I could make friends as easily as he does. The other thing about Bear that I love is he loves fruits and vegetables. This makes it easier to get Mia to eat them. I think she would be pickier but because big brother loves the food she has to at least try it. Peas, tomatoes, carrots, kale (I can barely keep this growing because he'll pick it way down), and salad are some of the favorites. Apples, bananas, melon, grapes, apricots, plums, peaches, pears, and anything else fruit-wise he can get his hands on. We do really need to figure out where we want our orchard because this kid can eat now and by the time he is a teenager I'd better be growing most of our food. Otherwise we'll go broke.
I suppose I should go turn the water off. I was a total slug yesterday. I really didn't get much of anything done. I didn't go for a run or do much of anything. Not sure what happened. Although I got up pretty grumpy this morning I'm feeling better. I hate those days where you have no energy to do anything. Today is much better so I'd better make use of it.
Tuesday, July 9, 2013
Summer Craziness
It never fails. Just when you think you can take a breath and relax another pile of stuff comes up. We were thinking we could kick back and relax for a minute and then realized a couple of things. Well, I realized them anyway. Harvest is coming upon us very quickly from the garden. My first farmer's market as a vendor is this Saturday, the yard needs mowing again, weeds grow like crazy, and school starts soon! Ack! It is barely over a month until school starts again. How does that work?!
So I'm finding myself feeling behind on everything. I need to get canning and drying the garden bounty. I'm finding I have a lot since we are doing the half share in a CSA (community supported agriculture) farm on top of what my garden is putting out.
This month we have swim lessons with the kids. Bear needs a physical and an eye exam before school starts. New puppy needs spayed. Kittens both need spayed. I need to find and get chickens. I have a ton of wool to process. I have farmer's markets to do. We need to go school shopping for Bear since he'll actually be entering kindergarten this Fall. I need to find out whether or not he'll have a bus ride or if we have to take him to school and pick him up. Tom and I need to go to the eye doctor. At least we have gotten both dogs basic vet visits done along with their shots. Both kids and I are done with the dentist for awhile. So, a few things are crossed off my list.
Of course a lot more would get done if I got off the computer. :) I suppose I'll go do some of that. I have beets that need pickling and spinning that needs done. And dishes and basic house stuff. Yuck. At least the canning stuff is fun. Oh, and I at least get a day or two break from laundry since the washer is leaking at the inlet. It does this every so often so Tom has to fix it before I can do laundry again. That doesn't break my heart but it does mean laundry will pile up.
So I'm finding myself feeling behind on everything. I need to get canning and drying the garden bounty. I'm finding I have a lot since we are doing the half share in a CSA (community supported agriculture) farm on top of what my garden is putting out.
This month we have swim lessons with the kids. Bear needs a physical and an eye exam before school starts. New puppy needs spayed. Kittens both need spayed. I need to find and get chickens. I have a ton of wool to process. I have farmer's markets to do. We need to go school shopping for Bear since he'll actually be entering kindergarten this Fall. I need to find out whether or not he'll have a bus ride or if we have to take him to school and pick him up. Tom and I need to go to the eye doctor. At least we have gotten both dogs basic vet visits done along with their shots. Both kids and I are done with the dentist for awhile. So, a few things are crossed off my list.
Of course a lot more would get done if I got off the computer. :) I suppose I'll go do some of that. I have beets that need pickling and spinning that needs done. And dishes and basic house stuff. Yuck. At least the canning stuff is fun. Oh, and I at least get a day or two break from laundry since the washer is leaking at the inlet. It does this every so often so Tom has to fix it before I can do laundry again. That doesn't break my heart but it does mean laundry will pile up.
Saturday, July 6, 2013
Are you sure it isn't Monday?
Oh there are those days that no matter what day it really is it feels like a Monday. I got up this morning hoping to let Tom sleep in. We alternate weekend days to sleep in and not have to make breakfast, do potty duty, etc. Didn't happen this morning. I walked into Bear's room and discovered the new pup had pooped and peed all over his floor. Of course this is before coffee! Argh. And at this time of the morning poop and pee are not my words of choice. So I got Tom up to deal with that while I made coffee and got breakfast. Then I didn't even get the coffee pot under the basket correctly so when it brewed coffee went all over the counter.
Our day has continued like that all day long. No one has wanted to nap. Bear hasn't been able to actually follow a single instruction all day. Mia had an accident on her bedroom floor and the sump pump in the basement is giving us fits. Ahhhhh!!
Okay, so my little vent is done. It has just been one of those days. Really things like Mia going potty on the floor was our fault because we didn't remind her to go use the bathroom. We were absorbed in trying to fix the sump pump. The pup is going to start sleeping outside. This is good since we need bunny protection for the garden. Maybe she'll learn to bark. I haven't heard her whine or bark at all. I wish she would let us know things like when she needs out or she's being stepped on. Silly mutt.
I stepped on her the other day when I was doing laundry. I was hanging clothes and she was laying and watching me. I felt something move under my foot and looked around to see what I was stepping on and it was Kyra's foot. She was just squirming looking uncomfortable and not making a sound. Poor dog. Say something!
Through all of this craziness I am just glad we didn't go through and replace all the carpet or anything when we moved in here. We knew there would be kids and dogs potty training. Someday we hope to put hardwood in our kitchen and dining room and re-carpet the rest of the house. Not soon. One we can't afford it and two we can't afford to do it and have it ruined by kids and pets.
And the other stuff just happens once in awhile. Coffee spills. Sump pumps crap out. Life goes on. It can just make for a difficult day when it all goes at once.
Off to see about our dinner of cleaning out the refrigerator...
Our day has continued like that all day long. No one has wanted to nap. Bear hasn't been able to actually follow a single instruction all day. Mia had an accident on her bedroom floor and the sump pump in the basement is giving us fits. Ahhhhh!!
Okay, so my little vent is done. It has just been one of those days. Really things like Mia going potty on the floor was our fault because we didn't remind her to go use the bathroom. We were absorbed in trying to fix the sump pump. The pup is going to start sleeping outside. This is good since we need bunny protection for the garden. Maybe she'll learn to bark. I haven't heard her whine or bark at all. I wish she would let us know things like when she needs out or she's being stepped on. Silly mutt.
I stepped on her the other day when I was doing laundry. I was hanging clothes and she was laying and watching me. I felt something move under my foot and looked around to see what I was stepping on and it was Kyra's foot. She was just squirming looking uncomfortable and not making a sound. Poor dog. Say something!
Through all of this craziness I am just glad we didn't go through and replace all the carpet or anything when we moved in here. We knew there would be kids and dogs potty training. Someday we hope to put hardwood in our kitchen and dining room and re-carpet the rest of the house. Not soon. One we can't afford it and two we can't afford to do it and have it ruined by kids and pets.
And the other stuff just happens once in awhile. Coffee spills. Sump pumps crap out. Life goes on. It can just make for a difficult day when it all goes at once.
Off to see about our dinner of cleaning out the refrigerator...
Thursday, July 4, 2013
Running, summer, and critters
I'm having a bit of a tough time getting back on track with my running. It has been hot! Mid-90s for the most part. I know we are way cooler than a lot of the rest of the country but I'm not thrilled about running in the heat. I did get a new pair of running shoes that makes it much better but my feet still get super hot. I'm seriously considering doing some sort of an ice bath soak for me feet before I go for a run. I want super cold feet to start with. The dumb things are the thermostat for the rest of my body too. If I didn't run on gravel roads I would seriously consider running barefoot. At least then the heat could escape.
I might actually have a running buddy now too. Tom's new pup seemed pretty happy to go for a run with me this morning. We'll see how it works out. Buddy liked to go at first but then I got to where I was going further and faster and now he thinks I'm nuts. The clincher was a rainy day run where Buddy started to come with me and then realized it was raining. He headed back to the house. Not that I blame him. After all his age translates into being 84-ish. That is plenty old enough to enjoy sleeping at the house.
It is 4th of July today. It is almost Bear's 5th birthday. Where did the years go? I can't believe he'll be in Kindergarten in the Fall. It has been quite the ride. I would say our lives are much better for having him in them. He is a lot of fun most of the time. He is a goofball that loves to get laughs and snuggle up and hang out. I love watching him learn things. It doesn't take him long to figure things out so long as he really wants too. It is funny too that for as goofy as he can get he is the cautious kid. He is usually a bit hesitant at first when trying something new. Same with his basic nature. I call him my shy, outgoing kid. He can get shy at times but most of the time he is very outgoing.
Summer means Tom isn't working as much. I love that he gets days off like today. That sure didn't happen in the airlines. Summer also means that we are busy in the garden, and hopefully if classes haven't filled up it will mean swim lessons. Farmer's markets are going and the pools are open. All fun things about summer.
We are also getting settled in with our new critters. The kittens are warming up to people quite nicely although we have not introduced them to the dogs yet. The new puppy is settling in well too. We haven't heard her bark yet. She did chew up a cardboard box last night so we know she's a puppy for sure now. :) She has been so mellow we were beginning to wonder. We also had an accident during the night too. Otherwise though the transition has been pretty smooth. We'll see how it goes when I add chickens. I've got to get my coop secure for the wind but otherwise I'm ready for the girls. I think I may have even found some pullets to get.
I'd better get going on some of my chores. I'm still trying to get caught up on laundry and I have a load that needs hung out on the line.
I might actually have a running buddy now too. Tom's new pup seemed pretty happy to go for a run with me this morning. We'll see how it works out. Buddy liked to go at first but then I got to where I was going further and faster and now he thinks I'm nuts. The clincher was a rainy day run where Buddy started to come with me and then realized it was raining. He headed back to the house. Not that I blame him. After all his age translates into being 84-ish. That is plenty old enough to enjoy sleeping at the house.
It is 4th of July today. It is almost Bear's 5th birthday. Where did the years go? I can't believe he'll be in Kindergarten in the Fall. It has been quite the ride. I would say our lives are much better for having him in them. He is a lot of fun most of the time. He is a goofball that loves to get laughs and snuggle up and hang out. I love watching him learn things. It doesn't take him long to figure things out so long as he really wants too. It is funny too that for as goofy as he can get he is the cautious kid. He is usually a bit hesitant at first when trying something new. Same with his basic nature. I call him my shy, outgoing kid. He can get shy at times but most of the time he is very outgoing.
Summer means Tom isn't working as much. I love that he gets days off like today. That sure didn't happen in the airlines. Summer also means that we are busy in the garden, and hopefully if classes haven't filled up it will mean swim lessons. Farmer's markets are going and the pools are open. All fun things about summer.
We are also getting settled in with our new critters. The kittens are warming up to people quite nicely although we have not introduced them to the dogs yet. The new puppy is settling in well too. We haven't heard her bark yet. She did chew up a cardboard box last night so we know she's a puppy for sure now. :) She has been so mellow we were beginning to wonder. We also had an accident during the night too. Otherwise though the transition has been pretty smooth. We'll see how it goes when I add chickens. I've got to get my coop secure for the wind but otherwise I'm ready for the girls. I think I may have even found some pullets to get.
I'd better get going on some of my chores. I'm still trying to get caught up on laundry and I have a load that needs hung out on the line.
Wednesday, July 3, 2013
My other blog and a critter update
Here is a link to my other blog with pictures of the weeds we came home to. http://lazymomgardener.wordpress.com/wp-admin/post.php?post=851&action=edit&message=6&postpost=v2
My mom and her friend came and helped. Thank goodness because I never would have gotten there between kids, new kittens, and now a new puppy.
So an update on that: We got a shelter puppy yesterday. She is about 6 months old and appears to be a lab mix of some sort. She acts like she has Border Collie in her as well. She is very mellow and is good with the kids so far. Buddy seems pretty tolerant of her. More like he keeps giving me looks like he's saying, "Really? You are doing this to me now too?" Her name is Kyra. It was Carrie from the shelter but Bear kept calling her Kyra so that has stuck. Here's a photo of her and Bear.
We also have two new kittens to hunt mice for us. They are about 6-8 weeks old. Bear named them Freddie and Leddie despite the fact they are both girls. He likes the rhyming names. Now we just need to get the fence fixed up so we can keep dogs and other critters out of the chicken area and we'll need chickens. Oh, and I need to secure the coop. We discovered that while we were gone we had a big wind that blew the coop over. I can't imagine that would be a fun trip for the chickens. I'm hoping we'll get to town today and go chicken supply shopping. That includes a latch for the gate Tom built me, hardware cloth for the gates, hardware for another gate, a waterer, a feeder, and some shavings for bedding. Then I get to find the chickens.
Besides our critter numbers greatly increasing we have the garden harvest starting. I've got to get going on beets. I've got peas in the freezer and need to harvest again. We need to eat salad again before the lettuce bolts and I need to keep weeding so the tomatoes and everyone else can ripen.
My mom and her friend came and helped. Thank goodness because I never would have gotten there between kids, new kittens, and now a new puppy.
So an update on that: We got a shelter puppy yesterday. She is about 6 months old and appears to be a lab mix of some sort. She acts like she has Border Collie in her as well. She is very mellow and is good with the kids so far. Buddy seems pretty tolerant of her. More like he keeps giving me looks like he's saying, "Really? You are doing this to me now too?" Her name is Kyra. It was Carrie from the shelter but Bear kept calling her Kyra so that has stuck. Here's a photo of her and Bear.
Besides our critter numbers greatly increasing we have the garden harvest starting. I've got to get going on beets. I've got peas in the freezer and need to harvest again. We need to eat salad again before the lettuce bolts and I need to keep weeding so the tomatoes and everyone else can ripen.
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