Moving On.

We have put our home up for sale.  We are planning to move back to Colorado.  And I am so very glad.
These last years have been incredibly hard.  Because I haven't wanted to write complaining and whining, I've not written much at all in so very long.  I take that idea, "If you don't have something nice to say, don't say anything at all!" probably too close to heart.
Yes, there are a few things I will miss about this place.  Like today, when we had to leave for our first showing we went up to the woods just a mile away.  We threw rocks in the water, crossed the (little) river on a board bridge, and picked wild apples we ate right off the tree.  That was nice.
But this town?  There is so little for us.  We'll miss the incredibly kind people at our little church and the (very) few friends we've made.  But I won't miss much.
It's not the hard work, though there has been plenty.  It's that every little thing here is a struggle.
And I've fought against the prevailing negativity of this place until I simple cannot anymore.  It's sunk me more than once.  It's such a pit I have clawed my way out of too many times, my heart dying a bit more with each fall.  I don't want to live like this anymore.
So, here we are four long years since we sold our last home.  We've learned a lot.  Shoot, I'll always know how to milk a goat or a cow.  I had to put down another hen the other day and just didn't even think twice about it.  Quite a change from the first time.
We followed a dream that was often a bit more of a nightmare.  At least we won't look back at the end and wonder what might have been.  We gave it our all and it is simply time to move on.

Hanging with My Peeps

Amazingly, all seven chicks are still alive & well.  No thanks to this guy.

Surprise!

I had put some bread and scraps out in the pan in the yard for the chickens this morning.  Imagine my surprise when I looked out the window and saw a hen with seven baby chicks hanging out munching on bread crumbs.

We have had about 30 chickens for awhile, but June was a tough month for them.  Free ranging chickens has its downsides.   Two of the oldest gals had to be...culled for medical reasons.  Another died apparently trying to cross the road.  We don't know why she was crossing the road, but she did not make it.  And a fox has been seen skulking around leaving several odd piles of feathers in his wake.  That seemed to have occurred when we had an medical emergency a few weeks ago that left them unattended for 24 hours.

Anyway...I wasn't too sure how many hens we currently had and really hadn't noticed which particular ones were missing.  Some are distinct and we know on sight, others are breeds we have several of and can't tell apart.  It'll be fun to see what we've got now.  Hopefully, all seven will live and be hens as well.  We already have three roosters and do not need anymore.

So, for all the things that go wrong around here when something good like this happens, it makes for a happy day for us all.

Hello Again.

 

All is well here.  It's been a busy time for us.  We were gone so much last week for swim lessons.  An ordeal and a half, but so worth it.  I am glad it is done though!
We were also busy with our County Fair.  That was fun.  Maybe I'll get to a post on that soon. 
The picture above is from a Lavender Festival I went to earlier in the month.  I'd love to write about that, too.
But...not today.
I just wanted to check in. 
What are you up to?  Anything fun?

Good Morning

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This is the day the LORD has made.  We will rejoice and be glad in it.
Even on the days when rejoicing is harder.
(Nothing's wrong this morning.  Just a thought.)

Score!

I just raided the bargain bins at Target and think we are set with preschool/homeschool supplies! From books and clocks to tubs and counting blocks~ we are ready to roll. I even bought two giant calculators for the boys' "computers". Pumpkin loves to type his numbers on the computer and goes up to 65. He also enjoys typing out the words he can spell which obviously doesn't work on a calculator, but he's pretty happy.

They had a ton of things we can use for their ages and so I thought I would pass it on to others out there who might be interested. I usually avoid the bargain bins area, but I am glad we saw them today.

Also, can I just say how much I enjoy driving around here? So many beautiful farms and fields with golden wheat, barley, lots of corn and sugar beets. My favorite though is the acres and acres of sunflowers. Tomorrow I am planning on taking my camera with me to the midwife's and hopefully will be able to take some shots.

I am waiting for another load of laundry to finish rinsing. I just poured some vinegar in to help soften everything. It works as well as Downy, but without the smell which bothers me. And, no, it doesn't smell like vinegar either once the load is down.

I picked up some more clothespins at Target as well to use on my new clothesline that Sweetheart hung up this morning before work. I have one load up and drying already, but I needed more pins to hang the rest. I have my grandma's old clothespin bag I am using. It is rather plain, old and faded, but the one I made a few years ago is still in storage. This one will be fine for now. (I have no idea how my everyday one came to be packed and my grandma's wasn't since I rarely used it! Such are the mysteries of this move.)

We were able to pick up some really nice furniture from Craig's List this weekend for REALLY cheap. I am almost giddy to have comfortable places to sit! Come over everyone and we can visit now and have some tea. Though since it is quite warm out today, I need to brew up some iced tea. You'd love it here. The trees are truly amazing to me.

Well, off to discover what we are having for lunch. Hope you are enjoying a wonderful day as well.