Boy, have I missed you all. I was just reading some of my older posts. And most of you have been with me through it all. Thank you all for your prayers. The Lord has brought me a long way. I am really doing good. I just finished my first quarter with high A’s in all three classes. Now I get a week off and then start back. I am really enjoying college. TommieLynn is doing great in school. Tasha and Miss Gabby are both good.

   TommieLynn and I went to town today. We had a really great time. I found a lot of bargains at the thrift stores, blue jeans and pants and shirts for 25 cents each, we both got some. Just what we were looking for, thank you Lord. We had lunch at a outdoor hamburger stand. It was great weather for it. 

    Fall is finally in the air, along with the sunshine.  You see it has rained here almost everyday for over 2 weeks. This past week has been sunshine. It’s been a wonderful week. I love fall time of year. I have friends coming in this weekend to help me finish getting ready for winter, the high ladder stuff.

    The question you all have asked here, I will get answered really soon. And I am going to try my best yet again to keep this blog going. I have really missed this. And taking a look back on it all today, was good. You all have blessed me so much, thank you.

    Please let me know how you all are doing? Anything new going on? Did you find a new saving tip? Have you been blessed, and want to share?

Thank you all again, May God bless you all to overflowing.

Becky

     It’s been a long week. Tommy has really been on my mind a lot. And seem like every time I turned around, there is something to remind me of him: a song on the radio, a note he has written, a saying he always said, ect. I have cried all week.  I do good most days but this past week has been very hard. ( I think it’s because I’m starting to get ready for winter and doing things he used to do. And trying hard to remember everything that has to be done.) Please say an extra prayer for me this week. I have been sick too. It’s in my chest and I’m coughing and sneezing all the time, I think it’s sinuses. I hate feeling yucky. I have been using the silver water so much that someone could trade me in and get rich. I have tried to stay away from Gabby so as she does not get sick, in case it’s something other than sinuses.  I was up all night coughing, and  overslept this morning, causing TommieLynn to have 8 minutes to get ready for school and to get to the bus stop. I have never seen her get dressed so fast. But I hated it that she had to rush this morning.

     Winter is getting closer everyday. In a way, I am ready for cooler weather. It has been really hot here this year.  I will be covering my windows with plastic this year from the inside as I do not do ladders well. The food barn is in good order and ready for winter.  I still need to stock up more on: bath paper, sugar, veg. oil, toothpaste, shampoo. For some reason these run out the fastest. Tommy used to tell me to buy stock in the bath paper company, and we’d be rich. I know I can make homemade bath paper, but time is not there yet. But I know how if I have too. I have to change out the water in the 425 gallon tank in the next few weeks for winter use. I clean it out every six months to keep the water fresh. I am so thankful Tommy brought that tank, even thou at the time I questioned him buying it. Tommy has so taken care of us, still now. I can now see all the things he has done over the years and the things he has taught me, that I am using now and they are making my life easier. Thank you Lord for my time with Tommy.  I need to get someone (who is not afraid of heights) to cover all the house’s outside vents and close the chicken house window up with plywood.  I need to blow out the gas heaters with the air compressor and check the gas lines.  I have to get the chicken water heater out and cleaned and check to see if it’s still working. I would like to get a few more blankets and make more cloth napkins. And hopefully find time to make everyone some wool house socks.  And I need someone to show me now to use a skill saw. I need to do a few small things around the farm before winter comes.

A few questions to you all or your husbands:

1. How do I prepare the push mower for winter so that it starts next spring? The car is ready for winter.

2. How do I prepare our generator for winter? change spark plug, oil, gas??? It has not been started in months. It has a push button start and pull cord start. And it has left my mind on how to start it. Tommy always did more than just pull the cord and I can’t remember.

3. Is there anything else I am missing that needs to be done before winter sets in??

4. I need to get 5 gallons of back up gas for generator or car use. How long does gas stay good??

     School is still going great. I am learning so much and believe it or not, I’m loving it.  I have always loved learning new things.  And the writing papers thing is getting easier, but still not fully enjoyable yet. I am holding high A’s in all three classes and we are now at the half way point. This fall I am going to try taking four classes instead of three. If I can pull it off, I will finish earlier.  Tommielynn is still enjoying school. I am so proud of her, she is going great.     

     Thank the Lord the tractor sold, and the truck had died about a month ago. But I found a car, an 1988 Olds. Cutlass Ciera, 4 doors with AC, and a sun roof for a great price. Thank you Lord. The girls and I can now get around easier. I feel like a princess now with AC and a sunroof. TommieLynn loves the sunroof. But I still feel like an ant in a car after so many years in a truck that’s higher than most cars. The car is great on gas, 3 1/2 trips to town equals one trip in the truck. The only draw back to the car is, I can’t haul the 100lb. gas tanks (they are about 5 ft long and it will not fit in the trunk) needed for our heat this winter.  So I am trying now to figure out a way to keep us in heat this coming winter. No one in my neighborhood has a truck.

Well I had better get back to the books. Thank you all for your comments and prayers, they have kept us going. I wish I could give each of you a hug.  Hope you all have a blessed day.

Becky

     It’s been a while and I am still here. Boy, I am getting old. I have been so busy that I am not sure if I am coming or going. Busy with what? Life. As you all know, things do not happen, one thing at a time. It all happens at once. And right now, I’m glad I did not plant a garden this year.  And at times, TommieLynn has to remind me to eat. Why, because I honestly forget too. You mom’s should understand this very well. Often times there are more things to do, than time to do them.

       It’s been very hot and sticky here for a while. One day, I went and sat in the food barn with the AC for about an hour. When I came out, my glasses fogged up and they started dipping water. And then I was hotter than when I went in. I am looking forward to fall weather.

     TommieLynn has started school and loves it. She is still not sure about  this thing they call “homework”, and can’t seem to figure out why she has to do it, when she did school work all day.  How do you explain homework, to a home schooler, who never had it before? But she has been doing it and doing a great job. She really likes all her teachers.

This is her first day of public school. Thank you S.S. from MI, for the clothes, shoes, book bag, and school supplies, they were a great blessing.

      A week ago today, TommieLynn was attacked by a red nose pit bull dog. A long story, main points being, for two weeks owners said it didn’t bite, they called TommieLynn into their yard to pet the dog, dog attacked her. We spent 4 hours in ER, dog did not have current shots. The dog got her nose good. And she still loves dogs. But they all don’t like her, as this is her second dog attack.

The dog also put a bite in her mouth, on the top of her gums.

     Gabby is growing as fast as the grass in my yard. She smiles all the time. But her days and nights are still mixed up. She is now over 9 pounds, and 24 inches long. And she’s the house ham.

This is our drama queen and she knows it.

     Tasha had her gallbladder taken out earlier this week. She is now still sore and tired.

      My classes are still going great. As of today, I am holding high A’s in all three classes. The last four papers I have written, I had gotten a 100% on. How that happened, I still do not know. And I’m waiting for the teachers to send me an e-mail to say they made a mistake.   Thank you all for your prayers.

      In my down moments, I’ll say I just can’t do it ( after 6 hours of just reading with more to do or one week to write a paper). TommieLynn will pipe up and say, ” I know you can do it, mom”, with a smile on her face. I will ask her to suspend me from school, and she’ll just laugh and say “no, you have work to do.” Boy, the Lord really blessed me with her. Now we will see what happens when I use her words on her, when she has homework.

     And boy am I going to get plenty of practice on writing papers, 4-6 papers due every two weeks. This is way out of my comfort zone. I know there will come a day in the future when this will no longer bother me. Maybe, just maybe, writing all those papers will help me write that book Tommy and you all wanted me to do. I am being stretched, remolded, and refined. What does the Lord have in store for me? And will He give me any hints along the way?

      Well it is time to hit the books again. Thank you all for your prayers.

Have a great day.

Becky

   Well, I now have one week’s worth of school work under my belt. Boy, I forgot how much work you have to do. I am learning so much. I’m taking 3 classes and they keep me on my toes, along with Gabby. I got an e-mail from my school saying they would transfer 4-classes = 16 credits, and I needed 96 for my degree. Starting out with the 16 is great. Boy, I was doing the happy dance all over the place. The 4 classes were the hardest for me, two of which were Composition 1 &2. Writing is not my strongest area, term papers are not like writing here. The Lord answered prayers again, thank you Lord and thank you all for praying. But don’t worry, I still get to practice writing those term papers. I have three due this Saturday. I printed off a ream of paper, on how to write a term paper as it’s been 12 plus years. As soon as I get these three wrote , I’ll be fine and breath a little easier.

   This week at school has made me leave my comfort zone more than once. Most times I took a step with shaky knees, and others with a lot of prayer. That comfort zone of ours is a nice place, the only thing is,  you don’t grow much there. I believe it’s just a resting place.  And I really like it there. But I want and need more in my life, so I have step out. The Lord must have big things planned for me as I have not been able to stay in that comfort zone of mine much this year. And that at times has been scary. Like most people I want to grow, but I don’t want to leave my comfort zone to do so. So I’m taking steps of faith, one day at a time.

   The girls have been a great help this passed week, fixing dinner and cleaning house, letting me study, etc. As I try and fit my schooling into the day, along with everything else. Thank you girls.

   My truck is on it’s last leg. I no longer take it to town, just a corner store that is less than a mile away. That way when it dies, I’ll be close to home and the auto repair shop. So I have been borrowing a car and shop for two weeks worth at a time. So please pray that I’ll sell the tractor, so I can buy a small car. My neighbors have been great. ( another step out of my comfort zone) You don’t see having a car as being in a comfort zone, well hopefully you will never find out it is. Sometimes being an independent person has it’s draw backs. (yet another lesson I’m learning). Boy, it’s great I enjoy learning new thing, or this year would of really, really been hard on me.

   Gabby is 3 weeks old today. She is such a joy to have in the house. Tasha is a great mommy ,too.  Gabby is getting her fill of love, while she gives us her smiles and funny faces.

   The youth group came out for two days, last week. Oh what a wonderful blessing they were.  My yard got mowed, weed eated, garden weeded, some things moved around. What a blessing the Lord sent. As the yard was getting high, and first week of school, He was watching out for us yet again, Thank you Lord.

There are blessings in everyday, you just have to find/look for them, they are not all big blessing. And at times the smallest blessing are really the biggest.

   Well it’s time to hit the books. I pray you all find at least one blessing today.

Becky

  The last few days I have gotten an insight into those around me. At times when we are going through our own hard times, we don’t look around and see. And we all are bad for this, even me.  I live in a small neighborhood were most are on fixed incomes or are low income; older people, families with children. The Lord has opened my eyes to those around me. One family has 10 kids, 3 grandbabies, and 3 adults (only one car that holds 4); another an older blind man with his older sister living together (just to make ends meet, both their cars are in need of repair). These families are having car troubles too, along with me. So I have put together kind of a neighborhood car help. We  have agreed to call each other when we HAVE to go to town, to see if the others need anything or a ride to town. We all live about 20-30 minutes from town, and no one goes to town for fun. I am praying this will work for us all. All the cars are on their last legs and some have stopped working.  Hopefully taking turns going to town will save gas money along with car wear and tear. We as a neighborhood, have been trading things around with each other. We have become a closer people. We all have a way to help others along. Look around you, really look, who can you help today. It does not have to cost money, most times it’s just your time. Can you pick up something in town for them? If you don’t have something they need, do you know someone who might? Sometimes they just need an ear, someone to listen without judging them. How can you help?

  This winter is going to be harder than last winter. People have by now used up all the saving they did have. Some may have gotten jobs by now, but now they are trying to pay off back bills and the new bills are still coming in. More and more people rich and poor are having a hard time just with life’s have too (rent, power, food). They have already given up the extras, and still have a hard time with the musts.

So this week coming see if you can help at least one person/ family with something? The Lord does not aloud us to help ourselves but help others. May you all have a great week.

God bless you all,

Becky

  Well, I love being a Nana. Gabby is doing great. She sleeps at times up to 5 hours. And only really cries when it’s time to eat or we change her diaper. She has kept us on our toes.

  I need your help. I am looking for a knitted soaker pattern ( cloth diaper cover). A friend gave us some all in one cloth diapers, but I have a lot of the old cloth diapers so I need the soakers for them. And I’m getting ready to start knitting my first sweater (baby sweater). For some reason I have a fear of knitting a sweater. So someone said to start with a baby sweater. I’ll let you know how it turns out.

  The farm is doing good. The house is ok, I rather spend time with Gabby than clean. TommieLynn and I are getting ready for school to start, and looking forward to something new. So we have been busy.

I am still looking for new ways to stretch money and make more things at home. More people are cutting back on extras ( turning off: cable, phones-home and cell, internet, etc.) and winter is not here yet. And I have just started preparing for winter. Having put so much information on stocking up and preparing last year on this blog, I am not sure what else is need. So if you don’t tell me what you need, I  will just write about what I am doing now and about things that come to mind.

 Things I need to make/do before winter:

*knit: soakers, baby sweater, house socks for all

*cut and sew more napkins/tissues/baby wipes

*keep a check at thrift stores for wool sweaters on sale, to take a part to make wool socks and soakers. Most times I can get a wool sweater for $1 and it will make 2 pairs of socks plus. And flannel sheets to turn into  napkins/tissues/baby wipes.

*look for ideas/items for Christmas gifts ( that time of year again)

*looking for sales at the grocery stores to keep stocked up. I only buy items on sale. I need to get stocked up on bath paper(not using homemade yet, but can use the flannel napkins if needed).

*need more fire wood. I have a small stock from downed trees in yard. I’ll use for an outdoor fire for cooking if needed, power goes out and I’m out of gas. If not needed, will use for fun fires( roasting hot dogs and marshmallows in the summer).

*I am sure there is more to do but I’ll start here.

 Ways I save money:

*I try really hard to go to town no more than once a week, it was every two weeks. But with Gabby doctor appointments it’s once a week now.

*Hang clothes outside to dry. Wash in cold water. Wash only full loads of clothes..

*Turn off everything not being used. TV’s, computers, etc. Lower hot water temperature. This has dropped my power bill by over $70 a month.

*When we do go out to eat- have to have a coupon.

*Only buy on sale items.

*See if I can make it before buying it. Even better, can I do without it.

I’m off to see what I can get into today.

Happy 4th of July. Have a great weekend.

Becky 

Gabby arrived at 8:01 am this morning, 6/29/09.

7lbs. 9 oz., 20  1/4 in. long, and lots and lots of hair.

Thank you Lord for this blessing. I’m now a proud Nana.

Gabby and Nana Becky

Tasha and Gabby and Carl

Aunt TommieLynn and Gabby

Gabby and her head full of hair.

Our little Miss Gabby

Well I’ve been up since 4 am so I’m off for a nap now but had to show off our blessing.

Becky

  Well the snake has left the chicken house. I’m praying very hard he finds somewhere else to call home. I ‘m so glad he is gone.

   Miss Gabby will be here on Monday, June 29, 09 at about 8am. Please keep Tasha and Gabby in your prayers on Monday morning.  I will be a Nana.

   For some reason I have Tasha’s nesting. And with my school starting in about two weeks, I’ve been cleaning, rearranging, and throwing out, making room, ect. I thought being a grandma was going to be easy. LOL   I’m looking forward to being a Nana.

   Hope you all have a great week.

Becky 

   On July 13, I start my Associate Degree in Accounting at Everest College: a fully on-line college. The cost is a little more for being on line. But here is why I chose to do on line. My truck is still not fixed, and don’t know now long it’ll last, the price of gas, the local college is 40 minutes away and a few classes on line. I would stress out more with getting to class than doing the classes. Everest got me a Pell Grant and a student loan ( that does not have to be paid back until I’m done with school and only $50 a month.), and they also send a laptop to use and when I graduate the laptop is mine. They will also try to find me a job while I am going to school. I am looking forward to learning again, but a little scared.  I started Accounting in college before I meet Tommy, and had 77 credit hours. But when we married, I knew enough to do his business books, so I quit. Which Tommy did not like, so I know he is smiling down now.  I have only about 3 1/2 years of getting Tommy’s Social Security before I’m on my own. So I’m preparing for the road ahead. And I really enjoy Accounting and book work. So we’ll see were the Lord leads this for me. Most Accounting work for businesses can be done at home and on line, and I might teach other home school students in high school years their accounting for school, and help low income people with their taxes. There are a lot of ways to use this degree. Please pray that the Lord will keep  guiding and leading me day by day. 

   TommieLynn asked to go to public school. We talked about it and she’ll being starting this fall. She has agreed to go a year and than we’ll see from there. I think she needs a change too. I enjoy homeschooling but I think this will be good for her. I fought the idea at first because Tommy and I really wanted the kids homeschooled. But that was also when he was here to help with everything. I believed I would be a failure if I put her in school, then this came to mind, “ For everything there is a season.”  And we are doing this one year at a time. So please say a prayer for her.

   It has been very hot here. Boy, it’s going to be a hot summer. Yesterday, I hung old blankets on the clothes line on the porch and soaked them with water. The porch wraps around the living room and kitchen, which gets the direct sun at the hottest part of the day. The 4 windows in the living room are under the porch. So as the light breeze blew the cooler air came in the house. This is not as good as an AC but it helped a lot. TommieLynn would go out about every hour and spray the blankets with the water hose. The porch looks funny from the road but we are a little cooler.

    On Sunday I found out that men are scared of snakes too. I found a really big black snake in a chicken’s nest. So I call a man for help. He says, use a rake/ hoe to get it out and tells me to watch out cause they bite and will make you sick. duh, I’m that smart. Well I’m not going back in there today. That snake can have all the eggs he wants. And he was still there last night when I checked before bed. It almost makes me want to get rid of the chickens. I really not like snakes. If he is still there this morning, I will try again and call someone to help me.

   TommieLynn and I took silk flowers that spell out DAD and a wooden cross to Tommy’s grave site yesterday. This was really hard on both of us. I guess all firsts will be hard. We still really miss him.

   We have an air antenna and have the convertor box hooked up. And I’m not very happy. Were we used to get 5 channels, we now only get one! Now the picture is much better but that’s it. I will not get satellite or cable. They said I have to many mountains around me. Well I will watch what I need to ( ABC News) on line. This is what I miss the most, ABC News, I have watch that News for to many years to count. Oh well not a lot I can do about it now.    I still have Netflix ,on line News and TV shows, so life goes on.

  Well I had better start this day. I’m going with Tasha to the doctors this morning, praying little Miss Gabby has turned. Hope you all have a great blessed day.

Becky  

Most of these have to do with Canning Potatoes post. This post is the most read/looked up/searched for post on this blog. Which to me is a little funny as I have canned potatoes for 10 plus years. Now more and more people are canning more than just jellies and  vegs.

Tanya: love your web site…I too am into canning and have gotten a friend of mine into it but she came across a problem that I have never had so wondering if you have…She canned potatoes and at least half of them the lid actually popped up..later when they cooled off they went back down but left wrinkles in the lid..do you think they are safe and has this ever happened to you…thanks for any help are suggestions///

Tanya,

Sometimes this happens to me too, at least one time a canning season. I think it’s the lids (weak). If the jars have sealed, they are still good. But I do use those with the wrinkled tops first. If they didn’t seal put in the icebox and use as soon as you can.

Katye Birdsong:  Becky, Do you have a recipe for canning peppers? chili and banana peppers?

Katye,

No, I don’t. I usually freeze mine.

Oscar:  Good afternoon Ms. Becky I hope you and your family are well. I would like to can the makings of a potato soup/stew. Can potatoes be canned along with other vegetables such as onions and carrots….or beef?
Take care. O.W.

Oscar:

Yes, you can can potatoes with all you listed above. But I have found it easier here at our home to can them all by them selves, as you can do more with them not mixed. When I make Beef stew- in a pot put a jar of: potatoes, carrots, beef(meat), and any thing else you like in there, cook to warm up and eat. But if you want to mix them look in a canning book and see which takes the longest and can for that time for mixed things. This goes for all things you mix to can, use the longest time. Hope this helps, if not let me know and I’ll try again. ok

Yvon:  Becky, I just got a pressure canner and was very eager to try it. Mom has done her veggies all her life in a water bath but thought I would do the safer thing and get a pressure canner. I just tried to can to qts of potato for my first try. One didn’t seal so I thought I would taste them. I’m a potato lover and I have to say I have never tasted worse potatoes in my life. They almost had a burnt taste without being burnt or over cooked. What did I do wrong. I followed the Bernadin book. It’s early June and used old potatoes, could that be the problem? Thanks   Yvon, a newbie at canning.

Yvon:

It is best to pressure can most vegs, some are safe to hot water bath, but not many. Old potatoes are your problem for sure.  I have at times used store bought potatoes on sale but they must be hard still, with no eye growth. Most times I can the potatoes out of the garden, dig up one day and can them the next. Good luck and let me know how it goes canning this year please.

Katye Birdsong:  Becky, Have you ever thought of writing a book? Your website is so interesting! I’m sure it would sell! My husband came up with that idea.

Katye:

Ok Lord, I get the hint. Katye you see, you and your husband are not the first to say that. My late husband being the first( 2 1/2 years ago.) and then other readers here.  But that would be stepping out of my comfort zone. And second, I have not the faintest clue were to start, or how to put it in a book form.  So for now you all get it free here. But as this writing a book thing keeps come up all around me, I will look more into. But please pray for me in this area, that the Lord’s will be done, as this is why I started the blog here.

Updates:

  Tasha’s baby, Gabby, is now about 6 1/2 lbs as of today, and is due in under 3 weeks. We are ready and trying hard to wait on her. Tasha had an ultra sound today, the last one. Little Miss Gabby is head up and feet down. Please pray that she will turn the right way soon. Thank you for all your prayers for me and my family.

    I’m doing good most days, more so than a month ago. Thank you Lord. I really miss my better half, a lot. And I’m learning to live again, one day at a time. I’m finding me. (Only moms and wives will understand this.) Some how we lose ourselves over the years. The girls are doing great. We are waiting for our blessing from above, Miss Gabby.

   The farm is doing good. I have made bigger chicken pens. I need to make 2 more different pens. We are chicken sitting for about 8 weeks. Now that’s a true farm, chicken sitting (watching for a out of town friend). Really starting to miss the fresh cows milk. I have a few gallons in the freezer for when I get the withdraw shakes for fresh raw cow’s milk. 

   I have not found any new tips, hints, money savers lately. I only planted tomatoes and strawberries this year. Our food barn is full ( only 3 girls eating and no men, should last us way longer than a year), and it’s been a long time since I/we have enjoyed a summer, more than 10 years. So the girls and I are going to see what we can do besides hoe and weed all summer. I think Tommy knew this too, when he had me start stocking foods 3 years ago. But next year will be garden time again. This will be a easy summer for us because of Tommy’s insight.

   Well I better go for now. Thank you all very much for reading my blog. May God bless you all. Have a great day.

Becky