Boys night out

These are the wonderful boys that stayed up all night at my house. Collin had a "Boys night out" They played games and carried on for 36 hours without any sleep. Todd made them go for a hike and then study the WT in hopes that they would fall asleep. TO NO AVAIL!!! They then went to a Congregation party that evening. It is now Tuesday and we are all still tired.

hoodalaly A BIG ONE

Clancy got a BIG One. Sorry for all you that this offends but in our world it is organic eating. We usually only hunt for the food but this time this guy was in the wrong place at the wrong time. C

Our new Distraction

We got another member of our household. While out in tract work I just so happened to come along a breeder of toy boston terriers. I had much self control just to love them and wish and walk away. I just so happened to have to make a return visit on the nice lady and I just so happened to come away with a puppy ( so much for self control) His name is Chili Pepper, I think. We will see no one likes it but me and the dog. Lucy is definately intruded upon and Pete thinks he is cool. The kids all want him to be their sole dog.

Newest update

I signed up to Aux again. It is going smoothly, I now have three studies and plenty of great returns. A seven hour day goes by fast and still more to accomplish.

The floor in the dining room is in. Todd polyurthaned it last night. Needless to say I have a great headache this morning. We are doing the floors in sections. In the center of the house where the peak of the roof is above we are going to change the type of wood to cherry( the rest of the floors are oak). That way since we have to live in this crazy house during construction we won't be cast out of the whole house all at once. We can do it in sections up to the wood change. Right now we have to go around to the back door to get to the kitchen or else craw through a window onto the deck, which isn't too bad since the windows are huge. but, since it is 17 degrees outside it is a bummer. The idea of the floor change will add class to our cabin. I am really excited about this feature.

The kids took our 5th bedroom and made a makeshift lounging area. The local carpet store gave away remenants of carpet so they got some and laid them haphazard on the floor. Then they brought up sections of the couch, the Tv, and ottoman. It is actually comfy.

Here are a few pictures. Ben came to visit and they all decided to shoot the gun. Ben came up with the Shrek look to protect his ears. It was a hoot.

The next picture is of the ceiling. It still needs more trim put up but the basic idea is there. The third picture is of the new wall. The wall continues all the way to the other side. This will make is so that the game room/ tv area is not part of the main opening. Todd may put a small office over there as well. The boards are pretty neat looking. Those boards colored by sitting in a compressed stack and allowed to get wet and dry several times. It goes along with the whole cabin feel. We have had several people come and want a tour of the house. Local are amazed and want to copy the idea.

There is now drywall on all the lower ceilings with recessed lighting. It is amazing how it brightened the place. Todd is working so hard. I still do clean up duty . You can't tell in this picture

Clancy is pretty good at providing us with fire wood. He gets about a half cord without any assistance from us. That means he has to chainsaw chop and load the wood up to the house. I am glad to have him. Collin is now the Trashman. This means he has to do the running. Trash has to be taken a half mile down the road. A big job in itself.

November

We have had a very busy November. The tract work is going good. I have at least five unbelievable calls, two of them are guys--frown. ( I will pass them on) I am so excited to go back on the other three. Overall the response is positive. Very little do we get a rejection. Aux. Pio is going pretty smoothly, I would say better than I thought.

Collin is studying with a little boy of one of my students. He is very responsible about coming along. That makes everything easy. The kid isn't bored while I am there and he is learning the truth. The best part is that Collin suggested the idea. Before he Aux pio'd he didn't really want to come along that often. October was a good month for the whole family.

We put up a new wall in the house behind the staircase. It is very rugged. It screams Todd. I don't really mind it. I will send pictures sometime this week. Kara put insulation in most of the holes in the corners which makes a big difference. It was 20 degrees Monday night and we were holding heat of 58 by morning. We consider that pretty good when you can see the outside from the inside while not looking out a window.

The best kids in the world

I have the best kids in the world! The power of persuasion that a mom has is very useful. The boys have been cleaning like crazy without any asking from me. Kara cleans the kitchen and cooks late night meals. I was laying in bed and thinking how wonderful this all is.... Then I remembered that I told all of them that if they wanted a lunatic mother next week some pressure in the house must be released. IF I ONLY KNEW THIS EARILER!!!


I do not want to take any credit of their initiative away. It truely is pleasing that they are so willing to make a peaceful home for all of us.

OHHHHH!!! Hello to Amber, what a nice treat to see you comment and good morning to Andrew and Anna. Huggs to Joellyn

A long friday

Today we started service at 9:00 and stayed out until 5:00. Todd went to the Jail to study with the guys there and the three kids and I stayed local.

I worked this particular territory before and always got this one Lady Tiffany who was always pleasing. She lives in the middle of no where and is about 40 min from my house so I never made a special wow return visit on her. This time however, I decided to talk to her and feel the real interest out while I was there. After much conversation she aske me "Why does God allow good people to suffer so much?" You know what that means....... I told her that I would come back and share the answer next time. She practically begged me to come back and thanked me so many times for considering her and will definately be waiting for my return. WAAAHOOO!

After a long day Kara and I had to give keys to a new tennant and go grocery shopping. We got home at 8:00 and had to use the four wheeler to get all the groceries up the hill ( it is raining and the van doesn't like the mud). The laundry was everywhere and tomorrow the bookstudy is meeting at our house for service so I have to wash three loads and put them away before bed. I AM SO TIRED!!

Just another day

The ceiling has been up for some time now. We still have to trim it out.....as well as every other room. It looks good!!

We have been out in service like crazy trying to get the tracts out. It has been fun. Kara is the designated driver.

The little peep is something else!! She knows when I get up and starts her peeping until I get her. Right now she is competing with me for the keys on the computer. They are such greedy birds. The tapping makes her think I am eating something that she should have. I wish we had one more bird then she would not need us so much.

Food Food Food

MY TODD---HE THE MAN!!!!!!
Today my man went out in service then came home and provided for his family. He got the first deer of the season with a bow and arrow!!!

A so very proud son took his cousin Kara to see the trophy. She almost cried. She will get her first experience of packaging meat towmorrow

weekend fun

We went to Frederick this weekend. It is always nice to go back home. We went to move Terry and Lois into their home on Saturday. Our trip there was event full!!! In the car were Pete, Lucy, Charlene ( the chicken) Clancy, Collin, Kara, Todd and I. The chicken insisted on snuggling against Lucy who was appalled that the chicken got so close to her. Pete who let stinkers and the chicken who seemed to make a droppings causing all of us to gag. Just when the animals were content someone would have to go to the bathroom and we would have to go through the whole thing again getting settled.

I am not sure the chicken has turned into a good thing. It wasn't so bad when their was eight of them to take care of each other. Now that she is a single she is constantly peeping for someone to be near her. We have to crate her like a dog to keep her warm at night and to prevent the cats from making a meal of her. URRRGHHH!

More House work

Our porches have been done and we enjoy sitting on them every day. I don't think we have even eaten inside since the roof went on.

Kara moved into her room today and is grateful to have a space of her own. They all had to plane the floor boards and cut them to size so Todd could install them. They also did a group effort to paint the walls.

We got another female rabbit. I think she is already going to give us babies!!

The chinking is almost done!!

A very sad day

Today before we went to the meeting I checked the birdies. I made sure that the tarp was off of them so that they could enjoy the sunshine. I noticed that there was not much water in the dish but figured that I would be back and would fill it later..............

Well, when we got home seven of them died!!!! four of them had their head in the water dish. Aparently they were trying to get water. As I was standing in dismay I noticed one still alive. Collin got the water, Kara cooled her off and slowly she got better. I was in front of the cage and could not believe how hot it was right there. I would have never left them in the sun like that. I feel terrible!!! The past few days they really enjoyed the sunshine. My little baby birdies that only had a few feathers could not cool themselves from the sun because their mean momma didn't take the time to water them and move the cage.

Now we have a very special CHARLENE that is getting special treatment. She tweets for her sisters so everyone is holding her. I think she likes it.

What a terrible lesson to learn about birds and the sun.

Saturday Service

Today we had a great service day. Yesterday I stopped by a somewhat of a study's house and left the WT. Later that day I saw her and she thanked me and told me that she would love it if I came by and went over another section of the book. I didn't even have to prompt the suggestion! I had stopped going because she didn't make an effort to be regular so I only went when I had the chance. It was really nice that she decided to have it. We had a wonderful study. She was so excited about what she learned.

I also went to Sherry. ( Mom Mom went on this one) She didn't admit to learning anything and it is still a front door study however, she said that eventually she would learn something new and to keep coming by. That made me feel great!

Clancy went out with Barbara our congregation country ma. They placed 20 sets of magazines today.

Who knows what Todd and Collin did. It couldn't have been as exciting as Clancy and mine because I cannot remember

We put the porch door on today!!!!!!! It looks like Kara will come out and stay for awhile.

a busy week

It is CO week and we are out in service every day. When we came home yesterday it was freezing in our house. The bed sheets were so cold that if you moved you had to wait to get warm again. It was 43 degrees in my bedroom. urrrghhh. Today when I got home from service guess what I did? I started chinking the logs and had Clancy start a fire. It is 61 degrees in our house tonight even though the windows have gaps and the porch door is off. Cool, huh? These logs are more and more impressive to me.

My sinus infection came back exactally when I stopped taking the antibiotic ( yes I finished the right amount) it was just not strong enough. I got a new one to try.

We learned new stuff from the CO. Stuff like the KJ version was written by 47 scholars and only used 8 manuscripts because that was all there was at the time. The NWT uses over 5000 manuscripts because that is what has been found to our day and therefore more accurate. Also one of the first pictures taken of one of the manuscripts was a Gilliead couple. This made an uproar with other religions since they felt they were entitled to that picture.

Just another picture

Ohio State Park, Hocking Ohio

We went camping in the most beautiful spot this weekend. Just a quick getaway. The natural formations of the sandstone was spectacular. Some were 10 stories tall and cut away at the bottom like an open cave. We took two 3 mile hikes and loved every minute. We would definately go there again.

A yucky day

Yesterday I was soooo sick. I had had some allergy issues before I decided to clean out a basement in a rental. These people had a flood and never cleaned the clothes off the basement floor. They had mildewed to the point that they fell apart into a gloopy mess. I cleaned four contractor bags full of mildewed clothes. Right after that I mowed a lot that had gone to seed. All of that great allergy upsetting content landed me with a rip roaring sinus headache. It was so bad that I couldn't even sleep. To top it all off I have a stomache flu. What goes in comes out immediately. All together the lack of food to sop up the drainage left me not so good.

I waited until 11:00 and then decided that I had to go and get some other relief that mucenix D. Now I have antibotics and steroids for the next 10 days. I had a day of sleep and now I feel good.

motorcycling

Sunday we had a motorcycle ride. A few brothers from Bethel came down to play. All together there were 11 of us. 3 bikes and 5 four wheelers. The trails were great not too easy not too hard. We rode for about an hour or two. The first run then everyone but myself and Penny stayed behind to prepare a meal. Everyone else rode until dark.

Somehow those guys found every single mud hole to be had. They were covered from head to toe in soppy mud. The last run was in the dark. Aparently they found a neat spot to stop and look at the stars.

A few of the brothers just got back from visiting Caracas. The Bethel home was in need of a few extra hands. It is really nice to hear stories of others doing good things with their life. They are a happy bunch.

clean up day

Yesterday was a huge clean up day. Todd did lots of work and I organized the tools and cleaned saw dust. It is much eaiser to work when we do this but it takes so long. He put up the beams that trim out the ceiling. It is going to look really nice, better than I expected.

I also nursed a chick all day. I hand fed it and kept it warm only to have it die this morning. I think the lady did not put a light on them and it got a cold. It made me feel sad.

Clancy's cat Chico is getting quite the personality. He tells us when it is time for bed. He paces or sits in our walk way and won't look at us until Clancy opens his bedroom door.

In this picture is the closet--the two doors, behind the stone is a bathroom and you can see the washer and dryer in the last area. It is nice, Todd put an outside door so that the muddy kids and dogs can come in there.

For some reason I cannot return a comment on Joellyn's blog. I had to write on mine to comment. Well, I am still laughing hysterically over the socks in the microwave. I think I laughed for 5 minutes. The best part is that Todd laughed with me.

I know that I am going Red Neck for sure. Only in WV can you go to the grocery store and buy REAL chickens. The tweeting type. I now have 10 peeps. It seems like it would be the wrong thing for the grocery store to do. I will now eat my own chicken not theirs.

Lucy keeps licking them, Pete wont look at them and the cats can't wait to eat them. What a household.

I am trying to get these pictures on this blog. One down another to try today. It takes so long. Hopefully it will be of the house as it is right now.

I got my new washer and dryer. It is great!!! I can do three loads at once. While having one in my house is nice I still perfer to get it all done in two hours at the laundromat.

It is cold today.... It puts pressure to enclose the house faster. We can install the woodstove now if we need to all the pipe is here.

Joellyn's baby Fil doesn't dance like his momma it is more like his Auntie.

The paint color I picked for the kitchen and bathroom is ugly!! To bright like a nursery.

I had a good weekend though. We all went out in service and I got to call on Sherry ( Mom Mom went on it with me when she was here) she had her 2nd study and told me to come back again. Todd started two studies that are sure to continue. One he gave to another sister and one to me. The best thing here is the worst.. we go out in service for studies then we get too many. I have to make sure that the boys get door to door work in around all the studies.

Azalea and I went shopping Saturday afternoon we shopped from 2:30 to 10:30 and all I found was three pairs of jean and two of them came from the same store. It is really hard to shop here. Sunday Todd had another away talk in Weston. It is a small congregation of about 40 publishers. They were a really happy bunch and made us feel very welcome.

Azalea and Malcolm came over later that night we had lots of fun. We laughed and laughed all night. Over all a great weekend!!

The BIG Bunnies

Last night Collin got Flemmish Giant Bunnies. It all started because we went to this camp ground that had big bunnies running wild. Collin thought that was a neat idea. Somehow now we have two big bunnies. Collin said that Mom Mom needs to call us so that we can name them. I am not sure how long until I have too many bunnies but it cannot be too long. Todd drew up plans for a cage and the deal was that Collin had to make it accordingly. HE DID!! He is a smart homeschooler. we have to give them a starting chance before I loose my mind with the stink and set them free.

I bought paint last night for my laundry room and kitchen. We are going towards the sage green color. The cans are small so that I can test and see if I like it. I have never used color besides the bananna yellow I painted the trailer with. I did not like it one bit so before this big investment I got sample cans.

I had a very busy weekend. On Friday at 9:00 pm a brother called me and said someone had to cancel on the circuit assembly and could I be the fill in for the part. It is an interview on some personal questions. I didn't sleep much that night. I am greatful that I was thought of even if it was for the second round of picks. Saturday at 8:oo I had to be ready to go to Charleston to give the rehearsal in front of the CO. I was so nervous. It went well. Sitting there with all of these long time pioneers and brothers that extend themselves made me feel very humble. I am looking at my circumstances to make sure I am doing all that I can. They are such happy people with such good experiences to share. What a satisfing life style.

Todd had the talk today and everyone appreciated it. He did such a good job.

Tomorrow we have school to do, then I have to paint the pillars on a building while Todd replaces the toilet and the boys are mowing the lot. OHHHH I get to order my very own washer and dryer tomorrow!! It will be a long day.

waaahoooo

Chico came home this morning at 5 am. I am really glad because he is special to Clancy. Clancy's first cat Audrey---which he loved--- got hit by a car. Then Chico disappeared. He was determined not to have another pet. We think Chico was locked in the neighbors house. If I came across him I probably would take him also. ( Country cat---nice personality-- who knows--did someone drop him off?/ that sorta thinking)

I ordered a new washer and dryer today. WV is having a no tax day if you buy an energy star appliance. Then lowes had an additional 10% along with the WV match. All together I got 22% off. The new Cabrio washer does three loads and does not have a beaterbar in the center. Todd is roughing in the laundry room today.

URRGHHH I still cannot download pictures to this site. I will keep trying.

Today we started school. Clancy did very well. Collin always has a great attitude but finds it hard to get into the new routine. We spent the day negotiating what was expected.
Clancy's cat Chico disappeared which has made us all very sad. Momma kitty disappeared two weeks ago which was unusual. Collin was setting a live trap this morning and came rushing back scared to death. He swears he heard a mountain lion. I know the neighbor says he has seen one. The last time he had a wild story---so I thought---- it was true. Maybe we do have one. Something is getting our cats.

Todd has put doors on our house. They are really pretty. We have been without doors for so long I do not really like having doors after all. The winter will demand that we have them though. So, now I have to open a door to let the dogs out.... bummer. It sounds silly but we have been living in an atrium for so long now I miss it.