Chicken--- My chickens are now laying eggs! We are up to 9 a day. Kinda neat! Collin wakes up early every morning to see how many we got. The other day he was putting them in his pockets so that he could ride the 4-wheeler back up the hill and they broke...smile
Dogs-- Chili is still my funniest dog. The other day he was left out of the crate when we left. He goes on mischievous travels when we do this. When we came home he had totally destroyed these table trinkets I had. While I was picking them up I had to laugh because when I looked at the end table he left me his bone. He must have been carrying his bone and traded.
Bunnies- Now that I am allergic to them we have two running free in the yard. That way I do not have to clean the cage nor get close to them--sort of... I get up really early, earlier than anyone in the family. I buy vanilla wafers from the dollar store and train the animals with them. The dogs hear the box and sit all around me now the bunnies come looking for me in the morning for a treat. It is very satisfying being needed for a cookie.
By the way did I tell you how proud I am of my boys?? Collin was in service with a 25yr old who was afraid to talk to some hunter guys at a camp. That boy trompped right up there and had a good ole boy conversation with them. The 25yr old was shocked. Clancy --- he is a real gentleman. I couldn't be prouder of my 15 yr old.
Sunday, October 4, 2009
Sunday, August 9, 2009
Campers
We got a really nice camper from someone who wanted out of thier payment. Needless to say they did not use it much and it is in perfect condition on the inside. They parked it up against the woods and the back side got black and streaky. I did not think that was a big deal and I could simply clean it off.
It is year two and I am still cleaning. The camper is 40 ft long and it takes forever to clean. Needless to say I started last year but didn't finish by waxing it so this year I have to start all over again. It doesn't sound like a big deal but 40ft of scrubbing black streaks is like cleaning the rims of your tires and scrubbing white walls. There is a lot of effort involved.
Then I finally got smart. I have two boys!! I didn't use them last year because Todd had them helping him build the house everyday. This year they really didn't want to but with much convincing it is getting done. In two hours my boys and their friend Justin washed and mostly waxed it so that they could go to a swimming party. WOW!! They were really sweaty--smile-- I bet they got big muscles too!
It is year two and I am still cleaning. The camper is 40 ft long and it takes forever to clean. Needless to say I started last year but didn't finish by waxing it so this year I have to start all over again. It doesn't sound like a big deal but 40ft of scrubbing black streaks is like cleaning the rims of your tires and scrubbing white walls. There is a lot of effort involved.
Then I finally got smart. I have two boys!! I didn't use them last year because Todd had them helping him build the house everyday. This year they really didn't want to but with much convincing it is getting done. In two hours my boys and their friend Justin washed and mostly waxed it so that they could go to a swimming party. WOW!! They were really sweaty--smile-- I bet they got big muscles too!
Friday, August 7, 2009
Farming
I found out Wednesday that I can cut my property taxes by 2/3 if I register as a Farm. This means that I have to have some kind of farming that had livestock or crops worth $1000 a year on it.
So, I asked lots of questions about what constitutes a farm. Now this is great, since I tried goats and invested $500 in them but only had them for four days I can qualify them for last year. We also stocked our fish pond for another $250 worth of fish. Which the heron ate. Then I got chickens!!! 20 of them I gave away and Rabbits, now we ate most of them ! chickens are worth $200-- it doesn't matter if I paid for them, it is their worth. The Rabbits, well they made themselves. So looky here!! I am a farm. The best part is that I sat with the assessor and told him all of this and he said it didn't matter as long as they ate and slept on my property for any time.
I like this stupid tax thing!
I am not so happy about my garden. Two years in a row I only have enough to get from the garden what I want to eat that day. Now that I am a real farmer ( hee hee) I have the in with other farmers and they are going to give me manure and all the suggestions to help. It is kinda nice.
Next year we are going to raise two beef cows. If anyone wants to pay for the butchering they are welcome to have beef. One half for me and three halves to share. One half of a beef will feed a family of 4 for a year. That is if you eat other kinds of meat as well. This way instead of paying the tax man I am going to feed my family with the money.
So, I asked lots of questions about what constitutes a farm. Now this is great, since I tried goats and invested $500 in them but only had them for four days I can qualify them for last year. We also stocked our fish pond for another $250 worth of fish. Which the heron ate. Then I got chickens!!! 20 of them I gave away and Rabbits, now we ate most of them ! chickens are worth $200-- it doesn't matter if I paid for them, it is their worth. The Rabbits, well they made themselves. So looky here!! I am a farm. The best part is that I sat with the assessor and told him all of this and he said it didn't matter as long as they ate and slept on my property for any time.
I like this stupid tax thing!
I am not so happy about my garden. Two years in a row I only have enough to get from the garden what I want to eat that day. Now that I am a real farmer ( hee hee) I have the in with other farmers and they are going to give me manure and all the suggestions to help. It is kinda nice.
Next year we are going to raise two beef cows. If anyone wants to pay for the butchering they are welcome to have beef. One half for me and three halves to share. One half of a beef will feed a family of 4 for a year. That is if you eat other kinds of meat as well. This way instead of paying the tax man I am going to feed my family with the money.
Friday, July 31, 2009
Good news about my lungs
I went to the Lung specialist. I apparently have a calcified lymph and left center lung. Not a biggie since I have 98 percent oxygen when I breathe. All it ment was that at some point in my life I had a huge assult to my lungs and my Lymph gland saved my life and petered out. It could decide to change at some point but for now it is very dormant. This is the kind of stuff that your body sometimes gets tired of having around. Mine is very fine with it right now. YEA!
I imagine it was when I was 15 and worked at the dog kennel. ( I should have never scooped poop hee hee hee)
This year has been exceptionally wet and that is a horrible thing for people with allergies. Hence my awful attack. So-- in order to prevent any further assults on my poor body I now take wonderful drugs to ward off extra mucus and these attacks of sensitivity to everything under the sun. If I am good and remember that I NEED to be drugged every day in order to stay somewhat healthy I should breathe easily. It was no fun choking everyday.
I imagine it was when I was 15 and worked at the dog kennel. ( I should have never scooped poop hee hee hee)
This year has been exceptionally wet and that is a horrible thing for people with allergies. Hence my awful attack. So-- in order to prevent any further assults on my poor body I now take wonderful drugs to ward off extra mucus and these attacks of sensitivity to everything under the sun. If I am good and remember that I NEED to be drugged every day in order to stay somewhat healthy I should breathe easily. It was no fun choking everyday.
Thursday, July 2, 2009
need of new system
I had allergies that would not clear up in May. Coughed until July and found out that I had broncitius. Not a big deal in itself, however since it was so bad they took a chest xray and found that I have had too many assults to my lungs. I have developed calcuim deposits in my left lung.
Allergies are funny. One year I might have a runny nose then the next I get hives or something bigger like chronic broncitius. This year I have developed an asthma like scare. It feels like I am choking and need to dry cough. I called the American Lung Assoc. they confirmed that in later years those with not so good allergies can develope asthma like symptoms. I seem to exasperate my system with cleaning chemicals. That sounds not so bad until you realize that chemicals are everywhere. We went to look at a new truck. The NEW Truck smell made me not breath so easy. Washing clothes the soap bothered me. urghhh.
All and all I have a appointment with the pulmonary specialist to see how damaged my lungs are and to try to get a handle on this new development. Hopefully they will give me a magic shot and make it all go away. smile....
Lookin forward to the new system when aliments are not a worry.
Allergies are funny. One year I might have a runny nose then the next I get hives or something bigger like chronic broncitius. This year I have developed an asthma like scare. It feels like I am choking and need to dry cough. I called the American Lung Assoc. they confirmed that in later years those with not so good allergies can develope asthma like symptoms. I seem to exasperate my system with cleaning chemicals. That sounds not so bad until you realize that chemicals are everywhere. We went to look at a new truck. The NEW Truck smell made me not breath so easy. Washing clothes the soap bothered me. urghhh.
All and all I have a appointment with the pulmonary specialist to see how damaged my lungs are and to try to get a handle on this new development. Hopefully they will give me a magic shot and make it all go away. smile....
Lookin forward to the new system when aliments are not a worry.
Saturday, June 6, 2009
Oil
The term "Free" sometimes comes with a price. We have "free" natural gas for our use on our property however we are now experiencing our second oil spill. Two years ago we had a devasting 90 barrels go down our hollow. This time it is only one barrel, however that is still 55 gallons.
Money and greed tend to make people less responsible. It is a good thing that my house is up on a knob and my well away from any stream. The gas/oil lines are starting to deteriorate and developing pin holes. It is not like in MD where a whole area would be evacuated for saftey. Here the gas and oil just continues to spill until someone says something. Usually it can go on for weeks before it is noticed. There is the EPA but, if you notifiy them your local well tender will develop an attitude and make your life almost unbearable. It is in everyones best interest to work with them on a clean up first.
Our last three days have been watching them sop up oil with these rags that look like floor tiles. My creek looks like a nicely laid white floor with fluffy pillows every so often. We are much more agressive this time since last time they took too many short cuts and left us with a continual mess. These "tiles" do not absorb water, only oil. Once full they squeeze them out into a bucket and relay them down. Most of the oil in the water will come up it is the oil that seeps into the soil that causes a problem. The soil over time will slowly release the oil causing the mess. We are going to push for them to clean the soil around our pond. I do not think they will be very happy.
It is amazing what people will do when not monitored by someone in authority. Out here we are so rural that it is impossible to know all of the devasting things that can take place and simply not enough money to monitor. It is a shame. I long for the time when people will simply look for the best interest of his fellow man and not money.
Money and greed tend to make people less responsible. It is a good thing that my house is up on a knob and my well away from any stream. The gas/oil lines are starting to deteriorate and developing pin holes. It is not like in MD where a whole area would be evacuated for saftey. Here the gas and oil just continues to spill until someone says something. Usually it can go on for weeks before it is noticed. There is the EPA but, if you notifiy them your local well tender will develop an attitude and make your life almost unbearable. It is in everyones best interest to work with them on a clean up first.
Our last three days have been watching them sop up oil with these rags that look like floor tiles. My creek looks like a nicely laid white floor with fluffy pillows every so often. We are much more agressive this time since last time they took too many short cuts and left us with a continual mess. These "tiles" do not absorb water, only oil. Once full they squeeze them out into a bucket and relay them down. Most of the oil in the water will come up it is the oil that seeps into the soil that causes a problem. The soil over time will slowly release the oil causing the mess. We are going to push for them to clean the soil around our pond. I do not think they will be very happy.
It is amazing what people will do when not monitored by someone in authority. Out here we are so rural that it is impossible to know all of the devasting things that can take place and simply not enough money to monitor. It is a shame. I long for the time when people will simply look for the best interest of his fellow man and not money.
Saturday, May 23, 2009
Bunnies
Ok, I've heard of survival of the fitest but never seen it in action. Yesterday my girl bunny that is due any day was ripping the hair out of her sisters for a bed. Smart girl, she didn't use her own. I needed to separate them but my boy bunnies are in the other cages.
Clancy got the job of killing the boys and packing them for the freezer. He put them down on the ground and our buck "Honda" the breader man, came and started biting the poor guy. Next thing we noticed is that he castrated him!!! URGHHH It was a good thing he didnt have to endure long. Isn't that awful?? It is a shame that Honda is so nice?? I don't want to eat him because he is a great stud.
On another note.....
Collin is quite the inventor. He took remote control cars and pulled the engines. He went to radio shack and bought switches and wire and junk. We did not encourage nor help him in this project, except for the ride to the store. He has now made with popcicle sticks and glue a remote controlled boat. It can go all over the pond. Smart little guy.!!
CHILI-- He is so funny. He likes to fish with Clancy. The other day Clancy said that he wanted a fish so bad he swam out 6 feet from shore and dove down in the water to try to catch a fish. Boston Terriers are not known for water play. I was just looking at him in the crate. He collects dishes. He has the birds bowl, cat bowl and an ice cream tub that I gave to pete last night beside him as he sleeps
Clancy got the job of killing the boys and packing them for the freezer. He put them down on the ground and our buck "Honda" the breader man, came and started biting the poor guy. Next thing we noticed is that he castrated him!!! URGHHH It was a good thing he didnt have to endure long. Isn't that awful?? It is a shame that Honda is so nice?? I don't want to eat him because he is a great stud.
On another note.....
Collin is quite the inventor. He took remote control cars and pulled the engines. He went to radio shack and bought switches and wire and junk. We did not encourage nor help him in this project, except for the ride to the store. He has now made with popcicle sticks and glue a remote controlled boat. It can go all over the pond. Smart little guy.!!
CHILI-- He is so funny. He likes to fish with Clancy. The other day Clancy said that he wanted a fish so bad he swam out 6 feet from shore and dove down in the water to try to catch a fish. Boston Terriers are not known for water play. I was just looking at him in the crate. He collects dishes. He has the birds bowl, cat bowl and an ice cream tub that I gave to pete last night beside him as he sleeps
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
