Update: 7/20/09

   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

  

Gabby - Winter - Preparing

  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 

Answering Your Questions :) & Updates

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

Becky’s Farm Life

My new life's journey

Well I can say I off to a rough start, but I am kicking hard. And by God's grace we will make it.

Well for starters, the day Tommy went home, my truck broke- timing chain and water pump. So I got these fixed. But today the truck started spraying oil. Ok, Now I really want/need a horse and buggy.  But wait there is more. The Social Security Office said Friday that I would not get any widow benefits until May(a whole month and the first on the month is this week.) I am a little rattled to say the least. But then this morning I went to the food bank, and saw a family getting paper goods(plastic bowls, and silverware) so they could feed their kids as their power was turned off last week.  My heart broke, here I was getting upset because of money and my truck, when I do have so so much to be thankful for. And the lady that runs the food bank talk to me a while. Thank you Lord for her. I had had my eyes on myself and not others and God. So I got a spanking from God today. She asked about this blog, and I told I had not been here in a while. She said people needed it.  So I am back and now you all will see me start this new journey, my new life. Let me tell you it's scary at times, as I do not do change will.  But I am holding tight to God's hand as he walks me through each moment and each day. I am very thankful for my food storage. And everything I learned to make it through the hard times.

 

Thank you all for your prayers and comments here, they are such a blessing to me and the girls. Thank you again.

 

Ok, now I am trying to sell the small truck and the beef bull. Rent, power, phone bills have to be paid this week. So if you all we say a little prayer that someone would buy these. I was going to put the bull in the freezer, but we still have 1 1/2 cows meat in freezer and there is now only 3 of us. So that is a year plus in meat.

 

Some of you have asked questions that I have not gotten to, but I will this week, ok. 

Thank you all for reading my blog and may God bless you all.

Until in the morning,

Becky

Not always easy being a women

Yesterday we got the first of Tommy’s ER and hospital bills — $5,246.25, $43.00, $220.00. That’s a lot of money, and I know that there are morning coming. Show us the way, Lord.

Tommy got up about 11 am. And I got ready to go to town. In town I got : 100lbs gas tank refilled $70 ( both were filled at the first of the month- one ran out in 7 days due to the cold weather, so I need another tank to make it the rest of the month.), picked up 4 of Tommy’s meds ( one was the cough pills and the pharmacist was a little up set that the new hospice was making us pay for breathing meds. So he dropped the price down to half - 60 pills- 15 days- $25. Thank you Lord. The other pill was for his sinus $11.52.); picked of meds for Tasha from our old drug store( she opened the bag when i got home and found on the bottle that they owed her 12 pills more, she was up set. Tommy and I told her that’s why we changed, it was costings we to much to go to town twice to get 1 whole med filled.) : at Family Dollar, I got 4- 2liters of sprite (which had a coupon saying “buy 3 sodas and oreo’s cookies and get $2.00 off.” you kids know my love for oreo’s, so I checked there price- $2.25. OK, I got my cookies for 25 cents, what a blessing and a treat.) : then went to the feed store and got 200 lbs of feed, ( the ladies working there know I buy seed potatoes this time every year, so they tell me they only have a few of my kind left and the next order they place the prices go up. So I paid for my feed and charged to my account 50lb bag of seed potatoes until the first of the month, the bag was $15.75, so at least I had one bag for now.) : At the thrift store I found 4 new looking bras for 25 cents each, 3- mine and 1 for Tommielynn: then picked up a few groceries.

When I got home, I called up the road to a friends house and asked if her husband could help me unload the 100lb tank off the truck. He came down and unloaded it for me. Another blessing.


Then while I was unloading feed and putting it up, a man (which was here days ago, wanting to buy my chickens, I said no then). While he asked me how much I wanted for my chickens. I told him again I was not selling my chickens. He said, well I talked to Tommy earlier today and he told me to come out this evening. ( Well Tommy had told me he talked to him while I was in town, and that he’d told him he’d have to talk to me about it. Tommy has always let me handle the buying and selling of farm things. Even if the older farmer men don’t like dealing with women that know what they are talking about. Some have just left the farm when Tommy tells them to talk to me.) Well back to this man, he then asks to buy my young roosters and again I tell him no. Then he asks to buy my yard wagon, no. Then he wants to buy my meat bull because he looks so good, NO. He said, you can’t take care of him with Tommy down. OK, now my blood is really starting to boil. As calmly as I could I said, I have been taking care of this farm and bull cows for many year now, and I’m the one that got that beef bull to look good. He just shook his head and started walking around the yard again. He came to the camper shell Tommy had made for the back of the big truck, and asked to buy it, NO> Then he wanted our blue small tractor/ mower, NO. He said, What are you going to do with it? Well I said my yard still needs to be mowed. He asked if I did it, to this he has gotten his first yes. Now he sees the big farm tractor and asks about it. I tell him it’s $2000 with everything. He asks how low I’ll go. i told him it was not leaving the yard for under $2000. He was not happy and thought a minute and said, You know that tractor will tip over easy with you driving it. I said no it would not because I didn’t drive it. So he says then let me have it for under $2000. My lady manners are starting to leave my body. I said no, it would sit under cover until someone had $2000. Then he walks right back to my young roosters and asks to buy them again as I don’t need 5 roosters– ANOTHER NO. I tell him Tommy’s up and watching TV, why not go in and say hi as you are his friend. He said , no I have to go. thank you Lord, he’s leaving. As he is getting in his car, he asks again to buy my silky chicken and buffs. I take a really deep breath and say no yet again.


I go into the house to tell Tommy. He just said I handle him well just like I always handle farm business with old men. I told Tommy I was so very close to losing it and so very mad. I asked him if I had a “dumb” sign on my chest. “No”, he said, “some old men are that way. And that they think you will sell things cheap now that they all know I’m dying.” I asked Tommy to pray for me to have wisdom to handle these men now and in the future. He said he would but I was doing a great job now. I don’t feel that way at all. I know I’m not the kind of women these old farmer men are used to, but I’m not dumb and stand my ground. Over the years now, a few have really gotten ticked off when I showed, I knew what I was talking about or how they were wrong about something they were selling, and me knowing the fair price. I have fought these kind of men for years now, but today’s takes the big prize. There really needs to be more women farmers. I’m praying this man does not come back — for his sake. Now I do have to give credit to a few old farmers, who once they found out I knew what I was talking about , we all became great friends.


The lady at the feed co-op said today that more and more young people, then ever before, are coming in to get garden supplies and asking about how to grow gardens.

Becky

Commenst:

Becky,I’ve been following your site for about six months now. I stumbled on it via Hillbilly Housewife. I,like many,have been gleaning how to stretch our dollars. Your honesty,creativity, passion,and willingness to share your life…joys, struggles, etc. have drawn me to make your site my home page….to learn from, and pray for you and your family daily.Many days I’m amazed (God is so Good!)at what you have shared and how it has ministered to me, in what I may be struggling with and learning about. Today was another of those days and I felt the need to let you know. It started today with your title “not always easy being a women”. Right now I’m doing a study on Esther by Beth Moore…it’s title “Esther: it’s tough being a woman. I felt lead to share some of it with you.1) its tought being a woman in another woman’s shadow (Esther 1). Without Vashti, we’d have no Esther, sometimes, in the hiddeness(of life struggles), God builds a woman she’d never otherwise become.2)it’s tough being a woman in a world where beauty is a treatment (Esther 2). Praise God for a King who gives a woman dignity instead of taking it. Our God views women with purity, not sensuality..Isaiah 61:103)it’s tough being a woman in a mean world (Esther3).Meaness always has a history (ie. the Amalekite and the jews) Meaness perceives a threat. (2Cor.10:12). Meaness catches like a virus (passed down and around -generation to generation).Dear One, He who delivered you from a Pharoah can deliver you from any Haman. Remember who you are.I have a good friend, who whenever I share the not so good things that take place, she says “That sucks!” She’s right some things just suck, but it’s how we handle those things that set us apart, and today you were set apart and handled things well.
Deborah Comment by Deborah February 19, 2009


Sounds like you handled things well! Bless your heart! Just hold your ground and they will soon learn you mean what you say! God Bless! Comment by Wendy February 19, 2009

Just Tommy and I this Weekend & Farm Update

Shawn and Cindy came and got TommieLynn for the weekend, Friday night. TommieLynn was overly happy to spend the weekend with her brother. Thank you Shawn and Cindy. Tasha went to Carl’s for most of the weekend. So it was just Tommy and I. Oh, what a treat. It has been many years since we have had a weekend alone together.

I took him out to eat Saturday night to his favorite restaurant to get his favorite meal. The restaurant had 4 men walking around singing to those of us eating. The restaurant had candles and flowers on the table. It was a wonderful evening, which we both really enjoyed. Thank you Lord, for blessing our evening and time together. I did have to give Tommy a dose of morphine while we were there but he said he had a great time with a smile. When we got home he did put on his oxygen and rested with a full belly and a smile in his face. His smile on his face so very much blessed me. I have found that the smaller things bless my heart so much more now than ever before. Thank you Lord again for a wonderful evening.

It is now time to cut down my chickens. We have 25+ chickens. And their feed bill is getting to high. People are no longer buying eggs. So I am giving away 2-3 flats of eggs a week. Don’t get me wrong, I do not mind giving eggs away, but their feed bill is about $30 a week. We no longer eat a lot of eggs a week, maybe 1-2 dozen. So we are down sizing the chickens. More than like, we will give the extra chickens away, to those who need them for food. Tommy is no longer able to butcher them,and I just can’t bring myself to do it. Now I could if I had too, but right now I don’t have too. Thank you Lord. So we will get the chickens down to 8-12 hens and a rooster, that way we will still be able to bless others with some eggs without over spending on feed. The beef cow is getting fatter, and will go into the freezer hopeful by late spring/early summer. And then all the pasture fences will come down.

Looking to spring: We will not have the big garden down in the field this year. The strawberry & tomato patch (were I have many raised beds and is fenced in) will be used again this year. And I have to fence in an area for potatoes and some corn, up closer to the house but away from the strawberry patch. So I have been scouting the yard for the right place to put it. It will not be real big as there is only 4 of us now. I will only plant 50 lbs. of potatoes instead of 200 lbs. We love potatoes. Our potatoes did not do very well last year, maybe a new spot will help. I have really missed our potatoes this winter. And just enough corn to eat fresh and a little to freeze, not 8 rows 150 ft. long. All other veg’s will go into the raised beds. So this will be our first year with a small garden.

The only seeds/plants I have to buy this spring are: potatoes, tomatoes, onions sets. I have enough seeds for the other things we grow for about 3 years. Which is a great blessing. We were blessed last year with a really big box of seed packets: veg’s. , flowers, herbs seeds. Yes, not all of them will come up due to being last years seeds, but more than 80% will. So I just replant seeds that don’t come up, and have done so for years. Every fall when our feed store marks that years seeds to half price, I buy the seeds I need to plant the following spring. I save money on seeds. As the seeds get older the percentage of the ones that will come up goes down some. I have planted some seeds that were over 3 years old, and had a good crop.

As the girls and I will be doing all the yard work this year, I am looking for ways to cut back on as much as I can. One things I am going to do to cut down on weed eating is: put straw/mulch/hay around things and places that usually need to be weed eat-ed. I can get all the straw and hay from our feed store for free:I pick up the broken bales off the ground, there is always a lot. TommieLynn has been begging to use the push mower, oh little does she know what she’s asking for. She starts this year, we’ll see now long she’ll want to mow.

We have friends coming in this coming weekend, Scott and Ann. Then the following week, Tommy’s sister, Linda, is coming for a visit. He has not seen her in 6+ years. They both are really looking forward to this visit.

Well I am going to finish enjoying my quiet weekend. Hope you all have a great week.

Becky

Me, Write a Book? From Becky's Farm Life

Tommy has asked me for many years to write a book about what we as a family have been through, the ways we live, the ways the Lord has worked in our lives, our up and downs, how I cook and canning , run a farm,etc. Something to leave the kids. And I have had a few comments asking me to write a book. I have been writing a daily paper journal about our family lives for years now, 12 + books are full.

Well I found a place that will turn your blog into a book for you at a reasonable price. So as a first step to please my husband, I am working so doing that. The only draw back is that the site only uses Blogger blogs. So I am transferring the post there and all the comments from here. It will take me a while to type in all my journals, to be able to get them in book form. And I will set up a different blog on blogger to do this. Am I trying to sell the books? I am not sure, this is new to me. So for now I’ll do them for the kids and see where the Lord leads. I would have never dreamed of writing a book. So I am not sure where this all will lead. Do any of you have any thoughts on this? I would really like to know your very honest answers. Would you want to buy a book about Jordan’s Farm and family life??
Becky

Comments:

I would buy one! I say go for it!!!!
Comment by Amanda February 13, 2009

When you set up the new blog would you please provide a link? I sure wouldn’t want to lose track of you, I SO look forward to your posts! Yes, I would buy one…I also say “Go for it!”
Linda Comment by Linda February 14, 2009


I am starting out with just the blog book for now. You can get an e-book style book for only $2.99. I don’t get any money for this, but I know this e-book will help and bless others. It will take me a while to get everything into a real book. Thank you both for your comments, as they really blessed my heart. Becky Comment by Becky February 15, 2009

Weekend – It’s been good

Tommy has had a good weekend. He was up during the day and slept at nights. There was a few bouts with pain but the morphine helped. It was great having him up during the day.  And he really enjoyed being up with us.

Tasha and Carl, helped me to get some more things out of the shop. We have until the 15th to get everything else out, almost done, maybe just one more trip. Thank you Carl for your help.

It has been a long time since we have had an easy and good weekend. Thank you Lord. Tommy was able to help me fix things and he got some other things done.  Which made him feel useful.

The weather still does not know what it wants to do, one day cold and the next hot.

The girls are doing good. And Tasha’s belly is getting bigger.  The farm is doing good.

Thank you Lord for all your blessings, love, and mercy.

Becky

Technorati Tags: update,Tommy,family,blessings

Update and My Wings

TJ, Tex and Janet came up this past weekend. They got the tools out of the shop, so we can close it and stop paying rent there. They also got two large buffets out of our living room. This really open it up. And will allow Tommy to use his walker easier now. Now I have to find a place for everything that was in them. I still have some boxes in the floor. TJ put a part on the truck. We all worked hard this past weekend. Thank you all again for everything you did and all your help.
I sold the milk cow this past Tuesday, a mixed blessing. No more milking but also no more milk. TommieLynn is so very happy to be done with milking. I froze and canned some milk yesterday. And I thought I’d get to sleep in Wednesday morning, well only until 7:30 am as the dogs woke me up wanting out, oh well. And this morning, I am up at 4 am coughing really hard, but I will let the dogs out and go back to bed. I’m still fighting this yuck in my chest, and I’m almost done with round two of antibiotics and on my 5th bag of Halls cough drops, and week 5 of this. I have tried everything under the sun, even herbs. How long can this last???
It rained really hard yesterday and is to do the same today. We had rivers going through the fields and in the yard. The poor chickens looked so funny, them being all wet and muddy. Tommy told me to tie a rope to the truck and tied it to the porch. It was bad, we have not had that much rain in years. Yes, here we really needed it but didn’t want it all in one day.
A friend, Jenny, said the Lord was giving me my wings, when I talked to her last week. To be honest it felt like He was cutting my wings, with all the changes. Jenny said He was giving me my wings to fly. And at the time (last week) I felt grounded, very grounded. I didn’t feel like flying, and did not see it that way. And this really bothered me. Why I could not see what someone else saw. So the more I thought about it, the clearer it became. The things being taken away, the changes being made, were to lighten my load so I could fly. A bird can’t fly when it’s loaded down with things it really does not need. I see it like a bird who’s wing was broke, and it could not fly for a while, but still remembers flying. And has to wait for the wing to heal, and then relearn to fly again. Or like the fighting roosters tied to a little house, they can move some but can’t fly very high or far. I have always like the song, “ On the Wings of a Snow White Dove”, so Tommy has brought me doves over the years. And as I looked around my house at all the doves, I remembered, He sends His love on the wings of a dove. Now I see that the Lord is teaching me to fly again, and like the birds learning to fly again, it’s hard work and it hurts. And some birds don’t want to leave what they have known, being grounded by string or broken wing or just caged. They have forgotten what it is like to fly. I too, have forgotten what it’s like to fly, but I am remembering now. I want to fly again. I have allowed things and people to ground/ cage me. But my wings are healing and the door is opening, freedom is in the air. And just like the birds, I too, will fly through the storms of life or soar above them. I want others to see His love on my wings again, I want to fly for Him. To bad, I did not see all this sooner, so as not to fight it so hard. But I am thankful the Lord did not give up on me and keep at me to fly again. Is the Lord working on your wings?? Are you grounded or caged? Has something in life broken one of your wings? The Lord is waiting for you to fly again, He’s waiting to heal you, too.
Come fly with me.
Becky

Comments:

1. Becky, As always, you are an inspiration.  ) What beautiful insight into our growth process. May God continue to bless you as you stretch your wings and fly once again. In Him, Stacie  Comment by arksoaper | January 7, 2009 |

2. Thank you for sharing. Sometimes I forget the Lord has to prune us and our lives so that we can grow closer to Him. Hope you are feeling better soon. Comment by Country Lady | January 8, 2009 |

3. Nice post Becky… hoping your changes bring even bigger and better changes in your life.. take care and know that God is always near especially at times like these… Janine Comment by Janine | January 11, 2009 |

4. Why can’t they do a fentanyl (spelling) pump implant? That way your hubby can push the button for extra relief when needed, yet not use as much when not needed. It is very common for people with terminal pain to have the wire implanted for the pain pump on demand. It’s not exactly important to worry about “hooking” someone on drugs when the case is terminal. Pain relief is more important than any thing else. You really have a crappy hospice. I am so very sorry you are going through this with such poor support there. Is there anyway at all you could have access to a different doctor or program?
   I will pray for your husband and your family. Comment by teri | January 12, 2009 |

5. And just like the birds, I too, will fly through the storms of life or soar above them. Your post was very moving for me. My family and I have had to learn to fly through the storms and soar above them!!!! I am new to this web site. I do understand the terrible dreaded “C” word. My husband was diagnosed with cancer last year. God was good. We had a growth - tumor removed from behind his left ear in May’08. He went back a week later to have the drain tube removed only to be told the tumor was cancer; however there were parts left behind. The doctors had to make a treatment plan for him. They told us because he was young and a strong healthy man that he could handle the sink being thrown at him. We went through our chemo and our radiation and now dealing with some hearing loss and vertigo - we are blessed that he is getting great results from his 3 month follow ups. As a spouse watching her husband go through all of it, it is very traumatic. You want to take their pain - their sickness away and all one can do is hold their hand or head through the rough times. During the good times, we made them our best. We have a small child - 5 yrs old. He still worries that Daddy will go to heaven. We are constantly reassuring him that Daddy is ok.  My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Comment by Tara | January 29, 2009 |

6. Tara, I will keep your family in my prayers. As I know first hand what everyone is going through. Remember to take care of your self too. Becky Comment by Becky | January 31, 2009 |

Changes in the Mist - Ready Or Not

I have been looking ahead and trying to make a plan before Spring and Summer gets here. There has been a lot of changes in my life this year - some good and some not so good - little and big. I am not very good at change.  Some changes are good for us, some hurt really bad, some don't last to long. My family is smaller in size now, needs are changing from a few years ago, and I'm getting older. We loved are full farm and all it gave us. But now there are not as many hands as before working the farm. And it's finally hit me, I can't run the farm by myself. Don't get me wrong the girls help all they can. But a farm is a  lot of work year round.  And I really would like to spend more time with my family.

So here is some of the ways we are going to down size some:

• I am selling my milk cow as soon as I can. We love the milk but thinking ahead there is no way I can keep the fence lines weed eat or all the fields mowed and do a garden.  And come fall, the thought of loading and unloading a 100 bales of hay for winter use, is not a good picture. And we no longer drink 4-5 gallons of milk a week. So it's time to say good bye to milking.
• The Black Angus Bull now running in the field, will be fatten up and put in the freezer as fast as we can. And while we are eating his meat, I'll put some money back every month to buy a half cow for meat. I know where I can do this cheaper than store prices and the cows are feed the way I feed mine. ( I'll also be able to buy half a hog when needed). So we will still be able to get great meat without all the work. I worked the price out, it's only 50 cents more a pound if someone else raises it.  Which is about $1.09 a pound, cut and wrap and fast froze. Still cheaper than the store meat, and better tasting too.
• My husband is selling his big tractor. We will not be mowing the fields any more or having a great big garden. We are switching to raised beds for most, and making a fenced in area for potatoes. We no longer need a big garden to feed us. I still will be able to get apples and pears off the ground from friends.  So I think I have our food planned out.
• We will keep our chickens for meat and eggs. And sell chickens and eggs.  They are very easy to care for. And I HATE STORE BROUGHT EGGS.
• We have 3 freezers that I would like to get down to using just 1 or 2. Which means canning more meat. 

We  will be growing a few more vegetable and I'll can every thing I can get my hands on.  This new life is going to be really different, as we have lived this way for 10 + years. And it has kept us feed well. But changes are here like it or not. The Word says there is a season for  everything, I guess my season is changing again. Time to learn new things, new and different ways.

Tommy and I are not looking forward to selling the milk cow or his tractor, we worked long and hard for both, Tommy and I together broke the milk cow to hand milking and  she was  born here on the farm, and Tommy has wait years to be able to buy the tractor: but now it's time.

This blog will still be about farm life, now just a mini farm life. And I will still share all I have learned and will be learning here. 

Well for now we will be down sizing to fit our needs better. Will I ever have a full farm again, only the good Lord knows that and He's not told me yet. So for now it's one day at a time, going where the Lord leads us.

Change is in the air,

Becky

Tommy's Tractor

Peaches milk cow, bull meat

Comments:

1. You have some big decisions to make. It sounds like you are up to it. They are unfortunate, but necessary. Realize that not everyone is as insightful as you nor could they look at things so realistically and make the right decisions. Comment by Sheila Smith | December 29, 2008 | 

2. I know there are many tears being shed into your pillow right now. You are having to face some very difficult truths about your family’s health and children coming of age, your finances, and your own physical limitations. I pray God holds you very close, and the Father of mercy comforts you as you pass through all the coming changes. Comment by teri | December 29, 2008 |

3. Good luck- I think you fair just fine.. just so you know we have been church “Searching” and think we may have settled on one here close to us. Thank you for inspiring me and my family in ways you may not even know of….I will keep you and your family in my prayers  Love Amanda Comment by Amanda B | December 31, 2008 |

4. I only just started to read your blog, and find it amazing. I take my hat off to all you do.
   Hope to read more soon. hugs gwen Comment by gwen | January 1, 2009 |

5. [...] bookmarks tagged black angus Changes in the Mist - Ready Or Not « Becky’s Farm … saved by 5 others     mightguy1 bookmarked on 01/01/09 |  Pingback by Pages tagged "black angus" | January 1, 2009 |

6. I haven’t seen an update from you in a few days so I’m hoping that is good news! God bless you today, Becky, as you live for His glory, depending on His grace, one minute at a time. Comment by Georgene | January 5, 2009 |

 

Hands have been full But I'm still blessed

Life has been full lately. Tommy has been having a hard time with pain: Hopefully this is straighten out now. I have been sick for 3 weeks now, and last Thursday I went and got an antibiotic.  And I have been doing only the "have to" chores. The farm is doing good. The girls are fine. The weather does not know what it wants to do- one day cold, next day warm. 

I sure have miss you all. Hopefully I can get back here now and read up on what everyone has been up too. Hope you all had a Merry Christmas. Our Christmas was good. Tommy got a tractor book, he has wanted for a while. TommieLynn got a small MP3 player, which she loves. We had a quiet day.

Tommy is still enjoying Netflix. He said last night that he finally figured out the remote control.  And loves the fact he no longer has to watch commercials.

Scott and Ann came up again for a few days. And they helped out around here. Thank you both very much for your help. And for putting a smile on Tommy's face.

This is from Caring Bridge site this morning.

Good Morning everyone,

I'm sorry it's been so long but it's been a long week. OK here goes:

Friday 19, Three people came out from hospice and talked to Tommy and I for about an hour. They said they would see about a break through med.

Saturday 20, Tommy woke up at 6 am having a hard time breathing. So we moved the oxygen machine into the bedroom. (he now uses the oxygen nightly)He is still hurting but not as bad as before.

Sunday 21, My grandmother died this evening.

Monday 22, At 12:20 am Tommy fell and I woke to a crashing sound. He's not hurt. At 11am, Tommy falls again trying to pick up clothes off the floor. He's not hurt. Then Dr. Burke calls me: and says he has made a mistake and can not take Tommy's case and will give it back to the hospice doctor. And he is really sorry. (now we are not sure if the hospice doctor will take Tommy back.) Then my uncle calls and says my cousin has been in a bad car wreck. Her 3 little girls only had some stitches and are OK. But she was throw from the car. The doctors have put her into a coma as all her face bones are broke and her skull is cracked. Then I go to town to find a walker for Tommy. And while I'm gone he falls again, not hurt. Our pastor bring us gifts from the church and has prayer with us. Very long day, and I'm still fighting this cold/ sinus infection.

Tuesday 23, The hospice nurse came out to get Tommy's vitals and stresses again about the meds and his BP. About 15 minutes after she leaves, a DSS Social Worker (Social Services)came to our door.(OK Lord I'm only one person.) First thing she say to me,"I told my boss before I even left the office that these charges would be unfounded. But by law I have to come out." She said she was sorry about Tommy's cancer and would pray for him and us. And she was really sorry to bother us, but she had to come out. She said the charges were unfounded and wish us a Merry Christmas and left. ( please say a prayer for the person who called them). At 4:30pm the hospice nurse called and Dr. Witt is back on the case and has ordered the drop Morphine immediate release, to be taken .25-.5 ml every 2 hours (before when he had the morphine it was .5-1 ml every hour). But we are very thankful to have it now.

Wednesday 24, Tommy got up really tired and with a little pain. Miss Jenny sent us a lot (I mean a lot) of apples and oranges, and so homemade clothes soap. Tommy just grinned from ear to ear when he seen all the bags of fruit. Thank you very much, Miss Jenny. Please give the boys a hug and kiss from us. This was kind of a very lazy day.

Thursday 25, I was up most of the night coughing which had Tommy up most of the night. Tommy had went out to check something on the truck, and while coming back up the stairs, his knees went weak, he fell to his knees, not hurt. I was there and helped him back up, then made him promise not to go back down without me, he said OK. So TJ and Tex when you get here I need you all to put a hand rail at the back steps, please. Another church brought us 3 Christmas dinners plates and a fruit basket this evening.

Tommy ate more dinner tonight, than he has eaten in a long time. I guess because it was his favorite: fried Chicken and liver, French fries and corn. It was so good to see him eat so much.

Friday 26, Then this morning when I woke up to give Tommy his 4 am pills, He said I already took them at 2 am. I said no you can't do that, he just said sorry. Well at his 6 am pills, I noticed not all the pills were in the slot. So I asked him, he said some fell into the sink at 2 am. One of which was the 40mg pain pill that he can't get again until 10am. So I am praying that his pain will be low until then. I can't give him another 40mg, as the hospice keeps a count of all the pills, every time they come out. and now I'll have to hide the pills from him.

It's been a very long, hard week. But by God's grace and mercy, we have made it through. He even threw in blessings along the way to bless us. Thank you Lord for watching out for us yet again. Thank you all for your prayers. Hope you all had a Merry Christmas.

This has been a very long, hard year for my family. But thank you Lord, you have seen us through it each step of the way, and have poured Your blessings out on us. Thank you Lord for all our friends and family, and all my Internet sisters who have become great friends to me.  Lord, please bless them all.

Becky

Comments:

1. You and your family are in my prayers! Comment by Wendy | December 27, 2008 |

2. Have you considered that a “disgruntled” hospice worker turned your family into DSS? From reading your posts, I am unsure if you are able to afford a lawyer, but it sounds like you need one. If your husband is not getting adequate care and pain management, it is malpractice. He should get adequate care regardless of whether you are fully insured or simply on Medicaid. I would certainly file a complaint with DSS about the false report that was turned in on your family. False reporting is a felony, and the person responsible needs to be prosecuted. I am so sorry your husband is so very ill. Comment by teri | December 27, 2008 |

Thanksgiving - Friends - Snow

We had a quiet, easy Thanksgiving here. My first year, not cooking a turkey or cooking for three days before. Oh, what a blessed treat. But we all still ate to much.

Tasha, Tommy, TommieLynn, Ann, Scott

We had: cooked canned ham, our sweet potatoes, stuffing, corn, green bean cass., potato salad, deviled eggs. And I made homemade strawberry short cake with homemade whip cream (Tommy's favorite).

They had to smile before they could eat.

TommieLynn and Ann

Tommy and Scott resting.

TommieLynn and Ann. This is the bunk bed we put together.

Tommy and Scott

This is our front yard this morning.

Our back yard.

strawberry and herb patch.

Tommielynn with a snow ball.

And it is still snowing and about 32 degrees outside now. Poor Peaches (milk cow) did not want to leave her stall after milking this morning. TommieLynn could not wait to finish her chores to go play. It's our first snow that's enough to play in.

Tommy loved having a man to talk to the last few days. Thank you Scott. And I had a women to talk too. Thank you Ann. We all had a great time, but all ate too much. They will be back for Christmas week. Tommy has been doing pretty good. He is now having pains in his shoulders. And is still tired and weak.

Tasha has now moved back in here. And we are trying to get her settled back in.

Well I hope you all had a great Thanksgiving. Becky

Comments:

1. Loved every picture! Thank you for sharing! I’m so glad that you were able to enjoy this Thanksgiving and that you were given a big TREAT of not cooking for days and days. You deserved a break! (My feet are still hurting from standing in the kitchen for 2 days while cooking! *S*) Comment by Georgene December 1, 2008

2. I came across this site and thought you might be interested in it!
   http://www.sufficientself.com/forum/index.php I am so glad to hear you had a good Thanksgiving! Comment by Pam's Pride December 2, 2008

3. So glad you enjoyed your holiday! Looks like you had a good spread too. Stay warm!! Comment by D. December 6, 2008

The Surprise Guest and Family

Family left this morning, and Tommy is taking a nap. He did pretty good and he took a nap Saturday. When he need to rest he did. There was a few times he was nausea but did not get sick. Over all it was a wonderful weekend.

Here are some photos of our weekend:

This is Tommy's surprise guest, Karen, his daughter who he has not seen in years. He had no idea she was coming. When she walked into the house, his mouth hit the floor. Then came the biggest smile ever. Thank you, Karen.

 

Tommy and Karen (daughter)

Saturday morning breakfast

TJ (son)  and Tommy cooking breakfast.

Tommy and TJ

Becky, Tommy, Brenda (TJ's mom and Tommy's ex-wife)

And as always out with the guns again. TJ and Tommielynn

Brenda taking a rest.

Tasha and Carl (her boyfriend, baby's father)

Tommy, Karen, TJ

Tasha, Karen, Becky

Brenda cleaning the kitchen while everyone else is resting in the living room. I told Tommielynn to take her photo so I could show everyone my slaved labor for the weekend.  LOL  Thank you Brenda for all your help.

We all had a great weekend. Thank you very much TJ, Brenda, and Karen for coming and put so many smiles on Tommy's face and some much laughter in the air. Thank you all to for all the blessings.

Have a great day, I am off for a nap.  Becky

Comments:

1. That is so nice you guys had such a nice weekend together as a family. Wishing you the best this Thanksgiving. Take care! Comment by Janine | November 23, 2008 |

2. Tommy & Becky…it was great to see Tommy smile as family usually cures our ailments…….I hope you guys have a great Thanksgiving…we’ll be eating the big bird here in Hawaii also. Comment by Rick Jordan | November 24, 2008 | 

3. Love the pictures! It looks like you all have a great dynamic and get along so good. What a wonderful blessing. Comment by D. | November 24, 2008 |

 

The Jordan’s did it again!!

Someone who supports to come and help me put the bunk set together yesterday. But he called and said he was not coming. Tommy had called him to help me because he did not have the strength, this was the third person we had called to help us. And the third, no show. Tommy just about cried. So I put my hands on my hips and said, “We are Jordan’s and the girls and I can do it if you talk us through it. You have taught us a lot.” He just smiled and we got at it. We got it put together, together. This bunk bed set is a place for me to lay down some during the day, a bed for Tasha when she moves back in, and a place for family to sleep when they come. The Jordan’s did it again.
It’s been cold here, even in the house. I am using the gas heaters and a powered floor heater. And winter is not even here yet. For the last week, we have had a heavy frost every morning. But it’s been a long time since we have use this much heat. I am not looking forward to this coming months power bill or the winter to come. I guess I need to get busy making more quilts and wool socks. Is anyone else using more heat earlier this year?
Tasha came by yesterday, to show me an outfit she got. It said, ”That’s it! I’m going to grandma’s!” I am sure looking forward to being a grandma!! She also help me move things from sew/her room into the bus ( our storage place), and get the room ready. She is coming back today to help so more. Boy, there is a lot of stuff in that room, that needs to come out. I will post a photo when it’s done.
Well I had better get this day started. Praying you all have a great day!
Becky

Comments:

Becky - Congrats on getting the bed done! It is amazing what we can accomplish when we put our minds, and our hearts, into it! Congratulations…you are stronger and more capable than you give yourself credit for! Glad to hear Tasha will be coming back today to help you clear out some more! Lin Comment by Linda November 20, 2008

1. Becky, Great job on the beds! You Jordan ladies are made of tuff stuff!!
   After enjoying a mild beginning to November, we are now in the deep freeze. Colder than normal temps and more snow than usual. The forecasters are predicting 3-6 ins. tonight and tomorrow, which is unusual for us this early in the season. They also say this cold blast from Canada will reach as far as Georgia and Central Texas! Hang in there!! Comment by Linda J. November 20, 2008

2. Hugs to you and Tommy, Becky-I knew you all could put that bed together!
   Sometimes when others fail us and our plans fall through, God comes shining through and shows us what we can do when He gives us His strength. Glad you all did it together-it’ll give you memories and God will give you His strength to draw on in the future again when you need it. Thank goodness, He is there beside us every step of our lives. It would be very hopeless, otherwise. Keeping you in my prayers, Marlys Comment by Marlys Zimbelman November 21, 2008

This and That on the Farm - 9/24

This comment was left on " I have a Friend" and it's great and I wanted everyone to see it. Thank you Linda J.

“…if all things are in His hand, if the very hairs of our head are numbered; if every event, great and small, is under the direction of His Providence and purpose; and if He has a wise, holy and gracious end in view, to which everything that happens is subordinate and subservient;–then we have nothing to do, but with patience and humility to follow as He leads, and cheerfully to expect a happy issue….How happy are they who can resign all to Him, see His hand in every dispensation, and believe that He chooses better for them than they possibly could for themselves!” ~John Newton, who wrote the hymn, “Amazing Grace”

A friend of ours let us borrow his living weed eater, goat. We are trying to clear out an area, so the cows can have a little more room. This area used to be the goat pen,  then was a pig pen. Well, at about dusk the goat was running around the yard.  Our friend had always keep him on a chain and just moved him around as needed. So the goat does not really like people, he runs from them. Yet, all my animals run to me, which makes catching them so easy, except it gets a little hairy when you have a 900 lb.+ cow coming at you. OK, back to this goat on the run. He had broke his collar, no fixing it. We got him , and used a rope to hold him. While
I tried to find another collar. Ok, I live on a farm and have animal bottles of all sizes and shapes, and I thought every thing needed to run a farm.

But there was no collar on the farm. I had think of something as the goat would go through the fence with the cows in it, and it's getting dark. Here is what I did, and goat was not to happy. I found a calf halter and put in on him. And yes it was big on him, Tommy had to cut another hole in it to get it as tight as we could. And let me tell you that goats can dance. He tried for over an hour to get it off.

Now for gas here. A friend called yesterday and said that our area was very low, or out of gas. One gas tanker was splitting the gas between 4 stations. For about 40 miles around us there is no gas. They are not sure when it'll come in. When Tommy came home Monday, he said the gas station , less than a mile from home was out of gas, and the next station 6 miles up the road had a 10 gallon limit. So he filled up the truck. Which now I am thankful he did. With the new little truck, we can go to town 3 1/2 times in gas for what we only got 1 trip with the other truck. Thank you Lord. And thank you Lord the worry and fear bug had no hold this time, I had Your peace! And last nights News was not much better, but I got my peace.

I am having to get more creative. Here are some more of my new ways of saving money:

1. I use freezer bags, but have not been washing them out and reusing them. ( don't reuse the ones that have held meat in them. I use freezer paper for my meats.) But now I'm washing them out. I have seen those little bag drier stands, costing about $20+. I will not pay that. So at the thrift store I found a small set of Tinker toys for a $.25, and got them. And made my own bag drier and it sits on top of the drier. I'll post a photo in a day or two.
2. The AC was turned off in the food barn. And the windows were opened and a fan turned on. This will really drop the bill.
3. I willing be making my own clothes soap this week.( will post photos later).
4. Will start back making our own bread as a store loaf here is over $2.50.
5. Even my 11 yr old daughter is getting creative, she has 3-4 new grilled cheese ways.
6. Tommy is getting up some fire wood. Not knowing what this winter will bring, we are preparing for the worse and praying for the best. We do not have a wood heater but I will be able to cook. The cooking/heating gas has already gone way up and winter is not here yet.
7. I am making everyone wool house socks. Our floors are so cold in the winter. And the heat this year will be keep on low. I guess I will not be able to wear shorts in the house this winter. And I'm looking into getting my daughter sweat suits to wear to bed this winter, as she does not like to cover up or likes to kick them off.
8. Water- We have a 425 gallon tank in our back yard. ( I need to change the water below winter) You can save any bottles you have and fill with water. The bottles that had soaps of some kind in it, fill with water, they can be used to wash dishes, hands, etc. Other bottles for drinking/ cooking water. And the bottles can be stuck anywhere it does not freeze. Fill bottles almost full and let freeze, to put in coolers for when power out.

We were blessed this week, when a family up the road was moving out. Tommy trade a few ladders, transit, air compressor for a 12' X 16' building. They could not move it on the highway, but can be moved to our house. It is dried in, has a roof, a small loft in it, cedar siding almost done on the outside. It is so nice, looks like a little cabin. Well Tommy said I could have it. He had a  trailer frame  here in which to make me one, but this one is so close to done and the trade was good for both of us. The family could not take it, but needed the tools. The Lord is so good. It will be a sewing/ guest house. I can't wait to get it here so as I can fix it up the way I want. You see, we rent so I can't fix up much here. But the new little house is mine, oh what fun I am going to have. We'll put the bunk bed set we just got ( twin on top and full on bottom, which slides up to make like a couch.) The loft will be great for all the kids to sleep. They are pulling it down here this coming Saturday.

I have to go to town today to get food and feed. Boy, I sure hate going to town. I don't need much, but I really need the animal feed. So I'll get the few other things I can't make. Like bath paper, sugar, oil, goat collar. I have been reading others post about the prices of everything going up, so I'm glad my list is short. Anyone know how to make bath paper? I'm willing to try it.

Well I better get going and see what great deals can be found in town today.

May you all have a blessed day, Becky

Technorati Tags: blessings,creativity,farming,food prices,gas prices,ideas,making do,recession,saving money,self sufficiency,winter

Comments:

here is a good tutorial on making your own flannel bath tissue. http://walkslowlylivewildly.com/?s=bath+tissue  Comment by Caroline | September 24, 2008 |

It looks like you already got a good link. I was going to suggest the same thing….taking receiving blankets or fleece and cutting them to size and then surge ring the edges. I have asked my DH about doing this and he is not keen on the idea to say the least….but he did like my napkins (I posted a picture on my blog. Thanks for the idea!) I do like the idea of everyone having their own color scheme though!  http://pamspride.blogspot.com/2008/08/napkins.html  Comment by Pamspride | September 24, 2008 |

Becky - If you are getting sweats for your daughter to sleep in, consider getting her a hooded sweatshirt. The difference having her head and neck covered will make is enormous. I have a hooded sweatshirt that I got at the end of season a few years back. I found it in the young men’s department, some sports team that had played particularly badly and was no longer popular was on the front. They were practically giving them away as no teen male would be caught dead wearing that team’s logo, lol. I didn’t care what it looked like, as long as it was warm. I wear it over my flannel jammies. It is so nice and warm!  I am so happy for you trading your unused tools for a sewing/guest room that you will get TONS of use out of! Smart lady! Sorry to hear you are still having gas problems in your area. I have REALLY been trying to conserve as my car only gets 15 mpg. I have cut my driving so that I am now getting two full weeks out of a tank of gas. Thank you Lord, the cost to refill weekly was really hurting! I have been trying to follow your lead and prepare for the winter and hard times to come. I was so proud of myself when this past week or two I took a free towel and cut it down into six much needed dishrags. I am finding ways to substitute or stretch all over my home! Thank you. You are truly an inspiration!!! Linda  Comment by Linda | September 24, 2008 |

1. Thank you for sharing that quote at the top. I really needed that tonight. I may copy it and print it out. Gas is still in shortage here too. Makes us nervous. We will not be turning the heat up much this winter either. And from what I’ve heard, everyone is expecting this to be a hard winter weather-wise. There is much to plan for. Comment by D. | September 24, 2008 |

2. Caroline,  Thank you so much for the link.

3. Pamspride, When clicking on your name, we can not get to your blog. Would you copy and paste it in a comment? I would really like to see your napkins. And my hubby is not much for the idea of flannel bath tissue, but I am doing everything to prepare for the long winter ahead. We might not need them, but it’s good to have on hand if needed. Only the Lord knows what it will bring.

   Linda,
   My daughter does not like the hooded ones. She’ll wear her knitted wool hat out to help with chores.At town yesterday, I passed more than 10 gas stations, all with the pumps covered, no gas. Well I’m set to stay home now for about two weeks.
   I am proud of you too, homemade dish rags, great.
   And your welcome, I am just wanting to share what I know, to help others along the way.

   D.,
   Was is not great. I too, am printing it out.And yes, there is a hard, long winter coming. All the fruit and nut trees were overflowing this year. God’s way of helping wild life prepare. By watching the animals, we can get a good idea of whats to come. My cows are starting to get their winter coat. And yes, we all have a lot to plan for, for this winter. Thank you all, Becky  Comment by jordansfarm | September 25, 2008 |

4. Becky, I’m so excited to find your blog. I’ve just started reading through and I can’t wait to learn more. We’re fighting hard to keep our cars gassed up, too. The last fill up for my husbands vehicle (which gets poorer gas mileage, but we need the 4 wheel drive filled during hurricane season just for safety reasons) was over $70. I don’t have room to keep a cow, but I do have room for a milking goat. Do you know anything about them? God bless, Country Lady Comment by ~Country Lady~ | September 26, 2008 |

5. Country Lady, We started out with a milk goat. They give a little under a 1/2 gallon a day, if milked twice a day. But for us, my son was the only one who like the goats milk. If I were you, I would try and taste someone's fresh raw goats milk first. Before you spend money on a goat and everything that goes with keeping a goat. There is a big difference in goat and cow milk. Some people like one and not the other. Looking back, I wish we had tasted it first. Well, it’s just a lesson learned. Please let me know what you think. Have a blessed day. Becky Comment by jordansfarm | September 27, 2008 |