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How to Identify a Snapping Turtle
6 days ago
Saturday, February 21, 2009
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
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
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
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
A Jordan’s Homestead Journals starting in 8/21/04
This is the new blog:
Title Page: Becky’s Life Journey
As a Wife, Mother, Friend, farm life, home life, a Child of God. Life as it’s seen and felt through my eyes and heart. Honest and truthful, good and bad, right and wrong. My life and what I’ve learned over the years. Hopefully this will help and bless others along their own journeys.
About blog posts here:
I am starting with the first written journals, the post titles will be the date it was written. And will be typed just as I wrote them. Some days short, while others long, some boring and some not. I am doing this for my children to look back on our lives: to see the way the Lord works, what we did in years past, and the different things we have done and learned.
As this blog is very personal, and about kids, it is closed to the public. Those of you who would like you read it, please leave a comment here, with your e-mail. As I am choosing who is allowed in. Thank you all.
Becky
Comments:
Becky,I admire you for starting a new blog! I have learned so much and have been so inspired by this blog that I would love to be able to access the new one. God Bless you on this new journey! Comment by Wendy February 17, 2009
Becky, I would be honored if you would allow me to have access to your new blog. I love checking everyday to see if there are any new posts. I find you to be a fascinating, determined and strong woman. God Bless! Comment by Shannon February 17, 2009
Becky, I love your blog. I check it daily to see what is happening in your life. And see how Tommy is doing. I can’t remember where I found your site…maybe Hillbilly Housewife…not sure.
I don’t blog, but e-mail friends & family any frugal any ideas I may have. I don’t have a blog since I don’t want to see any of the negative comments despite my cousin telling me I really need to do one!
I love your “Making Do In Hard Times” folder idea & have been working on getting condiment recipes together right now. (I love recipes.)
Debbie Comment by Debbie February 17, 2009
I would be honored to be included in your new blog venture if you would consider adding me. I have truly gleaned so much and your family is in our prayers daily here. Either way, may The Lord richly bless your lives as the days continue.Deanna
Comment by Deanna February 17, 2009
Becky
If possible i would love to have access to your blog. If you choose to limit the number of people gaining access, i certainly understand.Linda
Comment by Linda February 17, 2009
You all have been added. The first few books are kind of boring as I looked through them today. But I was not use to writing. The journals slowly turn into prayer journals, and my personal feeling for the day about life, family, etc. More or less I really start to open up. So the more I wrote, the longer and more in depth they become. So you will see the real me, good, bad, up and down days, little faith to great faith. Thank you all. And you may comment or ask questions there too.God bless you all,Becky
Comment by Becky February 17, 2009
Becky,
I have enjoyed your blog so much, and would love to be part of the new one. I continue to lift you and Tommy up in prayer.
Because He lives,Stacie Comment by arksoaper February 18, 2009
Becky, I would love to be able to read on your private blog. In case you don’t still have my email it’s ddevalcoatyahoodotcom.
About the post above this one - oh I got mad just reading it! I’m not so sure I could have been as nice as you were to that man. That was some nerve right there. Oh my, even if I wanted to get rid of my chickens in the future I’m not sure I could bring myself to sell a one of them to him,lol!
Comment by D. February 21, 2009
Title Page: Becky’s Life Journey
As a Wife, Mother, Friend, farm life, home life, a Child of God. Life as it’s seen and felt through my eyes and heart. Honest and truthful, good and bad, right and wrong. My life and what I’ve learned over the years. Hopefully this will help and bless others along their own journeys.
About blog posts here:
I am starting with the first written journals, the post titles will be the date it was written. And will be typed just as I wrote them. Some days short, while others long, some boring and some not. I am doing this for my children to look back on our lives: to see the way the Lord works, what we did in years past, and the different things we have done and learned.
As this blog is very personal, and about kids, it is closed to the public. Those of you who would like you read it, please leave a comment here, with your e-mail. As I am choosing who is allowed in. Thank you all.
Becky
Comments:
Becky,I admire you for starting a new blog! I have learned so much and have been so inspired by this blog that I would love to be able to access the new one. God Bless you on this new journey! Comment by Wendy February 17, 2009
Becky, I would be honored if you would allow me to have access to your new blog. I love checking everyday to see if there are any new posts. I find you to be a fascinating, determined and strong woman. God Bless! Comment by Shannon February 17, 2009
Becky, I love your blog. I check it daily to see what is happening in your life. And see how Tommy is doing. I can’t remember where I found your site…maybe Hillbilly Housewife…not sure.
I don’t blog, but e-mail friends & family any frugal any ideas I may have. I don’t have a blog since I don’t want to see any of the negative comments despite my cousin telling me I really need to do one!
I love your “Making Do In Hard Times” folder idea & have been working on getting condiment recipes together right now. (I love recipes.)
Debbie Comment by Debbie February 17, 2009
I would be honored to be included in your new blog venture if you would consider adding me. I have truly gleaned so much and your family is in our prayers daily here. Either way, may The Lord richly bless your lives as the days continue.Deanna
Comment by Deanna February 17, 2009
Becky
If possible i would love to have access to your blog. If you choose to limit the number of people gaining access, i certainly understand.Linda
Comment by Linda February 17, 2009
You all have been added. The first few books are kind of boring as I looked through them today. But I was not use to writing. The journals slowly turn into prayer journals, and my personal feeling for the day about life, family, etc. More or less I really start to open up. So the more I wrote, the longer and more in depth they become. So you will see the real me, good, bad, up and down days, little faith to great faith. Thank you all. And you may comment or ask questions there too.God bless you all,Becky
Comment by Becky February 17, 2009
Becky,
I have enjoyed your blog so much, and would love to be part of the new one. I continue to lift you and Tommy up in prayer.
Because He lives,Stacie Comment by arksoaper February 18, 2009
Becky, I would love to be able to read on your private blog. In case you don’t still have my email it’s ddevalcoatyahoodotcom.
About the post above this one - oh I got mad just reading it! I’m not so sure I could have been as nice as you were to that man. That was some nerve right there. Oh my, even if I wanted to get rid of my chickens in the future I’m not sure I could bring myself to sell a one of them to him,lol!
Comment by D. February 21, 2009
Sunday, February 15, 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
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
Saturday, February 14, 2009
From Becky's Farm Life: Ok, Blog Book
You will see the icon on the left side of the page here. Blog2Print icon.
When you click the icon, it will take you to a site to make your own book of Becky’s Farm Life and Jordan’s Farm. I have transferred posts and comments from Becky's Farm Life. 90% of that blog is there, they would not let me do tabs, but the recipes are there. I get 20% of sales on soft and hard cover books. You may print only a months worth of blog posts to them all, it’s up to you.
If you order a book: Would you please write a comment here to let me know. This is new to me and I would like to know who’s buying, and if the Blog2Print site will let me know.
Hopefully I can use this to bring more money into the house.
God Bless you all,
Becky
When you click the icon, it will take you to a site to make your own book of Becky’s Farm Life and Jordan’s Farm. I have transferred posts and comments from Becky's Farm Life. 90% of that blog is there, they would not let me do tabs, but the recipes are there. I get 20% of sales on soft and hard cover books. You may print only a months worth of blog posts to them all, it’s up to you.
If you order a book: Would you please write a comment here to let me know. This is new to me and I would like to know who’s buying, and if the Blog2Print site will let me know.
Hopefully I can use this to bring more money into the house.
God Bless you all,
Becky
Friday, February 13, 2009
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
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
Recipes From Becky's Farm Life
Homemade Hot Chocolate Mix
makes 14 cups (this makes a 28 cup batch)
2 cups instant non fat milk (1 cup)
1/2 cup cocoa (1 cup)
1 1/2 cup sugar ( 3 cups)
1/4 teaspoon salt ( 1/2 teaspoon)
Mix all together well, store in an air tight bowl. To use add 3 heaping tablespoons to a cup of hot water, not boiling water. If you have a coffee maker- run the water with no coffee, this is just the right temp. ( after making it with the hot water and stirring good, it can be put in the ice box and becomes choc. milk, this is good too.)
More Brownies Please
1 cup butter(2 sticks)
2 cups sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla
4 eggs
3/4 cup cocoa
1 cup all purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup nuts optional ( but are great with walnuts)
Preheat oven to 350, grease 13 X 9 X 2 pan, melt butter in a pan then turn heat off and stir in sugar and vanilla, add eggs one at a time beating well with wooden spoon after each egg, add cocoa, beat until blended, add flour, baking powder, salt, beat well. stir in nuts. Bake at 350 for 30 - 35 min. or until brownies pull away from the sides of pan. Enjoy!
Freezing Eggs
(Freezing eggs- Farm and store bought with photos)
You crack say 2 -3 eggs into a bowl, add 1/4 tsp. of sugar or salt 9 use sugar or salt depending on what the eggs will be used for), just pop the yoke, and pour into a freezer bag. label your bag sugar or salt and how many eggs inside. Check your most used recipes to find the number of eggs you use the most. I use 6 eggs in ice cream with 1/2 tsp of sugar. Eggs to eat, I pack in 3’s with 1/4 tsp salt. Eggs for cakes add sugar to eggs. The only thing you can’t do with these eggs is have them fried. I have found they last 6 -12 months in the freezer. The older they get, its best to use them in recipes than to eat plain. A lot of people don’t know you can freeze eggs. After the first year here of home grown eggs, the store bought eggs didn’t taste so good any more. So I found a way to keep us in eggs when the hens slow down. This does work with store eggs, too. Date your bags and always use the oldest first.
Freezing Milk:
I have found that best way to freeze milk is to use juice bottles or 2 liter bottles, WHY? the jugs that milk comes in is very thin and weak. And more times than not, when the milk thaws the jug leaks. In a 2 liter bottle put a 1/2 gallon of milk, this will leave room for it to freeze. Always date your bottles. And it will thaw over night in ice box. I have found it will last 6- 12 months in freezer, I know that is not what is said, but that’s what works here. Just always use the oldest first. We have done this for over 6 years now, and same with eggs.
Canning hard cheeses:
We love sharp cheddar cheese but don’t like it frozen. You can, can any hard cheese this way. So I found a way to can it. In jelly/ or pint jars, in a pan of water (put jars in water), put cheese in jars(slice into small pieces) , allow to melt down to 1 in. from top, then put lids on and hot water bath 40 min. for both pints and jelly jars.The longer it sit on shelf the sharp it gets. We just got plans to build a cheese press, so as I can make my own cheddar cheese. We have had to wait to make it because I had no way or place to allow cheese to ripen. So now I’ll make it and can it. The can cheese will last 2 plus years in a cool dark place.
Home canning Cheese sauce
6 lbs of velveeta cheese ( I used a off brand, which was half in price)
3 1/2 cups of heavy cream
1/4 lb butter
1 quart milk
( I used our fresh cows milk, our butter and cream. This cut the price of my sauce way down. I just had to buy the cheese. In case any of you have your own cows, I’m not sure if goats milk will work.)
*melt butter in a big sauce pot
*add milk and cream
*slice cheese into above mixture
*melt cheese slowly, if melted too fast it will burn on the bottom.
*put into hot jars
*seal and hot bath for 20 minutes.
Makes 20 jelly jars. ( mine made 22 jelly jars)
The cheese sauce is great. I found that a jelly jar is enough cheese for a batch of mac & cheese for 4 people. And here, they like to spread the cheese on crackers too ( it’s like a cheese whiz). The best part for me is that it stores on the shelf. If keep in a cool dry place, it should last at least 2 years. ( I got it at http://www.recipezaar.com/recipe/getrecipe.zsp?id=82726 It’s called “home canned nacho cheese sauce”, But I just wanted the cheese sauce above.
Home canned butter
I also found out you can, home can butter see here: http://frugalabundance.com/homecannedbutter.htm I have not tried this one yet as for time and it’s been to hot to make big batches of butter. I only make what we need, and all the extra cream I freeze for now. Then when it cools off, I’ll thaw the cream and make butter, then can it.
Canning raw cow’s milk
With our milk cow giving us 3 plus gallons a day ( it’s only her first calf). I have extra milk. So I freeze some (for when she is dry) and I can some( this canned milk makes the best white gravy you ever had. I use the canned milk for cooking only.We have been doing this for years. Can be used any where you would use milk or store can milk.)
Fill quarts and/ or pints with milk to with in 1/4 in. from rim. Then pressure can (cook) 10 minutes at 15 lbs pressure for both qt’s. and pt’s.
The milk will be a light tan color. I have canned the milk whole (without decreaming it, which will give you a thick cream like butter on top of the milk, which is good in cooking) and I have canned decreamed milk ( I take just the heavy cream off first, which gives you a little of the cream like butter on top). Both ways are good. And I have not used goats milk, but I think it would be the same but I’m not sure. If any one knows please let me know, Ok.
***************************************************************************
13 Comments »
I have canned goats’ milk and it turned out OK. I am looking for real recipes to do some now. I will try your suggestions as to time and pressure amounts. Thanks.
Comment by rebecca gring August 20, 2008
Rebecca,Have you tried your canned goats milk yet? If so, how did it turn out?Becky
Comment by jordansfarm August 24, 2008
Could you share your cinnamon roll recipe as well?
Comment by D. August 31, 2008
Becky - Have you tried canning butter yet? I just bought 14 pounds on sale, and would really like to can it. I’ve read the directions, got the jars, just haven’t gotten it done … yet!
For what it’s worth, most of my family thinks I’m crazy for stockpiling too, but this has been on my heart for months. I really believe the Lord is preparing us for something big. There are a couple of people at our church who feel the same way, but most just think the stores will always have food. I’m so glad to know that others share this conviction.
Your blog has been a *huge* help, and I can’t thank you enough.
Praying for you and your husband.
Comment by arksoaper September 5, 2008
arksoaper,No, I have not had time yet to even make butter. But I do have about 15-20 gallons of cream in the freezer just waiting on me to make butter. Please let me know how it turns out. I would start out with just a small batch of canned butter, and see how it works and if you like the taste. This canning butter, I have not tried, I want too. But I will make a small batch first. When I tried the canned cheese sauce and canned hard cheeses, I made small batches and let everyone try it, first.
And welcome to the crazy stockpiling group, the group is growing, and doing so fast.
Have a wonderful week.Becky
Comment by jordansfarm September 5, 2008
Hey Becky,
Just wanted to give you an update on the butter. I took your advice and canned one pound first to see how it turned out before I wound up ruining 14 pounds of it. ) I think overall it went well. The jar sealed with no problem, and I shook it several times as recommended while it was cooling. The consistency of the butter is grainier than normal, but it is beautiful in the jar! I think for now, I’m just going to freeze the butter, and if we have a major power outage, I at least have the option of canning it. I wouldn’t hesitate to use the canned for cooking, but just to eat on toast or something, it’s a little gritty for our taste (maybe because it’s the store brand?). I think it would be fine otherwise though.
Thanks for all of your help!
Have a great weekend,Stacie
Comment by arksoaper September 6, 2008
D.The cinnamon roll recipe is coming, I didn’t forget. I will post it next week.
Stacie,Thank you for letting me know about the butter. I found the “how to” for and if the power was out for to long. It’s my back up. Later this fall, I will try it with homemade butter and let you know. Thank you again.
Becky
Comment by jordansfarm September 7, 2008
Hello Becky:just found your web site and wish you and your family all the best. I was wondering regarding the Parmesan cheese and Mock Mozzarella recipe it calls for 1 cup of powered milk and 3 cups of powdered milk. Is the milk already made up (from the powder) or is it in the powder form that you add altogether. I have never used powdered milk but have just acquired some for my food storage. Thanks in advance for your answer.Debbie
Comment by Debbie September 20, 2008
Hello again Becky: I forgot to ask if the powdered milk is instant or non instant. I do have both. ThanksDebbie
Comment by Debbie September 20, 2008
Debbie,Thank you for stopping in. As for the powdered milk: you are to add it in it’s dry form. Both say to blend all ingredients together. The recipes each have the water in them.Now for the instant or non instant: I am not sure as I have not tried these two yet, but the book just says powdered. i would think you can use either, or, as they both are cooked.Please let me know how it turns out. I posted these two because I know not everyone has a milk cow. And I’ll use it when mine is dry.Thank you again, and have a great weekend.Becky
Comment by jordansfarm September 21, 2008
Hi Becky ! New to canning and simply *love* your site (was looking for info on canning potatoes when I found). Have a question regarding home-made buttermilk. I found a recipe from USDA which said to take 1/2 cup commercial buttermilk, add to 1 1/3 cup powdered milk and 3 cups water. You shake in covered jar and let sit on counter to ‘clabber’ 5 to 10 hrs.
I tried this recipe and came up with very thick, goopy ’stringy’ stuff (my husband said it looked like white nasal extract) that smells vinegary. I repeated recipe in case I made an error and came up with same result. I’m scared to death to use it for fear of being brought up on homicide charges ( thats supposed to be a joke ) - have you ever tried this? is my end result SUPPOSED to look this way? comments from anyone else?
Comment by Robin November 12, 2008
Thanks for all the great recipes and tips. I’d like to share one with you that my family loves and is very quick meal on cold days.
CHEESEBURGER CASEROLE1 1/2 lbs of ground beef1 large can of Manwich1 med onion diced1 med green pepper dicedany kind of cheese you likecanned biscuts
Cook meat, onions, and peppers in large pot til brown and crumbled. Add your large can of manwich and simmer for about 5 min. Transfer your meet mixture to a caserole dish, spread evenly and top with cheese of your choice. I use American Deli slices. Take your canned biscuts or if you choose to make homemade and place on top of the cheese leaving no space uncovered. Follow the baking directions on can of biscuts or til the biscuts are light brown and serve. The whole dish only takes about 30-35 min start to finish and we never have leftovers. Hope your family enjoys it as much as mine does. Let me know. I look forward to seeing more recipes and tips in your blog in the future.
Comment by Candace January 28, 2009
Candace,Thank you for the recipe, it looks like it’ll be good. And thank you for stopping in. Have a great day.Becky
Comment by Becky January 29, 2009
makes 14 cups (this makes a 28 cup batch)
2 cups instant non fat milk (1 cup)
1/2 cup cocoa (1 cup)
1 1/2 cup sugar ( 3 cups)
1/4 teaspoon salt ( 1/2 teaspoon)
Mix all together well, store in an air tight bowl. To use add 3 heaping tablespoons to a cup of hot water, not boiling water. If you have a coffee maker- run the water with no coffee, this is just the right temp. ( after making it with the hot water and stirring good, it can be put in the ice box and becomes choc. milk, this is good too.)
More Brownies Please
1 cup butter(2 sticks)
2 cups sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla
4 eggs
3/4 cup cocoa
1 cup all purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup nuts optional ( but are great with walnuts)
Preheat oven to 350, grease 13 X 9 X 2 pan, melt butter in a pan then turn heat off and stir in sugar and vanilla, add eggs one at a time beating well with wooden spoon after each egg, add cocoa, beat until blended, add flour, baking powder, salt, beat well. stir in nuts. Bake at 350 for 30 - 35 min. or until brownies pull away from the sides of pan. Enjoy!
Freezing Eggs
(Freezing eggs- Farm and store bought with photos)
You crack say 2 -3 eggs into a bowl, add 1/4 tsp. of sugar or salt 9 use sugar or salt depending on what the eggs will be used for), just pop the yoke, and pour into a freezer bag. label your bag sugar or salt and how many eggs inside. Check your most used recipes to find the number of eggs you use the most. I use 6 eggs in ice cream with 1/2 tsp of sugar. Eggs to eat, I pack in 3’s with 1/4 tsp salt. Eggs for cakes add sugar to eggs. The only thing you can’t do with these eggs is have them fried. I have found they last 6 -12 months in the freezer. The older they get, its best to use them in recipes than to eat plain. A lot of people don’t know you can freeze eggs. After the first year here of home grown eggs, the store bought eggs didn’t taste so good any more. So I found a way to keep us in eggs when the hens slow down. This does work with store eggs, too. Date your bags and always use the oldest first.
Freezing Milk:
I have found that best way to freeze milk is to use juice bottles or 2 liter bottles, WHY? the jugs that milk comes in is very thin and weak. And more times than not, when the milk thaws the jug leaks. In a 2 liter bottle put a 1/2 gallon of milk, this will leave room for it to freeze. Always date your bottles. And it will thaw over night in ice box. I have found it will last 6- 12 months in freezer, I know that is not what is said, but that’s what works here. Just always use the oldest first. We have done this for over 6 years now, and same with eggs.
Canning hard cheeses:
We love sharp cheddar cheese but don’t like it frozen. You can, can any hard cheese this way. So I found a way to can it. In jelly/ or pint jars, in a pan of water (put jars in water), put cheese in jars(slice into small pieces) , allow to melt down to 1 in. from top, then put lids on and hot water bath 40 min. for both pints and jelly jars.The longer it sit on shelf the sharp it gets. We just got plans to build a cheese press, so as I can make my own cheddar cheese. We have had to wait to make it because I had no way or place to allow cheese to ripen. So now I’ll make it and can it. The can cheese will last 2 plus years in a cool dark place.
Home canning Cheese sauce
6 lbs of velveeta cheese ( I used a off brand, which was half in price)
3 1/2 cups of heavy cream
1/4 lb butter
1 quart milk
( I used our fresh cows milk, our butter and cream. This cut the price of my sauce way down. I just had to buy the cheese. In case any of you have your own cows, I’m not sure if goats milk will work.)
*melt butter in a big sauce pot
*add milk and cream
*slice cheese into above mixture
*melt cheese slowly, if melted too fast it will burn on the bottom.
*put into hot jars
*seal and hot bath for 20 minutes.
Makes 20 jelly jars. ( mine made 22 jelly jars)
The cheese sauce is great. I found that a jelly jar is enough cheese for a batch of mac & cheese for 4 people. And here, they like to spread the cheese on crackers too ( it’s like a cheese whiz). The best part for me is that it stores on the shelf. If keep in a cool dry place, it should last at least 2 years. ( I got it at http://www.recipezaar.com/recipe/getrecipe.zsp?id=82726 It’s called “home canned nacho cheese sauce”, But I just wanted the cheese sauce above.
Home canned butter
I also found out you can, home can butter see here: http://frugalabundance.com/homecannedbutter.htm I have not tried this one yet as for time and it’s been to hot to make big batches of butter. I only make what we need, and all the extra cream I freeze for now. Then when it cools off, I’ll thaw the cream and make butter, then can it.
Canning raw cow’s milk
With our milk cow giving us 3 plus gallons a day ( it’s only her first calf). I have extra milk. So I freeze some (for when she is dry) and I can some( this canned milk makes the best white gravy you ever had. I use the canned milk for cooking only.We have been doing this for years. Can be used any where you would use milk or store can milk.)
Fill quarts and/ or pints with milk to with in 1/4 in. from rim. Then pressure can (cook) 10 minutes at 15 lbs pressure for both qt’s. and pt’s.
The milk will be a light tan color. I have canned the milk whole (without decreaming it, which will give you a thick cream like butter on top of the milk, which is good in cooking) and I have canned decreamed milk ( I take just the heavy cream off first, which gives you a little of the cream like butter on top). Both ways are good. And I have not used goats milk, but I think it would be the same but I’m not sure. If any one knows please let me know, Ok.
***************************************************************************
13 Comments »
I have canned goats’ milk and it turned out OK. I am looking for real recipes to do some now. I will try your suggestions as to time and pressure amounts. Thanks.
Comment by rebecca gring August 20, 2008
Rebecca,Have you tried your canned goats milk yet? If so, how did it turn out?Becky
Comment by jordansfarm August 24, 2008
Could you share your cinnamon roll recipe as well?
Comment by D. August 31, 2008
Becky - Have you tried canning butter yet? I just bought 14 pounds on sale, and would really like to can it. I’ve read the directions, got the jars, just haven’t gotten it done … yet!
For what it’s worth, most of my family thinks I’m crazy for stockpiling too, but this has been on my heart for months. I really believe the Lord is preparing us for something big. There are a couple of people at our church who feel the same way, but most just think the stores will always have food. I’m so glad to know that others share this conviction.
Your blog has been a *huge* help, and I can’t thank you enough.
Praying for you and your husband.
Comment by arksoaper September 5, 2008
arksoaper,No, I have not had time yet to even make butter. But I do have about 15-20 gallons of cream in the freezer just waiting on me to make butter. Please let me know how it turns out. I would start out with just a small batch of canned butter, and see how it works and if you like the taste. This canning butter, I have not tried, I want too. But I will make a small batch first. When I tried the canned cheese sauce and canned hard cheeses, I made small batches and let everyone try it, first.
And welcome to the crazy stockpiling group, the group is growing, and doing so fast.
Have a wonderful week.Becky
Comment by jordansfarm September 5, 2008
Hey Becky,
Just wanted to give you an update on the butter. I took your advice and canned one pound first to see how it turned out before I wound up ruining 14 pounds of it. ) I think overall it went well. The jar sealed with no problem, and I shook it several times as recommended while it was cooling. The consistency of the butter is grainier than normal, but it is beautiful in the jar! I think for now, I’m just going to freeze the butter, and if we have a major power outage, I at least have the option of canning it. I wouldn’t hesitate to use the canned for cooking, but just to eat on toast or something, it’s a little gritty for our taste (maybe because it’s the store brand?). I think it would be fine otherwise though.
Thanks for all of your help!
Have a great weekend,Stacie
Comment by arksoaper September 6, 2008
D.The cinnamon roll recipe is coming, I didn’t forget. I will post it next week.
Stacie,Thank you for letting me know about the butter. I found the “how to” for and if the power was out for to long. It’s my back up. Later this fall, I will try it with homemade butter and let you know. Thank you again.
Becky
Comment by jordansfarm September 7, 2008
Hello Becky:just found your web site and wish you and your family all the best. I was wondering regarding the Parmesan cheese and Mock Mozzarella recipe it calls for 1 cup of powered milk and 3 cups of powdered milk. Is the milk already made up (from the powder) or is it in the powder form that you add altogether. I have never used powdered milk but have just acquired some for my food storage. Thanks in advance for your answer.Debbie
Comment by Debbie September 20, 2008
Hello again Becky: I forgot to ask if the powdered milk is instant or non instant. I do have both. ThanksDebbie
Comment by Debbie September 20, 2008
Debbie,Thank you for stopping in. As for the powdered milk: you are to add it in it’s dry form. Both say to blend all ingredients together. The recipes each have the water in them.Now for the instant or non instant: I am not sure as I have not tried these two yet, but the book just says powdered. i would think you can use either, or, as they both are cooked.Please let me know how it turns out. I posted these two because I know not everyone has a milk cow. And I’ll use it when mine is dry.Thank you again, and have a great weekend.Becky
Comment by jordansfarm September 21, 2008
Hi Becky ! New to canning and simply *love* your site (was looking for info on canning potatoes when I found). Have a question regarding home-made buttermilk. I found a recipe from USDA which said to take 1/2 cup commercial buttermilk, add to 1 1/3 cup powdered milk and 3 cups water. You shake in covered jar and let sit on counter to ‘clabber’ 5 to 10 hrs.
I tried this recipe and came up with very thick, goopy ’stringy’ stuff (my husband said it looked like white nasal extract) that smells vinegary. I repeated recipe in case I made an error and came up with same result. I’m scared to death to use it for fear of being brought up on homicide charges ( thats supposed to be a joke ) - have you ever tried this? is my end result SUPPOSED to look this way? comments from anyone else?
Comment by Robin November 12, 2008
Thanks for all the great recipes and tips. I’d like to share one with you that my family loves and is very quick meal on cold days.
CHEESEBURGER CASEROLE1 1/2 lbs of ground beef1 large can of Manwich1 med onion diced1 med green pepper dicedany kind of cheese you likecanned biscuts
Cook meat, onions, and peppers in large pot til brown and crumbled. Add your large can of manwich and simmer for about 5 min. Transfer your meet mixture to a caserole dish, spread evenly and top with cheese of your choice. I use American Deli slices. Take your canned biscuts or if you choose to make homemade and place on top of the cheese leaving no space uncovered. Follow the baking directions on can of biscuts or til the biscuts are light brown and serve. The whole dish only takes about 30-35 min start to finish and we never have leftovers. Hope your family enjoys it as much as mine does. Let me know. I look forward to seeing more recipes and tips in your blog in the future.
Comment by Candace January 28, 2009
Candace,Thank you for the recipe, it looks like it’ll be good. And thank you for stopping in. Have a great day.Becky
Comment by Becky January 29, 2009
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
An Update On Tommy---The Lord does it again
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 05, 2009 09:30 PM, EST
Tommy is in the hospital tonight and should be home tomorrow. I had to call 911 at about 11am to come and get him. He was having a hard time breathing, his skin was more yellow, and his pulse keep going higher.
The doctor in ER said that Tommy’s blood enzyme (?Spell) were very low and his hemoglobin (?spell)was really low, which was making it hard for him to breath and making him feel like he was smothering. Tommy’s blood was not carrying oxygen like it was supports too. The doctor believes the cancer has gotten into the bone marrow and is eating the red cells. They are giving Tommy 2 pints of red blood cells tonight, which will help him feel better and breath easier. This is only a kind of quick fix and will only last a few weeks at most. Kind of like giving him morphine for pain. Tommy can chose to get more blood but we have no insurance and this time we with in through the ER. The ER doctor said that the 2 pints of red blood cells were very expensive. I don’t know what to do next? But tonight he is getting them. The rest is in the Lord’s hands.
Tommy was looking a little better when I left, but very tired. He was not as pale looking. Please keep praying for us. And thank you all for your prayers.
Becky
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 06, 2009 09:15 AM, CST
mom called from hospital this morning dads hospice dropped his case last night we need hard fast pray now for a new hospice to pick up Tommy please pray hard
Tasha
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 07, 2009 04:11 PM, EST
Thursday evening: After Tommy was settled into his room and I had talked to the nurses, we went home. By this time it was really dark, ( I can’t see to drive at night, I’m blinded by on coming head lights). So I followed Tasha in her car, which really helped. Well about a mile from the hospital, my windshield was dirty, so I sprayed it and turned on the wipers. Well being my brain was not working well- my windshield is now a sheet of ice, while driving down the road. I had to roll down the drivers window to see to pull over. Tasha came back to see why I had pulled over, I told her- she said mom it’s 10 degrees. I just cried as I scraped ice off the windshield. The Lord then got us home safe and sound. Thank you Lord. After we got home I called some family with the update on Tommy and thankfully they passed it on to others. I was so very tired both mind and body. I prayed all night: Lord, will you please send us a better hospice or give ours now a heart to help Tommy. Friday: I awoke praying the same prayer. Tommy called a little after 8am saying the doctor had been there and he was ready to go home. I started getting ready to go get him; and dread, worry, fear started to cover me and I started shaking. It all came on so fast and that to scared me. Instead of letting my mind have it’s way - I started saying the 23rd Psalm out loud then said 2 Timothy 1:7 “My God did not give me the spirit of fear: but of power, and of love and of a sound mind.” I kept repeating these two all the way to the hospital. It was a fight, and by the time I got to the hospital, I was calmed down and had peace. Thank you Lord.
I went in and talked to Tommy and then went to tell the nurses I was there. While I was packing up Tommy’s things, his room phone rung. I answered it. It was the hospices head RN, I told her I was going to call as soon as I got home. She said no need too, that they dropped/discarded Tommy’s case last night and we could not leave the hospital until we found another hospice to take up his care. I asked, Why? She said because I had took Tommy to an uncontracted hospital for treatment. I said he was having trouble breathing. She said, we are no longer his hospice and hung up.
I can honestly say, if I had not prayed all morning- I know I would have lost my mind with a nerves breakdown. Thank you Lord for preparing me. Now I’m in total shock!!Tommy saw my face turn white as I was hanging up, and started to ask me, but I just held up my hand for him to give me a minute. I took a few deep breaths and tried so hard to pray but worry and fear came in again fast. So I told Tommy everything. Then started making phone calls asking for fast prayer, as I just could not seem to get the prayers out at that moment. Then I called our family doctor( they had set us up with the first hospice) and told them what happened(they had told me to take Tommy fast to an ER yesterday), She said she would look into it and get back to me. Honestly, now I’m shaking and wrapped tight in fear and worry and my mind is on overload. I asked to talk to the head nurse to see about talking to the hospitals social worker, she said she’d send her to the room. So I go back to the room to wait. Tommy says he wants a candy bar, so off I go to get him one. While on my way back to the room a small voice says, ”You asked for a new hospice, but I’ll do it My way.” I started crying and asking for forgiveness for my lack of faith and for worrying. And an overwhelming peace filled me. Thank you Lord. I walked into Tommy’s room crying and he asked why. I told him of my prayer last night and this morning and our answer coming. He cried too. We both thank the Lord and took a few deep breaths. We both had to fight hard to keep fear and worry away and hang on tight to His words for a few hours. We kept talking about all the prayers He has answered over the years. Then the call came from our family doctor, they found us a new hospice who would pick up Tommy’s case. And would be coming to the hospital as soon as our doctor signed and faxed them the paper work. Tommy and I gave thanks again to the Lord. They came and we signed papers.
Tommy and I left the hospital about 3 pm. The new hospice nurse was at our house at 5 pm. She was wonderful, and said they would get Tommy’s pain under control ASP. Tasha came home while she was still here. I had sent her out for a fast food dinner. I was totally worn out with no strength left to make dinner. Thank you Tasha for running into town for me.
The nurse called me an hour and a half later: She said that so far with the information she was plugging in, they would cover his cancer, but not sure yet if they could cover his COPD breathing meds, but no matter what I could keep the oxygen machine. With a peaceful heart, I told her ,“to do what she could do and the Lord would see to the rest. If it turns out we have to buy his COPD meds and inhalers that the Lord would provide them or a way to get them.” She said, “ she agreed as she to has seen the Lord answer prayers and knows He takes care of His own.” Tommy’s and my bodies are worn out , but our spirits are joyful and peaceful.
Thank you Lord for walking us through yet another day and for blessing us so. And answering prayers in Your way and in Your time. Thank you for forgiving us of our weak faith and trust.
Today looking back I now see: the Lord prepared me for bad news ( hospice letting us go), reminding me He is still answering my prayers in His way and His time, walking with us in what felt like our darkest hours, strengthening our faith and trust in Him, renewing our hope in hospice people. Thank you Lord. But in order for us to grow in him, and our faith and trust to grow: we must go through trials, fears, unknowns, lonely times to be able to see His hands and love in it all. That’s were faith and trust become stronger with each trial we look back on. When going through trials we do not always feel Him near us and helping us- But He NEVER leaves us- not even when we don’t feel him. Thank you Lord for carrying my family through another trial. And please help us to always remember this trial and the work you did in it when the next trial comes.
Saturday: Tommy had some pain last night but morphine stop it. The new hospice nurse was out this morning. She is going to be asking the new hospice doctor Monday morning for: morphine sulfate MSER 100 mg (she said if by second dose it’s not working they will up it); a new sleeping pill, a much stronger anti- inflammatory, and a few other things. What a great blessing not having to wait a week plus for something to work and go up on dose.
Tommy had corn beef hash and eggs to eat. Then watched some Netflix's. And is now going out on the porch to get some vitamin D with it 70 it’s nice and warm for him.
I can’t thank you all enough for all your prayers, Thank you.
God Bless you all,
Becky
Tommy is in the hospital tonight and should be home tomorrow. I had to call 911 at about 11am to come and get him. He was having a hard time breathing, his skin was more yellow, and his pulse keep going higher.
The doctor in ER said that Tommy’s blood enzyme (?Spell) were very low and his hemoglobin (?spell)was really low, which was making it hard for him to breath and making him feel like he was smothering. Tommy’s blood was not carrying oxygen like it was supports too. The doctor believes the cancer has gotten into the bone marrow and is eating the red cells. They are giving Tommy 2 pints of red blood cells tonight, which will help him feel better and breath easier. This is only a kind of quick fix and will only last a few weeks at most. Kind of like giving him morphine for pain. Tommy can chose to get more blood but we have no insurance and this time we with in through the ER. The ER doctor said that the 2 pints of red blood cells were very expensive. I don’t know what to do next? But tonight he is getting them. The rest is in the Lord’s hands.
Tommy was looking a little better when I left, but very tired. He was not as pale looking. Please keep praying for us. And thank you all for your prayers.
Becky
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 06, 2009 09:15 AM, CST
mom called from hospital this morning dads hospice dropped his case last night we need hard fast pray now for a new hospice to pick up Tommy please pray hard
Tasha
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 07, 2009 04:11 PM, EST
Thursday evening: After Tommy was settled into his room and I had talked to the nurses, we went home. By this time it was really dark, ( I can’t see to drive at night, I’m blinded by on coming head lights). So I followed Tasha in her car, which really helped. Well about a mile from the hospital, my windshield was dirty, so I sprayed it and turned on the wipers. Well being my brain was not working well- my windshield is now a sheet of ice, while driving down the road. I had to roll down the drivers window to see to pull over. Tasha came back to see why I had pulled over, I told her- she said mom it’s 10 degrees. I just cried as I scraped ice off the windshield. The Lord then got us home safe and sound. Thank you Lord. After we got home I called some family with the update on Tommy and thankfully they passed it on to others. I was so very tired both mind and body. I prayed all night: Lord, will you please send us a better hospice or give ours now a heart to help Tommy. Friday: I awoke praying the same prayer. Tommy called a little after 8am saying the doctor had been there and he was ready to go home. I started getting ready to go get him; and dread, worry, fear started to cover me and I started shaking. It all came on so fast and that to scared me. Instead of letting my mind have it’s way - I started saying the 23rd Psalm out loud then said 2 Timothy 1:7 “My God did not give me the spirit of fear: but of power, and of love and of a sound mind.” I kept repeating these two all the way to the hospital. It was a fight, and by the time I got to the hospital, I was calmed down and had peace. Thank you Lord.
I went in and talked to Tommy and then went to tell the nurses I was there. While I was packing up Tommy’s things, his room phone rung. I answered it. It was the hospices head RN, I told her I was going to call as soon as I got home. She said no need too, that they dropped/discarded Tommy’s case last night and we could not leave the hospital until we found another hospice to take up his care. I asked, Why? She said because I had took Tommy to an uncontracted hospital for treatment. I said he was having trouble breathing. She said, we are no longer his hospice and hung up.
I can honestly say, if I had not prayed all morning- I know I would have lost my mind with a nerves breakdown. Thank you Lord for preparing me. Now I’m in total shock!!Tommy saw my face turn white as I was hanging up, and started to ask me, but I just held up my hand for him to give me a minute. I took a few deep breaths and tried so hard to pray but worry and fear came in again fast. So I told Tommy everything. Then started making phone calls asking for fast prayer, as I just could not seem to get the prayers out at that moment. Then I called our family doctor( they had set us up with the first hospice) and told them what happened(they had told me to take Tommy fast to an ER yesterday), She said she would look into it and get back to me. Honestly, now I’m shaking and wrapped tight in fear and worry and my mind is on overload. I asked to talk to the head nurse to see about talking to the hospitals social worker, she said she’d send her to the room. So I go back to the room to wait. Tommy says he wants a candy bar, so off I go to get him one. While on my way back to the room a small voice says, ”You asked for a new hospice, but I’ll do it My way.” I started crying and asking for forgiveness for my lack of faith and for worrying. And an overwhelming peace filled me. Thank you Lord. I walked into Tommy’s room crying and he asked why. I told him of my prayer last night and this morning and our answer coming. He cried too. We both thank the Lord and took a few deep breaths. We both had to fight hard to keep fear and worry away and hang on tight to His words for a few hours. We kept talking about all the prayers He has answered over the years. Then the call came from our family doctor, they found us a new hospice who would pick up Tommy’s case. And would be coming to the hospital as soon as our doctor signed and faxed them the paper work. Tommy and I gave thanks again to the Lord. They came and we signed papers.
Tommy and I left the hospital about 3 pm. The new hospice nurse was at our house at 5 pm. She was wonderful, and said they would get Tommy’s pain under control ASP. Tasha came home while she was still here. I had sent her out for a fast food dinner. I was totally worn out with no strength left to make dinner. Thank you Tasha for running into town for me.
The nurse called me an hour and a half later: She said that so far with the information she was plugging in, they would cover his cancer, but not sure yet if they could cover his COPD breathing meds, but no matter what I could keep the oxygen machine. With a peaceful heart, I told her ,“to do what she could do and the Lord would see to the rest. If it turns out we have to buy his COPD meds and inhalers that the Lord would provide them or a way to get them.” She said, “ she agreed as she to has seen the Lord answer prayers and knows He takes care of His own.” Tommy’s and my bodies are worn out , but our spirits are joyful and peaceful.
Thank you Lord for walking us through yet another day and for blessing us so. And answering prayers in Your way and in Your time. Thank you for forgiving us of our weak faith and trust.
Today looking back I now see: the Lord prepared me for bad news ( hospice letting us go), reminding me He is still answering my prayers in His way and His time, walking with us in what felt like our darkest hours, strengthening our faith and trust in Him, renewing our hope in hospice people. Thank you Lord. But in order for us to grow in him, and our faith and trust to grow: we must go through trials, fears, unknowns, lonely times to be able to see His hands and love in it all. That’s were faith and trust become stronger with each trial we look back on. When going through trials we do not always feel Him near us and helping us- But He NEVER leaves us- not even when we don’t feel him. Thank you Lord for carrying my family through another trial. And please help us to always remember this trial and the work you did in it when the next trial comes.
Saturday: Tommy had some pain last night but morphine stop it. The new hospice nurse was out this morning. She is going to be asking the new hospice doctor Monday morning for: morphine sulfate MSER 100 mg (she said if by second dose it’s not working they will up it); a new sleeping pill, a much stronger anti- inflammatory, and a few other things. What a great blessing not having to wait a week plus for something to work and go up on dose.
Tommy had corn beef hash and eggs to eat. Then watched some Netflix's. And is now going out on the porch to get some vitamin D with it 70 it’s nice and warm for him.
I can’t thank you all enough for all your prayers, Thank you.
God Bless you all,
Becky
Comments:
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Becky,
I have been reading your posts for several months. You are the reason I started my food stock pile. You gave me a place to start. I am thankful for your guidance. You seem to be such a hard worker and I admire you for holding your family together. I know the Lord must have blessings for you a plenty. I was so happy to read that Tommy got a new hospice. Thank you Lord!!! I will continue to pray for you, Tommy and your family. I live by the saying, “when one door closes another one opens! The old hospice door closed, but another one opened! Wonderful. Comment by Holli | February 7, 2009 | -
I am so sorry you have to go through all this. I am glad though that you love the Lord. I always wonder how people cope who do not know the Lord. Its true we grow the most when times are toughest. I will pray for you and Tommy and your family every time I think of you. It was good to read what you wrote about praying and then thanking God. Sometimes we pray for help but forget the give thanks when we get it. take care blessings debbieo Comment by Debbieo | February 7, 2009 |
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Becky,
My wife and i have read you blog for a while and found it very inspiring that someone with so little has been able to accomplish so much. You are really amazing. I recently had a close brush with death and was convinced i only had a short time left and i was so scared and kept thinking “why me?”. But after a while i started to realize that I have to just let go and have complete faith that everything happens for a reason and that pertains to both the good and the bad. Often times we are not meant to understand why, but we must faith. We are all going to depart this earth eventually but its just a matter of how and when. But its up to us to decide what we will do with the time that we have been given and always remember that death is not the end but is only the beginning. Best Wishes, Maximus Comment by Maximus | February 9, 2009 |
Monday, February 9, 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
Saturday, February 7, 2009
An Update On Tommy---The Lord does it again
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 05, 2009 09:30 PM, EST
Tommy is in the hospital tonight and should be home tomorrow. I had to call 911 at about 11am to come and get him. He was having a hard time breathing, his skin was more yellow, and his pulse keep going higher.
The doctor in ER said that Tommy’s blood enzyme (?Spell) were very low and his hemoglobin (?spell)was really low, which was making it hard for him to breath and making him feel like he was smothering. Tommy’s blood was not carrying oxygen like it was supports too. The doctor believes the cancer has gotten into the bone marrow and is eating the red cells. They are giving Tommy 2 pints of red blood cells tonight, which will help him feel better and breath easier. This is only a kind of quick fix and will only last a few weeks at most. Kind of like giving him morphine for pain. Tommy can chose to get more blood but we have no insurance and this time we with in through the ER. The ER doctor said that the 2 pints of red blood cells were very expensive. I don’t know what to do next? But tonight he is getting them. The rest is in the Lord’s hands.
Tommy was looking a little better when I left, but very tired. He was not as pale looking. Please keep praying for us. And thank you all for your prayers.
Becky
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 06, 2009 09:15 AM, CST
mom called from hospital this morning dads hospice dropped his case last night we need hard fast pray now for a new hospice to pick up Tommy please pray hard
Tasha
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 07, 2009 04:11 PM, EST
Thursday evening: After Tommy was settled into his room and I had talked to the nurses, we went home. By this time it was really dark, ( I can’t see to drive at night, I’m blinded by on coming head lights). So I followed Tasha in her car, which really helped. Well about a mile from the hospital, my windshield was dirty, so I sprayed it and turned on the wipers. Well being my brain was not working well- my windshield is now a sheet of ice, while driving down the road. I had to roll down the drivers window to see to pull over. Tasha came back to see why I had pulled over, I told her- she said mom it’s 10 degrees. I just cried as I scraped ice off the windshield. The Lord then got us home safe and sound. Thank you Lord. After we got home I called some family with the update on Tommy and thankfully they passed it on to others. I was so very tired both mind and body. I prayed all night: Lord, will you please send us a better hospice or give ours now a heart to help Tommy. Friday: I awoke praying the same prayer. Tommy called a little after 8am saying the doctor had been there and he was ready to go home. I started getting ready to go get him; and dread, worry, fear started to cover me and I started shaking. It all came on so fast and that to scared me. Instead of letting my mind have it’s way - I started saying the 23rd Psalm out loud then said 2 Timothy 1:7 “My God did not give me the spirit of fear: but of power, and of love and of a sound mind.” I kept repeating these two all the way to the hospital. It was a fight, and by the time I got to the hospital, I was calmed down and had peace. Thank you Lord.
I went in and talked to Tommy and then went to tell the nurses I was there. While I was packing up Tommy’s things, his room phone rung. I answered it. It was the hospices head RN, I told her I was going to call as soon as I got home. She said no need too, that they dropped/discarded Tommy’s case last night and we could not leave the hospital until we found another hospice to take up his care. I asked, Why? She said because I had took Tommy to an uncontracted hospital for treatment. I said he was having trouble breathing. She said, we are no longer his hospice and hung up.
I can honestly say, if I had not prayed all morning- I know I would have lost my mind with a nerves breakdown. Thank you Lord for preparing me. Now I’m in total shock!!Tommy saw my face turn white as I was hanging up, and started to ask me, but I just held up my hand for him to give me a minute. I took a few deep breaths and tried so hard to pray but worry and fear came in again fast. So I told Tommy everything. Then started making phone calls asking for fast prayer, as I just could not seem to get the prayers out at that moment. Then I called our family doctor( they had set us up with the first hospice) and told them what happened(they had told me to take Tommy fast to an ER yesterday), She said she would look into it and get back to me. Honestly, now I’m shaking and wrapped tight in fear and worry and my mind is on overload. I asked to talk to the head nurse to see about talking to the hospitals social worker, she said she’d send her to the room. So I go back to the room to wait. Tommy says he wants a candy bar, so off I go to get him one. While on my way back to the room a small voice says, ”You asked for a new hospice, but I’ll do it My way.” I started crying and asking for forgiveness for my lack of faith and for worrying. And an overwhelming peace filled me. Thank you Lord. I walked into Tommy’s room crying and he asked why. I told him of my prayer last night and this morning and our answer coming. He cried too. We both thank the Lord and took a few deep breaths. We both had to fight hard to keep fear and worry away and hang on tight to His words for a few hours. We kept talking about all the prayers He has answered over the years. Then the call came from our family doctor, they found us a new hospice who would pick up Tommy’s case. And would be coming to the hospital as soon as our doctor signed and faxed them the paper work. Tommy and I gave thanks again to the Lord. They came and we signed papers.
Tommy and I left the hospital about 3 pm. The new hospice nurse was at our house at 5 pm. She was wonderful, and said they would get Tommy’s pain under control ASP. Tasha came home while she was still here. I had sent her out for a fast food dinner. I was totally worn out with no strength left to make dinner. Thank you Tasha for running into town for me.
The nurse called me an hour and a half later: She said that so far with the information she was plugging in, they would cover his cancer, but not sure yet if they could cover his COPD breathing meds, but no matter what I could keep the oxygen machine. With a peaceful heart, I told her ,“to do what she could do and the Lord would see to the rest. If it turns out we have to buy his COPD meds and inhalers that the Lord would provide them or a way to get them.” She said, “ she agreed as she to has seen the Lord answer prayers and knows He takes care of His own.” Tommy’s and my bodies are worn out , but our spirits are joyful and peaceful.
Thank you Lord for walking us through yet another day and for blessing us so. And answering prayers in Your way and in Your time. Thank you for forgiving us of our weak faith and trust.
Today looking back I now see: the Lord prepared me for bad news ( hospice letting us go), reminding me He is still answering my prayers in His way and His time, walking with us in what felt like our darkest hours, strengthening our faith and trust in Him, renewing our hope in hospice people. Thank you Lord. But in order for us to grow in him, and our faith and trust to grow: we must go through trials, fears, unknowns, lonely times to be able to see His hands and love in it all. That’s were faith and trust become stronger with each trial we look back on. When going through trials we do not always feel Him near us and helping us- But He NEVER leaves us- not even when we don’t feel him. Thank you Lord for carrying my family through another trial. And please help us to always remember this trial and the work you did in it when the next trial comes.
Saturday: Tommy had some pain last night but morphine stop it. The new hospice nurse was out this morning. She is going to be asking the new hospice doctor Monday morning for: morphine sulfate MSER 100 mg (she said if by second dose it’s not working they will up it); a new sleeping pill, a much stronger anti- inflammatory, and a few other things. What a great blessing not having to wait a week plus for something to work and go up on dose.
Tommy had corn beef hash and eggs to eat. Then watched some Netflix's. And is now going out on the porch to get some vitamin D with it 70 it’s nice and warm for him.
I can’t thank you all enough for all your prayers, Thank you.
God Bless you all,
Becky
Tommy is in the hospital tonight and should be home tomorrow. I had to call 911 at about 11am to come and get him. He was having a hard time breathing, his skin was more yellow, and his pulse keep going higher.
The doctor in ER said that Tommy’s blood enzyme (?Spell) were very low and his hemoglobin (?spell)was really low, which was making it hard for him to breath and making him feel like he was smothering. Tommy’s blood was not carrying oxygen like it was supports too. The doctor believes the cancer has gotten into the bone marrow and is eating the red cells. They are giving Tommy 2 pints of red blood cells tonight, which will help him feel better and breath easier. This is only a kind of quick fix and will only last a few weeks at most. Kind of like giving him morphine for pain. Tommy can chose to get more blood but we have no insurance and this time we with in through the ER. The ER doctor said that the 2 pints of red blood cells were very expensive. I don’t know what to do next? But tonight he is getting them. The rest is in the Lord’s hands.
Tommy was looking a little better when I left, but very tired. He was not as pale looking. Please keep praying for us. And thank you all for your prayers.
Becky
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 06, 2009 09:15 AM, CST
mom called from hospital this morning dads hospice dropped his case last night we need hard fast pray now for a new hospice to pick up Tommy please pray hard
Tasha
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 07, 2009 04:11 PM, EST
Thursday evening: After Tommy was settled into his room and I had talked to the nurses, we went home. By this time it was really dark, ( I can’t see to drive at night, I’m blinded by on coming head lights). So I followed Tasha in her car, which really helped. Well about a mile from the hospital, my windshield was dirty, so I sprayed it and turned on the wipers. Well being my brain was not working well- my windshield is now a sheet of ice, while driving down the road. I had to roll down the drivers window to see to pull over. Tasha came back to see why I had pulled over, I told her- she said mom it’s 10 degrees. I just cried as I scraped ice off the windshield. The Lord then got us home safe and sound. Thank you Lord. After we got home I called some family with the update on Tommy and thankfully they passed it on to others. I was so very tired both mind and body. I prayed all night: Lord, will you please send us a better hospice or give ours now a heart to help Tommy. Friday: I awoke praying the same prayer. Tommy called a little after 8am saying the doctor had been there and he was ready to go home. I started getting ready to go get him; and dread, worry, fear started to cover me and I started shaking. It all came on so fast and that to scared me. Instead of letting my mind have it’s way - I started saying the 23rd Psalm out loud then said 2 Timothy 1:7 “My God did not give me the spirit of fear: but of power, and of love and of a sound mind.” I kept repeating these two all the way to the hospital. It was a fight, and by the time I got to the hospital, I was calmed down and had peace. Thank you Lord.
I went in and talked to Tommy and then went to tell the nurses I was there. While I was packing up Tommy’s things, his room phone rung. I answered it. It was the hospices head RN, I told her I was going to call as soon as I got home. She said no need too, that they dropped/discarded Tommy’s case last night and we could not leave the hospital until we found another hospice to take up his care. I asked, Why? She said because I had took Tommy to an uncontracted hospital for treatment. I said he was having trouble breathing. She said, we are no longer his hospice and hung up.
I can honestly say, if I had not prayed all morning- I know I would have lost my mind with a nerves breakdown. Thank you Lord for preparing me. Now I’m in total shock!!Tommy saw my face turn white as I was hanging up, and started to ask me, but I just held up my hand for him to give me a minute. I took a few deep breaths and tried so hard to pray but worry and fear came in again fast. So I told Tommy everything. Then started making phone calls asking for fast prayer, as I just could not seem to get the prayers out at that moment. Then I called our family doctor( they had set us up with the first hospice) and told them what happened(they had told me to take Tommy fast to an ER yesterday), She said she would look into it and get back to me. Honestly, now I’m shaking and wrapped tight in fear and worry and my mind is on overload. I asked to talk to the head nurse to see about talking to the hospitals social worker, she said she’d send her to the room. So I go back to the room to wait. Tommy says he wants a candy bar, so off I go to get him one. While on my way back to the room a small voice says, ”You asked for a new hospice, but I’ll do it My way.” I started crying and asking for forgiveness for my lack of faith and for worrying. And an overwhelming peace filled me. Thank you Lord. I walked into Tommy’s room crying and he asked why. I told him of my prayer last night and this morning and our answer coming. He cried too. We both thank the Lord and took a few deep breaths. We both had to fight hard to keep fear and worry away and hang on tight to His words for a few hours. We kept talking about all the prayers He has answered over the years. Then the call came from our family doctor, they found us a new hospice who would pick up Tommy’s case. And would be coming to the hospital as soon as our doctor signed and faxed them the paper work. Tommy and I gave thanks again to the Lord. They came and we signed papers.
Tommy and I left the hospital about 3 pm. The new hospice nurse was at our house at 5 pm. She was wonderful, and said they would get Tommy’s pain under control ASP. Tasha came home while she was still here. I had sent her out for a fast food dinner. I was totally worn out with no strength left to make dinner. Thank you Tasha for running into town for me.
The nurse called me an hour and a half later: She said that so far with the information she was plugging in, they would cover his cancer, but not sure yet if they could cover his COPD breathing meds, but no matter what I could keep the oxygen machine. With a peaceful heart, I told her ,“to do what she could do and the Lord would see to the rest. If it turns out we have to buy his COPD meds and inhalers that the Lord would provide them or a way to get them.” She said, “ she agreed as she to has seen the Lord answer prayers and knows He takes care of His own.” Tommy’s and my bodies are worn out , but our spirits are joyful and peaceful.
Thank you Lord for walking us through yet another day and for blessing us so. And answering prayers in Your way and in Your time. Thank you for forgiving us of our weak faith and trust.
Today looking back I now see: the Lord prepared me for bad news ( hospice letting us go), reminding me He is still answering my prayers in His way and His time, walking with us in what felt like our darkest hours, strengthening our faith and trust in Him, renewing our hope in hospice people. Thank you Lord. But in order for us to grow in him, and our faith and trust to grow: we must go through trials, fears, unknowns, lonely times to be able to see His hands and love in it all. That’s were faith and trust become stronger with each trial we look back on. When going through trials we do not always feel Him near us and helping us- But He NEVER leaves us- not even when we don’t feel him. Thank you Lord for carrying my family through another trial. And please help us to always remember this trial and the work you did in it when the next trial comes.
Saturday: Tommy had some pain last night but morphine stop it. The new hospice nurse was out this morning. She is going to be asking the new hospice doctor Monday morning for: morphine sulfate MSER 100 mg (she said if by second dose it’s not working they will up it); a new sleeping pill, a much stronger anti- inflammatory, and a few other things. What a great blessing not having to wait a week plus for something to work and go up on dose.
Tommy had corn beef hash and eggs to eat. Then watched some Netflix's. And is now going out on the porch to get some vitamin D with it 70 it’s nice and warm for him.
I can’t thank you all enough for all your prayers, Thank you.
God Bless you all,
Becky
Comments:
Becky,
I have been reading your posts for several months. You are the reason I started my food stock pile. You gave me a place to start. I am thankful for your guidance. You seem to be such a hard worker and I admire you for holding your family together. I know the Lord must have blessings for you a plenty. I was so happy to read that Tommy got a new hospice. Thank you Lord!!! I will continue to pray for you, Tommy and your family. I live by the saying, “when one door closes another one opens! The old hospice door closed, but another one opened! Wonderful. Comment by Holli February 7, 2009I am so sorry you have to go through all this. I am glad though that you love the Lord. I always wonder how people cope who do not know the Lord. Its true we grow the most when times are toughest. I will pray for you and Tommy and your family every time I think of you. It was good to read what you wrote about praying and then thanking God. Sometimes we pray for help but forget the give thanks when we get it. take care blessings debbieo Comment by Debbieo February 7, 2009
Becky,
My wife and i have read you blog for a while and found it very inspiring that someone with so little has been able to accomplish so much. You are really amazing. I recently had a close brush with death and was convinced i only had a short time left and i was so scared and kept thinking “why me?”. But after a while i started to realize that I have to just let go and have complete faith that everything happens for a reason and that pertains to both the good and the bad. Often times we are not meant to understand why, but we must faith. We are all going to depart this earth eventually but its just a matter of how and when. But its up to us to decide what we will do with the time that we have been given and always remember that death is not the end but is only the beginning. Best WIshes, Maximus Comment by Maximus February 9, 2009Hi,there is some information available at http://ncrf.org/ that you might find helpful. Best wishes to you. Comment by hello February 11, 2009
Thank you all for your comments and prayers. And thank you for stopping in here. Have a great day.I am blessed to have you all.Becky
Comment by Becky February 15, 2009God has answered your prayers. You are no longer stuck with a second rate hospice who seems to have little to no compassion for your husband. Just watch God work for you. As awful as all this is, Jesus is sustaining you. Things will get better. Comment by terilyn February 20, 2009
God bless and keep you Becky and your dear Tommy and family.I am meeting you for the 1st time tonight and so happy to know you and am inspired by your love of the Lord, your family, and your kindness to others. I am deeply touchedby your gratefulness, kindness, and humble simple way.Thank you for your good advice-I’m taking it! I’m the mom of 4 and grandma of 1 so far. My family (kids are 21-30) doesn’t know that I have been stockpiling food and necessary stuff for months now. They aren’t watching the horizon. So I pray much for them by God’s grace, and like you, place my trust in Him. Becky, I will pray for you and your husband and family. Much love and prayer in Him,stephanie
Comment by Stephie February 21, 2009
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