The Great Escape

Far too many times I have used our computer to "escape". I am going to make a valiant effort to curb my computer appetite and scale back the amount of time I spend here. (Shhhh! Don't tell my husband or he'll try and hold me to it.) I don't mind stopping in once or twice a day but the temptation to keep checking back is what gets me into trouble, besides those baskets of apples will be here all winter long if I don't devote some attention to getting rid of them. So now, I am off to accomplish something great and wonderful...maybe.

Cold and Wet

Brrr! After all the nice weather, it's hard to get used to cold and wet. Most of the leaves have blown off the trees now, but if the sun were to show its face, there are still some splashes of color here and there. We had a bit of very wet snow fall around noon but it didn't stick around for long. This is the kind of weather that makes you either want to stay inside or move south. I think I'll opt to stay inside and do some of those things that I put off when the weather is nice. I have tons of photos that need to be put into albums, I have paints waiting to be used, I have puzzles to make... and apples to cook... (I will never be rid of those apples!) Christmas is coming and if I play my cards right, I could make some very nice gifts and actually be ready before Christmas Eve...

This morning we went to meet these people who are also into woodworking. I happened to see some their furniture when I was out a week or so ago and told James about it. Jose' is going to buy some of James' figured lumber and, since James is pretty busy right now, he will be passing a few jobs on to Jose'.

Feeling Like November

The day started out with a little bit of sunshine but ended up being cold and drizzly. It's feeling very November-like. We have been enjoying the fire in the woodstove, baking cookies, and staying warm and dry inside the house.

Happy Birthday to Rachie Baby!!!

My baby sister is almost 40!

Thanksgiving

I find it somewhat disturbing that there are people who actually don't like Thanksgiving...

Another Busy Day

My goodness, do I ever feel sleepy! But its too late to take a nap, if I were to sleep now, I would never sleep tonight. Maybe soon I will catch a second wind and wake up again... Good thing for an extra hour of sleep tonight!

This morning Hannah and I took Beth and Baby out to the Dr.'s office so they could check Baby's bilirubin levels. Instead of waiting with them, I left Hannah with Beth, and I spent the time grocery shopping in a strange town. (Funny how the same grocery chain can be so different in a neighboring town.) The doctor wasn't quite finished when I returned so nobody missed me too much. Baby's bilirubin levels are dropping again so he checked out good and we left. Back at the house I checked on the laundry situation and washed the dishes. Rachel stopped by (Steven wanted to see the baby) and we decided to cook up some barbequed hamburger for Beth and Adam to eat later on. Before I could go home I had to move my groceries from the back of Beth's vehicle, which we drove to the Dr's office, into mine and then out of mine and into the house once I got home. Since we ran out of dish detergent last night, there was a sink and counterful of dishes needing to be washed here. Hannah put the groceries away while I washed dishes. Then I had some soup and crackers and a cup of coffee. Now its almost supper time.

A Bird in the Hand

It was the perfect autumn day, crisp, cool, and clear. I packed up the kids, met Shelly and we headed back to the park. The girls (Sara and Alysa) thought it would be fun to try feeding the birds. This time we took not only sunflower seeds, but peanuts for the squirrels and chipmunks. I didn't see even one chipmunk this time and the squirrels seemed very preoccupied with eating. They were far less interested in us than the previous visits, but the birds were very pleased that we had come. We had not only chickadees eating out of our hands but verios and nuthatches too. Hannah even had a bluejay come and take some seeds. Sara thought it was very cool and even tried to "steal" Hannah and Jessi's birds.

On the way home we stopped back at the farm market for a jug of cider and another run through the corn stalk teepees. The boys (Tyler and Troy) found that to be very exciting. What better place to play than a dark and spooky teepee? We also fed the goats and sheep again and Alysa decided chase the turkey about for a while. The girls both fell asleep on the way home as did Troy. It was a nice day out.

Pass the Baby, Please...

Okay, here he is. Hold him carefully and please be gentle, he's just a little guy. Watch him make faces and suck on nothing. Listen to the little baby sounds he makes... awwwww! Doesn't he smell fresh and new?

Don't Lose Your Head!

It has been a beautiful fall day, the kind that I so love to spend out walking in the orchard, exploring the farm market, or traipsing through the park but we stayed home today. It was time to be here at home getting something done, although I don't feel like much happened. Maybe it was a catch-up kind of day. If I look behind me, I'll see myself actually getting closer... but closer to what I'm not sure. (Now you see that I am really tired and should have spent an hour this afternoon catching up on some sleep!) I'm in one of those places where I can almost hear my mother telling me, "You'd lose your head if it wasn't attached!" Good thing it is, cause I think she's probably right!

Bethany went home from the hospital early this afternoon. I'm sure both her and Adam are exausted as he spent the last two nights at the hospital with her and the baby. Those hospital chairs aren't very comfy to sleep in, but who wants to go home to a dark and empty house? Now begins the real adventure!

I have to admit that I am feeling rather overwhelmed this morning. On the outside I appear quiet and together, but on the inside I am not quite sure what to do next. I am still taking in the wonder of the past few days and the awesomeness of my brand new grandson. Tonight is not only Halloween but church too. Our church does its best to avoid this particular celebration, so I guess we have a class to teach this evening. That means I have to look at the lesson sometime today... There is no school tomorrow or Friday due to Superintendant's conferences which means I will have extra children those two days, and... I'm tired. I have been finding myself awake in the night this week and I didn't sleep well last night because I was laying in bed realizing that for the second week a row the garbage was not by the street...

What Does Baby Need?

I have had several people ask me what Beth and Adam need for the new baby and while they seem to have most everything in the way of clothes and supplies, they do not have a good camera. (Right now they are borrowing mine.) Therefore, if anyone out there is interested in contributing to the "Camera Fund" please send me an email at poet_tree (at) juno.com and I will send you my mailing address. Any contributions will be put toward a camera and all cards will be forwarded along with it to Beth and Adam.

Thanks!

Speechless...

Waiting for Baby

I think it may be harder waiting to hear news of my daughter having had her first baby than it was to actually go through it myself... (the phone is ringing!!!)

WE HAVE A BABY!

Adam just called. We have a "little" boy, 8 pounds 9 ounces, 21 inches long, at about 1 o'clock. His name is Joshua. (Adam is wondering why we aren't there, but I have Troy today and had to pick him up from preschool at noon... Nobody told me I was suppose to BE there!)

To My Fellow Floorpacers...

Sometime today I will sprout my first gray hair and become a full-fledged grandmother. Adam called and talked to James this morning, they are at the hospital and have been since about 3 am. All who would like to are welcome to pray and/or pace along with me.

Time Out

Yesterday we decided to go out to the big farm market in Pittsford. It has been an almost annual adventure for me and my kids. (This is Hannah when she was about three.) Not only is it the location of "The World's Biggest Teepee" but there are plenty of farm animals to pet and feed, lots and lots of pumpkins, a hay ride we never go on, and a store that smells like the ovens never stop baking. It smells wonderful. Powers Farm Market is a wonderful place to take kids in late October. Shelly and Jessi went along with us this time and Beth hoped to meet us (after her lunch with Andy) but she wasn't sure how to get there. I don't have a cell phone and Shelly had accidentally left hers home. I think Beth was severely disappointed.

Today I took a "mental health day" and left the house ALONE! My plan was to stop at Mom's and get some canning jars and then go to the grocery store. Instead I wandered around looking at crafts and antiques and got a Frosty before heading toward home. I did eventually stop at the grocery store, we needed milk and bread, and got home about 5:30 hoping that my dear daughter hadn't gone into labor and left for the hospital with my knowledge. I was praying for her, just in case, but I think Baby is not quite ready to meet us just yet.

Not Yet...

... but she's had plenty of practice in her life.

Leafhoppers

It's a good day for leaf hopping! First you rake the leaves into a big pile next to the picnic table. Then you climb on the table and jump off. If the pile is deep enough, Dad might even toss you into the air so you land in the pile. Fun, fun!
When the day is done and we all go into the house for the night, the leaf pile will make a great nest for the dog. (See tail at right.)

Apple Butter

Will I ever get rid of those baskets of apples?

Yesterday I finished the apple butter I had started to make on Tuesday. It turned out very nice and I think I may even make another batch or two. I have 8 jars all sterilized and sealed, ready to be stored away for winter breakfasts. Warm toast with apple butter and a hot cup of coffee... mmm... sounds like something good to eat while curled up next to the wood stove.

The Man

My husband is self employed. For many years he has built cabinets and done remodeling but during the past year has ventured into a new area, milling and stocking his own lumber. Last year he bought a small band mill, cut up several logs, and stacked them away to dry. This year he is beginning to utilize the lumber. I wish I could tell you exactly what he has built with his own stock but I have a difficult time keeping track of what material goes into which job.

We have had a fairly constant supply of logs laying in the back yard and most can not be picked up without the aid of some kind of machinery, hence the New Holland Skid Steer which is occupying a space in the old migrant shck out back. It does a great job of picking up and moving logs and I am told it has a plow to clear the driveway this winter (if it ever gets cold enough to snow).

The idea behind cutting our own wood is take urban and other "throw away" material and make something beautiful or useful of it. It's a picture of redemption. Just as God has redeemed us and saved us from the fire and destruction, we will be taking trees that would otherwise be cut up into firewood and "redeeming" them.

The Waiting Game

So today was Bethany's birthday. Since it was Tuesday, Adam had to go to his class and Beth came for supper and pumpkin pie. (Never forget the salt in your pumpkin pie...) She was feeling tired but looking beautiful. I guess the baby will not arrive on her birthday after all. Maybe Baby wanted a birthday to his/herself.

Tonight I sent my camera home with Beth so she can take pictures when the big moment arrives. Maybe she will take a picture of the beautiful cradle her daddy made for the baby...