The "Lizard" Lost Its' Legs

Today is Wednesday, May 26, 2010. The storms rolled in yesterday afternoon as expected. Took advantage of it, opened up the house, so love the smell of rain. Everything seems to be so clean and fresh.

Yesterday morning I cleaned the critters, feed and watered them all. Off to dump the waste into the compost pile. Now after that little "lizard" thing the day before, I do use extreme caution when walking over in that part of the yard. Well, look who is back in the same spot he was in the day before! After my heart stopped racing, I called my son on the cell phone, he was in the house, told him to bring my camera and get out here. Now you tell me that's a lizard! Son #5
didn't know of the day before with this "lizard". I told him about what had happened and he said yeah mom, that's a snake. No kidding!

So today when son #3 comes over to get something to eat, it's about that time, I will have him get that "lizard" out of the yard. He is one of those kids that think they are cool and has a couple for pets. Pets? UGH! And I will hear from him, just like his dad how it won't hurt you and all of the other stuff. I really don't care, just get it out of my yard!

So when George got home, I asked him about where the "lizard" had ran off to. He said he went out towards the pines. Oh really? As he is telling me this story, I am pulling up the picture. I told him that I think the "lizard" had lost its' legs. His eyes bugged out of his head and he wanted to know who took the picture. I did.....You got that close to it? No! I used that zoom on the camera. I will leave the waste for you to dump when you get home in the evening until that thing is gone.

So today I will get some laundry on the lines before the storms roll in this afternoon. Started working at clearing out my craft room, boy is it slow going. With any kind of luck I will get it finished today.

Remember yesterday, dream about tomorrow, but live today. ~Brightest Blessings~

That Was No Lizard

Today is Tuesday, May 25, 2010. Yesterday was cloudy, with lots of thunder, but no rain. This morning looks to be more of the same. According to the weather man, we are supposed to have thunderstorms all week.

Yesterday while George and I were in the yard, I spotted this happy couple. Then George says come here, I walk over to where he is at and he says go back over there. Okay...Then he says come over here, now I spot what he is looking at. In between the stag horn and the tree is what appears to be some kind of reddish color snake. I DON'T DO SNAKES! So he doesn't have to tell me to go back anywhere, I am out of there. After a few minutes, he comes into the house to tell me that it wasn't a snake, it was a big lizard.

My eyes aren't what they use to be, but please a lizard? When is the last time you seen a red shiny lizard with a flat head? We have lived here over ten years and I have been blessed not to have run into a snake, the boys have. I know what I seen, and that was no lizard.

With the weather not going to be good today, I will get my craft room finished up. I still have pictures that I need to get framed and hung. Then to list items that are finished, just not listed. Probably won't be able to list because of the sun not making an appearance. But, I can write the descriptions in notepad and then take pictures when it is nice.

For those that like to read Discount New Age Books.com is having their $1 book sale. The shipping is $1 per book so $2 a book isn't bad at all. Their sale ends Thursday.

Remember yesterday, dream about tomorrow, but live today.~Brightest Blessings~

The Girls and One Guy First Day Out

Today is Sunday, May 23, 2010. The weather has been wild here. The days start out beautiful and really end with a bang. Friday night we lost power for most of the evening and even had hail. Found out there was a tornado that had touched down on Brandford highway. It has been several years since we have had one and hoping that it is many more before we do again.

George is off this weekend so with his help to watch the girls and one fella, we let them out of the coop. We have far to many hawks to try to do this by myself, they were so much fun to watch. They have now started this flapping of the wings, when one does it they all follow suit. Running and flapping their wings. Well the little fella hit the roof, so today we clip wings. I think it scared him as much as it did me. To watch them scratching the dirt and leaves is so funny, they really tear it up. Almost like they are dancing, to much fun.

I noticed a couple of days ago that they were starting to lose their feathers, their baby feathers. Their little backsides look so lacy with all of the new ones coming in. They are really grooming themselves, each feather seems to get attention from them.

We did get lots done in the yard yesterday before the storms rolled in. It's so nice to stand back and look at it when you have finished. There has been thunder all morning and clouds coming in from the south, so had better get out to trim those feathers before the buckets of rain come pouring down.

Remember yesterday, dream about tomorrow, but live today.~Brightest Blessings~

Already Friday

Today is Friday, May 21, 2010. I truly can not believe how fast this week has gone! Yesterday was gorgeous! They have been calling for storms all week, we were lucky and they missed us. I love the fact that at 6:15 the sun is coming up.

The last couple of days I have been trying to play catch up. Have taken photos of jewelry which is not one of my stronger points. Taking photos seems to be such a task for me, they just never seem to turn out with the right color. So yesterday after I got the laundry hung, I grabbed up my camera and jewelry, outside I went. The natural light is sooo much better! The color seems to be right on. Very pleased with the way they turned out. From now on, I will be outdoors taking pictures.

Have started cleaning out my craft room, well not cleaning but more like getting things together that I at this moment see no use for. It is so cluttered in there. Seeing the need for a wall of shelves, open shelves so that I can see what I have. Going to have to go dumpster diving at the construction sites, they always have great stuff for building. No wonder a new house costs so much with all of the waste. But one mans junk is another mans treasure.

Mama was over yesterday and was telling her that I dreamed that when I went to clean out the chicken coop, I found eggs. She started laughing, now you are dreaming about those chickens. Don't you think they are just a little young yet? It was only a dream mama... Then she tells me that she went with this friend of hers to Tallahassee on a motorcycle. You did what?!? She said she had a blast. Oh mama.......

Wishing everyone a sun filled weekend!

Remember yesterday, dream about tomorrow, but live today.~Brightest Blessings~

A Full Day

Today is Wednesday, May 19, 2010. The weather has been really weird this week. It will be bright sunshine one minute and then thunderstorms the next. It was nice yesterday morning until early evening when the storms rolled in. We are supposed to have storms all week.

I am so loving my chickens, they are so much fun to watch. The first time I seen them scratch the ground I had no idea what they were doing. I have since learned, looking for bugs. Watching them groom is so funny. They puff up and go to it, or when they see another one with something in their beak and walk by only to snatch it from the other one. I kind of feel for the rooster though, he is not the king of the coop, the hens keep him in line. Poor little guy....

Today weather permitting, I am going to work in the garden and work on the pool. The garden needs some real attention, the pool, well I think is just an excuse. But, if anyone asks, the pool "needed" to be done.

Have to get orders packed and shipped out this morning and go to the produce stand, then home to get the boys schoolwork done. Then outside to get the fun stuff done.

I have felt so scattered since I have been home. Can't seem to focus on anything for any length of time. So need to get pictures of products, listed and sites updated and just can't seem to get it together long enough to do it.

Thank you to all that engaged in the "Life is Good" award. It has been so much fun learning about each of you! Thank you Lisa !

Remember yesterday, dream about tomorrow, but live today. ~Brightest Blessings~

Chris Gave It Back

Today is Tuesday, May 18, 2010. We got the much needed rain, the raspberries really needed it. The thunderstorms are supposed to continue through today. With the storms bring the power going on and off, really messes up internet time.

I had passed the "Life is Good" award to Chris at Christina Primitive House and well she passed it back. Thank you Chris! Yes, life is very good! It's good people like you that make it good.

In order to accept the award I have to answer the 10 questions that Chris has asked, pass the award along to 6 other blogger with 10 of my own questions. Here are the questions that Chris has asked:

1. What is your favorite dessert?

My very favorite is a blueberry, cream cheese, whip cream pie that my mama makes. She only makes it once a year, for my birthday. Makes me hungry just thinking about it.

2. What is your favorite color?

Lavender is my favorite and hot pink.

3. If you could go one place in the world for a vacation where would it be?

An island with my hubby, just the two of us, no computers, no phones, no pagers.

4. What is your dream house like?

My dream house is a two story log home in the middle of 200 acres. All kinds of critters and a big garden. Two kitchens one for everyday cooking and the other for canning, making jam and freezing. Our bedroom would be a loft with a huge window. Let's not forget the wrap around porch.

5. What is your favorite pet?

Charlotte, our pot belly pig. She is an old gal now, but the kids use to love to play with her and she loved to eat pop corn. Now she just wants to be left alone to root and sleep in the sun with a good scratch now and then.

6. What would you like to be doing in 5 years from now?

I have no idea, really. I try to live day by day and enjoy the present. It seems that no matter how much time and detail go into planning, it never seems to go according to plan.

7. What is your favorite music?

This is an easy one! I enjoy all kinds of music, except rap.

8. What is the one thing you love to do?

I love holding babies! There is nothing better to calm you.

9. What is the one thing you hate to do?

I really dislike mopping.

10. What do you collect?

I use to collect dolphins. Over the years the kids, friends and family have slowly taken them to new homes. This is fine, I know they will be taken care of and enjoyed.

Okay I am going to cheat on the 10 questions and use the same ones I had asked before.

1. Besides friends and family, what makes you truly happy?

2. What is your favorite thing to do for "me" time?

3. What is your favorite, most fun to make item that you have ever made?

4. If you had one wish, what would you wish for?

5. What was your favorite thing to do as a child that you still
enjoy doing?

6. How many children do you have?

7. Any grandbabies yet?

8. Favorite season?

9. The job that you loved, where and doing what?

10. Where do you prefer to live city or country?

I would like to pass this on to:

Mary at Moontides

Janie at Mother Moon

Sherry at Cross Stitching Wiccan Blog

Marie at Art From My Heart (If you haven't visited Marie's blog, you are truly missing out on some serious eye candy!)

Jeannine at By Way of Salem

Michelle at The Vintage Sage

Wishing everyone a peaceful, productive day!

Remember yesterday, dream about tomorrow, but live today.~Brightest Blessings~

Thank You Lisa!

Today is Monday, May 17, 2010. The weekend was gorgeous, the rains waited until late evening Sunday. It is still raining, much needed rain.

Lisa at Groggy Froggy
surprised me yesterday with this "Life is Good" award. Thank you Lisa! Yes Life is Good, very good! To accept this award I need to answer her 10 questions and pass it on to 6 bloggers. So here we go.

1. If you could spend 6 months doing anything you wanted, uninterrupted, what would you do?

Work in my yard, planting trees, flowers and working the garden.

2. What was the last song you heard and did you choose it?

Purple Haze, it was on the radio in George's truck.

3. Have you ever said "yes" when your head was screaming "say no!?"

Yes, when looking at a house mom wanted to move into.

4. If you could learn one new thing next month, what would it be?

To take clay classes, oh that would be so much fun!

5. Facebook or Twitter?

Has to be Twitter, I still don't understand Facebook.

6. Tightwad or Crazy Spender? (or somewhere in the middle)

For sure not a crazy spender! I am very careful with money and
do my homework before making a purchase. However, I don't consider myself a tightward, someone that won't come off with a dime. You know that person that wants to leave the server a buck tip? UGH....

7. What is your guilty pleasure?

My most favorite is a Mocha from Andy's.

8. Urban or Rural?

Rural for sure! A couple hundred acres with a house set right in the middle would be wonderful!

9. Sweet or Salty?

Really like both, like the chocolate dipped pretzels. Those are so good.

10. New stuff or old stuff?

Old stuff for sure. To make it even better something handmade from something old.

Thank you again Lisa! I would like to pass this on to:

Suzie at Cat In The Pumpkin Moon

Chris at Christinas Primitive House

Lisa at LLA Studio

Brenda at Wicked Wool Gathering

Cindy at Shabby Hag

Becca at Magikal Seasons

These are the ten questions that I came up with.
1. Besides friends and family, what makes you truly happy?

2. What is your favorite thing to do for "me" time?

3. What is your favorite, most fun to make item that you have ever made?

4. If you had one wish, what would you wish for?

5. What was your favorite thing to do as a child that you still
enjoy doing?

6. How many children do you have?

7. Any grandbabies yet?

8. Favorite season?

9. The job that you loved, where and doing what?

10. Where do you prefer to live city or country?

Remember yesterday, dream about tomorrow, but live today.~Brightest Blessings~

One Little "Guy"

Today is Saturday, May 15, 2010. It is 6:15 and the sun is rising. Going to be another gorgeous day! The birds have been singing since about four this morning.

Trying to get pictures of my chickens and one "guy" is proving to be a real challenge. It's like trying to count goldfish in an aquarium. I go into the pen they head for the door. Trying to take pictures from the outside with the wire, next to impossible. This is the "guy" of the group. It's funny that we have 7 children, 6 boys and 1 girl, now we have 7 chickens, 6 hens and one rooster. They are now seven weeks old. We still have to build the nesting boxes, which probably won't happen until next weekend. Suppose to have rain tomorrow and Monday, which we really need.

Talk about things happening for a reason, I was cooking dinner Thursday night and washing dishes as I went. I kept smelling something, but didn't know what it was, knew it wasn't a good smell. There was a small baking sheet on top of the little oven, so I moved it off thinking it was getting hot and producing this smell, back to the dishes. The smell got worse, looking around I seen the electrical outlet slowly melting. Ran and threw the breaker, George was pulling into the yard so I waved him to come into the house first.

There was nothing plugged into the outlet, it didn't throw the breaker or the breaker on the outlet that also has a breaker. George is always so calm, he gets a screw driver and removes the outlet, "yep, that could have been bad, real bad." There was a very good reason for us coming home when we did, if no one would have been here, we would have lost everything.

So today going to clean up my craft room and work on my sites. They are a mess and need a little love. Going to try to get some better pictures, thinking outside will be best. So it has to get done today, because of rain tomorrow.

Remember yesterday, dream about tomorrow, but live today. ~Brightest Blessings~

Weeds?

Today is Thursday, May 13, 2010. The weather has been just gorgeous! Yesterday was 90 and today is supposed to be 93 degrees. Can't ask for better weather.

I thought these were pretty. George says they are weeds. The pedals are a soft lavender, have never seen these "weeds" before.

Had to get groceries yesterday, while getting eggs I noticed brown "organic" eggs in a clear plastic container. My jaw hit the floor when I seen the price of over $4 a dozen! That is just crazy! Maybe it's to pay for the earth friendly "plastic" container they are in. So much for organic. I don't know about you, but my family can't eat that container and to know that it is going into a landfill really ticks me off. Most of you know that I sort my trash, burn and landfill, we are averaging one small kitchen bag of landfill trash a week. Love the "organic" food companies that charge very high dollar for their foods only to use very unfriendly earth packaging to fill the landfills.

Haven't had time to work on my sites since we have been home. So this weekend while George is working on Saturday and the boys have no school, that will be a good time to get them cleaned up and organized. Bonanzle threw me off, when I set my booth on vacation. When we returned and I took it off vacation, it put everything back for sale, even things that were on reserve. So needless to say that is going to take some real time to fix.

Today is a New Moon, remember to write those abundance checks and smudge.

Remember yesterday, dream about tomorrow, but live today. ~Brightest Blessings~

Wednesday Already

Today is Wednesday, May 12, 2010. It has been gorgeous here, in the high 80's and low 90's. Going to be a great summer!

The pool pump arrived yesterday and tried to hook it up only to find out that the connections are not the same as the old one. After about an hour of frustration, I gave it up. When George got home we went to Lowe's to get a new hose. I have to say that I was relieved to know it wasn't me not knowing how to hook up a little pump.

Mother's day was wonderful! Worked on the chicken coop most of the day, then went to see mama. She has been over every other day since we have been home. Took her out to see my chickens, she just laughed and shock her head. Told me I needed to be on a farm in the middle of no where. I won't argue with that.

The boys are back on track and loving being home. George moved the RV to the other side of the pool out of the front yard and Doc went on the hunt for it. I do believe that he thinks this is his new way of life. He now refuses to eat or drink outside, this is now done inside. He goes outside to take care of business and then knocks to be let right back in.

This week is zooming by! It's already Wednesday the week is half over. I am loving the fact that my husband is home every night. He has been one happy man in his yard. He told me last night that he has seven months of things to catch up on out there. LOL

Remember yesterday, dream about tomorrow, but live today. ~Brightest Blessings~

A Wonderful Surprise

Today is Saturday, May 8, 2010. It was a very warm day with loads of sunshine! The birds were just a singing.

The pool is almost clear and the lawn is mowed. The sheets and towels filled the clothes line today! The RV is completely unloaded all except for the things that are staying in there. George was one happy man today in his yard.

After dinner George said lets go for a ride, okay. So off we went we rode for about thirty minutes. As soon as we pulled up I knew we were going to get my chickens! Aren't they cute! We decided on six chickens and one rooster. George insisted on getting the rooster.

The lady was so nice and full of information. If we decided later on that we wanted them to "sit" there is a good chance that the hens wouldn't like or take to a new rooster. She said that she had two hens kill a rooster. So I let George have his way, and a rooster we got.

So tomorrow we will finish up the chicken coupe and I will take some better pictures. They are six weeks old. She had some that were about a week old and they were sooo cute. Made you just want to pick them up and love on them. An early Mother's day gift and an awesome one they are!

The best of all gift is knowing that tomorrow at noon, my husband doesn't have to head back to SC to go to work.

Wishing all of you a very happy, healthy Mother's day, may you spend it with the ones you love.

Remember yesterday, dream about tomorrow, but live today. ~Brightest Blessings~

A Beautiful Mess

Today is Friday, May 7, 2010. It was a gorgeous 87 degrees today! Cooling down now, but not cold.

Our first day home has been a busy one. Take a look at the jungle we have! It is a beautiful mess, but our mess. Son #5 actually grabbed the mower this morning and was able to get a little more than half of the yard cut. The pool, just as I thought is green. So threw some shock and baking soda in there and started the pump. Big pump not working, hooked up the small pump and ordered another big one. Should be here the middle of next week. Pool should be ready by tomorrow night to use!

The clothes lines have been loaded all day. Will get the sheets and towels done tomorrow. It is a beautiful sight to see my clothes on those lines and not in a dryer. Not to mention wrinkle free. Got the stores back on line and made a sale! Whoot! So will get that order ready to ship in the morning.

Going to try very hard to get to the farmers market tomorrow. Hoping Sunday to get the chicken trailer made. I am so looking forward to this project. Mama still thinks I am crazy, well mama the apples don't fall far from the tree. Thinking four chickens would be great.

Well let me tell you about Doc. Here I was thinking that he was not liking the whole RV thing. When we got home, George had to push him out, he could have cared less about the yard, right into the house he went. Tried to get him to come outside today and he looked at me like, you have got to be kidding me, it's hot out here. Went out to do his business and then knocked to be let back in. He went back to young sons bed and went to sleep. He has become a lazy house dog in less than three weeks. How does this happen? I was feeling so bad about him being couped up.
Well look at that, he has made his way to the living room to look out the window. geesh......

Remember yesterday, dream about tomorrow, but live today. ~Brightest Blessings~

Home Bound This Evening!

Today is Thursday, May 6, 2010. It was a really nice day yesterday. Very warm with a breeze and NO rain.

George told me last night that we would be leaving today after he got home from work. I am so thrilled to be going home!

This means that I will have lots of stuff to do when I get there. Have to get that garden going really fast. No messing around this year, if we want to get anything from it. This also means that I will get to have my chickens! I was really bummed over the thought of not being able to get them after we had planned on building the chicken trailer.

Then I hope to get some strawberries and other goodies at the farmers market and get some jarring done. This really bummed me out thinking that I wasn't going to be able to do any this summer.

Oh and the pool, I can see the shades of green now. That will take a couple of days to clear and then we will be able to use it. There isn't a better way to cool down and relax after working in the yard than a swim in the pool.

So knowing that we would be leaving right after dinner tonight, I have already cooked dinner so we can heat and eat, hook up and hit the road. George said that if he gets tired we could pull over for an hour or so to take a nap. Oh no, no, no! You pull over, I drive the RV and son #5 can drive the truck behind me. I ain't getting this close to home to stop for nothing or nobody.

So in about twelve hours from now, we will be home going to sleep in our own beds and Doc will be running free.

Remember yesterday, dream about tomorrow, but live today. ~Brightest Blessings~

Start Date is Monday!

Today is Tuesday, May 4, 2010. Woke to pouring rain yesterday. It was cooler, but not cold.

George got all of his paper work done and his UA. Called the company back to let them know that it had been faxed to them, they gave him a start date of MONDAY! So we are heading home Saturday morning? Oh, no we will be outta here Friday, he informed me. In a hurry to get home are you? I just thought we could get up early on Saturday and leave then, I'll be fine, he said.

There are three or four of them that used to work together in Lake City, that will now be working together in Jacksonville. He has been sitting for eight hours a day doing nothing but waiting on QC's. When he called me at eight yesterday morning, he informed me he had had enough. George is a doer and doesn't sit well, so for him to sit and do nothing for eight hours is just pure torture.

The boys are really excited about going home. Young son informed me he wants dad to put a diving board on our pool, good luck with that one. Son #5 is going nuts not driving and listening to all of that bass they play. And of course their friends, good thing for me that they have their friends on the "friends" list with Verizon, or I would have to auction them off on e-bay to pay their bill.

As for me, I have learned a lot. My four bedroom, 2 bath, one which the boys do not use, is a beautiful place to be. My kitchen didn't use to have near enough counter space, however it does now. No more dryers for me, my clothes line is my friend. And Doc running around chasing the birds and squirrels without a chain, free to run, barking when someone is coming up to the gates will be such a welcome sight. I doubt he will ever step foot in this RV again.

Thinking back on all of this, when it all first started seven months ago, there are things that we do not know. We tried for months to get a house here, tried to even buy, but nothing was happening. If we had rented and signed a lease, we would have six months of rent to pay on a house. If we had bought a house we would have another mortgage to pay. We just had to go through this. It has shown us how blessed that we really are and made us all a stronger family unit. Even the boys now know how great their privacy is at home, they have missed that, but then I have too.

So Friday afternoon or early evening, we will head home, where our hearts are.

Remember yesterday, dream about tomorrow, but live today.~Brightest Blessings~

A Great Weekend

Today is Monday, May 3, 2010. It was a warm, cloudy day yesterday. It gave a light mist every so often, but not really rain.

We did make it to the flea market yesterday spent a better part of a day there. Anderson Jockey lot is the name of the market. It is huge or at least to us it was huge. I didn't find any seeds only plants there, but I did get pole beans, strawberries, peppers and avocados. The strawberries were beautiful. The boys found their "stuff" and were happy.

When we returned back to the RV of course I started the cooking and slicing of strawberries, while everyone else went to the pool. I am in NO way complaining, the fewer people in here while I am trying to cook, the better. Made Chorizo and eggs for dinner with strawberry short cake for dessert. The boys returned to the pool after dinner, yes!

George got a lead on a Jacksonville position. This is awesome news! The overtime here has not happened in two weeks. The management is having a pissing contest with the QC's which means nothing is getting across the call boards. The plane is at a stand still and the work has stopped. So today he is going to get the paperwork faxed to Jacksonville and tomorrow take his UA test. Hoping for a start date of Monday, yes one week from today.

These past couple of weeks has been some kind of an adventure. The first night here at this RV park, George woke me up we had no power. Their box wasn't working, which was a VERY good thing it was a 50 amp and not a 30 amp. It it had been working, our electrical system would have been fried. So yesterday before the flea market we moved to another site. Now the fan relay switch in our box isn't working which means not running to many things at one time or we trip a breaker. Cooking has just become a little more creative.

It is starting to get daylight, time to start this day. I do think that getting the boys to do their school work is going to be a little easier, they want to go swimming and play pool.

Remember yesterday, dream about tomorrow, but live today. ~Brightest Blessings~