Friday, August 29, 2008
Toilet Training Tip #1
Never ask your husband to empty the training potty if he doesn't like to do the job. He'll conveniently forget.
For almost two weeks, there had been a really bad smell in the bathroom. I had cleaned the toilet, the sink, and the floors several times trying to get rid of the odor. Today, it finally dawned on me to check the training potty that Joe hasn't used for weeks to see if there was anything in it. Old pee is rank.
For almost two weeks, there had been a really bad smell in the bathroom. I had cleaned the toilet, the sink, and the floors several times trying to get rid of the odor. Today, it finally dawned on me to check the training potty that Joe hasn't used for weeks to see if there was anything in it. Old pee is rank.Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Sneak Peek, etc.
After a 9+ month hiatus from any serious artwork, this weekend I resumed work on a project long overdue. Here is a peek.
I know... I don't have the eyes finished yet.
I know... I don't have the eyes finished yet.Also, this weekend, Chris and I alternately spent the entire Saturday on the phone with various customer service reps and technical supporters trying to figure out what happened to our phone and internet services. Long story shortened, come to find out, AT&T isn't necessarily AT&T, can't communicate with AT&T, and AT&T isn't compatible with AT&T even though it all looks like AT&T. Nightmarish. So we'll be changing our email addresses. The experience made me think I wouldn't miss the internet all that much... (We were without it for almost four days.) I was far more productive without it beckoning me to check email all the time.
Although my garden is on its way out, in the past few weeks, I have been harvesting seeds from various plants I hope to grow again. (Sorry Johnny's and Seed Savers... my order for next year may not be as big as I originally thought.) So far, I have tomato, cucumber, lettuce, and various flower seed. Ma, I'll be sending you a small package of the Amish Paste tomato you liked so much.
I suppose that's all for now. I have laundry to fold, and staring at the screen trying to think if there is anything else I'd like to report isn't really what I should be doing...
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
Soul Restoration
The first time I met Chip, I was at a Melvins concert with Chris. He wasn't the sort of guy you warmed up to easily. He was a heroine addict, and all the stories Chris told me about him were not exactly positive. Case in point, he wouldn't hesitate to steal from a friend if he felt the need.
We would run into him in random places. Usually Chris could spot him walking somewhere as we drove past. It was like he had a sixth sense for Chip. Right after we got married, we passed him walking down a street two blocks from where we lived. Chris gave him his phone number (again), but didn't tell him where we were living... just in case Chip got any ideas. I would sit uneasily in the car as Chris talked to Chip, Chip hardly ever making eye contact with me. I couldn't quite understand why Chris tried to maintain this relationship.
Every once in a while, Chip would get thrown into jail for stealing. When he got out, he would be sober and clear-headed and call Chris. He would find a job, usually working as a cook in a restaurant, and talk about how he wanted to stay clean.
When I was pregnant with Finley and we were in the process of renovating the kitchen, Chris picked Chip up to help him for the day. This (I think) was the first time I met Chip while he had been clean for a while. He was a different man.
A year later, in 2005, Chip landed in jail again. He called Chris again when he got out. Chris offered to let him sleep on our couch for the night. Finley was 10 months old, and I remember how sweet Chip was with her. With the veil of heroine not hanging about Chip, I found him to be sincere and deeply spiritual. I rather liked him, and finally understood why Chris didn't want to give up on him.
One month later. I remember asking Chris if he had heard from Chip recently. We stopped by the restaurant where he was working, but he wasn't there. I think they said he was late for work. A few days later, Chris got a call, informing him that some one had found Chip dead in his room at the halfway house where he had been staying. We knew his death was probably drug related, although all the autopsy said was that he died of a heart attack. At 34.
A year and a half ago, Chad fell into depression. Eventually he killed himself.
We would run into him in random places. Usually Chris could spot him walking somewhere as we drove past. It was like he had a sixth sense for Chip. Right after we got married, we passed him walking down a street two blocks from where we lived. Chris gave him his phone number (again), but didn't tell him where we were living... just in case Chip got any ideas. I would sit uneasily in the car as Chris talked to Chip, Chip hardly ever making eye contact with me. I couldn't quite understand why Chris tried to maintain this relationship.
Every once in a while, Chip would get thrown into jail for stealing. When he got out, he would be sober and clear-headed and call Chris. He would find a job, usually working as a cook in a restaurant, and talk about how he wanted to stay clean.
When I was pregnant with Finley and we were in the process of renovating the kitchen, Chris picked Chip up to help him for the day. This (I think) was the first time I met Chip while he had been clean for a while. He was a different man.
A year later, in 2005, Chip landed in jail again. He called Chris again when he got out. Chris offered to let him sleep on our couch for the night. Finley was 10 months old, and I remember how sweet Chip was with her. With the veil of heroine not hanging about Chip, I found him to be sincere and deeply spiritual. I rather liked him, and finally understood why Chris didn't want to give up on him.
One month later. I remember asking Chris if he had heard from Chip recently. We stopped by the restaurant where he was working, but he wasn't there. I think they said he was late for work. A few days later, Chris got a call, informing him that some one had found Chip dead in his room at the halfway house where he had been staying. We knew his death was probably drug related, although all the autopsy said was that he died of a heart attack. At 34.
Chad was another friend of Chris's. Chad was a close-talker, but I liked him anyway. Chad was easy-going, always had a smile on his face, and you couldn't help but enjoy his company.
A year and a half ago, Chad fell into depression. Eventually he killed himself.
Chris and I have a couple of big voids in our lives now. Losses like those aren't easy to come to terms with.
One thing that Chris always says to friends who are struggling with addiction or some other difficulty was that they needed to separate themselves from the old and find a new environment and new people who have a better way of thinking and living. It is too easy for some one who has been given a fresh start, but only knows the old way of life and the has same friends with the same old bad habits, to fall right back into what it was they were trying to rise above.
Part of our vision for having an acreage is to have a place where others can come to get away from that old environment for a while. A place where they can drink in the goodness of nature and to meet God without distraction, where the soul can be restored.
Saturday, August 16, 2008
Friday, August 15, 2008
The Hohenwald Adventure
We packed ourselves into the van this morning and drove the hour and a half to Hohenwald, TN to look at a property that Chris saw for sale online.
It was a nice, peaceful drive, past fields of corn and soybean, and one small field of tobacco. I wondered how much of the corn was genetically engineered by the infamous Monsanto corporation. We stopped at a gas station in Hohenwald to use the facilities before meeting the realtor.
The property was about three miles out of town. We drove past several small houses and a lot of broken-down vehicles before we turned past a set of rusting household appliances. We then crossed a dry, rocky creek bed and found ourselves on the property we had come to see. Just on the other side of the creek was a level two or three acre field with fairly rocky soil.
Broken-down lawn tractors, parts, tools, toys, the ever-present trampoline, and beer bottles greeted us as we approached the house. The house was much smaller than I expected (it was hard to know what to expect from the photo), and I won't bother to tell you what it was like inside the house, other than to say I would have been afraid of jumping for fear of hitting my head on the ceiling. I love old houses, and have a pretty good eye for potential, but the only redeeming quality of this house was the redecked front porch.
After touring the house, we all piled into the realtor's nice, new, 4-wheel-drive, crew-cab Chevy to see the rest of the property. The majority of the property sat behind the house on a hillside and top of a ridge. From what I gathered from the sales history and the state of the land, someone bought the property three years ago, had it clear-cut to make money off the timber, then resold it to the current owner. A few old oak trees were left standing on the ridge, and there were a few big trees around the house itself. Here and there, pines and tulip poplars were attempting to make a comeback. It all seemed incredibly unnatural. There was a 'pond' below the house, but there wasn't much but some slimy sludge left due to the dry weather.
The best feature was the 200 foot livestock/horse barn.
As we drove away in search of some place to eat lunch, we discussed things... Chris trying to point out all the 'positive' aspects of the place as I tried to bring him back to reality.
All afternoon, I have been asking myself what it is I am looking for. I am wrestling with the reality of what we can afford, what I am envisioning, the sacrifices I know we would/will have to make. At least we know that this wasn't the place.
I only hope that whoever buys it will let the trees grow back.
Thursday, August 14, 2008
Life Here on the Ranch, I mean...
Zivah is not sleeping. Last I knew she was crying due to some intestinal issues. Holding a screaming baby is not nearly as wonderful as holding a sleeping baby, so I have handed her off to my husband while I do other things.
I have ventured outside a little to take some peeks at my gardens. Disastrous. Most flower beds have been heavily infiltrated by the enemy, and will require lots of time and energy to get the situation back under control. In a few cases, I think it will be best to evacuate the citizens to a refugee camp, while I just annihilate the evil therein. Why the warrish rhetoric? Perhaps I'm hearing too much about Iraq and Georgia.
One good thing: the volunteer cherry tomatoes that pop up every year are deeelisheeous.
Joe is a whiz at urinating in the toilet. Pun intended. He has fantastic aim. Too bad he doesn't care to try all the time. The diaper remains too convenient, and I not quite up for the challenge yet, either. I am also hesitant to make the switch to undies, since he doesn't seem to want to put #2 in the potty.
School has started. In a matter of three weeks, I learned that we would be homeschooling Reanna again, ordered her books, and outlined the next two months worth of work for her. I also started Finley on some kindergarten work, and walk her through a few worksheets every day. I think she is enjoying the attention.
Chris started looking at properties online again, and found one near Hohenwald, TN that he took a liking to. 30+ acres, 20 of it supposed good pasture land already fenced. A pond. A house (that needs TLC, of course). A barn or two... He went so far as to call the realtor to set up an appointment to see the property. I don't think I am quite ready to take the dive, yet. But I am willing to humor my husband. We are driving the hour and a half to Hohenwald tomorrow. I guess it will make for a good outing.
I recently purchased two books for my reading pleasure: Five Acres and Independence and From My Experience:The Pleasures and Miseries of Life on a Farm. The latter is by Louis Bromfield. He has readily become a favorite to read. I hope to relate the reason at a later time.
I have added a new feature to my blog. Since having a newborn gives me less time to post, I figured anyone who reads my blog might get tired of checking it (daily, I'm sure) to see if there is anything new. Instead, you can sign up to receive any new posts via e-mail. Just type in your address in the box to the right, there, and follow the directions...
I have ventured outside a little to take some peeks at my gardens. Disastrous. Most flower beds have been heavily infiltrated by the enemy, and will require lots of time and energy to get the situation back under control. In a few cases, I think it will be best to evacuate the citizens to a refugee camp, while I just annihilate the evil therein. Why the warrish rhetoric? Perhaps I'm hearing too much about Iraq and Georgia.
One good thing: the volunteer cherry tomatoes that pop up every year are deeelisheeous.
Joe is a whiz at urinating in the toilet. Pun intended. He has fantastic aim. Too bad he doesn't care to try all the time. The diaper remains too convenient, and I not quite up for the challenge yet, either. I am also hesitant to make the switch to undies, since he doesn't seem to want to put #2 in the potty.
School has started. In a matter of three weeks, I learned that we would be homeschooling Reanna again, ordered her books, and outlined the next two months worth of work for her. I also started Finley on some kindergarten work, and walk her through a few worksheets every day. I think she is enjoying the attention.
Chris started looking at properties online again, and found one near Hohenwald, TN that he took a liking to. 30+ acres, 20 of it supposed good pasture land already fenced. A pond. A house (that needs TLC, of course). A barn or two... He went so far as to call the realtor to set up an appointment to see the property. I don't think I am quite ready to take the dive, yet. But I am willing to humor my husband. We are driving the hour and a half to Hohenwald tomorrow. I guess it will make for a good outing.
I recently purchased two books for my reading pleasure: Five Acres and Independence and From My Experience:The Pleasures and Miseries of Life on a Farm. The latter is by Louis Bromfield. He has readily become a favorite to read. I hope to relate the reason at a later time.
I have added a new feature to my blog. Since having a newborn gives me less time to post, I figured anyone who reads my blog might get tired of checking it (daily, I'm sure) to see if there is anything new. Instead, you can sign up to receive any new posts via e-mail. Just type in your address in the box to the right, there, and follow the directions...
Friday, August 8, 2008
Priorities
I have a few (half dozen) things that have been bouncing around my cranium that I'd like to share someday...
but really, it wouldn't be worth it.
But right now I have other priorities: like holding my sleeping baby. Sure, when she is knocked out cold, I could put her down in her crib and make 'productive' use of my time...
but really, it wouldn't be worth it.
Monday, August 4, 2008
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