tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-89874094443123605942024-03-19T05:45:51.026-04:00Chef Juls Owingsfrugal, food, every day lifeChef Owingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02232750876170243171noreply@blogger.comBlogger1185125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8987409444312360594.post-42971658703219522082024-03-18T04:54:00.003-04:002024-03-18T04:54:38.460-04:00It's the little things that count<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwRHzDbE1hGFRUVcFhfM15jsgOH_tWVMIvRtktqbL6j2h0cb7bHs9q5MwSKqgCQaJB2N2A9dbm3uMDnE_ZAkQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br /><p>St Patrick's day and we got snow</p><p> I mended 3 work shirts for Hubby. He is very hard on clothes and boots. He does not wear tennis shoes at all but sturdy work boots that do hold up well.But his long sleeve shirts take hits. He even ripped the neck line around a tee shirt and I was too afraid to ask what he caught it on, but E asked if Hubby had told me that he was carrying a limb and went to put it down and it caught on the neck of his shirt. I've seen E clothes, he has more patches than Hubby does. π</p><p>Last fall I lost 30 lbs while sick (not something I could afford to do) I borrowed clothes from a grandchild and took in some things with darts. I gave the clothes back to the grandchild when I gained 15 lbs. I am going to have to take up some tee shirts as I refuse to buy anything with how finances are going. </p><p>We ended up taking a 6 hr round trip to drop off stuff to two of the kids.So I didn't bother to thaw the corned beef. One of the kids gave us money to eat out before we got home, we went to the local restaurant and got corned beef, cabbage and potatoes π. Hubby made a comment when the one asked if we could make their car payment right after admitting they had moved their friend and kids in with them... AFTER agreeing if he helped them they would NOT move someone in (common occurance it seems but I didn't know the agreement or I would have told him to not bother, they are a "rescuer"). Got mad when he asked for the last name, said that wasn't any of our business... he brought up it wasn't any of our business to pay their bills. Mom and Dad Bank was closed. They were like , that's cool, I don't need your money... well then why did you just ask for him to pay your car payment of a car you just bought? Grandchild let us know later it was NOT our child's car payment that being asked for but the friend's car payment they just moved in. One grandchild is now living with adult sister and the other one is looking to move when they get enough money saved up and told landlord parent had moved another family in. Landlord increased the rent as it is in the lease moving someone else in would do so as the landlord gave a "break" because they are good friends with two of our other kids.</p><p> LORD GIVE ME STRENGTH.Times like this I am glad I live 2 hrs away.</p><p>Another kid that we didn't drop off anything but they wanted a hug as they haven't seen us since Sept. (it's like that road goes both ways as the youngest (Kira) would tell you). Let us know the drama they had going on in their life ... hum... did you not listen when you asked advice the last time you went through this? NOPE as the older sibling said basically the same thing to them in front of us when they blew up their phone over the drama. That child made the comment they hate working 6-7 days a week to make ends meet but their goal is to buy a house (small one) in 5 yrs. but it did keep the drama out of their life as long as they cut other siblings whining off when on the phone. LOL.</p><p>We are using the wood stove enough though if we shut the windows it gets up to 80, we act "Amish"and leave windows and doors standing open to keep the house cooler but still use the wood stove. We now know why the upstairs windows open from the top instead of the bottom in a lot of the Amish houses around here. If we don't need another refill before Oct. I will only have to come up with $600 to order next year. I will do this in June as I get a discount by doing so. Hubby told me he had more wood coming from the sawmill as payment for moving stuff around for the sawmill. They have a back hoe that an Englisher owns but if he can't be there to move stuff due to his job, he okayed for Hubby to use the back hoe. Hubby said he needed dry and not windy weather to move 2 more cords of wood to the wood shed and when it's windy and wet he is in the barn cutting wood and splitting it from the sawmill. E dragged another log up from the woods for us to have. It's too big for his stove and he does not split wood. They cut trees that are about 6-8 inches around that they don't want to grow anyways. Hubby said we have next year's wood if we don't have to burn wood in June. </p><p>The electric bill dropped $17. Hubby was happy but couldn't figure out why the drop. Maybe because I walked through the barn and turned off power strips he had stereo and 2 fans running (I do not know why as there is no onions or garlic curing there). I turned off most of the night lights he had running and moved one to the bookcase beside the wood stove so we can see what we are doing when "feeding" the stove in the night.Leave open the mudroom blind on door as the security light *that went up to $12/m* could light that room and the curtain in his bathroom. Someone would have to be coming out of the barn to see him get out of the shower if he forgot to shut the curtain. NO one goes through our barn but us. </p><p>It will go up with the grow cart lights being on now but that will only be for 4-6 wks. more. I don't have the growcart and the table lights on </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDsT3Yb7PzPrrpcGelaooDEikhKR7DJBUbbpeX-eDftqMDJPEToxqlX_B4aNd3kII1mcIKORDCTjC0DoFyD4kCPOe-hPCxotLBKK-25ih8W9FSHBsgx7B5TSSjuH7_WtHRGiH3zoRGohGhy_jkSpoEalbpLPJn4UAy_RrZDN2nYfdK01UXCiiQ-69Kavo/s4032/growcart%203.15.24.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="1908" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDsT3Yb7PzPrrpcGelaooDEikhKR7DJBUbbpeX-eDftqMDJPEToxqlX_B4aNd3kII1mcIKORDCTjC0DoFyD4kCPOe-hPCxotLBKK-25ih8W9FSHBsgx7B5TSSjuH7_WtHRGiH3zoRGohGhy_jkSpoEalbpLPJn4UAy_RrZDN2nYfdK01UXCiiQ-69Kavo/s320/growcart%203.15.24.jpg" width="151" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p>We went out to eat... something we really have restricted with the IRS and OH state and school tax bills. We went to Chinese restuarant that has dine in for lunch. Saved $19 then we would have spent going to the local diner for Lent. We still had seafood. We stopped at Burger King for Oreo shake to celebrate our Forever home anniversary.(3.10.2018 signed papers)</p><p>We bought gas and diesel for on site. Saving $30 at the time of purchase.It's more now as Hubby said he saw diesel at the gas station had went up and he is still filling from home.</p><p>I have enough credit left on Propane acct to fill our tank 1 1/2 times. IF we can make this last fill last until after Oct 1st. I won't need to buy as much when I order for the coming winter. I will drop order 100 gallons. Another reason the wood stove is on instead of the propane furnace. Which is another reason Hubby is working on cutting wood every other day if not daily except for Sunday.</p><p>He bartered for 5 gallons of mineral oil (lamp oil). </p><p>We changed some appts that were scheduled April 9th. We are in the path of the eclipse ... Hubby is Ham radio which is part of EMS/ Homeland security so he will be working to help with traffic etc. One of the doctors laughed when he told them why he was changing his appt. The doctor then decided to call everyone after that and just shut his office down for the 8th and 9th. Called Hubby and thanked him for reminding him how bad the traffic could be and phone service might not be working right. Felt it was better for his patients to not deal with that and he was going to work longer hours to work everyone back in .</p><p>I am not on Humira any more. I take Visbiome OTC not prescription strength. My GI let me know the results from my hospital stay was that my Crohn's is in remission. The one GI from the hospital ,could not understand how that could be without being on a biologic. He said he told them I take Visbiome and I eat foods that I grow or the local farmers grow and don't eat much processed food (most of the restuarants we eat at fix their own food). My GI feels a lot of IBS and IBD is coming from the chemicals in the food we eat or what they are "wrapped" in when it comes to fast food.My GI grows most of his own food so he practices what he advises.</p><p>Prayers for sanity and peace (less drama) </p><p>Blessed Be</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Chef Owingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02232750876170243171noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8987409444312360594.post-33855418939764894942024-03-17T04:20:00.000-04:002024-03-17T04:20:48.633-04:00LORD!!!! Happy St Patrick's day.<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPuhyphenhyphenZGYc66T5waVMUnQMEvT2uUs748rnDJaf5LB9p8vXZqgPAekXkedCgm3lFEF-7haLClh6RWUC0jTgu1MTNAyl1gYJHgzlu_A76sPNVHtxfRKkeFfUvjh6SQcacbiT5Mx3PWNxr5z3m4QpGKuaZKkyOWlNtbBNoohQ7T_TzfMpF-YgXTpnDF_3d9cU/s1284/Indian%20Lake%20tornado.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1138" data-original-width="1284" height="284" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPuhyphenhyphenZGYc66T5waVMUnQMEvT2uUs748rnDJaf5LB9p8vXZqgPAekXkedCgm3lFEF-7haLClh6RWUC0jTgu1MTNAyl1gYJHgzlu_A76sPNVHtxfRKkeFfUvjh6SQcacbiT5Mx3PWNxr5z3m4QpGKuaZKkyOWlNtbBNoohQ7T_TzfMpF-YgXTpnDF_3d9cU/s320/Indian%20Lake%20tornado.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Tornado that was heading for us and then went south instead when a tornado from the north joined with it. Wiped out at least 3 communities ... Indian Lake, Russels point and Lakeview Ohio destroyed. Those areas are around Indian Lake, have mostly mobile homes and RV campers. Small homes.Boats tossed like they were just toys. Not enough time to go to safe places due to little warning coming out. We were thankful the grandsons and their dad and his family was not there at the vacation home. Even our sheriff did not get the warning (he sends text messages for it).A weather spotter that was on his way to see a friend saw it and called it in and included a phone call to Hubby as he is Ham Radio in our county. It was already on ground. Other areas was hit north and south east of that area. Charlotte kept trying to go out , her answer I think was to run from it. I had to pin her down as we locked the doors to keep her from running out. Freaking dog won't go out to potty in the rain but wants to run in a thunderstorm with tornado. She was not happy to be pinned with me in the basement safe area. We had told our Amish neighbor that there was a tornado watch.He figured there would be as he had was coming over to tell us there would be bad weather as he had watched our windmill while he was at his sawmill turning 360 degrees most of the afternoon and then checked his own which was doing the same thing. His is about 15 ft higher than ours. <div><br /></div><div>Last count was 3 deceased and several injuried but not a head count as there was hospitals taking patients but from all over the state. Beds are not available as we have a flu going around that antibotics and steroids cause to BLOOM and get worse.<br /><p></p><p>Ohio State taxes is holding up a lot of refunds checks for unpaid taxes,child support and over payment of unemployment and a couple other things going back over a decade. They say we owe from 2012. We didn't have any of that information BEFORE but still they held it. I am making phone calls and will be filing a complaint over it. Twelve years later, I would think that without notice of being offset that they couldn't hold the check but they changed things due to constantly not collecting the correct amounts. It is a mess there and trying to get answers for a tax return I no longer have is next to impossible. I felt sorry for the young lady that answered my call, I made it clear to her I was NOT blaming her and she was as clueless as I was of why it was held. She gave me another number to call on Monday to see if they could tell me exactly why it was held and if they could send me a copy of the tax form we sent them then. I told her we were in a Ch 13 bankruptcy then due to two of our kids taking our check book and forging checks. YES I filed charges against them over it. She mentioned that the bankruptcy court might have missed sending that money to pay it since THEY were responsible for it. I know the court screwed up the payment to IRS that year and we made payments on it. SO might be that. SIGH</p><p>Thank heavens I have a credit card that lets me make installment payments on high ticket items without interest but a fee. I called our two banks about personal loan to pay federal taxes (Hubby sold business trailers and made money. He didn't catch that when he did it or he would have put money back instead of paying off the truck) and both wanted more than the credit card did . They thought the question of what would be the final amount of interest paid was a little weird until I told the one WHY I asked it that way. Then she was checking her own credit card as she also owes IRS. Long run, it's coming out the same amount he paid the truck off with and the payments to the credit card is the same as his truck payments. BUT instead of 2 yrs of payments we would still have, we only have 1 yr if I don't pay it off early.</p><p>IT is definitely the year for being thankful for being stocked. I have one OTC med. Hubby takes that I will have to buy in a couple months but things should be easier by then.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyq4uEvQNM9Uf94sZ4_oHwL7JlLW7i_yOfL5kZ3WxNHzyU2399-B1oIUW2CsoC9WCDY9mD6yLmEWvZuWpKuGrDRZx9LKhvm2aR4W3G4g7mZ4koDzXmU0D48VLX9y8Q7i30-nUgIze1nk56O6Qn-Sdh_AYX8HIfssNNui6J1sdoGUwZa9df-YsWuKF_6iM/s2560/dandelion%203.15.24.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2560" data-original-width="1920" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyq4uEvQNM9Uf94sZ4_oHwL7JlLW7i_yOfL5kZ3WxNHzyU2399-B1oIUW2CsoC9WCDY9mD6yLmEWvZuWpKuGrDRZx9LKhvm2aR4W3G4g7mZ4koDzXmU0D48VLX9y8Q7i30-nUgIze1nk56O6Qn-Sdh_AYX8HIfssNNui6J1sdoGUwZa9df-YsWuKF_6iM/s320/dandelion%203.15.24.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p>Dandelion... which means the ground is 50β (we are expecting a light snow Monday) At 50 β we can plant spring crops. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrxThP2km036YYYlMHyK3gSC_YyXsIV67SRwDn9X0ejJLpbDivCeIkFVtJForCAwPzJiJAvpe4VJ0KQbDP-OAkbnwazzETcxx8_ROK_n5E_5Anm-QWu3b2vwobN_gzeazhvgBut_bSjkj0F6CDHXQapQfCMS4maKrmOdOGlIpKbfnF0NKckeBFq0ARLDM/s4032/trays%20planted.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="1908" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrxThP2km036YYYlMHyK3gSC_YyXsIV67SRwDn9X0ejJLpbDivCeIkFVtJForCAwPzJiJAvpe4VJ0KQbDP-OAkbnwazzETcxx8_ROK_n5E_5Anm-QWu3b2vwobN_gzeazhvgBut_bSjkj0F6CDHXQapQfCMS4maKrmOdOGlIpKbfnF0NKckeBFq0ARLDM/s320/trays%20planted.jpg" width="151" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3uteo0rb8FghABgtK7crqryRVVCSKPPVHbQtHo-VemvUWlTQq1a_CR_d2SVtN4qrQ2XfhT_uWPUNG8FFRZhAtBuxtTOP0r6tmLm-JxFMbYsGENW82rAxH3H8WWvSVCx3C0sawT7rJ4TR_dNmF6OHlz3Ys6cExTdSqZbG3UzZvpblqz_qgwM3zuiDqgow/s4032/terra%20cota%20trays%20planted.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="1908" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3uteo0rb8FghABgtK7crqryRVVCSKPPVHbQtHo-VemvUWlTQq1a_CR_d2SVtN4qrQ2XfhT_uWPUNG8FFRZhAtBuxtTOP0r6tmLm-JxFMbYsGENW82rAxH3H8WWvSVCx3C0sawT7rJ4TR_dNmF6OHlz3Ys6cExTdSqZbG3UzZvpblqz_qgwM3zuiDqgow/s320/terra%20cota%20trays%20planted.jpg" width="151" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">These are planted with herbs ,leafy greens and radishes.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiytNdozz0gq_uBwFZlAhq186AXAmVmtLqlT3-95fKN0ZzBwm8uvJ1IkVXXahJIS0dFWXPDBWBf8Y3xlYU3IhPPr5-NvYUfcDsTZS7vKFBn22ZnGlVkcDmO-lBFTnoqEBxUxV3pNEqqaxY1s3YVozUDaUaNO5ORCddEdv2aAPo0-rLfJk5yHeupNqLAkTA/s4032/vegepod.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1908" data-original-width="4032" height="151" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiytNdozz0gq_uBwFZlAhq186AXAmVmtLqlT3-95fKN0ZzBwm8uvJ1IkVXXahJIS0dFWXPDBWBf8Y3xlYU3IhPPr5-NvYUfcDsTZS7vKFBn22ZnGlVkcDmO-lBFTnoqEBxUxV3pNEqqaxY1s3YVozUDaUaNO5ORCddEdv2aAPo0-rLfJk5yHeupNqLAkTA/s320/vegepod.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This is new. Vegepod. The top closes and it has a sprayer attached. I do have to water the very front as Hubby hooked it a little off center when he attached it. I have snow peas, shelling peas, carrots, lettuce, spinach and radishes in it.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Asparagus is starting to pop up in gardens, blackberry vines has leaves (raspberries always is two weeks later) Rhubarb is starting to grow. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I will be in the gardens weeding asparagus patch and planting spring crops. Including peas in hanging baskets. They worked decent last year. I have peonies to plant and some sunflower seeds. I won't be buying my hanging baskets of flowers so I will have to figure something out for my hummingbirds.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We are taking some things to 2 of the girls today so that's 6-8 hrs out of our day of rest but the ONLY day the one doesn't work and the other one works doordash if she's not at the restuarant. Son 2 has announced he is not running for Commander of his VFW. In fact 85 % of the officers are NOT running again either. He figures it will shut down if no one else steps up. He is a life time member so can go to the other one that is right down the road if he wants. His cardologist told him he needed to quit two of his 4 jobs, 3 are volunteer. His work load was one of the problems between his ex girlfriend and him but she knew upfront how much he worked since she's known him for YEARS. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Hubby accepted Vice President of his Ham Radio group SIGH. He is lucky a friend of his from his old group walks him through the paper work and stuff. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Hubby dropped off 5 large yard trash bags (Daughter 4 reused trash bags that people gave her stuff in) at the church ran thrift shop that was donated to Daughter 4 but she couldn't use.She said it was bedding for twin beds.... she donated some to a family that had lost their home to a fire also, over whelmed them also. I was to the point of nagging as he kept forgetting them when he would go to town. I can now get to my garden stuff without having to move them. He liked the "clean" area so much he went and cleaned an area in his section of the barn (I do not move his stuff as it causes his dementia to flare). He tossed his trash in a empty 4 cubic foot garden soil bag so no cost of trash bags.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Electric bill was down $17. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We only bought milk and a loaf of bread when I got out of the hospital. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We got an Oreo shake from Burger King for our "bought our forever home" anniversary.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkL7c7G66hnvhp67t7lIlwnYK2j6XfbMSbCix5Z4PDtTTLLvIo2uINvxcNrmV7bSAhxCblOz8YKNqJm6owbUbPVBIkAXfd5HtlbXsGMWf5d0IKPHUZsbc9F-HBmzGfNd95xztyrxytOD2Z35iwTT0hIGs4Gu_2v2cDC0VaE6S5CLNYHXNL9wuQwhN4hE0/s960/3.15.2018%20House.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="528" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkL7c7G66hnvhp67t7lIlwnYK2j6XfbMSbCix5Z4PDtTTLLvIo2uINvxcNrmV7bSAhxCblOz8YKNqJm6owbUbPVBIkAXfd5HtlbXsGMWf5d0IKPHUZsbc9F-HBmzGfNd95xztyrxytOD2Z35iwTT0hIGs4Gu_2v2cDC0VaE6S5CLNYHXNL9wuQwhN4hE0/s320/3.15.2018%20House.jpg" width="176" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We signed papers for this home 3.10. 2018 Our oldest grandson's birthday.We moved in August 31st on his younger brother's birthday LOL. That mail box has been changed already. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Prayers for peace and sanity.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Blessed Be</div></div>Chef Owingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02232750876170243171noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8987409444312360594.post-26372863855525488712024-03-07T05:00:00.001-05:002024-03-07T05:00:09.079-05:00I am better but not well<p>Thanks for caring and checking on me. My kids got twenty million texts from me while I was in. </p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYEwsQymgZ-Gl6jIR_hfVWKUuKDptWdsrVdKxguLZyClt2zMf7EPAb0vAC0fhSCn5xg7nWLo505eAK1rRITDp2-qNOvi-uWL4H2z1oRoc6qDd6GlPCwYGK-WEF8QF10NJ8f4SVCNgMAhBy29vJlc7TGhDb9Fcr4_GGlKIsPuYESura-LLO_-yPQlWmZ7o/s4032/hubby%20waiting%20for%20me%20in%20MV.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="1908" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYEwsQymgZ-Gl6jIR_hfVWKUuKDptWdsrVdKxguLZyClt2zMf7EPAb0vAC0fhSCn5xg7nWLo505eAK1rRITDp2-qNOvi-uWL4H2z1oRoc6qDd6GlPCwYGK-WEF8QF10NJ8f4SVCNgMAhBy29vJlc7TGhDb9Fcr4_GGlKIsPuYESura-LLO_-yPQlWmZ7o/s320/hubby%20waiting%20for%20me%20in%20MV.jpg" width="151" /></a></div>He was asleep when our local hospital after 6 hrs and 7 different hospitals finally found me a bed and a surgeon . Instead of a hernia I gave myself a kink in small intestine. It unkinked it's self which they thought it would but worried it might tear instead. SO NO SURGERY .I had PT to strentghen core. I was under the small side of A frame loft lifting 25-35 lbs to reorganize that area and on my knees in a weird position. Next time I will just sit on my butt and shove it with my feet like Mom used to.<p></p><p>They thought I was having a Crohn's attack on top of it.... NO.. stool testing said I had the flu even though I was not running a fever (temp was actually low) and not throwing up. LOVELY.</p><p>I am better, as the pain is next to nothing now, we thought I was having a heart attack. I just finally ate a regular meal last night. I can imagine my system dealing with that going through is going to be on the tender side.</p><p>While in, Hubby sent me this</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxaRHi_V4CRM8n0Vdz9LqR7rjjCyf4U8-MhxPDHBXAnOFzTi968JbQm89usYRa777uQ_HPnk5CTct4xUGNcshF9jQ9gw_OsA4VB2YhXcmd5Jr3l-zC_Jqz8ad2bdeEFEQ6VSKE459rC6p6fy1d7WcjxouvvVkdqn6LS1TOK9xsP1bfZs7OPCrEdkpDPJ8/s2560/wood%20coming%20in%203.3.24.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2560" data-original-width="1920" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxaRHi_V4CRM8n0Vdz9LqR7rjjCyf4U8-MhxPDHBXAnOFzTi968JbQm89usYRa777uQ_HPnk5CTct4xUGNcshF9jQ9gw_OsA4VB2YhXcmd5Jr3l-zC_Jqz8ad2bdeEFEQ6VSKE459rC6p6fy1d7WcjxouvvVkdqn6LS1TOK9xsP1bfZs7OPCrEdkpDPJ8/s320/wood%20coming%20in%203.3.24.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p>Last load of wood we bought is in . He can stack it before he cuts more of the other wood he has when it stops raining. He covered it with a tarp for now. We should have the majority of next winter's wood on site but not all cut as there are 4 timbers(trees with limbs cut off) at the gate to E's pasture E dragged up from his woods he doesn't want. (too big and he doesn't split wood, they burn logs about 6-8 inches around). But these needed cut down so he gave them to us. If Hubby doesn't want them the Amish on the other side of us will come get them.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh78h1Kq1E4L7hkFUHmg12lMBm1OZ3TUDMBXZutprBHy6Ow7csUwgW2ze7XPCuzgSBSaitNKHQqxJlHgOgJ2TiMCSWXBy_oCu7NyHHjc-8bt4BIbAmeGccxoimHLl4wxXwLc7GooSmSuufJbuuUFROEyarJENv6zlTRZXtXf9h0P8mc9muMOoKWKBQtzKI/s4032/sourdough%20booklet%20from%20Malinda.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="1908" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh78h1Kq1E4L7hkFUHmg12lMBm1OZ3TUDMBXZutprBHy6Ow7csUwgW2ze7XPCuzgSBSaitNKHQqxJlHgOgJ2TiMCSWXBy_oCu7NyHHjc-8bt4BIbAmeGccxoimHLl4wxXwLc7GooSmSuufJbuuUFROEyarJENv6zlTRZXtXf9h0P8mc9muMOoKWKBQtzKI/s320/sourdough%20booklet%20from%20Malinda.jpg" width="151" /></a></div><p>M sent over a recipe booklet one of her friends/family lent her, she wanted copies of the recipes.Hubby made a copy for us also instead of charging for the copies.</p><p>Our tax lady called to tell us we were going to owe Federal ... a lot...like over $10,000 ... due to selling the business equipment for more than it was depreciated... making a untaxed profit. She had her boss check to make sure she was correct because we usually get money back, not a lot but some. I put it on my credit card, got cash back and bought time of paying it off so I can transfer money without cashing CD's in. We also had an increase from IRA as they decided that you have to take RDM's from inherited IRA's. I have Daddy's so that added to it also.</p><p>My credit card offered to let me make payments charging me a flat rate of $85/month instead of interest for a year. Most likely I will NOT do that. </p><p>We had some wind damage from storm that we have to fix but we are not claiming on insurance. Not worth the increase we would get hit with on the policy. </p><p>I went back over the last 12 months of credit cards, seeing where money went etc. </p><p>We stayed mostly in budget except on stocking up. I am stocked up for non food and medical including holistic early . Don't usually have that until autumn but found good deals and knew how much we used. Glad I did as now I can focus on paying off this debt, not worry about going without something (though I am sure there is something I didn't stock, I have TP... that is all that matters LOL).</p><p>Hubby is using more fuel than normal. He has medical appts weekly and over an hour away AND is VP of ham (*<span style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-family: "Google Sans", Roboto, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Why do they call it a ham radio? </span><span style="background-color: #d3e3fd; color: #040c28; font-family: "Google Sans", Roboto, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">The word βHAMβ as applied to 1908 was the station CALL of the first amateur wireless station operated by some amateurs of the Harvard Radio Club</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #4d5156; font-family: "Google Sans", Roboto, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">. They were Albert S. Hyman, Bob Almy, and Poogie Murray. At first they called their station βHYMAN-ALMY-MURRAYβ)</span> radio group he is in so they are working with local law and hospitals preparing for the solar eclipse that will be passing through our area. We are trying to combine errands with his appts.</p><p> My doctors decided I did NOT need to come in for the usual after hospital stay check up... they don't want the flu either LOL.Glad I got the flu shot since I didn't get sick from it. </p><p>I need to set goals and figure out what I need to refill in pantry since this coming winter will be tighter than usual. </p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p> </p>Chef Owingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02232750876170243171noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8987409444312360594.post-80420141127507890292024-03-04T10:38:00.002-05:002024-03-04T10:38:51.613-05:00Just released from hospital <p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7QAN3EwBNxuofUEGZrKnX6xoLstNvtoTt_pGUuuYUk63rs3LpG10Vl1MdivNMAdGAUrS5JNRM9giH_NdL6A_slmtRNG3ZjIA8EBBKcWvo4auZhhwKvTBWbESdmVZ-MnMrxjcbn31QjizNwhUIs47qPNTOwIfYD4J38UEEd0vJKg_szkdJzTIzJn-LJrA/s2560/charlotte%20looking%20for%20me%20while%20in%20hospital%203.2.24.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2560" data-original-width="1920" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7QAN3EwBNxuofUEGZrKnX6xoLstNvtoTt_pGUuuYUk63rs3LpG10Vl1MdivNMAdGAUrS5JNRM9giH_NdL6A_slmtRNG3ZjIA8EBBKcWvo4auZhhwKvTBWbESdmVZ-MnMrxjcbn31QjizNwhUIs47qPNTOwIfYD4J38UEEd0vJKg_szkdJzTIzJn-LJrA/s320/charlotte%20looking%20for%20me%20while%20in%20hospital%203.2.24.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div>Hubby took this picture. She kept going to the door and looking for me as the squad took me out that door. <p></p><p>I am home, will be back later... just extremely tired.</p>Chef Owingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02232750876170243171noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8987409444312360594.post-24164321921274202792024-02-27T04:44:00.001-05:002024-02-27T04:44:05.300-05:00This week<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQa3HPw2C5fG6dLjE-mapnAYKryZOZZKANVD_G1svbLhvuhOypyg4RN5K-SnGvSUacRkSYAZ6IG2vu1v1KJftulT8nioc212UPjTVNtuV7iNkT_CN3jfed-AzltePk88PePAOHsSkH7Dd8hBbts5OfjhHGFhkRxQ-VqRf_mYZLvFcdJRXFpHfj-qc4IDc/s4032/geese%202.24.24.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="1908" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQa3HPw2C5fG6dLjE-mapnAYKryZOZZKANVD_G1svbLhvuhOypyg4RN5K-SnGvSUacRkSYAZ6IG2vu1v1KJftulT8nioc212UPjTVNtuV7iNkT_CN3jfed-AzltePk88PePAOHsSkH7Dd8hBbts5OfjhHGFhkRxQ-VqRf_mYZLvFcdJRXFpHfj-qc4IDc/s320/geese%202.24.24.jpg" width="151" /></a></div><br /> The Geese are back, the buzzards are scouting (like we have 3-4 instead of 2 dozen).<p></p><p>About a month early. Ch 10 in over in Columbus is saying March is going to be warmer than normal. </p><p>I will be bringing in seed starting soil to get it warm so I can start my seeds. I was able to get the grow cart in the laundry room. I will have to roll it if I use the dryer to fluff dog fur off blankets) About the only thing I use the dryer for.</p><p>I will be covering 2 garden beds to prep them for spring planting. That way if we get cold weather (and we will) I can just pull the row cover over them to protect them. </p><p>I have started my sweet potato slips. In two weeks I will chit my potatoes for planting the week before Easter.</p><p>I have started reorganizing the home. I have found that storing in boxes does not work for me. One I don't like cardboard boxes as they get mites and I end up getting bit. Two I can't see what I have and constantly have to look or keep written track and that doesn't happen when Hubby gets something and doesn't say something or a kid walks out with the whole box. </p><p>SO open shelving is happening.</p><p>I had a small end table for the home phone in the dining room. I now have a 3 tier pipe and wood shelving unit for it and I am slowly putting the cook books I use the most on it.That end table will probably end up in one of the lofts.</p><p>We will be picking up 2 more shelfing units today as they are on sale at Menards and I have rebates I can use to pay for them, like what I have in the basement for the one loft so I can moves stuff there. THEN I can move the metal shelf unit to the other side of the loft for medical supplies.There is a cabinet in the barn that might work in that room also. It was above the washer at the old homestead and I hated it as I had to climb on the washer to get anything. But Late Husband could reach it easily so that's where he put it. I think if it fits( north and south lofts are A frame) that I could put medical stuff in it and take the bookcase that I have been using to the east loft where I have bedroom/sewing room and over flow of books.</p><p>I have 4 black trash bags ready for donation. We will do donation on Tuesday that are NOT appts days. </p><p>Hubby got the wood that was delivered in the wood shed and then cut up more wood that E had dragged out of woods and up to our wood shed for us. He still have a lot more to cut and split. We have 1 cord of wood left in the barn for this year's wood. We can always use what is in the wood shed but we are hoping we don't have to use much of it.Hubby would like 2 yrs of wood cut by Sept. That is 18 to 20 cords of wood... That is twice what our wood shed will hold so he is definitely planning on using the 1st stall of the back of the barn for wood. I told him that should be spring/ fall wood, stuff that we don't need a long or hot fire due how cold it doesn't get. Keep the more solid stuff for winter. When the winds go above 20 mph, we burn through the wood more than normal winds. </p><p>I best get around. We have to leave at 7:30 and I need to get laundry done first</p><p>Prayers for Sanity </p><p>Blessed be</p><p><br /></p>Chef Owingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02232750876170243171noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8987409444312360594.post-27141586441173595552024-02-27T04:11:00.002-05:002024-02-27T04:11:34.840-05:00Can the week get any busier?<p> The answer is YES.</p><p>Last week Hubby made several calls to medical offices because he wasn't getting follow up appts or information. He had me help him make the list of what doctors he was needing to call and over what issue. He now has 9 appts, two will have more follow ups (voice therapy) in next 8 wks. FUEL costs just went over budget. </p><p>He has been diagnosed with acid reflux and it's messing with his voice box. With his dementia they use every day words instead of medical words. They sent a list of what he can do to help with it to his My Chart. I printed it off... he read through and asked why it seemed familar... maybe because I have had it for decades and our grandson has it also. I also pointed out he does not drink the amount of water he thinks he does... then he mentioned he was drinking coffee or unsweet tea when he was out and out of water...he called back to the doctor office and she specified he was to drink WATER of the amount she said and coffee, tea (and limited both to 20 ounces each) and soups were extra. Man used to drink 3 pots of coffee by himself. I got him down to half a pot. </p><p>He called the insurance he had for the business as he got a bill from the state the accident was in. They did bill him and his insurance 8 months AFTER the accident but wanted it paid in 30 days. It's been over 30 days, insurance said they were processing the claim 3 wks ago... now he can't even get the person dealing with it to answer their phone or send him an email about where it stands. He told me last night he was calling his old agent and filing a complaint. He used to shrug this crap off and just let it go where it may. </p><p>I had a call from hospital about therapy for me... I'm like I haven't been to hospital for anything that needs therapy. She looked back at the order and found it was for a foot injury...I sighed that was over 2 yrs ago and I did not need therapy for it even then. Then she SIGHED. It was a Urgent care sub doctor that was not use to their system, in her notes she says that I did NOT need therapy.</p><p>MIL was diagonized with heart issues.... doctor told her at age 86 (87 in June) that she could do some things to make it easier for her or just put up with the tiredness. They did get her on meds to reduce water retention, she lost 35 lbs in one month, had to go buy clothes. The oldest son got her a lift chair that has helped as her polio is also getting worse with her age. FIL has diabetes and Alzheimers. Their home is NOT wheelchair friendly so the oldest has some land and needs to tear down the old house and rebuild (roof leaked and the grandkid living there didn't say anything so he didn't find it until year later because he was helping his wife with her disabled daughter that now has past away and wasn't checking on it). He has decided on wheelchair accessible like we made this house. The parents will still need help. There is not enough money to cover a nursing home for both of them. They admitted they had planned for the oldest to take them in. His late wife would have quit her job and did it. His 2nd wife is a no go, she just spent 30 yrs with a disabled daughter. She is burned out. We suggested home health care, two of our daughters worked in it for awhile. That seems to be working at this time with several of the grandkids stopping in and someone is doing some house hold chore needed done right then plus only daughter goes 1st Saturday of the month and does a good cleaning between her and her Hubby. She's almost 10 yrs younger than Hubby. Hubby talked them into ramping the front porch. They love it. IF it was up to us, we would widen doorways and put in a wheelchair bathroom and get rid of the cubby hole office they have beside it. Change access to the sun room that neither can use during the winter due to having to go down stairs to get there and they can't go up and down stairs.</p><p>We went over last night to say good bye to the young Amish family that is moving to Michigan. He built our clock. Did give us the info that if something happened to it Hubby could call the company that built the clock part. Then told us several times we could just bring it to him and they would put us up so he could fix it. Or we could just come up to visit. Gave us their address and told us to keep in touch. I will miss seeing the changes she does on a daily bases as she was working at improving the gardens and landscape of where they were living. Even during the winter she was outside doing something. The home is owned by his dad, so they are only taking what they need right now and will send for the rest later. OR they can move back but I doubt he will. He likes carpentary work especially outside and there is not enough around here for him to make a living with the amount of other Amish doing the same. He does not want to keep taking his buggy 10 miles one way to join another work group and then be driven 30-60 miles before being on the job. He was coming home at 8 pm and not having time to do any of his own farming. His family was trying to help but still. The only family they will have in the new area is her widow aunt. Said he didn't realize how much he preferred to be outside rather than working in the saw mill(his dad runs a mill) or even building furniture. He wasn't making enough to pay the taxes on property with just farming. The area they lived in was next to the river so not enough land.</p><p>Prayers for sanity (mine especially) </p><p>Blessed be</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Chef Owingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02232750876170243171noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8987409444312360594.post-9091545804142664202024-02-19T15:34:00.005-05:002024-02-19T15:34:46.581-05:00What a week<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAmGVZ_L45VZN9GKYNt2a41EKaIZphC2NrltIXP5tNZ0gmYMbDmqMZU1Grwsn0FIiOobdTpf2fUgGDW9NS-YPncJUjrjP6SxvYYXry2XIVy2VRRakdpoOneXpSQTDEYEqPBnJMgEoQcwLp5FXZRVshp2LfLCP9Uw2HNKUsRibl5yDdhjz8D7H_sTPs5wg/s2944/2.14.24%20Charlotte%20and%20me.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2944" data-original-width="2208" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAmGVZ_L45VZN9GKYNt2a41EKaIZphC2NrltIXP5tNZ0gmYMbDmqMZU1Grwsn0FIiOobdTpf2fUgGDW9NS-YPncJUjrjP6SxvYYXry2XIVy2VRRakdpoOneXpSQTDEYEqPBnJMgEoQcwLp5FXZRVshp2LfLCP9Uw2HNKUsRibl5yDdhjz8D7H_sTPs5wg/s320/2.14.24%20Charlotte%20and%20me.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /> At least I got snuggles from Charlotte. <p></p><p>Son 2 lost a good friend of decades in a car accident last night. </p><p>The guys we bought wood from before called to let us know they got timber in and was cutting again. Trying to finish paying their dad's medical bills off from his heart attack. He definitely now has medigap insurance and has learned Medicare doesn't pay for everything 100%. I talked Hubby into ordered 4 cords, delivered and let them know we don't need it for the stove now. They had 2 cords delivered in 3 hrs.Had their boys home from college so put them to work. Hubby is stacking those 2 cords in the wood shed. </p><p>I filled the inside racks with wood and then the extra racks with more wood and swept the floors 3 times to clean up all the little bark that fell off. </p><p>Got laundry washed and on line, dried and put away. Ran dishwasher this morning as Hubby forgot and I thought he was turning it on. Put all that away and reloaded for after dinner. Cleaned the 3 frigs. </p><p>We saved $17 on fuel using Kroger's fresh mode points. They are no longer doing fresh mode in our area after this month. I'm not going to miss it except for the fuel discount. </p><p>We saved $54 on Hubby's meds using Good Rx Gold and moving the script to Rite Aid over CVS. We have now saved enough to have paid for the membership.</p><p>Our medigap insurance covered 20% of 3 bills.. Not enough to cover the monthly fee (YET).</p><p>I am going to Walmart for some things that the local Save A Lot does not carry. Hubby has appt for his hearing aids a mile away so he is dropping me off to do the shopping while he is at the appt.Saves fuel.</p><p>Any savings at your home?</p><p>Prayers for sanity </p><p>Blessed be</p><p><br /></p><p> </p>Chef Owingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02232750876170243171noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8987409444312360594.post-22065864458056673422024-02-15T05:39:00.001-05:002024-02-15T05:39:17.436-05:00Update on kids<p> Back to normal of bickering with each other πMom and Dad are not ones to complain to when our first question is WHAT did you do to start this issue?</p><p><br /></p><p>Daughter 4 has a new job, is still organizing her home (or organizing as she found somethings don't work well with where she put them). Financially it is beyond tight as she still isn't working. She did get her bank stuff replaced so can use her checking acct. Waiting on the fund raiser to release money to her (corperate takes a few weeks) and Daughter 2 is dealing with the go fund me acct. Mentally she has her moments but not as bad or as often. Grandson that pulled her out, is thinking of being a fireman or Emt like Hubby. He's still young so that will probably change.</p><p>Daughter 3 is doing okay, weather has her ankle that has metal pins in acting up and causing her to fall. She thought it was her CP (we both have it) but it's the pins.</p><p>Daughter 2 would like to hide from her 4 boys (all adults) that are bickering with each other and now understands why I have the rule no calling Mom to complain about sibling. It's one thing to say, they are doing bad things and need help, another to use me as the B...hing post. </p><p>Daughter 1 is still upset that every single one of us has told her to quit calling in middle of night to complain. Her oldest finally told her step dad what she was doing and he took her into her doctor. She's been drinking (on meds that she shouldn't be drinking with ) after he goes to bed and then calling the rest of us. She's in rehab (THANK HEAVENS)</p><p>Son 2 is still dealing with his heart issues but has gotten his BP down after breaking up with his ex girlfriend that was cheating on him (he knew it but kept taking her back and being crabbed at by his sisters over it). An old friend of his is a nurse and she asked him when he was going to be HIS own white knight in shining armor and save himself. He told the ex, he was done, announced it to all their joint friends and blocked her phone number and on social media. </p><p>Son 1 went to doctor, has weight problems and high BP. He is going on meds to deal with it.</p><p>Grandkids are okay, Driving their parents nuts with their bickiering. I can't wait for the great grandkids to get old enough to start theirs LOL</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Chef Owingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02232750876170243171noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8987409444312360594.post-35953642771128121852024-02-15T05:25:00.001-05:002024-02-15T05:25:12.908-05:00It's Thursday <p> Still have the mortgage to pay but the bank was updating when I went to transfer to mortgage co. Everything else is paid and a little back into savings.</p><p>Ordered softener salt and they added a limescale remover for the toilets as after almost 8 yrs we are now having issues with it. </p><p>Hubby replaced the broken over flow pipe in the pond and did it wrong so he has to go back out and fix it. He made it too high (pond is still way low) I showed him the photo of it since he didn't have one himself. At least he doesn't have to dig it back up since he laid it where the old pipe was. E paid for the pipe as he hit it with his mower when he mowed around the pond after his horses was there. </p><p>Hubby split more wood and stacked it in wood shed. He then pull other wood and brought to the front porch and in the house.</p><p>I still need to clean the grow cart and figure out where I am going to put it (used to sit where the wood stove it) </p><p>I need to sort what I want to plant this spring vs plant in the fall. I will plant a lot of radishes as I know that is one thing M likes but can't plant it until late April, early May as she does in ground only. </p><p>I need to figure out if I am planting potatoes as they need to be planted Good Friday. Peas are planted in March also. I will also be planting the hanging baskets with peas also. I need to cut row cover for 2 of the beds, maybe 3.Good to do on a warm Feb early March day before planting.</p><p>I told Hubby I was not doing any spring cleaning until the wood stove is not in use... so probably May before that starts.</p><p>Enjoy the weekend coming up.</p><p>Prayers for peace</p><p>Stay safe</p><p>Blessed be</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Chef Owingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02232750876170243171noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8987409444312360594.post-85253849565996096872024-02-10T10:28:00.003-05:002024-02-10T10:28:50.135-05:00WOW... there is NOTHING on the to do list today!!!!!<p> I hope you were sitting down for that one π!</p><p>This passed week done...</p><p>Bought Daughter 4 this table (actually a sofa table) BIG shout out to Big Sandy Super store, not only did they have what we were looking for , the person waiting on us focused on clearance and on sale items when we told her why we were shopping.She wasn't about selling expensive stuff. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwBvTj5exSQAyVnPZid_fKMy85iKJbtieRDKMjmyvh6UKZaH-pYD4B-bxTlIj1iiFyjKSfTKu_clr2zkpBf0rbnRuhyphenhyphenuzwVeI0QSaLQVRWZEQNHjEm9Tj0iRgi9XAiTB3b84CXmeNRRGxoR8kfYRGnA3vjnSg29zaRmquC6hS3_DnvbZ1mDPEJ1zMMEBU/s1600/Kira%20kitchen%20cart.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwBvTj5exSQAyVnPZid_fKMy85iKJbtieRDKMjmyvh6UKZaH-pYD4B-bxTlIj1iiFyjKSfTKu_clr2zkpBf0rbnRuhyphenhyphenuzwVeI0QSaLQVRWZEQNHjEm9Tj0iRgi9XAiTB3b84CXmeNRRGxoR8kfYRGnA3vjnSg29zaRmquC6hS3_DnvbZ1mDPEJ1zMMEBU/s320/Kira%20kitchen%20cart.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>She is using it in the kitchen, she is NOT running all the appliances at the same time. Freaked us both out when we saw it plugged into power strip... She also turns OFF the power strip with nothing is on. </p><p>Today she gets the dining table and chairs. It was cheaper for them to deliver it than us go back down and get it and take it to her. I wouldn't mind having it myself but Hubby didn't like it as much.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij2aM4mSRYRJ595gFl3GqS7-VlPh4UR1Q6RKeAdagA9fZ-3bPDsNh2IBjlz-j4aaYnRo2L7yqCP2dm5bDgxWFUQ4vwaEXncYK89ggwLluA2O5VPqjqONkDcMvODPrZfR-RLt0rzL11GnYIxGE8_cfpxpJJ0SIVhyphenhyphentt10NqJ9Ji2qIkHVPellzwnv-YfVc/s2560/Kira%20Table.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2560" data-original-width="1920" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij2aM4mSRYRJ595gFl3GqS7-VlPh4UR1Q6RKeAdagA9fZ-3bPDsNh2IBjlz-j4aaYnRo2L7yqCP2dm5bDgxWFUQ4vwaEXncYK89ggwLluA2O5VPqjqONkDcMvODPrZfR-RLt0rzL11GnYIxGE8_cfpxpJJ0SIVhyphenhyphentt10NqJ9Ji2qIkHVPellzwnv-YfVc/s320/Kira%20Table.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div>Good thing as Hubby was asked to help work on the HAM radio trailer to prepare for the total eclipse that is coming through our area. They want to be ready for cell phones to not work, lack of water and gas etc. Computers might not work. They are also looking at having 5-10 posts through the county to help with aid.<div><br /><p>I dealt with the last of the winter squash.I didn't have enough small butternut π.</p><p>Sorted out the garden seeds that will need to be started this month. </p><p>Stuck in a jar of water, the sweet potato that I saved for growing sweet potato slips. </p><p>Pruned all the flowers except roses (not time yet).</p><p>Pruned blackberries, honey raspberries, red raspberries, and black raspberries. </p><p>Weeded blueberry pots and old strawberry patches. Ordered new strawberry plants as I want a mix of everberring and Junebearing using a credit and coupon I had.</p><p>Used the points I had at Amazon to replace some items I gave Daughter 4 and to order some daylilies. So only spent $25. </p><p>We ordered propane... Still have a credit after that fill. We should NOT need any propane until next heating season. </p><p>Hubby cut and stacked 3 cords of wood (a cord is 8ft x 4ft x 4ft or 128 cubic ft.) of free wood from E.</p><p>Our grandfather clock quit working. Amish gentleman that made it for us pushed the clock maker to replace the workings. They expressed shipped it and he got it in this week.</p><p>Our tankless water heater shut it's self off. Hubby videoed the code flashing and sent it to our repair guy. Drain hose was plugged. So repair guy told Hubby to see if the water in the sump pump hole was up over it... it was. Just lifted it and placed over brace so it wasn't down in the water. No charge for the phone call and the heater is working. We think when they worked on the water softener it got knocked off the brace so Hubby fixed it so it won't happen again.</p><p>It's Chinese New Year's . Hubby offered to pick up take out from one of Chinese restaurants. I told him I would just fix us something. I figure I can use a leftover steak, sliced up to strips from Christmas prime rib that I froze with mushrooms, bell peppers, onions, carrots and celery with a garlic ginger sauce of some type and tumeric rice. Maybe toss some onion, carrot and peas in the rice.</p><p>I updated the to do list for next week... </p><p>Sunday is vaccines, that catches us back up.</p><p>Monday is primary doctor and pit stop at the Mennonite store to replace my knives I gave to Daughter 4 and the spices/herbs I am low on or out of as I gave her the last of it. </p><p>Tuesday is chiropractice, Menards as we want to replace the smoke detectors and flashlights and pick up 4 ft industrail power strip fo Daugher 4.</p><p>Wednesday is pay bills and wash the grow cart to get ready for starting seeds.</p><p>Thursday is finish getting around the stuff for taxes so our preparer can have it and we just go in to sign it.Also making copies of all credit cards, license etc that Daughter 4 is having to replace. </p><p>Nothing on Friday or Saturday. Might go see Hubby's parents.</p><p>Sometime I will start putting the seeds in the grow cart. </p><p>Prayers for peace</p><p>Stay safe, do fire prevention.</p><p>Blessed Be</p></div>Chef Owingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02232750876170243171noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8987409444312360594.post-63498155564020287232024-02-08T05:02:00.001-05:002024-02-08T05:02:16.811-05:00Over whelmed and Over loaded<p> We ordered Daughter 4 a dining table and chairs. It was the last of furniture she was looking for. We also gave her our old metal yard chairs. She said she can get cushions for them. We can take her off the OMG list. </p><p>THEN had to put Daughter 4's granddaughter on the OMG list due to her shunt malfunctioning. Surgeon said it would have to be replaced as she grows. SIGH She's home and doing well. Now she's off the list</p><p>THEN Daughter 1 was diagonized with MS (she knew it was coming) but she went on a drinking binge and her Hubby had to deal with getting her help as she was blowing everyone's phones up in middle of night drunk after he went to bed for a solid week. Triggered 3 of the family that are recovered alcoholics that ended up blocking her as she would not stop calling even after asking her to not call after drinking when she was sober. I told him to get ahold of her doctor as I know the meds she is on, that she shouldn't be drinking at all. TO remove all alcohol from the house as she can't leave the house without help and to make it clear to family and friends to NOT bring any to her. He wasn't going with her to appts because he didn't have time off at work to do so. Appts are now made after he gets off work, Doc has scheduled them for last appt of the day for now on. She is still mad she was ratted out for drinking... in the long run we are okay with her not speaking to us (her daughters do) as it's what was best for her. She could have died with the combination. Hopefully she will be able to accept we were trying to save her life. The ones that blocked her have unblocked her. </p><p>Son2 is having serious health issues due to burn pits in Iraq then had his now ex girlfriend's daughter let him know her mother was cheating on him and she told him in front of her mother. I can't imagine how that went down after he walked out. </p><p>We got the propane tank filled. Last fill was in May. It's warm this week so we are back on the furnace. </p><p>We have started garden prep work. Hubby has taken care burning the old asparagus ferns. and pruning apple trees. I started pruning the flower gardens. Still have pollinator gardens, herbs and all the berry vines to prune and weed. We have 2 more days , maybe 3 if the rain doesn't mess it up to get it all ready. </p><p>I started my sweet potato to make slips. I do not plan to plant regular potatoes. We just don't eat enough of them as Hubby prefers sweet potatoes. I will put potatoes on the buy as needed grocery list.</p><p>I have my GI appt. Doc said I was doing great off of biologic and on Visbiome (VSL#3 orginal formula prior to 2016). All my numbers were great. Potassium good but could easliy drop on me even though folate and magnesium is where they should be. He thinks it's the diuretic I am on for heart failure. ANYWAYS... I do not have to go back for a year unless I have a flare up I can't deal with at home.</p><p>I have NOT had a flare up at all even through all the stress (which has always sent me to ER for flare up even on biologic). </p><p>I need to sit down (on rainy or cold day) and figure out what I am planting this year besides sweet potatoes and mortgage lifter tomatoes </p><p>Stay safe</p><p>Pray for peace</p><p>Blessed Be</p>Chef Owingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02232750876170243171noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8987409444312360594.post-46922721347892579512024-02-05T03:58:00.003-05:002024-02-05T03:58:57.540-05:00February to do list<p> Call life insurance and find out why payment wasn't pulled for my and 3 of the kids's insurance. </p><p>Calling our HVAC/plumbing and electric repairman as the water heater has dropped temperature. Not only needs fixed (probably replaced) but we want a bigger pressurized tank in the pump house so I don't have to take 45 minutes to fill a soaking bathtub when on solar power. </p><p>Deal with the turkey carcuss that I roasted yesterday and could not bring myself to just toss it in the trash so made more broth SIGH.</p><p>Print copies of medical reports from other doctors for primary, cardiologist and GI that is not in same network.</p><p>Call local dentist and see if they are accepting patients as our dentist closed their office. I've called 2 they recommended and they are full. </p><p>Print off directions for quick oats, regular oats, minute rice and long grain rice I gave to Daughter 2, grandson wants to post it so he knows how to cook it.</p><p>Pick up cover for grow light cart being made by Amish tarp guy.</p><p>Check and process the winter squash in storage.</p><p>Prune fruit trees, berry vines and roses.</p><p>Fertilize raised beds, cover 2 beds for early spring planting and order strawberry plants.</p><p>Go shopping for dining table and chairs for Daughter 4, Son 2 and maybe us as the table we have is falling apart and the Amish guy said the veneer need replaced and with the style of legs it's going to be very hard to do and expensive. The legs are also dried out to the point they are splitting in half.It's not stable any more. It's over 100 yrs old. I think we will move it to the barn loft to be used for sorting stuff. </p><p>We are contacting our home insurance agent and making sure we are up to date.</p><p>Making sure our will etc is up to date. </p><p>If I get 1/4th of this done I will be happy </p>Chef Owingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02232750876170243171noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8987409444312360594.post-4503930088764295132024-02-05T03:34:00.001-05:002024-02-05T03:34:42.578-05:00Daughter 4 update<p>Daughter 2's granddaughter had to have her shunt replaced as it stopped working. Surgeon said because she grew and as she grows it will have to be replaced so more of those happening but a normal thing for children with shunts. Scared the crap out of the family as they didn't remember that part.</p><p> Daughter 2 found her a house to rent and helped her get a copy of her license so she could get a car. Local Buy Here Pay Here cut their down payment to help her. They are where her son bought his car which broke down at the time of the fire. He got it towed in and they are fixing it and just putting that bill on the loan he already has so no money out of pocket since I paid for the tow. </p><p>Her landlord helped her find renters insurance, the agent went through the rental and not only made sure she was going to be covered , a list for the landlord of things that needed repaired (handy man already fixed most of it and will be working on garage when the other renter finishs getting his stuff out)was made AND gave them the number for Red Cross to come put in smoke detectors. Salvation Army is also helping.</p><p>Daughter 2 started the go fund me plus got a local restaurant to do a fund raiser for her. She got a percentage of the sales that happened last Wednesday. </p><p>Son2 had been gathering clothes for them and gave her 50% of his kitchen stuff.</p><p>Hubby's brother was clearing his rental house that his granddaughter was renting from him and donated beds her kids didn't want when they moved out and side tables, couch, and dishes from it. His sons own a church that donated cleaning products and bath towels and wash cloths. Daughter 4' s daughter also got a twin bed for her older daughter. </p><p>MIL donated two sets of dishes, glasses, silverware, cups, coffee pot and filters, cooking utensils and casserole dishes. </p><p>Daughter 4's uncle on biological side donated more furniture to her that had been her grandparents before they went to nursing home.</p><p>We dug out the old dog cage and cleaned it up (I cured onions on it) for Mace her surviving dog. They cage him when no one is home or when a lot of people are in the home. He doesn't like a lot of people around him at this time. We call it his den as she covered it so he could hide from people and feel safe. His mother was that way about at that age. We also gave some dog toys Charlotte does not play with but I kept from Rascal.</p><p>Tomorrow we are going to go find her a table and chairs for 6-8 people. They have nothing to eat on and she misses having family dinners. Her daughter only has a table for 4. There is 7 in the family. We do have a banquet table we can lend her until we find something. She said chairs do not have to match... Geeze I never had chairs that matched anyways in almost 50 yrs.</p><p>She has to be cleared by her doctor to go back to work (appt is today) and have the fire report (it's done but for some reason they can't get it to print, they say) and have her license.She ordered birth certificates and Social Security cards. Since she had her bank's app on her phone AND had her phone when she got out of the house. Habit of grabbing it when she got out of bed. She was able to do change of address on the app and then order new checks and debit card through the app. </p><p>She is in therapy and going to meetings so she doesn't "toss away" (her words) almost 10 yrs of being clean and sober. </p><p>She has put aside some of the money coming in as she knows without a paycheck coming in for half the month, the next two months will be rough. She has bagged up what she knows she is donating and is dropping it off today.</p><p><br /></p>Chef Owingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02232750876170243171noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8987409444312360594.post-75492110536630924652024-01-30T04:23:00.001-05:002024-01-30T04:23:11.943-05:00Mental health day... I need a month at least, a year would be better.<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdsq_TUJTv3YCZQYR7B2UgTp44eXJtZf1WrT-nNS5xBvFA4OjX_E6ZFBaJlbx46UqU_GtjYQpMwlMDUzCcI5KqKQUdBYV5Rn3vhN_PITlUPaeKNcgm3hQnHv4VtfeFdsansQWhxTyn2XaW7ll1YCm4IVHzbQ-eNgx8_o0oK7vDOGHQ9vc78aCtlGA7aYI/s4032/noodles%20mental%20health%20day.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="1908" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdsq_TUJTv3YCZQYR7B2UgTp44eXJtZf1WrT-nNS5xBvFA4OjX_E6ZFBaJlbx46UqU_GtjYQpMwlMDUzCcI5KqKQUdBYV5Rn3vhN_PITlUPaeKNcgm3hQnHv4VtfeFdsansQWhxTyn2XaW7ll1YCm4IVHzbQ-eNgx8_o0oK7vDOGHQ9vc78aCtlGA7aYI/s320/noodles%20mental%20health%20day.jpg" width="151" /></a></div><br /> Yes I made noodles<p></p><div>Update on daughter 4 She has a place thanks to Daughter 2 who had a friend willing to rent to her while she is still waiting for the fire report so she can go get her ID. She just keeps crossing to do things off her list. Her employer is now requiring her to have a release from her doctor before they will schedule her back to work, meaning no income to pay bills, gas to run car, or buy groceries. She can't get into her doctor until Feb 5th. Friend of Daughter 2's got a restuarant to do a donation night on her behalf. They are letting the gofundme acct sit as she wants try to hold off closing it out. Her older son that lives with her made full time!!!!</div><div>Red Cross is installing smoke detectors in the house she is now in. Salvation Army is paying deposits for utilites. She's had enough furniture donated that they can MAKE DO . She bought a frig off FB. We are helping Hubby's brother clean out his rental (was trashed by another family member he rented to so he is done renting it out). He told her if she didn't need it to sell it or donate it . He did not want to see it again. It is taking 3 trips with our trailer and truck full to get it all to her. Definetely things she will be selling as I think they hoarded bed frames. </div><div><br /></div><div>We still have to finish moving stuff to her this week, tow Grandson's car to their new home and go to 2 medical appts that are over a hr away. I need to go to store also.</div><div><br /></div><div>No one is getting more than 4 hrs sleep at a time in the family. SIGH</div>Chef Owingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02232750876170243171noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8987409444312360594.post-51939920650223046212024-01-24T05:55:00.001-05:002024-01-24T05:55:09.326-05:00Update on Kira<p> Kira is our youngest, she is also the one that has now fought cancer twice. First time we supported her financially for a solid year to keep her and the 6 dogs in the home. Jaxson, one of the dogs that died, was her emotional support dog that helped her as she was dealing with mental crisis and coming off drugs her ex boyfriend had been slipping in her drinks. He did not realize her doctor ran blood tests for her meds for bipolar and caught it. She turned him in while sitting in at doctor's office. That's was 2014. </p><p>The house has been leveled. She watched, said it was a form of closure for her. </p><p>She said yesterday morning, she had too many texts and questions for her to handle. With the joy her son and her were alive, with only 2nd degree burns, she has Mace, one of the 6 dogs. Brother to Charlotte. The grief of loss of her dogs, her home comes in storm's waves with the sand shifting under her feet. </p><p>Her employer let her know they were going to have her line shut down for 3 wks. She got a different job and starts tomorrow. They are having to rent a car to get to work as their only car(her son's as her died last month) broke down. Had to get her older daughter to rent it and used the money I sent to pay for it. Son2 has a mechanic to look at the broke down car, he's paying for that.</p><p>She has found a new landlord that is going to show her what he has available as he has more than one rental available ,is okay with pets. We scrapped our accounts to get up her deposit and first month rent. Rent in her area is $1000-$1500 a month(I went onto shock but her siblings that live there was like.. that's normal). Son 2 in no longer complaining his mortgage went up due to taxes and property ins. Nor is he looking to move now either. LOL</p><p>Her and the boys are going to go through the clothes donated. We are trying to keep track of what came from who so what ever doesn't get used can either be given back or donated to Salvation Army. </p><p>Red Cross could only put them in motel for a couple days and nothing for the dog. Family and friends took them in. </p><p>People that were closing estates, or just hadn't removed stuff from their home from deceased family have offered what is sitting there to Son 2.</p><p>Son2 is retired military, the military family has been supporting him to help her. His boss told him if he needed off to help her or us all he had to do was say something. </p><p>I am making a list for myself that she needs... will be sharing it with her and Son2. </p><p>Please make sure you have fire safety planned, make copies of license and such, put imporant papers in gun safe, lock box that is fire proof (which I have a cousin that the box was there but the stuff inside was ashes) or freezer.</p><p>Prayers for peace</p><p>Stay safe</p><p>Blessed be</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Chef Owingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02232750876170243171noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8987409444312360594.post-23226641699415334372024-01-22T14:50:00.002-05:002024-01-22T14:50:35.438-05:00Kira lost her home to fire this morning<p><span face="CircularXXWeb, Trebuchet, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; white-space: pre;">https://gofund.me/a6796d66</span></p><p><span face="CircularXXWeb, Trebuchet, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; white-space: pre;"><br /></span></p><p><span face="CircularXXWeb, Trebuchet, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; white-space: pre;">This is the gofund.me our daughter Kate started for her.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhJVtSFgjbF6Wl9BZIfBlsr7uCp-gTcGbM_SxJz-cQlSXzZNkxH3ayeW8_3brRUFcXeWT86nN3mytT7Yw9EnhN7Fdsu_8_bI_EIevePhzHeubGVps33nYrcXpfn7-zzxYsbCrEpzQq2ikvCgsf4amTmsevHEE4W5suhpBWK49WmG178KEIXQmmVDMMnjg/s1600/2241059000789037780.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhJVtSFgjbF6Wl9BZIfBlsr7uCp-gTcGbM_SxJz-cQlSXzZNkxH3ayeW8_3brRUFcXeWT86nN3mytT7Yw9EnhN7Fdsu_8_bI_EIevePhzHeubGVps33nYrcXpfn7-zzxYsbCrEpzQq2ikvCgsf4amTmsevHEE4W5suhpBWK49WmG178KEIXQmmVDMMnjg/s320/2241059000789037780.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-b4hnqA6mPSnNdzk7Y1K0IhpzuRVgYzGOVQsgjPscfZiPdLfYFOhwRzaFwDCjsy_1y65z2errrcIqSRWj3EiJsq-bDJQFzb3pWlXcES_0DQSLPqhDP6NnyFZTI209WOnTLDpCKqqhaEyAdA-969uF_IPhUt_7wHVwpu07EldnWeAkAdZqt0zbDCpgPYk/s1600/7669837976909422902.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-b4hnqA6mPSnNdzk7Y1K0IhpzuRVgYzGOVQsgjPscfZiPdLfYFOhwRzaFwDCjsy_1y65z2errrcIqSRWj3EiJsq-bDJQFzb3pWlXcES_0DQSLPqhDP6NnyFZTI209WOnTLDpCKqqhaEyAdA-969uF_IPhUt_7wHVwpu07EldnWeAkAdZqt0zbDCpgPYk/s320/7669837976909422902.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />Thankful her son went outside when he couldn't get to her bedroom door and<p></p><div>banged on her window to get her out. They were able to get one of the 5 dogs out. </div><div><br /></div><div>One they could hear crying but couldn't get to him. Fire crew said he died from the smoke.</div><div><br /></div><div>They got out with nothing but what they were wearing to bed (thankful they actually had something on right?) . Neither had their wallet or purse so their ID's are burnt and they have to go BUY their birth certificates to get social security card and then BUY new license/ID. She has to get new bank card and BUY new checks. Can't even get to her pay check as she has NO ID to prove who she is. </div><div><br /></div><div>They are staying with her oldest. Mace had to go with other daughter to her garage until they could find someone to keep him. As landlord is allergic to dogs and lives in the duplex also. They think they got a friend who can take him in. Grandkids are floating who is sitting with him so he is not alone. (the other dogs was his mom and dad and brothers, Charlotte is his sister).</div><div><br /></div><div>We paid the vet bill, almost $800 but he is fine after they dealt with the smoke issue. Paid for her family to get birth certifiacates, work boots so she can go to work, license/ID, checks etc. Extra money for food and clothes. </div><div><br /></div><div>Daugher 2 (Kate) started the gofund.me</div><div><br /></div><div>Son2 is trying to get clothes for the boys and her and started looking for items for when she gets a new place. Which probably won't be for another 2-3 months as finding a place in her price range will be hard. </div><div><br /></div><div>Daughter 3 has Mace and is trying to find stuff for him, like harness etc, SPCA is providing a crate for him. </div><div><br /></div><div>Our hearts are thankful they made it out of that inferno. And broken for the loss of Athena, King, Kane and Milo (who was crying, he was a rescue dog). </div><div><br /></div><div>PLEASE, check your own fire escape. Put copies of important stuff and your birth certificate in fire safe box or freezer bag and in freezer. It will not burn there. </div><div><br /></div><div>Thank you. </div><div>Please be safe.</div><div>Blessed be</div><div><br /></div>Chef Owingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02232750876170243171noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8987409444312360594.post-34287277546588504682024-01-19T05:09:00.002-05:002024-01-19T05:09:21.133-05:00Savings<p> Son2 is going to be teased for awhile. He finished paying me the money he borrowed in Dec. He paid $100/month (he chose the amount to pay back each month). My 65th birthday was this past week. The day before I saw $100 deposit from him in my checking. I called and asked if he had forgot to cancel that transfer even though I reminded him several times.... he said it was for my birthday... I laughed but then he admitted he had forgot to cancel it but didn't want it back to buy something I was putting off for myself. If he forgets again, I warned him I would not be returning it. Said that was okay, he would claim it was for our anniversary which is next month. LOL. He asked for advice on some savings and I suggested Ally for CDs. To get the No Penalty CD that way if he needs it he can cash it in and not pay a penatly. He was complaining his mortage went up... I told him to look again,it's probably property taxes and insurance. It was. </p><p>Last week we saved a total of $161.97. $80.98 went to saving, $80.98 went on mortgage. Penny went to penny jar. I stocked back up my coffee to go 3 yrs, bought a book on sale and 3 puzzle picture frames as Hubby is doing puzzles again and we can hang a few of them on the walls. </p><p>This week, since I know the only that is going to be bought is milk if that. The total saved is $191.27. $95.63 to savings, $95.63 on mortgage and penny to penny jar. I bought coffee for Hubby (he drinks dark or French roast , I drink meduim). Bring that up to 3 yr. supply.Savings on a new pair of insulated rubber boots that finally just fell apart (over 7 yrs old) while Hubby was pulling logs from the woods. Savings of meds using Good RX Gold. Saved $73 on two meds. And I bought 2 pairs of boots like what I have that was on sale. The money I saved on the two is as if it was buy one get one free. One will go to storage, the other will be for when we go places and the pair I have now is for every day. </p><p>I transferred some of the savings money to 2 of 9 month high yield CD's at Ally. Right now the rate is 5.15% for that. I also did 2 of 6 month high yield CD's for 5% . I like Ally as I don't have to have a minuim (first one I had was with $100) and I am making 0.01 % at the regular bank. I have a money market acct that I use for medical (putting that amount budgeted in to it) that earns 4.4% right now. I have savings there also earning right now 4.35%. </p><p>Prayers for peace</p><p>Stay safe </p><p>Blessed Be</p><p><br /></p>Chef Owingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02232750876170243171noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8987409444312360594.post-70445094886745596632024-01-16T04:13:00.003-05:002024-01-16T04:13:39.870-05:00Income being cut by 1/3rd Jan 2025<p> My finance guy let me know the inherited IRA will be done then so I won't have issues with the IRS. I am using it to pay extra on the mortgage. </p><p>I am working on cutting more out go so I can still make extra payments on the mortgage. </p><p>I priced the greenhouse I was wanting <span style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-family: "Google Sans", Roboto, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Canopia by Palram Hybrid. BUT at this time between the cost of it, permit to build it and the increase of property insurance we will be putting this off and maybe look at it when we get the mortgage paid off. </span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-family: "Google Sans", Roboto, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">We know we have to replace the Silverado this year. The F350 didn't start the other day and Hubby had medical appt an hour away and had to take the Silverado. Neither one of us was comfortable with it being driven that far. </span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-family: "Google Sans", Roboto, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">I normally don't restock until something is half way down in supplies. Hubby suggested I stock up non perishables for at least 2 yrs worth if not 3. I think he is remembering how Daddy made it through 2008 hit and lost 50% of his income and investments. Had to live on his Social Security that around $1,000/month. He always was stocked for 3 yrs so was Mother. </span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-family: "Google Sans", Roboto, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">I am still splitting any rewards, cash back, coupons, sales, rebates, etc between savings and the mortgage. </span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-family: "Google Sans", Roboto, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Our dentist closed his office here so we are looking for a new dentist. We do not have insurance for this so finding one that is GOOD and not charging an arm and leg is hard. </span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-family: "Google Sans", Roboto, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span></p>Chef Owingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02232750876170243171noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8987409444312360594.post-78065612831776306812024-01-15T10:22:00.003-05:002024-01-15T10:22:52.658-05:00WOW warm spell<p> -2 β... Charlotte went out a couple times to bark at the rabbits that came out also.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXxy7Acq6Ts585J7F7pLOHff7doKml4nORQoZtEjIMLzDjIMJ8tT6kFXposcmQoFfsjFSGRvmitSCLCnEdjtfXBXy03-ATRiyuMZZFg5p_krrpCMOH3M1E1TM7gXWTVXT-xJXHgO6wMBdWpb9pSXDPYq6n1yXs56a5jMij3R14IpjtXcz23Uv_h6bUKoY/s4032/wind%20chill%201.15.24.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="1908" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXxy7Acq6Ts585J7F7pLOHff7doKml4nORQoZtEjIMLzDjIMJ8tT6kFXposcmQoFfsjFSGRvmitSCLCnEdjtfXBXy03-ATRiyuMZZFg5p_krrpCMOH3M1E1TM7gXWTVXT-xJXHgO6wMBdWpb9pSXDPYq6n1yXs56a5jMij3R14IpjtXcz23Uv_h6bUKoY/s320/wind%20chill%201.15.24.jpg" width="151" /></a></div><br /><p>House was at 74β in front room ,at 68β the rest of the first floor , 55β in lofts and 42β in basement and pump house. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxeHx5nrIeY9lIUzgTxA9iFACrsnTm3m4R6fZRjjNCAwFJk6ipD4KzK8TGc1BNw5ZJ-wmXUIf9QNGjXWeP6jg' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br /><p>We love the blue flame as it means the wood is producing more heat than a yellow/orange flame. BUT if you don't watch, it will burn out before you think it will. I throw a couple pieces of wood in on a regular bases... Hubby forgets to even check it...during the day. At night time he checks it 2-3 times,says when he has to potty and has learned to let Charlotte out at the same time otherwise she will wake him up at the time he goes back to sleep. </p><p>We had homemade beef stew, salad with homemade bread, spaghetti, homemade sauce and meatballs with garlic bread from sub buns and waffles with bacon. Tonight is manicotti with leftover sauce with meatballs, salad and leftover garlic bread. Tomorrow is leftover stew since we have chiro, drop of payment to doc (as I n't mail checks), vet for Charlotte ,car tags,dog tags ,and gallon of milk. Hubby said something about take out and I reminded him we had beef stew. I have chili I canned in the basement along with homecanned veggie soup.</p><p>Be safe , stay warm (or cool if having summer weather) </p><p>Prayers for peace</p><p>Blessed Be</p><p><br /></p>Chef Owingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02232750876170243171noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8987409444312360594.post-42807917501939814442024-01-12T03:18:00.002-05:002024-01-12T03:18:24.027-05:00Wood in<p> Night time wood(heavy and larger size) and 160 LBS of coal in wagon</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia1k0SDAUZsWwhmH9NKPfGYDd6SENiBcgs5PsE9xzDnWL7r8GQkyF5oakELdSoMHb2r8UoDcORuZVbZSuQsbVSFnGhd9hOU0IgPsnFqLkorZ_HwimDDQDmryYZ3li4VZYudoX0UyVMceR7ZDUkrr1MA2-PtBRZHkMdAgq7p6OX4h8LH2dfMoAZgJmOjig/s4032/20240111_133254.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1908" data-original-width="4032" height="151" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia1k0SDAUZsWwhmH9NKPfGYDd6SENiBcgs5PsE9xzDnWL7r8GQkyF5oakELdSoMHb2r8UoDcORuZVbZSuQsbVSFnGhd9hOU0IgPsnFqLkorZ_HwimDDQDmryYZ3li4VZYudoX0UyVMceR7ZDUkrr1MA2-PtBRZHkMdAgq7p6OX4h8LH2dfMoAZgJmOjig/s320/20240111_133254.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Day time wood </div><br /><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOkdLr1iX8uWkv8T1xP4W8xgWc9dvPgrDlUKplfJbcuMGU1VIWZsj4TrUDzZZwZu1c7NGGjPMeSfGdhYqeGfytqk7twuxlkhY7HselG5GU_Eh8dXlOmtclJr7KHB-O88s64oRkAghk5W7eBM7vSlt4P7pVyx4An0Q9Gs7-VdnhC07PZM8-0UDDyAhET1Y/s4032/20240111_133246.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="1908" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOkdLr1iX8uWkv8T1xP4W8xgWc9dvPgrDlUKplfJbcuMGU1VIWZsj4TrUDzZZwZu1c7NGGjPMeSfGdhYqeGfytqk7twuxlkhY7HselG5GU_Eh8dXlOmtclJr7KHB-O88s64oRkAghk5W7eBM7vSlt4P7pVyx4An0Q9Gs7-VdnhC07PZM8-0UDDyAhET1Y/s320/20240111_133246.jpg" width="151" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Daytime wood sitting in wheel chair bathroom (HA HA). He will move it when he goes to put his clothes away LOL</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqioh0HpAifG20ho4U0R4_VgtM4qB4yLZejgVW3NPRlgZoQAuQmeGMCqw7UMOgDA0V7tOKJrUqOWlIbGo-qLRmGxzW1S7pGkFc-081TAYoMtTCvnas3hFyf9_jHAw5la2ZP2ya7j5ic7oquG35PHrYFkp1IUb9hbukq0UUWgv4-cU6lk1qnvIGaMvUz8A/s4032/20240111_123807.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="1908" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqioh0HpAifG20ho4U0R4_VgtM4qB4yLZejgVW3NPRlgZoQAuQmeGMCqw7UMOgDA0V7tOKJrUqOWlIbGo-qLRmGxzW1S7pGkFc-081TAYoMtTCvnas3hFyf9_jHAw5la2ZP2ya7j5ic7oquG35PHrYFkp1IUb9hbukq0UUWgv4-cU6lk1qnvIGaMvUz8A/s320/20240111_123807.jpg" width="151" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Odds and ends of small or thin wood(kindling??) and heavy blocks of wood under trash can</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbU0_0VAOhmVyOLQU25Z3TecCTrVZrhIXoS8Tffc8Zn6MATfsmguSk2cKsvsi9jDnPZv9Iz7dstpJ3jbgeqpkVR6T7keZYPoUtMFXa2eHRxQFKxbAi8We6xU7SDmY0pW3uoTNnRbRcnqkAu0zqvcFxFDx5ZH8i0sHhgU0s8efdcnT5sEdl1xgJktjO8V4/s4032/20240111_123843.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1908" data-original-width="4032" height="151" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbU0_0VAOhmVyOLQU25Z3TecCTrVZrhIXoS8Tffc8Zn6MATfsmguSk2cKsvsi9jDnPZv9Iz7dstpJ3jbgeqpkVR6T7keZYPoUtMFXa2eHRxQFKxbAi8We6xU7SDmY0pW3uoTNnRbRcnqkAu0zqvcFxFDx5ZH8i0sHhgU0s8efdcnT5sEdl1xgJktjO8V4/s320/20240111_123843.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Day time wood with wood scraps in bucket</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh68wBrDqlVCy0tFuhIxb28Q9e5zSbX_4pJ4m8sTDTbReUDF5KL7OS9jqBP96fKUj5pHD9dSu8_dWYzXqSFEOa0biBnyU4frf4u3pxpKsszBoIYORyCPE4I-V9XBx5RopzYH2oA1FeYLR7YrSQuRpjNzU9bwZylSU4JeXbBwdbXxFJY8tsq6MmNHGlAaA0/s4032/20240111_123825.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="1908" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh68wBrDqlVCy0tFuhIxb28Q9e5zSbX_4pJ4m8sTDTbReUDF5KL7OS9jqBP96fKUj5pHD9dSu8_dWYzXqSFEOa0biBnyU4frf4u3pxpKsszBoIYORyCPE4I-V9XBx5RopzYH2oA1FeYLR7YrSQuRpjNzU9bwZylSU4JeXbBwdbXxFJY8tsq6MmNHGlAaA0/s320/20240111_123825.jpg" width="151" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXtn-49cqfCzMoix_jrlxhvdgKKE2-cwT4QpJ6Dut9jDxJVwZ07n7b2D23LQ3ra8PROLuOK1H5j9LEQ-GJZsLS32SIay09sLjPnXYVqoIynrY4Tohhm_1c317AT9lNAMx9Q8iskLV-XeZC6wzOntjlrOuFmA-3hKTTq0ZADR1WIhzrJRMrzHGbBk9zTIo/s4032/20240111_123835.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="1908" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXtn-49cqfCzMoix_jrlxhvdgKKE2-cwT4QpJ6Dut9jDxJVwZ07n7b2D23LQ3ra8PROLuOK1H5j9LEQ-GJZsLS32SIay09sLjPnXYVqoIynrY4Tohhm_1c317AT9lNAMx9Q8iskLV-XeZC6wzOntjlrOuFmA-3hKTTq0ZADR1WIhzrJRMrzHGbBk9zTIo/s320/20240111_123835.jpg" width="151" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /></div>Night time wood<div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhClFoq8b7BpvMU46kfDadGf3sIVjpAdOiYcAXb3stb8IBJ06-SsrZgxMeASv4FXWXwhAmRzw7_VRy2XxGy9MgsF_kpBv9vHjuxI1v8nU8KgzRhMgp2gjNNUUuiIWSq14mU9K9BiGlIikrkctaFhHIZItQNztjGjRdZG6vVm12FMDsvz_Yt0cnXIgEZsPc/s4032/20240111_123852.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="1908" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhClFoq8b7BpvMU46kfDadGf3sIVjpAdOiYcAXb3stb8IBJ06-SsrZgxMeASv4FXWXwhAmRzw7_VRy2XxGy9MgsF_kpBv9vHjuxI1v8nU8KgzRhMgp2gjNNUUuiIWSq14mU9K9BiGlIikrkctaFhHIZItQNztjGjRdZG6vVm12FMDsvz_Yt0cnXIgEZsPc/s320/20240111_123852.jpg" width="151" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc7ln3eidWAsw0rMzw7tPWt72nV1CbKV55ZNmcQ_iwPjsrfcL8KJ9laWw4ORXAX6T8whyphenhyphenMDRHQQKmirGCQYvirJNGtg8dUz5FlfET8-3RJxOOvbd4pZbbPU1DkvrsI6tBt49UFwkFb91FOv8H7rkz8YV__rabBqpkA4N8mNAA0oSWG1k-n84PgC1PliJ0/s4032/20240111_123857.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="1908" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc7ln3eidWAsw0rMzw7tPWt72nV1CbKV55ZNmcQ_iwPjsrfcL8KJ9laWw4ORXAX6T8whyphenhyphenMDRHQQKmirGCQYvirJNGtg8dUz5FlfET8-3RJxOOvbd4pZbbPU1DkvrsI6tBt49UFwkFb91FOv8H7rkz8YV__rabBqpkA4N8mNAA0oSWG1k-n84PgC1PliJ0/s320/20240111_123857.jpg" width="151" /></a></div><br /><div><br /><p>It should last us 4 days with what is in house and what is on porch is another 3 days of each without counting coal as we only add a couple scoops to the night time wood or when we are going to be gone for the day.</p><p>Last night weather report was 55 mph gusts with 35 mph winds with temps in SINGLE digits, at least one day at ZERO with the winds. I had already showed Hubby on my phone yesterday morning the forecast for single digits. He shared it with E yesterday afternoon. After the weather forecast of the high winds. Hubby went over and told E as he won't want his horses out in that. </p><p>That means wind chill temps will be from -15 to -30 starting tomorrow with this weekend being the worst. I put beef stew on the menu for tomorrow. I will bake bread today. Probably a custard and cake. We both know with winds like that Charlotte will be pacing in the house and trying to get her out to potty is going to be ME going with her. </p><p>Today we have 95% chance of rain with temps in high 30s.</p><p>We need the rain. Amish is looking for a pond to cut ice and it's not going to be ours. Neighbor down the block had water delivered to his pond so E is hoping he will let them cut ice. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsUjhzS7QkcQdkQ_5CzZTJKwVqkJQROGN7DiHKi0I0IptnS1RNGObE9q6zToiSBtWBfy1RfbNsLlPV_GQnUbbRcJ006zHel0F-SzjUY6BR5_ReRNMSfjQSSHOcnLBmsGJILRUiHap_M_hhM4mGoZNG7lS9IkEWKJSHD0o5rdqA1JSlb4iY4Du7sFnAab8/s4032/pallets%201.11%20().jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="1908" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsUjhzS7QkcQdkQ_5CzZTJKwVqkJQROGN7DiHKi0I0IptnS1RNGObE9q6zToiSBtWBfy1RfbNsLlPV_GQnUbbRcJ006zHel0F-SzjUY6BR5_ReRNMSfjQSSHOcnLBmsGJILRUiHap_M_hhM4mGoZNG7lS9IkEWKJSHD0o5rdqA1JSlb4iY4Du7sFnAab8/s320/pallets%201.11%20().jpg" width="151" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge7LeePwS0PMUnrssiK6VMf7LfTluZIMdPKsMIN1xKRvImEYDzR2k9Bz_d9fdJOMvBT5i_0hNwjTHmnmjQFJ6un0pTxNaKQvsYRTpdeC3vWIjD4-bYncmp6D5Oxl22hMb1UX0pp8z8zmEFfNcu5SvMG37NOIPyCkMZKCu4FCBrbZQDcKnT6oks9VL_OMo/s4032/pond%201.11%20(1).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="1908" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge7LeePwS0PMUnrssiK6VMf7LfTluZIMdPKsMIN1xKRvImEYDzR2k9Bz_d9fdJOMvBT5i_0hNwjTHmnmjQFJ6un0pTxNaKQvsYRTpdeC3vWIjD4-bYncmp6D5Oxl22hMb1UX0pp8z8zmEFfNcu5SvMG37NOIPyCkMZKCu4FCBrbZQDcKnT6oks9VL_OMo/s320/pond%201.11%20(1).jpg" width="151" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p>Even though we have gotten some rain, it's not be enough.</p><p>I closed the upstairs off. One has a door but the other stairway has no door but I have heavy curtains hanging and binder clipped them shut along with towels at the bottom tucking them into the stairs. Usually with the wood stove we leave them open. House was already dropping in temperature when I got up at 1am this morning to feed the fire and let Charlotte out (deer was in the driveway AGAIN).</p><p>Stay safe</p><p>Prayers for peace.</p><p>Blessed Be</p><p><br /></p></div>Chef Owingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02232750876170243171noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8987409444312360594.post-75228893764544544472024-01-11T04:46:00.002-05:002024-01-11T04:46:38.664-05:00Arctic Blast coming<p> In next 10 days, the majority temperatures will be starting in single digits and not raising to even 32β with winds 20 mph steady and gusts over 35 mph in forecast.</p><p>E came over last night to check to make sure we had enough wood ready for the stove. He knows we have the furnace for back up. We do and if we don't, Hubby already moved the splitter into the barn and the wood wagon that has wood to be split in it is under the over hang of the barn outside the door where he put the splitter. </p><p>We usually load 2-2 1/2 days of day and night time wood in house with 2-2 1/2 days of day and night time wood on front porch. We have 40 lbs of coal in garden wagon on front porch as we sometimes add it to the night time wood. Five days from now the low is to be 1β and the high 12β with winds around 20 mph. Neither of us want to be loading wood or coal in on that day. I am already looking around to see where I can store the second cart of day wood in the house so the night wood (heavier and bigger than day wood) can stay close to the stove. </p><p>I got a curtain in the loft that came down that needs put back up today. We usually leave the upstairs open with the wood stove (or we end up opening doors to let the heat out) but with the winds and arctic cold... I will be closing the upstairs off.</p><p>Barn has been holding around 40β but with this coming in, I need to move the last of the onions in house as it will drop big time. </p><p>Hope everyone is safe, warm and fed.</p><p>Prayers for peace</p><p>Blessed be</p><p><br /></p>Chef Owingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02232750876170243171noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8987409444312360594.post-2938799753114445512024-01-08T05:14:00.002-05:002024-01-08T05:14:45.816-05:00Frugal week update<p> We ate 5 days from pantry and two with take out. First take out was due to medical appts and grocery store, second was we were worn out from dealing with stacking wood for 6 hrs.Still have another cord to stack and 4 cords to split. Plus E told hubby there are still 2 if not 3 logs in the woods that are for him. I need to move soup to Saturday as that is the day we move the most wood.</p><p>We saved $23.67 in cash back, $14.87 in coupons,$15 in discounts and $640.13 in sales. I bought a $799.00 vacuum for 99.00. Company did a model change and discounted the old model. My vacuum can't handle Charlotte's hair and I've been sweeping the rugs at the doors (we have wood floors) with the broom instead.I am not thrilled it is battery operated and only runs 30 minutes but takes 4 hrs to charge BUT a friend has it and she has the same type of dog hair to deal with and felt it was worth the $799. she paid last summer. So we will see how this works for us when it comes in. Daughter 2 said if it doesn't work for us, she will buy it from us as she has all wood floors and her dogs don't shed. </p><p>So 50/50 between mortgage and savings $346.83 to go on each this week. The penny left will go in penny jar.</p><p>We have to find a new dentist. Our closed the local office and their other office is an hour away. I told Hubby to go ask E's dad as he will know who it taking the Amish so we can go there also. Actually that's how we got the dentist that is now closing this office.</p><p>Propane tank is still at 40%.</p><p>Water heater kicked off again. Hubby called our repair guy after he kicked it back on. Repair guy said next time check what code it is showing AND when he comes down (we are 45 minutes from him) that he would also do the annual check of AC and furnace to save us that cost. PLUS look to see if we can get a bigger pressurized tank for well pump. He would like to see the solar pump as he might install one at his cabin. </p><p>How is your new year starting?</p><p>Prayers for peace</p><p>Blessed Be</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Chef Owingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02232750876170243171noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8987409444312360594.post-46933879573538353182024-01-04T04:36:00.001-05:002024-01-04T04:36:05.324-05:00How I store my produce (HI Barb) and use it<p> First on storage...I use Bluapple classic and Bluapple Fresh mats. Have now for maybe 3 yrs. Works good when I have a frig full of produce coming in from gardens and need extra time to process it. I like the mats as I can wash and dry them. I can buy refills for the classic. I am now going to try Bluapple veggie zips (also reusable) for my lettuce and mushrooms. Hubby said he likes the mats because if something does start going bad, the mat keeps it contained and can be washed, like the cucumber that got under a bag of lettuce.I couldn't figure out where the lettuce came from (he got it from Amish).</p><p>Some of my standard practices of keep produce longer I learned in culinary classes.</p><p>Mushrooms get brushed off gently and put in brown paper lunch bags and closed.DO not leave them in closed plastic as they will get slimy.</p><p>Greens, all greens are wrapped in white kitchen cotton dish towel(yes those big thin white cotton towels your grandma or great grandma used) or paper towels then in plastic bag. I also wrap my homemade bread in a white kitchen cotton dish towel before I put it in the bread box. Amish wrap their lettuce (head lettuce only. I haven't seem one grow leaf lettuce for their family) in newspaper and put in spring house (around 37-38Β° which is like our frig). N's wife E wraps their Chinese cabbage in newspaper also for the spring house. Said she has had it last at least 2 months that way unless N eats it. He likes to snack on it while working. I have done this with green onions also and then in a plastic bag not sealed. </p><p>Celery is wrapped in foil.</p><p>I keep apples, bananas and avocados separate from greens as they give off gases that will mess greens up.</p><p>ALWAYS remove rubber bands from produce. </p><p>Remove leafy tops from root veggies (toss radish tops in your salad and cook up the beet, turnip etc tops.). I try to keep a damp cloth over them and in the bottom of frig where it is the coldest.</p><p>I freeze my ginger. </p><p>I keep my potatoes, sweet potatoes, onions (not with potatoes) and garlic in basement which is cool . Garlic is in mesh bag hanging. Onions are in panty hose hanging (*yes it works). Potatoes and sweet potatoes are in milk crates (not on concrete floor) covered to keep out of light. Keeping that stuff in frig makes it turn to starch. I just spend a day once a month making sure I go through the potatoes to use what is going to sprouts first and breaking sprouts off. </p><p>The biggest tip is what to eat first</p><p>Any greens I have are ate within 7-10 days and that is pushing the limit. Kale, collards and mustards hold longer than lettuce and spinach. Head lettuce hold longer than leaf lettuce or precut lettuce. I have had ice berg lettuce wrapped in newspaper for 2 wks. Just pulled the outer leaves off . Cucumbers are in this group also.</p><p>Tomatoes NEVER go in the frig. About 2 wks on the counter with the side of where the vine was DOWN. We usually eat them before 2 wks. But I tested it for Daughter 2.I put a paper towel under the tomatoes.</p><p>Bell peppers last about 3 wks on the fresh mats. I take them out of the plastic bags.</p><p>Turnips, parsnips. rutabagas, radishes and beets are loose in crisper drawer.</p><p>I had a root cellar at the old farm rental that I could hang my cabbage and Brussels sprouts by the root. I don't have that here but have a friend say they did Brussels sprouts that way in their unheated garage. They just moved the cars outside until they had it ate since they didn't think they should start the car in the garage with it. Amish hang theirs in the barns or equipment sheds. I might try the barn this coming year.</p><p>Broccoli needs to be dry and not wrapped tight, stored in bottom of frig. I don't put it in the drawer as it needs room. The same with cauliflower. I will make sure both are dry but keep loosely wrapped. Turn cauliflower root side up to help it last longer. I've had it 3- 4 wks in the frig. </p><p>I've wrapped cabbage including cut cabbage with Press and Seal and kept it for at least a month(usually 3-4 months) in the frig.Brussels sprouts will hold about a month. </p><p> SOOOOO </p><p>I focus on leafy greens and tomatoes first. Peas, snow peas and green beans in season.</p><p>Then bell peppers, mushrooms, head lettuce and shredded carrots, summer squash if during season.</p><p>Then broccoli and cauliflower, root veggies like beets, radishes. </p><p>Then cabbage, Brussels sprouts, carrots and celery. Winter squash in season. </p><p>My onions will store up to 3 to 4 months usually. Usually I run out before any really go bad.</p><p> When I get down to 1 bunch of celery and an open bag of carrots I know I need to make a produce run. </p><p>We only do bananas and oranges for fresh fruit. I store OUR apples in frig deli drawer.If I buy pineapples, I put cut it up and put in freezer. We eat berries in season (I have strawberries, blackberries, black raspberries, red raspberries, honey raspberries and am now am growing blueberries again) I can peaches (order bulk through Amish). We grow grapes (freeze what we don't eat) and rhubarb (can what we don't eat as pie filling). </p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Chef Owingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02232750876170243171noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8987409444312360594.post-75755984391905335452024-01-03T04:01:00.002-05:002024-01-03T04:01:21.799-05:00We need rain, went to store and chosing greenhouse to buy<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv8org9zUNcth6BFk2z_pgfJoduxFxjLHwZFUS0KavbijAX771Q3daik5rU91MHTSjx3NFIOgmvi0Ctymhg7XXNIxecw53Hi9T7gvZL9Rv_eslEKK06qwPf722TiE89EYmMokf_gCyaQFnVjoCiSA8gQXYHfnGBkl1JV1O7cgcI8aW44G3Kk4-jg94pJ4/s4032/pond%2012.23.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="1908" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv8org9zUNcth6BFk2z_pgfJoduxFxjLHwZFUS0KavbijAX771Q3daik5rU91MHTSjx3NFIOgmvi0Ctymhg7XXNIxecw53Hi9T7gvZL9Rv_eslEKK06qwPf722TiE89EYmMokf_gCyaQFnVjoCiSA8gQXYHfnGBkl1JV1O7cgcI8aW44G3Kk4-jg94pJ4/s320/pond%2012.23.jpg" width="151" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2DshbhVnNrgLq7UFtO1htn4-Dj4uuux0Wo7C1hgGrvI4ZhfVNcGQmhmmHbs6pbwGxHAmbYuS5kaTUGuduSivkXQdLkJIWs6pVw2OjW2Af0SrAu33wAc1p4Jwms_4gThcVxAToZi2C4T30rGdfClcsrcM4YeJejSWy4hw5hcUIZWaSLv17tRs6RXe96KE/s4032/pallets%20in%20pond%2012.23.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="1908" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2DshbhVnNrgLq7UFtO1htn4-Dj4uuux0Wo7C1hgGrvI4ZhfVNcGQmhmmHbs6pbwGxHAmbYuS5kaTUGuduSivkXQdLkJIWs6pVw2OjW2Af0SrAu33wAc1p4Jwms_4gThcVxAToZi2C4T30rGdfClcsrcM4YeJejSWy4hw5hcUIZWaSLv17tRs6RXe96KE/s320/pallets%20in%20pond%2012.23.jpg" width="151" /></a></div><br /> Where the brown grass is to green grass is where the top of pond usually is. The pallets are usually under water for the fish to hide in. WE NEED RAIN for ponds and cisterns AND SNOW for the deep wells.<p></p><p>I have researched greenhouses and am strongly looking at a canopia by Palram (Amazon, Tractor supply and Lowes sell them) I need to decide on size so I know how much a floor will cost me. Amish just use vinyl weed barrier. So I might go that way as I can get that from Amish greenhouse down the road. </p><p>I went to the store... we were almost out of fresh veggies and cereal. I buy cereal as we are not big bread eaters. I need folic acid...my folic acid dropped, caused my potassium to drop and it was not a pretty picture. I actually debated on pulling the cereal costs out of the medical budget since that's the only reason I buy it. I would rather eat my meds than pop a pill.</p><p>ANYWAYS. I stayed close to budget. I do think I set the budget too low for this time of year but it will average out for the year... Right? I get the green house up and going and next winter I might not have to buy all the fresh veggies.</p><p>I bought some meat that was on sale and I have coupons for. I am low of beef crumbles, sloppy joes and taco meat. I got a chuck roast on sale and then marked down. I will be making beef stew and beef and noodles with it. I got light and fluffy extra wide noodles for tuna noodle.</p><p>I got a free birthday cake from Krogers as it's my birthday month.Hubby thought it was funny Kroger's knows my birthday is this month but his entire family that makes a big to do about birthdays never remember mine even though it's the same day as his dad's. My parents was the same way, my brother never remembers either. It used to hurt, now it just doesn't matter. Hubby remembers and so does the kids. </p><p>The menu changed as Hubby wants to use the new deep fryer. I put the hamburger pie in the freezer. Will fix the chicken that is now thawed as sweet and sour chicken with rice and stir fry some veggies with it. So we can do some deep frying this weekend. I want to make kofta. I saw the recipe in Milkstreet magizine and it looked interesting. Hubby likes to try different foods from other countries.</p><p>I got broccoli and cauliflower for broccoli,cauliflower salad, veggie plate, California blend (I have carrots),in some salads and stir fries.</p><p>I got red cabbage and green cabbage for salads, coleslaw and frying.</p><p>I got celery as I do celery, carrots and onions as mirepoix</p><p>I got 3 bags of mixed salad and 2 containers of mixed greens. That will last a week to 10 days then it will be canned cole slaw, raw carrot salad etc..</p><p>I can do a cold veggie pizza with ranch dressing.</p><p>I got cucumbers to slice in salads, to dice up and mix with cream cheese for sliders.</p><p>I got shredded carrots (because I am lazy) for sunshine salad, leaf salads and sauces. </p><p>I got mushrooms and bell peppers (NOT GREEN as I can't eat those, actually green bell peppers are not ripe that is why they are green). I do a lot of bell pepper, mushrooms and onions. Am going to start adding a bit of ginger (now in freezer) and garlic to it for health.</p><p>I got avocados for salads and guac (I got tomatoes on the vine and cherry tomatoes. We snack on cherry tomatoes). </p><p>I got kale as I know autumn stew is on the menu this month at least once and I can put the kale in salads or dehydrate it for kale chips. </p><p>We know we will have to go get milk two more times this month but that is all we should need.</p><p>Prayers for peace</p><p>Blessed be</p><p> </p><p><br /></p>Chef Owingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02232750876170243171noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8987409444312360594.post-2082268734646200562024-01-01T03:19:00.002-05:002024-01-01T03:19:52.359-05:00PANTRY CHALLENGE <p>We are doing a pantry challenge for January. </p><p> I took care of the leftover prime rib, bagged 6 meals from it for the freezer.</p><p>I took care of the leftover ham, bagged 8 meals from it for the freezer.</p><p>I did mention to Hubby that eating from the pantry shouldn't include me shoving more into the pantry with leftovers. </p><p>I have to deal with the leftover pork shoulder roast today after supper.</p><p>I found some artichoke spinach dip in the freezer so I can serve that as the "greens" to Hubby while I have canned spinach for my greens today. We have the leftover pork shoulder roast, a little bit of leftover kraut and leftover mashed potatoes and leftover apple crisp .I pulled a can of black eye peas for today also.</p><p>Tomorrow we have chiro and grocery store. So I am putting two individual hamburger pies (I use sloppy joe, corn and and use the leftover mashed potatoes) that we can put in the air fryer or microwave when we get home.</p><p>I will have chicken on Wednesday. Thighs for Hubby and breast for me. Not sure on sides yet. Depends on what needs used up.I have twiced baked potatoes in the freezer. Maybe asparagus or peas. Canned peaches???</p><p>Thursday is taco bowls, tortilla chips and salsa.</p><p>Friday one pot green beans, potatoes and ham with White Lily cornbread.</p><p>Saturday is Aunt Dolly's casserole, cooked hamburger crumbles, a layer of sliced potatoes with cream of mushroom (or cheddar) soup for the sauce. Served with a salad.</p><p>Sunday is pasta e fagoli and garlic Texas toast.</p><p>I reminded Hubby Lent starts Feb 14th. We do fish on Fridays (his faith) during that time. I just picked up some battered fish for the freezer and I have canned tuna, mackeral and salmon. I will pick up some light and fluffy wide noodles for tuna noodle. It's the only time I don't want homemade noodles LOL. I might make some tuna fish salad for myself. I know of at least one Friday we will go to the one restuarant for the fish buffet. </p>Chef Owingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02232750876170243171noreply@blogger.com1