A bunch of stuff.....

PS#2 - Sitting in the sunlight by the front door

It has been a busy 10 days since I last posted.  We have had 2 inches of rain.  We've been in a drought for a couple of years, so normally any rain would be welcomed, but....we are building a house.  Yes, still.  I am so tired of the rain.  I am thankful to the Lord, for it, most definitely.  Our pastures are beautiful and green, and our livestock are eating themselves sick (no really they are) on the green grass.  The yellow and purple flowers, and baby goats bounding everywhere are so amazing, and I thank God for what he has given us.  I am so happy here.

Wildflowers from the Pastures

 Please Lord, let it stop raining on the house!  Everywhere else, but  the house.  It is rotting before my eyes, and I am heartsick.

I am happy to report that PH was able to tar paper half of the roof, and all the windows/doors are in place and framed.  Now, to get the second half tar papered, and it is the tallest portion.  Have I mentioned PH is scared of heights?  Yep, it's true, which is probably why he hasn't tar papered it yet.  Oh, and by the way, it is supposed to rain tomorrow, and be drizzly all week.  (big fat sigh).

Anyway, I am supposed to be reporting on what I've done this week.  We spent the last week on a break from school work.  We worked on our Spring Cleaning of the "cabin/container".  We went through clothes, threw out trash (it breeds in here, it really does), took some things out, washed clothes, walls and took an inventory of our medical needs, and a cursory glance at our food pantry.  I will be doing a more detailed inventory soon, once PH gets the shelves put up in the new pantry, which will be after the tar paper is on ;-)

Taught my Emergency Prep class today, it went well I believe.  The adult helpers enjoyed it, even if the kids were bored.

Purchased a dental repair kit for fillings.

Started my Orange-Vinegar cleaning solution.  Haven't had oranges in a while, and I thought "why not?"" I have all these peels.  We'll see how it goes.  (See Brenda, I listen to you...sometimes ;-) LOL)

The tomato plants are looking good (I have a total of 40).  Our last frost date is past, and we plan to plant the corn tomorrow.  PH and I (mostly PH) placed four large square, wooden boxes in the garden, and one long rectangular box in the garden for me to plant in for this year.  The gophers are getting bad, so we are resorting to container gardening.  We have 10.5 acres, but are confined to a small, fenced area and using containers.  I am using every imaginable space.  Installing lattice behind the boxes to grow some plants up.  Utilizing all four sides of the fenced area, as well as, these raised/container beds, pots, buckets, decorative planters and more.  I'll take pictures later when we are done. 

Huisache Tree in Bloom

This is a picture of one of our many Huisache (We-saa-chee) trees.  I had no idea they did this! We bought our land in December 2007.  This is the FIRST time they have done this since.  It's crazy!  I think I am also allergic to them when they do flower.  I have been itching (face and nose) for weeks.  The trees are really pretty, but I wonder why they have only done it this year.  Is it all the rain? No clue.  Lord?

Prickly Pear Cactus

Wildflowers - PD#1 took this one

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I realized that we missed the dates for Purim. I looked at last year's date and were going by them, so we weren't able to learn more about it and celebrate those days.  Working on Passover, though it is my kid's least favorite feast.  They can't get the image of the scene in Charlton Heston's "Ten Commandments" out of their heads.  I thought it was a positive thing for them to watch, I loved it when I was their age.  I had no idea it inspired nightmares (sigh).  My kids are so different than I am.

Our congregation will be meeting here again this year to celebrate Easter.  I LOVE Easter.  I love that Jesus rose from the dead, and that because of His sacrifice I have a new life in Him, and will spend eternity with Him.  Oh,  I still mess up, and I am a constant work in progress (right Lord?).  Sometimes, I am the thing you are making in pottery class, that you mess up, and you have to throw back in the big container of clay and re-work, and sometimes I approach the glazing process where I will be fired and refined.  It is very daunting at times to be so concerned with being obedient to the Word of God.  I have to remember that He loves me, and I know what He expects of me.  I truly need to stop being worried about what other Christians expect from me, or what they believe that God expects of me.  We are each individuals, and on our own walk with Christ.  Sometimes we will let ourselves get distracted from the Gospel message we are to share with others, and get pulled into our selfish desires and thoughts, but God always draws us back to Himself.  He is the Way, the Truth and the Life.  I have to keep reminding myself of that at times, because I am human and I at times allow others to interject their version of God's Word into my life.  Then the Lord will remind me "Amy, you are not the Holy Spirit, you cannot make others believe or acknowledge the truths I have shown you.  In their own time.  I have told you that when someone is raised to know me, they may get off the path at times, but they will return to me."  This is very comforting to me, especially when dealing with my children.