Library

How many of you go to the library and how many books do you check out when you go? This may vary depending how big your family is. In times past we used bags to carry our books back and forth. These bags didn't hold up very long and we have begun to use a box. Some folks have been seen leaving the Library with an apple crate full of books.

Iffen Ya Want

Iffen ya want sumpin two do in the next several days youn's can come on down to de home place an give us a han. Hit peers like we dis gonna haf a gran ole time. Sum of us will be rollin an others will be brushin. We wuld luve to see ya stop in an give us a han, iffen ya want. aPeers to be bout fiddy galluns or so thet need to spread all roun da house. Ya can take yor pick as to what ya wanna be a doin. Whether ya be brushin or rollin dis stuff roun. As for me, I ten to slop it roun kinda like I'm feedin dem der hogs I use to have back yeers ago. Well, dat's bout all I's got to say dis time. Before I sign off a here let me remine ya dat dey is gonna be some paint a flyn da nex couple a days or so down on de ole home place. You can stop in an help us aiffen ya want...

Loving It...

Sierra was rubbing Rachel's back tonight with this back rubber thingy... After Sierra was done, Jayden decided it was HIS turn. He laid here on the couch and waited until Aleya came and rubbed his back. He laid there and smiled the whole time, when she quit he would wiggle his back begging for more.

 

House Update

The dry wall fellows are coming to do the final sanding today which means we should be able to paint tommorow if we want to. I must say this crew of mexicans did an incredible job. I was assuming we would be scraping dry wall compound off the floor but these fine people did it for us. They spilled, or splatted, very little on the floor when they were texturing the ceiling. When I thanked them for cleaning up they acted surprised. I told them in my little expierence they were the first crew of any kind that cleaned up after themselves to this extent. The guys that hung the dry wall carried all the extra pieces outside and then swept the floor. Is this unusual? I was assuming I would need to clean up after them.

Da Boys

What fine young men...

 

Attic

When I realized remodeling the house I grew up in was going to be a reality I decided I wanted to sheet the attic. My decision is based on the fact that it is a complete waste of space if it is not used. Also, you can never have to much storage space. However, when a certain lady discovered I was spending the money to sheet the attic she was somewhat skeptical. I believe her exact words were something like this Honey, we are not going to put anything in the attic!!! But if you think we should sheet it then you go ahead I don't mind... If I am not mistaken her mother was in agreement with her and everytime the sheeted attic was being discussed they seemed to find it highly amusing. What I find highly amusing is how many items I have hauled into this sheeted attic in the last couple days. My wife told me at lunch today, while I was snickering at her pickup load of things for the attic, that she had the ability to Admit when she is wrong. I am wondering how many of you have an attic you can tread in heavily. In other words is your attic floor sheeted or do you tip toe around on the rafters hoping you don't slip.

Jackson

Jackson enjoys wearing this hat...

 

Hunting

How many of you spend time deer hunting?

Thanksgiving

I must admit I spend most of my time wishing I had more instead of being greatful for what I have. For instance, this morning when I was getting in the cows I noticed a new calf in my prefresh lot. I go investigate the situation and discover three things. One of which was that this heifer decided to have her calf in the mud. (I would guess we had at least three more inches of rain yesterday.) The second thing I discovered was that the calf was a heifer which was going to cost me some time. We have instituted a heifer calf protocol. Which consists solely of feeding the calf freeze dried colostrum as soon as possible. We purchase this product from an AI company. This product has saved many heifer calves but it is time consuming and I hate it when I get started milking late. The third thing I noticed was that the mother was partially paralyzed. Her back legs were very floppy. She would try to get up but would just fall over. I moan silently. After milking and feeding calves I take the skidloader down and roll her into the bucket. I then carry her to sick pen. I gave her a shot for the pain but I must admit I am rather doubtful she will ever stand up again. So, I was tempted to feel sorry for myself. I would like nothing more than to not have to work today but that isn't an option. Not only do I have to work I have something that is out of my control happen that costs me lots of time and makes my job harder and more tedious. So, what do I have to be thankful for? Well, I milked 84 healthy cows this morning. I fed about 20 healthy calves. I then came home to a happy family. I have help this afternoon which will all0w me to come home early and have supper with the family. There are many things I am thankful for but I must mention my hired man. Sonny underwent hernia surgery on Nov. the 13th. This has made me more aware of how much I depend on him and his wisdom in helping me make decisions. God Bless us all as we remember to be thankful for the things that are most important in life.
This has gotten very long and I don't know if I have said much of anything...

Deja Vue (sp?)

My day was rather uneventful, at least till supper time at which point several interesting things occured. I was unable to arrive home in time to eat with the family so the table was laden with used dishes and cups half full of water. When I sat down at the table I calmly knocked Aleya's cup of water over onto the floor.
I have this ritual of taking a final drink before I leave the table. I had begun this ritual and had my glass half way to my mouth when it slipped out of my hand and crashed onto the table, spilling water over everything in my general area. This little incident reminded me of my first official date with my wife. In that particular incident I had a glass full of Ice Tea slip out of my hand and cover our table. I was somehow able remain very calm and collected. By the way, how do you spell Deja-Vue???

Discipline

Sometime ago I posted a few thoughts on spanking children or, if you prefer, disciplining your children in such away that causes them to have some physical pain. I realize this topic is one that people are scared of because we don't want to be charged with abuse.
Last week while listening to the radio, ESPN, I learned that Bobby Knight had slapped one of his players in the face or jaw hard enough to make him rub his jaw as if he was in some pain. What I find ironic is the fact that no one involved in this incident thought it was a problem. The player, his parents, the school president, or Mr. Knight. Some people seemed to think it was fine for him to discipline his player this way. Apparently Mr Knight was telling his player Look at me when I am talking to you!!!
My question is this: Why is it okay for Bobby Knight to pop a player in the jaw? Yet some parents have gotten into trouble for spanking their children. In the past Bobby Knight has used some very bazarre methods of discipline. Appearing to wip a player with a horsehide wip as well as swinging a metal chair. Here is another interesting thought. If Bobby Knight wasn't winning at Texas Tech would this have been more of a problem? I think so. If they would be losing lots of Basketball games I guarentee Coach Knight would have been suspended or fired. Our society is in the process of becoming very twisted. I wonder why Social Services didn't step in when they discovered Coach Knight had once again struck a player?

TV

I was listening to ESPN radio today and the host, Colin Cowherd, was talking about watching TV. Specifically a big screen TV. He mentioned the fact that he didn't see his family all weekend because he was watching college and professional football. My first thought was, I wonder what his wife thought... While I was thinking this he said that 90% of people that have a big screen TV end up divorced. I am not surprised. If I had a TV of any kind I know I would be watching sports all the time. Evidently time isn't the only downside to owning a TV. He said he was given a really good to TV that was worth about $4,000. I believe the company gave it to him for advertising purposes. I am assuming this but I have no idea why else they would give someone a $4,000 TV. So it appears that money would also be an issue. I must admit I was surprised that the percentage was that high. Are you?

Family Portrait

 

Dry Wall

A crew of five mexicans showed up this morning. They were very interesting to watch. They didn't look like they were working hard or fast but they sure got a lot done. They made every move count. The upstairs is three fourths hung and they started hanging the basement ceiling. It is starting look like a house with rooms. Like a house nearing completion. One of these days I will take some pictures but I don't know when...

Mid Life Crisis Group

Some folks in our church started a young marrieds group several years ago which we were part of. As time went on the group got larger and some of us didn't feel so young any more. Thus was formed another group of people. I think everyone in this group has at least three children. Their was a lot of discussion concerning what we were going to call ourselves. I thought we should be called the Mid Life Crisis Group. I was the only person with this idea because we are call our selves the Young Family Group. This is really not accurate because when you get married you are a young family regardless of children. Anyway, this group is coming over tonight. Two or three of the families are gone so here are the numbers. Tonight we will have nine adults and nineteen children.

Appliances

I am wondering what brand of appliances you think are the best. Maytag, Hot Point, GE, Frigidaire, or a different brand. We were told this evening that Maytag appliances are junk. What is your opinion?

Insulation Part II

It's finished... Hip hip hooray... We have scheduled an inspection for the insulation in the morning. Our drywall people are planning to have all the drywall hung by Sat. evening. How cool is that???


Today while I was bringing the cows across the road (The field they are grazing in is across the road. I put a fence up when I am bringing them across.) I noticed there was a vehicle parked in the road. When I went down to drop the fence and let the vehicle pass I discovered it was a Fed Ex truck. The driver was out with her cell phone taking a picture. She told me she was taking a picture to show to her manager. This way she could prove why she was being delayed. I bet her manager would found it hard to believe she was held up by a herd of cows in the road...

Insulation

They started insulating the house today. Should finish tommorow. We are hoping the dry wall fellows, a crew of mexicans, can start this week.
It has been a long day and I am weary.
Sleep good.

Time

Christ's Life is in us, and that makes it all possible, but we MUST CHOOSE IT. I must CHOOSE to put my book down, get up off the couch, and make cookies with my girls helping. I must choose to let the dishes wait a minute and go pretend to be a bear and chase my boys down the hall.

The funny thing is, it's so HARD to choose to get down there with them, but when I'm with them, cracking up so hard I'm belly-laughing, and looking into their eyes and down into their hearts, and just enjoying them, I am so greatful I got off the stinkin' couch! No matter how relaxing that book was to me, it can't beat being WITH them. The book is nice to my flesh, but being (really BEing) with my children brings Peace and Rest to my heart.

But it doesn't start out like that. At first, it's you making the choice via sheer will-power to do what you know you OUGHT to do. God is responsible for changing your heart, but YOU are responsible for changing your actions.

This is not original with me. My wife found it on the internet. I must admit this is what I struggle with. I don't seem to have energy to BE with my children. I try to tell myself that when my children are 14 I want to have a relationship with them. But I forget so easy. It is much easier to say no... I am tired and don't have the energy to play hide and seek. But when I do it I have fun and they have fun. Isn't that what family is all about? Learning to have fun together?

A Thousand Words

They say a picture is worth a thousand words. So I guess you have your thousand word post for the week...

 

Tragedy

Yesterday evening my wife was leaving for town. While she was leaving Blackie was traipsing along beside her. When Rachel turned at the end of the drive the van felt like it had gone over a rock. She then heard this yipping sound and Blackie was running for the farm house like he was shot out of a cannon. Naturally she assumed all would be well. I was unaware of these events when I backed my truck up to the farm house porch. I noticed the dog was lying beside the steps but was far to still. I nudged him with my foot and he took no notice. I was surprised and wondered what had happened. I called Rachel to break the news to her. She then told me what had happened. Sierra was somewhat distressed. This is the first death she has had to deal with and she shed a few tears on her mother's shoulder. While we were working in the house she would tell me she was "Thinking about Blackie". This morning she is singing away and said that she slept well last night. I am sure cupcake will be very happy to have such a thorn in the flesh removed from his life. Blackie found much joy in harrassing the cat. Sierra says she wants another dog but I think we shall wait and see...

Prayer

The last several days Aleya has started to "mmhm" while I am praying. I don't know what started this or where she got the idea. I also heard that her first cousin, Alyssa, was doing the same thing only she was doing it in church. Her parents found it quite amusing. At one point she said, "Yes Lord" in a very reverant and respectuful tone. In a lot of ways this sounds funny, which it is, these girls are not yet four. Are they listening and agreeing or are they just doing it to do it. The funny thing is; no one else in our family does this, at least not on a regular basis so I don't know where she learned it or why she is doing it. Makes me wonder if I really pray when other people are praying. To my shame I don't think I do. Maybe I need to start vocalizing my agreement with the one who is praying to help me pay attention...

Cider

A lady, Wendy, stopped in to visit Rachel yesterday and brought with her a gallon of HOMEMADE Cider. Her parents made it from apples they picked off of their tree. This Cider is very good. Cider in general is good in moderation. Once,when I was a child, I drank as a child and the result was a very serious. This serious condition causes one to occupy the restroom much more frequently then one would desire. It is most commonly referred to as Montezuma's Revenge. I now use better judgement when partaking of this nectar.

Grazing (Sort Of)

I have this lovely field of Matua hay growing beside my house. It has gotten too late in the year to attempt making hay. So this morning we put a fence around it and chased the cows towards it. The biggest draw back was when we were trying to get the cows to cross the road. It took them awhile to make up their minds but when they did they all took off at a gallop. Once they calmed down they spent most of their time nibbling at the incredible hay. We are intending to put the cows out their every day for several hours. We are still feeding them a TMR in the barn. We are just cutting it back a little and hoping they will fill up on those tender green shoots. I must say herd of cows grazing is a beutiful thing.

Housing Update

Saturday the electrician was here and began to pull wires. I believe he has the upstairs half finished. We are hoping to be insulating and doing the drywall by the end of November. We may be able to move before Christmas after all. I am not going to hold my breath. I must say the contractor is doing a great job at keeping things moving and calling the people that are not doing what they said they were going to do. The rough in plumbing was finished last week. Maybe I will post some pictures in the next day or so.

Tour

Tommorow we will be leaving for a short weekend tour. We will be in Floyd Fri. evening. The great thing is we are planning to come back home for the night. Sat. evening we will be at Faith Mission and Sunday morning we will be singing at Believers Fellowship in Waynesboro. Sunday afternoon we will be participating in a mens choir in Harrisunburg. I am unsure how many groups will be their. I believe this event is promoted by the Virginia Conference. We are planning to be home Sunday night.

Photo Prints

Are you still going into Wal-Mart and dropping off your film or have you upgraded to online photo print ordering? We have upgraded and really like it. We will like it more when they finally get DSL in our area.