Catching Up

Got a message from my friend Corky that I needed to post as she needed a "fix". So here you go Corky.

Grandson Justin is home from the hospital and having his appendix removed. I sat with him during the day so Melody could work as she used all her sick days when he had surgery for the bone infection. His wound from bone infection is healing nicely. We drove to Asheville this morning bright and early to see his doctor there. He still has to take antibiotics for the rest of the summer but no skin graft as it is healing nicely. Instead of home health coming 3 times a week to change the bandage he has to go to the wound care center. That is 3 trips a week and his teacher comes twice a week to keep him up on school work. His schedule along keeps everyone busy.

Skyler has had a cold and slight fever. He can't go to daycare until he is fever free 24 hours. He is going to spend the day with me tomorrow. I have so much fun with him. I have been helping Megan clean walls and paint . She is fixing up her house and it is looking so nice. I have plans to help her some this week as well.

Had the best Mother's Day ever! The first time since 2006 that all 3 girls and I got to spend it together. We had a family cookout at Megan's. Grilled chicken and shrimp with steamed veggies, grilled corn on cob, pasta salad, and lots of finger foods to nibble on while everything was cooking. Also had choices of different cakes for dessert. It was so good being with the girls and families. We joked, laughed, and talked way too much fun but can't wait to do it again. I was blessed with so many gifts from them as well as beautiful cards. It was a Mother's Day I will never forget.

Since graduations are coming up this month as well as a family reunion my plans are to return to Hidden Haven at first of the month. Kristine graduates May 24th

 and Woody graduates May 31st. Anyone else notice graduation invitations are lot fancier than they use to be?

 The family reunion is the 25th so hopefully things work out and I will attend all these and then head back to help William on the homestead.

We have planted a garden here but have had a few days of cold weather and a little frost. Hoping it will still make it. The flowers I planted around the cabin are protected by the roof hangover and are doing really well. The humming birds have found my feeder and keeping me busy filling it. I have 2 others I brought with me that I am going to clean and hang tomorrow. I have the one feeder right outside the kitchen window and love watching them feeding. The air conditioner is in that window so I have a big pot of gerber daisies sitting on the outside part where the humming birds swarm to them too. All the posts down the goat fence next to the cabin has bird feeders on them. I keep them filled and enjoy watching all the different birds eating. Lots of cardinals eat from the one closest to the cabin but don't go to the other ones. They are beautiful.

Got a window box built and placed underneath the living area window. I am wanting to put mint in it along with a couple of flowers. Just think it would be nice to smell the mint when the window is open. I don't plan on turning the a/c on until I absolutely have to.

Granddaughter Kristine went to her prom last Saturday. She is a smart young lady. She got a beautiful dress but knew she would be dancing and wanted comfortable shoes. Her and her boyfriend wore sneakers! I just love this photo showing them off.

 So that's what has been keeping me busy since last post. Not much homesteading news though I did make soap for the girls for Mother's Day. I also helped Melody load firewood as Joseph split it last night but it didn't take very long. They cut wood all summer to sell in the fall and winter. Last year they sold out in just a couple of weeks even with all the cords of wood they had stacked so this year means cutting lots more. They have to save some for themselves and our cabin!

Hope you spring is going good and your gardens and animals are well and healthy. Have a blessed one!

This and That

Grandson Justin who was doing so well after his bone infection and surgery is back in the hospital. His appendix ruptured today. So looks like I will be at the cabin for a little longer this trip than planned. I was suppose to go home last Friday and it got postponed for a couple weeks so glad I was still here today and he wasn't home alone.

It has rained almost every weekend since I have been here and guess what... suppose to rain again this weekend. Going to a mother daughter church breakfast this Saturday and hopefully going to church Sunday with all 3 daughters.

Had a very wonderful time last Saturday when some of the church members went to a local nursing home and sang old time hymns. It was such a blessing to me and I met some really nice people there. They enjoyed us and we enjoyed their singing along and talking with us.

I have been going over and helping Megan paint and redo their house a few times a week. I realize I am too old to get up and down off the floor after painting baseboards and that my eyes don't work too good when painting after dark. Have fun with her though and get in some Skyler time.

My friend Debbi from LA sent me a box of VHS tapes. Had plans to watch movies with some of the grands Friday night but will have to wait and see how things go with Justin. Some of my grands are old movie buffs and love watching VHS tapes so we try to do that as often as we can.

Melody is finished with this semesters courses and passed all her classes. I look forward to having her home right after work instead of having classes and not getting home until 9PM. Know she and her family are happy about that too.

William is overwhelmed with things back at the homestead while trying to care for everything and still do his handyman jobs. Am hoping things calm down for him and that I get back there at least by the end of the month to start downsizing animals and taking over the animal care to free his time up. This delays our getting animals and things moved by the end of this month but that is okay. Things happen for a reason and I am learning to be patient (or least try to be patient) and accept things as they take place.

It has been so cool since we planted the garden I don't think anything is going to come up soon. It is suppose to get down to 35F at night next week. This week so far has been 38F and 39F at night and early mornings. which is too cool for gardens.

Bella and her puppy wandered off one day last week. William looked for them all day and our neighbor finally found them at the church. Well today (after me reminding William a LOT to fix the fence) they wandered off again and animal control picked them up. Cost us $221 to get them back. This was fees and fines for not having them on a leash and for microchips which they make all animals get that get picked up. The puppy also got a rabies shot which he was already scheduled to get May 14 so that is okay. Think after this hefty cost William will be out fixing the fence. Bella is lonely I am sure. She is my dog and follows me around all day. Sleeps in the floor of whatever room I am several times during the day and when she is outside she is right by my side when I come out the door. I think she just got lonely with William being busy and me not there and decided to go on a adventure. She has been staying in the yard all the time but is now back in the goat pens and hopefully the spot she found to get out of is fixed and she will be okay till I get home.

Life has its ups and downs but each day is a adventure I enjoy finding the blessings in.

Good Result Day

Today I went with Melody to take Justin to 2 doctors appointments in Asheville. The first doctor took out his picc line which meant I no longer needed to give him IV meds during the day. The second doctor said his wound was healing good and that there shouldn't be a need for skin grafts. He can also go swimming the end of July which makes Justin very happy. He no longer needs the wheelchair and only needs crutches when he is away from home. That means I can make plans to head back to the homestead for a few weeks to get animals ready to bring up and get some more downsizing done. William will be happy to have some help with the animals and Rusty will be happy to have his "mommy" back.

Quintin (Megan's son) was in the hospital a few weeks back with mono and what they thought was Lyme's disease. He went to a specialist in Charlotte, NC today. They drew blood and sent it to Yale to check for Lyme's disease but the doctor thinks he doesn't have it. He is taking the antibiotic till the test comes back and they know for sure. He got the okay to go to football practices as long as he takes breaks and doesn't overdo. He still gets tired easy but hopefully will soon be back to his regular self.

While in Asheville we went out to lunch and to a Goodwill that sells its items by the pound. I loved it!! Some items were 59cents a pound and some were a dollar and a few cents a pound. Furniture, tvs, and heavy items were priced by the piece. I got a few things for the cabin and a few items for me. We are planning a trip back to Goodwill with Megan and Maggie once I get back up. We could have stayed there all day as they kept bringing out huge bins of items every few minutes. My kinda store!

 Granddaughter Hope has learned to play the ukelele. She has played it over the phone for me and then Sunday evening she sat and played and sang for me. She and Quintin are also learning to play the guitar.

Melody and family have finally got their garden planted. We went over to where it was tilled up last evening. Hopefully no more frosts are coming in to get the tomatoes. The flowers and plants I set out around the cabin are taking off and growing. I have a few seeds I am going to plant tomorrow and will be bringing more plants back with me. Think they will like the mountain weather much better than the heat and humidity and should do well here.
Things are going well as William and I work toward getting moved to our cabin. Still lots to do at Hidden Haven but we seem to be on schedule. Lots of blessing to be thankful for here. Hope your day has been filled with blessings!

Random 5 Fridays

{Random 5 Friday} where you share 5 random facts about you, your day, your pets, your kids, whatever!

1. Am going camping for the first time since 2009 this weekend. Leaving a cute cabin and warm bed for a tent and sleeping bag... go figure.

2. Slept the best I have in forever the other night. The rain hitting the tin roof of the cabin put me right to sleep.

3. I have filled the birdfeeders along one side of the goat fence and love sitting by the window next to it watching all the birds. I hung one feeder right outside the kitchen window. The finches love this one and I get a real close up view.

4. I am trying to read some of the books I have on kindle. Didn't realize my library was so full! The problem is I start reading and don't want to go to sleep before I finish a book.

5. Planting in the garden has been delayed till Sunday as Melody and Joseph are going out of town and I am going camping. Hopefully Sunday afternoon will find us getting our seeds and plants in the ground!

Nothing earth shattering around here but routine and quiet is good. How bout you? Want to take part in Random 5 Friday?

Home

Spending my 3rd night in cabin and its actually starting to feel like home. Just need to get William,Rusty, and the animals up here to make it complete.

We took Justin to Asheville today so the doctor could check his foot. The home health nurse took the med vac out yesterday and doctor wanted to make sure everything was okay. He now has a brace on that leg so he can walk a little without crutches. The wound is still open but doctor thinks it will heal without skin grafts. We still have to give his IV meds 3 times a day for at least another month. He can't be around crowds because his immune system is low so he will not be going back to school this year nor swimming or vacations. He is fine with that as long as his foot heals without anymore surgery.

Prom was a success. Woody looked out for his sister Hope and they both went to the same after prom party. Had fun without getting crazy or into trouble. I am truly blessed to have such beautiful and smart grands!

William is a bit overwhelmed with things around the homestead. Hard for him to keep all the chores and animal care up along with his handyman business. Once we get the animals here it will be easier for him to work on downsizing his stuff and catch up on jobs for his customers. Hopefully things will move along on schedule.

Plans are to plant the garden this weekend. We have had a few frosty mornings but hopefully by the weekend frost will be gone till fall. After home health nurse comes by tomorrow I have plans to finish setting out the flowers and things I brought with me. I have planted a few of the flowers, the strawberries, and a rose bush but has lots more that needs to get in the ground. Megan also wants me to help her with some flower beds and also painting some rooms in her house. That will be done on weekends as she is at work all week.

Need to clone myself so I can help William at the homestead and be here to get things done and help where I am needed. Just need to breathe, be patient, and wait to see what God has planned. I find myself rushing when I should be waiting. All things work out in the end. Have a very blessed night everyone!

Rambling

No planting the garden today. After a night and day of ran it is far too wet and we also had frost last night with more coming tonight. Though I love the cold weather it is going to hurt the flowers and trees blooming as well as the gardens already planted and coming up.

Cabin is coming along great. Need to hang the ceiling fan and 3 lights, put the baseboards and things can start being moved in. Am excited to get things settled and make it home.

I am such a bad grandma. I got so busy the Thursday working in the cabin I didn't give Justin his IV meds at 2. I forgot! It wasn't a big mistake but I sure felt like a failure. I now have my cellphone set to crow like a rooster at 2PM week days. He is really healing fast. He had a hole drilled into his bone with a tube inserted and attached to a med vac. It pumps out the infection, filters and puts back marrow, etc. The bone infection is clearing up and his wound is healing. The pump should be removed May 1st if all goes well. He still can't go back to school this year but has a teacher come her 2 days a week. He will still have to have his IV meds for awhile. He can't be around lots of people because his immune system is weak but is getting his energy and appetite back. Justin can do things for himself and now only needs me to give his meds. Yesterday I supervised his big brother Woody while he gave them. They both liked that.

Tonight is Prom Night here. Woody gave us a preview of his tux last night. Hope is waiting until this afternoon after hair and nail appointments to show her dress. I will make sure to take pictures before they head out for their big night. This is Woody's senior prom so am sure it is special for him. He graduates May 30 on his birthday and will be going into the air force.

William has his hands full back at the homestead. Between taking care of the animals and his handyman business he is very busy. Gathering the eggs wasn't at the top of his list so now he tells me we have quite a few hens sitting. Not very happy about it but nothing I can do but wait till they hatch and sell lots of baby chicks. Our egg customers might not be too happy. When I get home I plan on selling lots of hens as we are only going to keep 20 to 30 to bring here. William is at the flock swap today selling our bucklings, some hens, ducks, and hopefully a few rabbits. It is hard for him to get up extra early to feed and milk and get there by 8 but am sure he will do his best.

I caught a cold right after I got here and though I got over the fever and aches of it pretty quickly I still have this horrible cough. Don't feel bad just cough a lot. Not even home remedies seem to stop it. Debating on going to church tomorrow as I don't want to start coughing during service. Will wait and see I guess.

After being in the hospital and getting stuck so much Skyler is afraid of people. He lets me hold and play with him and even feed him but when he gets tired or sleepy he starts crying and not wanting me to hold him. He is use to Melody and Joseph as he has seen them almost every day so I can babysit Skyler until he is sleepy and then one of them has to take over. Hopefully he will get use to grandma soon and I can babysit him without help.

Rusty is depressed. William told me Rusty just lays on his blankie or under the table most of the time. He did this one other time when I didn't bring him with me. William is being extra nice to him and since Rusty loves to ride is taking him with him when he can. That makes him happy for a little while. I even talked to Rusty on the phone and that cheered him up for a bit. Aren't I a crazy animal lady! Couldn't bring him with me with Justin's open wound but he will be coming with me next time. William says the sand fleas are out in full force with all the heat they have had. He has been giving dog baths to all to help as well as flea and tick treatments. I will not miss the sand fleas at all when we get moved!

So as you can see nothing really new or exciting going on. I look forward to getting settled in the cabin and posting about living in small spaces, frugal living, and of course animal posts. Soon I hope.  May your weekend be filled with blessings.

In The Mountains

Arrived back in the mountains on Friday. A day earlier than planned but that is a sad story for another day. With lots of help from Melody and family we got the ceiling and trim painted on Saturday along with son in law adding another window for me. Tomorrow I plan on painting the first coat on the walls. I will also be giving Justin his IV meds and making sure he keeps his leg elevated and eats. Melody will be going back to work and the rest of the grands will be in school. Justin and I will be on our own. I have lots of plants and flowers needing put in the ground and hopefully will get that done tomorrow too. Went to church this morning. Love this little mountain church and pastor! We had a nice family dinner afterwards and did a second coat on the ceiling and trim. Church this evening where son in law sang and there was a guest pastor with a wonderful message. Melody had to leave church early because Justin's med vac was beeping and not suctioning. Home Health Nurse came out to the house and took care of the problem. The highlight of the weekend was getting to babysit Skyler while his parents went out to dinner Saturday night. After being in the hospital and being stuck so much he doesn't like being away from his mommy. Took him a little bit to get use to me but after that we had fun. I even gave him his first taste of baby back ribs!

He is doing great.  There are still lots to do before I start moving things into the cabin but I am enjoying the work. Next weekend Melody and I are planting our garden. I also need to work on the goat house before we bring the goats up. William is doing well taking care of the animals and chores around the old homestead. We both want to work to get everything moved up here before it gets too hot. It was 91F the day I left and so humid. I was sleeping with only a sheet covering me in Fayetteville. Here I have slept under a blanket and quilt. I love it! The days are nice and warm but the nights are still chilly and good sleeping weather. Hope your Monday is overflowing in blessings!