Wednesday 25 April 2012

back online

Well, those who aren't on Facebook (or don't pay attention) will be wondering where I've been. My computer has refused to turn on for a week. Before that, there was some user-interface problems. But now I'm back online for real (but no promise of tomorrow). So, I'm glad to have my computer. I was almost glad to have the iPad as a backup, but it is so incredibly limited. People who only use those things (or a phone) have no idea what they are missing. While I was "gone" Blogger changed the setup. I hope it all still looks right on the other end. I really have nothing new to say except I'm happy to be back.

Saturday 7 April 2012

quick hello

I had my sonogram on Tuesday, and baby looks like a boy. Everyone groaned when we saw that... Not that I don't love my boys, but it would be nice to use those ruffly dresses again. Also there is the task of choosing a name - we've had our girl name picked out for almost 5 years now.

Monday was the state mandated achievement test for the three oldest. Naysha was very nervous, but came out all right. We won't get scores for a while, and I'm not expecting much this year, to be honest. Though we are getting better. I got to chat with some folks I knew, including one gentleman that was a family friend when I was quite young. Mom and Dad, he says "hi." A lady talked me into going out for coffee with her, and we met up at the coffee house downtown. That was a new experience for me, and I enjoyed it a lot (the drink and the chat).

Thursday we went to Green Forest to pick up our beef. It was butchered at http://dasbutcherhaus.com/, which is Mennonite owned. In addition to the beef, I got a pair of gloves that look like they might last more than a week. Bob asked what they do with the skins, as he's been wanting to try tanning. They sell the skins for $35. Our steaks and roasts were vacuum-sealed, and the ground is in little bags. We didn't get the soup bones, but I didn't want to go back and ask about it. We did get liver and tongue, which I'll give to the dog. I picked up a business card for a greenhouse, so when we finished packing the meat, we headed across town to the plant nursery.

The nursery was in the backyard of the butcher. He has a large Amish-style house (complete with two-story add-on, just like in the movies). Several women worked in the greenhouses, and were courteous enough, but it was when Mr himself came out that we got the questions. Where are we from? Do we go to church with Dan? Why are we out in Green Forest? It's nice that even though we don't conform to the costume, we are recognizable as kindred spirits.

Today Bob took SSon to have his wisdom teeth removed, and this evening he grilled burgers for our supper. Yumm.

Sometime this week was also managed to take a trailer load of cardboard, and two old mattresses, to the city recycling center. All the potatoes sprouted in the garden, we have eaten 3 strawberries, and we planted some green beans. My iris have begun to bloom, just as the tulips and daffodils stopped. We bought the lumber for the children's long-promised playhouse, and if we ever get a clear forecast we will start staining it.

So I guess we had a pretty full week, and no wonder I feel unprepared for Resurrection Day.