Good morning all, cold and crsipy here in SE Ohio this morning. A nice clear day so far from the looks of things. I have given up on watching the weather on TV, they are hadrly ever right, so now I just look out the front door!! Just as accurate and I don't have to use any electricity!!!

Well I have had a busy week. Monday the kids were off school, so we went to the eye-doctor. 3 new pairs of glasses, for Lindsey, Kadai, and prescription sunglasses for me. Cost just under $300. So they came in on Thursday and we had to go back to town and pick them up. Splurged on a pizza that evening! Cale was off yesterday so we did a few things around here, and in the afternoon he napped, and I worked on my quilt.

I have done a few sets of taxes this week, has slowed a little which is normal. There will be another onslaught about the middle of March (everyone who owes money) and a last minute rush on April 14th, when I probably won't sleep for 2 days!!

Kadia babysat last night, and Lindsay and Brady had friends to stay the night. They have been up since 6am so they will be grouchy tonight! We have had lots of company lately... Had friends over last night and some tomorrow. Cale and a friend are off looking for deer horns (sheds), and just walking around in our woods (why you ask??? beats me!!!!) Today we are going to build something, I don't know what but I am in the mood to make something!!! Later we are gong to see a friends new calf also.

Well I hope you are having a good day!! Let us know what you are up to in your home.

-- Melissa in SE Ohio (me@home.net), February 23, 2002

Answers

Very chilly here this am. I think it will warm up then get really cold again-chance of snow mid-week. Husband and I are fighting mild colds-nothing serious. just feeling a little draggy. I bought three boxes of Puffs tissue on sale yesterday, this morning I cannot find them anywhere-I hate when that happens! This afternoon, we will finish up the kids classes in Bowling Green-the supper Saterday, and will probably have dinner out as a treat.

-- Kelly (KY) (homearts2002@yahoo.com), February 23, 2002.

Melissa, if you really have the itch to build, you can drive to NW Ohio and help us. We tore down a 100 year old barn and are now trying to put it back up. We are replacing the center beams with treated 4 x 6 posts because those beams are to heavy to lift without renting a machine for it. We expanded the sides some so we will use them there. Your whole family is welcome, just bring hammers!

-- Joanie (ber-gust@prodigy.net), February 23, 2002.

It's a beautiful day here, supposed to get into the 60's even. I wish I could stay home and work in the yard. Yesterday I started raking up the hundred of little sticks that broke off during an ice storm a couple weekends ago. But I will be going to a job sight with my husband and do the cleaning. He will finish the project today and he has surgery on his right shoulder on Monday so best get it all done today. He's a remodeler and this surgery will immobilize his shoulder for about a month. Times will be very tight around here. We have no reserves as we have had some major financial problems this past year. Had to do some big reorganizing in the business and now my husband is the only one working. But we saw the Lord work thoughout it all and we have great peace that He will be taking care of us. An update on the missionary who was run over by the trash truck yesterday. No internal injuries but he had his femor broken on one leg and the toes crushed on the other foot. They are hoping they can save his toes. They did surgery on the broken femor and had to do some bypass to get circulation going in that foot. Had a major open wound with the broken femor, so we are praying for no infection there and that the circulation will be good. Thanks for all who prayed and keep it up.

-- Nancy (nannyb@huntel.net), February 23, 2002.

Joanie that just sounds like so much fun!!! and I am serious I love to build and create new things from something old. We tore down an old barn also several years ago. We used the beams and built the trusses for our living room and family room. They were 40 feet long. CAle tore the whole barn down himself, I still am amazed at how he did it. I was pregnant, so mostly just watched and prayed(!) and ran for tools and such. I am so glad you are able to preserve thsi old building, I love the hand-hewn timbers.

-- Melissa in SE Ohio (me@home.net), February 23, 2002.

nancy I hope the missionary continues to improve and do well. That sounded like an awful accident.

I hope things work out financially as well, I well know what it is like to have those hard financial times, but I truly believe God doesn't give us more than we can handle. When this has happened to me, it usually just renews my determination to be even more frugal and to save even more when we get back onour feet. So I will keep youand your husband in my prayers.

-- Melissa in SE Ohio (me@home.net), February 23, 2002.

Nancy, we will keep you in our prayers and just remember, things seem to work out better for homesteaders. We are a can-do bunch of people with great ideas and the willingness to work for them. Keep the faith and you will come out fine. Melissa, I forgot to tell you the best part of the barn - it was free. The owner was going to just set it on fire and let the volunteer fire dept. practice on it. I know they need practice, but not on such a nice barn. We saved enough of the slate roof to redo the center but will have to do other roofing for the ends. One end of the barn is going to be a nursery and farrowing house for pigs and sheep. That will make Jan. and Feb much nicer (that is when our animals for county fair have to be born) I have a pot of soup on the woodstove, everyone is welcome.

-- Joanie (ber-gust@prodigy.net), February 23, 2002.

Worked last night then slept till about 3pm. Got up and fed my chickens and baby chicks which I incubated back in early January (they are feathering nicely). Next I went out to water the 2 squares of my square foot garden which I have already planted. I was able to see the little carrots, radishes and lettuce just breaking the surface. The temp her in North Central Texas is 75 F today and its sunny. Very nice day. Going back to work tonight, but off Sunday, Monday, Tuesday.

PoePoe

-- PoePoe (rpd932@yahoo.com), February 23, 2002.