Don't hear much from some of you any more!! What is going on, any new projects, recipes, ideas??? I know you are all keeping busy with something. Let us know. maybe it will be inspiring to someone!

-- Melissa in SE Ohio (me@home.net), March 27, 2002

Answers

I have a magazine in one printer, a book by a Brazilian colleague in another, and taking everything with me tomorrow to a Easter-weekend conference. Back on Saturday. Has been a busy two weeks. The next weekend I'm off giving a seminar, the first of possibly 10 this year, entitled "Total Transformation."

-- Randal at home in Brazil (randal@rhyme.cjb.net), March 27, 2002.

Today I was able to pick up a check from our book keeper because we finally got some money into the company. This is the first we have received since my husband had his shoulder surgery on Febr. 25. Was able to pay some bills. That is a blessed feeling. Also had my after school Bible study for the kids today. Our J.A.M. (Jesus and Me) group. Used the "Resurrection Eggs" to go through the whole story of Jesus death and resurrection with these kids. They asked a lot of good questions. Very exciting. Happy Easter everyone.

-- Nancy (nannyb@huntel.net), March 27, 2002.

After a full day of work today, I came home and planted fruit trees. Getting the raised beds ready to plant and building a couple of more will take up most of our week-end, I hope, if the weather cooperates. I have been gathering free pallets whenever I can find them, almost have enough to build a small chicken coop, may start that this weekend also. I am also having a big garage sale next month, so I have been busy "spring cleaning". I've never had a garage sale in the country, but I go to other peoples in the country all the time, so I am hoping for a good turnout. I have also started a baby quilt for my daughters friend. This same girl had sort of a culture shock when she first came to our house. She thought you couldn't make pudding except from a box, and biscuits came only in a can. She also thought that camping consisted of motor homes, microwaves, and portable television sets. She was so ,er, surprised when she went camping with us, she refused to go again. She has learned a lot, though, LOL!!!

-- Gina NM (inhock@pvtnetworks.net), March 27, 2002.

We had our Bible study here tonight (there are 12 of us) - When I'm done checking out the posts, I'll be reading some articles I have to summarize for my class next Saturday. I feel likt that's all I'll be doing for the rest of this year - I see is streeeeeeeeeeeeeeetching out before me - I'm finishing my masters - the plan is to graduate in December - then I'm having a big party & everyone's invited!!!! ;)

-- heather (h.m.metheny@att.net), March 27, 2002.

My day started out in a rush because the neighbor came over to tell me that one of my mares was visiting with his mule. Mad dash into clothes that wouldn't frighten anybody and get up there to get her back in. The last time she was out it was because someone had partied up at the gate and decided to open it for grins and giggles. We found beer cans and stuff there. This time she was just ornery and decided to lean on the fence until it was low enough to step over. The kids and I spent the rest of the morning putting a hot wire all the way around the pasture. We made quite a sight....me and the 3 older kids putting up insulators and dragging wire while the baby rode in his stroller that doubled as a tool carrier. Had a Fischer Price wagon loaded with the ax and saw to cut down the limbs and trees in the fence..... Mom's Repair Service!! Got it all done before lunch.

-- Tana Mc (mcfarm@totelcsi.net), March 27, 2002.

WOW tana, all i did today was laundry , school, floors, the bathroom, and some work on a puzzle with my sis and mom in law, then I made dinner, and spent some time with the girls, Quess that would be a light day for you....LOL

-- Kristean Thompson (pigalena_babe@yahoo.com), March 27, 2002.

We put down newspapers in the grapevines and then covered with wheat straw from mulch, then mulched the asparagas bed with wheat straw, in all took 15 bales of straw. Checked out cutting down a beech tree to make bowls out of, cleared space to land the tree on tommorow. Worked on bases for old world santas need thirty got them cut out and drilled ready to turn in the wood lathe. Marked out the faces on 18 santa ornimants, now to get them carved. Just another day on Bluewaterfarm.

-- David in North Al. (bluewaterfarm@mindspring.com), March 27, 2002.

Just got home from choir practice. We have a Good Friday service Friday night and of course a BIG Sunday morning service, so we went over normal time quite a bit. We have a wonderful choir and director, so I am really looking forward to "Singing" the Word this weekend. Family is all coming this weekend, both sides, so I have been cookin' an'a cleanin!!!! If if ever dries up, I hope to get outside and do some much needed yard work. We are going to work cows on Friday, since my husband has the day off. Saturday is a cattle sale, then Sunday church, so the week is pretty much gone until Monday. Praise the Lord, He is Risen!!!

-- Ivy in NW AR (balch84@cox-internet.com), March 27, 2002.

Ann and I are preparing for our first week at the homestead, Friday.

Our motorhome is in place and we have a lot to do, as you can imagine.

(For those who heard the story about it being stuck in mud- the former homestead owners son freed it for us).

It will be great to have shelter to protect us. We will take our water in with us, and maybe get the solar panels hooked up while we are there.

When we return we will be scratching together the 2700 dollar income tax for converting our investments into a homestead in 2001.

Can you say blekkkkkkk?

-- Rick in SW West Virginia (Rick_122@hotmail.com), March 27, 2002.

Cleaning, painting and downsizing the extras for a sale in a couple of weeks. Jenn

-- jenn (Normaj3@countrylife.net), March 27, 2002.

Went to Joplin, MO today to go to SAMs and get supplies.Tomorrow will be day number one on the board of not going to store, although I haven't been to the store since March 8, but needed flour, sugar etc. Also went and spent some good coupons and got some really great deals on Easter dress for me. Even found shoes to match for 5.00!!Came home and cleaned out pantry,kitchen and mud room. Hung up heavy winter coats in back closet, put up mittens, hats etc, in back room. If we need them , I can get them , but I am trying to hurry spring! Collected eggs, made supper and now am enjoying reading the board and posting. Now it's bath time and maybe bed early. I have to make a Elmo birthday cake for my nephew and iron 14 shirts and 3 pairs of pants tomorrow. I hate ironing!!!!!!!!!!!Talk to you soon!God BLess

-- Micheale from SE Kansas (mbfrye@totelcsi.net), March 27, 2002.

I've been cranky the last couple of days - spring fever and nowhere to spring, I guess.

Talked to my mom this evening, who told me about the BIG fire on the south side of Edmond today, then checked the cell phone (we have free mobile-to-mobile, we got mine just so Lance could call me if he needed me for something) to see that Lance had not called me, and since the fire was in his district, assumed that's why. He called about 10:45, and I was right - he'd just gotten back and had been out there for about six hours. The fire is all out except for a small area in what was the center of the building, and it was too unstable for them to re-enter, so they are hoping there isn't enough left to flare up and cause them to re-visit the site at 3:00 a.m. or so! I missed the news reports, but apparently though the building will be a total loss, no one was injured or killed. Thank God for all blessings.

Planning the Easter events at our house also. At last count we should have (about) 26 people here. Menu planning ensues tomorrow, along with phone calls in the order of "you bring this, I'll do that, I'll get her to bring this".

Nick's egg hunt for school is tomorrow, Mitchell's is Friday. They are driving me nuts with the plastic eggs all over the house already! We'll do our real eggs on Friday, boil and color, and probably bake some cookies.

-- Christine in OK (cljford@mmcable.com), March 28, 2002.

Moved rocks, and moved more rocks. Making planters and walkways. Started the construction on the add on to the chicken coop. Made a pot of beef chili and one of Elk chili. Baked a (from scratch)pound cake. Two loads of laundry. Picked up the turkey chicks that came in (12); picked up stepdaughter from school. Cleaned the rabbit hutch. Cleaned the goat stall. Moved the corral. Dusted the livingroom. Helped Steve fell 3 trees for neighbors. Cut 25 pine tree "rounds" for stepping stones. Fixed dinner for the neighbors and us, sat at the table for 2 1/2 hours over dinner, dessert and lots of good talk about homesteading, kids and Jesus. Cleaned kitchen, now up here typing, then off to the shower, sleep and a new day. Wishing you the best, Sissy

-- Sissy Barth (iblong2Him@ilovejesus.net), March 28, 2002.

Since my family is polish, this is our big holiday. I am cooking, and cooking, and cooking, and.....! Even homeschooling is over until after Easter. We cleaned out the chicken coop this week and are also refurbishing an old chicken coop to move the new chicks into when they are ready. Also, building new clotheslines (woohoo!! No more saggy clotheslines!! -- gee, the little things that make you happy on the farm!), re-buying seeds for the garden (with the bad mail order experience - and now have to buy plants because it is too late to start them), and making plans for the 2 new pigs that will be coming (deciding on fencing, where to put them, housing, etc.)

For crafts I am doing scrapbooking and will be starting my pergamano as soon as I get the rest of the supplies (they are hard to find!). Later this spring, my daughter and I will start working on crafts to sell at the fall festivals.

Will there ever be a day when there aren't more things that need done than things that are actually done???????

-- Karen (mountains_mama2@hotmail.com), March 28, 2002.