Well the children have been off school since last Wednesday. So Thursday we cleaned their bedrooms. They worked pretty quickly, emptying everything out of them, scrubbing, organizing, and putting everything back. Friday and Saturday were pretty nice days, spent horseback riding, fishing, hiking, and doing some other little odds and ends. They have had the chance to have several friends over, and their cousins too. Sunday we went to my Dad's for Easter dinner. It was good and nice to visit with everyone.

Yesterday I made potato soup for dinner form the leftover scalloped potatoes, some carrots, and a few pieces of ham from Sunday dinner. I had been taking some antibiotics and yesterday I just did not feel all that well. They really bother my stomach at times.

Did 2 sets of taxes yesterday. I 'think' that should be about it for the year. I have all of my regular customers finished, so if they all don't tell anyone about me (!) that should be it!!!

Today we are going to the library to work. Every month we put up a new bulletin board for the Senior Center. My kids all love art-work and relly enjoy creating a new design each month. We are going tomake a big flower garden with butterflies hovering around it. I am going to clean the library while they are working on it, and organize a supply cupboard too.

Yesterday we found one of our hens (jenna) sitting on a few eggs under the barn. We moved her to a pen we have for this purpose, and she immediately sat on them again. I haven't checked her yet this morning, so I hope she still is. Last year Another chicken, Gretchen, started sitting for 2 weeks then she left the nest and would not go back on, which was a bummer!

Tonight we have tickets to see the Royal Lippazaner Stallions at the Civic Center. It looks like a great show. Cale thought that the kids would really love it, as they all "LOVE" horses. He bought us front row seats and they are all looking forward to it.

Then it is back to school tomorrow and preschool for me. The days just seem to fly by... I am anxiously waiting for spring to really arrive. I am tired of being cold!

What is going on in your area of the world???

-- Melissa in SE Ohio (me@home.net), April 02, 2002

Answers

The sun is shining. What more can I ask?

The chickens are growing and need to be out but it's still too cold nights for just a couple of heat lamps, we think. This morning one was perched on the top/side of the box. I expect to find one on the chandelier before we get them out----Thursday, we're thinking.

Plants are growing on the side porch.

I've been doing some house cleaning, though spring cleaning can't happen until the stove is out for the summer and windows can be open. Yesterday I did completely clean and re-arrange the side porch/maple sales room. It looks roomier now. It's always terribly crowded because we do our sales there (the sales building STILL hasn't gotten built!) and it is, essentially, our front door. Right now, plants are starting there, too.

Had the granddaughters come this last week and help me take books down from a tall bookcase and clean and sort and re-arrange it. That was a big job because it's tall (8 feet) and big.

Canning the last of the syrup today, I guess. We'd kept this out, intending to put it up in bulk and wholesale it to a dealer in Michigan but it looks as if we'll need it to fill sales at home. This is darker----but then, some people prefer dark syrup.

Planning a big birthday bash this weekend. My daughter, one granddaughter and I all have birthdays this next few days. We're planning to really have a crazy, hassle-her-a-lot party because the daughter, Diana, is having one of those "big, dreaded" birthdays. Her brother's planning to really lay it on her.

Have a good week everybody.

-- Rosalie (Dee) in IN (deatline@globalsite.net), April 02, 2002.

Yesterday I was out in a short sleeve shirt doing the last of the yard work, raking the sticks up from the winter. Today it is gale force winds and 32 degrees and too windy to pick up my piles of sticks and take them to the burning pile. Just like spring I guess! Also preparing for a get together this Friday of a group of friends we have known for thirty years. Kinda of a friendship anniversary celebration. We're having it at our church hall so I will take care of a lot of the hall preparation. Should be a wonderful evening. Other than that it's the usual. Waiting for the weather to settle a bit to get in the early garden stuff.

-- Nancy (nannyb@huntel.net), April 02, 2002.

Nanny, sounds like you could be my neighbor! The sun has hidden and the wind is 30 to 40 miles an hour and of course we are butchering several of the chickens today!God Bless

-- Micheale from SE Kansas (mbfrye@totelcsi.net), April 02, 2002.

Cool & very windy here today!!!!!!!! Fire bans as we need rain sooo badly----this is the time of year when we usually would be burning pasture-(prepareing for cattle season) -but this year we pray for no fires!! Fire trucks have been going out each day in this area--& all over this part of our state---most of our fire depts are volunteers & many of the men haven't been at their regular jobs as they have been fighting fires/ almost non-stop!!! We need rain----wheat is shot if we don't receive rain soon--if it isn't too late for most of the wheat anyway! The sun is trying to peek it's head out & I keep encourageing it--- Tooo windy to do anything outside today---so I'll get caught up on the inside today-- Also you can go to www.prariefirefestival.com & see what we have planned to bring "outsiders" into our area & spend some money--as we plan one more thing to promote & educate others about RURAL AMERICA & our lifestyle!!

-- Sonda in Ks. (sgbruce@birch.net), April 02, 2002.

Sorry I get in a hurry------that should be www.prairiefirefestival.com ------later sonda

-- Sonda (sgbruce@birch.net), April 02, 2002.

Sonda, I hear you about the fire!!! We're entering fifth year of drought,and so far this year we're Waaaaayyyy behind on rain. Easter Sunday a fire started south of us, it's still burning out in the backwood swampy areas, and the sky looks really scary. The smell tells us where it is and what's burning, gaaagggg!

Everybody out here has their fire-suppression equipment and evacuation plans updated and ready for whatever comes, but I pray that we won't need it.

For the past several weeks we've been doing major planting stuff. Got the orchard in, expanded raised beds in and planted, inventoried all canning/dehydrating equipment, and ordered replacements.

Falling into bed every night tired N hurtin'.

Easter was Sunrise Service, BIG family dinner and socializing, and fell asleep before head hit the pillow.

This week we're back to the grind, right now waitin' on the weather - will it or won't it rain? Plant the corn or wait for rain?

Wishing You an Evening in His Grace

-- Michaela (flhomestead@hotmail.com), April 02, 2002.