tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-54114865044610289912024-02-20T20:48:45.797-06:00The Hopeful HomesteaderThe Hopeful Homesteaderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12417571191114724368noreply@blogger.comBlogger37125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5411486504461028991.post-78531248686110391942015-11-15T19:41:00.000-06:002015-11-15T19:41:01.557-06:00Small UpdateThings have been a bit crazy lately. <br />
<br />
Devin and I are in the house now. We haven't really been able to do much on repairs or anything. When we first moved in we didn't have power so we were pretty limited on what we could do. By the time we got home it was already dark and about all we could do was fix something to eat and hit the hay. <br />
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But Friday we finally got power! Yay! Hopefully there will be more updates soon.The Hopeful Homesteaderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12417571191114724368noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5411486504461028991.post-36690303561699945002015-10-22T23:10:00.001-05:002015-10-22T23:10:21.105-05:00Busy, busy, busy…<p>We've been hard at work every week trying to get the house to a livable state. Devin and I are enjoying the time together and working with each other. <p>The house that we’re buying has been sitting empty for nearly two years. <p>It turns out that the lady that used to own the house is someone I used to work with many years ago. Sad to say that a few years ago she had a stroke and had to move closer to town, and has since passed away. <p>When she moved to town she took only the necessities with her and when she passed away and the years since things that have been left in the house has been gone through by various family members gathering their memories. However, much has been left behind and has since come to me as the new owner of the house . <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikSx1lEf-xPK-nuDdHTPOXXF8Cvly9cgDt7__j7pkLYbzHPPaGF1tXhQlNx185YDKCVeeUeIMmAfSHrhxvywDpkYI3mCFGqcJfpm7ivjsGg0J3LLMTXNCw1zprPSRhsFSzRIy1E-9jBg/s1600-h/20150919_144117%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="20150919_144117" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="20150919_144117" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxdjjKLaZmT9GJ8ZCnbXT_bXx4AcNF03DUu4lXpaSqGwfgCeBOMk-LFQjpqKCsAoWy40yvkPYIH_nkRraSsBrY5dtL7vHs9w3JgsGIeFrV3vcEOwyks97awA54JpDB-ymXRPYLsFw9nA/?imgmax=800" width="139" height="244"></a> <p align="center">She obviously passed the time with puzzles.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibM17JvCWiIR9d2-acvP_wkSRFKors8aMdAWuSqEsVt09TtWZ6o6nydupBbMSsUfEdhgipGBsIgKSLnSBxBU0QOrYgwHG-Ca4iAHU81ia7DlK0nEA69gQJ6-CQqBEp9BVg-y0VxPniKA/s1600-h/20151011_121401%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img title="20151011_121401" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="20151011_121401" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF2_4zd_GoaQISxFcOvNPlmY4-YBgDK9ZH1npDQ06b8TsLb2lumRFPepsP-wTfRT8ggTCbE0aPx3NNqXS6_ismWF8N_z5NRv1ZawqRBb6jTrzyqmTvG87wr5zfCjLEbyrlND9aMcKrjg/?imgmax=800" width="139" height="244"></a></p> <p>There’s tons of stuff to go through before we can ever even get to work on the house.</p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUhiLNDtotrGM_r98eXBmhP-EwxSQoGpz1gegEXTA_lqU39Wtxu6x1U54DPLZ7fxMBnqlRwSKDipGKSQb700aX7mCFZELkbvaT4_MSGfId49raGBxjG0DjTya2hbvBeXn9SqoM1rI5Qg/s1600-h/20151011_121729%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img title="20151011_121729" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="20151011_121729" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL_fc08I6zATSY42ALuZXUw0wnfEjb33wsPEiy1g4QTswD_ScJjYOpBvYkImIvkXplYa1cQyIiA3cVQ7FUc0yBtxquRIKdKnMsBcdlrXId6CYW-ZVwynsNzPVAHMV1Rux1F1JsRlmyqw/?imgmax=800" width="139" height="244"></a></p> <p>Even the shed is full of items to plunder through and see what’s what. </p> <p>Once we cleared out the clutter from the house, (okay moved quite a bit of it to the shed to go through later) we really got to work.</p> <p>We started in the back of the house and first got Devin’s room all cleared out. </p> <p>Then we moved on to my room. The water bed is quite a conundrum as to how to get it out of here. The mattress still has quite a bit of water in it and is a little to much for us to get out just yet. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRzo70D9pdTeMddYzYhlAYmNBm4gFfwxzuA2pP5qPX3PHV9sfA7NtRuZfhwKDWedTT2iDgBCY-ENt7HkNKwfC4GIP7Gx5SubXrMwGg_7KFT83qmR3Agvl2jgUVODjbbSi36UBjoEBNYw/s1600-h/20151011_121153%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="20151011_121153" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="20151011_121153" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEoL6spRk3eAFjjNZ3XRSSPnVP3O2qHfsaMlt_qIB2axdD4yXLc1kTXIHSMBcyar4Yma6uwsHTmTVT5_QI666IUBybQ1skkeIWJjvaiQXbCvV9Lyg052t9RVidapks75W7laysJhAjxQ/?imgmax=800" width="139" height="244"></a></p> <p>Since we had to give up on moving out the waterbed for now we decided to start getting rid of some of the carpet. </p> <p> </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix3DFlnEP4SxFIw4P576S2hdQGpLS3WmMU-C_z3Dt5P3ZxogwSBbXtFwFLl4gQIann12qwc15QJmbMNBQ2ZFKUtWm97TaR86RlPCe2WjfVSXJKLwhWP6KTtpWzxtLPFcXBEqFMGBUKDA/s1600-h/20151011_121929%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="20151011_121929" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="20151011_121929" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBVVcrhU870-IuxIXQfbwBqGlsPqEr7JJNv6rSQJCfm1SlEr5tE8L4U5y6LLxZgD0KoWQKY7GtlsuhpZ10dLxglWnIhz2hmzYgxdEEhTPmWsW8JCiqC_d3E78arBW4OnFgPmxtC-6U0Q/?imgmax=800" width="139" height="244"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtKNwZu9Q9p3lwG9xOiY_v0ysPiOPKnCF2d_OsStu1ClkvVIuggXPxb05YTZhxOJuF9pP-dNJB1I82dsDYZd6VypkSi0LKRuEMyJoQKop35fbXblzNBLpYok9MT9d803-A6Hm0LbxP1g/s1600-h/20151011_121933%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="20151011_121933" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="20151011_121933" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi54Lq7FeZIZ_8re-uSIKs3L-8MVq5kRZrm_lUNSlkJkY-OdzW9d0qroRLVvJ-j1Nonlu13BwDpysffQvdf1M8GpEHwnRXTIMRIWKVWx0o7a1uHiRSGYdhCxAyllW4Tw_O0InMAnuGJIg/?imgmax=800" width="139" height="244"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghJoEZhZl-WgyDWN0fzlBo6WW781f8GHfdGezvs0MjgP8EkT9GI_KUTkraUdJzTY89NR3ftrspxW-RoquPDuu3jTjnfhjL6tVoy0O-Y2Ouh9JdKeGBG9FnJ9G26xD00sAEhpPUUhDnfw/s1600-h/20151011_121942%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="20151011_121942" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="20151011_121942" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7Lk2hNHN0of-dScFocDHxcg8hSs0qn6sqxDwqLqljZ4IamlNteSydM5p8VjXRNktnz0SQpS0NJAbmXjXUI0hZvCxG27taWrUIIMNU1wYPle-fpL5_zcwCaWstAMABsaUr9VJ_OxZwug/?imgmax=800" width="139" height="244"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgta_sKKTGXbvA1E0VXzTqCwLRjl3QSHf2LF2Qc4Izb-VTk6SHQpo_fJaSyQwqVO0utpgSfGGRu3JzygxhHx1IIePIEaEPfNNwQ1pqABc4-MYnlF3h1NzTw-RCe1_C6fcfrdl8_1TqtVQ/s1600-h/20151011_121947%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="20151011_121947" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="20151011_121947" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSb2Vu0Y0wtPlC0qhnLgIr1Piu6nF3URCfzqrfmAd-hhOy6LKpizTmgiZFuaxwUYVkIFvDTwIjOWaXawxeiShNmfc9iLNCpTinsa6yIOz-3MlqCIlc783HIscqNlSTxyeTpaMpakpAZw/?imgmax=800" width="139" height="244"></a></p> <p align="center">And under all that dirty, old carpet…</p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_eliogNueFE1GSt3AgPn70Z6B6gDX3JXA185HUMXLmYxwWPnt_d6hQyaJqRLDC_ipXCt3Q3yGk8iYqK9Qx6vDvIj88y2fTuolFaV3rkxC3Z_DlWlXPGwXsEZs9V_v3VM5Yw54BYyrgg/s1600-h/20151011_121114%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="20151011_121114" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="20151011_121114" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9qswhKS8TQPubntiqm6dBk002RoLMRYqHQtYu5NboI_cIWNSZwn3KS7_9El6oejFvIkaAg8OJiB8p_xiSTiGvMT7WV6Z2xe-RjgmD2aXmRW-Mr23mH8fJx6p3lVcuvEWMIsSjPcjcTg/?imgmax=800" width="139" height="244"></a></p> <p align="center">…very old linoleum.</p> <p align="center">But finally we have a blank slate to start from.</p> <p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJV55JUIokSI0GZ8eD7BRuHrpSTm1EnrkCmmgcCBp76vz1mN7BCQ9UMWQYbVmSXB7KqdR9bcpdjZPlOQMDTpr5SrgBYGi92u5wEnIEjrpc74Kx2wPP88qbJXMiuauJAx51UIxMZ-gmEw/s1600-h/20151011_121059%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img title="20151011_121059" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="20151011_121059" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis4m77zUuEZOzC5WJZz8oqyLgZEoLUo-x4B703TOid2pN_2HwmVG5QpjlKVuArqw6Uk4Y-vMfDd81zd0ETdaEM2laOIW4-6qwJW-kcYlJtgNVb5vCqy-VKVcMRySoTEbimN34QyRLGFQ/?imgmax=800" width="139" height="244"></a></p> <p>We still have quite a ways to go but we’re slowly working our way into what I believe will turn out to be a very nice home. <div id="scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:6083e9d6-65db-414e-9acf-6cee9ac87dfd" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent" style="float: none; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px">Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tags/carpet" rel="tag">carpet</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/linoleum" rel="tag">linoleum</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/clutter" rel="tag">clutter</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/clean+slate" rel="tag">clean slate</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/waterbed" rel="tag">waterbed</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/busy" rel="tag">busy</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/hard+at+work" rel="tag">hard at work</a></div></p> The Hopeful Homesteaderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12417571191114724368noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5411486504461028991.post-63918766550785517202015-10-13T15:50:00.001-05:002015-10-13T15:50:12.755-05:00I'm back...And starting over!I know it's been a long time since I've posted anything here. Several factors played a role in this but they all break down into life got in the way. There's been quite a lot of things going on that have kept me from posting but I wont bore you with the details.<br />
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Okay...maybe a few details.<br />
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When I last wrote it had been six months since we bought the property with the settlement we got from my husband's accident. Due to financial reasons not long after my last post I returned to working as a nurse and my homesteading activities were put on hold. There just isn't a lot of time for blogging when you're working 12 hour night shifts.<br />
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Of course, it only took a little over a year before I remembered why I had gotten out of nursing in the first place. I just couldn't take the it anymore and I quit once and for all.<br />
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So here I was, with no career and disillusioned about homesteading. I had no clue what to do with myself and I spent the next year pretty much in limbo. During this time I was also dealing with more of the fall out of my husband's injury. He was falling deeper and deeper into depression and I didn't know how to deal with it. I tried multiple times to get him to speak with his doctors for help but he continually refused.<br />
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My frustration and helplessness grew. Everything I had known and loved about my life no longer applied. I was confused, angry and hurt. I knew that he was feeling these same things but he refused to talk to me about how either of us were feeling and we grew further and further apart. We argued all the time; about little things, about big things and about nothing.<br />
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Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying that I've done everything right and he's done everything wrong. I know that it takes two and I am not perfect by any stretch of the imagination.<br />
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To make a long story short - we're divorcing. I have bought a place and now my son and I will be starting on a new journey. This place is a massive fixer upper job but I think it has TONS of potential. So look for upcoming posts of our struggles and triumphs as we move toward the future; whatever it may bring.<br />
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For now take a look at some before photos.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHBo6P65Z5CtWOPzFqpRzt5unf9TpceV_cFdRzLTwb954kBqy4Yj3d5gMZBrTywKIDdZL-BAb_GiDztV6HymkJSGRaSwEn3lhZNBeTmgwW95NVkZX8wBc8cV5JOQU6IlvPBnWGg4JDEw/s1600/20151011_121826.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHBo6P65Z5CtWOPzFqpRzt5unf9TpceV_cFdRzLTwb954kBqy4Yj3d5gMZBrTywKIDdZL-BAb_GiDztV6HymkJSGRaSwEn3lhZNBeTmgwW95NVkZX8wBc8cV5JOQU6IlvPBnWGg4JDEw/s320/20151011_121826.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Front view of the house</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNT7n0qRuB9SDP53atth0pY5qx-Sdbt0wbjyMwFXQhUisy1P0cdARi-c1l-7uDJWitr5y5fTPuWMhEnsDDhU0VuybGlf5hgf3eSygIhgZBERLBJ7UB44vO-AKDr1-fn5rn5cblKMZUCA/s1600/20151011_121511.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNT7n0qRuB9SDP53atth0pY5qx-Sdbt0wbjyMwFXQhUisy1P0cdARi-c1l-7uDJWitr5y5fTPuWMhEnsDDhU0VuybGlf5hgf3eSygIhgZBERLBJ7UB44vO-AKDr1-fn5rn5cblKMZUCA/s320/20151011_121511.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Backyard - there's fish in the pond!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp2mAGXLdCVV521OsfM64TjAXRpL1l0zCWFUXNq_Y1PsOwQAgLvW8EwzHzd-HA9N3TPieAP7AtIJ7emz-CPhbaOxT8rPdacR20y6jsBTiOwhju2gi8hhm0bYOMlxpnl4fatGbMCKaLzg/s1600/20151011_121456.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp2mAGXLdCVV521OsfM64TjAXRpL1l0zCWFUXNq_Y1PsOwQAgLvW8EwzHzd-HA9N3TPieAP7AtIJ7emz-CPhbaOxT8rPdacR20y6jsBTiOwhju2gi8hhm0bYOMlxpnl4fatGbMCKaLzg/s320/20151011_121456.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Side yard</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRlSickltzPyE08oUAHJIEuPjT_NlHJwxm_X0HM1oWQMFvaZlWRURusSnKQ0P9Pz52iunrZcHlKnIN7eL9Rq3M7_w2MzkpHHFMPJJ8i9jYTxCcxPL_dPDEszdtLwu7zApT2sH5bHL5Sw/s1600/20151011_121650.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRlSickltzPyE08oUAHJIEuPjT_NlHJwxm_X0HM1oWQMFvaZlWRURusSnKQ0P9Pz52iunrZcHlKnIN7eL9Rq3M7_w2MzkpHHFMPJJ8i9jYTxCcxPL_dPDEszdtLwu7zApT2sH5bHL5Sw/s320/20151011_121650.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Workshop</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglCUlbCcFsX8dxPF6nlwxz1UXkbF9eaE1XOHHBf-5vXkPs32vNPUcC_zbOSjGMAdu3Uu6rB3b8U8uUES7hQdAHzOIGd2qng-zoip5d5sn0vx1GDR3xxMISR8iVbWACK4D_32r6BW9ptQ/s1600/20151011_121458.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglCUlbCcFsX8dxPF6nlwxz1UXkbF9eaE1XOHHBf-5vXkPs32vNPUcC_zbOSjGMAdu3Uu6rB3b8U8uUES7hQdAHzOIGd2qng-zoip5d5sn0vx1GDR3xxMISR8iVbWACK4D_32r6BW9ptQ/s320/20151011_121458.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Garden shed</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Back Porch and side yard</td></tr>
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The Hopeful Homesteaderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12417571191114724368noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5411486504461028991.post-76192679576087104472012-04-10T16:53:00.000-05:002012-04-10T16:53:57.118-05:00Six months inThis post is going to be very pic heavy because I believe the pictures can convey my message a lot better than any words I could come up with. We've been working really hard to try to tame the front and back yard. First let me give you a few reminders of what we started with when we moved in just over six months ago.<br />
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Now a few pictures of where we're at today.<br />
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We're no where near finished. In actuallity we'll never be finished. But I'd like to at least get it to the point where I'm not embarrassed by all the piles of junk and high weeds. :) We'll just keep plugging along and one day we'll be there.The Hopeful Homesteaderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12417571191114724368noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5411486504461028991.post-36449983311501739092012-04-10T00:22:00.000-05:002012-04-10T00:22:08.701-05:00Ohh Berries!The emergence of the little green sprouts from the seeds we planted really kicked us into high gear. So we piled in the car and headed to Walley World. We've always planned to have lots of berries and we finally get to get started on them. Of course we can't do exactly like I want to right now because of finances but that doesn't mean that we can't have fresh berries this year.<br />
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I will eventually build the very nice strawberry patch that I have in mind (a three tiered circular brick bed of beautiful red berries) but for now we've started with two hanging pots of strawberries that look very nice on the front porch. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0QB74nmoXxlOotv9pTRFWvaWzYZC7AoljztbeyAIFhwfiUaj0h-WKHfrJqDr8xTj_6tV9eD4ycn1Pv9dvaMz3zORBX_qN1_hvnxm7ZZooeLMonHfkuAyyLEfn5X5bQouefEokgXepyA/s1600/0409121701.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0QB74nmoXxlOotv9pTRFWvaWzYZC7AoljztbeyAIFhwfiUaj0h-WKHfrJqDr8xTj_6tV9eD4ycn1Pv9dvaMz3zORBX_qN1_hvnxm7ZZooeLMonHfkuAyyLEfn5X5bQouefEokgXepyA/s320/0409121701.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the hanging baskets of strawberry plants. Kevin had to lower it for me to be able to get a clear shot of it. </td></tr>
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We got the plants about two weeks ago and they had a couple of flowers on them. But now we're starting to get a few berries as well. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwImm1Yx8PgWGS4rdR3g7rlM_rHFJcRxxH9pFjHi7GGRIXzi7dYFsz0q1F_91ws3zS5NReVUdWooJ0r8p5B3Nmkeya65Veyudd1LPdGpmr5ZWfh-VY5kHqtdVENpNQrImJzsyrOZoF2w/s1600/0409121702.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwImm1Yx8PgWGS4rdR3g7rlM_rHFJcRxxH9pFjHi7GGRIXzi7dYFsz0q1F_91ws3zS5NReVUdWooJ0r8p5B3Nmkeya65Veyudd1LPdGpmr5ZWfh-VY5kHqtdVENpNQrImJzsyrOZoF2w/s320/0409121702.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not red yet, but I'll take it!</td></tr>
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I also got two blackberry bushes. We're not quite sure yet where we're going to put them because we're planning on making some additions to the house so for now they got placed into a very large container and are dressing up the back porch.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We put both bushes into one large pot. That's Hannah's feet. She loves watching me taking pictures of everything.</td></tr>
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We also got a couple of blueberry bushes and did the same thing. Two bushes into one very large pot and put it on the back porch.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg1Bi2i5wJFzE946rbmO6iIYb8Kaq5U_hC4D_rqr9RlMnRoSAUo17HUSY22qXUwf2FubWigudN9ifaacTXl_u27KHXtCVh5s2I5nPp7Ouy5Mc57oH3EWhKSh_nYFLHT3JCHsoSAbjgkw/s1600/0409121654b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg1Bi2i5wJFzE946rbmO6iIYb8Kaq5U_hC4D_rqr9RlMnRoSAUo17HUSY22qXUwf2FubWigudN9ifaacTXl_u27KHXtCVh5s2I5nPp7Ouy5Mc57oH3EWhKSh_nYFLHT3JCHsoSAbjgkw/s320/0409121654b.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The kids are already having visions of blueberry pancakes!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<br />
We're already getting some berries!!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHWzSqSSYYFgEFz3DxAGCfoOYfgngjJ9Nb93WtYzwHRG-0-675RwQ3EtRBDCpnqXCHFIUWV8OYnxOnv0XE8W0DAVz1ppaj2Xvk5ssvUGffNGfz_Tf7e5K2SvVOw2aCK-nO45UY0N-GGQ/s1600/0409121654c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHWzSqSSYYFgEFz3DxAGCfoOYfgngjJ9Nb93WtYzwHRG-0-675RwQ3EtRBDCpnqXCHFIUWV8OYnxOnv0XE8W0DAVz1ppaj2Xvk5ssvUGffNGfz_Tf7e5K2SvVOw2aCK-nO45UY0N-GGQ/s320/0409121654c.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Still mostly green but coming along nicely.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
So that's our start on berries for the year. Although it's by no means the perfect setup for us it's at least a start. And we're very happy to have it!<br />
<br />
Next post you'll get to see some of the work that we've been able to do in both the front and back yards. They've really come a long way in a short time.<br />
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</div>The Hopeful Homesteaderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12417571191114724368noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5411486504461028991.post-89278408996649997702012-04-09T23:47:00.002-05:002012-04-10T00:00:50.032-05:00It's Spring!Well, Spring has finally sprung and things are getting moving on the homestead front once again. So after a long winter of looking out the window and longing to be able to do SOMETHING in the yard, we were excited about the warmer weather.<br />
<br />
However, when it came my plate had become extremely full. With full time classes and working full time as well I had to watch 70, and even 80 degree weather, fall upon us and still not be able to work in the yard.<br />
<br />
I decided I needed to make some choices about how I wanted to spend my time and what my priorities are. I decided that the two most important were work and the homestead so schooling had to go...for now. I may pick it back up later, we'll just have to see how the dice falls in the future.<br />
<br />
So back on the home front, about three weeks ago we started a few seeds indoors in preparation of the garden. Hannah, Devin, Kevin and I gathered on the porch with the seeds and lots of potting soil and got to work. We planted cabbage, broccoli, bell peppers, egg plant, tomatoes, and jalapeno peppers in containers. <br />
<br />
And waited.<br />
<br />
And waited.<br />
<br />
Its amazing how long it takes for seeds to start poking their little green heads above the soil. Okay, so it was around a week. But, hey, when you're waiting on something and checking it every day it seems a lifetime. The kids had decided we did something wrong and they weren't going to sprout.<br />
<br />
Until they did.<br />
<br />
They started poking through and just kept growing. I know, you're thinking, "Where's the pics?!" I did have some but due to issues with the camera they were lost. <br />
<br />
But I do have what they look like today! So without further ado, here's our start on our first garden on the homestead.<br />
<br />
<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjctXhb0ul2AgqGSwaOabZY7VIhlrC40Xz7pGCYEuufk6-Kpi7a2jQXR1-mrx7wOTgd2c2Ioao1DPZPNDXKk5Vtyanrljh1fQENN_5pU9f56KjSnZ8NG9NwjGJtCL7m6v_TO1KhdtcXQw/s1600/0409121652a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjctXhb0ul2AgqGSwaOabZY7VIhlrC40Xz7pGCYEuufk6-Kpi7a2jQXR1-mrx7wOTgd2c2Ioao1DPZPNDXKk5Vtyanrljh1fQENN_5pU9f56KjSnZ8NG9NwjGJtCL7m6v_TO1KhdtcXQw/s320/0409121652a.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In here we have cabbage and eggplant planted by Devin and brocolli and bell pepper planted by Hannah.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmbQebHKLbXHdCOC4KU5AWJBccaTQs1ed5JbntScOCc3Z12AJo2xb-7x8TRD4n2S3BDzlY7fCo9PQBV9jKzMpWVHsu3_hZOZWuupOcEhy-sSS_zD-3jaqQYaKZL4NPaRMkNiQN0G26lA/s1600/0409121652b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmbQebHKLbXHdCOC4KU5AWJBccaTQs1ed5JbntScOCc3Z12AJo2xb-7x8TRD4n2S3BDzlY7fCo9PQBV9jKzMpWVHsu3_hZOZWuupOcEhy-sSS_zD-3jaqQYaKZL4NPaRMkNiQN0G26lA/s320/0409121652b.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kevin planted these bell peppers after Hannah filled her pots.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJzCcrNYgjUMg6ynfPSWC5-Hqsmkx8S10TA4nI2zYIeQMtbWizsfEKic4349G6tZi4WA0Pz0slszIdrrAKyqyf75jqCFvUADMfCEukT_twF5sfgQnIKWKsCL9Lu9qhUmsbKMWuDow0wg/s1600/0409121652c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJzCcrNYgjUMg6ynfPSWC5-Hqsmkx8S10TA4nI2zYIeQMtbWizsfEKic4349G6tZi4WA0Pz0slszIdrrAKyqyf75jqCFvUADMfCEukT_twF5sfgQnIKWKsCL9Lu9qhUmsbKMWuDow0wg/s320/0409121652c.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jalapeno plants! Gonna love the salsa when the time comes.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSOnbDJw_MYF53iU1RCpibFNaK7wiKIT_AmV82qZKFJ95Kq_VSD1sRnJCJ2dJ_JRAHvLEft0AcVotVVweHyKjEpDZkmVEgWDnSwVhYs6HB-sZR65b1tJQGjgjtdOxQofMEPk88ejjKRg/s1600/0409121653.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSOnbDJw_MYF53iU1RCpibFNaK7wiKIT_AmV82qZKFJ95Kq_VSD1sRnJCJ2dJ_JRAHvLEft0AcVotVVweHyKjEpDZkmVEgWDnSwVhYs6HB-sZR65b1tJQGjgjtdOxQofMEPk88ejjKRg/s320/0409121653.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The tomato plants are coming along nicely!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2bSUbpjAfikRFYKIJUm-SviO8amtZVI0BZMGUYsFTAEFea_mRB06sxAe0qosNRMSld9d1HWW7IzZtbbqCHG6Le_xQtVVGvKn4ss3pUfV6HcNYso6kvnN_iqK8nFxxpQWYyIjttSFtUQ/s1600/0409121653a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2bSUbpjAfikRFYKIJUm-SviO8amtZVI0BZMGUYsFTAEFea_mRB06sxAe0qosNRMSld9d1HWW7IzZtbbqCHG6Le_xQtVVGvKn4ss3pUfV6HcNYso6kvnN_iqK8nFxxpQWYyIjttSFtUQ/s320/0409121653a.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Second pot of tomato plants. Hey, we like 'maters!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlGinM2S8boMamy2vM1MZlc_YSRHSPIiwVfIPzPh2zjwpUJXeWQerFNXVAICCikzXm-MYanLaJsD7NNIMaywiy63gF1UaaQReaK5YSeKwa27uOvEP-O3CPCJXibkqPMFa45-uPoOXq-Q/s1600/0409121652.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlGinM2S8boMamy2vM1MZlc_YSRHSPIiwVfIPzPh2zjwpUJXeWQerFNXVAICCikzXm-MYanLaJsD7NNIMaywiy63gF1UaaQReaK5YSeKwa27uOvEP-O3CPCJXibkqPMFa45-uPoOXq-Q/s320/0409121652.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Second pot of jalapenos, Hannah insisted :) She loves it hot.</td></tr>
</tbody></table> So that's our start on the veggie garden for 2012. Next post - berries!The Hopeful Homesteaderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12417571191114724368noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5411486504461028991.post-84860387812460894002011-12-16T02:01:00.000-06:002011-12-16T02:01:49.197-06:00I remember now why I didn't want pets.Don't take me wrong, I love Patches, Buttercup, and even rambunctious Macy, with all my heart but this week each one of the animals has decided to remind me of the reasons why, for so many years, I swore I wouldn't have pets.<br />
<br />
Patches has been having a few issues with worms over the past month, which we've treated her for both with medication and adding pumpkin seeds to her food. She perked back up after the treatment and we continued to give her the seeds as a precaution as well. <br />
<br />
Tuesday night she began acting funny again, rubbing her head against everything (not usual for her), meowing loadly and almost literally jumping off the walls. I tried everything I knew to comfort her but nothing worked.<br />
<br />
I went to go outside to get something from the van and she darted right out the door! Now you should know that the first week we moved in she got outside and was attacked by another cat in the neighborhood. Then about two weeks ago she got outside and Macy and Buttercup, (okay mostly it was Macy) ran her up a tree. It took us 5 hours to get her out of the tree and hasn't even offered to go outside since. <br />
<br />
Now here it is, Friday morning, and there has been no sign of her since. I've been crying for days. Everytime something reminds me of her I tear up. I miss her terribly and am so worried that she wont return. <br />
<br />
Wednesday morning, the hubby went out to make sure the kids had fed and watered the dogs, they are new to having pets and have to be reminded sometimes. A few minutes later he comes running into the house yelling, "Somethings wrong with Buttercup!" <br />
<br />
I dash outside to see what's going on and find her laying on her side eyes huge as saucers and rolling up in her head with blood on her. On closer inspection she had a dime sized wound on her swollen muzzle that was the source of the blood and her body was not exactly rigid but very stiff. I scooped water by the handfuls into her mouth for a bit and she perked up. I think now that the stiffness and the eye rolling was due to her being scared rather than anything else, the lady that gave her to us informed us that she had been abused by someone before she had gotten her and she frightens easily. After about two hours or so she seemed completely fine and has had no problems since but there for a bit we thought we were going to lose her. <br />
<br />
Thursday afternoon, I was on the phone with my mother-in-law when the hubby comes in from outside and says, "You're gonna have to come help me." He was carrying a bowl of water and a bloody washcloth. I quickly hung up and went out to see what was going on now. <br />
<br />
Macy is laying on the porch and there is a large amount of blood pool under her front left paw. After we cleaned her up the best we could, she wouldn't let us mess with it much, the best we could tell was that she had cut her paw on something. <br />
<br />
We got the bleeding slowed but not completely but she wouldn't let us mess with it so we waiting until my son, Devin, got home. Macy is his dog and she will let that boy do just about anything with her. <br />
<br />
When he got home he was able to get a closer look at her paw and found that there is a very large spot on her paw where the skin is completely gone. Luckily there was nothing in it that needed removing though.<br />
<br />
We lost numerous family pets when I was a child and this week has definately reminded me of why I always said I never wanted pets. They are just too hard on the heart.The Hopeful Homesteaderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12417571191114724368noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5411486504461028991.post-3957455463934787772011-12-08T02:17:00.000-06:002011-12-08T02:17:24.701-06:00Busy Time of the YearFirst and foremost, I wish to apologize for not blogging in a few weeks. I can only attempt to explain the reasons why. <br />
<br />
Aside from the death in the family, with the holidays coming it has been extremely hectic around here. We enjoyed a wonderful visit from one of my sisters, Faith, whom I haven't been able to see in many years. I truely hope that it isn't as long between the next time we are able to see each other.<br />
<br />
Also, with Christmas looming, I have been hard at work making presents for my family. I would post pictures but I don't want to spoil the surprise so they will have to wait for now but I will post pictures after Christmas has passed. <br />
<br />
We were able to can several items. We got a great deal on some apples and tomatoes so we were able to put up applesauce, apple jelly, apple butter, as well as tomatoes so we haven't been completely slacking. ;)<br />
<br />
Since I blogged last I have also decided to go back to school, thanks to some serious nudging from Faith. I will be starting classes in January to further my nursing education so I might be a bit slower on blogging than before but since it is winter here in Alabama, and I haven't yet been able to get any animals and the garden must wait til spring, there really isn't much to blog about on the homestead front. <br />
<br />
So although I may be slower in posting I am still dedicated to creating a chronicle of our adventures into homestead and now there will be the added topics of going back to college as I close in on my fourties! Stay tuned for the shinanigans all!The Hopeful Homesteaderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12417571191114724368noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5411486504461028991.post-86139436519124781522011-11-19T17:58:00.000-06:002011-11-19T17:58:16.270-06:00We will all miss you, Robert!<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeLTLjOSuAYyuQkduPr0J-b7E4zGSRTfKGC_YJhg52f3WqzpiOpxWxwPdakcWDtZG8fZq_cTMQR6UF-We8was0t2yf8JrD4g2yipW6xCwRJ1bxd3yhEKbQVaFL1q7Htb7NwBUnJAPREg/s1600/In+Loving+Memory.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeLTLjOSuAYyuQkduPr0J-b7E4zGSRTfKGC_YJhg52f3WqzpiOpxWxwPdakcWDtZG8fZq_cTMQR6UF-We8was0t2yf8JrD4g2yipW6xCwRJ1bxd3yhEKbQVaFL1q7Htb7NwBUnJAPREg/s320/In+Loving+Memory.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Death leaves a heartache no one can heal, love leaves a memory no one can steal. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">~From a headstone in Ireland</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
This afternoon my husband's uncle, Robert, passed away. He was a good man, a loving husband, father and grandfather. He has been ill for some time but even though something like this is expected it's still devastating. <br />
<br />
Though he is gone, he will not be forgotten. He will live forever in our hearts and memories.The Hopeful Homesteaderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12417571191114724368noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5411486504461028991.post-47980998359376277982011-11-12T21:50:00.001-06:002011-11-12T21:53:51.194-06:00Holidays are coming--Mama's recipesI come from a very large family and we aren't always able to be together for the holidays. One thing I have always counted on throughout the years in the weeks before Thanksgiving is a call from at least one of my sisters (I have 9 of them!), asking me for several of Mama's recipes, most especially her dressing recipe. (Mama passed away when I was 15. The youngest of her kids was only 6.) <br />
<br />
The conversation usually goes something like this:<br />
Various Sister: Do you have Mama's dressing recipe?<br />
Me: Yeah you got a pen?<br />
Various Sister: Okay go ahead.<br />
Me: Get out your iron skillet.<br />
Various Sister: I don't have an iron skillet.<br />
Me: Then ya can't make Mama's dressing.<br />
<br />
Of course I would always finish giving them the recipe but Mama was always adamant about making cornbread in an iron skillet. To her it just wasn't cornbread if it wasn't baked in an iron skillet and I must say that I agree with her. The bottom crust is so much better in an iron skillet that it gives a more robust flavor to the entire bread.<br />
<br />
So I thought I'd post the recipes that get asked for every year on here as a quick reference that they can find whenever they need it. Maybe someone else might like to give them a try as well. Mama was one heck of a cook!<br />
<br />
<a href="http://hopefulhomesteaderrecipes.blogspot.com/2011/11/mamas-cornbread.html">Mama's Cornbread</a><br />
<a href="http://hopefulhomesteaderrecipes.blogspot.com/2011/11/mamas-biscuits.html">Mama's Biscuits</a><br />
<a href="http://hopefulhomesteaderrecipes.blogspot.com/2011/11/mamas-dressing.html">Mama's Dressing</a><br />
<a href="http://hopefulhomesteaderrecipes.blogspot.com/2011/11/mamas-divinity.html">Mama's Divinity</a><br />
<a href="http://hopefulhomesteaderrecipes.blogspot.com/2011/11/mamas-butter-cake.html">Mama's Butter Cake</a><br />
<a href="http://hopefulhomesteaderrecipes.blogspot.com/2011/11/mamas-homemade-chocolate-frosting.html">Mama's Homemade Chocolate Frosting</a><br />
<br />
Although as I sit here typing this post, I am forced to wonder -- will my holidays be forever changed? I have always loved being the one that everyone called to get Mama's recipes. Hmmm, oh well, I'll post anyway. Surely they will still call anyway!The Hopeful Homesteaderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12417571191114724368noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5411486504461028991.post-89856208138910407092011-11-10T16:46:00.000-06:002011-11-10T16:46:07.057-06:00Front PorchWell Monday and Tuesday we spent working on the front porch. We've finally gotten it to where I'm satisfied with it. (Not finished but usable at least.) Taking down the tin was a bit tricky since our ladder wasn't quite tall enough to reach the highest screws. Kevin knew a guy when he was younger that was working with tin and was decapitated by it so of course I was a nervous wreck until it was all down.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMtw5EfOydTc41XgTbRhw_9MNB5GCw1Svj6maGW6kLOB1BjXq-o9bI-Vs6IxImMVI6hlvbhdg8ob8JoE_C1X_FyWJSa9Mqa9GOkp2RcX3dlOOl-gfVInrNXy1cO3agUKWcodKyKcFOOQ/s1600/mish+mash+060.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMtw5EfOydTc41XgTbRhw_9MNB5GCw1Svj6maGW6kLOB1BjXq-o9bI-Vs6IxImMVI6hlvbhdg8ob8JoE_C1X_FyWJSa9Mqa9GOkp2RcX3dlOOl-gfVInrNXy1cO3agUKWcodKyKcFOOQ/s320/mish+mash+060.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The tin is off.</td></tr>
</tbody></table> With the tin down, the view of the side yard is just beautiful. Still have a lot of cleaning up to do around the trees and so forth but that's for another day.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggrtF-7kzDsNwlgl52i81UhaRTlumx2SeyUVXlURDHIjsRgNr-DT7k3cPMQTcCEqkjEApO7tM_WLAjN5-qZspMFSsLQ7sjdYEgo5AgMoNfd-mw8O2EOgIsD1yPPrFiIbeXEJ7z54Iuzg/s1600/mish+mash+061.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggrtF-7kzDsNwlgl52i81UhaRTlumx2SeyUVXlURDHIjsRgNr-DT7k3cPMQTcCEqkjEApO7tM_WLAjN5-qZspMFSsLQ7sjdYEgo5AgMoNfd-mw8O2EOgIsD1yPPrFiIbeXEJ7z54Iuzg/s320/mish+mash+061.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We saved the tin to use on the chicken coop.</td></tr>
</tbody></table> The front of the trailer looks so much better just having the tin down. The way it was with two different colors of tin it was just an eye-sore. I admit this is far from perfect but it's much better than it was.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiVVkr4gyzIy0IW4pxLbn-k3UOAFkbTr02ZCSshDDXci42XYBCsVp680zYfIxs9bF5e_8ZWl86jTIE9xeBGIGrpnbVgNm9GvKCnG1-2c9w8szvahbdVkevWpwaH9N7RGZHZK4aPWh-HA/s1600/mish+mash+062.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiVVkr4gyzIy0IW4pxLbn-k3UOAFkbTr02ZCSshDDXci42XYBCsVp680zYfIxs9bF5e_8ZWl86jTIE9xeBGIGrpnbVgNm9GvKCnG1-2c9w8szvahbdVkevWpwaH9N7RGZHZK4aPWh-HA/s320/mish+mash+062.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div> We had hoped to be able to save the lattice. I scraped at the foam insulation for over an hour and only had about a 2 foot wide section semi cleared so we decided that it was more trouble than it was worth. We took out all the lattice and used some wood we had from pallets to make some railings.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6NHvvhi8hkwJJOW9D4KxCJg4Qd7hrsTo3Fw6vhrHGmj5p5vifWZorfEQShLuqKjCxDhrXOpI5kjL28HC7tzUDGWkjw0F07om5qFT4P0x166OKYcdTwTj9D0GSsUoiS5UBuDXlSFksew/s1600/mish+mash+067.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6NHvvhi8hkwJJOW9D4KxCJg4Qd7hrsTo3Fw6vhrHGmj5p5vifWZorfEQShLuqKjCxDhrXOpI5kjL28HC7tzUDGWkjw0F07om5qFT4P0x166OKYcdTwTj9D0GSsUoiS5UBuDXlSFksew/s320/mish+mash+067.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gotta love free pallet wood.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFQYvfZTIBI6eF1b0ZNUmt_mlWkqF4xHN8y3upR7DMHGAXcaHNiRZY2w3ns6pinr-ByxL3SnGPe3efZH6oCaRlUMYdCyh_z0g6yJdk6C13KJCM4I-BhCb7fFsdU2qoV3ACWImTthdxfw/s1600/mish+mash+071.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFQYvfZTIBI6eF1b0ZNUmt_mlWkqF4xHN8y3upR7DMHGAXcaHNiRZY2w3ns6pinr-ByxL3SnGPe3efZH6oCaRlUMYdCyh_z0g6yJdk6C13KJCM4I-BhCb7fFsdU2qoV3ACWImTthdxfw/s320/mish+mash+071.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Still need a few more rails and we're going to add a sill above them.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiINe_p_X4eVtZnAG7G7dBrG30mlLs3GWezA21T-KunVgomWtrfdRWqV4Z3JTljGXLdfv7y5spYWo3HnnvVUSXDLlT4K0z2bMp39y8KeKINonGcDxAMQBnZaEWeiZMhbtTIxuCFUMbe1w/s1600/mish+mash+072.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiINe_p_X4eVtZnAG7G7dBrG30mlLs3GWezA21T-KunVgomWtrfdRWqV4Z3JTljGXLdfv7y5spYWo3HnnvVUSXDLlT4K0z2bMp39y8KeKINonGcDxAMQBnZaEWeiZMhbtTIxuCFUMbe1w/s320/mish+mash+072.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sitting on the porch looking out has a MUCH better view now.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>They're predicting rain for the next few days so probably wont get to start on the chicken coop until next week sometime. But we're making progress, its slow, but it's still progress. Although it's not what we want the end product to be, for now it will do.The Hopeful Homesteaderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12417571191114724368noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5411486504461028991.post-48422482961947439282011-11-06T20:26:00.000-06:002011-11-06T20:26:20.852-06:00Upcoming ProjectsWe've all been sick the last week and haven't really gotten much done since it's been cold and raining, so I thought I'd talk about a few of our upcoming projects to kind of give a sneak peak of whats to come.<br />
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<u><strong><em>Project 1: Front Porch</em></strong></u><br />
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Since we aren't able to turn the existing "addition" into a dining room we've decided to take it back to a porch. We've already moved the door back into the original place but we still have to remove all the spray insulation and tin from it. I'm not looking forward to that task but it's the next project we'll be tackling, most likely Monday or Tueday.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv-pN2lm07SENY5dkYl1UH0YOpPO1lKQatGqJmPQdNAGg-cnc6JPs-zqaG64iqDsfc2mxcJ0wvgsFqAJqoUybWObDAp_QNfsAZzIObzu3KpDc_Fjfmzlk2tcj8a9qw52bF18UyMz7vXg/s1600/dr+001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv-pN2lm07SENY5dkYl1UH0YOpPO1lKQatGqJmPQdNAGg-cnc6JPs-zqaG64iqDsfc2mxcJ0wvgsFqAJqoUybWObDAp_QNfsAZzIObzu3KpDc_Fjfmzlk2tcj8a9qw52bF18UyMz7vXg/s320/dr+001.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Front Porch as it is now.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
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<u><strong><em>Project 2: Chicken Coop</em></strong></u><br />
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Since Macy and Buttercup wont stay in the pen and have become porch dogs, quite easily I might add, we have the chain link fence area to be able to use for a chicken run and we plan on building our chicken coop right next to it in the style of the one picture <a href="http://www.backyardchickens.com/web/viewblog.php?id=33810-mulberry-haus">here.</a><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIjfrpEE8pefC7rcgfC_EKkIVqdaTerTmz0EeoL6EoGju-xjD0DP0GfIj3mSHPHJOcMYFsC2xyYqOd514LUO68GEjNjzzc-yzvCAx8x6aVHXNQtg8gTcbwzlaxlmEBxdmSIdLrs8Dx9Q/s1600/after+003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIjfrpEE8pefC7rcgfC_EKkIVqdaTerTmz0EeoL6EoGju-xjD0DP0GfIj3mSHPHJOcMYFsC2xyYqOd514LUO68GEjNjzzc-yzvCAx8x6aVHXNQtg8gTcbwzlaxlmEBxdmSIdLrs8Dx9Q/s320/after+003.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The chain link dog fence area will become the chicken run.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
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Hubby assures me that we already have all the materials and we will begin building this week!!! Yay!<br />
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<strong><em><u>Project 3: Greenhouse</u></em></strong><br />
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Awhile back on craigslist I was fortunate enough to find a bunch of free storm windows and we had to store them at my mother-in-laws house until we moved. This week we finally got them moved over here and we plan to start building it very soon. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikp5wd962lmvXzoWVN3CPf0dNwRxt60QV-JC8BVQhqfaAd7ovh4JJ46FkrIpDlT9BXAUdESX8RFZJA8tDTDNjtmoX35UBX2vKGt5ldPoT5YBssb2lbD3-lvkpGpQ7eslkFpsaYYBGP0g/s1600/007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikp5wd962lmvXzoWVN3CPf0dNwRxt60QV-JC8BVQhqfaAd7ovh4JJ46FkrIpDlT9BXAUdESX8RFZJA8tDTDNjtmoX35UBX2vKGt5ldPoT5YBssb2lbD3-lvkpGpQ7eslkFpsaYYBGP0g/s320/007.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The makings of a FREE greenhouse!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtjBDLknjAlXs0s1BeZZEcfndpncOoUiaGLkkank2jlmu_crpL1oJB9FgHGd7q9xSpsHvipyf9Z73HG4IH__AkV2F37AEtlyP8n4QTOglpMmV73O9kSJPutZV3EtWfknnoeWVgE08Keg/s1600/009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtjBDLknjAlXs0s1BeZZEcfndpncOoUiaGLkkank2jlmu_crpL1oJB9FgHGd7q9xSpsHvipyf9Z73HG4IH__AkV2F37AEtlyP8n4QTOglpMmV73O9kSJPutZV3EtWfknnoeWVgE08Keg/s320/009.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Through all the moving we've had to do only one window got cracked.</td></tr>
</tbody></table> So there's a small sneak peak of what our next few weeks will be consumed by. We hope to have it all completed before Thanksgiving.The Hopeful Homesteaderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12417571191114724368noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5411486504461028991.post-23019772259266375562011-11-03T08:47:00.001-05:002011-11-03T16:27:38.746-05:00The pool is finally finished!Yesterday we got out there and finally finished up with the pool. We got it folded up and stored neatly in the shed until spring.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_opn9sgkxUdDdnAqW_a0WziYVvzZJ5316o8Uf6zx2y-AIMKOEf2qiOlRc7wgwcuAD4Q4GDnJGJJfLPo7eBM28PHLdFcyhnq24xQAcyYuwTcbr38gV_73nv5U5qH4GNVY7UhzGKV9MjA/s1600/004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_opn9sgkxUdDdnAqW_a0WziYVvzZJ5316o8Uf6zx2y-AIMKOEf2qiOlRc7wgwcuAD4Q4GDnJGJJfLPo7eBM28PHLdFcyhnq24xQAcyYuwTcbr38gV_73nv5U5qH4GNVY7UhzGKV9MjA/s320/004.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It's GONE. Yay!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2_Cj1UbTej8TZpZy-GC3giscDqz-5dpUvqSZunccD-TETdbsqW_1AxuIY_ZUNOhuFYxQuEas5tLQa8tL26DCVnPlJwlFoPDCMndHCyhDRPdok52GsW6k6jkPxssVi20bxeamwgkoB2A/s1600/006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2_Cj1UbTej8TZpZy-GC3giscDqz-5dpUvqSZunccD-TETdbsqW_1AxuIY_ZUNOhuFYxQuEas5tLQa8tL26DCVnPlJwlFoPDCMndHCyhDRPdok52GsW6k6jkPxssVi20bxeamwgkoB2A/s320/006.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Now we just gotta get the deck torn down.</td></tr>
</tbody></table></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkKSrMNHH1lkm9O_gLE11b3K2BVOViHbwEAR2EkChPNyhTXTw_B9NNWAyZVoEC7VtkUF0eaULajI89St02lie7vt4zjA6Mfb8I0nH-zk7BHzHHpZKjh_xaeIEF2ZjQH_ydLttT8wyCQg/s1600/005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkKSrMNHH1lkm9O_gLE11b3K2BVOViHbwEAR2EkChPNyhTXTw_B9NNWAyZVoEC7VtkUF0eaULajI89St02lie7vt4zjA6Mfb8I0nH-zk7BHzHHpZKjh_xaeIEF2ZjQH_ydLttT8wyCQg/s320/005.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All stored away.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQGKWyIwWH-ukz6ONj5UhDYHAPGTZC536KiIAq_l3yW-_0kv1Kz3uTzQn4RVbDrhT7kHR4pliooWa10c9kuwnRVpWquAs5OFuuWwZiePoJ49QeRpRGlMGK6PlV8REu-a3THQOEZvslmA/s1600/003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQGKWyIwWH-ukz6ONj5UhDYHAPGTZC536KiIAq_l3yW-_0kv1Kz3uTzQn4RVbDrhT7kHR4pliooWa10c9kuwnRVpWquAs5OFuuWwZiePoJ49QeRpRGlMGK6PlV8REu-a3THQOEZvslmA/s320/003.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kids "swimming"</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
For the rest of our day be sure to go to the Our Animal Family page and read the latest post there.The Hopeful Homesteaderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12417571191114724368noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5411486504461028991.post-29767492991050501722011-10-30T12:35:00.001-05:002011-10-30T12:39:29.847-05:00Working on The Icky PoolRemember <a href="http://hopefulhomesteader.blogspot.com/2011/10/icky-pool.html">The Icky Pool</a>?<br />
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Another of the unfinished projects we got started on last week was the Icky Pool. We thought for a long time about the best way to do this and all we could come up with was that we would have to completely take it down and set it back up come spring. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We started out by taking all the posts down. The rope that was strung through the loops on the liner had dry rotted and we had no trouble at all with this part. </div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOclh5YTmHdX2i9T8L-f2tM8s6n0fJkEiBTGlBVQLOoKKAMrnx20GPjWDYHqN0nE2rHHkGXlKrdQrDTzfrZlEXxlGaOJcBxPADVIlm5nXh_S5P9e6sfLxXI0w6TnOM1vjqKskSfeFeRg/s1600/pool+001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOclh5YTmHdX2i9T8L-f2tM8s6n0fJkEiBTGlBVQLOoKKAMrnx20GPjWDYHqN0nE2rHHkGXlKrdQrDTzfrZlEXxlGaOJcBxPADVIlm5nXh_S5P9e6sfLxXI0w6TnOM1vjqKskSfeFeRg/s320/pool+001.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The posts came out relatively easy.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Next we had to try to start draining the water from it. Boy was it COLD! The pool was placed wrong in the first place and had several high spots that made draining the water out a huge chore. </div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbewMXMqew5tVbdY0YIQoRc00tdG7AlDvH63wmSf9bxGj_R9bhuGpVYNnU-j3zZIkn0fgOXdcoIHK2iYfTtoDOx2k8yFY8eIElCBHSxgUJREMIKM-1th54vpd3onkkjIWnx9GGiKgM7Q/s1600/pool+002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbewMXMqew5tVbdY0YIQoRc00tdG7AlDvH63wmSf9bxGj_R9bhuGpVYNnU-j3zZIkn0fgOXdcoIHK2iYfTtoDOx2k8yFY8eIElCBHSxgUJREMIKM-1th54vpd3onkkjIWnx9GGiKgM7Q/s320/pool+002.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The water started draining a bit before we even had all the posts out.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDb8lr0rgFX1bVOkgG3nQGIvFG4cuVkpov3JXSfb7YgXH7YPWxEXY9pRRrpcwFBSydIAsQGZUpLeL5TF8g52nNCtQy9LupXhPdhfFdGaVsO02om44Ur-OtCDPy206oNGBCFMHiP65PWw/s1600/pool+004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDb8lr0rgFX1bVOkgG3nQGIvFG4cuVkpov3JXSfb7YgXH7YPWxEXY9pRRrpcwFBSydIAsQGZUpLeL5TF8g52nNCtQy9LupXhPdhfFdGaVsO02om44Ur-OtCDPy206oNGBCFMHiP65PWw/s320/pool+004.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It started collapsing in on itself as we removed more of the posts.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXg_bvaW_X5eRhIAc4unRmzhf5GskybFnOXjeefiPUshKt15OLGKrkBt_2ZNUv4Hk4Ev0OoBVbK-LuxKum3dT-uRvsY1WrcZ0q7BRKlKQeOH7DmF39A0BZmmL0onHA78YC5kCYwZ6uYA/s1600/pool+005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXg_bvaW_X5eRhIAc4unRmzhf5GskybFnOXjeefiPUshKt15OLGKrkBt_2ZNUv4Hk4Ev0OoBVbK-LuxKum3dT-uRvsY1WrcZ0q7BRKlKQeOH7DmF39A0BZmmL0onHA78YC5kCYwZ6uYA/s320/pool+005.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Finally all the posts removed and the water just started pouring out. At first.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0gEnMYCSyDVUl0i5jO_6Zg0OMJbtsXwqZs8M_kzksc6XvrGFVDGdAW3VaBfUO2bLJSQneZtycQ1p3ohj-9PUYt92prSgqpoyy5yWxqY_2fbPpgRk_ou7MrLcVHknQIQwVOYUATx0V7w/s1600/pool+008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0gEnMYCSyDVUl0i5jO_6Zg0OMJbtsXwqZs8M_kzksc6XvrGFVDGdAW3VaBfUO2bLJSQneZtycQ1p3ohj-9PUYt92prSgqpoyy5yWxqY_2fbPpgRk_ou7MrLcVHknQIQwVOYUATx0V7w/s320/pool+008.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It stopped draining with a good bit of water left still in it.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Once we had as much water out as we could get we tried to pull the liner over to get more out. When we did we found out that it was placed directly on the ground instead of sand or anything. But on the upside it was totally dry underneath, so we're relatively sure there are no holes or leaks in the liner.</div><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiu9s82pMvQ3rUMw2EEJa0b2F37IbPmZMdw2-dF2QSY_gWAz6NLDmPCpNevbpGwfeNOtp1qTxRsOHtOTR65yZNwKmEsNNxI2Xv9zSnWkcTnHIfXL63SbxxH8UM4yXEaPV1qTpc_4nmGw/s1600/pool+012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiu9s82pMvQ3rUMw2EEJa0b2F37IbPmZMdw2-dF2QSY_gWAz6NLDmPCpNevbpGwfeNOtp1qTxRsOHtOTR65yZNwKmEsNNxI2Xv9zSnWkcTnHIfXL63SbxxH8UM4yXEaPV1qTpc_4nmGw/s320/pool+012.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The ground beneath was very compacted.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsF9_WDcSj25qqjK2bV4lswpBt6f3_5Uz-a15NUVvg2eMDS0x6cYbfktAhKT7F4JGngG8zM9LQbpEYjVcfLcHx6PPhRCru1uN7MEIaRnXhdez_VqzO-OFkNBR6Ttq2jdXHUV_xk48geQ/s1600/pool+013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsF9_WDcSj25qqjK2bV4lswpBt6f3_5Uz-a15NUVvg2eMDS0x6cYbfktAhKT7F4JGngG8zM9LQbpEYjVcfLcHx6PPhRCru1uN7MEIaRnXhdez_VqzO-OFkNBR6Ttq2jdXHUV_xk48geQ/s320/pool+013.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We got it pulled a little more over. Took forever. Its super HEAVY.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjY9pyKGlgnIM0Ad_gCpyfssUN7MuXtCdBoQJWHOFHL0lHC1y71_V4MeoUIN6VD77qoiFxNrYVsDrQe22ClDlvEkpHP_Yz2AE-h06uax03MUCrtcxvFN1rLYC5eBd5ev4Kwbo2terXqg/s1600/pool+014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjY9pyKGlgnIM0Ad_gCpyfssUN7MuXtCdBoQJWHOFHL0lHC1y71_V4MeoUIN6VD77qoiFxNrYVsDrQe22ClDlvEkpHP_Yz2AE-h06uax03MUCrtcxvFN1rLYC5eBd5ev4Kwbo2terXqg/s320/pool+014.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">That's as far as we got it.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Once we got the liner pulled as far as we could, boy was that thing HEAVY, we decided we'd have to wait and let it dry up some on it's own so this is as far as we've gotten at this point. We still have to remove a lot of debris that has collected on the bottom of the pool, clean the liner and let it dry, and then get it stored for the winter.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWRbpSLg46VFrolPgWw0ffrjUte-LpeX5rL08Kv4HvG8Qdhd3sImnmfporxTR0T199M07wWIOm71sA6Kiaf21bEQF7dHVcW4T_SbmgR99rEzbbJTyGWhrBx1C6dTb3NSIemBlihLdV8A/s1600/debris+004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWRbpSLg46VFrolPgWw0ffrjUte-LpeX5rL08Kv4HvG8Qdhd3sImnmfporxTR0T199M07wWIOm71sA6Kiaf21bEQF7dHVcW4T_SbmgR99rEzbbJTyGWhrBx1C6dTb3NSIemBlihLdV8A/s320/debris+004.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There's still a TON of debris to be removed.</td></tr>
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I'm glad we couldn't figure out another way to clean it because once we got it all pulled up we found out that if we hadn't done it this way we most likely would have lost it next year due to roots growing under it. They would have penetrated the liner and cause leaks. </div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTGrlxX0iuJB7k4akk4bGLp0t3RSzOiDhbHmI5QSEYKu_X6NfmwpR9JqCvfYue1GHVebCkVkzjBpmEftlkj9fl_ZDFDS5DfbEvY_bZctb93Xslc3yOP_SueKhfOBM3zlUt_JTDAyi5AA/s1600/pool+010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTGrlxX0iuJB7k4akk4bGLp0t3RSzOiDhbHmI5QSEYKu_X6NfmwpR9JqCvfYue1GHVebCkVkzjBpmEftlkj9fl_ZDFDS5DfbEvY_bZctb93Xslc3yOP_SueKhfOBM3zlUt_JTDAyi5AA/s320/pool+010.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of several patches of roots that were growing under the pool.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Also, by taking it down instead of attempting to keep it in place as it was we've decided that when we put it back up next year we're going to move it to the front of the house in a much better spot where we wont have to deal with it being situated under all those trees and this wont happen again.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsA5Bq5KaRMFCPtTK9ly_WtdhSdf_4ODwDKYV8JBr0S-r9XjwNWchNKq945ex6m2lChRA6SwA3o5p79TclGCwjnjSwI5gHtEucJIoL0OGV_CFErWQr78WlU-NAAUYd63wRaraJl4t4yQ/s1600/debris+006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsA5Bq5KaRMFCPtTK9ly_WtdhSdf_4ODwDKYV8JBr0S-r9XjwNWchNKq945ex6m2lChRA6SwA3o5p79TclGCwjnjSwI5gHtEucJIoL0OGV_CFErWQr78WlU-NAAUYd63wRaraJl4t4yQ/s320/debris+006.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The new spot. Just have to cut one tree and it will be perfect.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Now if I can just get up the courage to put my hands in all that ick to remove it we'll get it completely put away for the winter. Unless someone can come up with an idea of how I can remove all this gunk without using just my hands and without tearing a hole in the liner.</div>The Hopeful Homesteaderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12417571191114724368noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5411486504461028991.post-70288312336642386172011-10-27T00:32:00.004-05:002011-10-30T12:36:49.041-05:00Busy WeekIt's been a very busy week here. We're continuing to unpack and find a place for everything. Sheesh how to does one family collect so much stuff?! It's amazing how much junk you collect through the years.<br />
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We've started a lot of projects this week, although I can't say we've completed any of them yet. It seems that we always seem to get side tracked.<br />
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We've gotten all the holiday decorations out to the storage shed. Yeah, I know. Its only a short time until they are needed again but, hey, its NICE to not have them cluttering up our closet like we've always had to do before.<br />
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We did a lot of raking and burning outside. We got rid of two large stumps that were almost in the back door. I don't know why but they were nearly three feet tall. But at least they are gone now. There are still at least two more out there that need to be burned out but its a good start.<br />
The enclosed front porch area that we had thought we were going to be able to turn into a dining room turned out to be more trouble than anything else. The previous owner had moved the front door, put carpet down over the porch boards and tin all the way around with the spray can insulation so it was a nasty eye-sore.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirz1ikc4rpX1oJRTBS38uy7qr7cqEA_F66TUkhqKtFzwZ3y02xH_AjICn3qQFwZhyu88g-jIxwhlhYnuYxUsAYaDweljtLm13OjwxumW5oU3y69NAHqdtnCfqVtKak9-2eaE6WlyFMSw/s1600/dr+005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirz1ikc4rpX1oJRTBS38uy7qr7cqEA_F66TUkhqKtFzwZ3y02xH_AjICn3qQFwZhyu88g-jIxwhlhYnuYxUsAYaDweljtLm13OjwxumW5oU3y69NAHqdtnCfqVtKak9-2eaE6WlyFMSw/s320/dr+005.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Enclosed Porch - Before</td></tr>
</tbody></table>We really needed the dining room space so I "attempted" to work with it. We didn't have the money to buy plywood or anything but the previous owners had left a ton of tar paper and shingles out behind the shed so I thought I would be able to make it work, at least temporarily, anyway.<br />
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So I pulled up the carpet and swept it as clean as I could.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmAiZNF7qHVGpAF7UfVI6HgX0xVws3BVtWX6-ZmjVev-mfSNLd6hctRpCvI6R_LzaMO5olKjp3mcTb0J0nlizJDfTw5fhE15wF2vMtLYpFlp_qeWO-5agJRpYfTJ5EVYgf9DoaoKxJ1A/s1600/dr+001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmAiZNF7qHVGpAF7UfVI6HgX0xVws3BVtWX6-ZmjVev-mfSNLd6hctRpCvI6R_LzaMO5olKjp3mcTb0J0nlizJDfTw5fhE15wF2vMtLYpFlp_qeWO-5agJRpYfTJ5EVYgf9DoaoKxJ1A/s320/dr+001.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Carpet removed.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Then I laid down tar paper. Of course I ran out halfway through so I finished with just shingles and then replaced the carpet. I knew it wouldn't be as good as if we'd been able to do it right but I thought it would at least be more air tight than it was. <br />
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Finally I set the room up as my dining room, even though we weren't able to do the walls or ceiling or anything it didn't look as bad as I thought it would and at least now we had a place to eat.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiABCql-tWw44S08FSWVQajiXOlekUZbJwF516Wf9tEFqpAwZe9VEsL7ZggSYl1l4IMg0WETUyhpGbQRiI_AlhzCQNOQLGcdMIQc6Y4d3hOZoSI7nebSCh5YtSCgv0NzVxwJ0uBmmQMg/s1600/dr+013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiABCql-tWw44S08FSWVQajiXOlekUZbJwF516Wf9tEFqpAwZe9VEsL7ZggSYl1l4IMg0WETUyhpGbQRiI_AlhzCQNOQLGcdMIQc6Y4d3hOZoSI7nebSCh5YtSCgv0NzVxwJ0uBmmQMg/s320/dr+013.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hubby insisted on hanging the pictures. LOL</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Well it stayed that way for about 3 days. Until we had a cold snap and I found out that it still was NOT going to work. The temperature in there was at least 10 degrees colder than in the rest of the house.<br />
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We decided that since it would cost us more in heating than it was worth we'd turn it back into a porch for the winter. So the next day I had to take apart my table and chairs and put them in the storage shed, pull up the carpet again and remove all the shingles I had laid down. At least this time I had help. <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGSLHCMQISyaZ6iCvor5tmHLosZDgr9YvSZxbeQ6bbzwI1vyrdDF1GdWn_d1_9K5fMkDdjR_pCPJ4TsTXN3lNSmL8K9U0tgyIUN7YOp0Bw0Vmn0bBsQTTFpeHpXaKfjLVG-un4AaWxPw/s1600/BBQ+014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGSLHCMQISyaZ6iCvor5tmHLosZDgr9YvSZxbeQ6bbzwI1vyrdDF1GdWn_d1_9K5fMkDdjR_pCPJ4TsTXN3lNSmL8K9U0tgyIUN7YOp0Bw0Vmn0bBsQTTFpeHpXaKfjLVG-un4AaWxPw/s320/BBQ+014.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Devin just loves to have his picture taken!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Kevin moved the door back into the original position and now we're using it as a covered porch. We still need to take the tin off the outside but that will have to wait since we don't have the correct bit for the screws.<br />
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And that's just one of the unfinished projects we started this week. We also started on <a href="http://hopefulhomesteader.blogspot.com/2011/10/icky-pool.html">The Icky Pool</a> but we'll save that post for another day.The Hopeful Homesteaderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12417571191114724368noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5411486504461028991.post-42226235384407778562011-10-23T19:58:00.000-05:002011-10-23T19:58:07.461-05:00Meeting new friendsYesterday we went to a BBQ to meet some friends from Homesteading Today Forums. The whole family had a great time meeting Carol and Cheryl and interacting with all the animals as well.<br />
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I must say I think Devin had the most fun since he not only got to ride a horse, he got to feed the pigs, play with ferrets and even a few snakes. He was so proud of himself for being brave enough to have the snakes on his neck.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMonXCd_ct6_jqvn1m1jIDJgej7bUoEcsNNuRNr4Xc4dz2OksEuYOhhLCgDs8jL4WPOAjgF7R4l4fc0nTqVtRHzC4jR3QBczeym1lFGlRqFA_wcfIHVRG4Kt-jaFE8DaB6WgXOquig3Q/s1600/BBQ+044.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMonXCd_ct6_jqvn1m1jIDJgej7bUoEcsNNuRNr4Xc4dz2OksEuYOhhLCgDs8jL4WPOAjgF7R4l4fc0nTqVtRHzC4jR3QBczeym1lFGlRqFA_wcfIHVRG4Kt-jaFE8DaB6WgXOquig3Q/s320/BBQ+044.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One snake - he's doing okay</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-N67QIEXhmzr7xEJc2lX7ZLPR0lFLShHIx4FrbsG-z_CYbmpLV8zUPdsSsC62uFGTHKqshXhmfjQvAsnjsU-cVvkmmiAReUAIxNEOD4KhL3nqwb8EFynpOrkJojnQnATYn47vx_3EAQ/s1600/BBQ+045.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-N67QIEXhmzr7xEJc2lX7ZLPR0lFLShHIx4FrbsG-z_CYbmpLV8zUPdsSsC62uFGTHKqshXhmfjQvAsnjsU-cVvkmmiAReUAIxNEOD4KhL3nqwb8EFynpOrkJojnQnATYn47vx_3EAQ/s320/BBQ+045.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Two snakes and he started to get a bit nervous</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNWZ11zHhVN-SoJwHj3sXScVoSdiTjYjDkiQLd596UTCYObBYyYlOZqcpubw36-b5nsAC69xXbaI7mKR89bY8Xsg0vgbeoV5qM6iFgfVyzPD0FI9YLTY0xjgdsy7q5_qtLRWcfBR4W_g/s1600/BBQ+046.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNWZ11zHhVN-SoJwHj3sXScVoSdiTjYjDkiQLd596UTCYObBYyYlOZqcpubw36-b5nsAC69xXbaI7mKR89bY8Xsg0vgbeoV5qM6iFgfVyzPD0FI9YLTY0xjgdsy7q5_qtLRWcfBR4W_g/s320/BBQ+046.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Three was all he could take.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHYe5Ea7X0GD4EaUTTpDRcb72QhjZiUKpl6zZUixSjag6r8jMV3Xt3nsAyHjnayFEPSQtkuMHFyNm4f-PrGN1xSoZNqABeIJC4o27kItmPKAHZV5uUlBVew8pPrfU2pFfr86f1jRFV9w/s1600/BBQ+033.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHYe5Ea7X0GD4EaUTTpDRcb72QhjZiUKpl6zZUixSjag6r8jMV3Xt3nsAyHjnayFEPSQtkuMHFyNm4f-PrGN1xSoZNqABeIJC4o27kItmPKAHZV5uUlBVew8pPrfU2pFfr86f1jRFV9w/s320/BBQ+033.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looks like a little jockey don't he.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>The Hopeful Homesteaderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12417571191114724368noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5411486504461028991.post-2566406589059439502011-10-18T19:17:00.002-05:002011-10-18T19:24:59.030-05:00Canning soup stockToday I canned for the first time. I remember Mama canning stuff when I was little but I was always too young to be allowed anywhere near it. By the time I was old enough to be able to help she was too sick and I never got to be in the kitchen with her when she canned. <br />
<br />
I did grocery shopping yesterday and after putting away everything, (I always go through and chop up all the celery, bell pepper, green onions, carrots, etc. and freeze them for quick use) I had a ton of veggies in the freezer waiting to make into stock.<br />
<br />
This morning my hubby took me to Wally World and bought me a new pressure canner!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiF99QRvzwgIoKL4nd6Ypbjm6Nh6ct7bCmCx-5LHp_eKiobkXlhqIetZEcsIdJFNEbt2YSCvgjQ_m_KOxAStVw9XzLaYUitj9hyTcqSFLjdYkqsyP1LyHWch3nynbqDAPOfo6sfHM_jA/s1600/canning+stock+016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiF99QRvzwgIoKL4nd6Ypbjm6Nh6ct7bCmCx-5LHp_eKiobkXlhqIetZEcsIdJFNEbt2YSCvgjQ_m_KOxAStVw9XzLaYUitj9hyTcqSFLjdYkqsyP1LyHWch3nynbqDAPOfo6sfHM_jA/s320/canning+stock+016.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
My first brand new pressure canner!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<br />
I took it out of the box and washed everything according to the directions before getting started. I also washed up some canning jars that my mother-in-law had given me a month or so ago since she no longer needed them.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipDl58mbHT4FrXBeg9fwyuzztzEX9QX9qF386h4YTBKhr1ifWPsfoivVWHCclDTnXle45trSYjErGJjaP1F6jgKSs34GWLUQ0rQKMG8P02HmRuRu8vTHyYViFFmljVsxYdbDoti3lEuw/s1600/canning+stock+025.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipDl58mbHT4FrXBeg9fwyuzztzEX9QX9qF386h4YTBKhr1ifWPsfoivVWHCclDTnXle45trSYjErGJjaP1F6jgKSs34GWLUQ0rQKMG8P02HmRuRu8vTHyYViFFmljVsxYdbDoti3lEuw/s320/canning+stock+025.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
Fresh clean jars</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<br />
Next I put all my veggies, seasonings and water into a stock pot to boil like I do for freezing.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5Yp_oRUk4lRPAtydLcepRz6mCHfrfKJJkZKvWOTO2xYuOtQm6xK06aMGgyLSyqksd-BAYA7Urc56GccpdTJEkLEbEr1-4_xZwclLUKLPKddq2vj0QdnMzxYRusZ5uS5fTsi7e0kDEIQ/s1600/canning+stock+015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5Yp_oRUk4lRPAtydLcepRz6mCHfrfKJJkZKvWOTO2xYuOtQm6xK06aMGgyLSyqksd-BAYA7Urc56GccpdTJEkLEbEr1-4_xZwclLUKLPKddq2vj0QdnMzxYRusZ5uS5fTsi7e0kDEIQ/s320/canning+stock+015.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Soon to be stock</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
After boiling for an hour the stock was ready to be canned. It turns the most beautiful golden brown.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje3fOkBxb3_RERK9GOVnUUR1go9mkUxWnIly3NFNvwPDcKmz0SkAncINd5zEiLHk5_3q0AotiJR2UZBaaPTa77d_dHjqfFRfsCeQee4GbdSFNt6k3Wl_KrhyphenhyphenLIVZ4UxxCZjgW7-20fKA/s1600/canning+stock+035.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje3fOkBxb3_RERK9GOVnUUR1go9mkUxWnIly3NFNvwPDcKmz0SkAncINd5zEiLHk5_3q0AotiJR2UZBaaPTa77d_dHjqfFRfsCeQee4GbdSFNt6k3Wl_KrhyphenhyphenLIVZ4UxxCZjgW7-20fKA/s320/canning+stock+035.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">YUM</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
After filling the jars I loaded them into the canner.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd9CrFqpKOqGFOqNPwZ3dud6Ta07x7TylGzyUx5fcKIiEjqB-mcgmfVZEMhDlUhuL0Mp47v11Q-iFD6Q0lu3M04mI64D0bVpnH78P9-RGeHQcRi6MvLQOH06L5zx6IZv53vvpF57lpnQ/s1600/canning+stock+038.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd9CrFqpKOqGFOqNPwZ3dud6Ta07x7TylGzyUx5fcKIiEjqB-mcgmfVZEMhDlUhuL0Mp47v11Q-iFD6Q0lu3M04mI64D0bVpnH78P9-RGeHQcRi6MvLQOH06L5zx6IZv53vvpF57lpnQ/s320/canning+stock+038.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ain't it purty!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Then came the waiting. I had to wait until there was a steadystream of steam coming from the canner before I could place the "jiggler" or pressure regulator onto the canner. Once the ten minutes had passed I set the jiggler for 10 pounds of pressure and placed it onto the canner.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjWq6IOjeiXwcMkCyF2jdQpdT3aB5B-uljo8ip4YOZnV6G9NQbDrlmFcI8ZRNZMeQl7DBMk8sd15LsxFsC37dygvWgegT2xlez6IEdT4rb5Kx0PEQbQ5btmCb-siyZkV_zE2M8McZZnw/s1600/canning+stock+023.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjWq6IOjeiXwcMkCyF2jdQpdT3aB5B-uljo8ip4YOZnV6G9NQbDrlmFcI8ZRNZMeQl7DBMk8sd15LsxFsC37dygvWgegT2xlez6IEdT4rb5Kx0PEQbQ5btmCb-siyZkV_zE2M8McZZnw/s320/canning+stock+023.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">3 piece jiggler set for 10lbs pressure</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJcDypq8PbjjOKv3EwhM6UXMFhSBn2Tte1m6rkBfygGmxXv0TdkmC9FS72YDWWmJNcF-kVzBydGroQLJ2FWg8nB4tSDNDTAj4NB9nf-KbjluY31bP1km0Hfq0u_KNyPoeblmwcYwFhMQ/s1600/canning+stock+019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJcDypq8PbjjOKv3EwhM6UXMFhSBn2Tte1m6rkBfygGmxXv0TdkmC9FS72YDWWmJNcF-kVzBydGroQLJ2FWg8nB4tSDNDTAj4NB9nf-KbjluY31bP1km0Hfq0u_KNyPoeblmwcYwFhMQ/s320/canning+stock+019.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wating for it to "jiggle"</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Once the jiggler began to jiggle I set the timer for 25 minutes, which is recommended for stock, <br />
and waited. I had to turn the temperature down once or twice to keep it at a steady rhythm.<br />
<br />
At the end of the day I had 6 quarts and one pint of beautiful stock!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXHyuzEj7BKLIqhyphenhyphensTPSSEezwEVINass6eO6zOLcoQJORApIXJboLuo-t9uJ-C_ZWaQ1UZm7jD1rn0P7EQ7E9J7_4pj-31th3TYQ5V6CSYR8xHwWvLuJ14hfsSAy5T6AKRmw2Pnae0dg/s1600/canning+stock+041.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXHyuzEj7BKLIqhyphenhyphensTPSSEezwEVINass6eO6zOLcoQJORApIXJboLuo-t9uJ-C_ZWaQ1UZm7jD1rn0P7EQ7E9J7_4pj-31th3TYQ5V6CSYR8xHwWvLuJ14hfsSAy5T6AKRmw2Pnae0dg/s320/canning+stock+041.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A good days work!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>All in all a great experience and I can't wait to have my own garden going so I can do many, many more things.The Hopeful Homesteaderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12417571191114724368noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5411486504461028991.post-61959885676446145442011-10-15T19:15:00.000-05:002011-10-15T19:15:42.517-05:00Restoring a pair of old chairsIn the old shed on the property we found two old chairs in really bad shape. Hannah decided she liked them and wanted restore them. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY2ZhThJhNBYu_19Biamq784bweTuAWAbvdkmC1RkW2Ag4_0rGQcwzxF3WHm_I7KOl1YFr81FUaZKknbu85gvJQ3uzTrEFzHgDxeXoCrznOAUJgCqk_i5tDfau_68_i-xAeEZ1o0cWEQ/s1600/hannah+001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY2ZhThJhNBYu_19Biamq784bweTuAWAbvdkmC1RkW2Ag4_0rGQcwzxF3WHm_I7KOl1YFr81FUaZKknbu85gvJQ3uzTrEFzHgDxeXoCrznOAUJgCqk_i5tDfau_68_i-xAeEZ1o0cWEQ/s320/hannah+001.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The frames weren't too bad but needed a bit of TLC.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaISGH6QF9cfrVcgimtnKuBsy9bRDq_OXfypUy2cJQCCSMJYlG9FsKy2QJWYbrz9rKMv-sQpJxmb7FKcAOoOiiIaQt0Q2lYUWwy3rFZQgz_cC40ZVEKqy4rGhlJLztKmkQFszaOQaO0w/s1600/hannah+004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaISGH6QF9cfrVcgimtnKuBsy9bRDq_OXfypUy2cJQCCSMJYlG9FsKy2QJWYbrz9rKMv-sQpJxmb7FKcAOoOiiIaQt0Q2lYUWwy3rFZQgz_cC40ZVEKqy4rGhlJLztKmkQFszaOQaO0w/s320/hannah+004.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The seats were in awful shape.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>She has decided she wants to do her room in chocolate brown and a light blue so she set to work fixing her chairs.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBui9XnO78461oEK93viECl8PCMHg_qywexop72ivx_14Q5JajDWjb7IPDXaM7CGba-5n-BZ_2z4h6PTM9gzRy0DgWC6xp67_9wEhxWYXJpczmOuEpOxdmziWMVNIcrsfBqTldGBaUnw/s1600/chair+012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBui9XnO78461oEK93viECl8PCMHg_qywexop72ivx_14Q5JajDWjb7IPDXaM7CGba-5n-BZ_2z4h6PTM9gzRy0DgWC6xp67_9wEhxWYXJpczmOuEpOxdmziWMVNIcrsfBqTldGBaUnw/s320/chair+012.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">She turned it upside down to begin tightening it up.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLt7_FzXfdUKm_L_Nx3s2UfghkvOtvcD2sKL41ZdJB-azAtqCKCQmsIVsSBI_S23SOSda8KxqmKu9iQE-Fk1AYNG_13xrDo0LHzHQFsTw0RDIUucFQ44qewm1GMyH-THxkO27hKFBeig/s1600/chair+013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLt7_FzXfdUKm_L_Nx3s2UfghkvOtvcD2sKL41ZdJB-azAtqCKCQmsIVsSBI_S23SOSda8KxqmKu9iQE-Fk1AYNG_13xrDo0LHzHQFsTw0RDIUucFQ44qewm1GMyH-THxkO27hKFBeig/s320/chair+013.JPG" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">She's making sure everything is squared up.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF56swCCxt73QiH58FoMuzzsTJlHZD3C_1MjT805x1TL1XyyAQ8krMClzSwK5-7rcXtzWKLdf9fX577mQGHdtniB3FrEZtGwoF305CVLPyEFM8J-FpUliPQdYKMncazmnJnmp-zk_cpw/s1600/chair+015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF56swCCxt73QiH58FoMuzzsTJlHZD3C_1MjT805x1TL1XyyAQ8krMClzSwK5-7rcXtzWKLdf9fX577mQGHdtniB3FrEZtGwoF305CVLPyEFM8J-FpUliPQdYKMncazmnJnmp-zk_cpw/s320/chair+015.JPG" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">She caught us taking pictures!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>After she got the frames all tightened up and squared she spray painted them chocolate brown.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR3jPx5ikXeQh33zqX75vhKXkBPbOvr8YUNort2HE-pDwxksjkHyYiNOxkOpKb_o9SlLXMOfZ41OFhBwCeQ1fxk1t6T-MhNdSPXOwm0MzF-atHfT78yb0IgxhfqOYweG3wSOi_G4ZW1w/s1600/chair+011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR3jPx5ikXeQh33zqX75vhKXkBPbOvr8YUNort2HE-pDwxksjkHyYiNOxkOpKb_o9SlLXMOfZ41OFhBwCeQ1fxk1t6T-MhNdSPXOwm0MzF-atHfT78yb0IgxhfqOYweG3wSOi_G4ZW1w/s320/chair+011.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Side view after painting.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSs9l1qDioMT0I1mQVP4NZXZj6BQIlyHFq5lhc3eLt49u_JDKLX4E9A0MImtoA03lQAziI7RYd2jB6rODYo8iW_r2Yas87nJoLzMazsSmkzWkpSnbpAEOJ-LGTQMAllZStLvjgwSc2gQ/s1600/hannah+002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSs9l1qDioMT0I1mQVP4NZXZj6BQIlyHFq5lhc3eLt49u_JDKLX4E9A0MImtoA03lQAziI7RYd2jB6rODYo8iW_r2Yas87nJoLzMazsSmkzWkpSnbpAEOJ-LGTQMAllZStLvjgwSc2gQ/s320/hannah+002.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Front view after painting.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>While she waited for the paint to dry she moved on to the cushions.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZHlGpN2udaUzuofJRMNO8Ngj9Yr3XUEdLHdhq-YjYQGI0EmvbF1chcCXvpmWGunl1fQEbHXAhEC3_WB2Q1a7_j3IpDAmuH_8LVRswoCCTJdJLtaQKaJeDz-K0V5-sKTA7YkCi3KcN2g/s1600/hannah+007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZHlGpN2udaUzuofJRMNO8Ngj9Yr3XUEdLHdhq-YjYQGI0EmvbF1chcCXvpmWGunl1fQEbHXAhEC3_WB2Q1a7_j3IpDAmuH_8LVRswoCCTJdJLtaQKaJeDz-K0V5-sKTA7YkCi3KcN2g/s320/hannah+007.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Removing the old upholstery.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7nvD5sozZwqns_xaNXc5pxv1yEi_NWexTwNcQ2DIHy5wJ14xxQoaCtjUq4ljX9quAgsjAOLaII6lm6RWmdvA-QmHIU4UbDYQ0mz-ZDPFXTl5r_yOYpJxkR579aZeUlYHATONuIC7bIw/s1600/chair.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="270" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7nvD5sozZwqns_xaNXc5pxv1yEi_NWexTwNcQ2DIHy5wJ14xxQoaCtjUq4ljX9quAgsjAOLaII6lm6RWmdvA-QmHIU4UbDYQ0mz-ZDPFXTl5r_yOYpJxkR579aZeUlYHATONuIC7bIw/s320/chair.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stapling on the new fabric.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwrNZm-1HpX25E7rpdKNCdbk40RSa2wYNcFWiGfGCwAOJxiSxwAqtr6FpSspWZ0oTanaBz6vwyv2dB9unYN0yFMGkFaVX-mllrq4Iysw2A8AMe00u58y_Ws9VLYO0sLd72VFwoBF8NRA/s1600/chair+001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwrNZm-1HpX25E7rpdKNCdbk40RSa2wYNcFWiGfGCwAOJxiSxwAqtr6FpSspWZ0oTanaBz6vwyv2dB9unYN0yFMGkFaVX-mllrq4Iysw2A8AMe00u58y_Ws9VLYO0sLd72VFwoBF8NRA/s320/chair+001.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After the new fabric is on - bottom view.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEwwOLGrSCMZrZhuv9vyiivo7PGF6djTEkg4-SSgqDuV2ajmpR-989GxK0KClPS3Hg0uLv5_Q4TdoiBq73BpJwGqI7QJ1Y9490vNYQBcg2J0FCvX5HJqPi7SjY6SY1YOtsz1Rkrc80Cg/s1600/chair+002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEwwOLGrSCMZrZhuv9vyiivo7PGF6djTEkg4-SSgqDuV2ajmpR-989GxK0KClPS3Hg0uLv5_Q4TdoiBq73BpJwGqI7QJ1Y9490vNYQBcg2J0FCvX5HJqPi7SjY6SY1YOtsz1Rkrc80Cg/s320/chair+002.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After the new fabric is on - top view.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju87HaiqGULtiYcVKZ7EmKS8mt5qJe-3f_ahg6FoPi20Hyiiz9uogJObZEQeBY_4WKcpkoQyiC_Vw0K9MeXbiPrlgyDvebIHvHXki4JEcOeZvr1VpgXv6VUUkxOQzDwYRkSfNq8qWcVw/s1600/chair+026.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju87HaiqGULtiYcVKZ7EmKS8mt5qJe-3f_ahg6FoPi20Hyiiz9uogJObZEQeBY_4WKcpkoQyiC_Vw0K9MeXbiPrlgyDvebIHvHXki4JEcOeZvr1VpgXv6VUUkxOQzDwYRkSfNq8qWcVw/s320/chair+026.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Both recovered seats after new fabric and cardboard cover for bottom.<br />
<div align="left"></div></td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkLhgfOzts0XaeVOd452C_owTJ83V4RMURwtFavBAs15hdPiw7flF9iv8YQMqD4ZXuFUbbo0JW_lWBNThOn_lcXpvjsRzRrqoCgjgX1xOgIlG1cGL8Rwv6Bmz7jjuppFrDkb89mPEwpg/s1600/chair+027.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkLhgfOzts0XaeVOd452C_owTJ83V4RMURwtFavBAs15hdPiw7flF9iv8YQMqD4ZXuFUbbo0JW_lWBNThOn_lcXpvjsRzRrqoCgjgX1xOgIlG1cGL8Rwv6Bmz7jjuppFrDkb89mPEwpg/s320/chair+027.JPG" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the finished chairs.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>She's quite proud of the finished product and I must say I am extremely proud of her as well. She took something most people would call trash and made it into a very nice and completely functional item for her room.<br />
<br />
Way to go Hannah!!!The Hopeful Homesteaderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12417571191114724368noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5411486504461028991.post-48942093115905404452011-10-08T16:02:00.000-05:002011-10-08T16:02:31.515-05:00The kindness of neighbors...Yesterday, I spent much of the day trying to weed eat the head high growth from aruond the house in an effort to control the mosquitos. We don't have a lawn mower right now and the weed eater, along with an axe and a machete are all we have access to right now. It took quite awhile to get roughly a 20 ft X 20 ft area done and needless to say I was quite worn out as well as mosquito bitten from nearly head to toe. <br />
<br />
We had planned to go to a community yard sale in the afternoon so I finished up what I could and we headed over to my mother-in-laws house to pick her up and go to the yard sale. While there she said we could borrow her push mower so we loaded it up and made it home about an hour after dark. <br />
<br />
When we returned home we were met with a HUGE surprise. Someone had mowed our entire property! We were flabberghasted and extremely greatful. We had no clue who the kindness had come from. After talking about it we narrowed it down to two possible people. It was either my husbands great uncle or the neighbor who lives in front of us and across the road. <br />
<br />
Today we found out that it was a combined effort of two of our neighbors. The one we suspected had come over and started to push mow it and the neighbor behind us brought his tractor over to complete the job. <br />
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Take a look at these pictures of one of the greatest kindnesses I have ever been blessed to receive.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj850z7ED2q5u74EDM41dU1Fs0JZpweqhu8EVbBvjTCGPCIj51CnKCYPa0V4y0J2AQk16JBpT922B3svcOx3jodIq0fXML-6GNbvzKJ8bts38gSLMdtnEgoogFUG_o7_8k8HqSqUx_Dcw/s1600/after+017.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj850z7ED2q5u74EDM41dU1Fs0JZpweqhu8EVbBvjTCGPCIj51CnKCYPa0V4y0J2AQk16JBpT922B3svcOx3jodIq0fXML-6GNbvzKJ8bts38gSLMdtnEgoogFUG_o7_8k8HqSqUx_Dcw/s320/after+017.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>The Hopeful Homesteaderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12417571191114724368noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5411486504461028991.post-13859022485875082132011-10-07T15:32:00.000-05:002011-10-07T15:32:18.609-05:00A little bit of progressWell we actually made a little bit of progress with the yard. All we have to work with right now is a weed eater but I'm not sure at this point I'd really want to use anything else any way.<br />
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Having to pull up a lot of stuff by hand and then multiple sweeps with the weed eater but its working. At least it's not head high right at the house anymore. <br />
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Mostly we've been trying to get things unpacked inside and repairing minor stuff like water leaks etc. We've had to repair a leak under the kitchen sink, the kids toilet, the outdoor faucet and a few others as well. <br />
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There was a refriderator here already but it didn't work. I've read somewhere that you can turn an old fridge into a smoker. If anyone knows how to do this I would love to get the instructions on that.The Hopeful Homesteaderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12417571191114724368noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5411486504461028991.post-43250876995582751842011-10-07T15:13:00.001-05:002011-10-08T09:10:26.128-05:00More before picturesOkay as promised here's a few more before pictures of the property. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk3ZDqsbtxnx3CBvGcCMkxuMWdsOK1_3SREs9W4q5g6U664QQauBfYpjR1BgDaasUuSbpLIE-R4kXoubplTexoA2HdhyKOyXDWj25BjiwZHhx9jjxRol4LZ7VTq2RUwQgTaVxdvcU_mw/s1600/property+014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk3ZDqsbtxnx3CBvGcCMkxuMWdsOK1_3SREs9W4q5g6U664QQauBfYpjR1BgDaasUuSbpLIE-R4kXoubplTexoA2HdhyKOyXDWj25BjiwZHhx9jjxRol4LZ7VTq2RUwQgTaVxdvcU_mw/s320/property+014.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>The Hopeful Homesteaderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12417571191114724368noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5411486504461028991.post-90425053369551724772011-10-07T15:03:00.000-05:002011-10-07T15:03:43.881-05:00The Icky PoolThere is a pool on the property that is in pretty rough shape. It needs a new pump and some severe cleaning. Currently it is nothing more than a breeding ground for mosquitoes. And my mother-in-law swears she saw something moving in it. I really hope it's a frog or turtle and not a snake.<br />
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We poured a gallon of bleach in it already to attempt to kill things off before we even attempt to clean it up but I have no idea what the next step would be. <br />
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Any suggestions on how to get this cleaned up safely?The Hopeful Homesteaderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12417571191114724368noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5411486504461028991.post-74475336251473605422011-10-05T12:48:00.001-05:002011-10-05T12:52:52.340-05:00We're finally moved in!Well we closed on the place on Wednesday and it's taken this long to get everything organized enough so I could get back to posting. <br />
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We had a few glitches getting everything sorted out but we're finally able to get down to making this place a home so I thought I'd post some beore pictures for everyone to see what kind of work lies ahead of us.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipUZjJt_j8bRejLflqApi9NH34BSKzAPMRjfayGjac53idrKPp6DypOiR6HyIfGxaj_hx1vL3Uh3i3zfWSAxI4VwE1YQ8cb-B5EeB3ashsWrIuXUdM0vPihyIaopJIo04cBaXKtyubCQ/s1600/012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipUZjJt_j8bRejLflqApi9NH34BSKzAPMRjfayGjac53idrKPp6DypOiR6HyIfGxaj_hx1vL3Uh3i3zfWSAxI4VwE1YQ8cb-B5EeB3ashsWrIuXUdM0vPihyIaopJIo04cBaXKtyubCQ/s320/012.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX-53h8dtonvIzJQCMXu8ZAsNMRGAy0vX5w84njuy9dvPcGTWY1F5xFnubMmS5PDY9MXMict_MCHEi_v-qkOexlh6woUhsjLbyKG0bfuNfTd_PNkppnCG_YoF5vuU3wF9hdT-odmOS3w/s1600/023.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX-53h8dtonvIzJQCMXu8ZAsNMRGAy0vX5w84njuy9dvPcGTWY1F5xFnubMmS5PDY9MXMict_MCHEi_v-qkOexlh6woUhsjLbyKG0bfuNfTd_PNkppnCG_YoF5vuU3wF9hdT-odmOS3w/s320/023.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>And that's just the before photos for the back and side yard. Front yard pics will be posted soon.The Hopeful Homesteaderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12417571191114724368noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5411486504461028991.post-8371420853703253212011-09-25T16:59:00.001-05:002011-09-26T13:18:08.276-05:00What a week!! (part 3)So Friday Kevin had a doctor's visit for his back. That's always an all day venture because we have to drive so far for them so we knew ahead of time that the day would be shot. <br />
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We left the house before 8am. We had to go over to his mother's house because Kevin wanted to take the new car to see how it did. His mother's truck has been out of commission for awhile and she's hasn't had a way of going for about a month so I decided to let her borrow the new car until she can get her's fixed. <br />
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After we get the car we had to go by the school to take my daughter her purse, she had left it the night before when we went to the fair. When we stopped at the school she said that her brother had forgotten his bus pass (he was supposed to be spending the night with a friend) so we had to call the elementary school and give permission for him to ride the bus with his friend. And all this before 9 am!<br />
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To make a long story short we made it to the doctor's office in time but of course had to sit and wait. We didn't make it back home until after 5 pm. <br />
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So yesterday, we just took the day to completely chill out. We all sat around the house like vegetables all day and did absolutely nothing! <br />
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Thankfully, that was the end to this crazy week.The Hopeful Homesteaderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12417571191114724368noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5411486504461028991.post-13990505163167471312011-09-25T16:42:00.000-05:002011-09-25T16:42:54.098-05:00What a week!! (part 2)Kevin's van has been acting up severely for awhile now. There is an awful popping and grinding noise any time the wheel is turned and a mechanic told us that at some point in the near future we're going to have to replace an axle. Also there is something on it that just beeps all the time. He thinks it might be related to the keyless entry part but we're not sure. <br />
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Due to having several months without any income my car was reposessed and this was our only way of going. So we had decided that we would get me a vehicle as long as we could get something for less than $3000.<br />
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We went and test drove several on Wednesday. There was a 2001 Toyota Camry that we test drove. It was nice but they wanted a bit more than I would have given for it since it had over 200,000 miles on it. I also test drove a 2001 Chevrolet Lumina but again had nearly 200,000 miles and they wanted too much for it. The third vehicle we test drove was a GMC Sierra truck that Kevin fell in love with but yet again they were asking too much.<br />
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I finally decided that we weren't going to find anything that day and we gave up but not before telling the guy on the lot what we were looking for and what our price range was. We left with his promise that if he came across anything he'd keep us in mind. <br />
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Well the fair was in town and we had promised to take the kids and Kevin's mother so we headed over to her house because the kids were supposed to be getting off the bus any time now. <br />
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Just before we left to go to the fair we got a call from the guy on the lot. He said, "Boy have I got a deal for you!" He said that a guy had just brought in a 1999 car that had 98,000 miles on it and it was within our price range but that the man had someone else coming to look at it in an hour and wanted to know if we could come test drive it.<br />
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Well we put off going to the fair for a bit to go see what he had found. We arrived on the lot to find a 1999 Cadillac Catera in excellent shape. We test drove it and looked under the hood and everything was in order. Kevin said that as long as it was in our price range it would be a good car to get.<br />
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We got back to the lot and asked the guy how much he was wanting for it and sure enough it was well within our price range. So Thurday, I became the owner of a Cadillac! I never in my life would have imagined I would own such a nice car. <br />
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Stay tuned for part 3 of this crazy week.The Hopeful Homesteaderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12417571191114724368noreply@blogger.com0