Friday, October 30, 2009

Beans...

We are still trying to get the remaining beans off the field. Last night we didn't work as late as we thought we could, because the sun didn't come out as planned yesterday. I puttered around the house getting to the bottom of the laundry room til shortly after the noon hour, then I got to drive truck. We stayed pretty consistent running, we had a 11,000 bushel day. I got to start the dryer up. The gas switch always freaks me out though...I need to get over that!

We got an awesome wonderful surprise yesterday. Our friends from church made up a meal for us. What a great unexpected effort on their part. I was so shocked, but felt blessed. Thank you to our favorite family of 15!! The dish will be returned with a treat inside. :)

Katie went early yesterday and helped a couple that babysits. She filled in for a while when other helpers had appointments. Erik helped G & G Geese put their camper away. Then he and Grandpa went to an auction. Of course he got a steal on two exceptionally kept snowmobiles. So they are now in the shop. What will we do with him?? I guess we have to keep him. :) They also got an antique implement for Grandpa's Ford Ferguson. It has to be picked up with a trailer. So after school work today that is where he is headed. Grandma Geese came over and wanted to help organize. So, if you come to my house and look at my VCR/DVD collection...you will see that they are alphabetically organized! How many of you can say that?

Well I think you are updated with the Myers' Family. We have a busy weekend ahead. I guess we all can say good-bye to October and welcome in November.

Blessings to Y'all

Wednesday, October 28, 2009

Too Long...

Hi all...wow it has been a while since I have posted. I have so much to tell you.

First off, the beans are coming along great. We only need three good days of running and we will be officially done. With 2700 acres that is always a good accomplishment. But then we have 2400 acres of corn to contend with...but that is ok, the weather is not such a factor with corn and we seem to stay quite consistent running most days.

H1N1 has broken out in Calhoun County. We know of several schools that have closed. Some closed three days last week and some closed the beginning part of this week. We have not been affected. We are, however, using our clorox wipes regularly. We even clorox wipe down the semi's when someone else drives them. I told our hired helper and he laughed at me. Maybe I am a germaphobic. But not getting the bug suits me just fine.

So, remember, about the carpet in the bonus room. They did come on Friday and it is in. It looks fabulous. It actually looks like planked floor. Really! Because of that room being above the garage we needed carpet in it for sound and warmth. When a friend suggested that print, at first I was hesitant, but We all love it!

On Friday on my trip home from Reading with the load of beans, I got a phone call from our friend Lester. Lester Yoder is a Amish gentleman in Shipshewana. He has done alot of work for my mom and dad, and has made a bedroom suite for Katie. Well he called to say the antique desk I bought at an estate sale was done. He did tell me he shipped it off to another amish man who strips and refinishes furniture. I told him, "Great...I should be down on Monday or Tuesday."

So Monday Katie and I hit the road around 12:30 headed to Shipshi. We got there had a great lunch, visited a couple of shops, spent some gift certificates we had and decided to head to Lester's to get the desk and go home. Mind you this is shortly after 4. So, we got to his house and no one was home. So we went around the corner to his parents home and his brother rode his bike over and said he would try to find Lester. When we were at Lester's a little longer his wife and girls came home from raking leaves at the neighboring bed and breakfast. Mrs. Yoder (Lavina) figured he had gone out hunting, but thought she knew where he probably sent the desk. Mind you I thought the desk would have been back at his place. So she gave me directions. To the other side of Middlebury. No problem, I thought!! So off I go. Well the roads get very confusing. So at one point I stopped and asked some Amish men were I might find Marion Yoder (no relation of course) that finishes furniture. No problem they say you go back west and look for a place way back in the woods. So I find it, it looks as though no one is home. I knock and knock and finally people come to the door. Well, no, they say we only make it new, they say, when we sold our last home the people who live there now took over the restoration business. No problem I think and off we go back to their old home. I get there as quick as I can. During all this...Lester's wife told me hopefully those people will still be at home and not be out visiting in the evening...it was pushing 6 so I was starting to get worried. So here I am with a big diesel pick-up pulling in the driveway and kids starting looking out everywhere to see who this crazy lady was and what she wanted. So in the shop I went and luckily they were there and he says...well I can't say that I received anything from Lester, so we look around and don't see my desk. So off I go back to Lester's.

So now we are back at Lester's. Livina states that she will send one of the girls out to get him from hunting. So we were getting hungry and thirsty by then so we headed into Shipshi. No sooner then we got to a place and picked up a quick bite to go and Lester calls my cell phone. Of course, I didn't get it in time so it went to voice mail. Yes, I am home, come on over and I will give you directions to where your desk it. Great I thought...it is dark and I have to find directions to a dark Amish residence.

Back to Lester's we went. He has this small card with directions. I look at him and I think he knows me well enough and he said...how would you like it if I rode with you. I jumped at that so in he came and off we went. When we got beyond the Essenhaus turned back south for a few more miles and then back east. I was so glad I had Lester with us. We actually drove by the persons house cause it was so dark. Thankfully Lester recognized it. There would have been no way I would have even been able to see it on my own. This place was Tanglewood Restoration. Glen and Leona with a last name I don't even know. Their address was Goshen. So we looked at the table with flashlights, looked ok, chatted about our farming operation, and headed back to Lester's.

On the way back to Lester's we talked about a lot of things. One thing I found fascinating was his view on Beverly Lewis books. He said..."Her books make it out like all of us are non-believers and that is not so." Yes, they do read out of the bible in High German during their church meetings. But he has a KJV bible he reads out of the old and new testament and he does believe in Christ and his Resurrection. Cool huh!

So we got back home shortly after nine. The boys were just getting home. We made a steak for them, with corn and pickles. Then the ate some of the treats we got earlier in the day from the Bread Box.

Yesterday I trucked and helped move combines.

On to cleaning the house today.

Blessings to you on this fall day~

Friday, October 23, 2009

WINDY!!

Hi all...wow is this wind incredible or what?!? Our flag is nearly busting at its seams on the top of the grain leg. Well...it is after eleven and no carpet yet. Don't you love waiting for people? They were going to be here this morning. Well they have 45 more minutes.

Doug is working on paperwork. He took Katie down to the Chiropractor this morning...and I am feeling like I should have gone instead. I guess I will take an Advil and keep moving.

We made the meeting in Jackson yesterday about the graduation. We have to decide whether or not to have Erik participate with the program. He doesn't even know the kids he will be going through the ceremony with, not like Katie will in a few years. It is time consuming and a bit costly. Will he survive not going through the commencement program, yes. Will it change the course of life, no. So why do it? There will be Senior Sunday's at church. The yearbook at Pioneers will have a page dedicated to each senior. He will receive a graduation gift from other homeschool groups we are a part of...so what is the big decision?!?

The carpet guys are on their way...we just got the call. Doug & I are going to Reading to dump two trucks of beans. I have never driven that far with a semi, so that will be interesting. I will just have to turn up my music and enjoy the ride. Hopefully he won't want to talk on the two-way radios too much...then I have to turn things down and listen then up the radio again!! :)

Oh yeah...the road side clean-up got cancelled. They thought the wind might inhibit the process. I disagree...all the kids would have to do is pick up an item, and the wind would take it to the next county...area clean! :) So the kids are home happily doing their homework. Seems when it is nice out...they want to be doing something else...when it isn't nice out...they want to be doing something else...hmmm thankfully the one who likes to be outside most only has a few credits to be done! :)

We have a busy week ahead of us...so I best get all my preparations in order. I must wish my sister-in-law from Camden a Happy Birthday tomorrow. Have a good one Brenda!

Be blessed all...and hurry home Miss B. :)

Thursday, October 22, 2009

Beans

We are still running as fast as we can before the rain hits. We are well past the half-way point in our bean harvest with one combine. Doug's quote of the day is..."It takes 3 people to keep one combine going and 8 to keep two." Its a long story...someday when I have more time, I may go into more detail.

Yesterday, the kids had Jax. I had bible study, a hair appointment, and then was truck driver most of the afternoon. The kids stopped again on their way home and got some donuts and cider, which were a nice treat for Doug. We had hamburgers on the grill with all the fixins, green beans, chips, and brownies.

Today we were up super early to get at it again. It was one of those nights we could have run all night, but a person only can burn the candle at both ends for so long. And with the skeleton crew we are currently working with...it wasn't going to happen last night.

Katie has babysitting tonight, and we are supposed to be going to Jax tonight for a graduation meeting for Erik. We will see if we make it. I already let the gal in charge of it know that we may not make it over if it isn't raining.

As I type this G & G Geese are headed to Borgess hospital. I don't know a bunch of details. But prayers for my mom would be appreciated. Thanks!

Tomorrow, we have to hit the ground running again, rain or shine. We have chiropractic appointments, roadside clean-up with the F.L.A.S.H. group, getting carpet layed in the Bonus room along with the normal day to day things life brings.

Thanks for reading this...have a good day all!

Blessings~

Angie

Tuesday, October 20, 2009

Lady Beetles!!!

Today has turned out to be a beautiful day...other than the fact that there are lady beetles everywhere!!! It is to the point a person would think their skin is crawling.

We are running beans full steam today with two combines, and that is a good thing! I went to get a part for the grain head today with Doug. Then I helped him fix it. That is when the bugs started. It was warming up pretty good and by the time we finished and the side of the barn had so many on it there was hardly an inch between each. We, too, were covered. I just can't take it when they land and go in your ear!

We I must run...get dinner started, attend a fire meeting and do the daily here.

Have a good one all!!

Monday, October 19, 2009

On the road again...

This morning I was up and going again. I was asked by a gal at Church to accompany a young mom with her two year old daughter to U of M for a doctors appointment. Her husband couldn't go this time and it was at a new facility she hadn't gone to before. So I was up again early and on the road for the 8 a.m. appointment. We were back in Marshall shortly after 11. I went and picked up a few groceries.

While I was gone...Erik took Katie to the Dentist, and Doug got started running more beans. The beans this year are not turning like they usually do. So it is taking more time to find ones to run.

I am home now and trying to get motivated to do something. There is a W.O.W. meeting tonight for me and Katie has a get together for Horse Bowl...so again a night we need to be in two places at once. Katie, however, has a ton of homework having missed last week, so maybe we will have to bypass her meeting. We shall see.

I will end with this quote I found from my Bible Study, by Beth Moore, written from Dr. Luke..."live life one surrendered day at a time. Eyes to the East, Hands to the cross. Feet to the path.

Have a great week all ~

One more thing...Bethany...have an especially good week, be safe, and we will see you soon!
Lastly...Melissa...Coffee, Call me!! =)

Saturday, October 17, 2009

Back Home...again

Wow, I'm beginning to sound like a broken record. Well, for those of you who prayed...thanks. Everything went smooth. I got in Winona last night about 8:15...caught a shuttle to the campground in Rochester, which took another hour. Chatting with my parents till around 11. Slept around 5 hours and hit the road for Michigan. It was truly nerve racking making our way around and down the hills till we hit the Mississippi. It was mostly in the dark. Not having driven the truck that has a manual transmission with that long of a trailer in quite some time made way for some nervousness, but we arrived safely home around 6pm. Chicago was a bear even though some might say traffic was light for Chicago! :) I did have moments when it was raining that I recalled spinning around backwards with my horse trailer down I-69 last winter. I silently sang my way through those thoughts. I did get a weeks worth of Bible Study done from B.C. to Chicago on the train. And read a great book I borrowed from my friend Em. Thanks all to read my ramblings.

Oh yeah...I must not forget...when I got home I looked up...and saw blinds! My terrific husband hung all my blinds on my windows while I was gone. = )

Thanks again for prayers and blessing for a good Lord's day tomorrow!

Friday, October 16, 2009

On the road again...

Well, I'm headed to Rochester, MN...see you all in a few days. Obviously from yesterday's post I'm a little nervous. Take care all.

Blessings to you ~

Thursday, October 15, 2009

Reservations...

Today I made plans to spend nearly 11 hours on a Amtrak train tomorrow...yeah! Seems I get to drive a truck and camper home on Saturday, maybe Sunday...through Chicago...again yeah! Are you reading my true excitement?

Now, if I had like a 5 hour layover in Chicago and I got to shop for a few hours...now that would be YEAH! I tried to talk my son into doing the trip. His Dad however disagreed with me. He thinks we'd have to call him stumpy after the trip cause he would eat all his fingernails down and his fingers most the way off if he got too nervous driving through there with the trailer. He drove to the Mackinac Bridge fine...but no go with the Dad. But he is fine sending me??? Where are my 3 brothers??? Ok...enough venting. Honor thy mother and father...and my husband, right!

One thing to look forward to, the train station is very close to the Chicago Board of Trade. I may go there and see the people with whom we trade our commodities. Great group of people. One is a very good friend. He and his wife had a little one a few months ago, I hope to see him and at least see some pictures of the little one. They live in Rockford, so there is no chance to see her and the baby. Maybe I can get lunch out of one of the people too, cause my train doesn't leave out of Chicago till 2:15

So today...it is laundry, more laundry, tidying up the house, maybe a big pot of soup. I feel as though I barely hit the ground here and I'm off again.

At least Katie will be here holding the fort down. She will make sure those boys are fed, and things get done. She is more of a drill sargent then I am at times! :)

Hey, maybe I can get like 3 weeks of bible study done, then I wouldn't have to worry if I miss a day when we are in the heat of harvest.

Thanks for letting me vent for those who read my postings.

Stay warm and be blessed! =)

Wednesday, October 14, 2009

There's no place like Home!

Well, we are back after our whirlwind tour south to the All American Quarter Horse Congress. Katie went there to compete with the Calhoun County horse bowl team. She originally was with the other team and won regionals, but the this team did better at State. So Katie was the alternate to this team going to Congress. But, nice thing is she was put in to compete in all rounds. She didn't buzz in at first, but in their last round of competition, she buzzed in twice and answered correctly both times. One of her questions was one she learned from her Apologia Biology class from last year. Funny thing was, no one else on her team knew the answer and even said they couldn't believe she buzzed in and that she knew! She was so excited. With horse bowl, if you buzz in, you have to be quite sure you know the answer...cause if you get it wrong it takes points away from your team. So, at times, it is intimidating to even attempt an answer.

We left for Columbus on Sunday evening at 8:30 at night. I had made reservations in Lima, OH. We got there about 11 p.m. The next day we got up and headed off to Columbus. Our morning consisted of shopping at the Polaris Shopping Center. We found this mall a few years ago. It is huge with a Saks Fifth Avenue on one end and a Sears on the other with every store known to man in between, or so it seems. We found some fun things, then ate lunch at a restaurant called Molly Woo's (People compare it to a P.F. Chang) After lunch we headed off to our hotel, the Hilton Garden Inn, the same place we stayed last year. We kicked off our shoes for a few minutes then headed off to Congress to shop. If you have never been to Congress there is every tack, roping, reining, bedding, stalls, watering devices, western jewelery, western knick-knack store you can think of is represented there at Congress with the hopes of you wanting to make a purchase. We looked around for a while then went back and relaxed at the hotel for a while.

The next day we had to be at Congress at 7:45. Since they didn't make it all the way to the end of the competition because of their loss, we decided to head home. We hit the road around 3, stopped in Fort Wayne for gas and to eat dinner and was home around 8:45.

Today...Erik went to Jackson, but Katie did not. She had told her teachers that she would not be there today and had gotten her homework. I went to Bible Study then out for my Weekly Dose of Bosserd Family Farms. Cutting corn stalks, having pictures taken...it's a long story! :) The kids are leaving shortly for Craft Photographic Gallery, for their school pictures with the Flash group. Erik's last year!

Blessings for a good day!

Friday, October 9, 2009

Finally Friday!

What a week we have had. At times this week I truly didn't know if we were coming or going. Giving a quick overview of the some of the things we had going this week were: making centerpieces, making several desserts, attending meetings, bible study, schooling, errands, birthday dinners, senior pictures, appointments...whew! And that list doesn't even hit it all. We are so looking forward to relaxing and attending a pig roast tomorrow with friends.

The weatherman states that the current front should break, so tomorrow we too may be able to run more beans...and that is a good thing!

Have a safe weekend and be blessed~

Thursday, October 8, 2009

Birthday Fun!

Hi all...We are celebrating Doug's birthday today. His first gift was that the weather was going to hold out and we will be able to Combine more beans today. Second, he received breakfast in bed. (That is our family tradition we started years ago for birthdays) He then opened a package we got him...a huge bag of Peanut M & M's (his favorite!), an omelet pan, and a new spatula for the omelet pan. Yesterday, when we were making omelets, we found the pan we use is not sufficient, so for fun we purchased the pan for him to use.

We are having our big meal at noon. The menu will consist of the following: Grilled Pork Roast, Potato Supreme, Broccoli Salad, Pine Nut Salad, Asparagus, Baking Powder Biscuits, and Mile High Carrot Cake. All his favorites. Both G & G Geese and his parents are coming over to eat the mid-day meal.

We will no more and get done with dinner, and we will be off to get Erik's senior pictures taken. Erik plans to take his Ford 8N he restored with him for pictures. He has been working on getting it shined up.

Katie has been awesome help with prep work for me today too.

Well...I must run...Blessings on your day all.

Tuesday, October 6, 2009

Rain...

I admit, I like those days when you can just sit inside and enjoy a gentle rain outside and snuggle up to watch a movie. Or, just doing those inside things you have been avoiding because you have been outside 20 hours a day only to come in to sleep. But this is wearing on me. Just when it looks like we can start running beans again, we are going to be hit with more rain. Maybe God is trying to get us all to slow down, testing our patience...hmmm. I'll have to let you know on that one.

We had such a busy weekend there were times when we didn't know if we were coming or going. We went and got more things to finish the electrical in the bonus room. I know...maybe God wants us to have that room done before the combining gets going full stream?

Yesterday I went to my friend Pam's house and worked. I helped her a little and she helped me alot. She allowed me to pick some gourds and squash out of her field and pick some flowers from her beautiful garden to put together arrangements for the 4-H Awards night, that is tonight. I actually used a cordless drill to make the openings for the flowers. I had a gal that used to run a florist/garden shop come by and look at the drill and then look at me and said, "I made flower arrangements for over 20 years and never once thought of using a cordless screwdriver." She said it very serious. As of now, I still don't know if she really thought it was a good idea or not. I did get compliments on the arrangements from others...so I think Doug's cordless screwdriver idea was good.

Tonight is the awards dessert. Doug and I have a fire meeting meeting. I said I would make a snack for the firefighters, so I might as well get cooking for both events.

We are excited...Erik is getting his senior pictures on Thursday with his Ford 8N. So he needs to work on getting it cleaned up for that. One good thing about a boys senior pictures...very few clothing changes.

Have a blessed day all...

Friday, October 2, 2009

Beans and Rain

Hi all...we received over an inch of rain last night and this morning...so it is a little soggy around here. Last night we ran beans till they got tough. So far we have around 150 acres of beans combined. Doug is very happy with the yield, thus far. We have run both irrigated and non-irrigated.

I made the big Sam's Club run yesterday. I love going there, but as my Dad calls it, instead of Sam's Club, he says it's the $100 Club. It is so hard to get out of there for less than that amount.

I then went to J.C. Penny's and ordered some blinds that I needed for the bonus room I am trying to finish. It seems to be the never ending room.

On my way home yesterday afternoon I got a call from G & G Geese. Seems my brother Gary was over and felt the need for Pizza. Erik was there helping cut wood, and he thought it was a great idea too...so that was to be the order of the day. So much for Pizza Momma...last night it was Pizza Hut. Doug was fine with that, he ate with the auto-steer working after I brought him a semi a little later on, after we unloaded the Sam's Club purchases.

The kids then went off to their 4-H Council Meeting. Not much planned for tonight. Maybe we will do some pond dwelling with friends. Then there is a bonfire after the Harper Creek game at 9 with the small group the kids do some things with in B.C. We will see how the mood and the weather strikes us.

Before I end this...in case I don't blog tomorrow...I must wish my brother Ken the oldest of the Sunday "kids" a Happy 49th Birthday! This is your last year in the 40's...hehehe..LOL...ROFL. Just cause your older doesn't mean you are wiser!! Have a good one big bro.

Enjoy your weekend all...stay safe and be blessed!

Thursday, October 1, 2009

October and the First Frost

Hi all...can you believe it is the first of October already and along with that we woke up to our first frost of this season.

Yesterday Katie and I had dental appointments in B.C. @ K.C.C. then we went down to the Hillsdale County Fair.

We had a great time. We saw a lots of friends, some reletives and people who live very nearby that we don't see nearly enough were there. I also ran into a person who trained my A.Q.H.A. horse Mikey that runs his horses in sulkey races. He won his first race yesterday. He invited me and and others to get in the race winning picture. So I may end up on Mr. Eddie's wall of fame. :) We had to leave just as he was running his next race, so I can't tell you the results of that.

Erik went to Jackson for classes. Katie had the day off of Pioneers.

When we got home from the fair...we got a surprise...Doug was running beans. They started in the field behind our house. It always is good to get started, so the bugs can be worked out of the new combine. Maybe I can get a friend, Miss B., to show me how and I will start posting pictures on my blog so you can see our harvest in action.

Today, I am running to get some groceries, and Katie is driving Miss Daisy aka G. Geese to Coldwater to pick up a few things, they always have a great time together. Katie did drive, from Battle Creek to Hillsdale yesterday and did a great job, I still have most of my fingernails. (just kidding!)

Well, I better get going, its going to be a busy day.

God Bless~