MTU

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The Story:  The three middle kids were watching TV on Friday afternoon after Dash left for football practice.  I came downstairs, saw the state of the basement, asked the kids to shut off the TV, then asked them to clean up the room.  The kiddos decided there were better things to do outside, so went out to ‘do them’.  Upon seeing that the room wasn’t clean and that a LOT of items had been shoved under the couch, I lost ‘it’.  My losing ‘it’ resulted in the kids losing ‘the TV’.  It’s been taken out of the entertainment center … and I hope it finds it’s buddy the Wii and stays there!!! 

Although, admittedly, the TV is larger and harder to misplace.

Lesson: Always do, right away, what your mother asks you to do or your favorite past-time could be a thing of the past.

MTU

This idea is credited to my brilliant husband who gets tired of me getting tired of monitoring the computer/TV/Gameboy/DS/cell phone/general electronic time for our children.  He typed it up and made several copies to be handed out and posted in appropriate locations.

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Before you ask for electronics time

• Is your bed made?
• Is your room picked up?
• Is the toy room clean?
• Is the basement clean?
• Is the school room clean?
• Are your chores (dishes or animal) done?
• Is the lawn mowed? [Could be replaced with  -  Is the sidewalk shoveled? – in winter months]
• Are the trees weeded?
• Is the garden watered?
• Is the garden weeded?
• If the answer to any of these is NO, then don’t ask until completed!

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Now, the list didn’t completely solve the problem, but it sure helped.  Until I forgot about it, and the kids forgot about it.  But, I found the list last night!  So, up it goes … right where the computer should be. 

Except the computer is hidden right now.  Cuz, that’s how I deal with it – my dislike of regulating and keeping track of computer time. 

Now the kids know how to get the computer back; they better work hard tomorrow.  I might just forget where I’ve hidden the computer … just like my hubby has forgotten (for real!) where he hid the Wii.  No, I’m not praying to St. Anthony for help in finding that lost item!

Chickens

The other day, my hubby and I were trying to remember the sequence of how we moved the chickens and merged the two flocks last year.  I thought I’d written down details in my calendar .. nada.  Checked through my blog posts, too .. nada.  The only thing I wrote about was prepping the holding pen and the  successful move to the holding pen.  At some point in the next couple weeks, the door was left open and the two flocks merged.  (I’m pretty sure they were merged by November 5 or 6th when we went Deer Hunting at Grandma & Grandpa Golden Acres’ farm.)  Then the establishment of pecking order ensued … and Hen Savers were ordered.  I need to do a better job of recording!

So as to not miss this year’s details before they are forgotten …

On the morning of August 13th, 2011, the Barred Rocks and Buff Orpingtons were moved to the holding pen in the large coop.  The Ameraucanas were moved to the larger pen with outdoor access in the Wahoo. 

 

The Ameraucanas have the better deal in this rearrangement.  It’s hard for me to not give the the Rocks and Buffs access to the outside.  But, merging flocks takes time and it’s for their protection to be near, but not with.  For a treat, tomorrow I plan go out and let them roam the whole coop while all the older hens stay outside for the morning.  It’s recommended that the flocks be within sight of each other for 4-6 weeks before ‘accidentally’ leaving a door open.  I hope this merge goes a little better than last year’s!

The three youngest chicks remain in their water tank pen, but a perch was added for their pleasure and entertainment.

Did I mention that one of my Wyandottes is broody?  The silly hen.  I have wooden eggs that are supposed to help new layers and are supposed to deter egg peckers.  (The hen that pecks eggs is smart, cuz the wooden eggs haven’t stopped her… and I’m not smart enough to be able to figure her out or she’d be stew.)  Anyway, the broody hen sits on the wooden eggs!  We collect the eggs she lays and she’ll switch nests so she has something to sit on.  Silly hen…she’s never met a rooster.

Storms

This summer has brought it’s fair share of storms, some severe.  Rather than worry, I pray. 

While visiting with a couple moms at the close of vacation bible school this past July, one of them mentioned specific prayers to protect against storms.  I asked her to send them to me.  I’ve since passed them on to friends and family, as well.  I have another in my files that I’ll post, if I can find it!

Worry doesn’t help, prayer does.

 

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Prayer or Blessing Against Storms

At each cross within the text, make the sign of the cross.

Jesus Christ a King of Glory has come in Peace. † God became man, † and the Word was made flesh. † Christ was born of a Virgin. † Christ suffered. † Christ was crucified. † Christ died. † Christ rose from the dead. † Christ ascended into Heaven. † Christ conquers. † Christ reigns. † Christ orders. † May Christ protect us from all storms and lightning † Christ went through their midst in Peace, † and the word was made flesh. † Christ is with us with Mary. † Flee you enemy spirits because the Lion of the Generation of Judah, the Root David, has won. † Holy God! † Holy Powerful God! † Holy Immortal God! † Have mercy on us. Amen!

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Another Prayer to Avert Storms and Hurricanes

Father, all the elements of nature obey your command. Calm the storms and hurricanes that threaten us and turn our fear of your power into praise of your goodness. Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.

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Chaplet of Protection

(To be prayed on ordinary rosary beads)

Jesus attached specific promises of protection to this prayer. This prayer goes even FURTHER than storms, natural disasters, and military strife. It has a GREAT HEALING POWER attached to it, as well, in that it can mend broken marriages, and cure spiritual, physical and emotional troubles. It has "another dimension of protection, even greater than what we can understand at this time."

In the context of protection against storms, natural disasters, and increasing global military tension, Jesus has asked us to URGENTLY spread this special devotion. It is NOT intended to replace the everyday Rosary of our Blessed Mother.

The chaplet is said by starting with the Crucifix and reciting the Apostles' Creed, then the Our Father, followed by three Hail Mary's on the group of three beads nearest the Crucifix.

First Hail Mary in praise of God the Father; Second Hail Mary in petition or (request); Third Hail Mary in thanksgiving with confidence that your request will be granted.

Instead of the Glory be to the Father..., recite

"Holy God, Holy Omnipotent One, save us who dwell in this land."

On EACH decade, instead of the Hail Mary, recite

"Jesus Savior, merciful Savior, spare your people."

On completion of the fifth decade, recite "Son of God, Eternal Son, thank You for the things You have done." Say this a total of three (3) times to complete the Chaplet of Protection.

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If any of these prayers have a source, I do not know it.  If you recognize one, let me know and I’ll give proper credit.

The Ranch Woman’s Manual

At our annual FMCHE Book Sale, a friend  came up with this book.  THANK you, Karla W., for this gem.  She was SURE it had my name written all over it!  Of course, once I saw the title, it went into my ‘purchase’ pile. 

‘The Ranch Woman’s Manual’ (first published in the 70’s) was written by Gwen Petersen.  When the book was written, she lived in Montana with her husband and an assortment of animals.  In fact, she still writes and has a few other books based on her ranch life experiences.  Anyway…

It’s hilarious!

Here’s the description:

A handy guide and aid to those women choosing to spend their lives as RANCH WOMEN.  Contains really helpful, practical, useful tips and hints to keep the Ranch Woman from going berserk.

Over the decades of rural living, Ranch Women have been helpmeets to their men.  With remarkable courage, incredible stamina, and splendid insouciance to the rawer facts of nature, the Ranch Woman has shaped the nest surrounding that hard-workin’, cow-wrasslin’, bull-throwin’ son-of-a-farmer.

Because farm and ranch life is necessarily divided and marked by the seasons of the year, The Manual will attempt to follow a similar pattern.  Our hope is to provide an understanding reference volume (developed in secret women’s conclaves*) (see footnote) for the dauntless ranch/farm wife, couched in language not necessarily comprehensible to men.

*Conclaves: referred to by ranch men as “gab-sessions”.

 

See!  This woman speaks to my heart and mind.  She’s been where I am.  If you should want your own copy, it’s for purchase at numerous online sites.

Tuesday DayLook: August 16, 2011

Looking out from my back porch... green, wet, slight breeze.
I am thankful that... hail in the last couple storms did not cause damage to our crops, garden or property.
I am reading… ‘A  Parent’s Guide to Concussions in Sports’ published by the National Federation of State High School Associations.  Interesting. 
I am praying for... a little bit of closure on that ‘interesting and challenging opportunity’. 
I am hearing... the kids goofing around in the basement.  The TV is on, even though I asked that it be shut off … there, no more TV.
I am wearing… shorts (yes, a rarity), t-shirt (from CCL Convention 2010) and flip-flops.
From the sewing/craft room (aka. laundry room!)… does purchasing a scrapbook idea book for Angelina count as crafting?  At least I’m thinking about something creative.
From the Kitchen... shrimp salad.
From the Garden…  lots of cukes and zukes.
From the FarmYard…  3 new chicks last Friday.  This past Saturday, we moved the Barreds and Buffs to the holding pen in the laying hen coop.  My!  The older hens were thrown for a loop!  Moved the Ameraucanas to the Wahoo pen with outside access.  Wheat harvest began this weekend.
A successful moment… the gathering with friends this past Saturday was a blast and everyone had a great time.
A few plans for the rest of the week…
Monday: Ortho appt for Angelina, evening meetings in Fargo for me. Last day of morning football practice for Dash.
Tuesday: Afternoon football practices for Dash will be the norm today and on following days. Menu-planning and cleaning.
Wednesday-Thursday:   Cleaning and organizing.  Yard & garden work, too.  I’m sure harvest of wheat will recommence, too.
Friday/Saturday/Sunday:   My hubby’s birthday is on Sunday!
A picture memory...

First corn on the cob for us…

Crop sprayer over the field near the house…

A gathering of college friends…