Woke up with swollen fingers (arthritis) and a huge head cold. Fun fun.
Today is my birthday. I am now *&%#^ years old. I'd almost forgotten what the day was until mom-in-law asked if she could come over today. I guess when you get old like me, it's not as important.
Hmmm.. I wonder if Hubby and/or the Kid got me something. Or made me something. I'm always fine with something the Kid makes for me, as long as thought is put into it.
I think I'll take today off.
Yeah, right.
Expecting baby chicks today or tomorrow so I'm at the ready to pick them up. The baby chick brooder is ready and waiting. Will be kinda nice today so the Kid and I will transfer (walk on a leash) the goaties to their outdoor pen... once it warms up a little.
Was planning on writing (typing) but fingers hurt so bad I can barely type this. Wanted to work on the garden or even unpack some more boxes, but again, my fingers and hands. You know... I think I **will** take part of today off.
Wonder if there's any cake.
= = = =
Please plant a nut or fruit tree today.
Showing posts with label Birthday. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Birthday. Show all posts
Tax Day Cometh
First things first ... Happy Birthday, sis. It's another year and that means another year I haven't seen you. Hope you enjoy your day.
Second, we had our taxes done yesterday. At least, started. Found out that because we sold our (last) house so soon after purchasing, we owe "capital gains tax" which means we need to dig out some paperwork. Basically, even when we find the original purchase paperwork, we'll still owe about, well, let's just say ... anybody want to buy a Kid?!?! Believe me, it's enough to where we have to put our fencing on hold.
I think that I'll advise people ... if you want a homestead, you need to have money in the bank for everything you need to do to it: planting, fencing, animals, animal shelters, well and septic check and so much more.
Hmmm... guess I better do some writing this week. And starting some lettuce, broccoli and cabbage seeds to sell.
Anybody want some lettuce seedlings? Only $500 per flat!!!
JK
Second, we had our taxes done yesterday. At least, started. Found out that because we sold our (last) house so soon after purchasing, we owe "capital gains tax" which means we need to dig out some paperwork. Basically, even when we find the original purchase paperwork, we'll still owe about, well, let's just say ... anybody want to buy a Kid?!?! Believe me, it's enough to where we have to put our fencing on hold.
I think that I'll advise people ... if you want a homestead, you need to have money in the bank for everything you need to do to it: planting, fencing, animals, animal shelters, well and septic check and so much more.
Hmmm... guess I better do some writing this week. And starting some lettuce, broccoli and cabbage seeds to sell.
Anybody want some lettuce seedlings? Only $500 per flat!!!
JK
Growing Bayberry Bushes for Candle-Wax
It took some experimentation but I am now pretty good at making candles from bayberry wax (it's more brittle than other wax). (I'll probably get around to posting my process and pix during 2010 Fall when I get around to making another batch.) Bayberry wax is taken from the bayberry bush, also known as wax myrtle, candleberry, vegetable tallow, wax berry, and a few other names. All you do is collect the berries, boil them until the natural wax coating floats to the surface. Cool and skim the wax. Then, when you're ready to make candles, heat the wax, strain, and pour into the mold with the wick. Actually pretty easy. I make a great Winter Holiday candle with a holly leaf for decoration.Bayberry bushes like poor soil, slightly (or a lot) acidic. I plan to plant these near the blueberry and cranberry bushes as they too like acidic soil.
I know that it takes about 4 pounds of berries to make 1 pound of wax. This wax can also be used as sealing wax. The berries and bark can also be used for medicinal uses. I heard it can also be used to make soap, but can't find details about that. Anyone?
Anyway... I'm trying to figure out how many bayberry bushes we should plant so that we can supply our family and some friends with candles for each year. The bushes can grow from 5-8 feet tall, and each berry produces seeds that can produce more bushes. But I can't find any info anywhere on how many berries to expect from a bush's first year's harvest, and subsequent harvests.
Does anyone know?
= = = =
By the way... happy birthday, mother!
Happy Birthday, Hubby
My husband turns almost-50 today. The stress of the last few weeks is telling on him, but still, we celebrate. Life goes on, right? I made cupcakes and brownies yesterday to take to work today, for a party they are having for January birthdays. Boy it was hard not eating any. Hmmm.. chocolate cupcakes, fudge brownies, yellow cupcakes with coconut pecan frosting. From boxes and cans but still...
After he gets home from work, we'll grab his gifts that the Kid and I painted at the paint-your-own ceramics store and head on to the Outback where we're meeting his Mom. They have a really extensive gluten-free menu there, including a delicious dessert called "Chocolate Thunder Down Under".
So... happy birthday, honey.
= = = =
Got a call late yesterday from our agent who said the sellers got that wake-up call from me. When I said I want this taken care of by this morning or we'll walk. They came back with yet another counter offer, but this time it's more reasonable. Here's a part of the e-mail I sent our agent just a few minutes about... after all-night discussion and much contemplation between Hubby and me:
Per your Wednesday afternoon telecon to me, we discussed the seller's "counter offer"... that they close on Thurs Feb 25, and give over possession at noon on Sunday Feb 28 2010. (That's 3 days after closing.)
We agree to this on the condition that we have the same inspector who does the initial inspection, come back on Monday March 1 2010 and if anything is damaged or different from the original inspection, and in general, if there is any obvious damage or dismantling, then the sellers agree to pay for all repairs within 60 days of closing to get it back to the same condition as the original inspection condition. In addition, the utilities must stay in their name until possession change (Feb 28 noon). They will leave the house, workshop, garage and grounds clean and broom-swept, with all trash removed. All fencing and the big pile of rocks/gravel stays.
We also want the garage door openers and all remotes included in the amend extend. It wasn't mentioned anywhere and we want them.
Feel free to play with the wording but this is what we require. We don't have a good feeling about these people at all, and wouldn't trust them as far as we could throw them.
If they agree to this, we want the signed documentations to your office by close of business Thursday, January 28 2010, which will then start the deadline clock.
After he gets home from work, we'll grab his gifts that the Kid and I painted at the paint-your-own ceramics store and head on to the Outback where we're meeting his Mom. They have a really extensive gluten-free menu there, including a delicious dessert called "Chocolate Thunder Down Under".
So... happy birthday, honey.
= = = =
Got a call late yesterday from our agent who said the sellers got that wake-up call from me. When I said I want this taken care of by this morning or we'll walk. They came back with yet another counter offer, but this time it's more reasonable. Here's a part of the e-mail I sent our agent just a few minutes about... after all-night discussion and much contemplation between Hubby and me:
Per your Wednesday afternoon telecon to me, we discussed the seller's "counter offer"... that they close on Thurs Feb 25, and give over possession at noon on Sunday Feb 28 2010. (That's 3 days after closing.)
We agree to this on the condition that we have the same inspector who does the initial inspection, come back on Monday March 1 2010 and if anything is damaged or different from the original inspection, and in general, if there is any obvious damage or dismantling, then the sellers agree to pay for all repairs within 60 days of closing to get it back to the same condition as the original inspection condition. In addition, the utilities must stay in their name until possession change (Feb 28 noon). They will leave the house, workshop, garage and grounds clean and broom-swept, with all trash removed. All fencing and the big pile of rocks/gravel stays.
We also want the garage door openers and all remotes included in the amend extend. It wasn't mentioned anywhere and we want them.
Feel free to play with the wording but this is what we require. We don't have a good feeling about these people at all, and wouldn't trust them as far as we could throw them.
If they agree to this, we want the signed documentations to your office by close of business Thursday, January 28 2010, which will then start the deadline clock.
Are we being too much of a hard-*ss? After all, they DID want to stay there rent free through the end of March, after closing on Feb 26. We really think this alternative is fair, and covers us. If they agree to this, then we'll go forward with the sale. If not, a house I fell in love with in October but was snatched up from under us, is just now back on the market. We got elsewhere to go.
Thanks for all of your sentiments and good wishes. It helps, believe me.
Have a great Thursday, all.
= = = =
Update Jan 28 at 10:46 a.m.: Just got off the phone with our agent. He walked me through our contract/offer and how the condition of the property is very specific in the verbiage. He's calling the seller's agent right now so we should have signed documents by the end of business today. Keep your fingers crossed!
Happy Birthday, Dad
I really appreciate my father. He wasn't around much when we girls were young, but he was a strong presence. As I grew up and went out on my own, HE was the one I could count on. When my health began to fail, he and his new wife (well, they've been together for about 25 years!) were unfailing in their support. Now that I live so far away, and am married with a 13 year old Kid, he listens, offers advise when asked, and gives off-handed comments that tells me, wonder of wonders, he respects me as a person.
Happy Birthday, Dad. Hope your gift got to you on time. You are in my thoughts. V
Happy Birthday, Dad. Hope your gift got to you on time. You are in my thoughts. V
New Book Ahoy!
I just love bookstores, don't you!? When I'm not busy in Spring, Summer and Fall, I love taking the time to browse bookshelves, and sit to peruse titles I can't usually afford.
Today was a tad different. The Kid turned 13 in November, and hadn't yet spent his $25 gift card for Barnes and Noble bookstore, so today was it. After we finished addressing the last of the holiday cheer cards and dropped off the (overdue - errr) books at the library, we headed off to the largest B&N we knew about. Were there for almost 3 hours!
I found a few books on keeping deer out of gardening, and how to grow more vegetables in less space, found my tushie a comfy chair, and sat. And read. And read. Hubby interrupted a few times with finds. Kid interrupted, desparate for me to use his gift card on a CD (he doesn't want me to say what it is). The Hubby brought over a huge book: "The Encyclopedia of Country Living" by Carla Emery, 10th edition. OMG - it's even better than the Storey version. I browsed through it, and tonight, I started carefully reading it, cover to cover.
This is a definite book for you, my readers, to at least take a look at. While she gears a lot of her info to larger properties (5 acres or more), I find I can take the info for our 2 acre (please god let them accept the offer for that property) home.
= = = =
So what did we do after we got back from the bookstore? Picked up some greens for the bunny. Uh, read while we watched holiday specials on TV. Fed the rabbit and turned off her heater-fan. Okay, I just realized we forgot to eat dinner, and it's 9:28 p.m. Oh well. I ate a few Snickers about an hour ago! Ah, sweet chocolate!
= = = =
Tomorrow is a busy day. We all have our cleaning appointments at the dentist. While Hubby is at his first (2 hour appt!), I will wrap his mom's b-day gift, finish getting my dad's b-day gift wrapped for mailing, get everything stamped and ready for the post office. Then I'll take the Kid to his appt while Hubby runs home, grabs the gift and mailings, drops the mailings off at the post office, and goes to his mom's to spend most of the day with her, seeing as it's her b-day.
After the Kid's and my cleaning appointment, we'll come home, I'll wrap Christmas gifts, sort through some seeds that came in the mail yesterday, and start working on the Kid's curriculum for 8th grade, which he starts the first week in January. Yup, only 2 weeks away.
Oh shoot. I just realized I have soup in the crockpot.
My mind is frazzled. 'Tis that time of year.
I need sleep.
Today was a tad different. The Kid turned 13 in November, and hadn't yet spent his $25 gift card for Barnes and Noble bookstore, so today was it. After we finished addressing the last of the holiday cheer cards and dropped off the (overdue - errr) books at the library, we headed off to the largest B&N we knew about. Were there for almost 3 hours!
I found a few books on keeping deer out of gardening, and how to grow more vegetables in less space, found my tushie a comfy chair, and sat. And read. And read. Hubby interrupted a few times with finds. Kid interrupted, desparate for me to use his gift card on a CD (he doesn't want me to say what it is). The Hubby brought over a huge book: "The Encyclopedia of Country Living" by Carla Emery, 10th edition. OMG - it's even better than the Storey version. I browsed through it, and tonight, I started carefully reading it, cover to cover.
This is a definite book for you, my readers, to at least take a look at. While she gears a lot of her info to larger properties (5 acres or more), I find I can take the info for our 2 acre (please god let them accept the offer for that property) home.
= = = =
So what did we do after we got back from the bookstore? Picked up some greens for the bunny. Uh, read while we watched holiday specials on TV. Fed the rabbit and turned off her heater-fan. Okay, I just realized we forgot to eat dinner, and it's 9:28 p.m. Oh well. I ate a few Snickers about an hour ago! Ah, sweet chocolate!
= = = =
Tomorrow is a busy day. We all have our cleaning appointments at the dentist. While Hubby is at his first (2 hour appt!), I will wrap his mom's b-day gift, finish getting my dad's b-day gift wrapped for mailing, get everything stamped and ready for the post office. Then I'll take the Kid to his appt while Hubby runs home, grabs the gift and mailings, drops the mailings off at the post office, and goes to his mom's to spend most of the day with her, seeing as it's her b-day.
After the Kid's and my cleaning appointment, we'll come home, I'll wrap Christmas gifts, sort through some seeds that came in the mail yesterday, and start working on the Kid's curriculum for 8th grade, which he starts the first week in January. Yup, only 2 weeks away.
Oh shoot. I just realized I have soup in the crockpot.
My mind is frazzled. 'Tis that time of year.
I need sleep.
Saturday, the Slow Day
We had such a busy day yesterday, that today seems extremely slow in comparison. The offer was made for the land yesterday. Picked up ceramics we painted as a few Christmas presents. Grabbed a few items for mom-in-law's b-day basket. Dropped off books at the library. So much.
Today, well, I've been sick twice so I'm not getting much done. Hubby's finally getting around to cleaning the bunny's cage; she appears to be molting so we'll give her a good comb and pull tomorrow. Hope her skin isn't drying out from the heating-fan.
Just printed off the Hubby's list of family's addresses so he can finally address his holiday cards; mine went out weeks ago. Do have to send my Dad's b-day gift overnight as his b-day is Christmas Eve. He called yesterday to let me know the Kid's gifts are on their way, and asked for us to Skype with him on his b-day. No prob! Now... where is the box with my makeup and earrings?!?!
I forgot to call the doctor yesterday. I still have my bronchitis cough, which doesn't seem to be abating at all. Every evening, I have such a coughing jag that I'm exhausted afterwards and pretty much drop off to sleep whether I'm ready or not.
Tis the holiday season and I was really hoping to do some baking and cooking this week and next. Hope I get the energy soon. Would love to post some new recipes!
Have a great day, all.
Today, well, I've been sick twice so I'm not getting much done. Hubby's finally getting around to cleaning the bunny's cage; she appears to be molting so we'll give her a good comb and pull tomorrow. Hope her skin isn't drying out from the heating-fan.
Just printed off the Hubby's list of family's addresses so he can finally address his holiday cards; mine went out weeks ago. Do have to send my Dad's b-day gift overnight as his b-day is Christmas Eve. He called yesterday to let me know the Kid's gifts are on their way, and asked for us to Skype with him on his b-day. No prob! Now... where is the box with my makeup and earrings?!?!
I forgot to call the doctor yesterday. I still have my bronchitis cough, which doesn't seem to be abating at all. Every evening, I have such a coughing jag that I'm exhausted afterwards and pretty much drop off to sleep whether I'm ready or not.
Tis the holiday season and I was really hoping to do some baking and cooking this week and next. Hope I get the energy soon. Would love to post some new recipes!
Have a great day, all.
Happy Birthday, Sis, and other topics
A quick happy birthday to my sister, Kim, who turns *^ today. I haven't seen her in a couple of years, and it's been about a year since I've heard from her, so I hope she at least got my card. Hard to believe we're in our 50's now, isn't it?
= = = =
On to other business... it is COLD today! We put 2 extra blankets on our bed last night, and requested that the Kid sleep with his door open so he can get a little more warmth in there too. When we got up today, it was 5 degrees, and by the time Hubby left for work, it had risen to a whopping 6 degrees F.! The high today is supposed to be 9 or 10 degrees, so yep, it's cold! The kind of cold where you face hurts when uncovered out in the cold for even a few moments.
That's why I decided to make chili tonight for dinner... warm up Hubby and me from the inside out. (I'll post the recipe tomorrow - experimenting with cumin!) The Kid doesn't like food with too many ingredients, so he bypasses things like chili, and has requested a can of baked beans for dinner. I'll make some rice for him too. We're out of carrots and greens for us and for the bunny - wonder if I can get Hubby to stop on the way home?!?!
I requested the approval letter from our mortgage guy in preparation to make an offer on that almost-2-acre property towards the end of the week. We'll need an inspection of the water and septic systems before we close, and if there's any problem, we'll either walk away, or lower the price of the property to compensate for the cost of repairs. Still waiting to hear about the boarded horses; hope they'll be gone before we close. Speaking of which, we hope to be in the property by the first of March. Keep your fingers crossed!
Using yahoo maps (or was it google maps?), I brought the property up on my computer screen, and traced it onto a piece of paper. Then I spent some time figuring out how to divide the 1-acre of pasture into 2 small pastures, a corn field (that will be a 3-sisters: corn, winter squash, and pole beans), and the fruit/nut-tree orchard. For 6-8 Nigerian Dwarf goats, who only get about 2 feet tall, the 2 small pastures I marked out should be sufficient.
Separate from that 1 acre pasture area is the other half of the property: house, barn, chicken coop, 2 sections of the back yard, and the front yard plus a large circular driveway. In the back, there's actually room for a "back yard" where the Kid wants some kind of a tree-house, and where we can put our shaded swing, a barbque (earth-oven) and picnic table.
There is also an area already fenced that has a few bushes, but those can easily be knocked down and my veggie garden (aka a "potager" garden) placed within. I need to do even more research for companion planting, to organize the six or seven or eight 4'x8' raised beds, to make them look good, and make sure they rotate. We also have one of those circle strawberry beds to fit in (for strawberries and spinach, companion plants). I don't plan on ever moving again, so I want to plan it all correctly right from the get-go.
I wonder if there's a map of the sprinkler system that we found in the garage? Or if it's even functional?
There's also room on the southside of the house for us to (someday) build a greenhouse so we can have fresh veggies, fruits, and herbs even in the winter! Hmmm... miniature avocado and citrus trees - heaven!
I know.. enough about the house and property. Well, for now!
Meanwhile, I sent about half of our Holiday Greeting cards yesterday. I just have to finish addressing the rest of them today. AND make appointments for our dental and vision checkups before the end of the year; hope we can get in!
= = = =
On to other business... it is COLD today! We put 2 extra blankets on our bed last night, and requested that the Kid sleep with his door open so he can get a little more warmth in there too. When we got up today, it was 5 degrees, and by the time Hubby left for work, it had risen to a whopping 6 degrees F.! The high today is supposed to be 9 or 10 degrees, so yep, it's cold! The kind of cold where you face hurts when uncovered out in the cold for even a few moments.
That's why I decided to make chili tonight for dinner... warm up Hubby and me from the inside out. (I'll post the recipe tomorrow - experimenting with cumin!) The Kid doesn't like food with too many ingredients, so he bypasses things like chili, and has requested a can of baked beans for dinner. I'll make some rice for him too. We're out of carrots and greens for us and for the bunny - wonder if I can get Hubby to stop on the way home?!?!
I requested the approval letter from our mortgage guy in preparation to make an offer on that almost-2-acre property towards the end of the week. We'll need an inspection of the water and septic systems before we close, and if there's any problem, we'll either walk away, or lower the price of the property to compensate for the cost of repairs. Still waiting to hear about the boarded horses; hope they'll be gone before we close. Speaking of which, we hope to be in the property by the first of March. Keep your fingers crossed!
Using yahoo maps (or was it google maps?), I brought the property up on my computer screen, and traced it onto a piece of paper. Then I spent some time figuring out how to divide the 1-acre of pasture into 2 small pastures, a corn field (that will be a 3-sisters: corn, winter squash, and pole beans), and the fruit/nut-tree orchard. For 6-8 Nigerian Dwarf goats, who only get about 2 feet tall, the 2 small pastures I marked out should be sufficient.
Separate from that 1 acre pasture area is the other half of the property: house, barn, chicken coop, 2 sections of the back yard, and the front yard plus a large circular driveway. In the back, there's actually room for a "back yard" where the Kid wants some kind of a tree-house, and where we can put our shaded swing, a barbque (earth-oven) and picnic table.
There is also an area already fenced that has a few bushes, but those can easily be knocked down and my veggie garden (aka a "potager" garden) placed within. I need to do even more research for companion planting, to organize the six or seven or eight 4'x8' raised beds, to make them look good, and make sure they rotate. We also have one of those circle strawberry beds to fit in (for strawberries and spinach, companion plants). I don't plan on ever moving again, so I want to plan it all correctly right from the get-go.
I wonder if there's a map of the sprinkler system that we found in the garage? Or if it's even functional?
There's also room on the southside of the house for us to (someday) build a greenhouse so we can have fresh veggies, fruits, and herbs even in the winter! Hmmm... miniature avocado and citrus trees - heaven!
I know.. enough about the house and property. Well, for now!
Meanwhile, I sent about half of our Holiday Greeting cards yesterday. I just have to finish addressing the rest of them today. AND make appointments for our dental and vision checkups before the end of the year; hope we can get in!
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