Our (new to us) little neighbor

I looked in this bird house and go ta BIG surprise! Out jumped this little guy...
Click on the picture to see our little friend close up
After quite a while, he scurried back to his house.
Can you see his little eye in there?

We have aflying squirrel in our back yard! How cool is that?

I haven't told the kids, since I don['t want them to terrorize him. James has already go the corner on that market.

The garden

This is it. 16 sq. feet of really bad gardening. You can see the marigolds have done well, they were Marty's. The lavendar isn't so bad either; it's mine. Then there is one scraggly tomato, and a watermelon that James has beaten to death, but one tiny little melon is hanging on. At the front right are zinnias--tell me, who can NOT grow zinnias? It's the dirt, I know it. I had other pictures, but somehow they won't load, so you'll have to take my word for it. It's sad.

"Pin" ventory

I broke out the big bucks ($1.28) today and bought a new pin cushion.

I think it was time.

Then I cut open the old one, knowing there would be a few needles in there.

There were 16 -- No kidding! Plus 7 good pins, and 2 without heads.

Ma Ingalls would have kept better track of her tools, I think.

There. Now isn't that better?

Still no garden picture, but here's something else...

I sewed this purse for myself this week.
With a matching "junk" case and wallet.
Funky lining, with cell phone and calculator pocket on this side.
Zippered pocket on the other side.
My fave, a key fob.

(Sorry I didn't turn this photo)

I used some wool that I won in the Make it With Wool contest a few years back, and while I like the fabric, it seems a bit blah in this application. I like the shape, the size, and the functionality of this pattern and I think I will make it again. I hope the next one will be more exciting. Any opinions are welcome. What does it need?

We finally did a "girlie" thing!

We made fairies! This is Sarah's.
And here is Miss Amy's.
Here is mine, with the lantern I bought at Williamsburg.
All together, friends.
We had a great time sewing and crafting, then we had more fun out in the yard taking pictures. The neighbors already think we might be a little off, but crawling around on the pine straw taking pictures of little dolls may have confirmed it for them!

Theo's new boot jack

Aunt Lynn and Uncle Paul sent him a boot jack for his birthday. He was soooo tickled to be able to take off his boots "Just like Uncle Paul does!"

The horse and brave knight

Isn't he so cute?
I'm pretty proud of this one!

Miss Honey has done it again!

Some of you may remember our 10, yes, 10 puppies--Sept. 2005
The lovely, and very tired Miss Honey, Sept. 2005

We got word today that our dog Honey, whom we left in Iowa with friends, gave birth to 9 puppies this morning. Denise said they are all black, and very cute, and that Honey is doing well. Max, Mallory, and Macy are very thrilled and will have fun with them. I think I should send some $$ for puppy chow, though!

Garden issues

Part of last year's tomato harvest
Oooohhh, beets! Lots of beets!
Yummy garden green beans

And stilll more green beans

Here are some photos of last year's garden at the farm. Tomorrow I will go out and take apicture of our garden here. I have been lamenting it all summer. It is pitiful, don't say I didn't warn you.

I don't even know what to say.....

The allergist has no idea what is causing the hives. I am back on Prednisone, and I am beginning to have the side effects. I have gained 6 pounds in the last week. I have headaches like I've never had before. I feel like a bloated cow on the side of the road waiting for the rendering truck. I wake up drenched in sweat several times a night. I am very, very discouraged.

Here is the plan he gave me: I will have to go to UNC at Chapel Hill (I guess this is like Iowa City Hospitals) and have "every test known to man" as he put it. And here's the kicker--I can't get in until December 3rd. That is just crazy. Either I will have hives for 2 more months, or they will stop and I won't have to go. Ha! I know how my life goes.....welcome to the hive fest. Can you tell I'm really freaked out about this? I tried to not take the pred. last night, and woke up covered in hives. Probably the worst I've had. I have scabs from scratching. I have bruises from scratching. I have a BAD ATTITUDE.

Enough griping. Now for some very happy and joyous news.

My niece, Mindi, was married to a great guy (Tim Bailey) last March. he has always loved her two kids Hailey and Jake. On Thursday, he will formally adopt them. What a joyous day!!! Mindi deserves this, Hailey and Jake deserve this, and Tim deserves them. And yes, Hailey will become "Hailey Bailey" and she thinks it is very cool. (BTW, I have been calling her Hailey Bailey since she was born, because I always call people I love pet names and that was hers). So, we at the Deluhery house are wishing the newest Bailey family A Wonderful Life and will be praying especially for them on Thursday morning.
AND, like that wasn't great enough news, Mindi called me todaywith other good news. I have been smiling all afternoon. Man, I love that kid. She's my very favorite niece--always has been, always will be. (Pay me later, Min).

I guess that is all that is tonight, but what a lot it is! Oh, all that and this: I finished my first Christmas present this weekend. I am SO jazzed about that.

Vacation funnies

OK, the first thing that happened was when we arrived at the Visitor's Center. I looked over and Theo was lying in the grass--just lying there. I inquired as to whether he was OK and got this reply: "I'm OK, Mama, I just LOVE this grass so much!" That is a sad commentary about our lack of green space around here.

However, Virginia is a beautiful place! The weather was perfect--78-80*, and a bit overcast so no sunburns. The kids swam every night in the hotel pool, which was indoors and heated. The beds were like clouds. I mean, I've never had such a great bed, let alone in a hotel.

The beach was just as I imagined. Very sandy. There were winds from some tropical storm and the waves were very big, so the kids couldn't go out too far, but they had a ball. It was such fun just watching them! I even saw several dolphins in the distance. I wimped out and did not go in the water, but got wet anyway. It will be nice to go back when the weather is calmer and we can stay a while.

In all, it was very nice vacation, and we made more happy memories. Everyone was happy to get home, and excited for Theo's birthday. The birthday itself was a milestone for everyone. It was the first time that nobody cried or had a fit because it was someone else's birthday. That is a big deal in our world. We were proud of everyone's behavior. Theo chose three cheese enchiladas, carrots and dip, and corn for his supper. Then he opened presents, but wanted to play with them, so we had to wait for cake and ice cream. Finally, at 9pm, Sarah begged him to have the cake! He had a white cake with yellow and red trim, and 7 Power Rangers on it. After cake, he was exhausted and fell into bed, a happy little seven year old.

In other news, we came home from church to find a flyer in our door from the county sheriff' looking for info. about a homicide( !!!) near here. An 11 year old girl was killed in an apparent break in. I am freaked out about this, needless to say.

Wednesday, Matt is supposed to know if American Water gets the Bragg B contract, which will mean we stay here. If not, there are 2 years left in the A contract, and they would like him be a regional type guy, going around to other bases as they start up. Personally, I think they want him to do that even if Bragg B works out. Which might mean we could move somewhere that has grass, and seasons other than the hot season, and the not-quite-so-hot season. Time will tell, and then, I will tell you.

Vacation pictures

Our own militia men
and women....
This is so cute!
Neptune, at Virginia Beach
First time in the ocean

Vacation pictures

Welcome to Williamsburg!
We helped grind corn at the slaves' cabin.
Ha Ha Ha
We even saw George Washington!
The only family picture we got together!

T-Bird's Birthday pictures

Opening his "Mama made" present in the morning
Receiving birthday wishes from Aunt Sheila
OOOOHHHHH!! Money!!
He loved his new cowboy belt
The finale was his new bike--he was happy!

Home, and much to tell...

We made it home and Theo had a great birthday. Lots of pictures to share, but I need help to get them downloaded. Maybe tomorrow that will happen. Check back!

V-A-C-A-T-I-O-N VACATION! VACATION! VACATION!

Yeah!!! It's the night before vacation! The van is packed, the car-top carrier (Thank you again Sharon and Louis!) is locked up tight, the snack box is loaded, and the knitting bag is in place. We will wake up and eat breakfast, shut down the computer and leave, hopefully by 8am sharp. FYI: at the tone it will be 1:35 am. ....................................Dooooonnnnnng.

In other news, we looked at the house in Vass today. Lovely lot, wonderful hardwood floors, 3 closets (ouch), and honestly, not enough room. We have moved into something not quite right a time or two and I refuse to do it again. It's always a nightmare, and frankly, I'm too tired to re-do another house. We have enjoyed living here and just.....living. There is so much more time to play and go and do when we are not always trying to get this or that project done. This kitchen has spoiled me terribly, and I think it will be very hard to go back to the one counter-3 plug in-plywood cupboards-ugly linoleum kitchens of my past. I so enjoy making things in the kitchen for my family and having people over for supper. I want it to be a happy place.

American Water will not hear about the 50 year contract until Sept. 30th anyway, so nothing will be done until we know what's in the future for that. If we are to be leaving here in 2 more years, it's not be worth the hassle of moving. I really like the moving people---I'd like them to do it again next time.

We will return Thursday night and bright and early Friday we will begin the birthday day for T-Bird, who will be, unbelievably, 7 years old. His cake is baked, frosting mixed, enchiladas made, and everything is in the freezer to be pulled out Thursday night, ready for Friday's preparations. He's getting...SSSHHHHHH......don't tell...........a new bike, and the rest of the parts to the castle. For his "Mama-made" gift I have sewn a felt horse with wire armature so he can move, and a little brave knight figure in red. Just like T-Bird, my little brave knight. Pictures will be in order, I'm sure.

Have a great week, we will!

That's odd...

When Matt was here last August (has it been a year already?) he looked at a house in Vass, but has never been able to find it again. Today he found it, and I drove by it. Tomorrow we are going to look at it. Remember, this week we accepted an offer on our house? That's just weird...

A funny for you

See the post below with the picture of our old house? Today I showed Theo ad he says "Hey! I really like that house!" I cracked up, and then he did too, when I told him it was OUR house. Then.....I'm showing Sarah, and she says "Yeah, I like that house too!" Oh, to be young and distracted again.

The Tale of Three Trees

Today we read The Tale of Three Trees for our Catholic Mosaic selection to celebrate the Feast of the Exhaltation of the Holy Cross.
Then we painted and decorated wooden crosses and ate + shaped cookies.
At supper they took turns narrating the story to Matt. They did a great job! I was pleased, and they were proud.Clockwise, starting with the light blue:

Mama's, Amy's, Sarah's, Theo's and Marty's finished work.

I love how they each have their own unique ideas!

In other news, Matt was sick last night and this morning. He is feeling better, but is wiped out. We are all praying that it was fluke and nobody else will get sick. Vacation starts Monday morning--no time for sickness!

We accepted

an offer on the house in Creston today. I know this is good news, and it really is, but I will admit to an air of sadness. It means we are not gong back. Of course, we weren't anyway, but as long as the house was there and it was ours, we could have gone back.

It was a good offer and we will come out even. No gain, except for the 3 1/2 good years there, and that is enough. The "farm" as we call it now, held us close and let us be in touch with nature during a time when we needed nurturing from the harsh realities of life. The girls started school in that house. Theo started school in that house. Marty came home to that house. We built the treehouse and spent many happy afternoons having picnics in the yard, and just plain messing around. And then we moved on. We will keep good memories of "the farm" in our hearts for a long time and we pray that the new family will have as many if not more. I always feel like a house blesses the family that lives there, and that sure one did.

Some thoughts about candle dipping

OK, I can't get the blogger to do what I want it to do in the order I want, so bear with me. I have posted below about candle dipping, which is where I want these thoughts to be, but blogger won't let me do it how I think is logical.

Anyway, I digress.

If I had to produce candles for my home, for the whole year, with 4 kids helping, without electricity, without water, well, let's just say: It would be dark at our house.

No really, we had fun. Really, we did!

Candle dipping

Hot wax and boys.....
lovely girls and hot wax
On the path around the kitchen
Something so simple can be so lovely!