My new/old Project

Ok my newest project which I started sanding on this weekend.I have always wanted a wooden headboard and footboard.So it may not look like much but its mine.I am a fanatic about old furniture and redoing it .

The Way its Goes

What a strong storm we had come through here tonight. It has quieted down now but that wind was something else. Which has me thinking about our cabin plans. I still want it,no matter what the outcome of what all else is going on. Hubstead is looking for another job,he has had it with the company he is working for now.The heat gets unbearable during the summer in the warehouse and you add machines going on makes it even worse. We still have been looking for land in New Mexico. We have come to realize that there are no jobs back east much less places to buy or rent since the tornado went thru. I won't go back to Birmingham,no not this gal. Land prices are outrageous too in Alabama.

So, our best bet is to either find land west of here or some really cheap land in here in Texas.I don't think I have sold hubstead on the idea of off grid yet.He has a lot of questions and I try to answer them the best way I know how. You know you can really do a lot of research of the subject but until you get out there and "do it" you're pretty much in the dark.I tried to explain to him that we won't have electricity to begin with and will have to wait on getting solar panels.Heating is nothing and as long as I can cook and heat water for a bath I'm all good. And I told him about getting a garden started. Yep a lot of work but we'll see some progress in the first two years.And besides we get a generator it will help.Ok by this time I'm thinking "have I done lost my mind?" I pointed out about having more money after everything settles down.I have four more things to get for the cabin and I'm done.

He's old school where the man works a job 40 hours a week and brings home the bacon.Well the bacon is getting a little bit too lean and the price isn't worth it anymore. I think he sees that now.I don't think he will mind as long as he can stay warm during the winter.He's cold natured.I on the other hand don't like the heat too well.I got our plans put down on paper,buying food to last us til we get things going.All the stuff we are going to need and the things I have already gotten.Now it's a waiting game to see what comes up. I was kind of hoping he would wait til March of next year to quit his job but I think he maybe doing it sooner.First thing is to get this truck paid for.But we'll see.

In the mean time,everything is going good.I have been looking at everyones posts and your gardens.I can't wait to get mine going.When that storm came thru I piled up in the bed and didn't want to get out of it.Orion is getting his rabie shot this Thursday and unfortunately the vet has to come to him.I can not see taking him to get his shot with other dogs and cats and such because he isn't crowd friendly.So we got to pay a big extra for this vet but I heard he was good with ill tempered dogs like mine.I can't figure it,we have been so careful with him and very loving and kind and he still doesn't like people at all.Dang dog.

So here we are waiting and hoping something will open up. It really makes me aggravated that a lot of the large companies are coming in and buying all the available land.Pretty soon there won't be any.

Flower Friday

Sometimes you just got to stop and take a picture of the flowers. This flower is very little so I had to get a close up of it. I have no idea what it is but I thought it was pretty.

Found a head board and foot board online. This thing is heavy and it feels like oak. But the wood is very dry and will have to be sanded and conditioned. Saturday is going to be busy for sure. I have a lot of sanding to do on it. All it needs is the rails. Smart deal for 35.00 I think. I have been looking for a bed for awhile now. I have been in remodeling mode for now hope it last!

Have a Happy Friday everyone!!!!

Recycling watching,An unexpected visit

I got some stuff from a local swap meet thing on line this morning and we meet in public places which is a good idea to do, you never know, but they wanted to meet by a recycling center in the parking lot of my favorite grocery store. So I took off a little early and while I was sitting there waiting for them to show up I watched people pull up to the bins and drop stuff off. I was there about 30 minutes and I took notice of the ones who were there. Out of the six cars ,five were older people my age or more and one middle aged man. It got me to thinking about the generations who were taught to recycle and hoping the next coming up will do the same. I wish in a way that Texas had bins that you could put next to your home like some states do and you could recycle that way. We don't have any bins on the street where I live but back home in Alabama they would bring them out for you to use. Of course some people use the side of the road for theirs and I hate that. Texas is pretty clean with their roads and highways here. The only problem I have seen is those pesky plastic grocery bags flying high in trees and bushes.But they are trying to clean them up. Which makes me wonder if all the states had recycling laws, wouldn't it be better? Of course too there is more than one way to recycle your junk.

I'm sitting here and it's almost 3 in the morning. I have my front door open letting in some breeze. I love mornings like this.Orion is curled up on his bed and sleeping. Hubstead had to work for the last three days and yes he had to work on Memorial Day which he was not pleased about it, neither was I.






Well my sister decided to finally come around. I said I would tell a little about what happened with her so here it is. When we were in California, we kind of got stuck and I called her and asked her if we could come to Abilene and stay with her until we got a place, she said sure. Her son worked in the oil fields and was going to see if he could get hubstead a job which he did. So here we went and we stayed with her daughter at first. Now as much as I love my family they are the give me give me type of people. We left there and stayed with her son, he lives a few trailer up from us and my sister called one day wanting us to give her daughter some money. I asked her what for and she said so that they could pay the bills and I told her wait a minute we don't live there anymore and I had already gave her daughter all I was going to give her. We were paying her son rent at the time too and trying to get all the deposit for this place paid. Yep she got mad and said some things and I hung up on her. Now jumping to 5 years later, we got this new truck and new stuff for the house which some of you know why, now she is coming around again and acting like nothing happened. O.K. forgive and forget but I know why she is doing it. Not this time. I'm waiting though for her to come around asking for money like she always does. The grandkids have been back here asking for stuff already. The reason why we left her daughters house? Her daughter was having her doped up friends, yes smoking pot come in and eat food we bought for us. At the time things were going down hill pretty quick and we figured to break off that situation.

So opinion time here OK? What would you do if you were in a situation like this where you haven't seen somebody in 5 years and you get something and all of a sudden they show up? What would you think? I'm pretty aggravated about this whole thing.

Ok enough about that. I hope all of you had a nice Memorial Day weekend and hope the rest of the week gets better and better!

I made this tonight,it's home made rice a roni with chicken.Ok not as perky as the box stuff but wow it was really good.I will make this again! So far since I've lived in Texas,I've learned how to make several things.I can finally make decent bisquits that hubstead will eat.I make different kinds of breads and pies,salsa and later tonight I'm making homemade ginger ale.Yeah I'm stuffed right now!Think I'll take a nap.

Next Project

My hatband I've been beading,got about 4 more inches and that will be done!






I had a chance yesterday to pickup a dresser for 10.00 and I knew the bottom drawer was missing but I got it anyway.This dresser is made of pine so after I looked at it I thought it would be good for the next project I got in mind.I'm going to dump the other bottom drawer and put a pine board all the way across the bottom and make it where it flips down and put a bottom underneath.I'm going to put hinges and latches on it.Use as a storage place.When we get our cabin I'll use this as either a counter to eat on or put a sink in the top.The back needs a new panel too and if we put a little wider top that over hangs,that would be a great table with storage,which I will need bad.Just have to add chairs.

Didn't know that could Happen

As everyone knows I have been trying to take better care of myself.So when hubstead said he wanted to go get some chicken yesterday from the local chicken place,you know who it is,I said sure I love their chicken.So we got coleslaw,corn,green beans,mac and cheese and mashed potatoes with gravy.We ate when we got home and ate on it on and off.Soooo...I went to bed later and when I got up my GOSH what a headache I had.I can not describe the pain .I said ok I won't do that again.This morning I am having to take advils and eat something better.WOW.We went to the store last night and I picked up my organic cereal and some almond milk.I'm so mad at myself but I didn't know that could happen.When you get use to eating one thing and try to eat another it does make a difference in your system.

A long time ago I talked to a guy who was working up in Yellowstone Park and he decided to go see a relative in Kansas.He had been use to eating the deer and elk and other wildlife there and he didn't think nothing of it so he stopped at a burger place and ate a hamburger.He said he got so sick cause his system was use to the rich wildlife food.This reminded me of how I felt this morning.I should of known better.But I'm back on the wagon today and I'm flushing myself out.It's so strange but not considering people talking about all the chemicals they put in food.I just thought I would write about this little experience and forward ya that it can hurt you if you fall off the wagon LOL!

This was GOOD!

I made an white egg omelet with spinach and parmesan cheese added cayenne pepper on top for supper tonight.WOW!I used 3 eggs whites,boiled the spinach with nutmeg and lemon(remember the parmesan chicken?)I sprayed my little good skillet with Pam and cooked my egg whites on one side ,flipped it,added the spinach and cheese and folded the one side over.Put it on the plate and added a little spinach on top then sprinkle cayenne and grated cheese.Walla!It keeps me full for the rest of the night.

Sorry to be slow on Postings

Got over my allergies after two weeks.I have started my beaded strip for my cowboy hat,so I haven't been spending too much time on here,except FB,but I got relatives on there.The beaded strip is going very well and I will post the end results.I did bead a piece for a barette,it has little buebirds on it but I got to get some craft glue to finish it.The mobile home park finally put a new porch on the front.Hubstead almost broke his neck Sunday tripping in the door.He hurt his ankle a little.So Monday I got on the phone and told them what happened and it was about 30 minutes,here they come.I was thinking oh it takes someone almost breaking their foot to get you to fix it?I have been trying since last year to get them to fix the porch so I guess so.Oh I'll be so glad to get our own place.I know sometimes it's nice to have people to fix things and you don't get charged for it but it's another when you have to stay on them about it.So now the trailer looks nice with the porch and we got the grass cut.

I have been reading about the raw milk thing and my two cents here,if you want to drink it fine!We are getting too much and too many people making a fuss about all this.This includes small gardeners and farmers they may one day want to control.I am going to have a garden and I am going to have chickens and if I want to run around my house outside naked MIND your own business and don't look!What Graham Greene said on Maverick,Im going buy some land so God awful then maybe they will leave me alone.I have come to one conclusion,if you buy in the desert or in the swamps then people leave you alone lol!No seriously think about it,when you get too near a neighbor they can complain and the east is full of people.Damn I think I am trying to talk myself into staying here.Someone asked me one time why out west?I told them it's so open here that you can see someone coming from a mile off.This is my opinion and I'm sticking with it.Ok not too much going on but still packing and gathering stuff up we are going to need.We haven't decided where depends on property being available.Also heard about the wood burning stoves too,now they want you to have an EPA certified stove and you have to completely dismantle your old one unusable.What a crock of s#$T.Sorry I have been reading all this and it's like a nightmare to me.Heck by the time I'm ready to do the dew I won't be be able to do nothing.

Saving a few Dollars

This morning I went down to the local cheapy store and I was only gonna get some conditioner for my hair cause I dyed it over the weekend.Well you know how this is gonna go.I got my shampoo and was walking around and saw a tye dye summer dress,yep, it went in the cart,then I got hungry and got 4 cans of tamales for lunch.I got Rion some snacks and hubstead some snacks.I saw my over the counter sink,$5.00 and yep it went in the cart too.Try buying that online and it's gonna cost ya.So I would say I saved some money today on some stuff I needed anyway.My aunt told me one time to NEVER buy retail if you can find it on sale.I have took her advise many and one times and done just that. She was right.Most of the things I have gotten for the cabin has been on sale except a few thigs I really liked.

The cabin is still in the works.We have decided after doing a list of pros and cons of living in New Mexico compared to living back home,we decided to move back home still.I don't really like the idea of being in tornado country but everything I want to do and grow would do better there.We are still looking for land but I think we are going with one maybe two acres this round.Besides I am missing home more now for some reason.I have been thru some odd mood changes here lately.My sister-in-law is begging for us to come home everytime I talk to her.I told her to look out for some property and we'll see.

It has been rather cool here in west Texas and it was 35 this morning.This weather out here has alot of people messed up.At least we aren't having snow which the other day it would have been a welcome relief.It was warm lol.Well those tamales are calling my name so I guess I will go see what they want!Have a great weekend everyone!

What would you Do?

Today I had a man come to the trailer and was asking me about doing some cleaning up around it for 15.00 dollars,said he had to buy food and diapers for his little ones.I told him that it was a short week and I didn't have any money but I could give him some food.He didn't want that.I decided I wasn't going to get in a spot with him and told him sorry I couldn't help.Now the thing of it is this,one I think I have seen him before and two,ever since we got this truck,strange things are going on,like people are paying more attention to us.Geesh we didn't win the friggin lottery.And I didn't see him going to anyone elses house.MMMM


What would you have done?

Beading Again and Allergy Attacks and Prayers

This is how I have been feeling!Yep that's how hubstead looks at me lol.


Well so far so good.It has been tough getting back into beading after not picking it back up for awhile.I was going to do a hatband for my cowboy hat but remembered that I had bought beads for my bluebird barette.So this is what I am putting together now.Hubstead and I have been sneezing so bad,we got allergies.This wind here has been blowing and it has been making us miserable.Hubstead even missed a day of work because he couldn't even function.I did make some stuff up with honey and coconut oil and lemon.It helped alittle to combat it but it is still bad.Going down to freezing tonight here in West Texas.
I don't know what to think about the events that has happened in the last couple of days.It's a mind blower.Sometimes I feel well,we get these things over a period of time but then too is it going to be a reacurring thing?Are we going to be like these other countries?Fear is not an option for Americans.We are stronger than that I would like to think.As far as the explosion in West Texas we'll have to wait and see what comes about.I had gotten up last night and was asking hubstead where Orion was and he said he was in the office and ask me why?I told him I felt something and heard something and as always he said he are always doing that.Now we know ,it was around that time it happened.Yes I am like that,I have always been able to sense things.I knew something was wrong and couldn't sleep.So many prayers go out to both Boston and West,Texas.

Allergy Time

Yup it's that time of the year here.Been around ninety today.It probably wouldn't be so bad except for the wind,it blows everything around.Hubstead has it bad and I feel for him having to go to work.I've been uploading myself on the local honey so my allergies aren't as bad.I can remember when we lived in Florida and Alabama the pollen was so bad it would turn everything yellow.

Today I gave away some clothes to a lady who helps homeless people find jobs,plus two phones I had.They needed a way for the employer to get in touch with them.I do this cause wow I know how tough it is to try to get a job with out a phone.I try to help out if I can and this isn't the first time I have done it.I told her give me some more time and I probably would have more for her.

Well it's very short today but have a good evening!

A Little Hail Fell

This is what we got in west central Texas yesterday.It was pinging off this roof like crazy.I thought they would be bigger but wasn't thank goodness.Orion had to go out and he did,quick like.He was covered in it.He also likes the cold,yep,he's a mommas boy!
Went thru my beads and clean it all up.Decided to start another project and now I have something to do this week.I haven't beaded in awhile so it's always hard to get back into it.I hope everyone is ok in the path of these storms.Be careful and keep safe!

A Little Update

The Tea Tree oil is working on the place I have had on my nose.It has been slow going but I am very pleased with the results.
The vitamin combinations I take seem to be doing me some good.I have had more energy and sleeping better.Early this morning I got started doing some stuff and got alot done.
I got more of my family history done.
Been researching til I'm blue in the face but since when we move we won't have internet I want to get as much done as possible.
I don't know now what is going to go on with all the changes our dear President is going to do.Some of it will effect me with my disability.I am not happy at this point because it could really mess us up with getting the cabin(as in not being able to afford it)I am praying it won't.Texas is so messed up right now about this stuff.I have no doctor here to see me and no one is taking medicaid.I don't know how long this will last.
On the upside as long as we can get the property and if I have enough to pay the on the cabin hubstead will have to get a job when we get to New Mexico,which he wants to stay home with me but...he is having second thoughts and I don't blame him,it's gonna get scary I think.
Been cleaning house and it is amazing what I have kept.I have been looking in the paper and online for shelvs and bookcases.I think it will help in the long run.
Well I'm off to explore what I have in my bead collection and go thru it tonight.I will definitely be busy for awhile.Thinking about putting a movie on.Next on our list of stuff to get-Generator.But hubstead is getting his rifle first before that.

Springtime Rains

We are finally getting some rain here tonight.Thunder rumbling and some lightning.I love the rain and the thunder,not much on lightning.Hubstead has another week off from work because of Easter and some vacation time.Gosh it feels like he just took some.Tonight I'm throwing together some chicken and potatoes and onions in the oven and just let it cook.The applesauce Pumpkin bread was a big hit with my friends and neighbors.I think I may make some more later.Our little dwarf pear tree is sprouting leaves YAH! Well tonight it's gonna be short so have a great weekend!

Applesauce Pumpkin Bread

I decided to try this recipe and WOW is this ever good and it contains no oil.

1 1/2 cups applesauce
2 cups pumpkin puree
4eggs, beaten
2 teaspoons baking powder
2 teaspoons baking soda
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
1/4 teaspoon ground mace
1/2 cup chopped walnuts (optional)
1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips (optional)
3 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 cup confectioners' sugar

Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease two 9x5-inch loaf pans.
Mix white sugar and applesauce together in a large bowl; stir pumpkin puree and eggs into sugar mixture until smooth. Mix baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, salt, ginger, cloves, and mace into pumpkin mixture; fold in walnuts and chocolate chips. Stir flour into pumpkin mixture until fully incorporated. Pour batter into the prepared loaf pans.
Bake in the preheated oven until a toothpick inserted in the center of each loaf comes out clean, 1 hour. Cool in the pans for 10 minutes before removing to cool completely on a wire rack. Sprinkle each loaf with confectioners' sugar.



I didn't put the confectioners sugar on top instead I will be putting cream cheese frosting.This full loaf goes to a friend tomorrow.I was really surprised at how easy this was.If you cook some let me know how it turns out.This was an online recipe.A lady named Virginia Ann from Maryland makes it.You can find it on AllRecipes.com under pumpkin bread.This stuff is good!I put the chocolate chips in this one and pecans for my friend.Ours was just with the chocolate chips.I got less than a half loaf left,I gave my neighbor some for her and her teenagers.I need to stay out of it LOL.

5-in-1 Pear Dwarf Tree

This book has some really nice ideas for a southwest garden.





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I hope they turn out as pretty as these but pears lol.





Hubstead always has wanted one of these.So we ordered one and now we got tiny little red looking buds showing up.Well it's worth a try.This what you get when you order a tree.This is a 5-in-1 dwarf pear tree.




Today I had bad news.My ex-husband had a stroke while my son and him were on the road.They are both truck drivers. Fortunately my ex wasn't driving at the time. He is up in Denver Colorado in the hospital from a blood clot in his head. So for my son and him I am praying for a speedy recovery.This of course may be the end of his truck driving days.

I have been reading everyones blogs and wow ya'll sure are excited about spring.I am too.We have been sitting here with the doors and windows open to let some fresh air in.Here we still have that aggravating pollen fron the mesa blowing down this way in this valley.I have been sneezing up a storm.It seems it isn't as bad as it has been in the past spring.Probably getting use to it.Since we are going to be here alittle longer ,I have been looking at these boxes we packed up and trying to decide if I should unpack them and put everything back OR leave them in the boxes and keep adding to them like I have been.It's going to be next March before we get things going.

Well I better get off my duff and get some housework done,I like doing this stuff at night cause it's so much cooler and he's not home lol.

Lookie what I got!

Trying to go smaller here.A friend of hubsteads called this weekend and asked if we wanted these.I didn't know it but hubstead had already talked to him about the rocker for my birthday.How cool was that? I have waited and waited for a rocking chair and finally got one!It's dang near brand new.($5.00 for both) The bench seat was included.Now some suggestions for cushions would be most welcome for the bench seat.Orion didn't like the idea of us taking his couch out and he can't jump up on the bench seat cause it rocks back and forth.The first thing he wanted to do was pull the pillows off and we got on to him about it.So he's been sulking some about it.We saved two cushions from the couch for him to lay on but he has been laying on the bed so I guess he figures we took his,he's gonna take ours!Rotten hound.Now we got to get started on the bedroom.I got all my kitchen stuff in and where we live there is a swap meet page on Facebook.I have already picked up a shelf from there.

Recently I went down to one of our grocery stores and picked up some sweet potatoes.I can't remember the last time I had some,besides the pies,but I was amazed at how small they were.I was thinking gosh is the produce getting smaller too.I also got some avacadoes and yuck they were too ripe.So now I have to look around for better produce.What is going on here? I can see why people are growing their own.I got two tomatoes too and for some reason,maybe mind wise?,I could taste the pesticide in it.So in the garbage it went too along with the avacadoes.I think the only things I have found here that was good is the local honey,tomatoes grown from the local farmers.That's pretty skimpy uh?


Orion is starting to shed which is our sign that spring is here.It's gonna be bad too.I constantly have to vaccum when he does because he has that soft under fur and I have gray and black tuffs all over the place.I can make another dog out of what he sheds.We have been keeping him outside more which he prefers any way but living here I have to watch for kids aggravating him.We don't let him out before eight in the morning and we bring him in before three in the afternoon.Got two kids that will tease him if we don't.And people wonder why he don't like children.That also goes for the utility guys too that check the meters in the alley.He has never been social with people.And living here I didn't want him to be with hubstead working nights.He is a great watch dog but he barks at everything.

I went ahead and planted some cactus seeds,well they are coming up but I don't think they will live.I have no idea what they are either,it was a mixed pack of seeds.So today I guess I will try to replant what I have and wait and see.Yeah Texas needs more cactus uh?Oh well that's what has been going on here.Everyone have a great hump day!

Taking Pictures,Cold back home.

I'm trying to not use up too much space on here by taking alot of pictures.I want to save some for when we move.Yes we are still moving but around this time next year.I have been eyeing the weather in New Mexico to get a general idea of what we may be facing in March.

Something must of said don't move because when I talked to my sister-in-law,she told me it had been sleeting and snowing there in that part of Alabama.I am glad we didn't go,it would of been sooo cold!This is going to give us a year to get what we need anyway.I have been checking out the barrels for the rainwater and the water tanks online.I may just get them here depends on the price.Here's another,if we move up in the mountains on the southwest of Albuquerque,HA it's snowing there recently.But hubstead wants to move where there are trees.He's not too fond of the flat desert I had looked at.So I guess we will go with the mountain home.Water will be plenty and shade and it shouldn't be too hot.He's still doesn't like the idea of having to do all the work himself but I told him how satisfying it will be him knowing he did it.

I'm happy to report over my eating habits I am getting stretch marks ugh!but heck who's gonna see them anyways? It's amazing ,you change some things around and it works.I have been eating more of the fat burning stuff and even now I quit getting indigestion.I sleep better too.My back doesn't hurt much either unless I am standing up too long.I love to go shopping but can only do very little time in a store.We went and got the last Twilight breaking Dawn 2 and wow what a line,but once they started selling it the line moved fast.They had four check outs going on.We are avid DVD collectors.I have quite a few Native American movies I watch.

Been collecting Cds too for historical records.My ancestors are from Ireland and Scotland so I have been trying to finish on the computer the rest of my family history.Now I have people coming to me for records and stuff and I gladly give it for free because alot of people don't know where or how to start.I don't have a genealogist license but try to help when I can.I have always done really good with history.I know how frustrating it can be when you hit a brick wall on your family.I just tore one down on mine after twenty+ years of looking.

Well I'm gonna sit here and my yogurt and later we got to run to the big store and get some more veggies.Hope you have had a good day!