End of Summer

I don't even have to look outside, or go outside, to know that summer is over. All I have to do is check the number of jars I have left for canning. . . I have 9. Out of over 300. We'll eat good this winter!

But in looking outside, it is cooler and the A/C is off, the trees are turning and the grass has slowed down it's growth.

The past two days have been busy. Spouse was home yesterday working on getting us hooked up to "city water". Things don't come easy around here. The tub faucet was leaking, and in trying to repair it the 30-year-old faucet fell out into the tub. So it was a trip to town to get a new one! Then caulking, and whatever stuff is hidden behind the walls -- I don't even want to know! The bathroom is still a mess, and I just haven't had the want-to-er to clean it up.

Yesterday when he was working he had to turn the water off. Well, that's fine unless you're making tomato juice and jams! I did the cooking, but didn't get the cleaning done until 8 o'clock!

I thought I was done with jelly/jam, but Sister Sue called and wants apple jelly. . . Randy's grape is done; Dawnee's apple butter is done; Betty's strawberry-rhubarb is done. Now it's down to apple jelly and some applesauce. I may have to beg-borrow-steal some jars!

Johnathan from the "white house" came over this morning early and had breakfast with us. Between him and Alex (a.k.a. Felix) we have a house full of teenagers -- again! Erin had to come up today to get her two St. Bernard's. Ronnie was here to check out the progress on the water installation.

The little boys in SC are progressing nicely. They are learning discipline, and consequences for their actions. They are so happy with their home life; they didn't think they would be, but they are . . . And CMT got glasses! He is so cute in them! Even without 4 teeth!

The spousal unit is asleep in his recliner now. I'm going to make some pies and sausage balls for a church dinner tomorrow, finish the laundry, and then maybe pull some weeds in the back that haven't been pulled all summer. . . luv, mom/mrt

Typical Monday

Got out the jars and canned more tomato juice. Let the dog in; let the dog out. Let the cat in; let the cat out.

I have been enjoying the weather, tho. I haven't had to turn the air on for over a week. We are still looking for a contractor to estimate the damages to our roof. It looks like the entire back will have to be replaced. There is so much damage in the area that it will be hard to find someone to get out here to our piddling little house.

Gotta go wash up supper dishes. . . luv, mom/mrt

Fall

I know it's fall. . . because I'm ready to paint the inside of my house. Every room. But Bayer doesn't make that much pain reliever so I am going to have to get some help from somewhere. . . any volunteers?

And the garden is all gone; well, except for some tomatoes which I need to use to make my grandmother's ripe tomato ketchup (relish) recipe for Daniel. I canned 9 quarts of juice yesterday and worked up 5 quarts of apples. I need to get some more apples for sauce. . . and Dawnee's apple butter.

Doug and Michelle's lifeline -- uh, waterline -- is almost complete. A crew set the meter today. We should be online by the end of the month.

Levi and Carlos got new twin beds today. They were really excited. Now they are going to decide what kind of bedding they want, and I've been told I have to buy it! Works for me!

They did really good in school today. Maybe not making strides, but small steps in getting de-programed. Levi is into "rocks" again. And they still love their tire swings.

I've been looking at Dawnee's and Jifner's web sites where they make cards. Those girls are really talented! Got it from me. . . what? there's a question about that? At least they're not "advertising"! (inside joke!) And the "A" word. . . another inside joke. Poor Merlene!

Guess that's all. Spouse is watching TV thru his eyelids now, so I can go change the channel and watch something interesting. . . luv, mom/mrt

Back to Normal?

Well, I guess we're back to normal -- as normal as things get around here!

We got back from SC Friday evening; I woke up Saturday with a sinus infection (or whatever) and was laid up the entire day. On Sunday, Hurricane Ike came through. What is a hurricane doing coming through KY. We're in the middle of the continent for heaven's sake! But it blew in, and blew off shingles, downed trees and left us without electricity until Monday night. . . thank God KY is not on the Gulf Coast! KY is not prepared for a hurricane! We had wind, but no, and I mean NO, rain! So it wasn't as bad as it could have been. There are still people without electricity in the county, and it could be a week or better before everyone in Louisville gets power.

I finally broke down and went to town today for groceries. We were under a "state of emergency" and couldn't be on the roads unless it was an emergency for two days. I don't think "out of milk and cheese" qualifies for "emergency".

While I was in town I got a Mickey D's sweet tea. . . Call out the National Guard, they have raised the price to $1.60! Get this economy back on track soon or else! We can't have prices raised like that. . . to heck with gas prices, think about all those people who need sweet tea! As my grandfather used to say "You can drive a tractor as far as you want to without gas; just make sure it has oil." You can't drive a tractor, however, without sweet tea!

Anyway, the lights are on and now I can do laundry. . . whee. Blah. Blah. Plus I have tomatoes to pick and can into juice so we can have soups this winter.

We enjoyed our three grandsons so much! They are all so precious. Beautiful, inside and out! Except when Ashton makes a "flower garden" in his britches. . . that boy is rotten on the inside! He is developing such a sweet personality! Well, as long as things go his way, and his belly is full, and he has entertainment .. such as his older brothers.

The Big Boys enjoyed their new tire swings Grandad made them. . . And can they eat! They can put away a ton of food -- apples, bananas, broccoli, carrots, squash -- if it's fresh they will eat it, and lots of it! It is a wonderfully happy feeling knowing they are getting proper nutrition, in a clean home with people who love them. They are adjusting well. They love their church and are making friends at school. They are very outgoing and will do fine -- if they don't have any "undue" influence from a negative source.

I sent them their weekly letter today. It's costing me more each time. Along with their $1 each I had to send Ashton his $1. . . equal rights. And next year it will be $4 a week when "Cookie" gets here!

I'm gonna have to get a jobb. . . nope, can't do that; it's a four-letter word!

Pray for the people along the coast who are suffering from the effects of Ike!

luv, mom/mrt

A Long Time Coming

This is the first day I have had the opportunity to stay with my three grandsons, knowing that it won't be the last.

We went to church this morning with Levi and Carlos. They really like Cedar Grove, and there's a soccer team that they are interested in. Ashton joined us this afternoon. He had been with his Mammaw and Pappa. We got to eat together, they all got baths and now they are all asleep.

Ashton is so bright and cheerful. . . and if you're feeding him you better be fast! That little feller can put it away, and he gets very upset if his mouth is empty. . . You can tell by his little fat cheeks and thunder thighs that he likes to eat!

Then after his bath he sat and watched Levi and Carlos eat. He was mesmerized. He would watch one, then the other, then the other, etc. . .

It has been a long time coming. Todd now has all his boys under his charge, under his roof and under his care. He is so happy. And Michelle? That girl has worked her butt off for this to happen. She has the Tafoya family's eternal gratitude! Our whole family has pulled together for Todd to get custody of his sons; I thank you all from the bottom of my heart. And to all who prayed for this outcome -- thank you! God answers prayers! It's in His time, not ours. We most of all thank God. He has been so good to us. . . made us wonder some time if He was listening, but He was, and He does, and He did. . .

Reminds me of an old gospel song "can He?, could He?, would He?, Yes, He can, He could, He would and He did!"

Now I must be off to bed. Ashton gets up about 5 for a bottle. I may not like him much then! But I'll still love him!!

It's been a wonderful day. . . luv, mom/mrt

Not Cooking So Much . . .

Well, yesterday I cooked, when I wasn't on the phone. Or gone. Or on the computer. I cooked Ron and Barb green beans w/potatoes and onions, Mexican cornbread, deviled eggs and sliced a cantelope from the garden. Just to be a good neighbor.

Then Aunt Bernie and I took my friend Judye shopping at T.C. She has been in rehab for three weeks after having her second leg operation. She now has two prosthesis. (?) Anyway, we didn't get back until 4:30, and then I started looking for something on the computer. I can tell you all about it tomorrow.

We leave for South Carolina in the morning for a week. Looking forward to visiting with my grandsons.

I have been doing laundry and cleaning today getting ready for out trip. Also had to go to town -- yech! To get gas, It's gone up. And other things for the trip. I left after picking a mop bucket full of green beans, then added tomatos and squash. It will probably all be gone when I get back. But that's OK; I've put up a lot of stuff this summer. Just have to get out my frozen grapes and plums for jelly. . . And strawberries and rhubarb. That's my favorite, too, AZ Friend!! And you'll get some!

Haven't ever made apple butter, but I'll try this year for Dawnee. Just because that may get her here to show off her babies and see me!

Wish I could figure out how to do these photos. I wait and wait, but they don't download.

Gotta finish washing and packing. . . and guess I'll have to cook spouse some supper. He thinks he has to eat three times a day! luv, mom/mrt

And More Cooking!

I thought yesterday, Labor Day, I wouldn't have to cook. . . wrong! My cousin brought a 1/2 bushel of tomatoes and I made 10 quarts of juice. He didn't bring them until about 3. I had already been working on a pot of beans for supper, then I started on the juice. It's a mess to make tomato juice, right Dawnee? But we did win that blue ribbon at the fair!

When I was growing up, tobacco was usually ready to be cut by Labor Day. We kids thought since our city cousins were "off" that day we should be too. But Daddy would say "It's Labor Day, let's labor!" So the big boys would cut the tobacco and I, being the smallest, would drive the tractor to pick it up and take it to the barn. It's hard being a tractor farmer!

Well, actually, I started driving when I was about 8. I couldn't reach the clutch or brake without leaving the seat, taking a step to the right or left, and applying the clutch/brake. And when I learned the PTO, I was put on the tractor to bale hay and the big guys would pick it up and throw on the wagon. I threw up some, but throwing 40 lb. bales straight up was a bit difficult. Daddy would say "There's lots of room on top!".

Today I am taking Kelly to the doctor. She was thrown by a horse Sunday, over it's head onto her face. It's not pretty now! Big blue-black eye, sprained wrist, lots of bruises.

Maybe I won't have to cook today! Ya think there's any chance of that? luv, mom/mrt