Miscellaneous Post

We are almost to one week before our move date!  Dale's last day of work was yesterday, so he is officially unemployed!  Though a new pastor has been hired here at the church, he has asked Dale to fill in when available until all the moving and transitioning has been completed.  I think I mentioned that before.  *blush*.

In case you all haven't noticed, my brain is a bit addled!

The packing has been going well, and we will be finishing up this week.  We still have to go through the shed, but that isn't as bad as it sounds.  I hope!  The last minute clothes packing will get done later in the week, and the kitchen we'll do over next weekend.  There are still a few odds and ends in the meantime to take care of, but we are in pretty good shape.

Speaking of getting in shape, I've been spending as much time as I can in the evenings at the gym.  My membership runs out later in August, but we will be gone several weeks before that.  In the meantime, unsure if there are any gyms near where we will be moving (whether north or south, I still don't know!) , I'm taking advantage of having the access to a gym now.  Elizabeth has been more serious about working out with me recently, and has been following my eating plan, and my workout plan quite a bit.  It is much easier to say "No" to treats when you have a buddy to do it with!  She doesn't need to lose weight at all, but she is doing it  to help me and to maintain her health.  Good girl!

Speaking of weight loss, I haven't really lost much over the summer.  I keep playing around with the same 3 to 5 lbs.  However, though the scale isn't doing a lot of moving, something is going on!  Last weekend, the interim pastor and his wife invited us to stop at their house on the way out of town.  They had been given a ton of clothes, and said we were welcome to go through them and see if there was anything we wanted.  We did, and several of the kids ended up with some nice pieces of clothing!

One of the sweater that Esther got was a beautiful cardigan, with a zipper.  It looks like some sort of Norweigian colorwork, on a smokey blue background.  Just gorgeous!  I fell in love with it, but it was a size Small, so I passed it to the twins who agreed to share it with each other.

Lo and behold, a few days later, Elizabeth was wearing it in the morning.  Seriously.  I about sweat to death just looking at her.  Now I know what my folks felt like when I would show up with sweatpants, a thick hooded sweatshirt on, OVER whatever else I was wearing.  Oh yeah, that would be in the summer.  Oiy.

After some good natured teasing on my part, she finally took it off and said she was getting too warm in it anyway.  Then Esther said, "Mom, why don't you try it on?  I know you like it."

"Honey, it's way too small," was my positive reply.

They finally convinced me to try it on.  Well.....

(You'll note that I put in a pic of the tag just for good measure!)

Now, wearing a size Small is highly unusual for me.  This was a VERY generous size Small, if you know what I mean.  But still.... woot!

Besides going to the gym, I like to knit to help destress.  Is that even a word?  Anyway, I started this tote a few months ago, working on it here and there.  I've spent the bulk of my knitting time finishing it up.  It was very easy knitting, perfect for the present season of life we are going through right now.  Here it is drying out, after felting it:

So, there is a brief, frivolous, and totally random update.  I'm thinking by tomorrow night we'll be getting a call from the head of the Pulpit committee to let us know how things came out in the vote they are supposed to take after the evening service.  

Have a wonderful evening everyone!

Let the Games Begin!

No, I'm not referring to the Olympics!  Still a few more days before those begin!

I am talking about a major declutter/packing spree leading up to our moving day.  Yup, that's right folks, I actually have a solid date... well, at least semi-solid.  Kind of more like "Jello" solid.

We were called back for a second visit at the PA church, last weekend.  It went very well, and it was even a gorgeous weekend, and not near so oppressively hot as it was a few weeks ago.  After the Q and A in the afternoon, the pulpit committee met and voted to recommend Dale to the members as Pastor.  According to their constitution, they have to announce the formal vote two services ahead.  The head of the pulpit committee told us that they would announce it Wednesday night, Sunday morning, and set the vote for Sunday night.  So, in less than a week Dale may be offered a new pastorate!  We appreciate your continued prayers for wisdom and guidance.


Meanwhile, the members here have voted in a new pastor.  He is a young man, with a wife, little girl, and a baby on the way.  They are moving from Ohio.  So, yesterday afternoon Dale a call from "Pastor John" as everyone is already calling him (he has a French last name that no one can seem to remember well enough to pronounce correctly) and had a chat about the logistics of all this transitioning for them and us.  Dale said he was very pleasant to speak with, and he hopes that all will go well for him here.


Anyway, we will be moving over the days of August 6th and 7th at the latest, if not sooner.  Pastor John asked if Dale would continue filling the pulpit, while he can.  He wasn't looking for a commitment, so if we want to leave before the projected moving day, then we need not feel like we can't go.  Dale agreed, and assured me that if we are ready to go before then, we have no responsibility here to fill the pulpit until August 5th, which is the Sunday before our projected moving day.


It is a little strange being in the church still, Dale preaching, but not the pastor anymore.   It seems awkward to me, but Dale is taking it all in stride.


Lately we have been having a rash of break downs here.  The Tracker (Dale's little car) is gone.  It didn't pass inspection, and the work it would have taken to get it to pass was much more than the car was worth.  So, we are now a one vehicle family again, and we've decided to not even bother with another car until after we move.  


Then our main computer started acting up.  I think we jostled something the wrong way while moving it to a temporary desk.  The desk it was on was a pickle to put together, and I figured it would take a while to break it down again.  It did.  I'm glad that one is done!  Anyway, while moving the computer around something got wiggled wrong and for several days we couldn't even get it to turn on!  Dale went through all the connections last night, and got it to turn on, but it shuts down on its own whenever it feels like it.  Well, if we can't get it to work, we are taking out the motherboard, wrapping it up good, and tossing the rest of the computer out.  We'll deal with a new one after we move.  At least we can salvage the info on the hard drive!


Then, last night, after a very hot and very humid day, the AC in the basement started to make some strange noises.  We had to shut that down.  Dale hasn't had a chance to look at it yet.  It sounded like something in the fan.  It could be some crud got in there, or the bearings could be going.... who knows?  


Maybe with all this stuff breaking down is God's way of helping me declutter!


So, we are in a feverish packing mode now.  Not sure how the timing is going to work out.  IF we are voted in at the church in PA, and we end up moving down there, we aren't sure when the parsonage will be ready.  If we have to, though, we'll just use those PODS, and maybe go on vacation while waiting, if they can't house us for a couple of weeks.  If they say, "come as soon as you can" then Dale said he may start making a trip or two ahead just to get the moving started.  We'll have to wait and see.


So, we are sort of in 'limbo' still, but only less than a week of that.  Then we'll know what we are doing.  Either way, we are leaving here on, or by, August 6th-7th.


"T" minus 13 days, and counting. 

Quiet on My Blog But Busy IRL

We have had quite a whirlwind of events, so I wanted to just do a quick post to update everyone.

The short of the long is that Dale candidated in a church in PA last weekend, and they have asked us back for another set of meetings!  So, we will be back in PA the weekend of the 22nd.

I will give more details on the church there later.  Right now we are in a time of prayer and seeking God's guidance.  We are very excited, because whether or not we are supposed to be there, they are a great group of people, and I will be glad to see them again.

Meanwhile, back on the ranch, we are packing.  I had started packing more intently, thinking we would be moving out of here around the 21st, but with the church in PA looking promising, we are sticking around a bit longer to play that out.  Thankfully, no one here minds, and told us to stay as long as we wanted.  Dale fills the pulpit here when available, and we have a place to stay until we now for sure which direction we are moving in.  Anyway, the intense packing is slowed down and I'm finding, oddly enough, time on my hands.  Without school, or the garden, or the pool, or tons of packing to do at the moment, I'm actually finding time to work on a quilt that has been in progress for a year.  It was supposed to be for my niece's  wedding a year ago, but obviously I never got very far on it, as I just finished cutting out yesterday afternoon.  The fabrics in the quilt are gorgeous, if I may say so myself.  I love the colors and how they play off of each other.  This is one of those quilts where I'm battling myself the whole time.

"I want to keep it."

"You can't.  It's for your niece."

"But I WANT it!  It's going to be stunning!"

"No.  You have to send it to her."

"But by the time I actually get it done, it may be this fall.  Way too late for a wedding present, or even a first anniversary gift!"

"Not so.  She'll love it anyway.  You have to give it to her.  Besides you can always give it to her for Christmas."

Pout, pout pout.

And so it goes.  Either way, I'm loving it already, and I haven't even started the piecing yet!

The piecing is somewhat intricate, so this isn't a quick quilt.  However, I'm sure it will be well worth the effort and time.

I've been working on some easy knitting.   Mostly because we've been outside when it isn't too hot, and it is easy to watch the littles and do something easy.  I'm making a tote, that will be felted, and still working on my Cabria wrap.  My Azzu's Shawl is on hold for now.  I needed a break from it.

The weather has been hot, as one would expect in July.  I'm already tired of summer, and ready for those nice, crisp, cooler days of fall, but alas.  I can't speed up time, so I'll have to learn to just be patient.

There is a very basic update in a nutshell!  Have a great day everyone!

Something Lacey Shrug

I finished this simple shrug about a week ago, but have neglected to take a pic until today.  Sorry about all the junk in the background... no matter how much picking up I do it looks like the packing fairy threw up all over the place.  I also included a pic (again) of the blocked part, before I put the ribbing on (above pic) . Hopefully you can see the lace pattern better. Oh, and no sooner had I put it on for church this morning, than I heard "Mom, can I have it?" from the twins.  It is a good sign when your teenage daughters want your stuff!  

Have a blessed Lord's Day everyone!  

What is the Main Ingredient of WD-40?

(The following is from an email from Dale, who got it from my dad, I think.  Nothing like a little hearsay, eh?  Still, I found it interesting!)

I had a neighbor who bought a new pickup. I got up very early one Sunday morning and saw that someone had spray painted red all around the sides of this beige truck(for some unknown reason).  I went over, woke him up, and told him the bad news.

He was very upset and was trying to figure out what to do. 
Probably nothing until Monday morning, since nothing was open. Another neighbor came out and told him to get his WD-40 and clean it off. 

It removed the unwanted paint beautifully and did not harm his 
paint job that was on the truck.  I'm impressed! WD-40 who knew? 'Water Displacement #40'.  The product began from a search for a rust preventative solvent and degreaser to protect missile parts.

WD-40 was created in 1953 by three technicians at the San Diego Rocket Chemical Company. Its name comes from the project that was to find a 'water displacement' compound. 
They were successful with the fortieth formulation, thus WD-40. 

The Convair Company bought it in bulk to protect their atlas 
missile parts. Ken East (one of the original founders) says there is nothing in WD-40 that would hurt you.  When you read the 'shower door' part, try it.  It's the first thing that has ever cleaned that spotty shower door.  If yours is plastic, it works just as well as glass.  It's a miracle! Then try it on your stove top ... Viola!  It's now shinier than it's ever been. 

You'll be amazed. WD-40 uses: 

1. Protects silver from tarnishing. 

2. Removes road tar and grime from cars. 

3. Cleans and lubricates guitar strings. 

4. Gives floors that 'just-waxed' sheen without making them slippery. 

5. Keeps flies off cows. 

6. Restores and cleans chalkboards. 

7. Removes lipstick stains. 

8. Loosens stubborn zippers. 

9. Untangles jewelry chains. 

10. Removes stains from stainless steel sinks. 

11. Removes dirt and grime from the barbecue grill. 

12. Keeps ceramic/terra cotta garden pots from oxidizing. 

13. Removes tomato stains from clothing. 

14. Keeps glass shower doors free of water spots. 

15. Camouflages scratches in ceramic and marble floors. 

16. Keeps scissors working smoothly. 

17. Lubricates noisy door hinges on vehicles and doors in homes. 

18. It removes black scuff marks from the kitchen floor! 
Use WD-40 for those nasty tar and scuff marks on flooring. It 
doesn't seem to harm the finish and you won't have to scrub nearly 
as hard to get them off. Just remember to open some windows 
if you have a lot of marks. 

19. Bug guts will eat away the finish on your car if not removed quickly! Use WD-40!

20. Gives a child's playground gym slide a shine for a super fast slide. 

21. Lubricates gear shift and mower deck lever for ease of handling on riding mowers.

22. Rids kids rocking chairs and swings of squeaky noises. 

23. Lubricates tracks in sticking home windows and makes them easier to open. 

24. Spraying an umbrella stem makes it easier to open and close. 

25. Restores and cleans padded leather dashboards in vehicles, as well as vinyl bumpers.

26. Restores and cleans roof racks on vehicles. 

27. Lubricates and stops squeaks in electric fans. 

28. Lubricates wheel sprockets on tricycles, wagons, and bicycles for easy handling.

29. Lubricates fan belts on washers and dryers and keeps them running smoothly. 

30. Keeps rust from forming on saws and saw blades, and other tools. 

31. Removes splattered grease on stove. 

32. Keeps bathroom mirror from fogging. 

33. Lubricates prosthetic limbs. 

34. Keeps pigeons off the balcony (they hate the smell.) 

35. Removes all traces of duct tape. 

36. Folks even spray it on their arms, hands, and knees to relieve arthritis pain.

37. Florida’s favorite use is: 'cleans and removes love bugs from grills and bumpers.'

38. The favorite use in the state of New York, WD-40 protects the Statue of Liberty from the elements.

39. WD-40 attracts fish.  Spray a little on live bait or lures and you will be catching the big one in no time.  Also, it's a lot cheaper than the chemicalattractants that are made for just that purpose.  Keep in mind though, using some chemical laced baits or lures for fishing are not allowed in some states.

40. Use it for fire ant bites. It takes the sting away immediately and stops the itch.

41. WD-40 is great for removing crayon from walls. Spray on the mark and wipe with a clean rag.

42. Also, if you've discovered that your teenage daughter 
has washed and dried a tube of lipstick with a load of laundry, saturate the lipstick spots with WD-40 and rewash. Presto! The lipstick is gone! 

43. If you sprayed WD-40 on the distributor cap, it would displace the moisture and allow the car to start.


P.S. The basic ingredient is FISH OIL.

Approaching Crunch Time!

In the last four weeks we have been casually packing.  However, it is getting to be time to ramp up the intensity.

Sounds like a work out, doesn't it?

We haven't been fooling around the last few weeks either!  Well, unless you count Dale and I going away for a couple of days and visiting Sonnenburg Garden and Mansion, and the Curtiss Aviation Museum, and swimming in the creek, having marshmellow roasts, and taking the kids to Watkin's Glen.....

But really, some work has been getting done!  Dale has been home from work taking some vacation time.  So far he has been catching up on paperwork, gotten some more contacts made, replaced the brake lines in the Tracker, and cleared a block in the septic lines.

Sounds like a fun vacation doesn't it?

Around everything we have been finishing up the school year, and I've been catching up on the BOM class I signed up for in January.  

This is a Modern Log Cabin Block:

This is an Octagon Block:

This is a Wonky 5-Sided Log Cabin Block ( it didn't really come out right for some reason):

This is a Greek Cross Block:

We all have been working very hard finishing up the school year, and sorting, decluttering, getting  more packing done.

Well, "everyone" that is except one individual.

 We are going to VBS at a "sister" church this week.  Today was basically take the kids to VBS, then home.  Then turn around and go do the errands and shopping, then home.  Then turn around and go to the gym.  Then home again.

You get the idea.  I'm pooped!

Before I end this hodge-podge of a post, I just wanted to say that we are going to a church in PA to candidate early in July! We'll see what we'll see......

Have a great evening everyone! Blessings!

Busy Days!

 Okay, I'm playing around with the new format for the blog here, and I have to say that the new features for arranging pictures is fun!  It just goes to show how long it has been since I've really been on here much.

We are still packing up, little by little.  Dale and I are going away for a couple of days for our anniversary this weekend, then after that, some very earnest packing is going to be happening.

Meanwhile I've been poking, prodding, pushing, shoving, and nagging the kids to finish up with their school work for this term.  When someone asks if we are "done" for the year, I never really know what to say.  The short answer is "Yes... and No."  We have filled the required 180 days, but a couple of kids still have some work to do, so according to the state of NY, Yes we are done.  According to this mean Mama, no we aren't, but very, very close.  There are a few loose ends to tie up for sundry children, but we are almost "done", whatever that is.

Over the summer all the children will be studying one thing of interest, just to keep their brains alert.  Elizabeth is working through an Algebra book.  Yes, her choice.  She WANTS to be working in it over the summer.  Oh, and she wants to start chemistry.  This girl must have been dropped when she was a baby.

 Esther is still finishing up a couple of subjects.  She will be doing some math over the summer.  It isn't her favorite subject, but she has recognized that doing a little over the summer to keep it fresh in her mind helps in the upcoming term.  She will also be enjoying baking and knitting, and she has a quilt she started a while back that she wants to work on.

Jerusha and Caleb both have workbooks for their grades to use.  They are made for "in between" such and such grades.  I got them to review what they learned this year.

The other kids haven't really decided what they want to persue.  Benjamin is into mechanics, and Josiah likes art, so we'll see.  Caleb loves to build things, whether it be with Legos, or blocks, or constructing something from the stuff in our recycle bin.  His imagination is wonderful!  Of course, no matter where we are living this summer, we plan on continuing in our music as well.

During the last couple of weeks we had the May Birthday bash on the 26th.  We had quite a group here, and it was a hot day, so we enjoyed splashing and swimming in the creek, then in the evening we had a campfire and toasted marshmellows and ate leftovers from the BBQ earlier that afternoon.


Since the packing schedule hasn't been too bad, I've been trying to finish up the sewing projects mentioned somewhere on here before.  As you can see I finished our church dresses.  :)

My dress is supposed to have a lacy shrug to go with it, but it isn't done yet.  I just blocked the lacy section this morning, and hope to get the ribbing on while we are away.  That is some nice, simple knitting that I can do and relax, and doesn't take much brain work.

I've also completed a quilt that was in my "To Finish" pile before we move.  This is a special quilt for special friend.  The Lord really spoke to me while I was piecing it as to where it should go.  I'm glad to do it, of course!

As if things weren't exciting enough around here, yesterday was quite an "interesting" day here.  During breakfast Esther had commented that it was another boring Monday.  After breakfast I was sitting at the computer doing some home office work, and the kids were behind me doing some music practice.  Suddenly Isaac started crying.  I mean really crying.  I whirled around and he was holding his hand.

He had the antennae from a remote controlled car sticking out of his finger.  I took a look at it, and tried to very gently see if I could ease it out, but the more I so much as touched it the more he screamed.  Then one of  the kids told me the end was curved.  Oh great.

I had Benjamin call Dale, who came home from work.  I got the bleeding stopped, and wrapped his finger (after cutting the car off the anttennae).  We were all just piled into the van when he pulled in.  Off we went to the Urgent Care Center.  Thankfully Isaac must not have been in too much pain as he stopped crying and chattered on the way.

Normally this is the sort of thing I would just take care of myself, but the way this antennae went in was like a fish hook.  I had no idea of what angle it was in.  I didn't know if the wire was curved around a bone or tendon or nothing.  So, I figured and X-ray and tetanus shot wouldn't be out of order.

We were there a long time, but the kids did great.  To make a long story short, they took an X-ray, and were able to get the wire out without having to slice into his finger to dig it out.  No stitches, just wicked cool shiney bandaid.

This coming Sunday and the following the church here has candidates coming in so we will be at another church.  Dale still has some resumes out.  He just got a Q&A packet from one chruch in West Virginia, and another church asked him to send in his doctrinal statement, which is like the next step after the initial contact with the resume.  Things are slowly moving forward, but we are content in God's will and just trying to do whatever is next for us, which basically is preparing to move at this point.

That is the latest update from the Beehive.  I hope you are all well!