Homesteading

Every morning I walk into the living room and I stare at the yard. For many years it was concrete slabs. Then it turned into a dirt-biker's heaven. After years of neglect, we have finally brought some life back into our outdoor space. It started with 2 planter beds. Our first season gave us corn, an abundance of broccoli with worms, and zucchini. It was amazing that we could actually take care of this living-breathing plant life. Our garden is increasing and over-filling our planters. We plant in buckets, straight into the ground and now, have added a 3rd planter bed.

Through this year transition, we have also gained a compost box and 3 chickens. It is not unusal to see the entire family out in the yard on the weekend: my husband and me, all 3 boys, 3 chickens, and the sassy bunny. Not everyone enjoys being outside, and eventually my oldest son and the bunny go and hide somewhere else, but it has become a relaxing and family-oriented ritual.




Just the other day I was replanting the potatoes and got so excited about the numerous worms that kept appearing. My husband must have felt my excitement because he told me that we could take a worm census (Yes, an actual count of worm members in our garden, and probably just as accurate as the US census).

Today I noticed the dirt stains around my nails and I was sad for a moment. Normally when I see that much dirt, it's in my boys' nails and I get so grossed out, but this is something natural. It is something that I should be proud of. I may need to scrub better in the shower from now on, but I know that I am doing my part to increase the oxygen supply around my home as well as to lessen my little carbon footprint on this earth.

Homesteading has been a most humbling experience for me. Normally I would not be caught dead sweeping up chicken poop from the patio....who would? I am constantly dirty, which some of you know, will effect my showering habits. An extra shower on some days, one less on another....but I still maintain a 100% average on my New Year's resolution to shower every day. We eat from the garden which is more nutritious than the items that they grow in the chip aisle of Target or even the bulk bins at Sprouts. I am learning to make nice with animals that eat everything beautiful in my garden. Somebunny keeps sneeking under the netting to eat the cilantro, but I have learned to live with that cycle of life. In return for my kindness, I get a little nip on the cuff of my pants as I water the buckwheat. She speaks to me in her silent way saying something like, "I forgive you. You are not so bad either. Keep those chickens away from me!"

So it's a step back in time, this homesteading. We are stopping to "smell the roses" (but it smells a lot more like almost fully-ripened onions). I see so many parallels to my life as a parent and my garden. Most of the time, it's chaotic and in need of weeding and cleaning. I need to water it often so it can prosper. We set barriers to keep plants from growing the wrong way and we put netting up to keep bad things from happening to our precious fruits. The one that gets me the most is that I won't see the hard work that I put in until many days, months, and years later.

It is a precious thing, raising kids, plants, chickens. a bunny......

It is also a most-rewarding thing!...Especially on those days when I sit on my patio and I see the new green sprouts and the blooming flowers, the chickens strutting their stuff across the pumpkin vines, the bunny nibbling at the hay, my husband turning the compost, and the kids giggling, throwing dirt clods against the tilting wooden fence.

The Chicks

We tried the lady bunnies and that backfired in a major way....meaning, there is only 1 survivor and she eats everything in her path. We've (my husband) moved on to something, that I thought would be, way less time-consuming and, hopefully, will reap huge rewards in 6 months. We have chicks!


It was actually a very-well-thought-out decision on my husband's behalf. Months of library visits and on-line reading about care and housing became his nightly ritual. He called the feed store weeks ahead to check on their next shipment and made sure that we were ready. The coop is being built and the chicks have a nice plastic box with a warming light. They have personality and spunk. They are even more friendly than the bunny. It is amazing to me just how much I enjoy them. They make me laugh. I watch them grow and change on a daily basis.

They do have some issues that I don't care for. They poop everywhere! Similar to the bunny, they just go where they please and leave their mark so someone can step on it. As they are not old enough to be outside, they've had daily adventures in our garage and are now jumping the threshold into the kitchen. It's a little Hillbilly having chickens in the kitchen, but I find a lot of comfort in them being around cherping at me as though they really understand what I am saying to them. They give me eye contact and they acknowledge that I am in their presence.
I affectionately call them "the McNugget sisters" because they do not have individual names yet. I don't know why. I read once that you are less likely to eat your chickens if you name them. It could have been to keep the opportunity avaliable, just in case. But I'd never have the heart to pluck a chicken or even put one to death for that matter. I had issues trying to revive bunny #2.

So the count-down is on to fresh eggs and free manure. A little piece of country in our Huntington Beach back yard. Does it get any better?

The Bunny

Yes, the bunny is on a leash.

As noted in the title of my blog, my usual subjects are my own 3 sons, but this blog entry is about my surrogate daughter, Snowball. Snowball is the last of 3 bunnies that we purchased over 3 years ago as pets. 3 seemed like a magical number at the time. My husband and I each have 2 siblings, we have 3 sons, the Holy Trinity... I don't think that God meant for us to have 3 bunnies and it was pretty evident as the number slowly dwindled down to one. I'd tell you what happened to the other two, but then I'd have to bring up issues with the crazy neighbor and I really don't want to go into that detail. Cocoa and Fuzzbucket are in a better place and poor Snowball is still among the living, trying very hard each day to dig her little way out of the yard to the little piece of heaven on the other side of the fence.

I had multiple friends tell me that I should share my stories about my sassy bunny on my blog. She is quite entertaining, you know. I thought that if I were to do anything nice for her (never mind feeding her), it would be to blog about her so the world would know that I do acknowledge her as more than a strangely large cotton ball with fiery red eyes. (PS, I think she's blind)

So, the Lady has been a bit curious since she's become a free-range bun-in-the-sun. She gets first pickin' of the bountiful weeds and even the jalapeno plant (to which she has not partaken of yet....she may be smarter than she acts). She spends most of her time scampering around the garden and then laying in the shade for one of her 10 daily naps before the sun goes down. That's when the magic really does happen....Yes! My camillia plant has MAGICALLY disappeared! SO...call me crazy, but I find myself staring late at night into the yard from the patio door. I flick on the patio light and I stare at her, as if she even cares that I am there. I know that she knows, and she looks at me like, "I am sassy. I see you. I don't care. You can turn on the light and admire my beauty and call me albino because I have red eyes and white fur, but it isn't going to stop me from eating your camillia plant when you go to bed." Then she shakes her head like Justin Bieber and goes on licking herself.

I've been out in the garden a lot lately and she's been pretty friendly. She'll come nip at my pants and stare at me. I read her mind and she's thinking "Yeah, this woman is crazy to think that she is actually going to make this prison yard look better." The fuzzball will then proceed to practice her speed drills by randomly running across the yard and then stop and stare at me some more. I think that staring is her greatest talent. Well, that and EATING MY CAMILLIA PLANT. She has this freaky way of just staring at me and following my every movement with just the turn of her head. She's crazy!

There are times when I go out there to search for her because I haven't seen her in a couple days. I guess I've got a soft spot for her. Maybe it's because she looks so pathetic when it rains. Dreadlocks and dirty fur are pretty pathetic. Maybe it is because I see a lot of myself in her. First, she's crazy. Second, she's a little OCD. We watch her dig holes for hours and hours only to fill them up afterwards then the next day, she's at it again. She's moody and will eat anything. My husband told me that my camillia plant is like junk food to her and that she can't resist. So I guess she really is like me. I guess if I was a bunny, I'd eat the camillia plant too. It is (was) the most beautiful thing in the yard...at least until the compost box made its arrival. (another story for another day)

So there you go. Don't get a bunny. They are so stinkin' cute that you won't ever have the heart to put her up on Craig's List under "free" when she eats your favorite plant. You won't have the heart to place an ad in the Pennysaver for "Bunny. Free to a good home" even when your kids forget to feed her and then cry when you tell them that you are going have to get rid of her. Just don't do it. Get something ugly. I'm just sayin'.

Women Need Women

Friday's weather in southern California left much to be desired. It was cold, blustery (a word that I have heard preschool teachers, Winnie the Pooh, and my husband use), cloudy, and rainy. As the end of the school day came closer to its final minutes, we gathered one-by-one at our usual spot. The park was bare. Who would enjoy a day like this? The 4 of us would. As I sat there listening to conversations and interjecting my own silly comments, I realized just how much I depend on this daily ritual. This is my support group. These are women that I love for who they are. They share what is on their heart. We support each other in ways our husbands can not.

There are a few groups of women that gather at the park on a regular basis, but it was this group only that sat there in the wind and rain just to have a connection with each other. Everyday, I see pain, sadness, but also joy and amusement in the stories that are told. I am so grateful to these women that are willing to share and seek advice.

What I love most about these women is that they all sit on the same patch of grass, not to gossip or cause drama. We are all there to help each other become better mothers, wives, and friends. No man could give completely genuine and honest imput about being a better mother or wife.

Thank you for being there on that windy, rainy day. It warms my heart to think that it is as important to you all as it is for me to sit at the park and be there for each other regardless of the "weather".

...And for those who are seeking a special patch of grass for your own, you are always welcome to join us.

A Wife of Noble Character

Proverbs 31:10-31

A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies....

I am a thinker....more of a thinker than a talker. I also have "schizophrenic" tendencies and A LOT of the time believe that there is much more to life than is actually there. Weighing heavily on my shoulders is what people think of me. They could be thinking about their favorite flavor of ice cream, but I believe that they are thinking about a short-coming of mine and have a negitive perception of me.

God has opened up an old wound of mine and I am trying so hard to figure out why. It brought me to this reading of Proverbs and He has reminded me to tell my story with honesty and integrity and to hold-fast to my faith that everything in my life is intentional whether it hurts or not. This hurts.....a lot!

I made a friend. This friend was not a friend. I hid things from my husband. My husband already knew. My husband wanted to trust me. I tried to end the friendship many times but had an addiction to the admiration that I was receiving. My "friend" was reckless and persistent. Even though my husband knew that I was completely committed to him, he wanted to see that I could take care of myself, but I couldn't. God asked my husband to step in. I wanted my husband to step in. God told me to seek forgiveness. Life is good. My marriage was strong and still is. God brought a wonderful support group to me full of fantastic women. They look out for me all the time.

My heart has been palpitating much faster lately. Even after years, gossip and rumors are so wicked. I know that there is a reason for being uncomfortable. I have been brought back to my most cherished Bible verses. I am reminded that it shouldn't matter what other people say about me. My value lies in what God thinks of me. True value lies in what my husband and children think of me. I am being summoned once again, to work on becoming a wife of noble character.

The world can be deceiving. It is my hope that the people I care about know why I make it my passion to be honest and "real". I don't want to be deceptive. I want them to know my story. So, if you're my friend, and you want to know more about my story, I'll tell you. I think that it is a very noble story as it turns out.

I set my sights now on fulfilling the characteristics of a noble wife. I want my husband to have full confidence in me. I want my children to wake and call me blessed. I am so grateful to God for every incident in my life. I know that I needed to be friends with the wrong person to become a stronger person with a stronger faith.

Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised...

Why the dangling earrings?

I've been having quite a few flashbacks lately of my life as a young girl. I was pretty Tom-boyish. I rarely ever wore dresses and when I did, I felt extremely uncomfortable. I still do. Shorts and t-shirts were the only articles of clothing in my dresser and then in college, I switched to t-shirts and jeans.



So I happened to be shopping a few days ago at Pier 1 Imports and a cute pair of dangling, large, floral earrings caught my eye. I didn't even hesitate to try them on. I just bought them. I wanted them so badly. It was a purchase I would have never made 5 years ago due to their "obnoxiousness".

I put them on today and I asked myself, "Why the dangling earrings now? Why not 10 years ago?" I am sure that there is a deep psychological reason as to "why" but I'm not really a deep thinker. I just reminded myself of my uncomfortable past of being a girl in a world that I was not ready to be feminine in yet.

A friend of mine told me once that your "30's" are the most difficult time of your life. Not that the "20's" were a breeze or that the "40's" are gonna be a party, it seems like your "30's" are a time in most people's lives when we are expected to show some kind of maturity. We have spouses and relationships that we need to nurture more than ever. We have kids that are being raised into teen-agers. There are household budgets and retirement packages that we need to adjust and plan around. Our bodies have stopped maturing and now we need to maintain, or firm up. Some of us look for meaningful friendships that bring us support more than just drama.

My "30's" have been all of the above for me, but they have also brought me some unexpected joy. I have finally felt confident about my body and being a woman. I don't need to hide behind baggy clothing. I don't need to pull my hair back into a ponytail every day. I have embraced the beauty that comes with curves of hips and curls in my hair. I paint my toe nails because it is much prettier than them being "naked". I try the make-up, and usually fail....but I'm ok with that. My favorite thing to do now is to wear a bow or flowers in my hair. If you see me with them, it has probably been a good day. I guess I missed out when I was a little girl. I love feeling feminine!

One of the most wonderful feelings in the world is when I do put on a dress. It drives my husband wild because he married me as a Tom-boy. He is always the first one to give me a "Wow!" reaction and I always love that feeling. I am so glad that my time to be feminine came to me in my late 20's and early 30's. I appreciate it so much more, I think. So, YES! the dangling earrings are a must-have. They tell a story. They shine and shimmer as they whisper to all that I have embraced the wonderful feeling of femininity.

BTW. I will always hold the crown for the biggest, loudest burp in my household. Somethings I just cannot part with on my journey to becoming more feminine.

Pure Genius!

Did I cheat the system and not realize it? As I was fulfilling my New Year's resolution of "not smelling" by taking my daily shower, I kept recalling a conversation that I had earlier this morning with my good friend and supporter of my wittiness, Marcy. Somehow we got onto a discussion about the library which led to me confessing that I did all of my high school, college, and graduate school research in the juvenile section of the library. I received multiple diplomas and credentials based upon various picture and cartoon books.

I get out of the shower and I am still thinking about how I got away with it. So....in researching for this blog, I go to my most-trusted source, my 5 year-old's library. I pick out my book of choice and begin to contemplate.

Exibit A (referenced from a mature source):

shark World Encyclopedia | 1980 | © World Encyclopedia 2005, originally published by Oxford University Press 2005.

Torpedo-shaped, cartilaginous fish found in subpolar to tropical marine waters. They have well-developed jaws, bony teeth, usually five gill slits on each side of the head, and a characteristic, lobe-shaped tail with a longer top lobe. Sharks are carnivorous, and at least ten species are known to attack humans. There are c.250 living species.

Exhibit B (juvenile source):

Berger, Melvin. Chomp! A Book About Sharks. Scholastic Inc. 1999.

Sharks are fish. Most are large. They have huge appetites. And they're almost always hunting for something to eat...Sharks use their fins to swim. The big tail fin swings from side to side. The tail pushes against the water. It moves the shark forward. The other fins keep the shark steady in the water.

Conclusion: It is obvious that more facts in fewer words come from Exhibit B. And, Hey Now!, "cartilaginous".... that sounds a lot like a "Bush-ism". What kind of normal human being would use the word "cartilaginous" in their writing? Maybe those that want to set off the red alert for plagiarism. Exhibit A most traditionally comes from a book that has only 1 picture for the entire entry. I don't know about you, but I prefer a myriad of pictures just in case I need to sketch a picture or two for the front cover of my report. I always "Wow!-ed" them with my random artwork mixed in between the pages of my blood-sweat-and-tears research. (I once stuck a random picture of my first-born son into a research paper for a psychology class and got an A+).

I don't ever hesitate to swing a left at the fish tank just to find a book for my boys' projects. They say that the Huntington Beach Public Library has the largest juvenile section of any library west of the Mississippi. I always find happy, brightly-colored books with lots of pictures to greet me. The only downside is that you can only check out 2 per call number. DARN YOU DEWEY DECIMAL SYSTEM! (said with no offense to my mom and brother-in-law....Go library science!)

I am not sure yet, if I will pass this knowledge on to the next generation. Marcy and I got a laugh imagining what a graduate professor would say if they read a bibliography that had a title with an obvious give-away like "Chomp! A Book About Sharks".

Pure genius or just laziness.....smart people, don't answer that.