BYE BYE BUNNIES

Monday, February 24, 2014

Okay, major bummer here.  OK state taxes are, shall we say, big?  And, unprepared as we are, it's a big surprise.  It means tightening our belts for the next two month to pay for it.  So, I'm so sad...no soil for my garden box.  It's one of several things to cut back on, but I was so excited to have my garden.  But, pioneer stock that we are, we'll make do.  Maybe I'll be able to get soil in time to do my summer veggies; if not, I will plant stuff in the boxes on the sides of the house in the backyard.  I wanted flowers in there, but that can wait.

Ken wants to start working extra hours at Walmart and is a bit panicky.  Me, I feel really calm about it.  The Lord has taken care of us so many times; we'll be fine.  We'll take things back, squirrel away the money, and be okay.

Tuesday, February 25, 2014

It was like a scene from a horror film - blood everywhere.  Daubs of red here and there, on the tile, in the tub, smeared on the walls.  What happened here?

It should have been a room full of fluffy cuteness.  All the babies were visiting Mama Fluffer, hopping around, trying to convince her to feed them.  But somebody did something.  Was there a fight?  Bunnies do that, I've found a few tufts of fur in cages when the older ones have been together, but the babies?

Examining the babies, one by one, we find that fat/fluffy Bruiser has torn one of the nails on a front paw.  Rats!   You can't exactly put a bandage on a bunny.  So I went to Atwoods...my favorite store in town...to get some styptic powder - an antibiotic powder used on animals.  Bruiser didn't much care for it, and being held while we tried to get the bleeding to stop.  Lucky him he got to get a little extra love from Mama Fluffer that night...even convinced her to give him a drink!

Oh, and the bathroom was a horror to clean!  I felt like I was cleaning up a crime scene!

Wednesday, February 26, 2014

The weather here is such a tease. Cold or warm?  Windy?  Rain?  Snow?  And you have to look every day, if not two or three times.  We need rain so bad, that every time I see it listed, even at 30% chance, I pray that it'll come.  Nope.

Any wonder I call weathermen false prophets?  To be fair, they have to deal with the mercurial temperament this region has.

Thursday, February 27, 2014

We took Crackin' to the 4H office to see Mr. Gary.  Crackin's the most nervous of the babies and we've worried about him going to a family.  We thought maybe Gary would want him - he's got a lovely half-rex coat and is a beautiful calico with deep brown.  But Gary's got enough boy rabbits, if Crackin' was only a girl...   Good news, though, Gary thinks he's not too shy and should be okay with a loving family.  Yes, we care about where our babies go.

We sold his brother tonight.  Gisela Maldonado brought over a friend and her mother to our house. Apparently their pet rabbit just died and she wanted another.  We took her to see all the babies...it was so hard for her to choose.  Eventually it came down to Brownie and Tux.  I will admit that Brownie is the prettiest one...color, shape, etc.    But Tux has that neat look...almost like a wild rabbit.  She chose Tux and seemed so happy.  I told Gisela to tell us how Tux was doing....and what her friend decided to name him.  We knew those names wouldn't last forever.

Friday, February 28, 2014

Today's the day - Get Rid of Baby Bunnies Day!  Okay, it's bittersweet; they've been fun and fluffy and a definite learning experience.  But...they've chewed all the trim on the baseboard in that bathroom and eaten through a 25 lb. bag of rabbit feed every week for the last month.

So after Jonathan got out of school, we went to Atwoods...my favorite store in town.  They bought my bunnies for $6 apiece...and sold them for $20.  The kids wanted to be there to see them off, but there were no tears, only concern that the bunnies were cared for.  We put them in the cage and said our goodbyes.

Fluffernutter's back in her cage, but miffed to have no babies around.  And the bathroom...somewhat cleaned out.  It's going to take work to get it back to normal.  Like serious bleach and steam cleaning. Replacement trim...paint.  Explosion, maybe?

Saturday, March 1, 2014

Garden seed orders starting to roll in.  Even though the big plans are shot for this year, it doesn't mean I can't plant anything.

 

New to the table tonight...French Onion Soup.  In the crockpot.  Well, I sauteed the onions first.  It turned out...okay.  A little sweet.  I used apple juice instead of beer and it had a little brown sugar in it.  But it wasn't bad.  Instead of putting bowls in the broiler, I toasted homemade French bread on the griddle and tossed swiss cheese on top in the bowls.  Some liked it; Analiese evidentally didn't.  Ken wouldn't even try it.  But I'm looking for cheap dinner options; meat is expensive.  Soup is cheap.

Temperature dropping.  Supposedly a storm tomorrow.  I'll believe it when I see it.

Sunday, March 2, 2014

Triple-header again.  I can understand why Sis. Shields didn't come to lead music from Mangum - it was starting to hail some.  Whaddaya know?  Weather!

During Sunday School there was a huge clap of thunder.  During the rest of the meetings the hail kept coming down.  Like little icy ball bearings.  I walked VERY carefully to the car.

And stayed snuggly in the house for the rest of the day.  We got some more snow, too.  A little bit.  Not enough, but hopefully a start.  Goodness knows I keep praying for water.

WASHOUT WEEK

What happens when you've had a really crazy-busy week with hardly any down time?

Apparently, you get sick.  Not entirely my fault, Analiese was catching something last Friday and I didn't have the heart to tell her no Rabbit Show.  But by the end of the show, she was losing her voice and didn't make it to church on Sunday.

Then it spread.  To me, to Jonathan.  Sore throats, coughs, etc.  And then a dusty house-shaking wind picked up.  Thus blossomed sinus infections.  When I get a sinus infection, everything just shuts down, including my brain.  And I still don't know why I've never taken stock in Kleenex.  We certainly go through that product!

So, no daily blow-by-blow.

Did things happen?  Yes.  We've been weaning the babies off of Fluffernutter.  Four are outside in her cage (the bigger ones) and the three smallest are still in with her, but will be removed soon.  I also called Atwoods.  They're taking the babies the end of next week.  We are sad, but I'm also relieved.  Zookeeper duty is almost over!

I had lots of visitors this week.  The RS Pres and one of her counselors were shopping at United and decided to stop in to a) see the babies and b) see my garden box.  My VTs came to see me, commiserating over my sneezy, coughy, miserable state.  HTs came to visit (they actually made it together) and we tried to convince them to take a bunny or two home with them.

Saturday, getting ready for our weekly dinner with the missionaries, I get a call from a sister who's in the hospital, apparently.  We live only a few blocks away from the hospital (Walnut actually dead-ends at the east into the hospital).  Anyway, she lives in Snyder (halfway between here and Lawton) and needed someone to go to her house, get her keys and cell phone charger, and put out dog beds on her back porch for her pets.  I was feeling still stuffy and a little light-headed (I've been trying to blow my brains out for the last few days y'know), but Ken had to stay and be with the missionaries.  I went, and it was an adventure on it's own, but now I know where Snyder is.  Small, not much, apparently no hospital, and 5 miles off the main highway.  30 minutes up, 30 minutes back.  I dropped her stuff off at the hospital (she was asleep, so I didn't stay) and I went home to collapse.

I'm still stuffy this morning (Sunday) and really feel like being in bed.  Jonathan is still not totally with it, either (Analiese has been up and jumpy since Tuesday).  I'd like to stay home, but there's church and it's accompanying responsibilities.  And the Linger Longer (meal) after the meetings, which I signed up for.  Luckily, I had another quiche in my freezer...guess what I'm taking?  At least I don't have to make a big effort.  That would not have happened otherwise.

No pictures. Sorry.

CRAZY WEEK

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2014

I just noticed that I forgot to add Sunday to last week's blog.  So here's the rundown:

Went to church - was a 3-meetings/3-responsibilities again.  Chorister - SS Class Pres - RS Pianist.  Same old.  No, really, church was nice.  Had great discussions in Sunday School and RS.

Had Eagle Court of Honor photos done this evening.  Took about 2 hours to get the stuff set up, the three boys cooperating, and all said and done.  Got home, ignored the dishes in the sink, and went to bed.

Monday, February 10, 2014

Wal-Mart fun experience today was a lesson in parking in the snow.  Not for me, I tend to go to a spot wherein lies no ice nor snow (that could turn into ice).  Nope, saw a pickup that some guy (I only assume it was a guy because it seems like a dumb thing a guy would do) decided to park up a snow pile in the Wal-Mart parking lot.  Here it is:

I wondered if he'd be able to get off it.  But apparently he had no problems, because afterward my shopping excursion the pile was truck-less.  Must have had 4-wheel drive.  Still, I would have thought it  a gamble.

I attempted to poison my daughter tonight at dinner.  But she bravely resisted all attempts to ingest it and valiantly defended her position, crying and loudly denouncing my wicked ways when she was banished to her bed.  Apparently an hour is not enough time for her to "get up her courage" and eat a teensy strawberry and a minuscule blackberry.  Foul things, those!  

She never even got to dinner, which was a ham & asparagus quiche.  Bountiful Baskets gave me two bunches of asparagus, so I actually made TWO quiches, and just froze one.  I am not a big asparagus fan, but it was good!  Here's the recipe:

http://weelicious.com/2012/05/14/ham-and-asparagus-quiche-a-simple-savory-pie/#_a5y_p=1146668

Tuesday, February 11, 2014

Let's just say Analiese was VERY hungry this morning.  I believe she had a good breakfast.  She's complaining of a sore throat, though.  I hope it's not trying to develop into anything that's going around.

I thought you'd all like to see how my typical weekday day schedule goes, for the most part:

Get Up, get showered, get dressed

Wake up Analiese (if she's not up already)

Breakfast, check the weather, today's schedule, email

DEAR (Drop Everything And Read - personal scripture study time) and Devotional

Flag Salute, Family Hug (ask how much Jonathan likes that!)

Read to Analiese (currently "Little Men") - Jonathan has a tendency to listen in

Computer Study time for kids (Writing, Spelling, Grammar, Science, ACT - Jonathan)

Zookeeper duties (sweep, mop, refill food & water in bunny bathroom)

Clear dish drainer, do morning dishes

Help Analiese with lessons (History, Spanish, Math)

Work on needful projects (like today, making freezer chicken meals, dividing shredded cheese for freezer)

Lunch for kids (they really do their own), grab a bite to eat

Take Jonathan to airport for Aviation Mechanics

Errands as needed

Work with Analiese more

Home chores, dinner prep

Pick Up Jonathan

More dinner prep

MWF - Water Aerobics

Dinner, dishes

Whatever evening stuff I have to deal with (Yoga, Scouts, 4H, Mom & Me Time, etc.)

Get ready for bed (you know that's not a quick deal)

Lay in bed and try to sleep

Did I say I was lazy?

Oh, and tonight I worked at the 4H concession stand at the city basketball games.  Till 10 p.m.

Wednesday, February 12, 2014

I came to the conclusion today that the second week of every month is Crazy Week.  Why?  Because there are three 4H activities that always fall on this week (Sewing, Rabbits, Robotics/Legos), the monthly Relief Society Activity (on Thursday), and Garden Club (on Saturday).  This week is particularly crazy because we've had 4H concessions to run and the Rabbit Show is on Saturday.  I've also now made a mandate: no extra scheduling on Crazy Week.  No doctor's appointments, no VT, no other obligations...PERIOD.

Because what happens when I become overscheduled and overstressed?  I forget things: like my chiro appointment yesterday (which from now on cannot be on Crazy Week).  I hurt myself: I stubbed my left big toe and bent the nail back nearly half-way down (nail was too long, anyway, because I hadn't found time yet to get a pedicure).  And I am generally stupid: which I will not relate because it gets embarrassing.  Oh, and I get so, so tired and never seem to catch up.

Thursday, February 13, 2014

Another day, another wound. Putting away the food processor, I ran my middle finger of my right hand (guess which hand I use most?) along the sharp blade.  Not straight, no!  Zig zag!  Deep enough to bleed enough to make a mess.  Going through bandaids, here!

I had to make cookies today for sale at the concession stand at the Rabbit Show on Saturday.  Yes, I cleaned my wound and wore a bandaid!  I made peanut butter chocolate chip toffee cookies (Pinterest!)   Here's the recipe!  

http://backforsecondsblog.com/2014/02/soft-chewy-peanut-butter-toffee-cookies/

Friday, February 14, 2014

My hubby and my kids gave me cut flowers and a pot of yellow tulips for Valentine's Day (I'd said no candy), and a card.  I gave my hubby some cookies I'd saved over and a card.  Analiese got a pretty heart necklace & earrings and a card.  Jonathan got a t-shirt with a Marvel character on it that hed'd wanted...and a card.  Actually, I really liked the card I'd found for him.

This was true craziness, because I knew I'd be at the Expo Center all day tomorrow for the rabbit show.  I had to get everything done, including prep work for dinner with the missionaries, because they come every Saturday!

And we (stupidly) ask them if there is anything they want (or not).  One of the new elders asked for gumbo.  Gumbo!?!  Does he think we live in the deep south or something?  Besides, I'm from So. Cal., NOT Gumboland.  I really don't like Southern Cooking...things that should have flavor, don't and things that do are too spicy.  Plus, they either fry things or cook things to death.  Nasty!

But, I found a recipe (on Pinterest, of course) for a sausage and chicken gumbo - no shrimp, no okra (shrimp costs $ and has tons of cholesterol; okra is just plain disgusting - unfortunately it grows VERY well here).  I cut up all the veggies and meat for the morrow because, gratefully, this recipe is also a crockpot one!

I also had the dubious pleasure of cleaning up Alice.  Her pretty white head was a grungy yellow, having been "tainted" by the neighbor in the next cage, Twilight.  I will leave that your imagination.  Still, it wasn't pleasant to try and get all that gunk off her head and trim her nails in anticipation of the show tomorrow.

We were supposed to help set up tonight for the Rabbit Show tomorrow, so the kids and I headed out for the Expo Center at 4 p.m.  They'd already set up!  Oh well, at least we could register Analiese's rabbit early instead of tomorrow morning with the rest of the craziness.  I remembered (that I'd forgot) that I needed to bring nacho cheese sauce for the concession stand (I did remember my cookies), so I asked Ken to pick a can up from Walmart that night when he went to work.

We got to go home early and Ken brought us pizza home for dinner.  So nice to not have to cook!  For me, it was a fairly relaxing evening.

Saturday, February 15, 2014

Ken got my basket for me while I prepared the roux and the gumbo for the crockpot.  Because I'd doubled it (the missionaries EAT), my crockpot was full to near over-flowing.  I don't think you're supposed to do that.  Still, what choice did I have?

Off to the show!  Because we'd preregistered, we didn't have to be there until 10:30.  We had a great time, seeing all the different rabbits, talking with friends, and exchanging what we knew.  Analiese started off with completing a quiz about rabbits.  No joke, it's a pretty tough one; you have to know about body parts, breeds, breeding, etc.  She won third place in the junior division for her quiz!

They then had a showmanship workshop.   This is where they show the kids how to "show" their rabbit.  Showmanship is more about the presenter than the animal.  They have to be able to show that they know how to check on it's health and identify it's parts, and talk about the breed and what makes it special.  Then each child presented their animal to the judge.  Analiese did for the first time, and really enjoyed it.  The judge was pleased that she knew the correct term for her rabbit's body shape (cylindrical).  She didn't place, but is looking forward to doing better the next time.

During lunch break, they raffled off prizes.  I generally don't do raffles, but since the proceeds go to our club, I put in $10 for 25 tickets.  I gave the kids 5 each to put somewhere, and I put the last two into drawings for movie tickets & a butcher's shop GC.  Jonathan wanted to put his tickets in for a Flemish Giant rabbit (real) they were giving away, but I put my foot down.  I have all the bunnies I can handle.  Besides, these things are as big as most dogs and eat tons!  However, we did very well on our raffle winnings.  We won both the GC and the tickets, and Analiese won an M&M nutcracker (she likes nutcrackers).  It was $10 well spent! 

The afternoon was spent judging rabbits by breed.  We saw some really neat breeds that we hadn't enountered before, like Lion's Mane and Tan.  There were lots of babies to hold, too, which was fun.  We sat with the Dosher's so we got to see some of their babies again!

When the Himilayans came up, Analiese took Alice to be judged.  For the black-eared does, she won first place!  The judge said she had beautiful color and her shape was very good (those are the two things they look for in Himilayans).  Then they took all of the first place Himilayan bucks and does and judged them for best of breed.  A male one that, but tradition holds with awarding a 2nd place to one of the opposite sex - best of opposite.  Alice won best of opposite!  The best of breed goes on to be judged with all the other best of breeds (different types of rabbits) for best of show, so we didn't have to do that.  Still, Alice got a blue ribbon for first place black doe and a big purple and black ribbon for best of opposite.

By the way, dinner went fine.  The elders enjoyed their rice and gumbo.  I lucked out, finding a way to cook a large amount of rice in the oven, and had come home from the show with enough time to make an apple crisp (I had a lot of Granny Smith's in last and this weeks' baskets).  

Gumbo recipe: http://www.allthecooks.com/chicken--sausage-gumbo-crockpot.html

I stayed up late.  You could say, "naughty girl," but really I was up watching a webinar on garden planning to feed your family.   Tonight was the last night available to view it, so it was now or never.   It was important enough, but boy, did I pay the price!

Sunday, February 16, 2014

So, I was rather drowsy in church, sacrament meeting being the most difficult, even with the excellent speakers.  At least I didn't have any excess responsibilities.  I did, however, take a nap when I got home.  

Analiese stayed home today.  She was losing her voice and coughing yesterday, but did not want to miss the show.  Today, her voice gone and not feeling great, we had her stay home and rest.  I think it may be spreading, though, because Jonathan is sneezing, snuffling, and says his throat hurts.  We tried to miss it, but it caught us anyway!

SPECIAL EDITION: THE BUNNY BRIGADE

It's hard to tell them all apart when they're clumped together, but I thought you'd like a close-up of each and I'll give you a little background on each one.

1. BROWNIE

She's my favorite, to be honest.  Her coloring is much like her mom, Fluffernutter.  She's got a perfect shape, too, and just looks like the perfect bunny.  She is a sweetheart, friendly and loving.  I can always count on a little lick (bunny kiss) from her.

2. BRUISER

Here he is chewing on my shoe.  They are all fascinated by my green crocs; maybe they think they're some sort of rubbery vegetable.  Anyway, Bruiser is named for his size; for the longest time he was the biggest.  Brownie and George are rapidly catching up to him, though.  He likes to follow his mom around; I think he's looking for a little extra milk!

3. CRACKIN'

Weird name, I know, but the kids gave it to him because of the white crack on his face.  He has fur more like his daddy, Twilight, dense and velvety.  He is the second smallest and is our shyest fellow.  Still, he can be so sweet and we try hard to let him know we love him!

4. GEORGE

His color is closest to Brownie.  He's called George for a reason - he is very curious!  And he gets into trouble.  His latest trick is jumping into the bathtub - Yes!  He can get himself out, too.  This morning I saw him sitting on the edge of the tub looking at the gate.  I know he's gauging whether or not he could clear it.  Heaven help us!

5. LOCKHEED

Another rabbit with a name to explain, he's named after a Marvel comics character's pet dragon, because the marking on his head looks like a dragon.  So my kids say.  He's darling and was a bit shy for a while, but has of late really warmed up to us.  He binkies (jumps around happily) a lot and is an earnest digger, trying to dig through the tile, the towels I put down, and my clothing.

6. PIPSQUEAK 

Here's our tiniest, yet spunkiest little rabbit.  Pip is fearless and jumps amazingly.  The first day they figured out how to get out of the nesting box, he didn't just climb over the edge, he cleared it with a big jump!  He, too, has daddy's fur, and was the one we worried over most as a baby.  He holds his own, now, and is a lot of fun to have climb on you!

7. TUX

He was called Tuxedo, or "Tux" for short, in the beginning because his skin was darker than the rest when they were born and his underbelly was light, like a tuxedo.  When his fur came in, the name had stuck and we just haven't  thought to call him anything else.  He's a fun binky-er, too, and likes to hop and jump around.

EXPERIMENTS

Monday, February 3, 2014

The snow is rapidly melting.  So, much to the sorrow of my son, classes were not cancelled for today.  Driving wasn't bad either, because the streets were fairly clear.  And I don't know what it is, some freak of nature, but the roads running east and west are clear and the north and south are slushy.  Some great mystery, here.

I had to get more bunny food today.  Those cute little fluffy guys...they eat a lot.  But I did talk to Atwoods (that's the farm/ranch/home store that I get my rabbit stuff from) and they will take my bunnies in a month when they're weaned and sell them for me.  Ken is relieved because they are going through food fast.  Me, I'm relieved because then my term as a zookeeper will have come to an end and Fluffer can go back outside.   I sweep up that bathroom every morning, if I didn't we'd be knee-deep in bunny poops!

Please note that not all Pinterest items are truthful or accurate or tasty.  I realized this afternoon that I had forgotten to purchase flour tortillas earlier in the day and we were going to have tacos for dinner.  Being too reticent (and lazy) to go walk across the street and get some, I decided to try my hand at making them, from a recipe off of Pinterest.  I followed the instructions (they said to follow precisely), but the dough wouldn't form a ball in my food processor. So I added a little more water until it did.  Then, it said I'd need to cook them for only 20-40 seconds on each side.  They lied.  It took more like two or more minutes on each side.  By the time I got all sixteen done, it was later than I wanted.  And they were not soft, like the recipe said.  They also claimed that these would be better than store-bought.  Not true.  Rather bland and chewy.  Pin busted!

Tuesday, February 4, 2014

I have yet to decide if I am an overachiever, a masochist, or an idiot (or some bizarre combination of two or more of these).  Apparently the tortilla smack-down did not phase me (enough) and I wanted to try making my own granola.  I'd found - on Pinterest, of course - a simple recipe involved only peanut butter, honey, cinnamon, vanilla extract and oats.  It smelled really good while baking and crisped up nicely whilst cooling.  Determination wins out - success!  This cheap and I can make a lot (the recipe was small) and my family all liked it so it will make a good cereal to start the day (though Analiese though it would make a great snack).

Flush with the victory behind me, I also decided to try a soup recipe for tonight's dinner.  This was a creamy chicken noodle soup, with butter and cheese in with some veggies.  It took me a bit to coordinate it (it made a lot - used 12 cups of water!), but when the kids sat down to eat it, they heartily approved!  So two successes and one failure in two days is not bad at all.  Take that, tortillas!

Wednesday, February 5, 2014

I need to announce this: I AM PROUD OF MY SON.  It's a hard course, and he's not as experienced as most of the other guys in class, but he is at the near top of his class and holding his own in Aviation Mechanics.  The head of the program had him in his office today.  There's been rumors (apparently true) that they will not be including high schoolers in the program next year because they really need adults to go and get through the program (more quickly than the high schoolers do) because the need for aviation mechanics is great.  Having said that...the head of the program told Jonathan that he was doing so well and they were so impressed with his progress, that he would be allowed to continue the program next year, even though that took a place an adult could fill.  The head also told Jonathan that he and all of the instructors would be working closely with him to see that he not only got through the program, but succeeded. Hopefully even getting him a place on the presitigious "A" team of mechanics at the AFB.  This has been quite a challenge for my son, but he's stuck with it and studied hard and I has so grateful to see that all his work has been recognized.   I know the Lord has opened up these opportunities for him, and has guided him to where he is now.  This is where he is supposed to be, doing what he's supposed to be doing.

Tonight I was with the Young Women teaching them a little yoga.  We had five (?) girls and their leaders sprawled out on the floor.  It was really funny, because they giggled a our stretches and some of my comments. (Hey!  It's true that your balance goes off as a young woman when you start developing in front!  I didn't make that up!)  Okay, I encouraged some of it - horse pose & lion face, any one?  But I think they enjoyed it and I got a good stretch out of it. 

Thursday, February 6, 2014

More snow last night, but it's sugar snow.  The other stuff from Sunday melted quickly and caused no problems.  However, our temps are down really low, like in the single digits or lower from the wind chill factor, and so now we have ice.  I can handle snow; I do NOT like ice.  But I only slid a teensy bit once taking Jonathan to school.

The bunnies are five weeks old today.  I won't include a picture here, because I am going to do a separate blog parading them individually so you can see and get a good idea of them.  I will, however, post here a picture of the horrific (and embarassing) mess I face every morning that I "get" to clean up.  This is why I feel like a zookeeper (and no pity from Ken, he says it's my fault falling for helpless little bunnies):

Ken drove us all over to Lawton this evening for our monthly work & family shopping.  I have yet to convince Analiese (of all people!) that she needs to layer clothing to keep warm.  And I still reminder her to wear a hat, gloves & scarf.  Her excuse?  "I'm from Southern California!"  Really?  You'd think she'd layer more, not less.  Do not blame me if the kid comes down with pnemonia.

Friday, February 7, 2014

The strip of road right in front of our house clears of ice and snow quickly; more so than the others in the neighborhood.  Why?  Because the other side of the road is the back of United Grocery Store and the big trucks come through constantly for deliveries (well, mainly in the morning).  It's not a pretty sight, but I don't mind the cleared road at all!

Today officially qualifies as "Winter Sucks Day."  I do not generally use such language, but I really had it up to that (or down to that) level.  First, my brand-new (as of June last year) washing machine decided not to work.  It may be the pipes and the cold.  It had better be (That's a dire warning to Sears).  Then, going to Wal-mart I noticed that THEIR water machines were out of order due to frozen pipes (United's  has been out for the same thing for weeks).  Where, pray tell, am I supposed to fill my water jugs?  Yes, Altus water is so bad that nobody drinks it.  I know there's a machine on base, but, in case you hadn't noticed, I don't have access to the base.  Plus, I hear theirs goes down often for the same reason.  Freezing cold temps in the daytime, an uncooperative washer, an unexpected trip to the laundromat, and no water at Walmart.  Gee, I wonder why my head hurts this evening?

Saturday, February  8, 2014

Early wakeup (well, for a Saturday) at 7:00 a.m. so I could get a shower before driving out to Duke for my basket.  Don't ask why, it's a really dumb reason that might reduce me in your estimation.  But it meant for a new adventure in a new direction in a different town.  I took Jonathan with me for support and because he's handy and strong enough carry my basket.  15 miles out and back, a little foggy, but the roads were clear.  We got our basket quickly and made our way home.  Actually, it was a fun little trip because Jonathan can be entertaining when he wants.

Got home to take care of my basket (no more brussel sprouts, but I do have leeks and asparagus to figure out this week).  My breakfast included a lovely ruby red grapefruit we got - it was SO good!  Then I rushed to get the dishes sorted and the lettuce soaked (to get the dirt off) and spun and I ran to get in church dress for a 10 a.m. baptism, where I played the piano.

Are we done yet?  Nay, nay!  Run home to change again and to heat up some extra of that creamy chicken noodle soup for the Garden Club potluck.  Then I went to that meeting, where I stayed until about 1:00 p.m.

Yet?  Nope.  More cleaning up, getting lasagna ready for dinner and - a grave miscalculation or dishonesty in advertising.  I thought I'd make some french bread for dinner.  It would be cheaper (true) and easier (doubtful) than running across the street to buy some rolls.  In fact, my cookbook read "Quick & Easy French Bread."  I was all gung-ho, we'd get this done in no time.  First rise, 1 hour, punch down & rest for 10 minutes, shape and...oh no!  Another rising for 1 1/2 hours!  Quick?  Did you say this was quick?  I hadn't figured into things that timing (the moral of the story here is to read through your recipes all the way first, which I apparently don't do), so they sat resting on my bedroom floor by the space heater to rise (hey, warmest place in the house), while I ran to the store to get rolls.  Which in the end tasted nasty and my kids complained about them, because they are spoiled by homemade bread.  I am not sure that they believe me, but they are pretty lucky kids.  Many have never had homemade bread at all!

The day is over.  Dinner is over.  Ken is mercifully washing the dishes.  I am going to bed.

THE END OF JANUARY ALREADY???

Monday, January 27, 2014

It is flippin' cold!  I could not sleep well last night for the very strong hurricane-type wind that was blowing around the house.  My bedroom pokes out from the side of the house, so the wind shook that room something awful.  It woke me out of a sound sleep, shaking the walls and rattling the windows.

It didn't get about 29 degrees.  By the time I got out of water aerobics it was 20 degrees.  I was hopping up and down trying to get from the building to the van.  And the heater wasn't warming fast enough for me.  It's a short trip home, but I was slapping my hands together or breathing on them.  Then I had to hop from the garage to the house.  Hot chocolate time!

Ken gets so tired Monday evenings.  By then he's worked all Sunday night and on through Monday.  But, thankfully, he has a recliner now.  Here he is using it to it's full effect.

Tuesday, January 28, 2014

Those bunnies are so hilarious to watch!  Fluffernutter only feeds them in the nesting box and, well, it's getting rather cramped in there.  This last time I was watching.  It was like a boiling box of bunnies (I love alliteration).  They were literally pushing Fluffer up and out of the box trying to feed.  After a while she's had it and jumps out.  Some follow, looking for more.  Some sit in the box for a while wondering, "Where did she go?"

I cleaned the bathroom today and put food back into the bowl for them again.  Fluffer isn't bored anymore...the babies are out and are keeping her busy!  The funny upside to this is that they are all trying to get to the bowl.  Some even like to sit in it as they are eating.  It's a hoot watching everyone try to eat around the sitter.  Here's Tux so adorably eating from the bowl:

I did yoga twice today.  Once in the morning with Analiese and once in the evening with TWO gals instead of one from my water aerobics class. My fame is starting to precede me.  Even my aerobics instructor is thinking about coming.  She is having back issues like mine and knows I use yoga to deal with them.

Wednesday, January 29, 2014

Oh, it was so hard today telling the kids to come away from the bunnies and do their lessons!  They were sitting on the bathroom floor while the babies would hop and crawl all over and around them.  It was the cutest things and the kids were absolutely enchanted!  Even Fluffer tried to crawl in and around them, wanting in on the fun!

My special fun today was garden planning.  I'd found some free garden planning forms and used them to diagram out my boxes and what I wanted to plant in them.  I also went through my catalogs, choosing what veggie seeds I want to plant.  This is so exciting for me.  In fact, anyone who follows me on Pinterest knows, I am very into gardening now!

I took Analiese with me to water aerobics this evening.  A 4H friend has been going with her mother, so my daughter did too. That didn't go so well.  She found it a little...sedate...for her. She'd rather just swim and play around. That little experiment is over.

Thursday, January 30, 2014

It felt like I spent my whole morning doing Meals on Wheels.  Oh, wait!  I did!  LOL.  I do it once a month (the ladies in Relief Society take turns), taking Analiese with me because she gets upset if she can't go.  We also took a cute young newlywed TDY (temporarily deployed - Air Force lingo) on our rounds so she could see how it worked.  I didn't mind, because with people moving in and out as fast as they do here, it's a chore trying to get to know people.  But it does fill my whole morning.

More garden fun!  I started inserting weed fabric into the boxes.  For those of you worried about me gardening in my crop circle of sand, you will note that it covers the sand.  I will fill it with good garden soil.    You will note in this picture that it doesn't look particularly neat, straight or smooth.  It's not a work of art; it's a dirt box.  The soil will cover it, and the plants will cover that.  Then that'll be something to see!

The babies are one month old today!  They are so much bigger than the wiggle worms they were on the 2nd!

Friday, January 31, 2014

Guess who was up at 4:30 this morning?  Stupid rabbit! Grr!  She'd jumped onto the edge of the bathtub and over the pet gate. After frolicing a bit in the hall (funny, though, she didn't come into our bedroom or Jonathan's), she found she couldn't get back over to her babies and started panicking.  She began scratching at the gate...which woke me up!  I got up to see what the racket was all about and found Fluffer ON THE WRONG SIDE OF THE GATE!  I unceremoniously picked her up and tossed her back over the other side (it really wasn't that violent, though I was tempted).  And though I tried to go back to bed and to sleep, nope.  I spent that time in bed figuring out the new cage system I want to install.  I finally gave up and got up.  So now I am tired and trying to figure out when in my busy day I can sneak in a little nap.

I dropped Analiese off at the Sherlock's and Jonathan at the church for his campout, and then I went off to water aerobics.  Then I went home and Ken had dinner ready for me.  We actually had an evening together.

Saturday, February 1, 2014

Ken & I got up early to head to the temple.  The drive was nice and uneventful and the session was moving and inspiring.  We didn't hurry home, but had a nice lunch at Macaroni Grill near the temple.  You see, the rule is, if we can eat the food in Altus, we can't have it elsewhere.  Italian food is the one thing Ken & I can agree on.  I had the loveliest butternut tortelluca (it's like ravioli) with panchetta and truffle cream sauce.

But our restful day was at its end.  After a trip to Lawton (for bunny bedding), we went home, picked up our daughter, got the house ready for dinner with the elders and then left for a baptism.  When that was over, we came home and waited for the missionaries to come over and eat dinner.  I think by the time I got dishes done it was about 11 o'clock.

Sunday, February 2, 2014

SNOW DAY!  And how did my kids react?  Were they eager to go out and play in it?  Nope.  The glamour has worn off.

And church was cancelled.  There was about 4 inches in total and it was coming down through most of the morning.   People in here act about snow the way S. CA does about rain - the end of the world! I drove through it cautiously, but there were people out there more hesitant than I!

Because - church or no church - I had a meeting with two other moms about planning a triple Eagle Court of Honor.  For over two hours we discussed what we were going to do for our boys.  It will be nice, but I came away a little sad, because most of the people who help Jonathan in Scouting and all of our family is far away and won't be there.  Still, I will try to make it special for him.  At least, Ken will be there.

OF BUNNIES AND BOXES...

Monday, January 20, 2013

Oh, baby bunnies are so adorable!  Four have jumped out of the box today and it is so funny to see them hopping around on the tile floor.  They are nearly irresistible, you just want to pick them up and snuggle!  Tiny ears, tiny tails, everything!

Kristi & I worked on the box some more today.  We screwed the box into the stakes and started adding on the second layer of wood.  I ran out, though, so I need to go to the hardware store for more.  And, while I remembered to wear work gloves (funny how one nasty splinter will do that to you), I still injured myself.  By the time we finished the last board available, my right thumb was screaming at me.  We massaged it a bit - it hurts just at the base whenever I try to flex it - but it's going to be a long night.  What did I do this time?  It was probably from holding wood to the stakes or vice versa.  Some of those boards are weathered and warped and I had to pull on them.  I was using unusual muscles!

Tuesday, January 21, 2013

They are all out!  Even Pip (though I worry he can't get back into the box)!  And...this is so funny to me...they encircle Fluffer (mom) and try to feed.  She pushes them aside, after all the dairy is closed, but they keep coming back.  She looks so tired - like the mother of seven toddlers - which she is!

I went to the chiropractor.  After forgetting last week I was heartily embarrassed, but pain helped me overcome.  My neck and shoulders were understandably sore, but I really needed him to look at my thumb.  He said I overextended it (obviously) and did some chiro trick - and the pain went away.  Alleluia!

Oh, Pip can get back into the box. For such a scrawny little thing, he's a great jumper.  He jumped out of the box (not just flipped himself over the edge like the others) and over his siblings in front of it.  Way to go!

I wish to thank all of my Facebook friends who recommended brussel sprout recipes to me.  I used my sister-in-law's (Jenna) recipe where I sliced them in half, put them in a buttered skillet, and sprinkled them with garlic salt.  They cooked until the underside was brown and crispy.  My kids and husband all liked it, for a surprising change.  The kids and I ate meatloaf (Ken doesn't like it, so had extra veggies), which Jonathan adores and inhales.  But at least we have a winner for a new veggie.  I had never had them before.

Wednesday, January 22, 2013

Today was a fairly quiet day.  I mean it included going out to the airport and back twice for Jonathan's class, going to water aerobics and then taking the kids to Scouts and Activity Days, doing some yoga with a friend, and then picking them up.  (Okay, Ken did the Scout & Activity Days transporting.  I was very glad he was available to do it and awake enough!)  I do feel there's a lot of back and forth all the time, but nothing's very far in town, so I'm okay with it.

Thursday, January 23, 2013

Cold!  Darn it, it got cold again!  I wouldn't mind that cold so much if it would at least bring a little rain.  Though as cold as it was today (I don't think it hit 30), it would have been snow.  And the wind - it bites!

Oops!  I fell down on my housewifely duties today.  Jonathan & I got involved watching an interesting movie on Netflix and the time ticked away...no dinner.  By the time it was done, we were looking at 6:00 and nothing even started.  Ken suggested going out and Analiese chose Long John Silvers.  Ugh!  I can't eat there anymore.  It's all oily, greasy food, even if they do make good onion rings.  Yes, they have rice (that looks weird), corn (a small wrinkly cob), and green beans (looks like canned to me), but it doesn't really count!  Can't anyone serve a decent salad around here?   Apparently not, because the restaurant that Analiese & I went to for her birthday - the Grapevine Cafe - is closed, and they had some lovely salads.  People didn't like their "new" menu, but I did.  Maybe it was a little too metropolitan and non-greasy for them.  Sorry, but all that fried stuff gives me heartburn and makes me feel bloated.

Here's the babies, 3 weeks old.  Getting them to all stay in one place and not move is a challenge!  They are beyond adorable:

Friday, January 24, 2013

I am really proud of myself.  I bought a present for my husband today.  See, Christmas fizzled, I bought him a belt and not only did he go out and purchase one for himself before Christmas, the one I got was too small.  So today, when I dropped off our old tv at Salvation Army, I saw that they had several recliner chairs.  Not the prettiest of patterns, but they are lazyboys - which is a great brand!  I bought one for him - for $20!!!  It's a vinyl-type with a blue chevron pattern on it and I had to spray it with Febreeze at home a couple of times to get the smoke smell out, but it's great and he loves it!  I lay an afgan over it to keep it from looking so...you know.  But it's cleanable, he has the recliner (he's wanted one for a while and the new ones were outside of our price range) and he is very happy.  He just wants something he can sit in front of the tv on and fall asleep!  Works for me.

Tried a new pizza crust recipe I found on Pinterest.  It only has two ingredients - Greek yogurt and self-rising flour (had to get me some of that).  Prognosis?  No go.  It was very sticky and didn't roll out well, I mainly pushed it on the stone into a weird circle-ish shape.  It baked thin and crisp and was just not fantastic.  I think I'll stay with my old recipe.

Analiese & I worked with her new sewing machine today.  We almost finished her laundry bag project.  We had a little hit and miss (learning how to thread a bobbin a new way, for one), but we got it done.  And she was so happy to able to actually finish a 4H project at home!

Saturday, January 25, 2013

Showed off my baby bunnies to the Dosher's today.  They have babies, too, about a month older than ours.  But ours are bigger...they said so.  Well, Holland Lops (theirs) are a smaller breed.  Still, it was fun to coo over these cute, funny fuzz balls!

My inner carpenter was channeled today.  I bought some lumber for the boxes and some more screws and then went home with Jonathan to finish putting those boxes together.  I even got to use power tools!  It scared Jonathan watching me figure out how to work a skill saw, but I did it.  I even remembered to put on goggles.  Not the best cut you ever saw but it suffices (look, I don't cut well with scissors or knives, either).  Now the cross/plus box is finished and next up is stapling in the weed fabric.  

That didn't happen today, though, because I had to work on dinner for the locusts - I mean, four missionaries!  LOL!  I made chicken pot pie and just doubled it, putting it in a 9x13 pan and laying the pie crust on top.  Not a scrap remains; they (and Jonathan) polished it off.  I wonder what would happen if I made something truly awful?

Sunday, January 26, 2013

Boy oh boy!  Did I ever wish my husband was in Relief Society today!  I was there, in between Rose & Nasly, interpreting as best I could with my iPad in my lap on the church website in Spanish so they could follow along with the Conference talk lesson.  But Nasly (good girl, I'm really proud of her) had a  question.  Which she asked in Spanish.  Which I had to interpret into English.  Then the sisters would respond and I would interpret back.  It is not as easy as it sounds.  To be honest, I think my husband must be a genius.

For one, I wasn't sure I understood her question well enough.  And another thing...everyone spoke so fast with no breaks!  When was I supposed to remember what they said, think about the Spanish words in my head and say them?  Yep, my husband's ability has certainly gone up in my estimation.

I do love that family.  Nasly is so excited to be a member of the church.  I told her today that I am one of her visiting teachers (and what is visiting teaching).  She was happy and wanted to know when she could be one, too.  She also really wants a calling.  She sees that we don't have a full-time RS chorister and wants to know if she can be one.  I talked to the RS president who was so happy!  She's been worried about how to make them feel included.  She's glad I'm there to help and if Nasly wants to lead music, we'll teach her!