We usually have crappy weather, we get lots of rain, but this year it is beyond ridiculous. We are getting 4 or 5 days in a row with no let up in the rain and big storms, than a crappy day and then more stormy days. It feels like the house is going to lift off its foundations and that I am going to be off to kansas to see the wizard. I forget what the sun looks like! It has been above average temperatures (17c yesterday) one day then freezing the next. We will get 4-5 inches of snow that turns to rain and then gets washed away. I forget what the sun looks like! The dogs and I are getting fat as we have not been doing anything and it has been tuff to even get out for a decent walk. My poor better half is working in the middle east this week and the weather has totally delayed her travel plans forcing her to have to overnight in a hotel at London's Heathrow airport at a cost of 185 british pounds which is close to $400 for a stinking night. The rain took a pause today and I figured I would go out and check out the garden. First thing I notice was that the neighbour's fence had blown down. The moose was though the hill garden recently: Here is the square foot garden beside the cabin today: I think I was talking with EG about swiss chard a while back and here it is after several frosts. I cut this chard to the ground in the fenced square foot garden a couple weeks back and you notice even in this weather it has grown a bit. Amazing stuff and so good with garlic and a little chicken broth. The creek is eroding away beside the creek square foot garden. I hope it stops there, Next year I am going to have to put rocks on the side of the bank here. Here is the strawberry patch where the creek overflowed. The two new areas that I planted square foot style have a bit of sand and silt but I hope will be ok. The creek has really suffered some erosion this last month. ...

We moved to a house in the country on 7.5 acres in December. We immediately saw (& heard) 4 wheeler tracks through the woods & suspected our neighbor's kids. We put up several no tresspassing signs & piled some brush on the heavily travelled routes & thought that would take care of it. Yesterday I was home & heard them in the woods very close to the house. I went outside & as soon as they saw me, they'd zoomed off. They'd also moved some of the barricades & signs. I called over there - kid answers & demands to know who it is - I say "Your neighbor" & he puts on his older brother who does a very poor impression of his father. Laughable, really - but annoying still. I go through my spiel to let him know he was busted & he says "I'll talk to the boys" --- haha --- and I mention that my husband & I will drop by later to talk to him & his wife about it. About 15 minutes later we go over there. Mom answers door (we've not met her yet) - he's fessed up to her but very argumentative to us, she's not too friendly even though we explain it's a liability issue - our land is rough & we have a pond that we don't want anyone near, etc. Her comments "it's spring break, they're bored", "we're gonna have this problem with lots of kids" (not true), "they were here first, before there were any other houses" etc. She did shoot him a dirty look when I asked who I just spoke with on the phone since his daddy was not home. Busted again. I'm hoping this does not become a big issue with them. I like having good relationships with neighbors - we're pretty good ones ourselves. It just seems like a common courtesy to me - not to mention that we posted legal signs. We're planning on fencing the property eventually - but were getting settled in first & it wasn't top priority. I guess now it will be sooner than later.

It's cold and dreary here in PA. I am staying home and making some Chili, doing laundry, listening to a book on my MP3 player, sewing and cleaning. Not very exciting, but somehow it sounds comforting to me. ((Maddie)) It sounds like you have more on your plate than one person can handle. Prioritize and let go of the things that you can't change. All that stress isn't good for you and I worry about you. I know your mother's diagnosis wasn't what you wanted to hear, but remember that she can't help what she is saying and doing. This is the illness talking, not the mother you remember. Try to find someone who has gone through this with a parent and talk about your situation. It will help to know you are not alone. In the meantime, don't forget to take care of yourself!! Besh - How great that a new job came at just the right time. And how awful that a school district thought to do away with a library in an elementary school!! Why do schools look to the arts first when they are cutting funds? Reading is basic to all learning!! And instilling a love of reading early is so important. I just shake my head when I read about decisions like this. But I am glad you found another job and I wish you well. Patti - How is Dave feeling? I hope you were able to see a doctor by now. And I hope your DGS is able to bounce back from the pneumonia. We have so many preschoolers out with upper respiratory infections, strep and even a case of MERSA! Luckily the child hasn't been in school for awhile, so the doctors say we don't have to take any precautions, but it scared me nevertheless! Milkdud - Sending Aubrie HUGS and hoping for good news from her doctors. DeeMarie - Hope you are feeling better soon! QOD - Since there seems to be so many going through bad times now, lets post something good that happened to eash of us recently!! We could use some positve thoughts! Had my car in the shop last week and now it is running so smoothly! I love having my car in perfect working order. I got to hold my newest great-niece last week. She was so precious!! She only weighs 6 lbs. I have never held a baby that small. Like my other niece said, her babies only weighed 6 lbs. when they were in her womb! LOL Next.......................

It seems like we are all very busy but what else is new! We did get some yard work done this weekend and it is hot! Sharon, your crustless Strawberry pie sounds good and I bet you are right it would be even better in a crust. I am always for crust or bread of any kind. It reminded me of a dessert I made for my grands while they were here because it was a dessert mom made when I was a child. We didn't have cool whip in those days. It was called Jello Ice Box Pudding. 1 small box Jello (we used Strawberry) 3/4 cup boiling water mix and set aside 1 can Pet milk-chilled overnight 3/4 cup sugar whip chilled cream until stiff and add sugar while still beating; then fold in jello. Mix well. Line dish with vanilla wafers and layer pudding and mixture. Chill until ready to serve or it sets. Mom always made hers in a large bowl with vanilla wafers up the sides as well as layered. She would make it on Sat for Sunday lunch and the vanilla wafers would be softened and delicious. Maybe not too good for our eating plan but sure brings back memories for me. It was gone quickly when I made it for the grands also. DH & I walked before he went to work today. I always think no,no,no when the clock goes off but this seems to be working for us. I do have more time to do things and it works better most days. Our neighborhood sewing group that meets once a month is coming here tomorrow. One of the gals-a former HomeEc teacher- has given us a pattern for a quilt she has been making. I don't know how many of us will do it. We have mostly been doing hand work when we get together. I have pulled some fabric from my stash and plan to cut my blocks which are just various sizes set together to look random, It is then put together like a rag quilt with a solid back. I think I'm going to put mine together by the block so I can quilt as I go. Hope everyone has a good week. And KOKO. Sally