April 22, 2012
 
What a beautiful day we had today.  It was in the low 70s with lots of sunshine!  I think I might have a slight sunburn too.  Jenni and I spent the day playing (I mean working!) in the dirt and cleaning up the garden.  Jay had done the burning and cleaned a lot of the ground up but all the beds have to be cleaned out. We got three of them

cleaned out and two of them planted with peas, beets, carrots, and lettuce.  Jenni also planted two new golden raspberry bushes.  Yummy!  There's still a lot of work that needs to be done down in the garden but we will get it done soon.  Tomorrow is suppose to be almost 80 degrees so I will do more work while Jenni learns how to operate her new chainsaw that she bought.  Yep, you heard me right....a chainsaw!  She has decided that she can cut her own wood around here so Jay will be skidding trees to her with the CAT most likely and she will be cutting them in stove lengths.  I sure admire her for that!  Kaity and I will be working in the garden so her home schooling tomorrow is gardening.  She loves it too.  I spent four hours last night planting seeds for starts for the garden and they should be ready to plant when I get back from Alaska.  So I have been busy playing with dirt and seeds!
 
Jason, my oldest son in Alaska, called me today and we are both getting excited to see each other!  He has planned a trip to Anchorage so we can spend some time there before Daniel's graduation.  His girlfriend and her three little girls will be going too so we should have a lot of fun!  I won't be staying for as long as we originally planned because Jason has to go out of town earlier for work.  He is going to change my flight home for me so I will only be gone about two weeks.  I plan to make the most of those two weeks!  The temps there are in the 50s now so it should be pleasant weather.    I am getting excited about going!!! 
 
I got some summer stuff out of my storage shed today so will be cleaning windows this week and putting on screens.  Time to get ready for summer!  I love this time of year when things are greening up and coming to life after a long winter's nap.  Jenni and I are hoping to find a few yard sales next weekend too.  My favorite past time!!!  I am feeling better with the warmer weather and I feel like I am starting to come back to life too.  Life is good here for sure!
 
I went to the dr. a couple of weeks ago and he did some blood work.  My vitamin D level was extremely low so now I am on high doses of vitamin D in prescription strength.  It will take a while before I start feeling better from it but I think I am starting to feel a little better now.  Maybe it is just the sun exposure of the past few days.  I can't have a lot of exposure to the sun though because I am allergic to it.  Not a winning situation so thank God for the prescription doses.  My diabetes is under control and hopefully I can lose some weight and get off the medication.  That would be wonderful!!!  All in due time. 

 
April 15, 2012
 
The sun is finally shining today.  It has been cloudy and cool today.  Last Sunday we had a wonderful warm day and it felt so good.  The crocus are sticking their noses up and Kaity had to pick one of course!  Spring is definitely here and I am enjoying it the best I can.  This time of year causes me a lot of arthritis pain but I love it anyhow!  Jenni

has started raking her yards and it looks really nice.  I was hoping to burn the firewood mess tomorrow that I have if I can finish raking up the mess.  Jay has been using his CAT in the field and it really looks nice.  He came up last week and back bladed my driveway which really needed it.  I love the view that I have from my mobile....I love to look out to the woods and watch squirrels or birds chasing each other.  I don't see the road or another place and it is so peaceful.  God has definitely blessed me with beauty all around me!
 
I finally finished Daniel's quilt for his graduation.  I got the last of the binding sewn on last night.  I am going to put it in my carry on and take it to Alaska so it doesn't get lost.  I still have to make a tag to put on the back of his quilt and then I will pack it in my carry on.  Teresa brought me her luggage for me to use and the carry on is a good size and is on wheels.  Thank God!  My back is not doing good so carrying things of any weight for any amount of time is painful.  Anyhow, I am ready to start packing stuff into my two carry ons.  I have some embroidery projects I am taking and some pillows that will only need to be stuffed and sewn shut when I am in Alaska.  Sure wish I could take my sewing machine but that is out of the question!  I am really looking forward to seeing Jason and relaxing!
 
Jenni and I have started having "church" at my house.  Today was the first time and we both enjoyed it.  I have some DVDs that Tommie loaned me that are by Charles Stanley and they are very good sermons.  We just can't afford the gas ($4 a gallon here) to drive to a church so decided to do it at home.  Next week we are going to have a potluck type meal too.  It makes my heart sing to see my daughter searching and growing in the knowledge of our Lord!  Kaity also attends and is very good.  If we find others who would like to join us we will defintely include them too.
 
We had a great Easter last weekend even if it was a bit stressful.  I drove out to pick up Michael and the Nissan wouldn't start.  Jay has it rigged with a toggle switch and I could tell it was the switch.  So I called him to ask him where it ran but before I could finish my sentence he was very short with me and hung up.  Thankfully Michael was able to find it and yep, it was melted.  So he fixed it and we were running an hour behind schedule by then.  I got to Jenni's house and she told me my mom had called and said Jerry was on his way to the hospital and she wasn't coming so I had to jump back in the rig and drive 20 minutes one way to pick up the potatoes for the dinner.  Teresa and her family were already here when I pulled in.  After that we had a great dinner and then laughed and enjoyed watching the kids look for eggs.  It was a great day!  Then it was back in the car to take Michael home and then to deliver dinner to my mom.  I didn't get home till dark!