My Memes

OK, doing these Memes has made me kinda want to start my own. This would certainly be better than discussing politics with the CRAP that is going on. Anyway, this is just a list of a variety of things I may have done or wanted/ want to do. Feel free to copy and add...

First one: What have you done?
1. milked a cow or goat
2. raised farm animals
3. collected fresh eggs
4. ridden a horse
5. ridden an animal other than a horse
6. ridden a motorcycle
7. gone on a cross country trip with no real destination
8. gone camping in a tent
9. gone camping in a trailer
10. swung into a pond on a rope swing
11. cooked a meal on an open fire
12. roasted marshmallows
13. made s'mores
14. eaten an entire pizza yourself (not personal size)
15. made bread bread from scratch
16. kneaded bread by hand
17. made mayonnaise
18. churned butter
19. baked a cake from scratch
20. made cookies from scratch
21. watched extended versions of all 3 Lord of the rings in a row
22. gotten a speeding ticket
23. made a snow fort
24. made a snow angel
25. been in a snowball fight
26. sled down a hill on a homemade sled
27. shaped a piece of pottery
28. been a brides maid
29. been a maid of honor
30. made all the food for a large party
31. driven a tractor
32. rode in a horse drawn buggy or wagon
33. watched the sun rise at the beach
34. watched the sunset at the beach
35. watched a lunar eclipse
36. watched a solar eclipse
37. wished on a shooting star
38. hiked a mountain
39. broken a bone
40. had a kidney stone
42. won a prize
43. given birth with little or no pain relief
44. gone for a long bike ride
45. flown a kite
46. jumped off a high diving board
47. worn a bikini
48. marched in a parade
49. built a float for a parade
50. been in a play or musical
51. repaired a broken pipe
52. built a fence
53. planted a garden
54. caught snowflakes on your tonge
55. walked barefoot in the sand
56. pet a dolphin
57. pet an elephant
58. written a song
59. taken a class on-line
60. picked wild fruit

Enjoy and I hope to see what others select/add

A new Meme

I've been tagged by Denese for a new meme!
The rules are, I have to post six things that make me really happy ... and pass it on to give six more people a reason to be thankful! Well, I don't have 6 more people to pass it on to in blog, but I will have fun doing it anyway.

Thank you Alexandra and Denese.

My six things are...

1. My husband, my soul mate, I'd be lost without him.

2. My children, four blessings of happiness.

3. My family, we are so far away, it makes it hard around the holidays.

4. My friends, just happiness.

5. Music, songs of the heart.

6. Cows, they have given me a new view in the world.

I really have to stop at 6? There are so many more.

I'll send this on in some e-mails :)

For the frugal Family

I hope everyone had a good Thanksgiving. And for those crazy enough to go out shopping, good luck and be careful.

For the frugal minded out and about family, you can look up restaurants that offer free or discounted meals for kids at My Kids Eat Free. I realize they may not list all the restaurants that do this but they do have a good number in the major city near us. This was from the Old School House Magazine e-newsletter.

Now to start plans for Christmas and the Holiday season.

Turducken

It is 1:30 in the morning and the Turducken is in the oven. If you don't know what that is, it is a turkey stuffed with a duck stuffed with a chicken AND layers of stuffing. This has become our traditional Thanksgiving meal. We have used a couple of recipes over the years and we are slowly developing out own.

To make turducken, you de-bone the chicken and duck completely and de-bone all but the legs and wings of the turkey. Use the bones of the birds to make stock. Then you lay the turkey out, layer of sausage stuffing (2lb sausage browned and herb dressing), lay the duck on top of that, layer cornbread dressing, lay the chicken on top of that and layer the rest of the cornbread. Very carefully fold up the sides of the layers masses and sew together with cotton string. I also truss it with string to add external support since all the bones are gone. Put it in an oven bag, in a deep pan and in the oven to cook for 9 to 12 hours at 225 degrees. Before you remove from the oven be sure to check the internal temperature of the bird, it must be 165. Take out and let rest 1 hour before serving.

This year we used a 22lb turkey, 7 lb duck, 5 lb chicken, maple sausage herb dressing and cornbread dressing. Now tomorrow.... I'll make mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, Green beans, bread, and pumpkin squares. Yeah me.........

Y'all have a great Thanksgiving!

Free on-line typing tutor

I found what looks like a great on-line typing tutor. And it is FREE! Good Typing has 27 lessons, 18 keyboard layouts, and is available in 5 languages. You do need to register so it can remember what lesson you were on, but that is free. I found this resource through a e-newletter from Homeschool Resources

Enjoy

Denese had this on her blog, she got it from another blogger (Happy Hearts at Home) . Just a fun little get to know you thing.

A Fun and Easy Meme
Highlight the things you've done in your life. Mine are in bold.

1. Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland/world
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sang a solo (* does playing a solo count?)
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea (from the beach)
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a Marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language (*teaching my kids Spanish)
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelo’s David
41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had your portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Read the entire Bible
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone’s life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a law suit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee

I added a few more. :) (by Denese)

100. Lived without electricity or indoor plumbing
101. Held a crawdad
102. Delivered Meals on Wheels
103. Been to Carlsbad Caverns
104. Caught a butterfly
105. Eaten road-kill
106. Smelled a rose
107. Been to Panama
108. Rode a horse
109. Canned your own food
110. Plucked a chicken

I'm going to add a few more :)

111. Made an item of clothing
112. Taught your self to play an instrument
113. Passed on Friendship bread starter
114. Helped an animal birth
115. Milked a cow
116. Baked home-made bread
117. Made something out of wood
118. Watch a fireworks show in person
119. Taken your kids to see Santa
120. Celebrated a religious holiday with friends that is not your own

Home made foods

That sounds a little silly since food you prepare at home IS home-made. But I mean real home made things. Have you ever made salad dressing, mayonnaise, cake from scratch or bread? That is what I am talking about.

This weekend, I wanted to make deviled eggs but realized we were out of mayonnaise. So I looked up some recipes and got out my wand blender and gave it a whirl. It turned out great! I didn't really use any specific recipe but more of an amalgam of several and substitutions of ingredients I had on hand.

I put all of these into a tall plastic cup:
2 egg yolks
2 tbsp vinegar
3/4 tsp brown mustard
1/2 tsp sugar and salt
1 1/2 cups oil

Then I placed the wand blender into the cup all the way to the bottom. Holding it in this position, I pulsed the blender until the mixture at the bottom got all white and thick. Then, continuing to pulse, I slowly moved the blender up and down in the cup to mix the rest of the oil until it was all a thick creaminess.

In total, mixing this up only took about 5 minutes. It yields about 1 1/2 cups. Refrigerate! This will only keep 3-4 days but it is so easy to make, you can make it when you need it. Now, It was not bad but I am going to play with the recipe a little (spices, vinegar amount etc) until I find something I really like.

* you can use a whisk to make this as well. Mix together all ingredients except the oil. While whisking briskly, slowly drizzle in the oil.

I would like to find an easy ketchup recipe but I think one at a time is good.

Remembering those that serverd.

Today is Veteran's Day. I would like for all to remember those that have served our country in war and peace. Remember the ones that are home by thanking them when you see them. Remember the ones that are serving abroad by showing your support. Remember the fallen through prayer. All of these men and women have given the service of their lives for our country and our freedoms. With out their sacrifice, we would not be the country we are today.

Thank you




(picture link - http://www.hyscience.com/archives/freedom_isnt_free.jpg)

Shopping differences...

I have noticed something over the past several years about differences in shopping habits between me and my dear husband. When we moved out to the country, DH started doing a majority of the grocery shopping at the stores in town on his way home from work. This saved a trip for me as well as a bit of money... at first. That was when I could still write a list for him to follow and I knew what the prices were. Going on 4 years later and the variation in the economy, I have no idea what most prices are anymore. This makes list writing difficult. DH also has a tendency to buy items spur of the moment, many of them junk or sweet: chips, sugar cereal, ice cream, cake mixes. He goes without a budget in mind.

When I shop, I try to take my time, even when I am in a "hurry". I compare and will look at some things for several minutes determining if the sale item is really a better price than the generic. Or exactly how much meat/$ do we need for the meals I planned vs what is on sale. I usually have a certain amount I can spend as well. Being under this restraint keeps me in check with the junk foods. I try to get a couple treats but that is also to keep them as treats and not habits. In fact, that is probably one of the best things I can suggest to ANY one that is having budget issues especially in the current economy, take a specific amount of cash to the store with you and have a good idea of the meals you are planning for your time frame.

just rambling...

On the farm

First picture, fall colors in the back ground with my boys in front of the old tree. This is what I get to look at every day when I go out to tend them.

Second picture is







































Fist is a beautiful tree that turn this golden yellow. I caught it with the sun shining through the leaves. This tree is across the drive way from our front door.

And finally, the view from my kitchen window. Well almost, I took the picture while by the barn but it is the same view. It was a lot more colorful on Tuesday.

Being Frugal around the house

I am not big on chemicals when I have the opportunity to avoid them. So, I have gotten more frugal around the house with what we use for cleaning. The third best cleaners are inexpensive but work well (DH loves to buy cleaners). The second best are kid safe! The VERY best are inexpensive but work well AND are kid safe.

Vinegar For general cleaning:
empty 20oz spray bottle (a window cleaner bottle rinsed well is good)
vinegar (has natural anti-bacterial abilities)
water
alcohol (optional --- use if you are cleaning glass and mirrors)

add to the bottle 2 oz vinegar, 1 oz alcohol (opt) and fill with water. My 2yo sprayed the 8yo in the face and his eyes stung for about 20 seconds, long enough for him to tell me then say they didn't.

Dish Soap For a little more power cleaner and single use:
1 large mixing bowl
antibacterial dish soap
hot water

Add 1 to 2 tbs dish soap to the bowl. Add hot water BUT pour it down the side of the bowl so it will mix with the soap but not make it suds a lot.

Oil Soap For hardwood floors, no-wax floors, wood cabinetry or furniture, walls and doors, single use:
--This is for washing not dusting--
1 large mixing bowl
oil soap
hot water

Add about 1/4 cup soap to bowl and mix as described for dish soap.


Oil Soap for dogs:
--have you ever read the directions and precautions on dog shampoo? They are down right scary!

Empty dish soap bottle well rinsed
1/2 cup oil soap
warm water
(If you have a flea problem, add a little dog shampoo but not more than the oil soap)

Add oil soap and water to bottle. be sure the bottle is dull and cap is closed - shake well. Wet your dog and use the bottle to apply soap. Don't put to much on the dog as you can always add more. The squirt top makes it easy to get it where you need it and only as much as you need. Scrub up your dog you will notice the suds, you may need to add a little more water to the fur for spread-ability. Rinse, you will notice how easy the oil soap rinses off. Wash a second time if needed. --- close the top and save the remainder for the next dog/bath.

Baby shampoo for Exterior and vehicles (especially windows).
-This sounds crazy but it works, however you need to rinse it so that is why I say exterior.

Large bowl or bucket
Spray bottle
baby shampoo
water
rinsed 1 gallon milk jug
water hose

add 1 cup baby shampoo to gallon jug, add water to top, cap and mix well. Pour into spray bottle
Fill bowl with water for rinsing cloth/sponge. Spray area thoroughly with shampoo mix and scrub. Rinse cloth as needed. Rinse areas with hose as you finish them. If doing in a sunny area, rinse more often. Squeaky clean!


Baking Soda Scrubbing action

If you have an area that just needs some extra scrubbing like a bath tub, shower or a pot that has something burned to the bottom (scrape off what you can easily), dampen area, sprinkle baking soda on the area. Let it sit several minutes to an hour. Scrub with a cloth or sponge. Rinse and repeat if necessary.

If using this in a shower or tub, be sure to rinse the heck out of it because baking soda is VERY slippery!

I have also read that you can use it to clean your oven but haven't tried that yet.


Peroxide for some stains.

Peroxide is great for getting some stains off of laundry and counters. I prefer to try it before I use bleach. (If you are afraid of damage to material, test a spot that cannot be seen) Just pour the peroxide directly onto the spot and watch it bubble. Rinse with water. Some stains like blood can take additional time/applications.

Dish soap on grease stains
I so often forget to use this. What is better for getting grease off of dishes or your hands than dish soap. After DH has worked on a car, he steals my dish soap to wash up in the bathroom. SO, why not use it on his greased up clothes as well.

Options:
1) if applying to dry clothes, use a small bowl to water down the dish soap 50/50 and apply with an old sponge or scrubbie.
2) Fill a bucket with hot water and add dish soap to the water, add clothes and let them soak
3) Get the clothes wet and apply dish soap directly to spot as needed.

Each option I am sure would need som scrubbing to take place.

Rinse in washing machine or in the sink , THEN wash as usual. Remember dish soap suds a LOT and depending on the amount you used could cause a problem if not properly rinsed.

Bleach
This is about the only chemical I really use. I use it when nothing else works. I do use it on loads of white clothes cause my kids are dirty little rascals. We also have well water issues that make our whites very dingy if I don't use bleach. I also use bleach (or a bleach based cleaner) on kitchen counters and the bathroom) on occasion but try not to in the winter since we are usually closed up and the fumes are horrible.

Orange cleaners
One of the few cleaners I do like to buy are orange cleaners. They usually clean well and have a pleasant orange odor. I could probably add orange oil to my vinegar spray for the same thing.


On the look out:
I am always looking for good basic non-toxic alternatives to the overly chemical cleaners. I found a laundry recipe but lost it again, guess I need to go looking for it. I am also looking for a good dust cleaner. I hope to get one of those little no-power vacuum sweepers to use for a daily sweeper. Anything to save the vacuum bags that I cannot find for our vacuum much anymore.

Hope this helps someone.

Old recipes bring new life

We used the "eggs for three" (pg 8 When mother lets us cook) recipe and it is great. The eggs are nice and fluffy and full of flavor. Thank you Denese. Now I need to look for more of those basic simple old recipes. The cereal cakes, rice pudding, and many other neat ideas. I loves old recipes.

Predicting election results.

All the media could be accurate with their predictions however I really do not appreciate how they do it. There is a certain percentage at which you can get a relatively accurate average of the voting trend. HOWEVER, you also have to look at where the votes are coming from before taking that percentage averaged for granted. They also have a tendency to 'predict' states that are close then 'not predict' others that have a wider margin. Truly not fair.

Then, we have all the paper and provisional ballots that used today. Have those been counted? What about the military ballots that don't have time to get back for counting, is that fair?

I dream of a flip in most of the predictions that have been made and only a small percentage of the state has reported. But I also need to realize that is a dream. McCain camp has already said it is a long shot.

We need to look to the future and pray that the democrats and their super majority do not pass too many things that really mess us up. We need to pray that Biden is wrong about an inexperienced President will be tested. We need to pray for our children and our families as I fear we are in for a hard road. We need to pray for a future candidate that is for the people and not bigger government and who can hold up our Constitution and Declaration of Independance and know that they are not just words on pieces of paper but they are what this country must stand on for the people.

Now, who to look for and what has made me so serious about politics? I hate politics.

Election Day

Today is the day it could all change for this country. I'm following results at Foxnews.

Follow along and see how it goes.

Big day tomorrow,

Tomorrow is election day. A day I would love to just skip at this point but it is inevitable.

Waking up to the news (blessed auto-tune), the topics of conversation were as expected. Almost everything was about taxes and economy. So on this subject, I will ramble.

The colonies separation from England was in part about taxes. A majority of these taxes were applied without representation from the colonies. There were still taxes after the founding of this country, however the laws governing these taxes were created by our founding fathers and WITH representation of the citizens. It was the responsibility of each state to establish what was to be taxed and the collections of the tax. Most of the revenue came from taxes on imports, distilled spirits (alcohol), tobacco, sugar, carriages and various legal documents. The most important factor in all of this I take from this Quote [US dept. of Treasury-fact sheet:taxes]

Though social policies sometimes governed the course of tax policy even in the early days of the Republic, the nature of these policies did not extend either to the collection of taxes so as to equalize incomes and wealth, or for the purpose of redistributing income or wealth. As Thomas Jefferson once wrote regarding the "general Welfare" clause:

To take from one, because it is thought his own industry and that of his father has acquired too much, in order to spare to others who (or whose fathers) have not exercised equal industry and skill, is to violate arbitrarily the first principle of association, "to guarantee to everyone a free exercise of his industry and the fruits acquired by it."

Thomas Jefferson did not believe in the "Redistribution of Taxes" because as a successful businessman he knew it did not work.

A Federal property tax or direct tax was started in the 1790s. This was abolished by Thomas Jefferson during his Presidency. The federal government received all its revenue through excise and import duties. It raised these taxes during the 1812 war and lowered them after. This lasted 44 years.

The Civil war is when Income tax began (1861, the Revenue Act). Income taxes were a flat rate. Other items were taxed that were [I am guessing] considered non-essentials such as playing cards, pianos and pool tables. This was changed to a 2 tier system in 1962. Most of these taxes were repealed in 1868 after the war. In late 1890s, there was a push by congress for a federal income tax but it was ruled unconstitutional. In 1913, congress passed the 16th amendment (it was amended in 1916 to omit the word lawful) allowing federal income tax to be collected.

Tax rates were increased several times during WWI and taxes were placed on estates and excess business profits. After the war, taxes were reduced 5 times. The economy boomed in the 20s. "As tax rates and tax collections declined, the economy was strengthened further." In 1929 the market crashed. Tax rates were increased in 1932 and 1936, weakening the economy more.

The Social Security Act - was this the beginning of redistribution? This Act was passed in 1935 and was to "provided payments known as "unemployment compensation" to workers who lost their jobs. Other sections of the Act gave public aid to the aged, the needy, the handicapped, and to certain minors. These programs were financed by a 2 percent tax, one half of which was subtracted directly from an employee's paycheck and one half collected from employers on the employee's behalf."

Tax increases came again in the 40s before and during WWII. "By the end of the war the nature of the income tax had been fundamentally altered." There was another aspect about the income the government received after the was, the tax payer base increased by ten fold from 4 million in 1939 to 43 million in 1945.

In 1953, the Bureau of Internal Revenue was renamed The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and became the world larges accounting and collections firm. In 1961, computers were introduced and congress passed a law that required the use of social security numbers on IRS forms.

The tax system used from the 50s through the 70s did not allow for inflation. This led to the Economic Recovery Tax Act of 1981 by the Reagan administration. "The 1981 tax cut actually represented two departures from previous tax policy philosophies, one explicit and intended and the second by implication. The first change was the new focus on marginal tax rates and incentives as the key factors in how the tax system affects economic activity. The second policy departure was the de facto shift away from income taxation and toward taxing consumption." There was also an adjustmet to inflation and this in combination with the large tax cuts caused a small recession in the ecomomy. In 1984 taxes were raised slightly to make up for the problems of the recession. Though there was this initial recession due to the changes made in inflation, the economics of the tax cuts did take hold.

Taxes had gotten very complicated and were causeing problems because of their complexity. "Thus, in his 1984 State of the Union speech President Reagan called for a sweeping reform of the income tax so it would have a broader base and lower rates and would be fairer, simpler, and more consistent with economic efficiency." The Tax Reform Act of 1986 lowered taxes again, reduced the number of tax brackets and increased deductions. However, this act was more neutral in that it lessened tax burdens on individuals and shifted it to businesses with added complexity.

1997, the Tax Payer Relief act allowed for a per child income credit for families. This allowed familes that had negative taxes to collect a credit from the government. The 1993 tax increases pushed the burden of taxes back to middle ground. More tax cuts were introduced in 2001. This new cut played a significant part in supporting the economy that was in a down turn at the time and brought it back up. The Economic Stimulus Bill that prvided extended benifits to unemployed was also passed.


There is one paragraph That I find very interesting in in all of this:

Prior to the enactment of the income tax, most citizens were able to pursue their private economic affairs without the direct knowledge of the government. Individuals earned their wages, businesses earned their profits, and wealth was accumulated and dispensed with little or no interaction with government entities. The income tax fundamentally changed this relationship, giving the government the right and the need to know about all manner of an individual or business' economic life. Congress recognized the inherent invasiveness of the income tax into the taxpayer's personal affairs and so in 1916 it provided citizens with some degree of protection by requiring that information from tax returns be kept confidential.

How do you read this? I read this as the government has the right to invade my privacy over how much money I make and where I get that money from. What else does this give them the right to invade? Was this tax voted on by the people, or just "those that represent us." There is a difference.

How to change our tax system? Fair Tax. You can find information about it at wiki or at the Fair Tax website. This would remove all income tax and place it on consumption through sales tax and woud take the government out of our personal lives. Fair Tax is already a part of many state governments across the country (Alaska, Florida, Nevada, South Dakota, Texas, Washington and Wyoming. Two others, New Hampshire and Tennessee, tax only dividend and interest income.) Tennesse has property taxes (county?) and taxes on car tags and has a high sales tax of nearly 10%.

The Flat Tax is another possible system to change our current economy however this once again dives into the government knowing what you make and where it comes from.

Now, I have a headache from reading and typing so will take a break from my computer.

Gardens and Orchards

Well, with the first heavy frosts of fall/winter, I have lost my little garden. It wasn't much as I seem to have a 'red' thumb. If I tend plants much, they die, if I basically ignore them, they grown wonderfully. I really need to learn more about preparing a garden for easy care I think.

Over the past 2 years, we have dug up a garden about 10x20 and planted lots of vegetables. Most things grow OK as we have really good soil. Beans, tomatoes, cucumbers and lettuce seem to do super but I would love to learn how to grow other vegetables as well. Our biggest problem is that the grass and weeds take over. This gets discouraging for all concerned and tends to kill the plants we are trying to grow before what I believe their time really is.

Things I want to try to make our garden better:
1) cover the ground with plastic to kill off the grass and weeds.
2) raise the beds using boards and filling with more dirt (this may involve digging up and adding gravel under, not sure)
3) see about adding more fertilizer (we have it free from cows :) )
4) learn what may be the best plant groupings and when to get them planted.
5) find a better way to start seeds.

Now we also have an old (well before we moved here) apple and muscadine/grape orchard. The muscadines are not bad, though a bit on the tart side as it is a fairly damp area they are planted. The grapes are struggling from neglect more than anything but are actually donign better than they were 3 years ago. The apples have their own challenges. They are way over grown, and the trees to the south have grown up over them adding WAY to much shade (excess in mold and moss growth). I want to start trimming them this year but I don't want to over trim as that could kill them.

I hope to find information that a non-gardener can follow.

5 days to election '08, a rambling

I am not happy about the election this year. The last time I felt like this during election season was when Clinton first ran for the office. I am not happy with either of the two main candidates nor the parties they represent. To be honest I am a Regan Republican though I was to young to understand politics when he was president. There are 2 candidates that I would vote for. First is Charles Baldwin of the Constitution Party. Second is Alan Keyes who is running as an Independant under the America's Independant Party. Sadly, people know little about these or the other candidates.

Truthfully, I think our political system needs to be reformed. It wouldn't be the fist time in our short 235 year history that party reformb vc occurred. The Democrats have swayed so far to the socialist left, it is sickening. The Republicans are about in the middle now though they appear conservative compared to those on their left. Then you have true conservatives that base their beliefs on the old school republicans which is now considered extreme right wing. I am not sure where I stand politically but I do not see my self as a member of any current party.

When our founding fathers began the great journey of this nation, it was their belief to let the people lead. Those that are elected to office should see it as a privilege to serve the people and not personal gain. Being a representative of the people was a volunteer job for upstanding citizens of an area, it was not to be a lifetime career. Changing of the guard is very important over time, as ideals can be covered by a haze and your view may get blocked out all together.

There are many levels of politics in this country. Local, County, State and National. Holding one seat for an excessive amount of time is a mockery of the system. George Washington saw this and refused a third term. Unlimited terms in office must be stopped to provide a true representation of the people across the nation. Senate should be limited to 3 terms, that is 18 years or a child's entire lifetime. Representatives should be limited to 6 terms. That is a maximum of 12 years and would put them in a prime position to run for senate if so desired or return to civilian life. This should be at ALL levels of these seats, local, state and national. You could still make a career in politics but it would surely shake things up as they are now. One other thing I would change. If you held a seat for one district and your terms are up, you should not be able to run for office in another district simply by moving. Once you have served the designated amount of time, that is it.

The Electoral college is something else that must be changed in the way it functions. However, I am not positive on how to change that to work for the people. It would all work better if there were not conniving persons undermining the voting systems to begin with. WE have so much technology for fraud and identification, why can it not be put to use for elections? Point of interest, with all the hoohaw about the ballot counting in Florida and now the crap in Ohio, did they stop to relize they missed counting over 2/3rds of the military votes over the last several presidential elections? This is all the way back to the Clinton elections I believe. These are the men and women who HAVE put their country first. They risked their lives for our freedom but they cannot have THEIR vote count? If that is not wrong...

End of a rambling that I think turned into a rant. I must let my mind relax a bit as this is only a small part of life.

Frugal Snack Idea

After hearing much about Obama's infomercial on the news I tried to watch part of it. Well, I only got through the first 5 min., but I did come away with a GREAT idea.

This idea is for the entire family. Create space for each family member to have a small box in the refrigerator (mom and dad can be together). This can be the door shelves or small boxes you make. Label each space for quick identification. Put snack foods for each person in the containers. Designate how long the snacks must last and that they will not get anymore until the next time frame (i.e. a week between shopping). This idea can help teach kids 1) how to make things last, 2) how to be frugal, and 3) responsibility.

I may just have to try this.