Chicken Chores

Sometimes it is just nice to be outside . . . watching the kids take care of the chickens :) 

I decided to check out our almost-thoroughly neglected garden while they fed, watered, gathered eggs, and swapped nests for the birds. By using the wonder of google photos (Gabby had to help me) I identified three of our largest and most productive plants (nearly as tall as me, and definitely broader) as cocklebur (not great childhood memories of those things stuck in my socks and shoelaces all summer long), pigweed, and velvetleaf. Where these came from, I have no idea. We don't have any other plants like them on our prairie hill. I used a hoe to shave off their branches and chop them down and Brennen brought up a saw for the pig stalk. We laid them in a large pile within the garden for a fall burn-off. We don't want those billions of nasty seeds spreading.


Some seeds we DO want to spread are our cute sunflowers which are growing better than anything else we planted! One large stalk split in three pieces, so I threw one of them up on the second hill to reseed. How pretty would it be to look on a sea of sunflowers out the back window?! We've tried to plant other wildflowers and it was a no-go. I know these sunflowers will survive in this dirt, because it's the second year we've planted them :)


We can always use a little drop of sunshine on a gloomy day.

Also, Buck weed whacked all of our neighbor's flat part of the hill (his arms were shaking the rest of the day from the effort!). Gabby raked up all that seven-foot tall grass once it was dry, and now our hay bin is stuffed for winter! Happy chickens, happy me :)

More Quilting

More, you say? Why yes! We've spent a MANY bunch of hours working on very large quilts in the past week :) I can't reveal the other quilt, because one of my readers (yes, one of all four of you, ha!) will have to wait to receive it to see it (it's not done yet :) But, working on it so far provided excellent experience for the next big project they girls have been hired to complete.


For more than 30 years, their karate instructor has been collecting t-shirts at tournaments, special events, and trainings. For most of those same years, the shirts have been collecting in a box in his basement :) His wife was ready for a creative solution to this growing collection in their storage space asked if we could put together something special for his upcoming 50th birthday. The girls said, "Sure!"



We had already trimmed off the sleeves, collars, and backs in a previous quilting session, but today we spent nearly six hours cutting, arranging, pinning, sewing, pinning again, sewing again, seam ripping a little, more pins, more sewing . . . whew! We got the front done, yay!




The puppy . . . not so helpful! Ha! The lull of the sewing machine eventually put him to sleep.




Lots of work, but it's going to look super cool when it is finished! (Also, it was supposed to be a twin--easily a full if not a queen :)

First Day of School 2019

Amazingly, we "started" school today! I have never entered a late August feeling so unprepared and behind. However, according to my Facebook memory reel . . . this is the same day we started last year, and the year before that! Yesterday and the day before were other year start dates. I'm doing okay, after all! But, MAN, was it a lot of work and late nights! It's about the only time of the year that I actually do crafty things, other than the occasional sewing project. I didn't buy anything for décor this year, except three big 87 cent pieces of paper to make my chicken coop in the classroom. Everything else was "leftovers" (as you'll see in some of my creative endeavors, lol ;)



They chose this farm theme last year, but only Graysen remembered. This is their reaction to their annual door decorations :) 



Seventh, Eighth, Sophomore, Junior . . . Algebra 1/2, Algebra I, Algebra II, Pre-Calc/Trig . . . eek!!




I built that chicken coop from scratch, raised the birds myself ;) I like chickens! (BTW, the clock is totally broken. Not helpful, Clock!)





Stripey horse, barn kitty, farm squirrel, Hootenanny Granny, and of course a giant bear in grandpa's overalls . . . isn't this how all kids start their school year? :) I reused the same wall decal/stickers that I've used for the past couple years . . .  I think it's the fourth year for those giraffe necks (now trees, a windmill, and a silo). The animals are re-careered from last year's circus duties, ha!






Today they got to know their curriculum. We talked about a daily schedule. They read lots of introductory items in their books. We discussed how their Bible study stuff would work, and their CLEP prep/College, Career Planning. The three who still have specific English curriculum took a run at the first lesson, and that was about it for Day One. I would have waited until Monday, but Gabby has an orthodontist appointment, and us not being there for the classroom reveal would put the rest of the kids behind for the day. This worked out better :) See how happy they are to be studying?!

Dad's Second Farewell

It's hard to keep writing about these things. I've discovered that I'm trying to grieve in the pockets of a really full and busy schedule. It's not working great. It turns out emotion builds bigger and stronger with every one of these moments I don't have a chance to process. And then, I can't not process. 

This happened on Wednesday. I realized I hadn't spent more than five minutes (and that was driving) completely alone in the past six weeks. I've had a few chances to cry, but mostly I'm packing those emotions away by keeping crazy busy (which is just the norm around here). How do I know I'm packing the emotions? Well, I dream like crazy, all night, every night. It is the least restful sleep ever. I'm exhausted when I get up, want to nap, try really hard not to, or else I'm up til 1 a.m. (one night it was almost 3 a.m.) wanting to sleep, but not wanting to dream. My NGF said, "It's like watching movies all night long! Terrible!" Yes. Exactly that. So, with no real rest, no time to sit and think, no processing, my attitude started shifting.

In the classroom, on the floor, with a Halo Top ice cream (sort of Keto-friendly, but not when you eat the whole thing in one sitting), in the semi-dark, trying to cut out cute farm animals, and crying--no stopping the tears. Buck said, "Do you want to stay home from youth group tonight?" I nodded yes. It was more than want to, I needed to. I couldn't go out. It had all caught up to me, and the reality needed to sink in a little deeper than only this surface understanding I was allowing myself. My dad is gone. He's not coming back. That absolutely breaks my heart. He won't call me and sing to me on my birthday. He won't call me Jecca. He won't be there when I need to talk out a Biblical problem or just need advice on a decision Buck and I are stumped about. He won't be at the kids' graduations and weddings or at Christmas or hunting. Ughhhhhh. He's not just not around, he's gone.






We expected to let this heaviness hit when we returned to his and our hometown. But there are a lot of people who loved my dad and wanted to say goodbye to him, too. As my brother said after the second memorial, "I understand why people do private gatherings. You don't have to be 'on' the whole time." And that was exactly what it felt like. So many people to tell us they are sorry, so many people to comfort us, so many discussions to engage in--and all those things are good and healthy. But we also need that quiet moment to pause and figure out what this loss means to our here and now, and to our tomorrows.

So, we gathered on a rainy day in the tiny town where I grew up. In the church where my dad was ordained, where I was confirmed, where my cousins and siblings and I sang VBS songs, and performed Christmas and Easter plays. My grandma and grandpa's funerals took place in this church, in this room. It wasn't our plan. Our plan was the graveside service only, with a couple of songs on guitar by Caelan and Gabby, a Bible reading or short farewell as the urn was lowered into the ground . . .

The rain changed our plans. But that's okay. Every seat in that church was filled! We didn't have microphones or a plan, but when was dad ever a fan of making plans? :) My brother-in-law opened with prayer, my nephews took turns reading the obituary I wrote, out loud. Caelan played Amazing Grace on piano to a slightly different tune than was listed in the hymnal (the five-verse version threw her for a minute, but she recovered nicely). She also played I'll Fly Away, and everyone sang gustily the way dad wanted.

We invited everyone who wanted to go to the cemetery to join us there. Everyone joined us there! I even offered an early lunch to those who stayed behind. No takers :) As we walked the short block or two, bells tolled out each of dad's years. I love this. I think it is so special and solemn. My nephew called "Ding-dong" along with the bells. Little Sunshine, that one :)











My aunt insisted that we needed a lowering device for dad's urn. She was right :) Caelan finger knit a macramé-style holder that I tucked in my purse just in case. We sang my dad's blessing song (for meals, but there was a meal coming, so it was fine :), we sang the Doxology (led by my brother), my sister made us all introduce ourselves and our families (for being so "shy" she sure is bossy ;) just kidding, she did a great job addressing the crowd. My youngest brother read Psalm 23 (I may be out of order), and the little ones from several families (dad's grandkids, great nieces and nephews) helped mom lower him into the ground. The littles put flowers in with the urn, and the rain held off the whole time. We did one more round of I'll Fly Away (mom said that was dad's only request, "Whoever sings loudest--start I'll Fly Away, and everyone join in as loud as they can.") I forgot the song sheets with lyrics that I had printed, back at the church, but we did the best we could.





We walked back to the church in small groups and pairs, the older folks drove their cars. My 94-year-old great aunt from Minnesota was there. I cannot imagine living so long to see so many friends and family members pass away. It must be such a lonely feeling . . .

Anyway, the luncheon was very nice. All the tables were packed. It was funny to me to see the same church ladies who helped in the kitchen for anniversary parties, bridal and baby showers, church meals, when I was little--still helping, serving, and smiling now! I can't even describe the flood of memories, good memories, that come over me in that little church of my childhood! 






I'm glad our kids got to spend time with their uncles and cousins. I'm glad that our family could gather to celebrate and say goodbye to my dad again. In some ways, I feel like the first service was saying goodbye to the dad of my adulthood--the pastor, father-in-law, older man that I knew and loved as an adult. Being in our hometown, where he took me fishing, where he taught me to ride my bike on the main street, where he built us an elaborate (dangerous) tree house, where he designed a playground both inside and outside his little grocery store/bait shop/gas station/restaurant, where he let me start my own lunch business for the farmers and charged me electricity and supply fees when I was 11, where all my early memories were formed . . . I buried the dad of my childhood. 








How have we gotten through the past six weeks? Or even the weeks before that while he was in hospital after hospital? Look at all these cards! You've seen the meals. The countless prayers, hugs, notes of encouragement. I don't know how people who don't have people get through this. Yes, there are times I want to be alone, but knowing that when I don't want to be alone, I have so many people to turn to . . . that's what God's family looks like. I'm so grateful. I'm so grateful Dad is with God. Okay, that's all I've got tonight. Whew. That was hard. 

Lunch Date

I'm not sticking to a strict chronological order here, mostly because I don't want to write about the weekend, but this is something fun to write about! My cool son invited me out to lunch at The Olive Garden, his treat. I think it's been about a year since we last went out for a meal together. He did a nice job thinking through the menu, ordering, and being polite to the waitress. She was surprised when he pulled out his wallet to pay in cash, but she thought that was pretty cool, too :)






It turned out we had LOTS of errands to run (you know, laundry day with no detergent doesn't get you very far; I'm usually a much better planner than this!). His critter needed chow. I needed some classroom décor paper, and he wanted to buy some football card sleeves. We accomplished all this in the time it took Buck to sit at his doctor's office (first come first served is endless!!) 

When we arrived home, G$ and I felt accomplished and well-fed, so it was a good afternoon :)

Is it Drafty in Here?

Doesn't everyone buy a cake for their second fantasy football draft in two days? No? Just us? :)



Last year, I did zero research, zero planning, zero anything in preparation for the family fantasy football league. Had Gronk not pooped out on me, I would have taken the championship away from Brennen :) I guess they all tore a page out of my playbook, because there were no draft magazines purchased, far fewer mock drafts (if any), and no long paper lists of players and stats. Laptops ready, cell phones hot, chats a-going . . . we connected with cousins, an uncle, and Grandma J for our afternoon football draft. It flew by in 45 minutes! I'm happy to say, I managed the second best draft (after my brother, who had a couple of autopicks, so probably mine is really the best ;) and I'm picked to win the league with a 13-1 record. That of course means nothing, since the stats have no idea who will be hurt, imprisoned, shipwrecked, etc. this season. I'm glad to report that, much like in high school, I'm still an A student--my draft earned an A- (when else do adults get graded? Lol! :)





The very next day, the "dads and sons and Gabby league" drafted on two floors of our house :) Buck planned this Labor Day party, and I hesitantly went along with it. Not because I don't love our friends, I just knew I'd be exhausted. I was. But everyone helped get the house together, and everyone had a good time. Even though there were a few hiccups. I did get quite a bit of classroom/school stuff done, and might have delayed the party start time via text at least once :)







Kids plotting their teams upstairs.



Dads plotting their teams downstairs (it was much less hot downstairs).



Our NGFs lost their favorite puppy in their house fire last year. They got a replacement, but couldn't stand him. They rehomed him a.s.a.p. But . . . still missing their sweet girl pup, Mel selected a new tiny friend for her husband's birthday surprise. He LOVED this! He had no idea it was happening, and was thrilled. Good job Mrs. NGF! To my surprise, they brought their little Cricket over to our house for the party (I was hoping we'd get to meet her). Can you see her tiny legs through Chauncey's gigantic ones??

Our pastor's daughter is a puppy whisperer. She spent pretty much the whole day holding the new puppy. Chauncey was quite jealous and highly confused. Newton was in his kennel (he barked at the three-year-old human). Just look how little this pup is next to our giant one! She was so sleepy. Awww! 




It sounds like everyone (mostly--maybe not the son whose team name is along the lines of "Forced to do This" :) had fun and got the players they wanted. We ate an overnight brisket that Mr. NGF smoked on his new grill. Watermelon, pasta salad (and a GF option :). The girls made cute little football sugar cookies, which I forgot to take a picture of. It was warm outside, but tolerable and the kids spread out to play, so the house wasn't super crowded. All-in-all, a productive and fun Labor Day--although, maybe we're not supposed to be productive on the day that is meant to be a break from working . . . I'm not sure if we did it right . . . :)

Watery Ambush

On the odd fifth week of the month, our small group has a bonus game/fellowship night. We (parents) decided ahead of time that we would sneak water guns into our vehicles to bring to Bible study in order to surprise and delight our children with watery festivities :) The moms raised some suspicion by returning to our cars in full view of the dozens of children enjoying the pleasant summer evening outside. My haul was huge, because Buck found mega-Nerf double packs on sale for $4.97--I had to carry the boxes wrapped in a shower curtain, into the house :) Buck was able to leave work on time to arrive directly before the ambush. He was dressed fancy though, so he didn't participate.

With waterguns filled to the brim, several dads took off behind the garage and treeline to cut off any running retreat. When we yelled, "Go!" the kids found themselves chased by the dads, running straight toward the moms, and the water was a-flying! :) 

After the water festivities calmed down (and all the water weapons were claimed by the children), the parents organized a game of "boom ball." It's something our youth pastor invented, kind of like kickball or whiffle ball, but with empty culligan water jugs attached to PVC pipes :) Hence the "boom" when contact is made with the ball.

Gabby played catcher for the kids' team as it was getting dark. One of the dads ran across home plate and she wasn't able to get out of the way fast enough. They collided and the dad did a barrel tuck-and-roll across the grass to lessen his impact. Nevertheless, Gabby's glasses (that we'd finally gotten fixed just recently since the screw fell out at the homeschool conference) went flying and ended up in three pieces. Fixable, but it was going to take a professional this time, and she doesn't have a backup pair in this prescription. 

Other than the glasses, she was totally fine, but the dad felt terrible! He apologized a million times, texted Buck the next day, and kept saying how badly he felt. Remember, Gabby was 100% okay . . . but thinking back to the days when I used to make fake injuries with make-up to get my siblings in trouble (I was a naughty kid sometimes), we thought it would be funny to make it look like Gabby was a wreck the next day. She was laughing so hard with her fake bruises, arm sling, and ice pack, that she forgot to squint her eye to make it look swollen. I'd say Caelan has some mad make-up skills in her back pocket now, too. I sent the pic to Buck and he sent it to his dad friend, who thought it was hilarious. Gabby washed off the make-up, and went outside to have a water fight with her siblings.

Because, yes, they were delight to discover the four biggest and best water shooters belonged to us! They continued the water fight in our backyard, and as you can see the grass could use the moisture :)