It's raining. It's JANUARY. I wish to protest that rain, not snow, is falling. I like snow. I like the ground to be frozen. It means no mud. *sigh* There is still snow, but it's icy on top.
WW has been going well, for the most part. I was hungry today, though. I'm allotted 27 points per day. Today was a 44 point day. For the week, it has looked like this:
Monday: 31 points (27 daily, 4 [of 35] weekly)
Tuesday: 38 points (27 daily, 11 [of 35] weekly)
Wednesday: 30 points (27 daily, 3 [of 35] weekly)
Thursday: 33 points (27 daily, 6 [of 35] weekly)
Friday: 44 points (27 daily, 17 [of 35] weekly)
I have 8 weekly points left for Saturday and Sunday. And, I have to say, I feel pretty icky tonight. Bleah.
I started in September at 196. I lost 7 of those during December due to cold -> flu -> sinus infection. Not a fun way to lose weight, but it was my lemonade from all the lemons. I started WW at 189 on January 1st. I've seen 184 one morning this week - but Monday is my weigh-in day, so we'll see how the weekend goes. For reference, my goal is to lose 25% of my body weight. From the 196 figure that'd be 147; from the 189 figure it'd be 142.5. I figure 145 is a reasonable goal. I was 135 pre-children, but I don't think I could get there and stay there AND be healthy.
Friday, January 11, 2013
Saturday, January 5, 2013
progress indoors and out
The weather was milder today - quite a bit of snow melted off the roof into the rain barrels. I'm very happy that my new submersible stock tank heaters have come. Two of my rain barrels were empty and are refilling; the third has ice on the top too thick for me to break through it (yet). Still, enough melt water got in around that ice that I was able to fill a couple of buckets from the spigot. I'm looking forward to being able to put a heater into all three barrels and all three galvanized tubs, so that the water in them will be accessible all winter. (No, I won't have them plugged in all the time!)
I scored six more Christmas trees for the goats today, too. Two from friends, one from a friend's next-door neighbor (who had seen the spot on the news about Hope's goats and their fondness for pine trees - AND who'd heard the spot on NPR about various ways to re-use Christmas trees, which did not include 'feeding them to ruminants') and three others from the side of the road, set out for the trash companies to take to mulching facilities. The first tree my goats had is now more akin to toothpicks. They were very happy to see a new one.
Inside, Eli came over to visit, and after plying him with hot chocolate, we moved some furniture. The work table is out of the kitchen, the butcher block is moved to behind the gas stove, the desk is in from the living room, and we moved the poster-sized photo I took in 1988 in the Bavarian Alps to the living room, and moved the children's art bulletin boards into the hall, where they are actually visible. There's still ever so much more tidying, chucking, and cleaning to do, but progress is good.
I scored six more Christmas trees for the goats today, too. Two from friends, one from a friend's next-door neighbor (who had seen the spot on the news about Hope's goats and their fondness for pine trees - AND who'd heard the spot on NPR about various ways to re-use Christmas trees, which did not include 'feeding them to ruminants') and three others from the side of the road, set out for the trash companies to take to mulching facilities. The first tree my goats had is now more akin to toothpicks. They were very happy to see a new one.
Inside, Eli came over to visit, and after plying him with hot chocolate, we moved some furniture. The work table is out of the kitchen, the butcher block is moved to behind the gas stove, the desk is in from the living room, and we moved the poster-sized photo I took in 1988 in the Bavarian Alps to the living room, and moved the children's art bulletin boards into the hall, where they are actually visible. There's still ever so much more tidying, chucking, and cleaning to do, but progress is good.
Friday, January 4, 2013
WW update
I had a 29 point day planned yesterday, but got the munchies mid-afternoon, so ended up with a 34 point day. Well within plan limits, though!
I was at 11 points after lunch today, but I was invited to have dinner with Mom tonight - I was glad I had a bunch of points available! It was a 19 point dinner, but SO worth it. 30 points for the day... I can live with that!
I'm not logging any exercise, though I know I'm getting some. Coming in from feeding/watering/milking in a sweat in 15* weather is a pretty sure sign of physical exertion, from slogging through the snow, carrying 5-gallon buckets of hot water around, etc. I am content so far.
I had my allergy shots yesterday. It had been 29 days since I last went in for them. I made note that last night I had a nasty headache, right above my left eye, but that could be PMS. Unfortunately, it woke me up at 2 AM and kept me up until 3 AM, so I was pretty much useless this morning. I hate that. I got up at 2:30 AM, had a handful of almonds, and some Motrins. The headache did go away, eventually. Haven't done any cleaning today, but tomorrow is another day, and the children are away, so my time is (alas) my own.
I was at 11 points after lunch today, but I was invited to have dinner with Mom tonight - I was glad I had a bunch of points available! It was a 19 point dinner, but SO worth it. 30 points for the day... I can live with that!
I'm not logging any exercise, though I know I'm getting some. Coming in from feeding/watering/milking in a sweat in 15* weather is a pretty sure sign of physical exertion, from slogging through the snow, carrying 5-gallon buckets of hot water around, etc. I am content so far.
I had my allergy shots yesterday. It had been 29 days since I last went in for them. I made note that last night I had a nasty headache, right above my left eye, but that could be PMS. Unfortunately, it woke me up at 2 AM and kept me up until 3 AM, so I was pretty much useless this morning. I hate that. I got up at 2:30 AM, had a handful of almonds, and some Motrins. The headache did go away, eventually. Haven't done any cleaning today, but tomorrow is another day, and the children are away, so my time is (alas) my own.
Better weather, and hungry
Low sometime yesterday was 9.7*F. That's a huge improvement over anything below zero! My indoor-outdoor thermometer had to be replaced yesterday, though - the wire leading to the outdoor sensor broke in several places. It was at least 7 years old, though, so I don't begrudge it. I got a new one at Radio Shack for $17, and this one also reports indoor humidity. That's useful when heating with a wood stove, as it's easy for the air to get way too dry. I'd rather find out about it by looking at a gauge than by raising sparks off of the dogs or cats. I suspect they'd prefer that, too. I do always keep a kettle on the stove, though.
Day 4 on WW. Doing fine, points-wise, but dang! I am HUNGRY this morning. I had the 5-point cold breakfast around 8:30, and by 10:30 after chores I was starving. I had a clementine orange and an apple. Should hold me until lunch. I weigh in again on Monday... I'd like to see the south side of 180 by my birthday on the 29th.
Day 4 on WW. Doing fine, points-wise, but dang! I am HUNGRY this morning. I had the 5-point cold breakfast around 8:30, and by 10:30 after chores I was starving. I had a clementine orange and an apple. Should hold me until lunch. I weigh in again on Monday... I'd like to see the south side of 180 by my birthday on the 29th.
Thursday, January 3, 2013
choices in the cold
Nothing earth-shattering or deep here. It was -2.2* this morning when I got up. I turned on the heat upstairs last night, and could smell that it was on when I went up to wake my children. I lit off the fire first thing, too.
I chose a 9-point hot breakfast instead of a 5-point cold breakfast this morning. It's just too damn cold to contemplate Cheerios and milk. I can warm my hands and my insides with a hot bowl!
I chose a 9-point hot breakfast instead of a 5-point cold breakfast this morning. It's just too damn cold to contemplate Cheerios and milk. I can warm my hands and my insides with a hot bowl!
Wednesday, January 2, 2013
New Year's Day
High of 36.5*, low of 2.7*. Eep.
6.6* at 8 AM on the 2nd; bedrooms at 49*. Fire is lit already! Must do better tonight, since we have to be up at 6 AM tomorrow.
New Year's Day was nice and quiet here. I didn't go any further than the barn all day. I'm working (perpetually, it seems) on reducing the volume of STUFF in my house. FlyLady tells us that we can't organize clutter. So - first, I want to get rid of the clutter. But how do I define 'clutter'? Dictionary.com isn't very helpful: a disorderly heap or assemblage; litter.
I think there are at least the 'unneeded paper,' 'outgrown children's clothing and toys,' 'unused kitchen paraphernalia,' and 'out of season things that belong in the attic' categories. The first is probably the easiest. Children's things I vet into three sections - chuck, donate, sell. The kitchen stuff probably only falls into the donate and sell piles. Out of season things that belong in the attic is fairly simple, too, except when it's 10* outside and frigid in the attic and I don't want to drop the stairs.
Anyway, yesterday I washed some laundry and hung it in the basement, and brought up the dry clothes. I pulled tonight's dinner out of the freezer (three small rabbits, which will become rabbit and dumplings). I took a BUNCH of stuff up to the attic. I made more fudge - not only a maternal obligation, but it also yielded several containers for recycling. I baked the quiche in the cookstove oven. I washed the bathroom floor, and the floor in the hall. (didn't go further because I hadn't vacuumed anywhere else yet)
Today's to-do: mammogram at 10:30, must take knitting along; quick grocery store run; move work table at least into sunroom; move butcher block and desk in the kitchen; vacuum; scrub countertops. Maybe more as time permits, but Andy and Amy Charlotte are out of school at 1:20 today, and are bring home three extra children with them, so that might limit my cleaning. Or it might not. Anyway, off to change clothes and head to the medical center.
6.6* at 8 AM on the 2nd; bedrooms at 49*. Fire is lit already! Must do better tonight, since we have to be up at 6 AM tomorrow.
New Year's Day was nice and quiet here. I didn't go any further than the barn all day. I'm working (perpetually, it seems) on reducing the volume of STUFF in my house. FlyLady tells us that we can't organize clutter. So - first, I want to get rid of the clutter. But how do I define 'clutter'? Dictionary.com isn't very helpful: a disorderly heap or assemblage; litter.
I think there are at least the 'unneeded paper,' 'outgrown children's clothing and toys,' 'unused kitchen paraphernalia,' and 'out of season things that belong in the attic' categories. The first is probably the easiest. Children's things I vet into three sections - chuck, donate, sell. The kitchen stuff probably only falls into the donate and sell piles. Out of season things that belong in the attic is fairly simple, too, except when it's 10* outside and frigid in the attic and I don't want to drop the stairs.
Anyway, yesterday I washed some laundry and hung it in the basement, and brought up the dry clothes. I pulled tonight's dinner out of the freezer (three small rabbits, which will become rabbit and dumplings). I took a BUNCH of stuff up to the attic. I made more fudge - not only a maternal obligation, but it also yielded several containers for recycling. I baked the quiche in the cookstove oven. I washed the bathroom floor, and the floor in the hall. (didn't go further because I hadn't vacuumed anywhere else yet)
Today's to-do: mammogram at 10:30, must take knitting along; quick grocery store run; move work table at least into sunroom; move butcher block and desk in the kitchen; vacuum; scrub countertops. Maybe more as time permits, but Andy and Amy Charlotte are out of school at 1:20 today, and are bring home three extra children with them, so that might limit my cleaning. Or it might not. Anyway, off to change clothes and head to the medical center.
Tuesday, January 1, 2013
Speaking of cold...
I have a thermometer in the kitchen that has a sensor that goes out under one of the windows; it reports both indoor and outdoor temperatures. It also has a memory. It's pretty spiffy.
Two nights ago, the lowest outdoor temperature it had recorded was 17.5*.
Last night, before I reset it for 2013, it showed its low at 10.9*. That was in the wee hours coming into New Year's Eve. Brrr.
The high for the year? 95.7*. Definitely not the hottest summer I've seen, though there was an awfully long stretch with no rain.
It was 34* outside when I got up this morning. It was 51* inside. I started the fire before I fed the animals. I'm just sayin'....
Two nights ago, the lowest outdoor temperature it had recorded was 17.5*.
Last night, before I reset it for 2013, it showed its low at 10.9*. That was in the wee hours coming into New Year's Eve. Brrr.
The high for the year? 95.7*. Definitely not the hottest summer I've seen, though there was an awfully long stretch with no rain.
It was 34* outside when I got up this morning. It was 51* inside. I started the fire before I fed the animals. I'm just sayin'....
Cooking in the cold!
The cookstove oven was up to 300* or so. Can't waste an opportunity like that! So...
15 egg whites
1 can asparagus pieces (fresh would be better, of course, but it's under a foot of snow and out of season)
1 C milk
1 oz shaved Gruyere cheese
When I put it in the oven, it was up to 350*. Should cook up pretty fast!
15 egg whites
1 can asparagus pieces (fresh would be better, of course, but it's under a foot of snow and out of season)
1 C milk
1 oz shaved Gruyere cheese
When I put it in the oven, it was up to 350*. Should cook up pretty fast!
Monday, December 31, 2012
What I *did* accomplish in 2012
Huh. Where to start?
I milked goats once or twice a day most of this year, except for a short period when the does were pregnant and dried off. Bast gave us triplet daughters, who are the cutest things EVER to arrive at Blessed Acre Farm.
I used the wood-burning cookstove more and more, both for heat and for cooking.
I accomplished another of my long-term farm goals by acquiring an English Shepherd puppy to be my farm partner. Lydia is gorgeous, very smart, and my darling.
I nursed Sheba and Decker through their last days, and grieved their passing long and hard.
I taught several sessions of after-school "Wednesday Club" knitting classes to older elementary school students, and was delighted to have both boys and girls in my classes. I went on several field trips with my children. I raised 25 meat-breed chickens for the freezer, and partnered up with Christina for butchering. My brother went on a big field trip in my place with Andy, bless him. Amanda had the lead in the school play as "Harriet the Spy," and she was amazing. I did not get to visit my brother and his family at the Cape this summer due to scheduling hassles from my former spouse. I had my stovepipe cleaned by a genuine chimney sweep. I had the central vacuum serviced/repaired. Adam went to Boy Scout camp, had a great time, and inspired all of his siblings to become Scouts, too. I was chairwoman of the Board of Trustees for my church for a while, though I was happy to hand it over to someone else. I was part of the fledgling Grow Food Amherst program and helped organize a gleaning event in the fall. I learned more than I really want to know about climate change/'chaos' and have become more committed than ever to minimizing our footstep in this household. I replaced the switch on the whole-house attic exhaust fan - successfully - all by myself! Adam started high school. I took Amanda for an eye exam and learned that she needs glasses to see at distance. This was important, as she started middle school this year! I relied on friends when I needed help, and I helped friends when they needed extra hands. Amanda played volleyball for the middle school team, and had a great time. We found a new piano teacher for Andy. Amy Charlotte took up playing the cello. I had the opportunity to serve as a mentor for several folks starting out in homesteading-type activities. I survived more legal harassment from my former spouse, who just won't give it up. I started a series of allergy shots, after thinking about it for a solid year. (I'm allergic to way too many things... dog, cat, feathers, mites, tree pollen, etc.) Andy joined Adam's Boy Scout troop. We found a 7th grade Cadette troop for Amanda, and I agreed to co-lead a 4th-5th grade Junior troop for Amy Charlotte.
We adopted four cats, one of whom is an indoor cat, and another of whom was injured and has become an indoor cat until spring. I hate litter boxes. There's a reason I self-identify as a dog person.
We also adopted a cousin of Lydia's, Cheyenne. Chey is 7, and is half English Shepherd and half some kind of collie. Both dogs are considered "Farm Collies," though. So now we have Lily (8), Cheyenne (7), and Lydia (almost a year). We still miss Sheba and Decker.
Current count of hens is ~150, and they are laying like crazy. I have 50 rabbits out of nest boxes, and a few babies too young to count yet. The current spread of breeds are American Blue, Cinnamon, Creme d'Argent, Palomino, and New Zealand. The Cremes and Palominos are on probation at the moment; the Cremes are fussy to breed and not fabulous mothers, and the Palomino does won't breed. If they haven't accepted the buck by May 1st, they're outta here.
That mostly sums up 2012. I'm sure I've forgotten more than I've remembered, but that's par for the course.
I milked goats once or twice a day most of this year, except for a short period when the does were pregnant and dried off. Bast gave us triplet daughters, who are the cutest things EVER to arrive at Blessed Acre Farm.
I used the wood-burning cookstove more and more, both for heat and for cooking.
 |
| Lydia with Lily, ten weeks |
 |
| Lydia, ten weeks |
 |
| Lily and Lydia wrestling |
 |
| Lydia and Lily playing tug-o-war |
 |
| Decker |
 |
| Sheba |
I taught several sessions of after-school "Wednesday Club" knitting classes to older elementary school students, and was delighted to have both boys and girls in my classes. I went on several field trips with my children. I raised 25 meat-breed chickens for the freezer, and partnered up with Christina for butchering. My brother went on a big field trip in my place with Andy, bless him. Amanda had the lead in the school play as "Harriet the Spy," and she was amazing. I did not get to visit my brother and his family at the Cape this summer due to scheduling hassles from my former spouse. I had my stovepipe cleaned by a genuine chimney sweep. I had the central vacuum serviced/repaired. Adam went to Boy Scout camp, had a great time, and inspired all of his siblings to become Scouts, too. I was chairwoman of the Board of Trustees for my church for a while, though I was happy to hand it over to someone else. I was part of the fledgling Grow Food Amherst program and helped organize a gleaning event in the fall. I learned more than I really want to know about climate change/'chaos' and have become more committed than ever to minimizing our footstep in this household. I replaced the switch on the whole-house attic exhaust fan - successfully - all by myself! Adam started high school. I took Amanda for an eye exam and learned that she needs glasses to see at distance. This was important, as she started middle school this year! I relied on friends when I needed help, and I helped friends when they needed extra hands. Amanda played volleyball for the middle school team, and had a great time. We found a new piano teacher for Andy. Amy Charlotte took up playing the cello. I had the opportunity to serve as a mentor for several folks starting out in homesteading-type activities. I survived more legal harassment from my former spouse, who just won't give it up. I started a series of allergy shots, after thinking about it for a solid year. (I'm allergic to way too many things... dog, cat, feathers, mites, tree pollen, etc.) Andy joined Adam's Boy Scout troop. We found a 7th grade Cadette troop for Amanda, and I agreed to co-lead a 4th-5th grade Junior troop for Amy Charlotte.
 |
| Jade, indoor cat until spring |
 |
| Harry, king of all he surveys |
 |
| Spot - good outdoor cat! |
 |
| Lydia, 11 months |
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| Cheyenne - see her collie face! |
Current count of hens is ~150, and they are laying like crazy. I have 50 rabbits out of nest boxes, and a few babies too young to count yet. The current spread of breeds are American Blue, Cinnamon, Creme d'Argent, Palomino, and New Zealand. The Cremes and Palominos are on probation at the moment; the Cremes are fussy to breed and not fabulous mothers, and the Palomino does won't breed. If they haven't accepted the buck by May 1st, they're outta here.
That mostly sums up 2012. I'm sure I've forgotten more than I've remembered, but that's par for the course.
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