Day 181-February 28, 2013

     My wonderful partner wielded the axe to dig a hole for the redwood tree.  I tried to pick the perfect spot for screening the road and neighbor's property.  Once that was planted, I joined Jacque and Denise for a bicycle ride on our country road with the cows and pretty houses.  We pedaled and chattered.  I picked up five more raspberry plants at Nevada County Farm Supply, 2 black, 2 gold, and 1 different red variety.
     The bathroom floor tile arrived and AJ began installing this afternoon.  It looks GREAT!  I headed out to Bell Hill to help in Sharon's class at 2.  Then prayer group at Linda's followed by the first of a women's heart health support group at the hospital.  It was a lovely bunch of ladies, but I won't continue as I have other stronger interests and needs for myself.  I'd read about it in the paper, and was interested in learning more.  I am interested in learning more about prevention and healthy habits.
     On this last day of February I successfully downloaded this month's pictures.  I've been working on the evite for Savannah's bridal shower.  Reading is always that wonderfully way to end the day.

Day 180-February 27, 2013

     Wow, crepe myrtle planted.  Redwood in place for tomorrow's planting.  Apple tree pruning complete.  Income tax papers copied.  Knitting project unstuck.  The rest of the afternoon was spent in Department II at the Courthouse.  I went to support our neighbors being sued by the crazy one in small claims court.  It felt good to be supportive.  It is good to listen and observe.  I do worry about the stress on my older neighbors, especially Bonnie.  She's 80 and recently widowed.  On the other hand, she inspires me.

Day 179-February 26, 2013

     I left the house with a list of seven stops to make.  First stop, Empire Mine for our girls walked.  We went up Osborne Hill today, about an hour and fifteen minutes of walking and talking.  Such fun!  Next, I checked out Rambling Ranch for the kids, a bit too far out with close neighbors and slope.  I had my fingerprints scanned at the UPS store.  NID bill drop, Scotten for retirement papers for Judy, and the DO to drop off insurance checks and pick up my TB clearance.  I now had all the papers to drop of my substitue application packet at the county office.  Last stop, Bell Hill to help.  I worked with Fabian on his math homework.  The kids resist slowing down and make careless mistakes.  Impulsive puppies.  I do like working with them and helping them see their strengths and trust that the answers are something they can know with confidence.
     I got home about 1 and made myself my favorite, a peanut butter and jelly sandwich.  Next I wanted to go over the tax return papers from yesterday, checking my work and sharpening my pencil to make sure I didn't miss any deductions.  A miracle happened.  I found $3.9K that I had set aside last January.  That never happens!  What a welcome surprise.  It will make a nice cushion for the wedding and some travel.  Oh, and there's Dustin and Beth's wedding too.  Anyway, I'm so happy to have found it.  I will continue to be mindful of spending though.  My substitute teaching fund is now in the hole $49 after paying for my fingerprinting today.

Day 178-February 25, 2013

     Raspberry patch rock sifting complete, two more wheelbarrows today.  I did some spiffing on the deck this morning too, something I should do most days to keep the home front in order.  
     Fred got home early, so we had a nice taco salad lunch.  I wrote my letter of intent for subbing, then got started on the taxes.  His weekly birthday massage was a nice break.  Stir-fry dinner prep between the feds and the state was another welcome break.  We almost have enough saved for what we owe.

Day 177-February 24, 2013

     Auntie Carol told my about the plot of land Gramma Holly and Grampa Clarence had in Red Lake Falls, Minnesota.  It was rocky land, it was what they could afford.  They too hand picked the rocks to prepare for planting.  One more section in the raspberry patch completed today.  I measured, I'll have room for five more plants.  I spread a mulch of pine needles on the  thirteen plants already in.  I'm trying poplar leaf mulch in the coop.  The girls had quite a lot of chatter after my deposit.  Papers, papers all afternoon.  The Oscars for the eve.  I had only seen one film, Flight.  I now have a group of films I'd like to see.

Day 176-February 23, 2013

     Morning quarry work, four wheelbarrows and two sections prepared.  A nice burn pile too.  Then we hopped on the motorcycle for a country drive to Rocklin for my birthday lunch with Jacque and Mike.  Pottery World reminds me of Rogers Gardens a bit in Orange County, a lovely place for lady's lunch.  I could have shopped there all day.
     I'm working on my substitute application packet.  Goodness!  And we watched two funny movies after our late taco dinner, Get Shorty and Wanderlust.

Day 175-February 22, 2013

     I started the morning folding laundry.  I missed my little helper of last week.  E'lora is a pro.  "Help you?"  She finds all of the wash cloths, then lays them out smooth.  "I'm making stacks," she says with satisfaction.  I haven't figured out a proper schedule for feeding deck plants, but I gave them all a dose of fish emulsion this morn.  The rock quarry called.  One section produced three loads of rock, that's about 12 buckets.  I worked for about two hours, and that included some chicken coop and compost fiddling.  Morning chore time shut down at 11 so I could pick up Precious.
     When I arrived at preschool, the kids were eating lunch.  "Gramma," I hear.  She's got the gr sound now.  Before I could snatch her plate, Alexa had dumped it in the tub and was shouting "Bye friends, bye teachers."  We had a delightful time at Safeway together.  I went with my list and the budget in mind.  I wanted to spend less that $50.  Mission accomplished!
     Precious took a three hour nap, I finally opened her door.  She climbs out of the crib now when she wants to get up.  Uncle Eddie helped with the bathroom electric install, and Fred mounted the medicine cabinet.  They look great!  The three of us had leftover shrimp pasta and roasted vegetables.  Eddie even liked the cauliflower.  
     

Day 174-February 21, 2013

     This is my normal day to volunteer, however I spent the night and woke up this morning feeling like the germs had organized an allied attack.  The last thing I wanted to do is let the germs at school join in, plus I don't want my prayer group girls to be exposed at our after school prayer time.  So, I stayed home.  
     Although we did meet Susan Walker at the neighbor's house for sale.  Well, offers were already in, it turned out.  Fred and I loaded up the bathroom debris for the dump, I worked on laundry.  I ciphered for the bills and budget.  We invited Eddie for tri tip, then decided to invite our neighbor, Aquarius as well.  It was a delightful evening.  I added miner's lettuce and a shallot to my potato cakes.  Yum!  Apple Betty was enjoyed by all.  I was conscious not to spread germs.  Jamaican Pimento Liqueur is great medicine for the sore throat.  I bottled up my batch in the afternoon.  GrandMuM's Comfort Tea is soothing as well.  

Day 173-February 20, 2013

     I whipped up a batch of oatmeal cookies before heading out to book club.  The oven overheated, so I burned the first batch.  I hope it's nothing major.  The chatter about Wild was grand.  Susan B read a lovely excerpt from Sugar, a pen name of the author, about the ghost life.  She shared a video clip too.  There was talk about mothers and sex and women's oppression around the world.  It's funny that our next reading, The Paris Wife, will be about Hemmingway.  I just love the ladies present!  Denise's daughter, Rebecca, was there too.  She's expecting her first baby, and she's also a teacher.  I visited the bird food store and the library before checking out a home on Heather Lane off of Rector Road in Nevada City.  I just kind of relaxed in the afternoon, doing some research, sorting and cleaning.  I made a delicious shrimp pasta dish for supper.

Day 172-February 19, 2013

       Karly and I had a nice walk before the snow arrived.  It was beautiful falling in big flakes for a couple of hours.  I primed the bathroom.  It took me a few hours in the morn.  Fred got home from the dentist and errands.  I was the lucky recipient of a splendid massage.  After lunch I searched out the electrical needs on the computer and on the phone.  The snow let up and I headed to town about 4 to pick up Navajo White paint, I got stain and tung oil for the vanity too.  I decided to paint when I got home.  Pizza again for dinner, beer too.  It took me three hours to paint and it looks great.  We watched an interesting documentary,Grizzly Man, about the guy the loved and lived with the bears, Timothy Treadwell.  A bear ate him and his girlfriend.

Day 171-February 18, 2013

     First I battened down the project materials preparing for tomorrow's storm.  I covered and moved construction materials and added some leaves to the compost.  I freshened up the chicken coop bedding.  Then I headed to the quarry.  I sifted and moved 8 or 9 wheelbarrows of rock, preparing enough of the bed to plant the 11 raspberry plants and 2 blackberries that I bought last week.  I wanted to get them in before the weather.  The clouds and cold descended in the late afternoon.  I worked until dark.  Fred called and asked what I had planned for dinner.  I said, "Well, I was planning to have beer for dinner."  He said, "How about I pick up a pizza."  "Great!"

Day 170-February 17, 2013

        Super Soul Sunday with Oprah featured her interview with Nate about the devastating tsunami December 26, 2004 and its effect on his life.  Survive---breathe is his deep mantra.  It was moving.  E'lora and I painted and played while Mommy and Ruth went to a morning meeting.  We chatted upon their return, by about 1:00 I headed to Holy Roast to visit with Trev and take him some more cobbler.  I missed Colin, so drove back to fetch the bread he had brought for Fred and I.  I was on the road about 2:15.  Traffic  wasn't too bad, heavier the other direction.  I had to pee so bad when I got off for a Home Depot stop.  I could hardly walk!  I fiddle-farted too long pondering paint colors and switch plate finishes.  I'll end up returning the electrics I got, but I did get the PVA primer I needed.  It got dark about Auburn, and I was grateful I only had a short way to drive in the dark.  I really don't like driving at night anymore.  Fred had steak for Eddie and I when I got home.  Then we watched a funny movie, Ted.  A Drop Dead Fred genre. Eddie and I loved it; Fred, not so much.

Day 169-February 16, 2013

     I woke up with a mission, to be out the door by 10.  It felt like the days of old with kids, a frenzy of scurrying from task to task to gather it all and get out the door.  Grampa headed out for a dirt bike ride with Uncle Eddie and the fellas.  E'lora and I were off at 10:23.  She quickly fell asleep as we headed toward SFO to pick up her mommy at 3.  She was still asleep when we passed the exit for the bridal shop with its yearly clearance sale, so I kept on driving.  Traffic was very heavy on this President's Day weekend.  We took a nice break at the Vacaville Outlets climbing on the purple riding dinosaur, shopping at the Carters store to use my $10 coupon, gathering some taste treats at the Jelly Belly store, and having a delicious healthy picnic lunch on the tailgate.  We arrived at the cell phone lot about 5 minutes before Cora telephoned.  The two were so happy to see each other, they sat together in the back seat.  I popped the lasagne I had brought in the oven as soon as we got to Irwin Den.  Then I made peach cobbler.We had a delicious dinner when Colin got home at dark.  Colin and I drove to Holy Roast to take food to Trevor and to drive he and Ryan to his home in Cotati.  GrandMuM loved hearing their chatter.  I was very tired from the day's driving, and I fell quickly to sleep.

Day 168-February 15, 2013

     It's not often that I'm up before 6, but when I am, E'lora is often involved.  I do like watching the sun come up!  She rested well through the night, I remember looking at the clock at 5:12 and thinking, "Ah, we made it through the night."  Stoking up the fire, brewing that daily pot of joe, and feeding Karly got the morning grind going.  Grampa roused to make us all delicious pancakes.  As she sat on my lap at the computer, she tilted her head up and lifted her eyes, "I can see my hair."  When I showed her the new play kitchen, "This is amazing!"  She is so interested in being a part of all that is going on.  E'lora overheard Grampa and I talking about compost and Nevada County Farm Supply.  "The e-i-o farm?"
     Uncle AJ and Alexa arrived.  Twas a blur as I worked toward my to goals for the day, watching the girls and making lasagne.  I got out the mixer for the pasta.  Onions were the first to enter the sauce pot, the package of crimini mushrooms were the highlight ingredient in today's sauce.  I think I also used the very last package of home grown ground beef.  Just before lunch and nap time, we had our first dual stroller ride.  We stirred up a great blue heron at the neighbor's pond.  That was amazing.  The napping house allowed GrandMuM to rest and regroup.  After lasagne was assembled, I was able to capture some Kerksieck Quarry time as well, three more buckets of rock.  Alexa chased the turkeys, while E'lora clinged to GrandMuM insisting to be carried.  
     Family dinner with Uncle Eddie, AJ and crew, and E'lora was delightful.  I whipped up a batch of Uncle Trev's favorite peach cobbler for dessert.  I sure can make a big mess in the kitchen.

Day 167-Valentine's Day

     I had a long list for today's tasks, but didn't look at it once.  Hair color and cut at 10, pick up substitute teacher papers at the county office.  Do they really want me to get fingerprinted?  Meet Fred for sweetheart lunch at Summer Thyme.  We shared a turkey gorgonzola sandwich, spinach ravioli salad, and a decadent chocolate brownie.  It was romantic.  From there I hit the bank and headed out of town.   Safeway at the Pitt School exit has become my regular stop. I'm getting at least 20 cents a gallon off with my Club Card.  I thought I was meeting Colin in Vallejo, so I planned to shop in Vacaville until close to our rendezvous time.  No luck finding an extra long shower curtain at Home Goods.  Score on darling dresses for the wedding for the girls.  BOGO!!!  I got darling pony jammies for $3.99 for each of them too.  I thought I'd look for a wedding dress for me too.  I tried on a few things.  My goal is to spend $30 for my dress.  I got a cute spring/summer top using my $5 coupon at Van Heusen.  Plus, I picked up more Corelle plates and bowls for Mom's playhouse in the desert.  Don't forget $3 of treats from the Jelly Belly store.  When Colin connected by phone he was in Fresno just finishing up lunch with cousin PJ.  Our new meeting spot became Aunt Cokie's house in Sacramento.  E'lora and I visited for an hour, Colin hit the road a little earlier.  It was great to see the kids and Coke.  We all feel so comfortable there.  Precious fell asleep on the ride home and went straight to bed after kissing Grampa goodnight.

Day 166-February 13, 2013

      Alexa arrived with AJ this morn.  She giggled with glee as she ran across the floor and tackled Gramma.  I thought she would love collecting rocks, but she was more interested in dumping out the bucket of collected rocks and feeding the chickens.  She explored the back side of our property, climbing over the piles of rocks and walking right through the tall stands of grass.  "I hungry."  She devoured a bowl of bean soup and then took a long nap.  GrandMuM worked the quarry while she napped.  Note to self, don't put too many rocks in the wheelbarrow.  I found a big gross bug and tossed it to the chickens.  One of the Andrew Sisters was right there to snatch it up.  I'm seeing lots of worms too, a good sign.  I made a batch of snickerdoodles for my fellas, Fred, AJ, and I'll take some to Colin to share with Trevor too.    Lyn at A to Z had a class on berries that I attended at 6.  Always educational, my gardening understanding is growing little by little.  I'm so happy being Farmer Brenda.

Day 165-February 12, 2013

     Fred and I met Lane and Michelle at Perkos for coffee at 7:30.  I arrived early for my Empire walk with the girls, so I did a lap through the neighborhood for 20 minutes.  I love looking at people's homes.  Our hour walk passed quickly with all of our chatter.  I picked up some raspberries at Peaceful Valley, then headed to Bell Hill to help with the fourth graders.  I helped  Jonathan write a paragraph summary and another sweet one with algebra.  I did a Carl's Jr run for Nancy, Sharon, and I.  It was nice to have lunch together.  
     In the afternoon I started my forty foot row project.  Fred thinks I'm crazy or stubborn or foolish or all three.  Our soil is extremely rocky here in Rough and Ready, trabuco soil.  He made a good pass with the rototiller.  I'm hand picking out the rocks.  The excess rocks are getting dumped around the perimeter of the chicken coop to help keep predators out.  They will also make good pot hole fill on our driveways.  I'm digging down 8 to 12 inches and sifting the soil through my compost screen.  I'm having fun.  I call it Kerksieck Quarry.    

Day 164-February 11, 2013

     Apple tree pruning and a bicycle ride to get mail were lovely outdoor activities today.  There is opportunity for chores with the sunny dry weather we've had, I need to hand water plants.  I was excited for my eating class, I mean my cooking class at In the Kitchen.  Heart healthy foods were the theme.  The inspiration for fresh eating encourages me so.  

Day 163-Febraury 10, 2013

     I woke up dreaming about teaching.  It wasn't a nightmare.  The sun is shining and the air is crisp and clean.  I hurried to complete some tasks before Alexa arrived with AJ in the morn.

Day 162-February 9, 2013

     Grampa made pancakes.  Yum!  I marinated tonight's chicken in the El Pollo inspired recipe.  AJ and Fred worked together on the bathroom today, Fred going out for supplies and taking a look at the vanity I like at Sierra Plumbing.  I checked on the arrival date of the fixtures I ordered last Saturday.  They should be here Monday.  Gramma needed to rest during nap time.  The electrical is going in first.  I worked on Valentines during nap time too.  Buttermilk biscuits sounded good for dinner.  Uncle Eddie joined us.  Mark and Waffle stopped by too.  Alexa went home with Daddy after dinner.  I slid down the Pinterest rabbit hole after our movie, Flight.  Great movie!  I still wasn't sleepy at 11, so I read for an hour or so.  

Day 161-February 8, 2013

     AJ arrived with Alexa this morn to begin the bathroom project.  Jen is working today, then having a weekend with Megan.  My heart smiled all day to have my hardworking son laboring here.  It was grand to feed him and make the first of many peanut M&M malts.  I help a teensy bit with the demo by carting out some buckets of tile while Alexa was napping. She and I are averaging two good walks each day in the new jogging stroller.  We'll need to give it a name.  The horsie from Auntie Carol is ClipClop.  Grampa put new batteries in him.  or her?  I'll need to ask the girls, but I say ClipClop is a boy, a stallion for sure.  Alexa is tough, she takes some good falls and knocks to the head but recovers well.  When she's really crying, she announces "Sissy's crying."  And after bathtime or diaper change, "Aw qween."

Day 160-February 7, 2013

     A day for some rain, we haven't had much this winter.  AJ has jumped on the house hunt for his brother.  He invited me to check out the list he'd found near him.  We joined that with a lighting trek to Home Depot.  Lunch was included at the Combie Northridge.  Almost all of the properties we found were already in escrow, but it was GRAND to look together.  We met at Premiere where he was ordering the tile for our bathroom project.  When we parted I headed to my prayer group and had a sweet time with Sharon and Nancy.  In the morn before AJ called I was sorting, cleaning, purging, and finding a new home for bathroom sundries.  I'm keeping some of the items for Colin and Cora to use in their new den.  My heart has held them close this week, Cora's Aunt Sherry passed away today.  It was just last Saturday that her Grams stormed the Pearly Gates.  
     

Day 158 and 159-February 5 and 6, 2013

     An unexpected Alexa-fest.  Tuesday morn I popped up to make sure I could get my Karly walk in before going to Empire Mine for our 8:30 walk.  My phone started beeping "low battery" during the walk, but I chose to keep it on.  At the very end of our walk Jenn called.  Alexa's day care had called.  The green nose just wouldn't do.  With delight I picked her up.  We stopped by the e-waste deposit spot, then headed home to play with the chickens and enjoy this beautiful day.  Rerun the following day.  The new jogging stroller is putting on the miles.  GrandMuM trudges up those hills and it's good for her!  We visited the "pony" at Eric and Stephanie's.  We met our neighbor's walking the road.  
     Fred has a cold.  He still is a great help, IT TAKES A VILLAGE!  "Papa" is the sweetest name I've heard.  She's a determined one, and she tests the boundaries regularly.  Discipline isn't easy, but it's loving.  When I was changing Alexa's diaper, the phone rang.  "Uncle Eddie, I wub you.  I wanna see you," she repeated.  It was precious. 
     The bathroom project is coming together.  I finished reading Meadow Lake, an old mining district from 1865 for about 15 years.   It will be a place to explore this summer, high up in the Sierrras.  I made a delicious squash soup on Tuesday and a zesty pesto pasta on Wednesday.  We both tasted the garlic all night.  It's a good antibacterial!  
      Bottom line, I love being home and I love being available to "help."  And, I made a tasty chocolate cake.  And, I shared it with others.  And, I pray and wait to know how I can help my precious Cora as she prepares for the funeral for her wonderful Granny Hootenanny and processes the recent coma of her dear Aunt Sherry.  I have such peace knowing that God will guide.

Day 157-February 4, 2013

     Spring is in the air today even though it is the dead of winter.  I witnessed squirrels and turkeys having sex!  It was another wonderful morning working in the garden.  I cleaned the straw bedding from the chicken coop and layered some in the compost and some on a bare garden patch.  I did some pruning, but there's still more to do.  AJ came to look at my tile plan and bathroom ideas.  Eddie picked me up with our bikes and AJ, Eddie, and I checked out the Sweetbriar property for Colin and Cora.  As much as I love the name, it's not the right home.  Mike and Jacque checked it out two, then the four of us bicycled out Spenceville Road and down Oak Meadow.  It is lovely there. Fred has a sore throat so he stayed home and rested after work.

Day 156-February 3, 2013

     Superbowl Sunday, 49ers vs Ravens, a gorgeous sunny day.  Nature church working outside feeding the garden and deck plants and moving some firewood.  A flock of geese honked their hearts out as they landed on the neighbor's pond.  It is such a communal sound.  I made lemon bars to take to the party at Eddie's.   The girls sat in the living room and cheered enthusiastically every so often to make it seem like we were watching the game.  We talked, Laurie, Jacque, Erica, Debbie, and I.  The Ravens won. 

Day 154 and 155-February 1and 2, 2013

     Alexa days.  I picked her up at 8.  First stop, picking up a play kitchen at Linda's that her grandones have outgrown.  Next stop, a play date with Tamir.  I enjoyed visiting with Jenny.  Walks, "outside," books, Elmo DVD, and pooping kept us busy.  I made tasty oatmeal cookies and had a pork tenderloin in the crock pot all day cooking in Colin's tomatillo sauce.  An excellent documentary, "The Saint of 9/11," closed out our Friday evening.
     Saturday morning, another walk after Grampa's delicious apple pancakes.  Alexa could hardly wait for them to be ready.  She came up to each of us with a big hug grabbing onto our leg and said, "I love you, Mama," "I love you, Papa."      Getting the GR sound in Grampa and Gramma isn't natural. For her, her parents are Mommy and Daddy with the long e accented on the end.  Fred headed to Reno for The Who concert with the Meyers about noon when I headed out with Alexa to look at a Penn Valley property on Sweetbriar, then fetched Precious home before nap time.  I spent the entire rest of the day on the bathroom remodel project.  I've picked the big stuff, now things like a mirror and light fixture have me surfing.  Sierra Plumbing got an order for the vanity top and I got a floor model toilet that I LOVE.  Plumbingdepot.com got a fixture order as it was $100 less than the local shop.  Tile is picked out at Premiere, I'll need to confer with AJ about design and amounts.
     Cora's Granny Hootinanny passed away this afternoon.  My thoughts and prayers have been with her and her family all day.  The day comes to jump off and the world keeps spinning along.  Loved ones are left with loss.  We'll plant a tree for her when the kids settle into their new home, wherever it ends up.  I'm thinking about the sweet book Cora got E'lora for her birthday, I Haiku You.  It tenderly celebrates the simplest and most precious gifts of life.  I am grateful for this day.