Life's been busy to say the least... bf and our friend have been cleanin up the farm, scrapping metal... our friend got his semi and trailer over here the other day, had the trailer loaded up with junk cars to haul in, about 7 I think, piled 3 high... lol
We've been out workin in the garden... we let the weeds get way out of control, bf and one of our friends got out there one day last week while I was sick... then I got out there the next day, and bf and I got out there today... still a little more weeding to do, but it's looking soooo much better! Gotta get the tomatos staked up, the chickens are eating the ones on the ground...
My guinea that I thought was sick, well, I think he's hurt, not sick. Talked to an avian specialist at Iowa State, he said it's either botulism or a spinal injury... well it's been 2 weeks now since I brought him in, and he's not showing any other symptoms of botulism, but at least seems to be improving just a bit, so I'm thinking it was a spinal injury... he's adopted my 3 little chicks I brought in from the barn lol
We went out to Friend, Nebraska yesterday, about 35 miles west of Lincoln, we just bought an old gas station out there... well, it hasn't been a gas station for about 30 years, no tanks or pumps, but the inside is set up like a huge apartment, and it's got a garage with 2 bays, we'll set up stuff there to sell on the highway, and may wind up moving in there temporarily if we sell the farm, although we haven't decided on that, because we wouldn't be able to take the critters with us...
I lost a turkey last night or today... something got him. bf said this is the time of year the foxes will get them... and out in the trees by the driveway the grass was mushed down like something may have been sitting out there. I didn't see him all day today, but figured he was off with my guinea I hadn't seen... but tonight he was missing.
The kittens are growing, they're 3 weeks old now, and crawling around... they stay in the room their mama wants them in, but crawl all around that room and come crawlin to me when I walk in there :)
Oh, and I'm all set up for school this fall!!! got my form sent back in saying I'm going, found out my tuition is totally covered, and I have an appt set up with voc rehab to make sure I've got enough funding for books... I don't even have to take out any loans!! Talked to someone about which campus I should go to, as the Ag courses are at the one in Beatrice, south of Lincoln, which is pretty far away... they said I should be fine to do online courses or take classes at the Lincoln campus for the winter semesters so I don't have to drive so far in winter weather... I'm getting soooo excited!!
Anyway... thought I'd share a few pics I've taken recently...
Did I show y'all the kennel I put up *all by myself*? It's what I set up for my hurt turkeys... Oh and you can sorta see my "new" old truck we're gonna fix up for me, in the background by the barn, an old '84 chevy
Here's Booger... boy is he growing! He can still fit on my lap, but not for long! lol Oh and he's as sneaky as bf's alcoholic dog... lol He snuck up behind my dog and pecked at her tail, and she spun around, and he got her on the nose! lol
Hi Lisa... glad to see that school is all set up for you! I just went back at the beginning of the summer myself. I know what you mean about being excited... don't worry the excitement will fizzle away after a while! haha just kidding The same thing happened to me where I do not have to pay for school... you got grants right? It is great living on my own! When I went before I had to take out a bunch of student loans because I still lived with my parents so they took my parents income as a big factor on how much I was able to pay... but now that I am on my own I can go here for free plus I get $400 a semester for books. It is amazing how much things change when you give up the booze huh? Well I am very happy for you that you chose what you wanted to do and you are going for it!!! Jamie
__________________
"Advice is what you ask for when you already know the answer but wish you didn't"
lol Phil, yep, I keep too busy to think about drinking.... but I still think and talk too much lol my mind's always goin about somethin...
My back's a bit better than it was... but still not great... I see the dr again this week, maybe this time he'll actually look at my back. I just kinda deal with it now, I guess I'm so used to it now, the only time it really gets to me is when I get in bed, when I'm trying to sleep. Gotta talk to the dr about my arthritis too... bf's got me drinking tonic water now... I get up in the morning, and my feet are all cramped up like I've been standing on them all night, and my hands are gettin pretty bad too.
Jamie, yep, I know what you mean, I'm excited now, but I won't be once I have to start driving into town for class every day lol We gotta figure out what we're doing this winter... because we might be traveling around down south during the winter, or we might decide to drive a truck for the winter months... in which case I need to do online courses and get my new cell phone set up to use as a modem I guess... But we've got a bit of time to figure it out, registration won't be for at least another month or so. Yeah, I got pell grant, and I got some kind of Nebraska grant that isn't much, but helps. I think tuition and books are covered, but I want to talk to voc rehab also and see what they'll help with, because I was told they'll give you money to help with living expenses during school too, like gas and all that.
Yea Lisa I am not sure how it is over there but the schools around here have work study programs. I have never done them so I am not positive how it works... but from what I hear is that you work at the school ans they give you money towards other expenses. You should look into that soon because I believe they have a limited number of spots available for that. Good luck!
__________________
"Advice is what you ask for when you already know the answer but wish you didn't"
Yeah, I was offered $715 if I do work study, but when would I have the time to do work study??? lol Farm life is busy enough that I don't have much time for anything... I get my breaks where I can sit at the computer a bit and relax... and we get into town for meetings and to go out to dinner... but we work long days nearly every day... I had thought about trying to get a part time job... then realized about the only thing I'd have time for and be able to commit to is this thing my friend told me about, narms.com where you do sorta like rep jobs... and it's more or less your own days and own hours, not very many hours a week at all, but pays well... so I'm going to sign up for that for some extra cash... I already worry about how much time I'll even have for school... but at least bf understands school is gonna have to come first, or well, nearly first... the critters come before anything else, always have, always will. But getting my school work done comes second to them.
Lisa, It is great to hear all your news. Must have esp......was wondering where you (and Toby) have been. LOL Yeah farm life can be busy. I get envious everytime I read your posts. I really miss it, but oh well I live in the country close enough to town but a few miles out to have peace and privacy...... and just enjoy the beauty of nature. I love the mornings....usually up at 4:30 and don't leave for work til 6:00. I just am awestruck to watch and listen as the earth and its creatures come to life in the new day. Congrats on school!!! My daughter just got news that she too got funded by Pell. So far she has kept the grades up. It was hard for her at times the last 2 years as she also held a job. (Her status was part time, BUT she worked many weeks over the 40.) She just started training for asst. mgr. position about 3-4 wks ago. Her blood pressure went up so the dr. put her on modified "bedrest" and said no more working. Well we got that little boy here now (the 12th of July) and she will resume the job in about a mo. She is considering an online class this for fall semester......just one though.....she thinks she can handle it with the baby AND job. The grant will, however, take care of classes that start in Jan. as well. At which time the plan is a fuller schedule. As Jamie said, check with a counselor, the school ect. Anne got several flyers this time regarding what monies could be used for what. Not everything is covered in some. As far as I know her tuition, books ect are paid for. Gas for the drive cost almost as much as school here in Ill.!!!! (Heard Chicago has the highest gas pumps in the US. Ick!!!!) That has been probably her biggest expense. Can't explain how happy it feels that you and Jamie, as well are finding your paths in life and actually enjoying them.....soberly! It is so nice to see/read stories of young people turning the lives around and accomplishing great things. I commend you both! and wish you both the best!!! Wanda
