Trying to stay positive...

I have been doing some soul searching and find myself wanting....What do I want in my life? What are my goals? Am I really doing everying that I need to be doing to find a job? Am I still a positive person? I have really been struggling to stay positive. It has been almost a year since I lost my job of 13 years. Since being let go, I have questioned "WHY?" "WHY ME?" How can I change this into a positive? I have put in 200+ applications since January of this year. Out of those applications I have only had a handful of interviews. The market is flooded with out of work people. One of the positions I have recently interviewed for received over 300 applications for that one job! This week I have put in 12 applications and wonder if I will get a call at all. Pray for me, please, that I will can get back my positive attitude and stay focused on my goals.

My online business has me focused on my dreams through my dream book. I have set some goals and created a book of what I want to accomplish in my life. If nothing else, this business has had me really take a look at what I want out of life and strive for those goals. If you have lost your dreams, you aren't truly living!

Blessings...

College visit...

Boy, am I glad this weekend is over! We took Sarah down to Carson-Newman College in Jefferson City, TN. We were on the road a total of about 18 hours from Friday to Sunday evening. She was invited down for a senior session where they had a total of four seniors warm up and play with some of their volleyball team members. They told her that they had had a session last weekend and there was a girl there that was 6'2" that played the same positions as Sarah. They said they were still interested in recruiting her but didn't know how much money they would be able to offer her. One hang up is the distance. It takes about 7-8 hours to get there, one way, depending on the traffic and weather. She has had several other colleges contact her so we will be doing more visits. We stayed at Richie & Dawn's house while down there. It helped break up the trip a bit so we weren't driving a full 7 or more hours at a time. It also helped save money!!

How do you like my swan picture? I took it this past Friday morning on Waterford Rd. by Kokosing Construction. I am putting them on some Christmas cards, which will be for sale if anyone wants them ($10 for 10). They are framed in a blue frame with blue pine, pine cone and snow in one corner. Saying on inside "It was as if nature paused to take a moment of silence softly wishing for peace on earth...Merry Christmas and a Wonderful New Year!" The front of the card has a spray of fine glitter.

Blessings...

My brother is here!!!

I am excited! My baby brother Richie is here with one of his buddies, also a Richie, and they are hunting deer...I know some of you don't like the idea of Bambi hunting, but they are so tasty! So far they haven't had much luck. Not sure how long they are staying, but is sure is nice to see them.

I have been down in my back all week and headache most of that time. Went to the doc today and was wrung out like a rag! Pretty dog gone sore right now!!

Sarah has had a couple of really bad days and had to miss school. But, I heard it is going around the schools.

Gotta run and hit the sack...my eyes are crossing!!

Blessings...

Sharon

Interview...

Well, as interviews go, it went well....I thought. But, most of the interviews I have had I thought went well, too!! I am not holding my breath on this one. If God sees fit to give it to me then I am blessed, if not...I am still blessed because it wasn't the right job for me!! I am waiting for God to bless my business at the right time and it will take off like gang busters and I won't have to work outside the home....It can happen!!! I have faith!!!

Went to Sarah's MBC Awards banquet last night down at Miller's in Newark. Awesome food! She received 1st Team in volleyball and got a nice medal. Her boyfriend's MOAC awards banquet was Sunday evening and he received Player of the Year and best Offensive Player. He is an awesome athlete.

Randy has finally started combining again after 17 days sitting waiting for the grain elevators to start taking in more grain. It has been so frustrating for him. He has bills due and can't get anywhere because nobody was taking in corn. The one's that were, the trucks had to sit for 3-4 hours just to dump and nobody wanted to haul because of that. They emptied out his grain bin on Saturday and he ran all day Sunday and Monday and now the bin is full again!! Yea!! As soon as it is dry he will start hauling it out again. I think the bin holds 6,000 bushels of corn. He has about 60 more acres to combine. God has really blessed us this year with me being off work and my unemployment running out, we haven't missed a payment on anything. Thank God!!!!

Blessings..

Finally!!

Well I finally have an interview Friday back at the Naz. We will see how it goes!

Check it out!!

Check out my new link "Brinkfish" for the contest I am entered in. Check it out and vote!!

Sarah's boyfriend Taylor's football team didn't win their playoff game Saturday. I know he was very disappointed by it. Sarah's team went through her games but didn't make it to the final two teams for the final playoff. Their team did make it to the final four teams though. We are visiting colleges now. We went to Wright State on Thursday, boy was that a long day!

Randy is in the midst of combining all of his little "corns". :-)) Right now our one grain bin is completely full of dried corn and we have to wait until the grain elevators are accepting more grain before we can truck it out. We then need to find a semi truck to haul it then!

Gotta run, it is late as usual and I have a doc appointment at 7:30 for my feet, so please check out my pics and vote!

Blessings....

I am properly chastised...

Well tonight, at my first Spanish class given by my daughter Missy, I was told that I shouldn't get after my daughter for not blogging when I am not doing it either! What a hoot!!! LOLOLOL So.....Here I am!

Randy started combining his corn yesterday at home and finished up at home today and moved on to another one of his fields. I think he has a total of 150 acres out in corn and a couple of fields of double cropped soybeans (planted after the wheat was taken off). We have our new grainbin a little over half full of soybeans. The corn will go into the old grain bin, the one with the dryer in it.

I am still looking for work, so anyone hearing of anything please pass it along!! I finally finished my 2006 taxes...I know they are very late!!! I will have to work harder on getting this years entered so they won't be so late this coming year. That will make Randy very happy!

Volleyball is over for Sarah...sadly enough. The Freddies made it to Districts and lost against the third team, Pleasant. Had they won, they would have gone to the final play off this past Saturday. I think Sarah was sad in one way and relieved it was over in another. She has been heavily researching colleges and doesn't have it narrowed down yet. Her beau, Taylor, is being recruited pretty heavily right now. He broke several school records as well as the record in the history of the MOAC for most rushing yards in a season. He is an awesome athlete and leader at his school.
Here is Taylor waiting to be interviewed after the game (he is #5)....

My life...

You know, sometimes it feels like all you do is beat your head against a brick wall...or at least a tree or something.... I am finding it very difficult to keep a positive attitude these last few days. I absolutely hate job hunting now! It has been 9 entire months of job searching and rejections. I just pray that my online business will take off like a rocket and I won't have to go back to work at all! God sent it to me, I know this...I got the call just a week after I lost my job in January. All of the people I have dealt with at the company have been exceptionally helpful emotionally and spritually. When I have sent out e-mails for prayer regarding Sarah, my dad, and Ivan my father-in-law, I always received several e-mails back from the different ones in the company...my upline...that were so encouraging and thoughtful. I even talked to one of my upline leaders this week for almost an hour about things regarding faith and church and such. He was such an encouragement to me. I didn't realize I needed to get it all off of my chest. It was so theraputic!!

I don't know, maybe it is just the fact my baby is now a senior and will be leaving to go off to college in a few months. Tomorrow night is senior night at her last home game of volleyball...already!!! This is a major milestone in her life and she is also feeling it. She was sad this morning when she mentioned it to me. I think she almost cried...

Daddy has just three more treatments and he will be done with his radiation treatments. I know he will be very relieved and mom too. I know it has been hard for her going every weekday for 9 weeks. I am amazed at how well Daddy has been. He has kept up his everyday schedule despite having to go every morning during the week for treatments. He still does his hay and working with his cows everyday. I am so proud of my parents. They are so strong and seem invincible at times. I love you mom and dad!!!

Blessings...

Humph!!!!

You know, sometimes you just want to throw up your hands and just scream!! I am back to square one in the job hunting area. I worked for three weeks at the temp place...thinking I was doing really good. Well on the 21st they told me not to bother coming back because he thought that "I wasn't comforatable with my job!" What a reason to let me go!! I really think it was to get out of the contact with the temp agency. One of the guys in the shop had a female friend come in and put her application in and the very next week I am told not to come back! I have to find a job to keep the income coming in until my online business really takes off. So, I mailed out 6 resumes today. We will see how that goes.

I went to the doctor today and found out my scan on the gall bladder was normal, so she thinks it is maybe the start of gall bladder disease. She told me to stay away from fried and spicy foods. I can handle that if keeps the pain away!! I also had lost another two pounds!!! WoooooHoooo!!!

Sarah's volleyball team is doing well. They have only lost two games, both to Centerburg. They place Mansfield Christian tonight and won all three games. They play Danville tomorrow night (Tuesday). Senior night is Thursday at home. WOW! I can hardly believe it is here already!!! Man, does that make me feel old...last baby in the nest.

Blessings

Testing...

Oh how I hate testing! After spending last weekend in the hospital in soooooooooooo much pain, I guess I will have to endure the testing to find out why. Let me tell you! I am NOT looking forward to this at all!!! In less than 8 hours they will inject me with some kind of radioactive (nuclear ??) dye and wait awhile then inject me with something to make my gall bladder empty or squeeze to empty to see if it is functioning properly. When Sarah had this done back in the spring she got veeeeeeeeeeryy ill. I pray that it will not be so bad...

We are going camping this weekend and I can't wait!! We are going to Kokosing, just down the road from our house. I like it because if I forget anything it is only about 5 minutes from our house and I can go back and get it! It is right on the lake and it is so relaxing. I am hoping to get some fishing in this weekend as well. We are celebrating Randy's birthday (19th)...one year closer to 50 and just one more to go!!!! Woooo Hoooo!!! ;-) Bad, I know...just can't help myself! He is almost an antique!!! Heee Heeee! So I sound too gleeful! I think it is great! Guess I need to get some shut eye since I have to be at the hospital at 7:30am...YUK!!!

Blessings....

New Job...

This week has been a loooonnnggg week! I started a new job, through a temp agency, at Fabrel on Rt. 661. They make metal roofing and siding. I worked four days and had 36 hours! Hopefully, it will work out and they will decide to hire me.

Sarah has been really sick again. I had her to the ER 2 times with in 24 hours last weekend. She had strep throat and her tonsils had swelled together. She also had a fever of 103 most of the weekend. Her mouth is also full of canker sores. She went to school all week except for yesterday. She went to the doctor on Thursday and they put her on new meds and told her that if she didn't feel better to come back in on Friday. Well...she had to go back yesterday and the Doc had a fit when he saw her mouth. He asked her if she was being treated for it and she said yea! I was here yesterday! He put her on some more new meds and told her to stop taking the other meds. He also gave her a mouth rinse with lidacain (sp?) to numb her mouth. Hopefully by Monday she will be feeling more like her old self.

Hubby had a mishap this week while he was by himself taking down a grain bin. It could have been very bad! He was taking down the bin when a piece of the roofing metal came down on him and cut a nice chunk out of the back of his ear and scraped the area of his sideburn. He said he bleed like a stuck pig! I know he was very pale when I got home. Sometimes he worries me!!!
Blessings...

Labor Day Weekend...

Well, I would like to say that this weekend was wonderful, but....
Some parts were. We went camping for our anniversary at Mt. Gilead State Part. Mike and Renee and their Labradoodle Jack came over Friday night and we had hotdogs over the fire. Saturday, Ran and I got up and left to go home about 6:30. Ran had to work on taking down two grain bins. He came home and took a shower and we headed back over to the campgrounds about 6pm or so. Missy and Joe came up for dinner on Friday. We had steaks, mashed potatoes and fruit pies made in the fire. Yummy!!! Missy made the pie crusts and the two different pie fillings and they brought ice cream to eat with it. Yesterday, Mom and Dad-in-law, brother-in-law and wife, and cousins of the sis-in-law, nephew and his lady friend and son came over for a cook out to celebrate our anniversary. It was nice.
The parts that were not wonderful...
Sarah is sick. She has come down with a very severe case of strep throat, with canker sores all over the inside of her mouth, running a fever, throwing up...just all around HORRIBLE!!! She called me at 1:30am on Sunday morn. I took her to the ER and got back to the campground about 5:30am. About 10:00pm she started calling again..feeling really, really bad and wanted me to come home. Well, we packed everything up and left about 11:30pm. Hubby wasn't too happy, but my kids take presidence over fun. I had her back in the ER about 1:15am with a fever of 103 degrees and not even able to swallow her own spit and trouble breathing. They put her on new meds...actually four kinds, an antibiotic, steroid, ibuprofin and a strong me for pain. I also got her some stuff for the sores in her mouth so she can at least attempt to eat. She was able to get a scrammbled egg down late morning. This was the first she had eaten since Saturday morning. So hopefully now the meds will kick in and she will be able to get back to work on living. Unfortunately she won't be able to play in her volleyball game against Centerburg on Tuesday. She is really bummed about that. But, being healthy needs to be priority here.
Father-in-law's leukemia is now stage 2. He will go back in December and they will do their battery of tests and get back with him then. He said he is feeling great and not badley. That is a good thing.
Daddy had to have another stent put into his heart this past week, his second one in less than 3 months, and he is feeling much better. And, he is half way through his radiation treatments.Mom is having him a cookout today for his birthday and lots of family have come to celebrate. HAPPY BIRTHDAY DADDY!!! Y Y Y

My Daddy...

Daddy had another heart cath done today and they had to put in another one, below the one they just put in a couple of months ago. Mom said they told her he came through it ok and they didn't have to shock him like they did last time. This is good! Hopefully, Daddy will feel much better this time. He is half way through his radiation treatments!!!! Wooo! Hooo! Only twenty more to go. They are going to keep him overnight, which is standard procedure. He will get to go home tomorrow, on his birthday. My sister-in-law said he only did this so he wouldn't have to have a party! Daddy just grinned. I love my dad!!

I start work on Tuesday as a temp for a company in Mt. Vernon, Fabral?

Another Win!!!

The Fredericktown Ladies Volleyball team won their game again tonight against the Johnstown team. They won all three games. It was good! There were lots of smiles going around the team.

Could you all pray for my dad? He has to go in again tomorrow morning for another heart cath. He has started having the same pain in his back and shoulders like he did a couple of months ago before they put the stent in. He has his radiation treatment then goes in for the cath.

Blessings....

More interviews...

Well I had my 1st interview for a second position yesterday at COTC and they also told me about a temporary job that they would be having as well. I should know something about both jobs at COTC by the end of the week. At least, that is what they told me. I had signed up with the staffing company of Acloche and they called me with a temporary job in Delaware. I have to go there at 2pm today for an interview with the Delaware branch manager of Acloche. We will have to see how that goes. I just wish I had gotten these calls before my unemployment ran out! My online business is starting to pick up so I won't have to work outside the home for long.

This weekend, Sunday, is our Anniverysary, 29 years, can you believe it? Daddy's birthday is Saturday. He will be 68 years young. Love you Daddy!!! Handsome, isn't he? Happy Birthday!

Blessings...

They won!!!!

The Freddies won tonight! The gym was like a sauna. Really made you appreciate the Freddies air conditioned gym! It was so cool in the hallways, but you walked into the gym and it almost took your breath away it was so hot! The varsity girls volleyball team won all three of the games tonight against Utica. They were all excited about that! Check out the video!

Blessings...

Game lost...

I have another interview tomorrow at 2:30 at COTC. Pray it goes well.

Highland beat the Freddies tonight. Three games to one. They were all close games. The Freddies did win the third game. Sarah was a bit upset because the team hasn't quite jelled yet. Hopefully they will all come together soon.

Do you think???

Do you sometimes wonder what God has in store for you when things are just not going right and things are falling apart around your ears? I have thought about this all year. Yes, this year has been a real stinker and the worst so far...in my short life of 47 years :-). I know adversity is supposed to make you stronger but there are times when I think, "Okay God....What gives????" I know God has a plan for my life and that I am to touch many lives in one way or another.

So far this year I have lost my job of 13 years, Sarah has been very ill, Daddy was diagnosed with prostate cancer and then had to have a stent put into a blocked artery then started radiation therapy, Ivan (father-in-law) was diagnosed with leukemia (which is in remission right now), Shirley (mother-in-law) is getting worse with her dementia, Tiffany (Missy's sister-in-law) passed away, along with a multitude of other problems....

But, things are looking up!!!! My online business has picked up and seems to be speeding along!!! To which I am extremely grateful! My coach, Scott, has given me many ideas to pursue to make my business grow even quicker. And it all involves photography! How cool is that?!?! One of my most favorite things to do!!! God is blessing........

Blessings to all....

Sarah's Scrimmage from the 21st

Check out Sarah's scrimmage from Tuesday the 21st.

Blessings....

COTC....volleyball

I had another interview, this time at COTC. I think it went well. I have another one at COTC on Tuesday for a different position in the same office as this last interview. I should know something by the end of the week about the interview I had at Kenyon College. Today was Sarah’s first day of school of her senior year. I can hardly believe my baby is a senior already! I took pictures!! She was like…”Jeesh mom!” I love my kids!! I pray that this year goes better for her than last year, healthwise that is. You should have seen her yesterday at her scrimmage. It was good to see her smile a lot. She really looked like she was having fun. I even took a funny picture of her…See!!


Blessings....

Rain, rain go away....

Wow! What a ton of rain! It can slow down anytime now. We have had about 4-5 inches of rain already. This is definitely not good for the crops. Hubby said if it doesn't slow down the soybeans will become diseased and that will not be good! Too much rain is just as bad as not enough.

Well, my unemployment runs out this week. My online business is growing, just wish it was faster. But, that takes dedication and being faithful to working it. I know God brought it to me for a reason. Many of my upline and team are Christians and have been very faithful in prayers for different requests I have sent out. They are there for each other and willing to help where they can.

Dad had had 12 radiation treatments so far and is doing well. Mom said he is still working and doing everything he always does. He hasn't noticed any difference yet. Hopefully he won't have any side affects from the radiation. Hubby's dad, Ivan, his cancer is still in remission as far as we know. He is due to go back for a checkup soon. Mom-in-law's dementia is getting worse and Ivan is still in denial and won't seek help with her. She is still driving and taking care of their bills, although I am not sure how. Just pray for them that something will come along to help Ivan to see something has to be done and that there is help out there.
Blessings

Pickles...

Still canning! I did 11 quarts and 1 pint of sweet pickles today. I have to redo my hot pepper jelly because it did not set up. URGGGGG!! I just made the best soup! You will have to try it!

STUFFED CABBAGE ROLL SOUP
1 ½ lb. ground chuck
1/2 medium onion, diced
2 cups finely chopped bell peppers
2 cloves garlic, chopped
1 cup chopped zucchini (small pieces)
2 cups diced cabbage
1 46 oz. can tomato juice
3 cups water or beef broth
1 14.5 oz. can diced or crushed tomatoes
1/2 cup rice
1-2 tsp. beef base
½ tsp dried marjoram
Celery salt and pepper to taste

Brown meat, drain. Sauté onion, peppers, zucchini, cabbage and garlic till tender. Mix all ingredients in soup pot and cook on low for 1 hour. This can be cooked in a crock-pot on low for 4-6 hours. Note: This soup freezes well in individual portion containers.

Disappointed...

Well, had my big, first time at the Farmers Market and I am very disappointed. I was surprised at how little I sold...but I guess I shouldn't be. Consumers can be a bit persnickity (that is how it is spelled...right?). I think I made about $28, a lot less than I had planned on. But it did give me some new ideas for next time. Missy said it normally is extremely busy. Oh, well! I guess I will try the Fredericktown Farmer's Market on Wednesday if it isn't... raining that is. I canned another 9 - 1/2 pints of hot pepper jelly tonight. I also picked a big dishpan full of cucumbers which need to be made into pickles or relish sometime tomorrow. I still have about 28 BIG bell peppers left that didn't sell at the market. They will either be frozen (chopped) or made into relish, not sure which one yet. Oh, some sad news....our black kitty (see picture below) went to kitty heaven today...she gave her 9 lives on the road. She had somehow climbed up inside the truck bed and when Hubby was driving up the road she jumped out and he accidentally ran over her. He felt really bad. Well, I can hardly keep my eyes open so I will talk to you all later!
Blessings...

I am totally beat!!!

Let's see, what have I canned today? I canned 8 quarts pickled banana peppers and 12 quarts tomato juice. I picked about a dozen bell peppers and that wasn't even half of them. I also have beans that need picked as well as more tomatoes!

So far this is my list of things canned and frozen in the past two weeks:
Green Beans 13 quarts canned, 4 quarts frozen
Tomato Juice 12 quarts canned
Pickled Pepper rings 5 quarts, 14 pints canned
Pickled Whole Peppers 3 quarts canned
Pickled beets 8 pints canned
Zucchini Relish 7 1/2 pints canned
Hot Pepper Jelly 8 - 1/2 pints canned
Corn 48 quarts frozen

Okay...now I am really tired! I can't believe I did all that! The only one I had help with was the corn, the rest I did on my own. I am going to take some of it to the Farmers Market and see how it goes. Goodnight!

Blessings....

Eventful week..

My interview today at MVNU in Polaris went well, only about 20 minutes, but it was also for a position that I have previously held before. I think it went well, but it is 40.2 miles one way and it is only part time, so I am not sure it is one I should persue. Well, I have to get busy as I have a ton of tomatoes to can today. Later...

Blessings...

Two Hour Interview...

I have never had an interview that lasted two hours before. It seemed to go well, but then I thought all of my others went well too and I didn't get those jobs. I have another one tomorrow with MVNU for AGS at the Polaris Campus. This is the program I worked for before. Only problem is that the job is only part-time. I have another interview next Wednesday at 11:00 at COTC. I was informed that it would be approximately two hours too. Hubby had an interview today as well. Get this! His interview lasted about 4 1/2 hours!!! And they didn't even talk wages... He is really debating on what to do. But it will be in an air conditioned shop building engines, which he loves to do. He won't have to work in this horrid heat, or hang upside-down inside a huge piece of equipment or be on his knees for hours working on equipment. The benefits look really good to. I guess we have to wait and see what they offer him for wages.
Blessings....

ARGGGGHHHHH!!!! CORN!!!!

We did 54 quarts of corn tonight! Actually with what Missy and Joe took home we did about 64 quarts of corn, that we cut off the cob, that is.. Don't ask how much we ate! Or how much found its way on the ground, the table, and pretty much all over us!! LOLOL I finally had to go and wash my glasses cause Missy was cutting (or should I say mashing) her corn off the cob with a dull knife and was spraying me constantly with corn juice! LOLOL We kept giving her a hard time! We ended up giving Missy a bunch of corn we had already "skinned" as Renee would call it. We finally finished up about 9:40, thank goodness.

I am starting to freak out over my interview tomorrow...I hate interviews with four or more people who give you situations and you have to tell them how you would handle it. urgh! It is a necessary evil I guess....

Blessings...

WOW!!! Another call for an interview!

I just had a message on the phone for another interview...at COTC. I left a message and will be waiting on the call tomorrow! Cool Beans!!!!

Blessings...

Corn....Corn....And MORE Corn!!!

We cooked and cut off 22 quarts of corn last night over at a friend's house and are going back to do A LOT MORE tonight! We only went through about four rows and there are about 26 rows altogether... Doesn't that sound like a lot of fun? ARGHHHHHHHHHH!!! I think corn is the only vegetable I absolute HATE to do! And hate is not a strong enough word! We have a large crew coming over tonight and we are going to get an assembly line going. We will then divide the spoils when we are done. Well, I had better get all my stuff together so I can get to work.

Blessings....

Another Interview!

I have another interview on Thursday with MVNU at the Polaris campus for a part-time secretary/receptionist...I know, I know...been there done that and moved on up, but now I have been dropped and need to pick myself back up and pull myself up by the bootstraps and keep going! Hubby has an interview on Wednesday too! We will have to wait and see what they offer him whether or not he takes it. Just pray it will be good!! He really needs a break. This heat has been killing him! He comes in just completely exhausted. Sarah came in today from practice with a migraine and had it all day. She is feeling a bit better now and was able to go to bed without it. She is supposed to hang out with some of her friends tomorrow night. Her one friend just had an accident a couple of weeks ago where one of his relatives was killed when his motorcycle hit his truck at a high speed after he had pulled out of his driveway. He was pretty devistated. I just hope and pray that they don't actually pursue charges. The poor guy is a senior in high school and going to have to live with that the rest of his life. It would be bad enough if it had been a stranger, but his own relative! I can only imagine how hard that is to live with. Pray for him if you will please.

Blessings....

Interview!!

Kenyon called me back for a second interview! They just left a message and I need to call them back. I am up to my neck in Amish Friendship Bread! You know when you get a start of it sometimes it takes on a life of its own! I am in the process of making little pans of it to sell at the Farmers Market. I am into my second batch and have four more to go of one bag. I have another bag that has to be divided into five more batches. See what I mean? LOLOL Mighty tasty stuff though! Hubby takes it to work and it is gone in less than 10 minutes and they are always asking for it. I told him to take orders! I might be able to make some money that way.

Blessings...

Break time...

It was nice to not really do anything today other than cooking. Hubby and I went over to Mike and Renee's and went swimming. It was so nice...expecially the exercise. The water was nice and warm...80 degrees. Hubby saw a huge meteor this evening when he was out putting wood in the stove (outside stove we heat our water with it). I think I will go out and check out the meteor shower later, it is supposed to peak after 12:00am. Too cool!! I love this kind of stuff!

Blessings...

Salsa, salsa and more salsa!

Today I canned 18 pints of salsa, Sharoni's Peach-Corn-Black Bean Salsa!! I had two pints that wouldn't fit into the canner, so I guess we will have to eat them!!! LOLOLOL Oh what a problem.... I also broke a huge bowl of beans that I will be freezing and cut up most of my green bell peppers and will be making more hot pepper jelly with those. I am thinking I might try and sell it at the Farmer's Market....what do you think?

Sarah had a scrimmage today and said it didn't go well...it was at Amanda Clearcreek (?). She no sooner got home and had to take her shower and leave for work. She didn't get back home till almost 10pm. She was one tired puppy!

I have been working on my own web page for my pictures, cards, posters, calendars, and etc. "Treasures from Heaven's Country". I also want to start writing again...maybe finish my novel "Spirit Wind." I also want to finish my book on butterflies of Knox County. I need to keep dreaming and staying positive...I know God has a plan for me...I just need to keep the faith and keep going and keep giving Him the glory...

Blessings

Another one...

Hmmm...I think the interview went well...I guess I will find out next week when I either get the call for another interview or I get the "sorry Charlie" letter. At this point I don't know what to believe because I thought all of my interviews so far went very well. I am totally stumped! McDonalds and Walmart are both looking kind of good at this point.

I picked one row of beans and had an overflowing bowl. I still need to get the rest of them picked and then check out my other two rows. I picked some tomatoes...some weighing about 2 lbs!!! They were huge! Just look at it compared to my one cup measuring cup!

Here are some pics of my kitties.

Blessings...

Canning and Disappointed....

Thursday, I am still canning. I did 7-1/2 pints of zucchini relish this evening. More to do tomorrow. Probably will do salsa and beans. Hopefully it will be much cooler tomorow. We had a doozie of a storm this afternoon, but it cooled it down a bit.

Today was my Mom's birthday. HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM!!!! I called my brothers to see if they remembered and they hadn't, so it was a good thing I called them!! Dad had his fourth radiation treatment today and is still feeling ok. I am glad for that. With this heat he said he walked over and fed the cows and was wringing wet with sweat before he got back across the hill to the house.
Well, I am very disappointed. I didn't get either of the jobs I interviewed for this past week. I received both "sorry Charlie" letters today. Man, I just don't get it! I am either under qualified or over qualified. I do have another interview tomorrow, via telephone, with Kenyon College. We will have to wait and see if this one will pan out. I sure hope so! All this rejection is starting to weigh me down....Please keep praying that God will provide....I know He will...

Blessings....

Job Interview....More veggies!!!

Well, I had my job interview today in Mount Vernon. I think it went well. They will look over all the interview they are doing today, Thursday and Friday and then call a few back in next week for a second interview and decide from those and the person they hire will start after Labor Day. The only problem with that, is if they hire me, I will be two weeks without any pay of any kind because my unemployment runs out in two weeks. That is NOT good! I hope that Manpower calls me and hires me then I would start next Monday. I just have to learn to be a bit more patient and let God do His thing.....

I chopped up my zucchini and onions and have them sitting in a brine. Tomorrow I will rinse them and chop the peppers to go into it and make my zucchini relish. I also shredded two quarts of zucchini for the freezer to make zucchini bread. I picked almost a dozen cucumbers tonight. That is about all I could handle because of the heat. I will have to go out tomorrow and pick my tomatoes and beans. I might be able to make some salsa tomorrow too. I will have to get busy really early though.

I talked to mom today and she said dad had completed his 3rd radiation treatment and just 37 more to go. He said he is feeling ok, just a bit tired, but that may be because of the heat. He said he wasn't doing too much since they are under a heat advisory.

Hubby is getting a bit anxious about the weather and lack of rain. He is constant checking his cell phone...he is technically challenged but someone showed him how to put it on his phone and now he has the weather on it. I don't know which is worse...watching the weather channel all the time or him checking his cell phone!! I guess you will have that when you are married to a farmer!!

I will have to take some pictures of our little kittens to post. If anyone wants one or more...please let me know!! LOLOL There are 5 of them....

Blessings.

The garden is overflowin'!!

I canned 8 half pints of hot pepper jelly today. I may have gotten too much hot pepper in it! I licked the spatula and boy the afterburner kicked in after I swallowed!!! Whooooooeeeeeee! It is really good on crackers and cream cheese. I still haven't figured out what I am going to do with all the bell peppers I picked last night. I might make some pepper relish and zucchini relish with them. I will have to go cut some cabbage tomorrow. I have about half a dozen ready to cut.

It is too freaking hot out to do much gardening! I was out there today for about 15 minutes and thought I was going to die. I have no idea how hubby can stand it out in the shop with no air blowing and the humidity so high. It is like a sauna. Poor Cookie (my 6 year old beagle) stayed inside most of the day. She would go out for a short time and then would be at the door wanting back in.

Hubby and I went over to Mike's house and swam this evening...cooled off!! They have a really nice above ground pool. Jack, Mike and Renee's Labradoodle, was his regular roudy self. He is so funny! Hubby gets on the floor and romps with him and Jack just loves it!

We have been blessed with an abundance of kittens this year and here is one peaking from behind the bannister of the deck. Isn't she pretty? She has two other siblings, a calico and a solid black one. Their mother is tortoise colored.

Well, say a prayer for the job interview tomorrow. It is at 2:00 and I am not sure how much it pays yet. It figures that everything in the garden is starting to get ready to can and I may get a job. I need to go and search for more jobs to apply to....Later

Blessings!

Canning anyone????

Okay....I am totally whipped. I just finished canning 8 pints of pickled pepper rings and 7 pints of pickled beets. Tomorrow I will do my green beens and maybe some cabbage (sauerkraut). I had to look up a recipe for pickled beets on the internet...I couldn't find my old faithful recipe that used honey.

I got a call today for another interview. WoooHooo!! Wednesday at 2:00 in Mount Vernon. I also received my testing packet for the post office in Mount Vernon. I applied for this job way back in May. I should know, hopefully sometime this week if I got the job in Mansfield. I hope and pray something comes up soon as I only have three more weeks (including this one) of unemployment left.

Sarah has started volleyball tryouts this week...very hard workouts. She came home and crashed today after her practice. Her boyfriend, Taylor, came over Monday evening and pigged out on fried donuts before dinner...I think it kind of slowed him down a bit for dinner...He is an absolute bottomless pit!! I sent him home with one of my pints of pickled pepper rings that had popped open. Okay...it is still good...I didn't send him home with something spoiled!

Okay...I have been up way too late again and need to high tail it to bed...tomorrow will be another long day of canning....

Blessings!