Pork Butts and Dog Food!

 Pork Butts and Dog Food!

 

Ok, it’s official. Fatigue has landed on my backside! Shortly after ten this morning was the beginning of cooking for my dogs. They were fed, and Thompson had put his foot in Sylvia’s food dish and let me know it needed to be re-filled. So now it will take one one-gallon Ziplock per day for these two muttlinks. Rice in the cooker four times, turkey cooked three different ways—on top of the stove, in the oven, and with the veggies in a pan—again, on top of the stove but with the veggies already in the pot. The little rice cooker has been worth whatever it cost in money. And these two huge metal bowls are priceless! Mix up enough dog food for six bags to go in the fridge or freezer. Still have to tear apart the two pork butts that were cooked in the oven. They are still too hot to handle at this point. And tomorrow is another day. Have two packages in the fridge to feed them for one day, so more rice and some veggies should take care of the pork meat. Stood there stirring and thinking that many folks would be happy to have this stuff the dogs are eating. In truth, it looks a lot like that fried rice one gets at a Chinese restaurant. The last batch got Brussel sprouts, broccoli, cauliflower, and sweet potatoes. Bought ten sweet potatoes and cooked all except for one because the pots were not big enough for all of them at one time. Anyway, the old woman is ready to call it a day.

 

Lance and Tracy took Rachel to see the campus in Lubbock last night. They were still there this morning. She is pretty sure she wants to go there. Hope it is not as big a shock to her system as it was to me to leave home to go off to college. It would have been so much wiser if yours truly had spent at least the first year or two at MSU. Close to home, close to horse, and would have had decent meals or snacks as needed. And having a roommate was a total shock to my system. Oh well. Water under the bridge. Kids today have a totally different outlook on life than the folks my age. We don’t even have the same vocabulary.

 

Got my curtains up in the big bathroom today. It was not that difficult and did not even take any real strength to get the hardware up. Just had to remember to fasten the top part of the holder before doing the bottom. No biggie. Now that room is darker and the colors contrast—purple on the south and turquoise on the west. Not color coordinated but who cares?

 

Sitting down now and being still has shown me that it is a bit cooler in this house than what is comfortable. Earlier it was too warm for me and the dogs. We went out and gathered the eggs—well, actually the dogs were trying to get a rat while someone else gathered eggs and put out feed. Now really need to go clean out the water pans and fill them up again. Just about the time it begins to feel good sitting down, it is time to get something else done. Had the flat screen heater on in the coop last night, but the girls were down in the floor eating when the doors were opened. Tonight is supposed to be a bit colder—29 degrees. Not too bad, but will have to put water in the heated bowl for them. If they were not so danged messy, it would be easier to feed and water them. Oh well. Chickens, kids, dogs, husband—not a lot of difference in the mess and cleaning!

 

My brother called me this morning to talk. He did most of the talking as he had stuff on his mind. He and Jacqui have joined a different church that actually has a congregation and not just a family with friends. This church has around 100 children in it. Jacqui has volunteered to ride the bus and help keep up with the little ones. Sterling is helping with music again. Glad that they both can feel happy doing what they like. They also plan a trip to Texas to see Karen and SO (that’s significant other in case your vocabulary is not up to date). He said that they both had been working in the prison—Karen in the social work type of stuff. Not sure what they were both doing there, but now they no longer work there and have better jobs. Pardon my lack of details. He may have given them, but my mind wanders and sometimes fails to return in good order.

 

Have another book almost finished, but it will have to wait until the birds have clean water. And right after that is finished, the little square medication holders need to be filled. Got one prescription today that has been around here for a few months. FINALLY read the side effects. Good grief Gertrude!! Some of the side effects are pretty bad. Not sure that treating restless legs is a good idea with all the possible side effects. Kinda like Gabapentin—it causes imbalances that affect the way a person walks or whether or not that person can walk straight! “No, Ossifer, I am not drunk! I have been taking Gabapentin!”

 

Brought Patty’s trash bin up to place in front of Jerry house. It makes me sad to see that house now. Guess it is so much harder on his mom.

 

The roofers were supposed to come today, but the gale force winds delayed that situation. Maybe in the morning. The shingles and stuff have already been delivered, so it is just the crew and all the noise that will come tomorrow. At least it should not be over a day—or maybe only half a day! Will be glad to have it done and over with.

 

Kathy Jarlsberg got to be home for just a few days, but she may have to go back for more chemo next week. She needs her gallbladder removed to top it off. Somehow yours truly got the wife and daughter mixed up. The daughter has a watermelon delivery to make in the form of a tumor on ovary. Such fun—NOT!

 

Mariellen Rose still needs our prayers. She is well loved and cared for, but we all know that a certain Hand placed on our hearts makes the difference in how well we are able to recover. Think that is what this entire nation needs—the Hand of God on our hearts.

 

Just had a conversation with these two dogs. They HAVE been fed—and had some treats! The hens have fresh water in the heated dish and outside (for now). Their lights and heater are both plugged in and turned on. Poor little mistreated fowl.

 

Need to get some rest and read a bit in a minute. Feeling a lazy coming over me! Hope it relaxes those muscles.

 

You all remember that our attitude makes everything either better or worse. May yours always be on the positive side—not the “positive my mother-in-law is from Salem” kind of positive. Just remember to appreciate what you have been given.

 

Rest well and be joyful in all things. You are loved.