Alive! (x-post)

The move is made...most of the unpacking is done.

We're exhausted, but happily settling in.  This, of course, means lots and lots of projects on the menu. 

Our current dining room table is wholly inadequate in size for the massive new dining room...added to the build list along with chairs.  Our poor darling dear Billy bookcases need a facelift...added to the to paint list.  The couch has been awaiting reupholstering for months...now there is space to do so it has been added to the make me pretty list.  And so much more.  Curtains, pillows, dog beds, quilts, etc...but it makes me happy to have the space and time to do it all now.

I just have to finish conquering the kitchen first.

Sigh.

If You Had Your Druthers....

would you prefer a gift card to Amazon or an actual something (useful) as a prize in a giveaway?

Polling, of sorts, here.

Coming up on the 6th Blogiversary here (and it will likely coincide with the 500th post at that) and would love, love, love to hand something over to one of those of you that have stuck around all this time.

Shoot me your opine!

Mmmmmm....Good Book...

just a quick line to opine about a series I've been reading.

Links to the Kindle downloads.

Infinite Sacrifice (free at time of posting)
Infinite Devotion ($3.99)
Infinite Loss ($4.99)

They're fairly short (this coming from a vorocious reader that demolished Under the Dome in less than 2 days...so, grain of salt), but particularly rich in detail.  Not for everyone, especially those that are offended by the possibility of past lives (since that IS what the entire series is about).  But for people like me that do...they're wonderful.

Oh and another, if you'd like, that I read last year and liked alright:

Threads: The Reincarnation of Anne Boleyn ($3.99)

I finished the Infinite series and started on Exodus Lost (was free when I posted the link a few days ago, is now $2.99) and I'm thoroughly intrigued.  I'm loving the Egyptian/Olmec connections being made and finding the whole thing just highly interesting.  If you're into ancient history and New/Old World connections, this one is a good one to have.  I'm loving this one so much that I see myself procuring a hard copy, soon.

And now I'm off...

To Do List....

it just keeps growing and growing.

I started pricing out storage sheds today...the current place has lots of basement type storage (sorely lacking in the in house storage area however) for tools and lawn equipment.  The new place...not so much.

At first I thought about one of those rent to own sheds but upon doing the math and such decided that I'm quite happy with one of those $300 (or less) metal sheds that Tanker, me and my bro (once properly bribed with a meal) can throw together.  All we really need it for is lawn equipment...there is plenty of storage space for my beloved power tools in the house until we're ready to build a real garage/workshop.  $300 spent (plus the cost of bribing my brother) is a whole sight better than $2k or more.

And it's all about saving monies, don't ya know!

Speaking of saving monies...okay, not that this is exactly SAVING money but when I get the distinct pleasure of furnishing a house that is twice the size of what we are currently in this is sorta saving (really it is)...I'm so super excited about this:

400 mile Yard Sale

The weekend after we move...close to our little area...a massive playground in which I get to frolic about in hopes of finding treasures to assist in filling in the spaces our severe lack of furniture will leave.  I'm hoping to find some goodies on the cheap that a little TLC can spruce right on up...I'm handy with a paint brush, staple gun, fabric and sander among other things.  Let me at 'em!  If all goes well, I'll bore you to bits with before, during and after shots.  Fingers crossed that all goes well....I've really got to be finding more chairs to cozy up to the massive dining room table I have plans to build!

All of that, of course, hinges on finding hidden treasures cheap.  I know, it can be done.  I'm keeping the budget on the shopping fun low however.  As much as I would love to go and spend thousands bedecking the grand ol' Victorian out in true style...I know that on a cash only diet that's just not feasible.

But I'll sure try!

I Got the Cats High....

Sure did.

I thought you all might enjoy this...knowing that I felt bad for some reason today that I'd never bought the cats anything with catnip...so I bought them mice (no bells thank goodness) laden with catnip.

I sit here, at 11:15 p.m., tired and ready for bed...all the menfolk snoring away...watching my exceedingly high cats running all over the place, chasing each other (yes, they each have their own mouse), making all those funny "sonar" noises and just in general being insane.  I could go to bed...but they'll follow me...they think I have more catnip.

They've been following me from room to room all evening.  Even the orange one that usually thinks I'm some sort of spawn from Hell that must be sent back.  He's been loving on me, purring...I'm pretty sure it's a ruse to lure me into a false sense of security before he slashes my jugular in my sleep.  Either that or he likes me now because I got him high.

I'm not sure I'll ever buy anything like that for them again.

Maybe.

Possibly if I'm really, really bored and need entertainment.

'Cause really, despite the noise, it's flippin' hilarious.


(Ad click time!  TIA!)

A Little Too Quiet Lately...

I know I've been.  Still here, still kicking...but things on the homefront are about to be packed and moved again.

Yes, you read it right.  Stay here and watch Tanker slowly spiral into nothingness or move on back to KY and have some semblance of a life.  KY it is.  Too many factors to bother to explain, just understand that it's something that needs to be done and I'm surprisingly okay with it.

Keep in mind that despite all the work we've done to this place...it still is not in any kind of shape for the VA to approve a loan.  Another approx. $12k would have to be thrown at it before that would even be feasible.  Why do that when we can have brand spanking new at the same price (with less acreage, yes but still) in KY?  Just one more check in the 'pro move' column.

Other than the above craziness, my silence on all that is going down in the .gov should really speak volumes.  SHTF to follow; in what way...I don't know.  All I know is that I'm driven to get this move done and us settled as quickly as possible...in fact, it's literally almost a panic driven thing.  If we could up and go now, we would be gone.  I'd camp out in a tent, living out of the back of the Durango and trunk of the car at this point just to be done with MO and in KY.  Those that have hung here long enough know that means this 'drive' is bad.

I'm sad to leave the garden and the work we've put into the place thus far...sad to leave the friends we've made...but ready to be gone.  Ready to start yet another new chapter (I swear, I was a gypsy in a past life).

As sparse as it's been around here, look for more scarcity as we gear up to get moving.

After a Week Off....

due to extreme germiness...I head back in to work tomorrow.  And find myself thinking...thank goodness it's only a temp position.

That's bad, isn't it?  After all the hunting, searching and practically begging whilst in the market for a job I am now grateful that it's only temporary.  Touched in the head, I swear.

But in my defense, there is A LOT to get done around here before the VA will back us for a loan...Tanker can not do it all alone (nor do I want him to even attempt it).  And we're not really hurting for money...but I do dislike spending money on stuff to get it fixed when the 'Stead is not yet in our name...BUT we can't get it in our name until certain things are fixed.  Damned if you do kinda thing, ya know.

I only have to push through 'til the beginning of June (I think...gonna have to double check that) and then the position is done.  I was saving my paychecks for a new fridge but they'll sit in savings as part of the required down payment for a bit...gathering tiny, itty bitty bits of interest.

Got nothing done on the 'Stead today as we opted to make use of our season passes and took the boys to Branson for a bit....note to self:  No more weekends if it can be helped.  Huge crowds do nothing for Tanker's non-existent PTSD.

Off to sleep it is for me...meds have kicked in (along with all of today's activity) and I suppose I should attempt to be human for work tomorrow.

Some Fuzzy Butts...(Image Heavy)

sometimes patience does pay off...6 so far:

Moot...

we've discovered that me working is moot, for certain...unless I ONLY work on nights I have school since I'll be up that direction anyway.  That's 2 nights a week...it'll pay for my gas to and from class at least.

100 miles round trip to work for $7.25 hr with no guarantee of a full shift simply is not worth it...not even in my rice burner.  Used 1/4 tank of gas going to and from on Saturday when we spent the night over at the homestead in an effort to get some of the yard/pasture/fixing broke things work done.

So I've let them know at work that I'm only available after class on the days I have class...should be interesting to see how that schedule works out.  Just as well anyway, since I have the feeling that I'll be needing to concentrate pretty darn hard on studying all the extra stuff that class won't cover fully.  I'm good with it.

Spent a little time at the 'Stead (really have to come up with a name for it) today painting and unpacking a little.  Flock of wild turkeys and a flock of bobwhites paid me a visit in the front pasture...right in the same area that the chickens (and turkeys and geese...if I can convince Tanker I NEED them) will be eventually.  Should make for an interesting spring!

Keys in Hand...

makes for a happy Momma and a happy Tanker.

Screamers aren't thrilled with the idea of real and true manual labor, but they'll get used to it.  They are in love with their new school; which starts tomorrow.  That means a 30 minute commute morning and afternoon until we're IN the new place but rather have them start the year there than have to join in a month later.

Yard work starts this weekend...drought killed or severely damaged a bunch of the greenery the landlord had planted and some of it just plain needs to be moved or be gone period.  There is a passion fruit (or maypop depending on where you're from) on one side of the house that has gone absolutely insane and is popping up ALL over the yard...want to keep it but need to get it under control somehow.

Off to call the electric, gas and phone companies about transferring and deposits!  On our way!!

We all love Free...

right?  Right.

The past 3 or 4 days in this house has been one of free reading.  This is soooooo going to sound infomercial-ish, I am well aware of it and can't help it.  I LOVE the Kindle for PC app at Amazon!!!!!!  Why? you ask...um, first off it's FREE, secondly you can download lots of FREE books and thirdly...well, it's FREEEEEEEEE!

It feeds my desire to continue to shove useless (and not so useless) info into my already slightly overtaxed brain. Information like that on Practical Distillery, How and When to be your own Doctor, Simple Field Sabotage and Sailor's Knots...just a few of the hundreds of Freebie books.  This thing is flippin' fun...tons of public domain books that are free...how-to books, classics, you name it...it's there.  It's like a book heaven.  Go check it out...you won't be sorry...well, the choice overload may make you want to hunt me down but remember I've been reading up on Field Sabotage...lol.

Happy New Year All...go expand your reading repertoire.

Contingency...

You know the saying, "The best laid plans....."

I am faced with a dilemma...a problem.  And yes, it involves the preps.  While I am quite content that what we have on hand is enough to see us through a fairly good amount of time (not years, maybe a year) I am faced with the undeniable fact that I can't take it with me.  Weight limits et al put a stop to that thought.  So I am left standing over the preps, trying to decide what comes with and what says with the folks.

I also have to think on the possibility that our "household" goods will be delayed (sometimes it happens...months of happening).  Which means stuff sitting in port with all the port related creatures (bugs, rats, mice, thieves, etc).  Sure, it's covered under "insurance" but that doesn't keep the mind to secure, insurance doesn't always pay.  You see the dilemma, I hope.

What to take, what to leave...it isn't as if I can't rebuild, but that takes months.  It isn't as if I can take everything (some items prohibited) but I hate to leave so much behind.

The problem plagues me.

So I pose this question to you, dear readers...what would you do (and no, staying is not an option...sorry)?  What essentials would you take on a 3300+ mile trek, halfway across the world, to start anew?

(I also thought it would be an interesting study of comparisons...old time 1800's pioneers vs modern...responses should be intriguing I think.)

This should be Interesting....

orders came down...we are off to the EU...interesting, no?

I now get to play "run around like a mad woman" in order to have all the proper paper ducks in a happy little quacking row so the screamers and myself can actually fly WITH the Spouse vs. sitting here waiting for the process to start from over "there"...fun, right?

So the blog morphs again in a fashion...American prepping for those sometimes super harsh German winters in Germany.  And more....you that haven't been overseas will be in for a treat.  I plan on putting up perfect examples of the fantastic gardens that I grew to love on our first tour.  True square foot gardening.  Beautiful.

My own garden will be a complete experiment and completely depends on the possibility of a balconey...no yards where we'll be so far as I can tell.  At least not for a low ranking peon like the Spouse, lol.

There ya have it.  Ozark Momma will be leaving the Ozarks soon...with a little luck mid-March.  I can't tell you how thrilled (really, seriously, no joking thrilled) we are to be going.  Even the screamers are excited.

My Kids Rock...

rather the youngest does...the oldest just stares.  Please forgive the poor video quality...the phone camera is not the greatest.  And yes, I did film this whilst driving...you have no idea how hard it was but I managed to stay where I should have and not laugh.



My baby totally loves his music...seriously.

Sun shining, breeze blowing...

and I'm stuck in the freakin' house. Not really, I did spend the morning putting together a free swing set that my folks picked up for the boys (can't argue with free). But I'm chafing under the bit here, I could have been out on a nice hike with my men except the biggest one (ie the spousal unit) didn't want to hike in the rain. Lo and behold...no rain, it isn't scheduled to be here until Monday now.

Hope he enjoys working in it...hope it comes a flood on his candy ass.

Speaking of the spousal unit, as of last Tuesday the man only has 9 1/2 pounds left to be dumped (on me apparently since I've lost no more weight) before he can officially fanangle his contract. Not a good idea, I hear some shout (ahem, my mom, his mom...the entire population of folks we know with the exception of my sister)...perhaps but unless he does it we won't ever be able to stand on our own...not now. There just aren't too many folks hiring, let alone hiring a job jumper like the spouse. Military is his best bet (and ours as a family) and he likes it best anyway...may as well do a job you love, right?

Glutton for Punishment...

bright and early (well, before it even gets bright actually) in the morning, the spousal unit, the offspring and myself will be wheeling our way southeasterly to KY for a visit with the in-laws. It will be the first time in a year that they've seen the screamers...not by my hand, believe me...it's their own choice.

So here I am, less than three days after a harrowing flight schedule hitting the traveling trail once again. See, I love this...I could so be a nomad. Wonder if that is a paid profession?

Well....I will be able to at least be online there for a bit. Have to actually since I have class stuff to do anyway. Might drop a line or two telling you how miserable I am, lol.

Have a good long weekend all!!

Home Again, Home Again

Wow! That was by far the most interesting and fun week I've had in a long time. Quite informative as well.

I won't bore you with details, let's just say I had a lot of fun and plenty of time to think without interruption (which isn't necessarily always a good thing, lol). It gave me the chance to take a step back and have a good look at things (life, relationships, where we stand in general with home stuff, etc). I guess I am the kind of person that needs to physically step out of the situation to be able to assess it mentally.

In doing that, I've discovered that my life could be way worse (duh, knew that) and found ways to make myself feel useful. See that's what the problem was, I didn't feel useful. I don't 'work' so can't really bitch about money too much (but do). My 'job' isn't paid or very much appreciated for the most part, but it's mine. I've got at least another two years before I can/will even consider working outside the home again...it's only fair to the littlest screamer to be home with him like I was the biggest. So the online schooling stuff for me is a step in the right direction for feeling useful. It begins on Monday (25th)...I should probably be nervous but I'm not given that my first two classes are cherry easy.

So, in short, that lovely (and I do mean LOVELY) vacation gave me a slightly different perspective and I'm going to run with it...can't do much worse than I've done before and it's a learning opportunity (always good).

As for Portland, let's just say that someday...someday...I will be a Portlander permanent or at the very least an Oregon girl. Gorgeous city, stunning countryside, great people...heck, I didn't even mind the chilly winds and cold rains. If you've never been, go. Next year, jebus/allah/buddha providing, the whole lot of us are going...may the Dust help me!!

Last Post....

from the home computer at least...until the 18th!!

For the safety and sanctity of my darling computer, I will be shutting her down and locking her up while I'm gone...little fingers tend to add extra hard drives that don't really exist and can't be erased when left to their own devices.

I have however learned how to post a full on post via my loverly phone...so I may be sweet and fill you in on a day or two of vacation. Or you can check in every once in a while on the Twitter thingy to the left...sure to be lots of updates there!

I won't be able to respond to comments, but will be able to read them via email (also on my super freakin' cool phone), so comment away when I post...if I post...nah, I'll post at least once, promise.

In the meantime, bag is packed up and dang if I'm not counting down the hours.

2 days
55 hours
3302 minutes
198166 seconds

Take your pick...they all point to the exact same time, lol.

Here ya go HJ!!

As promised...the littlest screamer gathering seashells, lol. Sorry there's no video...he was on the toilet, the one place he can't run away when I start recording.

Enjoy!

Oh and as a bonus, you can listen to the little smartass sing and be his usual sassy self if you want.

Go to folder - FileFactory.com

A Bit of Hollyweird...(and other stuff)

that I'm actually excited about....The Road finally has a release date! Woot!

Love the book and so hope that the director/producers/everyone else involved did it justice. For me, it already has one thing in its favor...it has Viggo Mortensen starring as The Man. If there is one 'celebrity' I'd love to meet, it's Viggo. But I won't wax poetic on ya, just suffice it to say he rocks. Okay, enough Hollyweird.

The home front...a week to go before the big "I'm outta here for a while" and you bet I'm counting down. No, I'm not packed yet (puh-leeze I am queen procrastinator around here) but I do know what I'm taking. Lots of plans on things to see and do, but naturally I'm keeping things nice and flexible. No sense getting there then stressing out over not getting to do something in particular at a certain time...it is supposed to be a vacation after all.

The screamers are back home and driving me appropriately crazy...along with their father. What's a girl to do? Run screaming into the dark and hide from the monsters!! Nah, I just take it as it comes mostly. They squealed the glories of the peas and butternut squash popping up in the parental units' garden, told me stories of the pumpkin and watermelon plants growing as tall as them (love those imaginations) and regaled me with tales of migrating snapping turtles. They are currently 'relaxing' in the tub (ie splashing around like giant tuna).

Tomorrow is lazy day 'round these parts. The sun is supposedly going to pay a visit, so I may just be the cool mom and take the screamers out on a walkabout. May even get adventurous and walk them into town for a library visit...maybe. It's only two miles...guess I could be cool mom tomorrow. I dunno. Sure, why not. A little library time, lunch at the park, a little playing in the creek then home for what will probably be a much deserved nap for me. It's all about adventure and for the screamers that will be an adventure for sure.

So, adventure it is...care to join us? I promise, my boys don't bite...hard.