What are YOUR plans for the holiday??


Family? Friends? Gambling?

We have plans to do the normal. We go to the farm where the rest of the family will be also. Well, not ALL, but most. And NOT everyone that matters.
Ron and Cindy, her mom Mildred, their son Jason and wife Anna, maybe Hillary (R&C's daughter), Phil and Becca, Dad and Jan, Me and Dave and Nick. A few ppl will be missing. Ah... we'll have a great day.

Turkey and the trimmings. pies and such.

I'm making my usual yams and apples (open a can of yams, drain it. Add an equal amount of apple pie filling. dot with butter. add cinnamon nutmeg and other spices to taste. stir and heat through. This year, tho, I'm topping it with struessel topping. mmmmmmmmmmmmm

Sat with Rosie today. I swear.. these bowling leagues are KILLER!! Not a single day off.

dinner is pork ribs bbqd with baked beans and brown rice. Hmmmmmmm. need to get in there to finish it up. Watching NCIS LA. Kewl! Abby is in LA!!

Note to self: Fat fingers delete posts....


I've sat with Rosie for 5 out of the last 7 days. At $___ a day, that adds up. Helps every little bit too. With bill collectors calling... I need what I can get. I had the day off today and yesterday (generally don't work Sundays). Jim will be going got tests in the morning, so I have to get moving early. Get the rabbits taken care of in order to be gone at 10:00 or earlier.

House is on the tube now, so I need to dash.

Sat with Rosie today. She wasn't feeling well, so I didn't take her to PT. No need in making her feel even worse.  Made meatloaf with cream of mushroom soup in and on top and some fried taters. I'll be back Wednesday. He loaned me his CAR for my dentist appt tomorrow. Told me to just keep it and come in Wed with it.

My appt is for 10. I'd forgotten but they called to remind me.

Four babies. One pink with dark eyes. Guessing it will be a possible blue eyed white. Can't wait to see for sure.

Our dinner was bbq ribs and taters and baked beans. House on the tube and maybe something else.

My Harliquin marked bunny had 4 babies today. I must have written the date down wrong. I thought she was due a while back. Er. Well, at least I was early, not late! One looks like it may be white (blue eyes??? I can hope) and the other three are spotted. One is VERY spotted and looks nice! She pulled a LOT of hair too. Good thing, since we are heading into winter here.

Went shopping (crafting) with Kathy, Nancy (her mom) and Nancy (a friend) and Nick went along. I think he was hoping that Peggy would be there too. Nope. Eh we had a good time.
( Family pictures here.... )

Got up early today to feed the buns. I have one that was due yesterday. If she hasn't 'gone' by morning, I'll have to take measures!!!!

Did that early because I needed to be ready to leave for a craft shopping spree by 830. I was ready! Kathy picked me up and we headed to Corry to get her mom. Nancy was ready but so was John. Johns a HOOT! Never a trip goes by  with him that we don't get a wonderfully hilarious story. There were several for today, but the big one I recall is about Ox Bow Hill. "Halfway up the hill," according to John, "if you stop the car and listen REAL close.... you can hear ox farts."  I'm serious. This is the kind of stuff we get from him. As my Mom says, "Guess you had to BE there."

Christmas in the Country in Hamburg is where we went. Very crowded for a Thursday! A bit of snow driving up and a bit of hail returning. We stopped for dinner at Applebee's (sign said Ap    bee's). Found a few things but not much. Sometimes you find nothing, sometimes you find a lot! More for Thanksgiving week! I did find something for my great niece and great nephew. We'll be seeing them tomorrow.

Home to hear of the murders at Fort Hood, TX. Sad. So sad.

Got up and fed the kitties. Made a phone call that didn't make me happy. Then found a way around my problem. HA! Dina can't be deterred when she's determined! found out when my doc appt is tomorrow (2) for the gyno. Awe, ladies, don't we just LOVE going? not. Necessary evil. Fed the bunnies (got one due the 4th and she's nesting now) and loved on the favorites. It's so hard NOT to. Counted tails in the garage. Yep, 5 kittens, one momma cat and a big dog. One dog outside. Good to go!
Back inside for lunch and wait for Jim to show up. Ate my Ramen noodles and got a call from the farm wondering WHEN and how many will be showing up for the family dinner. (Friday and not sure).
Jim showed as I was looking for a 9 volt to go in the driveway doorbell. The bell rang. I don't get it ... works and doesn't works! Anywho, off to sit with Rosie. Jim got ready to go hunting. may not make it hunting next year, so I have NO problem sitting for him while he hunts. He deserves his time. Took Rosie to the physical therapist. Got the handicap spot! Woo whoo! Made it much easier getting her in and out of the car. I've been blocked in so it was difficult. Not fun. She's working on pushing her own wheel chair now. Much easier said than done!!
Got home and put her down for her nap. Got their dinner going.
Bout 4 or so, Dave showed up with bad news. Our former pastor Bill Cox passed away yesterday. He is about my age. Sad. very sad. Services are Thrusday but Dave has an appt then. We will go to visitation at the church Wed night instead. He leaves behind 3 small boys with his wife Jeannie. It's going to be a hard road for her. They each have health issues for her to contend with. They adopted them all. Bless them.
Tuesday, I have my appt and hope to find out WHY i've been getting queasy when I smell strong smells (urine, for ex). Hopeing it's not pregnancy. IF I am, it's in the falopian tubes! Ladies all know THAT isn't going to be fun.
Wednesday, I'll sit with Rosie again while Jim bowls. He loves to bowl tho he doesn't do any better than I would! Then home to change and off to the church. Going to be a sad evening.
Thursday, Dave sees his new shoulder doc about his bum shoulder. Tomorrow, we need to pick up the MRI from the hospital so the new doc can see them.
Friday... aaaaaaaaaaaaaah, Emma, Noah, Jennifer, Jan, Leon and .... anyone else?? will be joining us at the farm for lunch/dinner. Nick, unfortunately, will be in school. Boy will he be ticked!!! Can't avoid it. Jen can't make it Saturday, since she has other plans. She doesn't want to wait till next week. Dave works next Saturday. So............... Friday it is. Sorry kid.
Nick got his call from the Marines recruiter today. Called him back this evening. Too bad we didn't hear/understand his name. I think it may have been McGill. but don't quote me on that!
Oh, got a letter today from a credit card company about a late payment. The amount is ONE DOLLAR! Now, if that's not bad enough, they sent one on the 27th and another saying 'we haven't heard from you' on the 28th. FCOL!!! First off, ONE FREAKIN DOLLAR?? Like I'm not going to be making another payment??? Geez louise! and TWO letters back to back?? GIVE ME A FREAKING BREAK. With the postage, the ink, the paper .. YOU JUST SPENT THREE DOLLARS sending me the two letters. FOR ONE DOLLAR late on a bill I'll be paying again in less than a month! Seriously! I can't WAIT to get ahold of these ppl.

Last night was the Halloween party at the Berkey house. I forgot to had Dave stop at Little Ceasar's for his pizza and had to call Peggy to see if SHE could stop to pick it up for us. Yes, Dale and she were headed thru and would grab one on the way. Bless them. Everyone else had Fisher Station pizza. (Fisher Station is the one gas station in Sparty and they have a deli inside. their gas is higher than most because it is 'off the beaten path', but the pizza a great.)  I had my bunny ears, and Dave wore his 'Heavenly Bodies' glowing star teeshirt. I also had on an orange Halloween sweatshirt, for which I was  'lovingly' called a pumpkin. gr. So I became the  'punkin bunny'. Oh JOY! 

We had a great time, as usual. There were a load of college kids there too from Penn State. Good kids... or so it seemed. Wonder if they just WANTED us to think that .... The world may never know!!

Home around 1130 and right to bed.

Thursday, we went to the Celiac convention and got some flour (2 pounds for $7 ain't cheap) for jane to make pie crust for him. Today is the test run! Pumpkin (yeah) pie for the four of us. We shall see. If this works out, he will be able to have pie again!!!!

Off to get another cup of joe. Dave is dry over there. And the bedroom is too far fromt he coffee pot for him to get it. hey, I don't complain,... he makes the coffee and brings me the first cup! The least I can do is get the second.

Nick is at Gavin's for the weekend. Dave and I both will be working in the morning. Bright and early. Actually, dark. Dave will go in around 6 so he will drop me off at Rosie's before he goes in. And I'll NAP. So, it's off to bed for me early tonight. I'm sleepy now tho.

Watch the rest of this ep of CSI and I'll get me a nap. Just can't keep my eyes opened another minute. I'll feed the rabbits heavy tonight, then make sure they all have water in the morning.

Erie's new convention center hosted the national celiac associations seminar this weekend. Had we known ahead of time, we would have registered for the entire weekend. As it was, we went to the 'open to the public' session today. There must have been about 100 different vendors there with samples and email lists and such. Found a great flour mix for making pie crust! Jane is going to use it Sunday for punkin pie. Yum! Will make a regular one for those of us who can eat it to sample both and see if there is much of a difference. Can't wait!

Found a company that makes gluten free skin products, makeup and such. WOW! Samples of the flyers we got will be going to Australia for my girl Hilary. They even have a brow wax so you can get rid of that horrid 'stash'.... {runs hiding from Hil}


I did get a LOT of recipes too. Some of those will be mailed to Oz also. Saturday will be our Halloween party at the Berkey house. YEASS, i'm so excited. But then I'm always excited to go over. They are great people. Anywho, I got one recipe in particular that I'll be taking then. Lemon bars. YUMMMMMO. I hope they like lemon. heheh. That one sample was reason enough to take that long (ha!) trip to Erie. God it was good!




I don't think I'm working with Rosie tomorrow. But I can't remember! The pay would be nice, but I need to get ready for Saturday. Heck... don't have 1/2 the ingredients I need yet. Booger! Will have to wait till Dave gets home with them. Gr.

Lua is about to move back to the basement, as soon as Dave has time to finish up the cleaning. I may be able to get some done tomorrow, since I can't COOK for Saturday. {pout} Anywho, she's doing MUCH better now. over 9 pounds from the 7 that she was when she came home. I wouldn't call her fat ans sassy yet, but sassy, DEF!

Off to feed my fish on Facebook and harvest some crops!

Rainy day. 6 bunny babies from the other day. Don't recall if I mentioned it tho. Two look like the Phantom of the Opera. Just opposite sides of their face. And the color of the mask.

Sat with Rosie today. She napped while I stretched three rabbit hides. I messed up my thumb doing one of them. Gr.  Dave picked me up just as I got their dinner in the oven. Great timing! Off to feed the rabbits and water them.
Had salsbury steak over rice fore dinner. Had Jazz station from I-Tunes playing during dinner. DINA enjoyed it. Those other two sticks in the mud can just DEAL.

Did a bit of rearranging in the basement in order to get Kahlua back there now that she's healthy again.

I'm off to get a much needed shower. After stretching hides and then cleaning a few cages (which i've not been able to DO since getting sick) I NEED to shower. I feel furry! Craving chocolate. sigh.

In a week.
I was sitting with Rosie the first part of the week. then,....

Stomach flu

I spent the most part of last week sick with a bug. Anytime I smelled the least bit offensive smell, I'd toss. Wound up staying away from Rosie's for a while too.

Had one rabbit have 11 babies and lost 7 in the first four days. Errors on OUR part. Side wires were too far apart and the poor lil guys got out of the bed attached to momma's milk and crawled thru the wires. One just wouldn't have made it in any case. But I'm still down to four kits out of a litter of 11. The other momma had 9 and all are doing fine. One did fall thru the bottom and I found it. Immediately put straw over EVERY inch of the hutch floor. Will require more cleaning, but.. Her bunch, I have three chocolate with a single white line on the forehead.. one pure chocolate. one white with chocolate eyeliner and ears and a few spotted.

My blue eyed black dutch had six just yesterday. Two look like the Phantom of the Opera. half masked dutch one black and one chocolate tho I know chocolate isn't a dutch color.

Going to lie down for a bit,. I'm working with Rosie again tomorrow. maybe we'll take a walk around the block again like Monday. She in the wheelchair, me pushing the chair. Nice workout for me.

I had two rabbits bred to be delivered this weekend. (Big Momma, the white flemish giant doe that I bred Luv Potion to kindled 4 days later than most rabbits do.. not unusual for a big rabbit tho. She had 7 pinkies! Yeah!!)

SnoBall is my blue eyed white doe that kindles the harliquin looking rabbits. They are really cute and I'm TRYING to get a buck because the two I have are does. She also won a blue ribbon at the fair in the pet section. So, she kindled in the night last night and had 8 pinkies! Yeah! All fat and warm.

Zinnia is my red new zealand doe that won a blue ribbon at the fair. She had not kindled this morning, so I gave her some lavender to force the issue! She's a first time mom, so I was concerned that she may not 'get it right' the first time.

In the mean time, we began moving hutches around for winter. Getting them closer for several reasons. They will be easier to care for if everything is closer together. The huddled hutches will stay warmer. They are all (almost) under the trees, so no snow dropping on me as I feed. Huddled together, the rabbits will be more sheltered. Less wind blowing thru.

So, SnoBall and Zinnia we didn't want to move for the obvious reasons. Sno had teenies and Zinnia.. didn't wanna move her because she might lose every one of hers. So, got most all of the hutches huddled together tonight. Got the water bottles changed out for water bowls and we are winterizing (enclosing) the other hutches that aren't ready yet.

So I began feeding the buns after I got dinner in the oven for later. Peeked in on Zinnia and saw fur everywhere!! Not just in the bed box but EVERYwhere.  I pulled the box out and took it to the garage (where Dave was) to count the kits. GEEZ! She popped out (what I thought was) 8 kits including one that was cold in the front of the bed but still on  the hay. I popped the cold kit in the WARMEST place I could think of.... the cleavage of my bra. Had Nick take the box back to the hutch and he found another on the hay that litters the hutch. Popped THAT one into my bra as well. Within minutes, the lil guys were wiggling... and THAT tickled! next thing I know they squeeked! hehe. So cute! Once I got them both warmed, I went to put them back. Huddled them in with their 8 sibs and started picking up loose fur to cover them with.... Low and behold, there was aNOTHER kit on the floor. Guess where that one went. Yep, you guessed it... my bra. Few moments later and the guy was nice and toasty too. And wiggling. Ready to put back with the other kits.

In for dinner.. found HAY in my brazier!!! SHOWER TIME! All those lil toe nails had me itchy.

Dave doesn't think that Zinnia can raise all 11 kits but I do. IF she has trouble, I can always split the litter and give 1/2 in the am and 1/2 in the pm.

A 6 year old boy named Falcon accidentally took off from the roof of his parents' home in their experimental balloon. the balloon is reaching heights of up to 10,000 feet. Helium is escaping from the balloon now.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/33330516/ns/us_news-life/

335  update. The balloon is beginning to deflate. Its height is lowered to about 500 feet now.


Now its landed. the landing was softer than expected.

340, no child IN the balloon.

Was there ever a child in it? Did he fall out? Did he get out before the brother reported to the father that the little brother was inside?


356, a hole was located in the bottom of the basket. Child still missing.

Trash day today, so Dave and Nick go the garbage to the road last night in the cans. 
I sat with Rosie yesterday and was going to sit with her this evening, but Jim had forgotten an appt she had to get her hair done! Can't miss those!

(news today.. smoking bans work! In communities where there is a smoking ban have seen a 17% DROP in heart attacks and related issues in the first year alone. No surprise there. Just surprised it did the job.)

Phone still ringing off the hook with creditors calling. I'm still waiting for some intervention to kick in soon. It will take a while for the calls to stop. But then things SHOULD get better.

Dave is getting his MRI on his shoulder right now. I messed up and set the appt in Titusville instead of Corry, so he will have lost some time at work. (I thought it was going to be on his workman's comp claim so missing work wouldn't be a problem... )

Lunch tomorrow with the girls. and yes, it's snowing now. :o(

Made Nick some boiled peanuts the other nite. I like em cold.

Got up early today and got the buns fed and watered. After getting Dave set up for an MRI tomorrow in Titusville. Sadly, he wanted to go to Corry instead. Booger! So, I worked at Rosie's today. Jim came and picked me up and I stayed with her again. I do love that little lady! She is such a sweetie.
Made lunch of left over sgetti and garlic toast. Then, while Rosie napped, I made peanut butter cookies. Dave showed up around 345 or so. Jim didn't get home until about 430. He asked if I could sit with her tomorrow evening from about 4 till dark. Dave will have to go in early so as not to miss work time for the MRI. I'll take the Jeep and drive myself, for a change!! I'll be a free woman!! yeah!
Nick showed up before Jim did tho. He couldn't get into the house. So he rode his bike the 4 miles into town. Don't you keep a key in your wallet? yeah. Where is the wallet? at home. duhhhhh. A man after his own dad's heart. He keeps his wallet in the truck! Dinglberry!
Got home and fed the critters.

Dinner was tuna casserole and peas. Got Dave's cereal bars made. May make cookies for here tomorrow. Not sure. Not sure what kind tho. Oatmeal... choc chip.... peanut butter... Not sure.

Why am I so tired???

Me goes sleeps now. c u nother day. work 2 morrow.

Dave took the day off to help me get rabbits to the sale barn. We took 33 rabbits. Mini Rex, Dutch, Netherland Dwarf, and a New Zealand or two.

We didn't truly expect to make loads of cash selling them. The goal was to reduce the herd for winter. Besides, we have 4 does due in the next month. Two this weekend alone.
In light of the trip to the sale barn today, I didn't sleep much at ALL last night. I'd get 1/2 hour here, 45 minutes there. By 3 I was up for good. Watched a few shows and the bedroom door opened. Dave woke up at 330 or so and decided to make me breakfast! By 6 I was well fed and back in bed at 630 until 8. By 9, the aminals were fed and the rabbits taking vacation were boxed up and ready to go. Coffee carafe was filled and "to go mugs" were filled as well. Off to see the wizard!

My rabbits were sold first. many of mine had pedigrees. That didn't seem to help with price tho. They still went for anywhere from 75 cents for the ND to 2.00 for the pedigreed ones. Not a lot. But, hey, I paid a feed bill for the week! And, these rabbits will have happy homes too. Some of the buyers were 4H. I like that. All of my rabbits (even the few that did not have pedigrees) went with a business card attached.

I'd looked at the other rabbits that came in and took one doe out to check her over. I bid on her but I refused to pay 6 for a rabbit when MY RABBITS didn't go for 1/3 that much. She was a really nice doe, however.

Got a call to work for Jim and sit with Rosie tomorrow. More cash! Last time I brought in 35 for the few hours. Got a few other calls as well, hense the NEED to work.


note to self, call to check on Big Momma who was bred to my flemish buck. I get pick of the litter for a doe. yeah!

Going to take 30 rabbits to the sale barn tomorrow. I plan on including a business card with each sale, if they will let me. Dave took the day off for JUST this purpose. Nick has Monday and Tuesday off for school teacher stuff. He is spending the night tonite with Gavin and will go to a football game tomorrow night with him.

So, we are alone at home. It's 930 and I am tired! No, really.

IF I HAVE TO SPEND ONE MORE MORNING CHASING DOWN ESCAPED RABBITS FROM A HUTCH THAT WAS LEFT OPENED IN THE NIGHT, I WILL NOT BE FIXING DINNER FOR  A FULL WEEK! SO HELP ME GOD!!!















Would not be so darned bad if I didn't have to be somewhere today at noon. AND it's raining!

Chilly at 55, but not nearly as chilly as it's been or WILL be. Ugh.
Got the rabbit hutch directory done today. Just need to get more cards done to go on the outside of the hutches.. Seems one of my buns seems to eat his card! Darn that Andy! Some of the others have been moved and lost their cards along the way. Some got separated from other buns so never had one of their own. Will take care of that soon.

Lua is eating more each day. Really need to get more canned food for her soon. She just about finished her last can today. going to try a cheaper can this evening if she finishes this one. If that doesn't work, I'll get the Science Diet again. But she's worth it, regardless. Just hope we can afford to GET more soon.

Nick decided to put out his live trap the other day for rabbit. No snow on the ground, so guess what he caught! A big fat skunk! Dave shot it and first shot, it sprayed. Luckily, he was the opposite direction. BUT, since NICK caught it, he had to bury it. Stripped to his jeans, he came in to the basement stripped nekkid and his jeans on the line outside. Thankfully, Kathy had just recently had a similar experience with the dogs and had found a surefire solution to the scent. 1Q peroxide, 1/4 cup baking soda, and 1t of DAWN dishwashing detergent. NO subs. Couple of showers later..... No smell!

Anyone recall my mother's Mexican Chicken????  Deb, I know YOU do. Well, I made it last night with one substitution. Rabbit in place of chicken. Then, I took the extra meat, a slice of cheese and one flour tortilla shell and rolled it all up. Toasted them in the oven and dipped into salsa OR salsa and sour cream. Delicious!

Al Bundy is such a duufus.