Monday, October 18, 2010

Camera Broken, How Sad

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And such a gorgeous time of year, too!

I have been photographing a little bit with my son's camera, but it really lacks that VROOM of my SLR.

Usually as fall and winter come in, I am glad for the break in work. I tend to let things all go. But this year is different. Vive la différence! We do not want to be buried in work in the spring and summer the way we have been for the last couple of years, so while Michael does his school work, I am planning on and hoping to work outside every day on some sort of major project so that they are all done and ready to go in the spring.

The weather has been so beautiful lately, and he is often able to do his school work outdoors, making it easier for me to help him with tough spots. And late in the day, it is not uncommon for Michael to come and help me with things I've not been able to finish.

We've gotten quite a few things done so far. We are just getting the gardens weeded and mulched thickly. It's been a little odd, as the weather has stayed warm. But the beds are nearly empty of growth, so they are getting blanket anyhow. A few things are still growing, so some leftover bales of straw are standing by.

We really scrimped and saved to invest in 110 bales. It was a lot of green, rectangular papers with presidents for us, but when we compared it to the work we would save next year, we decided it was worth it. See ya' Andrew Jackson!

We've been doing a lot of practice with cuttings and rootings. Many failures mean we are that much closer to figuring it all out. We are learning all the ways NOT to do things. (Fist pump and tap dancing. Odd looking... but cheery.)

The next two huge projects are resetting the pool, which ended up being slightly oval in shape; and building the greenhouse. I truly hope to accomplish these two things in the next few weeks. We have free wood from a friend's scrap pile and trimmings from the neighbor's mill, so we are very excited about getting the greenhouse going.

Michael's hard work has paid off greatly. He finished an entire school year in 5 months, working double hours right through summer. He has graduated his freshmen year and is moving on to his sophomore year this week. No break from Algebra 1 to Algebra 2, but then again, sometimes it's better to not let your mind go mush in between.

Looks like we are going to have peak color, right around the end of the month. It came so late this year.

It's going to be a really nice winter!

~Faith

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19 comments:

  1. Good idea to get things done at this time of year when the weather is much cooler. It is pleasant to be outside and know you are not racing the clock of Spring and Summer.
    Darn on the camera, your pictures are always so nice to look at- especially the cloud photos. I also love to watch the sky with anticipation!

    I haven't been able to do much outside work myself, and i don't know exactly where the time has been going, but finding the time to blog just hasn't been happening for me.

    I plan to do some winter sowing this winter, that means i will have some things to post about.

    Keep trying on the cuttings, some things are more challenging than others, i have had many dismal failures lol.

    Looking forward to this winter and thinking ahead to summer.

    :0)

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  2. I never even LET my mind go to Algebra 2. I cheated my way thru Algebra 1, and was NOT going to take the chance that I might not be able to do the same the following year! So...my mind was pretty much mush before I even took Algebra 1. Just sayin'.
    Not a lot happening here. We should get the garden beds weeded and prepped, but not sure if we have the gumption. Too much other stuff going on and for now, that is the least of my concerns!
    And autumn colors are at their peak here in West Michigan...just magnificent!

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  3. It will be so nice to have things done in the spring! I hope that those citrus trees continue to do well!

    I agree about moving on in math. I remember finishing Algebra I and then had summer break for about a month, came back for Algebra II, and I had forgotten quite a bit... it took me a good two weeks to get back into it without crying!

    Missed you all yesterday!

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  4. Michael is amazing. It must be nice to get things ready for next year already. We have been searching for straw but what is available is just too expensive.

    Hope it doesn't take too long to get the camera back up and running.

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  5. I am sorry about your camera! Mine is on it's last leg but I got that video camera as an award at work and that takes pictures too. I bought my daughter a camera for her birthday and gave it to her this past weekend. She has been without for a while now. Way to go Michael! Keep up the good work.

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  6. Icebear,

    As I'm seeding and doing cuttings, you are often on my mind. :o) Funny what a knack that can take. Of course, late in the year, I'm working with very little growth hormone. But at least, with all this work getting done, spring should afford me more time to learn then. I'll see if I've got anything worth sending you then.

    ~Faith

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  7. Cyn,

    I don't blame you. But then again, if you've got the time, working that soil can be therapeutic. I imagine it's the time that is getting you right now. (((HUGS)))

    Hey, didn't you have a whirlwind of little helpers this spring, that got your beds ready? Seems some neighbors arrived and did it in one fell-swoop.

    Now I'm wondering if I spelled that right, and the word etymology for it. LOL I'm picturing a scythe cutting tall grass and swooping the fresh cut into your arms...

    ~Faith

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  8. Leah,

    What is it about learning number manipulation that reduces humanity to tears? LOL

    It's incredible though, how God set up numbers and they reveal so incredibly much. I am continually fascinated by the things they can learn mathematically.

    But yeah, shed a lot of tears over it myself as a youngster. :op

    ~Faith

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  9. ChaiChai,

    I hear you. I looked everywhere for the best price, but a friend said she found it for fifty cents cheaper than we paid.

    I hate subscribing to a newspaper for a year just for little things. I can't believe how much it is.

    ~Faith

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  10. SH'sMom,

    I don't think I had heard of a video camera that takes photos before. I had noticed your photos were looking nicer lately, too. Score!

    ~Faith

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  11. I don't know how my husband, two of my daughters and my grandchildren can do math...it so escapes me. Good for you son, math is truly and window to the world.

    Linda
    http://coloradofarmlife.wordpress.com

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  12. Faith, sounds like you are keeping ultra busy!!! We got a lot of garden clean-up done over the weekend..still have piles to put in the compost pile and weeds to the burn pile!!! Congrats on Michael's accomplishment, wow..an entire school year in five months, both you and he must be proud!!! Good luck with the greenhouse...R Dean

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  13. I will see if I can get my old camera to work so take a picture of the new camera...

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  14. Sorry to hear about your camera, I don't have much of one, but it does the job right now. I've been wondering if other parts of the country are having as nice as fall as we are. We could use some rain, but the perfect temp days have been SO nice.

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  15. Linda, It's those who "get" math that make the world go 'round these days. So I'm grateful for your grandchildren!

    ~Faith

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  16. SWs Mom,

    That just cracked me up for some reason. LOL

    ~Faith

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  17. Gramma,

    I know! It's just been perfect fall weather. I know the NW has already gotten hit by winter, but according to Accuweather, we are in for a slightly milder one. Good by me!

    ~Faith

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  18. Dean,

    Thanks! I love the photos you are putting on your blog lately. I must be very visual, surprise-surprise, and I sure enjoy seeing your place. It's set in beautiful surroundings.

    ~Faith

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  19. Hi Faith,Long time no howdy...hope all is well..settled in WA state for now, but we'll see what the new years bring. Got some of my songs up if you want to listen:
    http://www.myspace.com/555081180

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I always enjoy hearing from others. If you become a regular commenter, I'll assume you are being friendly and pretty much comment regularly right back. :o) God bless and have a terrific day!