A few pics from our house :)

Hello! I hope everyone is having a nice summer :) Peanut and Mickey have become good buddies now. Mickey is still not wanting to share his toys very nicely...but, other than that...they are getting along great! Teddy runs around and plays with them sometimes, but mostly would rather that they just leave him alone. He is getting older and I'm sure probably gets pretty jealous of all the attention given to the chi-babies...Peanut is around three pounds now. I think we should call him puddles, as he leaves lots of them for me :)

Out in the garden...my sunflowers are gorgeous!! I planted mammoths and red velvets. The mammoths just started opening a couple of days ago. Mark wasn't thrilled about me planting a row of them in the garden...but I won out :) I LOVE them!!! You wouldn't believe how tall they are. I should take Sam out there and take a picture of him standing in front of them. I will definitely have to do that...
We have carrots, tomatoes, cucumbers, yellow squash, zucchini, green beans, cabbage, brussel sprouts, eggplant, corn, several different kinds of peppers, potatoes, beets, decorative corn and gourds and pumpkins for Sam. I also have some Zinnias growing in there too...as well as my sunflowers. I planted some beans with red flowers that are climbers...but, something keeps eating the beans off!! :(

You can see the decorative red green beans on the left in the pic below. They are climbing up the fence. Sorry that you can't see the red flowers. They are pretty:)

Sam's decorative gourds and his pumpkins...
In the front flower bed I have been blessed with 3 lovely red double knock-out rosebushes. They were a gift to me from my Aunt Audrey. I love them!!

She also bought me 3 more for the flower bed at the side of the house. A pink and coral bush made my the same people that produce the knock-outs. An Altissimo climber and a Julia Child's Bush. Then Mark bought me one for Mother's day. It's called opening night. I planted lots of flower seeds this year too. I never had Zinnias before...but they are lovely!!! I have them in the garden and a couple in the flower bed..

This is one of the red velvet sunflowers. Most of them are much more burgundy color. Especially when they first open. This one just happened to be right in the sunlight...Very Pretty!!
Moonflower vine growing outside my window...still no blooms on it yet...soon I hope :) I also have a huge pot of moonflowers. It is blooming like crazy. I will have to post pics of it next time..
Outside Sam's window the red velvet sunflowers are blooming away, making for a lovely view...

from INSIDE Sam's window :):):)
It's been busy with canning and baking zucchini bread. I've been trying to get the hang of making homemade bread too...Mark got on full-time with the school corporation...an answered prayer :) He started last Tuesday. We also found out that my youngest daughter is expecting...I'm not happy about the circumstances, but the baby can't help that. I am expecting a granddaughter :) She is due December 6th, but because of being high risk the baby will most likely come early... Please keep this situation in your prayers.

I think of you all often and please know that you are in my prayers as well.

I better go for now. Sam is at the library and it's time to go pick him up. Until next time.....

With Love and Hugs too!! Jerelene

Meet Peanut :)

Hello Friends :)
I hope your summer is off to a wonderful start. We've been busy in the garden and have already been getting some veggies! Enough that we've even been able to share...what a blessing! I am hoping this trend will continue and that we will have a wonderful garden just like last year.
We've had a new addition to our family. Sarah (and her boyfriend) got a new puppy. The puppy was suppose to stay at the boyfriends...but, they broke up last week and so now it is at our house. Needless to say....Mickey is not very thrilled about this :( Teddy doesn't care one way or the other. He does fine with any animal. The first few days were pretty horrid for Mickey. He has come along some..he runs around and makes an attempt to play. But, I know he is still not 100% thrilled with the situation. Meet Peanut..........All 1 pound & 6 ounces of him :)


Yes, he's a baby Chihuahua.....7 weeks old. We are expecting him to be a lot smaller than Mickey. The Daddy to him was supposedly a teacup and the Momma very small too. We shall see how that turns out later :) But, so far he is smaller somewhat than Mickey was.
As you can see...poor Mickey was heartbroken. He LOVES Sarah so much and this just devastated the poor guy. So lots and lots of hugs and kisses to him from me...believe me I'm trying very hard to cheer him up ;)

The new puppy is loved by everyone else. (Sam especially :) This is my oldest son holding the baby, as we call him. Sarah brought a playpen home from her boyfriends. This has proved to be very helpful. It's hard to get much done without a break sometimes. He is really small so we have to be careful just walking around..
Oh yes...before I forget. Elizabeth and John are no longer together. He called a few weeks ago and broke it off with her. She was hurt..but, she is doing better now. I guess it is better that it happened now and not later.
Now that are garden is busy growing and producing I will have something to take pictures of :)
I better head on to bed. I was trying to change my background and that took forever. Everyone else is asleep and that is where I need to be too :)
More pictures soon.....
With Love to all........Jerelene
PS....say some little prayers for Mickey :)

Busy, Busy

Hello to all my friends! Several of you have been e-mailing me and asking me where I am :) I am so thankful to all of you for your continued comments and e-mails to me. Life has just been extremely busy and crazy around here. That and lots of personal family things that just didn't leave me a lot of computer time. I guess I've been a little depressed too. You know when things aren't going as smoothly as you would like them too...it causes some stress. I have still been popping in and reading your pages...but, just spending a lot less time on the computer. I missed everyone terribly!! You are all such sweet friends, and I am very lucky to have you :) My computer has been giving me troubles with trying to upload pictures...this also stressed me. It took me a while, but I got some to load :) These are just some of the things we've been busy with. The garden is again as big as it was last year. We have been EXTREMELY busy out there planting. It is great watching everything come up :) Sam and I even had a field trip day to a friends house to learn to make homemade bread. He made 2 loaves and so did I! It was really fun and educational. She did a great job in talking with him about the yeast and how it works. It sure made me appreciate all the hard work that is involved in making homemade bread :) As a spring science project/Easter present from us...Sam got a praying mantis pagoda and egg. I wanted to do a butterfly, but Sam insisted on the praying mantis egg :) Well...it hatched and boy did we have babies!!
When all was done....we probably had at least a couple hundred. It was AMAZING!!

Sam also got a trampoline for Easter. He had asked for one for a very long time...so, we finally gave in. But I insisted that it have the sides on it. The kids helped some in putting it up, but Dad had to do most of the final touches :)

Then came the fun!! We thought it would be good for him with his Tourettes, to be able to jump and release some energy and frustration too..
Sam was also in the play, " Treasure Island " with his homeschool co-op drama class. He was a british townsman. He did very well and had a lot of fun too. He is still charming us with his British accent :)

Sam sang with the choir and also played his cello...but the videos wouldn't show up on the computer :(
After they had the concerts and play, they had a field day with lots of games and fun. Sam especially liked shooting the bow and arrow..

He was pretty good too!! (His Dad worked with him some here at home :)

Sam and I are also attending a creation vs. evolution class on tuesday evenings. It has been very fun and educational. My Dad even came with us last week.

Sam even did a couple of lego classes on levers, pulleys and will attend the 3rd class..gears the first of June. Last friday evening we went to a youth philharmonic concert. Several of the homeschoolers from his co-op were in it. It was wonderful!! The kids were extremely talented. I was truly impressed. As you can see..we've been staying VERY busy. I'm almost hoping for some time to just relax. I guess too, that may be some of the reason I've not been on the computer much. I hope everyone is happy and healthy :) I need to go for now. I am starting to feel pretty worn out tonight. We've had a virus going around here and none of us have been feeling well all week :(

Love to each and every one of you!! Big Hugs too!!!

With Love, Jerelene

And so it begins :)

Yesterday was a busy day here. My Dad came up to our house to help Mark with a few things on our fix it list. One was a leaky faucet in the bathroom. The other was to help Mark work on the new tiller that our neighbor gave us. Well, Dad got it going and so of course they had to try it out. Mark had been hoping to get some of it tilled up...and he did :) My Dad grew up on a farm...and loves working on lawn mowers and tillers...so this he didn't mind at all...
The new tiller does a much better job than the other one...so Dad was trying to go back over what Mark was tilling...They didn't seem to mind me clicking pictures of them. They got used to that last summer in the garden :)
I'm not sure why some of my pictures turn out like this...I don't think it was the glare from the sun...any ideas? I know I don't have a wonderful camera. It's by far nothing fancy...

This picture had a glare too :( But, it was nice seeing my Dad and Mark working along side each other :)
But this picture...I really liked!! Even though it was a little blurry, it was still a nice picture! I like the way the tillers were lined up next to each other...kind of neat!!
This is what's going to be going in the dirt....to start with....

As I was standing there taking pictures of Mark and Dad...I looked up and noticed this tree with pretty pinkish-red buds. It looked so pretty next to the sky. So, of course I had to take a picture :)

Even though I don't really enjoy having these little guys in the yard....I was excited to see blooms :) See how amazingly clear this picture is? It is such a pretty yellow..just like my daffodils.......I just had to throw this in...even though it doesn't have anything to do with spring or the garden. My Mom got me this skirt for my birthday. I just love it!! I have a new fondness for robin's-egg blue. And this skirt is close to that color. I know not everyone knows this about me...But last summer I decided I wanted to start wearing skirts or dresses all the time. I don't feel that it's sinful to wear pants, so don't misunderstand me :)...At first I just wanted to try it. Then once I did...I just decided it felt really comfortable and feminine. I guess it just stuck with me. I have only once, wore pants since then. It was when it was really, really cold. My Mom had bought me some really pretty black boots for Christmas and that remedied that problem. My girls kind of tease me about it some. But, I've always liked the way women used to look....so feminine and lady like. Well, now you know something new about me :)
Mark is busy in the kitchen painting my cabinets. They've needed painted badly since we've been here. I just couldn't decided what color. I decided just to stick with white. We got satin paint and now I'm wondering if we should have got a semi-gloss. I just didn't want them to look like the trim will. We've had so much to paint and it seems like the paint bothers Sam a lot. So, we've put a lot of it off. I just couldn't stand it anymore...and since Mark has been home a lot...I begged him to work on them. Next will be the bathroom. If you remember, our home was dated back 1890-1900. It's ancient :) So we are staying busy here....

I hope your weekend has been a happy one!!

Happiness walks on busy feet. ~Kitte Turmell~

With Love, Jerelene

A Lovely Friday!!

What a lovely day it has been here in Southern Indiana. Just gorgeous!! It has been a sick week for poor Sam. I took him in to the pediatrician this afternoon just to make sure that the cough wasn't anything severe and that his throat and ears were alright too...No bronchitis and no strep!! At least that's what the rapid strep test showed. They'll culture it and hopefully nothing will show up. His ears were alright too. Just hurting from the pressure of his swollen tonsils. He has been running a pretty high temp all week. Today it seems to be staying down some, so I am hoping we are on the mend :) Besides, the weather is too wonderful to be sick!!
When we came back from visiting the doctor I decided to take a walk around the yard. Everything is starting to bud and turn green. Last night I even saw a spider making a web outside our back door. This has got to be a definite sign that Spring is here to stay :)
My daffodils really opened up yesterday, and today they were just lovely!! And there was such a sweet smell in the air too!!
They look like happy little faces smiling up at me. And what a cheerful color too!! I am SO happy that Spring is here:):)

Then I took a little detour through some of our bush honeysuckle. They make a lovely little arbor. In the summer it makes a nice little hiding place for Sam. When we cut all the others back. I insisted that this be left for him. I just love the way the branches twist around. Evidently our pet possum loves it too. Every couple of nights...he comes out and sits here. Sam has enjoyed looking at him so much. Who knew that a little wild animal would make such an impression on Sam. Sam even named him Peter the Possum. Sam got a couple of books on possums at the library and even took one out to read to him :) Oh well....it doesn't take much to make us happy around here :)
After walking through my little arbor....I found this!! I've only had yellow ones...so to find this little dear made me smile :) Isn't she pretty? The most lovely shade of lavender!
These little guys were growing around in several place too!! So Sweet!!!
I am not sure what this is. It was here last Spring and never did anything. I was hoping that after we cut back some of the bushes...that it would get enough sunlight and might bloom. We shall see....Any guesses on what she is?
My Forsythia bush is coming to life too. It was an anniversary present from my Aunt to Mark and I last April for our anniversary. We will be married 23 yrs on the 18th of next month!! Wow, time flies doesn't it?

This is my new wind chime...It is as pretty as it looks in this picture. I didn't spend much on it...but I LOVE it!! So pretty :)
On Wed. I went to the library. They were having a book sale. At first I wasn't even going to look. But then I saw a sign that said "A buck a box." Well, needless to say....I got really lucky. A lot of the books that were on Sam's reading list for next year were on the tables. I got all of these for one dollar!!! I also got 2 movies and a book for me..:) I was so thrilled that I was able to get The Golden Goblet, Adam of the Road, Island of the Blue Dolphins, Call it Courage and Snow Treasure. What a great way to spend a dollar!!
I hope that everyone has a lovely weekend!! Lots of love and hugs to all my sweet friends :)

Faith sees the invisible, believes the incredible and receives the impossible. ~unknown~

With Love, Jerelene

What happens when it hits 74 degrees?

Yes! It hit 74 degrees today :) Spring is definitely in the air and I'm loving it!!! To start the day off...we took Teddy to the groomer for a MUCH needed haircut. Now he looks like a little Easter lamb!! He feels so much better and we feel better having him snuggly and soft!!I actually got to open some windows and let the lovely warm breeze in...and yes, it was heavenly!!

Mickey didn't even want to come in....He just sat out there and almost looked like he was smiling. I would yell and he ignored me. Apparently he was enjoying the day too!!

This was also possible....which was really nice!!
Surprise Lilies coming up :)
Blooms on the lilac bushes :)

And some pretty crocuses....my daffodils are looking pretty good too...and I can't wait!!
Sam hasn't been doing very well with his Tourettes. His tics have been the worst ever. Vocal tics that are at screaming level. Body tics that are quite powerful as well. His peds. neurologist had us double his medicine....I can't tell that it's helping yet. They told us to give it a week....We're still hoping and praying. I've not been getting on the computer too much. I give myself a time limit and try to hop around and visit when I can. I felt like my family has to come first. So, I've been trying to spend a little more time off the computer :) I've been thinking of all of you even if you haven't heard from me. I do sometimes peek around and not leave any messages if I'm hurrying :)

With today's warm weather comes thunderstorms tonight...I am sort of looking forward to hearing the thunder...it's been a while :)

The flowers appear on the earth: the time of singing has come.

Song of Solomon 2:12

I'll try to not be gone so long again :)

With Love, Jerelene

Animal pics from our house

Mark loves Mickey....and he loves to play with him too. He likes sticking one of Mickey's babies in his pocket and watching what he does.....See how he is holding his foot up? He takes it really serious. His babies are like gold to him :)
He eventually comes to get it...and he is quick too!! He LOVES his babies..he is SO rotten :)

When I went out to let the dogs out this morning....this is what we saw in the yard! At first, I thought it was the black & white wild momma cat that lives in the neighborhood...but, then I took a second look. I hurriedly grabbed the dogs and ran in the house for my camera. (Thinking of course, I am definately going to blog this :) When I came back out and after taking the pic, I realized there was something very wrong with the skunk. It had evidentally been hit by a car and was having great difficulties just moving its back legs across the yard. We have been so bothered by the skunks in the last couple of months...really badly. There for a while we were smelling it almost every night. Mark had went to get something out of our old shed at the back of the property and opened the door and was greeted by one. Thankfully, he got the door shut before it sprayed him. So, I hate to say it...but I won't miss this guy. I called animal control, but no one called me back. It ended up crawling away...south of our house, hopefully to die. I hated that Mark wasn't here. Maybe he or one of his buddies could of put it out of it's misery. I'm just glad that me and the dogs didn't get sprayed :)

Saturday night we had another visitor by the house. It was very warm here over the weekend. 58 and 59 degrees. It was lovely...like spring :) My crocuses are blooming and some of the trees have buds on them. Mark was out in the building out back and I had came out to check on him. I was standing in the doorway and he looked at me and said...."go in the house and get your camera." I said..."why?" He said, " turn around and look in the bush." When I did...this is what I saw! Can you tell what it is? I don't know how to make the picture bigger..and my camera doesn't do very well at taking pictures in the dark. Mark walked up very close with Sam and I standing behind him with me holding the camera out, trying desperately to get a good picture. This was about as good as I could get.....If you can't tell...it's a possum. Or do they call it an O'possum? He didn't growl or hiss at us...but I was just a little bit scared of him. They sure are strange looking. We didn't bother him though. We just went in the house and he finally went on his way. It was really neat for Sam to get to see it up so closely. I just wish we could get that lucky with an owl. I would love for Sam to see one up close. They are so neat to look at and to listen too. We have on occasion had deer in the yard. The neighbors have all seen them, but we haven't got to yet. I'm sure once we get the garden going, that they'll be back.

If I could ask everyone to still remember my family in their prayers. Especially my oldest son...he is going through some very serious problems...and it is affecting the whole family. Also, Sam. With the stress with Zachary...it is not helping Sam with his tourettes at all. His tourettes have been the worst that they have been in a very long time. He is hurting constantly every day from the severe tics. His back and kneck, and now his eyes from blinking them so much. His vocal tics are to the point of pretty much yelling. It is hard to watch him going through this. It is making it very, very difficult to even get school work done. He is taking his medicine. I don't know if maybe his medicine is starting to lose it's effectiveness or if it's just a bad spell that he is going through. I happened to run across this web site for a little boy that also suffers from tourettes. I thought I would share the link with you. If you don't really know what it's like for a child to have tourettes, you can go to the link on Jaylen's page that says videos. This is a lot like what Sam is going through. He has done a punching thing similar to this at times...but right now he is flexing his back backwords and jerking his neck and eyes. Here is the link Jaylen's page.

Unless you've been through this yourself, it's very hard to grasp what it's like. So, again...please remember Zachary and Sam (and Jaylen) in your prayers.

I do hope all my dear friends are doing well...Life has been kind of busy and crazy around here. Mark has been offered a job opportunity. The pay isn't huge....but, with him working at night and not having anything to do during the day...it will be a big help. Hopefully he will get the job. It is another custodial job...but as jobs are rather hard to come by right now...we just hope and pray that God will provide :)

You are all in my thoughts and prayers...

With Love, Jerelene