The little birds...

If you watch little birds you will see they are busy and happy! Using whatever they can find they create the most gorgeous little nest.
I would be the little bird with some glittery thread in her nest!
We can be like this. Happily working away with the things that are available to us to create a beautiful and happy home.
All the while with a little song in our heart.

Banner by Free Pretty Things for You.

Thursday 10 October 2019

Feather your Nest Friday, 11th October, 2019.

Well, this was NOT a good week.  It was a shocker!  I will first say today is a beautiful Spring day.  Everyone is ok and we are home.  But Andy wasn't well and they thought he had a heart attack.  He was flown to the city by the Royal Flying Doctor and had several days in hospital.  It has turned out that it is his lungs that are the problem and a lung infection plus there lung problems that convinced them it was a heart attack.  It is still not good but it is better than a damaged heart.  It was such a shock.  You are just in shock that is all I can say.
Chloe was also unwell.  I had three animal babies on twice daily bottles and three hours each way to the hospital.  So you get the idea.

Andy is up after a massive sleep and looking and feeling good.  I on the other hand look like the creature from the Black Lagoon and feel like I have been run over by a train.  I am also overwhelmed by things that need catching up on but today just can't do much about them.  So these are the times we talk about.... making hay while the sun shines so that when the sun isn't shining so much you have meals in the freezer and things were basically ok.

Some weeks are good if you just make it out alive!   Literally.

BEFORE any of this happened I was busy doing the usual stuff.

A little patch on the side of our yard was fenced in.  This gave us a lovely little animal yard.  To get Laffie and the lambs in there I broke out a packet of biscuits and they just followed me in a reverse procession (to last time) into the yard!!  Then they had a great time as they were knee deep in grass!


When I say lambs they are still as sooky as lambs but now they are sheep! 


Haha!  Sheep that still want a bottle and like biscuits! 

Meanwhile the two actual baby calves are doing well.  Georgie learned to Moo.  For the first three weeks he could not moo he just tried and made dreadful noises.  I figure this is a milestone like when your baby first sits up!

Eddie spends his days leaping, climbing and he even stands on the calves and bugs then so much but they don't seem to mind.  At night they all snuggle up in their little hut together, which is very cute. 




I had made a Banana Cake for the girls and threw sprinkles over it to make it pretty.  This ended up going into the freezer.  



I have to comment on Scout. They say pets are good for your health.  Even when you are worn out or gloomy Scout MAKES you play with her.  And laugh. Her enthusiasm is contagious.   She is also big now!  This is her favourite Frisbee.  She runs around with it like a halo on her head.


Also before everything happened I had been working on a Christmas present.  The links to the video with instructions are up on The Tuesday Club.  In winter even though I was wearing leather boots a few times I got wet feet.   We were working all day in the grass cutting wood and hauling logs and so on.  I discovered moisture can come in especially via the stitching on your boots.   I found a recipe to make on one of my favourite You Tube channels Prepsteaders. 


Essentially it is one part melted Beeswax,  one part solid coconut oil, three parts Castor oil.

The melted mixture is more or less clear.  Then it sets to a white polish.


I thought this would be  good gift for the farmers and for the boys as I have a harder time making boy gifts!   I have found some nice shoe cleaning brushes.  Next I will make a stack of soft polishing cloths. Then I will make up kits with instructions soon how to use it.  

After a week in the little yard Laffie and the lambs left it looking as if the lawn mover had been through.  Once again we walked down to the big paddock with a packet of biscuits as bribery.  Easy as that! 

I achieved a goal and bought a spinning wheel. It needs a couple of minor repairs. But yay! I found it on Facebook buy, swap and sell for only $85.   The lady was just lovely and gave me contacts if I need help getting going.  Shearing is coming up sometime soon then I will have wool!

I ordered online an apple peeler and corer.  The ones that you turn the handle and it peels the apples.  Nan had one. I used to love turning the handle.  Last year I peeled and cored hundreds of apples.  I hope we have an apple crop again at the end of summer.  So this was a kind of investment.

My Dyson stick vac seemed to be dying.  I ordered a new battery and ta dah! I read an article that thousands of stick vacuums are thrown out because people just buy a new one rather than clean it properly and replace the battery. 

Well, that is my week.  Most of my achievements were before Monday when Andy went to hospital.   The rest were just getting through the week. 

I hope you had a good week!  How did you build up your home, feather your nest, get head in your pantry etc? 

I am hoping for a quite weekend!  xxx










84 comments:

  1. You deserve a very quiet and restful weekend, my friend. The farm is the best environment I can think of for healing for anyone. Those babies are so cute.
    I hope you enjoy the spinning wheel. I had one years ago and was learning, but other things kept getting in the way. It is relaxing and wonderful that you will have your own wool.
    The leather polish is such a nice gift idea. I will have to try to make some.
    Have a blessed weekend.
    Love and hugs,
    Glenda

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    1. Dear Glenda, Thank you very much. Yes being home is the best thing. It is a glorious spring Saturday too. It will do us good. I hope you have a lovely weekend. I have to wait for shearing to get my wool but meantime I can do the repairs on the spinning wheel so I will be ready! Hopefully I can then make spinning a half hour a day and mix it into my jobs. I am hoping so! With love Annabel.xxx

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  2. So pleased to hear that Andy is ok! As you say, making hay while the sun shines gives you the 'luxury' to take time out to read a book or whatever you need to recharge.
    I am off to a funeral on Monday for someone who wasn't as lucky, and had a heart attack while he was alone at his office.

    Today is the last 'official' day of school holidays, and it is raining! It is so lovely! We are having a very quiet day :)

    Fiona xxx

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    1. Dear Fiona, Oh that is so sad. I am so sorry.
      I know you would have enjoyed school holidays and done lots of good things. Enjoy the weekend too. With much love, Annabel.xxx

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  3. Dear Annabel, I am so glad Andy is OK, I will pray for a quick and total recovery for him and Chloe. It would have been very scary for you. I hope you get some catch up sleep over the weekend. I have had a busy, steady week, DD back to school, so homework at night etc. I have been able to get some deep cleaning done and yesterday I baked 2 dozen choc chip cookies, freezing some for school lunches in the next few weeks. Today I pulled out my Christmas present stash and made a list of final items to get, I want to be finished at the end of November. I LOVE your idea of boot balm or whatever it is called. Take care, Love Clare

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    1. Dear Clare, Your cooking sounds beautiful. Our school kids go back on Monday here. I want to tell you many of your sunflower seeds are up! I am excited and see more just coming through. I planted them all along the front of the house so when they flower it will be heavenly! And the flowers ar useful too! I am doing what you are... getting everything out of the Christmas cupboard, sorting it and working out what is missing. There is still time to make things too! Have a lovely weekend! With love Annabel.xxx

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  4. So thankful your Andy is home again and going to be ok! I can imagine you feel like you were hit by a Mack truck with all that trudging back and forth and bringing babies with you to feed. Plus the worry :(
    Your farm babies are so adorable and growing up! Looking at Scout, you can see the good health as well as confidence in your love for him. He is one blessed doggy and that thrills me.
    I had a rough week, too, last week. Saturday morning I was wakened by searing pain. I got up to find some pain relief med and passed out, hitting my head on the door, then the floor. Came to and could not figure out what had happened.
    Monday, I was at my yearly mammogram appt. and the pain started up again...kidney stone. Drove myself to the ER about a mile away, they did all the tests and yep, 5mm stone.
    Thursday, same week, had my already-scheduled endoscopy on my esophagus (Barrett's esophagus). They found a polyp, biopsied it and found it benign.
    Sometimes life hits you with a curveball from out of nowhere and you realize how much we take for granted. And how precious life is. (passed the stone, and am fine now). I'll be praying for you and Andy. Give Scout my love, please. xxMaryoo


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    1. Dear Mary, Thank you! Yes Scout is well loved. She tries really hard to please and joins in with everything.
      Oh no! Mum had kidney stones recently. I know they are incredibly painful but cant imagine. It was so dangerous to pass out and hit your head! This is a case of one bad thing leads to another! What a week for you. I am so glad you at least know that the polyp was benign. You would be like us, glad the week is OVER! I am glad you are feeling better. I think you need a restful weekend! With much love, Annabel.xxx

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  5. I am very glad that Andy didn't have a heart attack. We have had health issues lately and know how worn out one can get. I hope you take time for you and to recover. Your boot polish is such a great idea for men. Women too with their leather boots. All your little animals are such a joy to see. Nancy

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    1. Thanks so much Nancy. I live in leather boots here as on a farm... snakes... calves stepping on your feet!! ... I hope your health issues are resolved. We just dont fully appreciate good health until something goes wrong. Have a lovely weekend! With love Annabel.xxx

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  6. So glad Andy is on the road to recovery. And I’m glad you were able to fall back onto your stockpile/freezer when you needed it. Just take it easy to recouperate yourself now💕
    Helen

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    1. Dear Helen,
      Thank you so much. It is so handy not having to go to the shops too. We both had two nights in a row of massive sleeps! Sleep is the best thing ever.
      Have a good weekend! With love, Annabel.xxx

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  7. That's a very big beginning to your week, Annabel. It would have been a very worrying time so hopefully this next week will be better. Such cute animals on your farm! I am really not in the xmas groove as yet but know I need to get moving on it so that I avoid high costs. We go on holiday for most of December so I have to be ready by the end of November. There's no way I am going near shops when we get home!
    Meg

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    1. Dear Meg,
      I start on Christmas in January. I am not keen on going to the shops in December at all. (except after Christmas I check the mark downs on hams etc) My next job is to go through my Christmas cupboard and pull out all I have put away, made and saved. Then make a list of what the gaps are. I bake the cakes in October... the fruit is soaking as we speak! You still have lots of time. If you get it done by the end of next month you will be so relieved and will be able to relax and enjoy a beautiful holiday. That is something to really look forward to! With love, Annabel.xxx

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  8. Dear Clare,
    I can imagine how complicated this week was for you, and how much energy it took.
    Scout looks incredibly! You're right about pets, they always can make us smile.
    Have a nice week,
    Szvetlana

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    1. Dear Svetlana, Animals are so good for us. We both have slept a lot over the last two nights to catch up a bit. Thank you! Love Annabel.xxx

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  9. Annabel after a week like that take time to relax. So pleased Andy is on the up and up. What a concern though and what a wonderful gift the Flying Doctor is to those in regional areas. Such a blessing. Take time to regroup now.

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    1. Dear Nanna Chel, Yes the Royal Flying doctor is amazing. They are wonderful. We have used them twice this year, with Dad sick earlier. Over the years my Nan has used it and also Dad I think three times! We are very grateful. Thank you... we both have had big sleeps and glad to be home! Have a lovely weekend! With love, Annabel.xxx

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  10. Oh Annabel how awful for you. I am so happy to hear that Andy is feeling much better. I hope he is able to make a full recovery from the lung infection. I hope Chloe is on the mend as well. I'm not surprised you are exhausted! I know you will be doing an amazing job of looking after everyone, please remember to include yourself on the list!

    Your list of achievements before is still amazing! I think the boot balm is a brilliant idea! And they look great in the tins.

    We had a wonderful holiday, and have enjoyed relaxing back at home this week. I think it is fascinating staying at someone else's house, seeing how they organise things. I got some ideas that I want to put in place once everyone goes back to school next week.

    I really hope you manage to have a relaxing weekend and Andy continues to recover well

    Jen in NZ xx

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    1. Dear Jen, Thank you so much. I am not going to watch for and collect old little tins. Sometimes I see them in op shops. It kind of needs to be a shallow type tin.
      I am so glad you had a great holiday! Yes seeing other ideas is so good. Sharing ideas too!
      I am kind of "re grouping" this weekend and sleeping extra. It is so nice to be home.
      Just talking to you is reminding me that I need to look at my crochet project. The wool rug I was working on now seems inappropriate and I will put it away for autumn and start on some cotton projects. Now I want to see what you are making!
      Have a lovely weekend! With love Annabel.xxx

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    2. I saw some tins advertised at Kmart!
      Rachel

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  11. Thoughts and prayers for you and your family. You are such an inspiration. The pictures of your animals would make beautiful cards!
    Melody in OR

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    1. Thank you so much Melody. I have actually thought to do some blow up pictures of the animals as farm house wall decor. I visually have no pictures on the walls. I might try to get a few photos that would suit. I maybe could make calendars or something too... mmm good idea! Thank you! Love Annabel.xxx

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    2. Great ideas! 💗

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    3. I’d like to see that! Ha ha!
      Rachel

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  12. Gosh, that was quite a stressful week. So pleased that Andy is on the mend. It must have been a relief to have the services of the Flying Doctors available. May Father God keep you at peace in His hands always.

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    1. Dear Karen,
      Thank you! The Royal Flying Doctor service is just wonderful. Thanks so much! With love Annabel.xxx

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  13. Sending my love to Andy - I guess it was pretty scary for both of you. Earlier this year I had a period when I was hooked up to cardio machines repeatedly -in the end I got a full bill of health but it is scary! I hope that they can improve his lung problems so it doesn't have to happen again.
    The apple corer is an investment, for sure.
    Take care of yourselves.

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    1. Dear Eathmotherwithin, Thank you. Well the good thing is now you are fully checked out. But it is a lot to go through. Some tests are quite challenging too.
      I cant wait to have apples to set this gadget to good use! The apple tree is covered in blossoms right now.
      Many thanks for your kind comment. With love Annabel.xxx

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  14. So glad Andy is home and on the way to recovery. Scary for you all - you both need some quiet time now. Hope you have that over the weekend.

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    1. Dear Penny,
      Thank you so much. Things are much more back to normal now. It is a big relief! Thank you! With love Annabel.xxx

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  15. Hi Annabel iam so glad Andy is doing ok and Chloe,iam trying to get over a bad cough that has taken so long to get over,as you know i lost my beautiful sister inlaw to breast cancer,and we had her funeral last week,iam doing my best to keep freezer meals going in the freezer and to take my dad and brother some home made sausage rolls and pies,to keep them going for a while,i have been doing the odd Christmas shopping with some gifts still in the boot of my car to be wrapped.Take care thinking of you all melxx

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    1. Dear Melissa,
      You are doing the work of an angel! Having lost someone close to me recently, I know that the sustaining meals are invaluable! Quiet support will be needed for some time.
      May the Almighty be the strength for your family as you walk this difficult valley.
      Rachel

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  16. Thinking of you dear Annabel... you bless so many people with your words and inspiration each week so may you be blessed knowing many are thinking and praying for you...
    Ruth xoxoxoxo

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    1. Dear Ruth, Thank you! And thank you for your kind words and prayers! With love Annabel.xxx

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  17. I hope that you are beginning to catch up on some rest. What a week you have had.Best wishes to you both and a swift recovery for Andy. I love the idea of the homemade polish.

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    1. Dear Suzan, Thank you! The polish is very good. It nourishes the leather and it comes up so well. Like new! Plus the water proof factor. With love Annabel.xxx

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  18. Prayers for both of you! May your sweet hubby heal completely! I always appreciate the glimpse into your farm life.

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    1. Thank so much Susan! Thank you for the prayers.xxx

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  19. Bless you all. Continued healing prayers for Andy and prayers for you and your health and well being. Take care and don't over do it.
    Your babies are all growing so fast. I just love seeing their pictures.
    Prayers for a good weekend.

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    1. Dear Cheryl,
      Thank you. We are much more back to normal now. I have had some animal adventures this week for sure so you will like my photos this Friday! With love and thanks, Annabel.xxx

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  20. Hi Annabel, So sorry to hear of Andy's illness. Wow! How frightening that must have been for all. I hope his recovery is fast. Hopefully you will find time to rest and recover from this experience. Slow down a little bit to relax. I know you have a lot to accomplish. But you also need to have some rest.Unexpected events like these can really take all our energy out of us. Take care,

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    1. Dear Dots!
      I am certain that all of these friendly comments will help heaps!! It is so good of everyone to contribute like this!!
      Rachel

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    2. Dear Dots, Things are much better. My best therapy is outside in the sunshine and the animals and garden. It is beautiful spring weather too. With love, Annabel.xxx

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  21. Oh Annabel, how well I know the shock of that and the helicopter lift and all of it. Give yourself time to recover and rest. I will be praying. Much love, Lana

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    1. Dear Lana, Our distances are long so in the country planes are used mostly. We have helicopters too though sometimes. Andy quite enjoyed the flight. Thank you so much for your prayers, with love Annabel.xxx

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  22. So glad all is well now. Hope you get some much needed rest. This is Thanksgiving weekend here in Canada, and really, good health and "ordinary" days are something to be thankful for, aren't they. Your animals are losing their baby looks. I can't believe how the little lambs have grown and how thick their coats are! So cute!

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    1. Dear Marie!
      I agree - those little lambs are now looking like beautifully woolly Aussie merinos!!
      They are wonderfully made!!
      Rachel

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    2. Dear Marie, I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving. Yes, ordinary life and good health are a huge amount to be thankful for! Oh yes the lambs are very wooly now! With love Annabel.xxx

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  23. Dear Annabel and beautiful bluebird friends ,
    Oh Annabel what a week , sending love and best wishes to you and Andy and Chloe and the rest of your family .
    I am sorry everyone that I have not commented for awhile now, every week I have good intentions and I have missed this community , I read every blog you write Annabel but my health has been not good for a long time, as well as my physical disabilities , pain from a very bad knee which needs replacing and many conditions I have kidney issues .i hadcomplete kidney failure five years ago as some of you may know and for awhile now I have had bad swelling of my feet and legs and just this week I spent 3 days in hospital ,due to the swelling caused by extra fluid and I have had low potassium , I have been very weak and sleepy but I am recovering at home , the best place to be..
    Thinking of all of the bluebird community who are unwell or who may have unwell loved ones or whose lives may just be tough right now.
    I had a birthday about a month ago and got many offers from places I shop at , as well as a few otherdiscounts, I had ,a great time, I made hay while the sun shone as you say Annabel .now is my time to rest .
    I hope you and Andy and Chloe can rest for a bit.
    Thank you for all the beautiful photos of your little farm family .i love seeing how they grow and hearing about their antics.
    I hope the weekend is one of rest and next week is better .
    Love Barb W

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    1. Dear Barb!
      You are wonderful! In your own challenges, you give of your beautifully understanding & compassionate spirit! You are a treasure!!
      Hoping for relief for you,
      Rachel

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    2. Dear Barb, Thank you for the good catch up. I hope this week is going much better for you.
      It is very hard when unwell or in pain. Health is everything!
      We are fairly back to normal. I have tried to do things to de stress. The work outside with the garden and animals is good for me. And I have had a few animal adventures this week! I hope your new week is going well! With love and thanks, Annabel.xxx

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  24. Dear Annabel, I will continue to pray for Andy, and I will pray for Chloe too. You have had some really difficult things happen lately. Please go easy on yourself and take a break when you can. You give your all to everyone that you meet and are such a selfless and compassionate person. Lots and lots of love to you, love Bridge

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    1. Dear Bridge,
      Thank you so much. I really appreciate your prayers. I have de stressed a bit. We have sunshine and the animals and garden do me good. Thank you for your kind words! Yesterday we spent with the girls. It was very heart warming. I had missed them for two weeks. I feel better now!
      I hope your new week is off and running well. With much love, Annabel.xxx

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  25. What a week!
    What a blessing it is to have a service like the Royal Flying Doctor! 🙏
    I am so happy to hear Andy is ok.
    You must be exhausted Annabel, but stories like this remind us all how truly important it is to be prepared. ❤️

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    1. Dear Cheryl, Thank you! The Royal Flying Doctor is just wonderful. They have helped our family several times now.
      Cheryl even down to things like I never have a pile of washing... I was grateful even for this... as when things go wrong it would all be piling up. But when we got back there was just a little chasing to do, didnt need to go to the shops, meals ready in the freezer... each of these things made a difference. SO yes make hay while the sun shines! Many thanks! With love Annabel.xxx

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  26. Sorry to hear of all your challenging events. Sending up prayer!!

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    1. Thank you so much I really appreciate your prayers.xxx

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  27. Dear Annabel,

    What a week you have had!!! So glad that Andy has not had a heart attack and they found the issue. Hope he is on the mend soon. How busy you always are and no doubt you are totally exhausted at present. The stress of medical problems can take a toll and you are so wise being well prepared. I love seeing how all your animals are growing. Scout is just adorable as is Eddie and the other big babies now 😊

    Praying for Andy and Chloe's health and you too dear Annabel xo

    With love, Kaye xoxo

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    1. Dear Kaye,
      Thank you. I never saw this coming at all! Andy is heaps better and cheerful. It is partly relief it wasnt his heart. But he is doing well. I hope things are going ok there. Yes it is exhausting with hospitals, doctors, appointments and home care. I like to get outside in some sunshine with the animals this does me a lot of good.
      Thank you for your prayers Kaye, With much love, Annabel.xxx

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  28. I am so happy to hear that things are better with Andy. It certainly does bring things into perspective as to what must be done and what can wait doesn't it? My goal is to empty the freezer enough I can make ready to go meals and put them back in the spaces I've emptied. I'm so blessed to have so much on hand but it's a bit daunting too at the same time. However, there's been an accident in my family and that's one more needs to be tended to. My part will be to keep the boys extra as needed. There will be extra meals wanted for the other home and necessary ones for my own days when I'm super busy.

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    1. Dear Terri,
      I am sorry there has been an accident and hope everyone is ok. Ready to go meals are a great help. The gift of help is probably the best gift of all. As is a good meal. I need to do frequent orations on my freezer too. Have a very good new week. With love Annabel.xxx

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  29. Oh Annabel what a scare about Andy and I am glad we have organisations like Care Flight. Glad you found out what the problem was and we will pray with rest and medication he will heal well :). I also will include Chloe in our prayers too for a quick recovery.

    I laughed about bribing the animals with biscuits and they will follow you anywhere and yes they do love sweet things. The apple corer and peeler will certainly make life easier in apple harvest season :) .

    Not sure if I told you but I have been diagnosed with hyperthyroidism and they are leveling out my medication and heart medication (beta blockers) to slow down my heart rate but I am responding to treatment well. I had encouraged DH to get head scans as the military had not done it after his accident. It turns out he has a 6mm brain aneurysm in the back half of his brain that may need an operation due to a family history of this in his family so we are seeing a neurosurgeon, when we find one in our area, so we can move forward with treatment for him. He told me that he had this only after his military accident with pressure etc but thought nothing of it :o . I can understand worry unfortunately as well as feeling wrung out :( .

    Home maintenance -
    - We finally got an electrician with a reasonable pricing to install our 90 cm oven,upgrade house fuses and run larger cabling, replace 2 fluro lights in the kitchen with LED fluros and replace a light baton in the bathroom downstairs saving us $697 odd over getting the other electrician to do it for us.

    Finances -
    - Listed 10 items on a free listing Ebay promotion saving $16.50 on usual listing costs.

    In the gardens -
    - Separated and thinned out beetroot and silverbeet seedlings growing too close together.
    - We didn't measure it but we believe we had about 10mm + of rain yesterday and overnight into this morning. Our two top 3000 gallon rain water tanks are full and it was sufficient to almost top our bottom 5000 gallon rainwater tank too. We are so grateful and relieved to not have to worry about water for a while now. More storms forecast for Thursday next week :).

    Purchases -
    - We got an email for 10% off online grocery orders which came for once when we needed to do our monthly shopping so we took advantage of it saving $26.62 on usual prices. We stocked up mainly on staples that never come on special and topped up our food storage to a 12 month level on the remaining items we needed as well as our usual groceries and still came in under budget :).

    Hope everyone has and will have a wonderful week ahead :).

    Sewingcreations15 (Lorna).

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    1. Dear Lorna, No I didnt know about the hyperthyroidism but I am glad it sounds like you are getting good management for that. That is a shock with DH. It was good you felt to have this checked... should have been originally nice he was in an accident, maybe. With this being a family issue it is so good you found it now. Still a shock though. I hope you find a very good neurologist. neurosurgeon who is wise with the best course of action.
      It is lovely you have your oven in! You will love it! BIG saving too.
      That is just fantastic about the rain! And full tanks! I am amazed! I hears some areas were getting downpours. I am so glad you got this.
      We had just a little bit of rain tonight. It is good though. It has been windy and warm which has things drying out super fast.
      To have your food stock to a years worth is just wonderful. Now you truly only ever need buy anything on a great deal. It changes shopping entirely. Well done! This is an achievement!
      Have a wonderful new week. Lets hope for more rain. With love, Annabel.xxx

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    2. Dear Lorna!
      I have a question - Do you use the RACQ discount to buy e-gift cards or ordinary gift cards? I am wondering whether e-gift cards can work effectively on an iPad.
      Thanks,
      Rachel

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  30. Dear Annabel

    Gosh, what a week for you. Yes, this is absolutely why preparing in advance for ANY need is so vital, and why I so admire your thoughts and actions on the subject.

    Sending my love to you both and praying your family has the best health from now on.

    I must add the Flying Doctor Service to my list of supported charities. We city folk can sometimes forget what lifesavers they are. God bless them all.

    Thank you for posting, despite that hectic week. We would all have understood if you'd sent a message saying 'sorry I can't do a post this week'. Bless you dear lady Mary x

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    1. Dear Mary, Thank you. It is funny that when preparing I often think of power outages and storms and bigger things but at the end of the day it is often smaller family crisis' or illness that we need to be prepared for!
      The Royal Flying Doctor is really wonderful and life saving. A worthy charity.
      It did me a lot of good to post and see it wasnt all bad. I truly had forgotten the things I did get done and my brain was fried! lol
      Have a wonderful new week and thanks so much, with love, Annabel.xxx

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  31. Dear Annabel,
    I'm so glad and relieved that you have the services of the Royal Doctor to quickly fly Andy out for treatment, and that you are both back home now and getting some much needed rest. We are praying for Andy's quick and complete recovery and also for Chloe's return to good health. I hope you have a restful weekend.
    Blessings, Cookie

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    1. Dear Cookie, This all made me think of you a lot as now in a short space of time I had two occasions where I had to fly out of the house, at a moments notice, with packing etc and no chance to prepare. It was a shock both times. A checklist would be good. I have a makeup and toiletries bag kept ready. But I need to do more. You cannot think straight when in a hurry. Thank you so much for your wishes and I hope you have a lovely Sunday! With love Annabel.xxx

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  32. Annabel,
    What a week for you! I'm glad Andy and Chloe are in the mend that is good news. You must be so tired and a rest will do you good. All of your babies are looking so well and happy. There is a guy here who rents out goats as natural mowers and such. They can clear a brushy area pretty quickly!
    Our weather is starting to change some and so does our routine. We split a load of wood, I hung out the wash while I still can and we still have a little bit of a harvest to tend to. We picked peas yesterday.
    Rick was given a box of thick cleaning napkins. He always needs things like that for the garage.
    Mostly it has been getting ready for the next season. Lots of outside clean up and putting things away.
    Your gift for the boys is fantastic! So many good things can be made at home.
    XOXO
    Vicky

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    1. Dear Vicky,
      I am so glad you have some wood supplies. It is good you are getting ready for winter. I like the change of seasons. Lots are saying it could be a cold winter!
      Have a good new week! With love, Annabel.xxx

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  33. Being taken to the hospital by the Royal Flying Doctors sounds so romantic...but scary, too. I am glad your husband is doing better. My daughter-in-law is a helicopter pilot and used to fly air ambulance in Wyoming, USA.

    I didn't know anyone but me remembered The Creature from the Black Lagoon, and, yes, I sometimes refer to myself as you did. That was one scary movie! I saw it at the Ames Theater in Portland, Oregon, in the early 1950s. I remember that 3 of us ended up in the same seat!

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    1. Thank you! Funnily Andy quite liked the flight! Wow your daughter in law is very accomplished that is such an important job.
      Lol about the creature of the black lagoon. The other one I say is the bride of Frankenstein haha!
      xxx

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  34. What a kicker of a week! Thinking of you dear Annabel and sending best wishes to Andy for a full and complete recovery. Hope you both can rest up and take it easy for a while now. Kelly xo

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    1. Dear Kelly, That is one way of putting it! Thank you... Andy is doing really well and relieved I think his heart is ok. Things are a bit more back to normal. I hope the new week has started off well for you... it is getting away from me! With much love, Annabel.xxx

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  35. I hope Andy is on the mend. It sounds like you could use some rest too. Take it easy. Dogs are mans best friends for a reason.

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    1. Thank you Making Cents of it All. Andy is really good. I think partly it is relief. So he is bright and cheerful and doing well. xxx

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  36. My prayers are with you and Andy. Amazing! I had one of those weeks, too (last week of Sept.) My husband was rushed to hosp. w/ chest pains. After countless tests, they discovered that his aorta was torn to the groin! How he lived long enough for them to operate, I haven't a clue. So he survived an operation that only had a 20% chance of success! Praise be to God!
    So I was rushing back and forth to the hosp. Homeschooling kids, doing laundry, filling the crockpot, and canning pears and crabapples. My kids were great at tackling my chores along with their own. Ladies from my church showed up daily with meals. This was such a blessing as my eldest daughter had just started a new job and wasn't as available to cook.
    So this week I finished canning all my crabapple jelly, making yogurt, and drying free bananas. My daughter baked up lots of choc. zucchini bread and choc. chip banana muffins.
    Blessings to all of you,
    Leslie

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    1. Dear Leslie,
      Oh my goodness! I had not even heard of this happening. It is incredible that he is ok. That is kind of mind boggling. I would say a miracle. I am sorry you both had to go through this though! I am glad your church family helped you so much! That is wonderful.
      You have managed incredibly well to still manage homeschool and go on with canning and all you do. I am so glad things turned out ok. With love and hugs, Annabel.xxx

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  37. Dear Annabel,

    I am very sorry indeed to hear about your week...I hope that Andy is okay and taking it easy a little bit! Thank God for the Royal Flying Doctor! I hope you are rested up a bit, both mentally and physically, and that Chloe is feeling better, too. What a week! I love that picture of Eddie eating off of the tree, balancing on his hind legs. Our does used to do that, too, with our willow trees, and they looked so funny, with the udders added! We have been busy here with canning peaches and plums, freezing beans and peas, digging potatoes, pulling some plants, cutting and moving firewood, cleaning the chimney, making jam and cranberries in port for Thanksgiving (which we just celebrated), etc., etc.. This week I hope to finish digging potatoes and plant a couple of blueberry bushes (which I hope will have a chance to root before winter), do the last picking on the peas and beans, finish up the plums, paint a bathroom door, go for a hike and celebrate a family birthday, and clean up for family visiting for a week!

    Best wishes to all of your family!!!

    xx Jen in NS

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    1. Dear Jen,
      We are settled down now. Andy is doing well and I have de stressed a bit.
      Eddie is very funny. You would think he drives the calves crazy but they seem to like him. Now he has taken to head butting them and they seem to enjoy this also. haha
      It is good you still have harvest especially plums!! Blueberries will be a really good addition. I hope the new week started well... it is getting away from me already! With much love, Annabel.xxx

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  38. P.S. I am excited about your spinning wheel!! xx Jen in NS

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  39. Dear Annabel,
    I am late here so will save my report for next week. I just wanted to say that I am so glad Andy is ok and will keep him in my prayers. How scary that must have been for you. I hope this week is a much better one.
    Love, Kelsey

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