Mulch Bucket in Use

Here is the mulch bucket that H welded up nearly entirely by himself. It was just tacked together by his dad prior to H doing his work on it one day at the shop. (See a recent post--Family Business)

Ch is spreading the mulch out evenly over the tilled-up dirt. The boys took turns bringing tractor-loader buckets full of mulch from the mulch piles we had trucked in, (We had to get 6 large truck loads of the stuff!) clear over to where Ch was spreading it out. They worked on it one full day, and we're only half done with our mulch and field spreading. They also went over to a couple neighbor's houses and did the same for them. Now Ch has to till it into the ground, to get the proper mix of dirt (FL sand) and mulch.

On Our Way to Disney

Tuesday morning, the kids and I headed out to Disney World bright and early. We no sooner got to the top of the hill by the main road and there sat a Bald Eagle on the road fetching a road kill rabbit for his breakfast! He was no farther than 8 feet from the car!! I was so shocked to see him sitting there, I gawked for a few seconds, and then the photographer in me kicked into overdrive. I had my camera right next to me in my purse, but I was too late. He flew off down the road and landed on top of the telephone pole. There he sat, eating away. This is the best picture I could muster. Oh, how I wish I had a picture of him sitting on the road. He looked right at me and I will never forget that picture; it's forever ingrained in my memory.

This experience reminded me though of something I have known before. Whenever we are studying something, or interested in something, God seems to throw instances of enhanced learning our way. He surprises us with unexpected reinforcements! He is, after all, the Principal of our Homeschool. I have seen this time and time again. There was the time we saw a raccoon under our tree in broad daylight (they're nocturnal!) the very day we came home from the library with all our raccoon books. Or how about the time I was reading to the kids and a skunk entered the story? You guessed it!! We smelled a funny smell, and when I opened the front door, a skunk had sprayed outside somewhere! But the kids were then able to smell it for the first time (hopefully the last!), which did reinforce the story we were reading! To some, these things might be considered just coincidental occurrences, but I choose to see them for what they are. Our Heavenly Father is looking out for our homeschool journey in a very personal way. I really believe this.

We just had our Eagles class a couple months ago at Tibet Butler Nature Preserve, which we visit once a month during school months. They told us about an eagle's nest not far from the Preserve, so we stopped to see it on our way home that day. (bfarmmom--Joe was with us that day, so he saw this too.) Here's a picture of it, though it is pretty far away. (Click on the picture and it will enlarge.) One point brought out in the class was that eagles are opportunistic. If an eagle has a choice between a freshly killed meal (road kill or by another animal), he will take that over having to kill a meal for his own. He is a bird of prey, but would rather take the easier route. It was neat to see the kids recall this information, seeing the eagle with the fresh road kill in his talons.

A Little Reminder: They Need Me

My boys both have the flu now. I certainly did not wish this on them, but since they got it, it's serving a purpose. I'm looking for the silver lining to the clouds, and I am reminded that my boys need me after all. It's nice to feel needed once in a while. They're getting so big that they're more self-sufficient lately. I miss their little boy hugs and snuggles. C, especially, was always my snuggle-bug, and he's feeling too big to hug his mother more than once every few days! Now I've got 2 boys taking turns with their head on my lap. I'm soaking up all the hugs and snuggles I can, while it lasts! And I'm very thankful that if only one person can help soothe their misery, even in a small way, that it's me. It's great to be a mom.

The Auction Itself

This auction is so large it goes for about 10 days. Here are a couple pictures. It is just a smidgen of everything that is there to see.

Here are my guys, observing the auction in action. This little pickup truck with a camper top drives up and down the aisles and aisles of equipment up for auction. They have spotters on the ground, milling with bidders. If somebody wants to bid, the spotter calls the bid in to the auction team inside the camper truck. This is only one "team" in the auction, and they have several going on at the same time. You really have to be on your toes, checking the auction guide (book!) to see when things are supposed to be auctioned off, but you also have to keep checking on the progress of the team you are following, or you will miss out on what you were wanting to bid on.

This whole production is kind of neat to watch. There are food and drink vendors that follow along either behind or in front of the auction team. Auction team workers climb in and out of the camper throughout the bidding process that does not stop. People are sitting all around on their 4-wheelers and golf carts waiting for bidding on the item of their interest. Everybody is looking for a spot of shade, as it can get quite hot in the sun all day. And you'll see lots of people climbing all around the equipment, turning the motors on and off, checking buttons and tires. You have to know the shape of the equipment before you buy it, because once it's yours, you're stuck with it. A business associate of ours bid on a truck one time on accident. I guess it was a bad deal, and there was some kind of misunderstanding, but it didn't matter. He ended up selling the truck later, but it was not a good deal!

Like I said, this is the largest auction in the country that Ch knows of. It used to be the largest in the world, but he's not so sure about that now with China's economy exploding (while our country's economy struggles). There are several other heavy equipment auctions around here locally that follow this one. February is a busy month for heavy equipment dealers.

Ughhhh.

The kids and I went to a play yesterday. I knew I didn't feel well when I got up that morning, but thought it was just aches and pains after walking so much at Disney 2 days prior. Apparently that was not the whole reason. I have the flu! Hope nobody else gets it. Take care of yourself. I'll be back blogging in a little while.

Our Booth at the Auction

Ch designed and built our first water truck when C was just a little baby. We now have a business partner who is just as integral to the business as Ch. They work very well together, and each of them has a niche to fill, to keep things running smoothly. In years past, we have purchased trucks at the auction, and then made them into water tank trucks, to be sold at the auctions (if there are any left, that is. Most of our trucks are sold outright to customers responding to advertisement in heavy equipment magazines, or via word of mouth and returning customers.) This year, we didn't buy or sell any trucks at the auction, but we had our first booth in the vendor's section for people to browse through.

Here's a picture of a water truck that was completed right before the auction, and was placed in our booth area for display. It's a medium-sized water tank on the back, our most popular size with a 5000 gallon capacity. We have made 2500 gallon tanks before, several 7000 gallon tanks, and we just completed an 8000 gallon tank. That large tank was so big it could not be installed on the customer's truck in our shop. It had to be transported up north, and will be installed up there. If you're ever driving around town and see a water truck on a construction site, check to see if it has our "G & K" emblem on the tank. We have seen several trucks around town when we're out driving somewhere. In fact, we saw one on the side of the road as we drove to the auction. The kids always get a big kick out of seeing one unexpectedly!

Below are some pictures of our booth at the auction. I took the kids down there Friday last week. I think the kids and I have gone every year since H was about 3 1/2 yrs. old.

Lunar Eclipse

Ch and I have been watching the lunar eclipse as it progresses tonight. Well, I've looked several times, and finally convinced Ch to go out once. The kids are in bed sleeping. Normally, I would have let them watch it, but they were up SO late last night due to our very first visit to Disney World, I just couldn't let them stay up late tonight.

Here is a picture of the eclipse, compliments of my Aunt in Oregon. It's neat to think that we are in opposite corners of the country, several thousand miles apart, 3 time zones difference in fact, and we are looking at the same event as it transpires in our night sky.

Trout Lake--Studying Habitats

C wanted his picture taken with this bald eagle, as we have had a fascination with them since we saw 2 flying high above our property on a couple occasions in the 3 1/2 yrs. since we've lived here. We also had a class about them at Tibet Butler Nature Preserve a couple months ago.

I never posted about our nature class at Trout Lake Nature Center. We were studying habitats. Those of you in our homeschool group know all about this already, but I am explaining that for several family members who read my blog occasionally. I don't seem to have gotten any pictures of H this time. He must have been doing his own thing that day! These pictures are over 2 weeks old now, but that's okay. They're still new to you! In fact, I may have several posts that are "old news", as I am trying to catch up somewhat.

B made a new friend with this little lady, a new addition to our HS group. It was rainy the day we were there, drizzling on and off. B is swallowed up by this poncho! Below, B is lecturing about corn snakes, since we "just got 2 as pets!"

She's Back!

We have a resident hawk that chose to build her nest right above our garage door/future driveway area. It seemed funny that she chose that spot because she started her nest among all the chaos of the house-building last year. Last spring, we watched her and her chosen mate on our fence post, then we watched her build the nest in the big oak tree. We watched her raise 2 young birds to maturity. We were surprised they both made it since we have been told that often times, a hawk will choose one bird to raise, and ignore the other. This momma hawk kept very busy finding enough to feed them both, and it seemed that they were always hungry! She brought lots of mice, snakes and even rats to her nest for them to devour. We figure she even terrorized the local mockingbird families. We saw several scuffles between the mockingbird community and the mamma hawk. It was even humorous to see the mockingbirds gang up and dive-bomb her nest. It got so bad at one point that she would bring the food for the babies, but stay away as much as she possiby could.

It seems she did favor one of the birds over the other, unless it was simply nature's selection-of-the-fittest in action. One of the babies left the nest about a week and a half before the other one did. We had great fun watching the little guys grow up, and watched in amazement as the teenage birds played their part well. They kept coming back to the nest for a while to get a few more handouts of supper.

Anyway, we have been delighted to find she's refurbishing her old nest to use again this spring. And we will be even happier when her eggs hatch and she'll have to scour the territory for food for the babies. We have pulled 3 dead (drowned) field mice out of our pool in the last week. At least there are no mice in the house!

The first picture above is of a young baby bird. This second picture is of her nest later in the year with the 2 older "teen" birds in it still. Click on the picture and it should expand, if you want to see them better. The pics aren't the best because I had to take them from the ground, and was not as close to the action as I would have liked to have been.

I Was in Stiches

Tonight, for her bedtime story, B insisted on reading me a story. She read "Go Dog, Go!" She has loved this story since we saw the play version of this book last year. I have to admit, I think it was the best play we've seen yet! It's amazing to me that she remembers so much of the play still, which was right about a full year ago. Well, B insists that she can read the book. She can read anything she sets her mind to, only it consists of this: when I read her a story, she can then successfully "read" it back to me! It's funny how close to the real words she gets. Some of the pages are right on where accuracy is concerned. Other places, she plagerizes quite a bit, and the results are hilarious. I am glad that laughter is good medicine and good for the soul. I am still getting used to having a girl around the house. But it sure is fun once in a while! Not that the boys aren't fun, too. It's just different!

By the way, has anybody's kid been so sure they could already read that it became an issue at some point when they do need to learn? Or maybe as they mature, they grow out of thinking they already can read? I think it will probably be a non-issue, but I am curious.

More New Pets

Our family's pet population is exploding. We just got 2000 new pets. What are they, you ask? Why, worms, of course! Working worms. They're composting our way to a better blueberry field, hopefully healthier, happier, bug-free plants! We are having serious discussions about whether we should go organic or not. Organic is healthier, yes, but will it result in good fruit? I've always admired organic produce, but have heard it's very hard to do successfully. So, we got the Can-O-Worms composting condo and we're trying it out. Here are pictures of us setting it up. It comes from Australia, of all places!! (They are light-years ahead of us here in the states for their "green" philosophy and practices.) The starter bedding the condo comes with is dried up coconut fiber. You have to add a LOT of water to get the small hard brick to expand sufficiently.

This picture of B with the worm cracks me up. She thinks that she needs to personally touch every single one and tell them each how much we love them. Then I remember that I had a fascination with worms when I was just 4 or 5 yrs. old. I can remember digging worms up in our garden when I was very small. They were my "friends".

Sneaking a Quick Minute to Blog

Hubby brought the internet card home tonight, but I didn't get much time to use it. I am working on organizing the place and trying to catch up on stuff that needs done around the house. I have been very bad. I've been procrastinating sorting through a few piles of who-knows-what since we moved in here around June 1st. Granted, the boys' room didn't even get done until Christmas Eve, but I don't have an excuse any more! So sorting and pitching have begun.

I just took a little break right now to answer a quick question that was asked. Why are we plucking off all our blueberry blooms? We're only picking them because our little bushes are very small. Some of them are only a few inches tall, barely more than bare sticks. We got them several months ago as bare root cuttings. If the bush is too small, it cannot support the blossoming and fruiting process. They can actually bloom themselves to death. Evidently, a blueberry plant only has so much energy. If it spends all its energy on fruiting, there won't be any energy left for plant growth. We know we won't have a harvest this year. That's to be expected because they are so young. But we should have a small harvest next spring, if the plants have grown enough by then. With all the TLC they're getting, they should be good.

Speaking of which, we've really got to keep our eye on them. I just discovered some invaders this weekend! We have aphids and caterpillars. The latter seems to have killed about 10 plants. It happened very quickly, too! I don't know what kind of caterpillar it was, but they were small and very furry. We sprayed Sevin on them, and soap water on the aphids. H wants to order several thousand ladybugs to take care of the aphids, but I am hoping the soap water drowns them sufficiently. It's cheaper!

Sorry if you guys are getting quite tired of the blueberry and family project talk. That's about all we've been up to lately!

Oh, except for one thing. Hubby was hopeful for a deal with a fellow from Australia. He said he might order 50 or 60 water trucks for resale over there! We've already sold several to Puerto Rico, but that's the only "out-of-the-states" activity I know about so far. Otherwise, we have water trucks in several states across the country, as well as many here locally. Back to Australia: the gentleman was supposed to meet my hubby again this morning down at the auction. He didn't show. He did have his flight back home today though, so maybe he couldn't come because of that? I'm praying about this one for sure. I want to get this deal so I can fly to Australia to check on things a time or two! Wouldn't that be nice? I can dream, can't I? I have always wanted to visit the Outback.

Off to bed now. It's been a long day. I miss visiting you guys' blogs though. I'll get there soon.

Off-line for a bit.

Well, tomorrow starts the biggest heavy equipment auction in the world (at least it was a couple years ago the last time I asked about it!) It lasts for an entire week. Hubby will be down there in K/P area for the week, wheelin' & dealin' with the big whigs that come looking for good water trucks. He's taking my internet connection with him, can you believe it?!? So.....I have no way to check emails or blogs or anything like that. I'm having withdrawls already. So, if you need me, feel free to call. Hopefully, he'll remember to bring my internet back home with him every evening so I can check on stuff a little bit when the kids are in bed. At least I was able to get two blogs posted just now before he took it away! I'm trying so hard to catch up.

Laying Down Irrigation & Picking Blossoms

We've got to get the field ready for the baby blueberry bushes. So, the irrigation must go in! We're working on it almost every day after C gets home from work, until it's finished. We're also picking blossoms nearly every day because that's how fast they grow! Not to mention the weeds... Here, B is doing her part picking them with me. She is SO good at it too. She will pick blossoms for a couple hours with me before she politely asks for a "little break". She likes to put them all in her bucket so she can see how many she's picked. She must be visual like me.

While B and I pick blossoms, the guys dig irrigation trenches. H moves the tractor for C when he's ready for the move. C keeps busy with the shovel, hacking through tree roots. (See the string that runs along the trench? It's to keep the trench going relatively straight because it's so long.) I didn't get pictures of us laying pipe and electric cord in the trench then covering it over. The electric is required because we have an automatic irrigation timer, and also an electric well to pump the water from the ground. B and I were able to help with setting pipe and lines in the trenches.

I am so thankful we have these family projects to work on together. It keeps us involved with each other. C also believes in the value of a strong work ethic. He's been known to say that, "the family that works together stays together." We're also hoping that by keeping our kids busy, they won't have time to get into trouble as they enter their teenage years. I think it also gives them a sense of value as they see how much they can contribute to the family, and to society in general.

Monster Jam

We went to the Monster Truck Monster Jam a couple weeks ago with our business partner and a few business associates. (We had purchased our tickets a year ago, so it was like a surprise to be going!) I went with C once before we had kids, and he's taken the boys again several times since they were 2 yrs. old. This year, B and I went with the guys. It was great fun, and here are some of the highlights of the evening. We had great seats right in front of all the action.

This race (above pic.) was a kind we have never seen before but it was hilarious. The white cars don't have a motor, so they have 2 pusher cars each. The pusher cars push the cars around the track and have to also try and get other teams messed up in their travel around the track. We laughed so hard watching this! I can't remember what they called it, but it was some kind of "Demolition".

This truck crashed into a motorhome. He smashed it to bits! He ended up rolling over on his side and they had to turn him over with a big rig loader.

Then Grave Digger smashed it up some more. He blew out a tire in the process and kept right on driving on only 3 wheels!

Our New Pets

A homeschool family in our group needed to find a home for these 2 corn snakes, and so we took them up on the offer. The kids couldn't be more thrilled to be giving these guys a place to live. For the first several days, I had to lock the snakes up so that they could get some rest! These snakes eat live mice. We fed them already and it went off without a hitch.

Family Business

My husband is a welder by trade and started learning at an early age. He started welding at the age of 5 for his dad around his dad's family business. Our sons are following suit. H eagerly picked up the welding torch at 5 yrs. old and with his Dad's help struck an arc. At the time he made quite a lot of "chicken scratch" on scrap steel, but that's what it takes to get a feel for the welder and the protective gear.

My husband tacked this mulch bucket together to hold it in place, but H welded the rest of it up entirely. It took him much of the day to finish, but he kept plugging away at it. C said he did a pretty good job of it, too. Our younger son is not quite as anxious to learn the trade. When he was 5, he said he would start learning at 6 yrs. old. When he turned 6, he said he would try at 7. He's 8 now, and he's tried it out a bit, but he prefers to let his older brother handle the torch while he watches over his shoulder through the welding hood to see how it's done.

This Struck My Funny Bone

I think I've said it before, but I never know what I'll run across around here. I walked into my husband's and my bedroom the other evening and this is what I found on our bed. It's a mechanical duck! A duck decoy. C is into duck hunting. It just struck me funny and I snapped a quick picture of it.

Trip to a Pioneer Village Museum

Our first trip to this old-time museum was a good one! Our homeschool group went there last year but we weren't able to go that day because the foundation for our new house was being poured that day and we couldn't miss that! There were several different stations, each with a different topic. The ones I can remember now were: candle-making, weaving, carding of wool to get yarn, farm animals, general store, old homestead house, and the boys' favorite: the blacksmith shop. The trades people in these pictures are all volunteers. They were all excellent teachers, and really knew their stuff! We learned a lot from them.

This is an old-fashioned birthing chair. I'll gladly choose the bath tub any day!

This gentleman is in his middle 80's and has been blacksmithing for 69 yrs. He was quite engaging, and seemed to be able to do his trade with his eyes shut!

Here, H is examining a rag rug made of plastic Wal-Mart shopping bags.