A 3rd Grade lesson in Economics

Our first lesson in business. It's not a lemonade stand, but it's the same concept. A lesson in business, customer service, and money management.

Market research: What is the going price for your product in your area? I handed John a local flyer, and stopped by a local farmers market. 33 cents to 50 cents was the going rate for corn on the cob. We settled on a price...

Then advertisement: We created a sign. Letters in bold so cars driving by could read it.

Assessment: We had 5 cars stop and sold $12 worth of corn. Everyone who stopped was wonderful, and kind. His first customer gave him a $1.00 tip. Very nice man. It is not a fortune in the making, but a hands on lesson in economics. All in all a great experience. We are hoping to have enough cantaloupe in our garden to do this again. Cross your fingers that the deer don't spoil our fun. So far they have done a good job of raiding our garden at night.

A Trip to the Farm

Now that's a lot of corn!

We had a great day on the farm.

The corn made a delicious treat for dinner.

Angie's exciting morning

I received an email from a friend of mine, she gave me permission to share it with you...


"Thought you might like to hear about my excitement this morning....

Nickers (her dog) wanted out last night and I didn't bother turning on any lights as I went through the house. I let her out, waited a few minutes and called her back in. It was dark so I didn't see the possum in her mouth. This morning I'm running around getting everyone ready and go into the living room and notice this nasty thing laying on the carpet in front of the couch. it was still breathing and had its teeth bared...very intimidating! I thought the dogs might take it outside but neither one of them would go near it. Chickens!

I got the pooper scooper so I could grab it and toss it outside, but then I thought what if, when the metal touches the possum, it flies up and attacks me? I didn't know if it would keep playing dead or if it would valiantly defend itself. So I called my neighbor to see if he knew anything about possums, no luck. I tried calling Uncle Mac but he didn't answer the phone. I tried calling animal control, but the phone just rang and rang and rang. I called Dad and he wasn't sure what the possum would do, but he suggested putting a box in front of it and pushing it in with a shovel and then carrying the box outside. I still didn't want to get that close to it so I called Bob to see if he knew what the possum would do. He told me to grab it by the tail and toss it outside. I wasn't about to get that close to it!

In the meantime during all of these phone calls, Ben (her 4 year old) is running around the house going "Scooby Doo, where are you?" Like Scooby is going to solve my problem. Then he goes upstairs and is watching the possum through the rails of the catwalk and gives me a status report, "Mom, he has a long stretchy tail." "Mom, he opened his eyes." "Mom, he moved his head." "Boy his teeth sure are scary looking."

So I stood behind the couch by the sofa table and tossed a box a few inches from the possum. Also from behind the couch, I took the shovel and flipped the possum into the box. Then I ran around the couch and using the shovel to push the box outside. Ben is still giving me a status report, "Mom, he's moving!" So, using the shovel, I ran and pushed the box/possum out onto the deck.

I called Bob and Dad to let them know I lived through the experience of getting the possum outside. Then I happened to think if this thing dies right outside of the sliding glass door it's going to stink. So I took the shovel and pushed the box to the edge of the deck. Then I gave it a great big push with the shovel, The box goes flying through the air and I realize it's empty and the possum has already run off.

My husband didn't call me back until about 9:00 and he was laughing when I answered the phone. "

Fruit trees

Two years ago my sister helped me plant two Fuji Apple trees. I can't say we have a bumper crop, but this is fun. They are just turning red and soon we can pick a few to eat.

The peach tree I planted last year. It did have about 10 bright peaches, now we are down to two. The boys claim they did not pick any off the tree. Maybe the deer ate them. I guess they thought we left them a sweet treat.

"Don't wait for a break in the weather,

learn to sing and dance in the rain."

a few kind words

The other day I was searching for a word to describe myself. I was fumbling over the word shy. It was not a perfect fit, but the best I could manage in the moment. A friend was standing next to me and saw my struggle. He piped up "Barb, you're low key. That's the best description I can come up with." I smiled and agreed.

I find myself looking around my life realizing how true those words are. Low Key.... Low key is my preferred lifestyle. Thanks Jas for the insight. Why are there times others can see us better then we see ourselves? Sometimes I feel like I am living in a Monet Painting. Standing too close and only seeing the blotches of color whirling around me. If only I could take a few steps back, look again, and see the picture with more clarity.

Follow ME :)

My humble blog has an official follower. Hurrah! and Welcome! I have spent a good part of the morning trying to find out what that means to follow a blog. What are the perks? How did you do that? Neat profile - I want one too:) .

You got me started on something new. I wanted to show my support for the blogs I like, so I added them to my list of blogs I like to follow. Curious how that looked on the other end I took a peak at their followers. For some reason I only show up as B.B. with no picture or cute bio to go with it. Do I look like a stalker among all the friendly faces on their list? I'm trying to fix that with no luck yet.

I have to admit I am a real novice at this. I signed up on face book, and it still remains a great mystery. A friend sent me a strawberry daiquiri. I didn't know what to do... I wanted to send her a toast, but I was lost. On days like these, I feel like I am standing in the Library of Congress, but am illiterate. There are wonderful resources and things waiting to be discovered on this net, but I can't seem to grasp them. With a little push from my more swavy friends I'll get by. I'll keep working at it.

What I want to say is ... Welcome to the blog, and thank you for showing me something new. And to Heather from face book "CHEERS!"

A boy, A camera, A trip to the Zoo

These are a few of the photo's the boys shot at the zoo.

If a picture is worth a thousand words.... this was quite a tail....

THE END

"Obstacles are those frightful things you see when you take your eyes off your goal."

- Henry Ford

Trip to the Zoo

Do you know that song, All I want for Christmas is a hippopotamus?
If you like hippopotamuses you would love the exhibit at the St. Louis Zoo.

It is amazing to watch them swim through the water with such grace.

Talk about a closeup view... John took this, and lots of great pics during our trip to the zoo.

If you look closely, you can see Donald trying to pet the hippo through the glass as he swims past.

Our little garden is going to grow....

My pot garden....uhmmmm....I should say..... my container garden.... is going well.

I am very happy with the upkeep. Watering is easy, and weeding is even easier!
The tomato's are doing well. You can see we have buds and a tiny tomato.





I have to say, these are odd looking green peppers. They are suppose to be California Green Peppers. I think someone switched the sign at the garden shop.




















So this is interesting news. You see what kind of gardener I am. If you go back (to July 7th and 12th) in the blog you saw what kind of projects my husband gets into. (we are a bit of ying and yang aren't we?) Well.... He just ordered 1 pound of pumpkin seeds. He has it in mind that we will harvest them and sell them for Halloween. OK! I need prayers.


In truth, everything I plant is with a prayer. A prayer that God will help that seed grow. I am always amazed that a tiny seed, planted with a little care, can grow out of the ground and produce something special. In all honesty, there are more luck and prayers that influence my gardening then science. I grew up on a farm, and a lot of prayers. My Dad understands the science behind farming, and he offers me a lot of great advice. In the end we all know the weather is not in our control. We do not make the sun shine, or the rain come when it is needed. We can protect against weeds and insects, but things do not always go as planed. I think that is why farmers tend to be faith filled people. They are in touch with the seasons and the elements. Everyday miracles are the basis for their living and well being.

Oh, I don't know how this will turn out. Deadline and all! We will use the science that we know, but it will take luck and prayers to make this work. I don't mean to sound pessimistic or worried. I just know this will be a lot of work. I would like it if my husbands childhood dream of having a farm went well. However it turns out, I am sure there will be some good stories to tell. After all the journey can be as important as the destination.

A Word from the Summer Journal

Fishing Trip. May 22nd 2009.

"I got a bite and the fish got away. Sometimes I get it and sometimes I don't."

This is from Nicholas' journal. He is 6 years old, and will start Kindergarten in the fall. He dictates and I write. He enjoys seeing his thoughts go down on paper... even if he can't read them yet. These are sweet moments. I am so glad we started this.

**********************************************************************

Dear Book lady,

If you are still reading this... thanks for the encouragement. :) We don't journal as often as I wanted to. However, I am always glad when we do. Moments like these are as precious as rainbows. (but I think you already knew that :)

Spring Cleaning in the Summer

The past two days have been too hot to work and play outside. The boys have been busy playing in the house. I've been getting into closets and cluttered spaces trying to create some since of order around here. I have two big boxes of clothes and toys that we don't need anymore.

My internal struggle is this... donate, or have my first ever garage sale. It would not take much to have enough for a garage sale. Odd pieces of furniture, more toys, more clothes, Christmas decorations. The list is long of the things we own and don't need.

I have to admit I am a little intimidated by the idea of holding a garage sale. Taking all of this outside. People coming to my house and looking at my stuff, evaluating it's worth. Friends, neighbors, strangers, dickering with me over the price. It seems like a lot of work and worry. I know lots of people do this every summer with no trouble. (Well, not that they are not any trouble, I am sure hosting a garage sale is full of effort.) Any advise?

UMPH! I miss my old computer. I wish I had a back up disk. UMPH!

Photo

Nicholas took my camera for a trip around the house. Looking at this photo I have two thoughts:

1) Nicholas may have a future in photography.

and

2) I need to dust.

Here's another photo from his unique perspective..........

Sunday Fidgets

I really enjoyed today's passage Mark 6:7-13.

I was struck by these instructions, "Wherever you enter a house, stay there until you leave." I feel like with today's distractions it is easy to be in a place with body, but not sole. Our minds wonder on to our unfinished tasks, or unfinished conversations, instead of being focused on the person in front of us. Something to think about, however, it was not in this Sunday's sermon.

The priest focused on the instructions Jesus gave his disciples. To pack only what they needed to travel with food, a walking stick, and only one tunic. Father John spoke about how easy it is to over pack when planing a trip. How those extra things hinder us during our journey. He spoke about the importance a walking stick was in the time when the disciples where traveling. How the walking stick would keep you steady on uneven ground, and could be used for protection if attacked. He suggested that our faith in God serves as our walking stick in today's times.

"Jesus summoned the twelve and began to send them out two by two." Father reminded us that you need a spiritual partner. Someone to cheer you on, and hold you accountable for your beliefs. Father said 'If you are married to your spiritual partner you are truly blessed. If you spouse is not your spiritual partner try to make that your goal. If you can't rely on them to cheer you on, and support your beliefs try to cheer them on to come closer to Jesus and the life he wants us to lead with love. Meanwhile surround yourself with people who will challenge you to live the life of Christ. Join groups and make friends with those who will support you to live as Christ invites us to live... with the love of Christ our saviour.'

This caught my attention, because I keep thinking about friends. My friends from the past, and my current friends. If you take a moment and think about your friends. How they reflect your beliefs. How you support each others goals and standards. They define your norm. If they spend thousands on their vacation, it makes it easier for you to justify doing the same. If they travel with their children to support their joy of a sport; suddenly a trip to Canada to take you son to play Ice Hockey doesn't seem extreme. Spending $200 on a high tech swimsuit you can only use three times, is not extraordinary if the rest of the parents on the swim team are doing the same thing. It is easier to go to church on Sunday, when your friends are making the same effort.

In my past, I use to choose friends who where easy. They didn't ask much of me and I didn't ask much of them. Over the past few years I found that to be empty. I have reached out in new directions. I have been lucky to find a group of friends that challenge me to live within the teachings of the Church and Christ. They are not easy friends. They expect me to live up to a higher standard. "You have to believe to receive." "If you receive, should give back, pay it forward." "You have to be a friend to have a friend." These are all statements they have said in passing about themselves. It is a standard, a goal. These are standards I am striving to meet.

Listen to your friends, what standards do they portray? Are their goals the same as yours? Recently I passed through a group where the standard was; Show over substance, Greed over charity, Pride over humility. I am glad that I am aware how empty path is. There will never enough money or power to fill the void.

It is not always easy to find friends who reflect who you are. It is hard to reach out to new people and find new friends. There is always a chance you will get burned, putting your trust in someone that is not true to the way they portray themselves. Making new friends is like winning the lottery. You have to play to win. You have to put yourself out there.

I hope you have people surrounding you who support you and encourage you to grow. In today's gospel Jesus sent his disciples two by two. All you need is one other person that believes as you do. You can support each other, and hold each other accountable. If you can find more then one, count your blessings. I leave you with father John's words "If you are married to your spiritual partner you are truly blessed."

Evergreens in the ground.

It took three days and some extra help, but the trees are finally in the ground. I hope they make it. It would be a shame to lose them after all the work it took to get them planted. It's raining today. There is rain in the forecast for the next 4 days. It looks like we won't have to water them this week.

What a project.

Did you see this truck going down the road? That was my husband. He told me he was going to the store to buy a few trees. They were on sale, and we could use a few evergreens. He came home with 11 trees each 7 foot tall.

This is my husband...no project is a small project.

Simple Summer Pleasures

We are enjoying our lazy summer schedule. A friend of mine reminded me of the simple pleasures of summer. The freedom in the schedule to take an unexpected jaunt to a park, or make time to do nothing.

She was going from one place to the next, running errands with her kids. They passed a place she remembered from her childhood, and decided they needed a diversion. It was a conservation park that had a covered bridge over a little creek. She thought it would be a quick stop... walk across the bridge, maybe throw a rock into the creek. It turned out to be an all day event. They spent the day wading into the creek, catching crawdads, and laughing about nothing.

It was a great reminder to take summer as it comes. To keep pleasures simple. To look for the unexpected adventure of the backyard. To let them pick flowers, whether they are from the garden or just the white clover growing in the yard. To dig for worms, catch frogs, and capture fireflies. Summer is a time for making memories. Show your kids the things that made you happy when you where their age. I hope summer finds you well, and taking full advantage of what it has to offer. Enjoy the slower pace, enjoy each other.