Adventures in Home Repair- the Ceiling Fan Edition, part one...

Part of the fun of being a military wife is all of the fun things you learn to do on your own. And with your kids. All military wives know the same fun of any wife whose husband travels for work. You know, the cars where the alternator dies and all of the electrical goes out in the fast lane at the top of a hill at rush hour and you pray as you muscle it down the hill with a foot on the brake, hoping the other cars let you over so you can coast into the church parking lot at the bottom of the hill in the scary part of town? (Cue kind father in law to bail you out and bring a mechanic to the rescue... husband had barely crossed the state line when that happened!)

Yeah, that kind of fun. And I must note, my husband's deployments and TDYs, incessant as they were, never took him overseas. He almost did, but then they changed his orders. I know how lucky I am, but I still spend a good bit of time on my own, troubleshooting issues, hiring contractors when needed, and learning LOTS of new skills!

I have long been terrified by electrical work. It is on my list of classes to take, when the time arises (haha), but until then, I will learn a little at a time. Recently, a ceiling fan with a light, originally installed by a contractor (long story) literally fell out of the ceiling. Thankfully, no one was right under it, but it did sustain a couple broken light globes and a bent fan blade arm. 

I did what any goofy girl who no longer trusts contractors but wants it fixed would do...

I took pictures of the parts left behind, and stopped at the local Ace Hardware on the way home. While I really like Lowes for a number of things, when it comes to quirky how tos and random things you only run into in your part of town, the local small hardware store is a good first stop.

So I pulled out my not-so-smart phone and showed him what was left and where I thought it had failed,

which was this bracket you see below.

The man agreed with me that washes might be just the trick to getting the tiny screws to hold in the bracket. Then he explained how to hook up the wiring- white to white, black to black, and add the blue to the black bundle since it had a light on the fan, and leave the green as it was for the ground. That sounded easy enough, so I purchased washers and headed for home. Note to all of you for future reference- the washers actually needed to fit in the bracket- oops- so luckily we have a big stash of washers in the tool shed!

That afternoon, Bailey tried to hold the fan up for me to wire back together. We realized quickly that was just too awkward. So we took a bar stool, and stood it on the counter. We propped the fan on the stool, and the kids tried to help me by passing tools up when needed and making sure I didn't knock the fan down. 

That way, the wiring went pretty easily.

See? All hooked up, with the little things screwed on to hold the wires together properly.

The kids ended up having to help me shove the wired in while positioning the fan rod arm in the bracket. But then the housing went on fairly simply. And the big exciting part- it turned on! 

I decided to wait on getting new globes (and of course trying out the fan) until I figured out how to bend the arm back into place. I am still having trouble with that part. In fact, I stopped and looked at parts while getting paint at the big hardware store over the weekend. Turns out, the guy there thought I should give up and buy a new fan.

I am not ready to give up on it yet, gonna stop at ACE this week and ask about that part, and see if Wyatt can help me try again tonight, too.It is never as simple as it should be, but if we can figure this out, then Wyatt and I are going to put in a new fan switch in his. A little more intense on the electrical, but I found an online how-to, so you never know...

Another Weekend in the Books...

For those of you who have been laughing alongside me, everyone is home, and settling back in...

Late Friday, Charlie and Wyatt rolled onto our property, and unloaded just enough so that Charlie could head in to town and pick things up for the duty he volunteered for- snack bar at the goat show. Originally when he volunteered, he expected to return on Tuesday, but for any of you who know my husband well... hunting season comes with lots of "surprises" and changing schedules!

Undeniably, though, Shadow Paws is SO HAPPY to have Wyatt home. They are so funny together!

Anyhow, the show was fun. Fortunately, folks put up with me asking them to verify which goat they are showing and the herd name multiple times, as I am terrified I am going to miss something and not get someone lined up when they are supposed to be.  Happily, the only ones missed were found before their classes!  I come home from these events not knowing how on Earth the show secretary/ organizer, Kate, can possibly be willing to manage all the paperwork required before the show and still show up with her own goats, not running for the hills by show day.  I don't mind lining folks up, and getting the submissions in to the association, but all that work she does!

Charlie had to make one last stop on the way to town, so other folks did pre-setup for the food booth, and then the food area turned into a man-cave of sorts, with other Dads pitching in to cook and help serve.

Wyatt came in and manned the raffle table.  After having done it last year, he doesn't need me at all.  He prides himself on pitching in without needing an adult, though when little ones come running through, I really believe he encourages them instead of calmly keeping them enjoying themselves constructively. I know that is just maturity, and that it will come with time and guidance, I will keep working on my patience!

The show was fun- a young man looked at me and told me it was the best day of his life. As Kate reminds us, they will have many best days, but I always hope the  youth will remember that this hobby of theirs is work- and lots of it- but at the root is it fun, with friendship and camaraderie.  Bailey did well in showmanship- 3rd of 8. This is only the second show with her new showmanship goat, who doesn't like to be crowded, and the youth just kept scooting up, so I think she was happy with that.  In a couple weeks will be a showmanship only show, hopefully she will continue to improve.

I still find there is a lot of anger in my heart for the people who made 4-H not fun for a while, and who continue to spread untruths, but as I sat in church this morning, I thought about how it frustrated me that I haven't softened my heart yet, and found that balance between standing up to people to demand the right, and practicing the compassion that I need to model for the kids and to not let those people change me. If you see me tripping over the juggling act, please be patient with me, but remind me to be the person I expect of me. It has been hard to practice forgiveness where people have hurt the children and not been held to account. But I know I will eventually be better for it.

After church, the children and I moved the guineas out to a pen where the Javas and Buttercups usually live. Those birds are temporarily living with the Buckeyes. I am hoping that it works for now so the guineas can establish their territory here, before any issues arise, because I am even more sure today that all of the Javas we raised have turned out tot be roosters!  Anybody need a Java rooster?

Wyatt and Charlie finished packaging up one of the two elk.  The other is still frozen, and they hope to finish it up tomorrow.  Bailey cleaned Glory's kidding pen again. No babies yet. A little more udder development, but based upon the breeding dates, we don't need to worry about them not arriving yet. Bailey will be keeping  close eye in between assignments this week!

Well, now the real work begins. Getting things put away, and getting the schooling back on track. I had planned for this couple weeks to be pretty light on school. After all these years with Charlie, I know to plan for crazy in hunting season, and he got to spend a lot of time on environmental science and orienteering with the kids while they were away.  I do think Wyatt's math books may have ended up in his grandfather's trailer, though, going to have to track those down in the morning!

Have a great week!  We will keep you posted about those babies, all the best to you all!

Today calls for a little reflection, and a dream for the future...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3KwEuNapzt0&list=PLD7019FD242C5F51D

This might seem like an odd song choice for this post. Read on.

12 years ago today, the towers were attacked. I don't think about that once each year, it is a part of our daily life. That day, my husband was away on his annual elk hunt with his buddies. We didn't know what was truly behind the attacks at first, so the unit told the boys to finish their hunt, no one knew if or when they would get a chance to do it again, once they knew who had carried out the attacks.

We didn't know it, but Wyatt was already on his way into this world.

Charlie spent much of the next eleven years travelling, in support of the conflicts or the border mission, or whatever. We have been through lots if ups and downs, a bizarre economy, crazy bullying of our daughter at the hands of youth and adults who worked together to carry it out, but in the end acted with impunity, and learning to take charge of the children's education and stand up for what we believe in.

This afternoon I read a post from a friend on Facebook whose daughter had stepped in to stop some bullies on a school bus. What better way to create a better world than to stand up for what is right in simple evryday life.

My dream... that we raise our children to be leaders who know how to stand up for those who cannot, but without being pushed around themselves.  I hope that when we pass this world on to our children, that our world will have the opportunity to be still filled with promise and possibility, that they will take the lead  in the traditional prayer that recognizes that all our neighbors are a part of us. That life is a circle, where whatever someone does to someone else, they do to themselves.

There are good people, and scary unkind ones, in all walks of life. I dream that on a day like today, the good can lay down the expectations of what neighbors should be, and to be those people themselves.

Whether you believe in the same things as him or not, to essentially understand and to live by the commandment to "love one another", to also" Be the Change you wish to see in the world."

Everything I Need to Know in Life, I Learned Walking Tumamoc Hill...

Do you remember several years back when all those signs were up about Everything I need to Know in Life I Learned in Kindergarten/ from my Dog/ Cat, etc? As we headed up Tumamoc Hill this morning, I saw all these simpl lessons going on around me, and began snapping pictures to take this theme into the new old age of memes and a nature preserve...

So here goes nothing, 

Everything I Need to Know in Life, I Learned Walking Tumamoc Hill...

Make life a fun ride...

Clouds can be good or bad.  It depends how they act in your life, and how you do as well.

yup.

Be ecologically aware...

Ignore the rumors. Or give them something else to talk about...

Or give them something else to talk about...

But don't let them get you down.

Keep going.

In the right direction. Lead the way.

Be proud, and rejoice!

Don't let others tell you what to do. Do the right thing, at the right time, even if others don't.

Don't give up.

Got any to add?

The Annual Off to Camp Post...part one!

Time for the annual "Off to Camp" posts.  This is a bit delayed, as the kids are already back from the first one, and Bailey has headed off to be a counselor at the second, but here goes nothing anyway!!!  I just hope it makes sense =)

Anyhow, a few weeks back, we loaded up the car on Sunday midday, and Shadow got really sad.  She wouldn't get out of the car, so I let her tag along and help take the kids to camp at the Triangle Y.  We were really thankful for the campership that was awarded to the kids through the 162FW, allowing both of them to go this year.  We were also thankful the Triangle Y put up with Shadow helping drop them off! 

(She did offer to be a camp mascot, but I told her she had to come home and help me with the animals since the kids were gone).  In the end, she got unsupervised time outside, and is finally settling in to being a good guard dog! (aside form channeling Remi on the whole toad thing- but I ordered in the active charcoal this week...)

I think Wyatt learned to pack from his Daddy. I also think that is one of Charlie's rolling duffels he typically takes TDY...

Funny how the girls in our family pack lighter! Though Bailey always has books packed!  She wasn't so sure about leaving her animals, or going off to camp at times, but when I went to pick her up, she didn't want to come home!

Alas, she was excited that her grandparents came to visit last weekend, and arrived at our house as we were unloading the car. Grandma and Grandpa were drug out to visit the animals as they fed. Grandpa had recently met the new geese and goats, but there were a couple new ones and Grandma met the new animals and said that Verse reminds her of Obediah's mama, Vital.  We agree.

Then, on Thursday, Wyatt went to Grandma Camille's for the day to swim and do homework, while I took Bailey and her friend up to Mingus Mountain.   

Mingus Mountain is kind of near Prescott. The state 4-H purchased a camp there, call the James 4-H Camp (I probably got the name mostly wrong). They have a number of camps and leadership activities up there over the Summer.  Some of you might remember Bailey applying for a job as a camp counselor.  

She and eleven others were hired as counselors for something called Camp Corral. It is a camp or children of wounded or fallen soldiers.  This should be an amazing experience for the youth and the children they work with!  There is so much amazing stuff planned!  She has wanted to give back by being a camp counselor for some time, and after sixteen years in a military family she was honored by the opportunity to begin here.

These photos are form the drive up.  Lots of rain up there, it is beautiful and so green! The grass fed cattle are chubby and happy too.  Drove right past an amazingly well kept county fair grounds on the way, too!

We got there a little early, and looked around a bit! Bailey found a stump to be silly on beside the creek!

This photo is going to find its way into a meme soon!

Absolutely beautiful country. Should be a wonderful backdrop for a great experience! Apparently there are several of these camps going on nationwide this summer, and this is the only one with an 800 mile radius! They have some wonderful folks coming in, too!

Couldn't help snapping photos and enjoying the scenery during sunset on the way home.

I hope Bailey has some photos to share when she gets home!  I believe she will be learning so very much!

A Nice Sunday Morning, Needing a Little Motivation for the Afternoon!

The kids and I went to church today.  Wyatt wasn't so sure about something new, where he didn't know others who would be with him.  Bailey was excited, but then backed out of going into the youth group, and stayed with me.  It turned out to be a good fit, she has been reading a lot of Genesis, and that is what the preacher was discussing today.

In the end, the folks were friendly, and as Bailey and I turned to head out to find Wyatt, he came into the back of the church with a big grin and a doughnut in his hand, ready to tell us about the fun he had had.  And there was a boy he knew from 4-H in the next age group down, whom he had spent time with during county fair, so he hadn't been completely without anyone he knew.

We headed out and ran into the same man we had met on the way in- his name was Don- thanking us for coming in, and I heard a deep hello, looking up to see another 4-H parent- Sean-  saying welcome as I said Hi.  As we walked away, and Wyatt told us about tortillas and candy in a lesson about Joseph- I still don't quite understand the whole thing, maybe he will explain again over dinner- we said hello to a few more 4-H youth on the way to the car.

Bailey said she liked the service, and as we got into the car, Wyatt closed his door and asked, "Can we go again next Sunday?"

Hmmm...

All in all, a pretty good Sunday morning.  I am glad we are taking our time to find our way back to ourselves.  One step at a time with our hearts.

On that note, with animals fed and watered, and new recipes downloaded from Facebook, I suppose I had best get to some cleaning so I can get to bed early tonight!

Hope your weekend is blessed with family and friends and those nice little steps in the right direction.

Love to all.
me

I Rescued a Human Today...

I saw this adorable poem online, and thought to share it.  Our dogs have all been rescue dogs, all being essential members of the family who taught us a great deal along the way.  Hope you enjoy!

I Rescued A Human Today 

Author:Janine Allen CPDT 

I rescued a human today. 

Her eyes met mine as she walked down the corridor peering apprehensively into the kennels. I felt her need instantly 
and knew I had to help her. I wagged my tail, not too exuberantly, so she wouldn't be afraid. 

As she stopped at my kennel I blocked her view from a little accident I had in the back of my cage. I didn't want her to know 
that I hadn't been walked today. Sometimes the shelter keepers get too busy and I didn't want her to think poorly of them. 

As she read my kennel card I hoped that she wouldn't feel sad about my past. I only have the future to look forward to 
and want to make a difference in someone's life. She got down on her knees and made little kissy sounds at me. 

I shoved my shoulder and side of my head up against the bars to comfort her. 

Gentle fingertips caressed my neck; she was desperate for companionship. A tear fell down her cheek and I raised my 
paw to assure her that all would be well. 

Soon my kennel door opened and her smile was so bright that I instantly jumped into her arms. I would promise to keep her safe. 
I would promise to always be by her side. I would promise to do everything I could to see that radiant smile and sparkle in her eyes. 
I was so fortunate that she came down my corridor. So many more are out there who haven't walked the corridors. 

So many more to be saved. At least I could save one. 

I rescued a human today.