Saturday, October 6, 2012

What I've Been Up To This Summer...

Hey Y'all!

I just wanted to drop in and give you a little shout out. :-) I'm battling with feelings of guilt over how I have neglected this blog this year. I hate that. But, life has just thrown a lot at me during this season it seems, and something's gotta give. I hope it won't be this way for long. 

Let's see if I can give you a short synopsis of what I've been up to this year, shall we?

1) Of course, you know that I started PURE YANKABILLY All Natural Skincare. Y'all I had NO idea how consuming setting up a business would be. It's not just making product... Now, Etsy has had some policy changes which aren't conducive for shops like mine. So, I will be creating my own website for PURE YANKABILLY here shortly. One more thing to add to the list. :-) I'll let you know when it's up and running. I'm really enjoying myself with this business endeavor, but it takes a lot of time.

2) We managed to sneak in a long-weekend away this summer. We were supposed to go to West Virginia for a family reunion, but that was when those terrible storms rolled through and left everyone without power, food, gas, etc. I was pretty bummed because I haven't seen most of that side of my family in 20 years. I haven't seen my beloved mountains in longer than that. But, evidently it wasn't meant to be. I was just happy that all of my family was safe and unharmed. En leu of WV, my family stole a weekend get-a-way to one of our favorite places here in Indiana. This is when it was 107 degrees, so most of our time was spent hanging out in the hotel room. Lord, it was a hot summer! It was hotter here than any summer we lived in Florida. What's up with that? But, I digress...

3) Me and the man-child also spent a week with family in Michigan before school started so he could log some family time. That's very important. Family.

4) As soon as we got home from Michigan, tomatoes were begging to be canned. Lots and lots of tomatoes. We'd already worked the green beans and squash 'til it was coming out our ears beforehand. The garden is always a LOT of work in the summer. Actually, we have more peppers to work today. But, it's very rewarding work that makes me smile every time I'm eating food that we have grown well into winter. Definitely worth it.

5) School started the day after Labor Day for us. Which meant Homeschool Group also started. This year I'm teaching two classes, which I'm having a blast in. It also means that I have to study and be prepared. 

6) My husband was rear-ended four years ago at full speed. It left him with injuries that unless a miracle takes place, he'll carry with him for the rest of his life. We're believing for the miracle! Anyway, he sought an attorney to help him with getting worker's comp to cooperate a few years ago. Long story short...it went to trial. The trial was a week and a half ago. That was pretty much all-consuming leading up to the big days. Lots of visits with attorneys and prep work. Life went on hold during that period. Thank God, it's done and over with. That chapter is closed and we can move on. And, thank God they ruled in our favor. 

Now, that the trial is over and we are back into a school-year routine, I'm hoping to be able to pop in more frequently here. Of course, there is still life - which includes trying to get the business firing on all cylinders. But, hopefully I'll find my groove again.

In the meantime I want to leave you with a few photos of what we've got going in my neck of the woods. I'm really excited about it!




We're getting a windmill farm!
These things are huge and impressive.


The base. My husband is 6'1".


The engine that holds the propellers. Did I mention that my husband is 6'1"?


The propeller blades attached to the engine thingy.


One of the 3 lengths of the base and the part that holds the propeller blades on a semi.


I could only get 2 of them in my lens at a time. And, this in no way does them justice. The base of each one is 300' tall and they stand 490' at the top of the propellers. There are a lot more of them up now than when I took this picture. So, I'll try and get a better shot to share with you again sometime. There are going to be 125 windmills when it's all said and done. It's one of the most amazing things I've ever seen - watching them spring up everywhere. 

I'm glad to see a renewable energy source becoming an important part of my community.

Alright, y'all...I'm outta here. 

Until next time...
Pam