My Last 6 Busy Months

I have been so busy! I have been working with refugees. My family is from Somalia and have lived in a refugee camp in Kenya for over 15 years they lived in a stick and brush hut they made themselves and cooked over a fire outside their "house". It has been a learning experience and an eyeopening experience to see how much we Americans have- we have too much - and I personally have way too much stuff. I have also spearheaded a home-makeover for refugees and we went this past week and transformed a family from Ethiopia's apartment into a more organized homey place. We will be helping another African family in a couple of weeks- these people are so friendly and appreciative. They have never lived in homes like we have and have many life adjustments to make, along with finding a job, learning English, cooking on a stove, eating American food as well many other things we take for granted. But they are so much like us in their love of their families, their sense of humor and their love and interest in others.




Another thing that has been on my mind is our economic state- So I have been working on some perma-culture in my yard- gardening with as many perennial edible plants and not having lawn but growing more veggies. I am excited to try to eat and plan my meals this summer based on what is ripe and ready in the garden. I have planted some new and exotic things- purple peruvian potatos as well as all blue potatos- sweet potatos, kiwi plants several types of currants and gooseberries as well as black raspberries, dew berries and mulberries. I have planted 7 new fruit trees and created a lot more gardens over lawns.


I have gotten ducks and more chickens for eggs as well as slug and bug control.


I am also trying hugelkultur- which is putting down branches and tree trunks and covering it with green compost and straw then some more ready to use compost and planting in that. This is where I have planted potatos and squash. They are not done yet as they require a lot of horse manure, which I keep using in other places. Bruce has made 6-8 trips to the farm for compost and keeps hoping it is his last trip in the pickup for that this year- personally I don't see the end in sight. I never know when to quit.


My family is the most important project I ever work on and that is also never ending- Katie moved into a pool house and that is neat and exciting, Becky gave me another grandson named
Dylan - He is perfect just like his big brother Sam and big sister Alison.

Ben has been busy with scouts and school. Spencer and Joey have also been busy with that. Joey also took Tae Kwan Do. He was very good at it.

Amy is busy with scouts and Dancing and violin.


I have been the Webelos leader as well as the Daisy scout leader and taxi driver to all events. I have not lost a pound and am not a better house keeper but I hope I am a better, kinder and nicer person. I want to be more like my Savior and love my neighbors as well as my family more.


Joey took this self portrait with my phone- He is doing great!


My dad's 80th Birthday party at Sherry's We gave him a talent show!


My snowball bush is in full bloom and very heavy at this moment.
I also was trained and certified as a RADkids instructor her is my first graduating class Joey is in the blue in the middle of the picture.