I've become one of *those* people!

Not really, but I've started to become a Prepper.  You know, that television show 'Doomsday Preppers' on National Geographic?  Where families and groups of families prepare for the Apocalypse?  And we all watch it, and make fun because of COURSE, that's NEVER going to happen.
Well, I'm not here to preach my religion at you, because well, that's not my business to do so.  So if you define apocalypse in the religious sense, then keep on walking, because that's not my bag.
But, if you define apocalypse in the government failing, food prices going through the roof, etc, then, welcome!  But, I'm still not a person who thinks that the government is going to fail.  However, I do believe that food prices are on the way up, and that we need to be prepared for the future, whatever happens.
I've been reading a lot about prepping, and what all needs to be done.  And I've come to a very basic conclusion that some people do not consider stockpiling as prepping, and prepping 'cray cray' and hoarding is acceptable, because you got it all free.
Hoarding, as seen on A&E's Hoarders, is not okay.  It's a mental disease, and definitely should be treated as such.  Hoarding as seen on TLC's Extreme Couponers is not acceptable.  It is not a mental disease, and should be treated as those people are greedy, clearing shelves of items they don't need, simply because it's a good deal. 
Prepping is not cray cray.  Prepping is quite simply, preparing yourself for what might happen in the future.  Look at the recent tornadoes in Oklahoma.  How many of those people wished they had a copy of something as simple as their insurance policy?  Or the phone numbers to their credit card companies, because the credit cards were lost/destroyed?
Stockpiling is prepping- think about it.  You purchase something at a low price/free, to save it 'for the future' when prices are not going to be as good.  I think it comes down to when people think prepping, they think clothes, medicine, prescriptions, money, etc.  But going forward, on this blog at least, I will use the two interchangeably.  Because they really are the same thing, in my eyes, one just encompasses more than the other. 
Most of us already have a very basic prep going on.  We (general)  have our marriage certificates, birth certificates, passports (if we have them!), Social Security cards, and assorted other important papers, in a lock box that we keep under our bed, or in our closet, usually with the key hanging out.  Because that's what we do.  But, do you have cash in there? Do you have copies of your driver's license and credit cards? (Front AND back?) Insurance paperwork? Copies of eyeglass prescriptions?  Copies of medical records? What about copies of medical prescriptions?
I will admit, starting to do research on this, and seeing the destruction in Oklahoma, I've come to the conclusion that we are woefully unprepared.  Talking to friends who are much further along on the prepper path than we are shows how much more we have to do, or not do, and decide what will work for us, and our lifestyle. 

Kids hair cuts are overpriced.

I channeled Vince today.  Vince was my grandpa on my mom's side.  He died when I was 19 or 20, but when my brothers and I were younger, he would give my brothers a haircut,  because we were poor.  But, he wasn't very good at haircuts, and they always ended up looking like a bowl cut with one side of the bangs at the eyebrows, and the other thisclose to the hairline.  Both my brothers hated it, and it probably contributes to their refusal to get a cheap haircut to this day.  Every so often, we'll joke about it, and they'll threaten Luke with it. 

Today, however, I finally was able to give Luke a hair cut that wasn't overpriced.  It was not from Cookie Cutters.  Which, come to find out the only reason he likes the place is because they can watch tv while getting the haircut.  I then promised he could watch Goonies while I cut his hair, and well, Mom's cutting his hair this afternoon!  Whoot!  He wanted it short, and then longer on top so he could spike it.  I think it turned out quite well. He can spike it, it's super short for summer, and it's BLONDE!  All the hair I cut off was brown.  Weird.  But, he was happy, because he got to watch the Goonies.  And then he got a bath because he hates the feel of hair on his back.  (I don't blame him, it's yucky feeling!) So I am all excited because we can save money now by cutting his hair when it gets too long.  And he won't fight it like he's been doing.
 

Challenges...

Nope, not the challenges that make you wonder about your life, and how did you go so wrong.  I'm talking about those ab challenges, or squat challenges that are sprouting up all over the interwebs thanks to Pinterest.  I've avoided them for a few months, but two of my friends started one today, and well, I got sucked in to trying them. 
So, from one friend, I had to do the following: 30 Jumping Jacks, 20 second wall sit, 50 squats, 25 Russian Twists, 5 chair dips, and 5 Burpees. 
And from the other, 5 standard crunches, 5 reverse crunches, 5 plank twists, and 5 bicycle twists. 
Combine them all together, and you have 15 minutes of hell.  Just sayin'.  But,  I took measurements this evening, and I am going to measure every Saturday, to track my progress.  I WANT this to jump start my weight loss again, I've been fighting getting back on track. 

My crazy week

It all started last week- work, the end of Luke's school for the summer, and Memorial Day.  Add in I'm starting to get excited about canning season, and I'm all flustered!  ;)  I purchased 4 more tomato plants to go with our obscene amount of heirlooms from Mississippi Moon Naturals. 

Mississippi Moon Naturals is a family owned, woman owned greenhouse, garden, and seed company.  They are located in southern Illinois, and I found them when I was looking for black beans.  I found those, but I also found so MUCH more!  I love them!  They have excellent customer service, and shipping is fast and very affordable.  I ended up buying 11 varieties of heirloom tomatoes, with peppers and cucumbers, and beans, and peas.  In addition, they gave me 2 more heirloom tomato seeds, bringing it up to 13 varieties!  Yes, we're crazy! 

So all that's in the garden now, and our rhubarb is in season now.  I have absolutely no idea what to do with it, as I've never eaten it, and Charlie doesn't like it.  So apparently we're going to leave it for right now, and then decide later.  I could make strawberry rhubarb jam for the farmer's market, but am not sure.  I don't know- there's just so much I want to do for the market, yet, I don't want to step on other venders' toes.  At the same time, if they're not there weekly, I should be able to do what I want in terms of selling items. 

Strawberries aren't quite ready yet, we're planning on going picking next Friday.  I asked my boss if she wants to come with, and she probably will, which will be awesome!  :)  I've planned it out I need around 20 lbs, I want to make 6-8 jars of plain strawberry, plus Charlie is going to show me where mulberries are, so I can pick those.  Honestly, the only reason I'm writing this all down, is so that I can remember what I want to make when all this stuff comes in season!

I also got an email from Whole Foods, and they get Muscadine grapes!  I will be making Muscadine Jam this year too!  Even if it's only a small batch, like 2-4 pints, I don't care.  I'm in love with it.  And it'll be perfect for Christmas.  *If* it lasts that long.  ;)

Keep it classy, ladies, keep it classy

  I never really thought I was that much of a prude, I mean, I can hold my own with the dirty talk, and not much embarrasses me. Truly. However, I was reading a thread in a mom group I belong to, and well, one of the threads made my ears blush. It started out innocently asking why Christians are bashed and called racist but every other non Christian religion can say the same things and its acceptable. It devolved from there into the one outspoken beyotch talking about boobs. And it really didn't make my ears burn, except that she's a MOM. She has a 7 year old. That 7 year old knows his mom likes boobs. Seriously. And that bothers me. A. Lot. There are just some things that shouldn't be known in such detail at such a young age.  I'm not a prude, but really..... And this mom has had CPS called on her because her child has threatened suicide. It's just a cluster.... I feel badly for the child, but mom kind of brings it on herself.

The farmers markets have been going decently. Next week, I am not doing cinnamon raisin bread. The last two weeks it did not go at all. So even though its super easy, I don't want to waste anything else for it. I did make French Bread, and I'd like to try something else this week, but still not sure. Perhaps I'll try the blueberry bread, two loaves, and 4 loaves of French. Maybe even 6 loaves, I can always freeze what doesn't sell. I'm also thinking of granola, or a snack mix. I have a few days to come up with something. I'm just trying to be inexpensive. But still make money. 

It's been a while!

And for that, I apologize!  It's been a crazy busy month, and I've been coming up with blogging ideas, I just haven't had the chance to put pen to paper? Fingers to keyboard?  to write them down, and out. 
First off, Happy Mother's Day to all my dear, dear mom friends.  You all make me a better mother, just by being you!  Enjoy your day!  All of you! 
Farmer's Markets start Wednesday, here in town.  Both Charlie and I are doing that one, and then Charlie by himself is doing the one in a neighboring town.  So for Wednesday, I've decided to make fruit breads.  With bagels and sourdough loaves occasionally for variety.  I am planning on making a loaf of Strawberry bread tomorrow, after work, and will post pictures and possibly a recipe, tomorrow.  I wanted to do Blueberry bread as well, HOWEVER, I refuse to spend $4 on a small jar of blueberry jam, and haven't had time yet to make jam from the frozen berries.  So, whatever.  ;)  So my goal is to have a few (2-3) loaves of Strawberry bread, and perhaps cinnamon raisin.  I don't know yet.  It all depends on how they turn out tomorrow.  I would also sell jams, but am really not sure about that. 

I finally feel like I can talk about this

No, it's nothing like serious or anything.  Charlie and Luke are fine.  I promise. 
See, it all started back in November of last year.  I was driving to work, and hit a deer.  The police were called, as was our insurance company.  Come to find out, our insurance had 'lapsed' due to Charlie paying it a bit late.  Well, of course, the Good Neighbor refused to cover my accident, which led to the state suspending my license for 90 days.  Sucks to be me.  We fought it, they were assholes, told us to get a lawyer, but we'd lose, and then decided after we said something to the Good Neighbor higher ups, that they'd drop us because 'your license is suspended'. 
So, for the past 90 days, I've been dealing with no ability to drive.  Asking Charlie to take me grocery shopping when he's done with work.  Waking up Luke to take me to work in the morning.  Just a lot of driving for him.  Me getting upset when he doesn't want to do what I 'need' to do.  It's been depressing to say the least.  But, all is better now, we've found a new insurance company, and, as of April 10, I have a valid license again.  Whoo hoo!!  I'm right back into my routine again, one that doesn't involve traipsing all over with two males who don't want to be doing what I'm doing.  It's nice. 
I have learned a few things while I was license-less.  I can walk to the post office.  There's something calming about it.  I don't HAVE to get fast food for lunch, and I don't HAVE to go somewhere every day.  If I can't walk there, there's no shame in waiting until we're trip-chaining and going somewhere else before I do what I thought I needed to do. 
The thing I am most grateful for, however, is the fact that I'm not stuck without a car when Luke is out of school for the summer.  That would SUCK!  I've got plans for him already on what we're going to do, and Charlie is super busy during the summer.