This or That Rural Thursday

I can't believe it's Thursday already and time for some of my favorite blog hops!  I'm beginning to believe that time really does go by faster the older you get, ha!

Of course, maybe it's going by faster because I've been busy this week...

I've been busy simplifying our financial life by paying off and closing credit cards, combining savings accounts at the bank, etc.  For example, I originally thought that having separate savings accounts for insurance, vacations, emergencies, etc. would make it easier to put designated monies away.  Nope.  Didn't work for me.  What it did mean, for me, was MORE paperwork to file and accounts to balance and I felt like I was in a circus performing a juggling act.  I know many people utilize this sort of set up and it works for them so I thought I would try it.  After almost a year of trying this method I decided this was not simplifying my life so it had to go.

I finished up a cross stitch piece and took it to our nearest Michael's (about 45 minutes away) to be framed.  No photos in case the recipients happen to read this post!  But, while I was in the next county, I also stopped at one of my favorite stores, Lowes, and did some price comparisons.  My Dad, Country Boy and I have decided that the chicken and duck run needs to be enlarged and we're going to add a small pond for the ducks.

female Khaki Campbell

So, I've begun to price the few things we'll need and hopefully we'll get this project done fairly reasonably.  My Dad will be helping me on this project since Country Boy is busy working (to pay off those bills!).  Work has already begun on it.  The area we want to enclose has a gradual slope to it which would be fine if we weren't digging a pond but, since we are, then the ground needs to be somewhat level.  A neighbor graciously came over with his toy, er, tractor and did some grading for me.

These boys love their toys tractors and love any excuse to play, er, use them!  He also started a hole for me and saved me a coupla' weeks worth of work!

I've already enlarged the hole quite a bit more but still have more to go.  As you can see, there are lots of trees around which means lots of tree roots and grapevine roots to cut and dig through so the tractor work was a huge blessing!

The wildlife activity around here has been, well, active!  Lots of squirrels, birds, butterflies, opossums, owls, etc.  I think they're enjoying the early Spring as much as I am!  We've also had more hummingbirds than before.  I have a wonderful view out my office window.  Take a look and see if you don't agree...

I love the metallic green when the sun hits them just right!

They're both male Ruby-Throated hummingbirds.  They love to sit on the tree right outside my window either before or after getting a drink from the feeder right below the tree.  There is action at the feeders all day long.

I've also been helping renovate the church youth room.  More on that later but one afternoon I walked around and took some photos.  I love how our church is surrounded by pastures!

There are still some items on my To Do list that haven't been crossed off but I still have a few days left in the week.  (They're not fun items though, like sorting through receipts, paperwork, filing, etc., so I'll have to make myself do them so I can cross them of the list, woot!)

The family's coming over today to see the front yard transformation.  Unfortunately, the flowers have fallen off and the new buds haven't opened up yet (that's why I haven't posted photos of the transformation yet!).  Oh well, they'll get the general idea!

Meanwhile, I've got a store-bought chicken and some veggies roasting in the oven with a salad, some sweet tea, dinner rolls, Lemon Creme Cake for dessert and voila... lunch is served!

Have a great Thursday!

    

Till next time,