Life in Kansas can be tough.......

I had not posted in awhile and so I thought I might as well share what has been going on. To be honest I am struggling. Some of you may have read my long story about why we had to move out of our last house. Long story short, the landlord did not make some payments, they put the house up for sale, decided it would not sell with 8 people in it so proceeded to kick us out. We were blessed that a dear couple loaned us their mobile home for a few months until we were able to find something.

We felt so blessed when a gal from church offered us the current home to rent. We pay more then most for rent here in the town, because she need to be able to make her mortgage payments on it. She had just moved into another house, and had not yet been able to sell this one. So we said yes. After awhile she took the house off the market and it looked as if we were going to be able to purchase the house. She said it was an assumable loan and so that would even have made it easier.

So I get to calling the bank and they have her permission to give me info. Well come to find out the house is being repossessed. She has not made a single payment since we moved in. SHE TOLD US SHE HAD TO HAVE THIS HIGHER AMOUNT TO BE ABLE TO KEEP UP WITH THE PAYMENTS, and then she did not pay a single one. $3750 in rent payments made and not one speck of it went to pay the mortgage.

I feel as if we have been robbed. I mean come on. How could someone do this, how could someone from our CHURCH do this. The first person was supposed to be my friend. And now someone from our church. I guess really you cant trust much of anyone anymore.

So Thursday we get served papers about the foreclosure on the house. Saying we must respond by such and such date. It does so nicely specify that we can make a claim but it really mean nothing in comparison to the banks rights.

So here we are again. Looking at having no home. I don't get it. And guess what a whole bunch of 3 bedrooms, that as everyone knows you CAN'T fit 8 people in 3 bedrooms. So I guess we will just be homeless maybe, cause everyone knows we can fit so much better say living in our car, or perhaps a tent. So yes I am feeling cranky.

Honestly I do believe that God must have a better plan for us. But I am so weary, I just am struggling. I will aim for something more uplifting soon.

Oh yeah and if anyone knows of a nice farm house in Kansas that someone wants to rent/or lease to own, to a very nice family, let me know, okay!!! ; )

Tiredly
Amy

Cakes for graduation

I baked what amounts to 4 9x13 cakes for a graduation party at our church. I forgot to take pics before I put them in the fridges. I was so tired that I did not want to drag them back out, LOL. Yeah pretty bad. I was up to 3:30 baking and then got up at 7:00 to frost and then finished the decorating at the church this morning. The big one is a dark chocolate and french vanilla swirl, YUMMMMMMMMY!!! Then the squiggle cake is a chocolate and the Congrats Grads is vanilla. Hope everyone has an awesome day.
Hugs
Amy

Goats??? Yup I said goats and maybe some chickens

Hey there everyone. Had a busy week. We are looking at purchasing some milk goats. A friend of a friend of a friend, LOL, had 2 milking Toggenburg does and a doe kid, that he is willing to sell me to get me started. They are young only 2 years old and lovely and healthy. I have been trying to find ways to keep some expenses down and I have figured it out and even feeding and care would be cheaper for me then buying milk from the store, not to mention better for us. Then I plan to add at least a dozen hens so that I can get enough eggs for my family. We go through sooooo many. And these eggs would be better for my kids. I also have tomato plants I need to plant. Next year I would like to put in more of a garden. I have struggled this year. But every day and year gives new opportunities.

Hugs
Amy

Good afternoon everyone

I hope all the Mothers day a wonderful day yesterday!! Mine was very nice. My hubby BBQ'd for dinner which is awesome. He does a wonderful job. We are enjoying a nice spring day today not too hot. We do have a nice breeze today. Okay we may be leaning more toward windy, LOL. But I am nothing if not positive, ahahhahahahahha.

I have been so lonely since moving to the new town. I am a very sociable person, and it is hard to not be so near my friends. I am wondering to myself some things, here they are.....

1. Self why have we not baked a bunch and taken goodies to the neighbors??

2. Self why have we not had a nice outdoor tea party yet and invited the neighbor
ladies??

3. Self why have you not found a local ladies group and gotten involved??

Okay the truth is I HAVE NO IDEA, LOL. I don't know why I have not done these things. Especially as I usually would. It is very strange. I must admit, I am falling out of practice at being a good fun neighbor. RATS

I guess I have been too busy having a pity party for myself. My family is usually too busy and too far away to do anything with me. And sometimes I think that perhaps they really don't even like me. Not that any of them have ever said anything remotely like that okay I AM HAVING A PITY PARTY

Nobody likes me, everybody hates me, guess I'll go eat worms, long thin slimy ones, short fat juicy ones, itsy bitsy, fuzzy wuzzy worms.

Down goes the first one, down goes the second one, oh how the wiggle and squirm, long thin slimy ones, short fat juicy ones, itsy bitsy, fuzzy wuzzy worms,

Up comes the first one, up comes the second one, oh how they wiggle and squirm, long thin slimy ones, short fat juicy ones, itsy bitsy, fuzzy wuzzy worms..........

Sigh.......... I struggle with spring. I always feel an urgency to accomplish something, and yet I never seem to. I want to have a tea room, I want to be able to ride and show horses again, I would love to be out on a farm to be able to grow food, raise our own cows for beef and milk, raise chickens for eggs and to eat, and to raise goats for milking and to make soaps and other things to sell. Okay yes I have alot of plans and desires, and I struggle on some days to remember that there is a time for everything under heaven.

Ecclesiastes 3
A Time for Everything

1 There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven:
2 a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot,
3 a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build,
4 a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance,
5 a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and a time
to refrain,
6 a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away,
7 a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak,
8 a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace.

I do struggle with remembering this. But I do know God's word to be true. So right now I am guessing it is just not my time for some things. Perhaps right now it is my time to just raise up my children how they should be and to teach them right from wrong, to teach them all the skills they will need to make homes of their own. To teach my children kindness and love for others. And for me to just love them and enjoy the time I have with them cause they grow up way to fast.

But back to my questions for myself. I can do these things. Before this week is over, I will bake something nummy for the neighbors. After all what better way to teach children kindness and love, then to show them how to be kinds to others and how to love thy neighbor.

Have an awesome day everyone.
Love
Me

Our Mothers Day Tea

Here is the outside of Riverside Cup of Tea. It is a lovely brick building and I like that they were flying an American Flag. I also love the window boxes in front of the building.

Here is a picture of the inside of the tea room looking in from the gift shop area.

Here is a picture of the desserts that were served.

Front window boxes

More of the window boxes

We had a lovely day today. We all opted for iced tea today as it was a very nice berry blend with lemon. We started off our meal with cold Strawberry soup and shortbread. The sandwiches that were served were egg salad, cucumber, and chicken salad, also a cheese quiche and a spinach ball and a scone. Then the desserts were walnut fudge topped with cream cheese and a raspberry drizzle, chocolate torte with a bit of whipped cream and a raspberry, lemon squares, a toffee crunch bar, and an Oreo truffle, that for some reason was called, a Musty Ball. Don't ask me I don't get it.

It was a bit pricey for this special Mothers Day Tea, but we also were given a rose and a book mark. So all in all it was worth it. Today was also my nieces first tea with us. She will be 1 year old in July, so it was nice having her with us. We had a nice time and I plan to take my daughter back there soon for just a lunch for the two of us. Although it is always nice to go with my mom and dad and little brother, as well as my sister and her husband and my niece. One of these days I want to have the time to stroll around the park that is near and maybe take some pics of the river.

Anyway all and all The Riverside Cup of Tea was wonderful and we are glad we went so if you are ever in Wichita and want to go to tea, just head on over to Briggs St and enjoy.

Have an awesome Mothers Day everyone. My husband is BBQing tomorrow!!! Yeah no cooking for me, IF I get the potato salad done tonight as well as the deviled eggs.

Hugs
Amy

This last week has been oh so long, LOL

We had alot of fun this last week. We went to the zoo in Hutch and the kids had alot of fun seeing the animals and walking around and trying to milk the "cow". We did not get to see our favorite exhibit though the otters. They must have been inside eating while we were there or something. They are so friendly and very curious that we usually have alot of great photo opportunities. But not last week. There were a few new exhibits, such as the buffalo, and the pelicans and the badger. We always like watching the monkeys.

Then we went and saw the Budweiser Clydesdale horses. They aer so lovely and so big. My youngest was sad he thought he was going to get a chance to ride that big horsie, LOL!!! We had a wonderful time at my moms, the kids got to play trains with my youngest brother, and it was so nice having dinner together and then of course they got measured. All the grand kids get their height measured when they go to grandmas. Then my Andrew enjoyed half a pan of wheat free brownies. Grandma always remembers to bake Andrew a treat he can have.

The first gig with the new band went well. They had a good time playing. Which is awesome.

Our puppies are now 6 weeks old and will be getting their shots shortly. They grow so fast. I will post new pics sometime this weekend. They are busy running around and growling and barking at all the other dogs. LOL

Will post more here later.
Hugs
Amy

It only took a week part 2

Another Clydesdale able to sleep amazingly enough with all that wind

My two youngest boys, trying the milking cow exhibit at the zoo. It was decided that they just did not have big enough hands yet, LOL

The back pasture on my parents farm. All so lovely and green

Brea looking out my window into the back yard. Not sure what caught her attention

And the badger. He was pacing back and forth back and forth until all of a sudden he stopped and let me take a picture. The sign said he is a temporary exhibit. He looks like he had a bit of road rash so perhaps he was hurt and will be released again soon. Not sure.

It only took a week, LOL

One of the Clydesdale Horses. We lucked out and made it there right as they were starting to tear down. It was so windy they were moving the horses to the State Fair Grounds in Hutchinson

I love these little monkeys. They are the only reason I am willing to enter the snake and reptile exhibit. These guys are in there as well.

Crossing the Arkansas river in Reno County.

A flock of sheep. They looked so lovely out there. I love sheep. Wish I was on a farm. Sigh

Picture taken by my hubby while lying beneath the trees at the park. He really took a nice one I think.

Lovely spring day

Picture of the puppies first time outside. not too sure what to think of the grass, LOL. If you would like to see more puppy pics please visit the puppy page of Amore Schnauzers.

Today is a lovely day and makes me think of this song

This is the day, this is the day, this is the day that the Lord has made, that the Lord has made. I will rejoice, I will rejoice, I will rejoice and be glad in it, and be glad in it, This is the day that the Lord has made, I will rejoice and be glad in it, this is the day, this is the day, that the Lord has made!!

Okay, yes repetitive, I know, LOL!!!! And not the newest of songs, and I do know that the Lord makes every day we are blessed to have no matter what the weather, but lovely sunshiny spring days, are truly a blessing from God.

WE got the puppies outside for the first time yesterday and they enjoyed it. We will take them out again today and see if the run around some. The wind is less today so maybe I can get some video of them. These little guys are just darling.

Good news got the electric bill and it is down 150 dollars, yeah. Besides no longer using the dryer, we are no longer using the back flood light. We have other lights around the backyard, but this one lite the yard up very well and made us feel a bit more secure, yes I know who needs a flood light in Kansas.

And well really we don't but both my husband and I are California born and raised. Habits are hard to break. Our doors are always locked in the house and the car. We do not drive with the windows in the car down in larger towns where we might have to stop somewhere. I do not worry about it, but still figure it does not hurt to be cautious. But yeah down 150 dollars. I am so thrilled. That makes my day!!!

I feel the need to get busy outside so I had better run. Gotta hang some laundry and we need to mow again after all that rain, LOL. I wish I could have a goat, that would be a lovely non polluting answer to keeping my lawn shorter. Somehow I feel the town might not be happy with my answer to my problem. What do you think ; )

Have a wonderful spring day everyone. I will take pics tomorrow, of Kansas in spring and post them.

Hugs
Amy