Just One Drop

It's been raining in North Carolina.
and raining.
....and raining!!

We've had an unusually wet summer. Normally we are under a major drought at this point but I think we are one rainbow shy of downloading plans to build us an ark!! "Hold on Noah, we're coming!"

We headed out to the Barnhouse to mow the other night. We knew we had very little time. We saw the clouds rolling in as we left our house and knew we had to be quick about this. 
 

 

We had a plan....Lukie-poo (eventually, he's going to hate that I call him that!) and I were going to ride on the Bacca-mobile and collect trash as the hubs mowed.

SIDE NOTE: By the way, WHY do people litter? I can't stand litter. The main thing we collect is beer cans and bottles...and McD's wrappers. What's up with that? Hey folks, have you ever thought that maybe you should drink your beer at home? GASP! And perhaps throw your garbage in your own trash can. Heck, you can even throw it in your own yard if you so choose. 

I shudder to think how many people are driving around drinking alcohol.

And I shudder to think what other peoples homes look like if they lack such care for our beautiful country. It makes me sad folks. And it's REALLY gross.

End rant.

Back on point.... instead of mowing, because hubs knew he had very little time, he decided to do a little roof and gutter maintenance. Check out my man! "Arrr Arr Arrr!" ;) Hey, there's nothing sexier than a workin' man with a back-pack leaf blower in shorts and boots!!

Well, there is a workin' man doing laundry.

or vacuuming. 

or putting the kids to bed.

or praying with our family!

But back to the point, it is a shame the disrepair of this place. The roof isn't that old but there are some yucky leaks and, get this, there are NO GUTTERS! No gutters. What house has no gutters? They are important and this is why......

If you don't have gutters, you understand these pictures. You get get a monsoon and flooding. Again... "STOP THE BOAT!!"

Which reminds me, I really need some rainboots. I should've hit the Tractor Supply when they had their horse-cowgirl-boot-rain-shoe sale! I could've been a REAL country girl! But nevertheless, I think I'll get me some of these instead! Deciding a color would be my downfall. There's that, and needing a loan!

Hunter ® Rain boots

 
And maybe these for when I'm feeling feisty this winter! Don't you love that color? 

Artic Adventure Muck Boots ®
Winter Boots 

 

....and it rained....

(Now, don't go minding all those electrical wires just floating around waiting for an innocent bystander! The power is disconnected, no worries!)

 After all was said and done, we picked up the garbage from the street, made a lap around the property for kicks and giggles, going as fast as we could.....

..................and then the bottom dropped out! We parked ole 'bacca just in time for the Lukester to make it to the Jeep safe-and-sound and with not a drop on him; while I, in the meantime, had to put away the keys, lock up the house and then make a mad dash to the Jeep.

I was soaked.
And it was fun.
Good times folks. good times.

This post made me think of a current fave on Christian radio these days. And the lyrics go a little like this...

I need you, and you need me
Left alone, we will never be who we could be
So take my hand and, don't forget that
We can do anything together
Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh
Just one drop of your love
A single ray of sun
Just one thing to change the world
It's just you and me
Starting with a dream
And giving it all we've got
Only takes one drop
Come with me now, look and see how
There's an ocean overflowing with our hope so
Let's jump in and, take a swim, it's
You and me, yeah forever

Dear Hubs, 

This is the beginning of our dream. 
It's just you and me.
Let's jump in.
Let God be our single ray of sun.
Let's give it all we've got.
It only takes one drop.

You + Me = Forever

Love,
Manda Bear



PS. DON'T BE A LITTERBUG!

The beginning of something beautiful...

But right now, it's downright disgusting.

This is what we are dealing with folks.......

Potty training is NOT easy. Especially with a two year old who already has issues "going to the potty" if you catch my drift?! And especially not with a crusty toilet, wrapped in paper towel!

Hey, at least there is paper towel, kid. Count your blessings!!

Poor kid. He will kill me for this one day. But honestly, that's face. He's pitiful but he's gotta be the cutest thing ever.....and it makes for funny memories.

Even if the smell of this day still haunts me....

The Chewbacca-mobile

Yes, my parents bought a Toro "side-by-side" for "work purposes".
And yes, of course they named him "Chewbacca".
A very logical choice.
Lukie-poo loves Star Wars. So yes, it was a logical choice.
It rumbles. It roars. And it is hairy.

Ok, maybe it isn't hairy, but it does get covered in spiderwebs quite often as we fly through the woods at break-neck speeds.
(NOTE: Always wear flip flops while riding the Chewbacca-mobile. You never know when you might need a weapon of spider defense!)

The "Bacca" as we so lovingly call it, has already more than served his purpose on "the farm".
The kids love it. But the adults love it too.
He's a workhorse. He's fun.
He's dangerous.

Jazz has already tried to prove his Paul Bunyan skills and use the Chewbacca-mobile to take out a light pole.
The pole was a good road block. Thank heavens! Scared me to death. We could've had a mushed Jazz. We don't want a mushed Jazz.
The obligatory "You don't ever, ever, NEVER play on this. It is NOT a toy!" speech even took place. Poor kid.
Did you know that a Toro doesn't have to have keys to take it out of park?
Who woulda thunk it, right?
Well we know now.

The things Chewbacca can teach you!

The boys and their toys.
I have a feeling they will be the death of me.
But they sure are fun!!

We've got a lot to learn about living on a "farm".
Let's hope we keep all hands, fingers, toes and light poles in the process.

New Beginnings

twenty four wooded acres.
one old farm house.
a creek. chiggers. turtles.
a barn. an old meat house. a shed or two.

lots of love & sweat
and tears...somewhere along the way.

watch as we transform from a rundown homestead into
our peaceful haven...


"As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord"

Our first path in the woods. Was an old road bed back in the day.

The old homestead (plus a couple additions).

The mancave building.

THE barn. Swoon. What made me fall in love with the place!

The chicken coop and far right will be a massive garden.

The meat house. AKA school house. AKA craft room.

The shed.