Iron Horse Brush Fire 2011

In Florida, this time of year we have such dry vegetation that it can go up very fast with the winter winds and dry weather. It only takes one cigarette to start something this massive and destructive. We just went through this almost 13 years ago with the fires of 1998 that claimed so many homes. Many friends were homeless after that was over. Fortunately, they had insurance and were able to rebuild.
This was the glow at about 8pm across the highway from us. The fire started on the west side of I-95 and jumped 4 lanes and a median. (So much for a fire break) The winds were so bad that the embers were just blowing like snow flakes and starting more fire on the dry brush. Then the fire can down about 40 acres and jumped U.S. Highway 1 and began to go after more homes.

My friend texted me saying, her house was completely surround and praying the fire dept would get there fast. They did and praise God, saved her house. Everything else is gone outside, but she is safe and so is her family and they still have a roof over their heads.

I ask that you please pray for the safety of the Fire Depts, there are 15 and the Division of Forestry. They just worked a massive fire up here by my house this weekend. And of course, for the safety of all the residents of Mims & Scottsmoor that they stay safe.

For now, our barn is safe and our animals have been moved. Well, most of them. We were chased out by the Sheriff's Dept to get out for our safety last night. They are not locked in, the gate is open is they want to leave. They will if need be. Their smarter then we think.

This is what happens when your youngest gets hot and wants to go swimming. This is the best I could offer the little guy and he stripped down to his "skibbies" and jumped in. I had pure entertainment for about an hour. I'm really not sure what Sue & Emma thought considering he was in their water bowl.

Dylan splashed at Emma who I thought would eventually stab my poor MacGyver with her big ole' horns. He was crazy enough to be locked in a pen with TWO BIG girls. He kept reassuring me he could jump the 6 feet up if he had too. He can really do that too, I've seen it!

I, of course, was holed up over on a lounge chair trying to get enough Vitamin C in my body to get better. I was armed with the cell phone just in case I had to call 911.

Who needs a beach when you've got all this?!

Seriously, I need more Bounty!!

You have to be kidding. We're sick again or maybe we're just still sick. If I hear one more cough I'm going to scream!

I apparently, had Influenza type A & B. Lucky me. I told the Doctor on Friday 10 days ago, I was getting the "Flu" and she just blew me off like I was crazy. Well, the VERY next day I had it. But guess what? I had to be tested officially within 48 hours of getting sick to get the good meds. By the time I got into see the Doctor I was beyond the 48 hours for the Tamaflu. So, I got to ride it out. Not fun!

I have been through 4 rolls of Bounty paper towels. Kleenex just doesn't work for my nasal power. I have gone through 2 bottles of Nyquil & 2 bottles of Dayquil and I still have it. What gives, how do you get rid of this? Any suggestions?

My Friend Michelle.

This is my friend Michelle. Michelle was 53 years old and died on January 13, 2011 after suffering a major heart attack due to Hypertension.

Michelle was a fabulous person. She worked as an admissions specialist for a nursing & rehab center here in town. Michelle was caring, kind and went out of her way to make the residents feel good. She listened to everyone's stories and never left before a story was over. Michelle was a gift.

Michelle had been battling hypertension for a few months before the holidays. She, like me, couldn't find the "right" combination for medicine that didn't make her feel funny, fatigued, or blah. I could relate on that. During the week on January 10, she was not feeling well and stayed with a friend. Michelle decided on Thursday she was going to go home and do some things. When her friend went by to check on her after not getting in phone contact with her.

She found Michelle dead. Nothing could be done.

Michelle had just sent a son off to Boot Camp who had to be called and told his mother died and was needed here since he now was in charge of her Estate. Michelle was a "horsewoman" she loved her baby in the picture. Michelle loved being outside and spent almost every weekend possible doing what she loved.

Michelle did not die in vein. They always say, if one person learned something from the death of someone, then the death was not in vein.

I learned.

I learned how important is is to take care of yourself and to stay on the medicine that is prescribed by your doctor. You see, I have been told for 2 years I have hypertension. I did not care. I was young. I have children. God doesn't want me yet. Wrong! You are never too young to die. Hypertension is the "Silent Killer" in women.

I have since lost 15 pounds and I watch every.little.bite, I put in my mouth . I am taking my medication everyday on time without missing a pill. I see my Doctor when I have an appointment and I pay attention to my body and what it is saying to me.

I will always remember Michelle and thank God for her friendship and the valuable lesson she taught me and hopefully others.

Rest in peace my friend.

Kimberly

Almost better, FINALLY!

Well, I guess this picture just about sums us up. My entire family has been sick for over a week with fevers, runny noses, coughing and ear aches. I'm just about over it all. I have given up the run a round with the bleach wipes and antibacterial soaps and have gone back to good old hand washing! And guess what? We're finally getting better. You need those germs to a point, but without them you continue to get sick.

Tomorrow, here in Florida, we're getting to 80 degree's. Yes, you heard right 80. I am getting a pedicure in the morning and headed to the far back pasture to get some sun on these horribly white legs. The boys have barn work to do and I need to help my husband stay strong. I'll make lunch at high noon for everyone. You too, come on!

Sunday, I'm back to doing laundry in front of the television to watch the Daytona 500 just up the road. I'm NOT crazy enough to get into that traffic. My HD is just fine.

Enjoy your weekend,

Kimberly

Planting 2000 Pine Trees

We had SO much fun planting 2000 Pine tree's yesterday. We had 10 adults and 9 kids out there having a ball. We split up and had one adult to one kid. The kid was "supposed" to carry the baby tree's carefully and hand them one at a time to the adult and place the tree's 6 feet apart. This all was done in less then 2 hours.

My father-in-law working with my youngest, "Big D." They did a great job together.

Well, you can see here what happened. The kid who was supposed to be handing the tree's out decided he was done helping. So, my Mother-in-law became the "Tree Lady." HA! She had a blast doing this, we all did. This camp is also a tree farm for Pines. These tree's will be ready in about 30 years for the lumber truck! Good Grief, I'll be as old as my Father-in-law and he'll be....Well, let's not rush time.

We did have almost one casualty. My Sister-in-law, who was so excited to be riding on the tractor NOT the trailer was flung off when we hit a hole. Thank the Lord, she had the sense to roll out of the way of the HUGE tractor tire. We are grateful that nothing seriously happened to her. Lesson learned: DO NOT RIDE ON TRACTOR FENDERS!!

One Thousand Gifts by Ann VosKamp. Chapter One

Here is the latest book I am reading along with (in)courage and a few close friends. This week started off with Chapter One, and what a great chapter it was. At first, I found it very hard to digest since I have lost two babies and having to relive the "Why God, Why me" again really hurt. I can relate to shutting out God and honesty believing there was no such thing as a God since he allowed this to happen to me.

But, reading what Ann had to say about her childhood and losing a baby sister and having the same feeling made me feel that I was human with those thoughts and feelings.

I now know, in my much more mature adult world that there IS a God and he loves each and everyone of us. It is how we choose to see Him that makes our belief in Him a richer one.

A few quotes from this book that hit me were,

" Our fall was, has always been, and always will be that we aren't satisfied in God and what He gives. We hunger for something more, something better.

"How many times have you said "Only if, or I wish? Oh my, have I said that countless times. If only I had a bigger house. Now I have a bigger house and want a smaller house to keep the junk away. How can we blame God for what we want and not be happy with what he gives us?

" We are hungry, We eat. We are filled...and emptied. And still, we look at the fruit and only see emptiness. We don't see the material world for what it is meant to be: as the means of communication with God."

This quote reminds me of being in church. We are hungry to hear God's word, We eat. We are filled. Then we forget. Plain and simple. We need to communicate with God always, everyday.

"If I am ruthlessly honest, I may have said yes to God, yes to Christianity, but really, I have lived the no. I have."

I can so relate to that. I attend Church, my boys go to Sunday School and yet I find myself yelling at the boys or mumbling under my breath at someone who just cut me off in line or on the road. I hear the boys arguing amongst each other. Would God appreciate that for all He has given us? I think not. I try very hard these days that when the kids argue in the car, I just pull over and wait a few seconds and they get it. I am just not going to yell anymore. I want to please our God, not be a disappointment to Him.

How many of you can relate to the quotes from above? I can.

I can not wait to read the rest of the book and follow the videos on (in)courage every Sunday. If you do not have this book yet, you need to get a copy. You can order here at (in)courage. I hope you decide to join us.

Enjoy your reading and Be Blessed!!

Kimberly