Thursday Was NOT a Good Day

I will have to pick up the slack and post about this later,  but right now I am still trying to get a few things straightened out here and waiting for some news.
Long story short:
Darlin' Man has about a 90% chance of being deployed yet again. In August, so not much warning.
We'll find out in a week or two if it is chiseled in stone.
A lot of factors for us to consider and a lot of planning and decision making to be done.
So...will post more about this later.
In the meantime, goats are fine, chicken are fine, another sandstorm, my garden seedlings are suffering from the darn wind and sand, that's about it for now.

Versatility Tuesday Delayed Because of Storm!

Well, the wind blew in yesterday morning...and blew, and blew and BLEW! The power flickered on and off all day, so I finally gave up on two things: Trying to make my Tuesday post and Resetting the darn clocks!
So, besides posting about one of my favorite versatility things, I'll give a little catch-up post here! And maybe throw in a video for Wednesday!
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First...when the cashier says "Paper of Plastic", I am more likely to say "Paper!". I get weird looks for it (especially from my fell, lol!), but there is a reason I want paper bags.
Plastic bags aren't that versatile. Sure, you can use them for trash bags in little trash cans, and the more crafty can cut them into strips and crochet them into door mats. Some people use them to stuff into those balloon curtain toppers to make them more *poofy*. I have no balloon-y type toppers, so that's out for me.
Ahhhh...paper bags, I love 'em!
The dull, everyday brown paper bag is a joy to most of us that sew. I quilt and the brown paper is awesome for making quilt templates and patterns. When I get a new sewing pattern, I usually do not cut it, I trace it down onto brown paper bags (that I have taped together) and make a sturdy, brown paper bag pattern. It lasts soooo much longer than tissue paper patterns. A little bulkier, but much sturdier.

For crafters, brown paper bags can be used in dozens of projects.
If you can and give canned items as gifts, brown paper looks charming as a label.
My kids (when little) made Halloween masks and other projects from brown paper bags.
At Christmas, I would make decorations from brown paper, using a small hole punch and yarn. Cut your brown paper into stockings, stars or other shapes. Place two stockings together, hole punch around the edges, sew together with brightly colored yarn. You can either stuff and sew closed for a puffy look, or leave the top open and fill with candy of small gft items.

Jack and Jill went up the hill

To fetch a pail of water.

Jack fell down and broke his crown,

And Jill came tumbling after.

Up Jack got, and home did trot,

As fast as he could caper,

To old Dame Dob, who patched his nob

With vinegar and brown paper.

 

Yes, I have used vinegar soaked brown paper for headaches and once in a while for aches, pains, mild sprains. Soak the brown paper in vinegar, place on forehead or affected area and cover with dry brown paper.

Why does it work? I don't know! I know it does, though--at least it has for me! I have also used it on others when no other medical item was available...and it usually worked then, too! Just don't use it on open wounds...OWIE!!! Vinegar stings!

So, the next time you see a lowly brown paper bag...don't dismiss it and immediately grab it's shiny plastic cousin. Think of all the versatile ways you can use that brown paper bag!

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Mama Champagne and new baby are doing well! The new baby has been named by the fella...Cloris, after Cloris Leachman. Just. Don't. Ask. LOL!

The storm here was a wind storm with loads of sand whipping around...it was a mess! 

The wind was so powerful, it even blew out one of windows!

So, right now, we have a piece of plywood serving for a window. Thank goodness we have oodles of spare plywood and lumber.

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Video for today (Video Wednesday)

 

MONDAY SURPRISE!!!

Champagne, who we thought was due in mid-May just delivere a gorgeous little doe next to the front steps! I heard her vocals change from her usual *bleat* "I'm bored/hungry/lonely/wanna talk" bleat to a "Holy cow what is going on?" bleat, so I went to see what was up and she was in hard labor...she saw me, laid down next to the steps and I sat on the steps to offer encouragement and to scratch behind her ears. After a bit she strained and out came a feisty and kicking little doe. She is ADORABLE!
Mama and baby are back in their pen and doing well.
Pics when I am able to...right now, no camera or phone to take pics with...