Picture of all the the kids and another one with Grandma Lou

Chickens vs Hunting Dogs

At 8:30 this morning I woke up to hear Johnny, or chocolate lab going nuts. Johnny was in the garage. Bob had let him in the garage at 2am this morning-due to being spoiled. So, I go to let him out and he flys out the door towards the barn. Hair on his back standing up and a mean bark. I look out and see chicken feathers everywhere. Hear the chickens and then see the hunting dogs. My heart just dropped. The owner of the dogs pulled up and took care of the issue. 6 of our Golden Commets are dead. Instead of hunting cyote, they hunted our chickens. Cleared the fence and got into the pen. An easy feast for 2 dogs. The owner of the dogs paid Bob for the dead chickens. It was obvious he felt badly. Bob handled the situation well, and said several times "they are replaceable". What a start to Thanksgiving Day.

Bowling

Here are a few pictures of Renee, Matt and Dani bowling from the other week.

Mandisa "He Is With You" Official Music Video

Today I met up with my sister, Carolyn. She has been doing a lot of research on whole/raw and organic foods. A few weeks ago she called and asked Bob to order her a fresh free-range organic turkey from E.A.T Food for Life, where Bob is employed. She has been steadily changing how she views what she eats. I am amazed and very proud of her. She's continuing to loose weight and she looks wonderful.

We met up at Osgood and stopped in at E.A.T Food For Life (www.eatfoodforlife.com). It was the first time she has been there. She had the pleasure of meeting Viv (one of the women that run the store and if I'm not mistaken rides a Gold Wing....if only I could talk Bob into letting me get one...) and Dan (owner). We then headed over to Nature's Corner in Ft. Rec. She had a sauna w/ essential oils for her sinus pressure. She walked away feeling like new woman. I'm amazed at how much she has been learning and embrasing when it comes to natural health. It is something the Kuess home has been steadily embrasing over the last several years. As well as reaping the benefits of it.

Matt has struggled w/ attention for the past several years. It has been a challenge for both us and the school. As I stated in an earlier post, as a family we have changed our diet. Matt has been taking Omega 3 Flax Oil, Vitamin B Complex and Focus Attend (Natures Sunshine Herbal Product) for the past several weeks, as well as receiving cranials. To our wonder there has been a noticeable change in his ability to focus. So much so, that Bob and I received a note from the school asking us what we were doing. I am also going to take the time to give all the praise and credit to our God. He has been continuing to guide us in this direction. As well as put people in our path. I am thankful He has given us wisdom/knowledge. We are so blessed to see His hand upon our family.

While Carolyn and I were at Nature's Corner, we checked out the body massages, facials and peticures. Carolyn is already making plans for a "sister's day" the next time Melissa is out.

A crazy weekend.

This weekend flew by. Literally. It was here and gone in what felt like nothing. Friday, Bob took Isaac with him to Wennings. Bob wired up some lights and receptacles. A few hrs into the project, Isaac comes to Bob and says "I miss Dani". Isaac and Dani are two peas in a pod. Rarely separated...and always with one another. Dani puts it the best ..."Isaac is my best friend". How cool is that!? While Bob worked on the electric at Wennings, I took the other 3 bowling. Ft. Recovery has Miracle Lanes, an older bowling ally with great prices and good food. Renee and Matt competed heavily. To no surprise. Even down to who had what ball. Matt won both games by a large margin. He also enjoyed egging his older sister on. Dani was more concerned about there being a light weight, PINK ball for her to use. Note: she toted a way cool leopard print purse and some way cool healed shoes for her night out. Yes...she is the "girly" girl. And my oldest has frequently asked "Why does Dani have to be such a girl?" And our response is "That's the way God made her." Renee being sensible and one to always weigh out the consequences/benefit before entering anything has a hard time wrapping her brain around her sisters personality. She is feminine with tomboy limits. If that makes sense? All in all, the evening was enjoyable and I had the opportunity to sit back and enjoy difference in their personality's. All 3 of them are very different!

Saturday, Bob and the kids went to an auction in the morning. To my surprise, they returned empty handed. I worked until noon. Picked up Dani and Isaac and headed to Greenville. We shopped at a health food/vitamin store and ate with a friend at Montage. Love that place. They have the best salads around. A total of 16 to choose from daily. Yum. My two favorites are the Chicken ( w/ apples and grapes) and the Greek with feta cheese. Bob and the older two worked up the garden. It's ready for some live earth and and a cover crop to be planted this week. We are pushing it with the time limit...but hope it's not to late for the cover crop. Bob and I also rented the move "Proposal". Loved it. The comedy was great. A few parts were a little "bare", but all in all a great move. Just glad we watched it after the kids were in bed.

Sunday. Mass, lunch out (rarely do we go out to eat as a family. It's expensive to feed a family of 6, especially with two preteens. I hate to see what the next couple yrs is going to cost to feed them. On the upside, it was very nice eating out and having uninterrupted family time. Bob's family came down for a couple hrs to visit this evening. So, we are down to baths again, last minute laundry for "the shirt I have to wear for tom"....preteens :-) and a quick sweep of the house before bed.

Oh....and we had some cat action around here. There are two stray vicious cats (literally) that have been visiting our place on a regular bases the past two wks. Yeah...not cool. So one got in our attached garage and climbed on top of the freezer, the cabinets and then got into the attic last night. Again...not cool. It then proceeded to crawl between the floor and the drop ceiling (if that makes sense?) in the upstairs bedroom, only to crawl out of the floor boards ( that are pulled up because of the insulation Bob is getting ready to blow in) in the girls room. Yes, the room is under construction. Hence: We had a vicious stray running through our home at 1 in the morning. And we didn't get it caught until late morning. Vicious I tell you! Hissing-clawing Uh. Needless to say I went for a long drive. Note: 2 strays in a cage, all the while I sported 2 pair of thick gloves. Can't say I've ever experienced cat action like this before. And hope I don't in the future. I'm also sure there is much comedy in this, but fail to see it at the moment. Give me a few wks., it will come.

I came across this in one of Renee's take home folders from school. It's one of her rough drafts for english. It made me smile. Sometimes, being Mom just feels like you never enough. Reading this made my heart swell. Thank you Renee. I don't know if you will be able to read it, but if you click on the image it may help.