A Good Day

As I am sitting here writing this, I am thanking God for how truly blessed I am. I got to experience a truly Great Day with my family. A day when family is dealing with a critically ill child from a car accident and a friend lost a brother in that same accident. So, yes, as I think about all the things that could be wrong or have made today bad, I am glad by God's grace I was allowed this one Great Day.

What made today so great, nothing special. We did not go on any fancy trips or spend a lot of money. What we did was spend time with each other.

Know I don't know how many of you know what "Dry Land Fish" are, but in the culinary world they are Morel Mushrooms. Every year in March and April they come up wild on our farm. So, it has been a habit of Brian and I to go and ramble over the woodlands of the farm to hunt these elusive "dry Land Fish".

Given that I had an abdominal hysterectomy last Thursday, I did not think that I would get to go this year, but like I said God was good to me today. We went to the farm and I got to watch my kids ride a mule while I sat in a chair for about 2 hours. Even my 3 year old can ride better than I can.

Then we were off, albeit much slower paced than we usually go with more Mommy breaks too. My Husband, 3 kids, Father in law and 3 squirrel dogs had a ball. The kids learned how to spot, and not step on, the Morel's and we got about a pound wet weight mushrooms.

Ella, my oldest who is forever running out ahead of the rest of us, learned not to walk into brush unless her Dad or I went first because in Tennessee in the Spring there are snakes in them their woods. I am glad it was only a black snake, but boy it sure taught her a lesson.

Around Five o'clock my Mother-in-Law got off work and the kids had a ball surprising her in the woods. She did not know we were there. Then we all went out to Mexican for diner. Let me tell you 2-3 hours of walking in the woods certainly puts kids to sleep.

No, today was not perfect. Brie got hit in the mouth with a stick, Cord sat on a sharp stump, and Cord had to Potty in the woods without wipes. But we survived and had fun doing it. Not once was there an argument over a TV show or iPod game. It was nice.

I think getting out and spending time is the best thing that any parent can do with their kids, and no I don't mean take them somewhere and expect them to entertain themselves while you veg out, read a book, or otherwise ignore them. I will be the first to admit that I like my me time, but kids need your we time.

It was fun to watch my Husband teach the kids how to track a squirrel, deer, and turkey. I liked showing them violets, May Apples, Morel mushrooms, and wild strawberries. It was fun watching them problem solve how to get from here to there when there was a downed tree and a ditch in the way, and for the most part they helped each other and worked it out.

Yes, I was proud of my day today. So proud that I don't have one picture to show for it except the ones in my head and sorry I cannot share those. Sometimes technology, even cameras need to wait in the car.

But, a note to my hubby should he read this - till Cord is a little older, the wipes should never wait in the car... ever.

A good reason for Heard health

We had another snow filled afternoon here in Tennessee, and given a light patient load, and sled some fun was in the making. Hubby and I had to check and feed the cattle at Diamond M Farms and since our babysitter was sick (aka my Mom "Gigi" who lives with us) we loaded up the kids and off we went.
Sledding, snowball fights, time with family friends and the loss of Ella's glasses rounded out the afternoon. But a picture is worth a thousand words, see my 2 year old eating snow. This is a prime reason that his Daddy spends so much time monitoring the health and immunization status of our cattle. He never knows when his doctor wife will get the bright idea to sled in the cow pasture, probably ruining some of his precious forage, and by so doing let the two year old eat snow from said pasture.
Agriculture impact can be found everywhere. Even in a two year olds handful of snow.

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A Good Rainy Day

Am sitting in music class with my seven year old thinking that life is really good. I have been able to make nursing home rounds this morning. I love my little older patients. And then got the grey in my hair covered up with lovely caramel highlights. Got the oil changed. Checked in on congress and found that they delayed the SGR cuts I have been dreading. Made homemade beef stroganoff from my own homegrown beef and have it in the crock pot. And now I am enjoying music class with Ella. Life is grand. The only draw back to today is that I did not get to help Brian on he farm but it is raining cats and dogs outside.

Last two Tuesdays I have helped tag calves, helped AI cows, and all sorts of fun stuff on the farm. I even got to drive the tractor. I love helping on our farm. We are getting baby calves ever day now.

I also just got an email from Cup of Joe from soldiers serving in our armed forces all over the world. It's a great program. For a small price you can provide some American coffee to US service men and women. I think its a great idea.

Congress lame duck session is driving me nuts. Tax cuts, estate taxes, food safety bills, and the ever popular SGR fixes. God help our country cause the political people aren't.

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Can now blog from phone... yeah

Hey there world. It's been too long. Life has been hectic here in upper middle Tennessee for the McLerran's. So far this year I have had three major surgeries, had two girls sign up for girl scouts, have little man get his tonsils out, and a few other things. Our farm is good. Brian got a grant to use spring water.for the automatic waters on the farm. It's better and cheaper than city water. Ella has made strait a's all year and will soon resume basketball. Brie refuses to play.

We are still dealing Qiu major issues in healthcare. And I for one remain hopeful that congress will keep he current tax cuts, amend or change the God Awful healthcare bill they passed, and fix the SGR. The potential Medicare cuts are already affecting seniors in our area with Doctors refusing to treat Medicare patients. God help us all if they cut Medicare payments by 24%.

Will talk more later now that this is fixed. TTFN... Tata for now...

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