Our Hoosier Homestead

After reading all of Milah's blogs on her family's history, I wanted to dig a little deeper on mine. Grandma is always excited when I ask question's and loves telling stories (she wrote a book on the farm if anyone is interested) so I knew it wouldn't be a problem.

The farm I grew up on received the Hoosier Homestead award in 1992. This award is given to Hoosier families who have retained their farms for 100 years or more. It was created to show the importance of family farms and express the important contributions that these farms have made to the economic, cultural, and historical heritage of Indiana. I was aware that the farm received this award (obviously, that is me pictured above with my eyes closed. Wish we had digital cameras back then so I could protest a RE-DO!!), but after talking to Grandma I found out we actually had 5 farms that have won the Hoosier Homestead award.

Three of them were purchased in 1813, 1818, and 1846. They are all located South East of the farm we live on now and have since been sold to other Fayette Co. farming families. The fourth, McMullen's in Springersville, came into the family when my Great Grandfather Hanson married a McMullen daughter. We also have a farm located in Ridgefarm, IL that has been in our family over 100 years, but IL does give any type of recognition for it.

I do not know much about the other farms mentioned above, so I will tell you a little about the one that holds a special place in my heart. Hanson Heights was purchased in 1892 by my Great Great Grandfather, Greenberry Hanson. The original owner was James Van Horn. Van Horn escaped slavery on the underground railroad. His ancestors actually stopped by the farm in the late 70's and had tea with Grandma and Grandpa. They were friends with Alex Haley. Haley was responsible for the mini series "Roots". They were inspired by him and decided to do some digging of their own.

more on the history of the house and farm to come......

I got skillz

Mom and I are taking a class through the CEC on Monday nights. It's stained glass for beginners. Here is my first project:


Just kidding! Here is my first project:


Just learning the basics right now. We now know how to cut glass, foil, and solder. We drew our designs for our big project this past Monday. Mine will be 12x12 with 22 pieces of glass (and about 1,541,637 cuts). I will keep you posted!

I'm going to write a book.
Just wanted to give everyone a heads up.
I'm not going to change names either.
If you're worried then chances are you will probably have your own chapter.
If you think it's going to be about a girl who thinks her life is awful, but it ends up being ok, you're right.


Hopefully by the time I'm done it ends up being ok....

Circle of Life

Everyone, meet my nephew Oscar:

Oscar is an Oscar (somebody got real creative). He is just your normal fish, living happily in his little aquarium by the couch. I am house sitting for my sister while she is away on business. My job is to make sure the kids are fed and no fireworks are let off in the backyard (i did find a 50 ft. long sparkler that I may make an exception for). The dogs are easy, but I had to make a special trip for Oscar food.

Everyone, meet a dozen Rosy Reds:

The Rosy Reds had no idea their time had come when the green net jumped in and swooped them from their home. The car ride to Audra's was long and quiet. Maybe they new the fate that awaited them. I will never know. For my own piece of mind, I wrote them a goodbye letter. I followed the directions and put them in their net. Over to the tank they went. Some tried to jump ship (thank goodness the dogs don't like sushi) while others laid there quietly. Oscar was ready and waiting with a hungry eye. As soon as they hit the water, the hunt was on.

It didn't take long:

The last time I checked there was one lonely Rosy Red watching watching his back. I leaned close to the tank and told him he was doomed.

Lost

So it has been almost 5 days since I have sat at a computer. I survived but missed SO much!

I am happy to report that Dave Matthews put on a spectacular show Friday and Saturday. Friday was classic Dave. He even played Satellite which was a pleasant surprise (he hadn't played it in over 5 years). Saturday was ridiculous! They played my favorite song (Everyday) and even did a few covers. Pink Floyd's Money, and The Beatles That's What I Want. Tim Reynolds joined them for the weekend. The electric guitar element at a live DMB show was something I hadn't got to experience yet. Between great music, wonderful food on the grill, new friends, women with flaming chains, and filthy feet from camping it was a great weekend!

Last night was dinner with those crazy people I went to New Orleans (plus Leslie who came in Ashley's place). It's always great to see them. Nothing beats watching Jeremy and Nathan give Donna a hard time. I recommend that everyone witness it at least once! On the way home Jeremy and I got to listen to the CD from the service with everyone's testimonys. Tracy was right. Jeremy said "you know" at least 50 times hehe! It was also great to hear Nathan singing his song. I could listen to it over and over and over!!

I have tomorrow and Thursday off so I'm returning to my old stomping grounds...Fayette Co. Free Fair. Tomorrow is the cattle show so I'm going to go watch Phillip, and all the other kids that weren't even born yet when I was in that ring, show!

Scratch that....

This is my new high score. I think that puts me in 4th place (at least until audra posts another score). Ok i'm really done for the weekend!

When Emily Tries To Be Productive

I had a "honey do" list on my desk when I got to work today which I was very excited about. Today is my Friday so as soon as I'm off it's a 3 day weekend full of DMB and long lost friends!!!! The first thing on my list was to sweep. After it there was a big hahahahahaha. I never sweep at work. The last time I did it, Carrie took a picture. The Game Stop guy from the mall even peeked his head in the door and asked if I was feeling OK!

I'm sweeping, minding my own business, and the next thing I know a phone charger jumped out of nowhere and right underneath the vacuum! My first instinct should've been to turn off the vacuum. Of course, it wasn't. I throw the vacuum down and unplug the charger. How stupid could I be? I mean that is like going after a hairdryer in the bathtub! After a 30 second pause trying to figure out if I was still alive, I turned the vacuum off. I had to send Carrie a picture of the smoking vacuum to emphasize my point. The two of us just don't get a long!