Amanda went short...

and red! I love it!

And this happened today...

It's been a busy day back at home.

Because of a sudden housing change, she needed a new home asap.

We couldn't let her go to a shelter. 

She came with an ear mite infection. 

I am already treating it with my tea tree oil recipe.

She also had fleas galore.

A series of baths took care of that.

Her name was Pee Wee, but we will be changing it to something more suitable.

We often take in pets of all types for military families and friends who have to move suddenly and try to rehome them when necessary. Some stay with us. We live on a farm, so it has to be safe for the pet and safe for our livestock. 

This little girl is far behind where she should be training wise, but we can bring her up to speed.

Back Home

We're back home from our fun little getaway. We loved having the time to ourselves, but we did not get to do all we had hoped to do. I only got a few pictures. We hope to go back soon!

We may take another time away in a couple of weeks and have an adventure planned for this fall, if work allows. 

We're also hoping to have time for a camping trip to the Blue Ridge Mountains to go 4x4ing on the Jeep Trail off of Coal Road. Brandon may tag along in his Jeep. Fun, fun, fun!!!

I am already busy answering questions for company who want to find things to do in our area.

It's just the beginning

Where Joshua works is very fast paced with little time for chit chat. On the mornings when trucks arrive to be unloaded, it is also noisy.

A new hire was working beside him all morning. That had not had any time to speak to each other. Joshua noticed the new guy had some trouble opening a bag. While the young man was looking for something to cut the bag open, Joshua stepped in and tore it open and then went back to his own work. 

"I opened that for you just now." Joshua said as he got back to his task.

The young man jumped back, threw a hand up, and said with alarm, "What?!! What did I do?!!"

Joshua pointed to the bag. "I opened it for you."

The other guy clutched his chest and said, "Whew! We haven't spoken all morning, and I am the nervous new guy! I thought you said, 'I will end you now.'" 

Funny stories are how great friendships start!

Hoola J

At a friend's house during another party earlier this month, 

Bethany caught our J-Man with a hoola hoop.
Brandon, Joshua, Caleb, and Bethany enjoyed hanging out, playing games, and eating the grilled food.

Celebrating 30 years of Marriage

We are tucked away in a quiet and beautiful location enjoying life. 
Clint and I are celebrating 30 years of marriage and 33 years together as a couple. It seems hard to believe that much time has passed, but then again, it seems just like yesterday we were teenagers!
I still wait eagerly for Clint's phone call during the day. I count the hours until we are together again. He still opens doors, plays with my hair, and holds my hand. We are still each other's very best friends. There's no one else we'd rather be with than each other. 

Clint and I believe marriage is a covenant between us and God and is intended to last for a lifetime. It is the Lord who put us together, and it is He who keeps us together. To Him belongs all of the glory and honor!

Clint left work early today so we could run away to a beautiful and secluded spot out of town that does not have internet and only has spotty cell phone coverage, We will be gone until mid to late week next week. We plan to do some water activities along with some hiking, antiquing, fine dining, and sightseeing. Our wonderful children are running the show at home. While we had wanted to take two weeks to go travel to Maine, we are thankful for the time Clint's job and our older children's schedules would allow. 

Hebrews 13:4-7 Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral.  Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you."  So we say with confidence, "The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?"  Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith.

James 1:17 Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.

Looking out for each other is part of the marriage deal.

We weren't home and were doing some work to remove a wood stove chimney. There was a lot of dust and debris, so I reminded Clint of his safety glasses. 

"I already looked. I don't have any safety glasses with me."

I just smiled. This story has played out so many times in our marriage.

I walked to where the tools were and rummaged through until I found the glasses I knew were there. He put them on while asking "Where in the world did you find them?!" 

"With your tools." I smiled as I sweeped up the debris so he wouldn't have to do it later.

When I picked up my camera to snap a picture of him wearing his safety goggles for our children, he playfully hid his face. It seems the best heroes need a help meet.

The next day, I had an severe allergy attack from working around some bushes I've not been exposed to before. Clint took me home early and put me to bed with meds. He even bought me New England Seafood Chowder for my lunch for the next day.

We look out for each other. 

Marriage is beautiful!

And the LORD God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him. Genesis 2:18

Tale of Two Brothers

So, the more outgoing Asbell brother is quiet at work, and the quiet Asbell brother is more outgoing at work! He's considered a favorite to work with because of his sense of humor. Didn't see that coming! 

Annnd, the quiet one who just started working there already has a homeschool graduated, JMU enrolled girlfriend, who seeks him out as soon as she gets there and during breaks. (She graduated high school early also.) Didn't see that coming either! 

Life is getting more interesting by the day! 

(I have three sons. I am not naming names, but this story does not include Brandon. :-)

Walmart Grocery Pick Up

Walmart Grocery Pick Up has made my life so much easier! I can add to my cart as needed all week. I can take my time to check prices to make sure I am being a good steward with God's provision. I can check the labels for nutrition information. (Sometimes I need to copy and paste and get the information from a manufacturer website to find the full label.)

Once I am happy, I submit the order and pay for it online. 

Pick up is easy and the times are very flexible. Our Walmart is happy as long as you pick it up before closing. I usually schedule it with other errands which saves me even more time. 

They are prompt with my order and load it into the car. It is as easy as 1-2-3! I love it! I have switched from other stores to Walmart because this is so easy for me and works great with my family. 

If you want to try it, you can get $10 off through this link. It needs to be a new account to take advantage of this offer. Hopefully, if you use the link, I'll get a $10 coupon for sharing it with you. 

The Beginnings of Jelly Making

The first batch had 6 lbs of ripe grapes.

The green grapes contain natural pectin. I prefer to use them over boxed pectin. Most recipes call for 75% ripe grapes to 25% green. I use slightly more green grapes and might even throw in a Granny Smith apple.

The stems aren't wasted. Our hogs and chickens will devour them! Rabbits like them too. My sulcata tortoise, Little Joe, will eat up to 40 grape leaves a day.

It was so hot in the days that followed that I froze the grape juice to turn into jelly another day. The natural pectin will not be affected.

I didn't have to sweat in a nearly 100 degree kitchen, and our family will still get natural jelly from our homegrown grapes. Wendy's winning!

Caleb's Finger, Joshua's Test

I have a little space of time to fill while I wait for a thunderstorm to pass so I can do my laps in the pool.

Caleb was cut at work last night. A lettuce slicer fell into a walkway. He grabbed for it quickly to prevent someone from tripping. The cut was deep, and there was enough blood two employees became lightheaded.

There was an EMT on staff, and that lady took care of our son. She offered to take him to the emergency room to have it stitched closed. Caleb refused and feels it will heal as it is. He came home and put some comfrey goldenseal salve on it and then re-bandaged it.

The manager called Clint and told him that if we felt Caleb needed to go to the emergency room, to go. He will pay for any and all treatment we feel is necessary. Caleb has shown us consistently he can make good judgement calls, so we trust him to make this decision for himself.

After discussing Caleb's injury, his employer then went on for several minutes about how he gets very discouraged by the lack of discipline many of the new hires have, but Joshua and Caleb are a "refreshing" change. Their boss said they have an excellent work ethic and have helped make his restaurant better in the short time they have worked there. He said again he calls them his "Dynamic Duo!"

Then he told Clint that if we have any more children, he'll hire them solely based on how well Joshua and Caleb work! Clint told him he will send Bethany, Emily, and Hannah his way when the time is right. I used this as an example to our family that when you do well, it blesses you and your family. The opposite is true too.

Because this is not the first time someone has been cut, they are going to require cut resistant gloves to be worn in the kitchen. Clint and I are happy to know that because Joshua was cut also but not as severely.

This morning, Joshua was given a new assignment, and it was challenging. The "test" was planned for a while, but Joshua did not know about it. He had to take over and run things during the busiest time of day on one of their busiest days. He's only worked there for about a month! He did very well at it and was given an hourly raise for his performance right afterwards. There's more, but I can't share. I may be able to in a few months. I can say Joshua came home very happy today!

As a mom, I am thankful their jobs are working out so well with their college schedules and have been so very rewarding.

Lately, it has been an almost daily occurrence that someone compliments Clint and I on our children's behavior, manners, character, knowledge and experience base, etc. It's rewarding as parents to see how well they are doing.

No More Braces for Joshua!

This happened on August 6th!

Who but God can see the entire picture?

What if you get to the end of this life and learn those people and situations that you had mean thoughts towards, judged harshly, gossiped about, opposed so fiercely, wrote letters of scorn to, tried to get even with...

were completely different than what you thought you knew? 

Maybe you were lied to or you made assumptions and came to the wrong conclusions. Maybe you never heard both sides of the story. Maybe you were manipulated into believing what you do about the person or situation.

Who but God can see the entire picture?

Would you grieve heavily in your spirit if you knew those unkind attitudes, words, and actions of yours in your self righteousness caused harm to others? or learned how much your self righteousness cost you and your family in your spiritual walk? 

Are you more anguished by your own sins than you are angered over someone else's? 

This life is not a game.

Walk circumspectly with the goal in mind.

You, then, why do you judge your brother or sister? Or why do you treat them with contempt? For we will all stand before God’s judgment seat. It is written: “ ‘As surely as I live,’ says the Lord, ‘every knee will bow before me; every tongue will acknowledge God.’ ” So then, each of us will give an account of ourselves to God. Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in the way of a brother or sister. Romans 14:10-13

Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. The one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love them and show myself to them." John 14:21

Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Colossians 3:12

I never know where something like this might pop up.

I had a bag of googly eyes that had sat in my craft supplies for years.
My children found them.
That includes my adult children too.

Now I never know where I'll see something staring back at me!

This house is a fun place to live!

Yes, I take the Kyo-Green tablets. I love the energy boost they give me!

Ads

I was told there were some inappropriate ads being shown. I have not seen them on my end. I have turned off the ads. I will investigate and try new settings as soon as I can which might be a while. 

My Girly Tomboy

I saw this and laughed.

free mirror she painted

concrete planter she made herself

free dresser from her oldest brother

battery operated candles from her mama

scented candles
trailer hitch and screwdriver

She also owns her own rolling toolbox as well as tons of clothes, make up, and hair dye. I don't know any other woman her age who has mastered cosmetology, works in a leadership role, has purchased their own home, and can tear down and rebuild a car engine. She continually amazes me!

Amanda is a girly tomboy!

How She Saved $70k on a Home

Amanda doing the final cleaning of the ceiling and skylights.

Amanda purchased her four bedroom two bath brick house for over $70k LESS than the current tax assessment. She now has at least that much equity in her new home. 

She found a foreclosure that was just listed minutes before. She texted me at midnight and asked me to pull the records and other information. I jumped on it so she'd have the advantage over other potential buyers. Everything looked good, so she asked me to go with her to check it out right away. Clint went with us again that evening. Our realtor loves us and gave us the code so we could look at it whenever was convenient. The house was solid structurally. It needed a little sheetrock work, a working stove (free), and a very, very good cleaning.

Dirt, however, is easy to remove especially when you have Team Asbell who will come help you scrub for a couple of days. 

If you can see the potential in a property and don't mind applying a little elbow grease, you can find some great deals in real estate. Move fast when you find an excellent deal because they do not last long. 

Girly

Girly is Brandon's dog, but she stays with me during the day due to anxiety issues caused by her previous owner's death. 

She loves our entire family!

I had to drop some things off at Amanda's house while Amanda was working. Since she likes car rides, I let Girly accompany with me. She looked all over the house searching for Amanda. She whined and carried on until I opened Amanda's bedroom. She searched that thoroughly and then laid on some clothes Amanda had left on the floor. She looked at me like "I'm sitting right here until she comes back."

Worth the Watch

Honey Harvest

empty natural comb

honeycomb

chopped comb

straining the honey from the beeswax

honey in jars ready for Christmas gift giving

There was an additional 8 ounce jar that came from melting the wax and allowing it to separate from the leftover honey as it cooled. We will use the wax for salves, soap making, lip balms, candles, grafting plants, sealing furniture, etc. 

Bethany working with a friend

That's Miracle's surprise kitten our children named Dutchess.

Bethany is cutting vinyl siding strips for Clint.

Have You Said It Today?

But may all who search for you be filled with joy and gladness in you. May those who love your salvation repeatedly shout, "The LORD is great!"

–Psalms 40:16

They are Mom's Dynamic Duo too!

Caleb is loving his job!
He even likes the uniform!

Joshua's and Caleb's boss calls them his "Dynamic Duo!" He said they know how to work, work hard, and are very responsible. Joshua told him, "That's how my mom raised us to be!" I grinned when Joshua told me that story. 

Funny Ad for a Passenger Van Owned by Large Family

source:  2005 Ford E350 XL Extended 15 passenger van - $3800

We're selling our 2005 Ford E350 XL Extended 15 passenger van. Photos attached. In the interest of full disclosure, here's more information and a partial list of its issues. Please read before making an offer. Thanks!

The van is missing a speaker in the side door. My kids have been throwing random items in the speaker hole for years. So, you may end up with some very special treasures. Or really old chicken nuggets. Probably both.

One side of the van has a yellow scuff mark on it. That's courtesy of me and a battle with a yellow concrete parking divider (I did not win). The other side of the van has a matching white scuff mark. That one is courtesy of my wife. She completes me. In related news, you know how most cars these days come equipped with a fancy backup cameras? This one does not.

My wife and I have used this van for the better part of a decade. We're a lovely couple, but we sometimes inadvertently back into inanimate objects. Also, we've been forced to take defensive driving class a few more times than the average American. That said, there are a number of other minor scratches, dents, and places where the paint is chipped on this vehicle.

When you open the side doors, the rubber door liner is detached in some places. It still does its job, but it looks stupid.

The van came equipped with automatic door locks. Unfortunately, they no longer work. Somehow, something got reversed and the locking motor ran without ceasing until the button was pressed and held down. Rather than taking the van to a repair shop like a normal person, I duct taped the button down to keep the motor from running. At some point the duct tape failed and the motor ran until it eventually burned up or something. Anyhow, the automatic door locks don't work. Each door must be locked and unlocked manually. Duct tape is not included.

We're a family of 11. Every one of our children has thrown up in this van at some point in the past decade--most notably, on this trip: http://www.joshwoodtx.com/college-station-2015/. We have had the van detailed a couple times since then (shout out to Xtreme Auto Re-Styling Center for tackling a level of depravity unrivaled in the world of passenger transport.) The van is clean now; but, it will probably always be inhabited by the ghost of vomit past.

The automatic windows work! This is good because the air conditioner does not. Well, it sort of works and sort of doesn't. It works fine until you accelerate past ~45 miles per hour. After that, the gas pedal essentially functions as an on/off switch for the air conditioner. Accelerate = AC off. Decelerate = AC on. I don't understand why. But, then again, as you've probably gathered by now, I don't understand most things about cars.

The windshield is cracked.

There's a 20" tv mounted to the ceiling. It works and is connected to an in-dash DVD player. This is a handy feature as it helps distract kids from the intermittent air conditioning and smell of decaying chicken nuggets.

I don't think that the front speakers work. Actually, just assume that they don't. Better yet, if you're wondering if some particular part of the van works, just assume it doesn't work in the way that Ford originally intended it to work.

I looked the van up on Kelley Blue Book. $4,396. Unfortunately, Kelley Blue Book only allows me to choose between the following conditions: excellent, very good, good, and fair. I chose "fair" since "sad" was not an option. I've adjusted my asking price accordingly.

The heater works. Also, the van has a hitch and wiring for a trailer.

In order to save myself a bit of time answering requests for more information, I've decided to add a FAQ section below:

FAQ

Q: "Have you performed all proper maintenance and religiously changed the oil every 3,000 miles?"
A: [laughter] No. No, I have not. Does this article make you feel better? It made me feel better. https://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/11/your-money/11shortcuts.html

Q: "Are those 143,000 miles mostly highway miles?"
A: Well, a lot of them are. However, we've been using this van as our farm van for the past year or so. Also, in efforts to find quicker routes, I've been known to disobey Siri's directions. These "shortcuts" have sometimes taken us on exotic, off-road adventures. I'm pretty sure those miles cancel out all of the so-called "highway miles."

Q: "Is the registration current?"
A: Yes! It should be noted, however, that first 3 letters of the current license plate are FRT. We have five boys under the age of 12 in our house. This is a very unfortunate combination.

Q: "How are the tires and the brakes?"
A: They seem to be ok; but, as with everything else, I recommend getting them checked out. I did buy the tires at Discount Tire, so there's a warranty with them.

One last note: I recommend getting this thing checked over by a mechanic before buying. Everything under the hood looks and sounds fine to me; but, then again, I would have no idea if it didn't look or sound right.

Work News

Joshua had a work related orientation last week. He found out the store he and Caleb work for has been the top store in the country for 5 years.

Their boss also shared his story of overcoming alcoholism and getting his life back on track. He gave his testimony and shared the changes in his thoughts that took him from where he was to where he is. He shared Bible verses with the new workers.

Joshua already has a lot of respect for Mr. G and is learning so much more than how to run a restaurant from start to finish. His training has had him working different shifts and doing many different jobs.

Joshua asked Mr. G to share the whole story with him someday, so Mr. G is going to invite him out to eat and talk soon.

Last but not least, Joshua has been adopted by a lady there that reminds him of his Aunt Michelle. His coworker looks after all of the "younguns" and keeps them fed with snacks and meals. His "work mama" is such a great example to all of those young people that when real love is present race doesn't matter.

I am very thankful my boys get to work in such a good environment with good people. This is another blessing and answered prayer!

I am so very thankful for God's goodness in our lives!

It's Happening!

To those who know, our next exciting step began on July 21!

We are rolling along and can't wait to get back to work!

At the beginning of our marriage, we observed my parents and hoped God would allow us to do this. 

We didn't think it was time yet, but God dropped it into our laps! Debt free! 

We hope to continue to grow!

God has been so very good to us!