I haven't said anything about Suzanna's heifer, Fancy, that tried to tear her eyelid off a couple weeks ago. It has healed up beautifully. I suspect that when it heals completely, it will be hard to tell anything ever happened to it.
Dr. Fish was out yesterday to pregnancy check her and confirmed that she is indeed pregnant. He also took the stitches out for us. The vet that put them in told me we could take them out ourselves, but I am glad I waited for somebody else. She put up quite a fuss over having those taken out and I could picture me putting out her eyeball with my sewing scissors while I was trying to cut those things.
Saturday, December 29, 2007
One last Christmas celebration
Today is our final Christmas celebration. Hubby's family waits until the Saturday after Christmas to do their celebrating. With 6 kids, 4 of which are married, 17 grand kids and add to that 4 great grandchildren....that is a lot of people to get together. It is rare that all end up in the same place at the same time, but since everyone who lives away from the area wanted to build their Christmas memories around their own trees, it made a lot of sense to move it away from the actual day.
The dynamics are changing though. The older grand kids are now bringing spouses and girlfriends. When they were little, each one got a gift from each of the families. When they graduate from high school, they join the older group. That actually has most of them pretty excited. They have watched all of us do the gift exchange where you can choose an unopened gift off the table or a gift someone else has already opened. I enjoy this exchange, and plot finding the perfect gift that will be "hot" and one that gets stolen a lot. I think we have a couple fun ones this year and will wait to see what happens.
The dynamics are changing though. The older grand kids are now bringing spouses and girlfriends. When they were little, each one got a gift from each of the families. When they graduate from high school, they join the older group. That actually has most of them pretty excited. They have watched all of us do the gift exchange where you can choose an unopened gift off the table or a gift someone else has already opened. I enjoy this exchange, and plot finding the perfect gift that will be "hot" and one that gets stolen a lot. I think we have a couple fun ones this year and will wait to see what happens.
Friday, December 28, 2007
Not your average MaryKay Lady....
My neighbor up the road is my MaryKay Lady. I have to say she is not a typical one though. This morning she called to say my order was in and she was going to run them up to my house. Now one of the things most people know about Mary Kay Ladies is that they drive pink cars when they reach certain levels in the system. Well, Melissa is just getting started, but I'll guarantee she is the only one who makes deliveries on a John Deere tractor. What a sight she was coming up my driveway riding on the fender with her son at the wheel. The image was completed as she came into my house in her barn clothes. Thanks for the good chuckle this morning, Melissa!!!
Tuesday, December 25, 2007
Our Christmas present came early.....
My dad had a major health scare on Saturday. Anything that happens with dad when it comes to his health scary for us. He is a bone marrow transplant survivor, so when it comes to his health, he doesn't mess around.
So, Saturday afternoon, mom called to say that dad thought he had better go to the emergency room. He had a funny feeling is his chest and it wasn't easing up. My brother and his wife were home for the holidays, so he drove them in, while I stayed home, anxious for a phone call which would say everything was just fine.
About two hours later, mom called to say that his EKG and early blood tests looked fine, but his pain was increasing in his chest. At that point, I headed in to be with mom and my brother. A short while later, the doctor came in to let us know that he was admitting dad, so that they could monitor his heart closely. In the meantime, he wanted a second EKG to see if anything had changed. The EKG was done and soon the doctor let us know that there were some changed on the second one, and that dad was heading to Kalamazoo by helicopter.
Okay.....now it was officially scary stuff. The helicopter crew arrived within 30 minutes of the call and they quickly worked to get dad ready for a ride. He didn't feel good, I know he was hurting, but amazingly he was still making jokes with all of us and trying to make us feel better. Our Pastor and his wife got there and prayed with us. What a comfort that provided for all of us. Finally the moment came to say goodbye and watch him head to the roof of the hospital where the helicopter was waiting.
My brother and his wife were took mom to the hospital in Kalamazoo and I went home to settle down the family there. It was interesting to see the differing reactions from the kids. Thomas was worried enough that he left three messages on my cell phone. Suzanna was nearly as concerned for grandma as she was for grandpa. Kathryn in the meantime was already a puddle of tears over an injured barn kitty, so her emotions were obvious as she shed a few more tears over her grandpa.
I marvel though at the power of prayer. Many people, friends and family were all praying. Not just for dad, but for our family as well. There is such comfort in the knowledge that God is in control and he knows all of our fears and will be there with us through it all.
Within three short hours of his flight away from the local hospital, a call came from my brother to say that the doctors had already determined what the problem was and had fixed it. Dad would sleep the night in the hospital and return home on Sunday.
So there it is....our family Christmas present. To have dad sitting at my dining room table last evening for Christmas eve dinner. To know that he is at home right now, impatiently waiting for the family to arrive so that we can open presents. Just knowing that he is fine, that was enough Christmas for all of us. Thank you Lord......and Merry Christmas!!!!!!
So, Saturday afternoon, mom called to say that dad thought he had better go to the emergency room. He had a funny feeling is his chest and it wasn't easing up. My brother and his wife were home for the holidays, so he drove them in, while I stayed home, anxious for a phone call which would say everything was just fine.
About two hours later, mom called to say that his EKG and early blood tests looked fine, but his pain was increasing in his chest. At that point, I headed in to be with mom and my brother. A short while later, the doctor came in to let us know that he was admitting dad, so that they could monitor his heart closely. In the meantime, he wanted a second EKG to see if anything had changed. The EKG was done and soon the doctor let us know that there were some changed on the second one, and that dad was heading to Kalamazoo by helicopter.
Okay.....now it was officially scary stuff. The helicopter crew arrived within 30 minutes of the call and they quickly worked to get dad ready for a ride. He didn't feel good, I know he was hurting, but amazingly he was still making jokes with all of us and trying to make us feel better. Our Pastor and his wife got there and prayed with us. What a comfort that provided for all of us. Finally the moment came to say goodbye and watch him head to the roof of the hospital where the helicopter was waiting.
My brother and his wife were took mom to the hospital in Kalamazoo and I went home to settle down the family there. It was interesting to see the differing reactions from the kids. Thomas was worried enough that he left three messages on my cell phone. Suzanna was nearly as concerned for grandma as she was for grandpa. Kathryn in the meantime was already a puddle of tears over an injured barn kitty, so her emotions were obvious as she shed a few more tears over her grandpa.
I marvel though at the power of prayer. Many people, friends and family were all praying. Not just for dad, but for our family as well. There is such comfort in the knowledge that God is in control and he knows all of our fears and will be there with us through it all.
Within three short hours of his flight away from the local hospital, a call came from my brother to say that the doctors had already determined what the problem was and had fixed it. Dad would sleep the night in the hospital and return home on Sunday.
So there it is....our family Christmas present. To have dad sitting at my dining room table last evening for Christmas eve dinner. To know that he is at home right now, impatiently waiting for the family to arrive so that we can open presents. Just knowing that he is fine, that was enough Christmas for all of us. Thank you Lord......and Merry Christmas!!!!!!
Tuesday, December 18, 2007
That tell-tale bark.....
at 4am this morning let me know Thomas had another case of croup. This is typical for him. He seems to have at least a couple bouts of it each winter. He went to see the ped and got a dose of orapred. Doctor says he can head back to school tomorrow if he has a good night. Meanwhile his sister, Kathryn, had that "can't get very far from the bathroom" syndrome. So she stayed home too. Suzanna was fine and headed off for a normal day at school. She came home with lots of homework for the twins, which they got finished up before heading to bed.
Hopefully this will be the end of the sickies, with Christmas coming, we need it over and done!
Heifer update: I haven't mentioned anymore about Fancy since her accident last Friday. Everything is looking good. Her eye is healing up, the skin looks healthy and the swelling has gone down a lot. I suspect when it has healed completely, the only time the scar will show is when she gets trimmed up for showing.
Christmas shopping is nearly done, the kids only have two days of school left and can't wait to be on their break.
Hopefully this will be the end of the sickies, with Christmas coming, we need it over and done!
Heifer update: I haven't mentioned anymore about Fancy since her accident last Friday. Everything is looking good. Her eye is healing up, the skin looks healthy and the swelling has gone down a lot. I suspect when it has healed completely, the only time the scar will show is when she gets trimmed up for showing.
Christmas shopping is nearly done, the kids only have two days of school left and can't wait to be on their break.
Monday, December 17, 2007
Another Snow Day
The kids are off for another snow day. They had two "ice days" last week. I am not sure they had more than three days off for weather all last year. Wonder what kind of year we are heading into????
Yesterday was spent cozy in the house. The wind was bitter, but finally calmed a bit in the afternoon and the kids had some good old fashioned fun outside. We all remember digging through drifts to make trails. They had a ball.
Hubby spent an hour with the snow blower and got the driveway opened up. It doesn't look like it blew enough in the night to fill it all in.
Thomas got the Steiner out yesterday before his dad got up. Daddy slept in after getting up rather early to get his sister to work. Anyway, he came back in the house and proudly declared that he had been all the way to the end of the driveway and back and only got stuck twice. And he managed to get it unstuck all by himself. He was told not to get the lawn tractor out again without permission. He came back with "mom told us not to wake you up dad". He was told then you don't take it out at all until you can ask. Never dull with that boy around.
Yesterday was spent cozy in the house. The wind was bitter, but finally calmed a bit in the afternoon and the kids had some good old fashioned fun outside. We all remember digging through drifts to make trails. They had a ball.
Hubby spent an hour with the snow blower and got the driveway opened up. It doesn't look like it blew enough in the night to fill it all in.
Thomas got the Steiner out yesterday before his dad got up. Daddy slept in after getting up rather early to get his sister to work. Anyway, he came back in the house and proudly declared that he had been all the way to the end of the driveway and back and only got stuck twice. And he managed to get it unstuck all by himself. He was told not to get the lawn tractor out again without permission. He came back with "mom told us not to wake you up dad". He was told then you don't take it out at all until you can ask. Never dull with that boy around.
Sunday, December 16, 2007
Snowed In
Wow.....for the third week in a row, we have bad weather on the weekend. That means no church, which is a bummer. I miss the fellowship with our friends at church when we don't get to have church. Plus, we have a kids Christmas program and a choir program that really aren't ready for viewing and have missed numerous practices due to the bad roads. It will all come together. We might just end up with winter programs, rather than Christmas programs.
Our phone rang VERY early this morning. At about 4:40am to be precise. Mikes sister Becky works at the County Medical Care facility and couldn't get out her driveway and in to work. She is in the dietary department and they start cooking at 5:30. Mike headed out and picked her up along with one other worker. He made it there and back in one piece. Thank you Lord.
Chores are a lot of work in this weather. Pushing your way through drifts up to your knees or higher isn't much fun. We shut the foals, one broodmare and the two heifers up in the barn last night. Keeps everything warmer and the snow out of the stalls. The other two mares were out with their three-sided shelter. Lots of hay to keep their bellies full and their bodies warm.
We did manage to get the Christmas tree yesterday, and it is in the house half decorated. Hoping to finish it up this morning. Feels good to have the decorating done now.
Had a crazy report on Copper, the coming three-year old gelding that is in training now. Seems he was turned out in the indoor arena last evening for a little exercise. To the shock of Trainer Mike, Copper trotted up to the exit gate and jumped over it without hurting himself or the gates. Maybe Copper has a future as a Jumper. Time will tell.
Our phone rang VERY early this morning. At about 4:40am to be precise. Mikes sister Becky works at the County Medical Care facility and couldn't get out her driveway and in to work. She is in the dietary department and they start cooking at 5:30. Mike headed out and picked her up along with one other worker. He made it there and back in one piece. Thank you Lord.
Chores are a lot of work in this weather. Pushing your way through drifts up to your knees or higher isn't much fun. We shut the foals, one broodmare and the two heifers up in the barn last night. Keeps everything warmer and the snow out of the stalls. The other two mares were out with their three-sided shelter. Lots of hay to keep their bellies full and their bodies warm.
We did manage to get the Christmas tree yesterday, and it is in the house half decorated. Hoping to finish it up this morning. Feels good to have the decorating done now.
Had a crazy report on Copper, the coming three-year old gelding that is in training now. Seems he was turned out in the indoor arena last evening for a little exercise. To the shock of Trainer Mike, Copper trotted up to the exit gate and jumped over it without hurting himself or the gates. Maybe Copper has a future as a Jumper. Time will tell.
Saturday, December 15, 2007
Try to make plans and see what happens
This weekend was all planned out. Scheduling is my speciality. I do much better to have a game plan and get after stuff, rather than just flying into 20 different directions. Hubby is that way too. He always has a plan in his head of what needs to happen and when. Sometimes I get lucky and he shares it with me. The rest of the time, I get just a little information here and there to keep me up to date.
So my plans were all made. Last night, when the kids got home from school, it was off to the tree farm to get our Christmas tree. Then this morning I was heading to MSU for the Holstein Top Ten sale. This is a high level cow sale and in the 20 years it has been held, this was the first time in Michigan. Worth going to so you could say you had been there. Everything selling would be out of our budget, but still I wanted to get up there.
So hubby came in the house at 4pm last evening to say I needed to get out to the pasture and have a look at Fancy's eye, and that I had better bring my cell phone, cause we were gonna need the vet. Well, upon inspection, it seems Fancy caught her lower eyelid on something and ripped it open. YUCK!!!! Her eye seemed fine, but all around it looked mighty nasty. I put a call into the vet clinic and was told they would get someone out ASAP to treat her. So much for getting the Christmas tree.
Vet came out and stitched her back together. There is no way of knowing yet if that flap of skin was viable, but we will know within a few days. Even if it doesn't survive, it will still heal up enough to show her. Suzanna was pretty upset, and escaped before the stitching began. Not such a national holiday this time when the vet arrived. This one was a little too gross for the crew to stick around. We are thankful that it happened in the winter. The cold stopped the bleeding and we won't have to deal with flies either. That will aid in her healing.
So we were off this morning, bright and early, to get ourselves a tree. And then it began to snow. Not soft, gentle snow, but more like dumping. As it started greasing up the roads, I put a call into the neighbors, who were already at the sale to find out the weather up in East Lansing. No snow up there. Did I mention we are under a Winter Weather Warning. The weatherman claims we are getting 12 to 18 inches. We don't trust them, because they are so rarely correct, but it sure seemed like they were right when it started dumping at 9:00am.
We went ahead and got our tree. I decided to stay put. It quit snowing, for now. Harts will let me know if there is something at the sale Suzanna can afford.....not happening. They also promised to "network" with a few of the people I had planned to talk to today and see if anyone has a September or December calf for Suzanna to buy.
Plans are made to be changed. The tree will be in the house this afternoon and I will get the lights on it so the kids can decorate this afternoon and evening. If all the snow they are claiming that is coming......we will be tucked inside tomorrow instead of going to church. Don't make any plans just yet!
So my plans were all made. Last night, when the kids got home from school, it was off to the tree farm to get our Christmas tree. Then this morning I was heading to MSU for the Holstein Top Ten sale. This is a high level cow sale and in the 20 years it has been held, this was the first time in Michigan. Worth going to so you could say you had been there. Everything selling would be out of our budget, but still I wanted to get up there.
So hubby came in the house at 4pm last evening to say I needed to get out to the pasture and have a look at Fancy's eye, and that I had better bring my cell phone, cause we were gonna need the vet. Well, upon inspection, it seems Fancy caught her lower eyelid on something and ripped it open. YUCK!!!! Her eye seemed fine, but all around it looked mighty nasty. I put a call into the vet clinic and was told they would get someone out ASAP to treat her. So much for getting the Christmas tree.
Vet came out and stitched her back together. There is no way of knowing yet if that flap of skin was viable, but we will know within a few days. Even if it doesn't survive, it will still heal up enough to show her. Suzanna was pretty upset, and escaped before the stitching began. Not such a national holiday this time when the vet arrived. This one was a little too gross for the crew to stick around. We are thankful that it happened in the winter. The cold stopped the bleeding and we won't have to deal with flies either. That will aid in her healing.
So we were off this morning, bright and early, to get ourselves a tree. And then it began to snow. Not soft, gentle snow, but more like dumping. As it started greasing up the roads, I put a call into the neighbors, who were already at the sale to find out the weather up in East Lansing. No snow up there. Did I mention we are under a Winter Weather Warning. The weatherman claims we are getting 12 to 18 inches. We don't trust them, because they are so rarely correct, but it sure seemed like they were right when it started dumping at 9:00am.
We went ahead and got our tree. I decided to stay put. It quit snowing, for now. Harts will let me know if there is something at the sale Suzanna can afford.....not happening. They also promised to "network" with a few of the people I had planned to talk to today and see if anyone has a September or December calf for Suzanna to buy.
Plans are made to be changed. The tree will be in the house this afternoon and I will get the lights on it so the kids can decorate this afternoon and evening. If all the snow they are claiming that is coming......we will be tucked inside tomorrow instead of going to church. Don't make any plans just yet!
Tuesday, December 11, 2007
On the board.....
Well, the election took place last night, and I am officially a Hillsdale County Fair Board member. I am excited about this new venture and look forward to working with the other board members. I am going to be working with the current Youth Department superintendent this year and then will take over for him upon his retirement after the 2008 fair.
In other news, we have more ice today, so the kids are home from school again today. They were getting bored by the middle of the afternoon yesterday. I shudder to think what they will be like by the end of the day today. It is raining right now, so it isn't like they can go outside and have fun.
Project Costume is going well. I only have three more outfits to sew. That will take no time at all. I have been working on a few ornaments for the last tree, which should come in this weekend.
In other news, we have more ice today, so the kids are home from school again today. They were getting bored by the middle of the afternoon yesterday. I shudder to think what they will be like by the end of the day today. It is raining right now, so it isn't like they can go outside and have fun.
Project Costume is going well. I only have three more outfits to sew. That will take no time at all. I have been working on a few ornaments for the last tree, which should come in this weekend.
Correction.....
It has come to my attention that I made a mistake on a previous blog. In an effort to be right, I will now correct that mistake.
My dad has informed me that he did not wear suspenders prior to my wedding, but added them to his wardrobe as a result of the problem pants he wore at my wedding.
Also, the comment about his pants was made at the rehearsal, rather than at the wedding ceremony.
I regret any problems this may have caused my dad. Love ya dad!!!
My dad has informed me that he did not wear suspenders prior to my wedding, but added them to his wardrobe as a result of the problem pants he wore at my wedding.
Also, the comment about his pants was made at the rehearsal, rather than at the wedding ceremony.
I regret any problems this may have caused my dad. Love ya dad!!!
Monday, December 10, 2007
Iced In...
We have no school today due to ice rinks. The call came from the kids principal at 6:15 this morning that they had cancelled school. We get a personal call because the school is a half hour away and for some reason, the radio & TV stations they put the announcement on aren't always reliable to get to come in at our house. So he is kind enough to call and let us know. And early enough that I could roll over and get a few more minutes of sleep. Actually, based on the ice in the driveway last night while we were doing chores, I was on a self-imposed 2 hour delay even if it had been fine in Adrian.
I was sleeping good until the phone rang again. This time it was one of our employees letting us know that he was going home to wait out the ice, since he had slid into a field about a mile from his house. Our other employee reported in shortly after that to say he couldn't get out of his driveway. Yes, it is rather a mess around here this morning.
My dad had a doctors appointment in Detroit sometime this morning. I called them with the road reports I was getting and they were leaving ASAP. I received a call from mom that it wasn't bad once they got outside our county. That's nothing new!!!
So the kids all received their morning assignments. Rooms cleaned and house picked up before they get to do anything fun. They seemed to think it was a national holiday from any hard labor. I fixed that notion quickly.
By the way, the weather forecast is calling for more freezing rain late tonight. Sounds like we may get another day off!
Tonight is the Fair Board election. The suspense will be over and I will know if I am on the board or not. Nerve racking!!!!
I was sleeping good until the phone rang again. This time it was one of our employees letting us know that he was going home to wait out the ice, since he had slid into a field about a mile from his house. Our other employee reported in shortly after that to say he couldn't get out of his driveway. Yes, it is rather a mess around here this morning.
My dad had a doctors appointment in Detroit sometime this morning. I called them with the road reports I was getting and they were leaving ASAP. I received a call from mom that it wasn't bad once they got outside our county. That's nothing new!!!
So the kids all received their morning assignments. Rooms cleaned and house picked up before they get to do anything fun. They seemed to think it was a national holiday from any hard labor. I fixed that notion quickly.
By the way, the weather forecast is calling for more freezing rain late tonight. Sounds like we may get another day off!
Tonight is the Fair Board election. The suspense will be over and I will know if I am on the board or not. Nerve racking!!!!
Sunday, December 9, 2007
On a date that never ends....
Most days, that is what life is like for hubby and I. We celebrate our 18th wedding anniversary today, and I think life with him is outstanding!!!!!
It is icy and not very nice out today. We have been under an ice storm warning all day and it was just changed to a winter weather advisory. Guess the worst has past. Our wedding was in the evening, and it was very cold, and had been snowing for much of the week as I remember. So many great memories go through my head as I remember the evening. The first that really makes me chuckle is my dad whispering that he hoped his pants stayed up while he walked me down the isle. He had gotten a new suit for the occasion and usually wore suspenders with his pants. For some reason he didn't that night and there was some concern that his belt would fail him. Thankfully it did not and he got me down the aisle with no embarrassing moments.
Another fun moment was the "kiss bet" a bunch of our college and career friends thought up during the rehearsal. The bet was that if we could kiss for 30 seconds, we would win the money in the pot. We did our best, but when someone started whistling I lost it with about 8 seconds to go. At the end of that loooooong kiss, someone in the crowd said AMEN!!! The entire church erupted in laughter. As I remember they still gave us the pot. Came in handy on our skiing honeymoon in Breckenridge, Colorado.
The final moment I will mention for now was as we walked out of the church to head for the reception, the bell in the old steeple began to ring. Now I had attended the church my whole life and had never heard the bell. One of the men in the church decided it was time to have it ring and what better time to use it then at the end of our evening. It was wonderful.
So now, 18 years later, we are older, have three kids, and a love that has stood through thick and thin. He is my best friend and I thank God for putting the two of us together.
It is icy and not very nice out today. We have been under an ice storm warning all day and it was just changed to a winter weather advisory. Guess the worst has past. Our wedding was in the evening, and it was very cold, and had been snowing for much of the week as I remember. So many great memories go through my head as I remember the evening. The first that really makes me chuckle is my dad whispering that he hoped his pants stayed up while he walked me down the isle. He had gotten a new suit for the occasion and usually wore suspenders with his pants. For some reason he didn't that night and there was some concern that his belt would fail him. Thankfully it did not and he got me down the aisle with no embarrassing moments.
Another fun moment was the "kiss bet" a bunch of our college and career friends thought up during the rehearsal. The bet was that if we could kiss for 30 seconds, we would win the money in the pot. We did our best, but when someone started whistling I lost it with about 8 seconds to go. At the end of that loooooong kiss, someone in the crowd said AMEN!!! The entire church erupted in laughter. As I remember they still gave us the pot. Came in handy on our skiing honeymoon in Breckenridge, Colorado.
The final moment I will mention for now was as we walked out of the church to head for the reception, the bell in the old steeple began to ring. Now I had attended the church my whole life and had never heard the bell. One of the men in the church decided it was time to have it ring and what better time to use it then at the end of our evening. It was wonderful.
So now, 18 years later, we are older, have three kids, and a love that has stood through thick and thin. He is my best friend and I thank God for putting the two of us together.
Saturday, December 8, 2007
Holiday Whirlwind has begun.....
well, every holiday season it seems like we get on a whirlwind of activities and this year is no exception. If you do it right, though, the holiday is enjoyable, not something you approach with dread. I try hard for that balance, but when you are someone who tends not to know how to say "NO", it gets harder.
I find that attempting to spread things out helps. Unfortunately that can lead to procrastination. I do seem to work well under pressure, but that leads to insanity and an intense dislike for whatever you agreed to do.
So last weekend the holiday began. We did the Christmas party for our employees. Last night, Thomas and Kathryn had a Christmas recital. They were wonderful, of course!!!
This afternoon they have a Christmas party/program rehearsal at Church. Tonight they go to Gramma and Grandpa's while daddy and I celebrate our anniversary with a "kidless" dinner (sorry Thomas, another date!!)
Next week will bring more of the same. Tons of stuff to do and pacing myself to get it done.
The bottom line in our lives is what this season is all about. I want my kids to always remember that it is Christ's Birthday First. The rest is wonderful and part of what will make memories for a lifetime, but if we as parents neglect to keep their focus where it should be, then we haven't done the job God put us on when he gave us our kids. I have to keep reminding myself of this, or I get lost in the hustle and bustle of the season.
I find that attempting to spread things out helps. Unfortunately that can lead to procrastination. I do seem to work well under pressure, but that leads to insanity and an intense dislike for whatever you agreed to do.
So last weekend the holiday began. We did the Christmas party for our employees. Last night, Thomas and Kathryn had a Christmas recital. They were wonderful, of course!!!
This afternoon they have a Christmas party/program rehearsal at Church. Tonight they go to Gramma and Grandpa's while daddy and I celebrate our anniversary with a "kidless" dinner (sorry Thomas, another date!!)
Next week will bring more of the same. Tons of stuff to do and pacing myself to get it done.
The bottom line in our lives is what this season is all about. I want my kids to always remember that it is Christ's Birthday First. The rest is wonderful and part of what will make memories for a lifetime, but if we as parents neglect to keep their focus where it should be, then we haven't done the job God put us on when he gave us our kids. I have to keep reminding myself of this, or I get lost in the hustle and bustle of the season.
Friday, December 7, 2007
What is it with cats and Christmas trees???
I have three out of four trees up and decorated and boy does that help get you in the Christmas spirit. One problem I have though, is Butterscotch. He is fascinated with one of the trees. Of course, it is the Hallmark tree, which has the most prized ornaments on it. Yesterday morning, while getting breakfast ready, I heard a clunk from that tree and looked over in time to see him swiping ornaments off the tree. I got after him for it, which brought the dog over to stick her nose in the discipline. See she thinks it is her job to get after the cat if he is scolded for anything. Might have something to do with sicking her on him when he was a kitten and scratching furniture. It worked quite well and now he scratches only when he wants Emma to play with him......I know.......crazy right??? Well, I do claim to live in a zoo.
Anyway back to the tree. He knocked another ornament off, I got after him and Emma attacked him again.....the tree was wobbling and I was getting mad at both of them. Finally, Butterscotch lost interest in the tree and decided just to lay under there. Of course Emma thought he shouldn't be near it and kept trying to get under the tree and after him. I was ready to throw both of them outside. Things finally calmed down and off to school crew went. I wondered if my tree would be standing when I got home.
I have memories of another Christmas tree in my past. I was living on my own, in my first "super cool" working woman apartment. Money was tight, but I managed to get a small tree which I put on a table in my living room and decorated with some garland, lights and about 15 glass ornaments. My cat at the time was Ollie, a tabby adopted from the barn. I went home for the weekend and left her alone. She must have gotten awfully bored by herself. When I arrived home Sunday night, I stepped into my darkened apartment and felt a crunch under my shoe. I switched on my light, only to discover my Christmas tree on the floor and all but 5 Christmas ornaments shattered from one end of my living room to the other. She must have had a blast.....but man was I mad at her!!!! What a mess!!!!! I replaced them with another box of ornaments and for the rest of the season, she stayed in the bedroom when I was away from my place.
Anyway back to the tree. He knocked another ornament off, I got after him and Emma attacked him again.....the tree was wobbling and I was getting mad at both of them. Finally, Butterscotch lost interest in the tree and decided just to lay under there. Of course Emma thought he shouldn't be near it and kept trying to get under the tree and after him. I was ready to throw both of them outside. Things finally calmed down and off to school crew went. I wondered if my tree would be standing when I got home.
I have memories of another Christmas tree in my past. I was living on my own, in my first "super cool" working woman apartment. Money was tight, but I managed to get a small tree which I put on a table in my living room and decorated with some garland, lights and about 15 glass ornaments. My cat at the time was Ollie, a tabby adopted from the barn. I went home for the weekend and left her alone. She must have gotten awfully bored by herself. When I arrived home Sunday night, I stepped into my darkened apartment and felt a crunch under my shoe. I switched on my light, only to discover my Christmas tree on the floor and all but 5 Christmas ornaments shattered from one end of my living room to the other. She must have had a blast.....but man was I mad at her!!!! What a mess!!!!! I replaced them with another box of ornaments and for the rest of the season, she stayed in the bedroom when I was away from my place.
Tuesday, December 4, 2007
Project Costume is underway
I have got a major project underway here at home. I am making costumes for the church Christmas program. It is based in the 1880s...and orphanage....so the girls will need long dresses with pinafores over top. Older girls playing the two teachers will get long skirts and the boys will be in knickers. The pattern is very simple and will get more simple the more times I make it. I have two dresses done. That leaves 6 more to got, plus the skirts and three pairs of knickers.
I am cutting out and marking all the dresses today. That way I can sit at the sewing machine and just sew. Shouldn't take any time at all.
I also am trying to get Christmas into the house. Due to icy roads, we didn't have church Sunday morning, so the kids and I got started on the first of four trees that will grace our house. Yes, I said four!!!! I kinda like Christmas, can you tell?? I have a smallish tree that is all snowman ornaments. Then I have another smallish tree that is all farm animals and farm stuff. There is also a bigger tree that is nothing but Hallmark collectible ornaments. Hubby and I got married close to Christmas and received several "First Christmas Together" ornaments as gifts. I continued the tradition and added a new Hallmark ornament each year. After 18 years married, that makes for a lot of ornaments. Then when the kids were born, I added an ornament each year for each of them. That is my favorite tree. I do it by myself and reflect as I put each ornament on the tree. I think I will give the kids their ornaments when they are out of the house and have their own trees. Then again, maybe not!!! It will be hard to have the tree so bare after they have those ornaments for their own.
Finally, we get a fresh cut Blue Spruce for the final tree. We have gone to the same place for the past 7 years. The owner remembers us....probably coming with a big long trailer hitched to the truck does make us a bit unforgettable. Or is it the fact that hubby and Thomas cut the tree down each year with a Dewalt cordless sawzall?? Yes, traditions are what make this holiday special and those memories are what we treasure.
That tree is a biggie. We have a high ceiling in our great room, so we manage to pick a tree around 10 feet tall. Hubby goes through the field with his tape measure out. That is to keep me from picking one that is 20 feet tall. I swear, they always look so much shorter in the field, don't they? Anyway, that tree is decorated with mostly handmade stuff. I try hard to do a couple new styles each year. The kids love to decorate, so I let them get it done for me. That tree won't be done until about the 15th. Blue Spruce are pretty, but love to dry out fast and then every time the cat or dog walk by it, the cheerie sound of needles hitting the ornaments as they fall to the floor becomes commonplace.
The last big project will be to get my snow village out. That is another "mommy does it". The kids want to arrange it for me, but I want to do it myself. Still there will be trees that get moved to a different location or a car or person gets put someplace else. They think I don't notice, but I do.
For now, it is back to the cutting table. Goals have to be met, or there will be no costumes.
I am cutting out and marking all the dresses today. That way I can sit at the sewing machine and just sew. Shouldn't take any time at all.
I also am trying to get Christmas into the house. Due to icy roads, we didn't have church Sunday morning, so the kids and I got started on the first of four trees that will grace our house. Yes, I said four!!!! I kinda like Christmas, can you tell?? I have a smallish tree that is all snowman ornaments. Then I have another smallish tree that is all farm animals and farm stuff. There is also a bigger tree that is nothing but Hallmark collectible ornaments. Hubby and I got married close to Christmas and received several "First Christmas Together" ornaments as gifts. I continued the tradition and added a new Hallmark ornament each year. After 18 years married, that makes for a lot of ornaments. Then when the kids were born, I added an ornament each year for each of them. That is my favorite tree. I do it by myself and reflect as I put each ornament on the tree. I think I will give the kids their ornaments when they are out of the house and have their own trees. Then again, maybe not!!! It will be hard to have the tree so bare after they have those ornaments for their own.
Finally, we get a fresh cut Blue Spruce for the final tree. We have gone to the same place for the past 7 years. The owner remembers us....probably coming with a big long trailer hitched to the truck does make us a bit unforgettable. Or is it the fact that hubby and Thomas cut the tree down each year with a Dewalt cordless sawzall?? Yes, traditions are what make this holiday special and those memories are what we treasure.
That tree is a biggie. We have a high ceiling in our great room, so we manage to pick a tree around 10 feet tall. Hubby goes through the field with his tape measure out. That is to keep me from picking one that is 20 feet tall. I swear, they always look so much shorter in the field, don't they? Anyway, that tree is decorated with mostly handmade stuff. I try hard to do a couple new styles each year. The kids love to decorate, so I let them get it done for me. That tree won't be done until about the 15th. Blue Spruce are pretty, but love to dry out fast and then every time the cat or dog walk by it, the cheerie sound of needles hitting the ornaments as they fall to the floor becomes commonplace.
The last big project will be to get my snow village out. That is another "mommy does it". The kids want to arrange it for me, but I want to do it myself. Still there will be trees that get moved to a different location or a car or person gets put someplace else. They think I don't notice, but I do.
For now, it is back to the cutting table. Goals have to be met, or there will be no costumes.
Saturday, December 1, 2007
Eating Barbecue
Last night, we officially got the Christmas season underway. Hubby and I took our employees out for supper. We have gone up to the Outback Steakhouse the past few years, but decided to stay close to home this year. There aren't tons of choices if you want something other than fast food or pizza. Hubby and I are partial to the ChicagoWater Grill, but wanted to save that for next weekend, our wedding anniversary. So we decided to try Saucy Dogs, a local barbecue place. We hadn't been there before, but found it to be a nice place. Very casual dining, which was perfect for our group. You don't sit with tables and chairs, but rather on long benches. Napkins are rolls of paper towels.
Prime rib was the special, and I am always up for that. So were most of the rest of our guests. It arrived and I took my first bite. For those who might not be familiar with prime rib, it is a huge piece of meat that is rubbed with seasonings, slow roasted, and then individual slices are served. I say that because remember, we are eating at a barbecue.......and that isn't necessarily mild Open Pit sauce smeared on some ribs. It also means hot and spicy. And that was what hit me in that first bite. The rub they used was SPICY!! I am not a hot and spicy person, but thankfully I could cut off the outside edge of the meat and enjoy the inside, which had a pleasant, smokey flavor.
Lesson learned about eating at a Barbecue. There is gonna be some spice in that food. Next week, ChicagoWater Grill.
Prime rib was the special, and I am always up for that. So were most of the rest of our guests. It arrived and I took my first bite. For those who might not be familiar with prime rib, it is a huge piece of meat that is rubbed with seasonings, slow roasted, and then individual slices are served. I say that because remember, we are eating at a barbecue.......and that isn't necessarily mild Open Pit sauce smeared on some ribs. It also means hot and spicy. And that was what hit me in that first bite. The rub they used was SPICY!! I am not a hot and spicy person, but thankfully I could cut off the outside edge of the meat and enjoy the inside, which had a pleasant, smokey flavor.
Lesson learned about eating at a Barbecue. There is gonna be some spice in that food. Next week, ChicagoWater Grill.
Monday, November 26, 2007
Glad I didn't have to drive
I have made mention more than once that I really don't like hauling horses. Makes me really nervous. Trainer Mike called last Wednesday with the news that Storm had had the saddle on her back and was ready for someone to get on her. Trainer Mike doesn't start the youngsters under saddle anymore due badly broken leg a year ago from a car accident. A fall on the leg could be very bad for him and so we send them to a friend of Mike's to get them started under saddle.
I shared this information with hubby and was told that it just so happened that there was a tractor up that way that he wanted to take a look at. So combining two trips into one with the price of diesel made a lot of sense.
Then I got the bright idea that Copper, another coming three-year old, needed to get his foundation work started. What better time than while Storm is away at the other trainer's place. So we loaded Copper up and off we went to Mason. The plan was to trade Copper for Storm and headed to Howell. Did I mention that it was suppose to rain all afternoon? That was why hubby was willing to go today. He has a lot of underground work to do yet before the winter weather hits. The next two days sound much better for outside work, so today was the day for riding in the truck.
Well, it didn't rain all afternoon. In fact, the closer we got to Mason, the harder it was SNOWING!!!!! There was at least an inch on the ground by the time we got there. We quickly swapped out the horses and continued on our way, into a steady snowfall. We slowed down and made plenty of space in between us and the guy ahead.....only to have some other idiot driver jump into that spot and fill that extra space. (Just love that part of driving a truck and trailer). Soon we saw our first car in the ditch, then another and another. I admit I lost count. We were in the midst of the first significant snowfall of the winter and the drivers were all clueless as to how they managed to stay out of the ditch last year I guess.
I was grateful that my hubby was at the wheel. If I had been driving, I would have turned around and headed for home. But not my guy.....we continued on and made it to the farm. It only took twice as long as it should have to get there. The bottom line is that we made it there safe and sound. We then went to see the tractor, and eventually made it home in one piece. Thank you, Lord. Believe me I was praying the whole way.
I shared this information with hubby and was told that it just so happened that there was a tractor up that way that he wanted to take a look at. So combining two trips into one with the price of diesel made a lot of sense.
Then I got the bright idea that Copper, another coming three-year old, needed to get his foundation work started. What better time than while Storm is away at the other trainer's place. So we loaded Copper up and off we went to Mason. The plan was to trade Copper for Storm and headed to Howell. Did I mention that it was suppose to rain all afternoon? That was why hubby was willing to go today. He has a lot of underground work to do yet before the winter weather hits. The next two days sound much better for outside work, so today was the day for riding in the truck.
Well, it didn't rain all afternoon. In fact, the closer we got to Mason, the harder it was SNOWING!!!!! There was at least an inch on the ground by the time we got there. We quickly swapped out the horses and continued on our way, into a steady snowfall. We slowed down and made plenty of space in between us and the guy ahead.....only to have some other idiot driver jump into that spot and fill that extra space. (Just love that part of driving a truck and trailer). Soon we saw our first car in the ditch, then another and another. I admit I lost count. We were in the midst of the first significant snowfall of the winter and the drivers were all clueless as to how they managed to stay out of the ditch last year I guess.
I was grateful that my hubby was at the wheel. If I had been driving, I would have turned around and headed for home. But not my guy.....we continued on and made it to the farm. It only took twice as long as it should have to get there. The bottom line is that we made it there safe and sound. We then went to see the tractor, and eventually made it home in one piece. Thank you, Lord. Believe me I was praying the whole way.
Thursday, November 22, 2007
Veterinary inquisition
Thomas came out with me when the vet showed up yesterday. We had just gotten home from school and he was the only one with his clothes changed. Lucky Dr. Crosley. For some reason, and as I have talked about before, the arrival of the vet is something like a national Holiday around here. I don't know why it surprises me. I was the same way when Dr. Fish arrived at the farm when I was growing up. I can remember riding with him one time and it was the highlight of my summer.
As Dr. Crosley came across the pasture through the pouring rain, Thomas asked him if he knew much about cows, 'cause he had a question. (Mind you, Thomas always has a question.) Dr. Crosley told him he had managed to pass his classes about cows while in college, so he would probably know the answer.
Thomas proceeded to ask him a question about cow behavior and why he had seen Rhoda hopping on the backside of Fancy. He explained that Rhoda is telling us that Fancy is ready to be bred. Thomas thanked him and said, "well, I guess you did know the answer," and almost sounded shocked as he said it. By this time, Dr. Crosley is looking at me with laughter in his eyes, trying to keep a straight face. Believe me it wasn't easy.
Nothing like an 8 year old, to keep you current on your cow facts.
As Dr. Crosley came across the pasture through the pouring rain, Thomas asked him if he knew much about cows, 'cause he had a question. (Mind you, Thomas always has a question.) Dr. Crosley told him he had managed to pass his classes about cows while in college, so he would probably know the answer.
Thomas proceeded to ask him a question about cow behavior and why he had seen Rhoda hopping on the backside of Fancy. He explained that Rhoda is telling us that Fancy is ready to be bred. Thomas thanked him and said, "well, I guess you did know the answer," and almost sounded shocked as he said it. By this time, Dr. Crosley is looking at me with laughter in his eyes, trying to keep a straight face. Believe me it wasn't easy.
Nothing like an 8 year old, to keep you current on your cow facts.
The things we do for love....
no I am not going to start singing an old Doobie Brothers song, but we all do things out of love for another don't we?
Yesterday it was monsoon season in Michigan. It was a one-day event, but it must have rained for the entire day. The pastures were all soup. Of course, it is on a day like that that you have to do something out in that weather.
Suzanna's second heifer, Fancy, is about to be bred. The vet needed to come out yesterday to check where she is in her cycle. He arrived in a dumping rain, soaked, but still smiling. Fancy and Rhoda were in a pasture where much of it had sloppy mud and manure plus standing water right at the gate. I headed to the barn to grab a halter and catch her. Naturally these heifers adore Suzanna, but are always suspicious of me because the only time I do anything with them, there is something uncomfortable about it. Shots, clippers, vets.....you get the idea.
So as I walked into the pasture with my hat stuffed down over my head and my muck shoes on, I considered how embarrassing it would be if I slipped and landed on my you-know-what in that mucky, sloppy mess. I proceeded with extreme caution and thankfully stayed on my feet. As I approached the girls, Rhoda needed to be scratched. It was almost as if she knew she was safe because she is already bred. Fancy on the other hand headed out of the shelter and away from me. For a second I was thankful for all that rain, because as quick as she went out, she was back inside since it was pouring. I got the halter on her and she stood awaiting the dreaded moment. I would swear she knew what was coming. The deed was done and she was found to be cycling perfectly, given a shot and should be ready to breed by the weekend.
I slopped back across the pasture, praying that I didn't wipe out on the way and considered the fact that in this nasty weather, I was out there doing it for a kid I love and who loves me too. That made me feel a little bit warmer on the inside. The cup of coffee I had when I got back to the house helped too.
Yesterday it was monsoon season in Michigan. It was a one-day event, but it must have rained for the entire day. The pastures were all soup. Of course, it is on a day like that that you have to do something out in that weather.
Suzanna's second heifer, Fancy, is about to be bred. The vet needed to come out yesterday to check where she is in her cycle. He arrived in a dumping rain, soaked, but still smiling. Fancy and Rhoda were in a pasture where much of it had sloppy mud and manure plus standing water right at the gate. I headed to the barn to grab a halter and catch her. Naturally these heifers adore Suzanna, but are always suspicious of me because the only time I do anything with them, there is something uncomfortable about it. Shots, clippers, vets.....you get the idea.
So as I walked into the pasture with my hat stuffed down over my head and my muck shoes on, I considered how embarrassing it would be if I slipped and landed on my you-know-what in that mucky, sloppy mess. I proceeded with extreme caution and thankfully stayed on my feet. As I approached the girls, Rhoda needed to be scratched. It was almost as if she knew she was safe because she is already bred. Fancy on the other hand headed out of the shelter and away from me. For a second I was thankful for all that rain, because as quick as she went out, she was back inside since it was pouring. I got the halter on her and she stood awaiting the dreaded moment. I would swear she knew what was coming. The deed was done and she was found to be cycling perfectly, given a shot and should be ready to breed by the weekend.
I slopped back across the pasture, praying that I didn't wipe out on the way and considered the fact that in this nasty weather, I was out there doing it for a kid I love and who loves me too. That made me feel a little bit warmer on the inside. The cup of coffee I had when I got back to the house helped too.
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
Boy it had been awhile
I had an interview today. I have been asked to run for a seat on the board of directors for our county fair. Yes, I am excited. I am a fair freak. I LOVE the fair. I was thrilled when my oldest was ready for 4-H. I haven't missed many fairs in my life. I can remember when our family moved to West Virginia for a couple years, my grandma sent a big manila envelope with all the local papers for the week. That was great, we could still have a feel for what went on that week. I came home from college for the weekend each year for the fair. In fact, the only fair I have missed since my time in West Virginia was the year Suzanna was born. That year she was born the Thursday before it started and was back in the hospital with jaundice for a few days during fair week. Our pediatrician is a fair freak too and brought me Fiske french fries one afternoon when he came to check on her.
So off I went this afternoon for my interview with the nominating committee. It has been a long time since I have gone through something like that. Being on the mommy track for the past 11 years has kept me out of such situations. I started out this morning thinking that my typical wardrobe was not gonna cut it. Jeans and a sweatshirt wouldn't create an image of a "got it together" kind of lady. Outfit was solved and I was fine until driving into the fairgrounds. I actually had butterflies zipping around in my tummy. I said a little prayer to calm my nerves and headed into the office. I had thought that the nominating committee consisted of people I didn't know and who didn't know me and boy I was concerned with making a good impression. Much to my relief, I knew two of the men on the committee. That made it so much easier.
Soon, I was comfortable with my situation and settled into "talker" mode, which isn't hard for me, and found that the 45 minute interview flew by. I was able to share with them some ideas I have for improving our fair and that was great. I will find out in the next few days if I made it through the process and onto the ballot to be voted on in December.
As I drove back home, I was grateful that my prayer settled my nerves and I was able to relax and enjoy the process. Maybe I wasn't so out of practice after all.
So off I went this afternoon for my interview with the nominating committee. It has been a long time since I have gone through something like that. Being on the mommy track for the past 11 years has kept me out of such situations. I started out this morning thinking that my typical wardrobe was not gonna cut it. Jeans and a sweatshirt wouldn't create an image of a "got it together" kind of lady. Outfit was solved and I was fine until driving into the fairgrounds. I actually had butterflies zipping around in my tummy. I said a little prayer to calm my nerves and headed into the office. I had thought that the nominating committee consisted of people I didn't know and who didn't know me and boy I was concerned with making a good impression. Much to my relief, I knew two of the men on the committee. That made it so much easier.
Soon, I was comfortable with my situation and settled into "talker" mode, which isn't hard for me, and found that the 45 minute interview flew by. I was able to share with them some ideas I have for improving our fair and that was great. I will find out in the next few days if I made it through the process and onto the ballot to be voted on in December.
As I drove back home, I was grateful that my prayer settled my nerves and I was able to relax and enjoy the process. Maybe I wasn't so out of practice after all.
Friday, November 16, 2007
Pet Peeves
Pet peeves.....we all have them. Being bothered by stuff that really doesn't change the world is what I consider a pet peeve.
I have two right now. The first is that it is ENTIRELY too early to be playing Christmas commercials on the TV and radio, or in the stores. I was in Kohl's last week and they were busily hanging up Christmas decorations and every third song on Musac or whatever they call the sound system in there was a Christmas song. Now Christmas music is fine. I listen to it whenever the mood hits me, especially anything that Mannheim Steamroller does. But when it is used in an effort to subliminally motivate me into buying something, that is different. As I stood in line with my purchases, I told the clerk that is should be outlawed until at least Thanksgiving week. She agreed.
My second one has to do with magazine subscriptions. I have a few, and it drives me nuts when you get a renewal invoice in the mail that says something like "Pay now for uninterrupted service. Or how about "LAST CHANCE". Now that one really scares me. So then you look all over the invoice, trying to figure out when it truly does expire and you can't tell. So you rack your brain, thinking "I really think I paid that two months ago". Finally you find an old magazine and discover on the label that your subscription is good until June of next year.....and it is only November.
Must be the magazine industry is so hard up that they attempt to collect tons of money way before it is due in an effort to stay in business. Maybe I should try that. I don't think it would work though, do you?
I have two right now. The first is that it is ENTIRELY too early to be playing Christmas commercials on the TV and radio, or in the stores. I was in Kohl's last week and they were busily hanging up Christmas decorations and every third song on Musac or whatever they call the sound system in there was a Christmas song. Now Christmas music is fine. I listen to it whenever the mood hits me, especially anything that Mannheim Steamroller does. But when it is used in an effort to subliminally motivate me into buying something, that is different. As I stood in line with my purchases, I told the clerk that is should be outlawed until at least Thanksgiving week. She agreed.
My second one has to do with magazine subscriptions. I have a few, and it drives me nuts when you get a renewal invoice in the mail that says something like "Pay now for uninterrupted service. Or how about "LAST CHANCE". Now that one really scares me. So then you look all over the invoice, trying to figure out when it truly does expire and you can't tell. So you rack your brain, thinking "I really think I paid that two months ago". Finally you find an old magazine and discover on the label that your subscription is good until June of next year.....and it is only November.
Must be the magazine industry is so hard up that they attempt to collect tons of money way before it is due in an effort to stay in business. Maybe I should try that. I don't think it would work though, do you?
Monday, November 12, 2007
Sleeping In
The kids have no school today, as I mentioned last evening, so they are enjoying a morning of sleeping in. They have dentist appointments this morning, so they can't sleep for ever. Of course, Thomas is a lot like me in the morning, and despite the fact that he could sleep in, he was up and chatting with his dad at 6:30. His dad is not a morning person, and the less conversation he has to participate in, the happier he is. I discovered this on our honeymoon. I have always gotten up and hit the floor talking. He on the other hand would rather meet the world in a slower fashion. It was an adjustment. I have learned through nearly 18 years to wait for him to start the conversation. (yikes, did I just say 18 years???? where has time gone?)
So when Thomas came in fully ready to face the world, I mumbled from under the covers, "go back to bed". He did and actually fell back to sleep and is still there. I got up to make coffee for daddy and found out he sent the guys out to a job and is staying put in the office to get a ton of paperwork out of the way. I know where I am spending my day.....in the office with him.
So when Thomas came in fully ready to face the world, I mumbled from under the covers, "go back to bed". He did and actually fell back to sleep and is still there. I got up to make coffee for daddy and found out he sent the guys out to a job and is staying put in the office to get a ton of paperwork out of the way. I know where I am spending my day.....in the office with him.
Sunday, November 11, 2007
Sugar High
Excuse me as I write this tonight. I am on a sugar high. Our church had a fellowship this evening. All three kids did solos, Thomas and Kathryn on the piano and Suzanna on the violin. Daddy and I got into the act by singing with the choir. Then after a great message we headed for the fellowship hall for some pie. I was in charge of the sign-up sheet and had spots for 10 people to sign up for pies. Well, in typical Baptist fashion, when it comes to food, the motto "less is more," just doesn't work. There were so many pies, we were piling pies on top of pies. There were pumpkin, apple, cherry, pecan, mincemeat.........well, are you on a sugar high yet?? A few sane people brought soup, sandwiches, veggie pizza and chips. I think that was in hopes of counteracting the sugar, but I am not sure it worked for me. You really didn't even need to eat the pies, the sugar was floating in the air. I may be able to fall asleep by midnight.
Thankfully, the kids don't have school tomorrow. That's because they are honoring Veterans Day. I must say thanks to all Veterans. My father in law is a veteran as was my mom's dad. My cousin lost a stepson two years ago in Iraq. That hit close to home.
I do have to say that each year Veterans Day does bring a chuckle to me though as I remember. Suzanna was in Kindergarten and got the day off school. Someone asked her why she didn't have school and her answer was that it was Veterinarians Day. In her 5 year old mind, I am sure that Veterinarians were far more familiar than a Veteran. No, visits from the veterinarian around here are red letter days. Everybody loves Dr. Crosley and they all head for the barn when he gets here.
Thankfully, the kids don't have school tomorrow. That's because they are honoring Veterans Day. I must say thanks to all Veterans. My father in law is a veteran as was my mom's dad. My cousin lost a stepson two years ago in Iraq. That hit close to home.
I do have to say that each year Veterans Day does bring a chuckle to me though as I remember. Suzanna was in Kindergarten and got the day off school. Someone asked her why she didn't have school and her answer was that it was Veterinarians Day. In her 5 year old mind, I am sure that Veterinarians were far more familiar than a Veteran. No, visits from the veterinarian around here are red letter days. Everybody loves Dr. Crosley and they all head for the barn when he gets here.
Friday, November 9, 2007
Back in time....
Horse business took me to Amish country today. As I got close to Shipeshewana, the extra horse and bugggy lane on either side of the road appeared. Soon I met my first horse and carriage, then someone on a bike and another horse......well, you get the picture.
Shipshewana is a quaint town which gives us English a glimpse of the Amish community. There are many cute little shops and several restaurants advertising "home cooked" meals. Of course, I was there with a truck and trailer, so I was unable to check anything out. See, I am fine going forward with the truck, but I can't get myself in a spot where I would have to put it in reverse. Therefore, parking lots with lots of cars and tourists are definitely out of the question.
I spotted the general store many have told me about. It is like stepping back in time and can fill any odd need you might have for a tool from days past. There is also a GIGANTIC fabric store there too. That is good for an afternoon I am sure.
I was told by Neighbor Melissa and my mom that it was a good thing that I didn't stop at any of the hot spots in town or I would have been in trouble with them. That is a trip in the near future, with some friends to share it with and how about a car, rather than my truck/trailer transportation I was in today.
On my way out of town, I caught sight of a farmer picking corn...not by hand, but with a corn picker pulled by four big draft horses and an auxiliary motor to run the picking part. Just up the road, I met a farmer driving a team of EIGHT draft horses hitched to his two-bottom plow. As I sit at my computer, I can see Mr. Darvin out in the field next to me with a huge tractor/chisel plow going across the land. What a total opposite from where I was this morning.
It is always intriguing to go South of the boarder to Amish country. I find their lifestyle curious, but I think I will settle for the occasional visit that direction and reading about it in Beverly Lewis novels.
Shipshewana is a quaint town which gives us English a glimpse of the Amish community. There are many cute little shops and several restaurants advertising "home cooked" meals. Of course, I was there with a truck and trailer, so I was unable to check anything out. See, I am fine going forward with the truck, but I can't get myself in a spot where I would have to put it in reverse. Therefore, parking lots with lots of cars and tourists are definitely out of the question.
I spotted the general store many have told me about. It is like stepping back in time and can fill any odd need you might have for a tool from days past. There is also a GIGANTIC fabric store there too. That is good for an afternoon I am sure.
I was told by Neighbor Melissa and my mom that it was a good thing that I didn't stop at any of the hot spots in town or I would have been in trouble with them. That is a trip in the near future, with some friends to share it with and how about a car, rather than my truck/trailer transportation I was in today.
On my way out of town, I caught sight of a farmer picking corn...not by hand, but with a corn picker pulled by four big draft horses and an auxiliary motor to run the picking part. Just up the road, I met a farmer driving a team of EIGHT draft horses hitched to his two-bottom plow. As I sit at my computer, I can see Mr. Darvin out in the field next to me with a huge tractor/chisel plow going across the land. What a total opposite from where I was this morning.
It is always intriguing to go South of the boarder to Amish country. I find their lifestyle curious, but I think I will settle for the occasional visit that direction and reading about it in Beverly Lewis novels.
Monday, November 5, 2007
Throwing yourself to the wolves.....
I just finished watching Neighbor Melissa's son, Luke and beautiful cow, Holly, place third at the
Mid-East Fall National Holstein Show in Louisville, Kentucky. No I am not in Kentucky, but rather sitting in my office watching it on-line. Through the wonders of modern technology, we watched it live. What a thrill for the Hart family!!!!!!!!!
Being a breeder myself, I know it isn't easy to send "one of your own" out into a ring to find out what a judge really thinks of that animal. Personally, I feel sick all over until it is done. So why go through it?? Well, there is a syndrome in this business of breeding animals called barn blindness. Symptoms are pretty easy to diagnose, everything in your barn is at or near perfection. Reality says most is pretty average, but until you submit that animal to some form of evaluation, you believe that you are doing it all right. Opinion from someone else is one way to rethink the way your breeding program is headed and decide if you need to change course.
So at the end of a show, most will have a better idea of what that judge liked and if your animal fit their image of a perfect horse, cow, bunny or whatever livestock you put out for them to judge.
Mid-East Fall National Holstein Show in Louisville, Kentucky. No I am not in Kentucky, but rather sitting in my office watching it on-line. Through the wonders of modern technology, we watched it live. What a thrill for the Hart family!!!!!!!!!
Being a breeder myself, I know it isn't easy to send "one of your own" out into a ring to find out what a judge really thinks of that animal. Personally, I feel sick all over until it is done. So why go through it?? Well, there is a syndrome in this business of breeding animals called barn blindness. Symptoms are pretty easy to diagnose, everything in your barn is at or near perfection. Reality says most is pretty average, but until you submit that animal to some form of evaluation, you believe that you are doing it all right. Opinion from someone else is one way to rethink the way your breeding program is headed and decide if you need to change course.
So at the end of a show, most will have a better idea of what that judge liked and if your animal fit their image of a perfect horse, cow, bunny or whatever livestock you put out for them to judge.
Saturday, November 3, 2007
Change.....I'm Not Handling You Well
I have always thought I was a progressive person. Change is good has been my mantra when involved in projects. I have claimed to dislike the phrase, "but we've always done it that way". But after yesterday.....I am an old "stick in the mud".
My computer has been giving me some trouble recently. I do all the business accounting with a program called Peachtree, which takes a lot of RAM. Sounds like I know what I am talking about, right? Don't be too sure, that is just what the tech support person told me. So with great angst, and dragging my feet the whole way, I purchased a new system last week. Yesterday, the computer guy took all my "stuff" from the old hard drive and put it on my new one. So last night, I sat down to the wonder machine.....only to discover that while the REALLY important stuff like the accounting program and hubby's estimating program were safely in the new system, I was missing stuff.
So now I have nothing in my Favorites file.....no saved passwords.....and all my old emails that I just couldn't delete are on the old machine! So slowly but surely for the next 7 years I will be rebuilding all those things.
Before I left the computer shop, the young man (he looked about 12) told me I had a copy of some fantabulous windows system that nobody likes right now, but in a couple years everybody would want, so I should be sure to save the program. I looked at him and asked him, "how old is my computer???? a 1999 version, right????? I don't think I will be changing anything else anytime soon.
By the way.....I think the mouse is possessed. It is a laser mouse and will not go where I aim it. I am NOT liking change much right now.
My computer has been giving me some trouble recently. I do all the business accounting with a program called Peachtree, which takes a lot of RAM. Sounds like I know what I am talking about, right? Don't be too sure, that is just what the tech support person told me. So with great angst, and dragging my feet the whole way, I purchased a new system last week. Yesterday, the computer guy took all my "stuff" from the old hard drive and put it on my new one. So last night, I sat down to the wonder machine.....only to discover that while the REALLY important stuff like the accounting program and hubby's estimating program were safely in the new system, I was missing stuff.
So now I have nothing in my Favorites file.....no saved passwords.....and all my old emails that I just couldn't delete are on the old machine! So slowly but surely for the next 7 years I will be rebuilding all those things.
Before I left the computer shop, the young man (he looked about 12) told me I had a copy of some fantabulous windows system that nobody likes right now, but in a couple years everybody would want, so I should be sure to save the program. I looked at him and asked him, "how old is my computer???? a 1999 version, right????? I don't think I will be changing anything else anytime soon.
By the way.....I think the mouse is possessed. It is a laser mouse and will not go where I aim it. I am NOT liking change much right now.
Thursday, November 1, 2007
Please don't count us tardy......
we had to put a heifer back where she belonged.
That was how our morning began. The kids go to school about a half hour from home, so our goal is to be out the door about 45 minutes before school starts. We were all in the van and on our way down the driveway in the early dawn when I spotted something white moving around beside the barn. Upon closer inspection, I discovered that Rhoda, one of the heifers, was on the wrong side of the fence and wandering around the yard. Thankfully, we live back from the road, so it is rarely a situation where we have critters getting near the road, but still you have to get them back in the right spot before they get too adventuresome.
I stopped the van, and the three kids piled out. Suzanna began a conversation with Rhoda, and the heifer quickly headed for Suzanna. Of course, she was dressed for school, so she quickly panicked and wanted me to head Rhoda off so no slobber would come in contact with her. Amazingly, we managed to head her back into the pasture without being "contaminated" at all.
Into the van and on our way.....only 10 minutes behind our normal schedule. But this was enough to cause some level of concern in the van. I assured them that they wouldn't be tardy, we did have some extra time. Spelling lists were studied and we got to enjoy another new episode of Adventures In Odyssey. (sure way to keep the van quiet).
We were within a few minutes of the school when Thomas let out an awful wail. "Oh no, I am going to get demerits", he cried. When asked what brought that on, he explained that his tie was missing and he was sure it fell off while trying to get Rhoda where she belonged. I urged him to look again, but he just moaned. I told him again, search the floor of the car, I would bet he just wasn't seeing it, but again he just moaned. Finally, after a third suggestion of looking for it, he searched. Too his amazement, there it was, on the floor under his backpack. Crisis averted, life could go on!!!
We arrived at the school at 8:14, that left them with one minute to spare. I took the time to let the office know why we were running behind. The secretary got a chuckle out of it and said not to worry.
As I headed to horse trainer Mike's I had to laugh at another episode of life in the zoo.
That was how our morning began. The kids go to school about a half hour from home, so our goal is to be out the door about 45 minutes before school starts. We were all in the van and on our way down the driveway in the early dawn when I spotted something white moving around beside the barn. Upon closer inspection, I discovered that Rhoda, one of the heifers, was on the wrong side of the fence and wandering around the yard. Thankfully, we live back from the road, so it is rarely a situation where we have critters getting near the road, but still you have to get them back in the right spot before they get too adventuresome.
I stopped the van, and the three kids piled out. Suzanna began a conversation with Rhoda, and the heifer quickly headed for Suzanna. Of course, she was dressed for school, so she quickly panicked and wanted me to head Rhoda off so no slobber would come in contact with her. Amazingly, we managed to head her back into the pasture without being "contaminated" at all.
Into the van and on our way.....only 10 minutes behind our normal schedule. But this was enough to cause some level of concern in the van. I assured them that they wouldn't be tardy, we did have some extra time. Spelling lists were studied and we got to enjoy another new episode of Adventures In Odyssey. (sure way to keep the van quiet).
We were within a few minutes of the school when Thomas let out an awful wail. "Oh no, I am going to get demerits", he cried. When asked what brought that on, he explained that his tie was missing and he was sure it fell off while trying to get Rhoda where she belonged. I urged him to look again, but he just moaned. I told him again, search the floor of the car, I would bet he just wasn't seeing it, but again he just moaned. Finally, after a third suggestion of looking for it, he searched. Too his amazement, there it was, on the floor under his backpack. Crisis averted, life could go on!!!
We arrived at the school at 8:14, that left them with one minute to spare. I took the time to let the office know why we were running behind. The secretary got a chuckle out of it and said not to worry.
As I headed to horse trainer Mike's I had to laugh at another episode of life in the zoo.
Monday, October 29, 2007
Melissa and Lori have TOO much fun!!!!!
Today I went on a road trip with neighbor Melissa. We headed out to the Mohrfield Holstein dispersal in Pleasant Plain, OH. Of course, it isn't easy for mothers to put their households in order enough to get away for a day. Case in point.....our original time of departure was 6:30 am, but a frantic phone call from Melissa at 6:45 pushed that back to 7:20. My crew was happy with that because there was time to make hot breakfast instead of the planned cold cereal.
Safely on the road with our coffee in hand, off we went....I am not sure we ever stopped talking. What fun to share a fun day with a good friend. We covered every subject we could and then some! Cell phone calls from our hubbies were the only interruption from our nonstop brainstorming on how to change the world.
This was not a quick trip either and due to our late departure we actually arrived an hour into the sale. Never fear though, there were still plenty of pretty cows and heifers to watch and imagine them on our own farms. I was hoping to pick up a 2007 heifer for Suzanna to add to her little (2 head) herd, and Melissa was on a mission for a specific cow family. We were shot down, however, as the prices were a bit over our budgets. But that really didn't matter, we were out to have fun as well.....and we accomplished that.
As we arrived home, the plotting was underway for our next adventure....not too soon or our families might never let us out together again. Thanks for all the fun Melissa!!!!!
Safely on the road with our coffee in hand, off we went....I am not sure we ever stopped talking. What fun to share a fun day with a good friend. We covered every subject we could and then some! Cell phone calls from our hubbies were the only interruption from our nonstop brainstorming on how to change the world.
This was not a quick trip either and due to our late departure we actually arrived an hour into the sale. Never fear though, there were still plenty of pretty cows and heifers to watch and imagine them on our own farms. I was hoping to pick up a 2007 heifer for Suzanna to add to her little (2 head) herd, and Melissa was on a mission for a specific cow family. We were shot down, however, as the prices were a bit over our budgets. But that really didn't matter, we were out to have fun as well.....and we accomplished that.
As we arrived home, the plotting was underway for our next adventure....not too soon or our families might never let us out together again. Thanks for all the fun Melissa!!!!!
Friday, October 26, 2007
I have lost the title......
of "Mom of the Year". Not that I ever had a shot at it, but after today.....it is long gone.
The kids have their Harvest Parties today, and two were to bring Apple Cider.....so nice that Glei's have recovered from their devastating fire enough to be back in the cider making business....and the third child volunteered cupcakes. No big deal. I ran over to the orchard yesterday afternoon to pick up 4 gallons of yummy cider (one more for a piano recital tonight and we need some of our own). I considered the fact that I still needed to make the cupcakes and planned to get them done after we got home from Piano/Violin lessons.
Upon arrival home, I set about to finish up Thomas' costume. He and Kathryn get to dress in their costumes to play at their recital. He wanted to be an Indian and I had it sewn together, just needed to get the sleeve and slack length right. I measured his head to make his headband. His older sister informed him that he looked like a peacock when we tried it on. She is SOOOOO funny.....
From that project I drifted on to Betsy Ross, which is Suzanna's costume for a school program on Tuesday night. It will also double for her Halloween costume. She has a dress rehearsal on Monday, so it needs to be finished by then. I got a nice start on it, but started getting tired about 11pm and headed for bed.
Not until I got to the kitchen this morning did I remember the Harvest Party cupcakes. OH BUMMER!!!!!! So I dropped the kids off, ran to the grocery store to buy cupcakes and dropped them off at the school along with any hopes of Mom of the Year. Martha failed!!!!!!
The kids have their Harvest Parties today, and two were to bring Apple Cider.....so nice that Glei's have recovered from their devastating fire enough to be back in the cider making business....and the third child volunteered cupcakes. No big deal. I ran over to the orchard yesterday afternoon to pick up 4 gallons of yummy cider (one more for a piano recital tonight and we need some of our own). I considered the fact that I still needed to make the cupcakes and planned to get them done after we got home from Piano/Violin lessons.
Upon arrival home, I set about to finish up Thomas' costume. He and Kathryn get to dress in their costumes to play at their recital. He wanted to be an Indian and I had it sewn together, just needed to get the sleeve and slack length right. I measured his head to make his headband. His older sister informed him that he looked like a peacock when we tried it on. She is SOOOOO funny.....
From that project I drifted on to Betsy Ross, which is Suzanna's costume for a school program on Tuesday night. It will also double for her Halloween costume. She has a dress rehearsal on Monday, so it needs to be finished by then. I got a nice start on it, but started getting tired about 11pm and headed for bed.
Not until I got to the kitchen this morning did I remember the Harvest Party cupcakes. OH BUMMER!!!!!! So I dropped the kids off, ran to the grocery store to buy cupcakes and dropped them off at the school along with any hopes of Mom of the Year. Martha failed!!!!!!
Sunday, October 21, 2007
Dating....
Hubby and I went out on a date last night. In typical Thomas fashion, he only heard half the conversation, and wondered where "we" were going to eat dinner. I explained to him that it was a date and asked him if he knew what a date was. He replied, "something only two people get to do", and slumped his shoulders as he went on with his chores. He was planning on heading to a restaurant in Jonesville called Chicago Water Grill. This is a very nice restaurant, that we have taken the kids to a couple times for very special occasions, like my dads 60th birthday and parents 40th wedding anniversary. Well, Thomas likes the place, especially what he calls the dessert trailer. They do flaming desserts at this place with a traveling stove. The kids saw it done three years ago and it has left a lasting impression.
We took them to Grandpa Bob and Grandma Ellen's and headed to Chicago Water Grill for a very pleasant dinner. I am not sure how long it had been since we were out on a date, but it had been awhile.
Unfortunately, hubby thinks there may have been some sort of shell fish in his chicken fettuccine Alfredo and he had a slight allergic reaction. He is very allergic to shell fish. We found this out on our first fancy date back on Valentines Day 1987. We went to a restaurant in Lansing called Jim's Tiffany Place and had Prime Rib and Crab Legs for two. Shortly after the dinner ended, I was asking girls in my dorm where the closet emergency room to the MSU campus was. Mike's throat was tightening up and he was breaking out in hives. The hospital took this very serious and treated him immediately. They suggested that he take me to McDonald's for dates from then on.
So we had a nice evening together, but it had an unfortunate end. He took some benadryl and went to bed. It was all it took to make him feel better. Kinda thinking McDonald's is in my future again.
We took them to Grandpa Bob and Grandma Ellen's and headed to Chicago Water Grill for a very pleasant dinner. I am not sure how long it had been since we were out on a date, but it had been awhile.
Unfortunately, hubby thinks there may have been some sort of shell fish in his chicken fettuccine Alfredo and he had a slight allergic reaction. He is very allergic to shell fish. We found this out on our first fancy date back on Valentines Day 1987. We went to a restaurant in Lansing called Jim's Tiffany Place and had Prime Rib and Crab Legs for two. Shortly after the dinner ended, I was asking girls in my dorm where the closet emergency room to the MSU campus was. Mike's throat was tightening up and he was breaking out in hives. The hospital took this very serious and treated him immediately. They suggested that he take me to McDonald's for dates from then on.
So we had a nice evening together, but it had an unfortunate end. He took some benadryl and went to bed. It was all it took to make him feel better. Kinda thinking McDonald's is in my future again.
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
Let the tourguide do the tour......
I dropped the kids off at school this morning, and those were my final words to them as they got out of the car. Why??? Well, today is field trip day and they are headed to the Calder Dairy Farm near Monroe, Mi. This is a working dairy farm that processes their own milk for old fashioned home delivery in the Detroit area, as well as other products like ice cream and yogurt. The kids will be seeing where the calves grow up, how a cow is milked and how that milk becomes the products people purchase at their local grocery store. This is a great thing for schoolkids to see and after having gone to this farm with Suzanna 3 years ago, I know they do a great job promoting agriculture and especially the dairy industry.
Considering my kids have dairy heifers on the farm, a dairy farm just up the road, went to Mooville this past summer, and have been to other dairy related activities, you would think this would be a boring trip. But going with your best friends from school makes it something special. Hopefully, my kids won't try to answer all the questions first and my fingers are crossed that they don't take over the tour and run the place by the end of the day. They were very excited about going and each had $5 to spend at the gift store. I begged Thomas to buy something other than candy, but I can almost bet that is what catches his eye.
I will report back later on the results of this tour.
Considering my kids have dairy heifers on the farm, a dairy farm just up the road, went to Mooville this past summer, and have been to other dairy related activities, you would think this would be a boring trip. But going with your best friends from school makes it something special. Hopefully, my kids won't try to answer all the questions first and my fingers are crossed that they don't take over the tour and run the place by the end of the day. They were very excited about going and each had $5 to spend at the gift store. I begged Thomas to buy something other than candy, but I can almost bet that is what catches his eye.
I will report back later on the results of this tour.
Monday, October 8, 2007
Weekend fun.....
We are back from a quick weekend at my brothers place outside Indianapolis. This was a long overdue visit, since it had been a little over 8 years since we had been to their house. Lest you think my brother and I have been feuding for all those years, never fear. Brother and sister-in-law have a cabin in the woods behind my parents place and are there at least once a month. So the thought of driving 3.5 hours with three kids in the car hasn't been a motivation to get there. But they have built a brand new home and we really wanted to get down and see it. The kids were on a three day weekend and it seemed like a great time to go. An added bonus was that the Junior League of Indianapolis was having a fundraiser which was an American Girl fashion show. I have two huge American Girl fans in the house, so Aunt Cindy ordered tickets.
We didn't get to their place until after dark Friday night and got the nickle tour. What a beautiful home they have built. They sit back off the road on a hill. It is a prairie style so it seems to blend in with the land. The interior is wonderful too. They have some timbers in the great room and kitchen.....and oh, man what a kitchen. I have told you before I am "Martha" in the kitchen and this one had to have been designed with Martha in mind. That 8 burner stove was perfect.
Saturday came and it was off to tea with the American Girls. I took a picture of the girls afterward. Kathryn borrowed Aunt Cindy's doll, since she doesn't have one of her own yet. Suzanna is holding her Josephina doll which she purchased with her chicken money from last years project.
I hadn't mentioned that Emma went too. Terry and Cindy have a collie dog named Sapphire. The two dogs love each other and had a great time all weekend playing and attacking each other. They stayed in the garage while we were at the Tea. When we got back, Sapphire came out of the garage as soon as the door opened, but no Emma. We all got a little concerned, until we got into the garage and saw where Emma was waiting at. She was sitting in Cindy's Mercedes convertible. Doesn't she look like she belongs......Cindy wasn't nearly as amused as I was, but did take this picture for me.
We went out to dinner at Logan's Saturday night. The kids loved eating peanuts and throwing the shucks on the floor. They would have stayed up all night, but we made them go to bed.
Up for breakfast on Sunday and since there it has been so warm, we went to Cindy's sisters and the kids spent about three hours playing in their pool. It isn't normal to have 90s in October, but we will enjoy it while we can. Soon enough we will be getting our wood burner up and running.
It was hard to leave Sunday night, but daddy had to be at work Monday morning. So with some tears and sadness we hit the road for home, promising it won't be 8 years before we head their way again.
We didn't get to their place until after dark Friday night and got the nickle tour. What a beautiful home they have built. They sit back off the road on a hill. It is a prairie style so it seems to blend in with the land. The interior is wonderful too. They have some timbers in the great room and kitchen.....and oh, man what a kitchen. I have told you before I am "Martha" in the kitchen and this one had to have been designed with Martha in mind. That 8 burner stove was perfect.
Saturday came and it was off to tea with the American Girls. I took a picture of the girls afterward. Kathryn borrowed Aunt Cindy's doll, since she doesn't have one of her own yet. Suzanna is holding her Josephina doll which she purchased with her chicken money from last years project.
I hadn't mentioned that Emma went too. Terry and Cindy have a collie dog named Sapphire. The two dogs love each other and had a great time all weekend playing and attacking each other. They stayed in the garage while we were at the Tea. When we got back, Sapphire came out of the garage as soon as the door opened, but no Emma. We all got a little concerned, until we got into the garage and saw where Emma was waiting at. She was sitting in Cindy's Mercedes convertible. Doesn't she look like she belongs......Cindy wasn't nearly as amused as I was, but did take this picture for me.
We went out to dinner at Logan's Saturday night. The kids loved eating peanuts and throwing the shucks on the floor. They would have stayed up all night, but we made them go to bed.
Up for breakfast on Sunday and since there it has been so warm, we went to Cindy's sisters and the kids spent about three hours playing in their pool. It isn't normal to have 90s in October, but we will enjoy it while we can. Soon enough we will be getting our wood burner up and running.
It was hard to leave Sunday night, but daddy had to be at work Monday morning. So with some tears and sadness we hit the road for home, promising it won't be 8 years before we head their way again.
Friday, October 5, 2007
Hauling Horses
is not one of my favorite parts of horse ownership. I am a nervous wreck until we get to our destination in one piece. My latest hauling trip just confirmed that I DO NOT like hauling horses. I hauled Storm up to the trainers yesterday, which was an eventful ride. She was not real happy with the accommodations I guess, since she made her presence known for the first half of the ride. Every few miles, she shifted around in the trailer and I could feel the trailer moving. And then at one stop sign, I had to wait for a few minutes of road construction. She really got to banging around there. Thankfully, she finally began to settle down about a half hour into the ride. We made it safely to Mason and she came off the trailer like a lady. Boy was she a sweaty mess.
While on our way up the highway, I had to chuckle. There is a small town rural high school right beside the road. In the parking lot, there must have been 15 tractors parked. I suspect they had a "drive your tractor to school" day. What fun!!!!!! There were all sorts and types, from a couple shiny John Deeres, to some very much dressed for work that looked like Farmalls. I wish I would have had my camera with me. It would have been worth stopping in to get a picture.
I hauled the two weanlings back and I never knew there was a load on the trailer. Much more relaxing ride. I enjoyed some time with both foals last night. They are very different personalities, but overall both wanted my time and attention.
Well, laundry and chores call.
While on our way up the highway, I had to chuckle. There is a small town rural high school right beside the road. In the parking lot, there must have been 15 tractors parked. I suspect they had a "drive your tractor to school" day. What fun!!!!!! There were all sorts and types, from a couple shiny John Deeres, to some very much dressed for work that looked like Farmalls. I wish I would have had my camera with me. It would have been worth stopping in to get a picture.
I hauled the two weanlings back and I never knew there was a load on the trailer. Much more relaxing ride. I enjoyed some time with both foals last night. They are very different personalities, but overall both wanted my time and attention.
Well, laundry and chores call.
Thursday, October 4, 2007
Door To Door Sales......
Tuesday night, hubby and I were at the barn, contemplating where all our critters would be spending the winter months. Everyone needs a space that gets them inside some shelter if the weather is nasty. A car came up our driveway during our discussion and neither of us recognized the driver. I looked at hubby and said "we aren't buying anything!"
The gentleman got out, smiled and told us we have a nice ranch. What a laugh....we are a horse/4-H critter operation. There is nothing "ranchie" about our place. He held out a piece of paper for us to see. It was an aerial photo of our farm. I have always loved that type of picture. My dad has the one from the family farm which was done in the early 70's and I still enjoy looking at. We purchased an 8x10 aerial photo back in the early days of being at our current location. I have had the thought in the back of my mind that it would be nice to get an updated one. See the one we have was taken when we still lived in a single-wide mobile home. We now have our "dream house" which is a big white ranch style house sitting up on our hill.
So obviously this salesman piqued my interest. I let him start his pitch....but quickly jumped ahead in the story to "what's the price". He chatted up the idea that they add green grass where the fields were and spruce up the front yard which was pathetic thanks to the drought we had been under for the summer. I again asked for a price. He then told us about the custom framing that they have done by the Amish. That was all nice...BUT WHAT IS THE PRICE FOR AN 8X10????? Finally he answered me, and I know I need to take pilot lessons. For a simple, framed 11x14, they wanted $199.00!!!!!!!!
I am not sure whether hubby or I hit cheap first, but the conversation was over. I politely told him that was way out of our budget. He offered just the picture, without framing for $99.00. I again said too much. His final offer was the small 4x6 print he had in his hand, with no retouching and the letter "C" framed in the middle of it for only $10. We turned him down a third time and he returned to his car.
What a tough business to be in, and I am sure we weren't the only ones on the road that turned him down!!
The gentleman got out, smiled and told us we have a nice ranch. What a laugh....we are a horse/4-H critter operation. There is nothing "ranchie" about our place. He held out a piece of paper for us to see. It was an aerial photo of our farm. I have always loved that type of picture. My dad has the one from the family farm which was done in the early 70's and I still enjoy looking at. We purchased an 8x10 aerial photo back in the early days of being at our current location. I have had the thought in the back of my mind that it would be nice to get an updated one. See the one we have was taken when we still lived in a single-wide mobile home. We now have our "dream house" which is a big white ranch style house sitting up on our hill.
So obviously this salesman piqued my interest. I let him start his pitch....but quickly jumped ahead in the story to "what's the price". He chatted up the idea that they add green grass where the fields were and spruce up the front yard which was pathetic thanks to the drought we had been under for the summer. I again asked for a price. He then told us about the custom framing that they have done by the Amish. That was all nice...BUT WHAT IS THE PRICE FOR AN 8X10????? Finally he answered me, and I know I need to take pilot lessons. For a simple, framed 11x14, they wanted $199.00!!!!!!!!
I am not sure whether hubby or I hit cheap first, but the conversation was over. I politely told him that was way out of our budget. He offered just the picture, without framing for $99.00. I again said too much. His final offer was the small 4x6 print he had in his hand, with no retouching and the letter "C" framed in the middle of it for only $10. We turned him down a third time and he returned to his car.
What a tough business to be in, and I am sure we weren't the only ones on the road that turned him down!!
Wednesday, October 3, 2007
Making Mincemeat......
I checked out my garden last evening, in anticipation of getting a batch of green tomato mincement going. To my surprise, there were many ripe tomatoes there as well. I think I will be canning up some more tomatoes as well. We have had really warm weather for the past couple weeks, and that makes for ripe tomatoes. Normally, we are waiting for the first frost.
So I am getting into the kitchen to make a batch or two of mincemeat to can up. I have a recipe for fruitcake which calls for mincemeat. To buy the stuff out of the grocery store is nearly $5.00 a jar. I can make it cheaper. So off to the kitchen I go.
So I am getting into the kitchen to make a batch or two of mincemeat to can up. I have a recipe for fruitcake which calls for mincemeat. To buy the stuff out of the grocery store is nearly $5.00 a jar. I can make it cheaper. So off to the kitchen I go.
Tuesday, October 2, 2007
Back on schedule....
Wow does it feel good too! We actually ate supper together, and it wasn't pizza, and it was balanced. Last night was the first Monday night we have done that since May. We had dog 4-H or softball games every Monday night. The kids actually got their music practice in and their homework done with time to be goofy and play. What a nice evening.
It was much easier getting up this morning, maybe I am getting that sleep I lost last week caught back up. Laundry is on the agenda, along with the usual office work and house work....like I said, we are back on schedule.
It was much easier getting up this morning, maybe I am getting that sleep I lost last week caught back up. Laundry is on the agenda, along with the usual office work and house work....like I said, we are back on schedule.
Monday, October 1, 2007
Fairweek Wrap-up
WE SURVIVED!!!!!!
That is the most important announcement. We all seem to have stuffy noses, but no worse for the week we spent at the fair.
So here is a review of the week in pictures......
We will start with a picture of Suzanna at the poultry show. Poultry, if you don't do the showmanship class, is about as simple as it can be. We purchased 8 chicks at the end of July. They are fed, and fed, and fed.
The birds Suzanna took to the fair weighed about 5 pounds each. The kids bring them into the fair, put them in a cage and at judging time, stand by their cages and wait for the judge to come look at their birds. The birds are graded and the kids receive either A, B or C ribbons. Suzanna's received an A ribbon.
Sunday was the rabbit show, and I forgot to take the camera along, so there will be no pictures of that day. Thomas showed Daisy in PeeWee showmanship, then Suzanna showed her in showmanship and in the breeder doe class. The heifers came in on Sunday as well.
Monday was one of two kitchen days for our club. Each club is asked to work at least one shift in the 4-H dining hall. Although many people complain about it, I find it a lot of fun. Might be the "Martha Stewart" in me.....as I got to stand in front of the 10 burner stove in the kitchen and help make food. It is a great chance to stand in one spot and see a lot of people you haven't seen since last year as well.
Moving on to Tuesday.....Dairy Show Day. That is a early morning wake-up call. We were at the barn by 5:30 to get the heifers washed. Not easy when you are half asleep and the lighting isn't great.....(talked to the electrician about that). Then it is stay close to the stalls so that the heifers stay clean!! This is Suzanna in her showmanship class, where she placed third.
On to Suzanna and Rhoda in their class. They placed 4th.
This is a favorite picture of mine from the whole week. The smile on Suzanna's face shows how much fun the day was. This is what it should be all about!
Suzanna played her violin at the Women's Congress program in the afternoon. The Women's Congress was founded over 100 years ago and the program is an hour or so long each afternoon. Originally it was for ladies to go to while the men were at the harness races. They get a wide variety of talent in for each day. While we were there there were piano solos, a ballet dancer, singers and a skit. Very neat experience, and something that I had never gone to before.
Wednesday was our second day at the 4-H kitchen. This is the major fund raising arm for the 4-H Council and with those funds, they supply scholarships to attend camps, the Washington, DC trip and other awards. They also provide car/driver and walk-in passes for the 4-Her's to use to get into the fair all week.
That evening was the "Five Dollar Show" as the kids have called it for years. This is the PeeWee Dairy Show and each kid that leads a dairy animal in the "show" gets a ribbon and $5 when they are done. Believe me, my kids have that money spent three different ways before the fair even starts. They also hold the always hilarious "Barnyard Olympics". Nothing like having to dig up pints of milk from the dirt in the arena and see who can chug them the fastest, or how about running a hose through one leg of each teammates jeans? The team that won all had shorts on, by the way. Then there is the traditional wheelbarrow race, when the team members are the wheelbarrows. We also have our dairy products sale, which is our Dairy Leaders fund raiser in order to provide funds for the kids involved in the dairy program.
Thursday was Kathryn's day. She showed Emma in obedience class. Anyone who knows Kathryn, know she would rather not be the center of attention. And if you know our dog, she is a typical Springer Spaniel, who loves to be "springy". Put the two of them together and this is what you get.... an adorable team who came in second in their class.
The part of the show Kathryn loves the most is the costume class. She decided they would be Tinkerbell and Peter Pan. Momma got the sewing machine going and this was the result. The dog even kept the hat on and in the end, they were named Best in Class!!!!
Friday was our fun day. In the afternoon, we were off to the midway to ride rides with friends. They had a great time and wore the dads out long before they were done with the rides. An evening of junk food capped off the fun. Thomas and Daddy took in some of the tractor pulls, while the girls and I checked out the displays in the buildings.
Saturday brought the dairy judging contest for Suzanna and lots of down time, which you need by that point in the week. We ate pizza with the dairy group, found out the judging scores and that our club won the Herdsmanship Award for the week. That means our kids kept their area in the barn the neatest. We cruised the fairgrounds one more time Saturday night to make sure we saw everything we needed to see. The cattle were loaded up by the neighbors at 10pm and we called it a night.
Sunday came and it is a depressing sight to see the changes that come to the fairgrounds overnight. All the rides are taken down and packed up, many all ready are heading for a different event. Many displays are packed up and long gone too. Daddy had to take down all the temporary lights and unhook stuff too. We packed up the camper, picked up our exhibits and were home by noon.
I have nearly caught the laundry up, got to Wal-Mart to restock the cupboards and we made it to church last night. Bedtime felt good when we got there.
And that sums up a week in our lives. You work hard to get there and it is over too quickly...and you are looking forward to next year.
That is the most important announcement. We all seem to have stuffy noses, but no worse for the week we spent at the fair.
So here is a review of the week in pictures......
We will start with a picture of Suzanna at the poultry show. Poultry, if you don't do the showmanship class, is about as simple as it can be. We purchased 8 chicks at the end of July. They are fed, and fed, and fed.
The birds Suzanna took to the fair weighed about 5 pounds each. The kids bring them into the fair, put them in a cage and at judging time, stand by their cages and wait for the judge to come look at their birds. The birds are graded and the kids receive either A, B or C ribbons. Suzanna's received an A ribbon.
Sunday was the rabbit show, and I forgot to take the camera along, so there will be no pictures of that day. Thomas showed Daisy in PeeWee showmanship, then Suzanna showed her in showmanship and in the breeder doe class. The heifers came in on Sunday as well.
Monday was one of two kitchen days for our club. Each club is asked to work at least one shift in the 4-H dining hall. Although many people complain about it, I find it a lot of fun. Might be the "Martha Stewart" in me.....as I got to stand in front of the 10 burner stove in the kitchen and help make food. It is a great chance to stand in one spot and see a lot of people you haven't seen since last year as well.
Moving on to Tuesday.....Dairy Show Day. That is a early morning wake-up call. We were at the barn by 5:30 to get the heifers washed. Not easy when you are half asleep and the lighting isn't great.....(talked to the electrician about that). Then it is stay close to the stalls so that the heifers stay clean!! This is Suzanna in her showmanship class, where she placed third.
On to Suzanna and Rhoda in their class. They placed 4th.
This is a favorite picture of mine from the whole week. The smile on Suzanna's face shows how much fun the day was. This is what it should be all about!
Suzanna played her violin at the Women's Congress program in the afternoon. The Women's Congress was founded over 100 years ago and the program is an hour or so long each afternoon. Originally it was for ladies to go to while the men were at the harness races. They get a wide variety of talent in for each day. While we were there there were piano solos, a ballet dancer, singers and a skit. Very neat experience, and something that I had never gone to before.
Wednesday was our second day at the 4-H kitchen. This is the major fund raising arm for the 4-H Council and with those funds, they supply scholarships to attend camps, the Washington, DC trip and other awards. They also provide car/driver and walk-in passes for the 4-Her's to use to get into the fair all week.
That evening was the "Five Dollar Show" as the kids have called it for years. This is the PeeWee Dairy Show and each kid that leads a dairy animal in the "show" gets a ribbon and $5 when they are done. Believe me, my kids have that money spent three different ways before the fair even starts. They also hold the always hilarious "Barnyard Olympics". Nothing like having to dig up pints of milk from the dirt in the arena and see who can chug them the fastest, or how about running a hose through one leg of each teammates jeans? The team that won all had shorts on, by the way. Then there is the traditional wheelbarrow race, when the team members are the wheelbarrows. We also have our dairy products sale, which is our Dairy Leaders fund raiser in order to provide funds for the kids involved in the dairy program.
Thursday was Kathryn's day. She showed Emma in obedience class. Anyone who knows Kathryn, know she would rather not be the center of attention. And if you know our dog, she is a typical Springer Spaniel, who loves to be "springy". Put the two of them together and this is what you get.... an adorable team who came in second in their class.
The part of the show Kathryn loves the most is the costume class. She decided they would be Tinkerbell and Peter Pan. Momma got the sewing machine going and this was the result. The dog even kept the hat on and in the end, they were named Best in Class!!!!
Friday was our fun day. In the afternoon, we were off to the midway to ride rides with friends. They had a great time and wore the dads out long before they were done with the rides. An evening of junk food capped off the fun. Thomas and Daddy took in some of the tractor pulls, while the girls and I checked out the displays in the buildings.
Saturday brought the dairy judging contest for Suzanna and lots of down time, which you need by that point in the week. We ate pizza with the dairy group, found out the judging scores and that our club won the Herdsmanship Award for the week. That means our kids kept their area in the barn the neatest. We cruised the fairgrounds one more time Saturday night to make sure we saw everything we needed to see. The cattle were loaded up by the neighbors at 10pm and we called it a night.
Sunday came and it is a depressing sight to see the changes that come to the fairgrounds overnight. All the rides are taken down and packed up, many all ready are heading for a different event. Many displays are packed up and long gone too. Daddy had to take down all the temporary lights and unhook stuff too. We packed up the camper, picked up our exhibits and were home by noon.
I have nearly caught the laundry up, got to Wal-Mart to restock the cupboards and we made it to church last night. Bedtime felt good when we got there.
And that sums up a week in our lives. You work hard to get there and it is over too quickly...and you are looking forward to next year.
Sunday, September 23, 2007
Day one....and still alive
We survived the first official day at the fair. Yesterday was the day we took all our non-livestock exhibits, the chickens and rabbit in. The poultry show was in the afternoon and Suzanna got A ribbons for both her market and production chickens. Both pens were considered for grand champion by the judge, which was neat.
This morning we hurried around to catch the banty hen and her chicks to take for the Barnyard Children exhibit. Then it was time for the rabbit show. Thomas tried his hand at Rabbit Showmanship and got a cute trophy for his time. Suzanna participated in showmanship for her age group and came away disappointed. There were 12 kids in her class and she didn't place (5 placings are given out). I chatted with the judge after the show and he was very impressed with her age group and said there were only a couple points separating most kids in the class. He gave us a few pointers for next year.
Her breeder rabbit was the second place California doe. She was second to her litter mate and that rabbit was the eventual best of show, so we thought we were in good company there.
Our neighbors and fellow dairy exhibitors hauled Rhoda and Fancy in for us. Worked out well, they have the stock trailer and we had the truck. With the Rabbit show starting at 10am, it would have been a lot harder to get the heifers hauled in and be ready for the show. The less rush the better in our world.
Daddy kept up with the electrical projects at the fairgrounds and managed to be busy all day. The kids and I took in the annual talent show. That was an interesting event. I have to say, just cause you sound good in the shower, it isn't always a good idea to take it public....lets just leave it at that.
The BIG event as far as Thomas was concerned was the combine demolition derby. Yes, someone came up with the great idea that it would be fun to modify a traditional combine into an instrument of destruction. The goal of this spectacle is the be the last combine standing. We watched a couple "heats" and it was kinda fun. We stood by an "expert" on the sport. He had been to several demo derbies over the past several years and told us all about the strategy they utilize. Mostly try to take out the drive belt or a back tire. The neat part about the whole thing was the crowd that was drawn to the fairgrounds to watch it. Being a part of the fair as we are through both 4-H and doing the electrical work for it, we are always hoping for a great year for the fair. With the economy in Michigan being what it is, seeing the infield parked full and the grandstand packed was a good sign. Hopefully that trend will continue through the rest of the week. For now, I have another load of laundry to fold and need to get to bed.
This morning we hurried around to catch the banty hen and her chicks to take for the Barnyard Children exhibit. Then it was time for the rabbit show. Thomas tried his hand at Rabbit Showmanship and got a cute trophy for his time. Suzanna participated in showmanship for her age group and came away disappointed. There were 12 kids in her class and she didn't place (5 placings are given out). I chatted with the judge after the show and he was very impressed with her age group and said there were only a couple points separating most kids in the class. He gave us a few pointers for next year.
Her breeder rabbit was the second place California doe. She was second to her litter mate and that rabbit was the eventual best of show, so we thought we were in good company there.
Our neighbors and fellow dairy exhibitors hauled Rhoda and Fancy in for us. Worked out well, they have the stock trailer and we had the truck. With the Rabbit show starting at 10am, it would have been a lot harder to get the heifers hauled in and be ready for the show. The less rush the better in our world.
Daddy kept up with the electrical projects at the fairgrounds and managed to be busy all day. The kids and I took in the annual talent show. That was an interesting event. I have to say, just cause you sound good in the shower, it isn't always a good idea to take it public....lets just leave it at that.
The BIG event as far as Thomas was concerned was the combine demolition derby. Yes, someone came up with the great idea that it would be fun to modify a traditional combine into an instrument of destruction. The goal of this spectacle is the be the last combine standing. We watched a couple "heats" and it was kinda fun. We stood by an "expert" on the sport. He had been to several demo derbies over the past several years and told us all about the strategy they utilize. Mostly try to take out the drive belt or a back tire. The neat part about the whole thing was the crowd that was drawn to the fairgrounds to watch it. Being a part of the fair as we are through both 4-H and doing the electrical work for it, we are always hoping for a great year for the fair. With the economy in Michigan being what it is, seeing the infield parked full and the grandstand packed was a good sign. Hopefully that trend will continue through the rest of the week. For now, I have another load of laundry to fold and need to get to bed.
Saturday, September 22, 2007
You haven't lived 'til you wash a chicken
or in our case four of them. The fair has arrived and first up on the schedule is the chicken show. The market chickens made weight with no problem which is a major improvement over last year. A pen of two chickens has to weigh at least 7 pounds to qualify. Last year we just skated in with one hen weighing 3.75 and the other weighing in at 3.25. This year they each weigh right around 5 pounds.
The brilliant minds from who knows where decided that chickens should be washed before they are shown. Why, when they are on a road of no return??? A week from tomorrow they will be headed for the stew pot. Anyway, we follow orders, and they have been washed and blow dried (wouldn't want them to catch cold!). The house reeks of wet chicken and the dog and cat are sizing them up for dinner.
All the non-livestock projects are ready for entry. The heifers have been clipped. The stalls are bedded and the hay has been hauled in. The camper is set, the food is cooked. Get the sense that I am nearly organized for this spectacle??? You would be right. I keep wondering what I forgot, since I am feeling really on top of things this year.
I will keep you posted on how well I feel by the middle or the end of the week. I will try not to talk about my aching feet or back or the fact that I am tired. That will be a challenge!!!!!
The brilliant minds from who knows where decided that chickens should be washed before they are shown. Why, when they are on a road of no return??? A week from tomorrow they will be headed for the stew pot. Anyway, we follow orders, and they have been washed and blow dried (wouldn't want them to catch cold!). The house reeks of wet chicken and the dog and cat are sizing them up for dinner.
All the non-livestock projects are ready for entry. The heifers have been clipped. The stalls are bedded and the hay has been hauled in. The camper is set, the food is cooked. Get the sense that I am nearly organized for this spectacle??? You would be right. I keep wondering what I forgot, since I am feeling really on top of things this year.
I will keep you posted on how well I feel by the middle or the end of the week. I will try not to talk about my aching feet or back or the fact that I am tired. That will be a challenge!!!!!
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
The Birthday Girl.....
here was Suzanna the day we brought her home from the hospital........
And here she was tonight blowing out 11 candles on her cake....she got them all, hope all her wishes come true.
Saying Goodbye....
Snoopy was vetted this afternoon and despite my smarty pants trainer trying to scare me over a sudden and never before heard of leg injury, he passed with flying colors. This is a melancholy moment, as I was working at trainer Mike's and spent a few minutes saying good bye to my horse. I know there are many more standing in the pasture, but I still get sad about it. He was born on our farm and I have been responsible for his care ever since. I can't help but be a little saddened to see him go to a new home. Not that life there won't be good....I suspect from talking with his new owner his life will be pretty cushy. She sounds like she will spoil him rotten. And I expect that come next year, we will proudly see our prefix at many shows throughout the Kansas area as Snoopy wins lots of blues for his new owner.
We in the meantime move onto the next project. That will be Storm. She is headed for driving training.....right after we get through the Fair. I am halfway through my sewing projects....Emma's costume is done, Kathryn's just needs some elastic in the waistband. Then all I need to do is sew her dress. We are coming down to the wire. One heifer was trimmed last night, and the other will get done this evening before church. I just keep knocking things off the list.
Finally, Happy Birthday Suzanna!!!!
Our oldest turns 11 today. Wow time has flown. She took doughnuts and cider for her class this morning and is planning to take a treat to Kids Club tonight at church. Sometimes I think her birthday gets sidetracked with all the horse show and fair stuff that is going on right now, but she doesn't seem too bothered by it. Maybe it makes it more of a party for her, since it takes about two weeks to get the celebrating with family finished up.
We in the meantime move onto the next project. That will be Storm. She is headed for driving training.....right after we get through the Fair. I am halfway through my sewing projects....Emma's costume is done, Kathryn's just needs some elastic in the waistband. Then all I need to do is sew her dress. We are coming down to the wire. One heifer was trimmed last night, and the other will get done this evening before church. I just keep knocking things off the list.
Finally, Happy Birthday Suzanna!!!!
Our oldest turns 11 today. Wow time has flown. She took doughnuts and cider for her class this morning and is planning to take a treat to Kids Club tonight at church. Sometimes I think her birthday gets sidetracked with all the horse show and fair stuff that is going on right now, but she doesn't seem too bothered by it. Maybe it makes it more of a party for her, since it takes about two weeks to get the celebrating with family finished up.
Monday, September 17, 2007
Boy am I tired....
what a long weekend....fun, but long. The horse show went well. Lilly, the filly, placed 8th in the Sweepstakes class on Saturday night. There were 27 babies in that class, so to get a placing was great. Henry didn't make "the cut" and I was disappointed, but he is still wonderful in my opinion.
Both foals showed back in their baby classes yesterday and Lilly came away with a 5th and Henry got a 6th, which were both good placings. There were some really nice foals there and I think our breeding program was well represented.
With Futurity behind us, we are heading into the home stretch for fair week. I have to get Kathryn's outfit done for the dog show and her costume as well. So I am off to the sewing machine this morning, along with catching up from a weekend away.
Snoopy has his vet check on Wednesday and it looks like the shipper should be picking him up by the end of the week. Then after we recover from the fair, Storm will head to Trainer Mike's to get her training underway. And the babies will get to come home for the winter.
Off to the sewing room.
Both foals showed back in their baby classes yesterday and Lilly came away with a 5th and Henry got a 6th, which were both good placings. There were some really nice foals there and I think our breeding program was well represented.
With Futurity behind us, we are heading into the home stretch for fair week. I have to get Kathryn's outfit done for the dog show and her costume as well. So I am off to the sewing machine this morning, along with catching up from a weekend away.
Snoopy has his vet check on Wednesday and it looks like the shipper should be picking him up by the end of the week. Then after we recover from the fair, Storm will head to Trainer Mike's to get her training underway. And the babies will get to come home for the winter.
Off to the sewing room.
Friday, September 14, 2007
Tying up loose ends....
That has kept me busy the last couple days. I am heading to the Shiawasee Fairgrounds this morning for the Michigan Morgan Breeders Futurity and Show. Henry went up last night to get settled in and Lilly is coming from a different trainers barn and will arrive tonight. I will be staying two nights away from the zoo, so I have been getting everything and everybody organized.
In the meantime, God blessed the garden and the kids picked 2 bushels of tomatoes the other night. That, combined with the bushel and a half last week has my tomato needs fulfilled. I made 20 pints of tomato juice, 18 pints of salsa and canned 28 quarts of whole tomatoes. Only thing left to do in the canning department is some green tomato relish and green tomato mincemeat. I will get after that early next week.
Had to get everything organized for the 4-H club too. As I have mentioned more than once, the fair is coming up the last week of this month. Bunnies need ear tattoos in order to go and one of the dads in the club is going to take care of that. Chickens have to be tested and certified "pullurium free" as well. One of the club moms is certified to do the testing, so she is handling that tomorrow as well. The kids also get their passes and have their project reports signed too. I am fortunate that there are great parents in the club who can jump in and take care of this stuff while I am away.
The kids and daddy will head up to the show tomorrow afternoon so they can watch the two babies show tomorrow evening. By about 8pm tomorrow night, we should know how our little ones placed. Pins and needles until then!!!!
In the meantime, God blessed the garden and the kids picked 2 bushels of tomatoes the other night. That, combined with the bushel and a half last week has my tomato needs fulfilled. I made 20 pints of tomato juice, 18 pints of salsa and canned 28 quarts of whole tomatoes. Only thing left to do in the canning department is some green tomato relish and green tomato mincemeat. I will get after that early next week.
Had to get everything organized for the 4-H club too. As I have mentioned more than once, the fair is coming up the last week of this month. Bunnies need ear tattoos in order to go and one of the dads in the club is going to take care of that. Chickens have to be tested and certified "pullurium free" as well. One of the club moms is certified to do the testing, so she is handling that tomorrow as well. The kids also get their passes and have their project reports signed too. I am fortunate that there are great parents in the club who can jump in and take care of this stuff while I am away.
The kids and daddy will head up to the show tomorrow afternoon so they can watch the two babies show tomorrow evening. By about 8pm tomorrow night, we should know how our little ones placed. Pins and needles until then!!!!
Thursday, September 13, 2007
Too Much Fun!!!!
Yesterday, neighbor Melissa and I headed off to the annual extravaganza held at Hillsdale College called the Women's Commissioners Rummage & Treasure sale. The college field house is transformed into a treasure trove of bargains from clothing to jewelry to antiques to books to.....well you get the point. Actually I hear there is jewelry, antiques and books, but did not witness it personally. That would be because we both carted off enough clothing for the whole family and never had a chance to get to all the other good stuff.
After a couple hours in the place, Melissa had to be pulled out of there kicking and screaming. She kept mumbling something about knowing she was missing something great in another department. But lets be realistic, when you have to stack a huge pile of sweatshirts and then tie them together with a pair of sweatpants in order to carry them out, it might be time to call it a day. Of course she had to do that because the one bag she brought to carry stuff in was already stuffed beyond its limits and more was spilling out of the top. Of course, she would have had two bags if she would have been more selfish and let me fend for myself rather than giving that second bag to me. Don't worry, I will be so prepared when we do it again next year. Anyway I hope I get to go back with her next year.
In the end, I can't feel too guilty about being the sensible one in the expedition, since she gets to go back this morning for round two. That would be where everything you can stuff in a bag costs $2. I have to take my mom to a doctors appointment, or believe me I would be right there with her!! Hope you have fun today Melissa.....and do you even know what a Women's Commissioner is??? Let me know.
After a couple hours in the place, Melissa had to be pulled out of there kicking and screaming. She kept mumbling something about knowing she was missing something great in another department. But lets be realistic, when you have to stack a huge pile of sweatshirts and then tie them together with a pair of sweatpants in order to carry them out, it might be time to call it a day. Of course she had to do that because the one bag she brought to carry stuff in was already stuffed beyond its limits and more was spilling out of the top. Of course, she would have had two bags if she would have been more selfish and let me fend for myself rather than giving that second bag to me. Don't worry, I will be so prepared when we do it again next year. Anyway I hope I get to go back with her next year.
In the end, I can't feel too guilty about being the sensible one in the expedition, since she gets to go back this morning for round two. That would be where everything you can stuff in a bag costs $2. I have to take my mom to a doctors appointment, or believe me I would be right there with her!! Hope you have fun today Melissa.....and do you even know what a Women's Commissioner is??? Let me know.
Sunday, September 9, 2007
It's not over 'til the vet check is complete.....
but I just got the word from Trainer Mike that Snoopy will have a new home in Kansas on October 1st. The buyer and a friend came to Michigan and spent the afternoon and evening with us, enjoying "horse time". Laura had the opportunity to ride him, spoil him and utterly fall in love with him. She joked that it was too bad he wouldn't fit in her carry-on to take back to Kansas with her.
The only thing we are waiting on at this point is the veterinary to come out and do a pre-purchase exam. Kinda like an home inspection when you buy a house. Shouldn't be a problem, but everyone is always nervous until it is completed. She will be hiring a horse hauler to get him to her farm, which is about 15 hours from Michigan. Upon making the announcement, Thomas was in tears. He has suddenly taken a big interest in the horses and doesn't want any of them to be sold. Tough time for him.
I am excited at the thought of him being sold. She sounds like her animals are all spoiled rotten. But it is a bit melancholy too. These horses are born and raised here and it is sad to see them go....but only until the check is in the bank!!!! Then it is on to the next project. That will be Storm, the two year old filly. She will be heading to the barn as soon as Futurity is over to get started on her training program. Time marches on, as they say.
At the end, I am thanking the Lord for a great buyer. It is nice to know how well loved and cared for Snoopy will be. Makes parting with him a little bit easier.
The only thing we are waiting on at this point is the veterinary to come out and do a pre-purchase exam. Kinda like an home inspection when you buy a house. Shouldn't be a problem, but everyone is always nervous until it is completed. She will be hiring a horse hauler to get him to her farm, which is about 15 hours from Michigan. Upon making the announcement, Thomas was in tears. He has suddenly taken a big interest in the horses and doesn't want any of them to be sold. Tough time for him.
I am excited at the thought of him being sold. She sounds like her animals are all spoiled rotten. But it is a bit melancholy too. These horses are born and raised here and it is sad to see them go....but only until the check is in the bank!!!! Then it is on to the next project. That will be Storm, the two year old filly. She will be heading to the barn as soon as Futurity is over to get started on her training program. Time marches on, as they say.
At the end, I am thanking the Lord for a great buyer. It is nice to know how well loved and cared for Snoopy will be. Makes parting with him a little bit easier.
Friday, September 7, 2007
Toe-may-toe? Toe-mah-toe??
Doesn't matter how you say it, that's where I have been most of the day. Next door neighbor was on her walk last week when I came up the road. Stopped to chat and the subject of canning tomatoes came up. She had been getting them from her dad's garden and had enough. She wondered if I would like the next batch. Considering how slowly mine are ripening, I jumped at the chance and told her to give me a call.
Last night the call came in and she and I went over to her dad's to pick. I ended up with a bushel and a half. So they occupied most of my day, in between errands.
Emma went to the groomers today. I must say I am disappointed. I specifically asked the owner if she had done Springer's. She assured me that she had and showed me the picture of a Springer in her huge breed poster. I left a rather worried Emma at her shop this morning with the promise she would be ready by 1pm. When I picked her up, I knew something didn't seem quite right. The more I thought about it, the more it bothered me. Finally, late this afternoon it hit me. While the groomer had trimmed up the "feathers" on Emma's front legs, the ones on her back legs were completely gone. I went on line to the Springer website and confirmed that that isn't how she should have been done!!!!! I know that it is only hair and will grow back, but it isn't right!!!!! And off she will go to the 4-H dog show at the fair in just two weeks. What a bummer!!!!
The rest of the day was canning 7 quarts of tomatoes....boy that canner takes FOREVER to come to a boil and did up 5 pints of 14-day pickles too. Quickly added up time cards so I could do payroll, since those guys really like to be paid. Worked up a bank deposit, pulled the jars out of the canner, headed off to get the kids at school. Today was payday for them, so they had money to burn at WalMart. I got groceries and happily headed for home.
I put another half bushel of tomatoes in my big pot with onions, celery and garlic and heated that up for juice. I will let it cool overnight and then skim off some of the water off so that my juice will be a little thicker. I was at an auction several years ago and was the last bidder on a juicer. It is a great little invention that separates the skin and seeds from the tomato pulp. It is much easier to run then an old fashioned Foley Food Mill.
I will get the juice made tomorrow morning first thing, since tomorrow my potential buyer is heading to Michigan to meet and hopefully fall in love with Snoopy. Time will tell.
Oh, and I say toe-may-toe!!
Last night the call came in and she and I went over to her dad's to pick. I ended up with a bushel and a half. So they occupied most of my day, in between errands.
Emma went to the groomers today. I must say I am disappointed. I specifically asked the owner if she had done Springer's. She assured me that she had and showed me the picture of a Springer in her huge breed poster. I left a rather worried Emma at her shop this morning with the promise she would be ready by 1pm. When I picked her up, I knew something didn't seem quite right. The more I thought about it, the more it bothered me. Finally, late this afternoon it hit me. While the groomer had trimmed up the "feathers" on Emma's front legs, the ones on her back legs were completely gone. I went on line to the Springer website and confirmed that that isn't how she should have been done!!!!! I know that it is only hair and will grow back, but it isn't right!!!!! And off she will go to the 4-H dog show at the fair in just two weeks. What a bummer!!!!
The rest of the day was canning 7 quarts of tomatoes....boy that canner takes FOREVER to come to a boil and did up 5 pints of 14-day pickles too. Quickly added up time cards so I could do payroll, since those guys really like to be paid. Worked up a bank deposit, pulled the jars out of the canner, headed off to get the kids at school. Today was payday for them, so they had money to burn at WalMart. I got groceries and happily headed for home.
I put another half bushel of tomatoes in my big pot with onions, celery and garlic and heated that up for juice. I will let it cool overnight and then skim off some of the water off so that my juice will be a little thicker. I was at an auction several years ago and was the last bidder on a juicer. It is a great little invention that separates the skin and seeds from the tomato pulp. It is much easier to run then an old fashioned Foley Food Mill.
I will get the juice made tomorrow morning first thing, since tomorrow my potential buyer is heading to Michigan to meet and hopefully fall in love with Snoopy. Time will tell.
Oh, and I say toe-may-toe!!
Tuesday, September 4, 2007
Labor Day....The Conclusion
Hay making went well yesterday. We, well more precisely my hubby and father-in-law, put up 67 bales of grass hay and 260 bales of alfalfa. Almost all of it was stacked on the wagons this time around rather than the hay liner. That would be because 3rd cutting was good and we can sell this hay, rather than put it in the hay mow. I got involved in another aspect of hay farming yesterday. I got to take a wagon load of hay to a customer about 5 miles away. I had never pulled a load of hay down the road. Thankfully my mother-in-law was able to ride shotgun and give me a few pointers. It wasn't tough, but it was nice to have someone ride along. What is left we will either sell to the neighbor up the road or at the Saturday hay auction in town.
I took these pictures of my hay guys. This would be a three generation shot of Grandpa Bob driving the tractor, hubby and Thomas are on the wagon. Hubby's bales are a bit heavy, so Thomas was more there for "moral support" then actual stacking assistance. A couple more years and the two of them will make a great team.
Here are Thomas and his daddy. Like I said, Thomas was moral support, at best. Actually, at this point, he was attempting to play games on his dad's cell phone. Of course, as soon as he spotted me with the camera, he had to pose. He is a natural ham. His grandpa jerked him around on the wagon pretty good. At one point while they were stopped to check the moisture in the bales, he requested that grandpa not change gears quite so much and just leave it alone. Grandpa just laughed.
I am off to the kitchen to can some tomatoes. They are coming on slowly. It seems to take a couple pickings to make enough to fill the canner. I don't think it is going to be a great year. Seems like they aren't quite ripened on the top, but are rotting on the bottom. Too much water I think. Never are quite satisfied with it are we???
Monday, September 3, 2007
Labor Day Holiday
I live in a household where a day off is actually a day to get lots done. Anyway that is how my hubby works. He cut hay last week and it all should be ready today. His dad has been here for at least two hours, putting new teeth on the rake and the new batteries into the tractor.
This weekend we hit a major milestone too. Saturday morning, Thomas went out to the hay field to ask his dad a question. Next thing I saw was Thomas in the seat and daddy riding the fender, showing him how to tedder hay. Then before long, Thomas was alone on the tractor and his daddy was working on something else, keeping an eye to the field. Sniff...sniff. I have been told by my in-laws that their kids were doing tractor stuff when they were a lot younger than Thomas. Many stories are told about this child or another driving the tractor with the baler, or raking a huge field of hay. I have held out as long as I could, but I suppose it is time and a right of passage. Thomas would have done it three years ago if we would have let him. He LOVES tractors.
So on this Labor Day Holiday, it won't be much of a holiday around here. The weather is warm and sunny with a little breeze blowing. Perfect hay drying weather. I sure am grateful for that rain we got, (about 12 inches in one month according to Dad's rain gauge) because third cutting is looking good.
This weekend we hit a major milestone too. Saturday morning, Thomas went out to the hay field to ask his dad a question. Next thing I saw was Thomas in the seat and daddy riding the fender, showing him how to tedder hay. Then before long, Thomas was alone on the tractor and his daddy was working on something else, keeping an eye to the field. Sniff...sniff. I have been told by my in-laws that their kids were doing tractor stuff when they were a lot younger than Thomas. Many stories are told about this child or another driving the tractor with the baler, or raking a huge field of hay. I have held out as long as I could, but I suppose it is time and a right of passage. Thomas would have done it three years ago if we would have let him. He LOVES tractors.
So on this Labor Day Holiday, it won't be much of a holiday around here. The weather is warm and sunny with a little breeze blowing. Perfect hay drying weather. I sure am grateful for that rain we got, (about 12 inches in one month according to Dad's rain gauge) because third cutting is looking good.
Saturday, September 1, 2007
Don't Get Your Hopes Up......
that is what I keep telling myself. We have a potential buyer for our gelding, Knolltop's Fact Finder, aka Snoopy. Isn't he handsome???
After Michigan All Morgan, trainer Mike said he was ready to be advertised, so I put him on three different "Horse For Sale" websites. I was thrilled with all the responses I got. One from Kansas requested a video. Through a bunch of stuff that was not my fault, no video has been produced yet. The lady even called me on the phone to make sure I knew how much she loved my horse. So last evening, she made the decision that she would just fly out to Michigan this coming weekend to see the horse. She is afraid someone else will buy him if she doesn't get out here SOON!
Here's where not getting my hopes up comes in. I have been in the horse business for about 10 years now, and selling them has not been my strong point. Collecting them, yes, but selling not so good. I have had many people through the years contact me after an ad runs, but then something happens and it would fall through. So in my mind I just can't believe that someone is going to buy this horse. I have an I will believe it when I cash the check mentality, that way I am not disappointed. I need to spend some time talking to God about it. He knows how this will end, so I need to leave it up to him.
Wednesday, August 29, 2007
Growing like weeds......
I think that phrase came about after raising meat chickens. Suzanna has a pen of chickens for the fair. At fair time, we will select the two that match the best and that will be her pen of two to show at the fair. These chicks GROW!!! I think you could stand in front of their pen and see them growing. The change in them from one day to the next is amazing. Of course, all they do is eat. They literally sit in their feed pan and eat...then sleep....then eat and occasionally they will stumble their way over to the water dish for a drink. I guess if I sat in the refrigerator and did nothing but eat, you could see me grow before your eyes too. Full body shiver...that is a scary thought!!!!
Last year, we got the birds late and nearly didn't make weight. There is a minimum that the two birds have to weigh in order to show. This year, thankfully, we got them about 15 days earlier and that shouldn't be an issue.
Last year, we got the birds late and nearly didn't make weight. There is a minimum that the two birds have to weigh in order to show. This year, thankfully, we got them about 15 days earlier and that shouldn't be an issue.
Tuesday, August 28, 2007
Weaning update......
Both foals are now weaned, and in their training programs. Lilly left nearly a month ago with the hope that she would be ready and special enough to head for the Morgan Breeders Sweepstakes over Labor Day weekend. This is a national sweepstakes offering a substantial amount of money if you place in the top 5. Typically there are about 25 foals that make their way to this show and go for the big money (first place is $25,000!!!!!) We bred a filly 6 years ago that went to this show and was 6th in the nation. What a thrill for our breeding program. That mare, Knolltop's Double Date, now lives in Vermont, the birthplace of the Morgan breed. She is loved by her owner, who says she will never part with her. I love it when our horses find homes like that.
Well, Lilly was assessed by the trainer last Tuesday, and it was decided that while she is VERY nice, she wasn't ready to show yet. This was a bummer to our family, since we had hoped to travel out to Springfield Illinois for her class and then spend some time exploring the historical sites in the town. But.....we also didn't want to spend a ton of money and come home with nothing to show for it. Gotta be practical, don't ya know. She will continue her training for a few more weeks, as she is also eligible for the Michigan Morgan Horse Breeders Sweepstakes, which is coming up the third weekend in September.
In the meantime, Henry was weaned nearly two weeks ago. He is also eligible for the same Michigan Sweepstakes as Lilly, so he needs to start his training. I hauled him to the trainers last Wednesday and awaited reports on his progress. The first couple were not good. It seems Henry had sunk into a depression. Yes, even horses can get depressed. See he was a really big "momma's boy" and being taken from his momma and stuck in his own stall didn't thrill him. But at least he could still see her. That was until we pushed him onto the trailer and gave him an hour ride. Of course, she is nowhere to be seen now, and no one answers when he whinnies. So he got depressed. To the point that the trainer began to think we sent him a "dud". I kept telling him he was a feisty guy at home, but he sure wasn't acting like it now.
So yesterday, the trainer let him outside for the afternoon. He is now a different horse. He got some fresh air and sunshine and feels good. He worked like a charm last night, standing up and posing, like he will need to do at the show.
Here's hoping that Knolltop Morgans will be well represented in the Michigan Morgan Breeders Sweepstakes. Only time will tell.
Well, Lilly was assessed by the trainer last Tuesday, and it was decided that while she is VERY nice, she wasn't ready to show yet. This was a bummer to our family, since we had hoped to travel out to Springfield Illinois for her class and then spend some time exploring the historical sites in the town. But.....we also didn't want to spend a ton of money and come home with nothing to show for it. Gotta be practical, don't ya know. She will continue her training for a few more weeks, as she is also eligible for the Michigan Morgan Horse Breeders Sweepstakes, which is coming up the third weekend in September.
In the meantime, Henry was weaned nearly two weeks ago. He is also eligible for the same Michigan Sweepstakes as Lilly, so he needs to start his training. I hauled him to the trainers last Wednesday and awaited reports on his progress. The first couple were not good. It seems Henry had sunk into a depression. Yes, even horses can get depressed. See he was a really big "momma's boy" and being taken from his momma and stuck in his own stall didn't thrill him. But at least he could still see her. That was until we pushed him onto the trailer and gave him an hour ride. Of course, she is nowhere to be seen now, and no one answers when he whinnies. So he got depressed. To the point that the trainer began to think we sent him a "dud". I kept telling him he was a feisty guy at home, but he sure wasn't acting like it now.
So yesterday, the trainer let him outside for the afternoon. He is now a different horse. He got some fresh air and sunshine and feels good. He worked like a charm last night, standing up and posing, like he will need to do at the show.
Here's hoping that Knolltop Morgans will be well represented in the Michigan Morgan Breeders Sweepstakes. Only time will tell.
Saturday, August 25, 2007
Backorder update......
I had mentioned in a previous blog that some of the girls school clothes were on backorder. The last of Suzanna's clothes arrived yesterday and in today's mail were Kathryn's skirts. All uniforms are now accounted for. Let the school days begin.
Nice to be normal
Last night was very nice. Our family had a very normal, quiet family evening. It has been awhile. We got into the habit of having a movie night last winter. Friday nights I would make homemade pizza and we would enjoy a movie. Of course, a new movie each week would get expensive, so I signed us up for Netflix. It is a great service which offers zillions of movies, sent to your home and have a return envelope to get them sent back. We get two movies at a time, and for under $12.00 a month. As quick as you send one back, they send another one you have selected in your file. I have discovered a bunch of the good old Wonderful World of Disney programs have been put over on DVD and can be ordered from Netflix.
With the onset of summer, we got out of the habit. Last evening we got back in. I made up the pizzas and we gathered around the good old movie "Support Your Local Sheriff". It was great. I guess that is one more sign that summer really is over.
With the onset of summer, we got out of the habit. Last evening we got back in. I made up the pizzas and we gathered around the good old movie "Support Your Local Sheriff". It was great. I guess that is one more sign that summer really is over.
Thursday, August 23, 2007
Daddy gets demerits
School has begun. The kids came home happy with life and the start of school.
I treated myself to a new perm and hair cut this afternoon. When daddy got home this evening, he didn't compliment the "new do". I was a bit hurt and commented on the fact that I had gotten a perm and did he notice???? He then proceeded to tell me how great it looked every time he walked through the room. Can you say to late mister?!?!?!?!? I jokingly asked the kids how many demerits should a daddy who didn't notice mommy's hair get?? They decided 25 was a good number and raced around to make him a demerit slip, complete with all three of their signatures. Typically at their school, 25 demerits would be a half hour detention after school. Daddy has requested 30 minutes at his desk with his eyes closed. The kids said he had to stay awake for it to count. Never know what our kids will come up with next.
I treated myself to a new perm and hair cut this afternoon. When daddy got home this evening, he didn't compliment the "new do". I was a bit hurt and commented on the fact that I had gotten a perm and did he notice???? He then proceeded to tell me how great it looked every time he walked through the room. Can you say to late mister?!?!?!?!? I jokingly asked the kids how many demerits should a daddy who didn't notice mommy's hair get?? They decided 25 was a good number and raced around to make him a demerit slip, complete with all three of their signatures. Typically at their school, 25 demerits would be a half hour detention after school. Daddy has requested 30 minutes at his desk with his eyes closed. The kids said he had to stay awake for it to count. Never know what our kids will come up with next.
And just like that......
they are back to school!!!!!
This morning our three went back to school. They are happy and excited and momma is a bit down in the dumps. I can't believe how fast the summer went! We have had a great summer. The kids have been able to relax, enjoy life and not have the pressure of school and music lessons and all the rest of the structure that goes with being in school. That is over for a while. I suppose it is time, but it sure came quick.
Suzanna was doing chores last night with me and we were talking about how hectic the next month will be. We will start music lessons after the Labor Day weekend, and that makes one more thing on the schedule. But the biggest thing on the horizon is getting ready for our county fair.
Ours is the last one in the state and runs the last week in September. That makes the next month very busy. Most of the projects that could be done ahead of time are done. But there are still heifers to lead and a rabbit to work with each day, or close to it. That all gets added to homework and music practice. As tough as it is, I wouldn't trade the time of year our fair happens. Oh yes, we can have ANYTHING when it comes to weather. I showed my heifers in a snow storm one year. Another year there were tornado warnings during the afternoon I was showing my horse. But more likely we will get a couple days of rain (three years ago it rained EVERY day!!), or a couple really cold days.....but then there are the perfect, crystal clear fall days. There's nothing like strolling down the midway to get your fair food on a day like that. Those days make up for a lot of the nasty stuff.
So off we go, charging into another year. Wasn't Suzanna just starting Kindergarten a few short years ago???? And it had to be just last week the twins went off for their first day!?!?!?!?! No, she is in 6th grade this year and they are in 3rd. All to fast and going faster!!!!!!
This morning our three went back to school. They are happy and excited and momma is a bit down in the dumps. I can't believe how fast the summer went! We have had a great summer. The kids have been able to relax, enjoy life and not have the pressure of school and music lessons and all the rest of the structure that goes with being in school. That is over for a while. I suppose it is time, but it sure came quick.
Suzanna was doing chores last night with me and we were talking about how hectic the next month will be. We will start music lessons after the Labor Day weekend, and that makes one more thing on the schedule. But the biggest thing on the horizon is getting ready for our county fair.
Ours is the last one in the state and runs the last week in September. That makes the next month very busy. Most of the projects that could be done ahead of time are done. But there are still heifers to lead and a rabbit to work with each day, or close to it. That all gets added to homework and music practice. As tough as it is, I wouldn't trade the time of year our fair happens. Oh yes, we can have ANYTHING when it comes to weather. I showed my heifers in a snow storm one year. Another year there were tornado warnings during the afternoon I was showing my horse. But more likely we will get a couple days of rain (three years ago it rained EVERY day!!), or a couple really cold days.....but then there are the perfect, crystal clear fall days. There's nothing like strolling down the midway to get your fair food on a day like that. Those days make up for a lot of the nasty stuff.
So off we go, charging into another year. Wasn't Suzanna just starting Kindergarten a few short years ago???? And it had to be just last week the twins went off for their first day!?!?!?!?! No, she is in 6th grade this year and they are in 3rd. All to fast and going faster!!!!!!
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