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.

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.

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.

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.

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?

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.