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.
Wednesday, August 29, 2007
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!!!!!!
Wednesday, August 22, 2007
What a blessing!!
I have to share the wonderful blessing our family received last evening. We went to the kids school orientation. It is an opportunity to cover any changes from last year to this year, meet the staff, introduce new families, etc. During the evening, the school's accountant got to do his announcements relating to tuition, lab fees, and such. He also announced some winners.
This past spring, the school held a "jog-a-thon". This was an opportunity for the kids to send letters to various family and friends, requesting that they pledge money against the number of laps the kids would walk in the span of half an hour. The school capped the laps at 25, so that the kids wouldn't "break the bank" on people. There were awards announced of credits toward tuition for the top three fundraising families. I didn't give that any thought, we just did our part for the school. All three kids completed their 25 laps, got to have a picnic and fun at a local park. End of story......or so I thought. Well, to our family's shock and amazement, we were the top family. This gave us a credit of $750.00 on our tuition bill. We are all so thankful to God for this blessing. That credit will pay for a lot of trips to school and back. Thank You, Lord!
This past spring, the school held a "jog-a-thon". This was an opportunity for the kids to send letters to various family and friends, requesting that they pledge money against the number of laps the kids would walk in the span of half an hour. The school capped the laps at 25, so that the kids wouldn't "break the bank" on people. There were awards announced of credits toward tuition for the top three fundraising families. I didn't give that any thought, we just did our part for the school. All three kids completed their 25 laps, got to have a picnic and fun at a local park. End of story......or so I thought. Well, to our family's shock and amazement, we were the top family. This gave us a credit of $750.00 on our tuition bill. We are all so thankful to God for this blessing. That credit will pay for a lot of trips to school and back. Thank You, Lord!
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