Goats and lights

We took 2 goats to a friend’s house to be bred.  We hope.  Babe and Kendra will have babies in the early spring.  We know it is a little later than what we would like for 4-H, but Evie can show them in open class.  We shall see what happens. We did want to get them bred a little sooner, but I have been a bit preoccupied with other problems.  I hope they like their new boyfriend. I think he seems pretty handsome.  

I enjoyed the drive home. The sunset was beautiful, there were combines everywhere harvesting beans. 

And blocking up the roads.  I don’t mind going around, it won’t last too much longer! 

It always amazes me how when they harvest the beans, there is nothing left behind. No stems, stalks etc.  it is probably because the combine completely pulverizes the plants.  And we have had so little rain the dust was sort of just hanging everywhere.   

I wasn’t home long before Mallory showed up.  We went out to try to see the northern lights.  We were successful.   I want to go to Alaska at some point, but for now, this’ll do. 

I am excited about the weekend. Like always!  

 

the business of living

Time is flying by this week.  I think throwing away the sling and returning to normal life has helped my mood, and definitely gotten me back on a schedule.  My shoulder is stiff, and occasionally, I find myself reaching for something or trying to do something and am not able to accomplish it, but overall, much improved.  I will go back for a re-check and start physical therapy next week, although I have decided this will be done on my terms.  I am out of vacation time at work, I am out of patience for medical stuff, and although I am a huge believer in the power of PT, I just think the best way is to jump back into life and use the darn thing.  Ask Jim how I do things if you want a break down.   (Love you Jim).  

Also, it is impossible to be in a bad mood when this little nugget entertains your life.  She escapes through the dog door!  Little skunk!  Luckily, their back yard is fenced in....although I would guess she would have zero issues scaling the fence if she really wanted to.  She makes my days happy.  

Last night, I had a township board meeting.  I pulled over twice to take photos because the sunset was just amazing.  The pictures somehow don't do justice to it.  I have a weird fascination with the sky, and a desire to take photos all the time.  I thank my mother, who supported my "photography" start, (but also limited me due to the cost of developing film).  My mother was a huge believer in allowing us to try things.  If we wanted to try to be a photographer, she bought a camera.  Wanted to learn about fish?  We buy an aquarium.  And I will tell you, I wanted to try a lot of things.  I still do.  Luckily, Jim is (mostly) supportive of my insanity, and I appreciate them both- because I have led a life where I have been allowed to explore all sorts of hobbies, career choices, and basic hoarding of random useless knowledge on a variety of topics.  We have tried to extend this to our children as well.  Currently, Harper is slowly learning to drive.  She is worried about taking the written test, because she has heard all the horror stories.  Heck, she has been held captive at the DMV half of her life!  She has been studying, with her goal being to take the written portion of the test over winter break.  We are purchasing a car for her from Quincy (Ethel).  This week, as I went back to driving the bus, I told her it would be ok if she drove the car to the end of our driveway, parked it and then drive it back at the end of the day.  She went with me, practiced driving and turning around.  Yesterday, she stayed home sick, but decided to meet the bus and give Saige a ride after school.  Now, when i showed her how to drive, I had her turn around in the yard, but somehow she decided to turn around in the road.  She backed into the ditch.  I didn't take photos because she was pretty upset.  Jim had city council, so we didn't want to bother him.  I tried to tow it out, but failed.  Luckily, our neighbor saw what we were doing, and he was able to push it out.  I am thankful for our neighbors, the Moon's.  They moved here a few years ago, and they really are amazing neighbors, and friends.  Harper was not hurt, the car was not hurt, and we have definitely all been there!  :)  

While I was waiting for the neighbor to bring supplies over, I took a picture of these morning glories I just planted a couple weeks ago.  They are already growing up the rock wall (which was what I hoped they would do).  I just love them!  

And also, my roses have started blooming.  I hope they live through the winter, or I will be very sad!  They are the perfect shade of pink, and brighten the area up so nicely!

Madison sent me this "how to be a good friend" paper that Evie did at school.  I had to text all of my friends and apologize, because I have never kicked any crocodiles.  I didn't realize I was such a bad friend! 

And speaking of friends, this is my new friend.  Also known as Hope fell victim to a viral video, and just couldn't stop thinking about all the amazing ways I could use it!  Yes, sometimes my brain works like that.  So far, I have cleaned my stove, which did NOT work like the video, my dining room door, which did NOT work like the video, my bathtub, which actually worked quite well, but was incredibly time consuming, and the love seat, which worked well.  I give it a sold B.  How long will this phase last?  Nobody knows.  But I figure, it was cheap! And am I actually hurting anyone?  My hobbies could be so much worse! 

 

just a couple things

This is a really bad picture, but Harper and Saige are serving as officers together - Saige as secretary, Harper as VP.  They do a good job of leading things.  Harper saw me pull out the camera and dove for shelter.  No worries, there is a whole year here!  :)  

Cameron worked the Chief's game last night.  He had to pick someone to cheer for in the crucial catch game.  (Cancer awareness)  He picked my grandparents.  It was very sweet.  

Harper traveled to marching band competition yesterday.  I was laughing at her description of the event.  She is reluctant to look like she is having a good time.  I guess 'fake it til you make it' doesn't apply to her!  :)  

Jim is still down, and now Harper has joined him in the land of fever and misery.  

Bus driving has been fine so far.  Well, my arm has been fine anyway.  This group of kids is a bunch of hard headed learners!  :)

Is it Friday?

 

Sunday funbag

Aaahhh my favorite!  Sunday!  We went to mass, ran a few errands and then came home to start the smoker because I found ribs on sale this weekend!  Nothing like a beautiful day, some house cleaning, smoker and a football game going in the background.  

Except the day wasn’t quite perfect due to Jim being sick.  I’m thinking he may have the junk Saige has had, or perhaps he caught something new.  Either way, he was supposed to go early fishing with Andrew and a friend, but ended up cancelling and crawling back in bed.  I did grab him some meds while I was running errands, and I did make him some soup.  I’m sure he will be ok in a day or 2, but for today, misery.  And sadness over missing his fishing trip.  I warned the kids who had planned to come for Sunday dinner, and they decided that since we were all together yesterday, they were already exposed.   Jim mostly slept in bed, so he wasn’t really around them today anyway.  Hoping nobody else gets sick.  Here I come with my bleach spray again. 

I’m glad the kids went ahead and came over.  It is always fun to spend time with them.  Cameron and Lauren were in Lawrence at Shaake’s, with Lauren’s cousins.  When they were done, Lauren went back to spend time with her family who was visiting from out of town, and Cameron came and spent the afternoon here with us.   I enjoyed getting caught up with him.  I also liked the pictures.  So cute!  Always love Shaake’s!  

Although using a wheel barrel is cheating - Cameron you know the rules.  You can get any pumpkins you want, but you have to carry them!  Kids today- always breaking the rules!  

Colin texted me.  He was in Hungry Mother national park.  I had never heard of this, although it does look amazing and beautiful.  I had to search for it on the map.  I asked why they were having to rebuild lines so far inland- was it from flooding?  He said no heavy winds had knocked a bunch of trees over and tore down lines. He seemed to think when they are done there they would be headed back home.

Tomorrow I start back driving the bus.  I am not sad to return - bus para duty has not been my favorite thing.  I practiced driving Friday and again today. I am thankful for my mom risking her life to make sure I was ready (just kidding - it was completely fine).  

Since Jim is sick, and the girls have been riding with me to town they haven’t really been riding the bus to school- but will have to tomorrow.  Last year, Quincy drove them to the end of the driveway and waited for the bus.  I decided to teach Harper to drive the spare car down the driveway so they don’t have to wait outside in the dark.  Let’s just say she did just fine, but I believe she will be opting to walk.  She will be doing a few more practice runs but in the daylight!   ;)

And just like that- weekend is over.  Back to reality I guess.  

 

What the …..

 

Have you ever looked forward to the weekend, not because you knew it wasn’t going to be busy, but because it would be something different to do?   That’s how I was going into this weekend.  

Last night, Jim and I were going to get supplies for a barn project, goat and chicken food, and people groceries.  When I got home from bus para duty, I made a list, cleaned out the refrigerator and downloaded my coupons.  And then sat down and promptly fell sound asleep in the chair.  When Jim got home he seemed beat too, and so rather than get our errands done, we watched tv and procrastinated.  Mallory came by.   We visited with her.  And then we went right back to tv watching.  We knew it wasn’t going to help our Saturday,  but sometimes ya just need to veg out!  We made plans to go on Saturday morning, and be home in plenty of time to then go to Ottawa for a fundraiser for Harper.  

I heard a little from Colin.  I believe he is still in Virginia.  He is in the mountains and was happy that Appalachia power gave them a side by side to get up and down the mountains.  He said he got to watch them setting lines with a helicopter and cutting trees from a helicopter.  I’m not sure how much longer he will be there, but it sounds like he is seeing a lot and learning a lot.  

Jim and I got to town a little later than we planned.  We got our errands done, including a stop at tractor supply where I squealed with delight at seeing there Halloween decor on sale!   I told Jim I wanted one of the posable skeletons.  He smiled and said we should get 2 and put them in compromising positions.  I said one is enough!  The neighbors will complain.  Into the cart it went.  About that time an employee pointed out the dog costumes.  Jim looked at me, and asked if it was ok if we got Carlos’ Halloween costume - I promise you this was completely Jim.   Let me tell you, Carlos is gonna look GOOD on Halloween!  

Harper had another CWF fundraiser this evening.  She and I worked a concession stand at the Ottawa Fairboard's demolition derby.  I don't think it was as busy as it has been in the past, but I was ok with that, as my arm doesn't work quite as well as it has in the past!  :)  

My cousin had her wedding reception tonight.  Madison made the cupcakes for it.  It looks like Wrenley had fun playing outside with Papa Larry!  Since Harper and I were working, we didn't get to go to the party, nor to our neighbor kid's wedding.  

We almost didn't make it to the concession stand either!  Jim and I got real, real lucky today.  We were headed home from town.  He was driving along, luckily not at a real fast speed, when we had what we thought was a blow out.  Turns out the lag bolts had all come undone, and the lug nuts were all missing off of his tire!  I don't know how the wheel didn't completely fly off the truck, but it didn't, and Jim was able to get pulled off the road.  It could have been really, really bad.  

We called Andrew, who had the girls with him and was just leaving Topeka.  He agreed to come help Jim repair the truck.  We also called Mallory, who drove over and picked me (and our groceries) up from off the side of the road.  Jim and Andrew headed back to town for parts, and they did get the truck repaired and home safely!  I am thankful for family support!

The good part?  We got to see the grandkids for a little bit!  Evie named the skeleton "Skully" and she absolutely loves him!  Wrenley kept putting her hands in his mouth!

I am so thankful tonight.  That we weren't hurt, for Andrew's mechanical skills, for adult children who are willing to jump in and help out, and for the weekend, where even though it is insane, at least it is a different kind of insane than on week days!

Trying

This week has been trying.  I thought I had my physical therapy all set up.  I found out that the local people don't take our insurance.  The next closest place can't fit me in until late December.  Seriously?  Tell me again why universal health care is a bad thing?  Never mind, you don't have time to have this conversation with me.  I did manage to get a therapist, but I will have to drive into Lawrence.  I was hoping this would be something I could go to a couple times, and they could give me some stuff to do at home.  I am not opposed to physical therapy, however, I am opposed to taking more time off work, driving to town a couple days a week, and I guarantee when push comes to shove, my insurance isn't going to end up paying for it anyway.  Have I mentioned I would like to have back all the hours I have spent in my adulthood talking to insurance?  Ok enough of that.  My arm truly is feeling much better.  Yes, it is stiff.  Yes, I am being careful with it.  And yes, I know I have a long way to go to get back to normal, however it is much better.   I have been able to return to mowing, was able to fix fence (thanks to Harper and Saige helping), and I have managed to keep up with my part of chores now.  

On to other topics.  Dwight is the sweetest little kitty.  I am pleased with how well he is eating, and using his little litter box.  He is already growing.  This weekend, I am planning to try again with eating out of a dish rather than the syringe.  I think it is hilarious when we photograph him, he looks completely feral and insane.  He isn't....he is just not photogenic - like his adopted mom.  

You know who is feral?  Wren!  Only kidding!  She is a wild woman, with a lot of exploring to do!  She had her 15 month check up this week where she weighed 20 pounds, and had a head circumference in the 96th percentile (a hat tip to her Poppy).  It warms my heart to see Evelyn with her- she sure does love her baby sissy!

Sadly, I have missed a couple of painting classes, and they were cute ones.  I saw this little craft and thought I could handle it with limited use of my right hand (my left hand is sort of useless with crafts and writing).  It turned out a little more wild than I planned, but I did accomplish some fine motor skills here.  :)  

I thought Colin was sent to Ashville, NC.  I was wrong.  He has been in Ashland, KY.  They finished restoring power there, and he has been moved to Virginia.  The photos he sent are absolutely breathtaking!  Not just beautiful, but dancing at the top of poles literally gives me anxiety!  The boy loves his job, and he loves that he is helping.  I am so proud of him.  Every once in a while, you find someone who loves what they do - Colin is one such case.  I could never do what he does - but I am so thankful that someone is willing...I love the grid.  Shamelessly.  While he is gone, Spencer has been busy with wedding planning.  Now that she is finished with her Master's degree, they have more time for the wedding!

Cameron reports that the new witch brew shake at Sonic is not good.  It looks terrible.  I'll take his word for it, and not order that nonsense!

Wrenley got a book at her 15 month checkup!  She was so excited!

Headed into the weekend - anticipating a much needed break!