Getting ready for winter

Starting with the hay for the cattle, I am moving bales today and it looks like I'll be getting a bit of help from Molly my gentle giant. 

Family Outing

I feel  so blessed that Mom is still able to go on our family outings.

She will be 89 on the 30th of this month.

And of course Sparkey and Jim enjoyed themselves, they are inseparable when Jims home. 

Sparkey is always so calm on his road trips, it's alway look straight ahead and don't miss a thing! 

Finished cattle guard, a hiccup on digging and mom's first time riding a lift.

We have the cattle guard complete one thing to check off! :)

We also would have had the basement hole finished but Sunday we ran into a rock literally, a really big rock!

There is also a smaller one close to where Jim is standing, but it won't take long to remove that one

So it looks like we have to fork out the money this weekend and rent an air compressor and Jack hammer to take the tops off. We borrowed a small jack hammer from Jim's brother, but it's to small for the job, hoping it's not to expensive to rent come Friday. The glass is still half full at least we only need it for the weekend. (This may be the first hiccup, unfortunately, I'm sure it won't be the last).
Mom got a ride Sunday at church, after the revival we were having dinner in the basement and this is the only way I could get her there. On the way down she was not happy with me but she was more comfortable when using it on the way up and actually smiled.

Also in the photo is a friend of mine and a gentleman from church. They were sweet and walked up with Mom while I pulled the truck around the front of the building.

vacation, home and new little ones

We had a really nice vacation! I told hubby we need to do this at least once every couple years :)

But it felt so good to see our driveway again!

It was nice to realize the next morning that nothing had changed.....short britches (Dexter calf) got into the yard and was trying to reach into the goat pin to eat their food. Gilbert (my goat) was as usual not happy about it....

The little guy (Rosie's calf) is now three weeks old, the poor girl can't take care of him by herself (developed a problem last year and now doesn't produce enough milk) so she brings him up twice a day and we give him a bottle.

Rosie still loves to lick the bottle after her baby is finished....

We did have a nice get together on July 4th, my 4 month old grand daughter was amazed by the fireworks...

My nephew's favorite thing was the desert...

Hubby and I went to a goat farm last week to get a 2 month old male goat...but we also fell in love with a 3 month old girl so we came home with both! Above is their family :) I have pictures of the new arrivals but can't seem to get them to load so maybe next post. The couple that have the farm are very nice, the kind of people you feel right at home pulling up a chair and talking a bit with.....of course we more or less did just that.....she even taught me a few things I didn't know about goats. All in all so far its been an eventful July!

Nutrigrain mill and long awaited vacation!

I learned an important lesson "if you get points letters in the mail check it out" My husband has to stay in a motel because his job is 5 hours from our home well he has been getting these letters in the mail (that I sadly ignored) about reward points for over 4 years because of staying in these motels....we thought it was just for free nights but since we don't get away that often I never checked into it....but hubby decided to check into it about a month ago and found out it was not just for free stays in the motel you can purchase hundreds of different items with your points! He had over 200,000 points so I got on the site and found something I have been wanting for years!! So happy :) and it was only 74,000 points

Next I purchased berries: 25 pounds each of spring white wheat and red wheat, 5 pounds each of rye, barley, spelt and 2 buckets with locking seals for the red and white wheat.

I was so excited to start grinding my flour! The first batch I made was rather disheartening they were rather heavy and dense so I decided to change a few ingredients here and there, then after more a couple more batches I ended up going back to the recipe Whole Wheat Honey Bread from a book I got a while back but I also added 1 tablespoon dough enhancer with 1 teaspoon water and I love it! the bread is light and airy and also make a great sandwich bread, I have made three batches of 2 loaves each since then and they have all turned out great. There is something about grinding berries into flour that is so exhilarating It makes me feel that this is one more thing I can control! The bread is not as light and airy as store bought white but I am slowly getting there and the flavor is so much better!

We are also finally using the vacation my husbands boss gave him three years ago! :) we are going (with two of our grandchildren) to Pigeon Forge Tenn for four days and Franklin NC for two. This is thanks to my youngest daughter that volunteered to set with my Mom and tend to our animals this coming week and thanks to our oldest for letting us take both her children. Excited!!

So fun being a Nanny!

This has been such a happy and busy week, although it didn't start that way....

We had more ice than snow fall last Saturday so we could not get out our 3/4 mile drive Sunday or Monday. Most days this is okay with me, but since my daughters floor was getting the finishing touches done and she was with us....and 6 days over due I was a nervous wreck! My Mom (I am her caregiver) was all excited she kept going on and on about how her mom (my grandma) was a midwife and how many children my grandma delivered and how many mom got to assist with and she could deliver the baby herself and my daughters whatever will be will be attitude.....between both of them I had my hands full! :)

The little one decided to wait until the inducing on Tuesday and by then we could get out our drive. :) she was born at 2:17pm and weighed 7lb 15 oz. I am one proud Nanny and icing on the cake her house will not be ready until later this week so I get to hold her every day (when her mommy doesn't have her)

And then of course there is great Grandma (my mom) that also gets her turn, here is great grandma burping her (this little lady is going to be so spoiled!) 

I wish this weather would make up its mind! This picture was taken the day after the baby was born, my son and I had the kids at the park and it was beautiful out. The weatherman (hope he is wrong) says we will be getting another storm in a few days....

Fun at the park

My son having fun with the little one's, so far this month has been so nice we have spent many days at the park...... Oh I had to hide behind the tree to get this, a picture that is posed for is never as cute....love you son  :) On the giveaway I have not heard from Susy, Susy if you notice this please email me your address I'll wait until November 11 then draw another name. Hope everyone has a great weekend!

Home

I had a really nice five days with hubby, so glad his boss suggested I go with him! :) hubby was in class during the day but in the evenings we had dinner together, since he has been gone so much the last five years it was really fun, I enjoyed ever minute. I was surprised though (not in a good way) the classes were in Nashville Tennessee and I kinda expected friendly down home relaxed people........not saying all of Nashville is like this, but the people I met would not even return my "hi" and it surprised me how many people don't even bother to speak English . I know this sounds weird but when I don't understand the language I feel like people are talking about me.....I know I'm a bit weird.... :) my grand daughter got to go with us, her and I spent one day at the Opryland mills

This was the highlight of her trip, we stayed for hours with her setting and watching the fish. 

She was smiling for this picture until (I didn't realize it was set on a timer) just as I snapped the photo it moved and made a noise........she wouldn't stand next to it for another photo.....

Hubby works hard, long hours away from home so he stays in a motel 5/6 nights a week, (I'm glad he loves his job) but what goes with it is not so great. I feel so sorry for him now, I did not realize how uncomfortable staying in a motel can be! The bed was too hard, the pillows too soft and there seems to be (at night) people either talking in the hallway (loudly) or someone slamming a door and on top of that during the day people on the highway are rude and then in person most people are even worse....it felt so good to get home today. I stopped by the post office to get the mail and it took me a good half an hour to leave because I kept running into people that wanted to just talk, hubby only had time to take a nap, pack another weeks worth of clothes and head back......miss him already, but I understand why he says every time he gets back "its good to be home"

And why he sets and stares at the fire when we are burning brush

Or watches the cows in the field for long stretches.......this is his down time.....his reality check from the rat race that he deals with day in and day out

With grand daughter

And both daughters

And most important his time to relax with family, I think after this short trip I went on with him its made me realize why when he is home that's where he wants to stay and why it's always seemed so important to have his "home cooked meals" its his reality check, his reminder this is why he is working long hours and staying in motels and putting up with rude people daily. Sometimes I think its good to walk in someone else's shoes for a bit, it makes you realize how lucky and blessed you are, at least it did me.......now just waiting for hubby to call and let me know he made the 6 hour drive to the motel safe and sound again, then I can climb in my nice comfy bed with a better understanding of the dear sweet, hard working man that my hubby is. All in all I had a nice trip but like hubby says "its good to be home"  :)

Nashville bound :)

Been kinda down lately seems like the more the Dr changes my medicine and diet the worse I feel.....don't think that's the way it should work :) I am feeling better lately, I think it has more to do with the Mediterranean Diet and I think the low salt is starting to make me feel better also...........just in time :) hubby has some classes to take this coming week in Nashville Tennessee for work and his boss called and told him to take me with him! Soooo excited the last vacation we took (that lasted more than two days) I think was our honeymoon and that was 27 years ago. My youngest daughter is going to stay with Mom for the week (thanks Kay love you) and also take care of our animals. Hubby will be in class from 8-5 so Sidney (forgot we also get to take her with us) and I will walk around and see the sites! I have never taken a cab so this will be a first :) I think our motel is a few miles from Opryland so excited can't wait for Monday to get here!

 My grandson with his mom (my oldest daughter) on his first day of kindergarten last month. Love this picture had to put it in :)

Reminiscing, College Graduation and the garden....

This post starts out with a bit of reminiscing....

Hubby and I on May 24, 1986, this week makes 27 years that I have been married to my best friend! :)

Our oldest daughter Mel and son Jake at Halloween.... I think the "looking through old photos" this morning was because I have been feeling just a tiny bit like "were did the time go"! and I want it back kinda thing. My baby graduated last May from High School and my oldest just graduated from her first college this week. Now (for her) two more colleges to go and my son starts back in the fall, my babies, I finally realized grew up on me!

Both our girls

Melissa does stand out in a crowd always has haha..... (they let her dye her hair pink for graduation, but would not allow combat boots), she says just one more year of play, at her graduation next May she has to grow up, no more being silly with hair etc.....then for the last four years of college, she said will be time to grow up  :(

All three of our babies together on the left and hubby and our daughter on the right, the graduation was very special, kinda sad for me...but very special....now on to other things...

Our grand daughter is so silly...she comes running in the other day and says nanny...Got Milk?

I took a nasty fall a few day before the garden could finally be planted.....my luck.... was wondering what I was going to do because it had to be planted, they were prediction rain the next day (again)  and the ground just was dry enough to plant. I did get it tilled, the way I felt it took me the better part of the day! When I was starting to plant my sister, youngest daughter and her boyfriend came out and planted the whole garden for me! :) I told them I felt loved! The only thing left to plant is the Marigold's around the garden. :)

Einstein came out from hiding for a while today, she has a nest somewhere but I have not been able to find it yet (she is the one on the back right with the top knot). I am hoping the nest is close to home so nothing will get her at night....

 

 

Birthday and Graduation Party

Hubby finally had a day off so we had a (kinda late) graduation party for my daughter at the same time as my grand daughters 6th birthday party.

Don't understand why but in the middle of summer my daughter is still wearing her funny hats..... :) This was actually her second graduation party, we had one for her and her friends on the weekend after graduation and they camped out in the fields overnight. This party was for her and her family

My grand daughter with her cake pictured with her brother on the left and one of her cousins in the middle, grandma Jackie made her cake.

We had about 40 people show up

 Mom loves any reason to get together and visit, she had a good time...

and so did the kids

Graduation 2012

We had a very full and happy week, my daughter graduated from high school (my baby) and my grand daughter graduated from kindergarten. Can you say feeling kinda old.......

They did something different for kindergarten graduation this year, instead having it in the gym they had a play day at the park. The school provided lunch for the kids and everyone attending and the kids got to spend 6 hours playing at the park, then after lunch received their diplomas. We enjoyed this a lot better, it was a fun day for the children and also the friends and family of the children! :)

My daughter's graduation was in the gym and was packed full of people with happy smiling faces. I thought I could handle my youngest graduating but I am sad to say when she walked up on stage to get her diploma all I could see was my little girls face on her first day of kindergarten. They grow up so fast, it seems like only yesterday I had to talk her down from a tree she had climbed 10 foot up in and said she loved it and would stay there fowever! I said I would not cry I would smile and be happy for her, I almost made it if it were not for the walking across stage......

My nephew also graduated, my Mom said she never got her twins and they were so close in age she always called these two her twins. They were very good friends from childhood up, directly after graduation the kids young adults participated in a student lock down from 10pm to 6am. They could swim and play all night (there were teacher chaperons) and they were all entered to win prizes. They all received a set of luggage and $25 gas cards at the end of the lock down, so everyone got something and they had a lot of fun.

River Wedding

My nephew got married last Saturday to a very sweet girl (my new niece) :) at the river where our family have a lot of happy memories. Here are a few of the photos although my I-Phone does not do them justice it was so beautiful, wish my Dad could have seen it he could have even worn his overalls!

May 19,2012

My nephews on either side of their Grandma (my Mom) photo left. They would not smile for me the brats! :)

The groom & groomsmen arriving in the john boats on the right

The Groom as he stepped off the boat on the left......had to get a close up of the casual shoes he wore :)

The ring bearer and flower girl on the left

The Bride (on right) arriving on her boat with her two sweet boys that are giving her away.

Walking the bride down the isle

The bride and groom having a song sang to them from long time friends

Saying vows and exchanging rings

Bride and Groom giving a Rose to the Grooms Mom on left and Grooms Grandma on the Right. (My Mom and Sister). The Bride gave Roses to her parents also but regrettably I could not get a good picture.

The kiss.....I thought the little ring bearer on the right was just too cute!

Dancing down the isle was just the right touch (music playing, I'm all right), my nephew has always done things just a little different :)  we all love them both so much.

The Bride will have her hands full!

 The Bride and Groom walking down to their boat

The Groom pushing the boat off

The bride and groom headed down river to meet their wedding party for pictures

The wedding party headed down river to meet the Bride and Groom

Bride and Groom getting off the bus after taking pictures

The Bride and grooms table on left and on the right the gift table, the bird cage held their cards.

Their friends and the Brides family did a really great job with the food, tent and decorations!

Cutting the cake.....and what would a wedding cake be without a little bit on the face

First dance as a couple

Groom on the left dancing with his Mom (my sister).                       Bride dancing with her Dad on right

The Groom walking his Grandma up for a dance (notice the walker) Mom can't walk very well without it....but we found out she can still dance without it though! My nephew said Mom was leading him! She always loved to dance and had danced on stage starting at the age of three until she turned eight. She said she has not had so much fun dancing in a very long time. (it didn't have anything to do with dancing with one of her spoilt grandsons!) wink wink!

We left shortly after the party started, hubby worked 11 hours and had to drive 4 hours to get there and he was tired also had to work next day and Mom needed to get home. I heard the party lasted until 2am and they had a lot of fun and ended by camping out at the river.