Maybe SomeDay

 David and Leah announced they are expecting in January 2024. They went over to mom's to tell her and as Rachel says, "She has the best one liners."

I'm not sure what the count is now. We had a good walk, hot but good, the clouds were coming in which helped a little. After the walk we got a few sprinkles but when the clouds rolled back it became like a steam bath with real feel in the upper 90s.  I drove to Aldi for groceries while Mark headed out to the old 5th wheel to replace the parts that got ruined. On the way home from Aldi two notices came in. The people in the Wildcat sent the first message, their daughter's team lost so they will be leaving today.  The people in the foaling apartment sent their message a couple hours later and it was the same message. Different teams but again, their daughter's team lost so they will be leaving today. Just before getting on the route 9 bridge for home I got stopped by a long slow train. 

Finally the gates lifted, the lights turned green and we were good to go that is until we got on the bridge. There were at least 4 cars ahead of me and both lanes of traffic full when both lanes came to a screeching halt. I couldn't see why for a while then finally saw, a flock of geese had landed and slowly walked across the bridge before taking to the air and flying away.  Everyone stopped while those geese took their time crossing. That was kind of nice to see.

The groceries were all put away before going out to check Mark's work. Below is the brand new plug plugged into the brand new outlet. 

The camper was working perfectly. The air conditioner was on and had the camper nice and cool. I went back to the house and took the airbnb block off so it can now be rented. Then it was time to start doing the laundry from both the Wildcat and the apartment. I had both machines going the rest of the day.  The guests in the Wildcat not only used every bed they even had 2 extra sheets on one of the beds. The apartment also had a lot of laundry, this renter only had 3 people and a dog but the dog got her own bed made up of both throws and a sheet. Lots and lots of wet towels were also in the pile. I was working on the last loads when Rhoda and Lee pulled up with  Iris and Zeke. They were coming to help Phil and Anna on the barn so the kids came with me on the golf cart to change the washing machine.

We took the kids to the barn at 6:15 pm so we could leave for church. Joan brought Taegan and Kensley tonight and those girls sat up front with Berlica and Lisa's daughter Cheyenne. Tim Roecker had the message tonight first on Job and then Acts. Cheyenne and Kensley rode in our car on our way to Culver's.

We were the first to arrive so these two girls got a table for the younger girls and enjoyed visiting with each other while they drank their sodas and waited for their food. 

We had a big group come to Culvers and needed lots of tables. No pictures we were too busy visiting. Nancy and Cheryl told us about their gospel Hawaiian cruise and how they visited 4 of the islands. Some day I want to do that. 

Hope They Hold Off

 There was no reason to get up to the barn early so this morning I took my time not getting out of bed until 5:15 am. After cooking and eating breakfast the golf cart was used to swing by to check Sheena and Jury's udders. Sheena is bagging up but not yet ready and Jury's is still flat. On the walk we stopped and admired all the hair on the ground by Karin's car. It all came off of Karin's dog Studly, not Farkash the German Shepherd standing in the middle of the hair.

I quit before 8:00 am so I had time to stop at Kroger to pick up a coffee cake for the Berean volunteers except when I got into the car and pushed the start button the car was completely dead. The back doors had been left open on Friday and the light on drained the battery. No problem, I walked up to the barn, got in the truck only to find the truck was empty of gas, the gas gauge was reading below E and the warning sign flashing low fuel. That meant a trip to Casey's to fill the truck. Gas has dropped to $3.69.9 a gallon. This bidenomics is REALLY hurting the poor folks and even us middle class folks.

As long as I was at Casey's I picked up donuts and flips instead of going to Kroger. We had a very busy morning at the Berean office. If interested in reading about our morning there click HERE. I stayed to finish printing 50 each of the study numbers 5, 6, 7, and 8. Mark was home by the time I got home. He had gone to Tricounty RV to pick up some needed items to fix the 5th wheel plug. He spent some time talking to the owners and was impressed with their business. We had a treat for supper tonight. Beth made pizza, lots of different kinds of pizza from the Giant Goose Ranch restaurant and she and Greg brought it here for everyone. We met at mom's and enjoyed feasting and visiting with each other. After the pizza party was over we stopped in at the barn to check out the progress today. Phil had the kitchen sink faucet installed.

That big box on the sink belongs on the other side of the building not in the kitchen. The chair legs and the end tables arrived and Anna had them set up.

The guests in the Wildcat 5th wheel needed the gray water tank emptied. The guest came out as I was emptying the tank, watched how I did it and will do it himself before he leaves on Thursday. He and his family are very grateful to be staying here.  Before heading to bed I went one more time out to check udders. Below are Sheena and Valiant.

It was really hot today, the thermometer was only ready 89 but the real feel was 97 and by Friday it is supposed to hit 102 degrees. We sure don't want any foals born during this heat spell but if they hold off it is supposed to cool down some by Saturday. I'm sure hoping that happens. 

RV Problems

 This Monday was another early morning. I was up at the apartment at 6:15 am to do a final check and add water to the fridge for the guests coming in today then over to the Wildcat 5th wheel to do a quick clean, get the water hooked up and make sure the on demand water heater was working finishing at 7:13 am, just in time for our walk. I needed to be at mom's at 8:00 am so only did the one round. The guests for the apartment arrived around 11:00 am to drop off their luggage before heading back to the soft ball tournament for their daughter. We sat outside before it became too hot to do so. The flowers on mom's deck are beautiful. 

I left mom's at 2:00 pm and drove the golf cart right over to the Wildcat 5th wheel to take some pans for cooking and to make sure the  hot water was working. Thankfully it was. Then it was over to the other 5th wheel to turn on the water, the water heater and the air conditioning. From there I went to the barn to give Sheena her last dose of sulfa then get a hog panel to use to wrap the round bale going into  Evan's paddock. I got that bale in by 3:30 pm around the time Mark got home.

Sheena is looking most miserable. She is starting to bag up but still is 12 days away from her due date.

The guests coming in for the Wildcat 5th wheel arrived at 4:00 pm, also unloaded luggage and then headed in for a soft ball tournament too.  The man coming in for the other older 5th wheel arrived around 5:00 pm. His father actually dropped him off. I had them follow me to the 5th wheel and when I got there was surprised the air wasn't running. Only then did we find the plug had melted and there was no electricity at all to that camper.

Mark ended up driving the guest back to his place in East Peoria then ordering a 30 amp 2pole 240 volt circuit breaker,

A 30 amp RV replacement male plug,

and a 30 amp 125 volt receptacle.

The guest coming in tomorrow for the 5th wheel was canceled but that worked out well, he actually had contacted me this afternoon about needing a bigger place as his wife and 3 children wanted to come with him. They will be able to rent the apartment at a later date and he was happy. The 5th wheel was blocked off so no one can book it for the next 5 days. Hopefully we can get it up and running by then as it is booked for the first week of August.  Monday evening is the girls volleyball family group so I headed over to the playground to watch and visit. Taunya was there with all 4 of her children. Addyson was playing volleyball and the boys went on a golf cart ride with me.

Below is a video of some of the fun.

They quit after the sun set but on the way back from the golf cart ride we stopped to take a picture of the setting sun.

Today was another full busy day and I am thankful to be able to share it with family.

A Little More Hope

 Our big news this morning was Berlica made the decision to start repenting and went to see Tim Funk.  She was announced to the church after the morning service. Braelyn and Taegan got to be here and sit up on the front bench with her. We are very happy for Berlica AND for Joan. We had a visiting minister Brad Metz from Bloomington this morning as Gregg was the only minister in Peoria. Gregg even got Mike Reiker to help out.  Brad had the morning message on the scripture cannot be broken.  Gregg had the afternoon message. After church we took Berlica, Braelyn and Taegan home. We had a smaller group for dinner so will have plenty of left overs to share tomorrow.  Phil and Anna left with their family for church as they were having baptisms this evening. Rhoda went to play volley ball so Lee had the kids in the barn. We were checking out the new closet doors of the bedroom. 

Lee and Iris went upstairs to play a few games and Zeke was down with us.

We had some company arrive after dinner and one of the vehicles got the key locked inside. Below a few are visiting outside while waiting for the locksmith to come. The others relaxed inside where it was cooler.

The sun was getting low in the sky by the time the locksmith arrived.

Onstar called Big City Automotive to come unlock the car.

I still needed to give Sheena her sulfa. She only has one more dose which will be given tomorrow morning. Her leg is looking much better. Of course I also had to check Jury and it may be my imagination but I think her stomach looked like it had dropped a bit and was bigger.

She still has nothing in her udder. She really isn't due until July 25th, so just maybe there is a foal in there. I had her date down wrong earlier.  As of tonight I have a little more hope.

Time Flying By

 I was up at the apartment a little after 6:00 am to start cleaning and got a lot done before coming down to the house to make breakfast for Mark and then go to mom's by 8:00 am for the morning shift. A text came in from the guests in the 5th wheel that everything was great but their plans had changed and they were going to head to their next destination early so instead of staying 2 nights they were going to be leaving soon. As soon as Ruth arrived I went straight to the 5th wheel to get the bedding and took that down to the house to wash then over to the apartment to keep cleaning. Mark and Mackenson used the truck and chain saws to remove low hanging branches from the drives and worked until lunch time. When they came back for lunch I went back to the house used the air fryer to heat up the left over walleye from yesterday's meal for our lunch then went right back to cleaning. We had 6 constructions workers stay for 4 nights. I found towels hanging in every closet. A couple really nice updates came in, one was from the owner of Myrrhcedes (by Raven out of Paris) 

This mare is a champion, she has a medal from Friesian Heritage Horse to prove it. 

The other update came from Brandi the owner of Titan (Ribbon x Valiant and Onyx Lily x Valiant) They showed them last weekend. Titan won 1st and Onyx at just 2 years old in the same class won 2nd. 

Brandi also wrote Onyx inherited the mega hair gene, it took both of her boys to remove all those braids.

Mike and Diane were at Middle Grove and sent back the picture below.

There is so much wonderful grass at Middle Grove and we are thankful.

As Valiant go some free time yesterday in the outdoor I was going to let Evan have some today but just didn't get done in time. SO here is an older video of Evan having fun.

The days and weeks are just flying by. This evening, the steak for tomorrow's meal was cut and put in a marinade.

Mark will grill that and it will be served with sweet potatoes, salad, vegetable and sautéed mushrooms and onions. 

Another Good Day

Valiant got a little free time this morning in the outdoor arena.  He was so glad to get out and graze for a while.

 

The 5th wheel guest left early this morning so before the walk I ran up to get the laundry started. After the walk the 5th wheel was cleaned and made ready for the guests coming in this afternoon.  Our guests in the apartment all left early but they weren't due to check out until tomorrow. I didn't check the apartment as I just assumed they had left for work and would be back. Diane was with mom until 11:00 am then I took her place but just before 11:00 am the man that left the 5th wheel this morning sent a text asking if he could come back Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday but the 5th wheel and the apartment were already booked. Not only were those booked but the new 5th wheel was also booked for Monday until Friday next week for a family coming in for a softball tournament. I took the golf cart over to the cabin, took a few pictures of that then drove to mom's to see if Diane would be willing to take in a guest for next week.

She agreed, I sent him the pictures and he is now coming for the cabin. The bird feeder was filled and as mom was eating lunch we were watching the finches and hummingbirds feed when  redwing blackbird showed up and chased the gold finch and house finches away. 

When Karin came I went to the barn to talk to Anna when Gertie arrived. We had a nice chat before I left to get some of my work done. David and Stephanie dropped off Israel and Elisabet this afternoon. We went to mom's as mom wanted to see the barn. Karin helped mom get on the golf cart and Israel wheeled the wheel chair from mom's to the barn and into the barn.

We used the wheel chair to take mom into the living area so she could check out all of Phil and Anna's work. For the trip back to her house mom and Karin sat on the back of the golf cart.

Rachel was taking the firework platform over to the dumpster with the Kubota when we were back.

Then it was time to get to work.  Anna and Taegan were busy sanding the table, both Israel and Elisabet helped with that.

I picked up Berlica, Braelyn, Taegan and Kensley and those 4 along with Israel and Elisabet helped me move two bales into the middle paddock.

It was their job to open the gates of the shelters for the bale and to keep the mares from coming out of the gates. They each had a rope or halter to use to help.

After getting all of our work done it was past supper time. Mark and I took these 6 out to eat at the Bartonville Diner. Our first time to try this since smoking has been banned from resturants. Yes it has been decades since we have been here and we were pleasantly surprised. The place was packed. The food was good and abundant.

We had to wait for about 15 minutes to be waited on as every table was full of hungry people. When the food came everyone was happy. Taegan, Kensley and Israel had ordered cheeseburgers and fries. Elisabet ordered a hamburger and fries.

Mark and I both ordered the senior special which was fried walleye, fries, green beans, bread and salad all for $10.00.

The kids ate most of our fries and the walleye fillets were so huge we took half of it home for another meal.  We were surprised that Elisabet could eat her entire hamburger, that was huge.

Everyone finished their meals. We went back to the barn for some fun before the parents arrived to pick up their tired children.

By this time I realized our guests from the apartment had left a day early so the laundry was started. There were 6 construction workers staying there so we had lots of laundry. I used both the apartment and my machines. All of the bedding and towels are now washed and the towels are now in the dryer. I'll go up early to make the beds tomorrow morning. It is just too late now and both of us are tired. What a good day.

Almost Done

 Mark and I stopped at the barn early this morning to check out some of the work that happened yesterday and to look at the new vanities for the girl's and boy's bathrooms. We weren't able to see the vanities as they were still boxed. We didn't take the time to open them and that turned out to be a very good thing. The store sent the wrong vanity and Anna is taking it back tomorrow morning and picking up the correct one. She bought a king size bed for the bedroom and that should be delivered in 2 or 3 days. Joan didn't come on the walk, she was on her way to Indiana to pick up Berlica who spent this week in Bluffton with Bethany. Mark was working from home today which meant I couldn't make a lot of noise so went to Diane's office in Hanna City and balanced two months of the Horsemeister checkbook then worked outside and also in the Wildcat camper. I figured out why the mattress wasn't fitting correctly, the couch had moved about 6 inches away from the wall. Once that was back in place it fit perfectly.

I'm still not happy with the bunk room.

I had Anna look at it and we determined to get a full size folding memory foam mattress and just leave the couch a bed. IF someone is using the room it is easy enough to fold in half. I found this trifold full size and ordered it.

It was advertised as free returns and free shipping so if it doesn't work out I can always return it. I also bought a king size 12 inch memory foam mattress from Sam's club for the new king size bed. Anna will pick that up tomorrow when she returns the vanity. Anna needed a chisel and I thought Mark might have one in his back garage. On the way to the barn I stopped to take a picture of the tree with just one more limb.

That is our house behind it. That limb is as big as an entire tree.

When I reached the barn garage the first open drawer had a mouse nest in it. That was removed but no chisel then I saw Mark's tool bag on the bench, looked in that and saw a bunch of hay went to pull that out and a bird flew out. I think it was a wren, she was sitting on 4 eggs. 

Mark left to work outside and I thought I heard him on the tractor so grabbed the golf cart to drive up to see if he would help move a couple bales in. It wasn't Mark it was Mike on his John Deere mowing Sheena's paddock. Sheena is due in a couple weeks.

He also cleaned out a couple of shelters and mowed the middle paddock.

Jury was curious about what he was doing and kept coming into the shelter.

She is supposed to be due in 5 days but she if she is pregnant it must not be a very big foal AND she is still not producing any udder. I think she is just fat. Mike worked until dark.

While Diane and I were waiting for Mike to finish Anna sent a text that she found the chairs for the dining room table and ordered 12 of them. They were on sale for $40.00 each.

 We are almost done with big furniture purchases for the barn, other than the 68 more folding chairs.