Puppies

 I couldn't believe last night. I went to bed closed my eyes and the next thing I know it is 6:30 am. The bed was very restful with only one person in it. Mark and Nolan seem to be having a very busy schedule. Today after the seminar they took them on a tour around Austin, Texas. This evening Mark sent the picture below of the Venezuelan food they had for supper tonight. 

Their meal was called steak and chicken arepa. 

Diane, Joan and I walked but I only got in one round again as today is Berean day. I parked near the scale and I had so many boxes to carry inside. We try not to block the scale during harvest so I went out to move the car and the car had me locked out again. I was trying everything I could think of to get the car to move. Marvin came over to help. I figured out the problem. I had turned off the blue tooth when I was on the way to Berean and that removes my phone from the car. The car was moved with about 5 minutes to spare. We were back working when we heard the semi come rumbling onto the scale. We had a busy morning.

Marvin read us an interesting letter from an inmate in Menard.

Below Shirley is working on the studies.

Our Berean Director came today and met with Marvin about our problems with all of the Indiana prisons. Hopefully Dave can visit some of them and explain how our Illinois prisons work with us.

Skip sends out boxes of studies to chaplains all over as some states will only allow a chaplain give out studies. Shirl is stuffing the new lessons to be mailed out today.

After leaving the office I drove to Stephanie's house to drop off a hat for Israel then to Sam's club where I ran into Diane. Well almost ran into her, I saw her coming and put my cart directly in front of hers. We compared carts and rearranged a few things filling both carts. They are for the meals for the next 5 days with our cousins. From Sam's I drove to Bartonville post office. The Hanna City post office closes at lunch at 12:30 pm and I knew I wouldn't make it. What I didn't know was the exits to get on the interstate were closed. The car gps didn't know they were closed and kept trying to get me to drive in circles. It was a long trip to Bartonville. When I finally got on Kickapoo Creek road a big rig was painting lines in the road and we crawled along with about 5 cars in front of me and over 10 behind me before they finally found a place to pull over and let the line up of cars pass them. From the post office I stopped at Aldi to pick up a few more items and finally home. Most of the food was put in the barn but the 4 chickens were taken to the house. Those were let cool before I started de-boning them. At 5:00 pm I drove to Sarah and Nolan's house to let the puppies out. They are at such a cute age. They were put in there yard pen and given water and food. I let them play for a half an hour. While they were playing I took the video below of their extensive yard. They have such a beautiful place.

The puppies were let out into the yard and we played some more. They really are adorable.

I left there about 5:45 pm got home and started on the chicken salad. Diane called while I was de-boning. Long day but productive.

Planes CyperTaxies

 Mark was up at 3:00 am. We didn't really have to get up until 4:30 am but he wanted to get a few last minute things done. We left the house at 4:40 am and picked up Nolan at 4:45 am and I dropped both Mark and Nolan off at the Peoria airport. Their plane was leaving at 5:40am. It was still very dark when I got back. I went straight to the farm house to collect all of the laundry then started one load there, one load at the foaling apartment and 1 load at the barn. At 6:30 am I went outside and saw the sky was beginning to brighten so took the picture below.

That light shining in the middle is the light on Mike's new barn. About then Nolan sent the text below saying they were a half hour away from landing in Chicago.

I didn't know they have wifi on planes now. At 7:00 am I sent a message to the family that lives around here asking if anyone was taking sunrise pictures. Rhonda came through. She has the best spot on the lake for sunrise pictures this time of year.

I worked on the farm house while doing laundry but quit at walking time. Diane, Ruth, Joan and I called cousin Becky and let Becky and Aunt Jinnie join our walk via phone. We finalized the plans for the coming Bossert Meister reunion. The picture below is right after we passed Rhonda's house on the way to Joan's.

A chair had fallen down by the willow tree so I took the golf cart down to get that but had to stop at the top and take some foliage pictures.

Below is looking from the campfire over to Spark and Rhonda's dock.

I finished the work about the time Sarah arrived with the girls. I only knew they were here because Sarah sent the video below of Merlin playing with the ball.

At 4:45 pm I drove to Farmington Central to watch Kensley and Taegan play basketball. Tonight their team played Princeville. The 7th grade team was a blow-out. Below was the score at halftime.

Kensley only got to play in the first half. The 8th grade game was a defensive battle all the way. The score after the first quarter was Princeville 2 and Farmington 0. Farmington took the lead but lost it at the end. Below Kensley passed to Taegan near the end of the game to tie it at 22. But  in the last couple minutes Princeville went ahead and won the game.

The girls all played hard. I'm not going to stay up late tonight. Just too tired. Mark sent a few texts few. They used one of the cyber taxies in Houston and it came with no driver. They just sit in the car and tell it where to go. They went to a great restaurant for lunch and then lots of seminars. 

Beautiful

 I got the brisket ready and in the oven by 6:30 am then cleaned up the mess before making breakfast. Ruth sent the first picture of the day of the beautiful sunrise. 

We can't see the sunrise from this house, too many trees and set back some. Rhonda has a much better view AND gets the reflection in the lake. She sent the second picture of the day.

What a beautiful start to this beautiful day. The guests in the foaling apartment sent message that they were leaving, thanked us then said we have a beautiful ranch.  I never wanted to be a rancher, just a farmer but I didn't correct her. we picked up Rhonda for church and made it there by 9:30 am. Kathy and Randy brought Nancy. She was very glad to see Joan back. The Gulf Shores people made it by 9:00 pm last night. Matt Feucht had the morning message. He was visiting from Roanoke and after the message gave an update on Skylines.  If you would like to listen to his message click HERE. Craig Stickling had the afternoon message. We are still doing a Bible study on the minor prophets and today Craig covered Micah 3,4,5,6 and 7. Click HERE to watch that. After church and the meal was ready I was taking the food over to the barn when I saw Berlica riding Jury and Zion riding Penny heading down to the trails. 

They told me Rhoda and Sarah were over at the round pen giving pony rides and working with Gypsy the paint pony. Israel came with me and was telling me about the basket he made. He let it fly way before half court and it was nothing but net. He found it on the barn video and showed us. I'm not sure how to copy it but will work on that tomorrow. David was out fishing and caught a whopper of a bass and this one was not skinny.

The bass must be getting enough food now. Earlier they all seemed too skinny. Mike and Diane showed up to hook up the stock trailer. They took Jury, Jewel, Bulu and Denver out to Middle Grove. Mike sent the video below:

Sarah, Eden and River tried Penny with the bouncy ball. Penny might know how to play soccer.

More than likely it was an accident but that pony isn't afraid of anything so the girls want to teach her how to kick the ball. Today they introduced the ball to Gypsy. Gypsy was ok when Rhoda bounced the ball on the left side of her but a little scared when she bounced it on the right side.

I didn't stay much longer it was almost 4:30 and that is when the family comes to dinner. We had a nice dinner tonight with lots of good food, visiting and laughter.

After dinner Spark was giving hay rack rides. He gave Nancy one with the first group going out and she loved it. This was the second group.

I'm not sure who made the fire tonight but it was a nice hot one and when the sun went down the fire felt great. The volley ball lights were turned on and the court was filled with boys tonight.

Tarah's boys, Kari's boys, Rebekah's boys, and Rhoda's boy. There were a few girls playing too. At one point I counted 18 cousins and 2nd cousins out on that court.

We had to keep expanding the circle.

When everyone finally pulled themselves away and headed home Mark and I went to rescue his golf cart. It was over by the field with no key. We both looked all over finally used the key from my golf cart to move his into the garage. Mark got on-line and ordered a couple of keys but we will be down to one golf cart until the new ones come in. I stopped to take a picture of the full moon before going inside.

What a beautiful day and beautiful evening. What a blessing to have such nice weather this late in the year. We are thankful.

Noisy Singing

 We had another beautiful warm day. It's cool first thing in the morning but by afternoon it warmed up to 76 degrees. I had guests moving into the foaling apartment so went over early to make sure it was ready and turn the lights on. Mike arrived with his 4 wheeler to work with Denver a bit. Denver is such a nice looking gelding. He is 16 months old and almost as tall as his 16.2 hand mother. He will be gorgeous as a 2 year old. Mike does not want to sell him. Below he is teaching him to pick up his hat.

He took him for a short leading session into the field using his 4 wheeler.

Mike decided to take his dam Bulu out and let Denver run free. 

Before putting them in the paddock next to Valiant I needed to move a bale in. They were not happy in the middle paddock as they were staying away from the other 3 horses. After Mike left I worked on the apartment then went to the barn to make sure no bugs got inside. I found 1 spider and 2 small crickets and NO stink bugs. I am still getting stink bugs in our house but much less than last year. Mark sprayed around all of the buildings this year twice and it really is doing the job. Mark put up drip guards above the South side people door. I think this might be the last door. We are happy with how the other 2 doors are keeping the rain away from the entrance. We don't get dumped on when trying to leave. Anna arrived this afternoon to get the party decorations up. This evening Taegan and Kensley are having a combined birthday party and invited their basketball teams.

Taegan is 14 on the 30th and Kensley turned 12 a few days ago. They wanted to have a pumpkin painting party.

Mark wanted a hair cut this afternoon and that is done out on the deck. I took a lot of today.

That is exactly what he wanted.

We left then and went to the Bartonville dinner for an early supper then grocery shopping at Aldi's. We bought $99 worth of food and only brought back 4 bags. I didn't even buy any meat. I really am thankful to live in such a beautiful place. The birds are a little noisy but even they are singing joyfully each morning. 

 

Denver Back

Ruth brought her dog Farkash sp? on the walk this morning. She had a wonderful time. We didn't do the hill to Joan's as Ruth's knee is still hurting instead walked to the horse barn first. On Mike's drive I found a red hitch thing and near that the small black pin. We walked down to Mike's house and put it on his porch. Right after he called to ask if I had borrowed that, he couldn't find it yesterday. After Ruth left I went in to make breakfast but still had one set of king sheets in the dryer that needed to be folded. After breakfast Sarah sent the video below:

Sarah bought that big ball and had Zion on Penny try it out. Penny really is Perfect Penny. She didn't react at all. I drove over on the golf cart but Sarah had already left. Rhoda was here giving both Iris and Zion a riding lesson on Gypsy. Below is Iris riding Stardust.

Carly Hoerr arrived right about then to take the skid steer to Hoerr Machinery to get the fluids changed and some repairs done on it. Below he is loading it up on his trailer.

After he left I went back to the barn to watch the girls 'driving' the pony cart.

This afternoon I had a family coming to check out the barn and foaling apartment. They have rented all 3, the barn, the farm house and foaling apartment for their family reunion in April and wanted to check it out. I couldn't show them the farm house as that is currently rented but showed them the foaling apartment and the barn. The loved the barn. It was hard to get the kids away from the batting cage and the place was exactly, according to them what they were looking for. The video below is one of the older boys enjoying one of the toys.

Mike drove to Western Hearts ranch to pick up Denver. The people that had him on trial decided they don't want two horses so called to give him back. Mike was really glad to get him back. He took Bulu with him, Denver saw his mom in the trailer and jumped right in. Tomorrow I'll get some updated pictures of him. He is 17 months old and Mike does not want to sell him. I stopped in at the barn to get some meat out for our Sunday supper and picked out the brisket.

I have been watching youtube videos on how to cook it as I don't have a smoker. It is in the fridge defrosting.  Tonight I saw a picture of one of Eliza's colts by Valiant all grown up. He lives in Virgina.

He is very well trained to ride and the owner is selling him. Check out his video below for more information if you are looking for a 10 year old well trained beautiful Friesian Gelding.

Another Booking

 As there is no walk today we slept in and took our time getting going. After breakfast the laundry here was started and I took 2 loads over to the barn as that machine is much faster. This morning we worked on the food plan for our cousins and Aunt Jinnie who are coming in Wednesday afternoon. Some are leaving Sunday after morning church and some are staying until Monday morning. It will be so good to see them again. We will eat our meals at the barn on those days and all the siblings are invited as they are all helping with the food. While waiting for the machines the barn was straightened up, the garbage dumped and the floor swept. We have a black walnut tree in the front yard and now that those walnuts are dropping they hit the metal roof, bounce a couple times then drop to the ground. It really does sound like someone knocking. When it first started happening we thought we had company and would yell "come in" but no one would be out there. Check out how the tree limb is over the roof. 

It is still loaded with black walnuts so we need to be prepared for lots of knocking.

I needed to move a bale into Evan's paddock now that the shelter is cleaned out. I am missing a section of the round bale feeder but made do with using the side of the shelter and the gate.

Once it was secure Evan was haltered and moved into his paddock. He couldn't wait to go as he saw me putting grain in his bucket.  I moved a bale into the mare paddock then moved Tessa and Harli over. Of course the two foals didn't want to go in so they were also bribed with grain.

In the picture above both mares are on the other side of the shelter eating grain out of their buckets.

By the time that was done the machines needed to be changed. That was kept going until 2:30 pm. Mark had gone to Costco and also to his therapy appointment. He picked up 6 bags of water softener salt and put 2 in the farm house, 2 in the apartment and brought 2 for our house. He also bought some small cans of soda for the group coming in to the barn on Saturday.

At 4:30 pm my phone went off and it was airbnb that the farm house rented for two nights and the guests were moving in today.

I stopped in at our house to let Mark know then went over to make sure no stink bugs had made their way inside. Mark came also as those salt bags needed to be put downstairs. While there I swept off the basement stairs and swept up the main room of the basement. We usually keep the basement door locked but it was left open today.  I found 2 stink bugs and got those swept up, then locked the door and let the guests know it was ready and what the door code is. Only then did I think about dinner. We talked about going out but decided it was just easier and cheaper to stay home and we have plenty of food. I fried up a soft tortilla until it was crispy, filled it with cheese and lunch meats, added a tangy sauce, flipped it, cut it in have and served it with a salad.

Mark enjoyed the dinner.

A Clean Shelter

 Ruth and I walked this morning. It was another cool morning only 46 degrees, but warmed up into the 70s for a perfect day. Below she is leaving for home in her electric car. 

After breakfast Diane called while she was sitting on the beach in Gulf Shores so I went outside on the deck and looked at our beach while talking to her. I was grading Bible studies so as soon as we hung up I went back to that and finished just before noon. Mark ran them down to the mail box. My next job was to move Evan out of his paddock but when I arrived Tim Meister was here putting in our new yard hydrant. 

Evan was let into the mares pasture and had to walk around checking out any manure he could find.

About then I asked him to move as I wanted him in the paddock so I could lock him off the pasture. When I asked he just had to show off for the mares.

Mike brought over the yanmar to clean out Evan's shelter. That was finished but we didn't have time to move a bale in as we needed to leave for church. There was still hay in the mare paddock so he will be fine until we move a bale in tomorrow and put him where he belongs. Mike Kaisner had the message tonight. One of my favorite stories in 2 Kings 19. Click HERE to watch that. We did not go out for a late dinner tonight, instead just came home and had some ice cream.

Tuesday

Ruth is having some trouble with her knees so we did not walk today. I left for the Berean office at 8:00 am and parked over by Skip's car. Shirl had arrived earlier so there were only 3 cars parked when Shirley and Ray walked in and for some reason didn't see my car. They were sure it was not there. Both of them insisted there were only 2 cars parked and so convinced that my car was gone that I went to the window to look as did Ray. He came back and reported it WAS there. We all laughed but then got to work. There was a lot of mail. I wasn't able to take pictures until we were almost finished as I was on the computer. At prayer time Marvin told us about the accident he and Gail were in last week. We think Marvin needs one of those self driving Tesla's. Below Kathy is answering letters.

Shirl and Shirley are working on Bibles while Irv waits for a job.

Kathy brought the dessert in today, below Ray is getting ready to cut into it.

It was really delicious. Kathy made pumpkin dump cake and candied the pecans to go on top.

We didn't leave the office until noon and the post office closes at 12:30 PM So I had to speed a little to get the mail there on time and made it with 2 minutes to spare. We also needed more of the big white mail boxes. They gave me 4 which will be dropped off next Tuesday. Sarah and the girls had been to our house while I was gone and everything looked very nice when I walked in. That gave me time to organize all of the Michigan Bible studies that need to be graded. They were all spread out on the kitchen table. We really had a lot of mail and a lot of them were from Michigan. Those must be graded with black or blue ink so we don't give them out for others to grade. I had at least 2 hours of work with those. Mark was out power washing the skid steer as that is going to Hoerr's to get the fluids changed and some small repairs. He certainly needed a shower before we left for Farmington. Tonight the Farmington 7th and 8th grade teams were playing Lewistown. That is a small school with an awesome basketball team. Their players are very talented. Below is the last few minutes of the 7th grade team. They were trying to run out the clock as they were ahead.

The 8th grade team played really well but at the last the Lewistown team were up and they ran out the clock but both games were fun to watch. Below is just some of the first quarter. 

As the games started at 6:00 pm and both had lots of timeouts we didn't get home until 10:00 pm.

Thankful For AC Central

 No walk today although Ruth did send a message we would plan on walking on Wednesday. Mark went out to feed the cats. While Joan is gone he walks over to feed her's first. Today he also took care of Patty, Sarah's bird.  Once the animals are fed over there he walks over to our stall barn to feed our cat. The last cat fed today was the calico cat who looks to be pregnant again. She has moved into our garage as of yesterday. If we can make a place for her to have her kittens as soon as she has them she could be spayed. In the past she hides the kittens and if we cant find them they end up wild. Today was a working day for me as both the farm house and the barn had guests move out. At 10:00 am I stopped to get Dancer out and groom her. I was working on her tail when the truck and trailer arrived to pick her up. It was a nice 2 horse aluminum trailer with a ramp. I was explaining to the driver that Dancer had never been hauled by herself but as he was moving the divider to make more room for her she walked right up the ramp and into the trailer. That was easy. We visited a bit and I was so pleased she was not stomping around, just standing quietly. She made it safely to her new home in Elgin, IL.

Her new owner sent me the picture below stating she's here safe and sound. Traveled well and she is eating. Mark needed my help with hooking up the wood wagon. He and Israel almost filled it on Saturday but today he finished filling it.  It was so beautiful outside that I was glad to stop working inside. It really was a beautiful day.

Hooking it up really is a 2 person job. That was hauled to Joan's woodpile.

Joan has 2 huge piles of wood for this winter.

The wagon will just stay at Joan's until they get home to unload it.

Mark took the tractor back to the barn, I followed him in the golf cart then took him back over to get his golf cart before going back to work. I had 2 washers going and 3 dryers and was using the golf cart to drive loads over to the farm house, our house and the barn. While I was working I was listening to AC Central. I'm very thankful for that service. I used the golf cart to go get the load out of the dryer at our house, walked in and heard Mark listening to AC Central too. By 5:20 pm the last load was dry and all of the beds made. Dan came over and visited while I was waiting for the last load. Mark actually came upstairs at the barn to learn how to make a bed. Once all of the beds were made we came home for supper. Rhonda had dropped off some taco soup and home baked rolls so that is what was heated up for our supper. Sarah brought Lilly and Zion out to ride the new ponies this evening. I didn't realize they were there until she sent the pictures below.

Beautiful sunset pictures.

We are both tired from working outside so will have an early night.