PollyAnna

 Another cold morning but by the time we walked the windbreaker came off and during the walk the sweat shirt came off. We had so much rain that 3 of the canoes left the beach. We laughed it looked like there was a ghost fisherman out on the lake. 

Last night on our way to church we stopped to buy potting soil and a couple more pots for the tomatoes that really needed to be transplanted. This morning that was done. 

The soil was 4 bags for $10.00 and I only used a half of a bag so there will be plenty to put in the tomato boxes once Mark get's them built. His big job today was to work on the drive. The trench needed to be dug back out as did the culvert. That was blocked so instead of going under the drive and down the hill the water went down the drive carving out trenches and dragging the gravel down to the bottom of the hill.

I was very efficient with the horses today. The two mares with foals were brought in, grained, each foal worked with and while they were eating I drove the golf cart over to the cabin field to grain those horses. Rosalie and Sally heard the golf cart coming and by the time I pulled up they were waiting at the fence.

The yearlings were down grazing yet. They were called and came trotting up.

The next job was to put Rosaleigh and her colt out in the big fields to graze for an hour. An hour was all the time I had left before needing to go in, clean up, pick up mom and leave for the co-op play PollyAnna.

I watched them graze a bit and saw the colt try out some of the grass.

Evidently he didn't like the taste.

Mom was waiting for me when I arrived. We left for the Connect church in Washington, IL about 1:10 pm. We arrived as they were setting up for the dress rehearsal. Berlica came over in her costume.

Marsha is the director and Justin, her husband is her amazing helper. The plays are always well rehearsed and very entertaining. The kids do a wonderful job learning their lines and the performances are always top notch. 

Below is the start of the show, the first song!

Justin videoed the entire play and is willing to share it once it is finished. Once that is in hand I will share it here. On the way home mom decided we should stop and bring home some supper. We called the Bartonville Diner and ordered 2 of their walleye dinners. It was ready by the time we got there and we were home in 10 minutes after that. Ruth had the table set and Mark had walked over to join us. We enjoyed dinner while telling stories of the play and stayed visiting with them for a while after dinner. It was raining off and on when we left for the play and was still sprinkling when we got home.

 

Skid Steer Scare

 Another cool morning but the sun was shining. The tomato plants were put outside up against the house out of the wind and in the sunshine. Mark and I met Spark at the barn this morning to go over the new electrical plans. We need to have camper outlets for the group coming in June. After checking everything out Spark had a wonderful plan that shouldn't be too hard to administer. Ruth had already arrived for the walk which started just a little later. It really is good to go over plans for the day and the future while walking. Today we were discussing Faith and Andrew's wedding reception and believe we have it all worked out. After the walk I went home to make breakfast, opened the fridge and pulled out the remaining egg carton which had only ONE egg left. Instead of eggs, Mark got strawberry crepes. He didn't complain. After eating I drove to Aldi and ended up spending $130.00 but really did need to stock up. I bought ingredients to make chicken stir fry for Sunday dinner and the wild rice for the Wednesday night dinner. The next place that I had to visit was Meisters to drop off Bible Studies for Amanda's mom to grade. There are so many closed roads that it isn't an easy trip. When I got home and the groceries put away Mark and I went up to move a bale in for Valiant. Valiant needs good nutritious bales as he loses weight showing off for the mares. I walked around checking the bales. I pulled hay from some and finally decided on one that was easy for Mark to grab.  The bale still has plenty of green grass and is not stemmy. He should do well on it.

I was getting the bale wrap ready when I heard Mark start the skid steer, rev it up then down and up again and finally turn it off. Of course I had to check out what was going on. 

The engine wasn't running right. When he turned it off and opened it up we could hear water gurgling. We couldn't see anything wrong, Mark got back inside and tried again. This time, after a few minutes it was working fine.

We wrapped it with a hog panel before putting it in.

We still need to get the shelters cleaned out but had room for at least this one more bale before we must do that job.

Mark started grading the drives, that 2 inch rain did a real number on the drives. 

The cabin field horses were next to be cared for. Mike and Diane are in Gulf Shores. Grain was put in each feeder then the horses called. They came galloping sounding like a stampede of cattle. 

Above are Rosalie and Sally and below are the 4 yearlings.

I waited until they were all finished to make sure the yearlings got their fair share. Later today it was time to work with the young foals. Rosaleigh and her colt were brought in first and for the first time the colt decided to try the grain and liked it. He would have been happy to keep eating but he also needed to have another haltering session. This one was the best yet. He stood quietly while the halter was put on. 

He doesn't lead yet but is learning to stand quietly tied while I pick up his hooves. He is going to be a real beauty when he grows up. He will be tall and have the mega hair of his dam. Someone is going to have that fantasy Friesian everyone else wants. They were put out in the big field to eat while Star and her filly were brought inside. She still didn't want to be caught. She doesn't think she likes to be handled but hopefully that will change soon. She didn't fight hard, just tried to stay on the other side of her mom but when I put my arms around her she stood quietly while the halter was put on. 

She also didn't fight much being tied or having her hooves picked up.

Star was teased but said no to both of the stallions. They were put back in the paddock and the gate to the field shut. I went out to pull weeds while Rosaleigh and her colt were grazing.

I stopped though to take the video below, it was just such a peaceful late afternoon.

The weeds were easy to pull out by the roots as the ground is still very wet from our 2 inches of rain.

I quit around 5:00 pm, put Rosaleigh and her colt in the paddock with Star and her filly then went inside to shower and get ready for church.  It was kind of special to see Craig sitting on the minister bench with David, Gabe and Dave Beutel.

David had the service tonight with Dave finishing up and Gabe having the last prayer. Click HERE to watch that message. We went straight home tonight, both of us are tired from working outside.

Grandparent's Day

 We had a cool cloudy start to our day, so cold that the tomato plants were left inside. As mom was going to go with me to grandparent's day this afternoon and she is all caught up at the Berean office she got the morning off. We were a little short handed with Kathy and Vonnie both gone and I was busy on the computer so didn't really take any pictures but snapped the one below as we were finishing up. 

I needed to leave around 11:00 am so kind of pushed to get everything done. Joan was leaving for play practice at 11:45. Mom was ready to go when I arrived. Mark came over with the golf cart and was also ready. We arrived a little early so we could park the wheel chair van in the parking lot. Usually this grandparent's day is packed and by the time us out of town guests get there we have to park way down the road but today we got one of the few open spots in the school parking lot.

Taunya met us and showed us Abe's work.

Taunya's dad Ron also arrived early. We got our choice of seats.

Abe class was one of the first to enter the cafeteria.

The program was short and sweet.

After the song welcome us all refreshments were served. They had rows of goodies, and even some healthy snacks such as cheese and grapes.

Abe took us upstairs to his classroom where we saw his work and he gave us a magnet and bookmark both made by him. We even got to meet his teacher.

They had a photographer with lots of props set up on the stage and each sent of grandparents were taken up there to dress up silly and have their picture taken with their grandchild. They sure do know how to make grandparents feel special at this school. We were on our way home around 3:00 pm but needed to stop for gas so did that at the Bartonville Kroger. While I was filling the tank Mark went into Kroger and came out with 8 pieces of fried chicken. Once back we had an early supper of fried chicken and grapes. When Joan got back I went straight to the apartment to get the sheets out of the dryer then home to get the towels into the dryer. Today was a fun day.

LOTS of RAIN

 It wasn't raining when we awoke but the rain started before our walk time. It was a nice gentle rain in the beginning. I had someone coming to look at the barn at 10:30 am so right after breakfast went over to get it ready for company. As I was working a storm came through with rain coming down in sheets. It slowed a bit just as I was ready to leave about 10:15 am.

They arrived early, I had told them to just go right on in and check everything out and this was their response: 

Wow!!!! What a spectacular space and set up. Thank you so much for letting us come and see it. We definitely want to rent it on the 23rd  They booked it right away. It is for their daughters 16th birthday. We got a break between storms so I went out to bring the mares in for their graining and worked with each foal. Rosaleigh's was first. He stood very well for haltering and tying and didn't fuss at all. I was able to pick up all four of his hooves quite a few times. He is just accepting anything I ask so far. 

He was so funny, right after I took the halter off he went over to the door to start playing with the lead rope he was tied with.

They were taken out to the big field to graze while I brought Star Temple and her filly inside for her grain. The filly also did better today. She didn't fight when I put the halter on but still didn't like being tied. She wasn't near as dramatic today, just tested it a bit then stood while she let me pick up all four of her hooves. 

Star also did better, she was left untied and because her filly wasn't throwing herself around she just reached over me and nosed her a few times.

She was teased before turning her back out but is still saying a very distinct "NO". Blueberry was taken out next and teased, she is now out of season. Valerie was the last mare teased and she is also out now. About then the rain started back up. Rosaleigh and her colt were put back in the stall for this next storm and I was glad I did that. This time the lightning was much closer and the thunder booming. I was at mom's and one of the lightning strikes must have been close and there was a big crack and boom. That woke mom up from her nap.. The rain really was coming down in sheets. Mark came over this evening to visit with mom and once the storm was over I left to take Rosaleigh and her colt back out to the paddock. I was only going to be gone less than 5 minutes but when I got to the gate of the paddock there was a lake in front of the gate. Rosaleigh was SURE there were sharks in that huge puddle and refused to go inside. I had to take her all the way around to the field entrance.   Braelyn came to clean the apartment tonight and told me she saw some ants in there so once Joan was home I drove straight to the apartment to put some Terro out. I'll check those in the morning. We are very thankful for the rain but with the shear volume today it is sure doing a number on our drives. It is now almost 10:00 pm and I am more than ready for bed. 

Peoria Has 2 New Ministers

 We had such an easy morning we almost left a little late for church. We had a special day in Peoria, today we had the new minister installation ceremony in the afternoon. For morning message the elder from Goodfield, Jeff Wiegand. Click HERE to watch that. After lunch was the special ceremony and that was so touching. Click HERE to watch that. We stopped at Aldi for ice cream as I had no dessert planned for Sunday dinner. That turned out very well and there was plenty. After dinner Lilly brought in one of the kittens to try to encourage her parents to let her have one.

They still said no. We all left then to work with the new foals. Rosaleigh's foal is now 12 days old and had not yet had a halter on him, nor had he been tied. They were taken into the stall, Rosaleigh given grain and the colt given a lesson. He fought the rope a little bit but when the girls came in, to give him attention he settled right down.

He actually enjoyed the attention.

Star's filly was also given a tying lesson. She is just 1 week old today.

She was a little harder to handle as Star is being more protective. We ended up tying Star and Mike actually picked the filly up. She was very calm while he was holding her.

She was not so calm being tied but finally settled down. 

Before putting the horses away we teased. Rosaleigh is just going out, but stood for Valiant so was covered. It took a while for her to show and she did not show much but hopefully we caught her. Star was not in at all, she pinned her ears at both stallions. While we were teasing Sarah took Cookie to the round pen and gave pony rides to the grand children.

Some of these pictures were taken by Sarah as Mark and I took Nancy home to Morton, IL. We didn't get home from there until after 8:00 pm, drove straight to the barn to dump garbage and bring home any left over food from Supper. Anna had all of the dishes done and I'm not sure who cleaned the rest but we just emptied all of the garbage containers and Mark hauled that over to the dumpster. When I got back to the house I needed to do all of the cooking dishes, pots and pans from making supper. I really was tempted to leave that until tomorrow. Grandpa Meister used to tell us, "Never put off until tomorrow what should be done today." He was right in so many of his sayings. Now I'm very thankful it is done and I'm not facing it tomorrow.

Back To Life

 The foaling apartment airbnb guests made it out of the hospital around 10:00 pm last night and explained they would leave in the morning but it would need to be later around 11:00 am as they both were exhausted. At 9:45 am they sent a text that they were leaving but wanted to thank us for yesterday. I needed to be at mom's by 10:30 am as Ruth needed to leave for a birthday party but in those extra 45 minutes I was able to collect all of the laundry from the apartment and take that down to the house and the first of 3 loads were started. The garbage was hauled over to the dumpster and then it was time to be at mom's. Mom and Ruth were out on the deck. A goose pair brought their 4 tiny goslings to mom's beach. Ruth took the picture below. 

We enjoyed the sunshine until it became too hot. About then I got a notice that the airbnb guests that rented the barn would be leaving in a few minutes. Mark went in and collected all of the garbages. As Mackenson was here I ran to the barn to collect all of the laundry from there. 

The group that stayed was a large group and used every bed. There were also lots of towels used. I had 3 loads of laundry of just sheets and 2 more of towels from there. I was running back and forth from mom's house to mine every 45 minutes to change the machines. I was able to get all 8 loads done. Braelyn came to clean the apartment and Rachel went to the barn to get that set up for tonight. She and David cleaned the living area. When Ruth got back I was able to get all of the beds made then sat down to rest just as David came over. He told me Rhoda was up giving pony rides to Iris and Elisabet. The golf cart was taken up there. Below are just a few pictures. They were riding by them selves in the outdoor arena.

Above is Iris and below is Elisabet.

Even Zeke rode Cookie.

I also took some video of each girl riding but that will be worked on later, it is much too late tonight.

Zeke and Iris had fun playing on the light pole while waiting their turn.

I had the fruit for tonight on the golf cart so drove straight to the barn to start washing and arranging 2 platters of fruit. Rachel brought home baked cookies and bars plus some sweet and salty chips. Diane R brought goodies and someone else brought a big bowl of caramel corn. The evening started at 6:30 pm. We thought there were plenty of chairs set up in the living area but we were wrong. When John and Serena arrived, John helped Mark move in more chairs but even after that we ended up bringing in about 20 more chairs. David started his story way back in July of last year. But it was the time in Gulf Shores that gave us all chills. I'm sorry it wasn't recorded, maybe some day that can be done. It really is an amazing wonderful story. The video below is just of the last 2 songs of the evening.

The entire day was a day to give thanks but the evening was the icing on the cake. 

Along For the Ride

 Up at 5:00 am so a couple mugs of coffee could be downed before going over to start getting the barn ready for the guests coming in at noon. Mark drove Berlica and Mackenson to Co-op at Joan is in Gulf Shores. She made it by 5:30 am stopping a couple times to sleep. Ruth is with mom. At 11:00 am I had finished with everything but setting up the fire pit, hauling wood for burning and hot dog forks. Instead of doing that I drove to TSC to pick up 5 way vaccines for the 4 yearlings, 6 bags of grain and also 6 better boy tomato plants. I went straight home to put the vaccines in the fridge, unload the grain and then stop in at mom's. She wanted 3 of the 6 plants. Ruth went to her house to get some pots, Rachel came over to help plant but stopped first to give mom a bouquet of flowers picked from her yards. 

Only then did she repot the tomato plants.

Mark was busy grading the driveways when I was working on the firepit.

We had both finished and was back in the house when our airbnb guest drove up. He was not feeling well and wanted to go to a hospital. Mark, well the Tesla, drove him to St. Francis.

His wife met him at the Emergency room so we drove home. This was a first for us and what is pretty scary is he and his wife AND their 2 big dogs need to check out tomorrow morning as we have a new guest coming in. I just talked to his wife and they are still waiting at the ER. I contacted Airbnb to see what I should do if they can't get out of the apartment before the new guests arrive and the answer basically was you will have to deal with it. Although later they came back with another message with phone numbers to call if that happens. I went out to tease and cover mares. Valerie was teased first and is still in. Evan was very glad to cover her. When Mike got back from taking Diane to the airport at Belleville, IL he came over to help get Blueberry covered by Valiant. Both were successful covers  Missy and Cookie were out grazing in the big field, I went out to call them in for the evening when Mike arrived on the 4 wheeler with Roseberry in tow. 

She went first to greet Cookie.

She actually did well as this was the first time she was asked to leave her companions and go into the outdoor arena and then back to the cabin field.

I followed them back to the cabin. She was put away and Dahlia brought out for her turn. She also did well going away from her companions.

I followed them back again and the last yearling worked with was Shadow. Shadow doesn't actually turn a year until May 10th. 

When everything with the horses were finished Mark and I had the car take us out to eat and it took us straight to Wendy's. Well we might have put that info in the navigate part. This is a new Wendy's just 10 miles from our house near the 474 exit off Washington street.

Mark ordered the taco salad and I ordered the cobb salad.

Both were good, they are smaller than the salad's of old, you know the ones before covid hit but still tasted good and was enough. We stopped at Aldi to buy a gallon of milk and a loaf of bread before going home. Our foaling apartment guests are still waiting at the ER, the wife came back to let the dogs out but then went right back to the hospital. Our barn guests are having a good time and have the firepit going strong. We really are enjoying the Tesla, at our age we were not wanting to drive at night but now the car does the driving and it is safe  we can just go along for the ride even at night.