Visitation Day

 This morning Becky joined us for the walk. Peter and Evelyn arrived last night after everyone had gone to bed. The walk was slower than usual, there was just so much visiting that needed to be done. As soon as we quit Mike arrived to help get Basilea and Thalia covered. We got Basilea covered by Valiant first. Mike used the 4 wheeler to work with Thalia a bit after getting her covered by Evan.

Sometimes she balks at moving forward but today she did very well.

We loaded up Blueberry and Missy and drove them to Middle Grove. The horses were not where they were expected to be so we had to drive quite a while to find them. They were on top of the hill lounging under the trees. Oliver came running to us first.

Below Madiera and Curlin were both hanging around Oliver. Mike is behind with him. Both of these mares are in season. We had already loaded the two mares due in June, Tessa and Sheena and only really had room to bring one more mare home so loaded up Madiera. As both stallions were used today we will get her covered tomorrow and will probably choose Evan for her this year.

I asked Mike to move the face of the mare below so we could figure out who she was. I think this is Aiken. 

Below Mike is hugging Jewel while Harli and Jury look on.

Harli was glad when I came over to give her attention. She stood very well. Jury also enjoyed some hugs and scratches. Both of these mares will come back to Hanna City as soon as we have a paddock open.

Above left to right is Harli, Jury and Jewel below is Curlin, who just happened to be in season.

Above is Lily below is Holly.

As soon as we got home the mares were just put in Evan's pasture until I could move some bales. I needed to be at sibling meeting and just made it. We had 10 of us today to go over things. We spent a lot of time laughing instead.

We had lunch at the barn around 12:30 pm. I think everyone made it plus our New Jersey and Utah guests. I had to leave a little early as Ruth thought I had a horse out. I didn't but that gave me a chance to move the 2 mares out of the paddock next to Valiant's paddock so a new bale could be put in there and the second bale was put in the short shelter. Those 2 mares were put back into the paddock next to Valiant's. Dahlia and Cookie were moved into the short shelter paddock. Sheena and Tessa were put in the last paddock as they are the next 2 due.

By the time I got back to the barn everyone was gone. The fridge in the barn was not working right. It was down to 19 degrees and was freezing the food. All of the food was taken out of the fridge and freezer, that was turned off.

The freezer food was put in the big freezer while the fridge food was put in a cooler with plenty of ice and frozen packs. Hopefully tomorrow I can turn on the fridge and it will run correctly. We need that fridge for the wedding company. I came home in time to clean up and get ready for the visitation. As all 11 of us were together we had get a picture of all of us.

The visitation was well attended. It was amazing to hear the stories of mom from so many different people of all ages.  Mom's Bibles study group served the family a delicious supper and I know they fed well over 100 of us. A BIG thanks for that big job. We really did appreciate that.  After it was over the pictures were loaded into Sarah's van and taken to our house. It is too late tonight to unload so that will be done tomorrow probably after the funeral. I am MORE than ready for bed. 

Another Day Done

 On our walk this morning we saw 2 of the goose families plus the 3rd gander and goose with the 6 eggs in the nest that still haven't hatched. 

I only did one round so I could leave by 8:15 am for the Berean office. It was good to be there but a little sad missing mom at her usual spot stamping envelopes. Sharon did her job today and pretty much promised to keep up. Below she is getting up to get the boxes and stampers while Shirley, Shirl and Vonnie open mail. 

Marvin and Kathy were working at the other desks. Skip was busy for a while in the other room but came in and had the prayer. Below he is waiting for Vonnie and Shirl who were already working on filling boxes.

We had 12 Bible requests today.

Below Sharon is getting ready to taste some of Vonnie's delicious cinnamon pecan sticky buns. If you look through the window you will see Kathy and Marvin hard at work.

We enjoyed those delicious treats. They really were melt in your mouth tender, soft and oh so sweet. I stopped at the Hanna City post office and told Kathy, the post mistress, that I would not be driving the wheel chair van anymore as mom passed away on Friday. She told me to let all of you girls that she is praying for us. She lost her dad a couple months ago. When I got back Berlica was mowing. The mower stopped and she brought in this baby bunny.

She took it over to show her mom but then I'm pretty sure let the bunny go where she found it. The flowers by our drive are a bright spot on a cool sprinkling day.

Aunt Jinnie and Becky's plane was supposed to arrive at 4:50 pm at the Peoria airport but Becky sent a text around 4:00 pm they were still on the runway and had been for a half an hour. I picked up Spark and we left for the airport at 4:45 pm and arrived just as they had landed. Pick up went quite well and we were back at the barn just in time for supper. Ruth set the tables and bought ice, Beth brought the dinner tonight and she went all out. 

After dinner David arrived to talk over the funeral plans and what would mom want preached. When that was over I took Aunt Jinnie and Becky over to mom's. They are staying in Aunt Jinnie's room. Peter and Evelyn should arrive around 9:30 pm and they will be staying in mom's basement. Diane came over and we went down the basement to turn on the lights for them. Diane showed me her towel arrangements. 

Ok I was impressed and will have to learn how she did that. Diane pulled out the suitcase of all of dad's letters to mom when he was in the army and started reading them aloud.

John and Beth came over, they hadn't had any supper yet so we gave them some leftovers. I left then for home. Dan sent a picture of the sunset on his way home then Beth sent the picture below of the sun breaking through the clouds as it was setting.

Another day done. 

Returns

 We walked earlier today. Ruth sent a message asking if anyone had any diapers. Anni was in labor so she and Fedi took the 2 older children and went to mom's house at 3:40 am.  The only one here in the neighborhood that had diapers was Rachel. She is the grandma to many babies and toddlers. Fedi took the boys on the golf cart in front of the walkers. They had some happy smiles for the ride. 

Fedi did too, although you can't really tell by the picture below.

We got notice while still on the walk that baby number 3 was safely here. On the walk we noticed a goose family with some newly hatched goslings on the retention pond.

Behind them was another nest. Joan was able to get close enough from the other side to check it out.

This pair is sitting on 6 eggs. After the walk Mike came over to help get Basilea covered with Valiant and Thalia covered with Evan. As long as I had the two stallions out I went to work on their tails. Last year they were very matted and instead of brushing them out and getting out all of the knots I just ignored it. Well their tails grow so fast this year they were both dragging on the ground and the matts were now impossible to removed. I started cutting them off but was not making much progress. Mike used his saw and finished the job. Their tails are still plenty long enough for swatting flies. I should have taken an after picture but didn't think of that. Below are the two tails that were cut off.

At our house the dishes needed to be done from all the cooking yesterday. The stove was cleaned up and more laundry done. Next came the barn. The kids gave me this beautiful flower arrangement for Mother's Day

I left it at the barn as we will be hosting a dinner tomorrow evening then just having our meals all together over there.  I worked over there until 1:30 pm and finally came back here sat down, picked up a book to read and fell asleep.  We started getting messages from mom's side of the family and now have family coming in from California, Utah, and Michigan.  Diane and Ruth spent the day getting mom's house ready for company. We are all so glad they are coming. Mike brought Sally over after doing the trails on the other side of the creek.

Sally is just a perfect horse except she is 25 years old.  On the way back to the house after dropping off the garbage I had to staop to take a picture of Quinten petting Izzy.

Joan gave us back the other golf cart now that she is no longer living at mom's. That meant tonight I had to clean out the garage so we can fit both golf carts inside. I almost finished and was able to get them both inside but not quite far enough to shut the garage door. There is one more thing about 10 inches wide that can be moved but it was very heavy so will wait for Mark to help tomorrow. Braelyn is cleaning the apartment tonight. I stopped up to grab some of the laundry as I brought some hand towels from the barn that need to be washed too. Those are in the washer now. Mark brought up the mail. Some sympathy cards had come. Thank YOU for those who sent them. That is something I never think to do but now that I'm on the receiving end should start. They really do mean a lot. 

Mother's Day Without a MOM

 Sunday morning and no rush, things just feel so strange. No push to get to church early to stay with mom while Joan goes up front with the Sunday school. Mother's day and no mom. The first time in all of my 71 years I don't have a mom. My mom, the person that would call me at 5:00 am to tell me I misspelled word on the blog won't be doing that anymore. Who is going to let me know of grammar mistakes? Things are just unsettled. I am not the only one. The family texts started at 7:00 am with memories of mom from all of the siblings. Rachel sent the picture below. This is the last time Mom sat on the porch swing in Gulf Shores with Aunt Jinnie.

They sat down, looking out at the Gulf and mom said, "now this is perfect!" Aunt Jinnie and Becky are flying in Tuesday afternoon at 4:50 pm. They are planning to stay until after Faith's wedding next Sunday. All of us are so glad they are going to make this quick trip. We truly appreciate how much Aunt Jinnie did for and with mom these last 4 and a half years. We left for church at 9:00 am and went into the kitchen door to see if Rhonda needed any help. It was nice to see how many people were there helping her. Dave Buetel had the morning Mother's day message, his very first sermon since being put in as minister. Click HERE to watch that. We were all praying for him and he could certainly feel the prayers. Lunch went well, Spark and Rhonda had plenty of food even though church was quite full. Craig Stickling had the afternoon message. Click HERE to watch that. After church I was getting the meal ready when Berlica came in to tell me that Rhoda and Iris were riding to the trails. Of COURSE I needed to go right out to watch and take pictures.

They even rode the 'death' trails. I drove the golf cart while Berlica took the video below before they actually got on the trails. .

When we got back up to the playground Zeke wanted to ride back to the barn so Iris got on the golf cart while Berlica helped Zeke up on Cookie.

He sure was a happy boy.

By the time we got back it was almost 4:30 pm and we usually start eating then. Diane had come and was getting everything ready. We had some really delicious food to feast on tonight.

There was plenty of food for all. After supper we sat outside by the playground visiting until it became cool then moved to the fire. John and Beth arrived and brought bags of toys and clothes from Jr and Sherry.

Those were moved into the barn later tonight and we will let the kids go through them when they come next. Joan and her kids came over about the time my kids were all leaving.

We stayed until after sunset. Berlica took the picture below.

I'm now back in the house and have started some laundry. Tomorrow I may even spend some time cleaning HERE at this house. It has been neglected these last few weeks.