The copy machine needed more toner so the 7 year old toner purchased on ebay was pulled out and carefully placed in the machine but when the cartridge was pulled out powdered toner flew all over the machine, the floor and ME. The machine was run from 8:20am to 10:20am making thousands of copies. Now all of this was good but what wasn't good is there are no mirrors in the Berean warehouse. I made sure my hands were clean before leaving for Washington, IL but never thought to check my face. The first stop was Cato's to take back the one blouse. I didn't want to just take it back I wanted to replace it using the same amount of money but I kept getting weird looks from the saleslady and the one other customer that came in while I was shopping. The saleslady kept a close watch on me, so much so even I thought it was weird until after the exchange was made and I was in the car. Then and only then did I happen to look in the mirror and see the shades of black toner powder all over my face. This looked like more than just a dirty face, it looked like a face that hadn't been washed for weeks. Once the toner powder lands on skin it just sticks. I had to scrub and scrub before heading to Phil and Anna's to watch Braelyn for the rest of the day.
There was exactly one hour from the time I arrived home until we needed to leave for church. Mom gave us all some of her delicious ham and bean soup made from the left over ham bone from Thanksgiving and that was heated up for dinner.
Greg Reed spent the day here repairing the shelter roofs from the storm damage but it was too dark to see what he accomplished by the time I arrived home.
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
Shopping!
By the time we were ready to work, the office was nice and toasty. The unvented gas heater was turned off and just the small electric kept the room plenty warm. Once the studies were processed Eva Jean worked on making copies. This new machine spits out double sided copies faster than any other copier we have ever worked.
We quit for lunch and took off for Denny's without the guys, we wanted them to drive separate as Eva Jean had a store she thought we should visit after lunch. The store was in Washington, IL and named Cato's. There are rows and rows of jean skirts, dresses, dress skirts and blouses. I bought 3 blouses, a skirt and a watch but tomorrow will go back and return one of the blouses. We are going to a wedding over the weekend and I found suitable clothes. Once back at the shop Mark helped load boxes of Bibles into the car filling the back completely to take to the Skyline home. The first of the month bills were paid a couple of days early then finally made it back by 4:00pm. The dogs were VERY ready to go outside and the apartment was a cold 62 degrees. The wood burner was fired up and by the time Mark got home from work it was up to 74 degrees.
We left for Skylines at 6:30pm for choir practice. Ida Schwenk joined us again, I think she is 98 or 99 years old.
We had a good practice, Mindy and Myrna brought lunch and it was delicious.
The disadvantage of practicing at Skyline is the drive, it took us 50 minutes to get home driving through the South end of Peoria. If we take the interstate we can make it in 40 minutes but the drive is 6 extra miles. Next time we will spend the gas and save the time!
We quit for lunch and took off for Denny's without the guys, we wanted them to drive separate as Eva Jean had a store she thought we should visit after lunch. The store was in Washington, IL and named Cato's. There are rows and rows of jean skirts, dresses, dress skirts and blouses. I bought 3 blouses, a skirt and a watch but tomorrow will go back and return one of the blouses. We are going to a wedding over the weekend and I found suitable clothes. Once back at the shop Mark helped load boxes of Bibles into the car filling the back completely to take to the Skyline home. The first of the month bills were paid a couple of days early then finally made it back by 4:00pm. The dogs were VERY ready to go outside and the apartment was a cold 62 degrees. The wood burner was fired up and by the time Mark got home from work it was up to 74 degrees.
We left for Skylines at 6:30pm for choir practice. Ida Schwenk joined us again, I think she is 98 or 99 years old.
We had a good practice, Mindy and Myrna brought lunch and it was delicious.
The disadvantage of practicing at Skyline is the drive, it took us 50 minutes to get home driving through the South end of Peoria. If we take the interstate we can make it in 40 minutes but the drive is 6 extra miles. Next time we will spend the gas and save the time!
Wind
The wind this morning is trying it's best to blow down our humble abode. The big bad wolf must be out there huffing and puffing. He needs to know there are no little piggies in here. Even though Mark had this place well insulated we hear the buildings rattling. Our Horsemeister sign started coming down, a screw driver and step stool were taken out to tighten down the screws but I'm not sure it will hold.
Thank goodness Steven moved the weanlings back into the breeding shed. He also sheeted Raven. Steven felt the old guy needs a bit more protection in this kind of weather. We do not blanket our horses, that inhibits hair growth. Our horses don't get worked hard in the winter and they NEED their naturally thick winter fur coats but a windbreaker for Raven will just help him be more comfortable.
I'll need to leave early for work this morning to turn on the office heater and warm up the place before Eva Jean arrives.
Thank goodness Steven moved the weanlings back into the breeding shed. He also sheeted Raven. Steven felt the old guy needs a bit more protection in this kind of weather. We do not blanket our horses, that inhibits hair growth. Our horses don't get worked hard in the winter and they NEED their naturally thick winter fur coats but a windbreaker for Raven will just help him be more comfortable.
I'll need to leave early for work this morning to turn on the office heater and warm up the place before Eva Jean arrives.
Monday, November 28, 2011
The Real First Thanksgiving
This is a bit long but WOW WHAT A TRUTH. THIS IS HOW OUR GREAT COUNTRY BECAME GREAT.
The Real First Thanksgiving
By Jeff Harding, on November 24th, 2011
This article originally appeared in 1985 in The Free Market and is from the Mises Institute.
The Great Thanksgiving Hoax
by Richard J. Maybury
Each year at this time school children all over America are taught the official Thanksgiving story, and newspapers, radio, TV, and magazines devote vast amounts of time and space to it. It is all very colorful and fascinating.
It is also very deceiving. This official story is nothing like what really happened. It is a fairy tale, a whitewashed and sanitized collection of half-truths which divert attention away from Thanksgiving’s real meaning.
The official story has the pilgrims boarding the Mayflower, coming to America and establishing the Plymouth colony in the winter of 1620-21. This first winter is hard, and half the colonists die. But the survivors are hard working and tenacious, and they learn new farming techniques from the Indians. The harvest of 1621 is bountiful. The Pilgrims hold a celebration, and give thanks to God. They are grateful for the wonderful new abundant land He has given them.
The official story then has the Pilgrims living more or less happily ever after, each year repeating the first Thanksgiving. Other early colonies also have hard times at first, but they soon prosper and adopt the annual tradition of giving thanks for this prosperous new land called America.
The problem with this official story is that the harvest of 1621 was not bountiful, nor were the colonists hardworking or tenacious. 1621 was a famine year and many of the colonists were lazy thieves.
In his History of Plymouth Plantation, the governor of the colony, William Bradford, reported that the colonists went hungry for years, because they refused to work in the fields. They preferred instead to steal food. He says the colony was riddled with “corruption,” and with “confusion and discontent.” The crops were small because “much was stolen both by night and day, before it became scarce eatable.”
In the harvest feasts of 1621 and 1622, “all had their hungry bellies filled,” but only briefly. The prevailing condition during those years was not the abundance the official story claims, it was famine and death. The first “Thanksgiving” was not so much a celebration as it was the last meal of condemned men.
But in subsequent years something changes. The harvest of 1623 was different. Suddenly, “instead of famine now God gave them plenty,” Bradford wrote, “and the face of things was changed, to the rejoicing of the hearts of many, for which they blessed God.” Thereafter, he wrote, “any general want or famine hath not been amongst them since to this day.” In fact, in 1624, so much food was produced that the colonists were able to begin exporting corn.
What happened?
After the poor harvest of 1622, writes Bradford, “they began to think how they might raise as much corn as they could, and obtain a better crop.” They began to question their form of economic organization.
This had required that “all profits & benefits that are got by trade, working, fishing, or any other means” were to be placed in the common stock of the colony, and that, “all such persons as are of this colony, are to have their meat, drink, apparel, and all provisions out of the common stock.” A person was to put into the common stock all he could, and take out only what he needed.
This “from each according to his ability, to each according to his need” was an early form of socialism, and it is why the Pilgrims were starving. Bradford writes that “young men that are most able and fit for labor and service” complained about being forced to “spend their time and strength to work for other men’s wives and children.” Also, “the strong, or man of parts, had no more in division of victuals and clothes, than he that was weak.” So the young and strong refused to work and the total amount of food produced was never adequate.
To rectify this situation, in 1623 Bradford abolished socialism. He gave each household a parcel of land and told them they could keep what they produced, or trade it away as they saw fit. In other words, he replaced socialism with a free market, and that was the end of famines.
Many early groups of colonists set up socialist states, all with the same terrible results. At Jamestown, established in 1607, out of every shipload of settlers that arrived, less than half would survive their first twelve months in America. Most of the work was being done by only one-fifth of the men, the other four-fifths choosing to be parasites. In the winter of 1609-10, called “The Starving Time,” the population fell from five-hundred to sixty.
Then the Jamestown colony was converted to a free market, and the results were every bit as dramatic as those at Plymouth. In 1614, Colony Secretary Ralph Hamor wrote that after the switch there was “plenty of food, which every man by his own industry may easily and doth procure.” He said that when the socialist system had prevailed, “we reaped not so much corn from the labors of thirty men as three men have done for themselves now.”
Before these free markets were established, the colonists had nothing for which to be thankful. They were in the same situation as Ethiopians are today, and for the same reasons. But after free markets were established, the resulting abundance was so dramatic that the annual Thanksgiving celebrations became common throughout the colonies, and in 1863, Thanksgiving became a national holiday.
Thus the real reason for Thanksgiving, deleted from the official story, is: Socialism does not work; the one and only source of abundance is free markets, and we thank God we live in a country where we can have them.
The Real First Thanksgiving
By Jeff Harding, on November 24th, 2011
This article originally appeared in 1985 in The Free Market and is from the Mises Institute.
The Great Thanksgiving Hoax
by Richard J. Maybury
Each year at this time school children all over America are taught the official Thanksgiving story, and newspapers, radio, TV, and magazines devote vast amounts of time and space to it. It is all very colorful and fascinating.
It is also very deceiving. This official story is nothing like what really happened. It is a fairy tale, a whitewashed and sanitized collection of half-truths which divert attention away from Thanksgiving’s real meaning.
The official story has the pilgrims boarding the Mayflower, coming to America and establishing the Plymouth colony in the winter of 1620-21. This first winter is hard, and half the colonists die. But the survivors are hard working and tenacious, and they learn new farming techniques from the Indians. The harvest of 1621 is bountiful. The Pilgrims hold a celebration, and give thanks to God. They are grateful for the wonderful new abundant land He has given them.
The official story then has the Pilgrims living more or less happily ever after, each year repeating the first Thanksgiving. Other early colonies also have hard times at first, but they soon prosper and adopt the annual tradition of giving thanks for this prosperous new land called America.
The problem with this official story is that the harvest of 1621 was not bountiful, nor were the colonists hardworking or tenacious. 1621 was a famine year and many of the colonists were lazy thieves.
In his History of Plymouth Plantation, the governor of the colony, William Bradford, reported that the colonists went hungry for years, because they refused to work in the fields. They preferred instead to steal food. He says the colony was riddled with “corruption,” and with “confusion and discontent.” The crops were small because “much was stolen both by night and day, before it became scarce eatable.”
In the harvest feasts of 1621 and 1622, “all had their hungry bellies filled,” but only briefly. The prevailing condition during those years was not the abundance the official story claims, it was famine and death. The first “Thanksgiving” was not so much a celebration as it was the last meal of condemned men.
But in subsequent years something changes. The harvest of 1623 was different. Suddenly, “instead of famine now God gave them plenty,” Bradford wrote, “and the face of things was changed, to the rejoicing of the hearts of many, for which they blessed God.” Thereafter, he wrote, “any general want or famine hath not been amongst them since to this day.” In fact, in 1624, so much food was produced that the colonists were able to begin exporting corn.
What happened?
After the poor harvest of 1622, writes Bradford, “they began to think how they might raise as much corn as they could, and obtain a better crop.” They began to question their form of economic organization.
This had required that “all profits & benefits that are got by trade, working, fishing, or any other means” were to be placed in the common stock of the colony, and that, “all such persons as are of this colony, are to have their meat, drink, apparel, and all provisions out of the common stock.” A person was to put into the common stock all he could, and take out only what he needed.
This “from each according to his ability, to each according to his need” was an early form of socialism, and it is why the Pilgrims were starving. Bradford writes that “young men that are most able and fit for labor and service” complained about being forced to “spend their time and strength to work for other men’s wives and children.” Also, “the strong, or man of parts, had no more in division of victuals and clothes, than he that was weak.” So the young and strong refused to work and the total amount of food produced was never adequate.
To rectify this situation, in 1623 Bradford abolished socialism. He gave each household a parcel of land and told them they could keep what they produced, or trade it away as they saw fit. In other words, he replaced socialism with a free market, and that was the end of famines.
Many early groups of colonists set up socialist states, all with the same terrible results. At Jamestown, established in 1607, out of every shipload of settlers that arrived, less than half would survive their first twelve months in America. Most of the work was being done by only one-fifth of the men, the other four-fifths choosing to be parasites. In the winter of 1609-10, called “The Starving Time,” the population fell from five-hundred to sixty.
Then the Jamestown colony was converted to a free market, and the results were every bit as dramatic as those at Plymouth. In 1614, Colony Secretary Ralph Hamor wrote that after the switch there was “plenty of food, which every man by his own industry may easily and doth procure.” He said that when the socialist system had prevailed, “we reaped not so much corn from the labors of thirty men as three men have done for themselves now.”
Before these free markets were established, the colonists had nothing for which to be thankful. They were in the same situation as Ethiopians are today, and for the same reasons. But after free markets were established, the resulting abundance was so dramatic that the annual Thanksgiving celebrations became common throughout the colonies, and in 1863, Thanksgiving became a national holiday.
Thus the real reason for Thanksgiving, deleted from the official story, is: Socialism does not work; the one and only source of abundance is free markets, and we thank God we live in a country where we can have them.
Bow
After work today Bow was pulled out of the muddy paddock and taken by herself to the outdoor arena. She was not happy, did 2 rounds then jumped the fence. We knew she liked to jump but 4 feet? One more reason a top board must be added to the arena. At least we got a little of her magnificent movement before she jumped out and took off for home. The video is only a half a minute long but uploading it today was awful. The internet was intermittent and each time the video had to be restarted.
All of Bow's paper work is now back from the Friesian Heritage Horse registry. Her registered name is Lauralee of Horsemeister but the registry told me who ever buys her can name her what ever they want for NO cost. She is for sale for $4000.00 and can leave her mom in December. Her very best friend Jacob will be leaving for his new home December 20th and it would be nice if she could stay with him until that time. She is a very friendly filly, she leads, loads, stands tied and likes to be fussed over.
Steven bought a shock collar for Kylee his dog and today Kylee learned she must not chase the horses, she must not pull tails and she must not jump up. Amazing how quickly she learned. Steven was thrilled with her behavior today. He spent some time working Valiant and Evan, graining the foals, and moving the weanlings back to their shelter now that there is hay in there.
Below is a new trick he is teaching Evan. Evan must pretend to be dead until Steven comes back and lets him sit up.
Sunday, November 27, 2011
Turkey Soup
We left for church just a bit after 8:00am and made it to Bible study before the starting time. Just before we got there my phone rang, it was Diane, she discovered her fur coat is a FAKE! She stated, "I guess I really am a country bumpkin!" She still got a good buy, just not an unbelievable buy. What made this extra funny was when she was telling us the price she was sure that the Salvation Army must have thought the coat was fake fur, the price was so cheap. Turns out it WAS. After church Diane invited everyone out to her place for turkey soup. She also served just baked crusty warm bread and butter, different cheeses, crackers and for dessert, brownies.
The Davidovics and Karin finally made it back from Gulf Shores after a 21 hour trip. Their transmission gave out about an hour south of St. Louis. They were towed in to a mechanic shop and rented a van to make it home but all of this took time and money. They are exhausted. At least Karin made it back in time for the volley ball game. She and Rhoda left for that after downing a bowl of soup.
Rhoda received a very sweet thank-you note along with some gift certificates today at church during lunch from Halley Stratton. That was really sweet but not necessary, Rhoda likes to take kids riding.
After dinner Mike, Mark and I needed to put 4 round bales in and this had to be accomplished without the skid steer and in the dark. Mike used the Allis Chambers with the bale fork on the back while Mark and I held flashlights and it worked out fine, better than I expected. He will need to load up the paddocks with hay again on Thursday as we are all leaving town on Friday. Us for a wedding in Louisville and Mike & Diane for Puerto Rico.
The Davidovics and Karin finally made it back from Gulf Shores after a 21 hour trip. Their transmission gave out about an hour south of St. Louis. They were towed in to a mechanic shop and rented a van to make it home but all of this took time and money. They are exhausted. At least Karin made it back in time for the volley ball game. She and Rhoda left for that after downing a bowl of soup.
Rhoda received a very sweet thank-you note along with some gift certificates today at church during lunch from Halley Stratton. That was really sweet but not necessary, Rhoda likes to take kids riding.
After dinner Mike, Mark and I needed to put 4 round bales in and this had to be accomplished without the skid steer and in the dark. Mike used the Allis Chambers with the bale fork on the back while Mark and I held flashlights and it worked out fine, better than I expected. He will need to load up the paddocks with hay again on Thursday as we are all leaving town on Friday. Us for a wedding in Louisville and Mike & Diane for Puerto Rico.
Trailer Need
Below is an email from Gail the lady that bought Autumn:
Hi Judy, I just wanted to drop you a note and tell you that Autumn and I had our first Dressage lesson yesterday. She did awesome of course!
I am looking for a two horse bumper pull trailer if you know of any. I need a tall one that Autumn will fit it. I prefer a slant load, but would consider a straight load!!
Gail
Ps. Autumn is the most awesome loveable horse I have ever known. We have bonded and I will live in a tent before she goes anywhere. She is so willing to please and with dressage, you show her or tell her and she just does it...She is one awesome horse!!
If anyone out there has a nice safe TALL bumper pull trailer they would consider selling please let Gail know, her email address is: nativeacres@frontier.com
We are very pleased to hear Autumn is in dressage training, her full brother is a dressage champion AND the grand champion at the inspections. We felt Autumn was just as talented, just needed an owner willing to train her. WAY TO GO GAIL!
That is what is so wonderful about these Raven babies, they have the talent to go ALL the WAY, are easy to train and yet have the personality of a Golden Retriever, they WANT to please their owner.
We have ONLY 1 foal left from 2011 to sell. Bow, Ribbon's filly. She is maturing into a very beautiful filly and WOW, when she starts her huge trot with her tail flagged pointing to the sky she is magnificent. We must schedule a new pictures and a new video of her showing off. She is going to be TALL, probably even taller than Raven and Ribbon. Oh yes, she can JUMP, she was galloping out in the field and instead of going around the culvert Rhoda was using as a jump, she hurled herself over and had a perfect jumping position. Her price is only $4000.00 and she comes with a reduced breeding to Evan at age 3. She is so fantastic we don't mind keeping her and using her as a brood mare our-self but that would actually be a waste.
The rain kept pounding down all of the day yesterday and far into the night. Mark is pleased the pond is filling up quickly. It is very overcast and gray this morning but no rain is falling.
Hi Judy, I just wanted to drop you a note and tell you that Autumn and I had our first Dressage lesson yesterday. She did awesome of course!
I am looking for a two horse bumper pull trailer if you know of any. I need a tall one that Autumn will fit it. I prefer a slant load, but would consider a straight load!!
Gail
Ps. Autumn is the most awesome loveable horse I have ever known. We have bonded and I will live in a tent before she goes anywhere. She is so willing to please and with dressage, you show her or tell her and she just does it...She is one awesome horse!!
If anyone out there has a nice safe TALL bumper pull trailer they would consider selling please let Gail know, her email address is: nativeacres@frontier.com
We are very pleased to hear Autumn is in dressage training, her full brother is a dressage champion AND the grand champion at the inspections. We felt Autumn was just as talented, just needed an owner willing to train her. WAY TO GO GAIL!
That is what is so wonderful about these Raven babies, they have the talent to go ALL the WAY, are easy to train and yet have the personality of a Golden Retriever, they WANT to please their owner.
We have ONLY 1 foal left from 2011 to sell. Bow, Ribbon's filly. She is maturing into a very beautiful filly and WOW, when she starts her huge trot with her tail flagged pointing to the sky she is magnificent. We must schedule a new pictures and a new video of her showing off. She is going to be TALL, probably even taller than Raven and Ribbon. Oh yes, she can JUMP, she was galloping out in the field and instead of going around the culvert Rhoda was using as a jump, she hurled herself over and had a perfect jumping position. Her price is only $4000.00 and she comes with a reduced breeding to Evan at age 3. She is so fantastic we don't mind keeping her and using her as a brood mare our-self but that would actually be a waste.
The rain kept pounding down all of the day yesterday and far into the night. Mark is pleased the pond is filling up quickly. It is very overcast and gray this morning but no rain is falling.
Saturday, November 26, 2011
Cold DRIVING Rain
The rain is pounding on our roof, the yards are flooded and the paddocks muddy. This is what our November is usually like. Ben, Taunya, Addyson, Jack, Sarah, and mom met over here for breakfast this morning before some of them headed in to Peoria for a big shopping trip. Mark helped hook up the trailer, Knight was loaded up and mom who does not like to shop in crowds, came with me to deliver him to his new owners. They raise ponies and show ponies, he has the perfect home.
It was raining when we started driving, rained the entire way there and back and is pouring down rain now. Steven Marchal was at the farm when we arrived back, he had the boys inside the indoor giving them a break from their workout while he fed the other horses. He took Ella over to see if she was still in but she is now out, Evan is now out of work until Calypos comes in to season.
It was raining when we started driving, rained the entire way there and back and is pouring down rain now. Steven Marchal was at the farm when we arrived back, he had the boys inside the indoor giving them a break from their workout while he fed the other horses. He took Ella over to see if she was still in but she is now out, Evan is now out of work until Calypos comes in to season.
Friday, November 25, 2011
Holiday Fun
Today was a holiday for school and work, it also happened to be Bernice Otto's 90th birthday. Mom and I left a bit early for her birthday bash at Skylines so we could stop and see the progress on the Sauder's rental house. The house needed a new roof and was very small so Rachel decided the best option was to put up very tall rafters to give the house just a little more space. Spark brought one of his fantastic trucks to help set the rafters and Jozef Davidovics helped with the labor along with the entire Sauder family.
We really enjoyed seeing Bernice at the party, below was a group of young brothers with their instruments to provide the entertainment for the occasion.
We didn't stay for that, just listened to a couple of warm-up songs.
Rhoda had arrived back at the farm and took Addyson for a ride on HerElla. Ella now has a new name, all day long Addyson would say, "I rode MyElla, That's MyElla, or Where's MyElla."
The Stratton's brought their daughter and a friend out to ride. Rhoda pulled out Jenis and Ella. This was great for Ella, we got a chance to see how she would behave with other riders and for 2 hours she actually did well, but after 2 hours she decided she'd had enough and hit her naughty button. Rhoda had to get on her and straighten her back out at the end.
The girls switched horses.
Then let someone else take a turn.
And of course they weren't content to just walk and trot around, nope Mike and Lori just had to take off racing and it's Ella by a nose!
Zalena and Calypso needed to be teased today, still no sign of Calypso coming in and Zalena is now out. Ella was still in and covered with Rhoda's help but once she was done, Knight who is in the breeding shed paddock thought he could take on Evan and knocked down a board. When he couldn't get to Evan he had to take it out on Indy and Killian, chasing them around. Knight is leaving for his new home in Iowa, Indy and Killian will be SO relieved. Knight is just not nice to them but gets out of the middle paddock or pastures so must be in with them until tomorrow.
The kids stayed around all day, for dinner Rhoda brought Avanti's for every one. We had such fun playing with our grandchildren.
We really enjoyed seeing Bernice at the party, below was a group of young brothers with their instruments to provide the entertainment for the occasion.
We didn't stay for that, just listened to a couple of warm-up songs.
Rhoda had arrived back at the farm and took Addyson for a ride on HerElla. Ella now has a new name, all day long Addyson would say, "I rode MyElla, That's MyElla, or Where's MyElla."
The Stratton's brought their daughter and a friend out to ride. Rhoda pulled out Jenis and Ella. This was great for Ella, we got a chance to see how she would behave with other riders and for 2 hours she actually did well, but after 2 hours she decided she'd had enough and hit her naughty button. Rhoda had to get on her and straighten her back out at the end.
The girls switched horses.
Then let someone else take a turn.
And of course they weren't content to just walk and trot around, nope Mike and Lori just had to take off racing and it's Ella by a nose!
Zalena and Calypso needed to be teased today, still no sign of Calypso coming in and Zalena is now out. Ella was still in and covered with Rhoda's help but once she was done, Knight who is in the breeding shed paddock thought he could take on Evan and knocked down a board. When he couldn't get to Evan he had to take it out on Indy and Killian, chasing them around. Knight is leaving for his new home in Iowa, Indy and Killian will be SO relieved. Knight is just not nice to them but gets out of the middle paddock or pastures so must be in with them until tomorrow.
The kids stayed around all day, for dinner Rhoda brought Avanti's for every one. We had such fun playing with our grandchildren.
Thanksgiving Thankfulness
Yesterday was a day of Thanksgiving, and not just for our nation. We spent the morning in church with our wonderful church family giving thanks to a loving God who is SO GOOD and the afternoon at the Old School Center with a bunch of our physical family. We have a plethora of babies this year and after our abundant meal some of us retired into the library and spent the afternoon watching them play.
Notice how much alike the 2 babies in the picture above look with their chubby cheeks.
The bigger kids like those in their teens, twenties and thirty's played volley ball and basketball in one or the other of the Old School Center's gymnasiums. There was a group of people in the theater room watching movies on the HUGE big screen. The Old School Center is a fantastic place for big families to celebrate a holiday or hold a reunion. It has a huge commercial kitchen with 3 big ovens, 2 of which are confection ovens along with 2 microwaves a huge cooler, big sinks, warming tables and a huge stove. It is so well stocked that almost nothing from home needs to be brought. Below is Molly putting food away after the meal.
There is easily seating for over 200 people in the dining room with over flow tables in the hall. We used the round tables for our meal as our group was under 100 but the facility also offers rectangle tables for more seating.
Later, much later, once we were able to digest that huge meal we headed back to the farm. Jon & Kim Sceggel, from Elgin, IL were staying the night with us while Ben & Taunya, Addyson, Jack and Sarah stayed at mom's. After good conversation and great left overs we headed to bed around 9:30pm.
This morning during breakfast the transport company showed up to pick up Super and take him to his new home. They were suppose to come around 4:00pm but everything worked well for them to come early which was wonderful except there was no time to clean Super up and of course he had rolled. His owner was emailed and apologized to about sending her a muddy horse.
Notice how much alike the 2 babies in the picture above look with their chubby cheeks.
The bigger kids like those in their teens, twenties and thirty's played volley ball and basketball in one or the other of the Old School Center's gymnasiums. There was a group of people in the theater room watching movies on the HUGE big screen. The Old School Center is a fantastic place for big families to celebrate a holiday or hold a reunion. It has a huge commercial kitchen with 3 big ovens, 2 of which are confection ovens along with 2 microwaves a huge cooler, big sinks, warming tables and a huge stove. It is so well stocked that almost nothing from home needs to be brought. Below is Molly putting food away after the meal.
There is easily seating for over 200 people in the dining room with over flow tables in the hall. We used the round tables for our meal as our group was under 100 but the facility also offers rectangle tables for more seating.
Later, much later, once we were able to digest that huge meal we headed back to the farm. Jon & Kim Sceggel, from Elgin, IL were staying the night with us while Ben & Taunya, Addyson, Jack and Sarah stayed at mom's. After good conversation and great left overs we headed to bed around 9:30pm.
This morning during breakfast the transport company showed up to pick up Super and take him to his new home. They were suppose to come around 4:00pm but everything worked well for them to come early which was wonderful except there was no time to clean Super up and of course he had rolled. His owner was emailed and apologized to about sending her a muddy horse.
Wednesday, November 23, 2011
Labor of Love
Today is a true labor of love for my family. Why else would one chop cups of onions and celery, mix stuffing enough for at 30-40 people, bake 12 pies, stuff and cook a 23 pound turkey and peel 15 pounds of potatoes.
This is after a trip in to Aldi's for enough groceries for the big dinner and breakfast on Friday for our overnight guests.
Then 2 different trips to mom's, one to borrow some sage for the stuffing and one for ginger and nutmeg. Where the ginger and nutmeg went is a real mystery.
As this was going on Steven showed up and got Zalena and Ella covered, then teased Calypso. He thought she may be coming in so a trip out to the stallion pens to check but no, she is still not in.
He brought Evan and Valiant straight into the barn after their breeding jobs were done to work on Valiant's bow, lay-down and sit-up.
It is hard to remember Valiant is only 2 years old, he is now OVER 16 hands.
Mark said he was coming home early to help with the heavy stuff that needs to be moved out before company comes but it didn't happen. We will just have to do this tonight.
I'm so GLAD to be having company, finally the old wood burner will be taken out of this apartment.
This is after a trip in to Aldi's for enough groceries for the big dinner and breakfast on Friday for our overnight guests.
Then 2 different trips to mom's, one to borrow some sage for the stuffing and one for ginger and nutmeg. Where the ginger and nutmeg went is a real mystery.
As this was going on Steven showed up and got Zalena and Ella covered, then teased Calypso. He thought she may be coming in so a trip out to the stallion pens to check but no, she is still not in.
He brought Evan and Valiant straight into the barn after their breeding jobs were done to work on Valiant's bow, lay-down and sit-up.
It is hard to remember Valiant is only 2 years old, he is now OVER 16 hands.
Mark said he was coming home early to help with the heavy stuff that needs to be moved out before company comes but it didn't happen. We will just have to do this tonight.
I'm so GLAD to be having company, finally the old wood burner will be taken out of this apartment.
Class Up the Walk
See the sun trying hard to burn through the dense fog of the morning? We were promised the sun would come out today and it is doing it's best.
Diane spent the last 2 days in Chicago 'shopping' with a few of her friends. She showed up this morning for our walk in a FUR COAT! Not just fur but a MINK FUR COAT WITH A TAG!!!
She says she is trying to class up the joint around here. I'm not an expert on fashion but I think jeans don't really go with Fur. Turns out she and her friends went to the Salvation Army store in Chicago and had a blast. She told us one could spend hours in that store and still not see everything. She found the coat there and even talked the store into dropping the price significantly. She spent less on that coat then most people spend on a simple dress. Leave it to Diane to come home from the windy city with a great buy.
Today is baking day here at the farm. The pies will be started first, as the turkey will take up too much room. That must be cooked after the pies. Once the pies are finished and the turkey cooking a trip in to Peoria for lots more groceries will be done. We have over night company coming and need to stock up.
Tuesday, November 22, 2011
Rainy Cold November Day
Before the door was opened this morning a text came from Rachel inviting everyone to breakfast. I knew at that point it was raining and not just a little, but a steady cold rain that made morning chores more difficult. Mom called to cancel Rachel's invitation responding it was HER turn. We agreed to meet there by 7:30am. Then it was time to face the chilling rain and get the morning chores done before heading over. Raven's feeder had been knocked down into his paddock, a broken manure fork kept on hand for this purpose was used to pull it back under the fence so he could be fed without getting muddy. Once the grain was in the feeder he promptly dumped it back on the ground. This time trying to scoop the grain back into his bucket meant getting muddy. A different feeder was installed before heading over to moms. The picture below was taken before heading in looking over at Rachel's house. Such a gray day.
Mom had the bacon frying so I thought I'd help by cracking an egg into the pan. The egg didn't crack correctly and a few fragments of the shell fell into the pan. Once they were cleaned out mom decided she was much better at cracking eggs and just then this is what happened:
Of course we were laughing at how pride really does go before the fall. Here she was making fun of my efforts and hers turned out so much worse. That wasn't the end of the mistakes, she then burnt the bacon!
When I arrived back at the farm to get ready for work, Mike was out fixing the arena where Ciera plowed through. I felt bad he was working in the rain.
The office was cold today and coats were left on until the electric heater started warming us up. I happened to catch a glance at Eva Jean as she walked by to grab more mail and this is what I saw:
And a closer look:
I KNEW she was related to us, she would HAVE to be related to walk around with tags. Everyone knows we Meisters rarely buy anything new and when we do we have been known to leave the tags on to show off. Yep, Eva Jean had a TAG! She said she forgot it was there, but do we believe her?
After work Karin and the Davidovics all met here before leaving for Gulf Shores, AL. This will be a short trip for them, they are only staying down until Sunday.
Mark reported that the auction raised $96,000.00 for the home, we knew money would keep coming in even after the auction was over. That is just down right amazing!
The rain never did stop, no horses were teased, no mares were covered, it is just to awful out. The sun will come out tomorrow.
Mom had the bacon frying so I thought I'd help by cracking an egg into the pan. The egg didn't crack correctly and a few fragments of the shell fell into the pan. Once they were cleaned out mom decided she was much better at cracking eggs and just then this is what happened:
Of course we were laughing at how pride really does go before the fall. Here she was making fun of my efforts and hers turned out so much worse. That wasn't the end of the mistakes, she then burnt the bacon!
When I arrived back at the farm to get ready for work, Mike was out fixing the arena where Ciera plowed through. I felt bad he was working in the rain.
The office was cold today and coats were left on until the electric heater started warming us up. I happened to catch a glance at Eva Jean as she walked by to grab more mail and this is what I saw:
And a closer look:
I KNEW she was related to us, she would HAVE to be related to walk around with tags. Everyone knows we Meisters rarely buy anything new and when we do we have been known to leave the tags on to show off. Yep, Eva Jean had a TAG! She said she forgot it was there, but do we believe her?
After work Karin and the Davidovics all met here before leaving for Gulf Shores, AL. This will be a short trip for them, they are only staying down until Sunday.
Mark reported that the auction raised $96,000.00 for the home, we knew money would keep coming in even after the auction was over. That is just down right amazing!
The rain never did stop, no horses were teased, no mares were covered, it is just to awful out. The sun will come out tomorrow.
Monday, November 21, 2011
Good-bye Skid Steer
Darcy asked to go outside, but when door is opened Ebby was lying on the door mat and Heidi right by her waiting for the girls to come out to play.
Darcy is way to dignified to play with dogs!
Early this morning Mike got a call from a Middle Grove neighbor that a black horse was in his yard. We decided to take the truck just in case the 4-wheel drive was needed to search for the horse. Saturday the hunters forgot to shut the gate, they called that 6 horses were walking around the alfalfa field and what did Mike think was the best way of getting them back in. After seeing which horse it was that was out we realize there must have been 7 horses out, they just missed one. Poor Airiah, she got locked out of the pasture all night Saturday, all day Sunday and by Monday decided to go visit the neighbors. By the time we arrived she was standing quietly by the gate just waiting to be rescued. There is plenty of grass and water ways, just she missed being with the herd and the herd missed her. They wouldn't leave the fence line until she was back. We will bring Izadora and Airiah back soon, it looked like Izadora has lost weight out there and it would be good for Airiah to be back at the Hanna City farm.
On the way home, Mark called to let me know the skid steer would be leaving today. That meant every paddock needed to be loaded up with hay. The battery in the skid steer needed charging even before the hay could be moved. When Jacob Meister and Eldon came to take the skid steer they were told only after they helped put in bales. As the second bale is ready to be dropped this very useful machine starts sputtering like it is running out of diesel fuel. Jacob quickly turned off the machine and left it right there in the paddock while I took a quick trip in to Hanna City for 5 gallons of diesel fuel and they headed over to Sparks to help with his gutter. Dumped in the fuel and the skid steer won't start, drag the battery charger out to the pavilion, find 2 long extension cords, charge it up and start again. This time Ella the pony ran out of the paddock straight over to Raven. He is trying to mount her over the gate, so off the skid steer and take off running (as fast as a one legged old lady can run) over to Ella, drag her away from Raven and put her into an empty paddock. Called Jacob and Eldon to come back, moved 4 more bales and then and only then would I let them take the machine.
Once they left Zalena was pulled out and covered by Valiant, then the pony brought over for Evan. Both were successful covers. As Zalena was being teased the Orthopedic surgeon's office called to schedule my first appointment. The first available appointment was January 11th, 2012 at 8:45am.
The lady that is buying Super emailed that she is having him picked up on Friday. This meant health papers would be needed so Dr. Hoerr's office was called and of course they need his coggins information and that couldn't be found, why it wasn't put away when he was brought home is a good question? I knew his coggins was drawn in April and I knew it was by a vet clinic near Davenport IA so the vet clinics were called until the right one was found. They were good enough to fax over a copy. Mark was called to see if he would fax it over to Hoerr vet clinic and Hoerr vet clinic was called to tell them the fax was coming. Technology is amazing!
Sunday, November 20, 2011
Busy Boys
David and Stephanie invited us to their new home for dinner. We were suppose to be there by 3:30pm but the time was so short between church and leaving for dinner we ended up a few minutes late. As soon as we were changed out of our church clothes it was out the door with the 2 dogs to start teasing mares. Zalena was the first mare pulled out and she was in and ready. She was brought over to Raven but he was taking his time and time was one thing we were short on so Raven was put back and Valiant brought out. Now 2 year old stallions are more than willing and get the job done quicker than an ice chip melting on a hot sidewalk. Valiant got the job done in less than 2 minutes. Zalena was put away and Ella brought out for Evan. Evan also got his business done quickly giving me just enough time to wash up before grabbing the food we were bringing and head over to pick up mom. She was busy shooting baskets as we were a few minutes late and even though she says she was not showing off, I think she was waiting for us to drive up before shooting from the 3 point line with the ball swishing through. That sounds like she was showing off right? I may be exaggerating a bit on some of that but she really was shooting baskets.
Rhoda needed to leave dinner before dessert for her weekly volleyball game. Her team mates are Rachel, Karin, Kari, Tara, and AmyBeth. Rhoda was asking if Sarah would go to keep score but Sarah couldn't go. Mom asked if one of the parents that go to watch their daughter would do it and Rhoda comes back with, "you have 2 daughters there would you like to come watch and keep score?" Funny to think of mom just 4 months shy from her 80th birthday having daughters that are on a volleyball league.
Rhoda needed to leave dinner before dessert for her weekly volleyball game. Her team mates are Rachel, Karin, Kari, Tara, and AmyBeth. Rhoda was asking if Sarah would go to keep score but Sarah couldn't go. Mom asked if one of the parents that go to watch their daughter would do it and Rhoda comes back with, "you have 2 daughters there would you like to come watch and keep score?" Funny to think of mom just 4 months shy from her 80th birthday having daughters that are on a volleyball league.
Amazing Totals
In church today we heard how much was raised for the Skyline retirement home. Money is still coming in but over $80,000 came in so far and $500,000.00 was donated earlier all for Skylines. How generous the Apostolics are toward their elderly. It's not just about the money, there are also so many very generous with their time. No wonder the AC home made the 5 STAR rating according to the Journal Star.
We needed to be at the jail this morning by 7:45am as the Peoria Choir was scheduled to sing for the 3 services the jail holds each Sunday. That is such a blessing, we as guests are even more blessed than the inmates. Craig Stickling was asked to talk as he also sings with the choir and he had all of our attention all three services. The women's service was on Elijah and the widow woman and how she felt when her son died. The men's services were on Paul's letter to Timothy. Craig asked each one there to write a letter to a beloved.
David and Stephanie have invited us to dinner tonight.
We needed to be at the jail this morning by 7:45am as the Peoria Choir was scheduled to sing for the 3 services the jail holds each Sunday. That is such a blessing, we as guests are even more blessed than the inmates. Craig Stickling was asked to talk as he also sings with the choir and he had all of our attention all three services. The women's service was on Elijah and the widow woman and how she felt when her son died. The men's services were on Paul's letter to Timothy. Craig asked each one there to write a letter to a beloved.
David and Stephanie have invited us to dinner tonight.
Saturday, November 19, 2011
Skyline Auction
One of the nicest gifts given to me today was the visit from our daughter Sarah. While Rhoda and I were out playing with Ella she was in the kitchen busy cleaning out EVERY cupboard and all of the drawers. Everything has been re-organized. She is so good at figuring out where things should go. She even cleaned the stove and all of the counters.
What a wonderful surprise and much appreciated gift.
Mark and I needed to be at the fellowship hall by 4:00pm for the big Skyline auction. Mom and Diane decided to ride with us then leave with Mike. We were hopeful people weren't burnt out on auctions. Last Saturday was the auction for the hospital in Haiti and it raised $523,000.00. That auction drew from many of the AC churches while this one draws mostly from Peoria and Princville. Below are a few of the pictures. It was a huge success. Check out the pies, the amount prepared for the evening was staggering and by the end of the evening they were ALL GONE!
The dinner served was either chili or potato soup (or both)along with salad, bread and butter. I've never tasted better potato soup. The cooks told us they accidentally made WAY too much of that and would sell the rest at the auction. I could hardly wait for the soup to be offered except when they finally announced the left over soup would be sold, the kitchen help shook theirs head and exclaimed there WAS no more soup.
I don't know the total raised but some of the ammounts were staggering. A weekend of babysitting went for $3300.00. Aladar Acres offered 2 loads of compost that went for $1200.00. Imagine my surprise to find out MOM bought it. The nerve of her buying manure from another horse farm! Of course we had to hear how Clydesdale manure must be better than Friesian manure. Carl and Debbie Hoerr's 3 daughters offered to put on a meal for 12 and that went for $6000.00 (that was just ONE MEAL). One lady donated 10 paper plates and each one had 6 cookies on it. The first plate of 6 cookies went for $130.00. All of the rest sold for $110.00 each.
Get the picture? It was so humbling to see how generous people were for our Skyline retirement home.
What a wonderful surprise and much appreciated gift.
Mark and I needed to be at the fellowship hall by 4:00pm for the big Skyline auction. Mom and Diane decided to ride with us then leave with Mike. We were hopeful people weren't burnt out on auctions. Last Saturday was the auction for the hospital in Haiti and it raised $523,000.00. That auction drew from many of the AC churches while this one draws mostly from Peoria and Princville. Below are a few of the pictures. It was a huge success. Check out the pies, the amount prepared for the evening was staggering and by the end of the evening they were ALL GONE!
The dinner served was either chili or potato soup (or both)along with salad, bread and butter. I've never tasted better potato soup. The cooks told us they accidentally made WAY too much of that and would sell the rest at the auction. I could hardly wait for the soup to be offered except when they finally announced the left over soup would be sold, the kitchen help shook theirs head and exclaimed there WAS no more soup.
I don't know the total raised but some of the ammounts were staggering. A weekend of babysitting went for $3300.00. Aladar Acres offered 2 loads of compost that went for $1200.00. Imagine my surprise to find out MOM bought it. The nerve of her buying manure from another horse farm! Of course we had to hear how Clydesdale manure must be better than Friesian manure. Carl and Debbie Hoerr's 3 daughters offered to put on a meal for 12 and that went for $6000.00 (that was just ONE MEAL). One lady donated 10 paper plates and each one had 6 cookies on it. The first plate of 6 cookies went for $130.00. All of the rest sold for $110.00 each.
Get the picture? It was so humbling to see how generous people were for our Skyline retirement home.
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