3 Confirmed

 I went out early to check on Jewel's colt to see if his tendon was relaxing but could see it was still tight. Dr. Hoerr was scheduled to come this afternoon to give him a shot of oxytet (tetracycline) which relaxes tendons on foals. Madiera's colt was taking a nap in the hay when I arrived, both mares and foals were in the shelter sharing the hay which was good to see. 

Jewel and her colt moved out so I could check the tendon.

He has fancy movement even with that tight tendon and being only 2 days old.

Right after our walk I started on the 5th wheel. First the tanks were emptied then I went inside to get the laundry.  There were no towels, about then I realized, "they must have taken the towels into the apartment". The sheets were taken off the bed and take down to the machines to wash. Then came the cleaning and then came the panic.  The toilet was plugged again! I worked and worked and could not get it unplugged. I called Tim Meister who agreed to come in the afternoon but meanwhile I had someone checking in today. I went down to the house to grab a plunger and saw a car drive up. I thought it must be the new guest coming in and went rushing up to tell him, he could not move in early. IT was Amy and her sister in law and a grand child. They were fine with just walking around looking as I really needed to keep working. When I could not get the toilet unplugged I sent a message to the guests asking if he would mind staying in the Wildcat or would he want to cancel. He reported they were just coming in to sleep and would be glad to stay in the other 5th wheel but that meant I had to get the water hooked up and fill the propane tanks so they could have hot water. Mark helped get the propane tanks in the car and I drove them down to Ag Land FS on Farmington road. The lady was filling them when Joan showed up with the motorhome to get that filled. Since my kids were taking the motorhome today for our trip once it was filled Joan left and I took care of the bill. Mark installed both propane tanks and we checked it out by turning on the stove. All was well the instant hot water heater worked perfectly. Then the entire 5th wheel needed a good cleaning and the new bedding put on. Thankfully I had washed sheets this morning and 4 pillows were taken from the house. I will need to buy more pillows for our upstairs bedrooms. The pictures below are of the finished bedroom.

I still needed to get a coffee maker, coffee, sugar, creamer, cups, plates, plastic ware, pans for cooking out there and buy some new towels so drove to Dollar General but that store was closed for remodeling. I found some extra towels in our house. Tim arrived and started working on the Jayco 5th wheel but the plug is at the tank and the snake couldn't get it from the inside, he will need to cut through part of the pipes to get the plug out and then order new parts to put it back together.

What ever I made on that 5th wheel this year is going for plumbing repairs. What a disappointment. We never had it plug up all year last year.. I really needed to put up a notice nothing goes in the toilet except the toilet paper I provide.  The guest coming in today arrived about 3:00 pm and thankfully the Wildcat 5th wheel was finished just in time.

At 3:00 pm Emma from the vet clinic called to report Dr. Hoerr would be there in 45 minutes. I went to the house to cool down for 20 minutes before heading out to move the mares inside.  Dr. Hoerr was late so I pulled Irish out and had Valiant cover her. Mike arrived and took Valiant so I could put Irish back. Below he is fly spraying him. With this heat the flies are back. 

Dr. Hoerr arrived about 4:30 pm but that gave me time to get the truck cleaned out and more supplies for our camping trip loaded. I also moved all the split wood, the fire pit, and the chairs as the 5th wheel is now blocked off for 10 days so Tim has time to get the parts to fix it. We had Dr. Hoerr look at Jewel's colt first. He said it wasn't bad and one shot would probably do the trick but left a second shot if needed for Mike to give tomorrow afternoon. The next horse to do was Rosalie.

We are pleased to announce Rosalie is pregnant and due April 21st, 2024. Rosalie was bred to Evan.

The next mare for an ultrasound was Tatiana.

She too is pregnant and is due April 6th, 2024. Tatiana was bred to Valiant.

Dancer was next and she too settled.

Dancer was bred to Pablo's big Friesian stallion as she is related to both of ours.

Dancer is due the same day as Rosalie, April 21st, 2024. That is 3 mares all bred to a different stallion and all confirmed in foal. Last was Blueberry.

Blueberry was checked first to make sure she didn't have a caslicks done but she had not. If not sure what that is just google it. She stood reasonably well for her first time having a vet's arm up where the sun don't shine.

After Dr. Hoerr left Mike backed the trailer into the indoor and Tatiana and her filly were loaded first. The front was shut and Dancer was brought out next.

Mike took the trailer over to the cabin field to load Mika up and took off for Middle Grove with the first batch. Blueberry will need to stay, Rosalie can go in the second batch which will also hold Sally, Missy and Cookie. I left to get ready for church. Diane drove tonight and picked me up at 6:10 pm. David had the message tonight. Another one of those 'you don't want to miss messages' Just click HERE if you would like to watch and hear it.  I was too tired to go with the group to Culvers tonight, today was a long hot day. 

No Pictures

Thankfully Jewel passed the placenta during the night. That was taken out and buried before the walk. Today is the first day with no pain medicine other than a Tylenol as the hip surgery is scheduled in exactly one week. My first doctor appointment today was scheduled for 8:45 am. That meant I needed to leave here around 8:10 am so we quit the walk a little early. At 8:00 Hoerr vet office was called to make an appointment to have 3 ultrasound scheduled. Dancer, Rosalie and Tatiana are now far enough along we should be able to confirm pregnancy and if not pregnant they should be almost ready to be bred. Dr. Hoerr will come tomorrow sometime to get this done.  Diane was with mom today with Joan on call. My phone started going off about 8:30 am but I was driving so didn't answer. By the time I made it to the doctor's office there were two voicemails. The first was to tell me the doctors appointment at 8:45 am was cancelled as the doctor was not able to make it in, the second voicemail was to come anyway and Dr. Bevill will take me. I only had to wait about an hour. The all clear was given to have the surgery. Since the doctor's office is close to Sam's club that was my next stop buying a lot of the food for our family canoe trip to Current River June 1st. I drove straight to Joan's house, she helped pack all the food purchased into the camper fridge and cupboards. On the way home from there I stopped at the 5th wheel to grab the sheets and put those in the washer. It is rented again tomorrow. I left then for the next appointment at Midwest Orthopedics and this one was to learn how to use a walker after surgery and the do's and don'ts. I really thought this would be a waste of time but things are different from the last hip replacement 11 years ago so it was a good thing. On the way there I happened to notice the outside thermometer on the car was reading 91 degrees. I had no idea it was that hot outside. As Joan was on call, she was called to ask if she would bring Jewel and her colt and Madiera and her colt into the stall barn to get them out of the heat. Thankfully she was willing and had help and got all 4 safe inside. After Midwest I drove to the Aldi on University to buy the rest of the food for the trip.  The 50 amp to 30 amp adapter arrived and that was taken over to the 5th wheel and that was plugged in. The 5th wheel had POWER! The power awning was put out, it works great and looks new. The airconditioner was turned on and that worked also. The fridge was also turned on and will be checked later.  When Mark got home with the mail there were notices of two packages at the Hanna City post office I drove there and made it just before it closed at 4:30 pm to pick up those packages. Those were some of the bedding for the 5th wheel,  the sheets are supposed to come tomorrow and then the Wildcat will be ready to post on Airbnb. After supper Mark helped move a bale in for Valiant, then we took the truck over to Joan's to pick up the camper we are hauling to Current River. Once that was done it was cooler and the far paddock had a lot of shade so the mares and foals were turned out.  Madiera's colt did not want to go into the short shelter paddock so Madiera was put in with Jewel and Marilyn helped get the colt in that paddock. Both mares were actually glad to be together again. Jewel went up to eat off the round bale first, then moved off for Madiera to have a turn. I didn't think to take my phone with me while everything was happening so no pictures today. 

Working Holiday

 My morning work started early with the birth of Jewel's colt. They were brought inside and put in a stall then I needed to grab a wheelbarrow load of hay and fill water buckets. Only after making sure all was well did I go back to the house to make breakfast for Mark and I. The work day at the barn started early. Israel and David were the first to arrive. I needed to be at mom's house just after 8:00 am and on the way over Israel was showing me how well his bike's brakes worked. When I arrived at mom's we decided to sit out on the deck for a while and mom worked the awning remote getting it just right as the day heated up.

Rhoda arrived without her two as Lee stayed home to watch them. When Sarah and Nolan arrived they dropped off Zion, Eden and River. River came in with me while the other girls went to Joan's with Braelyn, Taegan and Kensley to feed the raccoons, kittens and bunny. Phil and Anna's girls were picked up by their other grandma to drive a tractor in the Glasford parade so Zion and Eden came in with me. Israel joined us for lunch. We had left over spaghetti, French bread and watermelon for dessert. 

Ruth was on call today in case I needed help, well at 11:30 am I needed help. River messed and there were no diapers in great grandma's house. I sent a text to Nolan about needing a diaper but no answer and when I called it went straight to voicemail. Ruth said she would be here in less than 15 minutes but just then Sarah came with a diaper.  Ruth was called back and told she wasn't needed. After lunch we heard sirens and they sounded loud, just then Nolan sent the  picture below.

My heart pretty much stopped as I thought there must be an accident at the barn with one of the workers. I called and Nolan told me it was at the cabin field, Mike was burning and the fire got a little out of control. By the time the firetruck got there it was under control but we were glad they were willing to come just in case.

So glad no damage was done and no one was hurt. Below Mike is using his tractor to keep it contained.

 Mike and Diane brought home Dancer for an ultrasound, Blueberry to get bred and Mika for riding. Dancer and Blueberry were put in the paddock next to Valiant so we can see if either come in.

Mika was put in the cabin field with Sally, Cookie and Missy. 

Diane arrived at mom's about 1:45 pm so I left to check on Jewel's colt. By this time it was so hot I was a little worried about Madiera's colt being out in the sun so Madiera and her colt were brought inside to a nice cool stall. More hay was brought in and the water buckets cleaned and filled. Jewel still hadn't delivered the placenta. My next job was to put Irish, Rosaleigh and Tatiana out in the back field then move a new bale into their paddock. The foals spent some time bucking, rearing and galloping around while their mom's grazed. I didn't have time to video but watched them some as the bale was being moved.

I noticed Irish went right over to Evan and started showing. She is back in season so once the tractor was put away Irish and her colt were brought out. The colt refused to go into the small front paddock with his mom, instead running around the yard so Irish was taken to the short shelter paddock and tied inside and the gate left open. He was still galloping around when a truck pulled up with Jennifer and Kate inside. They stayed watching until Irish's colt finally decided to go into the paddock with his mom. They came to see Madiera's colt as he is the full sibling to their filly. We spent some time with the two foals. When it came time to cover Irish I let them lead her out while I kept the colt inside. We 3 were taking Irish over to tease when her colt came flying by us. He must have jumped the fence. We put him in with the other two mares and foals then quickly got Irish covered by Valiant. I was glad for both of their help. We stopped over at the new barn to check out the progress made today. Just Phil and Anna were still working, the rest of the family had left for the day. They really got a lot done today, Phil brought a load of trim and that all got painted. This evening as Jewel still has not delivered the placenta I took a shot of oxy up to the barn along with some iodine for the colt's cord and Mike walked out of the apartment door. He and Diane were coming over to see Dancer and Blueberry when Marilyn invited them in for dinner. Mike held Jewel for her shot then held the colt while I checked his cord and gave it a thorough dousing of iodine. As it was cooler and there was now shade they were put out into the far paddock then moved Madiera and her colt into the short shelter paddock. These two mares and foals will be put in a field together in a few days.  Speaking of Jewel's colt, he sold this afternoon. When I came inside the website was updated with the pictures from this morning.

Jewel Delivers

 I went out to check horses about 6:00 am this morning and saw Jewel laying down. She was in the process of delivering a nice big colt. Once he was getting ready to stand I drove back down to grab my phone. He is really tall but figured out pretty quickly where the milk bar was located. 

After he nursed well, Jewel and her colt were brought into a stall. It is just going to be too hot today to leave them out plus Jewel hasn't delivered the  placenta yet. He was pretty tired after getting him in the stall and picked a nice soft place in the pile of hay to lay down. Smart baby! Below he was getting ready to lay down.

After about 10 minutes he decided to get back up and nurse again. That milk is good and he is hungry.

We love hearing that sucking sound with a new foal.

I have them on the monitor so I can watch during the day. I need to be at mom's by 8:00 am and still need to make breakfast for Mark and I so it is past time to get to work. 

Memorial Sunday

 This morning we got to take mom and her new wheel chair van to church. Mark drove, mom was in her wheel chair in the passenger side, Rhonda, Diane and I sat on the back bench. Mom wanted the windshield cleaned so Diane gave Mark a $5.00 bill and asked him to drive through the car wash in Hanna City. That was like going through a carnival ride. 

We had an interesting day in church. Kathy picked up Nancy so we all sat up near the front. We had two visiting ministers. The morning message was by Sam Bertschi from Roanoke. To watch that click HERE. Ruth and Fedi along with Matt and Anni served a delicious lunch with lots of different foods and all were delicious. After lunch Carolee came up to talk with mom. These two have been friends for years.

Gary Wagonbach from Tremont had the afternoon message. To watch that click HERE.

After church Phil and Anna stopped in at the barn and installed the new stove, microwave and dishwasher all before dinner.

Dinner was served at 4:30 pm. Mark grilled hamburgers and the toppings were the usual, ketchup, mustard, pickle slices, tomatoes, avocados, and different types of cheese.  We had a side dish of spaghetti with meat sauce, a big salad and sweet seedless watermelon. Ruth dropped off a big box of left over donuts so we had those for dessert and took the left overs to the playground for the volley ball players.  Stephanie took Braelyn, Taegan and Kensley over to Joan's to feed their raccoon babies and the baby bunny. Below they are feeding the baby raccoons.

River was helping herself to the frosting on some of the donuts.

Below is a short video of a bit of the games then feeding the bunny at Joan's house.

I took Nancy and River for a golf cart ride then dropped off River and took Nancy back to Morton. When I got home the volley ball games were finished and some of the group were at Rachel and David's house cooking heartattackonastick (big thick slabs of bacon).

Even Cathy tried it.

Braelyn was fishing off Rachel's dock and caught a big fat pumpkin seed sunny.

After showing it to us, she ran back to put it back in the water and the rest of the kids all went running down to the water to watch.

Zion and Eden didn't get to come tonight, they had to do their tumbling recital one more time. Sarah sent back these pictures.

The picture below is actaully from yesterday's recital as Nolan and River were with us this evening. Zion surprised the teacher with a back handspring to end her performance today. 

All in all it was a very nice Memorial Sunday with wonderful weather. We have so much to remember and I am thankful for such a time as this.

 

Too Tired

 Before heading over to mom's this morning Rosaleigh and her colt were put out in the field. The colt decided not to follow his mom and took off running up and down the drive for a while, when he finally decided it was time to join his mother he stood at the gate and waited for me to open it. 

I needed to be at mom's at 8:15 am but when I arrived Karin had not finished breakfast so I ran back to the house to get a few more things done before heading back over. While Karin was emptying the dishwasher a red headed woodpecker arrived.

Then a couple of humming birds. I took some of the video below from the kitchen table and the rest sitting outside on the deck with mom.

At 9:00 am both the man delivering the 5th wheel and the man coming to pick up the sport court tiles sent messages that they would be here at 9:15 am. Anna came to stay with mom while I took the golf cart down to the road to meet the  man with the 5th wheel as he arrived first. That went well, he showed me how everything worked, set it up for us but we could not plug it in, this 5th wheel had a 50 amp cord and we only have a 30 amp receptacle. Mark was able to order an adapter but that won't be here for a while. We will also need to order a short water hose and a long sewer hose. The man coming for the Sport Court tiles was able to back his trailer next to the door and his 3 grandchildren helped him load. They both ended up leaving about the same time too. I made it back to mom's in time to sit outside. Anna and Phil were here painting most of the day but took some time off to swim with their girls. At 2:00 pm I left mom's to help Mark look for the extension cords for the camper. I ended up ordering a deluxe waterproof mattress pad and 2 sets of sheets each with 4 pillow cases. I will need to pick up more pillows and bedding for the two full size beds and the one bunk bed. We worked on that for a few hours. Below are a few pictures of the camper. The master bedroom is roomy well designed with plenty of closet space, drawers and cupboards. It even has a cubby hole with an outlet for an alarm clock by the bed.

The kitchen has a nice big sink, microwave, oven, stove top and a big 2 way fridge.

The dinette folds down for sleeping for 2 children or 1 adult and the couch is an airbed hideabed which is very comfortable. 

Above is the living area and below is the bunk room with its own bathroom. The pull out couch is also a full size airbed and the top bunk folds up when it is not needed.

The light door is the bathroom. There is a skylight in there which makes the room bright.

We are very happy with this purchase. I needed to go to Aldi for food for tomorrow's meal and also bought something for Phil and Anna's girls as Phil and Anna finished the painting then put together the cupboards for the kitchen.

Anna told me tomorrow after church they are going to buy the appliances.  Mark and I went over after supper to see the progress. Yesterday they along with Rhoda, Lee, Sarah and Nolan were also working upstairs so we went up to see that.

It is really coming together nicely. We needed to move in a couple bales in the middle paddock. Both shelters got a bale.

The horses came right up to start eating on them.

Jewel's udder was checked before we left there. The evening was so nice I wanted to take the golf cart through the trails Mark worked on today. We enjoyed our little jaunt.

I decided since we now have 3 rentals for guests at the farm I would make a page for that and post that page here. There is a link to the left but for an easy way to see these 3 places click HERE. Zion, Iris and Eden  had their recital tonight. I missed it! The girls sent a picture and video. 

That was so cute.

It is late and I just can't make myself do the dishes. Those will need to wait until tomorrow. Mark is already in bed and I can't wait to join him. I'm tired, but not too tired to make the coffee for tomorrow.