Tired of Travel

Yesterday morning it was pitch dark when I left and pitch dark when I returned. That should be the last trip taken for at least a few months. The great thing about traveling for business is the meeting of new people. Yesterday I met Kris Gabriel and her husband interesting named Gabriel J. Gabriel. What mother does THAT? Kris was very kind and took time out of her busy day to teach how each piece of equipment we were buying would be used and how it was to be used. Together we went step by step from the collection to the processing and even how to AI a mare. This package came with supplies even for that. Someday we want to be able to AI our own mares and Kris explained not only is this doable she walked me through each step.
When it came time to load the truck we FILLED both the inside and outside with all of her breeding supplies. It was bittersweet for Kris to see this all go. Like putting the nail in the coffins of Flurry and Danny. Below is Kris with her beloved Flurry and below that is Danny.


The trip home seemed twice as long as the trip there having to stop twice for caffeine. The truck was just pulled into the barn last night, all unloading was left for this morning.
Now by spring time I'm going to be pushing to get the back area set up as a collection office. Counter tops, cupboards, a freezer, sink, and running hot & cold water, all of this will be necessary for this new enterprise. I just have to figure out how to present this to Mark.

Traveling Again

Confession time, I'm tired of traveling and after today hope to stay home until January. Today is the big trip to Thunder Valley Stables in Oconto, WI for their collection equipment. This is a big purchase for Horsemeister but one we feel is justified. It will give us a much more inexpensive way of collecting and shipping for our distant customers. This will lead to another purchase some day, classes for ME! I want to be able to AI our mares instead of hiring it done. In the past when we have had 5-6 mares all needing to be covered the same time we would have to pick and choose and always our horses were chosen last as customers come first. We are also looking into freezing Raven's semen. Anyone out there know who and where we could get that done? Dr. Hoerr gave us a name of someone that has the equipment a couple of hours away, we were ready to do this until talking with the man and finding out he does not freeze horse semen, just cows, sheep and dogs. He told us he didn't want to get into horses but maybe if Dr. Hoerr gives him a call he can talk him into it.

Damp Dreary Day

Overslept this morning not waking up until 7:00am. It is a gray dreary day hardly worth getting out of bed for except Braelyn was coming. That put a smile on my face. After the walk we ended up in here for breakfast. We just weren't ready to stop our discussions of the morning. Braelyn played quietly in her johnny-jump-up while the cooking and meal went on.


She really enjoys the freedom this offers.
After the meal she decided it was time to join us at the table.

Philip came to pick her up after lunch, took my car and gave me his truck for the trip tomorrow. Thunder Valley Stables in Northern Wisconsin went out of business and made us an offer we could not refuse. They were the people that stood Flurry and Danny, well Flurry died and Danny was retired so they offered to sell all of their collection and shipping equipment. This includes the phantom, 2 Colorado AVs, the bladders, the 6 foot bladder warmer, the equipment needed to test the semen, the microscope and lots of other items they no longer need. A truck was needed but my truck no longer has a tail gate plus Philip's truck gets way better gas mileage.
Steven came out to work Super, Ciera and Jewel, Karin showed up while he was working Jewel and had to get on to try her out. Karin was very impressed with Super's progress. Nice to see that pony responding quickly and correctly. He will be ready soon for a trail ride. Zalena was covered today, Izadora was put in with the bay mares, Dalia and DaMita. She is so jealous she kicked Raven yesterday after he was with Zalena. Right now she is one unhappy mare, screaming over the gate in her paddock at Raven way over in his. He is ignoring her so perhaps he will be fine this winter without a companion.
The email below came in from Jenni Moser: Judy,
I thought I would send you a couple of pictures. I FINALLY got a couple decent ones of Isabella's Song "Bella" this weekend. As you can see, Jayden seems to adore them as much as we do!!
Thank you again and again for our beloved Palmer and Bella.
Can't wait to breed Bella to Evan one day. He is very impressive.
Jenni Moser

Above is yearling Bella and below is 2 year old Palmer.

Thanks for the pictures Jenni!

Late Late Late

Such a busy day yesterday there just wasn't time to sit at the computer. We had so much mail yesterday at Berean we were not able to finish and finally quit at noon. Check out the calendar Eva Jean is removing, we are finally getting caught up enough to remove the 2010 calendar and put up the 2012 one Eva Jean brought. Yes that was 2012, we skipped 2011 completely!

Eva Jean took the rest of the studies home to process as I was to serve lunch at choir and still needed to do the shopping. Mark and I decided on a taco bar meaning a trip to Walmart for the many ingredients. Steven was good enough to let the dogs out during day while he was there working horses. He also got Zalena covered but didn't know how jealous Izadora would get. It shocked him how terrible she is when Raven is with another mare.
Once home the food was prepared, Diane lent her crock pot as mine is somewhere in the back storage and I couldn't find it. Mark came home from work not feeling well with a bad cold. He just didn't think he should go. Thank goodness for Eva Jean, she was more than willing to help and stayed until the end helping with clean up. Even so it was 10:30pm before getting back to the farm. Surprising out of almost 6 pounds of taco meat only about a 3rd of a pound was left. The remaining meat was put away and the crock pot filled with water to soak for this morning.

Beautiful Evening

Rhoda planned on working Ella and the arena lights were to be turned on for her, this is what the sky looked like as we walked behind the barns. Such beauty to behold, what a gift.


As long as our weather holds, Rhoda has come each day to work the new pony getting her ready for Addyson! The pictures below are terrible, as it was getting dark fast and the flash needed to be used but just look at what this pony is learning.


Mike came over to help get Zalena covered by Raven and Rhoda talked him into climbing on Ella to see if she would throw a fuss. Ella stood great but Rhoda about busted a gut laughing.

Amy Koch came over with Ella's coggins and we had a lovely evening visiting. We miss the visiting that was so convenient when I lived at Bridlewood. Now it takes effort, Amy has to drive all the way to Hanna City or I guess I could drive over to Tremont but we always tease her how that is way to far.
Today Zalena will needed to be covered again, as yesterday is considered a clean out for Raven. He hasn't been used in the last 2 weeks. Steven has offered to handle this. He will just need to be aware that Izadora is terribly jealous and yesterday when Raven was put back in the paddock with her, she whirled and kicked out at him, then threatened him a bit. We will probably take her out to Middle Grove, she just does not tolerate Raven flirting with another mare. We like to give Raven a companion for the winter and she is usually a good fit unless he is busy then we need to bring her inside first so she doesn't see him with another mare.

Warm Sunshine

Marian's funeral did not get started on time, we singers were asked to sing extra songs as a filler while waiting. Bob Hoerr made the comment we get overtime for this. Funeral singers pay is already considered out of this world. Actually all joking aside this was a very emotional funeral. Chuck came to us at the end to thank us weeping which set all of us off. How hard it is to lose a spouse of 59 years. Spark reminded him that it won't be too long before he will see her again. The warm sunshine at the beautiful AC cemetery helped the Hemmer's say their good-byes.
Once back, Dan and Mark joined us for lunch, then Mark and I loaded boxes of Bibles and lesson's into his truck. He is going to the Skyline home tonight for a board meeting and will drop off the Bibles for wrapping.
Steven was working horses when I finally made it home. He worked Jewel before I arrived, was working Zalena when I arrived then pulled out Killian for a leading lesson. Killian is amazing. It took him such a short time to walk the bridge and step on the tarp.

What a big boy he is at 6 months old. He has wonderful manners for such a young age.
Super and Ciera were next and both did very well, remembering yesterday's lesson and building on it. When he was all done, both were just nuzzling him asking for more attention.
Super just loves Steven. It shows us how this boy needs an owner with time to spend with HIM. Here he has to share the humans with too many other horses. He really wants to bond with someone.

Dr. Hoerr was called to find out the results of Zalena's culture, he will be back at his clinic and will give us those at 4:30pm. She may need to spend a few days at his clinic, she is obviously in season now and shouldn't be which probably means some inflammation of her uterus. Bummer!
4:30pm update: Dr. Hoerr called with excellent news, her uterus is CLEAN, he feels by him poking around and taking swabs set off enough prostaglandin to cause her to short cycle on her own. His words were "breed her!"
The picture below was taken by Rebekah Davidovics and stolen right off her blog. The view between the ears of her Arabian, Larry.

She stated in church yesterday that she was going to update and did NOT.

Rejoice & Weep

Today in Peoria was bittersweet. We were rejoicing with the Stickling family & Ginzel family and weeping with the Hemmer family. Tori Stickling and Josh Ginzel were baptized today while an entire extended Hemmer and Woerner family were having the visitation for their beloved mother Marian Hemmer. In church Tim Funk had the morning service while Craig Stickling had the afternoon, it was SO GOOD to be back in church after missing last Sunday. Mom, Mark and I left right after the baptism to rush over to Wiltons where we stood in line for almost 2 hours waiting our turn to talk to Chuck and his children. These 2 hours were amazing, we were able to visit with many many of our brothers and sisters in the Lord from years past. Two we were especially glad to be with, in fact in line just in front of us were Rick & Mary Plattner from Fairbury and Ron & Linda Kipfer from Bluffton.
Once home we quickly changed and started moving in round bales. Two in the middle paddock, one in Raven's paddock, one in the weanling paddock and one in the first paddock. Rhoda skipped to visitation to get some riding time on Ella, after enjoying her pulled out DaMita to go riding with Mike, saddled her up then got the phone call that she needed to leave NOW for her volley ball team. She galloped DaMita back, threw off the saddle and drove away. This left Mike without a rider so he called Rich Schock to see if he would come early to potluck and ride with him explaining that Rhoda had to leave for her volley ball game. After a fun ride with Mike on Jewel and Rich on Jenis, Rich comes into Diane's house, see's mom and exclaims, "are you already back from your volley ball game?" Mom was a bit confused until she realized Rich thought SHE was on the volley ball team instead of her grand daughter Rhoda. Now mom is good at volley ball but not THAT good, after all she will be 80 in 5 months.
Benjie and Kristin Hodel were suppose to come to Mike and Diane's for potluck but Kristin's brother was flying in today from Iraq at 6:00pm, Diane asked us if we would be fill ins. We rarely turn down a free meal and of course said yes!
Pictures below are of our fabulous meal:



We played 2 games of scrabble after dinner while visiting with each other and had a great time.

Favorite Grandma

The weather started out a bit chilly but soon warmed up into a beautiful Saturday. Sue Martin came over for a visit and together we headed over to see her 2 year old Raven filly named Piper.
She sticks at 15.3 hands at just 2 years of age. Besides beautiful, Piper is going to be HUGE.
Karin, Mike and Rhoda took Eliza, Jewel and Zalena to Sandridge State Forrest for a trail ride supposedly to see how Zalena would behave but really just to get out and enjoy the weather while it lasts.

Steven Marchal showed up to work Super, did some line driving with him, not so good, then lunged him, great. Super was tied up and out we went to start painting. We got about a 4th of the way done when the trail riders showed up and started helping.

They were really going to town on the job when Amy Koch showed up with a PONY, not just ANY PONY, but a pony that looks like DUKE!

She is a Welsh x Paint pony 13.2 hands and just beautiful. Of course Rhoda had to try her out and just loves her canter. Even Karin rode her a bit. The pony didn't put a foot wrong while she was being worked, dare I say, Addyson will get to have pony rides again. I'm working on being the favorite grandma. Diane is going to be the favorite grandma also, the pony's name is Ella, just like her grand daughter.
We so much appreciate Amy bringing her to us. That's what good friends do, bring ponies over so we can be the favorite! THANKS AMY!! you slipped out before we could really thank you.
Once we quit painting Rhoda wanted to get Super out and at least sit on him.

DaMita was brought out to pony them around the arena.


Karin showed Steven how to work him on the ground, Super was getting it before they quit. We needed to get in and clean up. We had 5 meet at the playground for rides to church. Tonight Peoria was blessed with testimonies. We spent so much time outside we didn't have time for dinner before needing to leave. After the testimonies a bunch of us ended up at Culvers for a quick dinner before heading home. Just one more job before bed, Mark needs a hair cut.

Reflections

Time for some reflections. This morning huddled under blankets counting my blessings I realize just exactly how NOTHING we have is deserved. During the morning reading I opened to Galatians 6 starting at verse 3.For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself. We must not, should not think we are something special. How we NEED to remember NOTHING on this world is ours, it is all just lent to us for the good of HIS KINGDOM.
Verse 10 really jumped out: As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good until all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.
Reading the especially unto them who are of the household of faith struck me in the heart today.
Isn't it amazing how the Word is a living Word. So today help me to do good unto all men, especially to my brothers and sisters in the Lord.

Mark is out building his appetite for breakfast by filling in the holes in the back pasture where the pipe was laid. After the weather warms up a bit I'll be painting the outdoor arena.

Marian Hemmer's Memorial

Memorial for Marian Hemmer
Born in Peoria on Apr. 11, 1931
Departed on Oct. 21, 2011 and resided in Peoria, IL.
Visitation:
Sunday, Oct. 23, 2011
2:00 - 4:00 pm & 6:00 - 8:00 pm & Monday, Oct. 24, 2011
09:00 am - 09:45 am
Service:
Monday, Oct. 24, 2011
10:00 am
Cemetery:
Apostolic Christian Cemetery
Peoria - Mrs. Charles (Marian) Hemmer, 80, of 1115 E. Richwoods Blvd., Peoria, went home to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, at 9:48am, Friday, October 21, 2011. She suffered a massive stroke in her home the previous evening.
Marian was the wife of former minister and Elder of the Peoria Apostolic Christian Church, Chuck Hemmer, who survives. She was also a loving and caring mother of five, grandmother of eleven and great-grandmother of seven. She was known for sharing an unconditional love for her family. Also surviving are her daughters, Mrs. Jane (Steve) Suttor, Mrs. Jean (Jim) Huber, Mrs. Joanne (Kent) Steffen all of Peoria and Mrs. Judy (Dr. Stanley) Sauder of Westerville, OH., and one son, Mr. Charles II "Chip" (Kim) Hemmer of Peoria. She was the best mother in the whole world.
She was born as the second daughter to Conrad and Emma Woerner in Peoria on April 11, 1931 and married Chuck Hemmer on September 7, 1952 in Peoria, having just celebrated their 59th wedding anniversary.
Visitation for Mrs. Hemmer will be at Wilton Mortuary in Peoria on Sunday, October 23, from 2:00 – 4:00pm and again from 6:00 – 8:00pm. Her funeral will be at the Peoria Apostolic Christian Church, 3420 N. Sheridan Road, at 10:00am, Monday, October 24. Church ministers will officiate. A short visitation will precede the funeral service at the church from 9:00 – 9:45. Burial will follow at the Peoria Apostolic Christian Church cemetery.
Memorials may be made to Peoria Apostolic Christian Church or Apostolic Christian Skylines.

Email from Laura

Hi, Judy-
I wanted to thank you for Illini! He is such a fantastic dog, truly! We and the kids love him to pieces. I also wanted to know if and when you plan on breeding Emma again? We would love to know as we are so smitten with Illini, that we have realized that the Mastiff is the one breed for us. Thank you for our amazing family friend!
Laura & Rick Weber
WE LOVE hearing from people about ponies and puppies. Thanks Laura for letting us know Illini found a wonderful home and maybe next year we will plan on breeding Emma again. Mastiff's really are the gentle giants of the dog world.
We have just returned from a very enjoyable evening at Bob & Myrna's where we were joined by Bob & Michelle, Vonnie & Verle, Eddie & Christa, Alan & Lois, and Mike & Mindy. The food was better than the finest restaurant, the conversation flowing from one side of the table to the other with laughter ringing. Ahh does life get any better than this?

From Jenni

The email below came from Jenni who now owns 2
Raven babies! We think Raven babies are just like Lay's potato chips, you just can't stop at ONE!

Judy,
If there was EVER a time I wish I would have had my camera ready to go... Will has been diligently working on fixing up our barn. Let's just say it is in need of a LOT of TLC. Anyway, it was warm out, so I decided to take Jayden (being only 5 months old at the time...) out for a walk out to see what progress Will and Tristan (always the helper!!) had made. Of course Bella immediately comes into the barn to say hello. Tristan and Bella seem to have a good connection. He pet her, but then Palmer nudged her out of the way so he could be loved on too. As I was petting him, Jayden reaches out and wraps her arms around Palmer's muzzle and lays her head down him. Palmer being the sweetest boy ever, stood perfectly still until she let go. He just seems to know.
Judy, I promise, it was the most heart warming thing I have seen. He is sooo good with kids (and us of course...), but I just wanted to share that with you.
We love our Raven babies!
Jenni Moser
Thanks so much for the update Jenni, hard to believe Palmer is already 2 years old. He looks great.
We had a busy day today. Braelyn was over for the morning. Mark needed a couple of credit applications run so she was taken in to the shop for a few minutes until Phil was ready to leave for Minnesota.
By the time I arrived back at the barn Rhoda was riding DaMita training her for barrel racing then started ponying Super.


She took him over obstacles and through the death trails reporting he is going to be a GREAT pack horse, nothing fazed him, the creek, hills and high weeds.
Next she took out Zalena and of course I had to run get the camera. This is the first time anyone has been on her since we brought her home. The mare is GREAT!





Rhoda walked, trotted, cantered, then started her on barrels.
Rhoda decided to walk her over the bridge, no problem, walk over the tarp, no problem, then pop her on the pedestal again no problem. These Friesian horses want to please making training easy. Before leaving Rhoda was sitting on the straw out front, Darcy and Emma joined her.

Mark and I are heading to Bob and Myrna Hoerr's for potluck tonight. We are to bring the salad for 16 people, should be FUN!

Marian Hemmer

We were given the news about the death of our dear sister in faith Marian Hemmer. We are all saddened for her family. It is a hard thing to lose a mother and grandmother.
Sis Marian Hemmer (wife of retired elder Bro Chuck) unexpectedly passed away this morning. She had a brain bleed yesterday evening after eating dinner with Bro Chuck and was admitted to the hospital and was in a coma until this morning.
Funeral arrangements are still pending, but are tentatively visitation Sunday evening with Funeral services on Monday. We will confirm the arrangements when they are more definite.

Super's Sister

Below is a new video of Super's full sister.

This is what her trainer says: "Apelles" is a lovely talented 14 hh Friesian Sport Pony Mare offered 4 sale. This is a JEWEL of a pony! She has the sweetest disposition, greatest mind, very people friendly, nice mover, willing, talented....has the potential to fly to the sky for whatever you desire - best friend, family mount, driving, hunter, pony club - whatever you need she can give! This video demonstrates her willingness over a few small jumps, only been asked a couple times before.

For more info on Apelles:
www.rugbycreek.com
Now we know Super is as talented and could also be a JEWEL of a pony if he just has the right owner willing to work with him. He is coming along very well, he is learning to be respectful, and is lunging almost perfect. He is standing for grooming and tacking. He no longer tries to drag his handler around and even tying is going better, not perfect, he still paws but SO MUCH better. It shows how smart this boy is with consistent handling he is thriving. This pony could be a real investment for a trainer that wants a project. He is worth much more than we are currently asking. My partners are already thinking he is priced to low so if you want him at $2500.00 better make up your mind quickly.

Another GREAT investment would be Izadora we are only asking $3500.00 for her. She is a registered 16.2 hand BLACK Trakehner foaled Feb 13, 1993 and sonagramed INFOAL to RAVEN due Sept 10th, 2012. Talk about a quick payback, her foal will be worth MUCH more than we are asking for her. Her first colt is in Kentucky and going to be kept a stallion, HE IS THAT IMPRESSIVE. Her second colt went to Texas where he is also going to be kept a stallion. That is 2 for 2! These babies end up very tall, pitch black, with huge expressive gaits and need we say BEAUTIFUL!
Below are some pictures of Izadora and her 2 beautiful babies by RAVEN:

Pregnant

Sitting at the table this morning before heading in to work the sunbeam coming into the east window was intriguing. Emma even noticed it and walked over to see what it was.

Notice the only dressing on these walls happens to be the fire extinguisher. We really need to get some better decorations up.
After a stop at Meister's to pay bills a trip to Sam's for dog food was very necessary if our dogs want to keep eating. Walking out of the store, this pulls up and into a handicapped spot:
Now most handicapped people don't go riding around in a fancy motorcycle but with gas prices as high as they are perhaps this makes 'cents'. I have the feeling the cost of this fancy rig would buy many tanks of gas.
Walmart was next on the list then I was more than ready to get back to the farm. The soup was started then left to simmer while watching Steven work Super, Ciera and Jewel. The first out was Super, today he was lunged, saddled, bridled and Steven started putting weight in the saddle.
The picture below shows why Super's tail is thin.

Steven was trying to saddle him up and his dog Kylie took it upon herself to make sure Super was all jazzed up for the experience.
It didn't take long for Steven to lock Kylie up so Super could be worked without distraction.

He is coming along very well. We are ready to put sand bags in the saddle and start ponying him on the trails. Ciera was next and we are so impressed with her mind AND body.
This is only a 2 year old, check her out, she is now over 16 hands and that is at 2! She is going to be so impressive next year.


She did remarkably well, walk and trot, when it was time to remove her saddle and throw it up on Jewel, Ciera stands quietly waiting without anyone holding her or tied.

Dr Hoerr called to report he was on his way while Jewel was being trained. Dalia was brought in first to remove the burrs. We barely finished getting them out when he arrived. He pulled blood from her first for her coggins test. Ylse and Izadora were 2 that were sonagramed and they are in-foal. We didn't bother ultrasounding Ribbon. Dr. Hoerr checked Zalena out thoroughly last, He saw that she had just ovulated, so cultured her and infused her with antibiotics. He will know more after the labs are run and will give us a report on Monday whether she needs to be done again or not. He finished up just as the soup was done and took a quart home for later. When we were putting the mares back out I had to snap the picture below of Jenis' colt all comfortable.