"planes" and puppies

We had quite an interesting weekend, and it just goes to show the wide variety of things that Ed and I are interested in. On Saturday morning, he had a training drill with his fire company on the "life flight helicopter". There was some talk of having the helicopter land in our field, because the fire department parking lot was so full of dirt from the winter.

But as it turned out, the dirt wasn't such a problem and they landed right in the parking lot of the FD. I didn't get to see it personally because I was at work, but I heard it fly over so I knew it was in town.

It's definitely one of those things that you hope you never have to meet in person, but we are so fortunate that we have this service so close by. Ed said they had a great drill and it was good for the guys to have the chance to see the helicopter and meet with the folks that are in charge of it.

On Sunday we had a "service dog day" with NEADS... and it was time to say goodbye to Chester's little puppy vest. I had maxed the straps out as far as we could and still it wasn't fitting anymore.

Time to move into a larger vest so our "poor boy" can breath while he does his work!!!

There was this little 10 week old lab puppy who attended (wish I could remember her name). It's so hard to think that Chester was just about that size when he arrived back in November. Our friends, Rick and Kelli popped over and brought their therapy dog Mindi to mingle with the group.,

And at this age, it doesn't take much to tucker them out!!!!

who says "service dogs" can't get some attention. Actually when they are truly working, you're not suppose to fuss with them, but at this stage of training, and the fact that it was an "information day"... all rules were laid aside. Is Chester a "muck" for attention or what.... silly golden....

We brought Camille with us as well. I tell everyone that she is a service dog supporter. Look who had to get in on the picture taking..... she demanded as much attention as the other dogs did!!!!

This is Kelly to the left and Chester on the right, (he looks much happier in his new and bigger vest!!) and he isn't that much smaller than Kelly!!

And a couple of nice photos of the group....

After that, Ed and I went over to check out Cabela's which was right next door. Quite a nice place and we brought Chester in to walk around with us. Then I went on and did a home visit for Cocker Rescue... back home to do barn chores and the day was over, another weekend gone. But great fun, a little break from the house and tomorrow it's back to routine.

farm day

My daughter Kas works at a pre-school.. and last spring, I took Mocha down to see the children during their "farm week". It was great fun, and most of the kids enjoyed seeing Mocha.. however.. one little cutie fell absolutely in love with her. Over the summer I would pop in to see Kass.. sometimes, I had Tonka (our big guy) with me, if I had just finished a riding lesson or whatever... but, anytime that I showed up "Cutie" would come running and ask all about the horses!! She even told me that I was her "Grandma"....
"Cutie" had some changes going on in her life, and sadly, her behavior at school began to reflect that. So, Kas and the other teacher came up with the idea of a "good behavior chart" and Miss Cutie had to earn stickers to fill her chart up. When it was all full, she got to pick something special. The other kids at pre-school suggested things like an ice cream party, or a lunch out with the teacher... but Miss Cutie had her own ideas.. her reward would be a day at "her Grandma's farm with all the horses". Well.... last Monday that goal came true.. she had filled her whole chart and Kas.. good to her word... brought her up to the farm.

It was a bright sunny day, but COLD.. the wind was blowing and I wasn't sure how much time we would actually get to spend with the horses. "Cutie" wasn't going to let anything stop her, she never said one word about being cold and was more than happy to do anything that we suggested with the horses. I tried having her ride Mocha, but she is actually a little too big for her now.. so we hitched up the cart instead and took several trips up and down the drive way.





She was so thrilled, and chatted the whole time and just thoroughly enjoyed the ride!!! (Mocha was amazing and trotted along like nothing to it!!!)

Cutie helped with the tack and un-tacking... she was a bit unsure of all this stuff and asked all kinds of questions while we went along.

And then offered Mocha a little kiss and hug to say thank you for such a nice ride.

Then we pulled Tonka out (she calls him Tongo)... and she wanted to brush him and pet him. I offered to put her on him, but she was unsure about that once she remembered his size. So, she was pretty happy just to fuss over him. Course, I'm not sure who liked that better... Tonka or Miss Cutie.

she liked Duke too, but didn't want me to "take him out" and was perfectly happy petting him thru the stall....(don't you love how she stands on the block to reach???)

And, what's a trip to the farm without a ride in the gator. We buzzed that around the field and house and she thought it was just great. She wanted to drive it, but I thought better of that.

We all had lunch together, and then it was time for Kas to get her back to school and her family. So, one last walk about the barn, and she climbed into the car and said goodbye. Both Kas and I have promised her another day at the farm.. maybe int he spring when the weather is a bit warmer, but I don't think it would matter to her.. weather wise.

And I know she had a good day, but so did I.. I feel very humble to think that she wanted to spend her special day with us... and I hope it will be a lifelong memory for her, and I really hope she will come again and feel that she is welcomed anytime.

graduation

When I am in "dog teaching mode" my life seems to be in six weeks block... and yes, we have finished yet another "six weeks". This is Chester's puppy class.. since I have been teaching it, Sadie has been working Chester for me.

We had a large variety of dogs in this class... and some different "breeds as well"... This is Forrest and Josie....

and here is Harley (who is one of Chester's best friends)

and this is Kasper (who is a pup that was bred by a "neighbor" of mine)

and of course, "our" boy --- sporting his graduation cap!!!!

Congratulations to one and all... now it's onto the level 2

OH.. and I just had to sneak in this great "family" photo of a very special student (Max) and his family!!!! I had the pleasure of having Max and his "sister" Sandy stay with me for a week while his "parents" were on vacation.... they graduated from Level 2 and will soon be heading to Canine Good Citizen!!!!

today is four.....

Here they are (already) Abbie's "four months" photos with her favorite little pal, Tatter. She (Abbie) is turning into a real little person!!! She has gone from that "fragile" baby to a "real" baby.. she smiles - almost laughs - turns her head to follow you, turns towards sounds, "babbles" all the time.. she is sleeping thru the night and Sadie has begun to give her a bit of rice cereal - which I think is helping with the "thru the night" thing.

She loves the dogs and TV!!!! and wants to always be sitting up.. she hates to lay flat. She can roll now, so you have to watch her if she is on the couch or in a chair.

She's a very "happy" baby and seldom has "meltdowns" though they do happen once in awhile.

and we are very blessed!!!!!

Valentine's/NASCAR

I don't know where my blogger friend gets these great pics, but I do "steal" them every now and again... and so Happy Valentine's everyone!!! Though I can also wish Happy NASCAR as well to the fans out there, because today was the running of the Daytona 500.. the opening of race season.

I am not a NASCAR fan, per say... Ed is the one around here. But I can pretty much count on Sunday afternoons doing as I like as Ed is usually enjoying the races on the TV... (and doing a bit of napping as well)... he also likes to make the trip to Loudon when NASCAR arrives in our area.

So, this year "it" fell on Valentine's day.. which is fine with me. We really didn't have any special plans. Last night we met up with Kas, Nate and the Flagg's for dinner out (took Chester with us) and that was fun. And today, went off to church and then I played at the barn while Ed watched the race. He did get a little chicken charm for my Pandora bracelet and surprised me with that, but mostly the day was quiet. Rick and Kelli came for a pizza dinner and we watched Abbie while Sadie went out for dinner.

Work is coming on the house. Despite my doctor's wishes of "staying out of the house for a week"... we are at work. I can't stay out of the house for a week, that would totally "ruin" our schedule!!! But I did get a "mask" and have been wearing it when I do the sanding!!! We're starting to close in on the stair case and have pretty much decided what we will use for the post and rails. Stairs are tricky and expensive things to do, so I will be happy when we get this part of the project off the "list"... but just having the sheet rock in place makes a big difference.

We're also at the part where it's just odd and end pieces going into place. We have a fair amount of scrap pieces left over that fit perfectly into these last little spaces. Our goal is to have all the sheet rocking done and all the walls primed (at least) by the end of this month. Hopefully we can make it!!!!

The house is beginning to settle in, as we knew it would. Timber frames have a way of "shrinking and settling" and the beams show it off well. Look at this big "check" in one of the beams in the front hallway. It certainly gives the house it's own charm.

Several other beams have slight "twists" in them, and we really appreciate how tight the guy fit them in the beginning. Ken told us that he wanted fits as tight as possible so that when the house settled the "gaps" would be minimal... he was right. This happened with our timber frame barn at the "old house" and I just love seeing how the building has "aged" over the years. The same will go for this house as well. The neat thing is, it doesn't do anything to the strength of the timbers.

I can't wait to be settled into the house and see it on a daily/non working basis. Every time we get something finished and we are that much closer, makes me appreciate what will be in store. And yes, NASCAR races will certainly be a Sunday thing in this house!!!! Happy Valentine's Day

duh....

For the past three months (ever since around Thanksgiving) I have had a cough off and on... (more "on" than off). I haven't felt "sick".. no aches, no fever, no snooky nose... just this cough. Sometimes it seems to lighten up and other times it comes on with a vengeance. The past couple of weeks, it's been with a vengeance. And so bad, that at times, I get these coughing "fits" and I actually get sick to my stomach. Twice this past week, I had to leave a dog class and go outside to catch my breath and regain my composure. Several friends have been bugging me about seeing the doctor, but again, since I don't feel sick... I didn't know what I would say except that I have this cough. I have no tightness in my chest, I don't get "winded".. my energy level is a little low.. but I think mostly because I don't sleep well...(from coughing all night long)... however today, I finally went and saw the doctor.



The first thing is.. I have lost 17 lbs since I last saw them, and my blood pressure has also come down. The doctor noticed that right away and made a comment on it... asking if I was "doing anything special" to make this change. I told him no...I am trying to eat small portions, and told him that my hubby and I were building a new house, so I have been busier than usual working at the house. But all in all, I haven't really "changed" anything. Then he went on with a list of questions, and when he asked how long I had been coughing... I said... "three months"... he goes... "and you're just coming to see me now???" Again I told him, I haven't been "sick"... and sometimes, I actually thought the cough was gone. He listened to my lungs, asked more questions.. then, got quiet for a moment.



"Tell me about this house building you're doing".... "what are you doing"... so I told him that we are completing the entire inside... sheet rock, mud and tape, painting, etc. etc..... "You're handling all the sheet rock.. and sanding" he asked... I told him yes.... "You are wearing a mask when you do these things" he asked .. and I answer.... no......



He ponders a bit more, schedules me for a chest x-ray, blood work and a breathing test... but says.. "I don't believe you are sick.. I want to be sure.. but I think this cough is from the sheet rock work that you have been doing. " I began to think about it and when I put the "timing" together, I think he might be "on to something". When we were sheet rocking last fall, we opened the windows in the house,but all winter, they have been shut. And we go in stages.. so .. some weeks we are sanding and hanging sheet rock (which could be why the cough reappears) .. then, we move to something else for a bit like painting ( and the cough settles down some) then it's back to sheet rock...it does make perfect sense.



I did the x ray and blood work, the breathing test will be next week... the doctor doesn't want to me use a mask just yet, in case I am "sick" he doesn't want me breathing in the "sick" while wearing a mask...but he does want me to get one, and as soon as we know the test results to start using it. He feels pretty sure.. its "just the dust".....



so... dear readers, if you have any projects of this nature going on... get a mask and use them.... I know we will from now on... our good health is too fragile and needs to be guarded... wished I had thought of it.....

my life is paint chips....

Well, maybe not my whole life is paint chips but collecting them seems to be my new favorite past time. I can't go to a Lowe's or Home Depot without popping into the paint department and pulling out some of their samples. I usually have a "basic" color in mind, and then pull out all the "families" in that line. Sometimes, I change my mind before I leave the store, but more than not, they all make it home and are tacked to the wall. I am now looking at "greens" for the living room.... once I have something in mind, I love buying those small 3.00 cans and actually doing some painting of the color. It really helps and as you all know, the paint can be very different from those little paper samples.

The pantry was yesterday's focus. Since it's nothing more than a very big closet, the color here isn't so important. It will be mostly shelves and cupboards.. so all I wanted was "some" color on the walls. Now, if you saw the "brownies" that I chose for the dining room and kitchen... this one would have to be called "coffee milk". It reminded me of the "coffee milk or tea milk" that my Mom would make for us kids. (I keep asking myself if I am hungry when I go to the paint store!!! - picking out all these different/yummy colors)

It didn't make a huge difference in the room, maybe just enough to say that it isn't white. And that works out OK with me. The game plan is when the shelves and cupboards are in they will be painted a cranberry color!!!!

Remember when I blogged about my photographer friend Dusty coming to take pictures of the chickens?? Turns out that there is a new magazine just hitting the news stands.....

and... in an article about different chicken "breeds".... one of Dusty's photos of our "girl" made the cut!!! Sadie tells me that it's "Quaker" but since I really can't tell one from the other anymore.. I will have to take her word for it.

This is a nice looking magazine, so if you're a "chicken" person, you might enjoy picking up a copy for yourself.

I seem to have picked up yet another cold!!! Honestly, this is the "sickest" winter I think I have ever had in my life. I have to wonder if I might have gotten this one from the post office!!! I am really beginning to like my little job there, the time flies by, it's always busy.. there is ALWAYS something that needs to be done... I like seeing the town folks that come in and people are beginning to look for me as well. But, handling all that mail that is coming from who knows where... I can only imagine the little "buggie germs" that come with it. I wash my hands all the time, but I think one must have got by me. If I don't shake this thing a in few days, I will call the doctor and see if I can "get something for it".

And.. it is so nice to have longer days of sun and a "wee" bit of warmth in the air... (mind you.. "wee bit" is the word).. there are bare patches of ground and even though February has just started, it has a "March" feel some days. I am so looking for spring this year.. it hasn't been a "bad winter" at all (at least for us!!!).. but since I am outside so much of the time.. I certainly appreciate the mild weather. Well.. off to dog class..................

a good day.

After "yesterday", I am happy to report that today has gone much better. Actually, it wasn't that yesterday was a "bad" day, just that it was a day that I would have been happy to forget. I do want to say thank you to my dear readers.. I got so many nice comments and emails, and I appreciate your kind words and encouragement.

So.. here's "our" boy. Chester is coming along so quickly in his obedience lessons.. he is a quick study for sure!!! He comes to classes with Camille and I three nights a week. On Mondays, he is an "official" student in the puppy class, and since I am teaching, Sadie has been handling him in the classes for me. He loves to go.

Tuesday night, he was with me again. I use him as much as I can as my "demo" puppy, just so we get some work in, but I fear he often spends much of the time waiting and watching from a crate. This past week, I asked Rick if he would mind working him in the advance class. Rick was thrilled to do it, and he's a very good handler, so I knew that Chester would be in good hands. He was as steady as any of the other dogs in this class, his stay work was perfect!!! and he's feeling much more comfortable on the gentle leader.




Guess, he figured that if "we're going to be here awhile.. might as well get comfortable"!!! I am having great fun working with him, and there is no doubt that I will miss him when he heads off for "college".. but I know for sure, someone is going to get a great dog with him!!!!



Today, we also got a full day of work in at the house. That was SO great!!! Ed worked on some more of the wiring and getting the downstairs bath ready to finish sheet rocking. It just needs some odd and end pieces and he didn't want to "ruin" full sheets if we can finish it off with scraps. I got the ceiling painted in the pantry and then Ed got the lights put up in there. That made a big difference.

Then, I was "onto" the mudroom. I really do like that yellow, but it is bright, and I have been thinking that I would like to "add/tone" it down a bit.

Stenciling!!! seemed to be the answer. So, I began to look around for stencil things. Guess what, they're not easy to find. When we did the other house, I guess stenciling was in "vogue", because you could get patterns, brushes, paints without even looking that hard. I did find things on the Internet, but I don't know.. it was hard to find just what I was looking for.

I had everyone on the hunt, and last Sunday, Kassy called to say that she was in a local store that had some stencils and she thought there was one that I might like. Since it wasn't much money, I asked her to pick out the one she thought I would like (and it's Marden's for you local folk).

And that "green blob" above....


turned out to look like this.....

Once I did that first piece.. I just couldn't stop until that one wall was done. (it was kind of nice that I didn't have to stop so I could go to dog class)

And, even better, it fit perfectly on the wall, and ended at the corner with a "half".. When the trim goes up around the door, some of the stenciling will be covered, but that's OK, because then I don't have to try and squeeze it in.

Tomorrow, I will get the other wall done. I think I am just going to do the two main walls, because the other walls will end up with a lot of trim going around the doors and window, and I don't think there will be room enough.. but, we'll see.

this house is going to be so much to decorate and finish.... better get my dear hubby moving!!!!

barns...

Tuesdays - on my drive to teach dog classes, I go thru some very pretty "country" ie: horse and cow country. Which, of course, means there are some very nice barns!!!

I love barns!!!I have always loved barns, and the fact that we have built two of them -- is a real blessing.

This beautiful barn (and the picture above) is where we buy our grain (and other farm things). It's a "restored" dairy barn, and even though it's now a store, they didn't "ruin" the inside of it. I LOVE going here, and it's (sadly) one of those places where you always spend more than you expected to.

and just random photos of some of the other barns I pass along my way. I wonder "when" they were built, "who" built them.. and I can just imagine how it was when the owner got to use "his" barn for the first time. I remember how we felt the very first night our horses slept in their "own barn".

yup, "America" will be alive and well, as long as she keeps "her barns".....