we got snow...they got

Just for the record...

while we had rain, ice and snow in New England today...

look at what was going on in North Carolina!!!

While Charlie and Evie play in the ocean.....

the "bums".....................................

are wearing SHORTS!!!!!

got puppies??

It's been a busy week around here, thus blogging has taken a bit of a back seat... so what have I been up to? Well, first off I have a big project in progress that I can talk about right now, and second, I have been on "puppy stand by". For those of you who may not know, I am (brag, brag) an excellent puppy mid wife, and when my friend Julie has a litter on the way... she always calls on me.

This is Jesse... the Mom to be... I asked her if she had any puppies in there... do you suppose she is thinking "you got to be kidding, silly human... just look at me!!!"

Sadie has been so excited about these puppies and wanted some "lessons" in whelping, so she couldn't wait for Julie to call us!!! Yesterday, just about 4:00 pm, the phone rings... it's Julie telling Sadie and I "it's getting to be time". I am happy... an early evening litter, what could be better... we rush to get on the road. We arrive just about 5:00 and fine a very anxious Jesse... a good sign. We all get comfortable, chat for a while, and notice Jesse has gone to sleep and is quite comfortable herself!!!.. NOT the sign we are looking for...about 8:00 we have pizza, and about 10:00 Sadie and I head for home.... no more signs of labor and a dog napping on the couch... it's going to be a long night and I decided we might as well head for home.



1:30 AM... phone rings... "it's time again"... I wake Sadie and we head out. It's pouring rain and very dark... this will seem like a long ride. We get "inland" about 5 miles, and the rain is turning to snow.... inland another 5 miles... pure snow... roads aren't great and we have no choice but to go slow and get there. When we arrive Julie and Jesse have one puppy on the ground... a sweet little girl... it's begun and going well..... not too much longer and we are at two...... here's sister and brother.... just minutes old!!!!




The progression is slow and steady... no real problems, couple of big puppies that take a litttle time on their way out... but everyone arrives into the world with puppy cries and great gasps of air..... we're up to four in this photo.

It continues to snow .... I have to run out for a couple of hours to teach my Saturday morning classes... I leave the "birthing" to Jesse, Julie and Sadie....

I return to NINE puppies.... seven girls... two boys..... we stay a bit longer, but for the most part feel that Jesse is done and has done an amazing job. Julie has a vet appointment later today....

But this is one Mommy Dog who is happy that she can curl around again and takes a much deserved rest!!!

I myself, am close to crashing... I have only been up 15 hours!!!!!

they're back!!!!

just a couple hours ago, I peeked out the window and found this handsome fellow out on the front lawn!!!

the ROBINS are back... this is a sure sign of spring... and actually I have heard more birds singing in the mornings, funny how much I miss that wonderful sound in the winter months..

Welcome home, friends!!!!!

a dog's life

If you thought marines are big, brave, and strong and fierce... you are absolutely right!!!

but here, one little black and white cocker has this marine wrapped tightly around his little paw!!!!!

You can't tell me that Charlie doesn't have "it good"!!!!!

strawberries

I must be needing a dose of spring... lately I have been craving strawberries!!! I even went and bought a package of frozen ones, that I thawed yesterday. It was my plan to have them over some ice cream after dinner last night, but I must confess that I ate a good many of them through out the day!!!! Yup, I want strawberries, hamburgers on the grill, fresh veggies from the little farm stands... I want to go outside without a coat, without worrying about where the ice patches are, without having to warm the truck up for a bit before I go.... I want to walk without mittens on, ride my horse... I want a season change.

My good friend Dale works for a farm that is near her home called Spillers.... they have "pick your own" strawberries... come June, that is where you are going to find me!!!! It will probably be wise for the Spillers to weigh me before allowing me in their berry patch... for I wonder how many of those sweet berries will go right into my mouth verses my basket!!!! I remember taking Kas and Sadie berry picking... they were good pickers and unlike some little kids, never complained or got bored.. just quietly picked the berries to bring home....

We head south in just over a week... Sadie is home to house sit, and I said to Ed this will probably be one of the last vacations that we take where we are so "free"...once we are on the farm, I dare say, it will take a small army of folks to watch over things while we are gone... but for now, Sadie will manage the house and dogs and we are able to go.....I am definitely going to enjoy this trip!!!!

I went south last spring too, but it wasn't the greatest as I was there to see Nate off to Iraq and help Kas close up her apartment and come home... this year is SO much better!!!!

so, that is my "complaint" for the day..... I want strawberries..............................

normal

I am patiently waiting for "him" this morning... our friend, "normal" will hopefully pay us a visit and decide to stay for awhile. We have missed "him" these past couple of weeks, and when he does arrive, I shall "offer him a comforty seat and serve him a fine meal" . Yes, "normal" would be very nice to have back.... and I am sure that Ed is even more anxious than I am!!!

The "second" procedure was yesterday, where they used ultra sound to "blast" this horrid kidney stone that has ruled our lives!!! I brought Ed home for the hospital, feeling rather "woozy"... but after a good lunch and some rest, he really began to perk up, and last evening, I can say, was some what back to him old self. He reported that most of the pain was gone, that "other things" were working much better, and he even tried to call Ken and see if anything has been going on with the barn. (that's a huge improvement!!! he hasn't talked or thought much about the barn lately!!!!) He is still snoozing as I write this blog this am... but I have a feeling that today is going to get back on an even keel!!!!

Now, please don't misunderstand me... our list of "all the good things that has happened" is very long!! and we are greatly blessed!!! There are so many things that "way could have been worse" with regards to this "bump" in the road, but, we certainly will be happy to have things just go the way they were headed!!!!



On another note... this is a quilt!!! and IT is DONE!!!! it has quite a story to it, and I have been very eager to share it!!! (does it seem like everything in my life has a story or do I just make them up so I have something to write on my blog? interesting question!!!) ANYWHO..... my dear friend Shirley plays "flyball" with her dogs (actually I used to with Moxie and Trevor).. and when you go to a flyball tournament, you can often get a t-shirt.
Shirley had collected a number of t-shirts and one day asked me if I thought I could make them into a quilt.... "sure, of course I can" I quickly answered (when will I be a little more careful about that sort of thing??)

So, she brings me a bag of t-shirts. I pulled them out, took a look at all the different colors and designs, different sizes, and began to think, "what I am going to do with these?" I pondered on it a while, gave up and stuffed them back into the bag and put them away for another time. Every now and again, I would haul them out, study them awhile, and put them away. I combed thru my quilting books, looking for ideas, checked out other quilts at the county fairs in the fall, nothing seemed to "hit the bill"


Shirley was great. She never bugged me about the quilt, every now and again, she would ask if I had made any progress, and I will pull the shirts out again.... but still not much happening. This past winter, she asked if there might be a chance that the quilt could be done for the upcoming spring tournament that her team hosts. I was now determined that I would come up with some pattern and get this done!!!!

Once again I pulled out the shirts and said they weren't going back.. this time, they were going into a quilt. My search for a pattern got serious. Then, on New Year's Eve when we went to L.L. Beans, I saw a quilt on display... (a very pricey quilt I might add) and all it was .. was strips of cloth about 2 inches wide and all different lengths and colors.. it was beautiful!!! BUT, even more important, it was the pattern that I had been searching for!!!

Since all the t-shirt designs were different sizes, I needed a pattern that would give me some "fudge factor" and the strips would be perfect for that!!! I went to my "dog stash" of material and picked just four pieces... I didn't want the quilt to be too busy, but I did want it interesting. Suddenly I was ready and this was going together.... expect for one little glitch. T-shirts stretch and don't stay stable. After some pondering on that one, I decided to fuse the t-shirts to some sturdy cotton and that problem was solved, the quilt came together quickly.

I brought it to Shirley the other evening.... I think she was pretty pleased with it..... I was...a promise kept and a challenge done... that makes for a good day....

what's going on

It's Tuesday afternoon, Ed is home from the hospital. He went in this am to see if they could "retrieve" this kidney stone... they were not able to do so. They know where it is, and now exactly how big it is, and they are definitely going to have to "blast" it with ultra sound... that will be done on Thursday. So, "we" are not out of the woods yet, but he is home, resting "comfortably" and we have a game plan for the rest of the week.

Thank you to everyone for your emails, blog comments, and phone calls, it's nice to know we have a wide circle of friends who care so much... it makes a difference!!!!

We are expecting more winter weather tonite. I had to cancel dog classes last Tuesday because of weather, and I am hoping that it will hold off long enough tonite so that I can "sneak" them in...I don't like to cancel too many, as you lose the "flow" of it after a bit!!! So, wish me luck on the ride home... this is my late class and a trip down from Saco.

The babies are growing in leaps and bounds, and are about half the size of their Mama. I have enjoyed them so much!!! They have such different personalities, but are all quite friendly. "Curley" my "favorite" (the one in the back with the little black face) is the funniest little thing . She talks all the time, and is the loudest one of the bunch!!! I told Ed that I had been thinking of sneaking her into the hospital today to sit with me while I waited for him (not really, but it sounded good)... however, she can't be quiet enough to sneak her anywhere... so even if I thought I really could have done it... she would have certainly given us away!!!!

The piggies aren't the only ones getting big so is our little niece, Naomi!!! She was here for Sadie's birthday party and what a little card she is!!! At 20 months she is picking up all kinds of words and expressions and just kept us in stitches the whole evening.

Do we have a future horseman here. She just had to get up on my carousal horse and "take a little ride". Rachel said that every horse is "Mocha"!!!! pretty funny, she hasn't seen Mocha since last fall when she went for a little ride on her.....

On Saturday, when we were under the weather a little, the cockers just laid low with us.... I guess this is what you could call a "dog pile"........ (there are three dogs in the picture.....

And that's about all the news for now.... stay tuned for future updates.....

dreaming

This picture was taken quite awhile ago, I don't exactly remember when, but tonite as we are looking at yet another winter storm... I am dreaming....

dreaming about being back in that saddle, on that big black horse, enjoying the ride, the great outdoors.... enjoying life!!!

My trainer emailed today, setting up the spring riding schedule... it can't be here soon enough!!!

it's time.................................

Ed update

This blog is a funny thing, I never realize how many "readers" I have until something like "the Ed issue" comes up, for we have received a number of emails asking what is going on.... here's the latest...

Ed spent Tuesday night and all of Wednesday in the hospital.. this was to manage the pain and get his heart meds on a plain were they will be able to "operate"..... he came home feeling better with regards to the kidney stone.. but, picked up the flu (probably in the hospital, because we had been healthy here).. so he spent the better part of Thursday and Friday laying low. He seems better this morning, but still "aches" from the tail end of this flu ..

This coming Tuesday.. he goes into the hospital (day thing) and they are going to put a scope in to see exactly where this stone is... if the doctor can grab it with the scope, he will and that could be that. IF not, he will have to go back to the hospital on Thursday (when the ultrasound machine is at York Hospital) and they will "blast" it, hopefully, breaking it up into pieces that will pass. Course they always have to tell you about "all that could happen" , one being, that it doesn't break easily, and the ultrasound will have to be repeated at a later date.

So, best case, it can be done all on Tuesday.. worst case... it can't!!!!

He did "muddle thru" Sadie's little birthday party last night with all of the family here, but went up to bed before everyone had left, and he is "way bummed" at the idea that he should have been leaving for Daytona today with the guys. Oh well, it's easy to think of so many other things that could be "way worse".... so all in all, we're in pretty good shape around here, and just have to let things run their course and not get too impatient.

Our house is so quiet today!!!!! all we have (at the moment) are our own six cockers!!! All boarding dogs and foster dogs have left!!! I have been so used to counting up to 12 on some days, that only counting 6 makes me panic for a moment and wonder who is missing..... THAT will all change shortly as I have boarding dogs coming in this afternoon and a possible foster cocker.. for the time, I think I will enjoy the peace and the easy work load!!!!!!

the March quote from the Farmer's Almanac.... Winds ululate while snowflakes accumulate! So cold it's hard to believe we'll be relieved, but Spring has sunshine up her sleeve. And thought we're wary, we know that snow is temporary!!! Sounds like spring will find it's way north!!!!!!

leapling!!!!

Do you know a "leapling"? Do you know what a "leapling" is? Did you know that February had an extra day this year???
Well, if you did, and you know Sadie... then... you know a leapling.. which is a person who was born on the 29th of February!! A day which only comes around every four years!!!

"Our" Sadie turned 20 today and celebrated her 5th birthday!!! and I remember her being born as though it were yesterday. Sadie's "due date" was the 29th.. sort of as a joke by the nurses in the doctor's office. When they first saw me and said I would be due around the first part of March, and then saw it was a leap year, made her due date of the 29th. I remember, too, my Dad saying "oh don't have "her" on that date, that won't be fair" well, what baby actually comes on their due date?

The morning of the 29th, I had a doctor's visit... they checked everything out and said "we'll see you next week".. this did not make me happy, I was done with being fat and feeling like I couldn't do much of anything... so, i went to visit my dear friend, Lory and play with some cocker puppies she had. Lory always had a way of cheering me up, and I had a great time with her, playing with the pups, having a cup of tea and all that sort of thing. I left Lory's about 3:00.... around 4:00 I started feeling "not so great" and about 5:00, as Ed walked in from work... I said "we need to get moving... I think this baby is coming afterall"....

Well, I should have learned a great deal about Sadie within that time... because by 6:45... she was here!!!! Now, the other thing about Sadie is... she wasn't suppose to be a "she"... I was quite certain (for no real reason) that "she" was a boy, and when the doctor said "it's a little girl!!!" I was shocked!!! We didn't even have a name picked out for a little girl!!!! It was the doctor that suggested calling her Sadie.. and the name sort of stuck!!!! I remember calling Lory, sometime around 7:00.. she asked "how are you feeling?" "just fine" I told her... it's a girl, I don't think she quite believed me at first!!!!!!

AND (just have to tell this story) Lory's son, Michael, was quite small when Sadie was born.. Lory brought him to the hospital to see Sadie... as the were looking thru the nursery room window, Michael commented to his Mom that "all those babies must be brand new... they didn't even have their eyes open yet" ... Mike was quite used to puppies being born.. so he assumed that humans don't open their eyes right away as well!!!!!

So, here we are five birthdays later, and a young gal now entering her 20's... I remember being 20, so I can't figure out how my "baby" can be that old!!!! but here she is. And for all the "fights" that the two of us are known for... we adore each other... and all I can say is ... "happy birthday pretty girl, I love you very much!!!" Birhtday 6 will be here before we even know it.....

one of those days....

Today hasn't exactly gone to plan... it started very early this morning around 5:30, when "my" Ed said to me... "are you awake?" Well, it so happens I was, because I am up at 6:00 anyways for a dog that comes for daycare on Tuesday and Wednesdays... "yup, I'm awake, what's up?" "I need to go to the hospital"... needless to say, I am now fully awake..... "what's going on".... "I got a kidney stone and I am in real pain".... we made to the hospital in about 4 minutes flat (won't be able to do that when we live in Acton.. but that's another story)

It didn't take them too long to confirm what Ed already knew (he has had them before), but this time, it's a big stone!!! and as of this evening, he is in the hospital and this stone is going to have to be taken out one way or another. At this writing, I don't have an end to this story yet..... that will happen next week. But he is there tonite to manage his pain and prepare him for some procedure next week.....

The sad part to all of this, is that next week, Ed was suppose to be away!!!! He had been invited by three good friends, to load up the motorcycles and head to Daytona for "bike week".... when he asked me what I thought about him going.. I said... GO... he has worked all winter on the barn, in the cold, and I thought this would be a fun break for him.... so much for the fun break.....BUT, the good thing is, this did happen this week here at home... I don't imagine that this sort of pain would be much fun at "bike week" and ending up in a hospital so far from home wouldn't have been good either... so I guess if this is suppose to happen, we are blessed that it happened now........

On a happier note, today was also a day that I had been invited to do a talk and a pet visit at a retirement resident called "Inn at Spruce Creek" in Durham, NH.

I used to do a far amount of therapy dog work, but as the kids got older and busier, it sort of got squished out of my life. However, now that a little more time is on my side, I do try and get the dogs out where and when I can (like badge day that we did for the girl scouts)

Anyways, this visit has been planned for a month or more, so I got nervous when I was sitting in the ER with Ed. I thought that I should cancel it, but as Ed said, there wasn't much I could do there and the folks would be expecting us to come.... so I left him in good hands, packed up Moxie and Camille and off we went.



I am glad we did go, the folks there were waiting for us and they were a very nice crowd to talk to. I spoke about dog training in general, about cocker spaniels and about therapy dog work. Everyone was very interested in all three topics. There were lots of questions asked and then some talk time to hear about the different dogs that they have owned. One thing about cockers, I think everyone in the "whole world" has owned one at one time or another... so many of them had grand stories to share about cockers in their past.

Moxie was an old pro at this, she calmly chose a few people and would sit or stand quietly while they fussed over her.

Camille was another story, she just couldn't see everyone fast enough, it was like she only had so much time and rushed about the room, making sure that she got to visit with everyone. Fortunately she is small, so her high energy didn't seem to bother anyone, but I have high doubts that a bigger dog could have gotten away with that. She did, however, make about three rounds about the room and everyone thought she was delightful. After that she finally "crashed" and just laid in front of everyone and listened to the conversation.

So, what started out as a "doubtful" day, certainly turned bright to see all the smiles and laughter that my dogs brought out.... just need to remember that as the days ahead look like they could be abit stressful.....

and with that, Moxie and I are off to sit with Ed at the hospital tonite... guess her therapy dog work isn't over yet......



Camille will stay at home :0)

Cooper's big day

Today was the day that Cooper was meeting his new family!!! So, we loaded him in the truck with Moxie and got on the road fairly early. We were meeting up with Scott and his son in Waterville, and from there, Cooper will be traveling further north to Jackman!!!

Now, I had never heard of Jackman, Maine.. but Cooper had...in fact, he has been there!!! And to try and begin to give you all the details of his story, I fear would take up a whole week's worth of blogging. So, let's see if I can cut it down a little and still have you in awe of how this whole thing has worked out.

As you know, Cooper was a gift to a student of mine from her daughter. In order to help her Mom out, the daughter kept Cooper the first few months of his life to house training and do some obedience with him. These folks have a place in Jackman!!! and when they went on a little trip, they left Cooper with friends in Jackman. Then Cooper goes to my student's home.. we meet, work with Cooper, (he is wonderful...BUT a handful) my student sadly decides that he needs more than she can give him... sends him here. NOW, cocker rescue calls me, but I can't take a foster because I have Cooper... rescue finds out I have a springer needing a home.... and they know that Scott is looking for springer and put us in touch. (Scott also did a lot of work with rescue when he lived down this way...so they know him well).

Scott and I get in touch... he goes on this blog to see pictures of Cooper (falls in love) but also finds out about our place in Acton, and tells me that HE GREW up in Acton!!!!! AND the family that watched Cooper for those few days in Jackman... Scott is good friends with them!!! (they can hardly believe that Cooper is returning!!!)

That's a very short version of the story, but let's just say, the world is extremely small!!!!

The moment Cooper met Scott, I felt an instant peace!!! (and yes, began to cry!!!) I just knew from the first second, that these two are meant for each other!!!

I think Cooper approves of his new "owner" from the kisses he gave to Scott. And Scott kept saying "he's so beautiful, I can't believe he's mine!!!"

Scott's little son couldn't have been cuter!!! He kept saying, "Daddy is this our dog??? This is a great dog!!" And Cooper couldn't help but share his kisses with him as well....

All of us had hoped that we could have lunch together, however,Scott owns hunting cabins and had a snowmobile group coming into tonight, so he had to get back to Jackman. So we had a little visit and a chance to chat before we all had to get on the road again.

Just before we left, I snapped this last shot of Scott, his son and Cooper, looks like Scott will have a lapful from now on....

And I have feeling, it's just the way he wanted it!!!!!!

As we pulled out, I looked back and saw Cooper proudly sitting in the front seat of Scott's truck...

He was ready to get home!!!!!!!!

"more done"

What is it with me, traveling to Acton and snow!!! The last few trips that I have made "north" have always been on snowy days. Even Ken made a comment as I pulled into the farm this morning.... "knew you were coming when I saw the snow falling"... oh well, I got that great big truck and four wheel drive, so it isn't any big deal... but, I hope that when I go up in August ...it won't be snowing!!!!!

So, the barn work is going full steam ahead despite the winter weather....

the hayloft is empty this winter, but that WON'T be the case next year!!! though I keep telling Ed....

it would make an awesome training room!!!!!

As you can see, the men are working on the shed roofs that will protect the stall doors. I can just see the horses hanging out under them on hot sunny days.. or rainy days.. or snowy days... or... well, you get what I mean.

Sadly, what we ordered for steel roof for the shed's is not long enough, so Ed has to place another order for that!!!! It's about the first big "goof" that has happened, not bad with a big project like this... so, it might be just a little bit before the roof is actually finished...Ken says it's going to make the barn look huge...

I think it already looks huge!!!!

When I got back from Acton, I packed up the piggie family and ran them over to the vets to "find out what they are"....

the verdict is in... they are ALL GIRLS!!!! ( and that came from first, second and third opinions!!!) This news makes me very happy because now I don't have to be in a worry about separating them anytime soon!!!! They are such a happy little family all together, and I just couldn't think of how I would have to split them up... but, now I don't have to worry about that just yet.....

whew!!!!!

this little piggie

The three little piggies are getting quite big!!! We make a practice to hold them everyday.. since their Mommy is so skiddish, I don't want the babies to pick up on that..... this is the one that is my favorite!!! I am hoping this is a "she", so that I can keep her and have her live with her Mommy. Piggies do better if they can live with another one... but, of course, one must be careful about having two piggies together!!! :o)

I called the vet the other day, and I am going to run the babies over sometime and have the girls there help me decide who is who. They all think it's pretty funny that we "bought one, and got three free!!" I just told them that my family are "bargin shoppers".

Now, all this "piggie holding" leaves one cat in a very foul mood. Dancer is my lap cat for sure, I never can sit without her jumping up and cuddling in.... doesn't matter to her if I am quilting, knitting or cross stitching... It is understood that I make room for the cat!!! She is invited to join piggie and me... but, I guess that goes against cat nature and "she isn't going to be caught sitting with a piggie!!!"

I never worry about her or Mona hurting them... course, I don't give them the chance either, but for the most part, the cats have little to do with either the piggies or the bunny..... (and the fact that bunny is probably bigger than either cat!!!)

but, its pretty obviously that she is put out with me by the looks of this picture!!!!

never quite the same....

For a while, Wednesdays are not going to be quite the same for me.... because I have been told about a family with a broken heart and I just can't get it out of my mind. I don't know this family, never met them in my life, but they are in the front of my thoughts and in my prayers.... the story goes like this....

Kass has been looking for a job down there in North Carolina, and since she missed working at the day care here, thought she would give "nanny work" a try. She has had all sorts of interviews, but nothing has really come of it. However, she met with this one Mom who wanted someone just on Wednesday mornings for her daughter who was 4 years old. Her older daughter was in school and this Mom just wanted that time to herself. Kas was happy, called and told me all about this sweet little girl and how much she was looking forward to sitting for her.

The morning of her first Wednesday (last week) , the Mom called and said she wouldn't need Kass that day, her older daughter was home from school, sick with something, and since the day was rainy and messy, the Mom decided just to stay home with her girls and not go out. She said she would see Kass the next Wednesday (ie: today). Well, last Friday, Kas recieved an email from the Mom.. it was a "general email" to many, many people... with the shocking announcement that the little four year old girl had DIED on Friday!!!!!!! and it talked about the furneral arrangements were, etc. Kas was so upset!!!! She sent a note back to the Mom, and then she and Nate decided that would attend the visiting hours.

Kass still doesn't know exactly what happened to this sweet little girl, we can only assume that maybe it had something to do with her older sister being sick. It doesn't matter, she is gone and a family is in great grief......Kas and Nate did go to the visitng hours, the place was packed, and she could only hug the Mom, leave her white rose and go....

Kas asked me "why".... why does God sometimes put people in your path and yet, it feels like we didn't "do" anything for them.. maybe we did, maybe we didn't... who knows, except for HIM.. maybe it was just one word said, or one smile, or a contact that will be used later... or not at all. It's one of the great mystries...

but, if all "my readers" could send up some prayers, especially tomorrow, as this family says their final goodbyes.... I somehow know.. they will be greatly appreciated.... and Wednesdays will make me think of them......

bedtime

I was thinking tonite, as I am heading to bed... about the routine that I go thru night after night. For some people, when it's time for bed... they might rise from their comfty chair, go about the house, turning off lights, locking doors and then head to bed. But here, it's somewhat different... when I decide that it's bedtime.. what I really mean, is "get going" so that I can be in my bed within the half hour....

the routime goes something like this...

1. first four dogs head out to the pen for last call... they stay out about three minutes (dogs go out in small groups at night, this lessens the chance of barking that might disrupt the neighbors)
2. I head outside with guest dog number one for last call... takes about five minutes
3. first group is in by now, guest dog gets his good night cookies and water bowl filled
4. second group of three dogs head out to the pen
5. I go out with guest dog number two
6. second group in, guest dog get his cookie and water bowl filled
7. last guest dog goes out to the pen
8. treat time for piggies and bunny... usually "waste" a good 10 minutes watching them... check their water bottles, fill if needed.
9. bring in third guest dog from pen, give out cookie and fill water bowl
10. second group of dogs tucked in for the night, after they have had their drink and get their cookies.
11. feed cats, who by now, are bugging me to death
12. go about the house, turning off lights, locking doors, etc.
13. climb stairs with four cockers in tow... settled them into their beds, good night cookies....
14. back down stairs... forgot to feed turtle... back up stairs again....

AND now, I can think about climbing into bed myself.... glad I started all of this just 45 minutes ago.....

good night.....

going on's

It's been a very long winter for one NASCAR fan.... "my" Ed.... so Sunday (being the 50th race of the Daytona 500) I knew that we wouldn't be going any further than the living room!!!!

And so, with "his" dog in lap, Ed settled in for the afternoon and the beginning of the racing season.

I, on the other hand, was prepared for this great event as well.... finishing a quilt in the other room.

Ed enjoyed the race very much.... watching the beginning and the end of it, napping in the middle... which is pretty typical of "race watching". Sometimes I go and change the channel during the napping part of it... however, that is not long lived, as he quietly says to me "hey.. I was watching that!!!" I guess he is the only person who can "watch" thru closed eyes!!!!

Mama piggie is doing very well, she has been the best little Mommy!!! I am trying to decide if she is a better Mom than me or has "better kids".... because one little "purr" from her and her childred hussle!!! It is amazing how they listen to her and do exactly as she says. I noticed too, that every now and again she escapes to the feeding station, just to get that little break from her children. I bet every Mom out there can understand this move!!!! Sometimes she eats a bit, but a lot of the time I just find her sitting quietly... getting her "wits" about her I guess...

But, like everything in life, it doesn't take long for "others" to figure it out, and I caught two of the youngsters up on the feeding station not too long after mama had been there.

I can almost "hear" them up there (well, I CAN hear them, they whistle so loudly these days!!!!)

"Wow... look it how high up we are!!!!"

"hey, check out all the food!!!"

"Mom's gone, let's chow down!!!!"

These two are the smooth coated ones... the other is a "curly" one like the Mom... (and the one that I hope I can keep)... these two are t-r-o-u-b-l-e.... they are the ones that figure it all out (like getting up to the feeding station and taking Mama's quiet spot away) and you should see the "fight" over food. Just like little kids, the cage is filled with all sorts of goodies and they both want the same one!!!!! Their Mama doesn't put up with it though, she'll either step in (and often take the little piece they both want) or give her little piggie "purr" and they run to her.

I can't get over how quickly they are growing, it won't be long before we'll have to do some seperating......... :-(

bragging

I "stole" this picture off of Kassy's blog... just so I could brag on "my" kids!!!

This is Mandi and Partick (their very best friends) Nate and Kass... all dressed up to go to the Sweetheart banquet that was going on at their church!!!

I just loved this picture, and had to share it will all of you......

these four have quite the adventures together, it will be some of the best times that they will have in their lives.....

BTW... look..... they have NO snow there in North Carolina!!! makes me want to pack up my truck and head south........

stormy night

It was a dark and stormy night, the ice pelleted against the window, the wind howled....

AND three students from my Advanced Training class showed up for their graduation!!!! When I asked them "why" did they come out on such a night, they gave me this puzzled look, oh ya, I was "out" too!!!! So, congradulations for not only coming out on such a yucky night, but for doing excellent work in their course... teams are from left to right... Pat and Orien, Rick and Mindy, Amara and Bella!!!!

The next day was Valentine's day. Since Ken had a snowmobile trip planned, Ed took the day "off" from the barn, and we went "barn shopping"!!!! Because it is still early to buy too many things, I only picked up a few items like buckets, cross ties and the hardware that goes with them, but we were able to do a fair amount of "window" shopping and got an idea of what some of the other things will cost. Stall mats for example.... way pricey!!! So, I am going to do some calling around on them and see who has the best price!!!! Guess I better save some more pennies!!!!

Just so the buckets wouldn't be rolling around in the truck for the next few days, we decided to run them up to the barn....

but to our surprise... this is what greeted us at the gate!!! I forget sometimes the difference between "coastal weather and inland weather", where we had sleet ... they had ice!!! and everything was heavily coated!!!

This birch tree at the end of the drive is a favorite of mine, I was pretty sad to see it in such a state, and only hope that no real damage was done.... have to wait for spring on that one. The town was without power, a fairly common occurance (which is why we have a generator that will power the house when needed!!!) And even though it's a "dangerous" thing, you can't help but see the beauty when the world is "made of glass".

Needless to say, we didn't get into the barn, Ed had to go back and open things up with the tractor (thank the Good Lord for that little tractor!!!!) So, for now, the buckets are still rolling around in the back of my truck...

but, now I have an "excuse" to run up to the barn!!!!

winter days...

Last night, we got about 5 inches of snow, now it's pouring rain, and later its suppose to freeze up again.... as much as I like the winter months, days like this find me wanting spring!!! I am not alone, as I am beginning to hear the same words from lots of different folks. Guess that's why we live in New England, as we get "tired" of one season, it changes again.... I think we are blessed.

Here's the most recent picture of the barn!!! NOTE... hayloft door, done and in place!!! this means (ta-da!!!) a weather tight building!!!Still need a bit of trim on the front (makes me "crazy" to see one window done and not the other!!!) but the guys don't have the same priority as I do!!!! They'll get to it as soon as the weather co-operates, and depending on the weather, it will either be, start the tack room walls or work outside on the shed roofs.. either way, it all needs to happen. I also want to note that Ed took this picture with his new phone..... yup, it's got a camera in it......not a bad shot for that little thing.....

And speaking of "little things" here's one of the babies!!! I can't believe how much fun they are!!! They aren't even a week old, and they run up and down the ramp in the cage, eat everything that Mommy eats, whistle all the time (I LOVE that sound) and are quite the little creatures.

I fear that I spend way too much time with them (when I should be getting other things done!!!) I am handling them quite a bit, as I want them to be comfortable with that. Mommy is still quite shy, and I will do more work with her when she is done nursing, I don't want to upset her and maybe make it so she won't take care of the little ones. They probably could survive now without her, but there is no reason for that to happen, and they are so cute when they all try to huddle under her.

"Everyone" is asking how small the babies are, it's hard to judge just by the pictures, so holding them in my hands might give you all a better idea.

They are "pretty good" about sitting still, especially if you have a little piece of lettuce or something for them to munch on. I am just afraid that if one got away, you would never find "it" in the house (cats probably would though). But, I do have to say the cats have been pretty good with them, once in awhile I have to shoo Mona off the top of the cage, but for the most part, they don't bother with them. I never dreamed a week ago, I would be telling you all about piggy babies!!!!!

So, as the rain pelts against the windows and dogs snore in their houses, and the woodstove throws out the most wonderful heat.... life is very good......