what a day

Somewhere along the line, this Tuesday will be my 50th birthday. I still haven't quite figured out when that happened... when did I hit fifty... what happened to forty?? because I am quite sure that I skipped that part. but either way.. fifty it is.

The day started out like any "normal" Saturday.. my time in at the post office. I was however, looking very forward to being done with work, because I had a wonderful lunch invitation from my dear friend Kelli. The past week hasn't gone so smoothly, so last Monday night, she invited me out to chat and sort of "make up for the week". I was really looking forward all week to it. To top it off, things at work went amazingly well.. the mail truck arrived early, the load of mail was somewhat "light".. the window wasn't too busy, and when I closed the office at noontime, I was in my truck and waiting for Kel by two minutes past noon. I also had bell choir practice, so Kelli knew that we had to be back in town by 3:00, so, I was happy to have all that "extra" time by getting out of work so quickly.

Kelly met me at work, and I told her that I wanted to leave my truck at the church, that way, all she had to do was drop me off there. She thought that would work out fine.. so I took my truck to the church, hopped in Kelli's jeep and off we went. We had a wonderful, wonderful time together. Our lunch was very good, but it was simply nice to sit and talk. So much of the time we are together for "another reason" (like a dog class or something) and you just can't "talk" at those events.. so, to sit and have "nothing else" to do.. was grand. One thing we discussed was - I am having a hard time trying to decide on a paint color for the living room. I think I want it a "green", but nothing is hitting me right now... noting that we had a little time before bell practice, Kelli said that she would pop over to the farm and see what colors I had been playing with and give me her opinion.. I thought that was great.

And as we round the corner... I saw a balloon tied to the mailbox... and the drive way was filled with cars!!!! YUP... a surprise birthday party!!!! Suddenly alot of things made sense.. ie: Ed picking out the biggest turkey we raised to be cooked... the major clean up in the house... the rush to finish up some things around the house... THIS had been "cooking" for a long time.



The house was FILLED with family and friends!!! Goodies galore!!! The cake (at the top) had a picture of me when I was around six years old.. the puppy beside me was our six month old St. Bernard dog, Cesar.....





The house had been decorated to the hilt. and not just "birthday" decorations, but all sorts of "homey" touches... thanks to Kelli!!!!









Ed and the "crew" (I am still figuring out who all helped with this) even went into the storage trailer and pulled out our dinning room table. (side note.. I was so happy to see that silly table again.. it's been over a year!!!)







And you know, it was nice to see the house more like a house than a "building project"... it was very, very exciting!!! the food tables are about where our counters will be!!!!

Here's one of the "culprits!!!!" (and breathing a big sigh of relief that it all went off without a hitch).. well, there was one hitch, you'll see that later in the blog!!!!!

But, back to the party... family and friends from all over. Here is Traci and her son Dillon, who traveled (with Dave too) from Mount Desert Island (about four hours) to join in the fun.

And our house was crowded with our dear friends!!!!

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as I made my way around, I got to hear more about all the details of the party, and try to spend time with everyone who came. The food was great, and the sound in the house was warm and happy. Many times I just stood quietly and listened to it.....

Even doggies were invited... and here Banjo has a good run in the field with two of his sisters and Charlie.

As we were all sitting about and talking, Rick said something like "where's the team". Sort of jokingly I said to him.. "if you want to hitch and get them out go ahead" The next thing I knew, both Rick and Dave were headed out the door. A little bit later, someone said "hey look outside" and we saw Rick ground driving the boys.



And not too much longer... the team pulled up to the front door.... all hitched and ready to give rides to the guests. I did run out and took them around the field for a couple of trips...

and anyone who wanted to go for a spin was able to. Such fun!!!!

Here, Dave and Deb take the boys out for a ride... I'm so glad that Dave is able to enjoy this beautiful wagon that he built.....

And then there were presents.. so many great presents. They were such a surprise, I really didn't expect that.

(thanks for the flamingos Rach!!!! you know how MUCH I love them!!!! (not) )

There was one gift that I just have to share. You see, yesterday (the 27th) would have been Moxie's 13th birthday.. (you all know how I feel about Moxie). I actually woke up a little sad when I realized what the day was, and I even mentioned it to Ed and then to Kelli at lunch. Well, unknown to me.. Kelli had gotten a picture of Mox and had a custom made stain glass picture done as a birthday gift... which I received on Moxie's real birthday.......

I am sure as the days go on, I will think of even more to say about my birthday party... and may even add more to this blog... but it's still all so overwhelming, that this is what I have to say for now.

The most important thing though... I am reminded yet again that the Good Lord has showered me with many, many blessings!!! and I am truly grateful... thank you all, for wonderful day, for all the things you do, ....... for making my life so grand........

oh and bell choir.. well I missed out on it, so won't be playing at Easter (because I missed too many practices) but it's OK

long blog, part one

I thought this was kind of a funny picture, I was feeding Abbie the other day and looked down to see this... both our feet up and crossed (in the same direction)....

Anywho,,,, our dear friend Josh has just been promoted at his work.. a rather excellent promotion and even though we are MORE than thrilled for him... we are sad, because it means that he must move away from all of us.He's not leaving the state, but it's a drive and so, being able to just have him pop in and see us, won't be so easy anymore.

In celebration of this promotion, Josh's Mom planned a get together so we had the chance to say "see you and best wishes" (we hate goodbyes) it was a fun evening and I love getting photos like this of the "kids"... er .. young folk!! they are all good friends and such great people!!! Here we have Nate&Kass, Diana, Josh and Mike. WE are so proud of them all, they are really making their way out there in the "big world"

These two.. they have been the best of friends since birth!!!

so, best wishes - Joshie - we'll keep in touch and will wait for anytime you make your way back to the "south"....

ONE of our girls has been working overtime.. look at the jumbo egg we found a few days ago. Course, even the regular eggs are good... but this was a real beauty.

I for one, appreciate their efforts... nothing like fresh eggs for breakfast!!!











Ed has been "bugging" me to cook up one of the turkeys. So, on Sunday he pulled one out of the freezer.. it will take almost a week to unthaw.. it's now in the frig and I will cook it up sometime towards the end of the week. I don't know why he chose such a big one... just said it was the one he wanted.. therefore... I guess it is... but it's going to take me a whole day to cook it!!!!

long blog, part 2

continuing from the first blog.... We continue to plod along at the house. We're doing quite well, though this "June" move in date seems to be coming faster than we are working. Ed has all the sheet rocking done in the main part of the house, as well as the mud and tape and sanding (I have been putting extra hours in at work, so I fear my "house work" has been slacking). But I do grab the paint brush and work to catch up with him during any spare moment. This week I am working on the upstairs bathrooms, closets and hallway... this our bath .. with Camille supervising as always.

We also try and stay ahead on the clean up. One because we get tired of walking around it, and two, when it's done.. we want it all done. We are little cautious of throwing out any small pieces that might fit in other places, but, not all the small pieces are of use. This is what our bedroom looked like until...

We got Sadie and Tom to do a little throwing out for us. It was kind of a "fun" job, because Ed merely opened a window, parked the truck below and had them chuck it out!!! Much easier than hauling it down the stairs!!!!

They broke it into small pieces and it landed quite well in the truck bed....











"Miss Chicken" had to come and see what all the noise was about.












As did the rest of the flock!!! Quaker, Pilgrim and the "other two guinea hens"... they love being outside and roaming around. I just hope no "critters" get them, but that's the chance I take with "free roaming".. and I do want them to get all the ticks and bugs that they can!!!!








Ed has also continued the "dog tub" project and now has it all hooked in for draining and water running (we just have to make the water hot.. but that's another project).. I asked Camille to model in the tub.. but I don't think she was very excited to do it!!!!









And speaking of water... we have plenty. Last week's rain storm and another one today has brought us many inches of rain. Fortunately we are doing OK in this department, but so many folks - including my boss at the post office - are having a hard time managing it. I wonder that the lake doesn't "overflow", but I guess it is in some ways... creating this "other" little pond across the road. It's only the end of March so this could all still be snow, and I am glad it isn't, but some may not agree with me.

Well, off to the house and my paint brush once again..... I can't wait for the day when I can simply sit and enjoy... it's coming.. I know....

almost a lake

With the warm temps and the heavy rains that we have had lately.. the ice is quickly disappearing from the lake. A spring sign that I am extremely happy to see, I am not a fan of the "big white tundra" that the lake makes in the winter time. I like to see the sparkling waters, and I wait anxiously to hear the loons calling once again. Last year, the ice had only been gone a few days and the loons were back... so... I listen carefully each night.

Ed says there is room to put the docks in.. any volunteers to brave the icy waters (because I doubt he Is going in!!!)

Even the middle is open now.. room for a boat!!!

Sadie has been working part time, and I have Abbie with me a couple days a week. Yesterday, she was jumping in her "jump a roo" as happy as a clam, I went to switch some laundry around and came back to find this... out like a light.

She is really sitting on her own now, and has a complete fit if she topples over and can't get back up!!!! She likes to keep in touch with the "action"

Having fun in the jump a roo and entertaining herself and anyone else..... What a little silly she is..

I have put a lot of extra days in at the post. My poor boss got completely flooded out from the rain storms and has been battling the waters all week. I like my job, I like the pay, but I fear the work (at least my part of the work) at the house has gone undone. I have a few rooms to catch up on... so maybe this weekend, it will be back to painting. WE also met with a cabinet person today to talk about the kitchen... with any luck she will bring back a quote that fits the budget... here's hoping....

just around the farm...

The signs of spring continue to appear. This week I changed from "winter buckets" to "summer buckets"... the winter buckets are electric and what a blessing they are on cold winter days when I don't have to chip ice out of them. Been there -done that in the "ice" department, so when we built the barn, these buckets were part of the game plan and have proven to be well worth it.

We got a TON of rain (again) at the beginning of the week. Fortunately we didn't get the wind like the last rain storm, but everyone is "drowning" in water. So many people have had flooded basements, washed out roads... just all kinds of troubles.

We actually fared quite well, except that the "barn yard" looks like this. Ed had managed to smooth out all the winter ruts before the rain, so if we stay off it for awhile.. I think it will settle down and we shouldn't have the mud issue like we did last year. The paddock is a mess and I would like to get it blocked off so the grass can come up.. but the ground is too frozen to get the posts in. Another week or two and we should be able to get that taken care of.


NOW... many (many!!!) years ago my darling hubby came home with this tub. The top of it was all broken and it was dented here and there.. and basically was a bit of a mess. I think he paid something like 50.00 for it. Course when I saw him "dragging it home" all I could think is "now what".. and I asked him that. "why in the world would you bring that home?'' He smiled and said.. "I thought I would make a good dog grooming tub." Well, he had a point. The idea was to put it up on a base so I could bath dogs and not have to bend over (or sit on my knees) beside the tub. Good idea!!!



Thing was, the dog grooming tub never did get hooked up at the old house and it just sat in the basement waiting. Any time it was "dog grooming day" I would mention how nice it would be to have it working and Ed would just say.. "I'll get to it". Course, we then moved and he never "got to it".

Until last weekend. While I was away at NEADS, Ed went down and fetched the tub from Kassy and Nate's and brought it up to the farm. Over the weekend, he got the base made and the tub mounted in place in the "kennel room". He also brought up an electric hot water heater, and if all goes well, that too, will soon be hooked up. Once we have some hot water... I can use this tub to bath the dogs!!! Sadie has also been doing some dog grooming and we have talked about opening a small grooming shop where either she or I could groom.. or people could come and "rent" the tub and do their own dogs.

We also thought that when dogs are boarding with us, we could offer a "bath" before they go back to their homes.. (so many ideas just waiting to try at the farm). But however this may or may not work out... it's going to be good for my back and I can't wait to have the chance to use it. The cockers (and Mr. Chester) will always be looking good!!!!

five months...

Yesterday "our" Abbie turned five months!!! and so keeping with "tradition" Sadie took her "Abbie/Tatter" photo.

Tatter sure does love her little baby!!!

However, part way thru the "shoot"..Tatter got bored and went for a little walk... so.. Camille thought that she would step in. (Abbie thought she would just give Camille a little bite!!!- good thing her teeth haven't come in yet!!!)

Abbie greatly admires Camille's spots!!!!

Abbie has discovered many things over this past month... she loves feet!!! And did you notice... she can sit up on her own now.

She also is getting into hugs!!!! and laughing

then...Tatter decided to come back and finish the photos... (and yes, you did see ear rings in Abbie's ears!!!)














and the sitting up thing... well, it still has it's tumbles














and Abbie's other favorite "creature"... is Douglas!!!!

Where has the time gone?????