It looks like we're off on a big adventure!!!! Well, I guess, in a way we are... but maybe not quite as exciting as it would seem.....
It's our annual shavings run..... fortunately, we have a lumber mill not that far from the farm, and it's easy to go and get a load of them. Just a matter of doing it... and calling in the troops....(I can do it myself, but having help is much better!!!)
And for as much goofing off as she does.... my little barn fairy is a very good helper too!!!! (and so is her MOM!!!)
After we got the shavings home and put away in the barn, it was time for some play....
The swing set is getting some use.... I can't believe how big Abbie has gotten since we bought this last year. I can't wait to see Reagan out there on it as well.... "Babys and Papas" always should have a swing set....
Abbie telling Debbie that she can't climb the "rock" wall......
On Friday, it was a day to spend back in our home town... time to get ready for the Annual Firemen's Muster.... the weekend always begins the same, with Ed pulling "Protection II" out of storage and the "Red Shirts" getting her all polished up for the big parade.
Reagan was so interested in the activity... as a little boy, I don't doubt that firetrucks will become a very popular item one day.....
He was all smiles for the men and got a lot of attention......
Friday evening, Ed attends the banquet hosted by the Red Shirts... so... we gals decided to go out to dinner. We picked this place because not only do they have good food... but outdoor seating.. which is a good place for Debbie to go and practice her manners......
She very quickly and happily went "under" for me... I was so pleased and surprised... and then....
I saw the "reason" why......she wasn't really doing her "work"... she saw a "goodie!!!"
And I think she was a bit surprised and disappointed when she knew I that I had caught on.... "no goodies for you little girl!!!!"
Saturday was the muster day.... it begins with the fire truck parade... Reagan's first!!!!
And Debbie's too... though neither one knew exactly what they were in for. But we were prepared.... I had an escape route all planned out if Debbie got worried, and for little Reagan....
His Daddy had brought ear protection. Those fire trucks can be mighty loud when you are standing there right in front of them.... and what fire fighter isn't going to use the siren or air horn when they have the golden opportunity to do so!!!!!
Abbie knew what to expect and waited anxiously for it to begin.....
She was happy to explain to her little cousin how this all works......
He looks pretty happy to just be part of the excitement....
Everyone is waiting!!!!!
Nate brought ear protection for Abbie as well.. she was pretty sure that she wouldn't need them, but was worried that Debbie might..... so she shared them.....
Not too sure how Debbie felt about having those heavy things on her ears.... but she was good sport about it.......
And here comes the parade... which is always lead off by the Red Shirts......
Our little beetle proudly carries the Queen once again....... it's a great little car and each year it's honored to have this duty....
Abbie did decide that ear protection was a good idea... especially when she saw Reagan wearing his....
Debbie was awesome during the parade.... she got a little annoyed with all the noise, but never "ran" or tried to get away... I have really good feelings about this little girl....
Just watching them go by.......
Abbie really enjoyed watching too... and was quite happy to get a lollipop to boot.....
So another year done...... I have to say, I love "field day" as we fondly call it... I attended my first one when I was 5 months old (just about Reagan's age)... and I haven't missed one yet!!!!!
After the parade we went to the field to watch the competitions.... it's so nice because they are really gearing this towards families... lots of good food to eat....
And Abbie was more than thrilled to find the "jumpy house".... I knew just where she was all afternoon, because she only came out long enough for a quick bite, and something to drink and it was back to jumping......
Debbie was a big hit and schmoozed the crowd..... people now begin to ask me about "this year's puppy"... guess I have been raising dogs for a while now when folks remember that this is what I like to do.....
And then, the whole day ends with the lobster bake. To be honest, I was so hungry by the time we got to the bake that I didn't get very many pictures.... especially where lobster (one of my favorites) is involved....
Our whole family was there.... I guess this is what you consider "true tradition"......
Especially when we pass it on from generation to generation.... until next year "Firemen's Muster"!!!!!
So, what's that old saying.. "the best laid plans"... or "If you want to make God laugh, TELL him your plans".... well, it's seems that both apply to my plans of this past weekend.
I woke up around 2:00 am Friday morning with my heart racing... I laid in bed for a few moments, wondering if I had had some kind of a night mare and then listened to hear if some noise woke me. Neither idea applied... I got up, went to the bathroom, and tried to pull it together and figure out what was going on. I didn't feel that great, but in the middle of night out of a sound sleep...who would, so I went back to bed. For the rest of the night I was up and down, not the way I felt at first, but just not feeling that great. Around 7:00, Ed kissed me goodbye and headed out for work, since I had nothing pressing that day, I decided to sleep again and just get up when I did. About an hour later, I gave up and got up.. still not feeling great.
I had a few dogs in for boarding, so I went to get them out and fed, and as I was going down to the kennel, I felt like I completely ran out of energy. I pushed threw, got the dogs out and their breakfast made, and then headed back upstairs, thinking "I need to sit down".... I sat for a bit, then went to bring the dogs in and again, that same... out of energy feeling, followed by thinking I might faint. This scared me... so once the dogs were in, I decided I was going to call Ed home from work. I didn't dare head to the barn....
I called Ed at work and asked him to come home. Now since this is something that I NEVER do, everyone knew right away something was up. Ed must have called Kass, because she was right on the phone, and then Deb kept calling to check on me, but all I could do was sit in my chair.
Once Ed was home, I asked him to get the barn chores done, check the dogs, and then told him I need to run down to the local ergent care and see what was going on. I felt kind of foolish, because one minute I wasn't great and then a few minutes later, I felt OK and was worried that I had "worried everyone else" for no reason. But we headed down to the ergent care just the same.
They checked me in, everything seemed OK.. blood pressure, temp... but then they checked my pulse and the nurse said "I'm just going to hook you up and take a look at your heart"... and then some how I knew (and she did in a mere couple of seconds)... I was in a-fib......I couldn't believe it!!!!! Now, we are well versed in "a-fib" because Ed has dealt with this for years, and I thought, "no way can it be my turn".... but sure enough.
so, they asked all the questions, "have I had this before, do I drink, smoke or whatever"... on and on.. of which I say no. And then on top of that, with the farm and the animals and the like, sitting around is NOT my life style, so why in world would this be happening. They kept me there for a while and I did begin to feel better, so talked to Ed about what we would have to finish up when I got home... mainly.. that Kas and I were going to have a yard sale at her house on Saturday and I hadn't finished packing up all the things I was going to bring. Ed smiled and said "hon... you're not having a yard sale... you'll be going to the hospital".... What????? I needed to be home... too much to do!!!
but, he hit the nail on the head.... a few hours later, after a nice ambulance ride.. I find myself at the hospital. They had already scheduled all kinds of tests and scans, so I wasn't in my room for a few moments and I was off. All the tests and scans showed everything perfectly normal (in fact, the doctor made a nice comment on how healthy and strong my heart is)... and because I hadn't had anything to eat... they decided that I would be cardio-verted right away and get the heart back into normal rhythm.... this was all done before Ed even made it to the hospital. (he had gone back to the farm to make sure all the animals were settled before heading down).
I had an over night at the hospital (a very nice lobster roll for supper) and by Saturday morning I was more than anxious to get out and get home. My heart stayed in rhythm all night and the next morning the doctor came in and said... "it was unexplained why it happened"... teasing him I asked if Ed and I could have the "family plan"......
I have felt great since being home, the doctor said it would be good if I could get some weight off, watch the caffeine and resume my life and do everything that I always do. Other than feeling just a tad tired, I am back to normal and feeling great.
There is an excellent chance that it won't happen again... or for a very long time.. which is fine by me. It's a scary feeling, but one thing for sure, I have a super new appreciation for what Ed deals with when his heart acts up..... and I know we have been married for almost 32 years (on august 22nd).. and we share many things, often dress alike and even finish each other's thoughts, but sharing this... well.... now it's gone a bit too far!!!!!
August 1st is Nate's birthday, so over the weekend, the family came together to celebrate. I feel so blessed when ever I can see the "grands"... let alone seeing them together. Abbie is still madly in love with her little cousin, and Reagan is growing in leaps and bounds, and is becoming "more like a little person all the time"....
Our dear friend, Glenn, was visiting from Tennessee. He and his family always try to make the trip up this time of year... so, when he came into town we were so happy that he came to the birthday party.
He was so happy to meet Reagan... last year when he came, Kass was just beginning to tell people that she was expecting... so to have him here in real life, is a treat for Glenn...
It still seems odd to me at times... that our high school friends...who we hung out with and "got in trouble with" are now celebrating the arrival of grand children with us!!!!
Nate was up for doing anything fancy for his birthday.. he was just as happy having people over to the house and enjoying the fire pit.....
And birthday PIE!!!!!(blueberry I might add - what else would it be this time of year???)
It was a fun evening.... family, good food, old friends... this is certainly one of the jewels in life.....
Well... unless you are three.... then your jewel is being able to play with Tee-tee's computer!!!!!
So, the summer on the farm continues in it's usual routine... I feel that the day to day stuff isn't so exciting, so I know I don't write as many stories as I did when we were building. But, its all good. Ben came out to trim the horse's feet... old Silver is hanging in there... he's having a good summer, but as you can see, keeping weight on him hasn't been easy. I'm not sure "what" the decision will be about trying to get him threw another winter.... I can't quite think about that right now.... for the time, though, he is going along pretty well.
Every few weeks, Ed and I try to make a check of the bees. They seem to be doing well too. They're building up the hive and seem to be quite strong. I hope we have a good warm fall of flowers and such, so they can get the honey stores in for the winter....
We added a third box a while back, I was hoping to see some honey stores in it, but they are still building up the comb. (Do you see that one little bee half way in a comb cell??) I've been talking with other bee folks, and it's isn't uncommon to have them just get the comb built and not use it over the winter. and in fact, it will give them a jump for next spring....I hope we get them threw the winter!!!
The two lower boxes have good activity... here we have a frame of good "brood".. the ones that are capped are baby bees that will hatch soon, and the uncovered are the lava that when they reach a certain size will be covered and then hatch. Other than finding honey stores, seeing the lava is a good sign of a strong and working hive. so... we'll see....
Hard to think we are into August already.... we have some busy weekends coming up and dare I say... Labor Day will be upon us.....
Just had to share.... Reagan had his first taste of "real" food for dinner last night!!! My Kass... she is quite the gal, she got some freshly picked summer squash from Deb's garden, and made some up for Reagan. She actually got "so much" of it, that the rest was stored away for more meals. I would say from the look of the photos, his Momma's cooking was a big hit!!!!!
