We all know (knew) that this wonderful January thaw (which has lasted almost a whole week) wouldn't stay forever... and this morning as I was doing barn chores, I could see the cold front moving it....
It was pretty... but ... you know what's coming, we're back to winter!!!!
Today is Papa's birthday!!! and I was invited to go to work with everyone, because Dave was taking Ed (and all of us to lunch).... Kass and Reagan came along as well... and Reagan made all sort of "happy birthday faces" at his Papa!!!!!
We went to a local Chinese lunch buffet, and my goodness... was that good!!! I love Chinese food, especially when it's done "right".. and this was "right"... plus they had all kinds of good things to choose from!!! What a treat......
After lunch, we all went back to the shop... Ed got cards an a few gifts from everyone....
Kass made the cake and told us that it contained a "secret"!!!!
And when Ed cut into it.... M&M's poured out!!! What a neat idea...
So after a very yummy lunch, and dessert... some time to chat and then it was time to get back to work!!! After all... Dave can't give the whole day off....
Happy Birthday to my best friend!!! who happens to be my dear hubby!!!!
What was left of the cake came home, and Abbie got to come and see Papa too... (and have some of the cake).... She sang Happy Birthday to Papa... and it was so great to spend the time with her...
Birthday kiss....
And hug... and Ed and I are so blessed to have such a wonderful family!!!!
and we know it!!!!
Debbie and I were invited by Suzan and Friday to do a talk on Service dogs at a local Salvation Army meeting. And as it turns out, this was the first of two talks this week!!! (funny how when it "rains it pours"). Friday and Debbie have met before, so after their "hellos" both settled down and did their "service dog" thing.
While Suzan spoke, Deb and I listened quietly. I had her do an "under" (because it was good practice) and it showed the other people who were there, the good manners of a service dog. Most were so surprised when they learned that Deb is just 10 months!!!
Suzan did a nice talk, she answered questions - asked me to answer a few questions, and then had Friday demo some of the tasks that he can do for her....
It was a nice afternoon out and nice to share this sort of thing with people in our community....
(Deb and Friday sneak in a little goodbye kiss....)
The next day.. Deb and I were off again to do our own talk... we had be invited last fall to do a talk on service dogs at the Senior College. I had asked a couple of the others in the group to come as well.. but as it turned out, no one else was able to go...
I was told that there would be around 80 people attending this talk (good thing I don't mind speaking in front of crowds!!!) And there were just about 80 people there. The Senior college has all sorts of classes and lectures on all sorts of different things, and people were very interested in the service dog.
The fun part for me, was they invited me to their luncheon first... my that was so good.. and everyone met int he big dining hall. The gentleman that had asked me to speak acted as my host, and when we entered the dining hall (with food all over the tables) more that a few people looked very surprised when "a dog came in the room".
Deb was perfect!!! She has always been good in restaurants, she stayed right at my side until we were seated.. and then went right under the table and didn't move. I could see people looking and talking about us.
After the luncheon we went over to the lecture hall, and I felt like everyone wanted to come and talk and say how impressed they already were.
I was pretty pleased with my talk... I had drafted it out weeks ago and kept going over it.. I also had three dvd's that I got from NEADS to share... everyone enjoyed those. And I was only a little nervous when I knew I had to fill two hours... but the time zoomed by and the hours were gone before I knew it. So, two service dog talks, a chance to get out on some cold winter days... and more "experience" for Miss Deb...
Well.. this isn't exactly what I would call "good service dog training!!!" Miss Debbie, I know she sees the cockers on the couch and assumes it must be OK for you (which it isn't).. so just after I took this photo... she was quickly shooed off!!!!
So, it's been our typical January... snow storms roll threw about once a week, and Ed is out there plowing and snowblowing. I am just so thankful for our tractor, it makes moving snow around a fairly easy task...
And I love the fact that Ed makes nice big paths for me to walk to the barn and get to other places around the farm.
But, after the snows, you can usually count on the January thaw... and we heard one was on it's way. This makes for a good time to check on the bees, and since I am slightly "worried" about their winter stock of food (ie: honey), we decided to make them a "candy board". It's just a fancy name for sugar and water, but it can be a resource if they are running low.
All you have to do is have a screen board.. mix boiling water and sugar....
dump the sugar on the screen, and pack it down. Basically it's a big sugar cube... you let it "cure" a day or two and then take it out and put in the top layer of the hive.
Many keepers put their candy boards on in the fall when they close up the hives... since we didn't get to it... I'm hoping that it will be OK to do it now.
A few days later, we went out to the hive with the candy board. We cleaned some of the snow away and was so happy to hear that nice buzzing sound inside. When we opened the top (which we didn't keep out long for fear of letting in too much cold).. we saw the bees alive and moving about. I didn't get into see how much honey they have, but now with the candy board, I feel better that they will have more to go on. It's been a pretty cold winter... colder than last year, so I only hope that "my little gals" will make it threw.
Because the day was so nice, after tending the bees, Ed and I took a little snow shoeing trip around the field. Certainly not as fast and exciting as the snow mobiles on New Year's.. but it was nice to be out and enjoying the winter. And the tracks made by the snow mobiles were pretty nice to walk in...
As long as we don't return to that bitter cold weather, I hope to get out on my "shoes" more often.
Then the warm weather really came in... it felt so nice to go out and not have that blast of cold. But, it doesn't come without it's own "winter issues".. mainly... melting snow during the day and cold temps at night, which makes for....
ICE!!!! and lots of it!!! our drive is dirt, so it doesn't melt like a tar drive would.. and everything became a skating rink!!! I am not a fan of ice... I hate slipping and fear falling... so my nice walks to the barn aren't happening.. I drive!!!
It was so bad that we had to hire a sander come in and help. Which I sort of feel like is a waste of money, but when the ice gets this bad.. it's a real risk.. so sander it is....
Took Debbie to the mall for some public work. Again, as nice as the weather is, it would be much more fun to be outside.. but everywhere the footing is bad.... so the mall is a safe choice.
And my friend Kathleen wanted to get her dog out working as well. So, it was a nice field trip to bring Debbie and Brutus out. For a week day the mall was fairly busy, I noticed there were a lot of "walkers" there, so I assume everyone is doing the same... getting out of the house, but in a safe place!!!
Debbie and Brutus were very good... and we practiced many of the service dog 'words"... Deb did some nice unders and both dogs laid quietly while we got a coffee and had a chance to visit. These dogs are good friends, and Brutus will be sad when it's time for Deb to head to college.
A few days later, we were off on another adventure. Nate and Mike were at the local gun show with their new business. And not that I am a big fan of guns, but it was "something to do" (and a place to bring Deb).. so we went along to see what it's all about.
Nate and Mike started their business about a year ago. For a small business, I think it's doing fairly well... and will grow over time. The guys didn't know "how they would do" at the show, but figured at least it would help to get their name out there.
It was a busy place.... I didn't know so many people would be interested in guns....
Deb was a real good girl and handled the crowd the well. She is pretty easy going and yet "serious" with her work... so I was happy to see when people reached out to her, she just went about her business, acting as a service dog should.
It was an interesting afternoon. On our way home we stopped for some supper and then coming back.. I have to say was the worse driving we have ever done. With the January thaw still well in place, the fog was just horrid.. and as it got dark, it was even worse. I worried about black ice, but Ed was worried about seeing well enough to even keep on the road!!! We made it home safe, but I would be very happy not to try that again!!!
The horses certainly enjoyed this break. I was able to take Silver' blanket off and he enjoyed the sun.
The big boys were playful... but with so much ice still about, I really don't like to see them racing about so much....
there are some bare patches of ground being to appear.. but the truth is.. this is a tease, and the cold weather will return.. and certainly more snow in the future. Days like this I can understand why some go south for the winter... not sure that I would - we can't with the farm, but I do understand.... (don't get used to this Tonka buddy!!!)
I never make New Year's resolutions anymore... because I never keep them. But, this year, I did make one... I have decided to finish all my "un---finished objects" (UFO's).. looking threw my stash, I have so many projects, that with just a bit more time, I could finish up. So... I am telling myself... no more buying anything "new" until I get some of the UFO's done. Well.. I got the first (of many) completed.... this is a cross stitch piece, which I can't even think how long I have worked on. I'd pick it up, work awhile - get sick of it - and then stuff it away... this time however, it was staying out until done...
and so it is..... now, onto another!!!!
Ten months!!!! just a year ago, we were planning a baby shower... now the plans are focused on a one year celebration!!!!
