Just for the record; it rained almost every day last week and we received well over 3 1/2 inches of rain. 

 

The guys helped clear out all the junk and stuff that everyone had seemed to stuff in the old house.  Mike boarded up the one wall and is working on a few wholes in the walls for me.  They did get newer windows hung, so almost all my leaks are plugged.  I have spent hours with the shop vac and broom trying to get the dirt and cobwebs out.  I don't think it will ever be ready to paint/varnish.  I do have the curtains for the two rooms already and one rug.  So I just keep trying to keep my eyes on the prize.

 

Here we go again.  We had 6/10 yesterday and probably an inch last night.  Enough for a while!~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Forget about frost on the pumpkins. I'ts so cold here, our pumpkins pulled up roots and moved south!

Things are getting further and further behind.  The soybeans are ready for harvest but the weather won't cooperate.  We have the vet coming in a couple days to vaccinate the calves against pneumonia, pasturella and all those other cute illnesses that can kill them.  They are getting to large for their mothers and its about time for them to be on their own.  They are all eating hay, grass and emptying the creep feeders faster than we can fill them.  The calves are easily 500 - 600 pounds.  Thats a little tough on the cows milking.  Hay season is about over.  Our hay crop is sure going to be short going into this winter.  I am really glad we have an ample supply of sileage because the weather this year wasn't very good for alfalfa.  Too wet and too cool.  The combine is serviced and field ready.  The guys are sure getting ancy especially with the snow in the black hills.  Keep your fingers crossed for some dry weather.

I can't beleive that it is still spitting/rainy outside.  The sun hasn't been out for 5 days.  This dreary weather is coming too early for Iowa and I am missing out on fall.  Our first partial frost was on Saturday and it got the garden.  The flowers near the patio and deck are still okay, but that is only until this Saturday when they say we have a chance of snow flurries and 21 for the low!  This is too early!

Okay this just isn't right.  On Monday I had the air conditioning on and now for two days we can't even reach 60.  It is cold, wet and rainy.  We needed the rain, but a little warmer would sure be nice.  I can't even bring myself to get on the 4-wheeler yet.  I need to finish chores, but _____ it's cold!

I decided on the name and location of my workshop.  Now comes the hard part, the destruction and construction phase.  I hope to turn tear away part of a very old house and keep the new addition only.  The new part looks just like a cottage out of Hansel and Gretel.  I sure hope our plan works.  If not, then its back to building a cabin out of a kit. That would probably be easier, but this one is so quaint and it is already completely shaded and has this delectable porch.  I can see the colors of mauve rose as the trim on a very rustic gray.  I have already got the sign design in my head and plan to paint it this winter.  The guys are going to take the bulldozer to the house and hopefully the can seperate the two.  Keep your fingers crossed.  Plus my little horses will be in the back yard, because this old house is located at their pasture and barn.

It was a long time in coming, but the killing freeze was here.  My patio seems so bare now.  Garden is kaput.  I am happy that the plants lasted this long.  Usually we loose them in September.  Probably why I was becoming so attached.  The crisp air is refreshing.  The trick is not to think about the long, cold endless winter ahead.  My fence for the miniatures is coming around nicely.  They are going to have a nice play area.  Next Spring I hope to get the cart arena finished.  So, on to the next project.

It is a shame the only time that I seem to write here is when I am feeling truly blue.  My mother lost her battle with lung cancer this summer and it has taken most of the wind out of my sails.  I did have a beautiful granddaughter born the end of July.  She truly is a blessing and I just wish my mother could have seen her.  She is the daughter of my firstborn and my mothers first grandchild.  Maybe a person shouldn't spend time thinking too much.  When I start looking at how fast the time has passed and that life just keeps plugging on without her hear, it really hurts.  I guess, we all feel that the world should stop spinning when someone important to us passes.  The little things in life that used to irrate me, just don't seem to matter much anymore.  I am truly trying to only find the joy in life.  It is so easy to find the sorrow and anger, but takes a bit of work to stay happy.  I wish everyone happiness and health.

The sun is out!  Just one problem.  If you go outside, the wind will blow you from here to South Dakota without your feet ever touching the ground!  This is still better than the spring surprise we had over the weekend. Snow!  Hopefully with the warm spring wind, all the nasty viruses going around will be evaporated.

It really must be the lack of sunshine affecting my moods.  Today is so cold and gloomy that I actually don't feel well.  Impending feelings of the dreaded flu attacking! Started tackling the basement project.  If the weather wasn't gloomy, that project surely is.  Even my llamas are surly today.  One has taken on the all important task of guarding the 4 day old kittens.  A little nipping at the sleeve to warn prospective petters to stay clear!