Rain Rain GO AWAY!

We were very blessed to have a couple

of really really nice days.

Friday and Monday were both beautiful

"fall" days.  (Florida's version anyway)

And now the rain is back.

It is POURING.

It was nice until about 10.

Long enough for me to take out

the trash to the street,

feed the animals,

and sit out back and read my book

for about 30 minutes while they ate.

But now I'm huddled under my blanket

listening / watching the rain coming

down in sheets and sheets.

I have the back patio doors open to

let in some fresh air,

but had to close the front door

since the cross breeze was freezing me out.

It's 69.

Could snow at any moment.

LOL

Tuesday is my cleaning day.

I am running the dishwasher.

Ta Da.

LOL

(Actually, I also dusted, did the floors,

and I'm getting ready to go clean the bathroom.

Ick.)

But I'm also going to do some cooking.

Tonight for the 

"Meeting formally known as homemaking"

we are having Pies and Speed Dating.

You get a slice of pie,

pick a seat on one side of the banquet table

and then after 3 minutes the folks on the other

side of the table slide down one spot.

It's a fun opportunity to visit with and

get to know some of the other sisters in the ward.

I'm going to make a sugar free, no bake

pumpkin cheesecake.

I'm softening the cheesecake as we speak.

Also thawing a pack of our beef stew meat.

I'm going to try a new stew recipe.

I'm not a big stew fan, but Rod likes it.

And it's a hot stew sort of day.

I'll let you know tomorrow how it turns out.

They are closed next door on Thursday 

since it's Thanksgiving,

so I'll also be washing my eggs today to take over.

If it ever stops raining.

Otherwise, I have a good book,

the Piano Guys on Pandora,

and a comfy afghan

 I knit for myself a couple of years ago.

(My puppy chewed a hole in it - I guess I could

also try to fix that....)

Aaaaaaaah.

Retirement.

Dodged A Bullet...

It seems like my phones only die

(but OFTEN die)

when I'm out of town.

Last night my phone battery was dead.

As I was leaving town (from teaching)

I plugged it into my new car,

but it just said to charge more before

trying to turn it on.

I knew Rod would be worried

about not hearing from me.

I drove to the first Service Plaza,

stopped in and found a wall outlet to

plug my phone in long enough to 

call him and let him know I was ok

and on my way home.

But my phone didn't respond.

So I got back on the highway and went

to the Wendy's where I get off one highway

and get on another.

It still wouldn't work when I plugged it in.

But the lovely lady behind the counter

let me borrow her's to call Rod.

And then I headed the rest of the way home.

Plugged in my phone and hoped for the best.

And dreamed all night about my dead phone.

Nightmares about losing my contacts.

I have phone numbers for all sorts of people

that I only talk to once a year or so,

and I have no idea how I would ever find them again.

Guess I should figure out a way to back

my contacts up, eh?

LOL

Anyhow.

This morning I got up,

fed the animals,

ate a pear for breakfast,

and headed in to town to the Sprint store.

He took the case off.

Pulled the battery out.

Put the battery back in.

Turned my phone on.

I didn't know you could do that!!!

(My last phone had one of those batteries

you couldn't take out, so I forgot it was an option!)

I was SOOO happy

that I went next door to Steak and Shake

for my favorite steak burger to celebrate.

(Early lunch... I slept in... lol)

And then, since Bed, Bath and Beyond

is also in the same parking lot,

I decided to go in.

I haven't been to one since I went in Tucson!

I have been meaning to go in,

because I wanted to buy a bunch of those

plastic "paper plates" like Nancy bought.

Of course,

they are summer things, so I was positive

they wouldn't have them anymore.

But it's always fun to look.

They didn't have the 6" spring form pan 

I wanted.

(I want to make a cheese cake in my pressure cooker.)

They didn't have a pressure cooker

so I could measure to see if a 9" one would fit.

(But I went on to my online group and found out

that it needs a 6" one...)

But as I was walking out, I found a tiny little

corner for backyard picnic / BBQ stuff

and there they were!!!!!

I bought six on them!

I can't wait to use them!

Thanksgiving dinner here we come!

LOL

However, I would like to know who

thought it was a good idea to put

a super sticky sticker in the middle

of the plate.

I've been sitting here on my couch for 30

minutes already, watching a Hallmark

Christmas movie, picking off stickers,

trying not to ruin my fingernails,

and I only have 3 done.

Sheesh.

But at least my phone works!!!!

Sick Day

Rod took a sick day yesterday.

He went to work, but about an hour

into his day, he broke out in a 

major rash on the inside of 

both arms!

Raised, red, angry welts that were

pretty itchy.

Freaked the other guys out,

so they sent him home.

They started popping up on his

sides and back as well,

so off to the pharmacy we went

to pick up some Benedryl.

(I have lots of voo doo stuff in

my cabinets, but I never keep 

that sort of thing.

It goes bad LONG before we 

need it again...)

He took some, then we went

into town and stopped at the

shoe repair store that has been

there for a billion years.

I took my riding boots in to be

re-soled in 1982!

He has a pair of nice black leather

cowboy boots that he likes to wear

to church with his suit.

They look nice and are really comfy.

But he has worn holes in both the soles.

We were happy to see the little

hole in the wall store was still

there and run by the next (or even 

the next next generation).

They said this was their busy season

so it would probably take 2 weeks,

but it was only $50 to put new heels

and leather soles on!

Pretty decent!

And next door is another little old

hole in the wall from back in the day.

A little breakfast / lunch diner

called Ethel and Fred's, but 

everyone has always called it

Fred & Ethel's.

LOL

They were FAMOUS for their

peanut butter pie

back in the 80's when I worked

in that neck of the woods.

We stopped in for an omelet and some

of the best cooked crispy bacon

Rod has ever had at a restaurant.

FINALLY somebody got it right!

*grin

And then we were off again.

Stopped at the cheap (inexpensive)

gas station and put in my

FIRST TANK OF GAS.

Bought the car 2 weeks ago!

And then to the dealership to see Jim,

get the car washed and detailed

and get some instructions on some of

the fancy features that I'm SURE

he showed me, but I can't remember...

But he was busy selling a car.

Still got the car detailed though,

and got to wave and smile at him...

Then it was back home to cut and weed

a bunch of decals for a client,

I made a pan of Rod's favorite

German Pancake for his breakfast

for the next week 

and had a couple of ripe bananas

that I made into a pan of

"Bust a Myth" banana cake for 

us to eat as snacks.

I'm going to take a couple of slices

this weekend for my mid morning

and mid afternoon snacks.

Made a yummy meatloaf with some

of our ground beef.
It's a SUPER easy and delicious

recipe.

2 # ground beef

1.5 C favorite salsa

.5 C sour cream

.5 C greek yogurt

2 T taco seasoning

2 large eggs

.5 C cracker crumbs (I use oatmeal)

Bake at 350 for 45 min to an hour.

I used my 8x8 pyrex pan,

my toaster oven,

and put a little grated cheese on top

just for fun.

It was done and ready to eat in 45 min.

It was a yummy dinner for a cold

(68), blustery, cloudy, misty sort of day.

It really FELT like winter.

Today, however, we woke up

to beautiful blue skies.

Chilly, but with the sun shining,

you don't even notice!

Scott finished fixing Jim's 4 wheeler

that he keeps in our barn.

We use it for dragging the pastures

and he sometimes comes and gets it

and a truck and goes out riding with buddies.

The rats ate some of the wires.

Grrrrrrrr

But Scott got it all fixed and running again.

Thanks Scott!!!!

I put the dogs in the garage

so they wouldn't disturb him,

and was sitting here on the couch drinking

my breakfast drink and thinking it 

was probably time to let them out,

when I heard a bunch of little kid

voices.  Like recess or PE at the local

elementary school.

Except we don't have a local elementary school.

And then I remembered Brock saying

he was hosting 60 little kids

for a school field trip this morning.

(And 55 more on Monday)

Glad it was a beautiful day for it!

They brought 2 buses full!

The kids seemed to be having a good time,
checking out the donkey and goats...

 

Meanwhile my cows and horses were
having a good time checking them out too.

(By the time I got my camera out, they were
heading on to the next thing...)

Sounds like they are having a good time
over there.
I'll bet Brock is ready for a nap!

I'm doing laundry and getting my
rosters all printed up for another
big class this weekend.
Heading to West Palm.

Have a wonderful, safe and happy weekend.

Good Friends

Years and years ago,

Rod started to investigate the church.

We were helped along the way by our

good friends, parents of the Jim's best friend,

Carol and Dayl Seigfried.

Dayl was our Bishop at the time,

but more than that, he and Rod had 

already become pretty good friends.

And Carol and I were good friends.

She is one of those people who never

met a stranger...

Over the years we became closer and closer.
We even weathered a major hurricane together!
(A favorite memory...)

And then we started looking at possible land

purchases in Arizona.

But instead of Rod and I buying land and

moving out there, Carol and Dayl did instead!

They bought property, moved to Snowflake

and built a BEAUTIFUL home.

We remained close friends though.

Kyle and I stayed in their home when we 

made the trek out to see if he could live

on our property by himself.

He couldn't.

They moved again,

this time to the COLD north,

Michigan!

BRRRRRRRRR

They stayed in our home when Carol's father

passed away and their entire family came out.

Her mother still lives in our ward and they

come out each year to visit and we always

get together a time or two while they are here.

It was time for their annual visit this week!

Carol took a picture of Rod and Dayl, but it 

didn't turn out. Fuzzy. Rod was making a face

and she was trying to hurry and catch it.

Darn.

The 4 of us went to our favorite Mexican haunt

and had some of our favorite Mexican food

with some of our favorite people.

It was a great evening of visiting and telling

stories and catching up and re-connecting.

But we are all old now,

so we had to call it a night about 9.

LOL

Then last night we had a chance to get together

again with the "old gang" from our old ward

where he was the Bishop.

Up front is our good friend and the boys' mentor

Mike Taylor, otherwise known as BT.  (Bro Taylor)

Then to the left is Jordan, Jessica's older brother.

Then Ruth Ann and Keith Arbuckle.

Keith was our Bishop at one time in the other

ward, now he is the Stake Exec Secty and he and

Rod work closely together on Stake stuff.

Hiding behind them are Peggy and Richard Rasmussen,

hosts, parents of Jordan and Jessica, GOOD old friends,

Richard went to my school many years ago,

he is now 2nd Counselor in our Stake and he 

and Rod have gotten really close.

Then there's me.

And Kyle.

Then Carol and Dayl.

And putting a piece of chicken in her mouth

is Jessica Rasmussen.

Recently returned from the Calgary mission

and becoming a good friend.
(The young lady you guys saw in Okotoks!)

And then an exchange student from Mexico.

SUPER shy and I never did get her name.

It was a wonderful evening!

Jim showed up in time for pictures,

and Kyle conveniently ducked out.  

lol

There isn't a guy in this group who doesn't

know how to have a good time!

(Rod, Dayl, Richard, Keith and BT as

the lap dog...)

The women weren't NEARLY as goofy.

Ruth Ann, me, Dayl, Peggy, Jessica, Carol.

Dayl looks a little shell shocked.

He wanted off the couch - "I'm not one of the girls!"

But we wanted our picture with him.

So he stayed.

He has played an important role in each

and every life on that couch.

Before they moved, the whole Seigfried family came over and
helped us paint and repair our new
farm house before we could move in.
And then each of the men (from the
pictures above) came on New Years Day
and spent the ENTIRE day
(and Dayl stayed until well after dark)
putting a new roof on.
What terrific friends!

It's easy to see why we moved to our farm house

but continued to attend that ward until we were

finally "formally invited" to attend our correct ward.

These are the warmest, most wonderful

folks you'll ever want to meet.

(Not that our ward isn't great, but they are

a different kind of fun. 

And the demographics

are different.

Newly Weds and Nearly Deads 

as Grandma used to say... LOL)

Anyhow.

It was a fabulous evening.

One I'll cherish for a long long time.

Instant(ish) Gratification

I love instant gratification.

Who doesn't???

I think that's why I used to like vacuuming.

But since there is ZERO carpet in this house,

today I decided to try my hand at mowing.

I actually tried to mow the yard yesterday

but Kyle had taken our big riding mower

over to Brock's to mow the little corral,

which meant the deck was still super high and all

I was doing was giving the grass

a good blow dry.

I gave up.

This morning I had Kyle give me a

refresher on how to change the 

deck height, and then I was set to go.

About 11:30 I went out to mow.

And forgot how to start it.

(there are like 40 steps and you have

to do them in the right order and 

NONE of them are in a logical order.

I skipped one.

Sheesh)

A quick phone call to Kyle got that straightened out.

(I miss being able to phone Rod at work!)

And then.

Ta Da.

I mowed the yard!

The middle yard,

the sides of the driveway

and even the front yard!
Kyle took his tractor, trailer and truck
to work with him today,
so it was the perfect opportunity to
"do it all!"

It doesn't look "Rod mowed".

Or "Kyle mowed".

But it looks better than

"horse mowed".

LOL

(Obviously this is not today,

since I'm here by myself and have not yet

hired a paparazzi to follow me around

with a camera...)

Also it's only 78 degrees, so I'm wearing jeans.

But hey!

It only took me an hour!

Instant (ish) gratification!!!! 

(however, mowing grass in the winter isn't
nearly as satisfying as mowing in the summer.
There are very few parts of the grass that
grow enough during the winter so you can
actually SEE your progress as you go...
But the over all effect is rewarding.)

I might even do it again....

Cows 3 Humans 0

Ack!

Cows.

Geez.

I'm so glad we only have 2.

When it's time for them to 

make the trailer trip down to Vero,

we put the trailer in the gate and

feed them in there for a month.

On the big day they just hop in.

However.

Brock has 9.

So that's not really an option.

Our plan on Monday was to

try again (third try is the charm, right?)

to get 2 cows in the trailer.

Without getting hurt.

That shouldn't be such a big deal.

Whatever.

Try #1 resulted in 3 cows in the 

little corral that leads to the loading chute.

We got the big metal gate closed
and Kyle tied it shut with his belt.
(Just realized the gate doesn't lock anymore
now that we raised it up to get it out
of the grass...)

They were milling around,
trying to avoid heading down the chutes.

At the last minute,
Ham, (aka Petunia) JUMPED over
the fence to the right.

These are the two main naughty girls.
Ham is on the left, Big Mama is on the right.

After Ham jumped out,
Big Mama - a BIG girl, jumped out as well.

They ended up out in the woods next
to the big pasture.
Wandered down the path next to the fence
and then into the woods you see behind them.

GRRRRRRR
Kyle jumped the fence and tried to
round them up.
I went down the path to turn them back
towards our gate in case they decided to try
heading out into the woods.

However, the property over there
was cleared a couple of months ago
and now it's WAAY overgrown, but instead
of coming back in grass etc,
it came back in blackberry bushes.
In other words... thorns.
(It's also still pretty flooded...)

So he hopped back over the fence and
we sat down to talk about what to do.

We put some more feed in the corral
and the rest of the herd slowly made
their way over there.
Which made the escapees jealous
and they eventually wandered over
themselves.

Locked the gate behind them and
decided to give up for the day.

On our way out of the property,
we ran into Brock.
We sat and chatted with him and tried
to come up with alternative plans.
Kyle HATES to give up!

Next thing I knew, we were back there
again, beefing up the fences.

This is the fence they jumped over.
AFTER we added a higher top board.
It's not beautiful,
but effective.

Beefed the other walls as well so they were tall
enough the girls wouldn't try to jump out.

So their only choice (hopefully)
was to head down the chute.

And hopefully into the trailer.
(There's a metal chute with a head catch
at the end, but it's open right now,
so you can't really see it.)

The other problem we have is that
while the left door to the trailer is
open, the head gate holds it open.
But the right door can't be open because
it's too wide and they will just get out.
But that leaves a big hole they just
get out of anyway.

We tried putting up a metal corral panel,
but they are big girls and they just
push through.

So this time we put up some boards.

Extending the chute all the way to the trailer.
(Originally there were just two boards...)

Try #2.

After much food and coaxing and wishing
and hoping and trying to keep our
energy levels low,
we FINALLY got three cows in the corral.
The big mama, a small steer with horns,
and the bull, Jogger.
(He's really sweet, but BIG...)

This time we had ropes to tie the gate
closed with.
And another rope to tie the 2nd
gate we use to squeeze them into the chute with.

It was a LOT of work to get them down the chute.
Big Mama was first and she was NOT
going forward towards the trail.
NOT.

We called Brock, but he didn't answer.
When I looked down the pasture,
he was walking out to help.
Phew!
This really is a three person job.

Just as he was getting close,
Big Mama decided she had had enough.
Down the chute she went,
up to our trailer,
and then ducked out through the boards!!!!!!

DARN THAT COW!
Naturally the little steer was
right behind her.

I have to be honest.
I was done.

But Kyle and Brock were now
more determined than ever.

So we beefed up the boards on the side,
adding the third board and a bunch
more screws.

And then is was on to try #3.

We just all stood around talking and
laughing and ignoring the cows
and eventually (it wasn't hot and there
was a lovely breeze blowing)
Big Mama and the little steer went in again.
(They seem to either be bravest, or they
like the corn / hay the most... lol)

They were in the corral.
Brock said he thought he could get there
and get the gate closed if he moved FAST.
And he DID!

And now it's on!
He got the gate tied closed,
Kyle and I got on opposite sides of the
chute (I was on the board side, he was
running the head catch).
I grabbed a big board and stuck it through
the chute boards behind Mama so
she wouldn't try to back out,
Kyle opened the head catch,
Mama started into the trailer.......

And then she changed her mind
and decided to leave.
Through my boards.
I was holding the butt board
with my left hand and yelling and
slapping the three boards with my right hand
and she looked me right in the eye
and went through anyway.

Broke the board and everything.
Brat.

But we still had the steer.

Was it worth it to make the run to Ocala
with just him?

Brock got on the phone with his butcher
to see how late he was going to be there.
(It was nearly 2:00 already and it's a 2.5 hour drive,
AFTER we hook the trailer to the truck
and get fuel...)

So.
The butcher was closed for the day.
Family Emergency.
Same as last Monday.
But he "forgot" to call Brock and let him know.

ARE YOU KIDDING ME????????

We were really frustrated.
But glad we didn't drive all the way up there
with a bunch of cows in the trailer
only to find out he was closed.

So........

The guys naturally have another plan.
They are SURE we can get them in next time.

I'm reserving judgement.

But if we do, I want STEAK.

Any of them will be fine.

One Month

Today marks one month since I retired.

I'm bored and ready to go back to work.

And I have some beachfront property

in Arizona I'd like to sell you.

LOL

I'm drinking my Yum Yum Bitty and 

getting ready to go next door with

Kyle for Round 3 with the cows.

Wish us luck!!!!!!!