Wow, this weekend that vision in my head was realized. Our farm looked like a gathering spot with kids running around crazy getting dirty from head to toe, a little gal working horses in the round pen, boarders coming and going, men setting fences, and everyone pitching in moving animals and carrying buckets of feed. It was just a fantastic weekend!

I headed into town early to pick up food supplies and Brian arrived early to help get the goat pen started. By the time I got home our other boarders had landed and then Kim arrived a few minutes behind me. We all visited for a while and then the guys took off to work on the pen. I just can't believe how much work they got done yesterday! The goats are in their new home and the fence/structures for goat handling were all removed from the barn. Now we have one large common area that I will get cleaned and then we'll put stalls in there for the horses. The divider fence was removed which doubled the barn pen space and opened up shelter for all the horses without crowding them at all. My head was swimming at all the work they accomplished and would you believe I was speechless when Brian asked what the next project is? Never fear, I started adding to the list on the garage board this morning. And somewhere secret there will be a plan for Kim and I do section off a pen for a pig or two. For some reason our guys are completely against it but you know, once we show up with a couple, what can they do? :)

I think we're going to have another great working weekend if the weather holds. We're having hay delivered Saturday and they've agreed to help us unload it. Without a spike we have to use old fashioned manpower to roll the bales off the trailer and then roll them into place in the barn. It sounds easy but rolling 1,200 lbs. of hay is a lot harder than it looks! We're thinking my in-laws may come up for the day as well to help do some things and then enjoy some riding - I hope so. They haven't been up in a while together since my sister-in-law started working at LiveOps and schedules her time on the weekends. It would just be great to have good weather and lots of people milling about. I may just pull out the smoker and get a large ham or something so we'll have a meal cooking through the day. The thing I enjoy the most, other than just the company, is that everyone seems to believe me when I tell them to make themselves completely at home so I never feel like I'm "hosting" and I certainly hope they don't feel like "guests".

What a week on the farm!

Those who live in the country know that chores are determined mostly by two things: money and weather. You must have both to get the job done. With the spring weather finally here we have been outside nearly every minute of every day working to accomplish some much needed improvements. I've been starting work at 4:00am on the weekends to get my hours in an early as possible and free up the rest of the day. Makes for a long day but I sure get a lot done!

Yesterday morning my brother in law showed up unexpectedly in the early morning hours so, of course, we quickly put him to work. I think he enjoys coming out to visit and really doesn't mind helping with whatever we're working on while he's here. He went with Ed to pick up a square bale of alfalfa for the horses and while they were gone our boarders and children showed up to ride just as I was arriving home from soccer practice with the boys. We saddled Daisy, their trail horse, and Bull, their racehorse (they didn't know he was a racehorse when they bought him until they discovered the tatoo inside his upper lip). Everyone got to ride, even the kids! All the boys had such a great time and little Vincent even chose to ride Bull! Heavens, once up there, I could barely touch his leg -- this horse is tall!

I helped them put their tack away and get a wash area ready so they could bathe all four of their horses and mentioned that one day I'd like Brian to show me how to start mine with bathing - they've never had one. Have you ever introduced young horses to the water hose? Unless they are very young it can be very difficult the first time. Brian is so nice that he immediately suggested we just line them up and the four of us would move them through one at a time to just get it done. Kim and I did the soaping and Ed held them while Brian went to work. An hour later we had three completely different looking horses! And we lucked out with only a couple of bad flights from Fire - he was not easily swayed to believe that cool water would feel wonderful after the heat of the day had begun. I couldn't believe they were so nice as to help us with this traumatic event but they actually seemed to enjoy it and opened their washing supplies to us. Afterwards we spread out the alfalfa and Brian set up an area in the barn for their supplies to remain here so Kim and I could work with the horses more through the week we she comes out to ride.

I so enjoy when people come out to the farm and just hang out, playing with the animals. Their son even got a nice licking from Moo when he tried to pet her! She did pretty well but we had her locked most of the day in the goat part of the barn pen so we could have the barn doors open as we moved the horses all around and were riding. Even Kim noticed that Moo's bag is really filling! Hopefully it won't be long until we have a calf.

Once we adjourned to the patio for a break Brian innocently asked Ed what the next project was and he said we really needed to electrify the top two smooth wires around the round pasture for the other three boarders. The pasture's pretty grazed and they've begun pushing out the posts really badly. After that we need a quick goat pen set up over in an area by the house so we can remove the divider fence in the barn pen which will not only double the area for feeding the seven horses out there but also open up the overhang and another barn door for easy access to shelter. I mentioned that it was close to dinner and wished I had thought to have buns since I had most of the fixings for a hamburger cookout and Brian, ever thinking, just said, "You know, let's stay. We'll just stay and get started so Ed can get this done." Isn't that cool?! So Kim and I ran into town for dinner supplies and even a quick trip to the farm store for some last minute fence stuff. Two hours later the guys had the fence ready, isolated the wire from the main property fenceline, and even welded a post to hold the solar fencer - Brian even agreed to bring a spare battery he had from home next time he comes out. And the goat pen plans were finalized with a final check of supplies on hand.

The boys all got along great and had a wonderful day just running wild, chasing chickens, riding bikes, and playing basketball. They all played so well together while the adults worked and visited. While talking we mentioned the history of the house which led to a house tour, including the half stairs into the attic with a peek up the widow's walk. We even got out the pictures that Vivian (she was born here and her grandfather built the home) provided us. Once dark arrived we visited out on the patio until they left with plans to arrive early afternoon for more chores.

Now I sit having my morning coffee as the sun's coming up and after I get the kitchen cleaned and ready for the day I'll head out to start the morning chores. I figure I'll let Ed sleep in because he's got another hard, long day of work setting posts and running fence. And then I'll need to figure out what to feed all these people! :)

I hope it's finally spring wherever you are and you're enjoying the time outside before the heat of summer arrives.

In the infamous words of Rosanne Rosannadanna, "Never mind."

One pleasant evening later the horses did not get along and the family of three had to be moved back into Moo's pasture. Since we had boarders bringing two more horses they purchased yesterday we put her in the round pen temporarily so we could walk the horses in and get them bathed. One thing led to another, as it often does around here, and several hours later we were all visiting late into the evening while the kids ran around with flashlights checking on animals. We didn't want to put the cable up until the boarders left so we'd left her in the roundpen -- which is not sort of a triangle pen. That girl wanted OUT!

Brian and Kim got a yearling filly who cleaned up so nicely and is just the prettiest thing and they also chose what is the largest horse I've ever seen - Bull. This guy is so tall that when I stand in front of him and look straight up, his chin is still nearly a foot atop me. He's that big! He seems to be a gentle giant and bonded closely with the filly during the trailer ride. Brian said when he checked on them at one point Bull was leaned up against the side of the trailer with the filly dead center resting on his belly sound asleep. He refused to leave the barn pen until we let her out - even at the expense of meeting the other horses in the pasture. Finally we turned her out with him and off they went to stretch their legs. He never got aggressive with her at all and she managed to keep up quite well. There's just something about watching a horse let it out in a huge pasture that's just awe-inspiring and I'm so glad Brian and Kim were able to witness it.

The menfolk talked at length about building round balen holders and the logisitics of installing gates, important things like that. These two are such perfectionists and read each other's minds - Kim and I don't stand a chance of getting those pigs since they're both dead set against it. But they are just the nicest couple and all the kids played very well together - their oldest hung with the adults and the youngest took off with Kenny. They're going to leave their kids here this afternoon while they have a lesson with a trainer then stay for dinner -- our kids are just thrilled at the prospect and didn't even flinch when I told them they'd have to clean their TV room!

Moo is getting bigger by the day and hungrier too. Having her around the house pasture has given her the chance to eat green grass but it also puts her within "breaking in" range every time someone opens the barn. Apparently the amount of grain we give her isn't enough and she's learned to push through with nose to open even the smallest of openings in the large sliding doors. Usually she knows she's not supposed to be in there and as soon as she walks through and the human notices her, she turns tail to get out. Yesterday she decided she was staying and I should be the one to leave. I've never once, nor has anyone, struggled with her but there's a first for everything. I managed to get her out but her hoof skimmed my left foot and it hurt like hell. My toe is swelling just a little and I'm so thankful it was only my toe, not dead center in my foot. With boarders coming and going all weekend we decided to try moving the three horses in the small pasture (Moo's old pasture) in with the others so we could put Moo back in there. Amazingly they all did wonderful and after about 10 minutes of establishing who was herd leader (Blue, the boarder) and who was second (surprisingly, Midnight - our yearling) they are happily in the barn together. It went better than I thought with no major bites or rearing. Moo is in her pasture but staying by the gate just in case we decide to let her out again.

Kim and Brian have sold Fizzle and they're arriving early this morning to load her. All the kids are so sorry to go but with soccer practice and a new litter of kittens they are distracted.

I'm just thankful we're out of the cold snap and can enjoy the 70' weather without worrying about more snow!

Let there be light!!

Something AMAZING happened on the farm over the weekend - our boarder, Brian, is an electrician and he ran electric to the barn! Oh my gosh, for the first time in three years we can work in the barn during early morning or evening hours without schlepping flashlights out there - truly amazing! He did such an excellent job and we're so happy with it, he even installed a floodlight fixture outside so the area between the barns can be well lit in the evening. My secret plan of having them bring their new horse late at night and having to use his truck lights to see really paid off didn't it?

We are so thankful to enjoy our boarders' company and just love it when they hang out for a few hours or visit on the patio. Brian came out Thursday afternoon to get started and ended up staying for dinner with us then came back Saturday to finish up the job. My brother in law, poor guy, drove up so Ed could work on his truck and naturally we put a shovel in his hand and quickly put him to work helping to dig the trench between the barns for the electric. He's a good sport though and I think he enjoys helping out when he's here. My day was spent mucking out the barn for spring cleaning and I've just about got it done. Any spare time was spent by all four of us keeping a close eye on the barn door as Moo was trying to sneak in every chance she could. She had already managed to open the sliding doors the day before and ate the contents of the grain barrel (about 20 lbs!) so we didn't want her doing that again. She tried to hide behind a round bale when I ran out there, but I found her - that's a whole lotta cow to hide!

Brian mentioned keeping cattle out here and we are hoping that plays out. Our funds this spring are tied up in improvements and getting our other house ready to list this week so we haven't landed a calf yet but we'd love to have several heifers running around to keep Moo company. Hopefully, she'd learn the be a cow then. Right now, she's just big as a boat and when she lays on her side you can really see movement from the calf. This will be one spoiled birthing cow and calf let me tell ya.

A case of the flu kept Darren and Kenny down for the weekend which meant Kenny missed his special day and I didn't take him and his friend to the movies Sunday like we'd planned. Poor little guy, he was more upset by that than getting sick.

Yesterday brought sunshine and high 60 temps for the first time in a while - we had another 4" of snow on Friday! Today will be even warmer and I'm hoping to get outside or back into the barn to finish. All the fields and the round pen are still flooded or have 6" of mud so it's really no fun walking around here right now. Of course, more rain is expected tomorrow. You know, Ed dumped the old trashed boat the guy gave him (he just wanted the trailer) in the field and I swear at one point I thought it was simply going to float into the farmer's field next to us.

In other news, we may have another boarder coming soon! I received the nicest email from a young lady inquiring about bringing her Arabian gelding out here. I just love having the horses here!

Since we never had Moo pee on a stick, we were pretty sure but not 100% that the AI "took". Well last night we found out 100% - that girl is definitely preggers! Moo is completely freaked at the horses in the pasture and is now freaking out because there's something moving inside her. Last night she met Ed at the fence when he arrived home, as usual, for some petting and he called me over because he could clearly see movement and swooshing all along her belly, plus her bag is filling. We moved her into the barn, evicting the horses for the evening. This morning I blocked the driveway and pulled out into the house area so I could check her a little better and press my hands into her. My pressure was answered with very firm kicks!

Since we're at eight horses right now with only two pastures we've decided to just keep the driveway blocked and allow her to be alone without getting continually spooked by the horses. I think we'll just open the yellow barn, move the boat out, and let her have that for her home until we get a shelter put up for her in the pond pasture.

So, hopefully in a few weeks we'll have a birth announcement!

Oh good gravy, it's SNOWING!

After having 80' days over the weekend we awoke to see 29' on the TV report with a chance of snow this afternoon. Sure enough, big beautiful flakes are flying so thick I can't see the field to the north or even to the edge of our farm. Hopefully it won't last long. I'm just glad that we drove in to Wichita this morning to get the siding and supplies to the repair work on our Newton house so that we can hibernate inside this afternoon. Heck, we may even start a fire!

I cannot believe it's possible to be so busy that I literally don't have time to sit for 10 minutes and update, but it's certainly been the case for the past week. We've had visitors, goat buyers, boarders, and friends stopping by nearly every day which has just been wonderful!

The rains caused Ed to think the pond might get a little water in it so he cleaned out the Tonka trucks and toy soldiers the kids had "drowned" in preparation. The first day of the heavy rains we got about 4" and thought it was a nice start. The following morning the pond was near overflowing! Overnight that sucker filled right up and just a few days later it's full of frogs making all kinds of noise and I even saw geese in it yesterday.

All the boarders were out over the weekend to ride and visit. We just have the best time with them all! I pulled in from running errands and saw that Joe had a saddle on Chocolate - the 4 yr old gelding who'd never had a saddle or rider - and promptly ran out there to watch. They moved him into the smaller front pasture and as we stood quietly we watched Joe gradually put weight on the saddle then check for reactions. After several minutes of this he finally swung his leg over and went for a ride. Although Chocolate fussed a little, he never once fought or even acted upset - just maybe a little concerned. It was totally awesome to see Joe work with him and I'm so glad he allowed me to hang out watching.

The lady came last night to pick up the boer goats and poor little Spot has just been walking in circles wailing as loud as he can ever since they left. I'm not sure if he's letting us know he's upset or continuing the racket in case they're lost and need his voice to find their way home. Either way, it's just heartwrenching to hear him. The boys weren't as upset as I thought they'd be as she pulled away but Kenny was a little broken up about losing Jane's brown kid. Lesson one on a farm is never get too attached to animals you plan to butcher or sell but that is just so difficult to do!

I talked with our farmer and we've decided to get pastures planted this spring so we can put the horses out a little next spring and summer. He's going to come in the next few weeks to get the seed in and asked if I'd ride along to sweep the driller. I agreed to do it although I have no idea what the heck he's talking about. Hopefully it won't be difficult.

We fly sprayed our three horses yesterday and Fire did not take it well. Rather than freak him out further we backed off with just a light spray and will treat him again. Midnight went so crazy that we just put the sprayer down and sponged him. As soon as the sprayer was away he let me get everywhere on his body and didn't seem bothered. I made sure to go back out several times in the afternoon just to talk with them and walk next to them.

Poor Ed's on vacation this week and has a list a mile long of chores to do - including getting the siding repaired on our Newton house so we can get it on the market this month.