Too Gone for Too Long

Sorry for the lengthy online absence... really  - we've been nowhere.  Didn't have to.  We found so much to do right here at home!  So I finished the summer with a HUGE sense of accomplishment... what with 8 gallons of paint on the walls & ceilings, updated a bathroom, all manner of fence repair completed, fences painted, etc....  dog run fence built...  garage cleaned out... After a few weeks of lazing around I am winding up my winder for school and hunt season.  Oh, - and Eric finished a snake cage that's been incomplete for only 3 years!  

I don't know about Eric but these "tasks" represented facing a lot of fears (or is dread a better word?).  1. Ceilings.  Need I say more.  I've been talking myself out of painting them for years (we've been here for 13 this December).  Now the entire house (except for garage) has fresh paint.2. Farm work... digging postholes, burning giant brush piles, stretching fence, hanging big gates, well they're big jobs with big blisters. All done with GIRL POWER!  

Maddie has yet to walk independently.  She is cruising, and loves to play with cars on the patio.  No dolls for her!  

Mom got a horse in early July.  Enjoy the pictures. Bye for now - kids come back to school tomorrow.  Best to all-

Maria & Eric & Maddie

Maddie takes a Dip

She likes it!  Finally.  Last year she just cried.  But this year she's ready.  Enjoy the pictures!

IT IS FINALLY COMPLETE!

Take a look at this.... this trail was once an area TOTALLY dominated by a 10' stand of briars.  This is such a better use of real estate!  Now its a riding trail, a jumping lane, a walking/running/stroller trail (1/2 mile loop).  I have made openings through pastures and other fences so it's like having a park in one's own backyard.  And what a jump start to the weight loss campaign.  Could have done without the case of poison ivy, though...

Here's lasagna in your eye!

Maddie's feeding herself... and she loves rubbing the spoon on her face.    She's also learned how to reach into a bag to get out little crackers.  Still waiting on the walking.  Has experimented a little with furniture walking.  Maybe sometime this summer.

Work continues on the jumping lane.  It's looking great.  It's brutal labor with the rake & the matic & the pitchfork.  The end result will be a trail that can be walked, ran, strollered, or ridden.  We measured it yesterday... .37 mile loop.  It's like having a minipark right in your yard.  Views of large oaks... pond... grassy hillsides... cows... 

Now on to kill the poison weeds & johnson grass.  Pictures soon!

Farewell Fiona

Sweet Fiona passed away last Wednesday following a brief but aggressive illness... tumor, very large, was detected on her spleen (about the size of a mini-football).  She had sudden weight & appetite loss a few weeks ago... vet originally thought worms... but her decline continued.  

She was 10 years old.  Very sweet, quiet, and mild mannered girl.  Merlin misses her.  He's been checking for her on neighbors' porches, and even in linen closets.  Poor guy.

Just two weeks left for school...  end is near.  We're hanging on, cringing with each email from the higher-ups of what will be the next "cut".  Even the number of school days is on the chopping block!  

Maddie just started "furniture walking" yesterday.  And cutting molars too.  Needs more mommy holding now.  Bless her!  Babies go through so many changes so quickly.  I'd scream too!

Farewell to the Deer Magnet

The poor old black 94 civic has gone on to the recycling place.. for charity.  The "deer magnet" (hit by 2 deer in a year's time - and kept on going!) had an engine rebuild at 264K but it turned out poorly... aftermarket non-Honda parts are puny, as it turns out, and did not last even 20,000 miles.  

We were hoping to get another car to 300K (last one- the 89 Pontiac - my first "new" car!) - but we came pretty close.  Proceeds from that one went to Kidney Foundation.  The Honda's proceeds will donate to "Car Talk" on NPR.  

Work continues on the new walking trail/jumping lane.  It has really kick-started my weight loss/exercise program!  Working 'til dark every night after Maddie goes down really cuts down on the extra calories.  Check future posts for pictures of the trail in progress!

Bob-cattin' the fencline

I had a bright idea not too long ago that a walking trail around the property would help me with exercise.  Having a little one makes it so much of a production to go anywhere... and to "exercise" is a 10-mile one-way minimum trip... So I went to the neighbors and put the idea to them that I wanted to make a trail that was walkable without opening gates, etc...  

Then I decided to make it double as a jumping lane (horse jumping).  Now we're having fun!

So now the concept is reality.  Along with the 20-ft piles of brush & debris that will need to be burned... hahaha.  Check out the progress!  And my 16year-old boarder Sarah driving the Bobcat!  Girls rock!

May Madness

Check out the new Maddie-mobile!  She can finally ride in the back seat.  And I don't have to folded up like a paper clip anymore!  Or buried in toys and bags... yay!

Morale isn't the highest right now in the ol' workplace... pay cuts... compulsory furloughs... but all the jobs still must be done.  So the testing season is in full swing so my mind is swirling with all that paperwork madness.  Not very exciting.  Only the relief of completing it to look forward to!  At least I can ride to and fro the madness in a bit more comfort.

Miles of Smiles

We made it to the waterfront and the little playground behind clubhouse today!

Although not generally "oral" with objects, she attempted to eat 2 seashells.  Then it occured to me how much they resemble cookies (esp. mini-nillas!)

Lots of time and distance behind stroller, which has many benefits.

Mommy & Daddy got some grownup time last night.  Mimi & Pops did Maddie duty, and we went to Umberto's and enjoyed great Italian food and live piano bar.  Certainly helped the battery recharging process.

Routines, Releif, Recharge

Its vacation time, at last... but with Baby, routines must continue.

Kind of confounds the concept of vacation, from what I can tell.  There's no sleeping in.  There's still coffee.  Nap schedules.  Playtime.  Diapers.  Takeout.  For Eric, locating a piano to practice on for upcoming jazz gigs.  (which he did, on clubhouse G.P.)  The only thing that" isn't" is our critters.

We received disturbing news last night of a friend's encounter with an exploding propane tank.  And then the rush of prayers & support through FB... and the wonderful rush of relief that he escaped the incident with NO internal burns... just some minor facial burns.  For all its critics I must salute FB for the speed-of-light organizing of messages, updates and support.  

So on to recharging our batteries.  A walk through Vereen gardens with stroller on agenda after morning nap.  Standby for pics!

The Rat Race

Mice in the barn... wild mouse spotted in the house.... common connection?  Riley!  He doesn't understand that his job is to ELIMINATE not transfer said vermin.... 

The humans have been in the pre-trip rat race mode.  There's a lot of steps to handing off a farm to helpers.  

We are looking forward to seeing new scenery!  We'll probably be set to jet by lunchtime.  

See Maddie's AM hairdo.  I think she's trying to fix her hair to be like her dad's... :)

Home Again, Home Again, jiggety jog....

At last a cool baby.  No temp since yesterday afternoon.  We all flopped in our snuggly beds for a big nap following discharge.  Maddie has been in good humor.... although still a little lacking in appetite.  

I got on the tractor for a marathon seeding-spraying-fertilizing session to keep up the rotation schedule.  4 hours later all is caught up.  Barn cleaned, horses fed.  

Eric is out getting yummy baby foods to entice Miss Prissy Palate to eat tomorrow.  

I am grateful to be inhaling outdoor air after the 48 hour house arrest in the hospital.  Thank You God for the galaxy of support, both earthly and heavenly.

So this is spring break?

Day 2 of Maddie's hospital stay for atypical PNA.  Fevers are not impressed by the Rocephin bombs!  But drs still say we probably go home 2mrw.  Once again I am reminded that it's a lot easier to be in a hospital when you're getting paid to be there....

Kelly is holding down the horse fort.   Just having lost her horse of 20 years scarcely 2 weeks ago this has got to be weird.  But maybe the necessity of it is the key right now.

Hospitals are not set up to let parents be together for their kids.  No room for 2 beds/cots/or whatever... forces someone to be the fifth wheel.  And to backseat drive as soon as they walk in the door on the parent whose been up for god knows how many hours straight.  Grrr.