Gathering Postponement

Hi all, I wanted to let everyone know that the decision has been made to postpone our family camp out at Justin's for awhile. The June schedule was not working well for many, so we thought it would be best if we change to another date. We are thinking sometime in September or early October will work better for those who were planning to come. I just had an email from Laurie and she says fall works better for her too. She has been working on Sue to try to get her to come along so she could also visit with her sisters that live in this part of Pa. We and Justin's family are booked the first two weekends in September but after that should work for us. I would like to hear from some of you others as to what you think would work best for you. Take care and let me know your thinking. LaDonna

Weekend Wash Out

Rain, rain and more rain . . . that's all the news from here! Of course, it was absolutely beautiful last week when we had to work. Norman got home Friday afternoon and we were looking forward to getting in some riding this weekend, but Mother Nature put a halt to that. We did have some periods Sat & Sun morning without rain but most of the time it has been pretty wet and unpredictable when it will shower. At least we are not having any severe weather and we are thankful for the rain because MO can get pretty dry during the summer, but we sure would have appreciated a few nice days to get out and enjoy some riding. Oh well, we can't control the weather so we just have to deal with it. I have no idea what we will do today as we have no plans made.

Dalton would not have any trouble finding water to splash around in here. LaDonna, sounds like you better teach him about "yellow" water. LOL I swore I would not have another male dog but ended up with one again when we got Trapper, but our next dog is going to be a female for sure. Trapper will go out in the barn and hike his leg on the hay, and I get so mad at him for doing that, and when we walk or go riding I have to wonder how much is in there that he can hike his leg so often! I think he reaches a point where he is lifting it but nothing is left to come out!

Nicole and Ron had a good time on their trip, but I've yet to see any pictures. She has been busy since they got home and Scarlett had a basketball tournament this weekend. She interviewed for a job teaching 3rd grade at Little Elm, the school where she currently teaches, and is waiting to hear if she got the job. She was kind of hoping to get a job in Aubrey so she wouldn't have much commute, but I don't think they've had any openings yet, but she sounded pretty excited about this one. I hope she can get something else for next year, but I told her at least she has a job. I am so thankful they both teach because their jobs are fairly secure in a very insecure economic climate.

Our prayers and thoughts are with Doris as she battles this last round of chemo and we pray the effects of her next treatment are not so bad. No one knows what one can endure until we are put in a position where our strength is tested and Doris is certainly an inspiration.

Well, time for another cup of coffee and I better go check on the critters. We let Jessie out over night for the first time last night and everyone appears to be doing fine but I think I'll get them in and check them over to make sure. It actually looks a little brighter outside but the chance of rain is 90% so I may be imagining I see blue sky out there! Our new little girl is doing fine so far and we just love her. She is about the sweetest baby we've ever been around.

Hope everyone has a great Memorial Day -- remember our veterans and say a pray for all the men and women serving our country.

Kathy

Hello from Windsor

I loved your post and pic. He is so Justin. That sounds just like something Justin would have done.
I'm heading over to Joe and Julie's for their annual Memorial Bash. I made some Jalapeno Poppers and a Cheesey Chicken Dip. Your boys would like both of them if they can eat hot stuff anymore. The Jalapeno's are cut in half, cleaned out, stuffed with cream cheese, wrapped in bacon and baked until the bacon is done. The cheesey chicken is , chicken breasts cooked real soft, pulled into small pieces, add cream cheese, cheddar cheese, wing sauce, ranch dressing, Bake in the oven until melted . Make your mouth burn yet???? It is good and I'm not crazy over hot stuff. It all depends on how much wing sauce you add. I know it won't last long over there. I even pulled some out before I added the hot sauce for Aidan. Cause he loves DIP. He'll DIP anything..lol
Hope everyone is doing ok. Doris is feeling a little better today after a week of HELL> She is one tough lady and I really admire her for her strenght. Just keep her in your prayers that the next round will be easier on her.
Love, Aunt P

Helllloooo Out There

I haven't seen any posts here lately so thought I had better post to see if this thing is still working. If you don't want this thing to all be about Dalton and his cute antics, you better find something to say. Ha! Well, OK--Here is another Dalton story. It comes with a warning for those who are disgusted easily but we all thought it was funny. I was sitting on the swing on Thursday and heard Dalton splashing in water behind me on a piece of plastic that I use to cover the swing when it rains. All of a sudden I realized that we had not had rain for days and wondered where he got the water to splash in. When I got up and looked I was shocked --- what he was playing in was pee that Gage must have done. YUK! I cleaned him up and decided I better find the poor kid some water to play in. I got his little desk and filled the couple of holes with some putty stuff and put water in it for him. He had a grand time playing in it off and on all day. Way better than playing in dog pee. Here is a picture of Dalton playing in real water. LaDonna

Lawn Mowing

Dalton has decided that helping Pap with the mowing is a grand and wonderful thing to do. Kenny headed out to try to get some mowing done before we head off for the weekend. Dalton spied him heading for the yard building and started hollering "Pap! Pap!" Even though it was threatening rain Pap couldn't resist letting him help. LaDonna

MO Critters

Here is a picture of Jessie we took Monday when we had them out to enjoy some sunshine and exercise. She is just the sweetest little baby I've ever been around . . . I think she is a keeper. Norman is saying we have to get rid of something because we have four stalls and five animals. I say let's build another stall. LOL

No, Doris, we don't let the dog lick them dry, although Trapper probably would have accommodated. I did dry her off a little with a towel, but for the most part we let them air dry.

As for the steers, they will stay here and eat and get fat and we will sell them this winter. We don't eat enough beef to justify keeping one, nor do I want to eat something I have to care for. I I guess I would be a vegetarian if I had to raise and/or kill my own meat.

Last Friday was pretty scary here. We were without power all day, which is not good for me because I cannot work without electric. However, I guess that's a minor inconvenience considering what could have happened and we were lucky that our electric was back on by 8:30 PM. Some people were without power for days or possibly still don't have electric. Our road was closed for a while due to downed trees. I guess we did have a tornado touch down just outside of Cabool. It destroyed a camper sitting along the road for sale, and they said it turned over a tractor trailer -- you can follow the path of destruction by the trees that were snapped off. There were a few people killed near here, one couple when a tree fell on their car and another elderly man died on the way to the hospital. He and his wife survived the tornado but he had a heart attack while being transported. We had another storm last night and I was awake until about 1:00 this morrning. The weather radio went off several times but the severe weather stayed away from us, although it blew and rained so hard I thought it was going to break the windows. They said we could have more storms tomorrow. I just hate this weather.

I doubt Nicole saw the birthday wishes. She was busy getting ready for their trip -- she and Ron went to Orlando. They left today and will return home Monday. The kids are staying with some friends from church. She said I probably won't hear from her, that this is a second honeymoon. I told her that's OK, just don't come back pregnant, and she assured me that will not happen. So, guess I won't have any cute baby pictures to share other than my four legged ones. LOL However, we do enjoy seeing the pictures of Dalton and Aidan and it's hard to believe how quickly they are growing.

Well, it's time to go watch the news and get ready for bed. Good night!

Kathy

Kathy

I loved the pictures of your new baby. What an exciting event to be a part of. I'm so glad that you and Norman got to watch the birth and get pictures.

Thanks for sharing here and via e-mail.

Doris

I Second That - Happy Birthday Nicole

Happy Birthday Nicole!

~ Doris ~

Happy Birthday Nicole

I suspect you are too busy to look at this today but wanted to let you know I was thinking about you today and hope you have a wonderful birthday. LaDonna

Happy Mothers Day

Sometimes we have a face that only a mother can love. The following is one such face. Perhaps a grandmother can love it too. Dalton has discovered that he really likes spaghetti. I hope those of you that are mothers have had a wonderful day. LaDonna

My Mother's Day Present

Look what I got for Mother's Day! We've been watching Lacy for two days now and I've been going out in the middle of the night to check on her because I knew it would be soon. It is unusual for a horse to foal in the middle of the day, they typically wait until the wee hours of the morning, but this one arrived around 12:30 this afternoon. It all happened so fast, we had her out in the round pen and at first I thought she just peed but then I realized her water broke and I brought her in the barn and she laid down almost immediately and gave birth! It's another female -- not even our animals seem to be capable of producing boys! LOL I'm just glad we were outside when this all happened. We had planned to go riding today and decided if we did it would just be around here, which apparently was a good decision today. Just wanted to share some first pics. Hope everyone else is having a great Mother's Day!

Kathy

Holly and King Family In Greensburg

Julie and I talked last night. We would like to purchase some cases of hot dogs and hamburgers to bring along for the picnic. Julie can get them at a great price through Ettline (where she works). I just need to know how many of each you think we will need. Michael and I will bring them with us when we come up on Saturday morning. We should be there by noon or before. That way I won't have to worry about transporting anything that might slosh out or spill over on the drive up there.

So when you have an estimate of how many people will be attending let me know. I think Julie needs several days notice to place the order.

Michael and I will also gladly contribute money towards anything else that might be needed once we are up there.

Thanks for hosting Holly and Justin. I KNOW how much work goes into this event.

Doris

Kathy

Holy COWS!!!!!!!

You know, I have a hard and fast rule.....anything that has eaten out of my hand does not get eaten at my table...LOL.

Are you planning on selling them for profit or eating them?

Next thing you know Norman will be selling the truck and going into farming!

Thanks for sharing the pictures.

Doris

Happy Mother's Day

I hope all of the mom's in the family are having a wonderful day. Not that I truly believe that we should have just one day set aside to honor us because I happen to think that EVERY day is Mother's Day!!!! Once you become a mother you never get a day off.



We all gathered at Julie's last evening for a picnic type dinner. Joe grilled hot dogs and burgers and we had a few steamed crabs along with salads, potatoes and warm pumpkin pie. The best part was just being together...though I think Aidan wore Uncle Travis out!



I gave Julie an unusual gift for Mother's Day - a planter of flowers and homemade smoked hot dogs and sweet beef sticks from Godfrey's Meat Market. I know she loves them and I happened to be close to the market yesterday when I went for my white blood cell injection. So she gave me steamed crabs and I gave her smoked weiners....sounds like a fair trade to me...LOL.



Travis and Stefani sent me a beautiful bouquet of flowers. They are purple Iris and red and white Lilies. I LOVE Iris and have several varieties planted in my yard. As a matter of fact my yellow Iris are getting ready to bloom this week. The Lilies are so strong smelling that I had to move the bouquet to the piano in the living room so the smell did not overwhelm me. Here is a picture of the bouquet.

I am under doctor's order to take it easy the next few days so I have been amusing myself inside today. It's too windy here to be outside. Soon I am going to treat myself to a good book and a nap and it's anyone's guess which will come first...LOL.

Have a great day everyone!

Doris

New additions

We are now in the cow business . . . well I guess I should say steers. Here are the new additions to our little ranch.

I just call them "the boys" -- I am not naming them or getting attached because they are just feeder steers and will be leaving this winter. Of course, we really don't know much about cows but we have knowledgable neighbors who have assured us we will be fine, and they will help us if we need it. We are living amongst truly good people who still live by the Golden Rule and they have accepted us like one of their own.

Norman is still outside working on a feed trough for these little fellas. We are enclosing a corner of the pasture with panels where we will grain them from time to time. Right now we have enough grass to feed 20 steers! The rain has our grass growing like crazy, which leads me to the next picture, Norman's new toy.

We've had the tractor for a while but he just got the bush hog and he's been mowing the past two days. I think he is finally done and it looks so nice. We are supposed to get more rain but I guess we should be glad -- it could be a different story in a month or so.



Here is a picture of our little herd, minus Lacy who is confined to the round pen until after she foals. I just love the view from our front porch. However, you do go out there at your own risk as you might get dive bombed by the humming birds. I have a feeder on the front and back porch and I make my own nectar and the little piggies drink it up as fast as I can fill the feeders. I saw eight of them the other night out front. I am not a fan of birds; in fact, I hate the ones in the barn that leave their droppings everywhere, but I do love the little humming birds.

Doris, I'll be thinking of you tomorrow as you have your next round of chemo and will pray that it is kind to you in the days thereafter.

Needless to say, we will not be attending the upcoming family gathering but I hope you all enjoy. I'm sure there will be lots of pictures to share. We talked about another trip back home but as of right now we have nothing planned for this year at all as there is just too much up in the air.

Everyone take care and enjoy spring!

Love,

Kathy & Norman

JUNE FAMILY GATHERING

I just wanted to update everyone on the June 13th Family Gathering.

EVERYONE IS INVITED!

I haven't heard from all of you yet to let me know who is making the trek to Latrobe. If you could let me know who is coming so I can make sure we have enough camper and tent spaces for everyone I would greatly appreciate it. I know that the following are attending: Doris & Michael, Patsy & Millie, Joe, Julie & Aidan, Travis & Stephani, Wade, Nancy & Emily.

Now about the food: LaDonna & I have talked about what to do about the meals and this is what we have come up with. If there is something that you would like to bring whether it be a side dish, dessert, casserole, hot dog or hamburger buns or snacks like chips & dip please let us know what you are going to bring. We would like for everyone to bring either a 2 liter or a 12 pack of pop (just one will be plenty). We will post what is being brought by everyone. I am planning on doing hot dogs and sauerkraut and sloppy joes. I am sure between LaDonna and I we will have macaroni salad, potato salad and calico beans. We will also have all the makings for mountain pies and Smores for Saturday night. We are planning on doing lunch and dinner for Saturday and I believe Wade is going to do breakfast over the fire for Sunday morning.

So please if you can let us know if you are coming (for ALL OF YOU whom I haven't heard from) and what you are planning on bringing. The sooner the better.

Also if you would rather not have to bring food and just send money instead for LaDonna and I to buy the things that are needed you could do that. Either way it works for us.

Hope to see you all in June!

Holly

285% Humidity

We woke to rain here too. As I am sitting here typing I am watching the rain come down. It's a steady, gentle rain and is to continue all day. The 7 day forecast has rain each day to varying degrees. I think Michael and I are going to the movies this week just to get out of the house!

The sun did shine here yesterday and I got two hours of yardwork done. I poop out to fast. Even the neighbor lady who is at least 85 was putting me to shame as she drug her electric trimmers all over her yard. Wench!!! LOL

Tuesday and Wednesday we are to have some sunshine so Michael hoped to get one of my biggest flowerbeds mulched for me. I weeded and trimmed in that bed yesterday so it's ready for him to spray and mulch. The yardwork is overwhelming to me this year because I have so few days where I feel well enough to work out that. Throw in all this rain and things are growing faster than I can stay ahead of them. If the prospect of packing up my house and getting it ready to sell didn't seem like a larger job that's exactly what I would do!

Today I plan on resting and taking it easy. I want to work at least two days this week, go to the movies with Michael, work in the yard and then go for my chemo on Friday. I can't make plans for next week until I see how my body is going to react to the chemo. Usually I have 6 really bad days but the last time it was only two. Dr. T said it's anybody's guess as to what will happen. Each time can be totally different.

The one good thing is with them delaying my chemo for a week because of my eye infection this means that I am now free to travel to Greensburg for the family picnic without worrying about getting sick from the chemo. My chemo treatment will be the week AFTER the family picnic. WhoooHoooo!

Well , I have been working on my breakfast for almost 40 minutes so I guess I had better concentrate on that and then get dressed.

Have a great week everyone!!
Doris

Rain Too

We are also getting our share of rain here. I keep telling myself "April showers bring May flowers" but it is May now so it can stop anytime. On the other hand, everything is beautifully green. Of course that means mowing twice a week. I mowed on Monday and Kenny mowed again yesterday. Fortunately our rain has been a soft gentle rain and no thunder storms. Glad you didn't have any further damage. We have had times where we lost many of our electronic things during a storm and then had to deal with insurance companies to get them replaced.

How nice to be looking forward to a new life at your place. It almost makes me want to have another litter of puppies. NAH, never mind, too much work. I do love babies though, of any kind.

Everyone enjoy the rain. All too soon we will be complaining about the heat. LaDonna

Rain, Rain and more Rain!

We woke up to rain once again this morning. I am having trouble remembering what the sun looks like! I lost track of how much rain we've had after dumping the rain gauge so often but if you've been watching the weather you know it's been very wet out our way. We are high and dry so we don't have to worry about flooding, just lots of mud! This morning's rain is just that, no thunder and lightening, but I woke up at 3:00 AM Friday morning to severe storms . . . or, I should say, Trapper woke me up because he is scared to death of the thunder. I have no idea why our dogs always seem to get that way -- he wasn't like that when he was younger but the older he gets, the more afraid he seems to become. I knew the lightening hit something because I saw a big flash outside and I was worried about fire but everything appeared to be OK. I later discovered that it zapped the phone in our kitchen and also killed the GFCI plugs in the bathroom. I don't understand electricity and how that happened and nothing else was affected, but I am so thankful it spared all my electronics. I did not like that phone anyway and have been sorry ever since I bought them, so I'm kind of glad I now have an excuse to get new phones for our personal line.

Norman got home Friday night after being gone for two weeks and it's nice having him home. We had a break from the rain yesterday so he did get quite a bit of the mowing done to spare me having to do it this week, although it won't be long until it needs done again. He is anxious to get his bush hog so he can get out and mow the pasture with his new tractor.

We are counting the days until Lacy foals. She is quite big and you can tell her milk is starting to come in so it won't be long now. I don't expect the baby to arrive until around the middle of the month, but I am still keeping a close eye on her and I hope to be there for this birth.

Enjoy your day of rest before the week begins once again!

Kathy

Heartburn, Indigestion...........

....you would have thought so after Aidan decided he was going to eat quesadillas topped with my homemade guacamole and salsa. He would not stop eating until Nana finally said "no more". He was wiping his tongue, saying "hot, hot". He would take a drink and then come back for more.

I was worried I was going to get a call around midnight that Aidan was up with heartburn...LOL.

I suppose all those hotwings Julie ate when she was pregnant helped Aidan to develop a taste for spicy foods. The kid has an iron stomach. Night before last Patsy fed him a rootbeer float. He burped the rest of the evening....LOL.

Just thought I would share.

Doris (aka Nana)