time to start posting again

Gearing up for a long winter of calving. Thought I would start keeping track on here. We brought in our first heifer xmas eve day. She walked right into the barn, then took us an hour to get her in a stanchion. She had her calve the next day. Calf didn't make it, looked like her little neck got twisted. Heifer is a honey.

Brought in two more heifers this morning. Bull is acting up. He wants to get Dave in the worst way.

Tuesday

Started early. Dave decided to pick the other corn dryer full, so will be a big work day. Cory here at 6:00am, helping Dave with morning chores, getting machinary ready.........

They worked last night till 9:00. Ryan came over and fixed something that was wrong with the combine. Rob stopped in for a chat, he had been working for Ron all day.

I just try to keep the home fires burning. Did sneak to town and get some groceries and take Burn's children's pictures. Wow, beautiful blue eyed kids.

Time to go stoke the "homefires".

Another big day ahead.

Starting corn harvest

Wayyyyyyyyyyy late. Started yesterday, even though the corn is wetter then it has ever been, just have to start somewhere. Cory helped haul loads until he had to work, Ryan came about 11:00 and stayed till 7 combining. Had to shut her down then, enough wet corn in the bin at once. Corn is testing about 22-26% moisture. Wet, wet, wet.

Cory, Stacy and I snuck away for an hour in the afternoon and finished up engagement pictures. Light was perfect, got some great ones. I am happy now!

Robyn came over with the kids, tried to do some kiddo shots, but no go. They went and road in the combine with Ry. All stayed for supper. Had ribs cooking all day, yummy

Today dave is out chopping stock, then him and Cory are going to get the last 3 loads out of the field. That will officially finish up the 40 acres by Strand.

It was trying to stay sunny today, but that didn't last long.

Safe harvest the most important thing!

harvest day 3

Today we took out about 60 acres of beans. Had to stop because beans were not fit on one side. Cory stayed and helped till 8:30, Ry came after work and stayed till 8:00. Good day. Woke up to rain. Going to be a lazy day today. Shoulders hurt.

Tuesday, day 2

Of bean combining. They got the field at home done. Worked until 10:30, ran a few green ones through, but it's done. Dave is happy it is finished. That field drove him nuts all year, fighting weed resistance and yellow beans. Today working up at the cometary field.

Let the fun begin

Harvest is here. First day in the bean fields. Cory came to help and spent the day hauling, unloading and combining. Ry came after work and ran combinefor 3 hours. Got our first 80 acres taken out. Yield disappointing.

Hay day

Today really started last night. Dave went to bed at 9:00, I crawled in at 9:30. I was sleeping by ten, but Dave lay awake thinking of all the things he had to do the next day, couldn't sleep, so he got out of bed and went out at ten and tipped hay for 3 hours. Bet the neighbors thought he was goofy.

It worked for him though. This morning he was able to get up and put spray on all the dirty fields of beans at home. After dinner he went out and baled hay. Rob brought the swat team over to work on drills in our grove. Again, bet we got the neighbors talking.

Rob, Bex, and the boys came over and we went out and picked up hay while Dave milked. I grilled a quick supper and then after they all headed home worked on Kate's pictures. Busy day.

A Very Blustery Day

The winds were gale force today. Clocked at gusts of 58 miles an hour. I did chores then stayed in the house all day. Did some cleaning, baked and decorated a cake for Angela, also one just for us.

Dave decided to go to Redwood and record his acres since he couldn't pick rock.

Fried pork chops for supper.

Was 97 degrees tody.

Got two inquiries about taking wedding photos.

Rob stopped to help Dave bring our old table to the truck. Adam is moving and wants to use the table in his new place.

Worked on Amanda's pictures.....

Laundry, laundry and more laundry...........

So busy

I don't blog when I get busy. It should be a priority to stay on top if blogging, especially when we are busy. The stuff we want to remember happens during busy days, not down days.

Yesterday was one of those busy days. Up for chores, then sorted 2 dry cows, one heifer with health problems and 1 steer, off to Pipestone to sell them. This will be the first dry cows we sell, if they do well, we will keep selling, if not, who knows. It could mean we continue milking till god knows when.

From Pipestone we headed to Marshall, picked up a few groceries, ate a quick dinner at KFC, then home. Took a little rest then out to pick rock. Got the home place picked. Chores and then an early bedtime.

Ok, we went from winter jackets 4 days ago to 99 degrees today. The winds are so strong it is hard to walk across the yard. Dave had to feed cows silage in the barn because the wind would blow it in the air instead of in the bunk where it belongs.

Today picked rock by Strands in the morning. Home, hotdogs, Dave moved calves and I worked on getting my picture orders done. Wanted to plant garden but the winds prevented that.

In between chores I mixed up a cake for Angela S. and made a small one for us.

Going to work on pictures for a while again tonite, watch the Mentalist, then bed.

Monday is a bum day

Dave's silo unloader needed to be fixed, so a trip to a place by St. Cloud to get it fixed was on the agenda for today. We got up early and did chores, on the road by 7:45. I wanted to do some shopping in Willmar, so Dave dropped me off at Target and we agreed to meet in front of the mall in 2.5 hours. I could have used an hour more. Didn't even get to Herberger's. Oh well. Got baby presents bought and tried on some clothes for myself. How absolutely depressing that was.

Home, chores, Dave went to Pitzles to dehorn a calf. Now bedtime.

Pictures from Addisyn's 3rd birthday party on Sat.

Thursday is spray day

Up early again today. Got chores done and then Dave went out spraying. He got 250 acres of Surpass sprayed today. Put his last tankful on after night chores. So we are officially done with corn planting. I am working on my obsession. I have an unhealthy obsession with magazines, I have them all over the house. I am starting to worry that I am going to be one of these old ladies that just have paths through her house. So I threw out lots and lots of them.

Finished planting corn

The winds were horrible today and it reached 91 degrees. The weird thing is there is a rain/snow advisory for Sunday. MN weather has gotten more fickle every year.

Dave planted 115 acres of corn today, that was then end of corn planting. Things went well today, no major or minor breakdowns. He really wanted to get a sprayer tank on yet today, but with the winds that is impossible.

I cleaned house this morning. I am trying the "flylady" way. I went through with bags and threw away 27 things about 3 times. That is what I am suppose to do, throw away 27 things a day to help get rid of all your "stuff".

I also boiled eggs and made deviled eggs and egg salad. After dinner I went out and got the truck clean. What a dirty job that was in this wind.

Ryan came after work and put in a gps system for our sprayer.

Rob stopped and brought back the flatbed trailer. He was nice enough to haul my old freezer to the recycling center. Makes my garage look so much bigger.

Now I need a shower, some supper and my bed.

Wednesday

Chores, and then Dave started planting corn. He was back home in a half hour, radar thingy didn't work. He switched the radar from a different tractor and off he went again. Got the 55 acres planted at home and 80 acres up on the cemetery field. Ryan came after work and ran the planter while we milked. He stayed for a beer, but wouldn't eat supper (butthead).

At evening chores the silo unloader stopped working and we could smell something burning. There is always something going wrong in that barn lately.

I made my Redwood run today for the weekly essentials. I dropped off Krysta's engagement pictures and picked up a few groceries and birthday presents for Addisyn. It is 9:30, I'm ready for bed.

My pictures today are a sunrise the other morning. So pretty. Then Cookie had to be in todays blog. I was unloading the car after I got home from Redwood, I kept the basement door open for maybe 1 minute, then I went outside for chores. Here Cookie must have gone into the kitchen, took a little Cookie poop, and ran back outside. That dog is a pain in my side!

It must be Monday

Dave has had a heck of a time today. He is trying to dig the ground up by the cemetry. Has had to stop twice and come home. The filters keep plugging on him. It is so cold and windy today, feel more like fall then spring.

I have had a productive day. Finished the last in the Twilight series (the best) and got bread mix done, baked buns, did laundry, ran to JD for Dave. Now I am going to clean in the kitchen for an hour, then pop a beef roast in for supper.

Easter

Thought I better write a few words about Easter while there are a few still rattling around in my head. Got up and did chores as usual. Then after chores and breakfast Dave and I drove to Ry and Robyn's house to play Easter Bunny. We had fun hiding the eggs all over their yard. We went in and told the kids we saw the Eater Bunny and he left eggs. They were so cute, running all over gathering the eggs. Addisyn and Daman's little baskets were so heavy they had a hard time carrying them. Dave offered to carry Addisyn's for her but she wasn't going to let anyone carry her hard work! We had an awesome dinner of ham, potatoes, scalloped corn, salad, buns and 2 desserts. Talk about being stuffed! I visited with Paula then went down and played a few games of bean bag. Home and chores........Adam, Cory and Stacy made it also. Rob had to work and Bex took the boys to Red Wing. We missed them!

Celebration!!!

The cows got to go outside today for the first time since last fall........Time to celebrate!

Snow and Twins

A late spring snowstorm has brought us 6 inches of snow since last night. Was so pretty I had to go out at 10:00pm and snap some pictures. Yesterday had a cow have twins. That isn't very common here and to tell the truth, I don't like twins. Not because it is double the work, but because they are usually a little harder to get started. These two seem to be doing well. One was a girl and one a boy. That combination is not what dairy farmers like to see being born. When it is 2 girls they are both going to be fertile, but when one is a boy, the girl is usually not going to be able to conceive, then we have to raise her like a steer.

Went to Marshall Friday. We had to stock up on baby presents. Suzanne and Mark had a little girl and Sarah and Eric had a little boy. Got some groceries and then had dinner at the Hitching Post. Was OK, but nothing exciting.

Here is a picture of the snow on Sat. night.

We left the farm today

Went to Redwood and ran errands. Ate dinner at Country Kitchen (all you can eat fish), Wally World, 50.00 worth of groceries at Tersteegs, then onto Wabasso.

Dave dropped me off at the library, then went visiting, I mean doing business. TWO HOURS later he remembered I was at the library. Course, I really didn't mind because I WAS at the library. I read every magazine on their rack. I love the library.

Home, chores.......supper, tired.

Some really good news..........It got warm today. I was so happy to feel the suns heat on my skin. I seriously thought I would never feel that again. This winter is getting long and depressing. A little ray of hope today.

Will Spring Never Come???

Another winter blizzard........oh man, this is getting depressing.

Went bumming today

I had a dr.s appt. in Willmar. First chores, then I helped Dave load a steer and a cow to take to the sales barn. Dave all picked up our new bull today. His name is Durham Lynch. I will get a picture taken tomorrow.

I went to the Dr., then onto Target and Cub, then home.

Oh yeah, I locked my keys in the car. I am getting bolder in my old age. Got a carpenter to help me get the key from it's hiding place.

I talked on the cell phone for almost 3 hours while driving. Got caught up with mom and Julie and Cory.

I a so tired...........Off to bed. Tomorrow another big day.

Wednesday

Ohhhhhhhh, didn't get the camera out again today. Have another old picture up. Shame on me!

Today we hauled a steer away finally. Freezer is looking pretty sad. I cleaned upstairs for an hour and worked on some photography stuff.

Weather beautiful, 40 degrees. Maybe Spring is coming. Tomorrow even better.

Wheat, I love wheat, I love wheat fields, there is just something about that golden color and the way they have the kernels and those little hairs, Love Wheat.

Tuesday

Kind of a boring day. I did bookwork for 3 hours, made dinner, did dishes, blah, blah......

Dave moved some calves around and cleaned baby calf pens. Supper was overcooked, Biggest Loser was great. Now I'm going to bed.

Monday Monday, humming old Mamas and the Papas tune

I love the mamas and the papas. there will be no capitalization today, have my wrist brace on and it is a bugger to reach with that baby finger.

Spring just might come, 25 degrees today. Feels wonderful to see the sun. Had a calf this morning, we now have no room at the inn again. Calve number 12 is parked in the straw. The calf we had outside (chilly willy)is proving to be a real pain in the butt. He isn't learning how to drink and is trying my patience

Mailman brought me pictures today. I love getting a new order. Got some for Robyn, Krysta and the Haven's.

Have been reading about metering on I love photography website, so went out today and did some practicing. Everytime I think I got it all down and think I know it all, I find out I know nothing. I love how photographers are so willing to share what they know with the rest of us. Pictures today, sun reflecting off ice, Sadie Lady and Cookie Monster........Hey, I can do capitals......

Started back on Atkins today. Tired of having a closet full of clothes and nothing to wear. I am dedicated this time. NO CHEATS

Lazy Sunday

Just a quick post. Made it to Mankato yesterday for Mom's 70th Birthday. We all met at the Green Mill. Bob and Diane, John and Rena, Ry,Robyn, Cory, Stacy, Kristy and Nick, Amanda and Elizibeth, plus all us kids made it. Was fun, food was good (except for Dave's, as usual), Judy made a wonderful cake, yummy. I hope mom had fun, haven't talked to her today.
This is a short post, wrist hurts.........later

Saturday's are fundays

I would love this space in my spareroom. I have been working on getting all the junk and clutter out of it, and I am imagining something like this, maybe. This photo was taken by Racheal Whiting, you can visit her blog at http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=2662558868413319143

Going to Mankato today to celebrate my Mom's 70th Birthday. Looking forward to seeing everyone!

It's only 8:30am and it feels like it should be bedtime

Got down to the barn and laying outside in 6 below weather was a new baby calf, and her mama is a heifer who has never been in the barn. Dave carried the calf into the barn (and threw his back out again), we covered it with blankets, put it in the milkhouse (if an inspector reads this, I'm just kidding about the milkhouse). After chores we force feed it warm milk. We did all we could, now we wait to see if it lives. The yard is full of snow, so Dave has to get that pushed after chores so the milkman can make it. After that we have to get the heifer in the barn and get her milked. Thank goodness Dawn canceled her trip, I don't know how we would have done this with 2 kids.
I baked a loaf of bread and 2 doz. buns today. Going to give the bread and some buns to mom for part of her birthday gift tomorrow. Ryan's birthday was yesterday, going to give him some buns too.
Dave worked outside from 6am till 1:30, ate dinner, popped pain pills, napped then back out for evening chores.
Have a turkey breast in the oven for supper. Yummy......

Blizzard

Donna Downey recommends this book.....on my reading list

Blizzard day. 6-8 inches of snow. I stayed in my jammies all day. Can't talk, hurts to breath in, yuck, I'm a mess. Hopefully tomorrow will be better.

Wednesday

Was not a good day. First I overslept by 5 minutes, course this is the one morning a stupid heifer couldn't get up. Dave was not happy with me.......This 7 day a week thing gets old, but then I watched Oprah today. People on the West Coast are living in tent cities. Who would have ever thought that there would be tent cities in the United States. Lots of older or middle aged people, lost their jobs, lost their homes, homeless shelters are full. So who should I be, to complain about cows, or 7 days a week, I have a house over my head and never wonder where my next meal will come from.

My girlfriend Janet found out last week she has cancer. Yesterday they removed both her breasts. No more complaining about my RA or asthma......

I did loose my voice today, that is probably a good thing. No talking.

Dave had the inspector come today, he passed. Looks like we can milk for another 6 months.

Tomorrow will be better.

Monday

Today I had Addisyn and Griffyn. Griffy was still not 100% from the RSV, so I wanted them to come here and have a quiet day. That is what we had too. Sat in the livingroom and played and watched PBS most of the day. We all took about a 2 hour nap in the afternoon. Did get my camera out, but just a few snapshots, no editing.

Dave worked in the barn most of the day, getting ready for inspection. We are both ready for bed early!

I feel like I am coming down with a cold. I will not get sick, I will not get sick!

Saturday

Today just flew by. Carter, Jack and Becky stayed overnight, well, bex stayed over-half-a-night, as she worked at 3am. I got chores finished, boys breakfast, then Addisyn came over to play with the boys. They had lots of fun together, and before I knew it, was 1pm. Addisyn was so funny, I was giving Ry a little grief when he picked her up. He was holding her and said "I don't have to take this anymore, this isn't my home". Addisyn said "no daddy, you live at work."

Boys were good today. Carter loves helping with chores and Jack is just a happy little guy. I made sauerkraut for supper, now it is bedtime.......

My picture is just dreaming of summer......

Will try to get some of the boys tomorrow morning. Will set up my backdrop and see if I can channel their inner models.....

Another crazy, busy day.

Up at 6:00am, down to the barn for chores, went up to scrub kitchen floor and sweep the others, back to the barn. After chores, breakfast, shower, clean kitchen. Off to Redwood, library, Wally world, a good low carb dinner at Country Kitchen, 30.00 worth of groceries. Home....nap for 50 minutes, Carter, Jack and Bex came for the night. Bex has to work in the morning. Beautiful snow, lots of beautiful snow...spaghetti for supper, me chili, low carb, tired.......Good night

We finally made it to Willmar

to see Cory. He has lived there for a year and a half and we haven't seen where he lives yet. On the way to Willmar made a stop at Hanson Silo and picked up some new doors for the little silo. Then on to Runnings for fuses for the big silo, which still isn't working, then onto look at table saws. Meet Cory at his house (nice house), then we went for dinner at the Golf Course. Yummy buffet. I went to my favorite store (Target) while Dave went to Menards. Then home for chores. After chores a rousing 3 games of bowling (Winner:). The Mentalist (our favorite new show) and then bed.

Dark, dreary, rainy Monday

Our yard is an ice skating rink. All this warm weather has melted the snow and turned it to ice. I don't like falling, so walking in baby steps to get across the yard.

Yesterday had a little photo shoot with Addisyn and Griffyn. That was fun. Got some good ones of them seperatly, but getting the two of them together and both looking is almost impossible.

Dave and I ran to Marshall, he wanted to go table saw shopping and I wanted to eat dinner out, so we got both accomplished. Went to the new Arby's in Marshall. The roast beef with onions and peppers is really good. The rueben was disappointing, they don't toast the bread. I am dreaming of my garden, picked up green bean seeds and sunflower seeds. I can't wait to get back out in the dirt!

Today is just yucky outside. Dave had to run to Redwood. He is still trying to figure out the silo unloader. The motor keeps kicking the reset, very frustrating.

I worked on cleaning house today, and wasted too much time on the internet. Time for chores...........

Bad Blogger

Yep, that is me, bad blogger. I have never been consistent at anything in my life, why would this be any different? Going to try harder, really I am!

I had Addisyn and Griffy yesterday. Robyn and Paula went to Mankato shopping, and Ryan got their hardwood floors varnished. The two little ones had lots of fun. Griffy loves the vcr and dvd player, plus everything that goes with them. So to keep the remotes, dvd's and vcr tapes away was an all day job. He also loved carrying the little rocking chair around. The he sets it down, and climbs on it to reach things he shouldn't (door knobs). We made a breakthrough though, he has decided he likes me. Before there was this little hesitation always before he would come to me, now he knows I'm one of the good guys.

Addisyn likes to watch TV, read books and do crafts. We made more Valentines, she loves the glitter glue, so the two of us have glitter all over ourselves. She takes stacks of books, sits on the love seat and goes through them all for hours. She also likes to take care of my doll that cries. She gives it medicine and makes it all better.

By 8:00 Addisyn and I were so tired. I took her in the living room and rocked her. I don't know which one of us fell asleep first. Right after that Ryan bundled them up and took them home.

Thing will be looking up

It's going to get warmer, and the calves are learning how to drink. Life is good.
http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/LZimOhrG5uU6eisEEYgfow?authkey=2o9iXU65sMo&feat=directlink

twins..........ugggggghhhhhhhh

Ok, enough with the calves already. Two yesterday, now this afternoon a little surprise, not one, but 2 more calves. I have all 11 pens full, plus 2 in the straw pen, plus one pen doubled up with 2 calves. Wouldn't be so bad, but it is so darned cold. Twenty five below today, colder tomorrow. No picture today, I need to get to bed.

Tuesday Morning

It's only 10:30, but I feel like I've run a marathon this morning. It is so cold today,
15 degrees below zero. Yesterday was like 22 above in the morning. It fell all day, along with 5 inches of snow. No school in any of the surrounding schools. It has been a nasty winter so far.

Down in the barn this morning we were greated by a new baby girl. Got her feed, her mama milked, when we noticed the other heifer in the pen started labor. That is fine, except we are out of calf pens. Guess we will be doubling up. We can't complain, the cows and heifers are having these babies all by themselves and (knock on wood), all are staying healthy. So, tonite I will have 2 babies with bottles again.

Dave worked hard yesterday morning, getting all his work done before the winds and cold started. He had to grind feed for the cows, then he got his silo working again. Yeaaaaa for working silos! Today he is pushing snow. Carter is going to have some huge snow hills to play on.

I got 45 minutes in on the eliptical trainer. Now going to head up and try to get Adam's room cleaned up and the spare room organized. I know it will take more then one day, probably like 4 days.

My picture today is of jackson being silly.

Friday

 
 
 

Here is another picture of the boys, love it when they are happy to get their picture taken.

The other two are from last Sat. when we went to Faribault for Miller Christmas. Pretty Stacy in the car, the second was from the ice storm. This is taken at the gas station in Faribault. It was a scary ride home. Good thing we had a good driver (thanks Cory).

Carter and Jack here for the weekend.

 

I have been trying to become more proficient with my off camera flash. Jack and Carter are here for the weekend and they seemed to be will subjects. Look at this babies eyes. Beautiful!

Dave is a happy camper.........

He finally after all these years got a garage door installed for the shop............
Two remotes even, one for the loader tractor and one for the manure spreader tractor. Life is good!

I spent the morning taking down the Christmas tree and packing away all the Christmas pretties. That was hard work. I would think there should be an easier way to do this stuff!

Cory came over and changed the oil in his car, stayed for a bowl of pea soup I made, then back to Marshall.

Rob stopped to borrow the hammer drill for his tv cable project.

I cooked Dave some of Wade's deer hotdogs for supper.

That is it for today.

It's a sad day

I MISS SUMMER!

I just heard John Travolta's son passed away.

Today was a bum day. We had to go to Meadowland, Harvestland, then too Redwood. Had dinner with Ryan at Pizza Ranch, then onto buy a new couch at A&W Furnature. I think I got a really good deal. All leather and only half of what it originally was. I am so happy to finally be burning that old one. Next week going to rearrange and get the room decorated pretty.

Got home and started laundry, making buns, making brandiberry salad for our Christmas tomorrow, which probably won't happen again because of the weather.

Chores.......then Ryan delivered our couch. We were going to take the truck today, but it had something wrong with it. Robyn and the kiddo's stopped, then Rob stopped. They all left and now I am going to bed. Today was a big day!

New Years Resolutions

Addisyn always asks for a "Blue" sucker.......and she enjoys them ALOT....

Number 1...........be a better blogger
Ok, I don't need to blog everyday, my life just doesn't change that much from day to day, but once a month is pathetic.........

Number 2...........Lose weight
No explanation needed.

Number 3...........Go through the house this year, room by room and get rid of anything and everything that we don't need.

That should keep me busy until 2010.

Happy New Year............

Gratitude life moments:
1.Babysitting for Addisyn and Griffyn on New Years Eve. Seeing all their new Christmas toys, and watching them play together.
2. Griffyn's giggle
3. Bumming with Dave New Year's Day.
4. Hanging out with Carter and Jackson.
5. Farming on the floor with Mr. Carter.
6 Getting big sloppy baby kisses from Jack.
7. Watching my boys box imaginary men in WII
8. Having a lap dog, if just for a few minutes.
Thanks Harley. I miss warm doggy love.