You just never know what youll find

You ever have one of those weeks? You know, where everything just seems to happen all at once and you get smacked in the face with all kinds of crazy stuff?

That was my week. My husband was out of town for work and I was here minding the farm and the kids. No sweat, right?

Well, normally, it isnt. This week, however, just felt like it had crazy written all over it and I was so happy to look up from all that and find that it was Friday. The week was pretty much wrapping up, my husband was due home that evening, the kids had been sick, but were nursing their colds back to health....

And then I go out to tuck the animals into bed to find this. Can you see those beady eyes?

A little background information. Because thats always important.

On our property we have 10 foot easements that surround it on 3 sides. We are responsible for maintaining these easements, however, we are supposed to leave them clear of any plantings, permanent objects, etc. This is because the easements(when originated) were meant to be horse trails. This is a big horse community.

Well, over the years, the previous owners decided not to follow those rules and so one of the easements had been filled in with huge cottonwood trees. Making it almost impossible to ride a horse through.

Also, this particular easement, which was supposed to have access to the main road, does not. Instead, it opens up right into our yard. Which leads to our house.

Okay, so back to the beady eyes. I shine my flashlight and discover not one, but 2 cows in my easement.

And they just dont seem very happy to see me.

Altho, they are very interested in the goat boys.


The goat boys, on the other hand, are not at all liking them. Especially so close.

Initially, the goats are thinking that divide and conquer may be the best route.

But after a quick moment, they decide that running to where I am is a much safer alternative.

As this is taking place, I am on the phone getting contact info for the owners, calling the owners, AND trying to keep the cows out of my actual yard.

I cant reach the owners right away. So, I stick around outside a bit longer to monitor the situation.

In the meantime, the cows are pretty much thinking that they can do whatever they darn well like.
Until, this sweet girl shows up. Meet Harley.

One of our neighbors dogs.

Had it not been for her, I can guarantee you that those cows would have been playing in my yard. Seeings how when she came running over to investigate, the cows had already stepped into my yard and were headed towards the house.
She barked like mad and ran towards them and amazingly they turned around and hightailed it back into the easement.

Once the owners showed up, we wired the entrance of my easement closed(just for the evening) and the cows pretty much just bedded down somewhere in the easement for the night.

The next morning the owner called and said he had them back home, secure in his pasture.

They look like nothing ever happened.

And if it werent for all of these that they left behind in my easement, I would almost think that none of it ever happened either.

Renovation update and the shoe thief

So, we are moving along on the bathroom project...

Even if it seems like slow moving.

The shower is all tiled out. Now it awaits its grout treatment.

Choosing paint colors is always a time consuming task for me.

I like to have them taped to the wall and just walk by them all the time. And sometimes, I move them around...even if its just a little move...

And then I wait for one to speak to me.

It just so happens, the one that spoke to me this time, well, it has spoken to me before. At my last house. In Illinois. Spiced vinegar. Such a lovely fall name.

I think I mentioned that G has become fast friends with the construction crew.

Well, he was just beside himself when he scored these tile spacers from one of the gentleman workers.

Pair that with his love for PVC piping...and heck, maybe hes gonna be a contractor when he grows up.

I dunno. Ill be proud of him no matter what he does...even if it happens to be stealing my shoes and hiding them in his truck.

I was looking for those shoes for days....I just happened to come out to the porch at the same time he was unloading his "treasure". Look, mama, look what I had buried under the tree.....

First day

of preschool in Washington


Hes gonna do great...hes gonna do great...hes gonna do great.....

What have we been up to, you ask?

Well, my ma is in town for a visit.

I have a renovation project taking place in my lower level bathroom/laundry room. When its all said and done it will be a brand new space with a shower added to it.

I think the concrete breaking was the hardest part for me thus far. As it left my space looking like this for a day or so.

And it just didnt seem right to me to see tree roots where my bathroom floor should be.

So, I was happy to see this pull into the driveway. And if I was was happy, imagine what G was thinking. He was beside himself with glee as he watched the concrete pouring out of that mixer.

I was even happier to see my floor put back together.

You cant have fresh concrete without hand prints.

And names written in.

And it gives me great peace to know that G is keeping an eye on all the construction for me. This window has become his spot to check in with the workers.

I have been looking for all things tile. Yes, in this huge warehouse of a flooring store.

And vinyl didnt seem to have any trouble keeping up with the amount of choices I had to look through.

Its a good thing that G wasnt with me on this trip.

As that roll of vinyl had to be placed in the van just right so that I could take it home.

We went on a spur of the moment trip to Seattle.

The fresh doughnuts at the Pike Place Market are a very tasty treat. And worth standing in line for.

And now?

Well now, since I have finally found these jelly items that my husband has been requesting....

Now, there will be some grape jelly going on. To use up the grapes that are overflowing on our grape vines.

Please tell me things will slow down soon....