I have not posted in months. No particular reason other than nothing to say. Life is the same and some days rougher than others.

  Last Saturday we actually did something out of the ordinary, for us anyway. We went to a driving clinic. For horses. We had a really good time. I physically wasn't up to doing it but still learned a lot watching Tim and the other participants. There were about 18 people and 2 instructors. It was the first clinic they had given and they did a really good job of it. We will go again if they give another.

 This is Jazz. She had her harness put on and off about a dozen times that morning. What a patient girl. 

 Then there was ground driving to get the feel of giving directions not in the saddle. 

  A nice two wheeled cart was available.

 And my honey driving "2 Up" . He was the first one to make a clean run through the poles. 

  They also had a vis-a-vis (carriage) but it did not make very good turns for learning. A fun time for everyone! 

  We just started the incubator with some chicken eggs and a few guinea eggs and picked up 16 day old guineas from cousin Kate. They are in the chicken house in a makeshift brooder house. Hope this cold damp air doesn't get to them. 

  That's about it for now. You all have a diamond day! 

Where did January go?

   Can hardly believe that it is already February. Time sure flies when you're old. lol

I've had a quiet winter and I sure wish it was over. Only 45 more days to go - plus or minus. It has been colder than normal and we've had more snow with 3-5" on the way as I type.

  Have spent most of the time working on Aunt Jo's quilt. I'm not quite half way done with my part and then will pass off to my sister. When she is done with her part I will put the binding on and we'll be able to take it to Jo.

 Here it is basted and started with the quilting. 

 This is my sister's beautiful handwork! 

I'm slow but sure. I'll keep pluggin' along and maybe we'll have it done by her birthday! Time's flying for her too as she will be 83 on April 3rd. If by chance we get it finished before that I plan on giving it to her. No sense taking a chance....she's been on borrowed time for almost 20 years as it is. 

  Not much else to say this morning but will have a diamond day in spite of myself! 

After the storm

  well, almost after the storm. The frigid temps are still here anyway. Was down to 2* last night and made it up to 17* today. We have about 10" of snow on the ground and it's too dang cold to go out and take pictures! Our water didn't freeze so that's a good thing. Lost one older hen - might have been the cold. Besides that everything is wonderful.
  Got our tree up and the village under it. I left about two foot of the tree empty at the bottom because with 4 cats in the house I figured it would be safer. This picture was early in the process. I haven't downloaded the other ones to the laptop yet.

  That is Sweetie Pie under the tree. 

  We had a wonderful Thanksgiving dinner with the Cherry family. Steve and Tina were hosting this year. I loved their new house and the food was great as always. So was the company. We were shy about half the family but still had a nice turnout and was able to visit with everyone. All in all everyone is doing well in their lives and we're all very blessed. 

  I also had a birthday since posting. Good golly molly! As we all must....I'm getting old. Oh well, life goes on and us with it. 

  I'm not sure what the plans are for Christmas. I assume we will be going to Spfd on Christmas eve - to Jeff and Pam's house again. It's kinda nice to turn the holidays over to the next generation but sad at the same time. 

  One of my nephews is trying real hard to keep up the family dinners but isn't having much luck. The other nephews and my own son is kinda hard to pin down for family gatherings. They all want to do their own "thing" that doesn't include the rest of the family. Families are just so spread out and folks choose their own "family" they'd rather be with. Such goes life. 

  Have a diamond day-

Another beautiful day in the Ozarks

  starting out that way. In the mid 40's with the sun shining. Supposed to be in mid 60's this afternoon. Tim is going to finish the new coop this afternoon. Hope so.
  Thursday was a lousy day. Took Hank for the second opinion. Didn't turn out well. Really I can't say that.....it turned out great for Hank. I told him that morning by the end of the day he would feel much better. He crossed the rainbow bridge with Dennis' help that afternoon. The cancer was spreading fast.

He was such a sweet soul. The whole household is missing him. The girls missed him right off. They kept trying to find him when they would come back in the house. So sad. And too raw.....

  Not much else going on around here. Same old stuff. Don't want to bore you all so you have a diamond day and I'll do my best to do the same.
  I miss you Hank.
 

If it's Tuesday......

   it must be .........our place. lol Don't have any idea what that's about. It's a rainy morning but still nice. About 60*. The cold front is about here. That will be our high for the day. I got a few things done outside yesterday getting ready for fall and winter. Outside stuff put away, plants in the house etc. Tim has the straw ready to mulch the elephant ears as soon as they die back. I will use some of the straw for the nest boxes. The hens will like that.
  I picked up a few of the blocks from my sister's house a week or so back. They are so beautifully done. Her handwork is wonderful.

So much work in each one. They will make the quilt shine. A wonderful gift that the women of our past have passed down to us. Our hands and minds are always busy. Thank you, Joan, Joann, Vena, Juanita and all the rest. They all taught us so much more than just how to use our hands.

    This will be a good day for a pot of beans and a little cornbread on the side. Maybe throw in some fried taters to go with it. When day breaks I'll get started on that.

 I love a good pot of beans! 

I did not get my beans going. I had to go to town this morning and as most people that live in the country that turns into a half a day chore....make those trips count! Gas was $3.02 so I filled my tank up. In some parts of the state it is below $3. 

  We have several grooms this week. That's always good. I've come out of retirement to do a few here and there and to help my old instructor. She has a rough time grooming some days and so I offered to help her out. 

  Now to figure out something for dinner. Better get after it. You all have a diamond day! 

  

Been 2 weeks

  since I posted. That's how interesting my life is...lol Tim says his new job is okay. He works different hours every day. They start at 6 and when they can come to stopping point he stops. Normally between 4-6. He's getting faster on his machine.

   The weather has been wonderful. Last week we got over an inch of rain in one day and the temps fell somewhat after that. Down in the 40's at night, highs in the 60's and mid 70's for the next few days. Just beautiful! Wish I was up for some outside activity. My hip is giving me fits for the last couple of weeks too. I think it's the weather change but could be from the 8 hour bike ride. It has finally let up a tiny bit the last couple of days. Here's to hoping it quits in the next few. 

  Sad news in my little furry kid dept. The local vet thinks Hank has bone cancer and there is not much to do about it. Amputating his leg will not extend his life any so we have decided to just let it take it's course. I will take him down to see if Dennis agrees with the diagnosis. We'll go from there. 

  We made it down to see the kid for a couple of hours. I made it through it without crying over my home being gone. They will be building a new house out in the pasture. We thought of that in years past and came to the conclusion that we liked the position of the house where it was. More private. What ever suits them will be great.....I still have the memories of our time there that only God can take away. There were such cute clothes for the kids that Ann found. Brenda was smart this time and tried them on and didn't feel the need to keep them all. We'll donate back to the Echo store. They don't need anything else at least until the new house is done. They were able to save the 80-90 year old cottonwood tree. Slightly scorched but still thriving. Aiden has been through a growing spurt. Up a size in the past couple of months. He's catching the bus every day and enjoying school now that he knows some of the rules. lol 

Time for bringing in the houseplants and as usual having trouble figuring out where to put them so they will make it through the winter.

Have a diamond day!

Monday,Monday

  Tim left for work over half hour ago and I'm trying to figure out whether or not to start another pot of coffee. I've had one cup and A hasn't stirred around yet. Maybe I'll just go back to bed soon instead.
  The day ahead looks like it will be beautiful. In the 70's and sunny. Surely no complaints there. I'm hoping to have the kids come up and go through the clothes that Ann brought. There is no sense in dragging all of them down there for her to go through and dragging back what she doesn't need. Easier for them to come here the way I see it. lol
  The three of us went to the bike rally in F'ville on Saturday. Wonderful day for a ride. About 160 miles. Boy, was I whooped when we got home. We rode in the bike parade and almost made the whole thing. Had about 3 blocks to go before T's bike overheated from all the slow and stop 'n go riding. It was a good time.

 Waiting in line for the parade to start. 

 Still waiting. Was starting to get a little warm in the sun. I was dressed for the ride home not for standing around. lol That's me with pony tail if you can't tell. 

 The line of bikes goes all the way out of site and we were about mid-pack. I was nicely surprised by the number of people that were along the road to wave at us and give us thumbs up. Never dreamed. One of the ladies in front of us was throwing candy to the kids and I swear she was baiting them. Not really but a couple of times she threw the candy and the kids darted out in front of A! He had to keep a close eye on the curb! I'm glad A wanted to go. T and I would not have bothered without him wanting to ride with a large crowd just once....it was really fun. The whole area was full of bikes. It's the country's largest charitable rally with the money going to several hometown charities. And family oriented too as you can see by the young girl with her daddy in the picture above. There were several like that near our section of the parade. No nude crap going on etc. I'm sure after sundown, down town .......not up my alley at all haha. 

  I finished my quilt blocks! Have all my share of them done except the medallion for the middle. I intend to start on that today. Will be appliqueing the star Aunt Jo made to muslin. Then when my sister gets done with her share we'll start putting it together. yay! 

  Guess I better get after the rest of my diamond day! You all have a good one!