The Lumberjack's Wife

LD has always had trouble staying “on task.”  David needed the boys help outside, so the three manly men were out working for awhile.  And then I saw this out the window . . .

LD and Charlie leaping across haybales.

Auntie Datenut says they look like giant pieces Frosted Shredded Wheat cereal.

I agree.

Charlie has been doing so much better around cows lately.  Before, she would go after them and try to “herd” them.  It used to bug her if they were near the house, so she would go and chase them all into the back 40 and then come back to us, extremely proud of herself.

It was nice that she was proud of herself.  But it drove us nuts and caused anger amongst the moody cows.

Now, she walks with me and listens and does not go after them.

Let the records show:  the cows still hate her somethig fierce.  But they are learning to live together in peace and harmony.

Me:  David, I feel like Matilda has been limping lately.

David:  Yup.  I have been meaning to tell you.  It’s not good.

Me:  Oh, shoot.

Few minutes later . . .

Me:  YOU ARE NOT KILLING MATILDA.

David:  I didn’t say I was.  I just said it wasn’t good.

Sheesh.  My heart cannot take any more animal sadness.  I could go back and count all the creatures who have sadly passed from our lives this year, but that would be so depressing.

2020.  It’s been a bummer.

Matilda has been laying down in the same spot often.  And I don’t know how to fix a limping cow.  I feel like instead of a teacher, I should have become a veterinarean.  Is it too late to switch careers?

***

Well.  Yesterday we came home with these two:

Meet Norman and Niko.

Norman is HD’s Christmas present and Niko is Kate’s.

They are brothers and they are the quite sweet.  Norman is a solid guy.  He feels about five pounds heavier than Niko.

Yesterday, we fed him for the first time and he literally went hog wild.  And he actually makes piglet grunting noises.  And we know what piglet grunting noises sound like.  Because 2020 brought us 350 piglets.  But that is neither here nor there.

I was in charge of holding Norman and keeping him entertained so his much slimmer brother, Niko, could get a few bites in.

This was a challenge.

Here’s what we know:  Norman loves food.

Norman lept out of my arms and ran over to “help” Niko eat.

Charlie is doing well being a big sister.  The boy pups are good at eliminating their bladders outside instead of on the carpet.

So far, so good.

Yes, hello.  I am hiding out in the house with a very anxious pup and avoiding looking out all windows.

Why?

It is steer butchering day.

I am used to pig butchering day, and all the horror and pig screaming that entails.  But steer butchering day is macabre on a whole other level.

The blood shed.  The graphic scenes.  The machinery needed to hoist.  The size of the gut pile.

For just one animal.

Makes me want to be a vegetarian.

The other day, a friend reached out asking if anyone could hook her up with some organs for her science class.  And I was like, “Well, Yes, I can, because steer butchering day is Saturday”.  And I wonder if I am the envy of anyone, to have access to such perks as disposable organs?

So David is helping advance this gal’s pupils’ education and tossing the lungs and the heart into a bucket and meeting up with them later this very afternoon.

It is disgusting and kind of him.

And I wonder what it would look like if he got pulled over transporting a bucket of organs?  Would that be hard to explain to an officer?  Would David be viewed as “shady”?

I know not.

***

The other night, Kate came home on cloud nine.  She is planning on becoming a Nurse Practioner and got accepted into a CNA program that will start in January.  She bought her first pair of scrubs and modeled them for us.

“Do I look like a real nurse?  Like actually?  Like if I walked into the room and told you I needed to check your blood pressure would you believe that I was a nurse?”

HD:  No.

LD:  No.

Me:  YES!

She turns 18 in a couple of weeks, if anyone can believe THAT.

***

We still are unable to attend games, but I have to be honest:  I love the blessing that is LIVE STREAMING.  Sisters Meagan and Jess are now like the kids’ biggest fans.

They even have Cheerleader Dogs.

How fun is this?  And we get to live text throughout the game, as well as offer tech support to Ma.  The first game proved unsuccessful for her, as she found herself uber confused and not watching the correct game.

Last night, not only did she find the correct game, but she was able to get it to play on her TV and not just her phone.

Tonight on Maliblahblah live sports, we can watch HD at 4 and Hadley at 7.  Who needs the NBA?  I ask?

***

Last night, I had to drive uber slow because the weather turned treacherous. It is exhausting when you have to drive on bad roads, but even more so when your commute is almost an hour and you are passing by several cars that have gone off the road. When I got home, we told the girls that after their basketball game, they needed to go to my parents house (in town) and not drive home.  Well, I was asleep, because it was like 8:30 AT NIGHT, and Hadley called David.

On her way to my parents house, she went off the road and hit a tree.

David and the boys had to drive in the treachery to go and save the day.  My parents and Kate picked Hadley up and then brought her back when David arrived at the scene.

They were able to get the car to my parents house, but David says it is probably totaled.

I was trying to talk to Hadley on the phone after it happened, just trying to get an idea of what happened.  She was all flustered.

Me:  I am not mad at you.  You are not in trouble.  You didn’t do anything wrong.

Hadley:  OK

Me:  Are you hurt?

Hadley:  No

Me:  Was it scary?

Hadley:  Yeah.  Little bit.

One of the worst things about driving on bad roads is when your car is sliding and there is nothing you can do about it.  It is very scary and it has happened to me before-even while driving carefully.

So, we are dusting off the old Subaru and getting it all set up with snow tires so she can use that for the time being.

***

Charlie the puppy is my new buddy.  She is everyone’s new buddy.  We think she is lonely.

I get to work from home two days a week, which I L-O-V-E.  On my lunch break, Charlie and I go walk and check the cows, like Abbie and I used to.

I am working with her and she is doing much better listening and not chasing the cows.

She still looks like FrankenPup from all of her stitches.  We are going to the vet today to get the stitches removed.

She will probably throw up in the car, because she throws up in the car every time she goes in the car.

Anyone have any suggestions on this?

Please Advise.

Happy Weekend.

I have been subbing for a teammate the past two days at school.  Subbing looks a bit different at eSchool-and it is a lot easier.  My first grade team works very closely with each other and so if one of us needs to be out, their class can just join someone else’s and no need for sub plans.

Did you read that last sentence?  I feel it bears repeating.

NO NEED FOR SUB PLANS.

Anyways.  Taking attendance is tricky.  I am trying to engage/welcome students while marking down who is there.  I did not have a roster for the class I was subbing for, so I had to quickly try and write down everyone’s names.

Let me tell you something about first graders:  they are smarter than you might realize.

And this extra class of kiddos knows how to change their zoom names.  My kids have not figured this out yet.

I fear the new class may have inspired them.

Anyways, it is super fun to try and take attendance when a kiddo renames themself:

“iluvcoco”

Me:  Hello?  iluvcoco?  I do not know who you are?

*giggle, giggle, chuckle, chuckle*

In the morning, we take a 15 minute break.  The kids stop video and mute and this is a time to run around, go potty, eat a snack, you know-do whatever.

Well.  New kids today were unmuting during break time.  I am sure all my regular students were aghast at this behavior.

Anyways, the new kiddos were unmuting and calling out into the zoom world of darkness-

“Hello?  Is that teacher here?  Hello?”

One of my students, who is always as serious as a heart attack, turned on his video and microphone and informed them in all seriousness:

“Her NAME is Mrs. Maliblahblah.”

***

Is it a bummer that I cannot watch my kids games in person?

Yes.

But is it a bummer that I got to watch Hadley’s game in bed, and in pajamas, and then not drive an hour home afterwards?

No.

Let us think about the blessings of this ‘Rona.  Even Sisters Meagan and Jess, who live many hours away, were able to live stream Hadley’s game and watch it with us.

Because they have never been able to watch a game before.

And we live-texted the happenings of the game and I think Hadley had at least 11 points.

***

I think Charlie the puppy is a bit lonely.  Here she is anxiously waiting by the front door when she heard David pull up this evening.

And, yes.  I can say evening is 4:30.  Because it is dark here at 4.  Is it dark where you live at 4, Reader?

It is ridiculous.

David went to an auction today.  He bought a heifer.  If you must know.

***

My students and I listen to this song EVERY morning.

On a scale of 1-10, how annoyed do you think the parents are with me?

Also, I feel like when I “dance”, my belly moves just as the hippo’s belly does.

But that’s neither here nor there.

***

Happy Wednesday

David called for HD tonight.

Me:  Dude, dad wants to talk to you.

HD:  YES!  Am I getting Abbie back?

Sadly, he was not.  He was being asked to do a chore.

Bummer

A list of nice and/or sentimental things.  You know.  Amidst the sadness.

1.  There are a lot of nice people in this world.  We have been to three different vet clinics over the past couple of weeks, and each person we encountered was lovely, kind, helpful, and supportive.  Friends and aquaintances reached out with advice and support in a kind and helpful way.  It was lovely.
2. We found the most bestest family to take Abbie.  They are kind and they send pictures and updates!
3. New family brought us flowers when they came to grab Abbie.  And that is just nice. 
4. LD is so sad.  He would not come out to the car to say goodbye to Abbie.  He refuses to look at any pictures of her with her new family.
5. I was doing good not “actively” crying during the goodbye until David scratched her ears and said, “You be a good girl.”
6. Pretty much lost it.
7. Mom called today.

Mom:  How are you doing today?

Me:  Sad.

Mom:  Heard anything?

Me:  Yes.  The mama of the new family took Abbie on a walk this morning and sent a picture.  Kate told her Abbie loves to take walks around the property with me and new mama took her on one this morning.

And sent me a picture.

Mom:  No!  Don’t tell me that!  It is too sad!

Me:  Why?  It is good.  Abbie loves walks.

Mom:  Sad.

Me:  It’s ok.

8.  Kate got her first college acceptance letter.

“Mom.  I look gross.  It is late and I just got home from basketball.”

Me:  Nonsense.

9.  Hadley’s nickname is Hadley Bethie Baby Butt.  Just thought I should mention it.

10.  Because her middle name is Beth.  The rest is unexplicable.

11.  A dear friend gave me an “I’m sorry you had to say goodbye to the best dog you ever had” bottle of wine.  And that is just nice.

12.  The boys told David that Hadley is super nice to them and buys them coffee drinks before school once a week for no reason at all.

13.  So David bought Hadley a gift card to the coffee stand.

14.  Jess, of Sister Meagan and Jess fame, sent us treat/comfort money not only when we lost Tank, but also when we lost Abbie.  And that is just nice.

15.  Precious nephew sent me a video today telling me he loved me.  Do you remember precious nephew?

I haven’t seen him in awhile.  Stupid ‘Rona.

16.  Norma Jean Riley likes to eat dog food.  And it is plum confusing for me.

17.  I almost cried about four times today.  But then I didn’t.

18.  Farrier friend (FF) came and brought a steer for David tonight.  Apparently David went steer shopping and neglected to tell me about it.

19.  What else is new?

20.  I asked FF if he heard about our dog.

FF:  No?

Me:  We had to get rid of her.

FF (looking at the spaghetti sauce):  Oh.  Is that what you are cooking for dinner?

21. !

22.  He liked my spaghetti sauce.

23.  Let the records show:  it was made with BEEF.

24.  Yes.  From one of our own.

25.  1st grader:  Mrs. M?

Me:  Yes?

1st grader:  How come you never let us watch TV?

Me:  Like during class?

1st grader:  Yeah!

Me:  Um.  Because I need to teach you?

Happy Monday.

Because life is not centered around my trauma with dogs, let us talk about basketball.  Kate, Hadley, and HD are all currently playing.  LD will not play until January.

Because of the ‘Rona, we cannot watch any of their games in person.  But here is something fun:

They are live streaming games so we can watch them from the comfort of our homes.  So that’s nice.

Here’s HD on the big screen:

So, that’s something.

***

Another calf was calved.  But not from Maisy.

It was from one of the cows David bought at auction.  You know.  That wouldn’t calve until February or March?

***

Rio destroyed my Christmas decor, but still found time to pose for a picture.

“Feeling cute.  Might destroy more decor later.”

***

Guess what I learned about myself this week:  I get really attached to my animals.

Also: I loved Abbie with all my heart.

I tried everything I could.  I consulted people, vets, dog trainers, and did research.  Those two dogs could not live together anymore.

We are rehoming Abbie.

You would not believe how hard I have cried.  Every day.  For like a week.  I feel sick from crying.  It is ridiculous.  But she was my favorite.  And she loved us.

Today, she went out with David and the kids for one last session of farm and ranch chores.

I cleaned her kennel out and washed her blankets and collar.  I gathered some things for her and threw in some hot chocolate packets and a bag of mini-marshmallows.

Back when we first got Abbie, she was meant to be HD’s dog.  It was soon very clear that she loved David.

Me:  No fair!  You don’t even talk to her!  How come she loves you the most?!

David let me feel all glum about it for awhile, and then he let me in on his secret.

David:  You know how I have hot chocolate with marshmallows everynight?

Me:  Yes.

David:  I sneak her marshmallows every night.  And now she loves me.

So, I am sending her off to her new family with a supply of hot chocolate and marshmallows, hopeful she will connect quickly with them.

When she came inside, I gave her a bath.

Then she got some last minute snuggles in with everyone.

She is going to a family with 8 kids and no dogs.  This family is very excited to have her and I hope it all works out very well.  We were honest with the family and they know everything about her and why we are rehoming her.  I feel so lucky she is going with them.

But this has been so hard for me, for all of us.  This past month has just been awful with dogs.  The terrible dog fights, the emergency vet trips, the stress, and having to put down Tank a couple of weeks ago.

This is just plain awful.

She was perfect for us.

A faithful companion to each of us.

My heart is sad and my face hurts from crying.

I am going to miss her on our walks to check on the cows.  I am going to miss her excitement about going camping with us.

I am going to miss everything about her.

We were so lucky to have had her.

Something I don’t like to tell people much is that I really want to write a children’s book.  About a year ago, I decided I wanted to write a book about her, because she was so fun to watch on the farm and with David.

Me last night, sobbing like a baby:  But, David!  I was supposed to write a book about her!

David:  You still can.

Me:  Oh, but I won’t.  We all know me.

But maybe someday, I can do it.  Who knows.

I am going to miss her so much.  She was the best dog I ever had.

Seven years ago today, I wrote a post called Hating Cats for Three Days.    At that time, Mama kitty had baby kittens in the hay barn.  The kids and I enjoyed visiting them.

The kittens had gone missing.  This was back in the day when I would have never even entertained the idea of having indoor kittens.

Handsome Dude was 6 years old at the time.  Earlier that year, we had gotten a kitten and HD loved him and named him Peter.

Peter died and we didn’t know why.  Which was strangely out of character for us.  To not know.

Later on, we had gotten Mama Kitty.  Yes, the same Mama Kitty we have at our house to this very day.  Mama had kittens in the hay barn and it was very exciting for us all.  But two of the kittens had gone missing.

One night at dinner, David announced that he was moving some hay around and found two dead kittens.  At this news, 6 year old HD ran downstairs and refused to talk to anyone but me.

Here was our conversation:

Be advised: HD was six, was missing teeth, and was super hard to understand back then.

HD:  Mom.  *sob* I fink *sob* we need to sell all the cats on our property.  I don’t want them anymore.

Me:  Buddy, you love the cats.  You don’t want to sell them.

HD:  Yes, I do.  *sob*  First Peter dies, and now the two baby kitties.  That’s FREE (three) dead cats.

Me:  I know.

HD:  Since there are free (three) dead cats, I am going to hate all cats for free (three) days.

Me:  You are not making any sense.

HD:  I will hate cats for three days.

Me:  Ok.

Well.

I want to run on my bed and throw a fit now and have someone comfort me.  Because my heart is sad and I know feel as if I am going through exactly what HD was going through exactly 7 years ago today.

I want to hate all dogs for three days.  And make it all go away. I want to not be emotionally tied up in this and make a sane, logical decision.  But, I cannot.

Probably within an hour of my post last night, in which I shamelessly boasted about the gal dogs going six days without a fight . . . they got in a fight.

Things had been going well.  I had shock collars on both of them and would warn them if they were growling or acting moody.  The boys wanted Abbie to hang with them in the loft, and I had Charlie with me in my room with the door closed.  I had asked Hadley to get the boys because we needed to have a talk about the plans for tomorrow.

LD forgot to close the door and Abbie came into my room.  The gal dogs seem to now fight over dominance and space issues.  I am not sure, but they got in a fight and it was a doozy.  David was not yet home, so this kids and I tried to get them apart for what seemed like an eternity.   Hadley  and I ended up having to drive Charlie to the emergency vet clinic.  We were there for a couple of hours and then it was decided that we would leave her overnight and I would pick her up in the morning.  I was able to rework my schedule so I could drive her home today and then teach from home.

Poor, poor, poor Charlie.  She was wounded and sad.  When I walked in this morning, she was tucked away in the back, but apparently she could hear me talking and she started this new whine/howl.  It made my feelers sad.

I loaded her and we made the trek home.  I got home and set her up on the couch.

And I taught my kids and she hung out and recovered.

I was dreading writing this post.  I knew what the next chapter of my story would be, and I did not want to write it.  But, I cannot change it.  It is what it is.

David wants to get rid of Abbie.  He has reasons, and they make sense. He is probably right.  I just cannot.  To me, she was born to be our dog, to live here with us.

I love her.

And isn’t weird how attached we get to these animals?  And then I get frustrated with myself because there are so many worse things in life that  could be happening to me.

It just hurts so much.

I went on a walk on my lunch break to check on the cows.  For the time since Tank died, I had a good cry.  A real, good, hard cry.

I have no idea what to do.  I really do not.  It is not easy, but messy and horrible.  All six of us love both dogs and this will be a very hard decision for us all.

Me:  David!  Go to the library and check out every book on dog training you can find.

David:  Got it.

Later.

David:  Due to covid, I cannot go in the library.

Me:  Dang!

Later.

Me:  David!  Can you buy a muzzle?

David:  Yes.

Abbie got out of her muzzle within two minutes, I kid you not.

Me:  David!  We need to buy a basket muzzle.  Off the Amazon.

David:  Ok.

I have a lot of hope in this basket muzzle.

This is all just so perplexing to me.  They have lived together for almost a year.  What is going on?  What has changed?

We just want to do what is best.

LD, when I picked him up from school today: Ma!  How many days are there in November?

Me:  Thirty days have September, April, June, and NOVEMBER.

HD:   That’s great.  I should learn that.

Me:  I have taught it to you.

LD: That means tomorrow is December 1st.  We are going to Costco!

Me:  Nope.

HD:  Mom!  We have NO FOOD.  This is so unfair.

Me:  Bummer.  Maybe you shouldn’t eat everything ten minutes after I bring it home.

Look at me with my mean mom pants on!

***

Our farrier friend came over yesterday.  And I say “farrier friend” because he is our farrier, but more so our friend.  And do you know what a farrier is, Reader? Because I didn’t until we had horses.  A farrier is someone who comes to take care of your horses’ feet, as if horses could not be more high maintenance.

He is at least 25 years David’s senior, but I do believe they are bff.

Even though I have been nagging encouraging David to get rid of the horses for some time, he has finally decided to listen to me.

Stand down, Reader!  It is not like I hate horses.

Neigh Nay. (Yes, I know.  That was dumb) I just don’t like when the horses bully up on my newborn calves.  As they do.  And we have no need for horses.  No one here wants to ride them.  Sure, the kids THOUGHT they wanted to ride them, but that proved to be a complete and total lie.  So why keep two large creatures who only eat, poop, and bully precious calves? I ask you?

So, for reasons unbeknownst to all mankind, a fire has been lit under David’s toosh and now he is rehoming the horses.  He called our friend/farrier over to come and take care of the feet, and of course, bond.  Because, bff.

I do not know if farrier/friend wants to be mentioned in this blog.  So we will call him FF.

FF came and took care of Chico and Ruby’s feet.  And offered advice on the horses.  Chico originally came from FF as a gift to the boys, and he will just take him back home.  Ruby has some weird issues and should not be ridden, but she will be good for breeding.

When David relayed this news to me, I panicked.

Oh, yes.

Panicked.

Because did that mean we were going into the horse breeding business?

But then, Reader, I thought of my calves.  And the calves are precious and gifts from heaven.  So maybe foals will also knock my socks off?

But David does not want to breed Ruby.  He has found a loving home for her instead.  The horses will leave in the next few weeks.

About 2 years after I suggested it.

While FF was there, he assisted in the castration of two bull calves.  Hadley and I were out there with them.

They decided to castrate the bull calf that was just born.  FF is apparently a cowboy in real life, so he was just able to rope the calf and throw him to the ground.

Mama Cow did not like this one bit.  Oh, no she did not.  There was spit and snot coming out of her mouth, and she was stamping and mooing, and generally trying to communicate with us that she did not appreciate anyone roping her new baby boy and throwing him on the ground.

FF  and David were on the ground with the baby.  Mama charged at them.  I panicked and wondered how I would go on as a widow.

FF looked at the cow, stuck out his elbow and shouted, “Oh, just go!”

Wanna hear something crazy?

She did.  She just . . . went.

Then FF looked at Hadley and I and shouted for us to go and wave our arms and keep her away.

And.

It totally worked.  We just stood and waved our arms.  Oh, she was perturbed, but apparently when she sees a human waving arms, she knows she must chill.

She still wanted to kill us dead.  But she took note of the waving arms and backed off.

Next, we asked FF to give his opinion on our cow, Maisy.  David and I feel like she will birth any minute:

FF:  She doesn’t look pregnant to me.  But you never know!

I would like to take this moment to remind you that David and I, clearly, have NO IDEA what’s going on.  Ever.  The End.

***

Our dishwasher broke.  David pulled it out to try to repair it, and in doing so, damaged the counter tops.

The dishwasher is still broke.  Our microwave broke months ago.  We now need new countertops.

And Maisy isn’t even with child.

Life.  Not cheap.

***

Oh, and not to be boastful or anything, but . . .

Happy Monday!

Today, I was making my own cow Christmas ornaments.  As if you could expect anything else from me these days.  Anyways, I was “crafting”, and I use the term “crafting, quite loosely,  and LD yelled from upstairs,

“Ma!  Burrito!”

Me:  What?

LD:  Burrito!

Me:  What?

LD:  For lunch!  I want a burrito!

Me:  Oh.  Can you try asking nicer?

LD:  Can I please have a burrito for my lunch?  Thankssssss.

So, I made him two burritos.  Because I know him.  Also, he really likes when I make burritos for him.  He apparently can’t “fold them” as beautiful as I do.

David:  That kid is going to be thirty years old, living in our basement, and you will still be making him burritos for lunch.

After he ate his two burritos, he scarfed down two mini banana bread loaves.  Have I told you about the mini banana bread loaves, Reader?  I oft make them for my children.  They are a hit and a half.

You prepare your favorite banana bread recipe.  You NEVER add nuts, but you do add chocolate chips.

Instead of making it in a normal loaf pan, you divide the batter out into a mini loaf pan.

If I made normal banana bread, my kids would not eat it.

But if I make mini loaves-

They rise and call me blessed.

So he ate two burritos and two mini loaves and then a bit later I heard the air fryer going.

Me:  What is going on?

LD:  I am making dino-nugs!

Dino-nugs are the chicken nuggets in the shape of dinosaurs.  I buy the gigantor box at Costco.

Me:  Why?!

LD:  I am just so starving.

You should see me walk through Costco, or any grocery store for that matter.  I just try and find as much food as I can for as great a bargain as I can to sustain these ravenous beasts.  I now place limits on things, because apparently I am THAT kind of a mom now.

LD:  Ma!  We’re out of dino-nugs! When are you going to Costco again?

Me: I told you when I bought this box that I would not be buying another box until after December 1st.

***

I trust you all had a nice Thanksgiving, no?  Due to the novel coronavirus, we stayed home and did not go visit any family or kin.

It was weird, but nice.

We let the kids sleep in and David and I had a morning cup of coffee in the hot tub whilst admiring our herd.

Then David took the kids out to the back forty for a fun group activity called, “Pick up sticks and put them in a burn pile.”

I was on house cleaning, laundry, and food prep.

Then I tried to get everyone to watch a movie together, but that proved to be a disaster.  The boys were super annoying so I told them to just go elsewhere.  They cheered and left.  So, the girls and David and I started to watch a movie.  David put his arm around me, causing Hadley to jump up, shout,

“If you two are going to be doing THAT, then I am leaving!”

So, just David, Kate and I were left to watch the movie.  And we all three fell asleep.  Together.  On the bed.

I then realized that this was technically Kate’s “last” Thanksgiving at home.  Because she is a senior.  And I started to feel sad, but then I stopped feeling sad because it is not her “last” Thanksgiving with us.  Things might look different next year, but she’ll still be our kid.  You know?  It will all be ok.

After our nap, we had another cup of coffee, then David and I took Charlie and Abbie on a walk to explore the new land we purchased next to ours.

The girls did not fight at all and had a lovely time on their walk, finding several bones and sniffing various piles of poo.  It was a Thanksgiving miracle!

We finished up our walk by checking on all the cows and calves before going in for the night.

I found the newest calf all alone.

At that moment I knew all I wanted for Thanksgiving was to pat that little guy on the head.

It was the best.  Very fuzzy.  Very pleasant.

We came back inside and got out of our farm and ranch gear, trying to look a bit more civilized for Thanksgiving. Kate snapped this picture of me and Rio.

I love that kitten.

Reader.  Please take notice of my earrings.  Kate bought them for me.  For no reason.

Just because.

Are you wondering why I am not slaving away in the kitchen cooking a turkey for Thanksgiving?

It is because I didn’t cook a turkey for Thanksgiving.

#genius

I made an easy family favorite:  Slow cooker beef stroganoff with mashed potatoes, salad, and rolls.

We played Telestrations and had a family arm wrestling contest.  The only person I can beat is Kate.

Weakest:  Kate

Strongest:  David

The kids went in the hot tub and blasted music.  No neighbors cared and I don’t think the cows minded.  David and I had pumpkin pie and went to bed.

***

Today, I went to check on the cows.  David was gone.  He had to butcher a steer today and take it to town.

Me:  Ok, maybe I will see you around two?

David:  Oh, I hope to be home well before then.

Reader.  It is 4pm and he is not yet home.

Oh!  I found the Sectional Couch of Dreams on Craigslist, so I texted David to ask if he could please go and buy it on his way home.

David:  Well, I don’t really care, but I am covered in blood.

Me:  So, is that a no?

Sectional of Dreams was already sold, so a blood-soaked David did not terrify poor, unsuspecting city folk.

ANYWAYS.  I was on a walk, and I was in some work type clothes and I decided when I got back, I would freshen up a bit and make myself more presentable for my husband’s return.

And then I totally fell and got mud all over myself.  So, I am in sweatpants and slippers.

One of my top two favorite cows, Babs, lost her ear tag, so I am having trouble identifying which one she is.  Today on my walk, I just tried to approach cows to see if they would allow me to pet them.

Reader.  Babs is the only cow who will permit us to pet her.

Reader.  I found her.

I like her.

Check out the mud.  Can you understand why I peeled my pants off and just threw on sweatpants?

And here are the two babies.  Alive and well.

On the left is the bull calf who was born to the newer cow.  On the right is Babs’s heifer calf.

When I walk and check on my cows, I take the same route.  When I get to our fence, I turn right and go up the hill towards the house.

On the other side is the new land we just bought.  I asked David if he could put a gate there someday soon.  So I can continue my walk and make a loop.

AND HE SAID YES.

***

The whole family has committed to Team Keep Both Girl Dogs.  I am very impressed with everyone’s cooperation and focus.

We are vigilant!

We have plans in place!

We love them both!

Because I find myself to be hilarious, I created this motivational sign to help us press on towards our goal.

Me:  Look, everyone!  It says “Four Days without Incident.”  We can change the number each day!

The kids don’t find me as entertaining as I wish they did.

***

Pop Quiz:

If you found your husband’s steer butchering pants in the laundry, covered in blood and other mystery substances, how many times would you run them through the washing machine on the “Sanitize with Oxi” setting?

Three.  The correct answer is three.