tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18837844630348391142024-02-18T21:37:28.940-05:00Tales of the Flying LadySarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14010761145756794447noreply@blogger.comBlogger13125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1883784463034839114.post-21223713787327722162015-07-05T18:57:00.002-04:002015-07-05T18:57:57.495-04:00The 4th with FriendsWell, the title isn't quite accurate. It was actually the 3rd, but for us it was our 4th of July celebration cause we just drove on the real 4th. So just play along with me and let it be the 4th with friends. It has a better ring anyway.<br />
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We left the house Tuesday last week. With it being a holiday week, things weren't ideal as far as loads. Independence Day wasn't till Saturday, but a lot of stuff was closing on Friday. So we ended up with a long weekend.<br />
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There were 2 good things about so much time to get our weekend load to it's destination. First, we have been able to take our time getting over here, and ease back into work, rather than hitting it hard and exhausting ourselves right off.<br />
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And as it so happened, the route took us through the part of Nebraska where Malcolm did a lot of his growing up, and right past the home of some friends. So Malcolm gave them a call and since they were going to be home, we planned to stop and visit.<br />
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These guys are more than just old family friends. They also are involved in trucking, hauling cattle around the mid-west mostly. So Malcolm stays in touch with them, visiting on the phone frequently, and we occasionally run into them out on the road.<br />
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These guys stay really busy. They are either on the road, or bustling around the ranch working. This weekend they were busy hauling in their hay, and working on stuff at home. We arrived just in time to hop in the pickup and go check cows with Boyd.<br />
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It was maybe a 30 minutes drive I guess, out away from everything. Out to the quiet where you can hear the wind in the prairie grass, and the meadowlarks, and the Earth. We drove the pickup out to the pasture, and then the guys took the horses out to check the cows...<br />
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...while I chose to soak in the peace and quiet. I was offered the chance to go on the ride out, but I was wearing sneakers instead of boots and figured the guys would enjoy the time more like this.<br />
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Don't feel sorry for me. The chance to walk out across the pasture, all alone, and just soak it in is awesome!!! I used to do that all the time when we lived in Montana. I haven't had the chance to stand in the midst of the grass and be the only living soul in sight in almost 3 years!!! It was like spreading a soothing balm on the skin.<br />
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I walked around a bit, admired some flowers, got exited about finding a prickly pear cactus in bloom...<br />
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...admired the explorations and singing of a lark bunting. I've missed those little birds, and he sang me several long choruses of their beautiful song. And I found a good spot to just sit in the grass and let the sun bake my head and feel the Earth. Tennessee is wonderful and beautiful and I have no doubt that God has set us there because we belong there. But there is <i>nothing </i>like being out on the prairie, and I'm pretty sure it will always own part of my soul.<br />
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My favorite picture from the day:<br />
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These were blooming here and there. I dug around on the internet the day after our visit and I think they are probably "Prickly Poppies."<br />
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I did finally get on the horse just as they guys finished riding back in from checking the second group of cows. Sneakers or not, I couldn't pass up the chance to get on a horse, even it was only for a few minutes.<br />
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Back at the house, Jarred had got some ribs going on the smoker and the guys fixed us an awesome dinner! It was one of the best meals we've had in a while, including what I cooked at home. Boyd's youngest son, and his girlfriend joined us too, and we all sat around visiting while the ribs cooked.<br />
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After dinner, we visited a bit longer, and then it was time to get going. All in all, it was a delightful way to spend the day. You can't beat good company in a pleasant environment, doing things you enjoy doing, and coming home to some great food!<br />
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So a big thanks to Boyd and Jarred for a wonderful day! It was a treat! Maybe one of these days they will get down to Tennessee and we can return the favor!<br />
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<br />Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14010761145756794447noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1883784463034839114.post-82671569466386962882015-06-28T15:02:00.001-04:002015-06-28T15:02:27.281-04:00HomeHome is where the heart is, truly! I enjoy our time on the road, and when we are home, there are certain aspects of our road life that I miss. But deep down, and always, my heart is at home.<br />
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We've been here since the end of May. We came home for first cutting of hay. See, we truck for a living, but both our hearts are more in farming. And so what started as cutting a little hay for our horses turned into a side business which gives us an outlet for our love for farming.<br />
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We bale enough round bales to meet our needs,<br />
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and then we square bale the rest and put it up for sale.<br />
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We've learned that first cutting can be tricky because it's still raining quite a bit here in June. Last year we had a hard time getting the hay up before it got rained on. So this year, we sat back and tried to take things slower. It meant a longer haying period, but we succeeded in getting all our hay ground put up rain free! And maybe to some that seems like not a big deal, but considering how the weather goes around here, I feel like we accomplished something grand! And even better, we sold almost all of it, so we have very little to store in the barn. Best of all, we already have orders for most of second cutting in August! There is a demand for square bales and not many people putting them up around here anymore, which works in our favor. And we're starting to have repeat customers. Our goal is to eventually have it all sold in pre-orders before it's even cut. And we're almost there!<br />
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With the rain that was coming and going, we'd get a field or two cut, dried, baled and picked up, and then have a few days before we could cut the next one. So we filled our time with other pursuits. Malcolm worked on the equipment, tinkered in his shop, and enjoyed relaxing in the evenings.<br />
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I have spent the days doing all the things I love and enjoy and dream about while I'm driving. I worked in the flower beds, pruning, weeding, planting, and admiring.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">bee balm - mom gave me a little bit from her garden last year and now I have a large patch of it</td></tr>
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I worked on and finished a quilt top that I had started this winter. And enjoyed that so much that I've been fiddling with a couple other quilt projects that I had started over the years and not yet finished.<br />
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We had guests a few times, for lunch, for the day, and some special girls and their grandparents came and stayed overnight, enjoying much farm fun during their time here.<br />
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When we got home the weather was unseasonably cool for early summer, and I was outside as much as possible. And then it immediately turned unseasonably hot for early summer, and I stayed indoors as much as possible, sneaking out to soak in the rare moments of comfortable air.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXwS9RCmSWGjSYalm7ih42gcY3P0Zdwi8dWsaUxPlG7uomq7JJRkaNlKULBZdf5hyphenhyphenL0nGY-ZJpy5aK4F0T8o3G2vB2HLjZSAQqdnJcQ3S_OI3fxC5Ojl9cWw7jDq_-K8KI7jSZCaX3EZ0/s1600/20150611_200353.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXwS9RCmSWGjSYalm7ih42gcY3P0Zdwi8dWsaUxPlG7uomq7JJRkaNlKULBZdf5hyphenhyphenL0nGY-ZJpy5aK4F0T8o3G2vB2HLjZSAQqdnJcQ3S_OI3fxC5Ojl9cWw7jDq_-K8KI7jSZCaX3EZ0/s640/20150611_200353.jpg" width="360" /></a></div>
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And of course I spent lots and lots of time enjoying the horses. I miss them when we are gone, so even just standing and looking at them makes me very happy. I seem to do that a lot.<br />
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One of the most exciting things that happened around here this month is that Duke bred the mares! I'm pretty positive that Reba is bred. Fancy came back in heat after breeding and Duke didn't seem to have much interest in her the second time around. So she may still be open, but I'm hoping they took care of business when I wasn't watching. Time will tell! Either way I'll be happy. I'd love to have a Fancy foal again, but I'm really eager to see a Reba baby! It will be her first, and she should foal sometime around May 19. It's going to be a long 11 months of waiting for me!</div>
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Can't you see the pretty babies standing in this picture in your imagination? If Fancy foals it will be prettily painted for sure. She's homozygous for the tobiano gene. So I'll get a painted baby from her regardless. With Duke and Reba it's a little trickier. They both are half paint/half quarter horse. (for those that don't know, you can breed American Paint horses to Quarter horses or Thoroughbreds and still register the foals as American Paint horses. All American Paint horses are descended from "crop out" quarter horses and thoroughbreds, or horses that were not allowed in those registries because they were born with unwanted white markings. But some people liked those markings and started their own registry, which became the American Paint horse breed. So all American Paint horses are essentially quarter horse and thoroughbred descendants. Now you know...maybe more than you cared about.)<br />
So back to what I was saying....trickier with Duke and Reba's foal. They each carry a solid gene and a paint gene, and each will contribute one or the other to the foal. So we could end up with a solid baby. What I'm hoping for is a roan paint! That would be my first favorite choice. But we all know that when that baby hits the ground, I'm going to love it no matter what it looks like.<br />
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All this stuff we've been doing has been so fun. But one of the best and most important things we've kept busy with was spending time with family. June has been an eventful month for our family. I haven't shared on here yet about what's been going on, and I may do that at some point, but I'll keep it brief for now.<br />
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First, my nephew was born in March with some rather serious heart defects that needed attention. He had his first open heart surgery at 9 days old and it went well. The surgeon had planned to wait till he was 2 or 3 years for his second heart repair surgery, but Tyson wasn't able to wait that long. So on June 18th he had his second surgery. It was a tad scary and known to be risky, but it went really well and the recovery has been amazing and just a little over a week later, he's about to go home! Praise God! I'd got to visit him once when he was just a few weeks old. And mom and I drove to Nashville the week before his second surgery to visit and I got to hold him for the first time. Me and this kid are going to have a lot of fun together!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">a great big thank you to the staff at Vanderbilt Children's Hospital for all your love, caring, and hard work to save this boy's life!<br />
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The day we arrived home, actually still on our way home that morning, we got the news that my mom had been diagnosed with breast cancer, and that it was aggressive and the whole first couple weeks was kind of overwhelming with information and how fast they dove into treating it and just everything. We hadn't really ever been through anything like this in our family before. It's been a lot at once. But Mom's doing really great, the chemo is working like it's supposed to, and there's been more good news than bad recently. So where I had planned to stay home when it was time to go back to work, I feel comfortable now heading back onto the road with Malcolm. And I know if I'm needed, he can get me back here in good time.<br />
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I have two links for you. If anyone who reads this wants to keep up with my nephew's story and progress, my sister is keeping everyone updated through her blog, <a href="http://meaganslens.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">My Lens on Life</a>. </div>
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And my mom had started a new blog right before her diagnosis. She planned to write about her gardening and other activities, but now she's added to it and is writing about her journey with cancer. Her blog is <a href="http://rabbitvalleygardener.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Rabbit Valley Gardner</a>.</div>
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Our house has it's centennial birthday sometime this year. We don't know when it was built exactly, just that it was 1915. We've started a Facebook page for the farm where we can share a few pictures, and let people know when we have hay available for sale, or other things of interest. If you want to, check out <a href="https://www.facebook.com/ThatchFarm?ref=hl" target="_blank">Thatch Farm</a> on Facebook, just follow the link.</div>
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It's almost time to get breakfast and then get ready for church. That's another thing we've been doing while home. I've missed and longed for a church family for years. Growing up we always attended services and Sunday school nearly every week. It was a big part of my childhood and I benefited from it tremendously. We've visited a few churches off and on, more off than on, through the years. But this year I decided that I really needed church! And right about that same time, we went to one fairly close to home and it just feels right to be there. Sunday morning is something I look forward to all week, and I know I'll miss it when we're on the road. I enjoy so much the opportunity to worship our Lord with other Christians, and also to fellowship. That's something I want to do more of. Now that we think we've found the church where we belong, I'm looking forward to getting to know the people better, to building some relationships and friendships, and getting involved, at least as much as I can when I'm here.</div>
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So I'm off to fix something to eat, and start this beautiful day. Church, lunch, visiting with family, and then it's time to pack the truck because the road is calling us back out. </div>
Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14010761145756794447noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1883784463034839114.post-17449016301305074552015-05-14T14:08:00.001-04:002015-05-14T14:08:05.622-04:00Cloudy SkiesBusy is the word to describe the last two weeks, which is a blessing and what we were hoping for. But it means I become a slacker in other areas, especially updating this blog.<br />
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Not much of interest to share now either. Just the two of us, sitting in a parking lot, waiting for a call and a load. We are in Virginia and hope to work our way home from here. Time to start haying! More importantly, just plain time to go home for the sake of our sanity.<br />
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I do have some pictures to share though.<br />
A week ago today, we were loading in Oklahoma. And it was a week ago on Wednesday, that they had all those nasty storms and tornadoes. And Thursday was still rather rocky in the weather department.<br />
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We started our day in Fort Smith, AR delivering, and the skies didn't look too friendly as we were pulling out.<br />
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Maybe for most, the potential for bad weather is a cause for concern, but I'm weird in that I'm a bit of a nut for storms! The sight of ominous gray clouds gives me a little adrenaline rush, although, I was hoping for smooth sailing. I wanted to admire while making good time. </div>
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A little ways into Oklahoma and it was looking more promising for an easy ride.</div>
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We loaded fertilizer in Muskogee and after getting some fuel and food in Billings, OK, Malcolm went to bed and I headed north into Kansas. </div>
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I was deep into my audio book when I reached Wichita and things turned ugly.</div>
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Seems like if I get into bad weather, it likes to happen when I'm also getting into traffic. So here at this point, I got off the toll road and headed up through Wichita, right on the cusp of the going home rush. The temperature dropped 17 degrees in a mile and a half, and the buckets fell out of the sky at about the same time. To add to all this pleasurable fun, the windows fogged over and the defroster chose that moment to go on one of it's strikes (it's a problem we've been trying to figure out and finally have it fixed now...now that we probably won't need it for several months). </div>
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So there I am, thickening traffic, torrential down pour, completely fogged over windows, my driver and passenger side windows rolled down half way trying to compensate for a failing defroster, and my face getting pinging with pea size hail and rain water. Such fun!</div>
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Not so much of a storm lover at that moment! </div>
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Fortunately it was one of those intense but short deals. A few miles later I had gotten north of it. It looked a lot uglier in my mirrors but I couldn't get pictures of that. Storms seem to look a lot more nasty on their backsides than when your in front, as I would rediscover later in the day.</div>
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Onward we roll, because we are more determined to get the job done that even the post office. You know that whole "neither snow or rain or wind or flu...." however it goes. Yeah, that's Johnson Trucking's motto. Sometimes I question it's logic.</div>
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About a half hour later I was off the interstate and on the two lanes, and on a route I'd never taken which is always a thrill for me, as I shared in the previous post. It doesn't happen that much anymore!</div>
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It was still over cast, but patchy, and I was thinking, "I'm in the clear." Then the road would turn and I'd think, "not so clear." Then another turn, and ....those two lanes wind quite a bit even when they look straight on the map. So it was back and forth in my mind for a while as I watched two more little rain storms in the distance, trying to judge whether or not I was going to get rained on or not.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiZ3n5f-mCWZYx_gvrp952DmA-X_5DEO5JvkY8dyOdOe1uQjSHgGleqJE4Fw40gCgIX68k7I0GWyKyOzycEV9CbNeamtZI8fYmP47UguXgtPtueXAqujVcOd6ZZ6QXbwmiE-vdYgilJaU/s1600/20150507_192248.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiZ3n5f-mCWZYx_gvrp952DmA-X_5DEO5JvkY8dyOdOe1uQjSHgGleqJE4Fw40gCgIX68k7I0GWyKyOzycEV9CbNeamtZI8fYmP47UguXgtPtueXAqujVcOd6ZZ6QXbwmiE-vdYgilJaU/s640/20150507_192248.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Really didn't look like much. I figured if I did end up under it, I'd just get wet and it would be brief. No big deal.</div>
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But a little further down the road I was still trying to guess if I was going to get into it or not, and it was looking a tad bit more like a little bit bigger deal.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBn0jvIy9-mNJP0CKd3PRpOg19qgOXrNO2sc4ArJbrezJ5Izocu1a3hmBuJzcBZo2Sjcx7YYImBX6lJ7f9clgB6V5fp-GZ2YvhsGDj5fKkX-YkkcYIX1vXPooTTX5I2KqkrchbCKdl-lM/s1600/20150507_195853.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBn0jvIy9-mNJP0CKd3PRpOg19qgOXrNO2sc4ArJbrezJ5Izocu1a3hmBuJzcBZo2Sjcx7YYImBX6lJ7f9clgB6V5fp-GZ2YvhsGDj5fKkX-YkkcYIX1vXPooTTX5I2KqkrchbCKdl-lM/s640/20150507_195853.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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And there was this AWESOME pull off just ahead of where I took this picture, right on the lake, with room for a truck or three to fit, and I was DYING to park and do a little storm watching. But I really didn't want to disturb Malcolm because he'd been so tired when he went to bed. </div>
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So onward, ever onward.</div>
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I had just skimmed the north side of the storm clouds and right as I was getting around behind them, right as I was reaching the intersection where I had to turn north which would put the storm out of my line of vision, Malcolm woke up and told me to pull off on the wide shoulder so we could switch drivers. </div>
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It was PERFECT timing!!! Because right as I pulled off on the shoulder, I looked off to the south, but really not that far south, and the sky had done THIS!</div>
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Pretty cool isn't it? </div>
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Here's the other end of it.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn5SAMk3_4vXxMpjTUiw94WBGm0ng6rDLsNIIc2jMN_yOb8lGg6uZqrH6PU23J0Ag7hJbtXKqs6hKx_lISKDF_fN-JIaomMcghIg5fCCte4oeA3K7hWy0Bpq88m1iJXjuaCZBX3QVuIQw/s1600/20150507_202308.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn5SAMk3_4vXxMpjTUiw94WBGm0ng6rDLsNIIc2jMN_yOb8lGg6uZqrH6PU23J0Ag7hJbtXKqs6hKx_lISKDF_fN-JIaomMcghIg5fCCte4oeA3K7hWy0Bpq88m1iJXjuaCZBX3QVuIQw/s640/20150507_202308.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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We stood on the shoulder enjoying the breeze and listening to meadowlarks and cows and admiring this beautiful wicked ugly thing. A few minutes later another truck pulled off and the driver got out to watch and talk to Malcolm. </div>
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I've never seen anything like this. And it kept changing, getting more defined and changing shape.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPDVtqqFTCHGu3RiIS51Jo54h1MNn3rVHXnNjmPRHov_tTKv1WxVrqfcuAnsvfoKVnW9UJQMjlc_jCT0HBDlCGzHdlB7zPLdHyWW8rmEbCteGV7pyhU11VJq_bvvL4d1TQjWiVtkRdYvg/s1600/20150507_202629.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="340" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPDVtqqFTCHGu3RiIS51Jo54h1MNn3rVHXnNjmPRHov_tTKv1WxVrqfcuAnsvfoKVnW9UJQMjlc_jCT0HBDlCGzHdlB7zPLdHyWW8rmEbCteGV7pyhU11VJq_bvvL4d1TQjWiVtkRdYvg/s640/20150507_202629.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Little clouds would form almost at the ground, out of no where, and rise up into it. And formations would appear and just as quickly, like blink your eyes quick, they would seem to vanish.</div>
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Then this appeared, for about 2 minutes. Maybe it was, maybe it wasn't, but for the first time I have a clear image of what Laura Ingalls Wilder was seeing when she talks in her Little House books about seeing a finger descend from the clouds towards the earth and withdraw. It may not have been the real thing but it looked close enough to it to make me stand there captivated, watching to see what it would do...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja27VcZEYGk2Lz5dWK239z5vQLcRLE13woiGMly3sSSJrx-CA2BW1tcE-6lhNtyDO6bw59j5U9cW5EX3Q6zKGTaZqKCEdY2r657zrPEkztqdAtCIE5HCmOVz744qPMAcNmsbpH57bnQFA/s1600/20150507_202654-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja27VcZEYGk2Lz5dWK239z5vQLcRLE13woiGMly3sSSJrx-CA2BW1tcE-6lhNtyDO6bw59j5U9cW5EX3Q6zKGTaZqKCEdY2r657zrPEkztqdAtCIE5HCmOVz744qPMAcNmsbpH57bnQFA/s640/20150507_202654-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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...which was disappear into the cloud. Probably for the best.</div>
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We probably stood there and watched for a good half hour. The other driver finally drove off, which I appreciated because he'd left his truck running which was drowning out the meadowlarks, and wind whispers, and distant thunder.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUWHo6fWp-mk0gZ2JSSHATWfHn3Slt2IxRpYUUiKDnqpaIijnUQ6xqiSYziZ6Vc_lXWobX5S3KQ74wnkSFucHzDJ3OA1uQL2nGK4JMHNBz1EtAnlhU8im_Lf6ozkUMclwm9hCPIMbmqQI/s1600/20150507_202805.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUWHo6fWp-mk0gZ2JSSHATWfHn3Slt2IxRpYUUiKDnqpaIijnUQ6xqiSYziZ6Vc_lXWobX5S3KQ74wnkSFucHzDJ3OA1uQL2nGK4JMHNBz1EtAnlhU8im_Lf6ozkUMclwm9hCPIMbmqQI/s640/20150507_202805.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I was captivated. I'm probably crazy. I've wanted to see a tornado on the plains for.....forever! (from a safe admirable distance knowing that no one was getting hurt of course) This wasn't the day, but it's about as close as I've ever come. There was so much movement in the clouds. The lower level of that odd line moving one direction, and the upper level moving in the opposite direction, just slowly churning there in the sky. And the whole thing was nearly stationary so we had lots of time to watch. It didn't seem in a hurry to go anywhere, which I suppose means those poor farmers to the south were getting pounded.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-OTvrqTvmel4CIdGsEtRgMAI1rslflwbXBSghZqhg7sTNQrjatnpQzfQ-1OUX2G7f63raGZ94AmBwRU_waK49_c6C0sZovQJO1qkhJ1IUnNyNdc_yhWfbhfN7Dwybq7igSvp2I8Twlb8/s1600/20150507_203532.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-OTvrqTvmel4CIdGsEtRgMAI1rslflwbXBSghZqhg7sTNQrjatnpQzfQ-1OUX2G7f63raGZ94AmBwRU_waK49_c6C0sZovQJO1qkhJ1IUnNyNdc_yhWfbhfN7Dwybq7igSvp2I8Twlb8/s640/20150507_203532.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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It was moving towards the east and was safely south of us, but eventually we were getting hit with an icy cold wind and we were starting to get random little rain drops, so we decided to get in the truck and pull out before the hail arrived. </div>
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It seemed like the drama was winding down anyway. As we pulled away, the clouds were stacking up instead of stretching out, and looked like they were kind of disintegrating.</div>
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<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD4Rae1NSHllqT9j7L8JwoRSspHBk8kE4CRzylYjf0CoV2dUv1qmuJYDjz9B4uX5DBQ7Zc7jLxnu5szZ0LnQJAeryNfuV-04Qtv1XhNrY6Pt1GgaIWmvF9WcZJeNR108SfO2CnqARB9Ro/s1600/20150507_204853.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD4Rae1NSHllqT9j7L8JwoRSspHBk8kE4CRzylYjf0CoV2dUv1qmuJYDjz9B4uX5DBQ7Zc7jLxnu5szZ0LnQJAeryNfuV-04Qtv1XhNrY6Pt1GgaIWmvF9WcZJeNR108SfO2CnqARB9Ro/s640/20150507_204853.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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We were headed north towards Nebraska and the storm was headed east towards Osborn, KS. Hopefully all they got was some rain. </div>
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An hour or so later, we enjoyed a Kansas sunset under mostly clear skies.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvWNCNz5W9DR4Y7TtcyoAoOErxavfotEEDXsjtoS6JsIrGG1Erm71Em6EPoYEx39GDsT-TQr0Kg8XwzKspL8o6lV78HfCliLo953c2Zxo4GnnhUoHtEAPA-teV8nswGu1IEuINR-nyxUY/s1600/20150507_213010-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvWNCNz5W9DR4Y7TtcyoAoOErxavfotEEDXsjtoS6JsIrGG1Erm71Em6EPoYEx39GDsT-TQr0Kg8XwzKspL8o6lV78HfCliLo953c2Zxo4GnnhUoHtEAPA-teV8nswGu1IEuINR-nyxUY/s640/20150507_213010-1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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And we parked shortly afterwards and went to bed. </div>
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The rest of the weekend, all the way to Washington, was windy, and it snowed on us in Wyoming, which I find rather insulting in May. But I was thankful it was just flurries because I know after we left they got a lot more than that. It was doubly insulting to wake up Sunday morning near Butte to discover it was 23 degrees. Summer is so slow to come out there sometimes. Or rather, Winter fight a long, but thankfully losing, battle to hang on. </div>
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So, now you know. I'm an idiotic storm watcher who stands on the side of the road gawking at violent storm clouds and just barely containing my giddy joy. Didn't get to see a prairie tornado this time, but it may still happen for me one of these days.</div>
Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14010761145756794447noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1883784463034839114.post-29435210511674361122015-04-25T16:57:00.000-04:002015-04-25T16:57:04.771-04:00April Showers and Mountain Views<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This time last week we were in southern Michigan heading towards our morning delivery destination in Ludington. Since then we've been down to Oklahoma, and then from there into western Colorado and up to Idaho, where we are now sitting. We stayed busy, up till yesterday morning. But this </div>
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weekend is kind of a dud. We did a little piddly load last night, 250 miles across Idaho, and delivered this morning. Now we can't reload till Monday morning over in Oregon. </div>
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But that's OK. A break is nice once in a while, and it give us time to catch up on things that aren't as easy to do when we're hurrying down the road. Things like blogging, and napping which is what's going on at the moment. I'm blogging, and everyone else is napping. This is how I get my "alone" time on the road. Put everyone else to bed and close the curtain between the sleeper and the cab. </div>
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The weather was perfectly cooperative this week. We got to admire the April showers and Spring storms while avoiding being in them. This one was coming up over the Rockies just south of Colorado Springs. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo9avP8-W5QKZT6SCPV-sQQd79F3Uciznuk7FQGZHNYQFpRpNORDTqvEoulsHIPvlGqOjB7kdIr_uMovESxd83uewKml_25Dq-f9lONHO6uvJJwJBRWM6iPVhRmU9uDFLEVIQG8Gdc9fE/s1600/20150422_200930-1-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo9avP8-W5QKZT6SCPV-sQQd79F3Uciznuk7FQGZHNYQFpRpNORDTqvEoulsHIPvlGqOjB7kdIr_uMovESxd83uewKml_25Dq-f9lONHO6uvJJwJBRWM6iPVhRmU9uDFLEVIQG8Gdc9fE/s1600/20150422_200930-1-2.jpg" height="266" width="640" /></a></div>
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We were bouncing down to Monte Vista, CO for a morning reload. A little while later, when we got off the interstate and headed west, the clouds and late evening lighting were playing with each other. Evening will always be my favorite time of day for pictures.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIDk00n63wwl_J-W-A0gXhyphenhyphenVYo7uAnE-5NGNVuXmgwuJaitoWJTWppuuMe5rj_BhpCYe8uvH_8zsUKnmlZ0gxlAKU2gs43wBeVlLkCC4x76qL5rv2TWtPpuTVdu3kLDhZUbkYrGPCDZUQ/s1600/20150422_204137.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIDk00n63wwl_J-W-A0gXhyphenhyphenVYo7uAnE-5NGNVuXmgwuJaitoWJTWppuuMe5rj_BhpCYe8uvH_8zsUKnmlZ0gxlAKU2gs43wBeVlLkCC4x76qL5rv2TWtPpuTVdu3kLDhZUbkYrGPCDZUQ/s1600/20150422_204137.jpg" height="360" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4uxr7cypfNjGkYQAFPUvSygN4dKqAp0CW7vvyunrBvMRpZEQLKkqnJbDlRsA5eE3Nl4liSs30spzKp-66SXupgKLwHob4a1eCxdl7OjVxvKNzMOFOSoNuwzVJPXKX197gUsbx3rPn7bA/s1600/20150422_204417-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4uxr7cypfNjGkYQAFPUvSygN4dKqAp0CW7vvyunrBvMRpZEQLKkqnJbDlRsA5eE3Nl4liSs30spzKp-66SXupgKLwHob4a1eCxdl7OjVxvKNzMOFOSoNuwzVJPXKX197gUsbx3rPn7bA/s1600/20150422_204417-1.jpg" height="266" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1Hb0kRIQ_X9N5YnspJR2CwUCc07ZjVic_rt-fyZAQ7bMIu71ecgCj2KOaduM5HPVfCpWey7scYBIANRnoo3d1S04RZDTxyoyLSRASB0vC-q1qwxmcXoHokZS59reC3dWCzWQ0QgYQ2DE/s1600/20150422_204545-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1Hb0kRIQ_X9N5YnspJR2CwUCc07ZjVic_rt-fyZAQ7bMIu71ecgCj2KOaduM5HPVfCpWey7scYBIANRnoo3d1S04RZDTxyoyLSRASB0vC-q1qwxmcXoHokZS59reC3dWCzWQ0QgYQ2DE/s1600/20150422_204545-1.jpg" height="240" width="640" /></a></div>
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The next morning, after loading in Monte Vista, we headed north up the two lanes into the mountains and towards Utah. But before we left the valley, I tried to get a few more pictures. Those crystal clear skies of the evening before had given way to haziness. I only ended up with one I really liked, and I hit the shutter button a split second too soon, so I only ended up with half of the three horses. But I liked the reflection in the water, so I kept it.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6I74TiY8IeRfMiC1awFvAqV6ty8z-VCy5zg6twzTMCW8oN8xeYbqfSbyHGD1p4ZbaLgfTsPBlu9FBimzskra2YbGe5LFj_qpihM7Le_zEOyv1kQPPu0lvCkZOCq9yVOylA6-C61ElBPQ/s1600/20150423_134304-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6I74TiY8IeRfMiC1awFvAqV6ty8z-VCy5zg6twzTMCW8oN8xeYbqfSbyHGD1p4ZbaLgfTsPBlu9FBimzskra2YbGe5LFj_qpihM7Le_zEOyv1kQPPu0lvCkZOCq9yVOylA6-C61ElBPQ/s1600/20150423_134304-1.jpg" height="466" width="640" /></a></div>
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Taking pictures while zipping down bumpy roads has it's challenges to be sure. Timing being a big one.</div>
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We delivered our Colorado barley in Blackfoot, ID yesterday morning, and then sat most of the day waiting to see what would come up for the weekend. Something eventually did, though not what we had hoped. Still, like I said, weekends like this give us a chance to catch up on other stuff. </div>
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We pulled out of Blackfoot Friday evening and headed down to a fertilizer plant near Soda Springs, ID. On the way there, on US 30, we crossed Fish Creek Summit. It's a spot where the view is awesome, no matter the time of year! I always enjoy that particular view.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU-WrslOMfjfpX2jXapePaEcrtRnpKPDwPZ2s6Rpm0pTa6VyAXdQO0WMpM6hPF7vE3riYeHnEQKLt16wZ8Dkq4VwEhrXBdOoEWtj6Npo7_txFgwsrtsAp8Pw3q4yafhDH7hNRIJ8SjtzE/s1600/20150424_182736.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU-WrslOMfjfpX2jXapePaEcrtRnpKPDwPZ2s6Rpm0pTa6VyAXdQO0WMpM6hPF7vE3riYeHnEQKLt16wZ8Dkq4VwEhrXBdOoEWtj6Npo7_txFgwsrtsAp8Pw3q4yafhDH7hNRIJ8SjtzE/s1600/20150424_182736.jpg" height="360" width="640" /></a></div>
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Yesterday evening there was some kind of system moving through. We were just behind it, which we appreciated when we noticed the slushy snow in the grass along the wet road. Nice to admire the drama of the storms again while avoiding their effects. Things looked more ominous from the valley floor, but we never got into anything more than an intense, but brief rain shower while we were loading.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmcQ2YIharW8Bd7HGXLwQnSBZ_c8j1uhkojiJJc1bIqir52sRKSkVWblWSYQDgel9Gzftjhyphenhyphenqa4hesbpiyAt7tlqnRWrb6USIbnjjUzbqvl6iQHvcj6O_EWDsegTymNA-CeWXH6eK1FMk/s1600/20150424_183302.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmcQ2YIharW8Bd7HGXLwQnSBZ_c8j1uhkojiJJc1bIqir52sRKSkVWblWSYQDgel9Gzftjhyphenhyphenqa4hesbpiyAt7tlqnRWrb6USIbnjjUzbqvl6iQHvcj6O_EWDsegTymNA-CeWXH6eK1FMk/s1600/20150424_183302.jpg" height="360" width="640" /></a></div>
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Again, evening light....always my favorite. And when it comes to storm clouds, that angle of the evening sun always makes things look so much more dramatic than they really are. And more beautiful!</div>
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During all that waiting yesterday, one good thing did happen. A rather awesome thing actually, and the big event of the week that we'd been looking forward to for a long time!</div>
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Yesterday we paid off the truck! </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6PNek3zRigRi16xzWHa2Usa2_UlVt92y9LE0GHvMz6wQ2T3nrW8V6HCGVqZq0TIT4BSWw0gWG6AYR-AWOqLvIVjvZ0u8O6qNlVFY-3Tt0um4KZ8FE9PJL8Z5J_-QGVK_2Td1fd10aqHs/s1600/truck.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6PNek3zRigRi16xzWHa2Usa2_UlVt92y9LE0GHvMz6wQ2T3nrW8V6HCGVqZq0TIT4BSWw0gWG6AYR-AWOqLvIVjvZ0u8O6qNlVFY-3Tt0um4KZ8FE9PJL8Z5J_-QGVK_2Td1fd10aqHs/s1600/truck.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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And it feels so good to have that done! One huge step closer to financial freedom!</div>
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At the beginning of the year I had told friends that 2015 was going to be a big year for us, and this was part of it. I expect it to just get better as we keep moving forward. </div>
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Four more weeks and then home to hay! Can't wait!</div>
Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14010761145756794447noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1883784463034839114.post-43657881899479358822015-04-19T10:11:00.000-04:002015-04-19T10:12:10.848-04:00Something NewIt's not that often that we get to go down new roads. Not saying that we've traveled all the roads there are to travel. It's just that having been doing this for a number of years, and working with the same broker for most of that, we have lots of customers we haul for, but they tend to be the same ones, or in the same areas. So new roads are rare and a treat.<br />
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This past week we were north of Seattle delivering and we had to get over to Wenatchee, WA to pick up apples. We decided to take a shortcut on US 2 across Steven's Pass instead of sticking to the interstates. I was happy about this for 2 reasons: it's such a novelty to get to see new areas, and I'll do anything to avoid Seattle. I simply do not like driving around that city.<br />
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So turns out, US 2, or that segment of it, is breath takingly beautiful! It quickly earned it's way onto my top favorite drives list. For my local friends from Chattanooga, it's like the drive up through Ocoee, but about 100 times grander!<br />
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We spent the night in Wenatchee with the windows open. I love when the weather is the right temperatures that we can turn the truck off and sleep with the windows open. I didn't think, though, about the three hundred million blooming apple trees that fill the valley there. So I've been battling a bit of an allergy/sinus thing for a few days since. Essential oils to the rescue and I'm finally getting over it!<br />
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This was our view as we sat in construction traffic waiting to leave Wenatchee and head to Michigan with our apples.<br />
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We could have actually taken US 2 nearly all the way from Wenatchee to the delivery in Michigan. This is one of those loads where things got messed up and we have too much time to get it done. The extra time would have been idea for a 2 lane excursion, but it also provided the time to stop in Billings, MT and pick up some horse mineral I've been wanting to try, and so we decided to stay on the big roads.<br />
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I got my mineral and can't wait to get home with it...in 5 more weeks. (I'm dying with impatience to get home, but what's new.)<br />
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The weather has treated us quite nicely this trip across. Warm but not too warm, no rain, and the North Dakota wind even treated us decently.<br />
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We are down to our last 300 miles, so today we will get around Chicago, and then find a place later this afternoon for the girls to get out of the truck and run.<br />
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This next week has to be a faster paced week though. I know when we're busy I complain about being tired, but when we've got so much extra time and we're getting plenty of sleep, I have too much time and too much brain space to dwell on things I can't do anything about. Right now, my mind is consumed with home and horses. I need to get busy so I won't have time to miss them so much.<br />
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Our boys, Sky and Duke! </div>
And I just realized that if your not one of my Facebook friends, you haven't had the pleasure of meeting Duke yet, so I'll introduce you to him in a later blog post.Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14010761145756794447noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1883784463034839114.post-1242994917147268692015-04-14T12:02:00.000-04:002015-04-14T12:02:14.191-04:00The Start of AprilHello there! I've been gone a long time. I'm acting on a random impulse to share a few pictures with you. And we will see what comes of it. As I've said before, like a broken record, I <i>want</i> to blog. But when it comes down to it I just can't get motivated.<br /><br />
Now that we live in Tennessee instead of Montana, our loads have switched around a little, and not just because of our location, but also because freight is in a constant state of changing, depending on what the loads are paying. No cheap freight, and all that goes with that.<br />
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So lately, one of the places we tend to get loaded at when we're leaving the house and heading out for a round on the road, is a quarry north of Stevenson, AL. It's actually in Tennessee, just barely. It sits, quite literally, just there across the line, as you'll notice in the last picture.<br />
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But the point, and what I wanted to share today, is that the last 12 miles of the drive are lovely. Once we head north out of Stevenson, it's a little two lane drive winding through the hills. And when we left home a week ago, the clouds were low, shrouding the hills behind a curtain of mist. I love the Tennessee (and Alabama) hills, especially when they are like this.<br />
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Quarries are not pretty places. They tend to be more like ugly scars on the landscape. But this one is pretty hidden, tucked into the valley like it is. And I'm thankful for it because it gives us a good source for loads to get out of the southeast and back into the areas where we do most of our trucking. We generally load ground limestone there, and haul it to a few different places. This time we went to northern Indiana to a fertilizer plant. The limstone is used as the carrying agent for the fertilizer (they coat the limestone grounds with the fertilizer).<br />
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It was a pretty decent week last week, at least compared to first quarter, which was pretty slow. We're hoping the following weeks go as well if not better. Time goes by much quicker if we stay busy.<br />
Six more weeks and then we will head home to start haying! As always, we can't wait to get back home.Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14010761145756794447noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1883784463034839114.post-56342779978561946362014-03-25T09:55:00.001-04:002014-03-25T09:55:56.811-04:00Intentions<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
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With the best of intentions, I had promised myself and the flying lady that I would post at <i>least</i> once a week. I was going to post every weekend! I was!<br />
And then we went back to work, and oh my <i>word!</i> I'm grateful! So very grateful, for the busiest January we've had in years! Literally, we did not stop or have a break of any sort for the first three weeks! We ran straight through the weekends. And the following three weeks were just about as extremely busy. There were a few breaks in there, but what little down time we had, I chose to spend sleeping or stealing a few private moments with my books. I apologize, but I was seriously so beyond any kind of mental creativity.<br />
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We spent those six weeks doing mostly southwest - central north runs.<br />
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A lot of time in Texas, which was warm and pleasant.<br />
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And then we'd head north. Not so warm and pleasant.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Illinois</td></tr>
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A time of two we ventured into the more southern regions, though we never got over to the east side of the Mississippi when in the south.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">our company while fixing a tarp issue on the side of the road in the Arkansas Ozarks</td></tr>
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And once or twice we ventured west, which is always pleasant, even if it's not warm.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Idaho</td></tr>
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<br />At home, we spent three weeks recuperating. The truck had to go back to the shop. Did I ever tell you we were having problems with the rebuild? I should have reviewed my last post so I would know what I had told you already. Well, in a nut shell, the engine rebuild they did in December was leaking oil like crazy. Seriously, we were averaging about a gallon of oil every 1000 miles or so, give or take. They finally informed us that they had put the wrong kit in, and so we stuck it out the 6 weeks and then took it home to have it rebuilt again. Its been....an interesting experience....we'll leave it at that. <div>
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But anyway, it's rebuilt, and seems to be working now. It took a week to get it back from the shop this time. That's more like it boys! And then we stuck around so Malcolm could do some things on the truck that needed attention and also get a break. </div>
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My biggest and most exciting event of our home time was getting Reba back home. We'd delivered her to our trainer after Thanksgiving. And then with our breakdown and then leaving, we ended up leaving her there longer than the initial planned "30 days." Which, in the long run, was a good thing. She got extra work and training, which never ever hurts! It was so good to bring her home though, and she's amazing!</div>
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It feels so good to be back in the saddle, and on one of my own. For the last several years I was riding my sister-in-laws horse, which I enjoyed and appreciated, though I didn't ride often. But to finally be up on one of my own...there's just something different about it. Reba is coming 4 this spring and she's matured so well. She and Sky both grew a lot last year and I'm so pleased with how they have turned out. Reba has a really nice smooth movement, listens to her ques so well, and has the lightest mouth! I barely have to put any pressure on her at all, and she immediately turns or stops or backs.<br />
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We were so pleased with the results, that we left Sky with the trainer for a tune up training round. He was still rough around the edges and had a lot of time to lay around the pasture and forget stuff since we were gone so long last fall. So when we get home again in a few weeks, we will pick him up and I'll have two to ride. Lots of saddle time! There's some public land down the road from us that has trails on it. The neighbors ride there and have invited me to ride with them. I'm looking forward to joining them, and also to going out with Malcolm for afternoon rides together.<br />
I also like to tease him that I need a fourth horse now, as I know Fancy will blow her top when we go out riding on Sky and Reba and leave her alone. She needs a friend. ;)<br />
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We left back for work last Monday and have been running our wheels off! We loaded in Alabama and headed to Wisconsin and have kind of been sticking around the area between Wisconsin and Ohio. We went back and forth through Chicago enough to last a lifetime. I'm done and completely over that city, as if I wasn't already before! Nothing personal, Chicago, but your traffic stresses me out. And it's really not you car drivers. Its the other trucks! They crowd me and zoom past and since I'm the only one on the face of the Chicago side of the earth driving even remotely close to the speed limit, it makes me unpopular with the other truckers and....well....I don't like driving around in the Chicago area.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjOau71EwoH21_9OIL3i4LQfQRQSXBWJSzoTt1pKBBHJ4Gqe3PB4hF0yyhXCM_yPw-g9J6NH9epLSvK1UHP_grslaIGLjmcpxwNQrw5HbKlzJv-KqHfneku6fUv5I24MtOJMF-ZIMP4J0/s1600/1393923_10203434618375611_91012774_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjOau71EwoH21_9OIL3i4LQfQRQSXBWJSzoTt1pKBBHJ4Gqe3PB4hF0yyhXCM_yPw-g9J6NH9epLSvK1UHP_grslaIGLjmcpxwNQrw5HbKlzJv-KqHfneku6fUv5I24MtOJMF-ZIMP4J0/s1600/1393923_10203434618375611_91012774_n.jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></div>
From Wednesday morning till Saturday morning we rolled, the truck never stopping for more than 2 hours. It was magic! It was like a team is supposed to work! It was exhausting!<br />
So, though it greatly bugged Malcolm and drove him nuts, I was not that upset that we didn't get a weekend load. We sat in Ohio from Saturday mid-day till Monday morning. And the whole time I kept thinking I really need to blog! But....I was held captive by a good book that I just couldn't put down. That, and being tired from last week really sapped the creative writing juices.<br />
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Monday we were sent to Cleveland, OH. That was an experience. We were loading deicing salt, and the only way to get to the load, from our location, was to plow through the middle of it all.<br />
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It was the sort of thing where we would normally be questioning if we were allowed to be there, if we had made a mistake, except that it was exactly the way the shippers recorded directions told us to come in. And so we did. </div>
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The shipper was actually located near the lake, and was a huge facility. It just seems there would be an easier way to get there, than nearly touring downtown Cleveland, OH!</div>
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We got our salt loaded, and made yet another trip through Chicago to the north end of the endless urban spread. We're in Libertyville, and just unloaded here at the DOT yard.<br />
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We are waiting for the next load. It's in the works. It sounds like we are heading to Montana, and we are both relieved. These last loads were good money and we stayed busy, but we have had our fill of urban trucking! It's time to get west where we can breath and roll with ease! And best of all, not pay tolls! Tolls cost us over $400.00 in the last weeks time!<br />
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Our intentions are to work another three weeks, go home and pick up Sky and take care of a few things, just a short break or a week, then work another 6 weeks, at which time we should be getting home in time for the first cutting of hay. When we left last Monday, the daffodils were blooming, the lilies and iris were about 4-5 inches tall, and the red bud trees were starting to show signs of Spring. </div>
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I bet when we get back, there will be baby leaves and flowers, and the grass will be in strong enough that we won't have to put out more hay! I'm glad. I'm ready for warmer weather and outdoor time!</div>
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So what have you been up to these past weeks?</div>
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Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14010761145756794447noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1883784463034839114.post-91746820403467459222014-01-18T15:08:00.000-05:002014-01-18T17:30:16.583-05:00First Week Out<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Our first week out has been a pretty good one. Not a particularly hard running one, but I think we are both just grateful to finally be back at work. We started out in Chattanooga and will end up in Great Falls at the close of the week (a week to us being Monday to Monday because that's when we left the house).</div>
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Our first load was kind of dinky. It was a get you going kind of thing. But then we loaded wheat midds back in Chattanooga and went to Bryan, TX. Texas was sunny and warm, with temps in the 70's. And after the chilly temperatures we'd been having at home, we were all enjoying the warmth!</div>
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We bounced over to Bastrop, TX from Bryan and loaded up with some chicken meal. That was Tuesday night, and since we didn't have to be in Flagstaff till Thursday evening, we just parked after loading and got some sleep. And then we took our time getting to Flagstaff, still arriving several hours in advance. Which gave us some time to take care of some business and get a little rest before unloading.</div>
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Which was a good thing, because the receiver in Flagstaff did not honor our 5:00pm appointment and we didn't get unloaded till sometime after 9:00pm. Afterwards we had to drive north, and find a car wash to washout the trailer, because the farmer in Utah wanted to load bright and early. So we backed into a car wash with an RV bay in Tuba City, and then parked at 3:00am and got some sleep. </div>
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I got up at 7am and finished the last 180 miles. Just across the Utah state line, we entered Monument Valley. I almost got us there in time for the sunrise, but we were a tad too early, and didn't have time to wait on it. I bet it would be a gorgeous place to watch a sunrise though!</div>
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We loaded near Monticello, UT. We had a bit of a problem as the farm was just a few miles past the Port of Entry. We loaded without knowing exactly what we weighed, as is common when loading on a farm. We have gauges in the truck that give us an idea of what the axle weights are, but they are not exact. That was ok though! The Port of Entry was happy to let Malcolm know he was almost 1000lbs over weight. They also decided to do a level 3 (paperwork) inspection on him since he was there, but they generously agreed to let him try to shift the weight first. Which we do by rolling forward or backward and slamming on the brakes, depending on where we want to shift the weight and how much needs moved. </div>
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Not only did it work perfectly this time, but we also got complimented on our paperwork. The guy working the scale told Malcolm that he (Malcolm) obviously knew what he was doing. He also told him that we have the lowest safety rating he's seen. (the lower the better when it comes to safety ratings) So what had started as a bad situation, ended nicely and on a positive note!</div>
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We headed north out of Monticello, and since we wouldn't be delivering in Great Falls, MT till Monday morning, we took our time. We even stopped for some brief sight seeing. There was a big pull off near Wilson's Arch, and Malcolm pulled in so we could stretch our legs and admire God's art work. </div>
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We were traveling US191 which is pretty much a scenic route no matter which state your taking it through. In Utah it's particularly pleasant at is passes through the canyon country! If you drive the southern length of 191 in Utah, you'll pass Arches National Park, Canyonlands National, and a few others, as well as the tourist town of Moab. Every time we drive that section my determination to return as a tourist one day is renewed.</div>
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Outside Moab, Paris reminded us that we were all tired from the short night's sleep...</div>
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...and so we stopped for the night in Green River, even though it was only 5:00pm. </div>
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We woke early, because of the ridiculously early bed time, and so we got to catch the sunrise and moon setting over the Wasatch Mountains.<br />
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This section of US191 is also US6 and it's a short cut to get from Green River on I-70 to just south of Salt Lake City on I-15. It can be a little wild in the winter, but it's always scenic! And on this winter day it was chilly, hovering around 11 degrees or so, but sunny and dry. Makes for good traveling in the mountains!</div>
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I like these days when we're not in a hurry. It enables us both to be up instead of one of us asleep while the other drives. And that way we get to enjoy the scenery together. </div>
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Even Paris gets in to the scenery watching sometimes.<br />
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As is the case in most routes through mountainous territory, the highway shares space with the rails. The road pretty much sticks close to the railroad for this section of the route. I like to admire the tunnels. Years ago, people took a lot of pride in their work, and things as simple as railroad tunnels were even build to look nice. These were dated 1912. I liked the way they framed the openings.</div>
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About half way through, the rockiness of these mountains gives way to a more rounded look, but it's no less impressive. Just a little gentler looking.</div>
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And eventually there were signs that we were reaching the more developed areas of Utah. </div>
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And then we were on I-15 headed north.<br />
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We stopped in Lehi, UT to visit Cabelas. It's one of our favorite Cabelas stores as they have a nice selection of reloading equipment in their bargain cave there. I find it interesting how each Cabelas clearly reflects the local sportsman's interests in what they have the most of in the bargain cave. Utah is big on reloading and guns. In fact, did you know Utah is the first state to have a "state gun?" It's true! Just like our state flowers, flags, and seals, they have a state gun. <br />
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So that's our week in a nutshell and Utah in a lot of pictures. <br />
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In case you were wondering about the "new" engine and how it's doing:<br />
The truck engine is doing well except it's using oil, which it shouldn't be doing. Apparently though, CAT realizes there is an issue with their rebuilds. They've asked us to track the amount of fuel we buy and how much oil it's using. After our first 2200 miles, we'd already burned off a gallon of oil. Eventually CAT will figure out what the problem is and then I guess we'll have to take it in to have the engine broken down again and fixed. At least it will be on their buck this time and not ours. But it will still mean time off the road and there's been way too much of that already!<br />
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We're rolling again, after our stop at Cabelas. Just came through Salt Lake City and heading towards the border. Tomorrow a scenic drive through Idaho and Montana! As much as I LOVE being at home, it sure feels good to be on the road again!<br />
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<br />Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14010761145756794447noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1883784463034839114.post-35255896437915235142014-01-07T10:16:00.000-05:002014-01-07T10:16:10.620-05:00Time Flies When Your Having Fun<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Time really does fly, and I'm not sure "having fun" has much to do with it. I think it just flies in general. </div>
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So here's the deal with what's been going on. We came home a few days before Thanksgiving with then intention of staying home about a week and a half, but really no more. We wanted to get a couple weeks work in before Christmas. </div>
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So on the Monday about a week and a half after Thanksgiving, we were waiting for our broker to get in the office (they are two hours behind us) and while we were waiting, Malcolm went out to look things over again and make sure the truck was ready to roll. </div>
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And he found antifreeze in the oil. Don't ask me how trucks break when they are parked in the yard. It happens a lot and I can't explain it.</div>
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It has been quite a shock, a bit of a blow. Like a sucker punch to the gut kind of feeling. At least it was for a few days. Then we just moved on because what else can you do.</div>
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Where am I now? Well, its a week after New Years and I am sitting at my kitchen table. </div>
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Yep, we're STILL home! </div>
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We got the truck back from the shop Saturday, but had to take it back in yesterday for them to fix something that got messed up in the shop. Otherwise, when we finally get rolling, we should be good as new...literally!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFkxybLpr_Ikdl7VU4vCaWacCQYhwkn9_4q-Tbm_O3GtmRBgu08kUCskXequimsIOLNup6YK7_wW2cb8OXAmzdX5RZofgCltWx6E0cRFYTbmg9V1zI7p6LD6iMz921pj4oMynyKFKyCMc/s1600/IMG_20140104_135143_068.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFkxybLpr_Ikdl7VU4vCaWacCQYhwkn9_4q-Tbm_O3GtmRBgu08kUCskXequimsIOLNup6YK7_wW2cb8OXAmzdX5RZofgCltWx6E0cRFYTbmg9V1zI7p6LD6iMz921pj4oMynyKFKyCMc/s1600/IMG_20140104_135143_068.jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></div>
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See all the pretty shiny new yellow? That my friends is a $22,000 Christmas present! It should have taken a week, but once they got the engine rebuilt, they had a problem with one of the factory parts. But they couldn't figure out which part it was. They had to totally disassemble the whole thing a second time and go through it. They finally got it going good though, and once they get our alternator fixed (they accidentally fried it), we'll be good to go! And go we hopefully will do! SOON! Before we go broke!</div>
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So what does one do with 6 weeks off work? No need for worry! We have not sat around here bored! Aside from the trauma of having to do an unexpected engine rebuild, we've had a blast!!!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsl42FAPDTz8uLtkdLfpSP9ELElSLk2nL7JfVLc4qn9NMMGaRP04784KHrbjvazzsgzM69oOzEgCwYw-H3wwWTg-PJCYU9oNTVhzpZsvPNNN5dqEbMKzcz6FTLy6CKq6kRfFbfZN4i6U4/s1600/IMG_20131214_134116_823.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsl42FAPDTz8uLtkdLfpSP9ELElSLk2nL7JfVLc4qn9NMMGaRP04784KHrbjvazzsgzM69oOzEgCwYw-H3wwWTg-PJCYU9oNTVhzpZsvPNNN5dqEbMKzcz6FTLy6CKq6kRfFbfZN4i6U4/s1600/IMG_20131214_134116_823.jpg" height="320" width="180" /></a></div>
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And so have the girls. They took the news very well! </div>
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And then Paris tried to hide the phone so that we couldn't get the call when the truck was ready. I think she just figured we'd stay home indefinitely that way.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGAdsjbFs76esBRevy-pagQ9AEenRGp6riEMvNDEso_1mGmtXDFfrd_j0UnUYi7lo0ns4ZJzf90OkOPG5PkHFDXVTtEU0MQIcm5N5r3_iFKewZCbZX5Y_CPufmvQUSnQhB5GBdB-cqgpE/s1600/IMG_20131219_184025_544-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGAdsjbFs76esBRevy-pagQ9AEenRGp6riEMvNDEso_1mGmtXDFfrd_j0UnUYi7lo0ns4ZJzf90OkOPG5PkHFDXVTtEU0MQIcm5N5r3_iFKewZCbZX5Y_CPufmvQUSnQhB5GBdB-cqgpE/s1600/IMG_20131219_184025_544-1.jpg" height="320" width="180" /></a></div>
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The girls have spent most of their time at home here, in front of their fire.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh35bQSRpGOMjDm5Cp3OwL1XCwwP0zbKd3_dGDPSDF7DfSGzLiQDiNPozJTw3NQck-SwXZ_7zRPkTenhK2i8oU5S4uhSW0w6ZlzHwHyoO-Ex-2-XBQbzkVhTe-iA6Dt8BYof3le_uKr3AU/s1600/IMG_20131226_115659_362.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh35bQSRpGOMjDm5Cp3OwL1XCwwP0zbKd3_dGDPSDF7DfSGzLiQDiNPozJTw3NQck-SwXZ_7zRPkTenhK2i8oU5S4uhSW0w6ZlzHwHyoO-Ex-2-XBQbzkVhTe-iA6Dt8BYof3le_uKr3AU/s1600/IMG_20131226_115659_362.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>
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Malcolm and I have done other things. </div>
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I spent some time working on quilting projects,</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisgXICNnicar8J775Hn13_5jWSehzmFpasK7m3jXVDJNfTJqLlkPdEU3uq3nqKABU2L9F57f6BZLYqiSAD7WzbeYWUulVzORl6kUA_Nhq5EJ4G76lV-uZVFUdDvGRYRs2fDmZsoZDggLM/s1600/IMG_20131207_152028_144.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisgXICNnicar8J775Hn13_5jWSehzmFpasK7m3jXVDJNfTJqLlkPdEU3uq3nqKABU2L9F57f6BZLYqiSAD7WzbeYWUulVzORl6kUA_Nhq5EJ4G76lV-uZVFUdDvGRYRs2fDmZsoZDggLM/s1600/IMG_20131207_152028_144.jpg" height="320" width="180" /></a></div>
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and also made some of my wine bottle candles.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXHqshwlRJOfvNd-rearCsc2WNy_zmuG2Gn_izLS37gks1Bfj8vFsdH3HVZDaKyqTZVOoZxbxi9N7PD3FX4-56QMhEsALGLziMJ5FOdeDPSe4jbZ525zGQGUCTbnU47bjv1m7Ef5uufHQ/s1600/IMG_20131206_133355_984.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXHqshwlRJOfvNd-rearCsc2WNy_zmuG2Gn_izLS37gks1Bfj8vFsdH3HVZDaKyqTZVOoZxbxi9N7PD3FX4-56QMhEsALGLziMJ5FOdeDPSe4jbZ525zGQGUCTbnU47bjv1m7Ef5uufHQ/s1600/IMG_20131206_133355_984.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>
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I had so much fun making candles, and then I finally got<a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/HearthstoneDesigns" target="_blank"> my Etsy shop </a>opened and listed my candles for sale. </div>
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We also did some work outside around the farm. We have several large brush piles from where Malcolm had been cleaning hedge out of the fence rows. So we burned some of them.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQMXHNmtfbppPBBtxM_92fNerFZ7a8zSG3NvF_0kkWROrjQS6AbPFK2ddftBsv3xZuJhzZzOMDIHPc98nayZvcLld7urZTInK-X8CQO_D9HCWttallE_3-_COIVcO-33IdoAmDiSuyweU/s1600/IMG_20131218_100544_909.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQMXHNmtfbppPBBtxM_92fNerFZ7a8zSG3NvF_0kkWROrjQS6AbPFK2ddftBsv3xZuJhzZzOMDIHPc98nayZvcLld7urZTInK-X8CQO_D9HCWttallE_3-_COIVcO-33IdoAmDiSuyweU/s1600/IMG_20131218_100544_909.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>
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Three weeks later, the one behind the house is still leaking smoke, even though it's had rain poured on it three times since burning. It even flared up into flames for an hour or so the other evening. It's been kind of entertaining watching it, and now I have a better understanding of how wild fires can flare back up long after having burned out.</div>
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In general, we've just been staying busy around the house and farm, enjoying being here and getting to work on things other than the truck.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXfN5k_4GKXK_YQ_fLyZESRcyugTouilPv2pWVF60rR-txsT_JSXmGDbcdlL16jm2Hwbn7_KuhW4QdbKuJ3KewgKV_hUHixLzhHgjuw6ZlKZQHJgUGpSkKtZpz9ZB1SieLALgJwO-od4c/s1600/IMG_20131218_174717_472.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXfN5k_4GKXK_YQ_fLyZESRcyugTouilPv2pWVF60rR-txsT_JSXmGDbcdlL16jm2Hwbn7_KuhW4QdbKuJ3KewgKV_hUHixLzhHgjuw6ZlKZQHJgUGpSkKtZpz9ZB1SieLALgJwO-od4c/s1600/IMG_20131218_174717_472.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>
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We've also spent time with family. Our oldest niece, Bentlee, made the school basketball team. So we went to her first game, which they won!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6V9XyudXaxw1Tmky9uWwgHIizfbDHV_JutRggLQ-LBUWxaySdpm19WoBqOZ_G8WqUSqUn1Ymt2LQ57rRXii9bqLderPy5QBYwzORqF5hJFkHtGsJE3Mp6USyEvUlYudrPs06WDbJ3uzg/s1600/IMG_20131217_171508_273.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6V9XyudXaxw1Tmky9uWwgHIizfbDHV_JutRggLQ-LBUWxaySdpm19WoBqOZ_G8WqUSqUn1Ymt2LQ57rRXii9bqLderPy5QBYwzORqF5hJFkHtGsJE3Mp6USyEvUlYudrPs06WDbJ3uzg/s1600/IMG_20131217_171508_273.jpg" height="320" width="180" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcjakD3VcihR_foyMTYijNfJUHZZDrepuQxKBmikvT4_za1BQ_tPAqn1eUgcqycrbf-nSKUzTgJJzbhj3shaxLBGTEB7sF2OIST1OZW1x9RG223CxjtmWgoyh3PVuL9Bu4AR3eBh3P1Rs/s1600/IMG_20131217_171528_855.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcjakD3VcihR_foyMTYijNfJUHZZDrepuQxKBmikvT4_za1BQ_tPAqn1eUgcqycrbf-nSKUzTgJJzbhj3shaxLBGTEB7sF2OIST1OZW1x9RG223CxjtmWgoyh3PVuL9Bu4AR3eBh3P1Rs/s1600/IMG_20131217_171528_855.jpg" height="320" width="180" /></a></div>
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We've spent time visiting with Mom and Dad. And Mom's been busy making new clothes for the girls. Here's one of her projects, a lovely crocheted coat for Ella.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTEfKY8YTjTZtc5_j54fkshCwuJ3wrQFf5zDzhP-svjuWr1SY5pT1qXgJMrJVUbN0NTMF0wGBqHxYxmGWHskhHqBP7_cBd0ias7TkZm4s7TouvzMRsOfuHxfOipTkrWn1qyFE8IrZpWLU/s1600/IMG_20131221_160351_026-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTEfKY8YTjTZtc5_j54fkshCwuJ3wrQFf5zDzhP-svjuWr1SY5pT1qXgJMrJVUbN0NTMF0wGBqHxYxmGWHskhHqBP7_cBd0ias7TkZm4s7TouvzMRsOfuHxfOipTkrWn1qyFE8IrZpWLU/s1600/IMG_20131221_160351_026-1.jpg" height="320" width="212" /></a></div>
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I did some things inside, other than just play. Take the living room with the wood stove for instance. At some point there was fire board all over the walls in that room. And then at some point they ripped it off. But it left paper and glue residue all over the walls and ceiling, which they started to clean, but didn't finish the job. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFYnKneqVZEiQDTRsbuKoZCo1q62scsHTrUwbDKIkkAu9UROSdVZvY4jCaPJhBVedGS-OXjCg2et-xCJKGgYrNf9dXRi693KhcZuBtUBeupTdifRuQ0OlE4BRRtAsMvu9sse74OHMNlxM/s1600/IMG_20131214_151622_589.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFYnKneqVZEiQDTRsbuKoZCo1q62scsHTrUwbDKIkkAu9UROSdVZvY4jCaPJhBVedGS-OXjCg2et-xCJKGgYrNf9dXRi693KhcZuBtUBeupTdifRuQ0OlE4BRRtAsMvu9sse74OHMNlxM/s1600/IMG_20131214_151622_589.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>
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So I restarted it.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0pT2qR1asFNXM8NNAahunjLVpgZuHlAQLME2Ne5aoiqxTpEMUiMC0DRuOZPQ_Es3xpFZRHdtld_XtiECR7is5AqCTN3YSj4Tbud52FWk4vQgwiHHfpxaiK_dxnk89xjon7R_cOIy8nbU/s1600/IMG_20131214_151710_668.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0pT2qR1asFNXM8NNAahunjLVpgZuHlAQLME2Ne5aoiqxTpEMUiMC0DRuOZPQ_Es3xpFZRHdtld_XtiECR7is5AqCTN3YSj4Tbud52FWk4vQgwiHHfpxaiK_dxnk89xjon7R_cOIy8nbU/s1600/IMG_20131214_151710_668.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>
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It is a slow job, and I'm not going to finish it this trip home. I dread the ceiling. It's going to be hardest. But when it's all said and done, it will all be as lovely as the wall that was cleaned by the previous owners.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTar_zL1Syab0nApTuZwIrskleQATVmMJo_T6O4Aqi15_jy7j_Vm0c7q91OzsfHh1JQCScrtdT52APPoawpGsR5rEKF5piXUBsRNWdWMJNKcfdxlnMqxGROHFKTAohEZY_HrKaQbb703I/s1600/IMG_20131214_152420_425.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTar_zL1Syab0nApTuZwIrskleQATVmMJo_T6O4Aqi15_jy7j_Vm0c7q91OzsfHh1JQCScrtdT52APPoawpGsR5rEKF5piXUBsRNWdWMJNKcfdxlnMqxGROHFKTAohEZY_HrKaQbb703I/s1600/IMG_20131214_152420_425.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>
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That gets us up to the holidays!</div>
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The extended family takes turns hosting Christmas, and this year we gathered at Mom and Dad's. We do a Christmas Eve brunch with the extended family, so that everyone can be home with their closest kin on Christmas day. When we arrived, before the rest of the family, Mom and Dad were busy making Granny's fried apple pies. So Malcolm jumped right in to assist, while Mom and I went to take care of last minute details in other parts of the house.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE-JqAq-YhhpR5izVHfmWUJHogCxwNGHgx8JCLx4Q5vbJF4nedXT2yqXNwc8UVVQ_0QqdTGxzgR_UEilL3HrWyzxEtllpuGHHhABXQKYtbUuYV5xzxMalY7fgHSj3Gi7UViYzFyXshD7g/s1600/IMG_20131224_101017_391.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE-JqAq-YhhpR5izVHfmWUJHogCxwNGHgx8JCLx4Q5vbJF4nedXT2yqXNwc8UVVQ_0QqdTGxzgR_UEilL3HrWyzxEtllpuGHHhABXQKYtbUuYV5xzxMalY7fgHSj3Gi7UViYzFyXshD7g/s1600/IMG_20131224_101017_391.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>
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We ate and visited and had lots of laughs during our traditional Chinese Auction gift exchange. </div>
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On Christmas day, Mom, Dad, and Grandma came up here to our house and we just relaxed and ate and visited. My brother's family went to his in-laws, and my sister's family stayed in Nashville with her in-laws. This is they way we've started spending our Christmas. </div>
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And then we reserve New Years Eve and Day for our family gathering, which I've come to really enjoy and appreciate. For starters, it's neat to ring in the new year with those who are dearest to us. And also, no one has to hurry off to another family gathering. There's no rush, no bustle, just gathering and enjoying each others company. And we give the kids their Christmas gifts, which is always fun.</div>
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Ava Grace is almost 2 years old! And she LOVES dogs and "horsies!" </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje_VbHG_sLtf44olTEdCSDQIylnRqhjrX_xahQgJk1ln-wDMeMWKMrjt64eZCAlhMzNWCFsbjB6o3AWmarSDuQhlTsIZIvg31VQrQL6ACZG2zJx456IKytAksz6HeXFQ68sWvNCDQ2g1U/s1600/IMG_20131231_155107_640.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje_VbHG_sLtf44olTEdCSDQIylnRqhjrX_xahQgJk1ln-wDMeMWKMrjt64eZCAlhMzNWCFsbjB6o3AWmarSDuQhlTsIZIvg31VQrQL6ACZG2zJx456IKytAksz6HeXFQ68sWvNCDQ2g1U/s1600/IMG_20131231_155107_640.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>
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As soon as my brother's family arrived, the American Girl Doll fans piled onto the couch to pour over the 2014 Doll of the Year catalog.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuTOFXw7RjQLn_b2d-QHP4ntP-Vdn3kS_tmL6IcmpRR4XsjK4U68w8eAO8timsz_tL1sPM58CEzYgwCoQdAw4hk3C29N9kOUAUvkclCZJV_hxJRJg1Iu6Ovotqu47azEgdgeHT74cMfxg/s1600/IMG_20131231_194838_760.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuTOFXw7RjQLn_b2d-QHP4ntP-Vdn3kS_tmL6IcmpRR4XsjK4U68w8eAO8timsz_tL1sPM58CEzYgwCoQdAw4hk3C29N9kOUAUvkclCZJV_hxJRJg1Iu6Ovotqu47azEgdgeHT74cMfxg/s1600/IMG_20131231_194838_760.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>
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Bentlee will be 9 this month and Lily is 8 1/2! They are so grown up! It's really fun and kind of sad too.</div>
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After dinner, we piled into cars to go pick up breakfast for the morning! Krispy Kreme! And the assembly line was running! </div>
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Two of the girls had never gotten to watch it, and the other two had only recently discovered this amazing glazed wonder to the eyes. So we spent some time watching.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqsOPzjXOKcv6qw78CDFjhyphenhyphenWM6PLx9WWCxm-2i-dqai1ClZyU3n-bMnMWwQWkY0JRjavxY1Hz5qnFWY12Hjt2tYVAQmxfPVbkQV6nK9aQlyAQb6L8jURwKPnnO2hKMIUrAIsQGTT-RkqM/s1600/IMG_20131231_203703_786.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqsOPzjXOKcv6qw78CDFjhyphenhyphenWM6PLx9WWCxm-2i-dqai1ClZyU3n-bMnMWwQWkY0JRjavxY1Hz5qnFWY12Hjt2tYVAQmxfPVbkQV6nK9aQlyAQb6L8jURwKPnnO2hKMIUrAIsQGTT-RkqM/s1600/IMG_20131231_203703_786.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>
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And then we loaded up our boxes of doughnuts and headed back to the house for....</div>
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...presents!</div>
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Uncle Malcolm had bought the three oldest girls some pretty earrings from Montana Silversmith. We thought they would be pretty, but I kind of expected it to be considered a "boring" gift. Well we take turns opening gifts so everyone can see what each girl gets. Lily went first and chose to open her little box first. The delight on her face at the sight of those earrings! It was a sweet moment. And then to my surprise, upon seeing what the little boxes most likely held, Bentlee and Kenslee both chose to open their little boxes first and were both equally thrilled. In fact everyone had to have their earrings put in right away. And then we paused in the gift unwrapping for a picture with Malcolm.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMmU_wX2LZkaw0zmrJ1n07kwKxW3JLIu2NLfqail0WKnuKsS-Km6XXseqH9C5j_UprIkUN7BlFQqdgQO09xiWOkj8G5xlOEiyqHaefCsoKDRF7dpfmj5Rq0WPLE4RnvX3BoRe3KQuiSQg/s1600/IMG_20131231_220255_002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMmU_wX2LZkaw0zmrJ1n07kwKxW3JLIu2NLfqail0WKnuKsS-Km6XXseqH9C5j_UprIkUN7BlFQqdgQO09xiWOkj8G5xlOEiyqHaefCsoKDRF7dpfmj5Rq0WPLE4RnvX3BoRe3KQuiSQg/s1600/IMG_20131231_220255_002.jpg" height="320" width="180" /></a></div>
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Gifts unwrapped, and everyone happy, so the kids settled in to play with their new treasures...</div>
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...and the grown ups visited...</div>
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...and awaited the arrival of the new year.</div>
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We went all out this year! Someone had supplied us all with hats and noise makers, and there were even some fireworks to set off out in the driveway...in the freezing cold! But the kids loved it and the grown ups had a lot of fun too. And then we went to bed.</div>
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We ALL had a slumber party at Mom and Dad's. All except Ken and Sarah who only live 3 miles down the road. But the girls stayed, and had a big slumber party in the living room with Grandmommy and Papaw. It was Kenslee's first sleepover at Grandmommy's and she did great! It was lots of fun!</div>
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In the morning we all pitched in to help fix breakfast...</div>
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...and then we finally got to do some serious doughnut eating! Along with some other good stuff.</div>
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We all stayed the rest of the day. Parade watching, football, a big family game of Pictionary, and a dinner of blackeyed peas and collard greens! Mom and I are in agreement that this was THE best Christmas/New Years ever!</div>
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Holiday over, Malcolm and I resumed the project that we had started back before Christmas. MY KITCHEN!</div>
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It was off white with burgundy trim. Very '90's and very not me! It also had smudges and scratches on the walls. And I've been wanting to paint for some time. With no truck needing attention, and all this time on our hands, it was the perfect time to dig in and get it over with. So we did.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlg5iTOrc1euO5ocuHObi-lG5I3fNJSkcr7RDQNm1ykxv7xxbOay6WMhElZgroc2rg9e_mhyphenhyphenVmkIhwjSmWJsqERciDJUuXOP2cgAnSd99s7BIwZ07R8eOEFhAHccfbyiFpcnwipkGhRUs/s1600/IMG_20131222_152700_247.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlg5iTOrc1euO5ocuHObi-lG5I3fNJSkcr7RDQNm1ykxv7xxbOay6WMhElZgroc2rg9e_mhyphenhyphenVmkIhwjSmWJsqERciDJUuXOP2cgAnSd99s7BIwZ07R8eOEFhAHccfbyiFpcnwipkGhRUs/s1600/IMG_20131222_152700_247.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>
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And as usual, Malcolm went above and beyond and decided to cut a cabinet down and install the new microwave/exhaust that we've had for several years, but never got put in.</div>
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He also put in the new dishwasher. He had help on that job. I don't know how we did it without her.</div>
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In fact we had help through the whole project, and had to keep telling them to get out of the kitchen.</div>
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It was hard on them. Especially Ella who was traumatized by her house being destroyed.</div>
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But somehow we all survived the lengthy project and upheaval in the house, and the finished product is SO worth it all! I LOVE my new kitchen!</div>
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There's still some little touches that need attention, but for now, we've cleaned up. We'll finish next time we're home. </div>
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This weekend it turned off bitter cold, as it did in most of the country it seems. We have been supplementing out heat with the wood stove, and we were running low of fire wood. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV-P6ryKcUPju0tApD6YQi9rQNoZmxYzymDjQ_475Ue-Z9gpcGRkU2GxwKdnrKMno6MEXnL-taJCsIwdfu6ndOrhXYuPG9DcxHZGKcubJ_W1cYfSA3c-BWtO9Evkz2GYLBd-v4wcKmmHM/s1600/IMG_20140105_112541_953.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV-P6ryKcUPju0tApD6YQi9rQNoZmxYzymDjQ_475Ue-Z9gpcGRkU2GxwKdnrKMno6MEXnL-taJCsIwdfu6ndOrhXYuPG9DcxHZGKcubJ_W1cYfSA3c-BWtO9Evkz2GYLBd-v4wcKmmHM/s1600/IMG_20140105_112541_953.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>
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This tree fell in the horse pasture last Spring and we hadn't gotten to it yet. So we decided to spend the last day of warmer temps to get outside and cut it up. </div>
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We had some help, and I enjoyed the company. It was a nice day spent outside.</div>
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That about sums up the last few weeks. Hopefully we'll be pulling out of here in sometime in the next few days. We're getting things set up to leave. I know we did that before, but this time I think we'll actually get to leave. </div>
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So...that said...my next post really WILL be from the road. I'm serious this time!</div>
Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14010761145756794447noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1883784463034839114.post-43852210715233417012013-12-28T07:37:00.002-05:002013-12-28T07:37:48.548-05:00Long Time GoneWe've been a long time gone, I know! In reverse this time. Long time gone from the road.<br />
We came home for Thanksgiving with the sincere intention of staying home only a week and a half and no longer!<br />
But the truck had other ideas. I'll update you in my next post, which I promise you will be soon. I have been "meaning to" post for about a week and a half now, but between holidays and a project we got tied up in, I haven't made it yet.<br />
This is the first time I've sat down to the computer in about two and a half weeks and that was only because I realized I had a bill that needed paid. And since I was on I decided to drop you a quick note to let you know I'm still here.<br />
We will, God willing, be back on the road after New Years. But you will get an update before that. There's been lots going on around here!<br />
And then we will resume our traveling posts!<br />
Thanks for your patience.Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14010761145756794447noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1883784463034839114.post-52610589453537878502013-12-04T11:08:00.000-05:002013-12-04T11:08:01.887-05:00MaintenanceIt's never ending. There are a lot of things that go on at home, while your not there, that you have to take care of when you do get there.<br />
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For instance, the resident spiders didn't get my memo that Halloween was over, and so they kept decorating for me. I have had what felt like 3000 spider webs to take down and clean up, along with the little bug carcasses they had caught. <br />
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About 2 1/2 months worth of dust to wipe off the furniture and floors. You wouldn't think an unlived in house would get so dusty. But there were monster dust bunnies on the floor under the bed. No wonder we were so sniffly the first couple of mornings!<br />
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We've had the annual infestation of lady bugs and, unfortunately, stink bugs, that come with each fall. Why do they move indoors? I vacuumed up a number of them till they were not so noticeable. And now I just use a Kleenex to get the stink bugs. The lady bugs....well....I'm at the kitchen table and there are currently three or four I can spot on the ceiling. Aren't they supposed to be good luck or something? Still waiting for that luck to show up. ;)<br />
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Leaves to sweep off the front walk, bird feeders that have stood empty for weeks had to be refilled, branches to pick up from the yard, and about a million burrs to pull out of neglected manes.<br />
I could have shot him. He's lucky I love him so much!<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgypfjwTA3o3XJ33SoI1ZgjRfcqtiAydIxt6Hu527KWLuEkJK_2KJw0Tn9bFOcqnsoDbW5BAk0LW1h_ThLksPEkqNXqHQ2stZifGC7KlbH9BQ78XBxWs0o4RVYcPr4SPdaSBMWbTq_7V54/s1600/IMG_20131127_104106_071.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgypfjwTA3o3XJ33SoI1ZgjRfcqtiAydIxt6Hu527KWLuEkJK_2KJw0Tn9bFOcqnsoDbW5BAk0LW1h_ThLksPEkqNXqHQ2stZifGC7KlbH9BQ78XBxWs0o4RVYcPr4SPdaSBMWbTq_7V54/s400/IMG_20131127_104106_071.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My friend Shirley suggested Armor All, and my sweet husband snuck out and took care of this problem while I was away from the house, texting me a picture of a sleek maned pony later in the afternoon. I love them both, the man and the horse!</td></tr>
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And just when you think your all done and caught up, you have a morning event like today. Malcolm's jacket was all dirty from yesterday so he wanted his vest from the front closet. It's a little closet in the front living room corner where I keep our nicer coats and things like that that we never use, hanging up so they won't be wrinkled in case we ever do want to wear them.<br />
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I retrieved said vest, carried it out to Malcolm, and as I handed it too him, something looked odd. <br />
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So I returned to the closet, threw open the door, and rifled through the coats to discover that....<br />
they were all covered in mold!<br />
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So I've been spot cleaning coats this morning, and I guess that closet door will have to remain open, which will not be very pretty. <br />
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Our line of work requires that our house stand empty for extended periods. So basically, in some respects, its like living in a vacant house, and dealing with the problems that come with it. Mold probably isn't helping our allergies! Another thing for me to keep my eyes open for. <br />
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On the bright side, we are officially 1 year 1 month residents....and still no MICE! I have caught 2 in the course of the past year. But to me that's like standard house quota. A small miracle in an almost 100 year old farmhouse! I'm beyond thrilled! I'll deal with the mold! Just keep the mice away!!!! I've had my fill of houses with chronic mouse issues! It's SO NICE to come home and NOT have to clean up their messes EVERY TIME we're home! Or feel my skin crawl wondering what they have been walking on and fouling!<br />
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Malcolm's dirty jacket: It was filthy and musty smelling because yesterday he and Dad and a couple of hired guys spent there day here...<br />
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For as long as I can remember, my parents have wanted to buy an old log cabin and put it in the woods by their house. And finally, after years of dreaming, Dad found this 100+ year old log cabin near Lynchburg, TN, and bought it, and the guys went up yesterday to disassemble it...</div>
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...and load it on our flatbed trailer and bring it home for reassembly (later in the Spring).</div>
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And Malcolm's jacket was filthy from crawling around underneath the floor and just from general cabin disassembly work. But it's in the washer now, and the cabin is going to be lots of fun to play in!<br />
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The family came to our house for Thanskgiving last week. It was so nice and relaxing to not have to go somewhere, and to have our house full of family! We took some family pictures while we were all here. And that, as I'm sure you know, is always good for some laughs. But we did end up with quite a few good ones, and a great one of all of us together! Tripods and camera's with self timers are really handy!<br />
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We brought Fancy home this past weekend. She's been at a friends house since shortly after her foal was born. I didn't want her and the baby home alone in case problems arose, so a close family friend offered to "babysit" for me. They got so attached that I was almost worried I wasn't going to get my horses back! In the end I did get to have Fancy back. But they couldn't let the baby go. So they bought him from my and named him Montana, since that's where he started his life journey. They hadn't quite weaned him, so it was a bit of a traumatic separation. The first morning he got turned out, he apparently went running around the barn looking for Mom. Hopefully he's settled in with his other friends there by now. For Fancy's part, I only heard her calling to him a few times during the first night. Since then she's been happily munching hay and laying her ears back at Sky. She thinks he's a pest. And she's pretty much right. But I love him.</div>
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We have a new farm critter! Last year we had a black cat that was always being seen off on the fringes. But he'd scamper away the minute he saw us. We called him "Spook" because he was so easily spooked. We haven't seen Spook in several months. When we got home last week, we both noticed a gray cat slinking around in barns and fields. He wouldn't run when he saw us, but he wasn't interested in having us near either. We started referring to him as "Slink." I tried to visit one morning and he sat and watched me till he decided I was too close, at which point he trotted off into the woods. <br />
Well the next morning I was out at the corrals feeding horses and heard a cat meowing. I looked up and at the far side of the corral, here came Slink, at a quick trot, meowing all the way, directly up to my feet, where he proceeded to use my leg as a stretching post. I don't know what all the slinking was about! Maybe he just needed time to decide if he approved of us or not. Because he really wanted to be loved on that morning!<br />
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He sends mixed messages though, because he loves your scratching him and then he'll suddenly turn and try to bite. Just a light bite, but still. That was the only morning we've been graced with his attention. I've seen him a couple more times but there was noisy equipment being used and he didn't care for it and left. I hope he'll stick around. We enjoy having a farm cat. I just hope he'll stick to mice and leave my song birds alone. <br />
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The girls are super ultra happy to be home. They raced in the door the first night we were here, and within 3 minutes ( no exaggeration) Ella had found her favorite "froggy" and was working the squeaker over. She loves that toy!<br />
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We've kept a fire going since we got home. It helps keep the chill out and supplements the heating system. Plus it's just nice to sit by, which is pretty much what the girls do...all...day....long!<br />
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After Thanksgiving, I put up a few Christmas decorations. My heart really wasn't in it, but I know when I come home again for Christmas, I'll enjoy having them up. So I put up my Christmas village that hasn't been out in years and years...<br />
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...and I put the nativity up on the mantel, so we can enjoy it and be reminded daily of what Christmas is really about...<br />
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...and I put up my new pencil tree that I bought at Sears. I've wanted a skinny tree for several years now, to use for my collection of bird ornaments. And when we were at Sears shopping for a new appliance, I saw this one and LOVED it! I've been waiting for the perfect one, and this was it. So it's in it's corner now and decorated and it's perfect! A nice tree that doesn't dominate the room.<br />
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At Sears shopping for an appliance? For a couple years now I've been doing battle with this fridge we have had since our wedding. It's been awesome! Eleven years of great to decent service and that even after standing in a foot of water during our flood a few months after our wedding! Kenmore makes a good product! What can I say? <br />
But the last couple years of use, it's gotten temperamental. I'll come home and things in the freezer have obviously thawed and refrozen. Or I'll wake up one morning and the fridge part will be 50 degrees inside, and the next morning my produce will be frosty frozen. And I'm tired of the battle, and I got mad about it and decided it was time to replace it. Quite by accident, it happened on the brink of all the Black Friday sales! And so I learned a lesson! If your going to replace big dollar items, hold off till Thanksgiving! The sales were excellent!<br />
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My plans to paint.....have been put on hold again. Just not feeling like bothering with it right now. Of course we'll be here a few more days. So I might get started. Who knows? If not, then maybe over Christmas break. Right now it just feels like a bigger job than I want to tackle. Instead I've been washing floors on my hands and knees because I can't figure out any other way to clean 100 year old wood floors without risking tearing splinters out of them with a mop, or leaving a million strings hanging in them. Ideas? Because my knees would appreciate another alternative!<br />
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It was so cold when we first got home! It snowed one day, flurries all day long though they didn't stay on the ground. And the day we got home was cold and drizzly. We came home all icy.<br />
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But it has warmed up gradually. It's soggy this week, but not freezing, which is kind of nice. Good weather for staying indoors by the fire, puttering around the house. <br />
Which is what I'm going to go do now. <br />
Hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving! Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14010761145756794447noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1883784463034839114.post-28826814930184279322013-11-23T17:57:00.001-05:002013-11-23T17:57:54.027-05:00Heading HomeWe are on our way home. One more stop, to deliver in Arkansas on Monday, and then we will high tail it for home. <br />
<br />
We have not been in the southeast, much less home, since September 23. That's when we left the house for this last round on the road. It's been too long!<br />
<br />
There was not an intent to stay out this long, but one thing led to another and it just happened this way. We had expected to stay out for our usual 5 weeks, and then head back in. But about three weeks into our working, we got a BIG and unpleasant surprise. <br />
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We got to buy a new transmission, to the tune of $9200.00.<br />
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Thankfully the preceding three weeks had been amazingly profitable. And thankfully the following weeks have been as well. But it did feel a bit like a sucker punch to the gut. It's been one of those things we knew was coming. But you kind of always hope it will wait till tomorrow and not come at you today. You know what I mean? <br />
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Anyway, given that, and a few other circumstances and goals, we decided to stick it out till Thanksgiving. In some ways it's been easier than I expected, but it's certainly been longer than I ever want to stay out again.<br />
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Nothing else really note worthy has happened. At least nothing that stands out in my mind worth mentioning. Probably because we've just about run our wheels off, barely having time to breath the entire 9 weeks! It's been awesome (and tiring), and I'd do it again in a heartbeat. I'd run this hard in a heartbeat. NOT necessarily for this long though. I've loved staying busy though. It makes time go by faster and your too tired to think much about what you'd rather be doing.<br />
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We should be home by Monday night, and plan to stay a week or so. Then we'll be back out for a couple weeks of work before Christmas. <br />
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We've got some work to do at home. The truck and trailer need some attention, the house probably needs a major dusting, if not more. I hope to get my kitchen painted, something I've wanted to do for some time now. Our family is coming to our house for Thanksgiving dinner, so that will be fun. I enjoy having everyone over. <br />
And then there will be the usual. Relaxing in front of our fire (if it's cool enough), cooking, giving the girls a very long over due bath, and, of course, time with the horses. Just wait till you see how much Midas, our colt, has grown! We'll be bringing Fancy home this next week and Midas will be staying with his new owners. <br />
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That's about all I have to share right now, so I'm going to stop writing and put of a few of my pictures from this week. Next post will be from my kitchen table, probably after Thanksgiving sometime. <br />
CAN'T WAIT!!!!<br />
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last Saturday coming across Lookout Pass in Idaho</div>
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heading west on I-80 towards Reno on Tuesday</div>
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Thursday evening in southern Idaho about 40 miles from the Utah state line (I-84)</div>
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another shot from Tuesday in Nevada on I-80</div>
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Wednesday evening heading back east on I-80 in Nevada</div>
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Our sweet neighbor sent us this picture a couple weeks ago. She said she thought we'd like to see our house with the fall colors before they were gone. We are still amazed at how blessed we are to have such great neighbors, all the way around!</div>
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**when I was blogging before, I could choose the size of my pictures and add captions to them by clicking on them, and a menu would pop up. Has that changed? I don't seem to have any options with the pictures now. What am I missing?</div>
Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14010761145756794447noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1883784463034839114.post-65300282358505846842013-11-16T14:55:00.000-05:002013-11-16T15:11:39.373-05:00Explanations<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
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Welcome! If your here it's because you've asked to be. Which also means your either a friend, family member, or follower of my former blog. <br />
<br />
Being as such, I owe you explanations. <br />
<br />
First, why a new blog and why private. The answer is more complicated than I want to get into here and now. Some of you will "get it" without explanation. The rest of you simply, hopefully, can understand a desire for privacy. To some degrees I like having our experiences open to the public because it's interesting to people and we like sharing and educating the world about life as truckers. But sometimes you reach a point in life where you just need to withdraw a little bit and surround yourself with safe people you can depend on and trust. I'm at that point right now.<br />
<br />
I tapered off on blogging because I lost the motivation to blog. And also because there was so much drama and trauma going on, and I just couldn't write without letting some of the negativity leach it's way into my writing. And being as my beloved blog, Between the Fenceposts, was open to the public and read by participants in the drama and trauma....well it was just further motivation to withdraw and close up shop. I kept trying to get back into it, but I never could make myself do it. And it's something that's supposed to be enjoyable for me. I decided if I was having to force myself to blog, then it had lost it's purpose and I didn't need to be blogging.<br />
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I've been Facebooking. And loving it. I think it feeds my lifelong attraction to instant gratification. Kind of like I never liked practicing piano. I just wanted to sit down and play like a pro.<br />
Well a few weeks ago I got frustrated with myself and my seeming inability to be concise and not wordy on my Facebook status updates and comments. I try so hard to keep it short, but I can't! And Facebook doesn't work well with wordy, rambling status updates. So I spent some late night driving time pondering how to learn to say what I want to say in shorter phrases, and why do I get so wordy anyway? And I realized this...<br />
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I'm a writer and writers use words!<br />
I miss writing! I miss being able to use as many and whatever words I want to use!<br />
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And so I need to try to blog again. <br />
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I'm going to give this a try. The motivation still ebbs and flows. These inspirations to start a new blog happened a couple weeks ago and I'm just not getting around to doing it, because the motivation left me again. I can't promise that I'll be as thorough of a blogger as I used to be. I'd like to think I will be, but we have to wait and see what happens. <br />
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I'm glad you stuck with me through my lengthy silence and I hope I don't let you down here. But like I said, we will see. <br />
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About the name:<br />
I'm not good at naming things! It's so hard! Take my last blog, Between the Fenceposts, for instance. I loved the name! It had absolutely NOTHING to do with what I was writing about. I'm not sure it had anything to do with anything! <br />
I had to ask for help on this one. I wanted it to reflect what I'd be writing about: trucking, my horses, what I'm doing while I'm home. And I got some really nice suggestions. One of my favorites was Tails and Trails, but when I went to create my new blog, that was apparently already taken. The other one I really liked was Tales of the Flying Lady. It was Malcolm's creation. <br />
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It is inspired by Malcolm's beloved hood ornament. She is a reproduction 1930-32 Cadillac hood ornament, and he has loved her for a long time, so when he got this truck last year, he ordered his hood ornament. Somehow she started ending up in a lot of my "through the windshield" photos that I was posting on Facebook. And she became admired and developed a fan club. <br />
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I've started intentionally putting her in almost all my on the road pictures.<br />
Malcolm's blog name suggestion was catchy and original. Two things that appealed to me. I'm still not sure how to make it relate to when I write about being home and the horses, but I liked it enough to decide to work around that kink. <br />
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The "look" of the blog is still in development. It works for now. It's not really a great reflection of me, which I think the blog look should be. But neutral is a good look for the beginning stages of a new blog. And I do like gray.<br />
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So I think that about wraps up the explanations. At least for now. <br />
My blogging may not be as frequent as it was in years past, but probably it will be just as wordy. ;) And now that I've finally learned how to work with this Windows 8, I'll be able to include pictures without too much of a headache and that will help me stay motivated. Pictures are a big part of my blogging and Windows 8 was such a pain about how it wanted me to work with pictures...well I've come to terms with it, and had a techy person show me some stuff, and now that it's not an out right battle to post pictures I think that will help my motivation some.<br />
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Thanks for joining me here at the new location. I'll be back around in a bit to visit, but I want to give it a few days to let everyone find where I am now and get you all "invited" to join the blog. <br />
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This feels good. I hope it lasts. Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14010761145756794447noreply@blogger.com10