Ready for winter...we think!

It continues to be a busy time for us, but we do feel that we're mostly ready for winter. It's a good thing, too, because I interviewed with UPS for work as a seasonal Driver’s Helper. I go to training on Nov 18th, and will work from the day after Thanksgiving until Christmas Eve Day. I may do some work as a package sorter the week before Thanksgiving.

Poppy (Sheryll's dad) called two weeks ago and said he was thinking of coming for a visit. He left Texas the following Tuesday and got here on Wednesday. His comment on getting out of his car was, “Boy, ya’ll sure do live a long way from Dime Box, Texas!” He stayed until the following Monday, and we sure did enjoy it. With Mom and Dad spending much of the summer here and two visits from Poppy, we are hoping this is a trend that continues!

Here he is getting his camera ready for the birthday party. He did a great job capturing lots of good pictures for us.

The barn and chicken coop are done! Now all that remains before winter to care for the animals is to build a milking room.

Here's the chicken coop connected to the barn by a breezeway.

Here's the barn with no more holes where the guineas can get in! It's nice to finally have it completely enclosed.

We now have two teenagers in the house. We celebrated Trevor’s 15th (Nov 1st) and Courtney’s 13th (Nov 5th) birthdays on the 1st.

We had a surprise visit from Tyler during the party, so we had all three November birthday kids represented. Hard to believe Ty is now 20! (Nov 1st as well)

Bell (the milk cow) should be calving any day. She lost her mucous plug last Monday, and the gentleman we bought her from said that meant we should have a calf within 24-48 hours. Apparently Bell missed that memo, as she has not yet calved. Hopefully soon, as I’d like to get a few days of milking under our belts before I go to work for UPS.

OK, who is checking out whom here?

Some friends of ours from Bismarck called and asked us if we would be interested in wintering over 9 bottle calves that they have. In exchange, we can have our pick of two of them for our own in the spring. So now we have a good use of our hay for the winter. They are about 6 months old and very friendly, so this should be lots of fun.

As I type this it is sunny and 57 degrees outside. The weather this fall has been great! We are very thankful, as we weren't prepared for winter to set in early, and this great weather has allowed us to get things in order.

Until next time...