“Good Fences Make Good Neighbors” Robert Frost

Not! At least not when your neighbor cuts the fence down. I try not to complain (operative word…try! LOL), but seriously people I need a place and some friends to vent to today!

First, the back story.

About 2 weeks ago, one of my neighbors (we’ll call him Bubba for lack of a better name) came over and let me know that I couldn’t leave my cows in the pasture with our pond and the one leading into it. Why? Because he was going to take his fence down if I didn’t put up my own fence (not sure if it’s his fence or if the fence is on my land…). His reason? Because the people we bought our farm from had horses that leaned against his fence and stretched it out. Number one…I’m not those people. Number two…I don’t have horses. But he said that now that we had cows it’s what I had to do. My problem with this? The pond is the only way the cows get water, I have to let them in those two pastures.

Fast forward two weeks:

Saturday, one of our cows had a calf. 2 months early. That’s not the problem, just the backstory. Monday July 4th, David had to leave to go back to Ohio for work. He left about noon and called saying that he got there around 8:30 pm. We had a really big storm , so 8:30 pm, I took a shower, put on my pj’s and settled in to watch some TV and maybe do a little sewing.

Sometime around 9 pm, David called and asked if the cows were in the pasture. I said I didn’t know, but would check. So I put on a pair of capris and sneakers, drove up the driveway, but didn’t see any cows. David said someone had called to say the cows were out. Dangit…they were! All over the place. My neighbors from all down the road and a deputy sheriff were trying to get them into one of their pastures when I got there. I counted nine of the ten we have. Mama cow and calf were not with them. The story goes downhill from here!

Because of all the fireworks, dogs barking, and the sheriff flashing his lights and blowing his siren to keep them off the road, the cows were panicked and running from one field to another. (Remember it’s dark-thirty!) About 11:30, we lost them. . . could not find them anywhere! In the meantime, “Bubba” and his mama started yelling at some of the men as they walked up their driveway to see if the cows were there. Real redneck thing to do…right? The sheriff’s deputy went to see what the problem was. “Bubba” and his mama told him that they had called me tonight and told me they were cutting the fence. (I found this out later that night and no…there was no phone call). When I got back to my pastures to see if maybe they had come home, sure enough **@?! Bubba had cut the fence down.

Now…since it was midnight, all my neighbors told me there was nothing I could do until morning, but they would come back and help me find them. Everyone was hopeful they would come home in the meantime. Also, David was on his way back from Ohio. Which meant he would be driving 17 hours that day.

Morning:

David got in at 5:30 am. I had no sleep. We went to the pasture to see where the fence had been cut and “Hallelujah” the cows were there…the nine that got out, plus Mama and her baby!

So…all’s good that ends good. Except we have to get an attorney, have a survey (we had one during the sale, but may have to pay for a new one), and get a restraining order to keep “Bubba” and his family off our land! The upside? I met some really good people!

David left on his third trip to Ohio since Monday. The cows are in the other 3 pastures (we have 5). All’s quiet on the home front for now.

How was your weekend?

Later,

Debbie

PS: Thanks for listening! 

Happy Independence Day, Let Freedom Ring!

                                             

I made and quilted a red, white, and blue stars quilt.  I think I really like it!    It’s very different from my other quilts…at least I think so!  But what do I know?                                 

In other news…                                  

Miss July 4th, 2011 made her appearance.  We had a baby…*squeal*!

                                       

It wasn’t expected until September.  Right now, we’re not sure if it was early or if the vet messed up the dates.

Other than that, not much is going on except work on my kitchen…again.  Same song, second verse…

I’ve picked out new cabinets, countertops and appliances.  Before the fire, we had planned on a redo of the kitchen anyway, but not to this extent!  We also are planning on new carpet and *maybe* new living room furniture…crossing fingers!

Anyway, I’ll be getting a new stove (gas…which I don’t have now.), an over the stove microwave, a new sink and faucet, as well as granite countertops.  I’ve picked out white cabinets and an oak island, two things I didn’t expect, because I’m all for the darker, more vibrant colors of the spectrum.  I’ll be getting  most of the bells and whistles such as:  a cabinet with a lazy susan, a mixer lift, and roll out shelves/drawers? I’m not sure what they’re called…LOL!   I’m also getting a garbage compactor (never had one before!) 

The best thing?  All my appliances will match!  I don’t know if ya’ll remember, but I did a whole house redo in my Decatur home a few months before selling and moving to Eva…total regret at having to leave it! 

The only problem I’ve encountered with this remodel is the indecisiveness I’m having with the granite countertops.  Should I go with Uba Tuba, which was in the Decatur house:

         or…..

 

Santa Cecilia?

 

As of now, the money is on the Santa Cecilia and we got an off white ceramic sink (which I can return)  and will get a rubbed oil bronze finished faucet.  The problem I’m having is that the tile in the kitchen and dining room clash with the granite, plus you all know how much I like darker colors…this is my conundrum!  Here’s a picture of the floor tiles:

                                             

with a picture of the countertop samples:

                                              

**Click to see larger pictures!

And yes, if you all say the darker countertop, I agree, but…remember these are samples. (I have to keep reminding myself of that!)  Also,  the cabinets I ordered are white and the island will be oak, and…the countertops will not be laying next to the floor but closer to the cabinet.  A conundrum!  (I’m trying to convince myself that the Santa Cecilia is the “right” one…**I’ve already ordered it, but…!  Oh well…I’ll sleep on it…I have until Tuesday to make up my mind (all opinions will be considered and appreciated with love!)

Later,

Debbie

What you missed...

Trust me.  You missed a lot!  This is going to be a picture laden post!  I went to a quilt show in Cullman, AL this weekend...gorgeous quilts!  I made lots of pictures, but here's a few of my favorites:

                           

                                       Got to make one like this!

                        

                                               My kind of colors!

                                

                                 I need to make one  for Halloween.

                               

                                                        Love the batiks!

                            

                                                     One after another!

                                 

                          Somebody in the family needs to have a baby girl!

The next pictures are of a couple of sweet vendors at the show:

                             

                                      

Ladies, I have apologize..I lost your names.  I had a freak accident this weekend.  A kitchen fire.  The fire department had to come and everything!  But thankfully, no one was in the house, except Chance...and he's okay.  I was out on the tractor mowing near the pond and when I came back to the house, I opened the door to a lot of smoke, but no flames.  Apparently my paper towels had blown onto my stove (off, but still hot from previous use) and started a fire.  My cabinets are blistered and my countertop is ruined in one place...and the house smells like smoke.  But everything is okay, no worries!  So...sometime during all the confusion, the bag that had your cards in it has disappeared...if I find it, I'll add your names later.  Or, if you want to email me, I'd be happy to add them sooner!  Again, I'm so sorry!

To end on a happy note, here's some of the fabric that I bought and a clue to the next quilt I'm making!

                                 

Well, gotta go!

Later,

Debbie

Same song, second verse...

could get better, but it's gonna get worse!

It's not even summer yet and I'm sweltering!  11 days above 90* and no rain in the forecast.  But there's not a lot I can do about the weather, is there?

I haven't done much lately except spend time in the pool.  David was home this weekend and just left yesterday.  We're on the retirement count-down for sometime in August!

I did work on  a couple of  projects last week:

**Click for larger views.

                     

                      

I made curtains from drop cloths and hung them on the porch area outside of our bedroom.  (No sewing project...they're hemmed on all sides!)

Here's the view from inside:

                                                 

And I also made a couple of pillows:

                         

Since it's so hot, I think I'll stay inside and maybe do a little quilting this week.  I got a new template for a Twister block in Decatur the other day.  Another quilt shop is going out of business and everything was on sale, but between you and me...they were really on the pricey side.   But, luckily another one is expanding just a few doors down.

Well, guess I'll go look at my fabric stash and see if there's anything that interests me!

Later,

Debbie

 

Melt Down

It's hot...H.O.T!  (I know...I'm just stating the obvious!)

I've made some new decisions.  Because it's summer, I don't always have time to write.  But, I don't want to give it up or take a break.  I'm selfish like that...and I might have something exciting to say and if I say I'm taking a break, you might not check in with me and then, you'd miss it!  (How's that for a run-on sentence, Professor?)  So?

So...it's Monday!

Wanna see what I've been doing?  I've been putting rocks down around the pool.  "We"  were having to mow or use the weed eater on the grass which caused it to blow into the pool.  A lot of work...really!  And BTW, I don't know who the "we" is, Kimosabe...'cause I'm the only one doin' it!

Before: 

                                             

After:  Same corner.                                 

                               

I've also started working on a dresser for William...he doesn't have one.  What?...that's because I took his armoire and I'm using it in my sewing room.  So, this is what I bought:

                                             

Hideous...right?  Somebody got happy with a sponge!  I really can't show the after, because I don't have it yet.  I've started on it.  I can tell you that it's going to be a light gray.  When I asked William what color he wanted, his answer was, "Everything in my bedroom is black, brown or blue...you choose."  I did.

I've been doing other stuff, too.  Bush hogging, mowing, taking care of the cows...just nothing blog worthy.  So, if something happens, I'll write another post.  See?  That's the genius of my decision.  I'll for sure write on Monday, but if I need or want to, I can write more!

Later,

Debbie

Time flies...

This will be the second time I've written this post...my bad computer keeps shutting down and losing everything.  So, I'm going to get this done quickly!

I've got to apologize for losing the entire month of May!  Where did it go?  I've only written one other post...no wonder I'm losing readers...even my mother has quit checking to see if I've updated!

One of the reasons I've not written is the tornadoes.  Even though I wasn't directly affected, it does take a toll on the nerves.  Every part of our state is part of a disaster.  Trees are down everywhere.  Houses gone.  Businesses gone.  People's lives are gone.

Monday, I had to go to Tuscaloosa with 'Bama Girl to help her find a new apartment.  Even though I had seen Cullman and the devastation here, I still wasn't prepared.  Even the drive down I-65 is bad.  Coming down McFarland Drive in Tuscaloosa, everything looks okay, but then you're slapped in the face by it.  For example:

                                

This is Hobby Lobby and the debris?  Milo's Hamburgers and Full Moon Barbeque.  Across the street?  Krispy Kreme...gone.  But to be honest, pictures don't do the damage justice.  To be in the middle of it all is the real slap in the face.  And I can't even imagine what it must be like to be one of the survivors of this.  My heart goes out to them.

To other news, we did find 'Bama Girl a new apartment.  And she has two new roomies, one is from Ohio and the other from Mobile, AL.  They all start law school in the fall.  Roll Tide!

Plus we bought 'Bama Girl a new car!  Bye-bye, Tracker!

                                  

Hell000o, Cruze!

                             

And on the home front...WE HAVE COWS!  We now have registered Angus cattle.  Thursday, we got three:  Savannah, Stephanie, and Asia...not names I would have chosen, but these are their registered names.  And...the woman who had them, kept them as pets.

                               

And then...we got 7 more.

                    

Now, we have a herd of 10 cows.  In September, we'll have 15 after the babies are born!  *squeal*...I love babies!

I had a chance to buy a Gammill quilting machine for a very, very good price.  But, it had a 14 foot table and I had no place to put it, except in the garage or David's shop.  I was afraid it would get dirt in the mechanisms and in the tracks of the frame.  I'm very sad.  I really, really wanted it. But, I have a "good enough" quilting machine and that's life, so I really need to get over myself, quit whining, and make a quilt!

Not much else has happened, except I think I've might have been bit by a spider. I think I'll probably go to the doctor tomorrow. There are blisters, redness and swelling around the bite area. It's also very hot and I'm having a few flu-like symptoms. Ugh!

**Just got home from the Doctor's office and he said that I'd definitely been bitten by a spider.  He said it was either a brown recluse or a black widow...he wasn't sure which, but gave me some antibiotics and told me not to be playing with spiders anymore!

That's all, folks!

Later,

Debbie

Normal?

Well, things are slowly getting back to normal for us.  And hopefully for others in the neighborhood and our community after the tornadoes.

But, what is normal?  For me...hmmmm...let's see!  Just a a little heads up..I'm in a mood today!

True story:

Not too long ago,  I was driving down my long driveway and a white cat ran in front of my car and into the woods.  A few days later just about dark, I looked outside and saw something white.  I thought it was the cat.  So, I stood on my porch and started calling to it:  "Here kitty kitty.  C'mere kitty.  Kitty, kitty, kitty?..."  It was nearly dark, but I could see the "kitty" turn around and waddle to the barn...not a kitty!  But, I didn't know what it was...but, everybody laughed at me and said my "kitty" was a possum!  I said no.  It had a fluffy tail and was definitely not a possum!  I may not be the quickest bunny in the woods, but the village hasn't lost it's idiot yet ... I do know what a possum looks like!

So...the morning after the tornadoes, I hadn't slept all night, and went out onto the porch to see if there was any damage,  instead...I found my "kitty"!

                                      

                                                                 An albino skunk?

In other news, 'Bama Girl and the Fiance' were here.  Power was outin McCalla, so they came home...for food!  And in case you were wondering, the University of Alabama has re-scheduled graduation.  'Bama Girl will be graduating August 6th.  And if I didn't say...ya'll are all invited!  It's gonna be kinda strange, 'cause she'll already have been taking law classes.  (She's going to school this summer...no stopping that girl!) 

And...speaking of 'Bama Girl...wanna see what I got for Mother's Day?

                            

After framing:

                                     

'Bama Girl is talented in more than one way!  Did you know she got an Art scholarship when she graduated from high school?  Really!

(I've got to stop this bragging!!)  BTW...I love William, too!  And am very proud of him!  He's doing well in the Digital Imaging program...but I'm not sure when classes will resume, because the campus was slightly hit by the tornadoes and I don't think power has been restored. 

Guess I'll go for now...'Bama Dad (David) came in last night and we're going to see a man about some cows! That makes me happy!   LOL!  The only problem with getting some cows is that I won't be able to bush hog as much...and you all know how much I love bush hogging!   One  more funny story:

Last weekend, David was home.  I was bush hogging a pasture...'Bama hat on, music on the i-Pod...gettin' it!  David brought me some water and said, "Darlin', I've bought you diamonds and pearls, Cadillacs and BMW's...but that darn green tractor has made you happier than any of that other!"  Yep!   I love my tractor!

But to prove I'm still a girly-girl...what do you think of this?

                                           

Purple fingernail polish?  Yes or no.  'Bama Girl didn't like it...I do.  I win.  I'm going to get some blue and green and yellow...so there!  **sticking tongue out**  I guess she was just shocked that my nails were painted at all!  I usually only do my toenails...and only in the summer.  In the winter?  I just let the summer polish wear off!  TMI...gross, huh?

Well, I'll leave you with a picture of my polish peeling toenails burned into your brain!  You're very much welcome! 

Later,

Debbie