Thursday, July 7, 2011

Happiness!

It’s not always sunshine and light around here, but you’ve got to make the best of what you get!

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Hope you have a day filled with sunshine!

Later,

Debbie

Wednesday, July 6, 2011

“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.


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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!


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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!


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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! 

Sunday, July 3, 2011

Happy Independence Day, Let Freedom Ring!

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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*!

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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:

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with a picture of the countertop samples:

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**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