busy days of May

The rain started soon after I posted last nights blog just before midnight, but the next morning it was fogged in like Ireland. Once the sun broke thru I checked and we had 1/2" of rain which is good. Poor Shaina woke up with a headache that continued to get worse and as she was making crepes turned to nausea so back to bed for her on a day off ;-(

I finished buffing and reassembling items then stage to post for sale.

 

Sheldon arrived home from the north bringing teas for us 3 requested by Shaina, Britt was at baseball for the night. We managed to fit in a couple Game of Thrones episodes.

Big work day Wednesday: Britt was off to school followed by Shaina who drove her GDL advanced driving test and past. She grabbed a couple wire baskets for me too. The day was a beauty. Sheldon started spraying the yard for weeds and then pounded in the skinny poles to set up another paddock for horses. Shaina and I walked the dogs while occasionally assisting him but it went quick. We put out horses to mow the lawn then Shaina and I rode while Sheldon scooped poop in the far pasture. Shaina was off to acupuncture at 3 to work on headaches then went for a round of golf and grabbed a mirror for me on her way home.

Then it was time to sort horses, I got 3 put in each pen and put up the hot wire across the newly pounded poles. When Britt got home from school, she cut and tied pink survey ribbon along the barbed and wire fences. Sheldon harrowed the winter pasture which now includes the new paddock so much he snapped the cable. Supper was barbcued trout, beets and coconut rice, so yummy. A gal stopped for the first of her 3 loads of small square bales. Britt went out and rode Bird for a good hour. The night was so nice. Sheldon started to harrow and pick rocks around the fruit trees, I helped out while finishing up watering flower beds and garden thru the day. We each bathed then watched more GOT (Game of Thrones)

Thursday was another gorgeous day and full of chores. girls were off to school and work. We started strong after analyzing our chore list and were off to move 5 ash trees however Sheldon claimed they were too big and NEEDED the tree shovel he had been yearning for for some time. Back to the house, made the call and was off to town to pick up the last 24" in stock. I started mowing the lawn, planted the grandma tree and tried to get Daisy to learn the hobbles to help with some long grass but that did not last a real long time :-)

Once back with his new toy and a couple of my online order boxes! it was time for a quick bite of lunch. He started harrowing the yard. We are going to skip the landscaper for this year and do what we can ourselves. After mowing I requested some top soil to fill areas so he put some in these areas while I finished all the mowing. The grass is so green right now it looks so nice cut! The septic area was the next area of leveling for the big boy in his skid steer with occasional harrowing. I unpacked my new diffuser and gave it a try getting out the the hot sun for a wee bit. Watering the flower beds and gardens and picking rock and dog crap in the sun had taken its toll. Thank goodness a few beer breaks came in too. The yard was graded quick too, it looks so nice with all the areas groomed and looking tidy!

Finally it cooled a wee bit from the high of 26 so it was time to try the new toy. Off we went with skid steer and quad with wagon. The bale gal arrived to get another load and the sweat fest continued! Sheldon headed back to get he last 2 ash trees, I grabbed Coco for a quad ride and Diego ran along although on the way home he walked the last 1/3, it was still hot for sure.

After planting and watering, Shaina arrived home from work, time for shower and supper. Britt worked after school and was home later but she and Shaina ran back to town so she could get her first official ride in the jeep! The grabbed me a well needed tea as Sheldon and I watched yet more GOT.

May long w/e already gone

My long w/e started out digging out shelter belt trees to give away. These poor trees where planted and cared for but it seems someone mowed over this last row so gave them away to someone needing an actual shelter belt row. The rain was forecast but had yet to arrive so I then raked the ditches on the way back tossing rocks back up on the road and distributing the dried manure piles which were chocking out the grass. It seems I need to ask the fertilizer ponies to distribute more evenly in the future.

Shaina was off to work the golf course for 11 and on beer cart so hope the weather stays non rainy at least for her but we really could use it. Back at the house I forced Britt out of bed and to go feed cats and horses. A fellow stopped to get a bale (again for free) for his daughter to practice roping on. It ended up free cause the guy talked so much eventually I just said well good luck to your daughter I better get back to work so he headed off without paying, hahaha

The rest of my day was working in the shop, putting the new side Sheldon cut for me and painting first grey coat on the little antique table, washing up a big dresser and mirror and doing more wood repairs on a few items. Britt and I watched the Preakness race in between too. Yay Chrome! Britt spent rest of the day holed up in the basement but did tidy room.

She was picked up by a friend and off they went for a sleepover, Shaina was home from work around 8 and soon Shannon arrived and those two were off to camp with friends over night leaving me posting items and shopping on the internet .. found cool things like this, I so LOVE them but they were bought in Texas ;-(

I tired of the Cuisinart coffee pot running over and ruining my cabinets so ordered a new Breville one (was to be happy Fathers Day Sheldon but he bought himself the power washer!) and a paint sprayer off Amazon to help me in my job. And after tasting Red Velvet cake (thanks Kaylin) and Cream of Earl Grey (thanks Amanda) and a necessary refill of coco chai I made an order from Davids Tea. Sharon gave me the summer collection for my birthday so should be stocked up on new tea! Finally after much research and opinion polling I ordered my essential oil nebulizer and a few new oils from Saje. This online saves me money as when I head to the city I make a long list and spend much more $$ plus I used up all my birthday money

Holiday Sunday I spent most in the garage, I finished the vintage grey dresser, staged and posted it. Britt was home from sleepover, quickly changed and was off to work from 10-3. 

My day in the shop was most productive, after the dresser I sorted and moved and organized stock, posted some for free and did lots of sweeping! It looks great and getting better for my first paint class next month. I started repairs and wood filler on a buffet, painted a large mirror as well as another ornate gold frame both in beach glass! I waxed the frame too.

Shaina and Shannon home around 11 only to find her shift was cancelled so they relaxed and then went riding. They finished up riding just before 3 and just after as Britt was getting home from work the storm finally arrived but it was not rain but HAIL!

 love organized areas of stock

Britt slept rest of the day, must have been a long night. Some rain started later in the evening but by Monday am it was socked in. Part of the forecast was right I guess :-) although we do need the rain so not complaining, that and I can get to work in the shop today and get more done as there will not be polocrosse practice in this.

 I painted 2 coats of grey on the buffet

 waxed the mirror and then glazed it

painted and waxed this sweet little salt and pepper set

 gave away more free furniture, posters, riding pants and making more room in the shop.

and painted and waxed more frames to make a collection to post tomorrow. It was very busy in and out of the garage. Gail brought a tea this am when picking up a dresser and Shaina brought me one after her day at work and the gym. THANKS girls! XOXO Diego had a busy day greeting all the pickup people today, almost all took his picture. Britt had a very lazy day off getting up late, vacuumed her car for the first prospective buyer to view and charged up the battery, took off Julio's blanket and fed the horses, tough day! The sun finally came out about 4 which was nice but the rain was most welcome.

one of the free takers stopping to visit the ponies in the sun after they all loved up D and took pictures of all

Big Happy Mother day - blog is pic heavy again ;-)

What a great mothers day. woke up to sunshine which is most welcome. The day got even better with coffee served in bed and another episode of Game Of Thrones. I also had an anthyrium, many mini o henrys and jumbo pack of licorice served with the coffee from the Prince. Thanks Hun Britt searched thru the photo albums with many laughs and memories for everyone. Kaylin brought out Chinese food Sheldon ordered for lunch and brought daisies and a lovely bubble bath. She was then off to work after a nice visit.

 flowers from Kaylin

 bubble bath from her, treats and flowers from Prince and the big Oh Henry and long done tea, Shaina!

It was so nice out I headed out to do more feet. over the last few days I have worked on almost all the horses then I had even more fun raking gravel out of the grass.. at least it was sunny!

Shaina was finished when Kaylin started, she is now working out here at the golf course to help add to her cost of living so we may see more of her this summer. Shaina brought me a chai tea and big Oh Henry. She tacked up Hawk and she and I went for a ride as Britt went off to ball and Sheldon ran to the plant to grab me some wooden spools!! After our gorgeous ride she and I trimmed baby leaving only 1 left!

Back home Sheldon barbqued steak and Shaina made some tasty potatoes and cheese packs which the 3 of us enjoyed before we took dogs for a walk. We checked the fence line and found 3 broke wire spots and ended up collecting trash along the highway tree rows but what a beauty night! A fantastic Mothers Day!!

Our work day before heading north had me officially calling Sheldon, "Little Carl". As I was raking I turned to see smoke.. a large pile of wood scraps burning by the trees. He said it was easier than moving it! When he returned from town and his massage he did not have the load of clay in the big dump trailer but rather a brand new power washer! When questioned as to his reasoning of out of the blue buying of such a pricey item he said, "well I have wanted one for awhile! plus it can be my fathers day gift!" I replied and I got a bag of licorice, oH Henrys and a plant, HA!

you can see the fire behind the poplar tree I was trying to show dead vs new and right is my first tulip, only 5 out of the 90 are poking thru, hope more show soon. I planted some seeds in the garden, yeah!

 the wood spools.. nice

 went for a oil filter and came back with a washer.. at least it is ready to go for me

It got a good try out that day as Britt detailed the truck in order to drive it this week in exchange for the boat.

she even hosed mine off too

Tuesday he flew north and I enjoyed a free spa day. Britt needed a model for manicure and pedicure in her esthetitian classes while a local girl taking makeup classes needed a model as well during lunch. An elderly lady who said she had a couple bird cages I was looking for loaded my car with them and more gardening items! I then grabbed groceries and headed home.

 eyebrows perhaps a wee bit to noticeable for me but rest was very soft

I planted some more seeds and spent time working on an old window frame. It sold soon after posting and the custom color is blue!

 from this above to that below

my manual mowers, note Miss Switch in the pasture trying to release the wire from the post and the mowers!

Wednesday's project was to paint this mirror coral but after the sticker removal ended up removing a small area of the faux finish a new plan had to be hatched, contact paper to the rescue!

Shaina had a nap after work then she and I shaved Mr Jenkins to remove the rest of the mats, this time we got them all!  I took the dogs for a walk to survey even more tree removal at the winery. I felt like I was being stalked by a lion  and sure enough Mr J was coming up behind us

 Diego caught himself a mouse, carried for part of the way then ate the darn thing so he could pant!

 along the highway to the north and below to the south (being our rows still standing)

When I got back to the house, Shaina surprised me with a simple but good supper. She also helped me put a blanket on Switch before off to the gym, Switch skipped around a bit but settled and was off grazing.

However the blanket was GONE on the way to belated bday lunch in town the next day! Seems the young miss got it off somehow leaving it in a pile in the field. Shaina served us a delicious lunch, thanks ladies! I picked up some new plants and a replacement "Grandma" tree, planted more seeds and got the first smell of cut grass as I mowed around the yard hoping to get done as the day threw the occasional rain spits.

my new negative ion necklace came today, must be working as wee bit red after wearing an hour

Today was an off again on again sunny day. I tried to get the girls up by noon and outside to enjoy it. Shaina eventually did, made crepes for lunch and washed her jeep by hand and vacuumed out then was off to the city later afternoon. Britt who is ill with sore throat dragged her way slowly heading to work for 3-8. She did put 2 horses in to mow the grass before she left.

I was busy planting my new planters, more seeds in the garden, transplanting a tree and trimming others of more dead wood, hauling the poop wagon to the pit, trying my hand at the new washer on a big dirty piece and while it dried I put away Bird and took Scooter out for a ride in the glorious sunshine evening.