We were bored...

Today I got onto the kids for watching too much TV and not playing outside. We are on day 11 or 12 of below 90 degree weather; there is no excuse to live on a farm and not be outside.

I looked out the door to see that the kids had propped a swimming pool slide onto the well house and were having a ball. They were even inventive enough to get old hydraulic jack bases up on top to help weight down the top of the slide. (Don't ask why we have a pool slide; we don't own a pool. Robby brought it home a few years ago because, "We might need it when I turn the windmill into a fort.")

I asked the kids if they were ready to come in and eat (at 8:30pm):

"No, we are having too much fun," said Sadie.

"You said there was lots to do out here and we're doing it, this is fun," replied T.S.

I guess I'll let them stay outside until dark. Supper is over-rated anyway.

Mudfest 2010

We had a lot of rain recently. Last week, the kids had a great time in the mud.

Thankfully, Robby is finally home. He took pity on me and swept and mopped the laundry room. That means my thought of growing a garden in there will be put on hold (which is a good thing).

Snow Day (More like Sleet Day)

It is sleeting today. Supposedly it is supposed to turn to snow soon. We don't have school today and probably won't tomorrow. Here are pictures of the day so far (these were taken a little before 9:00 this morning). I'll try to take more when it is time to feed this afternoon.

We had trouble opening gates this morning because of ice buildup. Sleet stung our faces. I'm not looking forward to helping feed this afternoon. I'm glad we just have the pigs, chickens, lambs and a dog to feed and aren't having to take care of cattle, too.

The kids have already painted and played some games. Puzzles are next on the list. I'd like to cook some chili, but we're not sure how much longer we'll have electricity. I'm pretty sure if I start cooking it'll go out half-way through. When we were kids, Grandma and Granddad would send us a puzzle from the hardware on snow days and mom would usually cook chili.

We're prepared for the electricity to go off. We have a fire going, lots of bottled water to drink, and water drawn up for flushing if necessary. We can't see out of the north or east windows because of the coating of ice. It's kind of odd to not be able to see out.

I'm planning on posting more pictures on my "Thoughts" page--weather permitting.

A Snake Tale

Friday I went to the barn to help mom get the grain truck out so she could start sowing wheat. Mom opened the door to the grain truck and announced we had a problem. Lots of things went through my mind. I walked over, and, sure enough, we did have a problem. Wouldn't you call three snake skins in the floor and behind the seat a problem?

On further inspection, we found another skin coming out of the grill of the truck. I announced that Robby would sure have fun with this. He cleaned out all of the skins and found no snake. Saturday morning, T.S. and Robby went back to the barn to get the truck. Guess what was on the floor?

A fresh (still damp) snake skin.

Guess where the truck is?
That's right, in the barn.


On another note--we are still here and busy--Tri State Fair is this weekend, so be on the watch for fun fair photos.