July So Far

Well got kinda behind on here, haven't posted in almost a month and we just got back from a big trip but before that we had a few things going on but not a lot so will try to catch up here.
First was Canada Day and as we always do we went down to watch the tractor parade at the museum that Neil's dad organizes.  The museums big day of the year.  It goes well as always and always nice to see.

We have had some fun birds

Some crazy storms

We got a lot of rain and boy did the flowers grow (and the bugs)

They replaced 3 power poles

We got some farming done, not much hay because of all the rain but we are trying

My nephew came out for a week

Easy cut himself and got 8 stitches the day I was on my way to ride the pony

Picked Berries

Was a good month flew by but now looking back on it we actually did a lot.

My Week

Last week had 2 days riding, Tuesday had a lesson on cows it went well, and Thursday rode by myself, I warmed up then wrote Easy's name in the arena and then went out in the pasture for a ride.  he was good but kinda looky and he was pretty careful where he walked on uneven ground as soon as we got to the road he was much faster.  I am in the Central show this Saturday but don't think Ill make it over there till Thursday and Friday.

(the sun was shining and thought Id get a shadow pic

 but he was standing so his ears are missing)

(super sunset Thursday night)

On Friday I started tearing out my old deck and seeing what I have so I can start the deck on the new house.  Wonder when its not gonna be called the new house anymore?  I drew up some plans, looks like it will be 12 by 33.  Not as handy as our other square one which was 16 by 22.  And it will be about 4 feet off the ground so we will have to build stairs and a railing.  I was working on the window seat first but then decided I should wait till they come and straighten our window, looks like it will be next week so not too long to wait.

(about how big and where the new deck will be)

(the old deck coming out)

(the plans)

Then Saturday was the big day of the 80th party.  Was a really long day but a good one.  We got there early and got all the food cut up and over to the hall then we decided to have family pictures taken but the photographer was sick....I think it was a nice day, but I'm not sure.  I didn't know we were getting pics taken but it worked out alright.

(mmm, carrot cake)

(the birthday boy)

(and the whole family.....

Jon, Amanda, Jordan, me, Neil, Karyn, Carlos and

 Lawerence and Pat in front)

Sunday morning we went to visit the neighbors cause Neil wanted to rent a land roller and squish the rocks in the hay field and then after lunch a few relatives from the party come by on the way home to see the new house, that was cool.  I'm glad they could come down all the way from Peace River to visit Lawerence.

(the land roller)

(and crocuses (croci??) Neil picked me)

And yesterday I met friends in town for lunch it was a birthday and then we walked.  It was pretty chilly when we started but much warmer when we got done.  Then I came home and more deck came apart.  I'm taking the pieces I don't need to my sisters tomorrow and we are gonna build her a raised garden.  Will be good practice for when I build my own ;)

(the dugout looked huge this morning, I think it was the wind)

My Week

So last show of the year and I am at home :(  Seems odd but the next show is April 9th near Olds and I guess we will go to that.  Not really sad as there is always lots of shows and I still got to practice.  We worked cows yesterday and it was really a fun day, lots of people there and so got to watch lots too.  Then a storm cloud blew through as we were just finishing and so we put the horses away and went and had coffee.  Was good to visit with some of them as I hadn't seen them in a year and one lady not since a clinic a couple years ago (shes from Sask and has a horse at Doug's he's training)

(the grass is starting to come in, Easy isn't very good about grazing on the lead 

he probly has done it very little but I thought was a nice change for him)

(the goofy peacock was sitting on the truck when I went to leave,

 just watching whats going on)

Today not much going on, we have 4 calves so far, all bulls.  I gotta get a horse in so I can go ride out there and see them, could take Bob but that's not near as fun.  On Monday I plan on bringing in a few, Bailey is going to the vet and so her and Pally will stay in the corral.  And then Thursday I think Easy is coming home :)  That will be lots of fun.  Ill still go over couple times a week for lessons on show weeks and maybe once a week on non show weeks?  I dunno have to decide how its gonna work yet.

I hate to say something too soon, but looks like I sold Bailey if all goes well, they came out Monday and tried her and just loved her, she was really good for not being rode since last August.  her feet are long of course but not chipped off or anything and we just rode her in the arena and down the road, she was so perfect for them.  Id like to get her feet done but depends on when they are coming, waiting on a coggins test takes forever but the farrier is coming between 10-15 of April, whatever day my neighbor tests bull cause he comes to help.

I also planted seeds this week, some have come up, others not quite yet but I'm hopeful.  Got 25 beefsteak tomatoes, 19 watermelon, 6 spearmint, 17 basil, 30 marigolds, 12 jalepeno, 12 Aneheim pepper, 12 Poblano pepper, 6 Serano pepper and 30 poppies.  The poppies must be at leat 20 years old they were my great grampa's and I just found them, but they were dry and so either I get way too many or non we will see.  Got a few more to start but not for another couple weeks, pumpkins, butternut squash and cantelope.  They grow really fast so no more than 3 weeks early for them or they will take over my house.

(tomatoes)

(marigold, watermelon, herbs)

(Poppies and peppers, they aren't up yet)

Neil's dad came out this week as well, hes working on turning an old tent trailer into a trailer he can use at the museum to haul pumps around on in the Canada Day parade.  It looks a lot better already, this week he got all the lights working and the frame on the sides.  Needs boards yet but almost done.  He only comes out on warm days and the cats pester him haha its so funny.

(oh Ziggy)

(lays down when no one pays him attention, 

he did climb all over Neil but I was laughing to hard to get a picture.  

Neil was laying under the truck and the cat 

comes and lays on him with his butt in Neil's face)

(there's the trailer, 

the other cat was out hunting,

 I wish Ziggy would go to)

Today Neil is curling and I will go to the banquet, if he wins his game at 1 he will be in the finals at 7 and I may stay to watch.