The seasons of a swing set..

It first arrived in summer, making fast friends with our 2 toddlers. Big momma sat her pregnant fanny in those chairs, whiling away the hours as the chillun ran up and down the ladder, sparking each other with the electricity from the plastic bump slide. (Oh, to sit in those chairs again, with a babe on my lap and corn husking to be done....)

My son learned to climb a ladder this past summer, my daughter learned to spin in a swing. Both very momentous childhood moments.

Here it sits in Autumn. Surrounded by a crunchy blanket of fallen maple leaves. Rubber boots plowed their way to the play set, running back and forth from the silo to the slide, using the ladder as 'home free'. Another childhood game learned by it's side...

Sadie the dog now knew this was a place to find her little friends, and would come running at the sound of laughter...

Alone, but for the snow perched upon it's rooftop, the playset seldom feels the warm bottoms of my children or the grasp of their tiny hands. The chairs now sit frozen and empty, waiting for my girth to reside in them again.

I see you lonely out there dear swing set... We're in here, waiting...waiting for that first thaw, those crocus and daffodils, and the muck that shall adorn your lovely green slide... And our first spring together shall bring a new face and new tiny hands to grasp your ropes.

Till then....we'll while away the hours inside..

Holidays and homecomings...

Here we are already! Moving into the year 2008, I'm still trying to wrap my head around this...it sorta just snuck up didn't it?

We've been keeping busy these past few weeks with many a celebration, feasts and welcomings. It's been a very fun filled time of year, that is now winding down.

I'm thankful for the blessings and the time spent with family, but I'm now gearing up for the month of our little one's due date!!! Whewy, I thought'd never come.

We have been blessed with another anticipated arrival in our family....one that came a little earlier than her due date....my brother and his wife (my best friend) had their baby girl, Ava Grace on December 27th. What a sweetheart!!

The happy family!

Ava and her Great Oma

The proud Grandparents!

Aliesha's mom and the new arrival!

We went to visit them today and I was instantly reminded of my own two hooligans when they were so tiny....I had forgotten how small they actually are when they first come out!!! It sort of jolted me into a reality that this is soon what I'll be bringing home :) It made me even more excited!

I'm sharing a photo of my torpedo like appearance ... it's sort of amazing that I'm actually able to walk upright. you'd think this belly would make me fall forward. I'm still not ruling out the possibility of twins...(but my doctor has..) People at church on Sunday were making shocked expressions and oogly eyes when they saw me walking about....saying, 'WHEN are you DUE??' It was just so .... ahem.... wonderful.

And of course I look like a dork, as the hubs was trying to make me laugh like a hyena. niiice.

Oh, and if you've ever wondered what cankles look like....here's your chance...

You'll notice how the toes have a very typical appearance to them then suddenly...BLAMO, there's the cankle. I've now been made to wear my big ole' barn clogs... in a beautiful shade of baby blue, you can just imagine how that looks with my sassy black pregnancy dress pants. I've entered fashion critical, and it's a slippery slope to me soon appearing in a moo moo and flip flops.

Sheer elegance.

Merry Christmas to all, hope your days are filled with love, laughter and ... hugs !!

munch, munch, ... Oh! Hello!

Well... Hello there, let me introduce myself. Farmers Wife, pleased to meet you.

If we've met before, you'll no longer recognize me. Or perhaps I should pluralize that to ...Me's. I have juuuust about doubled in size. Oh yes, that's legs and all. It's something to behold. 'Cept there ain't a soul that could be-hold me if need be. I'd crush 'em, with my mighty fine cankles (calf-ankles, they've melded into one and are no longer distinguishable as seperate body parts) and my h-arms (I just made that one up, clever huh? .. my wrists are no longer visible either.)

It's sad really. The puffing, water-retention, braxton hicks, pelvic pains, and tight shoes are beginning to wear on me. And let's not even get started on the waddling. Oh Gracious, this baby's head is so low, I feel as though I'm walking with a bowling ball between my thighs most of the time. It's very feminine to say the least.

I haven't much to say these days ... 'cause you know, hanging around in my recliner watching 'Oprah', hasn't led me to any real life sharing moments....except that I wished I lived in Macon yesterday....Dang she had some nice 'Favourite Things' huh?

Everyone here is doing well, we've survived several Christmas parties already, and have several left to go. I've yet to complete the nitty gritty of the shopping...I still need to get fillers for the stockings, and wrap all the glitzy gear ... but other than that, I'm ready. Which I guess isn't really ready at all huh? huh.

Hope (if you're still clicking on me) you're enjoying some serious Holiday fun, and that you're in a blogging blitz of happiness. I'm still reading you all, even if I don't comment (for fear that I may actually have to use my fingers to type, rather than feed my gaping mouth...)

PS- (I can't wait to show y'all a picture that is yet to be taken of a sweet little calf that was born not too long ago....shoot, he just makes my heart all dizzy....seriously resembles a teddy bear...and I'll walk through snow and ice just to get to that calf barn to take a picture)

Peace Prayer

Hello All,

Still alive. Still Pregnant. My due date cannot come soon enough.

I've some wonderful things to post about, just not right now .... Instead I thought I'd give you a little prayer that makes sense this time of year.

Here 'tis:


Prayer for Peace
by Joni Anderson

Peace begins with me.
I'll find the stillness within the quiet of my mind.
There You'll be waiting patiently,to help me on my way.
I'll be peaceful, and go out in the world, smiling from my soul.
I'll greet someone's eyes as we hug soul to soul.
This greeting will continue with everyone I meet.
Soul hugs from one to another, soon fill my street.
Then a multitude of hugs overflow my state.
So it is with countries, hugs from soul to soul—bring out the peace in everyone, and peace throughout the world.
Thank you God, for loving me, in the quiet of my mind, filling me with peace.
Remind me to live Your peace every moment of my day.
Amen.

Woe to the fat lady...

It's getting bigger. And bigger. The belly I mean.

These days I don't much feel like blogging as I know it'll just be a vent to my heightened pregnancy emotions, my fat pregnancy woes, and my super pregnancy cravings. You know, the boooooring stuff. So, instead, I sit read your blogs and feel much better about not having turned you all off with my ranting.

I look at my fingers as I type and I think of the Simpsons episode where Homer realizes he needs to type with the end of a pencil as his fingers are too thick... and when using them he types several letters at one time. asdf jkl;. doh. Honestly I don't really watch the Simpsons, but I gotta tell ya as of late, the big pot-bellied, donut eating, mind numbing cartoon man and I have waaaay too much in common.

I'm at 30 weeks and some moments I'm telling myself I better start enjoying this as it's probably our last, and other moments I'm secretly wishing for pre-term labour.

The waddling has begun, the pelvis has thrown itself open and my hips are snap-crackle-popping. It's quite amusing for others I'm sure...watching the fatty try to put her socks on. The groans alone are worth seeing the scaring image.

Anyway, I'm off to plunk down in the recliner and try to catch the tail end of Oprah...(gotta keep my goals high afterall...)

It was blood red, and so beautiful.

Wee Ghosties..

Aunt Vicki came over and helped carve the punkins... Gabe's is the small square eyes with only one pupil (darn big knife), Ashlyn's is the small triangle eyes with only 2 teeth (same knife)...mine is the far left large one, and Aunt Vickis is the one on the right.

That's her trick face. As in the tricky of the trick-or-treat.

Here he is, working on his patient. Dr. Gabe has diagnosed her with having a heartbeat. Thank goodness.

Here he looks as though he's the one needing the Doctor. Poor Gabriel had a cough and far be it for me to tell him he couldn't go....I wasn't gonna ruin the event he'd been building up for days. So instead I just had to put up with the hacking, my grimacing at every cough...just waiting for the tell tale gags. He lasted until we left the last house, and then it was all over. his costume I mean. Dinner that is. you get my drift.

All in all it was a fun evening!

Conservation Area Pics...

Cute pic huh? If it weren't for the huge contusion on my boys head, I might have ordered it to be developed (and check out the elfen child behind her brother...what a stinker) . We went to the Conservation Area the other day and it was truly one of the most beautiful days we've experienced, in these parts, all year. The Hubs and I sipped our coffees whilst the children played about in the endless piles of leaves, and investigated the nearby stream. It didn't take long before Gabe and his 'shuffle gait' found a huge tree root and took a fall, only to bonk his forehead upon the next tree root, a perfect 2 feet above the other. It put a damper on the walking portion of the excursion, which, you know, is most of the time at a conservation area. But daddy was a willing horse, and put Gabe on his shoulders.

Here I am trying to convince the unwilling hooligans to look into the lens...

And this one just kills me... It makes my heart a little dizzy. I can't handle that sly grin playing on her lips...she was about to laugh at how the leaves felt on her cheek while she was riding the Daddy horse. Those bright leaves just make those dark eyes pop out.....ahhh sweetheart. (Nevermind the chocolate donut on her chin :) )

Thar' She Blows! well .. almost. 27 weeks along now, and feeling like I should be more like 37. The babe is kicking lots and everything seems to be healthy (haven't heard whether the placenta has moved yet).

I was talking on the phone and snapping the photo (you know, like any typical mom...multitasking) sorry you can't see my gorgeous face...I didn't do it on purpose...ahem.

Attic Reno Cont'd....

I purchased the bedding set for our new 'love nest' and I decided on browns and blues... the walls match the blue colour you can see in the duvet colour ( bottom of photo) and the polka dotted fabric you see is the curtain. We have walnut stained oak furniture and I think it'll look alright once it's all put together.

The carpet will be arriving on November 6th... and then I guess it's up to us when we'd like to move in! Whoop, whoop, I can't wait!

The Mother Load.

Tee hee.

Please excuse the titter. I'm in one of those moods. Thus...I'm writing this post.

When I first became a farmers wife, I knew very little of the goings on of the agricultural sector. Very little. I think the Hubs may have been a little surprised that his new bride was so ....ahem.. daft in the world he knew so very much about.

It must have been hard for him to explain the details he took for granted, but, he did and with loads of patience and a very few eye rolls.

As we were married in October, (harvest time...I'm sure his family thought I was completely nuts requesting a gala during this, the busiest time of the year....) one of the first 'events' I was exposed to was the 'Emptying of the Burm'.

Let me learn all ye city folk.

The 'Emptying of the Burm' could also be called the 'Stinkiest Event of the Year' or 'The Draining and Spreading of the Manure Pit' or 'The Time in Which You'll Not be Able to Stand the Scent Emanating From Your New Husbands Clothing'.

It's sure something I look forward to. Let me tell you.

This year, I decided to share the special moment, with you, my people. I'm certain you'll find the fun in it all...(at least you didn't have to stand 10 feet down wind of the 'Burm' whilst the manure was being stirred up ... my nostril hairs are still burning.)

There are 3 different spreaders here on the farm. One is for the liquid or 'Slurry' as they call it. (Mmmm. Slurry. ..oh wait, I mean Slurpee.) The other two are for the ..ummm...more solid variety, you know, the intact manure. They are known to my 3 year old son as, The Flingers. 'Cause they ...well... fling.

Here is an action shot of the skid steer loading the spreader that has been backed down into the burm. The Hubs does the loading and his father or uncle typically drive the tractors.

If you maximize the shot, you might even see some corn kernels floating around in there. ...Sorry.

Ahh, there she is in all her loaded glory. It looks as though her cup runneth over....that'll be on my van tires as I bring the hubs his next coffee. Have I told you my van is white?.....you'd never know it, it's always sporting a lovely shade of beige.

Here we go off to the open 'fifty' (the fifty acres down the road that needed some 'fertilizer')...

And here we are. You can understand my standing so far back...I was afraid of needing a toothpick to get the corn kernels out of my teeth, if I stood any closer.

Thank heavens my camera has zoom.

Now how's that for a screen saver. Almost pretty in a dirty sort of way, isn't it.

Possibly titled ... 'The Ballet of the Paddies' or 'Who Flung Dung?' perhaps even ' Manure Mania'.

Whichever, I hope you feel a sense of honour now that you've 'Emptied the Burm' with me. I know I feel a lot lighter having shared my ...(ahem).. 'load' with you.

Tee Hee.

Falling .... leaves and parts.

Fall has fallen here on the farm. We're blessed with a multitude of very tall, very old maple trees that provide incredible shade in the summer, and a beautiful back drop come fall. The kids have been enjoying running through the crunchy heaps and picking up all the colours. With every gust and breeze comes a shower of yellow, red and brown...it's absolutely my favourite time of year, and thus we'll be celebrating our anniversary next week. The weather now is like it was on our special day, sunny and cool, filled with colours and lady bugs.

The cooler weather has also helped with the pregnancy woes. In that last heat wave, my fingers were becoming sausages and my ankles could be likened to oranges. But that fluid retention has now passed (ahem...literally...)and I'm back to my old, perpetually swollen, self.

As the anniversary approaches, it brings a reminder of my younger days (albeit only 6 years ago...) These years with children can be likened to dog years....1 equal to seven years for every child....that would be putting me in the 21 year bracket. And, really, it would seem more plausible that the bodily changes that have occured in this body of mine, should have occured over a period of 21 years....rather than 6. It's a downright shame that things can go south (ahem ...again with the literal) so quickly.

I can only hold onto my last hopes that things can be reversed just as quickly..... until I've exhausted every last weight-loss, body tightening, part lifting, tooth whitening, head hair-beautifying, body hair removing, cellulite toning and skin conditioning product there is on the market.... I will hold out hopes.

(whistle) Milking Time!!

It's time girls, Milking Time. C'mon l'il Doggies!!!

These old 'Country Roads' lead 'em home.....

Here they come... Clip Clop. They know the path well.

Sadie the farm dog know her place when the cows are coming. Behind the fence. She's even part cattle dog....still haven't figured her out.

There they go...tails a'swishing. Thems happy cows. (or the flies were biting..)

Oh. ummm. thanks girls. (They're a little camera shy...makes 'em nervous....a little irritable bowel when they see the lens.)

We're Having Twins!!!

Or perhaps I should clarify, seeing as I'm pregnant and all....Ahem...what I meant to say is, We Had Twins!! ...here on the farm.

This is Bess and her new brood. Another soon-to-be-momma stepped in to help Bess get her little ones up and running, but they are both hers.

I gotta tell ya, it was a sight to behold...the birth of course, and the big fat pregnant woman sneaking under the electric fencing to get a few shots of the new family. There was grunting and groaning in both events.

She's happily resting in the pasture with her babes, and will until tomorrow, when they'll all be moved into the barn.

Hope you enjoy the pics....it was laborious (heh) just getting them.

Peek -a - boo.... I see you too little one.

We have so much to be thankful for, hope you enjoy a wonderful Thanksgiving.

Perhaps you'd like Fluffy stuffed while you peruse the shelves of cheddar and jalapeno havarti. Or maybe you're just looking for some authentic head cheese..whichever the case, be sure to stop by Mapletons Taxidermy and Cheese Store.

Oh and I almost forgot to mention the 'Hats for Hides Depot' ..... (I was going to get quippy about this one...but I just really don't get it. )

Lemme know what your best guess might be...

The 2nd birthday of the 2nd Child....

A cake fit for any Dora fanatic

She just couldn't blow out those candles, ...big brother had to step in..

'Oh daddy, just give it here, I can do it...'

'And if I throttle her like this, will she stop crying?'

'My turn....lots please Aunt Paula...'

'No, no, Aunt Paula...squeeze it like this..'

'I said come here! I have a strawberry kiss for you...'

'Happy Birthday Sis'

Fluff...

Silence.

That seems to be the theme in my brain since I became pregnant. Oh sure, there's that odd cricket chirping, and perhaps a breeze that blows from one ear to the other...but for the most part..it's just quiet.

It's not that peaceful sort of quiet either. It's rather unsettling, a void of sorts. I can no longer put together many coherent sentences.

Thus ... the blog has suffered. I mean, how can you keep an written audience entertained ..without writing?

'Cause I mean really, those posts about re-calls and window boxes are so very stimulating...and I'm sure you're hanging onto your seats for more of that fluff,... but I'm aching for some real meaty subject matter.

It's hard to believe this is my 294th post. It's true. I was a writing machine for a while there, a daily blogger, and on a good day..sometimes 2.

But now. Alas. *sigh* I must regress to photo posts and things others are reporting...like recalls. If perchance my brain decides to kick back into high gear, I'll be sure to let you know.