A Story from the Ranch:
It was a gorgeous cloudy day and it had been raining off and on for a few days. The three Littles had been driving me crazy for the last few hours and so I decided to take them out on a quad ride while it was somewhat sunny.
We loaded up on the quad and off we went down the usual trail. I thought, "Maybe today we will venture out a little further." So, we did. We went over this wash back a forth going a further and further out. I noticed that the clouds were accumulating but it was still gorgeous. We went a little further, which was the furthest I had gone. We found a clearing and I thought that this would be a good place to get off of the quad and chase the girls around a little.
As I went to shut off the quad I heard my cell phone ring...it was the school, always answer calls from the school. I talked with them for a few minutes, no big deal, and in the process turned off the quad to be able to hear them better. As we were on the phone it started to lightly sprinkle. I thought, "As soon as this call is over, we better head back. So, I get off of the phone and go to start the quad...nothing. It won't start. I try again and again, and I can't get it to turn over. It's raining harder now and the lightning and thunder have accompanied the rain. I try to use my phone to call my DH for help and it now has rain on it, so the touchscreen won't work!
I start grabbing the kids off of the quad because now it is pouring rain, and we go running through the grass to get under the trees for some cover. The girls are a little nervous, (as am I) but I try to make it be fun. "God must've thought we were really stinky because He is giving us a shower! We are on an adventure!"
I dry my phone off the best that I can and send my DH a text, "Hide and seek, you're IT!"
He asks, "Seriously? Where are you?"
I send, "LOL! I'm right here." Of course, that doesn't help him a bit!
He says, "I can't hear your quad, start your quad and I can find you."
I reply, "It won't start. Good luck! We'll just be here waiting."
He answers, "I'll try to find you."
I decide to go and see if I can get this quad going again. I try and explain to the girls that I am going to try the quad, but all they see is that it is storming and they are soaked, and Mom is leaving. So, they start screaming and crying. I try the quad a few more times, and I get it started!! I ride quickly to the babies trying to reassure them that, "Mom is here, and it's okay." I'm hoping that my DH hears the quad. Then it dies. The quad quit again.
DH texts, "I heard you, and then you went away?"
I said, "Died again."
He then calls me. He asks if I can hear his quad. The next five minutes is a crazy game of "hot and cold" as he tries to find me, while I am just trying to get the sound of his quad closer to me. It's still raining and the girls are getting cold. I'm trying to get them excited about the rescue from Dad, "Do you hear him? He's coming to get us!"
He finds us, and of course, my quad starts right up. We go drive back to the trailer together, and the whole way he is trying to show me different landmarks and things that would help me find my way. If I were to take the same path today, I don't know if I could get back.
I have been lost several more times since then. It's funny to see my DH run into the trailer to get my cell phone every time I go for a walk or a ride. He sends texts to check in on me often, sometimes I get lucky and find my way back and other times I get rescued. We have a handheld GPS that I need to figure out, however, sometimes....being lost is fun.
Saturday, September 21, 2013
Tuesday, July 16, 2013
Perc Test? Solar Ovens? And TIRES!
We have nineteen days until the big move. We want the kids to start at their new school this year. We are packing, organizing, getting free boxes off of Craigslist, giving things to Goodwill, and things are just all over the place. I am also trying to register the kids for school. As I fill out the paperwork...for 10 ten kids...I am realizing that I don't have something that I have always had...AN ADDRESS. Our land has never been lived on, we have parcel numbers but no address. That feels weird.
I called the county to see about getting an address assigned. I thought that it was going to be a simple process. We have a few neighbors, just look at the map and assign us the next number. Wouldn't that be lovely? No, it is NOT that easy. We have to call the county to come out and do a percolation test, followed by a septic specialist to come out for our septic tanks. After that we have to file an application to build a family residence with a plat map, and then after that is approved then they will supply us with an address. All of the sudden registering for school is a lot more difficult than it has ever been!
Through this process I have come to the realization that cooking is not going to be as "simple" as it has been. Simple as defined by we have a stove/oven that is electric, we have two large refrigerators as well as a stand alone freezer for food storage. At the new property we have one smaller refrigerator in the travel trailer and a stove that runs on propane, we also have one very small microwave that has popped the breakers a few times. I'm nervous about food preparation. So, I have done some research and I have more to go but we may be investing in a solar over and start dehydrating food for longer keep without having to use the refrigerator. Some people would really enjoy this process, they enjoy cooking and are energized by the preparation. I am not one of these people. I cook because if I didn't my family would die, that's the bottom line. It is purely for survival. The Joy of Cooking - I wish they could tell me where to actually find this "joy". Pray for me to learn to like to cook!! I am going to be very challenged in this area at our new place!
Now we get to tires. Have I mentioned before that tires annoy me? I truly dislike the purchasing of tires. I feel like they are too much money and every vehicle we have requires at least two of them. With all the vehicles, quads, motorcycles, dump truck, backhoe, etc., we have 70 tires - yes, SEVENTY. That's a lot of tires, and I think they all talk and decide when they are going to fall apart and cause us problems. Two trips ago a tire went flat on one of the trailers on the way there, and it was not repairable. Then upon arrival it's discovered that a tire on the backhoe just decided to burst while it was sitting there doing absolutely nothing. Two new tires this month. YUCK!
Okay, positives. We are learning. We are learning about solar power, places to buy our special tires, animal fences and corral panels, different trees and foods for the garden that we are going to plant, and the requirements for the county to do all of these things. It has been interesting to say the least. Although it's a lot of work and the information is overwhelming at times, it's going to be good once we are there, and the memories we are going to build will be worth it all.
Country Momma
I called the county to see about getting an address assigned. I thought that it was going to be a simple process. We have a few neighbors, just look at the map and assign us the next number. Wouldn't that be lovely? No, it is NOT that easy. We have to call the county to come out and do a percolation test, followed by a septic specialist to come out for our septic tanks. After that we have to file an application to build a family residence with a plat map, and then after that is approved then they will supply us with an address. All of the sudden registering for school is a lot more difficult than it has ever been!
Through this process I have come to the realization that cooking is not going to be as "simple" as it has been. Simple as defined by we have a stove/oven that is electric, we have two large refrigerators as well as a stand alone freezer for food storage. At the new property we have one smaller refrigerator in the travel trailer and a stove that runs on propane, we also have one very small microwave that has popped the breakers a few times. I'm nervous about food preparation. So, I have done some research and I have more to go but we may be investing in a solar over and start dehydrating food for longer keep without having to use the refrigerator. Some people would really enjoy this process, they enjoy cooking and are energized by the preparation. I am not one of these people. I cook because if I didn't my family would die, that's the bottom line. It is purely for survival. The Joy of Cooking - I wish they could tell me where to actually find this "joy". Pray for me to learn to like to cook!! I am going to be very challenged in this area at our new place!
Now we get to tires. Have I mentioned before that tires annoy me? I truly dislike the purchasing of tires. I feel like they are too much money and every vehicle we have requires at least two of them. With all the vehicles, quads, motorcycles, dump truck, backhoe, etc., we have 70 tires - yes, SEVENTY. That's a lot of tires, and I think they all talk and decide when they are going to fall apart and cause us problems. Two trips ago a tire went flat on one of the trailers on the way there, and it was not repairable. Then upon arrival it's discovered that a tire on the backhoe just decided to burst while it was sitting there doing absolutely nothing. Two new tires this month. YUCK!
Okay, positives. We are learning. We are learning about solar power, places to buy our special tires, animal fences and corral panels, different trees and foods for the garden that we are going to plant, and the requirements for the county to do all of these things. It has been interesting to say the least. Although it's a lot of work and the information is overwhelming at times, it's going to be good once we are there, and the memories we are going to build will be worth it all.
Country Momma
Monday, June 24, 2013
A Couple More Steps
We've taken a few more steps in the direction to our ranch and I wanted to take a few minutes for an update! We have added some horses!
We still have Blu and have been training with him for about six months now. Blu is in great shape and we have gotten a lot more experiences with horses. We are truly enjoying being horse owners! We are loving this so much that we have added three more horses!!
Blu is on the left, and Tinkerbell is on the right. Tinkerbell joined us in May 2013, she is a clydesdale/quarter horse. Blu and Tink get along wonderfully! They work in the round pen together, and they are in a turnout together now. When we take Blu to go work with him Tink is right on his heels. They are best buds!
This is Waffles, our belgian mare. She was our addition in June 2013. The day we got her we realized that she wasn't well taken care of at her last home. She was about six months from foundering and our awesome farrier is going to save her from this. She has made us earn every bit of trust that she has given to us. Waffles is out of shape and we are helping her get to a healthier weight and gain her muscle back. She will be a dream once we are able to rehab where she needs to be. Waffles is a love and we love having her!
Last, but certainly not least, is our new colt, Roman. Roman was foaled on March 23, 2013. This is a special day because it is the anniversary of the adoption for four of our kiddos. Roman had foliculitis the day after he was born. We had to give him daily baths which he was not too thrilled with. He is now weaned and we have a completely different colt. Roman halters, walks on a lead, ties, and loves to be brushed. He is growing so quickly, but he was so big at birth that he never felt like a "baby" anyway! Roman is spotted draft/percheron and is expected to be about 17hh. Big guy!
Although I haven't posted in awhile, you can see why! We have been busy adding to our family. There's a lot of other things that have been going on, but I have babies waking up from naptime, so it will have to wait. :)
Loving This New Life!
Country Momma
We still have Blu and have been training with him for about six months now. Blu is in great shape and we have gotten a lot more experiences with horses. We are truly enjoying being horse owners! We are loving this so much that we have added three more horses!!
Although I haven't posted in awhile, you can see why! We have been busy adding to our family. There's a lot of other things that have been going on, but I have babies waking up from naptime, so it will have to wait. :)
Loving This New Life!
Country Momma
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