(and I don't mean you, Mr. PG OBrien)

How many wives have a husband who will take time out in the middle of their workday to come and rescue her from escaping heifers?

He came home today for about 3 hours and put the calves back in, fixed the fence where they had gotten out, and then he and Matthew cut the grass under the fences so that they wouldn't ground out.  He could have put them back in and gone back to work in the hope that they would stay until tonight when he got home.  But he loves me enough to make sure that I don't have to chase those crazy calves again. 

While I am on the topic of how good he is to me; how many men get up in the middle of the night to get an ice pack when their wives have a migraine?  He gets me up in the morning so sweetly because he knows I don't like the alarm clock.  Takes me for long rides when there is a thunderstorm going on because he knows that I am afraid of lightning.  He tolerates my creativity that often keeps me from washing his clothes, cleaning his house, and fixing meals for him.  Then he exclaims over what I have made 'cause he knows it pleases me.  He even puts up with the furniture being arranged over and over so that my work area is working for me.

What a blessing to me is this patient and loving man that God has given to me.

Yesterday was such a lovely day.  Doug and Matthew had to work so I was home alone all day long.  So I took advantage of the time and spent the day sewing, sewing, and more sewing.  I lunched when I was hungry, which was not at all, instead of when Matthew is hungry.  I played my audio book on the speakers in my work room instead of using headphones.  All in all it was a lovely, quiet, productive day. 

That is the first thing that should have disturbed me.  When all is peaceful and going well around here get suspicious.  Around 4:30 when I was getting ready to take myself to church for my holy hour the phone rang.  It was our neighbor 1/4 mile up the road saying that Mary-Kate's heifers were in the other neighbors corn.  She and her son were trying to keep them out of the road and would I come quickly.  There goes all of the tranquility from my day.  My first thought was, I'm home alone and I don't know what to do with those heifers.  I don't do bovines I do pigs!!!!!  So I picked up my trusty cell phone and called Ian.  He was out in a friends field tedding out the hay that he cut and I knew that he could handle anything.  Then off I went to help with the heifers. 

They were indeed in the corn and they were reluctant to cross the paved driveway to head home to their own pasture.  Ian arrived and choralled the little steer and haltered him and tied him to a tree.  Then he herded the others up and started to drive them home through the fields behind everyones houses.  While he was doing that my neighbor and I decided to lead the haltered steer down the road.  Now, it is a mistake to think that you can lead a calf.  You need to stay behind their head and then they usually will walk along with a little prodding.  Mary-Kate is able to lead this animal anywhere.  She can also just call all of the heifers and they come to her.  This little steer knew right off that I am not Mary-Kate and neither is my neighbor.  He would not move!!!! He literally dug in his hooves and would not go.  Ian finally came and tied the halter rope to his truck and then we towed the steer down the road and home to his own pasture. 

There went my holy hour (I called someone else to take it for me) and also my plans of going to mass afterward. 

This morning I checked when I went to mass and they were all happily in their pasture eating.  When I got home they were nowhere to be seen.  I wanted to panic.  I called Doug and told him that I could not find the heifers.  I drove around the block and through the fields (thank God for four wheel drive) and they were nowhere that I could see.  Doug and Matthew came home and they started to look.  Then I got the call.  The same neighbor said they were in another neighbors hay field heading up the road to town.  Doug and Matthew are now, as we speak, driving them home and checking the fence to see where they got out.  I hope they make sure that the fence is good and strong and that there is plenty of juice on it. 

May my afternoon be as tranquil as yesterday morning was.  Here's to hoping!!!!!

The moral of this story is never count on heifers to stay where they should be.

 We had a poplar tree in the middle of our side lawn.  My husband thinks that it is the first tree that his dad ever planted on the place way back in the early fifties when he bought the farm.  That tree was, without doubt, one of the messiest trees that I had ever known.  When it flowered it made a mess all over the place and if the flowers fell on the wet laundry hanging on the clothes line they would get stained.  After we put the pool in I was determined that it had to go.  It used to make a mess in the pool and on top of the cover each year.

So Ian decided this year that he was going to take the tree down for me.  (he was one of the ones who used to have to help clean up the mess when we opened the pool each spring)  So he borrowed a harness from a neighbor and brought it home to practice with before he actually did the deed.

Now, I don't particularly care for chain saws.  I know that they are a necessary evil, especially on a farm, but I have seen firsthand what they can do to the human body and I just don't like them.  But, Ian is very safe so I guess that I wasn't too nervous this time.  He climbed the tree and hauled his saw up with a rope and set to cutting off branch after branch.

They made quite a pile sitting on the lawn as he cut and cut.  Ian being Ian talked and joked the whole time he was up there.

It was a strange sight to see the tree getting more and more bare. 

When he got to this point I did start to get nervous.  But he managed to get it all down and cleaned up without getting hurt.  His father was the one who got hurt and not by the saw.  He managed to smash his little finger between two large, heavy chunks of wood.  One trip to the ER later he had a tetnus shot and x-rays to make sure it wasn't broken.  They dressed the wound but didn't stitch because it was swelling too much.  I am pleased to say that it is healing very well and the yard is all cleaned up and looking good.  I look forward to uncovering the pool next spring without the usual mess.

Outside my window.... it is cool and breezy and the sun is trying to shine.  Shine, sun, shine and get my laundry dry.

I am thinking..... I miss Mary-Kate and wonder how she is doing today.  It is the first day of classes.

I am thankful for..... my children, my wonderful husband who loves me inspite of my quirks and faults.

From the kitchen..... leftovers for lunch and perhaps sloppy joes for supper.

I am creating..... lesson plans for my CCD classes that start in three weeks.  Hooray!!!! I get to teach the first communion class this year.

I am going..... to hang out more laundry when I am done here.

I am wearing..... green capris, yellow tee shirt and flip flops

I am reading...... Dressing With Dignity by Colleen Hammond  an excellent read.

I am hoping.... that my two college students have a smooth and fruitful day today, and that my soldier and sailor call sometime soon.  I miss them. 

I am hearing.... the whir of the ceiling fan.  Silence from Matthew's room (he is studying)

Around the house..... laundry is getting clean, the house is tidy but dusty (this afternoons task) 

One of my favorite things.... the promise of fall and all that comes with it.   The pool is covered so I am anticipating cooler weather.

A few plans for the rest of the week...... get Matthew through the first week of school without interruption.  (this always makes me hopeful for the rest of the year),  get the ironing done, finish a few sewing projects, and make some plans for Mary-Kate's weekend home.

Here is a picture thought I am sharing...... (actually a few)

Mary-Kate was lonely at school so we picked her up and went for a picnic.  I think she just missed her younger brother.

One of my favorite sights....  the wind farms that are near here.

Matthew's first day of school.  He is studying hard (I hope)

She went to her friend Heidi's house to say good-bye to her and her family yesterday.  After I picked her up we spent a quiet hour in the presence of Our Lord in the blessed sacrament.  Then we bought a few last minute necessities.  When we got home I fixed one of her favorite suppers and her dad surprised her by coming home from work early.   Her friend Grace came to say good-bye also. (she left this morning to go to school in Ohio).  Then we had a fire outside and just talked.  Both of our ideas of a good evening spent at home.

This morning we got up early and packed the last few things, had breakfast and said good-bye to Jason and her dad.  Then it was off to Morrisville.  The check-in process there is much better than what we went through at Cobleskill last year.   She stood in line for her check-in packet then it was off to the gym to pick up her ID. 

After a slight snag (the house she is staying in was locked when we first got there) Matthew, Brett, and I moved her into her room.  She is staying off campus in a restored old victorian house called Honors House. 

Nice quiet, strict house off campus.  One side is girls and the other is boys and the girls aren't allowed on the boys side and the boys aren't allowed on the girls side.  I like that!!!!  She called a little while ago and said that she has her new schedule and has found all of her classrooms.  She checked out the Ice House for the skating schedule.  She knows where the pool is for when she wants to swim. 

I hope that she enjoys her new adventure and I know that she will study hard and do well.  I miss you MK very much.

Here we go off on her next adventure.  This morning we leave to take MK to school.  She seemed to have slept well last night and now she is dressed and packed and ready to depart.  My prayers have all been for her this morning.

Today Mary-Kate wanted to say good-bye to some of her friends before she leaves for school.  So, off we went over to Mrs. Daly's house.  Mary is a long time friend.  She has known MK since she was five years-old.  She has been like another mother to her and Doug and I have, many times, trusted Mary and Dan with Mary-Kate overnight and at their cottage.  Many of her high points in life were shared by all of us and often she celebrated things like birthdays and Christmas in both homes.  So we ladies spent one of old time afternoons together having lunch and watching a movie while chatting about everything under the sun.  Mary-Kate even played the piano for Mary just as she has for many years.  When it was time for us to leave I had to snap this photo of them together.  I think Mary will be missing MK as much as I will.

Then it was off to Landis' and the farm where he rdad also works.  Now, Mary-Kate's way of saying good-bye to Arie and all of the Landis' is to come and help them do chores and, today, helping put the cows out into the new pasture that her dad built for them.

Hey, whatever makes her happy.  Tomorrow she is going to spend the day with her friend Heidi and then we will have a special meal together and have a "family" evening together. 

Thursday morning we will pack the car and take her off to school.

Outside my window..... sunny, and muggy and getting warmer by the minute.  I think that summer is back for awhile.

I am thinking...  what a busy and sad week have ahead of us.  Mom needs to rise above it all and set an example (albiet a difficult one) and be bright and cheerful this week.  Blessed Mother Mary give me the grace!!!!

I am thankful for..... the time we got with Father Castronovo, for a wonderful husband who supports my crazy and often erratic sewing habits.  A husband who will get his own supper when I am totally involved with my work.  Who is proud of what I accomplish.

From the kitchen...... eggs and sausage for lunch.  That's the best that I can do today.

I am creating..... a fall wardrobe for a dear little girl.

I am going...... nowhere I hope, wait.... I have a fitting today but I hope that's all!!!!!

I am hoping... that my daughter doesn't make herself sick over the excitement of leaving for school on Thursday.

I am wearing..... grey shorts, yellow tank top, and flip flops.

I am reading.... nothing but pattern directions lately.

I am hearing..... MK in her room packing for Thursday, Matthew in his room drawing, both washers spinning (it's time to hang another load on the lines)

Around the house.... there is peace and quiet.  The housework is all done except to finish the laundry.

One of my favorite things..... checking chores off the list when I get them done.

A few plans for the rest of the week..... taking MK to visit friends before she leaves, Mass before Father Castronovo leaves, taking MK to school on Thursday, getting Jason ready to leave on Saturday, surviving all of the goodbyes.

A picture thought that I am sharing with you......

A study in my daughter and youngest son.  This picture describes them to a T.   Matthew is a doer, thinking all the while he is acting and constantly adjusting to his situation.  Mary-Kate is a thinker.  She studies and thinks then comes up with what she considers to be the right course of action.  I love them both dearly and will miss spending all of my days with MK after she is gone.  This past year at school was a torment, this coming year will be unbearable.  God give me the grace to bear with her absence.

My dad sent these to me.  They ALL made me laugh.  Thought I would share them with you all and make you laugh also.

PUN INTENDED

1. Two antennas met on a roof, fell in love and got married. The
ceremony wasn't much, but the reception was excellent.

2. A jumper cable walks into a bar. The bartender says, "I'll serve you,
but don't start anything."

3. Two peanuts walk into a bar, and one was a salted.

4. A dyslexic man walks into a bra.

5. A man walks into a bar with a slab of asphalt under his arm and says:
"A beer please, and one for the road."

6. Two cannibals are eating a clown. One says to the other: "Does this
taste funny to you?"

7. "Doc, I can't stop singing 'The Green, Green Grass of Home.'"
"That sounds like Tom Jones Syndrome."
"Is it common?"
Well, "It's Not Unusual."

8. Two cows are standing next to each other in a field. Daisy says to
Dolly, "I was artificially inseminated this morning." "I don't believe
you," says Dolly. "It's true, no bull!" exclaims Daisy.

9. An invisible man marries an invisible woman. The kids were nothing to
look at either.

10. DejaMoo: The feeling that you've heard this bull before.

11. I went to buy some camouflage trousers the other day but I couldn't
find any.

12. A man woke up in a hospital after a serious accident. He shouted,
"Doctor, doctor, I can't feel my legs!"
The doctor replied, "I know you can't - I've cut off your arms!"

13. I went to a seafood disco last week...and pulled a mussel.

14. What do you call a fish with no eyes? A fsh.

15. Two fish swim into a concrete wall. The one turns to the other and
says "Dam!"

16. Two Eskimos sitting in a kayak were chilly, so they lit a fire in
the craft. Unsurprisingly it sank, proving once again that you can't
have your kayak and heat it too.

17. A group of chess enthusiasts checked into a hotel and were standing
in the lobby discussing their recent tournament victories. After about
an hour, the manager came out of the office and asked them to disperse.
"But why," they asked, as they moved off. "Because", he said, "I can't
stand chess-nuts boasting in an open foyer."

18. A woman has twins and gives them up for adoption. One of them goes
to a family in <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" />Egypt and is named "Ahmal." The other goes to a family in
Spain; they name him "Juan." Year's later; Juan sends a picture of
himself to his birth mother. Upon receiving the picture, she tells her
husband that she wishes she also had a picture of Ahmal. Her husband
responds, "They're twins! If you've seen Juan, you've seen Ahmal."

19. Mahatma Gandhi, as you know, walked barefoot most of the time, which
produced an impressive set of calluses on his feet. He also ate very
little which made him rather frail and with his odd diet, he suffered
from bad breath. This made him. (Oh, man, this is so bad, it's
good)..... A super calloused fragile mystic hexed by halitosis.

20. And finally, there was the person who sent twenty different puns to
his friends, with the hope that at least ten of the puns would make them
laugh. No pun in ten did.<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />

Outside my window.... it is raining and raining.  It has been raining for days.  I feel like Winnie the Pooh in the story of the blustery day.

I am thinking.... of some fun diversions for this very dreary, rainy, day. 

I am thankful for..... the weekend that we all had together. 

From the kitchen....  the smell of my famous spaghetti sauce.  We are taking some to some friends who are shut in.  Also some homemade bread

I am wearing... white teeshirt, blue jumper and my good black sandals.  We are going to a funeral this morning.

I am creating..... not much right now.  Order in the laundry room

I am going to..... a funeral this morning then the bank and the grocery.  My husband is out of raw veges to take in his lunch.

I am reading..... The Love That Satisfies by Christopher West    An excellent read!!!!!

I am hoping..... that the rain stops soon or we will need to build an ark.

I am hearing..... the sound of Matthew and Mary-Kate getting ready to leave.  (I'd better hurry up)

Around the house..... a haven for a family.  Cleanliness with just a bit of comfy disorder to make it happy.

One of my favorite things..... the time that I have had to spend with my far away sons this summer.  I will treasure it always.

A few plans for the rest of the week...... get some baking done, finish up last things for the start of school, shop for the last things that MK needs.  Take MK to the specialist for a check-up

Here is a picture thought that I am sharing.......

I took this picture at Ft. Knox when I was there for my son's graduation from basic training.  It reminds me why my sons serve and how proud I am of them, all of them.