Denim Deb Hay, hay, hay. Thank the Lord!

[MorelCabin]

I'm trying to spend more time relaxing. I have already told my hubby NOT to ask me to go any place on Saturday. He's good at doing that. And, I end up not getting anything done around the house and/or yard. This is my last weekend B4 my operation, so I'll be busy. The only thing I am doing other than church is going w/my brother to a dinner. Neither of my nieces want to go and he doesn't really want to go by himself, so he called me up and asked me to go w/him. I couldn't turn him down. I know it's been really rough for him since his wife died.

well getting out to a nice dinner might be just what the doctor ordered for you Nice of you to go with your brother, I am sure life has not been easy on him lately. I think it will probably be good for both of you. Have fun with it!

 

[Denim Deb]

We used to be fairly close when I was an older teenager. He's 3 years older than I, and we used to do a ton of stuff together. We were the most alike.

 

[Denim Deb]

Wasn't all that sure that today was going to be a good day. First off, I spent I don't know how much time on the phone w/the insurance company. We have over $1000 in medical bills that aren't being paid. One was from when I went to the ER last year after getting stung. Found out the bill was not submitted. The hospital has a bad habit of doing this. Even when you tell them this card is for the hospital costs and this one is for the doctor's bill, they STILL get it wrong. The other was for some lab work I had done. They paid a whole $5.01! Found out the doctor was supposed to call in and tell them why he ordered the test.

I called the doctor's office and let them know. They didn't call back, so hopefully it's been resolved. I'll be up there next Tuesday, so I'll find out then. And, since I had to go to the hospital today for some lab work for my operation, figured I'd just take care of that there. Find out, the hospital doesn't handle billing for the ER. There's a number you can call. I called it only to get a recording that everyone was busy and to call back later. I don't think so. I don't have time to mess w/them. You can send them the info, so that's what I'll do.

By the time I was done w/the phone calls, it was late. It wouldn't have mattered if it had been any other day. But, since I was going to the hay auction, I didn't have a whole lot of time to spare. So, I fed my horses, then went to get the mower. And of course, it wouldn't start. So, I jumped it again, and it started right up! I finished filling the cart and went and dumped it. And again, I got a whole lot more done than I could have picking it up and putting it in a bucket.

Since the hay auction is not too far from the hospital and I didn't have time to get the tests done earlier, I decided I wouldn't take my trailer. That way, I could shoot right over from the auction. There was quite a bit of hay there. They had some that were lighter weight that I thought would be good for the goats-but only if I could get it cheap. They had quite a number of RBs, and as much as I hated to do it, I raised the amount that I was willing to pay by $10.00. (Normally, I don't want to spend over $25.00) Well, I got 25 bales for the goats at $1.50 a bale! And, I got 4 RBs for $32.50 each! They had some that went cheaper, but I didn't like the looks of them. Plus they were smaller.

So, I went to the hospital, got my tests done and went back to the auction. I got the goat's hay loaded up and went back to the farm to give Stormy his 2nd feeding. CL's horses hadn't come up when I fed my guys, they came up then so I fed them did the chickens, and the cats, bagged some feed, put Stormy back and went home. My hubby beat me home for once. I hadn't planned on getting hay today, and wasn't really ready to put it where it belongs. I have some stuff in the hay shelter that doesn't really belong there, stuff that I'll be getting rid of at a yard sale and some yard furniture. I really didn't feel like trying to put the hay in there w/all of that in the way. I also had some empty feed bags. So, I got rid of the empty feed bags and moved all the stuff to the back of the shelter. I also took out the feed cans I have in there so they weren't in my way. Then, much to my surprise, my hubby helped me get the hay in and stack it!

There's a guy doing some work on the woods next to us for the owner. I met him the other day, so when I saw a truck parked at the end of the street, I thought it was probably him, but wanted to check just to be sure. It was. We talked for a bit, and he's planning on giving me some of the wood he cuts out. Plus, he came over w/his chain saw and cut up a bunch of the stuff that I have that needed to be cut! That save me a ton of time. He'll be back tomorrow morning. So, when he gets there, he's going to find a loaf of chocolate chip banana bread as a thank you. I just hope he gets there B4 I leave in the morning. If not, hopefully, he won't have left by the time I get home. If it wasn't trash day, I'd leave it out for him.

 

[CheerioLounge]

Nice score at the auction! And I'd love to be paid in cake!

 

[Denim Deb]

I've found that people normally like that better than a gift card, it's more personal. Of course, I'll have to make another one since we like em too. It's not unusual for me to eat one for breakfast.

 

[Denim Deb]

Don't have a lot of time to post right now, so I thought I'd just give a quick update for today. I have to leave soon for prayer meeting. Normally, I'm late, but Pastor promised me that if I make it 2 months in a row w/out being late or absent, he'll start buying me coffee. I missed last week due to the pink eye, but he was OK w/that.

This morning, I made the bread for a thank you. Kept an eye out for him to get there B4 I left, but by the time I left, he hadn't gotten there. I just hoped that the trash men would get there B4 he did. Otherwise, they wouldn't have been able to get to my can.

Got to the farm and got my horses fed. Then, I hooked up my trailer to the truck. No one else was around, and I HAD to get a RB out so I could go and get the ones I just bought. There was no way to get the tractor to the hay where it was, so that meant pulling out on the lane. But, I was in so much of a hurry, I didn't fasten the hitch properly.

Go to get the tractor, it wouldn't start. Wasn't sure if it was out of gas or just being contrary. Couldn't find any over there, so I went and got my gas can and put a bit in. It started.

Go back to the trailer. In order to get the RB out, I have to put a strap around it, hook the strap up to the tractor, and pull it out. Get it all hooked up and start pulling. I realize the trailer is coming too! So, I get off the tractor and go to put the emergency brakes on. That's when I realized what I had done. The trailer popped off the hitch when I started pulling.

Got the wood I normally use for chocking my tires. Get them chocked and pull the RB out. I use the tractor to flip over the RB and realize this is one of those ones that just doesn't want to get picked up. I finally get it picked up and move the tractor w/the RB on it into the parking area.

Go jack up my trailer. Get it hitched back up to my truck. Turn around and go and get the hay.

OK, I'll have to finish this later. I have to leave now.

 

[Denim Deb]

OK, I'm back now.

Once I had the hay in my trailer, I head back to the farm. I call RU. She's watching her grand daughter, but said she could open the gate for me. I had no problem getting in the field! There's still a puddle, but if you go at a certain angle, you miss most of the puddle. Then I go and get the tractor w/the RB. The RB fell off again. I was finally able to get it on and have it stay one.

Drive the tractor in the field and over to where I'm storing my hay. Get that bale down. It doesn't want to stay in place. RU and her granddaughter, GU, stay in the field. RU manages to find a board we can shove under the hay to keep it from rolling. Get the first 2 bales unloaded from the trailer. Get the strap around the 3rd and yank it out. Get the strap off, and pick up the bale. Start moving, the tractor runs out of gas. I go and get my gas can, and pour the rest of my gas into the tractor. But, if the tractor runs out of gas, it won't start right away.

Neither PT or KN were able to get to the farm today. I go down to feed their horses. RU and GU go down to feed LF's horses. I finish first and go back up. The tractor starts. I think the horses were disappointed. They liked that bale. Get that bale put away. Go on side of my truck and get the bale out of the back and put it away, then put the wire in front of the hay. Still no sign of RU, but my horses are all occupied so I'm able to get the tractor out of the field w/no problem. I put it away, and cover the seat w/a tarp since rain was in the forecast.

Go back in my field. Take a tarp out of the trailer and put it over w/the hay. Start up my truck. By now, RU and GU are back. RU opens the gate for me. I take my trailer out, go down the lane and back into the parking area.

Get some baling twine, go back in my field, and start tying the tarp down. Of course, the wind starts to blow right then. I finally get it tied down and hope it's good enough.

Let Stormy out for his 2nd feeding. Get his blanket on him. Go and take care of my chickens, CL's horses and KN's chickens. Stormy was done eating, so I let Misty out w/him. Get the trailer unhooked. Put stuff away ir covered. Get Licky's blanket on her, then Misty's blanket on her and put the horses away. Clean the litter box, feed the cats, and leave! I had hoped to be able to leave by 12:00, it was closer to 2:00. :/

When I got home, I couldn't get in my driveway. The guy that was doing the cleaning up in the woods had a big truck and trailer at the end of the street. But, they were so long that he had to park in front of my driveway, so I pulled into my front yard. It's not that easy to do, but I did it. What a difference! We used to get wood out of there long ago, but we had a falling out w/the guy that used to own it. I think this guy, T, will let me get wood out. Next time I see him, I'll ask. The guy that was doing the clearing out, GG, did dump some wood that he had cut by my wood. Some was green some was seasoned. I started working on the wood ASAP. Problem I'm having right now is I have a ton of wood, but most of it isn't dry enough to burn. But, I was able to get my wood holder in the basement 3/4 of the way full, and still have more to cut. The stuff I didn't get cut up, I did cut small enough to stick in my wood shed. This way, it will stay dry. I would have had more done, but I went for a walk in the woods. I have not done that in years! Some of the paths were overgrown, but B4 we had the problems, I spent quite a bit of time in those woods, and I know the paths. I doubt that most people would even know they were there. I'd like to do some pruning back of the plants to make them clearer, but won't do so w/out T's permission.

I got a quick shower, grabbed a bite to eat, and went to Prayer Meeting. When I got there, Pastor was there. There was one other truck in the parking lot, but the guy hadn't gotten out yet. Pastor couldn't believe I was there already. Wonder what he's going to do when he has to start buying me coffee?

 

[Denim Deb]

Last night, we got another storm. I'm not sure how much rain we got, but I'd say at least an inch, if not more. And, things had just really started to dry out. Now, we're back to the mud and muck.

I had an appointment w/the surgeon this morning. Unless something happens last minute, everything is all set for my surgery next Friday. I'm still trying to get caught up. The appointment was at 8:45. I figured this way, I'd be to the farm by around 10:00, 10:30, feed the horses bag a bunch of feed and clean up the parking area a bit. Then, I'd give Storm his 2nd feeding and head on home.

Well, I was in the waiting room when RU called me. I was a bit scared when I saw who was calling me. She's not normally up at that time of day, so I thought something must be wrong. There wasn't anything wrong, she had answered an ad on CL, and didn't want to go pick up her stuff by herself. She wanted to know if I'd go w/her. So, I get to the farm, change my jeans, put on my muck boots and go slip sliding thru the mud. It was still cloudy, but it was supposed to get warmer. I debated taking the blankets off the horses, but since there's a chance of more rain tonight, it was still cloudy and misty out, plus there was a lazy wind, I decided to leave them on. I get the horses fed, and we leave. RU got 40 + pieces of used 3/4" plywood for $200. And, it's all in pretty good shape. They had it on pallets. I looked at the pallets, then I looked again. I'm using 3 pallets in front of my shed for a deck. But, they have big gaps between the boards. These pallets looked to be about 4' x 6', and had almost no gaps! I was planning on building a deck next year, instead I asked if we could get a couple of the pallets. They gave me 2 of them! So, that saved me some money! I'll put something on them to help protect them from the weather, just not sure what we have on hand. I'd prefer not to have to buy anything if at all possible.

We got back to the farm later than when I had wanted to leave, so I did everything as quickly as I could, then left. The warm weather had not shown up, and I was cold. I managed to get a fire going, but had trouble keeping it burning. Plus, my leg was hurting. So, other than cleaning the bathroom, I didn't really get much done.

Tomorrow is supposed to be colder and windy. I just might concentrate on cleaning the house when I'm home. I only have a week left. I HAVE to get this done!

 

[Denim Deb]

This morning, I woke up to some wind and rain. At first it sounded like it was sleeting, so I opened my bedroom window and looked out. I was greeted by a warm wind, and it smelled like spring. It was 50* out! I was hoping that the forecast was wrong. By the time I left for the farm at 9:00, the temp had dropped to 37*. I walked out the front door, and was ready to turn around and go back in. The wind was really blowing, and it was a lazy wind. It was too lazy to go around me, so it went right thru me. I don't know what the wind chill was, but it really felt cold!

I get close to the farm and notice that even when I'm still quite some distance away, all of my horses have their head up, and are looking towards me. Now, I'm wondering if they do this every morning to every car that drives by, or if they really know the sound of both my truck and my bike.

I get out of the truck and almost get blown away. I swear, I think I saw Dorothy's house blow past. As it was, the bowl that we use for feeding the farm cats was in the neighbor's field.

Of course, all of my horses want to be fed. I get them fed, then go and check their hay. It was getting low. The field's a muddy mess, and I knew for a fact that what they had wasn't enough to last until tomorrow. So, I went and got a square bale, threw it on my wagon and was able to pull that out to the feeder. There was just no way I was getting either my mower or the tractor in the field. Hopefully, it will be dry enough tomorrow for the tractor, otherwise I'm going to have to roll out a RB by hand. I can do it, just don't really want to.

I go and feed CL's horses and feed my chickens. KN wasn't able to make it today, so I water some horses that she normally does, and go and check her chickens. Roxi didn't lay me an egg, and I'm really low. Between her chickens and RU's chickens, she's getting at least 5 a day. Today was no exception. So, I took 5 of them home. (And yes, I did let her know.)

Her horse only had a rain sheet on. She asked if I could switch that out for a blanket. I did, then put her back in the field.

By now, 45 minutes have gone by, and I'm chilled to the bone. I had left the heater on in my shed, but there's just one problem. When my hubby made the shed, he made it so it will vent at the roof. I had to put screen up to keep the birds and the bees (and other insects) out. But, the screen doesn't stop the wind. Plus, there's a gap at the bottom of the door. Even w/the heater on and my coat on, I was still a bit cold. I was behind on bagging feed, so I got almost all caught up on that. Stormy decided that he wanted his 2nd feeding. It wasn't quite 2 hours, but I decided the heck w/this, I'm going to go ahead and feed him now. While he was feeding, I finished bagging the feed, got water for the cats, cleaned the litter box and fed them. Then, I put Storm away and I left! It felt so good to be home.

I had some soup that I had started to make but hadn't finished. About all I had done was boil up the bones from my Christmas turkey. And, the broth was so rich, I was able to use just half of it. I had to add water to it to make it the right strength. I'll finish making the other soup on Monday.

The soup that I made was easy. I've never really measured how much broth, stock, or whatever you prefer to call it, but it's probably at least 3 quarts, if not more. I'll use either turkey or chicken. To this I add onion, celery and carrots. Then, I add meat that I got off the bones. I think it had about 2 cups of meat in it. I also add a small package of frozen spinach, 2/3-1 cup of rice and season to taste. Then, I let it cook and stir occasionally. When the rice is done, the soup is done. It's what I had for lunch today. I'll be putting the rest in bags in 1 serving size and freezing them. I'll be doing the same w/the rest of the soup I make, and am hoping to get a few other types of soup made this week as well as chili. Then, I won't have to worry about lunches for quite some time! I'll just take out a bag, thaw it out, heat it up and enjoy.

Other than that, I did some cleaning and some laundry.

 

[Denim Deb]

Forgot to say, I heard from the hospital yesterday. All my tests came back, all the insurance is ready, so unless something happens, I'm all set for next Friday. I won't find out until Thursday though, what time my operation is. I hope it's early. No matter what time you're scheduled for, they tell you not to eat after 12:00. I had an operation scheduled for 2:00 once. I was so hungry. I don't see why, if it's an afternoon operation, you can't get up at like 4:00 am, and have a good breakfast!