Playing on Kiley's little 1948 Farmall C

Dave didn't get any pictures of Kiley and I on her tractor, but she did get to ride around while Pa and Dave got the track worked and ready, and then Papa getting the sled out of the shed so we could see how her little tractor pulls it.

She loved going for a ride and kept laughing and waving at Papa, Daddy and Aunt Leslie as we drove by them.

Her little C here is completely restored by Steve and I. Motor building and tuning is Steve's department, the restored paint job is mine.

We finished this tractor just after Kiley was born, and Steve said it was hers when she grows up. I hadn't had a chance to drive it much, so today while we had it out testing the sled for small tractors to pull at our coming pull Sunday, I took advantage of getting used to it.

That feat wasn't easy for me. I struggled to get it into gear left handed. Darn right arm isn't strong enough to move the gear shift, but I managed to push the throttle forward and pull the sled. Steve ended up having to adjust the carburetor, but it finally sounded smooth and went right on down the track.

Earlier in the day, Leslie and I headed to farm to mow. Steve headed to finish washing planter, and 706 from planting in mud spots this year. When he was done to neighbors where the planter is parked in shed, he come to the farm and hooked the 966 up to shredder to mow the ditches/road banks, then he and Leslie headed back to neighbors to get the 706 to bring to town for pull, Leslie followed him in his truck. I headed home ahead of them with mowers on trailer, unloaded, made tea, and then joined them at the pulling track. Dave and Kiley met us out there too.

Mean time, temps soared into mid 90's, both window fans quit working while we were gone, and with the heat, I turned on the AC. Sure makes for more comfortable inside, but miss the fresh air of the windows open.

While at the farm, I checked on my garden. Everything is growing great. Rain helped everything green up, and my broccoli looks like it is starting to make little heads. My lettuce leaves are getting bigger, the tiny ones where great in my wilted lettuce salad the other night, but the bigger ones allow me to have many more salads than just the one like with first picking.

Plans for tomorrow are to head up to garden, work in it getting out any weeds that think they can set root in it, plant my zucchini, transplant the flowers from my starter boxes left over after planting what I wanted into my house flower beds, and tie my tomatoes to the panels. Before I leave, I have to remember to spray my animal repellent, as I saw deer tracks in my garden today. Darn things jumped the fence to feast on my plants. That's a big NO NO.

Monday

I prayed a selfish prayer this morning.

I asked God to take away my pain, to heal my body and mold me into his follower and teacher of His word, in ways that are blind to me.

I have days when I have to push myself to do my chores/duties around the house and farm.

Today I really would like the energy and strength to work in my garden, help Steve get things ready for our club pull, and just have a "feel good ole me" day.

Thoughts of getting things done on this long weekend off for Steve and I, well, the to do list is still unmarked off, and I am feeling it has been a waste of time.

Ony things we have accomplished so far this weekend, mowing at track area, cleaning out shed, washing and waxing 3 of our tractors, and attending a graduation party for my niece.

It's back to work for Steve in the morning, so today is the last day for getting things done. My prayer is being sent for the stamina to keep going today, and the feeling of accomplishment tonight when the sun goes down.

God bless everyone.

May 30, 2011 Memorial Day

Remembering all those whoes lives were lost due to fighting for the freedom of the USA. Many battles have been fought, and many more going strong.

May God Bless each past and present Military person, served or serving for our great Country.

Thank you veterens and serving personel, your work is never done, your sacrifice is remembered.

Eyes to the Sky Daily

Storms came and went all week long.

Some mornings it rained, then the afternoons brought another round, with tornado watches attached, other mornings were sunny and warm, afternoons hot and humid, bring another round of tornado watches and heavy rains.

Years past, we have had tornado watches, tornado warnings, have had tornadoes hit our town. But those tornadoes were bouncing tornadoes. Not one which hit and skid along for miles like the ones which have hit our neighboring state of MO.

Living in town, we don't have the view of a long distance sky, being able to see movement of the clouds. We can only see just right above us and around the trees and homes.

This years round of storms have put us on a whole different alert and preparedness at our home.

I have sent many prayers for those hard hit towns across the storm areas, it's the only thing I can offer of myself right now.

I am a firm believer in God, and I questioned if this was his way of turning non-believers into followers and believers. Not that He sent the storms, but that he allowed them to hear the prayers come from the minds and mouths of those who march against Him.

My own self fish prayers turned to prayers for others and not for my needs. Maybe a self awakening for many as it was for me?

God bless all those who lost loved ones, homes, business' and many they talk more to God and those who don't believe, may they become faithful to one God, the great God.

My little Kiley played in the rain puddles after the brief shower before the storms moved in Tuesday afternoon.

My little squirrel friends that I fed all winter, they are invading my flower containers and flower beds this spring.
I think I am regretting feeding them so close to the house. But I wanted to watch them all winter. Now I am watching them destroy my flowers. Not a good thing.

Have to look closely to the bare spots in the flower bed, but I got my tender plantings in there, with the help of all kids.

I just hope they didn't get drowned with all the rain we received right after we got them in the ground.

My perennials are growing great. I wish I had started my seedlings earlier, so they had buds on them when we planted. But I held off due to cool temps.

And I had to get my garden plants started and growing first, then the flowers. I have 4 sunflowers yet to place in flower bed.

The afternoon got away from us, and I had the kids dig up 2 hos ta plants and take to their house, and they had to beat the rains coming in.

I am not sure what the flower here is with the pink and white blooms, but I sure love it. I have had this one going on like 8 years now.

Comes up every year and is loaded with flowers all spring and summer. My hollyhocks come up again this year. But really, I think they stayed green all winter under the snow.

They were growing when I cleaned the flower bed out and started working it for planting.

I cut all my daffodils to go dormant already.

So planting the transplants around those areas to fill in for summer blooms.

My yellow rose bush is bloomed already. It's short yet, but if it blooms like it has in the past few years, it will get over 5 foot tall and have the biggest most beautiful blooms this summer that I have ever had the pleasure of growing.

My little red rose bush didn't grow last year. But I left the root, hoping it might thrive. This year is has, and it has a side rooted rose bush growing about 6 inches from it. Can't wait to see how it turns out this summer and if it will give me some pretty blooms.

Sunday was play time May 22

Sunday was a beautiful sunny day. West Alton, MO was host to an antique tractor pull. Of course we went, and had a good time. Started out with a moment of silence for a long time friend, sled owner / operator / tractor puller. Al Mankey lost his battle with cancer. RIP Al

I pulled 3750# class, finished with 2nd place. Track was a good hard one, and my little H did a good job holding the track as I pulled. Didn't float the front end one time. Steve missed me having the front end in the air. I was happy with no wheelies at this pull, like I had in March at Fruitland's pull.

Steve pulled the 3800#, 4000#, 4500# and 5000# classes. He took a 1st, 2-2nds, and a 4th place in his classes. We were very happy with the day. Dave and Kiley come over in my truck, and Kiley and I were able to leave when it got too hot for us. Guy's got home around 4. But Steve loves hanging around and talking with all the pullers after he's done pulling. He's always ready to help other pullers when they need a pull off, if their tractor dies and won't start up. Our friends know they can rely on us to help when needed, and they are always right there for us when we need them. Love our pulling buddies.

Catch up Saturday May 21

Got out of bed this morning, stiff and sore, downer 2 Advil, and Kiley and I read books and looked at pictures for half an hour til Grandma could move freely. Then we got Aunt Leslie up, and went out to breakfast at McDonald's and then off the K-Mart shopping. I detest shopping sprees of most kinds. Clothes shopping is the worst experience in the world for me. But I held in there and got me a pair of jeans and a dress shirt. (I have lost 23 lbs so far since Feb. And my clothes are hanging on me now. I have graduations and birthday parties and wedding shower to attend in the next few weeks, and didn't want to look like the youth of America in those loose baggy clothes.)
So, Saturday evening found us at our friends house helping celebrate their daughters 21st birthday. Had a great time, laughed at the guests as they drank too much and started dancing and karaoke. Was a blast as the little ones, from age 1 up got out on the dance floor. 8:30 come, Melanie and Kiley and Dave had to leave to get K in bed. Mel had driven her truck up with Kiley when we went, Dave come up after work. They left, Melanie in the lead, for Dave had to find Kiley's cup she left on table. Dave called Leslie about 7 minutes after he left, saying he got hit by a deer. Of course, we left immediately, and he hit the deer just about a quarter mile from the turn off to our farm, approximately 1 mile from where I hit my deer last fall.
That road is deer crossing area for sure. The deer hit him, he didn't hit it. It ran right into the side of his little car. Luckily, it didn't go in his window at him. He wasn't hurt, car was drivable home. Window won't roll up, so I duct taped a piece of clear shower curtain over it, til the insurance company can get there to look at it and get it in to get fixed. We let Dave borrow our 4x4 truck til he can get a loaner car. He loves driving that truck anyway. lol Gotta praise God for riding with us at times like these. He is for sure our co-pilot.