Two weeks vacation, a duck, etc.

It was a wonderful, very busy two weeks. a cousin and her husband stopped by on Memorial Day on their way out to the Hills. My folks were here, which would have been fantastic regardless, but we also managed to accomplish an amazing amount. Kitchen cupboards cleaned and reorganized, flowers planted, trim painted, a large section of gutter replaced along with three living room windows.... The list goes on and on.

My sister was here for a long weekend with my new niece - my first chance to meet her, and she's as precious as her pictures. She's already 8 months old!

We also did farm chores for two sets of friends which included the excitement of escaped cows/calves on two separate occasions - both my mom and dad got in on the fun of herding the escapees back where they belonged. No pictures of that, but it was exciting.

Unfortunately, the one thing the two weeks didn't include was much horse time. Grooming and fussing, but I didn't actually get my butt on a horse until this morning. It was only five minutes bareback in the pasture with a halter, but Sunny seemed as pleased with it as I was. Too bad it's back to work for me in the morning and it will be Saturday before I can get back out there.

Let's see... we also looked at a couple of acreages, ended up with an orphan mallard ducking, test pulled a horse trailer that I think just might be THE one, and spent the last two days dog-sitting (and slipping in some much-needed napping!).

Short duck video...

Faces of Winter

Last week...

Today...

That roaring noise? That's the wind.

And finally,
just because this one reminds me of Yoda...

And this one reminds me of somebody...

I just can't think of who.

May your week...

Be better than mine! 2010 has started out with several entertaining twists. The snow blew in, then the cold, but okay, it's winter - that's normal. But the other fun thing I got for a post-Christmas present was the news that water pipes above my work apartment had frozen and dumped let's-just-call-it-lots of water into my bedroom.

Oh, and in getting things fixed, they turned off the power but not the heat, so everything in the fridge spoiled.

And did I mention I wasn't there at the time? So last week after a trip up to survey the damage and collect the salvagable bedding and clothing items - thank you, thank you, thank you that the hanging clothes closet was spared - which froze completely solid in bags in the back of the truck on the way home - I did lots of laundry. After thawing and many loads later (I'm very thankful that my work wardrobe doesn't run to dry-cleaning mandatory items or require much in the way of ironing) it turned out everything I hauled home will be fine.

The mattress was a total loss, as were a lot of books. Renters insurance is (or had better be) a good thing! And they've gutted the bedroom - new ceiling, new drywall & paint, and probably a new floor, as the once lovely hardwood is now a ripply wreck. But first it all has to dry out thoroughly.

I worked from home last week, which was great for family time, but not so great for the amount of work I actually accomplished. And I also caught T's cold. So this week I'm sniffling in my office trying not to share germs with anyone.

The upside? The boss was understanding, it's relatively slow at work with all the students gone, and no one was hurt - far better a wet apartment than another abscess!

On the home front, the ponies are doing great, touch wood. The weather forecast says more snow and extreme cold is headed our way.

Bleh.
Winter can go away now!