Monday Catch Up

We had a nice, quiet weekend, dear reader. I thought I would take the time today to catch you up on all the various topics of the past week or so. I am pleased to share that our grumpy old man, Chubby, is feeling better. He began a regiment of steroids on Saturday, and fortunately, he is responding well to them. I am no longer giving him the pain medication that made him groggy and dopey. Although he is not one hundred percent quite yet, he is improving, and I hope to continue to see improvements every day. He will return to the vet for a follow-up visit on November 15. Please keep our little crab apple in your thoughts.

The Bibbed Wonder ordered bib overalls from a new company, Roundhouse. I am also pleased to report that these bib overalls have passed all tests and have been deemed acceptable. There are indeed two pockets with snaps on the apron; the hammer loop is on the left, and the knife pocket is on the right. Everything is exactly how it should be. Roundhouse apparently has a designer who is not insane and is in the know with hard-working men. The Bibbed Wonder sings a song he makes up every time he puts on his new bibbies. It goes a little something like this: Roundhouse bibs are smart and swell. The Carhartt company can go to hell. Sigh. He gets an A for rhyming, if not creativity.

I am now officially nine years older than my husband. This will last for approximately two weeks. On October 28th, he will turn forty-three, and the balance of our eight-year age difference will be restored. He also enjoys making up songs about the two weeks I am almost a decade older than him. Sigh. Although I find him humorous on most days, his sheer glee in tormenting me over our age difference gets under my skin after show tune number 103. I would also like to punch him in the throat when he tells total strangers he is sleeping with a woman almost a decade older than him. Sigh. Nothing new on that front.

The girls have once again moved back to the pasture field by the barn. The boys are now across the driveway, and I fear the solar-powered fencer will not be strong enough to separate them from the girls. However, The Bibbed Wonder has ensured that the boys and girls continue to have three sets of electrified fencing between them. If the girls stopped pacing the fence line antagonizing the boys, things would be much more peaceful here. Of course, The Bibbed Wonder calls the girls in heat The Goats of Babylon, jezebels, and harlots. He says Eve's sin is alive and well in our ladies. Sigh. Also, the Jerry Springer jokes continue about the upcoming baby season.

Progress on my children’s book is being made. Aside from tweaking the images, we are close to being done. My hope is to have it available in time for the holiday season. However, I am unsure what to expect from the publisher. Fingers crossed that all goes well and that the turnaround time is quick. As we complete new pages, my idea and vision become a reality. I’m very excited.

I’m also happy to share that our subscription boxes will arrive today. Although they are not exactly what I envision, they are a good start. We have reached a compromise. We agree to see how the idea is received before I ask our talented friend, Ashleigh Bowman, to put in the time and effort to create images of our girls that will outline the box. However, I consider it a win that he even agrees to entertain my idea. Wednesday, I will share all the details regarding the subscription boxes. It’s very exciting.

We continue to prepare for The Ligonier Country Market Holiday Market. It will be held on November 4, from 12-4, at The Watershed Park, where the weekly market is held. I am working to gussy up our display and make it look festive. It’s easy to get into a rut, and with one nay-saying grinch who likes to keep things simple and “not drag a bunch of crap” to the market, I often choose not to go to battle every week. However, it is the holidays, and we should dress up our stand a bit. Part of me wishes we had asked for a double space at the market because we have a variety of holiday products. We will make it work, and it will look festive. Although, I may make Eric wear a Grinch suit…insert a giggle.

That pretty much covers it, dear reader. We are beginning to prepare for winter and the upcoming holidays. The chicken coop and barn must be cleaned and winterized before it gets cold. Everyone is starting to grow a thicker coat. My chickens have ceased laying eggs altogether. All signs that winter and cold weather are right around the corner. We will take advantage of the nice weather and warmer days while they last. Nature lets us know that time is always moving forward. The cycles continue, and there is comfort in the consistency.

Everything and everyone is healing and finding their balance again. Thank God the Roundhouse bib overalls are acceptable. Now, the hobo bibs can begin their journey to their final resting place…in secret and one by one so my bib overall wearing curmudgeon doesn’t fuss. It’s good to see our Chubby buddy moving better and more alert. I must admit, we were all worried for him and afraid this might be the end. My girl is going to be inconsolable when the day finally comes. Sigh. That is a worry for another day. Until then, we will love and care for our boy, making him feel loved and comfortable.

Remember to stay safe, be smart, believe all will be well, be grateful when it does turn out well, and keep washing your hands.