Gravel, Gutters & A Third Lamb???

Fall on our farm is usually a time to coast-there is no more new calves, most of the haying is done, and the activities of summer wind down as we settle into a more regular daily routine.  However, this year we have found ourselves to still be quite busy with all the things that are left on our "to do" list.  The plethora of rain we received the spring and summer created a harship on the whole farm.  Not only did it create excessive damage to the cow lane,  lesser quality pasture, a garden that's producing at about 10% of it's normal production, it was a lot of stress on the driveway.  Rick said to me one day, "I have Sean coming with his dozer and a couple loads of gravel to fill the holes in the driveway."  Sounds like a little repair, right? Nope-we got a whole new driveway!  Your car won't bottom out if you drive up to the barn now-and neither will the milkman!

 

 

We also had new gutters installed on the shop/pole barn.   Benjamin Thomas Carpentry has done all of our gutters. They're seamless, and have held up well.  On this day he brought his daughter to help, and with Rick they finished just in time for the next rain.  This time, the water was directed away from the barn. Hooray!!!!  

Last Tuesday, we got a third lamb!  This one is just visiting, though. Our good friend Chris bought a buck (boy un-casterated) and brought it over to visit Bonnie and Avery.  If all goes well we'll have new baby lambs next February.  The lambs, which will be born at the right time for 4-hers, are suppose to be sold, which is suppose to make this project break-even (or better). Stay tuned!

We started school last Tuesday with the rest of Michigan.  We are trying some new curriculum for our older son, and so we are both learning many new things!  I'm very grateful for friends who have helped me learn how to administer and operate the program.  An exciting addition to our homeschool this year is Kid #4!  He started pre-school.  He was so excited the night before, he dragged Rick into the office to show him his crayons and pencils.  He said "Look! 2 long ones and lots of short ones!"  :)  If that's all it takes, why then I'll go buy you a box of 64!

Rick has taken up running.  It seems to come very easy for him.  He said he wanted to so we had something to do/work on together.  His intentions are very sweet, but quite frankly, he runs faster than I can keep up with.  Imagine what he could do if he practiced?  At our last 5k, he got his medal, and I said "that's the fourth time he's run."  Another lady asked, "you mean, run a 5k, right?" and I said "no...ever. He's only run 4 times in his adult life." We continue to sign up for 5ks in our area.  Many of them raise funds for worthy causes and it keeps us running.  It's too easy to quit if there is no goal.

Rick's first 5k at the Harrison Street Fair.  It was a last minute decision while we were on vacation.  Want to know the easiest way to earn a medal? Join a race that only has 11 people.  That's right folks, they're all pictured above!

This was the toughest run I've ran.  I was slow by 2 minutes, Mom by 4 minutes, and according to Rick's time at the Farm to Fork, he was slow by about 2 minutes. 

One of the problems with this blog is how long-winded the writer gets-so I'll save the tomato tutorial and the camping pictures until next time!