Winter

Well, no matter what the calendar says, Winter has arrived. We knew the storm was coming & I was pretty well prepared. Sure enough over 4 inches of snow arrived overnight. My friend from CA, Carolyn, was thrilled. She loves snow & had not seen this much for a long, long time.

I had to have help getting the ATV going since I hadn't started it for a while. But I now know exactly what to do & have the equipment needed for next time. First we shoveled out to the females & their crias. Then shoveled out to the others. Finally I got the ATV going and worked with the snow plow on it for the driveway area. I think today it strongly hit me harder about Dennis' death. He so loved the snow. He loved running the ATV with the snow plow on it. He always had Jamie (his corgi) behind him on the snow plow when he did the area. I took Jamie with me today and I would suspect she still misses her "Daddy" a lot. Dennis always did the neighbor's front driveway & if possible her back driveway. Another friend did her back driveway this morning (she had cataract surgery this morning) but I finally made it over to do her front area and her porch.

Carolyn took pictures & enjoyed seeing the snow. Our high today was 29.6 degrees F and we are anticipating a low of at least -2 degrees.

Tomorrow the vet is coming out to do the bloodwork for the ARI registration on the cria and also BVD testing. Should be an interesting day since I have two "half catch pens". Dennis wasn't through reworking the new one & had partly torn apart the old one. So tomorrow morning we redo what we can & see if it will work.

Seems like there isn't a minute during the day that I don't miss Dennis.

But God is good.

Friends

It has been a rough two weeks. It seems like only yesterday that Dennis was doing this and that around the farm. I "look" for him periodically when I "forget" all that has happened. I think of him in the evenings when I watch TV and Jamie (his corgi) is lying on the couch OR looking out the back door for him. Jamie is still looking and waiting for her "daddy". I miss him tremendously.

The ATV has the plow on it & is ready for our first big snowstorm. So that is one good thing. I have cell phone numbers now for most all the neighbors who want to do whatever they can to "help". At the bank yesterday the person who helped us with our house loan 5 years ago finally was able to speak with me. It wasn't easy as he is very emotional & has deeply felt the loss of Dennis. He drives by within a half a mile of us morning & night and will do most anything for me also. Friends, I'm so glad God provided us with friends.

I have another friend coming today. Carolyn is from CA and a very close friend. She is who taught me to spin & got me started on knitting. Carolyn is special & is coming for 10 days. It will be so nice to have her here. It is wonderful to have friends from all over and I appreciate each one of you.

Snow

Winter is here. I'm glad we are overall prepared. Thanksgiving day we had about an inch of snow with another 1/2 inch overnight. It is beautiful out. Dennis loved the snow and always looked forward to winter. The corgis are overjoyed & love playing in the snow.

The cria (baby alpaca) are checking it out but seem to think it is ok also. I have one thing left to do which is get the snow plow hooked up to the ATV. It is something I have not even considered working on doing in the past. (never learn stuff unless you have to otherwise it becomes your job!!) Today a friend is coming over to help out & see if he can figure it out. Once it is on I know how to run the plow etc. as I did that last year when Dennis was in Ecuador. I ordered some bib coveralls from Sierra Trading here about 2 months ago. They had a great sale plus I got an extra 20% off. They are teal on the outside & hot pink on the inside. I'll be quite a sight with my blue & gold merino/angora winter hat ------- everyone will see me from a distance for sure. But I'm prepared to be warm.

The wood stove is going strong and we are warm inside the house.........it's still only 29 degrees outside. Personally I prefer summer!!!

God is good.

Thanksgiving

We are preparing for Thanksgiving. We are having a neighbor over for breakfast. Then will head to my Mom's to pick her up & go to her sister's home. Overall things are going pretty well.

Jamie, our pembroke welsh corgi is truly missing Dennis. She has been Dennis' girl ever since we got her. She would go everywhere with him. She is still watching the door for his return. Earlier this week, when we went out to where he died she scratched the ground & did some digging so perhaps she could still smell him on that spot, who knows. At least she doesn't appear depressed, just watching & hoping. So sad.................

Willie & I are doing well. Our church family (& previous church family in CA) are doing a good job of caring for us. We are praising God for family & friends and we are thankful knowing that God is with us.

Wishing everyone a good Thanksgiving day & be sure & count your many blessings.

How Fast Life Can Change

For many of you who do not know, my husband, Dennis died very suddenly last Tuesday morning. He was out digging post holes with his post hole digger behind his tractor. He had already done probably 25 or so in the weeks before & although the ground was rocky etc. and hard going he only had 3 more to go to get the fence finished. At some point during the second post hold his pants got caught on the augur. I found him about noon, already gone.

This has been a full week of dealing with grief, making decisions, talking with family, the memorial service etc. For those of you who do not know my first husband died in '87 after a bone marrow transplant. This was Dennis' second marriage also.

His daughter his been here with me, coming early & staying later than everyone. It has been a wonderful time of us growing closer together. I'm praising God for all the good & positive things that have happened over this past week & especially for His presence being felt.

There are many future decisions, but I know that they will be done with God's help. There are so so many people who have done so much this past week. I thank them. The loss of Dennis is great.........and he will be greatly missed by many people, Willie & I the very most.

I will continue to update as time allows.

Joy Unspeakable

Here is an updated picture of Joy. She still looks like she will be a brown color to me. She is such a pretty girl and has so much fun. She loves to romp with the male cria & is just a joy to watch.

Sophie

This is Sophie. She is a pure bred English Angora. Sophie has the absolute most fiber on her. She is amazing. She is also our only rabbit that doesn't like papaya tablets -- everyone else LOVES them. She is a sweet heart and will be a year old in December.