Living In A Barn

Thursday, January 2, 2014

Taking down the Christmas tree

Today I took the tree down. Usually this is a task that I don't really want to do, but for some strange reason, this year was different. As I was taking the ornaments off the tree one by one, memories kept flooding into my head about what each of the ornaments meant. The really old ones like the felt ones that started my whole crafting mode off made me think of the time Mama and Daddy came up for Christmas after Tommy and I got married. I got the idea from Tommy's mother who had been to an extension craft meeting. I guess you would say that's when the bug bit me. Then there were so many that made me think of when Bonny and Julie were little. The ones they had made and put their time in. Then there are the ones that Julie and I would buy on the day after Christmas sales at Homestead and other places. That reminds of times spent with her. Then there are the ones that my sisters have given me that they have made or picked up on trips or all the farm animal ones that they knew would be special to me. My Aunt Dot, who passed away this year, made intricate ornaments and gave me one each year for a while. They were special and unique just like she was. It was like having all these people in my house this morning. One that touched me was a picture of Shyann the border collie that we lost this fall. Julie had put it in a frame and fixed it to hang on the tree. I know a lot of people might see this as corny, but as I get older more of these things happen day to day. Another thing is every year I say I am going to throw my tree out and get a new one. This year I realized that this tree has been through so much with me and has hung around. What difference does it make that when we bought it many years ago on after Christmas clearance it didn't have a stand in the box and it has to be tied up to something to keep it from falling over. Tommy just rigged it up using an old stand that was used for real trees. That is just one of many times he has fixed something for me like that and made it work.

So today I am feeling so blessed to have this tree and all the ornaments. I realize that there were so many things involved before they ever made it on my tree. Thank you Lord for everything you bless me with and all the people and animals that you have put in my path.

Happy New Year to everyone!!!

Monday, December 23, 2013

What Christmas means to me

As I get older I find my priorities at Christmas changing. To me it is about God sending Joseph and Mary to Bethlehem for the birth of baby Jesus who later died on the cross for our sins to become our Saviour. This is the reason that we have Christmas. I do love that it is a time for family and I was blessed this year to have my family all together and sit down at the table and enjoy some food. I appreciate them taking the time and expense to get here, and I thank God for keeping them safe.

For me the gift giving is all about the youngsters and seeing their happy faces as they open something they want. I look at so many people getting stressed out about a lot of things that are not important. When I was growing up I can remember my Mama and Daddy being happy at Christmas. I don't really remember them giving each other anything(though they may have)- but I got presents on Christmas morning. They may have been stressed out, but I just don't remember them showing it. I don't understand the thing of some people having to borrow money to buy expensive presents, but if someone wants to give a gift and can afford to they should be able to.

We live in a world that moves way too fast. I can remember going to my Papa and Mama Shaw's house and we had such a good time. Of course it was within walking distance, so there wasn't the added stress of long distance travel. It wasn't about the presents then, but just eating good food and running around acting crazy with all my cousins. And I had lots of cousins. That still happens places now, but so many other things have been thrown into the mix. I don't have anything against new traditions being started, I just don't like how the old traditions sometimes seem to be thrown by the wayside.

These are just some of my thoughts this season. I love this time of year for a lot of reasons, but it still remains that Jesus is the reason for the season!! I hope everyone will slow down enough and forget about being politically correct and remember that Jesus is the greatest gift that we will ever receive. I pray that you will take time for family and be blessed as much as I was this year.
Merry CHRISTmas to everyone!!! Jesus loves you!!!!

Saturday, November 16, 2013

A Tribute to Shyann

Tommy and I lost our best friend this week. Shyann, our border collie, died doing something she loved to do. She was helping us get up cattle so we could wean calves. She was a huge part of our life on the farm and will not be forgotten. She came to live with us in May 2006. I could tell almost from the beginning that she was something very special. She always gave love unconditionally never asking for anything in return. I am so grateful to have been blessed with such a wonderful companion and she will be missed. Here are just a few pics of her life with us.

She loved sheep

When she was younger, she didn't mind having her picture taken. But as she got older it was harder to get a good picture of her.

Out in the hay field

Playing with Chloe in the snow

She was happy except for when it was thundering or someone
was shooting a gun.

She loved watching the baby chicks

She would go wacky over a garden hose when you were running water

Here she is with Julie and Shelby. One of her things she would do is put her foot on you until you petted her.

She dearly loved playing with the bad cuz that Julie got for her.

She loved Joseph and liked looking out for him.

When we got the ranger, she really didn't want to ride in it, but she soon learned to come running any time it was cranked up.

Rest in peace, Shyann

Monday, November 11, 2013

Busy

I haven't forgot about my blog, but have just been too busy to take the time to put something on here. We are busy today getting ready for the weather change that is headed our way. I am not looking forward to lows in the 20's and highs in the 40's. Hope that is not a preview of what the upcoming winter is going to be like. We are trying to get ready to wean calves.

Have a great week!!

Monday, October 28, 2013

Atwood Tractor Show

We went to the Atwood Tractor Show not long ago. They have 2 each year-one in June and one in October. We haven't ever been to the June one, because we are normally busy with hay at that time. They had a pretty decent amount of vendors at the flea market. I found a bridle that I hope will work on my Haflinger. His head is so large it is hard to find one that fits him. Not that I am going to be doing much riding, but I have dreams of riding again. Tommy only carried one tractor-the Oliver 550. His favorite tractor balked again and didn't want to start after we had washed it. He needs to do some tinkering on it and get it going good again. This was probably the last tractor show of this year unless we decide to go to Trenton in November. The thing about the Trenton show is you never know what kind of weather it will be that day. I am too much of a fair weather person to want to go when it is cold. We have gone when it was cold and wet. Not much fun :).

Tommy getting unloaded

Really old Farmall

Oliver Cletrac

I found this chicken at the flea market

A really sharp Econoline

If I ever have an old lawn tractor I would pick a Wheel Horse

This fellow had 3 really sharp ones on a trailer

Tommy driving in the parade

We had a good day there. One of our favorite things about the tractor shows is visiting with such fine folks. Junior and Sylvia Simmons were there and they are one of a kind people. Mr. Simmons is a died in the wool AC tractor man. He has been collecting for many years and is still adding to his collection. I just hope that when we get to be their age, we will be half as outstanding as they are.