Hit The Road

We hit the road Friday morning, just after 8:00, on our way to visit family.  Maggie came with us, on her first road trip.  She did not relax enough to lie down in her crate until almost three hours into the trip.


We stopped at Chili's at 1:30 for a late, big lunch.  With full bellies and a little indigestion, we got to the Always Inn (Bed and Breakfast) a little after 3:00.






After getting settled in, we hopped back in the car and drove ten minutes to Brown County State Park, where we hiked two trails totaling over three miles. 




It was a fair amount of up and down and we had dressed warmly because it was in the mid forties, so we both ended up hot and sweaty.













Maggie enjoyed the new terrain and being out of the car.




I've said it before, but I'll say it again, I just love the under story of dried leaves on these trees that I still haven't identified.
They look so lacy.





The bonfire at the lodge was nice to sit by and it felt good to take a rest.

Once back to our room, Joe took a hot Jacuzzi bath.  We got the gas fireplace going and enjoyed beer with our snacks for supper.


Early in the evening Maggie barked a few times at people passing by our door, but otherwise was very well behaved.  

We slept well in the king size bed, and with not a peep out of the dog.





The large hearty breakfast we were served Saturday morning was wonderful and very filling.  Then we were back on the road at 9ish.  Seen right, a stop at a rest area.  Maggie likes getting out and investigating new smells.

We arrived at Dan and Valencia's apartment in Aurora at noon on the dot.  Maggie liked Val immediately, but was slow to warm up to Daniel.

A quick trip to Subway satisfied our lunch needs.  Then I walked Maggie around the large apartment complex to tour it.  I was impressed by the club house, pool and picnic area.  Maggie was interested in all the new smells, but especially those of the waterfowl.

  



We hung out at Dan and Val's and then headed to her parents (Yaneth & Ricardo Cruz) in Montgomery, taking Maggie with us.
  
Valencia's youngest sister (Alexsys) watched the dog while the six of us went to the movie "London Has Fallen" in Yorkville.  There was rarely down time during this movie, it was constant excitement.

After reconnoitering back at Val's parents, we decided to go for dinner at Blackstone Grill, back in Yorkville (seen right).  Below is Yaneth's selfie of the two of us.





Dinner was very tasty and a wonderful opportunity for each of us to re-connect with each other.  It was so good to get together again.


After dinner, we hung out at the Cruz residence for awhile.  Valencia's little niece (Ariellah) was precious.  Maggie was fairly well behaved, but did have two little accidents when she got overly excited / nervous.  Ugh.

Sunday morning started relaxed and carefree.  Joe, Dan and Valencia got up two hours after I had.  Joe went for coffee and brought back donuts and muffins.  Yum.  But then the craziness happened.  Joe went to workout and enjoy the hot tub and sauna.  Well, he locked himself out of the hot tub room, which uses the key card to get into.  The card and his phone, wallet, and towel were also locked into the room.   

The three of us walked (individually) the complex looking for anyone with a key card willing to let us in.  Meanwhile, Joe stayed in the community building guarding his locked up but unobtainable valuables, with hopes someone would show up to workout.  No luck for any of us.  Valencia finally got ahold of maintenance and they soon came to the rescue.  We said our goodbyes to Dan and Val and were on the road for New Ross Indiana over an hour late.  I regret (for the kids' sake) the tension between Joe and I as we left.  Since I had no photos of Dan and Val together, I got this photo off Facebook, of them at the Science Museum later in the week. 

Thankfully our drive to Carol's was uneventful and we got over our frustration with each other.  Maggie was still nervous while the car was in motion.  We were all glad to get to Carol's.  










Once all of Maggie's and my stuff was unloaded, Joe headed for a Casino in Louisville IN.  Carol and I took the four dogs for a much enjoyed long walk.  It was sunny and fairly warm, but with a strong breeze.  Maggie got along great with Rick and Ike, but was a little concerned about Meg, who was the boss.  

 It was time for the bottle baby to get his milk so I held the bottle for him. 



He thought it was finger lip licking good. 




He is tame enough that he will let me pet him.

Carol shooed the herd around the silos (video) so that we could see them from the yard.  






Sunday's day of rest ended on a peaceful note, watching the ewes and lambs the remainder of the afternoon, and chatting about life.  It was overcast and windy, but still nice enough to sit outdoors for a long time.

The ewes, and of course their lambs, hung around waiting for their hay while Carol and I took photos of the various mom's and lambs and of all the cuteness.
  












They dug into their hay once Carol brought it out (video) and we continued to watch and take pictures.  In fact, it was hard to pick just these photos out, out of all we (mostly Carol) took.

As the babies lost interest in the hay, they started to explore...

 ... with some moms being more watchful and protective than others.

And before long, the playing began.

  

There was head butting, running and jumping.  

We were so enjoying watching the lambs, we brought cocktails and snacks out, and lingered for quite awhile.  


Once the babies got tired, they started to lay down to rest.   























As the sun went down, it started to cool off, so we retreated to the house.

Carol made a seven can soup, adding some of her own lamb (yes, last year's cuteness) and it was quite tasty.

Maggie had enjoyed the afternoon activities, and conked out in Carol's living room.




Monday was a day of work.  Our big project was to put together the dog kennel Carol had bought awhile ago.  First, we unpacked, sorted, and inventoried all the parts.


Before building, we needed to do quite a bit of cleaning out in Carol's pole barn to make a space for the kennel to go.  We hauled old hay to her compost pile.









We picked up and moved lots of stuff, including metal siding and barn boards.

Then, following the directions, we assembled the floor of the frame, switching the corner pieces to get the door panel to fit.

Sometime before lunch Carol turned the herd out into her "front yard" pasture area.



  

Ike helped to move 'um out (seen below).






A small part of the group had been left behind (seen above), so he had to go back to get them (seen below). 

I like this photo of Ike in action, all four feet off the ground.

We took other breaks for a walk, to sit and watch (sheep, lamb, and chickens), to get water, and to eat lunch.

  






Seen right, the black hens are Black Australorps.  


Carol's rooster seen left.

It was also great to see Hercules.  He looked good and is doing well for such an old turkey.

As you can see, many more photos were taken, including more lamb cuteness.

Paying careful attention to the instructions, we finished assembling the kennel frame, only making one more error and undoing part of it to correct the mistake.

We got the kennel frame finished, but needed to wait for Joe to help us add the chain link fence.
  
We had also decided to re-position it, so had to move some more things out of the way.

While re-organizing stuff, I came across some treasures that Carol gladly said I could have.  More on those later, including photos.
Putting the kennel on hold, I had started gathering sticks from various spots, so we could have a bonfire and burn down one of Carol's dead bushes.






Joe arrived back from the casino about 5:30 and we quickly set him to work on dead trees and bushes.  He used the SUV, in 4-wheel drive, to pull out one bush along with a rather large, dead pine tree (roots and all).  

Joe got the fire going around the large bush (where I had stacked some of the brush), adding the dead trees, large tree limbs, and old barn wood.  We let it burn down while having pork roast for dinner.  The evening ended around the bonfire, finishing off one last beer and all the sticks and brush.  It felt so good to have worked a day on the farm... I sometimes miss this.
  

I checked on the fire fairly early Tuesday morning and found buried wood that had not finished burning.  There were enough hot coals to get the fire going again and we raked up more brush to finish cleaning up Carol's farm yard.






It was a beautiful day and we had jobs to do before heading home, so got dressed and went outside around 8 am.

We got the chain link fence put up around the kennel and moved it to its final "resting" spot.





There was even time to (try to) castrate Carol's two (one month old) lambs.  The first one we grabbed put up quite a fight, and presented such a problem for banding (I'll spare the details) that we gave up.
 




Gathering all our stuff (except two things Carol had given me that I forgot) we packed up and hit the road right after lunch, and just before Carol needed to head to work.  

It was a longggg drive home.  We had a gas break and later stopped for dinner and a walk in the Baird Municipal Park in Lebanon TN.  There were a ton of ball diamonds, so the walk was not very scenic.   

We arrived home after dark Tuesday.  Maggie and I took another long walk to get the lead out.  It was 64 degrees, felt like spring, and later, we slept through the night with the windows open.

Wednesday morning I noticed that the daffodil were starting to bloom.  I like that spring comes earlier here, than back in IL.  After confirming I didn't have to work, I hunkered down here at my computer and worked on this blog post.







Finally, right after lunch, the sun and warm air was calling and I hit the road, driving to the barn.  Terry and Jan had just gotten there and the three of us enjoyed a wonderful ride together.  It was still a bit muddy down in the woods, but up on the ridge and in the Glade, the sun and wind had dried things out.

Amiga did a great job.  We didn't go far or fast, and we ladies just enjoyed chatting and being on our horses.









After our ride, I fetched Zorro and let him graze on some taller grass while grooming him.  The winter hair is coming out of all the horses.

Then I gathered up two tubs and three large buckets of manure and brought them home.
I dug up a few large rocks in back, moved some dirt into holes and then spread the manure.  It didn't even cover half  the area I wanted to seed.

Joe was at his poker game (apparently it has been moved back to Wednesday nights) so, because I had enjoyed Carol's soup so much, I made a bean, lentil, and corn soup that I also added sauted onions and hot dogs to.

Thursday I finished unpacking and putting things "away."  This is a beautiful tray Carol gave me that looks nice on our round ottoman.  The coasters in the middle are ones from Costa Rica that Britney gave us two years ago.
Next I unpacked this gift from Daniel that he brought us from Kuwait.  Stevie is investigating the candle holder.  


Daniel said that the "wine" glass was used for tea but the "shot" glass he wasn't sure about.

I think these are all beautiful and I just love them.  I put a candle in the holder and got it going and the glass ware is now in my china hutch where I can see it.

Lastly, I put the plant/bird feeder hanger pole (from Carol's) in the middle between the two I already have.  I had given this to Carol when we moved from the farm.  She said it was too windy at her farm to use it.






It was warm enough out that I opened all our porch doors.  I love having them both screened in now, and the cat and dog can enjoy being out on both of them.  Maggie trots across the living room carpet, between the two porches, checking on what is out in the back and side yards.  Stevie has taken a liking to napping on the lounge pads atop our hot tub, until Joe tells her to hit the road so he can get in it.
After an early lunch, I headed to the barn to ride.  Seen left, Judy and Sara with Georgia and Scruffie.  Karen happened to be at the barn, so we rode out together.  I didn't take any photos, but did get this video of Amiga and I after Karen had turned back for the barn.


I gathered up more manure before coming home at 4 pm.  Once I got it spread, seen below, I realized I still needed one more load.  Seen right is the Forsythia branches I had trimmed and am now trying to get rooted. 







I finally went to workout, but because the gym closes at 7 pm, I didn't have a lot of time.  I soon discovered that I didn't have a lot of energy anyways.

Friday morning I got a photo of a pretty sunrise.  At 9:00 I followed Joe into town, to take the SUV in to get a new windshield (a rock had cracked the old one).  We ran to Lowe's and Wal-Mart before coming home.  I worked a long eight hour shift, 11-7, subbing for Gwen.  Seen below, we finally got our flag hung out again, now that the snow and freezing rain weather is past.  



Joe picked me up at work and we went to Vegas, to enjoy dinner with Andy, Rita and Brian.  It is always fun talking with them.  On our way home, we tried to go back to get the SUV but we couldn't get the gate unlocked and they forgot to leave it out in their lot anyway.  So, we remain a one car family and would need to make another trip into town.  I rarely like to hit the road because I do not care for riding in the car, but I always enjoy each destination we visit.  I love living here in Fairfield Glade, so decisions to make a road trip do not come easy.

Semi-retired

Once I retired from teaching and we moved to Tennessee, I figured, "let the fun begin."  I had little intention of working any more, but God had different plans, and directed me back into a job.  I started work at the Conference Center before Joe got here, thinking it would give me something to do and help supplement our retirement income.  I also felt it would be a good way to spread God's love and share my joy of life to those I met.  

I always loved and enjoyed teaching, but hated the hours... hours upon hours of work.  Now, I have a job I mostly enjoy, and it is much less of a time commitment.  Although, this week it has felt more like a full-time job.  Our hours do fluctuate based on time of year and available staff.  If I had my wishes, I'd only work six hours, two days a week.  But that is rarely a reality.  With the March 1st start up of NorthStar, our new sales computer software, there has been extra time at work with training.  Also, we have been short staffed so I have worked 5 of the last 7 days.  Anyways, I did not feel semi-retired this week.    

I had the day off Saturday, and the sun was finally out, (although it was still a bit brisk) so I planned to go to the barn.









A deer came for some corn, and I liked how the sunlight (above) caught her at the edge of the woods.  She then moved towards the pond, and was now quite well hidden.  Can you see her in the right photo?

Seen left is a zoom in, so she is a little more visible.  Below, she came back to the corn as the squirrels continued to look for food on our deck.









After an early lunch, I went to the barn.  Karen was the only one out there, which surprised me, because it was a pretty day, perfect for riding.

We went out for a short ride together.  Chester, the black lab was so excited to be "on the trail" again.  He loves leading the way.  Amiga did great and it was such a pleasure to reconnect with her... it has been so long.




Returning home mid-afternoon, I started on yard work.  Yep, I changed my mind about the mulch again.  I don't like having the whole SW woodland corner of our lot mulched and would rather have some grass there.

So I started removing mulch from where I had spread it all out, and I moved it onto the muddy walking paths where we and the deer tread.  I also mulched "beds" around two groupings of trees to avoid having to mow around them. 



Running out of time, because Joe and I had planned to go to Legends for a night of dinner and dancing, I quit before finishing.  Once I am done removing mulch from where I want grass, I will then need to seed the area.  

The dancing was a complete flop, but the food was good and it was nice to not have to cook.

It was a beautiful sun-shiny day Sunday but I spent most of it inside.  After Church (with Shirley) I made a big salad for an early lunch and then went to work from noon to five.  The shift went fast because Gwen and I were on the front desk together, chatting, and practicing using the new computer system.  I had a little daylight left when I got home, so raked and moved mulch for an hour.  I cooked a kind of beef stir-fry for dinner and then took Maggie on a 45 minute walk.  The dead oak leaves, still clinging to the trees, sounded like creatures in the dark woods when the wind blew.  Although, when Maggie started going crazy, I suspected there could be deer, wild boar, or something else out there.

I did not get a full night of sleep, so Monday (Leap Year Day) morning came all too soon.  We had a training session at work from 9 till almost noon.  There were still some glitches in the new computer software, but we all gained a much better understanding on how to run it.  The biggest problem was with the sales tax.  It wasn't always figuring it in for us.  So we are going to need to watch each sale and add the tax if needed, until they fix it for us.


It was an absolutely beautiful day, so after a quick lunch I was outside, enjoying working in the sun and warm air.  All I needed was a t-shirt, and I still worked up quite a sweat.  I finished the mulch project and then moved on to the problem of the drainage ditch.
  
You can't really tell, but the left photo shows the ditch I dug (from the creek towards the woods) to help channel the water coming down hill, to run to the creek.  The right photo shows it from the woods towards the creek.  It was easy digging, but the mud was heavy because it was so wet.  Jeremy (our home fix it guy) was working next door at Allen's, and was then going to come here.  Long story short, he never got here.  But in the mean time, I got a lot of yard work done out back.

At about 2:30 Jeremy came over and said he wasn't going to have time for us, so I finished up, put tools away and headed to the barn.
 
It was so good to see Judy back at the barn, her first day working there since shoulder surgery in October.  Amiga was easy to catch, actually Sara and Judy got her for me, since the horses were all near the gate waiting to come in for their evening feed. 

As I brushed and tacked Amiga, the ladies poured feed into all the stalls.  I could tell Amiga was getting antsy to eat, so rather than take her on the trail, having her wanting to get back to the barn for dinner, I let her eat some of it first. 







Then, when we did go out, just the two of us, she did very well for me.  Only once did she hesitate to go down one trail, and it is one we haven't taken in a long, long time.



Once done riding, I got Zorro from his stall and brushed him, picked his and Amiga's hooves and sprayed their feet with thrush prevention.














This gave them some bonding time.  (video)
I turned Zorro out with Smurf, for his first night out, now that he has been switched back to pasture board only. 

Joe was gambling, so I had a big salad for dinner.  Then I drove to the "heart" of the Glade, where the Conference Center, workout gym, mall, etc are, because it is all lit up at night, and Maggie and I went on a 50 minute walk.

Tuesday morning, Shirley picked me up for Bible Study just before 9:00.  On the way home I had her drop me off at the Library Building so I could vote.  By the time I had walked home, it started to rain, and before long it poured.  Seen left, my new drainage ditch seemed to be doing the job.






It was supposed to rain all day, but actually came down, off and on.  Mid-afternoon I went to the gym to workout.  This was the best I have felt, and done, in a long time, so I went extra long.
  



By the time I had run to the store on the way home from the gym, and then fixed a fruit salad, I was late getting over to Brian's, who had invited us to dinner.  He had cooked a wonderful beef pot roast.


For dessert, we had a cake Brian had brought home from Singapore.





It is called a 1000 layer cake, with each layer being baked for 5 minutes.  Wheat, eggs, milk and sugar were the main ingredients, but with several spices as well.  It was very good, not too sweet, a perfect ending to a good dinner. 

I had to leave the party before it was over, to get home to finish laundry and walk the dog.  

The temperature had dropped overnight and the light precipitation occurring Wednesday morning was minuscule snow/ice balls, that didn't amount to anything.  I had not gotten any stuff out to pack the day before, so started gathering things together.  Stevie thought it a good idea that I include her. 




I left at 10:30 to go to Ladies Club.  After our meal and meeting, we had a presentation about the Imagination Library, which is now in all 95 counties in TN.
It was first developed in 1995 by Dolly for her native Sevier County, Tennessee. 

I stayed at the CC and started my shift of work.  I was scheduled to work the pool, but since it was so deserted, I spent most of the shift at the front desk with Sabrina, using the new NorthStar computer software.  I was so relieved when our last sale of the night, to FGCC General Manager Bob Weber, went without a hitch.
  
With the sun rising earlier these days, I was able to enjoy the changing sky, and a waning moon, during our first morning walk Thursday, even though it was much colder out.  Almost every morning I have seen deer in the back, which causes Maggie much angst.  I sometimes have to remind her not to bark and even to "leave it" when she gets too excited. Thursday we also had four mallards, and of course, there are always plenty of squirrel and birds. 

   
I did one more load of laundry, needing to clean a few last minute, semi-clean things I decided I wanted to pack.  I struggled with sleepiness all morning, drinking an extra cup of tea to try to urge myself on, but just sat at my computer way too long.      

I got in a good workout at the gym and then worked at the CC pool from 12:20 - 7:20.  I started work at the Conference Center exactly two years ago.  Late afternoon it started snowing, really hard, big wet flakes.  It was very pretty out, but you can't really tell from this photo. 

Once home, I was too tired to do anymore packing before bed.


This Friday morning I had much to do before we were to hit the road.  I wanted to finish and post this blog and also had plants, cat care, trash, dishes and last minute packing to take care of.
All our bags are packed and we're ready to go.  Seen below, last minute inspection of luggage was accomplished.



Maggie was coming with us, which took more planning than just dropping her at a dog sitter's.

Being semi-retired doesn't mean I am only working for the money, especially because my pay is barely over minimum wage.  I go to work because I enjoy it.  However, there are a lot of other things I enjoy and want to do.  Since all the Fairfield Glade amenities are free, to fully benefit from working here, I feel the need to use more of them more often.  The problem is, that with house, horse, cat, dog, yard, workout gym, walks, reading, and work, there is little time left for the resort benefits.  I guess I need to be more intentional about doing the things this resort has to offer, so I can better benefit from working here.  On the other hand, being semi-retired should afford me extra time to do the things I really want to do.  So, if I am doing things because I feel I have to (to get my money's worth) is it really worth it?  This morning, I am looking forward to some more time off work, to go north to visit family.  At least being semi-retired has given me the ability to travel more.  And remember, if any of you Northerners are sick of winter, you ought to consider moving down south here with us, at least once you retire.