Good Morning from a cool and sunny knolltop.

Okay..now is the time for the contest results. It’s time to see who wins the 17 pairs of white pants, 23 pairs of mittens and 19 pair of pilot’s overalls! Are you ready?

Let me say first I had to laugh at the fact that the people who should’ve known this, those who are steeped in the dairy industry were the furthest away with their guesses. And for Matt Nunes who thought she was a steer….steers haven’t been that tall since the mid 80s Matt! In the beef industry today we are back to the belt buckle cattle of the 50s and 60s. Although dairy steers are pretty big these days. And Dallas Burton said the picture was doctored…well….I have no idea if it was or not so we’ll have to take Frank as his word since he’s never lied before.

According to Frank, Jo Dee Jetway Klondike is a little over 71 inches tall at the shoulder. She is owned by the Copini family who had champion Brown Swiss cow at World Dairy Expo in 2007. She is a four year old who resides in Tillamook, Oregon and has a sister who was named reserve All American two year old this year.

So I’m sorry to say…no one guessed it correctly! But my mom was an inch under and Lori from Knolltop Morgans was an inch over….they were close! But since close only counts in hand grenades, horse shoes and slow dancing…..there were no winners!

So…the white pants will have to wait for another contest! Thanks to all of you who participated, this was so much fun! Maybe Frank will send us another fun picture for a contest.

Now it’s Monday and it’s time to get to work!

And now we all have to guess how tall this Brown Swiss heifer is. So, get your guessers tuned up and wager a guess at how tall you think she is at the shoulders, in inches, and post a comment to me or email me, whatever you think. I’ll let you know Monday how tall she is. I really don’t have any prizes to hand out for the winner….well unless you want a pair of white dress pants or pilot’s coveralls.

Another beautiful day here on the Knolltop!

From yesterday’s post from Julie, my Chicago suburbanite girlfriend, I can see that you can take a girl out of the country but you can’t take the country out of the girl! I thought I was the only girl who loved the smell of diesel smoke, fresh turned dirt and grease! It’s wonderful to know that I’m not alone!

I was working outside yesterday, burning some brush and the wind was blowing slightly…no, my fire didn’t get out of control…I leave that to the neighbors! But the wind was carrying the scent of the fully bloomed Magnolia tree and boy did it smell lovely. I don’t think there are any better smells than those flowers and trees that bloom in the springtime. Lilacs, apple blossoms, magnolias, lily of the valley…does it get any better than that?

I’ve got to get a new battery for my mower this morning and try to get a column written before I head outside and mow. I can sense that Miss Stanna is getting ready to hop on her mower, I can’t let her beat me to it! She already rolled the lawn on Tuesday, so she’s ready to go. Actually, it’s not that bad, but since both homes are on the farmstead, we try to keep our lawns even throughout the summer, so we kind of consult each other about mowing so we look good for weekend traffic. Such silliness!

Better get going….so much to do!

Good Morning! It’s cloudy here on the Knolltop and we got a slight shower, but it’s going to be a very beautiful day!

Okay, let me address the comments from yesterday’s blog. First of all, thank you, threecollie for your kind words. Tim was very special to all of us, as you would expect, I’m just glad we’re past the really raw, difficult stage of grief. Secondly, Pat and Francis….you asked when Tim got his pilot’s licence….anyone who knew Tim at all would cringe at the thought of him as a pilot! Can you just see him being arrested by the government for flying his airplane over the White House or in a no fly zone saying, “Since when was this a no fly zone?”

He was constantly getting into fender benders with his trucks. He was an accident waiting to happen. The great thing about Tim was he wasn’t intimidated by much and was willing to try anything. Taking his courage in hand, he would jump in with both feet and then ask questions later.

So to answer your question… I don’t remember when he got his pilot’s licence! But I’m sure someone reading this blog does….mom?

JW’s team beat Jackson Christian last night. They took both games and let me tell you, it wasn’t pretty. Bobby didn’t make it to the game…now you know how sick he was. But this morning he’s on the mend. He’s taking on food and water! He’s just really tired.

So…I’ve got to head to the barn.

It’s a warm, sunny day today here on the Knolltop.

It’s been a rough twenty four hours for the birthday boy. Too much cake? Too much excitment? He’s getting old? Whatever the reason, Bobby has been flat on his back since yesterday morning, sicker than a dog. Poor guy! I think it’s a stomach bug that has just wreaked havac on his whole body. He is now taking on liquids and keeping them down, so that’s a good thing.

So with the boss down and out, the kids had to step it up….and they did. Working in the barn until 8:30 last night, the boys got in and I told them I didn’t know what I’d do without them! And I really don’t!

Twenty eight years ago today my family buried my brother Tim. He was killed in a car accident at the young age of 19. It was a very difficult time for the whole family, but I write about this not because I want to lament over it…but because I have now learned that time heals all wounds.

At that point in our lives, you could’ve told us that, but we wouldn’t have believed you. Today talking about Tim and remembering all the silly, stupid, risky things he did that made him who he was, is a joy. I really try to talk about him to my kids so they have some idea who he was. And now as I speak of him, it’s not with a lump in my throat or tears about to well up in my eyes, I can talk about him with a smile on my face on the edge of laughter.

So to those of you who have lost a loved one lately, be encouraged. Your sorrow really will turn into joy….in time. God says in His word that he will turn our mourning into dancing! That is a promise you can count on.

Things can now get back to normal here on this Monday morning on the Knolltop. It’s sunny, a little foggy and promises to be a warm spring day.

Yesterday we headed to Toledo only to find out that there was a miscommunication and Luke’s team was not playing in the tournament. We were only halfway there, so we turned around and came back. It was too late to attend church so we went to TSC to pick up a couple of things. I saw a shirt there that I’ve requested from my children as a Mother’s Day gift…although I’m not holding my breath! It was a John Deere shirt that said, “Tractor Queen” on the front. Luke was not in favor of spending any money on anything that said John Deere. He’s so hard nosed about his tractor colors! I told him that if Farmalls were so great then why don’t they have a line of clothing in TSC? He had no reasonable reply…just trash talk!

It’s a sure sign of baseball season around here when everyone hustles out of the barn to load up the truck with baseball equipment and heads to the ballpark. That’s what happened last evening as Bobby and the boys hopped in the pickup and took off for the field. They love to get a gang of kids up there and play ball.

Luke came home with a big smile on his face, he loves baseball and hasn’t had the chance to even play catch. And Jake was covered in dirt from head to toe from sliding into home plate.

On Saturday while we were waiting in between Sarah’s games, Luke and I played catch outside. It was such a nice day and so fun to play with him. Sarah’s team had to move from one school to the other to play more games and on our way over we spotted one of those radar things that sits on the street and clocks your speed. You know..those machines that make you feel guilty because you thought you were going 25 mph down a residential street when actually you were really going 54! Anyway, Luke got the bright idea of throwing the baseball in front of this radar to see how fast he could pitch. Like the irresponsible mom that I am…I agreed. I”I am the baby of the family afterall…I find this kind of stuff really fun.

So I stood behind the radar…way behind…and Luke stood about 60 feet in front of it and proceeded to throw the ball to me. The first pitch was a strike….he hit the radar machine! He said he just wanted to show it who was boss. A good mother would’ve told him to pack it up, we’re going to watch Sarah play ball. But, I’ve never claimed to be a good mother, so I told him to try it again. He pitched it again and the radar said 52 mph. Disgusted with the reading he claimed it was all messed up and he tried it again and again….but it didn’t even register his speed. All the way back to the gym he muttered to himself….”52? I was throwing 52 mph in peewee! What is up with that thing? I must have been too close or too far away…it just can’t be right…that’s like JW’s speed, I’ve got to be faster than him! That just can’t be right! We need a radar gun, mom!”

I encouraged him by telling him he’s all washed up and his best days as a baseball player are behind him. We had a good laugh and then pinky promised not to tell Daddy. Afterall, he’s the responsible parent and would not appreciate my irresponsible behavior! It’s a good thing one of us is a grown up!

Where do I start? The last couple of days getting ready for Bobby’s surprise visit from his mom and sister were extremely busy. On Friday I was able to get the house mostly clean and the laundry done….you could even see the laundry room floor! As I hustled around I made the kids do some odd jobs that they don’t normally do, I thought for sure Bobby would become suspicious…but he didn’t.

After JW’s game Friday night, they split the double header and he got to pitch and did a great job…we came home and I continued to do laundry and to make sure they took care of their things before they went to bed.

On Saturday morning as we rushed out the door to Sarah’s volleyball tournament, Bobby’s birthday breakfast was uneventful with the kids barely saying happy birthday, no cards were given and I was all about having the kids do their dishes so the kitchen was clean and telling Luke to finish putting out the mulch before we left. Honestly, Luke putting out mulch at 7:30 in the morning? Surely I thought Bobby would think that was odd and start to question the clean house, the fresh mulch and the absence of the Christmas tree on the front porch….but he didn’t.

While at the tournament, he called me to see when I might be coming home. I just told him I didn’t know when I’d be home and that Sarah’s team kept winning so they would be playing longer. In the meantime, I had fielded several calls from Nana telling me where she was and when they got closer “Operation Surprise” went into action.

Sarah had to ride home with someone else while Luke, Jake and I started home. We made a quick stop for a card and some goodies and then arrived home to find Bobby and JW sitting in the livingroom reading. It was all quite calm here. The house was clean and we were ready for the big moment. I didn’t want to fix dinner because we were going out later, so I had to come up with something to eat if they didn’t get here quick. Not seeing any sign of them, I began to slowly get dinner on the table. JW took Bobby out and lured him into playing catch while I stalled in the kitchen.

Carole was supposed to call when they got close and she was going to talk to Bobby while they drove in the driveway. No call. A few minutes later and still no call. I had to put dinner on the table soon because the cows needed to be milked. So I just put out stuff for sandwiches and called them into eat.

Bobby sarcastically said, “Boy, you went all out today!” I replied, “Well, it is your birthday, I wanted to do something special for you!” We sat and ate and still no call. Several cars came down the road and still no call. With every cloud of dust, I looked down the road, but still nothing.

Finally the phone rang and it was Carole. They visited while JW and I kept looking down the road. It seemed like an eternity before they finally came driving up the road and into the driveway. Still talking on the phone Bobby looked at me and mouthed, “Who is that?” I shrugged my shoulders and waited…..when they got out of the car he started laughing and everyone started hugging and laughing. It was great!

The kids and I did chores while they went to town to get cake and ice cream. Then we went to dinner and back home for cake. It was a great surprise and Bobby woke up this morning saying, I still can’t believe you kept that a secret! He keeps asking who knew about it and I said, everyone knew about it but you! (I told you he didn’t read my blog)

Aunt Carole, the mother of two great grown boys and now the mother in law of a beautiful daughter in law, was a big hit! After dinner the boys and I were walking out and they commented, “Aunt Carole reminds me a lot of you mom, but she’s a way cooler mom than you!” Although it was backwards, I’ll take that as a compliment.

As of this morning, Aunt Carole and the big boys are planning a trip to Dallas where she will spoil them rotton. She has planned a fishing trip, a Ranger’s game, sleeping in and swimming all day in her pool. I want to go too!

It was a great time….and Bobby said one of his best birthdays ever!

Jake had gotten into a squabble with Luke, so he wasn’t in the picture taking mood.

Now we are off to Toledo for Luke’s basketball tournament….life never stops.

Good Morning from the Knolltop. Another beautiful morning and hopefully a beautiful day!

The boys are up and gone this morning for their FFA Spring Skills contest. JW is doing environmental skills, whatever that is, and Luke is going to be soil judging, playing in the dirt. I don’t even know how to judge soil! Isn’t it great that they are learning all this stuff? I just love FFA.

JW has a double header tonight, it should be a real test since all the seniors are gone. Sarah has VB practice today and her first tournament is tomorrow! Oops…I just remembered, I forgot to tell Grandma. Sorry about that mom!

I have to run to town today to get food for the VB tournament and material for Sarah to make a blanket. I guess the norm is to bring a blanket and everyone sits on their blanket while they wait to play their next game. Sarah’s more concerned with getting a tie blanket made than playing the game…typical for a 12 year old girl.

I just got word of a new National Dairy Animal Welfare Initiative that is being discussed. A third party coming in to audit dairy farms to make sure we are doing things right. This sounds dangerous to me….when I get more info, I’ll pass it along. Or if anyone else has any information, please share!

Gotta get breakfast!

It’s another nice morning here on the Knolltop. Spring has sprung around here, with the flowers budding and the birds singing…I think spring is really here!

I was able to get lots done outside yesterday. My neighbor has an immaculate yard so I have a very high standard to live up to. I very rarely make it, but I know she continues to hold out hope that I will make my yard look as nice as hers so the farmsteads match. You see, this is a two home farm and uniformity would be a great thing, if I could only keep up.

The last two evenings there has been a neighbor raking leaves out of Miss Stanna’s flower beds. So yesterday I decided I needed to rake and put mulch down to get ready for our company. I picked the windiest day of the year to rake, so I opted not to start a fire. I didn’t think the local fire department would appreciate it. Instead I loaded all the leaves in the back of the pickup and dumped them in the field. The only bad part was that most of my leaves were blowing into Miss Stanna’s yard. As I tried to hurry and get the leaves loaded up, I was hoping she wasn’t standing in her kitchen looking out at the mess I was creating in her clean yard!

But the wind saved me, the leaves just kept on blowing across her yard and into the field!

When I came in to put in another load of laundry I pulled out the wet clothes and a nice clean cell phone! Yes, I washed my cell phone and they really don’t work well after that. So last night I had to run into town and get a new one. I know…I’m a mess. And did I mention my dryer quit? Yes, all of you who said my dryer would break down as soon as I gave my spare dryer away…you were correct! So I spent last weekend drying everything the Amish way, on a drying rack in front of the fire. Monday the repair man came and fixed it….I’ve been a washing maniac ever since!

Better get breakfast!

Another sunny morning here on the Knolltop! Boy that moon was bright this morning too!

JW’s team notched up another mark in the W column last night. They beat Pittsford in a very boring game. It was a shut out, no actually they mercied (sp?) them. It was a nice night for a ballgame, but still cold enough to wrap up in a blanket. JW didn’t pitch, he’ll get plenty of pitching in on Friday when they have a double header and the seniors will be gone on their senior trip. That ought to pose quite a challenge to the underclassmen.

I’m headed out to do yard work today. Those southerners are coming and I don’t want my farmhouse to look like Christmas. So I guess that means I’ve got to remove the Christmas tree from the front porch, along with all the other “used to be” greenery. Hey, don’t laugh, we just got done with snow last Saturday and I’m still not convinced we’re out of the woods yet!

I think Bobby is planning on hauling manure today…oh that ought to make the neighborhood smell pretty!