Since I last wrote, all but 5 of the goats have left. The remaining adult does and possibly the kids will leave at the end of the month. The kids might stay, though.. not sure just yet.
David's brother John and his family have made the move from SC to TN and are living with us until they find a place. Melonie and Shelby are such great cooks and John is keeping our land so nicely mowed and Shelby and Jay (John Jr.) are keeping the kiddos so well entertained that if this arrangement lasts quite a while, we will certainly enjoy it! They've returned to SC for a short time while Shelby has her wisdom teeth removed. The gentelmen will return this weekend, and the ladies will be back the 4th of July.
Shortly after their arrival, I think we all flushed full toilets at the same time, which backed up our septic system! Apparently, the pipe from the house into the tank was in too far and close to the baffle, which backed us up into the house! We called a plumber, thinking it was a problem between the house and the tank. He arrived and said it was most likely what it was, so we called our friend who installed the tank. He brought out his backhoe and fixed it for free. We must do something nice in return! The plumber, however, did very little but still received a service call fee!
The following day, we had our septic tank pumped out. Apparently, it is supposed to be done every 3 to 5 years, and even more frequently with as many folks living here as we have. We've not had it done once in the 11.5 years we've been here, so I suppose we can't complain! Today, we were able to get a new lid... actually, a half inch thick piece of steel to cover the top opening since the lid to the tank cracked in 3 pieces.
Also today, on David's way to work, his car (which was my first car) blew a hole in the bottom of the engine. At 15 years old and who knows how many miles (the odometer quit a couple years back after rolling past 240,000 miles) I suppose it was time for a new one. We hadn't anticipated this just now, but since most folks don't keep a car for 15 years and we got plenty of good use out of it, we have to be glad for the service it gave. We got a small (tiny actually) trade in amount for it (better than nothing and no hassle) and replaced it with another Toyota Corolla--also in white. The new Corollas are like the Camrys were when I purchased the old Corolla. I'm sure David will enjoy his new set of wheels. He now has an automatic rather than manual transmission, power windows, door locks, exterior mirrors that can be adjusted from inside the car (with the windows shut!) and cruise control! We contemplated just having him drive the truck for the time being, but that transmission is about to need replacing and who knows what is wrong with the brake lights, there is no AC, the bed is filled with poop, and he needs something a bit more reliable. We contemplated buying a truck rather than a car, but the gas mileage on something that gets that much use is important. So, David finally gets to drive in comfort and the farm truck will get repaired as needed and continue to haul barn cleanings to the garden. :)
Speaking of the garden... I think I bit off more than I can chew! At least while caring for these goats still... I've mulched with barn cleanings--took all the time I could spare two days in a row just to mulch one row! (which incidentally, took one heaped up truck bed full of waste hay and goat poo) Then, I've raked rocks, but still have lots more to go... and weeding, and planting, and tilling, and fencing, and more planting and I'm sure more weeding, mulching, WILL I EVER GET IT DONE????
For the first time in...3 years now, we have planned a vacation! Next month, we will get to go to the beach again! My mom will get to go with us and John and Melonie and family will take care of the chickens and dogs here in our absence. We can't wait!
Solomon turned 5 this month, and tomorrow we will celebrate Shiphrah's 7th birthday. Solomon requested that he get his own birthday this month, rather than sharing with Shiphrah. So, we had a small celebration on the 10th for him, a larger celebration with family at the Apple's on the 11th for them both (and Uncle Jerry) and will have another small celebration for Shiphrah on her day. Solomon requested an ice cream cake and hot dogs for his day. My mom wanted to make the ice cream cake, and while it wasn't quite as pretty as a purchased one, it was attractive enough and mighty tasty! Shiphrah has requested pizza and root beer floats.
I suppose that's all for now. I've managed some organizational feats of greatness in preparing to have 10 people living under one 1800 square foot roof, but I'm sure nobody cares to hear about my nifty shelves, clothing boxes, or armoires. We are cozy and having fun in spite of persnickity septic systems and car troubles! Hmmm... I just remembered that our bathing suits have disappeared.... so much for my organizational greatness. Just in time for the beach, too. Guess I get to go shopping! Again!
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