Nature in the Country

I have been battling mice out here on the farm, but I didn't really know about my helper. I was checking on any water in the basement since the sump pump was going off so frequently when I saw this guy out of the corner of my eye. Had to check him from the other side. Yep, that's him.
I have a feeling Mom won't be coming over to watch the kids until I get him out. It seems as though he may have been in here for a while, gotten fat on my mice, and is now unable to get back out. I know someone else who has gotten in here and gotten fatter, but I can still fit through the doors.

I am glad I found him first thing in the morning, although I have some cakes I must focus on first. They are just about done and then I can see what I can do for this poor creature. In the couple hours I've been watching him, he hasn't made much progress. I'm just really so glad he wasn't found by any of the kids... or Mom. Although it may have been a good fire drill. You never know. For now, my plan is to finish my cakes and remove all evidence before Mom or the kids know what's up!!

****UPDATE****
Our friend is now out on his own. I dug out all the big gap foam I could and by then, Dad had shown up. He may have put a little more force behind his pull, but whatever--he was successful. We let him go in a nearby tree only to find some robin's eggs around on the ground. OOOPS! He may start off with a bit of a snack. Not my intended target, but anyhoo...

Daddy also brought us a tractor tire for a sandbox and is now on his way for some sand. I really have to think about getting to work! I know there are a lot of cakes for tomorrow and I'm not going to be in tomorrow!!

Doorknobs can hold a small child, right?

Well, he's in tears right now. I'm just sitting here sipping my coffee and finishing my sudoku after finally catching that elusive, dastardly mouse in Mallory's room when I hear the famous, "Matthew Raymond Beard, don't you ever do that again!" As Michael rounded the corner, I asked if I wanted to know what that was about. A very quick, "No." But then he goes on anyway. Apparently, we were standing on the doorknobs while Morgan moves the door back and forth all while avoiding the ceiling fan. Now I had the ceiling fan installed where the boys wouldn't likely hang from it getting out of the bunk beds, but I guess door acrobatics just somehow escaped my imagination. I've found over and over again that girls and boys just don't have the same imaginations. Although Mallory also surprised me this morning. Morgan found a tick and normally flips out over ticks, but this time held his cool while Matthew got it wrapped up and flushed. Meanwhile, I was praising Morgan and under my breath made a comment about being glad it wasn't a spider. Out of the blue, Mallory said, "Do you know some spiders can get this big??" Mind you, I had no desire to see how big her informant had told her spiders could get, but I did thank her for changing my entire mood and perspective for the day. Normal response, "WHAT??" Then Daddy comes back holding his hands out to his sides and repeated it. My family just loves me. They could really save all this for the second cup of coffee. I wasn't even all that thrilled about taking care of this mouse before coffee, but I let Matthew do most of it while I watched, so at least I know he can handle it without me next time. Next time. Ugh.

Garden Wedding

Boys at a wedding are just too much. I didn't actually have them at the wedding; my folks did. I had a cake to set up! But at the reception... I'm really hoping Shirley doesn't start wondering where her marbles are. I'm sure she thinks she's lost all her marbles after that ta-do, but it was spectacular!! She had birdbaths with marbles everywhere. Some colored, some clear, some round and some flat... birds and birdhouses... it was so beautiful. Anyway... to check my sons' pockets, I'm pretty sure we just may have ALL the marbles. That was actually Matthew's thing. Morgan was collecting all the little nets of candy! Their sister, however, was focused on a very important job. She was the punch fairy. Amber, the bride, had asked me to cut the cake since I made it, and she asked if Mallory wanted to help. She said she wanted punch! So as soon as the punch came out, Mallory was serving. She served all night. No one could pour his own punch, no, that was Mallory's job. The poor girl had missed lunch because of me working on this cake, then started serving punch and missed the sandwich supper there. When they ran out of punch, she finally grabbed a plate and sat down for a minute. But lo and behold, more punch arrived so the punch fairy flew back to her job.
Ok, many more funny stories at this wedding, but we have to get ready for church. More later, folks, more later!!

Back... I hope!

Internet's been out way too long!! I did get my cakes updated, but I'm not sure I can catch up here. So much that I think about posting, then get here and still have no internet. Now I just want to get to bed!! It's been quite a three week haul for me and I'm looking forward to reclaiming my house this week!! The kids have also had a few cute ones and I need to get those caught up, too, but for now I just thought I'd say "HI!"
Oh, I'll need to post my Mother's Day presents soon, too. I don't have any pictures of what they made, but I do have Mallory's cake. She did this while I was in bed recovering from graduation. I'll tell more later. It's bedtime!! No cakes tonight... yippee!!

Coffee filter, THEN the coffee

Tired just doesn't cover it today! The sad part is that it's only going to get worse. This is Peru College's graduation and we are fairly busy with that, plus it's seemingly everyone's birthday this weekend. Had someone come in and order two cakes for today and added, "24 hours, that's enough, right? I read that I can have them in 24 hours." Well, normally that's the case. But someone in the deli cut the top of her thumb off, so Cindy is covering over there, and Janice just has it so bad I can hardly talk about it. Her oldest daughter's husband was killed and she keeps calling to update us, then adding that she doesn't think she'll be in tomorrow. No, Janice, you're done for a while, stop worrying about things that shouldn't bother you right now. Her husband is a pastor, as was her son-in-law. I don't completely know their ages, but her youngest daughter graduates high school next week, and her middle daughter graduates college the week after that. I can only guess that her oldest daughter is still under 30. It was really hard to press on today. I did okay until I put it on the prayer chain. I guess to actually say everything out loud really makes you admit it. So anyway, I'm left with graduation this week and probably next week too, when both the Neb City schools graduate. I had already counted her out with a graduating daughter, so it's not much different to me, I just wish she'd stop worrying and be where she needs to be.
Grandma's been over with the kids a lot, and Matthew has already conformed to that. She took a big step with the laundry and did NOT turn everyone's stuff right side out. I told her she spoils them. I always tell them that I only do the laundry. I do not check pockets or rearrange socks. However it goes in is how you'll find it coming out. She's such a happy homemaker that she just loves to serve the family and that's great. But I'm more of a grouchy gus and I expect a little help. Anyway, Matthew pointed out that she didn't turn his socks right side out. She said, "Isn't this how your mommy does it?" And he returns, "Yeah, but this is the Fluff and Fold!!" Spoiled I say!!
Anyway, I have a lot of cake orders at home, too, so busy is just an understatement. Really don't have time to be sitting here. My typing teacher would probably be whacking my fingers with a ruler the way I'm slouched everywhere, elbows resting on desk and knee. I feel like Clyde plopped over his dog dish, taking a break while he eats. I should probably get in the shower. I have a new body wash called Exhale. It claims to have calming effects. Cleanse your body and inspire your mood. Sounded good to me. Lofty hopes for a body wash. I may have put too much faith in my body wash.