I’m Blessed

This morning has a Fall-ish feeling to it.  We felt the need to put on slippers and wrap ourselves in sweaters.  It will likely warm up soon, but there is definitely a change in the air.  I’m tempted to put up Fall decorations, but Knut still forbids it.  I’m not sure if he’s ready for Fall yet.  🙂

My parents are on their way home today to Arizona.  We’ve had a really good time, like always.  As always, we put them to work, as they always insist on “doing life” with us when we are here, instead of pulling everything to a full stop and “vacationing mode.”  It works best that way with little kids around.  We did spend some time out at the lake, though, and played lots of games and stayed up late talking a few times.

Last night we reminisced over all the things we have done when they have visited us.  We have taken them to a wedding of our friends, and a funeral of Knut’s grandpa.  Over the years we have involved them in painting the summer kitchen, peeling wallpaper, fixing a chimney, and now, siding the barn.  They do probably 30 sink loads of dishes while  they’re here, as I barely have a chance to say “Oh, I can do that, sit down” before it’s just done.

It’s not done yet, but one of the 2 difficult sides got done, and a lot of the second difficult side.  All the curves and windows and doors made for lots of tedious measuring.  So I heard.  I just watched…mostly from the kitchen, trying to keep up with the garden produce…still.

I also invited over some of Knut’s cousins for the afternoon who are only in town once a year, and we missed them last year.  Then some of my mom’s cousins were in town the next day, so we had another day of visiting and passing around stories.  Lots of pie has been consumed.

The day my parents got here, Silje excitedly took out her bunny, Muffy, and we watched her hop around the porch as Silje told them all about her beloved rabbit.  We stuck her back in her cage, and went on with things.  The next morning, we found her nearly dead in her cage, barely breathing.  We got her out, called the vet, and before anything could be done, she died.  I have no idea what happened.

Talking to a rabbit breeder, this sometimes happens.  Apparently baby rabbits are as touchy as baby chicks.  Sometimes there just isn’t a reason.  She had spilled her water in the night, and her feet were a bit wet, but that is the only thing we can think of that happened that was bad.  Could a few hours of wet feet do her in?  Granted, she was not in the hutch we were planning for her with the softer bedding, yet.  Oh, the guilt that goes with all of the should-have’s in our mind.

Later that week, I got a message from a local breeder who didn’t have any rabbits to sell in the breed that Silje wanted awhile ago.  She said she was about to visit her friend 2 hours away, who bred the Holland Lop bunnies Silje wanted, and had some does available.  If we wanted any, she’d be happy to bring some back for us.

So I told her to bring us two.  Get right back on the horse, right?  So “Princess” and “Pepper,” our 2 new bunnies are now cozy in the chicken brooder, which is a much larger, more cushy bedding space for rabbits.  (Pictures to come.)  All of that happened during this week’s visit as well.  The bunnies can have that big space until we get new chicks this spring, and hopefully we’ll have a bigger hutch for them ready by then, as we’ll get a buck down the road from this breeder as well.  Watch out 4H, Silje will be at the fair with rabbits next year, by hook or by crook.  It has been quite a roller coaster week of emotions for Silje.  I was so blessed to be able to just hold her and mourn with her as she cried, and I was so surprised and delighted that we heard news of new available rabbits at just the right time.

The kids are heartbroken to see Grammy and Papa go today, too.  They pour so much time into each of the kids while they are here.  We can’t wait for them to retire and turn into snowbirds, spending their summers up here near the farm.

Oh, I love my parents.  I’m so blessed when they are here.  I’m also so excited to be starting a new school year with the kids next week, and the knitter in me is squealing for joy that the weather is turning cold.  What can I say.  I live in a cold place and love it.

I’m blessed.