We've Been Busy!!!

We have missed communicating with all of you through this blog, and we hope to be able to resume posting regularly soon. But while our computer is still "under the weather" we are really appreciating the computers at the library!!!
We were delighted when a late winter (or was it 'early spring') storm blew in our way the last week in March. We received between 6 and 8 inches of snow, some of which melted off immediately. Besides snow, the storm also 'blew in' family members; Andrew, Rebecca and Justice! While we were pelted with snow, they were pelted with rain which kept Andrew from work and allowed them to take 2 days to come up North to visit 'the home folks'. We had a lovely time with them, and as the Anson household joined us, it was a lovely day of family time. Dad and Seth were both off from work and we got to get in a couple of hours of sledding; our favorite winter past-time!! The younger ones started a snowman but the snow melted before he could be completed!!!! :)
It was a joy to have the Shepards here. Having the two nephews together is such fun!!! It is amazing how fast those two guys grow!! :)
Now I'll put a little humor into this post, I think by the end of the story, you will be glad that technology has not yet made a way to transfer smell through the computer!!!! :)
It is one of those cool, spring mornings you read about in books. It is around 8:30 am and everyone in our house is up and about, cleaning up from breakfast and finishing last-minute chores before school starts. With the weather so lovely, all the windows and doors are flung wide open to allow the cool breezes to filter through the house.
Suddenly, a not-so-lovely smell starts to filter into the house (through all those wide open doors and windows). "It smells like there is a skunk outside this morning. Maybe one of the dogs got sprayed by one" some one comments. As the smell becomes more and more severe, some one is sent to peer out the windows to see if there is a skunk in the area. Our peaceful morning was rudely disrupted with the announcement "There is a skunk in the flower bed!!" Sure enough, our little visitor had been spotted by Roscer (Noah's Rat Terrier) but Roscer was unable to subdue the skunk without help, so he cornered him up against the house. The skunk was really annoyed by the barking dog and showed it by showering everything in sight with his 'perfume'. We shut the windows on that side of the house, hoping to eliminate the source of the smell and hopefully is would be driven to the other side of the house and out those open windows.
Thankfully, the skunk finally got around Roscer and headed off to make his presence known elsewhere. (He was intercepted by Noah and the shotgun before he made it under the barn.) Although he had left, Mr. Skunk left his mark and we 'enjoyed' the aftermath of his visit for the rest of the day. Ah, life on the farm!!! I think Roscer should stick to hunting rats...:)

No pictures this time, stay tuned, we'll post a bunch when our computer is up and running again!!!