Work, deadbolts and other things

So, Tom had a pretty big list of "to do's" before he left. One of which was install deadbolts in our front and back doors. Since we just replaced the front door when we had the flood problem- it hadn't been drilled yet for a deadblot. Needless to say- between foaling mares, training new help at the office, and getting the center ready for renters- it never happened. So he arranged for a contractor to come and get it installed this past week- which happened yesterday.
But, before he left, Tom handed me the 22 handgun and said"cock it"- which he then showed me how. He then gave me this wonderful advise: " Put this on your bedstand- if you hear any noise grab it, cock it, and hide behind the bed on the floor and use the mattress to steady your hand and shoot anything that comes throught the bedroom door- and call 911." I hope you see the humor in this- because I thought it was HILARIOUS!

The other funny thing was Tom's (almost) week long drive out to MA. I would get these calls because he is BORED TO DEATH- while I, on the other hand, am running around like a chicken with my head cut off- training a new person, cleaning the Center inbetween guests with my crew, and handling work- which I was going a tad crazy with messed up orders and inspections! I think I was still emotionally drained from losing the colt, no sleep, and Tom leaving, I just hope this week is better...
I have my first rehersal this next week and that's another story about the crazy Samuel French guy that I talked to so I can get our theater company licensed and get our scripts! Is anything ever easy????? I know- not if it's worthwhile!

They released Tom today at Church- it was very nice the Bishop went off on how much he loved Tom and all the work he did, same with the Stake Presidency. Women kept coming up to me crying (for me) which then made me cry. I kept saying he didn't die and I'll see him in three weeks! I'm so grateful for all the ward members who have offered to help me if i should need anything. I even have volunteers for the next "foal watch." One sweet lady I visit teach who is rather weak from a series of illnesses offered to come and keep an eye on her while I'm at work- she'll just read her book and lay there on the lawn lounge.

I DON'T KNOW WHERE TO START...

Lots has happened since I last Blogged- so I have a fair amount of catching up. It seems to never stop amazing me how I can have have both bad news and goods news and ride a roller coaster of emotion all within hours of each other.

First-Good news: Tom got a KM consulting contract back east. It happened rather quickly- 2 phone interviews and HIRED! He sounds perfect for the job and it's with a VERY large , international company so it will continue to improve his resume. But then we had 2 weeks of hassle trying to get everyhting they wanted (insurance mostly) so we could go direct corp to corp- but it turns out the insurances they wanted us to carry aren't even available here in Utah so instead we ended up being an employee of the recruitment company and will get a w2- but for less hourly $$ because they will be paying some of the SS. It works out better in some ways because they can make part of the payment a perdiem- which is not taxed income. Tom arrived in MA yesterday and has already found a room to rent!

The other good news is a beautiful purebred Welsh colt out of Gretchen. "Hawkmeadows Midnight Charger" was born Thursday @ 4:30 AM (after keeping Tom & I up all night cause Gretchen paced nonstop starting at 6 pm the night before and was completely bagged up!) I actually watched her until 3 am when i couldn't stay awake a minute longer. Then Tom took over and woke me up 1 1/2 hours later to- "She's having it" over the baby monitor! The delivery was text book- which was a relief after Kaydee's catastophe. He is black for now but will "gray out" like his mom. He has the prettiest eye color- they are smokey gray- very unique.

Annie had her colt a few days after Gretchen- but not exactly "text book." Similar to gretchen she kept me up all night and had the foal around 4 AM. Unlike Gretchen- she had a "red ball" delivery. It's called that because the placenta detached prematurely and presents before the foal does- looking like a big red ball. I had never seen this before (and don't ever want to see it again!) Toma nd I were both surprised by it- I thought her uterus had prolapsed and told Tom to push it back in while I was at her head getting a halter on her to walk her while I called the vet. Unfortunately my vet was out of town and there was only a very new vet available. He didn't tell me to cut it, which would have allowed the foal to be born. But, the foals legs pierced it with her next contraction and the colt was born.

Everything looked fine that morning- the colt stood and drank- cute little bay half pony colt was going to be for my grandids. But the next mrning when I went out he was very lathargic. I took his temp and it was over 103- I called the vet (my regular one was back in town) and she came right out. She explained that a "red ball" baby rarely lives due to oxygen depravation at birth. We tube fed him and tried several things but later that afternoon he died.

This all happened the day Tom left to drive back to Mass. I haven't cried that hard in a very long time- it was heartbreaking to watch him slowly die. I felt horrible having lost two foals this year and I've never lost one before! The vet is trying to figure out what is going on with my mare's placentas. Why I'm having so much problem getting a healthy foal. I have one mare left to foal- Frankie- so I'm almost afraid to have it come. So much for starting my breeding program.