HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

Its New Years Eve yet again and time to wish you all a Very Happy New Year and I really hope its a good one. Health and happiness would be good along with a bit of prosperity!!! So a little note to say a huge thankyou to people who have helped this year..Laura for her help every Saturday and full time when not at college:)....Mum for the scones, Dad for the allotment, Auntie Lou for the Wednesdays!, Steven for the drying and polishing! Geoff for the Mondays and plants, Andy and Ant for help with the building and making me laugh! Tim for the help this year and Tim 'P' in the office..our new addition to Purl Design this year!!! and thanks to our guests for continue to visit us. Thanks to everyone who helped to make this year successful and we are still here!!!! (knackered but still here!!)Good Luck and have a wonderful night wherever that may be. And heres to Sylvia and family, make it a good oneXX....Cheers!!!!!!

SANTAS BEEN!

Mason came over to open his pressies Santa had left at our house for him...So I had to help him of course before he got bored of ripping paper!!!, he had some great things, and still too tiny to realise really, but we'll just have to keep the pictures to show him when he is older!...Mason got in the spirit with his Santa suit on too, He even had some Christmas dinner...cant be bad cooking eh!

3 MONKEYS?

Hear no, Speak no and See No....I'll leave it up to you as to who is who!....But I am sure they are up to something!...And Uncle Chris and Auntie Lou keeping an eye on each others presents!!!!No swimming hat though...bet they are glad!!!

BIG KIDS!

Christmas is supposed to be for the kids....but I guess big kids are ok!.....Pete on the tobogganing game, Holly and Tim in the middle of it, I think I hvae nabbed little mason! Laura pinching sweets by the look of it, Uncle Chris egging Pete on, until his skiing run pictured above... it got quite competitive at one stage! and Steve in there sporting his new hat!!

AND THE PRESENTS KEEP COMING!

Mum wanted a swimming hat for when she and Steven go swimming....Steve managed to find a colourful one....mmmm quite stunning????Good luck Steven..hope they let you in!!!!New glasses might be an idea...should have gone to spec savers eh!!!

LITTLE COMP!

Pete and I always have a competition for the Xmas presents...We have never got any money so it has to be something mad like that!...This year the requirement was for "The most unusual, useful present that you would not normally consider a present!"...That opened the flood gates of thought.. I tried to get Pete a full sized emu and rider outfit, but it was £188!!! and our budget was £25 so a bit beyond the remit!... So after much thought I got him an egg poaching pan...one I hadn't seen one in years and 2 he is always on about poached eggs..and 3 who'd buy that as a present!!!! So I thought I had the competition all sewn up! but then Pete produced his present, he had bought £25 worth of the best rope I have ever seen...he never lets me buy decent rope....and he curled it up on a board and painted merry Xmas on it...So he reckons he won...what do you reckon????

NAME THAT BACKSIDE!

Who has a rear like this???

ON A BREAK!

Laura taking a breather before Pete gets her again and Steven wishing he had more than 2 hours sleep last night..in his new hat.. I bet you are really wishing you had one of our wonderful presents aren't you....!!! Mind you it does kind of suit Steven!

PETE AND THE PUPPET!

Pete had a very useful present, which would keep him amused for hours and hours, if only to torment all that he saw... He had an emu puppet which he freaked Laura right out with constantly, I think he frightened the cat too! amongst others!...Still Pete was kept busy! One of many tasteful, expensive, exquisite presents from yours truly....

WARM THEME!

I am not sure if I just felt cold when I bought presents this year, but they seemed to have a theme running through them.....to keep warm....Steven had a rather desirable pair of ear muffs tastefully shaped into frogs!!!!!! and Laura had a pair of slippers shaped in a VW camper van!!! Oh we know how to live!!!!

TABLE ALL SET!

The table was set for 12 of us, it looked great a real banquet!....Except I had to cook it! and serve it hot with a bit of luck...Laura made individual wrapped marzipan snowmen for the table too...oh and my cake looks ok here too, considering I made it in my wellies!!!!! Well not the cake I mean I was wearing my wellies in one of my mad multi tasking events!!!!

DOGS AND PRESSIES

Christmas morning came bright and early...5am in fact when I woke everyone up with a Ho Ho Ho and get out of bed...He's been!!!!...Yeap it starts early here, I don't sleep all night so I think I do quite well waiting until 5am!!.. Lucky had a Santa, Gem a Christmas tree and Shadow a reindeer and they all loved them, took them all outside and chewed them for hours!!!

TIM!!!

Tim who works with us in Purl Design is really getting the hang of this madness at Woodmill. We have had him watching Dixie give birth and countless other mad things...And now he has caved in to wearing a Santa coat...Next year it will be the who suit!!!! HO HO HO..PS Tractor Annie says nice hair!!

MRS SANTA DOES THE DUCKS!!!

After wading around in the icy waters the ducks finally came round to the fact that Mrs Santa was their feed!...It was cold and I was quite glad not to have slipped!....And Mr Santa was in with the chickens...not sure what people think really that pass by on the road!!!

MR& MRS SANTA

Ok you'll be sick of Christmas after all the next hundred Xmas entries...but it has to be done!...Having been ready for Xmas for a good few months, decorations and all! When the big day arrived we were very excited!...Pete and I dress up as Santa all day and get in the Christmas spirit...I think the animals are used to it now, they think its normal....I was half tempted to fix some reindeer antlers onto the ponies to make them into reindeer's!....But thought better not?????

THE GREAT ESCAPE

Dixie decided it was high time the piglets had an adventure, and when we went to feed her, the pig sty was bear and panic set in....especially as all the piglets are on reserve for their new homes as much wanted pets!!!....So we walked up the meadow and thought they couldn't have gone far, Dixie loves it here.....And then we saw them, munching their way through the goat paddock, not a care in the world!...In fact they even looked up at me as if to say..."whats up!"...We called Dixie hoping that her babies would follow, and it kind of worked until a couple of the piglets got the wrong side of the gate when trying to get through it. So after several attempts we got them through and ran them back up to the safe warm pig sty where they should be!...Except one who dawdled and I had to pick her up and run to catch up the rest of them!....Dixie didn't seem to care at all that she had us all worried!

ICED UP!

Shame we didnt get any snow like the rest of the UK! but we had to make do with thick ice....which is a real pain as we have to deliver water to all the animals 4 times a day, you just finish your round and you have to start again!....We were able to stand on the duck pond and it was freezing over as soon as we broke it!...Steven was skating on thin ice..pardon the punn...but he had his best trainers on, down in the duck pond on the water!!!!!!!!

SHADOW NEEDS A HUG

When Shadow needs a hug ...she needs a hug....and the more you laugh that she is quashing you the more she puts her weight and tongue on you!!....Shes a good 50kgs now and is a bit like a bear.....large but very cute with a lovely temperament....Dear of her!!!!!

MASON SEES SANTA

Little Mason,Holly and Tim's baby only 6 months was the subject of a Laura and Me hijack to see Santa. He was dressed for the occasion in his little Santa suit which made everyone look at him and coooooo...He danced with the carol singers and gave Santa a huge cheesy grin so I think he is definitely in the groove for Christmas. Mind you he did attempt to eat his ticket to see Santa and quite liked the furry huskies (not real!) ...he didn't want to let go of them!...Me and Laura tried to tell ourselves it was for Mason to see Santa, but secretly we wanted to see him too, but you cant really have a 40 and 18 year old sitting on Santa knee can you!!...Mind you he did ask us what we wanted for Christmas...wonder if we will get it....We have been good honest!!!!!

EVERYONE IS GETTING FESTIVE!!

Dixie and the piglets (sounds like a pop group eh...might start one called that) are getting into the festive spirit with the tinsel, they were going bananas, Pete was sitting on the floor and the piglets just kept jumping allover him like he was a play thing. They are so cute, shame we will have to find them homes, but I am sure their owners will look after them well......Dixie looks quite like an angel doesn't she!!!!!

COOL CAT

Smartie is a real poser, she thinks she owns the place. If she is not up the curtains she is up to no good. Then crashes out on the giant bean bag. I wish you could see her right now, she is climbing up my back and springing into the air to try to get the xmas cards on the ceiling.....Got that picture!!!

NEW ARRIVALS

Karen asked if we could possibly re home her noisy ducks, they were driving her mad, so not one to turn away anything...I gladly obliged, they were released into the pond with the others and took to pond life like a duck to water.....I know that was a really bad joke.... But honestly they settled really quickly, pretty little pair too!

EDIBLE DECS!

Laura is getting in the xmas groove...making edible Christmas trees, shame she wasnt dressed as an elf to deliver them!....I think she is saving that for Christmas Eve!!! They were great,baubles and all!

PIGLETS DOING WELL

Heres a picture I forgot to post but said I would... Heres our very own Tractor Annie in her glad rags for a change giving one of the little piglets a cuddle. The are so sweet, this one has got great markings,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,sorry had to run away for a min, I forgot I put a quiche in the Rayburn at 9am this morning for Pete's lunch....its now 11.25 and I have just remembered, I am not even sure Pete will eat it and he eats anything, its a bit......shall we say....crispy.....Oh what is going on why does everything go pear shape right now!!... Anyway back to the lovely pig and tidy Tractor Annie! Don't be fooled she doesn't look this good when we are mucking out......!!!!!

PONIES UP TO NO GOOD

The ponies are grass less at present and are on hard feed and hay, I guess life is a bit boring without munching all day, so they like to cause a little grief when they can. Tractor Annie was opening the gate when Storm came up behind her and Butted her out the way to get through and into the parts she shouldn't, it was funny to see Auntie Lous face.....e let the rest of them out for a while for an adventure, Storm seemed to hide behind every pole and post and spy on us doing the rounds as if to case the joint for her next escape!

OMG WHAT A DAY!

I seem to be having rather a lot of them at the mo!...After getting stuck with a closure on the M6 Sunday night, we didnt actually get home until well after midnight, I think it started there really. Western Power turned up to turn off my electric without notification again, Do you know I might find out where they all live and screw up their day without warning see how they like it.....Saw the accountant.....Jane is great...but we were tired and trying to retain information in that state was like catching jelly with a sieve!....Came home to sort the pigs out and heat lamps that had been turned off due to power failure...Geoff needed a hand, we needed to do paper work,Laura and Kate had to be set to work....So got on and helped Geoff with the mulching, could have done with that like a hole in the head....cut out all the middle waffle....I must have dropped my phone whilst running after Laura to get a shrimp....Mmmm dont ask.....I spent about 5 hours looking for it not realising I lost it until after Mark had been to assess the digger work. Finally found the phone and it had been driven over with some humongus lorry and it was bent and dead. All my contacts are on there, hundreds of them, and I dont have a copy. I managed to extract the Sim card but they had been corrupted and deleted, so set about trying to un bend the phone. Then as if by magic it started, but no screen so Laura tried by touch to get to the copy number section but without success.....I was contactless, dont even know Lauras number !!!!....Then as if I havent had enough, I defrosted a lovely joint of pork, and popped it in the rayburn for a few hours....Took it out and it was smelling lovely, couldnt wait for tea. But when I went out it was gone, the poxy dog Shadow had only gone and knicked it...foil and all.....OMG I could have killed her.....my day just isnt getting better at all, so thought I would tell you a little about it, mind you there is a whole evening to go yet!!!! And I have been poorly today yippee doodle doo!!!! Anyhow how has your day been? Good I hope!..Smartie has had a good day attacking her stocking and tree looks like it belongs in a messy hedge somewhere thanks to her!...hence the picture

THE PIGS ESCAPED

Finished sorting out the uni situation, she will have to try in Feb, but we are not sure if there will places then, UCAS system is a nightmare,be ok if you could apply whenever to whomever....OH that's the way it is,no point moaning....At present we are talking and collecting Laura from college, which is around a 2 hour round trip twice a day...can't wait until she can drive again. Amidst the ever changing madness, 10 mins before the school pickup Pete fed the Kune Kunes and realised there were 2 missing....they never miss their tea so we knew there was something up. Pete ran to get me, I thought "who was going to cover Steven...Laura cant drive and we have to get the pigs in....So dad to the rescue..thanks!...Meanwhile back at the ranch! Pete and I found Pixie and Woody in the woods,Luckily it wasn't another woods escapade with the rescue services involved....But they couldn't master the steps that would get them safely back in. I paced up and down the fence and at 74 steps I found a place we could cut and shove them back under....I know only I would count paces...but its really handy, saves duplicating stuff, you can then send someone to the exact area....Pete cut the fence and I ran the pigs up and we got them back in, we had to strengthen the area then, I think it could probably do with a bit more wood,but we are away tomorrow...later today with Steven, so will have to wait until we get back. Just hope they don't get out for hop along (Laura). Steven gets back, Dad checks if we need help, but all under control for a min. Steven goes up stairs only to find about a thousand feathers all over his room. The cats had sadly caught a bird, they don't usually do that, only voles and rodents, not a happy bunny.

WHAT A PREDICAMENT!

The electric was turned off for 6 hours and we were not told...we had pigs under heat lamps and trying to keep them warm and with the mum was a nightmare....The longest 6 hours in a while.....Meanwhile I think there is some one up there playing tricks...it seems like the more you cope and deal with...the more life throws at you. Pete and I were booked in at Woodhall Spa to watch a 2 day golf event for Steven at the weekend on Friday night through to Sunday late evening, and laura was going to cover the farm...simple you say.....then we open a letter from Kingston uni only to find she has an interview on Friday an I need to be London. ....Still not panicking too much...check out the train times...Laura could catch the 7pm one back whilst I caught another to Newark where Pete would get me...sorted.....Then we had an email the interview would take 3 hours, so this blew my train plan out the window as there are no matching later trains....Laura doesnt want to be in London on her own for 2 hours....so before I book the tickets we run it past Petes brother Colin....He kindly offers to meet us at Norbiton to stay with Laura so I can get my train and he will wait with her until hers arrives....See back to sorted again...Then I go to book the train tickets for the third unsuccessful time when the phone rings and Laura is in A & E...so I run down to Treliske and see what she has done. After a long wait and story she hadn't broke her foot it was a bad tendon strain.....so unsorted again...So now I have to try to get hold of the uni to see what they want to do and get hold of Colin to tell him....With all of this going on I also had to get cover for Bruce ...as he would need feeding hourly and the other animals.....but sadly Bruce passed away..so this situation changed too. I also had to drive back to get Auntie loo to come with me to drive Laura's car back from college as she couldn't drive....SO now I dont know what on earth is going on, I will have to wait and see what the uni says and replan tomorrow... What a day!!!!!OH I almost forgot I was on the radio this morning too...I must be famous, had a half hour interview!!!...Oh and I pulled a tree up right with the truck and re staked it with Geoff....Just thought you need to know that!

R.I.P BRUCE XXXXX

Dearest little Bruce feel asleep this morning after a roller coaster ride with life. We fed him every hour and gave him all the love that it take to survive but it wasn't meant to be. I had him with me all the time, in the lounge/computer everywhere actually, just cuddling him between feeds keeping him warm. But the little guy didn't make it .....XXXXX sleep wellXXXXX

NIGHT FEEDING!

Night feeds went quite well, Bruce didnt take as much as I would have liked but its a start and we will have to see what happens, I will give it my best shot and time will tell if it is meant to be. He does have a clef which I spotted, so this could be the problem, only a small one, but it is there.
He was then snugged up with his blanket. Sweet dreams Bruce!

UP TO NO GOOD?

The dogs have a bed each but these two felt the need to fight over one of them, and when I asked them what they were up to, butter wouldn't melt, they looked at me like I was talking nonsense...what?...me?...No...we are just sitting here nicely!!!! THINK NOT

THERES A LITTLE HOPE!

At 2pm we moved Bruce to a cat bed and blanket with his own teddy, and hospital Bruce was born! I managed to get a little more milk in him and by 5pm we really thought we had a chance. He was a lot better than the morning, which meant it was hourly night feed to try to save him....

NEARLY LOST HIM

Went down to check on Bruce this morning and he was so weak, I watched to see if he was breathing at all, I couldn't see anything I thought he was gone, lips and feet blue but he was under a heat lamp. We raced him back to the house to try to resuscitate him. There was no reflex at all no eye lid movement, no mouth or gag reflex, nothing. He was in a bad way. I wrapped him up and put him in the plate warmer in the Rayburn to try to help him, I put droplets of milk into his tiny body to try to stimulate him. Nothing was working, after an hour he was still taking very small shallow breaths. I moved him to the top of the rayburn, and warmed him more and over the next few hours put in droplet by droplet of milk replacement. At around 1.30pm he moved his eyelid, and gave me hope........Dear Bruce almighty XX

KEITH AND MYRNAS CAT

Just to confirm we are not the only ones who have crazy pets, Keith and Myrna who kindly stay with us regularly sent us a picture of there puss, I think hes in love with his scratching pole. He would fit in just fine here...What a shot!

SOOO SMALL

I took this picture of Bruce wondering around the kitchen ..only born Tuesday and he doesn't even reach the height of the plinth around the kitchen...and then he came for a kiss...hence close up shot...He's a bit of a poser....Tom Cruise of the Kune Kune world maybe...loves the camera, Hope he is still here in the morning.... I was just thinking we made up a 300ml feed for a pig the size of a small pasty!...Only in Cornwall could that comparison spring to mind...sorry....and no we don't eat our Kune Kunes, in case you were getting worried there!!!(not even in a pasty!!!)

BOTTLE DIDNT WORK

Needless to say Bruce didn't like the bottle, so I tried with a spoon and then with a plate, none was really that successful, so opted for a lock in or lock on should I say, with Dixie, to try to get something in him....He was wondering around the kitchen and I could have quite easily kept him up here, but it is best for him to try to get as much goodness as possible from his mum in order to survive, we will just try and help that situation....Lets hope...fingers crossed. GO BRUCE GO BRUCE!!!...Not sure we will be rehoming that one...don't tell Pete though eh?!!!