Vacation – Kittens and Lola Makes 3…

I know I promised a blog post this past Monday after we got home from vacation – the week has simply gotten away from me so please bear with me while I try to break it all down into somewhat organised and cohesive order.

Vacation Road Trip (last post) was a huge success. We rolled onto Ocracoke Island Saturday afternoon and I could immediately feel the stress washing away when we hit NCDOT12 on Cape Hatteras National Seashore.

Nothing beats the smell of the ocean and watching to pelicans soar. As always “my island” was welcoming with the most amazing food – cheap booze and the best beaches in North America.

The only “hitch” we had on our vacation on island is that some punk ass kids decided to pinch our golf cart rental – take it out for a joyride and return it TRASHED!! I felt so bad for the rental company but felt a great sense of pride when the nabbed the trouble makers.

One of the many hi lites of the trip was listening to my son on WOVV Orcacoke Island Radio (tune in please) do an hour or so show. His goal is to work there next summer and I sure hope that he can make it happen.

While away – our beloved Scrappy dropped her litter of kittens – 5 in total – and they are spectacular! Great markings – great mother.

I have to admit – we were quite anxious to get back though. While I love “my island” I missed my boys and kittens and family and friends.

We left quite early Saturday morning and drove to Carlisle PA where I had “hotels.com” a HoJo  for the night. Upon arrival however – I IMMEDIATELY regretted my booking. This place what in a word – a shit hole. The Bate Motel was in a safer area. The room had NOT been cleaned – stuff was smashed – the room itself was way around back and littered with trash – we almost bailed – I almost forfeited the $$$ is cost and walked but it was just one night right? I have since lodged a complaint – will anything happen? Doubtful and lesson learned – you get what you pay for.

We arrived home on Sunday around noonish – first stop – see my Boys – I sure did miss them. They were spoiled rotten by – I don’t even want to call her our farm sitter – yes – we hired her to take care of them – but she did so so much more – and now she is my friend. My sister and my mother in law as well. TO MY SISTER – I’ll make a horsewoman out of you 🙂

Then I went to see Scrappy’s litter – soooo cute – super fuzz heads.

Monday we both had the day off – Lyla Belle still had not dropped her litter – Monday night however – Hubs and I were chatting and Lyla Belle plopped herself on Hubs boots and promptly went into labour. We rushed her to the maternity ward (old goat barn) where she had two kittens – she then moved herself to the garage where she had four more. In total – little Lyla Belle dropped six kittens!!

We officially now have 20 cats!! HOLY CRAP!!! – uhh- it’s official – we are now crazy cat people!!!!

The rest of this week has been pretty standard – unpack – laundry – clean my house although I really did not need to – my house sitters kept it cleaner than I do :).

Today though – today was a BIG DAY!!!

Lola – our third to our herd has arrived!! – Lola is a pretty little Quarter/Arab mare – Little Horses previous paddock mate where I used to board. Very sweet disposition – very nice little mare. Loads on a trailer like a pro and transports like a dream.

She arrived late morning. I penned the boys away from her for an hour or so until she got her bearings and then introduced them all.

Well…Little Horse – the old man has had new life breathed into him!! Dirty old man – studdish and possessive of his girl. Big Horse was a little prickish at first and Little Horse has not left her side. I think she is getting annoyed with all the attention.

So – Lola makes 3!! We are now a 3 horse farm here at Orange Acres. It will be a little dicey for a few days while the pecking order is established but me thinks we will be just fine.

I have to end this post with a big shout out.

My sister – ahhh- thank you so much for staying at Orange Acres – however you forgot your parting gift!! a fresh kitten – right out of the batch – super fuzzy – super cute!! I’ll save you one. Thanks for the new purple frying pan – my favourite colour. I was so relieved to have you staying here for most of the week. You have no idea how much that meant to us.

My friend/sitter – had I not found you to come and take care of my boys – Lord- I can’t even describe it. Needless to say – I have a new very dear friend who went above and beyond the call of duty. She has introduced me to more people and given me more insight on this community. She is the embodiment of community here in our lazy little town. A true giving spirit.

My Mother in Law – thanks for the new broom – I did need a new one for sure!!! To have you here as well was a big relief.

I sure hope that everyone enjoyed their stay at Orange Acres.

Our one year anniversary here is coming up fast and I am hoping to arrange a BBQ/celebration to commemorate surviving our first year on the farm.

It’s been a year of learning and growing and I can’t speak for Hubs – wait – yes I can – I do all the time – it has been one of the happiest years of our lives.

Details on event forthcoming once we nail down a date.

Thank you again everyone!!!