Just Things and One Gruesome

 We attended a Knights of Columbus dinner with Samwise and Belladonna.

 Horrific experience warning, not for children: If you don't want to hear skip these 2 photos.  Having borrowed a bull that can produce extremely large calves, unbeknownst to us, we had an experience I hope we don't have to go through again. (The bull is currently in some local freezers, in case you were wondering.)  We had a sweet young heifer who was unable to deliver such a large (beautiful) calf. We had to call the vet (for the first time) as Frodo was unable to help her along, try as he might as the 2nd hoof was bent backwards, while the head and 1st hoof were already birthed. The vet was able to push the head and hoof back in and bring both front hooves back out, however, the heifer-turning-to-cow (is that a term?) was too small so the vet had to take the calf by.... beware... cutting the calves head off. Then they were able to pull out the calf.  It was awful.  They gave the cow some vitamins and whatever else and were able to get her up, which was good. Unfortunately mama cow also pushed out her uterus. They were able to get it back in and sew her up. Frodo was able to bring her back up to the barn (as naturally she delivered in the woods at the far end of the pasture).  She had to be sewn back up again the next day. She, however, did not make it and died a couple days later, regardless of the tender loving care I tried to give her. I was with her when she was almost dead but was given the job of going to get some Mountain Dew which has helped some of our animals back to life (caffeine, lots of sugar).  But I got a call before I was 1/2 way down our road. It was the saddest farm experience we have ever had. 

  Then we attended Eowyn's school Christmas show. It was so darling! These photos are of Eowyn's pre-K students. Doggone they were cute. There was a little boy in the back frow who faced the back the entire time. I could not help laughing... alot!

 Our previous years' Christmas tree was put to rest last year as it shed like a real tree, so they went on sale finally and we purchased a new one.  We used to have real trees and put them up the 4th Sunday of Advent but one year the 4th Sunday of Advent was also Christmas Eve or close to it (many years ago) and there wasn't a tree anywhere but one huge floor model at Menards. However, we (*I*) ended up preferring a fake tree because there is no water to deal with (either overflowing and watering the basement or dried up, it was always one or the other).

 This new tree is 10 feet tall, with a box large enough for a child's coffin. Poppy thought she was mighty clever and comical.

 So we put it up...

 Said coffin turned into a train later.

 The decorating has begun.

 Then we had a fake practice tournament for those who will be attending the one our school is hosting in January.  I'm really proud of Marigold for giving it her first shot and wanting to do a real tournament!

 

 The regulars also competed

 (Like the way I got the same pose for all 4 haha) I did not realize that Bilbo was competing at the same time in a different ring. Ooops.

 The decorating continues.

 We took Bilbo out for his birthday dinner before his birthday to Journey as it is the place for lots of seafood for a great price (all you can eat). Bilbo loves seafood.