It’s the little things that make life worth living, lol.  As I stated in the last blog.  We haven’t had water since February 2nd.  We purchased a camping outdoor shower that has a propane heater.  What I didn’t purchase were the 6 D cell batteries.   The ones we had must have been several years old since they had no charge.  Who uses D cells anymore anyway?  We went to Miles City for our weekly shower (Don’t worry we don’t stink, improvising and keeping clean until we can go get a real shower) and bought the batteries at Wal-Mart.  The heater works!  We had purchased a smaller version in 2017 for our trip out here to fence but it never worked. Hmm…could it have been the batteries?  We will find out after we get back home. We are on the way to Forsyth to attend a Homeowner association meeting.  We are presenting our committee notes to the board.
My four chickens are still alive, I think the new coop is probably warmer for them. I did heat it the first night but after one night, the bottle of propane was depleted. At $3+ for each bottle, it’s too expensive to keep the coop heated.  Anyway, no animal cruelty here.  All the info I have read, chickens can keep warm as long as the building is well insulated and our building is well insulated.  One of my chickens is even giving me an egg a day. Horses are doing awesome as well, fat and happy. No signs of being cold.  A few weeks ago, they had ice on their hooves, looked like Cinderella's high heels.  
For those of you who have grandchildren, you know how they hold a place in your heart.  It’s so heartwarming to get texts from my 4 (3 grandchildren and one son).  I make it a point to send my son a text every day so I know he is still alive and also he knows we are still alive and kicking in the coldest winter in Montana’s recent history, lol.  Both Steve and I are very proud of him, he’s making A’s in his classes.  Go Nick, Go.!! Well  that’s all ‘till next time.

Well we still don't have water, but adapting.  Our main water tank is in the basement of the laundry room so we are still able to draw the water, just no direct water to the house.  This means we had our weekly shower today, lol.  I exaggerate, we get a shower every 4 days.  Don't worry, I do not go to bed dirty.  Today Stephen turned 57, so for the next 2 months, we will be the same age  Yes, I'm the older one in the relationship.  58 is looming but I am not worried.  We got up and I made pancakes using the Kodiac pancake mix.  If you haven't tried it you are missing out on some good 'cakes.  I started my diet last Friday, so I didn't eat any pancakes, but we invited our neighbor over and he and Steve ate pancakes and bacon.  He stayed for a few hours and then Steve and I went to a Homeowners Association meeting.  We are on the by law committee.  This means that we are reviewing the By Laws and recommending changes.  This may sound easy but with the people that live out here, there will be controversy and lots of yelling and shouting, lol.  That's why I referenced the Montana.gov site on about every paragraph.  I'm working on a blanket and unfortunately I have had to rip out the blocks at least 3 times already.  Oh well, I should finish this week, then start on Steve's blanket.  I already have material to work on 2 more, one for my niece and one for a young combat vet.  I can't say more as it's a surprise for both of them, lol.  It's getting late, ready for bed.  Goodnight people.  Love and kisses.

Last blog, I was complaining about the weather. This blog is no different.  My complaint is that in the last 14 days there was only day that was in the 30's, the other days were in the teens or below.  It really wouldn't make a difference if our water pipes didn't freeze 2 weeks ago.  Since then we haven't had water in the house.  Fortunately we can go down to the water tank and draw water but let me tell you, that heating the water for dishes and baths is no fun.  We go to Miles City every few days to wash clothes and take a shower. Although $7 for a shower seems kind of expensive, it's worth it.  We have also built our new chicken coop.  When the wind chill is negative 30, fingers and face freeze.  Hopefully, it will get warm soon.  Today, I went to a get together of the ladies of Wildhorse.  Good food and good friends, had a good time. Steve stayed back to get water for the horses. Have you seen the meme of chopping through frozen horse troughs ?  It is a thing. Steve has to go out every day and chop holes for the horses to drink water.  Fortunately, all the horses are fat and happy.  We have plenty of hay to keep them eating all Winter long.  I can't believe that my four chickens are still alive.  We have the small chicken tractor wrapped in blankets and tarps, so it seems to be keeping them warm. I have to go out each day to give them water as the waterer freezes.  Sewing blankets keeps me busy.  Well not much else to update.  I envy those people who can find something to write about each day. Me, I'm just happy to be here.  Love y'all.

The weather has been strange, freezing cold one week with snow and then a warming trend and the snow melts and the roads become mud.  Last night we attended the Search and Rescue meeting.  Although the outgoing president really wanted Stephen to become Vice President, I could see that's not what Steve wanted.  Well that as well as Steve telling me that he didn't retire to go back to work, lol.  The Search and Rescue team only has 6 active members at this time so we all were voted in as board members.  Steve is the Quartermaster, which means he will maintain the equipment and I am the secretary/treasurer.  I know we moved up here to be hermits but I feel like this is a very important organization and we can help the public.  A few months ago we joined the American Legion in Forsyth but unfortunately it is nothing like our old organization in Texas.  I think we are going to look into the legion located in Miles City.  You would think that it would be run better as the members were all military at one time or another.  Maybe it's just me, I like things to be dress right dress, organized for those that aren't military minded.  Until next time, adios.

It seems like every year just goes by faster and faster.  5 hours and it will be 2019.  2018 was a good year for us but a sad one as well.  We've said goodbye to old friends and have made new friends along the way. We've lost relatives and friends who have left this world.  It was 4 degrees earlier this morning, supposed to be -4 tonight.  Water pipes are frozen, and fresh snow on the ground.  Regardless, there is always something to be Thankful for. I saw a meme today that said TOMORROW, IS THE FIRST BLANK PAGE OF A 365 PAGE BOOK. WRITE A GOOD ONE. It's up to you how you write your book.  Full of action and adventure or not.   I wish each and everyone one of you a Happy New Year.  

The solar panels are in place (have been for about a month now) and we have peace and quiet.  I'm sure that Stephen was tired of me asking him when it would be up and running.  He did a great job, hooking up he panels to the house.  Nick was here in October and helped him lift the panels to their current locations.  I'm not sure I could have done that.

Two years ago, we bought 5 chickens from a place outside of D'Hanis, Texas.  One chicken was a scrawny little chicken, that looked like a small rooster.  I knew she wasn't a rooster because she laid eggs.  I named her Bobbi Sue.  She was one of the hens that we bought up north with us.  Recently, I went out to add feed to the feeder and clean up their coop.  I was shocked when I saw what I thought was a new chicken.  My ugly duckling had turned into a swan.  She had finally matured.  I was convinced that someone had exchanged her, lol.  The chickens are doing well, adjusting to the cold temperatures.

You would need to live in a cave, to not know about the controversy regarding the Christmas Classic, Baby it's cold outside. The Me 2 movement have declared the song as sexist.  Let me tell you, that regardless of what other's think I like this song and have listened to it my whole life.  In fact at this very moment, I'm wearing my PJ top with the same saying.  It IS cold outside. It's been in the negative numbers the last week but warming up.  It's been in the 30's the last few days.  We had snow about 2 weeks ago and we were able to fire up the snowmobiles and go outriding on the roads of Wildhorse.  Two of the three projects are complete.  We finished the laundry room about 3 weeks ago. The ability to wash clothes in my own washer and dryer brings a smile to my face.  Steve finished up the solar install about 2 weeks ago.  No longer having to rely on the generator is such a relief.  On good sunny days we are making and storing power.  So awesome.  I had some of the ladies from the neighborhood over on Saturday for cookies, cake, coffee and tea.  I think it was a success.  Thanks goes to my former neighbor, Francie for providing the example.  Steve and I are also members of the Montana Search and Rescue team.  We took the test last month and what a test it was.  Very hard.  The Christmas dinner was held on 7 December in Rosebud.  We had a good time, meeting the other members.  Since I last posted, Nick, our son, came up for a visit with his girlfriend, Paloma.  He helped Steve with the solar and Paloma helped me with putting in T-posts.  She is a very hard worker.  That's another project Steve and I finished.  We put up 3 strands of barbed wire and put in 2 gates.  Well that's about all the news today.  Until next time.

Winter is coming and we still have 3 big project to complete.  The laundry room is number one.  Stephen finished the basement area, cementing in the concrete blocks in place, so that the water storage tank would be in a dry, covered area.  We finally installed the floor on Saturday. On Sunday, we went into Billings to get more lumber and building supplies, but we were still short.  After we built two walls, we went to Miles City, to get more lumber and metal for the roof. The next project is installation of the solar panels, and then building the barn.  So I have to tell you I have been dealing with a lot of grieving recently.  My second cousin, Sonia Flores, passed away on September 13th after delivering a baby girl, Lexi Grace.  Through out her pregnancy Sonia had blood clots in her legs. On the 12th, she went to the hospital, writing on Facebook that Lexi Grace would be delivered on the 13th.  I PM'd her that day and she said she didn't want to alert the family as she needed some alone time.  So you can imagine my shock and horror when I received a text from my other cousin, B, that Sonia had passed away. Apparently after delivering the baby, they took Sonia back to implant an IVF filter but they were too late. All I can think about is that the baby will grow up without a mother.  I pray that she will find love and happiness with whoever adopts her.  What a beautiful little girl. I hope she never forgets that she is very much loved, by her mother who selflessly brought her into this world, to her great grandparents, grandparents and her uncles, their families and all the cousins.