Another storm of craziness has blown through these past couple of weeks. The days are starting to blur together, but honestly, life is good here on the Funny Farm!
We’ve been experiencing an early winter, with several snowy days already. Our first real snowfall arrived over the past few days, coating everything in that soft, quiet white that makes the farm feel extra peaceful.
Addy went to help Andrew, Josh, and River (both Al’s sons) pour concrete for the new floor in Al’s upcoming auto workshop. This was Addy’s first time pouring concrete, but Andrew has been doing it since his twenties. He warned the boys right away that he’s very good at concrete… followed immediately by, “I hate pouring concrete!” LOL. He explained that it’s truly back-breaking work — worth it when it’s done right — but definitely not as easy now as it was in his twenties. (Honestly, some days just getting off the couch feels like a workout!)
Of course, nothing ever goes completely smooth. The concrete truck showed up late, but that wasn’t even the biggest issue. The real chaos started when the electric trowel died mid-job and spewed oil all over the freshly poured floor they were trying to level. Thankfully, it wasn’t a total disaster. In the spring, they’ll just pour a soupy self-leveling mix overtop to even things out. For now, the space is usable and ready to store vehicles out of the winter weather.
After Al’s surgery, we had the chance to watch him perform at a fundraiser for a local couple. It was “4 on the Floors” first show together — minus their bass player, who couldn’t make it. And even though Al was only a few days out from surgery, nothing was going to stop him from getting on that stage! Music and performing are in his blood; it’s his natural state.
The night was full of dancing, good drinks, and 4 on the Floors rocking the night away. Between sets, there were draws and updates about the fundraiser, and the whole place felt warm and supportive. It turned into another late night for us, but a really great one.
This week we also went out and got a new Christmas tree, brought it home, and decorated it. Our old tree’s lights finally gave up on us — and since it was pre-lit, trying to find the right replacement strands was a lost cause. We’ve been searching for a new one for a while, checking everywhere, waiting for a tree that just felt right.
The one we finally settled on is from Wal-Mart: artificial, pre-lit, and dusted with that snowy look on the pine needles. We specifically wanted to avoid the glitter-covered styles after last year’s tree left us looking like we’d made out with fairies and set off a glitter bomb in the house. Mission successful… mostly. The trade-off is that now it looks like we have a sprinkle of fake snow everywhere — including all over us while we decorated.
Addy picked out the tree topper this year. He wanted something natural, so the star he chose is made of rustic wood, twigs, pinecones, and little red berries. It fits perfectly with the cozy vibe. Our tree is filled with decorations from when Mandy was a kid, from when our kids were little, plus all sorts of “firsts” and memory pieces that we’ve collected over the years. This year, we also added the wooden ornaments we gathered during our trip to British Columbia for Addy’s sister’s wedding — and from meeting our nieces from both Addy’s sisters, for the very first time. Those pieces feel extra special.
And if you didn’t know, we have three mischievous cats… so putting up a tree is a process. We have to attach the base to two cinder blocks and strap everything down with four heavy-duty zip ties. If you’ve ever browsed Christmas-tree-fail videos, you know why — there’s always a cat involved!
Bucky Update:
Bucky is finally out of the cone, which sadly means we can’t call him “Lamp” anymore. He’s doing so much better now — his eye is still recovering a bit, but he’s finished all his medications and is a much happier boy. No more awkward cone getting stuck on the stairs or keeping him from hopping onto the couch, and no more twice-a-day eye drops and antibiotics.
Now the main challenge is just keeping him from hurting himself again!
Work for Addy is starting to wind down as we head into the last few weeks of 2025, so on his days off he’s been busy getting the property ready for snow and the deep cold. It’s been really nice having backup when it comes time to change the icy waterers multiple times a day. This time of year always feels like a shift — a slower, gentler pace where we can catch our breath and spend more time together. Even with the cold and the ice, we truly look forward to the slowdown after such a busy year.
With the snowfall, Addy fired up our new electric snow blower and made quick work of the driveway before heading to work. It came with four batteries, and they powered through most of our 60-foot driveway. I was impressed! We debated for a while between gas or electric, but in the end went with electric… we have enough gas engines to maintain as it is. So far, no regrets at all!
As always, life on the Funny Farm keeps rolling along in its own wonderfully chaotic way. These past couple of weeks have been a mix of early winter weather, homestead chores, holiday prep, and all the little surprises that come with animals, family life, and this cozy corner of the world we call home. From snow-covered mornings and driveway clearing to finding the perfect Christmas tree and keeping Bucky cone-free and out of trouble, it’s been busy — but in a way we love.
Thank you so much for reading along and sharing in these pieces of our everyday life. It means a lot to have people who enjoy these updates and follow our journey through the seasons. Whether you’re here for the farm moments, the family stories, or just a glimpse into rural living, we truly appreciate you sticking with us to the end.
Wishing you a warm, peaceful December wherever you are. Until the next post — stay cozy, stay safe, and see you soon.