Chapter 22

Day 109

My first task this morning was to hold a quick birthday upstairs for Dakota. Dakota has my hair color and Ethan's brown eyes and facial structure. We cuddled, played and worked on toddler training.

After toddler time, I went out to the barn to take care of and ride Keely. I love this horse!

By the end of our riding session, Keely is no longer an untrained horse. I have successfully trained her! And Keely considers me her BFF. She is the most amazing animal. I can't imagine parting with her. I will have to find the time to be a good horse owner. Shayla entertained Dakota while I was riding, sweet girl that she is.

Day 110

I woke up early this morning and started my day by reading about horses. My Riding Level is now at a 4.

The dishwasher AND the television broke as we went through our morning routine. I called a repairman to come in and repair them. I didn't want to take the time to tackle them and I am leery about repairing electronics. I tackled toddler training with Dakota. He is now potty trained and knows how to walk.

After toddler training time, I rode Keely on the trail just behind our home. Keely reached Level 6 in the Racing Skill during our ride.

Shelby and Shayla made the honor roll just in time for their birthdays! Shayla aged up to her teen years with No Sense of Humor. Shelby aged up with the trait: Neat. A neat freak child? Be still my happy heart; I am going to love this! They are both beautiful girls. I really should take a photo and send one to their dad.

Day 111

I woke up early again this morning. I tackled laundry and cooked waffles for breakfast. 

I continued with laundry after breakfast and tackled the weeds in my garden. My garden was pretty much overgrown with them.

I finished the weeding by the time the girls arrived home from school. I decided to ride Keely to the JRA and enter her in a race while the girls helped with the laundry and Dakota.

Just when I think I know what I am doing...

After that goofy start, I quickly got back on track. Keely and I rode down to the JRA and entered the beginner racing competition. I thought that we were skilled enough for an advanced competition, but it seemed arrogant not start in the beginner class for our first race.

We won first place in the Vaughn Cup! We received a trophy and prize money of $600! I was thrilled at our success. I made the decision to breed Keely while we were there. She is a fine animal at prime breeding age (much like me LOL) and I want to carry her gene's to another generation. I selected a white stallion for her stud. His name is Cascade. His traits are: Playful, Neat and Brave. The stud fee for his services are $374. It is late when we arrived home. I bought Keely a ball to celebrate our first race.

Day 112

It is confirmed that Keely is pregnant. I can't wait to see if her foal looks like her or Cascade. After a quick breakfast of grapes I headed into town. As soon as left my driveway, I spotted a new neighbor moving in. I stopped by to introduce myself.

Drew Sanders and I hit it off immediately. Drew is single, Flirty, Family-Oriented and has a Good Sense of Humor. He doesn't seem to mind that I have so many children. I am liking this guy a lot!

Very quickly one thing led to another. Before I knew it we were in his bedroom dancing the horizontal tango.

Back at the ranch, Shelby and Shayla were taking care of everything. Shelby taught Dakota to talk. He has mastered his toddler skills a day early! And she cleaned the entire house. I love having a neat freak child.

After our liaison, Drew and I went on a date and had dinner at the steakhouse. We had a great date and I am smitten with him.

I hated ending the date and driving home alone.

Day 113

I was awakened bright and early by the telltale signs of pregnancy.

First up for the day was Dakota's birthday celebration. This little guy is growing up so fast! He now has the trait: Angler.

After the party I took care of Keely while Shelby cleaned up and Dakota tried out his birthday present - a fishing rod.

I "purchased" another "inheritance", this one worth $33, 781. I traded in my old farm truck for a sweet, apple red crew cab. I immediately decided to take it for a test drive.

I decided to stop by the local casino to try out gambling and meet some town folk. I need more friends and acquaintances to improve my Charisma Skill. I met several people and gambled a little. And lost a few simoleons in the process.

Back at the ranch everything was status quo.

After meeting all the people I could at the casino, I decided to stop by and meet more people at the gym before going home. Before I could go into the gym, I ran into Ethan coming out. He was incredibly upset and accused me of cheating.

I was filled with shame. He was right. I am getting tired of romancing these men and then moving on without so much as a bye-your-leave before seducing the next one. I was horrified to realize what I have become. Earthlings may not be as advanced as Xicanopians, but does that mean they are not worthy of consideration or respect? I have a mission here on Earth, but how could I have become so calculating and cold? I apologized to Ethan and told him that we can only be friends. I am saddened that I have lost his trust and friendship. I wanted to take him out for a bite to eat to repair some of the damage, but I received a text from Shelby that Keely is in labor.

By the time I arrived home, Keely had given birth to a beautiful foal that I named Dixie Dust. Dixie Dust is untrained (of course), Playful and Fast. She looks just like her momma.

Day 114

I had a race training area set up in one of the pastures. If I want my Keely (and in the future Dixie Dust) to be a successful racer, I need to provide the right tools. Keely takes to it right away.

I was out in the pasture bonding with Dixie Dust before my breakfast.

After a breakfast of Autumn Salad (what can I say, it is my favorite meal), I tackled harvesting from my garden.

While gardening I received word that Jenna is engaged to Booker Singleton. He is also in politics. I was stunned because I didn't even know she was dating anyone. This is my first child (that I am aware of) to formalize a relationship. Keely is such a good momma. I love watching her and Dixie Dust.

After dinner (salad again!) I repaired a broken sink and mopped up the mess. Then it was good night for all.

Day 115

I was exhausted from my day of gardening. I slept in and the kids had already left for school by the time I was up for the day. Thanks to Shelby there wasn't any dirty dishes awaiting me. After a delicious breakfast (salad again - what can I say about pregnancy cravings?) I scattered some hay for Keely.

Next I plopped my big ol' pregnant self down on the couch to veg in front of the TV.

I went into labor just as the girls walked in the door from school. Shelby freaked out, but Shayla just waved hello and didn't appear to notice that anything was happening LOL

As I labored alone in my bedroom, I became incredibly homesick for my family and planet. If life had went on as usual on Xicanopia I would have married a handsome, kind man and borne his babies. When I had experienced the first signs of labor I would have been taken to our temple by my mother, grandmother, sisters and other female kin. There I would have been supported and encouraged by my dear family through all the pain and fear childbirth brings. After bearing my babe, we would have been cleansed in the sacred, healing springs. Then my Beloved would have gathered us in his strong arms to carry us home. But all this was not to be. Instead I am alone, on my own.

The fear and pain has it's rewards. I gave birth to a son. I named him Colton. Colton has the traits: Friendly and Heavy Sleeper.

But it wasn't over yet, the labor pains kept coming...

Next I gave birth to his twin brother. I named him Cody. Cody has the traits: Perceptive and Light Sleeper.

Shelby had been dancing throughout my labor to distract herself, but she stopped long enough to whip up a family-sized serving of mac 'n' cheese for our dinner. I tended to my babies, noshed on a bowl of cheesy mac and settled in to read about horses before calling it a night.