Times, they are a changin'!

I have been gone from posting for so long, I forgot I had a blog. Our daughter graduated in May, the baby of the family is all grown up and Robert and I are really enjoying our "empty nest syndrome". Lindsay still comes home to get laundry caught up because she realized how expensive $2.50/load is not including detergent, softener, and dryer sheets! It's great when they realize how good being home really is. Robert and I celebrated our 22nd wedding anniversary on 9/10 and had a quiet dinner at home. LOVED IT!

We sold every goat we had from 2009 and 2010 and began anew. I was blessed enough to get a yearling milker, both of her girls, and a buck from my dream Kastdemur line. All are beautiful and we are so looking forward to kidding season next year. Eli, the new buck was dam raised, and just learning that we are bringing food, or Nilla Wafers every time we show up so is starting to warm up but he reinforced my belief that the best goats are bottle raised! Javar will be missed with his wonderful personality and his antics but he bred everything we owned and I was tempted to get one of his doelings. Already had him sold when I was lucky enough to get Eli, Electra, Ella and Emma! Sweet Pea is still with us and the only reason my daughter continues to help me with our little herd of dairy goats.

We got a Angus heifer for payment for two goats and she's going to be hard to take to the meat locker. I say that now, but she will surely change my mind when she is a yearling. Dot is adorable even if she was an "opps" and born on the Fourth of July. Still a bucket baby but growing so fast! I think the weaning from the bucket will start next week so that should be interesting. The bottle feeding did not last long as Dot would about knock the bottle our of our hands and so we graduated her to the bucket. She loves that so much more and we can get the grain in her dish before she finishes.....sometimes!

Busy, busy, busy, busy!

Last night, after I got back from a week of orientation and competency testing, I went down to see the goats and feed. I was at 151 days since the buck had been put in with my does so knew we were close to birth day. I thought my 4 year old, Natasha, would go first but when Lyrical bagged up Wednesday, I changed my mind. She was miserable and when I went down to check on her at 5 a.m. yesterday, I had a heart-to-heart with her asking her to hold out until I got home at 4:30. I had my daughter check on her at lunch time and right at 3. She was stressed because we haven't had Lyrical through a kidding and really wanted me to be home. When I got home we went down at 5:30 and Lyrical was nesting but I told Lindsay we could be a long time out until babies arrive. At 6:30, Lyrical laid down pushed three times and out popped our first little girl. She, as all baby goats are, is adorable and healthy! Her name was already picked out and thus, she is Harmony.

That was easy and then let the waiting begin!! About 9 p.m., our little buck arrived. He is the spitting image of his daddy so we are lovingly calling him Javar Jr., "JJ" for short. Twins! Pretty good for a buck who just turned one today! I was waiting for placenta to arrive when I saw Lyrical lay down and pushed out another doe! TRIPLETS! As I was drying off this beautiful kid, Melody, Lyrical pushed again and here was another buckling! Quads? Out of a very young buck and they are everything we hoped for. The last little buckling is called Riff for now. Tried to stick with musical names but JJ was undeniable! All four babies will be sold as soon as they are ready, but as my daughter already emphasized, they are available only to those who consider their goats as beloved pets, not livestock!! :)

Footnote: It is midnight on 4/10 and we just returned after Natasha gave birth to twin girls. They are big, black, and beautiful! Pictures to follow soon! :)

Ice Cream Weather!

I cannot believe I have become this complacent in blogging. I truly enjoy it and it relaxes me but didn't understand how months have passed since I wrote anything except for a grocery list for my daughter! I thought I would have so much more time now that I am once again a stay-at-home Mom. You know the saying about the best laid plans, but I do have a daughter who is a Senior with the countdown to graduation closing in quickly so many things have truly been accomplished!

So my husband bought me a Cuisinart coffee maker at Christmas and we LOVE it. I was going to get a Bunn because I loved to envision a 3 minute brew time when my coffee jitters set in, but couldn't get past the fact all the Bunn's carafes were what I would use as a gargle of coffee before the real coffee drinking began! This Cuisinart's coffee pot holds a maximum of 14 cups which equates to two cups for me, two for Robert and a swig of coffee for our daughter, Lindsay. I love the fact that you can either use the cone-shaped filters or a fine mesh filter that came with the coffee pot! I'm saving Robert money as we drink coffee by not having to buy filters. Okay, I know coffee is an expensive habit, but I quit smoking over a year ago, so one step at a time.



One thing I have not taken a break from is reading blogs. I know I can count on Holly at Easy Living the Hard Way for continuous education and the desire to see if she can bottle her remarkable drive. http://easylivingthehardway.blogspot.com/ If you are not already a follower, you should be. Her blogs are entertaining and I always learn something in each blog of hers I read.

I feel as though I have worked out both mentally and physically after reading her blog. Haven't seen the weight loss or inches lost from reading the blog though! I stopped by her blog a short time ago and saw pictures and recipes for homemade ice cream. So, because of Holly's excitement about a new Cuisinart ice cream maker, I am really doubt I will be seeing the opposite of weight loss. I have made a vow that when the goats start milking next month, I will use more healthy variations. Needless to say, after a heartbreaking discovery that the cream separator I had been wanting had increased in price by fifty dollars, I decided to drown my sorrows by ordering the Cuisinart ice cream machine. It is truly lovely.

The first recipe I used was one from allrecipes.com for a cake batter ice cream and it was delish. Lindsay said it was like having ice cream and cake in one bite. I love the difference in texture between homemade and store-bought, of course, flavor isn't bad either. In Holly's post about ice cream, she talked about the high ice cream sales in winter which made me wonder why the cold makes people desire ice cream headaches. Maybe it was the power of suggestion, maybe it was something I missed in Psychology class, but when it snowed the other day, the ice cream was in the Cuisinart.
The second recipe was of course, my favorite, mint chocolate chip. I used mint extract and when I tweak this recipe, next time I will use peppermint. When it was in the soft-serve state I added the chocolate chips and spooned it into those silicon cake pans to hard freeze so I could clean the ice cream bowl in preparation of the next flavor. Robert and Lindsay both have a number of suggestions so that is under control, but I really want one that uses Kahlua. I rarely drink any alcohol but that is a liquour that is fabulous and is a comp0nent in Mudslides. I never worried about drinking a mudslides because I would be so full and bloated way before I could feel any effects of the alcohol. Still, thinking it might be enjoyable to drown my separator sorrows, I found myself tempted to pour some in with the mint chocolate chip ice cream, but refrained.

*The author of this blog did not receive any compensation for the product endorsements in this blog. HINT, HINT!

I'm Too Young For a Mid-life Crisis!

I have not blogged in so long because I like to have positive blog posts and have felt as far from positive in so long. I believe my attitude follows my thoughts, so here goes concentrating on my many blessings. I turned 40 on the 4th of this month. Birthdays are something that has never bothered me, well, until the 4th. I found myself crying that morning because not only did I see myself at forty years of age, I never saw myself still living in Wright, Wyoming twenty-two years after I declared to all my classmates, "I AM LEAVING THIS HORRIBLE TOWN AS SOON AS I GRADUATE!" I guess the things you fight are what come your way. My daughter will be graduating from the same high school that I graduated from in May of this year. She is graduating, so put that in the blessings column.



There has been a huge shake-up at my job. One nurse quit, the clinic fired a nurse practioner and a CNA and this was all while I was home. I received numerous phone calls and was not sure if I would have a job when I returned the next Monday, so spent the weekend thinking about the pros and cons of having that job. I decided I would leave it in the Lord's hands. Thankfully, I do have my job, so chalk up another one in the blessings column.



I think I have blogged about my distrust/dislike about neurologists, and once again, things you fight........When I had a MRI done of my spinal column and brain at the end of last year, I was referred to a neurosurgeon due to spinal cord impingement, but with a MS lesion at the same spot, the surgeon left the option of surgery up to me. I asked what the risks were and decided to wait until the pain was unbearable or the disc ruptured. Dr. Kopitnik wanted me to go see another neurologist and although I protested, he convinced me to see Dr. Santiago again. The appointment was scheduled for the 22nd of this month. I was in quite a bit of pain but knew I could hold out until then to see the neurologist. Yesterday, I received a phone call from Dr. Santiago's receptionist stating someone had canceled and would I like to take that appointment. I asked when it was and it happened to be for yesterday. I took the appointment and took my MRI results to that appointment. The marks in the blessings column only began yesterday with the appointment change. I am somewhat a skeptic but truly am trying to change that character flaw about myself. With that being said, my optimistic attitude surprised even me when we started to town. I had decided I would give this neurologist another chance. The appointment lasted nearly an hour and forty-five minutes. He listened to everything I said, even the bitter-ridden comments about neurologists. When I finally stopped my run-down of the last ten years of medical experiences he just asked if he had gotten this right, I had fired at least six neurologists in the last ten years since my first symptoms set in and I answered that he was correct. His next statement perplexed me and relieved my mind. He just matter of factly asked what he needed to do for me so he was not fired by me. I contemplated this question for a moment and answered that I just wanted him to listen to me. He felt that was quite a minimal requirement on his part, we shall see. Blessing column for the time being.

This blog has taken me nearly one month to post. I have to refocus on positive attitude before finishing sometimes but last week found me feeling that I was being led towards a place in my life that is better for me and my family. I have felt so much pressure and stress as the nursing supervisor that I feel as though I am heading for another exacerbation, not that I fully recovered from the relapse back in November. Last week I sat down with the clinic supervisor and told her my frustrations with the direction our Urgent Care is going and all the stress from the job. By the time I finished, the only thing left to say was I will be resigning my position. Instantly peace settled in my heart, blessing column, and I am looking forward to being home and at the barn. I need some Caprine Therapy! :)

Multiple Sclerosis Sucks!

It has been quite awhile since my last post, but once again, Multiple Sclerosis came up when my life was going great and kicked my butt. My nursing job was offered back to me in June after I left a year ago because of this disease. I love nursing so much but it is a very physical job. My co-workers quickly picked up on my left leg drag when I get tired and accommodate me in so many ways. Fortunately, this Urgent Care is very compassionate, understanding, and willing to work with me when MS rears its ugly head.
A little background might be helpful to understand how this all began. In 1999, I began EMT classes and had visions of becoming a Paramedic. I love emergency medicine and will admit, adrenaline rushes are addicting! During the course of my classes, it was required that I get a TB skin test and begin the set of three Hepatitis B vaccines. After the first Hep B shot, I got pretty sick and thought I had a bout of flu. The second shot brought me to my knees, literally. I didn't walk for nearly a month. I talked to my doctor, the CDC, and researched Hepatitis B vaccine and side effects. CDC's response was that there was no proof that Hep B caused any health issues. The Doctor told me I was depressed and put me on an antidepressant. My life continued on, as did my career as an EMT. A year later, the leg weakness began again. I went back to the doctor and he sent me on to the first of several neurologists. Did I mention I despise Neurologists? This neurologist heard my symptoms and that these began after my Hep B vaccine. He told me that I should try another antidepressant because the one I was on was obviously not working anymore. Once again, I followed the doctor's orders and began the new antidepressant. To make a long story short, this pattern continued through four neurologists over a five year period and the primary doctor sent me to a rheumatologist in this span of time, too. The bills from the neurologists obviously were not sufficient! By this time, I truly was depressed and so tired of hearing there was nothing wrong with me, yet no testing was done to determine this.
During the summer of 2004, I spent the entire night on the ambulance for two separate calls for motor vehicle accidents. When we pulled into town after the second accident, I thought the exhaustion and nausea could be accredited to the physical work involved with both calls and the growling of my stomach. I went home and went straight to bed. This was the beginning of six full weeks of vertigo, loss of balance, and weeks spent on the bathroom floor. If I lifted my head, the room began to spin, and the vomitting began. I told my husband I wasn't going to the doctor or a neurologist again. This was all in my head and this too shall pass. When the vomitting finally stopped and the room only spun when I turned my head, I decided I needed to find another doctor. I went to a general medicine doctor in Gillette. I still had no balance and it was very obvious. The doctor immediately noted the nystagmus, the lack of balance, and other neurological deficits. She said that I was experiencing a severe vertigo episode, but that she felt there was something neurological going on with me. I began to cry and told her I was not going to another neurologist. She said she would order a MRI of my brain and we would come up with a plan of action after that. After the MRI results were sent to Dr. Thomas, she called and said she needed a spinal tap. She would set up an appointment after the results of the spinal tap came back. Did I mention I despise needles, especially in my spine? I went anyway and had the spinal tap. A day later, my doctor called and said she would like to see me and I should bring my husband. I knew she found something and my imagination went wild. That was a long 24 hour period. The next day I was told that the lumbar puncture showed I had oligoclonal bands in my spinal fluid and lesions in my brain. I had multiple sclerosis. My mother came to the appointment along with my husband, and my Mom began to cry while I sat there and listened to the doctor as she told me I needed to find a neurologist. That last statement was the thing that nearly made me burst into tears. When we left the doctor's office, my Mom asked me why I wasn't more upset, why I was acting like I didn't hear the doctor. I took a deep breath and told my Mom that I finally had a name for what was wrong with me. And yes, it was all in my head and in my spine, but I now had a name for what was wrong with me, something to fight against, and something to treat with medicines! Needless to say, that was easier said than done.

Here comes the sun and I say, "IT'S ALRIGHT!"

Hey, Natasha, do you think Mom knows we're out?

Our weather was unseasonably frigid last week. My goats were not happy to see the wet snow, chilly winds, and cramped accomodations in the barns. This week, a complete temperature turn around. Although we are veterans in drastic weather changes in Wyoming, no one had warned my goat "newbies" about Wyoming weather. Out of my eight goats, six have not had the pleasure of experiencing a Wyoming winter up to this point in their short little lives. Regardless, I spent last week with snotty goat noses and they were just like little kids when I tried to wipe their noses. They tried to throw their heads back and forth, back up, lower their heads and avoid the paper towel at all costs! Mom finally prevailed but they sure spent last week giving me a wide path. Needless to say, no one was more thankful for sunshine than stir-crazy goats. I had decided on the first day of snow when the baby of the herd, Sweet Pea was forced out into the cold by Lyrical that Robert was going to have to separate the big goat pen into two pens. The two big girls Natasha and Lyrical had to be penned up in the milking barn until the separation could be done this week. I don't believe they thought Dad was quick enough. Thankfully, Robert got the pen separated so the kids have the barn without Natasha and Lyrical bossing them around. The big girls seem happy not to be bother with silly kid games. Now Javar and Prince are so thankful to be out of their barn and spent the day sunbathing! I spent my time cleaning the hay and goat pebbles out of the barn. Amazing how quickly it piles up when the goats don't go outside for a few days. Regardless, everyone seemed so happy to be free. Forecast shows rain for Tuesday but I will keep my fingers crossed. I was not ready for winter to begin so soon and, obviously, neither were the kids. I hope they get ready quickly because it is inevitable that the snow will fly and stick for a few months. I did notice this week that the kids were getting fluffy so maybe Mother Nature just needed to nudge them a little last week. I truly hope they don't experience snotty noses every time it is cold and wet but all the noses are clear of mucous right now. I guess it was quickly remedied without intervention from me. Robert questioned me on whether I thought we had everyone taken care of for a little while. He is always building pens, repairing barns, building barns, reinforcing fences and separating areas for me. I told him I thought we were fine.....well, until kidding season! :)

Flu, flu, go away.....

I know I should be thankful for a busy work day for our little Urgent Care, but have seen so many children running dangerously high fevers and looking like walking zombies. These kids are SICK! So many positive flu tests that I see pink lines in my sleep. Our Urgent Care is one of the only clinics that still has regular influenza vaccines in Gillette but we are racing through our supply at a record pace. In 8 days, we have depleted 125 flu tests, we saw 73 patients in one 12 hour day, many leaving because it was standing room only and a three hour wait. I thank God for job security but didn't expect it to come in the form of a near pandemic. Just when we have clinical staff scheduled to handle the increased patient load, our clinic is scheduled to receive the "swine flu" nasal spray. This is an attenuated vaccination which means it is a live virus but it has been weakened. Great precautions are needed for people who get this form of vaccine. Pregnancy, children under 2, adults over 50, people with a weakened immune system are all contraindications for this vaccine. Because I regularly get IV steroids to knock out my immune system, I am being very cautious. We have a HEPA filter and a room specifically set up for the administration of our vaccinations and I will stay clear of this room. The CDC states that the transmission of the H1N1 virus by people who received the vaccine was rare. I would have prefered the term "impossible" to be used but I am thankful that I was warned. So, my blogging will be slow until.......probably February, my hope for all is to stay healthy, wash hands frequently, and don't spend too much time around crowds.

"Bucking the system"

Last week was marked by a tough day. Robert and I had decided to try to get the fencing done for the buck pen and none to soon, either! Javar started the romance talking to his pen mates while I was cracking the whip telling hubby, "We've got to get him out of there or we're going to be bringing babies home come February because we'll have snow up to our elbows!" Of course, a little bit of my anxiety and impatience came from the excitement about bringing the new addition home. It seemed it was a day for friends to stop by and visit too, but after four hours at the corrals, Robert asked if I was ready to go get Nacho. He didn't need to ask twice. We jumped on the four wheeler and began the trek over to get Nacho. I brought him one of our collars and a leash wondering what fun I would have luring this poor goat away from his security and family. I put the collar on the boy and to my amazement, he acted as though this was an everyday occurence! We began the trot back to our pen and he happily galloped next to me only stopping occasionally to chop on a green weed.
We decided Javar and Nacho had to be put in the new pen with the new digs at the same time so no one had established dominance. Being a woman of advancing age, college-educated, experienced with animals, I must shamefully admit I had a complete blonde moment, brain-fart, moment of insanity, whatever one will call it. Breeding season is NOT the time to introduce two bucks of nearly equal size, especially when the two older does were obviously very much in season. Within two minutes of introductions, they decided to attempt to knock each other into submission. Nacho has a rounded scur on the top of his head that found a spot on Javar's head and opened up a gusher! Javar dropped to his knees, shook his head and immediately began rearing back up at Nacho! He may not be too smart but he is determined. Nothing could deter these two. I cannot see an animal suffering at all, especially in the name of building my show herd and began to feel deep guilt building. It was my fault that Javar was knocked senseless and now bleeding! Robert said, "Oh, I am not building one more barn! The paint on this one is not even dry." I weighed my options, talked to Robert, watched Javar shake the blood off his face and decided this was not meant to be. I called Anne and walked Nacho home. Javar has healed up and he enjoys our wether Prince's companionship! If we do this again, it won't be the weekthe does are ovulating, I work an extra 12 hour shift, and take on the nursing supervisor position at work. I think my emotions were already on overload but everyone seems to be happier over this decision.

Buck Barn (part II)

Okay, the building of the buck barn is taking a wee bit longer than we had expected, but isn't that the way it is with all projects? It was a slow process. Our attempts to pair energy levels with work schedules and the Wyoming weather is interesting to say the least. One thing I can say about Robert is that once he starts working, it nearly takes an act of Congress to get him to stop, that or the promise of a meal. By the time he decides to take a break, I am truly afraid to sit down thinking I may not be able to regain the strength to get back on my feet. This is really my project, my goats, and my request so you would think I might be a little more ambitious but ambition beat foot out of this situation long ago! When we began this project, we took a notebook into to Gillette and started with a list of bare necessities to gain an idea of what this was going to entail. Particle board, trim board, paint, posts, sack crete, ect. began adding up. We priced everything as Robert went over the blue prints in his head, came home and added it all for a grand total. It was less than we had expected but Robert reassured me that there are always hidden costs!

Little did I know that someone would help themselves to our tools we left in the main barn. Robert's tool box for barn use is a five gallon bucket that collects all sorts of odds and ends. When we went to the barn for our second day we discovered the entire bucket gone. Now someone ended up with an assortment of nails, screws, fencing staples, tie wire, and pliers but they also ended up with Robert's saws-all. I truly despise someone who thinks they are entitled to something they are unwilling to work for and this is no exception. It shut down our productivity for the day and the loss took the wind out of our sails! I know this isn't what Robert meant by hidden costs, right? On the brighter side of things, all eight goats were fine but none of them were talking, Robert got a new, albeit lesser value reciprocating saw, and finally, the barn work continues. This week Robert goes back to work and I have added two extra days to my work-week and we are still not quite done. We did have a nice break celebrating our 21st Anniversary in the midst of all this chaos this week so there is always something to be thankful for in our lives. The barn will wait and hopefully, the bucks are patient with us. Natasha, seen in the background of this picture, assures us that she will keep a closer eye on this tool bucket for Dad! We'll be attempting to finish up this job this coming weekend. Fingers crossed and good thoughts for us please!

Buck Barn!

Well, it doesn't look like much but this is the beginning of our new buck barn. Between me going back to work as a nurse, Robert working 12 hour shifts, and the days already getting shorter, this has been a slow endeavor.
We are going to keep our two bucks in an 8X8 barn and hope this will be sufficient. I believe that this may be my husband's subtle attempt at limiting my number of bucks. I thank Anne so much for being patient and holding Nacho for us while we build this barn.

I do have to admit, it was good for me to go visit Nacho the other day. He is housed with two other bucks and they seem to enjoy the bachelor life for now, but the large, older, and more experienced buck is starting to think it's about time to put on his "cologne" and bulk up to impress the ladies. Although some may find his scent enticing, I do not, nor would anyone else with a human nose! Thank goodness that Robert had already begun this barn before I took him over to meet Nacho! He walked up and the "aroma" hit him and knocked him backwards. I guess the memory of this smell is forgotten in a mere nine years much like the lack of memory mothers experience with labor when they choose to have another child. The look in my dear husband's eye was almost as funny as the shutter that overcame his entire body. He instantly wanted to know why I wanted one of these stinky creatures, let alone two! I then explained the price, equipment involved, and success rate of artificial insemination using the experience I gained from four years of Speech and Debate. The visit with Nacho was cut short and Robert said nothing more.

I do hope that Robert takes some pride and comfort in the thought that Javar, our other buck went over to the new buck barn, examined it, and then spent a fair amount of time this morning defending his new pad from Natasha's rude, uninvited entrance through the wall instead of using the door. I think Robert gained Javar's approval but Natasha, Lyrical and the rest of the girls would like a new place, too.

Bitten by the Caprine bug!

My husband, who truly is one of the most easy-going, supp0rtive and kind people I have ever had the pleasure of meeting has nearly reached the end of his rope with me, so it's time for me to call it to an end. 'What are you ending?' you may ask, and I shall respond with 'my goat obsession!' Okay, "end" may be a little overly dramatic, "tone-down" is closer to the truth. I did talk hubby into attending the Wyoming State Fair and the goat show this last weekend and he "happily" obliged me. One good reason to attend a dairy goat show is to truly gauge what kind of lines you have, what qualities you want to intensify and which ones you need to weed out of the breeding programs. This last show was quite a wake-up call for me and a point for my husband to say, "I told you so!". I have my favorite milking doe in our little herd and he has his favorite. Needless to say, these two are not the same goat. Robert's favorite goat is the first milking doe we got and she can put out some milk. I like the shape and capacity of her udder but she is "fluffy". She definitely puts all her groceries to good use and we get asked often if she is pregnant with triplets again. Natasha is our sweet short and fat girl, but we love her. My favorite doe, Lyrical is the opitome of my idea of a dairy goat. She is tall, slender and very dainty. Her udder is nice and she milks decently, but not the quantity that Natasha puts in the bucket. I laughed the other day when my husband told me that Natasha would beat Lyrical in the show ring. I was the one who helped our kids build their show herd all those years ago and I take pride in researching the qualities that judges look for in placing the National champions. Well, obviously the judge for the goat show looks for different traits in goats than I do, but that is my point on the reason I need to keep going to these shows. Nearly every goat he put up in the top winners was in my eyes "fluffy" and slightly squatty in my humble opinion, but did have beautiful udders. I do like to see a deep chested goat, but was surprised this judge looked for "meaty" girls. I didn't say anything hoping that the dear hubby didn't notice these goats and the characteristics this judge found irresistable but of course, he waited until we were just in the vehicle on our way home before he said, "Told you that Natasha would beat Lyrical!" I truly hope it did make him feel better that he may have been right, but I still got the last laugh because during the show, I bought a purebred buck that I had my eye on for months but he already had been sold. THANK YOU SO MUCH ANNE! :) Robert will be spending this weekend building my buck shed so please send a little pity his way, he's probably going to need it. Nacho Man, we can't wait to bring you home.

Rachel Ray Cookware!

For those of you who have not read the blog "Nanny Goats in Panties", I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys a lighter, more irreverent look at life in general. I find myself looking forward to seeing the updates of the blogs I follow, but this one is near the top of my favorites. Today, I noticed there had been a new blog entry at NGIP and while I listened to Rachel Ray cooking in the background, I noticed there is a giveaway for Ms. Ray's pots and pans set. Now, I know the whole lottery premonition did not turn out that one time, but I think the fact that Rachel was making Chicken Riggies (chicken Rigatoni) on my television at the exact moment I read about this give-away, that is a sign from, well...... at least the people at Food Network that those pans are meant for me to shimmy-shake while making dinner for the dear hubby. I am a fan of both of the women mentioned in my blog today and look forward to posting a blog announcing my win! I do hereby promise that once I win these tools of the godesses, I will make a huge batch of Chicken Riggies, take pictures and post it in a blog along with reviews from family members who would only be too happy to brutally honest with my accomplishment, or lack of for anyone interested in how this prize works out for me! I hope you may get an opportunity to visit NGIP. The address is http://www.nannygoatsinpanties.com
May everyone have a De-lish day! :)

On The Road Again....

Well, first let me mention how much I despise the drive from our town up to the neighboring town 40 miles away, but because we are not "blessed" with numerous shopping opportunities, I find myself on this trek in search of Wal-Mart deals on the essentials of daily living.
I do have to give credit where credit is due as The "Coal-Miner's 500" has drastically improved since passing lanes have been constructed, but caution is advised while traveling at even slightly above the speed limit between the passing zones. The exhilaration felt cannnot be summed up in words when one is suddenly passed on a hill after verifying several times in the rear view mirror that no one is in the near vicinity besides commuters traveling in the opposite direction. The tight squinting of my eyes to avoid watching the head-on collisions not only is inadvisable reaction but also the action I blame for the deep crow's feet around my eyes. Twenty three years of taking my life into my own hands on this highway is something I do not take lightly and debate how badly I need toliet paper and laundry detergent everytime I even consider taking this trip. With all that being said, I was asked if I would like to return to my beloved nursing job in our neighboring town. I left this job because of the drive up and down this "near-hit" highway, but also because last year at this time my Multiple Sclerosis began testing my resolve to not be beaten down by anything. I have missed working but especially relating to real human beings who haven't heard all my stories for the hundredth time. I am looking forward talking about something besides udders and shell thickness on the chicken eggs. So, after much debate, I have chosen to face the chaos of Highway 59 to fulfill my need to relieve some of the bordom I unwittingly burden my family with on a daily basis! Wish me luck and if you need anything from Gillette, let me know, I'll be there every Wednesday and Thursday, because there in no need for both of us to face this obstacle! :)

When good kids go bad!

Well, I have always been a believer in the idea that name given to a child may influence the person he or she becomes. An example of this phenomenon is the name Denise for me. I have known several Denises and for some reason, these women end up being very good friends in my life. I can say the handful of Denises I am thinking of right now are hard-working, sweet and honest people and probably the reason I am drawn to them as friends. Now, as a nurse, when I check back a patient named Tyler, I know, having a Tyler of my own, this kid will give me a run for my money and usually will have something logged in an appendage from a poor choice. There are exceptions to every rule but I do use the name thing as a guide. With all of that being said, yesterday I got a very interesting call from my Mother-in-law asking if I was missing two goats. I stated that I didn't believe I was but after hearing her description of a "black & white" pair of goats with one being a banded male, I knew exactly what she was talking about. I told MIL that they were no longer my goats, that I had sold them to a woman two days ago and did I want to know why she was asking about them? The giggle I heard from her gave me a tiny bit of relief because my mind was working overtime about the possibilities of the question posed about if I was "missing two goats". She responded that these two goats were now impounded at the town Animal Control Shelter because they were wandering through town! I went down to look at the local dog pound and to identify these two "runaways". There was little doubt in my mind about the identity, and, of course, they were the two kids my daughter had named Prince and Princess because of their white crowns.
They were wailing first because they had been housed in a kennel next to a barking dog and second because they wanted to go home! I immediately contacted the people who had bought the goats to let them know these poor kids were now in the "slammer". The man I talked to was horrified that the goats were not only in the pound but found a way to escape the yard. Both of the new goat owners were at work but said they would figure out how to bail the goats out of the "pokey". My curiousity got the best of me and I asked, "Are you still calling them Prince and Princess?" The answer I got led me to laughing hard enough for tears to flow, he said, "Nope, we decided to change their names to Bonnie and Clyde and maybe that was a bad call on our part!" Needless to say, the kids are scheduled to be picked up and returned home. At least this Bonnie and Clyde got pinched and avoided the whole "shoot-out" scenario! They will serve their time and hopefully live a law abided life from this point on!

TNL Dairy Goats lives again! :)

I am just estatic about my herd name being re-issued to me with my kids' herd name of TNL Dairy Goats. This was the herd name my kids began for their Lamancha dairy herd in 4H back in 1998. This name actually is Tyler 'N Lindsay's Dairy Goats. Even though Lindsay will only be here helping me for another year or so, I felt it was important to honor something they started so long ago, especially when I find myself feeling pretty reminiscent of the "old" days lately. Getting back into the dairy goats has truly breathed new life and excitement into my monotonous daily rituals since I have been unemployed. TNL's was my justification (not that I really needed that with this family) for not looking too vigorously for employment. I love waking up bright and early and heading to the barn. It is a feeling I cannot put words to when I am bringing home goat milk and brown eggs to be used in this household. This lifestyle and my goats make me confident in the belief that they exceed the benefits of any group therapy or sessions with a pyschiatrist that numerous Americans spend so much money for. The cost for my therapy with the goats is my time, and that I give freely, the chin scratches, grain, hay and the occasional Triskets or Wheat Thins are what they would ask for in return for my mental stability. I am so surprised Consumer Reports hasn't caught on to this "BEST BUY" and published it!! As for me and my family, dairy goats get a 5 out of 5 stars, two thumbs up, and this girl's highest recommendations for someone who may be questioning his or her mental health! I questioned mine when I got back into raising these wonderous creatures..........I freely admit it, I AM CRAZY and loving every minute of it! :)

The "Other" Family Members (Part 2)

My goats are truly an addiction for me. I think about them when I close my eyes at night, when the lightening and rain starts, when my eyes open in the morning and usually anytime I am zoning out. It has been such a blessing for me to get back into the dairy goat lifestyle thanks to my dear friend Jami Evans and Holly Rexroat. Both of these people make me strive to be more frugal and self-sufficient although I have so far to go still. With that being said, I would be lost without my dogs. I have always, always been the girl bringing home strays and truly adore all of God's creatures (with the exception of bats) but have a special place in my heart for my dogs. Robert and I have always had at least two dogs and any given time since we were married and currently we are ruled by four dogs. Readers of this blog have already met my Yorkie Gigantus, Bowe-Man who would seem was put on this earth to protect Robert! My second love, Rory was one of the most wonderous gifts ever given to someone, especially to me! In June of 2003 I was very sick, nearly unable to walk and suffering from 6 weeks of extreme vertigo. I spent that time mostly on the bathroom floor vomitting and praying this would go away. At the tail-end of this ordeal, my sister begged me to go look at a Yorkie puppy with her using the excuse she needed her own Bowe-Man. I could never say no to going to see a puppy, especially a Yorkshire puppy so I went with her. This tiny, tiny puppy was adorable and spent a very short time sniffing us and then proceeding to growl at anything that moved. We both fell in love with this little guy and my sister told Susan she wanted to buy him when he was ready. In the two weeks it took for the little guy to be weaned, I was at the doctor's office getting spinal taps and MRI's and then finally the diagnosis. I had Multiple Sclerosis. I was healthy, strong, had plans to finish my nursing degree at the school I had worked so hard to be accepted into........what did I do to deserve this?? I quickly ran through the gammet of emotions finally settling on sheer depression and withdrawl from life. One afternoon, my sister stopped in with who we instantly referred to as "Rory" or "Roar"y due to his love of growling like a lion cub and set him on the couch next to me. He immediately curled up next to me and from that moment on, that tiny puppy stayed beside me morning and night. He still knows when I am under the weather and will immediately come and either lie beside me or put a paw on either side of my neck for what we have termed a "Yorkie Hug". I have been so blessed to have him as my constant companion and I will be eternally grateful to my sister for using a tiny puppy to bring me out of the clouds and back into life.

The Baby turns 17!

Our precious baby girl, Lindsay turned 17 on the 22nd of June. This has been a difficult birthday for her Mom. I have found myself emotional and quickly fighting tears everytime I think about her turning seventeen. Is it only because she is my baby, because she is now seventeen and that's what age I was when I met her Dad, or is it simply because I know this next year is going to fly by so quickly? I am sure it is a little of all of the above. This was our colicky baby! For the first four months of her life, I was tempted to see if the doctor could put her back where he got her. We tried everything with this poor baby but the only thing that would make her quit crying besides Dad firing up his 454 jet boat was her swing. Back in the "old days", these swings were wind-ups, not battery-operated so these parents were able to get a 15 minute nap in between cranking up the swing. This continued until she was slightly past her four month birthday. The colic did not suddenly cease, it was a gradual and slow process, but very noticeable for two exhausted parents. I can honestly say that every sleepless night was so worth the joy this girl has been to both of us. She is our sweet, easy-going girl who has the biggest heart I have ever seen. She is a true animal lover who will fight for every creature big or small. I have never seen someone so devoted to making sure orphans we have adopted were raised with the tenderest touch, no matter the sleepless nights created for her! When I was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis, this was the child who would just come put her head on my shoulder and say, "Mom, are you feeling alright? Is there anything I can do for you?" I know I would be lost without this little angel of mine. She is the happy-go-luck girl who grins when I wake her in the morning to go feed baby goats and milk the does! She is thoughtful, hard-working, honest, and the strongest defender of humanity. I am such a proud Mom and no matter if she chooses her zoology path, her photography, or something none of us have envisioned for her, I pray that we will spend this next year so thankful for this family bond, remembering not take our time together for granted, and aware of the blessings we were granted 17 years ago when our pink little bundle surprised us. Our little "Drew" was suddenly Lindsay and more than we could hope for when the doc called out, "It's a girl!" This child completed this family and spent everyday bringing her family and friends joy! Happy Birthday, Lindsay! We love you so very much!

Milk baths for all!

Well, the two new additions arrived without incident Wednesday which is a huge leap in my world of Murphy's Law! I think both of these goats are fabulous, but have to say, my new doe sure lives up the the stereotype of a noisy Nubian. I am sure her breeder can hear her crying from here to Carpenter! I feel slightly guilty when she starts bellowing. It sounds like such a heart-rendering plea to go home and for a nanosecond, I sometimes think I should oblige this poor girl, and then I begin milking her! Sorry girl, you will adjust to our little corner of the earth, I'm keeping you! I have had goat people tell me their goats are "easy milkers" but when Karen said that about Lyrical, she truly was not exaggerating. Between the two does, we are getting a gallon and a half morning and night. Our little Javar has fit right in for the time being, but he's getting his own pen with the wether so change is going to come his way right when he gets settled in to this routine. A co-worker of my husband's stopped by when we first got the goats and laughed when I said I was so impressed with how beautiful my new goats were. He didn't think there could be such a thing as a beautiful goat. I figure if I have to explain, he wouldn't understand! :)

The "other" family members! (Part 1 of 4)

Why haven't you seized the boy?? "Because I have a big head and little arms!"

I am obsessed with my goats right now and they definitely occupy a lot of my time, but I cannot forget the other four-legged loves of my life. These fur-babies bring me joy everyday. There is nothing like a dog to greet me when I get home, wag their tails at me even when I am in the foulest of moods, cuddle with me while I am being lazy, and follow me everywhere while I am busy. I am one of "those kind of people" who thinks a house isn't a home until it has a dog in it. If one is good, four are better in my book! Since my wedding day, we have had a cocker spaniel, a German Shepherd, a Norweign Elkhound, an English Mastiff, two Pugs, a German Short-haired Pointer, a Draatharr (German Wirehaired), two Yorkshire Terriers, and a miniature Schnauzer. The last four are the ones that currently are residing at this home. The first Yorkie, Bowe-Man (pronounced Bo-Man) is what we lovingly refer to as Yorkie-gigantus. This is the scientific name the family came up with for this anomaly in the toy breeds! I know better than to buy a dog while on a "schedule", but because I so wanted to get a tiny puppy for my daughter for Christmas, my logical brain cried 'uncle' to my Christmas-mania brain! The breeder I called with an advertisement for "tiny toy Yorkie puppies" took my deposit, promised this puppy would be ready for pick-up the week before Christmas and sent me a picture of the tiniest puppy ever! Two days before pick-up, I got a phone call that this puppy was not going to be ready to go to his home until after Christmas. HEARTBREAKING! Images of Christmas morning flashed in my head: Bright and early, our precious 9 year old daughter looking under the Christmas tree for her gift, seeing nothing, looking back at us with those huge "Cindy-Loo-Who" eyes filled with confusion. Behind her are her irresponsible parents who were counting on a puppy to arrive before Christmas saying, "Honey, your present will be here in a couple of weeks". Unacceptable! My daughter would be scarred for life and I could see her in later life writing her memoirs that would make 'Mommy Dearest' script look like a Mother's Day Hallmark card! Thank goodness this angel of a puppy mill owner, oops, I mean, Yorkie breeder, said she had been holding a very tiny puppy back, he was nearly four months old but had been way too tiny to sell before this time. She generously chose to sell us to him for an additional $200. Can you read the sarcasm in my blog??? We go to pick up our daughter's Christmas puppy and after a five hour drive we were amazed (horrified) with the size of this "tiny" puppy! The lady, and I do use that term loosely, said his larger than imagined size was due to his age and that he was completely done growing. If one looks at the breed standard for a Yorkshire Terrier, one would discover that a Yorkie should weigh anywhere between four to seven pounds. Okay, ready to guess how much our "Tiny, Toy Yorkie puppy" weighs?? Seventeen pounds on a "light" day and only if he had spent the morning walking to the bottom of our street, throwing himself down on the sidewalk for all my neighbors to see, and then "allowing" me to pick him up and carry him back up the street! If Cesar Millan was there to witness it, I would be told in no uncertain terms that I am humanizing this animal, I need to quit believing that Bowe-Man was somehow a victim, and to be his pack leader. Obviously, no one told my pack that this transformation should happen because Dog Whisperer is on in this house nearly every morning and the volume is all the way up! Why aren't they listening?? :) We wouldn't trade Bowe-Man for anything and I suppose everything happens for a reason. If I need to be thankful for the mistakes I have made, he is my favorite! Bowe-Man is one of the very best results of a bait and switch scheme ever!

Blog award!

First, I would like to say that I did not get an award for being direct and to the point, not that anyone who knows me or has read my blog would have believed that for a moment anyway. I know, I have a tendency be a little long-winded. With that being said, my gift of gab has been a extremely useful tool throughout my life, especially with public speaking while part of the high school speech and debate team, journalism class, yearbook and newspaper. See, Mom, I did use my powers for good and not evil! :)
Today, I signed onto get updated on the blogs I follow and was so surprised by a comment left by Jennifer at Goats in the Garden http://goatsinthegarden.blogspot.com
She has awarded me with a Lovely Blog Award! I thank her not only for making my day for the award but also for her blogs that always make me smile! Jennifer asked with that award to follow a few rules for the people who had been mentioned in the award. So I too, will pass this on to the wonderful blogs I follow!

Rules:
1. Accept the award, post it on your blog together with the name of the person who has granted the award and his or her blog link.
2. Pass the award to 15 other blogs that you have newly discovered. I may have to bend the rules a little bit here, with the internet service problems we have had lately I have not been able to read very many new blogs but I will do my best.

Remember to contact the bloggers to let them know they have been chosen for this award.



1. Holly at Easy Living the Hard Way
http://easylivingthehardway.blogspot.com
(Holly is the one responsible for my beginning in the blogspot!)

2. Country Girl at Achorn Farm
http://achornfarm.blogspot.com

3. d/iowa at Loess Is More
http://loessismore.blogspot.com
As you can see, I did not award 15 blogs, but I feel quality vs quantity is most important!! :)

I will continue looking for more blogs. If anyone has any suggestions, please send the links to me! Have a wonderful day and THANKS AGAIN, JENNIFER!!