Riding the Range

Well, sort of anyway.....It was a great day...I got up wondering what I was going to do today to amuse myself.... it turns out that Becky and Katheryn wanted to go riding at Rafter D's and I got myself invited to go along....Becky brought one of her horses for me to ride (Rose). George had taken our big truck to work, so I couldn't haul Goldie today....and she and I may not be ready to go out in public yet. But we're working on it....hopefully my helper, Heath, will be able to come out tomorrow and work with us some. Goldie and I just need an opportunity to get used to each other.

It was a great day out on the trails...the sun was out and the temperature was just right. We had lots of fun--I'm glad I went.

A day alone

Today is the only day during the whole Christmas holiday that I have been or will be completely alone....for those of you that know me, you know I enjoy time alone...but I also enjoy the time spent with my friends and family....but....today, I took advantage of this alone time....I got up this morning, fixed myself a cup of coffee to go and drove to West Plains..I made a loop from my house to WP and back thru Ash Flat to my house again....I was on a search....a search for a saddle.... and you will never believe it.....I found one.... all morning, I had no luck...and then I come across a nice used 15" leather saddle...light weight and priced rigth too! I now have all the tack required to ride and haul my horse too....(at least I think I do)....I've discovered that though it looks simple, getting it all together and getting it right takes a little practice...put practice makes perfect and I'm planning on getting this right soon.... I know that I've got a lot to learn but I'm determined to make this work. I've even got a couple of people lined up to give me horse care and riding lessons....get ready Heath...I'm fixin' to call you!

A day outside

We have had a beautiful day after such in icky stormy day yesterday. It was sweatshirt weather and dry! We got a lot done today and I really enjoy being outside with the animals.... I took a ton of photos today...I'm sharing several but not nearly all that I took...I think I should change the name of my blog to A Day in the Life of a Goat and Other Creatures.

After getting lucky enough to get back into our bed at night (Russell is out of town...she's been sleeping with him), Tess is having a hard time getting out of it in the morning. You'll notice that she is in the middle and not at the foot of the bed....this is her favorite spot at night.

This morning when I went outside to feed Goldie (the horse) and the goats, I noticed that the frost had thawed from the porch...with the exception of a few spots....it is amazing how such a small amount of shade could keep a spot from defrosting.

Sometimes, Goldie and I don't see eye to eye on where she should stand so that I can take a picture. Today, she wanted to stand with her nose touching me...I think she was sniffing for apple treats...however, she had eaten them all before I started taking pictures. She and I took a walk to the new barn so that she could check it out.

Another "bird's eye view" of Goldie....

Aggie is one of my most favorite goats. She is not shy and is very curious. She is a milk goat and has twins that are almost as big as she is now....anyway....Aggie likes to investigate and she was very interested in my camera today.

This is Andy and Annie...Aggie's Twins.... aren't they sweet. They come close but are a lot more timid than their Mom....maybe one day they will be like Aggie and Mable...

Sadie and Aggie can't let you walk through their pen without getting some attention. Isn't Sadie beautiful. She is the sweetest thing and craves attention, even though she gets plenty (I promise)!

Here's how we spent our day....very productive if you ask me (and I'm sure Goldie will appreciate it....I think she was thinking "a day late" after that rain last night.

This is how the barn looked this morning when we started.... Ryan, George, Russell, my Dad (Tommy) and I have all worked on it some before today....

Ta-Dah! It's done...other than the paint job that is...and that will be a while probably....it can be used now. There will be some fence building to follow very shortly.

Hum...what are we doing now?

All is quiet on the homefront....Just me, George, Tess and the rest of the animals hanging out on the hill today.....waiting out the icky weather.....

We've picked up, sorted thru, tossed out and all that stuff...so now, I've got to have something else to do today.... Yesterday we went to Jonesboro to have George's dad pick out a new mattress and springs set... had dinner at Outback...and today...I'm in my pj's just piddling around.....

Don't misunderstand...I'm not ready to go back to work ;-)....just having trouble deciding what I want to do....

Merry Christmas

A holiday such as Christmas should be shared with your family and friends...up to this day, I have celebrated with my friends....today I celebrate with my family.... This photos is of my parents, my brother and me...Tommy, June, Thomas and Nancy.



This is George and the kids.... Ryan, Russell and Nicole. We really enjoy getting to have all the kids together.


Here, George decided to tell me all the things on his wish list...too bad it was the night before Christmas when all the shops were closed!


This is just a portion of all the Christmas goodies. We had a huge mess when opening of gifts was over.



This is the turkey and the turkey chef (you can decide which is which...haha) that we enjoyed on Chrismas day! It was soo goooood! George tried a new fried turkey recipe that included injecting the turkey with an onion and cajun seasoning...it was really good.



This is the pie that didn't get eaten....but isn't it lovely....I think it's the prettiest pumpkin pie that I've made.



It was a great Christmas holiday! I have had more attention, friendship, and love from the people in my life this year! I have achieved more, fulfilled my dreams and had received things that I have wanted forever..... This has been a year to be remembered thanks to my family, friends and most importantly, my George.

Kickin' back

I've spent this morning kicked back enjoying a cup of Ghirardelli Caffe Chocolate Peppermint Coffee with some Raspberry White Chocolate creamer (I know the mixture might not sound that great but...YUM!!!!) I got up at my usual time (even though it's my christmas holiday) to feed the animals and have some time to myself before the kids got up.

Christmas is fast approaching.....tomorrow is Christmas Eve and my family will be coming to visit...the kids are all here already.....I'm ready...groceries are bought, the decorations are up and the presents are bought and wrapped.....

Next week is our anniversary....I've been trying to think of something to do during the day but I'm not having any luck. I thought about Blanchard Springs Caverns or Ripley's Believe It or Not and stuff in Branson....it would have been fun with a group...but our group has dwindled... Looks like it's just going to be me and George for the daytime....maybe we won't do anything at all...who knows.....

Twice in one day......

Ryan has a girlfriend, Ryan has a girlfriend, nah-na-nah-na-nah-na....Ryan and Leah sitting in a tree...k-i-s-s-i-n-g.....

I guess you get the idea. This is Ryan (my oldest) and his girlfriend Leah. Leah's mom took some photos recently and Ryan let me scan them. We're looking forward to Leah coming to visit during the Christmas holiday break.

It's cold outside

The goats water froze last night and again this morning....I have broke it twice today...the second time, I actually got all the ice out of the trough.


Goldie helped me get here ice chunk out...I put a hole in it and poured some warm water in...when I came back in a couple of hours to see if it needed to broken again, the ice was beside the bucket....I promise I asked the kids if they did it and they said no...so somehow, Goldie removed it herself....way cool huh.... that earned her a nice bucket of warm water added to her waterbucket.

It's about 23 degrees! If the wind wasn't blowing, it wouldn't feel so bad but I swear it was way worse yesterday....bitter bitter cold.

Family Christmas gathering

Yesterday was the Dust Family Christmas gathering. By the end of the evening, all of the brothers and sisters had managed to get together (which is a big deal since there are 6 of them and they are all spread out).... It was a nice day....lots of food and fellowship to celebrate the holiday season.

This year, we have a new member of the family..... Fatena Celine celebrated her first Christmas this year...her proud mamma and pappa are very blessed with another beautiful daughter. We welcome her with delight. What is better than a beautiful baby girl to hold and love (and then send back to mamma and pappa ;-) )

I drug out my camera and took a few photos...I was going to take some during the gift opening, but when I got a chance to feed Fatena with George, I did that instead...


This is Henry, Rita and Christie...George's Dad, Mom and youngest sister.


This is George....

We had a nice day and it was good to see everyone again...

After the dust settled.....

Well, it happened...and I survived.....I turned the big 4-0 this week. After much dread, it came about fairly easily. I have had a lot of fun, my friends and family have given me wonderful gifts and I don't feel old at all...(no matter what my friend Kim says)...we went to PJ's at Red's Landing last night for the final day of celebration....since the big day was on a Thursday, we decided to go out on Friday.

My wonderful, loving husband who treats me like a princess gave me these lovely pearls...I think pearls are so classy and classic...I'm so pleased with his choice.

Slipping and sliding

Well,I don't know how the roads are, because I've been at home but....my yard sure is slippery....I've been out to feed and I was slipping and sliding all around. Goldie is all thawed out and was very eager to see me. I think she's getting trained to come to the fence when the back door of the house opens... :-)

George needs his truck taken to Skeeter's today, so I guess I'll be getting out this afternoon....we'll see...George has made it to work both days with no trouble so far...

This has been a nice little break and it sure did manage to uncomplicate my life...everything scheduled for these days has been cancelled or postponed until a later date....and since there are not many dates before christmas, some of them have been moved to the new year (yeah).

Inclement weather

It's an inclement weather day...not a snow day because it didn't snow...it's sleet...so we have ice! This is part of my driveway...I was standing on my porch, so it's a long way off.



I have tromped around on the ice this morning to feed and water the goats, dogs and the horse...broken ice on their water and gave the horse some warm water, rode the 4-wheeler to the hay shed and got fresh hay for them and then broke the waterhose because it was frozen.... I was trying to put it under the house(which is probably warmer than in my house...my central heat unit is under there!) so it would thaw....apprently it didn't drain good on Sunday....UGH!

Tess is my tromping around partner....she goes with me to feed and she rode the 4-wheeler with me too...until I put 2 bales of hay on it, then she decided it was too crowded and ran....she was so funny....she was having some traction issues this morning...I was wishing I had my camera when she was sliding around on yard this morning....in the photo she had come to the kitchen to remind me that she hadn't had any breakfast even though the goats, horse and the other dog had!



Isn't she beautiful.



Here's Goldie this morning....She has weathered the icky weather though I have worried about her alot...and I broke the ice on her water 4 times yesterday afternoon and evening....but you know...when I went to feed this morning....she had broken it herself sometime during the night and drank quite a bit of the water. This photo isn't very good....there is a window screen between me and the outdoors at this point.....I didn't have my shoes on so I couldn't go onto the porch.



This is why I couldn't go out on the porch without my shoes on.....

Crafting Christmas

Christmas is getting closer and my decorations are up...our stockings are hung....these stockings were made my my mom, June. She has cross-stitched one for each of the kids. If you look closely, you will see the detail of each one. Mom spent a lot of time doing these....we used them last year (2007) for the first time. I love the old timey christmas feel they have.



Here's my christmas tree. I love christmas lights and ornaments....George thinks I go overboard on the lights...this year, I've scaled them back a little...they don't show up too much in the photo



This is the angel that stands at the top of my tree. I've always used an angel and I'm probably going to continue....I love the stars and bows but I just like my own traditional angel.



So, the only part of this post that is crafted are the stockings, but putting it all up and together is crafting christmas to me.

So, happy christmas to you!

Toys for Tots

Man am I tired....I spent all morning in Mountain Home shopping for Calico Rock's Toy's for Tots (sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce)....As a chamber member, I did some of the shopping for the kids.... I was amazed when they gave me $20 per child and said get clothes and toys too....OMG! That took some serious bargain hunting! I had sizes and a wish item or idea (some reasonable and some not) but..... I did it...I managed to get an outfit and a toy or gift for each child. I've got them sorted and labeled.... It's all ready to go....I'm so tired....I hope these kids get some gifts from other places as well but at least they will get something.

This sure makes me more aware of how good I have it and how good my kids have it....it also gives me pause....makes me think about all of these kids that are getting so little while I throw money away on trivial things.

This season has really focused my attention on that more than ever. The college had a giving event for students with needs, our PTK group organized an Angel tree project and my husband's work did Angel tree kids as well, we got introduced to Operation shoebox and now this Toys for Tots thing....

I hope our community efforts help improve the season.

First day of Christmas parties

Today was my group's secret santa reveal day.... My friend Kim W was my Santa...she rocked too.... I got a gift each day this week and they were all very cool!

We had our christmas potluck today at lunch...lots of food!

Tonight my boss had a little christmas potluck at his house.... we had some really!!!! good food tonight...and the company was good as well....we had a good time .....

I'm so tired....my eyelids are drooping I wish I had thought to heat up my hottub before I left..(it's old so I have to warm it up...but it works! and it was cheap too)

Anyway, this weekend we're going to try to find a saddle and tact for Goldie....and maybe a stock trailer as well. I also have to do Toys for Tots shopping for the Calico Chamber....I have 12 names to take care of by Tuesday night...so I'm thinking Sunday will be a marathon shopping day....I'm hoping it's not freezing and I get done early...so I can try to saddle Goldie up and ride around the pasture.

A Change Has Occurred

Today is a great day! Goldie the horse came to live at my house. I am so excited...I can't wait to spend some time with her and get to know her better. She is so sweet....and calm....she's ignoring Sadie the goat dog and Tess too. She just looks at them like, what? George was determined that she have some kind of shelter other than the trees, so we built a temporary shelter tonight....a sort of quanset hut shelter...probably a little small but it's just temporary and if she needs shelter, she has it.

Inside trying to warm up now... it's really really cold outside.

Another thing that happened today was our holiday open house at work..... My whole group was not able to make it but Suellen, Myself, Karla and Kim W were able to have our photo made together.... Aren't we quite the bevy of beauties.

Do you recognize this child

Do you recognize this child?


Is this the same one?



I was working on Russell's Sr. picture order tonight...man it takes a while to figure out which photos to order and how many.... when I logged onto my blog, I had another idea to talk about but, decided this was more interesting for the moment.

Isn't it amazing how kids change over the years....Russell was always so short...we didn't think he would be any taller than 5'-8" or so...but he's taller than his dad and brother and his blood uncles....not sure about his grandpa.... Anyway.... looking at all of those photo proofs made me think about how much he has changed over the years....

Parade Day...Great Day!

Ok, I know....I've already blogged once today...but....all my friends blogged about the parade, so I think I must as well!

What an amazing day it has been! I did those odd jobs around the house that no one wants to do before we left for the parade....went to the parade and rode in the Ozarka Sleigh with Karla....we had a ball throwing candy and even bouncing down the gravel road after the parade!..... and I've been playing kitchen goddess...made some banana bread and tried out an angel biscuit recipe...pretty yummy....(will make them next Friday for Dr. J's party)...George couldn't let me rule the kitchen though, so he made us some chili for tomorrow and fixed dinner as well! This freed me up to give scapping a shot....I worked for a couple hours and finished up my Cozumel vacation stuff that I had started back in the summer.....

This is really what these great winter days should be like!

Isn't it amazing that something you really love to do can intimidate you....do I sound really loony?....I love to scrap, but I'm so overwhelmed by the skill of others (especially my friend Kim), that I don't think my stuff will be good enough....but....then I have to remember that it's my outlet and only has to please me....right....and who is my strongest critic?...me right....(of course I could name a person or two that probably are a litter harder on me than I am...haha) So, if I like it, even though it is so much simpler and symetrical than the lovely things I see from others....it's an expression of me and my personality right....

Anyway......I got started and can't wait to do more!

Going to Bono tomorrow to celebrate my Dad's 65th birthday...it was Dec. 5th

Commitment Phobia Conquered, this time.....

Well, I have always always always wanted a horse, but never had the opportunity to have one....the opportunity has arrived....and even thought it took us a week for me to make a decision, we finally did it!

Goldie, the beautiful buckskin below, is going to come live at my house....I'm so excited.....I wish she could come today, but we need to do a few things to get ready for her.

A sense of accomplishment

Well, I just did it....I took the last test of the last class to complete my bachelor's degree. I had this strange feeling sort of bubbling thru me....a lightness of spirit and a sense of accomplishment...it all hit at once....I've been waiting for this moment for so long, that I didn't realize it would feel so good! I did it! I finally, finally did it!!!!!!!! I feel silly now...It's not like I haven't been waiting for this moment for weeks....but I have finally reached it!!!!!

What's up today?

Hello World....
It's a rainy evening in my part of the world. I left work early to go help my hubby pick out new frames for his glasses...then we went to the co-op to look at some sadddles and get me a pair of Georgia Mud Dog boots...for tromping around the "mini-goat farm" and thru the muck from the winter weather.....now I have boots just like George's....only smaller.... Finally picked out the new horse riding boots that I want...Justin Gypsies.... kind of like the Ariat Probabies.....Mom's getting them for me for Christmas (yeah)!

Warm and stylin'

Check out my new snuggly warm hat! I'm so not a fan of hats, but I bought this one recently....George laughed at me when I put it on but dude, it was warm!

Trail Ride Day!

Oh Wow! What a great day. Karla invited us to join her church group today for a trail ride and dutch oven cooked dinner. It was all great! Karla and Fred brought me a surprise too. They brought a lovely buckskin mare for me to meet. Her name is Goldie. Goldie gave me a great ride today and I'm really excited about her. Here we are together.



I was trying to take a photo of the line of horses and realized that I don't ride well enough to do this well, but I did get Karla and George in the edge of the photo...Karla is riding John and George is on Holly.



It was a great day...a little cold but you warm up on the ride and the facilities at Rafter D's are so nice...it was quite cozy for the dinner.

Thanksgiving Eve Eve

I'm starting to get that warm fuzzy feeling that comes with the Thanksgiving holiday. Our holiday tradition is not like everyone elses...first of all, at this point in our lives, we alternate Thanksgivings with the kids....But, no matter how few or how many we have,it's a hunting holiday for the guys. They hunt and then George deepfry's a turkey and I do all the other traditional Thanksgiving dinner fixins'. This year there will only be three of us...George, Ryan and Myself....after dinner (at noon), I'll decorate for christmas....

Our holiday may seem a bit uninspired to some and kind of lonely to others, but it suits us just fine. Our door is open to any of our friends and family that want or need a place to go for the holiday...

I'm starting off the food fest by baking tonight... I'm making some of George's Great Grandmother Dust's sugar cookies.... Ryan emailed me to ask if I would make some...so tonight is it...and he'll be home tonight as well.....

Happy Holidays!

I got tagged...

Kim at Kim's POV has tagged me...don't know that I can tag anyone else though because Kim and Karla have already been tagged....


Here is the tag list:
1- Show both left & right handwriting.
2- list 5 of your 50/50's.
3- 5 pet peeves and
5- 5 things that don't mix well.

Here is my handwriting using both right & left



I have broken my right arm, so I've had a little practice with my left hand...but it was a long time ago.

My 50/50's:
mornings/evenings
boots/flip-flops...love both of course the season makes the choice for me...
city/country life
birthday/christmas
(this is hard!...I think I must be very decisive because I can't think of anymore right now)

Pet peeves
1. rudeness - not using your manners..if you bump into me, please say excuse me; if I'm in your way say excuse me or politely ask me to move....you know...common courtesy stuff
2. people talking in code - just saying enough to make the other person feel excluded
3. being blamed for something I didn't do....please, I do enough...I don't need help
4. people not doing thier share
5. keeping secrets

Five things that don't mix well:

sport cars & country roads
lazines & ambition
me & coconut
milk & soda
deer & automobiles

Ok, my brain is disengaged today...that's the best I can do.

Crazy Gray's

I think Izzy has gone crazy! Her dead boyfriend is haunting her......And the interns have also lost their minds! They are practicing medicine on each other....like surgery!!!

I think I'm really lucky that I work at a college...if my co-workers practice on me then what could happen...I could improve my education...oh woe is me... hahahaha

Reading reading r--e--a--d--i---n---g

Oh, I so have the don't want too's and I hate it when I'm like this.....Nancy, just do what you are supposed to do...get it done and you won't have to do it again! I just have 3 chapters to read....and really, just one tonight or a good portion of one would be fine...I just have to get started again. I should have never taken that break....but dang, I'm so far ahead....once I read these chapters and take the test, I'll be done with this class....but the semester doesn't end until Dec. 12.....so I'm not behind but life is going to be so busy.....I just need to do it!

Of course, I have the other class with the crazy instructor that won't post our reading assignment.....I've done everything that has been assigned in that class too but she just won't post the rest of the stuff! Do I sound like I'm going crazy....might be just a little type A huh.....

Ryan & Nicole

A photo of Ryan.



A photo of Nicole.

It recently came to my attention that since Ryan is away at college and Nicole lives in Broken Arrow, I never have "recent" photos of them. I was looking for photos for a project that Betty is doing for Christas and realized this...it made me sad. I don't love them any less but it seems like photo ops just don't occur as readily when you have less time together. I have decided that I must make an effort to take photos when they are here. But, I don't want to be the crazy lady that won't stop taking our picture either...we all know how that feels, don't we.

I also have a big gap in photos too....when I moved here, my harddrive crashed...and I didn't have it backed up...so I lost almost all of the digital photos that I had taken.... lots of football pictures, lake pictures and just everything! It makes me sad.

Anyway......

End of the weekend

What a weekend? I had a great time riding horses/mules with Karla. We went to Rafter D's and it was beautiful...fall is my favorite time to be in the woods because you can see more with the leaves off but the leaves on the ground are still colorful. I wish I had brought my camera, but alas, I loaned it to a friend for a school project. I went to WM in Batesville to get my groceries and all that I could for Thanksgiving because I'll be out of town most of next weekend and didn't want the pressure of shopping for dinner during the week. George even took me to dinner (the new mexican place in Meblourne)...I was so tired after my full day that it was nice to grab a quick dinner somewhere.

It will just be thfee of us for Thanksgiving...Ryan, George and me....we issue a "if you don't have anything better to do" invitation to a few people but they ususally have other family obligations....sometimes they do come though....

We got a deer this weekend...a 6 point....our freezer is filling up...that's 2...(1 for George and 1 for me ;-) )

I've been piddling around the house today...my to-do list didn't get completed but almost...and I made plans for the rest.....I think I know what to do for the Cindy Lou Who hair girls...I watched a video today...I just need some fake hair...I'm sure I can get that in Branson/Springfield this weekend.....

Wasn't this a crazy blog....oh well.....I'll do better another day.

New feelings....

My photo posting has nothing to do with my blog today.....
This photo is at Dam 3 on Spring River...I took it a few weeks ago with Kim's camera.

I'm so getting psyched up for the holiday season....I've seen some really cool holiday decorations in some shops and I'm getting psyched! I made the winter flower arrangemets for my family cemetary plots ....I decided to go chritmasy and used poinsettia's and holly etc...they are so cheery. Tomorrow we decorate at the college so we'll be ready for all the holiday stuff to come....I dread putting the tree together but I'm excited to get it all started.

It's a really big year for me....I graduate with my Bachelors degree, turn 40 and it's Christmas!

A week of days

This has been a week of days already...day one, I learn that my boss is interviewing for another job....I wish him well, but that was the beginning of a tightening in my shoulder...my stress spot...the rest of the day went well enough....I was crazy busy and got a lot done but man......day two, I'm in granny mode...I think Mable is about to deliver her first babies....twins I hope!... I made a dash home for lunch to check on her....the spot in my shoulder is getting bigger....The question of the day is "what happens to us if he gets the job...who will be interim....who will apply....who will take his place"...speculation abounds and he hasn't even had the interview yet.....day three...oh wait... there's only been 2 days in the week so far..omg! will we make it?

On a good note, my friend Karla has asked me to go trail ride with her this weekend. I love horses but I don't know anything about them...I've rode before (well, I've sat on the horses back while it walked around...I don't know how to ride)....but I'm excited that we might get to go! I've met her horse, John, and that's who I get to ride...he's a nice guy.

Anyway....I'm about ready to go so I can hang out with Mable for a while...see if she needs some help or some kind words.

I love Ron White

Ok, I think I love Ron White....my feelings might be based on the fact that I'm bone weary tired and I'm again bone weary tired.... but tonight, he's so funny....tacky but so funny.

You might remember tha I'm cleaning my house very thoroughly right now...I was doing one room a day, however, we have had a very busy week, so today I worked from 6-6 cleaning the house.....I'm done with the downstairs..... yeah! I cleaned, reorganized, threw away, etc.....it's a very nice feeling..... I plan to go upstairs this week during the evenings to clean there....so, I'm tired...and Ron White is funny tonight.

A big day

Today, Russell is 18....we're having a birthday dinner at home tonight...my parents are coming to join us...I'm making Fried Chicken, mashed potatoes, salad, rolls and gravy...and we're having an Ice cream cake from Dairy Queen.

Today is also Matt & Betty's 19th anniversary! We had dinner with them last night...gourmet night at Ozarka College.

Today is also my Olivia's 4th birthday. Olivia is my best friend's (Belinda)daughter. Her party is tomorrow...I got her a book and the matching doll...Fancy Nancy and the Posh Puppy.....I got her the dress up stuff to match for Christmas.....It's so cute......Belinda is expecting another child in March...today we find out if it's a boy or girl....I'm hoping for a boy myself....but we'll take whatever we get and love it no matter what.

So, today is a big day!

No mojo

My mojo is gone...I just can't get motivated to be interested in anything....I need a good energy boost....It's not like I'm not doing anything...I just don't care about doing anything...aahhh...this too shall pass....

My friend Kim mentioned the big Four-0 in her blog...it's looming ahead for me...in just another month, I'll be hitting the big Four-0... and I'll also be completing my bachelors degree at the same time....I know I should be excited...and I am...can't you see me jumping for joy......I'm actually more relieved than excited...and dreading the big Four-0 as well.

Such a blah blog today.

As the Day Begins

I have a collection of this type of photo....I love the views of the sky and the seasonal changes of the trees and flowers etc...even the ice and snow. I have a great plan to scrap them at some point....maybe an 8x8 or smaller book....I'm thinking of calling it "My views"..... or maybe "My Changing Views".....anyway...I love the pink sky mornings and evenings.

I'm off to Pocy today for a funeral...it's sad but the lady lead a long full life...last night at the Rosary the Father mentioned that Ms. Ann had been making the baptisimal gowns for the church (St. Paul's) for the last 25-30 years...and at about 25 baptisms per year that's close to 700 (more or less of course) gowns...Can you imagine?....what a very sweet way to serve...It causes you to remember there is alwys a use for your talents.

Time change day!

(This was Saturday morning)

Time changed...Well, it was yesterday...but..... what a day it was for me...so refreshing! I worked my tail off all weekend... testing,studying and testing again(didn't do great the second time)....but....I still have an A...will probalby end up with a B. Good news was...I got first place in my simulation game for my class....way better than I expected....

Anyway.... after testing and going to Ash Flat to Wal-Mart for supplies....I started this huge cleaning effort....it will be ongoing thing for a while...I'm mass cleaning one room at a time...I started with our bedroom....and it took all afternoon...top to bottom, drawers, closets, moved the bed out, cleaned the blinds.... it's a lovely room again..... I also cleaned the stairway and upstairs hall (tons of pictures to dust).....anyway....I was so tired that I used my extra hour to sleep last night...went to bed early to relax....but it's so nice to start cleaning the house and getting that caught up....I still have homework but I'm so far ahead that it is no big deal.

After looking at this week's schedule, It will be next week before the cleaning ends but....it has begun....I've already got 1 tub for goodwill.....and I have room for more shoes now ;-)

Test Day

This weekend I'm forcing myself to take tests and get ready for tests...I have taken one...now I have to get ready for the next one....it's a great day to do it... everyone is gone and I have the place to myself (well, Tess, Sadie and the goats are here...and Daisy the pig...but most of them are outside).....

Speaking of Sadie....she got out last night and I've never seen a dog run so elegantly and so much at one time....she finally gave up and came back into the goat pen......

Here's a photo of George and Sadie from last weekend....Sadie's gettin a little Sadie love.....which she so greedily takes when you get within a few feet of her!

You know that look...the look your kid gives you when they just don't understand why they aren't getting what they want...when they really really want something and just can't quite wait t get it..... Well, that's what this look is.... Tess really really wants someone to throw her rock...she looks at the rock and then at you (me in this instance)....going "Momma please......"



Tess is a great ball of joyous energy for us!

Picture Day

Today Russell had his Senior photos made by Leah Rouse...she took over 200 shots of him today....he is so tired of smiling......at our last stop on the photo journey, I decided to play with a cool camera that my friend Kim loaned me to try out......

These waterbugs caught my eye today......


I was sitting on the bank by a spillway and looked over and saw this culvert opening....It was pretty far away, but doesn't it make an interesting photo.


I also played some at home too....more goat and dog photos than you really wanted to see, I'll bet.

This is Aggie and her twins, Annie and Andy....


This is Andy....he's the only boy goat at the moment...doesn't he look thoughtful.


This is Annie.....


This is Sadie...she has grown so much since she came to live with us....she has huge feet...and the growing is not done by any means.


Obviously, I had a hard time choosing what photos to share today. I had so much fun with this camera. I have a great shot of Tess that I will post in another blog later this week...she deserves her own space.