Some more...

I'll let these tell their own story...








Someone thinks that someone else doesn't like to share...

A relaxing day...or atleast I tried for it to be...

I was outside today just snapping some pictures while the kids were working on their didgeridoos. Of course when anyone is outside the dogs think it's play time (I mean that's what we adults are here for right-to please and entertain from kids to pets, lol).

If you sit on the ground the dogs seem to think that it's a sign to immediately head over and flop in your lap, kiss your face, drool on you, or just stare right into your face while panting since after all it is hot outside and you just got through trying to wear them out by throwing a ball or stick in hopes that they'd go lay down in the shade and leave you be, but alas it is not to be and so there they stand...panting...and staring...

Finally after much restraint on my part to ignore the dog breath instead of pushing them away (which makes it worse), they all settled down. I started snapping away. I got some fun/nice shots.

Perdi trying to relax and Sophie aggravating her as usual...

Maggie is like- I'm stayin' out of this....


Hunter trying not to act like he cares, but still keeping an eye on me. His coat is so soft....

My old Girl...she is starting to slow down a little. She'll be 10 next spring; she's doing really well for her age.

Bottle feeding lambs....

So one of our ewes had twins lambs on Friday. Unfortunately the little 2nd born is a bit weak. We're not sure what's up, but she's now being bottle fed...not sure if she'll make it, but we'll give it a go. She's also in the house, lol. Which those who know me, I'm sure it doesn't surprise you, lol! The temps dropped yesterday and she wasn't staying warm even with a little sweater I put on her.

I think it's been good though since in here she stays warm and can instead try to gain strength instead of just fighting to eat and stay warm outside.

Good thing I didn't toss all the goat milk out of the other freezer yet. That's what she's nursing on. I can milk her mom and I may still, but I have all that milk so no sense in wasting it. I needed it out of there though for the beef that we'll be bringing home in a couple of weeks. I'm sure it'll be gone by then the way this little girl drinks.

Here's a pic of Maggie keeping her company last night. The little dear slept all night as far as I know without a peep.

My silly girl...

As much as I have contemplated rehoming Sophie-since originally she was supposed to just be fostered and rehomed...I know that she would miss me too much and I would miss her. She's my little shadow.

She did have a potential adopter, but the person never bothered to call me back even though he said he wanted her...even gave me phoney references....why couldn't he have just been honest about not wanting her. Nothing is wrong with saying, 'she's just not what I wanted'...it wouldn't have hurt my feelings in the slightest. Giving me phoney info and not bothering to be honest just makes me realize who he really is.

Doesn't matter though. She's staying and that's that.

Here's some photos of her a few nights ago when I was headed off to bed. She loves her blanket and her bed. She gets chilled easily so I gave her that blanket.

Vehicles....UGH!

So having a vehicle serves a purpose right? I think I'd rather move to Ohio and live with the Amish so that I can drive a buggy instead. Atleast the horses don't require insurance, they don't guzzle $1.78 a gallon gasoline, they don't put out environmentally unfriendly emissions, they don't get speeding tickets (okay so that's my lead foot and not the truck, but hey, a horse can only go so fast!) and if treated/cared for properly, they don't 'break down' when most needed (okay, maybe they do on that last one. Horses have a knack for hurting themselves on the one upright stick in a five acre pasture causing them to be lame for weeks! LOL). They are, however, willing to snuggle up to you (if you have some treats, they'll become lap dogs!), take you along on a trail ride just about anywhere (as long as it's not away from the barn or their buddies) and bring you lots of laughs from time to time (and some not so nice words as well, when they have yet again dumped over that muck cart just when you'd filled it to the top or the feed bucket)...okay so maybe there are some con's to having a horse and buggy, but heck I like horses more and my truck is out of service for a bit.

I ran errands on Saturday and it ran fine...I got up early on Sunday. Got the kids up (they actually popped up fairly quickly for a change and without complaining. I thought, this is going to be a good day!-should have known it was too good to be true). Got us into the truck early to leave, put the keys in the ignition, turned them and thought, "we're on our way!"...I was so wrong.

That truck sounded like it was going to turn over for about 2 seconds and then whah, whah, whah, whah, whah....nothing. It wasn't about to let me relish in my Sunday morning accomplishment. I was stuck with somewhere to go and no way to get there. I was bummed. So we headed back inside and got changed.

Then a little while later, I found Sophie had killed another chicken. She had somehow got inside the fence...I still don't know how she did it other than going over. Which she in fact did when she saw me heading towards her like a screaming banshee. She was getting the heck away from me! She took one leap at the five foot fence, fell back, looked at me one last time and seemed like she was praying to God for wings. She took another leap, hit the top with those front feet and scrambled over fast. I watched her hightail it to her crate and hide. She knew she was in deep doo.

She hasn't gone near them since...it could be that I stuck a training collar on her and started pretending that there was now an underground fence 4 foot from the fence line. This may take some time to teach her, but she's not dumb...just determined about some things...

Oh and about the truck. It still won't start, no one has a tow bar that I can borrow, and I'm going to need to pay $75 to have it towed 12 miles to the shop. I think I'm in the wrong business!

A winter video...

This was a video made by my friend the day it snowed. You'll see me with Sophie in her coat at the end of it.

The kids were having such a good time!

Removing Pen ink and a Sick Kid....

I worked yesterday removing the pen ink from some of our good clothes. Took quite a bit of rubbing alcohol, a whole role of paper towels, oxy clean and a bit of time. I got the skirt completely free of ink and most of the nicer clothes taken care of. There were a bunch of my farm shirts in there, but those I don't mind having ink on...there are all sorts of other stuff stained on them too so...

Poor Tall Girl went to bed last night feeling a little puny. She got up this morning and had a bout of sickness. She's been laying around most of the day...reading and watching movies online through Netflix.

She took a long nap this afternoon, which was great for her body. But now she's up, not quite ready to head back to bed and watching another Netflix movie with Maggie.

Silly pups...

Our dogs are so goofy sometimes...well most of the time really.

The lady we got the piano from gave the kids a couple of things. One was a pink beanbag. The kids like sitting in it, but the dogs love sleeping in it! LOL. Sophie is just right, for now, and Hunter is too big but doesn't care!

What a day...

Got up and walked the dogs with my daughter. Normally I run them on my rollerblades. It helps to wear them out and they love it. That Sophie can really go and not even be tired! Anyways. I got back and went out to feed the farm. Looked out and Pedro is really limping...he'd been on and off for a bit and I couldn't figure out what it was. He'd limp one day, then be fine the next...yesterday it was bad though. So I called the vet and made an appointment, hooked up the trailer and headed out. Of course when I loaded him up he didn't act lame! figures... LOL.

Anyways...seems as if he has an abcess way up there that's trying to bust, but they couldn't dig any deeper-they were already over a half inch deep into the hoof and the hole was barely open...he's on antibiotics and bute and locked up since I need to keep his wrapped foot dry and clean as much as possible. Not an easy task with horses.

I had to go to the feed store and purchases some corral panels to close him off into the shelter area of the pasture. I can't use the run-in shed since it's now my feed shed...more $$$s spent...I got them set up and a water tub set out for Charmer..hoses moved so I can fill it up, and put hay out for Pedro so he'd have something to eat on. Though I don't think he touched it as he was too busy running the small fence line calling for Charmer.

Then Steve hollars out that I need to get going to piano lessons. So I head in, get the kids and head out the door to see that he's put his truck out in the driveway to leave for work and I'm blocked in...I need my vehicle so I play musical cars, only after I had to chase down two dogs that decided that as soon as a door and gate was opened, they'd haul off through them and run off...normally they're pretty good about staying behind them...so I chased down both dogs, one of which got 'sent' home by the neighbors dog not enjoying the fact that she was in his yard and the other required the use of his shock collar to bring him back...he's a big German shepherd and when he sees cats...the chase it on...so now I'm really late and must get going.

I head off to piano, get a few things at the store while Tall Girl is taking her lessons, grab lunch for the kids after I pick her up, and a smoothie for me (yum!), get my oil changed and ended up smashing my front end into a very large and strong post at the car shop...big dummy! Now my truck has a nice large dent from top to bottom of the fender...good grief...I was just trying to miss the car that was parked behind me...didn't even see that post next to my front end!
(Nice Huh!)
I get home, head back out to rewrap Pedro's foot since while I was gone he has pitched a royal fit about having to be separated, has worn his other wrap complete off from running back and forth, and is hollaring at me about it. That was fun since now I had to soak his foot multiple times because he kept jerking it out of the bucket...goober. I made the new wrap three times as thick...I wish I had a medi boot for him...then I wouldn't have to use so much vet wrap and duct tape.

Then it was time to take the kids to my friends house, as I was off to a soccer coach's clinic. Was there until 7:15 and headed off to Tractor Supply to get feed. I had a really good coupon to use before it expired and I'd tried to get feed earlier, but the truck hadn't arrived yet. Of course when I got there, it was just pulling in! The driver had got stuck behind a pretty bad 6 car pile up...so he gets it unloaded and I get my 14 bags of feed and head home...it's almost 8:30 now.

Got the kids home and ready for bed...as I'm heading out to feed the dogs Pedro hollars at me again...sorry buddy, your stuck for the next week or so!

Doing our part...

Today Jack and Sophie are getting fixed. We love rescuing animals, but we also make sure they are spayed and neutered if need be. There is no reason to be breeding dogs/cats. Visit the pound, there are more animals there than there are homes available for.

Jack will be glad though I'm sure since as soon as he's fixed, his little self will start house training (he's already crate trained) and become an inside dog. The big dogs, even little Maggie-Beagle, just treat him as an interactive squeaky toy! He's always getting picked on. He loves being inside with us and will bark at the back window begging to be let in.

A Girl and her Dog...

Sweet Girl just loves her crazy dog. He does some strange/funny things sometimes and of course we can't trust him around the livestock...he's already shown that to be a problem for him.

We have always noticed that the feed bowls were out in the yard after they ate. We figured it was Hunter taking them out, we didn't realize that he liked to play with them too. What a goober. Today it was keep-a-way from us.

He's got some personality, but he can whine like the biggest baby! It's funny. I'm always telling him to 'grow up ya big baby'! LOL. When something doesn't go his way, he just whines and cries until someone comes and gets him, or he gets tired of it and finally hushes. She has started obedience training with him. It's going okay...he's just so interested in seeing all the other dogs there that sometimes he doens't pay attention. They'll get there though.

Amazing...

Nothing earth shattering really, but this evening, my neighbor whom I had a few words with this morning, came out to apologize to me for his behavior...he said that he was impressed with all that I do here and that he understands it is a lot of work. He said that he also was in the wrong and he completely understands why I was upset and that I had a right to be. I did tell him that if I was short with him or spoke rudely that it wasn't to be ugly, but that I was frustrated with what all has happened thus far with their dogs and that it does take a lot of time and work to raise the animals. I have much more respect for him now and I truely appreciated his apology and words of encouragement and respect. It takes a big person, especially one that is older and set in his ways to take the time to cool off and truely think about the event and to apologize very sincerely.

My neighbor is a nice guy really...it's just sometimes he doesn't think clearly (his son did say they thought he was going a little senile, so I'm sure that has something to do with it).

Anyways...so I guess I don't need to run the ad just yet! LOL...though we will hopefully be looking for that almost perfect place in the near future!

Neighbors....

Some days I wished I had no neighbors for miles around-not that I don't love the families that live around us out here, but I'd like a few less! We will move one day and hopefully we'll have more distance between neighbors.

Any good neighbors out there have property for sale near you? Think I could actually put that in a want ad?

Wanted: 10-15 acres, good strong fences a must, a run-shed or small barn, 4 bedroom house, good water system to fields, good neighbors who like to barter, share ideas, have common sense and believe that good fences and containment of all their animals is important!

Uh oh, I need to wake up now from my dream now! LOL!

On another note we have one more soccer game left and then a tournament held about an hour from here that we were invited to on April 12. Hopefully we can attend that since the boys are really excited about it. The team we coach tied their game 6-6. We should have totally won that one and the boys knew it, but they played really well. I love the progress they have all made. B's team won their game and she almost had a goal. I was a bit saddened to hear her teammate tell B that when she (the teammate) was going after the ball then B needs to leave it alone (the girl was upset after she collided into B and they both tumbled losing the ball to the other team)...um...so we're not a team now? I thought the object was to work together girls...B just shrugged it off and let it slide. She told me today that she wants to play next year and can't wait to go to soccer camp this summer. I think she will really be able to do well.

I've got to head out now and plant some of the border grass...till next time...........

UGHHH...

Computers...what did we ever do without them? A whole lot more that's for sure, LOL. I have a tendency to stay on here too long some days.

Unfortunately, lately I have not been able to get on. Our computer went on the fritz last weekend and hubby is trying to figure out the problem...the think is just over two years old and I am ticked. We spent a good bit on it. Steve likes to play games online and with the kids so he got all sorts of up-grades for it.

I hit the library to use their computers...half the sites I couldn't get on due to their blockage system. Steve switched us over to the 'old' yet working computer and so that's what we're using now, but it's slow and I still can not go to some sites...it can't handle them. I needed to finish my order with Kodak.com, but I can't see one blasted picture in any of my albums to know what I'm ordering! LOL.

Hopefully we'll have the other computer up and running before too long. Steve has a part on order for it...I pray that it's the issue and not something else....

The last few days have seen me outside putting in our stone walkway to the front door from the driveway...it's a long walkway! I've had to stabilize each stone with some sand so they don't rock, and then I went along the whole path and cut a trench of sorts 6" wide. Tomorrow I'll be taking all the grass out of the trench and shaking the dirt from it, then add some manure and good soil to it, then planting the Mondo grass that my neighbor so graciously gave me to edge the path...I can't wait until it's finished. It's been a lot of work so far, but we needed it. Visitors can't use the back door anymore since we've got the drive gate up now.

On another note...I think Taffy, my dairy doe, and her little baby, got into something noxious as both were icky sick this afternoon. The doe looks like she's coming round and was wanting to munch down hay...the baby was still green in the gills...

Oh and the neighbor's have done it again....they have been letting their dogs out and I of course wasn't home this time. I've already called them once and got upset because they were in our pasture chasing our horses a few weeks ago. Of course they are more rambunctious dogs that haven't been taught any manners or commands. They are the ones that as puppies, killed all 23 of our pullets...not thrilled at all.

Today they were in our pasture and tried to eat our Golden Sex Link hen...she is one of our original hens from our very first batch. We really like her and she is very sweet. They chased her down into the horse shed and pulled her feather out and gave her four puncture wounds. I dressed her wounds and cleaned her up. I hope she does okay. They will be talked with tomorrow. My husband had to step on the dogs to keep them away from the hen. The owner was hollaring for them, of course that does absolutely no good. I am livid to say the least.. I am not going to be returning their dogs every time they are out like I tried to before....I was attempting to be nice, but they know I don't have the patience anymore.

Well on to tomorrow. Little Man is at a birthday party tonight..they are out in their tents for the sleep over! LOL. He has a game at 8:30 though so I have to go get him early. B has a game at 9 and Steve has to work; I'll miss the first half. Then it's back home to work on the pathway...

I'm off to sleep...it's been a long day.

Too Cute...

This morning I got up and noticed the two younger dogs weren't in the living room...hmmmm.

I looked around and found them in B's room. Poor girl didn't have a chance at sleeping on but a small part of her bed! Hunter was sprawled over her and the bed! So cute!

Honey Island Swamp...

My SIL, Tina, and my nephew, Kevin, came to visit this past weekend. They weren't able to stay too long, but we still really enjoyed being able to visit with them! They wanted to do something while here that they couldn't do in Ohio, so we found a swamp tour to take them on. We tried to make an appointment to see the Alligator Bayou here in Baton Rouge, but though they were open, they didn't have enough people signed up to do a tour...they wouldn't even allow us to do a walking tour...oh, well. Instead we headed out to Slidell to tour Honey Island Swamp. I didn't think we'd see too many gators and such being that it's been so cold. I was hoping though.

We did see a blue heron, other smaller birds, an osprey with a huge catfish hanging from it's talons, we saw lots of red-eared slider turtles and other swamp stuff. It was cool out, but the sky was blue (which it hasn't been in the last few weeks and of course today it started back up...did I ever mention how much I hate Louisiana's wet winters?). We did get to touch a young gator. It was neat.

Oh and on another note...Tucker, the boxer we were fostering, found a new home and a new pal. Kevin just fell in love with him and Tucker sure thinks the same of Kev. It was so funny to see the two of them play. My niece has been looking for a dog now that she's in an apartment. Kevin sent a pic and a little info to her via his phone and she wanted him immediately! We were excited here, she is excited there and Kevin will still be able to see and play with him! I'll also get to still see the goofy boy when we visit.

Honey Island Swamp...

This house was completely underwater when Hurricane Katrina hit. Only two families still live on this canal...there used to be more.

Fostering...

My friend called me the other day and said she needed help. She had to take a dog back that she had adopted out. That's never a good thing to have to do. We try so hard to make sure the animal is going to a good home, but some people are cruel and dishonest...they will say and do anything and then still neglect the animal.

So we are now fostering a Boxer who is just the cutest most goofy fella! Tucker will stay here until a new home can be found. I have a few people in mind that I know well and I hope one of them will want him.


Tucker: Ummm where's the rest of the treats?!

Tug of War....

When we got Maggie, Perdi wasn't so thrilled. She growled at her and pretty much ignored her. Unfortunately for Perdi, Maggie was and is very persistant about wanting to play...all the time!

Perdi has finally warmed up a bit to her and yesterday they were tugging on Perdi's favorite quacking duck. Maggie's favorite thing to do is destuff any stuffed toy...then she doesn't want it! Perdi just likes to hear them squeak. She does not chew them. She also likes to lay on them like a pillow, LOL.

Last night they were too funny though. Maggie had planted herself on Perdi's bed with the duck's neck in her mouth and wouldn't get off so Perdi, who had the ducks backside in her mouth, dragged Maggie and the bed across the floor! Goofy dogs.

A Very Merry Christmas!

We hope you all had a very wonderful Christmas and to our family across the states: I hope all the packages got there in time and that you all enjoyed everything. The kids have squirelled all their money aside and are saving it for that certain thing/things that they just have to have. They aren't sure yet what all they want, but are begging me to take them shopping today to find it! LOL. I told them that we'll wait until after the New Year...things are going to be insane today and I'm sooo not going out there to wade through the people.

We had a great Christmas here though. The kids and Steve had bought me a couple of CDs I wanted, the new Pirates DVD, and a new address book. Santa brought lots of cool things to the kids and Steve. Remote control trucks for the fellas to play together, 'too cool' they said! A lego castle and some play swords that J was thrilled about. Sister had bought him a couple of disposable cameras to play with. He is always running around with his fingers together like a little view finder 'clicking' pictures as he sees things he likes. He has almost burnt through one camera already!

B got my 'old' camera that I'd been saving for her and it was all set up in a camera case for her. She was so excited! She also got a scrapbook kit to go with it and a coupon to go to a scrapbook class with me this Friday. She's gonna be so excited to do her little album. She's been snapping lots of pictures too.

Santa brought them both a Nintendo Wii after sending them on a treasure hunt to find it...that was the hightlight of the day after it was set up. They were cracking themselves up while playing the sports games. It was a hoot.

Steve got some DVD's he wanted, a cool tie that he just loves, and we both have more candy than we needed; our bottoms and hips thank you Santa, LOL!

Of course Santa didn't forget our four-legged pals! Squeaker toys, treats and bones!

Steve and I have a very overdue date tomorrow for dinner and a movie! We are having a gal from church come and sit with the kids. They are excited. They really like her.

10 Peeves that Dogs have about Humans....

'1'

Blaming your farts on me..... not funny... not funny at all !!!

'2'
Yelling at me for barking. I'M A FRIGGIN' DOG

'3'

Taking me for a walk, then not letting me check stuff out. Exactly whose walk is this anyway?

'4'

Any trick that involves balancing food on my nose. Stop it!

'5'
Any haircut that involves bows or ribbons. Now you know why we chew your stuff up when you're not home.

'6'
The sleight of hand, fake fetch throw. You fooled a dog! Whoooo Hoooooooo what a proud moment for the top of the food chain.

'7'
Taking me to the vet for "the big snip", then acting surprised when I freak out every time we go back!

'8'

Getting upset when I sniff the crotches of your guests. Sorry, but I haven't quite mastered that handshake thing yet.

'9'
Dog sweaters. Hello ??? Haven't you noticed the fur?

'10'
How you act disgusted when I lick myself. Look, we both know the truth. You're just jealous.