Always trying to catch up!

It wasn't until I spoke to someone this weekend that I realized our website is very out of date. Then I realized Nubian breeding season is just around the corner. With one look at our website I am reminded that I am woefully behind in keeping goat things updated! My loving husband is going to help get updated photos of the goats so we can get ready for the upcoming season. I have realized that I need more space for goats and less space for other things... I will also work on updating our animal's pages since we have lost and gained. Our recipe page is good but I think I made promises at one point for a casserole recipe and never followed through...

Please be patient with me as I try to get all of this done amid the chaos that I presently call life!

Pink... Who in the world likes pink?!

I used to really really dislike pink... Really dislike. Then, I discovered that I kinda like it. 

I used to live my life to be what and who other people thought I should be. I tried to live up to their expectations of what they thought of me. I live on a ranch, shoot guns, ride horses, have dogs, breed goats, sew, cook, clean, patch drywall, build barns and work hard. Everyday I work hard. Not that the work is hard, I just apply myself to the work to do the best I can. And those types of women don't wear pink... or so I thought... 

Well, I am happy to say that I like pink! I am the proud owner of two pair of pink sandals, pink jewelry, pink tack for my mare and many pink shirts, which is how this new love affair started. I found a pink floral shirt 2 years ago and fell in love and my wardrobe slowly expanded. That being said, I also have two pink knives, one for utility type stuff and one for self defense. If they made my gun in pink, I would probably get that too! I found a cute pink collar for Shigom and she wears pink too!

So, to all those people out there that try to bend themselves to like or dislike based on what other people think you should do, I say STOP! Pink is cute, yes. But pink is also fun and uplifting and if you like something don't be afraid to wear it (unless it involves spandex)!

You can be a hard working, fun loving, country woman and wear pink without fear of ridicule (remember the knife?!)!!

Rex

Shortly before we lost Sky, we got a new pup. We were not looking for a pup and especially not a male pit bull, but he fell into our arms and the rest, as they say, is history! So this is his introduction post, which he wrote...

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Hi! My name is 'Rex' but Mom and Dad call me 'Smoochie'. At first Dad refused to call me 'Smoochie' but Mom persisted and since I like giving kisses, Dad gave up!

 I was 6.5 weeks old in this photo and it was my first day at home.
Mom says I was a cute little smidget of a thing and I have to agree; I am cute!

Mom rescued me from a really weird situation. I am a purebred pit bull and was bred at a really bad place. They bred my brothers and sisters as illegal fighting dogs, my sire was some sort of champion but that's not really a good thing for us normal sweet dogs. There were a lot of dogs on the property and lots of fights and meanness was encouraged! Mom didn't get me from there...

I was the runt of my litter and was the last puppy left. I was sold on Wednesday for $900 to two young life partner ladies that took me home when I was only 6 weeks old. They smoked a lot and I was so nervous that I hid in the corner all the time and was very sick. I was scared and just wanted to go home to my doggie Momma. The ladies put an ad up on a Sunday night that said that they couldn't handle me and were going to take me to a kill shelter on Monday if they didn't find me a home. I was too small to know what that meant but I know they didn't like me because they never spent time with me and didn't seem to care that I was sick. Mom saw the ad on Sunday and texted one of the ladies. After hearing about my situation and knowing that the shelter kills pit bulls, and even though Mom and Dad didn't want another puppy and weren't looking for another puppy, Mom picked me up first thing Monday morning.

As soon as I saw Mom and snuggled into her arms, I knew I was home. I licked and licked and talked to her as best I could! The ladies were amazed that I was 'acting like a different dog' but was just happy she didn't smell bad and really seemed to love me. She had so many toy in the truck it was amazing!! I knew by the love and kisses Mom gave that I had finally found my  forever home! Mom didn't pay a cent for me. She told the ladies that since they were going to have me put down, I must not be worth much to them so she wasn't going to pay for their mistake and stupidity. So, I left with Mom to my forever home at 6.5 weeks.

Mom took me immediately to see the nice lady at the vet and got a clean bill of health, even after I peed on the vet! I am not thrilled about the temperature taking portion and was very vocal in letting them know that I didn't like it. Mom just laughed and said I sounded like my brother. Our first stop after the vet was to see Grandma. She snuggled me in a blanket in the sun and I fell right asleep!

I was so sleepy!

Mom took me home to meet big sister Shigom and brother Dozer. They sure were big dogs but I did my best to keep up. I've been growing a lot and have gone from 6 pounds up to 32! Mom and Dad had me fixed and I have a good time running with Shigom and wrestling with Dozer.

I also met the cats. I especially like Lucy; well Mom calls her Lucy but I call her Yummy. Sometimes I have a hard time because Yummy likes to run and I like to chase her and chew on her! I love Yummy!! She doesn't seem to mind but Mom is concerned that Yummy won't like it much as I get older...

Yummy!

I have my own crate that has a big fluffy pillow with my food and water dishes. But my favorite thing to do is nap with Mom or Dad. Dad says it is a good thing I don't snore like Dozer!

8 weeks old

9 weeks old

12 weeks old

I am still growing into my feet and tail. The first time the vet saw me she said she thought I would top out at 80 pounds but she has changed her mind to think that I will top out closer to 90 pounds. Mom is not thrilled with that, but as long I keep giving kisses and being a good boy, I think she will come to enjoy having a 90 pound lap dog. Besides, who can resist my cute little face?!

14 weeks

I squeak when I want to go outside, which is often. Not always to potty, sometimes I like to just check things out and make sure everything is good on the home front! I learned to do that from Dozer. I am being socialized a lot with dogs, people and kids. Mom and Dad want me to be a family dog and I don't want people to be scared of me when I get big.

I love to help Mom weed. She throws the weeds aside and I bring them back to her. Sometimes I sit in her lap and try to help her by grabbing the weed she is trying to pull in my mouth and we play tug. She tells Dad it takes forever to weed with me but with my constant help. But I am sure she means that it takes longer because it is so effective!  I also like to dig holes. I watch Mom dig holes to put in flowers and sometimes I think the flowers would look better someplace else, so I move them for her. And sometimes I try to help Dad with the lawn. If I can pull enough grass out, he won't have to mow as often!

I'm a permanent part of the family and I love my new home. I am a happy puppy and love learning manners and tricks, like sit, stay, lay, and come. I love cookies and meeting new people. I especially love kids because I can give kisses without having to try very hard!! Dozer and I start Dog School in a few weeks. They are going to teach us manners, how to obey and how to get along with people. We want to be good boys so when Mom and Dad meet their forever child, we can all be a big family together!

Last weekend - 19 weeks old!

Sweet Sorrow

We lost our sweet Sky last month. It finally got to the point where her glaucoma could not be controlled by medication and she was her quality of life was suffering.

It was one of the hardest choices we have ever had to make and not a day goes by that we don't think of her sweet spirit and love. We still mourn and cry but our hearts are slowly mending.

I made a cross for her and R buried her ashes under the Buckeye tree.

As soon as I can get them organized, I'll post some photos of her life. For now, here is one of my favorites.