Happy 1st Birthday Ace

I didn't realize that I have so many pictures of him sleeping but maybe that is because that is the easiest way to take his picture without ending up with a big blurry smudge across the photo. It seems like if he isn't sleeping he is moving too fast for the camera.

Men & Dogs... You just gotta to love them...

Last evening had some very strange events take place. *T* called me at work and told me he was going to *P*'s house to get a gun cabinet that was given to him, he asked if I wanted to stop there on my way home from work. I'm thinking "you are the one with the truck and the muscles and *P* will be there to help, so why do you need me?". He said he just wondered if I wanted to stop in... NO I didn't I wanted to go home and get my shoes off. I guess I was being a bit antisocial but I can't help it, I just wanted to go home. Besides that I was wondering where on earth we are going to put this new gun cabinet. Anyhow *T* got the cabinet home, but on the ride home the thing started pulling apart. By this time I'm shaking my head in discust, "why did he bring this thing home?". I went in the house and started my evening chores of laundry and vacuuming. The nest thing I know *T* is coming in the back door in a rage saying something about the back window of the truck being broken. I asked what he had said and he said he had set the cabinet up in the back of the truck, so he could put a couple screws in the top to hold it together before he brought it in, then went into the barn to get the screws and the wind blew the cabinet over... and smashed the back window out of the truck. WOW!!! I acually wanted to laugh but I knew better. Did I forget to mention that we were having sudden gusts of wind that came out of nowhere off and on all afternoon. Seriously... this is just another example of >>>>> He doesn't always think before he does things <<<<<<. After making a quick trip to town, coming home, fixing the back window of the truck, he "fixed" the cabinet he asked me to help him carry it in the house. During this whole chain of events I had noticed Mom's one dog Sydney was here playing with Ace. They were chasing each other around the yard and having a great time. I had thought about going out and telling her to go home in case Mom was looking for her but decided that I'd let them play for a while because the looked like the were having such a good time. Well I forgot that Syd was here and when I went out the door to help *T* I left it open and Nickie (one of my other dogs) came out behind me. We usually don't let Nickie outside without being on here runner because she can't be trusted with small animals. I didn't even have time to catch Nickie and she had attacked Syd. My first reaction was to grab Ace (the JRT) and make sure Dawson (the Aussie) was well out of the way of the fight. I took those two the short distance to the milk house because I didn't want a two dog fight to turn into a four dog fight (trust me... it can happen in a blink.. much to my dismay this has happened to me before). In the mean time *T* had managed to get ahold of Nickie and was taking her back to the house and Syd stood there in the yard looking at me like "WTH just happened" I honestly don't even think the poor dog knew Nickie was outside, because she and Ace were having such a good romp... she never even tried to fight back. *T* said she was just looking like "someone get this lunatic off me". I'm so thankful that *T* was able to get ahold of Nickie without getting bit. The last time something like this happened I ended up with a two inch gash in my leg while trying to separate two great danes, two Aussies, and Nickie (the little mutt). When that happpened Mom had just gotten Syd and I had just gotten Nickie, we thought they had been together enough and had hashed out all their differences.... aparently Nickie is still hold a grudge from four yrs ago...LOL. At least now I know to be more aware of where everyone is at all times. Normally this isn't an issue because Nickie is on her runner and even if Syd is over here she knows to stay out of Nickie's reach. All the other dogs get along great. Nickie just seems to have it out for poor Sydney.
For right now the cabinet is still sitting in the middle of my dining room....grrr. Anyhow, hopefully tomorrow we will be able to get things rearrange and get the new cabinet to it's place, and the old one out.

Today seemed farely unevenful. Just as I was getting home from work Mom came over to chat for "a few minutes" which turned into over an hour. She is so stressed out right now, with everything going on with Dad. He had Congestive heart failure, Parkinson's, Diabetes, High Blood Pressure, Subepideral bullous pimphigoid, complications relating to each of these, and now one of the latest things seems to be that he is getting really confused and doesn't know what he is doing at times. Mom is just so exhausted that sometimes she will just come in and sit down and sigh repeatedly... I can tell she just needs a break from it all for a little while. At times Dad just seems to be giving up, he gets so discouraged because he can't do anything and he used to be so active. They could use all the prayers and good vibes anyone could send their direction.

Happy Easter

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Spring is trying

I'm not sure what the high temp was today, but I know it was in the mid 30's. The sun was shining and it was beautiful outside.. until you stepped out the door. That wind was COLD. At least the sun was out again.. I am solar powered and even if it is cold I felt better.

The dogs are even acting different, they have been out most of the afternoon and even when I let them in and fed them then immediately wanted back out, usually this time of the evening they will lay down and sleep then go out for a while again around 8:30 p.m. Or, maybe that is because of the full moon :)

*T* is at the firehall to help with bingo. I couldn't believe they were still having bingo tonight because it is Good Friday, but they are. I don't get it. I know we need to raise money for the department but come on... can't you take one friday off?

My sister's three girls (13yrs, 11yrs,& 3yrs) are visiting my mother and father for a couple of days. It is always quite amusing to me the way they act around the farm. The 13 yr old likes the animals and helping on the farm. The 11 yr old is a "princess" and doesn't like to get close to the animals. The 3 year old wants to pick up every animal that isn't bigger then she is, but is scared of everything because she isn't around animals enought to know how to act around them. So she doesn't know if she should hug the animals or run from them. Kids, they are so amazingly different. I have to laugh when I think of my siblings and I when we were those ages we were always in the barn helping with chores, yes we were raised in a barn, literally ...LOL. Only our ages would have been 3,5,8,11,12 (me being the 3 yr old). There has never been a time in my life I have not had animals in my life. For a short (I mean very short) time a few years ago the only animals I had were dogs and cats, but hat didn't last long. I had to get more critters.

I lost everyone!!!

I can't believe I did it ... but all my widgets are GONE! I lost all my links to blogs I read and all my other neat little sidebar stuff :(( I could just cry.
I was trying to add a new template and lost my old one, so now I have to start over.
Now I'll see if I can find you all again... so if I forget someone or you just want added to my list please let me know.

Today's Forecast

Rain/Thunder
High Low Precip. Humidity
43ºF 28ºF 90%/90% 80%/79%

Day: Rain likely with a few thunderstorms. High 43F. Winds SSE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 90%. Rainfall may reach one inch.
Night: Rain and snow this evening transitioning to snow showers overnight. Low 28F. Winds WNW at 15 to 25 mph. Chance of precip 90%. 1 to 2 inches of snow expected.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The temperature right now is 44 degrees, so it is actually one degree warmer then predicted...whoo hoo!

It is dreary and rainy, and most of the snow is gone so, these past few days are the first we've been able to see the ground. I swear the dogs have an ongoing compatition to see who can get the dirtiest and track the most mud in the house then deposit their wet muddy self on my new/used furniture..... ggrrrrr.

I haven't had any real bloggable (is that a word) things to talk about lately. Or maybe I just haven't had the energy. We have been recovering from the nasty (and I mean, nasty) flu bug. But even before that I just lost myself with everything that happened right at the beginning of the year and I've been struggling to get back into a routine. I just can't seem to get it together, and have no desire to sometimes. Well, actually I do have a desire to I just don't have the willpower to. Spring better hurry up and get here.

My nubian nanny goat is due to have a baby sometime in a month or so. I can't wait... I just love baby goats. I wish I had more babies due... that would get me going whether I wanted to or not.
I hope everyone who checks in on this blog haven't given up on me. I'll be back, I promise :-)
I also have to get my camera fixed that would help me start blogging again... my critters do such silly things I can't help but share pictures.

The Mourner's Bill of Rights

A friend emailed this to me today and I thought I'd share it with all of you.

The Mourner's Bill of Rights

By Alan D. Wolfelt, PhD.

1. You have the right to experience your own unique grief. No one else will grieve in exactly the same way you do. So, when you turn to others for help, don't allow them to tell you what you should or should not be feeling.

2. You have the right to talk about your grief. Talking about your grief will help you heal. Seek out others who will allow you to talk as much as you want, about your grief. If at times you don't feel like talking, you also have the right to be silent.

3. You have the right to feel a multitude of emotions. Confusion, disorientation, fear, guilt and relief are just a few of the emotions you might feel as part of yoru grief journey. Others may try to tell you that feeling angry, for example, is wrong. Don't take these judgmental responses to heart. Instead, find listeners who will accept your feelings without condition.

4. You have the right to be tolerant of your physical and emotional limits. Your feelings of loss and sadness will probably leave you feeling fatigued. Respect what your body and mind are telling you. Get daily rest. Eat balanced meals. And don't allow others to push you into doing things you don't feel ready to do.

5. You have the right to experience "griefbursts." Sometimes, out of nowhere, a powerful surge of grief may overcome you. This can be frightening, but is normal and natural. Find someone who understands and will let you talk it out.

6. You have the right to make use of ritual. The funeral ritual does more than acknowledge the death of someone loved. It helps provide you with the support of caring people. More importantly, the funeral is a way for you to mourn. If others tell you the funeral or other healing rituals such as these are silly or unnecessary, don't listen.

7. You have the right to embrace your spirituality. If faith is a part of your life, express it in ways that seem appropriate to you. Allow yourself to be around people who understand and support your religious beliefs. If you feel angry at God, find someone to talk with who won't be critical of your feelings of hurt and abandonment.

8. You have the right to search for meaning. You may find yourself asking, "Why did he or she die? Why this way? Why now?" Some of your questions may have answers, but some may not. And watch out for the clichéd responses some people may give you. Comments like "It was God's will," or "Think of what you have to be thankful for" are not helpful and you do not have to accept them.

9. You have the right to treasure your memories. Memories are one of the best legacies that exist after the death of someone loved. You will always remember. Instead of ignoring your memories, find others with whom you can share them.

10. You have the right to move toward your grief and heal. Reconciling your grief will not happen quickly. Remember, grief is a process, not an event. Be patient and tolerant with yourself and avoid people who are impatient and intolerant with you. Neither you nor those around you must forget that the death of someone loved changes your life forever.