Community & An Award

First I would like to thank Teresa over at http://edenhills.wordpress.com/ for this award. You made me smile! Thank you. Pop on over. She has a great blog! I am suppose to pass this award on to ten people. Well, since all of you are so great, I pass this on to all of you! You all deserve it!

Secondly, no, the perfect place has not been found yet. I have called on quite a few places either to find out they have already been rented or no return call. That's ok. I'll keep asking and looking. There is no move out date yet, but everyday I expect 'the' letter will arrive. Until then it is more packing and sorting.

Over the weekend we had a yard sale. Got rid of quite a bit of stuff and made a little bit of money. Another yard sale is planned for this weekend even though it is Labor Day weekend. Hey, you never know, maybe it will be great and all the stuff will be gone and there will be more jingle in my pocket!

Over the weekend I met quite a few folks from right here in the community that I had not met before. They came on over when they saw the big Moving signs out front. After explaining why we have to move they started telling me that they have either lost their homes, or were in the process of losing them.

I also found out just how many people whom I have not met before, how they will miss seeing ( and hearing) the donkeys and horses. They told me how much they love driving by and looking to see if there were any 'new' faces out in the pasture.

One lady told me that she is losing her house next month and was going to come over and ask if I would take her llamas and goats. That she didn't want anyone else to have them but me because I take such good care of the animals here. After apologizing that I wouldn't be able to bring her beloved animals in right now, but when, not if, when I find property I will take her animals until she finds a place where she can have them back.

After talking with quite a few people in the same boat, I have decided that it is up to us, the little people, the backbone of this country, to band together and help one another. So that is what will be done! I have a plan forming in my head that if it works out, the 'little guy' will get the help that is needed. It is obvious our Government and banks are not helping us, the little guy. Oh, they say they want to help, but the truth is, they don't. And it all boils down to the almighty dollar! They make money hand over fist while the little guy loses everything.

And over the weekend, I got more hugs from folks whom I have never met before. Genuine caring hugs. By Sunday evening I was so touched by all the people I met. I must admit, it has given me a bit a faith in us humans!

Oh, before I forget, I have been asked about whether Betsy goat will be going with us. Sadly, no, She does have to go back home. But she can stay here until we move.

Well, I think that wraps it up in a nutshell. For now anyway!

As soon as I have a little bit of extra time I am going to catch up on everyone's blog. Gosh, I miss you and keeping up to date what is going on with you.

Hugs to all of you.

Until next time.....................

Almost a year since.................

I just realized that it is coming up on a year since we brought Squirrel home. Poor little thing had an eye infection, ear mites , infested with fleas and was pretty skinny.

Feeling good enough to play.

Looking a little better.

Almost an adult.

This pic was taken this morning. My goodness she has grown into a little Diva! When one of us walks by her and we tell her how pretty she is, she always meows to let us know that yes, she is pretty. Squirrel is pretty much allowed to do what she wants. Only because she really is a good girl. Her right eye still gets kind of icky now and then, but with a few days of medicine she is all better.

The packing is coming along pretty good. I have a method that when I pick something up I decide right then and there whether to keep it or get rid of it. No looking back.

This weekend is the big moving/yard sale. Still no place to move yet, but I am certain something will come along when it is suppose to. The word is out among everyone I know what we need.

Early next week a very nice lady is coming over to bring Patti Cake ( mini mule) home with her. Next weekend two of my friends donkeys who have been here for quite awhile will be leaving to a new home.

Okay, time to get back to packing and getting ready for the yard sale.

Until next time................

Packing, Boxes and Cats

The past few days I have been packing what I want to keep. Putting stuff into boxes for the upcoming yard sale and what's going to be donated to Goodwill. Today I tackled the bookshelves. It came down to having to choose what books to part with and which ones I just can't let go. So far it's only nine boxes of books I am keeping. Yes, yes, I love books. After coming in from locking up my chickens this evening, I walked into the family room where as you can see are stacked boxes ( yes the boxes with the books) and saw the cats surrounding them. Can you count how many cats are in the above picture?

Counting the cats in this picture is a bit harder.

In between packing, taking care of the animals, I am frantically trying to find a place to rent with property so I won't have to put the animals in temporary homes ( which I have been lining up). Having them not with me where I can watch them and care for them will drive my OCD into overdrive.

Okay, enough of that stress.

The answer to how many cats in the first picture is 6.

There are 7 cats in picture number two. The seventh cat is black and is on the cedar chest in the corner by the lamp.

If I remember right, if you double click on the pictures they will enlarge.

Hope everyone is having a wonderful day/evening.

I am trying to catch up on all your blogs.

Until next time...................

Onward and Upward! To New Beginnings.

Well, life has taken some changes.

After months and months of working with the bank to get a home loan modification, well, they won. Which means it's time to move on. I have been finding temporary homes for the animals until I can find a place that will accept them. And let me tell you, finding a place to rent that will accept them is darned near impossible.

Thank goodness for friends and family.

I have been busy going through stuff to either keep, put in the upcoming yard sale or donate to Goodwill. The house is already beginning to look empty.

Am I angry and depressed about it? Well, irritated with the lender for not working better at it. Depressed? Could be, but I am a positive person so am looking at this situation with a positive outlook.

When one door closes another opens. Maybe this is the universe's way of telling me it is time to move on because bigger and better things are awaiting.

My first priority are the animals. So long as they have places to go to where they will be safe it will make this transition easier.

I will find a place to rent that will accept animals so we can all be together again.

Also my youngest daughter is moving to the dorm at the end of September and have to get her settled.

In the meantime I will be busy dong what needs to be done. I will try to catch up on everyone's blogs when I have a few minutes here and there.

Onwards and upwards! To new beginnings!!

Until next time.................

All at once

For once the weather forecast was right on! There were special weather statements throughout the valley concerning a nasty thunderstorm coming in. And that thunderstorm came in like a lion!

Wind picked up. Thunder way off and moving in quickly. Then the lightning started. Finally the rain came. Then it started hailing. At first it wasn't much. But holy smokes did it pick up!

The lights flickered several times. Internet on and off.

Outside animals a bit nervous at first. As I stood outside trying to capture lightning strikes I soon noticed the animals started to perk up. Then I noticed the horses seemed full of energy. Something I hadn't seen in quite awhile due to the excessive high temps that have just lingered and stalled here.

There they were running and bucking and rearing and snorting. You could just tell they felt good. Renewed. Refreshed. Cooled down!

Now of course the donkeys do not like to get wet. So every longear was either in the stall breezeway or under trees. But when it was all said and done, it was obvious they were feeling pretty good themselves.

This morning the air is so clean and fresh. All the animals just look refreshed. You can see it in their eyes. Even the chickens feel much better.

And with the cooler temps today I can finally tackle some much needed outside work. Even I feel more energetic than I have in a long time. Amazing what continued heat, day after day can do to ya'!

Oh, for those of you who are unable to see the video, it shows the rain coming down so fast and hard that the gutters on the house cannot keep up with it.

Until next time............

Who needs coffee to wake up?

Every morning I go out to the playroom, watch the morning news, drink that first cup of coffee and have a cigarette. Don't know about you but that first cup of coffee is a must. Have to have it. As I was sitting there I kept hearing this ticking, scraping sound. I ignored it for a little bit but it just kept getting louder. Finally enough was enough and the search began for the sound. Afer moving a few things around this is what I found! A huge beetle! And since I uncovered where it was hiding, it very quickly started scurrying across the room. Wait, wait I hollered. I have to get a picture.

So, ran into the house, grabbed the camera, back out to the playroom and would you believe that beetle was still there! Sorry for the picture quality. I just aimed and clicked.

After taking the first pic the beetle took off at high speed across the room again. It stopped for a fraction of a moment by Maggie's paw. Maggie is a Boxer and weighs about 70 pounds. You can see how big the beetle is compared to her paw.

Well, if you haven't already guessed, the beetle was caught in a container and taken outside where he belongs.

So, who the heck needs coffee to get the adrenilin pumping when a huge beetle is there to do it for you! :)

Until next time......................

Busy, Friend,Dreams

Wow, it's been awhile since I've blogged. Time really does have a way of flying by.

Last week I was busy raking both back and front pastures. Which means pulling the arena rake with the Gator over both pastures spreading the piles of poo. And while I was doing that there was fencing to check and repair if necessary, picking up anything that doesn't belong in the pasture, begining to winterize, etc...


Also it was still tackling the totes and boxes in the barn. Geez where does all that stuff come from? I swear it multiplies.


Wednesday my dear 'old' friend called and said she was coming up here to Oregon on Friday. It was her first trip up here and talk about happy and excited to see her. This is the funny part. Rachael and I have never met in person, but through emails and phone calls, we have become fast, forever friends. So actually meeting her was really the cats meow!
Here is Rachael ( left) and myself ( right). Rachael is very photogenic whereas I am not ( really I already know I'm not. It's not a secret).

Rachael and I have been putting our heads together for about two years now on starting an Education and Sanctuary Facility. While she was here we went and looked at a piece of fabulous property. Now all we have to do is come up with the dollars to purchase the property. It's in the cards that our endeavour/dream will come to fruitation.

Please take a look at her blog at http://web.mac.com/rkomulainen/Site/Welcome.html

While Rachael was here Mr. Smith started sneezing very bad. Bad enough where droplets of blood were coming up. Thank goodness my oldest daughter is a vet tech and she came over to take a look at him. Mr. Smith is older and needless to say I was very worried about him. After a few minutes of examining him, my daughter found out what the problem was. My first thought was a foxtail. Nope. It turned out he had somehow sucked up his nose an almost three inch blade of grass!! After pulling it out, Mr. Smith is back to his old self of being ornery and demanding.

While Rachael was here she received a phone call from a mutual friend Jan that another very dear mutual friend of ours had to put her sweet Princess to sleep. Many of my followers here know Inger over at Desert Canyon Living http://www.desertcanyonliving.blogspot.com/
Inger, our hearts and thoughts are with you at this time to help relieve the pain you are going through of losing your beloved Princess. Sleep well Princess and we will see you on the other side.

There has been so much more going on but I promise not to bore you all with it!

I now must catch up on all your blogs to see what has been going on with you. I have really missed you all!

Until next time..........................