My goal for today - to have my pain "under control" or not show it to dear hubby so that he and my 16 yr old daughter can go to the Auto-Rama show in Detroit today.

Also, this one isn't so much MY goal, but I am hoping that my daughter's Nubian goat does NOT go into labor today. I cannot help, nor can I go to the barn alone and check on them.

Everyone is now gone for the day (at least until around 4 or 5pm), house is quiet, barn is quiet - no babies today . Watching Iron Chef Japan on the dvr and enjoying the peace and quiet with my snuggle pups.

The classroom is my salvation as I see some students going through so many problems and still moving ahead. We are a unique classroom... a certificate program and not for credit. We get students from Voc Rehab, WorkForce, FarmWorkers, Women's Program... all students who cannot go to college the regular route... so they are sent to use to gain or relearn skills. I get such a good feeling when suddenly they get it

There are days, though, that my feet say no more. Since I found the TENS unit works I can continue. I cannot take the meds for PN as the side effects ususally affect my ability to think... and think I must for this job I love.

I may be 67, on SS, but was a stay-at-home mom, so working is necessary. So happy I can still be doing something I love.

by reducing my calories, cutting out grains, and running for 30 minutes 6 times a week I have lost 3 pounds in 7 days!
Oh and spring will start soon!

Congrats on the weight loss!!! I also can't wait for spring!!! I am so sick of the white stuff on the ground. I want to see grass, hear the birds, see the flowers!

My daughter came in after feeding the goats and bunnies. It seems that Snow and Eve are busy chit-chatting with their bellies. This means babies soon!!! Part of me is excited, part of me is scared. Last year, I was able to help with the kidding, the milking and the feeding of our only kid, Eve. This year I am not sure I can help. We did discover that my daughter (15 at the time) was totally disgusted by the birthing process and stood back, clinging to her dad cringing yet cheering "Push it out, push it way out" with her father while her brother and I assisted bringing Eve into the world. This year, she might have to be the one that gently grabs those little hooves and help guide the kids out (please keep fingers crossed that all deliveries are normal and no one has to "go in and re-arrange the kid or kids"), and I don't know if she can stomach it.

Then comes the hand milking twice a day. Last year, Snow had mastitis in one side of her udder and was very hard to get that cleared up. We think that either she or our other goat was nursing from it. We are watching her extremely close this year, and so far so good. I will say that I enjoyed the milking as it was almost theraputic, and was very good for my fingers. It's much better then squeezing a stress ball!

We've also got to think up some names for our addition(s) to our herd. Any males will be castrated and she will show them at the fair as market animals so I can't get attached to them. We are hoping for girls, as we can "keep them". We will really have to do some looking at the kids though to decide if we are keeping them, as I have deposits down on two new show goats for her from a top breeder/shower in Michigan.

I knew a patti Christmas once, she lived in NewPort RI. Wonderful woman. I think of her everytime I see you post

Never been to Rhode Island, but Christmas isn't that common on a last name.

It's definitely a conversation starter though - people will think they are being funny when they say I should have been a Mary (gee, haven't heard that before ), and then I tell them that's my husband's sister's name (Merry).

My granddaughter, Isabella, is coming over this morning while my son finishes moving into his new apartment. This means we get to play with her and have fun for a few hours . We haven't seen her for a month and a half because mom wouldn't allow parenting time - poor baby is being fought over, both kids are spending money on attorneys that could be used for Isabella's benefits instead of lining the pockets of others. Why can't kids listen to their "elders" advise and not punish the baby? Oh well, happy day - get to see our "Izz-A-Baby".

Had a fun day with Isabella yesterday! I know that every parent/grandparent thinks that their babies are the cutest, but I really have to say it - Isabella is the CUTEST baby ever!! In the 6 weeks since we hadn't seen her, she has gotten two little baby teefers, and can crawl!!! I don't think I've ever seen a baby cuter when she crawls! She has the biggest smile and the cutest dimples (gets her dimples from me ).

Today, Billy (my 17 yr old) is off to get his market wethers. They are 2 month old Boer goats. I'll have to post pics of them when they get here. He'll be gone for the most part of the day.

I try to be happy, but sometimes it is hard. When I am around people I perk up, at work I perk up as I work with the students. College level, but certificate class... students of all ages, all backgrounds... some are worse off than I am and that help me forget my problems... till I stop at the end of my day and my feet let me really know what they think about all that walking, getting up down stuff. Some days it is hard to get going, but once I do... I move OK. I am allowed to wear loose shoes and sandals, with socks, so that helps.

Would love a dog, but cannot afford it. I did get a 10 gallon fish tank and have 3 fan-tailed goldfish who are always starving... as least that is what they want me to think. But after cleaning that tank totally today, removing all the gravel and having just the large glass balls... it is finally clear water. They will not be able to convince me they need all that food as so much was in the gravel.