Update

In case you didn’t know, I work at a vet clinic and it is calving season right now. The days are long, unpredictable and extremely busy. It is a non-stop barrage of people patients, and phone calls. I consider myself lucky when I am able to leave work on time. It is a good thing. A much needed swift and painful slap on my ass to wake me out of my winter slumber and propel me into spring. As the snow recedes, a flood of summer projects takes its place. We are busy talking, planning and deciding on how to revamp our yard to make it more user-friendly. Will we be able to get all of this done? Not likely. But it is nice to dream 🙂

I saved a life this week. With a combination of technical skill and pure luck, I placed an IV catheter in a recumbent calf. By the end of the day, he was half up and sucking on a bottle. Let me tell you, I am feeling pretty damn great because of it. This wasn’t one of those typical moments in my life where I briefly recognize a job well done and move on. The feeling lit my whole drive home and has stayed with me all week. I feel good about what I am doing.

Days off, hubby and I are diligently repairing the basement. I will use the term “we” quite loosely here since he is the one to do most of the work. I hold the boards, close my eyes and press the button on the air nailer. I am super pleased with our progress. It is still a hoarding haven for too many useless things, but we are working on it, and that’s what counts.

It has been good to take a bit of a break from this blogosphere. It just got to the point where I  was skimming through your posts just to leave my mark behind. Each of you put a lot of thought and time into your blogs and I didn’t think that it was fair, or honest, for me to scan over what you have put out. It is not a popularity contest.  It is not about the numbers for me, but maintaining a certain amount of  quality to relationships I have formed here. And I feel very fortunate to have met some pretty incredible people. Thank you all 🙂

 

 

 

 

 

Versatile Blogger Award

A couple of weeks ago, Beth was kind enough to nominate me for the versatile blogger award. Thank you, Beth, for thinking of me!If you haven`t had a chance to subscribe to The Daily Atholian, you can do so here. I encourage you to take a few minutes to check out her blog. I love the creativity behind it, and her posts always make me smile.

The rules are simple:

A) Thank the person that has nominated you & include a link to their blog.
B) Nominate at least 15 blogs of your choice.
C) Link your nominees and let them know of your nomination.
D) Share seven different facts about yourself.

The Seven Facts:

1. I grew up in a city and now live outside of a small town. Some days I miss the city – Buskers, the way their music would float to your ears amongst the chaos of honking horns and running engines. Slurpee`s, real sugar filled frozen treats! DELIVERY!!! But I really like the landscape here. It is clean, quiet and spacious. I can stretch my whole mind and heart out here for miles.
2. 70% of the time I really like to cook and try new recipes (a special thank you to all of the food blogs here) The other 30% I`d rather eat cereal.
3. I don`t like to eat the same meal two nights in a row. All leftovers are stored in the freezer. They make quick grabs for lunch or late night suppers. Most of the time I don`t put a label on them so we have a `Mystery Meat from the Freezer` night.
4. My cat is actually trying to type this for me. It must be the clicking of the keys that draws her. Or the fact that my hands look busy.
5. I am an absolute photo junkie. Love taking them, love viewing them. Not great at developing them. Or editing.
6. I am quiet, in volume.
7. I love all animals, in all of their shapes and sizes. Bugs, not so much.

It is always hard to nominate other blogs so I am passing the torch onto any of you that would like to share a bit information about yourselves. Don`t be shy 🙂

 

 

Harmony

I spend a lot of my spare time just watching the animals here. Most of the time, it is just for pure entertainment.Here is a goat playing King of the Castle…

She did that for a good hour, jumping on the back of any ewe that was lying down and challenging any lamb that came up to her.Or how about the ducks…

…that bravely linger by the dogs, stretching out their necks, hoping to sneak a piece of dog food. They use their beaks to nuzzle through the wool of resting ewes to find bits of grain in the winter; in the summer, they gingerly pick  flies off of their legs. The one in the picture was just poked in the eye.

Or those precious first moments, like this curious lamb that snuck up onto a sleeping Simmie. Note the little goat that was about to lay down with her.

Kuma and Indie like to play together, each of them will chew on the other`s foot or hoof until Kuma becomes too excited, elicits a play-bow and runs off. Indie chases after her, running and bucking down the driveway. Indie is special like that, she plays with everything.

It never ceases to amaze me or amuse me, how well everything gets along here.

For The Weekly Photo Challenge: Harmony

 

 

The Fur-kids

There are two things you should know first:

1. I have an acreage.
2. I am an animal lover. They make me less depressed, more relaxed, more observant, less reactive. They have taught me patience, compassion and have given me a belief in myself that I can do better, be better.

1 + 2 = these…

From left to right: Sweetie, who is not very sweet, Indie, Blue and my baby (Sandy, although I never call her that)

Kuma, Boy-boy, and Simmie

Pet me forever!!

Baby goat eating a button

One of the ducks taking advantage of the heated watering bowl, Must be like it’s own personal hot tub

 

 

Can’t forget Kiki. She is the best foot warmer ever.

 

And one more of Indie, breathing you a hello 🙂

For Cee’s Black and White Photo Challenge: Pets

My Blogging Life

Friday

The first post in my reader is a lovely little piece by Lynn. This woman constantly amazes me. She has such a giving heart, her support and encouragement for all of the people she has met here is never ending. Honestly, I feel a little like Olaf because my heart melts each time a person bestows a bit of kindness to me. Thank you, Lynn.

After a conversation with whatsandrathinks, I am fantasizing about a luau in Hawaii. Pig roasts, palm trees and pretty little drinks with umbrellas poking out of them. This reminds me of Paula and how proud I am that she finished her race there. Just thinking about her post makes me smile (and cringe).

During my lunch hour, Nissetje has me holding my phone to my belly and laughing so damn hard that I can barely type out a response. LMFAO is an apt  description. Seriously, I am still getting the giggles just thinking about it.

The boss leaves and it’s time to turn on some tunes. I check out SOB and my eyes become misty. I can’t help it because I know all too well, exactly how they feel. I plug his songs of the day into You Tube and am amazed by Alabama Shakes and Dawes. How is it I have never heard of them before?

When I come home, I squeeze my family for a few minutes longer than usual. Hubby is surprised. “What has gotten into you?”

I shake my head a little and smile. It would be hard to explain how my mind has been all over an emotional map today. “Just life,” I say. “Just glad to have you here.”

Affording Our Debt

Let the vehicle wreckage begin! Cold temps, faulty door handles, plastic pieces that just seem to fall off. Are all newer vehicles pieces of shit? And by new, I mean 2008 and 2003! The car wouldn’t start Friday after work. Silly me, I just thought it was the starter. Wouldn’t turn over, wouldn’t catch. Apparently there is no compression? I don’t know what that means but it sounds expensive. Did an explosion happen while I was driving to work that day?  This is a definite possibility. Usually, the music is cranked so loud that I can’t even hear my own voice let alone the engine.

Did I mention that hubby was laid off from work just before Christmas? This didn’t bother me when I heard the news. We knew it was going to happen at some point.We can afford our debt. I am actually very good with money. It would be nice to have him home more.

So I didn’t freak out then, but I am totally freaking out now! It would have been way better if the mechanic phoned this morning and said “Your vehicle is toast. You need a new one.” This period of not knowing is going to drive me nuts! Of all the financial revamping I did in my mind, buying a vehicle/ expensive repairs did not enter into the equation, at all.

 

Reviving Lost Traditions

It begun with the Christmas tree – a small, three foot artificial that my mother had bought me many moons ago. As I pulled down and plumped up its synthetic limbs, I couldn’t help but remember the day I entered my apartment and found it set up for me. I was being rather humbugey that year, refusing to succumb to the conventional need of decorating. She had snuck into my humble abode, adorned it with lights and miniature ornaments. I still remember the pleased expression on her face when I hugged her, thanked her, and told her it was beautiful. It was something I hadn’t realized I had needed that year.

Mom’s miniature Christmas Ornaments

“We used to go The Property and cut down a tree every year” my hubby says from behind us. His eyes have taken on a glassy, far way look, akin to a person who is trying to retrieve the last vestiges of a dream.

“We did too, that first year we were together. And you picked out the homeliest looking little tree. We brought it home and set it up in the corner…”

“…and those two cats…”

“…would use the rocking chair as a launching pad to hurl themselves into the tree…”

“…there were pine needles everywhere…”

“…and you swore that you would never have a mess like that again…”*

“When we were kids, we used to travel all across the country visiting family.”

“Us too. And mom would drag out the gold plated china on Christmas Eve…”

And so the memories flowed, the way they do every Christmas. Our voices soft and dampened with a slight touch of sadness as we remembered the celebrations of long ago.

*It was the last year we ever had a real Christmas tree. It was also the year his father passed away. Strange, that it took me this long to make the connection.

---

 

I spent the better part of last week prepping and preparing for a melancholy-free Christmas. As a stepmother, there were just certain areas of life that I did not intrude upon, and Christmas was one of them. It wasn’t that I didn’t try, or that my attempts were met with scorn – they would, at least, bravely stick out their tongues to sample the dishes and  admit that they weren’t too bad. It just wasn’t their thing. They couldn’t taste the warmth I was trying to recreate. Truth be told, neither could I. And that was probably more the reason why I didn’t continue on with them.

The Property, 32 acres of bush, 8 acres cleared for a campsite

And we did make it out to The Property this year. We went, as a family, when my youngest step-daughter came home for Christmas.(I cannot tell how great it is to be past the teenage years.)

We hiked through the forest. We talked. We laughed. We reminisced about how things were and we all agreed that we should go out there more often. It was a pretty great Christmas for us this year. It was the first year, in a long time, that we were able to look back at the past without having it degrade the present. We were able to generate some of the warmth that this holiday season should be filled with and created some tender memories to help carry us through till next year.It was more than my little heart would have hoped for.

Blog Identity

I keep thinking that this blog should have an identity, a focus. Something to help fill in the gaps between Wednesday’s photo challenge and Tuesday’s tune.

Maybe my followers would like to know what to expect when they come here.

Maybe I should pick a weekly theme and run with it for awhile…

The truth is, that would never work for me.

My thoughts and interests vary from day to day, hour to hour. Last night, I was watching you tube videos on how to debone a deer. Sometime this week, I will be learning how to mount the horns. Tomorrow, I will be watching videos on how to use the new ultrasound machine at work.

In essence, this blog is an extension of me. And in order for it to survive, it will have to flow the way I flow – up, down and all around; not consistent in any way, shape or form.

12 More Days!!!

I really wanted to write an eloquent post about the upcoming events in my life, but I am having trouble concentrating right now. Seems like 30% of my brain is singing “La La La,” 30% of my brain is dancing, and 30% is doing this…

In twelve more days we will be in Cancun!!!!!!!!!!!

Friends of ours are getting married. It will be our first holiday in Mexico. We are leaving the kid at home. La La La.

I am really looking forward to having some quality one on one time with hubby. Looking forward to a little romance (i.e. more than a nudge on the shoulder and a wiggle of an eyebrow when the kid is sleeping). It’s Tuesday, so here is a tune to celebrate…

 

Understated Road Trips

Does this ever happen to you? You go through life forgetting to do things that you enjoy? You become so busy with your responsibilities and day-to-day tasks that you forget to do things that connect yourself to a part of your personality, your character? And when you re-experience them, you say to yourself “I have forgotten how much I enjoy doing this, I should do this more often!”

When I was younger, my parents took us all across the country to visit our relatives. I was the youngest, and smallest; my designated spot was on the floor of the backseat while my brother and sister stretched their legs over me. I had slept so much during those trips that when it came to be my turn behind the wheel, I didn’t know which direction to go. When I became old enough, I rented vehicles so I could relive those experiences. For me, I enjoyed the drive just as much as I enjoyed the destination.

What is it about a vehicle that is so liberating? Is it because it is just you, a steering wheel and miles of pavement rolling beneath your feet?  This is where I play the music is so loud that the rear view mirror trembles and my heart simulates the beat of the bass.  This is where I practice my chair dancing techniques and play invisible musical instruments.  This is where I reconnect to my childish self, the momentum of the music urging me to sing at my worst and act the silliest.

The understated road trip – something I have neglected to do in the last few years, but definitely something I should be doing more of.

It’s Tuesday, so here is a tune for you. I have to give the radio credit for overplaying popular songs – by the time I returned home, I had learned this down pat. Elle King – “Ex’s and Oh’s”