Life of the Party

 I hate to say it, but my husband is right. Sometimes you have to introduce some new blood into your goat herd. Meet Patch! She's half Boer/ Kinko and she has never been  handled. She is 7 months old and I haven't been able to even approach her since we placed her in the field with my herd. I have a few skittish goats, but they can still be caught during feeding time. My husband likes to have the goats that way so they aren't trying to jump on you. My babies just want love and brushing. All of the goats that I claim as mine are easy to catch and deal with.  We are still moving out our young bills and I'm STILL sad to see them go!  I did get to keep two nannies this season, so that is a positive. It also means that we will have to moved our billy, Junior before they reach breeding age.      So here is your first look at Patch! The  previous owners had named her ugly Betty. I don't know why? Patch is absolutely precious and up to date on all of her ...

  Ohh how they have changed colors! I posted a few weeks ago, but that didn't do my flowers justice. Have a look at them now! Mom suggested that I lay some banana peelings at the base of each plant and that seems to have made them blossom even more! I'm in absolute love! It's one plant but it's both blue and purple at the same time! 

 I was somewhat disappointed in installment of the series. Jericho's character was something that I found very predictable and so was the story. I was somewhat bored with this book. I didn't read this book and that might of caused some disconnect with the story line. I did like the narrator via Audible! Lizzy's character seemed to be a weak person and had a damsel in distress vibe. I do NOT like main characters that exhibit this trait! I would rate this book a 2.5 out of a five. This book seemed rushed and the formation of character was not as appealing last with the first two books.      I don't usually give up on series, so I will be moving on to the next book. I hope it does in fact get better!   

      Life with livestock comes with flies. I hate these pesky creatures with a passion. This year has been especially annoying and nothing seems to slow them down. I've tried sprays for the goats to hanging fly bags around the chicken coops. These flies bite and it hurts. Even the OFF sprayed on my arms hasn't deterred them from eating me alive.      The hanging fly bags are overly full with them. I have already ordered more to see if they can slow them down. I know they are disposable, but I always buy extra bait to keep using them for the full summer before retiring them.      Does anyone else have any  suggestions? The gentleman at Tractor Supply suggested that I used horse fly spray. I put the first coat on the goats today. I cannot wait to see if it works. Wish me luck! 

      I watched the news today. This was the first time I've seen live TV in about a month because I avoid all the negative. Rarely is anything positive covered and during COVID the news only made my anxiety skyrocket. I didn't even know about the riots and what was going on. Bubble life seems so bizarre now. I could have missed a whole history changing moment. Disconnected is how I would currently describe myself. We don't have a TV service and I avoid social media for the most part. I cannot believe what evil is going on at the moment in my country and it's on BOTH sides!!!  Keep the US in your thoughts and send some good vibes our way. 

Ummm, what? This series has really sparked my interest in reading again. I have been so caught up in her line up of characters. This book is written in the perspective of April and it still references the other characters as their lives continue and intertwine in this world of shifters. I love the possessiveness of the male pack members. Reno has been my favorite wolf thus far. I listened and read this book. The narration on Audible was fantastic, but reading it for myself was a special treat. Our local library did have a copy and checking it out was a MUST! I would rate this book a 5 out of 5. I hope the next book in the series is also in April's perspective. My summer reading list is HOT!!!           

      I have discovered that I do in fact need to change up some teaching strategies that I use on a weekly basis. This class thus far has been a game changer for me. I can see that my teaching practices and ideas are somewhat out dated and I need to adapt to a new learning  paradigm.      I'm in the middle of module four and the learning curve is still kicking my  tail. It has been so long since I was a student that I'm having to readapt to excessive typing and technology enhanced learning via an online format. Personally, I think all teachers should have to step out of their comfort zone and take classes beyond regular PD session offered. I really puts things in perspective.  

 Here is a list of activities by child has had a blast doing thus far! 1. Visit a zoo. Small children love them and it allows you a full day of fun. 2. Playing with the water hose and/or sprinklers.  3. Helping "plant" (She doesn't really help, but she seems to really enjoy being out there with me) 4. Splash pad  5. Feeding the chickens (she is finally old enough to hold her own scooper filled with feed) 6. Nature walks 7. Picnics  8. Catching bugs 9. Playing in the small stream that runs down below our house (its ankle deep) 10. Bubbles  11. Riding in the wagon  12. Local lake (fake beach area) 13. Cheap pool from the Dollar General  14. Water guns      I have learned through experience that you don't have to spend an arm and leg for your young one to have a rememberable summer. They just want to be with you. Our spring water doesn't really ever run out, so playing with the water hose is always on our agenda! 

I have officially started my summer reading list. Wow, I'm completely taken in by Dark's character list! Austin is steamy and so his his broody demeanor. Reading Dark's work came at the right time. Summer boredom has already set in. This author knows how to catch their reader's attention. This first book took nearly no time to complete exploring the world of "shifters."  If you're in to super natural stories, this is for you! I overlooked the sexual scenes and skipped several pages, but the story is still swoon worthy. We all need our own Austin!      I would rate this book a 5 out of 5! I was also excited to discover there is more than three books in this series. Count me in!  I will be reading the entire series before August gets here. I just home the series stays in Lexi's point of view. I have no idea how this series was not on my radar. I know it's an older book, but it more than worth its time to read.   

      Every summer I start the count down... I hate it too. I keep a running count of how many days I have left of break before school starts. I wonder if that is even normal? Do other professionals have the same issue? It's more dreadful now that I have a child. Only seeing her for four hours a day when school is in session takes a toll on me. Every parent that works probably experiences the same frustrations.      This summer I decided not to work an extra job, so I could spend some extra time with Taylor. It just seems to be passing by so fast. I'm still somewhat nervous about taking her places alone. The anxiety of dealing strangers and my toddler really puts a damper on my summer plans. I feel like that is abnormal too! I think of all the ways something can go wrong and talk myself right out of "fun" opportunities for family time. I just want her to be a little bit bigger before we take her to the  lake. She is only two and she doesn't listen to a...

     Training chickens isn't an easy job. The coop we put them in for the past few weeks has got too wet and messy, so to transition them out of the mud seems impossible. Tonight, when I went down to check on them nearly all the hens had decided to use the old coop. Man... it is a muddy mess that nothing can help at the moment.      We literally walked over the entire mini herd of chickens and put them in a fenced in area with a very nice DRY coop to roost in. They must like the roost in the older pen. I have no idea. From what I found on the internet I need to trap them in the main coop for a few days so they know where to go. I'm over my head at the moment. Any suggestions? I feel like trapping them in the coop would be too hot on them with this summer weather beating down on us.      I'll try something new again tomorrow. Maybe someone will call and buy 30 or so more. It's just easier dealing with a smaller amount of birds. I collected ove...

Wow, breathtaking story that kept me guessing all the way through! I hope Charly Cox continues to add to this series. I'm officially a FAN! I was beyond disappointed to learn that this is the last book (so far). I have really enjoyed this series and have been into the book from the first chapter! Detective Alyssa is always a favorable relatable character. This cannot simply be the LAST book! There is so much room for more stories and investigations. I would rate this individual book a 4.9 out of 5 due to the ending. With a two hour commute to my specialist appointment this book was a quick listen. It is not part of the Plus Catalog, but the money was worth it. Spending money on a decent book is always worth it.   

      Well, to be honest I still have over 100 chickens to care for. People have been stopping by and purchasing a few here and there, but it hasn't really put a dent in the massive amount of animals I'm having to feed.  Hopefully, everything goes through and a guy is coming to pick the rest up sometime today! I'm only keeping four hens for eggs.      I will miss them following me around! I hope their new homes enjoy them as I have these past few weeks. 

This has been an exciting read! I think this has been my favorite installation of the Detective Alyssa series! Cox has out done themself with this book! I will gladly rate this book a 5 out of 5. I would also like to comment that ending on a "happy" note really made my day. I cannot wait to start the next book. I have no idea how many books are in this series, so I hope Cox has continued to write about each case.      I was glad to see that Alyssa's role does more than looking for sex trafficking victims. Reading over these devil worshippers doings made my skin crawl. I couldn't imagine there are really groups of people out there that actually do these things. Cox's imagination is beyond what I would personally be able to create. 

I don't usually waste time posting reviews of children's books, but this one is special. My dear friend, Mrs. Beam Beam (Elizabeth Beamer) is the narrator via Audible. Listening to her read along with Taylor at my side was fantastic. I know her own children love reading because she has such a range of voices for the characters! Please take some time are listen to her latest recording! Your small ones children will love it!  I will rate this book a 5 out of 5 just because the narration is soothing and easy to listen to!   

      Potty training is significantly more challenging than I originally anticipated. Taylor finds it extremely funny to pee once I take her off the potty. She does however do well first thing in the morning. I have to brag about her willingness to at least try and she is successful 75% of the time.      She had her two year old shots today and a check up with the pediatrician. She suggested that I buy actual "big girl" undies for Taylor. Pull Ups wick away dampness and she doesn't get annoyed by it. I guess I will be spending some money on a few pairs of those in the next few weeks. Wish me luck! I need patience too! 

      I still cannot access my account. Even when I tried to call, I was on wait for over an hour and the app will not let me log in. This whole situation has completely stressed me out. I did find where there is an actual "in person" branch somewhere in Murphy. I will be traveling out that way to get some assistance soon. I have bills that need to be paid asap!      On a positive note: The debit card is somewhat working.      

  My grandmother convinced me back in early Spring to place some epsom salts near the base of the plants. She said it would boost color and perhaps I would finally get the purple blooms I've always wanted.  My plants have just started to bloom and so far....We have PURPLE! They used to blood a bright hue of blue, which is also beautiful.  This plant used to bloom a weird hybrid pink, so I'm waiting to see what they will be this season! The epsom salt did the trick on the other bushes. 

  Sometimes all you need is a walk with your goats. Taylor and I went down and spent the afternoon in with my small herd. I was picking up trash and other undesirable things that have made its way into the field. My dad was a massive junk hoarder, and we have spent years cleaning up his mess. From old tires to old cars.  Just look how majestic my billy is! Junior is the most gentle giant I own and he loves to be fed treats.           I really wanted to share images of all of my goats, but some of the more feral goats do not come within arms reach unless I have food. It seems when we purchase goats from other farms that they actually want their goats to be completely wild. This isn't always a good thing, especially when they need a hoof trim or medicine.               Junior is a Boer/ Kinko cross, so he will end up being massive. He currently weighs in at 255lbs of pure love. I think he is my favorite g...

      Well, I'm not going to lie, but I'm thrilled with this service. I'm able to stream, upload, download, and browse without buffering. I didn't realize how convenient it is to have this here at home. Thankful is an understatement!  I no longer have to go sit at the bottom of the mountain to stream from my phone to get work done. Using my phone as a hotspot sucks and it's unsafe to sit parked for hours on the side of the road.      My only regret is not giving in sooner to get this. Thank you  Starling! Best service ever!

      Potty training has begun! I have been trying my best to watch for her "actions" that she is about to use the restroom. I haven't been too successful, but I'm going to give it my best try. Everyone has advice about when to potty train, and how to do it, but no one is here to walk me  through my failures.      So far...       Taylor has screamed at me, ran around pulling her diaper off, and flipped her tiny potty over. I'm using both a small potty for her and a toilet insert for the regular toilet with no success. Unfortunately, this doesn't seem as easy as most have made it out to be. Suggestions?      I even tried a "Pee Pee" song on her Tonie box to encourage her to use the big girl toilet. She just dances around to it and laughs. Pointers? 

      I signed up for a class via Stanford which was offered through my school. I really like taking courses online and getting CEUs is an added bonus. We are always learning new things, so adding something to my "playbook" is worth the time. This summer I will be carving out some time to finish this course before school starts back in August.      So far I have worked on two modules where there is a LOT of videos with discussion questions attached to them. I wonder if this is the new norm for online courses? Where is the books, reading, and combining materials to write papers? I think I have been out of the game way too long!