Happy Easter 2024

I hope everyone hada blessed Easter! It was a busy weekend for us, so we took Easter morning off. 

Friday night and Saturday night, Rob and I handled gates at the Diamondback Jubilee. He was at the exit gate (easy job), I was at the entry gate with my friend Stephanie. It's a nightmare trying not to get run over, doing multiples of $15 in your head, and answering the same questions over and over all while standing on the road. Rob just had to make sure no one came in the exit. 

Saturday morning though, we ran the chili cook-off and that was a lot of fun. One of the contestants was Rob's old college roommate! It was great reconnecting with him and making new friends, too. 

Today, I got to talk with my mom before heading for a three hour rehearsal for the Superhero Sanitarium. I truly love that cast. They're hilarious and easy to work with. One of the cast mates treated me with an Easter basket with bunny ears and candy, and another brought me deviled eggs. They're all great and it'll be sad when it's over in two weeks!

Fudge and I doing our daily snuggling

A Little X-Rated

It's definitely spring around here. You can't walk anywhere on the farm without seeing new babies, new fur coats being grown by the older animals, and the boys showing more than is decent. I'm having to be careful taking pics now because sometimes in person I don't catch it, but before I post (luckily) I notice Dandy especially is letting it all hang out. Boys!

This should be where I say we're going to have a relaxing weekend, but that's not in the cards. It's the Diamondback Jubilee for Rob and I with the Lions Club Friday and Saturday. On Sunday, the superhero cast decided they wanted to rehearse. I'm glad they're excited, but I'm tired! Monday starts the regular daily grind all over again. It's ok, as long as I can rest somewhere in there, it's all good. 

Have a great weekend!

Fudge loves being on my lap near the heat lamp all relaxed

Double Triple

S'mores had her kids this afternoon! All three of them. Yep, triplets again. They're beautiful. I introduced them to the world and several commented what their names should be. Agreeing with them, may I introduce Graham Cracker, Marshmallow and Chocolate!

Two girls and a big again it appears. However, I can't remember who was the boy. It doesn't matter, they're precious. Just like their mama, each one was pleased to come right up and see me. Fudge got a little jealous, but I made sure we had some special snuggling. 

The only thing that was a little chaotic today was Fancy took a run when Rob opened the gate. Teddy Bear was called into action and with his help, and me backing him up with the mule, we got Fancy back into the pasture. We all thought it was great fun and we may just let it happen again when it's Tootsie's turn to get into action!

Stand Up

In my almost half decade of life, it's taken me eons to stand up for myself. I've learned that lesson now and I'm all over it. 

The amount of things that happen behind the scenes of my life is staggering. On this day especially though, I've got to stand up for myself. I'm a great person, a loving mom, wife and daughter. I'm true to my true friends and I'm getting better at voicing what I won't tolerate anymore. I'll go to the ends of the earth for someone I respect, but I'm not a doormat. If you don't know where you fit in my life, ask. I'll be truthful as the only thing I sugarcoat these days is my cupcakes. Life's too short to tiptoe. Be center stage and command your presence!

Fudge

I've been working daily on cuddling each of the triplets. Toffee will give me about a minute, Chip still would rather I didn't, but Fudge, he's my guy. He's now coming up to me specifically for the cuddles! He'll lay on my lap and completely relax. There's no sweeter feeling than that, when a kid loves you and wants to be with you. 

All the animals are doing well and we're about to add to our fold. Settle down, we're just talking fowl right now. Rob's wanting Jersey Giants and I'm wanting to add ducks. Since our English Shepherds have decided they like raw eggs, it looks like we'll be needing more of them. It's good for them in small doses so we don't mind!

Mostly Successful Weekend

For the most part, the weekend was a success. Friday we're made the Austin run to pick up the mash, then hightailed it to the lake house to meet with the electricians. It's coming along there! Fingers crossed we'll be ready for May release. 

Saturday, we worked around the house and barn. We cleaned out a lot of the barn, kept checking on S'mores (still no kids), and Gator helped with the barn, fixing up our broken boarded trailer and even edged the house from the overgrown weeds. 

Today, a leisurely day of a three hour rehearsal, a Tractor Supply and grocery store run, and still some cuddling with the kids. These kids are now starting to come up to me, so the daily cuddling is working! I'll write when S'mores finally drops the kids, but for now, everyone is well and loved. 

S'mores & I

S'mores and I had a conversation today. As I'm writing this, she probably has delivered, but all day I was waiting for her. Once the storm was almost overhead though, I had to skedaddle inside. I encouraged her to just get the kidding over with, let's hope she listened. 

Of course, my cows and donkeys are now upset with me because I've spent all my free time this week with the goats. When they start having babies, they'll see how the tables will turn in their favor. 

For everyone, have a wonderful weekend. Enjoy the spring flowers, the spring showers, and the spring temperatures!

Chip, Toffee and Fudge

I spent more time with the kids today while waiting for S'mores to kid. She's holding out for now, but I know it's soon now. Anyway, I've loosely named the kids: Chip, Toffee and Fudge. Fudge is the one I watched come into this world in the spot where Hot Fudge Sundae passed, so Fudge is my sweetheart now. Whether he likes it or not. 

I don't know if goats are supposedly color blind or not, but by how I've watched Mama's favor the ones who look like them, I don't think they are. Caramel loves Toffee best, Chip second and Fudge third. Luckily, she does love all of them. Also fortunately, Fudge comes third so she allows me extra snuggling time with him. 

Today was an Austin/Goldthwaite day and tomorrow is as well, but I'm sneaking in time each day for all my animals. They reset my spirit more than anyone or anything else. 

Me and Fudge 

Caramel's Triplets

Where we lost Sundae yesterday, we gained a trio of beauties today. I finally witnessed a birth, the third arrival, and he landed right where Sundae took her last breath. That's truly the circle of life there. 

Cursory glances, I believe we have two females and one male. I didn't want to interrupt the mother bonding moment, so I mostly left them alone. Ok, I snuggled two out of three later in the day, but they wanted me to!

All that's left is S'mores. I'm thinking she's just carrying twins, but obviously I've been wrong before. 

Hot Fudge Sundae

Tonight, our third oldest doe, Hot Fudge Sundae gave a final cry to me and then passed on. We didn't want her to get pregnant again, we thought we had kept Nutty away from her, but she did get pregnant and this third time was her last. Her and however many kids she had died with her. There were no heartbeats, so we left her body intact. 

I know this is part of farm life, but it still sucks. She was a sweetheart in so many ways. She followed me around like a puppy dog and was just nice as could be to all. I'm going to miss her and it just breaks my heart I couldn't protect her. 

Again, my husband and Gator are two incredibly sweet guys. They worked together to remove her. Rest in peace Sundae, I love you. 

Maybe Tomorrow?

It's apparent that I have no clue when I'm getting the newborn kids. Three mamas are now ready to go and yet they just look at me everytime I check on them, chewing cud, with a look that resembles more of a smirk than I care to admit. It'll happen, I'll let you know when it does. 

In the meantime, we have enjoyed our rainy weekend. I baked a cake for my friend's daughter, celebrated the life of another friend of mine, and caught up on some binge TV watching which I haven't done in weeks. 

For the most part, the livestock is doing well. The donkeys and Rose are over the rain. The cows look like they've been mudding like rednecks. The goats and chickens have the barn, but yet they're still upset because it wasn't their choice to be in there, but mine. They would have been mad getting rained on as well, so you see it doesn't matter. 

Have a great start to the week. With all this wonderful weather, I think I might convince Rob to get ducks. 

Strawberry cream cake. You see now why I stick to cupcakes. Same great taste, but horrible decorating skills!

Life & Liberty

What a day! I noticed Dandy was chasing around Caramel which was my cue she was in labor. She's only at the start, so it'll probably happen in the middle of the night. While I was trying to get Caramel into the barn for safety, Brogan came up to me and I noticed he had gotten his hind leg wrapped up in barbed wire. Sigh. 

Here's the thing about highland fur, it tangles into stuff very easily. Add to that, Highlands and more than likely all cows, don't like you playing with their back legs. They can't see what you're doing and they're not able to defend themselves. It took some scissors, some patience and some luck, but we got it out!

To answer why we have barbed wire, we don't. It is buried everywhere underneath the ground here. Everytime we find some, we dispose of it, but sometimes the animals find it for us. Don't bury barbed wire people, it's a horrible thing to do. 

Tootsie the Cowdog

It took a long time to get Tootsie potty trained (our daily since we're always gone) so it had taken longer before I could introduce her to the livestock. Not that she hasn't already seen them, but that she was responsible enough now to work with them. How do I put this nicely? She's a natural and she showed Teddy Bear a things or two!

First were the goats. She calmly circled appropriately to guide them into their pen. Keep in mind, Teddy's first time, he kept running around them in circles. Then the donkeys. I told her to "leave them" and she immediately turned away and left them alone. Teddy, well it took him a kick in the face awhile back to finally learn that lesson. Lastly, the cows. This is always my biggest concern as both the cows and pups can easily spook each other if not handled properly. Well, most of the cows were laying down for their afternoon burping session (yes, this is what they do), and I sat down on the ground next to Coorie and after a little hesitation, Tootsie laid down next to me. 

Eventually, the pups will help guide the different animals to different pastures, but this is an excellent start! 

She was completely calm!

The Little Things

You know, spending most of the day at home and sending Rob out to get some groceries made the day. I needed the recharge time and the time to bake! Granted, I didn't do as much baking as I wanted to, but at least I got to try a new method. 

A friend of mine had sent a video about making chocolate cupcake molds to hold the cupcakes so everything is edible. While it was fun to test out, it requires so much chocolate and isn't an easy thing to eat. Your hands get sticky and again, it's a ton of chocolate. However, I might give some other things a try and see how it goes. Just have to have another day available!

For now, enjoy the sweet pics!

Around & Around

The first day of Rob's vacation wasn't very relaxing to me. My annual physical with the doctor to start the day in the Austin area. Dropping off a key in Brownwood for contractors to end the day. I'm making a hard stance that I'm not leaving my hometown tomorrow!

Of course, that means baking, cleaning and Keno with the girls! I'd prefer not to clean, but then I think everyone feels the same way. Unfortunately, even though we're never home it feels like, there's still chores to do. 

I did find out that there are home pregnancy tests for cows. Guess what I'll be shopping for next?

Deer at the lake

New Week, Who Dis?

It's Spring Break around here y'all! The bluebonnets are blooming, the clocks sprung forward, and the weather...well, the weather does what it wants around here. 

We took advantage of our free Saturday from plans to go and begin work on L.B. Wonderland. The name is a work in progress for the lakehouse, what do y'all think? Anyhow, I'm doing hints of Alice in Wonderland along with the chilling at the lake vibe. It's going to be awesome!

Today, I got to play with my cows and that made me so happy. I'm not well-versed on how to tell if your heifer is pregnant, but I'm thinking Maesie and Flora are. Again, I don't know other than Brogan used to pester them and now he's not. I'm thinking pestering for Brogan is like Rob teasing me about something. It's their way of flirting. 

Have a great start to the week everyone as I've got Rob off for the week for my enjoyment. 

Brogan yawning

A Better Place

This week, I lost a good friend of mine. She started feeling sick in late October and luckily, she didn't suffer for long. All her friends and family had time to say goodbye to her, to come to peace about losing her, and to remember what made her so special. 

Jan was one of the first to welcome me to our new hometown. Her and her sister actually adopted me as their sister. We shared wine, games, and special bonding moments together. Thanks to Jan, I met more friends and people who are now like family to me as well: her son and daughter, her granddaughters and, of course, our sister. She didn't have much, but she gave with all her heart. Monthly, she worked with her church building care packages for soldiers. Weekly, she reached out to her friends to check on them. Daily, she kept God in her heart. She's in a better place now and I'm thankful for that. 

Oh, Jan also has as big a sweet tooth as me. Have a sweet treat this weekend for her, ok?

At The Lake

I already shared the news on Facebook, but Rob and I closed on a lake house in Lake Brownwood today! We got a steal of a deal and we're going to put some more money into it to eventually get money out of it. It's going to be an AirBnb type place. 

Some details about it to whet your appetite. It's a two bedroom, one bath house with a lake inlet access. Huge yards, several additional buildings, and it's on a quiet street. We're going to change up the bedrooms some, totally redo the bathroom, and do a couple of other changes before renting. They've been in a drought for over two years, that's why we got the really good deal. So time for rain!

For those who don't know our pasts, this is really big for us. We've always lived simply so we could get to this point. But one thing we've learned is to live life while you can and that's just what we're doing!

When the lake is full, this will be our part

Peace

Today has been a difficult day. I'm losing a friend and trying to be strong for her family. It's a position I choose to take and I know it puzzles some people. A gift I've been given is to bring peace and I shared my gift today. I'm not looking for praise or anything, only sharing that if you have that gift, please use it when able. 

But also, if you have the ability to embarrass a teenager in front of the cute waiter, do it. No one said peace can't come with some thrills, too. The circle of life after all.

Silver Lining

Bright and Early this morning, I got a text from my doctor saying I had to go to the nearest LabCorp to get my blood drawn. If you may recall, we tried getting my blood in January and that didn't work. My veins just wouldn't cooperate. Well, according to them, they were understaffed and I had to go elsewhere, but I think it's because they didn't want to try with me again. 

Nevertheless, I dutifully went to the closest LabCorp. Which incidentally, is fifteen minutes further away than my doctor. After fasting though, I was going to get this done! I went in, and once she called me in, it was literally one stick and we had gold. Thank goodness! We shouldn't have had an issue, I drank enough water to cover a whale. 

The rest was a Monday. Easy come, easy go, but we live to fight another day. 

Cool clouds

Rob's Second Triumph

Today, Rob performed in his second acting gig, "The Messiah Inquest" and he did beautifully. He'll be onstage again in April where he's going to shine once more!

Once we were done with our commitments this afternoon, I got to spend some much needed time with my cows. They are enjoying all the new green stuff growing from the ground. They are also itching from shedding, so I'll have to make sure to give them some good brushing this week. 

It's another busy week for us, as always. More play rehearsals, doctor and dental appointments, and even some baking. Should be a fun week.