Where'd my "widget" go?

I have a little widget, on top of my sidebar, that is supposed to count down the days until my blog's anniversary.  I know it was getting down to the wire and then the stupid thing stopped functioning!  I was afraid that I'd missed my own "Blogiversary".  Fortunately, through Blogger, I am able to go back to my very first post (that wasn't even actually published ~ it was just me 'testing the waters') and see that the date was actually Feb. 19, 2006.  So I still have a couple of days.  Which is a good thing as I want to do something special for that blog post.  Not sure just what it will be yet, but I want it to be special.

Watch:  the pressure of having just said that will make me not post at all...

The above photo was the original photo used on my blog.  It is one of my all-time-favorite photos.  It shows Alice, as a yearling, napping by the big tree in my pasture.  That tree was the centerpiece in many photographs that I took of my sheep over the years.  Even today, the two remaining sheep on my property, Kahlua and Tia Maria, have chosen the base of that tree as their favorite place to relax.

I'm heading outside now.  I want to take a BUNCH of pictures of the sheep and the dogs for another post.  Perhaps I'll sit with the sheep for a while and ponder what I want to do for my Blogiversary post...

Wishing you all a Spendiferous Day!

A Love Story Part 2 ~ It was a HAPPY Day!

Alice here. 

I just want to set the record straight.

Mom's visit with us on Thursday was a HAPPY occasion. 

 Not sad.

Oh sure, Dream had to have her little hissy fit at first, but we were all very happy to see mom again.

You all remember what a prima donna Dream can be!

Why she'd pin her ears if Mom so much as looked at another sheep!

Poor Zaria and I are the ones who were feeling neglected!

Observe Dream's ears in the following picture...

And then she acts all sweet and innocent!

She sure has Mom fooled though!

I guess they do have a special bond...

DREAM says...

"Yes we DO have a special bond and I feel MUCH better now that Mom is feeling strong enough to come see me!  I didn't realize how sick she'd been.  Things are good now cuz Mom said she's going to come visit me three times this week!  Stay strong Mom!"

She knew...

Today was the day. 

 I had called my friend, Jean, yesterdday  and asked asked her to pick up Alice and Dream and Zaria before I went into the hospital.  I'll be away from home for around three weeks so figured that this would be  the best time to make the move. 

I tried to take lots of pictures. 

 I don't know why the color is so strange in some of them and others are blurry.



Zaria was the first to come up and get a halter on.

She's usually the hardest to catch!

Next was my beautiful Dreamer

Although not thrilled with the idea, we had already had a long talk about today and she behaved like a proper lady.

In fact, I think she's rather fond of her new Daddy!

And then, there was Alice.

Alice was NOT happy.

In fact, she refused to walk with her halter on.

Her son "Tangeray" tried to console her.

In fact, Jean is so sweet that she said she'll take Tangueray too!

But it didn't make any difference...

Alice wasn't budging.

Even when Jean carried Tangueray to the truck and Dream and Zaria walked out front and waited for her,

My Lady wouldn't move!

DREAM says...

"She knew."

When One Door Closes...

Another one always opens.

Does it break my heart to sell  my beautiful flock of Shetland sheep?

You BET it does!

Is it easy for me to leave my beautiful valley and give up the lifestyle and the animals that I've grown to love and have given me such joy over the years?

Hell no!

("Bluff Country Destiny" and four of her offspring)

Many of my sheep have spent their whole lives here.  It tears my heart out to think about sending them on to new homes.

The one thing that makes it bearable is the knowledge that my girls are all going to be with sheep they've grown up with.  My ewes are going in three main groups.  So, no one will be the 'lone newcomer' in a flock.  Some are rejoining others that left last year or the year before, but all will be with other Bluff Country Shetlands.

Best of all...

Dream,

Zaria

and Alice...

Will all be together and CLOSE by because my dear friend, Jean, has purchased all three of them so that they remain together and I will be able to visit them as often as I want!  I don't think I could have done this otherwise!

SO...

My house/farm is for sale.  My flock is all but sold.  I'm actually looking forward  to moving back into town and being close to my kids and grand kids again!  I'm going to go watch baseball games, and track meets and karate practice ~ not to mention daily walks with my handsome son and beautiful Princesss!  I can't imagine what it will be like to not have to work my butt off, from the time I get up in the morning, until I fall asleep, exhausted, at night.  But I'm gonna find out!

DREAM says:

"Mom's wonderful sister, Penny, has been SO much help in taking care of Mom and of us, while Mom was sick.  Now, she's putting on a fund raiser to help Mom get money to help pay for fixing up the house and moving!  Since Mom was sick, she didn't qualify for unemployment and things are mighty tight around here!  If you like Pampered Chef (what ever THAT is!) stuff, check out this link:   BLUFF COUNTRY FUNDRAISER .  If that link doesn't work, try this:  http://www.pamperedchef.biz/goodcooking4u?page=host-search-results&showId=3150795

Bluff Country Shetlands is the 'organization' and Mom gets 25% (cash) of all sales!  If someone would like to donate, but doesn't want to buy anything, they can send cash donations to:

Bluff Country Fundraiser

Nancy Krohn

 %Eastwood Bank 

 108 E Cedar St,

 Houston, MN 55943

In memo please put Bluff Country fundraiser

"Mom feels kind of silly posting a link to a fundraiser for herself, but Penny said that Mom should "Just shut up and do it!"

The link will also be in the sidebar of this blog...



Alice Watch ~ Final Countdown?

Destiny & Alice

Destiny is Alice's daughter. 

They both had triplets last year.

I have a dentist appointment this morning.

Physical therapy this afternoon.

So just a quick post ~ to keep you posted!

Random Ramblings...

Last weekend it was 80 degrees and we had tornadoes. 

Today, it is snowing. 

But there will be NO PICTURES  of that.

It is Spring.

The grass is slowly  turning green.

Speaking of slow...

The "Alice Watch" is under way.

It's been so warm that some of the girls are starting to roo!

Dream actually seemed to enjoy me gently 'plucking' the loose wool from her back and shoulder.

Everyone's just hanging out.

Relaxing.

And getting fat.

I start Physical Therapy on Monday.

I'm NOT looking forward to that!

I need to sell the Piggles.

Has anyone ever had a "Stereotactic-guided Core Needle  (breast) Biopsy"?  It appears that I need to have one.  I'm not as concerned about the actual procedure as I am about discomfort afterwards.  The material the doctor sent me home with makes it sound like I'm going to be pretty sore for up to several weeks! 

Like I haven't had enough pain already...

DREAM says...

"We'll get you through it, Mom."

You always do, Dreamer. 

You always do.

"ALICE WATCH" 2011



DREAM says...

"So, what's the point?"

The point is, my Dear Dreamer, Alice ~ who gave me triplets last year, unlike you who gave me NO lambs ~ is clearly getting ready to lamb again.  I'd say in another week or so...

"Show off!"

 ~

Don't forget to keep up with the latest news from all your favorite farm blogs!  Check out this week's FARM FRIENDS FRIDAY at Verde Farms...