Iris's Blog

The Really Good with the Really Bad

2009-08-04T10:14:00.000-07:00

It's been while, i was cheating on my blog with Facebook........ We survived 107 Degree heat, went to the beach with Maggie, Rasa, Charlie, Brandon and Forrest with our 5 dogs for the 2009 30th Birthdays!, started to harvest my tomato's, squash, and cucumbers, had another horrible fight with my brother, got my much needed outside referral to OHSU to decide what to do about these damn implanted coils, helped Mom and Dad with their house as much as I could, and Forrest started a new home based business that were super excited about. And developed an ulcer in my stomach, It is all a finite balance and all I really want is good relationships with the people I love.

Crazy Storm Video Downtown Newberg, Oregon June 4, 2009

2009-06-05T13:35:00.000-07:00

This was the craziest storm I've ever witnessed in Oregon in my entire 29 years here. It was 80 degrees, I was outside with my friend Cindy's daughter saying 'hi' to the tabby alley cat next to the jewelry studio. The temperature dropped instantly to around 60 degrees outside, the sky grew yellow and black, and an amazing wind with strength that rivals the Columbia Gorge at it's best began to blow. Dust, Bark dust and leaves pelted my camera while I tried to take video. Cindy screamed at me to stay inside. Me?? Yeah right, I never miss the opportunity for a great storm session. Trees were bending, bowing, nearly touching the sidewalks and lawns with their limbs. A tree across the street at the bookstore snapped in half and landed on the awning.

The storm lasted all of about 2 hours. The winds brought the largest raindrops to follow it's act. I left the studio and headed home. The road was littered with heart shaped cottonwood tree foliage, dirt and dust. We had a few trees that fell. One Cottonwood snapped in two life a toothpick. It really was memorable and a testament to the strength of nature.

I am trying to upload the video short I took, hmmmm......I hope I can figure it out.

JEWELRY!!!!

2009-06-04T22:03:00.000-07:00

I've been trying to get some jewelry pieces done for the upcoming sale at Camp Cactus. Check out Jane's Blog in my favorites links to get the info on this local artist craft and art sale. My hands are sore but it was sure worth it. It feels good to get something accomplished and to get my minde off of everything going on in IrisLand.

Squared Sterling Silver with Brown Picture Jasper

Sterling Silver and Pink Swvarski Crystal

Sterling and Amber with Black-Eyed Susan Pendant

Congo and the Bandit, Cockers Take over NE Portland Home!!!

2009-06-04T10:29:00.001-07:00

This is Congo and Bandit. My parents dogs, my moms babies. Congo is the Black and White, or Party Mix Cocker and Bandit is the miniature St. Bernard. Congo just turned 12 years old!!! I raised him when I was 17. Bandit was really sick with a Thyroid condition for years. He was so miserable. Now that he is on thyroid medication he is a different dog. Happy, loving and overly enthusiastic, as any self respecting spaniel would be. Bandit is hilarious, Congo is too, less so since he went stone cold deaf in the last year. We still talk to him.

Family Dinner, Sun Play, & Flowers, ahhhhh

2009-06-04T10:18:00.000-07:00

Never can I pass up warm light sunset rays when I have a camera in hand. Forrest's Mom Stacey lives on Bull Mountain and has these amazing picture windows that look out onto the Oregon Coast Range and lets in the the most amazing light. I spend hours looking out through them when we watch her house. We were over for a belated 30th Birthday Dinner for my man. It was nice and calm. Great Copper River Salmon. mmmmm. Stacey's iris' were still in bloom and gorgeous.

Oh Riley!!

2009-06-04T09:57:00.001-07:00

This dog worked her way into our lives and hearts. She is one of the silliest dogs ever and talks to me all the time. She can be such a baby than turn and be so independent you can't break her concentration. Her instincts are very wild. Maybe she has Akita, Husky, or Malamute in her. She sure acts like a hard-headed snow dog. Someone told me a few days ago at a bbq that Riley looks like the healthiest homeless street dog they'd ever seen. A little rough around the edges, maybe.

Planting the Veggie Garden

2009-06-04T09:52:00.000-07:00

My friend Roxanne came over and helped me plant seeds last month. Rosie is really good at digging holes for me to plant things in, all I have to do is point where I want it and she digs it out. Pretty cool to have help with that. Good Dog.

My Saga Continues, FOUND: The Cause of My Horrendous Back and Side Pain

2009-05-27T11:46:00.000-07:00

SOOOOO...... I have been having horrible, piercing, persistent bi-lateral side pain since last fall. This March my back was so bad I was crawling, non-stop crying, and the symptoms have never fully resided. In February I went into urgent care with really bad side pains in what I thought may have been appendicitis. I was sent home with a diagnosis of chronic constipation, lovely, I know you all wanted to know that. That diagnosis is true enough, what they neglected to tell me was that I still have my Esssure implants in from my sterilization surgery nightmare and it is protruding 1-2millimeters out of my uterine lining. My primary care doctor told me this last week when I went in to have my back checked. As I have said before, I can take pain, even this extreme pain, I was resolved to live with it miserably for the rest of my life. I had surgery in June 2008 to remove the implants and my fallopian tubes. My surgeon felt it was the best option and wanted to be sure I didn't have anymore complications with the Essure Coil Implants. So why are they still in me, floating around, hanging partially out of my uterus causing me untolerable pain? It was such a tough decision to be sterilized, I wanted to have my own biological children with the man I love. We weren't willing to risk my life and Forrest and I made this decision with much thought and counseling. This is one of many complications with this procedure and my emotions emerge again every time something happens. I am scared, worried, and hurting. Surgery was the last thing on my mind, I have had my fill. I find out next week what I have to do, these implanted coils have to come out. Either by themselves, or with my uterus attached. This sucks!!!

Riley and Cassidy Playing Tuggy Rope

2009-05-27T11:42:00.000-07:00

Aren't they sweet........in all acutality, Cassidy would win this fight anytime, any place, she is one tough cookie. My wonder cat.

GIANT DOUG FIR, THEY DO EXIST

2009-05-27T11:38:00.000-07:00

Check out this GIANT Pseudotsuga mensiezii, or Douglas Fir, Our State Tree!!! This shot was taken in the Santiam River Valley, WOW!!!! It must have been 15 or more feet around!! 5.24.09

Rosie & Riley Birthday!!! Detroit Lake 5.17.09

2009-05-18T13:53:00.000-07:00

Forrest, myself, the dogs and our friend Jeff took our boat up to his family's cabin at Detroit Lake. It was a beautiful day and Rosie and Riley's Birthday!! Rose is 3 and Ri is 1. We went shooting with Jeff and his dad Pete and the puppies went swimming. Actually, Rosie coaxed Riley into the water but she caught on pretty fast. My Rosie is a WATER DAWG, you can't get her out for anything, she is in the middle of the lake before you even throw the ball!! Can't wait till the boat us up and running!

Anyone's Dog??!!

2009-05-13T15:13:00.000-07:00

Even out here in isolation the lost dogs find us. This sweet low rider is staying at the Newberg Animal Control, yes they actually take lost and stray dogs in out here in Yamhill County. Poor girl, I hope someone claims her.

My Body's Betrayal......................

2009-05-08T20:35:00.000-07:00

I decided that when Maggie nudged me into creating this blog that I wouldn't turn it into a poor me festival. Sticking to those guidelines has been easy, the tendency to cover up my issues and suck it all up has become second nature. My brain has plenty of time to think about how Ehlers-Danlos has effected my life and I don't have many people to talk to about it. So why then, when having so much to say about my special condition, am I afraid to write it down. Maybe sharing my torment could help someone else who is stuck in this syndrome or help another who cares for someone in my same predicament.

Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome. Hmmm...... Type III, Hypermobility type. That's me. Actually, there is a whole lot more to me than this disability. Reminders that EDS isn't my title, character, or societal definition takes serious commitment. Wrapping myself in a day of pain, the piercing pain in my sacrum. Every second is a bucket of pain, pills, and desperation. Telling Forrest that EDS has become my definition of myself, who i am, and where I am or not going. It's strange, the hurt has been so prevalent for so long that I never know what is really hurt, and it takes something crippling, popping, cracking, mis-aligning, searing, or stabbing to get my specific attention. Attention to details, that is more my game. The overall picture hurts undoubtedly and acknowledgment gives the pain power. So powerful that if not suppressed and ignored surely begets my disabilities definition of myself. I am pain, I am Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome Type III with fibromyalgia, scoliosis, and chronic myofascial pain syndrome. There has to me more.

The guy in the picture has extreme skin hyperextensity, I think I have seen him on TV in a freak circus. Yet again giving bad information for the world to misunderstand our situation. At least he is making a living at being EDS inflicted. We could all be so lucky.

Beautiful Wine Country Day!!

2009-05-08T20:30:00.000-07:00

I finally got my wonderful man to take a few hour break from his work and we headed up the hill to our family friend Laurel Hoods vineyard. Such a gorgeous day and the dogs got to know the "big dogs"(horses), better. This is such a great piece of property and we are super lucky to have access to it, they puppies know it by "you wanna go the farm?"!!!!!!!!!

Moment of Silence please... smile, I mean I am so sad

2009-04-28T22:02:00.000-07:00

THE ROOSTER HAS DISAPPEARED!!!!! Forrest and Gary think I hired the chicken mafia to take care of the nasty bird. Maybe I did, maybe I didn't. The bird was pecking, kicking and attacking me every time I strolled through the yard. Poor Roxanne got beat up by him every time she came over. Kick him, he came back for more. I played rooster and purse baseball, he was a bit stunned and came back at me meaner than before. Really, I don't know what happened to him, I am a bit concerned and would like to know what his fate really was.. No more ruffling my hens feathers. RIP.

Springtime in Dundee!!!

2009-04-28T21:58:00.000-07:00

Wow. This is the neighbors vineyard behind the Dundee Property. Caught just in time, they weeded it the next afternoon. Nothing beats a good cloud day!

Update : What is Going On??

2009-04-01T17:23:00.000-07:00

Spring is in full swing out here in Dundee. My daffodills are blooming, the iris' I planted are sprouting and are being persuaded to bloom in their first year. Spring Break has passed, Forrest went to Arizona to visit family and pick up some tools. He bought a truck to bring these tools home and broke down in the Mojave desert, he was towed to Barstow, CA where he was stuck for many days figuring out what to do. He has come home with some funny stories that you all can ask about in the future. Maggie, Rosie, Riley and I went to Lincoln City for 2 days. We stayed in the most awesome, frugal hotel ever!!! The Historic Anchor Inn. It reminded me of Ernie Hoods house in West Linn. Covered in kitchy antiques, a mounted bear's bust made of moss, and one of the coolest original retro bars I have ever seen. It is really affordable, takes big dogs, and they serve breakfast in the morning. You can find them listed on my links. We ran the dogs, Riley learned to swim by surprise, and Maglet taught me to felt, my new favorite hobby!!

My dad's cancer treatments are finally working and he gets to lay off a bit on the chemo. We are still waiting to see what is going to be the best route for him to take. It is looking hopeful. My mom and I want to get him better enough so they or we can all take a trip, maybe a Alaskan Cruise. Mom needs a vacation too, caregiving is tough work. I just wish she would quit smoking. I am trying really hard to quit, and can almost never resist when spending time with her. If she were to quit it would make it easier for me to spend more time at their house.

I have been continually throwing my back/right hip out this month. Pain like I hadn't experienced in years took over my body the week before my beach trip and is coming back today. I really don't know if I can take living with that sort of pain. I can take pain, I am a pain princess, but specific pains, yikes!! Poor Forrest didn't sleep his entire week of finals, he had to listen to me screaming and crying from the persistent, sharp pains, while he tried to help me and get some really needed rest. Sorry Baby. It is coming back and I am fighting it, taking it easy, allowing myself to take care of me. Sometimes I get so mad at myself, my body. I want so much from my life, but the Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome keeps getting in my way. I would give anything not to hurt anymore. Anything. Forrest's Mom is really trying to help me. She is a ND, and really good at what she does. Thankfullness for her isn't enough to describe all that she does for me.

Forrest has one term left and he will have his Associates Degree. He just found out that he is the first member of the Arriaga family to acutally have a college degree. Shocking to both of us, but really cool. He came home the other day with a life size poster of himself from PCC. Ever since he did the scholarship speech last year he has been the poster boy for donations and voting in favor of PCC bond measures. He has been working for Freightliner and was lucking enough to still have work, until the end of this week. Forrest is looking for work now, we really hope he can find employment in the industry he has been training so hard to enter into. We'll see.

That's the quick rundown, I gotta go heat pack my hip. Bleh.

Today is My 29th Birthday

2009-01-19T20:45:00.000-08:00

At 1:14pm 29 years ago my mother brought me into the world. You can still visit the building where my birth took place, though it has gone through major reconstruction. Bess Kaiser Hospital became an Adidas Sportswear Headquarters. 29 doesn't feel much different from the lower 28 years prior to 1:14pm today. Cruising faster towards 30 I battle the indecision of whether it is better to get older, or maybe best to grow younger. 30 years old. 30 years old means you are an adult, you have history, you have experience you wished and thought you had at 22. But 30 hasn't hit and the cover of blaming my indiscretions on being in my 20's has now, 364 days until expiration.

Noah's Awake & With Us!!

2009-01-19T20:41:00.000-08:00

Noah woke up the day after I posted the story of his accident. He is doing well and thankfully is acting quite like himself. He is talking, eating, but still in alot of pain. He has some Rehab to go through and is expected to make a full recovery. He is one lucky dude!!!

Noah Norton's Christmas Accident

2009-01-06T09:57:00.000-08:00

My dear young friend Noah was hit by a pick up truck on Christmas Evening as he walked home along the road he lives on from a friends house with his wife and our friend also, Roxanne. The truck didn't stop. Noah is currently in Emanuel ICU with a fractured skull, bruised brain, punctured lung, shattered shoulder blade, fractured knee & wrist, and he is still in a coma. His doctors are hopeful because he is only 20 and super strong that he will make it, and that is all we can hope for. Here's the link for short version of the story from oregon live.

http://www.oregonlive.com/news/index.ssf/2008/12/newberg_police_seek_pickup_in.html

Let's all send him good wishes for a speedy recovery. Noah is a kind, helpful, passionate, and enthusiastic person, these things happen to good people and I will never understand why.

Snow Storm of 2008!!

2009-01-05T22:50:00.000-08:00

The rooster ventured out during the first sunbreak we'd seen in days.

This is the view over my garden looking west over the filbert orchards during the snowstorm. We had at least 20" of snow, and almost an inch of freezing rain!!

Wiley Riley!!

2008-10-26T15:20:00.000-07:00

Riley is getting huge and fitting in great around here. Rosie is super protective of her and she's learning quick. She is a good dog.

Puppies, Puppies, Puppies!!

2008-10-26T15:04:00.000-07:00

There were 10, sorry to say we lost the smallest two. Poor babies. That makes 8 little furballs. They are so cute, and looking more doglike day by day. Their little eyes aren't even open yet.

The Puppies Are Here, Bella & Bowser are Parents!!

2008-10-21T14:44:00.000-07:00

I woke up this morning around 8:45am and the yard seemed quieter than normal. I went to let Riley & Rosie out and Bella wasn't there to give me her usual prompt good morning greeting at my door. A good nudge to my derier, and lick on the back of my knee, nor a smudge of dog drool on my leg. She begain to pace in circles and pant as if dehydrated. I walked into Gary's house and asked him if he was up and hardly waited for him to answer to tell him Bella was in Labor!! We set her up a birthing area in the storefront and forty minutes later at 11:45am she had her first pup. There are seven so far, my bet is on 8 puppies total. It is 3:30pm now. The puppies were coming at a steady pace of one every 23-25 minutes, the last one was birthed outside when I took Bella out for a potty break. She kept circling and we thought she had to go #2, boy were we wrong. #7 was born outside, if only we caught Bower's facial expression when he saw it. Funny. I was amazed that she picked up the puppy from the dirt and looked as me as if to say "Let's Go", and followed me directly back to her whelping room, new baby in tow. What a good mommy.

Look Who Found Us, Or is it the Other Way??

2008-09-18T13:47:00.000-07:00

Forrest was having drinks & pizza with some friends yesterday in the Woodlawn Park Neighborhood when a woman approached them and asked if this puppy was theirs. Well.......Forrest couldn't leave her and the Humane Society wouldn't take her because she had no tags. So.... she is now out in Dundee. We aren't sure if we are going to keep her. Because she was found a few blocks from the Humane Society I think she was abandoned. Rosie loves her, she gets to mother a puppy. We have named her Riley. She is really sweet, similar to Rosie in temeperment, except she isn't afraid of strangers thank goodness. I've posted her on Craigslist in Lost & Found. I know if it was Rosie lost I would be heartbroken. Hopefully they call, if not we may have a new addition to our Dundee Circus.

Yes, Another Litter of Kittens!!!!

2008-08-24T20:40:00.000-07:00

These babies were born a month and a bit ago. All Orange Tabby...... We hav homes for 4...... Anyone need a great mouser, Sassy's kittens are always smart and sweet too.....

Attack of the Pepper Squid!!!

2008-08-19T11:58:00.001-07:00

So if you can see what I see...................... there is a green pepper squid with a blackberry ink trail..... & a squash & zuchinni monster/octopus chasing it.....

Beach Time!!!!

2008-08-11T11:36:00.001-07:00

I snuck off to the Beach twice last week. Once with my niece, the other with Maggie, Marcus, & Rosie!!

Harvest!!

2008-08-11T11:22:00.000-07:00

Cabbage, Squash, Peppers, & Tomato's Oh My!!

The Garden is Finally on the Grow!!

2008-07-09T19:43:00.000-07:00

There has been much worry about this years growing season since our summer started so late, and we had such strange noteworthy weather this past winter. Our plants are starting to jump in major leaps in height. I am now very grateful for the quality of soil at my parents house. They've been cultivating it for 30 some years, I just started from Willamette Valley scratch. Read: Lots of clay. Since we live on a major highway, we are also collecting massive amounts of weed seed, the back of the garden in the picture is only 30 ft. from highway 99.

Forrest is getting tons of weeding experience in. He planted a "Native-American Garden". Corn, squash, peas, & beans all together. In theory, the corn grows up, the peas & beans climb the corn, and the squash keeps down the weeds. The seeds have sprouted but are having trouble as we have no irrigation ran out there. The idea is that we will have a great Fall Crop...... to be continued.

Early Summer 08 Update

2008-07-01T11:23:00.000-07:00

School is out for the summer. Forrest and I both got straight A's last year. It has been nice to have a break. I had minor surgery one week after finals. What a way to start the summer vacation. I am starting to feel as normal as I can and am ready to do some fishing and camping.

Because we've been in constant moving mode in the past years we haven't had the time for much fun. We need to make the time. We are going to take a week off and go to the Southern Oregon Coast with Forrest's Mom and her family in August. I can't wait. We really deserve a time out. Forrest for sure earned it for both of us.

Dad is having surgery to remove the tumor in his arm and replace it with some steel plates. Hopefully they can get most of the tumor out. That would be ideal. His counts are up so he has started another round of chemotherapy last week. He is also figuring out when he will begin to harvest stem-cells for transplant later this summer. We can hope for a cure, but mostly a remission seems possible for now. I guess anything is possible.

Signing off...... weeds to pull, chickens to feed.

Cheers.

Smoky The Kitten

2008-07-01T11:12:00.000-07:00

This is my super cute kitten Smoky. She is the really small black one in the previous kitten photos. She has been on some major adventures during her short life. Including being kidnapped!!! Forrest and I went on a rescue mission, her thief remains un-apologetic about it. Some people have no remorse I suppose no matter how their actions affect the people around them. Who steals people's pets?? Who does that? She is really sweet and crazy as any kitten. She licks and bites us, mainly our toes and fingers, and pines, mews, almost screams for wet food. You'd think we were killing her brother. She also likes to pretend to be a living scarf. Nice and warm necks in the winter!

Forrest's 29th B-Day Memorial Weekend May 2008

2008-06-02T21:41:00.000-07:00

Rosie & her Dad on the Oregon Coast near Waldport, OR. We had beautiful weather and Rosie sure loves the water and the ball, the ball & the water, ball, water, water, ball.......pant. pant. Good times.

I am Soooo Proud!!

2008-06-02T21:31:00.000-07:00

Forrest has worked his butt off the past two years and has received the recognition he really deserves. This is a picture I snuck while he was giving his speech. The bright flash was to help him uh.. concentrate. In all he has received 3 scholarships, given one speech to over 500 people, been in the Oregonian, in the Portland Community College school newspaper, on a video for scholarhsip fundraising on the PCC website, and finally his picture is in the new brochure for the diesel technolgy department at PCC. My guy is Famous!! Te He. I always thought he was cute enough anyway.

Dad and I Beachside in Lincoln City

2008-04-29T16:55:00.000-07:00

My dad and I took day trip to the Oregon Coast on the 24th of April. We stopped and saw the new Tillamook Foresty Center, wow. It was beautiful. I don't often get my Daddy just to myself. We were supposed to take pictures of all the damage to the timber the winter storms caused this year, but there wasn't any damage on Road 6. Disappointing and relieving all at once. We are planning on a real photo shoot adventure or 5 in the coming year. My dad gave me this POS (piece of !@#$) Holga camera that makes the weirdest spooky pictures. I can't wait to develop the film and see what happened! Yes, some of us still shoot real film! I love spending time with my POPS!

Life Update

2008-04-19T20:08:00.001-07:00

Things are moving along out here in wine country. Forrest has one more term of Diesel classes and he is an official certified Diesel Mechanic. He has to take some classes to complete the requirements for his AAS degree and will work on them while returning to work soon. I am so proud of him. He really worked hard. Though I wish we had more time together, I can't complain. He does it all so we can have the life we have dream of.

I am currently taking strides in earning my Landscape Design Certificate. It has been a struggle to return to college, but I am doing what I love which helps to lift the burden from my shoulders, mostly. I am working closely with Students with Disabilities, my instructors, and the head of my department. Everyone at Portland Community College wants me to succeed, and has been extremely helpful and understanding. It has been interesting continuing to teach others about Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, most people look at me and could never tell there was an issue. I don't want to have to be on disability my whole life. I would like to contribute as long as I can and hope that by finishing this program I can handle doing contract work from home. This will allow me to hopefully work at my own pace, take breaks as needed, and leave beautiful gardens as my legacy to the world when I am gone. I would really love to have a small rare plant nursery. That all depends on when we buy a chunk of land to homestead on.

My dad's illness has been hard to deal with. Multiple myeloma is a stupid, stupid cancer. He had blood tests this past week and the chemo and radiation are working. We just hope that he stays in remission when this round is over, as usually but not always, multiple myeloma is not cureable. I have never been so scared for either of my parents. My dad is doing most he can to eat better and get lots of exercise. It is a little rough when he has to take Dex, which is a potent steroid that happens on Fridays. Buzz Buzz. We are going to the coast this Thursday to take photo's of the damage caused to the coast mountain range during the strong wind storms this winter.

My mom has been making really cool silver clay jewelry and playing with her new kiln. The pieces she has made are really cool. I have been trying to make her do more. She really knows how to design nice things and has been collecting things from nature for inspiration. My momma has so many ideas.............................so little time!

Love to all.

IRIS

My Jewelry!!

2008-04-19T19:59:00.000-07:00

Now that we are stable in our living situation I have the time and space to create again.... Woo Hoo!!!

The Chickens Are at the UGLY Stage!

2008-04-18T14:03:00.000-07:00

Chickens are flying the coop to their new coop this weekend.

Oh.... SO CUTE!!!! Anyone Want A Kitten?

2008-04-18T13:05:00.000-07:00

The kittens are a month old and will be ready for adoption in about a month. We are keeping the Gray and Black tabby. The others are all orange tabby.. One long haired and two short to medium haired. All are great hunters with sweet personalities.

Forrest N Iris @ Someplace Else?

2008-04-13T15:21:00.000-07:00

Someplace Else, huh?? It is actually the name of our local tavern down the road. I get the strangest looks when i tell people I am at Someplace Else.

Cassidy Television

2008-04-13T15:15:00.000-07:00

WE FINALLY BROKE GROUND!!!!

2008-04-13T13:46:00.000-07:00

Forrest, Gary, and I got motivated and began to prepare the soil for our vegetable garden!!! I am so freakin' excited!!!! I can feel the my spine tingling! We have so much space..... need to plant anything? Gary moved the earth.... so much easier with Tractors. We are still working on the chicken coop which will be adjacent to the garage and garden.

When Family Visits..............................

2008-04-13T13:39:00.000-07:00

You learn their hidden talents.... Forrest's cousin Dustin demonstrates the ability to push a Q-Tip horizontally into his nasal passage!! We all can do it, if you really, really, needed to ever know that......

The Chickens are GROWING!!

2008-04-05T15:13:00.001-07:00

So Forrest built the girls and maybe boy a new habitat that glows all night long.

Rosie the Dog

2008-04-03T22:06:00.000-07:00

Princess Rosie & Forrest Snuggling.

We have Chickens!!

2008-04-03T21:40:00.000-07:00

Spring Has Sprung!!

My good friend Maggie made me move farther into the technological world today. May I present............ My blog!!! She pointed out that I have been pretty busy and that I am somewhat removed from my family & friends since heading to the hills. What better way to keep in touch and present the comings and goings, the fixings and breaking's', the makings and takings 'round here?

Now that Forrest, Rosie, and I are officially 'Country', it became necessary that we collect some barnyard animals......................We've talked of getting chickens for months. The time arrived. 12 in all. 4 each Buff Orpingtons, Rhode Island Reds, and Barred Rocks. I have never shared my living quarters with actual livestock. Forrest and I think we may have a mis-sexed bird. In other words a Rooster. If so, we may be eating chicken earlier than we planned.