Take two

By now everyone knows I love animals. I mentioned we were going to get a puppy - a guardian dog - and since they keep out predators, we thought it would be a good idea to have a barn cat, so he wouldn't chase cats in the future.

I got home on Saturday. On Saturday night Mae called and said someone had just dumped four kittens in her neighbors yard. When she told me two of them were white, I told her I'd take them both. I love little white kittens, and I thought maybe two wouldn't be so scared.












I've named them Sammy and Sassy. Sassy got her name because at first she hissed at me every time I walked into the room.
Sammy's just a cute name.

Right now they are in the laundry room, waiting for the puppy to arrive. They aren't more than four weeks old.

It's been four days since I got them. They are so tame now, they think I'm their mother. Sassy is now very calm and just likes to lie in my lap and get rubbed.

Sammy climbs my leg and meows constantly, I think he wants me to give him milk. I made them some kitten milk replacement and am giving them that since they are so little.

Dogwoods in bloom

I love the trees here in spring. This is our creek just out back near the goat pen. The bullfrogs are really loud already, it's such a cool sound. There are three dogwoods all in bloom by the pond and one in the front yard. I missed the cherry blossoms blooming but Dogwood is almost as nice.

You know it's spring when...

Robins are nesting. That's a sure sign of spring. I have a couple on my back porch who have nested just outside the door, I can watch Mr. and Mrs. Robin both feeding, sometimes at the same time, all while sitting on my couch. I took this photo literally 4 inches away. They are right at eye level. I hope I get to see them learn to fly.












I did upset them a bit when I took this picture, they must have heard my camera tweeting because they immediately jumped up and started calling for Ma.

Wow! What a Surprise!!

First, the floor fell out from under us. Then the elevator dropped, two, maybe three floors. It was an awesome feeling - and I couldn't stop myself from laughing, even outloud.

We've never been to California Adventure, the newest Disneyland park here in California, and when we first arrived we thought it was really small. We were somehow stuck in Hollywood Studios, where we found the Twilight Zone Haunted Hotel. So far that's my favorite ride, especially the part with the falling elevator.

Another fun thing we found was Soarin' - where we flew suspended over the California Coastline, feet dangling. It even smelled good, wind blowing in our hair.

Soon we found ourselves a Park map, escaped and headed toward the coasters. Lots of fun stuff there. Some wet stuff, too. Of course, I got soaking wet on the log ride, as I always do. I don't know why I get on those rides, I don't even like water. And I usually end up the wettest - how does that happen? At least I managed to get a hot hazelnut mocha afterward, although I stayed wet until I got home.

There were other great rides, but we ended our short day with the big Roller Coater, Screamin'. I didn't scream, but I did laugh again, though mostly on the inside, since I had no breath to do it out loud. What a rush! Feet and rears suspended in air - I loved it. Possibly the best coaster I have ever ridden.

Thanks to Stevie and Annie and Michelle and William, we had these free tickets. I was so surprised how nice it was, and I want to go back again, soon. Thanks kids for a great afternoon!

Another consideration

Having all these goats is great, but since they don't know how to defend themselves against neighborhood pitbulls or coyotes, most goat farmers have guardian dogs.

I met a goat farmer north of Nashville who has a large goat herd. Her guardian dogs had puppies recently and so I am considering one of hers. I like this one because it's a cross between the two best guardian dog types - a Great Pyrenees and an Anatolia.

This is the puppy I am considering. He wouldn't be a pet, more like he'd become another goat, since these dogs live with the herd 24/7 and are nocturnal. They don't get lonely for other dogs, because they bond with the herd. They're really amazing and a necessity for keeping our little kids safe.

These dogs grow quickly and become barking watch dogs in just four months. If Amanda likes the idea of having him, then I'll pick him up in May. If we get this dog, we'll name him Yogi. What do you all think about this dog, or the name?

Another day at the office

I love my job.

I work hard - honest I do. I just happen to do it in my pajamas.

Farewell for now

The first thing I thought about this morning was, Michelle and William are still asleep. I should put the water on to boil.

Of course, I knew they weren't here, but you know how habits form in just a short time?

Michelle and William have gone home. I knew their bedroom was empty but I still had to go look. It was so nice having them, even though they were busy the entire time, just knowing they were asleep in the next room was somehow pleasant. Our mornings and evenings have been so pleasant.

So now it's solitary. No more Game Cube noises. No more morning pancakes. At least Dad likes the House reruns. But, who is going to watch Lost with me, or talk about underwear? I sure do love my kids.

Happy Easter

From the Coleman, Connelly and Minnis families

I'm just sayin'

Seven in one week

The last two females had their kids today - on the coldest, wettest, windiest day possible. It rained, sleeted and snowed. Amanda has been out in all of it.

Angel had twin boys (the two light headed ones in this photo).














Leia had a boy and a girl, both a little small.

Leia is a terrible mother and would not nurse her babies. They are going to have to be bottle fed, which we have a friend there taking over that duty (who has 60+ goats of his own). But the good news is that they are all really cute. I will bring them home in a couple of weeks when I get there.













Angel's two boys will be named Amos (in honor of a request by Neuhauser) and Andy (I know we have already used that second name once, but it won't matter they will never meet - Steve really wanted to use it).

Leia's kids are named Anakin for the boy (couldn't resist that) and Ahlia for the girl.

Tahoe's Baby has a name

Ok, we've decided. Not only on a name, but a naming convention.

When we raised guide dogs, the Society named its litters according to letters of the alphabet. This made it easy to figure out what year an animal was born.

We are going to borrow that from Guide Dogs of America. Since 2009 is our first year, all animals born this year will start with letter A.

So we have for Kyla's babies - Adam and Addie.

And for Tahoe's baby, the first one this year, we'll go with Ava. It's a nice, easy name we all seem to like.

Meet Ava. Born Monday, March 30, 2009.

We have twins!!

This our next batch of babies - twins from Kyla. Their names are Adam and Addie - born Saturday morning.














At least Kyla is happy.

I still haven't decided a name for Tahoe's baby.

So Cuddly

Meet the newest member of our family. This is the new kid born on Monday morning. We haven't named her yet, but Ethan is doing his part to make her tame.

The mother's name is Tahoe. If anyone has any babyname suggestions for this one, I am open to considering. I have to figure out some naming convention that makes sense, to keep track of mothers, babies and birth years.












I am not getting to be there for this, Amanda is playing nursemaid to them, and awaiting the arrival of babies to the other three mamas.

Maybe we'll get a set of twins out of one of them.