ASPIRE4GRACE's Journal

Well, well, well, she still lives! LOL! Yes, I do!

I cannot believe that it's been a MONTH since I've been on! I serious cannot believe it! I've been SO BUSY around here that I don't have a chance to get anything done. I haven't been writing in my personal journal either. Nothing but work, work, work for a woman!

We've been working on the farm, aquiring many animals. We've grown to 19 goats (we had 20 but we lost our big boar buck to pneumonia). They all have distinct personalities, and require lots of attention from mommy. One of them doesn't have her mommy (I bought her away from her mom, because she was so sweet) and so I'm her mom. She follows me everywhere, and even sleeps in the bed, or on the couch sometimes. She requires lots of time, although I'm getting her more used to the idea that she's a goat and not a person. She still nuzzles in my neck when I pick her up, so the bond isn't broken for sure. But she's so cute!

We also have poultry numbering around 80 now. Including 9 turkeys, baby bantams, baby polish cresteds, pre-teen and teen sex links, and teen barred rocks, rhode island reds, white leghorns, and black australorps. (Yes, there really are LOTS more breeds than just "chickens" and we only have about 3% of the breeds.) We've been busy building extra coops for all my guys, and we're no where done yet. My ideas keep getting bigger and bigger.

We've also obtained two pyrenees puppies, so our dog family now is 4. The pyrenees stay with the goats and will watch and guard them. We need them to protect the goats, so they'll earn their keep. Also got another kitten for mousing (even though it's currently living in the house because I can't seem to break away from those cute babies) so now our current number of cats on the farm totals six. Yes, six! Two inside, and four outside, even though only one actually stays outside all of the time right now. I'm trying to get the three kittens moved outside, but they managed to actually get in through the space between the frame and the window unit. They're bound and determined to stay in the house with their mommy. It's so funny to fall asleep with kittens outside and wake up with a purring kitten at your feet. Left me stumped that morning for sure. Couldn't figure out HOW IN THE WORLD they got into the house until we put them back out and SAW them scratching their way back in. Hilarious! What can I say, I'm loveable! (I'm so humble...)

But it's good for me. I have a real pressing need to make myself get up in the mornings and stay moving all day long. The animals need me and they can't come to me, I have to go to them. So I'm actually feeling BETTER! I woke up this morning for the first time in about a week, and didn't have any pain. It's great! So I know I can do this, but it's going to require me to continue to push myself. But this has been a goal of mine for a long time, and I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE it out there. I can just sit and watch my animals and listen to them talk. It's the most relaxing thing in the world, I kid you not! I can feed my chickens at my feet and I'm at true peace knowing God has finally given me what my heart has longed for my entire life!

So I know I haven't been around, but please know it's not anything that anybody has done. (AND EVERYONE WHO POSTED ON MY LAST JOURNAL ENTRY ASKING IF IT IS WAS THEM THAT HAD DONE SOMETHING THAT MADE ME MAD AT THEM...NO! No one who posted replies is in that group!) I've just been busy getting things done around here (FINALLY!) and I'm happy guys, I really am. And I have my days when I hurt terribly, but overall, I'm doing better! I feel younger, happier, and more fulfilled. So please don't worry about me. I'm feeling great!

I hope everyone is feeling well. I wish I had the time to message each of you, but I slept late today, and I've GOT to get out to the animals, and get them taken care of. Then I've got to start on the house as well. Chores keep calling my name! LOL! But I pray that all of you are feeling well, and that the weather isn't being to hard on you. If you want to feel good, move to Texas. It's been about 98 degrees the last two weeks, and well, that's good on the joints. I've had a few bad days, but nothing too bad.

I love you all, please know this! You are all a great family and I DO miss you all very much. The fact that you are all here for me when I'm able to come back is proof to that point, and that you still love me despite me disappearing. I can't thank you all enough for still caring for me! It means the world to me that I'm still loved, and missed so much even though I'm not here. I wish I had the time that I used to, to be able to monitor the boards and talk, but I just don't.

Love to everyone and kisses and gentle hugs! I don't know when I'll be back, but I'll try to not let it be so long! BFN!!