Wendy, Jackie, Casey, Sue, Jennie, Beth and I just got back from the Puyallup Fairgrounds where we worked for two hours bagging meals for Feed My Starving Children, a non-profit Christian organization. Wendy, Casey and Sue did it last year and told us about it this year, so we pitched in.
What an amazing, warp-speed two hours. We gathered around tables in groups. Each had a specific job: measuring out veggies, soy and rice, weighing each combined bag carefully, sealing it, loading it into boxes. Each box held 36 bags; each bag held six meals.
There were probably ten tables in the place and around 100 volunteers all told. In just two hours we filled 244 boxes.
36x6=3,888 meals per box
3888x244=948,672 meals packed in two hours.
They say that's enough to feed 625 children for a solid year.
And we were just the final two-hour shift in the two-day event. The emcee said 1000 people had turned out to volunteer, so multiplying what our 100-person shift did by ten, that's 6,250 kids fed for an entire year.
These events are held once a year in multiple areas around the country. If you'd like to find out if one will be held near you so you can volunteer, or more about the organization--or if you'd like to donate money to buy the food that the volunteers bag up for children--visit the link below. You'll be glad you did!
http://www.fmsc.org/
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Saturday, February 26, 2011
Friday, February 25, 2011
$50 More Came in for My Goats!
*sigh* Another $50 came in for Laverne and Shirley's fence. Debbie Hirneisen from NY sent it over via Paypal. Thank you, Debbie! I have the best friends on the planet--and some of them I haven't even MET yet in person. (Debbie is one of them.)
The Canadian soldier who's serving in Afghanistan is sending money, too. (I've never met him or his wife, either.) It's on the way. Wish I could mention his name but unless he gives me permission, I won't. THANKS, dear, dear man!!!
My birthday is what--next Saturday? Already? Is March 5th next Saturday? I just looked. Yes, it is. Gadzoooks!
I'm putting everything I get in my Laverne and Shirley envelope. The weekend following my birthday I HOPE to have enough $$$ to be able to buy 8 or 10 panels and some fence posts. That's a big enough load to be able to ask a friend to do the initial delivery for us. We can't ask him often, so we have to ask when we have enough $$ to make it worth a trip from Yelm or Roy to Puyallup (a 20 mile trip) in a big rig.
I can't wait to get out there and expand my goats' territory! I will feel like such a good mom-goat...
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
The Canadian soldier who's serving in Afghanistan is sending money, too. (I've never met him or his wife, either.) It's on the way. Wish I could mention his name but unless he gives me permission, I won't. THANKS, dear, dear man!!!
My birthday is what--next Saturday? Already? Is March 5th next Saturday? I just looked. Yes, it is. Gadzoooks!
I'm putting everything I get in my Laverne and Shirley envelope. The weekend following my birthday I HOPE to have enough $$$ to be able to buy 8 or 10 panels and some fence posts. That's a big enough load to be able to ask a friend to do the initial delivery for us. We can't ask him often, so we have to ask when we have enough $$ to make it worth a trip from Yelm or Roy to Puyallup (a 20 mile trip) in a big rig.
I can't wait to get out there and expand my goats' territory! I will feel like such a good mom-goat...
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
OK, It Seems Our Side is Losing Again....
It seems that every time I try to dial back on the political topics, something comes up that so enrages me that I can't just let it go. Right now it's what's happening in Wisconsin.
I don't know if people are just not paying attention or what, but if the unions gets their butts handed to them, every other working class American, whether union or not, it going to be impacted negatively.
I know unions have had their share of controversial tactics and leaders but, for the most part, they really are in it for all the right reasons: to protect working-class Americans from being trampled on by businesses that use them to produce goods and services.
It was unions who won us the 40 hour work week, that got kids out of coal mines and clothes factories. It was unions who spearheaded things like the Family Medical Leave Act so that working class families could take time off to care for dying or newly-born loved ones without risking losing their jobs.
It should be obvious, given the faux phone conversation between Gov Walker and "David Koch" that the Republican Governor is trying to break the back of the unions. If unions are emasculated, all ten of the top-most contributors to political campaigns will be held by GOP and far-right folks. I don't know about you, but that scares the hell out of me.
I am just livid that right-wing talking heads are calling protesters names that have no bearing in reality, and that Gov Walker refuses to re-think the issue.
I am also livid that MY President, Barack Obama, who promised to march with unions, has offered just one anemic statement of support--and that was over a week ago, long before the Walker/"Koch" conversation took place. It's getting harder and harder for me to stand up for him when he seems to determined to feint to the right whenever citizens on "our" side need help.
I'm beginning to lose faith in politics and politicians entirely. That would suck. I felt that way from 1973 to 2006. (Had I known then about Clinton what I know now, I would have gotten involved again when he was running for President, despite Monica Lewinski, but I had long since bailed on politics before he ever came on the scene.) I don't want to feel that way again.
If we don't start standing up for ourselves, we're going to fall down HARD.. and there will be no one in power to help us back up. It'll take a revolution like the one in Egypt to recover, if we go down this road.
And it looks like the GOP is determined to take us there.
I don't know if people are just not paying attention or what, but if the unions gets their butts handed to them, every other working class American, whether union or not, it going to be impacted negatively.
I know unions have had their share of controversial tactics and leaders but, for the most part, they really are in it for all the right reasons: to protect working-class Americans from being trampled on by businesses that use them to produce goods and services.
It was unions who won us the 40 hour work week, that got kids out of coal mines and clothes factories. It was unions who spearheaded things like the Family Medical Leave Act so that working class families could take time off to care for dying or newly-born loved ones without risking losing their jobs.
It should be obvious, given the faux phone conversation between Gov Walker and "David Koch" that the Republican Governor is trying to break the back of the unions. If unions are emasculated, all ten of the top-most contributors to political campaigns will be held by GOP and far-right folks. I don't know about you, but that scares the hell out of me.
I am just livid that right-wing talking heads are calling protesters names that have no bearing in reality, and that Gov Walker refuses to re-think the issue.
I am also livid that MY President, Barack Obama, who promised to march with unions, has offered just one anemic statement of support--and that was over a week ago, long before the Walker/"Koch" conversation took place. It's getting harder and harder for me to stand up for him when he seems to determined to feint to the right whenever citizens on "our" side need help.
I'm beginning to lose faith in politics and politicians entirely. That would suck. I felt that way from 1973 to 2006. (Had I known then about Clinton what I know now, I would have gotten involved again when he was running for President, despite Monica Lewinski, but I had long since bailed on politics before he ever came on the scene.) I don't want to feel that way again.
If we don't start standing up for ourselves, we're going to fall down HARD.. and there will be no one in power to help us back up. It'll take a revolution like the one in Egypt to recover, if we go down this road.
And it looks like the GOP is determined to take us there.
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Reunion this Spring or Summer
My Facebook and blog notes about Val's visit have caused a cascade of comments. Fun, fun, fun! As a result, several gals who graduated from high school with Val and me will be coming to my back yard later this spring or summer to get a first-hand look at the goats and have a potluck! I'm so excited I can hardly think straight!
Valerie and her three boys, Susan Rossetti, Roxanne (Badda) Snow, Liz Cox, and who knows who else... the more, the merrier, as far as I'm concerned! It's gonna be a hoot, I do know that!
The goat fence will be at least partly up by then--however much Jackie and I will be able to afford by then. I hope we'll have at least ten 16' panels by mid-March. They cost about $42 each (tax included). I think eventually we'll need three times that many, so this fence is going to be a two-year project unless I make more money this year than I did last. The panels are movable; we can move the goats to the areas we need them to chew down as needed, so that's good.
We got the goats to keep the blackberry bushes on the perimeter of our property (actually, on other peoples' property) from encroaching onto our lawn and garden. I hacked them back the first year we were here (it took all spring and summer, about two hours a day), but they're pernicious and Jackie and I don't want to poison them or continue to fight them, so that's when we thought about getting goats. If two goats won't be sufficient, we'll get more. This first year will be an experiment, to see how much they'll eat all spring, summer and fall.
The grand nieces want us to get some pygmy goats, but they probably won't eat enough and they're expensive--several hundred dollars each. Laverne and Shirley were just $95 each and we love their temperaments, so we'll probably stick with Boers and Boer crosses. (I think Laverne is part Kalahari goat. She looks just like one.)
A neighbor who says he wants to borrow the goats a week or so each year says he'll help us buy some panels, so we'll have him buy however many panels and posts it will take to fence them in on his property (I'm guessing four to six) and he can transport the panels in his dump truck when he wants the goats on his property.
I need to measure and inspect the area he wants to fence. He says it's a rockery/waterfall display of some sort that gets overrun with weeds and plants he doesn't want or like so I have to be sure there's nothing toxic to goats growing there before I agree to the deal...
Mom-goats don't let their kids go just anywhere, you know!
Valerie and her three boys, Susan Rossetti, Roxanne (Badda) Snow, Liz Cox, and who knows who else... the more, the merrier, as far as I'm concerned! It's gonna be a hoot, I do know that!
The goat fence will be at least partly up by then--however much Jackie and I will be able to afford by then. I hope we'll have at least ten 16' panels by mid-March. They cost about $42 each (tax included). I think eventually we'll need three times that many, so this fence is going to be a two-year project unless I make more money this year than I did last. The panels are movable; we can move the goats to the areas we need them to chew down as needed, so that's good.
We got the goats to keep the blackberry bushes on the perimeter of our property (actually, on other peoples' property) from encroaching onto our lawn and garden. I hacked them back the first year we were here (it took all spring and summer, about two hours a day), but they're pernicious and Jackie and I don't want to poison them or continue to fight them, so that's when we thought about getting goats. If two goats won't be sufficient, we'll get more. This first year will be an experiment, to see how much they'll eat all spring, summer and fall.
The grand nieces want us to get some pygmy goats, but they probably won't eat enough and they're expensive--several hundred dollars each. Laverne and Shirley were just $95 each and we love their temperaments, so we'll probably stick with Boers and Boer crosses. (I think Laverne is part Kalahari goat. She looks just like one.)
A neighbor who says he wants to borrow the goats a week or so each year says he'll help us buy some panels, so we'll have him buy however many panels and posts it will take to fence them in on his property (I'm guessing four to six) and he can transport the panels in his dump truck when he wants the goats on his property.
I need to measure and inspect the area he wants to fence. He says it's a rockery/waterfall display of some sort that gets overrun with weeds and plants he doesn't want or like so I have to be sure there's nothing toxic to goats growing there before I agree to the deal...
Mom-goats don't let their kids go just anywhere, you know!
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Weird Weather! My Birthday is Ten Days Away. I Want $$$ for My Goats
"If you don't like the weather in Washington state, wait fifteen minutes. It'll change."
The day was half-filled with serious snow flurries and half-filled with sunshine. Very, very cold. I had to cancel a lunch date because the snow was coming down so hard at one point that I thought I might not get back if I went out. A half hour later, the snow was gone and the sun was out.
Grrrr....
I was supposed to watch kids tonight at church for two hours, but the weather forecast predicts a lot of snow so the presenter cancelled. It'll be rescheduled.
My 6oth birthday is ten days away (March 5th). I want money to build a goat fence. That's all. I've told everybody.
No one has ever had to spring for a wedding or house-warming gift for me. I've never thrown myself a birthday party or asked for anything. Now I'm asking.
I want money for my goats for my 60th birthday. That's all. Until they have a proper fence, I am not going to be a happy camper. I want to get it going. It's driving me crazy.
So... that's it.
When I got baptized, I asked for baptism cards from my family. Got nothing. (Zip. Zero. Nada.) It upset me. They didn't consider my baptism as big a deal as I did. In fact, it probably terrified them to think I had "found religion." (I found a relationship with Jesus, not a religion. It's a quiet thing. I'm not an evangelist.)
They're not goat people, either, so I doubt if they have really heard me. I'm just hoping. I hope they did. When they asked, that's what I said. They looked at me like I had a screw loose. (Probably do, but when I acquire pets, my focus is on taking great care of them. After the fence goes in, they'll have everything they need that takes a chunk of money to get.)
I figure 60 is a milestone natal day and as good a time as any to ask for something a little bit out of the ordinary. So I asked.
We'll see what happens...
If you want to help, you can send a gift of cash to me via Paypal or snail mail. If you don't know the particulars, email me at kristine m smith AT msn DOT com (all one word) and put in the subject line BUCKS FOR YOUR DOES and I'll give you the information you need.
As mentioned earlier, I will attach a sign (or signs) to each section of the fence with the names of anyone who contributes. I want to show permanent appreciation to all who help me realize my goal for my goats.
THANKS!
The day was half-filled with serious snow flurries and half-filled with sunshine. Very, very cold. I had to cancel a lunch date because the snow was coming down so hard at one point that I thought I might not get back if I went out. A half hour later, the snow was gone and the sun was out.
Grrrr....
I was supposed to watch kids tonight at church for two hours, but the weather forecast predicts a lot of snow so the presenter cancelled. It'll be rescheduled.
<<<<<<<<<< >>>>>>>>>>
My 6oth birthday is ten days away (March 5th). I want money to build a goat fence. That's all. I've told everybody.
No one has ever had to spring for a wedding or house-warming gift for me. I've never thrown myself a birthday party or asked for anything. Now I'm asking.
I want money for my goats for my 60th birthday. That's all. Until they have a proper fence, I am not going to be a happy camper. I want to get it going. It's driving me crazy.
So... that's it.
When I got baptized, I asked for baptism cards from my family. Got nothing. (Zip. Zero. Nada.) It upset me. They didn't consider my baptism as big a deal as I did. In fact, it probably terrified them to think I had "found religion." (I found a relationship with Jesus, not a religion. It's a quiet thing. I'm not an evangelist.)
They're not goat people, either, so I doubt if they have really heard me. I'm just hoping. I hope they did. When they asked, that's what I said. They looked at me like I had a screw loose. (Probably do, but when I acquire pets, my focus is on taking great care of them. After the fence goes in, they'll have everything they need that takes a chunk of money to get.)
I figure 60 is a milestone natal day and as good a time as any to ask for something a little bit out of the ordinary. So I asked.
We'll see what happens...
If you want to help, you can send a gift of cash to me via Paypal or snail mail. If you don't know the particulars, email me at kristine m smith AT msn DOT com (all one word) and put in the subject line BUCKS FOR YOUR DOES and I'll give you the information you need.
As mentioned earlier, I will attach a sign (or signs) to each section of the fence with the names of anyone who contributes. I want to show permanent appreciation to all who help me realize my goal for my goats.
THANKS!
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Junior, High School Chum and I Reconnected Today
Today Valerie (Chase) Barrett drove down from Seattle with her three boys to meet and walk the goats and have an outdoor weenie roast -- although I was advised not to call what we cooked "weenies" in front of the boys. (It's not easy changing one's vernacular when one is used to having all girl children around, but I managed.)
It was frigid outside. I don't think the temperature lifted above 43 degrees and it was quite windy, so that brought the temperature down to "freezin' our buns off" COLD! Only we "old folks" noticed or cared. Her kids were so busy running around with my "kids" (BAAAA!) that they peeled their jackets off after a while as Val and I just shook our heads and shuddered at the idea...
I kept looking at Val and thinking, "No way can she be almost 60." I wonder if she thought the same thing about me. Hope so!!!
It blew me away to contemplate that. Being almost 60 doesn't faze me in the least, but thinking about classmates being 60 floors me! They sure don't look 60. At least, Val doesn't.
It was terrific to reconnect again. We'll do it more often, now that she knows how well her boys respond to a visit here. WOO HOO! That does my heart good. Jackie will love seeing her again when she gets her chance. (Jackie was working today; missed seeing everyone.)
The little girl from across the street came over to spend the day, too. Her name is Malia. Her dad lives in Hawaii. She fit right in.
Malia often walks the goats with Casey, Jamie and me, so when I told her I would be hosting a goat walk and weenie roast for friends from Seattle, I invited her to come along. She jumped at the chance.
She's an only child and there are few other kids on this block her age. She may even go to church with me whenever I kid sit there so she can hang around with Jamie some more. She's going to ask her mom for permission. (They worship at another church.) Malia is on a week-long school break; Casey and Jamie aren't.
After the Barrett family headed back to Seattle, Malia came into my office where I was working. I told her she could hang out with the "puppies" in my living room while I worked until her mom or grandma came over to claim her (both had gone into town) but every so often she wandered in to see me and talk or ask questions while I worked.
She was flabbergasted to see photos of me with "famous people" lying around in various nooks and crannies (she's a curious kid) -- V.P. Joe Biden, Senator Patty Murray, DeForest Kelley. She just couldn't get over it. She was over the moon about it!
Then she decided, "You must be famous, too!"
I laughed and said, "Only in very small circles."
She said, "What does that mean?"
I said, "It means I can go to any store and someone will know who I am only about once every ten years. The last time I was recognized in a store I heard, 'There's the goat lady!'" She thought that was very cool. (So do I, truth be told.)
I don't need my next door neighbor's child thinking I'm anyone other than "the goat lady." That's fame enough for me in this neck of the woods!
I was amazed Malia knew who De Kelley was. She must have a Trekkie or two somewhere in her family...
I told Malia she would probably meet plenty of famous people herself during her lifetime. (She's only eight years old.) That seemed to perk her up--even though she's already pretty perky!
I said, "Famous people like these ones enjoy meeting people. Not all famous people do, but our country's leaders and some actors do. It's how they find out what we're thinking about them, because how we're thinking about them is important to keeping their jobs. We can vote them in or vote them out."
But if she ever asks me to take her to meet her Senator or Congressman or woman, or a V.P. or President, you'd better believe I will think at least a dozen times about it, after what happened to Congresswoman Giffords' and her littlest "fan" in Tucson in January.
And that is very, every sad.
It was frigid outside. I don't think the temperature lifted above 43 degrees and it was quite windy, so that brought the temperature down to "freezin' our buns off" COLD! Only we "old folks" noticed or cared. Her kids were so busy running around with my "kids" (BAAAA!) that they peeled their jackets off after a while as Val and I just shook our heads and shuddered at the idea...
I kept looking at Val and thinking, "No way can she be almost 60." I wonder if she thought the same thing about me. Hope so!!!
It blew me away to contemplate that. Being almost 60 doesn't faze me in the least, but thinking about classmates being 60 floors me! They sure don't look 60. At least, Val doesn't.
It was terrific to reconnect again. We'll do it more often, now that she knows how well her boys respond to a visit here. WOO HOO! That does my heart good. Jackie will love seeing her again when she gets her chance. (Jackie was working today; missed seeing everyone.)
The little girl from across the street came over to spend the day, too. Her name is Malia. Her dad lives in Hawaii. She fit right in.
Malia often walks the goats with Casey, Jamie and me, so when I told her I would be hosting a goat walk and weenie roast for friends from Seattle, I invited her to come along. She jumped at the chance.
She's an only child and there are few other kids on this block her age. She may even go to church with me whenever I kid sit there so she can hang around with Jamie some more. She's going to ask her mom for permission. (They worship at another church.) Malia is on a week-long school break; Casey and Jamie aren't.
After the Barrett family headed back to Seattle, Malia came into my office where I was working. I told her she could hang out with the "puppies" in my living room while I worked until her mom or grandma came over to claim her (both had gone into town) but every so often she wandered in to see me and talk or ask questions while I worked.
She was flabbergasted to see photos of me with "famous people" lying around in various nooks and crannies (she's a curious kid) -- V.P. Joe Biden, Senator Patty Murray, DeForest Kelley. She just couldn't get over it. She was over the moon about it!
Then she decided, "You must be famous, too!"
I laughed and said, "Only in very small circles."
She said, "What does that mean?"
I said, "It means I can go to any store and someone will know who I am only about once every ten years. The last time I was recognized in a store I heard, 'There's the goat lady!'" She thought that was very cool. (So do I, truth be told.)
I don't need my next door neighbor's child thinking I'm anyone other than "the goat lady." That's fame enough for me in this neck of the woods!
I was amazed Malia knew who De Kelley was. She must have a Trekkie or two somewhere in her family...
I told Malia she would probably meet plenty of famous people herself during her lifetime. (She's only eight years old.) That seemed to perk her up--even though she's already pretty perky!
I said, "Famous people like these ones enjoy meeting people. Not all famous people do, but our country's leaders and some actors do. It's how they find out what we're thinking about them, because how we're thinking about them is important to keeping their jobs. We can vote them in or vote them out."
But if she ever asks me to take her to meet her Senator or Congressman or woman, or a V.P. or President, you'd better believe I will think at least a dozen times about it, after what happened to Congresswoman Giffords' and her littlest "fan" in Tucson in January.
And that is very, every sad.
Monday, February 21, 2011
Report on the New Nursery Job
Today was week two of the nursery job at church. Wendy was with me today. Jennie (her sister) was with me last week. Sue (Wendy and Jennie's mom) will be with me next Sunday. After that, it will be Erin (Jennie's sister in law; Erin is married to Jennie's husband's brother.) After that, I'll be working each week for four weeks with four different volunteers I don't know yet.
Working in a nursery is like herding cats. Only a lot more fun.
Kids are precious and problematic at this age and stage of life (ages 2 to 4; usually Jamie, age six, elects to stay with us, too, although she's eligible to move in with the older kids now). Last weekend we had eight kids; this weekend we had six. It keeps two grownups mighty busy!
Half are boys. I'm not used to boys; all of my sister's grandkids are girls. The boys are either sweet and bashful or all-out, devil-may-care Captain Kirks (without the testosterone, thank God).
If you don't watch the adventurers, they're likely to jump or walk on the kids' couch or place a willing fellow (or female) playmate under a 4' round cushion and jump up and down on them, so you gotta have eyes in the back of your head. Usually they're vocal about it, so you can often hear something dire about to take place before it actually manifests. ("Here... get under the cushion.")
It's imperative to have two sets of adult eyes and ears.
For every child who's behaving (that is, doing something--usually with a grownup and another child--that doesn't threaten life, limb, walls, windows or someone else), another is testing his or her boundaries. So by the end of the morning my head has swiveled around more often that Linda Blair's in The Exorcist. I feel like I'll need a definite nap when I get home, but I never do.
It's rather exhilarating--like exercising without getting (too) sweaty or winded. I don't know how moms do it 24/7/365 for years and years. It's FUN to do it a few hours at a time. I love portraying (to the best of my strictly-limited ability) "a grown up" and teaching boundaries and Bible stories to younger kids. It's a hoot. But that doesn't mean it's in any way relaxing! It's kinda like being in a very weird volleyball game for three hours straight; if you're not alert, with your head up and your eyes on six different ricocheting missiles, you're gonna lose!
We haven't had anyone cry yet; everyone has had a good time. (Now that I've said this, I suppose next week there won't be a dry eye in the house, including mine.)
One little guy and one little gal (naming no names) are at least semi-bossy, in my estimation. The rest of the kids don't seem to mind at this age; what the little bosses say, the rest of the gang does happily enough. Which is why we adults have to pay close attention. Like lemmings, if a boss kid says, "Let's play goats!" or "Let's race cars!" or "Let's build a fort under the easel" you have to be ready to redirect some of these stellar efforts.
Building a fort under the easel is a relatively quiet undertaking, but playing goats or racing cars can quickly reach decibel levels that threaten to reach the sanctuary a hundred feet yonder. You get six human kids bleating "BAAAAA!!!" at the top of their little lungs, and you got problems... not to mention migraine headaches... and maybe a perturbed pastor:
"In Mark's gospel you'll find..."
BAAAA! BAAAA! BAAAA! BAAA!
Whenever our little goats or race car drivers threaten to get too noisy, we segue into arts and crafts or story time. I have a rhyming Bible for wee ones that keeps them captivated. (The stories may even stay with them, since they rhyme.)
This morning Jamie read the first three chapters: Genesis, Adam and Eve, and Build an Ark. She's amazing for a six year old. Last week she read Casey's goat speech (off a page) to her first grade class the same day Casey presented it to her fourth grade class.
Oh, BTW, Casey got mostly 4's (highest rating) for her goat presentation. She's a scholar. She takes learning seriously, HALLELUJAH... as does Jamie, obviously.
What else? Gads, it's after midnight. Guess I'd better get some shuteye. I've got to jump back into work mode again at 8 a.m.
G'night. Sweet dreams!
Working in a nursery is like herding cats. Only a lot more fun.
Kids are precious and problematic at this age and stage of life (ages 2 to 4; usually Jamie, age six, elects to stay with us, too, although she's eligible to move in with the older kids now). Last weekend we had eight kids; this weekend we had six. It keeps two grownups mighty busy!
Half are boys. I'm not used to boys; all of my sister's grandkids are girls. The boys are either sweet and bashful or all-out, devil-may-care Captain Kirks (without the testosterone, thank God).
If you don't watch the adventurers, they're likely to jump or walk on the kids' couch or place a willing fellow (or female) playmate under a 4' round cushion and jump up and down on them, so you gotta have eyes in the back of your head. Usually they're vocal about it, so you can often hear something dire about to take place before it actually manifests. ("Here... get under the cushion.")
It's imperative to have two sets of adult eyes and ears.
For every child who's behaving (that is, doing something--usually with a grownup and another child--that doesn't threaten life, limb, walls, windows or someone else), another is testing his or her boundaries. So by the end of the morning my head has swiveled around more often that Linda Blair's in The Exorcist. I feel like I'll need a definite nap when I get home, but I never do.
It's rather exhilarating--like exercising without getting (too) sweaty or winded. I don't know how moms do it 24/7/365 for years and years. It's FUN to do it a few hours at a time. I love portraying (to the best of my strictly-limited ability) "a grown up" and teaching boundaries and Bible stories to younger kids. It's a hoot. But that doesn't mean it's in any way relaxing! It's kinda like being in a very weird volleyball game for three hours straight; if you're not alert, with your head up and your eyes on six different ricocheting missiles, you're gonna lose!
We haven't had anyone cry yet; everyone has had a good time. (Now that I've said this, I suppose next week there won't be a dry eye in the house, including mine.)
One little guy and one little gal (naming no names) are at least semi-bossy, in my estimation. The rest of the kids don't seem to mind at this age; what the little bosses say, the rest of the gang does happily enough. Which is why we adults have to pay close attention. Like lemmings, if a boss kid says, "Let's play goats!" or "Let's race cars!" or "Let's build a fort under the easel" you have to be ready to redirect some of these stellar efforts.
Building a fort under the easel is a relatively quiet undertaking, but playing goats or racing cars can quickly reach decibel levels that threaten to reach the sanctuary a hundred feet yonder. You get six human kids bleating "BAAAAA!!!" at the top of their little lungs, and you got problems... not to mention migraine headaches... and maybe a perturbed pastor:
"In Mark's gospel you'll find..."
BAAAA! BAAAA! BAAAA! BAAA!
Whenever our little goats or race car drivers threaten to get too noisy, we segue into arts and crafts or story time. I have a rhyming Bible for wee ones that keeps them captivated. (The stories may even stay with them, since they rhyme.)
This morning Jamie read the first three chapters: Genesis, Adam and Eve, and Build an Ark. She's amazing for a six year old. Last week she read Casey's goat speech (off a page) to her first grade class the same day Casey presented it to her fourth grade class.
Oh, BTW, Casey got mostly 4's (highest rating) for her goat presentation. She's a scholar. She takes learning seriously, HALLELUJAH... as does Jamie, obviously.
What else? Gads, it's after midnight. Guess I'd better get some shuteye. I've got to jump back into work mode again at 8 a.m.
G'night. Sweet dreams!
Monday, February 14, 2011
Hoof Trimming Time! Kris and Casey Take Care of Laverne and Shirley
https://cid-af85110a95b9f3aa.photos.live.com/browse.aspx/Goat%20Pics
Photos by Phil McNiven!
BTW: The final photo in the slide show, showing a before-and-after look at a goat's hoof, was taken from the Internet. I have never let my goats' hooves grow long enough to look like the half on the left (overgrown and yucky). I trim their hooves at least once every four weeks, usually more often.
Photos by Phil McNiven!
BTW: The final photo in the slide show, showing a before-and-after look at a goat's hoof, was taken from the Internet. I have never let my goats' hooves grow long enough to look like the half on the left (overgrown and yucky). I trim their hooves at least once every four weeks, usually more often.
Friday, February 11, 2011
Casey's First Speech Will Be About Caring for Goats
Casey (age ten, almost 5'7" tall already... and still growing!) is my best sidekick when it comes to caring for Laverne and Shirley. She loves to help.
She was recently given a speech assignment about "how to do something," so she chose how to care for goats. The speech has to be between five and ten minutes long. Hers is already nearly five minutes long (without showing the accompanying photos and tools) and she has it down pat... no hiccups or hesitations...
About the tools. Because Casey can't take sharp objects to school, she spent part of last week tracing the hoof trimmers, hoof pick and hoof file onto cardboard and then painting them to look like the real things. She did a darned good job.
This weekend or next we're going to give the goats a bath in my bathtub. (I "kid" you not.) I think. Unless the weather is scheduled to get nasty again. Giving baths should give Casey a little more to talk about. Goats don't like the rain, so I have no idea how well they'll take to a warm bath.
We'll start with Shirley. She's white and would benefit most from a bath. She's also the mellower of the two. She's 99.9% clean looking right now except for where longer hair has grown on her fanny (3-4" from her not-so-private parts). That longer hair catches some urine from time to time, so it's a little yellow-looking. My plan is to trim that hair with a dog clippers or scissors so it won't be a catch all for spills. If I can do that, she should look more or less like a Disney goat from head to foot -- "supercalifragilisticexpialidocious" -- practically perfect in every way. That's what we'll be aiming for.
If Shirley behaves well, I may have Jackie videotape some of the bath so Casey (and I) can show it. We'll see how it goes.
Update on the "Buck for My Does" Fence Campaign. So far $127 has come in for the goat fence. That's almost three 16' x 5' fence panels. I believe more $$$ is on the way but I'm not sure.
My 60th birthday is coming up on March 5th. That's a milestone. I want $$$$$ for my goat fence for my birthday. That's all. Oh, and a free e-card from every one of you, since it is a milestone birthday!
Everyone who donates to the fence campaign will have their names emblazoned on part of the fence. Most who have donated have sent more than one dollar. I usually get $3 or more each time.
BREAKING NEWS:
She was recently given a speech assignment about "how to do something," so she chose how to care for goats. The speech has to be between five and ten minutes long. Hers is already nearly five minutes long (without showing the accompanying photos and tools) and she has it down pat... no hiccups or hesitations...
About the tools. Because Casey can't take sharp objects to school, she spent part of last week tracing the hoof trimmers, hoof pick and hoof file onto cardboard and then painting them to look like the real things. She did a darned good job.
This weekend or next we're going to give the goats a bath in my bathtub. (I "kid" you not.) I think. Unless the weather is scheduled to get nasty again. Giving baths should give Casey a little more to talk about. Goats don't like the rain, so I have no idea how well they'll take to a warm bath.
We'll start with Shirley. She's white and would benefit most from a bath. She's also the mellower of the two. She's 99.9% clean looking right now except for where longer hair has grown on her fanny (3-4" from her not-so-private parts). That longer hair catches some urine from time to time, so it's a little yellow-looking. My plan is to trim that hair with a dog clippers or scissors so it won't be a catch all for spills. If I can do that, she should look more or less like a Disney goat from head to foot -- "supercalifragilisticexpialidocious" -- practically perfect in every way. That's what we'll be aiming for.
If Shirley behaves well, I may have Jackie videotape some of the bath so Casey (and I) can show it. We'll see how it goes.
Update on the "Buck for My Does" Fence Campaign. So far $127 has come in for the goat fence. That's almost three 16' x 5' fence panels. I believe more $$$ is on the way but I'm not sure.
My 60th birthday is coming up on March 5th. That's a milestone. I want $$$$$ for my goat fence for my birthday. That's all. Oh, and a free e-card from every one of you, since it is a milestone birthday!
Everyone who donates to the fence campaign will have their names emblazoned on part of the fence. Most who have donated have sent more than one dollar. I usually get $3 or more each time.
Contributors to Date.. THANK YOU!!!
(Updated 3/17/2011)
(Updated 3/17/2011)
Sue and Bill from Cle Elum: $30
Billie Rae from Palmyra, NY: $55
Antje from Germany: $5
Antje from Germany: $5
Carl from the UK: $3
Lynda Lien from Lake Stevens: $10
Debbie Hirneisen, NY: $50
Byron Bailey $30
Edward Smith $40.00
Margot Worthington $25
Laurel Smith $25
Jackie Smith $50
Phil and Wendy $50
Jim and Kay Chelsea AL $40
Lynda Lien from Lake Stevens: $10
Debbie Hirneisen, NY: $50
Byron Bailey $30
Edward Smith $40.00
Margot Worthington $25
Laurel Smith $25
Jackie Smith $50
Phil and Wendy $50
Jim and Kay Chelsea AL $40
You can also contribute via my Paypal account. Just be sure to mention GOATS so I don't get the $$ mixed up with my business funds. Email me at kristine m smith AT msn DOT com to find out how to do that.
BREAKING NEWS:
I landed a job on Sunday mornings for the foreseeable future working in the nursery at Lutheran Church of Christ the King. That's where Casey, Jamie, Phil andWendy and all of Wendy's nearby family worships. I know all of the kids in the nursery; all but two (there are six) are relatives or shirttail relatives of mine. So when the job opened up, I thought, "Hey, why not?"
I have dozens of age-appropriate Bible stories and videotapes (Bible stories) for kids; I love the kids; and my volunteers will usually be the kids' parents or grandparents (again, relatives or shirttail relatives of mine). In fact, I got the job because Wendy's dad told me about it and told Pastor Peter about me. Pastor Peter has known me for years; I was Activity Director / Receptionist/Shuttle Driver/Tour Guide/Server/Newsletter Editor at Kings Manor (an outreach ministry of LCCK, an assisted living community) in 2004, so it seems to be a match made in heaven. The kids are 2 to 6 years of age. I'm not much older myself! Kids think I'm pretty hysterical... and I just love it when people think I'm funny (usually!).
One time Casey and I were sitting in the goat shed. This was late fall, and it was cold. Laverne jumped on the shed door and knocked it open to go outside. I called out after her, faking angst, "Hey, shut the door! Were you born in a barn?" Casey thought that was just about the funniest thing she had ever heard. I've rarely heard her laugh that hard. (She's such a lady!)
And to this day both girls ask me to tell my Freddy the Frog story over and over and over again. (It's in my book LET NO DAY DAWN THAT THE ANIMALS CANNOT SHARE.) They heard about Freddy the first time when Casey was about four, I guess. They're captivated by the story. It's totally true. That's probably why they love it so much... other than the fact it's funny in places. (Hiding Freddy in my underwear drawer until Mom found him; giving him a bubble bath because Mom said he was too dirty to live in the house... POOR FREDDY! The things animals go through when kids "love" them! Eegads!)
What else? Guess that's all the "dirt" that's fit to print. (Urine-stained goat feathers; dirty frogs.) I'll stop while I'm ahead!
Oh, I've got some work again at Elance. ENOUGH work for the moment. Long may it continue! It feels great!
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
Howard Dean and Newt Gingrich Debate the DREAM ACT
http://americasvoiceonline.org/blog/entry/dream_act_takes_the_gingrich-dean_debate_by_storm/
I reckon you know who's side I'm on without my saying it outright, but I will anyway. Any child brought here by their parents as a youngster while he or she was still a dependent and wants to contribute to America as a college graduate and/or military man or woman, ought to be able to become an American citizen.
The so-called "alien" men and women who die in combat in our armed forces are granted honorary American citizenship for their sacrifices. The ones who return home in one piece (or in pieces) ought to enjoy the same status.
To keep America great, we have to remain GOOD. This is a straightfoward matter of ethics and morality, in my opinion.
And Gingrich's illusion that the DREAM Act was designed to fail, to be voted own, is utter nonsense.
'Nuf said.
I reckon you know who's side I'm on without my saying it outright, but I will anyway. Any child brought here by their parents as a youngster while he or she was still a dependent and wants to contribute to America as a college graduate and/or military man or woman, ought to be able to become an American citizen.
The so-called "alien" men and women who die in combat in our armed forces are granted honorary American citizenship for their sacrifices. The ones who return home in one piece (or in pieces) ought to enjoy the same status.
To keep America great, we have to remain GOOD. This is a straightfoward matter of ethics and morality, in my opinion.
And Gingrich's illusion that the DREAM Act was designed to fail, to be voted own, is utter nonsense.
'Nuf said.
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
My Interview at Scribnia Will Appear Tomorrow.
I just received word that my interview (about being a blogger) will appear tomorrow at Scribnia.com. When I get a link I'll post it here.
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
Redefine RAPE to Only Forcible Rape? NOT ON MY WATCH!
Hi,
I'm joining EMILY's List in condemning John Boehner's attempt to redefine rape for his anti-woman agenda. Please join me by visiting www.BoehnersAmerica.org today!
Incest, date rape and other forms of non-violent rape will be considered NOT rape if Boehner's bill passes.
I'm joining EMILY's List in condemning John Boehner's attempt to redefine rape for his anti-woman agenda. Please join me by visiting www.BoehnersAmerica.org today!
Incest, date rape and other forms of non-violent rape will be considered NOT rape if Boehner's bill passes.
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