We realized this morning that our dear old friend was not doing well. Over the weekend his back hind legs just stopped working. He was hardly able to walk. We had to carry him to where he wanted to be.  He whined in pain. The decision was hard to make, but we knew it was time. He was almost 15, and had lived a long, wonderful life.

Chakra had been having troubles coughing and breathing for months due to an enlarged heart. We had been agonizing over letting him go to doggie heaven for weeks. We had actually made an appointment once, and canceled. He just seemed so happy. Then he started having seizures or strokes. It scared him, and it scared us. We knew we had to do it for him, so that he would not be in any pain any more.

They both went to doggie heaven together this morning.
Rest in peace my furry friends.

She awoke at 5 a.m. It was early. She thought while the house was still quiet she could get some stuff done. She then realized it was actually 4 a.m.
She hated the fact that they played with time. Why can’t we just keep it at one time year round.
Daylight saving is a pain for so many. The time change is rather bothersome. She knew she would need a nap.
No matter why they do it, it is a pain and bothersome.

The air was warm, the wind was roaring,
‘Tis the night for spells, and witches soaring.
The veil between worlds is thin this night,
Ghosts of our ancesters, no need for fright.
Leave a treat for them, a cookie or two,
Or they’ll return next year with a trick for you.

Halloween, my favorite holiday. For many people, it means dressing up in costumes and going trick or treating for candy. But, that is not how the holiday first started. Halloween in Ancient times was known as Samhain. Samhain is pronounce sow-in. It is an ancient Celtic festival. For Pagans, Wiccans and other Earth based religions, it is the start of the New Year.
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Ah, finally. We get to go to the next step in the adoption of Samantha. We have a disclosure meeting set for Nov 6. Wow, we are so excited. We drive down to Massachusetts early that morning. Anticipation is brewing.

I know the old expression is Where’s the Beef ?, but around here lately, we have been saying “Where’s the Eggs?”. For some strange reason the hens are on strike. We have 25 laying hens, and they should still be laying. At this time of year, they do slow down, but they normally don’t stop. I have had a talk with them, but this does not seem to have helped. Even with the normal slowdown, we should still be getting at least 18 or so a day. Today, we got 6. It is kind of ridiculous.

It is days like this that I wish I had a video camera.
We got up early, had breakfast and headed out to the pig pen. With help from Bob, we thought getting the pigs off to the butcher would be easy. Well, at least easier than what it turned out to be. Read the rest of this entry »

Today, we got a call from Samantha’s case worker down in Massachusetts. He got the message that we want to go forward with the disclosure meeting. He will read over our home study and get back to us soon. I guess there are a couple of families that are interested in her, so he wants to pick out the one most suitable. Oh, I do hope it is us that he picks.

Pork and Chop are set to go to the butcher on Saturday. We have borrowed a crate, and a truck from neighbors. We are trading them for a pound of ham, and some eggs. A cheap trade I think.
Unless we get kids in the house soon (and lots of them), I don’t think we will be able to eat all the meat from the pigs this winter. We will get  close to 300 pounds of ham, bacon, and pork. That is a lot of meat for just the two of us. At this rate, we may not have to get pigs again next year.

Tiera had an ultrasound today, and we were invited to go to get to see our grand child for the first time.
It was an awe inspiring event. There she was up on the screen with her little fingers, and her itty bitty toes. She even sucked her thumb for a moment. The best picture they got of her was when she actually put up her tiny little arm, and made the peace symbol. That was just awesome.