Home Alone.

Critter has gone to his mother's for the night. Don't ask that is a whole other blog in itself. I do think it is important for him to see her and his sister and I am glad he goes to see them. They live about 90 miles from us. He has called to let me know he got there safe and to let me know he loves me, and to see if I was surfin and yes, I am. anyway, I am sitting here missing him and looking at pictures and I found one that I particularly like thought I would share. What a hunk! Back off ladies, he is mine and I am deeply in love with my Critter. This picture was taken in Oct when we went to Washington. Critter had never been. anyway just sitting here missing him.

Oh the Humanity!

I need everyone to vote on the Vienna Sasuage poll. I am trying to convice the Critter that this meat by-product that has a shelf life of 3 million years can in no way be good for the human body. Can I get an Amen?

Today was an up and down roller coaster ride. The job is getting a new computer system which means no work can be done and you are at the mercy of some IT guy who speaks a language so foreign, it sounds like English but the words are so unfamiliar that I must keep reminding him to speak a more familiar form of English with a word I might recognize. gig, file path, blah, blah,blah He might has well have been a barking dog. Well, IT guy managed to get himself some lunch and I got the pleasure of walking past the after effects of his lunch hour consumption. The men's room is one door down from my office and guess who had been in the room moments before I walked by and mistakenly took in air. Son of a Monkey! I even went on a ramble about how anyone could leave such a foul smell and walk away. He even agreed with me. Well, guess who after some interrogation admitted to the criminal offensive act.

Yes, this is said IT ozone offender. I shall not name him because frankly, I don't recall it but, this is the guy. Watch out people. This brings me to a point why do most men love to claim such things and think it's funny? and why do they not utilize the can of air freshener? IT guy will return tomorrow and I am gonna put a note of "out of order" on the mens room door so this ugly incident wont repeat itself. Hey IT guy I told ya I was gonna blog about ya :-)

I didn't get to the farm tonight because of my being held hostage by IT guy and didn't get home till 7:30. but, Critter said all the babies were good.

I have told you about my bosses. I need to explain the man I speak about that is ill is married to my other boss. I also need to ask a favor of everyone who reads this blog. Even though you don't know him ,say a prayer for him and his wife. He had a set back today and he is in the hospital and the point of me feeling helpless gets stronger every day so, maybe if everyone prays for him as I know he would you that God will give them all the courage, peace and understanding to fight this. I do know miracles can happen and if anyone deserves on it is the two of them.

Critter loves roadkill

Critter is eating roadkill a.k.a. Vienna Sausage. I cannot even begin to describe my disgust for the most foul smelling,vile,God only knows what is in that can, I can just gag looking at the can. I think he has to be missing a gene to be able to eat those foul things and I won't even mention the putrid smell that is now permeating my house. He drinks the gelatin type so called liquid these awful things survive in. O my I am gonna pass out.
Go to a happy place,Go to a happy place................


I got new jammies today. My bosses got them for me, you know you got a good boss and friend when they think enough of you to buy you something for no reason and for the gift to be jammies well that just rocks. I really do care for them and continue to pray for them. No, I wont say to much more about them tonight for fears that my tears will short out the Critters laptop.
Today was gorgeous out and tomorrow it is supposed to be 80 degrees. I would love to spend the entire day in the saddle.
Update on Tuffy she is doing good. Her sister was limping yesterday and I got all worked up and today she is fine. I named her Tuffer.
Well me and the Critter are in bed watching Joy Luck Club our favorite flick. I love having a hubby that watches chick movies with me. 7 days till our anniversary. We are going to Fort Worth for dinner to one of my favorite places Texas De la Brazil YUMMY .
Only a few more months till were off the hook on child support YEA!!!
I know that vacation this May will be so good! Just the two of us. I can't wait. the only draw back is finding a sitter for the kids. I mean its not so easy when 3 of your kids weigh 1200 pounds each. Northwest Coastline were coming for ya.

Anger Management

Have you ever had a day in which if you owned a machete there would be a trail of headless idiots that had went just one step to far and said trail would lead right to you? Well, Bingo guess who had one of those days. Critter is not one of these selfish, unfeeling, mindless no goods I have mentioned but he seemed to have picked up on my solemn mood and kept at a distance. What brought on the mood you ask ?
To keep peoples lives private I must skirt the issue but someone I care very much about, is in a situation no one wants to be in and some uncaring people who are clueless and think only of themselves like to open their mouths when they should remain closed.
I know that with life there is death and no matter how bad I want the world to stop and the clocks not to chime so everyone could focus all their prayers and good thoughts to this man so he could somehow be well. I know this is not reality no matter how hard I pray.
I had just got angry today at how people can just seem so careless and not think about what they say maybe, it's not them I got mad at, but the situation. I don't know. I do know I hate feeling helpless. I do be believe in prayer. I am ashamed for how angry I got today. I let my anger get to me so bad that I came home from work early and just wanted to be alone.
I spent 45 min on the phone with Mom on the way home and I don't think during the whole conversation I let her get in 5 words. She listened with patience and empathy and let me know that she loved me and that no matter how unfair it is and how I see things God does have a plan that I must trust. I know in my heart she is right.
I think the only reason I am blogging now is to get my mind to stop racing.
What does tomorrow bring?

Just a few pics to share

Meet Joe,
He is our paint jack that I named after my Dad. He was less than 8 hours old when we took this pic. Ain't he cute? I love this picture. The Critter showing his soft side. Joe has grown since this pic and is now more of a dog than a jackass

Funny how when you move to the country your vehicle needs change. My commuter ,girl about town ride. Even funnier, people always think it's Critter's truck

The Pic and Zy. Where you find one you will find the other.

The barn and Zy with the usual hay sticking in his mane.

The cats think Critters coveralls make the best bed . Twinkie is deathly afraid of them. We call the coverall "The Tan Man" I tell her the "Tan Man" will get her if she tears up one more thing.

Chow time

ZY and Pickles WJ Farms @ sunset

The way life is. can't save them all

Mixed emotions today at the farm. Tuffy is doing great! she was playing and everything,even had her motor running loud when I picked her up. You go, Tuffy! She is the little black one in the pic.

I should explain that our barn cat population was at one time a herd of 23. I would pull up to the gate and I tell ya it looked like we ran a heard of cats. others run cattle, we run cats. We have had a few tragic episodes out there with them. The neighbors dogs would come down and just kill all the cats they could find. I went to the farm one day and found a trail of headless cats leading off our property. Heartbreak. We got even with those dogs and now we have not had that problem in awhile. We have one yellow cat that is the breeder out there and she has survived alot ,we call her Mama. Mama had a litter of kittens at the back of the property under the brush cutter about a week ago. today we looked under there and they had all died. I buried six of them today and they were lovely little ones and I hate the fact she lost another litter. Her last litter was killed by the dogs and now this. I think they just froze with these cold nights. I think she had them down there because she was afraid the dogs would get them again if she had them in the barn. I just feel bad for her. Yes, I know its just a cat and Critter tells me that is just how nature is, but none the less I know she has feelings for her kittens and so do I.

I should explain to non farm folks , you got to have barn cats or you will be run over with barn rats! and since the cats come and go you have always have to have a spare cat. WJ farms cat population today is 6, 3 horses, 2 donkeys and one very tired Critter and wife of Critter.

The Kitty lives!!! Her name will be TUFFY , Shop at Hobbs Feed

I just awoke. Getting any sleep with the kids jumping up and down on the bed is near impossible. Twinkie has taken over the role of the tester. I know the cats tell her to jump up and down on me to test if I am awake. Their whole plan is to get me out of the bed so they can have it all to themselves. Why would a sane person allow 4 animals in there house?

My plans after drinking an entire pot of coffee and a long hot shower are to go and get dirty. I am going to have a face to face and you better give me a great deal meeting with the new feed store owners. I keep telling the Critter that we need some round bales. I think he has a one track mind and the barn is his only vision. He took off yesterday and worked on it all day yesterday. He is already out there again, waiting on the roomie to go help him.

So, I'm gonna have another cup and get in the shower.

Update: MEET TUFFY

I was putting the feed in the barrels today and I had about 300 pounds in the barrel and I had tipped it up to mix and one of the barn kittens got under the barrel and I didn't know it till I set the barrel down. I cried and prayed for the little kitty and felt so bad, because It didn't make any noise or move around, so I picked it up and a miracle, the kitten is ok! she is walking and eating.

Now, how is this for Good business practices.. I did go to the feed store today and I did get 13 bags of feed and the price was so-so, I didn't haggle out of respect. Tonight, I am sitting here and there was a knock on the door. Adam, tall very well versed and well mannered cowboy bringing me money. You see Adam, I have known for about 2 years and he now works for the new owners, as outside sales. long story short. I got the great price on feed I was looking for, he made sure to bring me the difference and I know that the new owners will be successful in their new venture with this kind of customer service! Thank You ,Adam and to the new owners Mr.&Mrs. Hobbs.

So, If you are in need of any farming or welding supplies I highly recommend Hobbs Feed in Italy, Texas you wont be let down.

cold nights and a loptop

Critter is worried about the relationship I have seemed to have developed with his laptop. It is to darn cold to do squat outside and sitting here with all the kiddies and surfing does not seem such a bad thing to be doing. You think he would be glad I'm not out table dancing. I am a big fan of humor books more like observational humor books and since we live a least 3 light years from the nearest Barnes & Nobles the web is a wonderful substitute. I have had to much reality on my mind lately and this is a much needed diversion.
Don't think that Critter isn't getting his due attention because I assure you, he is.
I talked to someone last night and they are interested in our house on Main St. I would love for them to buy it and we could have a more defined time frame for moving. Critter keeps trying to convince me how big 700 sq. feet is and I still can't fathom us in what I think is about as big as the total area of my dually. I am trying to be positive a remind myself that I am the one who always claims to be a minimalists.
Living out on the farm is something that I really want. The donkeys braying is the best kind of alarm clock and I have always hated anything close to a zero lot homestead. Living on the farm will require a brush cutter and tractor to mow the front yard and as a famous ex con always says"It's a good thing".

Feeling helpless

This is a repost from last yr. My friend is in dire straits right now. I can't seem to focus on much more right now other than them and my job. I have no funny stories tonight or pictures of the barn progress. I will tell ya Critter has been amazing and understanding. I have not been to the farm much lately.

This post is about something that has been weighing on my mind for awhile and it has nothing to do with the Critter or the horses, barn or any of those things.
This is about life. I should tell you I have a full time job in accounting and I have been at my current place for 3 years. When I accepted this job I never knew I would find myself in the situation I am in. I have found myself in a place where I see my bosses as friends. One of my friends is in dire straights and I feel helpless. I see this man as a role model. I have so much admiration for him I can't begin to tell you. This is a man that faced situations that most people would have given up or drown in their own self pity. I love hearing his stories of all his travels around the world. I just really enjoy talking to him and hearing his views on life. He is a man that you are better off for having met him. This is a man that is in the battle for his life due to that dreaded of most words-Cancer. I am not his family but I know them. I do not know him as well as others. I have only known him a short time. I have only known him during work hours of the week. This is a man that to me we all can learn a lesson from. A man to me that is fair and very giving, wise and strong but will melt you heart when you see this man with his puppy. This is a man that is amazing! This man has been in a wheelchair for as long as I have been alive but has never stopped. He has traveled the world, been a civic leader, athlete and so much more. Its strange how the more I got to know him the wheelchair wasn't something I saw. I think that people know others on so many different levels that one person can be described by others in completely different ways. My description of him is of a insightful, kind,strong,intelligent,giving, humorous,hardworking,admirable and unstoppable!!!!!!
In talking to him lately I see a vulnerability in him. His seems so weak. I have never seen before and it make me so scared for him. His doctors have given him a timeline. He has fought this with such courage and I want to believe that he will be here for many years to come and this is my prayer for him and his family.
What do you say to someone who is facing this kind of illness? How can you let them know that if they need something, anything that all they have to do is ask? How do you let them know that they have made a profound impact on you? How do you let them know that you will be forever grateful for having known them?

That's your job. Sharing is wonderful!

The babies finally got their hooves done tonight. They were over due by 3 weeks so took awhile for the farrier to get done. It was 37 degrees out tonight and I bailed early on the farrier and Critter. I had to give Critter the ole' big sad eye routine about how cold I was and to please release me from my frozen state to come home. Graciously, he allowed me to escape to the warmth of my bed. Thank You, Baby.

I said earlier that I would explain separation of duties. Truth, I am a fair weather feeder and farm chore performer. See it's like this I bought Critter the best of rain gear and Carhart coveralls, scarves, etc.. but there was none of the above mentioned apparel in my size. I am about as tall as an Ompaloompa and trying to wear his gear to do the farm chores really doesn't work out to well. so fair weather is when I usually feed. 65 degrees and above and not to muddy under these conditions you will find me at the farm workin hard. I must also explain that throwing hay and hauling feed are no longer possible for me. In 2005 I was racing my horse and I took the worst of falls and broke my back. I also had surgery on my back in Feb. 08 so, somethings I can just no longer do. Grooming of all the horses and any kind of treating of illness are mine. So it works out fair.
The litter box chores are also his because I was NEVER a fan of the cat until about 6 years ago he had to have a kitten named Boo and promised to clean up after it if I agreed to becoming a feline owner. Flash forward to today. Boo has gone to heaven and we have 3 special needs cats that live in the house. ( Little Dude-has seizures Bitty Kitty-has joint contractures to the point she looks and hops like a rabbit.Dash- is emotionally unstable) All the cats after Boo were mutual aggrements. and about 5 months ago he brings home a Chihuahua puppy,Twinkie that you would swear is on crack! but here is the funny part the A.D.D. pup Twinkie won't go near him. So, I guess that's how all the dog chores are mine.

Well, I have to cut this short for the evening to do laundy. Yes, house chores are mine including all lawn work. with the exception that Critter has to start all the equipment for me.

What if the cable snaps????

The barn is going up. I did mention that Critter can build anything? We will live on one side and the horse stalls are on the other. The question here is how does one move out of a large 3 bedroom home into half a barn and about 700 sq feet. Well, I will let ya know because this is our grand plan. Contained in this 700 feet will be 2 adults, 1 dog, 3 cats. I am really thinking this will be quite the adventure.
Now some will ask "Why?" May of this yr. we will be free from a financial obligation that is sizeable and If we can sell the house we will be doing pretty good so with no mortgage or child support the Critter and I can have some breathing room and just "live on luv baby" and it is really hard maintain two places with just the two of us. I would like just one place I have to fight weeds and mow.
This might sound crazy but living with my horses right across from me sounds like heaven. I will have to sell most of the furniture and other things. We have a yard sale in our future.

I feel about garage sales about like I do Wal-Mart. hate em!

The building of the barn itself is a little nerve racking. A snippet of a conversation between Critter And I.

Critter: "You're gonna freak out when I tell you this, But the winch is not going to hold the 1400 pound truss. you will have to keep raising it until I tell you to stop,don't let the truss bounce!"
Scrappy: "WHAT?!!!!!"

Critter: " I want you to get on the back of the truck and work the winch and make sure you pay attention on how the cable is winding and watch the truss and make sure it's centered and listen to me and what I tell you, grab the cable and guide it with your hand if it isn't winding right!"

Scrappy: "WHAT?!"

Critter: "Listen to me! Do what I say!"

Scrappy: "What ? Are you even speaking English?!"

(when I am standing in the truck I am about as tall as the dark horizontal bar just off the bed)
As you can see we got them up and my buttchecks were clenched so tight the whole time we were doing this that my butt still hurts!
So the great thing is no one was lifted out by air ambulance (The only mode of emergency transport around these parts. (I speak from experience on that one) God watched over us. Thank You, Jesus!

I possibly have found myself in my first addiction. Nothing glamorous or what you would expect like drugs,alcohol, It is DSL and Frontline. I am by my own admission a junkie of documentaries and now with DSL I have found myself up at 2am watching Frontline(a PBS program of documentaries my favorite and American Experience running in a close second) afraid Critter would come in and find me awake with his laptop. As I type this I am watching a segment on mentally ill persons (Hummm??)

I helped the Critter put up trusses on the barn today and I had another moment where I caught myself looking a him while he wasn't watching and just almost melting in the thoughts of how much in love I am with him. We celebrate our anniversary at the end of this month.Yes, I do love him more everyday and we are truly blessed.

Talked to the realtor the other day about putting the house on the market. looks like the downturn economy has come to our little town. She told me that the avg house stays on the market nine to twelve months.

Weekend in Metropolis

So what does one do in a town of 3,000 and a mere scattering of business? Well, you go to the Drive-in 20 miles away. Yes, a drive-in. I love it! I was raised on the drive-in. I am youngest of 5 kids and Mom would pack us all in the International Travelall (The first real suburban) and off to the Belknap where I saw such first runs as Jaws and the Omen. Yes, drag the 8 yr old to the Omen which after watching all these scary movies I was tortured by my older siblings. The one I recall with the most vivid horror was a movie called The Hand when I went to bed that night my older sis hid under the bed and creeped her hand on the side and grabbed me from below. I can still recall the terror and yes I slept with the light on for many years. Thanks for the memories sis. Mom always came to my rescue and I did always beg her to let me go to see the next horror flick.

The drive-in has the pre made cheap cheeseburgers I just can't get enough of and for just $2.00 can't beat it! and the people watching. You honestly cant get this stuff anywhere but the drive-in. People in their jammies or what ever and all the stuff they bring and most of the time there is one really heavy couple that never leaves the car, but the scrawny little kid they have brought never gets to actually see the movie because he spends most the night on a never ending back and forth journey to the concession stand. You simply cannot have a better night on the town for $12.00. -- Well its now 10 pm and there was a glitch in the Drive In plan the movie we picked had horrible reviews so no go on the horror flick so it was off to dinner with Thing 1 and 2. I enjoyed dinner with adult conversation. I now am in the bedroom on the laptop. Now I only mention my location due to the fact we now have wireless DSL. Modern technology has visited Critter and I. Having Internet back at the house is like rejoining civilization.

The other big event for the weekend is getting the horses hooves trimmed. O how they love their "pedis" Critter has also told me I will be helping him on barn construction. O what joy! no really I like working on the farm with him. I tell ya later about separation of duties.

Here's to living BIG!

Not old till we get our AARP cards!!!

Went bowling Fri. The Critter got a pretty bad beating so now he gets to wash the roommates car as a penalty for not being able to knock all the little white thingees down. We went to dinner and bowling for date night and had a ton of laughs. and the topic of age age kept creeping in the conversation and how Critters bed time is 8:30pm. Now keep in mind he does get up at 4:30 or 5 but as far as when we at one time stayed up till 10pm those days are long gone!

So last night after a hard day of workin were home in our jammies at 7pm and the neighbors come a knockin to see if we wanna go dancin. Now mind you I wanted to go but cant go without the Critter. and not 5 min before the knock on the door we were laughin because he was fightin the urge to go to bed at 7pm. So alas no dancin for me but another time perhaps and the Critter made it till 8pm before the sleep monster got him. O how youth is wasted on the young!!!

He and the roomie worked on the barn all day yesterday and I cleaned horses, treated swollen joints and got The Pic in the round pen for a good workout. Hopefully we will be out at the farm on a full time basis soon and be able to sell the house in town. The weather was great all except for the hurricane force winds but only in Texas. Yesterday 80 degrees and today 40 and Carhart gear required.

Living the dream in a one stoplight town

What a way to spend New Years. In the house of God playing dominoes and eating everything that wasn't nailed down. I think I have truely come full circle. I think that starting the New Year with a prayer and new friends was the best way to start anew!
I spent the day watching movies and napping on and off. Critter took care of the horses so I was just lazy and I loved it!
An idea came to me today for date night tonight. "Bowling" Yes, I typed out the dirtest of all words and I suggested to the Critter we go give the ole ball a roll tonight. Now, I think that if I am the one who came up with this idea I am really losing it or there really isn't much to do in a one stoplight town and we have to go 20 miles down the road to participate in this activity that I have only done one time in my entire life. So why bowling you ask? my answer "Hell I don't know"
I will be cleaning and working my mare tomorow the weatherman promises a perfect day. O how I yearn for summer and days skinny dippin with the Critter!
Family picture day was great pictures will be ready in two weeks. Funny how when you see yourself its kinda like hearing your own recorded voice. I am always amazed.
OK so Im gonna get this blog thing going and will be putting up some pics soon.
Have a safe weekend yall
Scrappy