Cats and Dog. Llamas and Alpacas. Horses and Chickens. (…Oh my???)

Over the past week or two, Jeremiah’s little sister has been busy at the ranch with her camera, and she’s gotten some extremely impressive photos.  She gave me permission to share them with you.  Enjoy!

DSC_0640

DSC_0644

DSC_0687
Piper with her favorite Frisbee.
DSC_0689
Amelia with a bone
DSC_0524
Vin
DSC_0539
Morana

DSC_0691 DSC_0696 DSC_0697 DSC_0738 DSC_0745 DSC_0567 DSC_0583 DSC_0599 DSC_0606 DSC_0607 DSC_0620 DSC_0629

Having a frolic
Having a frolic

DSC_0576 DSC_0577 Edie

Advertisement

Feline Alarm Clocks – Introducing Dobby.

When you have as many critters as I do, there is no need for an alarm clock.  They will usually wake you at around the same time everyday, regardless of what time you went to bed.

Meet my alarm clocks.

Dobby
Dobby
Sontar and Draco
Sontar and Draco

As much as I, or my husband, or the dogs, would like to believe otherwise, these three rule the roost.  Every morning, usually between 6:30 and 7:30, these three begin singing the songs of their people outside the bedroom door, reminding us that an unacceptable number of hours have passed since their food bowls have been refilled. Continue reading “Feline Alarm Clocks – Introducing Dobby.”

On my last semester of teaching and beginning to pack.

Looks like I will proctor my last final exam three weeks from today. At this point, that day cannot come soon enough.

For the last two years, I’ve taught English 101 at a four year University. For the first year and a half, I really enjoyed it. Last semester, I decided that I couldn’t continue beyond this Spring. Once we move to the ranch, my commute time will nearly triple. Given what adjunct professors are paid (FYI – once we divide our stipend by our hours, it usually ends up just under minimum wage), I really can’t afford to continue to teach. If you factor in time lost from other work (i.e. my real job), I actually lose about three or four times as much as I’m paid.

My decision made me a little sad at first. There is nothing quite like helping someone understand a difficult or unfamiliar concept, especially in that moment that you see the “light bulb” go off. But now? After a semester with some of the worst students I have ever had in class, I can’t wait for all of it to draw to a close. I have had some great moments as a teacher, and I will treasure them, but I think it’s time to open up a new chapter.

And on that note, I started packing this week.

I know, right?

Bedding packed up.  Labeled and everything!
Bedding packed up. Labeled and everything!

I bought this comforter set for our bedroom last winter.  Jeremiah doesn’t like it…so it’s been living in the basement since.  In the new place, I will use it for a spare bed (since we’ll have spare bedrooms!)

Also, I packed up some books and all of my stinky stuff.  (Most of the box below is scented candles.)

Candles and scentsy and all sorts of stinky stuff.
Candles and scentsy and all sorts of stinky stuff.

This time, I hope to pack everything nice and neat.  And by room…

And I definitely want to move my own clothes.  I will never forget last time we moved.  Jeremiah brought his family in to help us.  I was occupied elsewhere for part of the afternoon, and they got to my dresser before I did.  The moment that my husband’s mother carted in my lingerie drawer and handed it to me….

Anyway…one last thought….

Turns out cats are remarkably easy to pack…

This box should be labeled books and Sontar
This box should be labeled books and Sontar

They do it for you!