Nothing Against White But...

It's just not for me.

I've tried to join the white bandwagon, but it just doesn't work for me. Not to say that I don't enjoy visiting all the blogs that have beautiful photos of white homes - chippy or not. They all look so calm and soothing.

But folks - I live with too many animals and can't keep up with all the mess they make. White shows every little thing - especially their fur!

This little table was a beautiful dark brown when I bought it. I painted it white last year. I only put one coat on it and was never happy with the way it was looking. But...I lived with it for a while and really tried to like it.


So much for that experiment - I ruined a perfectly beautiful table. Live and learn.

But now look at it! So simple - so pretty!


In my quest for a simpler life with far fewer possessions, tan and black with white accents really appeals to me these days when it comes to decorating some parts of the house. It's the color combo I'm using in my kitchen and am very happy with it. It's clean and sharp and updated. While I'll never redo my den, which is perfect in every way, I am moving towards a more streamlined look around here.

We had a terrific rain a while ago, so I won't have to spend all evening watering the plants and animals. Boy, did we need it!

Just Stuff

Hello bloggie friends,

Are all of you as hot and dry as we are here? Oh, it's horribly dry here and even the weeds have turned brown and crunchy.

I am spending most of my 'at home' hours tending to plants and animals in one way or another.

Blair had a spa day a couple of weeks ago and I managed to get a picture of her. She's such a great dog.


There have been two animal emergencies since the little goat babies were debudded.

Lily punctured her foot, which meant anti-biotics and betadine soaks for 10 days. She's fine now and a major infection was averted.

Last Friday little Pumpkin - the long haired kitty that appeared at Laura's last fall - had a major health incident. Laura discovered her laying in blood so I rushed her to the vet. Long story short, she had a horrible UTI, high blood pressure, a retinal bleed out (gross) and a seizure. All symptons are being treated by me here and she has dramatically improved. She was blind for a few days but has some vision now. What a scare - not to mention expensive and not budgeted for!

Pumpkin last year....


I took Princess in for her annual and she was given a clean bill of health. She's such a tough little dog. Remember it's only been a year since she had surgery for thyroid cancer. So now she can have her dental, which is long overdue.

So I'm literally working for the animals and while I'm barely on my feet financially, I'm glad I can help them. But enough is enough and I'd like to start building my savings from zero to something....and begin moving ahead with my priority list of projects and purchases that have been put on hold for over two years.

Because the pasture is so dry, I've been letting the little goat family wander through my 'yard' when I'm outside (have to watch them so they don't get into too much trouble). Well, I don't mind if they do a little pruning but when they came up on the porch and gobbled my pretty mini fuschia in two seconds, I wasn't happy.

Lola pruning a crepe myrtle...



All joined in....


Little rascals came up on the porch to check out the foliage there...



My poor mini fuschia - it was so pretty....



The weekend is here and I'm pooped from a busy week at work. It's hot and miserable outside, and once I get a little watering and barn cleaning done, I'm staying inside. I've got the A/C turned up pretty high to conserve energy (hope you are too), but it's still way better than the outside temps. I really want to make a little set of coasters for Laura and Alissa - and a couple for me. Plus, I've promised to make a princess and castle painting for Alissa last summer, so really need to get that project completed! She's growing up so fast and won't want it by the time I get it finished!!

Till next time...

Fizz Update

Poor little Fizz-Man just wasn't rebounding from his debudding. Yesterday I stopped by the vet's and she gave me some pain medicine for him - three days worth. He's had two injections now, and seems to be feeling better.

I should have asked for pain meds when I picked him up. He has suffered for over three days. I will definitely ask for medication when he goes in for his neutering in a couple of months.

The Goat Family Goes To The Vet

I got more than a couple of strange looks by passers by as I was driving up the highway with four goats in the back of my car.

It was time to get the babies de-budded. I hated to do it, but have read that even the nicest pet can hurt you with those horns.

Little Fizz's horns had grown huge already and I couldn't put it off any longer. The good thing though, is that all the goats were checked by the vet, checked for parasites, had their shots and got their hooves trimmed professionally. Next time I can do it if I can find somebody to hold them for me.

Bindi and Fizz are doing great, although Fizz looks horrible.







It was a very stressful ordeal for Lily. She is such a good little mama to her babies - always right beside them.

Fizz makes me hurt just to look at his little head. The vet said there would be some swelling, but the bandage can come off tomorrow, if he doesn't work it off by himself tonight.

Little Lola was great and such a super little pet goat. She didn't seem to be phased by any of it.

Mama and babies back home



***

I couldn't upload pictures last evening so am updating this today. Little Fizz is pitiful and I know he hurts. This morning when I opened the barn, he lagged behind the others with his head and tail down. When I reached out to pet him, he shyed away from me. Same thing with the second try. When I tried to remove his bandages, he cried and ran into the barn. It broke my heart when he hid behind a bale of hay and cried again when I reached for him.

Oh, I felt horrible and was so upset.

When the vet called me today, I told her about it and she said I could give him two baby aspirins crushed in some molasses. Well, I couldn't get him to touch it, but it's still out there for whoever wants to lick the spoon.

His little forehead is so swollen.



Bless his little heart.

I Miss Blog Hopping

I've barely logged onto my computer since getting my new job. It's late and I'm ready for bed and decided to do a little virtual visiting.

I sure have missed seeing all the pretty blogs. You gals sure do post some pretty pictures!