Honest, I haven't completely forgotten, I just don't seem to have as much time on my hands.  There is always something that needs to be done and the warm months are the busiest!

All but three of the kids are gone.  I sold most.  I also sold six of the others.  I still have nine, two milkers, four dry ones and three doelings.  It was a good year for income from goats!

I got a Reserve Grand at two shows this year on one of my milkers, she now has a restricted leg.  Two more legs and I will have a Champion goat!

Dark Haired Beauty showed a goat for the first time this year as a 4H Cloverbud.  She used one of the doelings and did very well.  She got an "A" ribbon, which is the best you can get as a Cloverbud.  They don't really place them as they are just learning yet.  It is just for experience in the ring.  She had a great time all week at fair making new friends.

I have had a health change, or whatever you could call it...I now am wearing two hearing aids.  I have known for sometime that I would be getting them, but just when I didn't know.  My Mother wore one and I noticed that I was having the same trouble with hearing certain people and things.  Recently, I noticed it was getting worse.  Then I spent time with my Brother, who was so kind when he said "When did you last get your hearing tested...You sound just like MOM!"  Also, the group of ladies I meet with every week always have background music going.  When I mentioned at one of the gatherings that I couldn't hear it they were shocked!  Shortly after that I had an appointment with and audioligist and he tested me.  Then I had to go to a Eye Ear and Nose doctor to be sure there was nothing like an infection or damage that was causing the loss.  When I passed that I was able to get my aids.

My problem is genetic, the inner ear has nerve damage that somehow comes from my genetics.  The same as my Mother.  So now, when my Oldest Son talks to me I can hear him!  He was the one I had the hardest time hearing.

That should pretty much bring us up to date one big stuff since last I posted.  Now let's talk about today...I awoke this morning with a cold nose and I had to pee!  I checked my watch and it read 6:30 am!  The alarm should have gone off at 6:00 am!  I rolled over to check the clock and it was dark...the power was out!  I got up lit up a kerosine lamp and made a call to the electric company to let them know.  No real surprize though...there was about 8"-10" of heavy wet snow everywhere!  We had gone to be with a winter storm warning and it had actually dumped on us!  The schools were closed and many people were with out power.

When it got light I went out and moved the horses to the good pasture and got the camp stove out of the trailer.  We were able to eat a hot breakfast of pancakes and coffee or tea.  I don't mind the power going out too much.  It is kind of like living 100 years ago, kerosine lamps, hats on in the house, and cooking on a gas stove.  We have lots of things that don't need power, so we can go on doing things even if the power is off.

Just about 9:00 am the power came back on.  I had already heated some rain water to take out to the barn to use to wash the milkers, so  I took that out and did my chores.  No need for a flashlight now.

The clock on the wall just chimed 1:00 pm, so it is time to get myself moving.  Got plenty of things to do now that the power is back on.  Apples to peel for drying, cheese to make and a few phone calls.  Plus the dishes need to be washed and Christmas gifts need to be started.

Until next time...Onward and Upward.