Ruminations from a goat farmer

V*Con wrapup

mackenziesmomma@gmail.com (Mackenzies Momma) — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 20:23:00 +0000

So in the past I may have mentioned a time (or six) that I am a HUGE Blood Ties fan. A number of months ago I heard that the author, Tanya Huff, was going to be appearing at a convention in Vancouver. Living not too far south of the border I vowed that even if I had to hitchhike or fly or whatever I WAS going to be there.

Saturday morning I woke very early(apparently when nervous I wake up *way* too early) and headed off to Vancouver. After visiting with some great friends from twitter and meeting a lovely French Bulldog I headed to the convention.

Much to my credit on my way from the early meet-up to the con I did NOT get lost. Unlike on my way to the early meet-up when I spent a good portion of time following Canadi-Tom’s directions to Granville Island.

This being only my second con I didn’t have much to compare it to but it was MUCH more fun and relaxed(though that may have been because I wasn’t freaking due to traveling).

I went to both of Tanya’s panels for the day and then after the second one got to spend a fair amount of time chatting with her. She was absolutely entertaining and enchanting despite having a cold. I really wish I could have spent more time at the con(as her panel that I really wanted to see was Sunday) and also spent more time with her as well.

I do have one picture of her and I together and it is this one:

Day 4 in a row…

mackenziesmomma@gmail.com (Mackenzies Momma) — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 22:03:00 +0000

I work again tonight it ought to be interesting to see if its a full night as they promised or just a partial. Have had some ‘fun’ fields the last few shifts.

Saturday night we had 2 fields- a measly 8 acre that took about 2 hours to do and then a larger 20ish acre one. The 20ish acre one came complete with its own light show as a large lightning storm hit the area with something we rarely see in the northwest- Bolt lightning. I was unfortunately too busy driving/trying not to freak the crap out(I do NOT like lightning) to take any pictures of it as some of it was really beautiful.

Sunday we had 2 fields as well one that we finished up(it was fun because it was really dead throughout) and one that had the mother of all ditches. Normally when we encounter ditches they are along one or 2 sides of a field and really narrow but this one ran along the back 2/3’rds of the field was curvy, wide and deep. Thankfully I’m the queen of bin filling and was able to slide and shift my bin to the point that I was able to just make it off the ditch before having to dump and got myself an ‘atta girl’ from the helper.

Last night we just had one field that was a 'treat’ in and of itself because it had a couple of unique features- it had a tree and a well in the middle of it. Now while that may not sound real special its a pain in the butt. Especially when farmers plant right up to the tree/well/thing we aren’t supposed to run over. I took on the tree and then cleaned up the edge of the field and a couple of odd corner pieces that had to be chopped up as well. Got off early and came home.

For today’s video we have a sample of what its like to be in the cab for 12 hours. Literally all we have to follow is in front of us, the readout is the only *real* light in there. In the brief shot of my readout my barrel pressure is about 1800-2000 and my speed is 2 MPH(that is zipping right along actually).

I have some others and I hope to be able to snap more soon but I’m not making any promises as to snap videos requires relinquishing control of the machine to someone else and getting out of my cab.

So, another exciting season begins.

mackenziesmomma@gmail.com (Mackenzies Momma) — Sat, 11 Jul 2009 05:41:00 +0000

Tuesday was the opening night of pea season. This meant a couple of things- 1) its my 4th season overall, 2) its my 3rd season right seating(driving alone), and 3) that I have to train freshies(first year drivers).

Now points 1 & 2 don’t have much bearing on the first couple days aside from the fact I am the *senior* driver on the crew. I have the unique pleasure of having my lovely foreman from last season and on Tuesday night I made it clear to him that I had *CHOOSEN* his crew over everyone else’s because I like and respect him as a foreman and would prefer to be with him.

Point 3 has been the one that has been driving me most insane as we are on a second shutdown night tonight(last night was my night off but the crew ended up not running). Which means that I will have trained drivers on Tuesday and Wednesday nights and go back tomorrow and have to RETRAIN them again.

Now with the driver I had Tuesday night that will be fine. I had him left seating for about an hour before I let him drive and he caught on very quickly to driving. He was good enough that I felt comfortable booting him out of my machine and into his own machine(even though we had and continue to have only 2 machines) after about 3 hours. He did swimmingly well and I was quite proud of him.

I was actually comfortable enough that I felt okay going out and snapping some video of the peas falling off the podder chain into the bin while he drove:

The driver I trained Wednesday night was a little different. He was much slower to catch on(never really did actually) and really frustrated me. I had him left seat with me while I helped to finish up a field and even had him drive a little but he was very nervous and didn’t fully seem to listen to me or my instructions (I.E.- “Now you go to full throttle, that’s the rabbit”) . I demonstrated how to open a field, and dump and everything I could.

Then I put him in the driver’s seat and left seated with him coaching him gently through everything, prompting and guiding. I finally got up and went out on the catwalk for a while because he just was NOT getting it and I thought maybe if I got out of his hair he would have it click. Nope. So back into the left seat for another round of coaching and prompting, then down to the crew truck to help the foreman for a while.

As I was trial by fire’ing the driver he not once, not twice but at least 3 times couldn’t remember how to engage the harvester(pull up on the GIANT yellow knob) or how to idle down. I was in and out of the machine a few times but the last time I came back in, I asked him why he hadn’t idled down while waiting for the truck to pull up. He points to a button(not the throttle that is labeled ‘throttle’ and goes “well I was pushing THAT one and it has a rabbit and turtle on it” turns out he’d adjusted his reel speed(how fast the picking reel that pulls the peas in spins) down into the 150’s range(it was supposed to be up at 200RPM). I took over for a while, getting the reel speed back up and finishing the field(we were almost done).

Needless to say I am really hoping that tomorrow when we go in(as right now its about 90% chance we ARE working) that we have the Tuesday drivers.

So let’s try this again

mackenziesmomma@gmail.com (Mackenzies Momma) — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 06:27:00 +0000

Remember last year I worked harvesting peas? And remember how I said I wasn’t going back? Yeah, that didn’t work out so well.

Tomorrow is supposed to be the start of pea season. It ought to be interesting considering as far as we all know there are no machines on this side of the state.

I’m once again going to try blogging a bit about work, and some of the ‘new’ and ‘fun’ things that happen.

There are a few things I do know going into the season this year-

the guy who I had the most problems and whom I was promised would not return this year? Is back.

However as soon as I found that out I raised a stink and requested not to be on his crew as I would NOT want to be forced to file a complaint again this year.

I requested the foreman I had last year as at least he knows me and respects me for what I am- a female driver. I don’t have to try to outdo everyone(doesn’t mean I still don’t do it anyway)

I will keep you all informed and bring back videos and pictures when I can!

So buckle up and hang on for the ~~bumpy~~ exciting ride!

Introducing the Kid

mackenziesmomma@gmail.com (Mackenzies Momma) — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 20:40:00 +0000

So late yesterday afternoon(while I was supposed to be out running errands) we had our first and last kid of the year.

He is currently being called “Max” though I am going to suggest renaming him “Dread Pirate Roberts” for the Princess Bride allusion.

Sorry about the quality since he isn’t quite 24 hours old he doesn’t quite have the knack of standing/walking on the tile floors.

I took a Giant leap of faith today

mackenziesmomma@gmail.com (Mackenzies Momma) — Wed, 20 May 2009 03:12:00 +0000

As you may know I've recently been dabbling in photography a bit more since I got shiny new Mr. Cannon in November.

I'd gotten a few shots that had friends and acquaintences in awe so today when I logged online and saw that Google was running a contest for student photographers, I decided to enter. I figure the worst that can happen is that I not make the short list. Right?

By the way on the off chance I do win, I guess I should learn who Martin Parr is, hunh?

The Kirk that they don’t want you to see

mackenziesmomma@gmail.com (Mackenzies Momma) — Mon, 18 May 2009 07:11:00 +0000

In case you don’t follow me on twitter, you may not have heard that I recently finally figured out a name for my ducks outside. (the adults)

The female we’d just been calling ‘duck’ for a while became “Smedley Ducker” (it was just too funny NOT to get used.)

As you may recall Smedley was a part of the ill fated group of ducklings from last spring. She has been through a lot in the past year. She survived the first culling by raccoons with just a bit of a limp, and then survived the later culling by an unknown predator that left her re-injured and limping again.

Shortly after she recovered from that I got her a ‘friend’ who was supposed to be a female *insert my snort of derision for the idiots who sold me the duck here* turns out? Not so much. That female was in reality not only NOT a Blue Swedish(like Smedley) but also NOT a female.

He? Is an Indian Runner(a duck that looks like a wine bottle on legs) and very much a male. The pair of them live out in the chicken yard with the 20 + regular chickens we have. He? Is interested in every single one of them.

As you can see Kirk is tall, dark and handsome (every woman’s dream duck ;) ) but he seems to forget that he is a DUCK and they are CHICKENS and have their very own roosters should they feel the need to get frisky. Of course he usually forgets this right about the time company shows up to the house and is wandering around the property looking at the various critters.

Its ALWAYS fun to explain to strangers WHY he is chasing those chickens. Especially when those strangers tend to be little kids.

Last weekend Kirk and Smedley became the proud parents of two new ducklings(that were ‘imported’) a gorgeous little Blue Swedish, and a handsome little Rouen.

The Swede is on the left the Rouen on the right.

We also picked up 2 Silver Laced Wyandottes, 2 Arucanas/Americanas (the green/pink egg layers) and 2 Marans. These 6 moved outside today along with the other two blue Swedes that I picked up about a week and a half ago. (Pictures of the group are from right after we got the new Swedes).

Ducks, ducks everywhere, yet not a duck to spare

mackenziesmomma@gmail.com (Mackenzies Momma) — Thu, 07 May 2009 21:52:00 +0000

Today saw the arrival of two new ducklings to the poultry clan. They join the other two ducklings who are already chilling in the cage with the chicks and are yet un-named. So this will bring us to a total of 6 ducks.

4 Blue Swedish

1 Runner(seriously he needs some therapy)

and a Rouen.

Ought to be an interesting mix.

Neither of the older two ducks are named as nothing has quite seemed right(even though I’ve had the older swede for almost a year now) so any suggestions are welcome.

Oh and if you recall last year about this time:

Life’s little Ironies

mackenziesmomma@gmail.com (Mackenzies Momma) — Thu, 07 May 2009 05:11:00 +0000

So today in English class the Professor of DOOM! handed back our Personal Essays that we wrote approximately 3 weeks ago now. When I’d originally gotten mine back I had FREAKED out because of how many changes and edits the Prof wanted. Then I spent a whole weekend editing and ripping my hair out and re-editing, and revising until it was ‘perfect’.

Today when he handed it back he looked at me and asked:

PoD: “So have you ever been published?”
me: “Uhm, no, no I have not. I’ve submitted but never been published.”
PoD: “Oh. Well you should change to an English Major. You’re good at this”

me: o..0 “Uh…Okay, sure whatever.”

I felt like being all “yes, I’ve been published and that is totally why I am in this REMEDIAL English(okay, actually I am taking it by choice as I could have tested out of it but decided not to) class.

Was a little peeved that the PoD didn’t seem to notice my comment about the book we are reading that flat out called the book despicable. Though it may have just been the cloak and dagger I used to disguise it when I was jabbing it into his precious title.

If this post doesn’t get me the Google Pervs nothing will

mackenziesmomma@gmail.com (Mackenzies Momma) — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 17:02:00 +0000

Ah yes, living in the country is normally an idyllic lifestyle full of croaking frogs and quiet nights.

Until something like yesterday’s incident occurs.

Now that its spring it was time to officially start mowing the field and get in on all the excitement.

I was making the first pass of the field and was approaching our light pole that is in the field(on the side of the road) when I noticed *SOMETHING* attached to it. I was still a good distance away and saw that it was brown and figured it was a way ward leaf or something that’d blown onto the pole.

As I started getting closer I noticed something ODD about the item- it was triangular and more importantly cloth.

It wasn’t until I was up close that I saw what it was:

Oh yes, that is a THONG nailed to a pole. Its not just any thong though, its a leopard skin one…

I went on my way mowing, since I didn’t have anything to remove it with on the tractor. When I was finished I ran back to the house and got the crow bar, to take it off.

Get back out pry the nail loose enough that I can take it off the pole using the crow bar(is NO way I was touching it *shudders*) and decide that instead of taking it to the house I’d just “dispose” of it in the woods across the street. (Frankly I’d much rather see the neighbors have to deal with it than take it to the house).

So I’m getting ready to cross the street with the thong on the end of the crow bar, when I hear a Car coming. Stop to wait and of course the car slows down, and the driver gives me one of those “WTF?!” looks when he sees what I’m holding.

I’m pretty sure that the neighbor now thinks I’m some kind of odd perv or something standing on the side of the road with a thong on a stick. Ought to be fun this summer when we have our open house ;)

Today I bade goodbye to my best friend

mackenziesmomma@gmail.com (Mackenzies Momma) — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 05:41:00 +0000

Cactus*Point Jesse’s Girl 1*M

Over the last 5 years I have had one goat that stood out above the rest in terms of her endearment to me.

She came to me as a 4 year old doe who had just had Twins. A mottled black doe with the eyes of an angel and the face of happiness. Jesse quickly wormed her way into my heart and my show string as my Fit and Show doe.

We spent many a long hours working on show routines and just hanging out in the pasture, her being convinced that she’d given birth to me and that she must guard me from all other ‘usurpers’.

A few years ago I retired Jesse from having kids after two particularly traumatic kiddings back to back. She’s since just hung out with the herd being a pasture ornament and teacher to the younger ladies who have graced my herd.

Always a calm and reasonable doe, she was first one to the milk room each morning(even when she wasn’t milking) and the last one to bed most nights. I could spend hours just snuggling into her and staring at the sky as the time passed us by.

She had a tough winter this year with the four feet of snow in December but I thought that we had turned a corner finally with the advent of Spring earlier this week.

This afternoon my sister went to do chores, and came running for me saying that Jesse had gone down. Instantly I was out the door and in the goat pen, but the moment I saw her I knew that I would be saying goodbye.

Jesse had suffered a stroke and lost the ability to control the left side of her body, and was having mini-seizures on her right side. I quickly tried to get her to a sternally reccumbent position, but found she couldn’t so covered her in my sweatshirt and sat on the ground with her waiting for the reinforcements to ~~hurry up and eat~~ help move her.

Called the vet and explained what happened he said he’d be out as soon as he could and to keep her comfortable. We moved her to the barn where I settled in to say my goodbyes and wait with her.

Thankfully when he arrived he quickly confirmed my diagnoses and prognosis, and agreed that I had made the right choice.

I know you will be waiting for me my dear friend, someday at the Rainbow Bridge. Until then, enjoy the pastures.

So many posts I could be writing but instead I’ll write this one…

mackenziesmomma@gmail.com (Mackenzies Momma) — Sun, 08 Feb 2009 08:44:00 +0000

I love my British friends.

See they know what I like and they send me wonderful care packages. I love getting mail, but i love it even more when that mail is either laugh out loud funny or filled with chocolate and other goodies.

My first British care package arrived sometime late last year. It had a short funny story that one of my awesome friends Barcardi wrote for me. I’ve carried that thing to many an event where I knew I might need cheering up and it has helped to keep a smile on my face.

Then at Christmas she sent me another lovely care package filled with chocolate and presents for the wee one. Not just any chocolate mind you, but the GOOD British Cadbury’s (and yes there is a difference from American Cadburys). I’m a sucker for chocolate.

Throw in an adorable bear for the wee one and I’m a goner.

The end of last month another friend Mirth sent me a care package chock full of Wagon Wheels:

Which are similar to the American Moon Pie but 100 million times tastier. She also sent me a LOL picture, but I am too stingy to share it(because frankly it’s a personal running joke, and would take far too long to explain). Lets just say it is totally fun and I grin every time I look at it.

Same day the WW’s and the LOL picture arrived I also found a new little friend in the mail:

That is a pewter squirrel pin that my good friend Sam sent me.

So imagine my surprise the other day when I went to the mailbox and found from Barcardi an envelope chock full of English Cadbury goodness. I’ve now hidden it away in hopes that this time it lasts me more than 2 days. Though with a night like tonight that is doubtful.

Just a little more proof….

mackenziesmomma@gmail.com (Mackenzies Momma) — Sat, 07 Feb 2009 12:50:00 +0000

I’ve always known that I’m considered to be the ‘smart one’ amongst many of my friends. Tonight I also got further proof of the fact that while I may be the ‘smart one’ it does NOT mean that I am the ‘artistic one’.

See last night I was at my parenting group and we had a local physician come in talk to us about a variety of subjects. One of the questions had to do with vaccines/vaccinating. He asked if anyone knew the history of the Iditarod race(that it recreates the path that they took to get the diptheria medications for the people of Nome). I know this(see last bit) and so tenatively raise my hand and answered the question. He also spoke a little on some other subjects of which I also have knowledge.

We then moved into the ‘craft’ portion of the night. In honor of Valentines day we were doing cake decorating. I was given 2 colors of food coloring with which to decorate- green and yellow.

So I made the following cake:

Kudos to anyone who knows what it *Actually* is.

Where has the week gone?

mackenziesmomma@gmail.com (Mackenzies Momma) — Fri, 06 Feb 2009 04:53:00 +0000

I don’t know about you but for me this week has just flown by. Monday was pretty much a waste as I was still dead on my feet from Saturday and then today I was talking to my dad and he was asking about my plans for tomorrow night. When I told him I didn’t have any he kindly reminded me that it was the first Friday and that I’d mentioned we had our parenting group. That made me realize that it was *gasp* Thursday and I didn’t even do ANYTHING productive this week.

I think that I decided that in April I will be going to Vancouver for a ‘me weekend’ and going to the Con up there even if no one really likes it because darn it, I deserve to have some fun.

Was hired today by my Uncle to do some warehouse work for him, and I now get to spend the next month and a half learning all about Fishing reels, rods, crab traps and assorted other sporting goods- ought to be a fun time.

Got CanadiTom some new voices and maps and am now(fruitlessly) trying to convince him that I really do live at my house. He seems to think that I have moved since I re-taught him my address this morning. Though he now has some fun new voices(a new Canadian, and Darth Vader among them).

I’ve spent a lot of time lately playing with the camera and taking just a million shots so that I can improve my familiarity with it…

Just a quick update

mackenziesmomma@gmail.com (Mackenzies Momma) — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 07:59:00 +0000

I just wanted to let you all know that yes, I am still alive. I hope to be blogging more now that the 2009 CLE/CWS is over and done(yesterday).

As far as I know preliminary data suggests that overall everything went well. The pre-registration number was around 680 as of Wednesday so I’m sure that we had more then that but I haven’t heard a final count yet.

Overall I enjoyed teaching again this year though my advanced class was a bit difficult. I had one of those students who decided that everything I taught was wrong and that it was *their* job to inform the others of the error of my ways.

I was glancing at my searches and had a few rather interesting/funny/what the heck ones jump out at me from the last couple months.

uncensored cg gallery from mama club
weather in resloute
what is something slippery / something slippery
joe biden powerpoint
agoat the bomber part 1
what is a proverbial horse / proverbial horse

The oddest search term that led to my blog has GOT to be:

watersink uk so named as water sinks through ground walk

Hope that all of you are doing well, and I hope to be back with in a few days with some new photos that I’ve been playing with.

Just to give you a preview of what you’ll see:

GFC Update

mackenziesmomma@gmail.com (Mackenzies Momma) — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 22:21:00 +0000

So you may remember I promised the GFC last year. Well there was a slight hitch in that when there was a rival group that took over the GF's hang out.

We call 'em the chicken gang (CG for short).

Its a rogue band of chickens that breaks free of their enclosure and roam the property raising havoc with the other creatures, especially members of the GF's.

The Ring- Leader aka "Fluffy foot"

The Boss- aka 'ole red.

These two are the most wily(and annoying) of all the bunch, stalking anybody who dares exit the front door without any food in hand. Evasive action must be taken to avoid them.

So apparently, I need to re-home some books

mackenziesmomma@gmail.com (Mackenzies Momma) — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 07:43:00 +0000

The other day I went to open my DRESSER and found the reason it has been creaking and groaning omninously from the corner in which it resides in. Apparently I stuffed it full of books.

Paperbacks, hardbacks, big books, little books all shoved in one of the drawers after I read them and forgotten like, well, books.

Actually looking at some of these I don't remember ever reading them, or buying them for that matter leading me to believe they are amongst those that mysteriously arrived from the book club I once belonged to even though I dutifully canceled every 'selection of the month'.

Since I have a to read stack that is a bit insane at the moment:

though just glancing at it I can see 4 books(the top 4) that can be knocked off the 'must read immediately' list.

I guess I will be needing to re-home some of the basket dwellers:

And drawer livers:

See just looking at those photos though I can see certain members of my 'family' that I just can't bear to part with:

Momzillas - a cute, hilarious read about the seedy underworld of the Type A mommy.

Mother- a story that brought me to tears, as I have always had a very rocky relationship with my mother at best

Marley & Me - a wonderful hilarious story about life with a dog, that sounds so much like some of mine(I get to see the movie tomorrow!)

Onion John- this may be a 'childrens book' but it has stuck with me through 2 moves, and several life changes.

Holy Bible- though I rarely read *THIS* copy anymore it was my first one that I ever got when we were actually going to church regularly. I have several other copies around, that get more use.

This leaves a few books out in the cold though:

You might be a Redneck if.... - just meh, considering who wrote it. Don't even ask about the patch on the front.

Nora Roberts Innocent in Death - I'm thinking this along with the James Patterson and the Johnathan Kellerman are from the book club of doom.

As for the basket books I found them and have to go through what looks like my 'humor' section and see what will make the cut.

Looks like I'll be doing some serious cutting if I want to get my room and such into shape though. *sighs*

Oh how the time flies...

mackenziesmomma@gmail.com (Mackenzies Momma) — Sun, 11 Jan 2009 04:26:00 +0000

So I was digging through some of my photo folders and found some pictures of snows gone by:

Kenzie's first snow (January '07, 10 months)

And the one that is SURE to win me mother of the year someday:

Her 2nd Snow (January '08 1 year 10 months)

Finally this last snow (Dec. '08 2 years 9 months)

I'm still here....tired...but here

mackenziesmomma@gmail.com (Mackenzies Momma) — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 05:54:00 +0000

So with the holidays now over, and no goats yet expecting(so *not* my job this year thankfully) I now turn my attention to more important things.

Like CLE/CWS planning. In 25 short days I will be teaching not 1 but 2 full length classes and only have one set of curriculum fully finished. I am freaking out because I'm not sure what(or how) to teach the other class.

Since I returned from Burbank I have slept very little as I *hate* this time of year when it is dark more than light.

You can find my notes on Burbank HERE. I had a great time and now just need to figure out how to keep being able to go to these things.

We recently spent 12 days stranded by the snow. That was an exercise in patience and fun. The insane amounts of snow have stuck around though we have gotten down to about a one foot average across most of the yard, though the driveway is still lined by snow boulders from the kindly neighbors' CAT.

This Friday will mark the end of a very fun chapter in my life. Stargate Atlantis' 100th and final episode will air. They have already green lit a movie but no word yet on when it will be out.

Kavan Smith and I

AKA: The Reason I went To Burbank and made a fool out of myself :D

You might be a country girl if.....

mackenziesmomma@gmail.com (Mackenzies Momma) — Sun, 21 Dec 2008 20:16:00 +0000

you have a goat wandering around your kitchen.

You all may remember CARTER. She has been a pain in my butt since she was born and is most famous for convincing everyone she'd decapitated a leg.

Last night she took her accomplishments to a whole new level. She nearly died of hypothermia.

See we have a lot of this on the ground:

Which means its really cold. We've had so much snow in the last several days that it was actually taller than her. So at some point yesterday she must of gone out in it and gotten chilled.

Late last night I stepped out to see if the new bout of snow had arrived, and happened to hear a weak cry coming from the barn. I wasn't dressed at all for the weather(just had 'indoor' clothes on) so I grabbed some boots and quickly rushed out to the barn and found her curled up under the hay bunk.

Brought her in and started warming her up from some horridly cold temp(no idea what as I was more concerned about her than what I was working from but it was well below 94 degrees).

Got her to warm up and pulled her through, but now she is stuck living in the house until the snow melts a little or she grows whatever happens first.

An open letter to Lacey

mackenziesmomma@gmail.com (Mackenzies Momma) — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 06:29:00 +0000

Dear Lacey,

Yesterday, you welcomed my new favorite little man into the world. While I have yet to meet the wonderful(and assuredly adorable) Jordan, I wanted to share a few thoughts.

First of all welcome to the club. Motherhood, is a wonderful and eventful journey and you are now a card carrying member of us. You will do wonderfully, and raise a wonderful, brilliant little boy who will grow up and amaze us all someday of this I am sure.

Motherhood, is a long and winding road that will take you to your highest highs, and your lowest lows, but in the end it will be all worth it. Just remember no matter what that there are people who care for and love you.

Remember to always trust your gut, but listen to your heart, think with your head and love with your words. Don't be afraid to speak up when the need arises(though knowing you this won't be a problem) and always do what you know is right for him. No one knows him better than you and you will do no wrong by him if you just raise him the way you know.

Guide him gently, but don't be a wallflower parent. Grow with him, and discover the world again(who knew a leaf could be so beautiful?) his eyes will open yours to a world you never imagined.

Let him lead you, and teach you, for with him your world is about to expand to places you never knew. That's not just a cloud, or a bush or a blade of grass, listen and you will see.

Hold him close, and snuggle him count his fingers, and toes.

And remember- I'm here if you need me, just a phone call away no matter the day, the hour or the reason.

Now go have some fun with that baby.

Love,

Me.

Meetings, Schedules, and general crazy abounds

mackenziesmomma@gmail.com (Mackenzies Momma) — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 20:16:00 +0000

So as you may recall earlier this year I taught and helped to host the CLE/CWS for one of my volunteer organizations.

There are several branches of this organization, and one of the other branches does/did something similar the CLW that is traditionally held in October.

This year they didn't have enough time, energy or resources to put it on so it has been shifted into a YoCL for 2009.

I had heard that they were having a hard time getting people to help their committee so I said that as a Board Member I would step up and attend and assist them in anyway possible.

Last night was our 3rd meeting and it looks like it is going to be a great year for them and their program(aside from the budget cuts county wide).

Though being involved in both CLW AND CLE/CWS has become a bit challenging.

First of all there is the similarity of names(workshop vs. expo) and both have meetings semi-regularly.

This week was an interesting challenge in that both committee's had meetings the CLW last night and the CLE/CWS tomorrow night. I also still have class until Dec. 2nd and get to juggle that in as well.

Squirrel Fiction is now live

mackenziesmomma@gmail.com (Mackenzies Momma) — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 07:28:00 +0000

Just wanted to say that if you want to check out what I've been doing lately this is probably the place to go.

See a number of months ago I got involved in writing for a group of my friends the "Squirrels" over on the Dgeek forum.

Originally I was planning on just writing one story and calling it quits. Then I discovered how much fun it was to write the stuff(as you get to intermix real people into fictional situations). So I kept writing it.

The I discovered Photoshop and started making banners and art for fun.

Nikki and I were creating so much content that it started to overwhelm her personal blog where we had been publishing so she set up the New home of Squirrel Fiction.

Squirrel Fiction Network is a fun place to drop by have a good laugh and kick your feet up. So if you feel so inclined to- drop by say hi! But be warned our inner geeks are out in full over there :D

Of Butterflies, and Dive Bombers

mackenziesmomma@gmail.com (Mackenzies Momma) — Sun, 16 Nov 2008 20:45:00 +0000

So as I mentioned a couple days ago, Burbank is fast approaching.

This fact really hit me the other night when I took the time to pack my suitcase since I won't have much time this week.

For some reason every committee I'm involved in decided that *THIS* would be the perfect week to have meetings. Normally I wouldn't stress over having 2 meetings plus class in one week, except for the fact that all these things are happening on the same nights of the week.

Monday night I have no plans.

Tuesday we have therapy, then I have class, then I go out to Whidbey Island for the WSU LA CLW planning meeting.

Wednesday night I work. I have to get as many of Thursday's tubs done Wednesday night, then hopefully some of Friday's as well.

Thursday we have therapy, then I have class, then I drive back to town and attend the WSU LA CLE/CWS planning meeting then come home and finish whatever tubs I didn't earlier. Then I have to check my email, print my boarding pass for the Airporter, the Plane, and the confirmation for the hotel.

In related news, the nervous butterflies have turned into fully armed Dive Bombers that are doing aerial acrobatics in my stomach.

Wonderful fabulous awesome Mail!

mackenziesmomma@gmail.com (Mackenzies Momma) — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 06:35:00 +0000

So now, it has really become, really 'real' that next weekend I will be flying away to Burbank for my Sci Fi Convention.

There will be some totally amazing actors in attendance:

and most importantly(to me at least):

Kavan Smith

So next weekend? If you don't hear from me- don't worry, I'm more than likely in a state of complete and utter geek bliss. :) ;)

(this is a week from tomorrow{November 21-24})