Freetobeme

I changed the subject on this since it really doesn't pertain to bear-proof chicken coops.

I'm doing most of it alone. A good friend helped with the siding since it's really hard to hold and nail a 4 x 8 sheet of hardboard siding alone! The tearing out, painting, flooring, etc. is a one-woman project. He also helped with hanging the wall cabinets in the kitchen and lifting a large section of countertop (a 3-person job! Fortunately my oldest son was home at the time.)

During my 2 weeks of spring break I rebuilt most of my garage. I originally intended to just replace the siding, but then I wound up having to replace rotted out supports. The old owners had enclosed a carport to make the garage and didn't do a good job of it. The carport had stucco around the posts and noone bothered to remove it before putting in studs and nailing on siding. Water got to it and messed up their additions. I decided to rid myself of the ugly stucco posts and found the 2 x 4's inside the stucco were pretty much history. Now it's all nice and secure with 4 x 6 supports. I just have a little bit of trim to do on the outside and sheetrock on the inside.

As for the interior...the kitchen is finished!

According to what I've read (on the wonderful site you mentioned and elsewhere) Anatolians are typically dog aggressive. I've thought about getting a guardian dog when I move and get livestock because of predator problems (coyotes, raccoons, etc.), but I worry about my other dogs. They are all females and spayed. They range from my son's chihuahua (definitely a house dog) to my 80 pound yellow lab/shepherd mix who is old and arthritic. They all get along fairly well because they've established their pack order. Since you have experience with Anatolians, what is your opinion?

Thanks Joan! I have to find just the right picture though.

Even though I can garden year 'round here in the valley, Mom has freezing temperatures in the winter. That's why she has her tomato plant in the kitchen window. It's one of those 'garden windows' like a mini-bay window. It has produced over 100 tomatoes so far and shows no signs of stopping.

When we move to Snowflake, I plan to build a solar greenhouse so we can garden all year with no extra spent for electricity. I will also set up a grey water system and a rain havesting system to cut down on the amount of well water we have to pump. This water will be used to supply a small pond and water fruit trees, grapes, berries, and gardens. We are going for as much self-sufficiency as possible. If we can't produce what we need, we will produce something to sell or trade for those items. That's basically the way I grew up and I want to get back to those values.

My three and my sons' two dogs certainly must have read these rules! When I was married, there was a lot of complaining about dogs, but I find it is much more peaceful since it's just the girls and me. They are always happy to see me, don't criticize what's for dinner or how messy the house is, like to go to sleep when I do, and are always good listeners. They never care where we are going, just that they get to go, and they don't care what I watch (or don't watch!) on TV. They are also great at getting rid of solicitors at the door.

Well, I won't have to worry about milking the goats. I'm looking into angoras for the hair. There is a decent small market for fleece and spun or woven goods. I'm looking at establishing a good bloodline of colored goats. They are beautiful!

As for my boys, the youngest is in Dahlgren, VA still in school as a fire control tech (fire as in missile). The older one is in school in San Diego. He finished his A school then went to FMSS at Pendleton with the Marines for seven weeks. It was tough, but he did very well. When he finished this school, he will be able to get a certification as an environmental health tech. He did an internship at Balboa Naval Hospital looking after the health of Marine recruits.

DD is still here in the valley. She is finishing her HR degree and working full time. Unfortunately, she has been having back problems and had to take off from work. She went to the emergency room, her regular doctor (who referred her to an orthopedist who can't even see her until April 14th), and finally went to my chiropractor who is helping her quite a bit.

I spent several days in Payson helping my mom this week. We finished putting in her garden...squash, cucumbers, tomatoes, peppers, beans, peas, okra, beets, and asparagus. She had already planted walking onions, elephant garlic, and potatoes. Her pear tree and cherry bushes are blooming nicely. She also got 10 new hens for free from a lady who had 'too many'. Imagine that!

Back in the valley I picked fresh peas and pulled some green onions to go with the cherry tomatoes she has been growing in her kitchen window all winter. My peach tree has lots of little peaches and the plum tree is in full bloom. Life is good! I can hardly wait until we can sell both our places and consolidate on our dream homestead.

How do I create a signature if I have a picture I want to use?

Hi everyone!

Somehow, I think technology has a personal vendetta against me. I was originally 'dragonfly'. Things crashed and I had to re-register, which I messed up and became 'sandra'. Then I forgot my login information and so I'm updating myself as 'goatherder'. I think this is an appropriate moniker since in the near future I plan to move to a 40 acre piece of land (yet to be purchased!) where I will finally have room for goats!

Now I just need a new signature!