The Inaugural 10 Things of Thankful!!

My family sat around the dining room table, the dinner options laid out before us.  One of my sons inspected it all and complained, "Oh, man, we're having asparagus?"

I hopped all over him.  "Honey, what else are we having?"

"Chicken, mashed potatoes, corn, and strawberries."

"Do you like all of those things?"

"Yes."

"And yet, when you came to the table, you picked out the one thing you don't like, and complained about it.  You had a choice; be grateful for the things you like or be upset about having to eat something you don't.  You chose to be unhappy.  Next time, why not choose to be happy? Instead of complaining to me about the asparagus, try thanking me for the mashed potatoes.  Do you think the tone of dinner will be a bit different if you do?"

Yes.  Yes it will.

What we look for, we will find.  If we look for the bad, we will most certainly find it.  There are bad things happening around us every day.  However, there are also good, kind, wonderful things happening at the same time.  We simply need to look for them.  When we do, our attitudes improve.  We become happier. 

This is why I jumped in yelling, "Pick me!  Pick me!" when my friend, Considerer, made a call for co-hosts for her new blog hop.  I'm all for encouraging people to see the good in their lives.

Before you are allowed to share your own, though, I'm going to make you read mine first.

Unless, of course, you are so excited to join in, you scroll right through mine to link yours up.  I'll be grateful for the link-up.

10 Things of Thankful

 

1.  I am thankful for forts.  I know, last year I went on and on about how much I strongly dislike forts, but that was about indoor forts.  Outdoor forts are the bomb.  My kids have grand plans of spending 24 hours outside one day next week.  Yesterday, they spent the entire day outside getting their forts ready.  Two teams.  Two forts.  One quiet house.  One happy mom.

 

2.  I am thankful for over-the-counter medicine (for man and beast).  When one gets poison ivy around her eye, she may want to gouge out her eyeball and rip off her eyelid.  Fortunately, when hydrocortisone doesn't work, IvaRest will usually do the trick.  When a pig gets sick and a vet can't get to it, we can buy all the medicine we need to cure it.

3.  I am thankful for beautiful spring evenings.  Hubby and I use these as date nights by heading out to the garden to pull weeds.  We're outside to feel the warm breeze, to hear the animals chattering, to see the sun setting.  We can talk about anything we want, confident the children will not interrupt us.  (They are way too afraid we'll put them to work if they do.)  All of this while helping our garden to grow.

4.  I am thankful for food in the pantry and the freezer.  By raising our own pigs and canning our own food, I can simply run to the basement at 4:30 and say, "We're going to have pork tenderloin, cinnamon apples, and green beans for dinner.  I'll make some cornbread to go with."  I did that just yesterday.

5.  I am thankful for our dogs.  Sure, they are a pain sometimes, digging up my flowers and eating the chickens that managed to get into the yard.  But they do their job.  A coyote has been coming around in the mornings, trying to make friends.  The dogs will have none of it.  The coyote, so far, has been kept away from the pigs.

6.  I am thankful for kind doctors and modern medical practices.  Since our new home seems to be OrthoIndy, I'm so grateful for the kind, efficient people who work there.  They know what they're doing, they get us in and out as quickly as possible, and they pass out candy.  We have healed or are healing from our injuries quite nicely.

7.  I am thankful for good friends and a playground to meet.  Our kids run around having fun and burning energy while we moms can laugh, vent, and support each other in our struggles.  And I get to hold babies.  I love holding babies.

8.  I am thankful for bright sunshine which dries our clothes so nicely.  I can get so much more done when two or three loads can be hung to dry, while the socks and underwear take an eternity to dry in the dryer.

9.  I am thankful for good, kind, fun coaches.  There has been some unhappiness surrounding one of our soccer teams, and it just makes us more grateful for the wonderful coaches we do have and have had in the past.  My kids have never once complained about going to soccer.  They love it, and so much of that love is a result of the coaches' love of the game.

10.  I am thankful for mulberries.  Unlike the song says, mulberries don't always grow on bushes.  We have an abundance of mulberry trees around our property.  Sure, I look like I am bleeding out when I get back from mowing around them, but those berries taste so good.  The kids don't even have to come inside for a snack when they are outside playing.  They simply go to one of the trees and start eating.  

I have not been good about storing these berries.  I don't know exactly what to do with them.  Do I need to take the stems out or not?  Taking them out would be a pain!  The kids pick a bunch, so I am going to try to make a pie with them.  We'll see how it goes.  I'm sure there is a recipe for syrup out there somewhere I could try, too.

If you have a good recipe for anything mulberry, let me know!!  I'd be so grateful.

And now, the moment you've all been waiting for...

The new blog hop is here!  The new blog hop is here! I'm somebody now!

Happy thanking and linking and hopping!!

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 Your hosts

A Fly on our (Chicken Coop) Wall, A Woman's Place, Bringing the Sunshine, Considerings, Finding Ninee, Icansaymama, Shoved to Them, Steps into Parenthood, The Wakefield Doctrine

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7QT #?? and FTSF #??

Let's get to it...

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Hubby to me:  "You gotta believe me when I tell you the two things I'm about to tell you are not related.   I'm out of underwear and we don't have any toilet paper."

Oh, how I love that man.

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Giant's cast came off!!

I was happy to see there weren't any odd things stuck down in the cast and it wasn't dirty at all.  Not even that stinky.  Guess when you aren't allowed to get your heart rate up, sweat isn't nearly as much of an issue.

He made two observations:

1.  I have a tan line!

See it?

2.  The skin on my broken thumb is smooth.  It doesn't even have wrinkles.

Yeah, that's because it's still swollen.  Not exactly healed.

We came home with 2 soft casts, which he will wear all summer long.

One for when he's not playing soccer

And one for when he is.  (aka Cuckoo's cast when Giant isn't playing soccer.)

I feel this photo should be in Highlights magazine.  How many silly things do you see in this picture? 

I was a bit nervous to ask one question, thinking the staff would find me to be a bit off.  I was so happy when the tech simply offered.

Why yes, we would love to take the old cast home!

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I was talking to my mom the other day, and she was telling me about getting new appliances in her kitchen.  She told the story about her fridge's water line needing to be replaced, and as she was cutting or doing something with the copper wire, she cut herself.  She said, and I quote,

I was bleeding like a stuck pig.

blah, blah, blah.

Me: "SAM!" *

Mom:  What?

Me:  Do you know what you just said?

Mom:  What are you talking about?

Me:  You bled like a stuck pig?

Mom:  Yes, I cut my finger.

Me:  SAM!  After the week I just had, you are going to sit there and nonchalantly throw that phrase around like it doesn't mean anything?

Mom:  Oh!  Hahahahahaha!

Me:  I have seen a stuck pig.  I know the blood of a stuck pig.  I HAVE STUCK THE PIG AND MADE IT BLEED!  Until you have seen and done the things I have seen and done, you are not to use that phrase again!!!  You hear me!?!?!  **

Mom: Hahahahahaha!  OK, back to my kitchen.

* When I need my mom's full attention, I call her by her first name.
**I love my mom to pieces.  I'm not usually so smart-mouthed with her. ***

*** Yes, I am.  She loves it.

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Speaking of pigs, an update.

I am very happy to say that the last three pigs are still alive and acting as pigs should.  They are eating, drinking, running, and rooting around.  Oh, the rooting.  The pen will never be the same after this lot. 

Thanks to a second injection which Hubby helped me give to the sickest pink pig (I'm sorry, I didn't write a post about this one.  It was getting dark, and we were both exhausted.  It took 10 minutes for me to convince Hubby to actually catch the pig with the rope, and another 5 for him to catch the thing), it is doing much better.

Unfortunately, Hubby was not able to catch the 2nd sickest pig, so it did not receive a second dose.  It still has diarrhea.  We're going to have to come up with a plan to catch that sucker and give it more medicine.

I'll try to get photos.

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Speaking of diarrhea, I feel much better now.  Thank you for all of the well wishes.  At least, I think that's what you were doing through your laughing.

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Tonight the new blog hop goes live!!!  Are your thankful posts ready!!!! 

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Our FTSF sentence:

I hit a turning point in my life when...

I have taken many sharp turns in my lifetime, but one that had the biggest impact was the day I forgave my parents and stepparents.

I was sitting in a quiet church, praying about something completely unrelated.  I don't know what happened, but all of a sudden I started crying.  Tears streamed down my face as thoughts of my childhood and teen years went through my head.  I realized I was holding on to some serious anger and bitterness.  With all divorce situations, there are difficulties.  With remarriage situations, plenty more come up.  We'll just say there were some serious difficulties. 

I was holding on to my anger for one Very Good Reason.  The same reason most people hang on to anger.  I wanted someone to apologize.  I wanted someone to apologize for the difficulties I had to go through and take responsibility for it.  See?  Very Good Reason. 

Sitting in that church, it became clear to me that my bitterness and anger were doing nothing but hurting me.  They certainly didn't know I was angry.  It's not like I was outwardly mean towards my parents.  I still went to visit.  I was pleasant when I was there.  However, it was more out of obligation than desire to be there.  By holding on to the anger, I was hurting whatever possible future relationship I could have with them.   

An apology wasn't going to come.  What was I going to do about it?

I chose to take responsibility for my own anger.  I chose to forgive.  I simply let it go.  As the tears dripped off my chin, my anger and bitterness went with them. 

The weirdest thing about it all was that I didn't feel the need to tell my parents about it.  Our relationship changed in a very big way, but they weren't going to know that it happened.  There was nothing for me to say.

While I haven't forgotten those difficult years, I'm not angry.  I have learned from the past, and I am the person I am because of the past difficulties. 

I now thoroughly enjoy spending time with my parents.  I look for opportunities to spend time with them.  I'm sad when I can't be at gatherings they are attending. 

This relationship wouldn't have been possible if I would have held onto that anger.

But the best part is, I have taken what I've learned from this and applied it to everyone I come across.  People make mistakes.  Do I really want to hold their mistakes against them for the rest of their lives?  Do I want to be angry all the time?  No.  No I don't.

Plus, if I hold onto my anger for the mistakes other people make, don't others then have a reason to hold onto the anger for the mistakes I have made against them?

Have a lovely day!

 

                 

Big Announcement that Has Nothing to Do with Laundry

Back during the A to Z Challenge, I stumbled upon Josie's blog.  Each day, I enjoyed reading her list of all the things beginning with the day's letter for which she was grateful.  The variety of items was sometimes touching, sometimes funny, but always interesting.

Recently, my long-time blog friend, Considerer, has been doing "10 Things of Thankful" each day.  She is wanting to "find the joy in each day and combat the easy way negativity can just happen without our really thinking about it."  Even on her worst days, she has managed to come up with 10 things for which she is grateful.

When Considerer threw out the idea of starting a blog hop about being thankful, I offered to be a co-host. 

And she let me.  I don't know what either one of us was thinking.

I have absolutely no idea how to be a co-host.  I have no idea how to set up a linky dohicky.  I have no idea how this is actually going to work.  I just know I'm a co-host, and it starts this Saturday at midnight.

DID YOU HEAR ME?!?!?

SAT to the UR to the DAY!!!

My dear friend has done everything for it.  I have simply told her when it will be midnight compared to GMT (That's in Great Britain, ya know.)  and that I will have a list ready.  She has done everything else, including making our button.

 

How pretty is that?

Now, I know you are desperately wanting to get in on this bit of positive energy.  Here's what you bloggers can do:

1.  Write a post on "Ten Things of Thankful".
2.  Come back here between midnight Saturday (Friday going into Saturday) and Sunday night, with fingers crossed, to see if I did everything that Considerer told me to do, and link up your post.
3.  Smile when it works.
4.  I bet others would be grateful if you visited them. 

If you're not a blogger, have no fear.  You can participate, too.  Just leave your list in the comments.  Positive energy doesn't have to come in the form of a post. :)

I look forward to seeing you this weekend!

Even a Pirate Can't Stop Me

I am a runner.

I run at 6:30am.

Last night, when I told Hubby this bit of news, exactly like that, he laughed.

"Really, you have the wrong tense.  If you've only gone out one morning, you must say, 'I ran at 6:30 today.'  It's more accurate."

When I told the kids, they laughed, too.

"Really?" they asked.

Yes, really.

Even my mom was doubtful.

I know.  It's shocking.  Gotta say, though, it doesn't shock anyone more than it does my own body.

The 7.5 minute run went something like this:

When you read this, use a piraty-type accent.  For some reason, that's what my brain sounds like, being the captain of the ship and all.

Brain:  Blimey!  She's doing physical activity.  Is there another pig on the loose?  No?  What in tarnation is she doing?

OK, so maybe it's a pirate/Yosemite Sam combo.

Brain:  Muscles!  Smartly there!  Git to work!

Me:  Oh, silly brain, I was a college athlete.  I know the muscles won't hurt for long.  I just need to push through.  Weak move, Brain.  Weak.

Brain:  Skin, start itchin'!

Me:  Why, Brain?  Why have you always done this to me?  It's so annoying.  Too bad for you, I mastered the art of scratching my thighs while still running back in high school.  Yes, it's silly looking, but it doesn't stop me.

Brain:  Arg!  She still be runnin'!  I hates runnin'!  Lungs!  Now!

Me:  Finally, you picked something that makes me rethink this whole running thing.  You know, I'm not a fan of it either.

Brain:  We got 'er, me hearties!  Give 'er everythin' ya got!  ANKLE!!!!

Me:  Well played, Brain.  Well.  played.  Lucky for you, I planned on stopping now anyway.

You are probably wondering why I went for a run in the first place.   It's a valid question, seeing as how I always say running is so bad for you.

Monday night, we were at the soccer fields for the U10 end of year party.  As we were about to eat, I realized we left the picnic blankets in the car.  I ran the 100 yards to the car to retrieve them.    Ya'll, I was wiped when I got to that car.  I started to run back with the blankets, but I couldn't do it.

Then and there, I decided to do something about it, but in one of those I don't really mean it kinda ways.  On Tuesday morning, as Hubby left for work at 6:20 and I lied layed lain  stayed in bed, I thought, "No, I really don't want to run."

I can't go back to sleep once awoken, so I got up.  And that's when it hit me.  My legs were sore.  MY LEGS WERE ACTUALLY SORE FROM RUNNING A HUNDRED YARDS!!

It's official.  I am horribly out of shape.

I'd seen it coming.  Since the (is it?) Lupus diagnosis, I've been careful not to do too much, always afraid that I will do too much and not be able to make it through the day.  Yeah.  I went overboard. 

So, it was the sore legs that put me over the edge.  I immediately donned my running clothes (left over from years ago) and hit the driveway.

Yes, I stuck to the driveway.  I had a house full of kids who had no idea I was going to be leaving the house.  I simply went down, up, down 3/4, and up.  I ran less than a mile.  But I ran!  And I ran again today, going even farther.  Down, up, down, up, down 1/2, and walk back up.  (Up is a hill!)

Hubby called at 7:30 this morning.  I got on his case about waking up the entire family.  And I asked, "What made you think I'd actually be up this early?"

He responded with a laugh, "I figured you'd just be getting back from your run."  He didn't think I'd do it.

But I did.  Aaaand got a shower in before he called.

So, yes.

I am a runner.

I run at 6:30am.

Have a lovely day!

Ways to Volunteer

I am a firm believer in stewardship.  (You can read about it here if you like.)  Basically, I believe everything we have has been given to us, and we are to share that which has been given.  I don't mean just financially.  Our health and our brains are just as important to share.  This is why I volunteer. 

I want my kids to understand this, so I have always included them in my volunteering.  I have heard many people say they would like to volunteer, too, but have no idea how or where to start.  I thought I'd give you a few ideas.  These are all things I have done with my kids over the years.

1.  Library helper.  When we first moved to Indianapolis, I knew no one.  I delivered Phoenix a mere 4 weeks after we moved here.  I was lonely and bored, so I went to the first place I thought of.  I offered my services, but I was upfront and said my newborn would be coming with me.  They were hesitant to say the least, and put us on a probationary period.  I ended up volunteering there every week for over a year, and Phoenix became their mascot.  They even threw a first birthday party for him.  Once I was very pregnant with Buttercup, I stopped coming in every week.  However, each summer for years, I would bring the kids and we would work their summer movie nights.

2.  Leaf raker.  Our church matches up families and groups (Confirmation or sports usually) to rake the yards of elderly parishioners.  A few years ago, we were paired up with Mrs. G.  All six kids get in and work their tails off to get her yard cleaned up.  I just ran into her at church last week.  She was with two of her friends.  As soon as I introduced myself, they both started gushing, "Oh, we know all about you and your kids!  They are such hard workers and so cute and polite.  She is so grateful to have you all come each year." 

Then Mrs. G spoke up.  "I'm 92, but still planning on being alive in October.  If I am, will you be coming out again?" 

Of course we will.

3.  Food pantry.  (I've written about this before.) Volunteers set up a store then help the customers shop.  The one where we volunteer also has a community center.  We've helped organize school supplies, too.

4.  Catholic Charities.  Birthline in particular.  I did this when Phoenix and Buttercup were little.  Mothers are referred to Birthline by social workers.  I would get the information about the new (or not so new) babies and put layettes together (from donated items) for the moms.

5.  Meal preparer.  Several years ago, a mother of one of Star's classmates died from leukemia.  In her name, a group of people got together to help people having to come to Indianapolis for treatments.  There is a house downtown, right next to the hospital where people can stay, free of charge, while they are in town.  Star and his classmates are the ones who did the landscaping around the house.  Each week, at least two nights a week, the meal team supplies dinners for the families staying in the house.  My kids (Buttercup mostly) has helped me make dinners.  We even spent one full Saturday making tons of food for the freezer, so when there are last minute needs, we are ready to help.

6.  PTO.  Our school doesn't allow classroom volunteers to bring siblings, but there are PLENTY of other ways to help.  My kids have helped me sell SpiritWear and Scrips.  Turken has taken it upon himself to find, cut out, and count every Box Top that enters the house.  The older kids have spent hours entering Coke Reward numbers to the school's account.  They help set up and clean up from the fish fry.  They've grilled hot dogs for the fall festival.  See?  Plenty to do.

7.  Kids' activities.  The kids love them some VBC, so I have always worked a station.  The big kids are now old enough to work it instead of attend it, and they sign up every year. Hubby and I have both been coaches for teams the kids have been on.  I wasn't the head track or cross country coach, but they always need assistants.  Just yesterday, the little boys were asking when cross country practice was going to start again.  Turken, because he likes to run with all of the big kids.  Cuckoo because he wants to play on the playground while everyone else runs.

8.  Personal shopper.  When a friend went on bedrest with her 4th baby (for 10 weeks!) I offered to do her grocery shopping each week.  At least a few kids were with me each time I went to the store.  They helped do the shopping and delivering.

9.  Just be friendly in general, even to strangers.  My kids see me helping people all the time.  In the grocery store, if I see a person of shorter stature can't reach something, I'll get it for her.  When someone has his hands full, and is headed for a door, I point it out to the kids, and one of them will open the door for him. 
 
Every once in a while, I will help someone out on the open road.  I don't recommend this in every instance.  I don't help all strangers, seeing as how I don't want my kids and me to be killed.  I do, however, help when someone is in obvious need of help AND my creep radar isn't sending any flags AND the road is safe to do so.  For example, we came across an older gentleman on one of the backroads around here who was still driving, albeit very slowly, his truck which had a flat tire.  I pulled up alongside him and offered him some help.  In the end, I drove him home, about 2 miles down the road.  Ended up, his brother is the policeman that lives right around the corner from us.  This gentleman happened to raise horses.  He was so grateful for the ride, he told me to bring the kids down to ride the horses any time they wanted.

10.  Use their art.  When someone is in need of prayers, I sometimes suggest the kids draw pictures/write cards for her.  Our church is involved in prison retreats, and they asked for kids to make placemats.  My kids were all over it.

11.  Our school has some sort of service project each month.  I absolutely love the way it is done.  They aren't looking to raise a lot of money or tons of goods, because they don't want the kids to simply go out and ask parents/grandparents for money.  They want the kids to earn it/donate/do the work themselves.  For example, each class decides what animal it wants to buy for Heifer, International.  Each animal costs a different amount, so the kids look over the catalogue, decide how much they think they can earn, then choose.  They then have a goal of their own making, which makes it that much more satisfying to obtain.

12.  Two of my kids play piano.  Now that they are getting good enough to play real songs, and lots of them, I am planning on visiting a nursing home with them.  They can play the piano, and then we can visit for a bit.  I know a lot of kids find nursing homes very uncomfortable, but mine do not.  Their grandma is a physical therapy assistant in a nursing home, and Buttercup has gone to work with her more than once.  They all have visited both their great-grandma and great-grandpa in nursing homes, and have done very well.  At first, yes, they didn't know exactly how to behave/what to do/what to say.  They caught on real quick, though, once they saw how Hubby and I behaved.

13.  Trash clean-up.  Our soccer club has volunteers to clean up the trash on the fields.  We've done that.  We've also simply been playing at a park, seen a bunch of trash around, and decided to clean it up all impromptu-like. 

Volunteering takes time.  Volunteering can be difficult logistically sometimes.  Many times, it is just plain hard work.  And yet, I have never, not once, regretted doing it.  Depending on the age of your children and the type of volunteering you do, the kids will either be of big help, or simply be "helping" you, but really be kind of getting in the way.   Both are good, as the kids are seeing you help others, and they see themselves as helping, too.  When choosing what activity to do, get the kids involved in the choosing.  Think of their talents and interests and abilities.  Ask them if they have any ideas.  You may be surprised at what they come up with.

Simply look around.  There are calls for volunteers all over the place, with phone numbers and email addresses for you to respond.  If you don't see any organized calls for help, figure out what you want to do, then simply walk in and volunteer your services.  It is a rare day that the organization won't be completely glad to see you.

I'm always looking for new ideas.  Got any?? 

Have a lovely day!

Feel Like You're Being Watched? It's Probably Me.

Today's Monday Listicle is "10 Things I First Notice about Someone". 

I am a people watcher.  I so enjoy observing others, and seeing what they do, how they interact, and their choices in personal hygiene.  I like to try to figure out their stories, their relationships.  I know I'm wrong almost every time, and there is no way to know anyone's story by simply observing them from afar, but I still enjoy doing it.

Oh, the conundrum...

Do I admit to being judgmental and turn you all against me?  by saying things like, "I notice if you're wearing pajama pants someplace other than your house.  I love to wear pajama pants, seeing as how they're so comfortable and all.  However, when you leave the house, GET DRESSED!  For the love, it's not that hard to put on a pair of real pants."

Or do I go safe and boring, although sometimes a bit creepy?  I always notice people's eyes.  That's boring, until I add... Especially one of Phoenix's friends.  He has the most beautiful eyes I have ever seen, and I just can't take my eyes off of them.  Even when I'm watching the boys play in a basketball game, I just look at this kid's eyes.  I'm sure the poor boy is completely creeped out by me.

 I think I'll go semi-safe.   On Thursday, I received a text that read, "Want to go see Tim McGraw tonight?  (a friend) backed out at the last minute, so I have an extra ticket."

Will it be way past my bedtime?  yes.

Do I even know any Tim McGraw songs?  One, I think.

Do I want to go?  Heck, ya!

So I went.   I gotta tell ya, there is some goooood people watching to be had at a Tim McGraw concert, my friends.

And for the list...

10 Reasons I Noticed People at the Tim McGraw Concert

1.  Honey, it looks like you outgrew that outfit when you were 14.  How about you head on to the stores and get yourself some clothes that actually cover your assets.  And by "assets" I mean your butt and your boobs and your belly.  Just to be clear.

2.  Sir, if you were with me, I'd pop you.  You are really making it hard for your lady to dance with your hand in her back pocket the entire evening.

3.  Excuse me, ladies, but there are six of you and one little boy which you seem to be sharing.  I'm just dying to know what the situation is.   Can you at least tell me which one of you is the mom?  Are you all related?  Are you sister wives?  Why aren't there any men?  This boy could grow one of two ways: the best husband in the world, as he knows women, or the worst husband ever, as he's spoiled rotten and would expect it from his wife.  Give me just a hint.

4.  Ma'am, where are your teeth?  Perhaps, instead of splurging on pavilion seats, you could have sat in the grass and used that saved money for some chompers?

5.  Older Lady with the outfit my daughter wore when she was 5, I recognize those dance moves.  You are a fan of High School Musical, aren't you?

6.  Tim, why are you singing a love song with Taylor Swift?  You are married to a famous singer.  Why not sing it with your wife? 

7.  People wandering around in the dark, looking for your cars in the humungous grassy parking lot, stinks to be you.  Although, it's good for me.  You are quite enjoyable to watch.

8.  Lady doing her hair after leaving the bathroom stall, PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE WASH YOUR HANDS!!!!  And now, as you leave, I will vomit in my mouth.

9.  Awww, older couple slow-dancing while everyone is sitting through the third slow song in a row.   Many happy years to you!

10.  Grumpy boys in yellow "security" polos, um, I can't take you seriously.  You are an 18 year old making sure no one stands in the aisle.  You are not the secret service guarding the president.   Smile a bit.  Or at least do something besides grunt.   You aren't old enough, nor fit enough, for me to actually trust you if an emergency were to break out.   Try to be a bit more polite.  I actually have a friend who is a secret service agent guarding the president.  He's not as grumpy as you.

The Pig Saga Continues...

One thing I learned from yesterday:  I have marvelously caring friends who get very twitchy when I'm sad.  The texts, phone calls, emails, and comments really helped my mood.  Thank you.  Still sad, but there is nothing I can do in any of the bad news situations except pray and go to a funeral.  So I will.

Now, back to our regularly scheduled program...

I suggest you listen to our new theme song while reading this post.

Throughout this entire pig ordeal, I have learned and done more things than I ever could have imagined.  If I were to write it all out, it would take me days to tell the whole story.  I'll just give you the highlights.

(If I knew how to make a button, this is where it would be.  And it would say "118* things I learned about vets, pigs, pig maladies, and what to do about them.")

1.  There is only one vet in our area that deals with swine. 
2.  Swine is the official term for pigs.
3.  Vets will not do fecal tests on animals they have not seen before.
4.  It is best to figure this out before collecting, double-bagging, and driving fecal samples to the vet's office.
12.  A 75 pound dead pig is much easier to drag to the back field than a 200 pound pig.
13.  Children still find dead pigs fascinating.
14.  When you dispose of a 200 pound dead pig in the back field, the imprint in the field is still there a year later.
5.  Human's can get the same illness as a pig.
6.  When a person thinks she is dying from the same thing that killed her pig, she just might panic.
7.  And send out texts similar to this:

8.  And call her husband, mom, and sister-in-law to discuss the situation.
9.  When a person is dying, there is no such thing as TMI.
10.  People tend to laugh when told the pigs and their owner have the same "bathroom issues".
11.  It's still not funny.
15.  The one swine vet may not actually exist.  I have yet to hear from or see him.
16.  When a pig dies and a vet chooses not to come or even call, sister-in-law vet techs get anxious and suggest completely crazy things to try.

14.  I tend to ignore crazy ideas.
15.  Sister-in-law vet techs don't like to be ignored and will just show up at your door, even if they live 2 hours away.
16.  She will have a couple bags full of medicines, needles, and syringes.
17.  A rope is very handy when trying to catch an uncooperative pig.
18.  Sister-in-law and I need to take lasso lessons.
19.  When a pig is finally caught with a rope in the most difficult way possible, he will squeal, kick, bite, spin around, run, and put up quite a fuss.
20.  Sister-in-law vet techs are strong!
21.  And just as stubborn as a pig.
22.  It is important to be quick when injecting an uncooperative pig.
22.  I am a rock star when it comes to giving a pig multiple injections.
23.  No, sister-in-law wasn't just saying that. 
24.  A pig should only receive 5ml of lincomix in one injection site, even if he needs 10ml.  You need to stick him twice.
25.  If you only want to give a pig 5ml of meds at a time, don't put 10 in the syringe.
26.  A pig who has been given 10 ml of lincomix in one shot will live, but he will have one heck of a painful bump at the injection site.
27.  If your pig has diarrhea, it's a good sign, as that can be fixed.
28.  If a human has diarrhea, it's not good in any way, shape, or form.
29.  Catching and injecting meds into pigs is a great way to bond with your sister-in-law.
30.  You may even end up with your own secret-meaning handshake.
31.  And promises to always call the other when a farm animal is sick and in need of a shot.
31.  When a pig has diarrhea, electrolytes are very helpful in warding off dehydration.
32.  Electrolytes taste nasty.
33.  So I've been told.
33.  Add sugar to the electrolyte/water mix and the pigs will drink every drop.
34.  I just might become a real farmer after all.
35.  Once I actually get through this little bout of assumed salmonella.

*I have no idea how many things I learned.  I got tired of going back and changing the numbers each time I thought to add a point or rearrange the order.  Thus the completely wacky numbering we have going on.

Because of the number of needles being thrown around, the amount of mud in the pen after 5 hours of rain, and the incredible tantrums thrown by the pigs, I didn't let any kids in to take photos.  You're going to have to live with drawings.

Times three.

This morning, the three pigs are still alive.

It's been raining for hours and hours, so the pen is just a pit of deep mud.  The pigs have the small barn area to stay dry, so I can't get a good read on how active they are.

I'll keep you posted.

Have a lovely day!