Milking Star Announcement.

Nizhoni's Joie de Vivre is has Officially earned her milking star in ADGA. Most of you know my little 'Star" earned her *D in AGS last year. This year we were able to finally get her double registered and I went ahead and tested her and yes - she did it again. She earned her milking Star or *M in ADGA as a 2 yo 3rd Freshener. She was 44 days in milk. and did 3.8lbs of milk, 6.6 % Butterfat. for 9.0 pts (she needed 7.0 to earn her star!)
I am ever so proud of this girl. She is so pretty and sweet and in my heart she's been a star since day one - Of course this is just icing on the cake for us. Also, at Nationals we had a class on becomming DHI testers and 3 of us were able to complete the classes. Now there are going to be at least 4 of us who are official milk testers in NM - aside from the few who are already here!
We will be able to do 1 day tests as well as 305 day tests. I sure hope we can do that this next year.

More Shaved doe pics.

Here is Chocolate Truffle - One of the twin girls out of CBF Ent's Twinkle Lil' Star and Piddlin Acres H. Calm the Storm - this doe is LOVELY. I am having second thoughts about selling her now that she's shaved. Her stance isn't as lovely as it could be since she didn't want to cooperate.

She is nice and wide, appears to have great body capacity and is usually easy to handle. Of course so is her sister who is already staying here at CBFNigerians.


This is CBF Paint th'Sky With Stars. She is Truffle's sister and is one of the most elegant does we've produced here.

She seems to have about every good trait her sister has as well as being a tad longer. I think Truffles may have a bit more body capacity though. I sure had a tough time deciding between the two - now my hubby is saying - "don't, just keep them both and then decide after they freshen" He's not helping me keep my numbers down here - GO ahead give me an excuse to keep more goats!!!

Okay - I couldn't help but get more pictures of this doe - She is just so pretty and well built!!! She makes me smile.

Shaving and Hoof Trimming

Yesterday I had a little time and wanted to shave my youngsters who are have been panting due to the heat and humity. Wow, I got excited about what I found under that hair. This and the very bottom picture are of Nizhoni's DW Tirzah. This lovely little light chocolate doe is stunning. I cannot wait to get her in the show ring. She reminds me more and more of her gorgeous mamma - MCH Esperanza SJ Patience. I am seriously thinking I wouldn't mind having another doe kid out of that doe!!!!

Here is a picture of the doe kid we got from my friend in Colorado. When I shaved her I found some of the most dairy skin and that she actually has a fairly long body under all that hair.

For such a tiny doe kid she has a lot of depth of body for such a tiny doe but she didn't look it before shearing.

Look at this doe and how she stands. I cannot wait until she freshens -If her udder is anywhere near what her mom's is - PARTY TIME!!!!

She is going to be bred to Piddlin Acres KR Tapdance this year as I was so pleased with the breeding I did there with her older half sister Nizhoni's Joie de Vivre *D/*M - OH YEAH - I Forgot to make that anouncement - NEXT POST. I have two more babies to get pictures of so

I'll add it there.

Radiation Update/Dee's Surgery Update

Well, the day has finally arrived for Aly to begin her radiation - we have had two appts now (2 down and 12 to go!) And they have gone well. She has not felt ill from the treatment, just tired.
They typically take only about 15 minutes (we wait longer than that!) I have to thank Kim and Joe for the DEEEEELICIOUS dinner last night - so sweet that they used the rice crust for aaron! You two are AWESOME!!!!
Now for my surgery. I wish I could say my appts were as easy as Alyssa's. HA - I went in at 9ish yestermorning for my preOp appt which I thought (silly me!) was only going to take about an hour - yeah, 3 hours later I wasn't done and though they had informed me that it was a day surgery - they MIGHT keep me in for 3 days. I had to go back today to finish up what didn't get done yesterday before Alyssa's Radiaton appt and it took me another 3 hours to meet with the Anesthesiologist who was SUPER nice and then do an EKG and labs. SIGH. I am ready though. I just want to get this over with. I am so grateful for my mom and my Dear Hubby who is super through all this for all they are doing to make sure the kids and I are well taken care of.
Again, super kudos to Linda for organizing things and to my sister in law who is cooking some meals for us. I don't know how we'd make it through without you all!

Laughing Orca Ranch: Silent Sunday

Laughing Orca Ranch: Silent Sunday - Wow - I just found this post - It is a few pictures of the boys out of Nizhoni's Joie de Vivre *S/*M and CBF Entei! I was so excited I had to show ya'll the beautiful pics of some cute little goats! Thanks Lisa of Laughing Orca for loving those boys and taking such good care of them!

Radiation Update.

Tomorrow is the day - not only does Alyssa have her first Radiation appt but I have my pre OP appt tomorrow. It will be another busy, go-to-Albuquerque day for us. SIGH!
Seriously not looking forward to starting a full 3 weeks of driving back and forth to ABQ but that is what we will do. Gotta get some laundry done and get ready for the week.

AGS Nationals

Well, Nationals was here in NM this year for AGS. SWNDGC was the sponsoring club and the club did a fabulous job of putting on the show - unfortunately for AGS and the club the show as poorly attended. Though - most of the folks who attended had a good time.
The first few days was mostly for the Judges training. I was a handler for the training goats and learned a TON!!!!! I'm so glad I did the handling even though I was bummed at not getting to go through the training. We got to ask questions, feel the goats, and learned a lot of the terminology and how a judge goes about making their decisions - also got sto see what exactly the judges are looking for in a goat and the tradeoffs as well as some faults etc. Thursday was the youth show and there weren't that many kids/ goats (I want to say there were only about 9) But only 3 or 4 herds represented. We ended up having 4 buck shows that day since four very generous judges (Amy Kowalik, John Pfieler, Tim Flicknger, and Renee Furst) donated their time and efforts and the AGS office donated the sanctions for the club!!!! Thank YOU ALL!!!!!
Friday was the All American show which was a whole hour and 15 min. plus the banquet which was very nice! - I won a George Foreman grill AND we got to preview the new AGS website.
Sat was the Jr. Doe show and the Buck show - Storm's Great Great Grandsire was the 2009 AGS National Champion (MCH Lost Valley Tae Bo) and Flying Goat Jazzy Blues *S was the Reserve (UGH - I used to own him - I am so glad I got a free breeding out of him - I will be using that this year) Lost Valley took Sr. and Reserve Champion for Sr. Does and a locally owned doe won Jr. Champion while a local bred doe who is in TX won Jr. reserve.
All in all it was fun I think - It was nice and I'm glad I got to learn all the stuff I did learn. I came away feeling more confident and with way more knowlege than I had before. Thanks to all of the folks who worked so hard to put Nationals on - especially SWNDGC and the Kowaliks, Tim Flickenger, John Pfeiler, and the Judges who came here for the show. And of course Congrats to all who attended and took top honors in their classes and in the Grand Champion ring.

Back to the Goats

As most of you know I am very happy with my little Piddlin Acres buck Storm. I shaved him two days ago in preparation for the AGS Nationals this week and today i trimmed his hooves. I just couldn't help getting some pictures of him before the show.


Imagine - NO ONE in my family wants to hold him so I can get a good picture. He was being pretty cooperative so I snapped a few decent pictures of him

He is really matured and looking nicer every day. I am so happy with this little guy and the kids he produced this year. WE are hoping for some good wins at Nationals as he is entered in 3 shows currently - 2 on Thursday and 1 on Sat. EVEN if he doesn't walk away with top honors, this is still one of the nicest bucks I've owned and I'm sure happy about what he's done in our herd. Thank you Valerie at Piddlin Acres for breeding this handsome boy!!!!

Organization of the Week: Beads of Courage.

Beads of Courage is a program we were just recently introduced to by my cousin who knows the President and Founder - Jean Baruch, RN, BSN. This organization's mission is to provide innovative, arts-in-medicine supportive care programs for children coping with serious illness, their families and the clinicians who care for them. They use art based programs to help children cope with their illness and decrease advers outcomes such as depression, anxiety and distress. Alyssa is the first child in NM to receive beads of courage since my cousin put her in the program. here are the first set of beads she received for all her medical treatments, surgeries etc in March and April. WE need to fill out the forms for May and soon June also. She can bead her own necklaces to tell her story of her diagnosis, treatment and survival of cancer. There are other programs thru Beads of Courage also including Creative Courage Journal Program, heARTful Reflection workshop program, Beads of Courage sibling, Touch for STrengh, Compassion and Courage Bereavement, BEad Caring, and Beads of Courage Camp Bead. Too Cool. I heard from my cousin today that Beads of Courage will be available at UNMH soon and it is NOT just for kids with cancer - it is for kids with any serious illness. Mom is jealous - I love beads and she received a package of beautiful glass beads and other beads creating some serious bead envy here (thou shalt not covet thy daughter's beads!!!!!)
If you want to learn more about Beads of Courage you can visit their lovely website at
www.beadsofcourage.org. or contact Jean Baruch at jbaruch@beadsofcourage.org for more information on donating or helping out with programs or if you are a bead artist what you can do to help!

Happy Birthday Alyssa!

Today Alyssa turns 15. I cannot believe my baby is 15 today. It bring tears to my eyes (tears of joy of course but still a little sad as I realize she's not really my little girl any more!!!) I think most especially because she is here to celebrate. I know there are many parents out there whose precious children did not make it because of Cancer and my heart really goes out to them today. I am abundantly blessed - my child is going to make it and most likely will be well!!!! I can't even begin to tell you how happy that makes me - I just wish I could give that joy to those other parents. Why should I be happy when they are grieving? I remember when Alyssa was a baby - this day seemed so far off. The day when she is old enough to drive (or at least get her learner's permit) that she is really old enough to get a job now, that we only have about 3 years left until she graduates High School and is off to college.......Sigh! (That is if I don't have to hold her back and keep working on her Freshman year.....) I'm really glad that we aren't going to be in the hospital or doing treatments today....now, what to do to surprise her!!!!

Organization of the Week - Children's Cancer Fund of NM

This week we are featuring the Children's Cancer Fund of NM as our chosen organization - Wow! We got a great response about last weeks organization so I hope this group garners just as much of a response! Our first contact with this group was through the Pediatric Oncology Clinic at UNM. We were there for our first visit and feeling WAY overwhelmed - just getting ready to check into the hospital for our first stay and we were given an envelope with food vouchers for the hospital cafeteria, Subway and a Lobo Card. This happened everytime we went to the hospital for treatment and after every visit Alyssa was given the choice of a prize out of the prize box, Hastings or ToysRUs Gift Card or Bravery Bucks. Of course Hastings or the $10 Bravery Bucks have been her choice every time. This Organization also offers kids and their families snacks and drinks, food vouchers, travel expenses, lodging assistance, Car repair and maintenance assistance, grocery/gas/cabfare gift cards, zoo and aquarium passes, funeral expense help, special equipment and a playroom at the hospital.
To raise money for all of this help they give to families, they put on a ProAm Tournament (Golf) and Gala. It is called the Erin Trujeque Memorial ProAm Golf Tourney in honor of a youngster who died from Cancer but whose life was touched by this group and who loved to golf.
If you want to donate or get involved with the Children's Cancer Fund of NM please go to their website http://www.ccfnm.org or give the executive director Mary Ellen Kurucz a call at 505 -243-3618 . We adore Mary Ellen so let her know we sent you her way!!!! She is one of the Angels we have encountered during this time. Mary Ellen, if you see this - Thank you so much for EVERYTHING - not only from us but from all the kids and families who are touched by you and your organization - Keep up the good work.

Radiation Update

Hi all, Today we went in for the pre-radiation appt where they make the pillow, mask and she did a short CT Scan. WE finally have a schedule: Her first treatment is June 22 at 2:45pm
I have an appt that day as well at 9:30am for my preOp appt with Dr. Spafford. Its gonna be a wild 3 weeks what with my surgery falling right in the middle of it all and getting this done but, God says HE never gives us more than we can handle - sooooo, we will handle it. One day and a time. Well, off to feed the goaties and get dinner made.

Organization of the Week - Leukemia and Lymphoma Society

This week's organization is the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Their main goal is the cure of blood cancers. This organization is awesome. They have tons of information for folks who are dealing with all of the blood cancers as well as support groups and free disease information. They do lots of fundraisers and help families and people who are going thru these cancers with copay assistance etc. They also have a very unique fundraising opportunity for folks who love to run, walk, hike, bike etc. They train marathon runners, walkers, bikers and hikers and those folks get pledges and raise money at some of the largest marathons in America for the Society.
This past weekend a walker went to San Diego and did a marathon with Alyssa's name on her Jersey. We are incredibly honored by this and want to thank Nancy Jay for doing this on Alyssa and all of those folks who are dealing with Blood Cancers. WE also want to Thank the office staff of the New Mexico/El Paso Branch of LLS for their compassion and support of our family during our dealings with them. If you need any more information on the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society their web address is http://www.lls.org/ and the phone number to the local chapter is 505-872-0141. If you are interested in walking, running, biking, hiking to raise money for the LLS please give them a call - I know they'd love to talk to you! They have a lot of other neat fundraisers also so give them a call about any of those: I know there is one involving CHOCOLATE for all you chocoholics out there and one called Light the Night which we are going to try very hard to take part in. Also their Man/Woman of the Year program is a neat fundraiser as well.

I Spoke Too Soon

Well, the minute I pushed the Publish Post button the Radiology Dept called
and we have an appt TOMORROW at 3pm. EEEEEK. That's my story and I'm sticking to it.
I am hoping above hope that means we might get to start a little sooner but I am sooooo not counting on it.

Radiation Update.

I would so love to be able to get on here and tell everyone that I have our schedule and here's what's happening - but alas, that is not the way it works in the medical world. We had the consultation appt. It went fine - mostly informational: Questions, explainations, side effects etc.
Next week (they will call us with the day and time) she will have ANOTHER CT scan and have the body pillow which holds her still for the radiation made and they will mark the spots that will get radiation. The best guestimate for her treatment to begin is the following Monday June 15th. (the week of AGS Nationals) and she won't finish by the time I have my surgery. Thankfully I was sort of thinking ahead for once and my cousins two daughters said they help out with transporting Alyssa to and from her Appts. We'll work out child care issues as we get closer as that should only be for one day (June 30th) . Ah, Medical stuff - so much fun - NOT!!!!!
Well, that's all the news I have for now.

Oh My Gosh!

Life sure does have a way of sneaking back up on you. Tomorrow is Alyssa's appt with the radiologist so we are back on that again. I forgot that some folks haven't seen an Alyssa update in a while and I'm still obviously on vacation mode!!!! We need to go in early and get Alyssa's port flushed and heprenized before the Radiology appt. This isn't her first treatment - it is a consultation with the Dr. who will be doing the treatment. My guess is they will be telling us what they will be doing, getting her body pillow made and marking the spot for the radiation machine. REALITY is back!!!! Nope, we aren't on vacation any more!.
Since I'm here I wanted to share a few things. Thank you Auntie Nita for the really cool prayer square - a quilt square for Alyssa - so sweet and it is beautiful. I also wanted to Thank everyone who went to Applebee's for the fundraiser and Thank Applebees for making it possible to do the fundraiser for Alyssa. I also want to thank all of the folks who donated money even though they didn't go to the fundraiser - We can't even begin to tell you all much your support for Alyssa means to us!!!!!
I won't do it today but I would like to start getting the word out on my site about the wonderful
different organizations are out there that make the lives of these precious kids going thru cancer treatments a little easier. Not too long ago I told you all about a few of the ones we've been blessed by but there are more so maybe once a week I can do a tribute to these fine organizations out there. If you are ever looking for a place to donate money too - many of these are deserving candidates. I can't tell you how they have helped our family, lifted our spirits, blessed our children and brought smiles to faces of the kids fancing some pretty scary medical stuff!!! IF anyone wants/needs more information please let me know and I'm happy to share what I have/know!

More Colorado

One of my favorite things to do in Colorado is to take pictures of the stately old barns seen around the area. Most of my old barn pics are in the corner of my website pages. I got two more to add since I have more pages we need to finish

One of my dreams is to find some old barn wood and make frames to put these pics up in my house. I love these barns. Most of them are in such disrepair they will likely be torn down - so I preserve them in pictures.

This was off the front porch of the condo looking out at the incredible clouds over the mountains. I was hoping the peaks with snow on them would show up - they might if you click on the picture! The rain clouds forming over the mountains every evening wer so beautiful.

Alyssa took this picture. PLEASE click on it to look up close. This is made entirely of Jelly Bellies!!!! It is hanging in the Pagosa Candy shop on Main street. The store is in a basement. These folks make some of the best fudge and carmels you've ever had and of course my kids love the Jelly Bellies!

This is a stately old hotel in Durango. It is gorgeous and I'm sorry the angle is funny - I had to take it this way so no one would see the Doritos truck parked in front. All in all it was a blast going on this trip.

Creede, Colorado

Creede Colorado is a quaint little old Mining town that has been revived as a artists colony/tourist town. It is so neat. It is near the headwaters of the Rio Grande river and boasts some beatiful countryside - There is a lot of fishing, rafting, biking and hiking nearby and for those folks who prefer to shop....

This whole street is full of fun little shops - a bead shop, artsy stores, clothing boutiques, Shops full of everything fishing related or sports related, quilt shops and some darn good BBQ - We ate for the second time at Tommyknockers Tavern and they have some yummy BBQ sandwiches there. MMMMMM Good! It was Memorial Day so we had music and other entertainment and for the rock hounds in our crew - The mining museum - take a trip back in time and learn the history of mining in the Colorado Rockies. They have awesome stones for sale along with other goodies and doodads. The last time we went they had a BIG quilt show.

I loved this little house - I don't know why but it kind of reminds me of a hobbit hole. I is so quaint - It isn't a shop but a home but they made the front room a showcase for one of the artsy shops down the street. The yard is awesome (did I get pics? of course NOT!) It is full of flowers and scultptures like the ones in the very first picture.

If you ever stay up in Pagosa I suggest you go up to Creede for a day - it is worth it! Plus if you like waterfalls, Treasure Falls is right up the road on the way to Creede from Pagosa - worth a stop and short hike to some beautiful falls - we did not stop this time but it is pretty. Also you go thru Wolfcreek Pass and there was still snow up there when we went thru. It was amazing!