A field trip to an alpaca farm

Today, the kids and I went to Crooked Fence Alpaca Farm & Mills.  First we visited the mill in Payson.  Linda was incredibly gracious in giving us a tour. She also had the most lovely rovings.  This is what I brought home.

Afterwards, Linda let us follow her home and she showed us around her farm.  First we met the pregnant ladies and the new mommies.  This little guy was born just this morning.

Then we went along the other pens.  Linda has quite a few alpacas, plus those that are boarded there.  Next we met Sunshine.  Oh my, we all fell in love.

I do not remember all the other’s names.  But I’m going to share a few more pictures we took of lovely, lovely alpacas.

This is Vinny.  He’s a stud and he knows it.

It is really nice to have a fiber supplier right here in Utah county.  I know of no other.  You really need to check her out.

PETA Makes me sick

I have always been sickened by PETA and their actions, but this latest makes me want to puke.  They have a new AD campaign.  Check out Fashionista to see it.  WARNING! There is foul language on that blog.  If that bothers you, don’t go there!

What truly sickens me is how hypocritical PETA is.  They talk about the ethical treatment of animals, but they take thousands of animals out of no-kill shelters each year and kill them!  How can you about the ethical treatment of animals and kill them?  Animals that are adoptable and will go to good homes where they are loved.

If you are as disgusted by this as I am, feel free to go to PETA and tell them.  Fashionista gives some other ideas for leaving “constructive” feedback for PETA.

Yes, I know, be quiet Ami, I’m busy!

Yes, I know it’s been a long, long, long time since I’ve posted, but I’ve been a bit busy. School keeps me very busy and on my toes.

So far, I’ve taken 4 classes, and am in my 5th. All A’s so far….yeah. May not be so this class. I can’t stand the teacher. He doesn’t like me either. He’s one of those that he doesn’t want discussion, he wants agreement. I don’t agree with him, so he constantly talks over me, won’t let me finish a sentence and has to prove me wrong. And I’m not the only one. Any woman who speaks in class, he does this to. Men, they’re ok, they can talk.

He can’t spell, his grammar is horrendous and taking a test he’s posted online is a nightmare. They are supposed to be right from the book, but it takes a while to figure out what the question really is. And I’m pretty sure he’s made mistakes on his answer keys too.

He doesn’t teach, he just reads from his slides, which are also full of spelling and grammar errors. This from a teacher. The only saving grace is the group project. I love my group. Great bunch of women to work with, we all like each other and we have a rockin project. He won’t care, though. It was done by women (we’re the only all woman group), so I’m sure we’ll all fail.

One of my group mates had her baby in the ER on the night of one of the tests. She tried for 3 days to call the teacher so she could get the test. He won’t return phone calls and he won’t let her make the test up. Tough, he says. Though, he’s always late to class, he marks anyone who comes in after him as late.

Can you tell I don’t like him? And that’s the least of the problems. If it were just a personality conflict, I could deal with that. My last module, I had a teacher I couldn’t stand, but, he was a great teacher. I just didn’t like his politics (which he had to share with us).

Ah, well. 2 more nights and I’m done. I will probably fail this class and fall off the Dean’s List (yes, I’m on the Dean’s list right now), but if I have to take it again, I’m not taking it from him.

She is 17 today

Today, my beautiful baby girl turns 17.  I just can’t wrap my brain around that.

17 years ago, they were putting this little 7 pound 10 oz bundle in my arms and my first words to her were “Hello baby”.  I couldn’t believe how beautiful she was then and she’s not changed a bit.

Samantha is so brave, intelligent, and hardworking.  She knows where she wants to go and she knows how she’s going to get there.  I was not anywhere near that at her age.  She is a defender of the weak.  She is strong.   She knows how to have fun.  She is thrifty and loyal.  She surprises me daily with her maturity and wisdom.  I look forward to the friendship I’ll have with her in the future.  She is someone everyone is going to want to know.

Just an update

I’ve not updated this thing in a while.  There are good reasons for this.  I’ve been busy with school and work and kids and parents.  I’m doing well in school.  I’ve written all my papers and gotten 100% on all of them.  I just turned in my big research assignment in my Library Research class.  I don’t know my grade, but if it sucks, I’ve got 2 weeks to redo it.  I’m just 3 chapters way from being done in Health (except for my final).  7 chapters and a final away from being done in Government.

I’ve decided to take classes this summer.  I’m going to try and do 9 credit hours.  I’ve handled 6 easily, so I’m going to see if I can handle 9.  The kids won’t be in school, so it will be easier for me and help me gear up.  I’d like to go 3/4 time most the time if possible.  Then it won’t take me 10 years to complete my degree!

On the work front.  I am still really liking my job.  I guess I’m a geek.  I love numbers.  Lots of numbers.  I love organizing things and keeping my boss organized.  I know there’s something wrong with me.  Really, I do.

On the knitting front.  I’m still working on Icarus, Juno Regina and I just started the Dream In Color shrug for Sami’s prom dress. She’s making her own prom dress this year and it’s strapless, so we decided she needed a shrug to go with it.

Now for the gratuitous kitty picture.

Today, I am proud to be an American

Today, I am can honestly say I am proud to be an American.

During the past eight years, I could not say that.  Our country has been party to torture, murder, repression, invasion and oppression.  The rich have gotten richer on the backs of the poor and middle class.  It has all been about the “me” attitude.

I believe the worst thing that ever happened to our country leaves office today, at 12 Noon, Eastern time.  And because of our Constitution and the men and women of all colors I can say that.  I’m allowed.  Today a journalist who made a critical remark about the king of Thialand languishes in prison, but I can say I never liked a president, in public, on my blog.

When I talk about the men and women who fought for our freedoms, I’m speaking of our Revolutionary men and women, our Civil Rights men and women.  Men and women, of all colors, who gave their fortunes, their freedoms, and their lives so that you and I can live.  While the Constitution guaranteed our freedoms, it took men like Rev. Martin Luther King Jr to help guarantee those freedoms for all, no matter the amount of melatonin in their skin.  It took men and women whose names I don’t know standing up.

Now, before everyone starts going off about how our men and women in the military go off about how they are fighting for that right now, I want you to ask yourself a question.  Did Sadam Hussein ever try to infringe my your personal and civil rights?  No, he didn’t.  He and his country were absolutely no harm to us.

I do support our troops, I do not support their war.  I want our troops home, safe, with their families where they belong.  They are bravely following orders that are wrong, morally and legally.  And I’m not anti-war.  Just anti-invasion.  We have been involved in wars that were morally correct (WWI, WWII just to name two).

When did our country dip so low that waterboarding and torture were deemed ok?  When people could be snatched off the streets, by our CIA, in other countries and held hostage (yes, they were held hostage, they are not legal prisoners, but hostages of the past regime)?

When was it ok to tell people that because you are against the war, you are not American?  When is it ok to ignore the Bill of Rights?

When did it become ok for the rich to do as they want, make as much as they want, off the backs of the poor and middle class?  Can we let them get away with anything and everything?  Is that what captialism is?

Today, we begin a new day.  One where everyone is an American, not just a select few.  One where we start thinking about someone else, not just “me”.  It’s a new generation and a new start.  A day we can be proud to have witnessed.

Understanding Myself

I spent the afternoon, yesterday, with a good friend who has moved to Texas. Georgia* has had a bit of a rough time of it since moving. It’s her first time living alone and the stress has brought out some issues. She and I were chatting about that and I had an epiphany about myself (selfish, aren’t I?).

I’ve been kicking myself for not going to school much earlier, when I didn’t have to work and wouldn’t have to juggle work, kids in school, parents and my own school. I’ve come to the realization that I could not have gone to school anyway. I was not emotionally ready to do it.

All these years I’ve still been dealing with my grief and my PTSD. A huge part of the PTSD is panic attacks when put into a new situation. Going to school would have been a huge “new” situation for me. Also, while I was home, I was homeschooling. My kids come first. They always have and they always will. I do not believe I could have juggled homeschooling them and going to school full-time myself.

I’ve also realized that I’ve healed to the point that while I’m scared, it’s an exciting scared. I’m not shaking in my boots or having a melt-down. I’m just really excited. I’ve grown a lot over the last 9 months. I made a lot of changes to my life about 9 months ago. I quit everything. I had been volunteering for years, sometimes to the detriment of my own health, needs and desires. So, I quit. I quit going to my church and started searching for a new church.

Not that my church was at fault. I totally blame myself for getting myself in the situation I was in. I let everyone come to depend on “Miss Libi”. “Miss Libi” will do it. And I always did. I had still not learned how to say no. It came to a point where I was doing everything for everyone else, but nothing for me. I realize that’s selfish, but frankly, someone had to look out for me. I’m single. When one is married, it’s presumed that your spouse will take care of you. I don’t have someone like that, so I have to learn to do it for myself. It’s a dangerous thing to learn, because I can become incredibly selfish, but I’m going to try and find a good balance.

I strongly believe going back to school is for me, but also approved of by God. If not, I don’t think everything would have gone as smoothly as it has. I’m going to continue to go forward in faith, trusting in God to lead the way. (Proverbs 3:5-6!)

So, when I start crying and whining about school being too hard, will you all please remind me about this post. Thanx!

*Not her real name

Sunday is Family Day

We have decided, as a family, to spend Sunday’s together, as much as possible. That includes sitting down to dinner at the table.  (EEK!).  

Tonight, we did just that and what fun we had.  

I think I forgot how much fun my kids were.  My daughter told a story tonight about my son that had us just screaming with laughter.  

Evidently, Patrick had asked her to get him up when she left for school.  Well, she went down to his room at about 6am, to wake him up.  She found him laying on his stomach, with his head up (think of how you see a roasted pig, you know, with the apple in it’s mouth), arms down his side, legs straight out, and he was wearing his roller blades.  His plan had been to stay up all night, because he’s never done this before.  He put the roller blades on in the hopes that if he started to fall asleep, the rolling motion as he fell would wake him up.  Obviously, this plan failed and he fell foward and somehow landed in the “roasted pig” position.

I’d never heard this story before.  I don’t know if this is sad or what.  What else have I missed?

After dinner, we just pushed the dishes aside and played games.  First up was Uno, House Rules.  We taught Eric (Sami’s boyfriend) how to play.  House Rules makes Uno interesting.  You really have to pay attention.

Then the kids taught me a game called BS.  Fun game.  I’m pretty good at BS’ing, I take it.

I just had a great day.

Oh, to top off the week, I was approved for financial aid with a Pell Grant and it’s already come through, paid for my tutition and is going to pay for my books and supplies.

God is Good.

What am I doing!

I don’t often write about myself or what I’m doing in life.  You’ll also notice no pictures of me.  I guess that could be taken as a sign of low self-esteem.  I’d like to think it’s more about a healthy sense of self-preservation.  I’m going to change that though, today.  I’m going to tell you what I’ve been up too.

I’m doing something that is scaring me to death.  Whenever I take a step out of my comfort zone, I get really, really scared.  Well, I’ve not only taken a step, I’ve jumped off the bridge, landed in the deep end and I’m learning how to swim for my life!

I’m going back to school.  University to be exact.  I plan on getting a BS degree in Accounting.  Boring, I know.  Lame, I know.  Jobs, yes, thank you, there are.  And I like numbers.  I really like numbers.

I put in my application just before Thanksgiving and was re-admitted (I’d gone 20 years ago for 2 classes) to Utah Valley University.  I’ve filled out my FAFSA and it was sent on it’s merry way.  UVU got it and promptly denied me because I had failed to properly withdrawal from a class 20 years ago.  I thought I had withdrawn from both classes, but I guess not.

I’ve presented myself at the registra’s office and begged to have that UW changed to a W, so I can be awarded financial aid to pay my already (for me) hefty schooling bill.

I’ve signed up for 3 classes.  American Government (I love this stuff), Health and Wellness (a required class) and Library Resource (to make me a better researcher).  All are on-line courses at this point.  6 credit hours, all on-line, plus I’m working part-time and I’m a full-time mom and daughter.

I’m nuts.  Shoot me now.  No?  Dang. Well, ok, then, pray for me!  Can you do that?  Is it bad to pray for financial aid?  Or that God will give me the courage to do this, for real?

A holiday Meme

This one is Ami’s fault.

I’m not going to tag anyone, but feel free to steal it.  I’m going to do what Ami did and post a clean copy at the bottom of my blog, to make it easy for you to just cut, paste, and fill in.

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags?

Wrapping paper, for those we do.  We’re not really doing gifts this year.  Just for the littles.  I’m making things for my kids, but they don’t get anything purchased.

2. Real tree or Artificial?

Artificial, cause I like breathing and all that.

3. When do you put up the tree?

Family Tradition states that the tree must go up the Saturday after Thanksgiving.  It did this year, but only thanks to EVERYONE pitching in.

5. Do you like eggnog?

Only if it has rum in it.

6. Favorite gift received as a child?

Honestly, nothing stands out.  My favorite gift of all time came from my brother.  He gave me, a few years ago, the complete Star Wars Trilogy (4,5,6) on DVD.  I squealed like a little kid.

7. Hardest person to buy for?

My stepfather, if I were buying gifts.

8. Easiest person to buy for?

My son, if I were buying gifts.  Give him books or cooking things and he’s happy.

9. Do you have a nativity scene?

Which one?  We have lots.

10. Mail or email Christmas cards?

I have never done email Christmas cards.  I’m going to fill mine out and address them as soon as I finish this meme.  (I’m a good girl!)

11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received?

Bathsets.  I hate bathsets.  I’m allergic to most dyes, which bathsets have in abundance.  I can’t use them, so I really don’t like them.  I re-gift them (out of state).

12. Favorite Christmas Movie?

Scrooge (musical one).  I love, love, love, love that movie.

13. When do you start shopping for Christmas?

Umm, I don’t?  I start knitting and crocheting for Christmas in about July.

14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present?

See #11

15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas?

Chocolate.  That’s like a DUH question for me.

16. What decorations are on your tree?

A whole hodgepodge.  We have an ornament that’s been passed down in the family for about 100 years.  Ormaments the kids have made and we get the Avon Pewter ormament every year.

17. Favorite Christmas song?

Carol of the Bells.  I love the clean sound of an A Capella choir.

18. Travel at Christmas or stay at home?

I have honestly never been anywhere but home for Christmas.  Every single one of my 40 Christmases have been spent with my Mom.

19. Can you name all of Santa’s reindeer?

Probably.  If you want me to do it, you should ask before I’ve had the aforementioned eggnog with rum in it.

20. Angel on top of tree or star?

Angel.  I believe in angels.

21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or Christmas morning?

When I was a kid, we got to open one gift, which always were pajamas, on Christmas Eve.  Now, with my kids older, we open everything (if there are gifts), and sleep in.

22. Most annoying thing about this time of the year?

People who get offended because I say Merry Christmas.  I don’t get offended if someone says Happy Hannaka, Happy Kwanza, Happy Soltice or just Happy Holidays.  Let me say what I want, you say what you want and everyone be happy!

23 What theme or color are you using when you decorate?

No theme, no specific color.  We are very eclectic.

24. Favorite for Christmas dinner?

I prefer ham, but my mother always has turkey, which I have to fix, with all the sides.  I work my butt off Christmas day.  I don’t like that.

25. What do you want for Christmas this year?

My financial aid to come through to pay for my schooling.

____________________________________________________________________

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags?

2. Real tree or Artificial?

3. When do you put up the tree?

5. Do you like eggnog?

6. Favorite gift received as a child?

7. Hardest person to buy for?

8. Easiest person to buy for?

9. Do you have a nativity scene?

10. Mail or email Christmas cards?

11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received?

12. Favorite Christmas Movie?

13. When do you start shopping for Christmas?

14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present?

15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas?

16. What decorations are on your tree?

17. Favorite Christmas song?

18. Travel at Christmas or stay at home?

19. Can you name all of Santa’s reindeer?

20. Angel on top of tree or star?

21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or Christmas morning?

22. Most annoying thing about this time of the year?

23 What theme or color are you using when you decorate?

24. Favorite for Christmas dinner?

25. What do you want for Christmas this year?