On Pink and Brats

Everything was going smoothly this morning. I was being very productive. Got the clothes washing started, swept & washed all the floors, washed dishes (no, I do not have dishwasher:), got some Easter decorations out, cleaned off the front porch & washed the front windows, put some boutiques of spring flowers out on the porch, and then decided to grab lunch. So while I was eating lunch I started flipping through the TV channels to see what gardening shows were on. And then there it was, one of my top 10 all time favorite movies, a movie I have probably seen at least a bazillion times, and I had only missed the first 5 minutes of the movie. Yes, with my head held in shame, I admit, I love the movie, Pretty in Pink. Hey, I am a productive of the 80's. 1986 was the year I graduated from high school. What can I say? So lunch break was a bit longer than I had planned, but I did make a list of seeds to order from Baker's. I was being productive.

But after the movie, I too, felt Pretty in Pink and I was armed and ready for barn chores.

And speaking of Brat Pack movies, I too even have some Brat Packs on the farm.

There is the chicken brat pack.........................

..........the number brat packer on the farm, Miss Speedy, aka Queen Bee of the barn.

And then there is the boys Brat Pack........okay actually, they are not brats. They just think they are all that but really they are a bunch of softees especially TJ and Jed.

Just a close up of my boys and and who will be the 2 sires for this Fall's breeding. I know its only Spring but since I bred no sheep this year, I have made a few decisions already for next Fall. The decisions have been hard but I think I am doing the right thing. I will be discussing these decisions in the months to come. But aren't these guys just too handsome?

Nistock Farms Essex is not part of the Brat Pack, she is just a rare breed sweetie and I am still tickled to finally have a white Cotswold. Her and I have come along way this winter and I have finally gained her trust and she has formed some good friendship bonds with the other yearling ewes. She was extremely shy and reserved when she came to live here and it was a long haul to get her trust.
It was good to be outside this afternoon in the sun as tomorrow its suppose to rain......wow, something different. But on a positive note, I only have to go to school 4 days this week and then Springbreak starts:)

In Honor of Coke

When it comes to going to the doctor's, I am the worst. I will avoid it at all costs. Its not a question of health care coverage, which I have......its just I do not want to go. Its just an inconvenience. Its not in my schedule. Its annoying. Whatever I have will go away.......eventually. Okay, however, this old age thing is getting old already. Is it like some preprogrammed button that when one turns 40, things start to just "appear"? I am 24, darn keys on the computer, I mean 42, and these "little" signs keep "appearing". Let me go back to the year 2004. Total fiasco of a health year for me. I was diagnosed with endometriosis and had to have surgery to remove some nasty scar tissue and then later that year my problemsome tonsils (smart doctors should have taken them out when I had mono in 2nd grade) decided to abscess which put me in the hospital again...FYI...I still have a darn things). However, in the years to follow, other than the occasional poison ivy outbreak and strep throat (Hello Doctors!!), my health has been good.

Going back to that 24, I mean 42, thing. In my quest to prove I am wonderwoman of my hobby farm, I decided to play snow power shoveler this winter. I did a pretty good job ignoring the pulled muscles and the aches and pains but when my hand kept falling asleep at night and I could not get the circulation back for a good 15 minutes and this happened more than a few times, I decided that perhaps I should go to the doctor's (oh, and my Mom's nagging got on my nerves too. Really Mom, I am a big girl now:)

In brief, basic tests were fine, EKG in the office was good, but the doctor said that due to the lapse in a complete blood panel since 2004 and that I am getting older (I think doctors say that so patients come back more), the doctor ordered a full blood panel, a nerve test (I still need to schedule that), and an x-ray on the neck (still need to do that one too....I am getting there Mom!). So, I admit I was a tad nerves about the cholesterol level. I am NOT the best eater, I lack lots of the "balanced, healthy food" stuff. Remember Coke and chocolate chip cookies is the breakfast of champions. Today I had a message to call the medical desk at the doctor's office. CRAP. I called on the way home from school today. After being on hold forever, the nurse got my file. Everything looks very good........except........the......cholestrol. CRAP. The nurse hold me to be prepared for the results.

My cholesterol level........was........one......point........over 200! I had 201!! 200 entering the "need to be concerned" zone. But one point??!! Okay, now if your reading this, don't be a downer and say but one point is one point. I use that crap line on my students LOL. One point means this.......I AM STILL GOING TO DRINK MY COKE! Life is good!!

I told the nurse this and she laughed. She said the doctor's orders are too drink more water, which I know I should, and to recheck the level in 6 months......oh, and to get those other tests done ASAP! To back up my claim that Coke is good to drink, I found these Coke advertisements to prove my point.

Seriously, how can one go wrong with Coke? I teach school, of course I get an occassional headache.

How often is the female hobby farmer despondent and suffering from physical exhaustion? Its a tough job!

So, why would I ever want to give up my Coke????

Its just one point:)