Fellow Random One
Monday, May 5, 2008 - On Goats and Gifts
I'll start with pleasant news and then move downhill from there. First off, JAYNEE was the winner of the tote bag contest, which I completely forgot about [shame on me], but am now ready to mail out. So if you'd be so kind as to email me your address Miss Jaynee, I'd be happy to send it out. [fellowrandomone @ gmail.com]
A couple days ago at work I spotted an older couple picking out some patio furniture, so I went over and asked if they needed any help, and then got them to sign up for a Home Depot card so they could get $25 off. It took longer than usual due to computer issues, but they were very kind and gracious. In an attempt to keep them entertained during the wait, I made note of the fellow's pen, which he insisted on using instead of the cheap-o one I offered him. His wife started bragging about how he made it and then she showed me the ones he had made for her, all out of wood. They really were pretty, and I jokingly declared, "*I* want one!" Their card finally got approved and I waited through line with them to make sure they got their discount and then I walked their very cozy new rocking chair out to their vehicle. The fellow stopped me before I walked off and opened up a case full of pens he had made and then handed me one to keep. I told him I couldn't take it, but he insisted, saying it was his ministry and then he informed me that it was made from olive wood which came from Jerusalem. They were just so kind through the whole thing and I almost cried. I gave the wife a big hug and shook the man's hand. So maybe that wasn't as touching to you as it was to me, but I sure liked them a lot.
Now onto the goat butchering news. You didn't think I would actually skip it, did you? I'll start off by saying that I did edit some of the pictures so they are not so gruesome, and I am even putting warnings on them before you click so that if you don't feel like seeing a goat being gutted and carved up, you don't have to. Also, I don't post these for the fun of it. I don't want to be accused of being heartless; I'm just showing information. If you're a meat-eater, no ranting. It's how you get your meat. If you're a vegetarian, you deserve to rant, because I'd be grouchy if I was grounded from steak, too. On to my story.
The great ROY Family came over so that Mr. Roy could show us how to do it. Now, the fact that *he* was teaching us made it a bit more stressful, because he prefaced the whole day letting us know how a certain friend of ours (a boy) was grossed out and couldn't hardly get himself to gut the deer he shot with a *machine gun*. So I knew from the start that I had to be very un-girly about the whole process, or I would be in his next story. And let me tell you, I thought I was ready until I was in the kitchen and saw my dad and him putting up a rope. I suddenly had a feeling that my head was rolling off my shoulders.
After eating a very large cheeseburger, I was told, "Annie, get your gun." Again, I thought I was prepared for everything as we led two goats out to the "square", which is a bit of pasture across our pond. I put two bullets in my gun, one for each. Big mistake. Always load more than what you think you need. Let's just say that I got a little woozy, my bullet didn't go high enough and Mr. Roy had to grab the gun from me, shoot, reload quickly and then kill the other one. With that bit of hysteria over, it was time to gut them. That meant deep breath, act like you're not grossed out, and put on that fake non-chalant smile.
A lot of "Now, take this...." "Umm, ok, keep going?" "Yes, keep going...." "Ummm, deeper?" "Yes, deeper, but don't puncture that!" and other such things went on. Dad held the goat up while I did the dirty work and our instructor explained that he was exactly that: instructor only.
above: gutting Z
above: gutting J
above: finishing the gutting on J
After that, we loaded the empty goats into the quad-trailer and tried to start the quad. We have to pull-start it, like a mower and it is exhausting. Dad wore himself out, Ryann tried it, Mr. Roy tried it. After literally 15 minutes of this, I remembered that I had left it in reverse and it has to be in nuetral to start it. I said in a quiet voice, "Um, is it in reverse because I backed into this spot and *thought* it popped back up, but maybe not." Dad looked down, popped it up, and started it with one pull. Everyone but dad about died laughing. I felt bad, because he was sore for the rest of the day.
Anyways, after getting back to the house, Mr. Roy and dad strung up the first carcass and started skinning and cutting. Once we got started, I was in charge of getting the meat off the legs and shoulders while they got the back straps, tenderloins and ribs.
This next picture really isn't that gross, but it does have a carcass in the background, so I'm putting up the caution thumbnail just in case.
And, me getting meat.
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Friday, April 18, 2008 - I'm In Duluth, Doloriuth!
Is it just me or is Duluth the funniest name ever for a city? Anyways, when we first got here, I thought it rather mean of Rosetta Stone to send us to such a state. It looked rather cold and gloomy, and I thought everyone would be angry (whenever we go to Michigan, which is cold and gloomy, half the population looks like they forgot their morning cup of caffeine and they don't plan on being good-natured any time soon).
But I'm actually enjoying myself here and everyone is extremely friendly, and their accent is charming. I keep slipping into it as I talk. I should have known everyone would be like that, because the wonderful Mrs. Johnston is from MN and she's VERY VERY friendly and enthusiastic. So yes, thumbs up to Minnesota. I'd hate to live here, but I'm sure glad you've welcomed us so heartily.
And, as an extra bonus -- we are actually making money! And it's pretty easy! Just tiring. And if I have to demonstrate lesson 1 in Rosetta Stone spanish again, I think I'll go crazy. Maybe I'll try French tomorrow, because I've actually been catching on to it while others try it.
Golly, I like this gig.
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Tuesday, April 15, 2008 - *Think Think Think*
I thought that I had something in particular to blog about on Sunday afternoon, but then I had to do my taxes and now I forgot what it was.
I don't get on here very often do I? A lot has happened since last time I got on here. Firstly, the tote bag winner is JAYNEE because she's got a ton of kids, and I think they're all smiling in one picture. That's talent.
Waha! I just remembered what I was trying to rememeber! You will have to wait.
Since I last blogged, we've had news concerning goats, baby goats, sunburns, visitors, traveling, Rosetta Stone and probably much more that I can't recall. You'll have to read my MOMSIES blog for all that, because I haven't the time. Speaking of my momsie, it's her birthday today. HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MOM!!!!
This morning Emmiko was making her a b-day card and as I was getting ready for work, she kept calling out words that she needed a spelling double-check on.
"How do you spell FAILED?"
"F-A-I-L-E-D"
And then I thought to myself, "What is she writing?!"
- Sorry I failed to get you a present. Here's a card instead.
- I may have failed in spelling, but I can clean out a turtle. Thanks for letting me be so weird.
- You failed me as a mother, but happy birthday none-the-less.
I actually didn't put much thought into it other than "whaaaa?" The card actually said (this is word for word and capitalization for capitalization), "Happy B-day. Let your B-Dday Be FAILeD with Joy. :-)
Now that's just mean. Poor Em.
Lastly, THIS is a sorta neat-o color-vision test that I found recently. It's pretty short and supposedly pretty accurate. And, it plays a catchy tune at the end. You can't get much better than a test with a groovy ending.
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Wednesday, March 19, 2008 - Contest....(s)
First off-- enter in the CONTEST on my momsie's blog to win the new full blown Rosetta Stone Homeschool Program. I'm sure it's spiffytific -- we'll get our copy next week sometime. Fun, eh? It has GOT to be better than the Latin book I drudged through five years ago. Wow, that was five years ago? Time flies.
Secondly, I've nothing left to say except that I got a haircut. Scratch that. I'm in contest mode now. Anyone want to win a tote bag similar to THIS ONE? It's rather fun to carry around and it's reversible even. I made it for mom, but then I stole it back. Anyways, to enter simply post your favorite picture of your family on your blog, with the story behind it -- because everyone knows that picture taking time never goes how it's supposed to -- and comment on my blog leaving me the link. That's all folks!
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Monday, March 10, 2008 - U Turkey
Believe it or not, this post has nothing to do with shooting things!
I have come to the conclusion that I should follow up with information which would put an end to any anxiety which may have been caused by previous posts. Such as whether or not I ever got the position I applied for at work. In which case I present an affirmative answer. Hurrah for raises!
It dawned on me the other day that I am 32% funnier when I've had little or no sleep and sit down to play a game of Scrabble. I would not recommend playing said board game with me in that condition. Not only was I making an average of 20 points per word, but I was giggling my head off the entire time. Near the end of the game, I received a subtle message from my playing pieces.
In the background you will notice my dad. He was watching me take the above picture and when I explained why, he didn't understand what I found so humorous. Looking back, I don't either. All I know is that shortly after this, King James and his court jesters Bobo and Dippy came tromping through and upheaved our literary accomplishment, called a well-played game of Scrabble.
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If choice were a factor in family hierarchy, then I would recommend the place I occupy. An eldest daugher has the twin pleasures of acting as second mother to the little ones and as second sister to her mother.
~Quote from Emma Brown by Clare Boylan and Charlotte Bronte
[Book not recommended]
