Merry Christmas, Happy Birthday Dad!

Zephyr with the first dozen chicken tamales ready to steam.



Zephyr showing mommie how to frost Dad's cookie cake.




Saenz giving mom a very reluctant smile just for Dad's big day.


Santa's helpers busy at work.

Dad's cookie cake the boys made and decorated. However, I believe we should stop and give thanks. To our Creator and honor this season with wishes of happiness, joy, peace and good will towards all people.

Bullies on eBay's blogs

On December 25 th, will be my 2 year anniversary of finding the blogs on eBay. I was selling at the time and found another seller 'had taken' my photos to sell their product.

At first, it was exciting to talk to people all over the world and get business advice. However, much like the world, the eBay blogs are multi-layered much like an onion with: hidden agendas, false persona's, cut-throat competition, copy-cats, scammers, thieves, and numerous personal vendettas to settle.

It's is a sad thing to say but I have seen kind people send money to 'help' others only to have those same folks torn apart by the people that gave a handout. Some even feel it is okay to pardon the ill treatment of other's because one person just has the need to bully others. I have seen horrible 'male bloggers' sexually harass female bloggers, say sexual things about their: children, husbands, even farm animals.

Sellers also talk about others on IM, give out customer information, and use others ideas.

A gift group was started but then 'some' decided it was their personal bank at certain times of the month and 'asked for gifts' to get by until their paycheck cleared.

As folks (sellers)grew comfortable; some would create zero ids (usernames) in order, to spread hate, lies or THE TRUTH about others though it would hurt their business under their normal blogging/selling id.

What is even more ludicrous is: eBay does "ALMOST" nothing to clean up or moderate the slander, libel, scamming, or sexual harassment of others. One BRILLIANT CRIMINAL MIND (a power seller) has found if comments are '''deleted''' then eBay will do nothing.

Why????????

Simple bottom line, eBay is losing money and this pond scum detritus adds to their coffers.

AND YET, of the 100 daily bloggers. I have made a hand full of friends whom I would give a organ to.

The world is a strange and lovely place, despite......Bullies on blogs.

When a book isn't a book

When Saenz was around three years old, I purchased him an educational book on Sharks. It was not a child's book but an adult's & hubby questioned why I spent so much on a book for a toddler. Though I did buy him children's books; this one book was something I knew would fill his heart with joy.

Saenz has always taken care of his books. Since he was 18 months old I knew without a doubt he was dyslexic and thus had no interest in scribbling in books. He has a great love of books and all things dealing with knowledge/discovery inside book covers.

So, this wonderful book had color pages on hundreds of shark species from conception to death; he and I would sit for hours 'reading' the book. He would even fall asleep holding this heavy, hard bound book.

This week, I left Zephyr home with his dad to go pickup Saenz after school. Let's just say; MEN ARE NOT MULTI TASKERS. Saenz's room was breached and not only did Zephyr make a mess of the room but, he literally 'broke' the Shark book.

When I got Saenz home and he opened his room door to the discovery. The look of pain, violation, and loss on his face was so great. My heart broke in half because I could do nothing to assuage his loss. Luckily, I did an immediate search on eBay and found the book. I am happy to report that I not only have the book on its way to Saenz's room; I have come to realize another thing.

The BOOK, was not just an object; it was a treasure cove of wonderful memories spent alone or with a parent. The BOOK, was a symbol of peace and harmony in a world that sometimes did not make sense do to a boy who's brain processes written information differently. The BOOK, was one small thread in "the quilt" that makes our 'family blanket' warm and safe to a ten year old boy.

Again, I am so fortunate to have my sons; they are my BOOK (for each day adds a page) & BLANKET of comfort.



Nekkid Chicken

Week 2, Mr Salad Fingers

Mr nosey rosey at the chain saw.

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HOT POTATOPIG ANYONE

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Guineas, Goats, and Pig

OH MY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This week was a fun action-pack thrill ride.

We decided since our Guineas are big enough not to be taken off by an eagle or hawk; to let them free range during the day. At first they were reluctant to have the entire property to roam and clear of insects but soon they caught on to protecting their turf. The boys and I made the discovery by accident one afternoon if you drive towards them; they all RUSH you like a mob while making a horrendous noise (supposedly to frighten off predators). HOWEVER, if you honk the horn at them they scatter back to safety. This just made Saenz & Zephyr howl with laughter because no matter how many times we drove towards them, honked and backed off the Guinea Gang would still do the same thing over and over; leading my scientific minded Saenz to say;

"THOSE ARE SOME REALLY DUMB BIRDS."

ROFL

Obama my sweet but not too bright male Boer goat kept getting his rack stuck through a fence. No matter how you try, he is determined to hang himself through the fence. We have hung a double panel of chicken wire to keep Mr. Genius safe but, he figures out how to pull off the protective layer. Last time he got stuck, I tried to push is head down and back to release him to no avail. So, after an hour tug of war; I gave up and finished my bird rounds because they were STARVING. When I let the Guinea Gang out; they made a unified bee-line straight to where Obama was stuck & crying and let out this horrible noise like banshees laughing in the maw of Hell.

My educated wager was Obama could not stand the humiliation of being laughed out by the Guiena Gang and unstuck his own stubborn bright self.

Mr. Salad Fingers also disappeared for four hours and I was heart broken to think he was killed or taken off. After a long nap & a really hungry belly; he let us know he was under the house; unable to find his way out. Saenz basically started tearing the house apart to get him out. Wouldn't you know it, a hot dog got him close enough that Gil was able to grab his ear.

It's always an adventure here in Cow & Chicken Town.

As a family we are blessed with these beautiful creatures to take care of; and I would not change a thing.

~:>

Mr. Salad Fingers 1st Bath

Just to let you know, a Piglet has a really bad odor if he is not allowed a place to defecate at night in the open. We have been keeping him in a dog kennel til we finish his POKE. Each morning, I have been rubbing him down with wet wipes but, he needed a bath desperately. So, this a.m. as a family; we gave Mr. Salad Fingers his first bath.

Let me tell you, the entire country side knew of his displeasure. ROFL

OH BY THE WAY

DID YOU KNOW; pigs can jump seriously considering buying him some basketball shoes & shorts to have him try out for the GW Longhorn team.

HEE HEEE ~:>

Mr. Salad Fingers is persnickety

MR SALAD FINGERS first meal. LOOK AT THE LOVE on his little face. ROFL,

HIS EYES ARE CLOSED!

SIRCACEE, you have to see your son.