Robbin on his new bike

And Yes, Momma's going to use it as well :-)

One of the Turken chickes

OMG!!!! (Oh My Gourd)

What the heck do I do with THIS?!?!?!? Gourdzilla?!?!?

Dang Thing Is Finally Catching Up With Me

Aside from MS, I also have severe scoliosis and arthritis. Pretty bad arthritis, too, they have stated it as "riddled with". Yeehaw. At the tender age of 13 I was told that by 30 (I am 53) I would be permanently in a wheelchair, and would be about 4'6" (I am 5'). I have been running from that damn chair ever since. At the time, I went home and for the next year, walked with a book on my head, to straighten my posture. That year bought me 33. But now, it is finally at the door, beckoning me to sit and finally be comfortable. I HATE that I am finally going to call the Dr and ask for one. I HATE that it is catching up with me. Rob says, it is not, repeat NOT, giving up my freedom, but claiming it. I don't agree. But today, we went to the County Fair and I walked. And walked. And walked. And when I finally sat down, in pain and with very little relief in sight, listening to the slightly cheezy band (this IS Wisconsin, after all), and starting in on a pity party because I realized I could have been comfortable and not in pain ~ but that I am, and have been, too damn stubborn (Rob says I am not stubborn, I am tenacious), I looked around and say a little boy, maybe 6? in a chair. God slapped me in that moment. HE said, you are 53, you have walked, run, and danced your way around much of this world. That little boy will never walk, run, or dance. I am humbled. He had a twin brother. The twin had developmental difficulties, both boys had hearing aids and glasses. (sorry if I typo, I will try to correct them all, hard to see, I am crying) I remembered those same Dr's that condemned me at 13, also told me I would NEVER have children, don't even try, I'd end up either dead or in a wheelchair. I had Robbin at 43, I have beat the odds, in every way, and for more years than I have any right to. Robbin chose that moment (chose?) to run up to me and hug me. I will call The Dr. I will get a chair/Jazzy/whatever. I will listen.
And I just want to clarify that to mu knowledge it is *not* the MS or the scoliosis that is bringing me to this, it is the arthritis. There might be *some* influence from the MS and the scoliosis, but it is mainly o' Arthur that brings the pain, the inability to freely stride, and the pain. I an in constant, chronic pain. Nothing helps aside from a fairly constant infusion of Motrin. I get 100 Motrin 800's a month, and so through quite a few of them. Some days I am able to go without, some days I take 3. Today I have already taken 2, and will take another before bed, but then again I overdid, so that is to be expected. My right knee needs a TKR, which I am also resisting and will continue to resist, my left knee is not far behind. One step at a time (no pun intended). But yes, it is Jazzy time.

Turkens

No, they don't ever grow feathers on their necks, and furthermore, if exposed to the sun their necks turn red, making them look a bit vulture-like. Google them, there are pics of adult Turkens out there....very strange critters...

Turkeys

This is a flock of wild turkeys we saw one morning out in the field. there are 3 adults and about 11 to 13 juveniles. Yum.

And Turkens

These very strange looking chicks are turkens. I ordered chicks (I believe I already blogged about that) and in the shipment were 5 of these really, REALLY strange looking nakked-neck chicks, 1 blonde, 1 reddish, and 3 black. In this pic you can see two of the blacks and the blonde one. Look closely, you can see they have no feathers from 1/2 way down their heads, leaving a topknot, to their shoulders. They look like something created bt Dr Seuss...on acid. However, apparently they ARE a heavy breed, good layers of large brown eggs and make a fine, big roaster, growing to an average of 6 lbs! Their feathering derives from a recessive gene, their name from the fact that at first people thought they were a crossbreed between chickens and turkeys, from the nekkid neck and the large size. Not so, they are all chicken.

Netting part 2

The pics I refer to in the previous post are the pics I ordered the nets from, on eBay, not pics that *I* posted.
I've ordered more chicks, 25 straight run heavies (translation...25 heavy breed chicks that have not been "sexed", so there will be roos' and hens, the roos will end up as dinner, the hens will live ling, egg laying lives. Unless a roo really stands out, in which case he will probably live).
KaliKa had her litter a few weeks ago, right after my birthday. We know where they are. rob just brought one in, and now we also know who *got* her..there have been sightings of a black and white cat, until now I did not kow it's gender...I guess it's a boy, since the kitten Rob just brought is is.....black and white! And he just brought in one that is black and white AND calico! The other two are orange and white tabbies. There are FOUR of them! Pics to come...(Good Job KaliKa!! Way to go girl!!!)

Netting

We got the mosquito netting YAAY!! Robbin's was supposed to be blue, but is a very lovely aqua color, Rob's and mine is lavender/lilac. I got a spare so Rob can put it out on the upstairs porch and do his readings out there, no bugs to distract him. Very very nice nets, way prettier then the pics showed! I am VERY happy, I hated seeing Robbin's little body with those nasty mosquito bites...even one is one too many, he's my baby! Now we'll ALL be able to rest peacefully...that will help SO much, as you might know one of the symptoms of MS is crushing fatigue, and not being able to get a full night's rest has been taxing. Now the flies won't wake me and I'll be able to sleep.
BTW I have been on LDN for over a year now and still going strong!!

http://www.picture.com/voteforme/photovote1.asp?PID=21668
Vote for Rob's pic!

Lord of the Flies

One of the fun things if having a cow pasture right next door. We have more flies buzzing around then I can tell you! We've used fly strips, and finally resorted to chemical warfare...all to no avail. Every morning when I am trying to sleep they buzz and buzz...they have the uncanny knack of landing on any speck of exposed flesh...again and again....I HATE sleeping with the covers over my head but there is no choice...if even as much as the tip of my nose is exposed they find it. SO, I have something coming that should thwart their efforts...Mosquito netting! I got one for our bed, one for Robbin's bed, and a spare for just-in-case's. the ducks are growing and they do all they can to eat as many flies and other assorted bugs as they can, but it is a daunting task even for the most experienced duck.
Now, for some good news...Our website is back up!!! New website name is HealingRob
My email is akiba@healingrob.com, Rob's is rob@healingrob.com. I also still have the gmail address and the aol address of course, but this will be, finally, a renewal of our ability to do readings and healings through our site. Rob and I are both now Reiki Masters as well, aside from our own "brand" of Healing. Rob has been reading for asknow.com (I believe I included a link to it in a previous post) and getting totally rave reviews and fabulous feedback.
Dinner tonight: mixed beans (black beans and black-eyed peas) with zesty tomatoes and cheese smoked sausage...baked as a casserole, served over rice. It's one of our new favorite meals...I use different beans or different sausages (sometimes brats). Very easy, very yummy, very nutritious. The zesty tomatoes are chopped canned 'maters with jalapeno, I find them in the canned 'mater section, Always have several cans on hand it is Such a versatile ingredient! Sometimes I do it in the crockpot, sometimes just in a casserole dish...always very good!
When Rob and Robbin were going to the store today they saw a black bear with cub!! At the end of our road, where it meets with the main road, about 1 1/2 miles away!! WOW!
Well off to make that rice...