Catching up.

Where have I been? What have I been doing? Where to begin!?
Lots to tell, so I will try to touch on most, at least a little bit to catch everyone up to snuff.
I'll start with the bummer heart breaking stuff first.
Last week, me and my BF took the saddles out to the horses and sheep, planning a nice long day ride. When we got there, no horses. WTF!!! We have alerted all the local authorities, but turned nothing up for over a week now. Been searching and searching the whole desert, nothing but sage brush and bunnies. I doubt I'll ever see Jewels and Cocoa ever again. Not really quite sure how they got gone, there is sign of a cougar, and a place where they went through a fence. but also there are tire tracks leading up to the gate, evidence they might have left via a trailer. Your guess is as good as mine. The cougar didn't just scare off the horses, but got two of my lambs and killed a prego ewe as well. We are also on the hunt for him. Cant leave the GLD out with the sheep, as I am pasturing my critters on a friends place, and he has a mean mule that kills dogs, so that fact makes it even worse, as I know Id not have these losses if Bruin were there to do his job.
I'm just sick with worry, and have all these horrible visions of my poor old girls starving, dehydrated....dead out in the desert. Id like to think instead, that they just joined up with a herd of wild ones, theres lots of mustang herds out there, and that some stallion has taken a fancy to them, and wont let them leave. Romantic thoughts I know, but the only one I can hold on to that gives me some hope that they are well.

Puppies. Yes, we have puppies! 7 of the little wiggly pooping babies. 4 weeks tomorrow, and I am really enjoying them now. Chris and Bear are proud parents, and Chis has been nothing short of a doting mother. So glad to see she has decided motherhood isn't so bad. She had 4 boys and three girls. Finally got a few tris too. I'm keeping two from this litter and seriously considering spaying Chris. She is 5 now, and Id really like to get back to concentrating on her working again. She pretty much has had since last Sept. off, only worked her a few times since then, and with the time off I'm hoping we can get back on the right track training. We'd be awesome if she and I can get it together. Some days I just think she'd be better off with another handler, one that is calmer and quieter than I, but I'm working on that. Bear, is the type of dog that better suits me and my way of training/and handling. Hoping these pups have the best of both in them, and cant wait till they are old enough to get going on stock.

Last weekend, I went to a ham shoot. Talk about fun! And! I actually won a ham! I was on my game and shooting well, but then, Id been practicing for weeks prior. I didn't use to care for shotguns, I'm more of a hand gun enthusiast, but I'm starting to enjoy the 12 gauge. Especially, when I can win free food!

Sheep are doing well,(whats left of them) I was suppose to pick up two new churro ewes last week, but with the search for the horses, and the cat that's been frequenting the property, that has been put off for a bit, till I can find more suitable pasture that is safer. So for now they will stay where they are at. I have 3 lambs left, and two more ewes to lamb. The desert is much more wild and unforgiving than I remember it. But we fixed a separate place for the sheep, and then attached sheep and goat fencing all the way around the paneled enclosure so the lambs couldn't get out, and it makes it harder for things to get in. Except, of course the bald eagles and golden eagles, which I see alot of around there. And lets not even talk about the ravens! As much as I love nature and its inhabitants, I'm having a real hard time appreciating either at the moment. Cleaning up lamb carcasses isn't some thing I enjoy.

Still enjoying the new job, and the gals I'm working with are great. Its nice when folks recognize the fact that one knows what they are doing, and doesn't feel the need to micro manage, just because they own the shop. After 30 years of grooming, I really don't need that.

Living in the city sucks. I certainly don't belong here, but its where the work is at, so I get out of the city as much as time will allow. Mostly camping out where the sheep are, but its in the middle of no where, so its quiet, and I can rejuvenate. After living in SLC for 15 years, you'd think I knew my way around, but everything has changed so much,(course I hadn't been back for 14 yrs) its like moving to a place Ive never been before. Thank God for Vera, my GPS. She has been a life saver. Do I think I'll move back to Vernal anytime soon? Nope. Not that I wouldn't like that, but there are things developing here, that may keep me from going to awful far. What u ask? Well, more like a who than a what.
I have met the strangest, sweetest little man, (back in Oct) and one that suits me to a tee. Ive, for lack of a better term, kicked all other suitors to the curb, and am head over heals smitten. The thing I like most about him is, that he allows me my independence, and yet, is always there for me. We have so much in common, and enjoy all the same things, spending time with him is never less than wonderful. I have pretty much moved in with him, and things are going extremely well. What a neat fella. A complete opposite of my over bearing, controlling, ex. What a breath of fresh air.

So, things are starting to settle down now, and we are getting into a routine. That in itself, getting back to a routine, has helped me to get better focused and relaxed. It was getting pretty insane for a bit. Bouncing all over, coming and going, moving here and there. I feel much more settled, and calm. Happy, if you will. Course, I cant say I wasn't happy bouncing around, it was exciting, and fun, but as I get older, (and I will be 48 come Easter Sunday) I'm finding that being involved in a GOOD relationship, can be just as much fun and just as, if not more rewarding than being footloose and fancy free. Wish me luck that my Aries personality, can behave herself, and keep things on an even keel.

Well, that's about it for now, I'm sure there are things Ive left out, but right now, I'm home sick with a temperature, and its time to go back and lie down. Couldn't have picked a better day to be sick, as its been snowing since 6am this morning and there is 4 inches of the white stuff already on the ground. It certainly doesn't look as though spring is in the air today.

Am I back to blogging a bit more regularly? Yeppers, that's what I be thinking. Especially with the new pups, I'm sure I'll be having lots to blog about here directly. So don't touch that dial! LoL In the immortal words of Arnold,.......I'll be back!

New sheep!

So jazzed! Picking up my new Navajo Churro sheep today. 2 yearling ewes. Been looking forward to this breed. And Bear has too! These sheep,(the flock Im getting my new churros out of, has never been worked by a dog. This will be fun! Pics to follow soon.

Well hello there! Long time no see. Where u been? Ive missed u! LoL
Ok, so the word slacker at this point seems completely synonymous with my name. I'm ashamed that Ive allowed this blog to go so long without an update.
Honestly, I don't even know where to start, things have just been happening so rapidly, and yet, I'm starting to settle into a pattern finally.
I have a few lambs on the ground at the moment, cuties that they are. Oh, and pups too.
Chris had 7 fat healthy pups by Bear on the 5th of March, and they are doing great. Chris is great, and I cant leave the wiggly little cuties alone.
Time has been flying by, cant believe its almost spring already. I have finally gotten my hands on some Navajo churro sheep, going to pick up a yearling ewe lamb this next weekend. Cant wait. I'm very excited to get Bear out and work some of them. My sheep are getting pretty dogged right now.
On the work front, Ive found a great shop, busy as all get out, with some fine older gals to work with, that remember what grooming dogs is all about. Its nice to work with folks that know what the heck is going on, and don't try to micro manage.
Got a fella I'm pretty smitten with at the moment, don't know where that's going, but I'm happy to hang around and see. Its kinda nice to just have one to keep up with for a change. LoL and he makes me smile. At the moment, that is very important to me.
Oh, did I mention that I moved back to Salt Lake City? Hate the city, but no work in Vernal, so Kyle and I are making the best of it.
It snowed the other day, and I fell down some steps. Gave myself a concussion, chipped elbow and one huge bruise that covers one cheek of my fanny. Ouch. But I lived, and learned a valuable lesson. Don't open the door unless u want a dog to shoot out behind you and knock you off your feet. Yea,.....thanks for that Chris.
Kyle is doing well in his new school. He made the drill team in ROTC and is very into the program. They go to California in April for competitions, that will be fun. And! He finally let me cut that mop he called hair off! So nice to see my sons face again! LoL
There is just so much to talk about, and yet so very little time this morning, so I will have to be happy with this update for now, and try to get a little better at updating and get some new pics up. Im sure some of you would like to see puppy pics, so will work on getting some up this week. They really are tooooo cute!
So Hello to all, hope everything is going well for everyone, Ive missed ya'll, and will try to keep up a bit better. Toodles fer now.

A Girl & Her Dog.....

Have a Safe & Happy Thanksgiving Everyone.
Oh, and the mantra for the week... say it with me theres power in numbers!
I wont burn the turkey, I wont burn the turkey, I wont burn the turkey.....or the yams....or the bread.....or the.....

Peace.

I guess if one blogs, and then takes a break for a while....

Everyone gets a little crazy! Whats up with Darci? Why doesn't she write? Where is she? Whats she doing? Some one said she died!
Id like to think its all just an outpouring of love from my friends, but now even my mother has gotten into the fray!
OK. So here's what has been going on in my little sorted life.
Since becoming single again, it has opened up a whole new world for me, and I have to admit, Ive been enjoying it. The loss of 60lbs so far, has done alot for my ego, as well as garnered me more than a few looks from the fellas, and yea, I'll admit, it feels great! Got 20lbs more to drop, and I'll be satisfied.
So yes, Ive been dieting, that's one thing that Ive been doing.
Oh, and exercise. Lots of walking.
Dating? Yea, that too. There are several very sweet men in my life right now, and its been just a little crazy.
Ive moved, to a much neater and bigger place, with more room for horses and sheep, more room to work dogs, and more for me to clean up and take care of, so been doing a lot of yard work and getting this old house ready for winter.
The house heats with propane, but at 2.00 dollars a gallon, I am thoroughly enjoying the wood stove in the living room. It really cuts back on the usage of propane, and even though I started out a bit lame and lacking the firebug skills Id learned in Girl Scouts so many years ago, Ive had a few weeks practice and have become a regular little pyro when it comes to getting her fired up and roaring in the evening. So getting wood in and split and trees cut has been a time consumer too.
Did I mention I bought a chainsaw?
This thing is sooooo awesome! Makes me feel just a little macho! Some times I scare myself! LOL
Ive been hitting lots of yard sales, and picking up bits and pieces of furniture, and things I may or may not have any use for , but hey! It only cost a dollar! I'm sure I'll find some use for it eventually! LOL
Getting back in touch with my son. We lost some thing very special that we'd had before the marriage, and I'm glad to have it back now, and to be a big part of his life again. At 14 yrs old, I'm glad to say that the boy still loves and needs his mom, and still enjoys spending time with me. He is a good kid, and we have been having a blast together.
I went to a few good Sheepdog trials this summer, (Soldier Hollow, Meeker Classic, and a few smaller ones) and got to meet and visit with a lot of handlers and friends, new and old. Though it doesn't make me miss my old friends that are far away, any less.
On the working dogs front, not much to tell. Bear gets some work, but we haven't really been doing any real training. I feel like the real work Ive been having him do, is more fun than drilling, and he is such an easy dog to work with, that I really don't have to train, just put him to the task, and with very little direction from me, he/we get the jobs done. I had him go into the trailer to get some sheep out a few weeks ago, and my ram just beat him up. He suffered for about a minuet, and then got mad and put that ram in his place. He was a sore boy for a few days though. That ram plowed him to the trailer floor, and into the side of the trailer a couple of good times. But he is a tough dog, and came back. I still wonder though if having him go in the trailer might have been a bit to much to ask of such a young dog. I do have a tendency to put a good dog in over their head.
Chris, since coming back home, hasn't had much,...well, any work at all. Ive taken her to sheep twice since getting her back, and I think she and I will wait till spring to do anymore. Her forgetting some things I am hoping will be a blessing in disguise, and perhaps when we get back to working together, our relationship will have had a chance to heal, and we can start to do things right this time.
She is as bald as a dog can be right now, and looks a sight. Whelping those pups really did a number on her coat! She looks so small and petite with no hair! But she has been walking with me and getting herself back in shape, some one had her in their lap the other day and said she felt like one hard muscle! She may be bald, but she sure is fit!
Tucker, who's other name rhymes, is quite a joy. Feisty and sweet, tenacious, and cuddly, he is many dogs rolled into one. He will never replace my Lexy or fill the space that loosing Cain has left, but he sure tries hard to entertain me with his antics. What a neat and fun little dog.
Its been 3 months since I had to put Lexy down, and I still cant quit missing her. I think about her everyday, and wish she was still here. I just miss that ole girl so much. We had a thing, and it mattered to me. It mattered to her. And its gone. I miss the relationship we had. She was very special to me, and as long as memories of her are still intact, I guess I will always miss her.
So, still mourning the loss of my grand lass, and those are times when I seek solace in quiet, and try to stay away from the world for awhile, and just try to remember all the little things that made her so special to me. They are good memories, so I don't mind ducking out for a bit and thinking of days gone by.
Guess I'm a little weird that way.
But too, I am focusing on the future, looking forward to what life brings. Trying to slow down and make the right choices, as perhaps, looking over my past track record in life, Ive not slowed down long enough to do things exactly ....right?
So yea, Ive been doing a bit of soul searching, and trying to change while trying to remain the same.
Moving back to Vernal was a good move, (the first in many new and right choices Ive been trying to make) good for me, good for my son, good for the critters and dogs. Good for my sanity and piece of mind. But there is alot of work involved in getting ones life back in order, and I apologize for not being here updating any more than I have.
With winter coming in like a lion right now, and the days getting shorter and colder. I'm sure I will find myself back indoors and back blogging regular again.
So that's whats been going on round here. I'm sure I left some things out, probably lots O things, but eventually, I'm sure it will all come out in the end.
I appreciate the poking and prodding, really I do. I need it some times, to help me remember that my little world could use a few more windows for family and friends to see that we're OK and happy.
And at the moment, that is exactly where we are. Happy, relaxed, confident, proud, and enjoying life as it comes. Planning nothing and just seeing what life brings. Its all very exciting!