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Posted on February 25, 2012 by Christine

I suspect you came across this site as you were looking for information to help you with an immediate need.  Sadly, I don’t respond quickly enough to your comments to be of any help.

If you need an answer rather rapidly, please check out the Crazy Goat Lady Facebook…  there’s usually someone there that can reply to your query.  The link is to your right… just click on it & it will take your right where you need to be.

Otherwise, here is an excellent online resource for all of your goat needs – this site is very complete… be sure to set aside some time and get comfy – you’ll learn more about your goats on Molly’s website than you ever thought possible.

There are also many other helpful links right here on this page… just scroll to the bottom, on your right side.

Just remember that goats have been having kids on their own without our help for centuries!  Just be patient & once the kids show up, enjoy them ’cause they don’t stay little & cute for long!

I appreciate you trusting me to help you & I thank you for your confidence!

Posted in Personal | Comments Off on Comments Closed

December 2007 – March 2011

Posted on March 27, 2011 by Christine

How can I say, “The End” without appearing sad or regretful?  Because I am neither! A few days ago the last animals of my beautiful menagerie left my farm.  The llamas, Stormy & Major were taken to the most beautiful place in East Tennessee to finish their lives as the perfect lawn ornaments they are.

I contacted Larry of Laurelwood – this is a beautiful property on Signal Mountain, just west of Chattanooga where wedding receptions are held.  Larry started breeding llamas in 1979 & at one point had over a hundred llamas.  His only stud, Degas still rules the roost – he was born at Laurelwood & is now 20 years old.  Stormy & Major joined the herd of about 10 females & 2 young geldings… and were greeted kindly by all!  I’m satisfied that they will be there until they take their final breath – in a place that can almost be described as llama paradise!

As far as goats go, the rest of my small herd, Molly the fainting goat, Annabelle & her daughter Pebbles and Sweety & her daughter Gracie were all adopted by Stephen & Tiffany – the young couple that rent my pastures to raise their young calves.  About 10 days ago, Pebbles who will be a year old next week unexpectedly gave birth to twins!  Funny thing is that she was never in the same pasture as our little stud Stinky.  The little bugger bred through the fence!  Mom & kids are doing fine!

Stephen & Tiffany have also “adopted” all the ducks & chickens!

The animals are no longer my responsibility but I continue to have the joys & pleasures of watching them every day.  I have to admit, it’s quite nice not to have to take care of them any more!  Of course we still have all of our dogs… Angel the diabetic & blind pound hound, Mouse the Bichon, Taz the Chihuahua, Diesel & Beulah the Filas & lastly, Sola the Siamese queen.

I am now the “retired” Crazy Goat Lady!  It was beautiful while it lasted, it was for me a dream come true!  I have absolutely no regrets..  now is the time to move on!  I have multitudes of wonderful memories in my mind that I will cherish – I’ll try not to focus on the ones left behind in my used checkbooks!

This journey has also brought led me to wonderful acquaintances.  I’ve met so many great people & even more via the internet.  I’ve learned & I’ve taught, I’ve laughed & I’ve cried and I’ve liked & I’ve disliked!  What an awesome experience it’s been!

I’m ready to take on my full time role as grand mother & to help our kids with theirs.  My grand daughter Cora is due in the next couple of weeks and grand child # 7 is due sometime in September.  I’m excited to begin this new journey – especially considering that I don’t have to worry about the farm while Scott & I are away being Poppy & Gramma!

Although this is most likely the last post to appear on this website, I’ll be starting fresh with a whole new subject matter.  My husband feels he’s being summoned by a higher authority & has submitted his candidacy to the permanent Diaconate.  We will know in the next few months if he’s been accepted.  In any case, I’ve decided to blog about this new & exciting journey.  Look for me soon under “DeaconsWife.com”

To all my real-life friends and my Facebook friends, thank you for the memories, thank you for the words of encouragement, thank you for the laughs, thank you for the pictures & videos!  You are all special to me!  And I guess that it won’t matter what I do in the future, I’ll probably always be remembered as the Crazy Goat Lady!

God Bless you & remember to smile to everyone you meet…

Posted in Personal | 4 Comments

Moving on…

Posted on January 29, 2011 by Christine

My husband & I have decided that it is also time to downsize our home.  Although we’re both young (56 & 53), this huge property will soon be too much for us to maintain.  Both physically & financially.  We’ve decided to put our property on the market & when it sells, we’ll be looking for something much smaller, easier to maintain & keep up with.

Things happen in the course of a life.  We have 3 beautiful grand children in Pennsylvania.  Sadly we only see them a few times a year.  We have 2 more in the Philippines that we’ve not seen in more than a year.  My daughter in Canada will bless us with a grand daughter in April.  As I grow older I realize that I want to spend more and more time with our children & grand children.  With everyone being so scattered, that involves a lot of traveling.. being away from our dogs, cat & farm animals.

This is a matter that is heavy on my heart.  I have a beautiful herd of 6 pet goats, 2 extremely friendly miniature horses & two llamas that work very hard at being attractive lawn ornaments… sadly, in the near future I’ll be looking for homes for them also.

I feel so blessed to have been able to fulfill a life-long dream.  I’d wanted a small farm ever since I can remember.  As a child my favorite toy was a plastic farm with little plastic animals, fences & fake ponds.  At the end of 2007 I was able to start living that dream & I can say that since then, every single molecule of my dream was fulfilled.  I owned a camel (how cool is that?), horses – one almost 1000 pounds & two dwarfs that weighed less than 50 pounds!  I’ve had various breeds of goats, miniature donkeys, peacocks, turkeys even a Zebu (miniature steer)!

I’ve had the miracle of birth literally fall into my hands – I was present at almost all of my goats’ births.  At the other end of the spectrum I’ve had goats breathe their last breaths as I held them.  I had the most beautiful & gentle llama die with his head cradled in my arms… Over a hundred little chicks were born here – only a handful of them are still around.  I rescued a “retarded” Boer/Nubian kid & not only did I have to bottle feed her, I also had to put food in her mouth & make her “understand” chewing.  Annabelle is still around & has a normal little yearling doe!

On a lighter side I’ve transported a gazillion bags of feed from the back of my little truck to my bins inside the barn.  I’ve mucked out the goat shed too often to count.   I’ve often wondered if it was normal to pay someone to clean my house while I cleaned the barn 🙂

I’ve had the immense joy of bringing my crazy lot to various community events.  I’ve seen children’s faces light up as they rode my little pony with the pink tail!  I’ve seen mentally challenged seniors cry tears of joy as they held and cuddled a day old kid goat!

Every day I thank the Lord for all the blessings he has showered upon me & my husband.  I feel that I have been privileged to have had this immense opportunity to share my life with all of these beautiful creatures.  Each miracle of life reminded me of God’s presence in this world.  I am always in awe of the beauty, serenity & peacefulness in this valley – an small example of God’s goodness & greatness.

Although I know that without God, this beautiful dream would never have come to fulfillment but my husband Scott is also a big part of this “dream come true”.  Without his cooperation and faith in me, none of this could have come together.  Throughout this entire process from using the property for the farm, to picking up animals 2 hours away, Scott has always been by my side & supported (sometimes more, sometimes less :-)) each of my “farm” decisions.  He’s also kept me grounded & level headed as I would often come up with hair brained ideas & thankfully he was there to talk sense in me, the Crazy Goat Lady! And most importantly, he never complained about the size of the feed bill!

The internet has also played a big part of my farm life.  Being able to “blog” and share my thoughts & experiences has been wonderful.  It’s also been very satisfying to know that people were actually interested in what I do for fun!  I’ve also been able to help a few people – mostly by guiding them to the right source and others just by being kind during difficult & emotional times.  What a beautiful thing technology is!  Bringing people together that would never in million years have the opportunity to share thoughts & ideas.  I’ve made friends as far away as Alaska & as close as 20 miles up the hill… all through my blog & Facebook.  You have to admit, that’s awesome!

I believe our home has always been a place of interest for our family, friends & grand children but I’m confident that when the time comes to choose a new place, we’ll find a home that will always be warm & welcoming.  There will not be silly goats to laugh at, odd looking llamas or frizzled chickens running around excitedly.  But Scott & I will be there with everything we have to offer.  I trust that the Lord will continue to bless us in many ways & we look forward to sharing all that we have.

I’m not saying “good-bye” yet.  It may take a year or more before it does happen.  In the meantime I will continue to enjoy my little farm & our house pets and you, my “cyber” friend!

Posted in Personal | 16 Comments

To keep or not to keep… that is the question!

Posted on January 21, 2011 by Christine

I’ve recently been replying to inquiries on various subjects…  kidding, worming, etc., and many of the folks I communicate with are dealing with goats that are totally not people friendly.  Not just shy goats but goats that you have to lasso to catch & tie down to administer meds or simply for routine hoof trimming.

When I started my little farm I didn’t have a clue what was out there & what was available to me.  I was so eager to start my “menagerie” that I just bought (or accepted), what I could quickly find.  My first goats were 3 little Pygmys that were so skittish & afraid of humans that we chased them for about 30 minutes before we caught them.  They were about 8 weeks old and with daily attention they became very friendly.  Not long after a neighbor traded 8 nannys with me & only one allowed me to touch her & that was because she was so sick she couldn’t run away.  I spent a lot of time, money & heartache on that goat who once healed, never let me near her!

Then I bought an expensive herd of registered Myotonic goats, 3 does & a buck.  The seller refused to let them go until they were 6 months old.  They arrived here wild & left a year later just as wild.  These goats are over 100 lbs of solid muscle.  Just trying to trim their hooves took so much energy out of you that it was a chore I would always put off!

At some point I guess I got smart and started to think of my herd in a more reasonable way & not with my heart and my emotions.  Over time I sold all the animals that I had that were not people friendly.  Some I sold for half of what I paid & others I simply gave away & cut my losses.

I love all animals but I’m not stupid nor do I have an unlimited supply of money!  Perfect example is with the Pot Belly Pigs I used to have.  Only one of the 3 allowed me to barely touch her.  The food bill alone for those 3 was about $18 per month.  Not to mention the time I’d spend cleaning their huts & making sure they were safe from predators.  Their little pasture was in an area that I really had no view to.  Only my neighbors actually saw them on a regular basis.  I’d see them daily when I’d bring feed to the trough.  I kept those pigs for about 2 1/2 years.  Do the math…  I cut my losses & gave them to a fellow who really wanted them, tame or not.  He just likes pigs.

During the course of the last few years, I bought several animals that I thought I could tame over time but after a few months if I didn’t see progress, I’d find homes for them.  I had a beautiful miniature mare that I couldn’t keep because she would kick at anything around her.  She just didn’t care for people or other horses.

In 2010 I thinned my herd because I couldn’t justify the expense vs the pleasure received from them.  I also found homes for animals simply because they deserved more time than I could offer them.  Life happens.  Things change.  You acquire an animal & a while later something happens where you no longer have the necessary time to spend with them & it’s just not fair to them.  Like my miniature donkeys.  I loved those two but even though they had food, shelter & care they needed more than an occasional scratch & that’s why I parted with them.  They are now with a wonderful couple who will give them all the attention they deserve.  This was a win/win situation & I try to make it like that for all the animals that I part with.

Although I have a “big” heart & love animals, I really don’t get it when people tell me, for instance, that they have a goat that they cannot get anywhere near but they persist on keeping them & fighting them simply to administer basic care.  Maybe I was there once – did I get wiser or did my heart harden?  That is the question!

Posted in Personal, The Farm | Tagged , , , , , | 8 Comments

In retrospect…. 2010

Posted on December 31, 2010 by Christine

It’s 7:30 am & I’ve been up since about 5.  To be honest with you, I’ve been suffering with insomnia for the past few days but I usually just toss & turn in bed.  Today I gave up seeing I had to tend to my diabetic dog, Angel who beckoned a few minutes before 5.   Anyhow, as I sit here and check email, Facebook, my blog, other’s blogs & listening to the sound of one of my numerous ducks quacking away it suddenly occurred to me that today is the last day of 2010!

Nothing spectacular here at the farm this past year… not that I can remember… let’s see…

April brought along almost 20 little kids in all sizes and colors.  This truly has to be the best part of raising goats! It always amazes me to see that just as soon as they’re dried up they start jumping & running.. cutest thing!

Of course with life there is also death.  Sadly this year we lost our llama Big Al along with Mandie, the mixed Min-Pin that came to us when my mother-in-law passed away.   At least 15 ducklings were meals to a couple of Snapping Turtles (who were later caught & shot).  My miniature donkeys Madigan & Daisy June found a new home with Clair and Lacy (aka Munky), a mixed Chihuahua found a new home with us!

We had family visits, business trips & a beautiful cruise vacation.  We enjoyed perfect weather, hot weather, hotter weather & also froze our butts in the same year.

Scott & I continue to be blessed in many ways.  Our faith is deeper, our love of God stronger & our desire to please Him and to work towards that goal brings countless more blessings.  Life is good, God is good.

And finally, I’ve managed to end the year with 25 extra pounds that I didn’t have when 2010 started.  How did that happen?  Hopefully this day next year my last paragraph will be, “I’m leaving 25 pounds behind!”

HAPPY NEW YEAR FROM THE CRITTERS AT CRAZY GOAT LADY!

Let this coming year be better than all the others. Vow to do some of the things you’ve always wanted to do but couldn’t find the time. Call up a forgotten friend. Drop an old grudge, and replace it with some pleasant memories. Vow not to make a promise you don’t think you can keep. Walk tall, and smile more. You’ll look ten years younger. Don’t be afraid to say, ‘I love you’. Say it again. They are the sweetest words in the world.

Ann Landers

Posted in Just for Fun!, Personal | 4 Comments

Can I help?

Posted on December 31, 2010 by Christine

This post was originally published in May 2010 as a “Page” and was probably missed by my readers.  In any case, with the new year coming upon us, I figured I’d re-post since I continue to get inquiries… mostly via my site but some through personal emails & others from people calling me.. sometimes in a state of panic!  I’d like to add that so far I’ve made a donation to our local animal shelter for a grand total of ……  $10.00 !  This post is not a fund raiser or a means to get rich (huh?).  I just like to help the abandoned dogs & cats in my community.

It seems that in the last few months I have responded to queries to so many people! Some questions were quite simple and others needed a little more research on my part. In any case, I’ve responded to each one. For some, the answers were posted following the comment on my website & others I replied to personally.

My phone number is readily available so I’ve had many folks call me.. some from as far as California! I’m always ready to help with the knowledge that I have & if I don’t have the answer right then and there, I go online or through my books and find the answer!

Sometimes I can’t answer immediately (I do have a life), but I always get back to my callers/readers.

Funny thing happened yesterday… I was in a JC Penny dressing room & someone called. It wasn’t an emergency & so I kindly explained to the fellow where I was & if I could return his call on the number appearing on the caller ID.  This man was upset because I wouldn’t take a moment to help him IMMEDIATELY!… geez buddy, I’m half naked in a dressing room – I’m not about to start talking about goat udders!

In any case, if I was able to help you out in any way and you want to show how much you appreciated that, just hit the yellow donation button and any amount you send will be donated by me to our local animal shelter here in Rhea County. I won’t keep a dime!

When I started my small farm, I would have loved to have this kind of service! My friends, all I offer you is my personal experience. I’ve had all sorts of animals.. from raising white mice to owning a camel! If there’s any information I can share with you I will. And if I don’t have a clue, I’ll tell you that also but not before I’ve spent some time online doing research for you.

Every question will receive an answer. Email is the best way to reach me but if it’s urgent, my cell phone comes on at 8 am & is turned off at 7 pm & I answer every call.. even when I’m half naked in a dressing room! I’m on Verizon at (423) 413-4088 & I can get text or pic messages.

So, if I’ve helped you in any way, be generous! The money’s not for me, it goes towards helping animals in need. Every little bit counts, so if all you have to spare is $5.00 – that’ll work! I don’t know what it costs in your area but a farm visit here from my vet is $85… & that’s before he even looks at the animal!


On behalf of the stray & abused dogs & cats of Rhea County, thank you!


Posted in Personal | 6 Comments

Things I have learned from living in the South

Posted on December 3, 2010 by Christine

A possum is a flat animal that sleeps in the middle of the road.

There are 5,000 types of snakes and 4,998 of them live in the South.

There are 10,000 types of spiders. All 10,000 of them live in the South, plus a couple no one’s seen before.

If it grows, it’ll stick ya. If it crawls, it’ll bite cha.

Onced and Twiced are words.

It is not a shopping cart, it is a buggy!

Jawl-P? Means Did y’all go to the bathroom?

People actually grow and eat okra.

Fixinto is one word. It means I’m fixing to do that.

There is no such thing as lunch. There is only dinner and then there is supper.

Iced tea is appropriate for all meals and you start drinking it when you’re two. We do like a little tea with our sugar. It is referred to as the Wine of the South.

Backwards and forwards means I know everything about you.

The word jeet is actually a phrase meaning Did you eat?

You don’t have to wear a watch, because it doesn’t matter what time it is, you work until you’re done or it’s too dark to see.

You don’t PUSH buttons, you MASH em.

Ya’ll is singular, all ya’ll is plural.

You measure distance in minutes.

You can switch from heat to A/C & back in the same day.

All the festivals across the state are named after a fruit, vegetable, grain, insect, or animal.

You know what a DAWG is.

You carry jumper cables in your car – for your OWN car.

You only own five spices: salt, pepper, Tony’s Tabasco and ketchup.

The local papers cover national and international news on one page, but require 6 pages for local high school sports and motor sports, and gossip.

You think that the first day of deer season is a national holiday.

You know what a hissy fit is.

Going to Wal-Mart is a favorite pastime known as goin Wal-Martin’ or off to Wally World.

Folks like shopping at the Dollar General ’cause you don’t have to dress up like when you’re going to Wally World.

You describe the first cool snap (below 70 degrees) as good chicken stew weather.

Fried catfish is the other white meat.

We don’t need no dang Driver’s Ed. If our mama says we can drive, we can drive, dag-nabbit.

Posted in Just for Fun! | 3 Comments

Pet Peeves – Round 1

Posted on October 25, 2010 by Christine

Public Toilets

Some are so tiny that you have to straddle the commode to be able to close the door behind you.  Some have walls so low that you can carry on a face to face conversation with the lady next to you (dead serious – Barefoot Landing, Myrtle Beach, SC).

Whats up with public restroom sign that has also lists Braille…  ever see a blind person feeling doors to know what’s behind?

Don’t you love those paper toilet seat covers?  What about places that have kept the dispensers but haven’t filled them since 1970!

Why are all public toilet seats split right in the front?  What’s the science behind that?

Ever do a courtesy flush and have your derrière soaking wet from the spray?  Some of these public toilets should have a sign “Redneck Bidet”.

No handbag hook…  do you really think I’m going to put my handbag on the floor in a public bathroom?  Since mine doesn’t have a shoulder strap, I’ve had to hold mine with my teeth while doing my business…

Eight toilet stalls… not one of them flushed – what da heck?  I guess some women do the “Pee & Flee”

Talk about modern commodities… what’s up with those electronic water/soap dispensers.  Ever do the sink shuffle?  Gotta get it just right & if you’re lucky, 3 teaspoons of water will pour out all at once – all you need to rinse a pea size drop of hand soap, right?

Paper towel dispensers… love those new electronic ones where you wave your hand in front of it & “Bingo”… 3 inches of paper magically pours out.  Allow 3 to 5 minutes to have enough paper to dry your hands.  Who am I kidding?  The fastest way to dry my hands is wipe them on my legs!

My all time favorite is the humongous cylindrical paper towel dispenser at Walmart….  you pull the paper out from the middle bottom…. you can easily pull out 10 feet of paper – all curled up the size of a pencil!

Some airports now have these devices where you put your hand in and a suction system literally sucks the water off your hands.  I had to pull out a little old lady from one of those – scared the crap out of her.. good thing we were in a bathroom!

Who remembers the endless cotton towel dispenser?  Where the towel went around and returned?  I guess back then we weren’t so concerned with germs!

Now here’s where I get serious…

What’s up with toilet paper dispensers in public bathrooms?  Who planned the location of these things?  Had to be men that had no idea that women have to sit to relieve themselves!  Here are my findings…

Most dispensers are so low to the ground that you almost fall off the seat leaning forward so much to be able to reach under and find that flimsy edge and pull out a few sheets.  Just when you finally have “the edge” the paper is so cheap it tears & you have to start all over again.

Some of these huge devices are set right next to the seat – so when you sit, you can actually use the thing as an arm rest – forget about trying to pull sheets out… time to squeeze & shake!

Then there’s the dispenser that’s mounted right over the handicapped railing.  So you have to squeeze your hand up between the rail & the box to reach in and grab that sheet of paper.  Small hands a must.

My other favorite is the dispenser that’s designed to provide only 2 squares at a time… the roller thing doesn’t roll at all so the paper tears at every 2 sheets.  Allow 5 to 10 minutes just to pull out enough paper for a decent wipe.

Oh but don’t you hate it when you don’t check if there IS paper before you get comfy?  Men have no idea how good they have it!

Posted in Just for Fun! | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Crazy Goat Lady’s Pet Peeves

Posted on October 25, 2010 by Christine

We all have them – sometimes situations make us aware of new ones.  Most of the time I don’t even think about such things unless I’m confronted with an issue that really drives me bananas!  I usually don’t think about it more than a few seconds but lately I find myself getting easily aggravated.  It’s not that I “sweat the small stuff” – I guess I’m just more aware of my environment.

Since this website is about my pets, I’ll be having a weekly segment on various Pet Peeves.  Pets aren’t always cute, cuddly & lovable.  Sometimes they drive us nuts!  Something that pushes my buttons might not even fluff your feathers!  Ever wonder if you PP’s are unique or if others share them?  We will find out soon enough!

Your contributions will be greatly appreciated so, email me what bugs you and let me know if you want your information to be kept private or not.  If you’ve got an accompanying photo, please provide that also.

Looking forward to reading all about what bugs you! In the meantime, stick around and find out what bugs me!  Who knows?  Maybe we’ll find out that we have a lot more in common!

Posted in Just for Fun!, Personal | Tagged | Comments Off on Crazy Goat Lady’s Pet Peeves

Coming soon!

Posted on October 11, 2010 by Christine

Friends,  it’s been a beautiful summer!  I realize how long it has been since my last post…actually since July 18th!

As you can see, my husband really re-vamped my website & I absolutely love it!  I’ve been looking at it and thinking, “What more can I do here?  How can I improve this website & continue to entertain my readers?”

Well, after a brief discussion with my husband, I realized that I should be also podcasting about what I do – not only write about it!

I’m very excited about this!  It will be lots of fun & I look forward to much more interaction with my cyber friends, Facebook fans & faithful readers!

So, keep coming back – I promise you’ll be highly pleased with what’s coming soon!

Christine

Posted in Personal | Comments Off on Coming soon!