Confession

Would you believe me if I told you we were busy?

Believe it. Doug tells me not to blame it on the dog. But it's kind of hard when he requires every nano-second of our time to ensure he doesn't shred a pair of my underwear. Oh, that dog...I love him. We had a little scare with him this week and I was concerned for a minute that we might lose him. At that point it dawned on me how much he has embedded himself in our hearts.

I fully expect in the future to look out across out pasture to see Doug and Merlin standing next to each other taking a leak...synchronized...I just hope I have my camera...well, maybe not.

In the meantime, our cats are plotting our death. I'm convinced now that their hatred has moved them from causing a slow agonizing death to a rapid one due to being impaled by a stray cat toy as we precariously straddle the baby gate to keep Merlin from eating said cat that just intentionally jumped over the gate in order to get his attention. (I think that's the longest sentence I have ever written without commas...it is probably about as grammatically correct as "irregardless").

In farm related news, we had our stock tank/lake dug about three weeks ago. As we stood there looking at a very large hole in the ground, we were wondering how much it was going to cost if we had to have water trucked in, we saw water...in the bottom. Upon further investigation we realized that their was a spring filling the bottom, albeit a very small spring which would have taken about ten years to fill a hole 100' x 200' and 17.5' deep.

Before we could do the math, it rained. About 4". We went out the following weekend, expecting to see a little water in the bottom. To our absolute astonishment, the tank was full and overflowing. It was amazing.

Thankfully, as of last weekend, it is still full. It dropped about a foot, which is from saturation of the surrounding ground. Luckily, it is almost entirely clay, so the contractor that dug it was very happy and certain that we wouldn't have issues with it holding water. WHEW!! I have some wonderful pictures that I hope to post later.

We also had the rest of the acreage cleared that will compose the cattle paddocks. So...as slow as it is coming along, we are making progress.

Life

So I have a new motto.

I am determined to greet each day with “a puppy dog’s wreck-less abandon”!!!

There is one thing that damn dog has taught me. Laying in bed this morning, with Merlin jumping around and scratching himself, I told Doug I wish I could wake up each day that way (well, not the scratching myself part...that could be a sign of a bigger problem). With wreck-less abandon for the possibility of a new day.

There is no judgment, no upset, no pre-conceived anything.

Just a genuine happiness to be alive.

I love that dog!

Shoulds

My generation got away from the "shoulds". The things that have to get done. Chores. Responsibility.

Our mother's were the revolution, the bra burning era that turned their nose on what society told them they should do. In return, I think that this is part of the reason we have lost that connection with those around us. Maybe it's because things are so automated or disposable these days. We even treat people as though they are disposable...it is as though we are the "Disposable Generation".

When we do do something out of "our ordinary", we expect much ado. When we don't get that we feel unappreciated and unloved.

In reality, consistent contribution is what is truly needed. Not a once in a while "look I care enough about you to bake a cake once a year".

We have forgotten that the contribution of every family member on a consistant basis is crucial to the success of the family as a whole. It's about holding up your end of the bargain and once in a while taking a break. Not the other way around.

A Dog Named Satan...I Mean Merlin...

I case you are wondering, Merlin is doing fine.

I, however, am not.

That dog definitely thinks he is the pack leader, and up until this point he has been.

Our evenings have revolved around him. Staying outside all night trying to tire him out, trying to distract him in order to keep him out of the vegetable beds, etc.

I ordered the training video and collar from The Perfect Dog. I am looking forward to getting started on it. I was little nervous when I ordered it, because it is a type of pinch collar, but it is made out of plastic, so it is more uncomfortable than painful (I know this because I tried it on...I'm kinky that way).

I know that he is a very intelligent dog...he just needs some training...rightthisminutethankyouverymuch. For example, if he gets into trouble once, he proceeds to do everything you have ever told him not to do...in...order. He also knows full well that barking in the cab of a truck with the windows rolled up makes your head explode. He likes that game.

Don't get me wrong, I am truly looking forward to many wonderful years with him...we just have to get passed this phase and we have to get him in the correct mind set, because I refuse to be one of those owners that allows their pets to walk all over them.

Wish me luck when I have kids...

Potty Break

I had to run to the store today, so I put Merlin in his cage so that I could run out. I made it home with everything...I thought. In reality I had forgotten something and had to go back to the store. When I got home I had to pee so bad that I let Merlin out of his cage and ran to the bathroom. He followed me and decided that I looked like I was having so much fun, he had to join in. Needless to say...I couldn't stop in order to stop him. I think we bonded in that moment. Now please excuse me while I go clean up the bathroom carpet.

I Can't Handle It...

Dear God,

Please send wine.

Love,
Melissa

Update...

We leave on Friday for TCOOPS (the annual Texas Organic Farmers and Grower's Association's Conference). I am very excited. I hope to learn a lot of things. I have not forgotten about posting the pictures of the property. But I don't like the pictures I took, so I am going to have to take some more before I will post them.