Liz Howell

We had three baby Armadillos visit us this year. They were so cute to watch, they rooted around the yard and jumped on the mower and if anyone tried to touch them they leaped up in the air. They looked like little pogo sticks jumping around. Armadillos must not be on the menu because Slick our resident hunter was content to just watch them. The older they got the darker grey they turned. We haven't seen them for a few weeks now so we don't know if they are still living under the shed or if they moved on to a quieter place in the forest. They are certainly distructive creatures when they become adults but we really enjoyed having them around as babys.

WOO HOO!  Jim and Tyler after almost 3 weeks finally got my computer room totally refinished.  They put in solid oak flooring, drywall, baseboards, redid all the seams and doorways and the room looks fabulous.  I had purchased some paint along the green lines thinking it would be very very pale and painted the walls.  After I was finished all of us agreed that it just wasn't the right color.  It reminded me of the green appliances from the 60s-70's and shag carpets, yuck so ugly.  I told Jim and Tyler that they could go pick out a color because obviously I am color blind and that what ever they picked out would surely have to be better than what was currently on the walls.

They came back with a peach-beige-brown like color (I told you I am color blind) and it fits the room perfectly.  Jim just has one more piece of trim to install and a little more caulking but enough has been done that I had them move the furniture back into the room. I am sooo happy and the room feels so light and airy now.  I spend 90% of my house time in the computer room as it is also my craft room, tack cleaning room, E-bay room, television room, cat room, sewing room, and anything else I want to do that Jim won't allow me to do in the main part of the house.

Now I am in the process of putting everything away Neatly, unfortunately its already a mess. Funny how that happens...CYA!

Here are a couple of pics before the final touches.

Things have been busy this past month and I haven't had a chance to update this page.  My Mom and my Aunt Carolee came to visit for a few days in Febuary.  For my Birthday we decided that we would go to Webster Flea Market along with our friends Diana and Maddie.  They have a small flea market just before the huge Webster Flea Market that we decided to stop at first. I found a huge wall hanging with several paint horses on it for an awesome price.  I quickly took it back to the van and then went looking for them.  When we got back to the van a comment was made about how could I not find anything to purchase as they all had shopping bags in hand.  I laughed as I opend the back of the van and said "I hope there is enough room for you all" as they saw my purchase.

We loaded into the van and went up the street to the big flea market but unfortunately along the way my Aunt began to feel bad and decided that she would sit in the van while we went shopping.  The weather was still cool so we decided that we would go for only 1 hour and then meet back at the van. By the time we got back my Aunt was feeling better and said that she would treat me to lunch at a place of my choice. We went to a restaurant that my Mom & Diana picked out which was seafood. Now I don't mind fresh seafood but I really don't care much for frozen stuff, they all liked it though so that was fine with me.  There was an Everythings a Dollar Store next door and Aunt Carolee gave me a buck and told me to go buy whatever I want. I laughed and said "Everybodys a comedian".

When we got home they even had cake and ice cream, I don't know when they had time to do that. All in all it was a great Birthday and I loved having everyone at my house.

Abbie got spayed last Friday and we were so worried about her when we brought her home. She was totally limp and barely awake when she was picked up in the evening. I don't understand why we had to drop her off at 7:00 in the morning and then pick her up at 6:30 in the evening only to have her still under anesthesia. She went in to get spayed and have two baby teeth removed that had not fallen out. They ended up removing 9 baby teeth that we were unaware of.

Anyway she just slept the rest of the night, the next morning and all day she was still sleepy but did get out of her bed a couple of times to chase the cat. Jim bought her some Beniful soft dogfood that looked like something a person could eat and a couple of new toys. By the second day she was back to her old self and we had to put her in "time out" as she was wanting to play too much.

Its now been a week and she is off her pain meds and acting like nothing ever happened. She has to go to the vet on the 13th for a check-up. I guess we will let her finish off all the soft dogfood but after that she has to go back to her hard food like it or not.

cya!

Well the holidays are over and I'm back at home. I went up to my Moms house in the Panhandle for Christmas. Her friend that lives near me went up with me so it was nice not having to drive by myself. I got to see my Aunt & Uncle and my Brother and Sister In-law and my Nephew. Boy has he grown, he is only 7 but comes up to my chin and is skinny as a rail.  He must have gotten the skinny jean from his Mothers side as we have very few thin folk on our side.

We took Abby with us and she was so good in the car. Never made a peep but once we got to the house look out, she was balls to the walls playing with her Christmas toys.  She figured out how to squeek them on her own and once I yelled out "HEY knock it off" thinking it was my Nephew making all the ruckus only to have him give me a silly look and point at the dog.  Abby was having the best time squeek squeek squeeking her toys. We had to take the toys from her for awhile as she just wouldn't stop.

I have posted a few pics just double click on them to see them full size.

We went to Busch Gardens Wednesday and what a blast it was. The weather was perfect, the crowds were small and we were able to take our time seeing the sights. We had purchased our tickets back in April but were never able to get away to Tampa until now. We rode several of the rides and two of the roller coasters, the SheiKra and the Montu. We tried to ride on the Scorpion but Jim was too tall for his legs to fit in the seat. They really should have a notice that if you are over 6ft tall you might not fit on this ride, but fortunately we didn't have to wait in a line so it was no big deal. Here are a few pics, just click on them to see them larger.

I don't know what going on with Naomi but since Sunday she has been throwing up, not eating and not feeling well. Jim took her to the vet yesterday but she would not come out of the cat carrier so they had to take it apart. Naomi proceeded to attack and growl at anyone who came near her. Needless to say they were unable to give her a checkup and diagnose her illness. The vet sent them home with some antibiotics and nausia drugs which I have been tasked with giving to her.

Big Cat in a Little Cat Body

Doing something to Naomi that Naomi does not like isn't an easy process. My hands are scratched to pieces and she has bit me a couple of times but I am the only one that CAN get the meds down her throat. She did pretty good yesterday and was actually able to eat and keep some food down that I gave her but this morning she threw up everything I gave her. She is only 12 or 13 years old and strictly indoors so I am stumped as to what is wrong with her.

The vet said to give her the meds for 3 days and if she isn't better to bring her back and they will tranq her. Hmm wonder how they will do that? They must have a blow dart or something I would imagine because she isn't going to let anyone get near her. I am having to keep her in my computer room as we don't want her throwing up around the house and Abbie getting into it if we don't see it. That isn't making her a happy cat but she is dealing with it.

CYA!

I am so excited about the holidays! This year I will be going to NW Florida to my Moms house, she actually put up a tree and decorated for the first time in years. I will get to see my Nephew that I haven't seen since he was a youngster and I will probably look up some old horsey friends that I haven't been so great at keeping in touch with. 

 Jim won't be going with me up North, just like I didn't get to go with him to his parents house for Thanksgiving.  3 days prior to Thanksgiving we were out shopping and when we came home found that someone had tried to break into the house. The doorjam was all bent and there were scratches on the handle and the door. Considering the neighborhood we live in and the current state of unemployment Ocala has we were wondering when this would happen. Anyways it was a wake-up call to Us and we decided to just spend separate holidays this year until we can get a security system installed.

Ellie found a new home and is taking her 4-H rider to new heights with many blues and championships along the way.  Zippy is a new addition to the barn as the place his owner was boarding at closed down and she didn't ride him enough to warrent paying the higher boarding fees at the other facilities so she sold him to me at way less than she wanted 3 years ago for him when I tried to buy him.

Sudden & Kristy are just standing around getting fat and sassy. I am trying to find Kristy a good home as I don't see myself ever getting on her.  At 16.0 hands tall and not broke I am just not tall enough to feel safe getting on her. Update: Kristy has found a new home!

Our newest household addition Abbie, keeps us busy by chasing the cats and making us throw the ball or what ever else she brings to us to throw.

Abbie keeps us Busy

Slick Kitty & Black Kitty have been making thier way into the house lately. I guess they don't like the cold or the rain. I put a heater out in the barn but I think the wild cats in the area must be staying in there and chasing them out at night. I guess its ok that they come in but Naomi the house cat would beg to differ. She puts up with the dog but absolutely hates other cats.

CYA!
Liz