Saying Goodbye

I had to say goodbye to three more of my goats. Lucy, Heidi, and Heidi's baby. This is a picture of them in their new home, meeting the other tenants.  :)

They went to someone I actually know (at least online). Some of you might know Marguerite Butler. She's the author of several historical romances and at least one paranormal. You can see her books at Goodreads.

When she mentioned she'd be interested in seeing my goats when I was ready to sell, I was elated. We had a lovely visit and it was great to meet a fellow author so close to me. ...well, relatively close. 

I was sad to see the girls go, even more than when I sold the buck a few weeks ago, but I know they're going to a good home. Marguerite is a true animal lover. You should read the stories she tells about her rescues and the way she nurses her sick animals. She regularly posts pictures of her farm animals on Facebook.

Marguerite has a lot more goat experience than I do so I know the girls are in good hands. 

The first time I brought my goats home I was paranoid beyond belief checking on them nearly every hour. Any time you change an animal's home and feed they suffer stress. I knew so little about goats back then so I was stressed too! You never saw anyone examine poop so closely! LOL!  

Heidi was just a baby then. I think I'll miss that goofy goat most of all. I raised her from a 3 month old. She used to love nuzzling Tank, my old rottie. The other goats stayed clear of Tank, but Heidi was fearless...and a little naive. Thankfully, Tank was a true gentle giant. He loved babies of all sorts.

We are that much closer to downsizing our farm. If we can sell our other house we can do some seriously planning on vacations. At this rate, it looks like 2016. I was so hoping we could go up to Chicago this year. I even have a friend who's offered to house and animal sit while we were gone.

Until that house sells, we're tied. We did get some good news about the house. There's a serious buyer but he wants the land rezoned. I don't know if he can pull it off with the City Council, but I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

This year has been an uphill battle, but somehow it feels like it will all work out in the end. Things happen when they happen and not before. I sometimes think life would've been easier had Greg worked one more year, but having him home has been worth the extra struggles.

Everything will be all right in the end... if it's not all right then it's not yet the end.   The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel



Comments

Unknown said…
And 2016 is just around the corner! I think once my animals have left me, I don't plan on acquiring any more. :D I'll have a true empty next then!
Sarah Ahiers said…
Are you down to zero goats, then? And traveling is the one reason why my sister and I have hesitated on really getting into hobby farming. A hobby farm would mean less trips to the cabin for us.
Mike Keyton said…
Love that Marigold quote, my philosophy exactly. I truly hope 2016 is all you hope for and more - along with the rest of 2015 of course
Jackie said…
Maria good luck with the "serious Buyer", hope he can swing the zoning issue quicker than predicted and sure hear you about "Downsizing" so you are not tied to home 24/7.

Greg did not need to work an extra year, you need to have him home full time just like it worked out!
Melissa McClone said…
Sounds like you found a great place for the goats! I pray you hear good news on the rezoning and can get that house sold! 2016 is just around the corner. I know this because that's when my oldest graduates from high school!
Stacy McKitrick said…
I'll keep my fingers crossed (virtually) you finally found a buyer for your other house. You need a vacation. We all do!! :)
Maria Zannini said…
Diane: I don't know if I can go without any animals. I enjoy them too much. But a little break would be appreciated. It's been a long time since we've had a vacation.
Maria Zannini said…
Sarah: No. We still have two adults and three babies. We want to get down to three goats. I think that's pretty manageable for any caretaker.

But you're right. It ties you up. Not only do you need to find a caretaker while you're gone, but it's a huge imposition and responsibility for the other person.
Maria Zannini said…
Mike: I try not to stress out about things out of my control. That's harder than it looks--at least for me.
Maria Zannini said…
Jackie: You're right. He didn't need to work longer. I just regret all the trips to east Texas just to check the house. I wish we had put it on the market while Greg was still there.
Maria Zannini said…
Melissa: Marguerite has been so generous with her goat advice. It was her FB posts that made me take that leap into goats.

Maria Zannini said…
Stacy: I want a vacation so bad I can taste it. There are still parts of the US I want to visit too, especially the Northwest.
betty said…
Sounds like a good loving home for your goats :) Maybe you can even go and visit if they are somewhat close by? It can be frustrating waiting until things fall into place, like the sell of a house, etc. I hope it does happen soon so you can enjoy a bit of a vacation :)

betty
Anne Gallagher said…
I read my horoscope yesterday and it said the whole month of August will be good for EVERYONE who wants to sell, buy, or renovate their house. Something about Jupiter being in trine with the Sun. (Or something.) I'll send you all my cosmic joo-joo so your house will sell and you can go to Chicago.
Animals can become part of the family, so it's not surprising you'll miss them. At least you know they're going to a good home. It would be great if you could come to Chicago sometime.
I'm sure it hurt to see them go but how great that you found such a good home. Hope you can sell the house soon. We're planning on putting our huge house on the market next year. I'm really worried about selling it because it is so big it narrows the market on who would want it.
Susan Says
Maria Zannini said…
Betty: We live a couple of hours away from each other, but I wouldn't mind sneaking a visit the next time we're nearby.
Maria Zannini said…
Anne: I'm on board if Jupiter wants to help sell my house.

Cosmic joo-joo is always welcomed too. :)
Maria Zannini said…
Sandra: The last time I was in Chicago was for a funeral. I'd love to come back for a more festive reason this time.

All my family is there.
Maria Zannini said…
Susan: Funny story. There was a man who kept calling me, begging me to sell him Lucy, the super milker. I don't know how else to put it but he seemed kind of rough. Maybe that's normal with big goat ranches, but Lucy had been raised gently. She's not used to rough handling.

When Marguerite said she'd take them, I felt they couldn't have gone to a better home. She was so gentle in their pen, assessing them almost intuitively. When others have come by, the goats were nervous, but with Marguerite they were interested in the company.

re: selling
With us it's the big tract of land behind the house that's been a hindrance. It's in the city now, not country like when we bought it. It's almost archaic because everyone wants nice little suburban homes. They don't know what to do with that much acreage in the city.

We need to sell to people with vision! :)
I love that quote from The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, and loved the movie too! Also the sequel, which I think I enjoyed nearly as much if not more than the original.
I also believe good things will happen to you, so that's two votes among many more, I'm sure. Good to know the goats are in good hands. I love to hear about all your animals.
Jenny Schwartz said…
Here's hoping 2016 is your year of freedom!
Maria Zannini said…
Karen: I've been on the fence whether to rent Marigold Hotel 2 or buy it.
Maria Zannini said…
Barbara: I got my biggest wish. Greg is finally home. The rest will be gravy. --though selling the house will be more like icing. :)
Maria Zannini said…
Jenny: I like that! I want to snip off that tether and soar.
Hey...I know what a vacation is now. I enjoyed mine. Glad Dina likes to stay home while I shoot pictures...so she can keep care of our menagerie. Cheers