Ostrich Farm

Summer Birthdays

A weekend of family in Tehachapi --- we love it! Derek's side of the family trekked up to our neck of the woods so we could celebrate Kyranda's and Dad Flinspach's birthdays. We enjoyed playing host and here are some pictures: *note that active two year-olds are very hard to photograph as they are running by - there are a lot of blurry pictures :)






The theme was 'tools' as that is something Kyranda and Dad Flinspach have in common -- so Bob the Builder regalia was out in full force - complete with hats and balloons!

Baby Bison?

Derek and I were sitting on the couch last night. He was skimming the PennySaver - he loves to do that to see what's out there! We were laughing at baby goats for sale...can you imagine what the dogs would do with those? Probably about a month or so ago, we were out garage-sale-ing and there was a house down the block from the one we stopped at who had a baby goat just bleating away -- it was a regular house, not a farm, and sure enough they even had a boxer dog and another kind of dog -- and there was the baby goat on top of the barbecue just making all kinds of noise -- very cute! but noisy.

So Derek adds, "What about a baby bison? There's one in here that's 8 weeks old" -- I said, "A bison? Someone's selling a bison?" and he said "Yeah, people own bison" -- which is true, but I was like, "Don't they raise them in herds or for food?" I thought it sounded strange for even the PennySaver. So I looked over his shoulder and saw he was looking at an ad for a "Bichon"!!! I busted up laughing! I'm like, "that's a little white dog, honey! a little lap dog!" and we both just cackeled.

Not sure if it's the same telling it on the computer, but it was a fun moment!!!

It's Raining Popcorn

Let's say GOODBYE to the popcorn ceiling! Derek, with a friend, has been working the last few days on this big project -- there's still a little left to do, but it already looks SOOOOOO much better!

Apparently it starts with making a big mess as we bring everything out of the bedrooms and put it all sorts of places:


Then all of the gunk comes falling down:


There's some patchwork and sanding:


The first night we slept on the couches in the family room. We didn't want to tear down all the plastic until everything was done the next day:


Ahhhh...smooth ceilings in the hallway:

Next week we'll finish a few things and do some final painting -- it's going to look awesome!

Bring It!

This is going to be mine and Derek's new mantra for the next 90 days. In an effort to get more fit (and I want to lose some pounds) we're taking the P90X challenge -- a new set of intense workouts that will hopefully get us on the right path. I'm not sure if I'll get the "totally ripped" body that's advertised, but exercising once a day for about an hour is bound to make some positive difference! And Derek and I get to do it together.....ahhhhhhhh, isn't that sweet? We do genuinely do like working out together and it gives us a goal and focus in the evening after a day's work.

Of course we've only done 3 days - but what a workout they've been! Day 1 was Chest & Back (I've never done so many push-ups), Day 2 was Plyometrics and yesterday was Shoulders & Arms -- tonight we've got Yoga! My muscles are definitely rebelling and throwing tantrums - they cannot figure out why I would choose to do this to them - so I'm definitely feeling it and getting stiff and sore - in the good kind of way. Plyometrics totally kicked my behind on Day 2 - I didn't even know what it was but it's basically doing controlled jumping and quick movements like training for sports! Whew, I had to take some long breaks during that one and couldn't even do some of the moves. But, like the video says, I'm just going to "Bring my best, and forget the rest!"

The Home Stretch

This weekend celebrates the final coming week of Derek's teaching in his current classroom. While it has been rather stressful, he has persevered with great strength and stamina....I'm so proud of him! And true to form, as we all tend to do when "things" are finally over, the poor guy has gotten sick -- I remember that happening to me the week I left Children's Bureau. So, please pray for energy and health for him as he finishes up....there is light at the end of the tunnel!!!!!