Wednesday, September 26, 2012

Google's new layout complaint!

Gosh I hate to sound negative, but I'm really hating this new layout. I have a cataract and this fine print not only is tiny, but the letters are soooo close together that I just can't read it! I don't need humgeous sized font, but I do need it to be larger than tiny specks of sand smushed together. I don't know how I'm going to manage this. I sure feel for those who have worse visual issues! This also has to be horribly hard for those using screen readers. I'm not sure how they'd manage being the whole thing reads to them and there are soooooo many buttons and all the dropdowns attached to them. :( I can drive and read a book, etc. I'm a long ways from getting cataract surgery too. I don't have a major issue and am a long ways from it being major!

So in the meantime, I'm trying to figure out how to check and see if I have comments waiting for approval. I do moderate all comments to elinate the spam. I get that too so moderating is a good thing.

I'm also finding the google help to be totally worthless. I've wasted a LOT of hours clicking buttons to find out what they are and ending up in multiple places I don't want to go. So I have to just close the whole thing and start over.

The worse thing is that I am positive that this was all done by some department trying to save their jobs at google. If they make a mess like this in the name of it supposedly needing updating they can talk their way into being kept on. Then they have a mess and can keep their job in the name of having to fix all the issues, etc. Yahoo has recently done a similar "update" that is crappy but at least they listened to complaints and made it readable. Google hasn't.

I hope I get somewhere with trying to wade thru this mess instead of the wallering in the mess. Wish me luck! I also hate complaining about something that is FREE, but this I have to as I know it is affecting a lot of people! Off my tack box and back to banging my head on a brick wall!

Tuesday, September 25, 2012

MYO Mixes Tip

 
Do you have myo mixes instead of buying them? I've gotten back to making mine because of all the sugar and preservatives in the store-bought ones. Plus it's just plain cheaper and there's less processing and handling of food I buy. So, hopefully, there's less risk of contamination, etc.
 
I came up with a great way to make my bulk mixes such as bisquick, cakes, etc. These all need baking powder, baking soda, salt, sugar/splenda, or such and making sure they are evenly mixed into the myo mix is now EASY!

Just start with a cup of flour in your large bowl or container and add those necessities. Then mix well. Then add a couple more cups of your flour and mix well again. Continue adding and mixing in your flour. They will be well incorporated by starting this way. Usually, many of us want to start with the large amount of flour first and then start adding the other items. But if we do it in reverse order, it's quick and well mixed so each batch used from it will be a good combination.

I think the reason we do this is because recipes usually start with the flour and then gradually add the other ingredients after the flour. So we literally have to "mix it" in reverse order!

Why didn't I think of this years ago? How many people already knew and do this and never told me?
 

Tuesday, September 11, 2012

Down-Sized Goat Herd

The last 5 goaties getting new zip codes are gone to their new homes. What a relief.
 
The 2 Nigerian Dwarf does (LadyBug & JuneBug) have gone to help get their doelings (Mosey & Maddy) settled in.
 
So I'm back down to 9 goats and it was definitely faster, easier and quieter doing chores last night with only 7 of the 9 here! I'm milking the 2 Alpines, Claire & Jewels. The 2 Angoras, Delia & Daisy (twins), are about ready for their September/Fall shearing. What HAIRBALLS they are. You can see their eyes, horns, ears and muzzle. Their hooves look like they have no legs attaching them to their bodies! The LaManchas are still the people-orientated love bugs and buddies that they've always been. Sugar never kidded and has an udder and wide belly. I don't know what to think about her. I sure hope she gets bred this year or I'll have to find her a pet home. And, as I mentioned, LadyBug and JuneBug are off on a goatie, working vacation.
 
And, there is Kernals, my ND buck who is busy with being in full rut and has turned back into a blubbering, stinky boy who wants to spend his time with the does and not in his pen. He's got a long wait though as he's not breeding the does until November. I don't want kids born in the winter. I don't want to milk in the winter. It's too cold here and the cold really makes my hands ache.
 
And my beautiful Patches, the buck who decided to demolish the pen, is gone. In a way I miss him and I really liked him, but he sure decided to be a snot. as soon has his twin, Wrapper, left. Wrapper was being destructive and would just bash and bash on the gate until he'd break out. That meant all the boys got out, Tom T Turkey and the geese. The geese are there temporarily while I'm working on their new pen. Anyway, Patches was bad enough, but when the girls started coming in heat he really changed and so did his attitude! The pen is one of the older (and heavy) chain link dog pens. The corners are secured with t-posts. He managed to rip 2 panels and the t-post up and off/out of the ground and everyone went their own direction! I really wanted to breed him to a couple does this year, but I wanted to deal with so much damage to repair even less. Then the price of hay has escalated and is hard to find; so that really tipped the balance to down-size as much as possible. I have still have the easy-going Kernals and he can easily cover the 8 does and would have been the buck to have the most does any way.  Kernals is from the same farm as Nipper was and has the same desire to be a buddy and just be easy to be with and have around. That is such a PRICELESS thing in a buck IMHO! I really liked his kids from this year too. So Kernals is staying!
 
All that being, my base herd is now down to 9. I've had time to enjoy trying out some other breeds and had some really nice kids who I bred. I'm still getting lots of positive comments on them which is sure a feel-good moment! I really have enjoyed it and is a LOT of work. It's also interesting that a goat is so much harder on equipment, the barn, fencing and my time, patience and stamina than horses! A goat at 80-90 # or less compared to a horse that is 1200# makes the work and repairs way out of balance!
 
Now, I need to get a new avatar pic in my profile. That cute Patches grew up and is moved out. I think the new owner is going to enjoy him. He has a different set up and he knows what I've had to deal with from both, Patches and Wrapper. Who gets to grace my profile now? It sure won't be a picture of me, so don't get excited there!

Monday, September 3, 2012

Happy Labor Day

I hope you've all had time to spend with those closest to you!