Zack's Next Big Step

I'm trying desperately to keep myself together.  Yesterday nearly pushed me to the limit though.  We left for Linn, MO yesterday morning with the intentions of getting Zack registered for classes.  I honestly hadn't realized the activities that would go on.  We were a bit early, so we picked up lunch in the cafeteria...next time...we will eat elsewhere.  I'm not sure if it was just our choices or what, but it wasn't terribly appetizing.   While we were eating, Zack filled out his paperwork for the day.  

I wanted to cry when I seen the name tag... 

He was fitted for his uniform, photographed for his student Id, given his parking permit and finally given his schedule and list of fees.  We spoke to the housing representative only to find that the waiting list had at least 30 people on it.  He recommended that we hold on to our deposit and use it to try and find off campus housing.  We've had the off campus apartment list for a while, but Zack had decided he wanted to buy a camper and stay at a year-around campground near the school.  After seeing his schedule, I pretty much knew he would be better off close to campus.  While Zack and I checked some things with financial aid, Troy made some quick calls to a nearby apartment complex.  We were able to meet owner before leaving town and walked through a couple of his units.  The only single apartment that was available had a tenant that would not be moving out until August 14th.  We took it.  Zack will have to move in on the 15th and will start school on the 21st.  

Standing there in that empty apartment trying to decide what was best isn't the easiest thing to do.  Honestly, it's not our choice anymore.  I think Zack was a bit overwhelmed and really wasn't sure what do to at this point.  I just wanted to cry.  I could feel tears coming and tried to stop them. I glanced across the room to see Troy had noticed my emotional breakdown...I hadn't hidden it from everyone.  All I kept thinking was that in only 10 weeks, Zack would be moving out for real...no doubts...no changing minds...no stopping it.  Will he survive? Will I survive? Who knows.  I do know he's entering a program that wasn't easy to be accepted into.  He's a strong, intellegent young man with a great future ahead of him.  I just can't help but still see  him as a little kid...

The First New Babies of the Year

The first 2 baby peachicks hatched this morning at work.  Let the excitment begin!  Meet #2 and #1...and yes, I had to tag them on the wings...very easy process but it still made my stomach hurt!

To say the least, I'm not thrilled about being awake this morning.  After staying up way too late...actually it turned into way early the next morning...watching River Monsters with Zack on Netflix...I kind of just wanted to stay in bed.  On the plus side, we watched the entire season...8 episodes...on the down side...I have to work.  I dragged myself out of bed and let the dogs out.  Without any help, I didn't have much control.  Lucy takes advantage and makes a bee line to the back fence..scales it and is gone...ugh.  I did manage to keep Sammie in this time.  I run to the front to see if I can get her to come back in.  She's already made it to the end of the far driveway with the new stray and Rudy following.  I yelled at them, Lucy looked back and then kept running.  The other two made a mad dash to me and proceeded to leave loving muddy paw prints across my chest and back.  At least they listen.  I came back through the house to let the dogs in and to fix a bottle for Tipsy.  I hear quite a commotion and goats screaming.  I ended up finding Tipsy with her head stuck through the fence and Elvis ramming into her from the other side.  How she fit her head through is through a 2x4 hole is beyond me because it sure wasn't coming back out.  I managed to get the fence bent enough to push her back through.  I brought her in to give her a bottle and now she won't make a sound, she won't take her bottle, and she won't walk.  I guess she's traumatized.  I feel terrible.  On top of all that, last night was the first night that I left her with her momma...she'll probably never get over it. This is not a great way to start a Monday!