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2020

7K views 94 replies 22 participants last post by  NDinKY 
#1 ·
A thread for 2020 stories. It's been a year and a half. Please don't fight, backbite, or get political.

 
#36 ·
Wow..2020 has been such a challenge for everyone. Such strength in you all. My year has been mild in comparison.
For me, My daughter and her family moved back from Alaska..yahooo..she had a second baby. A boy then Hubs job took them all back to Alaska two months later ..sad day.
I got really sick..im stubborn so try to fix myself to no avail....finally went to the drs and found out to be diabetic! Ha..me ..miss eat healthy!! My dr scolded me for taking so long to see her. Said I was lucky not to be in a diabetic coma. Neuropathy in my feet is horrible but the proximol neuropathy keeps me cringing. Things are slowly getting better..sugar is coming down and working on the diabetic related high BP. Im doing it with no medication which is slow going. Lost nearly 50 pounds and lots of muscle and strength..working on rebuilding muscle and strength. Reduced my herd size to better manage them. Still takes me all day to trim hooves with my 14 yr old sons help (hes a fast learner and huge help)
I published a book in January
had Two graduations
My daughter graduated police academy with high honors and is now serving an area city.
My son graduates with his PHD and now a professor at a Dallas university.
So some good and not so good but it's almost over and lots of promise in our future
 
#37 ·
Wow..2020 has been such a challenge for everyone. Such strength in you all. My year has been mild in comparison.
For me, My daughter and her family moved back from Alaska..yahooo..she had a second baby. A boy then Hubs job took them all back to Alaska two months later ..sad day.
I got really sick..im stubborn so try to fix myself to no avail....finally went to the drs and found out to be diabetic! Ha..me ..miss eat healthy!! My dr scolded me for taking so long to see her. Said I was lucky not to be in a diabetic coma. Neuropathy in my feet is horrible but the proximol neuropathy keeps me cringing. Things are slowly getting better..sugar is coming down and working on the diabetic related high BP. Im doing it with no medication which is slow going. Lost nearly 50 pounds and lots of muscle and strength..working on rebuilding muscle and strength. Reduced my herd size to better manage them. Still takes me all day to trim hooves with my 14 yr old sons help (hes a fast learner and huge help)
I published a book in January
had Two graduations
My daughter graduated police academy with high honors and is now serving an area city.
My son graduates with his PHD and now a professor at a Dallas university.
So some good and not so good but it's almost over and lots of promise in our future
It's late but congrats on your newest grandbaby!
 
#38 ·
Thank you ..hes a doll
 
#39 ·
My year was okay until yesterday. Strange, but okay.

COVID did not affect me or my job much. It cancelled a big convention in May that I've been going to annually for 15 years, which was a bummer, but understandable.

I'd bred all my does so I could participate in LA and milk testing. LA was cancelled due to COVID. Milk testing is taking a lot out of me (usually I am a once a day milker, but have kept them at twice a day for testing) but some of my does are doing well. So it's not a total loss, although I had a buck heavy year so only kept 2 doelings out of 18 kids.

We had a couple of our cats die unexpectedly this year, which was heartbreaking because I'm very attached to the cats. But I had the chance to buy some new goats I was excited about, so things weren't all bad.

Yesterday, my dad died. It was a heart attack and no one saw it coming. He was 75. I am 32 but I live at home with my parents, so we are close. I've never experienced the loss of a close family member besides elderly grandparents. Everything is so surreal now. So here I am sitting around in the middle of the day on a goat forum, lol.
 
#41 ·
Yesterday, my dad died. It was a heart attack and no one saw it coming. He was 75. I am 32 but I live at home with my parents, so we are close. I've never experienced the loss of a close family member besides elderly grandparents. Everything is so surreal now. So here I am sitting around in the middle of the day on a goat forum, lol.
Aww I'm so sorry to hear that. My deepest condolences.:hug:
 
#46 ·
@Calistar Yesterday, my dad died. It was a heart attack and no one saw it coming. He was 75. I am 32 but I live at home with my parents, so we are close. I've never experienced the loss of a close family member....
Oh I am so sorry for your loss. Its going to be difficult in the begining. Very difficult. But you will find that with every tear you weap going forward a good memory comes with it. I still cry for my parents. I miss them incredibly. But the happy memories remind me of the good life they both led. Be strong.
 
#47 ·
You know it was all rough but it could have been so much worse. I am trying to look at it that way then self pity. I am so sorry to you girls for your loss of your dad. When I think it could be worse THAT is exactly what goes threw my mind. I’m with calistar I live on the ranch with my family and am my dads right hand girl. I can’t even think of life without my dad especially so my heart is bleeding for you guys.
I’m the same I am not going to hope for a better year. I do that every year and it gets worse. So I will make sure my love ones know what they mean to me and deal with whatever comes my way.
 
#48 ·
@AndersonRanch I like the way you think. Being grateful to wake up every morning is all we need. They say there areb3 things that are certain. You are born, you pay taxes and you die. And being born successfully and healthy isnt even a guarentee.
There were many positives for 2020 too. I got to join the TGS family. I am learning daily how to take care of my goats and other animals. I am learning that there are still a few good humans out there. And I have my girls.
 
#49 ·
To add. Nibbles my little rescue sparrow is to be added to the casualty.list. he didnt make it into day 7. My dad alwaus said that there was a reason one was thrown out. I am so sad because it is 2.46 am and Chevani is writing exams today and I knuw this is going to bother her.
 
#50 ·
Calistar - I am so very, very sorry about your loss. So very heartbreaking to lose a parent, but I will say this, if a loved one passes peacefully, that is the best you can hope for and I mean that in the very best way. I lost my mom in 2006 and she was suffering from lung cancer and congestive heart failure - basically in the end her organs were shutting down and she was in a nursing home. She slipped into a peaceful coma and passed, sadly before I could get to her (3 hour drive), but she was surrounded by family.
My Dad is getting ready to turn 77 and lives 12 hours away, along with my step mom who is younger but has a ton of health issues. I worry about them every day, it's so tough.


I will say aside from the health issues and losses of loved ones, 2020 hasn't been horrible for us other than regular life routines, events being altered or cancelled.
I stayed super busy and was back in the real world so to speak in Oct when I was able to cover the horse races at our local track for media purposes, then worked 9 days during the Breeders' Cup world championship races, and attended a world class horse sale a day later. It was a blast, exhausting, but with incredible weather, people, horses - it was fantastic. Because it was closed to the public (but still had a decent crowd there - owners/breeders/trainers/sponsors/etc.), they decided to hold it here again in 2022, so maybe I'll get to cover it again (would be my 4th time).

Now we'll see if we can get the new barn done and ready for the girls that are due in 5 weeks! I have the old barn as a backup, but only have 3 stalls in there, we tore out the rest lol. It'll all work out, but to say I'm not stressed? Understatement. We made changes to our old barn last kidding season in January and my husband finished those last extra stalls while one of the does was in labor lol.
 
#53 ·
2020 is proving to be one for the history books for sure! I'm very lucky to live outside a city on 2.5 acres. There is always something to do and I love working on my land. The lockdowns and stay at home orders have provided me with an excuse to not leave our little slice of heaven. I never get tired of hanging out with my wonderful goats and silly chickens. My hubby and loving dog Ellie Mae are happy that I spend more time at home too. This year has helped me to slow down, appreciate and thoroughly enjoy my life. I wish you all a Happy Thanksgiving, be safe!!
Eye Plant Working animal Goat Tree
Horse Tree Plant Mammal Grass
Eye Plant Goat Tree Goat-antelope
Working animal Terrestrial animal Fawn Goat Horn
 
#57 ·
2020 is proving to be one for the history books for sure! I'm very lucky to live outside a city on 2.5 acres. There is always something to do and I love working on my land. The lockdowns and stay at home orders have provided me with an excuse to not leave our little slice of heaven. I never get tired of hanging out with my wonderful goats and silly chickens. My hubby and loving dog Ellie Mae are happy that I spend more time at home too. This year has helped me to slow down, appreciate and thoroughly enjoy my life. I wish you all a Happy Thanksgiving, be safe!! View attachment 191915 View attachment 191917 View attachment 191919 View attachment 191921
What amazing hair dos! What kind are they?
 
#55 ·
2020 wasn't bad here as far as loss of loves ones, and I thank God for that.
Mostly is was just the stress of it all that got at us. My parents are both teachers, and the virus kind of messed up their school year. There's 4 kids here going to 4 different schools, so many different schedules clashing together. I am home schooled, but doing half at my house, half at a friends house, and working a part time job. My job is a fast moving, people oriented job, and I am in no way a people person or social at all, so it is very draining. Between work, school, and trying to get the goat pasture and barn up before kidding in the spring, everything is extremely stressful.
But I am so grateful for the opportunity to work and make money. And that I have not lost any pets or family members. I know you have all gone through so much worse! I admire you all.
 
#59 ·
:bighug:
@Calistar @AlabamaGirl @AndersonRanch @Tanya @Moers kiko boars and all you other friends, I am touched you are sharing your stories. I too had dark times this year, and I too am grateful for all the blessings in my life. TGS is one of those blessings, so are my goats!
Best friends May and Coco
Snow Carnivore Fence Working animal Wire fencing

Newly pregnant Willow (fingers crossed)
Wood Fawn Terrestrial animal Tints and shades Snout

Studley Sir Jeffrey
Dog breed Whiskers Fawn Carnivore Twig
 
#60 ·
:bighug:
@Calistar @AlabamaGirl @AndersonRanch @Tanya @Moers kiko boars and all you other friends, I am touched you are sharing your stories. I too had dark times this year, and I too am grateful for all the blessings in my life. TGS is one of those blessings, so are my goats!
Best friends May and Coco
View attachment 191943
Newly pregnant Willow (fingers crossed)
View attachment 191945
Studley Sir Jeffrey
View attachment 191947
Hopefully next year will be a better year (& thanks for the cute goat pictures, they look so cute a fuzzy!
 
#67 · (Edited)
I haven't read this thread until today. Lots of people having a hard time this year. Looks like I'm not the only one who lost my dad. :(

However, although there was tragedy and loss, there were also many blessings this year and in the spirit of Thanksgiving I'd like to list a few of the good things that happened in 2020. First, we had a wonderful kidding season. Every goat had an easy, straightforward delivery that required no help so we were able to sit back and enjoy the blessings of birth without any stress or tragedy.

Butterfly was a tragedy-turned-triumph. She was three days old when she got trampled by my yearling colt and broke her pelvis. Over the next few weeks she regained her ability to walk, run, and even jump! Soon she was racing around with the other kids and involved in all their rough-and-tumble. She's in a happy "forever home" in Utah where she and her brother will spend their days hiking and climbing to their hearts' content.

Another tragedy-turned-triumph was when one of our mama goats rejected her tiny doe kid, Ziggy, and even took her off into the woods and lost her when Ziggy was only five days old. Phil and I searched for her for six hours and were about to give up hope when Phil took one more walk around our property as darkness fell. This time he went even further afield and with the dying of the day the birds and cattle became silent so he was able to hear a kid cry. I burst into tears when I saw Phil walking out of the darkness with tiny Ziggy cradled in one arm. What a miracle! She's now the pet of our herd and is spoiled rotten in all the best ways.

Because of the COVID, our saddle club went gangbusters all summer and made more money in one season than it usually makes in three. Every event was packed to the gills. My horse Dusty and I made progress in team sorting and obstacle challenges, and I've really come to love her. She's a very good horse! I recently started training my Morgan colt Pepperjack and I can already tell he's going to be a fantastic horse. I'm very pleased with his progress so far. It was hard for me to ride again after I lost my buddy, Jet, to a lightning strike in 2018. But this year I've been in the saddle a lot and I'm loving every minute of it.

COVID restrictions made a lot of us have to think outside the box when it comes to gatherings like church and concerts, but overall I think many of the changes have been good. We held church outside under a pavillion all summer and it was extremely pleasant. I hope from now on we have church outside every summer! We've been planning a Christmas concert and caroling night for ages and we've had to move it outdoors. It will be cold, but I think it's going to be breathtakingly gorgeous outside with the Christmas lights and the candles. I can't wait!

Because of COVID, I've gone to Pueblo even LESS this year than usual! I could definitely get used to that change.

My dad's death mended relationships and healed old hurts in ways that few in my family could have imagined. There were some real miracles that took place because of it. My dad was special to a lot of people so his death helped them get over their pride and make amends for past wrongs both before and after his death.

When we are in the midst of tragedy and loss, it's easy to overlook the many wonderful blessings we have to be thankful for. I don't want to lose perspective by focusing only on the things going wrong in my life.
 
#71 ·
#69 ·
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