Ragamuffin's Musings

Daily rambles about quilting, gardening, reading, cooking and just plain old being.

Wednesday, April 3, 2013

Feeling Floopy

Could my floopy head be a result of this?

Or maybe this pile is causing it....


Perhaps, it is working at a desk that looks like this (well, the actual desk is in focus, but my camera is one of the things lost in the mess).


Anyone want to do some sewing here? I surely don't!


What a mess.....plus, the last couple of days are gray and rainy and today is chilly too! That makes me blue and the mess makes me floopy. I've got to get this under control....you've heard that before, right?

Actually, posting pics of this shameful mess might motivate me....looking at those piles of fabric on the floor is actually making me feel a little embarrassed. YIKES! 

I guess it is time for some Spring Cleaning!


Tuesday, March 26, 2013

No time for blogging....

...there are simply too many babies who need love. This is Scarlett and Wilkie after they jumped into my lap together...usually they are more timid and hang back a little, but today they jumped on me, nibbled my sleeves, and snuggled in my lap. 


Wednesday, March 13, 2013

getting it together

Well, I've finally written, printed, and "distributed" my first pattern for these two little owl pillows/stuffies. Although what I should say is that I've finally gotten myself together enough to get a pattern out there, because I've created/written  A LOT of patterns they just never see the light of day because I'm too disorganized to get all the parts together. With that said, I'm rather proud of my little pattern.


I also whipped together a top for a shop sample this morning...I fell in love with the farm scene...IT.HAS.GOATS!...plus, the barn is kind of like ours and the tractor is blue like ours and, and, and.....can you tell I'm a dork for all-things-farmy?

Pattern: Charming Baby Log Cabin


Now I'm off for my yearly mammogram....woot woot!

Tuesday, March 12, 2013

Jungle Jen

It was probably not a good idea to let the kids jump on my back, but they surely do like it and it makes me laugh like crazy. Sadly, they are getting too big and heavy for me....my babies are growing up already.


Monday, March 11, 2013

Milk and Milking: Sewing and Sleeping

There is definitely a learning curve to this milking thing and each day it gets a little easier. Of course, just because it gets easier for me doesn't mean that every day is a good day for the goats. Gypsy was a bit grumpy this morning and everyone bawls and cries. I'm still clumsy and slow, so when they complain I feel back about my lack of experience.

Today we got three quarts from three goats....and that was after we spilled some (grumpy Gypsy kicked  the jar out of my hand). We've already made some chevre which was delicious. Next we will try either Mozzarella or Feta....I can't wait for that!

In the meantime I'm on Spring Break from one of my jobs....today I thought I was going to get so much sewing done, but when I hit a roadblock (I just couldn't think through the steps) I thought I would read awhile then go back to my problem refreshed. Instead, I fell asleep and slept for two hours! I guess I needed that nap, but I surely did want to get some work done.

Wednesday, March 6, 2013

Same Song, Different Day

Yep, I'm singing that same old song again.....clutter, clutter, clutter, disorganization leads to wasted time and I NEVER get it all done. I'm freaking out a bit as we get ready to start milking tomorrow. We will work together for four days, then I will have to milk on my own for five days. I'm scared and pretty much convinced I will not be able to do it all...or at least not be able to do it all well. I found the list below on Psychology Today's site and it perfectly summarizes the way I feel...sometimes I feel like I'm going to explode and when I stop to analyze why I feel that way it generally has something to do with my cluttered workspace and the feeling that I'll never get anything done because I have to clean first.

Anyone have any tips to share?


Why does mess lead to so much stress? 
  1. Clutter bombards our minds with excessive stimuli (visual, olfactory, tactile), causing our senses to work overtime on stimuli that aren't necessary or important.
  2. Clutter distracts us by drawing our attention away from what our focus should be on.
  3. Clutter makes it more difficult to relax, both physically and mentally.
  4. Clutter constantly signals to our brains that our work is never done.
  5. Clutter makes us anxious because we're never sure what it's going to take to get through to the bottom of the pile.
  6. Clutter creates feelings of guilt ("I should be more organized") and embarrassment, especially when others unexpectedly drop by our homes or work spaces.
  7. Clutter inhibits creativity and productivity by invading the open spaces that allow most people to think, brain storm, and problem solve.
  8. Clutter frustrates us by preventing us from locating what we need quickly (e.g. files and paperwork lost in the "pile" or keys swallowed up by the clutter).

  9. http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/high-octane-women/201203/why-mess-causes-stress-8-reasons-8-remedies

Wednesday, February 27, 2013

Lord Pippington

Yep, he's a rooster! WOO HOO! On night late while watching goats we heard a strangled, garbled, choking noise. We looked at each other like "WTF"....then one of us said, "Pip's a a rooster"....It was the most pathetic attempt at crowing I've ever heard.

We introduced him to the coop tonight and he didn't get his ass kicked, but he wasn't welcomed with open arms either. Those mean Buff hens (the ones I call Thomas) will put him in his place, but before long he will be bigger than them (I hope) and he'll move on up the pecking order.