So most everyone knows I went on my 4-H County Officers retreat yesterday and today.  We left Tuesday Morning and got back today.  It was fun.  We took in a baseball game that ended up with a tornado siren goingand got to see the sites.  It was pretty much the same thing as last year but with different people.  Different people always make things different even if you have already been there and done that.  
    What stuck in my mind most though happened before I even got to the retreat.  You see Monday Mom had a headache and was feeling down so she didn't take me to town to pick up my snacks for the trip.  That was okay because Billy was taking me to the meeting place where we would leave for our retreat and he said we could stop on the way.  So Billy and I stopped at Dollar General in town.  I didn't want to use my cash I had for the trip so I wrote a check for my purchases.  This is where it went wrong.  Dollar General refused my check.  They said that they won't take a check without a Driver's License number.  I told her I didn't have a driver's license because I was only 14.  They refused anyway and I ended up paying cash.    It was embarrassing to say the least. 
    I know being in business at 14 has it's own set of issues.  I am sure that no one has ever called a big company, like AT&T or Walmart, with a problem and the person on the other end of the phone said "Hold on let me check with my Mom".  I am also sure that other Business owners don't go to business lunches and end up at McDonalds or Braums.  I know that I am different but I will say this.  My Money should be just as good as anyone elses.  And to think that this happened in my own hometown where most everyone knows who I am for one reason or another just makes it all the more embarrassing.  I can shop the Family Dollar in town anytime and when I write a check and tell them I don't have a Driver's license they just ask for my social security number and go on.  I have written checks at local gas stations and local businesses when ever I need to without worry, until now.  I will add that I never take my checkbook out of town unless I have discussed a transaction before hand and who ever I am dealing with knows I am writting a check.  Most times I ask if a check is fine or if I need to bring cash.  And I have no problem taking cash with me.  I purchased my first two alpacas for cash because that was before David and Karen know who I was.  Honestly I have had no problem dealing with this issue.    
    I really don't understand why Dollar General couldn't take my Social Security Number and use that.  It is the only Identification number link to that account anyway.  The Government has made me loans on that same social security number and no one else in town questions it.  I understand it is their store policy.  And I understand rules and the need for them.  However, My Mother (you knew she had to come into this at some point) once told me "you will get what you expect of people".  For example my cousin once bought hay from us.  Everyone in the family warned my Mom not to expect her money because this cousin always has some reason he can't pay his bills.  Well,  Mom would always answer that she did expect her money and that he would pay her because she expected it.  She let him and everyone in the family know it.  And you know what?  He paid her like clock work.  Mom never had a problem and she said it was because she expected it and she let him know it.  
    With that lesson in mind I ask you this... If everyone gripes about kids today and their lack of responcibilty and respect, why don't they expect more out of us?  And when faced with someone who is doing more then expected, (paying his own way, taking care of his own checkbook and working on building my own business) why do other businesses have to treat us like we are doing something wrong?  What message is that sending to us kids?  Why does the world expect more but not accept it when they get it??  
    I know I can't take on big business.  According to Mom's friend in the law business they have more money then me and in the attorney's words Dollar General will be more interested in winning the case then making right what they did wrong.  He also said that it didn't make it right and that I didn't have to keep quiet about it.  But lets face it I am a kid and who is really going to take me seriously anyway?  That is what got me into this issue in the first place.  Mom told me that one voice can make a difference, so to make her point she wrote a letter to the local news paper, The Nowata Star, in the Dear Editor section.  It told my story but from her point of view and asked the same questions I will be asking you in this post.  She even let me help write the letter.  The only problem is that the Paper emailed Mom back saiding they would not print Mom's letter because it showed the Dollar General in an unfavorable light.  So I guess one voice only makes a difference when they are on the side of big business and not a kid.  
    Well, in the end as you can tell I was hurt and no one but Mom seemed to understand and even after speaking with someone on the side of the law I figured out it is pointless to even try.  But Mom told me to pose the questions we asked in the letter here.  She said to ask If the local stores and newspapers won't build up kids in the community and show them that it is okay to do more then what is expected, Is there something each of you can do to make a kid feel better as they try?  Has anyone tipped the paperboy who takes the time to make sure you always get your paper in the same place at the same time and then told him why??  What about the little kid who is selling you those fundraisers for school?  Have you let him know you think he is doing a good thing?  What about the boy scouts and girl scouts in your area that you see trying to help out?  And you know I have to ask if you have supported your local 4-Hers???
    My point is this ... According to Mom there are good kids doing great things everywhere.  There are kids like Zach Bonner and Harry Moseley,  who do huge fundraising charities and they are kids.  Look at the cell phone for soldiers program, that was started by kids too.  There are even kids that make a living at a young age without being TV stars or singing a single note.   Do you know who Cameron Cohen is.  He is the kid who invented the "Isketch" app for your cell phone.  You know, us kids will do amazing things if people just expect it and let us ... So I ask if you have read this post Please let me know the simple ways you encouraged a kid in your area.  At least I will know one voice made a difference somewhere in the world, even if it wasn't in my own hometown...

    So today Mom has been very quiet and not really in a great mood.  I have to admit that it has to do with last night and I half way expected it.  Dad does nothing to help the matter because he hasn't even apologized for the whole thing.  And if Mom says anything he just says "Well, what should I have done?"  And Mom just walks away and said "Nothing Dear, Nothing"
    So I did what I always do when Mom and Dad are having a tiff as I call it.  I go ride.  Today Dad went with me.  When we were out at the barn Ranger my LGD was fine.  He was barking and jumping around like normal.  That was about 5pm.  When Dad and I got done riding we went and ate a bite before I went back out to do chores at 7pm.  When I got out there Ranger had passed away.  
    Yes I just said that.  My LGD at the age of 1 and 1/2 years old passed away tonight for no visable reason.  I can't even imagine why and I think I just don't believe it.  How can it be?  He was fed, watered, had his own flock and he was loved.  I don't get it.... He is the Dog on all my stuff.  He is our Flock dog and  a QT.  Remember these pictures???

    Ranger was one of the farm and I don't understand this.  Mom says that all she can think of is that he could have been snake bit but I don't know.... I do know one thing though.  My banner will never change.  Ranger will be in the banner forever.  He is the first, the one and only, Ranger the QT dog ...

So today started out good.  I watches The Roy Rogers show and worked on my booth for Fiber Christmas.  I came up with a crochet along for the adults to do

and a kit for kids to do that makes a friendship braclet.

    My only thing left to figure out is if I should charge for the "kid kits" Each kit cost me about 35 cents when everything was done but I am not sure if I should let them do them for free or charge them the 35 cents to recover my cost??  Does anyone have any opinion on this one?  PLEASE let me know.  You can either leave a comment or email me at rj@barnontheweb.com  
    Mom and I also worked on a few display ideas and this is what we came up with... We don't know how they will be laid out on the table but we will figure that out when we get there. 

    From there my day went very sour.  You see I had planned to go to a friend's house to go Roping.  We do it all the time.  Mom gets some time at home and Dad and I get time in the roping pen.  Anyway there were a few details that were left out but like normal Dad and I loaded up and headed out about 5pm.  When we got there they were having a big cook out and the guys were roping.  Yup, you guessed it.  Dad and I didn't tell Mom it was a cookout.  We just said we were going roping.  To be honest I don't remember my friend saying anything about a Bar-B-Q or cookout.  
    Anyway, we roped like normal and then took a dinner break.  After we ate and went back to roping Dad called Mom and said he was getting tired and could she come trade places with him so he could come home and go to bed.  Mom, like every other time, thought nothing of it and came on out in the car to send him home.  
    When Mom got there she saw everyone in their Sunday best and the cookout going on.  Did I mention that Mom didn't get cleaned up because Dad said in his text to her that it was just us three boys there roping???  She came out in her shelter work shirt, shorts and her mix matched crocks.  In Mom's words she was horrified ... But what could she do?  When she found out that they had fed us Mom went and told them how sorry she was that she had not provided anything to go with the meal and explained that had she known that it was a cook out she would have made every effort to do her part. 
    To be honest I didn't really understand what the big deal was.  Then this morning Mom told me a story and that kind of made me understand.  Or at least I think I understand most of it anyway.  Mom asked me how I would feel if my Friend had a big cookout and roping. She said that what if when his horse got hurt and needed doctoring he called me to help him do it and of course I went but then he left me to doctor the horse and he went back to his cookout and roping???  
    My heart sunk ... I knew I would have been very hurt and angry. (Just like Mom is) I know that I didn't do right in that situation but I also think that my Dad should have known what to do.  Shouldn't he have been the one to call Mom and explain??  Shouldn't he have been the one to excuse us and say that we really should go home and eat with Mom???  How am I suppose to know what to do if my own Dad doesn't ... Now we are both in the Dog House ... Thanks DAD!!!!

    Yesterday I went to the rodeo and didn't get home until later so I didn't get the blog done.  But the good news is that I did okay and won all my money back at the rodeo last night and even walked away with an extra Dollar.  
    That isn't all I did yesterday though.  Mom and I took Ms. Karen to Tempted Estates to meet Tempted herself.  I hung out with Tempted's Daughter but we kind of are different.  The one thing that kind of got to me was that she was picking on my because I wouldn't go into her bed room.  You see, her Video game was in her bedroom and she couldn't understand why I wouldn't go back to her Bedroom with her.  First off my Dad would have killed me and no video game is worth my life.  The other thing is that in our house your bedroom is your private space.  No one comes to my room to hang out.  That is where I go to be alone and go to bed.  When my friends come over to hang out at my house we only have a game cube that is on the tv in the living room.  Other then that we are always outside but never would I have anyone in my bedroom just to hang out.  I also would never even go into my Dad's and Mom's room without there being some reason for it that can't be helped.  (The toolbox for the house is in Mom's closet but I only go in when I have asked Mom or Dad if I can)  So here is my question to you ... Are me and my family weird or something???  LOL
    Todya I worked on the fencing from where we divided the pasture because even though we had the fence up it wasn't really held up with enough clips or wire.  While I was out there I thought long and hard about Mom's Cotswold sheep.  (Yes they are her's because I didn't have the money to get them and she paid for them so they are hers But she says they are the families)  Anyway, I think I think I really like the thought of naming the Cotswold sheep Candy bars.  So we are naming them Skittles, Reeses and Dove.  I will get pictures posted tomorrow but Dove is the one with the bag and we are watching her really close.  Maybe we will end up with an extra bargain .... LOL

    Today was pretty cool.  First we had our 4-H picnic.  At the picnic two special things happened.  After we ate they held elections for next years county officers.  I was elected to my second term as 4-H County Treasurer.  I wanted President but I guess it just wasn't meant to be.  I am happy with Treasurer though.  I am hoping this year will be even better then last  year.  
    The other thing that happened is that I got to give away our first ever QT Scholarship.  As most of  you know the scholarship went to a great friend that has had a really rough time this year.  Not that you can call loosing his father and having to give up his herd and move his Mom to town rough but add in his past fight with cancer and you can say rough.  The good thing is that Billy has kept his head clear and his heart in the right place.  He isn't just my friend but my friend in Christ.  He knows that will all his looses and struggles God is there with him and Christ is making him stronger all the way.  I can only imagine what he is destined to be because when God takes something away he is just opening your hand for something better down the road.  I know Billy's time is coming.... And all of you are helping him get there.

    Today was a long day but mostly because last night was a long night.  Without Pansy, Petunia didn't want to be alone.  The only thing that Mom came up with last night to confort her was she let Petunia sleep on the couch with her.  It was funny cause Mom slept on the edge and Petunia had her bum wrapped in like 6 towels and she was laying between the back of the couch and her.  The only thing Mom said about it was that her breath really stinks when she belchs up her cud.  I thought it was funny.  
    But in true Straw Farm Fasion I have decided to not linger on about the bad that happened yesterday.  So today we were talking about the Cotswold ewes.  And we realised that they don't have names.  I was thinking we could name them Freight, Train and Santa Fe.  Okay so Mom wasn't really happy with those names.  So I put it to all of you.  We need three Ewe names.  The names all need to have something in common.  I am thinking of sping since I got them in spring.  Spring makes me want ice cream.  So we could name them ice cream flavors.  Or maybe we should call them the seasons themselves.... So what do you think??? 
 (I still think Freight, Train, and Santa Fe are the best names so far.... LOL)

I will start tonight's Blog by saying this is Mom and Not RJ.  Sometimes I wish I didn't ever have to blog but being the Mommy means sometimes doing things we don't want to do.  For example Telling everyone bad news.  You guessed it.  We have lost our precious Pansy.  To be honest I thought she was doing great since the other night.  Up until just an hour or so ago she was up ... Eating and being cute.  Then as I walked through the kitchen to go out the back door to get RJ out of the roping pen I noticed she was laying funny.  Well, we did everything just as we had the other night but this time, Nothing seemed to work.  She wasn't dehydrated because she had not been allowed out in the heat since her last episode.  To be honest we have no clue as to why she had to go but it breaks my heart.  RJ is upset and so is Auntie Karen and myself.  I have no idea what else to tell you other then to ask that you please say a pray as God welcomes home one of his littlest flock members tonight.  Death is always hard for us here on the farm to accept so please pray for our hearts to be healed as well... We will miss you little girl.... RIP Pansy, Momma loved you!

We had so much going on today that it was actually easier to just make a Video Cast for you ... So here it is .... Enjoy

Man it seems more and more like when I blog I am backing up but yesterday after I posted I got a visit from an Auntie. Ms. Karen was on vacation and she brought me home a few surprizes from her trip. I can't believe she would waste her time thinking of me on her vacation but she did and I am really glad about it too. Check out what she got me. First there is my prize Alpaca Hat pin.

Then she also got me a sheep ball. Okay so it isn't what you think. It is a ball that you toss up and it will tell you your sheeps mood... Check it out ...

She even got me a DVD cause she knows I like the old TV shows ...

And that isn't all. I have to say that I loved all my gifts ... But this last one was my favorite.... I Got a GOAT BELL!!!

Now, so that I don't have to go backwards anymore I will tell you that at the Rodeo today I placed 3rd in the Goat tying, 4th in the break away, 2nd in the tie down calf roping and 3rd in the ribbon roping. While I was at the rodeo Mom was at home spinning my pink roving from Tempted ...

Mom says she loves spinning but now she is going to have to start using the yarn or it is going to back up on her.... lol

I almost forgot... there is one more thing that came back from QT vacation.  It has inspired me to find someone to write me a crochet pattern for a stuffed alpaca.... Check this out... I even have a plan... Any takers?

    Okay, so yesterday I really did have fun and there were alot of cool things that happened here on the farm.  I know the Pansy thing over shadowed the good and that is why I am backing up to tell you all about it.  Everyone knows that Tempted came to the "YoungShepard Zoo" Yesterday.  You also know that we played with all the animals and she checked out all the fleece on them as well. 
    What you don't know is that her and Mom sat spinning for awhile and chatting.  Somehow She ended up showing Mom how to make a center pull ball without a ball winder.  (which still hasn't come in the mail yet)  So Mom worked both before and after the Pansy episode and got everything off her bobbin plied.  That means not only did she do her teal color yarn that she made out of Tempted Roving.... Please be kind because this is only her third yarn she has ever made in her life and it hasn't been soaked to set the twist. 

But she also got down to my spinning and plied my yarn that now looks like this. 

Then she started spinning my Pink Tempted  roving that Tempted herself helped me make.  It is pink with blue sparkles in it.  Check this out.  And then she brought Me some more bumps yesterday when she came so that I could spin it up.  But to be honest I am having Mom spin it up for me.   She is just better at it then I am and I want it to be a keeper.  I think I am going to use it in the horse blanket Mom is helping me weave on her loom.  Check this out. 

    Anyway, as you can see we had alot of fibery fun it was just over shadowed by Pansy.  I know I shouldn't be that way but when anything happens to my animals that takes first priority with me.  I am sorry I didn't put all this in the post last night but I hope you understand. 
    Later Ms. Karen will be coming home from vacation.  She went to a small town and ended up finding a new yarn shop and a fiber fair.  I think my love of fiber is rubbing off on her.  She didn't even know what roving was before she got involved in the fiber farm.  Now she can't get enough alpaca, spinning, or Knitting.... LOL (psst ... Just so you know she texted Mom and said she got me a surprise... )
    
UPDATE:  For the record Mom called our wonderful Vet first thing this morning and he said we did everything right and even told us how long to keep it up.  Then he admitted that he has never even seen a shetland lamb in real life before ... LOL ... Yup that is my Vet honest as the day is long.  You got to love him.  As for Pansy she is acting like nothing happened at all....