Well I just figured out how to get back into this site and now I know why so much was not making it my direction from the website email. I had like thousands of comments that were spam blocking my emails and waiting for approval! What a damn mess. The same thing for the Guestbook.
   Well all is good we are just working way to much. Rod is improving and things have sure changed. I still have all my birds and even purchased a new incubator this year. New used bator and the DIckey is being sold. SO contrary to wish full thinking and popular rumors I am going no place. A lot of things have happened in the last year or so and I had to take time to handle life in itself. I think the latest statements being said have been pretty foolish but it will all work out in the end . I feel like I am watching 2006 happen all over again but its all good,
   For those that did not make it to Shawnee you really missed a great show. From what I could see of it anyways. Tons of fantastic  birds were there!

          Yes times get busy no doubt. There have been many changes to my lifestyle this year. All of them I am enjoying.  I am selling a lot of Pet Quality birds as well as retiring several old hens this coming year, I will continue to maintain 40-50 birds but not the numbers I am keeping right now. This will allow plenty of room for raising babies. This have become so swamped its unreal. Not to mention my son moved out ..... I took over his room for my office and he moved home again. I no longer have an office or any space to call my own. After the first of the year all my boxed office items as well as my PC are moving to an office....Whew because I feel like I have stuff scattered from downstairs to upstairs. I have a tote full of Club things that will be completed when the new office is open.
     Speaking of Club stuff who else is running ads in the ASBC Directory?
   I do hope this blog finds everyone well. Today should be another 16 hour day. We will be trying to locate another vehicle for my son to drive because he is in mine. This completely clips my wings and sends me into a tizzy. I guess it will all work out soon but for now there is not any Xmas shopping done  and really I don't care to do much at all this year. I sold our big tree and gave the Oklahoma Poultry Federation our small tree. This leaves just the pre-decorated tree medium in size. LOL I guess if everyone else wants a Xmas tree they better get it put up . I suppose someone will be cooking this year but I personally have done no baking either. This has never happened in history! Oh well things change all the time and maybe someone who is in the xmas mood will come down my chimney and fix things up and if not oh well. Maybe next year when I have a office and  I will get motivated for a tree. I like those funky little colored trees! You never know but I doubt seriously I will be at the after Xmas sales looking for next years tree.
     Wondering what we have been up to? We decided to get out Bail Bonds License back in June. Its something I have been exposed to on and off for many years and the kids are old enough I might began to have my own life again.Bail Bonds and some recovery has been very rewarding. Oh yeah we have disconnected the Vonage Phone ( never used ) , house phone (never used). and Takota now has her own cell phone so paying out extra money for these other phones is a waste of money. I will be  checking in soon. My personal computer will be in my grasp very soon.

  Well I have been questioned about my blog and thought I should put something back up here. A lot of happenings are going on. I realize some of us get busy and distracted and in todays world it is acceptable. This time of the year is great people are breeding and preparing for spring shows and that is super. We are only doing a couple of shows and I am actually looking forward to the break. This yeah is my first year for my Dickies incubator to be running and its pretty neat. Getting over the hurdle of fearing I am going to just hatch and hatch so many I will be in trouble was tough! I am ok now I have self control! Haha. I have also decided I will be purchasing an additional hatcher versus using the hatcher in the bottom of the bator.
  I see so much is going on with the buying and selling of the birds. I realized when I got started 3 years ago it was very exciting but I look back and realize I always had intentions of being a show person. No doubt about it. I love the creative aspect of some of the new colors or in some cases some old colors that we considered less than perfect based on color! If people would spend more time working on colors instead of telling others what they would do or not do or to sell or not sell I feel like the other colored Silkies would have progressed at a faster pace. There is a lot to learn out there and I would hope that all intentions of the new varieties are for the better of the Silkie.
   I would like to go to the LA. show coming up but there is no way at this point. I hope everyone gets lots of pictures! I realize other Countries have more variety's of Silkies and that is because when we get off colors they are culled but others see the beauty in off colors and consider it a challenge to perfect it. I prefer the challenge method. For those working on AOV keep it up because there will be a time they will get accepted as a Variety.
   March 1st I lost my mother. It came from out of the blue and I had just spoke with her a couple of days before it happened. Its one of life's lessons in my brain. It took a little while to deal with it but when coming  out of stages of grief I realized many things and how things change in a blink of an eye. Life is to short to waste time on lala garbage and people rarely change their ways they just learn to dress it a little better. When you have the chance to really watch people in action after a death or trauma it gives you one hell of an insight of who they really are and I am grateful I do not have the ugly person on the inside of me like I have seen in many others. I can sleep well and relax easily because I have nothing to hide and dealing with my mothers death makes me realize how selfish and self motivated people can be and the other side o the spectrum you learn those you would never suspect have a heart! In all of this. I am also resting easy knowing my mother is as peace and not subjected to her in-laws with pretty ugly motives. It's ratcher sick actually that people feed on being miserable and making other miserable. You have to wonder what makes a person to feel the need to have such dominating control? Really it does not matter because those types of people end up in ugly lonely deaths so in the long run I can find peace in that as well.
   Well I have some studying to do and things to get handled today , the weather is ugly today and I should be able to work on some other things including more time with my birds.
 
  

 Well it's January and its either freezing out with wind or almost 60 degrees! We are taking advantage of the warmer weather today to finish cleaning cages and re-arrange the chicken room. I have to sell birds... I have to sell birds. I have to keep telling myself this because it is not easy to force myself into this. I think I did a little hoarding this year and will be parting with some. I will have pet birds for sale also . In times like this you never know what the weather is going to be like so I would like to ship when the shipping is good and no time can be wasted . I also have a few birds that are returning home to their owners so that is going to help with the numbers in the coop. I have decided to move all of the chicken items to the  coop including the incubator .  I have a working outlet and will be trying to fix the others so I can move the incubator to the rooms out there.
     Things are holding up around here and we are taking the cat to the vet to be fixed tomorrow and hopefully that will go well but I want no more kittens or no more animals period. Although they are fun and cute there is not enough time in the day to run an animal daycare and feel like a kennel assistant while you are doing it.  I hope spring comes early this year for those that are hatching.

 

  It has been a very long time. Things have been pretty incredible! From showing this fall to the Nationals! The results are on the front page of our club website. There is no reason for me to duplicate everything again. We are adding more pictures and I will be editing more pictures to ad to the Club website.
   I have big incubator sitting behind me that probably should kick on but I am afraid of my self! I look at that thing and thing wow the babies I can hatch! I am not sure where else I can be putting birds but give me a little time and I will figure it out. I arranged a few chicken panels so this years pullets have plenty of room. I will be dropping a few more in there to grow. More than likely they will be the group shown in the spring because I won't be using them for breeding yet. After I hatch a few from my hens many of those might be sold but maybe not. I have a pretty good group of birds downstairs and will decide who will go where later. We got the coolest black hen in! She is just  cool and a tad on the queen side! We cannot thank Myron Turk enough for her.
   The Nationals was a consuming affair but we pulled it off and did well! Everyone had a great time and everyone worked so hard together! I could never say it was a one man show because it was a big team! I could write for an hour about how much fun we all had but most of its on the Clubs own Forum so I do not need to repeat myself or anyone else words. The only downside to our Nationals is my daughters hen was taken. Bigger white hen that was older. Of course I am not short numbers of birds and somehow I ended up with a pullet that was sold to another person at that show? I  guess at this point Takota has learned padlocks and to not let her guard down. I know this was none of our mistake but it was my mistake for not taking care of those birds across the show room floor first thing and that will never happen again. Our affairs will be handled first. 
   It  seems this year has been a real learning time about people and how they really are so for the next year I think focusing on the real people and real issues involving the breed would be best for the breed. No more drama on the who is who and or what they said unless it's to benefit something because some people will always be filled with hate and others have short memories. People make mistakes , no doubt about it but when things are done out of being purely a jerk take it elsewhere nobody has the need for these types of things in their life.
  Well as I sit here and  cough and hack I think about all the great stuff on sale and how I should be waking Takota up to take her shopping! Both of these kids had a wonderful holiday and they need to be out shopping and having a good time with their xmas money.

   You know its that time of the year again. Show season is on us! In our case we have been so busy with other things I just thought oh wow what are we going to do? Looks like just a little at this point! It will work out because its about raising the birds to be good versus buying good birds to show. No biggie on our side. I am really looking forward to seeing everyone this year! It seems this year is going to have great people coming back into the shows and that will make it all worth while! 
     In recent conversations with people it is exciting to hear them and what they are doing with their birds. This spans from pet bird owners to people that have goals to raise good birds. Silkies are so good with kids and families it is hard to tell some of this kids they cannot bring them in the house! Silkies seem to be great for these families that are getting started because the whole family is involved with them. It makes it pretty nice for those of us raising birds to show because there is always good homes for the other birds. I would hate to be in the postition of raising birds to sell for profit because in the end it never works out best for the breed just for the pocket book until something hits your place or something goes wrong for the breeder. I am glad there are tons of good hobby breeders not looking for the buck but looking out for the breed. It gives hope to the future of all Poultry people.
   Speaking of Poultry people for anyone that has not  been to the larger shows please take the time to go. The education you will get from many of these Masters of Poultry will stick with you a lifetime. Take the time to look at your flock and compare to educate yourself. Listen to those that have already been there and done that because that is knowledge that can be lost and that will never benefit the breeds you are involved in. Have respect for these people and the years and time they have been involved with the breed because without these people you would not be in the position you are in now. We have been very lucky in the breeders of all breeds of Poultry we have met and the learning lessons are never ending just like the wisdom they share about not only the breed but the wisdom of life lessons within the Poultry world. Learning from your mistakes and making the choices based on knowledge and wisdom will never hinder the breed .

   Wow it has been very busy. We have been getting points together and everything ready for the new site to be launched. I love it when people come together to make things work ! It becomes  an inspiration for the better of the breed! I would have never dreamed things would have come together in the rapid pace that they have but because of a team of good people with good intentions for the benefit of the breed it just all falls into place. When I say team I mean all club members! People should be very proud of their actions and dedication to the breed! It will always show to others the good intentions. It is just amazing to me. 
   We at HiHo have been Exhibitors of something or another for years. It becomes part of you and your lifestyle. It does not matter if it is flowers to livestock  you are doing it for the benefit of the breed. I realize there are others that get into these things with other motives but it does not matter because those that love the breed will always stay together for the breed. Competition is interesting. There is nothing better than to put your birds next to others to learn more and see where improvements can be made. It is about the breed not personal gains. The personal gains I believe come not only from within but when you have improved your stock to compete and do well. Just being involved with Silkies since 2006 it is unreal what we have learned. When you know it all and stop learning it is time to get out of it .... this has been a saying in the horse industry for years. In a lifetime you will always see ugly behavior  here and there but when it comes right down to the better of the breed people will always stick together and learn from each other. Anything other than that is not productive at all. It is going to be an exciting couple of years ! Seeing people come together that have a difference of opinion but are still capable of working together without strife is called SUCCESS .  It is also the best thing anyone could do for the breed of Silkies. Dealing with the times of today and moving forward at a fast pace takes a lot of people working together and right now staying on the right track with good intentions and showing progress for the breed seems to be priority in many peoples lives and I want to thank everyone for their input and thoughts on all issues. I have mentioned it before but again I am amazed at the support of the American Silkie Bantam Club and progress that has taken place . What a super group of Silkie lovers !
   

    As always we are looking for great times and great memories and it seems this year it has  been never ending. We are thankful for it. There is nothing like watching progress being made and unity at its finest.  The ads for the ASBC are complete and that is a great thing so that project will be complete for everyone and the new Directory will be out looking good as usual.
     Today was the first day back to school in this area and it is always cute to watch these kids all dressed up feeling pretty good about themselves! So now the school fun begins. At least with Takota it is just middle school drama versus hearing about adults acting like middle schoolers or better yet watching them act like toddlers. I have to wonder they have a medication for just  about everything else do you think they have one for evil or plain sick in the head and functioning in public? Now there is a thought for the pharmi world. Give this people a pill so they will not feel like they need to stir trouble or they won't  need  constant attention one them. I bet that would sell really well..... maybe not though because many people like this do not have the abilty to reconize this behavior and can justify it so its a wash as usual.
   Well work is work and I have about 10 hours of it sitting in front of me and we are way behind on our schedule for right now. Not to mention if things work out we will be doing a little construction soon and another company will be put to the test with us. We have been pretty fortunate people with our families and what we all do so we should all be grateful for the abilities we have.

   Working in this heat is not the best thing for us? We hauled hay last night and it was not to bad... just about 95! These conditions are just not normal but seem to happen every 5-7 years out here.  The birds hate it. The kids hate it and so do the rest of the animals.
    We are still waiting for samples to come in regarding awards and another business . I sure hope the wait will be worth it. Like we need more to do right?
    The laptop is still not ready as far as I know and I think I am going to buy a separate piece of software to see if it will work with the older versions of Office . I really have been working on my office to get my things rolling! I am soooo looking forward to getting the points done and having the abilty to move on would be great. Today I have a little running around to get done and after that we are going to be back in the office working. I am even thinking of painting! I need a few things to be a little more color correct. It does get pretty dark in my office.
    I have been hearing of all the drama lately and see how everyone has an opinion and that is great . The right to express your opinion is part of living in a free country. There is a balance between right and wrong and sometimes things can  get really blown out .. None of its worth it and it does nothing for the breed. The bad people within breeding will always be bad no matter what they do. No matter what type of animal it is .... scum is scum and leopards do not change their spots.  I am positive people that do bad things and have personal habits that could potentially hurt others will never change either. People change but some behaviors will never change or some that feel the need to have the attention on them constantly will never change. It is what it is and just move on. It is amazing what the internet has created.
   Personal opinions on breeding practices is always an interesting subject but once again its personal opinion. Everyone has likes and dislikes and there is a medium when it comes to things concerning any type of livestock. Maybe it is just easier to act one way and dump your culls off so you have no problems. I send my culls to pet homes or I cull them myself. After seeing and reading all of the recent events it is amazing. It  has really caused me to rethink and begin thinking like George thought when I met him. Not to sell babies ... not even cheap. It comes back to bite you. Even if you state they are pets.... or you give them away. It comes back to bite you. FORGET EGGS . Not happening. So what do you sell? Well you really do not unless it's to a dealer that will re-sell- someone that wants to eat them-Only adult birds that can be shown. Maybe George is right and this is how it should have been done. So now if you want one of these birds you will pay top dollar for it period.Hands down. No pet quality around. I do not see how this benefits the breed because all birds and others critters are capable of carrying something other than perfect as far as genetics so really what are you selling. So how many times do you have to see trash being talked before you decide its not worth it to sell you birds? How many times does a person have to see this before they feel like these birds are not for them? If the market continues to be killed with bad behavior than what is the point or raising more than a few a year? Maybe it is easiest to think you are on the top and sell  any and everything you can so you can pay for your habit and than some. Than you can talk badly about others to make sure you continue to have a market to sell to? Its hard to honestly tell why people do what they do or why they seem to feel only their way is the right way. Recent events have really created open eyes to matters that seem to really have an effect on the breed of Silkies.  Trash talking with no back up knowledge just exposes the trash you really are. Making up stories will  just puts you in the lesser place as well.  Still once again we have to wonder why some of these people will not sell to others and than of course you get accused of being a elite jerk? Maybe that is why ? I have heard people complaining that others will not get back with them? Maybe those others are just smarter than the rest of us dumb friendly people that would help you out. Maybe ?
Is this just an issue in the Silkie women? It also makes it clear why I have seen that others talk about CLICKs. It appears to be exactly that looking from the outside. It really is not there are good people within all of these groups of people. We are not part of any click and never have been. We have met many many people from all over the country and do not feel one side is better than the other. I may wonder and shake my head but that is my problem. We may joke and talk a little trash but it is done in joking and in good fun. Some people have grown far to sensitive and  takes themselves way to literal. Thick skin is the answer to this. No different that going to any sporting event. Trash is talked but when its all said and done I do not see boxers or football players cutting each other down or slandering people online or in person. If they have an issue they get it out right there but later they can sit at the same table and eat dinner! They are have sportsmanship . Well most of them do anyways. Most people in general can find a common ground one way or the other and others should really check themselves before they make statements or comments  that raise eyebrows . I  have said things that have made me look dumber than a box of rocks but I can laugh about it unlike some that get ignorant and mad about it. Check yourselves  before others check you. Good lord no matter who ,what or where there is something good about a person and instead of slander. You either put out or shut up. Someday we will be as good as some of the people that have been doing this for many years but in the mean time I will continue to raise and show birds. As for selling well there is a lot to be said for that.I do believe the old way George handled his culls and extras might be the best way to avoid the drama. THERE is no such thing as a perfect bird and I really regret talking people into selling off many culls instead of culling them. They are called culls for a reason and I see that very clearly now. The heck with letting them leave an giving someone a chance to fell superior enough to trash you or to claim they never got their start from you at all ? Knowing there are real people out there that really care for the well being of the breed makes all the rest of it just go away because it is about the bird right ? People will have have a good year or two showing birds.They may have a few bad years until they get on their feet but bad mouthing and behavior only causes new people to step back and honestly can you blame them? If you are out there showing pretty hot and heavy or have a long show history behind you than its all good and you are used to this but for new people stepping in ..... it looks bad. Let your show records speak for themselves because it makes the smarter people that already know how much  T. E.E.  it took to get those points. T.E.E. = Time - Energy-Effort. That is a subject in itself !  Always remember actions speak louder than words and this includes actions on the keyboards!

  Wow it has been busy... I went from bored to work to do. Whew I am thankful I have my animals to keep me on a level field! Between thoughts and ideas to real life situations it is all good!  There is never a perfect anything but be glad we have something good to work on. In the excitement of getting the points information and getting things finalized I realized I forgot to drop one of the laptops off to be repaired!~ So before I can get started I need that laptop back. Takota broke the little thing you plug into? Our repair man has it right now and I hope he does not have to order to much in to repair it. As soon as it is returned I will get to work on the 2008 open points and 2007 Jr points. Thanks for the support everyone. 
    I should be selling a load of birds right now but really I have the space for a little bit longer and they can hang around. Nobody is shipping and most of these birds will go out as pets until later this fall and than I will have to decide who and how many to show. This season should be fun and I am so looking forward to the Nationals when everyone can get together and enjoy each others company. We are going to have one heck of a year this fall and I am so looking forward to see real people enjoy each other at these shows.
  Today is Takota's 13th BIRTHDAY!!! I am just blown away and in a complete state of denial! So in case anyone asks I am still 29 and holding K? LMAO.... I am not sure what is worse.... her turning 13 or her getting so pretty! Oh horses here we come. I am moving chickens into her room also and she will be saddled with a horse for the next 5 years while she is still living at home! I do not know what else to do? SO keeping her hooked up with showing chickens and sitting on a horse is the only logical solution I know! It is never easy watching them grow up when you know the time is getting close for their wings to fly! Life is a good place to be when you know you have done the best you can with a true heart. These kids tell all and when I watch them I see parts of me within them... I am not saying that is good or bad yet but I see it! LMAO. What I see is honestly and sometimes brutal honesty but that comes naturally to them. Life is not easy and should be spent without lies and drama . I think this includes lies  to yourself . I honestly get a good laugh at some of the drama that is created and than I watch the kids and realize wow people wake up and get out of Middle School. I sit with my mouth open and watch these kids! It does not take long to reconize it within the children and it is easily nipped in the bud but with adults it is a bit of a shocker. It is up to us as good humans to  knock it off and grow the heck up. Setting the role model for these kids is vital and without good role models people began to get way off track. Maybe in the perfect world this stuff won't stand out so big .... in the perfect world people would not feel the need to stand out all the time so I guess things are what they are and will just fade away in time until the next drama moves forward. Does not really matter as long as we continue on the right track along with other good people with good intentions.
    Well there is tons of stuff to get done over this weekend including find time to look at another BMW for Cody. Considering I have a few expensive parts that came from the last one he rolled! This one might work out and he can sell the old Mercedes.... and its old but still runs. I will go back to being worried because I know the diesel MB will not go to fast anymore and is as solid as a german tank! This other is still pretty heavy and pretty solid also so maybe something good will work out for him and a different car. Time will tell but it is hard when you are just SOOOOO COOOL at 18 years old and your car is not as COOOOOOL as you are !  I am not sure I cared about that stuff growing up or did I date a guy based on what he drove? I really cannot remember that well but it seems to be a real issue to make the surface look good while the inside is ugly... this is just a concept I have a hard time getting my hands around.  Oh well maybe Cody will have a better weekend..... I just keep saying please do not look at those " Come Arrest Me Red Cars"  LMAO For some reason that seems to be the hot color again?  Have a great weekend .

   One final thing. I am sorry I did not publish the comments in this blog that others have posted. I had no idea I was suppose to. I get the emails that tell me comments have been made but I did not notice I had to approve them. I will take care of that right now. Thanks for the nice words.