1. I'm thankful to all of the people who trusted GEE Funny Farm to be part of their lives this year. We had a great year and we owe it to all of you. We had fun at your open houses, your assisted living residences, your preschools, and your birthday parties!! Thanks to all of you!
2. I'm thankful for my new assistants this year, Sarah and McKenzie. We learned a lot as we worked together and I'm thankful they were there when I needed them -- and hope they will be again once spring rolls around!
3. I'm thankful for new animal experiences this year: 5 emu chicks, 1 hedgehog (Prickly Paul), 1 short-tailed opossum (Levi), 1 Richardson ground squirrel (Ammon -- he is still a work in progress), 1 flying squirrel (Lydia), and one miniature pig (Neum)!
We also had kids (baby goats), chicks, and ducklings on the farm again and that is always a treat. (Hmm, need to get pictures of the short tailed opossum and Richardson ground squirrel...check Facebook soon)
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| Two of our emu chicks. Taken by Sea J Photography. |
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| Prickly Paul, our hedgehog. Taken by Sea J Photography. |
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| Lydia, our Southern flying squirrel. Taken by Sea J Photography. |
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| Neum the Juliana mini pig practicing a 'sit.' Taken by Sea J Photography. |
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| Two of our six kids -- taken by Sea J Photography |
4. I'm thankful for our new, awesome, wagon for hay rides, complete with steps!! We were so blessed to have such a handyman in the area who refurbished it and that we found him!
5. I'm thankful for USDA requiring a written emergency preparedness plan. I wasn't so happy when I first heard about it, but I am grateful that I have equipment, food, water, and a plan in place for emergencies now -- it is still a work in progress, but I'm feeling good about it.
6. I'm thankful for the Yahoo group, Animals4Kids2, which has professionals who have petting zoos, educational programs with animals, pony rides, and other animal related activities. I've lurked a lot over the years and learned a lot from them. I'm grateful for their experience and advice. I avoided a lot of mistakes I might have made as our business has grown.
7. I'm thankful for the photo opportunities GEE Funny Farm has had with photographer Christine Strzalko, owner of Sea J Photography in Sussex, WI. She has captured a lot of wonderful pictures of my animals. I'd recommend her if you want a great photographer for your visit to the GEE Funny Farm. You can see a few of her pictures on this blog and on GEE Funny Farm Facebook page. Check out her Facebook page for more examples.
8. I'm thankful for my wonderful husband who acts as my assistant when he is available. He doesn't love animals, but he loves me and he works for free, so I'm grateful for him. (He does love people, so he has a good time interacting with them).
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| My better half, David. He is outstanding in his field -- whatever he does! Taken by Sea J Photography. |
9. I'm thankful for the Internet and companies like Gigsalad.com and Partypop.com where our website is easily found. They have really helped our business to grow. I'm grateful for Facebook where I can post everyday happenings, if I think you might be interested....
10. I'm thankful for opportunities I have to meet with professionals, like
- Kristi Smith and Carol Lowrey, Parelli Natural Horsemanship instructors and Lori Blush of Blush Acres -- she has a fabulous facility and my horse, Porthos, and I have learned a lot from going to clinics there.
- Luci Williams, a master spinner and owner of Sheeping Beauty Fibre Arts, in Hartford, WI. I bought a spinning wheel from her and took lessons. I learned a lot and she is always willing to help me when I get stuck.
- Dr. Richard Loof, a veterinarian from Sullivan Veterinary Services, my primary veterinarian who makes house calls, even when I'm out of town (my animal caregivers had an incident with one of my goats, after hours and still Dr. Loof showed up - he's awesome!!)
- Gary Pfeiffer, my farrier, who visits about every three months to trim up the hooves of my equines (3 horses and a mini donkey). I've learned a lot about horses from him over the years.
- Dr. Dawn Barksdale, my USDA inspector. I'm not crazy about government rules, but I'm lucky to have Dr. Barksdale. She is fair and reliable. I almost look forward to her visits!
Thanks,
Kathy Gee
