Day 5

Another work day. But this time I had to get dressed and put on high heels , slacks and whole corporate image thing. sigh... Someday.. 2ish years from now I shall toss all the heels and the pantyhose and bury them in the far corner of the goat pasture. Perhaps they will make good compost or bedding for my lovely little goats.

I found out one of my friends used to milk her grandparents goats. That is so cool. I know an experienced goat milker and she is willing to show me how. She takes her current job (which has nothing to do with goats) and her reputation very seriously and she may not like people to know she ever milked a goat, or more likely, even knows me. I shall respect her anonymity and give her an alias.. She shall be called... Tara. She looks like a Tara. So.. anyway.. Tara has offered to help show me how to milk goats. I'm excited!

And then I was working on my knitting at lunch today when one of my favorite co-workers informed me SHE was an experienced knitter. She offered me encouragement and a few helpful hints. I shall name her Silvie I think.

Gosh I have good friends! (and they have such great names!)

Day 4

Today was a work day. I did not have the opportunity to make any headway on my to-do list.

I worked. I worked hard. I am very blessed in my job to be able to telework on Monday's. I wore bleach-stained sweat pants and a baggy t-shirt all day and still managed to keep my job. That's important to the plan. I must, absolutely, remain gainfully employed for the next 2 years in order for my little goat shop dream to come true.

I did get in a bit of a pickle of "he said/she said" or better, "she said/she said" and then I made the issue worse (according to my boss) but then I made it all better. I'm really better off keeping my mouth shut at work. I bet goats will never look at me and say things like. "This has been an ongoing problem that you have refused to help us on..." I bet goats will love me and my idle chit-chat. I can tell them all about my day and my problems and they will listen raptly and pretend they are interested (so long as I have goat treats in my pockets). I wonder if this woman at the office would respond to goat treats? I wonder what constitutes a goat treat?

Last night I did attempt the cable knit lesson in my book.
They say pictures are worth 1000 words. 'Nuff said.

Day 3

Last night I worked on my knitting skills a bit. I think I'm getting better and certainly faster. See? Knitting one row.. purling the next. I think it looks quite stunning. My next lesson is creating a cable. That sounds like great fun.

Today I looked up how to make goat's milk. I found out you can use fresh/frozen milk or even canned milk. Unfortunately the directions I found still just give directions on how to mix the milk with the lye and then substitute the regular water requirement in the soap with this mixture. So.. I guess my next step should be to learn how to make "regular" soap. Then learn the goat's milk twist. Baby steps. I must take baby steps.

I've offered my backyard to a friend for her wedding the end of May. This is a good thing. I have 2 months (or 1/12th of my alotted escape time) to get my back yard in order for her big day. Anything I do will help to sell my house - and that's on my to-do list! This is a win-win situation. Here's where the wedding will take place. It needs some cleaning up, a paint job, flowers & fairy lights but I think it will be lovely. By May 30th the clematis on each end should be in full bloom and with any luck it won't rain on her big day.

Day 2

It's day 2. I've slept on my plan. I've realized something. I need a better plan. Or perhaps.. at the very least.. A "To-Do" list.

Here's the start of my list:

1. Learn more about goats
2. Learn about getting certified organic
3. Learn how to card and spin (or is it spin and card) wool
4. Learn if it's even called wool if it comes from goats
5. Learn to knit
6. Learn about necessary business licenses
7. Learn more about goats
8. Learn how to milk a goat.
9. Learn how to make cheese
10. Learn to like goat cheese
11. Learn how to make goat soap
12. Get my kids through High School and independent.
13. Get my house ready to sell
14. Sell my house
15. Find someplace for me and my goats.

I'm working on step 5. I purchased a "learn how to knit" kit the other day. It came with a book, two pairs of knitting needles and some assorted tools I suppose I shall need.

My first attempt at knitting..

I'm glad I have two years.

Day 1

I have a confession.. I don't have a goat shop. I'm a barely adequate IT professional who has a burning desire for a career change.

I thought of starting a little coffee shop. But let's face it, the market is glutted. There is a coffee shop on every corner in every town. I've missed THAT boat.

After much thought and serious ruminating I've decided to quit everything and raise goats. It sounds so romantic. Cute little goats, organic goat's milk. Organic goat cheese. Organic goat soap. Perhaps I shall knit slippers and sweaters from wool I gather from my future pygora goat. I shall have a little goat shop and sell my wares on a little goat shop web site. It's a perfect plan.

Today while doing goat research I discovered that one must do such things as "fecal testing." There goes the romance! I'm also thinking going from writing code to testing poop might be WAY too much of a stretch for me. But then again, maybe not.

It's also not a decision I'm committed too. What I am committed to is making a change... the goat thing is mostly symbolic.

I'm starting my Two Year Plan of Escape (TYPoE). I'm giving myself 2 years. In the mean time I'm going to keep plugging away at my solid & reliable employment, going to work everyday, doing the best I can with a big smile on my face and in the back of my mind I'm secretly plotting my escape. It will keep the boss wondering what I'm up to.

Day 1 is coming to a close. Wish me luck!