So now I am on the fence. Maybe I'll take a personal day. Goodness knows after my meeting last week, I NEED one!
Wish me luck.
Oh, here are the pictures I promised of Duke.
Wednesday, May 09, 2007
It's gonna be hard...
As I have mentioned before, I have the flexibility to work at home when I need to. L is sick today, recovering from a upper respiratory infection, and it's my turn to stay home with him. No big deal, except I have work to do at work and at home. It's 70 degrees (on its way to 77), the birds are singing, the goats are out romping, and I hear no other sound. I am looking forward to sneaking in a work break that involves hanging clothes on the line and maybe even mowing the lawn. But, my wonderful husband, when he was home with the sick boy yesterday, put my hammock up. Curse him! (Bless him!)
So now I am on the fence. Maybe I'll take a personal day. Goodness knows after my meeting last week, I NEED one!
Wish me luck.
Oh, here are the pictures I promised of Duke.
So now I am on the fence. Maybe I'll take a personal day. Goodness knows after my meeting last week, I NEED one!
Wish me luck.
Oh, here are the pictures I promised of Duke.
Monday, May 07, 2007
Duke
The goat babies are being weaned now, so we are using less milk. I bought a pasteurizer (thanks to B's mom and dad for their great birthday gift-- I bought a pasteurizer and strainer and other supplies) and soon we'll be having our own goat's milk to drink. Cindi is putting out more than a gallon a day, so we will have lots to spare.
At this point, I am freezing the extra milk so that if we have any orphans, we will have some milk to give them. But the cats are also enjoying it. Initially I liked to spray it into the "crowd' of cats (it's quite a crowd with a dozen cats) and watch them lick each other in a giant feline love fest. However, lately, I have been spraying the milk into the kitty crowd, and one cat in particular is seeking out the milk stream for his own.
Here is a youtube video of Duke getting the milk:
Tomorrow I will post a funny photo of him, but I want you to see this first.
At this point, I am freezing the extra milk so that if we have any orphans, we will have some milk to give them. But the cats are also enjoying it. Initially I liked to spray it into the "crowd' of cats (it's quite a crowd with a dozen cats) and watch them lick each other in a giant feline love fest. However, lately, I have been spraying the milk into the kitty crowd, and one cat in particular is seeking out the milk stream for his own.
Here is a youtube video of Duke getting the milk:
Tomorrow I will post a funny photo of him, but I want you to see this first.
Thursday, April 26, 2007
I didn't need the entire farm after all...
Woman Keeps Goat in Minivan I especially like the informative photo and caption.
Also, check out this funny YouTube Video about farming.
Yeah, it's what we do.
Also, check out this funny YouTube Video about farming.
Yeah, it's what we do.
Monday, April 23, 2007
To Set You Straight
I have been reading a lot of things lately, forums that I participate in, as well as emails to my commercial website. And I have to say that even as a city girl (I was born in Phoenix, AZ), I am shocked at what people don't know. So, without any judgement, here are some facts that you need to know. These are things that other folks have asked about (though they have not actually asked me *all* of these questions). Don't ever say that I didn't try to edu-ma-cate ya:
1. Goats have no top teeth. If you look at your goat and it has no top teeth, there is no cause to panic or email me. They will not grow in, nor did your lovely pet grind them down to nothing. It's the way God made 'em.
2. Goats do not lay eggs. Eggs come from chickens or other types of poultry.
3. "Eggs from the farm" and "eggs from the store" are the same thing. They don't taste any different, except that farm eggs taste fresher and better. But don't say that you don't want eggs from the farm, you want them from the store. SAME THING.
4. Intact maile goats pee on their beards. Don't pet their golden beards unless you want a stinky hand.
5. If you want milk from any animal (goat, cow, sheep, whatever) you have to breed it first. No animal just spontaneously makes milk. And you have to breed it each year to keep the milk supply. Just like people.
6. Hens lay eggs with or without a rooster around. Hens make eggs. Roosters do that boy thing to 'em to make babies. Chickens have sex. No salmon-like-spawning going on. But they lay eggs with or without the boy.
7. Milk comes out white. You don't do anything to it to make it white. No strawberry or chocolate cows, either. And goats milk is also white.
8. Chickens are birds and can fly.
9. Yes, llamas really do spit. Don't ask me how I know.
10. Some chickens lay brown eggs, some lay white eggs. It depends on the breed. Both taste the same. Actually, some chickens even lay darker eggs, or blue or green eggs.
Okay, enough lessons for one day. I need to go to the barn to be skooled by my own animals.
1. Goats have no top teeth. If you look at your goat and it has no top teeth, there is no cause to panic or email me. They will not grow in, nor did your lovely pet grind them down to nothing. It's the way God made 'em.
2. Goats do not lay eggs. Eggs come from chickens or other types of poultry.
3. "Eggs from the farm" and "eggs from the store" are the same thing. They don't taste any different, except that farm eggs taste fresher and better. But don't say that you don't want eggs from the farm, you want them from the store. SAME THING.
4. Intact maile goats pee on their beards. Don't pet their golden beards unless you want a stinky hand.
5. If you want milk from any animal (goat, cow, sheep, whatever) you have to breed it first. No animal just spontaneously makes milk. And you have to breed it each year to keep the milk supply. Just like people.
6. Hens lay eggs with or without a rooster around. Hens make eggs. Roosters do that boy thing to 'em to make babies. Chickens have sex. No salmon-like-spawning going on. But they lay eggs with or without the boy.
7. Milk comes out white. You don't do anything to it to make it white. No strawberry or chocolate cows, either. And goats milk is also white.
8. Chickens are birds and can fly.
9. Yes, llamas really do spit. Don't ask me how I know.
10. Some chickens lay brown eggs, some lay white eggs. It depends on the breed. Both taste the same. Actually, some chickens even lay darker eggs, or blue or green eggs.
Okay, enough lessons for one day. I need to go to the barn to be skooled by my own animals.
Sunday, April 22, 2007
The Old Goat's Tips For First Fresheners
The kidding doe's secret code of honor is as old as goats themselves and is ultimately the species best kept secret. This guide is passed on from generation to generation in hopes that NO goat shall ever produce a kid before its time.
Its time being determined by the following factors:
1. No kid shall be born until total chaos has been reached by all involved. Your house must be a wreck, your family hungry and desperate for clean clothes, and your social life non-existent.
2. Midwives must reach the babbling fool status before you kid out. Bloodshot eyes, tangled hair and the inability to form a sentence means you're getting close.
3. For every bell, beeper, camera or whistle they attach to you, kidding must be delayed by at least one day for each item.
4. Vet check, add a day…internal, add three! If you hear the words, "She's nowhere near ready…you will be fine, while I'm away for the weekend," then wait 12 to 16 hours and pop that baby out!
5. Owner's stress must be at an all time high! If you are in the care of someone else, ten to fifteen phone calls a day is a sign you're getting close. When you hear the words, "I can't take it anymore!"…wait three days and produce a baby.
6. You must keep this waiting game interesting. False alarms are necessary! Little teasers such as looking at your stomach, pushing your food around in the bucket and then walking away from it are always good for a rise. Be creative and find new things to do to keep the adrenaline pumping in those who wait.
7. The honor of all goats is now in your hands. Use this time to avenge all of your barn mates. Think about your friend who had to wear that silly costume in front of those people. Hang onto that baby for another day. Oh, they made him do tricks too! Three more days seems fair. Late feedings, the dreaded diet, bad haircuts, those awful wormings can also be avenged at this time.
8. If you have fulfilled all of the above and are still not sure when to have this baby, listen to the weather forecast on the radio that has been so generously provided by those who wait. Severe thunderstorm warnings is what your looking for. In the heart of the storm jump into action! The power could go out and you could have the last laugh. You have a good chance of those who wait missing the whole thing while searching for a flashlight that works!
9. Make the most of your interrupted nights. Beg for food each time someone comes into the barn to check on you. Your barn mates will love you as the extra goodies fall their way too!
If all else fails and they seem to be in constant attendance, time the delivery to when they rush to the bathroom for 2 minutes, or try to look perfectly comfortable so they rush for a "quick bite".
10. Remember, this code of honor was designed to remind man of how truly special goats are. Do your best to reward those who wait with a beautiful doe to carry on the goat code of honor for the next generation of those who wait!
–Author Unknown
Its time being determined by the following factors:
1. No kid shall be born until total chaos has been reached by all involved. Your house must be a wreck, your family hungry and desperate for clean clothes, and your social life non-existent.
2. Midwives must reach the babbling fool status before you kid out. Bloodshot eyes, tangled hair and the inability to form a sentence means you're getting close.
3. For every bell, beeper, camera or whistle they attach to you, kidding must be delayed by at least one day for each item.
4. Vet check, add a day…internal, add three! If you hear the words, "She's nowhere near ready…you will be fine, while I'm away for the weekend," then wait 12 to 16 hours and pop that baby out!
5. Owner's stress must be at an all time high! If you are in the care of someone else, ten to fifteen phone calls a day is a sign you're getting close. When you hear the words, "I can't take it anymore!"…wait three days and produce a baby.
6. You must keep this waiting game interesting. False alarms are necessary! Little teasers such as looking at your stomach, pushing your food around in the bucket and then walking away from it are always good for a rise. Be creative and find new things to do to keep the adrenaline pumping in those who wait.
7. The honor of all goats is now in your hands. Use this time to avenge all of your barn mates. Think about your friend who had to wear that silly costume in front of those people. Hang onto that baby for another day. Oh, they made him do tricks too! Three more days seems fair. Late feedings, the dreaded diet, bad haircuts, those awful wormings can also be avenged at this time.
8. If you have fulfilled all of the above and are still not sure when to have this baby, listen to the weather forecast on the radio that has been so generously provided by those who wait. Severe thunderstorm warnings is what your looking for. In the heart of the storm jump into action! The power could go out and you could have the last laugh. You have a good chance of those who wait missing the whole thing while searching for a flashlight that works!
9. Make the most of your interrupted nights. Beg for food each time someone comes into the barn to check on you. Your barn mates will love you as the extra goodies fall their way too!
If all else fails and they seem to be in constant attendance, time the delivery to when they rush to the bathroom for 2 minutes, or try to look perfectly comfortable so they rush for a "quick bite".
10. Remember, this code of honor was designed to remind man of how truly special goats are. Do your best to reward those who wait with a beautiful doe to carry on the goat code of honor for the next generation of those who wait!
–Author Unknown
Friday, April 20, 2007
Home Again
We got home on Wednesday evening. It was a very un-Murphy trip-- you know, Murphy's law didn't much apply. That is certainly a deviation from the norm for us.
We got the news Friday, and left Saturday morning at 7:30. We were in Phoenix by 10:00 am local time. All went well, we saw everyone several times, and my brother let me use his truck. It was a godsend, and saved me some cash on a rental car. We stayed with my mom, since my dad had a house full of other family members.
Gram's funeral was very nice. Well, as nice as a funeral can be. She looked beautiful-- I thought she would sit up and shake her finger at me and tell me not to cry! Her skin was smooth and she looked so peaceful. She wore the dress she wore to her 50th wedding anniversary celebration, and when she renewed her vows. She held a beautiful cross necklace and my grandpa's wedding ring.
B's mom suggested that I share my Ruth post with my family, and I did share it with my dad. He asked me to read it at her funeral, and though I really wrote those thoughts as a comfort to myself, I did as he asked and read them. We all laughed and cried, and in the end I am happy I read them. I think a lot of folks shared my thoughts about her.
I have only one grandma left now, and I spent a lot of time with her. You know, Grandmas are really special. I remember when I was little, my grandparents and I had our special little "secrets" that we shared. My grandfather called me "Ole" (nobody knows why...). He told me that he always wanted me to take very good care of my teeth. He said he wanted me to have all of my teeth when I was 50. I have only had one tiny filling in my adult teeth, so I am on track (though I do have a few years left...). He made me fried eggs cooked in butter, and then yummy toast to dunk in the butter and yolks. He called them "dunkers." He died when I was 10, and I still miss him. My grandma (his wife) and I took a vacation together after I graduated from high school. I flew to AZ and she and I took a road trip in her car through the mountains and went to San Diego. We went to Sea World and a few other places. It was a blast. Now that I am older, I treasure the wisdom that they have. I love to hear the stories that they tell. It sounds so cliche-- everyone says that. But really, she told me about when she was young, and they killed a chicken for supper. They had to go pick one out, kill it, and pluck the feathers. First they put it in water. Oh, but they had to get the water from the well, haul it up and boil it. Ugh, can you imagine? I would have had to start preparing for supper at 10 am. She also talked about how, since her father died young and left her mother with 4 children under 14, they had to sell milk and eggs for money. They bottled up their milk every day and took it into town. They had their own milk route.
My grandfather was in the Air Force, just like B. The oddest thing is that our time in Europe followed some in their shoes. While I was there, my gram and my mom came over and visited friends that they had made while over there. It was wild! My grandma gives me really cool gifts of china and dishes that she got while she lived in some of the areas that I lived. It means so much to me because we shared some of the same paths in our lives, many years apart.
She gave me her grandmother's ring when I was there. It is absolutely beautiful. I wore it for a while, but then chores got in the way. I will wear it as often as I can.
I am still jet lagged. I am so old, I can't believe how affected I am.
I missed the kids, but especially B. I missed him terribly. It's so good to be home with him.
We got the news Friday, and left Saturday morning at 7:30. We were in Phoenix by 10:00 am local time. All went well, we saw everyone several times, and my brother let me use his truck. It was a godsend, and saved me some cash on a rental car. We stayed with my mom, since my dad had a house full of other family members.
Gram's funeral was very nice. Well, as nice as a funeral can be. She looked beautiful-- I thought she would sit up and shake her finger at me and tell me not to cry! Her skin was smooth and she looked so peaceful. She wore the dress she wore to her 50th wedding anniversary celebration, and when she renewed her vows. She held a beautiful cross necklace and my grandpa's wedding ring.
B's mom suggested that I share my Ruth post with my family, and I did share it with my dad. He asked me to read it at her funeral, and though I really wrote those thoughts as a comfort to myself, I did as he asked and read them. We all laughed and cried, and in the end I am happy I read them. I think a lot of folks shared my thoughts about her.
I have only one grandma left now, and I spent a lot of time with her. You know, Grandmas are really special. I remember when I was little, my grandparents and I had our special little "secrets" that we shared. My grandfather called me "Ole" (nobody knows why...). He told me that he always wanted me to take very good care of my teeth. He said he wanted me to have all of my teeth when I was 50. I have only had one tiny filling in my adult teeth, so I am on track (though I do have a few years left...). He made me fried eggs cooked in butter, and then yummy toast to dunk in the butter and yolks. He called them "dunkers." He died when I was 10, and I still miss him. My grandma (his wife) and I took a vacation together after I graduated from high school. I flew to AZ and she and I took a road trip in her car through the mountains and went to San Diego. We went to Sea World and a few other places. It was a blast. Now that I am older, I treasure the wisdom that they have. I love to hear the stories that they tell. It sounds so cliche-- everyone says that. But really, she told me about when she was young, and they killed a chicken for supper. They had to go pick one out, kill it, and pluck the feathers. First they put it in water. Oh, but they had to get the water from the well, haul it up and boil it. Ugh, can you imagine? I would have had to start preparing for supper at 10 am. She also talked about how, since her father died young and left her mother with 4 children under 14, they had to sell milk and eggs for money. They bottled up their milk every day and took it into town. They had their own milk route.
My grandfather was in the Air Force, just like B. The oddest thing is that our time in Europe followed some in their shoes. While I was there, my gram and my mom came over and visited friends that they had made while over there. It was wild! My grandma gives me really cool gifts of china and dishes that she got while she lived in some of the areas that I lived. It means so much to me because we shared some of the same paths in our lives, many years apart.
She gave me her grandmother's ring when I was there. It is absolutely beautiful. I wore it for a while, but then chores got in the way. I will wear it as often as I can.
I am still jet lagged. I am so old, I can't believe how affected I am.
I missed the kids, but especially B. I missed him terribly. It's so good to be home with him.
Friday, April 13, 2007
ruth
she passed away this morning
my dad called when i hit 'pubish' on the blog
she is closer now, i suppose
i will be incommunicado for the next few days as i travel to her funeral
my dad called when i hit 'pubish' on the blog
she is closer now, i suppose
i will be incommunicado for the next few days as i travel to her funeral
ruth
my gram
strongest woman i know
mother of 7
gram of 13
great-gram of 23
is dying
my parents married young
had me young
too young
children themselves
my gram was there for them
for me
raised them
while they raised me
we always lived nearby
i took her for granted
like i did my parents
she a permanent fixture in my life
as a teen
ashamed of our plain-ness
ashamed of our rural heritage i was
embarassed that we were not more
than we were
finally
a parent myself
nothing but pride
i marveled at her ability to love her children equally
regardless of their faults
through their successes, failures, addictions
a restaurateur, a truck driver, an artist, a store clerk
through boyfriends, babies, failed marriages
she celebrated family
and togetherness
with all of her prodigal children
second only to Jesus
she could make two loaves and a few fishes
(or a pound of ground beef)
feed thousands
her barbecue beef recipe is my favorite
she had a passion for family
she and i traced our tree
back to when it was a sapling
a pioneer family we were
the stuff of legends
and she carried the spirit
her strength was unrivaled
born to farmers
they divorced in the 40’s—unheard of
she had the original wicked stepmother
grew up to love her children unconditionally
to be our family’s rock
strong, wise, calm
grace personified
i last saw her in 2004
too long ago
according to everyone
myself included
she reigned over my cousin’s wedding
“The Matriarch”
sitting, dancing with her family all around her
but always graceful she
did not outdo the bride
sat by the side
of her dying husband
for two years
while he suffered with leukemia
rarely left the house
he was her life
she had big plans after he died
church with the other widows
shopping with daughters
vacations back to Wisconsin
computer classes
even had a boyfriend
it started with a bad hip
replaced in 2006
she never walked again
now she does not talk much
sits in a wheelchair
in a nursing home
muscles atrophied
battles seizures nearly every day
eyes half open
mouth half closed
waits for visitors
her children come daily
my strong gram
my rock
my role model
gone
all that is left is a shell of a woman
a great woman
my memories of her tremendous strength
and my guilt
for living so far away
and seeing her so little
i pray for her peace
and i pray for mine
strongest woman i know
mother of 7
gram of 13
great-gram of 23
is dying
my parents married young
had me young
too young
children themselves
my gram was there for them
for me
raised them
while they raised me
we always lived nearby
i took her for granted
like i did my parents
she a permanent fixture in my life
as a teen
ashamed of our plain-ness
ashamed of our rural heritage i was
embarassed that we were not more
than we were
finally
a parent myself
nothing but pride
i marveled at her ability to love her children equally
regardless of their faults
through their successes, failures, addictions
a restaurateur, a truck driver, an artist, a store clerk
through boyfriends, babies, failed marriages
she celebrated family
and togetherness
with all of her prodigal children
second only to Jesus
she could make two loaves and a few fishes
(or a pound of ground beef)
feed thousands
her barbecue beef recipe is my favorite
she had a passion for family
she and i traced our tree
back to when it was a sapling
a pioneer family we were
the stuff of legends
and she carried the spirit
her strength was unrivaled
born to farmers
they divorced in the 40’s—unheard of
she had the original wicked stepmother
grew up to love her children unconditionally
to be our family’s rock
strong, wise, calm
grace personified
i last saw her in 2004
too long ago
according to everyone
myself included
she reigned over my cousin’s wedding
“The Matriarch”
sitting, dancing with her family all around her
but always graceful she
did not outdo the bride
sat by the side
of her dying husband
for two years
while he suffered with leukemia
rarely left the house
he was her life
she had big plans after he died
church with the other widows
shopping with daughters
vacations back to Wisconsin
computer classes
even had a boyfriend
it started with a bad hip
replaced in 2006
she never walked again
now she does not talk much
sits in a wheelchair
in a nursing home
muscles atrophied
battles seizures nearly every day
eyes half open
mouth half closed
waits for visitors
her children come daily
my strong gram
my rock
my role model
gone
all that is left is a shell of a woman
a great woman
my memories of her tremendous strength
and my guilt
for living so far away
and seeing her so little
i pray for her peace
and i pray for mine
Sunday, April 08, 2007
Saturday, April 07, 2007
Saturday
It is bitterly cold here! In the past three weeks we have had record highs, and now we are having record lows. The excitement never ends.
We are busy preparing for our new livestock, which we should be getting next week. I will definitely post photos!
I had hoped to get some spring work done outside, on the hogshed (converting it for the goats), as well as some new pens made and electric fence put up. However, the cold and the wind make me want to do nothing but stay inside. We will make a trip to town and pick up more supplies for the new animals, plus supplies for Easter! It's tomorrow. you know!
I have finished the blog changes. I hope you like them! I like them. The picture in the left margin is one of our new does, Precious. She is beautiful, and it shows in that picture!
Happy weekend, and happy Easter. Stay warm.
We are busy preparing for our new livestock, which we should be getting next week. I will definitely post photos!
I had hoped to get some spring work done outside, on the hogshed (converting it for the goats), as well as some new pens made and electric fence put up. However, the cold and the wind make me want to do nothing but stay inside. We will make a trip to town and pick up more supplies for the new animals, plus supplies for Easter! It's tomorrow. you know!
I have finished the blog changes. I hope you like them! I like them. The picture in the left margin is one of our new does, Precious. She is beautiful, and it shows in that picture!
Happy weekend, and happy Easter. Stay warm.
Wednesday, April 04, 2007
A Little Update
Well, I am working on a new blog template, so bear with me. It will be goat-themed, if I can do it correctly. I'm trying to push the limits on my web coding. And I am succeeding.
A lot has been going on lately. I will be getting some new livestock soon, and it is NOT GOATS!! You will have to wait to find out... less than a week.
L and I went to a big goat seminar on Saturday, it was wonderful. We both learned a lot.
We are still struggling 2x a day to milk Cindi. She is such a pill! I have been successful in getting her on the fitting stand by myself, and have just had to do it that way. I would love for her to be able to stand and eat in her stall, but she fights me so much and tries to run away, I have to tie her up. It's strange, because my milking has not bothered Precious or Tango, but seems to bother Cindi. I can't see any cuts or injuries on her udder, which leads me to believe she's just being a diva.
Spring sprung, which means that our outside to-do list is reading and waiting. We have been given an immense amount of wood from a construction project, so we have TONS of materials that were free for the taking. I bet it is $500 or more worth of wood. We are going to construct a buck pen and redo a hog house for shelter for the goats. I already have the electric fence charger, and need to just buy the fencing and t posts and put that up. We do already have some permanent fence.
I've also been toying with the idea of fencing off the front of the house. If you picture three pastures on the sides of our house-- one on the right, one on the left, and one in back. So they make sort of an angular U shape. Our house sits right in the middle of the U, closed off at the top by the road. We could easily fence off the front and put a gate on our driveway. It would isolate us from folks somewhat, but it would be more peace of mind. We are always worried about the neighbor dogs, the three "jobless" Great Pyrenees who make our farm their job. I am terrified that they will attack one of the goat kids. Also, if any goats got out of their pasture, that would be another fence that they would have to go through to get to the road and actually escape from our property. And MK thinks that we should turn them loose in the yard anyway and forego the mowing. : ) I bet that B agrees with that.
So we have plenty of projects, and as the temperature lapped at the 80 degree mark on the thermometer, we were motivated. However, as I woke up to 30 mph winds, with gusts up to 50 mph, 20 degree temperatures and flurries this morning, I just wanted to crawl back in bed with my cats and a book. Alas, there was a sassy goat and twin kids waiting for me to tend to them. And my day started.
But it's Wednesday! And Easter this weekend. Hopefully my Easter lilies that are erupting in my garden will not be deterred by this frost! Same for the lilacs.
A lot has been going on lately. I will be getting some new livestock soon, and it is NOT GOATS!! You will have to wait to find out... less than a week.
L and I went to a big goat seminar on Saturday, it was wonderful. We both learned a lot.
We are still struggling 2x a day to milk Cindi. She is such a pill! I have been successful in getting her on the fitting stand by myself, and have just had to do it that way. I would love for her to be able to stand and eat in her stall, but she fights me so much and tries to run away, I have to tie her up. It's strange, because my milking has not bothered Precious or Tango, but seems to bother Cindi. I can't see any cuts or injuries on her udder, which leads me to believe she's just being a diva.
Spring sprung, which means that our outside to-do list is reading and waiting. We have been given an immense amount of wood from a construction project, so we have TONS of materials that were free for the taking. I bet it is $500 or more worth of wood. We are going to construct a buck pen and redo a hog house for shelter for the goats. I already have the electric fence charger, and need to just buy the fencing and t posts and put that up. We do already have some permanent fence.
I've also been toying with the idea of fencing off the front of the house. If you picture three pastures on the sides of our house-- one on the right, one on the left, and one in back. So they make sort of an angular U shape. Our house sits right in the middle of the U, closed off at the top by the road. We could easily fence off the front and put a gate on our driveway. It would isolate us from folks somewhat, but it would be more peace of mind. We are always worried about the neighbor dogs, the three "jobless" Great Pyrenees who make our farm their job. I am terrified that they will attack one of the goat kids. Also, if any goats got out of their pasture, that would be another fence that they would have to go through to get to the road and actually escape from our property. And MK thinks that we should turn them loose in the yard anyway and forego the mowing. : ) I bet that B agrees with that.
So we have plenty of projects, and as the temperature lapped at the 80 degree mark on the thermometer, we were motivated. However, as I woke up to 30 mph winds, with gusts up to 50 mph, 20 degree temperatures and flurries this morning, I just wanted to crawl back in bed with my cats and a book. Alas, there was a sassy goat and twin kids waiting for me to tend to them. And my day started.
But it's Wednesday! And Easter this weekend. Hopefully my Easter lilies that are erupting in my garden will not be deterred by this frost! Same for the lilacs.
Monday, March 26, 2007
Monday
Well, we got the plumber's snake, and got the clog out. It was not a pritchard teat, as I had suspected, but it was a dishcloth. Formerly a dishcloth-- Drano can wreak havoc on a cotton cloth.
And I managed to get more than 2 quarts out of the goats this evening.
And I had a good IEP meeting at school with M's teachers.
So, I think it is tentatively a good evening... :) Maybe my streak is ending?
And I managed to get more than 2 quarts out of the goats this evening.
And I had a good IEP meeting at school with M's teachers.
So, I think it is tentatively a good evening... :) Maybe my streak is ending?
Did you think it would get better?
Well, think again. It did NOT get better on Sunday.
We prayed hard at church for a more productive day, but it did not come to pass. Our first indication of that should have been when we came home from church to find our power out. It was out for about the next 2.5 hours. Fortunately, it was a gorgeous day, so the outage was mostly just an inconvenience, if a bit worrisome (food spoilage). It came back on again for about an hour, and then went out again for about 2.5 hours. It seems to be on now...
B fixed the dryer. But it has some other problem which makes it continue to stop. I think that it did need the belt replaced, so it was not a waste of effort. But we need to still babysit the dryer, and I'd like to find out what the problem is. Thermostat? Motor? Timer? It might be time to call the repairman. Not because he can't fix it, but we are wasting a lot of time in diagnostics, plus we don't want to put money into unnecessary parts.
The drain is still clogged. He did get it all back together yesterday, but the pritchard teat is still clogging (I am CERTAIN that's what it is). He went to get a plumber's snake (probably a good idea for us to get one of those), but the hardware store was closed. Of course it was. So the sink is still full of standing water.
Our church is building an addition, and they have extra scrap wood. We can use it all for pens and for fixing an outbuilding that we are planning to repair this spring. The wood is beautiful and very sturdy. There are even some 20' boards that will be incredibly helpful for building pens. The items are free for the taking. Except that our pickup truck battery is dead. DEAD. DEAD. DEAD. Won't even take a jump from my car. So we crammed as much as we could into the back of my SUV. And broke some of the interior plastic on the back of my car.
In the morning I had to rassle with Cindi to get her milked. I was wearing some low-rise jeans, which gives me plumber butt when I sit on the bucket to milk her. She reached around to give me a wedgie and tore the lace trim off of my underwear. Little brat. I can't put her in the fitting stand because she won't go voluntarily, and I can't lift her. She gives me more trouble than the buck.
So Sunday did not pan out to be very productive. I did chores at about 8:00. The kids ate at 8:30 and had to have grilled cheese because I was so miserably behind.
Lest you think that Monday would be magical, B called me from his way to work and told me that he hit the neighbor dog on his way out.
We prayed hard at church for a more productive day, but it did not come to pass. Our first indication of that should have been when we came home from church to find our power out. It was out for about the next 2.5 hours. Fortunately, it was a gorgeous day, so the outage was mostly just an inconvenience, if a bit worrisome (food spoilage). It came back on again for about an hour, and then went out again for about 2.5 hours. It seems to be on now...
B fixed the dryer. But it has some other problem which makes it continue to stop. I think that it did need the belt replaced, so it was not a waste of effort. But we need to still babysit the dryer, and I'd like to find out what the problem is. Thermostat? Motor? Timer? It might be time to call the repairman. Not because he can't fix it, but we are wasting a lot of time in diagnostics, plus we don't want to put money into unnecessary parts.
The drain is still clogged. He did get it all back together yesterday, but the pritchard teat is still clogging (I am CERTAIN that's what it is). He went to get a plumber's snake (probably a good idea for us to get one of those), but the hardware store was closed. Of course it was. So the sink is still full of standing water.
Our church is building an addition, and they have extra scrap wood. We can use it all for pens and for fixing an outbuilding that we are planning to repair this spring. The wood is beautiful and very sturdy. There are even some 20' boards that will be incredibly helpful for building pens. The items are free for the taking. Except that our pickup truck battery is dead. DEAD. DEAD. DEAD. Won't even take a jump from my car. So we crammed as much as we could into the back of my SUV. And broke some of the interior plastic on the back of my car.
In the morning I had to rassle with Cindi to get her milked. I was wearing some low-rise jeans, which gives me plumber butt when I sit on the bucket to milk her. She reached around to give me a wedgie and tore the lace trim off of my underwear. Little brat. I can't put her in the fitting stand because she won't go voluntarily, and I can't lift her. She gives me more trouble than the buck.
So Sunday did not pan out to be very productive. I did chores at about 8:00. The kids ate at 8:30 and had to have grilled cheese because I was so miserably behind.
Lest you think that Monday would be magical, B called me from his way to work and told me that he hit the neighbor dog on his way out.
Saturday, March 24, 2007
And the Fun Continues
Well, today did not pan out to be any better than yesterday. I slept too late (see a pattern here?), got out to the barn late, and again had some caprine wrestling events to get her milked (not because I was late, but because she is a DIVA). I came inside to start my list, which included some goat things and working on a website that I am creating/maintaining on the side.
I intended to tattoo the babies today. But I had no green ink, and went to the farm store where they did not have any.
I intended to give CD&T vaccinations. Except that my vaccine had expired. I did not use much before it expired, so that was a double pisser. Again, the farm store does not carry it.
I intended to worm the goats. I did not have enough dewormer to do everyone. The farm store did have that, but not the same type. I can still use it, but it's not the best option. Not a total failure...
The pipe that B attempted to fix last night did not get fixed. He came home with the wrong part. It was just in the cards-- they were stacked against him. He went this morning to get the part, and got the correct part. He got it fixed, but the drain was still plugged. He used the plunger, and burst another rusted pipe. (We can't tell that they are rusted, as the corrosion is on the inside-- the outside is shiny silver.) As I type this, he is fixing the pipes. We have been unable to use the kitchen sink for going on 30 hours. Last night we did dishes by setting the dishpans and drainer in the bathtub. We have eaten out today for every meal except breakfast. I actually think the clog is one of the nipples for the baby goat bottles. They cost $5.00 each at the farm store.
The dryer is still not fixed.
I did not get the website finished. I am sitting down to do that after this post.
We did drink last night, but B spilled his Guinness all over my ABGA herd inventory papers that I have to send back. It was a waste of a good beer, and I am bummed about the papers.
We can only hope that tomorrow goes better.
I intended to tattoo the babies today. But I had no green ink, and went to the farm store where they did not have any.
I intended to give CD&T vaccinations. Except that my vaccine had expired. I did not use much before it expired, so that was a double pisser. Again, the farm store does not carry it.
I intended to worm the goats. I did not have enough dewormer to do everyone. The farm store did have that, but not the same type. I can still use it, but it's not the best option. Not a total failure...
The pipe that B attempted to fix last night did not get fixed. He came home with the wrong part. It was just in the cards-- they were stacked against him. He went this morning to get the part, and got the correct part. He got it fixed, but the drain was still plugged. He used the plunger, and burst another rusted pipe. (We can't tell that they are rusted, as the corrosion is on the inside-- the outside is shiny silver.) As I type this, he is fixing the pipes. We have been unable to use the kitchen sink for going on 30 hours. Last night we did dishes by setting the dishpans and drainer in the bathtub. We have eaten out today for every meal except breakfast. I actually think the clog is one of the nipples for the baby goat bottles. They cost $5.00 each at the farm store.
The dryer is still not fixed.
I did not get the website finished. I am sitting down to do that after this post.
We did drink last night, but B spilled his Guinness all over my ABGA herd inventory papers that I have to send back. It was a waste of a good beer, and I am bummed about the papers.
We can only hope that tomorrow goes better.
Friday, March 23, 2007
One of those days...
I thought it was going to be a good day. There ARE lots of good things about this day, one being that I worked from home, so I worked in sweats from the couch, enjoying the gorgeous view. The kids were good, quiet and didn't fight. It was a gorgeous, 70 degree day, too, and my "breaks" were spent enjoying the spring loveliness.
HOWEVER, it was one crappy stroke of luck after another.
I slept too late. Which, in and of itself was a good thing. But that puts me late to the barn, and the animals disapprove. Disapproval is demonstrated in lots of yelling and little cooperation. This morning I was treated to an uncooperative milker, who tried her best to get away from me. I couldn't lift her onto the fitting stand, and she would not stand still. Several times she stepped into the milk bucket. That ordeal over, I was ready to get to work.
I had an issue with Quark Express, which meant that I needed to reinstall the program. We had it at work, and I had to download it from our apps server-- it took me 3 hours. : ( On high speed broadband. I had to download Quark before I could do about 10 other things that were on my list.
Then I went to do laundry. To find out that my dryer belt had broken. I can't dry my clothes now. And laundry was not done by any stretch of the imagination.
So then I moved to dishes. And I found that the sink was stopped up. I used the plunger with no success. Suddenly L told me that there was a huge puddle on the floor-- my overzealous plunging had burst an ancient pipe under the sink. It was draining all over the floor. I have dishes all over my countertops and on the stove. And dishpans full of water sitting out. It's 8:15 and B is at the hardware store getting parts. So he can fix the sink. So I can fix supper. So the kids can shower and go to bed.
So I can drink heavily.
Then one of the kids noticed that one of the goats was out. I went to guide her back into the barn, and instead of going into the barn, she tried to get back into the paddock-- by going under the fence. Which is like a 4" space. So of course, she could not get back out. Was stuck under the fence by her horns. Thank GOD she did not panic, which is what I would have expected her to do. She just lied down calmly until I could manipulate her head and horns out from underneath the fence.
Next was rassling with the uncooperative milker, who ended up spilling about 3/4 of a quart of milk. I could have strangled her. We need nearly a gallon of milk a day to feed the babies, and she spilled a good deal of it. No, I didn't cry over spilled milk, but I was sure pissed about it. It's one thing if it's an accident, but she's just being a diva pill, and there is no reason for it. It feels good to her to have that milk milked out of her, and we are gentle and kind to her.
B just called. Of COURSE the hardware store in our little town was closed, so he had to go into the big city. He isn't even there yet. Ugh, what a crappy day.
However, I know that I can still find three good things today, which is hopeful. But I can find about a million bad things...
Here's to tomorrow.
HOWEVER, it was one crappy stroke of luck after another.
I slept too late. Which, in and of itself was a good thing. But that puts me late to the barn, and the animals disapprove. Disapproval is demonstrated in lots of yelling and little cooperation. This morning I was treated to an uncooperative milker, who tried her best to get away from me. I couldn't lift her onto the fitting stand, and she would not stand still. Several times she stepped into the milk bucket. That ordeal over, I was ready to get to work.
I had an issue with Quark Express, which meant that I needed to reinstall the program. We had it at work, and I had to download it from our apps server-- it took me 3 hours. : ( On high speed broadband. I had to download Quark before I could do about 10 other things that were on my list.
Then I went to do laundry. To find out that my dryer belt had broken. I can't dry my clothes now. And laundry was not done by any stretch of the imagination.
So then I moved to dishes. And I found that the sink was stopped up. I used the plunger with no success. Suddenly L told me that there was a huge puddle on the floor-- my overzealous plunging had burst an ancient pipe under the sink. It was draining all over the floor. I have dishes all over my countertops and on the stove. And dishpans full of water sitting out. It's 8:15 and B is at the hardware store getting parts. So he can fix the sink. So I can fix supper. So the kids can shower and go to bed.
So I can drink heavily.
Then one of the kids noticed that one of the goats was out. I went to guide her back into the barn, and instead of going into the barn, she tried to get back into the paddock-- by going under the fence. Which is like a 4" space. So of course, she could not get back out. Was stuck under the fence by her horns. Thank GOD she did not panic, which is what I would have expected her to do. She just lied down calmly until I could manipulate her head and horns out from underneath the fence.
Next was rassling with the uncooperative milker, who ended up spilling about 3/4 of a quart of milk. I could have strangled her. We need nearly a gallon of milk a day to feed the babies, and she spilled a good deal of it. No, I didn't cry over spilled milk, but I was sure pissed about it. It's one thing if it's an accident, but she's just being a diva pill, and there is no reason for it. It feels good to her to have that milk milked out of her, and we are gentle and kind to her.
B just called. Of COURSE the hardware store in our little town was closed, so he had to go into the big city. He isn't even there yet. Ugh, what a crappy day.
However, I know that I can still find three good things today, which is hopeful. But I can find about a million bad things...
Here's to tomorrow.
Stop Look & Listen!
It's SPRING!!! I can't believe it's here already. It was a long winter, but it did seem to fly by at times, and we did get a break for most of the season. It was bitterly cold, and we did have our share of snow. But that is over!
Listen...
And it's turned green in the past 8 hours!
In unrelated events, this weekend I will be tattooing and registering the new babies. We have decided to name them Wallace Wensleydale and Wendolene Ramsbottom . (Wally & Wendy)
Happy Friday!
Listen...
And it's turned green in the past 8 hours!
In unrelated events, this weekend I will be tattooing and registering the new babies. We have decided to name them Wallace Wensleydale and Wendolene Ramsbottom . (Wally & Wendy)
Happy Friday!
Sunday, March 18, 2007
Country Speak Redux
Okay, I thought more of you would know the answer to this! I guess I am a bumpkin after all, eh?
Gee is the teamster's term to signal a turn to the right. If you are driving a horse, and you want him to turn to the right, you say, "gee, gee, gee, gee" until he turns as far/sharp you want him to turn. Haw is the term to signal a turn to the left. It's strange though, I have ridden and driven the same horse, but I have never told him to gee or haw when I was riding him. I don't know why you don't use the terms when you are riding the animal. He must wonder that, too. But he's so smart that he just does what he's told and realizes he's smarter than the people telling him what to do (like any good employee).
Anyway, if your road "gee-haws" at a point, it jogs left, and then jogs right. Yes, MK, the road gee haws just after you turn onto gravel, and hit the straightaway. It actually "haws" just before the Old Crow Farm, and then "gees" after it, and then goes up and down the hill. It also gee haws just past our house as you go up the corkscrew hill.
Quite a lot of them in my area. Thank God they are gee-haws and not jihads.
Gee is the teamster's term to signal a turn to the right. If you are driving a horse, and you want him to turn to the right, you say, "gee, gee, gee, gee" until he turns as far/sharp you want him to turn. Haw is the term to signal a turn to the left. It's strange though, I have ridden and driven the same horse, but I have never told him to gee or haw when I was riding him. I don't know why you don't use the terms when you are riding the animal. He must wonder that, too. But he's so smart that he just does what he's told and realizes he's smarter than the people telling him what to do (like any good employee).
Anyway, if your road "gee-haws" at a point, it jogs left, and then jogs right. Yes, MK, the road gee haws just after you turn onto gravel, and hit the straightaway. It actually "haws" just before the Old Crow Farm, and then "gees" after it, and then goes up and down the hill. It also gee haws just past our house as you go up the corkscrew hill.
Quite a lot of them in my area. Thank God they are gee-haws and not jihads.
Saturday, March 17, 2007
Country Speak
A few weeks ago I gave a friend directions to my house. I told him that my road made a gee-haw at a certain point. He said, "A jihad? There is a jihad on your road?" I explained a gee-haw, and he had never heard of it in his life. He managed to make it to my house, and avoid the jihad on my road, too.
Do you know what a gee-haw is? Is it that strange of a term?
Do you know what a gee-haw is? Is it that strange of a term?
Thursday, March 15, 2007
Loose Ends
Such is my life. My mantra is always, “well, things won’t be as crazy once I get through _____ (insert Christmas, Lent, this next conference, my trip to xxx, the school year, WHATEVER is consuming me at the moment).” That is such a bald-faced lie. Because even if that were the case—that my schedule would calm down and I would have an actual LULL in my responsibilities-- all of the things that I did not do during my crazy time would be needing to be done, and I would be scrambling. That is how it works. When I am facing some critical deadlines at work, it is always, “hurry up and get this done by the deadline.” Then when the deadline has passed, it’s always, “hurry up and get caught up on your late stuff before the next deadline looms, and you have to drop everything to meet the deadline for that certain project.” And I never get caught up, so the deadline looms, I drop everything to work on the project that’s due, and then pick up the late stuff again when that project’s finished.
It is very emotional for me, someone who needs closure and completeness. Learning to cope with this is a huge part of my therapy, and frankly, it is taking a long time for me to come to terms with it. My therapist has suggested getting a different job, but I do like what I do. I don’t have the answers, though I hope that someday I will be able to live with unfinished projects and that I will never have everything done.
That is part of the increased responsibility—when I first started here, in an assistant capacity, I had a list, and finished everything on it, and could leave and go home feeling that my tasks were done. Now, however, the responsibility falls on me, and the things are never done. I do have an assistant now, but it is still difficult to offload those projects without feeling some responsibility for them getting done, even if someone else is doing them. So it’s not really offloading them 100%.
Anyway, don’t know why I am moaning today, just feeling overwhelmed.
The goats are good. Cindi is healing, we are trying to come to terms with only having 2 babies to show for our kidding season, and we will all be fine. It is discouraging, as you pay for pregnancy tests, ultrasounds, extra feed, extra medication and supplements. You put everything on the calendar, vaccinate at certain dates, build special pens, buy special equipment, watch them like a hawk, hurry to get it all done before kidding season, and most of the kids die. It is hard to come to terms with. But we will move forward!
It is very emotional for me, someone who needs closure and completeness. Learning to cope with this is a huge part of my therapy, and frankly, it is taking a long time for me to come to terms with it. My therapist has suggested getting a different job, but I do like what I do. I don’t have the answers, though I hope that someday I will be able to live with unfinished projects and that I will never have everything done.
That is part of the increased responsibility—when I first started here, in an assistant capacity, I had a list, and finished everything on it, and could leave and go home feeling that my tasks were done. Now, however, the responsibility falls on me, and the things are never done. I do have an assistant now, but it is still difficult to offload those projects without feeling some responsibility for them getting done, even if someone else is doing them. So it’s not really offloading them 100%.
Anyway, don’t know why I am moaning today, just feeling overwhelmed.
The goats are good. Cindi is healing, we are trying to come to terms with only having 2 babies to show for our kidding season, and we will all be fine. It is discouraging, as you pay for pregnancy tests, ultrasounds, extra feed, extra medication and supplements. You put everything on the calendar, vaccinate at certain dates, build special pens, buy special equipment, watch them like a hawk, hurry to get it all done before kidding season, and most of the kids die. It is hard to come to terms with. But we will move forward!
Sunday, March 11, 2007
Making lemonade
Well, we're trying to make the best of the situation, and "graft" the bottle baby kids onto Cindi. We shall see how it goes.
Lost another one
Cindi had a beautiful doeling this morning, but it was malpresented. We did everything we could, including calling the vet who claimed he was "tied up" and could not come out, and couldn't give us anyone to call instead. The baby died.
Cindi is doing as well as can be expected. I am not, nor is L.
We lost three doelings this season. I can't believe our bad luck. We do have two beauties, and are thankful for them, but it just has not been a good spring.
Cindi is doing as well as can be expected. I am not, nor is L.
We lost three doelings this season. I can't believe our bad luck. We do have two beauties, and are thankful for them, but it just has not been a good spring.
The Watched Pot
She's not boiling.
I remember as a teenager, babysitting until the wee hours of the morning. It was always a Saturday night, I'd watch Saturday Night Live, long after the kids went to bed. Then would come Don Kirshner's Rock Concert. Then Live at the Apollo... and then usually the people would be home by then. I do remember a few nights when I'd be up long enough to hear NBC play the national anthem and then sign off for the night.
Well, here I sit. Saturday night, and I am waiting for Cindi to kid. I am watching her on my newly-installed goatcam, which has been incredibly helpful. B saved me, once again. He is my IT hero.
It's 4:11 am. I have balanced the checkbook and paid bills. I have reviewed my Sunday School lesson for tomorrow. I have done and filed my taxes even! I have baked bread. COME ON GIRL!!
She is in early labor, up and down, up and down, her udder is very full and "shiny" (one of the signs of pending labor), and her ligaments are loose and ready for delivery. So what's the holdup, Mizzus? I'm TIRED!
I remember as a teenager, babysitting until the wee hours of the morning. It was always a Saturday night, I'd watch Saturday Night Live, long after the kids went to bed. Then would come Don Kirshner's Rock Concert. Then Live at the Apollo... and then usually the people would be home by then. I do remember a few nights when I'd be up long enough to hear NBC play the national anthem and then sign off for the night.
Well, here I sit. Saturday night, and I am waiting for Cindi to kid. I am watching her on my newly-installed goatcam, which has been incredibly helpful. B saved me, once again. He is my IT hero.
It's 4:11 am. I have balanced the checkbook and paid bills. I have reviewed my Sunday School lesson for tomorrow. I have done and filed my taxes even! I have baked bread. COME ON GIRL!!
She is in early labor, up and down, up and down, her udder is very full and "shiny" (one of the signs of pending labor), and her ligaments are loose and ready for delivery. So what's the holdup, Mizzus? I'm TIRED!
Thursday, March 08, 2007
Hay!
Did I get your attention? Well the price of hay sure got mine. We bale our own hay, with the help of a neighbor. He drives the tractor, and we (and usually some GREAT friends) stack the hay on the rack, and then we restack it inside the machine shed. This year we got 2 cuttings, and paid $.70 per bale.
We are out of hay for the winter now-- completely out of hay. We have to buy it from others. Apparently there is a hay shortage all over the nation from the drought, and folks here in our state have had calls from out of state wanting their hay. Also, the price of corn has skyrocketed, so those who are raising hay are going to replant with corn to capitalize on the current windfall. (As an aside, we sold our corn before the prices skyrocketed, so while we did well, it was not the windfall that others saw. Oh well... ) So the hay situation will not improve.
I paid $4.50 per bale the other day at the feed store. Our animals eat just under 2 bales a day. That is a HUGE feed bill, especially for just a few animals. We're going to fertlize the heck out of our hay field this spring and see if we can't get another cutting. I sure as heck don't want to be in this situation again next year.
We are out of hay for the winter now-- completely out of hay. We have to buy it from others. Apparently there is a hay shortage all over the nation from the drought, and folks here in our state have had calls from out of state wanting their hay. Also, the price of corn has skyrocketed, so those who are raising hay are going to replant with corn to capitalize on the current windfall. (As an aside, we sold our corn before the prices skyrocketed, so while we did well, it was not the windfall that others saw. Oh well... ) So the hay situation will not improve.
I paid $4.50 per bale the other day at the feed store. Our animals eat just under 2 bales a day. That is a HUGE feed bill, especially for just a few animals. We're going to fertlize the heck out of our hay field this spring and see if we can't get another cutting. I sure as heck don't want to be in this situation again next year.
Wednesday, March 07, 2007
The Lingo
It's funny how in just a few years the goats have really become part of our lives. Moreso than the cats or dogs. They are not just an afterthought, but often times the focus of attention and conversation. Not that the dogs and cats aren't, but they are with us so much, we don't really talk about them, we just scratch and love on them while we are doing other things. Maybe it's because the goats are a business, or because we are learning about them, or because they are so consuming. I don't know. But, I had to laugh at my son a couple of times. It still makes me laugh out loud when I remember these random comments:
"Mom, this root beer you got is really good, but it gives me frothy bloat."
"Hey, my bedhead is so bad on this side of my head, it looks like I have a scur."
I realize that if you don't know what frothy bloat is or scurs are, you might not laugh. But to me, this is just a hoot.
Frothy Bloat
Scurs
Happy Wednesday. The week's almost over, and the temperatures are a-risin. Couldn't ask for anything more (except for it to be Friday).
"Mom, this root beer you got is really good, but it gives me frothy bloat."
"Hey, my bedhead is so bad on this side of my head, it looks like I have a scur."
I realize that if you don't know what frothy bloat is or scurs are, you might not laugh. But to me, this is just a hoot.
Frothy Bloat
Scurs
Happy Wednesday. The week's almost over, and the temperatures are a-risin. Couldn't ask for anything more (except for it to be Friday).
Tuesday, March 06, 2007
Ten on Tuesday
Well, I promise updates on kidding, the blizzard, and lots of photos (even video). I am also working on a barn cam, with some stills to upload. That has taken me from bloggin-- in addition to snow days, teacher conferences, band concerts, traveling with work, the animals...
But, so you didn't think I ran away from home, here is a blog meme: Ten on Tuesday:
Name Ten Things You Want to Learn To Do
1. Crochet/Knit
2. Decorate Cakes like a pro (teach me Jen!)
3. I want to learn the rules of football
4. Play the piano
5. Speak Russian
6. Joomla (improve my VERY basic skills)
7. Get my webcam to work behind a firewall!
8. Operate my digital camera (its menus are all in Japanese)
9. Make Psyanky (Ukrainian Eggs)
10. MATH! (but there is no hope... )
Happy Tuesday! What are your 10?
But, so you didn't think I ran away from home, here is a blog meme: Ten on Tuesday:
Name Ten Things You Want to Learn To Do
1. Crochet/Knit
2. Decorate Cakes like a pro (teach me Jen!)
3. I want to learn the rules of football
4. Play the piano
5. Speak Russian
6. Joomla (improve my VERY basic skills)
7. Get my webcam to work behind a firewall!
8. Operate my digital camera (its menus are all in Japanese)
9. Make Psyanky (Ukrainian Eggs)
10. MATH! (but there is no hope... )
Happy Tuesday! What are your 10?
Sunday, February 25, 2007
A Snowed-in Sunday
My trip and meeting went quite well. No stress, thanks to Lexapro. It's good to medicate your type A. : ) Or at least your inner Martha. Seriously, I was much better at being on the ball, without losing sleep over it. A very, VERY good combination for me.
We got word that there was a serious storm forecast for our area (not where the meeting was, but where my home is), so we kept a close eye on it, and decided to bail out a few hours early. Not good for staff to do, but there were no members around either, they all went home too. We beat the ice storm home-- the trees were icing up just as we pulled onto our road. We couldn't have timed it more perfectly.
I couldn't have left that hotel room quick enough. It was HORRIBLE! I think I have only stayed in a hotel that bad one time in my life, and I knew I was staying in a hole that previous time. It was sort of a "nostalgic" trip to my hometown, and I knew the property had gone downhill. It was also cheap, though the meeting hotel this week was not cheap, relatively speaking.
If you have been reading my blog for any length of time, you know that my job requires some travel, but I had traveled internationally with one of my accounts prior to 2006. At the end of 2005 I requested to be taken off that account and put onto some local accounts. I only travel within the state (or just outside of it) since that time. The client who just had the meeting is lead by a staff member that I also used to work with on that international account. He and I have traveled all over the world together, literally. Off the top of my head, we've been to Bermuda, Miami, New York, and London. There were a few others, but they escape me now. Anyway, we were discussing that we both had suites on the 19th floor of the Trump Sonesta Hotel right on Miami Beach a few years ago. I am not kidding when I say that had the suites had 4 bedrooms, they would have dwarfed my house. I had a huge living room, a full-size kitchen with a garbage disposal, stainless appliances, granite countertops-- the works. My bathroom was palacial, complete with a bidet (a luxury that I absolutely adore, not to provide TMI). We joked that it was quite a contrast to the dump we stayed in this week-- he said his room had a big chunk out of the wall, mine had a lampshade that was all melted and cracked. There was no closet, just a cheap (probably screw-together-Sauder furniture) wardrobe in the corner. It was barely big enough for my suitcase to sit in the bottom of it. My boss is tall, and he had to duck through the really low hallways. There were circular lamps down the halls between each of the rooms, but at some point they decided to cut the amount of lamps in half, so they removed every other one. In place of each lamp there was a flat outlet cover, but you could still see the holes behind the cover where the lamps were supposed to go, and a nasty brown ring on the wallpaper. My room had a view of the parking lot. The heating and cooling didn't work in my room, so I just left it off the entire time and slept in sweatpants and a sweatshirt.
View from the Trump Hotel Room
Bathroom in the Trump Hotel
The Exact Suite I Had
The same Austin Powers decor, but a million times cleaner than in real life. (and the lampshades look new)
Last night we had about 8 inches of snow, on top of 1/4" of ice. Power lines were down, telephones were out, etc. It is a nasty mess all over our state. We had some tree limbs and branches down, but we did not have any power outages. Only the internet was down for a few hours. Can't really complain about that.
We are alive, well, warm, full, and together. What more could we ask for? Oh, and as a bonus, I just had an email that school is delayed by 2 hours. I love snow days! :)
We got word that there was a serious storm forecast for our area (not where the meeting was, but where my home is), so we kept a close eye on it, and decided to bail out a few hours early. Not good for staff to do, but there were no members around either, they all went home too. We beat the ice storm home-- the trees were icing up just as we pulled onto our road. We couldn't have timed it more perfectly.
I couldn't have left that hotel room quick enough. It was HORRIBLE! I think I have only stayed in a hotel that bad one time in my life, and I knew I was staying in a hole that previous time. It was sort of a "nostalgic" trip to my hometown, and I knew the property had gone downhill. It was also cheap, though the meeting hotel this week was not cheap, relatively speaking.
If you have been reading my blog for any length of time, you know that my job requires some travel, but I had traveled internationally with one of my accounts prior to 2006. At the end of 2005 I requested to be taken off that account and put onto some local accounts. I only travel within the state (or just outside of it) since that time. The client who just had the meeting is lead by a staff member that I also used to work with on that international account. He and I have traveled all over the world together, literally. Off the top of my head, we've been to Bermuda, Miami, New York, and London. There were a few others, but they escape me now. Anyway, we were discussing that we both had suites on the 19th floor of the Trump Sonesta Hotel right on Miami Beach a few years ago. I am not kidding when I say that had the suites had 4 bedrooms, they would have dwarfed my house. I had a huge living room, a full-size kitchen with a garbage disposal, stainless appliances, granite countertops-- the works. My bathroom was palacial, complete with a bidet (a luxury that I absolutely adore, not to provide TMI). We joked that it was quite a contrast to the dump we stayed in this week-- he said his room had a big chunk out of the wall, mine had a lampshade that was all melted and cracked. There was no closet, just a cheap (probably screw-together-Sauder furniture) wardrobe in the corner. It was barely big enough for my suitcase to sit in the bottom of it. My boss is tall, and he had to duck through the really low hallways. There were circular lamps down the halls between each of the rooms, but at some point they decided to cut the amount of lamps in half, so they removed every other one. In place of each lamp there was a flat outlet cover, but you could still see the holes behind the cover where the lamps were supposed to go, and a nasty brown ring on the wallpaper. My room had a view of the parking lot. The heating and cooling didn't work in my room, so I just left it off the entire time and slept in sweatpants and a sweatshirt.
View from the Trump Hotel Room
Bathroom in the Trump Hotel
The Exact Suite I Had
The same Austin Powers decor, but a million times cleaner than in real life. (and the lampshades look new)
Last night we had about 8 inches of snow, on top of 1/4" of ice. Power lines were down, telephones were out, etc. It is a nasty mess all over our state. We had some tree limbs and branches down, but we did not have any power outages. Only the internet was down for a few hours. Can't really complain about that.
We are alive, well, warm, full, and together. What more could we ask for? Oh, and as a bonus, I just had an email that school is delayed by 2 hours. I love snow days! :)
Wednesday, February 21, 2007
Homesick
I'm away from home for work again, back very late on Saturday. I came home today at noon, before leaving, and I soaked up all of the quietness at home. It was really a great way to regroup before this crazy time.
B is taking care of business at home, and he is being run ragged, between something every evening, the farm chores, and feeding the baby goats in addition to cooking and cleaning and getting everyone ready for school and out the door, etc. He has been a trooper, and I just appreciate all of his help.
I sure miss my home, and I definitely miss B and the kids. I'm exhausted, however, so I am off to bed.
Counting down the days til I get to go back home.
B is taking care of business at home, and he is being run ragged, between something every evening, the farm chores, and feeding the baby goats in addition to cooking and cleaning and getting everyone ready for school and out the door, etc. He has been a trooper, and I just appreciate all of his help.
I sure miss my home, and I definitely miss B and the kids. I'm exhausted, however, so I am off to bed.
Counting down the days til I get to go back home.
Sunday, February 18, 2007
A Little Peace
Thank you for the nice emails and comments that you left after my post on Thursday.
I am feeling better, for several reasons. Time does have a way of unclouding the confusion that emotion brings on.
Of course, I have also been reading everything I can find on this, and after reading and re-examining the babies, it is pretty clear that they were premature. Their teeth had not yet erupted, and they are quite small. They may have been viable upon their birth, but B pointed out that even if we could take "heroic" measures and keep them alive, what is the cost, and what are the long-term effects? Will they always be sickly? Will the medicine/treatments cost more than the goats would ever be worth?
I don't want to sound callous-- these issues are very difficult for me personally, and that is part of coming to terms with the way farming is done. While you have to love your animals and love what you do, and love ON your animals if you want them to produce (and also love them and get to know them so you can tell when they are "not themselves" and sick), but you have to be callous enough to pay attention to the bottom line. There is no sense in having an animal that will not produce for you, if it is costing you. That is bad business and will put you OUT of business. So I continue to struggle with that.
But I feel a little better about the babies.
I now struggle with an other doe that is sick (not pregnant, though), and I am treating her. I also worry about the third doe yet to kid, and if there is some sort of infection going around in the barn. It is warming up-- which I had begged for-- but now with the warmer temperatures, the viruses/bacteria are back.
I am also getting ready to go out of town for a meeting. I leave Wed and come back Saturday night late. Cross your fingers for my wonderful husband. He is a brave man. : ) (then again, you knew that already-- he's been married to me for a few years!)
I am feeling better, for several reasons. Time does have a way of unclouding the confusion that emotion brings on.
Of course, I have also been reading everything I can find on this, and after reading and re-examining the babies, it is pretty clear that they were premature. Their teeth had not yet erupted, and they are quite small. They may have been viable upon their birth, but B pointed out that even if we could take "heroic" measures and keep them alive, what is the cost, and what are the long-term effects? Will they always be sickly? Will the medicine/treatments cost more than the goats would ever be worth?
I don't want to sound callous-- these issues are very difficult for me personally, and that is part of coming to terms with the way farming is done. While you have to love your animals and love what you do, and love ON your animals if you want them to produce (and also love them and get to know them so you can tell when they are "not themselves" and sick), but you have to be callous enough to pay attention to the bottom line. There is no sense in having an animal that will not produce for you, if it is costing you. That is bad business and will put you OUT of business. So I continue to struggle with that.
But I feel a little better about the babies.
I now struggle with an other doe that is sick (not pregnant, though), and I am treating her. I also worry about the third doe yet to kid, and if there is some sort of infection going around in the barn. It is warming up-- which I had begged for-- but now with the warmer temperatures, the viruses/bacteria are back.
I am also getting ready to go out of town for a meeting. I leave Wed and come back Saturday night late. Cross your fingers for my wonderful husband. He is a brave man. : ) (then again, you knew that already-- he's been married to me for a few years!)
Thursday, February 15, 2007
Devastation
Last night I bought feed, and I spent some extra time in the barn with the animals, as I cleaned up and mixed the feed ration. I took stock of Tango, as we don't know her kidding due date. I noticed that she had not made much of an udder, did not have a discharge, etc. I commented that perhaps she would kid after Cindi, who is due March 4. Initially, we thought she might kid a couple of weeks after Precious.
We were right the first time. I came out this morning to two beautiful doelings, dead. I don't know if they were stillborn or if they died from exposure. They were not frozen, though they were cold. They had not moved from where they were born, and one had not been cleaned off. Neither had nursed. I milked only about a cup of colostrum out of Tango.
I am so, so, so sad. I just feel sick.
: (
Tango is doing okay, physically. She is crying for her babies. Then again, so am I.
We were right the first time. I came out this morning to two beautiful doelings, dead. I don't know if they were stillborn or if they died from exposure. They were not frozen, though they were cold. They had not moved from where they were born, and one had not been cleaned off. Neither had nursed. I milked only about a cup of colostrum out of Tango.
I am so, so, so sad. I just feel sick.
: (
Tango is doing okay, physically. She is crying for her babies. Then again, so am I.
Wednesday, February 14, 2007
I hate Valentine’s Day. (Warning: gushy and mushy)
I need to qualify that—I’m all about the romance, and of course we always try to do something special for each other on Feb 14, but therein lies the problem. We always do special things for each other. We often text message each other, we tell each other we love each other several times a day, we call just to say hi, we hold hands, etc.
We have bought each other cards and special gifts “just because.” I know he is a major chocoholic, so I will bring him brownies from work whenever we have lunch catered in, etc. He knows I love orange juice, so he keeps it made in the fridge for whenever I get thirsty for some. He does the dishes every morning, and I thank him. I do the laundry, and he thanks me. We never lose appreciation for each other, or what we do for each other. We are the best of friends, and thankful for that relationship. We know that we could never be with anyone else—our idiosyncrasies have become so, well, uniquely idiosyncratic, that the puzzle pieces that we are could never fit exactly with any other, after all of these years. We are just ourselves with each other, and melted together so perfectly, very much at ease. And we KNOW that, and we APPRECIATE that, and we EXPRESS that appreciation every single day.
So then Valentine’s Day comes along. Most people (or so my therapist tells me) don’t do these things regularly. So they take a day once a year to gush about their love for their mate. They buy a $4.00 card that says all the things that their mouths don’t say, so their love can save that card and remember that one special February 14th when it was so romantic and special, and their mate told them everything they wanted and needed to hear. They go out to dinner, get dressed up, take time away from the daily grind and earmark some special time with no kids, no cell phones, etc. In Honor of Valentine's Day.
But see, we do that every day. Our kids go to bed early, and we have a Netflix subscription (that is well-used). We watch movies or even past seasons from shows we love on DVD nearly every night. Even a night spent working in the barn is usually good fun, with lots of conversation, silliness and definitely togetherness. We don’t need to celebrate our togetherness on one special day. We are always aware of our bond, and we nurture it every day because we like to, In Honor of Us.
But what would happen if I didn’t get him a card today? They are all so lame, they just say what I always say—that I am thankful every day for him in my life, that I love him so much, and I can’t imagine life without him, I thank him for our beautiful children and the life we have together. But what would one think if a wife did not get her husband a card or present on this Sacred Day? What would one think if a husband did not buy his wife flowers on this Sacred Day? What would they think at my work, if everyone else got flowers and I did not? Trouble in Paradise? Did he forget? Oh, now he'll "owe" her a double-sized bouquet! He's sleeping on the couch for sure! Not that we have to do it for others, but it does get to be a little about keeping up with the Jones'.
It’s a strange situation, I know. So here’s to an anticlimactic Valentine’s Day. I hope yours is as good as mine, which will be fabulous-- as good as yesterday.
P.S. Updated at 11:40 am: I just got a beautiful bouquet of a dozen red roses. So now I feel like a dork. But I still don't know what I should get him!
We have bought each other cards and special gifts “just because.” I know he is a major chocoholic, so I will bring him brownies from work whenever we have lunch catered in, etc. He knows I love orange juice, so he keeps it made in the fridge for whenever I get thirsty for some. He does the dishes every morning, and I thank him. I do the laundry, and he thanks me. We never lose appreciation for each other, or what we do for each other. We are the best of friends, and thankful for that relationship. We know that we could never be with anyone else—our idiosyncrasies have become so, well, uniquely idiosyncratic, that the puzzle pieces that we are could never fit exactly with any other, after all of these years. We are just ourselves with each other, and melted together so perfectly, very much at ease. And we KNOW that, and we APPRECIATE that, and we EXPRESS that appreciation every single day.
So then Valentine’s Day comes along. Most people (or so my therapist tells me) don’t do these things regularly. So they take a day once a year to gush about their love for their mate. They buy a $4.00 card that says all the things that their mouths don’t say, so their love can save that card and remember that one special February 14th when it was so romantic and special, and their mate told them everything they wanted and needed to hear. They go out to dinner, get dressed up, take time away from the daily grind and earmark some special time with no kids, no cell phones, etc. In Honor of Valentine's Day.
But see, we do that every day. Our kids go to bed early, and we have a Netflix subscription (that is well-used). We watch movies or even past seasons from shows we love on DVD nearly every night. Even a night spent working in the barn is usually good fun, with lots of conversation, silliness and definitely togetherness. We don’t need to celebrate our togetherness on one special day. We are always aware of our bond, and we nurture it every day because we like to, In Honor of Us.
But what would happen if I didn’t get him a card today? They are all so lame, they just say what I always say—that I am thankful every day for him in my life, that I love him so much, and I can’t imagine life without him, I thank him for our beautiful children and the life we have together. But what would one think if a wife did not get her husband a card or present on this Sacred Day? What would one think if a husband did not buy his wife flowers on this Sacred Day? What would they think at my work, if everyone else got flowers and I did not? Trouble in Paradise? Did he forget? Oh, now he'll "owe" her a double-sized bouquet! He's sleeping on the couch for sure! Not that we have to do it for others, but it does get to be a little about keeping up with the Jones'.
It’s a strange situation, I know. So here’s to an anticlimactic Valentine’s Day. I hope yours is as good as mine, which will be fabulous-- as good as yesterday.
P.S. Updated at 11:40 am: I just got a beautiful bouquet of a dozen red roses. So now I feel like a dork. But I still don't know what I should get him!
Tuesday, February 13, 2007
Snow Day!
Today is a snow day, and rightly so. It's miserable out there! Windy, snowy, and cold. I can easily work from home, so I get the honor of staying home with the kids. I like snow days, as I can toss in a load of laundry, or get a few things done in between projects.
This morning when B and I were doing morning chores (bless his heart, he has started helping me since it has been so bitterly cold), the conversation went something like this:
B: It's so cold out here!! I can't imagine anything colder than standing out here filling buckets, other than ICE FISHING! Those people have to be NUTS to sit out there for hours! It's cold enough when you're doing something, but when you're just sitting there in the cold, it has to be downright frigid!
Me: You know, that's a good idea. When I was waiting for Precious to kid, I was so cold just because I was just sitting there. When I am working, I am not that cold, but just sitting there it was really bad. Maybe we should look for some ice fishing gear!? Do you suppose they make gear specific to ice fishing?
B: It's called beer. The miracle drug. It makes ugly people look sexy and cold people feel warm.
This morning when B and I were doing morning chores (bless his heart, he has started helping me since it has been so bitterly cold), the conversation went something like this:
B: It's so cold out here!! I can't imagine anything colder than standing out here filling buckets, other than ICE FISHING! Those people have to be NUTS to sit out there for hours! It's cold enough when you're doing something, but when you're just sitting there in the cold, it has to be downright frigid!
Me: You know, that's a good idea. When I was waiting for Precious to kid, I was so cold just because I was just sitting there. When I am working, I am not that cold, but just sitting there it was really bad. Maybe we should look for some ice fishing gear!? Do you suppose they make gear specific to ice fishing?
B: It's called beer. The miracle drug. It makes ugly people look sexy and cold people feel warm.
Monday, February 12, 2007
The Mother and Child Reunion
Did not go well.
Well, it did not go poorly, either, but it was not as touching as we had hoped.
We bundled the kids up yesterday in new sheepskin lined fleece coats, and took them out to the barn to see momma. It was 37, and plenty warm for them to be outside. B had to stop up all of the holes that the cats had dug in their efforts to forge a path to China (or outside of the barn). So it was late yesterday when we finally finished. We had hoped that the newly reunited family could spend a cozy evening together. We warmed up the kid house, bought them new coats to go visiting, and were ready for the magic to happen.
When we brought them out, they were very uninterested in their momma. She was interested in them, in a curious sort of way. She seemed curious about their smell and that they were so small. It was not a recognition interest in the least.
I tucked them on their knees under her belly and encouraged them to nurse, which they did. She stood still as long as she was eating, but after that had little patience in letting them nurse. When they lost the teat out of their mouths, they had no idea where to look to find it again. We left them out for sometime, and it did not help. She did eventually do a little head butting of them as they made a little ruckus. I don’t think she was threatened or angry with them, just mildly annoyed.
So, for the warm time being, we will bring them out with us in the afternoons and mornings to get a little drink from momma. We will not continue to milk her, as there seems to be no point in trying to continue feeding them her milk if they are nursing from her most times a day. It is a lot of work, and the milk dries up much faster than if the babies are nursing.
I would not say we have given up, but we have given up on it going smoothly and being instinctive to them. We’ll continue to encourage them, but not make plans that they will definitely get back together as a family anytime soon.
And so it goes.
Well, it did not go poorly, either, but it was not as touching as we had hoped.
We bundled the kids up yesterday in new sheepskin lined fleece coats, and took them out to the barn to see momma. It was 37, and plenty warm for them to be outside. B had to stop up all of the holes that the cats had dug in their efforts to forge a path to China (or outside of the barn). So it was late yesterday when we finally finished. We had hoped that the newly reunited family could spend a cozy evening together. We warmed up the kid house, bought them new coats to go visiting, and were ready for the magic to happen.
When we brought them out, they were very uninterested in their momma. She was interested in them, in a curious sort of way. She seemed curious about their smell and that they were so small. It was not a recognition interest in the least.
I tucked them on their knees under her belly and encouraged them to nurse, which they did. She stood still as long as she was eating, but after that had little patience in letting them nurse. When they lost the teat out of their mouths, they had no idea where to look to find it again. We left them out for sometime, and it did not help. She did eventually do a little head butting of them as they made a little ruckus. I don’t think she was threatened or angry with them, just mildly annoyed.
So, for the warm time being, we will bring them out with us in the afternoons and mornings to get a little drink from momma. We will not continue to milk her, as there seems to be no point in trying to continue feeding them her milk if they are nursing from her most times a day. It is a lot of work, and the milk dries up much faster than if the babies are nursing.
I would not say we have given up, but we have given up on it going smoothly and being instinctive to them. We’ll continue to encourage them, but not make plans that they will definitely get back together as a family anytime soon.
And so it goes.
Friday, February 09, 2007
Goat Milking 101
You wouldn’t think it would be that hard, and it’s not. It’s just like everything else: anyone can pretty much do it, but once you get it down to a science, you realize there is somewhat of an art to it. I have yet to find that art.
First, it’s colder than you can believe. One must have warm hands to milk effectively. However, after working at it for a while, your hands do warm up.
Second, one cannot milk a moving target. It’s necessary to have enough food for the animal to last as long as you need to milk her out. Some people put their goats on a milking stand, and we only have a fitting stand (holds the head so they can’t eat—milking stands allow the animal to eat). We are considering buying an additional piece to allow us to use our stand for both. So we milk in the stall, and hope I’m done before she is.
Third, you need a good milking stool, which I don’t have. I am using a low bucket of goat minerals. It hurts my knees and back to crouch over.
Fourth, you need a good collection vessel. We don’t have the requisite stainless steel milk bucket, but I am eyeing them on eBay. I am currently using my Pampered Chef Batter Bowl, which is big and heavy and glass, and also has a cover. Keeping the cats out is very difficult, let me tell you, so the lid comes in handy.
And the hardest part is actually milking her. A Boer goat’s teat is very tiny compared to a cow’s—maybe even smaller than my pinky finger. One’s hand does not grasp around the teat easily to squeeze it when it’s that small. So I struggle with the motion of milking her. I am getting better, and now can do both sides at once, but I still feel like I must be hurting her.
Typically she gives about a quart of milk at a time, twice a day. So she is doing well. Her babies drink more than that, but it’s all we can expect from her when her babies are not nursing directly. We supplement with milk replacer.
Hopefully we can get them back out to momma soon. If it would only warm up…
First, it’s colder than you can believe. One must have warm hands to milk effectively. However, after working at it for a while, your hands do warm up.
Second, one cannot milk a moving target. It’s necessary to have enough food for the animal to last as long as you need to milk her out. Some people put their goats on a milking stand, and we only have a fitting stand (holds the head so they can’t eat—milking stands allow the animal to eat). We are considering buying an additional piece to allow us to use our stand for both. So we milk in the stall, and hope I’m done before she is.
Third, you need a good milking stool, which I don’t have. I am using a low bucket of goat minerals. It hurts my knees and back to crouch over.
Fourth, you need a good collection vessel. We don’t have the requisite stainless steel milk bucket, but I am eyeing them on eBay. I am currently using my Pampered Chef Batter Bowl, which is big and heavy and glass, and also has a cover. Keeping the cats out is very difficult, let me tell you, so the lid comes in handy.
And the hardest part is actually milking her. A Boer goat’s teat is very tiny compared to a cow’s—maybe even smaller than my pinky finger. One’s hand does not grasp around the teat easily to squeeze it when it’s that small. So I struggle with the motion of milking her. I am getting better, and now can do both sides at once, but I still feel like I must be hurting her.
Typically she gives about a quart of milk at a time, twice a day. So she is doing well. Her babies drink more than that, but it’s all we can expect from her when her babies are not nursing directly. We supplement with milk replacer.
Hopefully we can get them back out to momma soon. If it would only warm up…
Thursday, February 08, 2007
Wallace and Wen-doe-lene
Here is a video of them scampering around in our mudroom. Yes, don't you love that tile?
More still photos:
More still photos:
Saturday, February 03, 2007
Current Conditions - Saturday, 8:00 am
Yeah, I'm just getting ready to go outside to do chores. I'm late, cuz I slept in, and cuz I knew the weather news was grim. Makes me want to just run right out there. Actually, that's exactly what I *WOULD* do (run), if there wasn't ice everywhere and I didn't risk breaking my neck. So it will be 45 minutes of cautious busy-ness...
Wish me luck.
Oh, I am editing this to add that I am blogging from my bed. The bed is nice and warm, as I have said before. I need to add, however, that we do not have heat in this old farmhouse bedroom. There are 4 bedrooms upstairs, and the two kids' rooms are the only ones with heat ducts. So the temperature in my room is a toasty 48 degrees. Now I know why folks used to wear caps to bed at night. I DON'T WANT TO GET UP!!!
Wish me luck.
Oh, I am editing this to add that I am blogging from my bed. The bed is nice and warm, as I have said before. I need to add, however, that we do not have heat in this old farmhouse bedroom. There are 4 bedrooms upstairs, and the two kids' rooms are the only ones with heat ducts. So the temperature in my room is a toasty 48 degrees. Now I know why folks used to wear caps to bed at night. I DON'T WANT TO GET UP!!!
Wednesday, January 31, 2007
The Blessed Event
Yes, it finally happened. It was one of those days, let me tell you…
Monday was Precious’ due date, but we were wishing the babies would have arrived on the weekend. We both had events that we couldn’t miss, and we were still having trouble accessing the cam away from home. It worked perfectly while we were at home. Go figure.
I rushed home after work, and saw that her udder was quite large, but thankfully, no babies yet. I milked a bit out of her, which also is a sign that babies are imminent. I knew from personal experience, though, that these things often take time. So I expected a middle-of-the-night delivery. I went inside and took it easy and dozed after supper. Of course, we had her on the cam loud and clear.
B woke me up about 12:30 to go to bed, and I couldn’t get to sleep, as she was bleating quite loudly with every labor pain. She was still in early labor, though. I finally decided I would do more good outside with her than inside in bed not sleeping, so I went out.
It was BITTERLY cold. I put on three pairs of pants, three shirts, two pair of socks (one wool), two coats, a scarf, hat, and my new thinsulate mittens. Then I found an old white comforter that could be bleached when done, and I took it out and wrapped myself in it. I was absolutely chilled to the bone. My feet were in intense pain from being so cold. But I remembered the pain of labor, and realized that Precious probably hurt more than I did. I finally brought my car to the barn so I could go out periodically and warm up. I must have fallen asleep about 5-5:30 am in the car, as when I woke up and went back into the barn, her water had broken. I expected to see pushing soon.
I did my chores, and came into the house to make sure that everyone was up and getting ready for school. They had no idea I had been up all night. In fact, B told me he had a dream that I told him she was kidding and I was going out to the barn. I told him it was no dream!!
I finally called my friend S and asked her when I could expect pushing. She said that the babies were likely not into the birth canal and were malpresented. I needed to go in with a glove, adjust the way they were presenting, and help her get them out.
WHAT?!! I had not signed up for this!! I know that complications happen, but the first time?! Why me?? She said that I should try it first and then call the vet if there were problems.
Time was of the essence, of course. However, not only did we need to get these kids born, but B and I both had to go to work. I had a conference call that I needed to be on, and an appointment to discuss some items with another colleague just before that. I needed to leave by 10:30 am.
So I took my OB glove and went in. I found the babies, and repositioned them, and she pushed them out. I was truly convinced that I had not acted fast enough and that they would be dead. To my tearful jubilation, they were both born healthy and very much alive! We dried them off and momma loved on them, but we ultimately had to take them into the house, as it was so incredibly cold. She missed them, but is doing fine, and happy to be free of that excess weight!
We have had to milk her and then bottle feed the babies, which is a lot of work (and very cold for us). But it is worth it. The babies are inside, in the mud room, in a dog kennel. We let them out when we feed them, and they are fun to play with and be around. They are absolutely adorable—hard to believe that they grow into such large livestock!
Pictures are below. And oh—no names yet!
Monday was Precious’ due date, but we were wishing the babies would have arrived on the weekend. We both had events that we couldn’t miss, and we were still having trouble accessing the cam away from home. It worked perfectly while we were at home. Go figure.
I rushed home after work, and saw that her udder was quite large, but thankfully, no babies yet. I milked a bit out of her, which also is a sign that babies are imminent. I knew from personal experience, though, that these things often take time. So I expected a middle-of-the-night delivery. I went inside and took it easy and dozed after supper. Of course, we had her on the cam loud and clear.
B woke me up about 12:30 to go to bed, and I couldn’t get to sleep, as she was bleating quite loudly with every labor pain. She was still in early labor, though. I finally decided I would do more good outside with her than inside in bed not sleeping, so I went out.
It was BITTERLY cold. I put on three pairs of pants, three shirts, two pair of socks (one wool), two coats, a scarf, hat, and my new thinsulate mittens. Then I found an old white comforter that could be bleached when done, and I took it out and wrapped myself in it. I was absolutely chilled to the bone. My feet were in intense pain from being so cold. But I remembered the pain of labor, and realized that Precious probably hurt more than I did. I finally brought my car to the barn so I could go out periodically and warm up. I must have fallen asleep about 5-5:30 am in the car, as when I woke up and went back into the barn, her water had broken. I expected to see pushing soon.
I did my chores, and came into the house to make sure that everyone was up and getting ready for school. They had no idea I had been up all night. In fact, B told me he had a dream that I told him she was kidding and I was going out to the barn. I told him it was no dream!!
I finally called my friend S and asked her when I could expect pushing. She said that the babies were likely not into the birth canal and were malpresented. I needed to go in with a glove, adjust the way they were presenting, and help her get them out.
WHAT?!! I had not signed up for this!! I know that complications happen, but the first time?! Why me?? She said that I should try it first and then call the vet if there were problems.
Time was of the essence, of course. However, not only did we need to get these kids born, but B and I both had to go to work. I had a conference call that I needed to be on, and an appointment to discuss some items with another colleague just before that. I needed to leave by 10:30 am.
So I took my OB glove and went in. I found the babies, and repositioned them, and she pushed them out. I was truly convinced that I had not acted fast enough and that they would be dead. To my tearful jubilation, they were both born healthy and very much alive! We dried them off and momma loved on them, but we ultimately had to take them into the house, as it was so incredibly cold. She missed them, but is doing fine, and happy to be free of that excess weight!
We have had to milk her and then bottle feed the babies, which is a lot of work (and very cold for us). But it is worth it. The babies are inside, in the mud room, in a dog kennel. We let them out when we feed them, and they are fun to play with and be around. They are absolutely adorable—hard to believe that they grow into such large livestock!
Pictures are below. And oh—no names yet!
Monday, January 29, 2007
BarnCam
Well... no babies yet.
And, given that life goes on (read: I have to work despite having babies due), we have set up a barncam. I mentioned it before, but I can't even tell you how consuming it has been. Firewalls, port forwarding, the direcway system, remote desktops, USB cams vs. IP cams, hard wired vs. wireless, antenna boosters, wireless repeaters-- all of this crap has consumed us for the past 2 weeks. All to make sure we don't miss the blessed event.
And, as is often the case with technology, when it works, it's awesome. When it fails, it's miserable. Unfortunately, it has failed more than it has succeeded. We strive for audio and video, since it's important to hear her as well as see her (especially if she moves off-cam). But if you have audio, your video can be unreliable, and vice-versa. When we are home, we can get it to work very well. At work-- where we need the most reliability-- it works not-so-well.
So, while we are at work, our solution is a streaming web cam, with no audio. At least we can see something.
Here is the link:
Our cam is "BarnCam"-- be sure to select the Friends and Family section, and then the Barn Cam from the dropdown link.
Sorry for the commercial nature of the feed-- it was all I could find. If you have a better solution, I will jump at it!!
Happy Monday. I have meetings all day today, so send Precious some good thoughts about holding onto those babies until at least late this afternoon.
Updated: Ugh, I see it's down now. See what I mean? And we're not there to reboot or anything...
And, given that life goes on (read: I have to work despite having babies due), we have set up a barncam. I mentioned it before, but I can't even tell you how consuming it has been. Firewalls, port forwarding, the direcway system, remote desktops, USB cams vs. IP cams, hard wired vs. wireless, antenna boosters, wireless repeaters-- all of this crap has consumed us for the past 2 weeks. All to make sure we don't miss the blessed event.
And, as is often the case with technology, when it works, it's awesome. When it fails, it's miserable. Unfortunately, it has failed more than it has succeeded. We strive for audio and video, since it's important to hear her as well as see her (especially if she moves off-cam). But if you have audio, your video can be unreliable, and vice-versa. When we are home, we can get it to work very well. At work-- where we need the most reliability-- it works not-so-well.
So, while we are at work, our solution is a streaming web cam, with no audio. At least we can see something.
Here is the link:
Our cam is "BarnCam"-- be sure to select the Friends and Family section, and then the Barn Cam from the dropdown link.
Sorry for the commercial nature of the feed-- it was all I could find. If you have a better solution, I will jump at it!!
Happy Monday. I have meetings all day today, so send Precious some good thoughts about holding onto those babies until at least late this afternoon.
Updated: Ugh, I see it's down now. See what I mean? And we're not there to reboot or anything...
Friday, January 26, 2007
I Kid, I Kid!
Actually, I am not kidding. But we do have a goat that is about to kid any day! I did not mention that we have two new girls, Precious and Tango. We now have three that are going to kid this spring, as Cindi is bred as well. Precious' due date is Saturday, and Cindi's is March 4. Tango has been ultrasounded, and is pregnant with twins, but nobody saw her being bred, so her due date is unknown. By looking at all of the goats, I would say that the date is somewhere between the two, maybe mid-February.
So, given the concern for being with the girls while they kid, we have been focusing the efforts during our scarce free time into crafting a barn cam. It would be very helpful for me to be able to view the cam while at work, so that I can keep tabs on them and come home if needed. It's also a long way to the barn when it's 10:30, freezing cold outside, and you're in your pajamas. Or 1:30 am and you wake up in a cold sweat just KNOWING she needs you out there, but you really don't want to leave the comfort of your bed.
Our barn cam is experiencing HUGE issues, however. First there is the issue of the metal barn. Then there was the connectivity between the barn and the wireless router in the house. Now we are having problems with me being able to view streaming video while at work. It's one thing after another. However last night we were able to keep a stable video connection between the barn and the house all night. We all slept like babies, Precious and Tango in plain view (and plain voice!) on my nightstand.
Again, I am concerned becuase I am at work today, unable to view them. But if we can just make it a few more hours, then we have the whole weekend... Keep your fingers crossed for me!
So, given the concern for being with the girls while they kid, we have been focusing the efforts during our scarce free time into crafting a barn cam. It would be very helpful for me to be able to view the cam while at work, so that I can keep tabs on them and come home if needed. It's also a long way to the barn when it's 10:30, freezing cold outside, and you're in your pajamas. Or 1:30 am and you wake up in a cold sweat just KNOWING she needs you out there, but you really don't want to leave the comfort of your bed.
Our barn cam is experiencing HUGE issues, however. First there is the issue of the metal barn. Then there was the connectivity between the barn and the wireless router in the house. Now we are having problems with me being able to view streaming video while at work. It's one thing after another. However last night we were able to keep a stable video connection between the barn and the house all night. We all slept like babies, Precious and Tango in plain view (and plain voice!) on my nightstand.
Again, I am concerned becuase I am at work today, unable to view them. But if we can just make it a few more hours, then we have the whole weekend... Keep your fingers crossed for me!
Thursday, January 25, 2007
My Teeny College Made the News
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070125/ap_en_tv/people_colbert
People can be so petty. But it was cool to open Yahoo news and see my alma mater.
People can be so petty. But it was cool to open Yahoo news and see my alma mater.
Sunday, January 21, 2007
Saturday Morning
I haven't taken photos in forever. Friday night and into Saturday morning, the area was blanketed in a heavy fog. When the sun came up yesterday, we were treated to a beautiful sight! I couldn't resist even the nasty cold-- I dusted off my camera and headed out. Hope you enjoy.
Friday, January 19, 2007
The Transformation
This is the living room of our house, taken from the dining room. This picture was taken before we bought it. We had a vision, which was clearly different than the shag carpeting, light-blocking curtains and dark walls.
In the second photo, we have stripped the paneling off of the walls, removed most of the wallpaper underneath, and took up the carpeting. Even though it's not finished in this picture, you can see the transformation in the room just from lightening up the environment. Also, in the first picture, the "archway" was all framed in-- a surprise to us when we removed the paneling.
We stripped the walls, patched and painted them. We're now ready for trim and ceiling tiles. They had put foam 1 x 1' square sound-absorbing tiles up, and we are going to replace them with a tin pattern ceiling. Someday. When we get more time...
Same room, different angle. Isn't it so much better?
In the second photo, we have stripped the paneling off of the walls, removed most of the wallpaper underneath, and took up the carpeting. Even though it's not finished in this picture, you can see the transformation in the room just from lightening up the environment. Also, in the first picture, the "archway" was all framed in-- a surprise to us when we removed the paneling.
We stripped the walls, patched and painted them. We're now ready for trim and ceiling tiles. They had put foam 1 x 1' square sound-absorbing tiles up, and we are going to replace them with a tin pattern ceiling. Someday. When we get more time...
Same room, different angle. Isn't it so much better?
Thursday, January 18, 2007
My parents should have named me Frank.
Because I am. It’s just the way I am.
So, I will be frank with you. (Spoken like I have never been frank before in my blog.)
I have not blogged about anything recently, as I have been intentionally avoiding the “elephant in the corner” as we affectionately refer to the term at work. It’s that thing that that is looming there, that everyone wants to know about but nobody wants to ask about. This elephant, in this food lady’s life, is her fragile mental health. How is my mental health these days? Am I hanging out in the rubber room? Curled up in the fetal position on my living room floor?
Well, my motto has always been “Better Living Through Chemistry” and this situation is no exception. Lexapro is my miracle drug of choice, and with the exception of a few speed bumps along the way, it has been a miracle.
I have a friend at work who battles his own demons, and he has said to me, “You need a heaping spoonful of ‘I don’t give a shit.’” And he’s right. However, I seem to have a cup full at the moment. Remember my posts about feeling guilt for not doing laundry? Or dishes? Well, there is guilt no more! But now I struggle with the need for some sort of motivation. I struggle with it at home and at work. I am very motivated with the animals, however. I am happy that I continue to honor my commitment to them as an “animal husband.” But the laundry? It’s not done.
B says that’s fine. He likes it much better this way. Let me tell you a funny story:
I had Christmas Day dinner planned out. My inner Martha Stewart was somewhat shut down by the drugs, and I had decided that I’d do a spiral glazed ham in the crock pot, put some veggies and potatoes in the oven, and then we’d just eat off of that all day. It would be a NICE dinner, but not a formal dinner. And there would be minimal work for me.
But the trouble started on Christmas Eve, when my Lexapro self decided that I couldn’t be bothered with the prep work. The inner Martha could not win that battle. I went to bed without the pumpkin pie or pineapple upside down cake being made. Martha was placated by Lex’s assurance that I would get up early and get it all done before 9 am. I mean, the kids will not let us sleep very late on CHRISTMAS, right?? Wrong.
Martha, Lex, B, the kids and I all woke up at 9 am. I am surprised that Martha slept that late. She is usually up at 5:30, banging around in the kitchen, trying to guilt everyone else into getting up and helping. But Lex drugged her into sleep. And we all slept well! We opened our prezzies, and I went to the barn, and it was all good. I came back, and snuggled under the quilt on the couch, and the sun was streaming in, and the cats surrounded me and…
I WOKE UP AT 2:30!!! And nobody had made anything; there was nothing in the house to eat (except the uncooked Christmas dinner and a few leftovers that were not enough to feed a ravenous household!). B suggested the grocery store, but Martha reminded him in her infinite wisdom that the grocery store was closed on Christmas day. Lex told him to go to the gas station and see what he could rustle up.
AND MARTHA WAS QUIET!!! She was drugged in to submission, and Lex seemed pleased that her family was so well fed WITH SLIDERS ON CHRISTMAS DAY !! What did BABY JESUS think when he looked down and realized that LEX LOVED HIM SO MUCH SHE CELEBRATED HIS BIRTH BY SERVING HER FAMILY WHITE CASTLE SLIDERS???!!! FROZEN ONES THAT WERE REHEATED IN THE MICROWAVE!!
Martha was secretly pleased when the kids remarked, “Mom, these are the nastiest burgers I have ever tasted! Can I please have that extra sub sandwich that dad got?”
Strengthened by this, Martha rallied the troops and enlisted help from everyone, to whip up the meal that had been planned! The boy made the pumpkin pie while Martha made the crust and barked orders at the crew. Thankfully Lex tempered the Martha dictator, and the atmosphere was one of camaraderie. Baby Jesus would be proud of THIS. We had the meal done by 7:30 pm, and ate our fill that day, and had ham for dinner for a week after that.
Later, when Martha begged forgiveness from B for being under the influence of Lex, B said he loved her multiple personalities with Lex in the mix. Martha asked him if he wanted to boot Lex out of her life, and while he said, ‘It’s up to you, Dear” she really heard the truth in his voice: ‘If you ever go off of this medication, I will run screaming for the hills never to be heard from again. Never, EVER miss a pill.” And I think he really means that, White Castle for Christmas dinner and all.
So, bear with me and my cup full of I don’t give a shit. It’s not that I don’t, I really care about things. But other things just get in the way…
Truthfully, and kidding aside, part of the titration is to get through the part where you are feeling somewhat numb. My first reaction to the medication was that I did not like how it took away all of the good feelings with the bad. My emotions were spiking up and down, and I liked the ups. I never even considered that the medicine would shave the peaks off of the good and the valleys off the bad moods. Fortunately, the peaks have come back, and the valleys have stayed away, except when appropriate. This has been a good thing for me. But I continue to have motivation problems. It’s the old, “spirit is willing but the flesh is weak” line. Last night I really intended to get some extra work done that I had brought home. Yeah, and B woke me up at midnight to go to bed. My laptop was still open. I had fallen asleep waiting for a remote document to load. I had every intention to stay awake, but…
Okay, you get the picture. The gist is this: I know you are all used to Martha with the stick up her butt. But please, be patient with Lex, and get to know her. She’s totally laid back and cool (when she’s not sleeping). And she’s REALLY, really good for Martha.
So, I will be frank with you. (Spoken like I have never been frank before in my blog.)
I have not blogged about anything recently, as I have been intentionally avoiding the “elephant in the corner” as we affectionately refer to the term at work. It’s that thing that that is looming there, that everyone wants to know about but nobody wants to ask about. This elephant, in this food lady’s life, is her fragile mental health. How is my mental health these days? Am I hanging out in the rubber room? Curled up in the fetal position on my living room floor?
Well, my motto has always been “Better Living Through Chemistry” and this situation is no exception. Lexapro is my miracle drug of choice, and with the exception of a few speed bumps along the way, it has been a miracle.
I have a friend at work who battles his own demons, and he has said to me, “You need a heaping spoonful of ‘I don’t give a shit.’” And he’s right. However, I seem to have a cup full at the moment. Remember my posts about feeling guilt for not doing laundry? Or dishes? Well, there is guilt no more! But now I struggle with the need for some sort of motivation. I struggle with it at home and at work. I am very motivated with the animals, however. I am happy that I continue to honor my commitment to them as an “animal husband.” But the laundry? It’s not done.
B says that’s fine. He likes it much better this way. Let me tell you a funny story:
I had Christmas Day dinner planned out. My inner Martha Stewart was somewhat shut down by the drugs, and I had decided that I’d do a spiral glazed ham in the crock pot, put some veggies and potatoes in the oven, and then we’d just eat off of that all day. It would be a NICE dinner, but not a formal dinner. And there would be minimal work for me.
But the trouble started on Christmas Eve, when my Lexapro self decided that I couldn’t be bothered with the prep work. The inner Martha could not win that battle. I went to bed without the pumpkin pie or pineapple upside down cake being made. Martha was placated by Lex’s assurance that I would get up early and get it all done before 9 am. I mean, the kids will not let us sleep very late on CHRISTMAS, right?? Wrong.
Martha, Lex, B, the kids and I all woke up at 9 am. I am surprised that Martha slept that late. She is usually up at 5:30, banging around in the kitchen, trying to guilt everyone else into getting up and helping. But Lex drugged her into sleep. And we all slept well! We opened our prezzies, and I went to the barn, and it was all good. I came back, and snuggled under the quilt on the couch, and the sun was streaming in, and the cats surrounded me and…
I WOKE UP AT 2:30!!! And nobody had made anything; there was nothing in the house to eat (except the uncooked Christmas dinner and a few leftovers that were not enough to feed a ravenous household!). B suggested the grocery store, but Martha reminded him in her infinite wisdom that the grocery store was closed on Christmas day. Lex told him to go to the gas station and see what he could rustle up.
AND MARTHA WAS QUIET!!! She was drugged in to submission, and Lex seemed pleased that her family was so well fed WITH SLIDERS ON CHRISTMAS DAY !! What did BABY JESUS think when he looked down and realized that LEX LOVED HIM SO MUCH SHE CELEBRATED HIS BIRTH BY SERVING HER FAMILY WHITE CASTLE SLIDERS???!!! FROZEN ONES THAT WERE REHEATED IN THE MICROWAVE!!
Martha was secretly pleased when the kids remarked, “Mom, these are the nastiest burgers I have ever tasted! Can I please have that extra sub sandwich that dad got?”
Strengthened by this, Martha rallied the troops and enlisted help from everyone, to whip up the meal that had been planned! The boy made the pumpkin pie while Martha made the crust and barked orders at the crew. Thankfully Lex tempered the Martha dictator, and the atmosphere was one of camaraderie. Baby Jesus would be proud of THIS. We had the meal done by 7:30 pm, and ate our fill that day, and had ham for dinner for a week after that.
Later, when Martha begged forgiveness from B for being under the influence of Lex, B said he loved her multiple personalities with Lex in the mix. Martha asked him if he wanted to boot Lex out of her life, and while he said, ‘It’s up to you, Dear” she really heard the truth in his voice: ‘If you ever go off of this medication, I will run screaming for the hills never to be heard from again. Never, EVER miss a pill.” And I think he really means that, White Castle for Christmas dinner and all.
So, bear with me and my cup full of I don’t give a shit. It’s not that I don’t, I really care about things. But other things just get in the way…
Truthfully, and kidding aside, part of the titration is to get through the part where you are feeling somewhat numb. My first reaction to the medication was that I did not like how it took away all of the good feelings with the bad. My emotions were spiking up and down, and I liked the ups. I never even considered that the medicine would shave the peaks off of the good and the valleys off the bad moods. Fortunately, the peaks have come back, and the valleys have stayed away, except when appropriate. This has been a good thing for me. But I continue to have motivation problems. It’s the old, “spirit is willing but the flesh is weak” line. Last night I really intended to get some extra work done that I had brought home. Yeah, and B woke me up at midnight to go to bed. My laptop was still open. I had fallen asleep waiting for a remote document to load. I had every intention to stay awake, but…
Okay, you get the picture. The gist is this: I know you are all used to Martha with the stick up her butt. But please, be patient with Lex, and get to know her. She’s totally laid back and cool (when she’s not sleeping). And she’s REALLY, really good for Martha.
Tuesday, December 26, 2006
Monday, December 18, 2006
Jumping to Contusions
Saturday night B and I went out to feed the animals. I had gone to a meeting, so when we went out it was later than usual. I fed as I always do, and stopped a minute to pet Major as he ate. I must have startled him or made him think that in some way I was going to take his food, but he instantly lunged at me and bit me in the upper arm. It was an extremely hard impact, it happened so fast and suddenly that I had no idea what happened until took a couple of seconds to replay it all in my head. He bit me straight through my coat, and while he did not break the skin, I can't imagine what he would have done had I not been wearing a coat. Or if he would have bitten my face. He did not mean to do it in that way, he has never been aggressive to me, other than nipping for attention or stamping out of anger. He has been relegated to low horse on the totem pole in the pasture, and I am sure he was instinctively potecting his food from a horse-- he just assumed that it was another horse coming up next to him.
Too bad.
it HURTS!
Too bad.
it HURTS!
Thursday, December 14, 2006
Just another day in paradise...
Last week when B was sick, we pretty much spent the day in bed, ala John and Yoko. B slept, and I kept vigil with the thermometer and extra quilts, but I had my laptop with me and got some mundane data entry done.
I also mentioned that the cats were there (most of the day), all three piled on the bed with their thermal support, and the dogs were sleeping on the floor, surely adding a degree or two to the ambient temperature.
The kids were downstairs watching a movie, I heard a frantic shriek, “Mom! Bub’s got a mouse!” She is the resident mouser, while the other two cats jump on chairs and quiver when they see one of the rodents. In a vain attempt to get the mouse away from her (we are happy to have her kill them, but prefer she doesn’t eat them), the kids chased her upstairs with her kill—that wasn’t completely killed. She ran into our bedroom and under the bed, and promptly let the catch go. She wanted to play with it some more!
I chastised her and told her I would really REALLY like her to find that mouse sometime before bedtime, as I would prefer not to wake up with Mickey on my pillow! She set to work trying to find it, and she did just that. However, when I tried to get it away from her, she jumped up on my bed and let it go in my bed!!
Yes, that was creepy.
At that point, I put all phobias aside and threw the covers back, grabbed the (still very much alive) mouse by the tail, and took it outside.
I’m trying very hard to shed my suburban image. Is it working?
I also mentioned that the cats were there (most of the day), all three piled on the bed with their thermal support, and the dogs were sleeping on the floor, surely adding a degree or two to the ambient temperature.
The kids were downstairs watching a movie, I heard a frantic shriek, “Mom! Bub’s got a mouse!” She is the resident mouser, while the other two cats jump on chairs and quiver when they see one of the rodents. In a vain attempt to get the mouse away from her (we are happy to have her kill them, but prefer she doesn’t eat them), the kids chased her upstairs with her kill—that wasn’t completely killed. She ran into our bedroom and under the bed, and promptly let the catch go. She wanted to play with it some more!
I chastised her and told her I would really REALLY like her to find that mouse sometime before bedtime, as I would prefer not to wake up with Mickey on my pillow! She set to work trying to find it, and she did just that. However, when I tried to get it away from her, she jumped up on my bed and let it go in my bed!!
Yes, that was creepy.
At that point, I put all phobias aside and threw the covers back, grabbed the (still very much alive) mouse by the tail, and took it outside.
I’m trying very hard to shed my suburban image. Is it working?
Wednesday, December 13, 2006
Renegade!
About two weeks ago B had to work late. We chatted on the way home via cell phone, of course, and he was just about home when he exclaimed, “Holy shit, there is a cow in the road!” It was a black cow, and given that it was dark, although we live in the country, the animal suddenly appearing in front of his rapidly moving automobile was somewhat of a shock to him.
We had an idea who owned the cow, and that person does not actually live on the premesis. He does have tenants who live in the house on the land, and B knocked on the door and told the tenant. The tenant said that he did, in fact, know that the cow had escaped, as it was a “jumper.” I had seen the cow jump before, or at least one of the cattle, as I drove by and stopped to tell the tenant at the time (not the same tenant).
So, the next morning I was doing chores at 5:30 am, it was still pitch black outside, and I was checking the waterer to make sure it had not frozen over. All of the animals were still inside munching on breakfast, and I heard a noise on the east side of the barn, near the manure pile. It sounded larger than a cat, and it occurred to me that it could be a deer. I happened to have a flashlight in-hand, and shined it toward the noise. I saw two large, glowing eyes staring back at me, framed by two sets of eartags. It was the renegade cow! She had come quite a distance, maybe a mile. I went around the fence to where she was, shooing her toward home, when suddenly the flashlight’s battery died! There I was, dead flashlight in-hand, in the middle of my yard, so dark I couldn’t see my hand in front of my face. I could hear the cow, as she wandered off in the wrong direction—going deeper into our property. It was all I could do to stumble back in the general direction of the house and get ready for work.
A few days later M was home from school sick. I stayed with her, and decided to finish up some chores that afternoon. I was standing at the kitchen sink doing dishes (we don’t have a dishwasher) when I saw old Boss just wander up the driveway, like she was coming for her scheduled 4:00 pm visit! It was just one of those “this could only be happening to me” moments. Have you ever had a cow come visiting? Walk up your driveway when you were just doing the dishes? Strange, eh?
When the bus dropped L off a few minutes later, I said, “Hey, there is a cow in our yard, back in the back. Let’s go try and shoo her back home.” He went out with me, and she would not be deterred. She wanted nothing to do with us, but wouldn’t go in the direction we wanted her to go. When we cornered her, she ended up jumping a fence (should not have been a surprise to us) but toward the inside of the property, not toward her home. L intelligently pointed out that we should just leave her, as she would go where she wanted with her ability to jump.
The next morning she was still there. It was a Saturday, and I figured that I should get her home, lest the farmer think I was attempting to steal his cow. So I opened the gate, and chased her out. She was reluctant to leave once she was in the open yard, so I had to shoo her all the way down the driveway and out to the road, where she moseyed on home. I heard someone drive along and honk at her, too, so I know she was just carrying on back the way she came.
Fortunately, it was in the day, so she was not creating a traffic hazard as she was when Bill first saw her on the road.
The next night, the farmer gathered up all of his cows and took them away. He rotates his pastures over the winter, so it was not unexpected. But it was a good thing she got home in time.
We had an idea who owned the cow, and that person does not actually live on the premesis. He does have tenants who live in the house on the land, and B knocked on the door and told the tenant. The tenant said that he did, in fact, know that the cow had escaped, as it was a “jumper.” I had seen the cow jump before, or at least one of the cattle, as I drove by and stopped to tell the tenant at the time (not the same tenant).
So, the next morning I was doing chores at 5:30 am, it was still pitch black outside, and I was checking the waterer to make sure it had not frozen over. All of the animals were still inside munching on breakfast, and I heard a noise on the east side of the barn, near the manure pile. It sounded larger than a cat, and it occurred to me that it could be a deer. I happened to have a flashlight in-hand, and shined it toward the noise. I saw two large, glowing eyes staring back at me, framed by two sets of eartags. It was the renegade cow! She had come quite a distance, maybe a mile. I went around the fence to where she was, shooing her toward home, when suddenly the flashlight’s battery died! There I was, dead flashlight in-hand, in the middle of my yard, so dark I couldn’t see my hand in front of my face. I could hear the cow, as she wandered off in the wrong direction—going deeper into our property. It was all I could do to stumble back in the general direction of the house and get ready for work.
A few days later M was home from school sick. I stayed with her, and decided to finish up some chores that afternoon. I was standing at the kitchen sink doing dishes (we don’t have a dishwasher) when I saw old Boss just wander up the driveway, like she was coming for her scheduled 4:00 pm visit! It was just one of those “this could only be happening to me” moments. Have you ever had a cow come visiting? Walk up your driveway when you were just doing the dishes? Strange, eh?
When the bus dropped L off a few minutes later, I said, “Hey, there is a cow in our yard, back in the back. Let’s go try and shoo her back home.” He went out with me, and she would not be deterred. She wanted nothing to do with us, but wouldn’t go in the direction we wanted her to go. When we cornered her, she ended up jumping a fence (should not have been a surprise to us) but toward the inside of the property, not toward her home. L intelligently pointed out that we should just leave her, as she would go where she wanted with her ability to jump.
The next morning she was still there. It was a Saturday, and I figured that I should get her home, lest the farmer think I was attempting to steal his cow. So I opened the gate, and chased her out. She was reluctant to leave once she was in the open yard, so I had to shoo her all the way down the driveway and out to the road, where she moseyed on home. I heard someone drive along and honk at her, too, so I know she was just carrying on back the way she came.
Fortunately, it was in the day, so she was not creating a traffic hazard as she was when Bill first saw her on the road.
The next night, the farmer gathered up all of his cows and took them away. He rotates his pastures over the winter, so it was not unexpected. But it was a good thing she got home in time.
Tuesday, December 12, 2006
Gift Idea...
Give the gift of goats!
This is an amazing organization. At some point, when our farm is turning a profit, I would like to donate some of our profits to this organization. This year we can consider it from our family to other families.
Just think of the headlines, "Goats Bring World Peace and Prosperity!"
This is an amazing organization. At some point, when our farm is turning a profit, I would like to donate some of our profits to this organization. This year we can consider it from our family to other families.
Just think of the headlines, "Goats Bring World Peace and Prosperity!"
Monday, December 11, 2006
My most requested Christmastime recipe...
Even the folks at work are clamoring for it!
Oreo Cookie Truffles
1 (550g) bag Oreo cookies
1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, at room temp
2 cups milk chocolate chips
Crush the oreo cookies in a food processor, half of the bag at a time, until fine crumbs. Mix the softened cream cheese with the crushed cookies until completely mixed together with no white streaks from the cream cheese. (If you have a stand mixer, this process is painless.) Roll into half inch balls and place on a foil lined cookie sheet. Freeze (or at least refrigerate) for 30 minutes. Dip in melted chocolate. Try not to eat them all before you finish the batch...
Sometimes I alternate with coating them with white chocolate and milk chocolate, for a variety. The chocolate center does show through the white chocolate, though, so make sure you're okay with that. You can also drizzle the milk chocolate onto the white chocolate cookies, and white chocolate onto the milk chocolate cookies. It looks cool and professional that way.
Almond bark is easy to work with, but I don't think it tastes as good as the real thing. It does provide a nice crunchy outer chocolate coating, though.
Okay, now I'm hungry.
Oreo Cookie Truffles
1 (550g) bag Oreo cookies
1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, at room temp
2 cups milk chocolate chips
Crush the oreo cookies in a food processor, half of the bag at a time, until fine crumbs. Mix the softened cream cheese with the crushed cookies until completely mixed together with no white streaks from the cream cheese. (If you have a stand mixer, this process is painless.) Roll into half inch balls and place on a foil lined cookie sheet. Freeze (or at least refrigerate) for 30 minutes. Dip in melted chocolate. Try not to eat them all before you finish the batch...
Sometimes I alternate with coating them with white chocolate and milk chocolate, for a variety. The chocolate center does show through the white chocolate, though, so make sure you're okay with that. You can also drizzle the milk chocolate onto the white chocolate cookies, and white chocolate onto the milk chocolate cookies. It looks cool and professional that way.
Almond bark is easy to work with, but I don't think it tastes as good as the real thing. It does provide a nice crunchy outer chocolate coating, though.
Okay, now I'm hungry.
Sunday, December 10, 2006
What Movie is Your Christmas Most Like?
Your Christmas is Most Like: A Charlie Brown Christmas |
 Each year, you really get into the spirit of Christmas. Which is much more important to you than nifty presents. |
Saturday, December 09, 2006
News from the farm...
Check this out:
That means we'll have spring kids!! And it also means that Wolfgang can do his job. While it seems kind of silly, when your buck is not proven, it's a gamble to spend the money on him.
But all is well...
Celebrate! We are!
That means we'll have spring kids!! And it also means that Wolfgang can do his job. While it seems kind of silly, when your buck is not proven, it's a gamble to spend the money on him.
But all is well...
Celebrate! We are!
Sunday, December 03, 2006
Rut Defined
rut [ruht] noun, verb, rut·ted, rut·ting
is a general term that refers to the breeding period of mammals. During the rut, males exhibit specific behaviors to establish harems or to attract females to mate with.
Before Rut:
During Rut:
Notice the legs full of pee, the beard all matted and also full of his fresh scent. He really stinks as bad as he looks. But we love him. : )
Before Rut:
During Rut:
Notice the legs full of pee, the beard all matted and also full of his fresh scent. He really stinks as bad as he looks. But we love him. : )
Blogging from Bed
No, it's not a kinky sex thing, or a John and Yoko thing (though that might be kind of fun and stress-relieving)-- we are sick with some sort of stomach virus. Ugh.
It started early Friday morning, like about 2:45, when I heard M's voice say, "Mom, I got sick in my bed." I can't illustrate enough how I hate those words. First of all, I abhor being awakened in the night. I am just selfish, I guess, or maybe I feel like my years of having babies young enough to wake up multiple times in the night are over. I really don't know the reason, but I am cranky, sometimes downright mean. Especially when it's like 30 minutes before my alarm is supposed to go off... Secondly, when there is a mess involved-- like, "Okay, get up in the night now, and be at your best, and make snap decisions, and hop to it!" No.Thank.You. I will just go back to sleep and pretend your telling me that you projectile vomited all over numerous items in your room was just a nightmare. Sleep well, love.
Alas, it was not a dream, but yes, it was quite a nightmare. She is a horrible patient, she should have been born a man. (And for the record, the men in my house are great patients. : ))
All Friday I stayed home and listened to her moan about her aching body, prepared various food items in a vain attempt to see what she could keep down, shared the couch with her, even though she was hogging the entire space... It's a mom's job, right?
L came home that afternoon and told us that 50 kids on the 3rd floor of their school (I would estimate that that's approximately 150 kids) were out sick with this virus, as well as numerous teachers. So it's a community effort.
Saturday things were a little better, though she was cranky and certainly not completely well. B had a project at work to get done, and was not home until nearly 4:00. Shortly after arriving home, he felt sick. Yep, you guessed it, it was all downhill from there. We spent the vast majority of the night with the light on while he practiced his aim into the bowl.
And now, I am blogging from bed, as I do everything in my power not to get sick, and also to take care of B. He has a fever, and is very cold. It doesn't help that the current temperature in our room is 58! We have some great quilts, though, and the three cats and two dogs are crowded around to offer their heat as well.
L and I are just counting down the hours until the inevitable. We keep asking ourselves if we feel sick, and we always say, "A little." We're just waiting... Hopefully by that time, B and M will be well enough to take care of us.
It started early Friday morning, like about 2:45, when I heard M's voice say, "Mom, I got sick in my bed." I can't illustrate enough how I hate those words. First of all, I abhor being awakened in the night. I am just selfish, I guess, or maybe I feel like my years of having babies young enough to wake up multiple times in the night are over. I really don't know the reason, but I am cranky, sometimes downright mean. Especially when it's like 30 minutes before my alarm is supposed to go off... Secondly, when there is a mess involved-- like, "Okay, get up in the night now, and be at your best, and make snap decisions, and hop to it!" No.Thank.You. I will just go back to sleep and pretend your telling me that you projectile vomited all over numerous items in your room was just a nightmare. Sleep well, love.
Alas, it was not a dream, but yes, it was quite a nightmare. She is a horrible patient, she should have been born a man. (And for the record, the men in my house are great patients. : ))
All Friday I stayed home and listened to her moan about her aching body, prepared various food items in a vain attempt to see what she could keep down, shared the couch with her, even though she was hogging the entire space... It's a mom's job, right?
L came home that afternoon and told us that 50 kids on the 3rd floor of their school (I would estimate that that's approximately 150 kids) were out sick with this virus, as well as numerous teachers. So it's a community effort.
Saturday things were a little better, though she was cranky and certainly not completely well. B had a project at work to get done, and was not home until nearly 4:00. Shortly after arriving home, he felt sick. Yep, you guessed it, it was all downhill from there. We spent the vast majority of the night with the light on while he practiced his aim into the bowl.
And now, I am blogging from bed, as I do everything in my power not to get sick, and also to take care of B. He has a fever, and is very cold. It doesn't help that the current temperature in our room is 58! We have some great quilts, though, and the three cats and two dogs are crowded around to offer their heat as well.
L and I are just counting down the hours until the inevitable. We keep asking ourselves if we feel sick, and we always say, "A little." We're just waiting... Hopefully by that time, B and M will be well enough to take care of us.
Monday, November 27, 2006
Appropriate Attire
After a wonderfully thankful Thanksgiving day, spent with great friends and our darling goddaughter, we spent Friday and Saturday doing nothing. Absolutely NOTHING. Watching TV, playing games on the computer, eating, just vegging out. It felt SO good.
But yesterday we saw the forecast: our 55 degree days will be ending soon—and abruptly. Our barn needs to be winterproofed asap, and cleaned, too. So yesterday we spent the day cleaning and doing some minor maintenance to the barn. B and I shoveled all kinds of crap into the back of the pickup truck—an entire bed full—and moved it to the manure pile. Our neighbor’s horses that we are keeping (temporarily) seem to go more than Major does. And he is so tidy, where they are slobs.
In any case, I realized that the local farm store closed at 3:00, and if I wanted to get any wood shavings for bedding, I would need to get there before that time. L and I decided to go. I contemplated freshening up, but I was just going to go in the FARM store. So it would be appropriate to be wearing bib overalls, a t-shirt, my work boots, and a baseball cap thrown over my scary hair. Right?
I was not expecting that the woman behind the counter would ridicule me for my outfit! She said to me, “Did you not look at yourself in the mirror when you put those clothes on today?” She also told me that she wished she had a camera…
Sheesh, you’d think one could go to town and shop at the farm store looking like a farmer without being ridiculed for looking like such.
Next time I will don a work suit and show up in my patent leather pumps.
But yesterday we saw the forecast: our 55 degree days will be ending soon—and abruptly. Our barn needs to be winterproofed asap, and cleaned, too. So yesterday we spent the day cleaning and doing some minor maintenance to the barn. B and I shoveled all kinds of crap into the back of the pickup truck—an entire bed full—and moved it to the manure pile. Our neighbor’s horses that we are keeping (temporarily) seem to go more than Major does. And he is so tidy, where they are slobs.
In any case, I realized that the local farm store closed at 3:00, and if I wanted to get any wood shavings for bedding, I would need to get there before that time. L and I decided to go. I contemplated freshening up, but I was just going to go in the FARM store. So it would be appropriate to be wearing bib overalls, a t-shirt, my work boots, and a baseball cap thrown over my scary hair. Right?
I was not expecting that the woman behind the counter would ridicule me for my outfit! She said to me, “Did you not look at yourself in the mirror when you put those clothes on today?” She also told me that she wished she had a camera…
Sheesh, you’d think one could go to town and shop at the farm store looking like a farmer without being ridiculed for looking like such.
Next time I will don a work suit and show up in my patent leather pumps.
Tuesday, November 21, 2006
Ernie Calling!
No, this isn't Ernie calling. But I got this new phone, and I was trying to assign ringtones to some of the numbers that call frequently. Thinking that a "baaing" sound would be appropriate for a phone call coming from home, I searched for "baa ringtone" and came up with this crazy site. You should visit the URL when you are finished watching the little video. It's a hoot.
Yes, it's sheep, but it's a baa, and it's hilarious. I need to make one of these videos of the goats at my house.
Hope you at least smiled!
Yes, it's sheep, but it's a baa, and it's hilarious. I need to make one of these videos of the goats at my house.
Hope you at least smiled!
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