This week, we DO NOT have funny goats. We have super naughty, going to ship or butcher goats.
We've been setting up an electric net fence around the yard and moving them to it every day and back to their permanent fence at night. It's amazing what a shake of corn can lead those guys to. Until this week, when they decided that "heck with that awesome patch of brush and bushes and tall grass that she weed-whacked around for us - let's go for her burning bush, and her lily trees, and the asparagus patch"
Why did I let them go to all these places?
I didn't, they have now learned to resist the siren's call of the corn shaking in the feed bucket and madness and mayhem have resulted in goats all over the blasted yard - 7 of them in 7 different directions.
They are on house arrest and can longingly look at the grass and brush and have to be happy with their crappy hay and the tall weeds I whacked down for them.
I can no longer lead the beasts to the fencing and put them out by myself. In fact, this weekend, all five of use couldn't get them in the correct spot.
Last night, I weed-whacked a path across the creek and then back again. There is a huge patch of grass and brush to be eaten in this path. I'm not going to be able to set up the fence by myself and definitely not be able to get them over there by myself.
The cattle did appreciate getting all the weeds I whacked, though. Might have to keep doing that to clear out the creek and feeding them. I am still messed up in the head, though. (Wow, that came out wrong!) Even after taking allergy medicine, I am still stuffed up from that, though.
I love having animals. The goats are getting reconsidered, however. They might end up on Craigslist. The human kids don't like the goats' milk and they are drying off. Which is my fault, but I had to worm them all and the withdrawl on the wormer was 2-3 weeks. I wasn't going to milk them to just throw the milk away. Therefore, I left the babies with them.
I think Craigslist is the answer for at least 5 of the 7. Two of them might get a reprieve because they are cute.
Wednesday, June 19, 2013
Thursday, June 6, 2013
First Day of Summer Vacation!
Hard to believe that it is already June 6th!
Yesterday, my Bug graduated from Kindergarten. I'll admit it, this Mom had some tears in her eyes, but they didn't last long. My child is such a goofball, that she kept ducking behind another student to hide from the camera (grr) and then wouldn't even sit with us after they were done and we were watching the rest of the school awards. (double grr).
Another way that I know it is summer vacation: It's 5:20 a.m. and all 3 of my children are up and moving. I wanted to sleep in this morning but have to do data entry for appointments. No dragging them out of bed, no snuggling while they woke up, just up and playing already.
Weather is not summer-like. It's only 49 F outside and it's only supposed to get up to 57 F. And it's raining again.
The garden still isn't in. The grass needs to be cut - again. The poor goats think that I'm neglecting them, since it's been too wet to move their temporary fence, and they've been stuck eating dry hay (boo hoo!) The house is getting appraised for a re-fiance on Monday and it's not clean. The cattle are starting to petition for an ark.
What a difference a year makes!
Yesterday, my Bug graduated from Kindergarten. I'll admit it, this Mom had some tears in her eyes, but they didn't last long. My child is such a goofball, that she kept ducking behind another student to hide from the camera (grr) and then wouldn't even sit with us after they were done and we were watching the rest of the school awards. (double grr).
Another way that I know it is summer vacation: It's 5:20 a.m. and all 3 of my children are up and moving. I wanted to sleep in this morning but have to do data entry for appointments. No dragging them out of bed, no snuggling while they woke up, just up and playing already.
Weather is not summer-like. It's only 49 F outside and it's only supposed to get up to 57 F. And it's raining again.
The garden still isn't in. The grass needs to be cut - again. The poor goats think that I'm neglecting them, since it's been too wet to move their temporary fence, and they've been stuck eating dry hay (boo hoo!) The house is getting appraised for a re-fiance on Monday and it's not clean. The cattle are starting to petition for an ark.
What a difference a year makes!
Wednesday, May 29, 2013
They Have Names...But no pictures....
Well, after long deliberation and lots of judicial use of Mommy-veto power, the steers and heifer have names. (and since I haven't taken any pictures of them, you'll just have to go with it)
They are a trio. Good trios should have names, right? Good names, right?
Probably true, even though you know that it will eventually be a solo act, since the two steers will be branching off into other career paths down the road.
First, I'll describe the animals:
Steer 1: He's a Lineback, which is a black animal with white stripe and spots on head and middle of back. He's a beefier animal who enjoys being first at the feed trough for grain and might be considered a bully by some. He's the leader of the pack and weighs a healthy 450+ pounds. Head scratches are considered one of his favorite things. He might sneak up behind you and startle you.
Steer 2: He's a dark Jersey steer, so very dark to almost black brown with several white spots. He doesn't plan on leaving the safety of a duo until at least next summer. He's a follower and very shy. He weighs in about 250 pounds.
Heifer: She's a small Jersey heifer with typical brown Jersey coloring. She's shy, but loves the grain bucket, if you hold it. She isn't aggressive enough to get in by the grain, so enjoys quiet moments by herself (and with you - as long as you are holding the bucket). She will tolerate an occasional head scratch, as long as it is down unobtrusively while holding the bucket. She weighs about 250 pounds.
Now that you have met the contestants, um, animals, let's walk through the naming process:
My first thought, and the one that got stuck in my brain, was, Bibbity, Bobbity, and Boo. With Boo being the Lineback and Bibbity being the heifer. I sold two of the kids on this scheme, one flatly refused, and my husband just shook his head. So, it was temporarily sidelined, while we went back to the drawing board.
Daughter 1 suggested Skunky, Ginger, and Blacky. Veto Power!
Then, we thought of various trios:
Han, Luke, Leia
Larry, Curly, Moe
Kirk, Spock, Ahura,
Kirk, Picard, Janeway
Peter, Paul, Mary
Snap, Crackle, Pop
Mario, Luigi, Peach
Steampunk, Fantasy, Sci-Fi
the list continued, with nothing "popping" as the right names.
Until that fateful day...
I was heading out with the grain bucket to dump the grain for the boys and hang on to the bucket for the girl, when I said, "Honey, come here." Lightning moment - we could call her Honey.
I talked to my youngest daughter about Honey, and she said that we should call her Miss Honey. She has become Miss Honey - which we can't say without adding a southern soft drawl.
The big guy is great at sneaking up on us, so "Boo" is still perfect for him.
The middle daughter came up with the other steer's name. She said that he looked like a night sky and that his patches of white could be the stars and the moon, so he has been dubbed Midnight.
It took us a week, but we came up with the perfect names for our new critters.
They are a trio. Good trios should have names, right? Good names, right?
Probably true, even though you know that it will eventually be a solo act, since the two steers will be branching off into other career paths down the road.
First, I'll describe the animals:
Steer 1: He's a Lineback, which is a black animal with white stripe and spots on head and middle of back. He's a beefier animal who enjoys being first at the feed trough for grain and might be considered a bully by some. He's the leader of the pack and weighs a healthy 450+ pounds. Head scratches are considered one of his favorite things. He might sneak up behind you and startle you.
Steer 2: He's a dark Jersey steer, so very dark to almost black brown with several white spots. He doesn't plan on leaving the safety of a duo until at least next summer. He's a follower and very shy. He weighs in about 250 pounds.
Heifer: She's a small Jersey heifer with typical brown Jersey coloring. She's shy, but loves the grain bucket, if you hold it. She isn't aggressive enough to get in by the grain, so enjoys quiet moments by herself (and with you - as long as you are holding the bucket). She will tolerate an occasional head scratch, as long as it is down unobtrusively while holding the bucket. She weighs about 250 pounds.
Now that you have met the contestants, um, animals, let's walk through the naming process:
My first thought, and the one that got stuck in my brain, was, Bibbity, Bobbity, and Boo. With Boo being the Lineback and Bibbity being the heifer. I sold two of the kids on this scheme, one flatly refused, and my husband just shook his head. So, it was temporarily sidelined, while we went back to the drawing board.
Daughter 1 suggested Skunky, Ginger, and Blacky. Veto Power!
Then, we thought of various trios:
Han, Luke, Leia
Larry, Curly, Moe
Kirk, Spock, Ahura,
Kirk, Picard, Janeway
Peter, Paul, Mary
Snap, Crackle, Pop
Mario, Luigi, Peach
Steampunk, Fantasy, Sci-Fi
the list continued, with nothing "popping" as the right names.
Until that fateful day...
I was heading out with the grain bucket to dump the grain for the boys and hang on to the bucket for the girl, when I said, "Honey, come here." Lightning moment - we could call her Honey.
I talked to my youngest daughter about Honey, and she said that we should call her Miss Honey. She has become Miss Honey - which we can't say without adding a southern soft drawl.
The big guy is great at sneaking up on us, so "Boo" is still perfect for him.
The middle daughter came up with the other steer's name. She said that he looked like a night sky and that his patches of white could be the stars and the moon, so he has been dubbed Midnight.
It took us a week, but we came up with the perfect names for our new critters.
Monday, May 20, 2013
It's Already May 20th!
How did that happen?
How did three weeks fly by?
So, what has happened in the last few weeks?
How did three weeks fly by?
So, what has happened in the last few weeks?
- We got the electro-net fencing from Premier 1 and have been moving the goats around the yard everyday. We only had a few mishaps with it while they learned to "fear the fence."
- Fix-it went to a friend's house to her first non-relative play date. It was even a GIRLfriend - and double bonus - they only live 2 miles away!
- Got two steers and a heifer calf - we're still thinking about names.
More later.
Monday, April 29, 2013
Monday - April 29, 2013
It was a gorgeous weekend. 70 both days, with a slight breeze.
I think the girls spent every waking moment outside, which would explain the little bit of red on noses, cheeks, necks, and ears. Gotta get the sunscreen out again. And since we've had winter until last week, nobody remembered to drink enough water.
I think we were all cranky and slightly dehydrated by the end of Sunday.
We got a lot accomplished, too.
Cleaned out the temporary goat pen from the garage. Penned in the round bale and fixed the fence around it. Picked up sticks and garbage from the yard. Pumped up tires and got bikes ready to roll.
Now, it's Monday afternoon. I have homework to work on, but have a headache. I'm hoping the sinus stuff will kick in shortly.
It's been raining on-and-off all day. Right now, the sun is trying to peek through.
I got a roast out for supper, but I really don't want roast for supper. I think I'll hold off on that until tomorrow. So, I have to head back to the deep freeze to find something else.
I even have my husband on board for making the "summer" goat pen bigger and tie it together with the winter pen. Accomplishes the following: Goats will have more area to move around the yard and it gives me less to mow! Seriously, the savings in gas will almost pay for the fence this summer, especially since I'm cutting the mowable area in half - when you have 3 1/2 acres, taking out half of that is a big deal. And we're going to pick up the grass whenever I do mow, so we can feed the goats that.
Alright, time to look in the freezer and get back to Accounting Principles homework. Blech!
I think the girls spent every waking moment outside, which would explain the little bit of red on noses, cheeks, necks, and ears. Gotta get the sunscreen out again. And since we've had winter until last week, nobody remembered to drink enough water.
I think we were all cranky and slightly dehydrated by the end of Sunday.
We got a lot accomplished, too.
Cleaned out the temporary goat pen from the garage. Penned in the round bale and fixed the fence around it. Picked up sticks and garbage from the yard. Pumped up tires and got bikes ready to roll.
Now, it's Monday afternoon. I have homework to work on, but have a headache. I'm hoping the sinus stuff will kick in shortly.
It's been raining on-and-off all day. Right now, the sun is trying to peek through.
I got a roast out for supper, but I really don't want roast for supper. I think I'll hold off on that until tomorrow. So, I have to head back to the deep freeze to find something else.
I even have my husband on board for making the "summer" goat pen bigger and tie it together with the winter pen. Accomplishes the following: Goats will have more area to move around the yard and it gives me less to mow! Seriously, the savings in gas will almost pay for the fence this summer, especially since I'm cutting the mowable area in half - when you have 3 1/2 acres, taking out half of that is a big deal. And we're going to pick up the grass whenever I do mow, so we can feed the goats that.
Alright, time to look in the freezer and get back to Accounting Principles homework. Blech!
Wednesday, April 24, 2013
Six Weeks!
I was informed by my oldest daughter that there is ONLY SIX WEEKS UNTIL SUMMER VACATION!
Six weeks???
Six weeks!
SIX WEEKS!!!!!
Gaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa
It it 6:39 a.m. and I already have a daughters-induced headache. Just waiting for the youngest to get on her bus.
Please let the weather warm up and the ground dry up, so I can send them outside (and very possibly lock the door behind them.)
Wow! It's shaping up to be a very LONG summer. I better start the chore list already.
Six weeks???
Six weeks!
SIX WEEKS!!!!!
Gaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa
It it 6:39 a.m. and I already have a daughters-induced headache. Just waiting for the youngest to get on her bus.
Please let the weather warm up and the ground dry up, so I can send them outside (and very possibly lock the door behind them.)
Wow! It's shaping up to be a very LONG summer. I better start the chore list already.
Tuesday, April 23, 2013
UGH
Today is an Ugh day.
Had to take the dog in for minor surgery on her ear - she has a hematoma - which is major fluid/blood build up in the floppy part of her ear. She did have to be put under for it, so not exactly minor. She's had ear issue ever since we got her, so she's been slightly psychotic about her ears, so unfortunately ignored her.
The vet just called and she's still groggy, but they are open until 8 tonight, so I can pick her up after my hubby gets home.
Then, the goats have magicked their way out of their pen TWICE today! As a matter of fact, Bitty is still wandering the yard, because I can't catch her again. Once by myself was amazing, twice ain't happenin'!
And since the goats have gotten out twice, they have shut the door to the chicken coop, twice, so I have to go back and open that again.
Luckily, Opie the Sheep, has not managed to squeeze his way out, but then he gets mad and pushes on the fence.
Plus, my back hurts. It is probably getting back at me for the weekend travelling across state for a birthday party and a First Communion celebrations. Spent over 11 hours in the car all told. I don't know how truck drivers do it!
I should be working on homework - only two chapters in each subject left and only two weeks of school, but I don't wanna! It's boring!
Ugh!
Had to take the dog in for minor surgery on her ear - she has a hematoma - which is major fluid/blood build up in the floppy part of her ear. She did have to be put under for it, so not exactly minor. She's had ear issue ever since we got her, so she's been slightly psychotic about her ears, so unfortunately ignored her.
The vet just called and she's still groggy, but they are open until 8 tonight, so I can pick her up after my hubby gets home.
Then, the goats have magicked their way out of their pen TWICE today! As a matter of fact, Bitty is still wandering the yard, because I can't catch her again. Once by myself was amazing, twice ain't happenin'!
And since the goats have gotten out twice, they have shut the door to the chicken coop, twice, so I have to go back and open that again.
Luckily, Opie the Sheep, has not managed to squeeze his way out, but then he gets mad and pushes on the fence.
Plus, my back hurts. It is probably getting back at me for the weekend travelling across state for a birthday party and a First Communion celebrations. Spent over 11 hours in the car all told. I don't know how truck drivers do it!
I should be working on homework - only two chapters in each subject left and only two weeks of school, but I don't wanna! It's boring!
Ugh!
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