Life IS Good!

I received this award LIFE IS GOOD from a real sweetie at

http://laughing-duck-farm.blogspot.com/ (sorry..still haven't taken the time to figure out how to put the name instead of the url) I sure would take an easy hint though, I don't especially have the time to read up!!

do Check out Melodies Blog though...she truly is a homesteader and a Sweetie!!

so here goes for my list of answers

1. What would your prefect day consist of?

Home...then fixing some things that I KNOW...I can finish in a day!! Those projects are especially rewarding!

2. How would you describe yourself if you were an item of clothing?

If I were an item of clothing...it would have to be a hat. I picture myself sort of a protector of things, be it creature or child.

3. What hobbies are you currently working on?
Too many to list...but here is a start, Soap (I love making goat milk soap), Cheese Making (But don't have enough time to do it much, but also love it), also like Melodie said, my place ...it's a Hobby all in itself!

4. Walking in the woods in wellies or bare foot on the beach?

Really hard choice there, but the barefoot got me, my feet need shoes these days, so wellies in the wood have to do. Really I would rather be in wellies on the beach so I can venture a little farther out?!!

5. Have you ever hugged or sang to a tree?
I have definately hugged one,,sometime in my life, cuzz I seem to remember what it felt like! :)

6. Growing your own veggies or nipping to the supermarket?

Love growing my own, absolutely

7. Have you found anyone exciting in your family tree?

My mothers side, grandfather on her side, rode with the Rough Riders...or was it he was hung by the rough riders...Now I have to ask!!

8. Slap up meal in a posh restaurant or fish ‘n’ chips from the wrapper?

Not afraid of the Posh restaurant, but don't like wasting the money when I can go over to Dan's and eat like that! (invite me anytime you like Dan)...so fish n chips in a wrapper would be just Fine

9. Which element do you most resonate with, Earth, Air, Fire or water?

Earth, No question

10. Do you believe in fairy’s?

Absolutely, I carry one on my shoulder and a couple in my pocket!

Now to pass this onto all my blogger buddies.

http://shanstergoatsnmore.blogspot.com/

http://lifeonouriowafarm.blogspot.com/

http://iamme-tdm.blogspot.com/

http://critterfarmgirl.blogspot.com/

just to name a few, but I would like to encourage all my blogger buddies to accept the Award.

and....Life IS Good!!

A chick of many different colors..

Ok...anyone out there know their Chicks??!! I am so curious as to what sorts of chickens I have now.
I ordered Rainbow Layers (many varieties...they choose), Ornamental Layers(many varieties..again they choose) and Rarest of the Rare ( GOBS of different Rare Varieties...also they choose).
So What might they turn out to be?? I think I see some Houdans? or Top Hats...possibly a Turken or two..then there are some Feather footed of course. Gosh are they ever cute?
Now, when I get my order of Cornish Giants, at least I know what they are going to be(sorry folks...dinner). Meanwhile, it sure will be interesting to see just what type of chicken I actually Ordered!

Manicures and Toddies for Mothers Day!

All the girls lined up for the hoof trimming and worming scheduled. While they all behaved extremely well.. goat chow is the key. They have all been up on the stand before and some even left with a new hair style when all was done.

Everyone was just wonderful...all but...the wether. I have been calling him "Buster". He is extremely spoiled and lives in with the Mommas and babies right now. He is a
"in your pocket and under foot while nibbling at every part of you type of wether. ... we like him anyway...

I led him out to the stand, and actually had him on it after a tussle..then the explosion. My daughter held on without letting go, (which may have saved me) as I grabbed for legs and finally we all ended in a pile. Nicky straddling the top half and I on the rear. Well we managed to get all four hooves done and he of course did get his treat(even though he didn't earn it). Funny part was while we were almost done with him..Nicky said, Gosh he is BIG!! That's when I realized, Yes he is!! Now as I think back, I am amazed the two of us handled him. Surprising what you can do when you don't have to give it thought and worry about it and you just HAVE to finish what you start! oh yea and my back hurts....

(sorry no photos, not enough hands)

Favorite time of a Perfect Day

just when you spend the money....

You know your going to find them!!

Goat Pen....and Tess....she's a good dog.....most of the time!!!

Rain..Thunder..Wind Shears of 59 mph and...then

I had an apppointment to be at this morning. 9 AM Sharp they said! I was taking a steer to the locker for processing. I had the pickup parked in the alley run by the pens to load him last night, then it rained and rained. I stressed most the night about getting the pickup stuck trying to get up on the road with the steer loaded. Its hard enough taking one of them you raise...but to delay it was going to bother me all the more.

So I head out this morning at 6:30 and it is just before dawn light. I check on Pearl, my fainter I have been waiting and waiting to kid.. Yup...she did it..all by herself but had them sorta scattered in two spots. So gathered the little fat munchkins up and put them back together and made her comfy. Then on to the cattle to sort the steer.

I got to the yard and found one of the Heifers who I also have been waiting and waiting to calf was down and straining hard. I saw a very very swollen head and one foot out, tongue was so huge and swollen also...I just knew I hadn't gotten there fast enough and it was dead.

I hurried back to the house and grabbed chains and pulled out the phone and called Son and Neighbor while I was kicking myself all the way back to her about not being there soon enough.

I just kept telling myself, it happens, it will happen sometime and you can't do anything about it. It is the way it goes sometimes even though I really try hard to watch everything.

I was by myself yet and attached the chains and felt around for the other foot and finally finding it and pulled it forward enough to get a better grip. I kept poking my finger ups his nose and in the mouth to test for life..but found none. I pulled a bit to see if I could do it and he seemed to move a bit. THATS when I saw a sign,,a sort of a gurgle,,and then my adrenaline kicked in. When I was telling my Dad this morning about pulling this one by myself...he just laughed and said "If you could pull it by hand with chains, then she would of eventually had it". I said he UNDERESTIMATES the strength of a determined frantic woman. I DID IT!! And I was ready to do mouth to mouth when he rattled some deep breathes. And more and pretty soon...he was jumping when I stuck the straw in his nose. Just then Son and Neighbor showed up as I am patting myself on the back and just beaming that I didn't lose one!

We loaded the steer and I headed to the locker shortly, but was back home after a couple hours. First thing I did was check the baby calf- (another Bull calf)- and find him dry and his Momma standing waiting for him to nurse. I made short work of it and got a quart of Cholosterum milk I had saved from one of the other Cows. Since that tongue was so swollen and his head was swelled like a basketball, I wasn't going to let him have such a tough go of eating, so fed him a bottle...just to get the taste of Momma milk. He LIKE IT...ALOT!! By noon I was back to work at the office and since it is April 14th, I had a mountain of stuff to tackle (tax firm office). Well..it is now 4:49 in the afternoon and I can finally settle down and do a recap.

The only photo I took was one of him getting his first taste of good Milk, but notice the swelled head..Poor Baby. He'll get some extra attention for me not getting there fast enough. I am just soo Glad he made it. It sure had my adrenaline pumping and with that I tackled my day with a ton of energy. I needed it!!

New again!

I have been relying on my neighbor and HIS trailer for all my hauling of the animals this last year...but now it's time for me to figure it out. So I took my Saturday to tackle the stock trailer I own that has been sitting unattended this last year and a half. I fumbled around and managed to finally air up the 3 flat tires and then dragged her out of the weedy patch she has been resting at for too long. I drove to town and had the tires repaired. Then bought a gallon of paint and some new wiring for the lights (so hopefully Son can help me with that) and went home and started painting. I didn't think a little paint would be such a huge improvement, but she almost looks better than the first day we purchased it some 7 years ago. Next, the floor is being replaced...just not sure if I can do that one totally on my own, but it doesn't look all that hard!? At least...I think I can start it, and then call for backup..right Sharon??