Ramblings - Last Sunday of November 2009

Very pleased with all we got done yesterday.  Chris does not feel the effects of the new sleeping machine, he does not feel energized by it.  But I am seeing some changes.  He's got the energy to do more around here.  We both notice he's not using the bathroom at night and he's has actually had dreams.  So the machine is working.  According to the Dr. it will be another week or 2 before we will see the full effect of the machine.

We got the ram lambs & wether moved yesterday.  Once we figured out how we were doing this it was was pretty easy.  Essentially we had to move ALL the animals -  3 steers, 7 goats, 16 sheep & Festus the donkey - into the smaller new ram pen, and then grab the 3 boys staying behind while we pushed them back into the big pen.  Worked slick.  Festus stayed behind.  And Princess, a goat,  goes wherever she pleases.  Anyone want live sheep or a lamb for eating this spring/summer be sure to let me know.  We have some beautiful sheep.  But 16 is our max I believe.  We will simply be improving the flock from here on out.   I love looking at the sheep and all the colors.  Its a bad thing about them being in the woods.  Its good for the ease of hay and extra shelter from the elements, but I miss not being able to see them as easily.

Chris got more straw, helped with ram pen, cleaned out the trailer, finished tallying what pigs to sell, (Pigs anyone?), cut some more pallet wood, called the processor for a sow, helped Kiki chase Nike (the champion jumper pig) back in the pen, looked at the snowblower, helped Colin with some school work, got us caught up on laundry, and made breakfast & dinner.  That's my man!

Today we need to castrate the new bulls.  That is a 2 to 3 person job with calves as big as ours, so we need to do it while Chris is home.  Colin and I will finish the electric wire around the fence.  We ran out of insulators yesterday. I bought some more last night.  And Chris & I will finish cutting the pallet wood.  I'll need to gather up all the extra hoses for the year soon and have one dedicated hose that we drain after use.  Winter is definitely in the air, so its time to be ready.  I think that will fill a morning.  Calli has rehearsal, Spencer wants to see a friend, Colin & Kiki want to see another friend, & Chris & I want to do nothing this afternoon.

While Colin & I were working on the fence yesterday he wanted to know when we were going to see some friends of ours.  I said, "Monday we might go bowling."  "Ok, when will we see them again after that", he asked.  "Wednesday for 4H", I answered.  "Really", he says and thinks for a moment, "That is 2 days next week plus art on Tuesday, we better get done what we can while we can."  Just when I think he'll never get it.  Speaking of Colin, he has started his own blog.  http://the-random-colin.blogspot.com 

Indie got out for the first time in 2 weeks yesterday.  When I set up the new ram pen I had to open the driveway gates.  He went for a long walk.  About an hour later he came back and sat about 3 feet from where I was working on the fence. When Chris & Kiki came home with the straw he came back into the yard with them.  He is our dog and belongs to us and this property. He has stopped a coyote attack at least once. He responds to our praise and our scolding.  He greets me every morning with a tail wag and puppy postureing. But he cannot bring himself to allowing us to touch him.  What a day that will be.