Sunday Stills...

I couldn't help it... she's such a cutie pie! :)

It's been cold...

And it got colder... 

But we are hoping and dreaming of warmer days to come...

Nothing seemed to go right TEXTURE wise this week... ARGH!!!

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Sounds like...

Popcorn... the dryer is going and I swear it sounds like how our microwave does popcorn! Not very well... funny thing is I keep wondering WHY we have the microwave we do. We don't really use it (maybe once or twice a month), after the ice storm of 2007 we didn't use one at all for over a year, same with the TV.

Maybe the Amish have something with no "juice" to fuel power hungry gadgets. NAH... Brief bout with insanity there... I like my lights, computer, sewing machine, shower, hot water heater, HEATERS, milking machines, and the list goes on...

Some days

It just doesn't pay to stick your head out of the covers, get out of bed, and get dressed. Others days are better than those kinds of days. Today is an iffy kind of day...

Overcast and cool, snow, sleet, and freezing drizzle are in the forecast for tomorrow and the next day. I'm not looking forward to that AT ALL. Who knows, maybe I'll get some sewing done on these siggies... What was I thinking!?!? :)

All in all today was, OK (I guess) talked with the milk hauler and the KABA guy. Cleaned the side lot and holding pen, did chores, got my hair cut... not to bad considering I've felt crummy for the better part of the day and would have loved to have just stayed in bed and dreamed of the warm days ahead.

Monday??? Say it aint so

Is it really Monday AGAIN? Can't we just for once skip Monday? Especially THIS Monday? Not that I'm complaining mind you... the weather is nasty out... and I'm not really in the mood to get cold, come in do a cash flow (which I've NEVER done!), cut out a pattern  and sew sew sew. And also pray, praise and try to look on the bright side.

So, Bright side for today... We are one day closer to Spring, it's not raining, the blower on the wood stove is fixed (and I helped! sorta, not so much... OK I TRIED). And the last bright spot is.... I don't have to talk with the hay guy I talked to on Saturday!!!! :) WOO HOO!!!!!

That last part could have a post all it's own. Granted I know I'm not the brightest crayon in the box, but it doesn't take much to realize that IF you have 850 bales of hay, and it takes you 6 weeks to put it up, that you would need to take multiple samples of the different groups of hay and not just go around the hay and pick 25 bales out of the 850 to give you an avg. sampling. IF you take samples of the June cutting only and are selling ALL your hay on that assumption, when the GREATEST part (lets say 600 bales) are July hay and more mature and has less nutrition, is that or is that not fraudulent on his part??? Just asking the question...

Blah

It's just one of those kinds of mornings.

Good things do happen though. This AM is going better than yesterday, the goats are eating their minerals, Passions little Precious is doing well (granted it's only been 24 hours but HEY!), no yearling steers are nursing the dry cows that I know of (at least now I know why the cows have been freshening in with mastitis... grrr... that ole son is heading to the stock yards come Tuesday morning), Tempest is doing better even though she got back in the big pen, and I'm wrapping up morning chores. Just the babies left to feed.

I'm planning on sewing some this afternoon. We'll see if it happens... pics of the hay coming later today! The little man has yet to call me back. This is rather irksome... OH WELL

hay and cows

Well, we got the hay in... Not much impressed, but what are you going to do when you have NO hay and your cows have to be fed? So it's on the hay outlook again... If I had money I would just have some hauled in from KS, but I don't. And it about makes me want to cry. When you know what you need to do, and have no way of getting it done is maddening to say the least.

So yesterday mom and I went to look at some cows, I can't help it... it made me just a little depressed. Yet again the knowing what I need to do and getting it done thing all over again. And I can't help it... some of our girls don't look that bad. We've had several EX (excellent) and VG (very good) in our day. We even had a first calf heifer that went EX her first appraisal. Of course it was about the kiss of death. Sigh... And I could have calves out of a 2 time All American and Royal blah blah blah also... granted not on the dams side but still.

And to top it all off... it's raining. And has been for a while now... I'm hoping it clears off or at least stops raining some so I can clean off the holding pen and side lot today.

Thinking

Oh the thoughts that manage to run wild in my head. Some good, bad, ugly, stressful, tearful, joyful, and sobering. Sigh... What does it all mean? Your guess is as good as mine...

Today is going to be a full day. Chores this AM, going to town for fuel for the tractor, unloading a semi load of hay at 11:30 or there abouts, feeding the hay, doing afternoon chores and if there is any energy left in my body going to the chiropractor and picking up some fabric to do the Modern Siggy Swap. And to make things all together wonderful, I've got a sinus headache. So, if I take anything to make the pain and pressure go away (anything that works) I'll be drowsy and trying to fall asleep for the better part of the day. What's a girl to do?

Pictures of the hay coming later... I hope and pray it's good. If not I'll just give our milk hauler a hard time... after all he's the one who found it and is having it hauled here...

SO that being said I need to get in gear, warm bottles, schlep feed, water, change and get diesel and fuel up the tractor before 11:30.

Trimming feet

Isn't the greatest fun in the world. Getting horned in the back of the leg, by a sweet (or so you think) little blond goat with a white face isn't fun at all. This brings to mind WHY the say to dis-bud those sweet little goat kids. Those pointy little horns HURT!

Otherwise I hope this helps her one leg that she is limping on. I'm rather concerned about it, as she has had troubles since she was an itter baby with this one leg. I thought she would grow out of it and did for the most part. So now we'll see if getting those feet trimmed with help. They weren't BAD, but enough so that they could have been hurting her. My dear sweet Tempest.

Weather wise... BEAUTIFUL! In the 50's sun, a few clouds no real wind to speak of. It's nice, but it's also making me relax and just want to sleep.

Film at Eleven...

This is what happens when the feed truck driver is testing to see if he'll get stuck.

This and the subsequent pictures are what happens WHEN the feed truck driver gets stuck...

 

No body knows the rutts I've seen... NO body KNOOOOOOW my muuuuud... :)

I wish I had something to show perspective, this rut is over a foot deep. OY VAY!

Side view of the above rut. 

Well it was an interesting day to say the least. I waited and waited for the feed to come. New feed, new feed driver, and a never before in over 33 years first. 

We've NEVER had a feed truck get stuck. Well I can't say that anymore. I never would have thought it either. I pushed, pulled, prayed to know avail. Not on the prayer part. We finally found a neighbor (Thank the Lord for DH, for him being home, and not charging anything) who came and had a BIG tractor to pull him out. He had sunk the front end of the truck to it's axle, it was so bad. He kept apologizing for the ruts, and I kept telling him it's OK, things could be worse. We could have had to call a wrecker to pull him out, we could be in Haiti, little things like ruts and a mess is little to deal with.

It's been a day... At least his son got a kick out of feeding animal crackers to the goats. :-) All's well that ends well. And if anyone feels the need, you can pray for the feed driver. His dream is to dairy debt free, he's got the heifers to freshen next month, the equipment, he just needs to get the barn built. 

sleep

Can't sleep, maybe I should take something I don't know. I just woke up and it seemed as though it felt like 6:30 or so....

Anyway I've just been poking around at some new blogs, old blogs, this site and that. Now just typing away at random thoughts of a semi-wide awake tired, possible hungry, thirsty, well baked (heated mattress pad... on High... I'm feeling well roasted... now I feel for chicken who end up in the oven.) and yawning. Maybe that's a good sign.

I think I shall get off of here, rummage the kitchen for something to eat, get a glass of water, some aspirin, and leave the snoring dog at my feet and head back to bed. A good 4 hours of sleep will do a body good. :)

Good Morning OR Good Night ALL!

Pulsator Problems...

What ever you do, DO NOT get Westfalia  pulsators! At the moment one is soaking in an effort to get clean enough to work. Our old (and I do mean antique in the dairy world) get cleaned out once a year if that and keep on pulsing.

This NEW thing has to be cleaned ever few months, or we won't work. In the summer it's flies getting sucked up in it, winter ... dust and what ever else might come with in a few inches of it. I'm not complaining... OK so I am... it just gets old.

Well the snow is almost gone, in it's place is mud, mud, and frozen mud. I don't know which is worse, snow and ice or mud with frozen mud and ice under it. Thankfully it's not rained. That would just add insult to injury... or so the saying goes. Today... if I were pricing farm milk.... $40.00 a hundred. :) CHA CHING!

What would you do?

If money were no object? I've been thinking about this... not like money will not ever be an object, but well. So tell me... I'm all ears.

It's a GO!

Finally, after days and days, over a week... the tractor is finally going!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Evidently we had gotten some bad diesel. And now with road grade in it, our Aggie is going. This was after colorful language (not on my part, but on the person working on it for us), prayers, and a hug on the ole girl. YES I hugged our tractor... what of it!? :)  It felt so wonderful to FEED my moos again. Although it was rather nice not having to brave this past week on a tractor with no cab.  Just being honest.

We even had a heat wave going on here today, 38! And to top that off our low is going to be higher than our highs of last week. Weird weather we be having. It makes me wonder what July will have in store for us. Maybe this is the year for a pool... It's a thought anyway. Thoughts don't cost... much anyway.

So here we are at the end of another day. Chores done, cows feed, tractor going, water shut off at the hydrant that wouldn't stop, dinner eaten (coney dogs and french fries), and blog posted. :)

Heavens to Besty!

We got to 30 degree's today?!?!?! I don't know how to act. It still seems awfully cold, I'm assuming it's because of the snow. But the sun has shown today, and it makes life so much easier. Tomorrow we are expecting flurries and cloud cover.

I've been doing chores early so I'm done for the day. It's rather nice if I do say so myself.

Now it's popcorn, cheese it's and Gone with the Wind. :) Oh Rhett!...

Sunday Stills...

For the color and hope for Spring... (it can't come soon enough).

Cause he's cute... :)

For more SS go here...

Good Morning

From the frozen tundra of MO. These last few days make me think of the Arctic (not like I've been there or want to go). You see the pictures and TV programs of the wind whipping snow around, and the seals, polar bears, arctic fox's and the like being wind blown and cold. You know they've got to be cold. Or of the Ice Road truckers... for some odd reason that show fascinates me. At least they have a nice warm cab to be in, but the stress must be horrible.

Personally I'm tired of stress, who's with me!?!?!? I'm all for a little less stress and a LOT MORE.... bliss, peace, joy, life, laughter, cookies :) lol ... but what kind of cookies? Any one have any suggestions?

Must dash... pip pip and cheerio!

Hard day...

Hard day... farming in January is about the least fun of anytime to be farming. On one had the cows are up close and I don't have to search for them, on the other hand... cold means feeding up close and all that good stuff.

We are not used to this kind of cold here... We are now into day 2 of Is it could enough for ya? ha ha ha ... the fun of breaking ice, sliding across the driveway in my boots, bucketing water, cold feet, cracked lips and fingers have all left. If I could cry I would... but if I did it would just make my head worse than it is and that wouldn't do.

Funny thing is, this AM I thought... hmmm it's not so bad out here. It was zero... yup... ZERO. Is that nuts or what... of course the wind wasn't blowing yet and once it did I got cold pretty quick.

OHHH and I signed up for a siggie swap! :) maybe this will get my mind off of cold weather. :) Buying fabric always makes me happy.

Fiji

Yup it's looking MIGHTY good right now. Sun, sand, warm breezes, cold tea, flip flops, shorts and tank tops, need I go on? It sounds like heaven to me.

After today, 30 degree's for a high will seem heavenly to me! Today's high was 11 (between you and me... it was more like 7 but who really cares when it's that bloomin' COLD!) thankfully we didn't get the snow that was forecasted. Instead of 6" we only got about another inch. But with the wind (wind chill has been -10 all day dipping to -20 tonight) the snow has drifted something awful. Our milk hauler was  here today and he was telling me on some of the roads it was drifted over a foot high.

Tractor still is a no go, there really isn't much point in even trying in this kind of weather. Rudy (our last baby bull calf) decided last night would be the perfect time to get scours. So this means me going out and doing an afternoon feeding to keep his energy and electrolytes up.

OK I'm getting cold sitting here... am going to get under some nice warm covers and try and sleep.

Just for fun...

Using only song names from ONE ARTIST, cleverly answer these questions. Pass it on. You can’t use the artist I used. Try not to repeat a song title. It’s a lot harder than you think! Repost as “my life according to (artist name).” FUN!!!!
My Life according to the Newsboys.

Pick your Artist: Newsboys

Are you a Male or a Female: Something Beautiful

Describe Yourself: Million Pieces (Kissin' Your Cares Goodbye)

How do you feel: Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus

Describe where you currently live: Mega-Mix

If you could go anywhere, where would you go: In the Hands of God

Your Favorite form of Transportation: In the Belly of the Whale

Your Best Friend is: It Is You

You and your best friends are: God Is Not a Secret

What’s the weather like: Shine

Favorite Time: Love Liberty Disco

If your life was a TV show, what would it be called: Believe

What is life to you: Truth Be Known - Everybody Gets a Shot

Your relationship: "Who?"

Your fear: Let It Go

What is the best advice you have to give: Entertaining Angels

How I would like to die: Breakfast

My Soul’s Condition: Stay Strong

My motto: Wherever We Go

Cold...

It's cold... C O L D. And it looks as though the temps are going to be getting a great deal colder in the days to come. Cold and windy. OH and more snow!!! ~ jumping up and down in a fit of happiness ~ NOT. Oh well I shall NOT look at the dark side. I will look on the bright side... and that is... umm... well... hmm, I'll sure there is something... there has GOT to be something... I'VE got it! NO FLIES are buzzing around! woo hoo!!!!

So something nice happened today. We get our hay from some of our neighbors, and they have been growing tomatoes and cucumber in a greenhouse this year. Anyway when they brought hay for the week JB brought a small sack of tomatoes and 2 cucumbers. Being one who doesn't eat maters I don't know how they tasted but the cucumber was pretty dog gone good! Something fresh and local this time of year is a wonderful thing let me tell ya!

I keep forgetting to mention we had one more calf before Christmas. A little unexpected bull calf. :) so we didn't end the year on a heifer note, but Rudy is doing well. I've made some calf coats tonight for the little ones, seeing as the high on Thursday is going to happen at midnight and be in the single digits for a few days the little guys need a little extra help keeping warm. Someday I'm going to have  proper calf barn that's not drafty. I say this every year... :)

No clouds to speak of...

Good morning from a frigid SWMO farm. Thankfully the fire is starting to go. Woo HOO. The floor temp in this old house in around the 40's air temp 70. So somewhere in the middle is the true temp. At least it's better than what it is out of doors. Tomorrow will be a heatwave of 29!!!! Next day our low tomorrow will be our high... ugh... I'm not cut out for winter. I'm really not.

In winter I get a little jealous of the people who have a nice warm house and an indoor job that can be left at 5 every evening 5 days a week. And then I'm reminded of what I would miss out on. My baby calves, the cows, the peace of not having to answer to someone all the time. A pace of my own. Freedom!

Some times the grass just looks greener on the other side (I would love some green grass right about now).I suppose it's the same way with people thinking that farming is just the next best thing to paradise (we've had people tell us that farming must just be paradise...umm no comment). Farming has it's ups and downs like every job. Although it seems there are more downs on the payment side. It's not a get rich quick job... it's more like a brake even if I'm lucky kind of job. And yet we are still out here doing it day after day, year after year. Even though people complain about the price of food, the debates between the rbst and gmo's (of which I'm not a fan of either), those who say we are abusing the animals we care for, and laws that are over looked or are in favor of the big money guys who buy the votes they need to make even more money off the farmer.

Sorry for rambling on. I must have woken up on the wrong side of the bed. Literally I think I did, my one side just will NOT stop having muscle spasms. We'll blame it on Fanny... the ole girl has decided that she will only drink WARM water. grrr this means carrying even more water to her and everyone else that can get to it before she has a chance. God bless that old cow... :) 

For the first time...

For the first time today since I woke up:

May hands and feet are warm.

It's stopped snowing.

The cows have been fed (also all the other little moo's, goats, cats... dogs)

And now I don't have to go back out for another 12 hours, knock on wood. Not that I'm superstitious, I'm not... it just seems though it's been a rough few days.

So I'm wrapping up the day, going to get under some covers, play a game and get some sleep.

Night all... and thanks for understanding my rants. It just gets awfully hard some days out here. :)

sigh...

Oh what a world, what a world... I'm melting... meellting... meeelllttinggg.

Don't ask me why that just popped into my head and I felt the need to share. I need to watch the Wizard of Oz sometime soon, that and Gone With the Wind... Oh Ashly, Ashly... sniffle and a few tears. Maybe I'll do that tomorrow. If I can find them.

I just feel like being lazy, and making a list of activities for hell, for the people who do want to get dirty, work (and yet make millions...), or maybe the dictators of the world, and other world leaders. I wonder how long the Washington DC crew would get along on a dairy farm in January. Or the PETA people if they had to actually CARE for the animals they so want to save from our hands. I always thought it would be a hoot to let some of them raise a group of baby calves. Then we'll see who is really the animal lovers.

Why is it when you try to be more positive more nasty stuff comes at you and seems to test your ever waking moment? I'm tired of feeling like Job, I really am... I think I'll just be Grumpy... one of the Seven Dwarfs. Or maybe Sneezy... I've being sneezing something terrible for the last month.

2010

I'm trying really hard to keep up beat. TODAY it's up hill work. The tractor won't start, our battery charger's cord is broken so I could use that one to boost it up and go last night, borrowed my uncles, it won't do. Bought a NEW one. It's won't do either.

NOTE: It's been since 1:33 PM that I've tried to finish this. Tractor has yet to go... grrr PRAY PLEASE!!!

We had a Mennonite neighbor come to feed. He charged us $35.00... oh well... I'm not going there. the cows are fed, waters, milked, and that's all that I can do.

SO here I am... it's a little after 11PM. It's been one heck of a day. NOT the worse New Years Day I've ever had, but it ranks right up there. Temps never broke the 32 degree mark.

Tears, you betcha, tiredness... yeah baby, aches and pains... splinters in fingers, diesel fuel... for the first time in over 12 hours I don't smell like it... WOO HOO... :) Things are looking up.

OHHHHHHH if any of you ever have the chance. Bio Silk is GREAT for hair but also for your skin. My legs get horribly dry and chapped in winter. So much so they crack and water and most lotions make them feel worse than they do (it hurts so bad I have been known to cry),vit E is OK but the bio silk is the first thing that has soothed the pain. It's good stuff George! And it smells good to! If you read the bottle it will tell you that it can be used like a lotion. And it only takes a TINY amount.