I just had to weigh Abbey again today and see what the scales read. Today they read 798..which would mean that Abbey gained 20 pounds from the original weight on the 27th of April. Here is what it looks like:
April 27--778
May 3--738
May 5--798
I'm thinking I either read it wrong on the 3rd or the scales were not right. I'm pretty positive she did not gain 60 pounds in 2 days. I feel pretty sure that she is gaining weight, that would make the most sense. I will keep checking her.
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
A lot going on
Well, there is good news and bad news. Bad news first...Abbey just doesn't seem to be doing well. I am concerned. I have worked her down to a once a day milking and hopefully that will allow her to gain some weight. I was shocked and dismayed to find that she had lost 40 pounds in a week! I just don't know what else I can do. She is getting plenty of fresh grass, a bale of 2nd cutting hay at her disposal and the 20% protein feed with the cracked corn. I don't know what else to do. I pray that Yahweh can give me the answer.
On a lighter note we had two adorable little kid goats..they are so cute! We are also going to a goat show on the 8th of May and will be getting two more little goats that we are going to bottle feed, unless I can get Praline to take them on ;) I don't know if goats are like Jersey's and nurse orphans or not. We also may be picking up a little jersey heifer :)
On the May 2nd, we went and picked up our new little jersey bull, Leo. He seemed very skittish and afraid of us, poor guy had a big day! We let him out of the trailor and put him with Abbey and Tag(an angus steer I bottle fed)and they all seemed to be getting along great! Well..they were getting along too great..when I went out to milk the next morning, Leo had drained Abbey dry! So it was off to the bachelor pad with him! He is in with Adam and Tag and another little Angus bull. They are all getting along great.
This evening is the beginning of my classes at ASAP. 5:30-7:30. I am very grateful that my husband is so nice and giving. Every thursday, he will have to find something to do for 2 hours in town until I get out of class. I will be glad to get these 12 classes behind me.
I think that is about all the news I have for now. Ya'll have a good day.
On a lighter note we had two adorable little kid goats..they are so cute! We are also going to a goat show on the 8th of May and will be getting two more little goats that we are going to bottle feed, unless I can get Praline to take them on ;) I don't know if goats are like Jersey's and nurse orphans or not. We also may be picking up a little jersey heifer :)
On the May 2nd, we went and picked up our new little jersey bull, Leo. He seemed very skittish and afraid of us, poor guy had a big day! We let him out of the trailor and put him with Abbey and Tag(an angus steer I bottle fed)and they all seemed to be getting along great! Well..they were getting along too great..when I went out to milk the next morning, Leo had drained Abbey dry! So it was off to the bachelor pad with him! He is in with Adam and Tag and another little Angus bull. They are all getting along great.
This evening is the beginning of my classes at ASAP. 5:30-7:30. I am very grateful that my husband is so nice and giving. Every thursday, he will have to find something to do for 2 hours in town until I get out of class. I will be glad to get these 12 classes behind me.
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Abbey is doing better :)
Ok..after crying and feeling bad about how skinny Abbey is...Al and I jumped into action with great advice from our "farmer friends"! I now have Abbey on a 20% protein dairy feed and adding some cracked corn to that for energy. Had the vet out to check on her and he said overall she seems ok albeit she is a little too thin(like we didn't already know that, lol)he gave her a good shot of vitamin B12 and I am happy to say that her appetite is back with a vengeance! I weighed her today so we can keep track of weight gain. She weighed 778 pounds so I will keep you posted on her progress. Will probably weigh her again in the next week or two just to see where she is at. I would post my most recent pics of her but..well..it's a little too embarrassing!
Praline(my little nigerian dwarf goat)has still not had those darn babies! I keep saying any day now but of course I did the same thing with Abbey. I guess they will get here when it's time.
I will start my last group of 12 classes on May 5th and I am having to go to a very odd milking schedule. Right now I am at 3:30 and 3:30 but I will have to get it to 2 and 2. That's 2 AM!! I have been getting up pretty good at a little after 3 so hopefully the adjustment won't be too awful once I get to the 2 am.
I'm also about to hit the 140 pound mark on the scales so..it may be time to do something about my diet..ugh. My goal is where I was last summer at 114 but I will just take it one day at a time and try to cut out some of these "treats" I have been eating. Usually when it gets warmer I don't like to eat as much so that should help too. Yummy fresh garden food will be coming before long. We haven't planted anything yet but we will soon. We are still having some frosts at night so we don't want to get too overzealous. :) Surely in the first part of May we should be safe?? We are pretty high up elevation wise though.
Ok..time to make some leftovers for dinner. Ya'll have a great evening! :)
Praline(my little nigerian dwarf goat)has still not had those darn babies! I keep saying any day now but of course I did the same thing with Abbey. I guess they will get here when it's time.
I will start my last group of 12 classes on May 5th and I am having to go to a very odd milking schedule. Right now I am at 3:30 and 3:30 but I will have to get it to 2 and 2. That's 2 AM!! I have been getting up pretty good at a little after 3 so hopefully the adjustment won't be too awful once I get to the 2 am.
I'm also about to hit the 140 pound mark on the scales so..it may be time to do something about my diet..ugh. My goal is where I was last summer at 114 but I will just take it one day at a time and try to cut out some of these "treats" I have been eating. Usually when it gets warmer I don't like to eat as much so that should help too. Yummy fresh garden food will be coming before long. We haven't planted anything yet but we will soon. We are still having some frosts at night so we don't want to get too overzealous. :) Surely in the first part of May we should be safe?? We are pretty high up elevation wise though.
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Being thankful to my Heavenly Father even when things aren't going so well...
I will choose to Bless Yahweh's name in good times and not so good. Not much good to report to today except one thing and it's the MOST important thing of all, I can do nothing good of myself(my flesh), only through Yahshua's shed blood am I made righteous and good. Thank you, thank you thank you Abba Father! :)
First thing this morning when I got up...Al was very sick, about 4 am.. he vomited for about 2 1/2 hours solid almost! He ended up having his dad take him to the emergency room, which I am ashamed to say, I did not support too much..only for the reason that Al and I come from addiction in our past..enough said on that. He is resting now and by some miracle of Yahweh there was a prescription for an addictive narcotic painkiller that did not get filled. His "diagnosis" from those "caring" emergency room docs was "acute gastritis". Please don't think that I think badly of all doctors and hospitals, I don't...they save lives in a LOT of instances but..there is also like with most other things in life, a bad side to them. I just don't see where you need a strong painkiller like Lortabs for "acute gastritis"(they really don't know what it is but that is a nice general malady for his symptoms). Lortabs are serious stuff..if you are curious, just Google Lortabs and addiction.
Sooooo, I feel very grateful that his dad somehow overlooked that one!
I also found out today that my Abbey is very thin...and I didn't even know it! I thought jersey's were just kind of bony like that. I just feel awful! I am realizing that loving and keeping animals is a learning process as you go but..unfortunately my precious Abbey has to pay for my ignorance. I have a few wonderful people that are advising me and are going to try to help me get her back on track. Now that I know and I look at her, I am seeing it but, it just didn't dawn on me at all before it was brought to my attention. I can't imagine how ignorant that sounds but, it's true. I guess when a jersey is in lactation(making milk)it takes a LOT out of her..everything she eats goes to making milk so if you aren't real careful about their diet..things can go downhill fast! On top of that, Adam got back in with her the other day and it's like we are starting all over again with the weaning, they are bawling for each other, she is holding milk back(she gave me 7 quarts this morning and 3 tonight!), trying to kick the suction cups off like she did when he first got taken away.
On a more positive note, I am thankful for everything that happens in my life, good and bad. The bad stuff only helps me know just exactly how much I need my Heavenly Father.. everyday for EVERYTHING!
Sorry for all the bad news but I know things will get better..Al is already much better!
Nighty night.. :) I love you so much, AL!!!
First thing this morning when I got up...Al was very sick, about 4 am.. he vomited for about 2 1/2 hours solid almost! He ended up having his dad take him to the emergency room, which I am ashamed to say, I did not support too much..only for the reason that Al and I come from addiction in our past..enough said on that. He is resting now and by some miracle of Yahweh there was a prescription for an addictive narcotic painkiller that did not get filled. His "diagnosis" from those "caring" emergency room docs was "acute gastritis". Please don't think that I think badly of all doctors and hospitals, I don't...they save lives in a LOT of instances but..there is also like with most other things in life, a bad side to them. I just don't see where you need a strong painkiller like Lortabs for "acute gastritis"(they really don't know what it is but that is a nice general malady for his symptoms). Lortabs are serious stuff..if you are curious, just Google Lortabs and addiction.
Sooooo, I feel very grateful that his dad somehow overlooked that one!
I also found out today that my Abbey is very thin...and I didn't even know it! I thought jersey's were just kind of bony like that. I just feel awful! I am realizing that loving and keeping animals is a learning process as you go but..unfortunately my precious Abbey has to pay for my ignorance. I have a few wonderful people that are advising me and are going to try to help me get her back on track. Now that I know and I look at her, I am seeing it but, it just didn't dawn on me at all before it was brought to my attention. I can't imagine how ignorant that sounds but, it's true. I guess when a jersey is in lactation(making milk)it takes a LOT out of her..everything she eats goes to making milk so if you aren't real careful about their diet..things can go downhill fast! On top of that, Adam got back in with her the other day and it's like we are starting all over again with the weaning, they are bawling for each other, she is holding milk back(she gave me 7 quarts this morning and 3 tonight!), trying to kick the suction cups off like she did when he first got taken away.
On a more positive note, I am thankful for everything that happens in my life, good and bad. The bad stuff only helps me know just exactly how much I need my Heavenly Father.. everyday for EVERYTHING!
Sorry for all the bad news but I know things will get better..Al is already much better!
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Yikes! No Milk this morning!!
Well...I got my milking equipment ready early this morning and looked out the bedroom window to see Abbey with....ADAM trailing close behind! Huh??! My dear husband did not double check ALL gates before retiring last evening...oh well. They got one over on us that time but if I have anything to do with it..it won't happen again! It also answers my question of "is Adam ready to be around Abbey again without nursing?"
Got to see mom again Monday(my regular visit to the ASAP lady)at the Wal Mart parking lot again, gave her four more gallons of milk. We get some pretty funny stares when we do our bottle exchange..lol! Here I am squatted down on the back of the flatbed pulling big containers of this "mysterious white liquid" out of the cooler and pouring them into mom's empty waiting bottles..too funny! Maybe you had to be there ;)
Great news about my camera! It was not my camera at all! It was my husband, bless his heart(lol, Tammy) messing with the Corel picture package inadvertently. All is well but I have a new battery for my camera on the way anyway.
Here are some pics of my wonderful chickens and rooster!
Got to see mom again Monday(my regular visit to the ASAP lady)at the Wal Mart parking lot again, gave her four more gallons of milk. We get some pretty funny stares when we do our bottle exchange..lol! Here I am squatted down on the back of the flatbed pulling big containers of this "mysterious white liquid" out of the cooler and pouring them into mom's empty waiting bottles..too funny! Maybe you had to be there ;)
Great news about my camera! It was not my camera at all! It was my husband, bless his heart(lol, Tammy) messing with the Corel picture package inadvertently. All is well but I have a new battery for my camera on the way anyway.
Friday, April 16, 2010
So much milk!
Wow...I think I have about 15 gallons of milk in the fridge now! Abbey is consistently giving me 1 1/2 gallons per milking, about 3 gallons a day and it seems like every day she is giving me a little more! I guess it's the grass..I am going to make more mozzarella cheese today. Maybe I'll do 4 gallons today. I am out of containers for my milk so I have to make something!
I miss my camera :( the actual camera itself is working but I am not able to download pics all of a sudden. I am ordering a new battery hopefully that is it. We will see when it arrives.
Got to see my mom on Monday :) Had a great reunion at the Wal Mart parking lot..lol. I gave her 4 gallons of milk and she bought me a quart of goat's milk because I wanted to try it...YUCK!! It had this awful aftertaste. We visited for a while in the parking lot and then went our seperate ways.
Oh..I almost forgot! I am getting a mini jersey bull named Leo..Al and I will be going to pick him up this sunday or next sunday..not exactly sure yet. I'm not sure what to do with Adam(my percentage mini bull from Abbey)but I think I will try to sell him before I steer him. I was originally going to breed Adam to Abbey(son to mother!)because the lady at AMJA(american miniature jersey association)said that I could do that but..the more I thought about it, I just wasn't comfortable with doing that...not to mention he is not 100% mini, only 3/4 so I would be going backwards instead of forward as far as trying to get a full 100% mini. So I am excited about getting him.
The chickens I got last thursday are settling in nicely and we really enjoy them! I just love watching them and hearing the little noises they make and it's been fun to go out to the coop everyday and see if I have any eggs! :) I am up to a dozen now in a week so..I think four chickens for Al and I will do nicely. No more store bought eggs. Mom also gave me 4 duck eggs. I thought they would be bigger than chicken eggs but they aren't. I guess if you cook with them they make cakes and things more "fluffy".
I just love spring..it's also neat to discover that on Yahweh's calender the end of March is the beginning of the year, which makes a lot more sense to me :) It's a time of new beginnings...trees budding, grass growing, flowers starting to bloom..awesome!
Praline(my nigerian dwarf goat)is going to be having a baby or babies any day now..I am so excited! Of course I have been saying "any day now" for almost a month..lol! Hopefully I can get my camera to download again with my new battery and put pics up of my chickens and the new goat kids.
Have an awesome day all!
I miss my camera :( the actual camera itself is working but I am not able to download pics all of a sudden. I am ordering a new battery hopefully that is it. We will see when it arrives.
Got to see my mom on Monday :) Had a great reunion at the Wal Mart parking lot..lol. I gave her 4 gallons of milk and she bought me a quart of goat's milk because I wanted to try it...YUCK!! It had this awful aftertaste. We visited for a while in the parking lot and then went our seperate ways.
Oh..I almost forgot! I am getting a mini jersey bull named Leo..Al and I will be going to pick him up this sunday or next sunday..not exactly sure yet. I'm not sure what to do with Adam(my percentage mini bull from Abbey)but I think I will try to sell him before I steer him. I was originally going to breed Adam to Abbey(son to mother!)because the lady at AMJA(american miniature jersey association)said that I could do that but..the more I thought about it, I just wasn't comfortable with doing that...not to mention he is not 100% mini, only 3/4 so I would be going backwards instead of forward as far as trying to get a full 100% mini. So I am excited about getting him.
The chickens I got last thursday are settling in nicely and we really enjoy them! I just love watching them and hearing the little noises they make and it's been fun to go out to the coop everyday and see if I have any eggs! :) I am up to a dozen now in a week so..I think four chickens for Al and I will do nicely. No more store bought eggs. Mom also gave me 4 duck eggs. I thought they would be bigger than chicken eggs but they aren't. I guess if you cook with them they make cakes and things more "fluffy".
I just love spring..it's also neat to discover that on Yahweh's calender the end of March is the beginning of the year, which makes a lot more sense to me :) It's a time of new beginnings...trees budding, grass growing, flowers starting to bloom..awesome!
Praline(my nigerian dwarf goat)is going to be having a baby or babies any day now..I am so excited! Of course I have been saying "any day now" for almost a month..lol! Hopefully I can get my camera to download again with my new battery and put pics up of my chickens and the new goat kids.
Have an awesome day all!
Sunday, April 11, 2010
I gotta get back in the groove!
Gosh, it's been about 3 weeks since I've blogged...I keep forgetting! I will try to do better.
I had a great passover and week of unleavened bread! I still have a lot to learn and I'm sure I made some mistakes but Yahweh(God's name in Hebrew)will help me learn. It is so cool to discover that these Holy Days all signify the plan of salvation and are a shadow of things to come. I love His ways! I just want to learn and please Him.
So, let's see...April 1st was Al and I's 3rd anniversary..wow! It has been so awesome to have him in my life. I call him my "gift from Yahweh(God)". That day was also the last day of a set of 12 classes that I had to take for getting my license back, so..I only have the 10 or 12(can't remember which)classes to go with ASAP(alcohol safety awareness program). Hopefully I will have my license before the summer is up! :)
Also on April 2nd, I quit smoking! Al had already not smoked for 30 days, we decided to do it that way so we wouldn't rip each others heads off..lol! I did have a slight "relapse" on the 7th but I already have another 2 days under my belt as of today. I have smoked since I was 12! It has been harder to give that up than the drugs and alcohol, it seems. Along with the quitting smoking I have cut down from 12 cups of coffee to 4 a day. Yippee!
So on thursday, the 8th my husband and I drove to Staunton to a good friend of mine's house and picked up 4 Rhode Island Red chickens and 1 Rhode Island Red rooster! Don't ever buy a cheaply made "chicken coop" from Tractor supply! It was a disaster! It was very windy on the 9th and the darn thing blew over backward and broke! Thankfully the chickens were not in it. The box said it was for up to 6 chickens but I think they must have meant 6 peeps! They were so cramped in there and that was even minus the chicken that got away! I've named her Roami. We finally got her back in with all the other chickens and rooster last night in their new "home". Al caught her, I couldn't believe it...I had been trying for 2 days! I am leaving them in the new coop for today so they get adjusted and hopefully will know that is their new home. Those poor chickens have had a rough life the last couple of days! I would post pics but something seems to be wrong with my camera(you're not the only one having camera problems, Tammy..lol!)and I can't download pics :(
I will try to rectify that situation as soon as I can find out what the problem is with my camera.
Also, starting April 2nd, I weaned my jersey bull calf from my milk cow and have been milking twice a day...I have so much milk, my fridge is full and this morning I used the last two containers! I have GOT to get me a cheese thermometer so I can start making cheese! I guess I will have to make some cottage cheese in the meantime. Abbey has been so good with milking, I love her so much!
Well, I think I will go see if I have gotten any more eggs yet! I hope everyone has a great day!
I had a great passover and week of unleavened bread! I still have a lot to learn and I'm sure I made some mistakes but Yahweh(God's name in Hebrew)will help me learn. It is so cool to discover that these Holy Days all signify the plan of salvation and are a shadow of things to come. I love His ways! I just want to learn and please Him.
So, let's see...April 1st was Al and I's 3rd anniversary..wow! It has been so awesome to have him in my life. I call him my "gift from Yahweh(God)". That day was also the last day of a set of 12 classes that I had to take for getting my license back, so..I only have the 10 or 12(can't remember which)classes to go with ASAP(alcohol safety awareness program). Hopefully I will have my license before the summer is up! :)
Also on April 2nd, I quit smoking! Al had already not smoked for 30 days, we decided to do it that way so we wouldn't rip each others heads off..lol! I did have a slight "relapse" on the 7th but I already have another 2 days under my belt as of today. I have smoked since I was 12! It has been harder to give that up than the drugs and alcohol, it seems. Along with the quitting smoking I have cut down from 12 cups of coffee to 4 a day. Yippee!
So on thursday, the 8th my husband and I drove to Staunton to a good friend of mine's house and picked up 4 Rhode Island Red chickens and 1 Rhode Island Red rooster! Don't ever buy a cheaply made "chicken coop" from Tractor supply! It was a disaster! It was very windy on the 9th and the darn thing blew over backward and broke! Thankfully the chickens were not in it. The box said it was for up to 6 chickens but I think they must have meant 6 peeps! They were so cramped in there and that was even minus the chicken that got away! I've named her Roami. We finally got her back in with all the other chickens and rooster last night in their new "home". Al caught her, I couldn't believe it...I had been trying for 2 days! I am leaving them in the new coop for today so they get adjusted and hopefully will know that is their new home. Those poor chickens have had a rough life the last couple of days! I would post pics but something seems to be wrong with my camera(you're not the only one having camera problems, Tammy..lol!)and I can't download pics :(
I will try to rectify that situation as soon as I can find out what the problem is with my camera.
Also, starting April 2nd, I weaned my jersey bull calf from my milk cow and have been milking twice a day...I have so much milk, my fridge is full and this morning I used the last two containers! I have GOT to get me a cheese thermometer so I can start making cheese! I guess I will have to make some cottage cheese in the meantime. Abbey has been so good with milking, I love her so much!
Well, I think I will go see if I have gotten any more eggs yet! I hope everyone has a great day!
Thursday, March 25, 2010
I'm back...
Hello everybody! I have changed the name of my blog so that I feel like I can blog about all the great things that happen on the farm here!
Let's see, what's been going on since I've last posted? Adam will be 5 months old on March 31st, he is still nursing on his momma, I have been pretty much separating Abbey every other day since January to get milk. I plan on weaning him on April 1st. He has changed in looks so much I can't believe it! I will post comparison pics.
I found out about a month ago that Praline, our little Nigerian Dwarf goat is pregnant so..I am pretty excited about that! Her little udder is getting full, it is so cute! I can't wait to see the little "kids".
We have lost one of our miniature silky fainting goats and Kem our doberman, they are sadly missed. :(
My classes for getting my license back are going great, I would say I am about halfway done with all of it. Woot Woot! I can't even imagine what it will be like to drive again...wow! I am very excited! Will keep you posted on that.
I will also be adding 6 Rhode Island Red chickens and a Rooster to the mix! I am very excited about that too!
Just need to get an area ready for them and then I will be going to get them. My very own free range eggs..wow!
Hmmm...that's all I can think of right now, it's good to be back..lol!
Let's see, what's been going on since I've last posted? Adam will be 5 months old on March 31st, he is still nursing on his momma, I have been pretty much separating Abbey every other day since January to get milk. I plan on weaning him on April 1st. He has changed in looks so much I can't believe it! I will post comparison pics.
I found out about a month ago that Praline, our little Nigerian Dwarf goat is pregnant so..I am pretty excited about that! Her little udder is getting full, it is so cute! I can't wait to see the little "kids".
We have lost one of our miniature silky fainting goats and Kem our doberman, they are sadly missed. :(
My classes for getting my license back are going great, I would say I am about halfway done with all of it. Woot Woot! I can't even imagine what it will be like to drive again...wow! I am very excited! Will keep you posted on that.
I will also be adding 6 Rhode Island Red chickens and a Rooster to the mix! I am very excited about that too!
Just need to get an area ready for them and then I will be going to get them. My very own free range eggs..wow!
Sunday, December 6, 2009
Pics of new wagon and milk
Hello all! I thought I would be writing more in my blog but..there is only so much to say about milking a cow, I think. There is a lot of fluctuation in Abbey's production, I guess I thought it would be more predictable. One morning 2 gallons and that evening a couple of ounces! I am perplexed. Last night I got everything ready and went to the barn but after feeling her quarters decided not to milk because I just knew it would be another couple ouncer, that has happened twice. This morning I got a little over a gallon..hmmm. I will go out this evening and see how full she is.
Here are some pics of my milk, my new wagon and some scenery! God Bless!
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Adam invited an orphan over for dinner AND breakfast before I caught on!
Went to town yesterday for my first check-in/drug test at ASAP yesterday. All went well...I will say again, I am VERY thankful and grateful for this opportunity to work on getting my license! And very grateful to God for my amazing husband!
Friday, November 27, 2009
Production seems to be on the rise!
Good Morning all! This morning I had a record of 1 1/2 gallons! I have tried something new the last two times I have milked Abbey and I'm not sure if I should take credit for this but there does seem to be a correlation. I have been rubbing her belly softly and leaning my head on her. Usually she seems a little agitated the whole time she is in the stanchion but..since I have been rubbing her belly...she just stands there very still...not even eating..lol! It is so ADORABLE! I really think it's time to order more jars and get the stuff I will need for making mozzarella. I knew when I carried the milk home it was heavier than it had ever been before. It is so exciting to come in the house and see what my "take" is for that milking! Awww..I sure do love my Abbey girl! She's the best!
Last night we had Thanksgiving with the neighbors. It was very pleasant! The food was great! I was a little concerned because I know that they both drink and the other guy they invited drinks as well. Fran(neighbor lady)says..I know you all don't drink but I hope you don't mind if I have some wine with dinner. I said "not at all!". I struggled with some thoughts about having some wine but golly it feels so good to know that I did not have any and had a great time!! Thank you Lord for the ever growing strength you are giving me! When I think of the sacrfice that Jesus made for us all, it seems a pretty small sacrifice to not drink. I am certainly not condemning any one who would take a drink but for me...one is too many and a thousand is never enough!! I always try to tell myself in those situations that I could only have one but deep down I know better. Also, I'm sure Al would have been disappointed and tempted as well. He has about 10 years sobriety now :) Anyway, it was a great time and we really enjoyed ourselves and it was nice to not obsess about having a drink. I had a few mental struggles but it did not overwhelm me..AWESOME! It was also a blessing in disguise that I had told her a few days prior about some of my struggles with alcohol. That was just one more incentive not to drink. God is so awesome!
I took them some milk also and Tom actually had a glass with dinner..it was great to see him drinking Abbey's milk :)
God is good..all the time! God Bless!
Last night we had Thanksgiving with the neighbors. It was very pleasant! The food was great! I was a little concerned because I know that they both drink and the other guy they invited drinks as well. Fran(neighbor lady)says..I know you all don't drink but I hope you don't mind if I have some wine with dinner. I said "not at all!". I struggled with some thoughts about having some wine but golly it feels so good to know that I did not have any and had a great time!! Thank you Lord for the ever growing strength you are giving me! When I think of the sacrfice that Jesus made for us all, it seems a pretty small sacrifice to not drink. I am certainly not condemning any one who would take a drink but for me...one is too many and a thousand is never enough!! I always try to tell myself in those situations that I could only have one but deep down I know better. Also, I'm sure Al would have been disappointed and tempted as well. He has about 10 years sobriety now :) Anyway, it was a great time and we really enjoyed ourselves and it was nice to not obsess about having a drink. I had a few mental struggles but it did not overwhelm me..AWESOME! It was also a blessing in disguise that I had told her a few days prior about some of my struggles with alcohol. That was just one more incentive not to drink. God is so awesome!
I took them some milk also and Tom actually had a glass with dinner..it was great to see him drinking Abbey's milk :)
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
My knee is getting much better..
Sunday while we were moving the refrigerator I hurt my knee! I almost cried it hurt so bad! I limped around Sunday and Monday and am feeling much better today! Thank the good Lord! It was all swollen and bruised. I was just a klutz all day Sunday...it seemed like everything I tried to do caused a spill or some small catastrophe..all is well now though. Al helped me Sunday and Monday with the milking, which I was very grateful and thankful for! Once again..he is my knight in shining armor..hee hee!
I am getting a gallon of milk a day regularly now. I still say she is holding out though..she really doesn't seem to like the whole process too much at all but tolerates it rather well. Except yesterday evening she kicked up her leg and knocked off all the teat cups! I was not very happy with her about that! I cleaned up and proceeded to finish and she was fine. She seems to behave a little better when Adam is in the barn with us as well..I can't always get him to come in but it is nicer for all when he does! I suppose she will get used to it.
I am handling the problem with not being able to get the suction cups off by using the automatic shut-off valve on the claw...seems to work ok.
Looks like another cloudy, dreary day on the farm...I am ready for some sunshine!! :)
We didn't get much rain yesterday but it is very soupy out because we must have been already saturated from the previous rains..ugh.
We have decided to keep both refrigerators in the kitchen, we have room and it will be a lot handier for me.
I hope everyone has a GREAT day! God Bless!
I am getting a gallon of milk a day regularly now. I still say she is holding out though..she really doesn't seem to like the whole process too much at all but tolerates it rather well. Except yesterday evening she kicked up her leg and knocked off all the teat cups! I was not very happy with her about that! I cleaned up and proceeded to finish and she was fine. She seems to behave a little better when Adam is in the barn with us as well..I can't always get him to come in but it is nicer for all when he does! I suppose she will get used to it.
I am handling the problem with not being able to get the suction cups off by using the automatic shut-off valve on the claw...seems to work ok.
Looks like another cloudy, dreary day on the farm...I am ready for some sunshine!! :)
We didn't get much rain yesterday but it is very soupy out because we must have been already saturated from the previous rains..ugh.
We have decided to keep both refrigerators in the kitchen, we have room and it will be a lot handier for me.
Sunday, November 22, 2009
The start of another wonderful week on the farm
There is really not a whole lot to report. I really think Abbey is being stingy and holding out on me though..lol. She keeps looking back at me while I am milking her as if to say, "now that is ENOUGH!", it really seems to irritate her! Yesterday I got a record high of approximately 11/2 gallons, yippee! I have decided to stick with twice a day milking until I have to start my ASAP classes in a couple of months. Those will be in the evenings from about 5:30 to 7:30, I believe, and then another 3 hours there and back! I am not complaining though. There are some things in life you just have to do that you aren't real excited about. It's all good. Thank God for my husband! He is awesome! :)
I have cut my fingernails very, very short. I thought that may help in getting the suction cups off of Abbey's teats without causing her any discomfort whatsoever. I guess I just need practice because she still jumped a little today.
This morning I got a whopping 1/2 gallon, yippee! lol. I am just amazed at this milking machine! It is working like a dream and really is fairly easy to take care of and keep clean. I am going to order me a nice red wagon today(only because my husband thinks I should, lol ;) )it has a lot higher sides than the one I am using now and bigger tires. Looks real nice!
We are going to bring the new refrigerator down here today. Al brought the doors down Friday and I have them all cleaned up and ready to go. So now, we will have an extra fridge in the "mancave"(that's what Al calls it, lol!)I call it a garage!
I have cut my fingernails very, very short. I thought that may help in getting the suction cups off of Abbey's teats without causing her any discomfort whatsoever. I guess I just need practice because she still jumped a little today.
This morning I got a whopping 1/2 gallon, yippee! lol. I am just amazed at this milking machine! It is working like a dream and really is fairly easy to take care of and keep clean. I am going to order me a nice red wagon today(only because my husband thinks I should, lol ;) )it has a lot higher sides than the one I am using now and bigger tires. Looks real nice!
Thursday, November 19, 2009
What a GREAT day! God is SO good!
Today went very well in court! Yippee! Hooray! I am so grateful for just the opportunity to work on getting my license back, I'm a little embarrassed to say this but I have not had a license for 16 years! Since I have began a relationship with Jesus, and changed my lifestyle I have come to learn and appreciate that a license is a PRIVILEGE and I am going to have to work hard to get them back and that is good. I am nervous and excited to think that I will actually be able to legally drive in about 6 months. I will be on probation for a year with ASAP(Alcohol Safety Awareness Program)and that is fine too. I will have to go to classes and NA/AA meetings but..it's all good. I thank God for this chance! :) I know I say this a lot but I am SO grateful for my husband..he is willing to cart me around for all this stuff I have to do in order to be able to drive again..not to mention all the money he is spending for it...I will not let God down or my wonderful husband. Thank you Lord for this opportunity! It is so nice to know that whenever they want to give me a random drug or alcohol test, I have no worries..when I was on probation in 2001-2004, I was always having to worry about passing..THANK GOD that life is behind me now! Once again I want to say I am so grateful to everyone involved and anyone who may have said a prayer for me today!
I was in a rush to milk when I got home..it went ok except for this is the second time that I think I have hurt Abbey trying to take off the teat cups..YIKES! I am trying to do it the way Willie told me to...stick my finger in there to break the suction first but it doesn't seem to be working real good. Also it's hard to tell which teats are done because I know you don't want to leave them on if there is no milk coming out, I feel like a mechanic working under a car..lol! My only concern is causing harm or pain to Abbey..for the most part unless I hurt her..she is good as gold. I sit and rub her belly while the milker is doing it's thing. I am really thinking about going to once a day milking again. Tonight I only got 1/2 gallon. I will probably think about it some more..any suggestions are welcome :)
Gotta go get some rest, been go go going all day! Oh..I celebrated after court by buying myself some Ghirardelli chocolates...wow, they were good!! Life is good. God is good. God Bless
I was in a rush to milk when I got home..it went ok except for this is the second time that I think I have hurt Abbey trying to take off the teat cups..YIKES! I am trying to do it the way Willie told me to...stick my finger in there to break the suction first but it doesn't seem to be working real good. Also it's hard to tell which teats are done because I know you don't want to leave them on if there is no milk coming out, I feel like a mechanic working under a car..lol! My only concern is causing harm or pain to Abbey..for the most part unless I hurt her..she is good as gold. I sit and rub her belly while the milker is doing it's thing. I am really thinking about going to once a day milking again. Tonight I only got 1/2 gallon. I will probably think about it some more..any suggestions are welcome :)
Today's the Big Day!
At around 1:30 PM today I will find out what they say in court about proceeding with getting my license!! I'm a little nervous but trying not to be. I will just be glad when this is over! Lord, whatever the outcome, I will love, honor and serve you! No matter what..you are in control.
Ugh..this morning was rainy and icky outside...DIRTY UDDERS..lol! Everything went off without a hitch today, except one little thing..I think I might have taken one of the teat cups off and hurt Abbey because she pulled her leg up like it hurt...sorry Abbey girl! :( Adam came in today and I tied him up so he couldn't get around any of the milking equipment and do any damage ;) I brushed them both because they were dripping wet. I really thought that this milker thing was going to be a LOT harder to get accustomed to but it has really been WONDERFUL!! Thank you Tammy and thank you Willie!!
The only thing I think I need to work on now as far as the milker is when one of the quarters is done, I think I need to be getting the plug in there quicker because they all end up falling off. I am concentrating so much on not pulling to hard or hurting Abbey that I'm not having that plug ready to go..but this morning..it's a big thumb's up!! I got just a tad under a gallon...I really thought I would be getting more but maybe it just takes time.
It's not going to be long before I am ready to tackle making mozzarella! I need to order the stuff I will need to make it.
I noticed the other day while cleaning a glass that I can usually fit my hand into that it was impossible to get in there and clean it! What's up with that?? Is that swelling or muscle...LOL!
I am so happy and grateful about my new adventures with Abbey..she is SO wonderful...I couldn't have dreamed of a better cow for a beginner milker!! OH..I almost forgot to mention..she has not pooed or peed in the stanchion for the last 3 days!!!!! Yippee, Hooray, Woot Woot!!! I am SO proud of her!
Well, I have to sign off and think about getting ready to go to Harrisonburg to court...hopefully I will come back this evening with good news!!
God Bless!
Ugh..this morning was rainy and icky outside...DIRTY UDDERS..lol! Everything went off without a hitch today, except one little thing..I think I might have taken one of the teat cups off and hurt Abbey because she pulled her leg up like it hurt...sorry Abbey girl! :( Adam came in today and I tied him up so he couldn't get around any of the milking equipment and do any damage ;) I brushed them both because they were dripping wet. I really thought that this milker thing was going to be a LOT harder to get accustomed to but it has really been WONDERFUL!! Thank you Tammy and thank you Willie!!
The only thing I think I need to work on now as far as the milker is when one of the quarters is done, I think I need to be getting the plug in there quicker because they all end up falling off. I am concentrating so much on not pulling to hard or hurting Abbey that I'm not having that plug ready to go..but this morning..it's a big thumb's up!! I got just a tad under a gallon...I really thought I would be getting more but maybe it just takes time.
It's not going to be long before I am ready to tackle making mozzarella! I need to order the stuff I will need to make it.
I noticed the other day while cleaning a glass that I can usually fit my hand into that it was impossible to get in there and clean it! What's up with that?? Is that swelling or muscle...LOL!
I am so happy and grateful about my new adventures with Abbey..she is SO wonderful...I couldn't have dreamed of a better cow for a beginner milker!! OH..I almost forgot to mention..she has not pooed or peed in the stanchion for the last 3 days!!!!! Yippee, Hooray, Woot Woot!!! I am SO proud of her!
Well, I have to sign off and think about getting ready to go to Harrisonburg to court...hopefully I will come back this evening with good news!!
God Bless!
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
All is well!
It took me an hour an a half altogether this morning with the milking! Probably less than it took me hand milking! Once again..my Abbey girl was a champ! I'm pretty sure God put her and I together...I love her! I only got a gallon again but..I suppose it will increase? It's good enough for now because I am just not ready to start making stuff with the milk yet...too tired and sore yet. A nice side benefit..losing weight!! Yippee! 4 pounds so far.
This morning I asked Al to just be there for moral support..awww..he is so sweet! :) I only made one mistake..forgot to put the hose from the pump back onto the milker for cleaning..lol! Took me a few minutes to figure out why the needle wasn't going up on the gauge, other than that, it went off without a hitch! Abbey really seems to enjoy the milker better than my hand milking, it must be gentler than I?? lol!
The only thing that is harder about milking with the electric milker is carrying more heavier stuff up to the barn, which really isn't that bad, I am using a little red wagon that my 3 things I need fit perfectly in! Then I just carry the pail. The transition from hand milking to electric has really been quite pleasant :)! My main concern was how Abbey would react and she is WAY better behaved now and she gets done so quick she doesn't seem like she is ready to quit eating the yummy hay and leave. I have to practically pull her out. I know I already said this but it is so cool to watch the milk go through the tube into the container..love it!
Well, tomorrow is the big day...going to find out if I will be able to go forward with getting my license. The only thing I have been a little concerned about is whether the natural HGH with 20% organic alcohol would show up on the urine they sent to the lab..two little squirts under the tongue 3 times a day. I am just praying that it is such a minute amount that it won't show up. If it did, there is no way they would believe that is what it was and honestly, I wouldn't blame them. I mean, I do have a history of alcohol abuse. God is good and he knows so I am just trusting that all is well :) !
God bless!
This morning I asked Al to just be there for moral support..awww..he is so sweet! :) I only made one mistake..forgot to put the hose from the pump back onto the milker for cleaning..lol! Took me a few minutes to figure out why the needle wasn't going up on the gauge, other than that, it went off without a hitch! Abbey really seems to enjoy the milker better than my hand milking, it must be gentler than I?? lol!
The only thing that is harder about milking with the electric milker is carrying more heavier stuff up to the barn, which really isn't that bad, I am using a little red wagon that my 3 things I need fit perfectly in! Then I just carry the pail. The transition from hand milking to electric has really been quite pleasant :)! My main concern was how Abbey would react and she is WAY better behaved now and she gets done so quick she doesn't seem like she is ready to quit eating the yummy hay and leave. I have to practically pull her out. I know I already said this but it is so cool to watch the milk go through the tube into the container..love it!
Well, tomorrow is the big day...going to find out if I will be able to go forward with getting my license. The only thing I have been a little concerned about is whether the natural HGH with 20% organic alcohol would show up on the urine they sent to the lab..two little squirts under the tongue 3 times a day. I am just praying that it is such a minute amount that it won't show up. If it did, there is no way they would believe that is what it was and honestly, I wouldn't blame them. I mean, I do have a history of alcohol abuse. God is good and he knows so I am just trusting that all is well :) !
God bless!
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Electric Milker...
Wow..yesterday and today have been really busy! Most of yesterday, Al and I were trying to figure out the milker, putting it together, talking with Willie(the lady I bought it from)on the phone and I didn't sleep good at all last night..might have gotten a couple of hours of sleep. It was weird, I was tired but couldn't sleep. Well, this morning I was up early and out milking by hand and then Al and I had to go to his eye appt.(yikes! And he's been driving me around, he can't see very well!)then we came back home and got busy setting things up in the barn. At this point I was getting rather excited, I was so grateful and thankful to God for my husband...he is just AWESOME! He didn't really set it up the way I had originally wanted but I decided to let him make those decisions and I would work with it..even if I didn't like it too much..guess what? I LOVED it!! He did a perfect job! Ok..so then we came back down to the house and I got the rest of the milker and other stuff I would need for milking. We went up at 4:00 and I was back in the house with milk in hand by 6, which I thought was AWESOME for using the milker for the first time.
I have to tell you, I feel so blessed to have Abbey, she was an absolute perfectly behaved young lady! She seemed not to mind any of it at all!! We had a few problems with the pressure and stuff only to find out it was operator error..lol! It will take me a while to get used to this new way of doing things but I have to say..I could not have asked for a better outcome for ours and Abbey's first time. I got twice the amount of milk but she must be holding out on me because I was shocked it was over so quick and I only got a gallon...Willie says that she will eventually let down when she hears the machine running but I gotta tell you..overall, it was really neat! Watching the milk come out of the milker like that..wow! To know that we had put it together and to see it work(after a problem of operator error here and there..hee hee!)it was really neat! Ok I am very sore and tired, I will try to get some pics up soon. It has just been so icky and muddy, you just want to get it done and get out of that slop! Ok..more later...God Bless!
I have to tell you, I feel so blessed to have Abbey, she was an absolute perfectly behaved young lady! She seemed not to mind any of it at all!! We had a few problems with the pressure and stuff only to find out it was operator error..lol! It will take me a while to get used to this new way of doing things but I have to say..I could not have asked for a better outcome for ours and Abbey's first time. I got twice the amount of milk but she must be holding out on me because I was shocked it was over so quick and I only got a gallon...Willie says that she will eventually let down when she hears the machine running but I gotta tell you..overall, it was really neat! Watching the milk come out of the milker like that..wow! To know that we had put it together and to see it work(after a problem of operator error here and there..hee hee!)it was really neat! Ok I am very sore and tired, I will try to get some pics up soon. It has just been so icky and muddy, you just want to get it done and get out of that slop! Ok..more later...God Bless!
Sunday, November 15, 2009
Wow..I think it's been a while since I blogged!
Well, I haven't written anything on here for a while...I have been tired and sore. Abbey got mastitis in two quarters and I have been dealing with that. I feel confident that it has cleared up, Thank God! My friend said I caught it early, which was good.
I really don't know if I've "paid my dues" but..my wonderful husband said I could get an electric milker so...I did! I suppose that will be a whole new routine to learn also but that is ok.
Still haven't got the other refrigerator down here, it has been way too muddy and rainy! Hopefully this week we will get that done, I sure do need it! I am also running out of containers to keep my milk in. I ordered 24 32 oz. jars thinking for some reason(don't laugh!)that 32 oz. was a half gallon..ha ha ha ha ha!! Woa..where is my brain! So..I have to get that ready to send back and exchange for 64 oz. bottles.
Everything seems to be going well with Abbey, sometimes she is better behaved than others at milking time. I have finally learned to milk with both hands, which seems to go a little faster. :)
I will try to get some more recent pics on here of Abbey and Adam, he is growing like a weed and very healthy and happy! Abbey is such a good momma!
I am going to sign off for now because I am still sore, hurts to type..lol! God Bless!
I really don't know if I've "paid my dues" but..my wonderful husband said I could get an electric milker so...I did! I suppose that will be a whole new routine to learn also but that is ok.
Still haven't got the other refrigerator down here, it has been way too muddy and rainy! Hopefully this week we will get that done, I sure do need it! I am also running out of containers to keep my milk in. I ordered 24 32 oz. jars thinking for some reason(don't laugh!)that 32 oz. was a half gallon..ha ha ha ha ha!! Woa..where is my brain! So..I have to get that ready to send back and exchange for 64 oz. bottles.
Everything seems to be going well with Abbey, sometimes she is better behaved than others at milking time. I have finally learned to milk with both hands, which seems to go a little faster. :)
I will try to get some more recent pics on here of Abbey and Adam, he is growing like a weed and very healthy and happy! Abbey is such a good momma!
I am going to sign off for now because I am still sore, hurts to type..lol! God Bless!
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Yikes! My milk looks grey now!
This mornings milking went super well, Abbey was so well behaved! It made everything a LOT easier! But..when I came in to strain my milk and put it in the fridge..I noticed that last nights milk was kind of an ugly brownish grey. I am just hoping that Abbey is ok.
I have go to VASAP appointment today, I am trying not to be nervous. I am trying to get my driving privileges re-instated and this is just one of the hoops you have to go through. The only part I really have a hard time with is you have to urinate in a cup while they watch you and I have "stage fright". I am just telling myself..you can do it, you can do it!! I will just be glad when this is out of the way. I will go to court on November 19th to find out if I can proceed with getting my license back.
I have to go get ready so..have a great day and...God Bless!
I have go to VASAP appointment today, I am trying not to be nervous. I am trying to get my driving privileges re-instated and this is just one of the hoops you have to go through. The only part I really have a hard time with is you have to urinate in a cup while they watch you and I have "stage fright". I am just telling myself..you can do it, you can do it!! I will just be glad when this is out of the way. I will go to court on November 19th to find out if I can proceed with getting my license back.
I have to go get ready so..have a great day and...God Bless!
Monday, November 9, 2009
Once a Day Milking
I have decided to try to go to once a day milking..I think that will work out better for Abbey and for myself. I did not milk last night and this morning she came to the barn a lot easier and was better behaved. I got almost exactly a gallon today, I think a gallon a day is perfect for me right now. I will plan on separating the calf at night when the milk production goes down significantly. Sounds like a good plan to me! Things are really going well with my milking experience so far. I am well pleased with her overall...she is such a good momma! Adam seems to be a healthy, happy calf growing everyday! Not much to say today..so..God Bless and have a great day!
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