Thursday Thoughts

Today has been a long day.  After getting the babes off to school.  Mr. M and myself headed out to one of our property lines.  Me in the skid loader, he on the quad.  Our new neighbors have cleared all the fence row out on their side and there are trees on our side that needed to come down.  They needed to come down for many reasons.  There were not too many, I thought.  But we started around 9:30 and had to stop around 1 because Mr. M had to go to work.  But we got most of them chopped down, but there is still some clean-up to do.  The best part was picking up huge trees with the grapple bucket that we have on the skid loader.  It's amazing what you can do that one machine. I grumbled when we first got it, but I know now that we can't do without it.  And it really does make Mr. Ms life sooo much easier.
 And then later in the day the babes and myself had to go to town to run a few errands.  And Little Man had a Safe Shooters meeting.(its one of his 4-H projects)  So we stopped in town and had some grub before we headed home.  Then once home it was feed critter time.  Unload some feed.  Then shave Little Mans head down. (his hair was really long) Then it was a popcicle and bed.  All in all its was a busy, but productive day.  This is one of the best parts of living the life we live.  Being able to stay home like I am able to do. Taking our babes to school every morning.  Helping Mr. M when he needs it.  Being here when the babes get home from school.  And sometimes I feel like our pooch in the picture below.  Exhausted! But it is such a good exhausted.  We are a truely blessed family.  And I wouldn't have it any other way.

Mommy makes everything better.

In January we had our first calf.  And as first calves go, Mr. M thought he was okay. I thought he was put together pretty good and just had the "newborn uglies."  In my opion anything that is curled up for 9 months need a few days show what it truely can be.  So for the first couple of days, they have the "newborn uglies."  Yesterday after Mr. M left I decided to go out and walk through the calves.  I was sick of doing housework and the sun was shining.  So I grabbed my camera and went for a walk.  I always find it interesting that in our herd there are certain cows that are the "sitters."  These are the cows that are very nurturing and always taking care of the calves.  These are also the cows that when they lay for rest, all the calves lay with them.  And in this case our Alias decided he would use for a dinner plate.  He is eating hay off the back of one of the cows.

So I gues the moral is: when someone takes care of you, return the favor!  Happy Wednesday.

I'm In LOVE!

We have raised cattle for over 11 years together.  And sometimes a calf or calves comes along that I sometimes get attached too.  Sometimes it's because of the cow the calf comes from.  Sometimes its because it was a rough delivery, so you have a personal investment.  Sometimes its just because I can.  So that being said.  I am totally and completely in LOVE with the twins! I can waste a lot of time just watching them. 

I know everyone dislikes twins that are opposite sex because they are free martins.  But the joy and entertainment that I get from watching these two is just awesome.  Tabasco is the red/white bull, Lola is the black/white heifer.  They are too fun! They eat, sleep, play and even nurse together(one on each side).  They are the dynamic duo.  And the best part they always have each other! It's a good thing they aren't puppies or they would be in the house.  But I will just take pictures and continue to watch them from my kitchen window, where they put a smile on my face.  There's nothing better than seeing those white tails stuck in the air during a good game of chase.  Happy Tuesday.

Manic Monday!

Mondays are good and bad.  The babes are back to school today. And Mr. M is on a different work schedule for the week. So having said that, my schedule is different for the week. The day started out a little later than normal.  I'm usually up and at them by 6.  But since the kids were home last week I slept in till 7 a couple of days and even made it to 8 one day.  That is not normal for me.  So once things got moving Mr. M and myself headed out to check on things.  Then we proceeded to take everything out of the barn and do a little cleaning.  I can't wait to get that barn clean! It drives me to distraction because I think it should be way cleaner than it is. Anyway, we spent most of the moring doing that.  Then Mr. M treated me to lunch and then off he went to work.  So I decided to go take some pictures.  I'm sure that there will be a list of things to do the rest of the week, but for now I'm enjoying my alone time.  Have a great day!

Finally Friday

Today is the last day of the babes Spring Break.  On Monday it will be back to reality and a normal routine.  But for now, we are hanging out. Tomorrow Mr. M has to work a  half day.  The babes and myself are gonna redo the sheep pen.  I don't like the way it is right now. And set up the feeders and water trough for the pig pens. And then we are gonna make a  temporary lot to get the bred cows, cow/calf pairs out on the old hay field before we rip it up.  We are finally gonna put a hay field in front of the house.  I have wanted to do this since we have lived here. Then on Sunday Mr. M and Little Man are taking the show heifer to get a pedicure.  Then we are getting the new additions.  2 gilts and 2 wethers for Little Mans 4-H project. Unfortunately, Elmer is getting kicked out of the barn.  He is gonna be a field buddy to the bull.  Elmer loves nothing more than being in the barn.  He is our 27 year old horse our children learned to ride on.

 I enjoy all the noise when I walk to the barn early in the morning to feed.  All the sounds that go with the animals waking up and talking.  The rooster crowing, the cows talking to their babes and the replacement heifers yelling at me for their grub. There's nothing better than a hot cup of coffee and being in the barn when the sun comes up.  It's the perfect start to the day.

I hope everyone has a wonderful and productive weekend.  Spend time with your friends and family and enjoy the moment!

Fair Oaks Farm - Part 2

When we went to the Dairy Farm on tuesday Little Miss asked for the point and shoot.  So I put new batteries in it and handed it to her.  These photos are her's.  She took a lot of herself and just about every trinket in the gift shoppe.  But i just posted a few.  Both of the babes are asking for new cameras for christmas.  And one of Little Mans 4-H projects is photography.  So that fun for me to watch and look at the pictures they take, and to see their point of view.  ENJOY!

Fair Oaks Farms - Part 1

I highly recommend this place to anyone.  We learned about the other breed.  It was a lot of fun, and cool to see. They kids and I learned some things we didnt know about Dairy Cattle. We saw a calf be born without the stress of worring for the first time.  We ate some really great food and had fresh ice cream and milk.   And the CHEESE! Yummy, is all i'm gonna say.  So if you get a chance, go.  Its was a great way to spend the day.

Late Tuesday Post

Tuesday was a wonderful day spent with Little Man, Little Miss and our tow nephews.  And Tuesday was a reminder of the hardships of raising cattle and being a farmers wife. 
My good friend D and I took all four kids to Fair Oaks Farms in northern Indiana.  It was a long drive there and home.  But all went well.  The kids entertained themselves and got along.  It's fun to watch them learn about new things.  We are beef people and this was a Dairy Farm.  They have wonderful food there.  The food served there is from the milk made there.  So the milk and ice cream was super yummy.  A calving barn, so you can watch a calf be born.  Because it's more fun to watch without all the worry when it's your own.  An interactive barn where they can learn about the life of the people and the cows on the farm.  And then you take a bus tour to the actual barns where the cows are living and milked.  The kids thought it was cool that the cows rode a carousel to be milked.  It was a long day, but all went well and the kids learned something new.

Then when we got home the kids went and played.  And Mr. M and myself went and vaccinated/deliced the cows that have calved.  We have had a sick calf since Sunday.  We have medicated him and done everything within our power to make him better.  Sometimes that just isn't enough.  We lost him.  He was only 2 wks and 1 day old.  It broke my heart.  We wait 9 months for these babies to arrive.  And sometimes they just don't make it.  So I had a good cry and then went about getting all the kids fed.  My poor Mr. M buried the little guy.  Life is a daily struggle and today it was one of those reminders.

Manic Monday

This weekend was great! Friday evening was a flurry of things to do before the sun went down.  Then we headed to spend time grilling out with friends.  Saturday, was just beautiful! We spent the day outside. Mark had knocked over this dead tree last weekend.  We are gonna cut it up and burn the stump out.  Sis and I walked almost the whole farm picking up trash.  People seem to be okay with throwing their trash out whenever and whereever they please.  G rode the quad around and picked up some of the bigger rocks that are harder on the tractors.  Mr. M did haying and some work on the skid steer and his truck.  Then is was off to see Rango!  Sunday was a day of activity out.  We went and looked at sheep and pigs.  We are the proud new owners of one lamb and one pig.  So we are gonna shop around for one more of each.  Then if was off to dinner with Mr. Ms people. 
I hope all of you had such a full and wonderful weekend.  Summer will be here before we know it.  The flowers are starting to pop out of the ground, the grass is turning green and the birds are chirping more.  Have a productive and safe week!

The Twins

They finally let me get pictures of them! It was cold and windy.  The cow at the top is Tinsel.  She is the momma.  We bought her 3 or 4 years ago at the Season Finale.  She is very nasty when she calves.  But she has the most beautiful udder and incredible milk supply.  The black/white calf is baby A. She is the Lola, the heifer.  She looks just like her momma.  The red/white calf is baby B.  He is Tabasco, the bull.  He is the first known red/white calf out of Salty Dog.  Since the twins are opposite sex, the heifer is a free martan.  Meaning she is sterile and unbreadable.  The bull will be steered and possibly sold for a show calf for someone.  We won't know until they are weaned.  Most cows cannot raise twins.  They usually disown one right after birth, but T is a very good momma and has plenty of milk for both.  I will get better pictures at some point.  But at least you can enjoy their cuteness with us now! Happy Friday everyone.

Thursday Thoughts

So I haven't blogged in a few days.  We have been in a whirlwind as usual.  Tuesday, I spent over 3 hrs getting our taxes done.  The Mr. M was able to get the babes off the bus and that was a nice thing.  Then Mr. M had a meeting to go to.  Wednesday was an early day for the babes.  They had to get up around 6, so Little Miss could go to school on the bus.  Then Little Man and I were off to Greenfield for his Dr.s appointment.  After the Dr.s appointment I ran a few errands.  And it was soo beautiful outside!  The today we are back on schedule.  I'm gonna do a few chores and then Mr. M and myself have an appointment in Greenfield.  But tomorrow is the babes last day of school for spring break next week.  I have a small list of about 100 things I would like to get done.  So we will see how that all goes.
I'm soo excited about summer.  We are ordering new chicks to replace our old chickens. Then in May, meat chickens and turkerys.  I am planning our garden.  We are gonna finish decorating Little Miss's room.  And paint and decorate Little Man's room.  There are flower beds to clean, barns to clean and the list goes on and on...But I have a few fun things thrown in there too.  All work and no play, makes mommy boring to the babes! So what are your big plans?  Are you on spring break soon too and preparing for the wonderful summer ahead? Happy  Thursday!

Manic Monday

So today like every monday of the month is CRAZY here! I'm trying to be good and not drink so much coffee and eat the things that make my now healthy tummy feel not so healthy.  So it's back to the better eating for me.  I got the babes up and moving for school by reminding them that next week they can sleep in because they will be on spring break.  It worked like a charm.  Hopefully, it will work for the next four days. Then it was home, feeding, turning on fans for the show heifer and checking calves.  After a cup of joe I got started on the never ending laundry, making beds and cleaning the kitchen.  I left the mess from the birthday celebration yesterday for today.  Then I got to work on tax preperation.  I have an appointment tomorrow.  After that it was off to Lewisville to help my siste-in-law get a mattress and box springs for her sons new bed.  And then back home to again work on tax paperwork.  Sis got home from school and daddy got home from work.  And then we were off to get G from History Club at school.  Once home it was homework and more laundry.  And then daddy and I were out to the barn to medicate a cow and a few calves.  And then supper.  And bedtime.  I love the constant motion.  If I had to sit still too long I might get into trouble! Tomorrow is another day and more things to get done.  Make the most of it and enjoy it all at the same time!  The best part of the day is the sun is shining beautifully.

Happy Sunday

Sunday was a busy day for us.  We celebrated Gs 10th birthday with family and friends.  And it was also our 12th Anniversary.  We started the day by going out to breakfast.  Then the party after lunch.  Then we ate mexican.  It's hard to believe we have been married 12 years. I just doesn't seem like it's been that long.  We have accomplished a lot over that time and have sooo many more things we want to do.  And don't even get me started on how fast our babies are growing up! Time in a bottle is what I need.  Well, the weather is getting warmer.  The ground is drying up.  And we had the time change yesterday.  So the long days will begin soon.  The kids will be on spring break soon.  We are gonna finish decorating sis's room and paint and decorate G's room.  And I have fun day planned to head to Lafayette with the kids.  Happy Week to everyone!

The Last American Cowboy

Animal Planet ran a 5 episode series about the cowboy lifestyle and 3 families that live that lifestyle.  We LOVED it! They were true, honest and didnt sugar coat anything.  We recorded it and have it on our tbo.  Well, I just saw where I can buy it.  That way we can watch it anytime we like. 
I highly suggest it to anyone.  These people are true salt of the earth people.  They work as a family should doing what they love.  If you get a chance watch it.  I will be buying the DVD for us.  Have a happy, safe weekend!