Spring's a comin' y'all!

It was beautiful yesterday. But still too wet to get in the garden, since it rained all day Monday. I walked around the yard to see what all was popping up. The day lillies are. We've had daffodils for over a month already. I picked some to put inside. Then I noticed my Red Maple tree that I got last year. It didn't look too good toward the end of the year. But now looks like it'll be ok. We've had tons of rain.

The azaleas all looks good too. I have 3 Crepe Myrtles that are later to get leaves. I had 4 blueberry bushes, but the dogs, when they get to playing real rough, have broken one of them. So the 3 are getting little buds now. I'll have to get more because they like where I put them this time. I have tried for years all over this place, to get blueberry bushes to grow and they've all died. They are back by the fence in this picture. I need about about 5 more.

I also have 4 fig trees, 9 apple trees and 3 pear trees. I have yet to get pears from those trees. There have been a few though. Also have 6 grape vines.

But the plant I am most excited about is the elderberry. I have about 4 on this farm. And they do get big beautiful berry clusters. Then, before I know it, they're all gone. because the birds love them more than I do. But this year, I am ahead of them. I'm going to put netting over them when they start to show the flowers. I found a recipe for elderberry lemonade that is SO good that I want to make more of too.

I love this time of year, when all the new life starts popping up all over. The thing I don't like is all the things I am allergic to. For over a month now, my eyes have been so itchy and watery and horrible. And it will only get worse. I don't like this part at all.

Home made toothpaste

I know there are a lot of posts out there about this toothpaste. But I love it and want to share the recipe for those who haven't tried it yet. Even my grand kids like it.

I have this really good coconut oil from Whole Foods, some good baking soda, and some peppermint and spearmint EO. I use 3 tablespoons each of the oil and soda. Mix it up real good and then add about 20 drops of either EO or both and mix well. You can taste and see if it needs more EO. I like a lot. It works so good at keeping the teeth nice and bright and my mouth feels fresh for hours after using it. I love it. My grand daughter Kansas used some of my husbands toothpaste the other day and said it was way too sweet for her. I guess she's just used to this now. And it's SO much better than that other stuff. Which says on the label to not swallow. Well, this you could eat. I will never go back to store bought toothpaste ever again.

I hope y'all will try it. And this in the picture will go a long way.

My weekend

I got my Book of Bees today! I saw this on Taryn's blog woolymossroots, last week and went ahead and ordered it and got it today! (Look at that dirty dog foot.) I can't wait to read it. I like it already though. the very first thing I read was a little sentence that says, Beekeeping is a business that requires the greatest amount of attention to small details...The good beekeeper is generally more or less cranky. I LOVE that! I think I just might be a good beekeeper then. Because I am a bit cranky, more or less. I cannot wait to get my bees. And a friend wants a hive too but wants me to keep them and we'll go in half on all the equipment. I can do that. I just hope I can get another hive now. He's selling out pretty fast.

So I have had a busy weekend. Saturday, I cleaned out the milk room. And what a mess it was! It's been a year or so since I last cleaned it out really good. So it sure needed a good cleaning. And since I am milking again, I needed to get organized. So got that all done. Even put up a strand of colored Christmas lights for some ambiance. The girls love that!

Sunday did some outdoor work. I joined a farming group called CRAFT which stands for collaborative regional alliance for farmer training. It's based in Ashville, N.C. I went to the first meeting in Chatt. last Sunday. There were several other farmers and wanna be farmers. Some have a few rabbits, some have huge farms. So we set up farm tours for the season. And mine will be the first farm tour, along with my friends up the road. Oh my goodenss, I am so nervous already. My farm is a mess! I mean really. There is SO much to do. And I haven't even started my gardens yet. So, we went around the room and introduced ourselves and had to tell a little about ourselves and farms. I said I have dairy goats and sheep. So when it was time to decide the order of the tours, they said we should start at my farm. Ugh! And I should talk about goats and sheep. I almost said no. Because I don't know a whole lot about what I'm doing here and there are so many people who do. BUT, the more I think about it, the more I want to. Because, everyone does things different, right? I am NOT an expert by any means. I learn something every day. And I can talk about what NOT to do. And things that have gone wrong. And why. And what my plans for this farm are. So, we shall see. I did get an email from a photographer in Chattanooga who saw my FB page and wants to come out and take pictures of my animals! How cool is that? So maybe I can get her to come after the tour when the farm will look good.

Then Sunday afternoon, my friend Sarah called. She was supposed to have come out Sat. but stuff happened. Her and I went last year to buy pullets from a guy in Ringgold who I saw on CL. She bought 15 and I bought 5. Well, of my 5, i was a rooster. But of her 15, 10 were roosters. So you can imagine how crazy she's been. She only had 12 hens. These roosters have terrorized those poor hens for so long that 4 of them have just died. It was horrible. So I brought my double cage to her house last week. She caught 10 of the roosters and just kept one. Put them all in cages. And yesterday she brought them all here and we butchered them all. I could see the relief in her face when it was all over. And her remaining hens are so happy now.

This morning, I gave all the older lambs and the 2 kids their CDT shots. And wormed 2 more ewes. I could NOT get Leelah or Gracie to hold still to give them shots of the Dectomax. I did with Darla though. But I had to go get Cydectin and give it to those 2. So 7 shots and 2 wormers. Done!

Then later this morning, the phone rang. It was Betty, who stays with Mrs. T Monday til Friday morning when I go for the day. Her blood pressure was sky high and she was shaking. She was going to the hospital and could I come stay with Mrs. T? Of course. And it's raining. So I called another lady who had stayed with Mrs. T before to see if she could stay this week. While I was talking to her, I looked out the front window and all the sheep were in the front yard. I would love for them to be in the front yard, but I have azaleas, blueberry bushes, little trees and flowers coming up. And really nice lush sweet green grass growing. So had to run outside and get them all back in. Stayed with Mrs. T til Jan got there, ran to the store for a few things, went to look at an apartment for my daughter, got home and could hear baby lambs crying and mammas calling them. Ran to the house and got boots on. Ran out there to see what was going on.

Those silly sheep. They can tear down a fence to get where they want to be, but let a little gate swing across the path, not even attached to anything, and they can't figure out how to get through. So there are all those sheep, minus a few lambs, out in the pouring rain, crying for their lambs. I got them all together again. had to take Bridget and Bonnie's wet shirts off and dry them in the dryer. Poor babies. So it's hard to eb gone all day.

Now to read about bees.

Spinning wheels

This is my great grandmother's spinning wheel that I inherited. She made everything on this wheel. My uncle inherited it because he wanted to learn how to spin. And he did. He died and my aunt asked all the other nieces and nephews if it would be ok for me to have it. Since I had sheep. They all agreed. So I go the wheel. Please don't look at the dust on it. I have not learned to spin yet. But in the 2nd pictures, you can see that the bobbin is broken. I need to order a few more. It also came with the lazy something that has 3 bobbins on it. One of them still has some wool that my grandmother spun, still on it. This bobbin has some that my uncle spun. It's a very old wheel and I would love to spin on it.

But I think I'd like to get a portable wheel. Like an Ashford? They aren't too expensive, but if I can find a used one, I'll get it.

I would love to hear what you all are spinning on. And why you like that particular one over another wheel. I need something easy, like for a beginner, which I am. I'm having a friend come to shear my 6 Finn sheep in April. I still have 2 bags of wool from last year that I hope are still good. How long does raw wool last?

This is something I really want to learn to do. I'm going to see if there are any classes near me. I want to learn from the sheep to the sweater. Or scarf. Or blanket.

Happy birthday, mom!

This is my mother, Iris. It's her 81st birthday today. She does not look 81 at all. She's so beautiful. I am so proud of her too. Still working. So healthy. People don't believe her when they ask her how many pills she has to take. Just one really small one. She loves to be outside in the yard, planting flowers and shrubs. She just pruned down some rose bushes that were probably 10' tall. But she loves it. She weed eats and push mows the yard. She is amazing. And she's so nice and sweet and has the best spirit. I want to be like her when I grow up! She is the way I want to be. I hope she has 81 more birthdays. I love ya Mom! Happy birthday!

Kelp anyone?

I ordered a 50 pound bag of Nature's Kelp from Thorvin. It says it's a rich source of natural minerals. I got it for the sheep and goats. They can have a 1/2 oz. each feeding. I have never used this before. So am wondering if any of you sheep and goat people use it. And what do you think about it? Have you noticed a difference in your sheep or goat's health?

I also got a goat mineral block, which they LOVE. They almost fought over that thing. It's already half eaten.

I need to have soil tests done here to see what I need to do. Also need to do some spring grasses for all the pastures. I  missed the winter rye planting time. Although I think I can still plant that. I would love to plant a good grass-hay-legume mix. So much that needs to be done. I am so tired of feeding so much hay. I originally bought around 180 square bales in spring and late summer. But started feeding hay in September. Why did I do that? So I ram out about the end of Jan. Got 34 more bales for a barter of half a lamb. Supposed to have gotten 37 but missed a few. Need to go get the 3 bales. Then used all that and got 30 more bales about the middle of Feb. I have 7 left. Good grief, I had no idea I'd use so much. I have a source about 2 miles up the road. I'll get more from them. It's a better quality hay too.

I have 4 less goats now. And am trying to sell the 2 bucks. Won't be keeping any kids. I the 8 ewes, 4 of which had 7 lambs. I'll sell the 4 ewe lambs. I'll be castrating the 3 ram lambs to be butchered in late fall. I also will hopefully have the 4 younger ewes to lamb in late spring-early summer. But right now, I'm thinking all of them are not bred. If not, I'll breed in late June for fall lambs. I'd like to do it this way, so I'll have lamb twice a year.

Right now, I am spending a lot of money on these sheep and goats. I am only making a little selling kids and goats right now. And that money goes right back in this farm. I'll be selling goat milk starting this week. And making cheese. So there will be a little money coming in again. It just seems to have been an expensive winter here. Hopefully, we'll start having that nice early spring weather, so I can get the garden's going. I ordered lots of seeds a few days ago and will get them in a few days. The garden is still too soggy to til yet. I need at least 2 weeks of sun to dry it out.

So please, if you have used kelp or are now, let me know how you like it. Thanks.

More baby love!

Sorry. I just cannot resist taking baby pictures and posting them everywhere. But they are so stinkin' cute!


This is Gracie and her 2, Tater Tot, on top and Biatrix. They love their mommy. All the lambs this year are being named B names. But for all I've tried, little Tater Tot's name has stuck like glue. He just looks like a tater tot, my grand daughter said. So Tater Tot he is. He's the only odd ball. But sure is a cutie.

And this is one of my favorite pictures. A mother's love. Leelah and Blossom. So sweet.

Then above are Fiona's 2 ewe lambs, Bridget on left and Bonnie Belle on the right, in their cute little cowgirl shirts. Enjoying the sunshine.


These 2 fellas are Darla's boys, Bo in the front and Buck in the back. They are more wool sheep than the other 5, which are hair sheep. Darla is half Suffolk and half Finn. There is such a difference in their wooliness. They are nappy, where the others are just furry.

Then of course had to throw in the 2 little goaties, lounging in the sun too. Ira Joe in red sweater and his sister Elle Belle. Too cute!

I just love all these little cuties. But they all have to go soon. I'll keep the 3 little ram lambs, but all the ewe lambs and goat kids have to be sold when weaned. I just don't have the room for so many at this time. I am trying to sell the 2 bucks as well. I posted them on CL last night.

Downsizing sucks, but has to be done to be more manageable. And I sure am going through a ton of hay.

I hope all your kids and lambs are enjoying their days in the sun too. Have a great day!

Sweet dreams

I got my Taproot magazine a few days ago. The 5th issue of this great new magazine. I love it. If you haven't already heard of it or get it, you need this one. No ads at all. Great illustrations, frame worthy. Great homesteading and farming and livestock articles. And this issue has an article about bees! Of which I will be getting soon, from my friend at Sale Creek Honey. He is selling out. I'll get them in about 6 weeks or so. And the middle of April, I'm taking a bee keeping class at a fellow blogger in Ringgold, not too far from me! So, looks like things are coming together for the bees. I have wanted bees for so long. But I don't know anything about them, other than we need them to pollinate plants and trees. Without them, we won't last long.

But all the things that keep a person from doing something like this, I have been through. First, I know not a think about keeping bees. Next, bees can be quite pricey. Not only the purchase of bees, but also all the bee paraphernalia that goes along with bees. Suits, smokers, hives, food, extractors .... the list goes on and on. (I did put an ad on CL for used suits and things, Or if anyone who reads this blog has anything, let me know.) Then, what if I kill the poor things? What if a disease gets in the hive and wipes them all out? What if  make too much noise and get attacked by the whole hive of them and killed in one outing?  Oh yes, I have thought a lot about this. All the horrible things that could go wrong. I would be responsible for them.

But ya know what? Sometimes there is no "right" time to do anything. Ya just have to do it. Jump in and get the feet wet. learn as you go. Just like having children. No right time there. It just happens. And you survive somehow. And so do the kids. Or the animals. Or whatever. Ya just have to do it.

And right now, with Eddie selling out, is the right time for me. And the class, the right time. It's all falling into place for me to get my first bees. I am jumping in, feet first. And I just have to believe that these sweet dreams will come true. And I will have hives of bees here on my farm.

I would love to hear you bee stories if you'd like to share. I will need all the help I can get.

If you're interested in Taproot magazine, here is how to order it . taprootmag.com or 802-472-1617. It's just as easy as that! And I promise, you will love it too.

Slow day, like a traffic jam

It's kind of a slow Monday here for me. Kind of like this picture that looks like a traffic jam. Not much going on.

I've had a really hard, sad weekend. I feel like it all ended last night. After a very long 6 week illness, Abby finally gave up. I had to bury her this morning. Not the way I had hoped it would end for her. So, I am just grieving right now. I need to process everything and remember. I had Abby almost 8 years. She taught me a lot. I will miss her.

Fiona's little lambs

 Fiona had her lambs this morning. I had just gotten up and let the dogs out, then ran out to check on her to see if she had any lambs yet. There was a little tiny wet red lamb out in the middle of the other sheep and being pushed around by them and attacked by the rooster. So I grabbed the lamb and took her back to her mamma  Well, Fiona had another lamb that she was talking to and licking. She didn't want the red lamb. She kept butting it and trying to kill it. Poor baby. So I grabbed them both and started rubbing them together and then rubbed each lamb with the other's scent. Then stuck my hand to Fiona's nose. She finally did let the lamb nurse some. Then she'd act like she was going to butt her, but didn't. They are both ewe lambs!!!



So I decided to got to Walmart and get 2 identical sweaters for the lambs. I needed a few other things too. Well, I cannot believe that all they had was spring and summer sun dresses. For dogs. Really? People actually put dresses on their poor little dogs? All I wanted was 2 little sweaters for the little lambs. so Fiona would get confused and think they were alike then. I didn't get sundresses for the lambs.

Went over to the pet store and they had a rack of dog clothes right in front. And 25% off! I found these 2 cute shirt type things. Not really sweaters. More like tank tops. Good grief. Anyway, aren't they just the cutest little cowgirls now?  I rubbed each lamb with the opposite shirt and put them on. So far so good. And the little red lamb walks over to me now. She's adorable! And the white lamb is a little snobbish. Like a mamma's girl already.

So here are #11 and #12. So far, of the 4 ewes that lambed, there have been 3 twins and 1 single. 3 ram lambs and 4 ewe lambs. Not too bad.

My truck

This morning I went out to try to crank my truck. I've been driving it because my Trooper is in the transmission shop in Flintstone right now with the transmission dead. So have to use the big huge gas guzzling truck. Which is now really hard to start. Somehow, I have to get the gear shift in just that right spot and it will crank. But it takes about a half hour to find that spot. So, I put it back in park and went inside for awhile. Went back out to try again, and no truck. Gone. It was right there when I went inside.

Here it was, in the fence at the bottom of the parking lot. I have a farm bell there too. It's now on the ground. Fence bashed in. BUT, at least, it is on the side of the gates! I can still open them. BUT, it still willnot start. AND, yesterday, like a big dummy, I filled up the back tank and decided to go ahead and fill up the front tank too. I looked and it was nearly at a hundred $. And still not full. I looked to see if there was gas on the ground. But no. I stopped it at $100 even. And it took 27 gallons and still didn't fill up the front tank. Oh well.

This is what the fence looks like. That's the garden gate. That's the bell post. And that's the bell, on the ground. And it WAS in park.

If I had not been crying over all this other stuff going on with the goats and sheep, I would have cried some more. But it's a little bit funny, really. So I am laughing. Just because it feels better right now. And my mom is coming out to get me and take me to Mrs. T's, where I am back to work on Fridays again. And I will see if I can possibly borrow her car til my Trooper is fixed.

So there is light at the end on my tunnel. And it's spitting snow! Have a great weekend, y'all!

All around the country and back again

This yeast has been all over the country. Traveling with my husband in his big truck. It was quite the mystery too.

I was going to make bread several weeks ago. I always keep the yeast in a container like this in the freezer. It's also the same type containers I put food in for my husband to take with him on the road when he leaves. And I usually pack everything for him , well, because he's a man. But that particular time, he was leaving like very early morning and I just told him where things were.

Anyway, when I went to make bread, I could not find that yeast. Anywhere. I cleaned out the freezer looking for it. It was no where to be seen.

Meanwhile, my husband had called wanting to know what was in that square container with the blue lid. I had no idea. And couldn't figure it out.

It all came together when I had to go pick him up from his truck when he came home. He was handing me stuff from his truck and gave me this container. He said that's what he's been carrying all over the country, not knowing what it was, all this time. And it was my yeast!

I was So happy to have it back. And to know what happened to it. Now I am making bread! And the house smells so good again.

Outside today

(This is Gracie on the left with her 2, Beatrix on left and Tater Tot in the middle. Then Leelah with her little Blossom.)


I let all the new mommas out with their lambs this morning for some fresh air and a little green grass. It was a bit chaotic for awhile, with lambs running around chasing other ewes, asking them if they are their mommas. Then getting butted away. Then finally it all settled down, with the right lambs staying with the right mommas. All is well again.

So just went back out, to take lamb pics. In my long johns. Still haven't gotten dressed. I did have my Carhart jacket on, thank goodness. Because when you go outside wearing pj's to take lamb pictures, people will come to see. And they did. First was the meter reader. Then as he's trying to back down the driveway, in backs the FedEx truck, to bring me my elderberries. So yeah, if ya want company, wear your pj's outside. And of course no make up. And hay in your hair is an added bonus. At least I did have my bra on.

It's not bad out right now. But the weather people say we can have flurries and cooler temps the next 3 days.

Here's Darla with her 2, #8 and #7. Haven't come up with names for them yet. B names this year. Except for Tater Tot. Just because.

Both Darla and Gracie are doing much better.   And the lambs are just too stinkin' precious!

Hmmmm....

So this morning I have no goat's milk for my coffee. What to do? I have to have milk in my coffee. My daughter does not like goat milk so gets store bought milk. I know. A gallon of store bought milk (well, that's actually questionable to say milk) in my fridge. So I tried some. And man, is there a big difference. It does not taste good to me at all. It tastes like sugar water, that's about it.

So today, while I am out, I will go to my friends and get some of her cow milk and some home made yogurt. Because I will not be able to use my goat's milk for about another week while I am treating them for all their ailments. Actually, Penelope is fine, but I will treat her along with the rest of them. I just want them all to be healthy. And I know they will be.

On the way to Florida

Well, these 2 little boys are on their way to Florida right now. I had put ads on CL this morning and had a call almost right away about them. These people were on their way back home to Fla. and wanted to swing by here and get them. So they did. And they are gone now. I am so relieved. I'm sorry that sounds bad, but I really do not like bottle feeding kids, especially bucks. And I am only milking poor little Penelope right now and didn't really have a lot of milk, since she still has Phoebe to feed too. And poor Abby. She is just skin and bones. And so old and tired. It was a mistake to breed her, I know that now. So right now, I can concentrate on getting her back in shape.

Also have a lady from Macon interested in Phoebe and possible Zarah's buckling too! She will come Sunday.

And another guy called about getting Zarah's doeling for his daughter when she's weaned. Plus a ewe lamb too. So cool!

I do love baby goats. But I did say I would not be keeping any this year. And it looks like I won't be. I have 2 more does to kid, but that will be in a few months. Well, Sandy could go sooner. But ZeeBoo is probably only a few months now. And the weather will hopefully be so much better then. I will NEVER breed for early kids or lambs again.

So I feel so much better already. You just don't know. Well, probably, since that's what I have been blogging about. So hopefully, my new posts will be a bit brighter!

Also, Gracie and Darla are eating lots of hay today!! And drinking water again. I wormed all the mothers today with Valbazen. I wish I could let the ewes and lambs out but it's just too nasty and going to be raining and snow flurries for the next few days. Zarah is going outside now and eating grass. And ate grain tonight too! So did Abby. And some apples. She loves apples.

A dog's life

Oh, to just be a dog for a day! What a life.

Just really discouraged right now.

The vet came after lunch today. He has helped me before. I like him. But today, for some reason, I felt like he really didn't know much. We saw Darla first. She's up front in a stall. He went in and felt her. She's a really big ewe. Part Suffolk and Finn. And her wool is at least 8" long right now, so that makes her look bigger. She is probably just skin, bones and wool. Bet she's always the first one to the feed bowls and pushes everyone else out of the way so she gets the most feed. He took her temp. 103. He gave her a shot of Dexamethasone, for pain and is supposed to make her hungry. They got a fecal too, to check for worms. He also said that where there are chickens there is Cocidiosis. I have 4 hens and a roo. They are all over the place. Gracie just had her lambs in the chicken coop, where there is a lot of chicken poop. (And now Gracie is not eating tonight.) I will be getting a bottle of that Dex from the vet.

Then off to see Abby and Zarah out back in the goat barn. First Abby. He took her temp. 97.9. way too cold. He drew blood for blood work. (He called later and her red blood cell count was 16. It would have been way lower but I've been giving her Red Cell.) Also gave her a shot of Dex. I did put a heat lamp on her and wind proofed some more. It's warm in her stall now. Just went out there to check on her. She was up eating hay. She also ate some grain with alfalfa pellets. She also ate an apple and 3 slices of wheat bread this afternoon.

Next was Zarah. He took a fecal from her and also gave her a shot of Dex. He called with her results and said she was loaded with worms. As was Darla. So I am guessing ALL the sheep and goats are loaded with worms now.He also said she has Cocidia. Hmm. He asked me if they got medicated feed. I said no. These are milk goats. We drink the milk. He said they need medicated feed. That this is an on going thing and that would be the best treatment for them. I will check around and see what the bags say about contaminating the milk.

When we were in with Darla, he asked me why I have sheep. It kind of took me by surprise. I couldn't really come up with a great answer then, other than I like them. And I like lamb meat. And I sell it. And I have wool sheep for wool. But it made me think. Why do I have sheep? Why do I have goats? I do ask myself that a lot when I am so busy with them that I don't have time for anything else. Or I can't go anywhere because I have to milk twice a day. Or they all start hollering as soon as I walk out the door. Or they get out and I have to chase them all over the yard. Or they get out and I can't find them. I really don't know why I have these animals. Sometimes I want to leave them all and run away. But then I go out there and sit with them. The sheep just make me happy. They calm me. They talk to me. They can be a little pushy when they are scared. But I think they trust me. They come running when I call them. They follow me. We have a routine. They know me. And I think they like me.

The goats are crazy. They drive me crazy. They do things that make me mad. A lot. I cuss at them sometimes. Yes I do. They are crazy neurotic animals. Totally opposite of the sheep. But I love them too. When they are all fed and milked and happy, then I can go in there and talk to them and pet them and love on them. And they let me. Except Zarah. I have no idea what I have done to that goat, but she will not let me get too close to her. But when she was in labor, she let me rub her back and belly. I was there to pull her big buck kid out for her. But now I have to give her shots and shove big ole syringes full of icky stuff down her throat.  We'll be ok though.

So yeah, he made me think. And sometimes I really couldn't tell you why I have sheep. Or goats. Or cats and dogs. Or even chickens. Because sometimes it's not fun. Or easy. Sometimes I really don't like any of them. But then I go out there and pick up a beautiful little goat kid or lamb. And the momma comes over looking for them and licks their little face. That right there makes it ALL worth it.

Gracie Belle and her sweet lambs

And here is Gracie with her new lambs! The red one is a ram lamb, #9. He looks a lot like her ram lamb from last year, Axel. And the black one is #10, a ewe lamb! She is adorable. And Gracie is such a good mother. Very protective. Every time I'd try to get a picture of both lambs together, she'd get in front of them.

She's doing good so far. I am proud of her. And the lambs are already bouncing around. She had to take the 3rd stall, which is the chicken coop. She had them around 6:30 this morning.

Now Fiona is going to have hers next, hopefully today. I let Leelah out of her stall, and Fiona went right in. So we shall see.

So far, 3 ram lambs and 2 ewe lambs! Not bad for 3 sheep lambing. I had just 5 last year from 5 ewes.

My morning, so far

The phone rang at 6:07. My daughter calls after she's left for work to get me up to get Kansas up and ready for the bus at 6:40. So did that. Came back up the driveway and turned right to go check on the sheep. As I thought she might, Gracie was in the 3rd stall and had just had 2 lambs. Ran to the house to grab more towels and water and feed. Got them both dried off. She had a red ram lamb first, #9. And a cute little ewe lamb that's kind of blackish gray, #10. So right now it stands at 3 ram lambs and 2 ewe lambs!

Went back to check on Darla and Leelah. Leelah is going crazy, baaaing really loud. While I was feeding hay to the others, I saw a white streak fly by. It was #6, out of the stall. Leelah was trying to find her. So got her back in and fed Leelah. Good there.

Looked in on Darla. She's moaning and groaning. Has a really messy rear end. Runny poop. Nasty. She hasn't eaten anything. Just standing there, moaning. So ran inside to the box of goat and sheep meds. Got the Sheep Nutridrench, Cydectin for worming, Pepto for the runs, B Complex shot, LA200 for antibiotic, and Red Cell. Gave her all that. And fresh hay and water too.

Hauled water to everyone else. Then fed the dogs and cats. Got  Penelope, Sandy and Zeeboo on the stanchions to feed them and milk Penelope. One of Abby's buck kids came in and helped himself to the milk bar. So I let him get his milk there and milked the other side. She did not like that at all. Took the milk in and put in a bottle for the other kid. Got them off the stands. Went to check on Abby and Zarah.

So Abby is standing there outside the barn against the wall, with white foamy froth on either side of her mouth. Good grief! Went and got the Red Cell. Gave her some. Took her to the milk room and milked her out. It's really yellow milk. Dumped it. Could be from all the Vitamin B and red cell?

Checked on Zarah. Still hasn't eaten a thing. No grain or hay. Or drank any water. Gave her more Red Cell, fresh water and hay. I had to give her all kinds of stuff yesterday when I saw she wasn't eating.

Then went back to the house and cried. And cried some more. Called the vet at 8:15. He called back in a few minutes. Told him what was going on and I wanted him to come out here as soon as he could. Which he said would be after lunch. Thanks. Hope Darla's not dead by then. More bottle babies for me. Cried some more. Balanced check book to see if I had money to pay him. Yes.

And now it's 9:15. I just had a cup of coffee. It's 58 in the house. Forgot to turn heat on last night, so just did that. I let Leelah and her lamb back out, since she wanted to get out. The other ewes sniffed around her for a few minutes, then went back to eating hay. She's just another one of the flock now. Took more pictures of Gracie's cuties. Will post on another post.