Reflections: last half of 2013

 This is full of pictures. Lots of things happened from May til now.

My step dad, Gary, went into the hospital the 2nd week of May. And he died 3 weeks later. On my husband's 65th birthday. I had no idea that he wouldn't ever get out of the hospital. He'd have good days then more bad days. Mom was there all day, from before sun-up to after dark. We all miss him.

We had Gary's memorial service at their home, the end of June.  Most of the family came. It was like a little family reunion.

The 1st weekend in Ausgust is the Sherrill family reunion up in Crossville, tn. Lots of Indiana people come for this. We have been meeting at my husband's sister's house on the lake in Spring City, Tn. on Saturday. The kids love it. There's usually a boat on the water with the jet skies going. Lots of fun. Then on Sunday, we all meet at the park in Crossville. Lots of good food and family.

I got a bunch of young, very expensive laying hens. They are all finally laying now. I was so happy to see eggs here again!

Then later in Aug. me and Mom went to Colorado Springs to visit my brother and sister and all their kids and grand kids. We stayed a week. Went to the Garden of the God's and Manitou Springs. Had lots of good get togethers with all the family. Lots of fun.

In September, right up the road from me, was the 150th Civil War re-enactment. Thousands of people, from all over the world, came here to be a part of this.

I also acquired 2 male Alpacas. A friend owns Little Darlings Alpaca farm and she talked me into getting these 2 boys. The red one is Misha and the white one is Gandolf. They are half brothers. Can't wait to get all that wool to spin.

I also learned to skirt and wash wool. Also card it. I bought brand new carder and spinning wheel. I finally got the carder to work for me but still haven't gotten the wheel to work. I'll take it to my friend to see if she can get it going for me. So I can spin up all this wool I've been carding.

I got a new hair ram for my hair sheep too. His name is Bilbo Baggins. he's really small though, next to my big huge ewes. I hope he grows a lot more! He sure is a fat one though.

 Took 2 of the ram lambs to the slaughterhouse. I had all 4 halves sold. I took them up on the mountain because there is no waiting there. I found out why. At the cost of the other ram lamb. They just do not know how to cut up lamb. I'll never ever take anything up there again. Big costly mistake.

 And, in Nov. my husband got really sick. Could have lost both feet. Somehow, he burned both ankles on the heater in his new truck. He has neuropothy, so cannot feel anything below his knees. So he didn't know he was burning his ankles. Ended up really sick and in the hospital for a week. He's been home ever since, on sick leave. He'll officially retire when his benefits run out.

                                              And it looks like 2013 will end like it started. WET.

Here is my very relaxed happy husband, in his recliner. Trying to look like a wise old guy. He's doing SO much better now than when he first got back home. We really don't know where this new year will take us. It'll be an adventure for sure. He's going to help with the farming when he's able to wear boots again. And he may do some part time driving. We'll just see.

So that's my year. I think I'll have to make some changes in the animals and maybe downsize the sheep and up size the goats. I don't know how the Alpacas will fit into the farm either. But things will happen the way they should, I guess. I just never know what I'll be doing really. Til it happens. And that's the fun of it all.

Reflections: 1st half of 2013

2013 started off wet. We had rain every day here. Floods all over. It was messy. And cold too. Not a good way to start a new year. And it flooded the gardens every time I'd plant them. Never did get a good garden to grow. The fall garden did the best.

I had bought 2 new does in December. One was pregnant. Very pregnant. Trudy had twin kids in Jan. A boy and a girl. She was the first of many to kid and lamb here at Outback Farm this year.

Next was Abby and Penelope. They were in the same stall and had theirs the same morning. I could tell right away who's was who's. So I took Penelope and her twin doe kids to the other stall. Got them all situated and fed. Penelope was a first freshener. I sold her kids at just a few weeks old and milked her every day til last month.

 Abby had twin buck kids. Looked just like her. She was 12 years old when she had them. She had trouble before they were born. And she went down hill after. She never did get better. I put an ad on CL, trying to sell the kids and take some stress off her. They sold that day. But she kept getting worse and worse. I had her put down late on a Sunday night. The saddest day ever. First goat I ever lost. I had her 9 years. I miss her still. She was  the best milker I have ever had.

Then the sheep started lambing. It was wet and so cold. The ewes got sick, one after the other, right after lambing. Had the vet out and got them all straightened out. We had 8 new lambs.

  Fiona didn't want her little red lamb. I found her outside that morning, trying to find her mommy. I had to go get matching sweaters and put them on the girls. She finally would let little Bonnie Belle nurse without trying to kill her. But she could only nurse from the back. She's the prettiest sweetest lamb ever.

I also got pigs. I had them about 3 months. Then sold them to a friend up the road. Didn't miss them at all.

  Got 2 doe rabbits too. I kept them several months. Then after they kept digging out from under the pen too many times, I sold them too. I guess certain things are just not meant to be  for me.

 And I got a hive of bees. I loved those bees. Had them a few months. Then wax moths got in and took over. Lost all the bees. They just left. I will have more in the spring.

That's the first half of 2013. I'll try ti get the last half up tomorrow. It sure was a busy full year here. Lots of good times. And lots of sad times too.

Wishing you all a very happy new year!

I don't feel too good.

I don't normally get sick. But when I do, it's good. My throat hurts SO bad right now. And I have a fever. Stuffy. Feel like crap. All over.

So I found a recipe for a hot rum toddy. I have everything I need to make it. But I'll wait til I'm all done with the animals. I've been taking care of my friend's goats and chickens while they're off in sunny Florida for a week. I think some of them will be back tonight. So I'll have a nice hot shower and get warm jammies on and my big thick comfy robe and socks. Then boil the water and have a hot toddy. Might watch a movie if I can find a good one.

I also made some chicken pot pie with one of my Freedom Rangers. I have already had a cup of broth. It's so good. So I'll have that some more too.

And the sheep. I got some Nutri-Drench at the co-op a few days ago. And while at Walgreens. waiting on Tiny's prescription to be filled, I found some Vit. E oil. On sale. BYGO. So I have been mixing them together and giving this to Buttercup and Abraham. And I am seeing a difference in their walking. Not stiff legged so much now. I am also adding more sunflower seeds to their feed. And lots of kelp and loose minerals.

I've been making these ear warmers for Christmas gifts. And now am trying to sell some. My daughter Abby has already sold these 2 to a friend at work. I hope to make a bunch more and try to sell them on line. They are just $10 each. And I can make kids sizes too for $7. I also have some hand spun Alpaca in a light brown and also a dark brown with cream.I'll sell these for $15. So if anyone needs some nice warm ears in this crazy cold weather, I can mail them to you for a small postage fee. They don't weight hardly anything, so it shouldn't be much. I can stick them in a long envelope probably.

I hope you all have had a wonderful Christmas. Mine was nice.A little sad because my step dad was not here. It will take some getting used to. We all miss him a lot. Mom is now volunteering at the hospital and she loves it. She brings goodies in for everyone and they gobble them up! She is the baker in this family. I just didn't feel like it at all. And my kids don't bake either. Mom makes the best pound cake too.

So if I don't get back on here for a few days, I wish you all a very happy, healthy new year, with lots of sweet healthy pretty lambs and goat kids and calves and chickies!