Where's winter?

After yet another 50 degree F day, the forecast for the next week calls for upper 40s and a few 50s. This is just weird. It is also extremely gross/muddy. I lay down some left over hay in the dirt floor in the barn, since it is squishy.

Today I awoke with a MONDO headache, I was actually dizzy from it. I think it may have to do with lugging the bales of hay so far- my neck/upper back is just not up to it- will get the wheelbarrow from the other field and start using that. Made fried eggs this morning, but they did not hit the spot. I think today should just be a day in bed, but it can't be.

Dan got no running yesterday, so he was a bit nuts last night at the house. I can't blame him. Today will be different.

My old cat has taken to yowling a lot- when she gets a drink, when she wants company, just about any time. It is extremely loud and annoying. She just did it now, and when I went to check her, there she is in her cat bed, kneading her claws, meaning she just wants loving. Oh well.. I guess when you are her age, you can do what you like.

So far only two guesses on the lamb count. That makes very good chances for those who entered :)

Well, better get to my day.

Unbelieveable!!!!!!!

Going to have a pool...

Since I have no idea who is bred. Seriously. ONE Cheviot girl is a blue butt, and all three Border Leicesters are, but one got re-bred in December, but the other three Cheviot yearlings- only have smidgens of blue on them, and one has none... One fly in the ointment is that I stopped putting marker on the ram after a while....

So, to this end, I am going to have a pool on how many lambs we will have. Folks, it may even be none!!! Think of this like counting the jelly beans in a jar. The person who comes closest without going over will win............

A gift certificate to Border Collies in Action! Or, if you prefer, Premier Sheep supplies- for the shepherds out there!

So, get your thinking caps on. I honestly have no clue who is bred and who is not.

This should be fun!

Just leave me a comment with the number you think....

I found an old hanging scale in the barn yesterday, to use for weighing the sheep grain. I upped it a little yesterday, but even at that, they are only getting 4 lbs a day for all eleven. I spoke with my guru last night and was given a plan of what/when to increase their rations.

It was FIFTY degrees yesterday. It was SO slick out there. The ground had seriously softened and I almost wiped out several times just doing chores. I decided not to work Dan, as earlier in the day, I saw him slip and slide, and given that my friend has a dog who's got an Iliopsoas injury... I am just not interested in going down that road. Dan and I were coming back through the barn and skinny ewe came in, and Dan saw her and just at that moment she saw him and she did a 180 and left. After that I was filling the water trough and he decided to sit in the barn door and give her the stink eye. You ain't comin' in here!

Supposed to rain here on Friday. More wetness. I have to get some straw as the one dirt floored room in the barn is wet. Thankfully I have two rooms that are cement that I will bed down well if/when I have lambs.

Well, that's it for now....

Skidboot and David

The best story I have seen about Skidboot and his side kick David. I defy you to not cry....

So, yesterday the snow was sticky. It stuck to my boots, and I decided discretion was the better part of valor and did not walk the dogs on our usual 30 degree angle path. I knew I would fall. So, I did. But, not walking the dogs, just bringing out a bale of hay. Luckily it was one of those slow motion falls, where the only thing injured was my pride. Incidentally, it was a really nice bale of hay; a mix of grass and alfalfa. The sheep sure enjoyed it. Have slowly been upping the grain- and I mean slowly, as I don't want issues.

Have to get one of those slanted with several tines pitchforks as opposed to the old thing with only three tines, which does not work well with sheep droppings. Horse? Maybe, Cow? okay, but not sheep.

Dan needs to get back to regular work. I can see that in him. So, I guess I will separate out my lambs and get to it.

This morning I saw that all the snow had melted in the yard- that was fast. We didn't get much, but still... lots of fog this morning owing to all that wetness.

Rough night last night, old cat was ill, and I caused it by over feeding her. It's pretty sad when I am so keyed into her digestive function I can predict if a problem will arise... I did not sleep well, but I will take a nap later today.

So, that's about it. Not much exciting to report these days. But, I guess in some ways, no news is good news!

She stays

Ha! Well, after speaking with my sheep guru, I have decided thin ewe can stay. Also, after not being able to tell her from the others at a distance, that also swayed me. So, that's good. I have also learned that I need to start upping the nutrition on my girls, even though they look good at this point. So, to that end, I am getting a scale so I can keep track of what they get. Who knows who is really pregnant... It's a mystery at this point!

Didn't feel well all day yesterday. Today I am a bit better. Will walk the dogs but then home and to relax, still not quite right.

The guy who wanted the Scottish Highland calves still wants them, so I have to see if John is feeding them- hope so.

It is so weird having two days off in a row. I almost don't know what to do with myself....