Homeschooling, Homesteading, Life

Lots to catch up on today! I have more pictures to share...I just don't know where to start.
I guess I'll work my way backwards...

First - chicks: They're getting big, very strong and healthy. They got kicked out to the barn last week because they were outgrowing the horse trough I had transferred them to in the pantry. One day I noticed 2 of them were getting their poor little back-ends picked bloody raw by the more dominant hens : ( I was so sad! So I got out my trusty blood-stop powder (that a kind friend was very good to give me!) separated those two and had them in the smaller bin - I thought it was cute how they sprawled out in there - all symmetrical; also found it decidedly ironic that one of them pooped on that guy in the newspaper ad... (all the pics are clickable)


Here's a closeup of one before I moved them into the horse trough:



Anyway, they've settled in nicely in the barn. I still can't integrate the above two back in with the rest. I tried and they just got picked on again... I think these chickens just get bored and don't know what to do with themselves - and now they've made a bad habit of picking on the ones with the scabby rear ends. : (

This was a pic I took this morning - so you can see how big they're getting:


Kids: Bruce is still slowly getting better. One of the issues we're working on with acupuncture and C. Herbs are his often volatile emotions which, according to Harmonie, are very closely tied with lung dysfunction. We had a small breakthrough the other day - Bruce used to freak if he fell in grass or got his hands dirty. But the other day, I was milking the goats while the boys were playing outside in their pen - well I came out to find Ezekiel throwing handfulls of dirt on Bruce's head! And Bruce was just loving it and throwing dirt clods right back (along with some sticks and goat berries for good measure). I would have been upset that they were dirty, but I didn't mind since it was such a huge step for Bruce. After we came in, I turned the boys loose outside with their water pistols - I figured if I was going to have to give them a bath anyway, may as well let them live it up! You might be able to see the dirt in Bruce's hair here:



Overall, he's beginning to be a bit less sensitive and actually have a little fun with life.



Desi is beginning to stand up with support - It's exciting to see her so happy about her new-found mobility.



Sewing: I've been on a sewing rampage the last few weeks...my living room has turned into a temporary sewing room - I've been working on lots of things, including my friend's wedding gown (the wedding's in less than a month).

I had to share this pic - of the life-sized voo-doo doll I made out of my dressmaker's dummy while marking where the buttons should go (I really wasn't thinking horrible thoughts, Carrie - I promise!):



Here's some of the beading detail we did a couple weekends ago:



Last Saturday, we celebrated our 6 year anniversary! The years are just flying by - and I feel so blessed to have the hubby I do! We left the kids with some friends (first time trying Desi with a bottle of pumped milk - she slept the whole time though) and we went into town. I really didn't feel like seeing a movie, but we just couldn't think of anything to do in addition to dinner. I told hubby on the way down the hill "it's funny...you wait so long to have a little bit of a break together *alone*, and then when you finally get that break you don't quite know what to do with yourself." LOL. We had a nice dinner at Macaroni Grill though and then went to Walmart to just browse a bit. Ended up buying a DVD double feature of Gods and Generals and Gettysburg, a covered butter dish (coffee grounds get in the ones I was using since they didn't have lids), and a few other little bitsies.
For our anniversary, I also got to do a dry run of my newly-altered dress for Carrie's wedding - this was the dress I made for hubby's company Christmas party but I've since shrunk several sizes. I'm now down to my highschool weight! Yippie!



Homeschooling: I'm so excited to homeschool the boys - our back yard is literally a huge biology lab! Ezekiel was out with me yesterday and all the bugs we got to see were just fascinating to him. I showed him grasshoppers, then took him up the driveway to see some ladybugs, but we got distracted on the way by an anthill in the side of the driveway. Ezekiel just loved watching the busy little ants and I made it into not only a lesson in biology, but a Bible lesson as well - based on Proverbs 6:6. There were a few ants trying to move a boulder-sized (at least to them)
rock out of the entrance to their hole. It was just amazing to watch them work - and I explained to Ezekiel (using the Scriptures) that because they work hard all the time and are not lazy, they are able to store enough food to last them through the winter. Then we went on to see some ladybugs and taught him what they do and why they're good bugs.

When we came inside, I did a couple coloring pages showing him the spelling of their names and such - He felt it necessary to scribble on a couple more aphids on the ladybug page : )





I think that's it for now...

Homesteading: Chicks edition

I have a new video up on youtube. Since it took a bit to download and edit it, it's a bit outdated, since the chicks are now over 2 weeks old and have since been kicked out to the barn (more on that later). Here it is:

Been there. Done that.

I came across this article today (reprinted from http://www.farmmedley.com/article.aspx?id=8) - and all I could muster up to say in response (amidst guffaws of laughter from the computer corner - the boys thought I was crazy) was "Been there. Done that" - and then after pondering for a bit, exclaiming "how far we've come" - with a sigh of relief.

Milk Goats - Know Thy Enemy
From Animal Pets and Friends Farm Animals
Written by Nola L. Kelsey

Patience may be a virtue, but laughter is the only way to survive goat milking. You can strive for the perfect fencing. You must aim for good nutrition. But, don’t kid yourself. When it comes to milking, you do not get the last word.

When I decided to add milk goats to my backyard farm I envisioned pitchers of milk cooling in the fridge while cheddar rounds age in my cellar. Spirit, my first nanny, had other ideas. There is an old saying I just made up: “Don’t expect instant gratification from your very first dairy goat lactation.” Like dating, expecting nothing is the first step toward not being let down. Perseverance is the next step toward surviving goats with your sanity moderately intact.

Spirit proved mutinous in milking. Even with twins at her side, she had ample milk to share. Generosity was simply not her forte. However, like falling off a bike or getting thrown from your horse, when you find a goat leg lodged in your right ear, you must climb right back on.

To help other potential farmers deal with inevitable frustration, I have provided the following journal. It documents my first full month of milking Spirit. From this draw hope. There is light at the end of the nipple.

Day 1: Leashed goat runs around tie post kicking and bucking. Never got near the teat.

Day 2: Build "EZ One Hour Goat Milking Stand" from online instructions. Define five hours in hell.

Day 3: Adjust Goat Milking Stand so goat’s big fat head will fit through the stocks into the feed box.

Day 4: Adjust Goat Milking Stand so goat’s skinny little head will not retreat from feed box out through the stocks.

Day 5: Collect 3.5 tsp. milk from flailing goat on milking stand.

Day 6: Dido.

Day 7: Tether goat’s leg. Goat kicks loose in .3 seconds.

Day 8: Tether goat’s leg better. Goat kicks loose dumping over 3.5 tsp. of milk.

Day 9: Try new tethering technique. Collect entire ounce of milk. Goat’s effort to kick loose succeeds only after she sheds 3.5 tsp. of hair into the shot glass of milk.

Day 10: Go to store. Buy milk.

Day 11 – 14: Discouraged. Just squirt some milk straight onto the milking stand so that the apparently dwindling right teat stays active.

Day 15: Goat now standing still while I collect three ounces of milk. Then the cantankerous witch sticks her foot in it.

Day 16 – 18: Dido, dido and dido.

Day 19: Right teat has all but vanished.

Day 20: Right teat empty.

Day 21: Spirit’s legal team serves me with papers declaring her functional left teat off limits and for her babies only.

Day 22 – 23: Practice milking technique while coaxing droplets from withered right teat.

Day 24: Have mastered milking with right hand while my left hand holds the receptacle up, dodging the maniacal wenches attempts put her foot in the milk. Net bounty from flat tit approx 1.4 oz. Note: Goat still shedding.

Day 25-26: Milk rations slightly increasing. Goat and cottonwood trees now both shedding into the milk receptacle.

Day 27: Babies distract me by biting my shirt while I am milking. Spirit’s foot returns to the milk receptacle.

Day 28: Babies adamant about eating my clothes while I milk. I steal milk from their precious left teat.

Day 29: Babies try to distract me by eating my hair. I try to ignore them. Goat flinches. My foot avoider reflex overcompensates, hurling the milk directly inside my protective LASIK goggles. Startled by my French, both babies run off in opposite directions with my hair still in their mouths.

Day 30: And the beat goes on.

Day 31: Average daily yield now totals around 10 oz. Source: two milkings per day from 1.2 tits.

Remember, when the day comes, and it will, where you just walk up to your nanny and quickly squirt a little milk straight into your morning coffee then wander off sobbing, bear in mind with a little patience, all this can be yours.

My Chicks came today! *pics!*

I was up bright and early today awaiting my call from the post office to let me know my chicks had arrived. I got a call at 7:20, quickly packed up the kiddo's (who were horribly confused about not watching a Walton's episode in our bed with Bruce being nebbed first) and headed out with them still rubbing their eyes.

I showed up at the PO around 7:45 and they had told me to knock on the door since it wasn't open yet - I could hear their peeping from behind a solid wood door! - she handed me the rather loud cargo, and we were on our way in a very warm car! (optimum temperature for them in their first week is 95 degrees

Here's their crate before I opened it

I carefully got them all out one by one and dipped each of their beaks in the water - some were feisty and didn't want to, but they had to be sure of where to find it! - Once Ezekiel and Bruce saw the fuzzy little things, their disappointment over not having breakfast right away vanished!

Unfortunately, one was DOA (dead on arrival) - looked like she got smooshed to death : ( so it was a good thing they included 16 chicks (I ordered 15)

Here they all are:

That one along the /\ bottom wall there - I got her out of the box very weak and nearly dead. I've gotten her to drink a bit and eat a little bit of corn grit here and there. I've spent much of the day just keeping an eye on her - She's still weak and not moving around much. When she naps, she looks lifeless aside from her still breathing, but she's still hanging in there. I hope she makes it!

Here I'm trying to encourage her to drink water - which she is - it just takes more effort. I'm sure she'd do a bit better if all the others wouldn't run right over her!

All the other chickies just line right up at the "watering hole" - they are all healthy, VERY active and busy exploring and running and eating and drinking and pooping.

Here's a closeup of them - I think they look like bitty chipmunks!

Their antics are very cute - they keep tapping on the glass jars and trying to eat the newspaper shreds then running away from my hand when I try to take out said newspaper shreds. Other times I'll stick my hand in and they'll peck at it or climb right on! They're very curious!

More tomorrow!

Anticipation/Wordless Wednesday

Songs that warm my heart

As I grow fonder of the natural/simple/farming life, I gravitate toward songs about such things! I found this today on Generation Cedar and what a gem!
Though I can't plunge myself into this lifestyle *yet*, and I'm held like a puppet on strings by the medical community and big pharma at the moment...I can at least enjoy the joyful sounds of this life!

Looking up

Today has been the first good day in a week (or more).

Last Friday night and Sunday night were absolutely horrible - Bruce would wake up screaming, uncomfortable, not able to go back to sleep from about 11:30 until anywhere from 2-4 in the morning. He'd still toss and turn. Sunday night was the worst. I had to laugh - last Friday, I called about his waking up and the nurse tried to deny that oral steroids could cause any of those sorts of symptoms...the doc I talked to Sunday night said "oh of course oral steroids can cause sleep disturbances, stomach pain, gastrointestinal upset, reflux etc, moodiness etc..." *smacks head* - I wish they would get their story straight. We took him to our doctor in Conifer regarding that issue Monday and she suggested giving him (and Desi) benadryl and giving Ezekiel Triaminic for their coughs and to help them sleep through the night - It worked well!

(BTW, Sherie, this is essentially what I emailed you - just didn't want to recopy/rephrase everything...gotta love cut-n-paste) All kids slept through the night again last night (with the help of Benadryl). Bruce is doing way better today - He's cheerful, playful, not reactionary or grouchy, has been fairly obedient! His coughs (when he does) are more productive. He only really started improving after an acupuncture treatment he got yesterday and chinese herbs he's on. His appetite is doing much better as well.
Ben took him back to the doc last night b/c he was still coughing constantly after about 5 pm and they sounded very tight and strained - thankfully the doc that worked with us had dealt with reactive airway with her own children so she understood perfectly the nightmare we're going through - she understood the concern and the awful side effects from the oral steroids. Also she was VERY supportive of us seeking alternatives like acupuncture - we haven't really gotten enthusiastic support like that from anyone else in the med. community!

On the pharma. side of things, they want him on .5 ml pulmicort 2X a day (up from .25 ml 2X a day) and back on the orapred (oral steroid) once a day in the morning (3 ml.) for 1-3 more days. Xopenex treatments as often as two hours if needed but he hasn't needed any more since this morning at 7:45.
At National Jewish, they want to start a 24 hour reflux test at his followup appointment on the 15th - they would run a tube down his nose to his stomach to test and see if he's refluxing when he's coughing since reflux can sometimes cause chronic coughing. At least at this point, I'm thinking about saying "yyyeah, no thanks..." - National Jewish is annoying me...His specialist there was hesitant to let us keep giving him Benadryl to help him sleep at night, but the doc at CMC said "yeah, but does she have kids?..." LOL - Its a difficult balance because Benadryl can dry things out too much, but on the other hand if he coughs or has other sleep disturbances all night, he's not getting the rest his immune system needs to repair itself!

Anyway, his next acupuncture is Friday - thankfully Harmonie is really nice and working with us on the financial side of things - She even picked us up yesterday and took us all to her office to do a treatment since I was car-less this week. She would rather see him get the treatments as often as he needs to get him better, then figure out costs. I like her alot and both she and her husband are people of much faith in the Lord. Her husband laid hands on Bruce and both of them are praying for miraculous healing.

Thank you all for your prayers! The Lord is teaching me that no matter what happens with Bruce it will be used to glorify Him and build His kingdom!

Update on goats/funny story: I was afraid Tess was getting Mastitis again late last week and had been drenching her with Emergen-C and copper to help boost her immune system. Also sent off a milk sample to the teaching vet. hospital in Ft. Collins to see if they could culture out anything funky and may be get her on a more precise antibiotic. Then Saturday night I was milking her and I looked up and thought to myself "hmm, she's got alot of dandruff....." then "...wait...that dandruff's moving!" I observed further and the black hair on her back was just TEEMING with hundreds of tiny little buggies 8 /!!!!!

After I was done milking both - at a distance b/c I didn't want those bugs on me!, I went inside, had hubby google fleas....nope. Googled ticks, and the shape of the bug was the same, but the bugs on Tess were light tan in color with a slightly red head (or back-end...I didn't want to look close enough to tell.) Then I found a google image that looked exactly like them - Deer Tick Larvae. *shudder*
I FREAKED...started posting on forums seeing what suggestions people had, then called my vet. She assured me not to panic - and gave me instructions on how to treat it. I still had the Heebie Jeebies REALLy badly - I felt like telling Letisha, "Fine, then you come milk my vermine goat 2X a day then!" I had that country song "I want to check you for ticks" rolling through my head...- takes on a new meaning when you actually need to!

Anyway, it all turned out well. I gave them both baths with the help of a willing friend Sunday. They were surprisingly good...just didn't like being rinsed with cold water (can you blame them?)

Turns out both of them had the deer tick larvae - just on Chloe, they were hiding closer to her skin.

Per my vet's instructions, I treated them both with permectrin - it worked like a dream! All larvae were dead within 24 hours and ironically, Tess' subclinical mastitis symptoms disappeared completely within the same amount of time!! It's very possible the buggies were putting extra strain on her immune system. I'll re-treat them every now and then, but now they're both doing great (and looking alot cleaner/less mangy to boot!)

yay! Now I don't get the creepies milking them anymore.

I think that's it for now. I keep wondering when life will calm down a bit. Doesn't look like it will for a while : ) So, I'm trying to roll with it.