Stressful Week... Rejuvenating Weekend.

Well, as many of may or may not know, we had an awful scare here last week. Every time I think that I am beginning to come to terms with the hardships that owning farm animals brings, I am thoroughly reminded how challenging it can be. Last week after a wonderful Cooking Divas meeting where we made some delicious food (including this marinated zucchini that I am still thinking about) drank wine and enjoyed the general girl talk that abounds, I came home to a grave situation. Pepsi, one of our original goats, was not feeling well. I came in the door, flushed and excited to see Mike, when he said, "Don't take your shoes off, we need to go to the barn." My stomach immediately dropped out of my chest and hit the floor with a loud audible "thud". I turned around and rushed out the door and ran the familiar path to the barn. When I opened the door, what I dreaded was there waiting for me. Pepsi, shivering and hunched, stood in the corner of the barn looking every bit as sick as my mind had imagined. I immediately began assessing her from head to hoof. Poking and prodding her to see what may be wrong. She seemed a little bloated and with all the rain from the day we could only imagine, and hope, that it was bloat. So, we treated her with the one parasite medicine we had, to be safe, as well as the mineral oil and baking soda for the bloat. She burped some from the soda and oil and I kept vigil throughout the night hoping that she would start perking up. She didn't. Instead she seemed worse and she begin to have a twitch and seemed less and less cognitive. She didn't recognize I was in the barn until I touched her. I spent the night awake, researching possibilities on the Internet and nothing seemed all that plausible. We, of course, knew by the morning that we needed help.
A call to the vet was made and they promised to arrive by 11:30am. It was such a wait as I checked in on her and comforted her. She only declined and I watched the clock harder, willing it to move faster so that the calgary could arrive. Finally he was there and unfortunately looked as mystified as I was, which only made me dread the worst. Vernors went down hill so fast that the vets never even figured out what happened to her. I couldn't imagine surviving another one of my goats in the same manner. The vet and I discussed the possibilities that he could think of and what I had found on the Internet. We treated for as much as we could think of and struggled to give her an IV. I returned to the house overwrought, covered in blood, hair and drool. The only thing I could think to do was to take a hot shower, do some work from home and patiently wait for the vet to call back with the many test results. The afternoon seemed like days as I fidgeted around the house. Finally the vet called with the results! My phone lost signal, then again and again. I got in my car and drove around the corner to get signal and he didn't call back!!! The anticipation was killing me. Finally he called back and gave me the news that Pepsi had an extreme parasitic infection. We had already given her a wormer and hopefully she could fight through her current poor state and the wormer would have a chance to take effect. Fight through. I was optimistic, but Pepsi was in bad shape. She was twitching like crazy, almost falling over and stumbling drunkenly into everything around her. We had to wait it out.

Wait we did and we were rewarded with a slowly recovering goat! I am so relieved that my dear Pepsi is better. We had Charlie, Sarah, Mom and Dad checking on her over the weekend and the reports twice daily indicated that she was going to make a full recovery. We have wormed the rest of the herd and are looking forward to healthy goats for the rest of the summer!!


Over the weekend we spent time in Columbus for Helena's baptism. It worked out well that we went down on Friday and I got to have a meeting with a business associate. Saturday morning it was all prep for the baptism party. We squeezed in a bike ride and then hustled about doing this and that. We were glad to take a side-trip to Easton with Patricia and John to do a wee bit of shopping. We also had a nice relaxing late-lunch. We finished out a terrific Saturday with my first pizza picnic at Jefferson Mansion. Lucky for me, mom found a pizza place in the Short North called zPizza that had gluten-free pizza! It was delicious! Mike and I had a mean swinging competition at the park. I, of course, won... no matter what he says. Sunday we finished up prepping food and whatnot for the party, went to mass and then had the baptism. Helena was not a happy camper and cried throughout. Though, I'm sure I wouldn't be too excited about hanging out in front of a bunch of people, getting smudged with oils and then having water poured over my noggin. I think I would have cried too. We finished the evening with beers, cornhole, great food and catching up with family. Then a quick drive home that was sunny most of the way. It was a relaxing and rejuvenating weekend after so much stress.

Also, I would formerly like to state... that all who do not get along their in-laws have thoroughly gotten jipped, because mine are awesome!! They are tons of fun and we all love each other. I wouldn't wish for anything else.

Why are you so loud Bell??

Well, last night was quite hilarious. I was talking to Hilary on the way home and of course, as always, my phone cut out just as I was pulling into the carport. I curse you Sprint coverage! I got out of the car and the goats came to the fence to greet me and ask for dinner. But Bell was being really loud. I was slightly annoyed and told her to cool her jets. Then I realized while looking at her, she seemed stationary and quite distressed. I ran out in my heels to find Bell's noggin stuck between the fence post and the barn.

Now, the goats have pushed this particular fence post out and wiggled free of their enclosure more times than Mike and I can count. So my husband, being good at fixing all things and especially dedicated to thwarting the goats, fixed the post so that they could no longer escape. Bell certainly tried and Mike's plan worked. End result - Bell got her head stuck.

Mike - 1
Goats - 109 million

Quite comical actually, but no matter how hard I tried to un-stuck her, I couldn't budge her. So I had to go inside and change into some work clothes. I then attempted to find a drill and bit on Mike's workbench. (Which, if you've ever seen Mike's organizational skills... you'd feel sorry for Bell.) Finally I had found the proper instrument for saving Bell and I went out to remove the braces that held the fence to the barn. It still took several minutes of maneuvering, but Bell was finally freed! She was pleased to be free and gave me a loving nuzzle of thanks.



I have pics that I stopped to take. Bell was quite annoyed, as the whole process took forever as it was. but, I think they are quite funny and I couldn't help myself.

Mike and I also pushed ourselves to head out to tackle the tree planting project. I came up with an amazing new frittata recipe, that I may share eventually. I can say it will be made again, yumm!! Then after savoring the hearty egg dinner we hit the north side of the house project. We spaced out the cedar trees that we purchased to become a wind block and then made a plan. I was digging holes and Mike was cutting down the dead trees. TWENTY-ONE holes was a lot of holes!! My arms and hands were shaking by the time I was done. Mike then went on to putting trees into the ground and I weed-whipped where the dead trees used to be. We got 10 in the ground and watered before it was pitch black. Well, it was actually pretty black as we picked up, did chores and headed inside. Happy all of the hard work is done and now we just have to plant the rest!

Photos....

Here's some photo's and another news flash that I just remembered when looking at the pictures. Sadly, while we were gone to Myrtle Beach the ducks disappeared. Lucky ducky, Mrs Quackers and the little mallard went missing midweek while we were gone :( I'll miss their cute waddle. RIP

Click on the slide show to go to the album.

Myrtle Beach


OMP


Farming...

Groovin' Along

Well... I know I've been awful at blogging from the start, but I really did think I would get better with time. Mmmm... maybe not so much, but I'm still hanging in there and hoping that one day I will be better at keeping up with it.

One thing that may help is our most recent exciting news. We are getting another exchange student in the fall. His name is Fredrik (goes by Freddy) and he is from Finland. Mike and I are very excited to have a new son! He will be living with us for the entire 2010-2011 school year and he is a hockey player. So, he will be playing hockey on the St. Johns/DeWitt team. I imagine for how athletic he seems though that he will be playing many more sports. I have a few projects in mind to finish up around the house before he arrives and I look forward to working on those in the coming months. I need to make a complete checklist for myself so that I'll have something to work towards.

We just returned from an amazingly fun and relaxing weekend on Myrtle Beach with the Keenan side of the family. Mike's Aunt & Uncle were gracious enough to invite us down to the beach house they had rented to stay with them. We not only got to spend lots of quality time with the family we also got to hang out with Brandon & Cynthia. We really enjoyed seeing them after such a long time! The weather wasn't that great at the beginning of the week, but it warmed right up by the end of the week and I got two full beach days in. Enough to get a little bit of color to return to MI with. Mike played golf, we did a 1,000 piece puzzle, we visited some gorgeous gardens, had great seafood and Mike & I went kayaking together for the first time. Fun, fun, fun! The most enjoyable part of the week, no disrespect to anyone, was playing with my little niece Helena all week. She lives so far away and I was overjoyed to be able to hang out with her for a whole week. I have some great pictures of us together and I love her to pieces!!!!!!

Mike and I spent a lovely weekend on OMP with Ken & Janet the weekend before we left for Myrtle. We had such a nice time!! We did a little bit of everything and really enjoyed all of the adventures. Especially an exciting run in with nature at the lighthouse! Just a hint, a couple of geese did not appreciate Ken & Mike. We'll leave it at that!

This weekend will be a quick trip up to OMP (Old Mission Peninsula) and the Leelanau Peninsula to do some wine tasting with a large group of girls. It should be super fun and I'm looking forward to it!!

Other news:

We have quite a bit of the finishing touches on the chicken coop and it is working out beautifully. Mike and I designed & built a great new coop and I couldn't be happier. Chores are enormously easier now and I think our flock is infinitely healthier. So healthy in fact that yesterday we got a record breaking 32 eggs!! Holy mother of eggs! We ran a new fence to keep them out of my garden, but it blew down in a thunder/wind storm and they figured out that they could hop it. Now that it's back up... they just hop it. Argh, chickens are smarter than most people know.

The garden boxes are just finally dry enough to plant a bit. I'm looking forward to fresh lettuce for salads and some radishes for breakfast!! I'll plant some of my garden tonight and cover the box with windows. That way the chickens won't be able to hop in my garden box and dig up all my seeds and I'll have a greenhouse effect going on. At least until the plants get big enough and we get the chicken fence re-run.

Photos to follow.......

Down on the Farm

Guinness getting his first bath.

I've been working hard this week on projects. Most of my immediate projects are focused on the cold weather coming. Because it's going to be here before I know it! Last night was an annual bath for the goats and a thorough pen cleaning. Being gone and having friends do chores for us, two things happen. First, the goats are inside (not in the pasture) and that makes more waste on the floor for me to clean up, in comparison to when we're home. Secondly, our fantastic friends (I mean it. All who help us are amazing!!) that take care of our animals while we are away, do not clean barns. Not that I would ever expect them to, but it means when we are gone weekend after weekend... it just piles higher. Ugh.

Cleaning the barn.

All of the goats, except Pepsi, did not enjoy their bath. The two little ones, Tui and Guinness, wanted nothing to do with it. Bell I thought would be a bit calmer, but I ended up chasing her around the clothesline and almost falling many times. Pepsi, is my wonderful and calm goat. She chilled out and even gave me some kisses while getting her bath. What a sweetie!

Pepsi and I at bath time.

The big project this weekend, if we can avoid the rain, is the chicken coop. I would be ecstatic if Mike and I could get the remaining construction done so that I can get it painted, all the goodies installed and the chicken run up in the next week or so. I am going to need several weeks to get the small red barn cleaned out from the chickens and ready for the goats to live in again. I cannot wait to get some of these things done. It will make life for us, the goats and the chickens so much better!

Only Two Weekends Left...

Well, another fun and busy weekend down and only two more to go with Mr. Felipe. This Friday we had a very fun time wishing John, Katie and Daniel a bon voyage. It was definitely bittersweet. We will miss all the fun times we have with them as they head to Minn for John's residency. Sure will miss them...

Saturday was a lazy morning and then into EL for some bike shopping with Miss Samone. I'm excited for her to make a decision so that we can get training!! I also made a return. Yes, I said a return. I rarely actually ever return items to a store, but I did it. It wasn't really that hard at all. I just had to make the time to drive to said store and give the item back to them. Why then I ask myself, if it isn't that difficult to return things, WHY don't I ever do it? I have the best of intentions. I put the ill-fitting article of clothing in the bag with the receipt and then it takes up a spot in my room for months and I never return it. I end up sending it to goodwill, tags and all. What is the inhibiting factor to me in returning items? I'm not sure that I'll know. I can only hope that this is a turning point in my shopping career, from here on out I'll return at least some things... I hope.

Sunday was a big day, graduation day for Felipe. It's hard to believe we've been through a whole school year already. It's also hard to believe that Felipe will be going home in just two weeks! Louco! Graduation was nice, but long. Kirk's (HS principal) speech was very nice as always. He is a great speaker. The rest of the speeches were the bland graduation type you'd expect. Felipe looked snazzy in his blue cap and gown as he walked across to get his diploma. Unfortunately they slaughtered his name. Felipe Ferreira Lisboa Luz is apparently not too easy to say for the average American. Ah well, it was nice all the same.

Afterwards we went to Mom's where we had dinner. All the food was delicious and I ate way too much. CJ was our main source of entertainment. The best was when Mom gave him a full chocolate chip cookie. The happiness on his face was amazing. We all laughed and laughed as he trotted around happy as a lark eating his cookie. We also ended up watching a movie before dragging ourselves home. We watched Bedtime Stories with Adam Sandler. I loved it! I guess it just shows how much of a kid I am, but I enjoyed the whole movie. What fun.

A small report on the Duck Massacre 2009. We have two ducks that are going to live. The one that I mentioned before has been named Lucky Ducky. The second, who I wasn't sure about I think will live. I had to do a minor surgery on him/her last night. Walker has named him/her Mr. Quakers. Mr. Quackers kept opening his mouth and panting kind of. Last night I gave him a thorough looking over and discovered that his nostrils on his beak were plugged. One needle and some poking later... whola, he can breathe! I am a miracle worker, ha! Very happy that maybe in a week or so Mr Quackers will be doing well enough to join Lucky Ducky and the chickens.

Neighbor Dog & Up North

Well, unfortunately last night we found out who the culprit was in the duck massacre 2009. The neighbor has a Siberian husky that got loose and he was kind enough to come over last night and offer to pay for our loss. I thought that was very nice and responsible of him, but it still sucks. To date we only really have one survivor. For the time being I'm going to call him/her Lucky Ducky. Anybody have an idea of a better name???

We had an awards night at the high school last night where Felipe was recognized for being an exchange student and for being a part of the Forensics team. He was the first exchange student ever to participate in Forensics and I am very proud of him.

I got some more things done for the garden last night. I got some tomatoes into the cold frame and also planted some bulbs I had forced indoors. Also the cilantro and dill I had started in the cold frame went out into the herb box. It's so nice to get some things done!! Mike went into town last night and bought a new hose. One of the ones we had was leaking so bad we had to toss it. I was hoping that it was going to rain yesterday as predicted so that I wouldn't have to water the garden, but it didn't. So I stayed up till 11pm so that I could get everything good and soaked. Then, of course, it rained last night or early this morning. That's how it always goes.

Two weekends ago Felipe and I trekked north so that he could see more of what Michigan was like. We went to Jordan Valley pathway where we had a gorgeous hike and then by pure luck we scooted over to stay with Ken and Janet Swanson on Mission Point in Traverse City and had an amazing fun visit with them. The cherry blossoms were in full bloom and it was so pretty!! Lastly we made a banzai trip to the Mackinac Bridge so that Felipe could visit the UP (if only for a few minutes). Pictures below...

Up North 05-15-2009

Spring and whatnot

Have not been blogging for a while so I thought I'd just start and try to catch up. Can't catch up if you don't begin...

Last weekend was a fantastic holiday weekend that we spent in Columbus. It was gorgeous weather. It was also great spending time with the whole family. I was so excited to see Doug and Christy and my new little niece (to be). We threw a baby shower for her at the house. It turned out so nice. I was the main organizer for the shower, but I had tons of help and it turned out beautiful! Patricia was my visionary and we got told several times that we should think of party planning professionally. I have to admit, the thought has crossed my mind several times. I'm going to think about it some more and maybe something will develop eventually.

Fresh off of that party I have another party to work on today. Felipe's open house/going home party. It's hard to believe Mike & I have been parents of a teenager for almost a year. We will miss him. I need to get some invites designed today. Brazilian colors, here I come!

This morning was a sad day for our little farm. Our first real taste of varments. We've had some minor wild animal problems in the past (thinking of an interesting story with Mom, me and a raccoon) but this morning 5 of our 9 ducks were victims! Something dug under their outdoor cage and wrecked havoc. I'm pretty bummed that my duck and turkey venture this year did not go well. I guess that's part of farming and learning. On a happier farm note, the baby goats and the goats in general are doing great. They are looking healthy and happy.

Lastly, I got an enormous amount of gardening and yard work done yesterday. After we got home and the car unloaded, Suzzy came over and we got the Farmers Market garden planted. I'm looking forward to the market this year. I think this year we will be just a bit more organized than last. Baby steps. I always have these big visions of what I want my projects to turn out like. Sometimes I have a tough time living up to my visions... But I learned my lesson (at least a little bit) about the market. I still have the same vision but now I realize it might take me a bit to get to it. More detailed garden updates soon.

Back in the saddle again...

Eventually I knew I had to get back to blogging. Apparently the time has come. I have been striving to get more things in my life as organized as I would like them. It certainly has been helping with some things. I have been pushing myself into the mantra, "Things must be hard before they are easy." So I have been doing many things that I have been putting off for ages. Like cleaning my office. I attacked it this weekend. I have thrown out so much paper that has been clogging up my life. It felt AMAZING. Now when I go upstairs, everything is filed and I can sit down at the desk and actually do work. What a miracle.

Life has been flying by fast and furious of late. We have done so many things. I'm planning on posting some pictures from the holiday and whatever else has happened of late. This weekend made me realize how much I have yet to learn as far as being an animal caretaker. It also made me realize how good my instincts are and that I should trust them always. I will always listen to those who are more educated than I (veterinarians), but I will not feel so unsure of my instincts the next time something goes wrong. Because if there's one thing I've learned from my farm animals... Something certainly will. I also learned how wonderfully blessed I am to have people surrounding me that know so much about animals and are willing to help me grow, learn and survive having animals.

Bell stopped eating and excreting waste (nice way to say not pooping or peeing..hehe) on Friday. This mirrored Vernors symptoms exactly. For any who do not know, Vernors was one of our original goats and she got sick and died a day and a half later. The vets could not tell me what had happened to her. I was freaking out! Luckily, I eventually calmed down and Mike and I called the vet and Denny (my savior). The suggested a few things and I had suspicions of other things. We went and got some medicine from Denny and had a good talk with Pam and Denny about the possible problems. They agreed that both my ideas and the vets were plausible. We started treating for both things Friday night. By Saturday morning, Bell was up and about and eating happily. Whew! I am very excited that Bell and her babies to be are ok. It was an intense weekend, monitoring Bell and deciding what needed to change at our farm to fix the problem.

We decided to move the goats away from the chickens until we can build a new home for the chickens. Mike and I worked very hard Sunday morning cleaning a space in a different barn for Bell and Pepsi. And then Mike spent the day making a beautiful new pen in the big barn. I will take some pictures tonight and post them when I post the others. I'm going to make it a goal to build the best, yet cheapest chicken coop possible. Wish me luck!