The Iceman Cometh

At 4 am this morning it was very clear to me and all the animals here that this is going to be a cold bumpy ride for the next couple of days. I got this body dressed in my many layers and headed out the door long before the chickens had even thought of getting up. I knew just by the smell in the air that ice was on it's way and we better get food into every one's tummies.

Most where not that happy to see me at this early hour but once they started drinking the warm sugar water I brought them they perked right up and started in on the hay. It is vital that they drink with this bitter cold coming today - weather guessers are say we might go so low as to break records and that record was 10 years ago which was a -15 degrees. So as I made my way around the farm hauling the jugs of warm sugar water and loading extra hay to the feeders I prayed that Mother Nature would not be such a COLD *ITCH today!!!

This also means there is no way I am getting out on the road to take my computer in - as I listened to the traffic reports at 5 am the count was three dozen accidents and that was before most of the less talented drivers where up and out. So I am again typing fast to get work done, pulling orders and trying to check in with those who have questions of me. If I do not get to you do not take it personally it is just that my computer is still wishing to put me thru the hoops.

I did realize one great thing is I am forced to get those things done that I have been putting off saying that "I can't get to that I have to answer emails, or I wished I had the time but I have to research my new pet project on the net so I just can not get to that today". So the universe is making me!!! It is great however because last night I finished painting the living room windows and put up the new plastic on them. Today I will hang the insulated drapes - just in time to feel like we are living at the North Pole. I am one who loves a cool house but I do understand when my DIL comes with little sweet pea - they really do not wish to be Popsicles...

So, today will be spent making sure everyone gets through the bitter cold and get to work on those projects I have been making excuses about... Darn that Computer!!!

Computer War Again

I can handle most bumps in the road but I am still amazed how my computer can hit all my panic buttons. Yes, that silly box is doing it to me again. Saturday as I promised myself to be a good girl and sit down and get some work done - as I sat with determination to get products posted, return emails and even post something thought provoking on this blog the computer started flashing all kinds of trouble warnings. You know those things that I do not even understand as English words. What in the hell is a "RAM memory usage5???" Beats the crud out of me and the stupid computer is not helping by explaining any of this. Then it is doing this great thing of having me type like a mad women to get my order spulled and print postage before it just shuts it self down. I would love to be able to do that - just decide I am shut myself down.

Well, I decided to go outside and tear apart the tool shed and clean it top to bottom, move tools, pots and roofing shingles. I then tackled getting extra lights in the birthing barn so I do not have to feel like I am going into someones privates blind. See, those are things I can do and control. Yes, CONTROL!!! I understand that I work very hard on trying to let go of control issues and so I have to face that this silly box sitting next to me has more control over me then anything in this world and I REALLY HATE THAT! Yes, HATE, HATE, HATE IT. Maybe it is because I feel that I have no real understand of something that my business depends on so much. Maybe it is because unlike a living and breathing thing I can not work with it as a two way partnership. So I guess I am back into the part of my life lessons that goes something like this "There is only the NOW and I am not in control of anything but myself" Sounds great doesn't it??? Or how about this one " The path to enlightenment is within and not without".. Oh now I am on a roll.
What does all this mean??

I HATE, HATE, HATE, my silly computer when it does not let me just go through my life without all this crap!!!! So, as I am typing like a mad women to let you know that I will be again at the mercy of my computer geeks and there is a storm coming my way and the goat girls have puffy butts which means round the clock butt watching - I will be trying to figure out how to get the universe to just FIX THIS....

So, I will be back here when I can and during my time off line I will go inwards and work on those control issues that still are a part of this not so perfect, enlightened soul - I am always a work in progress and by no means have mastered those demons that live within. I do give thanks for the small things in life like very fast fingers to be able to get this out to all of you. So wish me luck and hopefully the Computer Gods will have pity on this simple farm girl...

P.S. NO BABIES YET~~ but there is a storm coming and temps expecting to be well below zero so you know that has to be when those sweet one's show up. What is amazing to me is that just rolls off my back but this blinking message at the bottom of my computer is sending me into panic mode again. Better go eat some lunch and check on butts. Bye for now.

Bullies get Bullied

You may have heard it put this way "Pushers get Pushed" or "You get what you Sow". I had to share what happened to the "BIG Cocks of the Walk". Last night as I stated earlier as I went out every two hours to check on my expecting goat girls I would check on how the Roo's where doing.

Yes, they kept crowing thru the moment I placed them in their new digs and through the night. Each time I would open the door I kept telling them to "Shut it up". Like me saying that would change their behavior. At one point when I went in the barn around 1:00 am I noticed one of the big Roo's had been sitting on the half wall dividing the barn. He was crowing at the top of his lungs and all the little billies where looking at him with such a look. Just then he flew over the wall. He landed on the hay covered floor and started strutting his stuff while crowing still at a high pitch. After he made several circles around the floor my sweet little Ozie (who is such a kind soul looking after his half siblings 24/7) stood up and pawed the floor. That is a billies way of saying "Watch Out". Still the Roo was crowing and strutting and within a blink of an eye Ozie ran toward the Roo and plowed him into the wall. This huge thud and the Roo was on the ground. Ozie backed up and waited. As the Roo stood up and started to do the same behavior - yep, Ozie plowed him to the ground again!!! Stop holding your breath - Ozie did not hurt him but as the saying goes - "Pushers get Pushed".

Did I step in NO!!! I knew that Ozie would not kill the stupid Roo - it is just some of that MOTHER NATURE JUSTICE.... I believe in that and so there had to be some relearning going on here.

The Roo looked at me as if to say "MOM, aren't you going to make him stop".. HELL NO! I gave them their chance so now it is someone else turn at schooling these bullies.

I kept checking in during the night and into the morning and guess what - after that lesson with Ozie the Roo's never left their side of the barn and the crowing was down to only when the sun came up. See sometimes Peer Pressure is a GREAT THING!!!

Let's see if they need any further lessons...

NO BOYS ALLOWED!

Tuesday I just had enough of those mean Roo's. As I was trying to feed everyone in the coop they kept chasing the girls around and pulling on this combs and feathers. The girls would scream and run for their lives to the corners of the coop hoping the Roo's would not follow. I had had enough....

After chores I went to work on getting them out of there... The only place I thought I might put the boys is in the smaller barn that houses the yearling goat boys. It would take a lot of work but I was not going to have those boys terrorising my girls anymore - so I made it my mission to get it done in time for roosting - this is around 4:30 pm here. After moving all the equipment out, dragging out the huge heavy metal shelving units, using what was left of my arm muscles to move the large metal drums full of grains and minerals out of the way - I then went to work on cleaning the barn. Then I put all the small equipment and supplies in plastic tubs so they could not hurt themselves, hung heat lamps, covered the floor with straw and check every inch for so they could not get out or hurt themselves. I started this process at 9:30 am and ended at 4:00 pm. After all that I needed to bring in the boys!!

Now by this time I had not eaten since 6:00 am and was dead tired so I was not in the mood for chasing six boys all over hell and gone. I used the same method I use in getting my goat boys - I first caught the biggest boy and he sure was not happy but with my hand tightly wrapped around his neck and his body tucked under my arm we took the long walk to the other barn. I spoke to him about how this was all their own fault and how this was their last chance here not to end up as Sunday dinner. I put him in the barn and went back to repeat this five more times. I admit when I got Bob, the huge white one - the one who crows all through the night and is the meanest to all the girls I found my fingers growing tighter and tighter around his neck as he struggled and yelled at me. Now before you get too concerned - NO I did not hurt him but I admit it was really tempting.. When all the boys where in their new digs I shut the door with another verbal warning from me to BEHAVE!!

After doing afternoon chores and checking on my expecting goat girls I was getting ready to close the doors on the ALL GIRL chicken coop when what did I see but eye popping soft blue and light green eggs on the floor in the shavings. I could not believe my eyes. I slowly walked in and all the girls came running and talking softly showing me the eggs. I could imagine that they where giving me words of THANKS for getting the boys out. All this time they have been holding out because the boys would not give them a moments rest. Such joy I felt and how happy the girls are without those silly Roo's...

Before you think I am such a mean lady - I checked on the Roo's every two hours when I went to check on the expecting goat girls just to make sure they where safe and happy. They where and so this morning I was rewarded again with more sweet little Easter Eggs. Life on the Funny Farm is back into production and all is peaceful in the coop.

AND THE WINNER IS !!!!

I want to thank everyone who participated in my give-a-way this week and I can not tell you how much it means to me to read your stories. It seems like Grand Mothers where the person in charge of crocheting. I can not believe how many of you also have your first projects - that is just amazing to me - congrat's to all for keeping those hands in the game.

O.K. now for the good news, the proud new owner of the book, cashmere/silk thread (from my sweet little goats) and a great package of beads is ---- Wait for it------NICOLE!!!! Band playing, streamers falling from the sky, and dancers kicking high into the air....... Everyone from miles around are clapping very loudly for our grand prized winner....

Congrat's Nicole - now for the fine print - if you would just send me an email with your mailing address I will pop your winnings into the mail and whisk it on it way into your hands....

You can also convo me through Etsy to protect your information www.larkspurfunnyfarm.etsy.com

Again, I thank you all for sharing your wonderful stories and for taking the time to play. Now get ready because in just two days I will have another give-a-way up on the blog. Also get ready because baby season has started so there will be naming contests coming soon too...

KEEP HOOKING

CONTEST TIME - Something great for Hookers!

For all you crochet fans, bead fans or for those of you who knows someone who loves these skills - I hope I have something exciting to offer for you - GIVE-A-WAY!!!

I have been organizing the shelves here at Larkspur Funny Farm Shop now that the New Year is here and thought to myself that I wanted to get folks excited about getting our hands busy with some new projects.

Here is how it goes: Just leave a comment on this posting about the first crocheting project you ever made and you will be entered into the give-a-way. Easy Peasy... If you are trying to win this for a friend, family member or such then please ask them about their first project and post that information. I will contact only the winner of the contest so do not worry your name and such is being collect to pass out elsewhere - I do not ever do that....

What will the lucky winner get: The great book titled "Crocheting with Beads" by Kate Coburn. I am also including a nice amount of my Cashmere/Silk Lace Weight Yarn along with a packet of beads to get you started on any of the projects listed in the book...

O.K. there are the rules, now let's get moving because this contest will end one week from today - that is Thursday, January 20th at midnight!!

Good Luck and let's hear from all us hookers...

Repurposing Never Looked So Good!

As I am still cleaning out the Funny Farm Shop shelves of all those books waiting and hoping for a new home. I was amazed to find the following two brand new, never opened books. I had two of each so I am keeping one set for my peresonal book case and you lucky folks get the other two...

There is FREE SHIPPING for anyone in the United States...

You can find these and many more at www.larkspurfunnyfarm.artfire.com