Friday, July 30, 2010

Still Kickin' on The Homestead

What do they tell Forrest Gump...Run, Forrest, Run!

I could use a little less fast-paced life and a whole lot more homestead hands.

We've been hustling to put together another area for the cow. LOL...did I mention her name is Judy? That knowledge, while probably just a 'so what?' thought in your minds, is a big deal around here. It's my mom's name :) Maybe the kids can live vicariously and call the Jersey Grandma :)

Anyway, Miss Judy will be here Saturday - -thank goodness NEXT Saturday and not tomorrow -- at 7 am, bright and shiny and fully loaded with creamy goodness.
I am still pulling t-posts together from another area, moving a section of fence top another area, cutting 16ft 4x4 posts down to 6.5ft for corner posts...the list goes on and on. I have to get feed for Judy stocked, and the barn...don't even ask me about the barn :( We have some things to move around to give her a more suitable space and the barn is jam-packed with those pack-oriented red killer wasps! UGH!!

We have fogged. We have sprayed. They don't care. They have set up home and they aren't leaving :( Those things are wicked, let me tell you. They come at you in a large swarming group, and they don't let off easily. Wicked little beasties. Cursed red evil stingers.

So, that's where I am. That's pretty much where I'll be. Tomorrow it's TSC and a roll of field fence, as well as a larger stainless pail (mine is 9 qt) and, if the Lord is with me, I'll even net some gallon glass containers along the way.

What else do I need? What do you know about udder cleaning? We don't 'soap' the goats...we have warm(ish) water with a few sparing drops of original Dawn dishsoap and a bit of tea tree. Sound good for a Jersey you think? Hmmm...I wonder if she's trimmed? I haven't seen my stock trimmers in a long time....

I'm missing something (besides common sanity, thank you very much!). Well, it'll come to me I'm sure. Next week we'll greet the day with a full company-size coffee pot, and some biscuits and gravy, with sausage and eggs. Gotta feed the preacher well for driving all the way here just to share some cow lessons and introduce us properly!!

5 comments:

Greg and Donna said...

Congrats on your newest addition! That sounds exciting. I was hoping ya'll were ok since you hadn't posted in a while. We've got a friend here who is teaching us the chain stitch for crochet...the project is a dishcloth. I'll let you know how it turns out! Have a great weekend.

Yart said...

I was able to find this to help with the wasps.

Eugenia Oils

There's a line of product you can purchase by EcoSmart that are pesticides you can use around your home. Their product also use essential oils from trees and flowers to kill and repel pest. If you go to their website EcoSmart.com there is a "Where to Buy" option and you'll find local retailers that carry the products. In my area it found several Walmarts and Home Depot that had them. Hope that helps.

Anonymous said...

The only other thing I can think of that you should have on hand is Bag Balm. It comes in a small green can, and works wonders if the cows udder gets dry or cracked.

Have fun!

small farm girl said...

Oh, I can't wait for the arrival! I always wanted a milk cow, but I settled for some goats. lol

MyBulletinBoard said...

After all your goat adventures, all I can think about is Judy jumping over the moon. You go out to milk her, and poof!! Off she goes! . . . . .At least with cows, the vet makes house calls. No flying cows in the van. All the best, Liz

Jer.6:16

Jeremiah 6:16
Thus saith the LORD, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls.

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