Denim Deb Hay, hay, hay. Thank the Lord!

[Denim Deb]

Last night, for this area was COLD!!!!!! It got down to at least 10*! At least, that's what it was when I got up at 5:00. And, since we can either have the AC hooked up, or the heaters and hubby never switched them over, all we had for heat was some space heaters and the wood stove. I got up to no fire. And, the house was only 60*! OK, I like a cooler house than DH does, but even for me, that's a bit cool. So, I did the smart thing. I got the trash out, brought in some wood, got a fire going, saw DH off to work and went back to bed. It hadn't really warmed up too much by the time I got up, and I really didn't want to go out, but duty called. I finally managed to drag myself out of the house at around 10:45.

I have the auto start on my truck, so I try to start it. It wouldn't start. I tried again, still wouldn't start. Oh great, I'm thinking I'm going to have to call AAA and get a jump, but it finally started. I took the bunnies a water bottle that wasn't frozen. The goats heated water bucket is no longer working, so I had to take them some water. I brought in a bit more wood, put more wood on the fire and left.

I'm about half way to the farm when I get a call from KN. One of RU's horses had knocked down a gate, and had both front feet and one back foot stuck in it! Normally, I try to stay near the speed limit, but as soon as I heard that, I took off. I was afraid she might start to thrash around and really hurt herself. And, I had an idea that I was hoping would work for getting her free. I have a mechanics jack. I was hoping that I could get that in a position where I could jack it up to spread the bars and get her out. Good idea, but it didn't work. By the time I got there, they had managed to get her back hoof out. I tried the jack. I was able to get it in there, but it wouldn't work in that position. They had a piece of 2x4 they were trying to use, but weren't having much luck. I took over, and we were able to get one hoof out, but she almost freaked out. Then we tried to get her to move over some. We finally got her to move and got the last hoof out. She didn't seem to be hurt, just hungry.

So, I go over to feed my horses. They were all giving me dirty looks. They KNOW the sound of my truck, and had all glared at me when I drove right past them. I go in my tack shed and turn on my heater. I had to bag feed, and wanted it at least a bit warmer than outside. I also took the cat's water bowl and turned it upside down outside in the hopes that the ice would melt enough to get it out. I've been giving the horses an apple that I cut into quarters. They each get a piece. Today, it was an applecicle. KN had had to leave, so I promised I'd check her chickens for her. She had 6 eggcicles.

I had told RU I set up a heated bucket for 2 horses. It wouldn't have been a problem except for 2 little things. I needed an extension cord. The extension cord was not that long, which didn't bother me. I didn't want to have the bucket some place the horses would be walking over and possibly disconnecting it. There's a hydrant not too far from the bucket. It has just a short hose on it. But, the hose wasn't long enough to reach the bucket. And, even moving the bucket as far as I could w/the extension cord, I was STILL short by about 3". I have 2-50' hoses. I go to get one. Someone had used them. I don't have a problem w/people using them-that's why I leave them out-but they didn't drain them! So, I couldn't use either hose. Nor could I find one that wasn't frozen solid. I finally ended up filling a 5 gallon water container and dumping it in the bucket. I had to do that 3 times to fill it. I get that done, and I was FINALLY able to go in my tack shed.

I get to the tack shed, open the door, and there, about 3" in front of the heater is Cindy. I think she was really enjoying having that warmth. I get feed bagged, and even though it was a little early, I decide to go ahead and feed Storm his 2nd feeding. I get that done, get the cats taken care of, put him back, turn off the heater and go home.

It had warmed up to a whole 62* I put more wood on the fire and sat in front of the heater for awhile. Then, I came up w/an idea. I had planned on having liver and onions for dinner. I changed my plans. I had bought a pot roast not too long ago. I grabbed it out of the freezer, preheated the oven, and cooked that for dinner. Finally, the house got up to 66*. That's warm enough to be comfortable-for me, not too sure about hubby.

Now, I have a fire going. I'm full of a good dinner. The house is warmer. I got some dishes done today. I have a load of clothes in the dryer, and when they're done drying, I'm going to get a nice hot shower and put on some nice warm PJs. (They're in the dryer.) Then, I just might go to bed early. At least tomorrow is NOT supposed to be as cold.

 

[BarredBuff]

I hate the cold!! You have rabbits and goats? I never knew such things!

 

[Denim Deb]

I've talked about them B4. I have 2 goats, a Nigerian dwarf cross, Gidget, and a Nubian, Brown Sugar, or Sugar for short. They're supposedly my DDs, but she lost interest. I had planned on breeding them, but don't know that I ever will. I just don't have the time right now, and they're getting older.

I'm not sure what the bunnies are. I got them at auction for I think $3.00 for the pair of them. They were cute little babies at the time. They're some kind of lop ear. But, they're only pets, not for meat or breeding. Their names are Caramel and Butterscotch.

 

[Denim Deb]

Got up this morning to a bit of a surprise. We had a little bit of snow overnight. It hadn't been in any forecast I had seen, so I guess it must have just popped up. But, it wasn't deep, maybe 1/2" or so. And, since it was supposed to warm up, I wasn't worried about it.

Get to the farm to some more dirty looks from the horses. They had finished off their hay overnight and wanted more. I still had 2 RBs in my trailer, but needed the tractor to put it out. I could hear the tractor running, and could hear KN talking to RU, so I called KN to tell her to bring the tractor over. Well, the tractor was stuck! It just couldn't get any traction on the frozen ground. So, I went over w/my truck and was actually able to pull her out!

Now that it's gotten colder, the ground has frozen and I no longer have a soggy field. So, I decided I was going to start up my mower and see how much poop I could get picked up-providing it wasn't frozen to the ground. I go to start my mower and once again, it wouldn't start. Now I needed some way to kill time. So, I drove over to where RU has a huge stack of wood. It was supposed to be for their stove, but her husband bought wood instead. And, this has been sitting there for at least a couple of years. She told me if I wanted it, I could have it. So, I drove over and got a load. Some of the stuff I'm going to have to split up smaller though to even pick it! It's huge! I think it's from a silver maple they used to have. Some of this wood is really hard to split, but I was able to get some split. So, for the first time all week, I didn't have to raid the little I have left in my wood shed. Someone at church has a bunch of wood I can have too, so on Saturday, I'm hoping I can get a load from her. Then, I'm going to be working as hard as I can to get all the wood I can cut, split and stack B4 the 20th. Then, as long as people keep the wood rack full, I'll still be able to have a fire. And, I figure I'll spend a lot of time relaxing in my nice comfy chair in front of the fire while I'm recovering.

 

[BarredBuff]

Free wood!

 

[Denim Deb]

Now, if I can just get TheFan to come down here from Maine and split it all for me.

 

[Denim Deb]

Yesterday and today were beautiful out. It wasn't too hot, and it wasn't too cold. I really, really wanted to saddle up Misty and do some riding. But, I had a doctor's appointment to go to, plus I noticed a broken fence post on RU's goat pen. That explained why the goats were in w/CL's horses. So, I put in a new post for her, but didn't try to round up the goats. They'll get back in there eventually.

I really wanted to take the bike yesterday, but since I had the doctor's appointment, had to get feed, and had to go to some other stores, I took the truck. Probably a good thing. By the time I got home, it was dark. I don't mind riding in the dark-if there's no traffic. And, I was coming from a high traffic area. I managed to get my "library" cleaned yesterday, and do some dishes, but that was it. Then, I relaxed in front of the fire w/a book and some chestnuts that I roasted on top of the wood stove.

Today was just as nice. Again, I wanted to take the bike. But, I went on the bird walk this morning, and it was just a bit too cold when I left to ride. If it had been 10 degrees warmer, I would have taken it. We had a nice walk. I know for some this wouldn't be a big deal, but I spotted a bald eagle! At first, no one realized what it was. My first thought since it was going after something in the lake was an osprey. But, we don't have osprey around here at this time of year. I could see white, but that was it. I'm not sure who realized it was an eagle. But, it just sat there on the ice eating it's fish! We were able to get a really good look at it (through binoculars). And, we wondered how many of the people driving by on the road maybe 20, 25 feet away from it even saw it. We saw several species of birds and the one guy may take anyone that's interested on a trip in one of the local lakes into all the little nooks and crannies looking for birds! That wouldn't be until late Spring, though.

Then, I had nature club. Today, we look at using size and shape to help ID birds. The kids really got into that. And, they were thrilled when we had a pair of cardinals land on the deck of the nature center.

Once home, hubby and I went out to the farm so he could look at the mower. And, he got it started while I fed Stormy. I felt sorry for the horses though. KN fed for me. I've been quartering an apple every day and giving each horse one quarter. She didn't do it. (Maybe I should have left my knife?) I've thought that Stormy looks like he's gaining weight. I didn't even ask my hubby what he thought, he noticed it on his own. Since he rarely comes out, he hasn't seen him in awhile. So, he could really see a change whereas for me I wasn't as sure. So, he just may be OK for a light rider come Spring! I hope so. My niece wants to ride him. I need to work w/him a bit first since he hasn't been ridden in awhile, and she's a beginning rider, but it would be good for both of them. This is one of my brother's girls. And, it's been very rough for her since her Mom died. She used to ride some, but stopped. (She considers Licky her pony!) But, if I work w/him some, she'll be able to trail ride him. Licky isn't ready for her to trail ride. I need to work w/her more. I've only had her out on a trail 1x. She'd probably be OK on her in the ring, but not out on the trails until she becomes a better rider.

Then, we went to Harbor Freight. Hubby wanted to go grocery shopping. I didn't want to go-something about the store really messes w/my head, so he dropped me off at Dick's Sporting Goods while he went food shopping. I enjoyed myself looking at the camping equipment. And, they have the cast iron griddle I've been wanting! I didn't get it today, but will be getting it this year!

Coming home, it was still warm out. The moon was almost full. This is the kind of weather we were hoping for when we tried to have a moonlit trail ride, only to be rained out 2xs last summer. I'm hoping we're able to do it this year.

Once home, I fed animals and did some wood. I also saw a bat. While I'm enjoying the warm weather, it's not good for bats at this time of year. Bats hibernate. If they wake up, they may not be able to find enough insects to keep them going all winter, and they'll starve to death. Then, there's not as many bats to eat mosquitoes. So, I'm hoping it found enough bugs.

 

[BarredBuff]

I like Harbor Freight its pretty neat, and I love Dick's SPorting Goods camping stuff I drool everytime we go!

 

[hqueen13]

What is it with this weather... Tuesday morning it was 12 here, and today it was 66! Geesh! I love the warmth, but it is so bittersweet for me knowing what will be coming....

 

[Denim Deb]

I know. I'm hoping we don't have a ton of snow this winter though. I figure we're due for a break after the last 2 winters!