JUSTUSNAK...Summer coming to an end!?

[justusnak]

Sunday....May Day. Its raining...of COURSE! Thats one reason IU have not posted on here in a while...nothing to post but...its raining! Yesterday we actually had a great day, sunny....75 degrees...altho it was muddy. My son and I was able to get a few hundred feet of fencing stretched along the woods...behind the little mobile home of the woman that tore out MY fencing. Its not a great job...but...it will work. The plan is to get up a perimiter fence, then about 5 ft inside the fence....put up cattle pannels.for my animals. The preimiter fence will keep little fingers from getting through and getting bit...and me getting sued!
So, after we got the fence up, my son and I moved the little female PB pig to her outside pad. Oh, she was NOT happy...JEESH those little pigs can scream loud enough to alert ther mililtary!! Today the plan is to get out there and sheer Nelly...she is due to lamb soon...and I just know she will go when I am down with my foot surgery...which is Monday. (tomorrow)
I have really had a hard time with this surgery coming up. Hubby is working 7 days a week....nights..so he wont be able to take me....my son thats here to help..doesn't have a liscence..my other son who I was depending on....can't take me because his little girl has an appoitment with her cardiologist...so, I had to hire my neighbors mother...to take me and bring me home. UGH! I am not looking forward to this...but, I am told.I will feel much better once it stops hurting! LOL
Today I am planning to shear Nelly...get the lima beans planted...finish the last of the laundry...and fill all the feeders to max in the coops...this way my son will only have to really gather eggs....and let everyone out in the morning and lock them up at night...and feed the sheep and pigs. Hopeing I will be back on my feet in no time. The Dr said I will have to wear a "boot" for 6 to 8 weeks. UGH!! I can't work outside in some stoopid "boot"...that I can't get wet!
Well...daylights a burnin...and I have a lot to get finished before dark....

 

[justusnak]

So...this morning my son and I went out to tackle Nelly...my biggest Ewe, and get her sheared. Now, I am in NO WAY a professional...but, she is done. I had to get her done today, because she will be lambing soon, probably while I am down with my foot surgery. So.....we set out to get her done.
Now....Nelly...is a BIGGUN!! She has 1 and a half horn, ( thanks to the Ram I no longer have) She weighs about 80 pounds...is pregnant...and NOT in a good mood this morning. I tried to lure her with yummy corn...to the other side of the barn. Oh nooooo. She knew something wasn't right. ( she is a smart gal) LOL Angel on the other hand is very food motivated. So, Angel runs in...Nelly stands at the door looking at me like I was crazy or something. After a few minutes of Angel eating the yummy corn, Nelly decided it was OK to go in...HAHA!! GOTCHA!! Scoot Angel to the other side, with a look of discontent on her face...she wasn't done eating. :/ I let NElly sniff around for a few minutes while I readied myself..this is not going to be easy....and I had only ONE cup of coffee in me! I finally grab Nell...and get her in a sitting position...the whole time my son is watching me with a ....OH MY GOD...look on his face. I get NEll down...and have my son hold her..I start clipping. I started around her hoohoo....N A S T Y !!! Poo....urine....YUK! Nell wasn't sure what I was doing down there, so she struggled a few times...kicking me in the face. Whoa Nelly!! After getting her clipped around the back side...and around her teets which are FULL of milk.....I started up the legs and side. Once She realised I wasn't going to hurt her..she calmed down. She could feel the cool air now, and was getting comfortable. One side done, we rolled the heffer over...and I was able to get her other side. Then she struggled a bit, so we let her stand and eat some hay...while I trimmed around her head. She was such a good girl...letting me trim around her face and neck. Now, like I said...im no pro...but she is done. Whew!! Here is her pelt...my son holding it!

Here she is afterwards. I forgot to get a before shot.

After turning her back with the other 2 Ewes...April...my usually docile little baby girl...ATTACKED! She wanted nothing to do with Nelly...wanted this "stranger" out of the barn. Now Nelly has always been the boss...so I let them duke it out for a few minutes...lots of head smashing going on..then I broke it up. Gave them all a little corn...and just watched for a few. After they ate...April went after NElly again..but this time, Nelly wasn't going to have any more of it. She finally was able to put April back in her place, and run April and Angel out of the barn. Then she stook in the doorway...and claimed it as hers, once again. The rain started, and now they are all back in the barn, together..no fighting. Whew! I am worn out!

 

[Farmfresh]

Wow! Great job getting that fleece off in one piece!

 

[justusnak]

Wow! Great job getting that fleece off in one piece!

Thanks
Not bad for a "first timer" hu?? I wont say it a 'good" cut, but...it'll do.

 

[TanksHill]

Where there is a will there's a way. Great job on the fleece.

g

 

[justusnak]

Thank you Tanks. I have one more to do...one day! LOL
Angel isn't preggers, so she can waite a few more weeks. But, her wool is super clean, and white.... I can't waite to get that on my wheel.

 

[Dooley]

Woohoo! Got yerself a nice sweater, there! Did you weigh it?

 

[justusnak]

No, I didn't weigh it. Its in the bag...in the barn. I left it out there, so will have to get it later. Im not able to walk anywhere for a few days...since my surgery on my foot. wHICH, BY THE WAY....O U C H !!!!!!!!! LOL I know it takes time to heal...but wowsa! This hurts worse than before I got it done. My Dr gave me Oxycodone, 7.5's...and they are barely touching the pain. Guess i just need to sleep for the next few days.

 

[TanksHill]

Ouch!! I hope your foot heel's quickly!! sorry!!

Take it easy and lay low. Use this time to do some reading or something.

g

 

[keljonma]

Congratulations on getting that job done! What an accomplishment J.

I have two friends that got foot surgery about the same time. The one who rested healed more quickly and hasn't had any follow up issues. The one who pushed and didn't rest - has had to go back to the surgeon's three times already for follow up.... mostly sounds like improper healing and infections....


Now go rest that foot!