JUSTUSNAK...Summer coming to an end!?

[justusnak]

Wednesday, 11 Feb 09
So today was freaky, weather wise. High winds...rain. Just a nasty day. Going out to do any animal chores was...well...a real chore! Poor Kiki still wants to follow me around outside...hopping on 3 legs. With the rain and wind...he was so pitifull...of course I had to carry him everywhere!
THe winds are pulling the tar paper vent covers from the vents of the coop. So, flapping in the wind....black...I think you might know where this one is going...half the chickens outside...terrified to run inside because the "big black monster" might get them....the other half inside...screaming out for help for thier comrads. Out into the storm I go, rip off the tar paper..."slaying the big black monster" and gathering the chickens all inside. " Hero mom" hangs a few heads of cabbage, and tucks them in for the day. I finally put Kiki and Chubs in the garage, with food and water. Just untill morning, after these crazy storms pass. The winds are the worst thing to deal with here. Of course, our home faces the west....the storms came in from the SW, and with the driving winds...the rain was coming in under the front door. Then, just as I thought I was "ok" for the night.....water starts coming in the basement. Jeesh! Drag out the shop vac...start getting it all under controll...POOF, the power goes out. OK, I get it...this is NOT my day. Point taken. Light the lamps....get the woodstove going in anticipation of moveing 3 incubators down next to the woodstove...the power comes back on. Start sucking up more water....it FINALLY stops coming in. Ahhhh, I made it. Of course DH is at work. Sit back...start to relax...WHAM!!!! What the heck???? Something crashed outside. So, I get up...and fearing the worse.....step out front. Nothing too bad, the front porch swing is hanging off the edge of the porch. OK, I can handle this....maybe. Get the boots, coat..and get out there only to almost be blown off the porch myself. Darned swing....see it in the next county for all I care! Im not messing with it....DH can fix it in the morning. So....im in for the evening...cats safe....chickens safe....dogs FREAKING out because of the storm. I grab my coffee...sit back, and enjoy the ride. Waite...what was that going by the window?? Was that a mean old witch on a bicycle!?? Toto!?? Where are you???

 

[TanksHill]

Glad to hear you are hanging in there. Stay safe.

 

[shareneh]

I can hear you screaming WHAT A WEEK I'M HAVING....

 

[lorihadams]

When it rains it pours, huh?

Glad you are all okay...these last batch of storms have really wreaked havoc with everybody...my dog (85lb lab) got so scared last night from the wind that she came running into my bedroom and jumped into the bed with me. Couldn't go to sleep cause she was shaking so bad

 

[justusnak]

Lori, I do know about the scared dogs. I have a doberman, and 3 poms. They didnt used to be scared of storms...untill last fall. We were haveing terrible storms...so the dogs and I head to the basement where we were "safe" Yeah...well...no one told lightening that basements are SAFE PLACES! I was in my chair....dogs just lazeing around, when CRACK....BAM!!! Lightening came IN the window about 8 ft in front of me...shot through the basement, and went out the other side. Can we say FREAKED OUT!?? Now if an airplane...train...loud truck...almost anything unexpected is outside, my dogs freak out. One good thing is...the poms will get in bed with me at night, and they are warm and vibrateing....feels good on the old back! My poor dogs. I think I may need to invest in doggie downers for spring storm season.
Im glad everyone was safe with this last batch of " mother nature PMSing" WOW, it was scarey! Everyone here made it through...just a little scared is all. Oh, and stupid me...I put the cats in the garage...and forgot a litter box...yeah, I was GAGGING this morning from the smell! Took about a half bottle of bleach before I could even walk in the garage. So, no more kitties in the garage..they can sleep in the coop!

 

[lorihadams]

EEEEEEEWWWWWW! I know that smell....

The lightning actually came INTO your basement!!! Good lord....

 

[justusnak]

EEEEEEEWWWWWW! I know that smell....

The lightning actually came INTO your basement!!! Good lord....

Yeah, the smell is an unforgettable one. I have never had cats before...so, WOW!! What an eye opener! ( and a stomach emptier) yes, the lightening came IN the window. All the hair on my arms stood up, and my hair on my head stood almost straight out. ( I have waiste length hair) You ever see the cartoon with the 2 birds on a tree limb...one is all fuzzy and the caption says, " some wise cracker put fabric softner in the bird bath" ? THATS what my poms looked like! Funny now, but definately was NOT then.
Friday,13 Feb.
What a pretty day, the sun shining...light cool breeze. I decided to get outside and start cleaning up a few vacant pens in the coop, to prepare them for new "renters" The babies in the garage are going out there today. Finally! My ducks are suposed to hatch the 20th, so I will need to get the other pen ready as well. I think I will work on this today, since DH decided to volunteer to work on VALENTINES DAY!
I think I will be shoveling out the corners of the old pig pen, and laying that on the garden area. Luckily I have a wagon to pull behind the lawn tractor. Just what I want to do on valentines day...shovel poo! Oh well...it has to be done..and I am the one here to do it. Hope you all have a great Valentines day.!

 

[justusnak]

17 Feb. 09

The sun was shining, and it was in the mid 40's! I hear the weatherman said...its the calm before the storm. The temps are supposed to drop, back into the 20's at night. So, I took advantage of this sunny, windy day. Got a few loads of laundry on the line. With it being cool...they took all day to dry..but I dont mind.
Spring is just around the corner....and with spring, comes storms and power outages. So, I have been canning chickens all day today, will try to get a few done every day. I dont want to lose them if the power goes out. Guess I can get some of that pork sausage out, and can that as well.
I really need to be working on a good sheep pen. I am supposed to be getting a pair of Baby Doll Sheep from a friend. With the cold, and the mud, I just cant get motivated to get outside much yet.
KiKi is doing much better. He is trying to walk on his leg some times. I think he hobbles more when I am looking. If he is at the coop..and I call with a bowl of milk, he can come running pretty fast. He knows I am a softy...and if he limps, I will carry him. Darned cat!
I have been planning the lay out of the new garden space. Time is a comming...and I am excited to get it growing! My sister in law has a few of the older metal cabinets...upper and lower....with a sink. She is giving them, and an older style electric stove for my summer kitchen. I cant waite to get THAT started as well! I will finally have a place to store all my jars and canning supplies together! Sweeet!
Well, thats about it for here. Hope you all have a great day!

 

[Quail_Antwerp]

Ohhhhhh baby doll sheep! I bet they'll be adorable!!!!!

 

[justusnak]

Oh, they are the CUTEST little things!! I believe they are less than 23 inches at the shoulder. Super friendly personalities. I can see me haveing sheep in the garage dureing those really cold winter nights!