NH Homesteader's journal

[NH Homesteader]

Yes and he makes more per hour doing what he is doing now. And he is more local, and can take time off, go in late, whatever he needs. So it's great. No more overnights!!! I admit, I was kind of panicking about having a newborn in winter, with a 5 year old, 2 dogs, overnight when we tend to lose our power a lot here. We have a generator but it's a serious process to get everything up and running. So thank goodness for that.

 

[frustratedearthmother]

I'll still play devil's advocate.....YOU DON'T NEED SHEEP.

You better be careful Bay! She might be as stubborn as me and if somebody says "nope" I say "watch me!"

When I was pregnant with my second child in 83, we had flooding from Alicia - a lot like with Harvey. I was tromping through water and actually had to swim at one point to get a hold of my horses to get them out of a flooded pasture. I caught my lead mare - climbed on (more like floated on) and she/we led about a half-dozen horses out to safety. My pediatrician had actually ok'd riding up until my last month. Go figger!

Pregnancy is definitely a time to be mindful - but I've never been one that thinks it makes ya helpless. (unless it IS high risk pregnancy!) (I think we've got a grandma's mindset that just wants to take care of pregnant ladies and little babies!! )

 

[milkmansdaughter]

You don't NEED sheep... But that does sound like a great trade

 

[baymule]

Oh I never let pregnancy slow me down one bit, but that new born sure will. It's not about what she can/can't do right now as much as it is what she can/can't do with a new born to care for. Even a wonderful lady like NH Homesteader can over load herself.

The old saying comes to mind..... It's hard to drain the swamp when you're up to your eyeballs in alligators.

 

[frustratedearthmother]

LOL - ask AClark if her newborn slowed her down!

 

[NH Homesteader]

She's a superhero, that AClark! Crazy story about the horses, FEM! How did you know I'm stubborn? (ask my husband, I'm a Taurus and it's obvious!)

I'm lucky to have a husband who picks up slack, but I also know newborns sleep a lot and it only takes a half hour to do morning and evening chores (until I start milking anyway).

My mom knows a lady whose daughter just had her first baby and she just can't handle the stress. Everything is huge drama. Going grocery shopping, having family visit, etc is too much (and no she doesn't appear to have postpartum depression or I would have sympathy cause that must suck). I told my mom people have been having babies for ages. The cows (or in my case, goats) have to be milked and the chickens have to be fed, and mother nature doesn't care if you have a baby strapped to you while you do it. Such is life.

 

[NH Homesteader]

Oh and tortoise, I would so milk a sheep! I've heard sheep milk is delicious. It's just a little of a volume issue, lol. I want to get a gallon a day, which I should get easily with my 3 does (2 are first fresheners so we'll see).

 

[Mini Horses]

My Saanens give a gallon a day ---- EACH. I now have 7 adults & 4 that are 8 mos. Small is cute but I like larger girls to milk. My 2 mini nubs are far more productive with kids -- always trips. Saanens generally twins.

Sheep are needed to help pasture cut but, come winter more hay....I don't do sheep for that reason. Would not milk because of the size issues. Just like the mini goats....I like more room & more output for the effort.

 

[NH Homesteader]

See I don't like having to wrangle full size goats. All my goats are small enough for DH to pick up (aside from my temporary situation, I can lift all but the biggest one). I like the size of my mini alpines the best, we will see how they milk. Their dam is a full size alpine and she gives a gallon and a half a day! And their sire comes from heavy milking lines so I have faith! My Nigie isn't a fantastic milker but she does alright, and her milk is so delicious.

Side note- these sheep are also small breeds, I don't want to wrangle a 200lb ram either!

 

[NH Homesteader]

I have a frost advisory for tonight! Holy cow!