We are Champions, in my humble opinion anyway...

My beautiful electricty meter...

On Wednesday I watched as the meter man came and took our reading and have been waiting very, very patiently for my electricity bill. I have been itching to find out what we have used. I know as I do daily readings what kWh amount we have been using but I wanted to know what the amount was as I didn't know how much electricity had gone up by. All I knew was that it was up as of 1 July 2009.

Well, yesterday I eagerly checked my mail and there it was. That wonderful, precious envelope that would tell me how we had done for the last three months...

Our last quarter we used 1156kWh and it cost us $233.10. Just after our last bill was when I got an electrician out from Warwick and Marty was able to change my solar hot water to actually be solar hot water. What had happened was that during the building process the electrician at the time just wired the pump and solar booster in as one. Not separately. This means that as we are on tank water we needed the pump on all the time. But that also meant that the solar booster was on all the time. Lovely great hot water but the solar was not being used at all. Such a pity. I argued with the builders for ages and they would not come to the party and get it done for me, even though I had asked for them separately before signing the contract. Unfortunately for me I didn't check to see that it was in the contract. It was not. So I got it done myself in the end and was the best $210 I ever spent. Our water most days is actually hotter than with the booster, and no it doesn't need turning on anymore. Just the way I like it...

OK, so to my brag... We have had our No Technology Monday's and Low Electricity Wednesday's for the whole time as well and our usage was down to..... wait for it.... 896kWh and the total of the bill is $210.75.

I can't believe it... I am sooo proud of my boys and I. Russell is really proud of us as well. He was not here for any of the Monday's or Wednesday's except a couple of them so he knew we had put in a huge effort to reduce our usage. The boys are also allot more aware just what goes into saving now and it is a habit.

Our electricity went up 15.67% as at 1 July 2009, which I think is terrible. I just can't wait for my solar electricity to come now. I am checking on the process of my application with the Government Department during this week and will post as to where we are up to. Can't happen soon enough but I also realise that I will probably have to wait for another six months or so.

I am thinking now of other ways to try and save kWh's now. Not only are we saving money and then some as well as building a better knit family unit but we are also doing our little bit at this end in helping the environment and that is what it is mainly all about. Any of your hints would be greatly appreciated...

Cheers Damaris

New Beginnings...

Our newest lot of Chicks and Ducklings...

Over the last week we have had new additions on our little hobby farm. Monday last week we had Chloe born, that is the heifer calf's name now...

Then from the Tuesday since we have had six chicks and seven ducklings being born. The boys have loved watching them come out of their shells. I must admit to checking the incubator quite frequently as well just to make sure that there wasn't another little body to move to the brooder.

Daisy is due with her eggs on Saturday and we are all looking forward in great anticipation as to how many hatch and that they will be OK.

The miracle of life is quite amazing really. You get a yolk and egg white and in there is all that is needed that turns it into a chick in just three weeks. Amazing. And the miracle doesn't stop there either. The amount of growing that they do in such a short period of time is just amazing for me.

I met a lovely lady yesterday and she is after chooks. Only hens. This lot of girls, depending on how many she would like will be going to her, I think... Roosters can go in the freezer. Most of my bantam roosters will be going up for sale soon. I just need a couple more to grow up so I can pick whether they are male or female. Due to their small size it is rather hard to tell. Their combs are so similar. Have to therefore wait for a crow or spurs...

So here is to new beginnings. I love them. They let me know at this time of year that Spring has sprung...

Cheers Damaris

Let's Sing...

Maryvale SS and Leyburn SS performing their song.
Combined schools performing their three songs...

Last Tuesday the boys had the opportunity, along with their whole school, to perform in front of a few hundred people. There were about 11 schools from the Warwick area that performed their own songs as well as three songs that were performed all together. What a feat. There were soooo many children.

The day started at 9am and had them practicing their songs till 2:30pm. Then they had a break. During that time I took the boys to Lesley Park, Queen's Park for some exercising on the equipment that the council has provided and dinner at McDonald's. It was a real treat.

We went to the night time performance and I was able to get front row seats which was really nice for me. Our school did their performance fourth and joined in with another school. I must say that I was really proud of them.

I even rang up Russell during their song so that he could hear them sing. Was my way of having him there and not two hours drive away...

The whole day ended at 8:45pm and then we made a mad dash home, without speeding off course, to ensure that the chooks, ducks and guinea fowl were shut up for the night. We have had foxes hanging around menacing the area and didn't want to lose more stock to them.

All was fine and good and we went to bed really quickly. Timothy did fall asleep while the first combined schools song was being sung. Don't know why he wasn't woken up but he was so upset about it as it was a Japanese song that he had really wanted to sing and had been practicing so hard for it. I realised during the second song that I couldn't see him anywhere and went over to him and encouraged him to jump in for the last song. That he did and he was rather excited about that.

What a long day. I must admit I am glad that this day out doesn't happen every year... It was a little too much and there were a number of children that were yawning, including Joshua, during the songs... But they all had a great time and a wonderful audience of parents and grandparents...

Cheers Damaris

Congratulations Carrie and Steve...

Congratulations Carrie and Steve...

Yesterday was a first for this family... We all went together to our first wedding. This was the wedding of Russell's niece, Carrie. It was held in the Roma Street Parklands and was a beautiful setting. The wedding was at 3pm and the reception was back at Carrie and Steve's place at 6pm. After the wedding the boys were able to explore a little as well and we even found a family of ducks with little ducklings. Oh how cute they looked... We also saw a heap of lizards. Was a wonderful sight to see so close to the business of a major city.

The reception, much like the wedding was very nontraditional. There were no speeches, no dancing just good old fashioned talking and for me allot of catching up.

Carrie looked like she was worth a million dollars. She was so radiant. Steve was handsome and the rest of the bridal party was also beautiful. Carrie's dress was just to die for and I can see why it was so important. The first one that she got was from Italy I believe and the company, Abbey Bridal went bust and took her money as well...

There have been allot of hiccups along the way coming up to this day. But in the end I think it was all worth it. Everyone had a wonderful time. I hope they have a long and happy marriage together.

Cheers Damaris

Updates from our place to yours...

New heifer calf relaxing while Lavender eats...

We have not had much happen around her in the last couple of days. One chick is still trying to get out of its shell after nearly 24 hours trying to get out. It is still chirping and doing its thing. I am determined to not help it but let me tell you it is hard.

Daisy is still sitting faithfully on her goose eggs. Getting more and more bantam eggs which is great as well. Four chicks are doing great in the bathroom as well... They are very quiet I must say. Not like the usual noisy lots that we have had before.

Guinea pig babies are growing fast and make as much noise now as mum. :)

Our newest calf is going great. She is jumping all over the place and keeping mum on her toes. She is feeding really well and Lavender's udder seems to be used well. Have still not decided on a name but Russell and I have agreed that heifers from now on we will not put in the freezer. We will either sell them or exchange with our breeder once weaned. The boys and I will get a name for her over the weekend and I will write about that next week.

Tomorrow we are off to Brissie as we have a wedding to go to. Russell's niece is getting married. Hope the rain holds off for her and visits us here in the country instead... That would be nice. We need it. There is so little feed for the cows at the moment and I hate having to always hand feed them. Much more natural for them to forage themselves...

Anyway that is me for the week. Will post about the wedding off course over the weekend. It is the first wedding that our whole family is going to which is rather exciting for us as parents. The boys love the clothes that they are wearing which is always a bonus I guess...

Cheers Damaris

More chickens...

First born was the bottom one, then the right and last the left...

Over the last three days we have had some chicks hatch. I am not helping them out of their shells this time as last time I did that and two didn't make it. Was rather sad. I am getting better at just letting nature take its course.

We have three little ones so far, another one is in the incubator drying off at the moment. All is well with the world here... they grow so quickly... Had an egg the other day for brekkie and had three yolks in it. Have never seen that before. Plenty with two but never with three. That was a new experience. Loved it...

Cheers Damaris

Welcome to our beautiful world...

Here I am world... 1.35pm, 31.8.09
My mum's milk is yummy...

Over the weekend have been keeping a very close eye on Lavender as she was due to calve today. Since Sunday she had separated herself from Lorray and Sausage so thought it was probably going to happen pretty soon.

Yesterday, I saw that her tail was rather crooked so went to investigate. She was at the top of the paddock off course. Why make it easy for me??? No, it was not about me I realise this. She felt safe up there so that is where she had her calf.

Our beautiful heifer calf was born at 1.35pm yesterday. She is just beautiful. I was very privileged to be able to see all of the birth and must say was over rather quickly. Lavender did such a fantastic job. I am soooo proud of her.

We have not given the calf a name just yet. It seems harder putting a heifer in the freezer than a steer calf. What is with that? They were both just adorable when born.

One thing that my boys will always remember is when Lavender ate the afterbirth. That will stick in their minds for a LONG time. They thought it was the most disgusting thing. Once I explained to them that she is getting the nutrients back into her body and why she was eating it all, they could understand and where proud of her. Amazing what instincts that God gives these animals.

The calf went for the teats straight away and had a great feed. Must say it was much easier for her then it was with Sausage. I am very happy this morning also as I didn't even have to get up during the night (Yes had frost again) to reunite mum and bub. Lavender will make a fantastic mum and seems that have calmed her down allot already...

Will be keeping a very close eye on both for now as we have wild dogs and foxes here and don't want anything to happen to her.

Sausage kept trying to stomp on the calf yesterday so have put him and Lorray in the cow yard for a couple of days so the calf can get confident on her feet and then will reintroduce them.

Lavender is walking around this morning with her and coming down for food and water which is also great to see. My dog, Bailey new something was different about the sight of the two straight away and started barking... He will settle as he gets used to the new addition.

Off to check on them again, for the umpteenth time... :)

Cheers Damaris