Sausage is Sausage, amongst other stuff...

About 60kg's of meat. :)

Well Sausage went to the slaughter house last month and we have been enjoying ourselves on the bounty for about three weeks now. :) I ended up with 10kg failsafe sausages, 20kg mince, 12 rolled roasts, 10 silver sides, countless T bones, Y bones and chuck steak. There was also allot of Fillets too. Just so much meat... Amazing... We got the offal for the dogs and have cut them up into treat portions as well as bones for them. :) I have ended up with the full upright freezer and full deep chest full of Sausage...

Thanks mate, you have done well. :)

Cheers Damaris

All about Timothy...

Timothy at his computer...

Multiple items must always be in a straight line, be in paperclips, marbles or money...

When I first started this blog I was not sure how much I would go into my private life. I wanted it to be an online diary of sorts for me as I hate having to put pen to paper at the end of a long day. All I want to do at that point is hit my pillow and sleep. I wanted to be able to share with others what we are doing here and wanting to achieve, how we are doing it and how we correct things that may go wrong.

There have been allot of changes around here even just from the beginning of the year. So much has changed. We had another birth, a heifer called Chloe. We had the incubator working on full steam for a while. We planted but lost everything to the calves. The cows and their calves left...

The square foot garden is not working as well as I had hoped. The carrots have died due to heat I presume. The lettuce has gone backwards too. Other than that all else is doing fine. Will put corn in where the carrots were to keep it going. Also found that the dogs love to jump in it as it has allot of manure in it... Naughty doggies. :)

One thing that I wanted to write about also was Timothy and to be able to express how I feel about him having Asperger's Syndrome (AS), Central Auditory Processing Disorder (CAPD) and a huge dose of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).

It has been a long road from when I first noticed that he was very different from others. He was my first so did not take too much notice when he kept climbing things before attempting to walk. He was always up something. Now a days it could be a tree, roof, tank, whatever as long as it is up. I asked him once why he does it and he says that it is quieter up high. You see he can't block out white noise like 'normal' people. Another reason why I take him shopping as little as possible. The lights in shopping centres drive him to distraction. Going down isles he can smell the pasta, sauces, everything. Don't try to take him down the cleaning isle, it will not work...

His heightened sense of touch, taste and smell is amazing as well as frustrating at times. If I am to make Spaghetti Bolognaise he can only have the pasta and mince with nothing on it. How boring you might think but if he has the sauce he will say straight away that it is 'too tasty'. He always HAS to smell whatever he is about to eat or drink. Getting the right toothpaste has been an absolute nightmare. I have tried them all on him. We have finally settled on the baby toothpaste. It has no mint and doesn't hurt his taste buds.

Showering or having a bath has to be really hot usually, even in summer. He can't control his body temperature so I end up washing hot and cold clothes all year with him. There will be ice outside and he will be in his boxers jumping on the trampoline or it will be really hot and he goes to school with beanie, jumper and long pants... It is amazing to watch. You touch him and he really is the opposite. Off course he feels fine so gets cross at me if I put cool clothes in his school bag. They have to be snuck into school.

His hearing is what gets to me most times. He can't stand the radio on and at night I am trying to get him used to relaxation music. He likes it sometimes but other times, such as when he has had a bad day, it is not very useful at all. He uses his earmuffs quite allot at school as well as at home. Sometimes he wears them for just a little while, other times like during the last school holidays, he will wear them all day. Sometimes he is allot more sensitive than other times. I just need to make sure I pick up on the cues. Funny thing is I am so much more like him now, can't stand the music on, like it quiet, the less movement the better. All because I have had to change for him to be able to cope, now I am getting that way too...

At school and at home he is a little policeman. He can't stand it that others don't do as they are told (even though he can take his own sweet time doing as he is being told...) and if just one little thing goes wrong during his day it will most likely cause nightmares that night and still be the topic of conversation the next day. He just can't let go... Mountains out of mole hills, that's for sure.

He is loving being integrated into Warwick State High School Support Unit during this last semester of Year 7. He goes there for part of the day every second Tuesday. He has a school buddy now and has lunches there which is rather overwhelming. He is coping with the afternoon bus ride home well at this point as well. He gets home about 4:10pm so it ends up being a long day for him. Next year he will be leaving at 7:10am so it will be even longer... Will see how it all goes.

His obsessions for a long time have been three things: Chickens, Dogs and Rocks/Gems. It is amazing how much he knows on his subjects and how he bonds with them Chooks :) The chickens and dogs are very interesting. He will go out to the chooks, give them water and sit amongst them telling him about his day or what might be bugging him. He speaks to them as though they are humans. When one dies he grieves like it was his best friend. He relates to the chickens as you and I would relate to people. It is sometimes really bazaar to watch. I am glad that he has them as they are an outlet for him. I feel so sad for him that his Poppy passed away in May. He is still not over her. None of us are...

One problem that I have been having this semester is that he has made it perfectly clear that he goes to school to learn and home is for relaxing, hibernating and chilling and not for more schoolwork ie. homework. He can't understand that he needs to do it at home when he has done it at school already. On the other hand he is also being difficult at school not wanting to be in Primary School anymore as he has had a taste of High School. Can't win at the moment but am not pushing it as if I do it will only make a mountain out of a mole hill and that is soooo not worth it. I know what battles to pick most of the time and that is not one of them.

A bone of contention in this house is also his room. He gets things out and puts them on the floor, computer desk or on his bed and then off course they can't be touched as he has put them there for a reason. There is a whole heap of pillows all along the edge of his bed as well for comfort but also for him to feel safe. His room is a total mess most of the time which I can't stand but don't know how to get around that one. Might put it in with his chores. Have tried that before and off course he says that they are there because they need to be but can't tell me why.

Jobs that must be done in the mornings are put in a list form and are stuck to his door as well as in the kitchen. That way I don't have to repeat about what needs to be done and when. Keeps the peace allot more in the mornings. I am really glad that we have it. I also monthly menu plan so he always knows what is going to be for dinner. Sometimes that changes at the last minute but he is able to cope better then.

Sleepovers is one thing that doesn't happen. He might have a friend stay here but he is not invited over to their place. That hurts him allot as he sees Joshua staying over other kids' places and he doesn't get asked along. Respite, once every three/four months is about all the break that he or the rest of the family gets. I take that with both hands and that is where he is this weekend. They cater for him and the other clients so well there. Usually there are outings everyday that he is there... Be it bowlling, fishing or going to the park with a picnic. It takes a bit to get him there as he doesn't like being without his computer and that whole other non communicative world but once he is there he always has a great time :)

OK, I think that is enough for today on my little man. All in all, yes it is very hard most of the time but I wouldn't have it any other way. He has stretched me in ways I never thought possible and has taught me about so many things and he is only 12. I wonder what the next 12 years have in store for me???

Cheers Damaris

Just plodding along...

Bailey keeping me company while I was feeling sad earlier this week...

It is now our third day without the cows and things are slowly going back to the way things were before. The front gate is still open and nothing has escaped. lol

The kids don't like to talk about them and neither do I. I have found out through email that they all arrived safely at Magrita Dexter Stud and that they are settling in very well. I was really glad to hear that.

We have now moved the bales of leftover hay out of the shed so that we can make a start on the cubby for the boys. The leftover bales will be used around the gardens and also help set up our new veggie gardens. They will certainly come in handy that is for sure. We are moving the veggie gardens down beside the shed at this point. We are starting with just one bed of 1.2m x 2.4m. It is rather late in the spring season now to start too much all at once. This way we can get some crops in and start from scratch really.

We are investigating about getting a hothouse and shade house as well. They will probably go down the side of the eastern side of the house so that the westerly sun in the afternoon doesn't hit it. They will not go against the house though rather against the retaining wall that goes down the whole length of that side of the house and then some.

Being inside the house area will also ensure that they don't get pecked at by the chooks. The fence around the veggie garden will be going up soon too to ensure hares, wallabies and chooks don't get anything before us humans do. lol

It has been a rather sad week for us here but you know what, things are looking up. We are making tracks on our plans to be self reliant and that is what is really important to us as a family. We all want this to work, not just Russell and myself.

So this weekend we are off to the Toowoomba Gem Fest. Timothy has been looking forward to it off course. Then Adam, a friend from Brisbane is staying from Sunday for a whole week. Can't wait for that either.

I joined Simple Savings a while ago now and just recently joined Flylady. Boy am I glad I did. I love her. Simple Savings has been a wealth of information for me and has helped me with things like: Monthly Meal Planner, decluttering, being more organised, cleaning more greener... The flylady has done her bit with her 15 minutes a day doing particular tasks. It has been fantastic and now I love to shine my sink. hehe

Anyway am off to put some washing away that my lovely husband brought in for me before the thunderstorm got too close, not that it came as it is now silent and still hot... Here is hoping. :)

Cheers Damaris

Closing of one window and opening of another...

Time to go to their old home...
Even hay and the milking machine went as well...

Rooster crowing on top of Sausage yesterday morning...

Today has been a tough day. After going into town early this morning and getting some fruit and other things I quickly raced home again, doing only the speed limit off course. I was waiting for some very important and lovely people to come to my place.

These lovely two people, Judith and Terry have taught Russell and I so much over the last 1.5 years. So much about care for bovine and how to look after them. When we got the two girls, Lavender and Lorray, Lorray was pregnant and Lavender was still on her mum, Lilly.

Now nearly two years later we have had bloat here that Lorray survived thank goodness, Sausage had the runs twice, we have two births and I milked. Today we said Good bye to our cows...

It has taken a while to come to this conclusion and it was not made lightly. It took me a long time to get to this stage and actually talk about it out loud. I still can't believe that they are gone.

We will visit off course as they are only 1.5hrs drive away. We are part of the Magrita Dexter Stud family now. Who knows one day we may have some back again but for now we have to look forward to the future.

When we first got here we knew that we had to plant alot of trees, bushes and shrubs. There are still none here. Sausage and now also Chloe got into them any chance that they got and unfortunately currently we don't have the money to upgrade the infra structure in order to keep them out properly. The electric fencing was not doing its job either. The mums were fine but the calves were a problem for us.

We will still have Sausage for the freezer and another one in exchange for Chloe when the time comes. Russell was not here but the boys and I certainly have had our crys good bye.

I will miss them all... I will always have a very soft spot for them. We though needed to do the right thing by them. That was most important. I still do feel like a failure but as Judith said: "At least you tried". Better than not trying at all.

On a brighter note, tonight our front gate is open for the first time in about a year. Oh how nice it is not to have to get in and out of the car all the time for the gate. :)

Cheers Damaris

Pretend dead Calf...

Chloe pretending to be dead...

Went outside during the week to see what was going on when I couldn't see Chloe. Imagine my surprise when I saw her lying down totally flat and not moving...

She did end up moving but I was still able to get a quick photo of her lying down. So here is how cows sleep... If not with their legs tucked in under themselves and their head turned towards their belly they actually sleep with their whole body stretched out...

Quite funny to watch...

Cheers Damaris

Dilema...

Lavender feeding this morning...

Russell and I have been talking for a while now about the damage that the cows are doing to our futile attempts at growing trees. We have been wanting to plant lots of shade trees for a while now and attempt it with tube stock but they always end up eaten somehow...

We have realised that we got the cows too early... When we first got here we should have gotten that part of the planting over and done with straight away and gotten shade growing so that in a few years we could have the cows and they could enjoy the shade rather than the tree. :)

We have about 35 bales of hay left in the shed for them at this point in time. Once that is gone we have made the decision that we will sell them. I will give first option to the breeder that we got them from off course but we can no longer keep them.

This will make way for a new era at our little piece of heaven. We will be joining Land for Wildlife. It is something that I really wanted to do to begin with but couldn't do off course as I didn't want to take away the area from the cattle. They need all the space that they can get and I realise that.

It will be hard to go without the raw milk but will try and find someone to barter with. There are many local diaries around here so I am hoping that I will be successful. As for meat, there is a really good butcher in Allora that I will get organic grass fed carcases from. Can't wait to try that out. Will still want Sausage though July next year so am really hoping that the breeder will be able to take them back. Time will tell...

To new beginnings... I will be very sad to see them go as they are part of the family but I finally have a chance to do what is right for our little family and for the soil here that we have bought. I need to do the right thing... Maybe we will have cattle here again one day. I don't know at this point I doubt it. At least I can say that we did it, we milked, we saw two births, we nurtured...

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

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

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

Small Farm Magazing, October Edition...

Lorray being milked, tonight...

Had a phone call from our bovine breeder today and Judith asked me if I had any photos of me milking Lorray. I said that I had some that were from a distance but that Russell could take some more of me milking her tonight. Well he did and I sent off two photos.

Judith is doing an advert in the Small Farm Magazine's October Edition and I am going to be in it as well. I am rather stoked really. The reason the picture is going in is because apparently it is rather unusual to be able to just put down a bucket of grain and start milking without a halter and/or leg rope. I must admit when Lorray first started being milked I used both but stopped after about a week as she didn't seem to like it all that much. I didn't either.

As soon as we dispensed with the practice all has been great since. She just stands there for me and lets me do what I need to in order to relieve the pressure in the udder... lol

She is a good girl too. I milk her once a day now just on dusk and still walk away with about four litres of milk. Sausage is still naughty and trying to get some of the grain, which Lorray is not having any bar of. He thinks she should share, being his mum and all. She thinks he should be happy with his lucerne hay. So do I for that matter. So either Russell or Joshua stands guard for me to ensure that I can keep milking her without the calf upsetting her.

Lorray also keeps leading Lavender up the top end of the paddock at the moment. That is where she gave birth and she knows Lavender is about to do the same thing. Lavender is due on Tuesday, 1.9.09. We had been hoping that she would drop her calf while Russell was home for the weekend but this has not happened. Her udder is rather full and it will happen soon that's for sure.

I will have to watch Lorray once Lavender calves as she may try and steal the calf from Lavender. I had thought of this as well as Judith having mentioned it on the phone this afternoon. Will have to make sure that mum and bub are separate for a day or two to ensure that they bond properly.

Anyway I am off to get some early shuteye as I have not been well for the last week. Tomorrow I find out when my operation on my hand will now take place. Hope it is sooner rather than later...

Cheers Damaris

Poor Lorray...

Lorray this morning, still a little bloated on the left side but getting there...

Yesterday was rather eventful. We were supposed to have a nice day at home fixing the chookhouse fence when I went and checked on my bovines... Sausage was fine, so was Lavender (well as well as she can be with only three weeks to go in her pregnancy...)

Went and looked at Lorray and I got the shock of my life. She had not been eating, was throwing up a bit all the time and was frequently urinating as well as pooing. Her left side of the stomach was blown up like a balloon. It was still spongy but not looking good at all.

AHHHHHH Bloat!!!! NOOOOO. Was all I could think of at the time. Went inside and did more research and sure enough it was what she had... Have to act fast as they can die within a couple of hours of it getting severe. At this point I gave her the last of the medicine from another lot of bloat that she was treated for (but was actually pregnant, yes rather embarrassed about that one still but the vet surely should have known if I didn't???) That didn't work either as she was busy trying to kick the sides of herself and was not eating or drinking at all. She ballooned just a bit more.

Called the vet and they came out straight away. Still 1/2 hour from Warwick but they got there and passed a tube down her nose into the stomach. Air came out which was great to hear. The wind off course also picked up at that stage so made dealing with her a little more difficult. The vet then gave her a drench through the tube straight into the stomach to start working which was a great thing to do. She also got a shot of Penicillin and I have to give her another two shots over the next two days. That should be fun... Not!!!

I have to now give her more of the drench on her lucerne hay every day for three days and the shots as well. She is gonna love me after all this is over but within an hour of the vet leaving, she started looking better. This morning her tummy is still up a little bit but nothing like she was. During the night she also passed proper consistency poo and there were bigger wet spots around as well. Gums are also looking good still. Vet was happy all around and didn't have to put in a cannula which I was rather happy about as that usually has other problems associated with it later when it comes time for healing of the wound.

Total cost of the experience: $281.00 But so worth it as she is ok and getting better each hour. I have her in the cow yard for the next few days and can't use her milk for 72 hours after the last penicillin shot tomorrow but it is a small price to pay... Poor thing.

The other thing that the vet has said that due to there actually not having been any chance in feed that she seems prone to bloat. This is not good. Allot of material that I read over time says to cull those animals and I will certainly not do that but it has made me think of other options.

At this point I am very undecided what we are doing about the cows. Sausage is constantly getting into the orchard and the veggie gardens. Even my flower beds are not safe from him. Nothing stops this little guy. With the new calf due in three weeks that will only double my trouble I believe. They are costing us a fortune in replacement trees and shrubs like I never thought would be possible. Just something that I am thinking of. Though I love to have that time with Lorray when I milk her and watching their antics in the paddock. Lots more thinking to do on that one. But what if I can find someone that will let me buy a share in a cow and I can still have my raw milk. But what if I can find the right butcher to only buy grass fed beef... Will see...

Cheers Damaris

Carrots, carrots and more carrots...

yummy carrots...

When I was driving past the Nursery on the way out of Town I saw a wonderful sign that I new would help me in a big way. It screamed: $5.00 for 20 kg of Carrots. They are juicing carrots but whole cares. They are only going to the guinea pigs anyway. Well that is what I thought.

While down in the vegie garden yesterday afternoon, I saw that some cheeky animal (not one of mine for once) had 1/2 dug out some carrots. They were going a little soft so offered them to Lorray and Lavender. They loved them... I knew that cows loved carrots from ages ago but didn't realise how keen they are on them until then.

Seeing I had two 20kg bags of carrots I decided to get 1/2 bucket full and see what they did with it. hehe. They were in the front paddock near the front gate when I called them. I called them and hey presto there they were running like it was their last meal. I tipped out the bucket worth of carrots and they sucked them down. Funny sight! Nice to know that I can give them some carrots for a treat every now and then. Sausage and Lorray were into them immediately but Lavender took a little getting used to them. She was fine once she realised that she actually had to CHEW them. lol

I am now down to about 10kg of carrots left out of my lot, having taken some to work as well... Will need more towards the end of the week me thinks...

Cheers Damaris

Operation time...

Went to Ipswich Hospital yesterday to see what the results were from my MRI on my hand from three weeks ago. The result was that I don't have Keinboeck Disease, which is great. Would mean allot of more difficult surgery than just getting rid of the ganglion in my wrist.

The doctor I saw was so nice and straight away booked me in to have the surgery done. I am so glad that they have come to the decision that they will operate after me driving to and from hospital a total of 12 hours, an ultrasound, a X-ray and MRI and initial interview. I should have the day surgery within a couple of months. We will see about that one but am glad that it is coming out all the same.

On other things, used only 0.6kWh yesterday which I am really happy about for one of our best Low Electricity Wednesday's. Proud of the boys' effort in helping make it as low as possible. Love the candle light dinners and getting around the house with candles. Milked with a torch last night. It is always funny watching Lorray trying to find her bucket of grain and cotton seeds... lol

Lavender is also now only 3.5 weeks away from dropping her first calf. I am rather excited and don't really care whether it is a male or female. Either way it will go in the freezer anyway. Sausage has also grown allot. Amazing what all that Lucerne hay is doing to him. lol

I also got 4 new point of lay chooks this week. They are not the black ones that I really wanted. They are still coming in a few more weeks. These ones are just the brown and white ones and they are settling in nicely. I also have a little bantam laying in one of the nesting boxes. Can't figure out which one it is though. The baby chicks that I got a while back from the Pig and Calf are also growing. Have only got six left in the doggy house as the others were ready to be introduced to the rest of the flock. Have had one of my guinea fowl run up to our neighbour's block and hope it comes back. That was three days ago so am thinking it might not happen but I am an optimist.

Our guinea pigs are still 8 in total. Hope they have some babies soon. I am getting tired of waiting. lol

Well that is a quick update of what has been happening around here. Am glad that Russell is coming home tonight... Missing him. Been one long week.

Cheers Damaris

When are they coming?????

Hurry up babies...

I want the guinea pigs to have some babies. Getting rather impatient now and wish they would hurry up and give us some cute cuddly things to play with... Like I don't have enough to do. But you know what I mean. Something new. My Lavender is due her first calf on 1 September so am killing time. All of that.

We did have a couple stillborn a couple of weeks ago and since then have done allot of reading up on baby guinea piggies. Hope they hurry up soon...

Wanna be a grandma again. haha

Cheers Damaris

Still milking Lorray...

Lovely warm, frothy milk from Lorray... YUM

About a week ago I started not milking in the morning. I still give the cows their lucerne of a morning but no grain and milking for Lorray. Giving her a break is good for her condition during winter I am sure and nice break for me as well...

She has gotten used to it and has taken it well. She had a show this week and even tried to mount her own calf. Funny watching that. He didn't know what on earth was going on... She was calling allot for a bull though... Will try and organise for her to be AI'ed I think. Can't have a bull here at the moment as there is just not enough in the paddock and already feeding three. That's enough for us...

Lorray loves it when I come and relieve her of the pressure in the udder though. She stands there straight away not moving. She gets rather antsy after a while as it is taking longer then it used to but need to take about 3 litres of milk out of her to make her comfortable. I used to take 2 litres morning and night. This has had a good side effect in the fridge wise. I am not throwing away any milk anymore. I love that part. I used to let it curdle for the chooks as they love that and is very good for them as well... Such a waste though in my opinion... Friends live to far away to just drop it off as well so now we are not wasting it anymore. Got to be happy about that...

Cheers Damaris