Not much to report.

There doesn't seem to be a whole lot to report this time of year ... I guess I could start keeping a log of the weather and temps, but even that would becouse boring after about a week of 20* weather.

Saturday evening *T* and I went to the Old Timer's Banquet at the firehall. They put on a nice dinner and gave out awards to some of the members. Mom watched *Z* while we were out. I got back to Mom's at about 9pm and home at about an hour later, after chatting with Mom and getting *Z* ready to go out in the cold again. Mom and I were laughing about how it would take longer to get *Z* bundled up than he would be outside ... remember Mom lives just across the road from me.
After coming home I just got *Z* nicely snuggled into bed and was about to check my emails when there was a knock on the door... I knew who it would be before I even got close to the door. Seeing how it was one of the coldest nights of the year and the night after the full moon, I knew the person at the door would be *D* or one of her sons telling me that Molly (their huge suffolk ewe) was in labor. Sure enough *A* was at the door and Molly was in labor and they wanted my opinion on what was going on. I called Mom to see if she could come sit with *Z* while I went to check on the ewe ... about two miles up the road. I gave Mom a choice of checking on Molly or watching *Z* ... she chose *Z*...LOL.
I had talked to *D* just that afternoon when she brought me a load of feed and she said that Molly seemed to be getting closer to delivering. I mentioned that it was the full moon and I'd probably see her about midnight. Molly has always delivered around midnight every year. I'd like to think it is because she knows I'll be home to help in case there is a problem again, but I'm sure I have nothing to do with it. I got to *D*'s barn at around 11pm and Molly delivered a healthy baby boy at about 11:50pm with no problems at all. I got home at around 12:15am. A couple hours later *D* emailed me and said that she went back up to check on Molly at 1am and she had had another baby boy. They are all doing well despite the -10* temp that night.

Did I mention that same evening *T* and I did not have any water here at the house due to frozen pipes? Actually they froze sometime Friday night and we were not able to get them running again until Sunday morning. It is amazing to me the things I think I want to do when I don't have water. I mean I rarely get the earge to wash dishes, do laundry, clean, etc. until we don't have water ... or electric for that matter. And of course now that it is back I really don't want to do it. Today I am forcing myself to do some cleaning ... in spurts of 10 to 15 minutes at a time. I've got to get this house back in order!

Seemed like we had a heat wave today... the temperature got all the way up to 26* with sunshine most of the day. Right now at 8pm it is 22*, it was 17* this morning.

Well I have to get back to cleaning again, so I must close this for now.

Some of Mom's Animals

While at Mom's last evening I took a few pictures of some of her animals.

Who is thinking clear at 12:23 a.m.???

At 12:23 a.m. I was awaken by the dogs frantically barking at something. When I got fully awake I asked *T* what was going on, because he was already awake... at least more so then I. He got up and said "there's a truck sitting in the driveway. By the time I got myself out of bed the truck was backing out of the drive. *T* turned the porch light on and went out to see what was going on. When he came back he yelled "Get dressed, they have a baby". I seriously didn't have a clue who or what he was talking about. I still wasn't even awake. All I could think was *H* was here because one of the cows were calving and he needed help. But why would I need to go .... couldn't the guys handle it. When I asked *T* what he was talking about he said "NO, it was *J*, *D*'s son, and the sheep had her baby".... OMG ... I was in such a deep sleep that I temporarily forgot I was on OB duty for a friend's sheep who are housed in a barn a mile and a half up the road. (this whole chain of events took place in a matter of about two minutes). Once I got fully awake I knew who was here and why. I got dressed and drove up to *D*'s barn, where I find *D* and her two sons. They were so proud that their sheep had just given birth to a beautiful baby girl. This is their first baby so it was fun to see the excitement on their faces. They had not been present for the birth but had gotten there shortly after. I had checked on the sheep a few hours before that because they were not able to and everything was fine and I didn't really think she was anywhere near to birthing... how wrong I was. *D* was apologizing for waking me at that hour of the night just to see the baby, I told her not to worry.... this is the best part of farming. I love seeing new mommies interacting with their babies. The little lamb was up walking around and eating so I didn't stay long, but while there I noticed that her one goat was acting as if she was starting to go into labor. *D* said she had to leave to go to a Dr's appointment first thing in the morning and wouldn't be back until about 2 p.m. and asked if I could check in on the goat sometime mid morning. I told her that I would and came home.
I woke up a little after seven but decided to snuggle in for a bit longer.... the next thing I knew the phone was ringing. When I answered, *D* said to me "Good morning.... we have a twin!" ... again I was in my groggy state (I had fallen asleep again) I said "what do you mean A twin"? [twins come in two's not singles... I'm confused] The sheep had another baby after we left her. Okay, now everything makes sense! *D* is calling from her cell, because she is on her way to the Dr's, but says the baby isn't standing and she isn't acting like the one last night did. I told her I'd check in on them in a little while. In the back of my mind I was hoping the mother didn't forget that she had TWO. At 10:30 a.m. I went up and I could tell the new baby hadn't eaten and was not able to stand. It was crying but seemed really weak. When I felt the inside of her mouth it seemed cool... (oh no you don't.... you are not dying on my shift)... The mom wouldn't stand still for me to help the baby eat so I kind of blocked her in the corner placed the older of the twins in front of her, so that she was distracted and then scooted the new baby up under her. It wouldn't suck so I squirted some milk into it's mouth and that is all it took, she took right off and started sucking. She only ate for about 30 seconds, but at least it was something. I checked on the goat and she seemed okay... in labor, but doing fine. I checked in again around noon and the younger of the twins was up on her feet trying to find where to eat... Good news! The goat... she's still in labor, now I'm wondering if she is okay. She seems okay but it just seems like she should have done something by now. I met *D* at the barn at two this afternoon and she said she would keep checking and call me when she delivers or if she thinks the goat is getting into trouble.... I'm still waiting.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
One Year Ago Today
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Three Years Ago Today
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~