Frustratedearthmother's Journaling Journey

[frustratedearthmother]

Living off-grid & Self Sufficiency: we bought a home just over a year ago, and have 7 acres; recently gone completely off-grid.

That sounds great! Have you considered starting a journal to chronicle your progress? It would be nice to follow your journey!

 

[frustratedearthmother]

Up and at 'em this morning.

Started on some laundry this morning. I'll wait a little longer before going outside. Have a wet head this morning and didn't want to run the hair dryer and wake DH up. Ahhh, I'm so sweet, lol.

Watched the Texans lose yesterday. Even worse, one of our top players suffered a season (and probably at least part of next season) ending injury. Sigh...football is a tough sport. Then watched DH's beloved University of Texas team win their playoff game. They will advance in the playoffs and he couldn't be happier.

Weather is cool. Not quite cold and I'm certainly not complaining about that. Supposed to get warmer for most of the next week. Topping out in the mid 60' today, but up to mid 70's next week. Might be a little rain in there somewhere but I can't complain about that.

Need to figure out something for dinner. We had the remainder of the sausage in a stir fry last night. (thanks to @Mini Horses for the idea). Have to start on something new today. Maybe some salmon or chicken or... maybe something like a home canned and ready to eat meal.

I hear stirring around upstairs so maybe I can go dry my head and get outside.

 

[frustratedearthmother]

Merry Christmas!

Got up to a water world this morning. We've had minimal, but just enough rain, for months. I got quite accustomed to NOT wearing mud boots every time I go out the door. Times are changing, lol. Ran out and checked the rain gauge between showers. We're at 6.5 inches - so far. Still raining. More to come today and tomorrow. Hope some of it soaks in between showers today.

While all the rain is a "boo" the temps are a "yay." Started the day in the low 60's and we'll go up to the high 60's at best. We're having very temperate weather for the next 10 days or so with high temps mostlhy in the 70's.

Spent time at DS's house yesterday. DIL's family joins in also. We had brisket, pulled pork and sausage along with broccoli/cheese, baked beans, scalloped potatoes along with various desserts. For once, we didn't cook 5 times the amount of food we needed. We only cooked twice as much as needed.

Time to suit up and take care of the critters.

 

[baymule]

I just caught up on your journal. Big hugs to you, prayers for both you and your husband. The “all we can do” part on your husbands shunt is scary and I pray that the adjustment will work well for him.

 

[frustratedearthmother]

The “all we can do” part on your husbands shunt is scary and I pray that the adjustment will work well for him.

Thanks! So far so good. However, it seems to take some time for the pressure to re-build inside his head so I've definitely still got some angst in that department. It's definitely a wait and see issue.

Storms predicted for today along with possible hail and tornadoes. Sure hope they're wrong and that it stays away from here.

Separated goats into breeding groups again. Noticed some that were "supposed" to be bred - aren't. Ugh. Breeding isn't supposed to be this hard, lol. Supposed to be as easy as 1, 2, 3.
1. Put goats together
2. Activity happens
3. Babies appear
No muss, no fuss - right? What's so hard about that? Sheesh...

Just got DH's meds put together for the week. Need to get outside and feed - I'm late. I'm sure goats/chickens/quail are not happy with me. Dogs get fed in the evenings. Dog food - OMG! I get dog food from Chewy and it's cheaper than buying local - plus I get the brand/quality that I want and it's deposited right at the front door. However, dog food is crazy expensive these days. I'm thinking I'll start doing a homemade mix for a couple days a week. Dogs love the homemade stuff and I predict mass rebellion on the days they have to settle for kibble.

Went out the other morning and Raine was dancing around obviously proud of herself and wanting me to "come see" what she'd done. She led me to a pile in the yard and my heart sank. I thought, from a distance, that it was quail. It was definitely NOT quail - it was a bunny. More correctly, it was what was left of a bunny - jsut the head and a few tufts of fur. Holy Cow - I've never seen a wild bunny in the back yard. There are plenty in the pasture, but most are smart enough not to waltz into the lions (dog) den! Maybe it was attracted to the garden? I dunno - but it's not a mistake it'll make again. I've tossed around the idea of raising a few bunnies for dog food - but dang - the cute factor would make that hard. Plus - I don't need anything else to take care of.

Going to be some diet changes around here starting soon. DH has become extremely sensitive to bread. He's always been able to enjoy some toast or the occasional sandwich, but it appears that bread has become taboo to his body. I'm going to experiment making alternative breads. Found a decent sounding recipe made with almond flour. I know there are other options, I just need to do some experimenting. Sounds like I'll have a few kitchen days in my near future.

Texans lost badly yesterday. I dunno who kidnapped the real team and sent these poorly playing imposters in their place.

 

[Mini Horses]

Goat breeding? Yesterday told me I will probably have a kidding in late May hope it's twins as most others will be weaned & gone.

 

[frustratedearthmother]

Goat breeding? Yesterday told me I will probably have a kidding in late May

Me too! I don't generally love summer babies but... I figure if I feed the does all year they need to earn their keep by providing me with a baby or two or three. They've gotta earn their keep!

 

[baymule]

I got home from sisters house yesterday and got animals fed, no need to water them, plenty in their water buckets from the rain. Came in, turned on TV that just happened to be on the Texans game and just happened to be the start of the halftime show.
Wow.
I sat transfixed, as Beyoncé and what looked like several hundred performers took to the field and put on a huge show. She is pushing her new album as country, in my opinion for whatever it is worth, I’d call it pop. Not knocking the music and definitely not her performance. It was epic and whoever is doing the Super Bowl halftime had better pay attention and step up their game. Beyoncé just threw her hat on the field and made Christmas Day halftime show one that you don’t want to miss! I wonder if it will be on YouTube, I could watch that again!

 

[Finnie]

I remember when Beyoncé was on the Super Bowl half time show and I had to ask my kids who she was! (I did recognize the songs though.)

 

[frustratedearthmother]

I got the last of the quail that were still in the brooder moved outside today. Got the Silkie chicken tractor finished and they're spending their first night in it. I have a total of 48 quail right now. And....I got my very first quail egg today from the first hatch. They are several weeks older than the current bunch. The newest batch should start laying in 3 - 4 weeks. Culling will also begin around that time. Yum!

I'll start giving CDT shots to the does within the next few days. It will help the does pass on strong immunity to the babies. They won't love it - but oh well, lol. I'm anxious to see what the new buck passes on to his babes. I'd love a bunch of colorful boer and boer cross babies.