tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-54259500210147314212024-02-07T18:43:55.942-05:00My Life Behind the Scenes of BorderhaussBorderhauss Blog:
All about dogs, ducks, sheep, llamas, pigs, cows, horses and us. Come join our fun as we live and love life!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14738574543661596949noreply@blogger.comBlogger63125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5425950021014731421.post-48907845382804950592016-06-30T19:51:00.000-04:002016-06-30T19:51:35.306-04:00the last chickens<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Wednesday morning I delivered 12 chickens to the processor. The girls wanted Mcdonald's for lunch so we stopped. There is nothing on the menu that is of substance that is no meat and I'm not a vegetarian, just thinking. I ordered southwest salad, comes with chicken. The girls got pancakes and milk. I said nothing to them just got what they wanted. I was secretly happy they serve breakfast all day. I got home mixed up the salad, put in the chicken, took a bite, was nauseated. I picked out all the chicken and offered it to the girls, they didn't want it and hadn't seen anything I did, they just didn't want it. I ate the rest of the salad just fine. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">what is going on now. I'm disgusted by chicken? or just Mcdonald's Chicken? Later that day I picked up the chickens and thought how much the dogs could enjoy this but would that be wasteful. they aren't cheap to raise and we did it well, lots of free range, well as much as a meat chicken wants, which isn't much. I don't see much in their eyes when I tried to look deep. Not like the pigs, not like the cows and the sheep. It still didn't seem right. Still, this is our food, this is what we don't buy at the store because we raise it better, ourselves, it's humane. sigh...</span><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14738574543661596949noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5425950021014731421.post-48231105572148565742016-06-30T19:49:00.001-04:002016-06-30T19:49:14.380-04:00I'm done<span style="font-size: xx-small;">My turning point came last week, we were scheduled to load a pig for processing and I hadn't watched much trailer loading in a year. It's always challenging for me emotionally, especially when I haven't done my job. I gave myself the job of making sure the animals are friendly enough to get on the trailer without much effort or force. I was failing drastically at the job and this pig was drug by his ears and tail and forced to go where he would not have gone on his own. I had had enough, done, finished, not interested, over it, can't do it anymore. We are monsters. We chose to do it better but failed, in my eyes. I thought if they had a good life, lots of food, space to move in, interactions with other of their own, it was good enough. The reality I feel now, it's not enough, the end is still the same. They have feelings. They are scared. They are confused. They are only trying to survive in a world they have no control over. I'm a monster. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">I remember last year, I took Peppa to the processor. She hadn't been getting pregnant and she was no longer useful, cost too much and she wasn't a pet. She was loaded the night before, uneventful, and I had to deliver her the next morning. I opened the trailer door and she got up, hopped off, all 600 lbs of her, and followed a complete stranger to her death. Unaware and trusting. I cried the entire road home, sobbed uncontrollably, almost to the point of not being able to drive. There were no other cars on the long dirt road home. I felt alone and like a monster.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">There was a lamb that went with Peppa that morning. He had never been petted, by his choice and I didn't push it. It was easier that way, they didn't like us, were scared of us, fought hard to escape being caught...that made it easier. When Peppa walked out, trusting that man, the lamb followed along behind her without any trouble. He trusted her in the end, trusted the other soul that was going to the end, to the freezer. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">We sold a pregnant pig, she wasn't too friendly. I failed my job again. She was to be loaded and taken to another home for farrowing. She wouldn't get on the trailer so she was drug by an ear and a tail, screaming the whole way across the pen, pregnant,...</span><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">stressing, afraid for her life, in pain, pregnant...</span><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">fighting for what she probably thought was the end. She died in labor less than a week later. She's in the freezer. She's headed to our pig roast in July. I'm a monster</span><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">it was suppose to make it better. a better life. suppose to be humane. somehow it would make it better. we aren't a factory farm, we are a hobby farm that raises all our own food. that is suppose to be great, noble, self-sustaining. we know where all our food is from, what they eat, how they were treated....how they were treated.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">I'm done, now how to do I tell anyone, how do I change this...</span><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14738574543661596949noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5425950021014731421.post-5051320967804477502016-01-26T12:03:00.000-05:002016-01-26T15:46:21.015-05:00Tweed has humbled me as an owner and especially as a trainerA few weeks ago, I entered a video contest with Tweed. We spent the past year learning or I should say, relearning how to do agility as a team. Tweed was in a terrible dog fight and almost lost his life. When he recovered, he couldn't successfully compete in agility anymore. So, we started over and the video was a short story about our training. I was approached by people at trials, my students and sent many messages about that video and what it meant to each person. Many said they cried, many said it was amazing he was brought back from such a horrific incident, and some could relate with their fearful dogs having to gain confidence again.<br />
<br />
Everyone said how lucky Tweed was to have me and what a great job I have done with him.<br />
<br />
But, here's how I see this past two years. I never really talked about the dog fight. It was embarrassing and difficult. I'm a dog trainer, I teach prevention, training, and how to avoid these exact scenarios yet this happened in my house, between two housemates. Without sharing all the details of a history of dislike between only these two dogs, Tweed was close to death and I gone for only an hour.<br />
<br />
After a long long recovery, Tweed was back to looking normal, cleared by his veterinarian and rehabilitated with a specialist, he was ready to go back to agility. I signed up for Handing 360 with Susan Garrett to get a jump start on my agility again. I needed a push after two little humans and I needed to bring new life to my students classes, all of which were becoming stagnant. I watched the videos, played around, got inspired and went back to trialing in USDAA after 7 or so years off. Tweed did great, got out of Starters fast but we got stuck in Advanced. Not only was he avoiding jumps, he was extra sensitive to me and my training. I was starting to feel lost and insecure about my training as Tweed seemed to be breaking down although physically well.<br />
<br />
I had come across some information in an ebook in this class about using corrections in training. I thought, "I don't do that, I'm not mean but he needs to know when he gets it wrong to help him learn". I read and read and thought and thought about this training. Was it possible I was actually being mean and making it harder for him to learn? Could everything I know, be wrong? The idea is when your dog gets something right, we mark it happily and reward, they learn and want to do it again. When they get it wrong, I said 'ahh' or 'hey' or 'no' or any number of verbals to let him know this was not what I wanted. What I didn't realize was he had no idea that was what I meant, he simply took it wrong and I was inadvertently keeping him from getting it right. I never taught my students to do this correction but I wasn't teaching what I was practicing.<br />
<br />
Here is a scenario: Tweed runs down a line of three jumps, he takes the first one, then the second, then turns to look at me and runs past the third, I say, "ah ah, no". He stops, looks upset, runs around circling me more, questioning me. My old thinking would say, he now knows not to run past that jump but to take it. The next time he gets it, I'll highly praise and he'll make the connection, balanced training, right! (yeah yeah, I get it now) What I actually did was give him worry or anxiety about any number of things and I have no idea which of these he actually 'learned'. Did he learn that he gets in trouble if: 1. he turns to look at me. 2. He runs ahead of me on a course. 3. He goes anywhere near that jump. 4. He runs. 5. He gets excited and too happy. The list is endless, but he definitely didn't learn what I wanted him to learn.<br />
<br />
What I should have been doing was teaching him when he should check in and when he should drive ahead and take the next obstacle (plus so much more). I need to be clear in what I was asking and consistent in what those cues mean. He was constantly trying to decided what I wanted because he wanted to please me and have fun and if he was worried about an obstacle, he avoided. <br />
<br />
Now I know, if any dog doesn't read our cue correctly, then I didn't teach them well enough. It's our fault, go back and figure out where the hole in the training is and how to teach them. Then proof it in every scenario, with distractions and new environments. If you ever think to yourself, "he should know this" then you didn't actually teach it well enough because he clearly doesn't know.<br />
<br />
I admitted I did this for years, verbal correction and now I see I never really taught him in the first place. He was very talented and I was a pretty good beginner, but when he got physically hurt and couldn't be the athlete he was, we got stuck. I flipped through many videos and 'picked' our problems. It still wasn't working, we weren't getting better and I was getting hungry for moving on to higher levels. I then attended a trial here in Michigan and guess who was entered, Susan. Here we go, I've spent the last 11 months in her class and it doesn't show at all. I didn't commit to doing it in order as she suggested and work all the exercises. I removed the verbal corrections and now have a dog that is happy but showing how little he really knows. <br />
<br />
I watcher her and was inspired, she handles her dogs exactly as she teaches. I could see it, after all I had watched the videos but hadn't done the work. I went home and began training from the beginning and here I am 50 days consecutive training, 1/3 of the way through the course and you have now seen the video. I wasted 12 months of a year long class before I figured out I needed to go back and do exactly what I preach and push to my students. A little foundation, consistent teaching and fun is 'giving me back my dog'. I will not let my students miss their opportunity in agility, they will be better than me.<br />
<br />
Tweed shows me everyday that I made big mistakes with him and my previous dogs. I feel guilty every time he slightly shuts down, gets worried, flanks, or shows any confusion. I did that to him, all by using a little verbal correction that I thought was harmless, I thought was necessary. This is what that video means to me, all the amazing changes in him due to a little confidence and a huge epiphany in my head. Look at us, a 9 year old dog still improving and me, realizing once again that dog training will never be 'finished' and maybe I was a little late to this game but will be early to the next one. <br />
<br />
Thank you, Tweed, I look forward to years to come.<br />
Laura<br />
<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14738574543661596949noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5425950021014731421.post-63376100155864405442014-12-02T16:04:00.001-05:002014-12-02T16:05:48.055-05:00Winter Games<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 16.0pt;">Games we can play!</span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 16.0pt;">Basket Game</span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 16.0pt;"><a href="http://youtu.be/-GL6UtUYY0A" target="_blank">See Video Demonstration</a> </span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif";">1.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Get a basket, trash can, traffic cone,
laundry basket, jump wing, etc.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif";">Stand right next
to an object and mark “yes” for your dog going around either direction.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Try to not use too much luring or help.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We like if they can try to figure out what to
do to get the reward.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Do this until you
don’t have to help and they are going side to side around the object.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Always mark “yes” and reward/praise and
celebrate!!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif";">2. Step back
about 1 foot and line up the dog on your side in an informal ‘heel’.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Step toward the object, use the dog-side hand
and ‘bowl’ them toward the side to go around the object.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif";">*dog on left –
step with left foot, use left hand, go around from left to right or
clockwise.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif";">*dog on right –
step right foot, use right hand, go around from right to left or
counter-clockwise</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif";">3.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Step back another foot and continue with same
as step 2.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You can start dropping the
treat on the floor as the dog circles to encourage them to race (or chase)
back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I use a toy and toss or roll it
behind me after they circle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Encourages
fun and drive.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif";">Remember: Mark,
Reward, Celebrate</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif";">4.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Continue moving away and adding
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to make a ‘bigger’ step or multiple steps because they won’t circle, go back to
step 2.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In other words, you progressed too
fast for your dog.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif";">5.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Add a second circle around the object.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif";">Move back up to
the object, send your dog around and as they complete, send them around again
with a hand gesture.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(usually the same
gesture as sending the first time) </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif";">On the second
time around, back up to encourage speed and chasing you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Use your dog’s natural instinct of chasing to
encourage excitement and play.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Practice
both directions.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif";">6.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Back up 1 step and ask for two circles.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Practice both sides and CELEBRATE with your
dog!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Continue adding distance and play.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif";">7. Movement from
you in opposite direction.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif";">As your dog is
circling, you begin to walk backwards while sending them to the object.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Your movement away shouldn’t change the game
for your dog.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Start with moving at the
end of the circle, one step at a time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>As they get better, you move sooner and sooner.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you can’t get them to circle, then back
up, you missed a step in your game and they need more practice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://youtu.be/-GL6UtUYY0A" target="_blank">SEE VIDEO DEMONSTRATION</a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Sometimes
we get stuck on the idea of the finished product.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Don’t focus on getting to the last step,
instead focus on what your dog understands.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Take all the time you need at each step before moving on so there aren’t
in ‘holes’ in their learning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you
find you aren’t getting what you want 10 out of 10 tries (1 practice session),
then you moved too fast and they are missing a piece of the game.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Start back at the beginning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If your dog isn’t having fun, getting excited
and getting faster each time you play, then change your approach mentally.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Maybe <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">you</i>
are the one not making it fun </span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span><span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>MARK,
REWARD, CELEBRATE</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14738574543661596949noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5425950021014731421.post-59304450777519661182014-02-18T08:31:00.003-05:002014-02-18T08:31:55.149-05:00"My child doesn't need 'kisses' from your dog""My child doesn't need 'kisses' from your dog"<br /><br />Food for thought:<br />I went to a dog show a few weekends ago with Gabby, my 14 month old daughter, and no dogs. I went to watch some of my students compete and show my support. I knew it would be tough to watch my child around all those dogs in their territory and run a dog, so I didn't even attempt to show. Anyhoo...here is a scenario that happened:<br /><br />Gabby was in her stroller and we were watching the dogs run. A woman, unknown to me, came up with her two goldens. One was older and they both seemed very nice. She asked me if my daughter could meet the dogs. I said, "sure" and then watched them interact. Gabby didn't really care as she meets and greets many dogs on a daily basis in our lives. The woman really wanted Gabby to get excited so she started tapping the tray on the stroller to get the dogs to look up and focus on Gabby. I couldn't figure out what she was trying to get out the situation but then realized she wanted them to give my daughter 'kisses'. At that moment, one of the dogs started in for the big lick. Gabby still wasn't even looking at them as she was watching the action on the course. I stuck my hand right between that dog's kiss and my child's face. I politely said, "oh, we don't need kisses from the doggie". She pulled her dogs back and said in a slightly annoyed tone, "if there's no food or kisses, then we aren't interested." She walked away with her two sweet dogs. <br />
<br />
Hmmmm....I thought about this for a while. After being a dog trainer for many years before becoming a parent, I was constantly annoyed with the lack of instruction from other parents when having their children meet dogs. It is a huge problem and the dog always gets blamed for the parent's lack of knowledge on animal behavior. I have some amazing stories to tell of my dogs and parents bringing their kids up to them to meet and how they (the parents) behaved with their kids. In this situation, it never occured to me that the dog owners can be just as bad. Why would any dog owner ask their dog to get into a child's face, especially a strangers child? My logical thinking brain can only assume that she thought I was a spectator there with my young child and wanted to help show they were a friendly bunch and give a good experience to my child. I don't assume the worst in people but it made me realize it's not always the parent but probaby equally the dog owner. <br />
<br />
My 'take away' thought to you: Don't be afraid to speak up and control the situation if you aren't comfortable. I wasn't afraid to stop the kisses even though my animal behavior knowledge told me the dogs were fine and safe, but <i>I wasn't </i>comfortable with them kissing Gabby<i>. </i>If you are the owner of a dog that likes kids, think about how you can appropriately use your dog to educate children and parents in situations like those.<br />
<br />
Gabby's waking up, gotta go.....Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14738574543661596949noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5425950021014731421.post-20409925150673603922014-02-16T05:42:00.000-05:002014-02-16T05:42:21.766-05:00And winter continues....with sunshine and warmer temps The winter continues on with cold temps and light snows. It's funny when you go outside and 13 degrees feels like a heat wave! Without the wind and the sun shining, it isn't too bad. I took advantage of that to take Gabby out to the world and do chores with me. She loved it! She tried running in her little boots and did pretty well but when she would fall down, it was like the classic movie <i>A Christmas Story</i>. She couldn't get up because of being all bundled up, but I got some cute photos of her.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
She is also wearing a beautiful hat made from the fleece of one of our rams, spun by Tiffany at Woodspryte Farms and knitted by one of my agility students, Carol. A gorgeous brown finnsheep with soft wool.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
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<div style="text-align: center;">
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<div style="text-align: left;">
The weather has also taken its toll on our water hydrant. We have many barns and water in each barn but the main animal barn is the fartherest out and that hydrant finally froze up. The hydrant leaked and we figured it was just time before the water running down the pipe and into the ground would freeze. Now, we bucket water from another barn for the sheep, cows, llamas, mini horse, cat, and birds. It's not as bad as it seems. We have two troughs in each pasture and take one day each week to make multiple trips to fill all four troughs. Then, as the week progresses, we move the tank heaters to each trough as they get low. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
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<div style="text-align: left;">
We have enlisted the help of one of our dogs to make this process easier. Bubba, our chocolate lab, a big strong dog that loves to work and frankly, can use the job, pulls the sled with the buckets of water from the front of the farm, to the back barn. He seems to enjoy it and wags his tail the whole time. I walk beside or behind him so he doesn't take off running and tip the sled and all the water. Such a good dog. Gabby enjoyed walking around with Bubba also and my back loved not lifting and carry those five gallon buckets. </div>
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<br />
Lessons are booming, despite the winter cold, and I have sold most of the extra lambs and sheep. We are down to our core flock of 16, 8 of which are ewes to lamb in April. A nice, easy number to handle this year. 5 of the flock are lambs that are growing like crazy and will be heading out to get training for dog herding lessons this summer. 3 rams are staying and will be used in the future to maintain colors and unrelated genetics. It's always hard to keep a small number but yet have unrelated sheep. We are looking forward to the ducks laying eggs again and all the pastures are sure to turn green soon. <br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14738574543661596949noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5425950021014731421.post-65659354867254534942014-01-27T11:13:00.001-05:002014-01-27T11:13:25.537-05:00Mother Nature!!<h2 style="text-align: center;">
Farm and Winter </h2>
The weather still isn't letting up and I think it's here to stay! I have some more beautiful photos of the farm animals thanks to my wonderful student and her ability to stand in the cold and take some great photos!<br />
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" Mini is always looking for a handout!"</div>
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"The sheep, llamas, and cow don't come out often but if you call with a bucket of grain.."</div>
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"This little 4 month badgerface ewe lamb standing next to her mother will be getting a new home this weekend"</div>
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"My husband's 'Cowbella' never misses a meal"</div>
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The winter is taking a toll on everyone. Our animals are cold one day and comfortable the next. I've been washing horse blankets and sheep coats to keep any manure and wetness off the furry kids. We did loose one adolescent sheep. Not sure what happened, I think kicked or trauma internally of some kind and then the cold didn't help the situation. After two days of not eating and not showing any interest in food or water after all the usual help we can give, my compassionate husband took it upon himself to end his suffering. It's a hard part of farm life to choose to take a life. It seems especially hard while I'm growing life inside me right now but I know from many years of experience, he was not going to come out of this happy and healthy. I'm not sure I could make those decisions by myself so I am grateful for my husband although it really bothers him. I also think it's important to share that this does happen and it's not something to be hidden. I am very honest with anyone that asks about sickness, accidents, and just basic bad luck. It's unrealistic to think everything is always 'peachy keen' when raising animals. </div>
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Kids and Dogs</h2>
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On a different subject, I'd like to write a little about Dogs and Kids. It's so common and I have many students that have dogs being introduced to babies or living with young children, I think it's something to discuss. Whether you are having children of your own or grandchildren now, I think this is a subject to always have in mind. I have the point of view from having only dogs for most of my late teens, 20's, and early 30's with no kids. These four leggeds were my kids and my life revolved around them. Now, with an almost 14 month old and 8 months pregnant, my perspective has changed. I still love and respect my dogs but they did take a back seat to raising a baby for a while. We are now coming to the challenges of a toddler and adult dogs. Gabby, our daughter, is walking, baby talking, chasing the dog, feeding the dog, hugging the dog, and loving the dog so it's very important to teach all parties involved how to properly exist with each other. </div>
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My husband and I agree that no matter what, the dogs are NEVER TRUSTED in regards to the human babies. Both are only predictable as long as your are supervising. What this means to us, is if we are not in the room, the dogs and baby are not left alone with each other. I don't care how great your dog is and how respectful your child is, never leave them unattended. It's as simple as bring the baby or the dog with you. We have a baby gate in our entrance and the dogs easily go in there when not being watched. </div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> "<i>All</i> dogs will bite in the right situation"</span></div>
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Now, look at this photo....<br />
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This is my daughter, Gabby, and Tweed, our 8 year old border collie. Out of all our dogs, he was the most distant dog for young toddlers. He is now our best babysitter. I wanted to show this picture to tell what I see from his behavior. His ears are back and his body is a little tense. This tells me he is tolerating this behavior but not exactly happy about it at the same time. I'm carefully watching him and what he is trying to say through body language. (plus I know his history with Gabby)<br />
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Now in this photo, you can see some changes that made me think, I will let him choose to stay or not and let Gabby have a little fun. He stretched out his front leg, relaxed his torso, and you can't tell but wagged the tip of his tail in a gesture I know says, "I'm happy and calm" Some things you can't tell from a photo and if one of my dogs was uncomfortable with the situation, I wouldn't take the time to take a photo before showing Gabby that's not how we act around a dog, lol. So, you won't see any bad photos here for that reason. Tweed has an area to go to if he needs to get away from Gabby and has a signal he gives me to say, "I've had enough and I want a break". He simply leaves the room and I've worked with Gabby "leave the dog alone, he needs to go rest". I missed the shot of her getting off him and gently petting his neck before hugging with her head on his back. I still teach her not to play around his face and mouth, although, gentle, he still has those teeth and it only takes once. </div>
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If you have a nervous dog and exploring toddler, try letting the dog out around the baby when they are strapped to their high chair and eating. Food gets dropped, the dog eats it, a great association for the dog, and then put up the furry kid before letting down your baby. Always allow your dog to retreat without being followed by child. Behind a baby gate is a wonderful location. The dog can come up and sniff on their own terms or can sit back at a comfortable distance without being corner by a child. </div>
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Stay warm and settle in while trying to accept winter is here to stay... </div>
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Try trick training with your dogs, maybe my next blog will be out indoor training for cabin fever!</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14738574543661596949noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5425950021014731421.post-78907033691291743062014-01-19T15:21:00.000-05:002014-01-19T15:21:00.802-05:00Oh, The Weather Outside it Frightful... The weather continues to blow outside but we are enjoying ourselves with inside activities. I took Tweed to a USDAA agility trial and even at 30 weeks pregnant, I had a great time! This is his first trial in this venue and he qualified 3 for 3 starters runs. We only went one day as that was all I could run at this time. I've included a short video of our day. <br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/6o52b0iovck?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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We also have some great new agility students that started last week. Looks like we will have some new competitors and agility enthusiasts this Spring. Two students went to the trial with me and did really well for their first time in USDAA. One of my new students is a photographer and came out to take some photos of the animals in the snow.</div>
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I am now 10 weeks away from my due date for second baby and things are ready around here for now. I have organized the nursery and newborn supplies along with the guest quarters for my family to come and stay and visit. Just trying to keep up the exercise and movement so I don't get to uncomfortable with the big belly. Delivery of our new surprise can't come soon enough!</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14738574543661596949noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5425950021014731421.post-21270886920636747922014-01-06T17:02:00.003-05:002014-01-06T17:02:54.425-05:00Snow Storm January 2014<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Our weather has really come flying in with lots of snow and soon to follow lots of cold! We ended up with between 15" and 20" of snow with drifting. The animals are doing just fine and I must say, although a long tired walk for me to the barn, I made it there and back. It seemed so far away when I was only half-way!</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I was surprised at the depth of snow all the way down the road to the barn and actually walked along the fence line for support. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">The wind chill was about -20 degrees but the actual temp was 8 degrees. Not too bad yet, but the cold is still to come. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Our pigs were snowed into their shelter but they didn't seem to mind as I took them breakfast in bed. </span></span><br />
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The horses got extra hay and didn't seem to care that they were outside as they have the option of being in or out.<br />
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Then, my hard working husband came home from 24 hours of plowing and started in on our house and all the neighbors.<br />
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I will get more photos tomorrow of the plowing to see the actual beauty of the snow, although the temperature is suppose to drop again tonight. <br />
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14738574543661596949noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5425950021014731421.post-34618108845030990192014-01-05T15:15:00.002-05:002014-01-05T15:15:47.596-05:00A long blog to catch up and head into the New Year!!<div style="text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> It's a new year and so much is happening but mostly because I haven't written in many many months...almost a year. So, part of my personal goals for 2014 is to be more organized in my own life. This includes the home, finances, and of course my business which has grown and grown. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> Just in case you aren't interested in the history and just want to look at pictures, I'm including the days fun here at the beginning and you can read the rest if you want. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">As of 1pm, we had 8 inches of snow and it's still coming down hard! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Cowbella and the rams, eating breakfast in the snow</span></div>
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Our girl, Cowbella. </div>
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Introduced the mini horse to the rams and Cowbella this morning and they keep running laps but not too stressed out. In between laps they grab a mouthful of hay. </div>
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Gabby's mini horse, Minnie or Louie </div>
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Norman, the bull calf, enjoying the indoor breakfast </div>
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Tweed is still up for moving sheep, just open the gate </div>
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Now for all the details!</div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">House and Home</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> The first project I took on this month is get the house in order a little better. We celebrated our little girl, Gabrielle, on her first birthday in early December</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> and now will be expecting our second child March 31. Therefore, I felt the nesting instinct kick in and got to organizing. I cleaned out Gabby's closet and boxed up outgrown clothes, newborn items, and moved furniture around. The new one will stay in our master bedroom for as long as possible but then the two kids will have to share a room for a while. We do have another bedroom but I feel it's very important to keep a guest room available for family and friends. When people come to stay I want them to have a nice room with a huge comfy bed and their own bathroom. Maybe they will come back and help with the kids more often; hidden agenda on my part.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> I then attacked the guest room closet and room. The hallway to the guest area including the guest room itself had become the <i>catch all</i> space for our many many started and not finished home improvement projects. All the work tools and items for those projects are now organized neatly into the hall closet and the guest room and bathroom has become exactly what it was intended to be, the guest area. It's complete with king size bed, closet space, and linen closet and shelves empty in the bathroom. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> I am also working on helping my husband get the home projects done that were started 6 months -1 year ago. We are putting up new drywall to replace the bad patch jobs done by the previous owner and finishing the counters in the kitchen that were made from scratch. It's getting there even if slow going. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> Three things I don't usually discuss with too many people are religion, politics, and personal finances. I feel these are areas that most people have strong feelings and opinions about and can easily destroy relationships so I usually just talk to a few people and usually when I need help. But, I have decided I am proud of my financial changes and feel like I'm finally taking charge so I want to brag! With the introduction of debit cards, autopay, and the ease of buying on credit, checkbook balancing had become a thing of my past. My shopping usually began with me standing in the store, checking my apps to see what account had what balance to then buy what I needed for the trip. Now, I know this is not a great way to go but I also know, I am not in the minority of this practice. So, I decided to sit down every night and get online and balance my checkbook, do the books for the business, and plan ahead for the upcoming shopping necessities. So far, it's working and I'm very happy about this. I have always planned for retirement and follow the <i>pay yourself first </i>adage but didn't work on the present. My business has expanded into a number of animals and lessons have taken off and therefore, I want to make sure Borderhauss Kennels at least pays for itself and hopefully pays for the farm. I know it's not costing me money but it'd be nice to make some. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> I would never be able to live here on this farm let alone keep it running if not for my husband. He tirelessly works everyday to keep it going. After working his own business all day, he comes home and splits wood for the stove or moves a big load to the deck for me to use in the wood stove. He plows the snow out of the way, fixes electrical, hangs stall doors, catches sheep, fixes fencing, replaces well pumps for water in the barns, adds hydrants out in pastures, cuts and bales hay, repairs vehicles, tills the garden, and all with a smile and usually before I even know it needs to be fixed. There is so much more he does and I try to appreciate it every day. He probably won't read this but I will make sure to tell him each night, thank you. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> My dog classes are booming, I've added 20 new students that keep returning so I must be doing something right for them. They are fun, positive, and love to learn. So, really I'm the lucky one in this situation. Without them, I would never be able to stay home and be with Gabby all day and do what I love, thank you, my students. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> The part of the business that is also growing is the number of animals we have and the new property we acquired adjacent to our land. My mother and stepfather were kind enough and so helpful to purchase the 10 acres with barn next door and draw up a contract to purchase from them. So, our little farm has doubled in land to 20 acres and 5 big barns. It's really limitless to what we can do if we organize and be business savy. I try to only keep animals that offer an income or a benefit to us. That being said, I do have my favorites and a few are definitely pets at they have no job. I need to talk to them about getting out and getting jobs. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> The flock of sheep is around 20, and I do admit to not knowing the exact number out there. I know when someone is missing but just don't count all the time. They come and go so fast sometimes and I tend to look at them from a business stand point. This means, when I look at a sheep, it is in my mind staying because of good quality breeding traits, staying because they might become good school sheep for herding lessons, or not staying and waiting to sell. So, it's not a head count but more of a money making perspective. We were lucky enough (again, my husband) to turn the new 10 acres into hay and therefore, food is not a problem this winter. The llamas go with the sheep and keep them safe from coyotes so in that sense they save us money of loosing lambs and expensive sheep to predators. Due to our new human baby coming I planned for late April/May lambs this season. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> We have some animals here that are going to feed us. It isn't an easy thing to do, raise an animal, watch them grow, become attached, and know their fate. However, with all the additives and unknown products being injected into commerical meat, I feel much more comfortable knowing exactly where our meat starts, eats, and ends up. We have control over the whole process. We have four pigs that my husband purchased. Every summer we have a pig roast party and we just plain like pork. We have two cows, one heifer and one bull. The bull, Norman, will grow up and breed our heifer before going to the freezer but again, beef is a huge bill in our house at the grocery and we will have our own grass fed, no hormones or antibiotics in our beef. Cowbella, our heifer will stay here to produce the calves and possible provide milk for us. I will have to see how far I get into making cheese, butter, yogurt, and milking in general. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> We have a pair of turkeys we kept back this winter. Normally, I buy the chicks, raise them, and butcher for the holidays usually giving away the birds to family and friends but this year, we kept two for breeding. I know it might be another summer before they start laying as turkeys need to grow up a lot before laying eggs but the plan is to incubate our own baby turkeys. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> We also have the runner ducks. These ducks are great for herding dogs at they flock together and I have had them for years. They are funny, eat lots of bugs, and are fairly easy keepers. I have one hen that sits on a nest and hatches her own babies so that also makes things easier for me. We use the eggs for eating and giving to my in-laws. I keep a rare color and any extra babies born that I don't need for the flock are usually sold within a week of hatching. That's their job here on the farm. I have also used them for herding demonstration with a good friend of mine and they bring in a little cash that way. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /> We have three horses. They are pets and only cost us money, haha. Our most recent addition is Minni, or Louie, as my husband calls her. She is a two year 36 inch mini that will hopefully become Gabby's first pony. She is doing well living with all the strange animals but is friendly and sweet. Currently, in this snow, Minnie and Cowbella and running around the pasture. They will get really tired in all this snow. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Now that everyone is all caught, my goal is to keep this blog updated more often rather than a once every 6 months review. It's still snowing as we are expected to get around 12 inches but I think it will be more. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Laura, Paul, Gabby and unborn baby.</span></span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14738574543661596949noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5425950021014731421.post-63556472684296461082013-02-09T11:48:00.002-05:002013-02-09T11:48:25.880-05:00LAMBS!!!!I finally got my camera out to the barn and what a beautiful day it is..can you tell is 5 degrees? All the animals were out in the sun with no wind, the sun was warmer than the barn after such a cold night. <br />
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Our two horses with ice on their whiskers</div>
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These two twins were born about 4 days ago, they belong to, Jan, our resident tunis/texal ewe. She and Walker had fun and now these girls are here. They are cute little things. <br />
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Maggie, our other non-finnsheep had triplets and is doing well with them. They are about 12 hours younger than Jan's and you can tell a little as they are smaller. It's hard to feed three but Maggie is doing well. Two boys and a girl. Good job, Mags! <br />
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This is our first ram born a few weeks ago. He is a brown, non-fading registered Finnsheep and is gorgeous. I will be watching his fleece as he ages but really a great guy! <br />
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These are Kaarina's quadruplets, as an update. (one didn't survive the birthing) They are still in a lambing stall as I am teaching them to drink from an orphan bucket. Momma Kaarina is a fantastic mom and has the best fleece in the flock. Last Spring she sufferer mastitis so bad that her udder was left too scarred to raise them herself so, I'm helping. They are growing like weeds and are doing well and have gone from 7 lbs at birth (imagine that! 4, 7lb lambs at one time) to now 8-9 lbs in a week. They will hopefully be out of this stall and out with the other kids soon. Two girls and a boy.<br />
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Most of the lambs will be available for purchase. </div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14738574543661596949noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5425950021014731421.post-19687735002847490772013-02-05T22:21:00.001-05:002013-02-05T22:24:27.525-05:00Brrrrrr....Lambs <br />
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It's cold out this winter, much colder than last year. We have had a few more lambs born here on the farm and it's exciting and busy now! Kaarina, a wonderful mother and gorgeous fleeced animal, lambed early Monday morning. She was busy as she delivered quads this year. Unfortunately one did not survive. I am guessing in all the confusion of four lambs, it might not have gotten it's mouth and nose cleared out in time. One a brighter note, she has three still here and doing well. All three have the beautiful fleece that my best Finns carry.<br />
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Kaarina had a terrible case of mastitis last year. She is a very hard sheep to read and she didn't show her sickness until an infection had given her a high fever and she was barely able to walk. After 10 days of antibiotics, infusions, hot packs, milking her, and special feed, she recovered. She lost all her wool from the fever and one side of her udder has never been the same. I was concerned about her feeding lambs this year but bred her anyway, knowing I might have bottle lambs. She is producing milk out of the bad side and the other is fully functioning. She loves her lambs and I am supplementing at this time. For now, all is well and I will introduce them to the orphan bucket soon so I don't have to feed so often.<br />
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Jan, our Tunis ewe lambed to big ewe lambs and they are doing really well! Not very exciting and that's how I like my lambing to go. Going out to do chores with a cup of coffee and seeing new lambs, all fed and loved by their moms. Uneventful<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14738574543661596949noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5425950021014731421.post-40417389207890229582013-01-28T11:50:00.003-05:002013-01-28T11:50:46.580-05:0050 Days Till Spring!It's been a while and I'm back, for now. We have a few exciting times happening on the farm right now and I'm hoping to get things back into a routine.<br />
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<b>FAMILY</b> </div>
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In Decemeber, we had our first child, Gabrielle Elyse Maulbetsch. She was born on Dec. 4 weighing 7 lbs 9 oz. and 20.5 inches. <br />
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2 weeks old</div>
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She is a riot and I'm adjusting to motherhood pretty well, I think. It's not unusual for me to have something or someone completely dependent on me but it's never been a physical part of me before. Together, Paul and I are figuring this out and enjoying every minute with her. She has been sleeping through the night (8 hours) since about 4 weeks old, so life is good in that department. <br />
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1 month old</div>
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<b>FARMING</b></div>
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In the farming news, we have acquired the 10 acres next door that does a little "L" shape around our property so we are now 20 acres and almost square. Paul is excited and has already been clearing the trees and limbs down so we can get into the new barn and get it fenced. <br />
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We added a calf to our farm, Moo-Cow-abelle. I cute little girl that is warming our hearts each day and she will probably end of being a big dog around here. <br />
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We have started lambing but with just a couple early moms. The rest of the ewes should lamb next week at the beginning of February. Fleeces will be available in a few days for purchase. We have 17 nice pure finn fleeces in all colors to sell. <br />
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Our silkie chickens have been laying eggs all winter and actually hatched out two broods in the past month. So, we have babies running around and I can't believe they are surviving the cold. <br />
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The runner ducks are still running, cold or not. They aren't laying eggs yet but I'm sure will start up again soon. <br />
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<b>DOG TRAINING</b></div>
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My students are doing well and I have added a few new teams in the last month. The advanced students are going to a trial this Sunday for CPE agility and I'm going to join them with Tweed. I'm excited to get back into trialing as I have only been able to do a few trials over the last few years. I have made a video of the first trial last Fall that they did and after having a fun weekend, there are a few students that are ready to go again! CPE is a such a wonderful place to start trialing. </div>
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SPRING IS ALMOST HERE!!</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14738574543661596949noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5425950021014731421.post-39425984230298764982012-09-14T10:21:00.003-04:002012-09-14T10:21:54.719-04:00Good Fall Morning! <br />
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It's beautiful outside and a balmy 50 degrees this morning. Is Fall upon us, I think not! It will still reach 80 today but all is going well. Yesterday, I shearing one of the ramlings that is still living here. He is 1/2 Finn and has a nice, crimpy fleece, so I figured I would keep the wool and add to the collection. He was still accepted back to the boys without much hassle. <br />
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We also took out turkeys and extra ducks in for processing so the barnyard is quieter with just the permanent residents here in the bird yard. The 34 lb Tom will be helpful at our family Thanksgiving dinner. I never like dropping them off but the good life they had up til the end was very close to bird retirement. <br />
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We had three fall lambs born and it was our first 'out of season' lambing. Very easy and so nice to not worry about babies freezing. They are very cute and just started the lamb races. I don't think anyone else is expecting but we will see. It wasn't a planned lambing but I allowed the ram in for a month in the Spring to see how quickly they would re breed. <br />
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These lambs are available for new homes in early November, or they will just hang out till Spring with the rest of the flock!<br />
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I also got a new camera for the upcoming Spring lamb that will be human! My husband and I are expecting Dec. 2 and we thought it would be a good idea to have a nice camera to preserve the moments! So, these lambs are the beginnings of me trying to learn all the settings. I'm loving the colors!<br />
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Our ducks are doing well, all the boys grew up and are looking good. I have 6 hens and 2 drakes that I will be breeding in the Spring for ducklings. I have been selecting the best of the stock all summer to pick the final group. <br />
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We also added some new poultry to our breeding program, silkie chickens! They are adorable and hilarious! Can't wait for Spring to hatch little baby silkies!<br />
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The horses are doing well and fattened up on lots of pasture. We went riding a couple times on the trails this summer and they did so well! <br />
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Nelly!</div>
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Saphra!</div>
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Dog Agility classes are going really well and 10 of my students are heading to their first trial next weekend! So fun and so proud of all of them!! </div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14738574543661596949noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5425950021014731421.post-1808053739244571732012-06-09T12:03:00.002-04:002012-06-09T12:03:36.215-04:00New Additions to the FarmHello All,<br />
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My time has been busy and I have posted very little this Spring however, I have some new additions to the Borderhauss Farm. I will post pictures later but just don't have any good ones now..<br />
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Birds:<br />
We purchased 9 new runner duck babies to add to the flock and up our show quality. I always try toward a 'show' look without compromising the conformation of the duck. In other words...if they are straight up in the air and poop on their toes, like the standard says but it hinders them from making a smooth gait across the pasture, then we don't breed to further the problem. I am working on more orange footed grey runners as that is a show standard but doesn't stop their ability to run and forage and act like the little crazy ducks they can be. <br />
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My husband has increased his part of the animals by getting 6 quail. 3 bobwhites and 3 courtnix. He is really enjoying them so much that they get petted, handled, and worked with daily. Makes for much easier cage cleaning. However, we can't have them free-range, so they have their own little quail hutch inside the duck stall. <br />
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My husband also has brought home 3 micro-piggies. And they are small...at about 1 year old, they are about 15-20 lbs each. Not potbelly pigs but the true micro/mini pig. They are smart and tend to watch me a lot...I keep thinking they are plotting something. But, they are funny and there is a stool in their pen where people sit and give them treats and teach them tricks and just 'hang out' with the piggies. I can't wait till we get a nice big area for them outside! (in the shade with lots of water, of course!)<br />
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I recently purchased 6 silkie chicks to play with and I think I'm attached after one day! They are so funny looking and I think they will be a great addition to the farm! <br />
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Pictures soon to follow!!!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14738574543661596949noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5425950021014731421.post-69154491906074860072012-03-20T19:18:00.000-04:002012-03-20T19:18:03.083-04:00Well, all the sheep are sheared, wool is posted on ebay. Some of it is great and some of it is fantastic! The best ones, I have put coats on for next season to keep them from fading in the sun and getting vm in there. <br />
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One of the biggest surprises was Heidi. She was a little ewe that I sold last year and her companion goat got killed by the neighbors dog and her owner feared for her life, so she sent her back to live here and I'm very happy. She was a fading black when she left and is now a gorgeous grey. <br />
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Based on this photo, you would never think her wool was worth anything. No offense, Heidi. Turns out, she was brushed and she got the "stuck her hoof in a light socket" look. But, part the wool to the skin and you get:<br />
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She is a little looser in the crimp than I'd like but, that might improve with a little care this season. So, a few days ago, she got her new haircut and looks great!<br />
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Well, I like how they look after shearing. Maybe it's because it's such a huge accomplishment for me to do the work. She wasn't about to give a look at me due to the green grass coming in and she's been in isolation for a month. (she came back neg for OPP, CL, and Johnes) soon she'll be a sheep again. I decided to put her in a blanket and she how she does.<br />
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Well, now I got a look. A look of embarrassment. LOL!! But, her wool turned out looking like this<br />
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So, needless to say, I've got too many projects going so this, along with the other fleeces are for sale on ebay. <br />
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<a href="http://www.ebay.com/itm/260984948299?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1555.l2649" target="_blank">http://www.ebay.com/itm/260984948299?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1555.l2649</a><br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14738574543661596949noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5425950021014731421.post-2786060445185677652012-03-12T07:34:00.001-04:002012-03-12T07:37:42.387-04:00AND THEY'RE OFF!!!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
LAMB RACES!!</div>
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It's finally that time of year! All the lambs are done from the first round...10 moms, 21 lambs on the ground. We lost a few along the way this year and that was sad. The ones that are left are fantastic. The wool on these babies is amazing with my two rams that I purchased out of Stillmeadow in N.Y. and Triple L in W.A. It was $$ and hard to choose via internet but with their help, I am extremely pleased. Our fecal was negative right in the middle of lambing and that was a big relief, so with the mild winter, lets hope we can keep that up. By checking each ewe carefully and only treating for exactly what they carry, we have made huge strides in parasite control. <br />
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The lambs were very big and healthy this year, avg weight was about 8 lbs with some 9 and 9.5 lb finns born in multiples....so pleased. Now they are doubled in weight at 3 weeks old so, I'm looking forward to big lambs going home in middle April. I have been trying so hard to select for size along with the other traits and it's starting to pay off. Mom's are incredibly milky this year and besides 1 or 2 bottles on the second and third days..we are using no supplements. I did increase the corn/grain feeding during pregnancy and that helped I'm sure. <br />
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I am choosing two ewe lambs to retain and will be looking to get a few outcross ewes for next season. This also means, I have the hard decision of letting a few of my current ewes go. <br />
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We will also be adding some more fence so we can rotate pastures with the horses this summer. Paul is getting the acre by the house ready to plant corn as we are going to try and grow our own feed this year. We will also be trying blankets all around for fleece quality. I tested one and wish I had done more. <br />
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It's going to be a wonderful summer....Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14738574543661596949noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5425950021014731421.post-20745397150022170172012-03-07T04:26:00.002-05:002012-03-07T04:26:56.041-05:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Spring lambs out for the first time...just a few...</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14738574543661596949noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5425950021014731421.post-86686214777241228302012-02-28T22:08:00.000-05:002012-02-28T22:08:35.670-05:00Parasite Control....As I was watching the lambs play 'chase' and 'tag' and practice their <i>Saturday Night Fever</i> moves, I was listening to a message from my vet. She had come out to check on the moms and do a fecal check. Last Spring, like a lot of farms, we had a big parasite problem due to the wet conditions. So, with help from her and a little extra prevention from us, we had a parasite free fecal check! Woo hoo!!! Anyone that has livestock knows how hard it is to gain control on those little pests. Of course, you really can't be completely free, there were a small number of strongyls but, nothing to treat at this time....not a significant number. <br />
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I am very excited as we worked very hard and diligently to keep the barn and pastures clean, rotate pastures/livestock, and control and treat only as needed. So, this is definitely helping us and a supporting reason why the ewes look so good! <br />
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I'm pretty sure we will have more lambs tonight as I keep a watchful eye on my ladies. <br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14738574543661596949noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5425950021014731421.post-73808947910891292582012-02-28T08:46:00.003-05:002012-02-28T08:46:38.784-05:00We have a cow....Yesterday evening, we had another set of triplets born to Betty. They are cute but unfortunately one was stillborn so the remaining two are doing great. So far all the lambs are healthy and big and we have had to keep ourselves away...which is hard for me! I love to be right in there and helping but I know it's better for the babies. Looks like more to come today as another couple mom's are off their feed. I will keep posting as they arrive! Check the lambs tab at the top for a total lamb count. <br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14738574543661596949noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5425950021014731421.post-801067744159328882012-02-27T11:58:00.000-05:002012-02-27T11:58:06.084-05:00Triplets!This morning I went to check on the sheep before work at about 4am and found the lovely Kaarina and her up, dry, and nursing triplets. Very cute little badger ram lambs and an adorable white ewe lamb. Kaarina is now at a 266% lambing and all litters with no supplemental milk or help during lambing. She is a wonderful ewe, thanks Tiffany for selling her to me. <br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14738574543661596949noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5425950021014731421.post-40111053305027818922012-02-25T23:15:00.001-05:002012-02-25T23:15:25.592-05:00Lambing Kick-Off! Jan won the 2012 coin toss!<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Lambs!</span></div>
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Late Friday night, Jan lambed her two adorable babies. We went to check on her and she was moving around the stall cooing for her lambs, but no lambs. She had the water bag hanging pretty low but no baby. So Paul caught her and I took a peak..sure enough, two feet and head. Proper presentation, so we let her go and stepped out of the stall. I'd rather not interfere unless absolutely necessary. She continued walking around the stall calling to her lamb but not pushing or contracting. She finally laid down and gave one big push...nothing. A little bit of foot and then she was up again. <br />
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We watched her do this for a while and then we decided to check again and see how big that baby was going to be. I got my hand around it, barely, big baby. With a couple contractions, she was able to expel this beautiful baby. A ewe lamb, very dark brown and cute little blaze on her face. She immediately began shaking and moving...a great sign. Jan took right to her, cleaning and talking to, and then I figured I check for a second lamb...yup, another one, this one bigger. So, I gathered up the feet and head and slowly worked him out. <br />
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Ewe lamb is dark brown 9 lbs </div>
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ram lamb is lighter brown with white socks 9.5 lbs.<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14738574543661596949noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5425950021014731421.post-52233865822915377892012-02-21T21:29:00.001-05:002012-02-21T21:32:09.081-05:00Aliens in my ewe!!Another day lamb free....<br />
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but, this doesn't mean I am not having sheep fun! After work last night, miss Jan blew her plug. LOL, her mucous plug. I won't show you pictures of that, don't worry. Anyway, should be within 24 hours (about) that she will begin our lambing season...finally. :)<br />
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In the meantime, I caught some great video of the aliens in their stomachs!</div>
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After that fun and weirdness....</div>
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I started working on Izzy's fleece. It started here:</div>
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Izzy born last March an adorable little grey badgerface.</div>
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She then turned into...</div>
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A grown up... </div>
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She then went to....</div>
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No No No, that's her FLEECE!!</div>
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(well, one of them is her fleece) </div>
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which I then pulled out and skirted and picked through.</div>
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And then washed...beautiful, soft, full of crimp and luster. </div>
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This will be my first 'from sheep to finish'</div>
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Check back in a year or so.....</div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14738574543661596949noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5425950021014731421.post-91775887571218069152012-02-19T17:52:00.000-05:002012-02-19T17:52:17.739-05:00Get outta my belly! And some other stuff..Lamb Update: No lambs....I am now convinced it will be a mass lambing and they will all go as soon as I get back into bed after my late night check. Then, when I return to the barn, it will be baby chaos! This is my view and what a stare at when I do my checks...yeah, it's hard not to look, I know.<br />
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Fleece Update: all fleeces bagged and weighed. Hmm...some nice soft and shinny wool in those bags. My biggest surprise was Jan's, a tunis/texal cross. She has a beautiful crimpy wool. I have two photos, can you tell which one is the tunis/texal and which is the white finn? In person, it's easy to tell because of color and texture but in the photo, not so much.<br />
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<span style="color: black;">I'm amazed at the quality of Jan's. (well, in all honesty, she could be a </span>tunis<span style="color: black;">/blue
faced cross. There was a little moment where she wasn't sure and we
wanted to save her the embarrassment, you know how hard it is to be a
young single mother without a baby daddy)</span> </div>
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Duck Update: Three bachelors left the brothel this morning so now our ratios of boy to girl are back to normal. No more gang hen attacks. 1 boy, 8 girls. Hmmm....he does seem to like his odds around the barnyard. He did seem to be prancing around very proud today. <br />
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New Birds: Today, Tiffany, from Woodspryte Farm, brought our ram, Dexter, back. She had borrowed him for a month and with him came, 40 quail eggs. I will have to get back with her to get the details on the breed but we have them in the incubator...just put them in..and hopefully they hatch. Secretly, I don't want all 40 but she wasn't sure with the weather and egg collection how many would make it through. My friend asked me what we would do with all those eggs and I said, "not sure". We have about 20 days to get a plan. Any one want a quail?? I just said, I'm amazed loaning a ram could bring such a cool return! <br />
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Dog Agility Update: Taught many many lessons today and got some really good videos of the students. I am hoping to put together another agility video of my newest agility crew. They have been working so hard and are doing so well, I thought they deserved a tribute....<br />
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Oh, and Paul worked really hard today to get our washer and dryer installed in our bedroom walk-in closet...so cool! That's where all washer and dryers should be, in the bedroom closet. <br />
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Maybe lambs, tomorrow....<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14738574543661596949noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5425950021014731421.post-53731811751963884442012-02-18T13:04:00.002-05:002012-02-18T13:04:48.110-05:00It's been so long since I've been on blogger that I found lots of new settings!! Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14738574543661596949noreply@blogger.com1