2010 Pa State Farm Show & Kidding Season Kicks Off

A lot has happened since I last posted.  Our Pa State Farm Show was an unbelievable experience.  The next couple of days afterwards were tough.

First the good news…Youth Dairy Goat Show and Open Dairy Goat Show

Katie won Grand Champion Nubian Dairy Goat, Best of Breed and Champion Challenge with her doe (and one of my favorites) Ziggy Acres TXE Shamrock.  She also placed 1st or 2nd in all of her other Nubian classes.  The Pa Cable Network was there taping the show which was pretty neat since they taped Mike’s big win last year with his Saanen doe Bada Bing Farm Holly.

Ziggy Acres TXE Shamrock

Mike won not only Jr. Reserve Grand Champion Saanen Doe (Bada Bing Farm Holly) but Reserve Grand Champion Saanen doe (Bada Bing Farm Lillian), Grand Champion Saanen Doe (OHF CPP Mada aka Maudie Moo), Champion Challenge Saanen Doe, Best of Breed Saanen Doe, but the highest of all…Best Doe In Show!  Yep, Maudie Moo won the whole kit and kaboodle.  Every doe he exhibited won.  You just can’t get any better than that!

Maudie MooBada Bing Farm Lillian

Mike was on cloud nine as several newspapers and TV stations interviewed him and took his picture with his Champion Maude.  We weren’t even back to earth when the next day we started to exhibit in the Open Dairy Goat Show.

Katie was up first and of course the Nubian classes were packed.  She showed Shamrock in a class of 12 other goats.  After winning her class, Shamrock went on to take Reserve Grand Champion Nubian Doe and win another leg towards her permanent champion status.  I was so proud of her as she did an excellent job against some tough competition.

Ziggy Acres TXE Shamrock

Next was Mike and he was nervous as can be because again the competition was tough.  Bada Bing Farm Holly won Jr. Reserve Grand Champion.  Bada Bing Farm Lillian won her class but that was it.  But…our Maudie Moo won it all AGAIN!  She took Grand Champion Saanen Doe, Champion Challenge Saanen Doe and BEST OF BREED!  She won her first champion leg and I have to admit, this was the first time we showed her in an ADGA show.

OHF CPP Mada aka Maudie Moo

When Mike went out for Best Doe in Show he had no expectations of winning it yet again.  As the judge discussed all the Best of Breed does, he said it came down to our Maude and the Toggenburg exhibited by Ann Weikel.  My heart was in my throat, I broke into a cold sweat, and I think I stopped breathing at one point.  I couldn’t believe Mike looked so calm.  The Togg won by an inch but the judge said it was close.  We were thrilled anyway.

After coming home with a pile of ribbons and plaques (I had won two tiny little blue ribbons for my goat milk soap), I told the kids how extremely proud I was of them.  It was nice to see them go from standing in 10th place 3 years ago to winning Best of Breed and Best Doe in Youth Show this year.  Our goal is to always improve and do better by learning from your mistakes.  Sometimes luck has a little to do with it to but the kids definately deserved it.  Especially since my back surgery, Mike and Katie have been basically running the farm on their own doing all the hard work that comes with running a dairy.  It made the wins especially sweet for them.

Less than a week after we were home, kidding season kicked off.  Our nubian doe Violet gave us triplet doelings!  The next morning Katie’s favorite doe Francessca went into labor.  After 7 hours of her pushing and Katie and I trying to pull the now dead kid out, we had to put her down.  I did a c-section on her hoping there was another viable kid behind the stuck one but unfortunately all were lost.  I felt so incrediably bad for Katie as she just adored Francessca.  She was so excited for her to have her babies because she was hoping for spotted babies like Francessca.  I always feel like I have failed when this is the outcome of a bad situation.  Even the vet said I did everything I could but my mind always goes over and over it again telling me I should of or could of done something else.

Francessca as a doeling

Katie came in the house and cuddled with the three little doelings that were born the day before.  Sometimes snuggling with a newborn baby goat can cure what ails your heart.  Unfortunately the next day we lost the smallest of the three doelings.  I noticed her having labored breathing the night before but didn’t say anything to anyone as I didn’t want to add insult to injury after losing Francessca.  By noon time she was truly suffering so I gave her meds to go to sleep.  I held her in my arms until she passed.  She was only a little over 24 hours old but somehow had my heart.  I don’t think any goat has ever passed away on my farm without me shedding a few tears.

I have lots of does due to kid any day now.  I am praying everything goes much easier and without shedding anymore tears.  Although farm life can be so rewarding, it can also just truly down right suck sometimes as well.

2010 Pa State Farm Show

We are off to the Pa State Farm Show once again.

I entered soaps again this year and won 2 blue ribbons in the lye soap division and the glycerin division.  Poor Katie didn’t place with her picture of Valentina (see below).  She was a little disappointed.  I think the picture is excellent but I have a feeling the judges think the tattoo ink is a blemish in the picture.  Unless you have worked with goats, you probably don’t realize we tattoo their ears instead of putting tags in them.

The kids have entered Clover, Shamrock, Toni, Tasni, Shannon, Hazel, Holly and Maude into the Dairy Goat competitions.  Last year they did really great.  So well in fact, it’s going to be hard to top it.  I have my fingers crossed anyway.

We are taking my adopted daughters, Jade and Jaralyn (not offically but I am considering keeping them forever but I don’t think their parents would like it too much) with us.  They help us out a lot around the farm especially with milking chores.  They are a true gift from God (aren’t all kids though?).  We are going to give them a crash course on showing goats.  They’ll do great.  I just know it.

I puchased a really good cot and packed plenty of pain pills to make it through the Farm Show.  I even have a microwave, coffee pot, and toaster oven.  Loads of food, a tent, and a heater.

Our January tradition…Pa State Farm Show for a week is always fun for the kids.  Mike and Katie will have a blast regardless if they win or not.  They are so excited and since they work their backsides off year round, I think they deserve a mini-vacation.  So come hell or high water, we will be there.

Wish us luck!

All my lonely dreams

Change is always tough even though you spend lots of time on your knees trying to get through it all.  Since my life has taken many drastic changes in the last year (with lots of ups and lots of downs), it got me to thinking about all my dreams.

When I was a little girl, I would day-dream of growing up and having a family.  A real close and happy family…the whole white picket fence thing, 3 well-behaved kids, and a husband who provided all the stability, finance, and love anyone could need.  That’s a lot for any man to live up to but for the most part Vince fulfills this dream for me.

I dreamed of having a job working with animals.  Well, no need to elaborate.  That dream came true as well.  Except for one thing though, in my dream it wasn’t so hard to turn a profit, no animals ever got sick and died, and I never had to face the fact of “selling” my beloved babies to strangers I have to trust to take care of them.

I remember spending hours of lonely time day dreaming of my future.  What would it be like?  Who would I marry?  How many kids would I have?  Would they be boys, girls, and what would I name them?  In these same lonely dreams, I would never grow old and full of wrinkles.  My husband and I would never argue.  I would always be thin and fit.  I would always be healthy and my body would feel as young as my brain did.

So as I now sit here with a few extra pounds around the middle, wrinkles, and a back which feels older than 39, it made me think of all those “lonely dreams” of my childhood.  I am just hoping finances allow me to keep my favorite ladies so the heartache is a little easier as I let go of my dream of farming.  As my three kids are growing up fast and off making their own dreams come true, I realize it’s time for me to move on as well.

Joe made his dream come true when he became a Marine.  Now, I can tell he is in love.  Vince and I both think “she is the one”.  Mike’s interests have turned to music which he seems to have a passion for.  He plays his guitar constantly, always learning something new.  Katie’s dreams are also turning away from Mom & Dad as well.

As the dreams of my youth have come to pass, I can’t help but be a little sad. I have no regrets.  I chased after them all and succeeded at most of them.  Now what?  What do I do from here?   I would love to go on a vacation.  I haven’t been on one since 2004.  The beach would be nice or maybe a cruise with Vince and the kids.  I would love to move down south where it is warm and the winters are short.  Grandchildren someday too, that I can spoil.  Mostly, I would love to wake up one day and just not be in pain.  That would be great.

My biggest dream right now, what do I pray for besides the normal prayers of health & happiness of my family?  I ask God to send me someone willing to buy my ladies and care for them the way I have.  It is tough achieving a goal and then having to let it all go.  Frankly, it just plain sucks. 

All my lonely dreams have come to pass.

A Bumpy Road Ahead

Hi Everyone!  It’s been a long time since I posted and I apologize.  My life seems to have taken many twists and turns in the past several weeks.  That combined with the recovery of my latest back surgery and a few new health problems kept me from updating my blog.  So here I am, sitting in front of the computer, trying to figure it all out.

This newest back surgery seems to have been a success but most definitely has been a harder to recover from.  I’m not a “lay around and do nothing” kind of gal.  For the past two months, I have been forced to pretty much do just that.  I do a load of laundry, run the vacuum cleaner, and heaven knows I have knitted more dishcloths than the entire world could use.  I still have a lot of pain which they tell me could take up to 6 months to subside.  Also, I’m not 24 years old anymore.  My mind says I am but my body revolts and reminds my brain that I am just a few months away from 40.

My husband and kids have been wonderful with taking care of everything.  I know they could all use a break but with me down and out, they keep plugging away.  Kidding season is literally just moments away as there are about 25 very pregnant ladies looking like they will be delivering at any time.  I am hoping my back will allow me to help with the babies as you all know this is my favorite part of farming.  5 minutes snuggling a new born baby goat seems to cure my soul from all that ails it.

The doctors have tried to be as gentle as possible when they sat me down and broke the bad news.  I won’t be able to do all I did before.  Seems my back is in worse shape than they thought.  Yes, I could push it but also risk ending up in a wheelchair before my time.  How can you be a farmer if you can’t lift anything heavier than a gallon of milk?  Tough facts to face when you consider this farm has been my life long dream come true.  Now that it is here, I am left with the struggle of letting it all go.

Vince and I sat down and tried to find any and all solutions.  Not unless God knocks on my door and gives me a new back or I hit the lottery and can afford to pay employees to run the farm, it’s time to make some tough decisions.  I have to sell the girls.  To me, it’s like selling off my children and it brings me to tears every time I think about it including now.

All of the Lamanchas will be for sale.  Prices range of $250 to $150 for milkers or bred does.  Most of the Alpines will be leaving except for 2 that we are very attached to including a new buckling I purchased from Bearly Alpines.  About 90% of the Saanens will be sold except for a few favorite show does and our newest buckling, Zac, who is a doll.  Saanens will be sold from $500 to $250.

As you all know my heart belongs to the Nubian breed.  I think very few of them will be sold.  Some will just be retired and get to hang around enjoying lazy days in the sun.  A few I will breed for show and milk.  Our goal is to keep about 50 goats total.  This will be an easy number of does to manage.  We plan to let them kid in the spring and then dry them off about September/October.  I’ll freeze milk for winter use to keep my soap business going.  Drying them off though will give the family a little time off from milking chores throughout the colder months.

This has been a hard decision but one I had to make.  I feel as there is no other solution.  It has taken a toll on me.  I have had many sleepless nights and trouble eating.  I have let the stress get the better of me.  I have developed ulcers and lost almost 50 pounds since my surgery in October.

I have offered it up to God now.  I will get through this, it won’t be easy, but I will get through.

In a lighter note…I had a wonderful Christmas with my family and even had Joey home on leave from the Marine Corps to enjoy it all with.  Joey most recently got his associates degree and is currently working towards his bachelors.  He should be just 3 credits shy of his masters by the time he leaves the Marine Corps.  He is a wonderful lady in his life, Annie, who the entire family loves.

I remember when Joey was younger and going through the pains of growing up.  There were many sleepless nights I spent on my knees praying for his future.  I have never been prouder of him and his accomplishments at such a young age.  He is a Marine assigned to Presidential Support Duty at the tender age of 19.  When I was 19, I was pregnant and facing the thought of being a single parent with little to no money.  I worked three jobs to make ends meet and thought my future wasn’t going to be so bright.  Little did I know, Joey would be one of my greatest accomplishments in life.  I try to remind myself of that when I worry about Mike and Katie’s future as well.

I may never be rich, drive fancy cars, or go to Europe on vacation but I have raised 3 great kids.  Hard working & respectful.  It has been worth all those times I didn’t feel like going to a wrestling tournament at 5:30am on Saturday morning.  Working midnight shifts at 911 while Vince worked days so that someone was always home with them.  We never missed a wrestling match, football game, soccer practices, dance programs, or 4H activities.  (Sometimes maybe a bit too much involved…I’ve been know to be a little “out of control” in voicing, ok more like screaming, cheers during a wrestling match and football game.  An embarrassment many times to my more “calm” husband who quickly walked away like he didn’t even know who that crazy lady screaming “KILL HIM BABY, KILL HIM!”  I’ll admit, I even embarrassed myself even though I didn’t realize what I was saying at the time.)

So although I am faced with a bumpy road ahead, I’ll get through it with the help of family and God.  Both, whom have never let me down before.

Happy New Year everyone!  I hope 2010 brings you plenty of love, good health, and enough money to keep the lights on.

Bada Bing’s Goat Milk Soaps

Hi All!

It been awhile and well here I am once again laying around on bedrest after another back surgery.  I’m still in a lot of pain but atleast I am laying around at home vs. laying around in the hospital.

I’m not allowed to go visiting to the barn yet but I can see my beloved hardworking girls from the house since their pastrure goes around it.  I holler out to them and they holler back.  Today I have a doctor’s appt. to get my staples out.  Hopefully he will clear me for light duty and a trip to the barn for some goat kisses.

Becuase of this latest round of back surgery once again, I will not be at Dicken’s of a Christmas in Wellsboro this year.  My surgeon says “absolutely NOT”.  I guess standing outside all day in freezing temps on concrete just didn’t fit the bill of back surgery recovery. 

 I know I have a lot of people who count on me being there every year so they can get soaps for holiday gifts.  So since I can’t be there, I decided to run a special….

For the month of December, I will pay for shipping on any soap order of $20 or more.  I will also still run my usual Dicken’s special of buy 5 get 1 free (6 bars for $20).  You need to give me a call (717-335-0458) or email me (amis40@dejazzd.com) to place your order. 

I can still take credit cards, I just don’t take them over the website anymore as the charges to me skyrocketed.  I can take them over the phone though.  If you prefer to pay by check, that is fine also.  Once I receive payment, I will ship them out via priority mail.

This way you all get your soaps and I don’t have to stand out in the cold freezing to death and my back surgeon can breathe easy again.  One other thing though…I have teenagers living here with me.  If you have or had teenagers live in your house at one time or another in your life you know what I am about to say to be true.

If a teenager answers the phone and you leave a message.  Please call me back if you haven’t heard from me in a day as I most likely didn’t get the message.  My teens write the message in some sort of secret handwriting that I can’t understand and give it to me.  Or…they “forgot” to give me the message.  Sometimes I get this…”Cindy for CA called and she wants you to call her back”.  Uh and did you get a phone number?  Do you know what Cindy from CA wanted?  Nope, I though you probably knew her or something.

So please, please, bear with me.  The teenagers in my house suffer from teenager disease.  Call me back or email me (make sure you ckeck your spam messages too because my emails usually end up in there).

Ok. let the ordering begin!

13 Days of Farming…Bada Bing Farm style!

Ok, so I think my family has lost it!  Here is a little song they wrote while in the barn milking.  It is to the tune of 12 Days of Christmas.  All you goat farmers could appreicate it!

13 Days of Farming

On the 1st day of farming my true love gave to me…

1. Doe in heat
2. Tons of feed
3. Tons of hay
4. Annoying Lamanchas
5. Hooves a clipping
6. Kids breaking out
7. Inflations pumping
8. Goats a drinking
9. Teats a stripping
10. Bucks in RUT
11. Nubains a crying
12. Alpines head buttin’
13. Hundred pounds of milk!

Remember my husband once told me, “You have too much time on your hands”?  After him and the kids sang this song to me, that is exactly what I said to him.  My next question was, “What have you guys been drinking”?  Now, I ask you, who else is pathetic?

Yep, it’s just not me that is crazy but the whole &^%% family!

Back Surgery once again…

So here I sit just a few days away from another scheduled back surgery.  This will be my fourth and I am hoping and praying, my very last.

In a nut shell, when I am done I will have a completely reconstructed spine.  I am getting an array of hardware placed in my back…rods, baskets, screws, etc.  Seems my back is that of a 70 year old man that has worked hard all his life.  I can thank my Mom for those awesome genetics (she had the same surgery just a few years ago).  I always tease her about the wonderful genes she passed onto me…the fat gene, the fair skin & don’t tan gene, the go gray hair gene that began to turn when I was 16, and now the bad back gene.  I think she gave my older sister, Ann, all the good genes…she is thin, tans, has beautiful skin, and perfect hair…yeah, whatever!  The competitive kickboxing and weight lifting that I did 10 years ago has nothing to do with it.  Honest!

So I’ll be in the hospital for a week and then strict bedrest for 6 weeks after that.  Then 6 months of taking it easy and rehab, followed by never being allowed to lift anything heavier than a gallon of milk for the rest of my life.  If you know me, you know that this is just as horrible as putting me in jail.  Poor Vince will be left with trying to take care of everything…kids’ school, farm, house, laundry, cleaning, cooking, and working his job at A. Duie Pyle.  My family is great though…everyone has offered to pitch in from cleaning and cooking to milking the goats.  Where would I be without my family and friends?  They are a true blessing from God!

So I have been preparing…cleaning, cooking meals in advance and freezing them, trimming hooves and worming the goats.  I also have plenty of yarn for knitting and books to read.  I hate just laying around and I think that will be the biggest challenge for me.

I have to admit though I am a little afraid.  Not so much of the surgery and the pain but of all the drugs.  I have been on pain killers for awhile now.  What I take now, just gets me through the day but I have most definately built up a tolerance.  After the surgery I’ll be on morphine and the alike.  You hear so many horry stories of people becoming addicted to pain pills especially when dealing with back problems.  I think I’ll just sign myself up for drug rehab now!

I remember being on bed rest all three times I was pregnant.  Vince was awesome then.  He would invite my girlfriends and sisters over.  We would lay in my bed, play cards, watch movies and eat pizza.  Vince would even paint my toenails and fingernails (don’t take his guy card away, he was just being a good husband) and wait on me hand and foot.  Atleast this time around he won’t have to change diapers as the kids are old enough to help with the chores.  I am expecting him to loose his cool though from time to time as he will have a lot of added stress in his life.  Perhaps Katie can paint my toenails for me this time!

Most of all…I’m going to miss my goats.  Yeah, yeah, yeah.  I know, I need a life.  BUT you have to remember, to me they are part of the family, all 200 or so of them.  They make me laugh, they keep me in good spirits, and this farm has been my life long dream.  Katie offered to sneak a few in the house to visit me…sshhh…don’t tell Vince as he would have a fit.  Perhaps I can make it to the front porch for a little snuggle with a few of my favorite babies.

Anyway, life has handed me this latest challenge.  With God’s help and a little humor, I’ll make it through.

A quick note

Sorry I have been away for awhile.  Things are always so busy here and I never seem to have enough time to get everything done.  I recently had my 3rd back surgery that wasn’t successful either…Oh well hopefully the 4th time will work.

I think every doe is coming into heat now and the boys are completely nuts with the does giving them so much attention.  My newest little guy Saadal Ja-El Sid has been entertaining the ladies lately.  I really can’t wait to see his kids and I’ve been using him mainly on my show does.  He is my little man still though…always wanting a little hug and kiss from his Mama (me that is).  Even though he is stinky, my heart still melts when he comes close for a little snuggle time.  I always put him in my lap and tell him how much I love him.  He nuzzles against me as if to say, “I love you too”.  Pathetic right?  I know, I need a life but I love my goats.  What can I say?

We are gearing up for the Pa State Farm Show in January as well.  This will be the first year I take milkers.  I usually don’t as most of my girls are dry by then and bred.  The long drive down from Tioga County was a bit hard on pregnant does.  This year though I am only an hour away and over half will still be milking then.  I have a couple Nubians and Saanens I am looking forward to bringing.

We recently had the Sciotti Family Reunion here at the farm.  It was nice to see everyone again even though it decided to be cold and rainy that day.  Fall is definately in the air as the days have grown shorter, the temps have cooled, and the does are in heat & the bucks are in full rut.  If our first breeding took back in July, we should have our first kid crop born sometime in November.  From November until July, will be the big baby boom.

Ok, got to go rest my back now so that I can make dinner and do more laundry.

Farmercise

The other morning while coming down the stairs, I happened to glance in a mirror.  Boy, was I stunned!  Gazing back at me was not the slim, toned, gorgeous 24-year-old ”lady” I expected to see.  No, I was face to face with a pudgy 39-year-old farmer who smelled bad and had baggy eyes.

My first thought was…It’s amazing what a bad night’s sleep can do.  However, I quickly realized that, sometime between yesterday and this morning, I had aged 15 years and gained about 40 pounds.  I knew I had to do something, so I formulated an immediate plan.  Unfortunately, my husband, who is a good deal faster, stopped me before I had the mirror halfway to the trash can.  OK, switch to plan B.

You know, when you look around, you discover that a lot of country folks are at least a little out of shape, and poverty is partly to blame.  Rural people are often below-average earners, and as such are forced to eat farm fare like beef steaks, fried chicken, homegrown potatoes with butter and sour cream, bacon, eggs and fresh whole milk.  Depressing, isn’t it?

Another problem we country people face is a lack of exercise.  Since many rural folks have three or four jobs, we tend to work too hard to find time to get into shape.  Most gyms are too far away and cost too much.  And gym owners object to the mud and manure that flakes off our exercise shoes.  Fortunately, after at least a half hour of intense thinking, I’ve come up with a solution.  It’s an exercise program that fits the farming lifestyle; simple things a farmer can do while working, thus conserving valuable time for other activities like emergency chiropractic work and physical therapy.

I call my program Farmercise.

Begin with stretching

 As most workout experts will tell you, stretching before any exercise is vital.  However, work time does not have to be sacrificed for stretching.  First, begin by collecting a few tools.  Next, select a piece of machinery. It could be your truck, tractor or combine…whatever “project” your husband promised to get around to but never seems to.  OK, now shimmy underneath and remove something from the underside.  It really doesn’t matter what you remove.  Use whatever tool seems to work best.  I’m partial to a large screwdriver and a ball peen hammer.

If you have chosen correctly, halfway into the exercise you will be rewarded with a stream of liquid running down your arm.  If no liquid comes out, move on to a different part until it flows.  Don’t worry, when your husband hollers at you just tell him you were only trying to help him out with his “project”.

Now, while holding the part up with a trembling arm and desperately tossing your head about to avoid splashes to the face, s-t-r-e-t-c-h with the other hand for the rag that moments ago was right next to you, but has since crawled beyond your reach.  Got it?  Good.  Now switch hands and, after wiping the fluid from your eyes, s-t-r-e-t-c-h out to grab your screwdriver to begin replacing the part.  Got it?  Of course not.  It’s gone.  Not only is it gone, but as your frantic feeling about conclusively confirms, it was never there in the first place.

A couple of crunches

While you look for the misplaced screwdriver, your child will breathlessly announce that the goats are in the newly planted strawberry patch.  This leads to our next exercise – the abdominal crunch, as you rise up in alarm.

Unfortunately, due to your present location beneath several tons of machine, the abdominal crunch will be followed instantly by what experts refer to as the forehead crunch.

 As you squirm out from under the vehicle, you will discover that the missing screwdriver has re-appeared, wedged against a tire in such a way as to rip off most of your pant leg.  Of course, right, that’s were you put it.

Now covered in oil and dirt, bleeding from the head and thoroughly warmed up, you may begin your next exercise.

Cardio Goat

Strictly speaking, you don’t have to have any goats for this exercise.  However, I’ve always found goats to be sufficient, mainly because goats are so cunning.  One moment, you see a goat on one side of the fence chewing her cud contentedly. Glance away for a second, and you’ll find that same goat is now on the opposite side of the fence happily munching away at your just-planted strawberry patch with atleast two of her best goat buddies with her.

To start your Cardio Goat, reach wildly for any random stick.  I invariably grab one of my children’s toys; for this example, let’s say a butterfly net.  Begin your workout by madly waving the butterfly net, while screaming at the top of your lungs as you try to convince the goat to leave the garden.  You can increase the Cardo Goat intensity by hollering curse words at the top of your lungs at the same time as your waving of the butterfly net.  You know, to really get the heart pumping…feel the burn yet?

The goat, no doubt confused by the sudden appearance of an oil-, dirt- and blood-covered lunatic wearing only half her pants, screaming cuss words and waving a butterfly net, will begin to run laps around the garden, destroying a strawberry plant with every step.  Round and round we go.  My, isn’t this invigorating?  But we’re only getting started.

Drop and give me 50

Not enough exercise?  No problem.  You will almost certainly trip over the hose, or slip on the fresh fertilizer left by the goat, or the &^%$ skateboard your son left there.  Once down, you are in the perfect position for at least one pushup.  And you’d better hurry, because the goat and her friends are gaining on you.  Now go into a mad sprint because all this rucus has gotten the bucks stirred up and they have busted out of their pens in hope of a little “action” too.

Now, even though you left the gate to the yard wide open, the goat will refuse to see it.  However, eventually she will tire of this sport and spy the hole in the fence she used to get into the garden in the first place – the hole, which only a few minutes ago was large enough to let the 200-pound doe pass, is now no bigger than a dinner plate and of course she rips it wider for all of her friends to pass through with her.

Well, that’s all we have space for this time.  I’ll leave descriptions of more advanced routines, such as Empty Fuel Tank Tractor Walk, Barb Wire Hurdles, Buck in Heat Wrestle and Fence Post Press, to your imagination.  Right now, I’ve got to go retrieve 200 feet of field fence hanging around the neck of my exercise partner.

Who needs a gym right?

***Here is the link for the true author.  I changed a few things and doctored it to fit my farm.  Still holds true though and I as I write this post, I sit here with manure on my clothes, teat dip in my hair, and the smell of buck urine permantly engraved on my body because he thought I was a “sexy doe” who he wanted to mate with while I was trying to feed him grain, hay and water.  Yes Vince, I have cheated on you…with the bucks and not by my choice.***

http://www.grit.com/Community/Farmercise.aspx?utm_content=09.16.09+SLCS&utm_campaign=SLCS&utm_source=iPost&utm_medium=email

ADGA Linear Appraisal Scores

Just a quick post as I have so much to do.  We had our Saanens and Nubians scored yesterday.  I wanted to post them as, well, I pretty darn proud of them.  For those of you who follow scores and know what they are all about, you will understand why I am so excited.  Here they are…

 

Saanens:

 

OHF CPP Mada:   EEEE91

Royal Colors RCSH Wisteria:  VVEV88

Royal Colors SPE Vermillion:  EEEV91

Royal Colors CM Sophia X:  VEVV87 (First Freshener who milks like she is a cow!)

Bada Bing Farm Lillian:  VVVV88 (First Freshener)

Bada Bing Farm Holly:  VEcEcEc (Holly is our dry yearling that most recently won BJDIS at the Clinton County Fair.  Appraiser’s comments…”Overal rating of Ec in young stock is hard to get.  She is a gorgeous doe and one of your best Saanens presented.”)  Somebody pinch me please!

 

Nubians:

 

Ziggy Acres IMA DewDrop Rose:  VEEV89

Ziggy Acres TXE Shamrock:  VEVE90

Ziggy Acres Ebony’s Shadow:  VVEV88 (First Freshener)

Ziggy Acres MXS Dublin:  V+EV88 (First Freshener)

 

Nubian Bucks:

 

Ziggy Acres MXG I Spy Ralpho (aka Ralph):  VEE89 (scored in full rut, appraiser thought he would have been a VEE90 or 91 a month ago…he’s been busy working here the past month).

 

Saada Jalal El-Sid (aka Sid):  VV+V.  Appraiser comment…This is a really nice buck kid who should truly mature into a nice buck.  He scored Ec in front and rear legs.

In addition, my two newest Nubian does Toni and Tasni were appraised earlier in the year in Ohio.  They were VEVE89 and VEVE88.  I guess this makes it official…I have some darn nice goats!  Ok, I already knew it but then again I am a little biased you might say. 

Have a great weekend everyone.  I am hanging out with Joey as he is home on leave.