Well, here we are 2009!  Hope all is well!

At my last post, one week ago, it was 50 degrees.  Today it is 32 degrees with rain and fog!

Husband and I had a pleasant New Years Eve, we actually went somewhere to celebrate...Daughter's house.   It was just them, us, and Son-in-Law's brother and his wife.  We were home by 12:30 AM.

I am feeling quite good about the natural breedings, so far only one has come back into heat.  I will know even more come one week from today, as if they are going to cycle again, it will be this week!

I am really hoping that at least one of the AI does is bred.  The buck is really of good breeding and I would love to be able to have a good doe from him.

The last few days have been used to bring farm records up to date.  I put the milk figures into the computer yesterday.  One of my girls has given over 2000 pounds of milk so far and still has two more months to go. 

 I am hoping that I can get on DHIR next season.  That is where records are kept and testing is done through ADGA.  Then you can use the records to see how your breeding program is going as well as recieve recognition for goats that produce record amounts of milk, butterfat, and protien.  2000 pounds is the minimum for breed leaders recognition, so I have at least one who might be a winner.

Today, Husband and I did a seed inventory to see what vegetable seeds we need to order for next year.  Then I placed an order for Tomatoes, Spinach, Pop Corn, and  Onions.  I ordered through E&R Seed from Indianna.  They are an Amish business and their prices are the lowest of all the catalogs that we recieve.  I have bought from them before and have been satisfied.

While out in the barn doing chores, I spent alittle extra time doing some organizing and thinking.  I told Husband that since March and April I won't be milking, it would be a good time to renovate my milking parlor.  We have talked of adding steps up to the upper barn, it would be a good time to build them, as well as when they were done to give the whole room a good paint job.  Then the girls would have a nice clean parlor when they start milking again.

It would also be nice if my new milk customer wants to see the milking process.  I have a milk customer who called early last week to see if I would sell her milk for her senior Yorkie dog.  Her vet has said that the extra nutrition from the milk would be a help.  Since I can't sell my milk for people to drink I told her that, but that animal comsumption is okay.  She lives in Webberville and drove up here on New Years Eve day to pick up fourteen gallons of frozen milk and paid me $8 a gallon!  That is $112 total!  What a way to start the new year!  I am hoping that in a few weeks she will be back for more.  To that point I am now freezing a gallon every day, so there will be some when she calls.  She mentioned that she might be interested in Goat Shares, which would be okay too, as that would mean a monthly income!

Christmas with Brother was last Monday, we had a nice visit and did our exchange.  It was a good day.

This coming Friday will be our last Christmas for 2008.  Because of nasty weather on Christmas Eve, Middle Son and Family were unable to come to our gathering.  Now they will be coming on Friday.  We are keeping the tree up until then.  There are plenty of packages still under the tree for the Grandchildren.  There is a couple for Son and Wife as well.

Then on Saturday or Sunday next we will take down our tree.  Along with the other Christmas decorations.  The house always looks alittle dull, right after that, but then it seems to have more room and that feels good!

January and February will be long months, but I am planning on doing alot of sewing, before the weather turns and things begin to jump again.

I would really like to try to blog every Sunday, but it will remain to be seen.  I will try.

So, time to go do something else...

Onward and Upward