Pendragon Movies Came!

Last Sunday, we got our Pendragon movies! That was very exciting. For more information go to their website http://burnsfamilystudios.com/movies/pendragon/. I was a very well done movie over all and it was also well written. I definitely enjoyed it!

I'm back...

Sorry I haven't posted in a while but, we have been working outside a lot this past few weeks, trying to get ready for winter. Winter! Ah! Did I just say WINTER? Golly, that is just around the corner! But, we have had nice weather this week so, I'm happy about that! (Been writing this post for a while I guess because, it is winter:)

We built a hay barn out of pallets. It looks pretty cool. I'll have to get some pictures soon.

Plus we have been painting things black that the match and cleaning things up. It is amazing how things can get dirty so fast!

My kitty died. That was a total bummer. I miss her a lot.

A few weeks ago my family went to see the movie that my dad was in. That was very cool. If you want to see what it's all about go to: http://burnsfamilystudios.com/movies/pendragon/

We bred Merrylegs!

On the 19th we bred Merrylegs. I was happy about that. Here is a picture of her. We bred her to Bear.

I got a picture of Bear!

I finally got a picture of Bear. He is our main breeding buck.

More Goat Information

Do I leave…?

Here is a semi-controversial topic - Do I leave the kids with the doe when they are born, or not?
Many people take the kids away from the doe at birth and bottle feed because: (1)They want the kids to be friendly, (2)It’s easier for them to know how much their doe is milking and how much the kids are getting, and (3)It’s easier to get to know the kids by feeding and the mother by milking.

Others leave them with the doe to nurse because: (1)They think it is emotionally cruel to take the kids away from the doe, (2)They feel bad when the doe is bleating for her kids, (3)The udder is very hard and you can’t milk the doe out, and (4)It’s easier for the owners

Non-nursing methods

There are two ways to non-nurse.

1. Pan-feeding
2. Bottle-feeding

Which is the best? Let's take a look...


Pan-feeding

Pan-feeding is accomplished by using a pan or bucket. Pans are easier to clean and sterilize than bottles but, also are tipped over and spilled more often than not. And if you breed Nubians their ears will get wet, the milk causing skin irritation. This method is also more unnatural than bottle-feeding and messes with the proper development of the rumen. This method obviously has its pluses and minuses.

Bottle-feeding

Bottle feeding is easy in that you fill the bottle, run out side, feed the kids, come back in, wash the bottles, put them up to dry, and you're done. But, there is more than that. You have to feed every four to six hours depending on how much your doe gives each milking.

Tip: If you don't have a bottle brush and need an easy way to clean out the bottles, use 1 table spoon of clean aquarium gravel or coarse sand, 1 drop of dish soap, and a little water, put it in the bottle, shake well, rinse the sand or gravel, and save it for next time.

Nursing methods

There are two ways two nurse:

1. Natural nursing
2. Nursing and milking

It's a choice you have to make depending on your objectives but, if you want to go natural but still have milk, the nursing and milking method is the best.

Natural nursing

The natural nursing method is simple and easy. Just leave the babies with the doe. The doe does all the work and all you have to do is pet the kids which will help them be friendly. If you want to milk the doe after the kids are weaned you can, but, for the first two months you don’t have to do anything except play with the kid(s) which, is essential for a good disposition.

Nursing and Milking

Some people take the kids away at night and milk their does each morning, giving the kids back during the day. With this method they only get one milking each day. This is a win/lose situation. You don’t have to milk as often but, you don’t get as much. If you're ok with that, that’s fine. There are options out there.

Note: You can do the non-nursing methods and still have friendly kids but, you MUST spend time with the kids. This is something that you can not do with out. It is totally necessary.

Other things to consider

1. There are three types of does (see below) and they all react differently to having their kids taken away.

2. If you want to bottle feed, buy goats that don't bleat for their kids when to take them away. Likewise, if you want to let the kids nurse, you may want to consider selling the goats that aren't going to be very good moms and actively seek good mother goats.

3. Ask the breeder before you buy a goat if they were bottle-fed or not as this typically lets you know before hand what kind of goat you are dealing with.

Types of does:

Type A: “I don’t care if you take my kids away from me as long as I’m feed, watered, loved, and milked.” Typically this type of mother is loud, selfish and/or a semi-obnoxious doe. Which makes things easy if you're bottle feeding. These does are not usually the best moms- kicking their kids away at a early age, not allowing them to nurse very often and when she does let them nurse a lot she doesn’t let them have much milk.

Type B: “Have I ever done you wrong? Misbehaved? Caused you trouble? No. Then why are you taking my babies away. Howw coulddd youuu?” This type of mom is the one that makes you feel really, really bad! She is always bleating for the first few weeks of being separated. But eventually she with calm down and realize that you are her baby.

Type C: “Uumm… how does this work? Are these kids mine? I’m suppose to feed them??"
This type of doe is usually a first freshener, had her babies taken away previously, was bottle raised herself and has no idea about how “natural” nursing works.

Closing thoughts

If you choose nursing, pan-feeding, or bottle-feeding just remember you can’t change your mind after you start. Kids learn quickly but, when they are started on some thing it is hard if not impossible to “try” some thing else. It's best to study and find what you want to do then stick to it.

We bred Clover!

We just bred Clover with Bear. If anyone is interested they can reserve a kid now. Her "due date" is 3/11/09 but, she will most likely kid before that. Then the kids will be ready to go two months after that. They will be bottle fed.

This is Clover. I don't have a picture of Bear yet.

Yes!

My Laptop is up and running again! I thought it was the video card but, I let it sit for a few days and it came back on (to my GREAT joy). I think the problem was that I wasn't shutting it down as often as I should have and it freaked it out.

I thought since this is a goat blog that I should post something about goats. I wrote it from information I have heard/learned/read.

Disbudding
Disbudding involves destroying the horn bud on a very young animal before the horns actually start growing. The procedure in and of itself is fairly simple. The most recommended tool is the electric disbudding iron. Also, you can use a soldering iron that has a point about the size of a nickel that you have ground flat. Using caustic is also an option. You can disbud at three days of age up to two weeks, it mostly depends on the kid, and when the horn erupts. (You want to disbud before the horn actually erupts but, when they can be felt.)

Disbudding with a Electric or a Soldering iron
Instructions:

1. Get the iron to the point were it is hot enough to “brand” wood with little pressure. Some people at this point buzz the hair around the nubs to make it easier to burn.

2. Have your assistant hold the kid either standing up or sitting down. If you do not have an assistant you can use/make a kid holding box. (See below).

3. Feel for the nubs of the horns. Holding the kid firmly by the muzzle, press the hot iron on to the button and hold it there to a count of fifteen. (This amout of time will usually take care of burning the horn bud all the way)

4. Now, do the other horn after you let the iron warm up again.

Some information important to know is, bucks tend to have more stubborn horn buds then does. If you disbud and scurs appear, simply heat up the iron and do the process over again. Scurs, if left unchecked, can cause more problems then horns. Thin scurs will continuously break off which cause blood loss and pain. Thick scurs on the other hand can grow in to the goat's head and eyes.


Disbudding with Caustic
(Directions for the caustic are written for calves so ignore details for when to apply it.)

Caustic is available in many brands and types at mail-order houses and farm-supply stores.

Instructions:
1. Clip hair around the horn buttons. (About as big as a nickel with it's center as the button.)

2. Cut disks of adhesive tape to cover horn buttons.

3. Apply petroleum jelly around the outside of nickel shaped trim. It protects the skin from the caustic.

4. Apply caustic, and place tape over the caustic.

5. Isolate or hold the kid for a half hour. Or, if you are really lovey hold the kid for the half hour period.

Caustic is another way to disbud. It may seem easier, less traumatizing, and more humane but actually is less effective and could cause other problems such as:
· Blindness if it gets in the eye
· Pain if it comes in contact with other parts of the body
· Scurs

It is important to do it right and never have to deal with the horns again then to let it go longer than necessary and have a ton of problems later. Scurs, although they are ugly, cause few problems unless it starts to grow in to the head. Once is starts to do that it must be trimmed with a saw as it could cause major problems. If you have a goat with scurs watch them carefully to make sure that they don’t start growing in to the head. If they are growing straight out or up high and then down you should have nothing to worry about. Check out pictures of a Fias Co Farm buck that needed his scurs trimmed:

http://fiascofarm.com/galleries/Goat_Care_and_Information/Scur_Trimming/index.html

I hope this was informitave and helpful.


We have five baby kittens. Our neighbor brought a kitten over and asked if it was ours. We took it and brought in the momma cat. After momma cat saw one of her kittens in our house she thought "oh i guess that the other four should come here too, i'll go get them." The stats are three girls, two boys, four black and white ones, one black one. They are too cute. I love having kittens aroung but, I'm not too sad to see them go. A free kitten anyone? I mean after all they are free.

Funny Holly

This picture was taken this winter. Silly goat:-) My laptop is freaked out so, I can't get on there to do any thing. I'm using Danielle's laptop:-) One of our neighbors found one of the kittens that our cat had so now we have a little kitten. She is soooo cute! I'll get some pictures soon.

New website...

I made a website for our farm so we can start selling things the animals produce. Tell me what you think of it:-) www.highhillsfarmwebsite.blogspot.com.

Pictures of the new rabbits.

Here is the female that we named Flopsy. I clipped her the day after we got her.

And here is the male that we called Benjamin Bunny. I also clipped him the day after we got him.

Update on the new rabbits and what we have been up to

We went and got the bunnies on the 4th. They are so cute. I clipped both of them to give them a good start at our house.

We went to a friends house today for a visit and to meet some of their friends for the first time. They had hamburgers and everyone brought a dish to pass around. It was fun and the food was really good. There was a family there that have seven kids but, only six were there because the oldest one was doing online classes and couldn't come. Danielle and I played soccer, capture the flag, and hide and go seek with the kids. It is really cute because when you play hide and go seek with little kids they always tell you where they are going to hide before actually hiding. It makes it easy for the finder :-) Oh, and we played Duck, Duck, Goose.

News

Recently, I found an ad for free Angora rabbits a lady had taken in for a family that didn't know what they were getting into when they bought them and had given them to her. I emailed her and on Thursday we are going to pick them up at an Art Gallery, where the lady volunteers. It isn't very far from where we live. I think that is exciting. Here are some pictures that she sent me.

Here is the female.

Here is the male.

The lady said that he has a lopped ear supposedly from the heat when he was born. But, I think that makes him even more adorable.

Danielle and I have made two rabbit cages in the last two days. That was a problem that I made for myself. I told the lady that we would take them then I thought "What are we going to put them in?"

Did I ever say that finding four leaved clovers at our house is not a novelty any more? Yesterday, Danielle found three four leaved clovers. She has passed me up on finding four leaf clovers by now.

Interesting

I think that it is interesting how you can live so close to someone and not really know them. Like our neighbors. We live across the street from them but, I don't know anything about them. I know how many people there are in their family but, they live their lives, go places, have other family members, their history- yet I have no idea what it is like and I haven't even been in their house once! Maybe other people know their neighbors better but, I think that it is interesting how close you can be to someone but, not know them. I mean I have been in other people's houses, know more about them then I do my own neighbors! That just strikes me as weird.

Wow...

Recently we got the latest Voice of the Martyrs magazine for September and it had this story in it. I thought it was kind of one of those "there is no such thing as a coincidence" thing.

******
When Muslims encounter the grace and mercy of Jesus they become "spectacular," a living Christian witness/JESUS film for their own family. One young spectacle we encountered is a Christian brother we will call Bobby.

In 2004, when Bobby was a junior in high school, he had three dreams of Jesus and heaven. Coming from a Muslim family, he was eager to know the meaning of these dreams, but he could not ask about them. Muslims may not question the Koran or investigate other religions.

"I bought three holy books," he told me, "a Bible, the Hindu book and the Buddhist book. I locked the door of my bedroom and placed them on my desk. I began to read them looking for the meaning of my dreams.

"One day I forgot to lock the door. My mother came in, and seeing the books she screamed. All 10 of my family ran into my room and began to rebuke me. My father told me, 'You are a sinner.'

''My parents called the security guard, who came in and wrapped his hands in black plastic bags. He put the books in a sack." [If a Muslim touches a Bible they are polluted and must say a five-minute prayer- the same prayer they say for touching anything unclean, like a pig.]

"The guard and my family went outside to burn the books. They locked me in my room, although I was not yet a Christian convert. I looked out the window. God gave me courage. I climbed out my third-floor window and slid down the drain pipe. I ran aross to the just-started fire and pulled out a book covered in gasoline. I ran out the gate with my family chasing me. I hitchhiked on a truck to a ctiy and, exhausted, fell asleep that night leaning against a wall.

''The next morning I woke up dirty with messy hair, looking like a wild man.

"People were walking beside me going into the building where I had slept. I saw them carrying a book like mine. I went in with them. It was a church. The book I had pulled from the fire was a Bible. I sat in the back.

"After church I went outside. I didn't know what to do. A Christian lady coming out wanted to help me. I lied to her. I was afraid. She came back again. I told her my problem, and then she took me home. Her family fed me for some weeks, and then I began to receive Bible training. I could read the Bible now without a problem.

"Encouraged by my Christian friends, I returned home to a family r0eunion. My family threw plates of food at me, beat me and broke my collar bone. I was in the hospital unconcious fo two days. On the third day I escaped through a bathroom window.

"After two years of bible study I took a ferryboat to another island with a Christian team. There we led Muslims to Jesus. One Muslim convert began a church. Som village leaders were particularly angry at me since I had been a Muslim. They dragged be into a house and knocked me out. When i woke up, I crashed through a window and ran into the jungle.

"I will go back to that island next week. Please pray for me."

We prayed for Bobby and his family. Bobby continues to share Christ. He does not have a death wish. He has a life wish- to bring a new life where none exists.
**********

What are the chances that he would have just happened to grab the Bible and that the building he stood against to rest was a church? I mean really? God was calling his name for sure!

Update

I found two four leaved clovers a while back. That was cool.

A week or two ago we went grocery shopping down at Dad's work. We went to the new Whole Foods store. It was very cool. Don't you just love the smell at Whole Foods? It is so fresh and clean.

Saturday was sooooo hot! Dad had to go to a delegate meeting and he rode to Novi with another delegate that we know. After he got home we went to town and got some stuff to make root beer floats, came home and made some then, went back into town to enjoy our float while we drove around. That was fun too.

Yesterday Danielle and I uprooted a bunch of little trees in the girl goat pen in the woods. Then I clipped Andre (our male Angora rabbit). He looks a lot better. I'm telling you that was a lot of work!

Today Dad and I clipped the goats toes. They didn't need it really bad but, it was a good time to keep up on it before it got out of hand.

That-big-thought-moment

...my big thought...

Most people don't have a standard to live by so, most of their dreams/wishes etc. tend to become a part of what their culture is moving towards in that moment. You see it all over the place, in all kinds of nations, cultures & religions (yes, even Christians, and we do have a standard).

EXAMPLE: The American Dream, "I want a bigger house, we don't have enough room in this tiny 2,000 square foot home, and a better this would be nice...Maybe if I worked more I would have a lot of money and then I could afford to buy a better this and that..." The list goes on.

In the middle of nowhere Africa the same thing happens, "Can you believe it, they have a mud hut and I don't so, I want that, I need it...A tribal war is in order because, don't you want what they have and we could easily take their village if this and that..."

EXAMPLE 2: In America, "I need to stay in shape, being skinny is THE thing and I really need to "feel" good about myself, because that is important to me. Also, don't call me tomorrow because, I won't be available as I need some "me time." Or "Please Lord could I just be half as cute as so and so"... And who decided that she was cute and you weren't? If you say that then how did you get to that conclusion? You had to be influenced by somebody. Who is that somebody? A friend? Your culture?

In Africa, "I'm ashamed of myself, I'm to skinny, I wish that I was half as fat as so and so, at least she gets to eat one meal a day regularly. That shows that they have lots of money and I don't. Can you imagine if an African girl came to America and said "Please Lord, half as fat as her!"? She would get the wildest stares on the planet!

EXAMPLE 3: In America, "I wish that my hair was this color like the popular girl at school. If only it was curly instead of straight. If only it was straight instead of curly.

EXAMPLE 4: "This popular Christian ministry says this so, I guess, we need to change directions and move with the "popular flow". Come on kids lets go..."


It seems like we as people always want what we don't/can't have. "I want this instead of this." And to throw something else into the mix there are trends. "Well this was cool but, today, not cool. That is soooo last year. Aren't you up with the newest things? I guess not. Hello, like you need to get it together" Or in the other direction... "I once was blind but, now I see as the old hymn goes, yes I use to do that but, now I would never do that. I'm so thankful to Mr. So and So Pastor that set me aright on September 27th, 1982 when I accepted the LORD as my personal saviour. I'm forever grateful."


Also, there are a few kinds of love, and without a standard of the bible you tend to be rather subjective in the way you show love to people. Most likely the way you learned how to "love'' people is though your parents. Here are the types I thought were out there...


1. Family love.
-How you interact with you family, how you show them that you love them.

2. Friendship love.

-How you have fun with a friend.

3. Man and women love.

4. Buying love.
-This type of love can be used with all of the above. "Well I bought you all this and that is how I show love."

5. Animal/human love.
-How you show you pets love. But, obviously animals can't be "bought" that easy.


This isn't a big thought for me in that it was a revelation but, that it would be a lot to write down. I have thought about this before and just decided to write in to a blog post.

A new pen

Yesterday we made the girl goats a new pen. Now everywhere they go they have a ton of food which, I'm pretty sure they like a lot. That was a lot of work but, their other pen really needed to be moved. We are slowly taking over our woods by moving each pen. It looks really good back in the woods.

Maybe something funny is in order:

http://www.answersingenesis.org/aftereden/index.aspx

Cartoons from Answers in Genesis. Some of them are hilarious.

http://blogs.answersingenesis.org/aroundtheworld/2006/11/20/phenomenal-testimony/

This is the cartoonist's testimony. Very interesting. A two part series so, look on the bottom of the movie to get the second part.

More stuff that we have been up to...

Dad finished a bee hive and we made another one too! They look very nice. We aren't really quite done yet but, all we need to do is make a top for it which, shouldn't be very hard.

On Friday we saw one and a quarter rainbow. It was awesome. The one rainbow was a full one, and the other one was on the right hand side of the full rainbow. Actually this was the first time I have ever seen a full and complete rainbow. So, that was cool for me. Of couse, rainbows mean rain and that is what we had. It poured really bad. We ended up milking in the rain. Actually it was fun. I enjoyed it a lot.





(No I didn't take this picture. It came with my computer but, I liked it so, I'm going to post it. Thank you to who ever did though because this is a wonderful picture.)

Today Mom, Danielle, and I ran it to town because we were totally out of grain for all the animals. Then worked outside on the garden. Put pea gravel in the flower garden.

What we have been up to

Yesterday we went to a friend's house and then today they came here. The lady's kids are very well behaved so, they are so fun to have around. Maybe I need a schedule to keep me going on blogging so that I always have a post in mind all the time. Nahh. That leaves for no freedom man:-) I could post a picture. Okay, here you go!

Special thanks to Danielle and MaKayla. :)

(Sorry about the quality of the picture. I don't know why the camera did that. Remember that I'm not a good picture taker.)

Yiiiippppeeeee!

All right, blogger let me update pictures! So here they are.

Let's see here now, what did I promise you? Oh yes...here we go...


A picture of our complete fencing. Isn't it pretty? I think so...
Now for the flower pictures...

I know this isn't a flower but, I thought that it was pretty.

Now this is Holly's lip. No, she was not in mid-sentance when the picture was taken:-)

Ok so the next thing was a meet the herd set of pictures, and because you have already met Holly I will forgo another picture of her.

This is General Stormy Sky before we got him. Isn't he a cutie?

This is Merrylegs.

These are Merrylegs' babies, (L to R) "Chops" and Girlie.

This is my first goat Clover.

This is Miss Dainty Bangles, Clovers first baby.

Then there should be a picture of Bear our buck but, I don't have a picture of him on my computer so that will have to wait until later.

Yesterday Mom, Danielle, and I stood at the polls all day long. It was very hot and tiring. But, we made it, so that is good. After the polls closed we came home, took a shower and then went to the canidate's parent's house for a big shin dig after the polls type of thing. They made grilled hamburgers, dessert and other stuff which, I must say was very good. That was pretty fun but, we were glad to get home and go to bed.

I got the picture!:-)

All right, I have a confession to make. I’m a night owl. So now you know why there are TWO posts today. I wrote the last post last night and posted it at 12:00 AM this morning. Then I went to bed. Now it is 10:00 PM and I’m posting another thing today. Get my drift? Yeah…so that's why there are TWO posts today. Anyway…

We worked outside today again. Dad and I worked on the bee hive and got a lot done. Mom and Danielle painted every thing black. Well most every thing:-) . Made a run to town to get a new saw blade ‘cause the other one we had was broken.

Danielle and I got stung by a hornet. Boy, that hurt! Our poor goat, Holly got stung too. Her lip was swollen. I'll post a picture of that. She looked so funny.

I was in a good mood today and I took that picture!

BUT, blogger won't let me update it on to my blog so...sorry, you'll have to wait until I can. But, in the meantime I'll tell you what kinds of pictures I have planned for your veiwing pleasure.

• A picture of the fence.
• Some pictures of flowers that we have around here.
• A meet the goat herd set of pictures.
• Holly's swollen lip.

Does that sound good? Cool.

I'll get right on it as soon as blogger will let me.

More Work...

We worked outside again today. Yes, we did top and paint the wooden fence posts. Got a ton of stuff done which is awesome. (But, I wasn't in a good enough mood to get that picture:) A family that was visiting the neighbors came and looked at all of our animals. They have four daughters under ten. All of them were really cute. I think that we are slowly turning into a petting zoo:-) Now the big thing is where is the cash flow?:-)


We had chicken eggs on the deck of the barn waiting for our next run up to the house which the little girls found and wanted to take with them. Mom told the neighbor girl watching them that they could take the eggs. She asked “Are you sure?” after Mom said “Yeah” she asked “Are you sure, are they real eggs?” It is really sad that today in America we have gotten so far from things that should be normal (like getting fresh eggs from your chickens out back) to just buying bleached, gross, old eggs from the store.


Well, Dad has gotten “Stung by a Bee” so to speak. He put a suit on at a friends house and got “stung’’. Oh no, he caught the bee fever. He just has to have a hive now and is reading as much as he can about bees. And next thing you know we are going to be beekeepers. So, he has been busy reading up on how to make a top bar hive and today he started it. Just to let everyone know, pallet wood is cheap. So cheap that it doesn't cost any thing. Cool. Now we can have a bee hive for free instead of $300. Once again, cool.


Ahhhh…I LOVE this type of picture. Two in one ladies and gentlemen! In the front Dad starts his bee hive out of pallet wood as the goats happily graze in the new pasture in the background. Perfect! (Notice how the goats are NOT by the electric fencing?)


******WARNING*******WARNING*******WARNING*******
This feeling of “getting stung” CAN happen with any type of animal. One day you could be going along and all of a sudden you JUST have to get your hands on as much information on a particular animal as possible. Note: I’m speaking from experience. Trust me I know. As the famous line goes in the animal world- “Animals are like potato chips, you can’t have just one!”


To have a little fun I’m going to tell you a story about how I got into goats/got my first goat.


Clover was my first goat. She is a ¾ LaMancha, ¼ Boer mix. Black and white. Big ears. Big attitude. Did I say BIG attitude? Yeah, BIG. And LOUD. Did I say LOUD? Yeah…VERY LOUD. To cut to the chase she taught me a LOT about goat ownership. You know, small stuff like, you have to have TWO goats if you are going to have ONE:-) OR, you will be outside from 8 AM to 9 PM sitting and playing with her to keep her quiet so the neighbors don’t freak out ‘cause she is yelling ALL DAY LONG. But, I love her. The first time I saw her I knew she had to be mine. I named her before I knew whether or not the lady was even going sell her to me. I know, that might sound kind of assuming but hey, when you love an animal that much you know that you have to find some way to get them, some how. (Whether or not it’s begging the person that owns the animal or your parents:- ) But, it wasn’t too hard to get her from owner as she was trying to bred purebred LaManchas for her goats milk share farm and Clover had just been an unplanned breeding. So, it was a good way to make money without having to eat her as they were going to do. But…where was I…Oh yeah…so, I named her and begged Mom and Dad to get her. I told them ALL the BENEFITS of having goats and so on and so forth…(And you know what? It worked ‘cause I got her and that has lead into a mini hobby farm. My joy. And to my joy.) Now Clover is milking and has had her first set of twins. This September I’m going to breed her and have February kids. I love kidding season. Don’t you?

Look at that sad face...

This is Jenny Lindski. If I remember right she was kinda hungry when this picture was taken:-) You know the whole morning chores thing:-)

Fencing

Thursday was the last day that we had to work on the new fence that we were building. (Well ok we still have to trim the tops off so that it looks uniform but, when you can do that with a chain saw and then all you have to do after that is paint the tops, you really can't call that "working on the fence" because that hardly takes any energy:-) The coolest thing was that we got the wooden fence posts for a really good deal and we painted them black. I keep telling everyone in my family that it looks like some rich horse farm. You know the ones- you just drive past it and think "Wow, some day I want a farm like that. But, alas, I could never afford it." Maybe this was our first attempt at a farm version of "Design on a Dime.'' But, gosh, that took a lot of time and effort! Every day for about a week I would come in, take a shower and jump into bed ‘cause I was so tired. But it is definitely worth it to see the goats grazing in the field. I think that they really enjoy it which makes me enjoy it too. Thursday was also the first time that we have used electric fencing- for us and for the goats. So they are learning NOT to touch the fence with their noses. Oh boy, training starts. I don't think that it gives them to strong a shock as the babies just walk right on through it. Argggg! Dad wet them down with the hose but, I don't think that it helped very much. Oh well.

Maybe I will get the camera out, take a picture and post it.

Maybe- if I am in a good mood:-)