One of those days on the farm! LOL!

Well, it has been one of those days, in a humorous way.

The riding lawnmower - with the grass catchers on it that make our goats and horses very happy - has not been running well lately.  I did some research online and found that maybe it was the air filter - so the kids and I located that and cleaned that.  No better.

Then we decided to check the spark plug - well, that wasn't it either.  At least I know where it is now.

My time has been pretty tight lately, what with play practices for Alex, two different opportunities for me to work (and both buildings are busy, which is really unusual, but a huge blessing at this time), and getting Kiley to the stable for her training, and the usual dentist and doctor appointments and what not.  So, I hadn't done any further research.  The lawnmower sat sadly next to the goat pasture.  Sigh.  While the grass kept growing and growing.

And growing.  Can you tell that it is quite long in places?  I even let the mini pony out and a couple of the goats (the ones that don't tend to wander) to try to work on some of the grass.  Sigh.

So, beloved hubby came home from work today and fixed the lawnmower!  Yay!  We loved having him in the play, but oh, my goodness, did we miss him!  Anyway, he fixed the lawnmower!  Turns out that the fuel line was twisted and crimped.  I hadn't gotten around to looking at that yet - yeah, that was it!  Anyway, he got it fixed!   I got home from work and was so excited!  So, he took me over to the lawnmower to take a look and show me what he had addressed. 

And this is what we saw:

Notice that part of the hose it no longer attached to the rest of it.  In fact, it has been gnawed apart.  Gas spilled all over the mower.  Clearly the mower engine can no longer get gas.  Hmmm.....

 Oh, look.  Greta, the Alpine dairy goat, out and running around out of the pen because she keeps getting picked on by the others.  Hmm...  Smelling suspiciously like gasoline.  The culprit has been found!

Hubby is now going to go the the hardware store on his way home - to get a metal gas line!


"For I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans for hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11

Okay so maybe we don't QUITE have this figure out yet.....

Or this mama goat is having lots of fun keeping us up nights and constantly checking on her and pampering her!!!!

No babies as of yet, all signs are there and increasing, but we seem to not quite be where we thought we were. We have been afraid to even leave the farm, thinking she is going to kid any time!!! And then nope, she is just the same, enjoying her heated calf hut, not having to share with anyone. And big as a house!

All the signs are there: udder filled up, not too tight, but full and firm, dripping from the udder (they get ready to nurse those babies), back end changes, tail down (their lower back literally changes the direction it usually goes as they prepare for birth), and generally well, "female changes". (This is a G rated blog)

Sigh.

Though, I am so grateful that our largest upgrade for the birthing stall is the wireless camera and monitor, so we can check on her and even HEAR her without having to trek out to the barn. Pulling on outdoor weather gear is not appealing when you have been in a warm bed. So at least that is minimized to only those times when she walks out of camera range or we think we hear something going on or changing.

Yes, we are total worry warts about this one, though likely she is our most experienced goat mama! Sigh. So excited for spring babies! Or not quite spring babies!!!!

And the chickens laid five eggs today - they are starting up again, spring must be thinking about coming!!!!!

Sleep good!