...it's not always sunshine and roses here. Surprised? I didn't think so....but just in case you should know we're merely real farmers of Pewamo who are faced with real struggles of the dairy industry on a daily basis. This past week was no exception! Check out the #fridayfive!
It started out awesome.....
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| The dishwasher broke. Apparently it had been leaking for a long time underneath, resulting in a wet moldy sub floor. My brother and sister in law, and her dad, did this project in 24 hrs. It's an incredible addition to my kitchen. A dishwasher that works; an extra sink; the counter space we had always planned on but never finished. For a family of 6 with 7 in the house often (nanny, grandma, etc.), the dishwasher is a great tool to have. The simple things in life we take for granted...... |
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| Monday I was reminded that it was Rebecca's birthday. You know, the American Girl doll? What? You didn't remember either? After lunch I arranged the help so I could drive into town....and because NOBODY drives 14 miles for a clearance cake for a doll, I also arranged a quick lunch with a great friend, then happen to pick up a cake at the store. To me that sounds much more frugal than making a special trip just for a clearance cake for a doll who somehow has got her name on the birthday calendar. Later that day, when they realized what I had done, kid #1 says "wow Mom, it sure took you a long time to pick up that cake." Ha! |
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| We are training first calf heifers to the milking parlor. For the most part, they are doing great. They are very calm, docile and healthy (thank you Mom and Dad for helping to raise them at the heifer ranch). However....sometimes they do not index correctly in the parlor. Or they try to pass the other cows. Most of the time they correct it themselves. Not this time. So, while I supported the heifer to keep her from rolling into the pit, Our newest team member followed carefully detailed directions from me perfectly, and closed the entry gate, switched the gates outside to direct cows into the holding pen, opened the exit gate, which let the un-milked cows go back into the holding pen. Then I was able to put her leg back onto the platform, where she promptly got up and walked out as if nothing ever happened. Then we simply "try again". It went as it should the second time around for that side. |
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| Whenever I can get time I work on the fence. I got all the way around the perimeter fence, and am now putting up the rest of the poly tapes, which divide the paddocks. We have got a lot of rain. That is probably an understatement. If anything, this is God helping me not feel so bad about not having the cows out on pasture on time. It's too wet. |
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| However, we are all ready for the grazing season. Sometimes there are things on the list that when you don't get to them in time, they make themselves a priority. This was one of those items. The gates that keep the cows from getting out were very attractive scratching posts for the cows exiting the parlor. So much so that one cow broke a top board (wood gates), then knocked it off....then jumped over it. Cows who know the luxury of green grass have incredibly fast reaction times! However, so do the kids. While milking I thought "I think I hear something....." Then the team member and I saw the rear end of a cow clear the downed gate with no problem what so ever. The older set of boys were holding them from going out the drive (while yelling for me). After we got them back and a different gate in place, he says "lots of learning opportunities this week!" |
There are lots of learning opportunities every week. I told him that I appreciated him seeing it that way. All we can do is our best-so we simply look at what we should have done differently and "try again". Those things that happen as a result of me or the team members not completing other tasks, we have to either learn to prioritize better, work harder, or let go. We are good at prioritizing. It has always been feed, water, shelter/care of the animals first, then projects/extras after that. We have worked hard. My payroll proves that. So we (I. I need to do this better) need to let these other things roll off our back a little faster. Given the circumstances of the weather, the amount of help we have, and other factors within the industry, we (I) can only get so much done in a day. Sure, I could have forgone that very rare lunch with the friend and the cake for Rebecca, but sanity is also important. And the bible is pretty clear that God and people come first.
We're just people. We try our best. We screw it up. We try again. The only REAL problem is when you quit trying. Many thanks to those who continue to encourage me (us).
