Monday, December 09, 2013

So... Didja miss me?

I haven't blogged since last month.  I haven't even been on the computer all that much.  I have been helping with the Sheriff's Office stuff, and Neighborhood Watch stuff, and a little family stuff, and this means a bit of driving, and going to meetings, some urgent, some... uh... Less so?  But I still try to go to them, to glean any bits of info and usefulness I can.

I finally gave the one charity group the 50 hats they asked for.  I knit several, but thanks to a few elves this year, I had some others knit, some bought, and so I didn't have rabid knitting occur a week before they were due.  And the group said there is a lady or two interested in knitting hats as well, so I will have hopefully even MORE help with that.  Yay!  While I don't mind being a part, hats aren't my "thing" to knit.

It's snowed about 3+ inches here, and has been around the 20's.  (Unless you look at our broken thermometer, which presently says it's 42.  Um. No.)  So, the meetings of late have been cancelled, I will probably still go in for my receptionist thing tomorrow. (Husband is a bit worried, and told me he would drive.  He didn't say this, he said, oh, I have some things to pick up in town, and have to do x, so why don't we go together?  Nice try, bub, but any other time, you'd ask me to do it while I'm in town!  Oh, well, I know he loves me and is concerned...)  But my big thing is keeping the animals okay in this weather.  12 degrees is NOT normal for this area, (Thank all that is holy for wool socks!!!), so I am trotting out with water regularly, and putting fresh dry cedar out, so the floor isn't totally frozen.

Our decorative bamboo by the door has become a snow 'dump' hazard...
Husband nearly got a neck full.  I wear a wide brimmed hat, 
so haven't had quite so much problem with it.

This was once our Christmas tree.  It's about 30 or so feet tall now, so putting ornaments on would take a ladder or a lift truck.  Husband doesn't want me on first, I don't have the second... I have thought of decorating the fence behind it, but you see how far I have gone with that, thus far.


The chickens do NOT like the snow.  This group has never seen snow before, and with the exception of Chattanooga, my orange rooster (who, thankfully, seems to get along great with Mon Ami), no one is venturing out into the white stuff.  Even Chattanooga steps out, pecks around a bit, then walks back in.  Much more shavings in the house, so they have something to stand on. 

I keep reminding myself that this picture shows that the llamas are well protected.  They don't seem to even notice the snow, unless it gets into an ear or nose.  Much shaking and snorting ensues at that point.
They do, however, like the extra rations.  Even if they are using the hay more as bedding than chow...

Are you SURE the bucket is empty?  
I could really have another scoop of feed.
Come on, I won't tell...

The Buzz nest.  She is so blaze' about me getting hay out of there, 
I nearly scooped her up when I was taking some out to feed. 
She isn't big on llama noses, so I do not think it would have went well.
I re-fluffed a spot for her, and she is to be found there rather regularly.

I have 2 or three things happening this week, so we shall see how the stamina, nerves, and general stubbornness hold out.  I hope to catch up on reading blogs some today and tomorrow, if the power holds... Yeah, that's been a little iffy, too.  

Let's just say I am quite thankful for our wood stove.  
 

16 comments:

MunirGhiasuddin said...

Wow, fifty hats. That is amazing. We all need to do something nice like that.
I hope that you wood stove keeps you warm.

stephen Hayes said...

I was wondering what had happened to you, but it sounds like you've been busy. Take care.

Mary said...

Yes! Yes i definitely missed you! Glad you're back on. Llama looks super warm, but kitty looks a little confused. It shouldn't be this cold in Oregon this time of year! Who took our 45 degrees and rain?? I want to know! Lol.

Willow said...

Nice to see you, and the critters, holding up well.
Keep your woolies on, warm feet matter when the digits are down !

Cathy Olliffe-Webster said...

Keep warm, Cat! It's darned cold out here in Alberta (it was -46C the other night), with a foot and a half snow already. I feel your pain!

Cathy Olliffe-Webster said...

And your llamas look absolutely adorable!

messymimi said...

It's good to hear from you, and i hope you and the critters can all stay warm until spring. It really does sound awful to have that much cold.

Dreaming said...

Oh course I missed you.... but not your snow. You can keep that! And... I don't blame the fowl, who are probably calling "Foul"!

Cat said...

Well, I think this time I only put in about 22, but thanks. And yes, the wood stove is wonderful, except when I stand close by too long. Gives a whole new meaning to toasted buns! Eeeek!

Cat said...

Yes, I just haven't been with the computer enough to read/write what I want... Hopefully I will 'get back in the swing' soon...

Cat

Cat said...

Thank you! The llamas haven't seemed to care if it's wet, cold, sunny, or rainy, the only thing they don't seem to like is wind. ? Buzz probably is confused more because I think I woke her when I took that picture. But she isn't fond of the snow at all. And yes, I think that Mom Nature seems to think we are Alaskans for some strange reason...

Cat

Cat said...

Yes, I have an ample supply of wool socks. Some wool gloves, and a wool scarf! Baaaaa, even!

Cat

Cat said...

How do you keep every portion of your person from freezing solid? I think 9 degrees is cold (that's the lowest it's gone), but yeesh, that's unbelievable! We ended up with about 4 inches of snow, so that is close... ish, but man, cold doesn't even BEGIN to compare!

Cat

Cat said...

(9 degrees F...)

Cat said...

I had to laugh, a reporter was talking that we were in winter, Louisiana was in early spring, and Florida was in early summer, weather wise. So, I just hope it doesn't end up moving over to you and on...

Cat

Cat said...

I think they are more just saying "what IS this?" Have to laugh, Chattanooga keeps pecking the snow off my shoes when I am in the hen house, I don't know what he thinks he's getting, but I guess he's happy!

Cat