Lambs!

Apparently, Rambouillet sheep go into heat in the summer (most sheep/goats don't go into heat until cooler weather arrives). Both sheep and goats have a gestation period of five months. About two weeks ago we had two Rambouillet ewes give birth to twin girls (both ewes - we have four female lambs now). I was so thankful we were having a week or two of temperatures mainly in the 40's. Here are a few pictures of the cute new lambs:

The one on the right is making a funny face right there.

We have three more brown Rambouillet ewes and one white one who haven't lambed. I'm hoping they will wait for a warm day.

Yesterday and Today

Yesterday, I spent a good portion of the day outside with my family. I had a good time getting to know one of our new brindle calves (still unnamed), helping with farm chores, and just being out in the sunshine. The calf I mentioned a moment ago is already doing great with the commands, "Giddup", "Whoa", and "Back". I had a good time walking him around our yard. He seemed to like me and I like just about anyone/anything that likes me, so we're good buds now. For some reason he was very curious about my jacket. He sniffed it thoroughly every time he got a chance. I kept wondering if maybe he smelled the bits of hay I was unable to clean out of my pockets or what! It was very cute, though.

My hubby is gone again on a business trip, but will be back in less than a week. I seem to miss him more each time he is gone. Still, I'm thankful he has work, especially in times like these when everyone knows multiple people who have or are about to lose their job. To avoid thinking about missing him I plan on taking this day and just having a good, relaxing, crafty day. I entered one of my cards in an online challenge the other day to see how many comments I get. Whoever get the most or the second most comments wins a prize (rubber stamps). I plan on entering something else in the challenge today (an Origami box I plan on making today). Here's the card already entered: Click Here. Most likely I won't even come close to winning, but it's fun trying anyway! :)

Well, I hope everyone is having a great week! I'm going to try to post a couple of more times this week. I have pictures I've wanted to share with all of you, but have to remember to bring my camera upstairs first.

Mistake

My update from yesterday, which I'm about to delete, was a mistake. The CPSC can't change the law, only Congress can, which they have not. Sorry about the misinformation! I still think folks should write to their congressmen and try to get this law changed. It's simply ridiculous for it to be illegal to sell used children's clothing. What the CPSC wrote would make more sense than the actual law that was passed. Since I'm deleting yesterday's post and not everyone may have read it, here's the mistake I'm talking about: http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml09/09086.html

The Newest Additions On Our Farm

This past Saturday the four Scottish Highland bull calves my hubby picked out were delivered to our little farm. These little guys will be trained to be a team of four oxen. The main difference between these guys and our 1 1/2-year-old bulls (Little Bill and Curly Sue) is that our first pair had been bottle babies - already used to humans. These new guys have been out in a field with their mamas for the first six months of their lives, which will make it slightly more challenging in the beginning. However, I have no doubt my husband will do a wonderful job and they'll be as tame as Little Bill and Curly Sue in no time at all. They've been here less than a week and they already seem to be getting used to me more (my hubby has been away on a business trip since the day after the calves got here). The calves acted like a bunch of rodeo bulls when being led out of the trailer they road here in. Here are a few pictures (we haven't named them yet):

The rancher we bought them from trying to lead one of the two brindle Scottish Highland calves we bought. That little guy gave a good fight. He was jumping and kicking up his heels for awhile! Part of the problem was the rancher giving the calf too much rope, so he couldn't keep the calf under control.

My husband working on leading the other brindle calf (brindle is the name of the color - a brown calf with blond highlights basically).

One of brindle calves getting to know Curly Sue.

Curly Sue (I'm still not into that poor ox's name, but I can't seem to get anyone to call him something more manly like Burly Boo) and Little Bill checking out the calves.

A brindle calf. He's a cutie.

One of the two black calves with a brindle going to check out the hay I gave them.

Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008

Have you heard about this? If you buy children's clothing, toys, or games at thrift stores, yard sales, or handmade ones from individuals on Etsy (or any other similar place) you'll want to be made aware of it. As of February 10, 2009 it will be illegal for thrift or resale shops to sell these items unless they test them for lead (something that would cost each business tens of thousands of dollars). It will also be illegal for you and me to sell our used children's clothing at yard sales or to sell handmade items for children under the age of 13. I'm not kidding. Here are some references: The Act Itself, A L.A. Times Article, and A MSN Article. Of course most used places won't be able to pay the tens of thousands of dollars it would take to test all of their children's clothing/toys/games, so legally they'll have to send all of those items to landfills. In these "live green" times you would think Congress wouldn't even consider passing a law like this and would come up with a more reasonable way to deal with the recalls and possible bits of lead in clothing or toys. This law will affect families all over our country. It will affect me! I wouldn't even consider buying snow pants for $20 and up for each child every winter when I could get them (like new) at a thrift store for $2-$4! I buy the majority of clothing for my children used. I buy underwear, socks, shoes/boots, and pajamas (due to I don't usually find used pajamas) new, but besides that I'm all for paying a whole lot less at a thrift store!

Living out in the country I don't go to many yard sales. They're so spread out it often doesn't make it worth driving the distance for the good deals. Still, I like the option of going to yard sales and getting a baby outfit, a child's shirt, or even a pair of pants for $0.25-$0.50! I have found all sorts of wonderful, stain-free clothing for all of my children with brand names like Gymboree, The Limited, The Gap, etc. for a quarter at a garage sale or $2 at a thrift store. These aren't junk clothes that should be taken to a landfill. I fully oppose this law and think we (all who care) should write our state congress and try to help them see how illogical this really is. What a waste. Even those without children should care about all that waste and all the businesses who will have to shut down due to this new law. It sounds like it will be difficult to enforce, but even so, a law like this should not be in place.