Creepy Crawlies

Wow! I can't believe it's time for school again! What a summer! The two pics above are the last swim & playday before school started. It's been awhile since I've blogged. Life seems like a roller coaster, ups, downs, and it never slows to let us off.

The creepy and crawlies are really on the move. Seems like everytime we go outside the boys catch something. Most of the pictures are self-explanatory. At least I don't have to worry about the kids keeping them. We have found horny toads, snakes, crickets, a baby MOLE, lizards, and of course there's Hammy. There's never a lack of creepies to be hunted around here. But I can sleep better knowing the boys can't keep them. Eventually they have to be released...unless they go AWOL and we never find them. We do have a couple of snakes that have gotten away. When the kids were smaller I picked up Noah's sleeping bag to roll it up after a sleepover. It seemed too heavy, and I figured out that was because there was a HUGE toad inside. Noah had slept with it in this sleeping bag. We're absolutely sure that we named that little man right.

You might be a redneck if the neighbor comes to get supper in a tractor. Well, at least we're in good company. Odd recognizes odd!

We do have a new resident. Rastus joined the funny farm last week. Pay close attention to his eyes. They remind us of a tired old man. His eyes seem hazel, and unlike the other pigs' eyes. He's only a couple of months older than the girls, but he weighs close to 100 lbs. He is ALOT of pig! He had had a long trip here , and was so tired when he got here, we had to literally dump him out of the kennel. The three little pigs are no longer the three musketeers. Now they remind me of the nursery rhyme of the pig that squealed "wee, wee, wee" all the way home. A friend gave us a bunch of apples, and they each make sure they get more than their fair share. One evening this week, we threw apples to them, and Rastus was after an apple that Porkchop wanted. She jumped him and and latched onto his ear. I believe we could have had a hippie hog with an earring if we wanted to. But we don't want him to get a complex, so we'll just stick with the traditional notches in their ears. Rastus sleeps across the dog house, and the girls sleep behind him. They don't seem to mind, unless we're yelling "Soo-wee." They're learning to come to call. Their ears flap when they're excited and running. Benny weighed the girls. Porkchop weighed 60 lbs, Sausage weighed 70 lbs, and Sowly weighed 80 lbs. I've truly never had animals who grew so fast. They're sure little porkers!!

Xavier started football this year. He's having a blast! His position is the strong-side guard and outside linebacker. I haven't seen Benny so excited about anything in the past. I'm glad he is. It gives him and Xavier something special in common. He looks just like a little man, and I can't stand it that he's growing up so fast! That little toot! Can't keep them young forever!

AWOL & Getting Even

This week has been like most of our other weeks. Some good...some bad...and some ugly.

We woke Monday morning to sobbing and frantic searching. Sierra's pet hampster "Hammy" had escaped. He had gone AWOL and was nowhere to be found! (Sisi is like the girl on the animaniacs who says, "I'll love you ad hug you and squeeze you and call you George..." Here's a picture of her with our poor five year old Poodle Champ who has been a good sport WAY too long!) We looked and looked, but to no avail. We put a little bowl of food and water out, and set Hammy's wheel on the floor by Sisi's bed. The rest of the day was tragic, and Sierra mourned her loss.

Last weekend brought more rain. We've been praying for rain for the crops at Circleback. God has opened the heavens, and Rusty and Billy can't remember a year their crops looked so good. On the flip side, though, our driveway is hard dirt. When it rains, it's soft dirt. When it floods, it's nothing short of mud pie. Monday afternoon, I got our van stuck in the driveway so deep, the mud came up to the bottom of the van doors. No one could visit, and no one could escape. Since Benny was at the fire station, we got to wait until he came in to pull me out. One word of advice...always follow the ruts...don't try to make new ones!

Things rocked along until this weekend. Enter the ugly part... Benny's dad ordered cattle to run out on the land he bought from Pop. Being a Baker, Deck is the culprit who passed the "Baker luck" to us. His cattle came 11 hours late. They had to unload in the dark. He didn't get as many cattle as he ordered, and 15 were bulls instead of steer. In order to sell them for beef, they needed to be castrated to fatten them up. Weekend before last, Benny and Deck tried to bulldog the cattle against the fence, but they were too wild. So last weekend, Deck and Dexter built a chute to pin them in. This weekend, the plans were to castrate the steers and tag all of their ears. Benny, Deck, Nancy, Xavier, Noah, and Bo (a cousin) took the challenge. A few hard knocks and a FULL day of work later, all the steers sang soprano. Noah got bucked off the four wheeler and shot a few FEET in the air. He also got a couple of cattle that backed against the closing gate he was holding that put goose eggs on his head. He's a tough one, and hung in there. Benny got kicked in the knee, and that sent him over the deep end. From what I can tell by the stoires, he picked a 300+ lb. bull up off the ground and threw him in the chute after it kicked Benny in the knee. Both are quarantined today with the mad cow disease, but expected to make a full recovery!

Church went well today. We had a good crowd. Everyone was feeling better, and it was a good worship service.

We all got naps and aren't as cranky now. After we had some wits about us, we noticed a piece under the edge of the couch chewed up. Because of the fibro, I have trouble getting in the floor. So Benny lifted the couch, and I held it there. Guess who we found?!?!?!? HAMMY!!! He was curled up under the couch in a pocket of lining. Needless to say, Hammy's in solitary confinement again, and Sierra's once again happy to have a pet to pamper.

So all's well at the Baker house once again. Hammy's safe and the kids are hornery as ever. We have 349 hours and 4 minutes until school starts, and counting down! Have a great rest of the summer!

THE PIG RODEO...

WHAT A CRAZY MONTH!!!

A tumor surgery (on my mom),

2 VBSes,

4 sleepovers,

a broken laptop,

a bad sunburn,

and ALMOST having two fewer children (due to fighting) later...

I blog again!

A week or so ago, Benny found a queen cell on the hive. He knocked it off. I have included a picture. It is truly cool! God is amazing! He created so much more than we can imagine!! His wonders never cease to amaze me! But I guess Benny missed another queen cell. George decided the hive was too small to accomodate all of the bees. Benny went to check them the other day, and they had swarmed...onto the peach tree. Ben got his bee vaccuum and sucked them up. He put them back in the hive, but they stayed on the entrance in a ball. Later, they were back at the peach tree. We won't know if our tenants checked out, or went back to the hive that time. Benny will check it next week, and we'll find out then.

I went out to the pigpen with the boys today, and the pigs are GINORMOUS!! The term "eating like a pig" must have been coined by a pig farmer. They lay in the trough to keep the other's from eating, and I guess that makes it "dine-in." We let the pigs out in the pasture today. The weeds are so tall, we can just see the weeds moving. Noah's pig is the most venturous. It's been shocked several times, and now I know where "squealing like a pig" came from! When she gets shocked, she just runs full speed ahead until she runs into something. Our little Pippin thinks she's a pig now. Poor Pippin! She'll never realize she's a barbado!

Xavier followed the pigs into the goat barn, and discovered our game rooster having trouble breathing. We don't know if he was choking on something, or if he'd been sick before. One thing I did know is that I refuse to try CPR on a bird!! Things turned bad for him in a hurry. After a minute or so, Xavier had to put him out of his misery. Xavier stepped on his head and pulled his body to break it's neck. Took three times. I don't know who I felt the most sorry for... Xave or the rooster.

In the meantime, Noah mounted the llama. Kusko was determined not to move. Noah was able to sit on him for about 10 minutes, and got a small ride. But nothing major.

Oh yeah...remember those pigs grazing? I didn't remember them. They ended up out in the pasture with the barbadoes, and we had to have a pig rodeo!! By the time we were through killing the rooster, riding the llama, and chasing the pigs all over, we were all tuckered out! What a day! And all after Benny went in to the station at 4:00! Things always happen when he's gone! Imagine that!

Benny said there are only 2 women in this world who will do some of the things we do, or did. One gave him life, and the other's his wife! The kids are fighting, and my bubble bath calls! Calgon take me away!!!

THE GIRLS HAVE ARRIVED!

MY! MY! What a week!! Our farm has been thrown into utter confusion! Last time I wrote, we were waiting on three sows to arrive. Benny and the boys left at 7:00 a.m. last Tuesday morning, and got home about midnight. They drove all day long, and were tuckered out when they got in. Let me give you an update for the last few days...

* Got the "Girls" adjusted to their new home

* Benny's worked 48 hours overtime

* I lost the diamond in my wedding ring (no clue when or where)

* Had sleepover at our house with 8 kiddos

* Came home and Henny Penny was on our sidewalk with a broken neck

* Had to give Bounce (our boxer) away; she was the reason for the broken neck above

* Popped firecrackers with Grandma & Papa

* Took Champ (poodle) to Chris (vet), and his kneecap pops in and out of place; common for small purebred dogs

* Benny refused to talk to George, and now they're giving him the silent treatment, go figure!

* Got eyeliner tatooed

* All three kids got their brown belts in karate

* AND GAVE THE GIRLS THEIR FIRST BATH!

The pigs we got are called "Red Waddles." There aren't many in the U.S., so they're somewhat rare. Benny's pig is named "Porkchop." She's the smallest of the three. Xavier's pig is named "Gabby." She's the talker of the bunch. She yells and squeals, but strangest of all, she squeaks. Sounds like a squeaky toy when she's happy. Last but not least, Noah's pig is "Sowly." (Pun intended!) All seem healthy and happy. Sowly is the fattest, Gabby is the loudest, and Porkchop seems like the leader. The others follow her.

I think Benny's in love. He called the other morning, and first thing asked how his pig did in the storm we had the night before. The kids and I were still in bed when he called, so I wasn't completely awake. I ask Benny each day what I can do to make his day better. He wanted me to wake one of the kids up to check on his pig. What's up with that?!?!?! He's found a new love, and truly, I'm not worried. She looks, smells, and screams like a pig. This crush better pass!!

We have a great pyranese named Milkshake. She is a wonderful dog (now), and is already taking care of them. Porkchop got out Saturday, and Milkshake was trying to herd her back into the pen. Between me and the 8 kiddos, we got the wire fixed, and we've had no more escapees. All are present and accounted for.

I've been in the field all day, and tonight I'm pretty tired. I have a rheumy appointment in the morning, gotta leave here at 6:30 a.m., so I'm going to sign off. Sweet dreams!!

P.S. Included a picture of a web. Everytime I see one out at the pen, I think of Charlotte's web! It's even got a picture of Wilbur in the background!!

LESSONS LEARNED FROM GEORGE'S TEMPER...

We are still learning about all of the little Georges and their hive. As we have new experiences and learn new things, we'll be glad to share.



LESSON #1: GEORGE DOES NOT LIKE DARK COLORS. -- When working around the bees, always try to wear a white shirt or light colors. Dark colors irritate bees, and they are more likely to sting dark clothing.


LESSON #2: TRY TO KEEP HANDS FROM GETTING STUNG AT ALL COSTS! -- Benny's right hand was injured back in the fall of 2010. He keeps aggrivating it, and it still hasn't healed. We decided to use two of his intentional stings last week to see if the bee venom would help in case he had developed arthritis. It swelled to almost twice the size of his other hand, and got so tight he couldn't bend his fingers. That's when he called calfrope and decided to get it elevated. It took a good three days for the swelling to go down, and his hand to look somewhat normal. The picture to the left was actually a different sting. He got stung on his middle finger and top of hand by thumb. This is the beginning of the swelling process. Notice how only 1/2 of his hand is swelling. Good thing he thought to take his ring off, we would have had to cut it off otherwise! Because the whole darn thing is swollen now.

LESSON #3: GEORGE DOES NOT LIKE FRAGRANCES, SCENTS, OR BRAGGERTS!! -- Benny was bragging to his parents how gentle our bees are. He mowed around the hive, and they continued with business as usual. They seemed pretty normal as they approached Sunday morning before church. But a whiff of deodorant or cologne blew through the hive, and a ball of bees came out the front swarming. Benny got stung on his leg, but no one else was hurt. Bees do not like to "smell good."

LESSON #4: GEORGE IS AN EXCELLENT WEATHERMAN...AND THEY HATE STORMS. -- In the books and internet articles Benny has read, bees are credited with good weather skills. Benny went out a few nights ago, and there wasn't a single bee outside of the hive . The hive guards had even gone into hiding. That night we had a terrible storm that layed our corn stalks flat. And I bet George just watched and laughed at our ignorance and we waited on a sprinkle.




LESSON #5: GEORGE HAS A TEMPER!! -- After giving the hive all day to calm down, Benny went out to check the new level for signs of adapting to the third story he added last week. The bees were not out and about. Against gut feelings, Benny decided to press on. As soon as he got the ceiling off the top and started smoking the bees, it started to sprinkle...then rain. And George went from allowing to agitated, and he was furious! Benny got stung twice on his left hand before he could get the frames back in and shut up the hive. Needless to say, Benny's got stung three times on Sunday. And his little hand looks like the hospital balloons we blow up to throw at each other. So this week, he's had to deal with both hands swelling to twice their size, and wondering if they might pop!

Here's a picture of Benny's hand after he had in his pocket for a little bit. The swelling all moved up, and it almost looks broken. He didn't appreciate me calling him "strange," though...Go figure!

Well, tomorrow we start our big adventure with Red Wattle hogs. Benny and the boys are going to East Texas to pick the gals up! Better get some rest before the next great adventure!

Honey bees...all named George

We had a hive of honey bees move into our barn this spring. Benny has wanted to keep bees for as long as we've had kiddos. His great-granddad was a beekeeper, and I guess it's in his blood. We bought a beehive kit and read everything he could get his hands on about beekeeping.

On the set morning, Benny, me, and our two boys went out to begin the adventure. Benny cut a huge square out of the wall inside the barn. The bees had no idea what they were in for, but neither did we. Below is a picture of the natural hive. The sounds of the saws all, and vaccuum and cutting the honey combs riled up the bees. Benny made a bee vaccuum from a five gallon bucket,plastic tubing, and a shop vac. It worked beautifully. He vaccuumed up alot of the bees, and left those who clung to the comb as he cut and rubberbanded them to the frames. To the left shows the vent in his bee vaccuum. It was completely covered! In all, it took a couple of hours to move the natural hive to the boxes. Our bees have a docile nature. Our boys watched from about 4 foot away. I had to step close to Benny and the hive to take pictures. Benny ended getting stung three times and I got stung twice. I was wearing a dark t-shirt, and didn't know that bees hate dark colors. We have to live to learn, right?

Benny was excited to get out of the coveralls. He was completely shut up, and almost passed out because of the heat. His boots were duct taped to his boots, and he had a bee mask and special bee gloves on. There wasn't any part of his body exposed, so you can imagine how hot he got!

Benny, Xavier, and Noah built a little corner wall to keep the bees from the wind. We live in West Texas and wind is more common than the air we breathe. The walls protect the hive from the north and west winds. We've had 70 mph hour winds, and the box is still intact. He also weighted it down with a cinder block, and tied it down with a rachet strap. All has seems to work well.

UPDATE: Since our hive was a rather large one to start with, two weeks later Benny had to add another box. He made it from scrap wood, and did a great job. The bees have now adapted and have started building in it, too. This year, we probably will not get honey for us, because the hive will need at least two boxes for the nursery and honey for them to eat throughout the winter. We have both started bee-sting-therapy...but more about that in another post.

Introducing the Funny Farm

Let me introduce ourselves. Our names are Benny and Chris Baker. Benny is a pastor of a small country church, and a Lieutenant on the fire department in Lubbock, TX. We have three healthy, beautiful, and energetic kiddos. Our family lives on ten acres. We have tried many new things, and usually have to learn from the school of hard knocks! Our little piece of heaven has chickens, barbadoes, a llama, a wild rabbit who wears a flea coller, three dogs, a cat, honey bee hive, and a barbado who thinks she's a chicken. We have had many different type of animals since we have been here.

We bought ten acres and an old farmhouse for $5,000. We lived in a trailer house beside the farmhouse until we finished rebuilding it from the inside out. It took us five years to complete the house. With Benny's schedule at the fire department and my being pregnant or nursing, we thought we would never finish! But God kept us going, and we finally finished.

The following blogs will be about day-to-day activities on our hobby farm. Our goal is for the land to be self-sufficient in a couple of years. Thanks for joining on our adventure. Hope you enjoy the ride!