A Farm Funny

Since some of us folks around here are products of divorce, our Christmas can go on for quite a few days.  Which is a good thing.  Thankfully, our families understand that our work has to come first and we try to get together as soon as we can, but it won't always be on Christmas Day.  Thankfully, our families aren't the kind that say "We HAVE to see the glorious faces of our grandchildren, bright and early on Christmas Morn as they open each and every one of their presents."  They don't say that.....and we are grateful......and by the way....that's what SKYPE is for. 

So, some of our extended family was visiting on Monday and we had talked about having them come out to the farm.  We talked about this a few weeks ago, probably around Thanksgiving.  Probably around the time it was fairly nice out.  Before the temperatures dropped and the wind began to blow.  Needless to say, the temperatures did drop and the wind did blow and on Monday, it was a pretty craptastic day.  But, they wanted to come see what all the glory of dairy farming is all about.   And, I'll tell you what it's about.....it's about doing your work come hell or high water, come rain or come shine, come holiday or no holiday.  I'm not trying to get you to feel sorry for me.  Well, yeah, I kinda am <cue the violin music>.

They bundled up as best they could.....for they are from the city.  My kids laugh when people don't have "turtles" or "carhartts" or "mucks."   Seriously, when it's blowing around here....you want to have at least 3-4 layers on.  You wanna look like Ralphie's little brother in A Christmas Story.   Because, it's cold, man....and we still have work that needs to be done, whether you're frozen or not. 

Here's the chuckle:   one of our employees was helping me get the milk/bottles ready for calf feeding when he saw the caravan pull into the driveway.  He said, "looks like you have visitors."   I said yeah....we have family in and they want to see what farming is all about.  He said, " ah, it's always fun..... on the first day." 

And, he's right.  Anything is fun........once.  

 You, know....they stuck it out, they weathered the storm and followed us on our "rounds"....milking, feeding and cleaning.  What troopers!    I do think I heard someone say their face was frozen off, but...just  like shit......it happens
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The Circle of Life

Christmas came and went here at Brechland Farms (well....we are still "Christmas-ing" with the family- number 4 today with my mom, sister, bro-in-law and the cutest daggum toddler in the whole universe). 

But, on a farm.....the world keeps on  spinning.   Thank you to all who offered up a Peace Prayer for things to go well on Christmas day.  It did...and we were thankful.   We did have a first calf heifer who had some trouble delivering and The Dairy Farmer had to step in.  Sadly, we lost the calf......but that happens and the world keeps on spinning.  I knew not to take any pics or vids, we knew the calf was gone and that is just no fun for anyone to see, but.....look at her support group.  All the girls line the fence and talk in this real low hushed, sort of, rumble.  They knew what was happening and they came to tell her, it's all gonna be ok.  You're in good hands.....or good hands are in you......BA DUM CHA......sorry, had to be done. 


We have a pile of lovely ladies just hanging out ready to drop a calf any minute.  We're expecting about 1-2 a day around here and we are all keeping busy.  Because the world keeps on spinning. 





Hey you dang woodchucks......quit chucking my wood! 



Do you remember this little punkin head?  One of my first posts on Facebook.  Little 2829, the first calf I ever fed.   This was taken February 2009 on my first day of "work" as a Brechland Farms employee.  She was a preemie....couple days early and so stinkin cute. 




And here she is today.  Getting ready to have her very first calf.  Because the world, well, it just keeps spinning. 
 It's the Circle of Life...........oh dear, I feel a song coming on......

It's the Circle of Life
And it moves us all
Through despair and hope
Through faith and love
Till we find our place
On the path unwinding
In the Circle
The Circle of Life.......sing it Elton
!
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Happy Birthday, Jesus!

"I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all the people. The Savior- yes, the Messiah, the Lord-has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David! And you will recognize him by this sign. You will find a baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth, lying in a manger." Luke 2: 10-12.

Merry CHRISTmas to all our family, friends and  blogging  fans.  Enjoy your holidays, be safe and love the one you're with.  As you enjoy your morning yogurt, cereal or my favorite, milk and cookies for breakfast today, remember The Dairy Farmer who works 365 and say a little prayer for Peace on the farm today.  He works every holiday to allow his employees to celebrate at home with their families...and on days when we are short handed and hurrying to finish our chores so we can celebrate with our own family...well, it just seems these are days when all "you know what" breaks loose. 

And while you're offering up a prayer for the DF, say one for Mrs. The Farmer as well.   While the DF is busy doing his work, she is in the house dealing with 2 young punks who are looking at a Christmas Tree full of presents and telling said punks, "please wait for your daddy."  I am pretty sure she says it 150 times a minute.   She tries to occupy them with the traditional gift of the christmas poptart.   These poor kids have been getting poptarts for Christmas every year since they were able to eat solid foods.  Poptarts, in her opinion, are NOT a breakfast item.  We don't often have them in the house, they really are a delicacy around here.   But, her sanity can only hold out for so long.  Dealing with punks all jacked up on Christmas AND poptarts isn't as easy as it sounds.
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SANTA! OH MY GOSH! SANTA'S COMING!

I am not sure if you are aware of this little fact, but in two days, SANTA IS COMING!!!!  I KNOW HIM!  I KNOW HIM!   






This is the real deal, people.  Dress rehearsal is over, you better make sure you're ready!  I certainly hope at this point your stockings are hung by the chimney with care and you've been watching out and not crying and not pouting, cuz the ball is rolling, the clock is ticking, the die has been cast!   The big guy is coming!    This is the real deal, no fake.  This dude does not smell like beef and cheese and certainly doesn't sit on a throne of lies.




Here at Brechland Farms, we do consider it our duty to remind you that our favorite jolly old elf does like to get his drink on.  And his drink of choice is MILK.  That's right.  The white stuff.  Moo Juice.  





All I'm sayin' is:





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THAT'S IT!

I do believe The Dairy Farmer has had it with PA weather.  It is too cold, too quick.  He pulled his boat out of the garage and I do believe he is Florida bound.  Hello, Intercoastal Waterway! 






If you see him heading south, can you tell him we miss him and to please come back...and quick....like a bunny.  He is the meat that holds this sandwich together. 

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39 years ago today....

My best friend was born.   We went to the same elementary school, we lived 1/2 a mile apart growing up, my best friends were his cousins and we tried for years to figure out how I could become a "Brechbill."  He remembers the first day he met me and in jr high, I had a vision that I would marry him.  He was a pain in my ass and made me crazy growing up and I'm sure he would say the exact same about me.  He taught me to tighten up a bit and I taught him to loosen up a bit.   Happy Birthday Christopher, aka Big Daddy, aka The Dairy Farmer and if you look on my cell phone aka My Lovah.   I love you more n Minnie loves Mickey!   
And ps- your levis, work boots and hard workin' hands still make my heart flip flop.   The end.
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Love Languages

A few years back, The Dairy Farmer and I and our besties decided to do a small groupish thing and read the 5 Love Languages by Gary Chapman.   If you haven't read this book, I do recommend it, even if you're experiencing calm waters and peaceful seas in your marriage.   Sometimes a little storm does come along and rock your boat, and it's always good to have some Love Language in your back pocket. 

If you aren't familiar with the 5 love languages, here they are, in no particular order:
Words of Affirmation
Quality Time
Receiving Gifts
Acts of Service
Physical Touch

So, basically, you read the book, take a little quiz (which is just as easy as the fun little quizzes we used to take in our Seventeen Magazines when we were, like, seventeen or when we were, like 39 and tried to take the Cosmo quiz, like, last weekend with your BBF and for the love of Pete, could not get through it because you have no idea what the words even mean anymore!)  Seriously, "what celebs moves are you most likely to crib?"  WTH?   I thought "crib" meant your house, your dwelling, your pad?  Whatev......

Anyway- take the little quiz and it will tell you what your love language is, what gets your motor running, what floats your boat, what toasts your bagel.    Now, when your sig other knows what your language is, he/she/it can kinda make deposits in the love bank by doing things that work for you.   Gentlemen, if your lady's language is acts of service.....unload the dishwasher, do a load of laundry, make the bed WITHOUT being asked.......and trust......it will be worth your while. 

What I'm getting at with this post is that when we did it, no big surprise, I am Acts of Service (kinda think most women are) and the DF...well, he through me for a loop.  I was sure he'd be Physical Touch, I mean, he is a dude.  But, he really is Words of Affirmation.  Which is kinda sad for him....cuz I'm his wife and really, I'm a bit snarky.   Needless to say,  this blog and my facebook are all shout outs to my big daddy, because he is most awesome....and he never reads them because he doesn't "blog" or "facebook."    How's that working out for him....well, yeah, not so much.    Chalk that up to a New Years Resolution for 2011.

Now, here is the meat of my post:   The Dairy Farmer knows I am acts of service and he is very good with that (grocery shopping, dishes, cooking) but, the thing that he does that really flips my lid, schnizzles my nizzle, rocks my world......is when he puts my barn boots by the radiator so they are nice and warm when I get dressed to go outside.
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