Margali's Griffin Wood Ranch

[murphysranch]

Deep sad sigh...

 

[SageHill]

So sorry.

 

[Ridgetop]

Hmm, how many acres to I really need to keep my sheep? Land near Houston is more expensive of course. I'm finding properties in the 6 - 8 acre range in our tentative budget.

You need to check with the county as to how much acreage you need for the Ag tax break. Wood County only requires 5 acre devoted to Ag (livestock or hay) while some counties require 50 acres for the Ag designation for property taxes. You also need to make sure that livestock is legal on those smaller parcels particularly if they are within the city limits. Don't trust the real estate agents since most of them have no clue what is required or legal.

We kept our entire flock of 45 ewes and 4 rams on 6 acres in southern California feeding alfalfa. You can dry lot your sheep, i.e. carry hay and feed to them without grazing. The cost of feed vs number of sheep will be the determining factor in how manay you can support on a small ara. Don't forget that the smaller the area the more work you will have to do in pen cleanup, and manure disposal. Depending on the type of land you are on, and your feeders, this can be beneficial since the sheep are not grazing on pasture. Pasture is how they get infected with barber pole worms and other types of parasites. On the other hand, bare muddy ground can become with coccidiosis.

 

[Margali]

Athena's been with us for a month. So time for shots and microchip!

Dominic is super excited about his day camp next week. It is run by Cook's Children for kids with diabetes. Hopefully he will make friends and have a lot of fun.

 

[Margali]

I finally found time to look at the e-birthday card I was sent for my birthday. I love passive-aggressive guilt trips, NOT!

Happy Birthday Jen! How are the interviews going?
You DO realize that parents and sisters have birthdays too? They appreciate being remembered too!

No I didn't remember to call on your birthdays. Let's see January was spent dealing with Dominic's and my medical issues, February I was let go from US Polyco, May I sold sheep to cover cost of Dominic's birthday train trip and prep for others. My birthday? I bought myself an ice-cream sunday from Braums then continued packing for my interview trips. Apparently calling to see if they were okay when new says St. Louis took direct tornado hits doesn't count as "remembering".

Anyway, lets see how many more jobs I can apply for over the weekend. It's not like I'm doing anything fun right now. Tomorrow we are driving down to see Andy.

 

[Margali]

So MANY thank you emails. I just finished writing 5 for the interviews I did Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday. And I didn't even write ones for the several 20min HR screen / live body checks...

Hopefully, one of these will positions will come thru. All are south side of Houston to Freeport area so still within driving distance of Andy's house and the cousins. The farthest location does 4/10s or 9/80s which would help with visiting.

 

[farmerjan]

I finally found time to look at the e-birthday card I was sent for my birthday. I love passive-aggressive guilt trips, NOT!

No I didn't remember to call on your birthdays. Let's see January was spent dealing with Dominic's and my medical issue, February I was let go from US Polyco, May I sold sheep to cover cost of Dominic's birthday train trip and prep for others. My birthday? I bought myself an ice-cream sunday from Braums then continued packing for my interview trips. Apparently calling to see if they were okay when new says St. Louis took direct tornado hits doesn't count as "remembering".

Anyway, lets see how many more jobs I can apply for over the weekend. It's not like I'm doing anything fun right now. Tomorrow we are driving down to see Andy.

 

[Baymule]

My Mother and her Mother both used guilt trips. It go so bad from my grandmother that I refused to talk to her on the phone, but my Mother made me. Once I got old enough, I rebelled against all the guilt for breathing and did what the heck I wanted. Not a good way to raise a child. I sure made a point to never treat my kids like that.

So don't feel bad by the guilt trips. That's just CONTROL reaching out for you from your childhood. You are a grown woman and you don't have to play that game anymore.