Lazy Doz Ranch

a monday on lazy doz ranch

i have not been on for a while since my computer only gets dial up internet service which is so slow i could scream.  I am at the library today.

i wanted to post a typical day because I have always found it helpful to see other's schedules and incorporate new ideas into mine.  I love the book Managers of the Home by Terry Maxwell..  My 6 kids know what they have to do and when they have to do it and it helps so much to keep the chaos in check....yes there is still chaos but not as bad as it could be.

7am  Hubbie & i get up.  I make his breakfast, coffee & lunch.  Throw in a load of laundry.

730  I check emails, balance my checkbook everyday...while i am waiting for the SLOW service, i clean the cat box, pick up the masterbath & bedroom, put clothes away.

820  i go out to feed all the animals and milk my goats.

840  Chore time for everyone:  17yo: sweeps kitchen, cleans microwave, refrige door & dishwasher; 13yo hangs laundry, checks all the bee hives to see if they need food, and gets the paper at the end of the driveway; 12yo washes all the window sills; 9yo picks up all the sleeping bags, pillows, toys left in our pop-up camper from the weekend; 7yo empties dishwasher; I iron my hubby's uniform.

900 i make breakfast for everyone : egg sandwiches and hot chocolate.  i eat standing up and clean the entire kitchen. 

930  I need to make more Bee Juice for my bees.  the have feeders on each hive of sugar water and my son says we are out.

1000  SCHOOL TIME;  all kids need to have their rooms picked up, their teeth brushed, dressed before 10.   I am behind schedule with each weekly syllabus ( each child gets a list of what to do for each day of the week)  which i usually create on Fridays.  Last friday my 17yo had a ROTC ball to attend at 5pm so we were busy with that.

1138 i get a phone call and sell my 2 bucks :)   i still am schooling the kids though.

1220 i make lunch which consists of left overs from the weekend.  clean out the refridge!

1245 i make a gocery list and feed store list

115 i am off with my 13yo to the bank, feed store and groceries.  all other kids are left at home to play.

310 i get home.   all the kids unpack the car and put the groceries away while i take down the laundry and answer another phone call.  I order some buffalo meat from a friend's o-op.

330 snack time - left over birthday cake & ice cream from last week.

345 kids all go to a nieghbor's pool for 1 hour.   AHHHH

400 treadmill and yoga

5pm start dinner:  homemade tortillas; rice & beans, a rice salad for tomorrow's lunch, a tomato & corn salad for dinner, sweet tea and celery sticks.  my 12yo loves to help.

620  out to feed & milk the goats.

700 dad is home and we all eat dinner together.

730 hubbie & i  go to our bed to discuss day ( alone time)

800 I get another break!!  I take a hot bath and get to read uninterrupted.

900 hubbie & i put kids to bed (older kids ay read until 1030)

920 I read and journal

1000 tv time - I love CSI & the 1st part of the news

1115 bed

i typed this very quickly since i have only 30 min online....hope the spelling is okay.

An introduction from Lazy Doz Ranch

Hello fellow homesteaders!  My name is Trish and I am living my life's dream in NE Florida.

After years of dreaming and planning, I finally convinced my hubbie to buy 10 acres so that I could produce our own food, let my 6 kids run wild and breath fresh air.  Within 2 months of the move, I had acquired two Nubian does, 20 Rhode Island Reds and a Yorkie Porkie. I was off.............

Today,  the farm is home to 5 does (1 had 2 female kids in December and 4 are due this coming March); 1 horse (a 3yr old paint mare- Beauty); 2 dogs (Willow-black Lab & Deisel-mini schnauzer); 5 cats (Mia, Prissy, Yoda, Princess Smug & Malachi), 25 chickens, 10 guinea pigs (ARG - multipying way to fast); 2 rabbits, a turtle (Ted) , a corn snake (Sniper).  We have raised broiler chickens, slaughtered and ate them and 3 pigs who met the same fate.

I homeschool my 6 children:  Ashley-17 yrs; Matthew-13yrs; Lauren-12yrs; Braydon-9yrs; Zachary-6yrs; Nathan- 4yrs.  Phew....I have been doing this for 8 yrs and it is a daily challenge to keep sane but all of the kids help tremendously around the house and barn which is the ONLY way I could possibly survive. .  My husband Allen works long hours which leaves 95% of the house/farm chores for us - my oldest son has proven to be quite handy and is learning very useful skills outside while my oldest daughter is the kitchen goddess who cleans up after every meal. 

I teach natural childbirth,  I am a doula and I have had my last 2 children at home.   I have been to several herbal classes and conferences and I make my own medicines.  I do not like to use doctors unless there is a medical emergency.  My kids eat well, exercise, play outdoors and stay healthy!  "Prevention is the best medicine" - who said that?   I love to run and do yoga too.

I make most of our meals from scratch, including bread.  I am a nutrition freak and strive to provide the healthiest diet possible.   I buy from organic food co-ops.  My biggest disappointment so far is my poor gardening skills.  I thought I would be able to grow tons of veggies but  I barely get a few meals from my meager garden.  I have made that top priority for this year. 

I milk my goats and sell milk & eggs to my co-op.   I started 3 bee hives last year but only 1 made it through the summer,  however, I have ordered 4 more swarms to be delivered this April.  I will not quit.  I have been selling my goats too.  I do not want a huge herd.  5 milking does is my current maximum for my family's needs. 

I hope to get inspiration and information from this site.  I have definately had many problems come up and I am blessed to have mentors in my life that put up with my questions.  I am interested now in other people's points of view.  I feel that is the only way to grow.  I hope to contribute this group too.  I have had done many things is life and maybe I can inspire somebody else too.