Animals - The Ederington Family

Lambs are Everywhere!

January 10, 2013 By Ashley Ederington 1 Comment

I have been busy monitoring my ewes (girl sheep) for the last few days. Six of them have delivered nine sweet little lambs and we still have two more that are pregnant. One of the babies was born with a defect and died shortly after birth, but as of this morning I have eight healthy lambs.

I had a few first time mothers that I was concerned about, but none of my girls had any trouble delivering. I took a few pictures, but they are good mothers and won’t let me get very close. Sorry for the grainy-ness.

Speckles and her two babies. This is the second time she has had twins and that makes me super happy.

I like this lamb. It appears to be smiling for the camera.

Three of the babies enjoying the sunshine.

This is Makeup and these are her very first babies. These babies are only about 20 minutes old. The afterbirth is still hanging. It is a very good sign for them both to be up and walking around.

All eight of the babies and their mothers. The pale brown ewe in the middle, is the one who lost her baby. She is still trying to help with the others.

I love my sheep. They are so peaceful and easy going.

Filed Under: Our Ranch, Sheep

The Greatest Show on Earth

July 27, 2012 By Ashley Ederington Leave a Comment

Yeah right… This was the first time for the boys and me, and I am happy to know I haven’t been missing anything. Some parts were good, but overall it could have been an hour shorter. I was satisfied with the experience at intermission.

I thought there were going to be clowns? There was only one! I wanted a whole squad of the wild things running about with little cars and honking noses. I also wanted to see a midget. No midgets. Shame.

There were weird camels. I love camels by the way, but these were weird looking.

There were three elephants. They did not go crazy.

John David did not like the only clown. He is holding on for dear life.

John David didn’t want to sit on the motorcycle either.

Waiting on the show to start.

John David is being a cheese head.

The awesome $18 sword that lights up and vibrates. Yes, we had to get two. smh

The weird camel, horse, and mini horse show.

The boys are bored.

Elephants don’t really do all that much. Stand up, roll over, run in circles. Awesome.

If I would have been thinking ahead, I would have brought my driver’s license in with me. I think the show would have been a lot better after a few beers…

Filed Under: Animals, Evan, John David, My Life

Turtle Love

July 20, 2012 By Ashley Ederington Leave a Comment

I have a very weird love for turtles. I can’t explain the feeling, but I have always been drawn to them. When I was 16, I wanted a pet turtle. My parents agreed and Aaron took me to the local pet shop. At that time, there was a regulatory law against the sale of turtles for use as pets, because their shells carry Salmonella, and people were not smart enough to wash their hands. I was distraught, but being the youngest girl, I always got what I wanted. That afternoon, Aaron caught me one of the precious little red eared sliders with a dip net from his parents pond. I named him Philippe Raoul, for some reason I was feeling Frenchy.

The other day I googled turtle symbolism to see if other folks loved the boogers and wow.

In the Far East, the turtle shell is a symbol of heaven and their belly is a symbol of earth, so the turtle body basically unites heaven and earth. The Indians also love turtles. They have a legend that “the world is supported by four elephants standing on a giant turtle.”

As some of you may know, I have a nice American Indian heritage. And when I researched what turtles mean to the American Indians I was shocked and I realized why I loved them so much. To American Indians, the turtle is associated with the lunar cycle, menstruation, and the power of the female energies.

The little square-like things on some turtle shells equal thirteen. In the lunar calendar, there are either thirteen full moons or thirteen new moons. This is why so many American Indians associate the turtle with with the female energies. The turtle has come to symbolize the Primal Mother or Mother Earth. Well, that makes sense. I am a girl and I should love the animal that symbolizes the most powerful woman. Also explains my love for the number 13.

I don’t know about all the symbolism junk, but I love what turtles symbolize to me. They seem to be patient little suckers. You know: slow and steady wins the race. They tend to be docile. I know that snapping turtles aren’t friendly, but the random yard turtle isn’t going to mess with your life. And, the most awesome thing about turtles: they don’t get into a hurry or fuss about anything. They just chill along in life being little awesome reptiles.

That is my goal: just chill in life being an awesome human.

Filed Under: Turtles

Random Friday the 13th

July 13, 2012 By Ashley Ederington Leave a Comment

I have been a very bad blogger over the last week or two and I am sorry. I will do better.

Anyway, today is Friday the 13th (cue the Twilight Zone music). I have never had anything really bad happen on this particular day, so it doesn’t bother me. How about you?

We got up and traveled to my parent’s house today and the first thing Evan wanted to do is build his skeleton model. I had to dig deep in my brain to remember all the bones I learned in Anatomy class, but I taught him the real names. I was proud.

I finally went to the doctor so he could look at my moles. My doctor said he wasn’t going to touch them and referred me to a dermatologist for punch biopsies on August 9th. No bueno. Weird to think I might have skin cancer. Oh well, life goes on.

I had a grand idea while I was snacking on the devil’s food:

I am going to start collecting turtles again. Aaron bought me this for my 18th birthday:

and I have loved the little boogers ever since. I found these two jewels in my old closet:

and yes, that is a taxodermied turtle on the left. I am so weird!

I probably need to put the devil food down and pick up the book I bought yesterday:

I almost forgot! I am doing an experiment with my shellac fingernail polish, and if it works, I will post about it next week.

Filed Under: My Life, Nail Polish, Running, Turtles

Yippee for Chickens!

June 5, 2012 By Ashley Ederington Leave a Comment

I love me some chickens. I love to watch them peck around and just be awesome. Did you know they are one of the closest known descendants of dinosaurs? I like to set back and pretend I am running a mini Jurassic Park. It’s ok, I know I am weird.

Did you also know that when you let chickens free range, they are natural bug eaters. I haven’t had to spray for bugs in years. We have about 40 random chickens wandering around our ranch just taking it easy and eating spiders and ticks. When we move into our new house, across the road, I want to have a real chicken coup with rare breeds. By real chicken coup, I mean at least a half an acre that is fenced in to keep the hawks and coyotes out.

I am looking at a few breeds to raise and here are my top 5:

Barred Hollands