Tonight I was watching Grey's Anatomy with my kids. We don't get regular/cable/dish television, but we do stream from Netflix, so it wasn't the most current episode. That doesn't matter though. The story included one of the cast being pregnant and being freaked out that she was going to lose the pregnancy. So, the 'doctor' on the case rolls in this 'special' ultrasound unit to find the heartbeat of the baby/fetus/whatever you want to call it at 8 weeks. They hear the heartbeat and everyone is teary eyed. When I say everyone, I mean me too. Yeah, sappy, I know. But it wasn't that the characters on the show had brought this on. No, it became a wonderful memory awakener for me. When I was pregnant with Eldest, we were getting ready to move and I was all nervous - typical first time mommy jitters. I went in for my first ob/gyn visit, and just for fun they put on an ultrasound. I was 10-weeks. At this point in the pregnancy, the baby-to-be looks similar to a kidney bean, but Eldest was a kidney bean with a heartbeat. It was a little thing and barely visible, but it was a heartbeat that fluttered very quickly compared to the heart of an adult. At that point, if it hadn't been real to me yet, it became very real right then. It is an amazing feeling that I think only a first time parent can really understand - that first moment when the realization of a little baby inside of you becomes very, very real.
Now, 16 years later, I think back to that day, that moment like it was just last week. So much has happened since then. He has grown into a young man, not quite an adult, but right on the edge of being one. He is a royal pain in the rear sometimes, but overall, I couldn't be more proud of the young man I have raised with my husband. A friend told me today that her son who has Downs' Syndrome comes home from school every day and talks about my son and just thinks the world of him. They have choir together every day, so there is daily contact. It made me feel very good to hear her say that. He is an Honors student and in the top 10 in his class. He has had a job since he turned 14, starting as a volunteer and working into a paid position. He is well-liked by most every teacher/staff person in the school, adults in our County 4-H too. What is there to not be proud of? And to think, it all started as a little fluttering heartbeat. I look forward to watching him grow more and become a wonderful man, because that is what I know he will be. Just don't tell him I told all of you so ; )
CC
Friday, November 4, 2011
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
The Quiet
I love nighttime the best. I always have for various reasons in my life. When I was a kid, it was the time the house was quiet and everyone in their bedrooms. In a family with 11 kids, that is saying something. Then again, I never had my own room until I was about 12 or 13. I do remember the only sounds after about 9:00 were the creaking of the boards in the hall when someone was going to the bathroom. You would have thought there would have been a line, like they used to show on TV shows like the Brady Bunch, but no, it was more like someone in need of using the bathroom would bang on the door and yell, "Hurry up!" That was about the extent of that.
Then when I was a teenager, I like the night when I could be in my room, listen to my own brand of music and read or do homework. It was MY place.
When I became a young adult, it was about going out and having fun, followed by going to bed late with ringing in my ears from the night of loud musice, then by getting up much too early and wishing I hadn't stayed out so late the night before.
When we were newlyweds, it was our time (if we were both off work) to watch a movie or television and eat popcorn and split a Coke while lounging on the sofa.
When the kids were little and went to bed all at the same time (8:00), I would pay bills and balance the checkbook, clean up from the day, run the vacuum (since children sleep through white noise once they are asleep, or at least mine did), fold the day's laundry, then read a bit before going to bed. Occasionally, I would do a project then, like lay new tile or the like, but it was a nice quiet when I knew they were in bed and asleep after mommy sang a little and gave everyone their smooch for the night.
Now, it seems they never go to bed. Each has a separate bed time, so that is a little crazy, but you can't expect a 15 year old to have to go to bed at the same time as his 9-year old sister. The ME time has been shortened significantly, and by the time all is quiet, I don't feel much like doing laundry and dishes and vacuuming (which now wakes the beasts rather than soothing them to sleep). So, it is time when I check out what my friends are doing, via Facebook. I look at what is new on Craigslist. I check out what is on BYC, if there are any good auctions ( not that I am hatching at this time) and to see if there is something new I can learn and apply to my flock. Sometimes it is just fun to see what people need and if I can lend any helpful tidbits. There is always the game of "What breed am I" or "Am I a boy or a girl" that people are stumped by, but that is a game that is getting old.
Nighttime is when my brain gets creative and I draw/design new chicken coops or gardens or what I want my new house to look like. I come up with 101 ideas for our 4-H club to try. I practice piano a little too, even though I stopped lessons 6-months ago. I do enjoy actually making music and seeing how much more used to the keys my hands have gotten. I will never even dream that I could be a concert pianist, it just isn't in the cards, but I like the music I am able to play.
My husband has never bought into the thought that people are morning people or night owls. Can you guess? He, of course, is a morning person. He wakes up on the weekends a picks up a book and reads for an hour. If I even thought about reading when I woke up, I would just fall right back to sleep. Then again, I don't have to think about reading to fall back asleep, I just close my eyes and viola! I'm asleep. He doesn't get it. If he is woken up after having fallen asleep, he lays awake for hours. Me, I crash again, real quick. It makes him mad too that I can do that. However, last night Daughter came in at 1:00am. She could not sleep. Some kids at school were telling her some stupid story about "Bloody Mary" and if you look in the mirror at night when all is dark and the doors and windows are locked, she will come to get you through your mirror. Gee, let's see, Halloween is next week. I asked her if she didn't think it a little coincidental that she is hearing stories like this at this time of year? Mind you, she is a pretty smart cookie, top of her class, but this thing has got her in a mess. She woke me up to tell me she can't sleep and she is scared and so on and so forth. I, of course, being the sweet mommy I am, told her she could sleep with me since daddy was gone overnight for work. Well, 30 minutes after coming in, she is over there sawing logs and I am wide awake and cannot sleep. What the heck??? I can almost always sleep anytime, anywhere. Nope, I was up for 4 hours!!! Yeah, nighttime is usually a great time for me, but there are exceptions.
CC
Then when I was a teenager, I like the night when I could be in my room, listen to my own brand of music and read or do homework. It was MY place.
When I became a young adult, it was about going out and having fun, followed by going to bed late with ringing in my ears from the night of loud musice, then by getting up much too early and wishing I hadn't stayed out so late the night before.
When we were newlyweds, it was our time (if we were both off work) to watch a movie or television and eat popcorn and split a Coke while lounging on the sofa.
When the kids were little and went to bed all at the same time (8:00), I would pay bills and balance the checkbook, clean up from the day, run the vacuum (since children sleep through white noise once they are asleep, or at least mine did), fold the day's laundry, then read a bit before going to bed. Occasionally, I would do a project then, like lay new tile or the like, but it was a nice quiet when I knew they were in bed and asleep after mommy sang a little and gave everyone their smooch for the night.
Now, it seems they never go to bed. Each has a separate bed time, so that is a little crazy, but you can't expect a 15 year old to have to go to bed at the same time as his 9-year old sister. The ME time has been shortened significantly, and by the time all is quiet, I don't feel much like doing laundry and dishes and vacuuming (which now wakes the beasts rather than soothing them to sleep). So, it is time when I check out what my friends are doing, via Facebook. I look at what is new on Craigslist. I check out what is on BYC, if there are any good auctions ( not that I am hatching at this time) and to see if there is something new I can learn and apply to my flock. Sometimes it is just fun to see what people need and if I can lend any helpful tidbits. There is always the game of "What breed am I" or "Am I a boy or a girl" that people are stumped by, but that is a game that is getting old.
Nighttime is when my brain gets creative and I draw/design new chicken coops or gardens or what I want my new house to look like. I come up with 101 ideas for our 4-H club to try. I practice piano a little too, even though I stopped lessons 6-months ago. I do enjoy actually making music and seeing how much more used to the keys my hands have gotten. I will never even dream that I could be a concert pianist, it just isn't in the cards, but I like the music I am able to play.
My husband has never bought into the thought that people are morning people or night owls. Can you guess? He, of course, is a morning person. He wakes up on the weekends a picks up a book and reads for an hour. If I even thought about reading when I woke up, I would just fall right back to sleep. Then again, I don't have to think about reading to fall back asleep, I just close my eyes and viola! I'm asleep. He doesn't get it. If he is woken up after having fallen asleep, he lays awake for hours. Me, I crash again, real quick. It makes him mad too that I can do that. However, last night Daughter came in at 1:00am. She could not sleep. Some kids at school were telling her some stupid story about "Bloody Mary" and if you look in the mirror at night when all is dark and the doors and windows are locked, she will come to get you through your mirror. Gee, let's see, Halloween is next week. I asked her if she didn't think it a little coincidental that she is hearing stories like this at this time of year? Mind you, she is a pretty smart cookie, top of her class, but this thing has got her in a mess. She woke me up to tell me she can't sleep and she is scared and so on and so forth. I, of course, being the sweet mommy I am, told her she could sleep with me since daddy was gone overnight for work. Well, 30 minutes after coming in, she is over there sawing logs and I am wide awake and cannot sleep. What the heck??? I can almost always sleep anytime, anywhere. Nope, I was up for 4 hours!!! Yeah, nighttime is usually a great time for me, but there are exceptions.
CC
Thursday, October 20, 2011
Running Short
Short of...
Daylight. There is no longer long, leisurely days of enjoying the sun and green of summer. The days are getting short, the nights are cold and the leaves are nearly all on the ground. That doesn't change anything about the amount of work that still needs to get done. It actually increases it. Now, on top of all the regular chores, there is the fall clean-up and preparing for winter to do.
Two days ago Husband started the annual "Planting of the Garlic". Actually, last year the "annual" part was interrupted and we had to buy new seed stock this year. My father-in-law had cancer and passed away at the time we should have been planting. It was more sad to lose him, of course, but not having our 8-years' work of seed stock gone was very sad too. Life is unpredictable that way though. But the garlic is nearly done, and then he can get back out to help me finish my chicken house and get the birds in so they can be warm and cozy again. Okay, so maybe they won't be that cozy since it has 4 big windows that will remain open all winter. They will be healthier for it though, I am certain.
The garden did not get the attention needed to produce a harvest. In other words, I grew a great weed patch this summer. My chickens and ducks are really enjoying the 5-foot tall grass that has grown up all over in there. I sent Middle in today to collect all the supports and cages I put in when I planted last spring. I sure hope next year is better. It couldn't get any worse. I will say though, Sunflowers did wonderfully this year. That is probably because they grew anywhere from 7 to 12-feet tall and were way above the weeds.
Daughter is pressing us to have our traditional leaf ride for her. Every year except last year since we have lived here, we have collect leaves on a huge tarp and pulled the kids around on it with the lawn tractor. The boys have outgrown it, but Daughter is still trying to hold onto those things we have done with them as little kids. The tough things about doing this leaf ride is that 1.) they are Silver Maples, so the leaves, if we use the mower, just disintegrate; and 2.) the wind has already blown most of the leaves away. Let's not forget to mention the 70 asparagus plants and the 2 huge raised beds of garlic that now take up half the front lawn that used to be where we pulled the leaf tarp. Just one more thing for her to be disappointed about. It makes me feel bad, but at the same time. there has been a lot going on in the way of work and projects this year.
As much as I want to keep rambling, I will have to pick up with a second part next time. The day has ended for me, and still I could fill the night with work as well, but that just wouldn't be a good thing.
CC
Daylight. There is no longer long, leisurely days of enjoying the sun and green of summer. The days are getting short, the nights are cold and the leaves are nearly all on the ground. That doesn't change anything about the amount of work that still needs to get done. It actually increases it. Now, on top of all the regular chores, there is the fall clean-up and preparing for winter to do.
Two days ago Husband started the annual "Planting of the Garlic". Actually, last year the "annual" part was interrupted and we had to buy new seed stock this year. My father-in-law had cancer and passed away at the time we should have been planting. It was more sad to lose him, of course, but not having our 8-years' work of seed stock gone was very sad too. Life is unpredictable that way though. But the garlic is nearly done, and then he can get back out to help me finish my chicken house and get the birds in so they can be warm and cozy again. Okay, so maybe they won't be that cozy since it has 4 big windows that will remain open all winter. They will be healthier for it though, I am certain.
The garden did not get the attention needed to produce a harvest. In other words, I grew a great weed patch this summer. My chickens and ducks are really enjoying the 5-foot tall grass that has grown up all over in there. I sent Middle in today to collect all the supports and cages I put in when I planted last spring. I sure hope next year is better. It couldn't get any worse. I will say though, Sunflowers did wonderfully this year. That is probably because they grew anywhere from 7 to 12-feet tall and were way above the weeds.
Daughter is pressing us to have our traditional leaf ride for her. Every year except last year since we have lived here, we have collect leaves on a huge tarp and pulled the kids around on it with the lawn tractor. The boys have outgrown it, but Daughter is still trying to hold onto those things we have done with them as little kids. The tough things about doing this leaf ride is that 1.) they are Silver Maples, so the leaves, if we use the mower, just disintegrate; and 2.) the wind has already blown most of the leaves away. Let's not forget to mention the 70 asparagus plants and the 2 huge raised beds of garlic that now take up half the front lawn that used to be where we pulled the leaf tarp. Just one more thing for her to be disappointed about. It makes me feel bad, but at the same time. there has been a lot going on in the way of work and projects this year.
As much as I want to keep rambling, I will have to pick up with a second part next time. The day has ended for me, and still I could fill the night with work as well, but that just wouldn't be a good thing.
CC
Friday, August 26, 2011
Back in the Saddle
Oh, I suppose it is time I post something again. This crazy summer has been so busy, busy, busy! I spent the last two days taking Middle to State Fair with his market ducks. Wednesday was entry day and yesterday the show. I took Daughter along yesterday and had to listen to complaints of aching feet. What did she think? I was going to carry her? Ha Ha! She did ask, but I pointed out that I would have croaked trying to carry her all the way. Had to walk to the dorm where Middle was staying so he could change after he showed. He was holding one drake and I the other, when his decided to poop all down his pant leg. I laughed, mostly to myself so as to not make him feel any worse about it. I set mine on the floor for a bit (they are not lightweight birds!) and while he was standing there, he did his business on the floor. I still came away from the whole thing smelling like a wet duck. YUCK! I prefer chicken poop, it isn't as runny and messy, usually anyway.
He did well. He got called back for the final judging of market ducks, but there were two outstanding pens that were obvious winners. He would have come close if there were more placings, I think. Some of the birds in the class were quite small compared to his. Surely, Middle's were not as old as some of the others and if they had been, I think he would have been more in contention. As it is though, it has been a good experience for him, I believe. I heard a lot of complaining yesterday, but I think he was very tired and not feeling the greatest. The show, which was supposed to run from 1pm to 5:30pm, didn't end until 10:45. I am glad I didn't stay until the end. OH MY! That was a long day for those kids! Middle opted to go back to the dorm early and go to bed, which was about the wisest decision I have seen him make in a while ; )
I did partake of the yummy fair fare. I had a frybread taco, which I have been looking forward to for some time now. Of course, Daughter and I shared an order of curds, a lemonade, and then we had ice cream from Bridgeman's. MMM!
We had to check out her posters in the poultry and the rabbit departments. She got a blue ribbon on her rabbit poster. The poultry ones had not been judged yet. I am hopeful that she did well with it. She has some good ideas and we are working on some for next year.
Hubby has been working on my chicken house. Bless his heart. I have been off running around while he works. He is doing a wonderful job. I may have my birds in it by next week if all goes well. Then I can dismantle some of my portable pens until next year, maybe.
I would love to post more pictures with this, but my camera I took yesterday stopped working, and my laptop which contains about 5,000 pictures crashed and I have it in the shop for repairs. I may have lost everything, but I am still hoping the second diagnostic it is running through is able to extract the info. Otherwise, I may cry! I was told that I could send it off to pay a few hundred dollars to have it all recovered, but I am so hoping it doesn't come to that.
Well, much work is waiting for me, and I better do something to catch up from my absence. I am really hoping to get Middle's bedroom cleaned while he is away too and get rid of all the junk he has kicking around in there. That boy is a pack rat!
Til Late.
CC
He did well. He got called back for the final judging of market ducks, but there were two outstanding pens that were obvious winners. He would have come close if there were more placings, I think. Some of the birds in the class were quite small compared to his. Surely, Middle's were not as old as some of the others and if they had been, I think he would have been more in contention. As it is though, it has been a good experience for him, I believe. I heard a lot of complaining yesterday, but I think he was very tired and not feeling the greatest. The show, which was supposed to run from 1pm to 5:30pm, didn't end until 10:45. I am glad I didn't stay until the end. OH MY! That was a long day for those kids! Middle opted to go back to the dorm early and go to bed, which was about the wisest decision I have seen him make in a while ; )
I did partake of the yummy fair fare. I had a frybread taco, which I have been looking forward to for some time now. Of course, Daughter and I shared an order of curds, a lemonade, and then we had ice cream from Bridgeman's. MMM!
We had to check out her posters in the poultry and the rabbit departments. She got a blue ribbon on her rabbit poster. The poultry ones had not been judged yet. I am hopeful that she did well with it. She has some good ideas and we are working on some for next year.
Hubby has been working on my chicken house. Bless his heart. I have been off running around while he works. He is doing a wonderful job. I may have my birds in it by next week if all goes well. Then I can dismantle some of my portable pens until next year, maybe.
I would love to post more pictures with this, but my camera I took yesterday stopped working, and my laptop which contains about 5,000 pictures crashed and I have it in the shop for repairs. I may have lost everything, but I am still hoping the second diagnostic it is running through is able to extract the info. Otherwise, I may cry! I was told that I could send it off to pay a few hundred dollars to have it all recovered, but I am so hoping it doesn't come to that.
Well, much work is waiting for me, and I better do something to catch up from my absence. I am really hoping to get Middle's bedroom cleaned while he is away too and get rid of all the junk he has kicking around in there. That boy is a pack rat!
Til Late.
CC
Friday, July 29, 2011
Baby Steps
Yes, baby steps. It is what I feel like I am taking toward getting projects done here. Alas, there are steps at least. I did get some boards cut tonight. I will get more tomorrow so that I can get the pens in the big chicken house done and get my birds in there to live. Then there is the painting of the
boards, and there is the laying of the linoleum. Then building of the nest boxes and the doors for the chickens to go in and out. Really exciting stuff, huh?
I started letting my juvenile birds, almost grown and the girls almost to breeding age, out onto pasture this week. They love it, of course. There is room to flap and run and plenty of grass to peck and bugs to eat. Who or what wouldn't enjoy that kind of freedom after being cooped up the first few months of their life? I hate penning them, it seems sad, but it is not to be mean or anything of the sort. It is for their protection from things that would eat them for a late night snack. So, after their romping around, they go back into the pen at night and get locked in for the night.
I have this one very tiny pullet (girl chicken under 1 year of age, ask Daughter, she can quote it to me ;) ). This pullet is a Bantam Modern Game chicken. She is the cutest little thing, but is about the size of a Robin with extra long legs. I didn't intend to get this breed, but as luck would have it, I got her with a mix of chicks that I needed to keep a lone hatcher company last winter. Of course, being tiny, and sweet and cute, and the only one of her kind in the flock, everyone loves her. Her name is Birchy, so called because her color (or variety) is Birchen - black body with yellow/gold around her neck. She really is funny to comprehend as being a chicken. She spends most of her time in the feed can or on top of waterer. I got out to check on things or feed them and she is right there cheaping away. She doesn't even sound like a chicken.
I had to smile, a big mommy, warmed my heart kind of smile the other day, or should I say about 3 weeks ago? Daughter had to go out and play with the momma broody hen and her little chicks. We had to pull them from the pen with the other adult birds because they were pecking at the poor little chickies. We started her in a fold-up puppy pen
where she bawked, and clucked, and showed them how to drink and scratch and peck around in the grass and dirt. I looked out from the kitchen window to see... me? No, but I immediately thought, she is just like me when I was her age: In her boots, blue jeans, sitting in the pen with baby animals. It is so funny how in an instance you can get flung back 36-years to "when". Wow!
At night we put Momma and babies into the cage on the right and set them in the garage for safe keeping. I finally decided it was time the chicks joined the others their age and Momma did the same. She probably won't lay eggs for a little while yet, but she is back to being a grown up. Does that make her and empty nester?
We picked out the birds the kids are going to take to the fair, or intend to take. I don't know, some don't have feathers yet in places they should. We had to get them later than intended due to incubation difficulties. They have something to take, we just aren't expecting Grand Champion this year.
So, it is late once again. The house is quiet where I am the last to head to bed. It is my favorite part of the day. I must rest though, tomorrow is building of chicken domiciles and information booth for the fair. Since it is to rain the following day, or so I see online, I better get things done outside tomorrow, or is it today? Yikes, 1 A.M.
I bid you ado.
CC
boards, and there is the laying of the linoleum. Then building of the nest boxes and the doors for the chickens to go in and out. Really exciting stuff, huh?
I started letting my juvenile birds, almost grown and the girls almost to breeding age, out onto pasture this week. They love it, of course. There is room to flap and run and plenty of grass to peck and bugs to eat. Who or what wouldn't enjoy that kind of freedom after being cooped up the first few months of their life? I hate penning them, it seems sad, but it is not to be mean or anything of the sort. It is for their protection from things that would eat them for a late night snack. So, after their romping around, they go back into the pen at night and get locked in for the night.
I have this one very tiny pullet (girl chicken under 1 year of age, ask Daughter, she can quote it to me ;) ). This pullet is a Bantam Modern Game chicken. She is the cutest little thing, but is about the size of a Robin with extra long legs. I didn't intend to get this breed, but as luck would have it, I got her with a mix of chicks that I needed to keep a lone hatcher company last winter. Of course, being tiny, and sweet and cute, and the only one of her kind in the flock, everyone loves her. Her name is Birchy, so called because her color (or variety) is Birchen - black body with yellow/gold around her neck. She really is funny to comprehend as being a chicken. She spends most of her time in the feed can or on top of waterer. I got out to check on things or feed them and she is right there cheaping away. She doesn't even sound like a chicken.
I had to smile, a big mommy, warmed my heart kind of smile the other day, or should I say about 3 weeks ago? Daughter had to go out and play with the momma broody hen and her little chicks. We had to pull them from the pen with the other adult birds because they were pecking at the poor little chickies. We started her in a fold-up puppy pen
where she bawked, and clucked, and showed them how to drink and scratch and peck around in the grass and dirt. I looked out from the kitchen window to see... me? No, but I immediately thought, she is just like me when I was her age: In her boots, blue jeans, sitting in the pen with baby animals. It is so funny how in an instance you can get flung back 36-years to "when". Wow!
We picked out the birds the kids are going to take to the fair, or intend to take. I don't know, some don't have feathers yet in places they should. We had to get them later than intended due to incubation difficulties. They have something to take, we just aren't expecting Grand Champion this year.
So, it is late once again. The house is quiet where I am the last to head to bed. It is my favorite part of the day. I must rest though, tomorrow is building of chicken domiciles and information booth for the fair. Since it is to rain the following day, or so I see online, I better get things done outside tomorrow, or is it today? Yikes, 1 A.M.
I bid you ado.
CC
Thursday, July 14, 2011
Too Much Too Little
Too Much
Isn't it true for most of us, there is always too much to do? My kids went to camp this week, Eldest for the straight 2 weeks for a leadership group, Middle and Daughter are both in resident camp for 6-days, will come home tomorrow evening, then go back on Sunday. Daughter goes back for horse camp, which she is upset about and doesn't understand 'why did you sign me up for that?'. Well, first of all, she will most likely come home afterward and ask if we can get a horse or two or three, to which the answer will be a firm NO! Not that I don't like them, but we don't have the space a horse needs or that is needed to grow the food to feed it. My hubby and I don't believe in just having pasture pets that would create such an ecological footprint, especially when all its food would need to be purchased. Eventually, most horses get neglected and are not properly ridden or exercised, which is not very humane in my book. The reason that we are sending her to that camp is for a new experience. That is also why Middle is going back to do the sailing camp. Neither of them may want to have anything to do with those activities when they leave, but they got the chance to try it out. Eldest had a royal fit about having to go, even though last year when we picked them up, they all wanted to go back for the rest of the summer, and he wanted to go back to work in becoming a counselor. So, we will see what he says when we pick him up next weekend.
But where the Too Much comes in, is there is just too much that I wanted so desperately to get done while they are gone. Here I am down to one day left until their return for the weekend, and I have barely scratched the surface of projects I have on my list. Our downstairs bathroom is half demolished since the chain of events that began with a toilet that wouldn't stop running, which had to be broken to move it out and be replaced, which resulted in also removing the rotting floor underneath, which also lead to tearing out the old broken tiles around the toilet, which turned into a full out demo for Eldest when we thought giving him a good, tough job would teach him about how hard it is to get everything done. Well, here we are, I think it has been 3 months since that one began, and it is still in the demo stage due to the 101 other things that are constantly popping up to be done.
I did manage to start getting dividers in the new chicken condo yesterday. Why is that important? Well, because that is where I need to move many of the birds that are living in my garage in brooders at present. I am tired of building new, portable pens when I have a new building sitting there for them but needs to get the finishing details done to it. Arg! It gets overwhelming sometimes.
Too Little
There is too little time in a day to get everything done that one wants to. Again, here is no exception. We have been trying to plan the huge project of tearing down our house to build a new one. It seems like we barely have time to get the day to day things done around here, much less tackle the monstrous project of what we speak. I am sure it didn't help that I got rabbits for the kids that turned into a rabbit breeding and raising hobby. It didn't help that we had puppies last summer that took up a tremendous amount of time. It didn't help that I started this endeavor of having a small chicken hatchery either. But in my defense, I have been a stay-at-home mom for 15-years and I need more than cleaning house and raising kids. I need to do things that interest and inspire me. I love the way you can breed animals and then compare their offspring to their parents and see the different genetic differences that pop up because of genetic crossings for color and size and temperament and all that neat stuff. As crazy as it sounds, my animals bring me the kind of joy I used to feel when my kids were little and everything was new with them. Not that I am tired of my kids, though they make me VERY tired of late. It has changed. They are their own persons, and it is not an adventure for them the way it was when they were little. The amazement of every little thing is gone for them. When they are little even a bug or a blade of grass can be a treasure and something to investigate. Now, they squash the bugs and complain if they have to even think about anything to do with grass. (because it usually involves mowing or raking it).
Ah, what is that? The chickens are calling again. They say, "Bring us more food and water, please." and it is a call I must heed.
CC
Isn't it true for most of us, there is always too much to do? My kids went to camp this week, Eldest for the straight 2 weeks for a leadership group, Middle and Daughter are both in resident camp for 6-days, will come home tomorrow evening, then go back on Sunday. Daughter goes back for horse camp, which she is upset about and doesn't understand 'why did you sign me up for that?'. Well, first of all, she will most likely come home afterward and ask if we can get a horse or two or three, to which the answer will be a firm NO! Not that I don't like them, but we don't have the space a horse needs or that is needed to grow the food to feed it. My hubby and I don't believe in just having pasture pets that would create such an ecological footprint, especially when all its food would need to be purchased. Eventually, most horses get neglected and are not properly ridden or exercised, which is not very humane in my book. The reason that we are sending her to that camp is for a new experience. That is also why Middle is going back to do the sailing camp. Neither of them may want to have anything to do with those activities when they leave, but they got the chance to try it out. Eldest had a royal fit about having to go, even though last year when we picked them up, they all wanted to go back for the rest of the summer, and he wanted to go back to work in becoming a counselor. So, we will see what he says when we pick him up next weekend.
But where the Too Much comes in, is there is just too much that I wanted so desperately to get done while they are gone. Here I am down to one day left until their return for the weekend, and I have barely scratched the surface of projects I have on my list. Our downstairs bathroom is half demolished since the chain of events that began with a toilet that wouldn't stop running, which had to be broken to move it out and be replaced, which resulted in also removing the rotting floor underneath, which also lead to tearing out the old broken tiles around the toilet, which turned into a full out demo for Eldest when we thought giving him a good, tough job would teach him about how hard it is to get everything done. Well, here we are, I think it has been 3 months since that one began, and it is still in the demo stage due to the 101 other things that are constantly popping up to be done.
I did manage to start getting dividers in the new chicken condo yesterday. Why is that important? Well, because that is where I need to move many of the birds that are living in my garage in brooders at present. I am tired of building new, portable pens when I have a new building sitting there for them but needs to get the finishing details done to it. Arg! It gets overwhelming sometimes.
Too Little
There is too little time in a day to get everything done that one wants to. Again, here is no exception. We have been trying to plan the huge project of tearing down our house to build a new one. It seems like we barely have time to get the day to day things done around here, much less tackle the monstrous project of what we speak. I am sure it didn't help that I got rabbits for the kids that turned into a rabbit breeding and raising hobby. It didn't help that we had puppies last summer that took up a tremendous amount of time. It didn't help that I started this endeavor of having a small chicken hatchery either. But in my defense, I have been a stay-at-home mom for 15-years and I need more than cleaning house and raising kids. I need to do things that interest and inspire me. I love the way you can breed animals and then compare their offspring to their parents and see the different genetic differences that pop up because of genetic crossings for color and size and temperament and all that neat stuff. As crazy as it sounds, my animals bring me the kind of joy I used to feel when my kids were little and everything was new with them. Not that I am tired of my kids, though they make me VERY tired of late. It has changed. They are their own persons, and it is not an adventure for them the way it was when they were little. The amazement of every little thing is gone for them. When they are little even a bug or a blade of grass can be a treasure and something to investigate. Now, they squash the bugs and complain if they have to even think about anything to do with grass. (because it usually involves mowing or raking it).
Ah, what is that? The chickens are calling again. They say, "Bring us more food and water, please." and it is a call I must heed.
CC
Friday, June 10, 2011
From One Extreme to Another
On Monday, it was 102˚F here in Southeast Minnesota. The heat wouldn't have been as bad had it not been for the high humidity to go with it. It was what my husband calls a 'Survival Day'. We just do whatever we can to survive on those ones short of stripping down naked and running through the sprinkler in the yard. I am sure someone would call the police if that happened, probably my kids for scarring them for life!
Then, Tuesday was 101˚F with a hard wind that made it a little more bearable, but it was still classified as a Survival Day here. Luckily, the town swimming pool opened on Monday and we partook of its coolness.
The next day, Wednesday, was about 85˚F according to my van's thermometer.
Yesterday was mid 60's.
Today we won't get out of the 50's.
Anyone who wants to debate on if the climate is changing, step right up.
I just had a little message exchange from a fellow native New Yorker. He lives about 30 miles south of where I grew up. That is what got me thinking about this weather thing. "Back home" it never got so hot or so cold as it does here. I have learned to love it here, but it sure is a beautiful part of the country back there.
So, I have gotten my duckies in their new home and built another duck house for the Pekin meat ducks as well. I still have a long way to go before all the poultry housing is done. This week I am working on getting my garden in, finally. I have never planted the garden this late before. I wasn't even going to have a garden because of all the other projects I have to finish, but I just have to grow things. So, the tomatoes and peppers, sunflower, carrots, some of the onions, and sweet corn are in the ground. Well, most anyway, I bought more pepper and tomato plants yesterday. I said I wasn't going to do a huge garden, but here I am....
I got my 50 Cornish Rock cross chicks yesterday. I am hoping by next year or the one after at least, I can start having just my own meat birds that I am working on from crossbreeding. I know that I will never get those 6-pound breasts on my own birds (yes, I am exaggerating), but I like a chicken that acts like a chicken and is evenly developed. It is funny how much more I like dark meat now that I am raising my own chicken.
The kids have been out of school for a week. It hasn't been as hard as I had anticipated. There hasn't been nearly the fighting that we have had in the past few months. I think it is a matter of keeping them busy and apart. Now, if I can just get them to go to bed and get up on a routine schedule, it would be good. Eldest has a job at the library, so he is there now and will be tomorrow. He doesn't start very early, but it has just been a week. He is starting French Horn lessons too, that will have to be earlier than we have been rolling out. He has been taking trumpet for four years, skipped this year though. Now, he wants to get back in band and they need horns, so he is stepping in, or should I say stepping up?
Speaking of stepping up, I need to get up and get more of my projects worked on. My garden is getting dug and pecked over by my free rangers, so I better get that fence up.
CC
Then, Tuesday was 101˚F with a hard wind that made it a little more bearable, but it was still classified as a Survival Day here. Luckily, the town swimming pool opened on Monday and we partook of its coolness.
The next day, Wednesday, was about 85˚F according to my van's thermometer.
Yesterday was mid 60's.
Today we won't get out of the 50's.
Anyone who wants to debate on if the climate is changing, step right up.
I just had a little message exchange from a fellow native New Yorker. He lives about 30 miles south of where I grew up. That is what got me thinking about this weather thing. "Back home" it never got so hot or so cold as it does here. I have learned to love it here, but it sure is a beautiful part of the country back there.
So, I have gotten my duckies in their new home and built another duck house for the Pekin meat ducks as well. I still have a long way to go before all the poultry housing is done. This week I am working on getting my garden in, finally. I have never planted the garden this late before. I wasn't even going to have a garden because of all the other projects I have to finish, but I just have to grow things. So, the tomatoes and peppers, sunflower, carrots, some of the onions, and sweet corn are in the ground. Well, most anyway, I bought more pepper and tomato plants yesterday. I said I wasn't going to do a huge garden, but here I am....
I got my 50 Cornish Rock cross chicks yesterday. I am hoping by next year or the one after at least, I can start having just my own meat birds that I am working on from crossbreeding. I know that I will never get those 6-pound breasts on my own birds (yes, I am exaggerating), but I like a chicken that acts like a chicken and is evenly developed. It is funny how much more I like dark meat now that I am raising my own chicken.
The kids have been out of school for a week. It hasn't been as hard as I had anticipated. There hasn't been nearly the fighting that we have had in the past few months. I think it is a matter of keeping them busy and apart. Now, if I can just get them to go to bed and get up on a routine schedule, it would be good. Eldest has a job at the library, so he is there now and will be tomorrow. He doesn't start very early, but it has just been a week. He is starting French Horn lessons too, that will have to be earlier than we have been rolling out. He has been taking trumpet for four years, skipped this year though. Now, he wants to get back in band and they need horns, so he is stepping in, or should I say stepping up?
Speaking of stepping up, I need to get up and get more of my projects worked on. My garden is getting dug and pecked over by my free rangers, so I better get that fence up.
CC
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