Labor Day and pooped people?

[Kay/NC]

Our family spent a long day, up until almost nine last night, getting in hay ahead of a rainy forecast today. Some breakdowns, everyone pitching in, it finally got done.

For my part, I had a great, long day with my favorite little boy, plus my childhood idol older cousin and her family stopping by...just a nice family day. So good to get a hug and hear " I love you!" from someone who means it.

Winn treated me to several new words he wanted to say yesterday...he is getting to be very communicative with his little self now. His other set of grandparents stopped by a couple of times, between parts runs for the field work, and we all had a mass doting session. It was fun to hear their observations of him.

His Granddad is a school administrator, thus has training similar to mine, so knows what to look for in a growing little mind. We both commented on how the way he's associating things now is amazing.

They brought him a happy meal with apple slices as a treat from one of their runs to town. Winn picked up the apple slices, and said "Ne- nes", which is the name of his favorite Hawaiian geese at the bird park. We carry sliced apples or potatoes for him to feed these very friendly geese, and they seem to know him now, come straight up out of the bushes to eat when he calls them. His saying their name is one thing...then, he showed them the pair of dark brown geese in the painting on the cabinet in our den, and told them they are " ne-nes", too.

In between all the action, he took a three- hour nap. I wish everyone had such good sense. Mike was evidently so overtired, I heard the TV come on at 5:30 this morning in the den. His early awakening became mine, too. I am walking around bleary- eyed at almost nine, because that sort of kept me awake the rest of the time I usually snooze.

The kids are quiet today, as they had a birthday party to go to when they left last night at almost nine. Winn, of course, was fed, bathed, dressed and rarin' to go.

All the hay made it in, and it's cloudy out already. Mike went out and got his chores done by the time he's usually getting started for the day. I am hoping the rain moves in early enough to give all of us pooped people an excuse to do next to nothing. Big pig -moving day on the schedule for Labor Day, so we all need to really rest today.

Flylady will get my house done in about an hour, and then I hope to both bake some bread for Mike. And make some playdough for Winn. We have two days of rain in the forecast, so we need something fun to do indoors tomorrow.

Hoping that the grill sounds like a good idea for supper to Mike tonight. It is under a shed, do no problem with cooking in a shower.

That's about all our family has in common with people who work public jobs this weekend, I think...Cooking out in the eaning days of summer. While non-farming families get a holiday break, this has historically been one of the busiest work spells of the year for ours. My family would push for barning as much tobacco as humanly posible, sometimes taking out and putting in two barns a day for several days straight, to get it done before school started on Tuesday.

Yesterday reminded me of that exhausting burst of extremely hard work. We would start school physically beat, but glad for the escape to something so much easier. Probably why I loved school so much.

I know you girls are looking forward to harvest in a few weeks. It is starting soon here, too...I met a corn header on the highway the other day. That comes off in September here.

Hope you all have a nice Labor Day, and get to rest, before those grinding weeks arrive. Wondering what you do to prepare, and how your family recovers....??

[turkey feather]

Here we are thankful for two storms last night that brought us nearly an inch of water. It was very welcome in the entire area. A break in the heat is to come also but not for too long. The annual antique show is coming so that will keep us busy next week.

With the rain comes a need to do the yard mowing which may or may not get done. I froze some apple sauce, green beans and tomato sauce in the past few days as summer garden is coming to a close. The garden did not produce like a normal year or last year either. But we are thankful for what food we did get as DH did almost all of the work this year and he did it differently I than would have. Hope to get some fall produce too. I noticed that DH enjoyed the vegetables much more since he had done most of the work in the garden. I have never seen him eat so many tomatoes before this year.

[linda/IL]

Read this in a hurry aspeople pooped. LOL. Getting there with my brother hopping in & out during the week. He & girlfriend went to Harley Davidson jamboree in Milwaukee & mom sitting, waiting for them, fixing too much food. He & I worked on basement & viewed an apartment - post that saga for opinions later-before he left. He does work mom better than I do but easier when you're not here full time. Anyway everyone here tomorrow & evening cookout & I will definitely be people pooped!!! Have a great weekend everyone!!

[Kay/NC]

He really needs to be the one to convince her that she needs to take on new living arrangements. Maybe he's hood for that much help to you....

I have been puttering around he house off and on all day, getting not much done, but watched a wonderful movie, which I will recommend in a separate post.

Enjoy your people, and make them help, so you aren't the only one pooped out!

[turkey feather]

Yes, use him while you can. You are too close to the situation and you Mom.

[wt510151]

I'm like you, I use my holidays off to work on the farm. About the only time I get paid twice for working. Good luck Linda with your mom. If your brother can persuade her to change residences, then so be it. You've had plenty on your plate for a long time.

[linda/IL]

Yes he can do a lot if he can spare us the time. He left Ca a week ago on his motorcycle & got in Monday night late. Left Tuesday afternoon to get repairs on cycle. I had the crew Tuesday night for supper. He gave us all day Wed. Left Thursday morning for Chicago to pick up girlfriend & head to WI for Harley Davidson celebration. Said they might be back Sunday night but no, now not until Monday noon. Taking her to airport in Moline at 10 a.m. Thursday morning. Not sure if he 's coming back for the rest of the day or what. And mom fixes food to have for him to piece on. You would think he could spend more than 2 days with his 93 yr old mother. Sorry to vent!