update re:wondering

[linda/IL]

Thought maybe "wondering" was a bit long in the tooth.

I have NEVER seen such a time in my life.  4-H:  Kids are doing calf chores but DH is helping with trimming calves as the one calf is really jumping with trimming.  They lead/handle well with the kids working them.  DH refuses to help with the goat so good thing the class will be small.  DGD's first time with goats. 

With DS in hospital for 5 days the pig didn't get blood tested when he should have.  Ronnie was supposed to check on it but thought it all would be OK when we did the other health check ups.  Nope.  So yesterday we ran your way Suey, to take the blood work down to Galesburg Animal Lab.  Needed to go that way a bit anyway but still a day out of my life. Hpefully it will get back in time for the show.  DGS will be dissapointed but will live otherwise.

I'm not even questioning their other projects.  Need to be there at 9 a.m. this morning so whatever goes goes.  My DIL was co chair for summer bible school every night this week.  Somehow that got scheduled the week of the fair - there are other kids/families this is causing havoc with also.  DIL will not be there to see pig or goat show unfortunately.  I helped last night in the kitchen and it makes a long day.  Turn out not the best this year so may change for next year.

Then we got a call the other night that cousin would be coming for weekend but will stay at motel.  Can we go out Sat. night?  That's when the Sale of Champions is - don't know.  May be there to watch.  Why not call earlier folks?  Since we aren't tied down to milk our lives have a LITTLE bit more area we are covering.  Ain't life great?!

[SLC]

Linda..  What would you do with your spare time..  assuming you had any!!   Thank goodness your son's family has you to step in like that.   They will always remember this fair.  I don't think I mentioned this before but many many years ago.. when both older kids were just starting out,  our garage burned down and DH had 2nd degree burns on his arms.   He didn't have to have the abrasions or whatever that is but he did have to go in to have the dressings changed and burns checked.    This happened on the 4th of July and our fair is the first weekend of August.   DH could not not tolerate sweating or being out in the sun at all.. dirt was also a factor plus his arms were wrapped and in slings and they hurt.   My parents and inlaws stepped in and helped us get our livestock to the fair.   Thankfully we only had pigs and bucket calves.   One thing I remember vividly..   It was the last day of the fair, kids were worn out, I was tired, it was time for the sale.  I left them in the pig barn to go see the sale progress.. and I no sooner got to the sale ring when I heard very recognizable screaming......   I ran back thinking one of them was hurt, but no, they had gotten into a fight with each other and they were both armed with pig whips..    I probably shouldn't even admit to that.   ugh.

On the bright side, DH's arms have healed, there is scarring and he has to be careful with sun because the scars still burn.

[linda/IL]

I bet that was a memorable year, unfortunately.  I am concerned with DS's arm as he is a Conservation Officer - out in the weather all year.  I am too squeemish to even look at it so glad it's wrapped.  DIL is a nurse but is a little concerned about handling all the wrapping as she was in surgery most of the time until lately.

Didn't post about oldest grandson & job, etc.  He is finishing out this week and we are on the fence as to it being a good thing to come here to work.  We definitely have the work what with all the medical trips/days lost on the farm along with all the rain delays.  And although Brian is healing very well, he still has restrictions as to lifting & driving.  Hopefully the driving will be OK next week.  His scar is remarkable as to healing on the outside but don't know how long it takes inside.

Thinking of paying grandson by the job instead of by the hour.  Then we are fair as far as breaks to visit, etc.  Brian also will need to start treatments when healed so who knows how that will be-hopefully not sick but I worry.

[turkey feather]

4-H does create lasting memories! Some very good and some are not. Hope it goes okay.

[Kay/NC]

Sounds like you guys are doing great, given all the challenges.  Can the cousins take in the show with you? 

[Kay/NC]

Linda, I cannot remember how old this grandson is...but, I hope you guys don't give him and hourly wage, or there might get to be some very SLOW work done. 

We pay everyone a salary.  They get days off as the pig schedule dictates...for instance, daughter is gone to a family day at an amusement park today, and hired man is off. 

Mike did pick him up for some extra "cash hours", to help him continue working on this pickup truck retrofit.  We offer occasional extra hours for cash, for more personal jobs, not farm necessarily. 

[SLC]

While it will be awhile, when his healing skin allows it, he will want to wear long sleeve shirts.   DH did for years and only within the last few years has started wearing short sleeve shirts again.. and the first day he is out, he usually has some pink scars.    I feel for you and your DIL on not wanting to handle the dressings for so many reasons.  It is not pleasant and it must be so incredibly painful and you have to be so careful to keep things sterile.   

Hang in there and you will all get thru it.      Just remember you can only do what you can do and you do not have to do everything.   I agree.. maybe the cousins can come to the fair and visit.     

Our other project judging is tomorrow morning.   DD has three Arts & Crafts to take .. two of which are done and the other she is going to go to grandma's to finish.  TG! as I don't want to have to fight with her to do the handstiching on the pillow/dog bed she made.   My mom loves to sew and quilt so its right down her alley.. plus she is so patient with her..  where was that patient woman when I was growing up? LOL!    DS's project has been done for a long time.  He makes reciever hitch covers in various shapes.      The cooking and livestock part go in on Wed & Thurs.  Pigs, Goats, Sheep, & Cattle.. what are we thinking..   However I will say that they have both been working with their animals.

[linda/IL]

Kay, he is 22.  He can do most projects on his own here.  He is starting next week, but the problem will be the relatives that will be visiting.  DGD (13) also wants some spending $ and would like some work.  Two different types and I can use her too but need to guide her.  It really is time she learned good cleaning/work habits.  Her mom is so busy.  We have so many projects to be done and I cannot believe it's almost August.  He will be going back to college soon.  Grandaughter has the problem of the smallest one (7) always wanting to be included too.  Thus her nickname, "Me too".

I have to add that this grandson, who lives away from us an hour, is the one grandchild that truly takes an interest in the farm.  Always walks the pens, etc. before he even comes in to see us, wanting to know the latest.  Kills DH that the closer, younger kids really have little interest.  Always hit the house & rarely go out to see the livestock. 

We have a friend who works an extra job to be able to buy his small farm, which he is so proud.  At a recent family gathering his kids told him they would be selling the farm when he passed.  He said if they would have stuck a knife in his heart & twisted it, it would not have hurt as much.  Sad but that's the way it is.  Probably here too at some point.

[turkey feather]

They are all different! The GD 13 will soon learn with instruction I would think. We have a 14 yr old and this year she has really stepped up and is helping her Dad on the farm in place of brother who is working full time elsewhere. She is a good help this year.

The Me Too GD is another issue. My five years younger sister got to tag along and do everything I did at five yrs younger while I had waited longer for these things than other kids. I still resent it. Five years difference in age is a wide gap with children. The tagging along is not good in my opinion.  I doubt that she can be much help to you although our DGD was a good helper at an early age as her mom required her to do chores.   Each DGC needs private time with grandparents if possible.

We have two DG who are very interested in farming and very skilled. This work should be good for yours and it will help on resume too.

[Kay/NC]

It sort of takes me back...at age 6, I was handing tobacco leaves to a lady who looped by hand. By about age trn, we were machine looping, and I filled part of one layer, then put the stick on the machine. Eventually could do bottom half, then the stick. By sbout 13, started driving sleighs on the county riads from farm to barn. Did that through high school.

Peanuts had to be chopped, then I graduated to tractor cultivating, too, about the time I started sleigh driving. Hig workwas mixed all in, morning and evening. Other chores, much truck driving, starting around age ten...imagime that now!