Pioneergirl....This new journal needs a name

pioneergirl

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As some of you know, I had a journal awhile back but decided to bury it. Anyway, since moving out here to the wilds of the west, I thought I'd start anew.

So far we've been here a week, and DH has learned the basics rather quickly. Right now its a matter of keeping the sprinklers checked (am & pm) and fixing any problems. Turning some on while others get turned off, etc. My job has basically been to...well.....ride around with him and help (not that he needs it). He's hauled semi-loads of hay over the pass and down into Las Vegas, NM a couple times (there is another farm down there that distributes it to dairy farms), and that takes about 7 hours round trip.

The owner's wife, R, was nice at first, but as I've been listening to her drone on, I'm finding she is what I call a "glory hound". I think we all have seen her type, always "Idid this...." or always discussing how she is so knowledgable of things. Funny, when DH asked her about something she stopped dead and said "Well, you'll have to ask my husband about that, I don't deal with that aspect" (in a snotty, how dare to test me, tone). She is always going to town for "parts". Thats ok, but my question is, if you go there for a fuse, or a bolt, why not get extras? :hu

Anyway, I could go on and on about her, but I won't. :duc

We are pretty isolated around here. Yes, there is traffic on the road, but its several miles to the closest neighbor. I don't mind. But the dust? :barnie Its so dry, and every time a truck or tractor passes, its a cloud that engulfs the house. Windows open during the day is a no go, for sure! Oh but at night? Aaahhh, a few windows cracked open when the temps are down in the 40's makes for wonderful sleeping weather!

As most of you have seen, the views are incredible, and each sunrise and sunset is something not to be missed. I sit outside with my coffee and watch it rise....awesome. Of course, come winter that won't happen, but I can stand at the window and watch! HA! :thumbsup

The house has no A/C, and so far I haven't had a need for it. It gets cooled down at night and when I shut the windows it stays nice through the day. Once I get some curtains on the south windows it will be even better.

So, what are we doing today? Well, after checking sprinklers and unclogging a few (crawfish and frogs get sucked up in them), DH needed to go replace a fuse on one and get it started, now he's dealing with someone (no idea who), then at some point he will need to empty the burn barrels, and then take the loader down to one of the reservoirs and clean it out before the water crew fills it. Me? Well, other than sitting here, I've picked up the yard, put away clothes, and will soon be cleaning the kitchen and mopping the floors.

We were hoping to have part of today off (Labor day and all) but it doesn't look like that will happen. I might run into town (about 45 minutes away) and find a thrift store. I hear they have good deals and will try to find some rugs and blinds or drapes. Not sure if I'll have time, but we'll see!!
 

lalaland

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always different when settling in a new place. sometimes takes a while to get your rhythm going. hang in there!

guessing the owners wife looks for excuses to go to town - chance to socialize, pick up the latest news, etc. me, I'm always looking for excuses to be able to stay home. make do, do without....do that job later, etc.

but then, I don't get to be here often enough!

glad you are checking in

Rebecca
 

pioneergirl

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Checking in with another update from the prairie. So far things are going fairly well. We just wish the boss's wife would NOT go behind us and check everything we just checked. Its an insult.

Poor DH gets so aggrivated, as she will say "I'm going to check the pond"
DH:"I just checked it 5 minutes ago, and its fine"
Her: "I'm going to go check it so I can tell my husband about it."
Ten minutes later she comes back...
DH:"How was the pond?"
Her: "Oh, its fine"
DH: "how far over the screen was it?"
Her: "Oh....well....I just looked at the pond, I don't check the screen." DH: "so how do you know if its clogged or not?"
Her: "*sigh* I don't check that part."
DH: "Good thing I did, because I unclogged it."
Her: *sigh*

Soooo, we're just trying to get through this last harvest of the year, then she'll go back to NM for the winter and through the spring. A few wonderful months of not dealing with her.

In other neat news, I ventured into San Luis today. A small town, boasting to be the oldest in Colorado, established in 1851. Everyone was very friendly, and loved seeing Ben in the car. Of course he loves the attention.

Today we were going to haul a load to NM, but the rig has a cracked head, so we squelched that idea. Tomorrow DH will take it to Tucumcari for a fix, then catch a ride back with the boss. So today DH hopped into the tractor and mowed away the hours. I was going to ride with him to do the PM check of sprinklers but it appears that the boss's wife has claimed my spot in the truck. :barnie

So thats all the excitement for me. It doesn't look like I'll be getting any new farm animals any time soon. There is really no natural grass for anything to eat, which means buying feed. I'm not hip on that right now, so I'll have to suck it up and buy my eggs at the store. :hit
 

newmochick

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Is your DH tactful enough to talk to his boss on the return ride to tell him that his wife is driving you crazy????
 

rebecca100

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Could be worse-just remember that. I am STILL jealous. I would gladly put up with an annoying old woman to be able to spend time with my dh on a tractor or hauling a load of hay or just being outside working or simply enjoying the view. Don't let her get to you. Smile and be happy and enjoy what you have. Don't feel too insulted about her rechecking things-I imagine that they have a LOT of money invested in the farm and are worried about trusting it to people they barely know.
 

pioneergirl

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rebecca100 said:
Could be worse-just remember that. I am STILL jealous. I would gladly put up with an annoying old woman to be able to spend time with my dh on a tractor or hauling a load of hay or just being outside working or simply enjoying the view. Don't let her get to you. Smile and be happy and enjoy what you have. Don't feel too insulted about her rechecking things-I imagine that they have a LOT of money invested in the farm and are worried about trusting it to people they barely know.
I keep telling myself that, and DH too. At least he's home each night, and I get to ride around with him. And you're right, the views are priceless!!

Is your DH tactful enough to talk to his boss on the return ride to tell him that his wife is driving you crazy????
Yes, and he'd thought of that, then I reminded him of the last 4 people that discussed the issue with the boss....they were all fired the next day. :(

We're going to keep at it, and just be glad to be eating supper together each night.

Today is laundry day, then I'll head out to a small coffee shop in San Luis...they have WiFi so maybe I can get some pictures posted without having to wait all day :lol:

I got to thinking last night about minimalism. In a sense, we're living it. We only brought clothes and food here, and a few dishes. We've been actually doing just fine. I was wondering how the DH would handle no TV, and he seems to be fine....although the slow internet drives him nuts, lol. But, I've been doing a lot of reading, and taking walks. In this house there was a couch and loveseat left by previous folks, a small table in the dining area, and a full size bed. Thats it. I wasn't sure how the bed issue would work, since we're used to sleeping on a California King, but so far, no issues. ;) And I grant you one thing, its a heck of a lot easier to keep clean!! The kitchen spurs off of the living/dining area, and then there is the bedroom. Thats the only space we occupy. Upstairs are the other 2 bedrooms, but they are very tiny. We just keep the door to that area closed. I'm actually enjoying the small space. Although this winter may prove a different thought, :lol: So far I'm fine with it.
 

Javamama

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Sounds like your boss lady has a need to make herself seem important. Best to ignore that type if possible. Maybe she will get over it if she sees it doesn't phase you.
Hope you find some ways to pass the time :)
 

pioneergirl

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Yeah, I just keep thinking "after 3rd cutting she'll be out of our hair" and that will be in a week or so. Plus, I just keep telling myself to "play nice" ;)

At the moment I'm in San Luis at a really cool cafe (free WiFi) and had the most tasty BLT....Bacon, Lettuce, Tomato, swiss cheese, guacamole spread, and sliced green chile...all on an oat crusted toast. WOW it was yummy!!! Now I'm enjoying a triple chocolate walnut brownie (gluten free I'm told) and a white chocolate mocha latte. Livin it up here on the prairie!! :gig I think this will be my new 'haunt' since its only 8 miles away! :drool :thumbsup
 

pioneergirl

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As I sit here, eating 3 huge peaches before they go bad (juice running down my chin :drool ), I am contemplating not only the day but my life in general.

I noticed this morning that a deep wrinkle I had between my eyebrows is slowly going away. In retrospect, I guess its from lack of stress. I am virtually stress free out here on the wide open prairie. I get to ride for and hour (or more) each morning and evening with my DH to check 22 hay fields, we eat breakfast and have coffee each morning together, and each night he is home for supper. It may sound like trivial things, but from the wife of a trucker, its a lot! I'm used to being alone for weeks at a time, so its a treat anymore to have him here.

Today he spent it mowing, was home for lunch so we ate outside on the picnic table. It was a sunny 66 degrees, and very pleasant.

I spent a couple hours with the washboard doing the jeans....got done and my knuckles were sore and fingers swollen...life is good. :D

Not sure what the weekend holds, but I'm sure it will be nice. :thumbsup
 

Dace

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It sounds like you are settling in nicely :)

Glad to hear that things are going well....vanishing wrinkles is AWESOME! :thumbsup
 
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