Bee~ Journal of then...

[prairiegirl]

I think a book is a great idea. I know I'd enjoy reading it.

I think it might target 2 groups - those that strive to live a simple lifestyle and those that have no desire to live such a way, but are intrigued with how others live.

 

[Beekissed]

Well, had the week from H-E-double hockey sticks! I can't begin to list for you the embarassing, costly, just ignorant mistakes I made this week....and that was BEFORE I got to work!

My young pullets are starting to lay now and its very eggciting! Some of the eggs are a very large, thick-shelled, high-gloss, butternut brown egg....so pretty that I can't stop admiring them when I get in the fridge! BYC "experts" say these are most likely from my New Hampshire Red hens. If this is so, I think I would very much like to get more of these gals! To start at 5 mo., lay extra large eggs, and lay every day in the middle of winter...well, those are great hens, in my book!

Not all of them are laying yet, but they are getting there. I haven't had time to even SEE a chicken this week and I suffer from not getting to sit out in the coop and watch them do their chicken thing!

I haven't bought any presents, decorated one thing or even got to clean house yet for the holidays. This may be one of those years where the holiday passes me by...

 

[punkin]

Sorry you had such a bad week. I guess the bad weeks just make us more grateful for the good ones.

My egg production has been cut just about in half. The Black Australorpes are still going pretty strong.

It's hard to believe Christmas is less than one week away. Tends to sneak up and slap you on the back doesn't it?
I'm still not quite finished with shopping yet. I only put out the bare minimum in decorations and the house still needs to be cleaned.

Everything will get done in time.

 

[2dream]

Sorry you have had a bad week. Hopefully it will be better next week. As far as Christmas deco - just remember that the original Christmas did not have decorations and I am pretty sure the manger was not really clean. So I say, don't worry. Just remember the reason for the season. That should remove some of your stress.

 

[Beekissed]

Thanks, you all! I feel bad for the kids when I haven't even got the house looking or smelling like Christmas....just something I've always done because its free or cheap and that's usually all I can afford on Christmas!

Did get a new kitten for our cat, Spike. Spike seems very frightened of him, which is Spike's one character flaw...he's a wimp! Big, furry, lovable wimpy cat named Spike(we love ironic names here at the Rent-A-Farm).

The kitten really needed a home and is blind in one eye....very affectionate little booger, though, and the boys love him, even if Spike hasn't warmed up to him yet. The kitten is a black and white tuxedo cat, a little boney and pitiful looking....we called him Ray Barboni...Ray Bones, for short, which will probably just be "Boney" in the end. The boys fell in love real quick, so its all good. First thing we did when we got him home was give him a bath, worm him good, get him warm and dry, try to feed him and then....turned him loose. He did well on his own and has since made quite a nuisance of himself crying to get inside and needing constant lovin'...of course, the boys have been teaching him that this is the way to get inside! :/ Trying to make a good mouser and barn cat of him, but he'll probably wind up being a porch decoration and a lap cat!

Today I got the number of a guy who may have some piglets for sale come January. You all would not believe how few folks around here raise pigs! Back home, you throw a rock and you hit a hog farmer!

 

[2dream]

Oh a kitty. I wish I had a kitty. DH says no more cats. Since that is about the only NO he really means I try to not torment him with that one. But that is the only NO I take seriously. LOL

Tell Spike to "Cowboy Up".

Oh and Bee, you have great kids. I am sure they more than understand and probably don't mind at all.

 

[Beekissed]

You are right, 2dream! They are great about it and that's what makes me sad.....I think I could handle it better if they were bratty and whiney about it...then I could get angry over their bad attitudes and feel much better about being too busy at work to tend to Christmas!

Right now, our office is running on a skeleton crew and I'm the backbone. In an ordinary job, you wouldn't feel too bad about saying "NO, tonight is my night with my family!!!". I mean, if you ran a book store or sold pantyhose, you could do that and feel justified. Not as a hospice nurse...people are in pain, sick to their stomachs, can't breath and/or dying. I can't really say, "I need a little ME time!" when these folks are facing the toughest stage of their lives, can I? Don't mind me, guys, I'm just trying to find ways to not feel bad about not getting to do things right this Christmas.....whining, as usual! This too shall pass and it will be as if it never was, but those guilty feelings are a mother's meat and potatoes...must consume a little each day to feel right!

 

[2dream]

Bee you are right about the meat and potatos thing.

And seems you have also noticed if those kids don't give us a reason to throw some of that guilt in their direction we take it even harder. LOL

And you are right about your job. Its really tough to just say "Oh I can't tonight". I have to go home and decorate for Christmas when someone is really sick.

Maybe those boys will surprise you and do the Christmas decoration thing for you. Or maybe you can ask them to. Let them do something like that for you for Christmas.

With or without the decorations it will be a Christmas to remember. You got a new kitty.

 

[Beekissed]

Yeah...I didn't want to admit it...but he's kinda cute! I try to think in terms of "is he necessary?", so I justify that Spike will do better with a companion to stimulate him and to sleep with to stay warm. Also, since Spike has that gimpy hip, he is not hunting at full capacity, so he may need some help come spring! That's what I tell myself!!!

 

[FarmerChick]

hey Bee
yea I like that Christmas smell in the house too.
The holidays, only we are pressured by "them" to always try to make it perfect....I don't anymore. I do what I can come the holidays and that is that. Just remember the true meaning and we get thru it with ease!

WOW on your job. That would be so hard for me to do what you do. Thank goodness for people like you cause we sure need strong people to handle those situations. I would be wimping out big time.

new kitty...good mouser hopefully....or a porch decoration..LOL...that kitty might fool ya....porch decoration one minute, killer the next..HA HA...I always love a good mouser. They do their job and keep the place varmint free. good trade off for feeding them.HA HA