FarmerChick--Farm Journal

[reinbeau]

We're supposed to get rain starting this afternoon through to next Tuesday - and it's cool out there. Where's summer?

I'm so sorry about your hand, that hurts!! I hope it heals fast. How's Tony's job doing? I hope he's back to work steadily. Not the case here.

 

[Dace]

Hey you...have you thought of hiring someone at min wage to help you with your soap? I would work several hours a week in exchange for my weekly veggies...that would cost you nothing! I am sure there are people near you who would do the same.

You should seriously think about that, in my experience, business owners typically are the ones who hold themselves back and prevent the growth they really want simply because they try to do it all.

I would really like to try my hand at soap making. There was a thread around here somewhere that looked easy enough, do you have any tips or advice before I try it? Do I have to buy molds?

 

[FarmerChick]

We're supposed to get rain starting this afternoon through to next Tuesday - and it's cool out there. Where's summer?

I'm so sorry about your hand, that hurts!! I hope it heals fast. How's Tony's job doing? I hope he's back to work steadily. Not the case here.

Hi Ann

where is summer? Hmmm....I know what you mean but today I think it came HOME! 96 out there today with 100s possibly over the weekend.....when it rains it pours, when it gets hot, it is hades...HA HA HA

Hope you get some good weather soon.!!!!

Yea Tony is back to work. They are kinda training people to do other jobs now also....you know the thing, have every employee know a few jobs. His work is skilled with big big big complicated machines so they can only learn like 2-3 machines...that is enough to remember..HA HA

So he is training on the D2000 which is easier than his own line work. He likes the break but the hours will start back normal this week actually!!!!

Sorry it is hard for your hubby! Things just ain't good yet and aren't going to be for a while so we just keep pluggin along looking for a bit of security. Guess it is all we can do now!

 

[FarmerChick]

Hey you...have you thought of hiring someone at min wage to help you with your soap? I would work several hours a week in exchange for my weekly veggies...that would cost you nothing! I am sure there are people near you who would do the same.

You should seriously think about that, in my experience, business owners typically are the ones who hold themselves back and prevent the growth they really want simply because they try to do it all.

I would really like to try my hand at soap making. There was a thread around here somewhere that looked easy enough, do you have any tips or advice before I try it? Do I have to buy molds?

You are absolutely right Dace! No 2 ways about that.....but I have that bad attitude. I don't want to work with someone in my third bedroom, which is my soap and computer room..HA HA HA

Thing is if I was 25 years old I would build a shop and hire people and market this to the cows came home....but being almost 50 I want to actually cut back on biz.

Shame for me this biz hit big when I am getting older....and don't have that desire to go for the gold......well, you know what I mean!!

MOLDS, yup there are tons of them to choose from. You can do the wooden block molds and then cut soaps with wire etc....or build cavity molds like me. I use 5 ounce---4 out high heat polystyrene rectangle molds. Rectangle soaps mean the labels stay on easy for me..HA HA...vs. round bars etc. My molds are $7.50 each. Yup, and I buy like $300 worth every 3 months....they take good abuse but not last as long as I would like.

Just research on the internet like me and you will see what is available and see what fits your work best.

 

[Quail_Antwerp]

Wow, FC, I'm sorry you had to turn away business, but at the same time, that's a good sign of how great your soap business is!!

Are you only selling locally or are you shipping those soaps???

 

[FarmerChick]

All that rain is going around us. Does not even hit our radar. We seem to have some type of high pressure stalled out over us that is holding the rain off and making our temps above normal. Its suppose to be a 100 today. To early in the year for us to be this dry. This is August weather. I don't know. But have already had to put fans on the chickens and rabbits. The dog even has his own persoanl fan. No breezes just hot, dry with a gazillion % humidity that makes you feel like you can't get any oxygen. Zaps the life right out of ya.

Glad the hand is better. Save me a bucket of rain. I may have to drive up to get it. LOL

LOL---anytime you need a bucket of rain you call me, I will have it ready when you get here.

YES YES the humidity does zap the life from the old body....I hear you big time.

We are getting your weather finally...like 96 today with possible 100s over the weekend....now this is NC...HA HA HA

We will have to back up our "fall" planting by like 3 weeks this year I am sure. Planting cool weather stuff just gets closer and closer to Christmas time actually...LOL-LOL

weird but we adapt right?

 

[FarmerChick]

Friday

busy day

hotter than heck out there which is a nice change from rain!
Hmmm....clothes put out should dry fast this morning.

Worked on pool...not holding the free chlorine like it should...why I don't have a clue....LOL.....but zapping it with shock and stuff to hopefully correct that problem. Will vacuum late this afternoon after Nicole and I swim a bit later.

Washing tons of eggs.

YEAH!! YEAH!! Told Tony that 300 chickens was too many eggs so he put in a call to his buddy that sells chickens and will sell the 50 older hens. Yippee!!!! Not a huge dent in eggs but it will help me wash easier..HA HA

I will get good money for them and that makes me smile!!



Tore apart the bedding today....all comforters, sheets, pillows, etc. etc. etc. is out in the hot hot sun. I love to get all of that so nice and clean in the sun...so that is done and I am glad I got it done early and outside before the "projected afternoon T-storm" might come..LOL



Booked my vacation. 1 week at Cape Hatteras. Can't wait. Leaving July 20 and come back July 27. 1 week at the beach camping is only $480. Can't go wrong on those prices!!!!! Been all around the Outer Banks and other NC coast but never to Cape Hatteras...they say the dolphins swim with you in the surf...can't wait to see it!!!!


Next week going to Asheville KOA so Tony can trout fish....just Thurs to Sun. My brother lives in Asheville and will visit with the kids and they can all swim at the KOA just for fun....something different. So 4 days for $116. is not bad at all...cheap but fun trip!

WOW I need to get away.....I truly want to camp and travel more and more as I get older......just going to blow off the markets and such and say screw it..HA HA


Lots of hay problems here in NC......hay will be more expensive this winter since so many lost their spring cutting to rain.........but I didn't..............will cut and keep my fall cutting for myself and will sell all my not need hay from last years cuttings. Should be good money........so that is the plan. I know that cattle will be cheap this winter so we decided to buy a bunch of cattle and hold for a better market for later. Will see how that little endeavor goes..HA HA


Good thing is we have so much stored hay that we can feed tons of animals. So why not utitilize the pastures and hay we have....so just another adventure to see if we can make some money for the farm.



what else?

hmm...nothing much right now. Gotta get those goats to the sale.....some of the bucks are thinking dirty thoughts with my gals..HA HA HA....need to unload them but the way Tony is working it doesn't seem I can get them to market just yet....and tis the time for a bunch of ethnic holidays to make good money per lb. on them.


ONE THING!!!

Never enough time. I need to buy time...what??---am I nuts..HA HA

But it is true. I don't know how people do it with 3-4 kids and all the work and housework and life getting in the way....UGH-----no time. I am slowly struggling to cut farm work etc. and make more leisure time in this life before I am too twisted to do so..HA HA


rambling...cause I don't want to do all the work I have to do and want to just type...but I gotta go do it..HA HA HA

 

[punkin]

Haven't heard from you in a while. Is everything OK?

I'm sure you're super-duper busy now. Check in when you can.

 

[FarmerChick]

Hi Punkin

All is well.

Busy just like you are...LOL-LOL

I will pop over to your journal and check in with you!

 

[MorelCabin]

Hey Farmer...long time no see! Just popping in to say hello! Glad to hear Tony is back to work and things seem good at your place!