Quail_Antwerp: Words from the Barnyard...

[keljonma]

I had asked nephew if he'd feed/water everyone while we're gone and he says, "Sure, it's not hard." But when I've asked him to come out so I can show him where things are, how I do things, he comes back with, "I know, I've watched you." Just because you've seen me OUT THERE doesn't mean you KNOW what I am doing or where everything is!!!
Ok sorry just had to get that out.....

Personally, I would TELL him that you going to show him. Maybe if you explain that you understand he has an idea of what you do. However these are your livestock and pets, not his. So he needs to do what you need done so that you don't have to worry about the animals while you are away from home.

Also I would suggest leaving written instructions for each animal or group of animals so he has the time, feed amounts, water amounts, etc for each. That's what we did, and our animal care person came to see what we did and asked questions. I know how you feel - good animal help is hard to find.

I will check my schedule and see if I can meet you at the hospital to keep you company...

 

[SheriM]

Because of my DH's dementia, he has trouble following a sequence of steps so chores can be really tough for him. We created a chore chart, listing each thing that has to be done and a column for the dates. Each day, he checks off what he has done and that helps him ensure it all gets done. A variation on this might help you and your nephew.

I will be praying for you and your husband. Stay strong. It will all work out in the end.

 

[Quail_Antwerp]

So right... you are only 2 hours away.

I realize that is a 4 hour round trip and you want to be by hubby's side, but he WILL probably nap on some painkillers for a while and then ... but only if you are REALLY worried.

I would stop by home several times IF he needs to have the extended stay, however.

You will both make it OK and then this worry will be over!

I understand that, but more of the reason of staying at the hospital until he's released is to save on gas, not to say I wouldn't want to be with him, it's just more cost effective given what we have to drive to stay put.

Add to that a trust issue, so my mom's going to do the animal care and maybe a friend that lives close.

Today we are cleaning the entire house from top to bottom, making sure we leave no dirty dishes or anything out of place before going to the hospital....and there's a reason behind that, too.

Ah...the joys of having family living with you.

 

[Quail_Antwerp]

One of my Sussex eggs had pipped yesterday, and finally hatched today!

But it's NOT a Speckled Sussex!!!!!!!!!!

I don't know how, but it looks like I have a blue/splash cochin chick!!! Which means somehow one of Louisa's eggs got mixed in with my Sussex eggs.

I cannot tell you how shocked I was when my "Speckled Sussex" came out with feathered feet!!!!!!!!!!!!

I have another Dom hatched now, for a total of 5, 3 Large Fowl BBS Orps, with another pipped, and 1 Bantam BBS Orp.

We decided today that we're going to sell the Embdens. They keep attacking my ducks and I like my ducks better, so the Geese have to go. They already near crippled one of my Welsh Harlequins, and that's like the ultimate sin here!

 

[keljonma]

One of my Sussex eggs had pipped yesterday, and finally hatched today!

But it's NOT a Speckled Sussex!!!!!!!!!!

I don't know how, but it looks like I have a blue/splash cochin chick!!! Which means somehow one of Louisa's eggs got mixed in with my Sussex eggs.

I cannot tell you how shocked I was when my "Speckled Sussex" came out with feathered feet!!!!!!!!!!!!

I have another Dom hatched now, for a total of 5, 3 Large Fowl BBS Orps, with another pipped, and 1 Bantam BBS Orp.

We decided today that we're going to sell the Embdens. They keep attacking my ducks and I like my ducks better, so the Geese have to go. They already near crippled one of my Welsh Harlequins, and that's like the ultimate sin here!

Sorry to hear it wasn't a Speckled Sussex that hatched. I know you have an order for them.

Would that be a Louisa & Quincy chicklette?

 

[Quail_Antwerp]

Would that be a Louisa & Quincy chicklette?

Yes, either Louisa & Quincy or Louisa & Polk, but since it's a blue or splash, I'm thinking Louisa & Quincy...waiting to see if it has frizzled feathers when they grow in

 

[Quail_Antwerp]

I want to share a few pics with all of you of the place Ernie and I looked at today. We feel like we may have found a "diamond in the rough" so to speak, and are considering making an offer on it.

When we stepped out of our truck today, we both felt like we had come "home" if that makes sense.

I'm not looking for opinions on whether we should or shouldn't, as that's a decision only we can make, but I am curious if you all see the same potential in the place that we see?

The "house" is a trailer with an addition, and it needs work. You can't see it from the road, there's only 1 neighbor who's about 1/2 mile down the road, and it's pretty much secluded. Can't even hear the cars when they drive by!

So, here are the pics....

Coming down the driveway from the road, soon as you start to take the left turn in the drive towards the house, you see the pond.

The pond is stocked with bass, bluegill, and catfish.

A fresh spring feeds into the pond from the more wooded area, and then the culvert goes under the driveway, allowing for a small stream to travel down to the BARN!!!

This shows where the "house" is in location to the pond. I was standing in the bend of the driveway.

The camper in front of the house doesn't come with the place.

More views from different sides of the pond.

This is walking down the front yard from the house to the barn.

Underground pump house. Holding tank needs replaced, and Ernie said we'd make this bigger so it could be both pump house and root cellar.

I have tons more pics, of the barn, the trees, etc. but I'll share them later.

 

[Blackbird]

Oo, I want to see pictures of the barn!

There is definitely potention, AND a barn! Can't get better than a barn. You can put your future milkers, your pony, make inside breeding pens, all sorts of good stuff. I especially like the birch trees by the water.

 

[2dream]

QA it looks lovely and peaceful. I say if its what you want - go for it. Spring fed is good. Love the pond and the view.

 

[reinbeau]

I want to share a few pics with all of you of the place Ernie and I looked at today. We feel like we may have found a "diamond in the rough" so to speak, and are considering making an offer on it.

When we stepped out of our truck today, we both felt like we had come "home" if that makes sense.

Aly, when I found the house I've been in now for a long, long time I had the exact same feeling, like I had finally 'come home'. Your heart and gut are telling you something - go for it - I hope Ernie fares well with his surgery and you end up with this place - show us more pics!