Yesterday I reordered the order, and all the animals went in and out of the barn with ease and no escapes. So now the pens are all sorted out for the period that I am away.
It is very lucky that pigs do not have digits or at the very least Daisy’s height. They would be opening gates in all directions.
Those pigs forget nothing. I gave them the command to run through the barn and up the barn corridor and around the corner entering their winter quarters the old way (without going across the drive, which they are not allowed to do while I am away). The command by the way is Go To Bed. We have not done this for most of the summer. Go To Bed I called from the field. Bam! Off they shot and were piled up at the correct gate before I even got to in to open it! They love their Winter Quarters.
Queenie watched as we opened the interior milking parlour gate for Daisy, now that the cold is here and like a good fat cow she did not try to stuff herself through as well. She is the very essence of patience this cow. She stands ever so quietly waiting for her turn to be fed.
And Daisy moseyed on through her new entrance with a flick of her ever- flicking tail and a smart comment about how it was – about Time someone got around to opening this door, I am so over having to walk through the muck out there, and what were you thinking taking so long about it?
It is one of those lovely double horse doors too, so she can still watch the preparations but from the warmth of her own bed. Lazy cow.
Minty and Meadow have reclaimed the sunroom which they cannot jump out of- and why were there piggies in here anyway Miss c? 
Much to the delight of Author and LuLu.
The kittens really love those little sheep.
As you know my mantra is space and air, not only is this for my building projects but also for my animals. Each animal must have the option to go outside. The option for Mama’s flock is a two acre paddock, which desperately needs time without sheep on it now. So on the list is the fence, to create a small field, that keeps them in closer to the barn, hay and their barn door.
The generator needs it’s yearly overhaul because the power does go out in the storms but we still need to run water and milk twice a day. The generator only runs twice a day during these times. Also on the list is The List for the Surrogate Milkers of who gets what, when, where, how much and for how long.
Plus I cannot possibly go AWAY in farm clothes and all my clothes have been reduced to farm clothes. Most especially my jeans. And you all know how I feel about shopping! Which is why all my clothes are farm clothes. It just won’t do. One has to think of ones public you know!
And I really want to be wearing clothes that are Made in America. I prefer to shop from the country I am living in. Why is it so hard to find a little white top that is Made in America? I simply cannot go to NZ dressed in the House of; Made in China. Do I have to learn how to SEW!? Horrors.
Anyway, I won’t read the list to you. John might see it and run for the hills -which is a pretty long run out here on the prairies. At least he can cook and I am not reduced to putting meals in the freezer for him to eat while I am away.
Have a lovely day.
celi
c
The Kitchen's Garden 
52 responses to “Why isn’t the list getting any Shorter?”
It might be a long list, but you’re a Master of Management, Miss C…Your animals (and John!) apprieciate you – even if they forget to tell you that.
I took myself shopping for the first time in a year a few weeks ago, for some Saturday Night Dinner clothes. I let the shop girls dress me, and had a grand time. Try and enjoy yourself, just a bit 🙂
I can’t wait to see how this all goes while you’re away! Love the picture of Queenie….so sweet!!
They’re all so cute and well trained. Even if you learnt to sew, guess where the fabric would be from?! I hate sewing too. All the best with your preparations. 🙂
And you are right, i never even thought about where the fabric comes from! I had better start planting cotton as well! c
I think that might be rather a lot of work. Maybe you should take up the knitting instead. 😉
“Those pigs forget nothing.” — We won’t tell the Shush sisters, but the last boar pig we had on the farm many years ago would climb gates — I helped my father run a line of electric fence across the top of the gate to keep “Pete” in. The kittens are so cute — maybe they know the sheep are good for cuddling. Looking forward to our trip to New Zealand!
CLIMBED gates! What a shot that would have made! WoW! lets not tell Charlotte! EVER! The cats are fascinated by sheep, but use cows for warmth, which terrifies me. c
I think I hid out and watched Pete do it but no pictures .He got extra corn so I could get him back in — so it was a win-win situation for him. I recall the barn cats curling up with our cows too, but don’t recall any injuries. Cows must be like a large electric blanket to them. Are there any consignment shops near you? I get clothes there for reasonable prices..
Glad your Drill went better with no escapees. How far do you have to drive to go shopping? We’re 1 1/2 hours from anything here. You must be getting excited. You’ll be on your way before we know it! (I hate clothes shopping.)
I also hate shopping. But I love thrift stores. It’s not just the bargains, but recycling clothes counts, even if they were made somewhere else, I think.
I completely agree, I dressed myself entirely in second hand clothing when I lived in europe and the outfits were fantastic, there is one thrift shop a ways from here, I should go and check it out, tho I seldom drive up that way.. c
Don’t get me going on the Made in China thing. We had a wee generator which broke down. It just needed a new spring but no, it’s a Chinese copy of a honda and you can’t get spare parts! And as for clothes! I remember that great bastion of the British high street, Marks and Spencer – everything made in Britain. Not anymore. So maybe you’re on to something, we’re just going to have to dust off the old sewing macine!
I hope the list begins to get shorter soon. On a different note, I woke up this morning at 7AM and noticed it was still dark. I’m in awe how you can get so much done before the sun rises.
Our kittens are growing so quickly. Lovely to have everybody sorted, except you on your wardrobe, you poor dear. I hate clothes shopping, never did enjoy it so I feel your pain on that score. Hope you find something American made soon, oh and at a reasonable price too.
🙂 Mandy xo
I have found some fantastic american designers, but at a price that is for sure(.which i don’t mind paying for something perfect once in a while) . but there is a dearth of sweat shops in the US I guess! c
I realise your list is probably still growing but there is nothing better than starting to cros sthings off a list.
Could the internet be your shopping friend ?
I could and do shop from the internet sometimes but we are miles out in the country so the little man in his truck has to drive all the way out here for one item at a time and i feel so BAD! Too late now though.. c
Just leave some careful instructions and get on the plane with a happy heart and no worries. It’s going to be a spectacular trip!
sensible girl.. c
And have a good time – things will manage.
Animals are so clever atren´t they..remembering things! And thank god your John is independent and can cook 🙂 I often add things to my list that I have already done and then put a line through them. It makes me feel better!
What an excellent idea! I must do that! Right now actually.. c
Are you a worrywort Ms. C? You sound suspiciously like Jen, and she’s one. Seriously though, sounds to me like you’ve got things all sorted out. And no one but you will know where your clothing was made. 🙂
But I will know, it is like cleaning the moat, I will know the moat is clean.. and I am trying to dispel the notion people have of the midwest as a cultural desert.. I have a week! And yes rumpy darling.. I am a Worrywort. I am the Fretter.. the Handwringer.. Tell jen I promise to do better.. (Hey that rhymes!).. Oh dear.. c
Oh my gosh, I swear you must be my sister somehow. No farm, but a reclaimed, recovering and restructing yard and garden and 2 dogs and a miriad of wildlife — and all my clothes are yard work clothes. Husband insisted I buy new jeans, and I made it through trying on 1 pair of jeans before I gave up. I just don’t do shopping. Lucky me, my sister’s oldest daughter has recently outgrew a pair of jeans… while the 2 inch zipper is a wee bit short for my age (the age of women who prefer that their undies don’t show out the back of their jeans) I’ll adapt with long shirts in order to not shop. And, if you can find a Made In US white shirt that is thick enough to not need to wear yet another shirt under it so that under wear is properly hidden, PLEASE let me know. I am also of the age of women who prefer their shirts to not highlight and draw attention to one’s bra. 🙂
Wear a bright pink bra, this is what I do! I do have nice bras!! ha ha ha .. oh sister from another mother! How much fun would we have sitting about in our frayed and holey farm clothes! oh and the undies that are allowed to show, evidently, are smaller than their own label, so I say to the girls at least cut that label off!! c
And, I soooo wish that I lived close enough to come play with your animals! Especially while you are gone and they need a little attention. They are going to miss you! I’d take my laptop out to your barn and let your skype with all your critters.
:Lacey that is brilliant! Imagine the ears on the animals hearing my voice!!.. c