Tomorrow I leave for California – not for long – six days I think – so today John will do all the morning chores by himself so he can ask me any questions. It is actually pretty hard for me to stay inside while he does chores by himself but it will be ok. And now that I finally got my assignment finished and handed in ( the computer managed for that long before going black again. I was working fast and in fear of a collapse. So it will not be a perfect grade, but better than no grade). It was not a tough chapter though. I have achieved 100% for everything bar that first quiz so far. 
However – I am getting through my list and according to my own timetable I am still on schedule for my departure of the farm at 5.30 tomorrow morning.
Yesterday John created the gap in the back wall of the Rat House so the big pigs can come through to be fed on the dry side of the Rat House. We even found an old heavy door so the gap can be closed. With Anna here ( and helpful Sheila and Poppy) I was able to clean up the rat house floor and make rubble steps and get their corridor cleared. Did I tell you there is a blues brothers car in there. I am sure Poppy is thrilled. 
I fully expected them to go back down into the root cellar at night but Sheila is tired of stairs and chose instead to sleep in the little tin house. 
Winter feeding will be so much easier for them now. This part of the field ( in the foreground of the above shot) is an old driveway and more solid – not nearly as muddy. But cold in winter – this way they can still get back to the sunny side. 
So, Sheila and I are pleased and now John can feed them.
I was wondering if you have any questions for me as blog posts for when I am in the California suburbs. Questions would be such a marvelous help for the blog while I am gone. I don’t tend to write about my family on the blog and the suburbs are not exactly heaving with photos!
I imagine a good question for new people is why the Rat House is called the Rat House. Maybe I could draw you a map of the farm again? – with kids crayons!!
Do you have any questions? Things you have always wondered?
Love celi
The Kitchen's Garden 
100 responses to “LAST DAY”
I love the crayon idea! Have a good Christmas with your family.
Ok. I will do that one!
Yes I do too. Would love a map.
I rather like the photos of the ‘burbs, it helps me to picture where you are. I will of course keep checking in, happy holidays and we will see you on the other side. Laura
Ok! Good thinking – I will do one post on the horrible suburbia .
I used to live in California many moons ago and was back there last year to visit friends.
Have a great time with the family .
I would like to see photos of trees & plants, anything blooming or fruiting now at Christmas time in California. Just on a stroll down the street & round the block or in the yard. If the weather is nice & you are outside. I wish you a safe & easy traveling & a happy time with your family, & everything well & fine at home till you return.
It is winter there too. But they are still picking mandarins I think? At least they are still packing them
Yes, but what does “winter” look like in Cali? Seconding Kate, pics would be good: )
Oops, JM I meant…
I love statistics: how many acres is the Farmy, how many of which kind of animals, how much hay do you get through, how much milk do the aunties produce. Those of us who’ve been following the Farmy for a while are used to the comings and goings of the creatures, but it would be interesting to have a census! Have a good trip, enjoy your family and the festive season.
A census! Well done Kate !
Yes great questions.
Have a wonderful holiday!
You too Deb!
Happy holidays! Enjoy the family. Ours is coming to visit, so lots of cooking, biking, riding and card games in store. Oh, and karaoke and dancing! 🎄🎄🎄
Wow! Your family knows how to have fun! That is great.
Did I tell you …
No, you didn’t tell “there is a blues brothers car in there.”
I am sure Poppy is thrilled.
__________________________
Sure “Poppy is thrilled”?
She is the type of pig who might just rise up on her hind legs grab a mic and break into song!
A picture of that would be great! Perhaps John could snap one while you’re gone? 😉
Can we get a “rise on the legs and break into song” song.
Happy new year.
Ah yes – that one!
Why did Sheila become a pet pig instead of part of the production? I only started reading a year or two ago and she was already queen of the farm.
Oh VERY good question!
Why don’t you just go & have a great holiday & forget the blog until you come back??? I will miss you terribly but I can survive a week – you need a break!! And you can tell us all about it – with pictures from your phone – & how John survived as well, when you get back!!!!!
But I will miss you too!!
I’m glad you have a chance at a trial run with John doing the chores. Probably easier for both of you. We’re just glad you’re having a break. Maybe drop your computer off at the repair shop and use your phone or borrow a family members computer while you are away? I’d like to see a map of the farm and what future plans you have? Is there a way to improve drainage to the boggy fields? Enjoy your vacation!
This computer would cost more to fix than it did to buy!
Mmm… Called planned obsolescence and become more and more overt, sad isn’t it?:/
“This computer would cost more to fix than it did to buy!” –
you’re online – where’s the problem.
all the best.
Yes! I cannot find the problem! Weird.
Cecilia, let’s start with
WHAT Computer.
which operating system.
Do you have data in hand written form so we can new build an excel file.
Is it worth the afford.
TELL ME!
Perhaps you could give us a reminder of who the current animals are on the farm?
Oddly, when I tell people about your farm blog, I most often talk about Boo. His nannying heart has me besotted.
My husband, being a practical man, is most interested in hearing how the ducks are getting along. “Fifty cents an egg?!”
Yes! The census question has two votes!
Have a wonderful time! I can’t thonk of any questions except, how are the cows? but will reply again with more if I do.
A cow catch up! Good idea
Once, quite a while ago, you wrote a post about your theory of getting things done. Since I’m in awe of what you accomplish, I’d love to read more about that. Or you could just dig out that old post and run it again. Or you could take a break! We’d miss you, but you deserve it. Have a wonderful time.
That is a very good question. I will write an up to date version.
Does a “like” count as a vote, C?
Of course
Oh kid’s crayon drawings please! Post some!!! And I would love to see a crayon drawing of the farm by you. I so love coloring and using crayons! I have a box of colored pencils and a wide assortment of colored pens at my desk so I can cheer up my notes. Currently I am using Pink, Green and Blue pens. Pink for budget, blue for IRS tax stuff and Green for my sales stuff. 🙂
And I love that you use colours in your work!!
Yes, a map drawing of the farmy would be great! Maybe something like an aerial view so we can see all the buildings and fields so we get the perspective on where they are to one another and to the house? With the gardens in there too? 🙂 Sorry, you did ask what we’d like to see! 🙂 🙂 🙂 And if you get to the ocean, maybe a beach shot or two? Just know you will have a fabulous time!!! xo
Oh how I wish I was going to the ocean – – I go into Fresno and drive from there – we are landlocked and of course half the kids are sick!