tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post2167403873241477910..comments2024-03-28T12:01:24.909-04:00Comments on 5 Acres & A Dream: Of Routine and Spontaneity on the HomesteadLeighhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02435811789823712254noreply@blogger.comBlogger17125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-92008807046272887542014-07-19T13:26:19.105-04:002014-07-19T13:26:19.105-04:00we have a similar parting of "characters"...we have a similar parting of "characters" and chores over here:) and I have to admit that sometimes I'd like to have jobs that are finishable, too! the repeating things can be very tiring (and boring), because there is no end to them...getting out of that routine can sometimes be very refreshing (just back from a 2 week trip to germany:) - but of course it's far easier without having to look after animals. it would be quite difficult to leave if I had to milk or feed those... and I see flexibility as a necessity - and spontaneity as a luxury!Woolly Bitshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11961632742998726155noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-6565720155604787802014-07-19T05:57:40.123-04:002014-07-19T05:57:40.123-04:008 days into our new adventure, we are working on f...8 days into our new adventure, we are working on finding a routine. There is no livestock, only trees and brush and hard, intensive labor. I work a 40+ hour a week job, my husband works from home and is very flexible. He lost 3 days this week because of the lovely Florida rain. It's a learning curve and we have a LOT to learn. <br /><br />We will find our balance soon!Tuesdayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02029757964989146602noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-86308068972737564872014-07-19T00:48:23.505-04:002014-07-19T00:48:23.505-04:00You brought up some really good points for me to m...You brought up some really good points for me to mull over. Like you, I have the daily routine jobs that need to get done while hubby just focuses on one project. Su Bahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09125127467859054156noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-25718392919956601212014-07-18T20:54:54.458-04:002014-07-18T20:54:54.458-04:00i always have lots of projects on the go, some are...i always have lots of projects on the go, some are leisure projects like sewing or crochet etc and others that need to be finished in a timely manner, those get all my attention until im finished. my husband on the other hand starts something and sometimes needs reminding to get it finished as he will have moved onto something else. or he will start it and ill finish it and thats usually the case.Nicole and Andrewhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07463146316953697505noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-46616970462766530222014-07-18T17:40:17.155-04:002014-07-18T17:40:17.155-04:00Hi Leigh-I'm a lot like you, many irons in the...Hi Leigh-I'm a lot like you, many irons in the fire but I always manage to get everything done. My husband and I are fairly new to homesteading, while we love this lifestyle and the rewards our hard work brings, one thing is certain, there ain't no sleeping in!!! No more lazy Saturday mornings in the suburbs. Our animals need and expect routine. When I'm off just a little, like this morning by 25 minutes, I here about it!helenabellehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05271726593187819141noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-45447575506833038802014-07-18T17:30:11.709-04:002014-07-18T17:30:11.709-04:00I find that I am mostly a "I like a routine&q...I find that I am mostly a "I like a routine" kinda guy. I'm also a bit like Dan in preference and a bit like you in practice. :) I like things best when I start a task and work on it to the exclusion of all else until it's done: Finish it up, Check the box,and move on. Unfortunately, unless the task is trimming my fingernails or getting the mail, I have SO many things going on it never works out that way in practice. Between the homestead, my professional life, the classes I teach and work I do at the Church, my role as county coordinator for the Amateur Radio Emergency Service, and my favorite tasks of husband, father, and 'papa', I always have many things needing attention that can't wait until it's convenient for me.<br /><br />You wrote, "I think the worldly minded usually want flexibility to suit themselves. On the homestead, flexibility is required to suit everything else." I like that. There's something there that contributes to a bit of inner peace. I think it's a reminder that while it seems like I'm doing a dozen different things for a dozen different people, I'm really just busy doing the single lifework of one man. I'm trusting God to knit it all together, as His one plan for my life. It only sometimes feels chaotic because I focus on things as individual pieces rather simply parts of a greater whole.Markhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08343134852881572900noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-28682078462991100842014-07-18T15:48:53.876-04:002014-07-18T15:48:53.876-04:00I think I'm a little of both traits you saw at...I think I'm a little of both traits you saw at the co-op. I need an organised idea/plan of what to do, but then I become very flexible at how I achieve that goal. I have to be, because I'm a mum to a teen, a tot and a husband who has a working week off-site.<br /><br />Then please throw the weather on top for some added variety of what I'm able to achieve too, lol.<br /><br />I've got some thoughts on weather and plants (land management) brewing for the past few weeks. I managed to start a draft post but life requirements come first. I'll get there soon I hope.<br /><br />But I think ultimately the more people align themselves with the land as a priority, the more our ideas of man-made organisation become superfluous. Our clocks are really set by nature, and it has always been the case. Mankind just stopped paying attention because of progressive distraction. Chris https://www.blogger.com/profile/13715819899708384147noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-76210878043305710552014-07-18T15:00:47.360-04:002014-07-18T15:00:47.360-04:00Lynda, the one time I had to travel for a family i...Lynda, the one time I had to travel for a family illness worked out because none of the does were in milk. Dan took off work and did the chores leaving me free to take off for a week. That would be something that would be key, whether or not milking chores were included. <br /><br />Dawn, thank you!<br /><br />Barb, excellent point. Chores, especially with animals, can be set according to the caregiver's schedule. They don't care as long as you're on time! Very true about daylight savings as well. I once heard someone say it was so farmers could work more hours, but who ever said that didn't have to deal with livestock!<br /><br />Renee, I hope you find someone you and Lilly like. I think animals are why some folks don't feel "free" with their lives. OTOH, they provide many things, which makes it worth it, I think.<br /><br />Sue, thanks!<br /><br />Ed, that sounds like the perfect solution. <br /><br />Gill, another great solution! I think my daughter, son and daughter-in-law would be willing if need be, but none of them knows how to milk! Maybe lessons are in order. :)<br /><br />Kev, yup. That so called woman's work is simply the job of whomever gets the home chores. And good for you for being a multi-tasker! That's a skill I need to improve upon. <br /><br />Dani, gosh, has it been two years already? I think personality is very much part of work style. Maybe it's good in couples to have one of each. We keep each other on our toes. :)Leighhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02435811789823712254noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-2462234494385924572014-07-18T13:44:31.385-04:002014-07-18T13:44:31.385-04:00I'm like Dan - I make myself a list (of major ...I'm like Dan - I make myself a list (of major and trivial projects) and if I can strike each one off in the evening, I feel it was a good day. I don't like things lingering - it makes me feel overwhelmed.<br /><br />RMan, on the other hand, isn't bothered and will do what he can, when he can. And , on occasion, let it linger until it gets to me and I have to remind him - like a light socket which still needs finishing . Bear in mind we've been in the house for 2 years lolDanihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04020970904311512357noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-40519761651858192512014-07-18T12:51:25.436-04:002014-07-18T12:51:25.436-04:00I grew up on a farm so I've always delt with i...I grew up on a farm so I've always delt with it I suppose but I think my wife used to struggle with the being back so I could shut in the animals and water the plants.<br />I terrible for having loads of jobs running at once but I guess I do most of the jobs you described as "womans work" as well..!Kev Alvitihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04992625860900617194noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-3337051217782186512014-07-18T11:44:34.812-04:002014-07-18T11:44:34.812-04:00I relate to this!!
We are fortunate that our young...I relate to this!!<br />We are fortunate that our youngest daughter decamps to here if we want/ need to go away.<br />There is a young boy in the village taking an interest in the bees and chickens. I am hoping that he will be interested in watering the hens and collecting eggs throughout the holidays, when our daughter does other things. I am going to talk to his mkother bbaout this this weekend<br />GillFrugal in Derbyshire https://www.blogger.com/profile/10221169113482164565noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-84124814112349740172014-07-18T11:39:20.484-04:002014-07-18T11:39:20.484-04:00My farming parents discovered the key to spontanei...My farming parents discovered the key to spontaneity was a good hired hand to come take care of the routine. Because full time hired hands are expensive, they ended up finding people who no longer live on the farm but yearn for that life and are willing to spend a week or two taking care of chores and such until my parents get back. The same fellow, a school teacher, has been their hired hand for the last decade.Edhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13214319366049620074noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-13792704892265030072014-07-18T10:44:40.615-04:002014-07-18T10:44:40.615-04:00Well said, dear girl. Well said. Well said, dear girl. Well said. Florida Farm Girlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14788091314337673170noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-48472642722058278802014-07-18T10:39:17.391-04:002014-07-18T10:39:17.391-04:00This post reminds me that having animals is probab...This post reminds me that having animals is probably not for me. Our dog gets fussy around the time changes because of course she's hungry and her dinner time just got moved. and right now I'm working on locating a new place for her to go when we go on vacation because our old sitter just moved.Renee Nefehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08167893445846427824noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-88378653233207781792014-07-18T08:22:03.221-04:002014-07-18T08:22:03.221-04:00I learned from my Nature Center experience that if...I learned from my Nature Center experience that if you set the hours of your feeding around the life you live (i.e. the open ours of the farm), the animals become accustomed to it. They don't care about daylight savings time. Set it and forget it! We were able to go on vacation this year because our 5th grade neighbor and her parents walked down and checked the water twice a day and looked out for signs of trouble. <br /><br />I find that the weather has become a part of my life like family. Sometimes a loved one, sometimes a hated enemy. I have, however, stopped thinking that it is something that needs to be changed. I am grateful for that lesson. <br /><br />I am like you with the army of projects. The Farmer's Husband doesn't have any projects other than the kids. It makes him nutty when he sees the chaos. It has for 16 years.Farmer Barbhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07596672416236302171noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-17824415556205598272014-07-18T07:32:11.801-04:002014-07-18T07:32:11.801-04:00I agree livestock need routine, that was the part ...I agree livestock need routine, that was the part I found easy with the move keeping them all to there routine and working around them, like you we have a good weather outdoor job list and a bad weather indoor list, I like routine and organisation but also like spontinaty and at times can be very impulsive.<br />Great post :-)Dawnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05213759909336433460noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-72081991534015463362014-07-18T07:09:00.160-04:002014-07-18T07:09:00.160-04:00If you ever had to leave to attend a funeral or an...If you ever had to leave to attend a funeral or an unexpected event, do you have someone that can come live in and care for the animals and gardens. I imagine you'd have to be quite picky about your carer and then the animals would need to know them. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12605358521258969537noreply@blogger.com