About a week and a half ago, I temporarily signed off of this forum to have a bit of time away from the computer. Most of us were either down with the flu or recovering therefrom, the laundry was piled high, the kitchen ceiling plaster was coming down, the water pressure was so low that it took 30 minutes just to fill the washer, we were not satisfied with the winter quarters we had set up for the chickens and rabbits, the computer was attacked by several viruses, and on and on it went. It was as though everything was happening all at once and I was throwing up my arms and screaming, "Enough already!!!" I am sure you all have had times like that.

We celebrated American Thanksgiving at the home of friends in New York. After the delicious dinner, the men cleaned up the kitchen. Then we went out to look over their animal set-up. They have 4 goats, a duck, an assortment of 10-12 chickens, 2 pot-belly pigs, and I think 4-5 rabbits all in one shed, living companionably together, in a rather pleasant-smelling atmosphere. They tell me the pigs keep things stirred up so that the droppings turn to compost rather nicely, instead of it becoming a smelly, compacted mess. They sometimes toss in some fresh hay as needed, but the old hay stays dry and fluffy so that they won't need to rake out the shed till spring.

We got to talking about animal shelter, and they encouraged me to try the hay-bale thing. I posted the question of chicken housing here, and got similar words of advice and encouragement (thanks!). So, as of yesterday, the chickens now have their finished home. I did most of the building myself, as Tom was busy and the children weren't all that enthused about yet another chicken house (How many are you going to make, Mom? This is only the third!). I used some scrap wood to put together a 6'X8' frame; 5 feet high at the back and 6 feet high at the front. The back and sides are braced with cross braces. We moved it to its semi-permanent location, set some bricks under the corners, and put on the roof. I cut 5 or 6 seven-foot lengths which Tom nailed to the top to support the tarp we put on over that. (I intend to keep my eyes open for some scrap tin to replace the tarp.) Next, we stacked hay bales around for walls, keeping the front open. I want to put clear poly across the front to let in more light. All in all, we were quite pleased with the results, although my back was stiff all last evening. I enjoyed the work, especially the power saw!

We moved the rabbits into the garage, since there are only two of them. We'll just keep hay under the hutch to catch the droppings and keep it cleaned up so the garage doesn't smell.

We had our New York friends up to work on the computer yesterday. We now use Pegasus for e-mail; it is anti-virus and we did not have to change our e-mail addies. We also now use Netscape for our internet browser. I now keep my address book empty and am in the process of going around the web expiring all my cookies. We are still getting hit, but now have an alarm system that catches the viruses before they do any damage, lets us know they are there (with a noise similar to a car alarm), and asks us if we want to allow the changes on the hard drive.

The plumber replaced some piping so that the pressure is back up where it should be. Tom said he actually had to turn the shower down last night! The landlord is, as I write, putting the finishing touches on the new kitchen ceiling tile. This is the third day we have had to live with the refrigerator and freezer in the hall, next to the school desks. I have not been able to do much cooking and we have been using more paper plates than normal ("normal" being only when camping). By this afternoon we should have the kitchen back in order, although the entire house will have to be cleaned of plaster dust. (The old plaster ceiling was taken completely down.)

We are all healthy now, and it is time to start getting ready for the Christmas program at church. We had a Sunday school teachers' meeting to plan it all out; my task this afternoon is to get it all typed up so we can make copies to hand out at prayer meeting tonight.

The weather up here has been unseasonably warm. We had one ice storm last week, but so far no significant snow. I like snow, and the children are hoping for some for Christmas, but we are equally happy with the low heating bill, and the chickens are still scratching outside. The ground isn't even frozen.

Well, I think that's about it for now. This has been a rather long post! Thanks to all who wished us well and prayed for us while we were sick.

-- Cathy N. (keeper8@attcanada.ca), December 05, 2001

Answers

welcome Back Cathy! I am so glad you are back on and everyone is feeling better. when it rains it pours, but god truly does not give us more than we can handle does he. I recall many times just like this in my life. I have been so busy lately too, but that is another thread!

-- Melissa (me@home.net), December 05, 2001.

Good to see you back with us. Missed you!

-- Ardie/Wi (ardie54965@hotmail.com), December 05, 2001.

I was just thinking of you this morning and their you were,when I turned on CF forum. Welcome Back........and glad things are getting done. I'm in Washington State and we have had snow. So pretty, right now the sun is out and the it's melting off the trees and bushes. The roads are clear so we get to go out.

-- Jo (farmerjo@kvalley.com), December 05, 2001.

In any frugal or farm (or both!)lifestyle it is either feast or famine! When its harvest or canning time--there is no cleaning that can be done!!

-- Ann Markson (tngreenacres@hotmail.com), December 05, 2001.

Good to have you back in the fold and glad everyone's healthy again.

-- Gary in Indiana (gk6854@aol.com), December 05, 2001.