| Author |
Make It Easy:  Farmgirl Do-itness!!!!!!!!!  |
|
|
5 acre Farmgirl
True Blue Farmgirl
1007 Posts
~~~*Terri*~~~
WA.
USA
1007 Posts |
 Posted - Mar 26 2009 : 08:56:20 AM
|
Well, Farmgirls...
I have depended on my DH for the last few years for all things that may or may not take a man to do....now, He works such long hours, he simply cannot do much around here alot of the time, the other night, I asked him to help me with something, and he simply said, "Well, hun, you will just have to do it yourself, I just cannot."
Sooooooooooooooooooooo..............I guess I will just have to do it myself, I use to, but, have gotten use to him helping or doing it.....
Now, On with myself and my tools....the old Farmgirl Know how.....
Keep me in your thoughts as I endeavour to do most by myself,,not that I cannot..LOL! 
Farmgirl Sister #368
http://blogonthefarmandgarden.blogspot.com
http://froccsfrillsfurbiloesandmore.blogspot.com
|
|
|
StasiaSpins
True Blue Farmgirl
78 Posts
Stasia
Augusta (Eau Claire)
WI
USA
78 Posts |
Posted - Mar 26 2009 : 2:00:57 PM
|
With DH's company's downsizing, and him being away more often and working longer hours when he isn't away, I've had to take on more and more responsibilities on the farm (this would be the farm HE wanted when he got his new day job three years ago, for which we had to relocate). I just got so tired of keeping a "Honey Do" list for him, and having to ask him repeatedly to do things and feeling like a nag, that I finally gave up and said, "Dang it, I'm just going to do it myself."
Despite being physically challenged, I have found that with the proper tools (and proper clothes - around here that means WARM!), I don't need to sit around and wait for manna to fall from Heaven so that I can get the critters tended to. I even fixed a gate that had come off its hinge the other day, after waiting for months for DH to do it so that I could open it to fill water buckets when he was away. I do draw the line at going down into the horrible cellar to fix a blown fuse... then again, the wine is down there, so maybe I could get myself a reward if I take care of it. ;)
Things that I've found really helpful are:
1) a Sears Craftsman "RoboGrip" pliers for great leverage with weak hands;
2) a portable electric screwdriver/drill with rechargeable batteries;
3) a game sled of the kind used by deer hunters. It allows me to easily drag bales of hay or bags of mineral to the animal barns, with very little effort, over both snow and grass and even stubbly weedy places;
4) a Vermont garden cart on pneumatic tires for moving anything heavy or bulky like bags of wood chips (totally worth the cost - totally!);
and 5) a Vermont wood cart to bring up logs from the woodpile.
Next year, I will hopefully have a couple of my goat wethers trained to pull their little cart, and we'll see if they'll be willing to work for their supper a bit. Should be entertaining and stimulating for them as well!
I also carry a retractable razor cutter with me at all times as I tend to my chores so that I don't overwork my hands/arms with baler twine or brambles; my egg basket does double duty for collecting windblown trash or burdock burrs.
The best investment I made this past year was a super duper subzero parka from Lands' End. That, along with my polar fleece pantaloons and wicking long undies, enabled me to do chores/farm aerobics out in the fresh air without enduring chills or increased pain. It made it actually nice to get out in the weak sunlight on some of those really frosty days, and made late-evening animal waterings farm more bearable.
My new motto is, "Ask not what DH can do for me, that I could more quickly, more efficiently, and more professionally do for myself." HA! And then I reward myself with some Etsy shopping as "payment" for my "overtime". :)
There is one other trick I've found for attending to something that is completely beyond one's abilities: start it, letting DH know you are doing so. Say, "I'm going to get that stump out of the pasture. How do you start the tractor, and where are the chains?" Nine times out of ten they will "show" you what "you" need to do... and in the process the job will get done. Your other option is to tell DH you're going to hire someone and pay them to do it, and whom should you call, does he think? They say diplomacy is an art. I'm coming to believe that.
You go, girls! We CAN get it done - if I can do it, so can you!!!
http://www.TuppinzFarm.com Heritage Sheep ~ Goats ~ Donkeys ~ Poultry
http://YarnAndABarn.blogspot.com Spinning ~ Knitting ~ Weaving ~ Quilting ~ Crocheting |
 |
|
|
Brew Crew
True Blue Farmgirl
676 Posts
Molly
Arizona
676 Posts |
Posted - Mar 27 2009 : 02:23:31 AM
|
I totally feel you! My DH works from 7-7 and so misses most of the daylight hours that are ideal for the farm chores. That just leaves me. I've learned to do a lot! Once I got past the 'unfairness' of having to do all the chores/ repairs myself and just took it as a matter of fact, it is much less frustrating to me and although our farmette could use a lot of work, I can feel proud of what I'm able to do myself. Good luck; we can do it!!
The Biz www.tvalahandmade.com
The Blog: http://blog.tvalahandmade.com/
The Bits www.happydalehobby.blogspot.com/
|
|
|
|
Alee
True Blue Farmgirl
22941 Posts
Alee
Worland
Wy
USA
22941 Posts |
Posted - Mar 27 2009 : 08:52:07 AM
|
You can do it ladies! I worked on a horse ranch in 2006 (until I became pregnant with Nora and it made my boss to nervous for me to be around horses because she didn't want anything to happen to me) and the two guys of the ranch had to be away ALL SUMMER for their jobs! So it was just us three women working the ranch and 26 horses! 18 Stalls, and 15 outside runs that had to be mucked out or cleaned. Feeding, watering, exercising, vet work plus the breeding work on the ranch as well! It was hectic and hard but we all pitched in an worked to gether. If a fence needed fixed, we just got down and did it! There were days that I didn't go home until after 9 pm! And I sure slept good that spring and summer!
Terri- I know you can do it! And even though some tasks can be hard for you to learn or even to do- each time you finish a task you are going to be so proud of yourself!
Alee
Farmgirl Sister #8
www.awarmheart.com
Please come visit Nora and me on our blog: www.farmgirlalee.blogspot.com
Put your pin on the farmgirl map! www.farmgirlmap.blogspot.com |
|
|
|
ruralfarmgirl
True Blue Farmgirl
4309 Posts
Rene'
Prosser
WA
USA
4309 Posts |
Posted - Mar 27 2009 : 10:45:17 AM
|
I can tell you, there is nothing better then having a strong sisterhood of farmgirls that you can call.. It is amazing what we can get done with a group of farmgirls... sure I end up doing things by myself..but I love my prosserfarmchick chapter....SO if you havent get found your farmgirl group,I would put that on the top or near the top of your new "honey wont" list.....
Rene~Prosser Farmgirl #185
http://farmchicksfarm.blogspot.com/http://renenaturallyspeaking.blogspot.com/
Circumstances made us FRIENDS; MaryJane's has made us SISTERS :) |
|
|
|
idsweetie72
True Blue Farmgirl
129 Posts
Sandra
New Meadows
idaho
USA
129 Posts |
Posted - Mar 27 2009 : 1:04:04 PM
|
I have always done things for myself- which is one of the reasons my last ex divorced me- he didn't like my independant streak- and I didn't like him being an a***ole- (lol)
But- one thing I did learn from that marriage is that if you do have questions- ask- like the new barn we are getting ready to put up- I did all the research- drew up the planes- decided when and where- and today I took DH out with me to have a look see at what I was planning on doing- he was thrilled that I had done all the leg work- and that he didn't have to do it! But I can't build it by myself- though I would if I could-
And to add to the tool list a woman needs
1) 18 volt rechargeable drill- the electric ones go to fast unless you get one with variable speeds
2) a good srewdriver set- butter knives don't work for everything
3)duct tape- trust me
4)a good hammer that isn't too heavy for you or what you'll be doing- or might do
5)A skill saw- sawing wood by hand is tedious and tiring
6)tape measure, square, level, gotta keep those corners tight
7) work clothes for whatever season you are working in
lol- you would laugh if you saw my work shop- everyone thinks that it is my husbands, but in reality most of th etools in it are mine- and I spend more time in there than he does!
"a strong independant woman is still a lady"
Mazy Day Farm |
|
|
|
StasiaSpins
True Blue Farmgirl
78 Posts
Stasia
Augusta (Eau Claire)
WI
USA
78 Posts |
Posted - Mar 27 2009 : 8:02:33 PM
|
And WD-40! That stuff works great if you just let it soak in!
Rene, I will look for a farmgirl chapter hearabouts. Thanks!
http://www.TuppinzFarm.com Heritage Sheep ~ Goats ~ Donkeys ~ Poultry
http://YarnAndABarn.blogspot.com Spinning ~ Knitting ~ Weaving ~ Quilting ~ Crocheting |
|
|
|
Mother Hen
True Blue Farmgirl
604 Posts
Cindy
Peck
ID
USA
604 Posts |
Posted - Mar 28 2009 : 12:19:14 AM
|
Terri, good for you!! You go girl! One thing I would add to the tool list is a good leatherman, mine is the "fuse". It comes in handy if you have to do a quick fence repair, cut twine on hay bales, has a screw driver head, it's wonderful, I carry it all the time.
To give you more moral support, you aren't alone...my DH usually works all winter in NV and comes home for a week at Christmas and Thanksgiving. So, I take care of all the chores on the ranch and we have cattle, horses, goats,and chickens. The animals are spread all over about 20 acres or so. I feed with the tractor for the cattle and this year for the horses too, but square bales for goats, grain for chickens and hoses everywhere that have to be hooked up then drained so they don't freeze.
But you know what? I get more work done when he is gone then when he is home. My 11 y/o DD and I laid hardwood laminent flooring in our dining room this fall all by ourselves. I usually try to get one big project done while he is gone besides all the regular chores and home schooling. And this fall/winter is the first one that I haven't been caring for DH's mother as she passed in Sept.
Last year while he was gone I even had to put a new switch in one of the tractors. Plus, someone ususally gives me a deer during hunting season and I cut and wrap and make jerky too.
Man, I think I'm gonna ask for a raise! or a corporate "bonus" he,he,he. That isn't even all I do ,but it sure looks like a lot when you write it all out.
Well Terri, you will get tons of satisfaction doing what you can and things you didn't think you could. It is very gratifying! You are one great wife!! Think how many couples out there don't work near as hard on "their" lifestyle and don't contribute 1/2 of what you are doing. It really help keep you and your spouse close and on the same page.
God Bless you,
Cindy
FARMGIRLS CAN DO ANYTHING!!!
I will bless the Lord at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth. Psalms 34:1 |
|
|
|
5 acre Farmgirl
True Blue Farmgirl
1007 Posts
~~~*Terri*~~~
WA.
USA
1007 Posts |
Posted - Apr 01 2009 : 06:04:43 AM
|
Farmgirl Sisters... You dont know how much I needed that uplift. I was beginning to think, I was stepping out of my place and taking "his" jobs away..but, when it has to be done, it has to be done............. 
Thanks more than a million...........
Farmgirl Sister #368
"It is most common for man to value most what has least worth."
My Farm and Garden blog....
http://blogonthefarmandgarden.blogspot.com
|
|
|
|
StasiaSpins
True Blue Farmgirl
78 Posts
Stasia
Augusta (Eau Claire)
WI
USA
78 Posts |
Posted - Apr 01 2009 : 08:10:02 AM
|
Cindy, you are my idol! And thanks for the recommendation on the Leatherman - I'm going to get one. That is the perfect thing to have in an apron pocket. :)
http://www.TuppinzFarm.com Heritage Sheep ~ Goats ~ Donkeys ~ Poultry
http://YarnAndABarn.blogspot.com Spinning ~ Knitting ~ Weaving ~ Quilting ~ Crocheting |
|
|
|
LisaTwo
True Blue Farmgirl
127 Posts
Lisa
Hampden
Maine
USA
127 Posts |
Posted - Apr 01 2009 : 11:59:23 AM
|
| I was just watching my animals out my back window while reading this and realized; last week we killed the Rooster, he was too mean to the hens. When we got our goats, we banded them until their balls fell off. We had the pigs castrated, even the dog. When we want our goats bred, we rent a buck for a few days and then send him home. I can shovel poop, I can raise a hammer, I can milk a goat. So just what is a man's place on a farm? In my opinion his place is somewhere else for 8 hours so we can get the job done. |
|
|
|
Alee
True Blue Farmgirl
22941 Posts
Alee
Worland
Wy
USA
22941 Posts |
|
|
StasiaSpins
True Blue Farmgirl
78 Posts
Stasia
Augusta (Eau Claire)
WI
USA
78 Posts |
|
|
Duchess
True Blue Farmgirl
109 Posts
Iowa
USA
109 Posts |
Posted - Apr 02 2009 : 11:15:39 AM
|
I am so glad I received the email with this subject. My husband is only home every 2 weeks for 4 days each time. We bought an old farmhouse and 6 acres and then he had to change jobs. Having to pay for his apartment and this place makes things tight. I have a small zoo here and sometimes have been having a pity party with all that needs to be done. Our move here was chaotic and far from organized, add to that a flood in the basement that left 3 feet of water. We are slowly working on insulation and putting in large wood stove, but until then it can be very cold in the house. I find myself living in only a couple of rooms most days. To find others with situations very like mine is most uplifting. I have tools in all my jackets and think nothing of building shelves or fixing things. Hubby will come home and ask, "where did that come from", when I tell him I did it I get this look. I think he is worried I may not need him. He was amazed the last time he was home at a large stack of goods I had moved and put away. I got tired of waiting for him to do it. We need to remember that our Grandmothers and Great-Grandmothers did all this and more. They did not have what we take for granted, we just need to do some time travel. I look at building projects as if they are like dress patterns and I do them in sections so I can easily handle them. Thank you again for being here.
http://theclarkhomestead.blogspot.com/
http://Duchess56051.etsy.com
|
|
|
| |
Make It Easy: Farmgirl Do-itness!!!!!!!!! |
|
Farmgirl Do-itness!!!!!!!!!
