Please excuse me if this is a little incoherent today. I didn't want to leave this post too long - I'll probably end up forgetting half of what I want to say by the end of the post, but at least some of this stuff will be down for posterity.
We have been combining more or less non stop since my last post. It is always an interesting experience, this year is no exception.
Day one - do I remember how to do this? What did I bring to the combine last year to make this more comfortable? Combine until eleven and happily go home to bed.
Day two - do I remember how to fix this? Always have a few glitches out there - I'm pretty sure that was the day that I got to get intimate with the rotor (Dale plugged the combine) again. Combine until 2. Sleepy, but ok.
Day three - finish the first field. Yay! Move on to the next half section right at dusk. I notice that we do that a lot. Keep on combining - I think we went until midnight or so.
Day four - I actually went back to bed. For the first time in my memory, I got up, said bye to the kids and then went back to bed. Only to be woken up by a grain buyer who wanted a meeting, at my kitchen table, 3 minutes after he phoned. Combined until twelve thirty, when it drizzled. Trouble falling asleep, unfortunately - we had planned to go a bit longer.
Day five - Kids came for a combine ride! That is always fun. Finished the second field, moved onto the next one and...the combine dies. Like dead. Won't start. I sat in the dark for a while waiting for Dale to come, started it, it moved 25 feet and died again. Eventually we got the mechanic out - we had killed the alternator. Expensive, but easy to fix.
Day six - finished the little field we had started and went to move into the wheat. That involves a bit of adjustment...and we were doing it, of course, at dusk. The wheat ended up still being too tough (wet), so we moved back into the canola - undoing all the adjustments. And continued on until two.
Day seven. Finished up that canola - it was Norm's, so he's done harvest. Moved to the next canola field, at dusk. Again. Tougher going there - the canola is harder to put through and Dale was trucking it away, so it was a long haul. Quit round about one, when I was only able to drive about 2 miles per hour to get the crop into the machine.
Day eight - a few hours of canola and then back to wheat. The sample wasn't coming out right, so Dale made adjustments. For 3 hours. And still wasn't happy, so he went to buy a new part for the combine that is supposed to make it better. Somehow managed to get a bin of wheat finished...about one thirty.
Day nine - well, it has just started. I have done a load of laundry, gone to get chemical, met with a chemical rep about some chemical trials that we did this year and have mostly been trying to figure out why I'm so tired. Dale finished filling a bin, moved the truck, tried to put the new part in the combine (but has quit trying as it will involve much drilling and we don't have time for that) and now he's gone to combine the plots. They are canola variety trials - he'll do those up and then I'll be back into the wheat again.
Oh yeah, and Auntie Pat and her sister Joan are due to arrive in a few hours - I'll try to squeeze in a visit over suppertime. The house will be how it is, just hope that we're able to keep everything else together until then.
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
Monday, September 27, 2010
singing songs in my head
Everybody gets those earworms. I have one, despite the fact that I haven't heard the song in...almost 10 months.
It seems a real crime when all that goes through my head in this lovely autumn weather is a Christmas song. Specifically, 'White Christmas'
If you ever had to sing the song all the way through, you would know that the introduction goes: "the sun is shining, the grass is green..." Ah, what a wonderful image.
But, seriously, the grass could die now. Really, I need it to die. DH took care of the house yard and I'm hoping that dad will manage the barnyard mowing this week. Otherwise it has been an interminable summer of riding the lawnmower in circles around here, pushing the lawnmower at the lake and staring at grass that won't stop growing.
Perhaps I don't appreciate mowing the lawn because I don't really have to shovel snow. It either blows away in our mighty winds or falls in such quantities that heavy equipment is required to get rid of it. So, I am dreaming of a White Christmas, but it is a distant dream. My current dream goes something like hot, dry and windy...for the next month at least. And the grass...well, it can do what it wants.
It seems a real crime when all that goes through my head in this lovely autumn weather is a Christmas song. Specifically, 'White Christmas'
If you ever had to sing the song all the way through, you would know that the introduction goes: "the sun is shining, the grass is green..." Ah, what a wonderful image.
But, seriously, the grass could die now. Really, I need it to die. DH took care of the house yard and I'm hoping that dad will manage the barnyard mowing this week. Otherwise it has been an interminable summer of riding the lawnmower in circles around here, pushing the lawnmower at the lake and staring at grass that won't stop growing.
Perhaps I don't appreciate mowing the lawn because I don't really have to shovel snow. It either blows away in our mighty winds or falls in such quantities that heavy equipment is required to get rid of it. So, I am dreaming of a White Christmas, but it is a distant dream. My current dream goes something like hot, dry and windy...for the next month at least. And the grass...well, it can do what it wants.
Sunday, September 26, 2010
strategies
Woke up in a good mood today. That was quickly tempered by my dh's "hesitant" mood. I'm about ready to freak.
See, the forecast is good. And I don't believe them. Not for a second. They're only right when it rains...which has been something like 100 out of the last 115 days.
And the grain is still tough. Actually,it is damp. Of course, it was tested WAY too early this morning, and my sheets that I put out dripping at 11:15 are dry and on the beds by 1:30. However, I digress.
I am not combining, and I'm going crazy. I do NOT idle well.
But there is nothing that I can do. DH took the swather out to open up the oats. He may continue on those, although dfil wants to cut them with the pull-type. And I said "let him". Actually, I probably said "f-in well let him" - potty mouth being one of my coping strategies.
My canning is caught up. I have washed the bedding today. I am so caught up on laundry it is scary. I will wash my kitchen floor for the third time this week. My walls are clean. I have read books. My office is still a mess, but I have to have something to do when the 'rents arrive to take care of the kids. So the cleaning coping strategy is out.
My canning room is organized to the point of labelled shelves. Jo and I built a shelf last night, to further aid in the organization. I'm organized to death.
I'm out of snack baggies, so I can't continue parcelling out bulk food into snack containers. Actually, I probably could, but then someone would need a little container for leftovers or lunch and we would not have any and I'd be in trouble.
So, please excuse me while I go outside and till the garden - again. There is simply nothing better to do, no matter how hard I try.
See, the forecast is good. And I don't believe them. Not for a second. They're only right when it rains...which has been something like 100 out of the last 115 days.
And the grain is still tough. Actually,it is damp. Of course, it was tested WAY too early this morning, and my sheets that I put out dripping at 11:15 are dry and on the beds by 1:30. However, I digress.
I am not combining, and I'm going crazy. I do NOT idle well.
But there is nothing that I can do. DH took the swather out to open up the oats. He may continue on those, although dfil wants to cut them with the pull-type. And I said "let him". Actually, I probably said "f-in well let him" - potty mouth being one of my coping strategies.
My canning is caught up. I have washed the bedding today. I am so caught up on laundry it is scary. I will wash my kitchen floor for the third time this week. My walls are clean. I have read books. My office is still a mess, but I have to have something to do when the 'rents arrive to take care of the kids. So the cleaning coping strategy is out.
My canning room is organized to the point of labelled shelves. Jo and I built a shelf last night, to further aid in the organization. I'm organized to death.
I'm out of snack baggies, so I can't continue parcelling out bulk food into snack containers. Actually, I probably could, but then someone would need a little container for leftovers or lunch and we would not have any and I'd be in trouble.
So, please excuse me while I go outside and till the garden - again. There is simply nothing better to do, no matter how hard I try.
Saturday, September 25, 2010
tomatoes
The amitriptyline worked, it always does. Pity about the hangover headache, but that is the price I pay for actually being able to absorb food.
That leads me to my next problem. Tomatoes. I suffer with this every year. Every year I plant fewer and fewer plants, yet I still have tomatoes to deal with.
This year they are rotting - literally. Late Blight is a problem with anything we picked after the first go (the one where everyone thought I was crazy, picking the green tomatoes well before the frosts). The hubby says they taste...tasteless. So I'm reluctant to go to all the trouble of canning them or turning them into salsa.
But, I think to myself, what else is there to do with them? I don't eat tomatoes, except for the very rare bit of pizza sauce that I allow myself. I even eat my spaghetti with parmesan cheese. Yes, I miss tomatoes. Not enough to put up with the cramps or the craps, but I do miss them.
So, I guess I'd better get it in gear and get working on these lovely things. Perhaps I'll recruit the children - lengthens the process by about three times, but it does make it more interesting. And theoretically, they're learning something.
That leads me to my next problem. Tomatoes. I suffer with this every year. Every year I plant fewer and fewer plants, yet I still have tomatoes to deal with.
This year they are rotting - literally. Late Blight is a problem with anything we picked after the first go (the one where everyone thought I was crazy, picking the green tomatoes well before the frosts). The hubby says they taste...tasteless. So I'm reluctant to go to all the trouble of canning them or turning them into salsa.
But, I think to myself, what else is there to do with them? I don't eat tomatoes, except for the very rare bit of pizza sauce that I allow myself. I even eat my spaghetti with parmesan cheese. Yes, I miss tomatoes. Not enough to put up with the cramps or the craps, but I do miss them.
So, I guess I'd better get it in gear and get working on these lovely things. Perhaps I'll recruit the children - lengthens the process by about three times, but it does make it more interesting. And theoretically, they're learning something.
Friday, September 24, 2010
one reason why I hate english
I could come up with many, many reasons to hate English.
I'm still in my grouchy mood, by the way, trying to rehydrate my body while wishing that the whole outdoors would dehydrate.
Yet I digress. Today, a PD day. Slept in. Kids watched StarWars - yet another thing I don't get, won't get, and am not sure that I'm in favour of, but again, not today's post.
We did the job jar. All fun until someone got "sweep and tidy the basement" and the paper explosion needed cleaned up. And someone else got "sweep and tidy the kitchen" and the cooking explosions needed cleaned up. Rebellion ensued. Grouchy mother relented and suggested that we go to town to do the errands.
Sent eldest searching for "stamps" while holding envelopes in my hand. After ten minutes, followed child out to the office (logical), where she was emptying the craft cupboard (illogical). To get the "stamps"...argh...
I go to get my colour done in a few weeks. Providing that I still have any hair to put it in, it will be a good thing. Not sure if I'll rip it all out before it is gray, or just patches...
I'm still in my grouchy mood, by the way, trying to rehydrate my body while wishing that the whole outdoors would dehydrate.
Yet I digress. Today, a PD day. Slept in. Kids watched StarWars - yet another thing I don't get, won't get, and am not sure that I'm in favour of, but again, not today's post.
We did the job jar. All fun until someone got "sweep and tidy the basement" and the paper explosion needed cleaned up. And someone else got "sweep and tidy the kitchen" and the cooking explosions needed cleaned up. Rebellion ensued. Grouchy mother relented and suggested that we go to town to do the errands.
Sent eldest searching for "stamps" while holding envelopes in my hand. After ten minutes, followed child out to the office (logical), where she was emptying the craft cupboard (illogical). To get the "stamps"...argh...
I go to get my colour done in a few weeks. Providing that I still have any hair to put it in, it will be a good thing. Not sure if I'll rip it all out before it is gray, or just patches...
Thursday, September 23, 2010
not from my kitchen
Ugh, I feel awful today.
As in, I wish I could move my bed next to the toilet.
Fortunately it is a slow day - I clear off the entire calendar for September in order to harvest. And we've done 90 stinkin' acres. At this rate it will take another 36 or so days of actual combining to get the rest of the crop off. And that is only after it dries up.
I have considered a new facebook status update - Piss off & Dry Up? Probably a bit harsh. I have grade 6 students as friends. They may not understand. And maybe I'm not just talking about the weather, but my stupid bowels.
Oh well, will get hubby to drive to the school barbeque tonight - I'll take a few T3's and make it through. Just hope that this settles down soon - if it ever does dry up, I need to be able to drive that combine!
Happy full moon, everyone!
As in, I wish I could move my bed next to the toilet.
Fortunately it is a slow day - I clear off the entire calendar for September in order to harvest. And we've done 90 stinkin' acres. At this rate it will take another 36 or so days of actual combining to get the rest of the crop off. And that is only after it dries up.
I have considered a new facebook status update - Piss off & Dry Up? Probably a bit harsh. I have grade 6 students as friends. They may not understand. And maybe I'm not just talking about the weather, but my stupid bowels.
Oh well, will get hubby to drive to the school barbeque tonight - I'll take a few T3's and make it through. Just hope that this settles down soon - if it ever does dry up, I need to be able to drive that combine!
Happy full moon, everyone!
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
a gift day
Okay, it has been a while. Not, perhaps, as long as we wait for a member of my writing family to write...but then, she definitely has an excuse. Or two.
And, I think, somewhere, there might be a link to a blog from the "zoomers" in my family...but it has been so long that I've lost it. Please resend, if you're posting?
Bro, I admire your organization and tenacity. I can't find time to pair socks, but you can manage your blog. And hold down a real job. And all the other "unreal" jobs you do. Wow.
So I do feel a bit guilty about not writing, but I update my facebook once a month - what more do you need?
Today, I got a bit of time off. It was a gift day. A sad, pathetic little wish of mine was granted.
SNOW DAY!
Woo hoo! Actually, it's just a cold day. But I didn't have to leave my house. At all. That was the wish that my fairy godmother chose to grant. Gotta dream big!
The bus driver called just before he normally comes to get the kids to tell us that the division cancelled the buses. Thanks man, wouldn't have guessed that. The policy is to cancel at -45 with the windchill, my meter only read -28.
So, as I was doing the second shift Dale was taking his 40 winks. And I have two kids dressed for school, lunches made, and no one coming to get them. Hmm. Okay.
Jo practiced her piano. The girls started lessons a few weeks back on Wednesdays, so she was running through her stuff just in case she had a lesson today. Then she worked on her voice exercises - those lessons just started this week. Char read about 5 chapters of her book for her book report this week. Then she practiced her piano.
It was 8:15 a.m.
That's a lot of day left. Oh well. Charli started a craft kit that she wanted to do for ages. Jo and I started making baguettes and I started searing short ribs for stew. I drank some coffee while Jo did her "homework" and checked a website. Checked about piano - not today.
Then Dale got up, put my snowtires on my car (it was was warm in the shop) and took the kids to the dentist. I get so much flak when I take the girls to the dentist - they're never brushing, never flossing enough. Apparently, they're perfect for him. So he can have the job- I'm great with that!
While they were out, I shampooed the rest of the carpet that I swore I would never shampoo again, as it smells. Bad. I just did a vinegar rinse on the whole thing, followed by a sprinkling of borax. It will smell some tomorrow, but a lot less than it has before.
Kids came home, we had lunch, finished the bread, finished the craft, Jo finished her book, Charli finished hers, Char did her book report, Dale wired up some of the garage, I made stew, Jo wrote out all the names of the notes to Away in a Manger and taught herself to play it, then Char got onto that too.
Only not so great part of the whole day was an ornery oven - not sure what is going on with it this year, we had slightly dark ends/tops on the bread. That's disappointing for a first effort, but they both requested baguette for lunch tomorrow, so it can't be too bad.
So, I just need to put the rest of the short rib bones out in the garage to freeze the fat layer, then I'm heading to bed. Christmas concert tomorrow, so both girls will need their hair done before 7:45 a.m. At least it isn't a french braid for pictures. That was yesterday - which is why today was such a gift. I went from "Go, Go, Go! We need to move it!" and running eight directions at once to making stew. Too bad it can't last another day!
And, I think, somewhere, there might be a link to a blog from the "zoomers" in my family...but it has been so long that I've lost it. Please resend, if you're posting?
Bro, I admire your organization and tenacity. I can't find time to pair socks, but you can manage your blog. And hold down a real job. And all the other "unreal" jobs you do. Wow.
So I do feel a bit guilty about not writing, but I update my facebook once a month - what more do you need?
Today, I got a bit of time off. It was a gift day. A sad, pathetic little wish of mine was granted.
SNOW DAY!
Woo hoo! Actually, it's just a cold day. But I didn't have to leave my house. At all. That was the wish that my fairy godmother chose to grant. Gotta dream big!
The bus driver called just before he normally comes to get the kids to tell us that the division cancelled the buses. Thanks man, wouldn't have guessed that. The policy is to cancel at -45 with the windchill, my meter only read -28.
So, as I was doing the second shift Dale was taking his 40 winks. And I have two kids dressed for school, lunches made, and no one coming to get them. Hmm. Okay.
Jo practiced her piano. The girls started lessons a few weeks back on Wednesdays, so she was running through her stuff just in case she had a lesson today. Then she worked on her voice exercises - those lessons just started this week. Char read about 5 chapters of her book for her book report this week. Then she practiced her piano.
It was 8:15 a.m.
That's a lot of day left. Oh well. Charli started a craft kit that she wanted to do for ages. Jo and I started making baguettes and I started searing short ribs for stew. I drank some coffee while Jo did her "homework" and checked a website. Checked about piano - not today.
Then Dale got up, put my snowtires on my car (it was was warm in the shop) and took the kids to the dentist. I get so much flak when I take the girls to the dentist - they're never brushing, never flossing enough. Apparently, they're perfect for him. So he can have the job- I'm great with that!
While they were out, I shampooed the rest of the carpet that I swore I would never shampoo again, as it smells. Bad. I just did a vinegar rinse on the whole thing, followed by a sprinkling of borax. It will smell some tomorrow, but a lot less than it has before.
Kids came home, we had lunch, finished the bread, finished the craft, Jo finished her book, Charli finished hers, Char did her book report, Dale wired up some of the garage, I made stew, Jo wrote out all the names of the notes to Away in a Manger and taught herself to play it, then Char got onto that too.
Only not so great part of the whole day was an ornery oven - not sure what is going on with it this year, we had slightly dark ends/tops on the bread. That's disappointing for a first effort, but they both requested baguette for lunch tomorrow, so it can't be too bad.
So, I just need to put the rest of the short rib bones out in the garage to freeze the fat layer, then I'm heading to bed. Christmas concert tomorrow, so both girls will need their hair done before 7:45 a.m. At least it isn't a french braid for pictures. That was yesterday - which is why today was such a gift. I went from "Go, Go, Go! We need to move it!" and running eight directions at once to making stew. Too bad it can't last another day!
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