Farmerjan's journal - Weather

farmerjan

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@Bruce, one of the very reasons I don't live in the northeast any more. Insane taxes, stupid gov't policies at the local and state levels, and weather that makes farming very difficult.
Yes, I plan to call their customer help number and point out the discrepancies in the printed directions against the pictures.
The tank will be lifted with a big tractor or machine of some sort. 1,000 lbs is not that big of a deal... as @Mini said, we lift 1,000 to 1500 lb rolls of hay. Could actually use the bale truck that lifts the round bales up onto the back of the truck to lift it even. Hoping that the guy who comes with a machine to take out the boxwoods will be able to hook chains to the hooks on top and just lift it off the ground. But we have equipment that will lift it. It doesn't have to be lifted real high or anything...
 

Senile_Texas_Aggie

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Miss Farmerjan,

It warms my heart to see you talking about your plans for your house. This time last year you were in so much pain from your ankle, and the pain was causing your knees to hurt worse. To top it off, your landlord was giving you grief over something stupid. Now you rarely talk about your ankle any more, as it seems that the operation and subsequent PT has helped tremendously. Plus, you finally have been able to buy your own place and fix it up the way that you want it. You won't have to ask the landlord's permission if you want to redo the hardwood floors, or pull up the boxwoods, etc. And hopefully in a few months you will be able to have the operations on your knees. Once you recover from that surgery, you'll be a new woman! You have worked hard your whole life and it's about time things have worked out for you. I am (and I think I can confidently say "we" are) so happy for you.

Senile Texas Aggie
 

farmerjan

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First off, fair warning that the internet is very IFFY again this evening.... oh to get done with this here... Monday the elec co guy is coming.... hopefully will get it all going then or shortly thereafter.... then I can use the computer up there at the new house....and quit paying for the service here. It will cost about double for it up there... but if it works.... and someone said I should mention that I am a senior... another birthday in the can the other day... so might get a senior discount. Will have to mention that and see.
So, I might get cut off, or might not even be able to answer things but we will see.

My rent is lower than alot.... most in the 650-800 for the equivalent of what I have; my son gets 850 for his house on the farm. I could never have afforded that... and he needed to get that so he could pay that mtg payment and have enough for the taxes. No extra there, but he has a good renter in there now... I cannot imagine how things have gone up since all the people have been exiting places like Ca and Or.... and I think it is going to get worse as people who leave places like that will not be able to sell if they own a place.... so will have to rent in a new place because they will lack money to be able to buy.... maybe even not have a steady job....

So, talked to a guy today about doing the boxwoods and stuff. He can also pick up the fuel tank so might be able to get that done before it gets filled.... I have some blocks and stuff here so will get them taken up to the house this weekend so that they are there to use.... He is coming on Monday to look at it. Brother of the guy doing the handyman stuff like the shed doors and work on the deck. Will see what his estimate is like.

I am really hoping that the floor guy will start in a week or 2.

Son stopped by when he saw me at the house, and saw the doors on the shed. I said that I happened to get a discount gallon of stain/sealer that practically matched the color so had to get the saplings cut down and all so I can get to it. Want to try to save it from anymore weathering for a few more years... he said that was no problem he could cut them down.... but he never seems to find the time to do what he has already said he would do.... It would be nice, but not going to hold my breath...

And talked to one of my farmers and got him set up for mon eve/tues morning. I will go set up there mon after the elec guy leaves, as he likes to run the meters through the complete wash cycle. Not too far away so that works out. Meters are at the house in the storage box so have to get all that loaded into the truck mon morn anyway.

Also got the oil changed in the truck today finally... and got the appt for the truck to have the brakes checked out as it is leaking a little fluid... either a brake line or probably the wheel/brake cylinder. Replaced one last year... and going to get the radiator flushed as it has all sorts of gunk.... looks like dirt.... needs to have antifreeze checked so will just have them do the whole system. Have 3 gal here of the stuff to use... not the 50/50 but the full strength... so ought to have plenty for them to do it. Engine not overheating or anything, just saw that it was down when the guy checked the fluids.... heater worked the other day just fine too.... but don't want anything to happen to this truck. Checked the mileage when I filled it yesterday and am getting 28 mpg.... not too shabby for alot of local type miles...

So that is all I can think of. DS is not going to go with me tomorrow to the poultry swap as he is trying to get all the things ready for the haying this coming week. He cut several fields this aft and will cut some more tomorrow. He will not be able to take off of work this coming week, as they are "shooting" (putting down on the road) the oil/gravel and whatever they use, on one of the roads that is designated "rustic" or "scenic" or something like that. He is about the only one that can operate that super expensive "oiler truck" .... no one else wants to learn it..... so I will go by myself and see about the chickens I want to get, and see the other stuff, and then come on back home. I am going to have to get one of the moveable coops here, moved up to the new house for the chickens....
Then I will have to do some lawn mowing up there and try out the new sweeper. DS saw the sweeper and said it will be alot better for the little mower to do that than to put the stress on the engine with the grass catcher... It is supposed to be able to be used with the mower.... offset to the side where the grass is being discharged and then sweep it right up as it goes... I will see. Might be too green to do it that way. Have to try it...

Hung a load of clothes and have another one washed to put out tomorrow, when I get back. The clothes I brought in the other day were really nice. There is a breeze up there and so the towel was soft.... think that I am going to like that part of being up there... except for the winter I know it is colder up there...

DS also said that jim is selling his camper and leaving to go to his sisters in SC.... that he just cannot take it around here with his "wife" (ex?) and all the upset stress he is going through. Told DS he is leaving tomorrow..... like what???? Nice notice. So I hope that the camper is gone too so we don't get stuck with that there. I honestly wish him luck because he has got to get his life together. Suspect that if he goes to his sisters, he will also eat better and maybe get his diabetes controlled... maybe not go on these depression ups and downs.... it will hurt things with my son some, as he did do a bunch of stuff for him... but he was getting less and less reliable.... and you all know how frustrated I was with him and stuff he did/didn't do. Told ds that he needed to get away from here and being around people that reminded him of her and all that. I really do hope that for his sake, he can get things straightened out. He is on a path of self destruction if he doesn't get his head and his health on the right path.

So, guess that's it. Light is blinking so am hoping that this will upload. Going to get a shower and hit the bed so I can get up and leave about 6 or so in the morning. One good thing, it isn't supposed to be too hot....but is supposed to be mostly sunny I think.
 

farmerjan

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Oh, and also, Thank you @Senile_Texas_Aggie .... yes I am thinking positively finally. Going to be a couple of "tighter than normal" months while I pay rent and a mtg payment, and pay for the work being done.... but it will be better once I get in there I know.
It is such a relief to have the ankle pain free.... so much so I didn't realize how bad the knees were/are..... but not going to do them until I feel right about it.... like I did with the ankle dr.....
Yes, having the ability to have the chickens there and no one driving in and out all the time.... the washing machine there to not have to haul the clothes to the laundromat except for some of the bulky stuff occasionally to put in the big machines.... and water that will not leave dirt on the clothes and that I will drink because I don't have to worry about the cloudy water when it rains..... and paying less every month on top of everything else....
Yes, it is nice to look forward to things again. Sure I know it isn't going to be perfect, nothing is, but it will be alot less stress than things have been here the last couple of years....
 

drstratton

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OKAY, I have been on here a little bit trying to catch up so I could spend some time here on my journal, and now the COTTON PICKIN internet light is flashing so don't know what/if I will be able to post...

YES, IT IS DONE, RECORDED AT THE COURT HOUSE AND MINE !!!!!!!! THANK YOU to everyone for the prayers. I will see about pictures, but won't be able to load anything until I figure out how..... oh yeah, I need a digital camera.... my phone is an ANCIENT FLIP PHONE......

But the 200 million papers says it is mine, with the bank holding the lien (in the form of the mortgage) !!!!!!.

Poured down rain this morning while at the lawyers..... then got some partly sunny weather with high humidity and temps went to 91 again....

Oh, the light is blinking red for the internet, I am going to try to send this. Maybe will be able to write more.....later or tomorrow as every time it rains it goes out....
I know I'm late, late, late to the party, but congratulations on your new home Jan! I'm still reading through your thread, trying to catch up! 💞
 

Baymule

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@Senile_Texas_Aggie you put it so eloquently and with true sincerity, the love you have for other’s overflows and winds it’s way through the pages on BYH, wrapping around people when they need a boost. I am so glad the my thread, I HATE GREEN BRIARS brought you to BYH. You certainly are an asset to the forum and we are all better for having known you.
 

Mini Horses

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Sure hope to wore a jacket to the chicken swap -- it's 55 here this AM and breezy! Wish I could have gone but, already had work scheduled and no time to switch it with that company. Hope you get the chickens you want! PLUS you deserve __ and need to __ take a day to destress and enjoy something more frivolous! I know that's what I find refreshing about the produce and animal auctions I attend. It's like a "little vacay"........ 😁
 

Senile_Texas_Aggie

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@Senile_Texas_Aggie you put it so eloquently and with true sincerity, the love you have for other’s overflows and winds it’s way through the pages on BYH, wrapping around people when they need a boost. I am so glad the my thread, I HATE GREEN BRIARS brought you to BYH. You certainly are an asset to the forum and we are all better for having known you.

I am so deeply touched by that, Miss @Baymule! I am glad I found your humorous thread and this forum as well. I have found a number of wonderful people on here. I am also glad I can provide comic relief to many of you!
 

farmerjan

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@Senile_Texas_Aggie ; I think we all read your equipment "woes" and don't get the comic relief but feel sorry for your trials and tribulations. But again, thank you for the nice words. You do have a way to make others feel good about things.

Okay, Recap of the day. Down to 49 this morning... got up to 71 but was a very cool day. Left about 7 a.m. it was a bit "cool" out. Got there about 9 and called the guy, got his voicemail and left a message that I was there. Then got a text from the guy, he was unable to come because he was in the hospital. I said I was sorry and hoped that he would be okay... didn't say what was wrong.... and that I was sorry that I couldn't get the NH bantams. I was pretty bummed out. But then he texted me later and said he was sorry and that maybe we could figure something out to get them later on. I texted him back and said that I would be at the Nov., VA Poultry breeders show if it was held, but that I was quite busy right now with the house I was renovating to get moved into.

So I walked (hobbled) through the "swap"..... there were more people there than I have ever seen. Also more vendors... I'd say probably 200 rather than the normal 100-125 or so. It was really busy, tons of people there buying. Kept seeing people carrying things to their cars/trucks.... I stayed about 2 hours, meandering through and only wound up buying a couple of daylily plants to add to the ones at the house and the ones that I am going to take with me from here that I planted a year or 2 ago. There are a couple alongside the carport, and a whole bed of different ones that I didn't get to see this year. I intend to cut that bed off this fall, then try to mulch it in the spring and see what there is. I like that they come up every year and take little "care" compared to some things. So, I left about 11 and came home.
Went to the house and was going to cut the lawn and try out my new sweeper..... can't get the mower started.... I texted my son and said that I would like him to stop by when he got done and show me WTH I was doing wrong... and yes, I turned the gas on. It has an inline cut off switch.....:hit:duc:somad:rant:barnie:barnie:barnie:he:he:th:th:th. It just cranks and won't fire. Thought maybe I flooded it so left it.

Then I went over to the house and decided to paint on the baseboard heater panels. Did a second coat on the one set of brown and used one of the "sponge" type brushes and it works SOOOOO MUCH BETTER than the brush. First, I did the white ones for the dining room and all the white ends, then did another set of the brown for the utility room and the ends, and the ends for the LR but ran out of space and cardboard on the porch, to do the long front panels, so I quit. I will do a second coat of the white as I can see some imperfections since I did them first with a brush.... then decided to try that sponge brush thing on the brown. So, I f I can get the bedroom ones put in, then I will have room for the ones from the LR to dry. I am going to attempt to do the tops inside in the BR and the utility room....while I have the sponge brush out and wet. It didn't "clean " very well with the mineral spirits so I think they are a one and done at least for the oil based stuff. But they are cheap, like 1.00 each maybe, so can throw them away. if I have to. I will see how that one looks tomorrow after it has a chance to dry from the cleaning....

Hung the clothes that I had done late yesterday too and will bring them all in tomorrow.

So, I decided to go out and try the mower once, in case it had been flooded.... but it wouldn't start with following the directions exactly.... so I stopped and said forget it. I texted DS back and said that it was getting too chilly to mow, and that I was going home and that he could look at it tomorrow. I did fill it with gas cuz it was real low but that didn't seem to make a difference.

Since I didn't eat any "junk food" at the poultry swap, I went by Wendy's and got chili and a baked potato for dinner. Wanted something hot to eat. Ate the chili and now I am full, so will save the potato and reheat when I want it.

Temps are dropping fast, it is down to 55 already and not even dark yet. They are saying MID-to-LOW 40's tonight and for the next 3 nights. No frost in the forecast. It will slow down the grass growth alot.... I am going to load some stuff tomorrow to take up to the house; have about a dozen concrete blocks and flat "cap blocks" that they might be able to use for the oil tank.... some tires that are on rims for the truck and whatever I can fit on the truck. Once I get the mower started, and use it, it will go in the end of the carport so it is not tracking grass and all that in the shed.
Got to measuring, and if I leave the mower in the carport, I can put at least 2 or maybe 3 of the freezers in there. If I put them up on 2x4's so that they are supported since the floor is setting on the ground but some of the stuff underneath is probably rotten.... one back corner is pretty much flat on the dirt, but the rest isn't so awful bad. If I move them up there and put the chest and at least one of the uprights in the shed, I can probably get one and maybe 2 uprights in the utility room..... Thinking maybe of not getting the new storage building this fall, if I can make this work. Have to take some measurements here, and then go up and see. I really want to get the new one, but getting some of the other stuff done is more important right now.... and I don't want to strap myself financially. If they would work in the utility room, and shed, then maybe I can spend a little more on some fencing instead.... Something to measure and ponder tomorrow.... I was getting ready to see about ordering the new one.... but if the boxwoods are gone, then I can take my time and decide how/where I really want it.... just something that came to me when I decided to house the mower in the carport instead of the shed. Sweeper will come apart in 2 sections for storage so could hang the bag part up out of the way, and then only have the wheels and steel base to store on the "ground level".... I found 2 sets of metal shelves that I had in the little storage building here, that I can take up there to put more stuff on so plenty of storage options for all the little stuff like oil, anti-freeze... you name it... Garden hoses and whatever....stuff that it won't hurt to be out there. Meters and hoses for work, can stay in the little storage box in the carport.

Plus I don't know what it is going to take to get the furnace up and running.... and I want to pay for the oil outright as I have done in the past. I need to go down and see how much is in the tank here.

1000 ways to spend my money... have to be smart about which I do and when.....but the boxwoods have to go.... and it will make it easy to get to the oil tank that way, behind the house. Plus I need to remember that he is going to finish fixing the deck and I still have to pay for that replaced lumber and his time.... and I want to do some of the kitchen stuff since I got the butcher block counter top piece....

So I am home and going to maybe go through some more stuff here. Need to run the extension cord to the shredder and do some more of the junk mail for the chicken coop up there that will get put together real soon; .....and make a pile to take and lay down on the garden so it will start to kill the grass for next year.... I want to put in an asparagus bed even though it will take 2 years to get productive at all.....
Decided to move the forsythia bushes to a spot along the edge of the property along the dirt road for "screening" and privacy.... and have a "pretty" fence.... this way they can get moved out when he is here doing the boxwoods, and then the line of sight will be better.... and I can contemplate the possibility of some sort of fence along the front there.....

Right now I am going to kick up the heat a bit here, and do some stuff, then get a shower and find a couple of blankets for the bed......
 
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