i think i

[ceresone]

bit offmore than i can chew. wonderful new cgicken house--on wheels, outside nest boxes--the whole 9 yards. bought a new 12x12 chain link run--my chickens, banties, are laying heavily.  but- i think i  have more chores thab n i can manage--going ouy after dark in a dog dug up yard--afraid i ll falll, what ever was i thinking-- too many chores, with garden dogs cats horses--i'm tired of doing chores--anyone else ?

[Woodpecker]

I hear you ceresone, it sure sounds like you had enough chores, before getting more chickens, I’ve always said, when making a decision “measure before you cut” & “look before you leap”. I have only my girls , soon to be 14 yr. old Jack Russell terrier & only one. chicken, alive of hers. Our boxer, Jade passed at 6 years old, a couple of years ago, before our eyes.😞 I thought about getting another one, but Realized, I don’t need more work, even though they bring such joy. Pets are also work.

I can’t keep up my home, inside and out without having a landscaper to cut the big hedges and help me cut down all the vines, from neighbors yard, strangling my trees and bushes. I now have an exterminator who’s come 5 times, for rats in my garage! I saw them last year, coming from piles of debris next door. They built a mini McMansion 10 feet from my back door. I’m getting a dumpster next week and the exterminator is coming on Saturday to help clean out the garage. I have no idea where all the traps are. The rats are big and I’m afraid to even go in there! We’ve caught 6, but many traps were snapped and they’re not eating the poison. I too need help here, in a lot of ways. Do you have someone who can help you with your chores...a youngster, who would like that sort of thing. Relatives?

My neighborhood has changed so much within the last 2 years, it doesn’t feel like home. When I bought our home in 1983..I thought I’d surely stay here until I passed. Now I’m thinking of downsizing, but don’t know where or when. There too much here that needs to be done, that I can’t do, like you. I guess it’s a part of getting older and being alone. Prayers for you🙏🏻

[countrymom22]

I know how you feel. As the boys are getting older and starting their own lives, they are not here as much to help out. Many of the things they did, I now have to do as hubby is working longer hours than ever, just to stay afloat. Plus he loves what he does and doesn't mind the long hours. There are some things that I just physically can't do. And I rarely have help. We are down to 11 chickens, which give us enough eggs for our needs and some to give the family or barter with the chiropractor. I though about getting a few more this spring and realized that I just don't have the time right now. I need to think before I add anything else to my plate.

Our old dog is on borrowed time. Although I know I'll want another dog when he's gone, I don't think I want another pup. I want something that is house broken and not going to munch on the computer wires. The kids think I'm be unreasonable, but they aren't the ones home running this dog in and out multiple times a day along with everything else I need to get done. But the thought of not having a dog breaks my heart. When he goes, this will be the first time that I have ever been without a dog, as we usually have multiple dogs so when we lose one there are others waiting for us at home. This time, the house will be empty. But I hope I can stick to my decision to adopted something a little older to lessen my work load. Time will tell.

Only you know when you have reached the stage of too much. If you are worried about going out after dark to lock up the chickens and falling, can you get a timer to close the door after dark so you won't need to go out there? I think as we get older, we need to take full advantage of anything that makes this homesteading lifestyle a little easier or safer for ourselves.

Sit down and have a drink. Watch your chickens and slow down long enough to enjoy them. Then you'll remember why you got them and maybe the idea of one more chore won't seem so bad.

[Jolly]

As a wise man once said, "A man has to know his limitations". It's true and it's true for women, also. Sometimes our want to, exceeds our can do.

So we change, adapt, figure out what is worth keeping and doing, and what is worth letting go.

My in-laws did not make a big garden this year, for the first time in 62 years. They just can't do it anymore. So I built them a little 16'x4' raised bed to grow some things. That, along with some tomatoes and peppers in individual pots, has kept them as busy as they want to be.

They had already slowed down. The last cow (they ran about 20 head) left 20 years ago. The last chicken left over a decade ago.

As time goes on, they whittle off a bit more as they have to, but they still have enough to keep them busy, without being burdensome.

And I guess that's where we all wind up if we are lucky...A long, fruitful life, doing the things we love for as long as we are able to. Just maybe doing a little less and less as time goes on.

[horseyrider]

Why not just go out when it's still light? I went through a period after my DH died where I was uncomfortable going out in the dark alone. It was unwarranted, but it was my reality at the time. I adjusted all my critters to seeing me (and their food) at first and last light. That first winter, it was just what had to be.

I have a thing about mud, so I made paths and areas around my coops with bricks or wood chips known as hog fuel. It makes it fun for the chickens to scratch, but it's cleaner for me.

I figure if something important to me has to go, then something else that's interesting to me has to come in to my life. Have you ever thought about picking up weaving, embroidery, or painting? Old passions are much easier to let go of when we replace them with newer, interesting ones. Does your library have a book club or knitting club? It's a way to be social, too. You could fill your windows with African violets, and learn how to propagate them for birthday and Christmas gifts. Get together with friends once a month or so to critique and enjoy old movies. That's almost free these days, and many libraries lend DVDs.

I understand that, as we age, we are less able to do some things. But we're always able to do something, right up almost until our last breath. We need to live until we die, to keep life rich and exciting.

[aoconnor]

I hear ya ceresone. I have 40 head of horses, 15 head of cattle, 7 donkeys, 5 mini mules, and a coop FULL of chickens and Guineas and one lone Peacock. We have 5 cats and 4 dogs as well. Some days I just shake my head and wonder what in the world posesses me to continue doing this to myself, but then I look into the eyes of my grand daughters as they kook into the eyes of a horse, or a dog, or a kitty, or a...and I remember why I do this. So the next generation can also learn to love life and to care for it, as well as to enjoy the heck out of it.

All saying, but on some days I shake my head and wonder:-)