Trying to find balance

At risk of being stereotypical, I am going to say that women struggle with trying to find balance. At least all the women in my life. We have our jobs, our house, and most importantly our families. I know that I want to be the best mom I can to my girls & wife to Mark, I always want my house clean enough for unexpected guest (which never happens- not the guest- we have people  teenagers in an out all the time- it's the clean house that never happens!). My job, which happens to be farming, again all the farmers I know struggle with balance & time.

So here I am a women farmer = never enough time. Well, every day the animals need to be fed & cleaned, actually twice a day. Everyday I have dishes & laundry. On a good day, I make something semi decent for dinner. On a good day I have a conversation with each of the K's (they are teenagers & have their own lives, and an opposite scheduled than mine - sleep in & stay up late.). If I am having a good week I might vacuum once or twice. A really good week means I actually did something for me, like not being so tired at the end of the day when I shower, that I actually shave my legs!

Since we began the petting barn & raising animals for meat I have given up things that I really do miss. The biggest thing is my garden. The only thing we planted was pumpkins & popcorn. Fortunately, I traded a meat CSA share for a veggie CSA share. I am happy to have fresh veggies, but miss running out to the garden to pick dinner. Next spring won't be as crazy (at least that's what I say now!), so I should be able to plant a garden.

I have also realized that I am a terrible friend. I never call or make any plans with anyone. We used to have a social life (mostly friends & dinners at each others houses), now we never have TIME! Summer is almost over & we've only had one or two dinner parties on the deck. I've barley swam in my pool. That's another thing, the pool has turned green twice this summer, due to my lack of attention. We even finally broke down & bought Carlos (automatic pool vacuum). Even Carlos can't keep up.

On a positive side all creatures 2 legs & four, know I love them. That I do my very best to keep them healthy & happy. That I always have Mark by my side. That we continue to be Livin the Dream!

Divide & Conquer

Divide & conquer is my saying of the week. Every morning over our coffee Mark & I outline the day. Who needs to do what. It used to be we would make a list, prioritizing what needed doing the most and do most of these chores together. Now, most of the time we divide up the list & go our separate ways.

This was a really crazy week. It started with Saturday when I had to bring the puppies to Burlington to get micro chipped, so Mark watched the petting barn. I thought I would be extra efficient & lined up a meeting with a potential adopter. Well,of course everything took way longer than planned. To top it off after spending an hour with the people, than finally prying the puppy out of their arms, they told me the next day they decided an older dog would be better....UGH!

Sunday was K3's birthday. We had lined up Annie to watch the petting barn & do night chores. This was really our first day off. Although, we can never fully get away since we did do morning chores & went back that night to feed puppies. We played VT tourist & went out to breakfast, then to Stowe to ride on the alpine slide & gondola.The plan was to than go to the Texas Roadhouse than home to have delicious Red Apron Cupcakes & sing happy birthday.

While we were still in Stowe K2 got a phone call that her boyfriend had been in a car accident. We hurried home so  K2 & I  go the could to the hospital to see him. He was seriously injured, will have a long road to recovery, but thankfully/luckily will eventually be fine. Monday was back at the hospital. Finally at 10 p.m on Monday we sang happy b-day & had cupcakes minus K2 who has been at the hospital every second she isn't working or sleeping. She loves him very much!

Tuesday, I did dishes, laundry,ect...than grocery shopping. K1 went and bought a Horse named Ranger. K1 has been sorta looking for the right one to come along, and this was it. She had to pick him up before Wednesday, which was a challenge with everything going on, but she made it happen! Guess it was meant to be!

 Tuesday night we went to family dinner & K3 had lots of people sing happy birthday to her!

 Wednesday I watched K1 show a horse that she has been riding/working with since October. We were all a little nervous because in June she fell off at a show & left in an ambulance. Happy to say she had a beautiful ride every show she was in. She received a 5th place in equitation, which was awesome- there were 18 riders in that class. Unfortunately, all my pics are on my camera, so I will post some later.  Thursday, Mark watched her show, while I went to an appointment with K2. Just been a crazy week! Big Thank-You to Annie who ran the barn & did night chores both days.

On the farm front the sheep have gotten out twice,and the mini got tangled in the portable fence (but no injuries, just stuck). The meats chicks have once again been a struggle. We have not mastered how to raise that many without losing lots. Temperature is huge. They get too cold & huddle and ultimately suffocate each other,but than the day gets hot & the heat lamps are too much. We started with 90 last Friday, and we are down to 74. Really sucks to start my day feeding chicks & find 8 dead.(that happened Wednesday)

So, now it's Friday, and I am hoping for a good weekend!

Pictures say a 1000 words

I know it's been two weeks....Sorry. I am happy to say last week was really busy at the petting barn! We had a daycare, a camp, plus lots of families.

Here's a quick re-cap in Pictures:

 Griz & Twister got a bath :) K1 & I took an hour to comb through Griz mane, but it was worth it..he is beautiful!

 Black Beauty calved, the first calf born on Triple K Farm a healthy & feisty bull calf named Ebony.

 PUPPIES- I just can't get enough of their cuteness!!! But don't let that fool you, this many are a LOT of work!

 Trying to convince Mark we need a white dog to add to our brown & black ones.

 Farmer Mark doing what he loves! We started 2nd cut.

Our  field full of Pumpkins!

 K3 & I escaped the madness for a few hours & went hiking to Silver Lake.

Goats! Almost as cute as the puppies!