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Tuesday, December 11, 2012

'Tis the season....

to hang on by your fingernails.  I spent all of Saturday doing errands and baking gingerbread men with my mother.   Then all of Sunday alternating inside chores with outside chores and spending the entire day on my feet.  By the time 4:30P hit (my self-imposed cut-off time - except for feeding the group) on Sunday, my back ached, my head ached and I was prone on the floor.  Where Bernice, in a surprising move, gave me a little kiss on the tip of my nose.  My recovery was instant.


Of course, I can't list all I did because some of it's secret.  Let's just say that I am 90 percent ready for the holidays.  It wasn't all work - I got some good cardio-vascular exercise in the afternoon.  When I emptied the poultry feed into their rodent-proof (so far) feed can, I shook the bag to empty it fully and sent the Posse of Pearlies up and over the fence - and into the tick/muck/reed/brier infested bog in the no(w)oman's land in the back.  Where they stuck together in a little clump and wouldn't move.  Soooo, I had to slog down, getting shredded, to herd them back up the hill towards the safety of the fence.  Twenty minutes later, they were back where they were supposed to be.  Except for Lonesome Georgette, my oddball.  Twenty minutes later than the first twenty minutes, she was safely back with the group.  While I was messing around back there, I discovered that Sandy had blown an entire 4x8 panel of T-11 off the back of the coop.  Said panel was wedged halfway down the hill in some trees.  That took another twenty or so minutes to pry it loose and drag it back up the hill.  Replacing it will be saved for another day of fun.

I also Chickie-proofed his hay feeder (I hope), put a pumpkin out for my fluffy (they ain't fat) sheep, visited with Melanie twice (!!) when she came to pick up llama beans and drop off bacon (!!!), did lots of cooking, crafting, cleaning, etc., etc.  Then I had an Ipswich Swizzle, watched a Christmas movie and went to bed.

19 comments:

Pioneer Woman at Heart said...

Sounds like you had a busy day, but ended it with a fun Christmas movie.

Jane @ Hard Work Homestead said...

Whew, what a weekend, but I just have to know...what is an Ipswich Swizzle and do I need to be drinking one now?

Carolyn said...

I second the request for an explanation of this "Ipswich Swizzle"....just the name sounds like fun!

Tombstone Livestock said...

Ditto on what is an "Ipswich Swizzle" and do you drink it hot or cold?

Funny how every day chores can take extra 20 minutes or more each day for one reason or another.

Sandy Livesay said...

Susan,

You have us all lost and wanting to know what a Ipswish Sizzle is. It sure sounds like an extremely busy weekend for you.

Susan said...

Kristina - Yes, I am getting better at taking time for me by the end of Sunday. Otherwise, it's all work, work, work.

Susan said...

Jane - An Ipswich Swizzle is a hefty shot of golden rum over ice, with a hefty splash of cranberry juice, served with a wedge of lime in a tall glass. Halleluiah! And yes, I hear they are good for breakfast, brunch, lunch, supper, dinner or whenever.

Susan said...

Carolyn - Drink enough of these babies and everything is fun. Seriously, it's a nice holiday drink if taken in moderation. Please ignore the prior reply....

Susan said...

TL - Cold as Christmas. Yes, and it's funny how many 20 minute time slots are taken up with chores - planned or otherwise.

Susan said...

Sandy - This is the only time of year I will drink one (an not too many - I'm a light-weight), but they sure are good and festive with the red and green (and gold).

DFW said...

I find it funny that almost everyone is so interested in the Ipswich Swizzle. With a name like that, I HAD to have alcohol involved.

Glad you got so much done, even though it just about wore you out!

Susan said...

DFW - Well, of COURSE it does! How else are we supposed to get through the holiday season - all that family drama, stress.

Erin said...

Whew, you have been busy! I'm glad to hear your feed can is keeping those little critters out!

Susan said...

Erin - It's not easy finding a can that they won't chew through, or pry open, or knock over. Small as they are, they are a determined bunch!

Unknown said...

Whew! And some people rest on the weekends :)

Candy C. said...

What a productive weekend you had! I would say an Ipswich Swizzle was very much deserved!! :)

Farmgirl Susan said...

Ha, what would we do with all our free time if the animals stayed where they're supposed to be and stopped destroying stuff? ;) Yesterday I got out to Donkeyland and there was one donkey standing on the wrong side of the fence. I looked at him, he looked at me, and I just opened the gate and let him back in. Apparently neither of us could figure out how he got out there, lol.

Farmgirl Susan said...

LOL, I just read through the comments. I thought the swizzle was a candy. Good for you! ;)

LindaCO said...

Gosh darnit, has this post been in my feed for 6 days? Geez. Wanted to say how much I loved the picture of the tired doggie. And I'm glad at this moment that I have but one dog to care for (although she needs to be walked in this very blustery weather about now).