Be Prepared But Don't Plan

There are two things I have learned about being a farmer’s wife…be prepared and don’t make plans. 

            Being prepared for the unexpected has been a good thing for me not only as a farmer’s wife but also as a Mom and homemaker.  A prime example…I seem to be jinxed when it comes to my appliances this week.  The microwave was just replaced thanks to my parents’ early Christmas gift, then the coffee maker and washing machine both went on the fritz.  The coffee maker was still under warranty (I just bought it in July) so Cuisinart is sending a new one.  In the mean time I have and old stove top percolator from our camping that will keep me caffeinated. It’s not nearly as fast as the new model but it works in a pinch.  As for the washer, I’m hoping that it’s a worn belt or a clogged filter that’s causing it to make such a terrible noise.  While we wait for our appointment with the repairman (of course this happens on a holiday week) I’ll be using the farm washer in the basement.  It took a little elbow grease and some Lestoil to get it clean enough for the general laundry but totally worth it not to have to take everything to the laundry mat. 

            Things can change on a moment’s notice around here.  As soon as you are all settled in with how the day will go the weather changes or something breaks and everything is instantly up in the air.  It’s not always a bad thing.  I was expecting a routine week of homeschooling, house work, and preparing for Thanksgiving.  Then Jeff called from work this morning and you guessed it…everything changed.  He is hauling a cow to the butcher.  This will be our beef for the year so Saturday (and probably Sunday) after Thanksgiving will be spent cutting and wrapping beef.  No problem, all the plastic wrap and butcher paper are stocked up and I have plenty of Ziploc bags for the burger.  Good thing I didn’t make any plans past Friday.

            Being married to a farmer definitely keeps you on your toes.  You never know what time he’ll be home or whether he’ll need patched up when he gets there. Will he drive the tractor home or did he have to walk…and whenever the phone rings at an odd time the first thought to race through your mind is “How many cows got out?”  You just never know what the day will bring.