ever feel overwhelmed?

dont get me wrong, I love the farm and animals. sometimes I just feel like ... I don't have enough time to enjoy it!

Funny you should point that out! That actually probably is one of the ways I shook off my depression and got stuff done. I decided to cut WAYYY back and sold out of one breed, and literally cut my stock in half on the other (rabbits). It will be a tremendous load off my mind this winter. Now just waiting for them to all be picked up...

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Rachel Haiku Heritage City Farm

You chose to do it, so manage it.
Get the daughter to help. If it's her child make her take care of him. Just cause he lives there doesn't mean you have to help raise him.
Are you sure the daughter want your help raising him? If not you may give your self some releif just realizing that.

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squashnut & bassketcher

Champagne D Argent, White New Zealand & Californian Cross Rabbits

If your not overwhelmed, your not doing it right... rarely does a day go by when I don't think before falling asleep all that I didn't get done, what needs to get done tomorrow, and what hopefully gets done next week. All those plans usually evaporate in the face of what minor emergency crops up and scratches the 'plans' to dust...

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Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity. Seneca
Learning is not compulsory... neither is survival. W. Edwards Deming

That is all so true. Every day brings it's own problems - to add to the ones you had already - but you can do this as long as you rationalise what you need and what you can cope with. We're cutting down on sheep this year - but increasing poultry which aren't so heavy to handle! Take it easy and make sure you have time to smell the flowers!

Studies show that Ranchers average a 76 hour work week. This is the life that many rural people choose and we shut it down some in the winter as we don't have stock. Like the song says "I'll sleep when I'm dead".

We are cutting way back on our ten acres as hubby is wearing out! Hubby is making garden beds and planting less. We closed off the dining room and will only heat three rooms with the kitchen stove this winter. Using one instead of two stoves will save a lot of wood.

The goats will be cut to one pet and two milking ones. Chickens are being culled to ten. The horse is twenty-eight and he will be the last. Cats will soon be two; one in the barn and one in the house. The other barn cat is almost 20 yrs. and won't make it until winter. The little dog is almost 12 now and will be the last. The farm dog is 8 and also will be our last. We don't want more animals who might out live us. The youngest animal is the house cat. He is only 2 yrs and could live to 20 yrs, By then I will be 83 yrs. old so needless to say he is our last house cat.

Life changes as we age and requires adjustments if you want to enjoy your old age. Country life can be great if you keep the work to a managable amount as you get older.

Everyone gets over whelmed once in a while! Just don't let it get you over whelmed more often than not. And good luck with that one. For me it is not the animals and things that need to be done around here. It used to be the needs of in laws that were in poor health. They are gone now two years and it took me two years to let myself unwind from the stress. I have to be careful to not let other peoples needs take me over. Enjoy the life that you have, it doesn't last forever. That grandbaby that is dogging your steps today will be grown up and gone before you know it. The time he is spending with you will mean the world to you one day, so make LOTS of good memories with him. Remember that someday you will be able to get more of any animals that you let go of now. Good luck with your homestead!

And even with everyone being soooo busy we all manage to make time for the Homesteading forum!