QuiltingNinaSue

OksewGlad, the skidsteer is very interesting...so different from the pitchfork we used in the old days...

Sixteen hours on the road and three for visiting is a LONG day; good thing you all are so young!!

Hang in there, Honchey, the days will get better. Maybe its possible for you all to move to NC soon, so you can get back to a normal routine. Guess its back to hand quilting or hand work to help pass time.

Everyone carrying credit cards: watch your balances and charges!!! I am always so careful of statements, etc., shedding all papers. We are slowly paying off balances and not charging, But one card was charged for airline tickets!!! It was monitored by the company (State Farm) who called me, and thus correcting the fraudulent charge. Cards were killed, so old ones cannot be used again...its that time of year again when it happens the most.

oksewglad

Oh truck ride was 4 hours one way so not a 16 hour drive.
I remember when we got our first skidsteer 40 years ago. DH could go through 36 inch barn doors with it and it saved alot of backbreaking work. Now it is an essential piece of farm equipment costing much more than your average new car. We have three, one for manure removal, one for putting feed into the TMR mixer and the oldest one retired to DS farmstead for lighter work. Oh and we still own pitchforks!!
Comforting to know your CC company has a watchful eye--saved you some cash.

QuiltingNinaSue

Too few people are knowledgeable about the cost of farm equipment...just complain when it gets in their way on the highways. I try to respect them (who farm) and the truckers who make the long hauls across the nation.

If the farmers would all sell out and live on the interest, three or four generations would not have to work at all, if managed carefully...according to my North Korea Consumer professor back in college days. But he had no alternative to who would do the farming. We were raised in a five room house and a path out back to the little house. So 'out back' means something different than the chain food store of today. DH still keeps up with what is happening with the farm land here, and how each farmer manages his pastures and crops...noting it as we go down the road. So glad your journey was not as long as I thought it was.

gardnergal970

Honchey, I can't imagine what you're living through. When we got snowed in as a kid, we knew it would eventually melt but when there is so much damage underneath it...I'm still hearing of places that don't have electricity too and then there are those that don't have homes to go back to. The suffering just goes on and on. I'm so thankful you're safe and recovering.
OKsewglad...I too was missing you and was ready to send out a smoke signal in case your hookups weren't working. (when I upgraded my sw on my iPad, it erased all of my history and with it...my password which I forgot and can't find the slip of paper I wrote it down on...and I haven't been able to get a new one yet so the only time I post something is when I get out my laptop which I normally don't use. These links are still my first and last stop everyday even when you don't hear from me.) We too had a skid steer. Such a useful tool. Did you buy any cattle up north?
QNSue...thanks for the alert. I'm glad you are working with a good company and that they alerted you as well.

janRN

I've learned so much doing PC. Today DH & I went to Costco; take the turnpike and pass numerous large farms. I actually know some of the equipment that I see!!! I have an increased respect for all the work that goes into farming thanks to all of you.

GGal, you weren't affected by that large gas explosion near Indy were you? (I really suck at geography and have no idea where Covington vs Indy is). My son travels to a plant in Peru, IN 3-4 times a year. I can't believe so much destruction was caused by a faulty furnace. Hope you're ok.

QuiltE

Honchey ... OMG ... I just found this thread to learn about Athena's unkindness to you. Living on the edge of a bush, with trees on 3 sides, I often wonder about one coming on my home. I hope that there was not any damage to your roof, though it would be a miracle. Your post was a few days ago, so by now, you probably have a better assessment of the situation.

OKSGlad ... so ... new cows? Maybe you should show us some pics!

JanRN ... I'm proud of you!! We'll make you an honourary farm gal!

gardnergal970

JanR...thanks for asking but I wasn't affected by the blast near Indy. I think at last count at least 13 of the homes are beyond repair and those that can be repaired will have to have a lot of work done on them. I live 8 miles from the Illinois state line right on Hwy 74. Real easy to find if you are ever in the area.

janRN

Ggal, glad you weren't affected. The damage is really extensive--scarey because so many of us heat with gas and don't give it a second thought. I laughed when you said you're easy to find. I am so directionally challenged--if my car's parked on the opposite side of the street I get confused LOL. That's why I had so much trouble at first with paperpiecing--I didn't know which end was up!

QuiltE

........... but you got there (PPing) without any major collisions!