Get UP in the MORNIN'! You're living on a farm so GET UP!

[SallyF]

The way I read the first post, the OP gets up early, does all the feeding, etc., then drives to work at a "real" job. That would explain why the feeding has to be done early. I guess the alternative would be to not do it, and then wonder if it ever got done.

It's interesting the way early birds and night owls manage to find each other and live together. DH and I started dating in college and both worked in the cafeterias at the dorms. I used to get up early and go throw pebbles at his window to wake him up when he had to go to work. Couldn't phone him because his roomie complained. Somehow, when he graduated and joined the Navy, he managed to wake up when he needed to.

I understand the fear of falling and not having anyone awake to notice that you've been gone an awfully long time. Happened to my farmer Dad many years ago, and he spent a long day in the barn with a broken leg before anyone noticed he wasn't around. (We all got up and went to school and work while he was out farming.) Now that DH and I are on the farm, I do all the outside animal chores although I'm sure he would if I were incapacitated. I do make sure to take my cell phone with me when I go out, just in case I need to call for help.

 

[Spookwriter]

I enjoy watching the sunrise. (not so much in the winter, cold outside.)
Nothing pleases me more than listening to the roosters welcome a brand new day.

I'm up late at night, and up early. Don't sleep much, five-six hours a night.

Up hours before my wife. Doesn't bother me. Wake my daughter for school, meet her
in the afternoon. Just like Forest Gump. Walk the dogs, check on my mother. 76 years old, she
isn't in the best of health.

I enjoy the quiet time before my day really starts. Nice quiet house in the mornings.

 

[welsummerchicks]

"What kind of creatures have to be fed that early?"

That really, really needs to come off the table.

 

[BlackBart]

*I* believe that the 'secret' to a long-and-happy marriage/relationship is NOT seeing each other in the morning -- whatever time 'morning' is --

very true

I am surprised at how many people I hear about lately, want to be Farmers. But they don't have a clue. I think it is trendy.
They spend hours on the Internet reading about Farming, telling people how to farm and joining committees to tell Farmers how to farm. That doesn't go over very well with real Farmers. The people with calluses and tanned necks.

They don't go outside until noon, assuming they are dressed. Hire 'Woofers" to do the labor (Woofers are free labor from people who are holidaying around the world all you do is feed and house them, in exchange they work for you)

I think some like to delegate and call themselves Farmers but actually don't Farm themselves. They should go and work on a Farm then they would have a basis to have a informed opinion.

We were taught to get up and feed the animals first. They can't feed themselves. Then when the initial chores were done, maybe took 30 minutes, we came in for breakfast. After school we did chores too. Pretty much the same routine in my adult life.

Most Farmers nowadays have a job off the farm and then the farm job. Long days. It takes a special person to have that type of work ethic.

 

[Katy]

Quote:
Yep, most people look at farming thru rose colored glasses and think it's an idealic life. You are right in that if they actually tried living it they'd find out how it really is.

I was raised too that the animals were fed and taken care of first and then it was ok for me to eat. It's still that way with me and the hubby.

We don't have off the farm jobs but there are still not enough hours in most days to get everything done. Lots of hours work for not much in the way of a paycheck, but we wouldn't trade it for anything.

 

[CityGirlintheCountry]

Sounds like you are more upset about the fact that you are doing all the chores than about what time they happen. If the animals were a shared decision, than their upkeep should be shared as well. Perhaps make up a list of chores that each of you will do. Then do your list and just assume that he will do his list when he gets up. If he isn't a morning person, then it is unlikely that he will just spontaneously start waking up early.

(And I realize that a morning person will not recognize that he can't "just wake up early". For those of us with internal clocks set a little later in the day, waking up early is physically difficult. While it is possible for me to roll it out of bed early, I physically pay for it the rest of the day. I feel wretched all day long. When I can wake up when my body wants to, then I physically feel great and am super productive physically and mentally. On the flip side, I am very alert and happy in the wee hours of the night. I am very productive and highly creative. I feel great! I never feel that way early in the morning.)

 

[DuckLady]

Quote:
This would be me, but I know myself well enough to know that the glasses would come off real quick.

I like to be all Little House on the Prairie making bread in my newly remodelled kitchen, cooking a stew on the wood stove which is fueled by wood cut by someone else and watching Seven Brides for Seven Brothers and saying "See, that is ME!!".

 

[mom'sfolly]

I think your biggest issue here is the dude said he would get up to be available, and he hasn't. He also hasn't presented any better reason than "I like to sleep". In your place, I would be ticked because the issue has been discussed, compromises agreed upon, and then the bargain not fulfilled. When the first agreement didn't work out, you went back to the table to renegotiate, again, he didn't follow through. I can be somewhat vindictive, and if I were at the point you were at, I think I would be so resentful I wouldn't be talking to the dude.

I think the dude needs an alarm clock in his ear and a reminder of the agreements made. You are to the point where you are tired and stressed, worried about working alone with animals, including large and potentially dangerous ones, and are getting angry enough to damage the relationship. I think it is time to lay it on the line....whatever that means in this case.

 

[verity]

for Terrie --


and putting those bread-baking pans in the dishwasher -- perfect description of many of us, I imagine -- thanks for making me laugh --

 

[Up-the-Creek]

Quote:
Really it sounds like to me that you're POed because he is being, and has been, a lazy a$$. It also sounds like to me that you are carrying the most of the load. What does he do when he does get up??? Does he have a job? Does he do any other chores on the farm??? Is he doing all the evening chores while you are at work? Now,..the way you make it sound,..if it were me,..I would sell out and move to town WITHOUT him. BUT,..I am sure that it isn't all that bad,..I hope. If he has always been a late sleeper,..you aren't going to change that about him now. Just like he couldn't change the fact that you are an early riser. I would make a list of what he does and what I do to contribute to the farm. Take it from there. If he isn't contributing at all,..maybe it is time to let it go,..the farming that is. Take time to look at the big picture,..