Kristen’s Chickens and Farming Ventures

[BY Bob]

One other thing to note... if the violence is ever directed at us, to the point he damages our belongings or attempts to hit me or Andrew again, (there was a broom incident early this year) we will be calling the police and leaving. If he ever touches any of my animals with anger or malice I make no promises of good behavior. I will not remain in an unsafe environment.

When out of this generation (Andrew and his cousins) there are only 2 people in 7 (including spouses) willing to do the actual work of farming, and only one is a qualified professional in the meat industry.... you would think they would be less hostile to us. I mostly fear for the future of the farm, as well as ours. But our safety takes precedence.

I am so sorry that you have to make decisions like this. I can only imagine the stress you are dealing with and not to mention the hurt that husband is feeling. Hopefully saner heads will prevail and do what's right.

 

[Kris5902]

You know it almost sounds like your FIL has a mental disorder of sorts. Perhaps he is in early stage dementia or even Alzheimer.

He sure seems to have extreme outbursts.

I was wondering the same thing.... This is not normal or rational behaviour.

We are fairly certain that that is the case, in the ten years since I’ve been with Andrew, I have seen a mental decline and increase in emotional outbursts. My sister in Law, Andrew’s Brother’s wife, who works in healthcare in carehomes and retirement homes, has also observed the changes. Apparently abusive, violent outbursts and confusion is fairly common with aging and mental degradation. I am fine with my body failing me, so long as I don’t lose My faculties with age

I am so sorry that you have to make decisions like this. I can only imagine the stress you are dealing with and not to mention the hurt that husband is feeling. Hopefully saner heads will prevail and do what's right.

Thanks for your understanding and compassion... I think we are going to pull through this. But some days it seems near on impossible...

 

[Ribh]

I am fine with my body failing me, so long as I don’t lose My faculties with age

Ditto.

in the ten years since I’ve been with Andrew, I have seen a mental decline and increase in emotional outbursts.

While no nicer [or easier], it does make it easier to have compassion I think.

 

[Aussie-Chookmum]

o the farm is trying to set themselves up in direct competition with me for egg sales, because I found a market niche that succeeded. Which is somewhat ironic as they have been making fun of my “pretend” chickens since I hatched them out in October, right up until people started showing up asking for my eggs specifically this last month. They also undercut my pricing by a dollar.

Yep, they sound threatened by your success. How *dare* you prove them wrong about chickens? /s
You''l have to add something like "humanely raised in the open air" to your egg cartons. They can't claim *that* unless they improve their chooks living conditions! Win/win!

You know it almost sounds like your FIL has a mental disorder of sorts. Perhaps he is in early stage dementia or even Alzheimer.

He sure seems to have extreme outbursts.

Definitely has anger management issues. To quote Mulan's grandma "Who spit in *his* bean curd?"

 

[Aussie-Chookmum]

We are fairly certain that that is the case, in the ten years since I’ve been with Andrew, I have seen a mental decline and increase in emotional outbursts. My sister in Law, Andrew’s Brother’s wife, who works in healthcare in carehomes and retirement homes, has also observed the changes. Apparently abusive, violent outbursts and confusion is fairly common with aging and mental degradation. I am fine with my body failing me, so long as I don’t lose My faculties with age



Thanks for your understanding and compassion... I think we are going to pull through this. But some days it seems near on impossible...

Oh dear. It's never easy when this happens to a family member.
Of course, that doesn't mean you have to put up with the abuse...

 

[rjohns39]

Good morning Kris Folks have already said what I was thinking so I'll just offer

 

[drumstick diva]

me too

 

[Kris5902]

I forgot to say thank you again this morning, you guys are all so wonderful. It’s been a good day. I’ve been stranded at the trailer for all intents and purposes while Andrew is in working on the other island. We are down to one functional vehicle because (i think mice chewed through some wiring!) of an electrical issue in one Jeep, and my oopsies “this is a little too 4WD for our 4WD” cow feeding incident in the other (we need to take the wheels off and check the rotors and stuff).So, Andrew took the truck in today and I’ve been getting stuff done around the trailer. I almost got to vacuuming even!

I cleaned the cat box, adjusted our island counter thing, got some cleaning done, washed out all the chicken waterers, and got all 3 special girls, Sammy, and Missy into the hospital tractor together tonight (I get the barn back for two more weeks til the chicks hatch!). I also spent a good amount of time chasing my indoor cats trying to get them back inside and got eaten alive by mosquitoes. I’m about to take a Benadryl... I swell something fierce.

I repaired a shoe cabinet from ikea that we’ve had since our house for installation in the trailer (mom left it outside in the weather for a few months so it’s a little rough, but functional). I ripped down an annoying valance over the door that prevented a cabinet door from opening properly, and I’m about to remove another from the window beside the door so the shoe thing will fit. Next I’m going to install some shelving in the cabinet so there’s less wasted space. All in all it’s been a fairly peaceful day of destruction. If anyone wants to have a demo party on their property, I’m totally in! I’m not quite as good at putting things back together, but I’ve gotten really handy with altering ikea and Walmart furnishings to fit odd spaces (just NO plumbing!!!)

FIL is in town today for some monthly high school get together, I think it’s something like a tea party... but with a bunch of old men and alcohol. So with Andrews aunts away on vacation, and Andrew at work, it’s just me at one end of the property and my mom down at the other end. I haven’t seen another person all day. I forgot about BIL, but he’s hiding from everyone because he knows he did bad, and we are all pretty close to violence when it comes to him (even my mother, and she put up with me as a teen!)

I’m thinking about writing up a winter prep list for the trailer. In the midst of a heat wave it seems crazy, but there’s some things we need to fix and I doubt we will have the house weather tight and a stove installed before the cold hits. Things like getting the windows better insulated, cutting some ventilation holes in the front of the sofa for airflow to prevent mold. Filling the plumbing and gas line gaps with spray foam and steel wool. Stuffing the gap around the slide out with foam as well. Getting those insulated curtains sewn up and installed.

So that’s where I’ve been today, and lurking here on BYC all day in between tasks. Some well deserved peace and R&R. Sometimes it’s nice to have space!

 

[Ribh]

I forgot to say thank you again this morning, you guys are all so wonderful. It’s been a good day. I’ve been stranded at the trailer for all intents and purposes while Andrew is in working on the other island. We are down to one functional vehicle because (i think mice chewed through some wiring!) of an electrical issue in one Jeep, and my oopsies “this is a little too 4WD for our 4WD” cow feeding incident in the other (we need to take the wheels off and check the rotors and stuff).So, Andrew took the truck in today and I’ve been getting stuff done around the trailer. I almost got to vacuuming even!

I cleaned the cat box, adjusted our island counter thing, got some cleaning done, washed out all the chicken waterers, and got all 3 special girls, Sammy, and Missy into the hospital tractor together tonight (I get the barn back for two more weeks til the chicks hatch!). I also spent a good amount of time chasing my indoor cats trying to get them back inside and got eaten alive by mosquitoes. I’m about to take a Benadryl... I swell something fierce.

I repaired a shoe cabinet from ikea that we’ve had since our house for installation in the trailer (mom left it outside in the weather for a few months so it’s a little rough, but functional). I ripped down an annoying valance over the door that prevented a cabinet door from opening properly, and I’m about to remove another from the window beside the door so the shoe thing will fit. Next I’m going to install some shelving in the cabinet so there’s less wasted space. All in all it’s been a fairly peaceful day of destruction. If anyone wants to have a demo party on their property, I’m totally in! I’m not quite as good at putting things back together, but I’ve gotten really handy with altering ikea and Walmart furnishings to fit odd spaces (just NO plumbing!!!)

FIL is in town today for some monthly high school get together, I think it’s something like a tea party... but with a bunch of old men and alcohol. So with Andrews aunts away on vacation, and Andrew at work, it’s just me at one end of the property and my mom down at the other end. I haven’t seen another person all day. I forgot about BIL, but he’s hiding from everyone because he knows he did bad, and we are all pretty close to violence when it comes to him (even my mother, and she put up with me as a teen!)

I’m thinking about writing up a winter prep list for the trailer. In the midst of a heat wave it seems crazy, but there’s some things we need to fix and I doubt we will have the house weather tight and a stove installed before the cold hits. Things like getting the windows better insulated, cutting some ventilation holes in the front of the sofa for airflow to prevent mold. Filling the plumbing and gas line gaps with spray foam and steel wool. Stuffing the gap around the slide out with foam as well. Getting those insulated curtains sewn up and installed.

So that’s where I’ve been today, and lurking here on BYC all day in between tasks. Some well deserved peace and R&R. Sometimes it’s nice to have space!

I often have *bitsy* days. I leave BYC open & check in in between jobs too. It's a nice break ~ especially if the jobs are less than enthralling.

 

[Aussie-Chookmum]

but I’ve gotten really handy with altering ikea and Walmart furnishings to fit odd spaces (just NO plumbing!!!)

Lol
So glad you're having a good day Kris ...and a productive one too!