by Lumpy » Sun 04 May 2008, 13:50:40
$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('roccman', 'O')k - so now in-laws and friends are coming around to, "hmmm...maybe rocco and ang has it right."
"This is a working farm...expect to be put to work...
The sole purpose of this farm is to produce food. Our rules are simple, fair, and clear:
1) If you drink irresponsibly...expect to be put to work.
2) If you harm someone...expect to be put to work.
3) If you are loud and obnoxious...expect to be put to work.
4) If you want to eat...expect to be put to work.
5) If you kick my dog...expect to be put to work.
6) If you don't work...you don't eat.
7) If you are still reading this...GET TO WORK!!"
Roc -
No offense, but I know in the past there are those who have, well, TAKEN offense at some of your posts. However, THIS is a GREAT thread, and I applaud you for starting it.
It is particularly applicable to our situation, because my husband and I are in the process
right now of writing up our concerns, proposals, and absolute bottom-line stuff. About three hours away, our sons (my bio, but ours anyway), age 34 and 31, plus the 30 year old wife and 4 & 2 year old sons of the eldest son, are putting their concerns proposals, bottom-line stuff on paper.
This is all in preparation for a 'shareholders' meeting' (note it is NOT a 'family meeting' - more on that later) on 5/16. We will be driving up there to spend as many hours as it takes, working out the plan for manifesting our new compound. (Here at our farm, but now it will be a 'new' compound, because they are coming to join us.)
I don't how much of what you wrote above was a little tongue-in-cheek, but the "THIS IS A WORKING FARM" is absolutely right on.
I was up there this past week, taking care of kids since daughter (in-law) just had surgery. Four year old grandson hit it right on the head when he was explaining to his Dad how we were going to make it into a big farm (meaning everyone living there). Daddy asked, "So are you going to work real hard then?" Four year old turned, look Daddy straight in the eye, and with a hint of 'get-a-clue' in his voice said,
"Daddy, EVERYONE works hard on a farm -- or else the farm won't work!"
Out of the mouths of babes. (Of course, that kid is the one family member that has spent the most time on the farm with us so far -- so he knows first hand!)
Our plans thus far:
1. Sons will find paying work in this area as long as possible, with a percentage of income to go to the farm (undecided percentage, as of yet.)
2. Sons will also work on farm projects, evenings and weekends.
3. Eldest son will be out of work first, because of the kind of work he does ... so he will be the first to join my husband full time at farm labor.
4. Second son (mechanic) will continue to work longer, no doubt -- even if it's for barter (which we like a lot.)
5. I will continue to practice medicine, and work toward another speciality degree, to broaden the base of my practice. (Remember, in rural medicine you do NOT make a lot of money -- so don't get the wrong idea about our financial situation.) Any free time I have, I will work on farm projects -- which I love to do, and wish I could spend more time doing.
6. Daughter (in-law) will keep the house up, and see to the grandkids -- although the 4 year old will actually have a significant amount of work/chores to do with Opa (their word for Grandpa - my husband), and 2 year old will start learning to do actual work by the time he is 3.
Biggest concern for me is three generations in one house that is not that big ... big enough for everyone to sleep ... but not big enough to be able to escape from one another, and any personality conflicts. That's where the FAMILY MEETINGS will have to come in.
I would like to build a small add-on to the house right away to accomodate privacy and 'escape' for myself and my husband. He does not see this as a near-term priority.
So there is still LOTS of stuff to be worked out.
But looks like they will be here by mid-June at latest. So it's YAY and YIKES at the same time!
Lumpy
"A government big enough to give you everything you want, is strong enough to take everything you have." Thomas Jefferson