The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
Natalie's archive of writings from 11-10-2010
"With farming, you never know when you're going to get a lucky break.
Sometimes we almost miss opportunity knocking because we're so focused on finding the annoying squeak in the door latch. But other times opportunity is so obvious that we are almost knocked over. We almost missed our lucky break this fall, but fortunately we received a push in the right direction at the right time.
The fall harvest was very early this year for us because of the hail/wind storm that blew through here in August. We were able to put up enough feed for the cattle and still have a little extra corn to sell. It was so nice to sell corn this harvest season with little drying costs and higher commodity prices. With most of the fall harvest rush over and field work completed, what project would we tackle next?
Thanks to a very friendly push by Mark's mom, we started a remodeling project that has been in the works for the last five years. We wanted to start last year and be done by Jonathon's graduation party, but the harvest season was so drawn out with a rainy October and combining until December that the project was delayed once again. This summer was too busy with three extra kids in the house and hosting a tour for national convention. We didn't want a big mess in the yard when we had company. Suddenly we were right in the same spot as last year. Were we crazy to think about starting a big remodeling/addition project this fall and so close to winter?
Most years the answer would be YES! Winter can come at anytime, kind of like babies. Some come extremely early and others take their dear sweet time in making their arrival. For us the lucky break came in the form of a mild, dry fall and winter appears to making a late appearance. At least we'll have everything closed up by the time the weather changes for good.
The only time the weather hasn't cooperated is when we took the shingles off of the house over MEA weekend. Once the two layers of old shingles were pried off the roof and deposited in the bucket loader did we discover an unexpected surprise. Over the years, the interior of the chimney had deteriorated beyond repair. It has been so dry the last couple of years that we didn't realize water was leaking into our furnace room along the chimney wall. Our furnace guy told us that our current system was ok, but it was pushing the outer limits of its expected lifetime. Since we were remodeling, now might be a good time to look at a different heating system. Our lucky break came in the form of the government rebate program encouraging people to convert to higher efficiency heating systems and windows. I was able to have two heating systems, oil and wood, removed from my furnace room and a single system installed in less space.
Of course once the decision was made to remove the chimney and find a new heating system, the weather changed for the moment. With a blue tarp covering our roof line, we received over two inches of rain the next three days. Our little office space heater was moved upstairs to take the chill out of the air in the house. We wrapped up in fuzzy blankets and pulled out our favorite thick hooded sweatshirts. Luckily my kitchen was still intact and I could keep the house warm by baking bars and making big pots of soup.
Daily life has changed the way we move around the house. There is only one exit doorway and it is through the living room. Everyone has learned very quickly to take their boots off before coming into the house. Before it was very convenient to slip into the house for "just a moment" to grab something from the kitchen without taking off our barn boots. The vinyl floors were easy to clean with a broom or mop. Living room carpet is not as simple to clean, so things must change. Talk about a lucky break! I wonder if this new habit will carry over after the remodeling project is done?
Our builder is waiting until the last moment to take out my remaining cupboards, sink and stove. Once those are removed, we will have to learn to live like pioneers in a one room home. The furnace room has an outlet for my stove, so I'll be able to keep cooking meals, but I will only have a bathroom sink to wash dishes in. Good thing I stocked up on paper plates, cups and silverware for several graduation parties. The furnace room also holds our clean farm clothes in a couple of old dressers stashed in the corner.
I will have to learn how to cook out of "boxes". The basement floor is covered with boxes of dishes, pots, pans, spices, canned goods and everything else I had stashed away in the kitchen. I always thought I would make a great pioneer wife but I am having second thoughts. I am trying to downsize on just the essentials and make do with one mixing bowl, measuring cup, wooden spoon, spatula, two cook pans, a skillet, salt, pepper, flour, sugar, cinnamon and vanilla. Luckily everything else I need will still be somewhere within reach, but which box?
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As their four children pursue dairy careers off the family farm, Natalie and Mark are starting a new adventure of milking registered Holsteins just because they like good cows on their farm north of Rice, Minnesota.
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