Wow! What a week!

I've been a little quiet lately. But it's all good! My step-son, Bob, came up from Colorado to start doing some clean up on my little Minnesota farm. Since husband Bob passed away six months ago we've been planning how the kids could help me to remove all the old vehicles and lots of old fences and buildings that weren't in very good condition. It is a gargantuan task and son Bob has done an amazing job for just six days of work! (Warning: The following journey through our junk may not interest many of you, but I thought my dad Glenn would enjoy seeing what we're up to here!) :)

Last Friday Bob showed up to begin work. He hung his hat at a local motel, rented a dump trailer and son-in-law Adam's dad gave him the use of his Bobcat. He also rented a construction dumpster which he and other helpers packed to the brim with all manner of stuff.

Missy came on Friday evening and stayed through Sunday to help. Her boyfriend Shane also helped on Sunday. What a blessing they are!

Missy and Bob tackle an old fence. Missy and Shane went around the property and removed many old wood posts like this one and filled in the holes. The fencing went on the scrap metal heap as well as the swing set in the background.

The steel posts were saved for Micah and Adam who still have some land to fence. The wood posts went in a pile that can be cut up for Micah and Adam to burn in their woodstove.

This stack of old cattle panel and dog kennel was the first thing to leave the place. One of Bob's friends actually paid for it!

 

Bob owns his own construction company in Colorado. There's his workin' truck.

The scrap metal pile. I mean, these folks worked hard! I have to say, I got up at 6 a.m. on Sunday morning (the only day I had off during this time) and spent 3 hours going through a pile of junk to pick out sellable items. Then when the kids arrived we could pretty much throw everything that was left. So, I DID do SOMETHING.

 

This is actually a picture of something that ISN'T there. Shane and Bob removed my rickety old deck. It will be replaced by something new in the future. It was a real safety hazard.

 

That's the deck you see cut into small pieces and stacked in the background.

Bob, filling the dumpster.

My trailer. Every farm lady needs a trailer. I decided to hang onto this one. Adam can use it to haul hay if he needs to.

This is a small part of our old vehicle graveyard. While I was at work today the scrappers came and hauled them all away. Except for the Fleetline in the middle of the picture. Bob rented a car hauler and is taking that back to Colorado where he thinks he can sell it for a good price. Things just don't sell well here. They didn't take the old semi trailer. We're still trying to figure out how to get rid of that. Burn it? That's a possibility.

 

When I came home from work on Monday I found that Bob had finished up my back porch. It's now very sturdy. He's the first to admit it isn't beautiful; he was just finishing up what husband Bob started. It serves the purpose!

I also found this! I didn't own any lawnmowers that actually worked, so Bob purchased this little number for me. This is all part of the "Let's take care of Mama" project that my kids have been involved in since day one. Their dad would be so proud to see them taking such good care of me!

The skirting blocks on the north end of my house are now insulated, an access door has been added and ventilation covers put where they're needed. No more skunks or cats under the house!

 

 

A middle rail was added to the landing on the ramp to keep Hazel from racing off the end!

 

 

 

One reason for all of this clean up is so I can apply to USDA for a loan so I can stay on the farm. I think I have a good chance of getting one. God is blessing me in so many ways. I think I will soon be able to stand on my own two feet and my kids will get a little breather.

 

This pair of JD's has been adopted by Adam and Doug (his dad). Neither is running quite right, but they enjoy tinkering, and I think Bob would be delighted at the idea that they stayed in the family.

I still have a bunch of antique farm equipment hiding at the back of the property. I will try to sell them one at a time online.

There will be another clean up effort later in the summer. In the meantime, I'll try to have a couple of "junque" sales to clear out some of this stuff...

JUNQUE!

 

I spent about an hour this evening with Millie the lawnmower. I got quite a bit done on the yard. I won't try to mow the entire lawn. I'll carve out a smaller version and Adam said he'll come over and do the rest with a rider.

 

Ah, summer is finally here! I have to drive to Fargo tomorrow to do some errands so Micah and the girls will come along with me to make it a girls day out. We plan to eat out and shop for some summer clothes for the kiddos. I may look at some bikes at Walmart, though I won't buy one there. I think they have the one I want at my local store, but I still have to figure out how to get it home. Ride it? Ten miles is a long way when your bike riding muscles aren't in shape!

I want a "Cruiser": one speed, wide seat, upright posture. An old lady bike, in other words, lol!

 

Enough of my yacking for now. Have a great evening!

Shalom.