20 . . . 12!!

Good morning, and HAPPY NEW YEAR!  (Well, it's morning me for . . . I'm just getting going.)  2012 sounds so . . . futuristic!  20 . . . 12!  Wow.  And yet, we don't have robots serving us coffee nor do we drive cars that fly through the air.  Imagine that.  ;)

First thing's first, I made a slight change to the title of this blog.  As I mentioned in the comments section of another post, Googling 'Chicken Mama' brings up this blog instead of (and in addition to) Chicken Mama Designs, the business.  So, in an effort to try to change that, I changed the title.  That said, I am open to other suggestions for the new title.  I'd like to keep 'Lady Homesteader' while keeping 'Chicken Mama' out of it.  You got any better ones?


So, are you sticking to your resolutions?  Now that we're almost 13 hours into the New Year?  Did you drink less / no coffee this morning?  Did you already start that new work-out routine?  Not me, I'm not adding any stress to my New Year!  Ha!  I'm drinking all the coffee I want and NOT working out!  ;)  I did make two resolutions, though.  They are:

1. Remember to put the living things (animals, then [house]plants) FIRST here on ye ol' homestead.
2. Work on keeping the house (relatively) clean in 2012!

Unfortunately, I haven't always been good about putting the animals first, even though I want to.  I need to put my words (thoughts) into action.  For example, if I'm running late in the morning (driving into town), I'll forgo giving the birds fresh water, calling out to them, "I know, guys!  I'll get to you tonight!"  That needs to change.  Great inspiration for this resolution came this fall when I paid an unexpected visit to Tanglewoods Homestead.  (Hmmm, what's their new name?  Right, 'North Forest Farm'.)  I hadn't seen the goats or the old barn since they'd gotten it cleaned out and back in working order, and so asked for an introduction.  And, this spur-of-the-moment / didn't-know-company-was-coming peek showed an immaculate barn (well, as far as barns go, you know) and the critters ALL with fresh bedding, food, and water.  Ahhhh:  THAT'S the kind of farmer / homesteader I want to be!!!  She (Mrs. North Forest Farm) is a how-a-livestock-owner-should-be inspiration to me!


My second resolution:  this house is almost always a DISASTER inside (when I'm not expecting company).  And I'm not exaggerating.  I used to joke that if the ex ever had a heart attack or anything, I'd have to drag him out onto the front porch for the paramedics:  I wouldn't let them in to see how messy the house was!  ;)  And, I DON'T want it to be this way.  When visitors stop by unexpectedly (which is what happens most often out here in the sticks), I want to be able to invite them in!  To not have the house in such a state that I'd be embarrassed to do so.  As I was thinking about WHY it's hard for me to keep a clean house this morning, it dawned on me:  it takes too much time.  Time away from things I deem more important.  Welllll, duh . . . of COURSE it takes time!  But, do I want to be able to entertain guests inside?  Yes.  Do I ENJOY the house more when it's clean?  Yes.  So, then (dummy!), it's O-K-A-Y to spend the time required to clean it!


There ya have it, my two resolutions.  I should check in at the beginning of each month to see HOW I'm doing . . . and use that occasion to get myself re-routed, if necessary.  Yep, I think I'll put that on my 2012 calendars when I do them today.


And, with that, I think I'll sign off for now . . . but I'll try to be back later today to regale you with last night's fun and news of a BIRTHDAY!