Wow what a couple of weeks.  I worked 73 hours the week before last then got Monday off and worked 44 more hours the rest of the week!

Thats okay though, its worth it to see the paychecks that help to not only pay off debt but also fund some projects and even some help to do those projects.  I had an apiphany, why not pay someone while I am away $7 an hour to work on our place.  If I am making $7 + X (you didnt think I would tell you how much I am making did you :-)  ?   ) then that X is still more than I was making working from home.  This allows me to get twice the work done and still bring in income!

So, last week was the first week for this fella who was the husband of a friend of Brandy’s to work.  He did excellent!  I am impressed actually.  In three days at about 7 hours a day he did more work on my barn then I had be able to do in a whole week (partly because when I am working, someone always calls and talks for hours) and he had the hard work.  He had to do all the work on the ladder and cutting angles and around the window and doors from a ladder.  I am feeling so much better knowing that my projects at home are not being neglected.  It relieves so much stress!  I have so much work left to do (not just barnwork) that I think I could keep him going all year!  I dont think I will be so lucky as this guy knows what he’s doing and will probably go get a higher paying job soon.  I am going to try and get as much done as possible while I can though.

Below is the barn.

Now, we just need two dry days in a row to paint the barn then on one Saturday that he can come over we are going to bolt that deck to the building, put up batons, and begin building the staircase so we dont have to climb the ladder anymore.

I decided to record a few tunes (well actually Brandy recorded them) of us playing two tunes.  I know you probably have heard the first before but I wanted to show it again with the harmony that Ashley plays.  Its heavenly!  Lemerick is Beautiful is a beautiful tune that Gordan McCann gave her on an audio tape.  Its about a place in Ireland.  No one at McClurg will play with her on this tune because they cant figure out all the chords

Ashokan Farewell:

Lemerick is Beautiful:

I have begun my orchard.  I just planted two Duke Cherry trees and I have ordered 4 Heirloom Apple trees (the ones Thomas Jefferson grew) and 2 Pear trees from Miller Nurseries.  Here is where they will go.  I have cleared off all the Cedar trees in this area to avoid Cedar Rust and I have cleaned up this area that was actually useless….until now.

I have also planted three blueberry plants.  There are two bluejay and 1 blueray.  We also planted one Vanessa Grape.  I will expand those later.  Just starting with those to learn how to grow them.

We have planted our Tomatoes but not our Sweet Peppers (havent had time yet).  Below is a picture of our onions and Potatoes.

And last but not least, our Chickens.  This picture was taken on a very foggy morning.  It was very pretty out.  The chickens have been laying well and I am also getting some chicklings from the brooders.  I have them separated so I can take care to give chick starter for the little ones.

Well hope you all are having a good spring.  God Bless and I hope you can leave me a comment.