Having to get 3rd LGD for my puny 5 acres!

[Ridgetop]

Yes, we love them too. Now, with 3 adult kids still at home, and our grandchildren over every day for after school care, we treasure those times as alone time. DH and I can kick back, sing to the oldies as we drive, and have a great time in our 5th wheel. DH wants to get in some sightseeing while we are traveling across the country to the east coast. We are really looking forward to it. The only problem will be the time away from home. I am president of our bridge club this year and will miss at least one Board meeting. Luckily, we have several new people on our Board who I am excited about since up to now the same people have been passing the jobs around. With me gone, our new VP can let herself go and enjoy opening meetings, etc. It is all part of my nefarious plan to avoid being reelected next year! NyaaaHaaaHaaa! New blood in an organization is always for the better. We leave for Yelm next Saturday and hope to get all the work done and my aunt's house rented out within 3 weeks. Buying traveling Wi-Fi minutes and taking my computer so I will still be in touch with BYH!

 

[Latestarter]

safe trip(s)... hope you get everything accomplished.

 

[Bruce]

Short for Anatolian Shepherd.

Actually it is Anatolian Shepherds' Dog. They are not herders as the name Anatolian Shepherd would imply but the dogs used by Anatolian Shepherds to protect the flocks.

 

[Ridgetop]

Well, our Anatolians have now killed 2 raccoons in our yard over the past 2 weeks. They seemed to be adult size. I don't think we get the enormous 50 lbs. ones as on the east coast and down south. Ours rarely top out over 30 lb. Not sure what they are braving our dogs for, unless it is for water since we don't have any chickens or rabbits at the moment. Been another heat wave in the low 100's so . . . . Coyotes are quiet lately, but we are still under observation. 2 successful kills in 4 months has put us on their map.

Well, my 36 year old chest freezer just gasped its last yesterday. After moaning for several weeks while we tried to decide if we really needed to replace it, it gave its death rattle and proceeded to try to defrost all our food. Luckily, I have been finishing the last bits in my new utility room. Putting up hooks for brooms, etc., and opened it to check it. Water was dripping, and frost pieces slipping into its depths. Summoning all hands, a bucket brigade quickly transferred still frozen meat to the other freezer, which I had been rearranging to make room. Now it is off to buy another freezer. Unfortunately, it seems that size freezer is no longer made and since we remodeled our utility room to fit that freezer, I now have to go with a slightly smaller one. Sad, but we no longer put a steer, a hog, 4 lambs, and 24 rabbits at one time into the freezers so it should be ok. Also, I found last season's tomatoes still in the freezer so when I return from Yelm I will get to them and turn them into sauce and BBQ sauce. Also some berries for jam. Oops, too much going on last fall and spring and I forgot they were there. We have already downsized from 3 freezers to 2 freezers, a 7' chest and this 4' chest which I have to replace. Although everything is now crammed into the 7', we will have to have space for butcher lambs in about 9 months so might as well get it now. Also, can unload some of the stuff so the 7' doesn't overwork. On sale plus 10% military discount. A new one will save electricity too. Free delivery and old freezer pick up too. All good.

 

[Mini Horses]

So -- the GOOD news is that the freezer death occurred BEFORE you left town. Not much to say "hooray" about but, it is less of an issue now than when you came home to a huge mess! Did that make you feel a little better?

Hope that helps just a tiny bit.

 

[Ridgetop]

Absolutely! We all discussed it at the dinner table and agreed that it was a good thing it happened now. New freezer is arriving tomorrow, we will give it 24 hours to chill and will sort a bunch of the frozen goods back into it. Considering the Creek fire and subsequent evacuation happened while we were out of town, the tree fell on the house the next time we were out of town, I am really surprised the freezer did not gasp out a few more days to make our lives that much more exciting!

 

[Baymule]

I had a 40 year old freezer die and had a new one the next day. Now I have two, both upright. I am glad that you found it before things thawed out and got gross.

 

[Ridgetop]

Absolutely! We could have picked it up ourselves, but wanted the store to remove and dispose of the old one. It had been making strange loud groaning noises for a month and we were worried about its health so it wasn't a sudden surprise. I had been working in the utility room putting up hooks, etc. and stuff was sitting on both freezers for several days. I had just cleared off the wheezing one to check it and found it defrosting itself. Luckily we had enough room in the other one, and the two refrigerators to hold everything.

Our first freezer was an upright - a wedding present from my in-laws. I went up a lot in Daddy's estimation when I asked for a freezer to save grocery money! I used it mainly to store my prepared dishes after we got our first chest freezer for meat. I got tired of large roasts falling out into my toes! Later we had three freezers, the old upright, and two smaller chests. one day dh was at Lowes and they were having a floor model freezer and picked up a 6 1/2' ginormous freezer. We gave our tiny one to my daughter and SIL. Then the upright went bad and we were down to two again. Not buying all our meat for the year at the Fair anymore so these two do us for 5 adults now. Somehow, I seemed to use more food with 2 adults and 4 growing children. Now I just don't have to cook everyday.

Anyway, Both freezers are working away, I have moved a third of the food back into the new freezer and can go to WA without having to worry about anything. Except the usual things I worry about - fire, flood, famine, tornado winds, pestilence, livestock predators, etc. My boys have shown that they can handle everything though and we are just a phone call away with necessary information.

Oh yes, and a new cougar has moved into the old one's empty territory across the boulevard. I expected it. Rumor says he is young and emaciated. Also to be expected after the fires.

 

[greybeard]

but wanted the store to remove and dispose of the old one.

For future reference....
An old chest freezer, filled with dirt makes a pretty good backstop for bullets on a home practice range....for a while, depending how many rounds you send downrange each week...

 

[goatgurl]

old freezers, filled with dirt also make a great raised bed for raising veggies in the winter, you can cover the top with an old glass door or something of the kind and have your own little hot house. I have old shower doors for mine.
safe travels