I don’t know if anyone else’s husband why you need a bag full of snack and things to entertain the kids with when I just have to give him a ride to the field? I can’t be the only one who likes to be prepared for worst! Well today was a good example of why I prepare and pack everything except the kitchen sink on even the shortest excursion. We started soybean harvest on Saturday. My mother-in-law watched our girls yesterday so I could drive grain cart and my son was with me for awhile, in the combine for awhile, and then in the truck for awhile. I truly love driving grain cart, my favorite thing to do on the crop side of the farm!
Fast Forward to today after naptime and Dave comes home to grab a bite to eat and take Graysen. Leightyn throws a fit about wanting to go with daddy so we compromise and I tell her that I will take her to go ride in the combine with Papa Greg. She loves riding in the combine so she packs her bag with 2 dolls, 2 blankets(they can’t share), a bottle, a book, and then I put some snacks and juice in there. Tristyn comes out with her baby so I get her a bag to pack her baby, a blanket, a book, and of course some snacks as well. I also grab the diaper bag which has more snack, diapers, baby wipes, the essentials when you have 3 children 4 and under. I take Leightyn out to the combine about 7 miles from our house. I over packed for a short trip my husband would say. However, you also never know when you are going to get called for a parts run so always be prepared. I drop Leightyn off with Papa and start to drive away and it is my husband. “I thought you would stay and drive grain cart so I can unload a truck.” This was never in a discussion that I had with him so very puzzling. I said I can do that, I do love driving grain cart. Luckily we have a tractor with a buddy seat and a seat belt that works! I take Tristyn, her bag she packed, the diaper bag, and my water cup into the grain cart tractor. I am now prepared for an afternoon of driving grain cart with a 1 year old! Darling, that is why I pack everything including a kitchen sick for a quick 10 minute trip!
I like to be prepared for anything it goes back to growing up on a dairy and beef operation. I remember going out to the pasture to check on the cows. It was always a Sunday afternoon family outing! My personal favorite day of the week, I loved going out to the pasture (still do). Before we left to go to the pasture it was a checklist of things we may need a fencing tool, bucket of staples/insulators, fence stretcher (all of that was just in case a wire was down), a 22 (gophers are everywhere!), a bucket of feed(treats for the cows), salt blocks, and of course a pop or water for us. Our pasture wasn’t 1/2 mile from the farmyard. I was brought up to be prepared! If you don’t know what size wrench you need take every size with you!
North Dakota Ranchin' Mama 