The move before us seems a bit overwhelming today, but I can break it down into 3 steps.

We have to move the animals (twenty-seven sheep, 4 goats and 3 cats) to the new farm. The corn is not yet harvested on the new farm, so we can't see to pick a building site. The barn I want was estimated at $49k, without concrete floors, wiring, plumbing, hayloft, or interior partitions/stalls. And I need fencing, and pastures planted too.

We have to move the humans (and rabbits) to the new house in town. We close on the new home on December 1st, the home inspection is tomorrow, and it appears that financing will not be a problem. I believe my husband has scheduled movers for December 15th, when we will relocate to Hannibal. Not sure who will care for the sheep or how to manage them before we have a barn on the farm.

I have to change jobs. The new job is lined up, just have to do all the "new employee" stuff, orientation, insurance physical, et cetera. I work 8 more shifts at my current full-time job (ending December 5th) and 4 more shifts at my current part-time job (ending December 11th.)

Then they "won't see me no more."

Yesterday we put a home in Hannibal under contract, a 1962 ranch style with 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, 1 car garage, ~1300 sq feet on the main level. It has a full, partially finished walkout basement, the original bathroom fixtures and most of the original kitchen. It also has woodburning fireplaces upstairs and down, with a large deck in the back yard. We believe that it has hardwood floors under all the carpet. We will be able to keep the rabbits in the back yard, and probably the chickens, too. The goats, sheep, cats and dogs will live on the farm.

We also drove by the new farm, corn is not yet harvested, and some of the ears have flopped over and are pointing down, towards the earth. I am not sure the corn farmer will get a harvest, after all. I can't just fence it and turn the sheep loose on it, as I am afraid they will founder on the corn. Hmmm...

Well, the deal fell through on the home I wanted, so next week we make another trip north to look at homes for sale. If we don't find one very soon, we will be living in a hotel or short-term rental as I begin my new job.

Continued rains have prevented harvest of the corn crop on our new farm, so the livestock don't have any new accomodations, either.

A potential buyer is coming by the West Plains property this week for a second look. It surely would be nice if I didn't have to make payments on 2 homes next year.