1. 100 chickens or so. Seriously. Add them to your list. You won't be sorry. They'll be your go-to excuse for the entire holiday season!
"I noticed you guys are the only ones in the neighborhood who haven't gotten your Christmas tree up yet."
Response: "I'm sure we'll get around to it, but these 100 new chickens are really taking a toll on our routine right now."
Or, "You haven't finished your Christmas shopping yet? I thought you were always so on-the-ball." Response: "I do wish I was finished, but I'm so swamped with all these chickens, I may just give everyone eggs this year!"
Or, "So, will you be organizing the class Christmas party this year?" . . . You get the idea.
What makes this excuse better than others? Well, for starters, it'll be true. The new chickens will eat up a lot of your time. And, more importantly, you're probably the only one of your friends who will have 100 layng hens to care for 3 times a day. You're not likely to hear: "But, I've got 100 chickens too and still managed to bring this beautiful homemade fruitcake to the party."
Don't, however, throw this excuse around a lot and expect it'll earn you the right to sign up to bring cups to the preschool Christmas breakfast. You'll have to just suck it up, get up a bit earlier, and make some scrambled eggs for the class. ;)
2. A 7-month-old Great Pyrenees
Do it. Add it to the list. Here's why: She'll be entirely too energetic to turn out with the goats and will literally frighten the poo out of them. So, in order to let her stretch her legs, attempt to train her to a leash, and teach her what territory she's to protect, you'll be forced to take her for long, rambling walks on the farm. You'll have to go over the creek, down the path, through the woods, up the hills. And, about 5 minutes in, you'll completely forget all the gifts you've yet to purchase (not to mention, wrap) and cards you've yet to address because you'll relax into the nature that surrounds you. You'll hear the leaves crunching underfoot, stalk the squirrel along with your crazy dog, and just be able to breathe deeper and move more slowly. It's stress relief.
So, with the chickens as your excuse to get little done and the dog as your stress-relief, you'll be all set for the holidays! Please let me know how it works out for you. ;)
