I found a perfect partner.
By marguicha
@marguicha (215876)
Chile
February 17, 2011 8:58pm CST
I became the stepmother of one of my closest friend´s son´s dog for 2 weeks. He stayed with me for 2 weeks while Papi and Mami (a sweet girl from Australia, vegetarian and full of tattoos and smiles) went to the south for vacation. I couldn´t say no and Oli (Oliver Nube Twist) destroyed part of my garden and 2 brooms.
So when Pop and Mom came to fetch him, they promised to clean up. Today they did it and while we worked, they told me how they had an organic garden where they lived up to now. But this is a city and it´s not that easy for a hippie boy to grab a piece of land. So we reached an agreement. I will put the yard and the seed and he will do the work. WE both said "of course" to no pesticides so we´ll have nice worms and no toxics. They lived in Ecuador but are coming to live in Chile.
Aren´t I clever?
And they are both staying in my friend´s apartment, in a small spare room, and Oli is at another house. So they will take care of my house while I´m in Aruba, cero cost and I imagine Oli will be with them but they will make the puppy behave. So everyone is happy 
.
Wasn´t this awesome? I was worried about leaving my house unattended for two weeks, specially since it´s still quite warm and the plants might die. Now I have three people to take care of my home (plus a dog
)
And they are both staying in my friend´s apartment, in a small spare room, and Oli is at another house. So they will take care of my house while I´m in Aruba, cero cost and I imagine Oli will be with them but they will make the puppy behave. So everyone is happy .
Wasn´t this awesome? I was worried about leaving my house unattended for two weeks, specially since it´s still quite warm and the plants might die. Now I have three people to take care of my home (plus a dog)5 people like this
10 responses
@lovinangelsinstead21 (36850)
• Pamplona, Spain
18 Feb 11
Hiya margi,
Now that is a really smart idea you all put together there love it. Right on there is no way you can get to grow your own things especially living where I live.
Somewhere in this Country someone has had the bright idea of recovering pieces of land where they were just dumping Rubbish and turning it into good land again.
Also they have sectioned it all off into very small parcels and People can grow their own things and they rent them all kinds of tools help to start them off and how they should grow the things they want the lot.
It´s taking off really good as there are a lot of People who cannot work and they need to do something and this where they are spending their time. Selling the excess Greens and plants is another.
People get to know each other they grow things naturally for other People and so on. So that´s good you have someone to look after your House and things while you are in Aruba. Are you going soon then?
@marguicha (215876)
• Chile
18 Feb 11
I´m going to Aruba on March 5th for 15 days. My friends´ son is the kind of person that takes care of Mother Earth so I will have no problem with my garden.
It is a wonderful idea to recover land. They did it near where I live and it´s awesome. It used to be a gian place where they dumped garbage when I was young. I said I´d never be caught living nearby. Then the city grew and the authorities recovered it, planted trees and turned it into a park. Families go to make barbecues there, the trees have grown and it is a safe place as police checks it.
1 person likes this
@lovinangelsinstead21 (36850)
• Pamplona, Spain
18 Feb 11
Hiya margi,
Glad for you then that you can go and not have to worry about your House or Garden. Yes I am glad that they are recovering Land that were rubbish tips and changing them back again into something useful.
Yes and they did a good thing with that Park too. I just wish they would do this more often. But we will have to be patient with their comings and goings. Have a great Weekend Margi. xxx
1 person likes this
@velvet53 (22528)
• Palisade, Colorado
18 Feb 11
That is so wonderful the way things worked out. I can see a long lasting friendship developing. The way all of you can help each other is great. Making new friends is great but this they are more than friends. My best to all of you.
1 person likes this
@marguicha (215876)
• Chile
18 Feb 11
They are not new friends. At least, he isn´t. He is the son of my closest friends, one that I feel as part of my own family. He wasn´t living in Chile for some years but when he came by we saw each other.
1 person likes this
@paula27661 (15811)
• Australia
21 Feb 11
I love it when things work out perfectly! It goes to prove that worrying about things can be a waste of time because they have their own way of working themselves out for the best for everybody. It certainly will be great peace of mind knowing you have someone to take care of things while you are away. It is the one thing that always concerns me the rare times we go away and that is leaving the house unoccupied during the time we are gone.
1 person likes this
@marguicha (215876)
• Chile
24 Feb 11
I am not completly sure that he will water the plants as needed. But at least the house will have people living in it.
2 people like this
@hardworkinggurl (37063)
• United States
18 Feb 11
Wow marguicha this is brilliant! Well planned, all organized and you can visit and rest assure that all will be handled during your trip.
It has to be a great feeling to leave everything well planned and in order. When do you leave?
I do pray and hope your trip is a safe and happy one.
1 person likes this
@marguicha (215876)
• Chile
18 Feb 11
It was better, friend, because it wasn´t planned at all. I was thinking of paying someone to stay at home and watering the plants when I was away (2 weeks is too much even for cacti) and then this darling boy asked be if I wanted them to stay here while I was away "for free".
He´s the son of the friends I call my adopted family. When He asked me via facebook whether I could have his dog so they could go with his parents for vacations, I couldn´t say no. THen this happened and then, talking about the garden, he said he´d do this and that there. They are returning to live here so I said: why don´t we become partners. I have the land, can buy more good soil if needed, have the seeds and you are young and strong. We share. He loved the idea and so did I.
I don´t know if this last thing will work out well, but for the moment he will water my plants and take care of my house.
I leave for Aruba on March 5th for 2 weeks
.
He´s the son of the friends I call my adopted family. When He asked me via facebook whether I could have his dog so they could go with his parents for vacations, I couldn´t say no. THen this happened and then, talking about the garden, he said he´d do this and that there. They are returning to live here so I said: why don´t we become partners. I have the land, can buy more good soil if needed, have the seeds and you are young and strong. We share. He loved the idea and so did I.
I don´t know if this last thing will work out well, but for the moment he will water my plants and take care of my house.
I leave for Aruba on March 5th for 2 weeks1 person likes this
@hardworkinggurl (37063)
• United States
18 Feb 11
marguicha - Aruba, WOW!! Take lots of photos and come back with tons of discussions. I would be so happy to hear all the wonderful experiences. Have a great time on your vacation. You so deserve it.
1 person likes this
@jimmyLane1 (72)
•
18 Feb 11
Hello
Gardening is a really relaxing passtime and animals are great company.
Near where I live there are some garden allotments and they give away what they've grown because there is just so much. It all tastes better home grown.
I can't wait for summer - here in the Uk it has been a long, cold winter and the ground looks just brown. Hopefully things will start growing soon
Have a good holiday (Good to have your home taken care of)
1 person likes this
@marguicha (215876)
• Chile
19 Feb 11
THank you Jimmy. I´m looking forward to my vacations. I had planned to have someone to come to water the plants a bit, but I would have had to pay that service. Now I will just say thanks
1 person likes this
@joniencabo (34)
• Philippines
18 Feb 11
its really nice to have good neighbors where relationships are mutual. give in take. you can rarely find that now.
oli must be adorable. i have a puppy. i don't why why but my older sister named him meow. and he responds to it really well. he too is very smart. my mom loves him. my mom has a little vegetable patch and my aunts chickens just rampage all over it, destroying it and eating all the seedling. but ever since meow came the chickens stayed clear that place. my dog loves chasing around the chicken. he doesn't hurt it though. he's very gentle but very playful...
@marguicha (215876)
• Chile
19 Feb 11
He is not a neighbor. He is the son of one of my best friends. I feel he´s family.
We live in the city so chicken are not allowed to have. I did have some though, a long time ago.
@marguicha (215876)
• Chile
18 Feb 11
Oli is very intelligent. And My young friends love him so much that they teach him well.
1 person likes this
@pergammano (7682)
• Canada
18 Feb 11
WOW...marguicha..all the chips have fallen into place, and you are going on a great holiday. And finding, what we love to refer to; as a back-to-the lander, in one so young and strong, is a rare find! Especially being like-minded regarding the fragile treatment of Mother Earth, and committed to "organic/natural" gardening! I have not taken a break during our precious growing season..as once when I did, I paid the price!
My soil requirement is high, but I do insist on making my own, as once I purchased what was supposed to be their #1..and it turned out be dry out hard as a rock! Being alone, I don't create much for compost, but there are two grocery stores, and a Fruit/Veggie market, so I gather weekly, all their trimmings..what is still good enough, I give to the Chickens/sheep and the rest goes on the compost. I have 3 on the go.
Please have a wonderful holiday..with no cares!
@pergammano (7682)
• Canada
19 Feb 11
My fingers are crossed for you...and I so pray that this wonderful plan will come to fruition for you...a holiday is fine, but one needs peace of mind to really enjoy it...not fraught with worry about home and garden!
It's funny, your comment about the next generation, I love my son dearly, and he get's so hyped when he comes home and helps with the garden..he voices all the wonderful plans, he and fiance have...and NONE of it get's implemented! Guess who'se still growing his Garlic for him? I try...and it's good when I am around..BUT? LOL!!
I see, in a later response, that you are not allowed chickens...if you can believe it, one of Canada's largest metropolises..Vancouver, is allowing each household..6 chickens..NO roosters..but haven't backed down on "clothes line" drying!
Hope you are having a great weekend! One question..what months are your peak growing seasons? Take care and cheers!
@marguicha (215876)
• Chile
24 Feb 11
We can hang our clothes to dry as we have all fences to separate our houses and you don´t see the clothes except in poor neighborhoods.
I imagine that my young friend will promise more than what he will do. I count on that because I have grandchildren who are 20ish. I´m keeping my fingers crossed that he´ll water the garden once in a while and March is not so warm here as it is starting Autumn.
1 person likes this
@marguicha (215876)
• Chile
19 Feb 11
This darling boy said he´d build a compost pile with the wood I have. It would help me a lot as clearing the garage of the junk too. I hope he keeps his promise (I tend to be doubtful of the promise of the next generation). I can make my own compost with kitchen waste, grass clippings and even street leaves in Autumn.
But I don´t even know if he will really come back to live here for sure. His mother is hoping but doesn´t dare ask.
). I can make my own compost with kitchen waste, grass clippings and even street leaves in Autumn.
But I don´t even know if he will really come back to live here for sure. His mother is hoping but doesn´t dare ask.1 person likes this
@daeckardt (6237)
• United States
18 Feb 11
That's great! It is always nice to find people who think the same way you do in order to take care of needs that you might not know you have. The fact that they can take care of your yard while you are gone is extremely helpful and the fact that they like to garden the way you do is a plus. Hopefully this works out for you well. Have a safe trip!
1 person likes this
@marguicha (215876)
• Chile
18 Feb 11
Thanks, friend. I do hope that it will all work out. Depending on how it all goes, I might even consider giving them a place to stay (just sharing the expenses) while they are starting here.
1 person likes this
