The next day, everyone was all packed up again and they all headed back up to the farmhouse for their winter getaway from the city.
Randall was a little nervous about seeing the place again. He just didn't want to go camping in this cold weather. In winter, he needed to limit his outdoor activities as much as possible. He wore his sweater and a coat to stay warm. He had to keep a blanket on over his lower body for some warmth.
When they arrived at the farmhouse, a fire was started in the fire place to get it being warm in there. Then they all got their stuff out of the truck.
For now, it was just the mutant family and Randall. April and Casey would come up for a few days and visit. If Randall wanted to go back to the city, he could when they went back. The guys just wanted him to try to give the farmhouse another chance.
"We promise, we don't go camping in the wintertime, except maybe in the barn." Leo said. "And we do go over survival stragegy tips, just to say if any of us were to fall into that situation."
"It's good to know these things even more in winter, when it's cold out and there's a harder time trying to find food and water out there." Don said.
"I know how to kill animals for food." Randall said. "And I know how to get food from humans without them knowing I'm there."
"Yes, but still, when there are no humans around, it just helps to know all you need to know to survive in cold weather." Leo said.
"Just give a few days up here and if you feel too restless, when April and Casey go back home, you can go back with them." Splinter said.
"I'll do my best." Randall said. He already saw the place was a mess after not having been lived in for so long.
"Let us clean up this place since it's been so long since we were last here." Splinter said.
There were whines of complaint. Mikey especially didn't like to clean. But then, none of them did.
"We must get this place in living order, my sons. Go on now."
They all went to the cleaning closet and got what they needed. Some dusters, brooms, mop, and a bucket. A vaccum too.
Randall was going to do some window cleaning. He could get to the higher places easier. Of course any of them could clean windows from the inside. The outside was harder. At least just getting the inside windows clean was enough.
They all pitched in to do a good job. Dust and dirt was everywhere. Moving around kept their body temperatures going too.
They spent a good portion of the day cleaning to get all the dirt and grime from all the months past not being there. The house looked good and clean in the end. Many surfaces sparkled.
When it was done, they all sat down for a little rest and to just talk. Then after they felt refreshed, Mikey and Randall went to the kitchen to start dinner. It would be well deserved since everyone had pitched in and worked hard all afternoon on the house.
Spaghetti and meatballs and bread, some cottage cheese and some fruit salad was made for dinner. Everyone pigged out on the spaghetti. It was so good.
They had all felt famished by dinner as the cleaning had worked up their appetites. But now, it was getting sated. They were so full when they were done eating.
Don and Raph decided to do the dishes. Splinter and Leo went upstairs for some meditation and talk before bed, and Mikey and Randall sat down to watch TV. Klunk jumped up on the couch beside them. Mikey petted him.
A chilly wind was blowing outside. The weather report came on and it said it was due to start snowing tomorrow morning and it was possible to get about up to five to eight inches of snow.
Randall definitely wasn't going outside in that. The mutants probably wouldn't either, but that was their choice. Training could always be moved to the barn.
Don and Raph came into the TV room just as the weather was being reported.
"I sure wouldn't want to go out in that." Don said.
"I'm not." Randall said.
"Master Splinter may let us have the day off and let us do our own things." Raph said. "Sometimes it's different up here at the house versus in the lair."
At bedtime, Randall went to his own special room while Splinter and his sons shared the attic. Don relayed the information to Splinter and Leo.
"You can have the day for yourselves tomorrow." Splinter said. "Since we all worked hard on the house today."
That was something he didn't do often.
The turtles all smiled. Mikey went down to tell Randall before he went to bed.
Randall was happy for that too.
They all slept well that night, warm and cozy in their beds.
It would be another few days before April and Casey were coming up anyway, so as long as it didn't snow again, they would be able to come up without problems and some cleaning crew would take care of the roads. Or people that drove by enough.
…..
It was a blizzard the turtles, Splinter, and Randall all woke up to the next morning. They made sure to keep the fire going in case the electricity went off. There was enough wood in there for the time being so they wouldn't have to go outside for more.
Mikey cooked breakfast. They all were going to enjoy their day off from training. They all needed breaks here and there.
After breakfast, Mike and Raph went to go watch TV. Leo went to go read a book he had brought along. Splinter went upstairs for more meditation, Don went to work on an invention he had brought along and Randall joined him.
It was a relaxing day. The blizzard had stopped by midnight.
Three days later, April and Casey came up to the house to visit. They had made it just in time for the New Year.
Training had resumed outside or to the barn. Randall still wasn't going outside much. Splinter had accepted that he didn't like the outdoors when it was cold out.
With winter in full swing, Randall was more than glad he didn't have a real job anymore. It was so hard on him to go outside at this time of year. He just got sick so easily in cold weather. He was keeping his sweater on full time at least. So did April.
The last day of the old year, the family and friends had training, played some games, had a special dinner, watched some movies, and later on, prepared some snacks for the countdown at midnight to the New Year.
At midnight, they watched the ball drop on TV in New York.
"Happy New Year!" They all said at the same time and threw some popourri and popcorn everywhere. They all laughed and April and Casey even shared a kiss. The brothers hugged one another. Randall backed off. That wasn't his thing, but he smiled.
"How about a high three instead?" Mikey asked.
"Sure." Randall said, and he and Mikey and Don shared high threes.
The excitement didn't last long. They cleaned up the mess and they went to bed.
Just a few chapters left, and are shorter. But just enjoy them. I tried my best.