Like a chicken...cont. Part 2

So after suffering the loss of Salt I said I wasn't going to do it again~ but when I saw how bored Pepper was I knew I couldn't keep a flock animal in solitude. Who would she cluck her little daily stories too after all? She needs a coop buddy come winter ... someone to help keep the heat up in the hen house. So after posting my need on craigslist.com with no response I did the unimaginable and answered an ad from a woman who was selling pullets. This is a good thing. Isn't it?
I met the woman with a nice white chicken at the Harwinton fair we exchanged hellos and soon we were on our way home with the little white chicken in hand. The kids anxiously squawking and quarreling about what to name her, and pondering on her immediate future.
We get this little soft fuzzy footed Cochin (with some Wyandote) home and let her go into the chicken run. Pepper running anxiously up and down the sides wondering where this creature came from. After some exposure we let Pepper in who ran immediately to the little white hen BEAT HER!~
This hens response was unlike any I had expected....did she run away?...no, did she stand up and fight like a woman? ... uh,no. Instead she laid down and buried her head as deep into a corner as she could. WOW!!!! Pepper was thrilled at how powerful she was around this hen. She continued to batter this hen~until I made the decision to lock her OUT of the run. This is not nice. I know its not nice...but what choice do I have?
After dark I came out to shut the coop door and there in the dark I can see a little white mass of feathers battened down near the wall of the garage. I pick her up and toss her into the coop.
I'm thinking GOOD GRIEF THIS HEN DOESN'T EVEN KNOW HOW TO GET INTO THE COOP AND ROOST. And no, she did not know how to roost, she spent the night on the floor of the coop while Pepper rested respectively above.
The next day the coop is opened and the door to the run is open (a mistake on my part). I hop into the shower and am very excited to see that the two are walking near each other. Until I go outside and see that Pepper is AGAIN attacking the hen, who is again...lying down and hiding her head under a rock in the stone wall. WHAT IS WRONG WITH THIS BIRD???? Why wont she run away???
I go back into the house and hear Garrick screaming...screaming that kind of scream that makes your ears perk up and say "is he joking or being killed". I go out to see what the fuss is about and he informs me that my dogs were attacking the hen. The patio was covered in white feathers! OMG!!!!
My dogs don't attack chickens, they love them (refer to previous post...the proof is in the pictures). What is wrong with this hen????? They are definitely all sensing her weakness and taking advantage. I make the decision to keepher separate and leave Pepper to again stay in the yard. I can tell after getting home from work that the poor little hen spent the entire day in the coop in darkness. I had to leave again so I lock the hen in the coop and I lock Pepper in the run...so that when darkness fell and she was still out she was not open to a world of creatures ready, willing, and able to gobble her up like Thanksgiving dinner.
When we returned later that night Pepper had laid an egg out of her nest, she had managed to find cover in a freezing cold cement tube that was just the right size for her little henny body. I felt just awful. I get the white hen out of the coop, put her in isolation and once again allow Pepper to be queen of her castle. Who knew Poultry Farming could be so stressful. Especially when we are only dealing with TWO LITTLE HENS?
Stay tuned for Part 3~ as I return little white hen and trade her for a bigger more sturdy model.

Like a chicken with its head cut off

After running around in circles the last few months I realize it is time that I make an attempt at some updates. Alot has changed in our farm family since my last blog post, so ever so quickly (i'll spare you the details) I will give you the run down on what's old, what's new and what's just impossible to think about.
The Squirrel named Buddy disappeared one day~ in fact the day after he opened his eyes. But I'm not a fool and I know exactly where he ended up. I must continue to love my dogs as I'm sure it was pure instinct that drove them to devour every ounce of him not so much as leaving a scant bit of hair.
In fairness, I knew the crate he was switched too was too big, but being the admitted worry wart I opted to keep my mouth closed and say nothing to the child that switched out the crate, when it really matter most. Buddy paid the ultimate price~ and that is a bit of guilt I will continue to live with daily.
Where animals are concerned I carry guilt in failures with me constantly.

About two weeks ago we suffered a blow out with one of the hens, Salt actually. Our beloved little Barred Plymouth Rock. It started out "small" and ended up more disgusting then anything I had ever seen. I believe we had caught it too late~not for lack of trying. I had managed to clean the girl up, push her butt back in, and separate her to prevent her bottom from being picked even more. But when I went back out the next day, preparation H in hand, what I saw was absolutely NOT fixable and spotted with the beginnings of maggots, which let me know we were not looking at something that happened yesterday. Do I sound slightly cold about the event. I probably do. Do I carry the tons of guilt with me because I didn't catch it sooner... I do. Being an animal lover every single time something goes wrong I sit and think of 1000 ways to blame myself for what should've/could've/would've been done differently. I pushed her ass back in for christ sake, this is not something I probably in a hundred years thought I would ever do.
My husband unfortunately had the dirty assignment of putting poor Salty out of her misery. Although that is a story I have not told children, nor do I plan on it. He said it was eeewy and gooey and not at all pleasant. But he manned up and did what he had to. So good for him, it was quick...well except for that part when she jumped up and ran around like a chicken w/ her head cut off! He tossed a rag over her headless body because he couldn't bare to watch. He later buried her in the garden~to bask in the New England autumn sunshine.
I have more news to share, but it is late and I am tired, exhausted really from recapping the misery of the past two months. I can promise you I am not through. It is my hope that come weeks end this will all have a happy ending....but for today, that is not the case. And I can't bear to go on.

Squirrel Rehab Part 2

I am so excited to announce that little "Buddy" is still alive and doing quite well. Here is an early picture of him, actually taken about 3 or 4 days after he arrived. You will notice his fur is very sparse and his head is incredibly large. Well, this little guy, while his eyes are still stamped shut has grown some lovely fur down his back and its coming in along his tail. His little plump belly is also growing its fine white hair right on schedule.
I switched him from Scalded Milk Formula after his growth and dehydration both seemed stunted. He is currently eating Esbilac, which is a puppy formula~mixed with a dash of heavy cream for fat. I researched and researched, and then researched some more and everyone (as in real rehabbers) points to this particular formula. If it works for them its got to work for me.
Now in the past the squirrels we have rehabbed have been fed a diet of whole milk, egg, and peanut butter....Not my recipe, but that of the person rehabilitating them prior to bringing them to me. These squirrels did turn out fine (for all intents and purposes) so I am not one to say whether she was wrong or right. But when I'm trying to save a little life, I truly aim to do what is right (or at least presumably right).
He's been here two weeks and should have his little eyes open by next week. GOOD THING TOO. Everyone is heading back to school and work this Thursday and there will be no one home to check on him every minute of the day!
I will post more recent pics in Part 3 later on. But for now, enjoy this little guy. I'm so excited he's made it this far!

Entomophthora muscae

http://www.hort.wisc.edu/mastergardener/features/insects/entomophthora/entomophora.htm
Funny what a little perseverance can help you find. I simply typed in "dead flies on plant" and walllla! I found a fungus that could very well be the root of our dead fly population. Now my one remaining question....Should I expect more dead flies next year?

The Weird Fly Issues Pics Are Here!!!

So I finally have my computer back, phew! Anyway, I wanted to post the pics of the weird dead flies on EVERYTHING...in the backyard. That's what is so strange too, nothing in the front yard has dead bugs on it. If anyone out there has an explanation to this problem (besides crop circles and aliens, neither of which I am bothered by) please, please, please let me know! I have to remind you also, these pictures do not do justice exactly the enormity of this problem! But hopefully double clicking or enlarging the pics will help you get a jist of it.

Squirrel Rehab..it's something natural

Over the years we have rehabilitated and released a number of squirrels successfully back into the wild. We have learned how to feed them, what to feed them, and how to make them go potty without violating them or us! Yesterday my husband came home and told me he brought me a present. I have to admit I was eager to hang up the phone and see what it was he had for me. Now don't get me wrong I wasn't expecting to look outside and find the newest edition Mercedes Benz or anything extravagant... but he does know how much I like junk so I was thinking he had found me something exciting for the deck or front steps perhaps. Honestly, I really couldn't imagine, as John is not one to often "surprise" me with anything.
Before I could hang up I saw the kids scurrying around a glove sitting on the ledge near the stairs to the basement so I take a gander over to see what the fuss is about...there wrapped in the dirty work glove is the smallest pink baby squirrel I have ever seen. My jaw must've dropped.
I am finally off the phone and I turn to my dear dear husband and say "its going to die!". We have never rehabbed a squirrel this small or furless. Even Frankie Boulevard, as small as he was came to me with a considerable amount of fur already covering his tiny body and days later his bulging eyes were open.
This little squirrel is skinny, he's clearly dehydrated, and he is SMALL, with nary a fur covering his tiny pink belly or legs!
After some quick research we are able to estimate his age about 3 weeks...which does make me feel slightly better. Originally I was thinking he could not have been more than 1 week old. We get out our rehab supplies, warm up the heating pad and get our little fella's body temp up.
He'd been out of his nest all day long and tucked safely into john's truck after John's boss swung a tree branch down from one of the tree's they were cutting and flung that poor little boy out of his nest. John could hear his screams from the ground and he was quick to retrieve him...he said to me "i couldn't just leave him here".
I let John know that it would have been better to leave him where he lay and let his momma squirrel come back and get him, but truth be told she may not have returned and he may not have been alive if she had. They were working that land all day long and any number of things could have happened to little "Buddy". But I have to admit, as small as he is I'm not sure he will fare any better here.
With our formula concoction of Scalded Milk and Vitamin E, as well as the initial servings of pedialyte...we will do what we can to save this little guy but for now my outlook does remain bleak.
If he makes it 72 hours I will then post the photo's I have taken, but today I am not up for jinxing him and I feel that by posting photo's I am putting his little life at risk~making him real will make him go away. I'm very superstitious and don't want to compromise him right now.

Life Before the Internet...or the Computer for that Matter

How did we ever survive? I can remember back when computer's were so foreign and some what scarey. Sitting in front of one in 7th grade computer class using the DOS screen. I am not even sure what that is...or if I even said it right. The black very basic screen where we entered commands and kept our fingers crossed that the end result would be the one the teacher was asking for. It wasn't as user friendly as clicking around our precious Windows... thank you Mr. Bill Gates! I also remember the first time I saw a screen saver....the iconic Windows window flashing across the black screen in primary colors. I was 18 and in AWE! No joke. I didn't say a word but I remember being giddy at the mere thought of that computer with the magical screen eventually becoming my own!!!!
Then later came the addiction to the internet, first my discovery of 'searching' and realizing that you could find out utterly ANYTHING your heart ever desired just by entering a simple word or phrase. It was amazing, it was awesome, it was.... unbelievable. Clicking my way around finding things that, I had just days before, didn't even knew existed. Like AIM, if I make a screen name and go into chat rooms strangers will talk to me! Who would've guess? Now I have outgrown this and realize the dangers.....but back then....it was captivating and very alluring.
I have not been without a computer since the early 90's.... And I can say I have not been without the internet since the mid ninety's. Remember dial-up??? Back then it was a miracle, now it seems ridiculous and how impatient we are when we have to wait more than a split second to get something to load--not to mention the idea of having a cord holding us to our connection. Instant gratification is what we are all looking for.
Almost two years ago I received a shiny knew computer...with Windows Vista. Little did I know that Vista was like the dark unloved cousin to XP for a reason. I had no problems with Vista until recently ~ around January, when my computer crashed without warning. That hateful blue screen staring back at me, laughing at all that contents of my computer that had been lost. OHHH say it isn't so. Songs, Pictures, Artwork, Essay's...the list is endless. All LOST.
But alas it was true, it was all gone, gone, gone. And my computer has not been the same since. In the last 8 months we have wiped out and reloaded my computer more times than i dare remember...losing a few pictures and memories with each passing. Today, I will be handing over my best friend to our neighbor Marwin in an attempt to fix this problem once and for all.
Will I be able to survive the few days he has warned we will be without????
Thank freakin god I have a computer at work and Mason has the laptop for those fiendish moments where I can't control it and must know some bit of useless information ~sitting at that keyboard clicking in whatever it is I NEED to know so urgently.
But for now, I would like to tell you this is why my blogs have lacked recently...and I am hoping that when my computer is returned to me it will be as shiny, new, and speedy as it had once been in its more formidable years!!!! Wish me luck through this computerless venture in an utterly computer driven world.

They tried to make me go to rehab...I said NO, NO, NO!
Yes I've been black but when I come back you'll know know know
I ain't got the time and if my daddy thinks I'm fineHe's tried to make me go to rehab but I won't go go
go!!!!

There is this Weird Bug Problem!

I've been absent from this blog for a little while now,off on my GREEN quest. But I decided I was long overdue to just write down a few things of summer~so that's what I am here for.

First of all, I may have mentioned the abundance of rain once or twice maybe? LOL. Of course i have mentioned it, how could i not? But I was watching something on TV the other day on Planet Green and this group was in the rain forest doing some research in Guyana~and after trekking like 800 ft up some ridiculous cliff they reached a never before researched part of the rainforest. The scientist noted that although they were in the rainforest the plant life was rather barren due to the excessive rain in this particular spot. He said that the abundance of rain actually causes the needed minerals and what not to leech away from the plants ever deeper into the ground.

It was particularly an AH HA moment for me. Because with the rain as

heavy and relentless as it has been this year I can't get over how poor my

plants are doing. I have insect infestation on hostas which are the hardiest

of the hardy plants. I mean, I didn't even know that these could get bugs...really. And do I even dare mention the very strange fly problem I am having in the back yard???

I had asked a friend who also keeps chickens in her yard... and typically confines them to the run during the day if she has flies from her chickens she said "NO". Damn it, there goes that theory, can't blame the chickens. Flies are everywhere...and what's weird is the way they are dying. They are covering all of my plants. I'm not talking one or two dead flies on my plants. They are dying in droves (I'll have to get a picture to show...or you might not believe me). They look to be alive, they are on the underside of the leaves of whatever plant they happen to be on and they are STUCK hard to the plant. I almost want to tell you they are sort of melted there. Its weird, its like they are ingesting something toxic from the plants! Which of course makes me wonder what on earth is in all this rain.
Remember the days of "acid rain"...is this a term we should re-introduce to the populations. These flies and their untimely deaths are making me wonder.

Everything is suffering. I usually have tons of sunflowers every year, this year I have ONE. Yes, exactly one. The rest have been eaten down by something of the insect world and the stems have barely reached 3 feet tall.

I took a few shots of what little harvest we have had from our garden. It would seem that the tomatoes are fairing pretty well. Oddly as these were all planted in containers this year giving the rain an escape through the bottom of the pot. I wonder if this is what is saving them. I got a few peas, the curliest peas I have ever seen. In fact they were so odd looking no one dared eat them. I let them sit on the counter for a couple days till the heat got the best of them and they ultimately began to wilt~at which time they became chicken snacks. Oh well, maybe we will have better luck next year with that crop.

I guess in the meantime we can at least shop the farmer's market and eat what they have grown and there are always the eggs~Salt and Pepper continue to lay two lovely eggs almost 6 days a week.
What a strange strange summer in Connecticut it has been.

Hunting: Controlling Population or Just Plain Stupid

I am an animal lover~have been for as long as I can remember. I feel like all animals are beautiful (except frogs which absolutely gross me out...but i would still never kill one). Anyway, me and my husband have long debated the point of hunting. To me its useless... it epitomizes everything that I cannot stand about "manly" men. He says its a sport... I tell him no SPORT entails one side of the team with such an unfair advantage as to be carrying around guns or bows--and lets not forget the other team such an unwilling participant. Can you see the game of soccer being played in close quarters where one team gets to shoot the other when they get within range and the other team just running for their life?
I mean, honestly how can you call that a sport--deer are quite majestic and I am not really even sure why someone would want to destroy such a beautiful animal.
Have you ever seen the video of the hunter being trampled by the Buck. Like this deer is full out kicking this man's ass. I love that video! I Love that finally the deer got the advantage and beat the living shit out of this man--damn near death if i recall (how do you like it). It should always be that way. More men should get trampled by the sharp hooves of a bucks foot while out hunting.
Oh and don't even get me started on how ugly it is to then take the head of that animal and plop that bad boy up on your wall and call it a TROPHY? what the fuck is that shit? I mean it absolutely enrages me! John's parents have a room in the house that has a bunch of deer heads on it and a thousand fish. It looks retarded~its gross actually. Needless to say when we visit I don't go in there much and I know the kids get creeped out when they have to sleep in there (thank goodness i have done my job and they think its creepy).
Anyway, me and John have long debated the "population control" factor. He says the deer would overtake the land... WELL NOT IF MAN WOULD QUIT BUILDING ON IT AND DESTROYING IT--Aren't there enough homes for everyone already anyway?! We go back and forth about this (i might add that John has not hunted since the 90's and still whines about it--to which I often reply "shut up".)
Recently I took a Planet Green Quiz on Eco-Myths....one of the questions was:
A licensed hunter helps to contribute to:
And I had to pick the a appropriate answer... I believe there was 4 to chose from one of which being Population Control.
I picked Population Control... Have I been so brain washed to actually believe there was a shred of truth to this? Well, you know I felt like maybe there was some truth to it...and really it was more about me being right in this case and wanting a good score then about sticking by my opinion, so I went with it. I can tell you that I have actually never been so happy to be so wrong. I printed that answer out and gleefully presented it to my husband later that night! Ha ha ha! "I am right and you are wrong", I sang. Reading the passage from my wrong selection:

Despite the common belief that hunting helps control animal populations,
many wildlife experts say it actually manipulates the population, causing a
constant compensatory rebound effect. This in turn actually upsets the
possibility of animals ever reaching a population equilibrium. The only
real reason reason for hunters, is recreation and economy (yes, hunting makes
a lot of money through the acquisition of licenses and equipment).

Being right has never felt so good!

The Thing About Girls Is....

So by now I have introduced Abi, she's my 12 year old daughter trapped in the mind of a ...well, 12 year old girl. Really, she is an old soul I like to say, she contemplates life quietly and says very little to me about what she is wondering or questioning through life. I rarely know what is going on inside her head, but she does ask intelligent questions when she speaks~ she has absolutely no interest in me whatsoever, unless I am focusing on something positive regarding her. Oh and I do believe she values my opinion but ONLY when she has asked for it, and this does not mean she will side with me...but she quietly listens and uses my words as she so chooses.

See a minute ago I tried to make conversation with her (it was something she had asked me about a week ago, so I thought I would add to the conversation and I should have known better)...she stared at me, testing me... always testing me, shook her head and then walked away. Ok, my first instinct is to get mad! You know those stupid commercials.. the ones that say "talk to your kids". Well I wonder if the creators of these commercials have ever had an adolescent daughter. Honestly. Because you can't make conversation with a wall and you can't make conversation with a 12 year old if she isn't the one who brought up the topic for discussion. Try as I may its useless.

I have recently found myself being difficult to her for no reason other than to be like "there! how do you like it?". Its very immature I know. I try to stop myself~ and see I did a good job by sitting down to type instead of growling at her like I so much wanted to do!

Now, if you know Abi, I mean truly know her, you know she is not one to be fake. Although I am finding the older she gets, the more influence her friends have on her decision making....which is bothering me more than you will ever know~"I need a Coach purse" is not something I feel my 12 year old should believe she NEEDS! But at the same time I respect it as I do remember being a teenager and wanting the latest fashions and ... well, whatever. I was just hoping she would be more earth friendly and aware and want less than the average kid. (I'm sure she will grow up eventually)

Now when I initially sat down to type this...I was typing out of frustration...for my daughters disregard to me...to my feelings...to things I have to say or suggest~because I really dont think I am stupid. I began typing to keep myself from yelling at her and asking her exactly where does she get off being so mean all the time. I try to talk and she just looks (stares as I mentioned early...and only for a few seconds, but enough to prove her point) at me with her blue eyes~looks at me like I'm stupid. Perhaps I'm not as smart as I think...because lets face it, where this one is concerned I am LOST!

I get very frustrated with her self-centered ness. She always thinks of herself first...well, that's not exactly true, but I do find that she has very little concern for me. For example: its 5:30pm on a Wednesday night, Mason is at soccer camp, and I'm making dinner and she's sitting over me asking "can we go to the mall?". She had her birthday recently and of course wants to spend her money. NO WE CANNOT GO TO THE MALL I rebut! Which I'm sure is in direct consequence of her looking/staring at me earlier when I was attempting to talk to her.

BUT as soon as she glimpsed what may have been a picture of her on my blog (i have been very quick about shutting down while typing when she ventures too close) she has been flitting in and out of the room staying close by me, making small talk about this and that. See, if she feels she is the center of the universe than she's your best friend. Me typing about her...makes her interested in me! (hmm, maybe i should type about her all the time). But as you see she's very egocentric...and I love to tell her so, to which she always replies "WHAT DOES THAT MEAN?"....look it up your so smart!

I love my little girl--i'm very grateful that I only have one-- and if it wasn't such a family issue (i can actually go into that detail some other day) then I would probably spend 90% of my day bragging her up and down. There is so much about her that I love and respect. But for now I am allowed my moments of frustration. Those days when she makes me want to scream and pull out my (or actually her) hair...because deep down inside I know she is exactly like me....but better, and the day will come when she will WANT to talk to me--for reasons other than the fact that if she's nice i MIGHT take her to the mall.

The Buy Nothing Challenge...Can We Do It?

Recently while pecking around the blog The Crunchy Chicken the author had set up the guidelines for the Buy Nothing Challenge for August and ask her follow bloggers to join in. It was funny because recently I told my husband that we need to be very careful with our "extracurricular" spending....as we tend to waste money we often don't have on things we often don't need... As is the American way, No? Anyway, it's stupid and we need to stop.
To enforce the rules for myself I have copied the guidelines here for easy reference when the urge to fall off the wagon does arise. I have to admit, with the new school year approaching quick I will still be able to shop and spend guilt free...unfortunately none of it will be for me. SIGH!

* No new clothes
* No new gadgets
* No new furniture or housewares
* No salon services
* No makeup
* No tools
* No~ whatever the hell else people buy

Greetings from a Chicken

Here is a funny story...although not nearly as funny to tell as it was to experience:
On any typical day after arriving home from work I am greeted by our two silly mut dogs! They stand stretching upwards toward the top of the gate, tongues wagging in an attempt to be the first to say "HELLO" to me!
They knock each other down and out of the way, this always makes walking up those first three steps toward the door enjoyable. You know you will always be loved if you have a dog! Even if the rest of the world should yearn to hate you~your dog will inevitably be there to give you a kiss and say I love you!
So yesterday I pull in the driveway and exit my car as usual making my way toward the side toward, the steps, and the dogs gate. I don't see the usual hopping and laughing that usually greets me which I thought odd, as I draw closer I can hear a cluck and bawk bawk. I head up the steps and over to the gate to see what's going on and who is standing there waiting for me ...Salt of course!
She is clucking along coming closer to the gate to get my attention~clearly she was hoping and praying i would have a small morsel to offer her. I was sad that I didn't have a chicken snack in my purse (but honestly how could i ever have guessed?). I said hello and entered into the house....and there I was greeted by my three sillly puppies!
Ah, its good to be home!

The Funniest Chickens You Ever Did Meet

So I may have mentioned at some point in this blog that chickens have far more personality then I think I would have ever guessed. They are actually quite humorous and can get as excited as a dog when they see you coming.
<--This happens to be Salt, she is the one year old Plymouth Rock Hen who is settling in so well here at Farm Webster you would think we hatched her ourselves. (we didn't!)
Salt is particularly excitable when she sees any of us coming near
in fact it makes cooping her up at night difficult.
We wait for the chickens to head for their run at night before shutting the door...but what is happening is they hear our feet steps coming and they come running back out! I am trying to offer them as much freedom as possible so, when I go out to coop them I will retreat back to the house and wait for them to head back in. At this point I often send one of the kids because my patient is fleeting the older I get.
So recently the chickens have taken to coming on the deck,
more often when we are present. They come up, cluck around and
then usually fly back off. Initially I was shooshing them back off as there are a couple pots of veggies growing and I was fearful the chickens would make a quick snack of them.
After a few days of this game I decide to let them be, they didn't seem all that interested in the veggies anyway (odd considering they have all but destroyed everything below the deck).
What is interesting...I believe they are there to visit, not eat. As we sit around the table on the deck the chickens move in close and lay down. Usually Salt leads the pack and Pepper and Little Red

are quick to follow. Laying out their wings and closing their eyes. They are completely comfortable with us, with the dogs, and the cats! It's a site I could not have imagined in a thousand years!
I told John "i think we have the strangest chickens in the world" to which he refuted "how many chickens do you know?". He's right, I don't know alot of chickens....but I know us. I know we have a tendency toward the strange and unusual in our house and I find
it incredibly entertaining to know that our chickens would rather

spend their free time sitting with us at the table then eating bugs in the yard. To the left you can see the dogs and chickens enjoying a snack of stale potato chips together. Everyone gets along well. Even Milly our "goat chasing dog" has no interest in catching a chicken and maneuvers around the chickens without so much as a blink of the eye in their direction.
Yesterday I noted Remi playing with Bella, jumping off the deck and realizing mid-air that he was about 2 seconds from landing on one of the chickens. How he managed to spring his body forward and miss landing on them I will never know...but I could tell by his movement that he was looking out for his chicken friends. He seems to love them as much as he loves Stanley his cat. He is careful to not step on them, he watches them in the yard and when they get away from each other he rounds them back up.
I often sit on the deck and watch everyone "grazing" in the yard together...wishing....if only everything in life was this simple!

Our Chicken Friends

I have to tell you I have some of the funniest pics of our chickens chillen on the deck with us today in the sun. I promise to update the blog to include these pictures within the next day or so. Mason has soccer camp starting tomorrow so that might throw me off some, but I promise promise to get it done!

Meeting Milly...Part 3: Milly

Meet Milly...previously known as Shelly a name she clearly didn't know from Adam...or Eve... or Fido...or Spot. Abi scoured the internet searching for the perfect dog name, finally settling on Milly or Mildred for short. Or is that Mildred...Milly for short. Either way, here she is. Milly is a 3 year old Jack Russell Terrier, from Anderson South Carolina, who was supposedly surrender for "chasing goats". Yes, that is exactly what her surrender paperwork said...CHASED GOATS. I was thinking Oh Shit. I know alot of Jacks can't go to homes with cats, nevermind a home with cats and chickens. I think we have just made a grave mistake. OK QUIT PANICKING! Lets see what happens before you freak out Karen!
Milly has continued to be as unimpressed by life now as she was that day in her crate surrounded by her hoppy (yes hoppy) crate mates! Aside from her jaunts on to the counter tops to see what treats the cats may have in their bowls...she has showed little interest in the cats, the chickens or the dogs.
I fear her original owner may have broke her spirit and honestly we have made it a mission to bring the "dog" in Milly back out. When she wags her nub I feel satisfaction knowing there is a dog in her somewhere. She rarely smiles...but does show interest in what Remi and Bella are up to. They run and play and she follows close by~but has yet to break down and join in the fun. I know she will eventually. You can tell she's thinking about it!
Anyway, this is Milly and I'm sure to have more on her in the weeks to come as we break the walls of silence that currently cage her. I can tell she has a heart of gold we just need to draw it out of her!

Meeting Milly...Part 2: Picking out a Dog

I can tell you right off, looking at puppies was not an option. Puppies will almost always find homes and I was not prepared to return to potty training, etc. Although...with an adult dog you run the risk of not having any control over your dogs personality or their current behaviors. Plus, as much as I hate to say it, alot of adult dogs are surrendered because their owners couldn't handle whatever quirks the dog had and decided to dump the dog rather than fix it~humans give up on their dogs much quicker than the dogs give up on the humans. So you are sort of left wondering what quirks you might be taking on. Regardless, we were there to look and save a dog... not look and fall in love with a puppy. Because yeah, yeah, all puppies are cute. We know.
After being allowed into the tent it was overwhelming. You really didn't even know where to go first, crate after crate was filled with dogs. Big dogs, furry dogs, skinny dogs, dogs giving puppy eyes, dogs hoping you wont see them and talk to them, dogs who couldn't stop barking, dogs who jumped, dogs who laid, purebreds, mixed muts, and hybrids I'm sure. Every single kind of dog you could imagine. Aside from an adult, we knew we would prefer a small female dog, but we weren't set on anything. When the kids suggested they wanted "this kind of dog or that" I would quickly remind them that we would get the dog that needed us. Its not like sitting at home thinking "i want a Labrador" and going to the store to pick one out.
Abi was fast to settle on Chelsea. Chelsea was a tiny little white jack Russell terrier, her name tag said she was 5 years old...and DEAF! Chelsea was endearing. She was small, she was quiet, she was covered in scars that told a less than pleasant past. We took out Chelsea's name tag and got in line to inquire about her (yes another line! can you believe it?) I told John as I stood there I kind of felt like I was wasting time just finding out how Chelsea could manage in our home with our dogs and kids~and I knew John was triple worried about a deaf dog in OUR house. He made his way out of the line and asked some of the nearby staff who explained Chelsea's inability to hear has caused her to scrap whenever she feels unsafe or violated. A simple sniff to Chelsea's hind-end leaves her feeling vulnerable and she is quick to retaliate. John explained to Abi that really Chelsea was not the right dog for us and Abi turned to me in line and shook her head "no".
After seeing her shake her head I exited the line knowing we again needed to begin our search for the "perfect" dog. There were alot of Jack Russells, a breed John has always wanted (yet I was never as convinced). There was one little female who barely moved..no matter how much you called to her. She laid there unimpressed by the throngs of people. She was not the cutest dog I had ever seen, and her lack of motivation had me somewhat concerned. The staff told John her name was Shelly and she got along great with other dogs. Apparently being crated with 6 other dogs did little to disrupt Shelly's life. John grabbed her name tag and again we made our way to the line. Abi was quick to remind me that "we would be all the way up there if you hadn't gotten out of line!" to which I replied... "Thank you smart one, I was not staying in line if we had not picked out a dog yet". While this line was much shorter than the first it seemed to last forever. After reaching yet another table a girl quickly ran through some questions to determine if we were qualified owners. A list of questions any seasoned liar could write off without much thought... They grabbed Shelly, gave us her paperwork, and we were FINALLY on our way back to Terrytown, USA. What a day.
After all that work we had no idea what we had just walked away with. Really, we had NO CLUE what we had just gotten ourselves into. But we both quickly dismissed our woes, and focused on the fact that we had just saved a dog that may have otherwise been killed for no good reason.

Meeting Milly...Part 1: The Wait

So on July 11, 2009 we thought we would kill some time by standing in line in North Haven for a whopping TWO AND A HALF HOURS for a chance to see the more than 400 cats, kittens, dogs and puppies who traveled from the kill shelters of the deep south to Connecticut in hopes of finding a new forever home! It was John's big idea to attend the event, even though I was sure the two dogs we currently owned were more than plenty.
After dusting off "Linda" and heading down the highway of life on our latest adventure we arrive in North Haven rather quickly. We find a parking spot in a flash and not far from where we spotted "the tent". The tent which housed all the animals that brought us here. After exiting the vehicle we realize that we are looking at the end of a line. Quickly we realize the end of that line is where we need to be. ARE YOU F'ing KIDDING ME?
Normally I wouldn't wait in a line this long for anything....not even for food if i hadn't eat in days! It was hot out, but honestly the breeze made it comfortable so the need to complain was quickly erased and I knew John wanted to be here so I bit my tongue about my anxiety and the need to run from this ridiculous line.
It was that kind of line where everyone is in a hurry to get to their destination now so they feel the need to stand REALLY close to the person in front of them, hoping this will teleport them to the front of the line...WHICH AS WE ALL KNOW IS NOT THE CASE!
After the first hour I was still holding my composure, yet talked very little for fear of accidentally engaging any nearby people into unnecessary conversation. Knowing it was going to be a long wait seems to prompt some people to get comfy with their neighbors quickly and they feel that insatiable need to make conversation...why are you here? how old are your kids, where are you from? how long have you been waiting?! or worse than questions...they want to tell you about themselves...and quite honestly, I don't really care to hear it (please excuse my candor but I was hear to look at dogs, not hear your life story and how many, what breed, and etc dogs you have owned)~
Anyway, my husband is a much nicer candidate for small talk than I am so I let him handle the dirty work as I stare endlessly at my feet, picking at the kids, quietly shooshing them to prevent any onlookers from judging their behavior and my ability to
do my job as a mom...because at the end of the day, that's really what its about. Isn't it?
By the end of the second hour and a bottle of water later I was growing VERY tired of being in that line, looking ahead I could tell there was approximately 40 to 50 people in front of us (most of which were families and would go into the tent toghether). I approximated our wait time at no more than 40 minutes...it was at this point..however I grew more anxious than I had been over 2 hours ago! I wanted to do an about-face and get the hell out of there. Our line neighbors were closer than ever and at this point his wife and granddaughter have joined him making my current conditions more uncomfortable. The more they inched up my back the more I felt the need to inch up on the couple in front of me~ even though i knew this would only cause the ass behind us to inch in closer causing me to be boxed in more than ever... PLEASE HELP ME I COULD SCREAM RIGHT NOW!!
I'm not claustrophobic but I do have a certain criteria for my personal space, and basically if you are not my husband, a good friend or family, or one of my children
you need to be a good foot from my body! I continue to stare at my feet and (more often) ahead in line just hoping to make it through this with every bit of my sanity intact.
AT LAST! We make it to the table...the table where you hand in your application, the table where the lady lets you by, the table of joy...our destination awaits... almost. We can glimpse some kittens just beyond the table inside the tent and we marvel at their cuteness, acting as if we have never before seen a kitten.
At this point in my story, if your just wishing I would GET TO THE POINT...then I have done my job in making you feel exactly how excrutiatingly impatient I was by the time we finally reached THE TABLE...

Here's another...but my last I swear!

Ok, so I love a good survey, but since I do not want to confuse blogging with myspace or facebooking I promise its my last!

A – Age: 34

B – Bed size: queen--which as big as john is... is more than enough.

C – Chore you hate: dishes---hate hate hate, this is me hissing at the dishes

D – Dogs’ names: Remy, Bella, and Milly

E – Essential start your day item: my one lone cup of coffee for the day

F – Favorite color: green...got to be green like the earth

G – Gold or Silver or Platinum: Silver but not for any particular reason

H – Height: 5'4"

I – Instruments you play: None

J – Job title: Human Resources Manager

K – Kid(s): Mason 12(13 in less than a month), Abi (short for Abigail) 12, Garrick who will be 8 tomorrow!~

L – Living arrangements: our cozy house filled with more fur than FURniture!

M – Mom’s name: Constance, or Connie for short

N – Nicknames: Mom, Webbie, Kare, Karen Sue

O – Overnight hospital stay other than birth: hmmm, no clue nothing i guess

P – Pet Peeve: laziness and ignorance

Q – Quote from a movie: The Universe Tends to Unfold as it should...its from Harold and Kumar, but ironically its a long time quote that I currently live by

R – Right handed or left handed: Rightie

S – Siblings: 2 sisters, and one brother in-law. Rhonda, Samantha, and Randy

T – Time you wake up: usually around 7, even on weekends. I feel this is a sign of my body showing its age

U- Underwear: if they are clean they are on and that's all i'm saying

V – Vegetable you dislike: onions is about it, but really is that a veggie?

W – Ways you run late: I don't, I think its rude (or maybe its laziness that keeps you from being on time)

X – X-rays you’ve had: teeth every year and a finger once

Y – Yummy food you make: as opposed to making yucky food?

Z – Zoo favorite: anything with fur, but honestly I dont believe that animals should be confined like that it makes them cranky

Me Me Meeeeeeeeee

borrowed from samantha

1. I’ve come to realize that my chest-size. . . is irrelevant to anything life has to offer
2. I’ve come to realize that my job. . . means I have to find something decent to wear
3. I’ve come to realize that when I’m driving. . . that I will swear ALOT.
4. I’ve come to realize that I need. . .my family probably more than my family needs me.
5. I’ve come that realize that I have lost. . .a little bit of myself along the way
6. I’ve come to realize that I hate it when. . .people close their minds (and dont reduce, reuse, or recycle)
7. I’ve come to realize that if I’m drunk. . .i remember who i was and grab some water!
8. I’ve come to realize that money. . . cannot buy happiness, but being able to pay the bills certainly helps with stress levels.
9. I’ve come to realize that certain people. . .will never change and realize how narrow and shallow minded they really are
10. I’ve come to realize that I’ll always. . . get by

11. I’ve come to realize that my sibling(s). . .is my best friend and probably knows more about me than anyone else in the world

12. I’ve come to realize that my mom. . . .will always be there for me no matter what.

13. I’ve come to realize that my cell phone. . .is a piece of junk but still works so i think it will do just fine.
14. I’ve come to realize that when I woke up this morning. . .i hit the snooze button then got out of bed anyway...why waste time sleeping
15. I’ve come to realize that last night before I went to sleep. . . I was satisfied with life
16. I’ve come to realize that right now I am thinking. . .the crotch of my pants is too short and I'm going to be irritated by it all day long.
17. I’ve come to realize that my dad. . .should swallow his pride and realize that his house is too big for him and my mom
18. I’ve come to realize that when I get on Facebook. . . its usually to look at pictures or send a message
19. I’ve come to realize that today. . . . is Monday and not my most favorite day of the week

20. I’ve come to realize that tonight. . .I will probably complain because the house is a mess, but then do nothing to fix it.

21. I’ve come to realize that tomorrow. . . is Tuesday and there is nothing great about Tuesday
22. I’ve come to realize that I really want to. . .stop thinking about death so much, its beginning to consume me and I am starting to wonder if there is something wrong with me
23. I’ve come to realize that the person mostly likely to repost this is. . . no one, sam already did it
24. I’ve come to realize that life. . . . is fleeting and I always feel like I'm waiting for someone to die~I can't stand it

25. I’ve come to realize that this weekend. . .was beautiful, the weather was great, i got to be with my family and my dogs and I really couldn't ask for more
26. I’ve realized the best music to listen to when I am upset. . .usually enhances my mood, but that's why I listen to it. then I get out of my funk faster
27. I’ve come to realize that my friends. . .are always going to be secondary to my family and it makes me feel bad that I'm not a better friend
28. I’ve come to realize that this year. . .That my kids are getting older and its ok for me to get back to who I was and let loose more and enjoy my husband more.

29. I’ve come to realize that my exes. . . . Idk, i dont think about them

30. I’ve come to realize that maybe I should. . . . probably go to morning meeting right now, but this is more fun

31. I’ve come to realize that I love. . . my family a ridiculous amount
32. I’ve come to realize that I don’t understand. . .alot of things
33. I’ve come to realize my past. . . .is my past and I dont really talk about it that much

34. I’ve come to realize that parties. . . .can be fun even when i'm not falling down drunk and stupid

35. I’ve come to realize that I’m totally terrified. . . my kids will die and i will not ok with that at all.

36. I’ve come to realize that my life. . .is not something I own or control..each day is a gift.

Things We Can Learn From Our Dogs....

Things We Can Learn from Our Dogs

Never pass up the opportunity to go for a joy ride.
Allow the experience of fresh air and the wind in your face to be pure ecstasy.
When loved ones come home, always run to greet them.
When someone is having a bad day, be silent, sit close by and nuzzle them gently.
When it's in your best interest, practice obedience.
Let others know when they've invaded your territory.
Take naps, and stretch before rising.
Run, romp and play daily.
Eat with gusto and enthusiasm.
Be loyal.
Never pretend to be something you're not.
If what you want lies buried, dig until you find it.
Thrive on attention, and let people touch you.
Avoid biting when a simple growl will do.
On hot days, drink lots of water and Lie under a shady tree.
When you're happy, dance around And wag your entire body.
No matter how often you're scolded, don't buy into the guilt thing and pout
run right back and make friends.
Delight in the simple joy of a long walk.

The Bitch at the Beach...And Judgement

First of all let me say that I do not enjoy the fact that I feel like I don't have REAL control over where these pictures end up when I upload them! OK, with that being said I want to celebrate for a minute a rain free weekend in the state of Connecticut! And to make it more celebratory it was 4th of July weekend. What a great weekend to be rain free~ Can I get a little "woot woot!"? OK, maybe not...but you need to know how happy it made me. On Sunday morning we deliberated for some time until we decide we MUST go to the beach. We ended up at Lighthouse Point Park in New Haven as a "lets try it" visit. I wondered if I had been there as a child but was unable to say for sure. You might not guess it from the reputation that Connecticut has as a "rich" state....but we have our fair share of ghetto areas and to be honest New Haven can go either way. Trying a park that you are not familiar with and has not been recommended to you is somewhat of a crap shoot. You never know what you might get until you get there.

After walking across the grassy picnic area we couldn't help but notice the amount of garbage strewn around and the piles of people hanging around having bbq's and blasting their obnoxiously loud music.
In my head I was thinking UH OH, this is not going to go well. But we pushed on, all pretending that we are not bothered by what we have all just seen~because deep inside we all want to pretend we don't judge. But I know inside if its worrying me...its worrying the kids and John as well. Mason at the very least. He likes things "just so". He doesn't like hanging with a tough or questionable crowd, he doesn't settle in to unfamiliar settings and anytime he feels something is awry he is running for the hills. I was slightly shocked he hadn't already asked if we could leave and try somewhere else.


So we reach the beach and decide to go to the left...toward the condos....for no particular reason. I immediately know that I have been here as a child~as I see the old building that housed the carousel~the site of the lighthouse over the tree tops~and the various stone animals that line the edge of the beach~ but have no memories otherwise. We find a happy spot just to the side of the lifeguard tower and make ourselves a happy home.
The bitchy old lady behind us can't help but stare, more than likely fearful of the fact that we brought 3 kids with us and is assuming that we are sure to ruin her day at the beach (ironically my first attempt at spelling beach came out BITCH...freudian slip? perhaps). She was probably wondering why we sat so close to her when we had the whole beach to choose from. After ten minutes or so I ask Mason to help me move the blanket down closer to the water so we are not so close~I can feel her eyes burning into the back of my head. As we begin to move I can tell by her grimace that us moving is EVEN more annoying to her than our original position.
As I glare back at her I am reminded why people like me belong at the beaches where the garbage is strewn and the crowd is questionable. If for no reason other than being ABLE and ALLOWED to glare back at an old bitch for daring to stare me down for having brought three of the loveliest children into the world to the beach on such a fine sunny day. I make sure to stare back as I mutter loud enough for her to hear to Mason that we are moving to get away from the bitch with the staring problem.


Yes, yes, I tend to NOT bite my lip whenever the mood strikes. And you best be hoping your not on the end of my bark....because I promise my bite is just as bad. Especially where my children are concerned. My kids are incredibly well behaved, they are not rude, not disrespectful, they are not loud and I am by no means embarrassed to bring them anywhere~I wish they could say the same about me. When I am confronted by theglares of a woman on the beach whom I can tell is concerned that my 3 may want to build a castle, toss a ball around, or just be all around loud and obnoxious (as children can be) it sets me off and I like to gently remind the likes of these people that it is not always the children who will make your visit unpleasant...but sometimes it is the parents themselves who will make you wish you kept your face planted firmly on the pages of your book where it belongs!

The point of my story is this...don't judge a book by its cover because you will most likely be wrong.

After all was said and done, I should tell you that the garbage was being vacuumed up as we walked through it... and the loud people that I was so fearful would be on the beach all kept their place on the grass having barbecues and what I am sure were family reunions (who goes to the beach to sit on the grass????) and did nothing to wreck our day at the beach.

Just as we had judged the park and its visitors by walking by some garbage the bitch in her beach chair had judged us for having children. We all judge, it's human nature to judge before we have knowledge, but how we react while we are judging is a real testament to who we are. To stare rudely is something quite different than quietly wondering but giving the benefit of the doubt in an instance when you are unsure.

"A mind that doesn't question its judgements, makes the world very small and dangerous"

Animal Cruelty at it's Finest!

Today in the peak of the heat I went to the grocery store to pick up a few things to make taco's for dinner. I pull into the parking lot and take my place next door to a black VW~windows rolled up tight with a happy little black and white spotted dog locked inside!
HOLY FREAKIN SHIT! Are you kidding me? Who does this and should I call the cops? Well 911 is not really an option, Terryville is a small town a quick call to the dispatcher would have the cops out in a matter of minutes. I think the real question was ...how long has this poor little doggy been locked up? I tried the door handles.... both locked (your damn right i would've taken that dog out no problem). Damn it! I grab out my cell phone and call 411. (Does anyone ever have the number to the police station off hand? NO of course not.) I am connected with the cops and as I am telling the cop that I am calling about a dog locked in a car... a girl carrying a gallon of milk is making her way in my direction...oh wait, I think the owner is coming now, disregard. Sure enough, she is the owner of the car....and the dog. WHAT AN IDIOT SHE IS~I hope she saw me looking at her and wonders why I was sitting in my car half sticking out on the phone! I say nothing to her, relieved to know that she was back and had more than likely pulled in right before me (and yes, i checked my watch as soon as I saw the dog...I sat there approximately 3 minutes)~her poor little spotted doggy was probably not even locked up for 5 minutes... but seriously people! It was easily 80 degrees and clear skies, not a cloud to obscure the suns rays. This pooch could've been baked quickly and torturously.
Fact: The temperature inside a vehicle can rise up to 20 degrees in the first five minutes.
So while Little Miss Gallon of Milk may have locked her doggy up at a sultry 80 degrees even if she ran in and out of the store quickly her poor poochy was potentially baking in at 100 degrees~at that rate he would've been well done in just a couple hours... all for a $4.00 gallon of milk. How sad is that?
Anyway, it just disappoints me that people don't think...or think "its just a minute". Well, its just a life you could be taking away by being so selfish. Make the ten minute trip to your house, drop off Spot and THEN get the milk. Saving the few cents in gas to cut down on the trips is not worth the dogs life.

Rain Rain...Go Away AGAIN!!!!!

So you don't have to be from New England to know that our 'summer' weather has been anything but cooperative! In all my life I have never seen so much rain as we have seen in the last 3 months. Nerve racking really. I never wondered what detrimental effects RAIN could have on our environment. I've always considered it a necessary element and while the rain tends to get me down I accept it~especially when thunder and lightening are involved. I do love a good electrical storm! Remember the old saying "April showers bring May flowers". Well, I haven't really felt the saying has applied for the last several years and I would joke that it should be April, May showers bring June flowers...but this year I think it needs to be STOP STOP THE RAIN ALREADY.
Not to mention the town started laying these drain pipes along the sides of the roads, apparently to assist with the distribution of water onto the roads. These drains are going to drain the water underground and into the sewers.
I'm not sure they are working...at all. These photos are of my yard...which in the past has had a problem with the collection of water over top of the patio...but this water quickly dissipates when the rain stops. It took slightly longer than normal this fine day I decided to take some pictures.
So, honestly... we probably could've gotten a kayak to float on top of the water on the patio. It was ridiculous. But as I said, some water collecting there is normal. I ventured over to the side yard, and noted some VERY deep water there (that is the top picture). My feet became submerged in the mucky grass and water with each step...causing my flip flops to stick to the ground.
Should I mention the dogs use our backyard as their potty...which is perfectly acceptable. A much better alternative to using the floors in the house. But with each suctiony step I felt I was sticking my feet in POOP WATER! eeeew, how gross! Of course the dogs really can't help that and they are by no means to blame!


I feel bad mentioning the state of the chicken run. Or should I say duck pond? Its a disaster beckoning every fly in the state of Connecticut to come forth and take up residence. A chicken run should be kept dry at all times...and a nice dusty spot helps they groom. This is not even possible~at least not in this section of the state. We've attempted to dry out the coop by throwing in mulch...but I'm afraid at this point all we have done is invite more pests as I noticed the run was full of disgusting green flies and a new little white gnatty looking thing. I have no idea what these new little bugs are!
I had mentioned a week or so ago that my hosta's were infested with aphids. Hosta's are not

typically bothered by pests, this is a very hardy plant...but with so much rain EVERYTHING IS SUFFERING.

I am an absolute fan of Mother Nature. I love her and her infinite wisdom. I appreciate the fact that its one thing that humanity has not managed to control, change, or harness for his own wealth or personal greed. There are times I get frustrated due to a rain shower ruining a picnic or snow on the wrong day, but for the most part I ride out the seasons with little complaint. After all its one of the reasons I do stick it out in the Northeastern part of the states. Because, believe me when I say, nothing makes me quite as happy as sunshine that wont quit!

But please, please, please, whoever is responsible for this rain dance I am begging you please~give us back our summer before its winter again. I need the sun to flourish and apparently, the environment is suffering much more than I would have ever imagined as well.

Rain Rain Go Away...My little chickens want to play!

Had I know it was going to be this bad, I would've settled on ducks. :o(

Please Please Don't Leave Me....

So I know I had mentioned that me and John don't always get along, its really just how we cope and last. Pink recently came out with a new song that is a song I SHOULD'VE (lol, if i could've) wrote! I love this song~ and I just wanted to put it here because I enjoy the lyrics so much and really think it fits our situation....

I don't know if I can yell any louder

How many time I've kicked you outta here?

Or said something insulting?

I can be so mean when I wanna be

I am capable of really anything

I can cut you into pieces

But my heart is broken

Please don't leave me Please don't leave me

I always say how I don't need you

But it's always gonna come right back to this

Please, don't leave me

How did I become so obnoxious?

What is it with you that makes me act like this?

I've never been this nasty

Can't you tell that this is all just a contest?

The one that wins will be the one that hits the hardest

But baby I don't mean it, I mean it,

I promise

Please Don't Leave Me

by Pink

Living in Connecticut is good for something

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has long said that nearly a third of Americans are obese. The Trust report uses somewhat more conservative CDC surveys for a closer state-by-state look.

Among the findings:
-- Mississippi had the highest rate of adult obesity, 32.5 percent, for the fifth year in a row.
-- Three additional states now have adult obesity rates above 30 percent, including Alabama, 31.2 percent; West Virginia, 31.1 percent; and Tennessee, 30.2 percent.
-- Colorado had the lowest rate of obese adults, at 18.9 percent, followed by Massachusetts, 21.2 percent; and Connecticut, 21.3 percent

Immortality

Today during a falls meeting the DNS took a phone call, we all sat around watching her face go from cheerful to horrified. She turned to the room and said Helen's (names have been changed to protect the identity of those involved) son was just found dead. What do I do?

So the day started out just like any other for Helen and in one split second someone will have the responsibility of telling her this shocking news and forever changing her~and not for the better I would imagine. In a room full of folks where tragedy is so prevalant~the news was not well received. One woman recently lost her husband, literally weeks ago. Another there had lost her son as well, something I'm sure you never fully recover from. Many are victims of cancer, have had siblings and parents die, and the many others have been dealt there own unfair hands in life.

Melissa and Charles quickly left the room to find Helen and deliver the shocking news. Upon hearing the screams from the next room many of us became teary eyed realizing how crushing this news had been. If I ever have to hear those words ~ I believe I myself will die, not physically but mentally. Others took the sounds and sobbing much more personally. One of my co-workers collapsing reliving the news of her own son's death I am sure.

I feel like alot of bad things happen to the people who work here and it makes me ever more nervous and unsure about my own life and my own families mortality. I worry that I was put here to be among those who can understand what I am going through...Well i dont want to be understood. I want to know that I am safe, and my kids will live long lives and be around long after I have been laid to rest.

Obviously, quitting based on the prospect or possibility that something bad might happen is not an option. And yeah yeah, bad things happen everywhere. But in my 34 years of life I feel like I have never been surrounded by so much pain and anguish in one small setting. It does scare me and not just a little!

Man is immortal; therefore he must die endlessly.

For life is a creative idea; it can only find itself in changing forms”

Which came first...the chicken or the egg?

These my friends, are honest to Nature cage free eggs. No hormones, no antibiotics, no animals were abused in the making of these eggs! Aren't they perty. Before I left work for the day the kids had called me to let me know that we had an egg. They were so excited you would've thought we had a new chick!
"What do we do, where do we put it? AAAAAGH!"... "Put it in the fridge, no wait. Leave it out. Wait, no..grab a bowl. I don't know, i guess leave it on the counter." Ok, phew! that was a tough decision (apparently i was more nervous or excited than the kids) and before i got home the kids must've remembered all the egg cartons we've been collecting since we bought our fuzzy chicks~because egg 1 was placed gently in the carton and waiting for me to view when i arrived home.
They were pretty sure Pepper laid it...and she did use the nest box...which will make John happy. Knowing someone is using something he's made lol, :oP
But then when I got home they kept telling me that Pepper was still in the box and they weren't sure what was going on. I told them not to worry about it. I figured she was fine...but part of me did worry that I was given a broody hen! Wouldn't that just be some crappy luck~always expecting the worse.
Fact: A broody hen is a domestic hen ready to brood. (is it just me or can anyone else out there not stand when the definition lazily uses the word its defining). Basically a broody hen is a hen that is ready to hatch some eggs...Her biological clock is ticking...and she is looking for some babies! She will sit relentlessly on her nest in hopes of hatching eggs. Even if her eggs are not fertile and will never hatch :o(
We all went outside to make sure Pepper was doing ok and what to my wandering eyes should appear but a miniature sleigh...oh no wait, it was not a sleigh...but instead ANOTHER egg. Pepper turned around to check the other box and I quietly retrieves it from the box. She looked back in the box and seemed confused (not really). But can you imagine if you just delivered a baby then turned around and it was gone and you are left thinking "did i really just deliver that or am i nut-so?" LOL.
So we have our first official eggs and I couldn't be happier. Thanks Salt and Pepper~

The Nest Boxes

Here is the outside view of the box, note the green drawer~it makes it so pretty (reduce, reuse, recycle PEOPLE! get inventive).
There is also the picture of the nest boxes together and then one side alone. The ladies seem to approve. I was a little worried when one of the kids told me that Daisy was in the nest box. I can't have them roosting in the boxes, but at the same time...how do you explain to a baby rooster that these are for eggs...not to be used as beds! I dont know that I would be able to get through to him.

Fact: they say you need one nest box for every 4-5 hens you have

Well, you know we have to make sure everyone is happy and has plenty of room here at Hotel Webster. We used an old dresser drawer to set these ladies up comfortably. John got home at about 6pm, stuffed a couple hamburgers in his face and went out to build the box. Under my supervision he worked quickly (lol, that was a joke) and was done within an hour. There are two boxes side by side set outside of the coop for easy egg removal. The top flips up and the nests exposed, you just have to reach in, steal the eggs, and run...run AWAY! I'm kidding about the running part~but there is always the chance that a hen may not want you to take her eggs and try to peck you...afterall these have the potential to become children if left alone. (not really...I think our roosters are not quite old enough to fertilize anything yet, but someday).

So along with Nest Boxes...come eggs!