Consolidated Kansas

[Hawkeye95]

Hawkeye, yay! I picked out the good bird just because she's pretty. Really, they're all beautiful. I'm amazed at how much chickens can learn. The green light isn't a brooder light, it was free in a box of junk, it's just a flood light and it produces heat too although not as much as the red one did. These chicks do have a lot of feathers so they probably didn't need as much heat. I'm curious to see how they behave today. I plan to put them back into their outside pen at least for the afternoon. I may check the weather and see if they can stay there. It's that darned wind that makes it seem so cold. I don't want them working hard to stay warm, yet they really like being in the dirt.

Chickens can learn a lot of things. When you think about all the things they can do-- like drink from nipple systems, use treadle feeders, figure their way back into the coop AND have an order about which to do it.. they are animals of routine. Especially if you handle them enough , they will learn quicker. We handle every one of the silkies every day. The ones that my son uses for Showmanship-- we handle them the most and work with them the most. He has another show coming up in 2 weeks!!! So we're definitely working on posing! I bet your chicks would LOVE to be outside-- yesterday was really nice. I think today will be another great day for them to go outside. Just keep an eye on them and if they are fluffing up and huddling or if they are running around in pure joy and contentment.

Hawkeye, I had been wondering how you are feeling. I think the chiropractor would be a good idea. Can you imagine how your bones would move in an impact like that? Then your muscles are strained and swelling and it makes things stay in the wrong place. It seems logical that the massage would loosen everything up then it'll be easier for the chiropractor to move everything back into place.

Danz, the way you talked about the DE drying things out makes me scared to go near it. My skin has taken a beating for sure. I read that the DE is actually tiny little pieces that are very sharp and that they stic k to the insect and then they cut and scratch the surface of the insect everytime they move making them dry out. Did you see a microscopic pic? They reminded me of tiny fossils, or kinda like broken pieces of Chex cereal. I've never seen it in real life. Is it chalky?

Yeah, not feeling 100%, that's for sure. I still have twinges and pain, but NOTHING that those first two weeks. You make an excellent point about how my bones might have moved in the impact I had. Considering I was going between 50-55 mph.... esh. It doesn't bode well for my back and neck. I made one more appt with this massage lady-- she is a trained "deep tissue" massager and she's done a lot of whip lash. She said my neck is pretty messed up and actually told me I NEED to go see a chiropracter. So I'm going to make an appt here pretty quick! What she did-- it wasn't one of those relaxing sleep-thru-the-massage type thing. She was grabbing and pulling and rubbing out muscles and it was quite painful. She was recommended by someone who does injuries and said this lady had gone to school to learn this. I'm typing and my shoulder aren't up to my ears anymore, so that feels great.

We have DE... but my crazy DH who is BIG into being a health nut DRINKS DE!!!! So we have it above the fridge in a tupperware container. It just feels like talcum powder. It's supposed to be fantastic at cleaning out your digestive tract.

I have a steamer too but I almost never use it. I've really never cared for the taste of steamed vegies.

Hope the massage helps. If not, the chiropractor is sure to. Years ago I got a whiplash from a car accident and after six weeks of neck/shoulder pain, I felt better after the first visit to the chiropractor. I kept going on his schedule of 3x a week for 4 weeks and never looked back.

Ned gobbled this morning! I know that shouldn't sound like exciting news but I was way excited because its the first time since his illness. He hasn't displayed since before he was sick either but I'm hoping if he's feeling good enough to gobble, the displaying won't be far behind.

Oh - Mommahen, I meant to respond to your post about using cloth for "other things" as well. I switched to cloth for other things a couple of years ago and will never go back. I far prefer cloth to the disposables, although I never had any actual issues with the disposables. But I find the cloth to be more comfortable with less odor so its a win-win. I was concerned that it would feel gross when clean up time came but even with that I found it isn't bad at all - not nearly the way I was picturing. They are a little more expensive as an up-front cost but I was able to get a couple for practically free because I bought mine on eBay and with their reward program of eBay bucks, by the time I'd bought a few, I had enough bucks saved up that when I got my eBay Bucks certificate, I was able to get a couple for "free". Now I have enough to see me through the rest of the time I'll be needing them, I think

So for about a $20 investment (maybe $30, I'd have to add it up), I am set for life and it is one less expense at the grocery store every month or so.

I hate steamed veggies, and I can't eat them. Which is funny, because I steam veggies ALL the time for the kids! I can eat veggies in soups-- LOVE them. But otherwise I like them raw-- like broccoli, cauliflower, spinach-- those are things I never want all limp and soggy. But they are some of my favorite veggies. So glad to hear that Ned gobbled! I sure hope he is on the mend and will be back to his happy self. I loved all of your ideas for money saving. When I cloth diapered-- I rarely (if ever) put my diapers in the dryer. I line dried them because the sun bleaches out any stains that might happen. The mama cloth (or Luna pads) is something I never really got into, but considered making! LOL I have all the fabric, snaps, etc to make them, so sometime I will have to give it a go.

There is a huge difference between those that try to provide for their families and those that just want to live off of others. It's a shame the government can't actually investigate cases of need vs a book of standards. I've been a victim of this whole system myself.
I was ordered out of my home during a divorce attempt just 2 weeks after having a baby. I didn't have a job, I had no money, and had three kids under 4 to care for. My estranged husband was ordered to pay me $200 a month child support. But I had nothing at all and he of course didn't pay the child support when it was due. He had cleaned out the checking account before he filed for divorce. I had no money for formula or diapers and no place to live. I was ordered by the court not to leave the state with my children so I couldn't come home to Kansas where my other family was.
I went to the SRS to try to get something to feed my kids and some funds to help me get a place to live. After sitting in a waiting room for hours I was told I didn't qualify for any services because I was supposed to get that $200 a month. Then I had to borrow money for paying a sitter while I went.
That was the all time low of my life. Of course it was my estranged husband and his attorney's plan to show I was incapable of caring for my children.
I actually only had my car and some clothes so I went to public bulletin boards and found a person looking for a roommate. I explained my situation and she allowed me to move in without paying rent up front. It was a miserable place to be cause her dog kept trying to bite my kids and did bite me when I was trying to get them away from him, but it was all I had. I stayed shut in my room with the kids.
I called up a couple of dear friends and was gifted some formula and diapers. (Very very hard for me to do since I am a very proud person.) My grandmother who was living on nothing sent me a check for $20 which I used to buy some food for the kids. I wasn't released to go to work and when I did start applying for jobs, one of my husbands acquaintances who worked for the secret service was calling my perspective employers trying to discredit me. To make a long story short we survived. The struggle was long from over for good but we did get by.
My point in all this is that there are ways to get through these things even when the world seems against you. Maidenwolf you have a group of friends here and we all want to help any way we can. Even if they can't offer anything but ways to help get by, I hope you know that we all want to help as we can.

Yikes! Hearing this, it's a far cry from where you are now and the jobs you've had since then. You sure did turn things around.

I don't have very many good recipes that are super cheap, but I do have a couple of suggestions to share.

1.) For bread, I use recipes from the Artisan Bread in 5 Minutes a Day books. They share their basic recipe for free on their website. Watch out on the salt. If you use table salt, use 2/3 of what the recipe calls for (i.e. if the recipe calls for 1 T, use 2/3 T of table salt instead). There are other variations of this bread that use wheat bread as well, and I really like them and find them to be super easy to make.

2.) Here's a link to recipes for how to make some common kitchen staples, including brown sugar, self-rising flour, salad dressing, spaghetti sauce, taco seasoning, yogurt, cream of something soup, and more...

3.) Don't buy liquid hand soap. It's really easy and cheap to make it yourself: http://www.creativecaincabin.com/2011/03/diy-liquid-soap.html

4.) Laundry soap is another easy/cheap thing to make yourself. WAY cheaper than buying it from the store and makes a lot more too! My mother-in-law and I have both switched to using this recipe exclusively. As far as I can tell, it works just as well as the store-bought stuff. I took some to my skeptic mother and let her try it out, and it even got my dad's greasy jeans clean!

• If you have some really tough stains that regular detergent won't get out, try this homemade version of Shout Stain Remover.

5.) Here are a couple of links of ways to clean your house for cheap.

• http://redandhoney.com/2012/06/how-to-clean-your-whole-house-without-nasty-chemicals/
• http://thegreeningofwestford.blogspot.com/2011/01/homemade-green-cleaners-made-easy.html

6.) Make your own hair spray and hair detangler (if they're something you use). Recipe here.

7.) Use vinegar as the rinse agent in your dishwasher. It works just as well as the "rinse agent' from the store but is so much cheaper!

8.) If you have a dishwasher, check out this recipe for homemade dishwasher detergent. Depending on where you get your dishwasher detergent and how available the ingredients are for this recipe, this recipe may or may not be cheaper than what you're currently buying (it wasn't for me - I buy my dishwasher detergent in bulk from Sam's and the lemi-shine isn't readily available in my area) so do your research before taking the plunge on this one.

9.) Baking soda can be used for SO MANY things other than just in baking. See here for some ideas: http://lifehackery.com/2008/07/22/home-4/

I honestly hope these help!

These are great Lizzy!! My friends are making their own laundry detergent and say the same thing-- it works fantastic! I use the vinegar in the rinse-- for one, it breaks down calcium and minerals-- always a good thing. You can clean corroded water fixtures with vinegar. I take a cup of vinegar and set a pan or something under it so that the nozzle can sit in the vinegar-- if you let it sit for 30-40 minutes, it will break up all the mineral corrosion and you can scrub it off easily. We take out shower heads down often and immerse them in vinegar in a small tub.

Amber, kudos on the baking and dog treats. Have you tried listing the dog treats on eBay? As long as you charge enough in shipping to cover your actual shipping costs, that might be a good way to move them rather than relying on a small, local market?

Also Etsy. People will buy anything off Etsy. I do! LOL I love Etsy and love shopping it. People love dog stuff. Pictures are VERY important-- they sell your product. I have a degree in Graphic Design and half the degree is how to market, what makes it marketable, what setting and colors to use..etc. People are VISUAL. If they can't see it, they move on. If the picture is dark, blurry, or not close enough up, they move on. Settings that are cute-- like just off the top of my head-- dog biscuits on a picnic setting with maybe a tea set -- bright colors-- yellows grab attention. You don't have to buy things to accomplish this. Shirts, handkerchiefs, towels-- all of these can be disguised into the setting. Framing the photo to leave out things people don't want to see. You can have the messiest kitchen-- or a dank dark room-- but if you make a spot to set it up, drag over a lamp to have good lighting and frame the picture to cut out everything BUT the setting, it can look charming and cute and more trendy and upscale. These things flat out work. I know even on craigslist where someone will list something and if there is no picture, I don't bother reading it or looking at the ad. Same with Etsy-- if they have a pretty crappy photo of the product-- even if the product looks nice, I just don't feel inclined to buy if I can see a stack of dirty dishes next to it or laundry thrown around in the background. I have white couches-- and i use them a lot to "set the stage" for some shoots. For example...

now the lighting on this picture is pretty crappy. I actually made an edit of this-- which I didn't save to BYC that brightened up the whites and took out the "dingy". If I had dragged over a lamp to aim lower under the car, the shadows would have been less and it would have been a cleaner shot. A desk lamp is usually the best-- you can set them on a chair or play with the level to get your lighting right. But by aiming low, you don't see that this was done in my living room, and who know what else mess what in there.

DANZ--- hope you are feeling better! I've been thinking about you and all the work you are doing. Doesn't sound like you're taking it too easy. Be careful with yourself.

 

[Chickies-duckies-etc]

For those using the exersize pens ~ what kind of store do you buy them at and what price range are they and some buying tips can you offer?

I can use one here and had never heard about them before.

 

[Hawkeye95]

I grow fresh herbs, too. They're much cheaper than store-bought, and much fresher. I also chop and freeze them so I can use "fresh" herbs all winter.
I grow lots of tomatoes and freeze them in a variety of ways: whole, roasted, diced, crushed, and in salsa. I freeze the diced and crushed tomatoes in freezer baggies in the amounts you'd find in cans (14-16 oz. for diced, 28 oz. for crushed). I also make marinara with crushed tomatoes and freeze that. Tomatoes are crazy expensive at the store, so I was thrilled to get such a great harvest this year. We won't talk about last year's harvest ....
I love to cook, but grilling and smoking are DH's domain. I do not have the knack for grilling.

Hawkeye, you really do have a talent for writing. That was an incredible letter you wrote. I'm glad mine was in before people started posting what they'd written!

I am wanting to add to my herb garden next year-- all I have now is rosemary, lavender and mint. I tried growing basil this year, but it burned up so quickly before it could really get rooted and the same thing with my strawberries. I am going to set my water on a timer next year! My peppers and tomatoes did do pretty well. And thank you for the compliment.

Hi everyone, thought I would join in. I am feeling better, but the house is so empty, and quiet, going to take some time.

Hechicken
Your receipe for your "Egg Potatoes" sound like a receipe I have only using hash browns.
What I do, is make a bunch hash browns. and freeze. Take out what you need for a meal, I use like 2 cups, but, that depends on family size.
Brown the hash browns, when they are done, make some holes in the hash browns, leave some on the bottem, but make some "WELLs" in the potatoes, crack and egg into each of the wells, lower the temp, place a lid on the dish and let the eggs cook. When the eggs are done, you can crumble some bacon, or chopped ham, and sprinkle some cheese over top place the lid back on and melt cheese. My kids just loved this dish. You could add some salsa, or bell peppers, onion really is a very easy to add to and make a fun dish.
I think our store here in town last week had 50 # of potatoes for $8.55. I don't use potatoes like I used too when the kids were home. I wish I would have known then one our friends needed some help I would have bought a sack. I need to see if they still have some.

Hawkeye, are you going to Shawnee in December. I am going to try, it is the 8th and 9th. I may not make both days but will try to make the 8th. Entries are due Nov. 16th.

I had not heard about Shawnee!!! So I guess the answer is.... I'll need to find out the information about it and see if I can swing that too. I'm not sure. I may just skip anything else this year just because I still have not gotten a replacement minivan, and the schools and church are ramping up all of their holiday programs, etc around that time frame. I'm already feeling the stress. I am really looking forward to the Hutchinson show, though!! I don't know how I'm going to get all of my birds there! LOL I sure hope I have a new vehicle by then. I've been driving my DH's Chevy Impala-- not exactly a great vehicle to put lots of cages in. I have two trucks-- a gas one-ton dually with 4 doors. That could get my birds there, but the gas would kill me, it sucks the tanks dry-- no joke, gets about 8-10 mph. Our other one-ton truck is a single axel and is diesel, but it's a two-door and I can't fit anything in the cab besides me and my son. I don't want to put cages in the bed to be whipped around in the cold wind. That would be awful for them. Anyway, a lot can change in another week, so we shall see!! I may have to suck it up and take the gas guzzler. BTW-- what is the name of the Shawnee show? I didn't get a catalog.

Sorry guys, I'm 200 posts behind. Light really hurts my eyes with this crazy flu I've got so it's hard to read anything. I'm getting better but not up to 200 posts, yet. Once I get my eyes back, I'll jump back in. Miss you all!

Hope you will be feeling better soon! Sounds miserable.

I've been out working until it got so dark I couldn't see. I got my red star hens caged earlier today. I took down their dog kennel pen and used a couple panels inside my big chicken pen to make a smaller pen. Then when the other birds went to bed I moved the red stars into that pen. I have several birds that sleep in that house so I had to wait for them to go to roost before I could move the red stars in. I will have to keep all of them penned up for a while until they figure out that is where they are supposed to sleep. I am going to have some very upset chickens the next week or so. I can't let any of them out or it will ruin the move. I sure hope they don't quit laying but they probably will.
Then I decided to work on the old garage pen where the owl had visited late last night. I put some footing boards down and started hanging chicken wire to cover the whole length. It is about 20 feet across there. I got it done other than making a door. So I just hung a stretch of chicken wire where the door would be after the chickens went to bed. I had to leave the bottom open because my pekin ducks go in there at night at some point. I'm not sure how I'm going to remedy that cause they go when they feel like it.
While I was doing all my owl proofing and moving I discovered that I am missing a red cochin hen and her little brahma baby she hatched. They had been sleeping under the hen house rather than inside it. I suppose the owl got both of them.
And I also discovered the body of one of my salmon favorelles in the garage pen I was working on and her head a few feet from it. Apparently I scared the owl off right after she ripped the hen's head off. It just makes me furious. I told DH if I could set up a trap with sacrificial chicken out where I could just sit and wait there would be one dead owl for sure.
I depend on my birds for what money I do have and it really infuriates me that this stupid predatory bird is killing them. There are dead bodies in the burn barrel. Why don't they just take those instead??
I have a person coming in about a week to buy my cochins (colors I am not going to breed any more) and I can see the dollars going down the drain due to this stupid predator.

Yikes! That is so frustrating! I hope you get it solved. Ugh!! Sounds like you were busy with all the bird moving and new pen arrangement. My DH STILL has not drilled the holes I need to set up my new pens.

Katoranger - I live just 7 miles west of Parsons, just south of Dennis. Altamount is also not far. I'm a newbie here myself. Welcome! By the way, we're also hoping to move - over to Wilson County. The fellow that owns this place (he cares for my adult special needs son) has made just today madean offer on a house/land today, but assuming he gets the place, we won't be moving till spring. I have 2 rir's (came with my coop, from Parsons). I had 3 but one got killed by a hawk. Now I also have 3 light brahma (one rooster and two hens). As of tomorrow I'll have 3 more light brahma and 2 buff brahma, all juvenile bantams. So my little flock is growing. It helps to have a rooster now who alerts the hens to when its time to hide under the low-lying pine tree branches. He's on constant alert for hawks and other predators. Come spring, assuming we get the house we are hoping for, there will be expanded chicken home space, and we'll grow the flock, particularly focusing on breeding the light brahma line, which i absolutely love. Sara

Oh wow-- you are really close to some of our farm ground! We have some land down in McCune. Most of our farm ground is in the Girard area, though. Sounds like you have a really good rooster, there!

Miss you too, Karen. I do hope you get better soon!
By the way, I wanted to solute two of our special members!



KarenS and Medawinks

This is national adoption month. These two wonderful ladies have adopted several needy children and are both the most awesome Mom's I know!
Please take a moment to congratulate them and praise them for taking children that otherwise would not have had a fair chance at life.
Love you two!

Definitely awesome to those who adopt! My dad was adopted and it's always been in the back of my mind to do so, but I think my plate is full. I have several friends who have adopted, and it's definitely a blessing.

Danz, no.... I can't tell if any of them are roosters yet. They are so darn friendly. The one I hand fed for almost a week jumps out of the cage- a roosts along my sun porch wall- every time I open the door. She has to be held! Just funny. Maybe he will be really lucky and they will all be hens I hope that darned owl gets what is due.... I have a pic of Duke

We have a blue Ameracauna I love. The blue and lavender are my favorite color too
Josie- so glad Lucy is mending well! Please be careful- for you and her. Getting hurt is not an optimal activity for either of you
Is there a chicken event in Shawnee co in Dec? I think I remember reading something to that effect. What would it be? Should I plan on taking my kids ?
Exhaustion is overtaking me I hope it is a good restful night for all.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Pretty birds!!



Josie-- BTW--- when you check in, we forgot to load up all the stuff that I set out on the bed!! Ack!! The snugglie and the shirts and dresses are still here along with all the diapers. Ah well-- next time! LOL

 

[michelleml]

Miss you too, Karen. I do hope you get better soon!
By the way, I wanted to solute two of our special members!



KarenS and Medawinks

This is national adoption month. These two wonderful ladies have adopted several needy children and are both the most awesome Mom's I know!
Please take a moment to congratulate them and praise them for taking children that otherwise would not have had a fair chance at life.
Love you two!

congrats


I love all the suggestion on how to save. I've been wanting to try to make my own laundry soap but sense i use cloth diapers it needs the CLEAN good. I do make some stuff already like my own wipe solution, hair conditioner, we don't use paper towels i use flower sake towels instead. make my own tub cleaner works great, use vinegar and baking soda for other cleaning. I also make a few of my daughters clothes and we shop at yard sales and thrift stores. I check craigslist daily for great deals also and sell stuff we don't use anymore. Thats how i come up with money to pay for stuff sometimes.

I love the dog biscuit idea i would buy them and i also love Etsy. My roo has been doing something weird the past few days i tried to get a video but it came out too small. But when he is walking around he does this zigzag thing with his head (side to side) not all the time is that normal? I did see him mount two hens so

will get some eggs soon

 

[Hawkeye95]

For those using the exersize pens ~ what kind of store do you buy them at and what price range are they and some buying tips can you offer?

I can use one here and had never heard about them before.

I win mine on eBay! check out the dog exercise pens and start bidding. Set a price you are comfortable with. I got my last one for $31!!! But I've bought them for around $35-40. I NEVER go over $40. And make sure you are getting free shipping-- do NOT bid if there is shipping-- or just make sure you lower your price to not go over your amount with the shipping included in it.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/42-Black-Ex...658?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item35c16ad0da this one is at $36 right now-- I'd put in a bid to $40 and that's it. (free shipping)

http://www.ebay.com/itm/30-Black-Ex...019?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4d06beac3b this one is only at $15.50 with free shipping. I'd put in my max bid for $40 and leave it. If it goes over, just wait.

These pens are up for bid ALL THE TIME. So don't be hasty. Check their height-- and make sure you are getting what you want. I don't need anything over 24-30 inches in height with my silkies. You might need something higher if you are doing something different. So pay attention to the height-- they come in 40" maybe 45" inch heights on the taller ones.

 

[mommahen10]

Thank you all for taking part in the brainstorming. I'm loving it and I find it uplifting and motivating. It's so nice to see good ideas and be reminded of ones I've forgotten too.

HEChicken, last year, I tried hanging out all of our laundry during the middle of summer and when I got my bill and it was about $10 less I was so crushed. I'm sure it just got even more hot out at the time too, but I worked so hard. I think it's because I was doing 4-5 loads per day and all of the opening and closing the door just made the AC work harder. This year I washed a couple of loads early in the morning and took them out at once, did the same thing in the evening. I only went out twice, I still didn't notice a difference. I think it's not me at all around here, I think it's so many people going in and out. I finally gave up and just turned the AC off and said we aren't going to die, we're just going to be hot. We haven't had cable TV in many years, I sometimes feel badly about paying for internet but I can't imagine being without it. WE have Netflix, but only the $7.99 plan. We still have a home phone and cell phones. I keep thinking about ditching the home phone but sometimes I'm glad it's there. We don't have good cell service at home. We were being forced to have a data package on our cell phones even though were weren't using data, after 2 years of this it was making me so angry because it was $10 per phone and we have 5 with the kids too, I went in to give them a piece of my mind and they removed it. I wonder how long they've been willing to remove it? I should have kept checking, there is no telling how many months we paid that. My dd works at Save A Lot and she brings home big bags of taped bananas, we eat them until they're mushy and then freeze them for banana muffins. I sometimes think I should start doing coupons again but I rarely set foot in the grocery store. It's usually I tell my dh to bring home specific things because I don't want to spend the gas either. I know that sounds crazy but it's not unusual for me to not leave our property for 3 weeks. I really like the idea of doing the surveys, I am going to check that out. The 'other things', when our flannel sheets wear out they always get thread bare in the middle but the entire outside is good for rags. I cut them up and have a serging day and serge all of the edges. I have tons of these handy all the time. So when I started using cloth it was just that I had a reaction and these were handy and I didn't care about them. I've considered making them, but then I think about how nicely the single layer of flannel just unflolds and washed so clean I didn't know if I sewed them if they would wash as easily. So, I keep using them that way.

COOP Group, yep, I won't go back either. I wish I had started my girls on them because then they wouldn't think anything of it either.

Does anyone have a great link for the DE so I don't have to take time to research that????

Lizzy, what a beautiful list of links and now I want to just sit here and check out every single one of them. Thanks!!! I knew brown sugar was just sugar and molasses but I've never made it, but it wouldn't get lumpy if I made it in smaller amounts rather than buying the huge bag. I saw molasses at TSC in Ft. Scott, it said food grade and it was a huge jug. I think it was intended for mixing feed. I make laundry soap too, it seems a lot of us on here are doing that. I haven't tried making a stain remover yet. I could use a detangler. I have a dishwasher but I don't hardly use it, I'm definitely going to check out the baking soda uses.

Kansas Prairie, I LOVE the birthday week idea, we are so going to do that. They will eat it up if they get special treatment for an entire week.

Cherwill, I have frozen milk, cheese and butter too. I often do the eggs many of the ways you all are. I love the sausage and onions and peppers although the kids not so much. I want to try the Spanish tortilla. I've tried making tortillas, it kills my arms rolling them, I must be doing something wrong. We love tortillas. That seem so strange some places not allowing clothes hung outside, I have one dd that is allergic to everything and we wash her things separately because they can't be hung out. I didn' tknow that putting them in the dryer first would soften them, I usually hang them out and if I want them softer I put them in afterwards.

I want to try a homemade deodorant but I bought this salt stone and I can't seem to use it up. I can't do baking soda toothpaste, only because I can't get by the taste. I love the idea of freezing precooked beans. I'm a little OCD about washing clothes and toilet flushing.

Danz, that story about your ex-husband was so sad. You did what you had to for your kids, you're a tough lady. I can't believe you had to endure that.

The other day when I made dirty rice I was so tempted to throw eggs in it but I don't know how to do that to make it like the Chinese restraunts do.

Thank you all for this wonderful place to come that almost seems like a little vacation every single day. Danz, you are right, WE have an amazing group. Everyone here is so compassionate and caring for each other and that is so hard to find nowadays, especially online where people can so easily be rude to another and not even see the hurt in others.

Karen, how are you feeling today? It seems like this flu has been a lingering one?

Karen and Medawinks, that is a wonderful thing to adopt children into your family. I believe all children are blessings, I'm so glad that your children have you to love them. My sister adopted a little girl from an orphanage in India, I can't imagine her not being a part of our family.

Sarajoy, that's so funny. I did the same thing when I went by Waverly, I thought of Danz. I announced it to the kids, that's where my chicken friend is, the one who knows Grandad too. They think I'm crazy already.

HEChicken, did you post the recipe with cabbage and ramen? I copied it to try later. I've got a huge recipe list to try right now, it'll be nice to have something different from our norms.

Hawkeye, I had to say "OUCH" outloud when I imaine the impact. I can't imagine really, just... ouch... cringe. I've heard of deep tissue massage, it doesn't sound fun but I can certainly see how it can be useful. I'm glad that you see improvement after just this one treatment. I think you should go ahead and hit this from all angles and see the chiropractor too. I use vinegar to soak my faucet handles in the bathroom. Do you think if I poured it over the faucets it would dissove the hard water buildup? About every year or so I buy CLR to to that, I don't like using it becuase it's so harsh. I've used it on the showerhead before too. I'm going to competely agree with what you are saying about selling online, not really just etsy. It's the way people work. Your picture is adorable. Remember when you were talking about the breeder who was breeding haphazardly and got a good one? Well, I'm not a good photographer but I find if I click that button enough times I may get a few good pics out of many. My dd on the otherhand, every pics she takes is awesome. I definitely think that maidenwolf should check out etsy as a possible avenue for selling her dog treats. If you package them all cute, put a cute little note or tag on them with a ribbon maybe, people will be all over it and the profit margin would be way higher just because they are cute. Hawkeye, that's funny about your dh and the DE, I think I'll pass on that one.

Okie dokie, I need to take my ds so his dr appt for his finger again. I hope this is the last time.

 

[Chickies-duckies-etc]

Thanks, Hawkeye! I have checked them out on ebay some. I didn't know if there is a lot of difference in the quality of different brands, or if they are about the same. I will spend some time shopping and see what comes up. Lookes like perfect temporary housing in some cases.

 

[chicken danz]

congrats


I love all the suggestion on how to save. I've been wanting to try to make my own laundry soap but sense i use cloth diapers it needs the CLEAN good. I do make some stuff already like my own wipe solution, hair conditioner, we don't use paper towels i use flower sake towels instead. make my own tub cleaner works great, use vinegar and baking soda for other cleaning. I also make a few of my daughters clothes and we shop at yard sales and thrift stores. I check craigslist daily for great deals also and sell stuff we don't use anymore. Thats how i come up with money to pay for stuff sometimes.

I love the dog biscuit idea i would buy them and i also love Etsy. My roo has been doing something weird the past few days i tried to get a video but it came out too small. But when he is walking around he does this zigzag thing with his head (side to side) not all the time is that normal? I did see him mount two hens so

will get some eggs soon

Sounds like your rooster might have mites or a cold. That is usually why they do that. I have one that does it all the time and I keep treating him for mites but it hasn't stopped.

Duke the blue d'uccle that Medawinks posted a picture of is a little roo she gave months ago. He and his buddy a Salmon, "Sam" are the "back porch boys". They sleep on the porch rail. They are both spoiled rotten. I plan to use Sam as a breeder but he spends all of his time with Duke and is scared of the other chickens!!!

Well I was struck with terror while ago. I just remembered my brother was coming in last night to visit my family. I haven't had time to touch this house and it is so nasty right now. I also don't have time to visit because I have so many pens to get set up yet for cold weather.
Forgot to mention in my post so I'm adding this. He got a new plant managers job in North Carolina so he is moving "back home" this month. It may be the last time he sees my Dad. Very sad.
Hawkeye these are dog kennels that I plan to move closer to the other pens to hopefully cut down some hose dragging in cold weather. No permanent structures like I want. Of course. I don't even have decent houses for them. Just makeshift things like dog kennels or small stock tanks turned on their side. I have got to get this stuff done.
Anyway today is my delivery day for eggs. Plus I have to get my gate built and try to move some more birds and pens. I swear there just isn't time to do all I have to. I hate fall. It is like this every year. If only I could get the chicken trailer finished and set with pens and build another building like the peafowl building I would be set for good. It just isn't happening cause there are no funds to pay someone or time to do it ourselves.

Well the owl was successful again. He left this bird in the pen so I am guessing the dogs heard him after he struck. I chased this buff laced polish around last night to get him shut in the pen. It was dark out and I was tired. He ran into the duck house and I just really didn't feel like crawling in on my hands and knees to try to catch him. I figured if he stayed there he would be okay. Well the dumb cluck (pun intended) must have gotten out and tried to run for the new area I fenced in yesterday. DH found his headless body in that outer uncovered pen area. There was a silver laced polish that stayed with him I don't remember seeing yesterday so I don't know if the owl may have already gotten it. This darned raptor is cleaning me out! Heaven knows how many other birds I've lost I haven't realized. I have untold numbers of Marans and brahmas I just wouldn't notice if they were gone.
I really am doing all I can but I don't think the problem will end until I find some way to eliminate him.

 

[Chickies-duckies-etc]

Mammahen ~ about the cell phone ~ I heard some where that the phone companies that "forced" people to take data packages now have to pay them back. I don't have a cell,so didn't pay attention, but you might check it out.

 

[sharol]

I always buy basil and it always bolts to seed, but this year I picked up something different, "chocolate basil" I think (I'll check when I get home -- I'm at Reno with my daughter and her family right now). It lasted all summer. I kept picking off the blossom ends, and it just kept growing. We had the best soups and pasta sauce all summer from it. I did water it practically every day during the extreme heat when I watered the tomatoes, though.

I am wanting to add to my herb garden next year-- all I have now is rosemary, lavender and mint. I tried growing basil this year, but it burned up so quickly before it could really get rooted and the same thing with my strawberries. I am going to set my water on a timer next year! My peppers and tomatoes did do pretty well. And thank you for the compliment.