Michigan

[Olive Hill]

Thanks muttsfan I missed those. It's not what I was imagining. My daughter had what I think was a "calico" silkie hen. She was really neat, blue with brown and white splash-like spots. I'll have to see if I have a picture of her anywhere.

VJ, sorry about your loss.

Taprock, I'm no expert, but I wouldn't expect 3 weeks to be efficient given the lifecycle of mites. I don't imagine it stays active on the skin that long, so you would need to re-dose in order to get the next generations. I wouldn't expect it to hurt the chickens any to do so, either. Personally, if it were my flock I'd treat every 5-7 days for a month and spray the coop each time. I really can't imagine the problem persisting thereafter. You could always contact the MSU vet and ask WHY they recommend 3 weeks. The ERP with longer life cycle parasites is sooner than that with ivermectin so I really don't understand the reasoning for that time span, but perhaps I'm missing something.

Juise, I highly doubt I'm getting more done. It just feels like it because the whole place gets cleaned at once. LOL! That and I have a system. I'm tellin' ya the system makes it all 100x easier.

 

[Olive Hill]

I'd ask if you were just being nice but... you're Olive )

True dat.

Then I am on my way to Mycoplasma gallisepticum free flock! I am so happy!

 

[BackyardFarmMom]

I try to keep three areas of the house at least picked up: the kitchen (especially the sink), the main part of the living room, and the dining room floor because my kids toss food. Otherwise I clean deeply when my husband is home to help - many hands make lighter work. Together we are working down the Spring cleaning list this week.
My friends and I have a different philosophy than our parents because we don't believe the house has to be spotless constantly and a few dirty dishes in the sink won't be the end of the world. So long as it isn't a scene from Hoarders we don't get too uptight about it.

Ummm yeah that would be bad.

My DH suffers this syndrome. It only really annoys me when the car in almost out of gas. How do you drive and not realize you are very close to walking? But in his defense, he was the youngest in his family and only one still at home for 5 years so his mom spoiled him terribly by doing everything for him. Apparently, not an easy thing to unlearn, but I've made a little progress with him. He steps in and helps when he sees I'm getting truly frazzled.
btw, I think my DH would be lost trying to start my washer. Too many flashy buttons and thing-ama-jigs. But it's all good, I do laundry at night after he goes to work. Gives me time to catch up on here while still being productive.

Same here. I take on too much responsiblity and then he has none. I have to pace it or even hand out chores it is like having another kid sometimes.

I agree, I mostly just try to make sure the house isn't gross. Messy = okay, nasty = no. Of course, I am sure some people would find the messy nasty, but oh well. I get to the rest of the things as I can, but I have laundry on my couch more often than not. I am of the opinion that my children will probably remember all the cool things we did together rather than the fact that there was often laundry unfolded and all the toys didn't get picked up every day.

I agree that we need to remember to appreciate each other, and that we never know how long we have together, and that that time should be treasured. But if he feels that the house needs to be spotless to show how much you love him, while you are caring for 3 tiny people, he needs a reality check. Like a day with the kids, ROFL. Every time my DH had a whole day home with us, he remembers how much I have to do all day every day, and how much stress I endure. Don't get me wrong, I love the small mammals, but they sure know how to send my frustration level through the roof! He will often tell me, especially on a day that he gets home and the kids are being insane, "Every day that I come home and I am still a father, I am amazed with you."

We used to run a home daycare together, though, so he really, actually, well and truly understands just how much work taking care of children is, and he **** well knows that what I do all day is way more work and way more stress than what he does all day. And he also agrees that being involved with our kids is more important than shining the sink every day.

Haha, this reminded me, one of my friends has a plaque in her livingroom that reads, "My house was spotless yesterday, sorry you missed it."

I babysat for people that were nasty... and I mean NASTY!!! I had to shower after leaving their house. I bathed the kids every chance I got! The dogs would pee on the floor and couch, they had tiles missing on the floor that were just filled with dog hair and God-knows-what (maybe he didn't even know

) I will never let my house get anywhere near close to that!! You had a daycare! You are a better person than I am. I don't enjoy other peoples kids... The ones I watch now are so good, it is hard to say no to watching them. The boys play well together and I love babies so their 5 month old girl is no problem at all.
That would just be a big lie for me... Sometimes it is worse about sums it up for me

BF likes to complain that the house is always a mess, and for only having 2 people and no kids it can get a bit messy, but I can always get it clean in a short time. I've taken up trying to clean the garage recently, and there's actually room to walk without stepping over anything now, but cold and rainy weather has put a stop to that. It gets far too dusty to clean in there without the door open. Eventually I want to drag everything out and reorganize it so that maybe, just maybe, we could fit a car in there. That will have to be on a weekend so BF can help out.

When the weather gets consistently nice, I want to move a bunch of the furniture and wash the carpets. That's part of the spring cleaning routine, and along side spring cleaning I want to make a list of items we could put out in a garage sale. There's a bunch of stuff we don't use around here, just taking up space and it's getting to be that time of year. Anything that goes unsold will find it's way to Goodwill, Salvation Army or some other resale shop.


On the lines of lost teeth, what do you do with them? I've been curious about it for the past couple days after recalling that I had kept all of my lost teeth in a jewelery box drawer.
My parents never did the 'tooth fairy' thing with us, we just showed the tooth and got a bit of change, then got to do whatever we wanted with the tooth. My siblings usually tossed theirs in the garbage but I, for some creepy reason, decided to keep mine tucked away. What do parents who take the teeth do with them? Throw them out, tuck them in a box, let the kids choose?

All my garage sale stuff is in the garage... it doesn't take up as much room as the 'man toys' in there though

Still can't get the truck in there if I get it out!
I probably would have kept my teeth... I believed in the tooth fairy until I was 8 and my grandma told me she was my mom

I didn't lose my last tooth until I was 12... My mom told me they would stink if i kept them... Were they? I have a tooth keepsake hinged box to put my sons in but I may only keep the first if they get stinky...

I did not like loosing my teeth, I still have nightmares.

Er... this is streamlined?? I do once a week - well once a week for bathroom, floors, etc (I may spot vac mid week but not much). Dusting takes place when I get around to it or when my eyes start to get itchy. Listening to you guys I fear that I'm some horrible slob. Not that I'm going to change anything, mind, but still.

I really, really need it to stop raining. I worked my tail off to try to build the coop last weekend and didn't quuuuiiiiite get it done. I figured, no worries I'll get it done Monday or Tuesday. IT KEEPS RAINING ON ME!

I'm so close to being done and being able to move the chicks in.

I am a Sunday cleaner... Dishes through out the week and some laundry. Twice a week sounds fancy

I HATE folding and hanging and sorting clothes!!! HATE it!!!!

Well, if I remember correctly from our chat you also don't have two kids, four dogs, a house bunny and a beta fish named Rosie to clean up after.

Makes a BIG difference.
The floors here have dirt and fur on them literally minutes after I sweep. I choose to ignore it other than twice a week. Builds character.

And to be perfectly fair, when I say "clean" I by no means mean "Martha Stewart Clean", I mean I make sure everything is put away where it belongs, vacuum, sweep, mop, clean toilets, wipe down counters/backsplashes and tubs, and run a dust rag over the main surfaces -- as a matter of fact, in that order. About once every other week I polish the appliances (fingerprint prone stainless) and about once a month -- or when I can no longer see through them -- I wash windows. Good enough.

Lets not fight over who cleans more (or less in my case)

I have had 3 hours of sleep and the day from hell but I agree with chicken grandma...enjoy the time you have with your significant other. My dad's wife died this morning after a hard fought battle with cancer. Cancer that had ravished her entire body. She had been my step-mother for almost 30 years...nearly my entire life. It still wasn't enough time. So while I wish I could sit and post...I'm going to go drink a glass of wine and try to decompress. A belt on our van took a poopy today too, on the way to my son's soccer game, so it really has just been a hellacious day. Thank goodness for family, and dirty socks, and wet laundry, hairy floors and kids who destroy our houses as fast as we can clean them.

Sorry for your loss and much agreed!

I try to clean every day, and yet it still seems that Olive gets more cleaning done.

Agreed!

Negative! They got negative! WOOT! WOOT!

Thank you all so much for your prayers and support! Thank you God!

YAY!!!! I am so happy for you!!!

Hey all,

I probably won't be on much between now and next week. My son just arrived on leave from the Marine Corps in California, and my daughter flies in tomorrow morning down in GR. They are coming in for dad's internment. Appreciate what you have, enjoy it while it lasts. My kids will only be visiting for a few days. We will be sharing many memories of dad, and laying his ashes to rest. Friends, family, support and strength.

I think I'm going to need one of those (in)famous updates when I get back on!

Sorry for your loss. It seems so many of our friends here have lost someone recently

About half way between Manistee and Cadillac, South of TC. Breeds are labels, IMO. They don't matter so much unless you are showing or selling. Give me a good personality and something that doesn't hurt the eyes, AND lays a good egg. Good enough for me.

Might consider ordering some, but won't give up on trying to incubate. Don't want to order a major number though. Who sells a small number without charging an arm and a leg?

I just ordered some from LoveMyChicklets... one was cracked but she send extras... hers are mixed though and there might be a few uggos in there! We will have to wait to see how many hatch they got set this morning!!! Paid almost $20 to have her ship them. $10 for the eggs... the rest for shipping.

 

[EeyoreD]

Twice a week sounds fancy

Hahahaha exactly! You fancy, uptown people with your twice a week cleanings!

(I clean twice a week when my Mom comes to visit...

Edit: It's still not clean enough. I tell myself it's to give her something to do while she's here.)

 

[DaughterOfEve]

Just thought I would pop in and share. My DD 6th grade class hatched out 5 of 6 of our EE eggs. They all came here his morning. I love those chubby cheeks. The kids even got to see one break free from the shell. The others came in the middle of the night.

 

[Ferrret]

BFM - None of my saved teeth stank, they shouldn't as long as they are free from any tissue. If you clean the teeth before storing them it should be fine. I did have a few crack in half with age, having small cavities didn't help them stay in one piece either.
I've met a few people who kept their wisdom teeth after having them removed. When I get around to having my wisdom teeth taken out, I may ask about saving them. Creepy, but I have saved all my lost teeth so far, why stop now? Perhaps I'll make a bracelet as Opa suggested.

 

[Elliemae 77]

Brethren.... Dick Horstman has some nice birds. And his prices are pretty reasonable per dozen. He is very nice and excellent to deal with IMO. I think he has the polish...are they the ones with the crest that looks like something off the muppets? Check out the buy sell trade page on BYC. Some of the breeders will sell half dozen if you contact and ask....its the shipping charges that get ya.

 

[Opa]

Anyone ready for coffee? The sun will break over the horizon in less than an hour so it's time to get this day started. It's a little on the chilly side right now. Chill factors bring the temperature to near freezing, but the sun should start warming things up quite nicely. I may even decide that it is a day a good day to go fishing.

The garden is ready for planting so now all I need do is decide what I intend to plant. Obviously it's still much to early to think about any young plants with out current bout of below normal temperatures. Radish and lettuce can all go in since their seeds are planted so shallow. Until the soil becomes a little warmer I will hold off on planting anything else. Cold soil temperature won't allow germination to start and if no a lot of rain is added the seeds rot before they can sprout.

Here's an interesting chart that shows how soil temperature affects germination

Numbers in ( ) are the days to seedling emergence. Number in red = optimal daytime soil temperature for maximum production in the shortest time.

Crops 32ºF 41ºF 50ºF 59ºF 68ºF 77ºF 86ºF 95ºF 104ºF
Asparagus 0 0 61(53) 80(24) 88(15) 95(10) 79(12) 37(19) 0
Beans, lima 0 0 1 52(31) 82(18) 90(7) 88(7) 2 0
Beans, snap 0 0 1 97(16) 90(11) 97(8) 47(6) 39(6) 0
Beets 0 53(42) 72(17) 88(10) 90(6) 97(5) 89(5) 35(5) 0
Cabbage 0 27 78(15) 93(9) 0(6) 99(5) 0(4) 0 0
Carrots 0 48(51) 93(17) 95(10) 96(7) 96(6) 95(6) 74(9) 0
Cauliflower 0 0 58(20) 60(10) 0(6) 63(5) 45(5) 0 0
Celery 0 72(41) 70(16) 40(12) 97(7) 65 0 0 0
Cucumber 0 0 0 95(13) 99(6) 99(4) 99(3) 99(3) 49
Eggplant 0 0 0 0 21(13) 53(8) 60(5) 0 0
Lettuce 98(49) 98(15) 98(7) 99(4) 99(3) 99(2) 12(3) 0 0
Muskmelon 0 0 0 0 38(8) 94(4) 90(3) 0 0
Okra 0 0 0 74(27) 89(17) 92(13) 88(7) 85(6) 35(7)
Onions 90(136) 98(31) 98(13) 98(7) 99(5) 97(4) 91(4) 73(13) 2
Parsley 0 0 63(29) 0(17) 69(14) 64(13) 50(12) 0 0
Parsnips 82(172) 87(57) 79(27) 85(19) 89(14) 77(15) 51(32) 1 0
Peas 0 89(36) 94(14) 93(9) 93(8) 94(6) 86(6) 0 0
Peppers 0 0 1 70(25) 96(13) 98(8) 95(8) 70(9) 0
Radish 0 42(29) 76(11) 97(6) 95(4) 97(4) 95(3) 0 0
Spinach 83(63) 96(23) 91(12) 82(7) 52(6) 28(5) 32(6) 0 0
Sweet Corn 0 0 47(22) 97(12) 97(7) 98(4) 91(4) 88(3) 10
Tomatoes 0 0 82(43) 98(14) 98(8) 97(6) 83(6) 46(9) 0
Turnips 1 14 79(5) 98(3) 99(2) 100(1) 99(1) 99(1) 88(3)
Watermelon 0 0 0 17 94(12) 90(5) 92(4) 96(3) 0​

 

[Olive Hill]

Hahahaha exactly! You fancy, uptown people with your twice a week cleanings!

(I clean twice a week when my Mom comes to visit...

Edit: It's still not clean enough. I tell myself it's to give her something to do while she's here.)

 

[Hillbilly Hen]

I'm so close to being done and being able to move the chicks in.



It was beautiful all day today... until I actually got done working. Then it rained.

Looks great! You are going to love the hoop house.

I have had 3 hours of sleep and the day from hell but I agree with chicken grandma...enjoy the time you have with your significant other. My dad's wife died this morning after a hard fought battle with cancer. Cancer that had ravished her entire body. She had been my step-mother for almost 30 years...nearly my entire life. It still wasn't enough time. So while I wish I could sit and post...I'm going to go drink a glass of wine and try to decompress. A belt on our van took a poopy today too, on the way to my son's soccer game, so it really has just been a hellacious day. Thank goodness for family, and dirty socks, and wet laundry, hairy floors and kids who destroy our houses as fast as we can clean them.

So sorry for your loss.

Hey all,

I probably won't be on much between now and next week. My son just arrived on leave from the Marine Corps in California, and my daughter flies in tomorrow morning down in GR. They are coming in for dad's internment. Appreciate what you have, enjoy it while it lasts. My kids will only be visiting for a few days. We will be sharing many memories of dad, and laying his ashes to rest. Friends, family, support and strength.

I think I'm going to need one of those (in)famous updates when I get back on!

So sorry for your loss.

If you want some more eggs from me, you know where I am. I don't mind sharing.


Daron, that is wonderful news!

Opa, the planting guide is great. I still need to get the ground ready for my little garden. Maybe tomorrow.