Sdwd

[Serrin]

We used to Kathy, but those days went the way of the Dodo when Annie got old enough to prefer having a social life with her contemporaries rather than hang around the kitchen table with the old folks.

But, I'm sure that someday, she'll come back around and want to challenge the old lady to a round of Battleship. She still hasn't forgotten that she has never beaten me at that game!

When we have family get togethers we still enjoy things like Uno, Chicken Foot [aka Mexican Train, Crows Foot....] It's a game played with domino's. Perhaps you know of it? Lots of fun! And ya gotta love the name!

Well, Mother Nature went berserk last night. I've got to get busy and help the DH clear about 8 inches of new snow.

And we desperately need to get to town now! Oh how I wish we hadn't put that off yesterday. But we were both completely pooped after clearing the driveway and coops from the last 4 to 6 inches we had gotten the night before. Oh dear! Oh dear! Oh dear! I fear the roads will be a horrible mess. Due to budget cut backs with the county road maintenance, they're not plowing the roads nearly as often this year. Anybody got a horse I could borrow? How about a snowmobile? An ATV even???

If I don't return to post in another day or two, figure we must be stranded in a snowbank somewhere between Tyler and Cheney, Washington!

Wish me luck! I think we're gonna need it!

 

[PepsNick]

Quote:
I do love board games! Growing up I wasn't ever allowed to play video games, nor did I have any interest in them. Apple to apples is my FAVORITE one! We go to a friend's lake house every year and the whole group plays it. I still play board games all the time, and when I'm bored I play scrabble against myself--- dork here

My mom is still convinced she's gonna get rich off the "bored game" LOL that was probably invented looooooooooooooooooong ago.

 

[joletabey]

Sorry I have not been here, our computer had serious troubles and DH had to put on his Hero Hat and fix it. I am no good with anything like this. If you can't just plug it in and turn it on, I am at a loss.

Amy, that is almost scary that you have that much snow! You need a matched team and a sleigh.

Cetawin, it will happen. It must happen.

Cyn, sing Christmas carols and decorate? That usually perks me up this time of year.

 

[speckledhen]

Nope, that would depress me. We don't do any of that. I'd rather skip to January 2 right now.

Good thoughts for Joletabey's trip to KY!

 

[PepsNick]

Quote:
Oh, no Christmas spirit for Cyntia? Oh well, (grench)

 

[Serrin]

Quote:
And what, pray tell, is the significance of of January 2?? I've been seeing that in your signature and have been wondering about it. So, now that you've mentioned that date again, care to explain it? Did I miss something important while I was gone? Huh? Huh? Huh? Inquiring minds just gotta know!! NOW!!!!

Well, guess who didn't make it to town again today?

Yup, us! The entire day, shot to smithereens, just trying to get everything dug out of the most recent dumping of snow that we got last night and was still going strong this morning. Silly me thought we would only have a few hours of shoveling ahead of us. But by the time we got to the bottom of the drive way, it was deep enough that we had to go all the way back to the top and start all over again! **insert long suffering sigh here**

I really, truly, honestly do love snow! But it would be so nice to have a two or three day break in all of this, just so that we could get to town, stock up on much needed provisions, and then scoot on home to enjoy it all. I have enough scratch for the chickens to last maybe two more days and then I'm in a little bit of trouble. Four days after that, I'm in a whole BUNCH of trouble if I still haven't been able to get to the feed store and the human feed store as well! Although I do still have about 6 dozen eggs in the fridge up in the little cabin right now. That should last three or four days if push came to shove and I needed emergency food for my babies.

This is the first time we've ever gotten caught with our pants down so to speak. We're usually right on top of all of this winter stuff, but the fact that the snow just hasn't let up all week and the temperatures went waaaaay lower than anyone was really expecting, the whole situation has conspired to make a near emergency for us!

Thank heavens our Snow Angel showed up today and ploughed Pine Springs Road all the way out to the main highway running into Cheney. Without Tom (aka The Snow Angel) from across the street and his faithful steed (aka The Road Grader!

) we'd still be stuck at the end of our driveway. At last reckoning, there's every bit of a foot and a half of snow out there, probably more, and more on the way. Yes Beth, it gets very scary when I think about how early in the season this is all happening. We shouldn't see it this bad until mid December!

According to the National Weather Service, it looks like tomorrow afternoon is when it's going to start to let up for about 36 hours or so. Perfect. If all goes well, we'll be able to get the shopping done tomorrow that we MUST do, and then be good to go out to Fairchild AFB for my doctors appointment on Monday.

Keep your fingers and toes crossed for Monday being a completely clear day my friends. I can't get my prescriptions refilled until after I've seen the doc, and I'll run out of those on Tuesday!

I gotta stop thinking about all of this! I'm liable to go nuts if I do.........too late...already there!

 

[speckledhen]

And what, pray tell, is the significance of of January 2?? I've been seeing that in your signature and have been wondering about it. So, now that you've mentioned that date again, care to explain it? Did I miss something important while I was gone? Huh? Huh? Huh? Inquiring minds just gotta know!! NOW!!!!

It's officially the first day after all the holidays are over.

I don't miss the snow we had when we lived in Utah and Colorado and Ohio, that's for sure. We get a little here at 2000 ft, but not too much. Below is about as bad as it ever gets, usually no more than about 4" at one time. Ice is more what we have to worry about here, coating power lines, etc.

 

[NellaBean]

Kathy, here is what I did today. More of a 'dry run' than anything....Still need to find or MAKE a flat 8x8 area out back somewhere to put this. it will be two runs that are 4x8, covered in a hoop top covered in a tarp. Will be putting plastic chicken wire along inside of steel wire to have smaller holes. Planning on using it for broody pens. These panels were made mid-summer and just sitting around. I made a "base" of pressure treated 2x4's that it will sit on and will hinge the two front "short" pieces to be gates into each side. Planning on building small hutches to put in each.

ignore the panel laying on top, it is extra

Here is the hoop top put together and just waiting to be screwed into the frame.

I have the base screwed together but the panels just ziptied together. Will probably dismantle it tomorrow and then take the base out back and drag it around to try to find a flat-ish spot. I don't even mind a hill or incline, but it has to be flat enough that there are no huge gaps underneath it.

There ya go. Broody bungalows, part 1.

eta: yes, I will have to add some height to the middle divider to account for the hoop top...will do that once it is permanently put together. That will be the final step

 

[kathyinmo]

That looks great, Nella! It will be perfect for your broody mamas and babies! I can hardly wait to see it finished and occupied. I sure could have used that today.... It was 55 here, and I let the baby Delawares outside. They had quite a time. They split into 2 groups of 5 and went in different directions .... running and flapping their wings. It was cute.

How are all your broodies and babies doing?

 

[Serrin]

Kathy, help! You told me once when these beautiful little girls hatched [Lisette & Cosette] but now I can't remember.

Curse my failing memory. And I know you told me when little Mother Maggie hatched too, but I'll be gobsmacked if I can remember that either!

Maggie seems to be growing more distant from her girls with each passing day. She still pretty much hangs out with them, and of course still roosts with them at night, but she doesn't keep them under thumb like she did when they first got here.

It's kind of sad to watch as the sisters don't know what to make of this. And the older ladies of the coop are definitely making their standing in the hierarchy plain and unmistakable! They're at the BOTTOM!

Poor little girls. And I can't be there every moment of every day to swat the behinds of the girls who are the worst offenders when it comes to giving the babies a hard time. They don't mess with Cosette and Lisette if Maggie is close by, but if she goes outside to scratch around for awhile, I just know those two poor little girls are gonna have a hard time of it if they don't follow close on mother's heels!

On the plus side of all of this though, is the fact that the twins are drawing closer to me all the time. I guess in the absence of affection and attention from Mama Maggie, I'm the next best thing. And believe me, those two are just sooooo sweet!

Lisette likes to climb up on my hand and have me tuck her under my chin. She's definitely the more affectionate of the two. Cosette is a very independent little cuss!

It's on her terms or not at all! That's fine. I can live with that. She'll come around sooner or later.

And speaking of sooner or later.....How much longer do you suppose it will be Kathy, before Maggie starts laying again. I think she's pretty much done with her molt now. She has gone into a number of different nest boxes as though she's trying them on for size, but nothing ever comes of it. I'm just wondering if she's on a permanent vacation here or if she ever intends to go back to work!

She's already in to me to the tune of about 3 dozen eggs for bed and biscuits as I reckon it! I don't expect everyone in my flock to lay every day, but every two or three days would be nice!

No matter, I love her anyways!

Cynthia, I hear ya there sweetheart!

The so called holidays have become less and less appealing to me as well over the years. I would, if I could, tune the entire thing out each year! It has become so commercialized as to become largely meaningless! If we could concentrate only on "the reason for the season" as they say, and not on the price or size of gifts, this country, and this season, would be a heck of a lot more enjoyable. As for me, I don't even go shopping for anything for anyone any more! I gather natural materials throughout the spring, summer and autumn, and then hand craft my gifts. Consequently, my recipient list is rather short. If I had more time though...............ooooh the things I'd make for lots of people! Someday...someday...someday......There will be time enough!