The Evolution of Atlas: A Breeding (and Chat) Thread

[oldhenlikesdogs]

They are starting to look more like teenagers than chicks. A good looking bunch.

 

[speckledhen]

They are getting a lot bigger. That one pullet is quite small, but she and her larger sister are so different than Drea, the Stukel line pullet, it's amazing. If someone didnt know better, they'd think Drea was a cockerel, but then, they'd notice the boys have bright pink, prominent combs/wattles and hers is still yellowish. I'm thrilled to have something out of Druscilla, which would mean that her grandfather on BOTH sides was named Rex, I just realized. Rex #1 being Dru's sire with Dottie and Rex #2 being Atlas's.

 

[getaclue]

They're still a nice looking bunch. Thanks for the pics.

It's official! I've become a cranky old lady. For a couple months, a friend of mine in N.C. has been planning to come down to Florida. Her daughter lives near me, and her oldest grandson lives in northern Florida. Her younger grandson lives with her, so she was bringing him with her. Oldest was turning 21, youngest was turning 16. My friend explained to her daughter that those ages were milestone birthdays, and they should do something special, so the mother planned for them all to go to Orlando for the entire weekend. They reserved a room to stay in, and were going to see Universal Studios, Sea World, Epcot, etc. My friend was coming in on Wed. night, and would spend that night, then would return Monday night, and leave early the next morning.

From the time they got to Orlando, on Friday morning, my friend began texting me about how expensive everything was. Saturday morning, they all showed up at my house. I suspect they realized they didn't have enough funds for everything. During the afternoon, I mentioned lunch. Well, they weren't sure what their plans were. We went swimming. When they were going into the house to use the restroom, they were stopping in the kitchen, making themselves peanut butter, and jelly sandwiches. I had plenty, and didn't really mind, but they could have said something, instead of trying to sneak it. Later in the afternoon, the daughter, and oldest son decided they wanted to go see a couple movies, and took off. My friend, and the youngest son decided they wanted to stay with me, and continue swimming.

Around 5 pm, I asked my friend what she thought I should do about supper. She told me she wasn't sure, she would have to ask her daughter. Her daughter got back around 7:30 pm. I was not about to start cooking for everyone at that time of night, so I told them we have a McDonald's, and a Cracker Barrel nearby. They all looked at me sort of stunned. I mentioned that they had to have planned on buying their meals in Orlando, so they could just buy a meal for themselves, and whichever place they decided on, I would pay for my own meal. We went to Cracker Barrel, then came home. They swam, some, watched a little tv, and about 10:00 pm, the daughter said "good night", and headed for the guest bedroom. I told her she needed to go home, and take at least one of the boys with her, since I did not have beds for them all, and wasn't expecting them all to stay.

They all chimed in that it was 10:00 pm, she didn't drive that late at night, and the women would sleep in the bedroom, while the boys could sleep on my couches. They had it all figured out. Dh worked that night, so it wasn't a big deal, but he came home to a house full of people sprawled all over. The next morning, I got up, and only my friend was awake. I told her I was going to take a quick shower, and would fix turkey sausage (they don't eat pork), eggs, and toast, which I had plenty of, for everyone. While I was in the shower, she woke everyone up, and when I went into the kitchen, they had already raided my pantry, and were helping themselves to all the bagels, and cream cheese. The mother, and kids took off to Busch Gardens, and my friend went to Ft. Myers to visit family. None of them told me when I might expect them to return. Mother, and kids returned at 5:30 pm. She figured her mother would not return until the next day. I told her that her mother had not told me when she would return, but I was not feeling my best, so she needed to take her sons, and go home. She left. Late that night, my friend returned. Of course, Dh, and I had long since eaten our supper. Whoever she visited, had not fed her, so instead of stopping to get herself something, she knew I had turkey, so she made herself a turkey sandwich, and later ate a bowl of cereal.

Yesterday morning, my friend went to her daughter's place, and they were going to visit with family. About 8:30 pm she sent a text saying they were headed to my house. Dh was off, and didn't want people sprawled all over. Fortunately, it was just my friend, and the youngest grandson.

To be honest, had they given me the courtesy of letting me know a little more about when to expect them, or how many would be showing up, I did not mind getting extra groceries, and/or cooking for them, but they did not. To he honest, it began to irk the heck out of me. The deal was, my friend was the only one going to stay with me the one night, going to Orlando, then spend the one night before leaving back to N.C. Normally, I am pretty good about rolling with the punches, but I do expect friends to warn me when they're throwing the punches. I was actually glad to see them go this morning.

 

[speckledhen]

They're still a nice looking bunch. Thanks for the pics.

It's official! I've become a cranky old lady. ...........

To be honest, had they given me the courtesy of letting me know a little more about when to expect them, or how many would be showing up, I did not mind getting extra groceries, and/or cooking for them, but they did not. To he honest, it began to irk the heck out of me. The deal was, my friend was the only one going to stay with me the one night, going to Orlando, then spend the one night before leaving back to N.C. Normally, I am pretty good about rolling with the punches, but I do expect friends to warn me when they're throwing the punches. I was actually glad to see them go this morning.

Oh, dear Lord, Cheryl, you are not a cranky old lady! You have not been feeling well! How could anyone be that way with you? They were the height of RUDE to the MAX! My husband doesn't even like family visiting for a long afternoon and we have a small barely-two-bedroom house on purpose, so someone using us that way can't really happen. My best friend stays on a daybed in the sort-kinda-finished-but-not-finished basement, which is not heated, though it has a bathroom with overhead heat bulbs and we can put an oil fired portable heater down there. She would never complain, would even sleep in her Jeep, if need be. But the other kind of person, um, I would not have it. I'd be losing a friend over that behavior. Rudeness and self-entitlement are two of my biggest pet peeves. I'm sorry you had a stressful time of it. If folks would show a few manners, it would go a long way. But, using you as a hotel with maid service, not cool at all!

 

[getaclue]

I was talking with my cousin this morning, and Cyn, she said almost the same thing you did. She has known me for years, and knows me well. Like she said, I'm no stranger to entertaining, and cooking for 15+ people. She says I make it look easy, but she knows that I plan ahead, and need to at least know approximate times to get it all ready on time, and so it all goes smoothly. Had they simply talked with me, I would have gotten more Solo cups, Solo plates, and plastic utensils. I would have made things like a big pot of spaghetti, with a salad, chicken and yellow rice, chili, stew, etc. All done buffet style. That way I can put it out there, and everyone can help themselves. Clean up is easy that way too.

My cousin's major peeve about all of it was that they know I just had an infusion on Monday the 5th, two days before my friend arrived, and I am at my weakest, sickest, and in the most pain right after the infusion. She said I need to totally rethink the friendship. She called Dd #1, and told her. Dd #1 agrees I need to rethink that friendship. I have to agree.

On a good note, they delivered my new front load washer today. I really do like it.

 

[speckledhen]

That is the worst of it, that you are not well and they were imposing big-time, even if you had been at 100%. Your cousin and DD#1 are right.

Congrats on your new washer! I'm about to sell mine and get another one. It has gotten so darn loud in the spin cycles and it's right in our kitchen, which is open to the greatroom

 

[getaclue]

Yesterday morning, I dusted all my chickens. Later that afternoon it poured rain! Dusting my chickens works better than washing the truck, ensuring it will rain.

 

[1muttsfan]

Certainly she must have known you are not feeling well. Thoughtless. If they try to ask themselves back, just tell them the beds are all full, and if she wishes to see you then you will meet her for lunch somewhere. I'm with you, love to cook for a big group but need to have advance warning.

 

[getaclue]

Yes, the whole batch of them knew. Yes, they took advantage, but I managed to handle it with some grace, and tact.

Don't worry, I'm already distancing myself from my friend, and will continue to do so. Hotel Cheryl is CLOSED!

 

[speckledhen]

Yes, the whole batch of them knew. Yes, they took advantage, but I managed to handle it with some grace, and tact.

Don't worry, I'm already distancing myself from my friend, and will continue to do so. Hotel Cheryl is CLOSED!