The Front Porch Swing

[jmoeller]

I read this and had to blink twice and check to make sure it wasn't me that posted it! I have the SAME thing happening here! My chicks hatched the 20th and are also still in the house. I wanted a simple grow out/broody coop. Something pieced together with scrap and pallet wood. I ended up with this:

It is solid and way more fancy than I had in mind! I can stand up in it! Just some batten to finish, painting the floor, and putting the ridge cap on. Friday should be moving day!!

Congrats on the successful hatch! I hope you get to move yours out soon!!

HAHAHA love it. Maybe our handymen are related to each other. I collected lumber and insulation and odds and ends from an old trailer my cousin was ripping down. For FREE! and bought 4 windows from a resale shop for a total of $18. Was not planning on an elaborate expensive coop. Then my hubby started building and things started getting out of control. Good man always trying to do his best for me.

 

[heartsizedfarm]

That's a stunning dress. Really a standout! It will look fabulous even with that second head you are growing. (Although if thats your doctors diagnosis i might hustle up on the treatment recommended)

Where are you cruising to, Blooie?

 

[OHhappychicks]

Well, I've been blindsided. <sigh> Not quite ready to talk too much about all of it yet. Had a doctor's appointment in Billings today with my cardio/vascular surgeon and my legs are blocked - again. It's more an inherited issue than anything else. I've had stents put in them 4 times since 2009. Linda and I both inherited very narrow arteries and veins from Ma along with a good old fashioned case of Familial Hypercholesterolemia, a fancy term for high cholesterol caused more by genetics than lifestyle. Linda's resulted in a ruptured aortic aneurysm Christmas day, 2012, and the kidney destruction, dialysis, and her recent bypass was the result. Me, it's the legs. And every time they block, they block just a little higher in the aorta and illiac arteries, right above the last set of stents. The last time I was stented was in November of 2013 - 6 months ago - and he used closed stents on both sides this time. He told me then that this was probably the last time I could be safely stented. I'm already on life time Plavix, which is usually used for a year after stenting, aspirin, and looking at doing some Lovonox self-injections again. If my blood gets any thinner we'll have to change the old expression from "blood is thicker than water" to "water is thicker than Ma's blood!"

So now I'm left with some options, none of which appeal to me. That's the part I'm not quite willing to talk about yet. Got a lot of thinking to do. He gave me the options, then sat there like he was waiting for an instant decision. Well, not happening. I told him I needed more time - wanted to talk to my family and then decide what to do. He reminded me not to wait too long. For the first time since I met him, I was actually mad at him today. Isn't that stupid? I like him, I trust him completely, but today his pushing irritated me. I fired the first cardio/vascular surgeon I had. I called him "Dr. Pretty Boy" and that pretty much describes his arrogance. I told him to his face after my first stents that if he'd spent more time studying people and less time admiring his profile I'd be a happier patient. This doctor isn't like that at all and it certainly isn't his fault that this happens. Fortunately there was no aneurysm noted again today. He always checks, especially since Linda had one. I must add, in his defense, that he was as disappointed as I was with the results of the doppler and other tests. He put a gentle arm over my shoulder and said, "We talked about this possibility the last time, Diane. I was just hoping it wouldn't have come up this soon."

Severe PAD is not much fun when I want so badly to keep up with Katie, Kendra and Evan. I know it's probably getting bad again when I have to get in the car and drive across the street to Jenny's because I can't walk that far. We live in old 10x60 mobile home and just walking from the back where the bedroom is to the front kitchen I have to stop and rest my legs a couple of times. I'm such an active person and this is so hard. I've gone from 179 pounds to 163 since my last stenting (and now that I've told you that I'm afraid I'll have to shoot you!) and the doctor was very pleased about that. But I guess it is what it is. Ma passed away at 58 from her heart and vascular problems, so I've done better than she did - I'll be 64 this December.

So that's my day. Now, I've shared it. I have to think about it and I won't mention it again. The decision rests with me, Ken, my kids, and God. Don't have time for pity parties and while it's no secret that I don't mind attention, this is not the way I prefer to get it. So......

Now, "Blooied"?? Oh, gotta love it! I most humbly (well, as humble as I ever manage to get) and gratefully accept the honor of having something so auspicious named for me. Um, do I still get to play? I mean, can I Blooie myself? Wait....I really need to think of a way to rephrase that!

Praying for you and your family, for wisdom, comfort and healing!! Oh and BTW, you look stunning in your beautiful dress! You will be the show-stopper when you walk in to the room in that!!! All eyes will be on you!!

 

[Blooie]

That's a stunning dress. Really a standout! It will look fabulous even with that second head you are growing. (Although if thats your doctors diagnosis i might hustle up on the treatment recommended)

Where are you cruising to, Blooie?

WOW! If I'd known my ego was going to get such a boost from all of you I'd have put on a dress months ago! Thank you all. I'm not really one for wearing dresses, but I do have to admit that in that one and in my black and white one I feel almost pretty! But, then I look around the old trailer, sigh, put on my farmer pants and t-shirt, and fortunately the urge to look like a girl passes pretty quickly! I usually feel like a mule in a buggy harness in a dress. My daughter Tam and I are heading to Alaska on the 15 of June. Can't wait!

I'll have to call the doctor and see if he'll change my diagnosis to bi-headedness. Prolly be easier to fix - just get a headectomy and I'm good to go! Which reminds me, JM! Congrats on the hatch! And if I find out my doctor can do headectomies I'll ask him to look at your chicken. I laughed so hard when I was looking at your pictures because the second pic it looks like you have a two headed chicken. Now, when I got home and looked at it on my computer it didn't, but on my little phone screen it looked so funny - one set of legs, one tail, one back, and two heads. Sorry, but it was cute.

We need pictures of completed coops, too, from both you and Misty. We'll wait patiently!

 

[lazy gardener]

Blooie, You are truly an inspiration. Now, I have a strange request for you. can you send me a PM? For some reason, I can respond to PM, but can't generate them. With, or without the dress, you are beautiful, and I imagine that any room you enter just sparkles! You go on that cruise, and you be sure to have fun, and do just what you want to do while you are there. Everybody needs a Cinderella moment! I know what you mean about putting on a dress, and feeling totally out of your element! I'm the same way, and due in part to foot issues, and in second part to the irrational belief that being comfortable takes precedence over style, even if I was able to wear a beautiful dress, I'd be wearing my sneakers with it! Not to mention, if I try wearing a silky scarf around my neck, I might as well be tying a piece of rope, or baling twine around my neck, cause either option would look just as stylish on me! I'll be praying for you as you deal with treatment options for PAD.

Lindz: I'll be praying for you and your family, specifically for your sister and her pregnancy. I can attest that our God is incredible, and dealing with illness during pregnancy is totally on his can do list. When I was pregnant with #1, I had the measles JUST before conceiving. (His timing is awesome) Then, during the last trimester, I got the resp. flu/bronchitis and was a very sick puppy for the last few weeks. I was coughing so bad that my ribs hurt, my eyes were blood shot, and I had a head ache that just wouldn't quit. This went on for weeks. Then I went into labor. Our wonderful, awesome, careing God took all of those flu symptoms, and put them on the back burner while I paced the floors, (no lounging for this baby as he was sunny side up) got him turned into the correct position, spent a lot of time with my head hanging out the window cause we had the wood stove cranking so it would be nice and warm when the baby was born. Yep, home delivery here! Wouldn't you know, that within hours of delivery, that cough came back?! But, God gave me what I needed, when I needed it to accomplish the job he had for me to do.

 

[dpenning]

WOW! If I'd known my ego was going to get such a boost from all of you I'd have put on a dress months ago! Thank you all. I'm not really one for wearing dresses, but I do have to admit that in that one and in my black and white one I feel almost pretty! But, then I look around the old trailer, sigh, put on my farmer pants and t-shirt, and fortunately the urge to look like a girl passes pretty quickly! I usually feel like a mule in a buggy harness in a dress. My daughter Tam and I are heading to Alaska on the 15 of June. Can't wait!

I'll have to call the doctor and see if he'll change my diagnosis to bi-headedness. Prolly be easier to fix - just get a headectomy and I'm good to go! Which reminds me, JM! Congrats on the hatch! And if I find out my doctor can do headectomies I'll ask him to look at your chicken. I laughed so hard when I was looking at your pictures because the second pic it looks like you have a two headed chicken. Now, when I got home and looked at it on my computer it didn't, but on my little phone screen it looked so funny - one set of legs, one tail, one back, and two heads. Sorry, but it was cute.

We need pictures of completed coops, too, from both you and Misty. We'll wait patiently!

Best of luck with that diagnosis Blooie. You are gorgeous in that gown! Have a wonderful time on that cruise. We have done that and it was one of my favorite vacations, one I may do again some day. I'm a huge fan of farmer pants, t-shirts and trailers!

 

[heartsizedfarm]

WOW!  If I'd known my ego was going to get such a boost from all of you I'd have put on a dress months ago!  Thank you all.  I'm not really one for wearing dresses, but I do have to admit that in that one and in my black and white one I feel almost pretty!  But, then I look around the old trailer, sigh, put on my farmer pants and t-shirt, and fortunately the urge to look like a girl passes pretty quickly!  I usually feel like a mule in a buggy harness in a dress.   My daughter Tam and I are heading to Alaska on the 15 of June.  Can't wait!

I'll have to call the doctor and see if he'll change my diagnosis to bi-headedness.  Prolly be easier to fix - just get a headectomy and I'm good to go!  Which reminds me, JM!  Congrats on the hatch!  And if I find out my doctor can do headectomies I'll ask him to look at your chicken.  I laughed so hard when I was looking at your pictures because the second pic it looks like you have a two headed chicken.  Now, when I got home and looked at it on my computer it didn't, but on my little phone screen it looked so funny - one set of legs, one tail, one back, and two heads.  Sorry, but it was cute.  

We need pictures of completed coops, too, from both you and Misty.  We'll wait patiently!     

Alaska! That is so interesting. You will love the landscapes and the wildlife. If I were going on a cruise that's where I would go.

 

[Blooie]

Best of luck with that diagnosis Blooie. You are gorgeous in that gown! Have a wonderful time on that cruise. We have done that and it was one of my favorite vacations, one I may do again some day. I'm a huge fan of farmer pants, t-shirts and trailers!

Thank you! I love our beat up old trailer. It and our corner lot have been paid off for years. If the kids spill on the floor, so what? If the closet door doesn't quite shut, it ain't because my wardrobe is too large! We have to put a rock in front of the bathroom door to keep it open. The first thing Ken and I had to do when we moved in was learn to walk sideways if we met in the hall. But my grandkids know where every book, every puzzle, every musical instrument, and their art boxes are, and they can find a cookie before they get into the kitchen! They can help unload the dishwasher (a little 18' model Ken found for me) because they know where everything goes. They walk in here and are as comfortable as they are in their own homes. It can't be that bad here - our kids and grandkids can't wait to spend a little time in our little trailer. Jamie calls it "home" and so does Little Diane, and they both love to come back. Our lot is gorgeous, the views are amazing, and Cowley is the best place ever to live.

So I just grin and tell folks I went from Navy trash to trailer trash and it makes no difference to me if it was a promotion or a demotion. I will live out my life debt free, close to my family, and an active part of Kendra, Katie and Evan's lives, slopping around in the garden hose, making dandelion curls on the yard, and seeing who spots the first hummingbird of the season. Now tell me, does life get any better?

Oh, and by the way, Evan took second place in the Boy Scout Raingutter Regatta tonight with the boat he built. His mom had to work so Ken and I stood in for her, and recorded it so she could watch it tomorrow. Yayyy, Evan!


Boat building: Grampa's guiding hand as Evan uses a Leatherman for the first time.


Evan getting called up to the front to accept his award.


Second place! He decided that doing a bunch of fancy stuff on his boat would weigh it down in the water, so he just put USA on the sail in honor of Grampa and Jamie's service in the Navy.

 

[LBejaran]

Woot, I got my goose eggs! My broodies had no idea what to make of them, but they quickly tried to make themselves fluffy enough to sit on them. I may have to help turn them, but it'll be fine. These game hens are pretty set in their ways and they have refused to back off of their nests. I moved them to a separate nesting box so nothing happens to these goose eggs. For the trade to be fair, at least one gosling has to hatch out of these eggs.

They are massive. This one is compared to the largest of eggs from my Australorp/RIR hen. I've never held a goose egg before and today, I got four! I'm going to blow out the two infertile ones and paint them. I can't wait to get started!

 

[Blooie]

Woot, I got my goose eggs! My broodies had no idea what to make of them, but they quickly tried to make themselves fluffy enough to sit on them. I may have to help turn them, but it'll be fine. These game hens are pretty set in their ways and they have refused to back off of their nests. I moved them to a separate nesting box so nothing happens to these goose eggs. For the trade to be fair, at least one gosling has to hatch out of these eggs.



They are massive. This one is compared to the largest of eggs from my Australorp/RIR hen. I've never held a goose egg before and today, I got four! I'm going to blow out the two infertile ones and paint them. I can't wait to get started!

We wanna see when you get them painted.....and for crying out loud give those broodies some extra goodies! Talk about going over and above the call of duty!