tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-128478082024-03-08T02:27:04.834-06:00Beyond the Fork in the RoadI’m on a new path in life. While unexpected and though the lane-change was incredibly difficult, it’s not horrible. Just different. And different takes some getting used to. But I’m getting there. I really am. Wanna ride along?Chicken Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11704834273210183660noreply@blogger.comBlogger1957125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12847808.post-41836294081918857992016-02-14T12:34:00.005-06:002016-02-14T12:44:05.881-06:00A Love NoteI received an early love note from one of my most irreverent friends on Friday. All it said was, "You SUCK at doing blog posts, FYI." Followed by a big heart. ;) And, sigh, she's so right! Maybe my doable (?) goal for 2016 should be 1 post (at least) a month. If I do that, so far I'll be meeting that goal!<br />
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One of the big reasons I haven't posted lately is because things were truly horrible, horrible, horrible at work. I don't think it's a secret to say that the daddy (husband to the amazing mama we lost in November) and I simply don't see eye-to-eye . . . especially since the buffer of his wife is gone. I'd been watching the kids at his house, but that set-up just wasn't working for a variety of reasons. Despite best efforts! And that included a counseling session for both of us with a retired family therapist and a dear friend who "knows" the whole situation.<br />
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During that session, we came to only one mutually-agreed upon "way of interacting" - knowing there would need to be more meetings to work through everything. But, the very next work day, that one promise was soundly broken . . . and I was so upset that I walked out.<br />
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It was one of the hardest things I've ever had to do in my life because I felt like I was walking out on the twins (Bundle of Joy was still in school) - leaving them with their father. But, I knew I couldn't be around them when I was so upset - I didn't want to pass that extreme level of stress, anger, an unhappiness onto them.<br />
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Afterwards, I went to the same friend who accompanied us on the counseling session, and I know I haven't cried that hard since I learned that I would lose Swamp River Ridge. It. Was. Awful. My heart was broken. I didn't know if/when I'd ever see the kids again.<br />
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BUT, fast-forward to the dad's sister (where the twins live) making a miracle happen (!!!), and, within a day, I was watching the twins back at <u>her</u> house. I no longer have an upset tummy and heartburn every day! I no longer feel anxious every morning when I drive to work! And (perhaps <i>not</i> so oddly enough), the dad is so much happier now, too - now that the stress of two very different personalities (his and mine) trying to force themselves to work together for the sake of the kids (which <i>wasn't</i> workin'!) is removed.<br />
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My hours have been greatly reduced, but no longer working 11-hour days is A-OK! I can actually get something done when I get home at night! And, my other job - the rental cabin I caretake - has been requiring so many extra hours right now due to issues, issues, issues (!) that I'm doing ok, financially. Not great, but OK. ;) Plus, I'm hoping to spend my extra hours (as soon as I can find them!) on getting my Chicken Mama (photographic notecards) business online.<br />
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In other news, neighbors thought they saw a cougar (also known as mountain lion, panther, puma, or catamount) earlier this week. And, indeed, I came home to a small massacre in my chicken yard Thursday night! (I heard him/her crashing out of the fencing and then through the woods as I walked up to my cabin.) I'm not too broken-hearted as the birds I have left are very, very old and not producing (I have chicks arriving in the spring), but still . . . . Anyway, the big cat was very inventive regarding getting in/out. I found one space that night where the metal fencing is overlapping, and s/he'd pushed under the outer layer and then up and over the inside layer. Then, in the daylight, I found a large hole chewed right through the chicken wire on the top of the yard (which I have covered in an effort to prevent exactly situations like this!).<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiELMC5_Y0N9kEEedI7ALPp0s3K53BKTqeyvp463NqLJ4umLKecBDWm52glymtEXqKH_FpqiLb0KOIJwFms7Dmm4Fp9HK8SNkGv6GKb9ha587jNLcvqOGBsC49ceiIY_Qe8IY_3/s1600/mountain-lion-puma-concolor-sitting-matthias-breiter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiELMC5_Y0N9kEEedI7ALPp0s3K53BKTqeyvp463NqLJ4umLKecBDWm52glymtEXqKH_FpqiLb0KOIJwFms7Dmm4Fp9HK8SNkGv6GKb9ha587jNLcvqOGBsC49ceiIY_Qe8IY_3/s400/mountain-lion-puma-concolor-sitting-matthias-breiter.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Image swiped off Web.</span></span></td></tr>
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We don't often see these critters up here. When my family had first moved up here in the early 70s, there was a black panther that was seen on occasion. Then, a couple of years ago, I saw a cougar crossing the highway. That was the only one I've ever seen, though. I've found it such an irony that I've had way more critter problems now that I live so much closer to civilization vs. when I lived out in the middle of nowhere out at Swamp River Ridge! Who woulda thunk?<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxl-rn20DqxdR4BIxNyCuSGpLq7DFJ4aTHDwsIfNdgbpUp_a_ycsgTmPmdDK0sXeVF42JIen7zOznXtF64q5qEJm2OlafiCZDUWc4HVqeEjdR0CBJVubZGotizg_RF7N4BNNnG/s1600/091.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxl-rn20DqxdR4BIxNyCuSGpLq7DFJ4aTHDwsIfNdgbpUp_a_ycsgTmPmdDK0sXeVF42JIen7zOznXtF64q5qEJm2OlafiCZDUWc4HVqeEjdR0CBJVubZGotizg_RF7N4BNNnG/s400/091.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">I thought this was a fun, recent picture from my trail camera: a deer with all four legs off the ground!</span></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH4VvfEHjLTOC823iO9tgnLQ4ntnEf1QzgV-BRezfvqjEnHcoEwggzqKgze8KlcFzeQTl7feBzB3DeejFUdAxpzSogkaKDfAgRj3fqGGYUSxxwRQ6Rg-YED013v6CGX9cpavkG/s1600/044.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH4VvfEHjLTOC823iO9tgnLQ4ntnEf1QzgV-BRezfvqjEnHcoEwggzqKgze8KlcFzeQTl7feBzB3DeejFUdAxpzSogkaKDfAgRj3fqGGYUSxxwRQ6Rg-YED013v6CGX9cpavkG/s400/044.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">No ideal pictures of this critter (this and below), but I think it's a fat fox vs. a brush wolf / coyote. What do you think?</span></span></td></tr>
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Friday was a Teacher Workshop Day (no school), so I got to have 13 hours with these two sillies (below). The one on the right is one of "my littles" who I used to nanny when she was a baby, and the other is particularly dear, too (the granddaughter of one of my BFFs). Now, they're both in 2nd grade and fast friends!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">They had an organic lemon eating contest.</span></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">And then figured they'd up-the-ante by racing to down the rest of the lemon's juice . . . but blind-folded! ;) Goofballs.</span></span></td></tr>
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The twins have knit mittens that Mama Pea made for them. They fit their little hands perfectly - except that the bands are a little small for us ADULTS to shove their little hands into. So, all it took was one (not so subtle?) comment from me re same, and she made two new pair. Here is Baby Girl modeling hers. AND she just happened to be wearing an original Mama Pea sweater while doing so!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUOjwUgUoqgLmP66dhgdcoinDTQSu1HPKDht0XHCZLJYabFwJRQYNiR6qIaV7JazP7XFk7xAuWyaAWxqiChls6MT0ZhEACfQ6_Bo2UrJrDthxOt-18ViuMMmbgbMPXpNkCzyq3/s1600/February+9+2016+Snow+Bath.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUOjwUgUoqgLmP66dhgdcoinDTQSu1HPKDht0XHCZLJYabFwJRQYNiR6qIaV7JazP7XFk7xAuWyaAWxqiChls6MT0ZhEACfQ6_Bo2UrJrDthxOt-18ViuMMmbgbMPXpNkCzyq3/s400/February+9+2016+Snow+Bath.jpg" width="322" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The kids' cousins (who live at the house where I watch the twins) are <strike>tough</strike> insane! Taking a break from homeschooling lessons - and it being very, very cold out - this 11-year old tore off her socks and dashed outside for a quick swim in the snow. Yep: cuckoo!! ;)</span></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">They also have incredible imaginations, and this creature greeted me when I came out of the bathroom one day!</span></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAge-0FzSfXsJh4CDfsDjNbSUQaxQ8-EdOuRitAj6FEd451VtQNWNuibI6HmHB4L6VNGjcR8fQVFtPHU4jkDnPrfcxyEXv1H8kXZaRnycSlo04Bpa7bKQXRKWND2VhaQpoPtbj/s1600/February+2+2016+In+a+Box.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="313" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAge-0FzSfXsJh4CDfsDjNbSUQaxQ8-EdOuRitAj6FEd451VtQNWNuibI6HmHB4L6VNGjcR8fQVFtPHU4jkDnPrfcxyEXv1H8kXZaRnycSlo04Bpa7bKQXRKWND2VhaQpoPtbj/s400/February+2+2016+In+a+Box.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">I'll leave you with this pic from the twins playing at Mama & Papa Pea's. Who needs toys when there's a big box to play in?!</span></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I hope you have a sweet, sweet Valentine's Day!</span></span></span></b></td></tr>
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<br />Chicken Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11704834273210183660noreply@blogger.com22tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12847808.post-25754568033449782632016-01-09T14:13:00.001-06:002016-01-09T14:17:01.231-06:00A New YearWell, one of my New Year resolutions is to try to blog more . . . and, since I was sick last weekend, I'll start now! I wonder if I still have any readers? Yoo-hooo . . . knock, knock, knock! Anyone here?<br />
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I guess the first thing I need to tell you is that we lost Bundle of Joy's and the babies' mama on November 19th.<br />
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It was time. She'd been unresponsive for about a week - 10 days. Her mom and aunt were with her - and had been for about 5 days, 24/7. She was never alone. They placed a call to her dad and brothers back home, many states away, and held the phone to her ear. About 30 minutes later, she passed away.<br />
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The time since then has fluctuated between horrible, okay, and, occasionally, actually good! So, we (the family and myself caring for the kids) are making progress . . . finding the path to our New Normal.<br />
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The week of Thanksgiving was extra full with the addition of the visitation, funeral and burial, but I was able to enjoy a <i>much-needed</i> relaxed, quiet day with my folks on Thanksgiving, itself. The week leading up to Christmas was a bad one, but - again - I was able to enjoy Christmas Day with my folks and then many other friends in the following couple of days. <br />
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Then, though, The Bug struck (us all). The twins (whose #2 birthday was November 7th) woke up with cribs full of . . . yep . . . vomit. :( Since then, it's been running through all (10) of us (surrounding & including the kids) for nearly two weeks now, but we're all FINALLY coming out of it. Only two people have escaped: Bundle of Joy (who turned 6 on December 15th) and her uncle. Let's hope they <i>continue</i> to elude it!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZsLEhbJeWlIh3Gau6-CX3ThABiXns17CdiO63M5f88AC3XemRhaO_iemR6dLtk7CkeJoRAnZaMGkncmZyFd526efmb9ihQ5cRV5aNT5UkVOijhVokIYimHJqUXaGSpoTfYz_w/s1600/Birthday+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZsLEhbJeWlIh3Gau6-CX3ThABiXns17CdiO63M5f88AC3XemRhaO_iemR6dLtk7CkeJoRAnZaMGkncmZyFd526efmb9ihQ5cRV5aNT5UkVOijhVokIYimHJqUXaGSpoTfYz_w/s400/Birthday+2.jpg" width="348" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">My most favorite 2-year old little girl in the world (& yours truly*) during their birthday celebration.</span></span></td></tr>
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* I chopped my dreads off two days later in a fit of . . . needing a change? Actually, the real reason I've cut them off - both times I've had them - is that they get to a point when I feel like I'm sleeping on rollers at night. And since I've been struggling with insomnia, it was time for them to GO!<br />
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True to their personalities, Baby Girl ate about half of her piece of birthday cake and then pushed it away saying, "ah dun."<br />
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Baby Boy, on the other hand, gobbled down two pieces and then asked, "moh?!" ;)</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCi7UEIzLyUflJbzRsKt5zF_6lIdqJMB8fBUsxS_VbZvH4QZiRru_hD6jbeftiThB72-_QQtb67Cgk9aabjoRbtW3Szh4njdshb0jleZ-MlNogvO0bLjcjyjkBDRbMbqIj7ohP/s1600/1208150954b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCi7UEIzLyUflJbzRsKt5zF_6lIdqJMB8fBUsxS_VbZvH4QZiRru_hD6jbeftiThB72-_QQtb67Cgk9aabjoRbtW3Szh4njdshb0jleZ-MlNogvO0bLjcjyjkBDRbMbqIj7ohP/s400/1208150954b.jpg" width="276" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Little Boy Blue!</span></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I try to bring the twins (Bundle of Joy is in Kindergarten now) to Mama & Papa Pea's every week or two. Here, someone is helping Mama Pea make trail mix.</span></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh96-pPMAbblC6t0nYZzplwfSZHTOQF4bZJQQOHqCpRxalk-gxcE6YUtGFaAIyXnizZCB25Q53w4Zuqig35i_4qRw6laK5Zpgr1ADToxUS5sj9Q1hdbl_hCtf69uu3sofAbz-VO/s1600/1210151056.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh96-pPMAbblC6t0nYZzplwfSZHTOQF4bZJQQOHqCpRxalk-gxcE6YUtGFaAIyXnizZCB25Q53w4Zuqig35i_4qRw6laK5Zpgr1ADToxUS5sj9Q1hdbl_hCtf69uu3sofAbz-VO/s400/1210151056.jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Hey! Did you just pick out and fill your mouth with all the dried pineapple pieces?!</span></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio9vK4e5K2KI7Z1XsVBBrGA7L7y5t4YU6yrqaH4bKzmFTszoJ6SZlvIKIrytpBo6YbF1ehwcPx53kvA0pf4rZM-yDc1p1-cvx-NsFvWsSxeo9zUdRpkS1MDFZal8ZjoLJnNGNp/s1600/1210151104.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio9vK4e5K2KI7Z1XsVBBrGA7L7y5t4YU6yrqaH4bKzmFTszoJ6SZlvIKIrytpBo6YbF1ehwcPx53kvA0pf4rZM-yDc1p1-cvx-NsFvWsSxeo9zUdRpkS1MDFZal8ZjoLJnNGNp/s400/1210151104.jpg" width="215" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Little Boy Blue LOVES his Papa Pea! "Papa? Papa? Papa!" Here, they're building a fire together in the wood stove. Often, they'll "work" out in the garage together. I am SO glad that this little man has a solid male role-model in his life like my dad! Both (well, three, actually) his grandfathers live miles away</span></span>.</td></tr>
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Okay, I'll stop there for today. I'm really going to try to blog more this year. Really!</div>
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Chicken Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11704834273210183660noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12847808.post-12307476788742171622015-09-22T21:21:00.005-05:002015-09-22T21:24:54.534-05:00Update on the MamaThought I'd share the post I got up on CaringBridge today. For privacy, I've replaced her name with 'Mama'.<br />
<br />
* * * * * <br />
<br />
<i>Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid: for the
Lord thy God, He it is that doth go with thee, He will not fail thee nor
forsake thee.</i><br />
<br />
I have no way to better express what I
need to share other than to use the words of one of Mama’s family
members: “it’s time for an honest CaringBridge post”. By the same
token, I don’t think this will come as a shock to any of you.<br />
<br />
We are soon going to lose our beloved Mama.<br />
<br />
Right
now, and as per her wishes, the round-the-clock battalion of volunteer
care-givers are able to keep Mama comfortable at home. The hope is
that this can continue through to the very end.<br />
<br />
She is still
fighting, and she has already surpassed many of the “end of life”
predictions the doctors have made. However, her body is simply not able
to do what her heart, her soul, her spirit is asking it to do.<br />
<br />
Mama’s
on a constant morphine pump, but the required higher doses (to keep her
comfortable) are causing her to sleep the majority of the time now.
While she finds it frustrating (you know her: never wanting to miss
out on a thing!), the rest of us are ever so grateful for the rest and
escape from pain that sleep provides.<br />
<br />
The extremely small
and infrequent bits of energy Mama can muster now need to be spent on
her children and family, so we are once again asking people to not come
to try to visit. Not even that quick “I’ll just say hello and then
leave!” I know you can understand the need for this – even though it is
<i>so hard</i> to do! She is SUCH a magnetic person, and we all
just want to BE AROUND her . . . even if it’s just to quietly sit by her
bed.<br />
<br />
Mama DID manage to see Bundle of Joy onto the school bus
and then off it again that afternoon on the very first day of
Kindergarten! I’ll leave you with a picture from that day.<br />
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<br />Chicken Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11704834273210183660noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12847808.post-10285988631473319352015-09-04T12:13:00.001-05:002015-09-04T12:38:27.014-05:00It's Been Almost Five Months!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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It's been almost five months since I last wrote a line. No big surprise, I guess. But, over these past months I've gotten lovely little notes from some of you prompting me forward, saying that you miss reading my posts. And that's why I'm here today (thanks for the most recent gentle shove, ex-cousin-by-marriage of mine)! :)<br />
<br />
One of the biggest hurdles that's kept me from blogging (aside from that great missing link called Time) is that I have to be very careful in what I share due to the privacy of others. I've probably used this as an excuse, though, and so it will be interesting to see how much I can come up to share with you <i>whilst</i> (<b>such</b> a fun word!) keeping everyone else's privacy concerns foremost.<br />
<br />
So, with that disclaimer out there, here we go!<br />
<br />
I'm still nannying and doing (very abbreviated due to the larger matters at hand) office work for the family of which I feel an extended member. Mama celebrated her 36th birthday just a week after my own 44th in July, but she is not doing well. For all intents and purposes she is bed-bound now but <i>at home</i>! There is a hospital bed residing in the living room now, directly under the big, south-facing window. She is hooked up to a morphine pump, but it's portable via a little bag she can carry with her - vs. having to maneuver an IV tree. This allows her to get into vehicles when she can manage it for short drives to see the kids or whathaveyou. <br />
<br />
There is an amazing "support staff" of ALL <u><i><b>volunteers</b></i></u> who are dear friends, and someone stays at the house with Mama and her hubby 24/7*. They've all learned how to administer the needed meds via IV (which have to be given around the clock), and the home health care nurse drives the 15 miles out of town daily to adjust meds, monitor, and advise. *This allows him to sleep at night so he can get up and go to work each morning. He's a contractor who, in this area of Minnesota, must make all his money
in the summertime months when the ground isn't frozen.<br />
<br />
Bundle of Joy, now 5 1/2, usually stays with Mom & Dad at the house each weekend evening. That's getting harder, though, since it's difficult for an active someone of that age to remember to be quiet - all the time! - in her imaginary play. ;) The twins, now nearly 22 months old, see Mama when we bring them to her or she makes the (now more and more) infrequent 4 mile drive to them (courtesy of whichever lovely, wonderful, selfless day "nurse" is with her). <br />
<br />
It's been exactly 13 months today since my dear, incredible friend was diagnosed, and the cancer has spread pretty much all over her body. Treatments and the attached traveling (which she couldn't tolerate any longer and which kept her away from home and her children) are things of the past, and the focus is on keeping her comfortable . . . which is still a daily struggle given her insistence to wait as long as possible to press the button that will give her an extra morphine bump. As you can imagine, it's so very, very hard to watch that physical pain manifest itself by her hunched, bony shoulders and the furrow on the brow of her still beautiful face.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-pfpSiUX0DA0uHYTayxnmLHPEW1EYSjwNdgojCAPJ9AimNgtmKGKZSBxNhpo4gxtETdT2dc88dEQVyrVwdtc9dzrC4bm1J_Qh_d61IuItCVopyzcktAwryzmVnflUsoYtdTYp/s1600/09032015+-+Visit+with+Mama.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-pfpSiUX0DA0uHYTayxnmLHPEW1EYSjwNdgojCAPJ9AimNgtmKGKZSBxNhpo4gxtETdT2dc88dEQVyrVwdtc9dzrC4bm1J_Qh_d61IuItCVopyzcktAwryzmVnflUsoYtdTYp/s400/09032015+-+Visit+with+Mama.jpg" width="246" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">A visit for the little man with his mama yesterday.</span></td></tr>
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Up until now, my work weeks have varied between 4 and 5 days, depending on what's going on. I travel the 19 miles each morning and evening to and from the daddy's sister's home where I care for the kids. When this new living arrangement for them was established, Nahnee (the beautiful name the babies call her) and I sat down to look at each day's activities and our associated responsibilities. And, thank goodness we did because we realized that - depending on if it was a work day or not for her, another little girl coming to be babysat that day, whether or not her husband would come home for lunch, etc., etc. - we'd have 11 people for meals!! So, I prepare one meal each day for the whole crew. That means that many of my short evenings are spent either grocery shopping or starting to prep the next day's meal. (Too often, though - especially in the heat of the summer in my wee cabin - I end up hauling all the ingredients and cooking at Nahnee's house.) Nahnee and I feed only organic food (at least 95% of the time, anyway), and so a decent bit of my salary just goes right back to the family of which I've been so lovingly absorbed. And I'm happy to be able to do that!! Of course, that also means renting a normal-sized place has been put on the back, <i><b>back</b></i> burner for now . . . but that's okay, too. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHnebOeO3fRBDcXmZk9YYypE5vpryMQFgmDhj6NcAwat4XCeEqijBsQrFkHncHqT0ZBeZ4exg6HhntYses0Knz91wBiVvBjX-J7IEuTfAGRY0qVWatJv62BWOVbFLQ5Masw_zN/s1600/0825151426d.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHnebOeO3fRBDcXmZk9YYypE5vpryMQFgmDhj6NcAwat4XCeEqijBsQrFkHncHqT0ZBeZ4exg6HhntYses0Knz91wBiVvBjX-J7IEuTfAGRY0qVWatJv62BWOVbFLQ5Masw_zN/s400/0825151426d.jpg" width="345" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Nahnee & our littlest sweetheart.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLUtxjUVtEqlNGnv-SGiAKcquje8hjYoFrEidOcPKos_W1ZMCg5ERylY86Zz4PIdPGXGpHHfOMVHTdKYhEKHEynv3fUcxglSG2sfK6INzl86mNhJ-SKl1uAyw1rJxkeMUEd5XT/s1600/September+3%252C+2015+-+Vanilla+Pudding.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="260" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLUtxjUVtEqlNGnv-SGiAKcquje8hjYoFrEidOcPKos_W1ZMCg5ERylY86Zz4PIdPGXGpHHfOMVHTdKYhEKHEynv3fUcxglSG2sfK6INzl86mNhJ-SKl1uAyw1rJxkeMUEd5XT/s400/September+3%252C+2015+-+Vanilla+Pudding.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">I made vanilla pudding for dessert yesterday. Bundle of Joy thought it was good enough to lick out the pan! Matter of fact, with so many mouths, the double batch was GONE before the bowl hit the counter to be washed.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRcLQcwAJC__GgrcutONdFHbTYQ62GRo9T_lmX-I2vip7VHBOhR-veeqhDWs883WadfVJKJjqB7oBIOKQ7CUSVZ_29uooD9U1Ewri-D1jT8bl8-K9exFgx1TVgmA1ARe8Gh9YE/s1600/Flippers+September+3%252C+2015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRcLQcwAJC__GgrcutONdFHbTYQ62GRo9T_lmX-I2vip7VHBOhR-veeqhDWs883WadfVJKJjqB7oBIOKQ7CUSVZ_29uooD9U1Ewri-D1jT8bl8-K9exFgx1TVgmA1ARe8Gh9YE/s400/Flippers+September+3%252C+2015.jpg" width="167" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Quite the ham (especially for attention!), Bundle of Joy came into the kitchen yesterday to wail, "Bopi! Something's wrong with my feet!" ;)</span></td></tr>
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<br />
Some of the highlights of the summer have been:<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>Helping with and celebrating the graduation party for the oldest cousin (it's their house where I am each day). She was home-schooled and finished all her high school work at the age of just-17.</li>
<li>Helping Nahnee to (try to!) pull a goat kid. We ended up making an emergency trip to the vet with the results being a dead doeling (who was causing the problems) and a big buckling - named Donald for the vet's elderly but fiesty father who passed away the very next day. It's not every day of nannying that you spend with your arm up the bum of poor, pregnant goat!</li>
<li>Having Bundle of Joy say to me, just yesterday when I told her she'd have to wait to perform one of her chores of putting away the dishes (which, let me tell you, you have a LOT of with so many people - are <u><b>we</b></u> are the dishwashers, NOT a machine!!) until I was done making lunch, "While I wait for you, Bopi, I'll just take my pet rocks for some exercise."</li>
<li>Helping unload 230 bales of hay on a hot, sticky day (showers for <i>everyone</i> after that, thankyouverymuch!) Having hay stuck to every inch of you is NOT a comfortable feeling. Matter of fact, I didn't even think about bringing a new bra with my change of clothes, so I had to jettison that for the rest of the day! Quick fix? I put an apron on that covered my chest!). And what to do with the babies? I just put them on the double stroller to watch! ;)</li>
<li>Having Nahnee say, near the end of a day, "Do we have time to castrate Donald before you leave?" We did. Poor Donald. What to do with the twins? She got to sit in the stroller and watch. He, thankfully, was still napping . . . or he may have been scarred for life! ;)</li>
<li>Harvesting and processing food from the garden on occasion (feels SO good to be able to help like this when I can).</li>
<li>Taking EVERYONE to the pound to pick out a new kitten for Nahnee's family - making sure it was one who could deal with so many little hands and oodles of attention! How many of us were crowded into that little room that day? Well, I know there were <i>at least</i> six under the age of 13! ;) </li>
<li>Taking care of "my" babies and Bundle of Joy!!! </li>
</ul>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQNb5U-AEaL_RZtkAhWZFwGgC_lXf5s9c5k75EsvhUslth_xYsgE98rcmqVyZB0XUsTvDlPlopJUsMMoZmbFPhwTd9975f67BZ_jRM5y4FmHKWzlgoXmxQsOv7k5Qotq39nsub/s1600/0826151115%255B1%255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQNb5U-AEaL_RZtkAhWZFwGgC_lXf5s9c5k75EsvhUslth_xYsgE98rcmqVyZB0XUsTvDlPlopJUsMMoZmbFPhwTd9975f67BZ_jRM5y4FmHKWzlgoXmxQsOv7k5Qotq39nsub/s400/0826151115%255B1%255D.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Waiting for the hay to be unloaded. Thankfully, the farmer had a tilt trailer!!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvAP_cZ7Y6ZOGhuspnRsivL4haIzPzazvaaIkzZLtoc4Tc6uouE7XYHbZnAQwENq6h7Ppm-JpTo2qm0bWI7w4P-2QnJ8mryR86CuNEI6-5ELmRvzSqJcRkNPGmMYs4mFJ1UpM1/s1600/0826151116b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvAP_cZ7Y6ZOGhuspnRsivL4haIzPzazvaaIkzZLtoc4Tc6uouE7XYHbZnAQwENq6h7Ppm-JpTo2qm0bWI7w4P-2QnJ8mryR86CuNEI6-5ELmRvzSqJcRkNPGmMYs4mFJ1UpM1/s400/0826151116b.jpg" width="238" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">The twins in their supervisory capacity as we moved the hay into the barn.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Nahnee's stunning oldest daughter.</span></td></tr>
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Now, the excitement at hand has been getting Bundle of Joy ready for her very first day of Kindergarten this coming Tuesday! There've been incredible lows that have come along with this, too, all centered around the mama and daddy and the knowledge that this will be the last "first day of school" Mama will ever see.<br />
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But, a new backpack and tennies have arrived and been delivered to the school at this week's intake conference (first school I've known to do this and a BRILLIANT idea if you ask me!) along with a special, handmade quilt for nap time. Lunch and snack time Tupperware has been washed and is ready for packing. Nahnee has prepared a great calendar chart for the first couple week's worth of lunches + 2 snacks each day. I will do my part by special ordering, in bulk from our Co-op, what I can in organic crackers, cheeses and other snack items. On my days off, I hope to get healthy muffins baked and frozen for the same purpose.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcFd19EZGNh6DwEurF4xrhO2h0J4C1YB61wfTi7dIZAoG-YNj6BVBTDpGtrkoqcAsc7rIeg652H7l3B7yVFty0T_GzqkiTELn4Cp8Yx_XQDqQ7A2OUOq6f6QOkgfKGW8C0klhq/s1600/0828151307b%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcFd19EZGNh6DwEurF4xrhO2h0J4C1YB61wfTi7dIZAoG-YNj6BVBTDpGtrkoqcAsc7rIeg652H7l3B7yVFty0T_GzqkiTELn4Cp8Yx_XQDqQ7A2OUOq6f6QOkgfKGW8C0klhq/s400/0828151307b%255B1%255D.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">My BFF of 39 years came up to the cabin she and her hubby have built up here this past week. I brought Bundle of Joy and the twins up for a play date one day, and she made fast new friends with E & C. All three of these kiddos have my heart!</span></td></tr>
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For the school year, Nahnee and I are also trying out a new work schedule for me which will consist of just three days each week (11 hours each). Trying out the new back-to-school schedule this past week, today results in my first of 4 days off. At the onset, that sounds amazing (for me!), but I'm not sure I can stand being away from the kids for that long! ;) And, whether or not it will be too much of an inconvenience for Nahnee (me being gone four days straight), who home-schools her kids AND has a goat farm, has yet to be determined.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_ir-J4amjLVoCsIt0-3SBD9Ful3uG_vSynZdJ_A3F6yp-DlvCUXUhsbNV5UbrUaenOpY2cdEsZe3W9aeJ5z_R6bZb8_7YEEK2AovJVy68K7DskBHylMxHD2K5pxX2lWEI_dWp/s1600/0825151445a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="295" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_ir-J4amjLVoCsIt0-3SBD9Ful3uG_vSynZdJ_A3F6yp-DlvCUXUhsbNV5UbrUaenOpY2cdEsZe3W9aeJ5z_R6bZb8_7YEEK2AovJVy68K7DskBHylMxHD2K5pxX2lWEI_dWp/s400/0825151445a.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Baby Girl wants to give the baby goats kisses!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuywkQ-nIOby-NhU0PbOH1KqtBwyw6WwQJmGxsK8OZToNC2kxC6t3WW1iXwmsDEeN1u6_vXByFI95zq0Rbf4Ni73b30mdIWXjv5s_MHrYi943H_UnMz0A6NcPRcehr83gP9fAn/s1600/0825151440d.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuywkQ-nIOby-NhU0PbOH1KqtBwyw6WwQJmGxsK8OZToNC2kxC6t3WW1iXwmsDEeN1u6_vXByFI95zq0Rbf4Ni73b30mdIWXjv5s_MHrYi943H_UnMz0A6NcPRcehr83gP9fAn/s400/0825151440d.jpg" width="265" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">So does her brother!</span></td></tr>
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Now, my work schedule sounds like it must be pretty nice (previous to now having had 2 or 3 days off each week)! But, no, such is not the case.<br />
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I also clean a cabin (small house, really) just 6 miles away. In the past, this has been an occasional thing for the owners when they come up for a vacation from The Big Shitty (Mpls./St. Paul). This spring, though, they asked what I thought about putting the cabin on AirBnB for short-term vacationers? "Go for it," I said! All of us thinking it would take some time to get any "action".<br />
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Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahaaaa! Ho ho, hee hee!!!!!!!!!!! (Hysterical, <i>maniacal</i> laughter!)<br />
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It has been rented nearly CONSTANTLY this entire summer! That means that I have "turn-overs" anywhere from every 2 to 7 days. This summer, the turn-overs were EXTREMELY frequent, many renters staying only 2 or 3 nights. As fall has come, people are making longer stays of 5-7 days or so. <u><b><i>THANKFULLY</i></b></u>! I had to hire a dear friend, one of the 24/7 caregivers for the Mama, to help me out because I simply COULDN'T do the cleaning on some of the days as Nahnee also works outside the home two days a week. I gave some serious thought to finding a replacement cleaner to completely take the job over, but the fact is that it pays well and I really like the owners . . . and having this extra financial cushion that it provides is huge. So, over the busyness of the summer, it was often that I was home only 1 day each week . . . which leaves so little time for tending to the chickens, cleaning (!), organizing . . . just <i>being</i> the homebody that I love to be! And as for condensing my two BIG storage units down to one this summer (also halving a big expense) . . . well, see hysterical, maniacal laughter above!<br />
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Okay, now for some pics (I wrote all of this before inserting any). Pardon me while I go find another USB cord that my computer WILL recognize to hook up my phone (where the pics reside these days).<br />
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Duh, it wasn't the USB. Chalk one up to User Error.<br />
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Lastly, the summer (and my jobs!) could not have happened as it did without the help of my folks, Mama & Papa Pea. Tucker gets to stay with them each and every day I'm at work. On the very few days I do take him with me when I nanny, Nahnee's 4 kids always ask, "Whyyyyy don't you bring Tucker more?!" Well, he's 9 now, and sooooo over being cuddled and coddled (by 5 bigger kids) and squeezed and pulled (by twin babies)! ;)<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEialQQ0SvsgQvwwHwKGEnnoz6i7b5CNkyeIrdLaXMkncDbjhft2TV4eVloTXg3uQeZ4pK0t0GedyeHUCidNhPZFaioQTSZsHZ1vrRdnGrmMjRsFoLdxyM0d1qJTTUXGEwvsW_6F/s1600/0808151733a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEialQQ0SvsgQvwwHwKGEnnoz6i7b5CNkyeIrdLaXMkncDbjhft2TV4eVloTXg3uQeZ4pK0t0GedyeHUCidNhPZFaioQTSZsHZ1vrRdnGrmMjRsFoLdxyM0d1qJTTUXGEwvsW_6F/s400/0808151733a.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Bye-bye for now!</span></td></tr>
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<span id="goog_1028416251"></span><span id="goog_1028416252"></span><br />Chicken Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11704834273210183660noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12847808.post-77627164078738815692015-04-19T12:51:00.001-05:002015-04-19T16:43:08.275-05:00Well! An Update!Shocking, I know, but here I am after 4 months. I still think about writing very often, but either exhaustion or other priorities trump me getting here.<br />
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(This is NOT a complaint as it simply <b><i>has</i></b> to be right now, but) my life is not my own these days. The beautiful mama of the family I'm working for is not doing well with her cancer treatment. She's been working SO hard - especially on the restrictive diet that the alternative treatment requires - and so it was heart-breaking to hear the results of the most recent scan. I'm not sure what the next steps will be, but I hope - for her sake - that a new diet plan (should they choose that) will allow her a little more leeway and enjoyment! She did splurge the morning after receiving the news and had a blueberry muffin that she said "tasted like Heaven and was the best blueberry muffin I've ever had"! And her not having eaten any sweets, sugar or refined flour in 8 months . . . I can only imagine!! :)<br />
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Bundle of Joy turned five in December, and she's a very mature 5 years old! She's not on the best of terms with Bopee (yours truly) right now, though, which breaks my heart and has me questioning (in my weak, knee-jerk reaction moments) what I may have done. But, once my brain kicks in over my heart, I <i><b>totally</b></i> understand where she's coming from: the biggest reason for her seeming resentment of me is, I know, the attention I have to give the twins (and, therefore, <i>not</i> give her).<br />
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They are just over 17 months old now and still require 90% of my time. And, even though I TRY to make time for just her and me (generally when the twins go down for their nap), invariably something comes up that I have to do, and she is - once again - disappointed and frustrated. And, then, of course, there's the I-can't-imagine-WHAT horrors/fears/whathaveyou going through her little brain about her mama. She sees Mama weak and sick some times or wearing bandages from surgeries, she hasn't had her normal time with Mama in these past 8 months, she sees her daddy scared and/or frustrated as a result, etc., etc. It's just awful. I can only hope with all my heart that, when she's grown up or even an adolescent, these memories (of the bad times and anxiety) will quickly fade. All that said, she's really doing VERY well. Considering!<br />
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The twins are a hoot, though, and - aside from the recent and occasional tantrums that the Little Man is throwing - doing oh, so well. He's always been more "sensitive" to what is going on around him and so he, unconsciously, tunes into whatever vibe might be pervasive on any given day or hour. <br />
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They both have the majority of their teeth in now - the Little Lady busts 'em through like nobody's business and really handles the pain and discomfort like a champ! She's just very laid-back - about pretty much everything! (Unless you have to wake her up early from a nap for some reason!) Sensitive Little Man seems to struggle through every tooth pushing through - especially those nasty molars. But, I just think how WE, as adults, would handle such physical torture! I'm sure we'd all be medicated up the ying-yang and flat on our backs! ;) <br />
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They are both gabbling up a storm now - absolutely sure of what they're saying . . . although WE have no clue what that is! Little Man started out with "bahh" for ball a couple of months ago and now he's up to "Bapah" for Bopee, and "uh!" for up. ;) His auntie, who covered the nights last week when Mama & Daddy were away for the medical appointments, greeted me with the news one morning that he'd strung 3 words together into a sentence! I don't remember what it was, exactly, but it was something like "I drink milk!" when he'd finished his morning sippy cup. I'm sure it came out something like "Ah dingh milh!" :) <br />
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Their mama was brilliant in teaching them sign language early, and I think this is KEY in communicating with babies who don't yet have verbal language skills. We regularly use "more" (mostly for food), "please", and "all done" (eating). It helps SO much!<br />
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We rather purposefully haven't taught them "no", so we have yet to hear this come out of their wee mouths . . . which is a blessing because, I know that once they DO learn it, we're going to hear a lot of it!<br />
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We had little real winter this year, and so, since spring has come early, we're often playing out on the deck in the mid-afternoon sun. And, they HATE coming back inside! Especially the Little Lady! She hangs onto whatever she can and loudly OBJECTS when it's time to head back in. :)<br />
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Speaking of the weather, look at what we're to expect this week:<br />
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YUCK! We *do* need the moisture as we didn't get the regular amount of snow this winter, but . . . ugh. So much for afternoons on the deck!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu2V5uZIHo48WeV4B9HwPAjYEN7W30_yh-ioywSm7f7Jt4ZU2uRpa8LUixfSOhdBFNSBiB9RDkLNYJf94MZd_yf_-nOviz8WoZnwZVBKBXdYoUeb11BPxFj0KE9QpEdzWxc65l/s1600/215.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu2V5uZIHo48WeV4B9HwPAjYEN7W30_yh-ioywSm7f7Jt4ZU2uRpa8LUixfSOhdBFNSBiB9RDkLNYJf94MZd_yf_-nOviz8WoZnwZVBKBXdYoUeb11BPxFj0KE9QpEdzWxc65l/s1600/215.jpg" height="400" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Excellent backing-up form! ;) This is the Little Man. It was so warm on the deck on Friday that I was worried he'd get his fair little head burned. We haven't pulled summer clothes out yet, so he didn't have any sun hats available. And, since I was folding laundry out there while watching them and happened upon this t-towel . . . I made it into a handkerchief for him to wear! ;)</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4SBIRSUDFjndSvnci7ZSrZnNbrFdrXix1RUsgW_MJTxym2i3YCjbfnEpTPbOb_N5oWB_PSndpck1ikpbtJ0mkoOxO4qZmgs-wflW7-sAuh4HibyYklAAYjaj-Tx9dt209ZWLS/s1600/204.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4SBIRSUDFjndSvnci7ZSrZnNbrFdrXix1RUsgW_MJTxym2i3YCjbfnEpTPbOb_N5oWB_PSndpck1ikpbtJ0mkoOxO4qZmgs-wflW7-sAuh4HibyYklAAYjaj-Tx9dt209ZWLS/s1600/204.jpg" height="400" width="287" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">They both feed themselves almost completely one their own, and here is a fun shot of the Little Man playing with his soup spoon. He is absolutely a <b><i>character</i></b> and loves to be silly!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Bellied up to the bar: I gave them popcorn the other day, and they MUCH enjoyed this over their organic mac & cheese with peas. Note to Bopee: food first, popcorn AFTER! Little Man looks bigger here, but they're actually pretty much exactly the same height. I think he will be stockier like his dad while she will be thin and willowy like her mom's side of the family.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-J26PJJ3wexTYvH85zOaMVa8R_dxLNi6CRMHeWrI1iOAlgn9c8y_F8n1Z6pgP3zaJbtu04Jbx5H0kAe7r3ScSqcSe54xAXuAtfhVssCR9aLE6oGoDTcrrqGbz6cFUVnKJeiPN/s1600/189.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-J26PJJ3wexTYvH85zOaMVa8R_dxLNi6CRMHeWrI1iOAlgn9c8y_F8n1Z6pgP3zaJbtu04Jbx5H0kAe7r3ScSqcSe54xAXuAtfhVssCR9aLE6oGoDTcrrqGbz6cFUVnKJeiPN/s1600/189.jpg" height="358" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Little Lady, waking up early from nap time, brought all the blankies and
soft toys over to their dog and proceeded to (try to) cover her with
them. </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju76cIxx5a7EKOl84S2mi5eurTqCtUveG7n6CCuL3U2KCuCRHCkWFpW3ss91nm8amVnAbJINVZ7bsuAlTP7uyQNPD6tiFb-XvPkADiHCNKxQ3bEhjmYsv5n3UZH969u_Vc9Rzk/s1600/191.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju76cIxx5a7EKOl84S2mi5eurTqCtUveG7n6CCuL3U2KCuCRHCkWFpW3ss91nm8amVnAbJINVZ7bsuAlTP7uyQNPD6tiFb-XvPkADiHCNKxQ3bEhjmYsv5n3UZH969u_Vc9Rzk/s1600/191.jpg" height="271" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Then, she sat down and pulled L's ear up to inspect inside. :) L is SUCH a good example of a Pit Bull mix who should help break all the awful stereotypes!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIiCyJmXaX3hwKlbKdIVLmZDUnuTlHqZYRhbkGP1NxZqQzKMMzLxg5a8CeGZ0eP7-2_hTp-xScBtFbQEubqeMkDr1Mwl6KTp47Dxn0Z2CjPF5SxiXF28YlrGzRDQkYbqWGU0NA/s1600/197.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIiCyJmXaX3hwKlbKdIVLmZDUnuTlHqZYRhbkGP1NxZqQzKMMzLxg5a8CeGZ0eP7-2_hTp-xScBtFbQEubqeMkDr1Mwl6KTp47Dxn0Z2CjPF5SxiXF28YlrGzRDQkYbqWGU0NA/s1600/197.jpg" height="400" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">I talked Mama Pea into putting down her garden plans and come out for a visit last week. Little Lady was very happy about it and passed right out in her arms.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZg98JEDZ7ffEUnmqi3yeF9rWteNtIHvc46MTLb3k72jFZDtAfZopVGFb6PRFWrWeF1_J8o2T84lbmxdtAjVfXnVCzyJdiXlg8cHQIEbyK81cctdVvO5uXi3Fg48sePpbdsdS7/s1600/171.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZg98JEDZ7ffEUnmqi3yeF9rWteNtIHvc46MTLb3k72jFZDtAfZopVGFb6PRFWrWeF1_J8o2T84lbmxdtAjVfXnVCzyJdiXlg8cHQIEbyK81cctdVvO5uXi3Fg48sePpbdsdS7/s1600/171.jpg" height="400" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Yogurt kisses / fish mouth! He is hardly EVER this messy when eating, but I was letting him play with his almost empty bowl. I couldn't get the camera out in time to snap a photo when he was wearing the bowl on his head! ;)</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKg4o2Ut-0J0oA41ss5EtL1ZEGnF3cOAYglZOMd8eCAV2_awskv73dyigEDN7SlohGO-9X2x0tjio7tE0DVq5cMXxo82ynn3s_cJHGEBSm0qoD3WiiDnbHMEFMtVjDq73tFXH7/s1600/172.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKg4o2Ut-0J0oA41ss5EtL1ZEGnF3cOAYglZOMd8eCAV2_awskv73dyigEDN7SlohGO-9X2x0tjio7tE0DVq5cMXxo82ynn3s_cJHGEBSm0qoD3WiiDnbHMEFMtVjDq73tFXH7/s1600/172.jpg" height="400" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Smiley Little Lady.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPBqG9KdeWCWlwQknnMU9F3SuAJL40yz3_gQ5gkjeRV6WTrl6RXjFdLKKFAmOpD8N2mzQO8WXmwPKw5ZBXMkHMnsi747j3zGDvLz7gBW5U0Z-tIbImwGUmDTTFU4aDE-yJ0WW2/s1600/181.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPBqG9KdeWCWlwQknnMU9F3SuAJL40yz3_gQ5gkjeRV6WTrl6RXjFdLKKFAmOpD8N2mzQO8WXmwPKw5ZBXMkHMnsi747j3zGDvLz7gBW5U0Z-tIbImwGUmDTTFU4aDE-yJ0WW2/s1600/181.jpg" height="400" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Tucker, who just turned 9, got his spring haircut a week ago, and now that I can see what size he really was under all that hair, guess who's on a diet?!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNGZhBJey7F7Z8P5TpHTI1sphc2GXYWyA4bIFwOqqr-2SG-UCi_ZqI9G9SkQxr-69Pjrn_IljudD6lbqekX2hFJTaVi3b2QgVn12xTAabbPhtqMMc3IHTEOaorwb3uvd2VgJIO/s1600/N+&+J.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNGZhBJey7F7Z8P5TpHTI1sphc2GXYWyA4bIFwOqqr-2SG-UCi_ZqI9G9SkQxr-69Pjrn_IljudD6lbqekX2hFJTaVi3b2QgVn12xTAabbPhtqMMc3IHTEOaorwb3uvd2VgJIO/s1600/N+&+J.jpg" height="271" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">I had fun with this recent picture of Bundle of Joy and her little brother. :)</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid_keJFcwmWsUSj-6kfSW55s8gAUQSyNsBQN2NV64Qy8HA03-rgNBYon9a2g0EBoN_dAYdS4O_rUADBSlx9JikW5-B4LOcNJ8JW76eXdoCBq1Gc7uHxTHdheA9iF00umsz8C-S/s1600/166.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid_keJFcwmWsUSj-6kfSW55s8gAUQSyNsBQN2NV64Qy8HA03-rgNBYon9a2g0EBoN_dAYdS4O_rUADBSlx9JikW5-B4LOcNJ8JW76eXdoCBq1Gc7uHxTHdheA9iF00umsz8C-S/s1600/166.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">I love this picture of Mama snuggling with her little man. :) She'd been watching something on her DVD player and he - who hardly ever sees TV - was enthralled, as you can see!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRLatUgpYQpTYEqzY2iCUGyeDP_YZDVE61KhkYtHWfYVITJ1QvxAcXdKgqqr-Sh6fcSKxJy51HyynM92EumJsl0vnGLGrl7YaNPvw920mZcLQxdzDFrJrE3-EG4yxLOsB9LXWZ/s1600/406.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRLatUgpYQpTYEqzY2iCUGyeDP_YZDVE61KhkYtHWfYVITJ1QvxAcXdKgqqr-Sh6fcSKxJy51HyynM92EumJsl0vnGLGrl7YaNPvw920mZcLQxdzDFrJrE3-EG4yxLOsB9LXWZ/s1600/406.jpg" height="400" width="203" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Bundle of Joy's daddy's favorite cookies are Peanut Butter, and since she wanted to make them the other day, we suited up and got down to business! It was a nice treat for him when he got home.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiATzFEuT1_LTFXnQ18V8U_bXNBLe92dlJx_Hp_aRS3lA09yzYIjMFOZ05DkxWdJWwI8691xIU7nWXl93fFNVMPJAKlN3bjX0VNJY2Usb65cZ6PYBepKxlLVujjLVF-F0xHD84D/s1600/071.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiATzFEuT1_LTFXnQ18V8U_bXNBLe92dlJx_Hp_aRS3lA09yzYIjMFOZ05DkxWdJWwI8691xIU7nWXl93fFNVMPJAKlN3bjX0VNJY2Usb65cZ6PYBepKxlLVujjLVF-F0xHD84D/s1600/071.jpg" height="400" width="255" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">The Little Lady LOVED her first-ever sip of apple juice that big sister Bundle of Joy shared with her!</span></td></tr>
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My days off - which are generally the weekends although that also changes week to week depending on what's going on - are usually spent in a cocoon of as much isolation as I can get in plus work around my (as usual) disaster of a wee cabin. I house and dog/cat-sat about a week ago, and it was SO much easier to eat properly just having, especially, the <b><i>space</i></b> to prepare food and work . . . but running water also made it nice. I'm usually flat-out exhausted each work night and have no oomph to get anything DONE around here, so - since today is a rainy, inside day - I'm going to continue to work on getting things more organized and useable. <br />
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Yesterday was GORGEOUS, and I got quite a bit of outside work done - primarily cleaning out the chicken coop and doing a good bit of chainsawing, wood stacking, and cleaning up the yard. (I sure can feel that chainsawing in the ol' bod' today!)<br />
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I'll leave you with this picture - I only tapped one birch tree this year, but it's started producing NICELY! This is a half-gallon jar pictured below that I empty each night. I was hoping to start boiling the sap today, but - since that needs to be done outside and today's weather is NOT conducive - it ain't gonna happen. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgesh2MMJFvu2R8emVMZzOJ76i_Sk6AaqNiT2ESrJx9I8W7VzJ0fBvGfQa8yOxO8P12uAcZ9Ef3Lolt982eEf5ooCNNx9NFCYgv8VydBm0Ot2eNkUJ_BN-0J647gpHFb-EJ-rPc/s1600/209.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgesh2MMJFvu2R8emVMZzOJ76i_Sk6AaqNiT2ESrJx9I8W7VzJ0fBvGfQa8yOxO8P12uAcZ9Ef3Lolt982eEf5ooCNNx9NFCYgv8VydBm0Ot2eNkUJ_BN-0J647gpHFb-EJ-rPc/s1600/209.jpg" height="400" width="293" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">May your sap flow sweetly!</span></td></tr>
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Thanks for hangin' in there with me!<br />
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:) XO - Chicken MamaChicken Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11704834273210183660noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12847808.post-74552097055012418442014-12-17T14:32:00.001-06:002014-12-17T14:41:35.393-06:00I-N-S-O-M-N-I-AI have never . . . and I mean NEVER . . . had difficulty sleeping. Waking (on time)? Now *that* has been a problem! Remember, I am the girl with 5 alarms - 3 of which require me to get up and walk across the room to turn off! But not being able to fall asleep? Unheard of. Until lately.<br />
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It hasn't happened a lot. But, it *has* happened. And that, in itself, is super strange for me and this body I've inhabited for 43+ years. And, it's happened / is happening tonight. Last night. Whatever.<br />
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It's 5:36 AM on Tuesday morning, and I have YET to fall asleep Monday night! I finished an audio book. I a-l-m-o-s-t fell asleep during that, but then my bladder made me get up and attend to its needs. At 3:00 AM (or so), I gave up and put a movie in my laptop. Pushing the damn cat out of the way the entire time so I could actually see the $#*@ing screen! Then I got bored with the movie - another bizarre thing for me 'cause I LOVE movies. And now . . . I'm writing to you.<br />
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It's pretty sad, isn't it, that I finally get a chance to blog . . . when I have <i>insomnia</i>!?<br />
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Thank goodness, though: I don't have to work in the morning (which it is now). I am on a short, much-needed vacation while the babies' mama (with the 3 of them in tow) visits family in another state. I realize, now that I'm "into" the vacation, however, that Christmastime is <i>not</i> the most ideal time to have one . . . because I'm spending all my time on Christmas prep instead of the huge list I'd made in anticipation! On the other hand, had I not had this free time to do so, I know I'd be SO much more frantic this time next week! So, six of one & half a dozen of another.<br />
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<i>* The above was written earlier this week. Now it's Wednesday afternoon. *</i><br />
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I finally got to sleep around 6:30 AM yesterday - which pretty much shot my day to hell since I woke up at 1:30 PM. I was wondering how I'd do last night, and so I took a homeopathic sleep-aid. I guess it did (sort of) work because the last I looked at the clock was 2:00 AM. So, definite progress, eh?<br />
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A friend suggested this could be a side-effect of menopause, but - starting<i> that</i> prematurely at 32 - I really thought I'd experienced all the ill from that (hot flashes) already! Hmph. <i> </i> <br />
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* * *<br />
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For the last couple of weeks, we'd been experiencing a horrible warm / melting period that was making me seriously contemplate finding a high bridge to jump off of! Nearly ALL the snow was gone, and the places where there was packed snow had turned to ice. Then, Monday (?), it rained and rained and RAINED! Aaaaaaagh! Fortunately, though and as predicted, the temps started falling late Monday night, and now we have a good 4+ inches of fresh snow coating everything and normal temps again (21° right now). I was <i>dreading</i> a brown(ish) Christmas! <br />
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There's really nothing new to report in my life. It's just been babies, babies, babies (and the now 5-year old). No complaints (!), but it is tiring. Tucker wasn't feeling very well a few days ago and was off his food - which made me VERY nervous (since this was what Maisy did before she died). But, I think it was a combination of him getting into something in the woods and - oddly enough - some critter peeing in his food dish on the deck. I say that because I <i>was</i> able to get him to eat out of <i>another</i> dish. Weird, huh?<br />
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These first few days of vacation have been spent catching up with long-overdue friends and running errands. Saturday night, a dear friend and I met up for a drink before attending a play . . . except we were having so much fun that we SKIPPED the play! Ha! And, we closed down the tavern . . . which maybe wasn't such a good idea . . . but we sure did have fun! ;) I had to atone for my sins the next day, though, as it was a scheduled cookie bake day with my dear friend from (where I used to) work. Needless to say, I was moving rather slowly in the AM and felt <b><i>no</i></b> need for my usual afternoon visit to her husband's beer refrig in the garage! ;) <br />
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Today will be the first day of my vacation that I don't have to go anywhere - 6 days into it. SIX?! Ack! :( I think of those fond, old days at Swamp River Ridge when I was a housewife and didn't go off the property for DAYS! How I miss that! I was hoping to get heaps done, but the late falling-asleep hour results in a late getting-up time. And still, I MADE myself get up when I did. I could have happily burrowed back under the covers for a couple more hours.<br />
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I got lots of wrapping done last night so I can get a clearer idea of where I am as far as shopping goes. Because I have such limited space here in my wee cabin, I asked my folks if I could start bringing (their) gifts and "storing" them under their tree. That will help me out. Storing wrapped presents isn't bad - until the ribbon and bows go on! After that, you <b><u>can't</u></b> stack 'em or things will get flattened! And I'm ALL about prettily-wrapped packages. As I say, you can make a so-so gift seem extra special by the wrapping! ;)<br />
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I have a big Amazon order that I am working on, and I only realized last night <b><i>just how close it is</i></b> to Christmas and that I HAVE to get that in today! Wonder how much I'll have to pay in expedited shipping to get things here on time? Blech. My fault, tho!<br />
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Is it just me who always thinks that there is "plenty of time" until . . . <b>WHAM</b>!? NO time left!!<br />
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I'll leave you with a couple of pics . . . <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZkK_xokbn9yF53K4j3cTnXpOxkvSjL7oNBJLRazy3Iig-lQtjKkpgrrervVdHhtcX-jZ5orU_el25okASd4V6NiCckv-bJs0hYWG8c8NLiDQGhWnt745MmK9ozUG-j77yngoT/s1600/016.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZkK_xokbn9yF53K4j3cTnXpOxkvSjL7oNBJLRazy3Iig-lQtjKkpgrrervVdHhtcX-jZ5orU_el25okASd4V6NiCckv-bJs0hYWG8c8NLiDQGhWnt745MmK9ozUG-j77yngoT/s1600/016.jpg" height="247" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Bundle of Joy, now a newly-minted 5 year old, likes to play at being a baby on occasion (I suspect because she figures she gets more attention that way!). Anyway, she slipped into her sister's booster the other day. I like Little Man's expression - kind of a, "ummm, <i>you're</i> not the sister I'm used to seeing there!"</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiocGx1nyAVYMfYuTeJO83udeIO9f_SmITTO5JIx0gOqIC5n0l4tzMRDKY_Mr87F_xOqAzdXoG-NegV4MRVGccjagqnuVcC17QuQP9xBdkjLfO-PPgC6q0fCuABHqLtG2f_GkXg/s1600/017.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiocGx1nyAVYMfYuTeJO83udeIO9f_SmITTO5JIx0gOqIC5n0l4tzMRDKY_Mr87F_xOqAzdXoG-NegV4MRVGccjagqnuVcC17QuQP9xBdkjLfO-PPgC6q0fCuABHqLtG2f_GkXg/s1600/017.jpg" height="400" width="303" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">One of these is not like the other!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2a35vtCcbeEoxMFPKvrBtLT90ICOpXFouDaPlqLejCOPMDm_Iwkrqb4reuParSM2h8lVmkXgjse5-3vmGqVhMEZ4_4oqQ1PnEofE8G3Sq3XeEaxDqJ5kZYNafbB7cPmKVvxEO/s1600/013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2a35vtCcbeEoxMFPKvrBtLT90ICOpXFouDaPlqLejCOPMDm_Iwkrqb4reuParSM2h8lVmkXgjse5-3vmGqVhMEZ4_4oqQ1PnEofE8G3Sq3XeEaxDqJ5kZYNafbB7cPmKVvxEO/s1600/013.jpg" height="340" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">This is my new friend who comes to visit and help with the babies </span><span style="font-size: small;">when she can. </span><span style="font-size: small;">(So I can get mundane things like dishes done!) I love N's expression here. Remember, she's the well-proven biter! It's as though she's saying, "Oh, no, you don't, Brother! You KNOW I will bite that finger if you try to stick it in my mouth!"</span><br />
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</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgPNdTa-EbKODtlHfPiLiyYTH0TYKgAATMjzohyphenhyphenALZ6Wsdv4Zx312t_SWjMXlqXTPEB2DHEB96zCyCr87YJQkJqKn8kqQtjh6YdeGuizodcNEIDoTA0BOkEjfXy5dcjb1DI5yc/s1600/037.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgPNdTa-EbKODtlHfPiLiyYTH0TYKgAATMjzohyphenhyphenALZ6Wsdv4Zx312t_SWjMXlqXTPEB2DHEB96zCyCr87YJQkJqKn8kqQtjh6YdeGuizodcNEIDoTA0BOkEjfXy5dcjb1DI5yc/s1600/037.jpg" height="400" width="220" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Just hangin' out - looking at the snow (at the beginning of the month before it all melted!)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrOycTWsF6f-_H4FKLvopcdIlQ-8ZSrqORU2PEex96AaGiRpZwO4LZGbRbB3WkYpEChpWufxjnbxgi5WZd3fwnSUelEMfq14WPRiP9duIA-YKRvp0THoSAUBj4sF0LC7JTNzPl/s1600/043.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrOycTWsF6f-_H4FKLvopcdIlQ-8ZSrqORU2PEex96AaGiRpZwO4LZGbRbB3WkYpEChpWufxjnbxgi5WZd3fwnSUelEMfq14WPRiP9duIA-YKRvp0THoSAUBj4sF0LC7JTNzPl/s1600/043.jpg" height="400" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">I'll leave you with a great one of The Mama - doesn't she look fantastic?! She came to do some Christmas baking. Bundle of Joy is going thru a period of very unnatural smiles when you ask her to pose, so I was trying to use reverse psychology here by warning her, "Don't laugh! Don't you DARE laugh!" (Didn't work.) ;)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />Chicken Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11704834273210183660noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12847808.post-89014801249579479862014-12-12T17:54:00.000-06:002014-12-12T17:54:41.064-06:00Exactly!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjorW-gx72Ya1ImfcvMg4xqiGE8-WID-FgYkI00QxEzO7QRPsuV-lO4947-GVnggWAwIo3AHBpUjwYuv_qi2EFFSAm1E0T1xDI5DcpzbsQiPUCPkEJugPO0MqrrE7px0QxAeioO/s1600/banana.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjorW-gx72Ya1ImfcvMg4xqiGE8-WID-FgYkI00QxEzO7QRPsuV-lO4947-GVnggWAwIo3AHBpUjwYuv_qi2EFFSAm1E0T1xDI5DcpzbsQiPUCPkEJugPO0MqrrE7px0QxAeioO/s1600/banana.png" /></a></div>
<br />Chicken Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11704834273210183660noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12847808.post-81100248409800879522014-11-05T22:21:00.001-06:002014-11-05T22:24:17.508-06:00My Other Writing<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The brief time and energy I have for writing these days goes towards keeping the CaringBridge site for Bundle of Joy's mama updated. But, it's occurred to me that even though it certainly isn't my "normal writing", at least you'd know what I've been up to if I share it here with you, too.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">So, with the names tweaked for obvious reasons, here's the most recent "big" (NOT to be read as a positive adjective) news:</span><br />
<br />
<h3 style="text-align: center;">
<span class="user-generated">A New Plan - </span><span class="text-muted">Nov 3, 2014</span>
</h3>
<div class="byline">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaEafdDCOMthnZ1y2oK0jru4LagC2aud2djwTEfRFLKFnxPjvgBu8JiB554CSHcSGRuNUMARfr3-1XrcQrV2S8_UomGSdurOe8fbuaROn56NIGFVQSpvOmlHhI-czoWO6c173W/s1600/002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaEafdDCOMthnZ1y2oK0jru4LagC2aud2djwTEfRFLKFnxPjvgBu8JiB554CSHcSGRuNUMARfr3-1XrcQrV2S8_UomGSdurOe8fbuaROn56NIGFVQSpvOmlHhI-czoWO6c173W/s1600/002.jpg" height="400" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mama & her boy.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span class="text-muted"><time datetime="2014-11-03T13:54:53-06:00" pubdate=""><br /></time></span>
</div>
<div class="user-generated" style="text-align: center;">
It’s taken me a while to write this post. My first version was WAY too emotional.<br />
<br />
H’s
most recent trip to Mayo (the week of October 13th) did not end well.
Not for her and J. Not for their children. Not for their families.
Not for you. Not for me. <br />
<br />
They spent both Monday and Tuesday
in consultations and tests in (the anticipated) preparation for the 4th
chemo treatment and five weeks of radiation treatments. Testing went
late on Tuesday and they decided to postpone the next chemo due to plain
old exhaustion. Ten minutes north of Rochester on their way home
Wednesday morning, they received a call from (one of) their
oncologist(s). <br />
<br />
“How far away are you? Can you turn around and come back to the clinic. We need to talk.”<br />
<br />
The scans, the tests showed that the cancer has spread. It is
now in her abdominal cavity and in more of the lymph nodes. The
three chemo treatments have not made any difference (yet). Upon closer
examination and conference within her oncology team, continued chemo and
the 5 weeks of radiation would have a less than 5% chance of readying
her for surgery. I.e., there would be only a slight chance – AFTER
enduring all that – of the tumors shrinking enough for the surgeons to
do their work. And, with this diagnosis came a general estimation of
(life)time remaining for our wonderful, sweet H of 2 years. (I
cannot express to you how difficult that is to write.)<br />
<br />
With tears, prayers and time to absorb this worst imaginable
news, H has decided that it’s simply not worth it to continue with
the ineffective (it seems) chemo and futile radiation. To go through
more chemo that her body handles so poorly and to be so weak for so long
following each treatment, to be away from her children for 5 days for
each of 5 weeks taking radiation treatments that there’s a 95% chance of
not even working . . . the decision was almost made for her.<br />
<br />
So, they are taking a BREAK from all the icky stuff that makes
her so sick and weak. No more chemo for now. No radiation. No long
absences from home.<br />
<br />
But this does NOT mean H is not being
proactive! Just the opposite: she is fighting even harder with a new
battle plan based on a well-supported alternative cancer treatment
reinforced by diet, exercise, and prayer.</div>
<div class="user-generated" style="text-align: center;">
<br />
And, it’s a decision that seems to suit! H looks GOOD, and I think
she’s found much more peace now that she’s taken back the control (as
much as one can have in a situation like this) of her own treatment.
She’s getting out for a walk almost each day (vs. not even having the
energy/strength to hold the twins following chemo treatments!); has an
APPETITE again (hip, hip, HOORAY!) and is eating an organic, basically
Paleo diet (protein & veggies - no wheat, very few grains, no sugar)
with a focus on the new-found regenerative properties of bone broths. <br />
<br />
The fabulous oncology team at Mayo will continue to meet with
H for consultations, tests, and scans. Their next visit is
scheduled for this week. At this point, the plan is to wait for the
next (cancer) scan for 4 or 6 months . . . after which we’ll know
whether or not the initial chemo followed by her alternative treatments
have resulted in any positive changes!<br />
<br />
What can you do? Pray like you’ve never prayed before. Pray
for peace for H and J. Strength for them both, too. And pray
for the miracle we so desperately need. I know I speak for each of you
reading this when I say that we’ll <i>all</i> help H ‘DARE to Live!’</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Chicken Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11704834273210183660noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12847808.post-25377134481340920342014-10-13T13:17:00.001-05:002014-10-13T13:17:06.280-05:00The One I Wrote Last Night<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The monsoons of summer have finally abated, and we’ve been
blessed with some amazingly gorgeous fall days.<span>
</span>Sun, cool temps and enough wind to shake the yellow leaves off the
popples.<span> </span>It’s gorgeous.<span> </span>If only it weren’t such a short season!</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">I made a shopping trip to the big city last Thursday in
conjunction with my annual check-in with my shrink.<span> </span>She said that I’m “amazing”.<span> </span>Have I mentioned that I L-O-V-E her?<span> </span>;)<span>
</span>There are two other things that stick out in my mind from the day as well.<span> </span>First, this in the grocery aisles at Target:</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Seriously?<span> </span>WHY, on
god’s green earth, would ANYONE put that into the mouth of their child?<span> </span>I mean, it’s not even the issue that this is
NOT “food” . . . but that much dye?!<span> </span>And
the sugar!<span> </span>The “best scenario” I can think
of would be inviting over the child of your worst enemy, filling them up with
this “cake” and then sending them directly home . . . but giving it to anyone
you actually CARE ABOUT?<span> </span>Crazy.<span> </span>As a cuckoo bird.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Here was my other blog-worthy (and I use the term “worthy”
extremely loosely here) moment.<span> </span>I’ve
needed new bras DES-perately.<span> </span>My bras
look like they belong to an old married woman divorced 4 years who’s not yet
gone on a single date!<span> </span>(Oh . . . wait .
. . .)<span> </span>But you get the picture.<span> </span>ANYWAY, here’s a little visual for all you
women out there who are much younger (in spirit / at heart) than your bodies suggest:<span> </span>you know you’re over-the-hill / past your
prime / old / (insert favorite derogatory adjective here) when you realize that
you are trying to tuck <i>not</i> the side
of your breast into the bra you’re trying on – but your ARMPIT FAT! </span></span></div>
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Chicken Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11704834273210183660noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12847808.post-13337478543217019642014-09-22T22:43:00.000-05:002014-09-22T22:44:58.327-05:00For Mollie<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">From this morning's visit with Mama. I am SO fortunate to be a part of all this love. :)</span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbgHze8i2WUDIttHdwoo3r-0ipF1DTETQYfE4ABI1nrZHu4G812mRZiDcv91x2T8gUXfcLcZbATTcXczowGJrjC4qT9__G4VIJpj3A5VaiuylpEJ2R7NMRvX5icwWFTfq8u5H6/s1600/011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbgHze8i2WUDIttHdwoo3r-0ipF1DTETQYfE4ABI1nrZHu4G812mRZiDcv91x2T8gUXfcLcZbATTcXczowGJrjC4qT9__G4VIJpj3A5VaiuylpEJ2R7NMRvX5icwWFTfq8u5H6/s1600/011.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Little Bear (because she growls!) has a fascination with her tongue at the moment. Can you tell?!</span></td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjorAbr0UVomaLN-pvH-SnGoaP2TBfROrSmi0-Q6EWCx5Jad67FvVfrx4gIgLXjSIwm84sLDwhoFnXTgHkf5iPyG_9MFGmyNpXoSIztWI4iUbzoba6zA7vjyo7dDSXC7lHJVp62/s1600/015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjorAbr0UVomaLN-pvH-SnGoaP2TBfROrSmi0-Q6EWCx5Jad67FvVfrx4gIgLXjSIwm84sLDwhoFnXTgHkf5iPyG_9MFGmyNpXoSIztWI4iUbzoba6zA7vjyo7dDSXC7lHJVp62/s1600/015.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijeaE7wdQThYXnBXw74isOlbX2c7JThXHqYp8xd8E92YeT4_ZNgVQzRcN6o1zB6lIBjHb2aKxuXzVCn_tW5DCEmRy52cPm6V7-umlGKV0G5c7oEgWLH7tQN37zAAXj4XzfEee8/s1600/005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijeaE7wdQThYXnBXw74isOlbX2c7JThXHqYp8xd8E92YeT4_ZNgVQzRcN6o1zB6lIBjHb2aKxuXzVCn_tW5DCEmRy52cPm6V7-umlGKV0G5c7oEgWLH7tQN37zAAXj4XzfEee8/s1600/005.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">"Anything you can do I can do better; I can do anything better than you!"</span></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNomDdxh_U6YsyP1IikeX5hayhNMG6E35n3h5Ari57PTalYd_3hZ4CfkY2yHaKESl7fRElFszLg-ShYu9o8wsd-H1jtu1APbdilVuuhAV0Ws7Idk7s_Z6ZmAhBbjGUNLVAIfwg/s1600/012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNomDdxh_U6YsyP1IikeX5hayhNMG6E35n3h5Ari57PTalYd_3hZ4CfkY2yHaKESl7fRElFszLg-ShYu9o8wsd-H1jtu1APbdilVuuhAV0Ws7Idk7s_Z6ZmAhBbjGUNLVAIfwg/s1600/012.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I'm not sure if this picture is heart-warming or heart-breaking. Maybe both.</span></span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></td></tr>
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Chicken Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11704834273210183660noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12847808.post-31813593888124178372014-08-31T13:41:00.001-05:002014-08-31T15:55:58.285-05:00Why I Haven't Written (Lately, Anyway)<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I was hoping to be able to continue my story of the chain of events leading from my last post up until now, but it's simply been too busy and I am too tired to be creative.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">As I said, I began my new job at the beginning of July. A month into it on August 5th (has it only been 26 days ago???), I was taking care of the three Bundles of Joy while their folks drove down to the big city 2.5 hours south. The mama hadn't been feeling well - both <i>during</i> her pregnancy with the unexpected twins (now nearly 10 months old) <i>and</i> ever since. But, the </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">local medical professionals</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> chalked this strain and constant exhaustion up to the toll the twins took on her lithe body . . . and were still taking (nursing two robust little people was simply expending more calories than she could take in).</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Anyway, a more in-depth exam was scheduled for the 5th, and off they went for a "quick trip" (she didn't even take her breast pump: the visit was anticipated to be just an in-and-out one with results to follow).</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><u>Immediately</u> upon seeing what the internal camera was displaying on the monitor, the doctors knew what they were looking at: cancer. It was that evident. A biopsy was taken and a CT Scan ordered. This "quick trip" was <i>not</i> going to be one.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">The cancer had already metastasized and was found throughout three different organs and in her lymph nodes. This beautiful, most incredible woman - mother of three little children - hardest worker you'll ever find - most selfless, modest creature on the planet has cancer. She who makes all her own family's food, has 7 loaves of bread in the oven at 7:00 AM, never drinks, never had a cigarette touch her lips . . . has cancer. And through ALL OF THAT, while the cancer was already ravaging her body, she grew, birthed, and nursed twin babies. Who <i>are perfect</i>.</span><br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEnTQLK0ks7w1g52qknDLUXMcbFpTvOFjNlwGcu7nE3buGPfbgCp04jNEyEzavtzGhEhJhloplvZ6NP12wuQEnb7UOsKbtsfZ2HrhDsUl89k4ailT7ceLPWGS_v0kA_23v9WiO/s1600/Donations+-+No+Name.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEnTQLK0ks7w1g52qknDLUXMcbFpTvOFjNlwGcu7nE3buGPfbgCp04jNEyEzavtzGhEhJhloplvZ6NP12wuQEnb7UOsKbtsfZ2HrhDsUl89k4ailT7ceLPWGS_v0kA_23v9WiO/s1600/Donations+-+No+Name.png" height="305" width="400" /></a></div>
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<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">So, as you can see, this past month - which seems like 26 WEEKS instead of days - has been . . . terrible. Exhausting. Emotional (ya think?). Filled with so much love. Filled with even more pain.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">That first <strike>quick</strike> visit to the doctor's office resulted in an absence of 3 days (if memory serves) for the parents during which the daddy/husband's (one) sister and I shared child-care duties of the three kiddos.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I won't even try to encapsulate what has transpired over this past month other than to say that it's been filled with friends and family who are willing to move mountains to get this woman healthy and returned to her family in full-operating order. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">The cancer is so far along (stage IV) that surgery to install the chemo port in her chest was scheduled for the very next morning (from that first internal exam), followed <i>immediately</i> by her first round of chemo. So, this woman who left her house one morning - exhausted but ready for answers - returned days later recovering from an hour-long surgery and with a 48-hour chemo bag hanging from her shoulder and IVs trailing from her chest.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Since then, there have been the subsequent chemo rounds and exhausting trips to the hospital 2.5 hours away as well as to Mayo in Rochester, MN. Ultimately, however, they have narrowed the oncology team down to the one at Mayo, and the surgeon for her first upcoming (major) surgery (probably in October once the tumors have shrunk enough to <i>allow</i> for it) is the best in . . . the ENTIRE WORLD! And he feels positive about the outcome of that - which, as it stands now, will be the most crucial - surgery.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">We - friends and family - have been divided into different armies for this battle of all battles. There are those working, day and night, on the continued construction of their house remodeling already in-progress when this began. (For now, we have all moved out of that house to allow for the immediate and uninterrupted work needed on it. And that's been a major stress in itself because who doesn't want to be HOME when they're sick??!)</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">There are those who have moved into nearly full-time child care mode (myself and the aforementioned sister who already has a husband, 4 children and a farm of her own AND home-schools!)</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">There are those who travel to every single medical appointment - no matter how far away - to act as medical advocate, liaison and support-person. While still carrying their own full-time jobs.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">There are those who have become researchers and makers of the foods she eats, no matter the incredible stresses in their own lives. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">There are those planning the upcoming benefit for the family, orchestrating donations, organizing silent auctions, trying to find the time to update the CaringBride site (ah-hem, that last part would be me).</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">There are those who are taking care of ME and Tucker so I can take care of the 4-year old and babies: Mama & Papa Pea! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">In short, this entire community has been frozen in its tracks that <i>something like this</i> could happen to <i>someone like her</i> (member of the volunteer fire department on <i>top</i> of everything else she does, for crying out loud!). But the <i>very</i> second after we had our initial breakdowns, sobbing for breath, we mobilized. We wiped our tears, dusted off our hands and asked, "Okay! What can *I* do?"</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Thank you for listening, and I'll try to update as I can. Just as soon as I get some sleep and clean this hovel my cabin has become! ;)</span><br />
<br />
Chicken Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11704834273210183660noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12847808.post-37812427474943077162014-08-23T15:30:00.004-05:002014-08-23T15:30:50.206-05:00An Update - In Stages<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Hey, all! I'm going to work on updating you, but it will come in stages so please be patient with me! Life, since mid-June, has been crazy and, since August 5th, downright up-to-your-neck-in-it kinda hellish.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">That said, here is the first installment written . . . I dunno, an age ago! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">* * * * *</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">It's shocking, I know, to find me here - actually
writing a post.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can't tell you how
often blog entries are flitting through my mind.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Well, sure I can:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>almost daily!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>But, it's a matter of time - </span>or priorities.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And this falls a bit further down the list
than most things.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">There's a good bit of news, though!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A "good bit" as in both quantity
AND quality!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">If we go back to the first part of June, things
were ramping up at my retail job for the busy, busy summer months.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was getting my departments (housewares,
books, and the watch case) fully stocked, and things were looking good as we <s>dreaded</s>
anticipated the onslaught of tourists that keeps this little community
rockin'.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I work with a terrific bunch of
people, but the management of the store was steadily declining . . . including
the treatment of us, the wonderful staff, who keep the place functioning as the
destination that it is.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Truly, it is
extremely uncommon for someone to walk out of the store empty-handed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I would say that upwards of 95%<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> (no exaggeration)</span> of everyone who walks in to the store, purchases something.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>An unusual statistic, but one that speaks to
the history of the store (begun in 1941) and the items we've stocked.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Unfortunately, particularly in the last year or
so, we WOULD notice customers leaving empty-handed, and this was in direct
relation to some changes the management has been making.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Changes that were disappointing not only the
paying customers but also us, the employees.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">So, in short, even though I absolutely love the
heritage of the place as well as 80% of the people I work with, I was always
applying for other opportunities (i.e. jobs) in the county when they presented
themselves.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had a promising and
slightly nerve-wracking set of interviews for a position with the local folk
school.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>"Promising" because I was one of 5
final applicants out of a field of about 26.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>So, I was feeling pretty confident because I have a lot of connections
there, including having taught a course there before.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, the first thing I was told in the
final interview after the "congratulations on being one of the 5
finalists" was "every single one of you is a friend or family
member" to the school.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>D'oh!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And dammit to hellandback!</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I think I flubbed the final interview, too,
because I was lulled into the "friend" part of the equation and
didn't sell myself as I would have / SHOULD have if I didn't know these people
already.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was too honest, saying
"I don't like people - <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">you</i> know
that!" to the executive director.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Dummy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Instead, I should have
said something about what I do so well and leave <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">off</i> the part that I hate it:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>"I'm very good with customers and tourists and have a way of making
them feel that I truly care about assisting them."<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Again:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>dummy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">So, whatever, I didn't get that gig.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span> </span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I also applied for a front-desk position with
the Forest Service, but - it being a government thing - that takes MONTHS
before any action actually happens . . . and I'm STILL on the waiting list of
applicants for that job, even tho I'm no longer interested in it.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Okay,
where was I?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I wrote the above yesterday
during a quiet period at work (that's a hint - although, I admit, an extremely broad one!).<span class="msoIns"><ins cite="mailto:Owner" datetime="2014-07-26T07:12"></ins></span></span></i></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Now you have a little of the back-story to what
transpired mid-June.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was at work one
day when a dear friend (Bundle of Joy's daddy) came in and said that he needed
to speak to me - but away from Big Ears.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I took him down a quiet aisle, and he laid it out:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>his construction business getting busier
every year - and his wife/mother to their three children, two of them twins,
not having the time - he needed a secretary.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>A pretty-much full-time secretary!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>And would I mind a little baby-watching from time to time?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Oh, and the position would pay more than I
was currently making.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And I could have
as much coffee as I could drink.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>WHILE I
work!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(We're not allowed any beverages
"on the floor" at work.)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Hmmm, let me think . . . um, YES?!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(Well, truth be told, I <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">did</i> have to think about it for a little while - fewer than 24
hours, if memory serves.)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Because, it's
not a full-time position year-round due to the fact that construction and dirt
work comes to nearly a screeching halt in this here neck of the woods in the
wintertime - for obvious reasons.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So,
I'd have to be frugal and a good budgeter of my monies to stretch the
additional summertime / construction season pay through each winter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But, I'm going to add to my income by REALLY
focusing on my Chicken Mama Designs (the photography) each winter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I'm 43 now, and I figure that if I make a
REAL attempt at it . . . and don't succeed (due to my own laziness or lack of
stick-to-it-iveness), I may as well throw in the towel on that particular dream
of mine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In other words, either "----
or get off the pot", as they say!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Anyway, after presenting me with this new job
opportunity while I was at work, I grinned at my new benefactor and asked,
"I suppose it would be awkward if I hugged and kissed you right here?"<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>;)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">So, I put in my notice at work on June 18th.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>July 2nd - RIGHT before the big 4th of July
weekend, YIKES! - would be my last day!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
felt bad for my co-workers that I was leaving them "in the lurch" at
such a crucial time:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>right at the very
beginning of our busiest season.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But,
when opportunity comes knocking . . . !<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>And, down to the last one of them, they all knew this new gig was the
ideal fit for me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When I told my closest
friend at work, she teared up on me, damn her!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Others were "mad" at me - but, you know, in that "we love
you, you CAN'T leave us!" kind of way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, the morning
after my last day of 2.5 years of HEAVY retail & tourists, I began here on
July 3rd.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The first time I went into the store to shop as a
regular customer felt sooooo strange!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It was impossible to take something off a shelf without
"fronting" the item behind it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>;)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><i>Annnnnnnd, sorry to leave you hanging, but that's it for now . . . ! More to come as soon as I have the energy. :) </i></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><i> </i></span></span></div>
Chicken Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11704834273210183660noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12847808.post-84559438944988297102014-06-26T11:36:00.003-05:002014-06-26T11:46:28.579-05:00The Day the USPS Went Postal<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I know I haven't posted in a while, but this is urgent . . . and so, SO absolutely insane. But, it *is* the government, after all.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Check out Nano. He's my friend's dog. Fearsome, isn't he? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">A mail carrier has accused Nano of biting her on the inner thigh (<i>how?! did he levitate?</i>), causing "multiple punctures". (No photographic evidence has been provided. Perhaps because it doesn't, actually, exist?)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">Now, the USPS has suspended mail delivery to the ENTIRE multi-unit complex in which Nano and his human live. Ultimately, the USPS wants Nano killed. Yesterday, if not sooner. At best, they want him and his human to move. Which, ironically, would *not* solve the perceived "problem" because they (the USPS) have said they'll notify the mail carrier at the new location that a vicious hound lives there.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">Please read my friend's newly-created (specifically for this situation) <span style="color: red;"><i><b><a href="http://justicefornano.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">blog</span></a></b></i></span>. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">Please also read the <span style="color: red;"><i><b><a href="http://www.startribune.com/local/264676911.html#KVKhIfMUMmujeqD3.97" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">article</span></a></b></i></span> in the Minneapolis Star Tribune.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">Peace out,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">Chicken Mama & Tucker</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">-Friends in Arms & Paws-</span></div>
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Chicken Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11704834273210183660noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12847808.post-56482524972106414502014-06-12T15:51:00.000-05:002014-06-12T15:57:05.584-05:00Lawdy, lawdy . . . a post!<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">"My" Baby Girl is moving, and this does not make Bopee happy. I *never* considered that one of my families might move: it simply never entered my mind! But, the daddy got a big promotion and has transferred to Wisconsin. When I first heard "Wisconsin" I thought sure it would be a big city and far away, say Eau Claire or Madison. My immediate sadness was MUCH allayed, however, when I discovered that their new home will be only 3.5 hours away . . . and only 1.5 hours past the big city where I have to go, anyway, for doctor/eye/etc. appointments! So, this *is* doable! Still, don't think that tears haven't been shed. :(</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjPUqJ71g8trjB_URF8TaZAC3bCOPT60IDas3AT2EfcQ3tu9z6lp6MNff1MSiklFMUTHncsKBaEiwcJLCN3HR0EZT76X_VdbjMz5-SJI6gT2DQLvP6HFfugpojja82oAFX3wRT/s1600/C+Collage.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjPUqJ71g8trjB_URF8TaZAC3bCOPT60IDas3AT2EfcQ3tu9z6lp6MNff1MSiklFMUTHncsKBaEiwcJLCN3HR0EZT76X_VdbjMz5-SJI6gT2DQLvP6HFfugpojja82oAFX3wRT/s1600/C+Collage.png" height="400" width="305" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">The above collage is one I put together for 'C's Special Book' that I'm making her. It's really just a 3-ring binder in which she can save special papers, drawings, etc. for the walls of her new bedroom. See, they are living in their camper this summer while they wait to get into their new house, and I thought this would be a fun way for her to collect her artwork from the summer AND help her look forward to her new bedroom. :)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I took
care of Bunny and his big sister (aka The Peanut) a week or so ago, and as we
neared the end of the day and time for Mom & Dad to come home, I
wanted to do up the day's dishes. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt737RqeXtAggAW4dbxHChXb7dnpBuZUpmaYf73lPSYNei-ZXwaZjcxRUPOf6BnLVmptDRW2mjOLSmYPIVVeXVAI3gRJQ4Qhe6LtD0yLcu9FCL0luYZPySZkioTJDY0-XpjdkC/s1600/015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt737RqeXtAggAW4dbxHChXb7dnpBuZUpmaYf73lPSYNei-ZXwaZjcxRUPOf6BnLVmptDRW2mjOLSmYPIVVeXVAI3gRJQ4Qhe6LtD0yLcu9FCL0luYZPySZkioTJDY0-XpjdkC/s1600/015.jpg" height="190" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The little man wanted to do the dishes himself, and I could *not* dissuade him short of a temper tantrum. So, choosing my battles, I decided to let him (who turned just 3 in April) "wash" all the dishes . . . and then I would redo them. As he was washing, I questioned him on his insistence re doing the dishes. "WHY do you want to do the dishes?" "'Cause", he says, "it's dangur-wuss!" Hahahaha - melts Bopee's heart! (I wonder if that's the reason his parents give him so that he doesn't try to help each time they do dishes?!)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Earlier in the day, we three had gone on an "adventure" (long walk), and I had the pleasure of finding a Nodding Trillium . . . an early-summer flower I've always wanted to see but had not yet been in the right physical environment to do so!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxXwJCtvMrihLjljFefohGXcPuhq-M2aq_mRYV80mVRuK6sOIb44fOvzqlHtw-QNeiZUbIsHwnaVqVSFICfzq8S4VBzYZfo6z8r5MTBYyYeRLqdJvLilvCDhAU_Hv8PUJk-7wl/s1600/011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxXwJCtvMrihLjljFefohGXcPuhq-M2aq_mRYV80mVRuK6sOIb44fOvzqlHtw-QNeiZUbIsHwnaVqVSFICfzq8S4VBzYZfo6z8r5MTBYyYeRLqdJvLilvCDhAU_Hv8PUJk-7wl/s1600/011.jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">When we'd begun our walk, we were out in the big field south of the house when Tucker pooped. Hearing me exclaim, "Oh! I'd better get the shovel so I can scoop the poop," Bunny took off and came back carrying the big shovel with a determined stride in his step. I tell ya, we grow 'em right here in the Northwoods! :)</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDugERiWUIUmuT37tseaG5RG0035uJ2MJoMp7vgemzl8qc4m-tLhKa6H3ZRgxbA8NI-Q5n9T65Hx6DoOiDqbJhmoKruSG2W3C-uFOpxlDUJ0MvXCbCV1G-vWuOd8UcIB7FOlbW/s1600/001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDugERiWUIUmuT37tseaG5RG0035uJ2MJoMp7vgemzl8qc4m-tLhKa6H3ZRgxbA8NI-Q5n9T65Hx6DoOiDqbJhmoKruSG2W3C-uFOpxlDUJ0MvXCbCV1G-vWuOd8UcIB7FOlbW/s1600/001.jpg" height="236" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I have a set nannying gig every 2nd and 4th Thursday night of each month - taking care of Bundle of Joy and the twins (already 7 months old!!!) while their folks are at their volunteer fire dept. meetings. It was the dad's birthday this past Sunday, and since tonight is the first time I'll see them since then, I'm making his annual Banana Cream Pie birthday "cake". Back when I was at The Big House (Swamp River Ridge), I made the pie with goose eggs, and those make the richest cream filling you can imagine. I was just thinking about it - and fresh-from-the-farm ingredients - because I just went out to the chicken house to collect the three eggs I need for the recipe. Talk about FRESH! (Too, kind of neat: it's a cool, wet day so I made a fire . . . and then figured "why don't I cook the custard on the wood stove instead of plugging in the hot plate?!" Brilliant. I love being able to do things like that.)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Here's the little man during dinner time just over a month ago. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix9K0pLDLKD6erZIfPbytZ-7lWVjKJ4CDJDVQhQyGsH1r8sXxoK1Wb6uXu9dD1JhOt1VWTOY_i4h-vkCOF9UbYT_nLO552BqVWV1YGfkSXuyDEymWmJ0ZuZiFDh7ND2QMQtOQQ/s1600/004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix9K0pLDLKD6erZIfPbytZ-7lWVjKJ4CDJDVQhQyGsH1r8sXxoK1Wb6uXu9dD1JhOt1VWTOY_i4h-vkCOF9UbYT_nLO552BqVWV1YGfkSXuyDEymWmJ0ZuZiFDh7ND2QMQtOQQ/s1600/004.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">"Mmmmm! GIMME, Bopee!"</span></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The twins are experimenting with cereal and food: *he's* open to just about anything, but she's a bit more discerning. Perhaps they're falling into stereotypical male/female roles already? ;)</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyL8vmJPdQz9lj0x0I4QL4r_TDXjKR2st09UigLCH5OHNkqeRyORtKl4DGHIRwuJGrVmpVVUcFMKN61nw1TcGV2x6l4vGT0LPxozGjnWyYokb56kBwJTvcxk2yTeczOexAPho3/s1600/003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyL8vmJPdQz9lj0x0I4QL4r_TDXjKR2st09UigLCH5OHNkqeRyORtKl4DGHIRwuJGrVmpVVUcFMKN61nw1TcGV2x6l4vGT0LPxozGjnWyYokb56kBwJTvcxk2yTeczOexAPho3/s1600/003.jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I'll finish with this. The last time I was working in one of the storage units, I came across this: the book I started so long ago! SOME day, I will get back to it! All the same, it was neat to be reminded of the solid start I have on it. I'd forgotten that.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">P.S. The new header is of Baby Girl and her BFF when I had them both a couple of weeks ago. I did a little graphic designing and super-imposed on the top left 'Friends Forever' and then framed a print for both of them. You can't tell in the picture, but they were holding hands when I caught the candid moment. :) </span><br />
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<br />Chicken Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11704834273210183660noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12847808.post-73283096074886930652014-04-13T14:01:00.000-05:002014-04-13T14:01:07.075-05:00Spring is (Finally) Springing<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">On March 25th, commenter Mollie mentioned my header shot and said that she hoped some of the snow had melted by now (then). Well . . . . Here's the original (taken February 16th). Note the broken stump as your reference point.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyjz4QCUHL1tjV8j35DMs0mURcAPOLjQkzdavXK2dnoWC4INO4MkmKfc0qotZWvpTLwO9-eIYnIxdANcjhWMHKWKsqVwCmpJTvt-pgAtUvvfeagM_KoGr1foRSrJ9Z0i1seu34/s1600/Original+02-16-14.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyjz4QCUHL1tjV8j35DMs0mURcAPOLjQkzdavXK2dnoWC4INO4MkmKfc0qotZWvpTLwO9-eIYnIxdANcjhWMHKWKsqVwCmpJTvt-pgAtUvvfeagM_KoGr1foRSrJ9Z0i1seu34/s1600/Original+02-16-14.png" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">And here's the one I took on March 28th in specific response to her comment. Nope, no melting!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA0Xv1iiMucn8by6Kt6ftlsLP_Q_TmIjYpuBRBYj7jSLh89vWzvHj-x-Ml7hQT07giKtCZLVganKS5ZxGAFr3NtEtrHELOBfgiGaslEeigDz_ACikU0V0kksjCc53YSd7ribKC/s1600/Comparison+03-28-14.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA0Xv1iiMucn8by6Kt6ftlsLP_Q_TmIjYpuBRBYj7jSLh89vWzvHj-x-Ml7hQT07giKtCZLVganKS5ZxGAFr3NtEtrHELOBfgiGaslEeigDz_ACikU0V0kksjCc53YSd7ribKC/s1600/Comparison+03-28-14.png" height="225" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Now, here's the one I just took this morning. Yes! SUBSTANTIAL melting!! <i> Finally</i>!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">The warmest we've seen so far this spring is 52 in the shade. That was this past Thursday, one of my days off (double bonus)! The snow literally melted before my eyes. My snow-packed path up to and down from my wooded cabin is a slippery one now. With the snow so soft off to the sides, if you don't step carefully, you'll slip off and sink in. First, you'd go in knee-high, then calf-high. Now it's just ankle high.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I was plagued by dreams of my ex all night long last night. In the dream, we were attending a class reunion of mine (perhaps no surprise as this summer would be my 25th high school reunion if such a thing was being organized). And, I was so excited to show off my (what I wanted to be a) happy marriage and terrific husband. Instead, I had to deal with the knowledge of him sleeping with some of my oldest friends throughout the reunion. Debating whether or not I could/should hide it or confront him then and there, blah, blah, blah. YUCK! I don't often have these dreams, but, when I do, the theme is always the same. No big surprise. And I wake up feeling icky . . . needing to shake it off. Most of the time, I wake thinking, "Thank GAWD I'm not having to deal with that anymore!" Other days (like today), it's harder to shake off. It's been 3 years since I've known the truth of our marriage and his infidelities: you'd think that would long enough for the memories to no longer haunt me. But, they still pop up on occasion. Yuck, yuck, YUCK!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Changing subjects (whew!): I went to Bundle of Joy's last night to visit with her and her family. The twins are already 5 months old! They're goobery little creatures, in the throes of teething, and I could just eat them up! The front of my shirt seemed like it was soaked by the time we put them to bed, and this Bopee couldn't be happier! The last time I was there, I (also) helped put them to bed, and standing there with their mama looking at them, I asked, "Have you taken any pictures of them like this?" She hadn't, and so just as she snapped the photo, Baby Boy G smiled in his sleep!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Finally, it should come as no big surprise, to those who know me as Queen of Procrastination, that I'm posting today. After all, today is the day I've set aside to do my taxes! ;)</span></div>
Chicken Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11704834273210183660noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12847808.post-9106709140228803572014-02-28T13:23:00.001-06:002014-02-28T13:23:19.663-06:00Second Staycation Post<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I'm on day 6 of my 8 day stay(at home)cation, and that makes me SAD! As I knew it would, the time has FLOWN. I had made a list a mile long during the weeks anticipating this break from work, but I've purposefully not looked at it this week . . . I didn't want to put undue pressure on myself. Instead, I've done what I WANT v. what I maybe *should*. But, really, that's only been one thing: working on this wee cabin.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">For the first time since the move (13 months ago now), I got my stereo unpacked and hooked up in the cabinet that holds it (which I also had to haul and install). While I *could* have, I haven't been playing CDs on my computer, so it's been great to listen to them AND my old cassettes . . . in particular, Jim Reeves! (Hey, don't judge me: I was born a few decades too late!) I've also been able to make a little more space by removing the radio I had in here on one of the shelves. AND, I realized not long ago that my big computer's screen is larger than the little TV I have upstairs for watching movies, so I was contemplating buying some decent speakers for that computer so I COULD watch movies on a slightly larger screen (via the computer's DVD player). Thank goodness I was still at the researching point and hadn't yet purchased because, as I hooked up my good old stereo, I realized I can attach IT to my computer for good movie sound! (And what a big, fat duhhh! that would have been if I hadn't figured it out in time!)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">At work, we're (finally!) dismantling the old office cum employee break room, and so I inherited a terrific shelving unit. I got that put up in here one day earlier this week, too. Pictures of all this progress to follow.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Now, today, I'm getting ready for The Big Project that I really wanted to attack this week: building a sink / counter area. Having no plumbing, this little space had nothing more than an enamel basin for washing, and I've been wanting to create a grey water system for an age! I wash dishes by setting up my "portable table" (ironing board) and spreading an oil clothe over that, but I REALLY want a sink so I can wash my hair here instead of trekking to my folks' each time I need to do so. I got the area slated for that cleaned out earlier this week, and so that's today's focus. Late yesterday, I started shoveling out the tarped storage that holds both the counter top I'm going to use and the sink. Of course, one's at one end while the other's at the other end. I'll haul the counter in, first, and begin there. I'm thinking once I have all the measurements made, I might go see if I can build it in Mama and Papa Pea's heated garage . . . since it's still a wee bit too cold to work out on the deck and there's not enough space inside here to do it.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Finally, I need to give Mollie and my favorite (ex) Uncle-in-Law for giving me the boost to write. Thank you. :) I've been trying to not put any pressure on myself to blog, so that's why I haven't been. And, still, I realize it's "the people thing": I get so much interaction with people from my job that when I get home at night, I'm d-o-n-e! Quite honestly, some nights it's all I can do to be polite to and still incredibly grateful for my folks when I pick Tucker up!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I'll leave you with a couple pictures:</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">This is the alley behind work which the city isn't even bothering trying to keep open anymore. A week or so ago, a semi got stuck trying to deliver, and it took 2 tow trucks to inch him out.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The snow is so deep in the chicken yard that the poor chickens can hardly crawl in and out their coop door anymore!</span></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">And this is their coop, my mukluks at the bottom of the shot. The snow is getting pretty close to the roof, and we've gotten another big dumping since I took this picture!</span></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br /></span>Chicken Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11704834273210183660noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12847808.post-51696157659666570102014-02-22T19:08:00.003-06:002014-02-22T19:08:44.756-06:00Staycation<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Tonight is Night #1 of my 8-day VACATION!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">As of 90+ minutes ago, I am freeeeee!!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">(For more days than I've had off in a row since January 2012!)</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Ohmigawd, they're touching! (And I think Tucker just figured it out!)</span></span></td></tr>
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<br />Chicken Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11704834273210183660noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12847808.post-79633774897857648312013-12-29T10:59:00.000-06:002013-12-29T10:59:05.850-06:00Back to Winter<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">After 48 hours of mild temps, we're back to winter (see today's and this week's forecast above). The mercury plummeted 41 degrees in the past 24 hours: it was 30°F yesterday morning and -11° this morning. Jinx woke me up earlier than normal on a day off today - around 8:30. I'm not sure whether it was because she was cold or hungry, but the thermometer on the windowsill here (inside!) read 27°. Now that the fire's going, it's already up to 35, though (and the wall thermometer reads in the high 40s). Still, I'm sitting here in my mukluks, hat, hoodie pulled up, down jacket, and fingerless gloves! ;)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Just went upstairs to use the chamber pot (yes, even *I* have my limits in the cold!), and it's 63° up there, so I expect no more complaints from the feline peanut gallery.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Work Update:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Here's what I like best about our new manager:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">We're not "allowed" a coffee pot at work. The boss claims that we won't clean it / take care of it (umm, *how* old are we??). (That said, rumor has it that a Keurig is in our not-so-distant future. We can only HOPE!) But, being a coffee connoisseur, the new guy brought a sweet little hot water kettle, organic beans, a single-serve maker, and his coffee grinder to work . . . and encouraged us all to use it! Which we did! Being a huge coffee fan myself, I was H-A-P-P-Y!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">But, I should have said that the coffee was the thing I *likED* best (past tense) about our new manager. Because, just after his 6-week anniversary, he was summarily fired! Badda-bing, badda-boom. Gone. We came in one morning to hear the news. Didn't even get to say goodbye. His things were cleared out, and he was . . . POOF! The boss simply said "(the new manager) is no longer employed here", and that was the end of it. (And, sob! His coffee makings went with him.)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">We don't really know what happened. At all. He and the heads of our two biggest departments (men's and women's clothing) didn't get along, but . . . . And, he was a bit immature and EXTREMELY casual, both in dress and attitude. So, he certainly wasn't a perfect fit, but still . . . . The owners - once the manager was hired - booked a long Hawaiian vacation coming up in January (which they're still taking). We suspect that we'll hear talk about another hiring process after they return. But, time will tell! Usually the rumor mill around town knows more than we <strike>minions</strike> employees do! (The coffee shop had already known who was hired when I told them once it was announced!)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Christmas update:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">My first Christmas celebration happened on the day - with Mama and Papa Pea. Tucker and I got there around 10:30 and left around . . . 7:30?? It was a nice day but still wonderful to get home, put on my comfies, and RELAX. And I *do* count myself as one of the fortunate few who are SO happy to be in the company of "me, myself, and I"! :)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Our stockings, L-R: mine since I was a wee lass, Papa Pea's, and Mama Pea's. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> A few of the pretty presents, and a dental chew to keep Tucker happy.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Speaking of Tucker, he was NOT a happy camper on Christmas Day, and he had me worried. Ever since Maisy got sick, well . . . I'm a bit paranoid. And, he just wasn't himself. But, the dog grandparents and I eventually chalked it up to the Change in Schedule. He is VERY attuned to my/our schedule, and I was supposed to BE AT WORK last Wednesday! And, to make matter worse, since I WAS at home, we were supposed to BE at home . . . not at Mama & Papa Pea's all day!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">And, with that short update, I'll sign off for now. I have to venture outside to haul more wood for the stove . . . AND get on with my day! How's your Sunday treating you?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br /></span>Chicken Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11704834273210183660noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12847808.post-9392063687301189692013-12-15T11:48:00.002-06:002013-12-15T11:48:50.676-06:00Snippets and Snaps<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Deep winter, which is what we've been experiencing lately weather-wise, is chilly in this little cabin due to the size of the stove. I can get it quite comfortable on my days off when I can constantly feed the Jøtul, but work days - when I'm only home during my lunch hour - and mornings are chilly times in here. Chilly to the point that I don't have to refrigerate milk or the cream. Matter of fact, I can't leave them on the floor or they'll be frozen solid! There is an LP heater here, but I don't use it as it seems like it would be a waste of money: why heat the place to the point of "comfort" when I'm gone or sound asleep and cozy under the blankets? And, because of the sleeping loft, all the heat in rises to the high ceiling and makes my attempts at sleeping at night fairly miserable if it's toasty down here. (Toasty "downstairs" means that it's sauna-like upstairs.)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I admit to being worried that we wouldn't have much snow this winter, but I suspect I always feel that way in the late fall unless we have a super early dumping. But, happily, I can report that we have a REAL winter going with LOTS of snow! It is simply beautiful out! I'm going to plow today (here and at my folks'), so I'll try to get some good pictures while I'm out and about.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">If you remember, I've needed new tires on the car for an AGE, and now I've FINALLY gotten them! I have an extra set of rims (for snow tires when I can afford them - which hasn't been since I was married), so I bought the rubber in the big city 2+ hours south and then dropped the rims and rubber off at a local auto shop about a week ago. I still hadn't heard back from them that my new tires were ready to pick up, so I called yesterday just before 1:00 (when they close on Saturdays). One of my dear friends at work - her son works there. To my negatory response to his "they never called you?!", he quickly said, "Hey. I'll throw them in my car and bring 'em over (to my work). Just come in on Monday and pay for them." What a SWEETHEART! Fortunately, my brain moved quickly enough that I suggested he just head home with them, and I would come to HIM after work. So, that's what I did after work last night, and the tires have come at just the right moment. We got dumped on yesterday afternoon and evening, and I had a hard time getting up the ridge to their house. Now, though, my car is melting off in Mama & Papa Pea's garage, and I'll be able to change the tires out later today after I plow . . . in warmth and comfort!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The same friend (from work) and I had a cookie bake at her house a week ago today. Her daughter-in-law and two grandsons joined us as her husband hunted (muzzle-loader for venison) and son (mentioned above) worked in the garage. Here's a fuzzy pic of me, the oldest grandson, and her granddaughter - whom she and her husband are raising.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">And here's another of her granddaughter and me:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I started writing the 'Snippets and Snaps' post last Thursday, but I guess my 'snippets' are written above. These are the 'snaps' that I'd come up with:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Snap: The trees in this cold weather as their sap is freezing and expanding inside their bark exteriors, causing both minor and major *snap*s and *CRACK!*s. Very fun and "grounding" (earthy?) to hear.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Snap: Of the logs in the stove!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Snap: Or the lack thereof (snapshots) that I've taken of the twins. I'm too busy kissing them, talking to them, and chewing on their toes when I change their diapers to think about the pictures that I later wish I'd taken!! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I'll finish with saying that, yes, the twins were born that very day - November 7th - that I wrote about their imminent arrival! More on that to come.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> </span>Chicken Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11704834273210183660noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12847808.post-52673230885864884682013-11-30T11:01:00.001-06:002013-11-30T11:01:36.852-06:00Sadness<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Why is it that we are never so compelled to Share as when it is sadness in our lives, a loss? Why do few people put pen to paper (fingers to keypad) when they are having good days? Or simply ordinary days?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Bonzi, the fat cat, is gone. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">At some point last night, we were all (Tucker, Jinx the cat, and me) jolted out of a deep sleep by the cry of Bonzi. It sounded like she was being attacked or in a fight. Tucker was bark, bark, barking, and I stumbled down the ladder and grabbed a flashlight. Outside, she was nowhere to be seen, but, fortunately, neither did the light pick up any spots of blood in the snow. I called for a her for a little while longer but soon shrugged it off (she was a tough cookie, after all), and we all went back to bed.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">This morning when I went outside, I saw her tracks on the deck in the snow. I called for her, but she wasn't around. There's an old shed down by where I park my car at the bottom of the path, and she's fond of sleeping in there. So, I figured we'd find her there, sound asleep, when we headed out for the morning.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">A little over halfway down the path, I noticed where she'd either thrown up or had diarrhea just off the path . . . odd, for a cat, who usually is pretty private about her business. Then, we heard a meow. A loud meow carrying through the woods. But not a normal meow. It came again as I called out, "Bonzi Boooooo!?" By now, anxiety was rising in my throat, and we quickly followed her calls to the shed. I peeked inside, and there she was, wedged behind some old machinery. Not her usual spot.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">As we'd come close to the shed, I'd noticed drag marks in the snow . . . which I quickly wrote off as something completely disconnected from Bonzi.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I tried to pick her up, but her left hind leg seemed broken. "Frozen" in an extended position. And she was wet underneath. But still, no blood. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I needed light so I could properly inspect her. And support.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">As I'd been heading to Mama & Papa Pea's to wash my hair before work, </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I had a big towel with me. Without haste, I pulled Bonzi into it and hurried to my folks'.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I already had tears running down my face when I got to their door and rushed through their utility room into the bright light of the garage, calling out, "Something got Bonzi! I need light to look at her." </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">The wetness covering her underside was urine, and she had poop stuck in her hair. With a little more examination, it seemed apparent that her back was broken. At the very least, her hind end was paralyzed. I said, "Can you get me the vet's number? And a phone?" </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I called the vet, but - of course - this is a holiday weekend, and she was closed until Monday morning. Voicemail only. The recording encouraged me to call the big city vet for emergencies . . . 2 hours away.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">"I have to put her out of her misery," I told Mom and Dad. But they had a good idea: get some medicine in her, make her comfortable, and wait a bit. Especially since she was not bleeding anywhere. I'd told them about the "accident" I'd seen at the side of the path as well as the drag marks that were only at the parking area leading into the shed: maybe this paralysis was temporary. An effect of shock. Her body's way of allowing some healing time.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">With a small sense of relief at this possibility, I bundled her back up and said I'd get her situated in her favorite spot back at my cabin (under the stove next to the water dish) and let them know how things progressed.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">As soon as we got back home, though, and before I'd even had a chance to lay her down, she started heaving, getting ready to vomit. I quickly angled her over the hearth instead of the rug we were standing on, and she . . . how do I say this to cushion it? She covered the handmade hearth with blood. A huge amount of it. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I had my answer. Whether or not the paralysis was temporary (I believe not), she was extremely injured internally and bleeding out. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Bonzi is at peace now, wrapped again in my hair washing towel and placed in her favorite spot by the stove. (I want Jinx to have the opportunity to say good-bye, but she hasn't come down the ladder since she went up it last night. She knows something is dreadfully wrong.)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">This fall, Tucker and I went for a hike up the ridge behind the cabin here. It wasn't deer hunting season yet, but it was grouse season, so I had a blaze orange vest on him for safety's sake. Hiking as far up as we were going to that day, we'd started exploring just below the ridge when a flash of something caught my eye: it was Bonzi. She'd followed us up the whole way, just like a dog! I laughed over thinking that I needed another blaze orange dog vest . . . for the cat!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">So, that's where we'll take her today. To that peaceful spot where the trees naturally open to make a tiny meadow. We'll leave her there to let nature take its course (as the ground is too frozen now to dig).</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">What a good, fat <strike>cat</strike> friend she was: putting
up with a cold house at Swamp River Ridge those last months and seeing
me through the move to this cabin. Sleeping curled right up against me
at night, these last few weeks - a new habit that I enjoyed. </span> </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhulmWvneg1UL-cqTEJiOkK3OvGDCXQHyUGbQsPRA928UyKPYtmbYJ1qw5WW1yFhLoWAbLNArIBAeFIr1nZqgrRhik4kom0QyCOk_-svRolZNpnWzJFnWPz19zq2PCM0e6ryKu9/s1600/023.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhulmWvneg1UL-cqTEJiOkK3OvGDCXQHyUGbQsPRA928UyKPYtmbYJ1qw5WW1yFhLoWAbLNArIBAeFIr1nZqgrRhik4kom0QyCOk_-svRolZNpnWzJFnWPz19zq2PCM0e6ryKu9/s400/023.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Bonzi Boo, Spring 2010 - Early Winter 2013</span></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> <i>Thank you for being mine.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> </span>Chicken Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11704834273210183660noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12847808.post-10354309736019662142013-11-07T08:37:00.001-06:002013-11-26T07:57:21.318-06:00A (Slight) Change in Plans<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Or, rather, an expedited version of Plans!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Bundle of Joy's mama and daddy, much to the shocked excitement of <u>everyone</u> involved(!), are expecting completely naturally conceived fraternal twins. And, it seems their arrival is imminent! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">At 35 weeks this past Sunday, the expectant mama had an appointment with the doc yesterday, and I woke up with the feeling that something was going to happen. Last night, just as I was getting home, I got the phone call that they were on their way to the big city 2 hours south of us. (Our local hospital, as a firm rule, won't deliver twins.) So, all the plans were set into action. B of J was delivered to the first of the homes she'll (absolutely excitedly!) get to have sleep-overs at, and I began to gather the things I'd need for my immediate installation in the family home! And, really, the timing was perfect for me getting situated and having a later-than-usual evening since today is my day off. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">At home, I hadn't yet started putting together my bags for coming out here, but I *did* have my list almost complete. Yayy, me! So, it wasn't too bad, pulling everything together.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">This cozy little house doesn't have running water, so I loaded up a couple of my own water containers, stopping at Mama & Papa Pea's to fill them up. But, it DOES have a biffy. And, oh!, the <i>comfort</i> and EASE of a biffy! Heaven! ;) Hey, it's the little things that matter!!!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">AND, a coffee pot! Sure, I have one, but I have so little counter space that I haven't yet dug it out of storage and installed it. But, having cup upon cup of hot java at the ready this morning has reminded me that I MUST find the space and time to do this! Of course, this will also mean that I'll be drinking more coffee - which isn't necessarily a good thing - but perhaps I can justify that by the fact that I'll easily be able to take coffee with me to work . . . which should off-set my semi-frequent trips to the coffee shop at my 11:00 AM breaks.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">You might notice, too, that I'm posting this far earlier than normal. That's because this family is a hard-working one who rises E-A-R-L-Y, and so their dog is accustomed to that. And, she decided that 7:00 AM was DEFINITELY long enough for me to sleep in. So, here we are. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I'll leave you with this picture of the family. I feel just a little guilty, stealing it off their computer BUT - since <u>I</u> took it - I think I'm justified. ;) This was taken about a month ago when we all went for a Sunday drive. We're standing on the overlook that is my new header picture (taken the same day).</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7XfotZx10_DvoaYfeLTHVBWLKgB5sXk62RTpTpyXYkq0lSSNDbIwBahcntE2kN2bdPvFvg-3QHdiujk7z6ZI-9C-2SvRZrXg0pEWQHnaf34s4e-xY-WMBjt2_HDMITkN_GqEK/s1600/IMG_4754.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7XfotZx10_DvoaYfeLTHVBWLKgB5sXk62RTpTpyXYkq0lSSNDbIwBahcntE2kN2bdPvFvg-3QHdiujk7z6ZI-9C-2SvRZrXg0pEWQHnaf34s4e-xY-WMBjt2_HDMITkN_GqEK/s400/IMG_4754.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">It's hard to believe there are twins in there, isn't it!? Granted, she's MUCH bigger now, but the great news is that, at the last ultrasound, there was over 10 lbs. of babies. And that's huge because twins have to stay at the hospital until they're 5 lbs. each. Then they can go home. Despite the (massive) discomforts, this mama is SUCH a good and healthy baby oven that I suspect the ENTIRE family will get to come home within a day or two of the birth.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">And, so now, we all just hang out and wait. Their trip down last night was not spurred on by regular, timed contractions. Instead, the doctor wanted to play things Safe and simply have them nearer-by considering her stage of pregnancy and her body's readiness. So, they are staying at the home of family friends while we all wait. The big birthday could be today or it could be 4 days from now. But, I'm betting on sooner rather than later! ;) Bopee knows! (Maybe.)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">A last aside as I close. My current Facebook profile picture is one of myself with Bundle of Joy. Well, here!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP7tMPd5yggU9ZLvJPGfA-2uCQHj_5zwX0tr7xRBveqmB-BCJP_S2rTgM3Vl-Adwz3eop-FZnnt3foxatBQTTi5s5GSFgCUrBMlSNmZK0Zujdmecjz5xHrl1xSeAL7aGNPEqiC/s1600/Bopee+&+Bundle+of+Joy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="295" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP7tMPd5yggU9ZLvJPGfA-2uCQHj_5zwX0tr7xRBveqmB-BCJP_S2rTgM3Vl-Adwz3eop-FZnnt3foxatBQTTi5s5GSFgCUrBMlSNmZK0Zujdmecjz5xHrl1xSeAL7aGNPEqiC/s320/Bopee+&+Bundle+of+Joy.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Baby Girl's (another of my Littles) mom told me, that while she had FB up on the computer a couple of weeks ago, Baby Girl looked at the photo and said, quite indignantly, "Hey! That's <u><i><b>MY</b></i></u> Bopee!" :) Aww, it warms this Bopee's heart. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span>Chicken Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11704834273210183660noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12847808.post-12312611321561614742013-11-03T10:40:00.001-06:002013-11-03T10:40:08.121-06:00Sunday Funday<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Good morning!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I am *loving* this day of Daylight Savings Time ending! I like to keep my "free hour" until bedtime on this day each year. I don't change my clocks until then. That way, as I'm getting into bed, I gain an extra hour of sleep! Whoo-hoo! Plus, it's kinda fun to look at the clock throughout the day as the time flies by . . . only to realize that, "Hey, it's really an hour earlier! I'm doin' fine!" </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">(Yeah, my brain works a little . . . strangely?)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">We had a little Meet & Greet at work last night after closing for the new manager, who starts tomorrow. A buffet table was set up in the souvenir section, and a freshly emptied end cap (display) held the wine. I wanted to take a picture of that end cap to PROVE that alcohol WAS once consumed inside the store at least once in it's 72-years-so-far history! ;) I also wanted to write, as my greeting on the large welcome sign we made, "Welcome! We put the fun in dysfunctional!" Buuuuut . . . that would have been frowned upon by the boss. <strike>Especially since</strike> even though it's true!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Now that the immediate need to help my folks with wood is temporarily past, I've been focusing each of my recent days off on the new chicken yard. I've been using 6' metal stakes and old wood pallets and chicken wire (or welded wire or whatever's around) for the walls. Now I've got those portions 75% done, the end where the chicken house will go remaining. And, I'm not sure how I'm going to finish that because I plan on building a new house this winter. For now, I will move up the little loaner coop from my dad to serve as their indoor housing. Also, I'm going to put a ceiling of chicken wire on the entire thing . . . because I've ALWAYS had problems with flying chickens. This way, I'll be offering them a little more protection from predators, too. That's what's on the schedule for today, the "ceiling". I haven't taken too many pictures of the process, and none lately. Matter of fact, I just looked back through my pictures to May, and I don't seem to have ANY! So, I'll see what I can do today to remedy that situation.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I *have* made some definite creature comfort improvements to my little abode! Four weeks ago today and after nearly 10 months of living here, I got REFRIGERATION!! I finally got my little (dorm size?? - it's about 30" tall) refrig dug and hauled out of one of the storage units. This time I was smart and, before hauling it up the trail to this cabin, I brought it to Mama & Papa Pea's where I plugged it in and let it run about 24 hours, just to MAKE SURE that it worked! Doing a thorough cleaning was SO much easier, too, at their house (with running water and ample space in their garage). On FB, I wrote, </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}">"It's
insane how amazing it feels to have cream in my coffee this morning . . .
'cause you know what this means? After 10 MONTHS, I finally have a
REFRIGERATOR in this wee little cabin!!! I'm HAPPY!!"</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}">At work that Monday, I was almost giddy, and I shared the reason for my excitement with an old friend as she shopped that day. A few days later, I get a call from her at work. "Say, do you have an oven in your cabin," she asked? Noooo. No room, I laughed! Well, her husband was getting rid of a countertop convection oven that he used only in his medical practice for making (baking!) orthotic inserts. It was free to me. Was I interested? Was I INTERESTED?! I'd been researching convection ovens for months, determined to purchase one to make this cabin more like a home. This was an old beast (but perhaps better made, I wondered?), and it. was. free. YES!</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}">So, I got <i>it</i> hooked up and installed two weeks ago and, for the very first time, BAKED something here at home!!! (A frozen mini pizza, natch - one of my many weaknesses.)</span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheaB4aFSR7ufspIe-QXikKcuKA615FKEcH_fYYnhacdtxKF7NGuvQAvo6nk34K30LMRmnBsq9N4R4dhW5Isp8f-cDU1PgrIUobqTygaaSpepZE38jFH8_RhMMBdc8GoXMDz45E/s1600/002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheaB4aFSR7ufspIe-QXikKcuKA615FKEcH_fYYnhacdtxKF7NGuvQAvo6nk34K30LMRmnBsq9N4R4dhW5Isp8f-cDU1PgrIUobqTygaaSpepZE38jFH8_RhMMBdc8GoXMDz45E/s400/002.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}">And, with that, I'll sign off for now. The sun is breaking through the clouds, and the chicken pen open-air roof awaits! Have a great Sunday - got anything in particular planned?</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}">:) ChxMama</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"> </span> </span>Chicken Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11704834273210183660noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12847808.post-32021318619714899762013-10-23T22:04:00.003-05:002013-10-23T22:04:41.262-05:00F-f-f-freezing!<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="color: #663300; line-height: 115%;">You wouldn’t think that me being
frozen stiff is the thing that FINALLY brings me to the keys, but it is!<span> </span>I didn’t get home tonight until much later
than usual – probably around 8:00 – as I was at my folks’ trying to get a
program installed onto Papa Pea’s computer . . . only to find out at the FINAL
stage that the components weren’t compatible.<span>
</span>Doh!</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="color: #663300; line-height: 115%;"><span></span>I knew I’d be arriving in a
cold cabin ‘cause the ashes were full-to-overflowin’ this morning, and so I’d
let the fire burn all the way out in order to empty said ashes tonight.<span> </span>So, once home, I did do that, but I just CAN’T
get it warmed up in here – an hour later.<span>
</span>And it’s not like it’s <i>really</i> cold out – just cold (high 20s?).<span> </span>It’s almost as if the cabin/stove are taking
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="color: #663300; line-height: 115%;"><span></span>Drinking hot coffee liberally laced with cream.<span> </span> </span></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="color: #663300; line-height: 115%;">Sitting, literally, 24 inches away from the
stove.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="color: #663300; line-height: 115%;">I could have gone upstairs and
crawled under the blankets with my heating pad and warmed up while watching
something on the TV (‘Game of Thrones’, anyone?), but I feel like I want to DO
stuff down here tonight (after all, it *is* my “Friday night”) . . . and if I’d
done that, that’d be allshewrote for the evening.<span> </span>I could do the dishes (I hauled hot water
from my folks’), but that would involve going outside to get the ice cold dish
pans.<span> </span>And anything involving COLD right
now is off my list.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="color: #663300; line-height: 115%;">So, how am I?<span> </span>What’s been keeping me away?<span> </span>Well, nothing specific (keeping me
away).<span> </span>Just, I think, following the
natural course of time in figuring out my new self, my new life.<span> </span>And I am okay.<span> </span>Almost to the point of responding with an
honest “good!” when on the receiving end of the regular Minnesota Nice query “how
are you?”<span> </span>Matter of fact, at my appt.
with my therapist last Thursday, she asked in her wonderful Irish lilt at the
end, “How would you like to proceed from here?”<span>
</span>As usual, when I sense she’s getting ready to “kick me out” (of continued
therapy), I laughed and said that I want to continue-on at least one more time
. . . just to make sure this last visit (how I was feeling) wasn’t a fluke.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="color: #663300; line-height: 115%;">Of course, I can’t quantify what it
is that I’ve moved through or processed to get myself to this point, but after a
shaky summer (not to mention last spring, a-hem!), I can honestly say that I’m
feeling . . . solid, again.<span> </span>I wish I could
express what the difference(s) is/are that make that up, but I can’t.<span> </span>But I sure am glad to be here, feeling this
way!</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="color: #663300; line-height: 115%;">Now, here’s a story for you, but I’ll
try to keep it (ha!) brief.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="color: #663300; line-height: 115%;">One of the last times I wrote, I
told you about a new job opening at my place of employment – a new general
manager position.<span> </span>I’m sure everyone was
wondering why *I* didn’t apply, and the reason was this:<span> </span>the current owners let it be known that they
wanted someone with a four-year degree in business.<span> </span>I have a four-year degree (and then some!),
but not in business.<span> </span>So, neither I nor
any of my colleagues applied . . . we just waited to hear about applicants.<span> </span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="color: #663300; line-height: 115%;">Then, at the end of August, we had a
nice evening - a going-away party for two retirees (after 20 years each!).<span> </span>The more Silent Partner owner gave a small
speech in which he commented on the open managerial position - and encouraged
any of US to apply . . . despite the business degree criteria.<span> </span>Hmmmm!<span>
</span>Innnnnteresting!<span> </span>Long story short
(and after learning that a fellow employee had dropped everything and got <i>her</i>
resume in), I, too, got my rear in gear.<span>
</span>Especially since I knew that the in-residence owner was traveling to the
big city a couple of hours south of us for in-person interviews on the upcoming
Thursday.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="color: #663300; line-height: 115%;">So, it was late that Tuesday night
that I got my resume & cover letter in to the HR company handling the
hiring.<span> </span>When I got home after grocery
shopping the next night, there was a voicemail asking me to call her (the HR gal) back
ASAP.<span> </span>Given that it was well into the
evening, I was hesitant, but her voicemail <i>had</i>
come in after 6:00 PM, so I went for it.<span>
</span>She said that she’d like to do a telephone interview with me, that it
should take about 20 minutes, and could she get everything in order and call me
back to do it in about 5?<span> </span>Uhh, oh! <span> </span>Umm . . . okay!<span> </span>(On the up side, I only got to stress about
it for a few minutes vs. if the interview had been scheduled well in advance!)</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="color: #663300; line-height: 115%;">Well, the 20-minute interview took
about 1 hour.<span> </span>It went very well, and, at
the end, she asked if I could come down to the big city the next day for an
in-person interview with herself and the owners.<span> </span>Why, of COURSE!<span> </span><i>There’s
nothing I’d rather do on my precious day off!</i><span> </span>;)</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="color: #663300; line-height: 115%;">And, that interview went very
well.<span> </span>They’d have their decision made
within 1 ½ - 2 weeks.<span> </span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="color: #663300; line-height: 115%;">Two weeks went by, and nothing.<span> </span>I e-mailed with the “how much I enjoyed
meeting with them, did they have any more questions”, etc. check-in.<span> </span>The response, albeit fairly immediate, was “<i>my
timeline was a little skewed, but am confident all decisions will be finalized
this weekend. I enjoyed meeting you and appreciate your willingness to throw
your name in the mix. It shows your commitment to the business!</i>”<span> </span>Blah, blah, blah. Yadda, yadda, yadda. Whatever.<span> </span>With those words and the absolute lack of
contact previous, I was 99% sure I wasn’t being offered the job.<span> </span>So, no more 24/7 thinking about all the
possibilities . . . both for the business and for me, on a monetary level.<span> </span>Bah!</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="color: #663300; line-height: 115%;">Did anyone GET hired?<span> </span>Well, yes, a <i>couple of weeks later YET</i>, our boss announced one evening after closing
that someone had been chosen and would start at the beginning of November.<span> </span>Hmph.<span> </span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="color: #663300; line-height: 115%;">So, that took up a good bit of my
time and thought since I last wrote.<span> </span>At
least my resume is up-to-date.<span> </span>That’s something,
right? <span style="font-size: x-small;">(Cough, cough.)</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="color: #663300; line-height: 115%;">Okay, I am reasonably warmed up now
. . . although it is 10:03 PM.<span> </span>Should I
scrap the evening entirely or . . . ?<span> </span><span> </span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Chicken Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11704834273210183660noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12847808.post-37651483404901872262013-09-08T06:59:00.001-05:002013-09-08T06:59:23.280-05:00Just a Wee Post<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">A "wee post", you say? Well, yes - only because Celtic Connections (radio show) is playing on the radio upstairs, and so there's a hint o' Irish in the air. Hmm, maybe I need a hint o' Irish in my coffee! No, that would probably put me back to sleep.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">All my days off for QUITE some time have been taken up with nannying, a trip to the big city to get my head shrunk, and wood working with my folks. Matter of fact, I can only remember ONE day in the past several weeks that I was able to take "for myself". But, ya gotta make hay while the sun shines, right? And, the sun is shining later each morning now and going to bed earlier each night! Now, by 8:30 PM already, it's pretty much black outside . . . so much so that, Friday night, <u><b>I</b></u> <i>went to bed</i> at that same time!</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">There are lots of changes at work: we lost a full-time and a part-time employee (a married couple) to retirement a week ago, and their exit will be SORELY felt! Then, another part-time employee's last day was yesterday as she's moving on to a different (full-time) job. And, we're hiring for a full-time manager for the first time EVER in the store's history. It will be the first time in over 72 years that a non family member will be in charge of the day to day. (Hey, do YOU want a reason to move to the great North Woods?? Seriously! Let me know!) If the current owner/manager steps back, we're quite certain we'll lose 2 other full-time employees when she exits . . . so there's gonna be LOTS of new hires and changes. Fortunately, this is all happening as we leave the crazy, hectic summer behind and move into the quieter months. And, in that vein, it's SO nice to have the crazy (tourist) kids and their cranky parents GONE - now that school has started! And, we're all finally having some time to GET THINGS DONE at work because, in the summer, there's really NO time. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">And, with that short update (of nothing much!), I must be off. I have a full day of nannying ahead of me.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">xo Chicken Mama</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span>Chicken Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11704834273210183660noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12847808.post-58944450650723506012013-08-04T10:51:00.002-05:002013-08-04T11:20:35.397-05:00Fact or Fiction?<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Fact or Fiction, True or False?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">(Or what to write when you feel like you don't have much to say.) </span></div>
<br />
<ol>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I won the lottery! The pot was $11.3 million, and it's tax free! No one has to know that I won (except you, so no bothersome notoriety), and I can share it with all my friends and family! Again, tax-free!</span> </li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Tucker needs to get shaved again, and I have to trim his nails.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I've finally gotten EVERYTHING put away here in this tiny <strike>dump</strike> cabin, and the place is immaculate!</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I've gotten my days so well organized that there's nothing for me to do in the evenings or on Sundays but take hikes with Tucker, do fun things with/for friends, and work on my photography!</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I have to make a big pot of laundry soap today. It's a (very) small thing that I do for both myself and Mom in payment for using their washer and dryer. Still, as with ALL "small things", it takes time.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">In addition to winning the lottery, I've been offered a brand new job that pays $35/hour, and I get to hand-pick my fellow employees. Better yet, I won't have to interact with <strike>idiots</strike> tourists!</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I got the new chicken yard fully enclosed and finished AND an insulated house built for them, complete with windows! I have enough time now to sit back and watch them for hours, clucking away and scraping on the forest floor for bugs. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I've bought a piece of land completely surrounded by state and federal acreage, and the plans for my new, modified (from SRR!) dream house are underway! The house site is high on a ridge with open fields below and the woods gently enfolding the back of the house-to-be on the north side. You should see the view!</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Dosie, the dead cat, is on her third walk-about since she started taking these bothersome jaunts a month or so ago. Today is Day 6 of her absence this time. Each time she leaves, I'm convinced it's the last time. :(</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">My tasks for the day will be split between emptying out my folks' one woodshed of all my stuff jammed in there / finding places to put it, and doing dishes and cleaning up this pit.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">At the suggestion of co-workers (who love him), I've started reading William Kent Krueger's first novel (audio book). I'm not sold. Granted, this is - I suspect - in large part due to the narrator who makes LOTS of pronunciation errors (American Indian words), and that annoys this grammar freak NO END!</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I need more coffee. And a donut. Fortunately, I have the most important of those two at my disposal.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The (visiting) family vacation was WONDERFUL, and I miss them all and that time at their rented house on the gorgeous lake!</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The family wants me to move to California (if only for a while), and there is free rent and a house to share with my cousin (whom I adore) and her daughter (meh - she's alright, too - HA!) on acres of orange groves. All I'd have to do is close up this cabin, pack the critters into the car, and start driving.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I'm a numismatic.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">All the work so many of my broody hens put into sitting on eggs has resulted in three (born alive) chicks . . . but only 1 remains. The first one got stepped on and died. The second got an eye pecked out almost immediately after leaving the nest and died. Third one's the charm? Plus, I haven't taken any pictures of it like I did the first two - in case that jinxes things! S/he's a couple of weeks old now and beginning to feather out. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Strange combination of things I could reach from where I'm sitting: antique electrical pole insulator, an old piece of wood that looks like a Cave Man's wrench, the unwrapped birthday presents for Bundle of Joy's mama (whose birthday was July 12th), a good-old fashioned gallon of apple cider in a glass jar (purchased mostly because I wanted the jar and had a coupon!), a chainsaw, a painted rock that my sweet "niece" (cousin's daughter) made for me during the vacation, a single chopper (leather work mitten), and a rotten banana and plum.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I finally got new tires on the car, and so I'm no longer driving around with two spares in the back!</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I spent one ENTIRE Sunday, a couple weeks back, scrubbing every centimeter of my upright freezer, and so I finally have FREEZERATION! Still no refrigeration, but FREEZERATION! For the first time since last January, I bought a quart of ice cream this week. Peppermint Bon-Bon, natch. The freezer resides on the <strike>White Trash</strike> deck.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Today wraps up the biggest summer celebration of our town . . . which means that summer is pretty much over. OVER?! </span></li>
</ol>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">And, with that, I guess I'll sign off. I was talking to a friend on Facebook this morning, and I asked her for some ideas to blog about. She suggested, "make some sh*t up." BRILLIANT! ;) So, real answers (for those that you probably can't automatically figure out) are below.</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">3. False</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">6. False</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">7. False</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">9. True </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">14. True</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">15. True</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">18. False </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> Have a happy Sunday!</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">P.S. In the new header picture are Mama & Papa Pea (in the kayaks) and myself with my "niece" (cousin's daughter) in the canoe. </span></div>
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> </span>Chicken Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11704834273210183660noreply@blogger.com2