Winter Chicken Procedures

So this winter we have faced some new challenges in maintaining our chickens. During the freezing temperatures, we noticed that their water was solid blocks of ice. So in an effort to keep them hydrated we had to come up with ideas on how to keep their water from freezing. So we just gave them some vodka and whiskey in their water dish. Not only did this not freeze, but I believe it helped keep them warm internally as well. I think it fried their one and only brain cell as well. It also provided delicious eggs.

Unfortunately it also made for really nasty runny chicken droppings. Of course we have a solution for this as well. Duct tape and corks. Works great so far!

Of course this is all fictional.

I did however build them a new shelter. They apparently like to huddle next to the sliding glass door and peer in as to say "let us in!" So I built them a shelter that sits next to the sliding glass door.

My chickens still hate me. I don't lose sleep over it. ;)

Costco Copy write Law

So I had a very unfortunate incident with Costco today. For years I have been going in with my CD that I have burned from my digital camera to upload pictures to print. This time I had a friend take the pictures and he burned them for me. The Costco Photo Nazi would not give me my pictures, even after I paid for them, until I had the photographer sign a copy write form. This was on a Saturday, pouring down rain, had to park on the outskirts of the lot. I was pissed. I still can't figure out why the bitch didn't give me the form to fill out WHEN I PAID FOR THEM!!!! Instead of holding them ransom AFTER I paid for them. Ridiculous. Law or not. I feel like my rights were taken from me. I would have been fine if the Photo Nazi was more polite about the whole thing. After today, I vow to NEVER shop at Costco again for my pictures. I don't shop there for anything anyways. I fully plan to email the Redding Costco Manager about they lack of service and how I was treated. I also plan to encourage others to avoid shopping there as well.
Ridiculous.

love this dumb song!

Wake up on your own
And look around you 'cause you’re not alone
Release your high hopes and they’ll survive
'cause this is the future and you are alive.

Dive in and swim away
From your loneliness and miserable days

And when you wake up on your own
Look around you 'cause you’re not alone
Let your hopes go and they’ll survive
'cause this is the future and you are alive
…You’re headed home.

"This is the Future"...Owl City

On to Christmas

I am finding myself in the Christmas spirit earlier than expected.
Usually I don't find myself even realizing it until a few days before. I guess with fighting a cold it has heightened my senses to the Season. It's not even really cold out. Oh well, just rolling with it.
Made my Christmas Playlist.
Enjoy!

Thanksgiving Day

It starts tomorrow. We had plans to travel. Things change. I like visiting family. I like the destination. I just don't like the trip to get there.

We will be having our own Thanksgiving our own way. With no family to have to entertain but our own. It's a break from the norm, but that is what we are able to tolerate these days.

My to do list: Eat a lot. Play with my kids. Get some sunshine by doing yardwork. Work out with my son at home.
I'm putting him on a weight lifting routine. His arms are about as big around as a silver dollar. Poor kid.
I'm getting a sore throat. I do not want to be sick at all. I don't like how I am starting to feel. I can endure though.
I'm encouraged just fine. Just stay out of my way. I feel like a freight train with molasses on the tracks trying to push through a snow storm. That's a horrible metaphor. Not gonna erase it. Deal.
It will be Tri Tip for Christmas.

need a plan.

What is wrong with me??!! This time of year I am usually a gung-ho mindset to serving others! I can barely muster energy to save myself! I know what's different in me. I have stopped working out. My one release for exercising. I haven't been able to lift in 2 months. I tore something in my shoulder and it wont heal. I am too lazy to jog and I get winded chasing the kids up the stairs. Also, I get winded trying to catch a chicken in the backyard. They are fast and they really really hate me.

I have a bad stomach flu going on right now. I can't sleep because my gut hurts so bad. I blame this on not being as healthy as I should. I have NO excuse. This is the worst I have looked or felt since I can remember. Going downhill fast. I need to stop this. I need a change of mindset though. I need to convince myself to do it.

A fun thing happened today. I was somehow locked in my downstairs bathroom today. I went to open the door and it....would not open. Despite my every effort (while remaining sane). I was given tools to try to open it but nothing worked. I had to actually punch a hole through the door near the door knob and pry it open. Cassie thought this was hilarious as I remained locked in the bathroom, over reacting to open the door. Pictures to follow? Nope.

I hate my chickens. They poop everywhere.

So our Thanksgiving plans are still on hold. We are anticipating a lonely Thanksgiving Day. Which is fine. We Cables manage to entertain ourselves in very non-traditional ways. I feel God wants us to remain here to serve others. Sure it would be nice to visit ALL her fun cousins in cold, wet, rainy, gloomy, 8-hour-drive Oregon. But plans are to stay here.

Sleep is calling me. Though I fear it will be on the couch as I toss and turn all night wishing morning would come. I hate this sore tummy I have. I hate this itchy poison oak. When it rains it pours. What else do we have to pile on me?

good night my lonely little blog.

mute blog

Hello nasty little blog. I haven't forgotten you. Just been mute for awhile.

My spirit is chained by lies from Satan. I know better, but it weighs me down still.
Cold weather sucks. I dream of warm summer days with my family. Out on the lake. Drifting in a kayak with no worries.

Ugh. I have never had poison oak in my life till now. This really sucks. It's spreading, even as I treat it. Man it itches!
God threatens to slam doors closed but opens new ones. Ones that take courage to walk through.

So many of you know that Cassie is really really sick. She has problems with her digestive system. She can't eat much of anything without feeling sick to her stomach. It is breaking me down too. I just don't know how to handle it. I feel so helpless! Just pray for healing.

I feel we will cancel Thanksgiving plans to travel to visit family and stay home instead. Yep, blogging gives me headaches.
Good night.