DAY 28 - EGG COUNT 5 (all the girls laying, maybe in honour of being last blog)
Well, this is it, the last blog of the 28 days! Have to say it has gone by very quickly which is ever so slightly scary as it means I am 28 days older but hey ho, that's life.
Don't know if anyone has actually been following this blog but if you have, thank you and I hope the tales I've told haven't been too boring (which would be even more scary as this is my life!)
Tommorrow is the start of another bank holiday weekend (who actually decides we should have 2 in May and then no more till August anyway?)
I am out with my girlfriends tommorow evening, could get a bit hairy as we shall be in Newquay and it will be packed with young, drunken, surfy types. Probably good I am not expected to post a blog on Sunday as expect I will be feeling a tad delicate. Then we have been invited to a BBQ on Sunday so my weekend is a true social whirl. Hope you all enjoy yours,
GOODBYE FROM ALL OF US!
Friday 22 May 2009
Thursday 21 May 2009
Forgiven and forgotten.
DAY 27 - EGG COUNT 3
Pleased to report our chicken, Blondie greeted my husband with affection this morning (well, as much as a chicken can show affection) and the pecking incident of yesterday is forgiven and forgotten.
Son number one went into work yesterday to collect his wages and was greeted with much sympathy over the state of his black eye which has now turned dark grey giving him a strange 'panda like' appearance. He is to be allowed back to his bar duties next week and it seems he is also forgiven.
All might be well with the world if it wasn't for the fact my husband now has a bad eye (what is it with eyes in this household?) and has to attend an eye clinic at the hospital tommorrow. An appointment at the opticians revealed he may be suffering from some kind of optical nerve strain with an unpronounceable name which he promptly looked up on the internet and frightened himself witless about. A little knowledge can be a dangerous thing in these cases so I have told him to calm down and wait to see what the specialist thinks. As it looks like being a sunny evening, I will distract him by taking him to the pub tonight where a few pints of the landlord's best ale will, I am sure, take his mind of things. See you tommorrow for my final blog - bye for now.
Pleased to report our chicken, Blondie greeted my husband with affection this morning (well, as much as a chicken can show affection) and the pecking incident of yesterday is forgiven and forgotten.
Son number one went into work yesterday to collect his wages and was greeted with much sympathy over the state of his black eye which has now turned dark grey giving him a strange 'panda like' appearance. He is to be allowed back to his bar duties next week and it seems he is also forgiven.
All might be well with the world if it wasn't for the fact my husband now has a bad eye (what is it with eyes in this household?) and has to attend an eye clinic at the hospital tommorrow. An appointment at the opticians revealed he may be suffering from some kind of optical nerve strain with an unpronounceable name which he promptly looked up on the internet and frightened himself witless about. A little knowledge can be a dangerous thing in these cases so I have told him to calm down and wait to see what the specialist thinks. As it looks like being a sunny evening, I will distract him by taking him to the pub tonight where a few pints of the landlord's best ale will, I am sure, take his mind of things. See you tommorrow for my final blog - bye for now.
Wednesday 20 May 2009
Hen pecked husband
DAY 26 - EGG COUNT 3 (one with small bloodstain)
My husband truly discovered the meaning of the word 'hen pecked' today and it has nothing to do with me! He went up to feed the hens earlier and to go on his daily egg hunt (as previously mentioned, because they are roaming free, they do not always lay in the henhouse.) He put his hand behind the bush by the greenhouse which he knows is one of Blondie's favourite laying spots not realising she was in there.It must have startled her because she went a bit loopy, pecked him and drew blood and then chased him round the veg patch much to the bemusement of the others who all stopped what they were doing to stare at the spectacle.
Suffice to say, my husband was quite put out but I have calmed him by saying she was probably just frightened and has surely not turned into mad, vicious bird who will repeat attack.
Son number one's eye is now turning spectacular shades of purple, red and black but I have a washed and valeted car and a newly mown lawn so am not complaining. He is cleaning out the garage tommorrow and will be packed off to do a car boot fair with the contents on Saturday - amazing how one person's misfortune can turn into another's advantage, isn't it? Bye for now.
My husband truly discovered the meaning of the word 'hen pecked' today and it has nothing to do with me! He went up to feed the hens earlier and to go on his daily egg hunt (as previously mentioned, because they are roaming free, they do not always lay in the henhouse.) He put his hand behind the bush by the greenhouse which he knows is one of Blondie's favourite laying spots not realising she was in there.It must have startled her because she went a bit loopy, pecked him and drew blood and then chased him round the veg patch much to the bemusement of the others who all stopped what they were doing to stare at the spectacle.
Suffice to say, my husband was quite put out but I have calmed him by saying she was probably just frightened and has surely not turned into mad, vicious bird who will repeat attack.
Son number one's eye is now turning spectacular shades of purple, red and black but I have a washed and valeted car and a newly mown lawn so am not complaining. He is cleaning out the garage tommorrow and will be packed off to do a car boot fair with the contents on Saturday - amazing how one person's misfortune can turn into another's advantage, isn't it? Bye for now.
Tuesday 19 May 2009
We are a complete family again
DAY 25 - EGG COUNT 4
Good news and bad news - son number 1 has returned and is almost unscathed apart from an absolute shiner of a black eye. I was puzzled as I thought he just wanted me to make the excuse to his boss that he'd been in a fight, not that he really had. It transpires that he hadn't got beaten up by a stranger but that his mate socked him in order to make his excuse look more authentic! I can hardly believe the foolishness of it and told him so in no uncertain words. Anyhow, it has all backfired on him as his boss has now told him not to bother going back to work until his eye looks better as he does not want a battered and bruised barman frightening his customers - think that serves him right actually. In the meantime, I shall not allow him to loaf around the house and as we speak, I am mentally compiling a list of jobs he can complete for me which will avoid him appearing in public and scaring old ladies and small children. What a plonker!
Good news and bad news - son number 1 has returned and is almost unscathed apart from an absolute shiner of a black eye. I was puzzled as I thought he just wanted me to make the excuse to his boss that he'd been in a fight, not that he really had. It transpires that he hadn't got beaten up by a stranger but that his mate socked him in order to make his excuse look more authentic! I can hardly believe the foolishness of it and told him so in no uncertain words. Anyhow, it has all backfired on him as his boss has now told him not to bother going back to work until his eye looks better as he does not want a battered and bruised barman frightening his customers - think that serves him right actually. In the meantime, I shall not allow him to loaf around the house and as we speak, I am mentally compiling a list of jobs he can complete for me which will avoid him appearing in public and scaring old ladies and small children. What a plonker!
Monday 18 May 2009
One of our family is missing.
DAY 24 - EGG COUNT 3 (all normal size)
The monstrous egg one of our girls laid yesterday was a triple yolker - my father ate it for breakfast and confessed he would need no more food for the rest of the day.
One of our family is missing - son no 1 has not been seen since Saturday morning but there has been a text message in which he asked if I could phone work and tell them he had been involved in a fight and been arrested which is why he hadn't turned up for his lunchtime shift on Sunday (he works in a bar.) I didn't think this was a good idea for two reasons. Firstly, it was a lie and it wouldn't exactly bode well with his boss knowing he had a criminal thug as a member of his staff and secondly, he didn't even text till 3.30pm (4 hours into his shift.) He has obviously been on a massive bender and lost all sense of time and reality.
It is now 1-35pm on Monday and I have fed his plated up Sunday roast to the dogs and advertised his room out for rent - hope he gets home before there are any takers.
The monstrous egg one of our girls laid yesterday was a triple yolker - my father ate it for breakfast and confessed he would need no more food for the rest of the day.
One of our family is missing - son no 1 has not been seen since Saturday morning but there has been a text message in which he asked if I could phone work and tell them he had been involved in a fight and been arrested which is why he hadn't turned up for his lunchtime shift on Sunday (he works in a bar.) I didn't think this was a good idea for two reasons. Firstly, it was a lie and it wouldn't exactly bode well with his boss knowing he had a criminal thug as a member of his staff and secondly, he didn't even text till 3.30pm (4 hours into his shift.) He has obviously been on a massive bender and lost all sense of time and reality.
It is now 1-35pm on Monday and I have fed his plated up Sunday roast to the dogs and advertised his room out for rent - hope he gets home before there are any takers.
Sunday 17 May 2009
Humpty Dumpty Egg!
DAY 23 - EGG COUNT 5 (including 1 very large specimen)
One of our girls laid an egg of truly monumental proportions today, 3 times as large as a normal egg I would say. When my husband brought it into the office to show me, I gasped in amazement and immediately went up to see them to check none were walking painfully or had watery eyes.
We took it to show my elderly father who instantly claimed it for his breakfast - we'd already had ours so we let him keep it. I will go and find out later but I suspect this may have been a triple yolker.
Today, I was planning to plant up our tubs and hanging baskets which are looking sad and unkempt after the winter. However, I have now abandoned this idea on account of the fact it is raining and blowing a gale outside and not at all spring like. I would not be giving those plants a fair start in life and frankly, they are better off staying in the garden centre's greenhouse until the weather improves (also, I had my nails done on Friday and my man dog has chewed up my gardening gloves.) That's me all out of excuses then! Bye for now.
One of our girls laid an egg of truly monumental proportions today, 3 times as large as a normal egg I would say. When my husband brought it into the office to show me, I gasped in amazement and immediately went up to see them to check none were walking painfully or had watery eyes.
We took it to show my elderly father who instantly claimed it for his breakfast - we'd already had ours so we let him keep it. I will go and find out later but I suspect this may have been a triple yolker.
Today, I was planning to plant up our tubs and hanging baskets which are looking sad and unkempt after the winter. However, I have now abandoned this idea on account of the fact it is raining and blowing a gale outside and not at all spring like. I would not be giving those plants a fair start in life and frankly, they are better off staying in the garden centre's greenhouse until the weather improves (also, I had my nails done on Friday and my man dog has chewed up my gardening gloves.) That's me all out of excuses then! Bye for now.
Saturday 16 May 2009
Barber's shops are strange places.
DAY 22 - EGG COUNT 5
Firstly I must apologise for not posting a blog yesterday which was due to the fact I left the house at 8-15am, didn't return until 9-30pm and had no access to a computer during this period. Also, I returned home via the pub and after several glasses of rose wine, my typing fingers were not quite connecting to my brain.
I have just spent a rather uncomfortable twenty minutes in a barbers shop. The reason for this is because son number 2 missed his bus and was desperate to get his hair cut before starting his shift as a chef (I considered it my public duty not to have a hairy chef in the kitchen and expose some poor unsuspecting customer to the risk of finding a strand of my son's ginger locks in their lunch.)
Barbers shops really are strange places and not at all like hairdressing salons. As a female, one feels completely out of place and as I rammed myself in a corner pretending to read a dog eared newspaper, I could feel the hostile male stares boring into me. All the men sit in rows awaiting their turn and nobody talks, they seem to stake each other out like lions in a pen. It was all very odd and not an experience I wish to repeat - next time he misses the bus, I shall get out the hair trimmers and he'll have to make do with a number 2 all over. Bye for now.
Firstly I must apologise for not posting a blog yesterday which was due to the fact I left the house at 8-15am, didn't return until 9-30pm and had no access to a computer during this period. Also, I returned home via the pub and after several glasses of rose wine, my typing fingers were not quite connecting to my brain.
I have just spent a rather uncomfortable twenty minutes in a barbers shop. The reason for this is because son number 2 missed his bus and was desperate to get his hair cut before starting his shift as a chef (I considered it my public duty not to have a hairy chef in the kitchen and expose some poor unsuspecting customer to the risk of finding a strand of my son's ginger locks in their lunch.)
Barbers shops really are strange places and not at all like hairdressing salons. As a female, one feels completely out of place and as I rammed myself in a corner pretending to read a dog eared newspaper, I could feel the hostile male stares boring into me. All the men sit in rows awaiting their turn and nobody talks, they seem to stake each other out like lions in a pen. It was all very odd and not an experience I wish to repeat - next time he misses the bus, I shall get out the hair trimmers and he'll have to make do with a number 2 all over. Bye for now.
Thursday 14 May 2009
I am a lottery winner!
DAY 20 - EGG COUNT 5
Good news, I am a lottery winner! Before anyone gets too excited and starts writing me begging letters, it was only a tenner (could have done with a few more noughts on it) but hey, 'tis better than nowt' as they say in Yorkshire.
Pleased to report hens are on good form and all laying though you wouldn't have thought we had any chickens or even a garden when I opened the curtains this morning as everywhere was shrouded in thick fog - flipping stupid cornish weather, you just never know where you are with it. I dream of waking up every morning to clear blue skies and 28 degrees but then, I suppose one might get bored with that - would be willing to give it a try though.
Today, I have a very interesting 'egg related' fact for you. Did you know that you should always store your eggs at room temperature, in a rack with the pointy end facing down? The reason for this is because the egg contents sink to the narrow end leaving more air in the widest end which helps to keep your eggs fresher for longer. What a veritable mine of useless information I am (actually, my mate Clive up the road told me that so we can blame him.) Bye for now.
Good news, I am a lottery winner! Before anyone gets too excited and starts writing me begging letters, it was only a tenner (could have done with a few more noughts on it) but hey, 'tis better than nowt' as they say in Yorkshire.
Pleased to report hens are on good form and all laying though you wouldn't have thought we had any chickens or even a garden when I opened the curtains this morning as everywhere was shrouded in thick fog - flipping stupid cornish weather, you just never know where you are with it. I dream of waking up every morning to clear blue skies and 28 degrees but then, I suppose one might get bored with that - would be willing to give it a try though.
Today, I have a very interesting 'egg related' fact for you. Did you know that you should always store your eggs at room temperature, in a rack with the pointy end facing down? The reason for this is because the egg contents sink to the narrow end leaving more air in the widest end which helps to keep your eggs fresher for longer. What a veritable mine of useless information I am (actually, my mate Clive up the road told me that so we can blame him.) Bye for now.
Wednesday 13 May 2009
Two near misses on one day!
DAY 20 - EGG COUNT 3
There must be something in the air as two of us have in the family have had near misses in the last few hours.
Near miss number 1 - eldest son - possible food poisoning.
Son number 1 came home late last night (probably the worse for wear if you know what I mean) and raided fridge. I had left southern fried chicken goujons (uncooked) in box which he thought were already cooked and began to munch. It wasn't until he was half way through second goujon that he realised his mistake and made himself sick. He has of course blamed me and says he will never eat chicken goujons again.
Near miss number 2 - me- possible broken limbs or worse.
The dogs and I have a little game in the mornings when I get out of bed which involves them stealing my slippers, taking them downstairs to kitchen where they wait by the dog biscuit box. I then swop my slippers for a treat whereupon I can get on with the business of waking up to face the world and make coffee with said slippers re-instated on feet.
Unfortunately, our man dog can get over enthusiastic with this game and this morning he caught me completely unawares at the top of the stairs where he ripped the slipper off my foot in mid step and almost sent me flying down two flights. It was a hairy start to my day and I am now wondering how I can un-teach an old dog old tricks. Bye for now.
There must be something in the air as two of us have in the family have had near misses in the last few hours.
Near miss number 1 - eldest son - possible food poisoning.
Son number 1 came home late last night (probably the worse for wear if you know what I mean) and raided fridge. I had left southern fried chicken goujons (uncooked) in box which he thought were already cooked and began to munch. It wasn't until he was half way through second goujon that he realised his mistake and made himself sick. He has of course blamed me and says he will never eat chicken goujons again.
Near miss number 2 - me- possible broken limbs or worse.
The dogs and I have a little game in the mornings when I get out of bed which involves them stealing my slippers, taking them downstairs to kitchen where they wait by the dog biscuit box. I then swop my slippers for a treat whereupon I can get on with the business of waking up to face the world and make coffee with said slippers re-instated on feet.
Unfortunately, our man dog can get over enthusiastic with this game and this morning he caught me completely unawares at the top of the stairs where he ripped the slipper off my foot in mid step and almost sent me flying down two flights. It was a hairy start to my day and I am now wondering how I can un-teach an old dog old tricks. Bye for now.
Tuesday 12 May 2009
violent video games
DAY 18 - EGG COUNT O (typical, they decide to stop laying now I've used most of eggs up in yesterday's cooking frenzy!)
We talked yesterday about violent video games and what effect, if any, they might be having on young people and violence on our streets. I conducted a small survey of a random collection of people at my local pub last night.
I asked the question - 'Do violent video games cause the people who play them to behave in a violent manner on our streets and encourage the gang culture and knife and gun crime?' Here are the results -:
Age group 5 to 9 years (some friends had their grandchildren there) DON'T KNOW
Age group 17 to 25 years - MAYBE BUT WE PLAY THEM AND WE ARE NOT AFFECTED
Age group 26 to 50 - YES DEFINATELY, THEY SHOULD BE BANNED
Of course, this was not a terribly scientific study but interesting to note that the age group these games are aimed at are the ones who defend them. Youngest son has now conquered Italy by the way - good news, I've always wanted to take a holiday there.
We talked yesterday about violent video games and what effect, if any, they might be having on young people and violence on our streets. I conducted a small survey of a random collection of people at my local pub last night.
I asked the question - 'Do violent video games cause the people who play them to behave in a violent manner on our streets and encourage the gang culture and knife and gun crime?' Here are the results -:
Age group 5 to 9 years (some friends had their grandchildren there) DON'T KNOW
Age group 17 to 25 years - MAYBE BUT WE PLAY THEM AND WE ARE NOT AFFECTED
Age group 26 to 50 - YES DEFINATELY, THEY SHOULD BE BANNED
Of course, this was not a terribly scientific study but interesting to note that the age group these games are aimed at are the ones who defend them. Youngest son has now conquered Italy by the way - good news, I've always wanted to take a holiday there.
Monday 11 May 2009
Domestic Goddess
DAY 17 - EGG COUNT 5
Today, I have been a true domestic goddess in the kitchen and the huge basket of eggs from the weekend is now diminished somewhat. Our fridge is bulging with homemade egg dishes including tuna and sweetcorn quiche, scotch eggs and a large pot of egg mayonnaise. Our worktop is also graced with a lemon curd victoria sponge which, if I say so myself, would easily win best in it's catagory in any village show such is it's lightness and depth (there are also two more in the freezer which can be defrosted and assembled at a later date.) Unlike some who confess they find cooking a chore, I regard it as therapy - one can do much thinking whilst one is rubbing in pastry or whisking up cake mixtures. Then, one has the joy of seeing a finished product which is devoured with much gusto by one's family and friends, truly satisfying!
My youngest son has just come into the office to inform me he has conquered Cuba - think this must be something to do with a computer game about the mafia which he was telling me about the other day. I do worry about these violent so called games, not so much for him as he is almost 18, is relatively sensible and not displaying any violent tendencies. But, is there a connection between these awful video games and what is happening on some of our streets with the gang and knife culture? I shall return to this subject after conducting a little research.
Today, I have been a true domestic goddess in the kitchen and the huge basket of eggs from the weekend is now diminished somewhat. Our fridge is bulging with homemade egg dishes including tuna and sweetcorn quiche, scotch eggs and a large pot of egg mayonnaise. Our worktop is also graced with a lemon curd victoria sponge which, if I say so myself, would easily win best in it's catagory in any village show such is it's lightness and depth (there are also two more in the freezer which can be defrosted and assembled at a later date.) Unlike some who confess they find cooking a chore, I regard it as therapy - one can do much thinking whilst one is rubbing in pastry or whisking up cake mixtures. Then, one has the joy of seeing a finished product which is devoured with much gusto by one's family and friends, truly satisfying!
My youngest son has just come into the office to inform me he has conquered Cuba - think this must be something to do with a computer game about the mafia which he was telling me about the other day. I do worry about these violent so called games, not so much for him as he is almost 18, is relatively sensible and not displaying any violent tendencies. But, is there a connection between these awful video games and what is happening on some of our streets with the gang and knife culture? I shall return to this subject after conducting a little research.
Sunday 10 May 2009
Escapee is back!
DAY 16 - EGG COUNT 5
Good news, the escapee is back, she was there when my husband checked on them early last evening and didn't seem any the worse for her little adventure - expect she left an egg somewhere in the back field but we're not desperate enough to go searching for it. We must have two dozen in the basket at the moment and I'm running out of ideas of how to use them up. There's only so many omelettes and victoria sponges a family can eat. Perhaps we will set up a table at the end of our drive and offer them for sale but then that would only upset our man dog who's greatest joy in life (other than going for a walk or eating) is to lie by the gate and bark at everyone and anything that passes by. We don't need a doorbell or knocker in our house as he lets us know the second anyone's foot is on the property, bark, bark, bark ... I have given up shouting at him now and simply rap on the window which usually brings him flying through the dog flap and I will give him a small treat - on a good day, he'll get through about half a kilo of dog biscuits but that's a small price to pay for my sanity.
Good news, the escapee is back, she was there when my husband checked on them early last evening and didn't seem any the worse for her little adventure - expect she left an egg somewhere in the back field but we're not desperate enough to go searching for it. We must have two dozen in the basket at the moment and I'm running out of ideas of how to use them up. There's only so many omelettes and victoria sponges a family can eat. Perhaps we will set up a table at the end of our drive and offer them for sale but then that would only upset our man dog who's greatest joy in life (other than going for a walk or eating) is to lie by the gate and bark at everyone and anything that passes by. We don't need a doorbell or knocker in our house as he lets us know the second anyone's foot is on the property, bark, bark, bark ... I have given up shouting at him now and simply rap on the window which usually brings him flying through the dog flap and I will give him a small treat - on a good day, he'll get through about half a kilo of dog biscuits but that's a small price to pay for my sanity.
Saturday 9 May 2009
Dreams are shattered.
DAY 15 - EGG COUNT 4
Two pieces of bad news today.
Firstly, I did not win the Euromillions 110 million pounds rollover jackpot last night or even one small part of it. Evidently the whole world and his mother was as excited as me to check their numbers this morning causing the national lottery web site to crash and burn. I had to take my bitter blow from a BBC site who I must say, let me down in the nicest possible way. So, it is back to plan B which is to work for my living and try to earn enough to keep the mortgage paid, keep up with the bills and put food on our table. It was nice to dream while it lasted though.
Secondly, one of our girls is missing. I did spot her on the back hedge this morning but when my husband went up to feed them, she was gone. We have checked the field behind us but there is no sign of her (mind you, it is a large field and she is only a small hen.) We have had escapees before and they usually return - just hope she makes it back before dark or she might be a gonna, there are definately foxes about as we heard one calling late last night. Bye for now.
Two pieces of bad news today.
Firstly, I did not win the Euromillions 110 million pounds rollover jackpot last night or even one small part of it. Evidently the whole world and his mother was as excited as me to check their numbers this morning causing the national lottery web site to crash and burn. I had to take my bitter blow from a BBC site who I must say, let me down in the nicest possible way. So, it is back to plan B which is to work for my living and try to earn enough to keep the mortgage paid, keep up with the bills and put food on our table. It was nice to dream while it lasted though.
Secondly, one of our girls is missing. I did spot her on the back hedge this morning but when my husband went up to feed them, she was gone. We have checked the field behind us but there is no sign of her (mind you, it is a large field and she is only a small hen.) We have had escapees before and they usually return - just hope she makes it back before dark or she might be a gonna, there are definately foxes about as we heard one calling late last night. Bye for now.
Friday 8 May 2009
It's nice to dream.
DAY 14 - EGG COUNT 6.
We obviously missed an egg yesterday or one of our girls is double laying.
Now we have them roaming free in the veg patch, they don't always go back into the hen house to lay. They have other favourite spots such as behind the greenhouse and under the honeysuckle. My husband now has an easter sunday type egg hunt every morning which I find rather amusing (he doesn't.)
I have just purchased a Euromillions lottery ticket as tonight's jackpot is 110 million pounds! Spent the whole of the drive back from Asda dreaming of how I would spend it. Firstly, I would give 1 million pounds each to my three best friends (who will remain anonymous in order to avoid bad feeling.) I would then ensure my two sons' future was secured, have a huge party down the pub and leave the country quite soon after (oh, I might just pay a few bills and credit cards before I go.) I would then spend two weeks in some hot paradise country in order to plan how I would spend the rest of my life. I'm thinking I would need to do something very philanthropic like build a hospital or orphanage for a poor third world country, I would travel quite a lot so I could decide which countries to have a house in, I wouldn't have a face lift (or any cosmetic surgery) but would have lots of lovely beauty treatments and buy hugely expensive beauty products. How lovely it is to dream but better get back to work, mortgage is due for payment next week.
We obviously missed an egg yesterday or one of our girls is double laying.
Now we have them roaming free in the veg patch, they don't always go back into the hen house to lay. They have other favourite spots such as behind the greenhouse and under the honeysuckle. My husband now has an easter sunday type egg hunt every morning which I find rather amusing (he doesn't.)
I have just purchased a Euromillions lottery ticket as tonight's jackpot is 110 million pounds! Spent the whole of the drive back from Asda dreaming of how I would spend it. Firstly, I would give 1 million pounds each to my three best friends (who will remain anonymous in order to avoid bad feeling.) I would then ensure my two sons' future was secured, have a huge party down the pub and leave the country quite soon after (oh, I might just pay a few bills and credit cards before I go.) I would then spend two weeks in some hot paradise country in order to plan how I would spend the rest of my life. I'm thinking I would need to do something very philanthropic like build a hospital or orphanage for a poor third world country, I would travel quite a lot so I could decide which countries to have a house in, I wouldn't have a face lift (or any cosmetic surgery) but would have lots of lovely beauty treatments and buy hugely expensive beauty products. How lovely it is to dream but better get back to work, mortgage is due for payment next week.
Thursday 7 May 2009
Freedom again!
DAY 13 - EGG COUNT 5
I am pleased to report that my husband has relented and given the girls the freedom of the veg patch again for which they are very grateful. They are happily strutting about and clucking contentedly. Our escapologist hen, aptly named Houdini, immediately flew over the fence and into our main garden much to the delight of the dogs who spent a frantic ten minutes chasing her around. She didn't seem too worried in fact, I think she quite enjoyed the game - she actually looked a bit miffed when we returned her to the patch.
Our large tom cat is in deep trouble with me as he caught a baby rabbit yesterday and dragged it through number 2 son's open bedroom window (he sleeps in a downstairs room which we don't use and has made it into a bedsit type bachelor pad.) Poor little thing had died from shock and I was very cross with him - it's not as if he's hungry or anything. I just keep thinking of the mother rabbit wondering where one of her offspring has got to but maybe they don't think that way - I hope not anyway else I shall be having nightmares.
I am pleased to report that my husband has relented and given the girls the freedom of the veg patch again for which they are very grateful. They are happily strutting about and clucking contentedly. Our escapologist hen, aptly named Houdini, immediately flew over the fence and into our main garden much to the delight of the dogs who spent a frantic ten minutes chasing her around. She didn't seem too worried in fact, I think she quite enjoyed the game - she actually looked a bit miffed when we returned her to the patch.
Our large tom cat is in deep trouble with me as he caught a baby rabbit yesterday and dragged it through number 2 son's open bedroom window (he sleeps in a downstairs room which we don't use and has made it into a bedsit type bachelor pad.) Poor little thing had died from shock and I was very cross with him - it's not as if he's hungry or anything. I just keep thinking of the mother rabbit wondering where one of her offspring has got to but maybe they don't think that way - I hope not anyway else I shall be having nightmares.
Wednesday 6 May 2009
Grumpy Hens
DAY 12 - EGG COUNT 4
Our girls are rather grumpy because my husband is cross with them. They have their own enclosure but it was getting very muddy because of all the rain we've had. As we don't have much growing in the vegetable patch at the moment, he decided to let them have a free run for a few days. Anyhow, to cut a long story short, husband must have left shed door ajar, the little devils got in there and messed all over the mower, garden tools etc... (hen poo is not the most pleasant of things to clean up.) So, they are now back in their hen run gazing longingly at the big world outside - am fully expecting them to go on protest strike and stop laying- perhaps my husband will relent tommorrow. I will take them some leftover chinese fried rice later which I am sure will cheer them up as they can pretend it is an invasion of small grubs. Pleased to report my lady spaniel, Rosie is back to her sweet smelling self after badger poo rolling incident but our man dog is puzzled as to why he his not getting as much fuss as before. He is lovely but not awfully intelligent, my nick name for him is 'pea brain', need I say more? Bye for now.
Our girls are rather grumpy because my husband is cross with them. They have their own enclosure but it was getting very muddy because of all the rain we've had. As we don't have much growing in the vegetable patch at the moment, he decided to let them have a free run for a few days. Anyhow, to cut a long story short, husband must have left shed door ajar, the little devils got in there and messed all over the mower, garden tools etc... (hen poo is not the most pleasant of things to clean up.) So, they are now back in their hen run gazing longingly at the big world outside - am fully expecting them to go on protest strike and stop laying- perhaps my husband will relent tommorrow. I will take them some leftover chinese fried rice later which I am sure will cheer them up as they can pretend it is an invasion of small grubs. Pleased to report my lady spaniel, Rosie is back to her sweet smelling self after badger poo rolling incident but our man dog is puzzled as to why he his not getting as much fuss as before. He is lovely but not awfully intelligent, my nick name for him is 'pea brain', need I say more? Bye for now.
Monday 4 May 2009
No more BBQ leftovers, pleeeze!
DAY 10 - EGG COUNT 3
Our BBQ yesterday went well, the sun even managed to shine for a couple of hours just at the right time which was a bonus. As usual, there was far too much food and what I didn't manage to send home with our guests is now piled up in the fridge. I'm hoping the boys will wade through it but I suspect the hens will end up with the leftover salads in a couple of days when the lettuce has gone brown and the tomatoes are a soggy mess. We had burnt sausage sandwiches for breakfast and are having chicken tonight wether we want it or not - I do hate to waste food.
All the animals are fine except for our little lady spaniel, Rosie who is in disgrace. On our walk yesterday, she rolled in badger's poo which, in case you don't know, absolutely reeks. We washed it off but she still smelt awful which was remarked upon by all our BBQ guests. So, today we took them on a walk where there is a stream knowing she would go swimming (most springer spaniels cannot resist water.) She plunged in up to her neck and we are hoping that's done the trick but we won't know until she has dried off. At the moment she just smells of wet dog which is slightly preferable to badger poo. Our man dog, Mack is revelling in all the attention because he is getting much more fuss on account of the fact he smells better - he'd better make the most of it as all could be quite different tommorrow.
Our BBQ yesterday went well, the sun even managed to shine for a couple of hours just at the right time which was a bonus. As usual, there was far too much food and what I didn't manage to send home with our guests is now piled up in the fridge. I'm hoping the boys will wade through it but I suspect the hens will end up with the leftover salads in a couple of days when the lettuce has gone brown and the tomatoes are a soggy mess. We had burnt sausage sandwiches for breakfast and are having chicken tonight wether we want it or not - I do hate to waste food.
All the animals are fine except for our little lady spaniel, Rosie who is in disgrace. On our walk yesterday, she rolled in badger's poo which, in case you don't know, absolutely reeks. We washed it off but she still smelt awful which was remarked upon by all our BBQ guests. So, today we took them on a walk where there is a stream knowing she would go swimming (most springer spaniels cannot resist water.) She plunged in up to her neck and we are hoping that's done the trick but we won't know until she has dried off. At the moment she just smells of wet dog which is slightly preferable to badger poo. Our man dog, Mack is revelling in all the attention because he is getting much more fuss on account of the fact he smells better - he'd better make the most of it as all could be quite different tommorrow.
Sunday 3 May 2009
BBQ Sunday
DAY 9 - EGG COUNT 4 ( one of our girls is obviously slacking)
Am afraid today's posting will have to be rather short as I am up to my elbows in salads and marinades. It transpires that following a series of drunken text messages last night between my so called 'friends' that we are having a BBQ at our place today. As we speak, my husband is frantically jet washing the patio and trying to remember where he stashed the garden furniture at the end of last summer. He is rather grumpy as the BBQ needs cleaning and the gas is about to run out but hey ho, am sure all will turn out well. By 2-30pm, we shall all be sipping cold beer and pink bubbly wine and all will be well with the world. Will tell you all tommorrow, bye for now.
Am afraid today's posting will have to be rather short as I am up to my elbows in salads and marinades. It transpires that following a series of drunken text messages last night between my so called 'friends' that we are having a BBQ at our place today. As we speak, my husband is frantically jet washing the patio and trying to remember where he stashed the garden furniture at the end of last summer. He is rather grumpy as the BBQ needs cleaning and the gas is about to run out but hey ho, am sure all will turn out well. By 2-30pm, we shall all be sipping cold beer and pink bubbly wine and all will be well with the world. Will tell you all tommorrow, bye for now.
Saturday 2 May 2009
Bank holiday Saturday
DAY 8 - EGG COUNT 4
I can't believe it's May Bank Holiday Saturday, where did that time since Easter go? Perhaps it is a sign of ageing when time seems to fly by so quickly, depressing thought, must banish it from my mind immediately.
Pleased to relate all animals are fine apart from the two human types aka my two sons who were both out on the razzle last night despite knowing they have work today. Eldest son looked extremely queasy this morning as he stumbled from house - my husband said he was woken by cooking smells at 4am this morning, will they never learn? Youngest son emerged from his pit of a bedroom at 12 and demanded a fry up in order to stop him from being sick. I relented and made him one as cooking bacon and eggs (free range, new laid) seemed more desirable than cleaning up vomit(will I never learn?) We were invited to a BBQ tonight which would have been great as the weather forecast is good but have just learnt it is cancelled due to by friend's divorced boyfriend having to have his children overnight. This would not have been a problem if my friend's house was slightly larger but 6 drunken friends and two young children do not fit very well into a one up, one down tiny converted barn. We might do it tommorrow evening instead. Bye for now.
I can't believe it's May Bank Holiday Saturday, where did that time since Easter go? Perhaps it is a sign of ageing when time seems to fly by so quickly, depressing thought, must banish it from my mind immediately.
Pleased to relate all animals are fine apart from the two human types aka my two sons who were both out on the razzle last night despite knowing they have work today. Eldest son looked extremely queasy this morning as he stumbled from house - my husband said he was woken by cooking smells at 4am this morning, will they never learn? Youngest son emerged from his pit of a bedroom at 12 and demanded a fry up in order to stop him from being sick. I relented and made him one as cooking bacon and eggs (free range, new laid) seemed more desirable than cleaning up vomit(will I never learn?) We were invited to a BBQ tonight which would have been great as the weather forecast is good but have just learnt it is cancelled due to by friend's divorced boyfriend having to have his children overnight. This would not have been a problem if my friend's house was slightly larger but 6 drunken friends and two young children do not fit very well into a one up, one down tiny converted barn. We might do it tommorrow evening instead. Bye for now.
Friday 1 May 2009
The Swifts are back!
DAY 7 - EGG COUNT 5 (girls are laying well)
Very exciting news - the swifts are back! OK, it might not sound that exciting to you but we just love it when these beautiful and clever little birds arrive back because for us, it signals the iminent arrival of summer (not that you'd think so, it's raining again.)
I find it amazing that these birds fly all the way from Africa, non stop and then manage to find their way back to the previous year's nests in the eaves of our car port - how do they do that? As I write, they are whizzing in and out at superfast speeds, tidying and re-feathering the nests. Soon, there will be eggs and then sweet little chicks with ever open beaks waiting to be fed. Later, as the summer draws to a close, the parents will be coaxing them from the safety of their nests and giving them flying lessons in readiness for the long flight back to sunnier climes. That's the bit I find depressing as I find myself wanting to join them instead of staying her to endure another winter - maybe this year, I might just book that flight and join them.
Very exciting news - the swifts are back! OK, it might not sound that exciting to you but we just love it when these beautiful and clever little birds arrive back because for us, it signals the iminent arrival of summer (not that you'd think so, it's raining again.)
I find it amazing that these birds fly all the way from Africa, non stop and then manage to find their way back to the previous year's nests in the eaves of our car port - how do they do that? As I write, they are whizzing in and out at superfast speeds, tidying and re-feathering the nests. Soon, there will be eggs and then sweet little chicks with ever open beaks waiting to be fed. Later, as the summer draws to a close, the parents will be coaxing them from the safety of their nests and giving them flying lessons in readiness for the long flight back to sunnier climes. That's the bit I find depressing as I find myself wanting to join them instead of staying her to endure another winter - maybe this year, I might just book that flight and join them.
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