Ole 

T-minus 21 days and counting

Friday May 27 12:00 noon
The eggs are in the incubator - 12 Jaerhons and 11 Black Sex Links (one broke in shipping).

It's anybody's guess how many we'll end up with but I am hoping for half. We're going to be extra specially careful.

And now I am off with Ken on a yard-sale expedition. With luck I will come upon some fantastic yarn/needles and/or yarn recycling treasure.

A New Hope

Well, the eggs are here and I will put them in the incubator this evening. And poor Ole will be gone tomorrow, Frank is coming to put an end to him. Poor boy I will miss him - but I tried and hoped and he is not getting any better - as a matter of fact he has gotten worse in the past couple of days. He is hardly moving from place to place in the cage at all and seems happiest when he is propped up in the corner.

In the same theme Ken and the old lady and I saw Revenge of the Sith last night. Although I liked it I think I still prefer the earlier ( or later depending upon your point of view) trilogy. Probably because it made such a big impact on me - and because in this set you knew what was going to happen - it was just a matter of how bad the events would be. And I think they were pretty bad. Depressing actually. I think I prefer stories with and upbeat ending - and so I will need to watch the first three movies again soon - to make myself feel better.

And of course we have a long weekend! Yay Four entire days off - sleeping late, napping, relaxing and not working! That should help me, I think.

whoo

Lookie - I put up links and figured out how to put up the links for the knit-alongs.
<--------------
Still need to add more - but I am getting there.

Rain Rain Rain Rain Rain

Well it is raining again for the what ...14th day in a row? Something like that. Wait I exagerate - I think it was sunny on the morning of May 14th - so that is only 11 days.

So they are painting the walls in our building to spruce them up and what lovely color have they chosen? Well when the lights are off it looks just like the color of the rain clouds! and the lights are on you can see that they are actually a lovely grey-green - kind of like lizard skin.

And you know what I hate? - The people in the office who whisper long conversations to each other - so all you can hear is sssppps ppsssp sssppss - for hours. It drives me INSANE! PLease people - if you have secrets to tell each other go the fuck outside.

Finally I have a picture of Cleaves. This is it - not exactly the way I envisioned it - but I like it a lot. I don't think I would use this yarn again - it was Pronto by SandesGarn. I wore Cleaves out on Saturday night and found that it got caught on everything - my rings, my fingernail, a rough spot on the bar. I actually ended up with a huge pull about 2 feet long of just one ply and had to tuck it into the inside of the sleeve.

Oh well it was a learning experience and I think I will use this one as an everyday Cleaves. It does work nicely for the cool spring weather - giving just enough warmth without making me too hot.

And although you can't see it too well here - I got all my hair cut off on Saturday - couldn't take it any longer.


Cleaves and new hairdo 

Nothing kind of a day...

Well hatching eggs are ordered - 1 dozen Jaerhons for me and 1 dozen Black Sex Links for Spanky - We are starting our incubation project all over again. I hope we actually get something out of this so he can get his animal science badge for boy scouts.

Need to bleach out the incubator and get the egg turner set up - The other one had stopped working after a week or so and I got a replacement really quickly from the company I ordered from Eggcartons.com - I would recommend them to anyone their customer service over the web is excellent and they take care of problems so quickly.

What else is going on -? I wove in the ends on Cleaves and can get a picture tonight - I have not gotten more than one row into W - and I have no idea why - I don't know what the hell I do in the evening but before I know it - it is time for bed.

Anyway - so that is my nothing kind of a day.

Looking forward to the weekend in Mass and also looking forward to the FOUR DAY WEEKEND next weekend! I am going to get some serious sleeping done then.

Death

I am trying to come to terms with the fact that I am going to have to put Ole down. The problem of course stems from the fact that although his legs are bad - the rest of him seems fine. He is eating and drinking and even crowing. And of course he is such a good rooster. If there was a prize for roosters he would get it. He is good to his girls (well not Ripple - but even with her he isn't totally terrible); he crows in the morning but not excessively; he is not aggressive. and he is beautiful too.


Ole and the girls 

I had him out on the lawn last night near his girls and he was very happy - trying to scratch and giving them his "I've got something good to eat!" clucks. Other than not being able to walk he seems so good. He can get going and actually run when he flaps his wings - so I am tempted to see what we can do with chicken physical therapy - basically get him out every evening and let him move around - see if he can build up strength again. How long I should do that before I give up - I don't know.

I am trying to figure out if I am being too selfish here in my hesitation to put him down - but there is that element of uncertainty - he might get better and then it would be a shame to put him down. As far as I can tell he isn't hurting and he doesn't seem mentally miserable either. Next Tuesday will be 2 weeks. I think I will give him till then.

In the meantime I am going to order some hatching eggs from Ideal and get those started. Was trying to hatch eggs anyway to see if I could get a son out of him - he just has the best disposition. Unfortunately none of them were fertile.

Look how wonderful! - Ken got me a subscription to Bitch magazine.


logo 

And I got the spring issue - the "Masculinity Issue" - that I have been looking for all over, today in the mail. With a lovely card that says "Happy Early Birthday to my favorite Bitch. That's right woman, get on the back of my motorcycle NOW!"

Really there has never been anyone so perfect for me.

Thanks, Kenneth!

Saturday Night - Movie Night

Just got back from seeing Hitchhiker's Guide and I did really love it. I was worried from all the reviews I read that it wasn't going to live up to the books - but I have to say I think they captured the tone of Douglas Adams' books very well. I decided to go by myself 1) because I am still kind of crabby and 2) because the Hitchhiker books mean so much to me that I didn't want someone along who would break the mood for me. And it was nice to get done with the movie and be able to drive home in silence and just be able to think.

Ken went down to Mass this morning. Next weekend the is Green Street Music Series #7 at the Lucky Dog and they are having practice tomorrow. The show is "a celebration of the music of Alice Cooper, Aerosmith, and ACDC." Should be a hoot. We're both going down next weekend for the show and I think I will be using my electric guitar sling purse. Ever so fashionable!

Guitar Purse 

Might even wear my Cleaves which I need to get a picture of too.

Anyhow - time to sleep I did some yard work this morning - but never got as much done as I really wanted although I have some nice blisters and many sratches to show for it. If the rain holds off I would like to get a good bit more done tomorrow.

Friday Night Party Night

Got the old lady drunk tonight - Ken and I took her to the Killarney Pub and we had some margaritas ( Ken had a black & tan) and then we had to get some potato skins so that she wouldn't be too drunk.

That was a fun time and then we got burritos from Tacos Tacos. Just go home and ate them.

The old lady is going to fall asleep and Ken and I are going to his house to "hang out" - He has Harold and Kumar so we can watch that. Tomorrow he is off to Mass.

Unfortunately the whole weekend is supposed to be crappy and rainy - so the yard work I wanted to do is probably out - but we'll see. - If it is too rainy I can get some serious knitting done.

Urg

OK - admittedly I am stressing a lot lately. Sick chickens and the old lady's walking problem are beginning to take a toll. I am hoping that I can relax this weekend - do some work outdoors and that will help. I have that growing feeling like things are getting out of control - my car is past inspection. The lawn needs to be mowed and I haven't even gotten the mower in for a tune up. The guys are coming to start the new windows next week and I have to reclean up as (of course) I didn't keep it clean from the last big effort.

It doesn't seem like much when I write it out but when I look around I start feeling the pressure building. And of course there is so much to do at work. Too much really - so that sometimes I feel paralyzed and don't know what to tackle next.

Anyway I did get my Cleaves blocked last night and should be able to unpin it tonight - or maybe tomorrow morning just to make sure it is totally dry. And then I will have finished two projects! I took Clapotis with me when we went to Boston to the doctor's on Wednesday and did get a little over one repeat done. It helped pass the time. It was an exhausting day and I was disappointed in the primary care doctor who seemed to pass off the old lady's walking problem as "timidity". I looked at her like she was crazy and said yes - we would like to see a neuro. So I had an appointment for the neuro for June 3rd but now they called and said that was a mistake - and the first available appt is June 22nd. Damn - I hate putting things off for so long. I hate not knowing what the problem is.

I would like to start the W top this weekend - but haven't even finished the swatch yet - maybe I can at least get that done. And I really want to see Hitchhikers Guide too - I am going to be pissed off if that leaves the theatres and I have missed it.

But thank the gods it is the weekend and this is a pay week. That helps a little bit.

Are you a Republican?

I am: -4% Republican.

"You're a damn Commie!  Where's Tailgunner Joe when we need him?"

Are You A Republican?

How old am I?

You Are 26 Years Old

26 Under 12: You are a kid at heart. You still have an optimistic life view - and you look at the world with awe. 13-19: You are a teenager at heart. You question authority and are still trying to find your place in this world. 20-29: You are a twentysomething at heart. You feel excited about what's to come... love, work, and new experiences. 30-39: You are a thirtysomething at heart. You've had a taste of success and true love, but you want more! 40+: You are a mature adult. You've been through most of the ups and downs of life already. Now you get to sit back and relax.

What Age Do You Act?

Weekend Wrap up

Ken and I had a nice time In NY this weekend.

Took Friday off and headed out around 12:30. As usual it took me longer to get ready than I thought as I wait to the last minute to do everything. So between getting the chickens, the dog , the old lady and the eggs ready, writing notes for Karen so that she knew what to do with everyone and packing I just barely got it together.

Anyway we drove down and stopped in Bennington first - it was a beautiful day and we took our time. I was starving by the time we got there so we looked for a place to eat first . Right on Main Street we found the Madison Brewing Company. Unfortunately they don't seem to have a pulled together website - I found the frame of one online - but there isn't much there. Anyway I am not really an ale drinker - but I thought their sandwiches were excellent and the ambiance is good. I would certainly stop again. I had a French Dip Sandwich with real au jus and a horseradish sauce as well. And their home made potato chips were great. I would have bought one of their glasses if they had had one for their Crow Town Ale as I liked the picture - but sadly they didn't have one.

After lunch I went into The Naked Sheep yarn shop also on Main Street right across from the Brew Pub. Nice store - nothing too overwhelming though - I picked up some yarn to make the W Top from the newest Knitty in.

It is a bit lighter in weight I think than the yarn in the pattern but I am going to be a very good girl and swatch and wash before I start to make sure it comes out OK, especially since the top is knit side to side. Stopped in a coffee cafe after that to get a mug for the ride - although the place was cool I was a bit disappointed in my mocha latte - I couldn't taste any coffee in it - I guess I am getting too used to Mocha Joe's strong stuff.

So we continued on and although it got a bit cloudy it never rained like it was predicted to. Friday night I went with Maureen to Debbie P's house for "ladies night" a group of 6 women from the neighborhood who get together once a month. An eye opening event - makes me glad that I don't have kids and that I live in Vermont now. Sometimes I feel like I have less and less in common with people down there. Got home from there about 2 a.m. and got to sleep with Ken in Bridget's single bed. Two nights in a row! Very comfy (ha).

Saturday we went to see Keely's soccer game - in the rain. Luckily she scored a goal and her team won. Sat night Maureen had a bunch of people over Chip and Kimberly, Leslie and Charlie, Sue and John, Mike and Debbie, and Eileen, and Frank, as well as assorted numerous children. A good time was had by all although I was very tired from the late night the night before and having to sleep balanced on my side on the edge of the bed.

Sunday - Maureen was up early as Bridget had a talent show to get to. So Ken and I were up early too. Left NY around 9:30 I think. Had a little stop at the Northshire Bookstore in Manchester - looking for Bitch Magazine but couldn't find it. So I bought the new Interweave Knits and "The Salmon of Doubt" by Douglas Adams.

Came home - napped , got up around 6 and knitted like a crazy person to get Cleaves done.

Finished about 11 p.m. - bound off , tried it on , and it fell down around my waist. Good thing I have a sense of humor. Thought I had compensated enough for the difference in yarn thickness - but apparently not. Anyway - I then called it a weekend and went to sleep.

OH! and I did also win the EBay auction for the pocketbook I wanted - am getting it for $23.49 plus $7.50 shipping - not too bad $30.99 total when I have seen it listed variously for $35 plus shipping and $49 plus shipping and even $65 plus shipping!