Tag Archives: Chicken Coop

Turbo is a Mess!

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Oh. No.

Oh. No.

Readers! Poor Turbo is a mess! She is molting right now and not looking her best at all. I feel so bad for her. Zazzles and Terrance Peterson are not molting right now and are looking very nice and I know this has got to be bothering her. They have yet to ever go through a molting so I am sure they are freaked out by the way she looks. Eek!

New feathers coming in.

New feathers coming in.

This week has been pretty good. I have gone back to the office for work. My long time assistant has had to leave me for a full-time job so all week she has been training my new assistant. She has done a wonderful job. It is so sad to see her go, she has been with me for over seven years! Tomorrow my new assistant will be in the office by herself since I will be heading to see Dr. D about my scans on Monday.  I know she will do a great job. I can’t believe I had my scans on Monday. Seems like it has been much longer.

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My appointment with Dr. D is at 10:30pm. I have been trying not to think of it. I am still worried that the NP didn’t read them right and I won’t be getting the good news I am hoping for. My pain level has gotten much better which makes me think the tumors have shrunk but I still worry.

The Boy

The Boy

The Boy got his school pictures back today. Not too sure what I think about the “wet” hair look but whatever. I think he looks so grown up. How time is flying.

My sister-in-law will be traveling down from MI this weekend to help My Man, The Boy and I out next week. I have warned her that I won’t be at my best. The first two days of chemo aren’t too bad, but as the week moves on, I start to unravel. I am planning on doing a big grocery store run to make sure we have enough food in the house. We have been lucky enough to have friends, Christy and Geri, who have sent us Instead of Flowers. We are able to pick out meals and pick a date for them to be delivered to us. We got one order today. So cool! Thanks y’all.

My friend Lisa also dropped off some awesome dinners for us last week. We froze one of them to eat next week. So we have two dinners down!

The weather has started to cool down just in time for Halloween. If you are the type who dresses up (I am not) have a great time!

Be Good! Be Safe!

Weekend update…

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Kitty Cam…Bath time.

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Readers! How has your weekend been? Mine has been pretty good other than the passing of Poppy. I have had two good days. The pain level has been low and the energy level high. I am not sure what to think of it and do all I can do not to think about it. It is hard not to though.

Saturday morning I took Timber to the vet to get more heart worm pills (holy $$$, who knew?) and a mani/pedi. He was pretty nervous being there. I have never seen him so nervous before. He did not want to go back with the very nice and happy vet tech. He came back with his paws looking fantastic! However, I was informed that he had gained weight and has been gaining weight since we adopted him! Oh No! Right now he weights 89 pounds. I will admit that we haven’t been playing as much ball as we did in the past. I have been tired this summer and it has been hot. My Man had been taking him running but recently Timber doesn’t want to go. Like he lays down in the middle of the road refusing to run or refuses to leave the house if I don’t go with him. Well, while on our way back home I informed him it had to stop. He had to start running again. We can’t have him become a fatty. It just isn’t healthy for him. With the weather getting cooler soon (I hope) I am planning on more games of catch and walks and runs with My Man.

Just need the fire pit now.

Just need the fire pit now.

Later The Boy, who was feeling blue because of Poppy, and I went to Target. That place will cheer anyone up! I needed to get some household items and wanted to get out of the house since I had energy and the sun was out. I found four outdoor chairs that were on clearance for $11.00 each. I had to buy them, just had too! I have been wanting to set up a fire pit area by The Majestic. The chairs would workout perfectly. Now I just need to fire a low-cost, high quality fire pit. Oh Pickles.

Of course since it was Saturday, there was college football to watch, a house to clean and laundry to do. RTR!! and don’t talk to me about MSU… that is Alabama and Michigan State.

More Chickens?

My Father-in-law, Bob, asked if we were planning on getting anymore chickens now that Poppy has passed. Well, I had been thinking about once I saw her health start to decline. I don’t have plans to get anymore chickens for a while. I think we all need time, especially The Girls. They all (Turbo) need time to get use to all the changes. It has been a big year for all three. Terry Pete and Zazzles, being born, leaving the only home they knew, meeting two new hens and then losing a friend. And poor Turbo. Poppy was her snuggle buddy for a long time. I wonder if she is sleeping alone in the nesting boxes or did she try to jump up on the roosting bars and sleep with Terry Pete and Zazzles. Poor thing.

Small but big enough.

Small but big enough.

I think that next Spring I will look into getting two more hens. I would like to get two baby chicks that are big enough to know that they are hens (opposed to roosters) but still need to live inside with a heating lamp, some fluff and food and water. I want to be able to really bond with them before I would move them into The Majestic. I would probably introduce them the same way I did Terrance Peterson and Zazzles. It seemed to work out ok. I told The Boy my plan and told him he could name one. That made him smile.

Today there is more football to watch and a garden to start cleaning up if it doesn’t rain. If it does rain then and I have the energy (I have been up since three and have been writing this post since 4am) I may do more cleaning and organizing. I am pretty sure there will be a nap somewhere in there and of course more laundry. I hope you all have a wonderful Sunday! Take Care and Be Safe!

 

 

News from The Majestic

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The new sign looks great!

The new sign looks great!

Readers, I am sad to announce that Poppy passed away today. RIP Poppy. As I had mentioned earlier this week, she hadn’t been looking all that good for the past few weeks. She was losing weight and wasn’t acting like herself. No chasing Zazzles or Terry Pete away from the watermelon and spinach treats.

RIP

RIP

I am happy to report that we were all out there with her. My Man hung the new Majestic sign, The Boy and I cleaned out the nest boxes, I refreshed the food and water holders, I clean out the coop and The Boy and I gave all the girls worms that we found in the compost hippo. Poppy’s last meal was a nice tasty fat worm.

My Man

My Man

Cleaning out the nesting boxes.

Cleaning out the nesting boxes.

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It was The Boy who noticed it first when he went in with another fat worm to give her. We are all sad but are happy that we got to spend three and half years with her. We are happy to know she lived a good life with humans around her who loved her. I am happy that her last year was in The Majestic, a nice comfortable coop. I think she enjoyed living with us and I know her best girlfriend Turbo will miss her as much as we will.

RIP Poppy.

Hair today, gone in a few…

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Well, shit.

Well, shit.

Good Day Readers! It has been a few days. I hope they have been good ones for you. I have been riding the roller coaster that is now my life. I have good days, I have bad days. I have energy, I can barely get out of bed. I have a full head of hair, my hair is getting thinner and thinner. I think the razor will be coming out of hibernation later this week. I knew this was coming so it is no surprise but still kinds sucks. At least this time, since it is so short, it won’t take as long.

Pickles

Pickles

Yesterday was Round 2 Part 1 for me. I went in had my blood drawn and port accessed. We then met with Dr. D. They said my numbers look really good. That horrible shot got my bone marrow back up and my white and red blood count went up. They are very happy with the way my body recovered from the first round. Good news. We did find out that the bump on my back that is sore and hurts is probably one of the tumors. Wonderful. She did say that if doesn’t shrink all the way, that later they can zap it with radiation. Which is good. Cause it hurts. The main problem is its location. Right under the bra strap. Couldn’t be in a worse place. The strap rubs up against it all day. I hate wearing a bra! So painful!

The infusion center was could and packed. There was no room for My Man to sit so he was stuck in the lobby. That sucked. Luckily I was only in there for about an hour. Right now I am feeling ok although I feel a nap in my future. They said it should be day three before I start to really feel bad. Yeah! Great way to start my weekend!

Shout Outs

Tia B.- LOVE the peanut butter!! it is so good. The Boy loves the chocolate peanut butter the best and I have to admit, he is right. Thank you so much for thinking of us!!

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Bob H.- Thank you do much for The Majestic sign! How cool is that!? It is going to look fantastic on the coop. My Man and I will be hanging it up this weekend. I know The Girls are going to love it. Felix too!

Poppy

Poppy

Speaking of The Majestic and The Girls, Poppy is hasn’t been her self lately. She has always been smaller than Turbo (she is a chucky one) but she feels even lighter now when I pick her up. She is in the middle of molting (growing new feathers) and is showing all the signs that she is broody except for sitting on top of the eggs her mates lay. She isn’t eating as much as the others and seems like she is stoned. I am not kidding. They tend to get that way when they are broody but usually if you pick them up, they will snap out of it. Not Poppy. She has been sitting on my lap and lets me pet her, which she has never done before. We are not sure how old she is since we bought as an adult hen. Cross your fingers she will snap out of her funk and go back to her regular self.

Terry Pete

Terry Pete

Zazzles

Zazzles

Terry Pete and Zazzles are doing great. They have grown so much and are laying 4 to 5 eggs a week. The eggs are smaller than Turbo’s and one hasa pink look to it while the other is more tan/brown. Plus at night, they roost up in the coop all by themselves, while the other two are in the nesting boxes pooping them all up! Such a proud chicken Mama I am (of the roosters, not the poopers).

It is going to be a hot and rainy day here in the ATL. If you have any suggestions on what you want me to write more about, let me know. I don’t want write about my condition all the time, it gets old!! I am so over it! :)

Be Good and Be Safe Readers!

Updates! Updates! Updates!

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Panny hiding from the vet in her carrier.

 

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Nail trim

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Patchwork Panny!

Patchwork Panny!

 

August 3, 2014

Readers, I writing this post (at home on Word) in hopes I can post it while at work tomorrow since our internet at Hotel Yorba is still not working (using a flash drive). I wont get all into all the details but hopefully by the 11th of August our internet will be up and running again. There are a lot of things going on here and I feel lost not being able to blog about them and share it all with you. There are also picture I want to post, so those will be randomly posted too! I have decided to write a brief explanation and hopefully I will be able to share it with you all soon.

Zazzles and Terrance Peterson

I am proud to announce that Zazzles and Terry Pete have laid their fist eggs! Woot Woot! How awesome is that? The eggs are small and light brown. I am guessing has they grow their eggs will grow along with them. I am so proud of my girls. It was The Boy who went up to the Majestic for a visit while I was out doing errands today. He didn’t see Zazzles in the run so he opened the door to the nesting boxes and there she was! Just chilling out doing her thing. Once I got home he told me about what he saw and then ran back up to the coop and came down with three eggs. One was Turbo’s and then there were two tiny ones. Very excited for my young hens. Proud Chicken Mama!

The Elephant in the Room

Had to move to the special toothbrush and toothpaste.

Had to move to the special toothbrush and toothpaste.

For those of you who follow me on Facebook, you know that my doctor’s appointment on the 31st did not go as we hoped it would. Long story short, the chemo I was on wasn’t working. My pain in/on my ribs was getting worse and I had been in a pretty shitty mood for the last two weeks. When we left that hospital I was scheduled to check into the hospital on the 4th of August to start the chemo I did last summer. You remember, I was in the hospital for 5 days, lost my hair and was a mess. Dr. Read did suggest I try to get a second opinion but in the meantime try the big guns chemo but even though it had worked in the past, there was no guarantee it would work again. My Man and I were very bummed out. I went home and went to bed depressed.

My sarcoma girls reached out to me and all suggested I meet with a Doctor who use to be at Emory Winship center but who moved to Duke Hospital (to do sarcoma research) and then moved to Northside’s Cancer Hospital here in the ATL. She is very well-known in the Sarcoma world (around the world) and basically saved one of the sarcoma woman’s life after all the other doctors gave up on her. The ladies really wanted me to meet with her. Since she was in the ATL, I figured I would try to meet with her before I try to go to NYC.

Fast forward to Friday around 11am. I wrote Dr. Read that I would like to meet with this new doctor, we will call her Dr. D., for a seconded opinion. Within 30 minutes I talked to Dr. Read on the phone and he told me Dr. D wanted to meet with me that day. She is working on phase 3 of a clinical chemo drug for sarcomas and thought I would be perfect for the trial. The Boy and me met with her (had to cancel my nail appointment :)) and I really liked her and what she had to say about the trail and Phase 1 and 2.

So this is how things stand now. On Tuesday I will go in and give my written consent to participate in the trail. I will have a few tests done and then will be put in the system to see if I am randomly picked for the trail drug. If I am (she will be told) I will go the infusion center (sometime after the 11th of August) and have it given to me. It is out-patient deal. I will go in after a week or so to have blood work done and then after three weeks go back in for another infusion.  Phase 3 of a drug trail means they have had success with Phase 1 and 2 and are ready to bring it up in front of the FDA to get it on the market. They have been working on this drug for like 10 years.

If I do not get picked for the trail drug I will get a cocktail of chemo drugs that Dr. D. has already picked out for me. I will go in one day the first week and get one of the drugs. Then the second week I will get a mix of two drugs and the third week I will get off to either sleep, puke or work! Like with the trail drug I will be monitored. So either way, I will be getting chemo, a chemo the doctor thinks will work. She also mentioned getting me into a trail for a pill that they are working on to fight the growth of sarcoma cells in the first place. That would be great. Because we know that some chemo works for me, however new tumors keep coming back. That is what we need to fix.

She also discussed my pain issues with me. She wrote me a new prescription for a drug to take. She asked me to keep a pain diary and monitor my pain level and how much of the drug I am taking. I got the new pills on (Sunday) and am feeling better.  Of course I also went to Target to get a nice journal and new writing pens! Love an excuse to go to Target. (The Boy also needed new underwear!) I am still juicing and have stopped eating read meat, pork and chicken. I spent 30 minutes chopping up all my veggies and fruit for this coming week.  I feel I need to do my part in this fight of mine and I honestly believe it helps. I felt so good on Saturday after My Man and I made the decision to work with Dr. D. I woke up in less pain. Like the tumors know I am pissed and are going to fight! Little T wants to get better and is ready to work with me!

My parents were a little scared at the change of doctors but when they looked her up and read all about her they called and was like “She is famous for her work in the sarcoma world!” She is a sarcoma rock star. They are feeling much better about the new plan.

I feel good about this decision. The way that it all panned out, the speed that I was able to get in and meet with her; I feel it is meant to be. That this is a door God has put out in front of me and has given me a choice to open it. And I think opening the door was the right choice.

Shout Outs!

Everyone has been so supportive and caring on FB, via text, comments and email. I am not a telephone person, so I apologies for those of you who try to call but I was not in the mind-set to talk to anyone about anything and most of the time I was in bed sleeping!

There are a hand full of you out there that have helped me so much. I hope you know who you are and how much you mean to me. You are my rocks, you make me laugh, smile and give me strength. Thank you soooo much!!! And Karen, thank you for that e-mail and phone number. I owe you on….big time.

Readers! Not sure when I will be able to post again but the flash drive thing seems to be working. I hope you all have a great Monday morning!

Updates, broken things and shout outs!

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Readers! Things have been crazy here at the Hotel Yorba! First we had a full house for almost a week. My parents, brother, sis-in-law and niece where in town for about 5 days last week. They participated in the Merchants Market here in the ATL. They both seemed to have a great show and got the word out about their wonderful products, The Christmas Web and Ginger Leigh Designs. Check them both out!

The Boy and I got to hang out with my youngest niece, ETG, for a few days. We had a blast. She is a great girl. She hung out with me all day Friday and went with me when I hit the bank, chicken feed store and office. She even went to work out with SK and I at the gym. She rocked it. When my hour was up, she was like “we have to go?” Oh to have the energy of an 11-year-old!

Our internet has not been working for the past few days, which is why I have not posted anything. It has been very frustrating. It is crazy how much we depend on a good internet signal. We have a call into a cable company to try to run cable internet but that is not for about two weeks. Our current service sucks!  And then on Sunday, our TV in the family room died! Just stopped working. It will not turn on! Everything else turns on but not the TV. They really don’t make them like they use to do they? A TV used to last 10+ years! Now you are lucky to get one the lasts 4 years. Total Bummer.

Round 2

So far the side effects from round 2 have been the same of Round 1. I am tired. Like really tired. Like lay on the couch, pass out, wake yourself up snoring and add in some drool, tired. The pain in my ribs is still there but I am getting some new drugs today and hopefully they will help take the edge off. I am doing my best to keep being active because I know it will only help me in the end. Must stay strong!

2014 24 hours of Booty!

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I am off to a wonderful start of my fundraising for the 24 hours of Booty ride I am doing in October. I have halfway to my goal! Woot! Woot! A big shout out to the following donors and recruit!.

Christy M., William H. Family, Judi R., Robert H., Vicki H., Alan V., Geri T., Michelle H. and Dona C. 

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You guys rock! I am starting to work on my training program to get ready for the ride. I will continue to work out with SK twice a week when I am able. I am also going to start riding the exercise bike during the week, keep up with my yoga and go biking at the park on the weekends. I will admit, it is kind of hard get the energy up to do it all but I will do the best I can.

The Girls and Garden

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Nice waddle!

Zazzles and Terrance Peterson are doing great. They are about five months old now and hopefully should be getting ready to lay some eggs in the next month or two. Zazzles cone and waddle are growing in pretty fast and her little chirp is now a lower toned one. Kinda sounds like she has a frog stuck in her throat! I am sure it will settle down soon and she will settle on a nice little chirp. Terry Pete’s black feathers are so nice and shiny. In the sun they have a dark green shine to them. Her cone and waddle are still pretty small but she seems ok with it.

The garden is doing ok. The tomatoes are growing well (cherry is doing the best) except for the fact there is a little bugger who is grabbing some of the lower hanging green ones and eating them. But does he eat all of them? Nooo! He eats half of it and then leaves the other half for me to find. Little bugger! So wasteful!

My corn looks like it is growing well (really I have no idea) along with my peppers, garlic and edamame. I have gotten a few small cucumbers but no squash yet. Whoever was eating the okra has stopped and there are some okra buds popping up. I am thinking next spring about buying more bags good soil and trying to get my soil in better shape. Any suggestions? I have used egg shells, coffee grounds and some compost. The dirt that was originally put in there was not good  at all but over the years I have added to it, so you think it would be in better shape now. But really how can you tell? I need a garden guru to come out and give me a few lessons.

Readers! I hope you are all having a good week so far. Stay Strong and Be Safe!

 

Tomatoes, Peppers, Edamame Oh My!

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Hey Readers!

Alomost ready to pick!

Alomost ready to pick!

I am happy to say that the garden at Hotel Yorba is coming along. I am very pleased with how things are growing. The only issue I am having thus far is that something is eating all the leaves on my okra plants. What would do that? I have been able to pull up some carrots that I have used in my morning juices.  One thing I am excited about it my Edamame! How cool is it that I am growing it! Very cool. I love the little pods. It has taken to my not so great soil really well.

Edamame

Edamame

I have spotted one cucumber growing but there are a lot of blooms. The cucumber/squash have done a good job of attaching itself to the trellis. I hope keeping the veggies off of the ground will help them grow larger.

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I am not sure if I mentioned but when I bought my green peppers, I accidentally bought a jalapeño pepper by mistake. Now, I don’t like hot things. Pepper, at times, can be too much for me! But My Man is looks spicy, hot things and it very excited about the mistake I made. He will be happy to know that his pepper plant already has a peppers growing on it.

HoT! HoT!

HoT! HoT!

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One of the lemons on our lemon tree

One of the lemons on our lemon tree

Yesterday evening I was looking at chicken coops on Pinterest (I do this all the time) and came across one picture that inspired me to decorate The Majestic some more. I have old photo’s (me and my big brother taken by my dad) and artwork that has been sitting for years in my garage gathering dust and I thought what the heck! The Girls deserve some art in their lives and it will make the coop look nice. So I went to the garage, grabbed the artwork, a hammer, some nails and a step stool and went to work. I think it turned out nice. What do you think?

The Majestic

The Majestic

I also found this old shell mirror that use to hang in my grandparents bathroom. I loved that mirror and thought it would make a good addition to the coop. I think my Honey might have made it, so it is very old. Some of the shells have come off so I am going to glue them back on with the help of a glue gun, clean it up and hang it up over the coop door. Maybe the girls will see their reflection and be like “Wow, you’re a good-looking chick!”.
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Tomorrow

Tomorrow I will be going in for my first regular dose of chemo. Round One. I will get my port accessed, have a EKG (not a big deal) and then at 1:30pm get hooked up and the chemo will start flowing. My very good friend, Rebecca, will be making the trip with me. That is making my parents very happy (me too! :)). They are out west on a trip and can’t be here. I told her that I am going to have her take pictures of everything so I can share it with you guys. She is also brining her lunch. It’s like a field trip! I am not nervous, just ready for it to start, work and shrink LT.  LT is ready too.

 

Readers, are you growing a garden this summer? Whatcha growing? Having issues?