I needed a good cry...

I've been on the verge of tears for weeks. Thursday night, I was finally able to release the dam of tears.

For those who are near and dear to me but live other places, I check their weather on my phone every day. It makes me feel close to them, like when it's snowing in Missoula, or windy in Chicago, I can picture my loved ones in their element (ha-ha.) We found out on Thursday that I will get to add another city to my daily weather checking. Our dear, close-as-family- friends announced they are moving to Reston, Virginia.

And while I know it's the right move for them (another unintended pun), it is breaking my heart. I love these peeps. They understand our quirkiness and our humor. For the past seven years, our families have gotten together as well as bread goes with butter. Their daughter is like a daughter to us. Our kids look to her as an older sister and mentor. They've been there for holidays, birthdays, championship games, vacations and anytime we need to unwind with some card playing fun.

We are the ones who usually do the moving. It's hard to be on the other side of things this time.

We will weather this storm. Our friendship can handle this.

Chick Update

Sorry I'm late posting the pictures we took on Monday. It's been a bit hectic around here. The power went out on Tuesday afternoon and didn't come back on until 9am on Wednesday. I was worried about the chicks since they lost their heat lamp during the outage. We heated water and poured it into hot water bottles. It was cute to see them all huddled together around the water bottles.

My sweet and loving husband was so worried about the chicks that he got up around 3:30am and heated new water for them. Who knew Brian could be such a farmer?

Here they are during their supervised play time in the yard.

Day 2 of chick raising

So far so good. I didn't sleep very well last night. I kept worrying about the babies. Kate and I are planning on taking pictures each Monday. The bigger ones were born on 2/22 (Kate's bday) and the two smaller ones were born a week later on 3/1.


I think Ruby Sue is going to be the dominate one. She's the one I picked out, so she must take after me. She also likes to step in her own poop. That's one thing we don't have in common.

Brian's bird is Sally Rue



Kate's is Roxy. She seems like she will be the sweetest and the quietest.


Brock's is Mel. She's the loudest....no surprise there.


And here's our family's joint chicken, Mabel. She likes to stand on the food bowl.



Group cuddling shot:


And last but not least, the best Chicken Coop Builder on this side of the state.

A storm is a-brewin'.....call in the chicks.

I don't know where the above phrase came from, but it's one of my all-time favorites and I say it every chance I get. Today, however, that phrase became real because we are now proud owners of five baby chicks. I've wanted chicks for years and finally Brian came on-board. We attended a Chick Class where we learned all we needed to learn (and more) about raising these cute bundles of fluff. According to the instructor, there has been a huge renaissance in back yard birds. After WWII, it became a "lower class" hobby, but as of lately thanks to books and movies exposing the food industry, people are taking their food back into their own hands.

Since three out of four of us are vegetarian, these new pet chickens will be only used for egg production. In fact, Brock said he may never eat chicken again now that he's held a baby chick.

I am pleased to introduce you to our newest family members: Mabel, Roxy, Ruby Sue, Sally Rue and Mel.




Ruby Sue and Sally Rue are Barred Rock Chickens. They will look like this:


Roxy is a Plymouth Partridge and will look like this:



Mel is a Rhode Island Red and will look like this:



And last, but not least, Mabel is a Golden Star. According to the farm store, she will be the most proficient egg producer.


The chickens should start laying around late July, so if you're in the area, stop by and we'll dine on fresh egg omelets.