Chickens in the Basement

I love to write and I love to laugh. When I write, I get to the point quick. My stories would fit on the back of a postcard. They usually make me chuckle. And you know what they say, "It's all about me!"

Saturday, July 3, 2010

HHHEEEELLLLLOOOOO!

Hey Guys!


Thanks for the e-mails of concern! I have been trying to find time to sit down and write, but by the time I do all of the things I have to do every day, it's bed time! I've had to instate a self-imposed rule that I'm not allowed to play on the computer until all of my chores are done. Sad to say, the list of chores is kicking my ass!


Since I've been out of touch so long, I'm going to write this like I write my Christmas letter every year. You'll get a little bit about a lot of stuff going on in our neck of the woods!


I guess the biggest thing...I've accepted a full time position with the USO of NC. I love the work, the people, the soldiers, everything about the job except the pay. However, when I consider the lack of opportunities knocking on my door, the pay is pretty damn good!


While getting myself established at work, the boys are now out of school and as of the second day at home, bored to tears! I've been leaving them a list of chores everyday. Instead of ending the "I'm bored" comments, they've improved their vocabulary with comments like "I don't want to" and "Didn't that used to be your job?" and "Why do I have to vacuum more than Will/Rick?"


I think the boredom issue may not be as bad after this coming week when Will gets his driver's license. They can visit the pool, go to the grocery store for me, drive to band practice, or go visit friends. I will be a permanent truck driver and Will will drive the station wagon. How cool is he? Now, if I just control my anxiety once he pulls out of the driveway!


The boys and I did get away for a couple of days at the beach. And for the first time since we had children, we are at home for the week of the 4th of July. I miss being in the mountains where the temperature is at least 10 degrees cooler!


My flock of chickens has shrunk. Last week, I was carrying Cora from the garage to the hen house. Skippy was in the yard with the other girls. He walked towards me and started flaring up to fight. He jumped at me with his spurs aimed at my legs. I kicked him. He jumped 5 more times and he received 5 more kicks before leaving. There were no problems the next day at bed time. But a couple of days later, I once again was holding Cora and Skippy jumped again. I figured he was jealous of me holding Cora. Skippy and I went to war again. The feather's flew! Okay, jealousy we can deal with. Cora can walk by herself. Alas, the final straw was the next morning. I opened the door to the hen house and started to walk in to check food supply. Skippy jumped again. I made the decision then and there to let Skippy go. We have too many boys hanging out at our house for him to be unreliable. If he'll jump at me, he'll jump at anybody. Thankfully, Tony did the deed for me.


While Will and I were watching TV, he discreetly went into the back yard. A few minutes later, I heard the door to the basement slam. I told Will I thought Dad had just taken care of Skippy. He looked at me horrified and said, "You mean he slammed him in the door?"



No time for yard sales, thrift stores or auctions! I'm missing my junk fixes badly! No time for blogging, but I have managed to snap a few shots of funny things I've seen. This swamp turtle was in my front yard! The close up looks more like a pile of poop!



Several years ago, I came across an enormous swamp turtle crossing a highway. I was afraid it would get hit by a car, so I got out to help it across the road. When I got near it, it started coming toward me hissing. I backed my ass up, got in my car and left him, secretly hoping an 18 wheeler would finish his hissing ass off!


I find entertainment everywhere I go. Lately, I have found several license plates funny enough to make me laugh. I couldn't get a photo of the first one, but wrote it down:


PBE4UGO


This really applies to me! I need a pit-stop every 30 minutes or so! The next one I get behind every day on the way to work. The first time I saw it, there was a FOR SALE sign in the window. The car could be yours for $175. The personalized plates cost half that amount every year!


So, my plan is to get through the summer. I'll write when I can squeeze it in. Once everybody gets back in school, things should mellow a little and I'll be back. In the meantime, have a good summer and know I'm wondering what ya'll are up to. I'll drop in to read when I finish my chores!

18 comments:

Keetha Broyles said...

I'd been WONDERING where you were. So glad to hear you are OK and just busy!

Poor little Skippy. But I understand!

Sharon said...

I was wondering about you..... glad it is a job with $$ attached! Been missing you, but, hey, if I could, I would!

I had 5 that learned (?) to drive - ever notice my gray hair and shaky picture taking? Gift from the kids, lol!

That's one ugly turtle!

I like your idea, do chores THEN get on computer, only then nobody would hear from me.

Bye, Skippy!

Take care now, drop by when you can! Have a great summer and good luck with the new driver!

Anonymous said...

Well! I wondered where you'd got yourself off to! Frankly, My Dear, I missed you terribly. Do you think you could squeeze in maybe ten minutes a day for blogging? Not only do your friends miss you, we go through painful withdrawal for our daily fix of chicken stuff. Hope your new job goes well and hope you get a raise soon!

Love ya,
Liz

LindaG said...

Boy, I know how chores can be. Hope you all have a good summer, too!
Congratulations on the USO job! I've got a son right now who would take just about anything.

I'm trying to motivate him to use his G.I.Bill.

Good luck to Will and his driver's license!

Barbara said...

Did I not predict they would offer you full time? Did I not??

Glad to hear you're in one piece and life is traveling normally.

Don't stay away so long.

Zootsuitmama said...

Oh man! I thought you were blown away by a tornado! Glad youre ok and congrats on the job!Your goodies are on the way finally! Hope they get there ok and you like them. I also have a story that happened to my son's former girlfriend. It involved a turtle...a snapping turtle. She-like you-wanted to save it from the busy traffic...and when she picked it up, it grabbed onto her upper lip!! They could not get it to let go until she got to the hospital with a turtle hanging off her mouth, blood everywhere!! It's so funny, now, but I'm sure it was painful! (Wish they had taken a picture!!) Zootsuitmama

Hope said...

thanks for letting us know you are still alive! try and enjoy your summer and wee will see you when you have time!

Rose H (UK) said...

Lovely to see you back again :o)
Congratulations on your job! It's great to feel needed :o)
I'm sure the boys will settle down to chores soon LOL. The right descision was made about Skippy.
Happy that all is well for you and yours. Happy 4th July....

ted and bunny said...

Happy 4th July, lovely that you're back, understandably briefly.

Glad to hear that you have a permanent position (in employment and in the toilet!!) and hope that the summer is good for you
xx

Anonymous said...

Glad to know you are doing well. Life just gets busy sometimes. Enjoy your new job and have a great summer!

Anonymous said...

It's so good to see you. I was wondering where you had gone to. The job sounds great. I bet the souldiers really appreciate what you do. Enjoy the 4th of July. Lots of "ooohhs and aaahhhhs" at the fireworks. Watch out for hissing turtles and jealous chickens. I look forward to your next chapter......

Vintage Christine said...

Don't forget to save a little vacay time to come see us in Florida. I'm here right now and it's beautiful as long as u don't go to the beach and get depressed. I haven't been able to blog since no computer and not going to attempt blogging on iPhone! Glad to hear u took the job fulltime and that u enjoy it too.

LemonyRenee' said...

So good to see you, Anna! I figured you were up to your eyeballs. Glad you like your job and that they like you, perfect! My son would love to find that turtle around here. Good luck with all your endeavors -- looking forward to seeing more of you when you can swing it.

Little Messy Missy said...

Glad you are still alive. Sorry things are so busy...take care!

linda said...

Holy cow and fry the biscuits!
It was good to hear from you again...don't work too hard and be safe.

Linda @ A La Carte said...

I have missed you but figured with the job and the boys out of school you were swamped. Guess I was right. I am happy you are going to be a full time employee with the USO! I can see that you love it (not the pay) but since jobs are so scare this is a lot better then nothing. Sorry about Skippy but he crossed the line! My friends have 3 Hens now and they are so pretty! Take care and I look forward to whenever you can post!!

Chickens in the Basement said...

This is an e-mail my Aunt Molly sent. I'm going to have to take her advice!

Hi Anna,

I'm one of those who have missed your stories at Chickens in the Basement! But CONGRATULATIONS on your job with the USO becoming full-time! That's wonderful -- especially since you enjoy it so much and since you're so good with people.

But there is one thing that you need to re-consider! And that is to set aside a time every day/night that you can write. I made the mistake of waiting until all my chores were done, etc., to feel that I could paint......but there is always "something" to be done. I wish now that I had set aside a time to paint every day!

Maybe you can sit down with the boys and see what time would work best for them. They'd probably love to remind you that it's time for you to go to your room! : )

I just don't want you to look back when you're 66 years old and wonder why you didn't write more!

Love you. --Mollie

Amber Von Felts said...

Wow! Welcome back, at least for now! I guess y'all had a chicken dinner on the 4th. Honestly, the reason I'm a vegetarian is because of all the roosters we had to dispatch one year. My mom warned me to stay away from the barn...maybe if I had I'd still be able to eat meat! It wasn't a sight for young eyes. Poor Skippy! Ah well, he shouldn't have attacked the hand that feeds him. I hope you have a great summer, don't stay away too long!