And then disaster struck

The weekend started off well. I finally bought some material for the chairs and had a trial run to learn the sewing machine and see if my skills were truly up to the task. I think they will be but I definitely learnt from the first run. More on that later though.

We got organised for our new housemate, watched the chickens scratch around in a temporary enclosure in the sunshine and I had some old work friends over. 

All was going well. Just as everyone was leaving, J, my animal loving, vegan friend asked to see the chickens. 

Sure, no problems, I say. Oh s*&#! Where are they? 

We found three huddled up by the side fence and quickly returned them to their box. But, where was the fourth? We couldn't see her and I was starting to get worried. The neighbour's cat had been eyeing them off earlier that day. 

Then we heard a squawk. We could hear her but not see her. Eventually we discovered her wedged between the fence palings and a sheet of tin. She was stuck fast. We broke some palings to get her out. She was in a VERY bad way. I'll spare you the gory details. It was not pretty, there was a lot missing. Poor J had to sit down.

J, being the quick thinker and, while nauseated, slightly less panicked, called her mum who works at the RSPCA and asked her what to do. So we followed the instructions and put her in a warm spot expecting only to be able to try and keep her comfortable until she died. I was crushed and feeling super guilty. I went back to check on her later and she had perked up. I put in some food and water to see if she'd eat and she did. I still went to bed not expecting her to last the night.

Sure enough though, on Monday morning there was chirping coming from the box. I couldn't believe it. She was limping but otherwise pretty happy. I left for work thinking, maybe, just maybe she'd recover.

Now, it's ok to laugh, I won't hear you. I took her to the vet that afternoon. Mostly because if she'd needed to be put out of her misery I'm not brave enough to do it. He could not believe she had survived. He gave her a reasonable chance and sent us off with some antiseptic cream, instructions to put her back with the others as soon as we can and a light wallet. If she survives and lays eggs she'll pay the bill off in what, 2 years?

Anyway, to wrap up a long story. It's Tuesday night and she's still with us. She's happy, eating, drinking, exploring and is currently perched on my left arm as she has been for the last hour or so. We'll put her back with the others tomorrow and see how she goes.

Please send us your chicken recovery vibes! 

Yesterday I dreamt...

...that A told me he had worked out how he would rearrange our kitchen cupboards so our new short-term house mate would have room for her stuff. He told me he was going to put everything in alphabetical order. After telling him about the dream and the obligatory guffaw at the ridiculousness of it this is what he did...

That's right. Alphabetical order. Beans through to Tuna. Oh dear.

Chicken update

Last weekend while I was report writing, A was slaving away in the backyard creating the next step up from the box-in-the-lounge-room cage for the chickens. They have grown so much in just 4 weeks.

They went out into their new home on Saturday night and LOVE it. There is so much more room for them to scratch around in and explore. That said, it's only stage one of their outside home. Eventually there will be a bigger area built around it and the brick section will have a proper roof and become their laying box. The heat lamp is still rigged up under the little shelter as they need to have that until they are 8 weeks old - longer if it is cold. Given that I did playground duty yesterday with an apparent temperature of -2.4 degrees I think they'll have it on for a while longer yet!

By the way, I did name one of them but I have to say that A was totally right, 5 days outside and I can't remember which one I named! I think they'll go by the collective 'Chickies' that I've called them so far.

Hope you are having a lovely week!

Winter Book Review: Jasper Jones

Still on the topic of finishing things. In celebration of the end of reports I read Jasper Jones. It's a good read that sucks you in from the word go. I couldn't put it down. So much so that I read most of it in one sitting. I'm in the process of re-reading because I think I read it a little too fast the first time!

It's been dubbed the Australian To Kill a Mockingbird and there are definitely strong resemblances in some of the characters and themes. I'm undecided yet as to if there is too much in common between the two. Would like to hear your opinion if you've read both!

The Verdict - Read it! At least once!

Finished!

By YellowBugBoutique

Sometimes this is how I feel. I think about the chairs still in their uncovered state, the fact that we painted in January and still haven't put the pictures back up and that the new carpet went in in March and the bedroom cupboards are still doorless.

But not today. Today I finished my reports! I can have my life back. I'm so pleased with myself.

Spoilt!

Not New Zealand but hopefully the snow will be this good!

I've given myself the night off. I've got two classes of reports left to do and I'm feeling pretty good about getting them done on time so after two 10 pm evenings of work, work, work I'm taking a break!

So I'm checking out what's happened in the blog world, aimlessly trawling Etsy and Pintrest, marvelling at how much the chickens have grown and encouraging the cat to chew on a chicken wing (the vet says he needs to do this to avoid needing cat dental work and I'll be blowed if I'm going to pay for cat dental work)!

On to the title of today's post. I've been incredibly spoilt of late, I think I did well marrying a boy who likes shopping and can't resist a bargain. Not to mention one who is incredibly kind at report writing time.  Especially as I don't love shopping and usually can resist a bargain - thanks Mum for instilling the 'it's not a bargain if you weren't going to buy it anyway' response in my brain and setting it to default.

Two weekends ago, A cleared out of the house to let me mark assignments without distraction. At some point during the day he ended up at Oxford at DFO where there was a 'further x percent of the lowest marked price' sale. I'd mentioned a few weeks back I wanted to get a new winter jacket - he came home with three for me! I love them, they are so warm! This last week I also scored a big box of chocolates (report writing fuel) and have had more than my fair share of dinners cooked for me.

Tonight I came home to a box on the kitchen bench. A new ghd straightener. A work colleague's friend's hairdresser (?) had over ordered and was selling them very cheaply through A's work classifieds and so I am the proud owner of a pretty purple ghd!

And finally, when I do get through these next couple of weeks I have a New Zealand snowboarding holiday to look forward to! All organised and booked by A! A few days on the slopes, a couple heliboarding, a few relaxing at Hanmer Springs and Milford Sound. I can't wait.

So I'm feeling very lucky and grateful right now!

Hope you are having a lovely week!

C'mon, let me see you shake a tail feather...

Well, not yet, they don't really have any to shake as you can see in the third picture. I'm sure it won't be long though. They are about a week old today and you can acutally see how much they grow each day! They love being let out for a run around the lounge room but freak out a bit whenever they venture somewhere new. So, so cute! I'm keen to name them but A thinks I'm a little mad as he doesn't think we'll be able to tell the difference between them once they've grown. What do you think? Would you name chickens? And, if so, what would you name them?  

So the chickens are something I can cross off the to-do list. Their arrival also puts a couple of things on the to-do-really-soon list. That is, fix the fence and build them a real home!