Saying Goodbye.

November 27 marked 5 years since we lost Rodeo.  I am happy that Addy "knows" who Rodeo is and talks about him as though she met him.  November 28 we made the decision to let Powder go.  Powder had been treated for fungal, bacteria, parasite and a heart condition and never was able to get out of her oxygen tank.  We were able to visit her many times and I recorded the other two chickens clucking on my Ipad which perked up Powder and gave her a bit more energy.  I was surprised at just how much I worried about Powder and how much we miss her. 

Powder the Pet Chicken Update

Let me start by saying Powder (who hasn't laid an egg in at least six months) is still in an incubator with oxygen up at Best Friends. It has been ten days.  She seems to do great in the incubator but when they take her out she turns blue from lack of oxygen.  Since she hasn't responded to the meds for the initial diagnosis/ issues they are giving her another x ray to see if she has an obstructed airway or fluid around her heart.

They made it back from the clinic today and it looks like she has fluid around her heart.  This should be treatable.  A week of medication and then an oral med that she will be on for longer that we can manage. Addyson and I went to see Powder and her little crown was lopped over to the side and very pale. I almost cried.  I said "Hi girl" like I do when I call the girls at home to eat and she fluffed up but she is very weak.  After a few minutes she started gasping for air again and closing her eyes. It was awful.  I told them if she was in any pain we need to let her go. They are taking great care of her and she is eating so they are hopeful that she pulls through.One of her caregivers said she held a little oxygen mask over her beak and carried a little oxygen tank along on the way to the clinic to get x rays.  Why? Why? Why did I put that assisted living sign outside of their coop!????

Powder's medical staff wrote the following:
"she is still eating, drinking and looking bright...just (not that this isn't a big thing) having trouble breathing"

Her color looks good!!!

Birthday Wishes!

I would like to thank everyone for the birthday wishes and presents.  It felt great to get calls, gifts, texts and emails from friends and family.  The day before my birthday Addyson and I went to the Best Friends gift shop to get a few Christmas gifts.  I told Addy that this trip was about giving so don't expect to get stuff for you or me.  How was I to know they had the cutest shirts ever?  I bought not one, not two but THREE shirts.  I did have a gift certificate and a pocket full of money from my mom and dad but still THREE shirts.  I NEVER find clothes that I like.  I would much rather buy pillows, sheets, picture frames, art supplies, etc.  I will have to take a photo of them and post them.  Addy got a shirt and a bouncy ball.  Oh and we did walk out with ONE gift for someone. 

I had a great day.  Addy went to preschool and I took the neighbor dog hiking.  We saw deer but no jack rabbits.  Watching the dog chase jack rabbits is funny.  The dog s so shocked to see a rabbit that it barks one high pitched bark and takes off running. The rabbit is so fast it gets about a mile ahead of the dog then disappears. Addy had a friend over after school so I watched Once Upon A Time on Netflix and painted.  Daron brought wine and Escobar's home for dinner.  It was nice and relaxed. 

Halloween 2012

 Addyson went trick or treating with her dad, her best buddies Braxton and Cedar and their parents.  The group photo is my friend Kim (the witch), Braxton (pirate) and his parents (cat and bear), Cedar (hula girl) and Daron with the scarey mask!  Addy's tail is a Chico's scarf from my mom. 

Save the Chickens

Our "senior" chickens have not been feeling well.  We didn't realize they were sick until Miss Powder  started making a weird gasping crow.  We did what everyone does we Googled it.  Was something stuck in her throat? Was it a tapeworm (gross) that was living in her trachea.   Should I go to the feed store and buy medicine?  Luckily Daron was able to get her an appointment at best friends where they noticed her crown n waddle were turning blue.  They immediately put her in an oxygen tank and her color came back.   She's been there all week and it could be fungus or a parasite.  Waiting to see and keeping a close eye on the other girls.

I Must Sing My Night Song

Last night I was reading in bed and Addy came in to read stories.  As she walked into the room she saw the sliding glass door that goes to the deck.  "Oh I need to sing my night song" she said.  Out the door she went and closed the door behind her (which made it hard to hear the words to the song).  The song said something about love and finding love and sending love.

Halloween 2012 and Distracting Dad

Addy wanted to be Soft Paws this year.  Soft Paws is Puss-n-Boots girlfriend.  Disney characters. I was good with that since the outfit is fairly simple and every other girl in her dance class was going to be a princess.  There were a lot of princesses walking around on Halloween night.  Addy chose Daron to go go trick or treating with her (surprise surprise) so I got to hand out candy with Braxton's mom Bree and my friend Kim.  We had a nice time and some pretty good laughs.  I was the fun police "Don't eat any more candy" and "We have to get to bed soon."  I couldn't help it.  I could only think of the following morning and all the whining and moving slow and I am sure Addy would be grumpy too.  hee hee heee.

My friend Kim and I went to St. George (1.5 hour drive) so we could hit Homegoods, Walmart, Kohls, Down East, a nice lunch at George's and Tai Pan Trading.  Retail therapy was much needed.  MUCH. MUCH.MUCH.  Anyhow, the day before we were to leave I was at my friend Jenny's house.  Addy and Cedar were playing in the other room.  Jenny asked if I was excited about book club starting up again.  I heard Cedar ask Addy "Are you excited your Mom is starting book club again?" Addy replied  "Ya, but I am really excited about her leaving Saturday.  I really like spending time with my Dad and when Mom's home she distracts him."   Glad she said distracts and not nags, whines or yells at him.   I also think it would be beneficial for Addy if I shopped more often ;)

For our three girls that don't lay eggs anymore.

Performing at the nursing home