Love this Picture Wanted to Share a Smile

My friend Carol sent this picture.  I have no idea who to give credit for this picture but, thought it was uber worthy to share.  Is anyone else seeing signs of spring yet? I know it is just around the corner for it no longer gets dark before 6 p.m. and we have seen green sprouts, bees, and lots of birds.

Chuckling over this photo..... :O)

So Happy for Egypt, In Tears for Them

I have been following their struggle for almost three weeks.  I am so proud of them.  They stood together, risked lives, demanded their freedoms, took their blows, and ousted their dictator.  My hats off to all Egyptians everywhere! Well done.



Now it will take awhile to get their bearings as a country without a dictator.  The military will probably keep peace until the next elections.   I don't believe they will accept the Mubarak appointed Vice President very long.  Now that there is a vacuum left; I just wonder who will be able to step in and keep Egypt running with all their economic problems.  

 I am just in awe of their will after 4K years of rule by kings (pharoahs and such); they want rule by the people? Who knows how this will turn out but, the Middle East will not be the same.  Once you open the door a little and give people some freedoms like the access to information, hope, or technology; you can not go back into the dark without much blood shed and tradegy.

Today is not only my son's 13th birthday celebration but also a historical day for Egypt's new chance for freedom.

Counting Blessings, Enjoying the World and Its People

Today is just so beautiful; the boys and I have been outside.  Just a little chilly wind but crisp azure skies are just so stunning.  We are very fortunate to have each other and be supported by the most wonderful providers; Our Creator and hubby.  For without them both  --  our lives would be so very different and difficult.

Some things I have learned along the way:

1. Say 'thank you' often.
2. Tell your children and loved ones; you love them and show it.
3. Play with your hubby like you are children: allow your children to see your joy at being together.
4. Hug your loved ones daily.
5. Give your children a sense of history; tell them about their people; who were probably pretty darn amazing.
6. Don't sweat things you can not change.
7. Have goals and work towards them until achieved; let your children see your struggles to teach them how to cope.
8. If you are not happy; then it is probably you -- so work to change yourself.
9. Don't ask of others what you are not willing to do.
10. Make daily living chores fun by working along with your children to impart your work ethic.
11. Show empathy for all living things even those you deem the lowliest like bugs and snakes because, they too play a role in the universe.
12. Know the names of those who serve you.
13. If you don't like the job someone else had accomplished; then show them the way by teaching.
14. Don't criticize out of anger or frustration do so in love gently.
15. Allow failure from time to time; for without failure we do not appreciate what we have after awhile.
16. Be honest, not spiteful; there is a difference.
17. Recognize everyone makes mistakes including yourself -- accept the outcome of your actions; say sorry, make amends and mean it.
18. Look up sometimes to feel the sun on your face, smell the air around you, and change directions.
19. Recognize we all get there eventually but, may not take the same path.
20. Trust that people are basically good, and want to do the right thing and while there are some who are the exception ... see 19 if you don't agree.
21. Give encouragement to those who need it, a helping hand up, a shoulder to cry on for one day you may require the same.
22. Learn something new everyday and then teach it to someone else -- there is a world to discover.
23.  Get your hands in the dirt or use them to make something.
24.  Smile in the face of adversity like you have a secret because you do; YOU HAVE FAITH the world is a wonderful place.


Then when all else fails........Forgive, forgive, forgive
or ask forgiveness.

Special Package, Birthday Card, New Silkies

I am happy to report I can now washes dishes in the kitchen sink.  For entertainment purposes, I washed dishes in the upstairs bathroom since the water pipe froze in the kitchen area.  LOL It was funny but, a woman has to do what a woman has to do to keep some order in her home. 

Mail delivery today was special.  Saenz received a birthday card from Grumpy Gramps; he is making plans on how he is going to spend the check.  He said something about saving up for a crossbow.  (I think we are in trouble! LOL) And he has propped the card from Grumpy on his night stand. Thanks Grumpy Gramps!

I received my order from Texan and see my rainbow of Kid Coats?  Now I put the yellow one on Banjo and he took off outside to test it out.  It was pretty cool because I could find him in the yard.  I think he is vying for the red hot chili jacket. Any way, these are very well made and I would recommend them.  Thanks for such a lovely coats!

 Silkie (3 day old) chick standing next to an Ameraucana

 (3 weeks old).

Silkies have bluish flesh, ear lobes, and bones, five toes vice four, walnut combs, and originate from China.

http://www.mypetchicken.com/chicken-breeds/Silkie-Bantam-B100.aspx

Ameraucanas have, pea combs, bluish legs, bearded, red ear lobes and come from Chile.

http://www.ameraucana.org/history.html

How cool is that?

Ameraucanas will grow to be 5 pound birds at the most.  Most of our ladies wind up being around 4 lbs by time they come to point of lay.  I tend to favor this breed and Buff Orphingtons because they are docile, intelligent, excellent mothers, do well in Texas heat, and continuous layers.

Isn't this little silkie precious?  If you click on the photo you can see it has feathers on its feet.  I love 'booted' breeds too but, they need a place that allows them to keep their feet clean.  So each of the boys will have their own flock of five to take care of and learn how to breed them later. 

We have the shopping done for the week and have cleaned the brooders.   Next time the Ameraucanas need to be cleaned out; they will be moved outdoors to their own transitory coop.  By the end of this month, we will have a small flock of turkeys only six to start and another clutch of 20 Maran chicks to brood inside the house.

Also today, I need to replant my five cabbages.  I pulled them up and kept them alive in the house.  I hate the idea of loosing viable food. 

So what do you think?

Spring is around the corner or are we in for a much longer winter?

SPECIAL NOTE:  The guinea male's mate did not die, once she thawed out a bit --- off she went. (click on their photo on 'Baby Its Cold Outside' blog below.) They have not been near the coops since.  Poor things, I felt so bad for both of them yesterday. 

The Thaw @9:30

'Here comes the sun.'  Sounds like rain outside; everything is all glistening.  No trucks or cars out on the road.  Good thing, that pavement up front is covered in a layer of ice.  I am guessing around noon most of the ice will be gone and we will thaw out. 

 Note to self: Get new lettering.

At least is it something to look at eh?

Baby Its Cold Outside

We noticed snow light flurries last night around 10:30.  Saenz and I could not sleep and kept vigil until around 3 a.m.; hoping to see our first real snow in South Texas.

 So out we went this morning for chores to find a crackling lawn, creaking trees, and slippery way.

 The ice on the feeders weighs a couple of pounds.

We had tried to put our older guineas inside but, they had other plans.  This morning we found this male crying next to his frozen mate.  Sometimes you just can not tame guineas.  So sad! :O( 

 All you can walk on is a thick layer of ice.

Ice Ice everywhere. 

Shiny equals slippery. 

We have just seen the sun for the first time in about five days.  Saenz got up with me at 6 -- took a look outside at all the ice and went back to bed.  Banjo kept me company until hubby woke up; then we went to do our chores.  Happy to say both nannies have not had their kids.  Zephyr is upset because we saw no snow but, what can you do? 

There is another artic front moving in and will be here by Tuesday.  I doubt snow will fall because it is no where near as big and lingering as this one.  For those peeps who are in the path of this one in the Southern United States please be prepared.  We are walking on about 1/2 to 1" of ice so ya'll may just be in trouble.

Off to take a nap and spend time with my menfolk.

Our Cold Event Has Started

The boys are thrilled with the prospect of snow; it is supposed to start sleeting this afternoon.   I will tell you; I am a bit nervous for two of our nannies; Pices looks about ready to kid.  Aries our nanny has issues with her knees and is full as well.  Keep saying a prayer they make it to Sunday before giving birth.  Feathers crossed here.

Hubby took off the last two days this week and used his leave.  He did not want to drive on icy roads.  Yes, we have already had ice --- he drives in the early morning so, black ice is hard to see at 4 am on unlit I37 or side roads.  I feel so fortunate to have him home with us. Many blessings to have him home safe.

Zephyr is doing his SOUL MAN immitation.

This little chunk of ice was formed yesterday.

Can you say..........stuffed?

Seems we missed a spot and now no water at the kitchen sink.  Oh well, I guess my dishes will pile up a few days or I will hand carry water from the tub & heat it on the stove.  Doesn't matter, we are safe and warm.  Yesterday, we experienced rolling blackouts for the first time ever. 

Next Friday, our beautiful boy will become an official teenager.  We haven't quite decided what to do for his birthday because of this weather.  If it warms back up into the 60s; I vote for camping Choke Canyon.  We haven't camped since, I retired from the Air Force.  I kind of miss it.

Please all in this storms path.  Prepare now, ensure you have enough water, gloves, clean dry clothes, emergency lighting / heat, and food.  I know some Texans this far south will be caught off guard. Those up North who will be getting this system; I will tell ya my hands became burning red after only 20 mins outside 'with gloves.'  The winds are biting cold and the humidity makes the chill even worse.

If it does snow, I will be back with some pictures for you viewing pleasure.  Please stay safe out there!