Stressing Out on the Homestead

Next week, Independence Day falls on Wednesday. More importantly, next Friday is Greg's birthday. So this seems like a good time to be on a semi-vacation until July 9th.

I say semi-vacation because Getting Back to Basics will still post on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. And The Frugal Way Facebook page will update regularly as I find freebies here and there.

I could use the break. I've been burning the candle at both ends trying to harvest and put up vegetables every day. And the heat has been awful! Two of our chicken pens have water misters, but one doesn't. In order to keep the poor birds from roasting alive, I've set them free during the day so they can find shade under the trees.

...only I have a few dumb birds that won't even leave their pen with the door wide open. I literally saved one bird from certain death when I found her panting and falling over with every step. It was definitely heat stroke. I rushed her into the house and bathed her in cool water. When she started flapping her wings again, I put her under a big shady American beautyberry bush. She was back to normal within the hour.

Chicks at: 1 day old, 1 week old, 2 weeks old
And the other day, I had a chick born three days early! I've never had that happen before. He seems okay. Scared me to death though when I found him on the floor of the incubator cheeping like crazy. I take pride in keeping accurate hatch records and I was afraid I had made a terrible mistake.

To add insult to injury, when the temps rise, the scorpions (my mortal enemies) Bogart their way into the house looking for moisture. The other day I accidentally stepped on one. Good thing I had my shoes on! I think God was looking out for me because I never have my shoes on in the house. I've been murdalizing 2-3 scorpions a day.

As if I didn't have enough stress, I got a new smartphone. LOL. It took me a day to get it set up the way I like, but now I'm at peace with it. I got the Droid Razr Maxx with that nice big screen. Not only is it easier to read, but the touch pad is easier to type on. Maria happy.

Yoga has been going well. It's been a miraculous panacea for my back and knee. Not only am I getting stronger, but I'm losing weight! Win-win. It's helped so much I hate to miss even one session. I try to go at least five times a week.

Anyway, that's my life lately. I'll be gone (from here) for a week--but not really. I'll still be visiting you guys. Meanwhile, I'd like to invite you to visit and follow Getting Back to Basics. Cheryl Alldredge just posted there and I'll have another guest blogger in July. 

Can you do me a favor?

1. Ask your friends and family to Like my Facebook page--The Frugal Way.

2. Visit Back to Basics regularly, commenting often and tweeting when you find a post you like. You can even tweet old posts if you liked them.

Help me spread the word. I really want the blog and Facebook page to reach more people. Besides, there's loot involved! The Meet and Greet Giveaway is now live for a whole month. The more you participate, the better your chances for winning. Go here for the details to the contest.

See...

 Loot!

What's new at your end? If you live in Colorado or Florida, how are you faring after your recent disasters?
 

Comments

Angelina Rain said…
I hope you have fun on your semi-vacation. Sorry to hear about the heat, that sucks. And scorpions, yuck! If you kill 2 or 3 a day, then what is Iko's kill rate? Isn't he the scorpion hunter of the household? :-)
Maria Zannini said…
Angelina: Iko is my spotter. I prefer he not tangle with them. He's fast, but with them being so small, they can sting before he bites down.

PS Iko has been excellent at warning me when he spots them in the house. He retains his title as Scorpion Hunter.
Sarah Ahiers said…
Ugh. I keep forgetting to visit back to basics. I have to add it to my mental list and probably my blog roll. That will help me remember to visit.
Man, some chickens are so dumb. And, once again, scorpions creep me the hell out, especially the idea of them IN people's houses. That's just wrong. I'm so glad i live in MN. All we have in our house is the house spiders, and they're welcome to stay.
Raelyn Barclay said…
You continually amaze me with what you get done on your own but, geez, you do need a break. Enjoy your mini-vacation.

And I hear you on the heat! Ugh. I just want to laze by some water, in the shade, with a good book or two. Dinner? Fend for yourselves, LOL.

Happy birthday to Greg :)
It's been so hot here in Austin. We had 106 the other day. Damn!

Where do you do yoga? Do you have a gym or a personal trainer? I tried to do it from the television and failed miserably, so I think I'd need someone there in person.
Sarah Allen said…
Mmm, a break sounds nice :) Have fun! We'll be glad to have you back!

Sarah Allen
(my creative writing blog)
Unknown said…
Quiet here. Sithboy graduated from grade 8, and this weekend we're off to see battle re-enactments from the war of 1812.

Our garden is coming along nice! The chipmunks left the last two corn stalks alone, so I'll have some decorations for fall. I think it has something to do with my scent when I got in and weeded the sucker. We'll see. I might have just jinxed the whole thing...
Maria Zannini said…
Sarah: I normally tolerate spiders pretty well, but lately I have been seeing some monstrous ones with a leg width as wide as my palm. That's getting a little too big for me. Eee.

***
Raelyn: I'll pass on your birthday wishes to him. :)

And I think you have me beat. At least I don't have 2-legged kids. All boys yet! I don't know how you do it.
Maria Zannini said…
Barbara: It's called Sunstone Yoga. There's one in your neck of the woods on Research Blvd.

I absolutely love it. Even though I am way behind everyone else, I always feel as if I accomplished something.

It's "hot" yoga which means they heat the studios 90-98 degrees with 60% humidity.

At first you think it's unbearable but after a while you look forward to it. And just think, it's cooler than it is outside. LOL.

PS Don't try yoga off the tv. That's for people who already know what they're doing. Going to a studio not only keeps you motivated, but there's someone there to show you when you don't have the pose right.

And don't let anyone kid you. This is HARD work--but totally worth it.
Maria Zannini said…
Sarah: The social networks are generally quiet around the holidays, so it seemed like a good time to take off for a little while.

***

Darke: Hey, congrats to Sithboy!! That's one milestone down.

Ref: garden
We don't have a lot of trouble with little critters. I think maybe the dogs' scent keeps them at bay. We have seen deer tracks by the fruit trees --and missing fruit!
LD Masterson said…
How did you not know that scorion was there? Is Iko asleep on the job?

Enjoy your semi-time off. Don't work yourself to death while Greg's there.

Happy Birthday, Greg.
Maria Zannini said…
Linda: I'll pass your felicitations on to Greg.

Sadly, Iko can't be everywhere at once. This is why God made guardian angels. :)
Angela Brown said…
You DO have a whole let going on. That picture of the chicks is too darling. The scorpions are a-coming but you are a-killing so that's good.

I have a friend in Florida who's faring well with all that's going on there and I read a blog post by literary agent Rachelle Gardner highlighting the fires. Hoping things are well all around very soon.
Jenny Schwartz said…
Sounds like you're busy delivering justice: death to scorpions who invade, life to chickens who can't help being (nearly) terminally stupid.

Take care - and happy birthday to Greg!
Maria Zannini said…
Angela: Actually the only added activity is yoga. The rest is business as usual.

***
Jenny: Terminally stupid. I love that! I swear, I don't know how chickens managed not to go extinct. Turkeys are even worse.
Shelley Munro said…
I'm so glad the yoga is helping, Maria, and the side effect of weight loss - bonus!

Re scorpions - I'm SO glad we don't have any of these. I think creepie crawlers should Tay outside where they belong!
Melissa McClone said…
Enjoy yourself! I am looking forward to mine so much though I'll still blog about our trip. I love sharing photos of places I go!

Cool loot! I need to get over there. I've been very bad blog hopping, but I'm pretty worn out emotionally and physically!
Misha Gerrick said…
Hello! My sympathies about the heat. I must say that I'm glad it's winter here. I'm definitely a winter person. There's something so cozy about it.

Heading over to your other blog.

Have a great mini-break! And good luck with the scorpions.
James Garcia Jr said…
Just when you had me wanting to visit you and those cute birds, you mentioned the scorpions! The only Scorpions I want to see are doing their farewell tour this year! *grins*
Don't over-do it, my friend. Those babies need you!

-Jimmy
Maria Zannini said…
Shelley: I had my doubts about yoga, but it really works--at least for me.

Melissa: You've had a lot on your plate lately. Enjoy your vacation!

Misha: The heat can be bad, but I'd sooner tolerate that than snow. :)

Jimmy: Although we've always maintained a chemical-free landscape, I think it's time to make an exception. I don't like to live in fear of getting stung. It's too painful.