Tree Trimming

A tree in our backyard had a couple of branches that were rubbing against the house. The temperature got all the way up to 55 degrees Fahrenheit today, so I took the opportunity to trim about a dozen branches off the tree.

I mostly cut the branches down to fit in our fireplace (you can kinda see a stack of small logs between the stepstool and the tree). They'll need to dry out for a year before I try to burn them, though.

Since I was out in the yard, and most of the snow has melted, I also cleaned up the extension cords from our christmas lights, and restocked the freaking chickens with food and water.

Freaking Chickens

Freaking chickens needing a freaking water refill when it's freaking NEGATIVE SIX DEGREES outside.

At least the freaking shelter I knocked together last month is doing its job.

(freaking chickens)

Third Childbirth Class

We went to our third child birth class last night. They're kinda blurring together in my mind now.

Last night focused a lot on possible medical interventions and potential alternatives (inducing the pregnancy, epidurals, walking up and down the hospital corridors, etc.).

The class instructor emphasized that it was important to have a birth plan, as parents that felt they were making choices about how the birth would go felt better about the whole experience, as opposed to parents to whom the birth "happened". On the other hand, she was sure to point out that when it came down to a medical necessity that affected the life of the mother or baby, it was time to let go of prior desires and follow the doctor's orders.

No childbirth class next week - the only room large enough for the class had been reserved for that time slot months ago for something else, so we'll pick up the final class in the series in two weeks.

"Fortunately", to make up for that lack, there is a three hour class on breastfeeding this coming Monday night that I apparently need to attend. 

Yard Work

While visiting siblings up in Fort Collins last weekend, we learned we are supposed to be composting the chickens' bedding and leftovers on a regular basis. This explains why the chicken coop was starting to smell.

We managed to buy what just might be the last two composters in Parker - apparently it's the end of the season, and most stores were out of stock. But we got both for just $100 total.

Placed these right next to the fence. Hopefully nobody notices they're not "complementary to community".

I also replaced one of our sprinklers, which has been making a fair amount of whistling noise; and modified the drip line in the chicken run as a backup water source for the chickens. The whole sprinkler system ran nice and quiet during testing - we'll see how it sounds when it runs as scheduled tomorrow morning. (Update: slept right through the sprinklers this morning - perfect!).

Oh yeah - I mowed the lawn and put the clippings in the chicken run, too.

Brianna remediated a few dead patches that we allowed to die before figuring out the sprinkler system. Hopefully they come back.

Finally, I spent a fair amount of time doing general clean-up, picking up dead branches, pulling a few weeds, and finally picking up the last of the construction debris from building the chicken coop.

Bragging for Brianna

Brianna doesn't feel like posting, so I'm doing it for her.

In addition to making a fabulous breakfast and cleaning the kitchen while I was up in the attic this morning, Brianna weeded the garden box, planted cantaloupe and artichoke plants, mowed and edged the lawn, started working on caulking the main floor bathroom floor, cleaned out the closet AND made a fantastic dinner.

Kudos to Brianna!

House Work

The water supply line for the evaporative cooler developed a leak over the weekend that progressively got worse. I replaced it today, but did a quick, ugly job of it. At least the evaporative cooler works again.

I also painted the trim on the laundry room door frame so I can rehang the door. Looks like I'll need to put a second coat on the trim though - the dark brown is showing through.

And I put the first coat of paint on the door to the basement. That's the last door I'm planning to paint in the near future, so once that's done I can clear the painting stuff out of the guest bedroom.

After dinner, Brianna and I spent some time cleaning up the kitchen and organizing the paperwork that has built up on the kitchen table.

All in all, a pretty productive evening!

Main Floor Bathroom

Well, I think I'm ready to declare the main floor bathroom the first room in the house to be (almost) done!

(actually, I would like to caulk the seam between the trim and the linoleum, but Brianna has claimed responsibility for caulking in the future).

Of course, we still need a couple of decorations in here - there's a lot of grey wall in there.

Other than that, the evening was mostly devoted to chores. Brianna cleaned up the kitchen and old mail, and I cleaned out the tortoise terrarium and the chicken coop, collected garbage from around the house, and did a load of laundry. It all seems to take time.

Clean Up Day

I found some appropriate slats for the upstairs bed at IKEA today for 67% off. Now we just need a decent mattress!

The rest of the evening was catching up on chores we skipped during the weekend. Multiple loads of laundry, two loads of dishes, taking care of the pets, etc.

Brianna was a Machine Today

Brianna listened to an audiobook today, and apparently felt she could only listen to it while working, and wanted to listen to it as long as possible. She did an amazing amount of work - I'll have to put that book on repeat.

Brianna made pancakes for breakfast, finished taping the kitchen trim, cleaned the kitchen (several times), mowed the lawn, vacuumed, mopped, did two loads of laundry (and folded them!) and cooked a roast chicken today. Pretty great work.

Brianna's brother is currently between houses, and we are taking care of his lawnmower for him. We went to Lowes today to buy a new spark plug for it, got that installed and poured in some new gas. The lawnmower took some coaxing to actually start, though. Brianna came out to see if the mower was ready, and I told her "I'm starting to get worried this thing won't start today". Of course, the very next time I pulled the cord, it started right up.

On a related note, Bob the cat brought us a dead mouse earlier this week, and Brianna found a few more in the yard today. A closer inspection of the garage revealed a LOT of mouse droppings along the walls, so I spent a good chunk of time emptying the garage, sweeping everything out and putting things back in their places. Did not find any more mice or anything resembling a nest, so maybe Bob took care of the problem for us. We laid out a few traps as a safeguard.