Life in a nutshell....or acorn?

OMG!

I can't hardly believe it's been 2 months since I blogged last...and leaving you all hanging with the promise of more photos.
Bad me! *spanking myself* Bad...bad...bad me.

So what been happening out here in the boondocks? Let me dig deep into my memory bank and see what I can recall.....
(everything goes all swirly and I see a younger better looking self and things come into focus)

WAIT!!! This is supposed to be a flashback, not a dream sequence! Wake up girl!

OK. so why don't I just skip the drama and jump right into the happenings.

October came and went with good and bad days just like any other month, but it left us with a bad taste in our mouths.

On the good side we got 2 sets of new neighbors....on the bad side we got more neighbors.

City boy and I, being the wonderful people that we are had a neighborhood get together at out home so everyone could meet. Well, OK. we did it because we're just plain nosey and wanted to check everyone out.

The neighbors closest to us, "The L's" invited us to a Halloween party at their place. So City Boy, Barbie Girl and I dressed up and introduced our new neighbors to the wonderful world of Beerguritas ( thanks UpChuck). We drank and par-tay-d and we were worshiped for this newfound liquid gold. so we are now excepted into the many social circles of our small and very cliquish community.

BUT, the aftermath of the party and the consequential hangovers were not what left us with a bad taste in our mouths....well, it did, but not the one I'm referring to.

Tragedy struck the chicken house. Actually the duck house, but the ducks weren't in it. Don't you just wish I'd just say what I mean?

I had managed to hatch out 10 chicks in the incubator. They were now old enough to go outside, but not big enough to be in the big chicken coop, so I kicked the ducks out of their house and put the little babies in it. understand now? good.

But then.................

We were visited by a midnight snacker. And we lost all the chicks.

The remaining evidence wasn't 100 percent clear on what did the snacking, but I had a couple of ideas. In the mean time, City Boy and I patched up the duck house. Snacker-proof. or so we thought.

With the chickies gone there was no need for the ducks to remain in the "bighouse" so I put them back in the duck house. They were a bit hesitant to return there, I think they could still smell the carnage. But in they went and they were locked up for the night.

I save you all the details...but The midnight Snacker came back for another meal. This time he found the ducks. Persistent quacking at 3 AM allowed me to interrupt The Snacker's attempt at a meal.

I found The Snacker trying to get away with this one. The Snacker turned out to be a huge-ass 40 someodd pound raccoon. Man, do they grow 'em big here! At 3 Am it's hard to assess the damage very well, but all ducks were accounted for and I shoo'd them into the "big house", locked them up tight and went back inside to put on some better pants and some boots and set up my stake-out. I didn't have to wait too long before The Snacker returned for his missed meal. At this point I'd LOVE to be able to say that The Snacker had had his last meal and that I cured him of his lead deficiency, but alas holding a spotlight while trying to shoot is an acquired skill I don't posess yet. The Snacker got away, but at least he was empty handed. The Snacker did eventually meet his demise, but from the loaded end of my new neighbor. Thanks Mr L. I knew I liked you for some reason.

As daylight came, I went out to inspect the damage done. All but 3 ducks were badly hurt. I brought each one into the house examined their wounds, applied "Blu-Kote" and put each one back with a prayer. It was pretty worrysome for the two males for a couple of days. But for God's grace they all have survived and are now doing well..... and still living in the "bighouse".

Barbie Girl was sent home sick from school the day before Halloween. She missed school and all the parties they were having and ended up having to stay home Halloween night. We went ahead and let her dress up and then City Boy hid behind every door in the house with the candy bowl and let Barbie Girl knock on each one and say trick or treat. City Boy played up his part and Barbie Girl had a good time despite having to stay home.

I'm going to take a break right here, cause I have to pee and I need more coffee. But I'll be back with more photos ( I Promise) and what happened in November.

stay tuned.