Cheery's country living adventure

Cheery_Daff

Well... I am delighted to report that chicken medicating has taken a turn for the better, as I have discovered that shoving a tablet down the throat is actually extremely easy (it's MUCH bigger than the air hole, so no risk of getting it down the wrong tube as with liquid). Obviously she doesn't like having her beak opened and something shoved in her mouth, but is remarkably unperturbed and instantly fine and demanding treats. This makes like MUCH easier all round! 

We made it to Birmingham (eventually) and had a lovely day with our pals, hanging about. Me and one of our friends went to a walled garden for a wander, and then we all reconvened for tea and ended up staying til about 9pm. Long drive home (what on earth is with those giant billboard screens on the M5/M6?! I've never seen anything like it!! SO distracting!!)

Then yesterday some other friends came over at lunchtime, and stayed over in their campervan, and we have had a lovely time .

 
I'm going to see if the premium bond dosh has arrived - if it has, I'll pay the garage bill...

themadvix

Hooray to getting the hang of chicken medicating! That must be a huge relief for you.

 Everything else sounds excellent too!

Cheery_Daff

Certainly is a relief - far less stressful, and we were spending an hour twice a day trying to hide tablets in food and persuade her to eat them. This takes about 30 seconds! 

No premium bonds dosh yet (I think I requested Thurs or Fri and it takes 3 days). I get paid on Wednesday anyway so I'll do it then regardless.

rtandon27

Wow - 30 seconds is a far cry from an hour! - Great to hear you've mastered the medication feeding

Fortune_Smiles

Well done on mastering Advanced Chicken Medication Cheery 👏  Wish I'd got the hang of it when we had chickens.  Would have saved an awful lot of stress.

Fortune x

Cheery_Daff

I suspect it won't be quite so easy on a less compliant chicken... 🙄 and I still won't do it with liquid (but it's the antibiotics that taste vile and they're the ones that also come as tablets so that's good). I do hate doing it still, and it's making me very anxious still 🙄 But seven doses down and only five to go (this time, at least) so we're getting there.

Feeling slightly on the edge of panic today, not sure why but it's not pleasant 🙄

Still, we have managed to make some kitchen decisions and have ordered three radiators - paid for with the credit card (thanks for the reminder KC!) Another £600 on the kitchen bill 🙄

themadvix

Focus on the outcome Cheery - a functioning kitchen that will be a pleasure to use! It makes a world of difference.

Fortune_Smiles

Be kind to yourself Cheery - you've had an awful lot to cope with this past year.

Fortune x

Karmacat

Everything sounded brilliant till the feeling of panic came up - you've had such a lot going on, and you're starting to come out the other side, and it probably feels *really* weird - this big thing, the kitchen, is actually going to happen - I totally understand that panic.  But you've put a lot of footwork in, it will happen in the right way for you and Mr Cheery.  Scary that such a lot of it has been on your shoulders - and, oh yes, going away on a long trip during a global pandemic, even if we're near the end.  

Take care

Cheery_Daff

Thank you all, you lovely people xxx you're all right of course. This has been going on for SUCH a long time, and we're having to make final decisions on things that have been dragging on forever. It also feels like lots of things need doing this week now.

And of course I'm also fretting about the builders actually being here. Last time we had builders in, Mr Cheery really struggled, and I think part of me is anticipating having to deal with that again. He wouldn't deal with them at all, so all of that was left to me, as it will be this time.

It doesn't help that the first day of building work is also my first day back at work, and we're heading right into my busiest period. I will be able to work in my study, but it's right in the middle of the building work. We're considering moving my desk for the duration, but it'll be in the temporary kitchen, which means I won't get much peace in there either (and it requires a LOT of messing to get space to work in there - Mr Cheery says he'll do it but there's no sign yet and between other commitments we only have three days left).

I could go into the office - but that leaves him home alone with the builders all day - a fast track to madness for him, and therefore also me. 

Not ideal, but the reality right now 😕 So I suppose it's not surprising that I'm a bit apprehensive about how it's all going to work out 😕

I suppose the only answer is just one day (or hour) at a time, one foot in front of the other, lots of deep breaths, and just keep work ticking over as best I can. And hope they've finished before the students come back (which gives them 4 weeks - their estimate was 3-4 so fingers crossed).

Anyway, I've been reading about sorting the kitchen floor tiles and I've got a plan. Hopefully be able to get hold of the stuff tomorrow and get started...