Sluglife: July 2009 Archives

Summer Is Here!

So much has happened this last month! Jordy has pictures coming soon, I promise! We are having a great summer.

Just celebrated our 7th wedding anniversary. Hard to believe it’s been that long. Jordy and Dave spent the day building my chicken coop! It’s gorgeous and HUGE…there is still a bit left to do on it but I am sure pictures will be coming soon as Jordy is rightfully totally proud of it. Jennifer and I have some time carved out next weekend to paint it, and we went together and bought our baby chicks this past Saturday. Originally we were going to start with 6 chickens but we ended up getting 10. They are in a brooder in my office right now, where they will stay until they get their feathers-about four weeks from now-and then they can move into the coop. We can’t wait to show the girls their new home!

4th of July was celebrated with a huge BBQ party at Jennifer and David Erik’s house. Misha, Evan and Cynthia spend the weekend with us and we had a great time taking the boat out and watching the fireworks. Later this month our friend Josh from Utah is spending a few days with us, and then a week later my dear friend Alan arrives from Ohio to spend 4 days with us during Bear Weekend. This weekend we are hanging out with our friends Bryan and Kathleen from the halibut at their pad in San Mateo.

Jennifer and I have been busting out butts in a water cardio class at the JC, and so far I’ve lost 7lbs in the last 5 weeks. I’m on board to take two more classes at the JC starting in August-Tai Chi and Body Conditioning. I’ve been working with a clinical health educator at Kaiser this summer who has custom tailored a workout and eating regime for me to help me lose the last pounds to my goal, and with her help I’ve made great progress. Jennifer and I are also taking a flat pattern design class at the JC in fall to hone our sewing skillz.

I am loving my weekly bass lessons, which are so much fun. Hard to believe I’ve been playing now for 7 months! Jordy and I saw Dirty Projectors last week in SF, and are going to Bedouin Soundclash and then Rock the Bells in the next few weeks. And then Memory Walk season will be here and I’ll have no time at all…☺

This year has totally flown. But I’m having a blast this summer and Jordy and I are chillin on the River, filling our house with friends and having a great time. Hope you are too!

Posted by Anna on July 13, 2009 10:15 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Hot Chicks!

	We've got chickens! It's been sometime coming, but they're here. Here's the lowdown.
	It started with the clearing of our chicken area. That meant clearing a lot of weeds, ivy, two juniper trees, and a ton of rosemary. It was a hell of a day, but I got it done.
	A month later on the morning of the build, you can see the result. The pots were employed to help me visualize where the coop would go.
	My Coworker, David, offered to help me with the build. He was absolutely instrumental with his know-how (he built two coops of his own, and innumerable other projects), his tools, and his truck which transported all the wood. Thanks Dave!!
	And we were off! I had drawn up plans as best I could, but after we got the basic structure together, we just sort of played it by ear.
	By lunch we had the front and back assembled and attached. But it wouldn't last; we ended up taking this apart and shortening its width by a good foot and a half. It was certainly the right decision, as with the dimensions we have here we're ready for factory farming!
	Our disaster area.
	Meanwhile, Anna, Jennifer, and David Erik headed to Western Feed Store. It was time for chicks.
	We were planning on six chicks. The man at the feed store said they should get eight to account for mortality. David Erik raised him two. Ten chicks, ready for transport. The good news is that the coop will easily accomodate ten birds. There are six seperate roosts, so they don't even have to be the best of friends to all fit comfortably. Speaking of which...
	It's just about quitting time at coop-central.We've just finished the laying box for the ladies.
	Here's looking at the coop from the side, showing off the removable roosts (for easy cleaning!). It was around 5pm and David and I were beat. We called it a day with the coop at about 80%. There's still plenty for me to finish up on my own -- I have to wire underneath the coop for an integrated run, I have to build an enclosure to surround their little walkway down into the run. Oh, and as you can see, I need to hang the side door and get and hang a door for the laying box (we ran out of wood). The roof is unfinished presently, and we're still talking about what to do with it. Most likely we're going to tarpaper it and set it up for a living roof later on. But I'm happy with the progress!
	Upstairs, the chicken habitat was being finished. Here Jennifer surveys the cuteness.
	And here they are! Too cute!!
	Anna and a chick.
	And a closer picture of the ladies. I'm told the tally is as follows: 2 Black Sex Links, 2 Buff Orpingtons, 2 Gold Wyandotte, 2 Golden Sex Links and 2 Light Brahmas. Total: ten cute chicks. Don't believe me? Check the video below. We'll have more chicken pictures, no doubt!