Marching Forward

Can you believe it’s already March? I’d hoped to write that the birds are singing, the tulips are waking, and Punxsutawney Phil the Groundhog was my hero this year. However, right at this moment, there’s still a thick layer of ice in my yard and it’s snowing.

Still, there’s something to be said for a cup of coffee in a warm house watching the snow softly falling outside. And though February was a short month, there’s been excitement – and I have good things to look forward to!

Last weekend was very exciting: my daughter and I went shopping for her first formal dress. Can you believe, dear readers, that Audrey’s old enough to go to prom? She was seven when I first started writing the blog, so many of you have watched Audrey grow up!

When readers first “met” Audrey, Fall 2010. With our late sweet pup. We miss that dog!

And now, so grown up, a beautiful talented young woman. I’m such a proud Mama!

I remember when I first found out I was having a baby girl, almost seventeen years ago. l thought of all the “firsts” and “rites of passage” to look forward to as a mom… things my mama and I did, and she and her mama, too- including getting ready for prom! (My daughter’s only a junior in high school, but her boyfriend is a senior and has asked her to go to his senior prom).

My parents at the Houston Club for prom, 1959

I still remember my mom making a special day and taking me shopping for a dress for my senior boyfriend’s prom. When I went to my senior prom, I designed my own dress and my boyfriend’s mom sewed it for me. It had a strapless black bodice with a black lace overlay (think Madonna) and a knee length skirt in gold with a double peplum. I wore black opera gloves and a banana clip in my hot-rollered hair. I know, go ahead and giggle… keep in mind I was a 1980’s teenager!

OH.MY.GAWD! 1990 prom “glamour shot” that was done for all the girls at my prom. Can it get any more CHEESY! Gotta laugh…

Thirty years later, my daughter and I had the mom/daughter day on last Saturday. Looking at all the beautiful dresses was fun. There were several other mothers and daughters just like us…all shopping for a prom dress. I thought it’d be tough to find “the” dress, but three dresses in, she tried one on that was perfect! When I walked into the dressing room, Audrey took my breath away. I’m looking forward to her big day, seeing my girl all dressed up for the formal event! I can’t post a picture of the dress yet, of course, but I promise to post one in spring when she goes to the dance!

The next day was of a more serious nature, but a very important one. I’m a Girl Scout Leader and we’re required to have a leader who is CPR-certified at every gathering. Our town organized a day for leaders who needed to get certified, staffed by volunteers including EMT’s and an emergency room doctor. (A big shout out to all those who organized and volunteered their time to help us who needed certification).

The course took five hours or so, but the time flew by. There was so much I learned! (For instance, do you know the difference between a heart attack and cardiac arrest)? I realized that everyone should be CPR-certified! You just never know…the life you save might be someone you love! Having someone CPR/First Aid-certified can make a big difference in the time before more trained, extensive help like firefighters and EMT arrive. I’m looking forward to getting my certification card in the mail. I hope I never have to use the training, but am glad I learned!

I’m looking forward to a good thaw. Hopefully March will bring us a reprieve in the harsh weather! The snowfall actually makes it easier to get to my chicken coop. The solid ice makes for a very scary walk anywhere in the yard. Unfortunately, a clever hawk ambushed and ate one of my girls! Yes, I cried.

The day before, the weather had very high winds. I previously reinforced the chicken run with smaller gauge wire all around, but the wind blew the top and tore at everything. The following morning, my husband I checked the top and cleaned the hen house. The sun came out, and though it was cold, the chickens were happy- clucking and purring.

Later my dogs started barking so I took them out. I saw a young hawk right by my door in the tree. I took the dogs in and went back out to check the chickens. As I rounded the corner, the hawk darted out from UNDER the hen house. That’s when I spied poor little Cocoa. The clever hawk had gone under the hen house, only six inches or so from the ground. He had closed the door to the hen house from the outside somehow, trapping seven of my girls inside. The eighth girl, Cocoa, was trapped in the run but unable to get in the house. The wind must have pushed the small fencing on the side, and there was a hole near the ramp of the coop, only as big as an egg. The hawk had grabbed Cocoa as she was trying to get in the house, pulling her head through the tiny little break in the fence. Cocoa was one of the “Butterscotch Triplets”, my little Brahma bantams that we hand raised last spring as chicks. The carnage was awful, and for a bit I thought, “I’m done with having chickens”.

RIP, Cocoa.

The thing is, death is part of the cycle, especially with farm animals like chickens and the predators we face in my part of the woods. I reinforced my fence and put a board up where the underside of the coop is. A very similar thing happened on my birthday last March, with the hawk going under the coop. (Perhaps the same hawk- hats off to how smart you are, Mr. Hawk. It must be this time of year; there’s so much ice and not enough mice and chipmunks left to munch). My friend Donna, who has a local farm, is getting me some baby chicks again this year, so I’m getting my brooder ready. I’m looking forward to having baby chicks again!

When you’re a “Glamper”, spring can’t come fast enough! I’m looking forward to opening Gidget the Glamper back up! The cover’s still on and she’s covered with snow. Have you ever seen anything so sad?

When we open the camper, I know spring is truly here and winter is gone for another season. I can’t wait!

Speaking of vintage campers, wouldn’t this microwave be cute in one? I’m not a big fan of microwaves and we don’t use ours to cook with. However, I need to have one in the kitchen. When my husband comes home tired from a very long day, or my coffee needs a bit of warming, we use one. My kitchen also has a built-in microwave shelf and the shelf would look weird without it. Recently, our circa-2000 microwave was on the fritz. I was happy to see it go- it was so big I couldn’t reach in to clean it without a step stool and it was an eyesore in my otherwise-cheerful retro kitchen. This little red retro-styled number looks right at home in my kitchen, and if I ever was to put a microwave in a camper, this would be it. (I got mine for $99 with free shipping at Walmart.com).

Finally, this month I’m looking forward to my birthday in a few weeks. I know it means I’m another year older, but I’m a glass-half-full kinda gal. I like special days and no matter how old I’m blessed to get, I’m still me!

Wishing you, dear readers, nice weather, a Happy St. Patrick’s Day, and Good Things to Look Forward to! Remember to say hi in comments and let me know you stopped by!

Until Next Time…Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole