Poultry Talk Ontario (pto.ca)

Hi!!

I have happily found my way back to the forum. For those who don't know me, I talk/type too much and clog up the humour section with twisted jokes. I was formerly known as SandyM. I had to take a leave of absence and get some things sorted in my personal life along with just an insanely busy time of year for work. As everyone knows, PTO is very addictive, consuming and I was better off gone so I could do what I needed to do.

So what's new.

Well, the biggest news is I'm going through a separation. Lou and I remain courteous, kind and respectful to one another, and so we should. We continue to co-parent Josh and I will NOT allow Josh to be a casualty of bad sour parent behaviour. I also have the mindset of lead by example and I firmly believe when adults behave and act like adults, child(ren) aren't feeling caught in the middle or feeling like they need to take sides. Lou and I could not agree more on this. We also share a business so this forces us to work together on many levels. Thankfully I asked for a separation before things got ugly and I believe that will be and is the secret to our current success. Also the fact that we are both kind and respectful people will help us get through this as well. Meh, actually I'm basically 'through it' as I've been 'leaving' for a few years, but I acknowledge Lou will need my support and understanding as we continue to make the necessary adjustments. Josh will have his G2 shortly and will spend his time between both homes as HE chooses. There isn't any obligatory pressures put on him. He will be 17 this year and I'm confident he can manage his time spent. Plus I know where he works (with us) lives and goes to school. Haha!

Josh has been incredible through all of this. He respects and loves both his parents, understands happens in life, fairy tales are for the big screen and if his mom isn't happy then he wants his mom to do whatever it is that will make her happy. His support and understanding just reaffirms his maturity and how wise he is; much beyond his 16 years. When we were sitting at the lake the other day having a coffee I looked at him tears in my eyes for a long moment and thought man did I ever score with this kid. He's pretty darn special.

Onwards. I'm excited to see what is next. I have a lot of decisions to make. Some things are certain. Some things are uncertain. Will I be selling the house and property? Not sure yet. This is my dream home and property, but I've learned over he years it really doesn't feel like all that if you aren't at peace inside. So we'll see where I'm at come the end of the summer.

Ideally country living is my best bet to maintain some level of sanity and I just love chicken keeping and the chores. Love. I would hate to give them up and will exhaust every other option before that happens. I think part of my love for the flock also comes from the amazing people it has brought into my life. Also, I am a 'member' of a poultry club in the Niagara region and I don't think they have figured it out yet that I have nothing fancy or show worthy, but I just love being a part of the club. I get to say 'I'm heading to a poultry meeting tonight' and its soooo cool cause really who else gets to say that? Thankfully, I'm quiet enough (Go figure) that they haven't quite figured out I'm just surfing along side with them LOL. Ssssshhhh! Don't blow my cover. This has been another great distraction, something to look forward too even though meetings are only monthly. Ok, so back to country living. There really isn't much for sale out there. I don't want to be mortgage poor either. Welcome to the balancing act right? One of the good things about me is I'll figure it out, I always do.

What else is new. Well Josh and I made some freaking awesome raised beds if I do say so myself. I also got to my potato bins started. Surprisingly there is still more to do. Personally, I'd rather be shovelling snow! Coyotes took over my property. I mean rule my land. I several chickens before I figured out who and what was going on. No feathers, no crime scene, just gone. I thought, oh maybe some have gone and sitting on eggs. Then my rooster disappeared and I knew broody moms wasn't my issue. These coyotes got so brave that they were coming within 10-12' of the humans and 3 of them stalked Josh and Drake (dog) one day behind the garage at approx a 3-4' distance. An enormous thank you to Martin, the mosquito warrior and Kathy, the deck master, for coming out and spending the day to help take back my land from these predators.

I cancelled my trip to Nova Scotia. Yup. My dream, bucket list trip. Almost killed me to do that because the timing is sooooooo right, yet sooooo wrong. Hate it when you have to be a grown up and do the right thing. I'll will get to Nova Scotia in the next year or so and on different terms.

Well, hope y'all missed at least some of my shenanigans and long posts almost as much as I missed everyone with the connections and the information. Speaking of information. Umm, wow! who would of known that about mealworms. My birds will no longer get them. That was a huge share, thank you for that.

My two hives are arriving soon and I'm terribly excited and even more nervous about this. I also have a German shepherd pup arriving end of July, to be born end of May. VERY excited about that too. Puppy breath is the best!! Smells like coffee and I am so looking forward to that bond. Yes, I have Drake and he's my boy, but he's been retired since he was 3 and just goofy and fun in all he does or doesn't do. Not very dignified or protective.

One very valuable lesson I have learned through all of this. You know who your TRUE friends and family are when you go through hard lifey kind of stuff. Thank you to the forum friends who have been amazingly supportive through emails, texts and also to my friends (not on here but giving them a shout out anyways) and the very very VERY limited family who have been supportive. There are some truly great people in my life and I'm thankful for each of them. I hope one day I can return the support and kindness.

Well, as usual I've rambled and I'm sure I will construct (mostly irrelevant) lengthy responses in other threads as I get through them.

Cheers Forum Family!! Missed you all and happy to be back. I think I'll go blow up the humour thread and I also see the genius thread is kicking some donkeys butt! Well done y'all!!

Cheers!!

Sandy
I am not sure why this photo will on,y go to the bottom of my post, but this is the 2nd potato bin picture,

Good to have you back. Sorry to hear bout your trials but I'm glad you're all sorting through this, never good but it happens. No point in everyone being miserable. Good luck with the yotes too and good to hear about the GSD pup.

Thanks KB!

Welcome back, we missed you. Best wishes as you start a new chapter in your personal life. The gardens look great and a new puppy will be a good distraction from life's ups and downs.

JW

Luck Sandy ...

Welcome back Sandy and I hope everything works out fine.

It's all good Robbie. And I'm not just saying that to make it sound or look good. We're all doing really well.

Cheers!!!

Keep up the good work :)

Sandy! My best to you in a time of change.
Its always the big questions that are tough: what do you want? What will you accept (settle for)? What price are you willing to pay to get what you want? What really matters to you?
To all my investment clients I say this: You must sleep at night.
Again, my best to you and yours.
P.s. I see a new handle is part of the new you.

Good luck with your changes, as mentioned your new pup will help.