Chicken Massacre

When Timber got in the van this morning to go to work, there were two big dogs in the back yard. I exclaimed concern for the chickens and he went tearing down the yard with the horn blazing. The dogs took off, but they had been there for quite awhile having a feathered festival. All six of the chickens are dead. Timber said the scene is so bloody that I won't even go down there to take a look.
We've always thought of the hens as a production line for eggs and manure with an edible end. But their all to quick death really got me down. I felt lost this morning without the purpose of taking Miley in the wagon for our stroll to feed the chickens. Humph.
Timber is trying to sort the situation out with the owner of the dogs. Apparently the dogs aren't ever let out of their yard...but their gate was accidentally left open last night. We feel at ease that we don't need to worry about crazed, chicken eating, feral dogs freely roaming our block seeing as how Miley and mean dogs don't mix. But dam, my heart feels squashed.
Anyone know who we can buy chickens from?

Gift Ideas

For all you mainland shoppers who want to get holiday gifts in the mail soon here are some measurements, ideas, and wishes that may help you shop.

Miley will be 18 months old this Dec. She fits perfect in 18m clothing...but if you want an item to last longer, buy 24m size or bigger. We love dark colored items! Miley is tough on clothing and I can't seem to get stains out of anything (and I feel like I should have stock in Oxy Clean). We like solid colored, elastic shorts because they are easy to match with fun shirts and they are easy to put on. We've only found a few pairs of shoes that work for her. The crocks are the choice shoe for the moment and she's in a 4-5.
Rhett-James will be just newborn this Christmas. We have most everything we need for him.

Here's some fun stuff we could use.

• Wooden stepping stool so Miley can get on the potty and/or wash her hands.
• Kid size chair or chair-table set
• Swing for the almond tree outside
• Easel and/or art supplies
• Books! (we love books)
• Thermometer (the newer roll across the forehead kind)

Family gifts...

• We'd love to have a 4 person tent to take the fam camping. An all mesh body with a sturdy rain fly would be best for our Hawaii weather.
• We could use a new car...although shipping costs from the mainland are quite high.
• We love visitors especially folks who want to babysit and give us a date night.
• Our Craftsman drill's batteries no longer hold a charge. (new batteries or new drill?)
• We don't have some basic tools...pliers, witre cutters...and we definitely don't have the organization (drawers, peg board....) to keep tracke of em.
• Timber loves fudge, t-shirts, and never seems to have a properly working headlamp.
• I'll be newly sans belly and will be working my way back to regular fitting yoga clothing.
• I'll be nursing so nursing tank tops would be awesome!