Will Work For Chickens

A couple of weeks ago, I started a new job. It was the perfect situation, just two days a week, nannying for two kids who were quite lovable. I was surprised that it happened because when the woman contacted me, she said that she needed a nanny for two full days and three partial days. I told her that I could only do the two full days and she went for it! She planned to figure out something for the other days.

I was pretty excited. The extra money would definitely help and the mother and I had a lot in common.

WORKING GIRL

The first day went remarkably well and Brian even had dinner (and dessert!) ready when I got home.😊

THINGS CHANGE QUICKLY

The next week was a little more challenging since the kids were getting more comfortable with me. Which, of course, means that they started testing all the boundaries. But, all in all, I was still feeling good. I spent the weekend brainstorming some ideas for keeping them under control and even ordered a couple activity kits to do with them.

But, then on Sunday evening, she texted.

“We found someone who can watch the boys for all five days.”

She went on to explain that they felt the consistency would be better for them and that she was happy to write a glowing letter of recommendation if I ever needed one.

I mean, I get it. It wasn’t personal and she has to look out for her kids first. But, it still stung. I still felt rejected. I have accepted it now and I’m enjoying have all the free time again but I was definitely upset for a couple of days.

BUT, SOMETHING COOL HAPPENED

When Brian went to work the next day, I was getting ready to go for my horseback riding lesson. That’s when it occurred to me! The farm where I got my chickens is in that area. Charley’s Chicks isn’t close but Charley is a really great guy and he knows his stuff.

So, I called Brian and in my best whiney voice, I said. “Brian, since I’m sad and I can’t get any more dogs or cats, could I get just one more chicken?”

There was a beat and then he said “Hold on, there’s traffic.”

I waited patiently, truly unsure of how this would play out. Then he came back and said “What the hell, go ahead. I don’t know why you want to make things more difficult for yourself, you already have enough trouble wrangling the three you have. But, ok.”

I squealed a thank you and hung up. I quickly messaged my horsebacking riding buddy to see if she wanted to come. That’s when I got schooled on how I really needed two chickens. It has to do with the fact that the chickens have to integrate into a new chicken fam and having a buddy the same size helps with pecking order and all. Plus, as I learned later from Charley, I would have to keep them separate until they got bigger.

So, yeah, I came home with two.

I did feel bad about it, though! Especially since the kids kept pointing out that Dad only said I could get one. 🤷‍♀️🙃

TELLING THE TRUTH….EVENTUALLY

Anyway, I was anxious about telling him and rehearsing my explanation in my head. I had them in a large cat carrier in our bathroom when he got home. I stalled on admitting it until we went up to bed. I might not have admitted it then if I didn’t know that he would inevitably need to go to the bathroom. 🤣

So I finally blurted out my little speech and ended with admitting that I bought two chickens.

And this man. This man who knows me way too well said…

“I knew you would.”