Flying

Birds are amazing creatures to me. Almost 5 years ago I went into a pet store on a whim. This was a really neat pet store with animals of all kind for such a small town store. As I entered the back of the store and around the corner there was a big green bird. I've never been a terribly huge fan of birds but I've always liked them and enjoyed watching them but this bird caught me off guard and I was amazed. He could talk and say phrases such as 'Hey look there's a bird'. I can only imagine how many times he would hear that in a day. I really liked the bird but never in my life thought I would come to buy such a creature. I bought this bird for someone else ya see but its just as much mine as it is his. It was his dream to own such a bird and so I had to give in and get it for him. Never owning a bird before I had to read up and shop around for this bird as I wanted to be a great pet owner. I immediately subscribed to a bird magazine and started shopping around in other pet stores and places online and going to bird shows. I had ordered a beautiful custom cage for this bird and wanted to do everything in my power to provide the best for him.

Some pet owners have their birds wings clipped so they can't fly off. I had this done as well. I would take the bird outside and sit and chat with my neighbors and let the bird on the ground to walk around and explore and get plenty of fresh air. I lived on this hill and there was a big rock the bird was standing on. My bird took off with a big gush of wind that came through. Even though his wings had been clipped he could still fly. I was shocked and amazed and upset and mad all at the same time. Everyone immediately went chasing after the bird to see where he went. He just got so high in the air he disappeared and I couldn't see where he was. We all searched and searched and I balled my eyes out thinking here I failed miserably at being a pet owner. The search was almost hopeless. As I head home I cut through my neighbors yard full of trees and I hear this voice saying 'hello'. I kept hearing it and looked all around and there he was up high in the trees. If you've ever tried to spot a green bird in the summer time its a hard thing to do! We all tried calling the bird down from the tree but he just wasn't having it. This bird had probably never been in such a place and near such creatures such as the squirrel that scared him off to another tree. Finally after much help from friends and a ladder and lots of work we managed to get the bird out of the tree. I was so relieved. I mean what was I going to do with this custom cage that was going to be delivered the following week? Just the thought of an empty cage made me sick to my stomach.

Either way I got this bird back home safe and sound and I vowed never to take him out like that again. I was not about to lose this bird ever. The cage arrived and I learned more and more about this bird and wanted to provide the best care for him. I've given him everything I can. Years have gone by and he's still here with me.

I love going to the zoo. One of my favorite places is the Aviary. I love to see the birds and all the space and freedom they have and wonder how happy they are. Then I go home and see my bird in his cage and wonder if hes happy here. I wonder if after flying in the sky he ever wanted to come back into my home to be locked up. As much as I do for him is he really happy with his living arrangements? He sits in his cage day in and day out. We don't have his wings clipped anymore because we don't let him outside without a firm grip on him. He can fly around the house but does that ever compare with what he once felt? Does he enjoy his life? Is he happy in there? Does he want to be free? Is he happy with us? Should we have left him in that tree that day? I don't have the answers to these questions because I don't know whats in his heart. If he could just tell me I would listen and do whatever it took because without happiness you have nothing. If you're not enjoying life you're not living right.

Not all birds are meant to be caged. Is he one of them?

You have to jump to see how your wings unfold as you fall.

My Sweet Obsession

Felisha had an art project she did at school that just makes me wonder if such a place could exist. They had to go through magazines and cut something out, paste it onto some paper and draw a background for it.














Planet Ahoy! Sounds good to me! How do I book a vacation there? I'm just certain I could survive on milk and cookies for my stay no problem! I'd come rolling back eventually I'm sure. Like when I cannot get my pants on at all.

I've been working out consistently since the first of the year. Not so much as a resolution but I guess so in the same sense as I just want to get my body back in shape and live a healthier lifestyle. I work out at least 5 or 6 days a week for about an hour and a half each day. I haven't lost or gained any weight. I fluctuate between 3 lbs. according to the scales at the gym every night. Now granted I've been laid off and that's been the most my butts really been off the couch but I'm back to work now so hopefully working and working out I'll see more of an improvement. I can tell you one thing I have gained a lot of muscle as everything has tightened up. Can you believe that that alone has made my jeans tighter? I think I may have gained too much muscle in my legs as they are tight but bigger which is a bummer so I've decided not to hit the leg weights so hard and try more walking and running and possibly some yoga and Pilate's. I want long lean legs not big bulky ones.

I'm kinda (really) disappointed in myself at the moment as I can't seem to lay off the candy. I've had everyone hide the candy from me after I've over indulged in the bag and then sure enough I come across it usually within about a week. Needless to say they don't hide candy very well! Someone probably thought they did good when they hid the spice drops in their underwear drawer...ya I put the laundry away! Lucky me...the bags of candy I have hidden no one else except my partner in crime Braden and I really like. Those Twizzler cherry bites...found and now gone, spice drops...found and now gone. So tomorrow when I whine that my jeans are too tight I only have myself to blame. I know this and I think it when I'm eating it but its just soooo good! I have to stop. Really.

When you age your body takes on a different shape is what they say. I'll be the big 3-0 in a few months and I've had 2 kids. Most say they can't believe it but I can because I remember how thin and fit I was just a few years ago. Flat 6 pack abs, great legs, muscular arms...I really did look good for having a child and didn't have to work at it. Granted I had my first when I was 19 and bounced back to my prebody quickly. After having Braden its been a little harder. I want my 20 year old body back for my 30th birthday kind of as a gift to myself! I have no candy in the house...none that I can speak of and I vow not to eat anymore till I get that body back. Ya heard it here first!

If you see me with a box of Hot Tamales or any other candy or junk food, smack me please!

And if I smack you back just check me into the nearest Over Eaters Anonymous ok!

Cinderella Cinderella

I've actually been pretty pleased with my 2 year old's cleaning abilities. He knows how to throw stuff away(who needs those bills anyway), clean the fridge (by putting his hands in the pitcher of Crystal Light and rubbing that everywhere), clean the bathroom (with toothpaste, who knew it cleaned mirrors? Ha!), loading the washing machine (I truely believe front loaders were created by parents of small children because they can really do this one, if I could just get him to fold and put it away we'd be in business), clean the windows (with hand prints everywhere so you know he didn't miss a spot), cleaning the carpet (as he is dumping a big bag of carrots in the living room as I'm bragging on him right now), cleaning the leather sofa(with little dabbles of milk everywhere to condition the leather ya know, which is why I love (hate) leaky sippy cups so).

He is also ever so thoughtful as he unravels the toilet paper for extra fluffiness? Pulls down all the covers on the beds to show how much more inviting they really are. Throws all of the pillows off the beds for more room to jump. Rips the boring parts out of books and magazines for you. Throws his balls and toys everywhere to remind you that exercise is good for you. Messes with the blinds so you get just the right amount of sunlight in the room. Leaves toys everywhere so you can work on your dance moves as step on them.

Thoughtful as he is he never leaves anyone out as he likes to poke things into the bird cage cause you know the bird wants to play with that race car track too. All the while Roman(our bird) is singing some new tunes for us. I never knew he could sing soprano.

As much as I admire his cleanliness around the house I have really had to address the issue of cleaning the TV lately. Yesterday as I was just about to leave for work Braden decided to clean our plasma TV with this

















Why yes its all purpose, non toxic and smells great but....just not good for TVs. Especially really expensive plasma TVs that aren't even a year old yet!

After Braden took a little nap on the couch today he woke up and the first thing he did was this





























I think he may have learned a thing or two yesterday!

P.S. I think someone has mastered the art of 'The Terrible Two's'. Although I'm sure we are just in the early stages of it all!

Coming Clean

I don't know about you but I've had a few Peeping Tom's in my days but this latest one has me kinda weirded out. Many years ago when I lived in Wisconsin I had a Peeping Tom who wasn't exactly shy about the fact that he was watching me. I lived in this condo and to the rear of my place had the fantastic view of an apartment complex and their lovely parking lot. I lived on this huge hill that was level with all of my 2nd story neighbors. A bad habit of mine is to get out of the shower and do my hair and makeup in the buff. Why...I don't know. I guess it just makes getting dressed for the day so much easier. I mean if you're having a fab hair and makeup day you can easily pull out your 'look at me I'm lookin' good clothes' and on not so fab days...'whatever will blend in with everyone else'. At the time I had a long narrow bathroom with a window at the end. I always open all the blinds in my house and far be it for me to deny my bathroom sunlight. As I'm in the bathroom dolling up for the day I go into my bedroom for a sec to grab something. For whatever reason I look out my bedroom window and see one of my neighbors(now keep in mind they all have huge long windows so when their curtains are open you know it) looking out his window which oversees my place. I get a little closer to the window but to the side because we all know I'm quite the nudist to see this man staring plain as day into my bathroom window.

So what does one do in this position? I put on a nude colored bra and panties and went about my business! I sometimes like to mess with people ya know. After that I generally made it a habit to close my blinds a bit more.

Like I said, the latest Peeping Tom has me weirded out. As I'm in the shower I turn around and see this













glaring in on me! I can't tell if he's smiling or laughing at me.

Braden is really loving this balloon right now. He likes for us to attach it to his arm. If Braden wants to come and say hi while I'm in the shower that's fine, but his balloon friend scared me tonight.

Confessions of a Shopaholic

Me and Felisha have been dying for the movie 'Confessions of a Shopaholic' to hit the big screen. After seeing the previews we looked at each other and knew that it was gonna be soooo good! I took Felisha out to the movies for part of her Valentine's to watch this super cute, super funny chic flick We loved it!

About a week ago or so ago I bought the book for Felisha. Oh let me get off the subject for a sec cause I gotta tell ya this story! Ok, I get a phone call from the bus barn(school's bus people, apparently that's what they call it here...and in Texas too come to think of it). Anyway, they asked if my daughter told me what had happened on the bus the day prior. Nope not a word. So they proceed to tell me that MY GIRL tripped a boy on the bus and he in retaliation punched her! Now tell me.....does this face look like they would trip a boy on the bus on purpose?













I think not! So when she gets home I asked her and she denied it. Said their isn't even a boy named Kyle on her bus. Fast forward a few days and I get a warning in the mail from the bus barn. At first I was kinda upset because I felt lied to as a mother. But then I get to looking at this piece of paper and the bus number is reversed and as well as the sex of the driver. Odd huh? As my daughters name was spelled right! There is a first for everything! So when she arrives home I drill my girl one last time on this. Said it was not her. I believed her. So the following day the school and bus barn got an earful and after further investigation on their part they now realize that it was indeed NOT MY GIRL! Thank goodness! And in fact was another girl with the same first name on a different bus! So after making the bus barn and school feel totally and absolutely guilty because they were told she had been severely punished for tripping a boy(which she wasn't but shhhhh......I know my girl and I believed her) I bought her the book! Kind of as a sorry I kept drilling you kinda thing. Mothers really do know their children!

As for the school and bus barn the principal himself called Felisha into his office the following day and made a personal apology. I think this was really more of a lesson learned for everyone here. My daughter will not have her rep crushed by another girl with the same name. Not if I have anything to with it! People are gonna make sure they have the right kid before they make calls on them. And my daughter now knows that no matter what position you are in we all make mistakes.

Back to Shopaholic! The book is too cute so far, I haven't finished it(not even quite halfway yet to be totally honest), but super cute. Its quite a bit different from the movie as the book is set in London and the movie is set in NYC! Yet still soooo cute! I'm gonna have to get the rest of the series and hopefully they will make more movies based on the series! Isla Fisher is soooo cute and pretty just like my red head! Love her!

After all of our fun someone was a bit jealous of me and Felisha...














As they managed to grab ahold of these. Sitting there so content marking away without a care in the world all cozy on Felisha's bed.














Yup...it was this little fella














His identity shall remain anonymous!

I will always stand up for and protect my children no matter what!

Guess Who's 2!

How on earth did this little cutie(I love this picture of my kids when Braden was a few days old)












turn into this little stud?













Oh my gosh! His head is sooo big! Resembles that Chuckie guy. Hmmm.... don't know about this...he normally photographs so much better than that...












Oh wait! Much better. Thought I was gonna have to walk around being known as that big headed boys mama! There's my boy! Braden turned the big 2 years old today! How did this happen so fast? Seems like just awhile ago he was so little.












And now hes all grown up sporting his new wheels! His bikes a little big yet but he loves it! His first Schwinn...complete with streamers a horn and a place for the chicks to stand on the back! Way to go stud!

We hit up Chuckie Cheese cause you know that's where us kids can be ourselves! Had a blast. Braden was a little scared of Chuckie...made him cry















He seemed to like his other friends though.












Notice how hes driving with his arm around his new pal! How cute is that. So my Braden!












Over all I think we all had a great time. Here is Felisha and one of her gal pals.












Why do my kids seem to have big heads and extra ears in their pictures? Hmmm...dunno but their still cute and I guess I wouldn't really mind being known as the mother of the big headed boy and 4 eared girl after all. I love em both dearly.

And one of me stuffing my face. If there is food around I'm sooo there!












Shew...at least I look somewhat 'normal'. Maybe I can pass as the nanny on days the paparazzi is chasing after the big headed boy and 4 eared girl! Surely they'd never buy the fact that I mothered those two! Although with that messy hair of mine.....

Well gotta run....I see the news crew and a zillion paparazzi outside my front door!

Happy 2nd Birthday Braden! I love you bunches!

Happy Valentines Day!

Wishing everyone a Happy Valentines Day!













May you all have a Sweet Day!

Finished Easter Basket?

I did it! I may have waited to the last minute but I successfully finished Felisha's Easter looking Valentine's bag. She didn't want anything all red and heartsy and all Valentine looking. I think we accomplished that.














Looking like an Easter Basket? Yup. Totally. But ya know what, it's just more functional this way. And it goes perfectly in her room!












I love her bedroom. I think she has the prettiest bedroom in the house. I try to take naps and just hang out in her room while shes gone but shhhhh! She has the big windows with the half circle window thingy up above them bringing in lots of sunlight. And I love all the yellow! It's my favorite color! I've been trying to bring out more of the blue and green in her pillows. I may be onto something here.

I've been trying to find a pretty big letter F to go above her bed but all I find are plain F's and the sizes are way to big or too small. I was thinking a paper mache or wooden F that I could paint or decorate with some of that Amy Butler scrapbook paper. I love Amy Butler stuff. Was also thinking about getting some coordinating Amy Butler fabric and bringing in some more colors by making some new pillowcases as the pillows at the back are part of her sheet set. Oh and Amy's bedside organizer for the reading diva that she is!

I don't have any red anywhere in my house so making it all super festive, or at least red anyway, she'd get one use out of it and it would end up in a closet unseen, unused(well I may have some junk that could go in it), and forever forgotten about. So come Easter time she's got her a way cute(I think) bag! Although at the rate we're going she'll be too cool for Easter Eggs. I'll just have to make it a point to tuck her gift into it!

Curious on how I made it? Ran back to Hobby Lobby and found an acrylic paint in with all the Artist painting supplies. Painted the inside, bottom and sides. I used mod podge to adhere the Amy Butler scrapbook paper to the bottom of the inside and the front and back of the bag. Tied a matching blue ribbon on and it's finished! So easy and fun to do! They did have one of those bags a size smaller....

P.S. Happy Friday the 13th! I'm not superstitious but have a great day!

Too cool already?

So with Valentines Day approaching and a child in elem. school we had to hit up Target over the weekend for Valentines for the class. What kind of Valentines was my daughter wanting to find...Twilight. Could not find any traces of a Twilight Valentine. 'Can you believe this' says my daughter? 'They have High School Musical 3 but no Twilight?' I was just as shocked! She is so completely obsessed with Twilight! Don't even get me started on her OCD (Obsessive Cullen Disorder, if you've seen the movie or read the book you will understand what I mean)!

Last week she brought home this paper telling about the class party and bringing in Valentines and so forth. Then I got to the part where they are to bring in something to put their Valentines in and to be creative. This was just screaming craft project! So I ask her repeatedly what she would like to do for this project. Doesn't have any ideas so we head over to Joann's and leave empty handed. I think to myself she will be so proud of her mother if I make her this beautiful handsewn basket in fun festive fabrics! She just wasn't thrilled with the idea after I purchased the instructions online. Go figure. So I take her to Hobby Lobby and told her I was going to take a brown gift bag and decorate it and add some googly eyes and it would be sooo cute. Well I found out that's just not cool either. So I'm like girl what do you want to do? She says just decorate a shoe box. A shoe box? Are you kidding me? Where is the creativity in that? So instead I find this cute paper mache box with handles. Sooo cute. Was all ready to find some red and hearts and all that to put on it but once again not cool. Instead 'I' am to decorate it with Amy Butler's scrapbook paper.













This has to be done by Friday morning....why do I torture myself so?

Oh Kirby Baby!

There's a new boy in town and hes all mine ladies! That's right! He's staying with me! Keep your smudgy hands off his shiny exterior or he'll suck you up too!


















Alas I got a Kirby today! I've always wanted one and I really do vacuum a lot. I'm kinda anal about crumbs and floors and have a really hard time cleaning one area let alone just one room. I'm a bit of a freak and have to do ALL the floors in my home when I get going.

Its kinda been a toss up between a Rainbow or a Kirby but I learned today that they no longer make Rainbows and that they went out of business. At least that's what my Kirby guy told me. I do however love the fact that ALL Kirby parts are made in the USA! How great is that!! Nothing against the people in China but I'm kinda tired of their labels maybe?

I must really be aging and showing my age by my enthusiasm over a vacuum. I'd rather have appliances or dishes or some kind of home ware versus jewelry. Does that make me crazy? I'm just not so into the whole 'Diamonds are a Girls Best Friend' or 'If it Shines its Right' but in this case however, it does shine and is so right! So ha ha!