I don't need an alarm clock. Osama Bin Robin is not only once again attacking our car windows, he's banging on the kitchen window as well. The boys asked if they could line the crazy bird up in their sites of their airsoft rifles. Very tempting, but I'm still holding my ground on never shoot the living. We'll see how many mornings I can take it though.
I'm so tempted to plant something in the garden. We've been having temps in the 70's which is very odd for southern Wisconsin this time of the year. Will it last? We've had such a mild winter, maybe it will? Usually I wait for Mother's Day to plant directly outside. I think I will throw some spinach in and chance it.
The boys are going to help me build a rain barrel. We've picked up all of the supplies for around $20. I showed them ready to purchase rain barrels for over $100 and we all agree, this should be a project we can pull off.
I want to kidnap my husband away from his work. He's sick and shouldn't be working with a fever. The man has a work ethic that won't stop, and to some degree, that is dangerous. He needs to find balance.
I'm having too much fun on Pinterest. I'm not renewing magazine subscriptions knowing that almost anything I can find online, I can now organize visually on Pinterest.
I've been having fun learning new things at work. I'm taking baby steps learning html coding and practicing updating our website. I'm also setting up more social network marketing and looking forward to attending classes on the subject the next two weeks. There is so much to learn, its exciting!
I was hoping to buy a new camera with some tax refund money, but it's looking like new tires are going to take that dream away. I can't believe how crazy expensive tires are! Its a must have though to keep our car safely drivable.
I'm also kissing goodbye for now, hope to see you later, to my dreams of new furniture. My sister & I found this amazing Amish furniture store on a Amish farm, not a separate furniture reseller, where you buy directly from the Amish family making the furniture. It blew me away the quality of the pieces. Its like nothing you can find in any commercial furniture store. I think they were saving their best work for their own business. I have my heart set on a glider, swivel chair that would outlast my lifetime and be passed down through the generations, but it cost $750. I'm going to start putting away a little out of every paycheck and maybe next year, for my birthday, I'll see if I can ask the Amish to make me a chair.
Both boys are up now, so I guess I should be going. Hope everything in your world is going great! I'll try to be better at keeping up.
Showing posts with label birds. Show all posts
Showing posts with label birds. Show all posts
Thursday, March 15, 2012
Thursday, August 18, 2011
Random Thoughts For Thursday 8/18/11
How about some completely random stuff?
Cheese Its have no sugar. So why do I find them so addictive?
Took awhile but the wasps have found the hummingbird feeder I moved just a few feet this season. We will have to move it again and hopefully confuse the wasps, but still welcome the smarter birds.
I never knew what those numbers meant on my washer until my son pointed out to me they refer to the time duration of the wash. I've had this washer for 10 years and this never dawned on me.
We're getting a refund from the dentist. I love our new dentist! I'm worried we'll lose her when she has her baby. They sent an email saying she's cutting her hours after maternity leave, but I'm worried she'll decide not to come back at all. Then again, I bet she has dental school loans to pay.
We're having spaghetti tonight for supper. As much as I want to enjoy the homemade sauce I made from the tomatoes from our garden, at the same time, I feel like protecting the jars. "No! You can't have my precious sauce!! It must be saved!!" I'll get over it and enjoy it.
Can I shop vac my laptop keyboard?
DS15 asked me what time zone the north pole uses. Good question! I love when my kids ask me something I have no clue about. We both get to learn in the process. The beauty of homeschooling! Whenever those who don't get it, ask me, "How can you teach them stuff you don't know," I try not to grin. I hope they someday find their own inner autodidact.
Despite my efforts, I am a homeschool snob. A family at the pool a few weeks ago asked me about homeschooling. They seemed really interested and impressed, but yet couldn't commit to it for their family. Last night the dad came up to me and said, "There's a really good website for you to use with your son. It has instructional videos..."
"Is it Khan Academy?"
"YES! It is. You know of it?" I knew at that moment I was a veteran. Ya dude, been there, done that.
Also last night a mother said to me, "I could never homeschool. They don't listen to me." My heart broke. I wanted to tell her my children listen to me because I listen to them. But how do I say this without sounding judgmental? Its hard to share your parenting style with others without sounding superior as well. I wanted to tell her, my kids really do love and respect us 100% because we have always loved and respected them, unconditionally. It wasn't that difficult.
I stopped being random there didn't I?
Breaking news! There's a chore war going on right now! I just heard DS15 tell DS12, "I cleaned the sink so you're left with the toilet." (I didn't ask them to clean the bathroom.)
"DUDE! That's not cool! Not cool! I wanted the sink." You snooze you lose DS12. DS15 beat you to it.
I actually would prefer the toilet. It seems cleaner than the sink.
DS15 is now cleaning the toilet himself. Interesting. Apparently he doesn't mind doing it even though he cleaned the sink.
Enough randomness. I'm really just procrastinating running to the grocery store.
Have a great day!
Cheese Its have no sugar. So why do I find them so addictive?
Took awhile but the wasps have found the hummingbird feeder I moved just a few feet this season. We will have to move it again and hopefully confuse the wasps, but still welcome the smarter birds.
I never knew what those numbers meant on my washer until my son pointed out to me they refer to the time duration of the wash. I've had this washer for 10 years and this never dawned on me.
We're getting a refund from the dentist. I love our new dentist! I'm worried we'll lose her when she has her baby. They sent an email saying she's cutting her hours after maternity leave, but I'm worried she'll decide not to come back at all. Then again, I bet she has dental school loans to pay.
We're having spaghetti tonight for supper. As much as I want to enjoy the homemade sauce I made from the tomatoes from our garden, at the same time, I feel like protecting the jars. "No! You can't have my precious sauce!! It must be saved!!" I'll get over it and enjoy it.
Can I shop vac my laptop keyboard?
DS15 asked me what time zone the north pole uses. Good question! I love when my kids ask me something I have no clue about. We both get to learn in the process. The beauty of homeschooling! Whenever those who don't get it, ask me, "How can you teach them stuff you don't know," I try not to grin. I hope they someday find their own inner autodidact.
Despite my efforts, I am a homeschool snob. A family at the pool a few weeks ago asked me about homeschooling. They seemed really interested and impressed, but yet couldn't commit to it for their family. Last night the dad came up to me and said, "There's a really good website for you to use with your son. It has instructional videos..."
"Is it Khan Academy?"
"YES! It is. You know of it?" I knew at that moment I was a veteran. Ya dude, been there, done that.
Also last night a mother said to me, "I could never homeschool. They don't listen to me." My heart broke. I wanted to tell her my children listen to me because I listen to them. But how do I say this without sounding judgmental? Its hard to share your parenting style with others without sounding superior as well. I wanted to tell her, my kids really do love and respect us 100% because we have always loved and respected them, unconditionally. It wasn't that difficult.
I stopped being random there didn't I?
Breaking news! There's a chore war going on right now! I just heard DS15 tell DS12, "I cleaned the sink so you're left with the toilet." (I didn't ask them to clean the bathroom.)
"DUDE! That's not cool! Not cool! I wanted the sink." You snooze you lose DS12. DS15 beat you to it.
I actually would prefer the toilet. It seems cleaner than the sink.
DS15 is now cleaning the toilet himself. Interesting. Apparently he doesn't mind doing it even though he cleaned the sink.
Enough randomness. I'm really just procrastinating running to the grocery store.
Have a great day!
Friday, April 09, 2010
Sunday, March 14, 2010
Happy Pi Day!
I am not baking any pies or circular foods today. This weekend isn't going as planned, but sometimes you just have to roll with it.
We have finished the dry wall taping, but before we could sand and prime, the cold virus took over. DH & I have spent most of the weekend resting and blowing our noses. Perhaps today we'll have more energy.
The boys are over their colds. DS11's been into Yu-Gi-Oh once again. Last summer he wanted to sell all of his cards, but had no takers at the yard sale. Now for some reason, he's really into playing again.
The snow's just about all melted away, and I'm amazed at how my flattened bushes have sprung back up. We have lots of rabbit raisins in the yard, and I asked DS14 if he'd like to help me sweep them up and into the garden for fertilizer. Can you believe he said no?
We saw our first cardinal at our feeder. I hope he comes back and brings his friends. We're going to try and built our own platform feeder soon. The Canadian geese are back, but thankfully, they don't stop in our yard. We've even seen a few Sandhill cranes flying overhead. I'm bummed the field they used to hang out in next to us is now developed with new homes. I wonder where the cranes will hang out now. I can hear them in the area, but I don't know where they are.
We're happy to report our basketball hoop is still standing. Every spring the ground gets so mushy, we're afraid one of these years it will fall over. March Madness has us all inspired to be out shooting hoops.
If DH is still unemployed, I'm sure March Madness will distract him. He used to want to take days off from work to watch the games. This year, he won't have to. -Now that I've said that, please let a job offer come in!!
It seems unbelievable that its been 5 months we've been in unemployment survival mode. I really didn't think it would be this long, but I hear about so many people being unemployed for a year or more. I'm grateful we'll made it this far, but it's still very stressful.
My Sleepyhouse crew is starting to get up. According to the clock, I should be making lunch not breakfast. Daylight savings always screws us up. Have a great Pi day!
We have finished the dry wall taping, but before we could sand and prime, the cold virus took over. DH & I have spent most of the weekend resting and blowing our noses. Perhaps today we'll have more energy.
The boys are over their colds. DS11's been into Yu-Gi-Oh once again. Last summer he wanted to sell all of his cards, but had no takers at the yard sale. Now for some reason, he's really into playing again.
The snow's just about all melted away, and I'm amazed at how my flattened bushes have sprung back up. We have lots of rabbit raisins in the yard, and I asked DS14 if he'd like to help me sweep them up and into the garden for fertilizer. Can you believe he said no?
We saw our first cardinal at our feeder. I hope he comes back and brings his friends. We're going to try and built our own platform feeder soon. The Canadian geese are back, but thankfully, they don't stop in our yard. We've even seen a few Sandhill cranes flying overhead. I'm bummed the field they used to hang out in next to us is now developed with new homes. I wonder where the cranes will hang out now. I can hear them in the area, but I don't know where they are.
We're happy to report our basketball hoop is still standing. Every spring the ground gets so mushy, we're afraid one of these years it will fall over. March Madness has us all inspired to be out shooting hoops.
If DH is still unemployed, I'm sure March Madness will distract him. He used to want to take days off from work to watch the games. This year, he won't have to. -Now that I've said that, please let a job offer come in!!
It seems unbelievable that its been 5 months we've been in unemployment survival mode. I really didn't think it would be this long, but I hear about so many people being unemployed for a year or more. I'm grateful we'll made it this far, but it's still very stressful.
My Sleepyhouse crew is starting to get up. According to the clock, I should be making lunch not breakfast. Daylight savings always screws us up. Have a great Pi day!
Saturday, January 23, 2010
The Great Backyard Bird Count
| Start: | Feb 12, '10 |
| End: | Feb 15, '10 |
| Location: | http://www.birdsource.org/gbbc/ |
http://www.birdsource.org/gbbc/
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Crazy time
Its turning out to be one of those weeks where everything seems out of our control. By the time our weekend get away comes, I will be so ready for a break. We are heading to my folks house in northern Minnesota, a true little house in a big wood.
Yesterday we had a huge flock of cowbirds pick our spot to hang out. They devoured the bird seed feeder and then attacked the garden. There had to be over a hundred birds. The tomato cages collapsed but I think they mostly pecked at the grasshoppers.
Our Romas still seem ok. In fact we picked our first two ripe ones this morning. I'm watching for blight which I understand is a huge problem in our area this year. We started our plants from seed, outdoors though, so I don't think they are effected. The blossom end rot doesn't seem to have effected all the of the fruit either. Of course I'm thinking the majority of our maters will turn red while we are away!
I'm thinking we're headed towards an early fall. Not only are birds beginning to flock, the Canadian Geese are practicing formations. Our neighbor's tree seems to be turning colors too!
I'm trying to run errands, getting stuff done before we head north this Friday, but I'm also trying to put in extra hours at work. When will I learn?
I'm going to slow down this afternoon and force myself to take a break, even if everything isn't done. I'm looking forward to listening to Dayna Martin's Unschooling discussion on blog talk radio.
Yesterday we had a huge flock of cowbirds pick our spot to hang out. They devoured the bird seed feeder and then attacked the garden. There had to be over a hundred birds. The tomato cages collapsed but I think they mostly pecked at the grasshoppers.
Our Romas still seem ok. In fact we picked our first two ripe ones this morning. I'm watching for blight which I understand is a huge problem in our area this year. We started our plants from seed, outdoors though, so I don't think they are effected. The blossom end rot doesn't seem to have effected all the of the fruit either. Of course I'm thinking the majority of our maters will turn red while we are away!
I'm thinking we're headed towards an early fall. Not only are birds beginning to flock, the Canadian Geese are practicing formations. Our neighbor's tree seems to be turning colors too!
I'm trying to run errands, getting stuff done before we head north this Friday, but I'm also trying to put in extra hours at work. When will I learn?
I'm going to slow down this afternoon and force myself to take a break, even if everything isn't done. I'm looking forward to listening to Dayna Martin's Unschooling discussion on blog talk radio.
Wednesday, August 05, 2009
A Lesson From a Baby Bird
The other morning, I noticed a baby sparrow at the feeder, enjoying an easy bite to eat. Soon its parent flew in to the feast and interestingly, the baby began to flutter its wings and cheep. Mom (or Dad) hopped over and began to feed this demanding child.
I watched as Mom would grab a few bites and transfer the meal over to her offspring, who before Mom arrived, was having no trouble feeding himself. While Mom had her back turned, filling up her beak, baby was again pecking at the millet. As soon as Mom was there, Baby was helpless again, chirping and fluttering those wings, "Feed me! Feed Me!"
It made me question, am I still doing things for my children that they could be doing themselves?
I've decided to delegate supper preparations. During the week, there are 3 nights I have to work away from home. Two of the those the boys will be responsible for having supper ready when Dad gets home and on one night, they can do boys' night take out.
So starting yesterday, I told DS13 he was expected to cook supper. I told him he could choose to make anything he wanted. He chose his favorite meal, crumbly meat, (browned hamburger), and mac and cheese. Dad thought the meal was excellent, and I was happy they enjoyed this meal while I was at work. It wasn't something I'd be particularity fond of.
Tonight DS10 is making burger bites with circle fries. I will help him pre-cook the mini patties before I leave for work, which he can reheat in the pan as dad arrives home. He's already practiced taking the cookie sheet out from the hot oven, so this will really come down to time management.
I see this arrangement working out very well. My menfolk can enjoy meals I would rather pass on, the boys learn life skills, DH can relax once he arrives home, and the pressure is off of me when it comes to deciding what to make for supper 3 nights a week. The trick to making this work is allowing them to choose what it is they want to eat and me accepting the "B" list nutritional value of these meals.
I watched as Mom would grab a few bites and transfer the meal over to her offspring, who before Mom arrived, was having no trouble feeding himself. While Mom had her back turned, filling up her beak, baby was again pecking at the millet. As soon as Mom was there, Baby was helpless again, chirping and fluttering those wings, "Feed me! Feed Me!"
It made me question, am I still doing things for my children that they could be doing themselves?
I've decided to delegate supper preparations. During the week, there are 3 nights I have to work away from home. Two of the those the boys will be responsible for having supper ready when Dad gets home and on one night, they can do boys' night take out.
So starting yesterday, I told DS13 he was expected to cook supper. I told him he could choose to make anything he wanted. He chose his favorite meal, crumbly meat, (browned hamburger), and mac and cheese. Dad thought the meal was excellent, and I was happy they enjoyed this meal while I was at work. It wasn't something I'd be particularity fond of.
Tonight DS10 is making burger bites with circle fries. I will help him pre-cook the mini patties before I leave for work, which he can reheat in the pan as dad arrives home. He's already practiced taking the cookie sheet out from the hot oven, so this will really come down to time management.
I see this arrangement working out very well. My menfolk can enjoy meals I would rather pass on, the boys learn life skills, DH can relax once he arrives home, and the pressure is off of me when it comes to deciding what to make for supper 3 nights a week. The trick to making this work is allowing them to choose what it is they want to eat and me accepting the "B" list nutritional value of these meals.
Sunday, May 10, 2009
Pheucticus Ludovicianus (Rose Breasted Grosbeak)
| Start: | May 10, '09 11:00a |
| Location: | Sleepyhouse bird feeder |
Friday, May 09, 2008
Who needs expensive bird toys?
DS12 wanted to share his bird toy invention with you. He used recycled materials. Use a paper towel or toilet paper roll. Take care to be sure it doesn't contain any glue on it. Some brands of paper towel use adhesives.
With a hole puncher, punch 4 holes into the end of the tube.
Using twisty ties, attach to the side of the cage.
Our birds, Gust and Tornado, enjoy picking at the tube with their beaks and using the tube as a perch. Gust, (yellow wings), will even crawl inside of it.
Friday, January 18, 2008
Fluffing my nest
I took this photo of Houdini through the bars of the cage. I used my zoom and I was surprised it worked. He doesn't really stay still on command.I was domestic goddess today. I scrubbed bathrooms, scaled the laundry mountain, restocked the nest with groceries, vacuumed, cleaned the kitchen and baked cookies. I also cleaned up Houdini and Tornado's nest too. I've been motivated by watching "How Clean Is Your House." I'm scared to death those ladies will jump across the pond and ring my doorbell!
The Posse Rats weren't so bad today. Maybe I was too busy to notice. I did hear they broke the Popsicle limit.
Work went much better last night and it helped to know my manager was having the same feelings I was. Sometimes that's all it takes. To know you're not the only one who's getting dumped on by the general public. Plus, I now have 4 days away, 2 nights on, and then 5 days away!
As long as the heat stays on, I'll be able to handle the arctic blast. I've got plenty of creature comforts and indoor activities to keep me busy. I hope everyone can stay warm and cozy this weekend.
I gotta run. DH just pulled up and Family Fun Night can now begin! Yeah!
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