Pigeon Love?

Yesterday I was so excited to have a decent steak and baked potato for dinner. I went out to start my grill and I saw the back end of a bird under there. It scared the crap right out of me. We have had several dead birds in our yard this past year and I was so upset that I was going to have to deal with the third one since James left last month. Much to my surprise this pigeon was alive! Alive I say! I was filled with relief and dread at the same time. I was relieved because this one was sucking air, dread because I knew I had to do something because there is no way this little guy was going to survive a night on the ground. My solution was putting him in a box and setting it where mommy and daddy could get in to take care of him. Not a great solution, by any means, but the best I could think of under such stress.

I say stressed because I dislike birds...really, I am afraid of birds. Yeah, I said it. I. Am. Afraid. Of. Birds. Long story about a silly traumatic event back when I was a child. I have a hard time going into aviaries at zoos. Birds that can't fly are ok...penguins, ostriches, emus but not chickens. I am afraid of chickens too. Even though they don't fly I still don't like 'em.

I worried about that baby pigeon all night! Every time I rolled over to look at the clock I hoped the bird was ok. The first thing I did when I woke up this morning was check on the baby and was so happy to see he was ok and a few minutes later his momma (maybe it was daddy) swooped down to feed it. I knew I couldn't leave him so low on the ground for another night so I thought about it for a bit and decided to use one of my hanging flower pots. It is deep enough the bird shouldn't fall out again and I can hang it about 5 feet off the ground. Then I had to slide the little bird from the box he was hiding in into the basket. Not easy. And I was afraid I was going to lose an eye from an upset momma pigeon.

I am happy to report I put that baby into the basket and hung it up. I tied a piece of rope around the pole and around part of the basket to help cut down on the sway because it is fairly breezy today. I think the baby is pretty happy too! He hasn't stopped chirping since his momma (maybe daddy) found him and is now chilling with him in his new make shift home. I guess we won't be using the patio door for the next couple of weeks until this baby flies the coup (or basket ).

*On a side note I took the pictures through my window so they are not super clear but I felt safer behind the glass!

Bittersweet!

I am feeling a little sad this morning. I was searching for pictures of Lolo from last year and I had a mommy moment. A moment (actually the past hour) filled with emotion because I am amazed at how much my little girls have changed in the past year. I am so glad that I have so many pictures that capture a moment in time. I am also grateful for being able to put those pictures into a scrapbook where I can include my feelings and that my daughters love looking at their albums now. I hope they will still love them in 30 years because they are the reason I do this.

The tutus we ordered from Paisley and Posies (http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=6037124) arrived yesterday and they are "tutu" cute! Aubrey and Lorelei had them on all day yesterday and loved spinning around. The flower headband is adorable and it really finishes off the look. Aubrey has taken to posing for pictures! She struck that pose all on her own while Lolo just wants to see herself in the pictures and won't sit still.

I am going to finish off with some lyrics from "Don't Blink" by Kenny Chesney..."Don't blink/Life goes by faster than you think/So I've been trying to slow it down/I've been trying to take it in/In this 'here today, gone tomorrow' world we've been living in."

Minus Four

No I am not talking about the temperature. It has been 4 weeks since James left. 4 very long weeks. We have just over 5 more months until he comes home.

I have been trying to get the girls onto a real bedtime schedule. Aubrey has no interest in potty training but I will give it another try this week. I bought some pretty neat things to bribe her so I hope it works. Lolo is really picking up on words and I am surprised at how many she has added to her vocabulary since James left. Sweet Lolo has taken it upon herself to make sure Aubrey gets a drink before she will get her own. Lolo insists on carrying Aubrey's cup and hands it over to her sister before she grabs hers. It is sweet and Lolo is so proud of herself. She grins, I clap and Aubrey is happy to get a drink. We all win!

We have our good days and bad days. Today is just a bad day. The girls are fussy. It is hot. And I am worn out and emotional. It is hard being the only parent. We manage to get along most days but I think we are all emotional today. I am going to finish the day off with a glass or two of wine and a few episodes of Friends. And hope that tomorrow is a better day.

Love Card

I made this card for James last week and wanted to make sure he received it before I posted it on here. I am pleased with the finished product. When I head down into my scrapping room I never really know how my project will turn out. Sometimes I have an idea and can pull out a few things and get to it and other times I have to spend time digging through papers and embellishments before I get an idea. Regardless of how an idea comes to me I love the crafting part of things. It is so gratifying to see it all come together. Paper crafting has become my little break from the everyday chores and I am so happy that I have a wonderful creative outlet.

Product list - Pink houndstooth paper - Prima; Mine Bingo card - Jenni Bowlin; Heart and Wing rubons - Little Yellow Bicycle; Black ink - Stampin' Up; Ribbon and Brads are from my stash and I don't remember who made them.

Another Food Post

I made Oreo Truffles for a BBQ the girls and I went to on Sunday. I got the recipe from here -htt://www.beckyhiggins.com/recipes/2008_10_01_archive.html. This is not the first time I have made this and it certainly won't be the last. They are yummy and quick and super sweet. They also need to be served cold because they get mushy when they are room temperature.

The girls had fun even though I forgot to bring some toys for them. I was in such a hurry because I didn't want to be late and I ended up being first. I have learned that no one shows up on time anymore. I did feel bad because Aubrey kept watching the neighbors through the fence. She is a nosey little girl! I am sure they were wondering what was wrong with her. Lolo was an angel as always. She is such a good girl when we are out. Everyone says she seems easy going but I must tell them that it is just an act...when we are at home she is not so easy going.

Some Good Stuff Here!

I made stuffed french toast today for dinner and it was so good. I stuffed it with apple pie filling and frozen raspberries that were thawed out and squished it between 2 slices of cinnamon raisin bread! Aubrey enjoyed it and ate all that I gave her. Lolo was mad that she had to sit in her high chair and only ate the banana I gave her. She didn't touch the french toast. These girls and their diva attitudes are something else!

New Layout

I was able to spend some time in my craft room this morning and get a layout done...2 in 1 week and I am happy! I hope to get back down there again later today or early tomorrow. The girls take it in small doses, as in I have the length of Cinderella to finish a project before they go crazy. I don't mind the small window of time because it forces me to work faster and that isn't always a bad thing.

I love this picture so much that I wanted to get it scrapped and I even used some colors combinations that I normally wouldn't. I am pretty pleased with this and it came together easily.

It Has Been A Long Week

The past week has just not been my friend. I haven't been feeling too great (which I blame partly on staying up all night reading) and the girls have been little hellions. In the middle of the afternoon I can barely keep my eyes open and since Aubrey does not take naps I don't either. I sure could use one though. I imagine even if Aubrey did take it nap it wouldn't be at the same time as Lolo's nap.

I was lucky to get some great photos of the girls this week. I converted this one of Aubrey to black and white because our bathroom is an ugly green color and I didn't want it in the picture. I can't wait to get back to the states and get settled down...I want to be able to decide what colors are in my house. Back to the photo - I love it! It has become my new favorite of Aubrey!

Lolo has learned from watching Aubrey that as soon as I take a picture she can see it in the back of the camera so she just won't sit still for a photo. Thank goodness our camera can take qucik shots back to back. On a funny note, Lolo discovered her belly button this week. I have been smiling all week because if she is quite for a long time I will usually find her sitting on the couch with her shirt pulled up and playing with her belly button. She is fascinated with it right now and Aubrey has never paid attention to hers.

We have no plans for the upcoming week, things have slowed down for us since James has left. I don't mind, honestly, because it gives me a break. No diaper bag to pack, no worries about the girls misbehaving in public and I don't have to feel overwhelmed with strollers.