Tuesday, December 27, 2011

Word of the day

My horoscope said this today: “Sometimes, the blame game is pointless. It doesn't always help bring about detente.”

Détente? What the heck is détente? So I look it up, I’m ok with definition one, but what’s up with two? Why would you define a word using the word you already don’t know what it means?? I just don’t get it.

dé·tente
noun \dā-ˈtänt\
Definition of DÉTENTE
1: the relaxation of strained relations or tensions (as between nations); also: a policy promoting this
2: a period of détente

My co-workers response:

Fooled me altogether. I thought it was some french guy, camping, trying to get out of the rain.
"It is pouring....put up de-tente."

Monday, December 26, 2011

A Bird Story

Ian, who loves all animals has wanted a bird for sometime, I don't know that I really have anything against birds, but I really am more of a cat person.  The co-op we live in has a three pet rule and we had three cats so I was able to use that as a valid reason not to get a bird... then one of our cats got really sick and we had to let him go to cat heaven. That opened up room for the much desired bird. I kept saying we have cats, you can't have cats & birds together, we know nothing about birds, they cost too much, you get the picture.  Enter strike  number one: a neighbor of my mom and dad (up-north) knew someone who would give us a bird for free!  Ok, Ok, but you still can't have birds and cats together... or can you?  I told Ian he needed to find me someone reliable that has had both and it worked-not one of his school friends someone I could believe-he found Sister Berger from church, strike two.  Sister Berger went so far as to send me an email telling me it would be fine and I should let him get a bird. Alright, I give up! We can get a bird-one bird-we'll bring it home with us after our "up-north" vacation.  But the story doesn't end there, Ian goes up-north a few weeks before to spend some one on one time with grandma & grandpa and I tell him to see if he can get some more information on the bird we are going to get so I can do some research and be prepared to have what we need and the proper care.                                                          
Ready? Strike three, the "bird lady" no longer has the one bird to give us so Ian decides on two doves and he's bringing them home with him! My anxiety is so high I can't sleep at night, and then, yes it gets better, Ian sends me a text that says he's worried one of the birds seems to have a hurt toe, I have no idea what to do so I suggest he call the bird lady and see what she knows, no help found there. (On a side note did you know that you can't take a bird to just any vet it has to be an avian vet?)  I got the name of an avian vet from Pruess Pets (they were life savers the first couple of weeks) and called to make an appointment for a bird I hadn't even seen yet, they too were wonderful, I'm sure I sounded like a crazy women telling them my story. So, birds coming home, appointment at the vet, how do you get the bird there?  I have a cat carrier that should work right? Nope the bird can get caught in the mesh and hurt itself, back to Pruess's for a bird carrier.

To back track a little we also didn't know if the birds were boys or girls (there is no easy way to tell on birds) and female birds will lay eggs without a male they just won't be fertile and if we have a boy and a girl there is no way to stop them from laying eggs-which would mean baby birds, this knowledge resulted in more sleepless nights for me.

Ok back on track, the birds come home and off we go with one to the vet. At the vet we find that somehow his toe has either been bitten or pinched and he will lose it, because he is a pet and not in the wild it shouldn't cause a problem... unless it gets infected. The bird gets a shot, some ointment for his toe and a liquid antibiotic that has to be given to him twice a day for 10 days. OMG how do you give a bird an antibiotic? Do I care? It's Ian's bird he can do it, but wait! He's going to scout camp in two days so mom gets to do it! Two things that worked in my favor; the bird didn't feel well so it didn't fight me a much as it could have and I learned that birds don't have a gage reflex so once you get the medicine in it's not coming back up. This bird and I became friends-well maybe not friends exactly-whether we liked it or not and I managed to get the medicine down his throat twice a day all the while saying to myself "please don't break it's neck" which was my biggest fear. This same bird (the gray one above now named Echo) had to make another trip to the vet a couple weeks later because of extreme molting that the vet couldn't explain but he did compliment me on how well the toe looked. And then last but not least I needed to figure out what to do with them when we went on vacation (remember they weren't suppose to be coming home until AFTER vacation.) With cats you can just have someone come in every other day or so to make sure they have fresh food and water, with birds you really should have someone come in twice a day. My brother came to the rescue, he was able to recommend someone that he has used in the past and was willing to come himself in the evening so I only had to pay for one visit.

So in conclusion, Echo, Coco and I have survived, they now have a new larger cage that they seem happy with.We have been able to change their food from seed to pellets (something the vet recommend for their health) and I even kind of like them. Oh! and we haven't had any eggs so we must have two males. Echo seems to be the dominate one but all and all they get along pretty good or this story might be longer yet.  If Ian ever says I'm not a good mom I will quickly remind him of what I went through for his birds. 8~)

Thursday, September 15, 2011

Notes from the Edge of Life.......


Dear Noah,
We could have sworn you said the ark wasn't leaving till 5.
Sincerely,
Unicorns 
 

Dear Icebergs,
Sorry to hear about the global warming. Karma's a bitch.
Sincerely,
The Titanic

Dear America ,
You produced Miley Cyrus. Bieber is your punishment.
Sincerely,
Canada


Dear Yahoo,
I've never heard anyone say, "I don't know, let's Yahoo! it..."
just saying...
Sincerely,
Google


Dear 2010,
So I hear the best rapper is white and the president is black? WT....... happened?!
Sincerely,
1985

Dear girls who have been dumped,
There are plenty of fish in the sea... Just kidding! They're all dead.
Sincerely,
BP

Dear Saturn,
I liked it, so I put a ring on it.
Sincerely,
God

Dear jf;ldsfa/kvsmmklnn,
Please lknvfdmv.xvn.
Sincerely,
Stevie Wonder

Dear Skin-Colored Band Aids,
Please make one for every skin color.
Sincerely,
Black people


Dear Scissors,
I feel your pain.....no one wants to run with me either.
Sincerely,
Sarah Palin


Dear Osama Bin Laden,
Marco....
Sincerely,
United States

Dear World of Warcraft,
Thank you for ensuring my son's virginity.
Sincerely,
Parents Everywhere

Dear Batman,
What was your power again?
Sincerely,
Superman

Dear Customers,
Yes, we ARE making fun of you in Vietnamese.
Sincerely,
Nail Salon Ladies

Dear Ugly People,
You're welcome.
Sincerely,
Alcohol

Dear World,
Please stop freaking out about 2012. Our calendars end there because some Spanish d-bags invaded our country and we got a little busy ok?
Sincerely,
The Mayans


Dear White People,
Don't you just hate immigrants?
Sincerely,
Native Americans


Dear iPhone,
Please stop spell checking all of my rude words into nice words. You piece of shut.
Sincerely,
Every iPhone User


Dear Trash,
At least you get picked up...
Sincerely,
The Girls of Jersey Shore


Dear Man,
It's cute, but can you pick up peanuts with it?
Sincerely,
Elephant

Saturday, September 10, 2011

Where were you on 9/11/2001?

I was in my car trying to find a house a friend had for sale when I heard about the first plane on the radio. I pulled over into a parking lot to listen and had this overwhelming feeling of dread; I turned around and went home.

Monday, September 5, 2011

How they grow

Kirtland Conference 2010

Last fall I had the opportunity to attend a singles conference in Kirtland Ohio, it was an amazing spiritual experience. I totally enjoyed the visitors center, the different sights and the wonderful fireside in the chaple with speaker Karl Rick Anderson, author of "Joseph Smith's Kirtand."
                                                                                  
But by far the most amazing thing was the fireside held in the Temple, as we sang "The Spirit of God" it felt like the spirits of all the saints that had gone before were in the room singing as well. It gives me chills just thinking about it now.

The hymn was sung for the dedication of the Kirtland Temple, 27 March 1836

The Spirit of God like a fire is burning;
The latter day glory begins to come forth
;
The visions and blessings of old are returning;
The angels are coming to visit the earth.

We'll sing and we'll shout with the armies of heaven:
Hosanna, hosanna to God and the Lamb!
Let glory to them in the highest be given,
Henceforth  and forever:amen and amen!


W.W Phelps 







Stupid stuff

1. A day without sunshine is like night.
2. On the other hand, you have different fingers.
3. 42.7 percent of all statistics are made up on the spot.
4. 99 percent of lawyers give the rest a bad name.
5. Remember, half the people you know are below average.
6. He who laughs last; thinks slowest.
7. Depression is merely anger without enthusiasm.
8. The early bird may get the worm, but the second mouse gets the cheese in the trap.
9. Support bacteria. They're the only culture most people have.
10. A clear conscience is usually the sign of a bad memory.
11. Change is inevitable, except from vending machines.
12. If you think nobody cares, try missing a couple of payments.
13. How many of you believe in psycho-kinesis? Raise my hand.
14. OK, so what's the speed of dark?
15. When everything is coming your way, you're in the wrong lane.
16. Hard work pays off in the future. Laziness pays off now.
17. How much deeper would the ocean be without sponges?
18. Eagles may soar, but weasels don't get sucked into jet engines.
19. What happens if you get scared half to death, twice?
20. Why do psychics have to ask you your name?
21. Inside every older person is a younger person wondering, 'What the heck happened?'
22. Just remember -- if the world didn't suck, we would all fall off.
23. Light travels faster than sound. That's why some people appear bright until you hear them speak.
24. Life isn't like a box of chocolates. It's more like a jar of jalapenos. What you do today, might burn your butt tomorrow.

Sleeping Bear Dunes 2010



We went to Sleeping Bear Dunes before is was named "The Most Beautiful Place in America."  Ian, Sean and Araysa walked all the way to Lake Michigan and back, pretty impressive!  One day I hope to go back and enjoy a sunset.

Summer 2010


Each year the boys and I spend some time in Kalkaska with my mom & dad, just down the road from their trailer is Rugg Pond Dam, it's a peaceful place to sit and read or just enjoy the sounds of nature. You can also fish there if that works for you. The Rapid River mentioned here runs through my parents property.


Its been a long time

I once thought that keeping a blog was so cool and then I signed up for facebook, its sooo much easier! But as I paid a visit to my own blog and read some of what I had posted I realized it contained some memories I seem to have forgotten. So I'm back we'll see for how long :)

Wednesday, June 9, 2010

Kitty Litter

So this morning when I was cleaning the litter boxes I wondered "who invented kitty litter?" What would make someone even think about such a product and did people have indoor cats before kitty litter? If they did have indoor cats what did they use? This is what I found via the Internet:

Edward Lowe was born July 10, 1920 in St. Paul, Minnesota. Lowe served in the U.S. Navy from 1941 to 1945. After the Navy, Lowe worked for his father selling industrial absorbents, including products such as sawdust and an absorbent clay called Fuller's Earth. Edward Lowe's neighbor Kay Draper asked for a replacement for the ashes she was using in her cat box. (George Plitt first packaging ashes from burned wood for cats to use.) Her cat was trailing ashy paw prints all over her home and she was hoping for a cleaner alternative. Ed Lowe suggested that she use absorbent clay, she did and loved it.

In 1947, Edward Lowe decided to package the clay in 5lb bags marked "kitty litter" to sell in a local pet store. The store owner did not think the product would sell for the asking price of sixty-five cents, sand for cat boxes was very cheap. Ed Lowe convinced the store owner to display his product and give it away. Soon, the customers were willing to pay for more kitty litter.


Thank you Edward Lowe!

Heavenly Father

This past Sunday was fast testimony meeting, a time when members of the congregation will get up and bear their testimony. A Sister was telling how her dog had this problem with eating things he shouldn't and now had a major blockage. They could pay a large some of money for a surgery or play the waiting game and hope for the best. The chance of the blockage taking care of itself wasn't likely so the family was trying to prepare for a loss. She decided to pray and fast-something she really didn't have a testimony of-she prayed to be able to handle the situation. When she arrived home from church she found the dog had managed pass the blockage on his own, something the vet said he had never seen happen before. What amazes me about this story is how our Heavenly Father teaches us lessons in unconventional ways. He knows that all of his children have different lessons to learn and need to be taught in different ways; what works for one person does not necessarily work for another. It is proof to me once again that he knows each of us individually and will give us what we need, when we need it, and how we need it.

Saturday, April 10, 2010

Today

So today I went shopping-for clothes-the worst type of torture I can imagine. Nothing ever fits, EVERYTHING is too long. My feet are so small and fat I can’t just buy shoes like a normal person…Grrrrrr! However on my travels from one torture chamber to another I noticed how green the grass was, the new leaves on the trees, the temporary ponds with ducks and geese… I love spring, more daylight, warmer weather, and the bright promise of things to come.