Simple Saturday

IMG_2517, originally uploaded by torri_g.

Since I'm running behind here already this morning, I'm just going to keep it simple. Oh wait...I've been keeping it pretty simple all week long, so nothing new with that is there. Since I got out yesterday to a new area there will be pictures this week from there, and today we are heading out for the day to yet another new place. So this last picture from Tumacacori, and if you want to view more pictures of this and Tubac you can click on the picture and it should take you to my flickr photo stream.

I hope that everyone has a great Saturday, and if you can get out and enjoy a beautiful day.

Feline Stand Off

IMG_2826, originally uploaded by torri_g.

First let me say that this is not the best picture that I shot last night of the cats, but it is the one that pretty much sums up just what Miss Angels feelings are about Gypsy. Their first meeting took place earlier in the week with Gypsy Rose wrapped up in a towel and Mom carrying her around the house. Angels very first thought about the new cat...hiss and run! As I told you in last weeks entry's, Gypsy has had one heck of a hard life up to this point in time, and we are trying to let her show us when she is ready for the next steps. Gypsy was not fazed by Angel's reaction to her at all. She just laid in my arms looking at Angel. Gypsy had a bath to try to remove the horrible smell of the lyme dip that she had recieved. Think smell of burnt hair and multiply it by a factor of 10 and you will have a ruff idea of what poor Gypsy smelled like.

Last night was the best night of the meetings between the two felines. Angel only hissed once, and was willing to get closer to Gypsy to check her out. We have realized that Gypsy needs to have a safe zone to be tucked into. Her biggest safe zone is Binky Sue's bedroom. The corner of the couch is her safe zone while out right now. Last night we saw less trembling in fear from her, and a willingness to let Angel put a paw up near her to touch her. Gypsy isn't making any kind of moves and I think in time Angel will accept her, even if it is only from a distance.

Inside the mission church

IMG_2485, originally uploaded by torri_g.

Tumacacori

Tumacacori NHP, originally uploaded by torri_g.

I was going to try and go into more detail about the mission church, but for the life of me this morning I can not remember why I picked the pictures that I have numbers written for or what I was going to type about. So I'm just going with a picture that I really like instead. Took me a couple of shots to get to a point where I was just right aiming the camera without the glare of the sun washing out the entire building. This is the only picture from this angle that doesn't have any lens flare spots. I'm also happy that shooting up and towards the sun didn't darken the overall photo. I have several files of photo's were shooting at this angle has darkened them so much that you would think I was shooting at dusk or during a huge dark rain storm.

I hope that everyone is having a good week, and I'll see if I can put together a better entry for tomorrow.

Visiting the mission

Tumacacori NHP, originally uploaded by torri_g.

This is more from our trip last week. After stopping for lunch at a Mexican restaurant that had giant chicken statues out front.(Honestly, that is how you find this place, the huge chicken statues! Which reminds me I have to post some strange decor photo's from that place.) Anyway, we got back on the road and headed to Tumacacori National Historic Park. Now I could type in a lot of information about it here, but instead I'm going to give you one link and if you want to know more about it you can type in for a search. Tumacacori NHP

Churches and missions are one of my favorite things to photograph, and I don't think that there is really any angle that I didn't shot a picture of while out at Tumacacori. So that means for the next couple of days I'll be posting pictures from there. There are lots of pictures with great arched doorways, windows, and ceilings.

I hope that everyone has a good Tuesday, and if you can get out and enjoy some time outside.

Easy Monday Morning

IMG_2366, originally uploaded by torri_g.

One more picture from the town on Tubac before I move on to pictures that are going to make me think. Yes I'm still in take it easy and don't work my brain to much mode right now. I'm knocking on wood but happy to say that my coughing fits are finally getting less and less painful and further and further apart. Of course I think sleeping so many hours this weekend may have done me some real good. I'm sure that other than feeling like I have slept the last 48 hours away, sleeping 12 straight hours from Saturday night to Sunday was probably the best thing that I could have done.

I think this is a very light week for things going on here. At least I haven't been told about anything super busy by any of the members of my family. So maybe I can play some catch up around the house, and who knows...maybe by mid week this cold will just be a memory. I hope that everyone has a beautiful Monday, and that this is a week of simple days.

Sibling Sunday...In control of the camera

IMG_2657, originally uploaded by torri_g.

Sweetpea back in control of the camera for today. Her favorite subject for her time with the camera...Angel kitty of course. Angel in the last couple of weeks has spent a lot more time getting attention from everyone in the house. She has wanted to snuggle more than she really ever has, and that is just fine with Sweetpea.

It has been a busy week here and I can't say that I'm sad to see it done with. All three girls have new glasses as of this week. Binky Sue joined the ranks of needing to wear her glasses all the time. She is currently wearing a trial pair of contacts and we have her follow up appointment on March 2nd. Little Bug is busy with her high school registration already as the third quarter quickly draws to an end here. She is also busy with preparing for her choir concert.

I know this is a little scattered for reading but I'm still fighting off on heck of a cold here, and honestly I'm just beyond tired. I hope that everyone has had a good weekend and that there is a good week just waiting for all of us.

Simple Saturday

IMG_2344, originally uploaded by torri_g.

Let's just look at some pretty flower's today, because I'm not sure how long I have before my next painful coughing fit because of this cold I'm still trying to fight off.
If you can get out and enjoy the beautiful weekend. If you live in one of the many area's getting snow and cold yet again, stay warm and safe.

Healing each others hearts Part 2

Healing each other's hearts, originally uploaded by torri_g.

Now for the introduction and the story so far of one little kitty. On Tuesday of this week Binky Sue and I returned to the shelter because...well because Binky Sue wanted to see if little shy cats reaction to her would be the same and if her own feelings about her were the same. We got to the shelter and found the cat area closed due to being disinfected because one of the new cats cleared to be in with the rest of them actually had ring worm. Binky Sue hearing about all the cats needing to be lyme dipped made the choice right on the spot that she wanted to bring little shy cat home that day! If you have never smelled about 40 cats after being treated for ring worm, be happy because the smell is one that will take your breath away. We quickly got the rest of our paper work done, and then the hunt for just where was little shy kitty began. Rows and rows of small kennels with cats meowing to be let out had to be passed and in the very back on a bottom row little miss shy was found hiding, loaded into the kennel that we brought with us and her trip home was made.

Miss Gypsy Rose became a part of our family on Tuesday February 17, 2009. Gypsy wasn't her original name, but after hearing that in her very short life she had been returned to the shelter three times because she was "to shy of a cat, that hid to much" the name was suggested by my Mom. For Gypsy's age all we really know is that she is at least one years old, maybe just a little past that. In the first six hours of having Miss Gypsy in the house, I realized that there were things that either no one at the shelter had noticed or didn't tell me about. Binky Sue and I set about trying to brush out her severely matted fur that first night, and I realized that her tail had been broken in three different spots. While working on her side I realized there was just an oh so slight little bump area on one of her ribs. Wednesday at the vet's exam my thoughts were confirmed that little Miss Gypsy had at some point in time suffered a broken rib that had been left to heal on it's own. Her visit to the vet on Wednesday turned into a angry night mare for me for several other reasons though. I will not name the vet's office that she had to be taken to, because I think it is enough to say that I can't stand this office and avoid taking any animal to it. However, the rules for the shelter is that all adopted animals have to make one last visit to them after their adoption. It is a drop off and leave thing, and you hear the words "We will get to her when we have time". By noon they had "gotten around" to her and I was called to come get her. I got the news about the prior broken rib and the confirmation about the tail and it's three prior breaks. I got the news that she was in good health, and then I got the news that the kitty who had just been vaccinated in this office in December 2008, was given every shot except for her rabies yet again! There was already real reason why I don't like that place and after Wednesday there are even more. I made a call to the shelter telling them about the broken rib and the three breaks in the tail, because I felt someone should know. There were several other phone calls made and received as people wanted to say they were sorry for things done to this poor little girl. There was one phone call received asking if I wanted to transport her yet again to be examined by someone else, which triggered a final explosion from me. I believe the words were this little cat has suffered enough at the hands of humans, and that it was time for Miss Gypsy to have the chance to start having a good loving life. Everyone finally agreed that it probably would be best for just that to happen.

Gypsy has been told it is time for her to be the cat that she wants to be. That if hiding is what she wants to do, then feel free to hide as much and as long as she wants. If she wants to join the rank of the spoiled princesses that live in this house, then that is fine too. She has been told that she can be as demanding, as loud, as playful, as anything she wants. She has also been told that there will be no more hurtful hands touching her. That all she will feel when humans touch her from her on out is love. Gypsy has also been told that if the only one she ever loves is Binky Sue that is fine with the rest of us. We know that in time probably much like Eclipse, she will learn to at least tolerate the rest of us and our presence here. Gypsy is right now confined to just Binky Sue's bedroom. We are going to be taking it very slow with this shy little girl and introducing her to the rest of the house. While in the protection of Binky Sue's arms she has met every human in this house and has made it very clear that right now Binky Sue is the only one she is willing to trust. I don't know just what it is about my Binky Sue that draws people and animals like Gypsy to her, but I'm glad that they seem to know that they are safe with her. The sad angry eyes of of this kitty are already changing some. The sad tear filled eyes of Binky Sue are doing the same. They are healing each others hearts a little with each day that passes.

Healing each other's hearts Part 1

IMG_2560, originally uploaded by torri_g.

In the days following Eclipses death, I found myself just wanting to help my Binky Sue deal with it things in whatever way she felt she needed to. It was pointed out to her that grieving has no rules, and it is for each individual to find their own best way healing. On Tuesday of last week when she got home from school, and another day filled with tears, she wanted to take all things that reminded her of her Eclipse to donate at the tiny little shelter in Huachuca City where we got Miss Trinity from. I didn't argue with her, I just grabbed my purse and said let's go then. The ride was silent except for yet more tears falling from my baby girl. When we got to the shelter she cried even more tears and at that point I really didn't think that it was possible for that. Working that day at the shelter was a very kind man though. He looked at Binky Sue and asked her about her cat that she was crying for, and told her about his own cat that had not all that long ago passed away also. He told her about blaming himself for not seeing sooner that something was wrong, for wondering if he had done enough, for wondering if he had been a good enough of an owner. Then he told her they are the thoughts that go through every owners mind that truly loves these little fur babies that we bring into our lives. He pointed out to her that shelters were filled with the little ones that didn't know an owners love. He invited her to spend some time with the few cats that were out there, and told her that for him spending time seeing with them after losing his own cat had helped to heal his heart. We spent some time there watching, playing with the cats and then Binky Sue looked at me and said she needed to leave. I thanked him for his words, and his help and we got in the car to head home. On the way home Binky Sue told me about looking at cats in the shelters the night before while crying and trying find some comfort any where. She asked if we could head down to the Sierra Vista shelter because there was someone there that she wanted to see.

At this point in time let's fast forward to Wednesday of last week and the trip to the Sierra Vista shelter. We walked in and got instructions about what to do in the cat area of the shelter, and without any asking Binky Sue walked right to the kennel of a little cat that to say was shy would not come anywhere close to describing this cat. The lady from the shelter that helped us pointed out that she didn't seem to want human attention and always just hide or would shy away from human touch. Binky Sue stepped up the the kennel and an amazing thing happened...the cat came right out into her arms. Even more amazing to the lady was that in the play room the cat didn't run to hide, she stayed right with Binky Sue wanting to be petted, held and loved. Binky Sue sat there with her for about 30 minutes, of course more tears and suddenly I could see the debate going on in her mind. She looked at me and asked me if it would be wrong to want to give this little one a home and love so soon after losing her Eclipse. I told her it was going to have to be her call, and that no matter what the choice I would support her. Binky Sue asked that I see what we would need to do to be able to adopt this little shy girl, but to ask if she could delay just a little bit. At that point in time the conversation began with the lady that was helping us. She was convinced that the cat was meant to be with us in our home. She had never seen the cat react to anyone like she did with my little girl. I filled out the paper work and started asking question about why this little one was there. What all we needed to do if Binky Sue made the final choice to bring her home, and other basic things. We left without her that day because there was one thing that I needed to get done, and Binky Sue wanted more time.

Now I'm going to let you know that this is going to be a two part posting, even though on the blog the second one will be on top.

Dinner Anyone?

IMG_2607, originally uploaded by torri_g.

Taking a few minutes to sit since my cold is still just so kicking my behind here, and thought I would share some pictures of buy's from the farmer's market today. All I have to do now is find some good bread to go with dinner, and I'm thinking it will be a perfect dinner. On the menu...egg plant, acorn squash, fresh cut lettuce and spinach salad, spinach basil garlic pasta with some olive oil and fresh grated romono cheese and chicken breasts. See like I said a good loaf of fresh bread and this meal is complete. Oh and for drinks, fresh squeezed apple cider served ice cold. I for one can not wait for dinner tonight.

If you can't guess, Army Guy and I complete enjoyed going out to the farmer's market today. There is a pile of some other things that we picked up and right now my kitchen has a fresh produce smell going on in there that I'm just loving. Now enough of a break and time for me to try to get back to work on some stuff around here.

Soaking up some sun

IMG_2364, originally uploaded by torri_g.

No these are not in the sculpture garden. The town of Tubac is filled with shops and galleries, and these huge sunflowers are out in front of the Iron Works shop along with lots of other beautiful things. Glider swings made from iron with inlaid tile seats...oh and Grandpa Napoleon better watch out because Grandma Josephine really liked a couple of those. Only problem would be just how to get them back home without the truck collapsing under the weight. The craftsmanship on this stuff was just incredible. Some of the prices were just as incredible. But once again wandering around looking and seeing so much talent and so many artistic mediums has Sweetpea is awe.

Today is going to be yet another busy day for me here in Arizona. I asked Army Guy out on a date today, and we are heading over to the farmer's market and then hopefully if there is still time before he has to be back to work, out to lunch. This afternoon is the ever dreaded yearly eye exams for the girls, and the possibility that we will be paying the monthly rent for the shop that we are going to. Just one year I would like to hear the words from Dr. D that none of their prescriptions have changed. However, since that hasn't happened in the last 5 years, I'm not about to go holding my breath. So I'm sure by tonight there will be yet again 3 new sets of glasses in this house. The rest of my free time today isn't so free since I have some house cleaning things that I need to get done, and keeping a watchful eye on someone new in the house. But I will share more about that tomorrow possibly. I hope that everyone has a good day, and if it is possible get out and soak up some of the suns warm rays.

In the sculpture garden again

IMG_2390, originally uploaded by torri_g.

Circle of Peace 5 by Gary Lee Price

Just one more visit to the sculpture garden before moving on with other pictures. You can go to the link in yesterdays post to find the artist and his story for his inspiration for this piece. I didn't think to get a picture while standing closer up to the piece and looking down at the ground till after we had left the garden. The reason I should have was in the sandy dirt where this one was placed, there were what looked like scuff marks from their shoes giving it a feeling of real motion. As if they just stopped waiting for you to take their hands and join in the fun with them. Of course looking at the pictures I do have of this one has given me other idea's on how to go about shooting pictures of it next trip out.

I hope that everyone is having a good week, and see you back here tomorrow with a different area of Tubac.

In the sculpture garden

Ascent by Gary Lee Price, originally uploaded by torri_g.

"Grab hold, And take this hand that Reaches out to you. Look up Into my eyes; My spirit Cries out to you: Friendship is my thought. Let us climb The jagged cliffs of life And fight the ascent of Opposition together. If I can lift you today, You will look back And grab the hands of a thousand more. That is the way The Great Spirit would have it" ~~Howard Rainer

The picture is of one of the many sculptures in the garden at the Karin Newby Gallery in Tubac. The artists name is Gary Lee Price, and several pieces of his work are in the gallery garden and after the fact I have realized that I was drawn to take pictures of just about all of his pieces of work. I will be posting more picture them this week and just so everyone knows...the Monet Bench picture that I posted yesterday with Sweetpea sitting on the bench is by the same artist. This one is one of my favorites though. As we entered the sculpture garden the back of this was facing us. As I was walking towards it looking at it I was trying to figure out just what it was. From the back it looks an arrow head. I think all of us were very surprised and taken with this piece as we walked around to the front of it and saw it. I know Sweetpea was going on about all of the detail and how beautiful it was. Reading the artists description of the piece over here this morning...has me enjoying this piece even more. Now I'm not sure that the link will take you directly to his work, but I have given you his name and you can find it on the list of artists, view more and read more about each piece. The quote above is included in his description and honestly I don't think there is a better one to be found to go with it. So click the link and go enjoy more of this artist or any of the several other's over there.

I hope that everyone has a good Tuesday, and see you back here tomorrow for some more art.

How About a Day of Learning from Monet?

Learning from Monet, originally uploaded by torri_g.

Today was a very beautiful day here in Arizona. So why not turn it into a total day of beauty and some sitting with Monet? Alright so it was just a statue of him sitting painting but Sweetpea thought it was the best. Grandpa and Grandma took us all out on a day trip to the town of Tubac, which is filled with all things art. Every where you turn there is a gallery, or a shop, heck just walking up and down the streets in the town there is art all around. To my Sweetpea, there is nothing better in the world than a day surrounded by art. She knows now just what she wants to do for her birthday, and it involves a trip being made back to Tubac for a whole day of wandering, and taking in all of the sights. I'm thrilled with the trip out today because there are a couple hundred new photo's of things that have never been shared.

Late this afternoon was spent with a 34 pound highly irritated Mia at the vet's office for shot's and check up. I'm not real sure just what happened to my sweet puppy and how good she was with going to the vet's office, but I can say this...next time there must be some calming doggy drugs given before I will be willing to head into another vet's office. Oh and I'm really disappointed with the vet's office because I'm sure that the whole problem really got going because there was no talking to her. It was rush, rush, rush...and can we hurry up and get this done. I don't think any animal I would have had in there would have acted any differently.

I hope that everyone had a great start to the week, and that this will be a week filled with good things for all of us.

Sibling Sunday...In control of the camera

IMG_2317, originally uploaded by torri_g.

Binky Sue is in control of the camera this week, and not only set up the picture but typed up what she wanted to go with her picture for this week. Her topic is "Love".

Love is infinite. We can have as much as we want. As much as we need it. And just because we want to give some to somebody else, doesn't mean it'll take any away from others. We can give love to those who may not have any. We can learn to love at any age. Even those who have never known it, can learn it when they find those who are willing to give it. Love can be broken, but will mend over time. Who do you love the most in the world?

I love;

My Parents,

My Grandparents,

Sweetpea

Little Bug,

Angel,

Trinity,

Mia,

My friends,

Eclipse...

Little Angel who looks after Mommy...

The little cat I met on Wednesday who turned my black jacket white.

One can never have to much Love.

After that there really isn't to much more to say for this post today. I hope that everyone has had a great weekend spent with the one's that you love the most in this world.

Simple Saturday

IMG_2296, originally uploaded by torri_g.

Since my cold is still kicking my behind here, simple is best. Picture is of what I thought was one of the prettiest tables out at the local farmer's market this past week. Jams, jellies, syrups, sauces and several other things in a rainbow of colors. Bought and have tried a jar of strawberry jam that is just oh so very good. I also got a couple of catnip plants that look very pretty in their new pot, and some home made soap that smells just beautiful. I'm hoping to get back out there with Army Guy this week and see about picking up a few other things.

Thank you for all the kind comments this about Eclipse. I hope that everyone has an enjoyable weekend and Happy Valentine's Day.

Very Sad Day...Good bye Eclipse

This entry is going to be difficult for me to get through. It is already attempt number two to try to do this, and I'm still not real sure just how this one is going to go. It will have probably lots of pictures and hopefully some sentences that will make some sense, and will probably be the only post this week.

It is with a very sad and heavy heart that I sit down and type this entry about Eclipse. Sometime between Saturday night and Sunday, something went terribly wrong and without even a chance to try she passed away early this morning. There have been so many tears shed in this house in the last 36 hours that I'm sure it would be the size of an ocean. I can tell you that my Binky Sue asked her to hang on for one more day yesterday, and Eclipse did just that. She hung on till after Binky Sue had one more morning of Eclipse hearing her voice and responding to her, and after Binky Sue left for school Eclipse passed. There isn't an emergency vet here in our small area of Arizona, and the wait for one more day was so I could get her in this morning. Morning just came about an hour to late today.






From the very first moment Eclipse laid tiny kitten eye's on Binky Sue during a visit to a friends house where her and her liter mates were living, Eclipse claimed Binky Sue as her own, and Binky Sue claimed Eclipse as her's. I will never forgot the fast talking almost begging that came from Binky Sue that day. She knew this kitten was to be her's and "Mommy can I please take her home?" From the very first moment to the the final one's before Binky Sue left for school there was a bond of love that I'm not sure can be matched. Eclipse could make you smile at her antics in the house daily. Pose for a picture like no other animal in my house probably ever will. When Binky Sue was sad, she would be right there. When Binky Sue was hyper and happy, so was Eclipse. When Binky Sue would stress about major projects for school, Eclipse would be sure to chew on the papers for her. They were the comidian team of this house. Where you found one you were sure to find the other just so very close behind.














We know what happened...but I'm not going to go into those details because in the end knowing what happened will never change the pain that is being felt by my little girl here tonight. It will never change the pain that is being felt by all of us in this house. Binky Sue and Army Guy found a perfect final spot for her this afternoon. It is in Garden Canyon where there are so many birds to watch and come spring, summer there will be oh so very many butterfly's to chase. Tonight my Binky Sue is wondering how she will be able to sleep for the first time in over 4 years without her girl Eclipse next to her under the blankets. Tonight I'm not looking forward to morning and a missing member of the mini zoo that fills my heart so very much. Another day of Angel calling for her sister and hearing nothing but silence. Another day of Trinity and Mia whining because she isn't in her usual spot by 10 am to tease them. I'm sure tomorrow is going to bring more tears from all of my girls, and even myself. I've said it so many times today to all them that in time the pain will heal, but being Mom I just wish I could heal it a little faster.

Tiny little paws that touched hearts so deeply. I thought it before, and today has had me wondering again...why? Why do we invite them into our heart's when we know they won't live our entire life time? I guess the simplest answer I have is because they need love too, and if you are one the people of this world that wants to share that, you invite them in with open arms, and hold them so very close to your heart.

Since this has taken me just about an hour to get typed, I'm sure this is going to my only post for this week. I'm going to be taking a break from the Feline Friday posting for probably the next couple of weeks because...well because Eclipse was the first one I ever posted about for that and right now I just don't see me being able to do it without ending up in tears. I hope that every tries to have a good week. Send hugs to my Binky Sue and I'll be back posting after a little bit of time.

Sibling Sunday...In control of the camera

Grandma's Apple Pie, originally uploaded by torri_g.

This week Little Bug is control of the camera for Sibling Sunday. Her choice of pictures is Grandma's home made apple pie. Home made crust, apple slices just the right kind of thin, and all the other good things that make a great apple pie including while eating a slice of it some french vanilla ice cream on top. If I haven't mentioned yet Army Guys parents are down here for the winter and after asking them what names they would like to have used on the blog here they will be Grandpa Napoleon and Grandma Josephine, and now that Little Bug is sitting here giving me that ever wonderful "WHAT?" look I guess I'm going to have to make her do some research on the possible why's. Army Guy, Sweetpea, and Little Bug had a more than wonderful day spent out with them. Grandma Josephine cooked a great meal that Little Bug enjoyed. They did some exploring and went to Fairbanks which is one of many ghost towns here.

I ended up staying home with a sick Binky Sue who is very upset about the fact that her cat Eclipse seems to be sick too. Binky Sue has had herself so upset and crying for most of the day which with her not feeling well already is making her worse.

Anyway, I hope that everyone has had a good Sunday and that there is a good week waiting for all of us.

Simple Saturday

IMG_2221, originally uploaded by torri_g.

Does this t-shirt really require me typing anything else? I don't think so.

I hope that everyone has had a good Saturday, and see you back here tomorrow for the Sibling Sunday with girls in control of the camera.

Honey with her eggs

IMG_2214, originally uploaded by torri_g.

Well last week Honey started with laying eggs. Which now has us knowing for sure the that two lovebirds are females. Big question now is just what is Mango who shares the cage with Honey? Some time tonight egg number 5 should be laid. Sadly the first egg that Honey laid did not survive the fall from the cozy to the bottom of the cage. I took care of that problem though by adding a room to their cage. Puff has been laying eggs too...but she is playing with them like she did the last ones. To Puff the eggs are nothing more than great soccer balls to kick and toss around her cage. Yes I think Puff would be a bit of a bad birdie Mommy. Honey and Mango on the other hand seem to be doing everything that you would expect to see happening. Honey started sitting on the eggs after the second arrived, and has only been leaving them once Mango comes in to sit on them so she can get some food and water. Poor Mango though took it pretty hard from Honey this week though. Mango loves to toss food all about the cage. He will climb into the dishes and just toss food everywhere! Honey really didn't care the mess he was making and let him know in no uncertain terms that it was no longer acceptable to do that. Mango sulked around the cage for a couple of hours holding up one of his legs, but now he seems to be in nice mode with Little Mommy Honey. So since Honey is doing so good being a Mommy to the eggs what do we want to bet that Mango will actually turn out to be a boy birdie? In a couple of days I will try candling the eggs to see if they are fertile or not. I've also been having the great debate with myself on just what to do next no matter what the eggs show me.

Since it is Friday again that means time to head over and check out Pickle and all of the other wonderful pets that visit Steve's site. Don't forget if you want to play along all you have to do is post your own and leave a link in comments. I hope that everyone has a great weekend.

Binky Sue's Brain on ACT Study Guide

Binky Sue's Brain on ACT Study Guide, originally uploaded by torri_g.

Let's just consider this to be a public service announcement of sorts. What your child will look like after a month of studying for the ACT test. They will be tired, and to the point of being pretty crabby with everyone else living in the house. They may be prone to fits of randomness that will leave you shaking your head trying to figure out just what in the world that was all about. You will hear daily towards the end of the month of studying that come after test Saturday they are going to hide in their room and sleep the rest of the weekend away. Oh and if your child is anything like mine...there may be a round of banging their head into the study guide all in hopes of finally gaining an understanding of just how to do something.(That or they will get a headache from repeatedly banging their head.)
Binky Sue is feeling pretty drained right now, but is still back in her room going strong with the studying. She has listened to her Mom tell her no matter how she does on the test I'm proud of her already. I don't think I have ever seen anyone put so much study time into anything. Oh and if I could ever run into that one gal during the evaluations of Binky Sue when she was little and being diagnosed with sever learning and speech delays who said she would probably never be able to move past like a 6th to 7th grade level...well Binky Sue did, has, and will continue to go just as far as she wants to.

So Binky Sue since I know that you tend to read Mommies blog when your face isn't shoved in a book studying...I'm already so proud of you baby girl, and if you don't know it already, I know you will do great come Saturday test day! So no more worrying, no more stressing, and just know that I believe in you and just how very smart, and hard working of a young woman you have become.

I hope that everyone has had a good Thursday, and that no matter what stress there may have been this week that there is a calm weekend just waiting for all of us.

Transportation

IMG_2198, originally uploaded by torri_g.

Because I didn't get out to any of the canyons today I felt the need to take a picture of something. Plus since I finally got through all of the archiving and deleting of pictures that I don't need on the hard drive of the computer any more, the deal with myself of not picking up the camera was fulfilled. I really didn't want to post yet more pictures of sunset, and tonight wasn't all that spectacular anyway, so a picture of something that I think made Army Guy happy today. A box with parts for his bike came today so he is out working on putting new things on his bike. I asked his permission first of course, and promised not to include him in all his greasy, trying to wreck a new shirt he just got this week, glory. But it does bring to mind a question of just why do guys always seem to work on something while wearing something new? Now I'm pretty good with the laundry and any stains that I cross paths with, but why?

If you haven't guessed yet I really either need to set up something to take pictures of, or even better get out of this house and go take some pictures. I hope that everyone has had a good Wednesday.

Busy day

Kiki the cockatiel, originally uploaded by torri_g.

Well, since I already typed this once and it seems to have flown off into the outer reaches of cyberspace, let me type an even shorter version of the post. Very busy day getting stuff done. Found this picture while archiving January photo's. Kiki the cockatiel screamed at me all day for not spending enough time talking to her. Now I'm off to finish folding laundry. Hope everyone had a good day.

Call it what you want

IMG_2149, originally uploaded by torri_g.

You know those times where you feel like you have been moving for days on end with no real rest, even if you have slept? Well, that is how I'm feeling tonight. I know that I have gotten sleep in the last week, but I'm feeling like I have spent so very much more time being busy. I still have a list of things that I want to get done, projects to finish up, and the usual cleaning of house that heave forbid you should ever miss one day because man it just gets bad so fast. The sad thing is that my thoughts keep leaning towards grabbing the camera bag and just heading out for a day. Makes it kind of difficult to stay on task.

The reason I'm using this photo for this post...look in the bottom right hand corner of the picture. The speed limit 5 is the reason for this picture here tonight, because I really would like for things to slow down to that or less for just a day so I can take some time to catch up with myself here.
I hope that everyone had a good Monday, and that the week slows down just a little so that we can all enjoy it.

Sibling Sunday...In control of the camera

Me, originally uploaded by torri_g.

Since the Sibling Sunday post seems to go through so many changes, I think it is time to change it again. I'm giving the siblings control of the camera for the next 6 Sundays. They will get to point the camera at things and then pick the picture that will be posted, and they will explain why they picked what they did. I will through in any other major things when about all three when there is something new to tell.

This week Sweetpea is starting this new version off. While we were out visiting with family yesterday, she got a little bored and since she had forgotten her sketch book I told her she would wander with my camera. The reason why she picked this picture though is because it is plain and simply revenge for all of the pictures that I have posted of them on the blog, and she would like to see one of Mom posted for a change. Funny thing though I didn't complain half as much as I have had to listen to from them.

So we have a new version of the Sibling Sunday kicked off now and 5 more weeks of it to go. I hope that everyone has had a great Sunday and that this week is a good one for all of us.

Finishing up the day

IMG_2147, originally uploaded by torri_g.

Going to keep this one short since it is wee hours of Sunday morning already and I really should try to get some sleep. Saturday turned out to be a very busy day and some time during the process of setting up a family splurge purchase, I lost track of just how late it was getting. Army Guys parents are in for winter...I need to finally ask them just what names they would like for the blog here...anyway there was time spent out with them at their site today. I think that was the longest time period today that I have sat still. Tons more to get done tomorrow, or wait now that should be later today. Gosh I'm confused now! All I'm sure of is that I have to be done before time for the Super Bowl.

I hope that everyone had a great Saturday and that there is a wonderful Sunday spent with family ahead for all of us.