Well, what can I say? That darn life gets in the way of blogging. So, lots have happened between now and the last time I posted. Let's not go into detail, but instead we will say that the main characters are still here and that's all that matters.
A new member to our flock joined us in late June. He was an abandoned starling baby that somehow fell out of his nest and landed in a hay pile, far away from anything that could have resembled a nest. His eyes weren't even open when we found him, so we scooped him up and brought him home. Internet searches identified him as a 4 or 5 day old starling baby. "Baby" was the correct word for him! Suddenly, I was thrown into a world that was so different from raising lovebird babies. I was raising a baby bird that at first glance of me, thought I was his momma. Midnight feedings, round the clock daytime feedings, cleaning up poopoo, keeping him warm, and holding him to reassure him that he was OK was my daily routine for weeks upon weeks.
Then he fledged. And flew into the bay window in the living room. I heard it from the next room and instantly knew what happened. Seeing his little body on the living room floor, I thought he had died and a piece of me died with him. When I scooped him up though, I could tell he was still alive.
It was touch and go for awhile, and even though he isn't 100% back to normal and never will be, he is spunky and stubborn and full of life! Living with a starling is different in and of itself, however living with a disabled starling is something else! It is truly inspiring. I am not worthy and I tell him that daily. He doesn't listen.
So, that's how we became privileged to be the parents of a starling. He is 4 months old now and the light of my life. Along with his other birdie siblings.
In other birdie news, Sisco is still plucking. More so than ever, it seems. I have no idea why unless it is because of Wiggles, the starling or the new puppy... Really, it could be anything. I am going to try a new to us product called a Sock Buddy. As soon as the husband goes back to work (he is one of those government furloughed employees) I will buy some tiny socks, the kind that are recommended to use by the people who developed the Sock Buddy. I will let you all know how it works out. In the meantime, I made her some new ponchos, specifically for Halloween! I found the most amazing felt shapes to decorate her ponchos! They are not only adorable, but they keep her entertained. She is always trying to get the little shapes off instead of trying to get her feathers off. Which is better!
Shapes and buttons! Sisco is stylish!! I need to go to Walmart today to get more adorable Halloween buttons to decorate her adorable ponchos! oh, and poptarts! :-)
http://www.thesockbuddy.com/ The Sock Buddy! Check 'em out!
Monday, October 14, 2013
Tuesday, April 30, 2013
Empaths. Are you one?
Turns out, I am! I kinda thought I was. I take on way too many emotions from other people, feel too deeply connected to the wrong things, feel sympathy pains and tiredness when other people say they are tired or have aches and pains and then sleep or a pain pill doesn't make the feelings go away. It all makes sense now!
Read this, but grab some coffee or tea first because it is long and we will be discussing it in depth:
30 traits of an Empath
1. Knowing: Empaths just know stuff, without being told. It’s a knowing that goes way beyond intuition or gut feelings, even though that is how many would describe the knowing. The more attuned they are the stronger this gift becomes.
2. Being in public places can be overwhelming: Places like shopping malls, supermarkets or stadiums where there are lots of people around can fill the empath with turbulently vexed emotions that are coming from others.
3. Feeling others emotions and taking them on as your own: This is a huge one for empaths. To some they will feel emotions off those near by and with others they will feel emotions from those a vast distance away, or both. The more adept empath will know if someone is having bad thoughts about them, even from great distance.
4. Watching violence, cruelty or tragedy on the TV is unbearable: The more attuned an empath becomes the worse it is and may make it so they eventually have to stop watching TV and reading newspapers altogether.
5. You know when someone is not being honest: If a friend or a loved one is telling you lies you know it (although many empaths try not to focus on this because knowing a loved one is lying can be painful). Or if someone is saying one thing but feeling/thinking another, you know.
6. Picking up physical symptoms off another: An empath will almost always develop the ailments off another (colds, eye infections, body aches and pains) especially those they’re closest to, somewhat like sympathy pains.
7. Digestive disorders and lower back problems: The solar plexus chakra is based in the centre of the abdomen and it’s known as the seat of emotions. This is where empaths feel the incoming emotion of another, which can weaken the area and eventually lead to anything from stomach ulcers to IBS (too many other conditions to list here). Lower back problems can develop from being ungrounded (amongst other things) and one, who has no knowledge of them being an empath, will almost always be ungrounded.
8. Always looking out for the underdog: Anyone whose suffering, in emotional pain or being bullied draws an empath’s attention and compassion.
9. Others will want to offload their problems on you, even strangers: An empath can become a dumping ground for everyone else’s issues and problems, which, if they’re not careful can end up as their own.
10. Constant fatigue: Empaths often get drained of energy, either from energy vampires or just taking on too much from others, which even sleep will not cure. Many get diagnosed with ME.
11. Addictive personality: Alcohol, drugs, sex, are to name but a few addictions that empaths turn to, to block out the emotions of others. It is a form of self protection in order to hide from someone or something.
12. Drawn to healing, holistic therapies and all things metaphysical: Although many empaths would love to heal others they can end up turning away from being healers (even though they have a natural ability for it), after they’ve studied and qualified, because they take on too much from the one they are trying to heal. Especially if they are unaware of their empathy. Anything of a supernatural nature is of interest to empaths and they don’t surprise or get shocked easily. Even at the revelation of what many others would consider unthinkable, for example, empaths would have known the world was round when others believed it was flat.
13. Creative: From singing, dancing, acting, drawing or writing an empath will have a strong creative streak and a vivid imagination.
14. Love of nature and animals: Being outdoors in nature is a must for empaths and pets are an essential part of their life.
15. Need for solitude: An empath will go stir-crazy if they don’t get quiet time. This is even obvious in empathic children.
16. Gets bored or distracted easily if not stimulated: Work, school and home life has to be kept interesting for an empath or they switch off from it and end up daydreaming or doodling.
17. Finds it impossible to do things they don’t enjoy: As above. Feels like they are living a lie by doing so. To force an empath to do something they dislike through guilt or labelling them as idle will only serve in making them unhappy. It’s for this reason many empaths get labelled as being lazy.
18. Strives for the truth: This becomes more prevalent when an empath discovers his/her gifts and birthright. Anything untruthful feels plain wrong.
19. Always looking for the answers and knowledge: To have unanswered questions can be frustrating for an empath and they will endeavour to find an explanation. If they have a knowing about something they will look for confirmation. The downside to this is an information overload.
20. Likes adventure, freedom and travel: Empaths are free spirits.
21. Abhors clutter: It makes an empath feel weighed down and blocks the flow of energy.
22. Loves to daydream: An empath can stare into space for hours, in a world of their own and blissfully happy.
23. Finds routine, rules or control, imprisoning: Anything that takes away their freedom is debilitating to an empath even poisoning.
24. Prone to carry weight without necessarily overeating: The excess weight is a form of protection to stop the negative incoming energies having as much impact.
25. Excellent listener: An empath won’t talk about themselves much unless it’s to someone they really trust. They love to learn and know about others and genuinely care.
26. Intolerance to narcissism: Although kind and often very tolerant of others, empaths do not like to be around overly egotistical people, who put themselves first and refuse to consider another’s feelings or points of view other than their own.
27. The ability to feel the days of the week: An empath will get the ‘Friday Feeling’ if they work Fridays or not. They pick up on how the collective are feeling. The first couple of days of a long, bank holiday weekend (Easter for example) can feel, to them, like the world is smiling, calm and relaxed. Sunday evenings, Mondays and Tuesdays, of a working week, have a very heavy feeling.
28. Will not choose to buy antiques, vintage or second-hand: Anything that’s been pre-owned carries the energy of the previous owner. An empath will even prefer to have a brand new car or house (if they are in the financial situation to do so) with no residual energy.
29. Sense the energy of food: Many empaths don’t like to eat meat or poultry because they can feel the vibrations of the animal (especially if the animal suffered), even if they like the taste.
30. Can appear moody, shy, aloof, disconnected: Depending on how an empath is feeling will depend on what face they show to the world. They can be prone to mood swings and if they’ve taken on too much negative will appear quiet and unsociable, even miserable. An empath detests having to pretend to be happy when they’re sad, this only adds to their load (makes working in the service industry, when it’s service with a smile, very challenging) and can make them feel like scuttling under a stone.
If you can say yes to most or all of the above then you are most definitely an empath
Empaths are having a particularly difficult time at the present time, picking up on all the negative emotions that are being emantated into the world from the populace.
TRAITS OF AN EMPATH by Christel Broederlow
Empaths are often quiet achievers. They can take a while to handle a compliment for they’re more inclined to point out another’s positive attributes. They are highly expressive in all areas of emotional connection, and talk openly, and, at times quite frankly. They may have few problems talking about their feelings if another cares to listen (regardless of how much they listen to others).
However, they can be the exact opposite: reclusive and apparently unresponsive at the best of times. They may even appear ignorant. Some are very good at “blocking out” others and that’s not always a bad thing, at least for the learning empath struggling with a barrage of emotions from others, as well as their own feelings.
Empaths have a tendency to openly feel what is outside of them more so than what is inside of them. This can cause empaths to ignore their own needs. In general an empath is non-violent, non-aggressive and leans more towards being the peacemaker. Any area filled with disharmony creates an uncomfortable feeling in an empath. If they find themselves in the middle of a confrontation, they will endeavor to settle the situation as quickly as possible, if not avoid it all together. If any harsh words are expressed in defending themselves, they will likely resent their lack of self-control, and have a preference to peacefully resolve the problem quickly.
Empaths are more inclined to pick up another’s feelings and project it back without realizing its origin in the first place. Talking things out is a major factor in releasing emotions in the learning empath. Empaths can develop an even stronger degree of understanding so that they can find peace in most situations. The downside is that empaths may bottle up emotions and build barriers sky-high so as to not let others know of their innermost thoughts and/or feelings. This withholding of emotional expression can be a direct result of a traumatic experience, an expressionless upbringing, or simply being told as a child, “Children are meant to be seen and not heard!”
Without a doubt, this emotional withholding can be detrimental to one’s health, for the longer one’s thoughts and/or emotions aren’t released, the more power they build. The thoughts and/or emotions can eventually becoming explosive, if not crippling. The need to express oneself honestly is a form of healing and a choice open to all. To not do so can result in a breakdown of the person and result in mental/emotional instability or the creation of a physical ailment, illness or disease.
Empaths are sensitive to TV, videos, movies, news and broadcasts. Violence or emotional dramas depicting shocking scenes of physical or emotional pain inflicted on adults, children or animals can bring an empath easily to tears. At times, they may feel physically ill or choke back the tears. Some empaths will struggle to comprehend any such cruelty, and may have grave difficulty in expressing themselves in the face of another’s ignorance, closed-mindedness and obvious lack of compassion. They simply cannot justify the suffering they feel and see.
You will find empaths working with people, animals or nature with a true passion and dedication to help them. They are often tireless teachers and/or caretakers for our environment and all within it. Many volunteers are empathic and give up personal time to help others without pay and/or recognition.
Empaths may be excellent storytellers due to an endless imagination, inquisitive minds and ever-expanding knowledge. They can be old romantics at heart and very gentle. They may also be the “keepers” of ancestral knowledge and family history. If not the obvious family historians, they may be the ones who listen to the stories passed down and possess the majority of the family history. Not surprisingly, they may have started or possess a family tree.
They have a broad interest in music to suit their many expressive temperaments, and others can query how empaths can listen to one style of music, and within minutes, change to something entirely different. Lyrics within a song can have adverse, powerful effects on empaths, especially if it is relevant to a recent experience. In these moments, it is advisable for empaths to listen to music without lyrics, to avoid playing havoc with their emotions!
They are just as expressive with body language as with words, thoughts, and feelings. Their creativity is often expressed through dance, acting, and bodily movements. Empaths can project an incredible amount of energy portraying and/or releasing emotion. Empaths can become lost in the music, to the point of being in a trance-like state; they become one with the music through the expression of their physical bodies. They describe this feeling as a time when all else around them is almost non-existent.
People of all walks of life and animals are attracted to the warmth and genuine compassion of empaths. Regardless of whether others are aware of one being empathic, people are drawn to them as a metal object is to a magnet!
Even complete strangers find it easy to talk to empaths about the most personal things, and before they know it, they have poured out their hearts and souls without intending to do so consciously. It is as though on a sub-conscious level that person knows instinctively that empaths would listen with compassionate understanding. Then again, for empaths, it is always nice to actually be heard themselves!
Here are the listeners of life. They can be outgoing, bubbly, enthusiastic and a joy to be in the presence of, as well as highly humorous at the most unusual moments! On the flip side, empaths can be weighted with mood swings that will have others around them want to jump overboard and abandon ship! The thoughts and feelings empaths receive from any and all in their life can be so overwhelming (if not understood) that their moods can fluctuate with lightning speed. One moment they may be delightfully happy and with a flick of the switch, miserable.
Abandoning an empath in the throes of alternating moods can create detrimental effects. A simple return of empathic love–listening and caring compassionately without bias, judgment and/or condemnation–can go an incredibly long way to an empath’s instant recovery. Many empaths don’t understand what is occurring within them. They literally have no idea that another person’s emotions are now felt, as one’s own and reflected outwardly. They are confused as to how one moment all was well, and then the next, they feel so depressed, alone, etc. The need to understand the possibilities of empath connection is a vital part of the empaths journey for themselves and for those around them.
Empaths are often problem solvers, thinkers, and studiers of many things. As far as empaths are concerned, where a problem is, so too is the answer. They often will search until they find one – if only for peace of mind. This can certainly prove beneficial for others in their relationships, in the workplace, or on the home front. Where there is a will, there is a way and the empath will find it. The empath can literally (likely without the knowledge of what’s actually occurring) tap into Universal Knowledge and be receptive to guidance in solving anything they put their head and hearts into.
Empaths often are vivid and/or lucid dreamers. They can dream in detail and are inquisitive of dream content. Often they feel as though the dreams are linked to their physical life somehow, and not just a mumble of nonsensical, irrelevant, meaningless images. This curiosity will lead many empathic dreamers to unravel some of the “mysterious” dream contents from an early age and connect the interpretation to its relevance in their physical life. If not, they may be led to dream interpretations through other means.
Empaths are daydreamers with difficulty keeping focused on the mundane. If life isn’t stimulating, off an empath will go into a detached state of mind. They will go somewhere, anywhere, in a thought that appears detached from the physical reality, yet is alive and active for they really are off and away. If a tutor is lecturing with little to no emotional input, empaths will not be receptive to such teaching and can (unintentionally) drift into a state of daydreaming.
Give the empath student the tutor who speaks with stimuli and emotion (through actual experience of any given subject) and the empath is receptively alert. Empaths are a captivated audience. This same principle applies in acting. An actor will either captivate the audience through expressing (in all aspects) emotions (as though they really did experience the role they are portraying) or will loose them entirely. Empaths make outstanding actors.
Empaths frequently experience déjà vu and synchronicities. What may initially start as, “Oh, what a coincidence”, will lead to the understanding of synchronicities as an aspect of who they are. These synchronicities will become a welcomed and continually expanding occurrence. As an understanding of self grows, the synchronicities become more fluent and free flowing. The synchronicities can promote a feeling of euphoria as empaths identify with them and appreciate the connection to their empathic nature.
Empaths are most likely to have had varying paranormal experiences throughout their lives. NDE’s (Near death experiences) and or OBE’s (Out of body experiences) can catapult an unaware empath into the awakening period and provide the momentum for a journey of discovery. Those who get caught up in life, in society’s often dictating ways, in work etc., can become lost in a mechanical way of living that provides very little meaning. All “signs of guidance” are ignored to shift out of this state of “doing”. A path to being whole again becomes evident and a search for more meaning in one’s life begins.
These types of experiences appear dramatic, can be life-altering indeed, and are most assuredly just as intensely memorable in years to come. They are the voice of guidance encouraging us to pursue our journey in awareness. Sometimes, some of us require that extra assistance!
For some empaths, the lack of outside understanding towards paranormal events they experience, may lead to suppressing such abilities. (Most of these abilities are very natural and not a coincidence.) Empaths may unknowingly adopt the positive or negative attitude of others as their own. (This, however, can be overcome.) Empaths may need to follow interests in the paranormal and the unexplained with curiosity so as to explain and accept their life circumstances.
Words © Christel Broederlow
Source: theknowing1.wordpress.com
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So? What do you think? Are you one? This description fits me to a T! I am definitely an empath!
1. Knowing - I do know stuff without actually being told. Especially if I have a connection with the person that is either in trouble, not feeling well, or just thinking about me. Sometimes the person just wants me to know something, but for some reason can't tell me. It's Ok, because I already know.
When the kids were little, even now that they aren't so little, my husband would always ask me what they needed if they were upset. I always knew/know, but sometimes I play dumb, because I want him to ask them what's wrong.
This also happens with the animals, and again, I play dumb if it pertains to his animal. He should know his animal by learning her cues.
2. I absolutely hate crowds! Musical concerts, shopping malls, Christmas shoppers, sporting events, and even family gatherings. I can tolerate a baseball game, but they are different in my opinion. The ones we go to don't draw an overly large crowd, so I am OK. Also, I LOVE baseball, so I want to be there and am able to turn off most energy. However, I scan the crowd a LOT and end up missing a few innings, then I wonder where the time went!
3. Like I said in the beginning of this blog post, I take on other people's emotions. If they are tired, I am tired. If they are ill or hurt, then I am as well. Not as badly as the other person, but still enough to be an annoyance. No matter how much I sleep, if someone I am close to (my sister or my daughters) is being sleep deprived for some reason, I am tired as well.
If someone is hurt or not feeling well that I am close to, then I feel their pain and I will feel their illness to a lesser degree. No amount of pain medication or medicine to make the yuckies go away helps. Why? Because I'm not really ill and/or I'm not really in pain. What is upsetting is that it doesn't ever lessen THEIR pain or THEIR illness.
4. I cannot watch the news. I cannot see images of hurt children or animals on the internet. I get visibly upset when I see something very disturbing. Likewise, I also get upset when I see an image of a child being used for monetary purposes. I always know the picture isn't real.
However, I love crime dramas! I also love to read horror books. Go figure.
5. I do know when someone is lying. I also don't want to believe it when someone I love is lying. Sometimes I can be a little naive in that area, but the truth always comes out in one way or another.
6. Same as #3.
7. Lots of tummy troubles! Lots of anxiety! Lots of lower back pain! Lots of migraines! Most of my issues are stress related.
8. Anybody needing a helping hand, a child in need, an animal not being taken care of properly, all find their way to me in some way or another.
9. Again, anyone in need, even strangers have come up to me and just started talking to me - telling me their life story.
10. Ugh! I am always so tired! I have not been diagnosed with:
11. Oh yes! I definitely have an addictive personality and know what I have to stay away from, like alcohol, recreational drugs, gambling, etc. I like to gamble! But, I do it safely.
12. I will find a holistic way to heal myself and my animals and children before I take them to a doctor, unless it is very serious. I don't play around with their health. Well, except for me. I don't like doctors.
13. I sing and write really well (when I want to LOL)
14. This one isn't so much me as the others are, because while I love animals, I'm not so fond of the outdoors as much as other people. There are bees out there! LOL There are a lot of animals in this house.
15. Even though I am never alone, I crave alone time!
16. The number 1 reason why I failed science in school. I would always sit by a window or the door! LOL
17. I don't know about this one. As an adult, I know there are things I must do that I don't want to do. However, I will procrastinate for as long as I can.
18. Who doesn't strive for the truth? I feel it is odd if you don't try to find out the truth. I cannot stand liars!
19.Everything happens for a reason and most times I am not happy until I discover that reason!
20. I'm a homebody!
21. Clutter is too chaotic! I can't think in chaos. I can't think in clutter.
22. Yep, I love to daydream and like I said above, it is the #1 reason why I failed science in high school. Again. And again.
23. Even though I work better when I have a routine or set schedule in place, I hate it and will go against one when I realize I have one in place.
24. I am actually underweight...
25. Ah, yes. I am an excellent listener and people always come to me with their issues.
26. Egotistical people should be forced to live with other egotistical people!
27. Each day of the week has its very own feeling (and color!).
28. I love antiques, but I think I love them so because of the memories I have of them. I also love them, because of their past stories.
29. :-( I have a hard time with this one. I love eating some meat. I need meat and potatoes every so often. But, those poor animals! The way I see it is that I tend to my animals in such a loving way, that I am giving back to the universe what I take away in order to eat. I still feel badly about it, tho.
And, 30. I am a very moody person. I am distant, shy, backwards, even at times unapproachable, but never disconnected. Disconnected means non-caring. I always care. I may seem like I don't, but the reason for that is because if you come to me with a problem that I know you can handle on your own, I will appear as if I don't care. It's not true. I care very very much, way too much, but I know you can handle any problem you face. I am more of a sounding board, someone to vent to at times. Once this person vents, they feel better, because they have worked out their problems.
OK, with all that said...this is ONE person's interpretation of what an empath is. There are so many descriptions of what an empath is and is not on the internet. To me, an empath is someone who is very intuitive, very connected with other people and with themselves, and very caring. That's me and I don't want to change. I do want to reign these feelings I have within me, but how?I dunno...
Is there such a thing of an empath? I like to think so.
Read this, but grab some coffee or tea first because it is long and we will be discussing it in depth:
30 traits of an Empath
1. Knowing: Empaths just know stuff, without being told. It’s a knowing that goes way beyond intuition or gut feelings, even though that is how many would describe the knowing. The more attuned they are the stronger this gift becomes.
2. Being in public places can be overwhelming: Places like shopping malls, supermarkets or stadiums where there are lots of people around can fill the empath with turbulently vexed emotions that are coming from others.
3. Feeling others emotions and taking them on as your own: This is a huge one for empaths. To some they will feel emotions off those near by and with others they will feel emotions from those a vast distance away, or both. The more adept empath will know if someone is having bad thoughts about them, even from great distance.
4. Watching violence, cruelty or tragedy on the TV is unbearable: The more attuned an empath becomes the worse it is and may make it so they eventually have to stop watching TV and reading newspapers altogether.
5. You know when someone is not being honest: If a friend or a loved one is telling you lies you know it (although many empaths try not to focus on this because knowing a loved one is lying can be painful). Or if someone is saying one thing but feeling/thinking another, you know.
6. Picking up physical symptoms off another: An empath will almost always develop the ailments off another (colds, eye infections, body aches and pains) especially those they’re closest to, somewhat like sympathy pains.
7. Digestive disorders and lower back problems: The solar plexus chakra is based in the centre of the abdomen and it’s known as the seat of emotions. This is where empaths feel the incoming emotion of another, which can weaken the area and eventually lead to anything from stomach ulcers to IBS (too many other conditions to list here). Lower back problems can develop from being ungrounded (amongst other things) and one, who has no knowledge of them being an empath, will almost always be ungrounded.
8. Always looking out for the underdog: Anyone whose suffering, in emotional pain or being bullied draws an empath’s attention and compassion.
9. Others will want to offload their problems on you, even strangers: An empath can become a dumping ground for everyone else’s issues and problems, which, if they’re not careful can end up as their own.
10. Constant fatigue: Empaths often get drained of energy, either from energy vampires or just taking on too much from others, which even sleep will not cure. Many get diagnosed with ME.
11. Addictive personality: Alcohol, drugs, sex, are to name but a few addictions that empaths turn to, to block out the emotions of others. It is a form of self protection in order to hide from someone or something.
12. Drawn to healing, holistic therapies and all things metaphysical: Although many empaths would love to heal others they can end up turning away from being healers (even though they have a natural ability for it), after they’ve studied and qualified, because they take on too much from the one they are trying to heal. Especially if they are unaware of their empathy. Anything of a supernatural nature is of interest to empaths and they don’t surprise or get shocked easily. Even at the revelation of what many others would consider unthinkable, for example, empaths would have known the world was round when others believed it was flat.
13. Creative: From singing, dancing, acting, drawing or writing an empath will have a strong creative streak and a vivid imagination.
14. Love of nature and animals: Being outdoors in nature is a must for empaths and pets are an essential part of their life.
15. Need for solitude: An empath will go stir-crazy if they don’t get quiet time. This is even obvious in empathic children.
16. Gets bored or distracted easily if not stimulated: Work, school and home life has to be kept interesting for an empath or they switch off from it and end up daydreaming or doodling.
17. Finds it impossible to do things they don’t enjoy: As above. Feels like they are living a lie by doing so. To force an empath to do something they dislike through guilt or labelling them as idle will only serve in making them unhappy. It’s for this reason many empaths get labelled as being lazy.
18. Strives for the truth: This becomes more prevalent when an empath discovers his/her gifts and birthright. Anything untruthful feels plain wrong.
19. Always looking for the answers and knowledge: To have unanswered questions can be frustrating for an empath and they will endeavour to find an explanation. If they have a knowing about something they will look for confirmation. The downside to this is an information overload.
20. Likes adventure, freedom and travel: Empaths are free spirits.
21. Abhors clutter: It makes an empath feel weighed down and blocks the flow of energy.
22. Loves to daydream: An empath can stare into space for hours, in a world of their own and blissfully happy.
23. Finds routine, rules or control, imprisoning: Anything that takes away their freedom is debilitating to an empath even poisoning.
24. Prone to carry weight without necessarily overeating: The excess weight is a form of protection to stop the negative incoming energies having as much impact.
25. Excellent listener: An empath won’t talk about themselves much unless it’s to someone they really trust. They love to learn and know about others and genuinely care.
26. Intolerance to narcissism: Although kind and often very tolerant of others, empaths do not like to be around overly egotistical people, who put themselves first and refuse to consider another’s feelings or points of view other than their own.
27. The ability to feel the days of the week: An empath will get the ‘Friday Feeling’ if they work Fridays or not. They pick up on how the collective are feeling. The first couple of days of a long, bank holiday weekend (Easter for example) can feel, to them, like the world is smiling, calm and relaxed. Sunday evenings, Mondays and Tuesdays, of a working week, have a very heavy feeling.
28. Will not choose to buy antiques, vintage or second-hand: Anything that’s been pre-owned carries the energy of the previous owner. An empath will even prefer to have a brand new car or house (if they are in the financial situation to do so) with no residual energy.
29. Sense the energy of food: Many empaths don’t like to eat meat or poultry because they can feel the vibrations of the animal (especially if the animal suffered), even if they like the taste.
30. Can appear moody, shy, aloof, disconnected: Depending on how an empath is feeling will depend on what face they show to the world. They can be prone to mood swings and if they’ve taken on too much negative will appear quiet and unsociable, even miserable. An empath detests having to pretend to be happy when they’re sad, this only adds to their load (makes working in the service industry, when it’s service with a smile, very challenging) and can make them feel like scuttling under a stone.
If you can say yes to most or all of the above then you are most definitely an empath
Empaths are having a particularly difficult time at the present time, picking up on all the negative emotions that are being emantated into the world from the populace.
TRAITS OF AN EMPATH by Christel Broederlow
Empaths are often quiet achievers. They can take a while to handle a compliment for they’re more inclined to point out another’s positive attributes. They are highly expressive in all areas of emotional connection, and talk openly, and, at times quite frankly. They may have few problems talking about their feelings if another cares to listen (regardless of how much they listen to others).
However, they can be the exact opposite: reclusive and apparently unresponsive at the best of times. They may even appear ignorant. Some are very good at “blocking out” others and that’s not always a bad thing, at least for the learning empath struggling with a barrage of emotions from others, as well as their own feelings.
Empaths have a tendency to openly feel what is outside of them more so than what is inside of them. This can cause empaths to ignore their own needs. In general an empath is non-violent, non-aggressive and leans more towards being the peacemaker. Any area filled with disharmony creates an uncomfortable feeling in an empath. If they find themselves in the middle of a confrontation, they will endeavor to settle the situation as quickly as possible, if not avoid it all together. If any harsh words are expressed in defending themselves, they will likely resent their lack of self-control, and have a preference to peacefully resolve the problem quickly.
Empaths are more inclined to pick up another’s feelings and project it back without realizing its origin in the first place. Talking things out is a major factor in releasing emotions in the learning empath. Empaths can develop an even stronger degree of understanding so that they can find peace in most situations. The downside is that empaths may bottle up emotions and build barriers sky-high so as to not let others know of their innermost thoughts and/or feelings. This withholding of emotional expression can be a direct result of a traumatic experience, an expressionless upbringing, or simply being told as a child, “Children are meant to be seen and not heard!”
Without a doubt, this emotional withholding can be detrimental to one’s health, for the longer one’s thoughts and/or emotions aren’t released, the more power they build. The thoughts and/or emotions can eventually becoming explosive, if not crippling. The need to express oneself honestly is a form of healing and a choice open to all. To not do so can result in a breakdown of the person and result in mental/emotional instability or the creation of a physical ailment, illness or disease.
Empaths are sensitive to TV, videos, movies, news and broadcasts. Violence or emotional dramas depicting shocking scenes of physical or emotional pain inflicted on adults, children or animals can bring an empath easily to tears. At times, they may feel physically ill or choke back the tears. Some empaths will struggle to comprehend any such cruelty, and may have grave difficulty in expressing themselves in the face of another’s ignorance, closed-mindedness and obvious lack of compassion. They simply cannot justify the suffering they feel and see.
You will find empaths working with people, animals or nature with a true passion and dedication to help them. They are often tireless teachers and/or caretakers for our environment and all within it. Many volunteers are empathic and give up personal time to help others without pay and/or recognition.
Empaths may be excellent storytellers due to an endless imagination, inquisitive minds and ever-expanding knowledge. They can be old romantics at heart and very gentle. They may also be the “keepers” of ancestral knowledge and family history. If not the obvious family historians, they may be the ones who listen to the stories passed down and possess the majority of the family history. Not surprisingly, they may have started or possess a family tree.
They have a broad interest in music to suit their many expressive temperaments, and others can query how empaths can listen to one style of music, and within minutes, change to something entirely different. Lyrics within a song can have adverse, powerful effects on empaths, especially if it is relevant to a recent experience. In these moments, it is advisable for empaths to listen to music without lyrics, to avoid playing havoc with their emotions!
They are just as expressive with body language as with words, thoughts, and feelings. Their creativity is often expressed through dance, acting, and bodily movements. Empaths can project an incredible amount of energy portraying and/or releasing emotion. Empaths can become lost in the music, to the point of being in a trance-like state; they become one with the music through the expression of their physical bodies. They describe this feeling as a time when all else around them is almost non-existent.
People of all walks of life and animals are attracted to the warmth and genuine compassion of empaths. Regardless of whether others are aware of one being empathic, people are drawn to them as a metal object is to a magnet!
Even complete strangers find it easy to talk to empaths about the most personal things, and before they know it, they have poured out their hearts and souls without intending to do so consciously. It is as though on a sub-conscious level that person knows instinctively that empaths would listen with compassionate understanding. Then again, for empaths, it is always nice to actually be heard themselves!
Here are the listeners of life. They can be outgoing, bubbly, enthusiastic and a joy to be in the presence of, as well as highly humorous at the most unusual moments! On the flip side, empaths can be weighted with mood swings that will have others around them want to jump overboard and abandon ship! The thoughts and feelings empaths receive from any and all in their life can be so overwhelming (if not understood) that their moods can fluctuate with lightning speed. One moment they may be delightfully happy and with a flick of the switch, miserable.
Abandoning an empath in the throes of alternating moods can create detrimental effects. A simple return of empathic love–listening and caring compassionately without bias, judgment and/or condemnation–can go an incredibly long way to an empath’s instant recovery. Many empaths don’t understand what is occurring within them. They literally have no idea that another person’s emotions are now felt, as one’s own and reflected outwardly. They are confused as to how one moment all was well, and then the next, they feel so depressed, alone, etc. The need to understand the possibilities of empath connection is a vital part of the empaths journey for themselves and for those around them.
Empaths are often problem solvers, thinkers, and studiers of many things. As far as empaths are concerned, where a problem is, so too is the answer. They often will search until they find one – if only for peace of mind. This can certainly prove beneficial for others in their relationships, in the workplace, or on the home front. Where there is a will, there is a way and the empath will find it. The empath can literally (likely without the knowledge of what’s actually occurring) tap into Universal Knowledge and be receptive to guidance in solving anything they put their head and hearts into.
Empaths often are vivid and/or lucid dreamers. They can dream in detail and are inquisitive of dream content. Often they feel as though the dreams are linked to their physical life somehow, and not just a mumble of nonsensical, irrelevant, meaningless images. This curiosity will lead many empathic dreamers to unravel some of the “mysterious” dream contents from an early age and connect the interpretation to its relevance in their physical life. If not, they may be led to dream interpretations through other means.
Empaths are daydreamers with difficulty keeping focused on the mundane. If life isn’t stimulating, off an empath will go into a detached state of mind. They will go somewhere, anywhere, in a thought that appears detached from the physical reality, yet is alive and active for they really are off and away. If a tutor is lecturing with little to no emotional input, empaths will not be receptive to such teaching and can (unintentionally) drift into a state of daydreaming.
Give the empath student the tutor who speaks with stimuli and emotion (through actual experience of any given subject) and the empath is receptively alert. Empaths are a captivated audience. This same principle applies in acting. An actor will either captivate the audience through expressing (in all aspects) emotions (as though they really did experience the role they are portraying) or will loose them entirely. Empaths make outstanding actors.
Empaths frequently experience déjà vu and synchronicities. What may initially start as, “Oh, what a coincidence”, will lead to the understanding of synchronicities as an aspect of who they are. These synchronicities will become a welcomed and continually expanding occurrence. As an understanding of self grows, the synchronicities become more fluent and free flowing. The synchronicities can promote a feeling of euphoria as empaths identify with them and appreciate the connection to their empathic nature.
Empaths are most likely to have had varying paranormal experiences throughout their lives. NDE’s (Near death experiences) and or OBE’s (Out of body experiences) can catapult an unaware empath into the awakening period and provide the momentum for a journey of discovery. Those who get caught up in life, in society’s often dictating ways, in work etc., can become lost in a mechanical way of living that provides very little meaning. All “signs of guidance” are ignored to shift out of this state of “doing”. A path to being whole again becomes evident and a search for more meaning in one’s life begins.
These types of experiences appear dramatic, can be life-altering indeed, and are most assuredly just as intensely memorable in years to come. They are the voice of guidance encouraging us to pursue our journey in awareness. Sometimes, some of us require that extra assistance!
For some empaths, the lack of outside understanding towards paranormal events they experience, may lead to suppressing such abilities. (Most of these abilities are very natural and not a coincidence.) Empaths may unknowingly adopt the positive or negative attitude of others as their own. (This, however, can be overcome.) Empaths may need to follow interests in the paranormal and the unexplained with curiosity so as to explain and accept their life circumstances.
Words © Christel Broederlow
Source: theknowing1.wordpress.com
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So? What do you think? Are you one? This description fits me to a T! I am definitely an empath!
1. Knowing - I do know stuff without actually being told. Especially if I have a connection with the person that is either in trouble, not feeling well, or just thinking about me. Sometimes the person just wants me to know something, but for some reason can't tell me. It's Ok, because I already know.
When the kids were little, even now that they aren't so little, my husband would always ask me what they needed if they were upset. I always knew/know, but sometimes I play dumb, because I want him to ask them what's wrong.
This also happens with the animals, and again, I play dumb if it pertains to his animal. He should know his animal by learning her cues.
2. I absolutely hate crowds! Musical concerts, shopping malls, Christmas shoppers, sporting events, and even family gatherings. I can tolerate a baseball game, but they are different in my opinion. The ones we go to don't draw an overly large crowd, so I am OK. Also, I LOVE baseball, so I want to be there and am able to turn off most energy. However, I scan the crowd a LOT and end up missing a few innings, then I wonder where the time went!
3. Like I said in the beginning of this blog post, I take on other people's emotions. If they are tired, I am tired. If they are ill or hurt, then I am as well. Not as badly as the other person, but still enough to be an annoyance. No matter how much I sleep, if someone I am close to (my sister or my daughters) is being sleep deprived for some reason, I am tired as well.
If someone is hurt or not feeling well that I am close to, then I feel their pain and I will feel their illness to a lesser degree. No amount of pain medication or medicine to make the yuckies go away helps. Why? Because I'm not really ill and/or I'm not really in pain. What is upsetting is that it doesn't ever lessen THEIR pain or THEIR illness.
4. I cannot watch the news. I cannot see images of hurt children or animals on the internet. I get visibly upset when I see something very disturbing. Likewise, I also get upset when I see an image of a child being used for monetary purposes. I always know the picture isn't real.
However, I love crime dramas! I also love to read horror books. Go figure.
5. I do know when someone is lying. I also don't want to believe it when someone I love is lying. Sometimes I can be a little naive in that area, but the truth always comes out in one way or another.
6. Same as #3.
7. Lots of tummy troubles! Lots of anxiety! Lots of lower back pain! Lots of migraines! Most of my issues are stress related.
8. Anybody needing a helping hand, a child in need, an animal not being taken care of properly, all find their way to me in some way or another.
9. Again, anyone in need, even strangers have come up to me and just started talking to me - telling me their life story.
10. Ugh! I am always so tired! I have not been diagnosed with:
- CFS stands for chronic fatigue syndrome. Chronic means persistent or long-term.
- ME stands for myalgic encephalomyelitis. Myalgic means muscle aches or pains. Encephalomyelitis means inflammation of the brain and spinal cord.
11. Oh yes! I definitely have an addictive personality and know what I have to stay away from, like alcohol, recreational drugs, gambling, etc. I like to gamble! But, I do it safely.
12. I will find a holistic way to heal myself and my animals and children before I take them to a doctor, unless it is very serious. I don't play around with their health. Well, except for me. I don't like doctors.
13. I sing and write really well (when I want to LOL)
14. This one isn't so much me as the others are, because while I love animals, I'm not so fond of the outdoors as much as other people. There are bees out there! LOL There are a lot of animals in this house.
15. Even though I am never alone, I crave alone time!
16. The number 1 reason why I failed science in school. I would always sit by a window or the door! LOL
17. I don't know about this one. As an adult, I know there are things I must do that I don't want to do. However, I will procrastinate for as long as I can.
18. Who doesn't strive for the truth? I feel it is odd if you don't try to find out the truth. I cannot stand liars!
19.Everything happens for a reason and most times I am not happy until I discover that reason!
20. I'm a homebody!
21. Clutter is too chaotic! I can't think in chaos. I can't think in clutter.
22. Yep, I love to daydream and like I said above, it is the #1 reason why I failed science in high school. Again. And again.
23. Even though I work better when I have a routine or set schedule in place, I hate it and will go against one when I realize I have one in place.
24. I am actually underweight...
25. Ah, yes. I am an excellent listener and people always come to me with their issues.
26. Egotistical people should be forced to live with other egotistical people!
27. Each day of the week has its very own feeling (and color!).
28. I love antiques, but I think I love them so because of the memories I have of them. I also love them, because of their past stories.
29. :-( I have a hard time with this one. I love eating some meat. I need meat and potatoes every so often. But, those poor animals! The way I see it is that I tend to my animals in such a loving way, that I am giving back to the universe what I take away in order to eat. I still feel badly about it, tho.
And, 30. I am a very moody person. I am distant, shy, backwards, even at times unapproachable, but never disconnected. Disconnected means non-caring. I always care. I may seem like I don't, but the reason for that is because if you come to me with a problem that I know you can handle on your own, I will appear as if I don't care. It's not true. I care very very much, way too much, but I know you can handle any problem you face. I am more of a sounding board, someone to vent to at times. Once this person vents, they feel better, because they have worked out their problems.
OK, with all that said...this is ONE person's interpretation of what an empath is. There are so many descriptions of what an empath is and is not on the internet. To me, an empath is someone who is very intuitive, very connected with other people and with themselves, and very caring. That's me and I don't want to change. I do want to reign these feelings I have within me, but how?I dunno...
Is there such a thing of an empath? I like to think so.
Friday, April 26, 2013
Gardening News
I fried my lettuces and green beans. :-( We had a couple of days where the temps dropped below freezing at night and was just above the 40s during the day. It was also very windy. I didn't want my babies to develop frost bite, so I didn't water them. The teeny seedlings didn't make it. But, my tomato plants and oat grass is growing very well.
I might go and get some already started seedlings from the nursery this weekend.
I might go and get some already started seedlings from the nursery this weekend.
Autism Awareness Month
April is autism awareness month and my facebook page is blowing up with autism awareness this and autism awareness that. Don't get me wrong, that is a good thing that people are trying to bring awareness to this disorder. But...when is enough, enough? The people who need to read those little pictures with the common sense captions, won't and probably never will.
Most people don't change. That woman who gave you a dirty look yesterday because of your autistic child's meltdown in the middle of the grocery store won't read that kids with autism commonly have meltdowns in crowded public places. No, the only thing on her mind is that you can't control your child. On the off chance that this woman, and all the other people who stare while your child bangs his head on the floor, were to read and acknowledge the common truth about meltdowns in stores, will only wonder why you didn't keep your unruly child at home.
You cannot change the world and you certainly cannot change that woman's opinion about your child or autism or about any other disorder. What you CAN do is show your child and the people around you what you think of their opinions about your child by behaving in a way you'd want them to.
Smile. The people who are passing their judgement on you also have a battle that they are living. No one is perfect.
As a mother of an adult with autism, I know that the meltdowns do not last. It is just a phase that will pass. Next time you see another distraught mother with a child in the throes of a meltdown smile, not only because you can commiserate, but because you have been there, done that, and lived to tell the tale!
Most people don't change. That woman who gave you a dirty look yesterday because of your autistic child's meltdown in the middle of the grocery store won't read that kids with autism commonly have meltdowns in crowded public places. No, the only thing on her mind is that you can't control your child. On the off chance that this woman, and all the other people who stare while your child bangs his head on the floor, were to read and acknowledge the common truth about meltdowns in stores, will only wonder why you didn't keep your unruly child at home.
You cannot change the world and you certainly cannot change that woman's opinion about your child or autism or about any other disorder. What you CAN do is show your child and the people around you what you think of their opinions about your child by behaving in a way you'd want them to.
Smile. The people who are passing their judgement on you also have a battle that they are living. No one is perfect.
As a mother of an adult with autism, I know that the meltdowns do not last. It is just a phase that will pass. Next time you see another distraught mother with a child in the throes of a meltdown smile, not only because you can commiserate, but because you have been there, done that, and lived to tell the tale!
Thursday, April 11, 2013
I am not superwoman!
And I cannot do it all! The cook, housekeeper, chauffeur, bird caretaker, dog wrangler, warden, shopper, errand runner, school teacher, nurse, finder of all things lost, writer, child care provider, and rock of support. I QUIT! Now excuse me while I go to that corner and curl up in a fetal position.
Monday, April 8, 2013
Become an Events Host
So, authors who need help promoting their books, accept volunteers to post graphics, links, announcements, etc on their blogs, twitter, and FB pages. RaeBeth Buda needs more volunteers to help get her book out. Her book, Silenced is pretty awesome! It talks about a teenage issue (and an adult issue, but the book is about a teenager) who self harms.
If you know of anyone who self harms (specifically cutting), you need this book! And, you need to help us get the word out about this book. Become an events host, or become a member of her street team! We have a lot of fun and we win some cool prizes!
http://raebethbuda.blogspot.com/p/become-event-host.html
If you know of anyone who self harms (specifically cutting), you need this book! And, you need to help us get the word out about this book. Become an events host, or become a member of her street team! We have a lot of fun and we win some cool prizes!
http://raebethbuda.blogspot.com/p/become-event-host.html
Thursday, March 28, 2013
Oops I forgot...
My babies are doing very well! (plants) The lady I got them from emailed me to ask how they were doing. Wasn't that so sweet?! She said that she thinks of her plants as her children. I do the same :-) Yes...we are nuts, well I am at least. :-)
And in other news, hubby surprised me with my greenhouse that I wanted. He can be a good guy...sometimes. LOL!
And in other news, hubby surprised me with my greenhouse that I wanted. He can be a good guy...sometimes. LOL!
I feel lousy
I have yet another tummy bug, but that's not totally why I feel lousy. When I am sick, I do enjoy cuddling up to my animals. But, enough is enough. My dog and I do not fit on the recliner when she is laying sideways! I barely have enough room to sit comfortably, let alone rest so I can get better.
Then there is Sisco, the poor baby. I am feverish and everything hurts. Especially when her toenails dig into my flesh. She doesn't understand why I keep shooing her away or putting her back on her cage. I feel terrible about it.
Hopefully, tomorrow I will feel better. :-(
Then there is Sisco, the poor baby. I am feverish and everything hurts. Especially when her toenails dig into my flesh. She doesn't understand why I keep shooing her away or putting her back on her cage. I feel terrible about it.
Hopefully, tomorrow I will feel better. :-(
Saturday, March 23, 2013
Awesome New Blog
about depression and self harm. Check it out!
http://raebethbuda.blogspot.com/
I personally recommend it, she's a friend and author who knows what she is talking about.
http://raebethbuda.blogspot.com/
I personally recommend it, she's a friend and author who knows what she is talking about.
Friday, March 22, 2013
Our Moods Also Affect Our Animals
All this week I have been busy writing and rewriting articles. In case I haven't mentioned it, I am a writer and I currently write for 2 online publications. (soon to be a third as soon as I get time to sit down and finish an article for them) My writing spot in at my kitchen island, away from Sisco. Today I am not writing, but cleaning since this house is a humungous mess! I notice, and have noticed before that when I am up moving around, Sisco is also up and moving around. If I am sitting at my computer, Sisco is sitting in her roosting spot.
So far today, she has played with a foam block, took a bath, and is now intent on destroying her swing. :-)
So far today, she has played with a foam block, took a bath, and is now intent on destroying her swing. :-)
Wednesday, March 20, 2013
Pictures!
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| This is how they arrived today. The 20 babies were in the envelope and the 3 babies were sent in the small box. |
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| The 20 babies in the Ziploc baggie. When I potted them, I had a few extra - 4extra to be exact! |
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| My temporary greenhouse. 2 disposable casserole dishes/cake pans, a strawberry container, and a milk jug. |
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| And, the 2 Alligator babies + an extra one that the awesome Etsy seller sent along. |
Little Financial Setback
Just a little one, but it meant that I didn't get to purchase my greenhouse this past weekend or anytime soon, for that matter. It's OK. However, I have babies coming so I had to get something to keep them safe and to keep my animals safe. So yesterday, I bought more starter pots and a disposable aluminum casserole dish to act like my greenhouse. If they get too big for this casserole dish before I get my greenhouse up, then I will improvise with milk jugs.
LOL I have oodles of milk jugs!And 2 babies can probably fit nicely inside 1 milk jug.
Sometime today I will go shopping for 2 small cutsie pots for the other 2 plants that are on their way. I have to do this today, because they were shipped Monday and should be here today!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Tomorrow at the latest!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
No worries, I will let everyone know when they get here! :)
LOL I have oodles of milk jugs!And 2 babies can probably fit nicely inside 1 milk jug.
Sometime today I will go shopping for 2 small cutsie pots for the other 2 plants that are on their way. I have to do this today, because they were shipped Monday and should be here today!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Tomorrow at the latest!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
No worries, I will let everyone know when they get here! :)
Monday, March 18, 2013
Pennsylvania Dutch Cooking
I love to cook traditional PA Dutch meals, but sometimes it is only me and my husband that eat these kinds of meals. Occasionally our son will eat, but he doesn't eat much, because he isn't fond of some of them. One meal I love to make (and eat!) is roast beef with egg noodles and mashed potatoes. To make this, I would typically buy a shoulder roast or a butt roast beef. But then half of it is wasted or frozen with good intentions then forgotten. When I do remember that I have leftovers in the freezer, I make an awesome BBQ with it!
To save money on this meal, I buy stew beef or beef strips for stirfry. It's the same thing and I cook it the same way, it's just a whole lot cheaper to buy it that way!
The way I prepare this meal is - I sear the beef in a cast iron skillet on top of the stove until the sides are nice and brown. Do not poke the meat. You want all the juices to stay inside the meat and if you poke it all the juices will run out. After it is done searing, I put it in a crockpot and cook it on low for about 8 hours along with the juices that I loosened with some water and scraped up to make a gravy. For more flavor, add a bouillon cube or 2 in the crockpot. Add more water if you need to, the pieces of beef should be covered. But if you are using a whole roast, do not completely submerge your beef. It takes the flavor outta your beef.
After your beef is all done, take the juice that it was cooked in, put it in a saucepan, add egg noodles and cook them according to the package.
Serve with mashed potatoes and another veggie, cause around here potatoes are not a veggie! They are a gravy holder :-) I like to put my noodles on top of my mashed potatoes. The hubby likes to put his noodles beside his mashed potatoes and put gravy on his potatoes.
Don't worry about browning your beef too much. It just makes better juices/gravy!
To save money on this meal, I buy stew beef or beef strips for stirfry. It's the same thing and I cook it the same way, it's just a whole lot cheaper to buy it that way!
The way I prepare this meal is - I sear the beef in a cast iron skillet on top of the stove until the sides are nice and brown. Do not poke the meat. You want all the juices to stay inside the meat and if you poke it all the juices will run out. After it is done searing, I put it in a crockpot and cook it on low for about 8 hours along with the juices that I loosened with some water and scraped up to make a gravy. For more flavor, add a bouillon cube or 2 in the crockpot. Add more water if you need to, the pieces of beef should be covered. But if you are using a whole roast, do not completely submerge your beef. It takes the flavor outta your beef.
After your beef is all done, take the juice that it was cooked in, put it in a saucepan, add egg noodles and cook them according to the package.
Serve with mashed potatoes and another veggie, cause around here potatoes are not a veggie! They are a gravy holder :-) I like to put my noodles on top of my mashed potatoes. The hubby likes to put his noodles beside his mashed potatoes and put gravy on his potatoes.
Don't worry about browning your beef too much. It just makes better juices/gravy!
Sunday, March 17, 2013
Happy St. Patrick's Day!
I'm not Irish, I'm not a drinker even, but I like this holiday. It is magical to me :) When my son was small, we'd try to catch a Leprechaun. Days before St. Patty's Day, I'd make a little door out of construction paper and tape it to a wall in a discreet location. It had to look like it just "appeared" out of no where, and it had to be hidden so no one would know the Leprechaun was visiting.
We would then build a trap for the Leprechaun and the night before St. Patty's Day we'd set it out with little gold (chocolate) coins. In the morning, of course the trap would be empty, the gold coins would be gone, and little footprints would be all over the house in search of more gold. He always left little presents, tho.
Wish my babies were small again...
In other news, I bought my first plant for my greenhouse today. I bought it through a shop on Etsy. com. This plant is a called Mother Of a Million Babies. I bought 20 babies and will root them. I will definitely need to keep them away from my animals since they are toxic if eaten, and if the babies are not caught in time they will drop to the floor.
So, they will be kept in the greenhouse for sure! I don't even want to risk putting them outside because we have a lot of wildlife that comes to feed on my plants and in the bird feeders.
I have never seen this plant before, and so I am thinking that it will be easy to sell them once they get bigger and start having babies of their own.
I am bouncing from excitement!! I can't wait til they come!! Once they do arrive, I will need to fashion some sort of temporary greenhouse for them. Finances are not the best this week, so my greenhouse purchase got put on hold. That's OK. I am nothing but patient. yeah! Right!!!! LOL! But hey, I know my priorities. Paying the house payment and making sure we have food is more important that buying a greenhouse at the moment. It can wait. :)
We would then build a trap for the Leprechaun and the night before St. Patty's Day we'd set it out with little gold (chocolate) coins. In the morning, of course the trap would be empty, the gold coins would be gone, and little footprints would be all over the house in search of more gold. He always left little presents, tho.
Wish my babies were small again...
In other news, I bought my first plant for my greenhouse today. I bought it through a shop on Etsy. com. This plant is a called Mother Of a Million Babies. I bought 20 babies and will root them. I will definitely need to keep them away from my animals since they are toxic if eaten, and if the babies are not caught in time they will drop to the floor.
So, they will be kept in the greenhouse for sure! I don't even want to risk putting them outside because we have a lot of wildlife that comes to feed on my plants and in the bird feeders.
I have never seen this plant before, and so I am thinking that it will be easy to sell them once they get bigger and start having babies of their own.
I am bouncing from excitement!! I can't wait til they come!! Once they do arrive, I will need to fashion some sort of temporary greenhouse for them. Finances are not the best this week, so my greenhouse purchase got put on hold. That's OK. I am nothing but patient. yeah! Right!!!! LOL! But hey, I know my priorities. Paying the house payment and making sure we have food is more important that buying a greenhouse at the moment. It can wait. :)
Friday, March 15, 2013
Positive Affirmations
Yesterday's therapy session was about this topic. Do you know how hard it is to come up with a whole list of things you are good at? I don't mean the typical I am a good mom, I am a good wife, I am a good daughter types of things. I mean things like: I am caring, kind, nurturing, etc. That's hard. I had 2 whole weeks to make this list, but I procrastinated something awful and didn't make it until the very last minute. In fact, I was writing stuff down in the parking lot at the therapist's office!
Unless you are super egotistical, you know what I am talking about. It's healthy to have a positive outlook of yourself. I do not have that. But, through out my session, I said more than a few times, "Oh, I should have written that down, too." Then she gave me her pen to write that particular affirmation down. On the way home, I thought up more positive affirmations about me.
I'm not egotistical, I am someone who has a hard time believing in myself. Especially since I live with a house full of negative and selfish people. It is very hard to stay positive. I truly believe that is why fate has brought people into my life...to remind me that I am a worthwhile human being. It is sad that my own family cannot do this for me. What is sadder, is that I can't do this for myself. But, it is what it is and hopefully, with the right tools I can learn to do this. Meanwhile, my list is growing! One of my favorites I wrote down on my list is that I AM IMPORTANT. We all are, no matter what the people in our lives say to us!
Unless you are super egotistical, you know what I am talking about. It's healthy to have a positive outlook of yourself. I do not have that. But, through out my session, I said more than a few times, "Oh, I should have written that down, too." Then she gave me her pen to write that particular affirmation down. On the way home, I thought up more positive affirmations about me.
I'm not egotistical, I am someone who has a hard time believing in myself. Especially since I live with a house full of negative and selfish people. It is very hard to stay positive. I truly believe that is why fate has brought people into my life...to remind me that I am a worthwhile human being. It is sad that my own family cannot do this for me. What is sadder, is that I can't do this for myself. But, it is what it is and hopefully, with the right tools I can learn to do this. Meanwhile, my list is growing! One of my favorites I wrote down on my list is that I AM IMPORTANT. We all are, no matter what the people in our lives say to us!
Monday, March 11, 2013
Researching
As I am researching, I am rethinking the idea of using that big garbage can to compost in. It's big! I mean BIG! I might just go out and get a smaller-ish type of plastic tub. I dunno yet. More research needs to be done first before I decide.
Also, I am reading that using worms for composting is a-whole-nother ball game. I might save that experience for when/if I get a bigger garden.
Also, I am reading that using worms for composting is a-whole-nother ball game. I might save that experience for when/if I get a bigger garden.
Why
Why do I let what other people say to me affect me so badly? A person that is so influentual as he is always cuts me down like a knife when he speaks negatively to me. Try as hard as I can to not let it affect me, it never works. Those words he utters become my mantra for the day. Welcome to my depression.
Planning and Plotting
I now understand why my therapist had me think of a hobby that I can do on my own, without the husband or the kids; just something for me. She said that I would enjoy the planning phase, and I am. I have been this excited before about trying new things, however my excitement diminished when I realized that no one was going to help me. In fact, they often discouraged me. This time it is different! This time, I don't care what they say or how they try to discourage me. I am going to start my garden and have my greenhouses.
The difference this time is, I am determined to make this happen! I do not need anyone's approval or help because I AM capable of doing this. If I need help, I won't rely on the people who are "suppose" to help me. I will hire someone.
So, with that said...I have found the store where I will buy my seeds. The husband doesn't have plans for the extra garbage can in the backyard, so it is mine to use for composting! :-) I just need to clean it out and figure out where to put it - in the shade or in the sun. Our house gets sun all day, but we do have 1 shade tree that shades the eastern part of the house. Should a compost pile be in the sun or in the shade? I'm thinking in the shade so it doesn't decompose too fast, but I really don't know. More research needs to be completed before that decision gets made.
And worms...are "live bait" worms the same as composting worms? I dunno...worms are worms to me, but I read that there are certain types of worms that are preferred for composting. I also read that I will need to buy good worms, because a good worm will live for years in a compost. This makes me think that "live bait" worms are not the same as composting worms. Can I just dig in the dirt to get my worms? We use to do that when we were kids and wanted to go fishing...who didn't, huh?
My day today will consist of researching worms and where to place a compost pile! LOL I am also going to visit my grandmother. Today is her 96th birthday! :-) Oh yeah...and cleaning. Blech!
The difference this time is, I am determined to make this happen! I do not need anyone's approval or help because I AM capable of doing this. If I need help, I won't rely on the people who are "suppose" to help me. I will hire someone.
So, with that said...I have found the store where I will buy my seeds. The husband doesn't have plans for the extra garbage can in the backyard, so it is mine to use for composting! :-) I just need to clean it out and figure out where to put it - in the shade or in the sun. Our house gets sun all day, but we do have 1 shade tree that shades the eastern part of the house. Should a compost pile be in the sun or in the shade? I'm thinking in the shade so it doesn't decompose too fast, but I really don't know. More research needs to be completed before that decision gets made.
And worms...are "live bait" worms the same as composting worms? I dunno...worms are worms to me, but I read that there are certain types of worms that are preferred for composting. I also read that I will need to buy good worms, because a good worm will live for years in a compost. This makes me think that "live bait" worms are not the same as composting worms. Can I just dig in the dirt to get my worms? We use to do that when we were kids and wanted to go fishing...who didn't, huh?
My day today will consist of researching worms and where to place a compost pile! LOL I am also going to visit my grandmother. Today is her 96th birthday! :-) Oh yeah...and cleaning. Blech!
Sunday, March 10, 2013
Composting
I'm reading about composting this morning. I thought composting was harder than that! I can start this for free! I have a small crock I am going to use for my kitchen scraps and there is a garbage can sitting empty outside. I will ask hubby first if I can use it for composting. If I can use it, there will be absolutely no start up costs (altho he may want me to buy biodegradable composting bags for in that can). If he has another use for this can, I will just go to one of the dollar stores and pick up a cheap plastic tote to use.
This is where I am reading. http://howtocompost.org/cat_generalinfo.asp Lots of good info here!
This is where I am reading. http://howtocompost.org/cat_generalinfo.asp Lots of good info here!
Saturday, March 9, 2013
Ugh! Not Going So Well...But
Along with finding friends, my therapist told me that I needed a hobby, something to do that didn't include my husband and children. No, not cleaning or running errands, either. But, something that I liked to do. I was suppose to come up with a list of things that I liked to do and that I liked. Within this list, I would find some hobby for myself. Then it hit me!
Gardening!!
I have always loved playing in the dirt (bugless dirt, tho!) and tending to my indoor plants. One of my dream jobs would be to either own or work in a nursery. A local nursery is hiring, and while that would be an awesome opportunity for me, a job is out of the question for now.
My therapist said that when I found my hobby, I will go into a planning mode. Boy! Was she ever right!! The excitement I felt last night while making up my (dream) shopping list was enough to flow over into today! I am so excited to get started!
I'm not so sure what to purchase first, because I will need (read: want) a whole crap load of stuff.
- greenhouse
- containers
- seeds
- heater/cooling system
- salad trays for lettuces
- watering system
- organic soil
- thermometer
- timer
- grow lights
Ok, so I won't technically NEED all that. But, good golly do I WANT all that! If I plan right, this hobby will keep me busy ALL year long! Woot! I may even be able to sell a few veggies and houseplants.
All I need to do is... WIN THE LOTTERY so I can buy my stuff! :-/
Oh yeah...if I troll the gardening stores enough, I may even make a new local friend...
Gardening!!
I have always loved playing in the dirt (bugless dirt, tho!) and tending to my indoor plants. One of my dream jobs would be to either own or work in a nursery. A local nursery is hiring, and while that would be an awesome opportunity for me, a job is out of the question for now.
My therapist said that when I found my hobby, I will go into a planning mode. Boy! Was she ever right!! The excitement I felt last night while making up my (dream) shopping list was enough to flow over into today! I am so excited to get started!
I'm not so sure what to purchase first, because I will need (read: want) a whole crap load of stuff.
- greenhouse
- containers
- seeds
- heater/cooling system
- salad trays for lettuces
- watering system
- organic soil
- thermometer
- timer
- grow lights
Ok, so I won't technically NEED all that. But, good golly do I WANT all that! If I plan right, this hobby will keep me busy ALL year long! Woot! I may even be able to sell a few veggies and houseplants.
All I need to do is... WIN THE LOTTERY so I can buy my stuff! :-/
Oh yeah...if I troll the gardening stores enough, I may even make a new local friend...
Monday, March 4, 2013
Still Looking
I don't even know where to start looking for a friend in my area. The people around here and I don't get along. We don't see eye to eye about a lot of things. For the record, the town I live in is not my hometown, but my hometown isn't much better. I guess most people feel that way about the area they live in and people that live in it. Sometimes it seems like this place is the only place where wearing pajamas in public is socially acceptable. Then I look on the internet and see that's not the case.
I'm not an outspoken person, in fact I am very very shy. I do have my passions and I will tell you about them if you give me a chance. Most people don't though.
Out Of The Mouth Of Babes
There's not enough parenting advice out there for me to read to prepare for the conversation I just had with my son. I'm used to the kind of questions a "typical" ASD child would ask. These are usually in the form of a scientific question, or at the very least they are quite amusing. Last week he asked me what would happen if we just sent all the werewolves to the moon.
Nothing, and I mean nothing could have prepared me for these questions!
He asked me, "Who are you?"
"I'm mom. Silly."
"No, I know that. I am being philosophical."
"Why are you being philosopiphical...Why are you making me say words I can't pronounce?"
"I dunno..."
"Mom, another quick question. Are you happy?"
OMG! I didn't know how to answer that. He's 18, but he's not 18 mentally. Can he handle the truth? What would happen if I said no? Should I lie and say yes?
"Um. No." I stammered. "Are you happy?"
He shook his head and he whispered, "No."
My heart broke.. I am hoping he isn't happy because there is a computer game out there that he wanted and he just doesn't know how to ask for it. So, I naively asked, "Why aren't you happy?"
He didn't answer. Instead he turned the tables on me. "Why aren't you happy?" Who is this child? Why is he asking me these tough questions?
"I'm just not happy with my life at the moment." Hindsight and all that, I should have said that I'm not happy because he said he's not happy. However, I do not believe in lying to my kids. They need to know that a parent has feelings and a parent can struggle with things, too.
But, as I asked my son why he wasn't happy his answer made anything I have ever suffered through seem trivial.
His answer, "I'm not happy with the way I am."
Yeah. Then he asked me to go and pet his cat. Moment gone.
Nothing, and I mean nothing could have prepared me for these questions!
He asked me, "Who are you?"
"I'm mom. Silly."
"No, I know that. I am being philosophical."
"Why are you being philosopiphical...Why are you making me say words I can't pronounce?"
"I dunno..."
"Mom, another quick question. Are you happy?"
OMG! I didn't know how to answer that. He's 18, but he's not 18 mentally. Can he handle the truth? What would happen if I said no? Should I lie and say yes?
"Um. No." I stammered. "Are you happy?"
He shook his head and he whispered, "No."
My heart broke.. I am hoping he isn't happy because there is a computer game out there that he wanted and he just doesn't know how to ask for it. So, I naively asked, "Why aren't you happy?"
He didn't answer. Instead he turned the tables on me. "Why aren't you happy?" Who is this child? Why is he asking me these tough questions?
"I'm just not happy with my life at the moment." Hindsight and all that, I should have said that I'm not happy because he said he's not happy. However, I do not believe in lying to my kids. They need to know that a parent has feelings and a parent can struggle with things, too.
But, as I asked my son why he wasn't happy his answer made anything I have ever suffered through seem trivial.
His answer, "I'm not happy with the way I am."
Yeah. Then he asked me to go and pet his cat. Moment gone.
That'll Teach Me To Go Away For The Day
Gracious! I don't have enough body space for the amount of birds that want to be on me today. I have some clingy little fids today. I'm not complaining because Peanut is on me now. I haven't been graced with this much love from him since he found his little girl friend.
Saturday, March 2, 2013
Positive and Negative Thoughts
I try not to be a negative person, but the negativity always wins. I think to myself that if I don't have any expectations, then I can't be disappointed. But, in this article about positivity it says if you think about it, then it will appear. Hmmm...OK. I think about living on a beach, writing my books and articles, biking to the local market for fresh fruits and veggies, but here I am in freezing cold PA, sitting on my recliner in my robe with wild sleepy hair.
My vision didn't work. Why?
My life experiences tell me that I am always going to be disappointed in one form or another. Why? Is this the reason; do I question things to much and don't just let them "be?"
I think I do.
I am in therapy for depression and anxiety and my therapist said to me at my last session to go out and find some friends. I am terrified of this thought. She also said that I need to find something to do for myself. I am in the midst of trying to find out who I am besides "wife" and "mother."
Who am I? I have no freaking clue! What do I like? Uh, birds. I like to read. I like to sit on my porch swing.
I don't like to go shopping. She said to window shop. Why? If I did that then I'd get even more depressed thinking about all the things that I'd like to have but don't. Be thankful for the things I have, she said. I am. We worked hard for the things we have. It's a daily struggle, but we're no exception since it is for most people.
Have a coffee with a friend was her next suggestion. Can I take my computer? My friends live in it.
I have to go out and get some real friends. :-( But, she didn't tell me how to do that. How do you do that? I don't leave my house unless it is to go to Walmart. A place I despise. When I am at Walmart, I rush around and grab the things I intended to get and a few things that I had no idea I needed until I spot them, which is why I hate Walmart. They are sneaky that way! Before I know it, I am back in the car. I can't remember if I uttered anything except and "excuse me" or "thank you" to the cashier. I do have my manners, at least.
My assignment for my next session is to keep on listing some good qualities about myself. M'kay. And, to keep listing some things I like. My brain will be fried before my next appointment!
Changing the topic a bit...Sisco was pulling out feathers every single night. I counted 5 feathers one morning. This morning, there were NO FEATHERS on the bottom of her cage!!! What was different? Nothing! She continues to baffle me!
My vision didn't work. Why?
My life experiences tell me that I am always going to be disappointed in one form or another. Why? Is this the reason; do I question things to much and don't just let them "be?"
I think I do.
I am in therapy for depression and anxiety and my therapist said to me at my last session to go out and find some friends. I am terrified of this thought. She also said that I need to find something to do for myself. I am in the midst of trying to find out who I am besides "wife" and "mother."
Who am I? I have no freaking clue! What do I like? Uh, birds. I like to read. I like to sit on my porch swing.
I don't like to go shopping. She said to window shop. Why? If I did that then I'd get even more depressed thinking about all the things that I'd like to have but don't. Be thankful for the things I have, she said. I am. We worked hard for the things we have. It's a daily struggle, but we're no exception since it is for most people.
Have a coffee with a friend was her next suggestion. Can I take my computer? My friends live in it.
I have to go out and get some real friends. :-( But, she didn't tell me how to do that. How do you do that? I don't leave my house unless it is to go to Walmart. A place I despise. When I am at Walmart, I rush around and grab the things I intended to get and a few things that I had no idea I needed until I spot them, which is why I hate Walmart. They are sneaky that way! Before I know it, I am back in the car. I can't remember if I uttered anything except and "excuse me" or "thank you" to the cashier. I do have my manners, at least.
My assignment for my next session is to keep on listing some good qualities about myself. M'kay. And, to keep listing some things I like. My brain will be fried before my next appointment!
Changing the topic a bit...Sisco was pulling out feathers every single night. I counted 5 feathers one morning. This morning, there were NO FEATHERS on the bottom of her cage!!! What was different? Nothing! She continues to baffle me!
Friday, March 1, 2013
Horrible Bird Mom I Am!
I just realized that it was coming up to a year that I've had Sisco. With a little checking, I found out that February 20th was the day Sisco came home. D'oh!!
Happy Birdaversary Sissy-Bug!!
Happy Birdaversary Sissy-Bug!!
Thursday, February 28, 2013
Quantity time today
I noticed this morning that Sisco wasn't in her usual sleeping spot. I had hung a paper towel near her sleeping spot thinking she would enjoy chomping on it. Nope. All it did was deter her from sleeping in her spot, and from sleeping well. :-( So, we had lots of snuggles today and she spent the morning with me organizing bird toys in the bird room.
She was quite bossy about me throwing away a few toys parts...Why should she be unlike every once else in this family? Ha! Except me, of course! I have no issues with throwing things away...
Quality time vs quantity time...which is more important? I think both! If you don't have a lot of time to spend together, then make the time very worthwhile.
She was quite bossy about me throwing away a few toys parts...Why should she be unlike every once else in this family? Ha! Except me, of course! I have no issues with throwing things away...
Quality time vs quantity time...which is more important? I think both! If you don't have a lot of time to spend together, then make the time very worthwhile.
Tuesday, February 26, 2013
Another very good article
I particularly like the part where we are in fact causing the bird to pick because of the kind of attention we are giving him or her. When I hold Sisco for our cuddling sessions (which in itself is a debate...to cuddle a bird or not) she has to have a poncho on. It feels weird to me to snuggle and be touching her bare skin.
By the way, her rash is gone...Maybe it was a heat rash. Do birds get heat rash?
http://www.birdchannel.com/bird-diet-and-health/bird-care/bald-bird.aspx
By the way, her rash is gone...Maybe it was a heat rash. Do birds get heat rash?
http://www.birdchannel.com/bird-diet-and-health/bird-care/bald-bird.aspx
A must read article on feather picking written by a vet
Awesome article. If you have a feather picker or a plucker, read this article. It is well worth it. I totally agree with everything he said, except that severe pluckers may be better off in a breeding program. I don't know how I feel about that...
http://www.multiscope.com/hotspot/featherpicking.htm
http://www.multiscope.com/hotspot/featherpicking.htm
Sisco has a rash!
It's on her tummy and her chest. This is a new development and I'm scouring the internet to see what the probable cause could be and coming up empty. The only thing I can find is an allergic reaction. But to what? I have not changed anything lately, except I did buy a new face wash, however I only used it 2 times before I realized that it was too strong of a smell for even me and I shouldn't wash my face right before our night time snuggles. Instead, I have washed my face after Sisco goes to bed.
So, what could this be? I so wish we had an avian vet local, but we do not. I'd have to drive at least an hour and a half to just 1 vet. All the others are 2 + hours away. Of course it is worth it and I'd do it in a heartbeat, but gas at $3.79 a gallon, plus the cost of the vet visit would break my piggy bank. :( What to do, what to do???
I found this link on vitamin toxicity and thought it to be very interesting. What this person is saying is that it is very difficult to over supplement a bird's diet. But, I don't know about that. I read the reason why pellets are not suitable for smaller birds such as cockatiels and lovebirds is because of vitamin toxicity. I do not feed my little guys pellets at all. They get all the nutrients they need from the fresh fruits and veggies and grains, plus their seeds that they eat.
http://www.parrotmag.com/letters/58-letters/441-letters-over-supplementing-vitamins
So, what could this be? I so wish we had an avian vet local, but we do not. I'd have to drive at least an hour and a half to just 1 vet. All the others are 2 + hours away. Of course it is worth it and I'd do it in a heartbeat, but gas at $3.79 a gallon, plus the cost of the vet visit would break my piggy bank. :( What to do, what to do???
I found this link on vitamin toxicity and thought it to be very interesting. What this person is saying is that it is very difficult to over supplement a bird's diet. But, I don't know about that. I read the reason why pellets are not suitable for smaller birds such as cockatiels and lovebirds is because of vitamin toxicity. I do not feed my little guys pellets at all. They get all the nutrients they need from the fresh fruits and veggies and grains, plus their seeds that they eat.
http://www.parrotmag.com/letters/58-letters/441-letters-over-supplementing-vitamins
Monday, February 18, 2013
Read This Book!! Please :)
It's amazing. You won't be disappointed.
Silenced by RaeBeth McGee will leave you on the edge of your seat and feeling the emotions the main character feels. It dives into self harm and depression to bring awareness to these matters. Here are what some have said about this amazing book.
"I think people need to read this book and get a perspective on what actually happens and how depression affects us all!!!"
"I was overwhelmed with emotional..... Landon & Amber have such a warm, yet cold story.... I'm sad for Sarah too.... It was nice to see Amber and her mother finally getting along.... No one should have to go through something like this alone.... Its like a drug.... Get help!!!! This is a big eye open!!!!"
"Raebeth McGee has written a powerful story that is a MUST READ. Her descriptive words, and the flow of the story, carried me on a roller coaster of emotions. I shed more than a few tears, so a tissue may come in handy! I highly recommend this book to the older YA age range (15+) and adults alike."
Where to find this book? It's available on Amazon for the Kindle and in paperback. Barnes and Noble for the Nook. Head on over and get your copy now.
http://www.amazon.com/Silenced-Series-ebook/dp/B00ANRBNDS/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/silenced-rae-beth-mcgee/1022945794?ean=2940015999945
Saturday, February 9, 2013
Sisco's First Bath
Without the vacuum cleaner and without being forced!!
Sisco never bathes on her own unless the vacuum cleaner is running. Even then, it isn't an every day event (bathing, not vacuuming cause with a house full of birds and dogs, vacuuming every day is a must). This morning, she was on my shoulder while I was sipping coffee, and she reached for it as if she wanted a drink. So, I offered her some fresh water in a yellow crock. She took a few sips then proceeded to splash with her beak. There was no way she could have bathed in that tiny little crock, so I got a bigger bowl and filled it with lukewarm water.
It took her awhile to actually start bathing. She dunked her beak in a time or 2, but I could tell that she wanted a bath, because she kept fluffing up her feathers and pulling my hair. When she pulls my hair, it is a big indication that she wants something and she wants it NOW! And I had best figure it out ASAP or I will be bald soon! God, how I'd love to be able to read her mind!
Once she started splashing around with her beak, then she dunked her head in, then she tested it with her toes a few times. Since the bowl was a see thru Tupperware bowl, she had a hard time judging the bottom of it. I had to hold the bowl up to her while she was still on my shoulder for her to get in it. Next time I will use a different bowl or hold something under it so she can see that it isn't bottomless.
Sisco tried to step into the bowl, but I do think she was scared that it was bottomless :( The one and only time that she stepped all the way, she got scared and that was that; she was DONE!
I am so happy that she did this!!! Now I can take a nice luxurious hot soak in the bathtub instead of a quick shower.
Sisco never bathes on her own unless the vacuum cleaner is running. Even then, it isn't an every day event (bathing, not vacuuming cause with a house full of birds and dogs, vacuuming every day is a must). This morning, she was on my shoulder while I was sipping coffee, and she reached for it as if she wanted a drink. So, I offered her some fresh water in a yellow crock. She took a few sips then proceeded to splash with her beak. There was no way she could have bathed in that tiny little crock, so I got a bigger bowl and filled it with lukewarm water.
It took her awhile to actually start bathing. She dunked her beak in a time or 2, but I could tell that she wanted a bath, because she kept fluffing up her feathers and pulling my hair. When she pulls my hair, it is a big indication that she wants something and she wants it NOW! And I had best figure it out ASAP or I will be bald soon! God, how I'd love to be able to read her mind!
Once she started splashing around with her beak, then she dunked her head in, then she tested it with her toes a few times. Since the bowl was a see thru Tupperware bowl, she had a hard time judging the bottom of it. I had to hold the bowl up to her while she was still on my shoulder for her to get in it. Next time I will use a different bowl or hold something under it so she can see that it isn't bottomless.
Sisco tried to step into the bowl, but I do think she was scared that it was bottomless :( The one and only time that she stepped all the way, she got scared and that was that; she was DONE!
I am so happy that she did this!!! Now I can take a nice luxurious hot soak in the bathtub instead of a quick shower.
Wednesday, February 6, 2013
Cones, Bubbles, and E-collars Continued
The other day we were talking about collars for plucking parrots. Let me share a picture with you. This picture is one of Sisco's ponchos doing its job. On the poncho WAS a flower, Sisco just about demolished it to the point where I will need to fix it before she wears it again. The poncho did 2 things. It was comfortable to Sisco which allowed her to eat, preen, drink, and play. Whereas an e-collar, cone, of bubble would not allow most of these things, but especially preen. If a bird gets depressed from having one of these devices on her, she will stop eating, too. That could be dangerous. So, it allowed her comfort and also kept her warm.
The second big job this poncho did was to keep her from totally plucking her feathers out. Now, it didn't keep her from plucking, period. But, it did keep her from constantly plucking. It kept her distracted long enough to let some new feathers grow in.
Job well done!
PS. Last night at dinner, Sisco ATE a bite of broccoli!!!!!
The second big job this poncho did was to keep her from totally plucking her feathers out. Now, it didn't keep her from plucking, period. But, it did keep her from constantly plucking. It kept her distracted long enough to let some new feathers grow in.
Job well done!
PS. Last night at dinner, Sisco ATE a bite of broccoli!!!!!
Monday, February 4, 2013
Showing Off My Baby
I thought it would be nice to post some pictures of the oh so famous conure, Sisco. She is a very important individual in my life. We saved each other!
Cones, Bubbles, E-collars
I got to thinking just now, as I was scritching Sisco and removing some of the sheath on her new pin feathers, that when she had an E-collar on, how uncomfortable that must have been when she had new feathers popping thru. I wonder if we aren't doing more harm than good using these types of devices.
When I got Sisco, she had a bubble collar around her neck. It looked very uncomfortable to me and so we took it off the next day, but as soon as it was off, she went on a plucking spree! We made an E-collar of X-ray film and put that on her. I took that off of her when it was apparent that she was having trouble getting to her food.
I have not used anything like that since, and the plucking continues. But, I'd rather her be comfortable rather than be in pain due to a pin feather bending the wrong way. If I touch a new pin feather, I get bit. Can you imagine if a bird has a bubble collar on and has a new pin feather coming thru, but is bent or rubbing the collar, how grouchy they are because of the pain of that new feather?
That's why I feel it is important to use something more soft and pliable rather than something that won't move and will inhibit growth of new feathers under it. For some birds, feather plucking is due to a medical condition. For others it is due to environment and then becomes a habit that is very difficult to end. To get it to stop, something needs to change or become better in the bird's environment. Look around to see what could possible be a trigger for this plucking. An air freshener? A new lotion (or something on your skin like residue smoke, cleaners, metals, hazardous materials, etc) causing an allergic reaction to him? A new family member (can be human or animal)?
We looked around, but did we spot anything? Yes? Good, fix it. No? Look again. Still nothing? OK, work on getting the habit to stop by replacing it with a new habit or habits. A way to do that is to literally replace that habit with something else. Keep him or her extra extra busy so she doesn't have time to pluck. Easier said than done if you have a job. All you can do in that situation is to try and keep her busy while you are gone with special toys that you only put into use when you have to be gone. The idea is to keep her engaged during the day so she doesn't think about her feathers. Whether or not you have to work, it doesn't matter because this will be a slow on going process, or so I am learning. :-)
Good luck! Any questions or comments, let me have 'em!
When I got Sisco, she had a bubble collar around her neck. It looked very uncomfortable to me and so we took it off the next day, but as soon as it was off, she went on a plucking spree! We made an E-collar of X-ray film and put that on her. I took that off of her when it was apparent that she was having trouble getting to her food.
I have not used anything like that since, and the plucking continues. But, I'd rather her be comfortable rather than be in pain due to a pin feather bending the wrong way. If I touch a new pin feather, I get bit. Can you imagine if a bird has a bubble collar on and has a new pin feather coming thru, but is bent or rubbing the collar, how grouchy they are because of the pain of that new feather?
That's why I feel it is important to use something more soft and pliable rather than something that won't move and will inhibit growth of new feathers under it. For some birds, feather plucking is due to a medical condition. For others it is due to environment and then becomes a habit that is very difficult to end. To get it to stop, something needs to change or become better in the bird's environment. Look around to see what could possible be a trigger for this plucking. An air freshener? A new lotion (or something on your skin like residue smoke, cleaners, metals, hazardous materials, etc) causing an allergic reaction to him? A new family member (can be human or animal)?
We looked around, but did we spot anything? Yes? Good, fix it. No? Look again. Still nothing? OK, work on getting the habit to stop by replacing it with a new habit or habits. A way to do that is to literally replace that habit with something else. Keep him or her extra extra busy so she doesn't have time to pluck. Easier said than done if you have a job. All you can do in that situation is to try and keep her busy while you are gone with special toys that you only put into use when you have to be gone. The idea is to keep her engaged during the day so she doesn't think about her feathers. Whether or not you have to work, it doesn't matter because this will be a slow on going process, or so I am learning. :-)
Good luck! Any questions or comments, let me have 'em!
Friday, February 1, 2013
The World's Only Pickiest Conure
No pun intended, really. She does pluck her feathers and pick at her skin, but I mean that she is picky about food. She thinks the only worthwhile veggie to eat is mashed potatoes. A girl after my own heart...I love potatoes, too! But, I also eat a huge variety of foods, and I'm not a parrot!
Most conures are not as picky about their foods as Sisco is. Most conures love food of any sort. However, Sisco never got that memo. She even refuses Doritos! What parrot refuses a cheese covered chip?! None that I know of except Sisco.
Anyway, since she is so picky I decided to add some vitamins to her water in the morning. And, I am going to introduce a few other veggies in her mashed potatoes like cauliflower and sweet potatoes. She doesn't get mashed potatoes every day. Maybe once or twice a week. I do give her a plate of fresh and/or steamed veggies and pasta every day, so it's not like she isn't exposed to the fruits and veggies and doesn't get a chance to eat them. Because, she does.
It's only been a week since I started adding vitamins in her morning water, and there hasn't been any changes that I can see. We are also still doing our steam bathes which I have noticed makes a huge difference if we skip a few days. (I don't skip showering, I bathe on some days just so you know I'm not walking around stinking up the place LOL)
The differences in Sisco's skin is amazing when we shower as opposed to when we don't. When we don't, it is red and irritated and she picks at it a lot more. When we do shower, it is nice and smooth, almost has an even tone to it.
I know from dealing with my son's severe eczema that Vitamin C is a natural antihistamine and the vitamins that I bought for Sisco has extra C in it, which is why I bought that brand.
When adding a supplement of any sort to a bird's water, it is important to watch carefully to make sure they are drinking that water. If it tastes differently or if it smells weird, they may refuse to drink it. I am watching Sisco to make sure that doesn't happen. It hasn't. She drinks. Another important fact is that vitamins lose their potency in water, so changing water often through out the day is a good idea. I don't add any more vitamins to her water when I change it through out the day, and boy howdy do I have to change it a lot! She is a typical conure to the point where she makes soup of her food and toys. *grin* I love my baby!
Most conures are not as picky about their foods as Sisco is. Most conures love food of any sort. However, Sisco never got that memo. She even refuses Doritos! What parrot refuses a cheese covered chip?! None that I know of except Sisco.
Anyway, since she is so picky I decided to add some vitamins to her water in the morning. And, I am going to introduce a few other veggies in her mashed potatoes like cauliflower and sweet potatoes. She doesn't get mashed potatoes every day. Maybe once or twice a week. I do give her a plate of fresh and/or steamed veggies and pasta every day, so it's not like she isn't exposed to the fruits and veggies and doesn't get a chance to eat them. Because, she does.
It's only been a week since I started adding vitamins in her morning water, and there hasn't been any changes that I can see. We are also still doing our steam bathes which I have noticed makes a huge difference if we skip a few days. (I don't skip showering, I bathe on some days just so you know I'm not walking around stinking up the place LOL)
The differences in Sisco's skin is amazing when we shower as opposed to when we don't. When we don't, it is red and irritated and she picks at it a lot more. When we do shower, it is nice and smooth, almost has an even tone to it.
I know from dealing with my son's severe eczema that Vitamin C is a natural antihistamine and the vitamins that I bought for Sisco has extra C in it, which is why I bought that brand.
When adding a supplement of any sort to a bird's water, it is important to watch carefully to make sure they are drinking that water. If it tastes differently or if it smells weird, they may refuse to drink it. I am watching Sisco to make sure that doesn't happen. It hasn't. She drinks. Another important fact is that vitamins lose their potency in water, so changing water often through out the day is a good idea. I don't add any more vitamins to her water when I change it through out the day, and boy howdy do I have to change it a lot! She is a typical conure to the point where she makes soup of her food and toys. *grin* I love my baby!
Tuesday, January 29, 2013
Do Unto Others as They Would Do Unto You
Remember that phrase? I grew up with that constantly being repeated to me as a kid. My mom would say that in hopes that I would make a friend in school. She'd try to squash my fears of being picked on at school that day with this phrase and the "sticks and stones" one.
Both are lies.
No one knows how you want them to treat you until you tell them. You show people how to treat you by not speaking up. Speak up and let them know that how they are treating you isn't right. Whether it is a spouse, parent, friend, or what-have-you they don't have the right to treat you any differently than any other person in their lives. Demand respect.
Both are lies.
No one knows how you want them to treat you until you tell them. You show people how to treat you by not speaking up. Speak up and let them know that how they are treating you isn't right. Whether it is a spouse, parent, friend, or what-have-you they don't have the right to treat you any differently than any other person in their lives. Demand respect.
Thursday, January 10, 2013
Sissy's Backside
is all scabby. :( She still has the feathers and more popping in thru her back, but her hiney doesn't looks good. It is evident that she is picking it. Why? I imagine it is itchy and dry and that's why. Wish there was something I could do to help.
Monday, January 7, 2013
As Of Last Night...
Sisco still had all her new feathers. Since I've had this flu, I haven't showered, instead I have been taking nice long hot bathes. Which means, no steam showers for Sisco, either. However, I had to run an errand (in between fevers. I religiously used my hand sanitizer. Let's face it, I had to go to Walmart, and that place is a germ factory right there!! ) so, while I was getting ready to head out on my errand, I turned the shower on and let the bathroom get nice and steamy for Sissy. I got to see how she acts when the steams is rising. I do believe she loves her steam showers!!
Sunday, January 6, 2013
Who Is My Rock?
Who is the one person I can count on to be there for me? As I was sitting in the living room, on the recliner, alternating between chills and sweating thanks to this never-ending fever, I got to thinking, who is my rock?
I am there for so many people. I do things for people because I like to, and I treat people the way I'd want to be treated. It's the way I was taught. Apparently, not everyone was taught that way. I think for now on, I will treat people the way they treat me.
I can see how well that will work tho. People will just call me a bitch.
I don't always ask for help. I believe that the people closest to me ought to know when I need someone. If they don't, that's not my problem. I always know when someone needs something just by the way they interact with me. And, by being aware of everything that is going on with that person.
Do you know who is there for me when I need someone? My grandfather. My grandfather who has been gone for almost 30 years comes each and every time I need someone, and even when I don't :-)
I certainly can't forget my dearest friend from NY! My soul sister. She listens to me complain, helps me to put things into perspective gently, and is there for the good things, too. And for that, I can't thank her enough.
I am there for so many people. I do things for people because I like to, and I treat people the way I'd want to be treated. It's the way I was taught. Apparently, not everyone was taught that way. I think for now on, I will treat people the way they treat me.
I can see how well that will work tho. People will just call me a bitch.
I don't always ask for help. I believe that the people closest to me ought to know when I need someone. If they don't, that's not my problem. I always know when someone needs something just by the way they interact with me. And, by being aware of everything that is going on with that person.
Do you know who is there for me when I need someone? My grandfather. My grandfather who has been gone for almost 30 years comes each and every time I need someone, and even when I don't :-)
I certainly can't forget my dearest friend from NY! My soul sister. She listens to me complain, helps me to put things into perspective gently, and is there for the good things, too. And for that, I can't thank her enough.
Love is a verb. An action. Not a feeling or emotion.. Not a tingling sense you get or a noun you can "fall into." Loving someone requires, dare I say it, work on your part. That's why it's so hard for people who are lazy. Loving is a verb.
By Anonymous
Sometimes the strongest people in the morning are the people who cried all night.
Not sure who wrote that, either. Found it on a quote forum.
I know it seems like I'm this strong person who can get though anything, but inside I'm fragile. I've had so many things thrown at me, and each one has only made a crack. What I'm afraid of is shattering.
Unkown
Friday, January 4, 2013
More ponchos
I made 10 ponchos yesterday while waiting for my darling daughter to get finished with her pony, as she calls that beast. I like the pink one with the purple corsage the best. Right this moment, Sisco is wearing a pink one that has 3 deep red felt heart buttons on it. I made it for Valentines Day, but since she has a bunch of new feathers, I wanted her to have something on pronto.
We've been taking a shower almost every morning. I shower, she takes a steam bath. Then after our shower, I take her poncho off so she can preen. She loves that! But, today we were running errands and I wanted her to have something on while we were gone. So, I grabbed the first poncho that I saw. Oh well, she looks adorable anyway! Unfortunately, I did not get any pics of this poncho. But, I did get some of the other ponchos I made. Plus a picture of her new feathers!!!
And, a picture of her in her Christmassy poncho!
We've been taking a shower almost every morning. I shower, she takes a steam bath. Then after our shower, I take her poncho off so she can preen. She loves that! But, today we were running errands and I wanted her to have something on while we were gone. So, I grabbed the first poncho that I saw. Oh well, she looks adorable anyway! Unfortunately, I did not get any pics of this poncho. But, I did get some of the other ponchos I made. Plus a picture of her new feathers!!!
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