In Reference To My Post From Last Night

Live each day as if it is your last. And, don't forget to tell the people that you love and care about them just how much they mean to you every single day. You never know when it is going to be the last time.

Oh how I hate talking doom and gloom, but in reality, no one ever knows what is around the corner; what fate has in store for us. I don't think anyone has ever laid on their death bed and thought how they wished they would have worked more or neglected their family more (I'm sure they may have been a few people who had wished they could have provided for their family better, but not in a sense where that was ALL they did). Because we don't know, do not take anything or anyone for granted. It can be gone in an instant.

It's Almost Bedtime! Woot!

I'm a morning person, really I am. I do my best thinking in the morning, I have loads of energy in the morning, and I enjoy morning (close your eyes kids) nookie. But, bedtime is my favorite time of the day. Maybe because it is the end of the day, therefor closer to the start of a new day (aka the morning!), or maybe it is because I love sleep.

Actually, I think it is all of the above, plus I get the most wonderful snuggles from Sisco. I am a lucky momma!

It's taken me a long time, but I have learned not to wish the day away. Today is today, but tomorrow is no guarantee. I am appreciative of my time I have on this earth, however short or long it may be and I try to make the most out of every moment. It is sad for me to know that there will never be another Friday, August 24th, 2012. How did I spend it? How did you spend it?

Spend, according to my handy dandy dictionary app means to pay out, dispose of, expend, to use up, consume, or exhaust. Spend doesn't mean to loan or give back. Time is gone. Spent. Used up. Never to return. Use your time wisely, because you'll never get another today. 

Babysitting This Week

Normally, I do not like the term 'babysitting' because I do not sit on babies. Not to mention, during the toddler stage, one does not sit much! But, I can't say that I am doing childcare again, since I'm not. Although, this week has made me realize that I really miss it. I am good with kids. No, I take that back...I am AWESOME with kids! I think I will put an ad back up on care.com and advertise to watch a few older kids. No babies. My life is too hectic to watch wee ones. Plus, I can still write while the older kids are at school or busy with projects and such.

And, since no post is complete without pictures... the birds had to get in on the act as well.
 

Kiwi wanted to play Polly Pockets, too!

Baby tried to disguise herself as a Gusher! Didn't work!

New Idea For Sisco's Ponchos

Sisco is so smart that she can lift up her poncho to get to her feathers. I am going to sew snaps so that I can snap it underneath her wings. It'll be more like a one piece, but not as confining as a one piece. I tried a one piece on her and she furiously plucked out feathers as soon as it came off. I don't want that to happen again.

She's also learned a new trick...When she wants me but I'm not paying attention to her screams, she will climb down her cage and walk across the floor to where ever I am. I guess she forgot that she's a bird and can fly.

Camping This Weekend!

In exactly the same spot where 2 years ago I lost Joey. I am going to be a nervous wreck! To say I'm going to be a bit overprotective will be an understatement!

Finished Ponchos

I made 2 and finished them both. These can be done in a matter of minutes.

How To Make a Poncho For a Plucking Parrot: A Step By Step Guide with Pictures

The first is to buy your things. You will need:

• fleece - You can buy remnants from Walmart or any fabric store. Use fleece because it will hold up to lots of pulling and tugging from your parrot.
• toddler socks - Depending on the size of your parrot. Mine is a Nanday Conure, one of the larger conures so toddler or young child socks work best. For a smaller bird such as a lovebird, infant socks should work fine. 
• embellishments - Buttons, felt,beads, feathers...something big enough that they can pick at but not harm themselves if they get it off. 

Next, take your piece of fleece and fold it in half, like so...

Remember, my bird is a Nanday Conure, so I am using a piece of fleece that when folded measures 5 inches by 5 inches.

Then, you're going to make a neck hole in your fleece. An easy way to do this is to fold it in half again and cut the corner of the fold. Like this...

Perfect neck hole.

Now, if I was making a night time poncho I would stop there. Sisco will pull and tug at the turtleneck part and make it unravel. The poncho we're making is to be used during the daytime, preferably during supervision. I have yet to find a sock that won't unravel...

Anyway, next comes the sock part. You're going to cut the cuff part of the sock off for the turtleneck. More of the sock you cut, more of the sock is left exposed for unraveling... So, just try to cut as close to the cuff as possible. 

Next, we're going to sew the sock cuff into the neck hole. We're going to make knots as we sew so that with one tug, the thread doesn't pull on the neck hole and strangle your baby. Make tiny stitches because we don't want the stitches to irritate her delicate skin.

When you have sewn completely around, tie off under the sock cuff on the inside of the poncho. Again, we don't want that knot to irritate her skin.

Next, trim, if needed and embellish! Have fun and get creative. Think preening fun :)