Bird Update

A few months ago I was whining about the birds flying in and out of our carport. I complained that these pesky critters were making quite the mess on the floor of the carport as well as my car, and we were looking for ideas of ways to scare them away.

My husband had attempted to use some cardboard to block the area where they'd been roosting. That worked for like a day, until they figured out they could peck and pull at the cardboard, eventually destroying it.

So Plan B included printing a photo of a scary owl and mounting it in the window in the carport. That, too, worked for a day, until the birds determined the owl wasn't real.

Plans C, D, E and F included hanging wind chimes, hanging an old CD with an eye drawn on it, hanging a tennis ball and mounting a rubber snake on the wall. Again, each of these suggested tips worked for a day or so, but the birds kept coming back.

Check this out... The bird is roosting on top of the wind chimes! Yep, we REALLY scared this guy, didn't we?


See the rubber snake to the right? The bird was perched next to it a couple of days ago.


I swear, I think the bird and his friends laugh at us sometimes. Show-off bird!

Sinful... Evil... Divine!

Apparently these Dove ice cream miniatures have been around for a while. I just wanna know why no one told me! I bought some today in the commissary and have decided these babies are so good that they're evil. I need to avoid the freezer case for the entire next year. But, WOW! Seriously.

What's happening?

That's all... what's happening?

Look what's cookin'...

...and look who's cookin' it!

While at Boy Scout camp, D learned how to bake apples and he wanted to prove it to us last night.


Here D basically semi-cores four apples. Be careful, big man! I know my son is a Boy Scout, and he's earned his "whittling chip," therefore he's allowed to use a knife, but I'll admit it still makes me a little nervous, especially when the knife is sharp.


D sprinkled sugar and cinnamon in the top of each apple and placed them in the oven. They baked at 400 degrees for about 45 minutes.


It's time! They're done!


D was excited to have made these all by himself.


Mmmm... the apples were divine! Good job, D! I'm definitely seeing the benefit in Boy Scout camp. Hmmm... what else did you learn to cook?

How many times can...

...one person watch the same movie in a week's time? I managed to see Transformers 2 three times in the last week, and before you get the idea that I'm really in to that kind of entertainment, allow me to explain.



My youngest son and I were all alone last Friday as my hubby and oldest son were both on trips. I thought the movies would be a nice surprise outing for my little man, particularly since this is a movie he really wanted to see. Done deal.

When my oldest son returned later that night (Well, technically it was just after midnight on Saturday morning), and discovered we'd gone to see the movie without him, he was highly perturbed, therefore, we loaded up and went to see it again.

My husband returned from his trip mid-week and was determined to see the movie too, and I'm sure you can guess what we did last night... we went to see the movie AGAIN, but this time we went to the drive-in. Yes, our little military base has a drive-in theater. Is that cool or what?

Don't you think I'm a great wife and mom, going to see this movie three times with my family? I think so! Don't get me wrong... I enjoyed the movie. It had some good parts. I just wish the language had been a little cleaner. And I wish I hadn't had to see it multiple times during the last week. Now... do you think I can talk the men in my life into taking in a chick flick with me sometime? Nah, me neither.

Boy goes to camp...

... and comes home with stinky laundry. Man, I never knew a kid could get his socks so filthy! Now that I think about it, why I bothered to even try to wash them is beyond me. They'll simply never be clean again. And seemingly every shirt he took with him now has a permanent stain right smack in the middle. Yep, friends, there's a whole new kinda funk that goes along with boys coming home from Boy Scout camp, and it permeated my house last weekend.

Besides the fragrant smells emanating from D's duffle bag, I'll add that he came back a very happy camper, having had a great time in England. Yes, I said England! Can you stand it? That's definitely a perk associated with living overseas... you get to go on cool trips with your Scout Troop.

I'll have to say it was a strange feeling, saying goodbye to my 12-year-old, knowing he'd be getting on a plane headed for another country, where he'd spend the next week. My prayer was that he would be safe, happy, healthy and somehow manage not to lose his passport or I.D. cards (military and Spanish).

M was probably the happiest to see D when he returned, for although he would never admit it, he was a little lost without his big brother around. Turns out my hubby had a trip scheduled right in the middle of the week, so it was just M and me for about three days. Let's just say my Wii playing skills are lacking, therefore D's return was reason for M to celebrate.

I think the big guy grew an inch or so while he was gone. He just looked way too grown up for me upon his return. I was so happy D had this phenomenal opportunity and feel so proud that he made the decision to go, had a good time and came back having advanced to another level in Scouts. My boy is growing up!

Oh, and great news... he came home with his passport and I.D. cards. WHEW!

What a catchy tune!

Have you ever had a song playing in your head for what feels like FOREVER? I've had a particular song in my head for days now, all because I heard it in the base exchange. I remember thinking I hadn't heard the song in a very long time, and now I hope I never hear it again. Since I can't seem to shake this tune, I thought I'd see if I could find it on YouTube so that I can share the madness with you. You can thank me later. Welcome to a live 70's version of Love Rollercoaster by the Ohio Players...


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