Memorial Day

I had a GREAT day yesterday! It started out not too well, though-I woke up at 3 a.m. and kept thinking of the scary parts in Prince Caspian (I saw it last night - it was good, kind of depressing in a certain way, but still good) and the Orcs and Uruk-Hai in LOTR (I know, I know, I'm a wimp =P) and then I had to get up early to take a shower (I hate showers. I don't know why. But I hate them). But then me, Mom, Dad and Evan (Laura is at a retreat for youth group) went to the Memorial Day parade, where we honored those who have fought bravely for us:
The Marines themselves.
The Geneva High School marching band. They played some nice patriotic songs for us all.

Then we walked down to where a ceremony was being held. They had a prayer (I am so glad they are able to do that here) and talked of local veterans, then the band played more songs and we left on account of the heat (YAY!!!). We walked around I just LOVE downtown Geneva. Fortunately, we found a "new" candy store that was actually a bigger version of the old one that I thought had closed down. We had gone there so much the shopkeeper actually recognized us!!!! We got some ice cream and candy, then Mom and Dad had to get a bathtub for Laura and I since ours broke (???) at Lowe's while Evan and I went to Meijer to pass time. For dinner we had homemade fried chicken along with coleslaw and baked beans. It was such a great day!

The ceremony was at a cemetery, and though I don't know these people, I love the picture:
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I was thrilled to find two friends in separate window wells:
Meet Peregrin and Meriadoc!!! :oP

I'm just so thrilled the toads are back. To me, they truly epitomize summer and it would never feel quite the same without them. I let them go in the backyard and they were so happy =P

Silly little Meriadoc kept sliding back trying to climb out. See evidence here:




Hehehe :o) Have a great week all!!!

Birdie Love

I know bird pictures have been a trend lately - but you can't blame me as their feathers are so bright and pretty and colorful, and they're photogenic as well. :o)

In Flight

Miss Ep

Eponine is doing well. We are sure she's a girl as her cere is turning brown (it's also flaky, which is another sign she's a female.). She hasn't been showing any signs of coming out of her cage. Until now. She keeps going in and out. Wait! She just came out and was flying around!

Well this is weird....

Anyway, she seems pretty friendly and sweet. Just the day before yesterday she began letting me hold her on my finger whenever I want to. Which is a relief as I was getting pretty frustrated with her. However Ep is SPAZZY! Meaning, she is one scared little bird! Whenever I put my hand on her cage, whenever I even come into the room, she starts jumping around her cage. Poor baby. She's probably not quite used to her surroundings yet but she's getting there.

Eponine absolutely ADORES Scooter. They chirp back and forth (loudly!!!) all day. It is so so sweet! Whenever they are by each other (whenever I can get Ep out of her cage) they do this thing where they lick each other's beaks. Um, okay then...just so long as they're not mating....LOL!!! :o)

Well Laura's graduation party starts in an hour. Have a good weekend all :o)

Eponine Enhanced

Poor sweet doggie

I feel so bad for my sweet puppy today. :o(
Earlier I went outside to enjoy the beautiful (but humid) weather and rollerblade on my driveway. I didn't want either of the dogs to feel left out so I attached both of their collars to the same leash. BAD IDEA!!! I'm still not sure what drove me to do this. But I did....

The dogs seemed fine for awhile and I rollerbladed. Then suddenly (I don't know why!!!) Willie attacked Abby out of nowhere! He bit her and twisted her collar. Then he started pulling her collar and squeezing her neck, basically suffocating the poor girl. I tried so hard to tear them apart but they kept jerking away from me. I felt awful. I didn't realize Abby was suffocating until her tongue turned PURPLE and her eyes became extremely bloodshot. I was terrified and felt helpless. FINALLY I was able to take the leash of their collars. Poor, sweet sweet Abby ran away from Willie while I sat there sobbing. I know, I am dramatic. :oP

Well Willie went straight into his kennel and Abby is fine now, albeit bloody eyes which concerns Mom and I. She had some water and rest at least and seems fine now.


Now for Willie!!!!! Not just this time, he has attacked her lots and lots of times. For no reason. None at all. And these past few weeks he has been peeing multiple times (!!!) on the carpet. I am so angry at him. Just because he's jealous of Abby or what, I don't really care. *sigh*

At least the sweet, sweet puppy is fine now.

Ya'll, I am tired!

I am, but I'm pumped 'cause tomorrow is the day the coaster withdrawal ends. That's right folks-tomorrow I am going to my home away from home - Six Flags Great America...WOO!!

So I'm pretty darn excited, ya'll!

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My new crocs!!



They are comfy and pretty and blue and I just love LOVE them!

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The Schukums. A.K.A. Abby and Willie.

This is what happens when you call your dog's name as they're chewing a bone. (I'm not sure why those lines appeared across the camera. Maybe a sign we need to get a new one...Dad?)
She has such BLUE eyes! No, they're usually brown, only when light shines in her eyes to they turn blue.
This one made me laugh.


And so folks, be prepared for a worthy slew of pictures tomorrow/Sunday. :o)

Have a fabulous weekend, all!!

More Eponine!

This sweet little bird...she looks SO much like Perry!! For those of you who don't know, Perry was my sister's sweet bird who died a couple years back. :o( I still miss him and a couple days ago I accidentally called Scooter (Laura's bird) Perry! So weird. Anyway, I took more photos of my pretty girl:

Say hello to the newest member of our family......

Yes, I (at last) got a bird! I'm so happy! Well, it looks pretty much like her nose is turning brown so that mean she's a female. Therefore her name is Eponine ;o)

She is a sweet bird, shy and quiet so far, but we'll see how that turns out once she gets used to her surroundings :oP She went on my finger a few times, though I needed to really press her stomach with it (gently, of course) and even then she didn't quite seem to "get it". But she is a beautiful bird! See for yourself:
Miss Ep and her plethora of toys. I'm already spoiling that bird :oP
Blurry, but it shows her colors well.

P.S. To clear up any confusion, Eponine is pronounced Ep-uh-neen. :o)

Argh

I hate this, because all day today I haven't been able to do anything because when I get upset it really really tips me off and everything reminds me of him. It sucks, because since that person decided to be mean, my entire day is wasted on being sad. Argh! I wish I could be happy, but I can't! I want to have a good day but my heart (literally) feels heavy. I hate to complain, but, I need to vent and I need to now. *sigh*

I wish you all a better day. I'm going to go hang out with sweet Abby.

Puppies and Parties

Yesterday and the day before I was working hard on getting my birthday party invitations made. And, the dogs got beautiful haircuts! But, Blogger is being weird so, I have no pictures. :o(

Luckily though it looks as though we're getting a few outdoor cats from the pound this year! :oD
I'm in charge of naming them (YAY!) and I was originally going to do Eponine, Cosette, Enjolras and Marius (from Les Miserables) but I think I'll keep those names where they belong--to the characters. I guess I'm not a huge fan of naming pets after others.

Willie the Seal

Abby and Willie

Of course I waited until AFTER I posted a fear-ridden post to read the comments! LoL! :oP

Yes Anna here they are, a bit old though. I love the first one of the Baby....so cute!

LoL.....

Blue and yellow parakeets: (To green parakeets) "Get a room!"

Footprints

There have been coyote tracks, in front and to the side of our house. I'd have pictures but, I neglected to take any before new snow covered the evidence. Anyway, Dad said it was because they knew the dogs were here.... I could swear I saw glowing eyes on the front porch but Dad looked out and didn't see any footprints, so it was most likely just a car passing by or something.

But still, it gave me chills. I love my dogs and it would break my heart if one of them met a terrible fate like that. So last night when I was letting them out to do their personal business I stood (shivering) on the porch and yelled "La la la" loud enough to be heard but quiet enough as to not wake my neighbors.....LoL!

What Winkle should look like: