Sometimes people are funny

I think it's hilarious that someone went through the effort of making a poster like this :)

Sleigh bells ring

I'm not one for winter outdoor activities.  As I've mentioned before, I get cold extremely easily and find it impossible to warm up.  Despite that, almost my entire church assembly went up north a ways for a sleigh-ride and cookout.  We couldn't have asked for a better day.  The sun was splitting the trees, the snow was sparkling, and the farmer was jolly (this may have had something to do with his "hidden" flask). 
I really enjoyed myself, even though we had gotten lost about 2 minutes away from the farm and kept going back and forth on the back roads.

I've stolen these photos, but they're too good to not share :)

 I love horses :)

My husband petting his first mule/donkey

 

photos by bonjourstacy

My doggies

I'm an animal person.  I've always been one.  This is probably because my parents always gave me pets when I was younger.  I've had almost every rodent there is, a variety of birds, cats, and dogs.  (I have not owned any reptiles, however..  maybe because they don't seem very cuddly).

I currently have 2 rats and 2 dogs.  Unfortunately, my dogs live with my parents and sister.  Since they are family pets, I couldn't exactly take them with me when I got married.  Soooo, I have visiting rights.  My hubby and I sometimes come by on a Saturday to pick them up.  They love car rides, so they are very excited when I ask them if they want to come.  Then we'll take them to the petstore, the dog park, or a friend's house.  They aren't too fond of the last one, unfortunately.  My friends have a 4 1/2 month old chocolate lab who was very fond of biting and barking in the beginning, which my middle-aged dogs didn't find too amusing.  My Jack Russell, Gus, has now developed a dislike of all chocolate labs as a result, which makes him kind of racist (oops!)

My Poodle-Chihuahua mix, Charlie, is the older of the two.  He's the mastermind of the operation.  Gus is Pinky and Charlie is definitely the Brain.  If there is some scheming underway, it's always Charlie who is doing it.  He's highly intelligent, and can think out plans from A to Z.  He's never cold because he covers himself with his blankets, only comes if there's something in it for him, and manipulates everyone around him (especially Gus).  But he's a softie, so he gets off with it.

 Charlie Barley

Gus, on the other hand, is a little slow.  We took him to the vet when we got him, and asked her point blank if he was okay.  She told us that there was a chance that he suffered from a lack of oxygen during birth, but not to worry, because he makes up for it in enthusiasm and love.  That pretty much sums him up..  Slow-witted, Enthusiastic, and Loving.  We got him because of Charlie's fear of life in general, hoping that Gus' rambunctiousness would rub off.  And it has!  With the unfortunate side effect of Gus becoming slightly Chihuahua during the transition.

 Gus "I'm gonna be BAD"

They're loads of fun.  Everyone should have at least one dog to spoil :)

 Scheming & Plotting

Chicka-dee-dee-dee

I love going to the local conservation area on a nice day and feeding the chickadees. They're naturally friendly and will never say no to crushed walnuts!

Isn't he cute?

An "aww" moment

Charlie is the cutest thing ever :)
Did you know that owning a dog lowers your blood pressure?

The Evil in the Bathroom

So I was coming home last night.. around 9ish.. and as I was walking down the hall towards my apartment door, I heard a scream.. coming from my apartment. And I heard the shower running, so I thought maybe Maria had fallen. I entered the code, and as I opened the door I heard her yelling to me. "Sarah!!! Is that you?????" I answered her carefully... "yesssss". Then she told me that there was a giant cockroach in the bathroom with her.. UGH!!! so she quickly got out and we investigated. It was HUGE! Black, all legs, long wings.. so nasty. So she grabbed the shower head and started spraying hot water at it.. it started running all over the place.. so next best thing.. the bottle of bleach! We emptied it over it.. and it took about 10-15 mins to die. After it was flushed, we went to the store, bought more bleach, and scoured the bathroom. (eggs, you see)

It was an exciting night! *shudder*

- btw, we think it flew in the window -

Where are the birds?

In my backyard at home in Canada, there are about 4 bird feeders.. so the backyard is always filled with birds. Sparrows, goldfinches, juncos, cardinals, hummingbirds, etc!

Welllll.. here.. I've heard birds only twice. And both times I couldn't see them, so they may have been pets because they were in people's gardens.

BUT, there is one bird here that I really like. I first saw one last week.. I was walking to work and passing a house when I heard a scratching sound. I looked up, and there was this crow-like bird.. only it wasn't just black. It was black, with bluish highlights like a grackel, and a white chest with some white wing feathers. And he was industriously pulling insulation out from around a windowpane.. haha. Gotta love the crow family :)

Anyway, I found out it was a European magpie.. the Pica pica. And I saw one again this morning outside my window.. and again, ripping apart the building across from mine. People must love these birds :)

Update: Oh! These birds are a symbol of luck over here.. so I guess they ARE loved :D

(and black crows are "evil"... very bad sign)