Very Fussy

I've been up since about 5:30 A.M. Up with the roosters you might say. Our dear hen Fussy is getting in touch with her (or his?) gender identity, and presenting more like a rooster than a hen. The behaviors are manifesting as early morning crowing which sounds exactly like the "cock-a..." without the "doodle-do." Have any of you heard of this?

I haven't.

I want to be supportive, and sensitive to him, and yet it is so loud and early, approximatly 5:30 A.M., that I feel terrible for our neighbors! I expect a knock on my door any minute, or even shouts of outrage any moment now.

I've tried shusshing him, feeding him and giving him nasty looks during his early morning salutations, but so far he won't stop until he "crows" for between five and ten minutes.

Ak! What am I gunna do?

(Since I was up so early I played around on the computer and put together a new banner. Tomorrow, maybe I'll make chicken stock?)

A Layer of Love

I added a few songs that will play while you are here visiting MakingPeace that I'm hoping will increase your blogging pleasure. I will add a few more when I make the time. There are a few blogs I enjoy that add music and I like it because I don't seek out new music on my own very much. I'm aware that musical tastes vary widely, so let me know if any songs make you really happy.

I Think We Might Have Just Bought a House

Let's just say that I always stop at an open house. Even if I know it's not for me or it's too expensive. I just love looking. And dreaming. I've probably looked in over 40 or more houses since moving to Alameda nine months ago. Most of the houses we have wanted (and would fit us and our menagerie) have been frankly, waaay out of our league. And I'm not even talking fancy houses! Most of the houses in our price range have been tear down's or so tiny that we might as well buy a small condo. I guess it's timing that brings us here. The market is allowing us to buy a house that we normally couldn't get.

So here we are. I thought I'd be a lot more excited, nervous, thankful and over-the-moon than I am. It's a little odd. I've wanted it so long.

The house is a circa 1906 Colonial Revival Cottage. Upstairs it has a foyer, living, dining, two bedrooms and a kitchen and bath that need help but that are livable. Downstairs it has two more bedrooms, a full bath, a laundry/storage room and a room that will be Annie's studio/playroom. The backyard has a tree (I really wanted to have a tree!) and we share a driveway and a common wall to the garage with a neighbor. We are "in contract" and escrow starts tomorrow, so now it's up to us. We need to go over the house with an inspector and if all checks out, we move. Soon.

*Blink* Blink*

Happy Birthday Sara!

So glad you were born! Love you, Patrice

(This photo really makes me wish that you were sitting in my picture window right now while I make us a cup of tea and something delicious to eat. I can almost hear Annie and Ezra playing in the background!)

Fourty Four Turns Around the Sun

Today is my birthday! I turn fourty four. Annie has a playdate in the morning and I'm taking myself out to a special breakfast at Cafe Fanny's in Berkeley, courtesy of LaLa Pat. Then I may do a little birthday shopping at CP Shades, or I've been eyeing a dress form at a local store here in Alameda, so one way or another I think I might be getting myself a birthday present.

I really can't help but think of my mom today. And miss her terribly. My birthday was really always our day. Since she died seven days before my birthday in 2002, the days around my birthday have been bittersweet, mixed, and odd. Although this year feels different. Lighter. I'm enjoying how that has shifted.

Happy Happy Day!

Dear Lucy

Our dear friends the Meyers', in Santa Cruz, are fostering a pregnant mama kitty named Lucy. It was looking like Lucy was about to have five little kittens, due any day! Well, Lucy gave birth Sunday night to three little kitties, and we got to see them Monday morning! Oh! How beautiful! Lucy is a wonderful mother to her three little ones. There are two tortoise shells and one light grey tabby, all healthy and cozy with their mother. It was a tad disappointing that there were only three kitties born after the idea of five was entered into the imagination. All day the kids kept checking (and hoping) she might pop two more out. But wait! The agency they foster through, AFRP called Tuesday morning to say that they had a pair of motherless two-day-old kitties in need, and could they bring them by to see if Lucy was willing to take them on? Well, Lucy was willing! All five kitties are now healthy and cozy with their mother. I guess she was about to have five little kittens, just as planned.

Happy Day-After Valentine's Day!

My friend Gail here in the Bay Area sent me this Valentine and I had to post it because it took me by surprise and tickeled my funny bone...

Thanks Gail!

(Please know that if it takes you by surprise in the upsetting way that truly wasn't my intention.)