For Me? You Shouldn't Have

I had a problem...

Sneaky Smokey Joe, hidden in the garden was systematically picking off song birds as they pecked at the bird feeder (in a tree), unaware of danger.
The solution was to move the feeder to under the arbor.

I had another problem...
The squirrels now discovered that if they chewed through the cord, they could drop it to the ground on the patio and clean it out in a matter of minutes.
The solution was to feed the squirrels, so they weren't so hungry. Right?

The next problem...
After putting critter food out in a bowl in the yard I noticed that Marley was now gorging himself on peanuts and dried corn.
I was running out of solutions.

I went in search of a (dog-proof) squirrel feeder.

Knowing that feeding the critters is not the most popular past-time in the neighborhood, and I met with all the expected resistance associated with finding a feeder too. But I emerged triumphant from McGuckins Hardware store on Sunday morning and went straight home to secure it, then fill it.



"For Me? You shouldn't have! But I'm glad you did."




"It's great! I love it! Now just tell me... how do I get the food out?"

Actually this little guy was at the feeder before I had even moved 3 feet out of the way. It took him maybe 5 minutes to work out that he had to stand on the front, then lift the lid. He spent the next 4 hours practicing this. At first eating as much as he could, as fast as he could. Later he was found to be taking his time and only picking out his favorite nuts and seeds!

Spring Has Sprung!

The weather may not be cooperating right now, but the flowers indicate spring is definitely here.

The tulips on Pearl St are gorgeous... or at least they were yesterday, but today's brief winter storm may have changed things!






(Yes, I couldn't resist tweaking this one... )

Chris and I spent yesterday afternoon at Paradise Bakery, watching street performers and little kids in tutu's and fairy wings dancing on the mall.

Happy Birthday Osman!

Osman celebrated his birthday on the beach at Waikiki this year. It was warm, the food was good, the sun shone and not a work day in sight. You get the picture. And Im sure he will post about it later tonight too.

Meanwhile... I had a plan of my own.

My husband deserves only the very best. And recently I had decided that this office was definitely not the best!





Twelve days seemed like enough time to get the job done...



Meet Robbin. Skills and energy for every occasion! But no-one was happier to see that carpet go than me.



Of course, all that "stuff" had to go somewhere while we worked. Besides, I had no time to watch TV anyway.



Bye bye baseboards.


New paint and baseboards... it was already feeling better!


Windows painted, crown molding up, ceiling painted, light fixture updated, closet re-organized.


The new ergonomic chair had arrived, was assembled... and I speak from experience when I say its COMFY!


Let's just say the furniture assembly was "trying"!


Making progress... I begin to put all that "stuff" back in there.


Curtains are up, speakers work again...


Lighting, check. Original art, check. We are good to go, with a day to spare.

Sshhh! Don't tell Osman... It's a surprise and he will be home in a half hour.
(Stay tuned for the look on his face...)

Surprise!

 Given that so many people wanted to be able to see Osman's face as he caught the first glimpse of his new office, i decided to plant myself inside with a camera.



 Here he comes....
(Yes, that is Lord of the Rings music playing in the background.)

Stop Thief!

Josh and Kelsey had just left, and I heard a little noise coming from what should have been an empty house...

Which one of our pets was up to no good? The process of elimination usually reduces it to Smokey Joe pretty darn quickly, so I was a bit surprised to turn the corner and see this...




"Hmmm. Looks like no-ones home. Smells like they left me a snack! Great!"


"Nope, can't see that wretched cat... coast is clear."


"I haven't had this before. I'll just take a little taste to see if it's good."




"I know it's not good for my squirrel figure, but darn it, it tastes so good!"


"Perhaps just a little more..."


"Or a lot."


"No point in leaving this little bit. I'll take the rest 'for my friends'..."


"I wish they would leave the windows open wider!"


...And the reason I'm only a bit surprised, is that I discovered this guy helping himself to a canister of corn starch from our pantry, last week.

Yes, Marley was supervising the raid at the time!!!

My computer, fixed for just a peso

I have a great laptop... thanks to the research and good advice of Osman.
So when I began to hear a funny noise coming from somewhere inside it when I tipped it side to side, I decided to get a second opinion. Yep, Osman agreed it sounded like something had come loose inside the machine and was rolling around, so it was time to consult Lenovo and then send it in for diagnosis and repair.

Three days and a traumatic UPS episode later, I got it back. Upon opening I read the "diagnosis and repair" sheet.

Basically I had managed to stuff a coin into a slot (the only use I have found for said slot) and it was rolling around inside!
Ummmm... let's just say Im glad to have it back.

PS: It was an Argentinian coin from my recent trip... which probably confused/amused the technician even more.