301/365

Sleepy birds! It's rare to see them all together on one cage without bickering or chasing one another around. All four of them were just sitting there, chillin'. I wish they could get along like this all the time...

299/365

Look at our beautiful Japanese maple tree. I love this tree! It is the nicest part of the whole yard and it puts on a spectacular color show in the fall. This photo doesn't do it justice, the leaves are a true scarlett red. I would love to press some of the leaves before they all blow off this year.

294/365

I...can...almost...REACH!

Molly LOVES the frozen fruit Rob likes to eat. They are like Freeze-Pops, except good for you! They are made of pureed fruit instead of colored sugar water, so I don't mind if she eats them. She can't get enough of the grape flavored ones, which is no surprise, since she loves grapes and grape juice. Our birdies are so spoiled!

293/365

Am I a good shopper or what?! Check out the receipt. I spent $111 on fabric at Jo-Ann's Fabrics today, BUT I saved $284! Yes, I know I still spent $111 on fabric when I really shouldn't be spending money, but I should have spent $395 on the stuff I bought. Score!

292/365

I'm sorry plant, but you need a haircut. I have tried to ignore the five foot long extensions you insist on keeping, but now that you will be moved inside the house, they have to go. I can't fit your tendrils in the office without stepping on them or rolling over them with my crafting supply cart. Say goodbye and I'll keep this photo for you to look at from time to time.

289/365

Happy 10th birthday Calvin!

Today I went over to Rob's cousin Meghan's house to help her make a birthday cake for her son. She wanted to have a lego theme, since they are planning to go to Legoland during their Florida vacation in a few weeks. She even found a digital camera that looked like it was made out of legos for his gift! When I got over there, she had baked the main cake, and some cake and brownies in a lego shaped baking pan for the top. We frosted it in white, then I put the lego shaped Pez-style candies around the outside. It was tricky to frost the lego shaped brownies with buttercream, so we made up some confectioners' suger, water and food coloring to coat the brownies for the top. When the kids arrived, they all loved the cake! Calvin did too, and the party was a hit!

286/365

Later this week, I will be taking this jar of coins to the Coinstar machine at the supermarket. We can use some extra cash to help pay the bills, and I figure there might be around $100 inside. We really need to order some heating oil, since it's abnormally cold right now and we're down to under 1/8 of a tank of oil.

284/365

It's naptime...mmmmmm...sounds like a plan!

283/365

Please preen my head feathers little bird in the mirror?

Roo likes to perch on the schoolyard playground we have and look at the bird in the mirror. I've wondered if he thinks that bird is real? He feeds it and chirps to it, and tries to get it to scratch his head! Roo's such a funny little bird.

282/365

While we were shopping at Target the other day, Rob spotted this griddle and immediately said we had to buy it. "It is on sale for $24.99," he said, "and we haven't been able to find our old one in a long time." Ok, good argument. So we bought it. This is it's shakedown run, and it's working great! It's nice to be able to cook both the bacon and pancakes at the same time. That way, they're both hot at the same time! Of course, we found the old griddle the day after we brought this one home, but found that it was broken, so out it went.

280/365

These are my eyes.

Or at least that's what I say when I have to take them out at the end of the day. I have to go "take out my eyes". I only wear these contacts on days that I am going out and need to see far away, say to the movies or even to a party. I can't wear them all the time, especially while I'm at work, because they give me a headache after a while. Trying to see properly while staring at the computer really tires my eyes out. I can see perfectly up to four feet away, so I'm constantly trying to focus around the contacts to see the screen. I still use glasses for everyday driving, and nothing the rest of the time. I just squint a lot, and that's why I have crow's feet at age 29!

279/365

I finally made it to Sonic! This is the first Sonic restaurant to make it to Massachusetts. It is in Danvers on Rt. 1. Sonic is pretty cool because not only do they have the typical drive-through window, but they also have a walk-up window and picnic tables to eat outside. There are no indoor tables. But the best part is the stalls where you park your car, order your meal, and have the waiter or waitress deliver your food to you in your car while on rollerskates/rollerblades! It is like the 1950's diners where they did the same thing. I am not sure what they will do when it starts snowing, but for now it's a fun experience. Plus their cherry limeade drinks are SOOO GOOD!

274/365

Rob and I drove down to Falmouth, MA to go to our friends Claudio and Carmen's wedding today. They are part of our drag racing team, Team XXX Racing. Claudio is the guy that I always end up racing in the final round, and he always beats me! It's all good though, I like our racing rivalry. Someday I'll beat him! Anyways, back to the wedding. I forgot the camera, so this is the only photo I got of the day. I wore the same dress I'd worn to Matt and Sarah's wedding a couple years back, although this time with black tights since it was chilly. Rob and I made it down there with just a few minutes to spare after getting completely soaked from the downpour outside. I had a small umbrella that didn't do too much, but poor Rob had nothing and he was completely sopping wet. Sorry honey! The ceremony was very traditionally Catholic, and some of it was performed in Portuguese. 45 minutes later, we left for the reception. When we got there, people were still setting up the tables and entrance hall. We were confused, and when we asked were told that the reception wasn't for three more hours! We didn't know what to do with ourselves, so we ended up driving around the south shore for the next three hours. 6:00 finally came and we headed back to the hall. It was filling up with people by then. Unfortunately, we didn't know anyone else, since the other members of our team could not make it due to the national event race that was going on in New Jersey that weekend. After a long cocktail hour, we were brough into the dining hall. It was so beautifully decorated! There were long swaths of fabric draped across the incredably high ceiling, beautiful tall, square vases with orchids, dramatic mood lighting and an exquisite cake. We were served a few courses before the main course. My favorite was the watermelon sorbet. There was also a field greens salad and some kind of traditional Portuguese sausage and potato soup. Rob wasn't feeling well, so right after we finished the main course (chicken for me and seafood for him) we decided to leave. I hated to leave so early, but what can you do? We said a quick goodby to the bride and groom, then made the hour and a half drive home. I'm glad we went, even thought we didn't know anyone there. It was good to show our support for our racing friends.

273/365

All the birds got some Cheez-Its for a snack today. At one point, all four were "sharing" the crackers at the same time. That didn't last long, but they all got some in the end. Here is Pip Squeak and Ty munching away on the same piece.