April 28, 2012

Uh..........


...Livia. That's her name, Uhlivia. NOT Olivia, no, there is no Oh sound. Just the Uh sound. Kind of like the sound I made when I came off of the positive Qi vibe Raegan immediately began putting off when we saw Uhlivia at the local pet shop. I've always said I'd never have a cage critter... and now I'm a big fat lier. We brought Cheeky home with the main intent of helping Raegan find some self confidence. That... was a dumb idea. Why would we think that a dominant animal would be a good pairing for a submissive girl learning dominance?? Good grief. Cheeky began biting at Raegan in aggression in response to Raegan's fear, which made Raegan more scared..... yah. Raegan absolutely loves the bird... from across the room. There is no holding, no interacting. Just totally not at all fulfilling her purpose in her home. Raegan is awkward with animals, always has been. It's almost funny in it's extreme fumbling. We went to the local pet shop to pick up a toy or treat for Cheeky to hopefully entertain her enough to cut back on the aggression, and in the back half of the store the animals are kept. It is a fantastic shop, very clean and the animals VERY well cared for and socialized. All the cage critters are not in cages or displays, but rather in low open-top "crates" on the floor. They encourage picking up and loving on the animals, encourage interaction, so of course careful slow hands reached down to pick up this tiny wiry ball of black fluff.. Rae cuddled her to her chest, actually leaned her face on to the back of this placid unresisting content little critter... and the critter purred at her. And that was it. The amazing glow Rae had at that positive feedback her cuddle created.. THAT is what I was looking for. Of COURSE. What we needed was not someone Rae could train and boss around, not some creature that would try to boss her right back.. no, what we needed was an insanely stupid little ball of fluff that just wants to be fed and cuddled with. Please welcome the newest addition to the Merritt zoo, Uhlivia.

She is a Teddy Guinea pig and true to her breed, feels just exactly like cuddling a fluffy stuffed teddy bear. LOVE it. If we ever get another one ( OH MY GOD did I just SAY THAT??) it'll be another Teddy. Things I didn't know about guinea pigs: they have a little noise that sounds almost exactly like a grunty newborn. They  have a.. purr...when they are super content that is just about the most positive animal sound I've ever heard. They are good first animals to introduce the wonders of 4-H ( next year!! squee!!) They sleep all night with no problems, and apparently LOVE a good carrot. Although they have absolutely no problem eating a hole right through your shirt if you're not paying attention.
And they make my daughter glow.


Cheeky. I'm not sure what to do about Cheeky. I brought her home and made a commitment to her... but she HATES the kids. She's decently fine with Matt and I, she plays and cuddles all over Matt but recently she's also finding tender places to chomp down on.. testing things, maybe? She makes happy bird sounds all day which are fun.. but she had a job to do. She had a job, and she's not doing it. She had a roll to fulfill, and she's not filling it. I really don't want another pet for me, if we have pets they need to be available for the whole FAMILY. Even Uhlivia, while Raegan's pig, spends time cuddling with the rest of us. Cheeky can't do that. When the kids get within striking distance she goes at them, every time. I'm not sure why this is because I've supervised them, they aren't inappropriate with her. She just doesn't like them.. the noise, maybe? But I brought her home, made a commitment to her. Made a commitment to my kids. Kael doesn't care either way but Raegan is just tore up about the idea of Cheeky finding a new home. She's terrified of her, but doesn't want her to go anywhere. GAH. I don't want to traumatize Rae over this. The other animals in our lives that haven't fit in and have found new homes were no problem when it came to the kids. They completely understood why they needed new homes, were in total agreement with the decision.. but not this one. Raegan tears up just thinking about it. But I don't WANT a zoo!!! GOOD GRIEF! I should have thought things through more thoroughly, I suppose. I was all sunshine and rainbows about this bird and while in theory it was perfect.. DUH. Rae is not bossy enough to boss around a bossy animal. That was a doomed idea from the beginning! So I'm not sure what will happen. I think the bird and our family would be best served with a new home.. one that dotes on her like she needs. As it is now, she only gets out of her cage when the kids are at school or otherwise occupied. They love her but she scares them. And honestly, we have too many animals. Two dogs, a cat, a wee little pig AND a bird. The animals outnumber us!!! That's just not right. But I brought the zoo home. So it's my call. GAH. Being the bossy pants in the house sucks, some times.
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April 22, 2012

Random Easter Flashback...

 
 
 
 
 

Just realized I never posted any Easter pics! As usual, we had a BLAST at the Fieros. Can't believe how OLD my kids are looking!!! Candy coma soon followed the hunt, and the munchy food was some of the best I've had! I brout Queso cheese dip with broccoli, cauliflower and crackers to dip. A-MAZING!
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April 20, 2012

A Bird In The Hand Is Like....

Oh wait........... 
 
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April 10, 2012

Grambonn and the Egg Makers


The monsters had a blast coloring eggs with their Grambonn!! ( can you believe how OLD Raegan is looking??!! )

April 08, 2012

Someone's been busy...

Had a total blast coloring eggs with the kiddos tonight. Mom is staying with us for the Fiero Easter Bash tomorrow, so tonight she got to join in the fun! It was SO awesome! More than half the eggs are hot-eggs, colored with crayon when they're piping hot out of the water. The other half had a variety of stickers and tape put on them before being dye dipped, with the tape being re-placed after they dry for a second dip in another color. It was just a pile of fun, and the eggs are ALL SO pretty! It'll be just a shame to launch them at the tower, lol!! ( swingset turned slingshot. HAM Radio tower on property. Need I say more?) There are so many things to love about having older kids: super true fun decorating Easter Eggs is just one of them. 

April 04, 2012

Eastern Exotic Copper & Peridot Bracelet - $18.00

I say it looks like something from the Middle East or the Southwest, my buddy says it looks like something you'd see in China... either way, this solid copper and faceted Peridot glass bracelet is just FUN to wear! Hand wrapped beads, hand formed and hammered clasp.









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Made in my home amongst the chaos of my crafty...

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April 03, 2012

Blue and Gold cluster pearl earrings - $17.00

Petrol blue Swarovski Elements pearls pair up with 14k gold findings and a cluster of vintage gold colored freshwater pearls. All that gold makes these earrings hypoallergenic, too! A classy addition to any jewelry wardrobe.

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April 02, 2012

CheekyCheeky

The little booger is fitting right in! She has DEFINITELY found her bite, and we're working with her on that, but when she's not curiously biting the crap out of you she is just so stinkin' cute it's painful. Today,Cheeky was using me as a human jungle gym of play while I get some bead work done, toodling up and down my back and around the chair cushion playing with Muppet through the chair slats. All of a sudden she gets a wild idea and launches herself off the back of the chair in her little version of flight and lands on Muppet's FACE, clinging to all his woolly hair as she cheeps at him. Muppet freezes and carefully picks up his front foot to slowly shove her off his face. Then backs up as she plops on the floor. GOOD DOG, Leftover pork chop for YOU! She has, despite my depositing her on one of the kids whenever possible, clearly picked me. Goofypoo. She makes these little coo's and clucks at me when she's playing or.. Insecure? If she can't figure out how to climb up her cage to get to my waiting hand she pee-pee's this tiny little sound at me of distress, or if one of the dogs gets a little closer than she was prepared for she'll come running back to my face with a tiny little chitter-peep sound to hide under my chin.

Hearts a Dangle, Bronze and Aqua splash necklace - $17.00

Pure bronze is wrapped around crystal accents in this 17 inch toggle closure necklace. Hand hammered bronze heart dangle is 2 inches in total length and features a Swarovski crystals, an aquamarine briolette and six bicones, four turquoise and two clear crystal.

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April 01, 2012

Czech Glass Trio, dangle earrings - $10.00

Montana Blue, Dark Purple and Smoked Topaz ~ Czech Pressed Glass discs on sterling silver findings and ear wires. 6cm total length Simple but fun, and hypoallergenic to boot!

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