Swingin' Robin (tweet, tweetle dee deet)

look closely! somebody needs a push! In reality, this is an adolescent robin. We first saw him on the base of the willow yesterday, hopping around. Finn wanted to get closer and scared him over to the fence. That is where he stayed pretty much the rest of the day. I didn't want him to get eaten by the cats. I figured he was a baby robin, maybe he was learning to fly and fell out and was recuperating. He didn't look injured. So I actually hurried and built a quick birdhouse:

(this is one of the fun parts about a having saw at the ready). I wanted to put him in the house to keep him safe from the cats, but didn't want him to fall out of said house. But then I went to hang it up and he wasn't there anyway. So i figured he flew away. Well this evening, this is where we found him. Sitting on the tire swing, looking very tired (haha).

So, today, Finn had painted the birdhouse while I painted the cabinets with primer (did you note the fabulous paint job he did?) so we can hang it and it won't rot and fall apart immediately. So again, I thought, I'm probably supposed to leave this guy alone, but I called wildlife rescue in Ogden to make sure and here is what they told me. It is probably a young robin. They actually spend a couple days on the ground when they are learning to fly. They still need mom & dad to feed him and teach him to forage, but they all spend a couple days on the ground at some point. I guess you just don't normally see it. At least I don't! So, as long as he survives the cats (ours are inside but there are a couple strays that come around) he should be ok. I went to check on him when we got home from ice cream this evening and he was no longer on the swing. I didn't see him anywhere - same as last night. So maybe he makes it back up to the nest for the night somehow? Not sure. But good news is, he seems to be doing fine. In other good news, we now have a birdhouse to put up for the next guys looking for a good nesting spot!

don't ask

I must be filled to the brim. Because on several occasions this day, I have leaked out information. Not clandestine, top secret leaking of information. More like thought spillage. To friends, neighbors, husbands, strangers on the street... Just feeling edgy, vulnerable and full up with problems so I am airing some out and letting them go.

Here's one problem I have. On a couple occasions, we have had nice older people from the neighborhood drop by to say hello and introduce themselves. Say, "welcome to the neighborhood." I can't tell you how much this means to me. I try to walk that fine line between being outgoing and being socially awkward (this coming from a desperately shy person all through school, so it's new to me, this... being friendly and all). So when people take that first step so I don't have to, it's great.

Then they ask me if I'm LDS. And I feel like the interview is over. They always say it like this: "so, not sure if you're LDS or not........" insert long, blank pause for my response. I wish I could be the type of person who could just not fill in the blank. Wish I could come up with something witty and clever like, "and you're wondering because.........." but then I feel like I'm being mean and they're just trying to be nice. But I always feel like the one with my hand in the cookie jar.

If you are LDS, I bet this is a nice segue, and you can say, "why yes! I am!" and then they tell you when and where to go for church or something and say see you next Sunday! But when you're not, it is a little uncomfortable. Probably most non-LDS people say nope we're not, and go merrily on their way. For me, I feel like I've just failed some sort of test. (reinsert that shy girl from school - who did NOT like to fail tests).

I don't have any predetermined opinion per any individual whatever they are, I base my opinion of a person on how they behave. Religion or not, if you are a jerk, then I probably don't like you. And if you're nice, then I most likely do. So what I want to know is, why ask? Can someone not come over and introduce themselves and, whether or not they are LDS, just have a nice get to know you chat, then say "well, see you later!" No mention of religion necessary. Really, why IS it necessary?

I feel like I've made good choices in my life. I am a good person. I don't feel like not being LDS is a bad choice, or a hurdle to overcome or something people should feel they need to work on. But for some reason when people ask me this, it puts me on edge. It makes me think I am being judged. And I feel like it's the equivalent of someone asking, so can we be friends or not? I wish people would come say hi, and still say "I live down the road some, you should stop by if you're out that way," because they thought I was a nice person. But now I'm thinking they're just saying that but they don't really mean it. I wouldn't feel that way if they just never brought it up to begin with. I am going to guess that if you live here you are probably LDS. But I don't really care either way. And I'm not going to ask you within the first 5 minutes of meeting you. You can assume I'm not since I have a big tattoo on my back. And you can judge me accordingly if you wish. But if you don't see that at first, or even if you do, maybe you could just get to know me for me.

projects

I have this friend who builds a lot of her own furniture.  She is seriously talented!  She told me about this website with a lot of pottery-barn inspired DIY projects.  It really is an awesome website (www.ana-white.com).

So I asked for a miter-saw for my birthday, and lucky me – I got one!  I have a problem with building/creating things.  I have lots of ideas, but I’m afraid to start any of them because I can’t decide which one holds higher priority and also I’m sure I will constantly be coming up with ways to improve upon it once it’s done.  But I decided with building things, I am just going to start.  I am not going to get trapped in the “what-ifs” of my brain.

So here’s what we did today.  Let me tell you what it is – it is a laundry-folding table with laundry basket storage underneath for the, well, for the laundry room…

Isn’t it fantastic??  I’m sure Cody will hate that I put this picture of him up but I wanted to show you it’s about waist-height, perfect for folding (and there was no WAY I was putting up the picture he took of me with the thing!  all sweaty and gross! haha)

Someday I will even buy cute matching laundry baskets to go in it.  So now I have to finish it, i.e. caulking, painting, etc.  My least favorite part, but at least the building is done!!

We did it in one day but it was by no means easy.  I guess once you build a few things your brain can figure these things out more quickly but I swear I sat there just trying to think out the measurements for at least an hour.  And that was AFTER I had already figured them out to get all the material cut!  Maybe my brain is not so good at puzzles.

So only a minimal amount of blood and tears, quite a bit of sweat and here it is… tada!  I have to say I am proud of us!  We are only going to get better!

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Here is another happy little project I finished today.  I bought this thing super cheap at a craft store that was closing down.  It was unfinished wood, calling itself a calendar hanger.  I had other plans for it, but have since decided to make it into a fun chalkboard for the kids.  It even has a little drawer for the chalk!  Not entirely sure where I am going to put it yet, but I am pretty happy with how it turned out, too!