The Squirrel Dumplin' Gang

Freaking squirrels!  I know that you need to eat, and I am happy to have a few feeders that you can get into without too much effort, but do you have to steal or destroy everything?!!?  Squirrel dumplings is what you are going to be if we can't figure out a way to get along around here.

Last year, during the long hard winter we had a few grey, the occasional black, and three little red squirrels.The Brown Eyed Man and I enjoyed their antics, and they were very well behaved.  The feeder I had out at that time was a cheep plastic red one that I had brought with from the apartment.  It had holes big enough that the jays, woodpecker, and the squirrel could all share, and they did.

April 2014

Winter 2014

I  feel like it was winter, because we had snow until May, but my garden/bird journal assures me that it was indeed April when the incidents happened.

One, or more, of the squirrels decided to chew a huge hole into the bottom of the feeder.  All of the seed fell out onto the ground, and that was the end of that.

I bought a heavy duty, expensive, squirrel proof feeder, and that is what I am still using today.  The problem with it is that the larger birds, my Jays and my Woodpecker, can't use it either.  They now rely on the suet feeders.    

That brings me to the next issue.  The dang squirrel learned how to open the green metal suet feeder that I had hanging from a tree in the valley.  They would pop it open, steal the suet cake, and gleefully dance away. Well, I never saw it, but in my mind that's what happened.  All I know is I had an empty suet feeder, handing wide open.  So I fixed their little wagon and used a twist tie to secure it.  They showed me.  Within a week the entire feeder was gone, chain and all.

                     
I replaced it with a new one, tied it shut, and they weren't so lucky after that.

Winter finally left around mid May, and with it went the squirrels.  It was very odd, but we didn't see hide nor hair of them all summer long, and into the fall.  For my birthday in September I got a new feeder, that is easier access, and I was able to hang it up safely until a few deer showed up during hunting season.  The squirrel only  reappeared a few weeks ago, but they have returned with a vengeance!

We had four large grey, two or three little red, and two black squirrels in the gang, but there was some "squirrel on squirrel violence" (The Brown Eyed Man coined that one.) and we are one black squirrel down.  The Man found him dead on the side of the ice racer.  Everything seemed intact, except the poor thing was missing his manly bits.  Apparently that's how they do each other in.  *shudder*  That was last week.

This week they stole the damn green metal feeder right off the tree again.

 As you can see, all that's left is the chain.  We had fresh snow yesterday, (Just an inch, this winter is the opposite of last year so far.) so there should be a track to where they dragged it, but Jake and I investigated today, and nothing.  Maybe it happened Sunday night before the snow.  #$@#%

The other suet feeder is made of wood, and if the birds or squirrel monkey enough the one side will pop, letting the suet drop to the ground.  To fix this I had a string made of jute tied around that side, and then another one of wire around the other.  Just happened to have those with me at different times.  I always intended to put wire on both...........  The little buggers chewed right through the rope.  There will be wire on it before sundown, I assure you.

Now it looks like they are going to chew the branch off the tree so they can steal this one too.

This Shiz just got real................

                                                  Hey!  Look what I found down by the fire pit while I was filling the feeder that is actually FOR the squirrels!  We shall rebuild it.  There's gotta be some stronger chain out in the garage!  This appears to be accidental, I'm hoping we have it on the camera footage.  The Brown Eyed Man thinks the scrapes on the branch are just incidental, from the squirrel hanging down to get at the suet, I'm not buying it for a second. They are smart lil buggers!

Cider and Cocoa (and Cotton)

I wrote out a Christmas list, but the only thing I really wanted was a new piece for my Christmas Village.  A few blogs ago I wrote about my obsession with the village. It has been years since I have added any large piece because  I can't find anything "village worthy".  This year was different.  When I took Hannah and Tater to check out the village at Menard's in Superior I found THE perfect addition!

I wanted it so badly, and needed the right piece, so I actually printed it off the picture and gave it to The Brown Eyed Man, along with my list.  Then crossed my fingers.

This is what happened.

First off, you need to know that The Man has an aversion to certain sensory things.  I have my village set on a white table cloth, because he has a strong reaction to anything like cotton batting, or felt.  He avoids it at all costs.  When I asked for the village piece, I knew he would have to get near the cottony village set up to get it, so I did tell him how much I wanted it, and suggested he ask an employee to grab it, or have my sister help him out.

Bless his heart, he went on his own.  He went to the Menard's near work.  Gone.  He went up the hill to Menard's. Gone.  He came down to the Superior Menard's. Gone.  One week before Christmas, and they were all out of the Mt. Woodland's Cider and Cocoa shop.  They are only available in store.

Christmas Eve TBEM tried again at the Superior store.

He went over to the village set up, and sure enough no Cider/Cocoa shop.  Then he noticed a box way up above.  Getting an employee to climb up and investigate, it was an empty box.  The box used for the display model.  The Brown Eyed Man asked to buy said display, but the dude didn't think he could sell it.  TBEM said "It's Christmas Eve.  You don't need it anymore.  Please go and ask a manager if you can sell it to me."  The dude responded with, "I doubt they will unhook all of this just to sell it to you, but I will ask."

When the dude was out of sight, the Brown Eyed Man grabbed the ladder, climbed up amid the COTTON, found the plug, got it out, untangled it from the neighbors, and scurried back down the ladder. (When he told me that part of the story, I almost started to cry....)

The employee came back, and said "I can sell it to you if it doesn't disrupt anything."

The Brown Eyed Man reached up, and handed it to the startled employee.  They popped it into the empty box, and he moved outta dodge fast.


After hearing the whole story:

Me: That's really sweet, I just love it!  It's perfect!  I guess I will have to be nice to you.

BEM: Are you turning over a new leaf?

Me:  Nope.  (wild laughter)  It's just for today.

Now my village is perfect!

When I told my brothers that story on Christmas night (and I will include family friend Eric in the brother category)  they all decided that they wouldn't go through that much, and I should be nice for more than a day, at The Brown Eyed Man's Discretion.  He likes that idea.

I said o.k. BUT I need it in writing, notarized, three days in advance.  ;)

2014

At the end of every year I clean off my desk, and finish up bookkeeping for AVON.  One is a big job, one is not. (AVON)  Honestly, I have never cleared more than $200 in a year, and that was many years ago.  It's more of a hobby to me, because I want the discount.  I threaten every year to end it, but I can't stand the thought of paying full price for shower gel.  ( LOL)

I also write a wrap up blog on every New Year's Eve, so here we are.  It has been a fabulous year, but I'm anxious for 2015 to begin.  I have had a couple of idea's in the works for a bit, and I am determined that this is the year. (stay tuned)  I'm not one for resolutions, but I think this year mine would have to be, no more talk.  ACTION!

This year I have gone from making most decisions on my own, to being part of a team.  I won't lie and say it has been easy (for either of us), but it has been totally worth it.  I am looking forward to what 2015 will bring for me, The Brown Eyed Man, Milkie, and Jake B.

Scene from the country last night:

Me: Jacob, I love you........but you drive me nuts.

pause:

Me:  Seems to be a theme around here.

The Man:  You knew what you'd get when you turned at the mailbox.

I've got to give him that one!  I did, and I do.  When I turn at the mailbox I know what I will find.  Lots of love, laughter, snuggles, and irritation.  In short, a home and a family.  That is what 2014 has given to me, because I was brave enough to try.

I hope the New Year finds you happy and healthy!   Bring on 2015!!

*On a side note, per usual I do have a cold.  Although it is more irritating than anything, it never fails.

One last thought:  Negative people see negativity in everything around them.  Change your thoughts, and you change your world!!

Christmas Morning

Merry Christmas!  I'm sitting here typing, listening to "The Essential James Taylor" ( One of The Brown Eyed Mans gifts), stuffed full of breakfast casserole, ready to set up my new bird feeder, and cook on my new cast iron frying pan!  We've watched most of "A Christmas Story", and will be starting season one of "Supernatural" (another one of his gifts) later tonight.

This morning I woke up around five, and decided on my way back from the bathroom to put The Man's Reeses candy cane up into the tree.  While I was working at getting it in there safely I noticed a blue jay ornament that wasn't there before!  Oh, I love jays, how sweet!  Went back to bed with a smile on my face.

Jake woke me up at 8:30, and while I was making coffee, I noticed paint brushes in the sink, and a container with blue paint water in it.  What??  I went back into the living room and picked up the ornament to investigate.  Apparently it was originally a very ugly cardinal, and The Brown Eyed Man worked on it for a few hours after I went to bed last night, turning it into a beautiful jay!

Santa brought him a Packer ornament!  So now we have three new ones on the tree this year.  We got a new one from his Mom this past weekend when we celebrated with her.  His family got together lat night in Hudson, and that just wasn't possible for us to make. :(

I also got a new piece for my village, but that's a good Brown Eyed Man story, that I have permission to publish, so stay tuned!  I hope you are all having a very MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Looking forward to spending Christmas evening with my family in my childhood home.  I don't think it gets much better than that!

Christmas Spirit

This Christmas season has been a sad one for many of us.  I don't think a day goes by without someone telling me that they have lost a loved one, and I myself have lost a long time friend, and my Great Aunt Rita.  It doesn't take much for things like this to send us into a tailspin during the holidays, but I'm doing my best not to let that happen.  As my Mother used to say, "Life is for the living." and she was right.  Not just breathing, but actively participating in the activities around you. 

So the carols are on, the tree is up, sweet smells are wafting from the kitchen, and I have made the round of kids Christmas programs, to help keep me in the spirit of the season. I'm not forcing it either, I love the kids programs:  

First we have The Artist Formerly Known As Pablo playing the bells in the Cathedral School gym.  He did a nice job. (plaid shirt)

Paul

CeCe

Next was Cece's concert at Bryant School, where some little heathen pulled the fire alarm. We all had a nice trip out into the cold, but at least they got to count it as a fire drill.  Cece didn't sing, but was pretty vocal during the performance.  Making many of us chuckle with her belly laughs.

Hannah (top row white shirt)

Then it was on to Lake Superior Elementary, for Hannah's last grade school Christmas concert.

Caitlin

Tater (Caitlin) had a solo performance, and did a really good job!  No fire alarms were pulled, and I got to purchase some lovely home made ornaments for my Christmas tree.  

I have always found that the key, for me anyway, is to do the most that you can.  There were years where breathing was all I could manage, and that's o.k. (for a little bit anyway) There are years where I have handled it all, and years like this one where I do what makes me happy.  Some days I listen to carols, some days I don't.  Children always lift my spirits, so I made an extra effort to make the programs.  I made the cookies that I like, resurrecting two old favorites, even though they have nuts and the kids wont like them.  (more for me) 

I guess the point is that there is no right or wrong way to celebrate the Christmas season.  I will leave you with one of my very favorite quotes:

"Ring the bells that still can ring, forget your perfect offering.  There is a crack in everything, that's how the light gets in."  ~Leonard Cohen