Friday Night Singing
Laura
Saturday, August 05, 2006
CBC 6th Week 2006 Pictures!
Friday Night Singing
Laura
Saturday, July 22, 2006
Hawk's Prey
One of BeBe's favorite spots to play is at the top of the blinds in our Paladian window. He's actually quite clever and acrobatic. He'll jump from his play pen, up to the top of the entertainment center, climb up the curtain, and dangle out to grab the blind cords. Then, just like in the circus, balance on the strings and climb up them to the top.
Lately, he's been chewing on the blinds. I don't really like it when he does that, so I have been opening the blinds by pulling them all the way up so he can't chew on them. This makes for a clear view of Food Lion, brings in a lot of light, and apparently disguises the fact that there is glass in our window.
Thank goodness for glass because we wouldn't have a BeBe anymore if there hadn't been glass there. Imagine this sight:
This was the view that we got as a hawk glided down toward our window towards the spot that BeBe was sitting on at the top of the blinds.
Bam!
Fluttering.... Flapping... Falling....
Bam!
Squeeking and skwaking....
Yes, there are two Bams in there.
The hawk went for BeBe, BeBe saw it, freaked out and fell down. The hawk apparently still didn't realize that there was glass there, because when BeBe fell, it hit the glass again, thinking that he had just missed.
This is what would've gotten BeBe if the glass hadn't been there:
Yikes! Those look sharp.
Hawk dives always crack me up (except when they are freaking my baby, I mean, my BeBe, out). The other day, I was driving on the Durham Freeway and a low flying hawk comes swooping in over our lane. It grabs its prey right under the guard rail and in a swift move, goes through that hole under the rail.
When hawks dive for prey, it reminds me of a lady in a dress. The hawk lifts it's skirt of feathers to reveal it's teeny little chicken legs with over grown nails.
Anyways, this whole episode had poor BeBe freaked out. Rodney and I comforted him and just still looked through the window in amazement. The hawk, I guess, was unphased as we didn't see it lying on the ground anywhere in shock.
Well, I guess BeBe may be hanging out on his cage more than at the top of the window. At least until he truly realizes that he is protected. I know I probably would be freaked out if I were him too. It is like being in an aquarium and a shark ramming the glass right where you're at. You know there is glass there, but the innate instinct of predator versus prey is still quite scary.
Lately, he's been chewing on the blinds. I don't really like it when he does that, so I have been opening the blinds by pulling them all the way up so he can't chew on them. This makes for a clear view of Food Lion, brings in a lot of light, and apparently disguises the fact that there is glass in our window.
Thank goodness for glass because we wouldn't have a BeBe anymore if there hadn't been glass there. Imagine this sight:
This was the view that we got as a hawk glided down toward our window towards the spot that BeBe was sitting on at the top of the blinds.Bam!
Fluttering.... Flapping... Falling....
Bam!
Squeeking and skwaking....
Yes, there are two Bams in there.
The hawk went for BeBe, BeBe saw it, freaked out and fell down. The hawk apparently still didn't realize that there was glass there, because when BeBe fell, it hit the glass again, thinking that he had just missed.
This is what would've gotten BeBe if the glass hadn't been there:
Yikes! Those look sharp. Hawk dives always crack me up (except when they are freaking my baby, I mean, my BeBe, out). The other day, I was driving on the Durham Freeway and a low flying hawk comes swooping in over our lane. It grabs its prey right under the guard rail and in a swift move, goes through that hole under the rail.
When hawks dive for prey, it reminds me of a lady in a dress. The hawk lifts it's skirt of feathers to reveal it's teeny little chicken legs with over grown nails.
Anyways, this whole episode had poor BeBe freaked out. Rodney and I comforted him and just still looked through the window in amazement. The hawk, I guess, was unphased as we didn't see it lying on the ground anywhere in shock.
Well, I guess BeBe may be hanging out on his cage more than at the top of the window. At least until he truly realizes that he is protected. I know I probably would be freaked out if I were him too. It is like being in an aquarium and a shark ramming the glass right where you're at. You know there is glass there, but the innate instinct of predator versus prey is still quite scary.
Monday, July 17, 2006
Lovestone Inn
July 1-4 we stayed at the Lovestone Inn. It really is the best-kept secret at Smith Mountain Lake, VA. No doubt about it, my husband and I will go back. We stayed in the Spring Garden room on the third floor while my parents stayed in the basement in the Summer Rose room. Might I suggest going out on their boat, swimming and fishing off the dock, and the hot tub! The breakfasts were superb and the owners, Tom and Dawn were awesome. You should go! Next time, we will stay for the fireworks on the lake on the 4th!
The Front of the Inn
The Property was quite large and right on the lake!
Tom was hilarious and a quite thorough tour guide of the lake
Beautiful Views
The resort we had dinner at one night... great ribs!
What lightning will do to your house... thankfully the owner was out of town.
The other side of the dam
The other side of the dam
Aren't we cute and windblown....
Rodney and Oreo; yes, Oreo is wearing a doggie lifevest.
Awww.... too cute. My parents on the boat ride.
Cool Willow tree near the dock
Awww.... too cute. My parents on the boat ride.
Cool Willow tree near the dock
Our own private beach on the lake
My future lake home. Apparently the lots run close to a million. Just the land!
We swam pretty far out from the dock to the "No Wake" Buoys (Me, Rod, Dad). They're hard to see because they are so far away!
The Whole Crew!
Sunset on the Lake! Gorgeous!
Thursday, July 13, 2006
Who? (Poem)
Who do THEY say He is?
Savior, Prophet, Messiah
The Word, devoted, Faith
A Heart brimming over
Son of God, Love Sacrifice
He became sin to cleanse us
plucked from below to rise again
OVERCOMING
He WAS there at the beginning
He IS here NOW
He WILL be there at the end
Against the flow of the world
Transforming us
He is everything you want to be
Fulfilling your true purpose
Finally made whole
Who do YOU say He is?
By Tamara Money
© TRM 2006
Savior, Prophet, Messiah
The Word, devoted, Faith
A Heart brimming over
Son of God, Love Sacrifice
He became sin to cleanse us
plucked from below to rise again
OVERCOMING
He WAS there at the beginning
He IS here NOW
He WILL be there at the end
Against the flow of the world
Transforming us
He is everything you want to be
Fulfilling your true purpose
Finally made whole
Who do YOU say He is?
By Tamara Money
© TRM 2006
Tuesday, July 11, 2006
The Dress for My Brother's Wedding
This is my dress for Thomas and Rachel's wedding. I like it a lot. I love it when we have control of what dress, or at least top, we can wear. It always looks good. I will tell you that I was a bit worried when she picked mystic purple, but not because I don't like the color because I do love it. There just happens to be a lot less variety in that color as far as styles go, but I found something, so it's all good! I let my bridesmaids pick their tops in red and everyone looked so awesome. Even though my wedding was "my day" I wanted everyone to look good. On Jen's day, everyone looked so beautiful! This does work! I really honestly believe that you cannot pick one dress that looks good on everyone, unless all your bridesmaids are all the same size and body shape. Plus, when we were picking the dresses out, I got to see what everyone picked out and how it looked on them. That's the joy of David's Bridal. I also like the fact that when we pick our own tops, usually we avoid alterations. That is definitely a money saver. Rachel is letting us pick out our shoes as long as they are silver. Jen did the same thing for her wedding in white (her dresses were periwinkle) as well as I did in black. It is so smart to just pick a color for the shoes and let your attendees do the picking. You end up with the control of how much money you spend and whether or not you want to enjoy fashion or foot pain. We all have such different feet and it is considerate to think of that. Anyways, I just thought I'd share what my dress looks like. I definitely look forwards to wearing it again, just because I know I will be able to (because it looks good). I know I will be able to wear the dress I had for Jen's wedding again too. Bring on the formals!
Monday, July 10, 2006
Prayer Vigil
A PRAYER VIGIL to honor the life of Pedro Pablo Josue Gasperine Quijano will be held Saturday, July 15th at 3:00 PM, on the corner of Fairfax Street and London Circle (Directions: take E. Geer Street to N. Miami Blvd., take second left off N. Miami Blvd onto Greenbriar Street; then take first right onto Fairfax Road and London Circle is one block on right.)
Mr. Quijano was fatally shot on April 25, 2006. He was 44 years old.
Prayers will be led by Anna Lee Mosley, lay member of the Religious Coalition for a Nonviolent Durham. All faiths and ages are welcome.
A tribute to Pedro Gasperin Quijano can be found at http://stargazrt4.blogspot.com/2006/04/in-memory-of.html.
The purpose of our Prayer Vigils for Homicide Victims is to bring people together to honor the lives of the victims, comfort the family, friends and neighbors; to pray for peace and healing in the neighborhood and throughout all Durham; to allow those affected the opportunity to have their voices heard and their grief acknowledged; and to publicly protest to the community that such violence is unacceptable and requires all those who want to promote justice and mercy to take action. The Vigils are coordinated by the Religious Coalition for a Nonviolent Durham, Parents of Murdered Children and Durham Congregations In Action. For more information please call Marcia Owen at 919-489-3531 or email mowen8@nc.rr.com.
Mr. Quijano was fatally shot on April 25, 2006. He was 44 years old.
Prayers will be led by Anna Lee Mosley, lay member of the Religious Coalition for a Nonviolent Durham. All faiths and ages are welcome.
A tribute to Pedro Gasperin Quijano can be found at http://stargazrt4.blogspot.com/2006/04/in-memory-of.html.
The purpose of our Prayer Vigils for Homicide Victims is to bring people together to honor the lives of the victims, comfort the family, friends and neighbors; to pray for peace and healing in the neighborhood and throughout all Durham; to allow those affected the opportunity to have their voices heard and their grief acknowledged; and to publicly protest to the community that such violence is unacceptable and requires all those who want to promote justice and mercy to take action. The Vigils are coordinated by the Religious Coalition for a Nonviolent Durham, Parents of Murdered Children and Durham Congregations In Action. For more information please call Marcia Owen at 919-489-3531 or email mowen8@nc.rr.com.
Friday, July 07, 2006
Wove, Troo Wove.
Rodney and I just celebrated our 1 year anniversary. Can you believe it's been one year? I've learned several new things about being a wife, about being married, about myself in the past year.
Gratefully, we have been blessed by the Lord to have had a most awesome year. I can't say the year went perfectly or without problems/arguments, but those were minimal and we learned from them.
Some of the lessons I've learned as a wife and woman:
My husband is #1 in my life (of course behind God). I should make my plans around him especially. What do I mean by this? He takes priority in my schedule over extended family, friends, church, business, and social events (to mention a few aspects of life). I try to be home when he comes home. I take care of all the needs he has that I can help with. Spend more time with your spouse than with your outside family (parents, siblings, pets) and friends.
My special objective is to make our house a home. This is seen very prominently in Proverbs 31. Mainly, I just keep the house in order, take care of BeBe, and just try to make it a pleasant environment for him (which makes it a pleasant environment for me). This definitely includes keeping my attitude in check and watching my tongue (what I say and tone of voice). Always greet each other with a kiss and a hug and pay special mind to each other when you come home (aka turn off TV for a bit or at least mute, stop what you're doing).
I had to cut the apron strings from my parents. Though my Mom was where I went to in the past about everything, now that person is my husband. Granted, I still talk to my Mom as we are very close, but I run everything I need to talk about through Rodney. I want to make sure he knows how I am feeling, what I am going through, and just general things about life from day-to-day. Oh, and I never, and I mean never, say anything bad or negative about Rodney to my parents. This is because, first of all, anything specifically between us is not their business, and, second of all, you avoid "bad blood." Not to say I don't ask for advice about things, I just choose to ask it without mentioning negative things or by using generalities. My personal opinion is that this is especially important in order to create a lasting and deep relationship with my husband. If we ever decide to have kids, this will be extremely important, too, as we are raising our own kids, not our parents telling us or raising our kids for us. They may not mean to, but it is all to0 easy to have opinions if they are overly involved. If we do have kids, I certainly won't be living next door to them! By the way, we still don't want kids, we will just love on other people's kids!
Money is pretty much the source of all our struggles. Mainly, the lack thereof. I have really worked hard on myself to stop impulse buying (though I still accidentally slip) and buy really what we need. Greenville was really hard on us financially. We went into some debt because we didn't have decent jobs and needed to live. It is expensive to live out in the real world, so make sure you budget your finances. Do allot some money toward some sortof pleasure, whether it be a romantic dinner or something you both want to buy.
Support each other's dreams. It doesn't matter how extravagant or wacko you might think their dreams are, if they believe in them, you should too. Dreams are important to everyone. When we have dreams that we really believe in, being in a close environment with someone who doesn't support you by not believing in your dream is the same thing as a cut to the heart. You may have to adjust a little bit, but in a true love relationship, you are to complete the other person. Part of that completion is loving that person, their spirit, their dreams.
Compromise!!!! This is probably one of the top things that needs to occur in a marital relationship. One spouse should not dominate over the other, or allow outside people (which is everyone but you two) to dominate their relationship, decisions, or beliefs. Discussions should occur especially about spiritual things before marriage (especially if you two were raised in different religious backgrounds). Some of the basic spiritual beliefs may remain different between you and your spouse, but the compromise comes in in where to worship, how to raise the kids, etc. If you choose not to compromise, you create strife. If you allow outside people to make your decisions for you, you will become dependent on them and not your spouse. I cannot reiterate this more, but compromise is the best agenda in decisions to be made. Adjustments will be made on both sides of a compromise, but the nice thing is that that is the best way to grow yourself and your relationship with one another. A couple compromises that Rodney and I had to make were where to live, what kindof food to have the house, how many social/church events and what type of events we went to, and where we both felt comfortable worshipping.
Lastly, build your relationship around God. This is number one in marriage. You will be happier and stronger in the Lord. That's just the way it works out. Statistically, the divorce rate is still lower in the church than it is outside the church. Children raised in the church tend to turn out better and have stronger holds on their roots and beliefs. I know, personally, that I am a better woman because my parents raised me in the church. The same can be said of Rodney.
Now I know that I have only been married a year, but this is the advice I can give as a newly wed. We plan to remain perpetual honeymooners, and the main way to do that is through the things I've learned and by applying those things. It is not enough to just hear them, you must apply them and take action.
Book Recommendations:
The Bible (Proverbs 31 among other verses)
A Woman After God's Own Heart by Elizabeth George
The Five Love Languages by Gary Chapman
His Needs, Her Needs by Willard F. Harley
Gratefully, we have been blessed by the Lord to have had a most awesome year. I can't say the year went perfectly or without problems/arguments, but those were minimal and we learned from them.
Some of the lessons I've learned as a wife and woman:
My husband is #1 in my life (of course behind God). I should make my plans around him especially. What do I mean by this? He takes priority in my schedule over extended family, friends, church, business, and social events (to mention a few aspects of life). I try to be home when he comes home. I take care of all the needs he has that I can help with. Spend more time with your spouse than with your outside family (parents, siblings, pets) and friends.
My special objective is to make our house a home. This is seen very prominently in Proverbs 31. Mainly, I just keep the house in order, take care of BeBe, and just try to make it a pleasant environment for him (which makes it a pleasant environment for me). This definitely includes keeping my attitude in check and watching my tongue (what I say and tone of voice). Always greet each other with a kiss and a hug and pay special mind to each other when you come home (aka turn off TV for a bit or at least mute, stop what you're doing).
I had to cut the apron strings from my parents. Though my Mom was where I went to in the past about everything, now that person is my husband. Granted, I still talk to my Mom as we are very close, but I run everything I need to talk about through Rodney. I want to make sure he knows how I am feeling, what I am going through, and just general things about life from day-to-day. Oh, and I never, and I mean never, say anything bad or negative about Rodney to my parents. This is because, first of all, anything specifically between us is not their business, and, second of all, you avoid "bad blood." Not to say I don't ask for advice about things, I just choose to ask it without mentioning negative things or by using generalities. My personal opinion is that this is especially important in order to create a lasting and deep relationship with my husband. If we ever decide to have kids, this will be extremely important, too, as we are raising our own kids, not our parents telling us or raising our kids for us. They may not mean to, but it is all to0 easy to have opinions if they are overly involved. If we do have kids, I certainly won't be living next door to them! By the way, we still don't want kids, we will just love on other people's kids!
Money is pretty much the source of all our struggles. Mainly, the lack thereof. I have really worked hard on myself to stop impulse buying (though I still accidentally slip) and buy really what we need. Greenville was really hard on us financially. We went into some debt because we didn't have decent jobs and needed to live. It is expensive to live out in the real world, so make sure you budget your finances. Do allot some money toward some sortof pleasure, whether it be a romantic dinner or something you both want to buy.
Support each other's dreams. It doesn't matter how extravagant or wacko you might think their dreams are, if they believe in them, you should too. Dreams are important to everyone. When we have dreams that we really believe in, being in a close environment with someone who doesn't support you by not believing in your dream is the same thing as a cut to the heart. You may have to adjust a little bit, but in a true love relationship, you are to complete the other person. Part of that completion is loving that person, their spirit, their dreams.
Compromise!!!! This is probably one of the top things that needs to occur in a marital relationship. One spouse should not dominate over the other, or allow outside people (which is everyone but you two) to dominate their relationship, decisions, or beliefs. Discussions should occur especially about spiritual things before marriage (especially if you two were raised in different religious backgrounds). Some of the basic spiritual beliefs may remain different between you and your spouse, but the compromise comes in in where to worship, how to raise the kids, etc. If you choose not to compromise, you create strife. If you allow outside people to make your decisions for you, you will become dependent on them and not your spouse. I cannot reiterate this more, but compromise is the best agenda in decisions to be made. Adjustments will be made on both sides of a compromise, but the nice thing is that that is the best way to grow yourself and your relationship with one another. A couple compromises that Rodney and I had to make were where to live, what kindof food to have the house, how many social/church events and what type of events we went to, and where we both felt comfortable worshipping.
Lastly, build your relationship around God. This is number one in marriage. You will be happier and stronger in the Lord. That's just the way it works out. Statistically, the divorce rate is still lower in the church than it is outside the church. Children raised in the church tend to turn out better and have stronger holds on their roots and beliefs. I know, personally, that I am a better woman because my parents raised me in the church. The same can be said of Rodney.
Now I know that I have only been married a year, but this is the advice I can give as a newly wed. We plan to remain perpetual honeymooners, and the main way to do that is through the things I've learned and by applying those things. It is not enough to just hear them, you must apply them and take action.
Book Recommendations:
The Bible (Proverbs 31 among other verses)
A Woman After God's Own Heart by Elizabeth George
The Five Love Languages by Gary Chapman
His Needs, Her Needs by Willard F. Harley
Thursday, June 29, 2006
Jen and Ben's Wedding
A Bride/Groom Dance
Up the Stairs....
Cake in the Face!
Getting the Garter
Dan and My Husband
Throwing the Bouquet
Beth and Me
Bride, Groom, Matron of Honor
3 Bestest Friends!
Tuesday, June 20, 2006
Canes Win!!!!!!
Go Canes! I've been a loyal fan since they came here to NC in 1997. I am so excited about them! They are my team! Hockey is my favorite sport to watch. Late last night, after some meetings, I enjoyed watching the Canes win their first Stanley Cup. Even though this series has had me on my toes throughout Games 4-7 especially, I still believed in them and knew they would pull it off.One piece of commentary... that call for the goal that would've been the Cane's second goal for the evening, should've been ruled a score. They should've been more patient and taken more time to review the play. Even with that bad call and a few more in the third period, the Canes dominated!
I do have to say that Oilers' fans are definitely some of the most polite fans I have ever seen. I heard comments from both sides on the gracious and polite ways each side treated each other.
Praise be to heaven for this win. In celebration, I wore my Canes jersey to work today.... with a skirt. LOL. Anyways, the celebrations will continue and again CONGRATULATIONS!
"And that's a hurricanes goal... Woo, Woo Woo!"
"We are the champions!"
Wednesday, June 14, 2006
Beauty Tips by Audrey Hepburn
For attractive lips, Speak words of kindness.For lovely eyes, Seek out the good in people.
For a slim figure, Share your food with the hungry.
For beautiful hair, Let a child run his or her fingers through it once a day.
For poise, Walk with the knowledge you'll never walk alone.
People, even more than things, have to be restored, renewed, revived, reclaimed and redeemed; Never throw out anybody. Remember, if you ever need a helping hand, you'll find one at the end of your arm.
As you grow older you will discover that you have two hands; one for helping yourself, the other for helping others.
The beauty of a woman is not in the clothes she wears, the figure that she carries, or the way she combs her hair.
The beauty of a woman must be seen from in her eyes, because that is the doorway to her heart, the place where love resides.
The beauty of a woman is not in a facial mole, but true beauty in a Woman is reflected in her soul. It is the caring that she lovingly gives, the passion that she knows.
And the beauty of a woman, with passing years only grows!
Monday, June 12, 2006
The Gospel According to You
The most beautiful story given to man
Was written long ago
By Matthew, Mark, Luke and John
Of Christ and His mission below.
And you write a gospel, a chapter a day,
By your deeds, whether faithless or true;
When others read it, what will they think
In the gospel according to you?
It's a wonderful story, the Gospel of love,
As it shines with Christ's life divine.
Oh, that its truth might be told again
In the story of your life and mine.
You are writing each day a letter to all;
Take care that the writing is true.
It's the only gospel some people may read,
The gospel according to you.
Author Unknown
Was written long ago
By Matthew, Mark, Luke and John
Of Christ and His mission below.
And you write a gospel, a chapter a day,
By your deeds, whether faithless or true;
When others read it, what will they think
In the gospel according to you?
It's a wonderful story, the Gospel of love,
As it shines with Christ's life divine.
Oh, that its truth might be told again
In the story of your life and mine.
You are writing each day a letter to all;
Take care that the writing is true.
It's the only gospel some people may read,
The gospel according to you.
Author Unknown
Thursday, June 08, 2006
Lovebird Saga
Yesterday, I about had a heart attack. My lovebird, BeBe, is truly my child and I would have a hard time dealing with his loss, especially if it were my fault.
Carelessly, I was throwing some boxes outside of my door to take down to the dumpster later and the door was mostly open. BeBe took the opportunity, as he is flying now, to fly to me, landing on my back. I am supposed to be aware and attentive of his presence in regards to where he is, especially when the door is open. When he landed on my back, it freaked me out a little, so I quickly pushed the box that was in the doorway out making a loud noise as I did, which freaked him out and he took off.
This take off was not back into the apartment, rather out the door and out around our building, out of my sight. I, needless to say, freaked out! I took off down the stairs after him, not know where he had flown off to. The back of my building, where our apartment is, has a Food Lion on the other side of a mini-hill/hedge of bushes and trees. I didn't know if he flew somewhere over there or around to our parking lot.
I started calling out his name. Where was he? A neighbor in the building next to us saw me freaking out and asked what was wrong. I told him my bird had flown out the door and that I was looking for him. Like true maternal instinct, I continued to call out his name as my neighbor, Mark followed me.
Then came the sound that I was listening for. BeBe called back to me. At this point, I was still on my apartment building's side of the parking lot, but he was loud enough for me to home in on his call. It ws coming from the building across the parking lot from our building. I made my way over there, worrying that he was in the tree that was next to it. How was I going to get him out?
As I approached the tree, he kept calling to me as I called to him, and then I saw him. He was standing on the rail of the second story balcony. I kept calling him and calling him, but he would not come down to me. I couldn't reach him!
To make matters worse, an 18-wheeler hauler (the front cab of the truck) pulled up by us and it frightened BeBe. He took off again, circling out into the parking lot, but back around to the same building (thank the Lord!). This time he landed on the first floor roof apex. I still couldn't get him from there, so I kept calling out to him.
At this point, I was losing it. This was my baby, and I wanted him back. Mark asked me if I had any seed and I said I did but it was up in my apartment around the back of the building across the street. Besides, there was no way I was taking my eyes off of BeBe.
Mark walked away briefly and then BeBe took off again. Everytime he took off, I feared that was the last time I was going to see him. I didn't know where he would fly to. However, he wanted to be near me, so he circled around again and this time landed on the same roof but on the edge near the gutter. I stood there begging him to come down to me and he made the edging movements he makes when he wants to come down to me. He just didn't have the confidence to come down.
The second floor neighbor, whose balcony BeBe had originally landed on, came out onto the balcony wondering who was calling to "BeBe." That's when he saw me and I told him my lovebird was right at the edge of the roof there. He told me to calm down because BeBe is not used to seeing me upset like that, which he was absolutely right!
I edged closer and figured I might be able to reach him. But, not from the ground. I started climbing. BeBe is comfortable with me, so me approaching him did cause him to fly away; he just kept watching me, wanting to get to me. I climbed up the rail (in my skirt and dress shoes of all things) balanced myself and reached out.....
I got him! I quickly threw him into my shirt just as Mark was returning with seed and a fish net. I was praising God at this point. My nice neighbor up on the second floor watched me and told me to wait so he could help me get down, but I thanked him and just jumped down on my own.
I thanked both Mark and this other neighbor profusely for the encouragement and help. With BeBe still in my shirt (close to my heart), I walked back up to the apartment, which had the door wide open (I took off down the stairs, no regard to what I was wearing or where I was going).
I had my BeBe back. That was what mattered. Not the wood rash on my legs from climbing nor the aching feet from running in my dress shoes. I had my BeBe.
You sometimes don't realize how much you love something until you lose it, or at least in this case, almost lose it. Many lovebirds don't make it their full life span because of household accidents or from flying away. BeBe has no outdoor survival skills. He would easily be picked off by a predator.
All in all, lesson learned. We are his flock, his family, his mate, and I am just truly glad that he recognized my voice when I called out to him. He called back.
This directly parallels how the Lord is our flock, our father, our mate. He calls out to us. But we want to fly out and away, venture into the unknown dangers. We know that we want to get back to Him, but we don't know how or don't have the confidence to do so. We finally recognize His voice and call back to Him. He calls back to us. We wait for Him to rescue us and He does. He reaches out to us, puts us in His arms and holds us close to His heart. He has His child back....
Carelessly, I was throwing some boxes outside of my door to take down to the dumpster later and the door was mostly open. BeBe took the opportunity, as he is flying now, to fly to me, landing on my back. I am supposed to be aware and attentive of his presence in regards to where he is, especially when the door is open. When he landed on my back, it freaked me out a little, so I quickly pushed the box that was in the doorway out making a loud noise as I did, which freaked him out and he took off.
This take off was not back into the apartment, rather out the door and out around our building, out of my sight. I, needless to say, freaked out! I took off down the stairs after him, not know where he had flown off to. The back of my building, where our apartment is, has a Food Lion on the other side of a mini-hill/hedge of bushes and trees. I didn't know if he flew somewhere over there or around to our parking lot.
I started calling out his name. Where was he? A neighbor in the building next to us saw me freaking out and asked what was wrong. I told him my bird had flown out the door and that I was looking for him. Like true maternal instinct, I continued to call out his name as my neighbor, Mark followed me.
Then came the sound that I was listening for. BeBe called back to me. At this point, I was still on my apartment building's side of the parking lot, but he was loud enough for me to home in on his call. It ws coming from the building across the parking lot from our building. I made my way over there, worrying that he was in the tree that was next to it. How was I going to get him out?
As I approached the tree, he kept calling to me as I called to him, and then I saw him. He was standing on the rail of the second story balcony. I kept calling him and calling him, but he would not come down to me. I couldn't reach him!
To make matters worse, an 18-wheeler hauler (the front cab of the truck) pulled up by us and it frightened BeBe. He took off again, circling out into the parking lot, but back around to the same building (thank the Lord!). This time he landed on the first floor roof apex. I still couldn't get him from there, so I kept calling out to him.
At this point, I was losing it. This was my baby, and I wanted him back. Mark asked me if I had any seed and I said I did but it was up in my apartment around the back of the building across the street. Besides, there was no way I was taking my eyes off of BeBe.
Mark walked away briefly and then BeBe took off again. Everytime he took off, I feared that was the last time I was going to see him. I didn't know where he would fly to. However, he wanted to be near me, so he circled around again and this time landed on the same roof but on the edge near the gutter. I stood there begging him to come down to me and he made the edging movements he makes when he wants to come down to me. He just didn't have the confidence to come down.
The second floor neighbor, whose balcony BeBe had originally landed on, came out onto the balcony wondering who was calling to "BeBe." That's when he saw me and I told him my lovebird was right at the edge of the roof there. He told me to calm down because BeBe is not used to seeing me upset like that, which he was absolutely right!
I edged closer and figured I might be able to reach him. But, not from the ground. I started climbing. BeBe is comfortable with me, so me approaching him did cause him to fly away; he just kept watching me, wanting to get to me. I climbed up the rail (in my skirt and dress shoes of all things) balanced myself and reached out.....
I got him! I quickly threw him into my shirt just as Mark was returning with seed and a fish net. I was praising God at this point. My nice neighbor up on the second floor watched me and told me to wait so he could help me get down, but I thanked him and just jumped down on my own.
I thanked both Mark and this other neighbor profusely for the encouragement and help. With BeBe still in my shirt (close to my heart), I walked back up to the apartment, which had the door wide open (I took off down the stairs, no regard to what I was wearing or where I was going).
I had my BeBe back. That was what mattered. Not the wood rash on my legs from climbing nor the aching feet from running in my dress shoes. I had my BeBe.
You sometimes don't realize how much you love something until you lose it, or at least in this case, almost lose it. Many lovebirds don't make it their full life span because of household accidents or from flying away. BeBe has no outdoor survival skills. He would easily be picked off by a predator.
All in all, lesson learned. We are his flock, his family, his mate, and I am just truly glad that he recognized my voice when I called out to him. He called back.
This directly parallels how the Lord is our flock, our father, our mate. He calls out to us. But we want to fly out and away, venture into the unknown dangers. We know that we want to get back to Him, but we don't know how or don't have the confidence to do so. We finally recognize His voice and call back to Him. He calls back to us. We wait for Him to rescue us and He does. He reaches out to us, puts us in His arms and holds us close to His heart. He has His child back....
Tuesday, June 06, 2006
Destiny
endings are not natural
though we long for a better belonging
golden streets of happiness
a presence of Him almighty
reunions from beyond
knowings of beauty
uncomparable sights,
sounds,
smells,
emotions
a desire that pulls on our heart strings
an understanding of a true home
perfection never attained
until now
within the realm of eternity
gainfully gleeful
a heart fulfilled
brimming with love
praise forever untireable
predestined
accepting this fate
living in the now
yet,
living for eternity
© 2006 TRM
though we long for a better belonging
golden streets of happiness
a presence of Him almighty
reunions from beyond
knowings of beauty
uncomparable sights,
sounds,
smells,
emotions
a desire that pulls on our heart strings
an understanding of a true home
perfection never attained
until now
within the realm of eternity
gainfully gleeful
a heart fulfilled
brimming with love
praise forever untireable
predestined
accepting this fate
living in the now
yet,
living for eternity
© 2006 TRM
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