Hopefully only Good News Updates!!!

[Trees Gray]

Hi Christin!!!

Happy Valentine's Day!!!

I am glad to hear Hannah is doing so well.

You are an an inspiration and definitely any patient that has you for a nurse, is quite lucky.

I'm struggling with my lenten duties but trying. Hope to get more time to do more READING as well as praying.

God bless you and yours, and thank you for sharing.

[Dezirrae]

So glad to see an update Christin - I do love your upbeat posts You're first paragraph though made me tired - LOL... Glad that you are taking some time for yourself too! You're going to make an awesome therapist - so congratulations (in advance) on earning your degree. I have no doubt that you receive it!

Wonderful news about Hannah too - I was wondering how she was doing. I'll keep saying prayers for her.

We're doing okay with the cold weather - everyone staying warm as long as we can work from home once in awhile

I kind of wish Juliette & Noel would take a break from laying eggs - they're machines I tell you - only 3 days max between. I'll do a full update soon.

Hope you've had a wonderful Valentine's Day!!

[CHRISTIN RN]

Hi Treesa & Dez!

Yea, I know what you mean, Treesa, about 'struggling with Lenten duties'....stupid me went out for St. Valentine's Day for a 'small' dinner and mistakenly ordered a diet Coke and realized after drinking half of it!!! So, I just said to myself, "Self, it's St. Valentine's Day, so enjoy!" Which would have not been so bad if I didn't then order a Scotch & soda!!!!
HOWEVER, was then most happy to come upon another 'good deed' opportunity....As we were leaving the restaurant, I noticed a man grabbing a dirty bag from the restaurant's garbage dumpster and filling it with with discarded food....I quickly ran to my car and grabbed a package that I had intended to mail to someone, however, missed the post-office today....it contained some prayer cards and Rosary beads. I then went over to the man and asked if he would like the items, to which he replied 'Sure, why not."
I then asked him if I could buy the bag of dirty food from him for $20.00.
He was more than happy to accept. I told him I didn't want him to get sick and we prayed together and I blessed him with my Holy Water. My Holy Water is like my American Express Card....I never leave home without it!
I sobbed all the way home with that bag on the floor of my vehicle until I put it in my trash container. Really effected me that my pets eat better than many humans. His name is Stephen...I'll be offering today's fast and prayers for him. I hope he bears his cross well until he gets Home. Really heartbreaking.

WOW, Dez! Only 3 days in between laying eggs??? I thought 2 weeks was bad! Thankfully, Coco & Hoppy are still sitting on their 'original' eggs. This makes day 3. I'll see what happens and keep you updated. Might be best if we just let them keep their eggs until they realize it's a no-show!
Thanks for the encouragement about the degree. I didn't do any studying today, so I feel bad. Hopefully I can get some in before work tomorrow.
Glad you guys are nice and toasty at home! Gee, it's cold again tonight!

Thanks so much for your prayers, guys! I really feel it helping me to take care of Hannah as unfortunately her docs are not updated on burn care.
Thankfully, I'm a member of a Nurses wound care forum, and therefore fortunate to have additional guidance.

Remember, tomorrow's Friday...try to get a Stations of the Cross in.
I do it with EWTN (Eternal Word Television Network) at 2pm followed by the Divine Mercy meditation at 3pm. For some reason my church does not do the Stations until Good Friday. ??? I don't want to say anything for now because I bothered them already about the Twelve Days of Christmas from Dec.26 to Jan. 6! I'll save it for next year lest they kick me out!!!

Sweet Dreams, Birdie Family!

[Trees Gray]

Hi Christin,

Thank you for sharing with us, and I'm going to say a special prayer for Stephen also and all those in similar circumstances during Adoration today.

I'm sure Hannah appreciates the extra mile you go to help her.

Thank you for the information on EWTN.

Well that scotch and soda sounds like an excellent choice.

[CHRISTIN RN]

Hi Treesa!

Yep, that scotch & soda really tasted good....still thinking about it!!! I'm terrible!

Thanks for the prayers for Stephen. I thought about him in this cold weather...he said he was from a nearby town, however, would not share with me exactly where or the conditions. I wanted to be of more service to him, but he just went off into the dark. I mentioned to him that Saint Stephen was the first martyr for Christ.

Got your pm...pm'd ya back!

Lenten season Blessing to you and yours!...
Remember, just do your best and God will do the rest! AMEN!

[Dezirrae]

You are such a beautiful soul Christin! I keep thinking of your encounter with Stephen -- I believe you were in that exact place at that exact time to give Stephen exactly what he likely needed just then... hope. Just a gut feeling.

What is Stations of the Cross? I've not heard of that before.

Juliet and Noel and still sharing sitting on Noel's eggs - the real ones. At least I think they're Noel's eggs. Last few times they've been in synch and laid their eggs together, but not this time. I think maybe Juliet is more accepting of the fake eggs while Noel doesn't "buy" them We'll see... keep me posted on how yours are doing with the real eggs.

Have a great Saturday - hope you're able to enjoy a little of this sunshine (even if it is still chhhhiiiiilllly)

[CHRISTIN RN]

Greetings, Birdie Family!

Coco & Hoppy are still sharing duties with the 2 'real' eggs from Feb. 11-12.
Now there is another egg next to the first 2.
Question...Should I wait for the 4th then remove 2 or just let them continue sitting on the 3-4?
I'm glad that they remain interested for now 6-7 days, so I don't want to spoil it by removing unless anybody thinks it's better to have them just sit on 2.

Thanks in advance for 'expert' advice!

Dez, guess letting them sit on the 'unfertile' eggs seems to be working...we're on day 6 with the first 2...now 3. I expect 4 tomorrow. I'll remove 2 depending on what you experts suggest.???
This weather is crazy, isn't it?
Glad it's a bit warmer tonight...it always makes me feel better when the oil heater is off. Tomorrow, or I should say today, will be close to 60 then back to 30's the following day! I try to keep the Co-Hop above 40.
RE: Stations of the Cross...tracing the passion of Christ from Holy Thursday to Good Friday (Crucifixion)! Still wonder why they call it 'Good Friday'...seemed like a not-so-good one! Well ya know what they say, "When in Rome, do as the Romans do"! I'm happy to send you the pamphlet if you'd like!

[TAWhatley]

Hi Christin!

I would keep the egg count down to two. I doubt it will really upset them to remove an egg or two.

Terry

[Lovebirds]

Originally Posted by TAWhatley

Hi Christin!

I would keep the egg count down to two. I doubt it will really upset them to remove an egg or two.

Terry

Agree. When I have two hens lay 4 eggs, I always take two of them. I don't think they can count so good.

[CHRISTIN RN]

Will do, Terry/Renee!

The 4th egg was layed today...I should say yesterday.
They seem to get so pissed-off (pardon the expression) when I try to take a look and put my hand in the basket. Biting me and making horrible noises...like saying, "get the blank outta here...you're just supposed to feed us and clean up after us!"

I'll get the 2 out later this morning....I hope they'll both come down to eat breakfast, but they've only done that a couple of times when they have eggs in the basket. Anyway, getting bit by one is better than getting bit by both of them.

Thanks so much for the guidance....I'm glad they won't notice the missing 2 eggs. I hope I get lucky and grab ones that came from each of them. Yea right.

[CHRISTIN RN]

Greetings, Birdie Family!

So far so good with the 2 'real' eggs...still sitting on them for 10 days.
Guess these guys know the real thing from the dummies which they sat on for max. 3-4 days.

Anyway, just wanted to let those whom have success with dummies that if you go to a store called '5 Below' they are now carrying just the right size plastic eggs for Easter in pastel colors...I chose the ones that had cream colored ones mixed in with the pinks/lavenders etc. so you have to look at the different bags (about 12 per package...I think). They do come apart, however, so maybe have to secure together somehow with something non-toxic. They are small and light, so one could also stuff with something before securing together to give them some weight. I'll keep some on hand for Rally & Ally.
If anyone is having a difficult time keeping their birds interested in the larger wooden dummies and would like to try these plastic smaller size ones and is without a 5 Below near, I'd be happy to purchase a bag and send it to you.
Let me know asap, however, due to possible sell-out as Easter approaches!

Was just now wondering...
if they know the difference in colors?/Would one be able to use any color plastic eggs?

Blessings to all!

[Trees Gray]

Hi Christin,

Thank you for your offer and giving us a new resource for plastic color eggs. I like the colors too, they look so festive.

I have tried the smaller plastic Easter eggs in the past and my birds didn't mind, but those are the birds that don't have problems with "dummy" eggs, the others who always instinctively know, well those birds you just can't please with color or wooden or plastic eggs. They just have to have the real thing.

As far as color goes, I don't think they mind the colors as long as they aren't too dark or too bright. I think pastels are fine, and beautiful.

[Dezirrae]

Hi Christin

Yup - I'm hoping maybe the real eggs are doing the trick too Juliet's two have shown up now - so they're sitting on 3 real one's. I did remove one - looked uncomfortable I just hope they get more than a 3 day break this time!! Poor babies... I always think the one out of the nest is lonley hanging out by itself.

Thanks for the info about the Stations of the Cross -- I "googled" it and now feel much more educated. Thanks for the offer of the pamphlet though.

I love your idea about the plastic eggs - didn't even think of that and I was shopping tonight too - oy... then again - if they do okay with the real eggs I'll just let them sit on the real ones.

Hope you and all your feathered and furry friends are hunkered down tonight - looks like you'll be getting a bit more white stuff than I will I'm right on the "will change to messy, icky stuff" line again.

[CHRISTIN RN]

Thanks, Treesa/Dez!

Nice to know they don't mind the pastel colors. At least I'll have them ready for Rally and Ally...I imagine Dove eggs are smaller the pidgies...???

Dez, why do you keep 3 in the nest instead of 2??? Your doves are small like mine....actually they could all be twins! I was advised to only keep 2 for the pidgies (day 11 on the real eggs).....is it different with doves? I'd like to know before Rally/Ally start laying....thanks a bunch!
Be careful if you have to drive....might be alot of ice. Soooo glad I traded my van in for the 4 wheel drive....of course it was only because I almost got killed the last 2 prior winters! Stupid van.
Great idea about googling the current Holy celebrations....I'm going to try it as well! Thanks...that should be fun thing to do during study time for Lent!

Blessing to you and yours Birdie 'Gals'!

[CHRISTIN RN]

Greetings Birdie Family!

I know alot of you are busy with all those cute newbies, however, I need some direction on how to proceed with regard to Coco & Hoppy's egg sitting.
2 days ago they kicked one of the 2 eggs out of their basket.
They are continuing to sit on the one egg and tonight ends the 17th day since they laid the first egg. I was wondering if...
(A) I should add a plastic dummy to the one real one, or
(B) Remove the one remaining egg and allow them to move on ???

Also, one more thing, please...
Rally had not been looking well since last night and again this afternoon...fluffed up and eyes half closed...not moving around the cage as usual. I thought he might be in pain, so early this morning I gave him some water mixed with aspirin (325mg tab crushed and diluted in 250ml. water) as suggested in the Pain Management book chart for birds. I filled a 1ml syringe and gave it to him in his beak and then filled one of the 3 water feeders with some more of the solution. He perked up to his usual self for a few hours and then back to not looking well later this afternoon....I repeated the same dosage (1ml.)
3 days ago I added some 'fine sunflower chips' mixed with what I was told at the bird feed store was Thistle seed. I looked at the lable to be sure and see that it says 'niger seed' instead of thistle seed. Are they the same?
Could the new mix be what is making him ill?
And yes, poops seem normal....dropped a sample over to the vet today and did not receive a call stating any problem. I will call tomorrow to be sure.
Just wanted your thoughts on the new seed which the guy at the feed store recommended.

Thanks for any advice on these 2 inquiries!