Laurie

Very cool video, Joe! Nice tattoo ...

We were fortunate; we got Klaus from a guy who happens to live right in our neighborhood, so the drive home wasn't traumatic at all. And he was only about 4 months old when we brought him home so he's always been pretty easy to deal with. He does bite a little, but I figure it goes with the territory. We grey owners are a tough bunch!

I'm chuckling as I read all these...I wear glasses sometimes and Klaus just thinks it's party time when I do! One night I was so frustrated I got him off me and set him on top of his cage to play. He knew what for because I'd just scolded him approx 3 times for chewing the glasses. After a little while I picked him back up. He clambered to my shoulder, leaned forward and opened his mouth to get the glasses. Then stopped, thought better of it, and behaved himself. They are so smart!

Judy, I've been researching VA Beach a little more tonight...seems they have a verrrrry cool water park nearby. 16 different water slides. Yee-ha!

Hi, and welcome! Love the name "Gollum."

Hi, and welcome!

I'm from Deeeeeee-troit, too! Wow, that's three Michiganders checking in - two from Detroit. Gotta love the Red Wings, Pistons, Tigers (sometimes) ummm do we have a football team? No, I don't think we do. Also very proud of the Motown Sound! Yeah, baby! Judy, we are thinking of going to Virginia Beach for vacation this year. Are you near there? Oh, no - you're in SW VA. Oh, well. Do you recommend VA Beach as a nice place to visit?

I lucked out and bought a nice one at the pet store for $23. I had been eyeing it for months at $99, but couldn't afford that price. When it went on sale I snatched it up. That said, I'm glad I bought it on sale because Klaus hardly ever goes on it. However, he's a baby yet (just about to turn "1" in the next couple of days here). I think after he turns 2 and gets a little more independent, he'll hang out on it more.

Oh, yes...I deliver a constant stream of, "No" or "Don't bite" or "Knock it off, Klaus!". Luckily he gets at least an equivalent amount (I hope) of "Good bird!" and "I love you!" and "Who's my good baby?" LOL

Aw, what a sweetie! As far as grabbing your finger, I'd guess she's just exploring. People sometimes make more out of it than it is when a bird gets their beak on them. I just remember for a bird: beak = hands/fingers, pretty much.

Hi, and welcome! Love the name "Emmitt" - very cool.

Hi, and welcome! We're glad you're here and look forward to hearing all about your new bird. Don't be shy - we love questions (there are no stupid questions here, trust me).

I am the big 4-0! 40 is the new 30 - right? LOL

Hmmm, where's Imme? When I quit that last time, I would eat Skittles and also sing at the top of my lungs in the car. I also had a drinking straw cut roughly to cig length to play with.

I fixed it! (Ok, I'm pretty sure I fixed it...here I am!). I had to do a Recovery which wiped out everything on my computer and made it as though I just brought it home from the store. A big pain, but the price was right (free!). So, I'm crossing my fingers that what I did fixed the problem.

The problems I have been having with my computer keep getting worse & worse! It's a miracle I made it this far... I'm trying to get it fixed so I can be a "regular" here again... Just didn't want anyone to think I'd dropped off the face of the earth!

You walk around slowly and carefully, especially keeping your shoulders steady, even when the bird is not on you! And, yes, I've gone into hiding to eat chocolate because I know I can't share with Klaus and I don't want to hurt his feelings! Great thread, Momma! Karma for you...

Two blondes walk into a building. You'd think one of them would've seen it. :laugh:

Thank you! Thank you! I feel soooo much better about myself. It sounds corny but I really do feel stronger.

I know, I once had a 400-lb man tell me that smoking wasn't the healthiest decision. Ummm, ok. FairY, you should go on Amazon.com and look at books to help you quit. There is one called, "Quitting Smoking when you don't want to." This may be for you. We've all heard of those who smoked until they were 90 and died of a non-smoking related illness. We can hope that's us. I would NEVER judge someone for wanting to continue to smoke. As for me, I do want to quit. My lungs feel like crap, my car stinks, and I spend at least part of my valued time at home with my son and my bird trying to "escape" to somewhere where it's ok to smoke. Plus, it's expensive in my neck of the woods. I'd rather buy treats for me & my family. Any-hoo, I made a doctor appt and it's on March 19. I will find out what kind of help I can get then. Until then, I'll try to keep it as minimal as possible. The good news (or bad news, depending on how you look at it) is that I so rarely have a chance to party like I did while I was on that trip (OMG, margaritas that are free AND unlimited) that I doubt I'll run into that challenge anytime soon after I quit again! I will keep checking back in the mean time in case anyone's out there looking for advice or support!

Hey, great job Kristin! Ok, so here's an update - yesterday was weigh-n-measure day at Curves. I lost 1" off my hips. I did not lose any weight overall, but I lost 2# of fat. Obviously I must have gained 2# of muscle, since my body weight didn't change. They figured that out with the little body fat analyzer machine they have there. So, I'm happy. I'll trade fat for muscle any day! How's everyone else doing?

I really don't want this thread to end, because it's still a big issue for me. Kat, I know what you mean about the "relief" to be smoking again. How stupid is that? But true! We had another little snow squall here in Michigan today and it was comforting to know I'd have my cigs while making the dreadful commute. Aaargh! The other thing that's kind of mind blowing is how EASY it is to start again. That's the best I've ever done: 10 days. That's about the 4th or 5th time I tried to quit. And each time it was completely effortless to just fall back into it. I'm going to listen to whatever the doctor advises me, but I'm leaning toward Wellbutrin for my next attempt. I did Wellbutrin on one of my last quits and was doing pretty well until my marriage fell apart. (And no, my marriage did not fall apart because I was such a &%$# from not smoking! LOL) Anyway, thank you all so much for sharing your stories and for all the encouragement. You guys are the best!

That is hilarious! :laugh:

LOL That's awesome... My husband went to breakfast at a restaurant the other day with a big 'ole Klaus-bomb on him. He didn't realize it was there...

Welcome back! I have been on & off, too, due to a trip I was on, then my computer acting up. Miraculously I'm able to stay on awhile tonight and I'm looking forward to getting all caught up. This site is one of my little pleasures in life, like reading or gardening. Any-hoo, glad you're back!