BadKarma

humbug humbug humbug. Ok I said it you know I had to.:laugh: It's a great looking tree. If I had a tree with 1500 lights I'd be the one testing them all to find out which one didn't work, only to find out I forgot to plug them in.:laugh:

Well done you 2. You're doin alot better than me. I weighed in today and am back to a whopping 145lbs. Only about 40lbs lighter than I want to be. I have been working out this week but have really taken it easy. Maybe I'll throw a couple more sets or a new excersise in the routine starting monday.

I like the 95 days pic. I don't know if it is supposed to or not but it is like you can see through her wings. It's a really neat affect. Thanx for posting the stages pics its really neat to see.

Man what a looker. I second judy's suggestion about the post with all the different stage photos. I've really enjoyed seeing Goldie develop.

What are you willing to spend for a 5yr old gray? There is your price. Most things in this world are only worth what your willing to pay for them. If you really want him and can give him everything he needs then its just a matter of whether or not your willing to give $500 for him. Of course that's just my opinnion.

Dan that was awesome LMG can't wait for the pics. Don't worry I'm sure he'll come around soon enough, probably before you even know it.

I had a CSM in the Army who grew up with and was good friends with Mr. Ferrigno. He used to talk about them using everyday items to workout cause they couldn't afford weights. All sorts of stuff from the jugs of water to pounding steel with sledge hammers at the scrap yard. (where ferrigno really put on his size) When they got bigger they were lifting furniture in the basement. Also when I was younger I used to workout without weights when we were on the road for a fight. I believe it's called isometrics but could be wrong.(never payed much attention in health class) Anyway you just push against your own muscles. Take an arm from rested beside you and do a curl only at the same time fight against it. The resistance you get will be alot like you flexing and if done right will flat wear you out. Theres lots of great stuff you can do at home without spending a fortune on equipment or hours in the gym. Thanks for reminding me I forgot all about this stuff till you said something. JD

Actually Dan thats a great idea. Louis Ferrigno (the Hulk from the tv series) started off running with a gallon jug of water in each hand. A gallon of water weighing roughly 8.8lbs puts your 10lb sugar curls right on target. Once again folks great advice from our friend Dan. Karma to ya!!B)

Ok well I been a bit under the weather lately and haven't really felt like doing anything. Crummy excuse I know but it is hard to work out when you can't breathe. (stupid sinus infection) Wound up losing more weight than I had put back on.:angry: Still trying to work out as much as I can though. Gonna hit the bag for awhile and then the rowing machine today. No running for me my knee is killing me. I have steel pins and they don't like cold. (that and I don't really like running:laugh: ) So I guess my update says I've been sick and lazy. Thanks for the push.

Christmas HUMBUG!!!! Ha ha had to say it.

Now that is a very clever idea. Putting in the remote controlled bird to try and get your others used to a big one. Maybe you can use it to help train your new baby to talk. If its like the one I saw yesterday you can use it to record saying and play em back. That would be cool. Looks like shes havin fun there all layed out about to get a gotcha belly scratch. Youre gonna have so much fun. I'm jealous.

I know I too sound like the over dramatised commercial, but I am speaking from experience and from the heart as well. (well put by the way briansmum) Those of us who are speaking from experience know exactly the consequences of some poorly made choices. Don't think because your not the one making them you can't be affected by them or that it won't happen to you. So be on full alert and as always Safety Safety Safety. JD B)

Well I came home this morning to learn that my nephew was taken to the hospital for a broken nose last night. I told my sister that these things happen in threes and she needs to lock up my other niece who hasn't gotten hurt yet. (this week) Of course the broken nose was from basketball and really couldn't be avoided. Still I'm going to plug my safety reminder. Safety Safety Safety.

Stupid accident coulda been avoided today. My niece was cutting some stuff with scissors to make decorations and sliced her finger deep. Had to take her to the hospital to get two stitches. When we got back I made her show me what she was doing and I was surprised she hadn't taken her whole finger off. So again please think safety.

Back when I was breeding reptiles(I know not greys but will make sense) we needed UV bulbs for vitamin D3 production in our lizards. I've used several different brands and really found no real difference between the cheap walmart lights and say vitalite. Also there are UV testers out there for you to check the output of your lights. We still have one somewhere. The UV bulbs will stop producing UV after a couple months but will produce light for six months or more. Also I read an article by one of the colleges that was doing a study on UV and its affects and basically it said that 30min outside once a week was more beneficial than 8hrs a day 7days a week under UV type lamps. It also went on to state that all animals including humans need UV. I can remember a few years back there were high end spas doing UV treatments. You will see things on the news in the winter about cabin fever and how to eliminate it. One of the things they will suggest is UV lighting. So basically is UV lighting necessary not really if you can get your bird out for some sun every now and again, and you have a good balanced diet. Of course they couldn't hurt either.

This may sound stupid but were you apprehensive about taking him to the vet. If so he could've picked up on that. As far as him still being testy, if you take me to see the doc you'll be on my badside for awhile to. Eventually it will pass. Of course YMMV

judy I've got one of the scunci steamers. I've seen some really nice other ones in bird talk but they aren't cheap and my scunci works pretty good for me. One thing about steam cleaners though is the really seem to amplify the smell of things. I use it to clean the bathroom and man when you get in around the toilet you better be ready.:sick:

Great addition dan. If others would like to post some other holliday safety tips please feel free. The more reminders everyone gets the safer we'll all be. I so want everyone to post their after the hollidays stories so I can humbug each and everyone. So please be safe. I have plenty of humbugs waiting.:laugh:

Don't have a bird yet personally but for other animal messes (reptiles, primates) I like to use my steam cleaner with a brush attachment. I loaned it to my sister for her birds and she said it worked great.

I know this seems strange coming from "The Grinch," but here is my holliday wish. First let me give you alittle back ground into why I'm a grich. I have lost alot of friends and familly during the hollidays. Most of these were to stupid people doing stupid things. Things that could have and should have been avoided. I would prefer not to elaborate but lets just say I don't get warm fuzzies during this time of year. This leads me to my wish. I truly hope you can grant me this one thing. THINK SAFETY I know it sounds corny but I do mean it. If your traveling and you get tired pull over. If you've had an adult beverage or two hey thats great, just don't drive. When you go to leave somewhere check behind you a second time to ensure nobody snuck in that you could run over. I know this all sounds like a no brainer but we get caught up in the moment from time to time and forget. So again please stay safe, and have a good holliday season. JD

I used to breed reptiles on the large scale. (No pun intended) I have seen alot of animals suffer and like you said die from these things. If you do have one or get one PLEASE get one of those laser temp guns. You could very well save your dear pets life. As far as a heat source I would be more inclined to place a red light heat bulb IN AN APPROVED reflector and heat an area in the cage that way. I say a red light because their less intrusive, and shouldn't keep your pet awake. Of course these are just my opinions and should be taken as such.

Ok I would definately keep checking them. They basically are a metal heating coil wraped in hard cell foam and then dipped in a coating. They are pretty much the same thing as heat rocks for reptiles. I have personally seen those get over 200 deg. I don't know about birds but I've seen plenty of reptiles with really nasty burns from them. (heat rocks) Also just touching it really isn't good enough. Your hand will tolerate much more heat before you consider it hot than would say the inside of your arm. If you use one of those I would personally recomend you get one of those laser thermometers. I personally use one made by Raytech, but there are others out there that work just fine and are much cheaper. www.tempgun.com has them for $25. Anyway that's my thoughts on them. YMMV

Actually Judy easterns will do it to. We went over to my fathers thanksgiving and he had a bunch in his yard. He lives in the middle of a subdivision in town. Less than 2 years ago it was all farmland so they have nowhere to go. Kinda like the movie over the hedge. Still one cool pic.

I try to work with latex/nitrile gloves when I can but some of the stuff I do has tiny parts. You really cant prevent coming in contact with the stuff. I'm so used to it I really don't think about it much. Ok now my list includes Permatex and F10. Thanks guys

Haven't tried permatex hand cleaner. Usually the citrus stuff works pretty good but I quess with the added volume of work it just ain't cuttin the mustard. That or I'm just paranoid. Some of the stuff I use is pretty harsh for humans so Im sure something as sensitive as a grey would really have a problem with it. I am working on saving up enough money to change out my solvent tank for a ultra-sonic cleaner. That will help some but some of the chems I have to use. I will give the permatex a try thanks.