LisaM

You're right on Laurie! If you wake up not feeling like you're heading into work doing something you really enjoy, then you're spending a lot of time somewhere that is not fulfilling you. There's quite a difference in teacher vs. CPA vs. Paralegal. I'd make a list of pro's/con's for each and see how it works out on paper. BUT, you probably have a gut-feel as to which would make you happiest. I have also considered teaching as my next career path if I ever get laid off from my current company (hopefully not because I love it). Good luck to you in making your decision! And, of course, keep us informed! :-)

Goralka - I doubt I'll ever be able to post anything on youtube because whenever I bring a camera out, all my birds just sit there and stare at me (performance anxiety? LOL). I'll have to trick them somehow.

EFGriffith - I believe 100% that a favorite pasttime of our Greys is to find a way to embarass us at some point! :-)

Fabulous news! :-)

Berna - that DOES look like a turkey a bit...although a very, very handsome one! He would definitely get all the turkey babes! :-) I agree Carolyn. I may have to give it to a dog though because my birds are all quite young (14, 10, 5) and I am maxed out with 3 parrots in what I feel we can handle (space, time, etc). Accidents can happen and birds can get sick, but I'm going to do everything in my control to prevent these (as we all do!). That said, there was a 40-45 y/o disabled scarlet macaw looking for a new home awhile back and if I were retired already she may have been our newest addition. Of course, she had a name already though too (Penny, I think). Fortunately she found a very loving home. A few more names for you Faisal: ~ Zorro ~ Zeus ~ Johnny ~ Ozzie (or just Oz) ~ Romeo ~ Figaro ~ Jose ~ Javier ~ Don Juan ~ Simon ~ Ringo ~ Monkey ~ Tarzan ~ Murphy ~ Prince ~ Kermet ~ Picasso I think I must have had a dream of a new baby boy last night because I woke up with streams of boy names in my head this morning! Lisa

Green Tea? I spy with my little eye a W A G on "birdie shower" mornings.

I think so (how's that for commitment) What is the world's smallest bird?

YAY Miss Sandra (and Merlin, of course)! I think I would just melt if those three little words came out of Kenya (or either of my others, but Katie hardly ever says anything and I've never heard Max utter as much as a syllable). I'm happy to hear that Merlin is doing so well. I'm sure he'll be giving you smooches before long! Lisa

Nose-blowing???? Wow. That would be cool to hear!

I agree. It's one of the most amazing things and something I never expected in a million years when I first brought a Grey into my life.

That's so funny! Kenya says that whenever she knows we're leaving also (I think it's her way of reminding us to say goodbye before we leave). We have been trying since she came to live with us to get her to say "good bye" and FINALLY when we had my son's cub scout pack over about a week ago (much to her annoyance). As soon as I finished the meeting and the boys started getting their jackets and boots on to leave, she said "GOOD BYE"...loudly and clearly. Of course, that had the undesirable effect (in her mind I'm sure) of having all the boys laugh and start doing it back to her. I think I may never hear it again unless deep down she found that fun! Time will tell, as always with these guys. The "good bird...ok" exchange is priceless! LOL Thanks for sharing! Lisa

Goralka - now only if someone would come present some scary things about chocolate to me! :-) LOL

LindaMary - Cows...definitely a new one for me to hear! Guess I'm glad there are limits to how closely our minds think alike (reference to message on other thread) :-) I have a totally irrational fear of sharks. I say "irrational" due to a couple of reasons. 1) I live in Minnesota and have since I was a toddler 2) it bothers me most when I'm flying in an airplane above the ocean and think about the plane going down and me being eaten by sharks...and yes, I know that would be the least of my concerns by that point, and finally 3) I am scuba-certified and for whatever reason, when I'm diving I do not think about this at all except once when we did a night-dive. So, in a nutshell, the times in my life when I might actually encounter a shark are the times when this "fear" doesn't even cross my mind (that said, if I ever dive the GBR in Australia, that would probably change...there are relatively few sharks in the places I have been so far). Goofy. Lisa

Thanks. She makes us laugh all the time with her antics and the things that come out of her "mouth". It's amazing how sometimes someone will say something funny and somehow she knows and she is the first one to start laughing. It freaks out our guests when it happens, which is also thoroughly enjoyable! :-)

Kenya has made that sound a couple of times only...both times when we had company over for dinner, of course. They know...I'm sure of it! :laugh: I too, would have had to change my pants had I seen her lift her leg while doing it! Lisa

My husband and Kenya (our CAG) have their own little series of games they play even though she doesn't let him skritch her or get too friendly. One of their favorites is for him to peek around the corner and get her attention. Then he "sneaks" up on her crouching and with his arms up and out slightly to the skies and fingers in "claw" position...he slowly approaches her until he gets about 5 feet away and then she say "RRRAAAAWWWRRRR" like the big scary monster that she is (she learned this by watching him sneak up and scare the kids). The other night the kids and I were sitting in bed watching TV and she was on my arm. My son (7) was laying down with his head in my lap. She started to walk, deliberately slowly, down my lap until she got a few inches from his head...and let out the loudest "RRRAAAAWWWRRRR" I've ever heard from her. He jumped up scared half to death and then she started laughing like a crazy bird (including the exaggerated sigh at the end). Then we all laughed and she laughed some more. She has all of our laughs down pat and she was using my husbands that time (he wasn't there). It was an absolute riot! One of the stories I will tell people who think that a dog is much more fun and interactive than a parrot! Lisa

P.S. Took the kids to the zoo today and they had an DYH Amazon named Turkey (he makes turkey sounds and literally screams "HELLO!"). Not that I'm recommending that name...just thought it was funny! :-) Lisa

I like latin names like Berna...one of my favs is Dominic (a friend of mine is pregnant and that is one on her list). All of mine had names already when they came into my home but if I had my choice I would pick Starbuck (boy or girl) or Apollo (boy). I like the idea of a contest too...you'd get tons to choose from and see what fits for you and him. Lisa

A few ideas (depending on the ages of the children you'll be talking to): ~ Discuss what free-range means and why it is better for the chickens (without being preachy...which I would find difficult :laugh: ) ~ Have them guess how many countries in the world use chicken as a source of protein (I'm guessing all but you'd probably know for sure!) ~ How many varieties there are of chickens (I've seen a ton of cool ones at the State Fair!) ~ Why some eggs are brown and some are white...and if it matters That's all I can think of right now... Good luck! Lisa

Oh how awful! I think a lot of people on here are envious of you being able to work in the shop like you do. I guess this is one of the downsides. I'm sure she felt really bad about her daughter's timneh as she's probably worked hard with her own and knows how precious they are. It would still be very hard to put another bird in that situation without knowing for sure what happened and that she can trust the kids in case it was them. Good for Ethel. She will have a happy, forever home with you. :-) Lisa

I always have frozen veggies on hand. I'll use them for variety, in various cooking mixes, mixed with oatmeal (I just cook the oatmeal and toss in the frozen veggies...they cool the oatmeal and the oatmeal defrosts the veggies!), etc. I get the mix with green beans, corn, peas and carrots. They also like them if I thaw them out and then chop them up so that they're almost one big pile of mush.

Mine love the seeds that come in peppers. Pumpkin seeds are okay. Also, one of the favorites for all of mine are pomegranite seeds...messy but delish! So, there are some that are okay and some that you definitely shouldn't give (like apple seeds or anything with a "pit" like peaches). I'm not sure about kiwi seeds as mine think that kiwi was sent from the devil himself and won't go near it. I wouldn't give canned fruit as even the ones that aren't in syrup probably still have some added sugar or other preservatives. If you want some convenience if you're between grocery runs or during the day, I get dried/dehydrated fruits/veggies and include it in my dry mix. Just make sure they are unsulfured, no sugar, no salt, etc.

Not sure what you mean when you say dried fruits/veggies are like candy. If you get them without added sugar, salt, preservatives, etc., why would they not be a healthy addition to a dry mixture to keep in their cages during the day (these, some nuts, seeds, pellets, etc). I supplement, of course, with fresh/cooked foods for breakfast, removed before leaving the house, and in the evenings). Just curious as to the reference to candy because I don't see them that way at all. Lisa

I'm so happy to hear that Leo is getting better. I too think it's fine that he didn't have a huge improvement today due to his big leap yesterday. Can't wait to see about tomorrow!

There are definitely people who believe you must have a grate to keep your bird out of the droppings, etc. Personally, when I had wire cages, the birds would always poop in the same couple of areas and some would stick on the grate anyway. I found it difficult to keep the grate as clean as I would have liked to on a daily basis. The cages I have now do not have a grate. I put several layers of newspaper (black & white only) or wrapping paper (the plain brown kind from the shipping store) on the bottom and several times throughout the day, whoever walks into that room will pull the top piece off (the longest it goes with a piece not being removed is from 9-6 weekdays and while we sleep. I haven't seen any sign that any of my parrots have walked through their droppings. Honestly I have only ever seen one of mine on the bottom of their cages and it's only been a couple of times. That, however, may differ greatly amongst parrots. We'll see what others have to say on this potentially controversial subject. :-) Lisa