Chipmunks Sneeze

We regularly feed the crows our leftovers and old bread. There's a cut down tree stump and wood stacked up at our new home, where, the previous owners lovingly fed the birds scraps from their meals. Bits likes to do the same and tells them "Crows, come and get it," after leaving them whatever funk we had had in our fridge for far too long.

The other day, on our walk over to the new yard, we spotted our backyard chipmunk friend, although he doesn't actually know we're friends. He normally retreats quickly away at any movement by us. With bread in hand, I thought we should share some with the furry scurry one. Bits and I left a piece on the rock wall and sat down in the nearby grass to wait.

Patience paid off, and with great care and hesitation, Chip (the chipmunk), grabbed the bread bit and nibbled away. Bits and I cautiously hurried inside for the camera and crept closer and closer to Chip as he enjoyed his special snack. He then ran away again. We set out another morsel for the chipmunk and waited and waited in the grass. Chip reappeared and entertained us with little sneezes and then made a break for the new bread find and hurried away to store it in his cubby hole. In hindsight, I do hope he doesn't have any yeast or flour food allergies.

Sometimes, you need to take a Monday.

Do you know what's more time consuming than a two-year-old, owning a home.

Mike and I have been tackling project after project at our new 1902 place, getting it pretty and dressed up for our move in. Nana came into town for a week to lend a hand, and primarily play with her grandson, which was a huge help to this young couple, who likes to save money by tearing up carpeting, linoleum tile, tearing out closets, and painting rooms all by ourselves.

Yesterday, I painted the walls in the second bathroom, scraped paint off the hardwoods along the moulding in the living and dining room, vacuumed up so many scary, scary cobwebs in the basement I was sure it was Halloween, then painted the storage shelves with 2 coats of Zinsser, and started the project of tearing off wallpaper in the kitchen.

Earlier in the week, I braved a self rigged scaffolding ladder setup to paint the high walls and ceiling in the stairway. I'm afraid of heights, so my bright idea of traversing a board stretched out from a ladder to the top step, was the least great idea, I've ever had. Yes, I had an official crying meltdown at one point, but after my loving husband tried to take over the task, and I saw his less than skillful cut in work, I gained some new found courage. By saying "I will not fall, I am safe, This is safe, Finish the task at hand," over and over again the job is finished. Just do me a favor, if you ever come over to visit, ignore the shaky paint line along the edges of the walls in the stairway.

This past Monday, Mommy and Daddy needed a serious break and got some outdoor time in with our son and his Nana. We went to Lake of the Clouds for a great day. We took in the beautiful sights and found a caterpillar on the way back. Bits left him lunch for when he woke up from his nap. Later, we went to a playscape on the shore of Lake Superior. There's nothing funnier than three adults sitting in a firetruck going "whoo-errr, whoo-errr" while a toddler drives. We had dinner at Mike's favorite- Syl's Cafe. I can't say I've ever had a pasty and strawberry/rhubarb pie combination sitting in harmony in my stomach before, but I'd gladly welcome the food overload again.

*I'm overloading y'all with photos, because who knows, when I will get a chance to share advetures, again.