Info Burung Kicauan

It appears as though cavorting around in summer clothing in January has come 'round to bite me in the rear end.  My throat hurts, the skin on the left side of my face has sharp little pains shooting through it, and I actually quietly cried while driving home from class last night.  It was the last part that sealed the deal...although my cravings for dark chocolate and orange slices should have given it away earlier in the day (happens every time i'm getting sick).  Sigh.  Why did I move so far from home again?


Taylor from Things on Hangers tagged me to list seven things about myself.  Here goes:

1. I'm all kinds of obsessed with Teen Mom.  In Caitlyn and Tyler's first season I seriously contemplated contacting MTV and extending an offer for the pair to live with me while attending a local college.  Thankfully the Chef pulled me off the ledge, but it was a close one.  
2. This isn't exactly about me, but it is related.  One of my cats has been living in a bowl in the kitchen cupboard for over a week.  I've tried to discourage it, but she's learned how to open the door with her paw and sits in a massive bowl for hours on end. I'm hoping it's a temporary thing.
3. My former upstairs neighbor was a VA nurse with a drinking problem.  She used to drive the government car around looped, smash into the garage door, do hit and runs in the Trader Joe's parking lot, and hide the car in the garage while sitting upstairs drinking Two Buck Chuck's and watching soap operas all day long.  How do I know?  She would call and leave play-by-play voicemails - the next day not remembering having told me anything.  This went on for 3 years - during which time she also wanted me to call her every morning at 5:30AM to make sure she was still alive.  Uh, no?
4. While attending University my friend and I were waved down in traffic by a guy who asked us to follow him back to his parking garage so he could do a strip tease for us in order to make it into a fraternity.  We went into the underground garage and he proceeded to rip his clothing of...as a security guard apprehended him and we sped off.  I remain scarred for life.  
5. I have Bieber fever.  It's a new thing, but a true thing.  I hope it passes with this flu. Ba-by, ba-by, BAY-BEEE OOOOHHHHH.  Help me Lord.
6. I fear never finding my purpose in life and want to live a more intentional and thoughtful life.  Time is going by so fast.
7. Nancy Grace is my hero.  No joke.  I wish I could have her job and rip holes in criminals and weak lawyers for a few hours every day.  

I'm supposed to tag someone but I'm too delirious to even post more pictures let alone think.   If you wanna jump in and do this let me know.  I always get a kick out of reading the responses.

Late post today, friends.  Yesterday was mayhem on the work and throbbing ankle front, so last night involved maximum amounts of doing nothing - something that is highly underrated.  I hope to do copious amounts of the same this weekend.  How about you?

Cut to this afternoon and you'll find me sitting in my office wearing one purple velvet Dany shoe:

Yesterday I walked into the bathroom, washed my face, turned around, walked out and mid-stride lost feeling in my left foot and eventually up my leg.  Yes dear friends - somehow in the comfort and safety of my own home, AND in bare feet, I twisted my ankle standing in the bathroom.  *shakes head as face turns red*

Of course this led to me taking an Advil (two and I'm down for the count aka lightweight), and then having to put my foot up as the Chef made dinner and shook his head.  I don't even blame him.  All I have to say is everything my dad told me about getting older is coming true and I don't like it one bit.  Creaky bones, twisted ankles, fine lines around the eyes, and lamenting the past.  Did your past include shades of pink?  Mine sure did.  At one point in high school I think pink was the predominant shade lining my closet in it's various hues.  It is, coincidentally, the color of my ankle right now, too. Sigh.

While I was laid up on the couch I decided to torture myself yet again and peruse Isabel Marant's spring line.  It appears as though I'll be renewing two past relationships - one with the color pink and the other with slouch boots.  Bonjour mes amis.  Il est bon de vous voir de nouveau. (hello my friends.  it is good to see you again)

My head is spinning with hilarious possibilities on how to word this post.  For some reason when we took the pictures I kept seeing myself flying off on a broom like Harry Potter (don't ask me why - I think it's the hat).  Then I spotted a neighbor's house with a castle type peaked roof and tried to get the pictures to turn out like I was sitting on the roof.  No dice. Shucks.

I guess I'll just have to settle for what it is - me trying to rescue my near dead plants while the Chef snaps away.  Hmmpf.  Not nearly as exciting.  Read on though...because there IS an exciting giveaway for a fabulous pair of Minnetonka Moccasins (boots or shoes of your choice) at the end of this post - courtesy of the wonderful people at Langston's Western Wear.  (And lemme tell ya - they have some pretty fantastic cowboy boots too if you're in the market.  I grew up on a farm and am a total expert on the matter...I own 3 pairs).

But first let us examine appropriate plant saving attire for mid-January.  Look for me wandering the streets in spring adorned in the same outfit - and all of its various pieces mixed in with other faves in upcoming posts.  As you know I'm a fool for anything with fringe and these boots are no exception...and we haven't even gotten to the top or the hat!

GIVEAWAY DETAILS
*This giveaway is for one pair of Minnetonka boots or shoes of your choice (men's or women's) from the selection offered on Langston's Western Wear.  The giveaway is open to all U.S. and Canadian readers (Overseas readers I'm sorry - they don't ship to you, but I will have another giveaway to include you soon).  The entry period will run through 11:59pm PST Wednesday, January 26, 2011 and the winner (selected via random drawing) will be announced on Thursday, January 27, 2011.

HOW TO ENTER
*For one entry just make sure you're a follower of this free bird via Google Reader.

*For additional entries: Like Langston's on Facebook and/or follow them on Twitter.  You can blog or tweet about the giveaway too, if you'd like, including links back in the comments. 

*From today through Thursday the 27th (the day after the giveaway ends) Langston's is offering free shipping to readers of this free bird (within the US).  So if you decide to place an order simply use coupon code:  freebird - at checkout.  Thanks for a fab giveaway Langston's - and good luck everyone!

Congratulations to Donnette who guessed juvenile lark bunting. That's what this bird is, though, without a look at the massive bill and boldly marked face/head, it did look suspiciously like a lark sparrow. Another solid clue—one that was in the original photo—is the large pale patch (actually pale feather edges) on the wing coverts.


And just in case you don't believe me, here's a photo of a happy couple (of lark buntings) on the same road, just feet away from our Mystery Bird.

I think he's bringing her flowers, but it's far too late in the season for courting. By now these birds are probably somewhere in Mexico, whiling away the winter, waiting for spring to bloom once more on the prairie.

Congrats to Donnette for the winning answer. Please contact me (editor AT birdwatchersdigest DOT com) or call our office (740-373-5285) to claim your prize. Kudos, too to our old pal Anonymous, the only other person to get the correct answer.

Thanks to all who played.