Albert

Some of you may know my mom is a wildlife rehabilitator in Panama City Beach, FL.  Check out her awesome website for Kritter, Inc. Wildlife Sanctuary.  Recently I took a little trip down to PC to be with my family as I made some tough life decisions while getting some R & R from real life.  Basically I went to work, everyday, with all the sick and injured animals that need nearly constant care.  It. Was. Fun!

Anyway, while I was visiting, a little quaker parrot was attacked by a cat (or dog) and had all his feathers ripped out of his backside.  He was very raw and sore, yet still very friendly.  We had an instant connection, and though my mom doesn’t usually take in domestic animals, she heeded my plea and we took him to the sanctuary.

Albert is very personable and lively.  Even though he had a sore backside, he loved to interact with people; he was hand-tamed (naturally stepped up on my finger), he’d sit on my shoulder, talked and squawked non-stop, and even started preening me (a sure sign of attachment).

After 2 weeks of playing morning and night, I decided (with the approval of my husband) to bring him home with me.  We named him Albert (after our favorite mascot) and bought him a ticket home!

There was some concern he wouldn’t get along with Sean b/c parrots are usually one-owner birds, but as you can see-Albert loves Sean too.  He is a frequent sleeper when put onto our shoulders, plus he preens both of us.  He’s a part of the Bell clan now!

The other day Albert must have been hot or stinky, b/c he decided to jump into his water dish.  The. Cutest. Thing. Ever!

He is such a goof!  We love him!

What kind of pets do you have?  Do they do anything really goofy??

HALLOWEEN!!

Since we live on a sailboat, home decor tends to be done in much smaller (compact) doses.  This fall I decided to go with flowers and a few cute little squashes to match!

This year Sean and I were invited to an authentic haunted house by one of Sean’s coworkers.  This place was amazing…these folks got their neighbors involved 6 weeks in advance to start building the motion-sensored tricks.  It took them 2 whole weeks of decorating all throughout their house (and the outside) to get ready for the big night!  It was amazing!  Scary goblins jumping out of every corner…spooky music and lights…it had it all!  The neighbors to the left set up a big screen tv to show scary movies throughout the night and the neighbors to the right turned their garage into a haunted buffet!!  It was a very fun night!

Sean and I don’t ordinarily dress up for Halloween, b/c well we have no creative minds when it comes to scary stuff.

However, since we were invited to a haunted house, we decided we’d try.  Sean went as a zombie scuba Steve and I went as a zombie chef.  Thanks to my little sister, Taylor, for contributing the idea that zombie ‘anything’ makes for a good costume!

After last year’s Halloween, I went shopping for the dogs costumes for the 2009 Halloween.  I know that seems way early, but I got both of their costume for under $5 thanks to the after-halloween sale!  I should go get some costumes for Sean and I for next year too!

Mackenzie decided she wanted to be a pumpkin…isn’t she adorable??

Madison decided she’d be the perfect ghost.  She actually just had surgery last week and was still wearing the cone, and the hood on her costume fit perfectly over it.  It’s super cute!!

We had a great Halloween weekend, a wonderful way to end October.  Speaking of a great way to end the month, my good friend, Joann Ocampo,  just got engaged!!  Congratulations Joann…I can’t wait to see how beautiful you will be as a bride!  Let me know if there’s anything I can do to help you!  Muah!!

Now that November is here, Sean and I are looking forward to celebrating our 1 year anniversary, getting ready to see family over Thanksgiving, and making plans for Christmas!!

What are you planning for November??