Is this odd?

On my way to the bank the other day I passed by this missing animal poster. I sat and starred at it dumbfounded for a moment and then went on. But the next day I walked back just to take a picture of it because I couldn't stop thinking about it for the following reasons....

• Who out in the city is paying that close of attention to pigeons? Seriously would anyone notice, "Hey, I think I saw that pigeon on a poster somewhere?"
• If you THOUGHT you saw the pigeon in question how comfortable do most people feel approaching and picking up a bird? Not only that but would the bird let you touch it. Fiona tries everyday to grab birds she is 100% unsuccessful.
• The description of the bird includes that he answers to Charlie, or Charlie Bird... so maybe you wouldn't have to grab him you could just call his and he'd probably hop right over to you.... ya right.
• He also has "a stubby middle toenail on his right foot" in case you couldn't tell you really had Charlie you would just examine his bird fingernails...
• I don't agree with the owners statement that since Charlie was domesticated since he was a baby that he needs food and SHELTER immediately. Pigeons do not need shelter, in fact I would like to think that the bird abandoned ship because it was sick of all the shelter. I hope Charlie is flying high right now, pecking at the garbage that lines University Avenue and playing with is other pigeon friends.

Cramming

Fiona Trying to Stand up inside a box.

Packing has commenced. Funny thing is, we worked all day yesterday and literally only have 1 box 3/4s of the way full. Between all of my outside adventures with Fiona, Chuck's test, and work stuff that is all we could cram in. We have until Saturday to load this place up, hopefully the rest of the week will be a little more productive.

Enjoying the tunnel Box (thanks for the idea Karlene... sheer pleasure!)

We had to cut the packing short though to celebrate our 2 year Anniversary! Wow the second one sure came quick... We had a great night.The picture above is us enjoying a beautiful night outside at the Saint Paul Saints game. Minor league baseball is great... very family oriented and there are people dressed up all over and they play games during the whole thing... it was a little circus.

There was an Asian man dressed in a long white robe with a sports coat on with green sequence attached.... and he was wearing a cowboy hat. Chuck and I were puzzled at who he was supposed to be. It was until the 7th inning that they announce that he was "A real Japanese Guy" who then sang up a kareokee song. It was the highlight of the night.

We ate real American Food at Snuffy's Malt Shop... that is Burgers, Fries, Onion Rings, and Malts. I seriously felt food hungover this morning... we rarely eat like that.

We sat at diner and talked about how year number 2 went and all that had happened. We sure crammed a lot in one little year but we grew so much more as a couple. There is just nothing like the closeness and connection you can form with your spouse.... it is out of this world wonderful. I love being married.

Keys

These days Fiona can not get enough of the great outdoors, in fact the other day I think we made 8 trips outside to chase ants, look at birds, suck on sticks and pace the sidewalks. Fiona can't quite say "Outside" yet, but around here Keys means the same thing. She knows that they have the power to unlock the magic of the outside world. It sure keeps me busy...

Today is gorgeous and will be a day full of keys.

Here are some shots of her outside at Grandmas house.

Pinwheel and Daddy

Kita and Fiona in the wagon.

This only lasted about 3 minutes (just long enough to get a few photos) Fiona quickly began trying to pull the dogs legs out of socket which led to some nipping which led to the removal of the dog from the wagon. It was cute while it lasted ;)

Bye Bye Buffalo

I am done with school. Right after I finished someone asked me if I felt relieved... I seriously feel like I let go of a buffalo I had been carrying on my back. So ya, I feel relieved buffaloes are stinkin heavy.

I would like to Thank the U of M for my education, but not for all of the drama they put me through. If I ever needed help with something it was like, "Ok, I cant' help you but if you walk X miles to the other side of campus maybe this person can assist you." Only to have that person to tell me to go back where I started. And so on an so forth. One time I had a problem with a printing fee and I had to talk to (no joke) 17 people before I got it resolved. And this was not only personal visits but phone calls and e-mails too. All person number 17 had to do was push a button on their computer. Sometimes in huge bureaucratic organizations finding the button pusher can be a major investigation.

I will also not miss the over sized and over priced stadium that your mediocre football team plays in, or the over priced everything that you sell in your bookstores and eating establishments on campus ($7.00 for a bagel sandwich... who are you kidding!!!!!)

You have taken from me more money than I can at this time comprehend paying you... but University of Minnesota I have gained something priceless... thanks for the knowledge. It sure will come in handy (it already has).

This is Tacy Call, better known by the University as, 2617960 saying goodbye to college for now, onto the next phase of life. Utah, Point Five (that is what Chuck and I have endearingly named the new baby), and many more adventures I am sure.....

Check out my FaceBook page for more cute photos

Bittersweet

Yesterday I walked out of my final exam realizing that I only have one test left. And normally I would feel really excited to be so close to being done, but it was a bittersweet feeling. On Monday at 5:30 pm I will be a college graduate!! As I started this endeavor to get an undergraduate degree when I was 18... this is a long time coming and much anticipated.

I must say that I enjoy school. I like being surrounded by people who want to learn, and the stimulating conversations that my professors lead me to have with Chuck. Plus lecture has served as my mommy breaks over the last few months, which are essential to sanity and survival. I have learned so much about food and nutrition over the last few years and now I wonder how I will use all of this great stuff in my brain.

With school almost done though, it means that I will start focusing on the big move to Utah. My plane leaves June 2nd.... that is going to come soooo fast. I will miss the Minnesota Lakes more than anything (ok I will miss family first and then lakes) . There is nothing more refreshing than to be pregnant and floating weightless in a cool body of water.

Chuck and I had a BRILLIANT idea for a small business yesterday (well it's been done before but has not been tapped into fully in Utah) and our minds have been going a mile a minute about it. Hopefully there will more details to share with you at a future date and time. Now we just have to figure out how to fund our big ideas.

Why is it that you always seem to need money to make money.

And why is Gas so expensive!!!!

And if I don't talk to you before Sunday. Happy Mother's Day! I am grateful that someone decided there should be a national holiday to honor the work of Mothers! I know that for most of the rest of the year your work is Thank-Less and goes unnoticed by the world at large even though I would argue it is the most important work you can do. So keep up the good work, you inspire me to keep going when the going is tough.

A big shout out to my own mommy, who is the MOST generous and thoughtful person I know. She also is the best-est Grandma any little girl could ask for... or mommy of a little girl for that matter. When I had Fiona my mom made it a point to stock her house with every single item a baby might need... high chair, bottles, food, diapers, wipes, stroller,bath toys pack and play... seriously you name it. She did it so that it was easy for us to come. I don't have to frantically run through my house before I go over there getting Fiona's stuff together.... it is SUPER liberating to just walk out the front door with out a hands full of baby things. My mom has been my greatest strength and support to making to transition into Motherhood. I have treasured her wisdom, advice but more often just comfort when I am struggling. She is teaching me very well how I will want to help my daughters someday when they have families of their own. She calls that Paying It Foreward... I call it leaving a Legacy of Love.

This is from our Christmas photo shoot. It hangs on our fridge and Fiona points to it everyday and says... Na na... that means Grandma ;)

What not and such

20 Weeks, had an ultra sound. Looks like #2 is going to be another sweet baby girl. She was very allusive however and hard to photograph in the womb. No classic profile ultra sound shot to show off... but we did get the feet and the face shot that makes the baby look like Skeletor. So far I know that she likes summersaults (?spelling??) and curling up into small spaces.

I love it when Fiona's diaper somehow works itself sideways into a leg of her pants. It makes her extra waddly when she walks.

This Easter she fulfilled her lifelong dream of sticking an egg in her mouth. She always reaches for them in the kitchen but I know better.

She proceeded to crack this hard boiled egg open on the steps and squash it into oblivion.... which is exactly why I don't give her raw eggs to stick in her mouth at home.... well and because they came out of a chickens you-who.

This is Fiona playing with the meow meow, but in translation it sounds more like humm humm.

And can you believe that Fiona's Great Grandpa went shopping and bought this absolutely adorable dress for her. What a sweet Great Grandpa!! I still can't image him shopping.

Birds and Beards

So this in one of those posts where I KNOW I should be doing my homework but I can't seem to get Birds and Beards off my mind, and have spent almost an hour looking into it.

If you are confused it is expected... but Chuck is probably giggling right now because I bring this up on a regular basis. So I have this crackpot theory that needs further investigation but goes something like this. Men with beards seem to like birds. Now, the reason it needs further investigation is that this could be a Chicken vs the egg thing... that is to say I don't know if love of birds causes the desire to grow a beard, or if having a beard fosters love of birds.

But lets just allow the evidence to speak for itself.

EXHIBIT A: Vincent Van Gogh

This is a painting of nests that he did, and he also has one of crows flying.

EXHIBIT B: Iron and Wine Lead Singer Sam Beam

As is true with many bearded musicians he often sings about birds. For example his songs... Flightless bird, American Mouth

Bird Stealing Bread

Boy with a Coin (talks about a girl with a bird)

Two Hungry Blackbirds

Exhibit C: Peter Griffin from Family Guy...

I only included this because I feel like although it is a cartoon... it depicts a clue in the puzzle.

EXHIBIT D: Aubrey De Grey (longevity specialist)

My argument for this is pretty weak, but I watched him give a speech when he accepted his TED award and he was wearing a T-shirt with a bird on it.

EXHIBIT E: Unknown artist in front of bird he painted.

I should google his name... nope... I have spent enough time on this already today!!!

EXHIBIT F: No idea... Need I SAY MORE?!?!?!?!

This is a flickr photo taken at some beard competition.

EXHIBIT G: Fleet Foxes Lead Singer ROBIN Pecknold

First of all his name is Robin, and he sings about all kinds of birds... medowlarks, hummingbirds, sparrows and seagulls.

EXHIBIT H: Ray LaMontagne

My personal favorite of the bearded musicians (next to Chuck that is) also sings about "silly sparrows" and "callous old crows" Plus he sings a song called Winter Birds.

AND IF YOU WERE NOT YET CONVINCED THERE IS SOME LINK...

EXHIBIT I: Chuck Call my husband

Picture that sits on his dresser of a Crane, done by our brother in law Daniel

Chuck's beard in progress.

If anyone has any further insight into this phenomenon I would really be interested.