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My Worst Bird Fear

I have said before that I am terrified of birds. But, I have kinda gotten over being afraid of most birds EXCEPT blackbirds. I am terrified of them. I am more scared of them than I am snakes or rats or anything like that. It is my phobia.
I am sure you have heard about the 4ooo birds that fell from the sky on New Years Eve. I am sure you have heard that 1000 of those birds were in Beebe, Arkansas. I can't imagine anything worse. If I lived in Beebe, I would have had to leave town for several days and maybe even sell my house and move. I am that scared of blackbirds.
When I watch the story on the news, I have an increased heart rate, my body goes numb and my hands get ice cold. I read an article on the internet about it this morning and it made me shudder.
I am even more scared of dead blackbirds than I am living ones. I know...I am very weird. I guess I need to see a therapist.
When I was in Jr high, a BIG dead blackbird was on our youth group parking lot. My youth minister picked it up and when we did, liquid came out of the bird's mouth and it was THE WORST smell I have ever smelled. I will never forget it. I think that is where the blackbird fear started.


I have also diagnosed myself with "toy anxiety." I get it every Christmas after the girls get TONS of toys and stuff and I have no idea where to put it. It really stresses me out.

Comments

Heather said…
Laurie I am sitting here laughing because I have "toy anxiety" too. It drives me insane. As a matter of fact, both of my boys are at school right now, for the first time in 3 weeks, and my goal while they are away is to tackle the post-Christmas toy mess in their bedroom. Wish me luck! As for the blackbirds. I have to say I have dead animal phobia as well. If I find a dead rodent or bird in my yard I freak out! All those birds falling from the sky though? I would have gone right over the edge!
Plan Our Health said…
Shoot--those blackbirds carry histoplasmosis!!! They scare me too!!! (maybe I shouldn't tell you that though-LOL)
Danielle Taylor said…
Awww you poor girl! I do not have a bird phobia but just thinking about 1000 black birds falling from the sky is enough to give me goosebumps! I'm still trying to figure out where all the new toys are going to go! I think I will probably just eventually snap and donate all the old ones while the girls are at school! Good luck with yours!
Tara G. said…
My current phobia is bed bugs. I mean seriously- the thought creeps me out, especially living over here. I don't think I'd want to be somewhere with birds dropping out of the sky!

I was on the warpath last week and made the kids go from one side of the playroom to the other and then we moved into their bedroom- I feel much better now that we cleaned out! They're actually good sports about it because it happens at least 2x/year! :)
Kaysie said…
Poor thing. When I saw on the news about the unexplained bird deaths in Ark. I immediately thought of you because I know how much you loathe them! Hopefully it doesn't ever happen again!
Lacey said…
I have " toy anxiety" too! I went out Sunday after Christmas and got canvas boxes and a cubby shelf to store all the toys my son got for Christmas!
Sara Campbell said…
LD, that made the news here, but I didn't catch it was ARK or I would have died on the spot for thinking of you. I admit when I read your post title, I started biting my lip worried you were going to tell about a certain prank I pulled in 91. Anyway, sorry for the 99th time. I love you and hope you stay bird free.
Allison said…
I HATE birds too. I was once at the zoo, and a bird landed on my head. It's claws got stuck in my hair, and I've been terrified ever since!
I am SO with you on the blackbird fear. I cannot stand birds ever since seeing that old movie, "The Birds". YIKES! My parents live about 30 minutes outside of Beebe and I was thanking the good Lord I wasn't around there when that happened!
Kim said…
Ok, you know I love you and would never make fun of you...but this post has me laughing my head off! I actually thought of you when I first heard this story over the weekend! I thought the poor Red Winged Black Birds were sort of pretty. You are funny!!
The Andlers said…
Laurie, I don't like birds either, dead or alive. My worst fear however if taxidermy. I can look at real animals all day, but dead ones seriously freak me out. I can't go always go to museums or if I do someone has to hold my hand and walk me through with my eyes closed. I have gotten a little better since being a mom, because I don't want Haven to be scared of them, but they give me the chills.
Anonymous said…
Oh Laurie you are HILARIOUS!! I don't blame you about he birds though. I like the pretty birds that come to mybird feeder, but not the big ugly black birds that scare them away. Your toy anxiety cracks me up, but I am sure I will get it one day!! Hope you dont get too stressed out about the birds or the toys!!
Nancy said…
My 10 year old was telling me about that on the way to school this morning & I was wondering if he was just making it up :)
Guess I need to watch the news.

My house is a wreck with toy parts, legos, etc. I know what you mean!!
As they get older, their toys won't have as many parts I don't think!
Jill said…
hahahaha! I only have a fear of birds pooping on my head - because it happened once. Ick.

I have to admit though - I would have FREAKED if dead birds started falling out of the sky on top of me. I would have thought it was the end of the world or something.
Erin said…
You are a mess! I needed a good laugh today!
KatieB. said…
Haha you are so funny! The bird story is crazy, right? Who'd have ever thought that would happen...
rae said…
I live in Beebe and I am not scared of birds, but it still freaked me out! Before we heard what happened, my husband and I took our dog for a walk and there were dead birds every where. There are some stray cats that live close by and we just thought they were really hungry and got really smart! Ha! It was crazy!
cosby2 said…
Laurie, I'm with you on birds! Mary Avery found a big dead black bird in John Michael's wading pool. Needless to say that thing was put in the trash! What a freaky thing that 1000's of blackbirds died this weekend. I would have been petrified if I had lived in Beebe!
Melissa Miller said…
Laurie that is awful to have a phobia. I did read the strange blackbird stories.I have that fear of roaches. I have been known to crash into walls running from them.
Maybe we both need that therapy. Ha!
Courtney said…
I so feel your pain with the birds. I saw that story on the news and freaked out. I think I would have to leave the state.
Maria said…
Laurie, you just crack me up!
Maria said…
Laurie, you seriously just crack me UP!
R said…
oh, i have toy anxiety this year in the worst way! it makes me feel claustrophobic and panicky. hate it! so glad i'm not alone. :0)
Anonymous said…
You are SO darn funny!! I have a best friend that is like you about the birds. She gets so freaked out!! ha!! Hope you find a place for the toys...my baby's are STILL scattered all over the living room!
Lauren said…
Safe to say that the move “The Birds” is not one of your favorites???? Ha! :)
Katie said…
I have "toy anxiety," too!! I get so overwhelmed after Christmas. It's crazy!
the day's said…
when we visited the aquarium in dallas they have this amazing interactive area where the birds and other animals roam free. i thought i could handle it, but then one pooped on vivian's sweater!! i almost had a heart attack. no lie, i threw the sweater away...moral of story: dear lady, you are in great company! ;)
Candis Berge said…
Laurie, those dead birds would freak me out too. When something so un-natural occurs, I get anxious! ugh.
I don't have the same toy phobia; my toy phobia is the fear of losing any parts for the toys! This is worse now that I have successfully kept the wonderful toys from our sons from the late 1970s and early 1980s - with all the darling pieces (Fisher-price barn,etc.) Now my sweet grandchildren enjoy them, but I have this desire to frisk them before they leave to be sure no little cow or block would be in their pockets! Serious phobia. I count every set when I clean up. And turn the house upside down to find the missing piece. So far, I most always find it too. Such satisfaction! Here's to phobias!
Michelle said…
You make me laugh, Laurie. Guess that's what draws me to your blog! But, then, because of you/your blog, I have a new phobia/problem, which has me really upset. :( No, I'm okay with birds. Let me explain ...

Your sea monkey post inspired me. I've never had them, and just KNEW my kiddos would love 'em. Sooo, on Dec.6th (St. Nick's Day), I bet you can guess what was in my youngest child's stocking. We were all pumped!

Until NOW.

Yep, Sea Monkeys are my new found phobia. I'm convinced they're going to outlive me ... or take over the world, or something. Here's why:

a.) they are growing BIG - at this rate, they will outgrow their habitat soon

b.) their water stinks - how the heck do you change it?! I just add water when theirs gets low. Pew!

c.) their food supply is low - I refuse to visit the pet store and ask where the Sea Monkey aisle is.

d.) today I witnessed something I'll never get over ... they mate. All we need is MORE healthy, growing, smelly, and hungry Sea Monkeys! AHHH!

You got me into this mess, Laurie, now, PLEASE, help me get out. ;)
Bonnie said…
Just wanted to tell you that I made your Cool Whip/Pudding Pumpkin Pie. I loveeeed it!!!! I will definitely be making it again!
Holly said…
Argh! That sounds awful! I am SO glad I don't live near you! I would never be able to cope with leaving the house in case one dropped onto me!
Book Teacher said…
Hi Laurie- just read your blog from Kelly's and you sound like me, actually you both do. So glad to know other moms think the same things I do. I think I have "stuff" phobia. I keep cleaning out more and more b/c I have to have everything in it's place (not necessarily a perfect house) but to have a place for it when it is put away. The toys make it worse! : )
Alaska Girl said…
We actually did this over Labor Day and used fresh Alaska crab instead of the shrimp and we dumped it all on a butcher-paper-lined table (after draining the water). It was fun and the kids loved it!
audra kate said…
I'm so excited!!! I've finally found someone else who is scared of birds!!!! My entire family thinks I'm crazy! Black birds are THE worst. The movie Birds at 7 did it for me. worst. movie. ever.

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