Got my chills knocked off...

Got my chills knocked off, a short nap in, and my wonderful Shaun came and let my dogs out and made some pizza.  I smell it calling my name.  Damn, I'm fucking spoiled.  Gonna go enjoy the rest of my night now.  🙂

Y'all just don't even know how anti "celebrating this day" I am.

Y'all just don't even know how anti "celebrating this day" I am.  Tomorrow is no different than any other tomorrow.  For real.  Feel free to make a change for the better any fucking time you feel like it.

On that note, I'm cold.  And crashing out.  And I have an extra kid here.  And I'm staying home because I don't trust anyone in my neighborhood to not hurt my animals or damage my property with fireworks.

SO... I'm gonna turn on my new heated blanket, put on the softie pj pants and socks that my Shaun-love bought me, and I'm getting in my bed.  If I fall asleep, so be it.  I really don't give a shit.  I love being in a bed.  I will be happy regardless, as long as I am cozy.

Shaun, if you feel like coming to snuggle me or wake me up I'm up for hanging out.  Just don't step on that used condom in my driveway.  I don't want anyone tracking that kind of nasty into my house.  LOL  I'll go pick it up with a stick tomorrow and dispose of it properly.

Woohoo, ghetto life.  Peace out, fools.  ❤

I've been having too much caffeine at night.

I've been having too much caffeine at night.  I've had shitty sleep the last two nights, not to mention that my schedule is JACKED UP.  I'm up early today, though, so I'll watch what I drink and get back on track now.  There is NO REASON I should not actually enjoy laying in my bed now that I've got a heated blanket.  NO REASON.  Bed is like, my favorite thing ever.  😳

I am excited about things! 😃

I am excited about things! 😃

Target has some pretty polishes on clearance.

FYI:  Target has some pretty polishes on clearance.  I got two tonight, and I'm EXCITED about them.  🙂

In other news:  Faith is trying to sit on Nappy's head while Nappy chews a bone.  It's not working out so well.  LOL

Nails I did last night.

Nails I did last night. This was my first time trying a glitter gradient and I like how it turned out. I think it's easier to do the grade with glitter than with two colors. Another bonus is that glitter doesn't want to come off, so putting it on the tips will help reduce tip-wear and keep your polish looking nice for longer. I'm sure I'll be ready to try something different before I wear this manicure out, but that is often the case with me. 😛

So this polish... I bought it a while back, but had never worn it. Last night, I felt that it was time. I've been in a very pink mood lately. LOL So I put it on and immediately thought, "Holy shit, it's beautiful!" In the bottle, it looks like a very flat color, but once you put it on it's got this sheen. You can see it in the photo. Just iridescent-y or something. I LOVE IT. And it's a little cheapie dollar polish from Wal-Mart! It's the brand "Petites" number 412, I believe.

Anyway, between the pretty color and the glitter gradient I was thinking "These are girly nails all the way." My original plan was to stamp flowers or some junk like that on them, but as I was looking through my images plates I came across the wings and I just thought, "Nope, wings. I have to use the wings." 🙂 And then when I was done, I thought, "These make me think of Katie." 😃

I went outside to take this photo and it made my glitter look kind of weird. In the first photo, the color is accurate, but in the 2nd one the glitter looks right. That's the difference between direct sunlight and not. I don't know if there is a way to find a good middle ground, so I put them both up because of that, and also, because one has the jewelry and the other does not.

FYI, on the nail piercing - you can't even see it in the first photo. I was pleasantly surprised to find out that the hole is small enough that it can be painted over and it just disappears. I was kind of wondering if I was going to have to have a hole showing in my nail, or if I was going to have to cover it with a stone or something every time, or just wear the jewelry. But it appears that I have a choice, so that is even more awesome than I imagined. Choices are good. 😃

Blegh. Just tried some coconut milk ice cream.

Blegh. Just tried some coconut milk ice cream. Not a fan! 🙁

2 a.m. spaghetti. It's a sign.

2 a.m. spaghetti. It's a sign.

A sign that our schedules are JACKED UP.

Aaand... he just trilled. LOL

Aaand... he just trilled. LOL

At least his noises are entertaining. 😛

So it's bedtime for the dogs.

So it's bedtime for the dogs.  I just put Casper to bed in his crate and he's in there purring.  He's so weird.  SO SO weird.  LOL

Casper just finished eating his dinner in his crate and...

Casper just finished eating his dinner in his crate and now he's making wookie sounds.  Alright, Chewbacca - I'll let you out.  LOL  Can't believe no one has wanted him yet.  He's a trip.  😛

Dang.

Dang.  I was bending over as Scoot was jumping up and I got a dirty little dog foot in my mouth.

There is not enough Listerine in the world.  😐

Did anyone not see the nail piercing coming?

Did anyone not see the nail piercing coming?  LOL  I think I've tried just about everything else there is to try.  I still haven't run out of ideas for cute manicures, but who can with so much inspiration to be found on the internet?

Anyway, I was SO OVER the holiday look.  I wanted to do something funky and different and ME.  So there you go.  A mish-mash of kinda-matching nails.  LOL  The bottom color is one of my very favorites ever, and I think it's awesome with black.

So would you ever try a nail piercing?  I've seen it done before, and I could never make up my mind how I felt about it.  I think it can be cute, and I like the way the little dangly feels, but it's not extremely practical for me.  I've been super-careful about digging around in my purse and stuff.  I've also been holding that finger up when scratching my fur-kids, just in case.  I don't want to get stuck in a tangle and pull out their hair or rip off my nail.  Doesn't bother me when I type or anything, though.  I feel like I see these more often on those big thick acrylics, and probably for good reason.  I bet that's less scary.  LOL

Thoughts?  Opinions?  I'm just curious.  😃

I am, quite surprisingly, in the mood for people.

I am, quite surprisingly, in the mood for people.  Anyone want to do something in a while?  Nails?  Food?  Rock Band?

Today wasn't terrible.

Today wasn't terrible.  Me and Shaun went to House of Chen and got some takeout and some tea.  BEST TEA EVER, ALWAYS.  That perked me up.

Then we went about visiting family.  His parents first, then my mom because she had Shadow, and then to my dad's.  It was nice to see everyone, as usual.

My dad gave me $100, but I didn't realize how much it was until I left.  Now I feel pretty shitty about taking it.  I'm pretty sure he's got a cancer on his face, but he never has a lot of money, nor does he have insurance, so he hasn't had it seen about.  I just feel like I want to take that money and drive him to a dermatologist.  I bet that would cost more then either of us have right now, but still.  It just feels wrong.  🙁

On another note:  Shadow asked me the Santa question and I told him the truth.  He said "Thank you" and that he had a good Christmas, anyway.  He did not seem upset at all.  Best kid ever.  🙂

I might actually quit holidays after today.

I might actually quit holidays after today.  I am so ill that I just hate everything right now.  There is no good reason to put myself through this.

Just imagine:  Off days being used how I want, not roped into going places I don't want to go, or buying shit I don't have money to buy.  No time wasted shopping or stressing.  Or keeping up myths that my parents started and I've been too chicken-shit to stop.

I do believe it is time for me to break free of the chains called holidays and continue finding new ways to be FREE and HAPPY.  Fuck yes - I QUIT.  When I pick up Shadow today I'm gonna tell the fam this is my last holiday.

I DO WHAT I WANT!  HAPPY FUCKING DAY TO ME!  😃

Thinking outside the box is liberating.  😃

[Spoiler Alert:  I didn't tell anyone that I quit.]

Bah, humbug. Going through the motions yet again...

Bah, humbug. Going through the motions yet again...

28 muddy paws. 😳

28 muddy paws.  😳

Thank goodness the dogs have their own room.  You should see it right now.  I don't even want to think of the mess this house would be if they did not.  Wow.  LOL

Faith is up to her knees in mud... and it really shows on her white coat.  Other than that she is her usual happy, high-fiving, boxing self (meaning she's slapping me all over with her muddy paws.  LOL)  Nappy's like giant nasty mop right now and is all about rubbing up against me like a cat (that's just her thing, silly girl).  Booka's soaking wet and of course rolling on a blanket.  Way to go, guys.  Way to go.  If only they were all like Emma, who just KNOWS she's gonna melt like sugar if she gets wet (because she's so sweet, of course).  She runs out and does her business as fast as she can and avoids all the puddles.  But SOME DOGGIES like puddles.  Apparently.  😃

I can't even be mad.  I just love them all to pieces and they are too funny to be mad at.  😃  I think when you are sharing your life with someone else you just have to give them the space to be themselves and do what they do.  Human or animal.  Love them for who they are, muddy or not.  😉

Anyway.  I think a shower and some clean clothes are in order now.  😃

Ate dinner at Baja with Jonathon and Leslie.

Ate dinner at Baja with Jonathon and Leslie.  YUM!

Then we went to the Dollar Tree where I found balls for my nails!  And flakies!  And some nail wraps, which I'm fully expecting to be crap, but we'll see.  You just never know.  I have no idea how to judge which ones will be a good buy.  😐  But for a dollar - worth a try.  If I get a day's worth of wear that'll be ok with me.  🙂  They are pretty cute.

Shaun needed a new ball on a string that attaches to your wrist.  I guess his broke.  LOL  So, I'd say that's $5 well spent.  We're all happy.  😃  Woohoo!

I just picked up an ass-ton...

I just picked up an ass-ton (yes, that is the actual measurement) of pecans from my little side yard.  I have lots more yard to go.  I don't think I can do it all in one day.  My back hurts already!

And no, I will not go and buy one of those pecan picker-uppers.  That is totally cheating.  😛

More holiday nails! 🙂

More holiday nails!  🙂  I had a little Christmas tree stamp I could have used, but it was small, so I went for a big glequin one, instead, with little stamped presents all around.  I really like how the tree turned out!  I even decorated him some.  😃

"What's going on, Blu?" says FB.

"What's going on, Blu?" says FB.  Since when does it try to converse with us?  Weird.

I did a thing today.  Can't tell anyone about it.  Yet.  😛

...

I tried to make some food for Shaun. It didn't turn out right, but he said it was still tasty. So that. That is what I spent hours doing. I'm a stranger in the kitchen. LOL

"How are you feeling, Blu?" asks FB.

"How are you feeling, Blu?" asks FB.

Honestly, I'm starting to feel a little bit shitty.  Shadow wasn't feeling well last night.  I'm thinking that now it's my turn.

Heading to the couch until further notice.  ❤

SAKS AREA:

SAKS AREA: I keep seeing a blonde retriever-looking dog with a red collar with NO ID running around my neighborhood. I'm not sure if he's lost or just roaming, so I haven't attempted to catch him.

If he or she is yours and you see this, I will be happy to help get him off the streets if you need me to. Also, please tag your dogs and keep them put up! I'm afraid he's gonna be hit by a car! 🙁

Please share this, in case he is lost!  No photo - I only ever know he's around when my dogs go nuts, and they bark and run him off before I can get them all wrangled and grab the camera.  🙁

Oh my gosh - my bedroom is an ice box.

Oh my gosh - my bedroom is an ice box.  After getting into my freezing cold bed last night, I'm officially asking Santa to bring me a heated blanket.  I'd almost rather sleep in the bathroom floor than my bed when it's that damn cold.  🙁

[Yes, I have the heat on.  But my room stays at least 10 degrees colder than the rest of the house.  Everyone else would be burning up if I was warm.  I need a warm blanket.  Or a space heater.  Something!]

Girling it up a little bit tonight.

Girling it up a little bit tonight. It really must be the end of the world. 😳

Oh my gosh, my cat is making the weirdest sounds right now.

Oh my gosh, my cat is making the weirdest sounds right now.  She's purring, meowing, squeaking, trilling, "herro"ing...  What in the world does she have to say?  I have to go and check on her.  LOL

It was Midna! That's so weird. Usually Snaga is the noisy one. I guess she was just in a talkative mood. LOL

I'm off to do my nails.

I'm off to do my nails.  I hope I come up with a better idea than my last!  LOL

I'm not really into holidays, but...

I'm not really into holidays, but I'm TRYING to be festive. LOL These are really sparkly, but it's been so cloudy that I haven't been able to get a good photo of them. 🙁 Oh well. You probably get the idea. 😛

Apologies to my Christian friends, but...

Apologies to my Christian friends, but talking to your imaginary friend doesn't solve anything.  "Letting god back in schools" wouldn't have stopped this tragedy.  He's allowed in movie theaters, after all, and that didn't stop the Aurora psycho.

I mean, I WILL say that I could totally understand how it might be comforting to think that dude is burning in hell right now.  But I believe he's right back where he was before he existed, whatever that was.  He probably doesn't have a care in the world right now.

Anyway, all that to say that this message I received from the superintendent this morning REALLY, REALLY annoys me.  No, I don't want dude to pray.  I don't want the other parents to pray.  How about stationing more cops at the schools?  DUH.  Actual action trumps a prayer any day.  WE have the power.

Rant over.

https://soundcloud.com/fairlyoddblu/superintendent-pray

Shadow is entirely too cool for me.

Shadow is entirely too cool for me. You can just see that he's all like, "Really? You're really gonna make me take a picture right now? Fiiine." LOL

This is him all dressed up for the dance tonight. I'm just glad he gets to go. And I'm glad he's able to give me this crazy face and that "You're totally lame, mom" attitude. You know, because he wasn't shot up in class today or anything.

Just watched The Hobbit with Shaun.

Just watched The Hobbit with Shaun.  I wore my awesome new 2D glasses.  No, not just glasses.  Glasses that turn 3D movies back into 2D so that I don't die of migraine and nausea. LOL  I got them on ThinkGeek, but there are also DIY tutorials online.  I can't vouch for how those turn out, but I watched the movie with no trouble tonight.  Woohoo!

It was pretty good.  Hell, I'm awake so that's saying a lot.  😃  (I'm not a big movie-watcher and often fall asleep.)  Now to wind down and take myself to bed.

Funny photos of me and Em.

Funny photos of me and Em. She is such a good girl. Love her face in that first one. LOL I have no idea what I'm doing with my hand in that last one. And she likes to hold hands, so she'd just given me her paw in the 4th. 🙂

You guys like my winter attire? Snow pants, layers of shirts, big ass boots and my thrift store jacket with the broken zipper. How did I GET so sexy?!

Happy Fall! 🙂

Happy Fall! 🙂

Hey, I know it's late, but I've still got a few days before it's officially over. 😛

Four layers of stamping is what this is. Not all of my stamps came out perfect, but after I thought about it, I kind of preferred that. Fallen leaves often have holes or are torn, so I didn't bother with a bunch of do-overs. It's perfect the way it is! 🙂

Heading to Wal-Mart to get a tie-out for Maya.

Heading to Wal-Mart to get a tie-out for Maya.  She's not staying in Shaun's fence.  My dogs don't like her.  I have no space.

Something has to give.  I can't keep her tied in his yard forever.  She might not even tolerate that.  I need a plan or I might have to take her to the shelter, for lack of other options.  🙁

She's at Shaun's house, not mine. He's doing a HUGE favor for me by keeping her. I'm not going to ask him to change anything more about his house to accommodate me and my dog rescuing whims. Also, I don't have money for chicken wire and I'm not asking him to pay for this. He's not a dog person and this is NOT his thing. I feel like he's already bent over backwards for me by letting her stay. I'm not going to put him out any more than I have. It's my fault she's there so I will deal with it, somehow. I have asked enough of him.

It's raining so now I'm not gonna get to wear any of my new shoes.

Well dang.  It's raining so now I'm not gonna get to wear any of my new shoes.  That's a bummer.  😐

In other news:  My dogs don't like to get wet so if I leave the door open for them to go in and out as they choose in this weather they are more likely to go outside to use the bathroom.  And also more likely to bring in fallen, soaking wet, 10-foot long leafy branches.  How do they come up with this stuff?!  LOL

I tried to bring Maya home today and that didn't go over so well.

I tried to bring Maya home today and that didn't go over so well.  None of my dogs (or even Casper) seemed to like her.  (For what it's worth, she was really good, even when my dogs were being asshats.)  So, she's back at Shaun's, in the fence, with only a dog house, food and water.  I feel pretty shitty about that.  It's going to get really cold soon.  She's got a nice, thick coat, but I just don't think that's a good life.  He doesn't have time for a dog, and I'm doing good to take care of mine - there's no way I can split time between my house and his to spend time with her.

I've been keeping my eyes peeled for someone missing her, but I really think she was just dumped out.  All of my friends, please keep your eyes and ears out for a good home for her.  The vet tech I took her to see said that she looked like an Anatolian Shepherd mix, about 9 months old.  From her energy level, I would think she would do best with some space.  Linked below is what the AKC has to say about the breed:

https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/anatolian-shepherd-dog/

We spent hours today shopping.

We spent hours today shopping.  It was totally by accident.  We went in K-Mart, and they were having a BOGO FREE sale on the shoes.  I desperately needed some shoes.  I know I said that I got some on my birthday, but what I didn't tell you is that I got pissed off and returned them... bringing me back to only Vibrams and shit-kickers.  LOL  I needed some middle-ground, wear-everyday kind of shoes.

So I picked out two pairs and I'm pretty sure I'll end up keeping them.  😛  Well, then Shaun picked out a pair of shoes and was like, "Well, now we get another free."  So Shadow picked out a pair of shoes.  Then Shaun liked the ones Shadow had so he got a pair of those, too (except bigger), and then we needed ANOTHER one for free.  So I got a pair like the boys got, except with pink trim.  BOO on the pink, but they didn't have a man size to fit my midget feet so I got the sexist, female equivalent.  Whatever.  Three pairs of shoes in one day for me, two for Shaun, and one for Shadow.

I have to admit that I'm pretty excited.  Although, my legs and feet hurt like a mofo from trying these things on.  I think I've been spoiled to the Vibrams and boots.  My boots are so huge they are like I'm not really wearing anything anyway.  I'm going to have to adjust to wearing normal shoes, I guess.  That'll be fun.  😐

P. S.  Before anyone calls me lame for not giving the 3rd free pair of shoes to my kid - he wasn't interested.  And he still has a decent pair of shoes, plus this new pair.    If he actually needed them I would have made him get something.  Duh.

Pomona just tried to eat me.

Pomona just tried to eat me.  Her sticky little lizard tongue felt weird.

For the record, she didn't bite - only tagged me with her tongue.  So it didn't hurt.  She is not vicious.  Just a hungry, hungry hippo.  I have to learn to keep my hands out of her way!  LOL

I am so disenchanted with everything.

I am so disenchanted with everything.  I hate all the pants.  I hate all the shoes.  This must be what getting old feels like.

I am seriously about to start rocking sweat pants everywhere I go.

I really. REALLY. want some cupcakes.

I really. REALLY. want some cupcakes.

I have poked these guys in the butt before with grass...

I have poked these guys in the butt before with grass. Mostly being clumsy trying to get them back into their holes. They do flip around all crazy! I had no idea that was why, though. COOL!

From the Evolution Facebook page:

Tiger Beetles: Part 2 

Previously we covered how tiger beetle larvae live in burrows, waiting for prey to come by. But what if they need to quickly escape? Being in a hole in the ground is suddenly not such a good move - so they turn to wind and wheels. 

The larvae of the Southeastern Beach Tiger Beetle (Cicindela dorsalis media), like all Tiger Beetle grubs, are not built for speed. If a threat approaches their head, they duck down or move their jaws, but when their back half is stimulated they call upon a different strategy - they leap into the air, coil themselves up and spin away to safety. Slow-motion videos showed that the larvae actually co-ordinate their jumps with a gust of wind so they can roll - the first example of wind-powered wheel locomotion. 

This wind-powered movement is very effective. In some cases grubs could roll more than 60 metres, at speeds of 3 metres per second - the fastest recorded movement for an insect on the ground. In strong winds, they could roll faster than the research team could run. Wind-powered wheel locomotion avoids the pitfalls standard wheel-locomotion has - other animals that turn themselves into wheels (such as the wheel spider) rely on gravity. Using wind power gives a tiger beetle larva the ability to roll uphill. 

It's thought this escape tactic developed to escape parasitic wasps like Methoca, which can slip out of the grub's jaws and dive into the burrow. Rolling is confounded by rough beaches, rocks and ridges, and foot traffic appears to have an disastrous effect on Tiger Beetle populations. 

To read the paper on this unique behaviour: http://bit.ly/ev3YeN 

Photo credit: Harvey & Zukoff, 2011. 

https://phys.org/news/2011-03-scientists-wind-powered-wheel-locomotion-tiger.html

http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/notrocketscience/2011/03/25/beetle-turns-itself-into-a-wheel

My MaMaw called them "Chicken Chokers"

These look like the little guys my grandmother taught me how to pull out of the ground with a piece of grass.  🙂  We used to do that for fun.  But then we'd put them back so they would be ok.  ❤

From the Evolution Facebook page:

Tiger Beetles: Part 1

Picture this: you're a caterpillar, looking for new vegetation to eat. You spy some leaves just past a hole in the ground and make your way over to them. Next thing you know you're being eaten by something so fast you didn't even see it strike. 

Tiger beetle larvae have an intimidating appearance, particularly due to their powerful sickle-shape mandibles. After eggs are buried by the female Tiger beetle, the newly-hatched larva begins to extend and improve its burrow. It digs towards the surface, using its mandibles to loosen the soil and its flat head to push soil out of the burrow when it reaches the surface. Each larval stage the larva goes through (3 in total) is accompanied by increasing the burrow. Their flat armoured head helps them blend in with the soil (though they sometimes hide deep out of sight) and hooks on a dorsal hump keep them anchored in the soil. Powerful mandibular muscles give their bite its strength and their eyesight, unlike many grubs, is sharp and accurate. 

When something does come near the burrow, the larva launches itself towards it at incredible speed - interestingly, usually throwing its head backwards at its victim. The sickle-shaped mandibles sink in and its prey (sometimes as big as it) is dragged down into the burrow. Larvae have a similar digestive method to spiders, secreting enzymes to break down food before actually eating it. When the liquidized prey has been consumed, any indigestible remains are ejected from the burrow. 

Photo credits: Ted C. MacRae (left), Ingo Arndt/naturepl.com (right). 

To see larvae attacking caterpillars, click here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zMkEaIZSNDg 

http://drshigley.com/lgh/netigers/tiger_biology.htm 

http://insects.tamu.edu/fieldguide/bimg129.html 

http://beetlesinthebush.wordpress.com/.../anatomy-of-a.../ 

http://www.buglife.org.uk/.../bugofthe.../Green+tiger+beetle 

David Attenborough's Life in the Undergrowth, Episode 4: Intimate Relations.

Black nails!

Black nails!  I don't think I've ever just worn black polish.  That's a little too goth for me.  This one is not plain black - it's got some silver glitter in it.  This one is actually Shaun's, but like a good boyfriend he let me use it.  😃

The polish reminded me of a night sky with stars.  I have these silver star studs, so I thought I'd slap one on there and call it fancy.  LOL  I haven't been in the mood for anything that calls for a lot of work lately.  While I don't feel like shit, I'm still coughing and making snot like whoa, so I'm not fully 100% awesome at the moment.  Oh well.

I live for this stuff. 😃

Merry Christmas from Brutus and Hazel!  (Hazel is a former foster girl known as Olive.)  Y'all have no idea.  I live for this stuff.  😃

Ok, sirens all loud past my house.

Ok, sirens all loud past my house. Gotta love living in the ghetto.

Spot, Parvo pup I nursed last year!

Spot, Parvo pup I nursed last year!  She's a big girl now!  🙂

As if I need more stamping plates...

As if I need more stamping plates...

But I REALLY, REALLY want the cat face!

I had an ice cream cone after I ate my lunch today.

I had an ice cream cone after I ate my lunch today.  It's been ages!  That was awesome.  😃

I am clearly out of practice. 🙁

I am clearly out of practice.  🙁  I don't like my edges too much, and I'm not used to having nubs this short!  Being sick sucks ass!  🙁

Most of my nails are painted in a dark brown - it's such a pretty color when the light hits it.  It's a nice shimmery, warm brown.  It was pretty cloudy today, though, so I couldn't get a good photo of it.  I hate that.

Anyway, I wanted a simple and easy manicure that felt kind of fall-ish.  Browns usually accomplish that.  I don't know why, but owls always make me think of fall.  Probably because of their natural colors, too.  So I was super-excited to get to wear my little owl dude.  Unfortunately, I re-did that nail probably 10 times.  No joke.  🙁  I was so out of practice that stamping was just... hard.  LOL  Anyway.  Maybe I can get back in my groove soon.  I hope so!

Pomona is kind of a night owl.

Pomona is kind of a night owl.  She gets all walk-y before she goes to bed so I sometimes let her loose in the game room while I'm watching TV and doing my nails.  She usually walks and runs and explores... and then hides somewhere and goes to sleep.  So we have this "hide and seek" thing going on.  It's kind of funny - especially when I find her.  She's always asleep so when I pick her up she's really squinty and disoriented-looking.  It's really cute.  Like a squinty, spikey, flat potato.  Haha.

Since I've felt so crappy lately I haven't spent much time just hanging out with any of my tail-babies so I thought I'd let her out tonight.  I realized that Emma hadn't met her yet (and that she probably should now that Em's in the dining room where Pomona lives), so I got Pomona out and held her low where they could see each other.  (For the record:  I would NOT do this with just any dog, but Emma's REALLY REALLY good.)  Normally, Emma is the first one to sniff and lick a new buddy, but Pomona beat her to it and licked Emma on the nose.  Oh, how I WISH I'd had a camera ready!  The look on Emma's face was adorable.  "I think that spikey thing just licked me!"  LOL  I was pleasantly surprised that Pomona didn't seem phased at all to be held in a dog's face.  She didn't flare out or show her beard or anything.  Just licked the dog and was like, "Time to walk now!"

My creature family brings me so much joy.  I just don't understand people who don't love animals.

Found this sweet girl...

Found this sweet girl in Munford on 11/25/2012. She was a little skinny and a little scared, but otherwise in good shape. She had on no collar, so I had her scanned at Animal Medical Center on 12/01/2012. No microchip was found. The tech said that she believed Maya to be 9-12 months old. She said that she looks like an Anatolian Shepherd mix and that she still has some growing to do. No visible spay scar, but she doesn't look to have had a litter of puppies - thank goodness!

If you know where this dog belongs, please have her owners contact me! FB is good, or I can also be reached at 256-365-8245. She looks like she must have been someone's baby. OWNERSHIP WILL HAVE TO BE VERIFIED via photos and / or vet records. I hope she wasn't dumped. If the original family cannot be found I will be looking for her a new forever home.

PLEASE, PLEASE SHARE! I'm sure that someone is missing her!

I'm calling her Maya.

Found this sweet girl in Munford on 11/25/2012. She was a little skinny and a little scared, but otherwise in good shape. She had on no collar so I had her scanned at Animal Medical Center on 12/01/2012. No microchip was found. The tech said that she believed Maya to be 9 - 12 months old. She said that she looks like an Anatolian Shepherd mix and that she still has some growing to do. No visible spay scar, but she doesn't look to have had a litter of puppies - thank goodness!

If you know where this dog belongs, please have her owners contact me! FB is good, or I can also be reached at 256-365-****. She looks like she must have been someone's baby. OWNERSHIP WILL HAVE TO BE VERIFIED via photos and / or vet records. I hope she wasn't dumped. If the original family cannot be found I will be looking for her a new forever home.

PLEASE, PLEASE SHARE! I'm sure that someone is missing her!

If curiosity killed the cat, then Midna must be going for suicide!

If curiosity killed the cat, then Midna must be going for suicide!

I let the dogs out at 11 for their last bathroom break and Scooter and Lowrider didn't go out.  Neither of them are bad with cats, but they aren't exactly polite to them.  Well, I opened the door to let the rest of the crew in and Scoot decided "Oh crap - I'd better run out - last chance to go!"  So I let him go out as the other dogs came in.  As I was putting Casper in his crate I heard Faith scolding someone and running.  So I looked over and Midna was hopping back over the gate to the dog room!  (Thankyouverymuch, OCD Faith, for keeping everyone in order.  LOL)

I have no idea how long she'd been in there.  I don't know if she snuck in when it was just Scoot and Lowrider or if she was being really brave and came in when all the other dogs did.   Either way, there was not a point where the room was empty of dogs and she was still in there on their turf.  Homegirl is being cRaZy!

I know she loves the dogs (she likes their funk - she will roll all over them if they'll let her) but she is usually only comfortable around one or two at a time.  Any more than that and she goes up high and waits for them to leave.  Maybe she was just craving some puppy love.  😳  That's the second time I've caught her in the dog room recently, but the last time all the dogs were outside so it wasn't a huge deal.  I'm just glad I saw her before I let them in.  I guess I'm going to have to start keeping an eye out for her.  Silly funny cat.  ❤

It's nice out today.

It's nice out today.  AND I don't feel entirely shitty.  🙂  The congestion is working it's way out (so I am totally disgusting with blowing my nose and coughing out shit), but at least my body and head don't hurt, and I'm not feverish.  Woohoo!

I'm going to take advantage of both the weather and my un-sickness and move some stuff into my garage and then take Maya to AMC to be scanned for a microchip.  Paws crossed that she belongs to someone.  I doubt it, but I'm hopeful.  In the event she doesn't have a chip I got some photos of her a little earlier, so you'll get to see what she looks like!  I will continue to look for her family just in case, but I will also be keeping my eyes out for a new one.  If you know of a good family for a dog, please keep me in mind.  I've got one good foster boy and possibly this sweet girl.  So much for taking a break from fostering dogs!

(You know, if fostering dogs paid like fostering humans does, I'd be rich.  Too bad I'm not a kid person!  😛)

For the first time in my entire life...

For the first time in my entire life I totally understand how sometimes people want to do stupid things or hurt themselves.  Wow.  This is a whole new low for me.

Don't worry about me, Internet.  I'm not actually stupid.  And save any kind words you may have.  I'm going off air for an undetermined amount of time.  ❤

I just ate part of a grapefruit.

I just ate part of a grapefruit. It was wonderful. I wish I had more. 😕

My nails REALLY need doing, but...

My nails REALLY need doing, but that can't happen when I'm blowing my nose every few minutes.  DANG.

New stuff will be in at Sally's on Saturday.  I'm doing my nails then NO MATTER WHAT.  Shaun might have to be on snot duty.  LOL  He's good at cleaning his nose.  I see no reason why he'd be less good at cleaning mine.  Except that his fingers are ginormous in comparison to my face...

Let's just hope I'm better by Saturday.  😳

Hot cocoa has made me nauseated.

Hot cocoa has made me nauseated.  I'm going to take a hot shower and just go to bed.  I feel like that canNOT be the wrong thing to do.  Unless I barf in my bed.  Then it would be the really wrong thing to do.  😐

Anyway.  Lovely thought.  You're welcome.  And goodnight.  ❤

Hot cocoa. Blankets. Couch. Netflix.

Hot cocoa. Blankets. Couch. Netflix.

^ That is the rest of my night, hopefully.

Teyla being all big and doing funny legs.

Teyla being all big and doing funny legs. You can barely tell which one was broken! 🙂

Be jealous. This beautiful girl kisses me. ❤

Ugh. I am still not feeling great so I'm heading to bed soon.

Ugh.  I am still not feeling great so I'm heading to bed soon.  My plan was to not do much once I came home today, but that can't usually happen.  Not at my house.  😕

I cleaned up after my scaly girls this afternoon.  They seem to be on the same poop schedule, so that's funny.  😛  And convenient.  Teyla is getting BIG, y'all.  I might put up a new photo of her soon.

Then I went and checked on "unclaimed girl living in Shaun's yard."  I think I'm going to call her Maya for now.  That's shorter.  🙂  She's doing ok.  Seemed VERY happy to see me.  Was thirsty, but I fixed that.  She's not escaping or making a huge fuss so far, so that's good.  REALLY good.  I took her some bones to chew to hopefully keep her from getting too bored.  I still need to get her scanned and get some photos, but I was NOT up for doing extra today.  Maybe one day this week when I hopefully don't feel so cruddy.  I've been keeping an eye on the lost / found pet pages on FB and CraigsList.  No one seems to be missing her so far.  🙁

Also, I drained my fish tank halfway and put fresh water in it and a bunch of chemicals, per PetSmart's advice.  My water is still not good.  I'm about ready to dump the whole thing out and start completely over.  With my same fish, of course.  I will take them some more water to test tomorrow when I go get more bugs for the girls.  Hopefully, it will look a little better.

Other animal news:  I spent most of yesterday getting Emma settled into her new spot in my house.  I have just decided to separate her from the pack.  When she gets stressed she fights Nappy (and gets her ass kicked).  Not good.  Faith keeps her crated (I guess because she's obedient?).  Not good.  I just think she'll be happier and more relaxed away from the other dogs.  It's not like they can't ever hang out and play.  But in general, as a living situation, I think pack life was getting to be too much for her.  She slept in the dining room floor on a pile of blankets last night.  I'm pretty sure she was into that.  🙂  I'm generally opposed to having free-range animals in rooms where I eat, sleep, or keep my toothbrush, but she's the most eager to please dog I've got.  She's always watching me for cues and is very well-behaved so it's not like she's any trouble, anyway.  I'll just have to keep food that I plan on eating off the counters.  I learned that lesson the hard way.  LOL

I am feeling so not great right now.

I am feeling so not great right now.  Progressively worse as the day wears on.  🙁  I'm gonna order some pizza for my kid and try to take it easy this evening.  Blegh.

Ok, it's getting down to like, 28° F tonight.

Ok, it's getting down to like, 28° F tonight.  Is that dog I picked up going to be ok in a dog house with a blanket?  I don't know if I can sleep.  🙁

I have found another dog and this one let me pick her up.

I have found another dog and this one let me pick her up.  She was shy at first, but came around quickly.  Probably had something to do with the leftovers we were carrying with us.  She looks like a possible shepherd mix of some sort.  A little skinny, but not bad.  Kind of young - I'd say a year old or maybe a little less.  Does not appear to have ever had puppies.

The big problem here?  There is no room at my inn!  We are actually a little cramped here.  For the moment she is in Shaun's fence.  I've got her a dog house with a blanket inside, food, and water, but she's still going to be cold and not get enough human interaction.  It's unfortunate, but it's the best I can do and it is meant to be a VERY temporary situation.  I will get her scanned this week for a microchip because of course she had no collar.  I guess I can also get some flyers made and put up.

Please, if you can help me out I'd love you forever.  She is totally sweet.  I guess if I can't do better for them I will have to stop picking them up.  But it really breaks my heart to think like that.  🙁

I had a dream about my MaMaw the other night.

I had a dream about my MaMaw the other night. She is not well. Her birthday is coming up soon.

This is the last good memory I have of her. ❤

http://www.wefeelfine.org/book/

http://www.blu.fyi/2007/06/banana-hammocks-and-mamaw.html

I didn't do my floor today, but...

I didn't do my floor today, but I did spend some time cleaning and organizing my room, so I feel not only productive, but more happy in my space.  Nice gift from me to me!

So I got to go to Baja, but before I went there I went to the next door Sally's.  The girl working heard that it was my birthday and asked me how old I was and when I said "30" she said "Don't you just want to die?!"  It's like, "Um, WTF?  No.  I'm gonna OWN THIS SHIT."  Who feels like their life is over at 30?  Apparently that's a thing, but I'm fucking excited.  I am not holding at 29.  I am goddamned 30 and proud of it!

Anyway, we went on to Baja and I had tasty foods and it was good.  Then they brought me a giant sparkly sombrero and sang what I'm guessing was the Spanish equivalent of "Happy Birthday" to me.  And then proceeded to put whipped cream all over my face and glasses.  I am not sure what that last bit was about, but it was funny.  And I kind of wonder if they would have put it in my eyeballs if I hadn't been wearing glasses...  😳

Later, I went shopping for some shoes and I got a pair.  I desperately needed something between big ass, shit-kicking boots and Vibrams.  LOL  Bad news:  I accidentally left the store with a size too small, but I can exchange them tomorrow.  Good news:  Shaun insisted that I not pay for anything since it's my birthday so he bought them for me.  He's too damn sweet to me.  🙂  And really insistent sometimes.  LOL

I did get a new nail polish from Target plus the ones that Mary Beth surprised me with.  Also, I unexpectedly got a gift from Jonathon... he brought me the "Everyone Poops" book, which is really funny because I don't think it's ever come up between us, but I am not a fan of pooping.  LOL  Mom came and cut my hair, so woohoo for free and awesome haircuts!  😃  And my friend Nancy sent me a gift all the way from Arizona.  It's a really cute hat with what appears to be a zebra-striped koala bear with purple eyes.  I think it sounds weirder than it is, but I like it.  She knows about me.  🙂  And Shaun also bought me a hat.  Now I have doggies ears.  I like to touch them.  I wish I really had doggie ears.  But I guess my fake ones and the ones attached to my dogs will do.  LOL

All in all, no complaints here!  ❤

Mary Beth gifts and runs.

Mary Beth gifts and runs. LOL I love living down the street from her. She's like this wacky fairy that brings random AWESOME things when you aren't looking. 😃

Thank you, MB! I didn't have any of those colors you got, and they are SO COOL! Also, I was starving. That Snicker's hit the spot. ❤

🙁 Shaun hasn't felt good since yesterday...

🙁  Shaun hasn't felt good since yesterday... all sinus-y and snotty and stuff.  And now my tummy doesn't feel great.  (I ate some weird food for lunch.)  I am so going to bed and trying to sleep that off.  Wish me luck.

Sounds like birthday floor plans might have to wait... but I'll be happy regardless as long as I don't spend tomorrow barfing.  ❤

I love how any of my dogs...

I love how any of my dogs would gladly come to "Come here, stupid head!" as long as I said it with a happy voice.  LOL  Dogs are awesome.  😃

Where is the best place...

Where is the best place in Anniston or Oxford to get a haircut?  I have nothing specific in mind - I just have all this hair on my head, doing what it does.  It's grown in from being shaved, so it needs like, trimming or something?  What I look for in a haircut:  low-maintenance and fucking adorable.  If I hate it, I'll just shave it again anyway, so whatever.  I also prefer to not have to pay an arm and a leg.

Now, give me your suggestions!  1, 2, 3, GO!

I'm melting. Leezard kisses! ❤

I'm melting. Leezard kisses! ❤

Teyla just lizard kissed me. LOL I've had a lot of lovvins today. First Teyla, then mom's cats, then mom's GOATS (I have never been loved up like that by a goat before), then dad's little dog, then his cats. And then Shadow! He hugged me, like, twice before I left him, told me he loved me AND blew me a kiss. It's been a good day! 🙂

Yep.

What a day! 😳

What a day!  😳

I work with a lot of people over the phone and the internet and though I don't consider myself a people-person I like what I do.  I feel less awkward and shy when I'm not face-to-face with someone, so that works for me.  I like it when customers call that I've gotten to know - it's almost like hearing from old friends.  The vast majority of my interactions with customers go pretty well, I think.  There are some that always make me smile, and of course, there are those that make me want to pull my hair out - but thankfully, those are few and far between.  There are only a hand-full of people that I just never want to deal with again.  And today, one of them called.  🙁  We had not heard from her in a couple of years, but I recognized her name.  I thought to myself, "I either liked her or I REALLY did not..."  Yeah, I figured out about the time she started yelling at me which category she fell into.

While that part was totally sucktacular, I gotta say, my awesome boss made it better.  I guess she could hear her through the phone from where she was standing because she asked if the customer was yelling at me.  When I said "Yeah, she is totally yelling at me" Sarah took the phone and talked to her and explained the position I was in (why I hadn't done the thing she was yelling at me for not doing).  The lady yelled at her, too, but calmed down eventually.  We both felt kind of "off" the rest of the day.  I think people don't realize that being nasty to someone can really have an affect on them.  Anyway.  I really appreciate that my boss jumped in.  I've been thrown to the wolves before, so to speak, and it's not a good feeling.  At least she had my back.  🙂

P. S.  Beth, this is not public, but if you want me to take it down, I will.  ❤

In ❤ with Shaun.

In ❤ with Shaun.

I guess these might have been better reserved for Valentine's Day or some crap, but no holiday tells me how to feel or when to feel it!  I DO WHAT I WANT!

Anyway, I thought these were cute and I totally impressed myself with that straight-ass stamping.  Practice makes you better, for sure!  🙂

🙁 On the way home from work...

🙁  On the way home from work I saw a white scraggly skinny dog run across the street.  I pulled over and called to him.  He looked at me so I threw him the biscuit I had in my pocket leftover from lunch.  He came and got it and ran on his way.

I don't think I had a good chance of getting him to come near me.  He had that "I'm running, I don't trust you or anyone, and I'm running" look about him... like he was frantic and not going to be easily soothed.  It makes me really sad that I didn't try, though.  But I was at a place on Noble Street that kind of scares me.  And now I have to live with my pansy-ness.  I'm gonna think about that guy all night.  🙁

I hope he's ok.

I have not even had time for nails lately. 🙁

I have not even had time for nails lately.  🙁  So I did this really fast last night.  I thought it looked fine, but I must not have secured my blingy things because they are all gone now.  I guess I have to go and think of something else to wear now.  LOL

Giant dog...

Giant dog that Shaun bought me tonight.  He takes up my whole bed, and is actually a little bit taller than me.  Snuggly and soft, though.  🙂

Bernard's looking all jealous in the background.  Poor Bernard.  Giant Dog can never replace you!  ❤

Shaun bought me the hugest...

Shaun bought me the hugest stuffed dog to EVER EXIST today.  It's my Christmas / Solstice / Whatever present and it's in my bed already.  I'm not sure if there is room left for me...  LOL

I turn 30 on Saturday.

I turn 30 on Saturday.  I guess that's a big one.  LOL  After much deliberation about what I want to do on my birthday I have figured it out:  I want to eat with my love and my kid at one of my favorite places, and I want two desserts, and I want to put my bedroom floor down.

Damn, I know how to party.  😛

But seriously - I'm fucking excited.  😃

I had a cake and gifts in September because Shaun couldn't wait to give me what he bought me, and Nancy moved away, but made me one last red velvet cake before she went.  So I kind of feel like I'm getting two birthdays this year.  I am so spoiled!  Nothing makes life awesome like a wonderful significant other and a great friend.  🙂

I am eating some Reese's Pieces.

I am eating some Reese's Pieces. HELL YES. 😃

For anyone who likes cheapie nail polishes:

For anyone who likes cheapie nail polishes:  Wal-Mart seems to now be stocking Sinful Colors and they also have some new (and really pretty!) Pure Ice polishes.  😃

5:30 am. Bed time? I think so. LOL

5:30 am. Bed time? I think so. LOL

Do I have any friends that don't drink or do drugs?

Do I have any friends that don't drink or do drugs?  Am I seriously the only person EVER who has no desire to do any of those things?  I'm just curious.  Also, if you know anyone who isn't into all that, send them my way.  I'd like to meet them.  🙂

I did have one friend, but we're not friends anymore.  And the only other person I knew and liked is now far, far away.  🙁  So I feel pretty alone when it comes to all that right about now.  😐

ALSO, while I'm on the subject:  If anyone ever needs a designated driver, you know where to find me.  ❤

I am so tired. And achy and cold.

I am so tired. And achy and cold. I am totally going to bed now. LOL

Today was awesome.

Today was awesome.  My rough count shows that we sold a little over $10,000, so that means that $2500+ will be going to S.A.V.E.  😃

Now, I'm tired and sore from running up and down the stairs, and from standing on the concrete floor almost all day.  I'm heading to the couch.  For realz.  I can tell I'm going to be sore tomorrow.

Thanks to everyone who came out and saw me!  ❤

Everyone don't forget...

Everyone don't forget to come and see me at work today! ❤

I've got my chores mostly done.

I've got my chores mostly done.  I just showered.  I think I'm gonna finish up everything and call it a night.  Phew!  I've been busy!  🙂

Nothing like a little wet-dog loving right before work. 😛

Nothing like a little wet-dog loving right before work. 😛

Got all the animals packed up on the spay / neuter truck...

Got all the animals packed up on the spay / neuter truck before it started raining.  🙂  It has been SO NICE out this morning, if a little windy.  But I like windy.  😃

Gonna do a few things around here and then head to work.  We have a big day coming up soon!

I'm going to go and pick up some pecans from my yard...

I'm going to go and pick up some pecans from my yard and then head to my mom's to get help with something I glued to my face.  😃

On the realz, I thought it would be cool to try some eyelash flares. Sally's sometimes has specials where if you buy polish you get lashes for free, so I've had these things in my room for ages (I mean, they were FREE. I couldn't turn that down and thought they might come in handy one day). I guess I was in the mood to try something new, so I busted them out the other day. LOL They are semi-permanent and come with an adhesive remover. While the lashes were totally pretty when I first put them on that wasn't the case after I slept on my face last night and had one or two come off and one now upside down. So I thought, "Well, now that they are janked up, I'll just take them off." Not happening. SO NOT HAPPENING. They are still on there - janked up as they wanna be. My eyelids are sore from tugging and remover in your eye hurts pretty bad. I don't know what I'm gonna do. LOL

My mom went to school for cosmetology and I guess I should have consulted her before gluing anything semi-permanent to my face. But I didn't. But she said those things are about as good as permanent until my lashes fall out. I feel like having an adhesive remover was totally misleading because I thought I could take them off at any time. I guess I know better now. Now that they are on my face for who knows how long. 😛

Just woke up from the BEST NAP EVER.

Just woke up from the BEST NAP EVER.

It was not planned.  Me and Shaun fell asleep on the couch a while ago and I woke with an asleep leg, but otherwise refreshed.  WOOHOO!  😃

Just cleaned and re-arranged the dragon babies' houses.

Just cleaned and re-arranged the dragon babies' houses.  They seem interested and happy.  😃

Also, I have no idea if I used "babies'" correctly there.  I think I did, but I can't just leave that alone in my head.  LOL  Two babies, two different habitats.  English is hard.  😳

I just laughed so hard.

I just laughed so hard.  Me and Shadow were at Shaun's watching TV, and Shadow fell asleep on the couch.  So I woke up him and told him to get ready to go.  So he goes to the door, puts his shoes on, and then picks up a pair of Shaun's shoes, and is just standing there, waiting to leave.  So we had the following conversation:

Me:  Shadow, what are you holding?  (I didn't know at this point what he had.)

Shadow:  What?

Me:  What's in your hand?  (Shaun turns on the lamp, and he's holding shoes.)  Are you wearing your shoes?  (Shadow and Shaun have similar shoes and it was still dark, so I wasn't sure if he had them on or was just going to carry them for some reason.)

Shadow:  No.  (But I touched his foot with my foot and he totally was wearing shoes.)

Me:  What are you doing?  I think you have Shaun's shoes.

Shadow:  Um.

Me:  Put those down.  Those are Shaun's.

So he put them down.  Apparently, he was sleepy enough to steal Shaun's shoes.  What the hell?  He was SO not coherent.  It was fucking hilarious and really bizarre.  That just totally made my night.  😃

I just had fun.

I just had fun. Around people.

Interesting, that. 🙂

I wanted bugs last night. And nature.

I wanted bugs last night.  And nature.  Didn't even consider how springy these would look when I was done.  Now I'm tired of them already.  LOL  I have no other ideas, and I'm too tired to paint tonight, so I guess I'll keep them a few days.  Oh well.  I think they're cute, even if they aren't what I'm in the mood for.  🙂

What a LOOOOONG day. @_@

What a LOOOOONG day.  @_@

I was up wayyy too late with all the election stuff.  Got up wayyy too early to take Shadow to school.  Stayed wayyy too late at work because I rode with Shaun.  (I don't drive when it's wet-ish out.  Bald tires + wet roads = me sliding all over the damn place.)

Now I'm home, but it's not even a relief.  I've had my fish water tested twice this week, and after treating it, it's gotten worse.  My nitrates have gone from 80 to 200 in like, two days, and the junk I put in there was supposed to bring it DOWN.  I don't have a damn clue how to fix that, and I'm worried about my fish - all two of them that are left.  🙁  I'm going to try to change some of the water and see if that helps.  But it is SO not easy to do that by myself.  😕

I was so tired when I got here that I took Shadow to McDonald's to get a burger.  I almost never do that.  The girl at the drive-thru asked me if I wanted a Coke.  I was like, "You just want to give me one?" and she was like, "Yeah."  So I took it.  I've been trying to lay off the sugar and caffeine, but it was FREE.  Really hard to refuse that.  I have eaten so much candy and shit this week.  I'm gonna have to get back on track.  I'm not a garbage disposal.

Also, I could really use some me + Shaun time.  We watched the election stuff last night, but we were both involved in that and doing our nails.  Didn't feel like quality time.  And so far, the rest of this week hasn't provided an opening.  What a BUMMER.  🙁

Sorry - I am NOT a gracious winner.

Sorry - I am NOT a gracious winner.

SUCK IT, ROMNEY SUPPORTERS!

GOBAMA, GOBAMA GO!  GOBAMA, GOBAMA GO!  GOBAMA, GOBAMA GO!

GO!  GO!  GO!  GO!

FOUR MORE YEARS, BITCHES!  😃

Today, I:

Today, I:

Voted.

Broke a nail down into the quick.

I'm only happy about one of these things.  😛

I went to sleep shortly after I got home yesterday.

I went to sleep shortly after I got home yesterday.  And now I'm up earlier than usual.

That's ok.  🙂

I am sleepier than the world.

I am sleepier than the world.  Wow.  I might have to take a nap before I go to bed.  😳

I am wearing a girl shirt today.

I am wearing a girl shirt today.  It's not just a t-shirt, either.

I am fucking fancy tonight!  😃

Took some new photos of foster boy today.

ADOPTED 08/25/13 - Took some new photos of foster boy today. My, he's turning into a handsome young man! Not mangy, not gangly - he's filling out! And he's really learning how to be a good boy. ❤

I don't understand leggings.

I don't understand leggings.  Are they meant to take the place of pants?  Are they pants, kind of?

It feels so wrong...

It feels so wrong to be awake at this hour on a weekend.

I was in the mood for something dark and lacy and feminine.

I was in the mood for something dark and lacy and feminine. I don't have an actual full-nail lace pattern, but I'm really fond of this... well, whatever it is. It reminds me of briars. LOL So I went with it. I figured I'd do a French tip before I cut them all down tomorrow. This is as long as I can stand to have them. They'll be a huge pain in my ass by Monday. 😛

Teyla Report:

Teyla Report:

Earlier this week she was not pooping, not eating much, and just laying in the bottom of the cage under her log.  Then she started throwing up what she did eat.  Me and Shaun cut her bandage off on Thursday (I called the doctor and he said we could! - he thought it might be stressing her out) and then I gave her a nice, long, warm bath.  She hasn't had a bath in two months due to being wrapped, and though I have been giving her water via syringe she's not fond of drinking it that way.  Anyway, after getting the bandage off and having her bath she pooped twice yesterday - pretty big.  I'm sure that after the bath and the poops, she's feeling a good bit better already.

Still had to go to the vet today, though.  He needed to x-ray her leg.  Also, since she's been having tummy troubles, I took him some poop to test.

The good:

Her leg is healed enough that she doesn't need to be wrapped.  I need to remove her log and make sure she doesn't climb around any and re-injure herself for the next month or so.  She should slowly start to use her leg again.  Right now it looks pitiful.  It's all shriveled and skinny, but the vet assures me that it's only temporary.

The bad:

He tested her poop and bacteria levels are high.  He thinks this is why she is pale, not eating much, and throwing up.  He seemed sure that it was brought on by stress - more specifically the stress of having her leg wrapped.  (I knew she hated it.  Bad.)  I also know that when I'm stressed my health goes to hell, and it seems that it's no different for animals.  She's got to be on antibiotics for a while.  🙁  IF that helps, then no more trips to Birmingham, barring any other injuries or sickness.  And if not, well, I have to take him more poop to test and have her checked out again in a few weeks.  So I'm hoping that her meds do the trick!

Anyway, that's what is going on with her.  Poor thing.  I feel like she's been through so much, and she's still only a baby.  And she's so good about everything.  She's really such a doll.  ❤  Y'all don't even know.  🙂

Getting ready to take Teyla to the vet...

Getting ready to take Teyla to the vet - hopefully for the last time.  Poor girl.  She's such a good sport.  Could not ask for a better leezard.  ❤❤❤

Ohhh, my head and my stomach.

Ohhh, my head and my stomach. 🙁 Not cool.

I got in trouble twice at the Halloween party.

I got in trouble twice at the Halloween party.

In both instances, some grown-up thought I was a kid doing wrong things. Like taking candy (when I was dumping a bag in the bucket to be given out) or going into my boss's house. Um, yeah, I was invited, thankyouverymuch!  The guy who thought I was stealing candy grabbed my arm, and the lady who thought I was sneaking into the party yelled at me.

That's what I get for being little. 😕

Last Halloween nails.

Last Halloween nails.  I have a few stamping plates that have similar / coordinating images on them, so I went for more skittles.  None of them are exactly the same and I kind of like it like that.  🙂

Also, I need a thicker orange to stamp with.  I COULD NOT get my left thumb to show up any darker.  I used a different image plate on it than I did on the right thumb.  That also makes a difference.  The glare on the photo doesn't help, either.  But anyway.  There they are.  🙂

Have you ever worn underpants...

Have you ever worn underpants that you were like, 95% certain the manufacturers sewed the tag on the front instead of the back?  I'm having one of those days.  @_@

Mummy nails! 🙂

Mummy nails! 🙂

This took forever - mostly trying to find polishes that would work and look mummy-ish. The colors still might be off, but I always think of mummies as dirty (or at least dusty), seeing as how they are crawling up out of pyramids and whatnot. Then getting the stripe design right was hard, too. All in all, it was a rough start, but not so bad by the time I got it going.

My favorite nail is the middle one, which is the one I accidentally marbled twice. But I think it gives the wrapped look more detail and depth, which I really like. By the time I did that I was really tired and NOT up for going back and double-marbling all of them. So it is what it is, but I do like how they turned out. I think they are cute!

Gotta give credit where credit is due - Shaun drew the black on with a nail art pen. I didn't want to. I thought I'd jack them up. 🙂

I had a good day! 😃

I had a good day!  😃

Had a nice morning with Shaun.  Then this afternoon he helped me put up my new outdoor lights that have been sitting in my room collecting dust for, oh, half a year or so.  LOL  I cleaned my gutters since his ladder was here, so I can now check that one off the old to-do list.  THEN, we snuck off and had dinner together.  Just the two of us.  That was lovely.  Nothing fancy, but I did need the break from kids and dogs and... well, everyone, really.  I've been feeling really overwhelmed and disconnected, so that was just what I needed.

For now, I'm going to start some laundry and then sit down, digest this food, catch a movie with Shaun and work on some more Halloween nails.  🙂

Woohoo for a nice, laid-back weekend!  I guess next weekend, I'll be running back to Birmingham, hopefully for the last time.  Me and Teyla both are ready for her little leg to be healed and for her to be unwrapped.  Paws crossed!

Animal Stuff:

Animal Stuff:

Josie (the betta that Nancy gave me) and froggie are doing great in their 10 gallon.  Just bought a small heater and put some nice candle holders in there for them to hide in.  I think it's pretty and they seem to be doing well.  🙂

I just cleaned Teyla's cage and it's all nice in there now.  🙂

I'm about to put some flooring down in Pomona's cage - so no more paper towel flooring for her!  LOL  And, it's gonna look supa-fly!

BUT.  🙁  I just found 3 of my glowfish and Sharky dead.  I have no idea what happened.  I have one glowfish and Ruckus left, and the last glowfish doesn't look so great.  If he dies I think I might just be done with that large aquarium for a while.  Can anyone tell me what a humane and good home would be for an almost foot long pleco?  I will keep the tank with just him in it if I need to, but he might like a larger space anyway.  I'm just scared that whatever happened to the other fish will get him, too.  I'm really not sure what to do.  But, for what it's worth he does seem fine right now.  Help?

Just learned the hard way...

Just learned the hard way that you should never, ever plug in a blender with food in it and the top off, JUST IN CASE the on button is pressed.  😳

I don't think that's a lesson I'll soon be forgetting.

WOOHOO!

WOOHOO!  Not that anyone cares (and especially not the dogs) but their room is clean!  😃😃😃

I feel accomplished tonight.  Time to shower!

Home from the Saks game.

Home from the Saks game.  They kicked ass again.  😃  But of course, the band kicked more.  😉

I ❤ Obama because he ❤'s me.

I ❤ Obama because he ❤'s me.

I'm THISCLOSE to wishing rape upon the Republican Party.  Oh my gosh, you don't even know how mad they make me.  @_@

https://www.politicususa.com/congressional-gop-crazy-charge-freedom.html

Just tucked the dogs in.

Just tucked the dogs in.  I'm so tired, I'm going to bed, too.

Shadow told me two hours ago that he has another football game tomorrow.  Anyone else going to the Saks football game?  Shaun's probably working late, so I might be there by myself.  The kid doesn't leave me enough time to make plans.  😐

Um... there is a creature in my ceiling.  Like, right over my bed.  Good thing I sleep like a rock.  I might wake up snuggling someone I didn't go to bed with.

And on that note...

Goodnight!

Guess I have to put my leezard back in her house. 🙁

Guess I have to put my leezard back in her house.  🙁  Not only am I starving, but the man-child is, too.

Boo for responsibility.  😐

Skittle Halloweenie nails! 🙂

Skittle Halloweenie nails!  🙂

Hanging with Teyla.

Hanging with Teyla.  She seemed up for company.  Sweet thing is snuggling my knee.  I ❤ that girl.  Even though I'm starving TO DEATH I'm not gonna put her down just yet.  ❤❤❤

FINALLY after two days I have completed my monster nails.

FINALLY after two days I have completed my monster nails. I painted the base coat down on Friday, but then it was taking FOREVER to dry and I got tired. I wanted to finish them on Saturday, but never had a chance. Today did not go as planned AT ALL, but that's ok. I needed to sit down and relax after all that freaking out over Teyla, so tonight was a good time to sit down, chill, and play with my stamping plate.

My base coat is already peeling up on my left hand, but I'm still going to try to get a couple of days of wear out of them. I think they are totally cute! I ❤ monsters. Anyone else wants monsters on their nails?