As of last night...

As of last night I finished swatching half of my polish drawers. I don't know if it's *quite* half of my collection, but it's probably close! 😁

I didn't start swatching fast enough...

I didn't start swatching fast enough and now I have a lap full of Balthazar. Look at this handsome fella! 😍

Big old sweet boy. ❤️

In other cat news: Scar has been doing pretty great. He's being a total spoiled brat up in my bedroom. I'm pretty sure he's thrilled to be in there with me. He's been using the box and his stomach is mostly chill.

BUT, he's had a cough recently and today he coughed so hard he pooped in the floor. Poor buddy. We couldn't even be upset because we know it wasn't intentional. I cleaned his butt and Shaun cleaned the carpet. Teamwork. 😂 We called the vet today and they were closed, so we'll try again tomorrow. Can't have him feeling bad.

This view never gets old. ❤️

This view never gets old. ❤️

Hey, friends, the party is booked!

Hey, friends, the party is booked!  It's going to be on Saturday,  November 25th, 2023 at Sunshine Skate Center in Oxford from 7:30 to 10:30 pm.

They only had party packages on the weekend.  I didn't want to book it on Black Friday and I'm traveling to Alabama the weekend before and back home the weekend after, so this is the best I could do as far as timing.  I'm used to the holiday interfering with my birthday plans so I understand if that is still the case, but I hope I get to see some friendly faces.

If you expressed interest in coming before I'm going to tag you in the comment below to make sure you see this.  I have to bring a guest list with me to the rink so I'll need to know at some point if you were serious about coming.  (And it's ok to come without skating if you just want to say hi - just please let me know if you're coming and if you're skating or not).

I'm so excited to see everyone!  ❤❤❤

I haven't been making food at home...

I haven't been making food at home as much as I should recently because I've been hyperfocused on swatching my polish.  I'm really terrible at keeping my life in a balanced state.  When I have a "project" to do, that project is all I think about.  I don't know why I'm like this, but I've definitely always been this way.  So when all I want to do is swatch polish, I don't want to be bothered with making food.  So we usually end up eating fast food and that is catching up to me.  (Don't get me wrong - I love eating restaurant food, but fast food is hard for me since I eat so little meat.  I don't do cows at all and there are really only a couple of places that do fast food chicken in a way that I like, and one of those places I'd rather not support).

ANYWAY, I haven't been feeling the most healthy lately.  My pants are getting tight and my psoriasis is breaking back out.  Blegh.  Last week I made cornbread and ate canned soup with it for a few days.  Today I made lentils with taco seasoning and had tacos for lunch and I am so excited about how that turned out.  I didn't have to deal with meat at all and they taste so good and are healthy!  I can see me eating that frequently because honestly, I love tacos.  I mean, who doesn't?  But for real.  I'm so happy.

Also, Shaun ordered an Instant Pot for us because it looks pretty handy.  I think it will arrive this weekend.  I'm so excited to make dried beans in it.  For whatever reason I have been a bit put off by canned beans lately.  I can't really pinpoint why and I don't feel like thinking too much about it, but I find it really satisfying to pick through my food before it's cooked because it's easier so I'm down with going through dry beans and lentils and whatnot before I make them.

Super exciting update, right?  LOL  I'm just trying to get making food easier for myself so I'll do it.  I don't mean to be so terrible about food, but it's just the way I'm built.  😝

We went to PetSmart today...

We went to PetSmart today (we really don't go out often so pardon me if this is old news) and saw this advent calendar for dogs. I'm not a holiday person, but it's TMNT and for the puppa! Of course we bought it for Cub. We probably won't wait until December to start giving him the treats, though. 😂

I did these over this past weekend...

I did these over this past weekend and they aren't very decorated, but I like how the color-flips came out. UNFORTUNATELY, I didn't write down which chrome powders I used to get these colors so I have no idea how to get exactly these results again. I'm especially fond of the green and pink ones, so that sucks.

Maybe after I finish swatching my polish I can make a "cheat sheet" with my gels, the silver magnetic polish, and various chrome powders to get an idea of how they'll look all together. That sounds... difficult. And like I'd waste up a lot of gel. 😬 Maybe I'd better start writing my good combos down as I go.

Another Exclusive post...

Another Exclusive post because I don't want anyone to feel judged over their childbearing decisions, but I do have feelings about it.

I'm 40 years old; I'll be 41 next month.  I'm aware that I had my son earlier than most people have their kids, but I've discovered that I'm in a weird place regarding parenthood.  I guess that has probably always been the case, but it's more obvious now than ever.

First of all if I'm asked if I have kids it feels wrong to say "yes."  Mostly because I have adults, not kids.  Neither Shadow nor Kira need a bunch of "parenting" these days.  Yes - they still live with us, but they function on their own.  It's more like living with roommates that need advice or backup in life.  It's pretty chill.  I enjoy having them here and knowing that they are safe and have everything they need.  If either of them decide to move out one day I will be happy for them, but I'm also good with things as they are now.

I've noticed that most of the people I went to high school with either have kids that are younger than Shadow or Kira by a good few years, have one that is almost an adult and one that is brand new, or are grandparents.  None of that sounds good to me.  😆

I don't know if / when I'll have grandkids, but I'm in no hurry.  I'm focused on my career and don't want to be distracted, and also I feel like it's time for me to live for myself.  Ideally, if one of the kids has a kid they will be moved out and more or less self-sufficient because I don't feel that I have it in me to raise another child at this point.  If I did I'd have one with Shaun.  That's one experience that I'd love to share with him, but I don't see it in the cards due to the career thing, my struggles with Psoriatic Arthritis and needing to keep extra weight off my joints, and just, well... the world in general.

I am aware that Shaun and I are conservative as far as taking risks.  We still mask up and get COVID boosters and avoid people for the most part even though most of the world has declared the pandemic to be "over."  The stock market feels like gambling to us so we invest money in other ways.  We're just careful in general and really try to think things through.

Things have changed so much in the last 20-ish years that raising a new child would be a totally different experience.  We would probably want to homeschool because of the increased rate of violence in schools.  Shadow and Kira never had to do active shooter drills and I wouldn't want that for any child of mine.  Obviously, we would not feel safe sending a child to a school or daycare because of the pandemic.  It just doesn't sound like a great time to create a new life.  So I'm glad that we don't have a new child or a grandchild to worry about.

I'm also really glad that Shadow and Kira graduated before the pandemic hit and before they needed to start doing active shooter drills.  If they had been any younger they might not have made it out of high school and that is a sad and terrifying thought.

I don't know.  What other people do isn't really my business, but I honestly can't fathom wanting to bring a child into the world in the state that it's in.  It's deteriorated so much since my childhood and it feels exceedingly fast over the last 20 years.  I guess I mostly just feel really lucky to be in the situation that I'm in with our kids and that me and Shaun are on the same page about (not) having one of our own.  I should be used to being in the minority because doing my own thing has been the story of my life, but it somehow still shocks me when I notice it.  Either way, I'm grateful for the family I have - just as it is.

Two kitty pics:

Two kitty pics:

This is how Club Soda is when she's not being terrible; she's resting up so she can be terrible. 😂😂😂

My boyfriend has discovered the seat next to my work chair, so I guess this is his plan now. 😂❤️

Today was the last day of Balloon Fiesta.

Today was the last day of Balloon Fiesta. Me and Shaun got up at 4 this morning to go to it. No migraine for me this time!

We got to see the drone show and there were tons of food / merch vendors there. We did the Park & Ride so we didn't have to fight traffic. We parked in town and took a bus to and from the park. It's been so long since I rode a school bus!

Unfortunately, there was not much balloon action this morning. The weather was too windy. I'm not upset, though - I (much like balloons) tend to only operate when conditions are right. 😂 Someone did blow up one, but it was billowing around and didn't seem safe, so no one else followed suit.

Here are a few pics of the drone show. I'll try to see the balloons again next year. ❤️

As of this morning...

For math purposes:  I started swatching on August 27th. It's taken me 7 weeks to do 1/3 of my collection. I don't think I'll be finished by December, especially since I'll be away for 2 weeks. But that's ok. I think I'll have the bulk of my colors done and will be down to toppers, magnetics, thermals, gels, etc.

Eclipse!

Eclipse!

The funny shadows

The sun with the moon in front of it as seen through our eclipse glasses.

Blind selfie.

Blind selfie. Can't see shit but the sun through these glasses. 😂😂😂

We're getting the full ring here. 🌕🌞

Watching the eclipse...

The sound. The vibrating whiskers. This cat. 😂😂😂

The sound. The vibrating whiskers. This cat. 😂😂😂

Why are the furbabies so sweet? 😭😭😭

Why are the furbabies so sweet? 😭😭😭

I get off work soon, but not yet. Like, I'm still in the house, though. Why is Cub waiting for me? 😭😭😭❤️

It's gorgeous out today!

It's gorgeous out today! It's "windows open" weather right now.

Harley is watching the birds. It's serious business!

(Pardon Cubba's "nose art" on the left window. 😂)

I'm being lazy.

I'm being lazy. Still chilling in my bed today (but probably about to get up). This kitty came over, purring in my face and flopped down. Looks like someone found the catnip. 😂😂😂

Santa Fe was gorgeous, as usual, but...

Santa Fe was gorgeous, as usual, but we got the added bonus of there being a multi-tribe Powwow in the Plaza for Indigenous Peoples Day (we don't celebrate Columbus).

We had a delicious lunch at the Plaza Cafe Downtown and did some shopping. I caught on video the end of a Native dance around the place where a monument once stood (it was pulled down in 2020) and it gave me goosies. I love it here. ❤️

About the downed monument:

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soldiers%27_Monument_(Santa_Fe,_New_Mexico)

My video:

https://www.facebook.com/100001265763733/videos/pcb.6940221892696601/883635670146958

Today was fun.

Today was fun. Of course we went to MeowWolf - what is a trip to Santa Fe without it? I try not to post too many pics for spoiler reasons, but here are a few:

Just a view I liked

Shaun and Shane lining up the picture in the circle.

Shane in a dryer

This home-freshening spray literally smelled like buttered movie popcorn. 😂

A few of our Petroglyph finds today at the Rinconada Trail.

A few of our Petroglyph finds today at the Rinconada Trail.

Pretty Taro Paleta with Fruity Pebbles.

Pretty Taro Paleta with Fruity Pebbles.  Eye Candy and Mouth Candy!

The earlier part of this day didn't go as planned for me, but...

The earlier part of this day didn't go as planned for me, but I think Shane and Shaun had fun.

We all woke up at 3 this morning to go see the Drone Show and Mass Ascension at Balloon Fiesta, but I didn't make it to Fiesta. I woke up with a headache so I took some Ibuprofen and ate a little bit and then we headed out. I had to be taken back home because my headache turned into a migraine during the short car ride. I barely made it upstairs to my room before I threw up. I took my migraine meds and crashed until I felt better.

I woke up and they had brought me back some food and Shaun bought me this beautiful blanket. It's SO SOFT! The guys got a lot of great photos and videos. Thankfully, Balloon Fiesta lasts until this coming weekend so I have more chances to go. I think I just got too much sun yesterday despite my best efforts. Unfortunately, the sun is a trigger for me.

We're getting ready to go see the Petroglyph monuments, and then we're taking Shane for some tasty food and a Paleta. It's still gonna be a good day for me! 😊❤️

Old Town Albuquerque...

Old Town Albuquerque and then Los Pollos Hermanos. Busy, but fun day!

Took the tram up to the mountain...

Took the tram up to the mountain and hiked to the cabin. It's gorgeous out today.

Balloon Fiesta!

Balloon Fiesta!

So my boyfriend, Scar...

So my boyfriend, Scar, has been in my bedroom for a few days now.  We were hopeful that being in a new environment would re-train him to use the litter box... AND IT HAS.  Me and Shaun are both so thankful for that.  I guess he officially lives in our bedroom / my office now.

We also got him a kibble version of his special wet food and that seems to be a large help towards firming his poop.  He's had more turds the past few days than he literally has all year.  I've been keeping his new kibble down since it's fine for Adrian to eat it, too.  I just give him the canned stuff a couple of times a day as a bonus.

Scar and Adrian are not friends yet, but I hope they will be in time.  For now they just give each other a lot of space and hiss at each other when one of them gets too close.  I feel like Scar is super possessive of me right now, but I also am pretty sure he's not feeling 100% yet on top of being put in a strange new space, so I'm hoping he will chill down with that.  He lived with 5-7 other cats with no problem so hopefully it's just a matter of time.  Until then, he's enjoying my lap while I work.  We give each other love eyes all day, so I guess we're happy.  LOL

Added bonus is that when I go downstairs to swatch I'm not having to battle him off my lap to get anything done.  He wants to sit the closest to my belly when he's on my lap, regardless of who was there first or what I was trying to do, which thankfully isn't a problem at work since I'm at a desk.  What a brat - but a loveable one.  😻

Scar's appointment went well, but...

Scar's appointment went well, but he was already doing better last night so I thought it probably would. We now have anti-nausea and appetite stimulant meds on hand in case this happens again.

I slept on the couch with him last night and am again tonight. He's super hungry from days of not eating, so I have to take him to his special food every few hours. I am so tired from getting up with him so many times over the last few nights.

His diarrhea is improving, but he's a mess. I'm having to wipe his butt after he poops because it's sprays all over. He just used the litter box, but got poop all over his feet and tracked it through the house, so it was super fun cleaning him and the mess. I'm looking forward to his poop firming up again. Once I feel like he's not having such urgent poops I'll move him to my room. I just don't want to switch up litter box location while he's struggling so much.

Anyway. Fun times. I'm about to try to get some sleep since I know I'll be up a bunch throughout the night. I hope you all are doing well! ❤️

Scar has been licking at food today...

Why is this so funny to me?

Why is this so funny to me? She's just mean mugging /posing in the tub. 😂😂😂