Even though I didn't sleep until after 8 this morning...

Even though I didn't sleep until after 8 this morning I did finally get some rest.  After that I decided to get moving or I knew I'd be glued to the couch the rest of the day.

I did my chores right away so all of the animals were cleaned and fed.  After that Shaun and I cleaned and rearranged the kitchen a bit.  It's nothing huge, but it looks nicer and we have more counter space.  We also installed an under-cabinet light and that definitely brightens things up.

I also emptied my fish tank.  I haven't had a fish since Salamander died a few months back, but my Marimo still lived there.  The tank had gotten pretty overrun with algae and didn't look very nice, but my Marimo are good.  I cleaned them and have them in a small tub of water.  The cats keep drinking out of them.  I guess they make it taste good.  😆  I'm looking for a 5 gallon tank to put them in if anyone has one available.  I have larger and smaller ones, but a 5 is the Goldilocks size I'd like to use right now.  I'm up for trading or buying for cheap if anyone is interested.  Please let me know!

Other than that we saw the kids today.  Kira made a delicious Tres Leches and we hung out and I painted her nails.  I also photographed my nails that I did the other day.  Maybe I'll post them.  They aren't mind-blowing nail art, but I love the shape and think they are decent - considering how long it's been since I've done anything to them.

I hope you all are doing well.  ❤

Welcome aboard my emotional roller-coaster.

I was sitting on the couch working on school stuff. Music suddenly starts playing... and it sounds like it's coming from inside the house, but Shaun is asleep. I go check on things in the direction of the sound. Club Soda (aka Calypso) [a cat for those who are unfamiliar] has started playing a Tool video on the Google Home Hub in the kitchen. She looks quite pleased with herself.

I got a video clip, but during it I also discovered that my fish, Salamander, has passed away, so I'm not posting it.

Shaun and I have both been cleaning...

Shaun and I have both been cleaning and organizing for the last few days. I don't care how lame this sounds, but I'm THRILLED with my "craft" closet. I have all of my jewelry and supplies in there. I also have packing materials, wrapping paper, tissue paper, gift bags, etc. in there; all organized and easily accessible. I told the kids and Shaun not to buy packaging for special occasions because I have us covered. Much of it is recycled because I can't bear to throw pretty things away. I just can't stand waste. I mean how would anyone know that the tissue paper in their gift bag was crinkled before? They wouldn't.

The other big thing I did was organize my nail polish stuff. The polish itself was sorted by color a few years ago with the help of Janet, but I've gotten a few gels over the last couple of years, as well as the chrome powders and transfers that you can use with them. I didn't realize that I had so many foils, either. That situation was pretty out of hand but it's under control now. In any case all of my gel stuff is sorted and I kind of feel inspired to do some nail art. I still have some things to accomplish around here first, though. We'll see.

Aside from that the only things worth mentioning are that I moved my betta (Salamander), into the kitchen, and our tarantula (Anansi), into the living room. I would like to buy some new shelves for my bedroom because the ones I have are very old and sagging under the weight of my plants and books, but that's not urgent (hopefully).

It feels nice to be doing things I care about. I'm pretty bummed that Shaun has to go back to work tomorrow but the time off was good for him. I've enjoyed spending time with him and the kids. And snuggling my old puppies on the couch. And having my cats home (we got them from the kids' house recently).

Things have been going surprisingly well considering that there are now 10 cats (yes, ten! 😲) in this house. Shaun's biggest worry was that they would pee everywhere, but we clean the boxes every day and it hasn't been an issue. Aside from the expected initial hissing everyone is getting along. I've missed Balthazar grooming my nails and Tobi (Orange) hopping around with his adorable no-tail having self. I've missed love bug Adrian and the weird way she drapes herself over the arm or back of the couch. I've missed Scar less because he was more Shadow's cat, but they'll be reunited soon. Anyway, it's good. I feel whole. ❤️

I just found one of my bettas dead. 😭

I just found one of my bettas dead. 😭 Rest in peace, Saul. I'm going to miss seeing you lounge on the marimo. 💔

This morning I saw my betta, Saul...

I've never been good with plants or water animals...

I've never been good with plants or water animals. Currently, I have two bettas who blow bubble nests and live with marimo balls, and all seems well. The only other plant I've ever kept alive is Bob, my Dragon Tree, who came with my house and I doubted he was even a real plant for the longest because he didn't immediately die. 😂😂😂 We're going on 12 years together, and he's even got some baby Dragon Trees sprouting, so I'm going to try branching out a little, myself. 😛

I love the way succulents look, so that's what's up. I have had various succulents as my screensaver for the last few years because they are just beautiful and magical to me. I'm also trying some air plants because they are supposed to be easy. We shall see. I hate to admit that I have killed cactus plants and bamboo before, and as a child, an air plant once. 😞 I am determined to do better this time.

Both Shaun and Dinorah have gotten me succulents recently (not pictured yet, but soon). This is my haul from Lowe's this evening. Now all I need is some bamboo and I'll be set (my birthday is tomorrow - just sayin'. LOL) Anyway, I'm off to do some more reading about my new family members. 🌱🌵🌿😍

Both of my bettas have made bubble nests.

I need this...

I need this since I suck at ACTUALLY keeping live water animals.

Laurel and Emily and Jennifer, look at it!  😳

Just found my little froggie dead.

Just found my little froggie dead.  Damn.  I can't keep anything wet or even semi-wet alive.  DONE.  Just done.  🙁

Well, Josephins died this evening.

Well, Josephins died this evening.  I even went to PetSmart and bought her new meds today.  🙁

I am sad.

So I just checked on my little froggie...

So I just checked on my little froggie... he's lightening up!  Now he really looks like a Leopard Frog.  Before he was so dark I wasn't really sure.  How cool!

Also, I haven't forgotten about photographing him - he just won't stay un-hidden long enough for me to!

Damn it, I am SO DONE with fish.

Damn it, I am SO DONE with fish.

After I bought that little bristlenose pleco I was SO HAPPY.  He cleaned the hell out of my tank and was pretty adorable.  But I found him dead this morning and Josie isn't looking great, either.  I'm gonna take her water to PetSmart to be tested today.  I put some stuff that is supposed to kill parasites and "ick" (whatever the hell that is) in her tank for now.  I hope she doesn't die.

Would it be a better idea to just move her to a fish bowl with some freshly prepared water?  She's in a 10 gallon now, but I don't think I have time to clean it out right now.  I have to get to an appointment.

He's also got a live plant now. 🙂

Well, I cleaned up little froggie's house and put him on lighter rocks so I could see him.  He's also got a live plant now.  🙂

The downside:  He's staying hidden in the plant so I can't even photograph him.  😂😂😂

He's still in a tiny tank, but he's tiny so I don't think he cares.  Laurel's sending me a big froggie house in a couple of weeks so he'll get all hooked up and fancy soon.  I've never kept a frog that wasn't completely aquatic so I'm trying to figure out this whole half water / half ground thing.  So far I've just got his rocks piled up high on one side so he can get out of the water if he wants to.  He seems ok with that.  🙂

I didn't do my nails last night.

Well.  I didn't do my nails last night.  I didn't do ANYTHING.  I felt tired so I thought, "I'll take a nap."  

Yeah... I just woke up.  😂😂😂  That's ok because my schedule for the last few weeks has been JACKED UP.  I really needed to get back on track so this is a good start.  🙂

No idea what to do with myself since I'm awake so early.  Maybe I'll clean my house, move my froggie, and cut some grass.  THEN do my nails.  Froggie and nails are definitely happening today - no matter what.  But the other stuff would be nice to have done.  I like it when my house and yard look... presentable at the least.  😃

Holy crap!  If I get my stuff done maybe I can walk my lizards!  I think I just got excited.  😃  Taking my girls outside is the BEST thing about the heat and sun.  They love it.  I don't, but I love them so it's TOTALLY WORTH IT.  😃

Oh my gosh!

Oh my gosh!  Mystery Tadpole barely has a tail left!  And his nose is getting more pointy!  Photos later today.  Maybe we can tell what he's going to be.  😃

Also, little bristlenose pleco has been BUSY.  You can see all of the places where he's cleaned the algae up.  I know I'll have to clean the tank more to keep his poops cleaned out, but at least I'll still be able to see in.  Scrubbing algae off the tank every few days is just crazy.

Anyway, off to work.  Feeling mostly normal-ish so far today.  😃

Mystery Tadpole is near the top of his pile of rocks...

Mystery Tadpole is near the top of his pile of rocks with his nose out of the water.  Aww!  ❤

Yesterday was great. It was JUST WHAT I NEEDED. 😃

Yesterday was great.  It was JUST WHAT I NEEDED.  😃

My friends Laurel and Emily came and spent the day.  They are animal people, too, so it was really nice to be with people who GET ME on that level.  Unfortunately, it is so rare for me these days.  🙁  Y U NO LIVE CLOSE TO ME???!!!

We did lunch at Panera, and later went to Petco, and finished the night with some IHOP.  At Petco I got some plants and an albino bristlenose pleco for my betta tank.  I wanted one of those because they stay small.  My tank is right by a window, so I'm growing crazy amounts of algae.  😳  He will have plenty to eat.  🙂  Also, Laurel brought me a little tadpole.  We're not sure what kind he is.  He was shipped in with the goldfish where she works so she took him out.  I guess we'll see how he turns out.  That should be interesting.  He has arms, legs and a tail right now.  SO CUTE!

We hung out with the fur-kids, obviously, and Laurel brought her tortoise Clover - who is a FUCKING TRIP.  Such personality.  Just wow.  That girl is FUNNY.  😃  She definitely has to come back again.  I will just have to make sure I vacuum first.  She was all, "This dog hair and fuzz is MINE.  You can't have it.  I will put my head in my shell so you can't take it.  I WILL EAT ALL THE THINGS."  😂😂😂  Since my vacuum wasn't working I had to call Shaun and borrow his.  To keep the tortoise from being bad.  😃

Of course we did nails, and hung out, and talked, and watched movies... regular girl stuff, I guess.  But with animals so that made it x1000 better.  Ladies, we HAVE to do this again.  Come back anytime!  ❤

So I went to let the dogs out and found...

So I went to let the dogs out and found Casper snoozing on his back, legs up in the air, without a care in the world.  It was quite adorable.  😃  Too bad I didn't see him before I made noise and woke him up!  I would have grabbed the camera!

Here is some bad news:  I found my little frog dead yesterday.  I don't have any idea what happened, but he was floating belly-up.  That's a real bummer.  I loved to hear him sing at night.  🙁

To end on a happier note:  I have no idea how many roaches I have now.  Like, they are BLOWING THROUGH some food.  I will admit that I've been too busy to just observe them like I used to, but if I put food in a few days later it is all gone.  It used to take a lot longer - like close to two weeks.  Also, I haven't fed more than 20 or so to my lizards because I was trying to let my colony grow.  I hear them scuttling around in there and it makes me wonder how many I have now.  That is VERY exciting.  😃  Maybe I'll open it up and peek in soon.  It's still hard to tell, though because they hide.

Anyway.  I'm getting hungry.  Catch you later, Internet!

Well, Ruckus is dead. 🙁

Well, Ruckus is dead. 🙁

RIP, big fella. You were my favorite big fish. ❤

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