Her name is Stella...

and she's a doll. Her and Nick seem to have hit it off and I think she likes me pretty well, too. She likes to give kisses and lovings and she's just sweet as can be. Scooty seems a bit... distressed... since her arrival, but I think after a few days things will smooth out. He's never been around a ferret before and he's acting much the same way as he did when he first met the hedgehog. It must be their strong odor... he doesn't seem at all bothered by anyone else... except the sugar gliders when they started barking last night. (Yes, gliders bark on occasion... little tiny barks - like baby puppies. It's so cute!) 😍 But anyway, here are a few pics of our newest family member. 😁

She'd just woken up...

Here's a few of her and the Nick-Daddy...

She is SO kissing him in this picture!

Goofing off... 😁

"Play with me!"

Looking sweet. 😍

Can you believe someone didn't want her?! She was in two other homes (that we know of) before she came to us. I can't imagine not loving her. *sigh*

Season-related things...

I haven't blogged in a while, but I have a lot to say, so I'll break this one down for ya:

Christmas

That went over pretty well despite how broke we've been. Shadow only got a few presents from me and Nick, (and Santa), but they were good ones. We had no idea this was going to be the case, but he made out like a li'l bandit... my family's not rich or anything, but he really racked up. We were shocked.

We bought Scooty a flavored bone for Christmas and he's been so funny with that thing. He chewed on it for a good solid hour as soon as we gave it to him, then put it down. I picked it up to carry it into another room with us and when I gave it back to him he ran around whimpering (sounding very distraught), looking for a place to hide it. I suppose I shouldn't have picked it up the first time - but for the record it wasn't hidden very well so I didn't know that's what he was trying to do. 😂  He's never been that way with anything we've ever given him so this bone must be special. He's been checking on it for the last few days to make sure it's still where he left it. I know not to touch it this time. He's so funny.

So all in all Christmas was good... the only thing that could've made it any better would have been if Santa had brought me what I asked for - which was a fence and my li'l bro home. (Neither of which I got, btw). I must've been bad this year.

Now... a rant about those bell-ringers...

I know those people don't get paid to ring the bells for the Salvation Army so it must be that they are just crazy-dedicated to what they do (seeing as how they'll stand out in the frickin' cold and junk by their own choice). And I know why they pick the holiday season to get out and do that (which, btw, I think is complete BS - for 1, people are more broke around the holidays, and 2, you should want to help year-round. I'm just saying...) Either way I hate having to walk by them... I don't like the bell sounds, I don't like touching real money to give them, I don't like feeling guilty when I'm truly strapped myself and have nothing to give.

And what about if you go to multiple places in one day and give to the first one? You know those people judge you. You know they're standing out there thinking, "That little bitch is going into Wal-Mart / the mall / insert name of business here. I know she has money; otherwise, she wouldn't be going in." If you say you already gave I'm sure they think that's just an excuse... so you're stuck dodging them again.

I went to the mall a few weeks ago and one of those "jinglers" was outside on my way in... but I didn't see him when I was on my way out... I was so paranoid that guy was going to jump out at me all ninja-style with that bell and scare the hell out of me. I probably would've handed him my purse and ran. I doubt the Salvation Army would approve of those methods... but hey, they let people stand out in the cold to make other people feel guilty so who knows??

Life in General

I'm pretty stressed with this whole school thing and I have a sinus infection. I haven't felt motivated enough to write, either. Oh, and I'm still laid off. On top of that I haven't accomplished anything other than watching almost 3 entire seasons of "Scrubs" with Nick (in about 2 weeks). Our sleep schedule is wayyy off, and there's tons of stuff that needs to be done around here - none of which we've even started on. Well, at least we're getting a nice little vacation. Really, I'm enjoying this while it lasts. Oh, and New Year's isn't a damn holiday... (just had to get that out of my system).

THE END.

My boys...

good :)

Well, today I'm feeling much better. No hurting abdomen, no grumblecakes about missing work, no gripes about a bleeding tongue, no negative here today. I woke up extremely excited about the day. It was my first day volunteering with the animal shelter and I had a blast. I went to PetSmart to help with the Santa pet pictures and it was so much fun. I ended up taking most of the pictures which was fine. I got to pet and play with a lot of cute fuzzies much to my delight. There were a few that I just won't forget.

There was a cat named Cuddlebug and she was precious. She was "kneading" with her little paws all over the place... she seemed wayyy happy. She was pretty too... she had long-ish fur and big bright eyes... I swear she was acting like I've heard that people get when they take ecstasy... I've never seen it, but that's what it make me think of (the stories, that is). Also, there was a black dog named Gizmo... she was adorable in a very off-beat kind of way (in my opinion - the best kind of way...) She had weird fur... where ever you put it it stayed. She took her Santa picture with a mohawk. 😂 It was adorable. There were also a few baby babies... little puppies so fresh that they didn't have names yet. One was a pit bull who was just trying to catch a nap... poor girl - as soon as she drifted off in her owner's arms she was handed to Santa. It made for a very cute picture, though... she stayed however we put her. I guess she was just too tired to move. Ahh... that was big fun for me.

So anyway when I got home we decided we needed to do some Christmas shopping for Shadow. We raided a bit of the money we had saved for various things we needed / wanted and got him a few things. Nothing too major seeing as how we won't be working for two weeks, but I think we made the most of it. Me and Nick are very excited about this... (and don't tell Shadow or I'll kill you...) but Santa's bringing him a Gameboy Micro. Also, we got him a moon for his room... it goes through the cycles like the real moon. I think that's pretty cool... he's very into outer space right now and also that will make a good nightlight for him.

So yeah, today's been pretty good... it was nice to get out and go help the animals... it was time to myself, time doing something I enjoyed, and time spent doing something I cared about. It was also a relief to get most of the Christmas crap out of the way. I was so worried that we wouldn't be able to get him anything good... but I should've known better. Me and Nick always manage to pull something off - in this case he's getting quality - not quantity as far as gifts. I feel pretty good about that. Speaking of... it was really nice to drop Shadow off at Grandmother's and shop with Nick. It wasn't "crazy-rushing-around-in-a-panic" shopping... it was more laid back and it was fun. ... So yep, that was my good day.

So if you thought what I thought...

then guess what:  We're wrong. So I'm not getting those ferrets... after my work friend told me that her friend said I could have them her friend turned right around and gave them to someone else. My work friend seemed more upset than I was... I mean - initially I was bummed out, but I didn't lose sleep over it or anything. I've got enough creatures that I love (and that love me right back) so it's no big deal, really. I pretty much welcome any creature that needs a home (that I can reasonably take care of) with open arms, but I'm not hell bent on having a ferret right now... I was just excited at the thought that I was getting two for free. (I love them, but those things are expensive, you know.)

So yeah - I think I've thought of something I'd rather do (if ferrets do not fall into my lap before then.) I found a ferret shelter in Georgia and I wouldn't mind helping out a ferret or two. The adoption fees you end up paying go toward taking care of the ferrets that are not adopted yet and I like the idea of that. Of course since I'm broke-ass this endeavor must wait until sometime (hopefully in the beginning) of the coming year. That'll give me something to look forward to (and motivation to not run up more debt lest I can't afford to adopt anyone.)

Also (this is completely un-related) I need to tell you about this:  (^_^) ← You see that? Anyone who checks Shadow's page regularly knows that I don't let him on the Internet much... he's usually got homework to do or is grounded for whatever reason. But anyway he brought home a paper that he'd made a 100 on and instead of "☺" he has "(^_^)" drawn on his paper. ?!?!?! Alrighty then. So begins the myspace-ization of Saks Elementary. That did not take long. Be afraid. Be VERY afraid. 👀😂

Me and Thing 1

I love...

my little opossum girl. She is the sweetest thing, EVAR. I love it when I pick her up and she makes her little happy chirpy sounds. I love it when she curls up in my hand and washes her little face. I love it when she chews her back toes... her back feet look like hands (did you know opossums have two opposable toes?) I like feeding her baby banana food with a spoon. I love how she creeps around all the time, regardless. Naming her "The Sneak" was so appropriate. I love it when she looks up at me and sniffs towards my face. I love it when she curls up and looks comfy in my hands and yawns really big. I love the way, (when she walks around on me), she grabs my finger with her tail. She has wrapped it around my heart, also. I am totally smitten with a opossum. 😍