I didn't skate today like I'd planned to.

I didn't skate today like I'd planned to. My body is a little sore and I was really more into cleaning and checking other stuff off my to-do list during the good daylight hours. That's not exciting, but sometimes it's hard for me to switch gears. Better to get SOME things done than waste the day trying to change my mind. I already know how stubborn I am. 😂😂😂 

This evening I removed some old chipping polish from my nails, cut and filed them, pushed my cuticles, moisturized like crazy, and re-painted my nubs. After a week of cleaning and organizing my nail plates my poor fingernails were dry and broken and peeling and sad. I hate it when I let them get in that shape; it literally just FEELS bad to my body.

You'd think that with as excited as I am about getting my nail plates organized I'd be dying to get my nails super fancy. I am; however, my stamping polish is still packed away and it's a whole thing to dig it out. I've got some drawers coming on Friday and I'm planning to get my nail stuff (except for the rest of my polish) unpacked and organized. Polish comes last... I need a(nother) giant, sturdy shelf before I start (or finish?) that endeavor. 😬

Anyway. I feel better. Except that Rose and I both have doctor appointments tomorrow and skate practice is tomorrow and I haven't tried my speed skates yet. I kind of don't want to show up in them until I know I can use them. It might end up being too hectic of a day to make it to practice, anyway. I'm trying not to stress over it. The person who helped me Sunday probably won't be there and I don't think I can keep up with the group so it might be for the best if I sit this one out. We'll see.

I'm winding down for the evening. Goodnight, friends. ❤️

How is this for a 10 year challenge?

How is this for a 10 year challenge?  I created this group from scratch exactly 10 years ago today.  It has grown to over 12,500 members and helped at least a few pets get home over the years; I know this because I personally got involved at times.  Other times the communities and neighborhoods stepped up and made all of the difference.

For anyone who is unaware - running a group can be a JOB.  Unpaid.  Often thankless.  People get angry when they can't just post whatever they want.  They will get nasty and message you slinging insults.  I've been called both a Democrat and a Trump supporter by different people trying to get a rise out of me.  😂😂😂 It's times like those I have to take a deep breath, put on my "professional / diplomatic" voice, and if that fails, say "Screw it" and block them because I'm not sitting here unpaid AND taking their abuse.

NONE of that even encompasses Facebook and its need to constantly change the way things are done.  I feel like I'm always learning and re-learning how to best keep the group going.  It also doesn't take into consideration that there is no easy way for me to take a break from this site even if I need to; I have a responsibility here.  It's honestly a labor of love and sometimes one that takes more than its fair share out of me.  I've been considering for the last few months giving the group over to a shelter or rescue or someone I could trust, but it hasn't happened yet.  We'll see.

Anyway, it's the 10-year birthday of Happy Tails Lost & Found Pets of Calhoun County.  🥳

I went to a Derby practice this morning.

I went to a Derby practice this morning. It was fun even though I'm light-years behind the other skaters as far as skill goes. One person took me to the side when the group did things I wasn't ready for and helped me improve on some things. She told me to get low, keep my eyes on her, turn more... It was so helpful! It's exactly what I'd hoped for.

Most of the other skaters weren't wearing heeled skates so I think it's time for me to try out these bad boys. I think they'll help me stay low because I'm likely to fall on my ass if I don't. 😂 I put hybrid wheels on these because I'm too nervous to change to an entirely different skate with super hard wheels. I'm planning to take these to the park tomorrow and see how I do. If I can stay upright I'm going to work on my T-stop and transitions like I learned today.

These are my freebies from eBay. I got my new laces and added the toe-guard as well as the mustache that Shaun got me for my birthday. I think they're adorable and I'm pretty excited to see how they do / I do in them. 😁

I finally have photos of our bedroom / my loffice (loft+office).

I finally have photos of our bedroom / my loffice (loft+office). We haven't made it to the decorating stage of moving in yet, but it's getting close.

It's a ridiculously large room and I AM NOT complaining. The door to the left of my loffice leads to the bathroom then through there is a walk-in closet. That's probably a major reason the bedroom itself looks so empty; it's not cluttered up with drawers and other furniture. I'll have to post pics of how the closet is organized when I'm finished with it. It soothes my brain and I love it. 😁

So there are 3 beds in this room - our king-size that we share, my full-size that is the top of the loft, and a twin-size pull-out at the bottom of the loft. When we lived in Anniston and I had my old pack of dogs they slept on the pull-out. I used to love waking up and being able to check on them simply by looking down. Anyway, I'm not trying to get in my feelings right now so back on track I go. 

Shaun and I share this room with our 3 "special" cats:  Sindar (who is the oldest), Ember (who is the scardiest but who is photo-bombing the pics), and Adrian (who is the smallest and sweetest and gets picked on). Their bathroom is in our bathroom and that works out fine. Much better than having litter boxes on the carpet, anyway. 

I'll put captions under the photos with a bit more description for anyone who is interested. Also, the walls are a weird purple / gray that I didn't intend and it looks more or less purple depending on the lighting. We like it, though. Usually. 😂

I took this photo from the bathroom door. Ember wanted to be in it. 😂 Entrance to the room is to the right beside that cool retro table we inherited from Shaun's parents. Poor table is cluttered and holding my plants that I'm trying desperately to make live. I'm working on all of that.

Corner view showing our little balcony. You can probably tell which side of the bed is mine and which is Shaun's. He only sleeps under a sheet and sometimes that thin fuzzy black blanket. I sleep under the sheet, my JSU graduation blanket Shaun bought me, and my weighted blanket that's in the colorful duvet. Sometimes there's even one more blanket on top of me. I like to be mashed while I sleep, I guess. 😂

From the left: bathroom door, loffice, balcony, Ember. Hanging on either side of the balcony are the anniversary gifts Shaun's given me. A paper succulent he made by hand and a Tree of Life (which was on our wedding cake) plant hanger. He's so thoughtful and sweet.

I've been eyeballing these skates for literal months...

I've been eyeballing these skates for literal months and they showed up at my house today. If anything stinks it's me because I'm spoiled. 😂😂😂 Shaun is the sweetest. ❤️

These came with pink wheels and pink laces but I changed them out. I put on the indoor light-up wheels that Shaun got me for my birthday and these laces from my speed skates because they were super too long for those skates, anyway. I added white toe-guards because I love these and don't want to scuff them up. So now I have a super nice, super pretty, super colorful pair of skates for the rink. I just have to hope the pandemic dies down enough that I'm not too scared to go inside places soon. 

I ordered some shorter laces for my speed skates and I'm putting black toe-guards on those when the laces arrive. That'll make the mustache pop. 😃 I think they'll look great. They should have their make-over sometime on Friday.

So I have a pair of skates for every possible occasion now. Outside, inside, speed-skating... I just need to make myself worthy of them. I feel like I've hit a plateau with what I can achieve on my own. Video tutorials have only taken me so far. Now I need people to critique my form and tell me how I'm messing up with new things I try. I'm planning to start attending derby practice now that I'm more steady and confident on my feet.

Anyway, just wanted to show off these beauties. They are so colorful and bright that they made my heart happy today. ❤️

Calypso, aka Club Soda.

Calypso, aka Club Soda.

Hands down the worst cat. 😂

Vanessa Power is feeling thankful with Blu Stephens.

"This amazing lady right here!! Blu Stephens met me at North Domingo Baca skatepark for a roller skating session in the sunshine today, and ended up being my ambulance and personal assistant for the rest of the afternoon. She drove me to the emergency room, entertained another very, very chatty patient in the waiting room, while I did Lamaze breathing in order not to scream profanities due to the pain in my right shoulder. She even managed to make me laugh at moments when I was holding back tears. She then drove me to Walgreen’s to pick up my pain prescription. Drove me back to the skatepark to pick up my car, followed me back to my apartment, and carried all my skate gear upstairs for me. All without a single complaint. All with the patience of a saint. And now she is on call in case I need a ride to the ortho doctor tomorrow. I am humbled and thankful and will give her a huge hug…..when I can lift my right arm again.

Thanks for being a wonderful human! 

Skate buddies forever!"