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Saturday, October 24th, 2009
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11:48 am - Monthy post . . . whoops! :-)
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Apparently I haven't been posting much on here, but then I guess grad school really has a hold of me now . . . but all is going well. We're going home for the whole week of Thanksgiving, since we can't make it back for Christmas again due to that blasted basketball tourney, but I strangely don't mind too much; Turkey Day is definitely my favorite holiday, with all the fun and family of Christmas without all the stress.
Although I had my dissertation proposal pretty much written, I think it's definitely an evolving document, so there's more research I need to do, and parts that need to be redone and reworked.
In other news, we have ducks! The minimum order was 10 ducklings, so I got my friend Laura to get some as well, so we each have 5. They arrived back on August 26th, and were so adorable! They're all grown up now, and are thoroughly enjoying our back yard. We have a small pen that we keep them in when we're not around and at night, but other than that, they generally have the run of the back yard. They love the kiddie pool, so now we have to be a bit more careful about letting Sophie get in there if it hasn't been cleaned recently! Fortunately, it's now cold enough out that she doesn't feel the need to jump in to cool off nearly as much as she did earlier in the summer.
We have one Jumbo Pekin(I got jumbo because they were out of regular for some reason) named Daisy-Zilla, one Khaki Campbell named Lily, one Blue Swedish named Violet, one Cayuga named Rosie, and a fawn and white Indian Runner duck named Marigold. :-) Daisy-Zilla is white with orange bill and feet, Lily is pretty shades of brown all over, Violet is a lovely gray with a mottled white breast and gray mottled feet, Rosie is black with iridescent green all over, and Marigold is tan and white with orange feet. She is probably the sweetest and gentlest of them all, and has strangely turned out to be the leader, even though Scott and some other friends thought Daisy would be because of her size. I thought Violet would be because she is sometimes the most aggressive feeder of the group, along with Rosie. They keep us amused, and the dogs have learned to leave them alone, and are outside in the back yard with them a lot now. They still worry about the dogs, but not nearly as badly as they used to.
Some pictures:
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2223234&id=11000473&l=1fc6c415c6
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2220593&id=11000473&l=b725ed17c3
I'll have to take some more pictures of them soon, they've pretty much lost all of their baby fuzz now except for Daisy-Zilla, on the back of her neck.
current mood:  content
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| Tuesday, August 18th, 2009
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6:03 pm - Kitty finds a home!
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Last night on my way home, I found the sweetest, friendliest gray and white youngish (3-6months?) kitten in the parking lot at school. It just about broke my heart to bike home, but I couldn't take him on my bike, and I didn't have my cell phone to call Scott. So we grabbed the cat carrier, and came back to the parking lot, and after a few minutes I found him on the other side of the lot. He was so vocal that I initially thought that he was a young female in heat, but we later determined that despite all that fluff, he had balls. He was pretty thin, not as thin as Darwin when we got him, since he still played with us, and was covered with fleas. So we flea combed him, trimmed his nails 'o' death, and cleaned his ears. Spent a lot of time this morning searching for people who might take him, and spreading the word, and then Logan called to say he got a friend of his to take him! Yay! I probably spent a lot of time that I should have been doing other things finding him a home, but now I can sleep without that adorable face tormenting me, and I know my Mom would approve. Two days after the anniversary of her death, it somehow feels an incredibly fitting tribute to her.
Scott told me this morning that he didn't expect me to actually find a home for the kitten, and that he thought we'd end up keeping him! Darwin is underfoot enough as it is though, and I don't need another one doing that! Our house is just too small for any more than three cats - and that's enough pet hair for me to keep up with! I also have a backup in case this one doesn't work out, so that's good as well. I just love happy endings! :-)
current mood: content
current music: The Rascals - Good Lovin'
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| Thursday, August 13th, 2009
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2:02 am - Insomnia and missing Mom
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So many times I just want to share things in my life with her, tell her about the flowers, the funny things that Darwin does, how wonderfully things are going with Scott, and just the silly everyday stuff that we used to talk about. I want to hear about what she did when she was in my place when Pop was in grad school, what she used to make for dinner back then, and what she and Pop used to do for fun when they were our age. I love Scott's mom to death, and she is like a second mom to me, but she's not MY mom.
Mom was just so strong and vital and smart and I just hate that fucking cancer so much sometimes . . . I think I could give Allan's cancer lab a really good pep talk sometime if they ever need one . . .
I really miss home too, I keep daydreaming about possible towns to settle in when we move back.
Just been having a rough couple of days, not being able to sleep much, feeling frustrated with working on files at school, when I'd much rather be working on my dissertation research, and figuring out protocols for that . . . getting really sick of the cat(s) shitting on the rug downstairs and having to clean that up, Scott working really long hours and me not being able to pick up the slack. Trying to keep up with the dog and cat hair and feeling like I need to vacuum all the time, the plants that have been on the deck, needing planting for MONTHS that are still not in the ground, and really REALLY missing Tango, riding, and horses in general, wanting badly to get ducks, even though it would mean doing a lot to the fences to make sure that they couldn't get out in the road.
I keep saying someday, but when is someday going to get here? Why not now? Why keep putting life off when I know all too well how quickly it can pass out of your grasp? Why not extend that wonderful happiness we got by adopting Darwin? Hmmmmmmm
Anyways, I think I'm starting to feel better now. Perhaps a short snuggle with the cat and then I'll be off to bed.
current mood:  sad
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| Wednesday, August 5th, 2009
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4:01 pm - What a sweet husband I have!
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This song always makes me think of when Scott and I were first dating, and had the worst time saying goodbye to each other! :-) Ah sweet, memories! I just came on my iTunes, so I had to post about it.
( I don't want you to go! )
In other news, I found out that my Anchor purity plastic wrap does NOT contain BPA! Yay! Had to call the manufacturer, but it was worth it.
current mood:  loved
current music: I will Always Love you - Whitney Houston
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| Tuesday, July 7th, 2009
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3:21 pm - I've been thinking . . .
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| Thursday, June 18th, 2009
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12:05 am - Missing Scott, etc
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Wow, I haven't posted in ages! I've been pretty busy though. We went strawberry picking on Sunday, and tonight I finally canned the strawberry jam I made, and got some laundry washed, though I haven't hung it all out yet. Still kinda debating that, since I'm pretty tired, and there's a 30% chance of thunderstorms. I am probably going to be getting a late start at school anyways though, since I need to mail the father's day things if I want them to get back to NH in time! I also thing it's time for me to get some new socks. And perhaps tie-dye some of them! :-)
School-wise, things are going quite well, I have a script, written in python, that extracts thermochron data! Quite excellent. It now takes a double-click and about 2 seconds to do to a whole folder full of files, what used to take me about 5 mins to do to ONE file! Problem is, I have to organize all the files! Some are missing, some are named incorrectly, so I figure it out, then copy and paste my program to the folder, double-click, and tah dah! Done! I'm still getting a thrill out of using it too, that second I wait for the new file to show up, I think about how wonderful it is that I don't have to do that by hand anymore! Trivers, one of the white-throats out at the aviary, built a nest, but no eggs yet, and today the nest was wet, so I don't think she's spending a lot of time sitting on it. I have a feeling that she thinks predation risk is too high her area, since there are some mice that have tunnels below the wire netting on the ground, and partially that the bug population in that cage isn't high enough, since we only got the wax worms today. Those are both reasons that birds will forego raising broods, and I suspect that's what she did. I am a bit surprised that she built the nest, but who knows, perhaps she has other reasons for not laying eggs.
Scott's off at NATA this week, should be home Sunday, and then Dan is coming to visit next week! So exciting! Our first friend visit from back home! (Sorry Lois, yours didn't count since you were moving from Oklahoma! :-) ) It sure would be nice if some of MY family would come visit . . . but I'm not going to hold my breath on that one! I'm keeping pretty busy though, so it's not too bad, plus I can call him if I need to! Yay for cell phones and towers!
I wanted to take the dogs to the park today too, but that didn't happen, hopefully tomorrow, but we'll see.
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| Wednesday, May 27th, 2009
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3:25 pm - Stopping Global warming = saving money + better economy!
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Think reining in global warming pollution will destroy our economy? Think again.
$900: The net amount of money the average U.S. household would save in 2030 on their energy bills—including $580 on transportation costs and $320 on electricity, natural gas, and heating oil—if Congress enacts the smart climate policies UCS recommends.
$255 billion: The amount of money businesses and consumers could save in 2030 on electricity, natural gas, home heating oil, and transportation costs—if Congress enacts the smart climate policies that UCS recommends.
$1.7 trillion: The amount of money the United States would save from 2010 to 2030—if Congress enacts comprehensive climate policy that includes a cap on heat-trapping carbon emissions as well as a package of energy and transportation policies.
So what are we waiting for?
Good Question.
Source(Email from Union of Concerned Scientists)
current mood: chipper
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| Wednesday, May 20th, 2009
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5:21 pm - Last day . . . for a while
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So today is really my last day of work up here in Cranberry Lake, at least until this fall, when I come back to help with GPSing. I think I've lost some weight, and definitely earned my food today, hiking all over the place with a pretty heavy pack. I still need to pack and try to get my notebook entered, but I doubt I"ll get that last bit done before I leave tomorrow. If I can get to bed on time, I'll still get up with everyone at 4am, and that should get me on the road early, and hopefully I'll be within cell phone range by the time Scott wakes up. I can't wait to talk to him again! And see Sophie and let her know I didn't abandon her! I feel bad for Scott, but I feel particularly guilty about Sophie, since I can't explain it to her, and let her know I'll be home soon. Poor dog is probably going to go beserk when I get there. She'll just have to wait until I finish kissing Scott though . . . ;-)
So when I get back, I'll be spending lots of time at school again, getting data organized, formatted and extracted, and maybe even analyzed! :-D That would be awesome. Should be definitely doable this summer, especially if this program we're looking at pans out . . . cross your fingers! :-)
Now, time to pack and get dinner.
current mood: chipper
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| Thursday, May 14th, 2009
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6:28 pm - another cranberry lake update!
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Today, I finally finished my paper and final exam for Community Ecology! Yay! I didn't know what a weight that was on my shoulders until I finished it! I just feel so relieved now, and I can move on to what I need to get done this summer. Hopefully I'll be meeting with my advisor while we're up here so that I can start working on what I need to do for this summer while I'm back in Terre Haute. I feel bad that I'll be leaving here in like a week or so, but at the same time, I can't wait to get back to the husband and pets! :-) The sunsets here are beautiful, since the whole campus sits on the East side of the lake, and most of the cabins face west. After taking a look at the maps, and having a couple of tours through google earth, I've found that it's incredibly easy to navigate here. I think, even though I haven't had a chance yet, that I would have no problem cutting across country to get from one place to another. It definitely helps that I have no aversion to hills, and it feels really good to get the blood flowing in the morning by hiking upgrade to the study sites. That first week and a half of not being able to talk to Scott really sucked, but now that we have a time every day to chat, it's oh so much better. Not as good as being able to snuggle at night, but still better than it was. It is really strange not having him here, and being able to read my mind before I speak it. I can't say, "Hand me that thingy please," anymore, and expect to get the right object. He really is my other half, and I feel like we are truly extensions of each other, which is the coolest, most wonderful thing ever. It was, however, hard for me to be able to admit that to myself at first, being as independent as I am. But it's true, and I love it! :-) So now I"m going to wash the dishes, and then go check on my boots and see if they need some more snoseal on them, and perhaps knit a row or two and watch Lost with Sarah and Nate before bed.
I miss and love you so much Scott!! :-*
current mood: relieved
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| Tuesday, May 12th, 2009
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8:12 pm - Cranberry Lake, NY
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So I'm now (finally with internet, long LONG story) in Cranberry Lake, NY and it's very strange, because it feels like home, biotically speaking, but at the same time, home feels like where ever Scott is, and so I now feel torn between Terre Haute, and New Hampshire, which is a very odd feeling indeed! I did find a yellow trillium, which is probably the oddest thing I've seen here.
It can be a bit stressful at times, but I think that will be much better now that we have internet because I'll be able to talk to Scott. It's terrible, I feel like my right arm is gone, and for someone who has been very independent all her life, it's a very upsetting feeling!
I really need to take a shower and get to bed, but I wanted to stay online on the off chance that Scott might get home early from work. And yes, I now hit the hay right around 9pm! This makes more sense when you remember I now get up at 4:15am to go watch birds every morning. My back is really tired right now, and all I can think about sometimes are backrubs and foot massages when I get home! Of course I won't need them as much then, but it'll still be nice. Anyways, feeling a bit better now, though still kinda sad Scott's not online, but I shoudl be able to have a good conversation with him tomorrow! :-)
current mood:  blah
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| Sunday, April 26th, 2009
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11:32 pm - Taking off . . .
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So tomorrow begins the last few days before I'll be off to Cranberry Lake, NY for the first three weeks of the field season, and I feel exhausted already. Logan will probably be moving in while I'm gone, so that means that Scott will probably have to move and organize the desk by himself, which I feel bad about. Also, I finished one of the curtains that go over the pantry/washing machine closet in the kitchen, so that's going to look a bit odd for the next three weeks. But the garden is mostly planted, except for the things I started inside, which will have to wait til I get back to be put outside. They're too small right now anyways. I don't know if it was the potting soil(I got outdoor only soil by mistake) or if I started later than last year(which I"m not sure of), but they don't seem to be growing as fast as they should. Anyroad, I won't have cell service while I"m up there, but I will have internet and Skype, so I'll be able to talk to Scott at least for free! :-) I need to email my bro and see if he might come up anytime while I'm up there. I still don't know if I"ll be taking a school vehicle, or my own, so I may take a quick trip over to NH if I end up taking my own, but who knows! I probably won't til tomorrow at least. I am really excited about this though, it looks like it's going to be a lot of fun, plus I'll be out of Indiana for THREE WHOLE WEEKS!!! :-) I feel bad that Scott won't be, but can't do much about that. Anyways, time for a shower and bed!
current mood:  tired
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| Saturday, March 28th, 2009
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2:27 pm - long overdue update
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School has been keeping me rather busy, but I am taking a little time today to breathe and stuff, so I figured I'd post. Last weekend, or a couple weekends ago, we planted a flowering quince, a couple of little lavender plants, two forsythias, 4 rhubarb plants, 20 strawberries, two astilbes, a trillium, a fern, a wood geranium, a trout lily, another clematis(red for Scott), and then this weekend, my friend Laura gave us three huge gooseberry bushes, and sometime next week she's bringing some black raspberry bushes! Which will go great with the blackberry, red raspberry, and blueberry bushes I ordered, but haven't come yet! My tomatoes have their first big pairs of leaves, but the peppers aren't up yet, and I still have to plant the Scotch Bonnet, habernero and eggplant seeds. Plus, I just bought a locker hooking tool, so we'll see if anything comes of that. Darwin continues to be hilarious, and just keeps us laughing all the time, plus the girls are getting a lot more exercise being chased(and chasing him) around the house! The dogs are very happy that we're now spending more time outside, and Sophie is thrilled that her kiddie pool is now full, and the birds are happy that their favorite bathing spot is now flowing with water again.
So today I'm hoping to get a little done on my proposal, (it's due for a class April 9), read some papers, and work on another baby blanket(and other small items) for my cousin Tirsa, since she's due soon, and I really need to get them done! :-)
current mood: chipper
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| Wednesday, March 18th, 2009
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2:49 pm - Stop puppy mills!
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| Saturday, February 7th, 2009
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12:01 pm - ahhhhh . . . . .
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Today, I am finally enjoying being home. It's not that I haven't been enjoying myself while here, but I just haven't been here much! Too much work to get done for school . . . and I did bring some of it home this weekend, but I think if I really work at it, I could get it done this afternoon while Scott's at work again.
When I got home last night (before 10pm for once!), I went on a crazy cleaning and organizing spree - and it feels a good deal better now, though I still have a lot to do. I am feeling really happy about where I am in grad school though, so I suppose it's worth it. I'm just so glad I have Scott to fill in the gaps at home when I just can't.
There's lots more I should probably write about, but I need to get some more things done! :-) All is well here though!
current mood: relaxed
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| Tuesday, January 20th, 2009
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8:01 pm - The Inaugeration
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I was teaching Biology Lab while the inaugeration was going on, so I only now watched the inaugeration and speech online. It made me cry with happiness. I can't remember ever having done that before. Even on my wedding day, I was too excited to cry, but for some reason, this speech moved me to tears. Our potential as a country is so huge, and it is so refreshing to have a President who recognizes that. But I think the most important aspect of his entire speech, even though he never said it out loud persay, was that the regime of fear is over. The looking over your shoulder, and wondering who is watching you is gone. Hope has replaced fear, and it is the most beautiful thing I have ever felt.
current mood:  hopeful
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| Tuesday, December 23rd, 2008
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9:09 pm - Waiting for Scott to get off the phone, so Meme!
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If you could have one thing right now, what would it be? a Teleporter
How do you style your hair? braid(usually) or ponytail, anything to get it out of the way!
What's the last book you read? I'm still in the middle of the Carolina Parakeet book
What are you wearing now? slippers, pajama pants, long underwear, turtleneck and wool cardigan
What one physical feature would you change if you could? I hate my toes, other than that, more muscle mass
What are your plans for today? Seeing as today is mostly over, finish the movie, make one more catnip mouse, and then tomorrow, box up presents - but they probably won't make it to the PO til after Christmas.
Who was the last person you hugged? Scott
If you had to receive the same (affordable) gift, besides money, from everyone you know on your next birthday, what would you want? Their favorite recipe, or smartwool socks
Name one vacation spot you could visit every year and never tire of? Grey Gulls, Ogunquit, ME
How long does it take you to get ready in the morning? Couple hours. This does include however, breakfast for me and 3 cats, two dogs, plus fish. Dressing and stuff probably 1/2 hr.
Name three of your favorite movies: The Gods Must be Crazy, Benny and Joon, Ice Age
What's the last movie you watched? We're in the middle of White Squall
What time is your usual bedtime? between 11 and 2
If you could add one room onto the house that would serve any unique purpose you desired, what would the room be? OOOOO Solarium with lots of plants! (duh)
What is your favorite weather? Sunny, partly cloudy, light breeze
What's your dream career? College/Highschool Prof/Sheep farmer/Mom
What images were in your mind when you fell asleep last night? no idea
What brings you joy? love, community, critters underfoot
If you could go back to one time in your life as an observer, when would it be? When I spilled hot coffee on myself when I was two
What's your favorite food? Lobster
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| Monday, December 8th, 2008
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5:24 pm - long overdue update
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So it's been a really long time since I've had the chance to update, but that's because I've been busy! :-)
We were home for an all-too-brief respite over Thanksgiving, but greatly enjoyed being in familiar places, surrounded by friends and family. Gosh we miss you all!
That being said, the sad news is that we won't be able to make it home for Christmas. Scott has to work on the 23rd and the 26th, so it's just not really feasible. So now I need to work on mailing boxes to people (plus the Christmas letter, and finishing making presents).
More to come at some point, but right now I need to study more!
current mood:  busy
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| Tuesday, November 18th, 2008
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7:36 pm - Madly procrastinating from making the handout for tomorrow . . .
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WITNESS PROTECTION NAME: (mother's & father's middle names)
Tetherly Edward (WTF??)
NASCAR NAME: (first name of your mother's dad, father's dad)
Edgar Ralph
STAR WARS NAME: (the first 2 letters of your last name, first 4 letters of your first name)
BoJenn
DETECTIVE NAME: (favorite color, favorite animal)
Purple Hoatzin
SOAP OPERA NAME: (middle name, city where you live)
Terre Haute (No middle name!)
SUPERHERO NAME: (2nd favorite color, favorite alcoholic drink, optionally add "THE" to the beginning)
The Green Mudslide
FLY NAME: (first 2 letters of 1st name, last 2 letters of your last name)
Jell
GANGSTA NAME: (favorite ice cream flavor, favorite cookie):
Moosetracks Gingersnap
ROCK STAR NAME: (current pet's name, current street name)
Sophie, Gracie, Mona, Mary, Sharkbait, Nemo, Richard, Steve McQueen or Darwin Liberty (Take your pick) I think I like Sharkbait Liberty
PORN NAME: (1st pet, street you grew up on)
Winnie Fernwood Farms
current mood: amused and tired
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| Friday, November 7th, 2008
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8:49 am - Darwin the Kitten!
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So one night, while working late at the lab (AKA watching SNL on the great internet connection) my friend Marisa found me, and said, remember that cat that was loose in the building earlier? It's a kitten, and we caught it! So of course I went down to their lab to see, and they couldn't take him home with them because their apartment building doesn't allow cats. So I pretty much HAD to take him home, so I called Scott, and of course we decided to keep him, since we'd already decided that before we left Terre Haute, we were going to adopt one of the many cats we see roaming the streets. So here are pictures of Darwin! :-) He's the sweetest thing, just skin and bones til we pull a Mona on him(AKA fatten him up), and as soon as he's got enough on him, he goes to get tutored! Scott took him to the vet and got him shot the morning after we got him, so he's all set! Scott says to say he weighs 3.9 pounds(this morning) at the vet, and he's just been purring, and rubbing, and loving being held and fed! He's already eaten more than a can and a half of cat food! (Which Scott says is like him eating 50lbs of food!) So he's doing well . . . and is very busy keeping my lap warm right now! Mona is slightly jealous, but also motherly, and Sophie really likes him, and has been really gentle with him, and he seems to like her! At least enough to rub on her chest! Mary appears to be a bit offended and/or sulking, but I think she'll pull out of it pretty soon. We're pretty happy, and I think he is too!
Click on photo for a few more pictures!
current mood: cheerful
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| Friday, October 31st, 2008
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9:14 pm - I came, I saw, I voted!
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So yesterday, Scott and I got our driver's licenses, and today, I voted! It was awesome. So glad it's all over, and now I can tell people when they call, nevermind, I've already voted! It was a bit depressing, losing that last little tie to New Hampshire, but it had to be done. Looking at my list, and the shelves downstairs, I've managed to put away quite a bit! A lot of that will be Christmas presents, but things like the tomato sauce probably won't be. No trick-or treaters yet, but I haven't been home very long, and probably won't be for much longer; though I'd really like to go to Jessy's party, it's so far away, and by the time I get there, I'd need to head back since I have to get up early and get a lot of things done tomorrow. Before 3pm, when I have to go watch the crows coming into Terre Haute from about 20 miles into Illinois. Ah well. Scott is gone tonight because the girl's volleyball team is at regionals, and apparently they're pretty far away, so he'll probably be home late tomorrow night, especially if they win the first round at noon - then they play at 7pm. If he left at 7pm, which he probably won't, he'd get home at the earliest, 10pm I think. Poor kid forgot his iPod here, not sure what he was doing with that.
I think I may just put the truck away and finish grading today's quizzes, fix the maps up a little better, and then hit the hay.
current mood: tired
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