Vet Visit

I love my rat vet. I called this morning, needing to get in quickly, and they got me in less than 2 hours later! Dylan is not well. We're not sure what's wrong. He may have had a stroke or it may be a pituitary tumor. Whatever happened, it's not good. The poor guy looks terrible, although his color isn't bad and he's eating and drinking, although he has lost weight. He's on medicine. Fortunately he likes it. I think the antibiotic is strawberry flavored-it's a bright pink! Please send Dylan your healing thoughts and prayers. He's a young rat and should have a long life ahead of him. I hope he can still have one.

Vacation

Today I started my vacation. It's just a week, but a week of not dealing with work is a wonderful thing. I don't have any plans. I'll spend a day in Buffalo, spend time at the barn, do stuff around the house. Today I did the one thing I always do on the first day of vacation-make certain that a bottle of Andre Extra Dry Champagne is chilling and pop it open!

Who's Calling Who?

I'm still trying to straighten out my technological woes. My Senior Help Person from Apple is back to work today and I thought he was going to call me as soon as he got in. That should have been about 10 minutes ago. Now I'm wondering...was I supposed to call him? What if I try to call him and he's in the middle of trying to call me? Oh, maybe I'll e-mail him. What stinks is that I have to leave for work in less than an hour and a half. Let's just hope I can get everything sorted out soon!

Photo Phriday - Glimpse of Spring

Migraine

Migraines suck. Mine started last night at work. I came home and took a prescription pill before bed. I woke up this morning with the full blown migraine. I took another pill and it's taking the edge off, but I still feel lousy. I have to go in to work early too. At least it's only an hour and it's for a class, but then 8 and a half hours on the acute ward. Yuck. As I said, migraines suck!

George Harrison My Sweet Lord

Technology Woes

Technology can be a wonderful thing. It can also drive you to drink...or throw things. It all started because I won an e-book. Well, that's not exactly true-the problem was already there-trying to download was just the catalyst. I had too much in my iTunes library on my hard drive. After consulting with Apple I got myself an external hard drive. I followed the instructions e-mailed to me precisely and all looked well. My TV shows were on the external hard drive-so I deleted them from the internal. However, when I went back to check my external-they were all gone!!! Auughhhh. The good news-they were still in my recycle bin. So I called Apple Support again. I described my problem to Kyle-who seemed just as confused as I was by the situation. You know it's bad when you have to get put to the Senior Support Staff. So I talked with Steve. Steve seemed to have a grip of the situation and started me working to fix it. However, he was about to go off duty. He gave me homework and I have to call him today. I did my homework. I moved all the iTunes files-TV, music, books, all of it- to a new folder. He then wanted me to put that folder in the external. I tried-but couldn't get the 2 windows open at the same time and wasn't sure if I was doing it properly. Then....I couldn't find my new folder. I still can't find it. It's somewhere in here. At least, I hope it's somewhere in here. Now I'm just waiting til 9:30 Pacific Time to see if I can get this all sorted out. I don't have much hope to solve it all today-I have to go to work, but we'll see what happens.

Magazines

I love magazines. I'm not the only one either. My friend, Vinnie, wrote about his love for magazines. Another friend has admitted her addiction to magazines. I'm not THAT dedicated. I subscribed to a few magazines, but let those lapse. I wasn't that thrilled with them and decided to save the money. However, what at the grocery store I'd peruse the magazine aisle and look. I'd eventually be tempted and purchase one or two. While Vinnie may prefer more news and gossip style magazines, I tend to fall for the cooking and gardening ones...along with some crafting, animal, and the odd poker magazine. They have so many unique magazines out there. Culture isn't about the arts, but rather cheese! There are magazines devoted to beer, plush toys, teddy bears, and more! Today I couldn't help but buy the latest issue of Hobby Farm Home. Hey- I can learn how to make olive oil and my own cheddar cheese! As Vinnie said, though, magazines are expensive. I've decided that I just may subscribe to a few; the cost, after all, will be less than my periodic grabs at the grocery store! In fact, I just reinstated my subscription to The Herb Companion. I got a great deal in the mail. I also just discovered Edible Finger Lakes. I think I may subscribe to that one...maybe Edible Buffalo too. Another favorite is Mental Floss; lots of great, interesting information with a slightly irreverent twist. It really makes learning fun! There are more too, magazines that tempt. I'll try to be strong, but the lure is great. What are your favorite magazines?

Promotion

Several years ago I was part of an online group called The Traveling Rats. Wonderful plush rats created by The Raggy Rat Lady traveled the world, spending time with hosts from all over. One of those rats, Amelia Ratkins, retired to live with me. Recently, I decided to start the rats traveling again. While Amelia stays with me and does day trips and mainly local travels, her brother, Cabot Ratkins, is free to travel the globe as his sister once did. I'm not too web savvy, but I started a blog for them: Ratkins Deux the World. Amelia also has a Facebook page where I post even more pictures. We have a few followers on the website itself and a few on Networked Blogs. But we don't have many. I'd really like to promote my traveling rats. Check out the blog and you'll see a button on the top left corner that says "Follow". I'd really appreciate it if you would become a follower. If you're on Facebook request to become friends with Amelia Ratkins. If you're a part of Networked Blogs, please, follow them their too. Does anyone have ideas on how I can promote these traveling rats?

Ugly

Today I just look ugly. It happens sometimes. I walked down the stairs and caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror. Yuck. It's going to be an ugly day. Mind you, not all days are ugly days. Some days I look darn good. It just so happens that today is not one of those days. But, I'll plop on some makeup and try to make myself presentable as I head out to work.

Stupid

People are stupid. I'll just leave it at that.

A Week

Today marks a week that I've been working Evening Shift. I'm still not adjusted to the new hours, but I think I'm getting better. Since I'm working both floors I feel a bit displaced. My locker is upstairs, so when I work downstairs my stuff is just tossed in the corner of the break room. I worked downstairs last night. It was OK. When I went upstairs, to check how things were going, I ran into a patient who asked me if I was working downstairs. When I said yes, he replied, "We miss you". I told him odds were good that I'd work upstairs the next day and he said, "You should work up here all the time". If only it were that easy.

Freezing Rain

We had a balmy day yesterday with highs around 40! But by the time I left work, things were chilling down quickly and a light snow was falling instead of the rain. Fortunately, the roads hadn't frozen up...yet. Now my computer is thundering at me-there's a winter weather advisory. Now we have freezing rain and drizzle; should make for a fun ride in to work. I wish it would have just stayed cold!

Thinking

I've been so busy thinking about writing, that I never blogged yesterday. I'm attempting to write my first novel; a cozy mystery. I have the scene, the main characters, the victim, and how the victim gets killed....but I haven't decided why...or by whom. I really need to sort that out before I can continue!

Motive

You'd think with all the mysteries I read I'd have no problem coming up with a motive for murder. I really need to figure that out before I can proceed with my book. Sigh.

Adjusting

I'm still adjusting to switching shifts. I must say, I don't like it! Right now I should be waking up (well, in an hour or so) to start my weekend, instead I'm waking up and have to get ready for work. My body is confused about time too. I'm still tired most of the time-my body isn't sure if it should be awake or asleep. I'm sure it'll all sort out in a bit...but it's still a rough go at the moment!

Photo Phriday - Bunny Tracks

New Schedule

Today I start a new schedule. I have to work Evening Shift for a while. So now I have to readjust my life, including my sleep schedule. We'll see how it goes!

Challenge

I have been issued a challenge and I've accepted. I am going to write a novel...in 6 months. There is a group, International Novel Writing Semi-Annum, that encourages this endeavor. I have decided to write a cozy mystery. I know my heroine and most of the major supporting characters. I know who is going to die and how...but I still don't know why...nor do I know who dun it! But, I need to start writing. I'm supposed to write 278 words a day and by the end of the challenge period I'll have a 50,000 word manuscript. We'll see how it goes!

1-11-11

It's 1-11-11!!! Not to often you get to say that! We have a long way before we hit 2-22-22. I hope I'm here to see it. Unfortunately, I have no plans to celebrate 1-11-11. I did a load of laundry and now I'm going to take a shower and get to bed. I'll clean a rat cage or 2 when I wake up, then I have to go to work. I've had some wine and some maple liquor-I hope you get to have a nice drink or 2 as well. Go celebrate 1-11-11 as best you can. Boy, I sure love saying and writing 1-11-11. Happy 1-11-11 everyone!

Snack

I'm about to have some fancy bread (sundried tomato, garlic and parmesan) with Gouda with bacon in it and summer sausage. Too bad I have to go to work and have to drink iced tea instead of wine.

Kashmir - Led Zeppelin

In the mood for some Jimmy Page. For some reason I couldn't share the official live version. This is probably my favorite Led Zeppelin song.

Changing Weather

When I left the house this morning all was quiet outside. Although it said there was a 70% chance of snow, nothing was happening and the accumulation was only supposed to be an inch. I drove all the way across town on clear roads with no snow (aside from what was already on the ground). Spent time at my first stop, left, spend time at my second stop. Nothing going on. I started home on dry roads. As I continued to drive, I looked ahead, what's that? It looked weird up ahead. Kept driving, "oh it's snowing". Suddenly the road started to get snow covered. Then I saw brake lights up ahead. Within 2 minutes I went from 65 MPH to about 30 MPH; I could only see about 100 yards ahead of me. The road wasn't too bad...although we all passed 3 cars along the side of the road. By the time I got to downtown the visibility had improved, but the roads were still covered with snow. By the time I reached my exit there was just a small amount of snow on the road and it was barely snowing. Gotta love that changeable WNY weather!

Photo Phriday - Winter Dusk

Winter dusk at the barn.

Epiphany

Epiphany is finally here. The last official day of the holiday season. This weekend I will take down the tree (Sorry Callie) and the Christmas decorations (what few I actually put up). I may not turn off the outside Christmas lights though...we'll see about that. Here's wishing everyone a joyous Epiphany and Happy Birthday Syd. Shine on you crazy diamond...wish you were here.

 

 

Getting Sick

Ugh. I think I'm getting sick. I won't get into the gory details...but ick. I hope it's nothing much. I have to go in to work tonight...but ugh.

Why?

Why are people so horrible? I just saw that a unique old tree, the shoe tree, on a lonely piece of road that brought many tourists was cut down by vandals. I couldn't even read the article; it made me so mad. Why do people go out of their way to kill trees that are minding their own business. Why destroy things that bring pleasure. Here's yet another reason why I much prefer the company of non human animals!

Callie & the Christmas Tree

Calumet loves the Christmas tree. She adores sitting underneath her tree. She sits under it when the lights are on, and when they're off. She doesn't try to climb the tree and she generally doesn't mess with the ornaments. Callie just really enjoys having the tree in the house. Unfortunately for her, Epiphany is coming and the tree will be leaving. As I've mentioned I haven't been in the Christmas Spirit, so I won't keep the tree up much past then. In fact, I'll be taking it down this weekend. Sorry, Callie.

A Filthy Horse & A Router

When I woke up this morning I saw that all the snow had melted. It did reach 50 degrees yesterday! However, when I turned on my computer, I saw that it was 28 degrees. A little later, I looked outside and saw snowflakes-and the snowflakes were starting to cover the grass. As I drove to the barn, the snow was falling at a pretty good pace-the road was even snow covered in parts. I met my friend Kim at the barn. Boy did I luck out-she wasn't sure if I was coming out and she wanted to put Harley's blanket on. Which meant she had to clean the mud off of him-at least where the blanket covered him. He was filthy-but I only had to clean mane, tail, legs, head, and belly. Boy he had fun rolling in the mud yesterday. He also broke his halter. Fortunately, I have a spare. After that I went to Best Buy to buy a router. I set it up and now I'm wireless! I'm not able to figure out how to set up my Nintendo DSi (it says I need a USB port for it?) but I got the Wii all set up-so I know it works! Yea me. As I look out-we have plenty of snow again. Happy January!

1-1-11

Happy New Year! I hope this new year, 2011, brings everyone peace, good health, and happiness. Wishing you tons of fun on 1-1-11!