Brainectomy

There are times when I'd like to perform brainectomies on people. There. I said it. Sometimes they just have too entertaining of ideas. I want them for my own. My Precious.* Their ideas. Not their brains. But the idea being in the brain makes me think if I possessed their brains...yeah. Gonna stop with this train of thought now. Since performing unnecessary, creepy and unauthorized surgery on people's heads is frowned upon in most societies, I usually just ask permission to use said idea.

Today's example? Jay. He makes charts and takes polls on really important stuff that everyone needs to know. Everyone. And his post yesterday was concerning something I've adored for a long time. Lists. Some of you remember my attempt at List Lust Wednesdays, right? Did you know yesterday was National List Day?! Did you also know that I'm terminally late? Anyhow, his list was way better than any list I've ever had the pleasure of coming up with, so I'm borrowing some of his list categories. He said I could. ^_^

Brainectomy thwarted again.

Things that make me smile in a sad sort of way:

• Grandpa type men getting attention from pretty young girls
  
• My paycheck
  
• Little kids with glasses (Harry Potteresque)
  
• Childhood photos
  
• Little hoppy birds
  

Things that are impossible to do in a sexy manner:

• Snorkeling
  
• Clipping your toenails
  
• Blowing your nose
  
• Changing a diaper
  
• Yawning

Things that bother me when not done well:

• Spelling (Everyone makes mistakes, but lifetime misspellers wound my soul.)
  
• Movie remakes (Clash of The Titans, don't let me down.)
  
• Song covers (If it ain't broke, don't break it!)
  
• Whistling (If you can't carry a tune, don't do it! Sing. That's at least pitiful cute.)
• Handshakes (This one is Jay's and I'm keeping it. I loathe noodly handshakes.)

Things that bring me unending joy:

• Making up my own words
• Putting my forehead to Kimchi Kitty's when he's purring like it's going out of style
• Puppies and baby goats (What are they called? Kids?)
  
• Making things for people that make them happy
• Creating
  

*What?! I'm not ashamed. Well, I kinda am.

Love Harder

Brandy is a lovely lady I met not too long ago. By "met" I mean I stumbled across her blog. On my first visit I learned that she's in love with a hot awesome dude. And that hot awesome dude has just been diagnosed with multiple myeloma.

Lovely bloggers everywhere are raising money for the Multiple Myeloma Research Fund in his name. For the price of various office supplies that I do NOT need, I can be part of an effort to cure a disease that affects approximately 750,000 people worldwide! You know what that means?! You can too!

How, you say?

Give. Be part of a worldwide effort to cure a disease that affects approximately 750,000 people worldwide. Every dollar helps.

Pass it on. Forward this story to five people. Share this blog post. Become our fan on Facebook.

Love harder. Life is short, love is unbending, and no one knows what could happen next. Tell someone you love them today.

DONATE: http://www.loveharder.org
CONTACT: theloveharderfund@gmail.com
FACEBOOK: http://facebook.loveharder.org
MORE INFO: http://www.themmrf.org

Every dollar brings us closer to a cure, folks. And with every donation comes hope. If you've been reading this little blog o' mine long, you know how I feel about hope. It's a good thing, maybe the best of things.

Where Our Money Goes:

The American Institute of Philanthropy recently named The Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation one of the best organizations to give to in terms of their accountability and use of resources. By working closely with researchers, clinicians and partners in the biotech and pharmaceutical industry, the MMRF has helped bring multiple myeloma patients four new treatments that are extending lives around the globe. The MMRF has advanced twenty Phase I and Phase II clinical trials. They need your support to advance these clinical research programs and accelerate the development of better, more effective treatments. The MMRF’s Multiple Myeloma Genomics Initiative recently became the first to sequence the multiple myeloma whole genome in its entirety. A whopping 98% of your donation to the MMRF will be used immediately to support high-priority multiple myeloma research. With diminishing funding for early stage drug development and the next myeloma treatments not expected to be approved until 2011, the MMRF desperately needs your help!

Aaaaaand I have to share this lovely video that a bunch of wonderful people put together for Brandy and her Hot Awesome Dude. Sometimes people are really awesome, and I cry.

In the words of LiLu herself, "Please feel free to repost this video, or all of the above! We. Are. The Internet!!!!!!!!!"

Should I Bring Back The Music?

I would like to know what you lovely bloggers think about this. I had the glorious musical blog for a while. Some people loved it. Some people tweeted about how much they loathed it. I may or may not have cried a little, and I most definitely deleted the musicalness.

Should I bring back the music? I'll make it optional. It will so not just start playing without your permission. What say you?

Octangerine

My tummy has been plotting my death these past couple of days, so I've had ample time to read all your blogs. I love to be caught up. Love. It.

I don't feel much like blogging, though. Don't love that. :( How about a tiny, possibly uninteresting, update?

I added another item to my Etsy shop, and it sold already! The dude that bought the bunny/balloon water doodle grabbed this one up, too.


It's so amazing to me that people would pay for my little doodley fun stuff. I'm so thankful. Thinking of them in people's houses, making them happy, thrills me to my core. Almost as much as y'all giving me suggestions. You're awesome.

P.S. Working on a hedgehog right now, Shannon. If you like it I can make another one (along with an owlie), and put it on hold for y'all. Then it'll be there whenever you can swing it. Peacocks up next! ^_^

Etsy Schmetsy

I listed a new item on my Etsy last night. Perhaps my luck will continue with the water doodles, and I'll sell some more!

Here's the latest.

Keep the critter suggestions coming, and I'll be sure to let you know how it goes. I've got a list going. ^_^ I think this one was for Ari over at Curious Illusion, LiLu at Livit, Luvit and Shannon from Inner Child. And there are more where he came from, girls.

You guys are great for inspiration and encouragement. Mwah!

Beee-Yoooo-Tee-Ful

The glorious and wonderful Ari, over at The Happy Cactus, gave me a beautiful blogger award! Thank you, my little prickly pear. She and I have been pretty much attached at the hip for about...eight years now? Ari, am I lying? We met when we were fourteen, but reunited in college. It was awesome. I think it's been about eight years. *oldness encroaching*

Long story short, she has to say I'm beautiful. I know where she lives. ^_^

The Rules (You'd better pay attention. You could be next. *ba ba ba bum*)

1. Thank the person who nominated you for this award.
2. Copy the award and place it on your blog.
3. Link to the person who nominated you for this award.
4. Tell us seven interesting things about yo'self.
5. Nominate seven beee-yoooo-tee-ful bloggers.
6. Post links to your seven nominees.
7. Be bothered by the fact that there isn't another rule to go along with the whole seven theme.

Seven possibly interesting/quirky things about me that I may or may not have already blogged about:

1. My favorite smell is puppy breath. I don't care how much it smells like bologna and soured milk, or how many people say it's gross. It. Is. Love.

2. I'm a nonalcoholic lush. A black hole for liquids, if you will. It's awesome.

3. If I could be any animal it'd be an otter. This is just one reason why. Other reasons? They're monogamous. Huge fan of that. They play for a living, are really smart, successfully bully alligators and hold hands while sleeping. Otters FTW!

4. My dream is to write and illustrate children's books, and this year I will complete and submit one for publishing. Editing first? I have no idea what I'm doing, but I'm doing it. It's never stopped me before.

5. I'm a pet name snob. The soul mate informed me of this a while back. I do kind of feel sorry for critters with uninteresting names. I'm not talking critters with people names either. Those can be awesome, if used wisely.

6. Something about John Mayer makes me want to hurt his feelings. I feel guilty about this.

7. Shawshank Redemption is my favorite movie, and I watch it lot. Like a whole heck of a lot. Like I'm not going to tell you how much a lot is because you'll call someone to come lock me up.

I don't know if these things make me beautiful or not, but they make me me.

And the beee-yoooo-tee-ful nominees are...
1. Chelsea Talks Smack
2. Curious Illusion
3. Whimsy Love
4. The Paraplegic Chef
5. Girl Anachronism
6. The Odd Duckling
7. Peter DeWolf

What? Boys can be beautiful, too. I think these boys are prettier than other boys. They have these neat things called feelings, and they're still masculine. Don't believe me? Go check 'em out.

Now, if blog awards aren't your cup of tea, or you've already been given this, or one of a gazillion other awards, I will not be offended if you don't pass it on. You're just beautiful, inside and out. That is all.

I apologize for my misuse of commas. It's an issue. Really.

Snow Day

It's still snowing! I got all bundled up on Thursday (it started snowing that morning), and went out to take some photos. My little point and shoot ain't so hot, but I liked this shot.

I live in the boonies, and on a dead end road. I have yet to hear any banjo music.

The weather outside may be frightful, but I love it! I've been cleaning, cuddling up with Kimchi Kitty and working on some more Water Doodles for my Etsy Shop. This is the newest addition.

And it sold today! My first sale! ^_^

I have a slight obsession with bunnies and balloons, so I think this one may turn into a little series. We'll see. If anyone wants a specific critter or scene, let me know. I'm totally willing to reserve custom doodles on my shop. They're so fun.

Oh! Ari from Curious Illusion suggested I do an owlie water doodle. I'm on it, lady. ^_^

Happily Over The Top

The always lovely Melanie awarded little old me an award. A couple, actually! Don't I feel special? ^_^

The first one is the "Over The Top" award, which I thought was something to do with trench fighting, but then I remembered that Stallone arm wrestling/trucker movie. This award isn't about climbing out of trenches and getting dropped at all. It's about being flippin' awesome...and humble...and sarcastic.

The only requisite to being awarded is posting one word (whoever heard of such a thing?!) answers to the following questions. I'll go first.

1. Where is your cell phone? Futon

2. Your hair? Bjorked

3. Your mother? Wonderful

4. Your father? Lonely

5. Your favorite food? Chobap

6. Your dream last night? Forgotten

7. Your favorite drink? Cherry

8. Your dream/goal? Illustrator

9. What room are you in? Living

10. Your hobby? Everything!

11. Your fear? Lost

12. Where do you want to be in 6 years? Together

13. Where were you last night? Here

14. Something you aren't? Stupid

15. Muffins? Blueberry

16. Wish list item? Puppy

17. Where did you grow up? Varied

18. Last thing you did? Showered

19. What are you wearing? Black

20. Your TV? Off

21. Your pets? Happy

22. Your friends? Sleeping

23. Your life? Blessed

24. Your mood? Cramptastic

25. Missing someone? Always

26. Vehicle? Jeep

27. Something you're not wearing? Pants :O

28. Your favorite store? Chucks

29. Your favorite color? Green

30. When was the last time you laughed? Earlier

31. Last time you cried? Yesterday

32. Your best friend? Kind

33. One place that I go over and over? Outside

34. One person who emails me regularly? Joe

35. Favorite place to eat? Jason's

The second award is The Happy Award. This one's really simple.

- List 10 things that make you happy.
- Tag 10 bloggers that brighten your day.

Easy. No? Yes. Here goes.

1. Blowing bubbles
2. Drawing/Painting
3. Lying outside, and reading a good book
4. New shampoo
5. Puppy breath
6. Sabbath
7. Snow!!!
8. Swimming
9. Todd
10. When Kimchi Kitty "talks" to me

Okay. It's time to pass these babies on. Who will be the lucky...nominees...err...winners? Since no one is voting, I guess I'm just the end all be all, and who I say wins wins. Muahahahaha!

Bloggers That Make Me Happy & Therefor Deserve The Happy/Over The Top Combo Award are...

1. Ari B.
2. Jodi
3. Shannon
4. Ben
5. Ari
6. Jaime
7. LiLu
8. Jay
9. Desi
10. Kendall

Unless awards just aren't your bag, you should be passing these things on asap! ^_^

Just know that you make me smile.

Albino Brain Chiggers

Do you know what I didn't do today? I didn't go to work. SNOW DAY!

I really cannot express how wonderful it was to wake up to it snowing. Big white fluffy brain chiggers floating ever so leisurely to the ground. Did you ever see that episode of Third Rock From The Sun? (Love. That. Show.) The Albino Brain Chiggers one? Let me go see if I can find it on YouTube.

*time passes*

Okay! I can only find one video. If you don't want to watch all nine minutes to get to the 30 second Albino Brain Chiggers part, fast forward to 8:25. You're welcome.



Anyhow, it snowed. Not so much, but enough. It's been below freezing here in Soggy Winter Alabama for quite a while now, and it looks like what snow we did get is going to be sticking for a few days! It's supposed to snow again tomorrow and Saturday, too. Squee!

The roads are pretty darn icy 'round here, and I have to go down at least one mountain to get to work, so it's looking like tomorrow will be another snow day!

Oh, the thrill I get just typing it...

MadShiny Goodness

It's well beyond my bed time (who am I kidding? I'm never in bed at a decent hour, but I'd like to be.), but I really wanted to share my newest water doodle with you lovely people.

It's a doodle. I watercolored it. That makes it a waterdoodle, right? Right.

Aaaand what could it be, other than a chinchilla? Humperdink is my muse. :P

I just listed said waterdoodle on my Etsy Shop, and I've got high hopes. I've yet to sell any MadShiny goodness, but I'm keeping my chin up.

Great & Small

Let's start this new year out right, shall we? How about a brief post in honor of an adorable little fuzz-head named Humperdink?! Sounds good to me.

Any of you lovely bloggers that happen to be friends of mine on Facebook have already seen this wee fuzzy mug, but, for those of you who have not, you can thank me in comment form.

Isn't he adorable?!

I've had the pleasure of sharing a house with bunnies, puppies, kitties, birdies, fishies, a variety of domesticated rodents and a few reptiles, but never a chinchilla. When my boss needed someone to "chinchillasit," I interrogated her briefly on the species of fluff ball before leaping at the opportunity to help her out.

HE'S MINE! ALL MINE! MUAHAHAHAHA!

Everyday is a new adventure in 'Dink, and it's awesome.

He's a bit quirky like a bunny, hopping and spazzing from time to time. I think it's a general display of merriment, because he usually does it after I've topped off his dinner and given him his treat for the day. Raisins are crack for chinchillas. It's cheap thrills.

Rats and ferrets definitely have him beat in the busy department, but he seems to have a few duskly (I'm making this a word.) activities. I've yet to see him fall asleep while eating, or pass out to display his manhood for all the world to see, so it's safe to say he's nowhere near as lazy as a hamster.

He's a pretty distinctive little guy, if you ask me. He had one of those giant hamster ball things to run around in, but it got broken before I got to chinchillasit. Too bad. He would SO be getting more acquainted with Kimchi Kitty, who seems genuinely terrified of him. Silly 20lb kitty.

Anyhow, I'm in love with Humperdink. I just know I'm going to cry when I have to send him back home to my boss. The husband person doesn't seem to like the idea of me getting one of my own, or I so would.

After our last bunny died unexpectedly I was pretty traumatized...for a long while. I get so attached. It was months and months before I could go home alone. Pacha Bunny was always such wonderful company. He'd follow me around the house, nudge me with his wittle soft nose, bolt up and down the hallway, flop out for a stretch/nap in whatever room I was in and hop up in my lap for some cuddling. After he died, I just couldn't bare to be home without Todd to distract me. I'd just cry and cry. The house felt so empty.

So...we made a strict no more rodent-type critters rule. They're so susceptible to serious health problems, notorious for hiding symptoms, beyond difficult to get treatment for and don't have all that lengthy of a life expectancy to begin with. Don't get me wrong. I fall head over heels in love, and think it's totally worth the time you get to spend with them. I just lose the ability to function when they pass away. It's not good for me.

*Teary eyes! Teary eyes! Not blinking!*

I'm convinced Chinchillas are different, though. Humperdink is 9 years old, and that's apparently about middle-aged! 15-18 years is the usual life expectancy, and that's something I can deal with. I'm thinking about begging for one for my birthday. We'll see.

Have you ever had a chinchilla?