purple_stardust

Ack! Now my computer CD player isn't working, which means I have to get up and walk all the way across the room to play a CD. Because, as I said, I am cursed.

Anyway. I went to Walmart tonight. It isn't quite so bad at 1am. I got a cutting mat and some food to put in my new dehydrator (assuming I don't let it sit and rot like I did last time) - I bought bananas, apples, and carrots. I also bought more tuna, as I am determined to make tuna jerky. I also got more aquarium goodies: an algae scraper, aquarium salt, and kits to test ph and ammonia. I still need a backdrop.

And I was spotting all day and now I'm crampy. If it's my period, I'm having 15-day cycles now. My first paranoid thought was pregnancy (implantation spotting) after our giddy post-Olympics sex, but I think (hope!) the timing is wrong. Other than that, I have no idea, but I am really not liking it. And now it's almost 3am and here I still sit, stalling so I don't have to go to bed and lay there wondering what the hell is wrong with me, and with him, and with us.


I think you're so mean, I think we should try
I think I could need this in my life
I think I'm just scared that I know too much
I can't relate and that's a problem I'm feeling

If you're gone, maybe it's time to come home
There's an awful lot of breathing room
But I can hardly move.

purple_stardust

My life is so boring. Even my mail is boring. I even ordered a few things (which were supposed to come today) - but what do I get in the mail? An Eddie Bauer catalog, a gas bill, and a packet of forms to fill out for Rusty's surgury. Oh, happy-freakin-day. If I have any more fun, I'm just gonna do our income taxes and call it a party. *sigh*

purple_stardust

My body is so screwed up. Before my daughter, I used to have perfect 30-day cycles; I could set my clock by them; never had PMS, ovulated on day 15 - clockwork. Now... everything is bad. They can be from 25-32 days (maybe 15, if that's what I'm doing now), heavy and nasty and crampy and hormonal. This sucks, dammit.

purple_stardust

I'm trying to figure out this dehydrator stuff. Could you please explain the following terms: pare, core, and most puzzling, "BLANCH"??? What the hell is "BLANCH"???

I am such a kitchen illiterate.

purple_stardust

Had a spat with Rusty. Came out to sleep on the sofa, but I couldn't sleep so I ended up going to Food Lion for more stuff to dehydrate. I got pinapple, grapes, and yogurt, plus some cinnamon for my banana chips, and lemon juice. The fun never stops.

purple_stardust

Exciting news! My new baby rats are highly marked! It looks like one is a variberk, three are BEW or at least mismarked BEW, one appears to be bareback (maybe with a blaze), and three are split-cap! One of the little split-caps looks just like its grandma Bella. I took some photos of them; need to scan them later. Exciting!

purple_stardust

I should go dehydrate something. I can see right now that the dehydrator will soon go the way of the Egg Waves, Perfect Omlette, the Sandwich Maker, the crockpot, and the blender. Laurie, I wish you lived closer so you could come over and play with me.

purple_stardust

What does this mean, "shell the peas"??? My peas have no shells. You dump them out of the bag, and there they are. Am I supposed to take the skins off, like the rats do?

purple_stardust

Laurie and Sean came down to visit, yay! I like them; I wasn't even freaked out to have them in my house, which is unusual for me. She brought me spider plants and pictures of the legendary Nikos, and they got their Siamese ratlets. We ordered pizza and watched Clint Eastwood movies and played with my dehydrator. Fun! =D

purple_stardust

Argh! I got this from Geocities: "Beginning April 2, 2002, we will no longer provide FTP access as part of our free home page service". What kind of crap is that??? Now I have to use their damned file manager, which isn't bad, but still takes a lot longer then FTP. I would move my whole damn site somewhere else in protest, if the other hosts weren't so bad, and if I weren't so lazy and unmotivated.

Rusty has gone to get me coffee; perhaps that will help.

purple_stardust

My lab rat Sigmund died this morning. I am not surprised, but I am sad - he was a nice little rat, and so young. Unfortunately, his little SPF body couldn't handle life in the real world. Rest in peace, little Siggy. =(

purple_stardust

Heh. Rusty and I worked on "our problem" tonight. Things are definately looking up.

*cheesey grin*

purple_stardust

I'm dehydrating things! Today: apple and pineapples.

Also to be done today: clean rat cages, take pictures of the new babies, finish washing dishes, and start on that damned counter so I can get my aquarium set up. And I need to vaccuum AGAIN. Damn rats and their litter-tossing parties.

purple_stardust

Cleaned my rat cages, and tried to sex the babies. I suck at telling this early, but I think there are more males than females, which makes sense, since everyone wants females from this litter. Will work later on getting genders and ear types sorted out, but six out of the eight are rex. They are all so cute!!! I picked one of the smoothies that I want to keep. He has a blue head with a Y-shaped blaze, and his name is Baxter.

purple_stardust

I am such a Canon whore.

For months, I have been researching digital cameras. I asked all my friends - Laurie recommended the Sony Mavica, Kymberlie said Olympus, and Jeff, Joell, and Sandy all said Kodak. I read up about all of them, and compared them online. I was leaning toward the Mavica, but I definately had it narrowed down to those three.

I went to Ritz Camera this evening, saw the little Canon Elph, and promptly bought it. Now I have a fleet of Canon cameras: my big Canon Rebel XS, my waterproof Canon point-and-shoot, and now the digital Canon Elph. Such a cute little thing, and it will make short .avi movies too. I am smitten.

purple_stardust

Disorder | Rating

Paranoid: Very High
Schizoid: Moderate
Schizotypal: High
Antisocial: Very High
Borderline: Very High
Histrionic: High
Narcissistic: High
Avoidant: Very High
Dependent: High
Obsessive-Compulsive: High

Take the test!
Get more information!

purple_stardust

I'm trying to decide what accessories I want to put in my aquarium. I have two plants, a rock with a hole, some seashells, and a few small plastic "gems" in purple and gold. Laurie, you've seen the stuff; what do you think?

purple_stardust

So. I set up my aquarium, finally. I never could find a background paper that I liked - everything was just too tacky; sunken submarines and scuba divers and shit. But! I found a roll of light blue marble contact paper, and used it instead. It's really pretty, and it kind of looks like water, even. It's also light enough so that my future goldfish should stand out quite nicely.

My aquarium heater doesn't seem to be working. I don't know what's wrong, but the pilot light isn't coming on. My bubble wand still doesn't look right, but I don't want to fill up the tank with junk in an effort to hide it. Also, I asked my mom to bring me a handful of her used gravel to hopefully speed up my bacteria growth.

I want my fishies, dammit!

purple_stardust

I went SHOPPING!!! My ex-husband agreed to babysit my daughter for the afternoon. I went to the bank (30 miles away, so I don't go often) and deposited some money. That reminds me, I really need to balance my checkbook. I've made a couple deposits and a few debits, and haven't written any of it down.

Anyway, I went to the mall. At Ritz, I bought a 64mb card for my new digital camera. I also bought a teddy bear for the Traveling Buddy group and a miniature stuffed Stuart Little. Then I went to Claire's and bought three purple bracelets, a big purple hair clip, a medium-sized purple hair clip, six little hair clips, six little butterfly clips, and some purple hair. I'm not sure what I'm going to DO with the purple hair, but I have it now, should the need for purple hair arise.

After the mall, I went to Petsmart and bought a bag of Nutro and six Dentabones for the rats, and a pot of Pet Grass for the cats. I stopped into Target and bought eight more little hair clips, a purple crate to keep them in, and the Quesadilla Maker! I also bought three pairs of underwear: dark purple, light purple, and white.

Then I went to a pet store and bought another goldfish book. I looked at their goldfish, but there were a few dead ones in the tank and I was duly appalled. They had some huge orandas though, and the biggest pleco that I've ever seen. Then I dropped my broken sapphire ring off at the jeweler's to be fixed and came home. Fun!

purple_stardust

Shit. I just realised, it's March already. That means it's almost April, which means it's almost my birthday. Again. It's going to suck more than usual this year: Rusty will be out of commission from the surgery, my grandmother is in and out of the hospital, my mom is busy with my grandmother, and I'm getting old. I guess I'll just get a bottle of vodka and feel sorry for myself this year. Come to think of it, I need to ask my mother if I'm going to be 33 or 34, so I know how sorry I should feel. Dammit.

purple_stardust

So cold. Last night was bad. I'm not sure where, but it took a very bad turn and I ended up sleeping on the sofa. I just want to drink and eat and cry. I'm so tired of this.

purple_stardust

My (Aries) Horoscope:
This horoscope is adapted from a manual used to train special forces in all-climate, all-terrain survival techniques. It has been researched and tested by experts. Now it is being made available to you -- just in time for the last few miles of your crawl across the wasteland. With the help of the subliminal clues embedded in this text, you will be able to turn poison into medicine, take advantage of your so-called weaknesses, and mutate a turgid "no" into a sleek "yes." Now please utter the magic word of power: reverence.

Rusty's (Scorpio) Horoscope:
"Man in his present state has as much desire to urinate as he has to make vows to Artemis," says writer Edward Dahlberg. In other words, most modern humans have no relationship with wild female deities, nor would they ever conceive of a reason why that might be fun or sincere or inspiring. But my reading of the current cosmic omens leads me to suggest that you contradict Dahlberg, Scorpio. Artemis is not dead, I swear to you; she is not just a figment of the archaic Greek mind. She is a living archetype of fiercely nurturing female energy. Goddess of the ever-changing moon, strong protectress of the undomesticated soul, she gives sanctuary to all who prize liberated fertility. I dare you to make a vow to her.

http://www.freewillastrology.com/

purple_stardust

I just found out that someone who adopted one of my baby ratlets is going to have her euthanised because of a serious illness in her colony. I don't blame the person; I just feel so guilty for sending the rat out into the world where this could happen. =(

purple_stardust

I'm pretty sure that this cappachino I bought two days ago is spoiled, and yet, I'm drinking it anyway. I have an insatiable need for caffiene, but no common sense.

Why isn't "poisoned" a Live Journal mood?

purple_stardust

Bored. Bored. Bored. Bored. Bored.

I am so bored. No one is online, no one is sending email except on the ratlist, which I'm ignoring, and there's nothing on televion. I am BORED.

I suppose I shall go and prepare some sort of food-like substance. Bah.

purple_stardust

five items you have brand loyalty to:

1) memorex
2) converse all-stars
3) camel cigarettes
4) canon cameras
5) scrunci hair accessories

five snacks you enjoy:

1) combos
2) cheese
3) peanut butter
4) string cheese and mustard
5) tricuits and canned cheese

five games you like:

1) dragon warrior
2) shining force
3) phantasy star
4) monopoly
5) rummy

five things you can't live without:

1) my family and pets
2) my camera
3) my gameboy
4) my computer
5) my cd collection

five good things to touch:

1) rusty
2) silk
3) rat bellies
4) cat bellies
5) purple chenielle socks

five albums that changed your life:

1) The Cure - Wish
2) Pink Floyd - The Wall
3) Pink Floyd - Comfortably Numb
4) David Bowie - Ziggy Stardust
5) Alanis Morissette - Jagged Little Pill

purple_stardust

Well. It's somewhat after midnight, and I am alone: drinking wine, eating Chex Mix, and watching The Brady Bunch Movie. Could I BE any more pathethic? No? I didn't think so.

purple_stardust

Wow. That movie was just way the hell disturbing. I'm watching a Garth Brooks video now. Garth is pretending to be a cowboy. Uh-huh. Garth is about as much of a cowboy as I am. Country music people amuse me.

purple_stardust

Tim McGraw is singing "The Cowboy in Me" ... HELLO! Just because you have a hat, does NOT make you a cowboy. Tim McGraw bugs me anyway; he reminds me WAY to much of my first ex-husband. Sings like him too. Creepy.

purple_stardust

I checked my ammonia and pH today; both were pretty good.

I WANT MY FISHIES!

purple_stardust

Okay, so about my new fishies! We went to one store, and they had some cute ones, but they also had really sick looking rats and mice, so I didn't want to give them any money. Then we went to the second store, and they had a TON of goldfish. Finally we decided on these three - I liked the fact they're so small; I can watch them grow!

Kipper is a lovely gold oranda with white on his chin. He is a very silly fish, and loves to play in the bubbles. Herring is a calico fantail that Rusty picked out. He was the first one to find the food this evening. Anchovy appears to be a redcap oranda gone bad. He has a full strip on his back and a stripe on his belly as well.

They seem to be adjusting very well, playing in the bubbles and staring at me staring at them. I bought them a live anacharis plant, and they seem to really like playing in it. I'm glad I got it; it's pretty too. I will have to replace it as they eat it.

I love my fishies! =)

purple_stardust

I need this book.

purple_stardust

We watched movies on TNT last night. Yes Laurie and Sean, that's really all we do on Saturday nights - eat and watch Turner's movies. We're an exciting couple.

First up: Stepmom. What a cheery movie that was. I informed Rusty that should I ever get cancer (and I probably will; family history plus a wicked smoking habit), I want no parts of chemotherapy. It's not just the movie; I've seen it enough in real life to know that I would rather die than go through chemo.

Second movie: Sleepless in Seattle. Tom Hanks is bummed out because his wife is dead. Radio shrink can't understand why he hasn't found someone else a year and a half later. Of course, he eventually finds Meg Ryan. This brought up the "if I dropped dead, how long would you wait?" discussion. Rusty said he couldn't imagine ever wanting to be with someone else. This, of course, was the Right Answer.

Then we went to bed and he snored and I got my ass kicked in [DW3] Baramos Castle.

purple_stardust

I just spent 30 minutes sitting on my bed and watching the hands on the clock move. I'm not even sure why I'm so depressed, but I am, and nothing I can do about it.

I am so sick of the apathy in our relationship. I know Rusty loves me - the way he loves his mother and college football and lasagna - but not like a woman. Never like a woman. He loves me, but I don't think that he's IN love with me. I don't know, maybe he CAN'T be. God knows he's as screwed up in the head as I am. I just can't see spending the next 30 years like this. On the other side of the coin, I can't imagine my life without him. So there it is.

you lie in the heat of a summer haze
and turn it into a winter's tale
you pull down the blinds and shut out the sky
and do what you can to turn the whole thing grey
you're crying and pleading and you're hell just to be with
and you're everything that i'll ever need
so why do you say you love me when you don't?
-Lloyd Cole, Loveless

purple_stardust

It has now been six months since the 9/11 terrorist attacks. I'm watching the New York ceremony on TV, and it's still so incredibly sad. It doesn't seem like it's already been six months, but it kinda seems like it was a hundred years ago, too.

purple_stardust

Well, the weekend got a bit better after my last post. I swear, I think I thrive on turmoil. Without it, I would get bored. How sick is that.

So today I cleaned the rat cages, always a hoot. I tried to vaccuum, but the stupid bag was full and I didn't have any more and didn't feel like going out, so I actually emptied part of the used bag and used it again. I'm sure the neighbours must wondering me. If I'm not hanging out little holey rags (rat blankies) on the clothes line or lugging huge cages all over the yard, then I'm out trying to empty a disposable vaccuum cleaner bag into the trash. Oh well. If they think my outside activities are weird, they should see what goes on *inside* the house! Heh.

I'm making black cherry yogurt leather today. No way would I eat such a thing, but I thought it would make nice rat treats. Problem is, I was supposed to spray cooking spray on the tray first, but I forgot until it was too late, so I don't know how it will turn out. I need to make more dried fruit for them too.

What else? Oh, the ammonia is kind of high in my fish tank; I'm not sure what to do about that. My fish are so cute!!! Herring (Rusty's fish) is a little pig; always the first one to find the food. Figures. Kipper is a spaz; he loves the bubble wand. And Anchovey is just plain adorable. I love my fishies!

And I think that's about it so far.

purple_stardust

Rusty didn't get home from work until 7pm, because he ran the work truck out of gas and got stranded in the woods. Men. Can't live with 'em, can't shoot 'em.

purple_stardust

I am accomplishing nothing today.

I don't know what is up with little Anchovey. He just kind of hangs out in the corner by the anacharis, up at the top. His dorsal fin is erect, and he seems healthy otherwise, but he just stays there most of the time. I checked my tank again; ammonia and pH are still high. I check it compulsively, and I wonder what the fish think about it, always in there with a test tube. I hope they don't think I'm stealing all their water!

I took more picures of the baby ratlets; this is such a cute batch. Unfortunately, I think they're almost all males. They're getting eyeballs now, and want to wander away from the nest and explore. So cute! I can't stand it.

Breakfast (or lunch) of champions today... I'm having Russian salad dressing with croutons. You know, like a salad, but without those pesky vegetables.

purple_stardust

I have started a new community today: goldfish_bowl. If you have goldfish, would like to have goldfish, or are interested in goldfish, please check it out! =)

purple_stardust

Anchovey seems a bit perkier now; at least he's moved out of the corner. I vaccuumed the gravel and changed about 1/5 of the water and added more salt, and that seems to have helped, for now anyway. I think I'm over-feeding them though, there was a lot of uneaten food in the gravel. I need to work on that. I don't want to kill my fishies!

In other news, the baby ratlets became fully mobile today! All eight of them have eyeballs now, and are exploring the cage and driving poor Beatrix nuts. Cute!

And my youngest son has pinkeye. :-Þ

purple_stardust

I am actually having an AIM discussion with laurarn about who I think is sexier; Bill Bixby or Omar Wasow. The sad thing is, I honestly can't decide.

I guess since Bill Bixby is dead, Omar wins by default.

purple_stardust

"At the very least, one hopes for minimal interruptions when this mesmerizing baritone opens his mouth to speak. The dreadlocked cybersuperior by the name of Omar Wasow, with his warm, chestnut eyes and charming smile, would cause just about anyone to blush. But what's cool is that he doesn't know it." - from entrepreneur.com

purple_stardust

I wish Rusty would get home. It's payday and I need to go to the store, but it's raining and I'd rather not take Sarah. Also, he forgot his cell phone this morning, so he hasn't called me all day. And I didn't get to see him before he left for work. *sniff*

And I'm BORED! I should get off my ass and tend to the rats, but that doesn't seem to be happening. Live Journal is like crack, and I can't stop, dammit.

Laurie, is everything okay? I haven't seen anything from you today. Where are yooou?

purple_stardust

Sometimes, he's such a dumbass.

Rusty's bank passed a new rule, where you can't cash checks over $500 at the drive-thru. Problem is, by the time he picks up his check and leaves work, the drive-thru is the only part of the bank still open. But does he have sense enough to pick up his check early, so he could get it cashed before the lobby closes? Hell no!

So we still have no money until tomorrow. Argh!

purple_stardust

Ammonia and pH levels are still high. This is driving me nuts. I can understand WHY I have high pH in my tank; I use city water, full of lime. What I DON'T understand is why the pH Down and baking soda won't bring it down to a measurable level. I guess I will go out tomorrow and look for a pH kit with a higher range, so I can see just how bad it really is, and buy some distilled water. I don't know what to do about the ammonia, just give it a few more days and see if the "good" bacteria kicks in, I guess.

*grumble*

purple_stardust

I am on the Santa Cluster! Hooray. I think. Do I get presents?

http://www.livejournal.com/misc/whereami.bml

purple_stardust

I have a package that UPS says is scheduled to be delivered today. When I check the tracking though, the last entry is:

Mar 9, 2002 3:22 A.M. BURTONSVILLE, MD, US IN TRANSIT TO

What the hell does THAT mean? Did it ever GET to Burtonsville? Has it not moved since March 9? If it's gonna be delivered today, they need to move their arse! I hate UPS.

purple_stardust

I wish I could go back to bed.

*yawn*

purple_stardust

Yum, tuna salad with mustard on wheat bread with mustard! I have been eating a ton lately, like, several times per day. It's disgusting. Oh well.

The state of my package:

Mar 14, 2002 11:48 A.M. BURTONSVILLE, MD, US ARRIVAL SCAN

I'm not sure where Burtonsville is, but they'd better move their asses if they're going to get it to me today! I hope it arrives today; I need to go to the bank and the supermarket tomorrow, and I don't want to miss it. I hate UPS.

In other news, my Mason Rat isn't looking so good. He has a tumour and now he's losing weight. He's over two years old, so I'm not sure if removal is such a good idea at this point. I have a bad feeling about it, anyway. He seems happy though, and still nibbles me while I scritch his neck. He's such a sweetheart. *sigh*

purple_stardust

Argh! Now UPS tracking says my package delivery has been rescheduled for tomorrow. Which means I need to either wait until it comes tomorrow to go to the bank (30 minutes away), or take a chance on them leaving it here unattended.

This is all particularly irritating since I told Rusty not to bother dropping off money during the day, because I was going to wait for my package today and then to to the bank and supermarket on Friday.

I HATE UPS!!!

purple_stardust

Jesus-freakin-christ, I can't stand it any more. So Rusty calls me this afternoon and tells me that he's stuck on the job site and can't get his check cashed today... and probably not tomorrow either. What the fuck he thinks we're going to eat in the meantime, I don't know. Just the slightest bit of common sense - if he would have just picked up his check earlier to begin with - could have prevented all this. But God fucking forbid the man show any common sense. And why would he? I'M the one who's going to have to figure out how to make dinner out of nothing. I'M the one who's going to have to beg, borrow, or steal enough money to buy diapers. Why should HE care?

Ugh. :-{

purple_stardust

I swear, he's trying to drive me insane. I called my mother, who said she would stop by to take him to her bank to cash the damned check. First he was late, so I called him at work and told him she would do it. Then he got pissy with me. And then finally he came home, but left the paycheck AT WORK. What a fucking doofus.

So I had to borrow money from my mother for groceries and such until he gets it cashed. 32 fucking years old, and I'm still borrowing money from my mother. Ugh.

If I don't update my journal anymore, it's because I killed him, and I'm in prison.

purple_stardust

I have Papa John's cheese sticks now, and my mood has improved considerably.

Cheese: Nature's Prozac.

purple_stardust

I had a really weird dream last night. There was some sort of blonde bimbo girl with us. She had something to do with sex, but I'm not sure if we were supposed to have a threesome or if she was just Rusty's little toy. At any rate, I didn't like her, and I killed her. I took the body out in the woods and hid her in some leaves, and then spent the rest of the dream being terrified and paranoid that I would get caught. Someone must have reported her missing, because I remember Rusty and I being questioned. I wondered if I should turn myself in or try to move the body. I was very relieved to wake up and realise that I didn't have to figure it out. Weird.

purple_stardust

Last night we watched Diane Sawyer interview Rosie O'Donnell about gay parenting. I'm not a huge Rosie fan, but I had to admire her efforts to help this family. The Loftons are two gay white men in Florida. They have five HIV and AIDS positive children (three black, two white) living with them through foster care. One of the children has overcome the infant version of HIV, and is healthy now. So the state of Florida wants to yank this poor kid out of the only home he's ever known since he was nine weeks old (he's ten years old now), and have him adopted by total strangers. The Loftons aren't allowed to adopt him because according to Florida law, gay people are okay to foster sick kids, but not fit to adopt a healthy one. Un-fucking-believable. The truly sad thing is, the Loftons seemed like better parents than just about any heterosexual couples I've seen, including ourselves. But, you know, they're queer, and the almighty Mosquito State doesn't like that. They can fix elections and train terrorists how to fly, but God fucking forbid the Loftons adopt a healthy kid, even if they did raise him.

So then they had some dickhead Florida state representitive on there to discuss the situation. Diane Sawyer asked him if he thought people were born gay, or chose the lifestyle. He said they chose it. So Diane kind of cocked her head and asked him if HE had chosen to be heterosexual. I love Diane Sawyer. He said no, he just WAS heterosexual. WTF? Apparently, everyone is born heterosexual, just some people decide that life is too easy as a straight person, and they want to go through hassles like this, so they turn gay. Yeah. Makes a lot of sense, Representitive Dickhead.

Anyway, I was extremely saddened by this story, and absolutely disgusted with the state of Florida. If anyone wants to read more, hear are some links:

From ABC * From Rosie O'Donnell * From CNN

Or visit the ACLU's site about the Lofton family and their fight to keep Bert.

purple_stardust

My package finally arrived, hooray!

purple_stardust

Everyone got shortcake with fresh strawberries and whipped cream in honour of Bella's birthday. Zackie, Zorro, and Boris turned one year old last month, so this was sort of a shared birthday party. There are some very happy rats in this house. :)

purple_stardust

My daughter woke us up before 5am. I took care of her and wanted to go back to bed, but Rusty wouldn't do that... so now he's on the sofa, snoring like a fucking train. This is pissing me off. We could have just gone back to bed, and had a couple of pleasant hours of sleep before we have to do stuff - cash his paycheck, drive to Maryland - but no, instead he is snoring on the sofa and I am annoyed. I want to hit him, really hard.

purple_stardust

What a day. Rusty still hadn't cashed his paycheck because he has to go in the lobby to do it, and the lobby is closed by the time he gets off work. So we thought he'd finally get it cashed today... nope, the stupid bank doesn't open their lobby on Saturdays! So we had to drive all the way to my bank and deposit the paycheck.

Then we went to Kathleen's house and picked up some rats; one for me and two for Rachael. Mine is a black hooded dumbo, SO cute. I've been wanting another black hooded since Ziggy, my first rat love. He has black spots on either side of his hood, two kissable tummy spots, and huge ears. Now he needs a name, preferably something that starts with a Z... but I haven't decided yet.

I also had to stop at Petsmart and buy another travel cage, so I picked up another plant (a red ludwigia) for the goldfish, and two products to help with the ammonia and pH. Will check levels later, but so far, the fish seem more active. Hooray!

purple_stardust

Rusty made waffles for the rats this morning, so they are having a very good breakfast. I even put a bit of syrup on them, and now they're crazed. Happy ratties! =)

I'm drying bananas and strawberries for them today too; hope it works!

purple_stardust

It has come to my attention that Live Journal is full of bad influences. First muridae teased me with her goldfish until I ran out and bought my own, and now feverish is flaunting her saltwater tank, and now I want one. I just want a small one though, maybe with a coral or two, some purple urchins, and two clown fish. And I want THIS.

purple_stardust

The eating spree continues. So far today, I've eaten two egg and cheese muffins, part of a waffle, some leftover tuna salad, and a little cup of macaroni and cheese. I'm starting to get *really* paranoid as to the state of my uterus. Feh.

In more interesting news (ha!), my banana chips look like they're turning out better this time, and the strawberries look pretty good too. I hope the rats think so. I also added some carrots to the dehydrator; I hope they're done before bedtime. The last time I tried to do carrots, I over-dried them, but they were commercially sliced carrots, so they were much thinner than the ones I sliced myself. Interesting, no? No.

I'm bored. No interesting emails today, nobody fun on AIM... I'm bored, bored, bored. I suppose I could go read the 645 ratlist emails that have piled up over the last week, but I don't feel like it. I should have cleaned my rat cages today, but I have been lazy and oaf-like. Rusty is no fun today. I am BORED. Egad, it's sleeting now. It was 75 degrees last week, and now it's sleeting. Bizarre. But boring.

purple_stardust

I'm such a sap. I'm watching the movie 'Michael' and it's making me sniffle. The part where the dog gets hit by a car and then Michael brings him back to life, always gets me. And then when Michael's feathers start to fall out... *sniff*

purple_stardust

My dried fruits are done, hooray! The dried strawberries aren't bad, but of course I wouldn't try the bananas. I tore the individual slices into little bits so when I put them in the rat mix, everyone will have a better chance at getting a piece. :)

purple_stardust

Speaking of getting a piece (nyuk, nyuk)... I put Bella and Brutus in together this evening. Hopefully I'll have some more blue dumbos in about three weeks - hopefully some girls this time! I love my blue line, and I can't begin to fill my waiting list with Bea's babies. After this litter, I will be taking a break for a few months to evaluate some potential outcrosses; Bleu, and an upcoming female from Rachael.

purple_stardust

We watched the first half of 'It'... I love that movie.

I suppose I should go to bed; Rusty has the surgical consult in the morning. I'm dreading it, but at least we'll finally know something, and at least have a general idea of how much missed work we're looking at. But still.

purple_stardust

I took Rusty to the vet surgeon this morning. She confirmed what I had already said, that it's an umbilical hernia and it needs to be repaired. He will be having the surgery in mid April. They're going to do it as out-patient, which is good, but then he's supposed to be off work for six weeks, which should be a complete disaster.

purple_stardust

I'm drying potatoes, tomatoes, and peas for the rat mix. I am a dehydrating fool.

purple_stardust

I picked up my sapphire ring from the jewelers this evening, hooray! Rusty bought it for me the first Christmas after I had Sarah (it's her birthstone), but then I broke a piece of the gold out of the band, no idea how... but it's fixed now! Hooray!

When we got home, I was digging through my jewelry box for a ring guard, and happened across some earrings, which I never wear. I decided to see if my holes were still open, and miraculously, they are. So we were talking about piercing and holes growing shut, and he said the hole that he used to have was closed, but I tried a stud, and it went in! So now he's wearing an earring. Like a pirate. Tee hee hee.

purple_stardust

Watched the second half of 'It'... Tim Curry is such an awesome evil clown.

purple_stardust

{drum roll, please} . . . Zippy Zoot!

Those were the two highest in my poll, so I decided to use both. He seems like a Zippy Zoot, very speedy and silly and adventurous. Thanks to everyone who voted!

A note on the write-in votes: those were great! I already have a Zack though, and Ziggy (Stardust) was my first rat, also a black hooded. Zephyr will definately be kept in reserve for my next black and white rat, thanks Hydra!

My rats are named according to colour; my blue rats' names start with the letter B, my siamese rats' names start with the letter S, etcetera. Black and white rats get Z names. I like to say it's to keep my lines straight, but really I'm just incredibly anal.

purple_stardust

825 unread posts in my ratlist mail folder. 30 in my inbox. 150 in my AOL account.

*sigh*

purple_stardust

I'm having shrimp-flavoured ramen noodles for lunch. Could life get any better?

No, really, I'm asking.

purple_stardust

There should be a law passed: if it doesn't contain cheese, it can't be called food.

purple_stardust

Holy freakin' mother of pearl, my ears are sore. I think I'm allergic to cheap metal. I have 14k hoops in my bottom holes and el cheapo pearls in my top holes, and today I find that the bottom ones are fine, but the top holes feel like they're on fire! Maybe it's just because I haven't worn earrings for years? I don't know, but this is decidedly unpleasant. I think I'm going to buy myself a pair of small gold studs later this week, and maybe one for Rusty. I like big guys with earrings.

purple_stardust

Good grief. I just put my head down on my desk and fell asleep for a half hour! It's strange, because I didn't go to bed late last night or get up particularly early, but I am SO SLEEPY. I wish I could just go back to bed and sleep...

purple_stardust

Seven Deadly Sins - Greed

Money, money, money! You're guilty of GREED. Do you always find yourself feeling unsatisfied and wanting more? Would you shove someone out of your way at a great department store sale just to get what you want? We thought so. When it comes to money and other worldly possessions, too much is never enough for you. It's okay to want things, but you might want to think back to those kindergarten lessons on sharing and try to understand what motivates your constant need to have more. Remember: The things you acquire may have value, but most of them won't endure. After all, you can't take it with you...

Which deadly sin are you guilty of?

purple_stardust

* The Japanese eat very little fat and suffer fewer heart attacks than the British or Americans.

* On the other hand, the French eat a lot of fat and also suffer fewer heart attacks than the British or Americans.

* The Japanese drink very little red wine and suffer fewer heart attacks than the British or Americans.

* The Italians drink excessive amounts of red wine and also suffer fewer heart attacks than the British or Americans.

* Conclusion: eat and drink what you like. It's speaking English that kills you.

purple_stardust

This is the third night, and still no action from Brutus and Bella, dammit.

I've been looking at piercing sites all evening. I think I might get Sarah's lobes and my cartilage done this week, and get a pair of gold balls for me and one for Rusty.

I was semi-productive today; cleaned the rat cages, vacuumed, washed two loads of dishes. I didn't feel like cooking after that, so I ordered a cheese calzone and mozzerella sticks, and a pizza for Rusty. Yummy, but now I'm stuffed. Blech.

purple_stardust

I wonder what time Claire's opens...? I really want something pierced.

purple_stardust

I did it! I got the cartilage in my left ear pierced! It didn't hurt nearly as much as I thought it would, I actually did better with that than I was with my lobes. It looks really good, I think, I chose a 4mm gold ball, and bought the pair (they also sell singles) so I could have the second one for Rusty.

I had Sarah's done too, with smaller gold balls. She was such a trooper! She cried a little bit, but only for a minute. She looks SO CUTE.

Yay. Piercings! =)

purple_stardust

Since laurarn insists, I will show off photos of the new piercings. And no Laura, it really didn't hurt. Believe me, if something hurts, I will be the first one to bitch about it. I mean, it didn't feel good, but it didn't really hurt - just a quick pinch and it was done. I can't feel it at all now, unless I really poke it. The only scary part of the whole thing was that the piercer woman looked like Charo.

purple_stardust

Still no sign of my period (CD34), and yet a HPT assures me that all is well.

::: tapping fingers :::

purple_stardust

I wish Rusty would come home soon; I want to show him my ear! NOT that he'll be impressed... he isn't in to piercing. He doesn't want me to get my tongue done at all, dammit, he says it would be gross. At least he isn't grossed out by ears. Maybe I'll get two more holes in my cartilage. That would give me seven holes altogether, and I like seven. Nine is good too, but I don't think I have room. I wish my ears were bigger.

purple_stardust

Slept on my big pointy head last night; that was weird. I had to sleep on my right side, which is just WRONG, because of the new cartalige piercing. Problem is, I'm not used to having *any* earrings in when I sleep, so it felt pokey and weird on the other side too. I can't believe I'm wanting more, but...

I have been looking for a professional piercer through the Association of Professional Piercers. So far, I have it narrowed down to Rendezvous in Blacksburg VA or Infinite in Philadelphia PA. Both are about a four hour drive away. This pisses me off, because we used to have a really good piercer in my town, but he decided that he could make more money out front selling stuff, than back in the room piercing. I can't really blame him, but it means I have to drive for four hours to get a piercing, dammit.

The next decision is what to have done. I think a purple circular barbell in my navel is a definate. I was going to wait until I was thin again, but who knows when THAT will happen. And besides, it isn't like anyone would see it but me and maybe Rusty anyway. I'd like to get two more holes in my cartalige, same ear.

The other thing *I* like is a simple tongue piercing, but they gross Rusty out, so who knows. I may do it anyway. The nose is a possibility, but I still wonder how yucky it would be if I caught a cold. Also, my nose is kinda large and unattractive; do I really want to draw attention to it? Nipples and genetalia are out, as I am a big chickenshit.

I think I'm having a mid-life crisis.