Yay!! Clara is super skittish so I am so pumped! Brian took a picture, so I will be sure to add it as soon as I upload it.
11/1: donated to an animal shelter that was destroyed by a fire November 1, 2009
I read about this today (a fire at a no-kill animal shelter in Texas):
http://www.centexhumanesociety.com/fire110109.shtml
So I decided that I would like to help and made a $50 donation. I support no-kill shelters and adopted my own two cats from a no-kill shelter (though not this one.) If you can help, here’s the paypal link:
http://www.centexhumanesociety.com/html/support.shtml
10/31: Happy Halloween November 1, 2009
We went to a Chinese restaurant lounge with my sister and Tina. It was really fun!
10/22: found out Oscar is a Maine Coon cat October 24, 2009
Well, that explains why he is getting so big. After a bit of research, I learned that these cats can grow to 20 plus pounds, have a distinctive meow, and generally like water. Additionally, they also grow until age 4 or 5. Since he is 1 and a half and checks in at 13.7 lbs, we probably have a ways to go.
In related news, Clara has a tabby pattern (apparently tabby is not a specific breed) and has the mark of the M on her forehead. She also has thumbs, which I think are awesome.
Oscar at 10 months and 8 lbs.
Clara at 1 and a half and 7 lbs.
7/16: learned about the Animal Rescue Site July 17, 2009
Check it out- only one click helps and you don’t need to buy anything. Thanks, Cousin Laura for the tip!
http://www.theanimalrescuesite.com/clickToGive
*Happy anniversary, Jeanine and Joe!*
7/15: finished my 34th book of the year July 16, 2009
Alex and Me by Dr. Irene Pepperberg. I loved it. RIP, Alex!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alex_(parrot)
Image from: http://farm1.static.flickr.com/51/167178590_6c04bb2b5b.jpg?v=0
7/1: put Oscar on a diet July 1, 2009
So Oscar (the long haired fluffy white one) has gained some weight recently. When we first adopted him, he weighed 8 lbs. He currently weighs 13 lbs. Clearly this is a problem. We were free feeding him because it has been so long since I have had young pets that it didn’t occur to me to give him mealtimes.Barney just ate when he felt like it and he was always slim.
Clara (they gray one) has been able to free feed appropriately, but we have to switch both to the meal schedule because of logistics. So they eat in the morning for 15 mins. Then they eat again at night for 15 mins. So far so good- they have caught on to the food being out for only a certain amount of time.
We want Oscar and Clara to live long and healthy lives so it is good to make the change now. Although they live indoors, we play with them to give them exercise and they run around together.
*Happy 2nd birthday, Clara!*
5/31: met a dog in a wheelchair May 31, 2009
How awesome is that?! I don’ t know his name, but I talked to his owner for a little bit. Apparently, his legs started to go but he wasn’t in any pain and was otherwise healthy. Solution: dog wheelchair.
It looks like a harness with wheels and his legs rest on the back. He walks along using his forearms. He was zooming. Things like this restore my faith in humanity. (They come in different sizes and can also accommodate cats.)
http://www.bostonherald.com/news/regional/general/view.bg?articleid=1082780
http://www.dogkarts.com/
http://www.eddieswheels.com/
http://handicappedpets.com/www/index.php
Note: this is not the dog I saw.
5/6: got Street Gang: History of Sesame Street May 6, 2009
I am only a chapter in, but so far so good. I was waiting on the library list for like 4 months and I finally gave in and bought it.
I laughed so hard when I saw this:
4/25: planned what I will do with my $1,000,000 that I don’t have April 25, 2009
Since visiting lottery hq yesterday, winning a million dollars has been on my mind. How awesome would that be? I know it is only $36000/year after taxes so it isn’t like you could quit your job (but I wouldn’t anyway since I am fortunate enough to have a job I truly enjoy.) Anyway, it is fun to dream. This is what I would do:
Split the $36000 in half. Keep $18000 for me and Brian and distribute the rest among our family.
Of the $18000, I would give $9000 to Brian to do with it what he pleases.
With my $9000, I would donate $1000 to the QAS (quincyanimalshelter.org.)
I would donate $1000 to our Special Olympics team.
I would take an excellent vacation with $2000.
I would save $2500.
I would pay some bills with the other $2500.
In subsequent years, I would continue to split the money with our family, donate to the QAS, and to the SOMA team.
Dear God, please don’t let me become a scratch ticket maniac. However, I promise to share, as outlined here in my blog. You could hold me to it. So if you let me win, I wouldn’t end up on the E! True Hollywood Story of Lottery Winners Who Lost it All. It would do good things.
