Neat wedding video idea

I saw this video on Polka Dot Bride and thought it was worth posting for my readers. I think it's a great idea!

Better late than never!

Happy Thanksgiving!

I do my best thinking half asleep

In the wee hours this morning (okay fine, it was 7:30) I had a brilliant idea to temporarily solve the problem of Athena's "excitement" over Callie. Before I divulge, let me fill you in on what I've done so far.

If Athena is roaming the house, Callie is in the laundry room. If Athena is inside the bedroom or outside, Callie gets to roam the house. I have held Callie in front of Athena and let Athena sniff her, but that's as far as I've gotten. I don't trust the look in Athena's eye quite yet.

So my brilliant idea: get Athena a muzzle. That way she won't be able to get her mouth around her but still get close to her to smell and get used to her. Hopefully this muzzle idea helps...I want to live in a peaceful household again.

Oh happy day!

Some of you may be bored by this post and I apologize beforehand.


Several years ago a sweet old Chinese man that was a client at the vet hospital where I worked gave me two plants in nice asian themed pots. I'm not sure if the pots are actually from China but I know they have authentic chinese characters on them. He told me what each one meant, but I've since forgotten.


One of the plants is a 'goldfish plant' named for its goldfish-like blooms. Since I've had it, it's bloomed once. I have, however, successfully rooted a cutting and planted it, so maybe I can get some blooms from the transplant.


I have never been sure what the other plant is because he didn't know what it is. He did, however, give me pictures of when his had bloomed. Have mine bloomed? Nope. All I could think to do is search 'white blooms'. Until now!


I had some bio friends over the other night for a movie night and one of my friends casually said, "I didn't know you had a night blooming cereus! I have one too!" A what? You have a what? Wait, this is a night blooming cereus?! Finally! I know what it is!


Apparently it's also commonly called 'queen of the night' and as its name implies, only blooms at night. Unfortunately, each bloom only lasts for that one night.


Now that I know what it is, I hope I can get it to bloom.

A funny to brighten your day...

I received this link from a friend via email and I was just going to post the youtube video here, but I think the video needs a little more explanation. Check it out!

Palmire's own child would be coming soon.

Page 56

Rules:
* Grab the book nearest you. Right now.
* Turn to page 56.
* Find the fifth sentence.
* Post that sentence here.
* Don't dig for your favorite book, the coolest, the most intellectual. Use the CLOSEST.

Thank you Meredith via Cassandra...

...for introducing me to Scrapblog. I'm not sure whether I really think it is the coolest thing since sliced bread or whether I'm just enjoying something new that takes me away from my research. Facebook just doesn't do it anymore... I actually had a fleeting thought to create more blogs just so I could make more of these things!

As you can see, my blog has a new look...that I created at Scrapblog. It was so much fun. It took me some time to get used to it, but once I knew how everything worked, it was just a matter of getting it to suit my tastes.

My sister made a scrapbook ~8 years ago (at least) of which I was in awe. I always wanted to create a scrapbook but never got around to it. A while ago (several years) I actually bought a scrapbooking kit. Have I used it? Nope. I only got as far as opening it up. Part of the problem is these darn digital cameras. I take tons of pictures and never print any of them. Granted, I could use my old pictures, but...I don't know...I just haven't done it. I guess I'll have to make a scrapbooking date with myself.

I'm hoping the solution to my failure to scrapbook problem is Scrapblog. We'll have to see. I can already see a downside to this online scrapbooking...it kind of takes the fun away from dragging out your scrapbooking stuff, making a mess, and having to put it all up again. I've never actually done these things, but I can imagine it being like the Kindle; it takes away the enjoyment of feeling and smelling a real book. Or so I've heard.

Happy scrapbooking!

He proposed!

Just kidding! We stopped at Taco Bell on the way back from my friend's wedding reception last night and one of the hot sauce packets said "Will you marry me?" on it. He showed it to me and we had a good laugh. :o) My friend sitting in the back started doing an overly dramatic girly excited scream and swiftly told our friend that she was talking to on her cell phone that he had proposed.

Could you imagine being proposed to with a Taco Bell hot sauce packet??

The results are in!

And no parasites were found in Callie's ummmm....business. :o( They still prescribed her some Flagyl with the assumption she may have an overgrowth of bacteria in her bowel that's causing the loose stools. I really hope it works.

Sorry for such a gross post!

More kitty problems

I'm hoping that the new litter box I bought & the results of a fecal test not yet back, will solve the problem of loose stools all over the house. Ugh. Sometimes she'll use the litter box and sometimes she won't. Sometimes she'll have loose stools and sometimes she won't. I'm actually hoping a parasite shows up in the fecal because then there would be an explanation. I also hope she learns not to step in her business after she goes. I'm tired of cleaning up after her.

I love Ellen

Biggest Loser Question

Anyone else disgusted by the attitudes and actions of the former blue team minus Amy?? :oP

I'm rooting for Phil! Actually, I'm rooting for anyone but Vicky, her husband, and Heba.

This amazing world

Just a minute ago I was listening to an interview with Gary Strobel, a plant pathologist at Montana State University. In this interview, he discusses his discovery of a fungus from a tree stem in Patagonia that produces diesel compounds. Yes, diesel the gas. He maintains that the pure substance produced by this fungus (no altering whatsoever) could be used to power vehicles (and anything else that requires diesel). Pretty amazing. Here's an article regarding the subject.

Another thing I find amazing is that the speaker for our Biology Seminar on Friday from NC State referred to Gary Strobel specifically for unethical practice(s). The EPA had a fit when he injected a genetically altered organism into elm trees on the MSU campus without approval to combat Dutch elm disease. He rectified (as best one could I suppose) the situation by cutting them all down.

Patriotism & the Election

I've gone from anger to hurt and absolutely have to get my feelings out. Unfortunately, I've had some issues with some blog posts I've read recently. Ah the freedom of speech. So much so that I've ceased reading them because I'm afraid of what I might read and the friendships I may lose.

By the tone of their writing I feel like these aforementioned bloggers are attacking me personally just because I voted differently than they did. They use the term "democrat" as if it's a cuss word. I suggest, in another four years when we elect another president (perhaps Obama again), blog about facts and leave the emotions behind. State merely why you voted the way you did...not why someone who voted against you is wrong and that you're disappointed in your country for its choice. I understand this is hard to do...especially when this election has been so emotional. And contrary to the advice I just gave, I will be emotional in this post because I feel as if my personal choices and intelligence has been attacked.

All I'm asking for...is a little respect. Just a little bit. Ha. Ha. Aretha Franklin? No? Alright. So I voted on the issues and by your telling me I made the wrong decision by voting for President-Elect Obama, you're telling me my reasons for choosing who I chose are invalid. That hurts.

Why are the blue states wrong? Why are all democrats (and republicans for that matter) lumped together like we all voted for our guy for the same reason? Why can't we accept and respect others' opinions? Why is someone who didn't vote for the same person you voted for stupid for choosing that person? Everyone has different reasons for voting. Mine? The environment, women's rights, and health care. McCain did not, for any of those issues, go in the direction that I would have liked. And to be honest, had it not been for Palin, my decision between McCain and Obama might have been much more difficult to make. I certainly sympathize with McCain's POW status and it definitely had a pull on me. But in the end I'm going to look at the big picture.

Do I think everything's going to change over night?? No. Do I think everything will change in four years? We might see some change and it may or may not be dramatic change. Did I vote for Obama for his "Change we can believe in" slogan? No. Have I "bought into" something?? Absolutely not. I did my research and voted for the person that had the most similar viewpoints to mine.

I'm attaching a videoclip from The View. It's somewhat long, but what I really want you to see is Elisabeth Hasselbeck's response to Obama as our next president. For anyone who doesn't know, she's a supporter of McCain who is known for (among other things) the intense arguments she had with her Obama loving co-hosts. She sums up nicely the position I feel those who have had an adverse reaction to his being elected should adopt.

I feel it's ridiculous to refer to Obama with his full name; including Hussein like it refers to terrorist ties. Feel free to read this article to educate yourself on the origins of this name. McCain himself even said that using his full name is inappropriate. I think I'll name my son after Hitler just so he'll have a hard time becoming president if he so chooses that route. When else has a person running for president consistently been referred to by his full name? It's low and I'd say one who does so is ignorant and prejudiced for stooping to such depths.

Growing up in a military family, I have and will always have intense pride for my country, its leaders, and the freedoms I possess because of those who have (and have not) died for her. I had love and was devoted to my country even as Bush's popularity waned and the economy plummeted. I don't pick and choose when I love the United States and her people depending on how things are going. Even if whomever is elected is making incompetent decisions, I embrace it because that's who we, as a country, chose. That's who we had the freedom to choose. I've heard many people (not just the new First Lady) say this is the first time in a long time that they've been proud of the United States. I have always and will always be proud of my country. PERIOD.

Do I think Bush was a good choice? Maybe not, but I still supported my country, the people's decision, and our president. Do I wish "our boys" had never gone to war? As a sister of someone previously deployed to Afghanistan, absolutely. But when one enlists, one understands that he or she may be called to duty (a reason I have never enlisted) and when/if that time comes, one stands up and serves his or her country proudly. Do I think Obama's going to bring everyone back? Nope. Do I think he should? Nope. We're in too deep to pull out now. My brother (active duty AF) opened my eyes during a conversation we had regarding Bush. His stance may have changed since our discussion, but at that time he maintained that Bush had been the best president the military had seen in a long time. Funny, huh?

I revel in that I am able to vote. I revel in the fact that I am able to voice my opinions for all to hear. As a patriot and no matter my political views, I will stand up and support my new president and this wonderful country in which I was blessed to be born.

I appreciate that not everyone will have the same views I have and I will not condemn those who choose paths I may not choose. I will not disrespect you for your choice. I will not think you're dumb and were "taken" by McCain. You have your opinion. I have mine. Neither is wrong.

These are my feelings at this time. They may change and I'm open to that change. Indeed, I welcome it.

Close encounters of the kitty kind

We had our first Callie-Athena encounter this morning. For those of you who don't know, Athena is our rottweiler and Callie is our new kitten. Haha...that's quite a setup.

We've arranged the pets in the following way: the dogs stay outside and the cat inside until bedtime. At bedtime, the cat goes into the laundry room and the dogs go into the bedroom. In the morning the dogs go back outside and the cat is let out of the...bag?? No, the laundry room.

I ask my boyfriend this morning, "Cat inside the laundry room?" His reply: yep. So I open the bedroom door and let the dogs out...who let the dogs out?? Nicole did. I'm sorry, I just can't help it. And they swiftly ran into...the loving arms of Callie the Cat. It was doggie-kitty mayhem. Not really, but it certainly took a few seconds for my brain to register what was happening.

Something just didn't seem right and it wasn't until I saw the door to the laundry room open that I realized Callie was out and Athena was right on top of her. Athena was just sniffing her so I wasn't sure whether to grab her or let her sniff Callie. I got my answer when Callie started running away and Athena chased after her trying to get her mouth around her.

My reaction: Hey...Hey!...HEY!...HEY! as I'm running after them with my boyfriend right behind me saying, "I swear I closed it!!" lol I grabbed Athena and Callie was able to run away. My boyfriend grabbed Callie to put her up and I let the dogs out. Yes, again.

So it wasn't as bad as it could have been, but I am surprised it happened so soon. I figured it'd be at least a month before any accidental encounter would occur. And believe it or not, I still have hope that Athena and Callie can live together in peace. If Athena really wanted to eat her, she could have. I really think she's just excited and doesn't know what to do. She only started trying to get her mouth around her after she took off running...her natural dog instinct to chase and capture. I don't know, maybe I'm completely wrong, but I'd rather see the glass as half full rather than half empty.

One step forward, two steps back

It wasn't until recently that I started to like Dr. Hahn on Grey's Anatomy. And now, just as I start to enjoy her, her character is written out of the show. Rumor has it that ABC is cutting back on homosexual story lines. Shonda Rhimes (exec prod) maintains there was just no chemistry between Erica & Callie, but if that were true, don't you think they'd keep the Erica Hahn character and just end the relationship--like they've done so many times before?? Hmmm...smells fishy. I don't know the acting world that well but it amazes me that someone can lose their job so quickly because of someone else's writing.

My thoughts on the election...

Just kidding! Many thoughts...but you won't see any posted here.

Instead, here's some pictures of our new cute, cudlly kitten Callie. :o) I hope her pooping outside the litterbox (only twice) is a kitten phase of which she'll soon grow out.

Capone is fine with her...ignores her even, but Athena is just a bit too excited for me to let them get close together. They'll stay separated until she calms down (assuming she does).