I Like Thursday: We Have Arrived

I'm writing this on Wednesday night, but it won't post until some time Thursday because I found the camera after it got dark.

Views from the sunroom and kitchen

I Like Thursday: Chaos Continues

The majority of our home is in boxes in the living room.  (It's also the only room that still has art on the walls.)  It's all we do.  I miss sewing.  I miss blogging.  By next Thursday, though, we'll be on the other side of this move.  I cannot wait (even knowing of all the stuff still to do on that end of things).

It's been nice getting good customer service when requesting information about moving, gas delivery, plumbers, radon mitigation, ordering a stove.  I joked to the stove guy about how there's so many more area codes than when I was a kid.  He said his childhood area code was 612.  What?  You grew up in Minnesota?  I did too!  Turns out he grew up the other side of Minneapolis from me.  Small world!

I Like Thursday: Happy July 4th

Mabel worries I'll steal her lettuce

Another week of chaos.  There's packing, contacting various businesses to start or end utilities, researching, whatever.  And Mabel has required trips to the vet nearly every other day for treatment (isn't she cute with the purple bandage?  it was green before).  Ugh.

But...

I'm happy that the boxes in the house are piling up.  The more stacked boxes, the less there is to pack. 

The Goodwill pile is growing too.  That goes on Saturday - I will have a clean spot ready to amass more boxes.

Paper Bag Nesting

I've been providing Mabel with paper bags to vent her frustration.  It's interesting how every guinea pig has a different approach to destroying a paper bag.  Some like to chew the folded edges.  Others like to pull apart the corners.  Mabel likes to rip long strips rather than just chew a hole in one spot.  The hay is tasty, too, but the bag is so much fun to pull apart.

Fuzzberta Book Giveaway

Do you follow Fuzzberta & Friends on Instagram?  They're awfully cute.  They're one of a few guinea pig feeds I follow.  Several months ago I stumbled across a Fuzzberta book.  It's adorable.  I thought I'd share the cute.  Would you like a copy?

This giveaway is a What the Fuzz?! book.  To enter:  leave a comment of any fun guinea pig Instagram/Facebook accounts that you follow - or none at all (really?  not one?).  I'm a fan of The Lava Empire on Facebook; that diva sow Bianca makes me laugh.

If you're a no-reply blogger, please include your email address in the comment.  If you can't comment (I am told occasionally that the comments don't work), email me (address is on my About Me tab).  I will pick a winner at random from the comments on this blog and emails.

The drawing closes on Friday, July 5th at 12pm EDT.  Congrats Wanda!  I hope you enjoy the book. 

I Like Thursday: Cake and Dogwoods

I missed Saturday's game day due to guinea pig drama (Mabel's been stable the last few days).  Bummer.  I had made this lovely Chocolate Eclair Cake with a gluten free crust to share with the group.  Instead, we've had to eat the whole thing ourselves (I did share some with one friend).  As you can see, I do heavy on the chocolate compared to the original recipe.  Very good.  It fits right in with our stress-eating diet. 

As much as I don't like the stress, the upheaval, the uncertainty, the cost, the timing... oh, so much stuff... I need to stop.  Just for a moment.  And realize:  it's temporary.  I have the means, the resources, the friends, a place to live.  Oh, goodness, it makes me emotional.  I may need another slice of cake.

By Special Request

People like the name tags I've created.  Most of them are made of Sculpey.  I love the detail I can add to those name tags, but they're heavy and prone to breaking (only one of them has survived without repair).  I recently made one from fabric.  Much lighter, should be far more durable.  Nothing is going to snap off!  It's a whole different process to create.  I haven't figured out how add all the detail I'd like; I will be experimenting for a while.

A few weeks ago I was asked how one could get a Sally-made name tag.  I told him; he requested one in blue and green.  Weeks later, I finally had a little time to work on this.  Some research, two sets of background before I got it right and this what I created.

Rough Patch

Mabel has had a couple of rough weeks.  She went to the vet because she was losing weight and had developed a wheeze.  She came back with a slew of antibiotics which quickly knocked out the breathing issues and the weeping eye.  However, in the ensuing week-and-a-half, she developed stomach issues and was showing signs of pain (she started destroying whatever cozy she could sink her teeth into and was chewing stuff on the floor).

We headed back to the vet on Wednesday.  More x-rays and a shaved belly for an ultrasound.  Poor Mabel.  X-rays seemed to indicate a possible blockage between the small and large intestines.  She was still pooping (which she demonstrated to the vet), so we were sent home with fluids (everybody's favorites... not), an analgesic and told to keep up with probiotics and gas drops.