Finally getting my emerald (after they mounted in the incorrect setting and having to wait for them to fix it)
This was cut from a raw stone...having to wait to see how it turned out was like waiting for my first New Year's kiss!!
I'm not much into material things...but this emerald is so fun because I'm the one that found the raw stone at the gem mine! An experience I hope to enjoy again one day.

A great conversation with a dear friend!

Me too! It was great to reconnect.playing catch up is always good.

Another great win by the Patriots!! :)

...
 

A dear friend...priceless

also that Kitten thread

Receiving a compliment on my outfit from a complete stranger.

Talking with My girl today. She makes Me laugh.

A patchwork heart. :)

My kitten little!

She started on antibiotics for her respiratory issue and eye cream for her eye gunk (a VERY technical medical term) and she is full of piss and vinegar today!!

She has been playing since 430 this morning and has JUST NOW stopped to rest. I had no idea how poorly she was feeling previously. She was playing quite a bit but this...is amazing lol And so fun to see!!

My precious Princess Potbelly is on the mend!

Now just need to worm her and find something for fleas that won't harm her lil kitten self :)

Addendum: she is Sooo happy to be feeling well that she is fighting sleep...and not winning!!

a picture I saw on facebook about Christmas time versus jan-spring. It still has me cracking up

Good morning texts, and team work where a big job is divided and delegated as I took it upon myself to print and alphabetize paperwork for twenty four residents and working to get them all signed today. Two people on vacation and no one started it last night so I figured I would do it all. Makes the boss happy, so why not?

Having running water in my kitchen made my day!

My supervisor and I have been working in his office straightening out some bad data in production all afternoon. This is very tedious work. We got wild joking around. I smile knowing we have the same style of humor. It makes this type work go so much easier. Great to be on the same wavelength with someone I work so closely with. We have one more station to correct. Tomorrow is Friday so we'll close his office door, crank up some hard rock and party down on good candy as we plow through this last one.

Happy Thursday evening to everyone!
:)

Looking at the Shoe Thread made me grin.... all of those sexy shoes, especially the ones with feet in them. http://i1.ifrm.com/14079/88/emo/eyebrows.gif

I used this on my cats when we had bad flea issues in FL.

Anything that bites them DIES and it doesn't hurt the little ones.

Capstar

The realization that in FIVE days I'll be home in time to have Thanksgiving dinner ON the actual day of Thanksgiving with my wife.

Haven't been able to do that in more than three years.

Also a pic sent to my phone of a "scary monster with glowing eyes" behind one of our furbabies who was hamming for the camera.


Smiling Big Time,
Brute.

A visit with my sister and the new foster kid. So love him!
I think he'll be with us through Christmas. Can't wait to watch him open presents! !

They were getting ready to leave and we had said our goodbyes, my sister was bundling the little fella up and we laughed that he reminded us of the little brother from a Christmas Story ("I can't put my arms down")
She finally stood up from getting him dressed and he goes "I gotta pee"

Hahaha

My pup wearing his "donut" around his neck to keep from chewing on his legs, but he still figured out how to "hug" me in a funny floppy way only he knows how to do.
He makes me smile and laugh every day...can't imagine life without his silly self!

Tonight while at an antique shop, I met someone that I recognized their face but just couldn't place them...after chatting a bit, they spoke up and said "I KNOW where we met before!! Didn't you used to work at the employment office?"....I responded, No, but I did volunteer there to help clients apply for other public services. But that was 3 years ago.

He was very excited that he remembered me now and thanked me for patiently spending time with him THAT ONE DAY, THREE years ago, to explain how to apply for Social Security Disability/ Medicare....he took the information back to his brother-in-law (who had been suffering with Liver failure but had been denied SSD several times, yet "had been given only 5 months to live"), and with the new information on how to apply or appeal, his doctor wrote a special letter to SSD, which got him approved. And very shortly after, he had his transplant that saved his life and is now recovering well. Being approved for SSD has not only helped him get insurance coverage through Medicare, but also gives him a monthly income again. I was very happy to hear how he is starting to enjoy his quality of life again!

The gentleman kindly thanked me again and nearly made me cry when he insisted I had made such a positive impact. He doesn't know how much that means to me.

Back when I was volunteering there, I would often think to myself "why am I doing this? My boss is going to think it's a waste of time because I'm supposed to make "300 contacts" per month, but while I'm at this location, hardly anyone needs my help."...I really did feel useless and unable to help my community. ...

Tonight this reminded me that....*You* can change the world for one person at a time.
The story he shared tonight of how his brother-in-law is healing so well and how grateful he was for my help really made my heart happy.

I surely can't "fix a broken system", as much as I had tried in my previous career, but it does my heart good to help people" navigate the system" and improve their quality of life.

geckos, singing and dancing. just for me.

*they were NOT trying to sell me insurance

Falling asleep with the kitten playing and waking up with her snuggled into my neck :)

Listening to Carmina Burana...

A bagel tease :-)

We have a friend that got out of prison a couple of years ago, and now lives 6 hours away by car. We have had her out to stay with us multiple times since her release, and our visits go pretty well for the most part.

After being locked in a cage and dehumanized for 15 years she has "issues", so sometimes we laugh/cry a lot. Last time, when i got up in the middle of the night i found her with her bedroom door open (doesn't like to be closed in), and fully clothed lying on top of the covers. This was the first time staying in that bedroom, so i hadn't seen her sleep before...i was suprised to say the least. She said she used to sleep that way in prison due to feeling unsafe...and she really hadn't thought about how it is not "normal" for most people.

Well, today she called me and told me she is finally sleeping under the covers in pajamas (still wears bra), and she wanted to thank me for giving her something to work on with her therapist. Her diagnosis of ocd has been changed, because the therapist thinks her behaviors are from being institutionalized, rather than a chemical imbalance.

I had big reason to :) today.

It's 77F in the house today and Sadie is bundled up under her "towel" blanket. She is definitely a Florida dog. :)

Panera's broccoli cheddar soup...perfect for a rainy day

a new table and chairs just in time for the holidays :)

My sister and the kids came over for dinner. The little guy was so excited to show me how he wrote his name. That's big stuff when you're 5!

They left and the house was quiet once again. I went in the bathroom and saw the seat was up, there was no toilet paper and the soap was in the sink.
Had to smile at having kids in the house.
:)

Finding a picture album in the attic with pictures of PJ, Jesse, Little Dee, Thomas and Simon from years ago. Call it "Memories on Monday" LOL

pygmy marmoset

http://img3.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb2...y-marmoset.jpg

Is that real?

yes they are real!

and omg are they ever so cute!

I don't believe it!! ;) but yes....very cute!!