Showing posts with label doug. Show all posts
Showing posts with label doug. Show all posts

2 Years & 10 Months Later...

     Wow, I don't even know if I remember how to post a blog, if I'm being honest. It's been nearly 3 years since I've posted ANY type of blog! You all know what my last one was about, so you can understand why I haven't been around. It's been a crazy 3 years and a lot has changed, but a lot hasn't. I'm going to touch on some VERY tender subjects, which is why this post will probably take me days to finish. I honestly don't even know if I want to start blogging again, it's just something that popped in my head at the time.

     I guess I should explain everything that happened with my little brother first. There's so much to it, so I'll try and make it as short as possible so that you're not reading for 20 minutes on one subject. Back in January of 2017 my brothers blood sugar got so high that it sent him into diabetic ketoacidosis. He was in a coma for over 2 weeks and in ICU for nearly a month, then got sent to a type of recovery facility for almost 4 months before he was able to go home. He's made leaps and bounds since then, but he's still confined to a hospital bed. Brain injuries can sometimes take years to recover from, if at all, but considering they said opening his eyes was as good as it was going to get, I'd say he's beat the odds.

     The next and hardest subject would be the loss of two of my pets, Milla and Zoe. We lost Milla to a splenic tumor in on June 22nd of last year. The vet called us in the middle of the surgery to remove the tumor to tell us that it was attached to her liver that was most likely already cancerous as well. Since Milla was well over 12, our vet didn't think it was worth it to put her through it, so we had her put to sleep. Then in on November 12th we lost Zoe to FIV and kidney complications. She had severe bronchitis and worsening kidney failure that ultimately took her life. She was 16 1/2, so losing her nearly killed me, considering I had her over half of my life. I don't have skin children, but losing those two was as close as I can get to losing my own babies, which I did.

     The rest of what's happened in the nearly 3 years is pale in comparison. I mean, we have lost some of our sugar gliders as well. I'm fairly certain I mentioned Sadie and Pip, but we've also lost Kira and Fiona as well. We've also re-homed Chloe, Boone and Evie & Oliver and Ellie. We just got overwhelmed with the number of cages we had and decided it was best for not only us, but them as well. Chloe's cage went to live with Doug and Kyan and Oliver and his family went to live with Dee, his breeder. We're down to 5 cages right now, but we're hoping to introduce some of them soon and be down to at least 3 cages. We got Norman neutered a little over a month ago, so we're officially not breeders anymore. We have their last two joeys still, but hopefully we'll be able to find them good homes soon.

     Work wise, the store that I work at switched hands back in March of 2018. It was a change for the better, considering I never have to close alone anymore - even in the winter! It was a scary change at first, but I'm so happy that it happened now. It went from Des Arc General Store to Des Arc Corner Store. My photography has picked up a little. I've done 3 paid gigs this year and a couple other free ones, of course. 90% of my photoshoots are free. Hopefully I can start advertising soon and get more paid shoots, but I'm fine doing whatever for now. I'll make an independent post about some of those shoots later on.

     I don't remember what I blogged about last, so forgive me if I go over things I've already touched on. I believe, at the time, we just had Cersei and Clementine outside. Clem was the little yellow kitten that someone dropped off. Well a little over a year ago, Cersei just disappeared without a trace. We looked for her for the longest time, but she was just gone. Then two years ago or so, there was a stray cat living at the end of our gravel road. She got pregnant I think 3 different times during the year that we fed her and all her kittens. Well a lady from the church at the end of our road ended up taking her home with her because she was giving birth outside the church one night. Well as soon as the kittens were weaned, she dumped the mama cat back off at the end of our road. We were livid! LaVaughn snatched her up one night after church and brought her to live with us. That was over a year ago now and mama cat (now Piper) if very chub, spayed and happy as a clam!

     I'm trying to think of any major changed that's occurred over the last almost 3 years. We haven't done any major travel, changed too much around the house or with the car. The only thing that I think has changed about me is that I wear glasses now. In December of 2017, right before my 30th birthday, I had to have my 2nd molar removed AND have to wear glasses now. What a way to enter my 30s, lol. As far as friends go, we've fallen out of touch with pretty much all of our glider friends. We used to be super close with Doug and Kyan -- I was especially close with Doug. They started trying to adopt almost 2 years ago (I even signed for them), but it's been a constant battle with them and two different boys they tried to adopt. I won't go into specifics, but we basically don't speak to one another anymore, but I'm fine with it now.

     It feels so strange blogging right now, but also feels like I've never stopped. Funny how things can be that way. I feel like since I've stopped blogging that influencers have become a HUGE thing. You can't read a blog or look at Instagram without someone trying to sell something. It honestly makes me kinda sick, so don't ever expect that from me. This is basically my online journal, it always has been. Sure I have Google adsense on the sides, but hell, there's nothing wrong with making .12 every other day, lol.

     And with that, I believe I will close. I can't really think of anything else to write at the moment and feel like I've said enough for one day. Until next time...

-Megan



Monday, Monday...

So, today was the big day that we got to meet up with Doug and Kyan in Festus. Only downside is it was only I that got to see them. We got there 30 minutes early and, like clockwork, they were running behind. We spent 30 minutes or so walking around Joann's and admiring their amazing sale on no sew fleece throw -- 50% off!

If you're wondering, yes, we took advantage and spent more money than I care to admit.

Since we still had 45 minutes to spare before the boys arrived, we decided to head over to Walmart and do some shopping. We needed a few household items and some groceries, so we thought we could get that done before they even arrived. Well, since all the Christmas items were 50% off, that ended up occupying around 30 minutes of our time. It was no time before I got a message from Kyan telling me that they were at Joann's, waiting.

Since we had a cart full of stuff and weren't even in the market side, LaVaughn decided to stay with the cart and I would run over and meet the boys to deliver the girls. Not sure if you read my previous blog, but that's what today's meeting was all about -- Kyan is shipping two gliders for us Wednesday.

Anyways, I jetted over to Joann's, met up with the boys, walked around in there for 15 minutes while Kyan picked out fleece, went outside and talked for another 10 minutes, then sat in the back of their car and talked for an additional 30 minutes. I knew LaVaughn was probably steaming by then, so I quickly wrapped up our meeting and went back to the store.

It sucked to only get to see them for an hour -- I miss them so, so much. I'm hoping and praying Doug does get every Monday off soon. I have most Mondays off, so that would be a perfect day to meet up.

We quickly wrapped things up at Walmart and came home, which is where we are now. I'm exhausted and barely had the energy to feed the gliders, let alone myself. Now I need to rest and watch some Netflix, because we'll be back at it again tomorrow...

Stolen from my Insta:

Gorgeous drive there.

Our breathtaking Joann loot.

A death and an anniversary...

It's a very sad day around here as we lost one of our very first boys, Pip. I honestly don't know what happened to him, this was all so sudden and unexpected. 

Pip would have tuned 7 at the end of this month. I still remember the day we picked him up back in October of 2009. He was always such a sweet and special boy. Never bit a day in his life and very rarely crabbed. He was an excellent daddy up until he got neutered a few years ago. I'm so saddened right now and just completely heartbroken.

Today is also Doug and Kyan's 1 year wedding anniversary. I'm trying so hard to be happy and think of something nice to say, but I'm so completely and utterly heartbroken. It just does not seem real. I kept thinking it was all a dream today while I was at work, but I knew it wasn't. I just don't understand. 

Pip was sick with a sinus infection several weeks ago, but that cleared up with two separate sets of antibiotics. His cage mate, Sadie, has been sick for the past two weeks as well, but what she has is completely unrelated. She had a severe URI that we're treating with clavamox and lots of liquids. Not only am I sad, but I can't imagine what she must be going through. She just lost her cage mate of 6 years on top of being sick. 

I've been keeping her with me basically 24/7. She's only in her cage while I sleep or while I'm at work. I hope that's enough to keep her mind off of losing him. 

Glide free my sweet and special boy. You are always in my heart and will be forever missed.

June 27th 2009 - June 1st 2016


Time to remember 2015...

So, here we go again! It seems like my recap posts are getting closer and closer together. I addressed this last year -- time goes by far too fast anymore. I was able to slow down this year and really take in what good times the year had to offer. Of course, with good comes bad. Luckily the good outweighed the bad for the most part of the year. Lets take a look back and see what 2015 had to offer...
  • January didn't start off awesome. It was nearly the end of the month when we received the news that my uncle, Donald, passed away. He was in very bad health -- I honestly didn't think he would make it as long as he did. I spend my summers in Florida with this guy. He taught me how to ride a 4-wheeler and pick fruit with the best of them. I still wait for him to call out of the blue just to say hello. It's unreal that he's actually gone.
  • I don't know if this is buzz worthy, but we got a really bad snow storm in February and were literally snowed in for 2 weeks! I missed an entire 2 weeks of work, it was insane!
  • Now for one of the most heartbreaking times of the year. In late February, our sweet Sally became so ill that we had to have her put down. We still kick ourselves that we didn't do it sooner. Rat lovers, animal lovers in general, know how hard it is to let go of your furry friends.
  • This brings me to my next subject, losing our other 3 rattie girls. We had Melissa and Chelsea put down in the same day, Emilia made it a couple more months before she passed away in her cage. I can't even begin to talk about them. Losing them all was 4 separate and unbelievable heartbreaking times. It's never easy losing an animal, each one holds a very special place in my heart and each one of them always takes a piece of it when they go.
  • So far 2015 is sounding like a super depressing year. Lets talk about something GOOD for a moment. After losing our girls, we knew it wouldn't be long before we added new additions to our brood. That's where Leo and Louie come in. I don't know what it is, but it seems with each passing year and each new rat that we adopt, they get sweeter and sweeter.
  • Lets see, I guess my aunt's back surgery needs to make the list. I'm really, really close with my aunt, so you can imagine how difficult her surgery was for me. Luckily she did amazingly well and healed up in no time!
  • I guess this is something to remember, but LaVaughn and I tried sushi for the first time this year. That's something I NEVER thought we would do. Aside from it being a kind of crappy sushi bar, it was a decent first try.
  • Now for one of the most exciting things of the year... our new car! I still can't believe it sometimes, but we had a gorgeous 2011 Chevy Impala! It's been an amazing ride, one I feel so blessed to have. And come on, it's a Chevy!
  • July 1st probably stands out the MOST! LaVaughn and I traveled to Mount Pleasant, Iowa to witness our best friends, Doug and Kyan, get married! LaVaughn was the witness (they only needed one other) and I was the wedding photographer. We almost opted out of going due to how far away it was, but we made it happen by spending the night in a hotel the day before. Definitely one of the most memorable and exciting things ever!
  • Speaking of Doug and Kyan, we got to spend the day with them in September -- we even got to hang at their house for a while! This was a triple threat of exciting days... We got our BFBB boy and Creme Mosaic girl that day! Both were being flown in, which was super stressful. Thankfully my lovely, Doug, drove us to the airport and back twice. I love him.
  • I know this isn't really anything, but we got Una spayed this year and it was incredibly heartbreaking. We have unusual attachments to our cats, so parting with her for 2 days is just too much. At least it's done now -- no more heat cycles!
  • One last awesome thing that happened this year -- I won a photo contest! This wasn't a small contest either, it was a contest held over 4 different Facebook groups with thousands of members! Mind you not everyone entered, but still. It was exciting and something to be proud of.
As you can see, a lot has taken place this year. We've experienced new things, traveled to new places, had extremely exciting things happen in our life. It's been a good year. Of course, there's always bad things that happen in a year, always, but for the most part it was good. I don't want to say anything that will jinx 2016, so I'm going to leave it at that.

Now it's the time we've all been waiting for! What exactly DID I accomplish on my bucket list this year?? I kept my Bucket List fairly simple this year, so my accomplishments are small

What I accomplished:
  • Starting my photography business. Yes, I said it! I am now the proud owner of Megan Pritchett Photography! Before you get too excited for me, it's just in the beginning stage. I'm still putting together my portfolio, but hey, at least I have it, right? I even got to do my first OFFICIAL photoshoot this year! It wasn't a paid shoot, considering they're basically family, but it was a shoot all the same. I also have a few other small shoots, plus Doug and Kyan's wedding -- which was amazing! So I guess it's safe to say I did partially accomplish this. I wanted to start my photography business and I did just that. Yay me!
  • Buying a prime lens. I was lucky enough to be able to do this in late June. I haven't set it down since I picked it up out of the package. My 50mm 1.8g is one of the best things that's ever happened to me.
  • Using my camera in full manual. Check! I honestly don't remember the last time I used auto? It was back in January sometime. I've finally grasped the basics of my cameras setting and can now use them all to my advantage. Whoop whoop!
  • Project 365. I can say this with honor... I DID IT!! I took a picture every single day this year! Some were on my phone, some were of something horrid as a worst case thing, hell, some were even of me! But hey, a picture is a picture and I took one every single day this year. And because of that, I feel unbelievably accomplished. Now I just need to get them all uploaded before midnight! 
What I didn't accomplish:
  • Traveling. I set the bar low when I said I wanted to go to the zoo this year, which didn't happen. When we hung out with Doug and Kyan all day we did drive past the zoo. I saw the sign and everything! I know that doesn't count, so I can't check going to the zoo off of my list.
I think 4 out of 5 is pretty damn good, wouldn't you agree? I didn't have outrageous things to accomplish, but they were all things that I wanted to do and luckily, I was able to do 90% of them.

Now, what you've all been waiting for. What exactly IS on my Bucket List for 2016?
  • Photography. Of course I would start with that! I want to actually get paid o 2016 for doing what I love. I just need a few more shoots for my portfolio before I can start advertising my services. This is the front runner for everything that I want to accomplish in the coming year.
  • Buy a new (better) camera body. Possibly a new lens, but I'm perfectly content with my 50 for now. My camera body is having shutter issues, so I really need to replace or upgrade before I start doing anything on a super professional level.
  • The Walking Dead Comics. I want to own an read ALL of the volumes! I have volume 1-8 and I've read 1-6. I know it's a silly thing to want, but I really want to own them all and be completely caught up on everything that Kirkman has written. Reading these comics has become a passion of mine, something I look forward to every day. It's something small and hopefully something I can accomplish.
  • Project 365. You heard it here first! I've struggled to take dynamic and professional pictures this year, but I've taken a picture every day. It's something I'm used to now and something I'm not ready to give up yet. Here's to Project 365 2016! 
  • I know this will probably be another fail, but I still want to travel. I honestly don't care where I go at this point, I'm just leaving it open. I want to go to the zoo, still, so let hope that actually happens this year.
  • I'm going to be brave with the last item on my list... get a tattoo! I don't have one, I've always wanted one, so I'd really like to make it happen this year. LaVaughn and I have always wanted to go in together and get a tattoo. I think 2016 will most definitely be that year.
So there you have it, folks. That's my 2016 Bucket List. I just wonder how much of this I'll have accomplished this time next year. Only time will tell.

I raise my glass to you, 2015. You've been good, a little sad at times -- hell, there was even a couple time that I wanted to throw in the towel for good. Somehow you allowed me to prevail and for that, my hat is off to you.

Here's to 2016 and all the good that is has to offer!

Happy New Year, everyone!

-Megan

The rat man forgives you, this time...

LaVaughn and I have been trying something new with the rat cage -- no liners! I try to clean the rat cage every few days, but lets me honest, it doesn't always happen that way. And those of you who own male rats know just how smelly they can be sometimes. As of now, we're going liner free and I've vowed to clean the rat cage daily. Yes, I said DAILY! I bought a couple little bottles that are specifically for a vinegar/water mix that will be used to clean the cage (and drop trays) with.

I even bought cheap paper towels that are just for the rat cage and drop trays. Fancy that!

I think I mentioned a while back that I bought a couple rat items from a lady on Facebook that was for her rats medical bills (he's doing good, btw). Well we decided to put those and that awesome rat bed in their cage that Doug made. It's not as filling as their other cage set, but it looks okay. Especially with a shoe box filled with fleece. Have I mentioned that's their favorite thing ever?

I took loads of pics of them on my phone -- not a single photo on my camera. I know, I'm terrible! Not to worry, I'll be adding all of those to the post below.

To top the day off, we got The Walking Dead season 5 in the mail today! SUPER excited to watch it all again, especially with the season 6 premiere airing this Sunday!

Speaking of Sunday, have I mentioned that I'm doing my first official (unpaid) family photo session this weekend? It's of Angie's family, so they're still friends, but it's an ACTUAL shoot! You have no idea how excited I am about this. We're also going to Elephant Rocks after -- we've never been and they're giving us a tour. I'm pretty darn excited about that.

So, I guess that's all for now. Until next time...

Love & Peace

-Megan

Pictures from today:
























Time to catch my breath...

Wow, what a day we had! Yesterday was one of the longest and most car-riding/driving filled days I've had in a long time! Thankfully, everything went well -- I really had my doubts at some points -- and our babies arrived on time, safe and sound!

I'm going to try and make this as short as possible, considering the long day we had. We met Doug at Lowe's about 10 minutes from his house (in the heart of STL) and followed him back. He knew we were get lost trying to find our way to his house, so he offered to meet us. While we were waiting on him to arrive, I got a panicked message from Shannon (who we got our creme girl from) saying we had to be at the cargo building by no later than 4! She told me baggage when she first booked the flight, but she was wrong. I called Untied Baggage, they were absolutely no help, then had to call the cargo building. Long story short, we did have to be there by 4 to get her, but someone was going to be there until 5 and we were able to make it on time!

Since we had over 2 hours to go before the arrival of our BFBB boy, we decided to go back to Doug and Kyan's in the mean time. I felt TERRIBLE that they had to drive to the airport twice, it sucked. Back at their house, we got to see all their gliders and even trimmed everyone's nails for them. It was time well spent and I had a blast!

We left just after 6 and headed back to the airport. We had to go inside the airport to baggage claim to get this boy. Luckily Kyan did all the talking -- he even went right to where we had to go, he's a life saver! We all had to stand in the baggage office for 30 minutes waiting on someone to bring him up from the plane. Naturally, the baggage from the Denver flight (the one he was on) was delayed and everyone was waiting on their luggage.

We went back to their house and stayed for a little while longer before we had to leave. We left with two new additions, but had to leave one. Our little boy, Pietro. :( Christina picked him up from their house last night after we left. I was not okay parting with him, he's such a sweet and lovable boy. I feel like I'm betraying him by leaving him there. He's in good hands, don't get me wrong, but it's not the same... he should be here with us.

With that being said, I am on cloud 9 and feel unbelievably blessed to have two gorgeous and amazingly sweet babies! They really are two of the sweetest gliders we've ever brought into our home that haven't been crabby. Tracy told be how sweet Zorro's babies were -- I was also told that from two other people that have his siblings -- and she was 100% right! He's an angel! This little creme girl is super, super sweet too. It's like night and day from the creme girls we got from Tracy. It almost doesn't seem real!

I'm obsessively holding them, starting at them, carrying them around, and then some. It's safe to say I'm OBSESSED with them! I love them so much and want to soak up as much time with them as I can before I have to return to work tomorrow. Sigh... work.

We've already thought of two really cute names, Ginny and Oliver. They're very normal and fitting. We've never been one to name our animals anything other than something you would name a human, Pip aside. But he is named after Pippin, while not a human, but Hobbit instead. Close enough to a human in my book. Anyways, so Ginny and Oliver it is! :)

On that note, I want to spend as much time as I can not on the computer or social media. I know, impossible! I will try, though.

Love & Peace

-Megan

Pictures from Sunday before we departed:

Pietro's travel supplies.

The last pictures I took of Pietro with the camera:




He's so cute. I'm going to miss him SO much. :(





Pictures from today. Everyone say hello to Ginny and Oliver:





Look at how dark and gorgeous he is!



This little girl is impossible to get a picture of.

A bird in a gilded cage...

So, time for an update of the majority of what's going on -- as of today. Our original plan was to meet up with ALL our glider friends Sunday, the 20th in the city, pick up our new boy and have dinner. Well apparently the cargo building closes at 4 PM on Sundays -- this completely soiled our plans.

Dee contacted me earlier today with the shipping information on our boy. Wanna guess what time he arrives? At 6:30 in the evening! This means we'll have to be at baggage claim at least 30 minutes early. This leaves no time for dinner before or after, completely eliminating any chance we had at dinner. Now we're going to have to cancel, which is going to upset everyone.

We're still meeting up with Doug and Kyan -- go figure -- so that we can drop of their cage set and so that Doug can drive us to the terminal, cause I myself cannot.

Now for a fill in on what's taking place with the creme mosaic from Shannon. I can officially sat that she's coming to live with us! :D I sent her the shipping money, so it's a done deal. I don't think the reality has set in just yet, because I'm still cool as a cucumber. I'm sure I'll react when we get closer to the 20th.

I think I've covered everything that's taking place in the glider world. I know you all know who/what we're getting -- I'm also sure I've mentioned that Wanda and Pietro have found furever homes, but have I mentioned that Jeremy officially has a home now? Well he does! A deposit was placed on him the other day. Now I can officially say that all our joeys have found their forever homes! I'm SO relieved! Especially with Chloe's soon to be joey and our TWO new additions. We're going to have a full house.

I guess that's all for now. I have loads of lovely photos to share with you below, hope you enjoy...

Love & Peace

-Megan

Mr. Hopper -- unfortunately he got spooked after a while:



Randomness:



Love this cat! Such a gorgeous boy!



Time for a preview of the joey pictures from today:

Pietro





Wanda





Jeremy





Elena






Gotta have a cat section:

Toby is such a goof.





Not sure why, but I think these are the prettiest little flowers/weeds:





My gorgeous "collection" of ducks:



















More cats -- mainly my man, Toby (with an I):









Hands down, favorite picture of him ever!









And lastly, a little one-on-one time with our super sweet girl, Elena: