What I'm up to...

My blogs have been few and far between lately and I apologize. I'm not joking at all when I say this -- after the ordeal with Zoe, I haven't wanted to do anything that I used to do. Nothing else mattered, only her and her health. And just when I thought things would settle down some, Pip died, then Sadie. It's been non-stop for a while and I basically didn't have the energy for anything.

I've gotten extremely lazy. For example, I've sewn TWO cage sets since May.. TWO! That's so unreal and sickens me.

I'm trying to get back into my old groove, but it's not working out well. Blogging has very slowly gotten better over the last month, but barely! I usually post blogs 3 weeks later than what they should be and just back-date. Sewing is also terrible. I just do not want to sew anymore. I don't know why, but I just don't. I'm trying to rejuvenate my passion by ordering new fleece, which I did a couple days ago. Since Hancock went out of business I've had to resort to Fabric.com for all of my fleece needs. They never have any type of coupons or promotions, just free shipping when you spend $50 or more. I ordered 18 yards of fleece last week for just over $100, which wasn't too bad. All of that arrived Monday, but I didn't get around to sewing any of it this week. I have to work the next 3 days, so I definitely wont be sewing then.

Speaking of work, it's about the same. Nothing new or exciting, just the same old meth heads and late season campers that travel to Sam A. Baker state part. Do you have any idea how tiring it is to tell people how to get there? And 9 times out of 10 they come from the direction of the part. The road goes straight through it, I have absolutely no idea how they miss it!

Oh, I've completely given up on project 365 this year. I was trying to take a picture with my camera every day, but after a while I was taking pictures of the most ignorant stuff. I finally called it quits a few weeks ago. I have still been taking pictures of my phone practically every day, but I'm not planing on doing a project 365. It's just one less thing to have to worry about doing and it's honestly a big relief.

Lets see, what else has been going on... We've watched so many new movies lately, I can't even begin to name them all. We've also started watching Hemlock Grove (which is awesome) and catching up on Once Upon A Time, which is amazing. I wish I could think of everything we've watched lately, but I can't. I list all of the movies we've been watching on The Spoiling Dead Forum HERE for those that are interested. You'll just have to skim through them to find my posts.

Speaking of, I've become quite the active TSDF member since March. I love it there. They're normal, not PG like Glider Central was and they talk about what I love most, The Walking Dead! But there's so much more to that forum than TWD and spoilers, we talk about any and everything! And they're so much more understanding than most people, I love it.

I know, I'm a forum nerd.

I can't really think of anything else, so I guess I'm going to go. Until next time...

-Megan

Say it ain't so...

I felt kind of odd last night. I kept getting this feeling in my throat and chest like I needed to cough, which I did every little bit. I've had enough colds in my lifetime to know when one is starting to set in. We've all been there -- fatigue, scratchy throat from trying to clear it so much, heaviness in your lungs. It's an all too familiar feeling.

I was scared that I would wake up today and be severely congested. Surprisingly enough, I wasn't too ill. Congested, yes, but severely? No. I took an incredibly hot shower within 5 minutes of being up, which helped tremendously to break everything up. I've had a funky smell in my nose every since. I'm also starting to cough again, which is causing my throat to feel weird.

I just hope and pray that I'm not worse tomorrow -- I have to work! Luckily it's only until 7.

Speaking of working, as soon as I got out of the shower I had to sew a 7 piece cage set that was paid for a couple days ago, My original intention was to sew that and one other to try and sell. Yeah, that definitely didn't happen. I felt far too crappy to sew anymore than I absolutely had to.

I'm hoping I can sew some Sunday if I don't have to work. That's IF I feel up to it. I may be worse tomorrow, or I may be better. I'm keeping my fingers crossed for better.

Well I guess I'm going to call it a day. I want to go ahead and post today's picture on my new Project 365 blog HERE before I get too far behind on posting, like I did with my old Project 365 blog HERE. I'm actually still in the process of uploading all of last years pictures. It's such a pain, you have no idea. It's so tedious to put each date and each day in, god I'll be glad when I'm done. I am so not getting that far behind on this years if I can help it.

Anyways, that's all for now. Until next time...

Love & Peace
... and Happy New Years!

-Megan

Randomly boring pictures from today:

My hat. Best gift LaVaughn has ever given me.

Pork for dinner. It's a good luck symbol to eat pork on New Years day. Stay far far away from chicken!

More smoothies in the making.

They look far better than they taste.

I'm not sure what, but something is off in these drinks.

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

Like a river flows...

I feel like I should begin this blog by speaking about something grievous that happened yesterday. Charli and Tyler's little (leu?) boy passed away yesterday. He stopped nursing Monday night and showed absolutely no signs of being even slightly interested in doing so. I tried to supplement him 3 different times to no avail.

I knew the entire time his outcome would me grim. I was preparing myself for the fact that he was going die, there was just no way around it. I don't even try to be optimistic anymore -- it's pointless, isn't it?

I did a lot of thinking Monday night about the gliders and how comfortable I was with the numbers we're at now. I was evaluating our breeding gliders and seeing where I stood and how I felt about it anymore. At the time I was ready to neuter everyone and re-home a select number of gliders. I was just so hurt and distraught, I just didn't want to feel like that anymore.

After the waters have calmed, I've settled some and realized that I don't hate or despise having any of the gliders. I do, however, feel uncomfortable with the numbers of cages we have and would desperately like to combine a few. Which we're partially in the process of doing. Intros will be so much easier when we receive our tent from Sara -- it should arrive tomorrow! Yay!

It was cloudy and dim today, there were only a few stray sun rays that made it past the density of the clouds. It made for terrible pictures, but I still managed to get a few.

Speaking of, I nearly slipped up yesterday and failed to take one single photo with the camera. Thankfully I took a few pictures (and a couple slefies) on my phone. I would have probably killed myself -- or someone else -- had I not taken at least ONE picture yesterday. It's just so hard to remember to do so on days that I work. I try to grab the camera as soon as I get home and snap a picture of the cats or food... something!

I'm still shocked by the fact that I'm actually still doing a Project 365. I'm not uploading them every day, mind you, but I am taking them. ;)

I've wrote enough for a short novel today, so I bid you good readings. Until next time...

Love & Peace

-Megan

The kitchen window.

Gorgeous Bart on a cloudy day.

Random weeds, trees, branches, and flowers:

A decaying tulip.

Gotta have the Bleeding Heart plant.

A tulip in bloom.

Buckeye tree blooms.

Buckeye Tree leaves.

More bumblebee pictures.

The lake.

A bug I rescued.

Welcome to the world of Superbowl...

I'm sure at least 65% of the population is watching the Superbowl today, which is to be expected. I asked off for this day, mainly because I didn't want to deal with the Superbowl crowd at work -- I honestly did have intentions of watching the game, but decided against it.

Instead of doing that, I took joey pictures! It was cold, damp, and cloudy outside, so outdoor pictures were a no. Instead, I moved their shoot to the bathroom. It worked out so well the last time I did that, but they were smaller and it was sunny, not dim and gloomy. That light that was cast through the window was not in my favor, so these pictures didn't quite turn out like I wanted them to.

This is what I deal with when we have joeys in the winter months.

After that, I cleaned the rat cage. I haven't been cleaning it as often as I normally would, mainly because I don't like upsetting the girls and/or moving them around much. Sally is still in bad shape, she's nearing the end I believe. Melissa's tumor is huge and I'm completely irate about it. It's NOT fair that rats have to go through what they go through.

I do don't want to get on that subject. It doesn't take much to trigger a crying outburst.

In other news, I'm still doing well with my Project 365 (knock wood). I've taken all the 365 pictures with my camera -- which is great, cause even if nothing it going that day, I still manage to get a decent picture. Well Friday rolled around and there I sat, 30 minutes into Saturday morning and it hit me... I didn't take a picture Friday! I flew into panic mode and frantically started looking through the camera for even the smallest picture I could have taken, but no.

It's LaVaughn's fault, I had to take her to the doctor yesterday and got completely sidetracked due to the paranoia of potentially getting sick from all the sickly people in the office. Luckily, thanks to the every popular "selfie" phenom, I managed to take a picture on my phone... of myself. NOT looking forward to that being my Day 31, but what can you do?

I'm going to get back to relaxing the rest of the night. I have to get up at 9 AM (shutter) tomorrow. Yeah, not looking forward to that wake-up call, but it's for my aunt and that makes it okay.

Love & Peace

-Megan

Here are the LONG overdue joey pictures...

Neville

Luna

Evan

Evie

And now some pictures from Saturday:

Grumpy looking Una.

Yes, this is me sporting LaVaughn's glasses.