My sweet Louie...

My little man lost his battle at 11:05 last night due to a pituitary tumor. I held him in my arms after I got home up until he took his last breath. It's killing me. I miss him so, so much. He and his brother Leo that passed earlier this year were honestly the sweetest rats I've ever met in my entire life. I've never been as close to rats as I was to them, and because of that my sister and I will probably never own rats again. We get too attached and they just don't live long enough. We're going to spend as much time with Merle as we can to keep him happy. I'm just done with rats. Their short lives bring endless love and happiness, but too much pain in the end. 

I love you so much Louie, I will probably never love a rat the way I loved you.

2014-2016

Keeping my mind off of the obvious...

So, LaVaughn and I went to Poplar Bluff today. Mainly because we wanted to get out of the house for a while, but also to keep our mind off of losing Leo. We did our usual run - Hastings, Petco, food, then home.

We got Carl and Injured Daryl from Hastings -- they're part of series 4 of the POP! Vinyls, now we just need the other 3, which are extremely expensive, go figure. After that we headed to Petco where we got a new rat. There, I said it... we got another rat. We weren't doing this for ourselves, we were doing this for Louie.

I've researched and talked to numerous rat owners and literally everyone said to get another rat. Louie will get depressed and end up mourning himself to death -- that's what Evan did, remember? So we did it, we got one.

We said we would only get one if there was one that stood out. Long story short, there was. Even the guy at the store grabbed the rat that we were eyeing. So yeah, it was meant to be.

And might I say that introductions went EXTREMELY well!

Welcome to the brood, Merle. You'll have the best life we can possibly give you while you're here.

Everyone say hello to, Merle:

I love fat Louie.

The size difference is insane.

Some glider cuteness:

And lastly, our new Walking Dead POP! Vinyls:

No time to say goodbye...

Oh gods, days like today are days that I dread the most. Last night before bed, LaVaughn noticed that Leo was breathing really hard and semi lethargic. We were all out of Doxy, so I gave him a nice sized dose of prednisone and went to bed. When I got up today around noon, he had deteriorated even more. He was moving around the cage quite a bit, which made me feel a little better, but he was still in really bad shape.

I got him out, wrapped him in some fleece and fed him half of a yoggie. That's really all he would eat. After I woke LaVaughn up, she helped me get a Baytril pill down him, but it never really went all the way down. He mainly just held it in his mouth. I was waiting to hear from the vet on whether we should meet her at the clinic tonight, or wait until tomorrow.

I sat in the living room, holding him in my arms for about 5 minutes. That's when he started open mouth breathing -- this is when they're in extreme respiratory distress. It wasn't two minutes later that he started really gasping for air. He was opening his mouth and really throwing his head back, it was awful. At that moment I knew I had to prepare myself for what was coming next.

I started back towards the bedroom, barely able to see due to the tears I was shedding. I didn't even make it to the bed before he drew one last breath, then he stiffened up and stopped moving. I was hysterical at that point. LaVaughn rushed into the bedroom and asked what was wrong, which I began to tell her. She lost it after that and the two of us held him and cried for another 30 minutes.

They may just be rodents or "nasty" animals to most, but to us they're sweet, loving, gentile, and kind animals that we call our babies. I'm still at a loss and can't honestly believe that he's gone.

I'm not going to be much use for anything other type of content in this blog, so I'm going to end it here. We're trying to spend as much time with Louie as we can.

-Megan

RIP Leo...

November 2014 - April 2016

Here are some pictures of Louie, getting lots of snuggles:

A "how to" guide to short stories...

A guy contacted me in Instagram around a month ago and asked me to join his Walking Dead Facebook page. Since I'm obsessed with TWD, I happily agreed to do it. I even bought some comics from a guy in the group within a week of joining - so worth it.

Well they held a little contest that would allow for 10 winners. All 10 prizes were donated by the members in the groups, most were custom toys, bags, signed pictures by walkers on the show and so on. The rules were simple; create a short (zombie) story using no less than 300 words. They posted this on a Sunday, with a 1 week time limit. Stupid me, I didn't get my story finished until the following Sunday with 19 hours left in the competition.

Most of the stories that were submitted were hardly short stories at all. I'd say 7 out of 10 were all one messy, bulky paragraph without proper punctuation. Surprisingly enough, these were the stories that got the most likes. Lucky for me I had just enough likes to tie in 10th place with 3 other people. It came down to guessing a number and whoever was closest won. I don't know how, but I guessed just under 50 shy of the actual number and won.

Everyone had already picked all the good prizes, so all that was left was a custom mini made by someone in the group. I welcomed my winnings with open arms, considering I barely entered in the competition long enough to win anything. Had I submitted sooner, I think my likes would have been slightly higher.

In other news, our fleece came today. It's all so gorgeous -- I'm starting to covet it already! If only. We still didn't get two different yards, only because they were out of stock, bastards. I'm ordering more tonight so that I'll have something to pair with the ones that matched the ones that didn't arrive. Lets hope they all arrive in one piece.

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

Love & Peace

-Megan

Playtime with the boys last night:

My Walking Dead winnings:

And lastly, fleece from Hancock Fabrics:

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

Late night pick-me-up -- plus an update!

I haven't had much to talk about the past couple days. I've sewn every single day that I wasn't working -- so basically working on my days off. Works for me, I love the money. I'm sure that's what I'll be doing this week as well. After all, I did just cut out FIVE cage sets! O.o Yeah, that's a lot even for me.

Remember that gorgeous rat set-up from last week? Well surprise surprise, the boys complete destroyed their gorgeous cage. The littler we got for their corner littler box was strung all over their entire cage. They also completely reorganized all of their things, which made the mess that much work. The litter is going bye bye forever. Sorry boys, looks like you'll be pooping on cold plastic.

After I cut out all the cage sets today, LaVaughn and I decided to get out of the house for a while and go to Poplar Bluff. We haven't been in quite some time, so it was warranted. Besides, we received a 20% off your entire purchase coupon from Payless that went into effect TODAY! How is that not awesome? Not to mention, everything in their store is 50% off, so we basically got 70% off our entire purchase. The total was $70ish before the coupon on $59 after - score!

We went to Walmart shortly after and grabbed a few things. Mainly grocery items, but we also left with some scotch tape. We grabbed Taco Bell and gas before leaving town. Speaking of gas, we were able to get E85 gas for $1.59 a gallon!!

I guess that's all for now. It's back to McD's tomorrow, then no telling what else for the rest of the week. Until next time...

Love & Peace

-Megan

Pictures from today:

So festive.

Two of the sets I cut out.

Sleepy girl.

I can't wait to see this sewn up.

And 3 of these bad boys.

The drive to PB...

Payless!

You Saved: $81.59 -- Score one for savvy shopping!

Petsway was completely dead.

And also extremely sad. I want to take all the ratties home with me. :(

God why couldn't they have had these boots in my size!?!?

The cage set I did Friday.

Random festive pics from Saturday...

Norman's Xmas shoot from yesterday...

Such a creeper.

Creeper cats...

Snuggles with Norman after his photo session...