You'd think I had a life.

Nope, No life here. Just some homework and the Guinea Pig.
Oh Yeah, Guinea Pig......

Hmm, New cage set up... LOL
Enjoy. Winslow hasn't climbed up there yet, but I am sure he will check it out soon.

TOO MUCH TO TELL YOU

Ok, first thing. I have the bottom level of the Guinea Pig cage done.
Here ya go. The first look, have other work to do, but it's a start and he likes it.
I managed to get the coroplast in there by myself last night... Tom was still trying to get home from the airport when I was working on all of this.
Winslow was checking out the new digs when Tom came in. He did not get to spend the night in there, because I just don't trust the little bugger yet. I have to watch him try to climb out a couple times before I will trust him...

Other news... Tom is home from Arizona. Hurray...

Class last night, we had to share information about our "Culture" and I learned some very interesting things..

One- A girl in our class is sister to number 50 of the Pittsburgh Steelers and will be at the superbowl next weekend. I think his last name is Ford? - No It's Foot. That is it..

Two - Another girl in our class has a FAMOUS sister.
hmm, Who might that sister be - welllllll - Veronica Mars. I know there are several of you out there that are just totally gaga over that show.
Well, there is my 3 degrees of separation, I wonder if she has done anything with Kevin Bacon???
Have a great weekend...

Up Late

Ok, it's after 10pm and I am not in bed yet. I am not even upstairs in the bathroom yet.
I still have to put a pig bed back together.... AHhhh Yawn...

What could possibly be keeping me from heading to bed?
School Work - ha ha
A new book - Nope
A TV show - I wish...
Winslow - But of course.

I just spent the last several hours working on a new cage set up for Winslow. It will not be finished tonight. But I have the basics down and will be able to get it mostly done by this weekend. Poor Winslow spent today in the pool, under his cage top, while I cleaned the bottom of his cage and then started the new project.

Here is a preliminary picture of the new set up.


The new cage will have the old cage up on the side to give him two levels. I have major work to do on the ramp and stuff.

The bottom will be fitted with a chloroplast (sp - its plastic that corrogated like cardboard) sheet and then filled with towels and fleece. Anyone have old fleece blankets they don't like?? I am trying to use the old cage with the new. Hope I can get it to work.
Well, good night...

Sent from a friend...

My Brothers friend sent this too me through email and I thought it was too funny and had to share it with everyone.

Subject: Book Report

Students were assigned to read 2 books, "Titanic" & "My Life" by Bill Clinton.
One smart ass student turned in the following book report, with the proposition that they were nearly identicalstories ! His cool professor gave him an A+ for this report:

Titanic: $29.99
Clinton: $29.99

Titanic: Over 3 hours to read
Clinton: Over 3 hours to read

Titanic: The story of Jack and Rose, their forbidden love, and subsequent catastrophe.
Clinton: The story of Bill and Monica, their forbidden love, and subsequent catastrophe.

Titanic: Jack is a starving artist.
Clinton: Bill is a bullshit artist.

Titanic: In one scene, Jack enjoys a good cigar.
Clinton: Ditto for Bill.

Titanic: During ordeal, Rose's dress gets ruined.
Clinton: Ditto for Monica.

Titanic: Jack teaches Rose to spit.
Clinton: Let's not go there.

Titanic: Rose gets to keep her jewelry.
Clinton: Monica's forced to return her gifts.

Titanic: Rose remembers Jack for the rest of her life.
Clinton: Clinton doesn't remember Jack.

Titanic: Rose goes down on a vessel full of seamen.
Clinton: Monica... ooh, let's not go there, either.

Titanic: Jack surrenders to an icy death.
Clinton: Bill goes home to Hilary... basically the same thing.

My mom spends a lot of time trying to figure out what I want and like. She trusts me not to bite her nose and hey I think I know what that word "no" means. She keeps saying it when I try to nibble on her fingers. I am Winslow the Cutest pig in the world.. 

Food, parsley - yes I am the spoiled pig. 

Fluffly pig, just had a blow dry, not sure we liked that... 

I am the sum of my nose.. 

I am a very wet pig, taking my first bath here, in the tub.. 

Now I'm the squashed pig, enjoying some petting.. 

Here is my show pig picture.... LOL Isn't he the cutest. 

I must be evil...

Winslow must think I'm evil.
Well, ok he is probably just confused.
First I found real Timothy hay for him. Have we had this discussion - Hay is Green, not yellow - that makes it straw - and Winslow agrees. He wouldn't eat the yellow stuff Labeled as timothy, it really didn't even smell like Hay.
So, that made him really excited. Hopping around for several minutes and stopping to eat a little.
Then today, Bath time. I know, I must be crazy. The forum I joined said that many of their GP's love swimming. Plus, they do get a little stinky. So, I got the shampoo for him too.
He was not happy about the water. I didn't have enough to swim in, but he was trying to jump out of the tub anyway. Good thing I used the tub and not sink, way to far to jump...
I'm sure he was a bit tee'd off about the blow drying business. Got mad enough to grab my hand. I was impressed, I expected to really get bit. Nope, just sort of held on for a minute and let go. Hurray, good guinea pig - does not break the skin, just wanted to tell me he was mad.
Finally got him dry enough and brought him back downstairs with a carrot for forgetfulness.

Well, we survived and I hope the pig doesn't stay too mad.
Must hit the grocery store, certainly out of pig goodies, let alone people food... lol

Houston we have a problem

The PIG CAN JUMP.......

I should have known better. My Guinea Pig Winslow is very smart and well, he figured out that he can jump out of the pool. DANG.
Now I have to figure out how to make the walls higher. I do have an idea, but not I'll have to measure, and buy and retro fit. Darn, Darn, Darn.....

Hopefully he will forget tomorrow. But I doubt it.
It would be cute to let him run the basement, but I have new carpet - and he'll try to eat it (let alone everything else he'd do). Bad Piggy.

Have class today. Trying to finish the reading...

Wanye State - they take my money...

Classes started at Wayne. Only 2, but what fun they shall be.
Monday nights is a sophmore level English class. In actuallity it looks like the Senior and Grad connection in there. I think there was one or two people that might have been about 20. Everyone else was at least 26 and up.
The teacher made the comment that she knew most of us would be English teachers and she didn't want to see Grammar errors. Ok, I totally get that - but then she listed the easiest ones on the planet - It's, effect, their, and a couple others. I had to make the comment to my neighbor that if I did that you need to revoke my graduate student status. OH MY.

The Literacy class looks cool. Most of us saved it until the end of our MAT classes. There are several people who are finishing this semester. I certainly could have been with them, but I need to get those English classes out of the way to have a MAJOR in English.

Have you heard of "NO CHILD LEFT BEHIND", well you might as well call it "Screw your teaching staff".
According to the paperwork you are supposed to fill out, which I did at one school. You are expected to have a MAJOR in the area that you teach in the school. So, it doesn't matter that you have a Minor in something - that doesn't count. You must be "HIGHLY" qualified to teach whatever it is you are doing.
How often growing up do you remember a teacher telling you, well I have never taught this before so we are going to learn together. Hmm, that was my 8th grade Math class. The guy was a typing teacher or something. He did ok, I guess, How would I know?
Principals were able to stick you anywhere, not anymore. Which has made life in Detroit Public schools even worse. They are supposed to find teachers in the major of the area. When all they can get is subs who have maybe 60 credits in garbage.
So, in the interest of making my life better to get a job. I am finishing that English Major. Looks like I have 5 more classes to take. So, no MAT for at least another year.

Still January

I know we all prefer the photos, but haven't had much to photo this month, unless you want more of Winslow.
I have settled into sort of a routine. Depending of if I have an earlier appointment, evil doctors, and oil change places, I'll clean Winslows cage first off, fix the food and water and then I can get on with the day.
Winslow has started to learn what he likes, at least in my world. One of the most important things is to be able to see over the pool walls. I think it also has something to do with kind of hiding under my arm. Yes, Winslow has decided that I am a good perch.
Tom likes getting him out while watching TV and when Winslow decides it's time to leave your lap, we put him in the pool. The other night Winslow decided that I was more comfortable to sit on and I had to watch TV from the pool. Hmm, is that why my lower back is sore?

You know, I have more to babble about, but I think I'll save it for tomorrow. Thinking ahead.


Hey, I thought this was a great picture of Carol. Enjoy.

This is from Mom's Party on December 17.

January Blah's

What can I say, the holidays are over and we are all getting back to the grind of just doing. And trying to figure out how to pay those credit card bills.

I have been a little busy. I applied for a teaching job. Haven't heard back from them yet. That was Friday that I finished all the paperwork that they were looking for. Don't know if they are calling on me before calling me in. OR just skipping me as I taught mostly high school and not much middle school.

Winslow and I are having some fun. No where near as exciting as Jungle Gym day but we spend a little time together almost everyday. Even if it is just me cleaning his cage and him running around getting in the way.

I'm still taking down Holiday stuff. I hate how dark it gets when everything comes down. Tom took my HO HO HO sign down though. I'm sure it was making the neighbors crazy.

Oh, important news to Friday night SciFi fans. EVERYTHING is back, Both Star Gates and even Battlestar Gallactica. WOW, it is going to be insane. Battlestar is truly a Soap Opera in Space. Although they don't speak anywhere as near as slow as regular soaps and don't repeat themselves as much.

Somewhere back a ways I have a huge rant about how stupid Soap Operas are. I could never watch it everyday, I'd go crazy with all the repeats. You can almost catch up on everything once a week if your a fan.

Hmm, do I have a picture to share. Lets see....
Winslow's play pen, but we took out the carpet cause he was going to eat it and make himself sick. I think I need to buy that indoor/outdoor carpet, read that others use it with their guinea pigs. Well, have a nice day and all that fun stuff.

Human Play Pen

Ok, so you know by now that I got a guinea pig for Christmas. His name is Winslow. I think he is the most Adorable pet on the planet. SOOO, I am going to share stuff about him all year... Yep, you will not be spared, I will do this unmercifully.
Today, I became the guinea pig jungle gym. I may have mentioned in an earlier post that I don't mind this job, just don't bite me.
I put Winslow in the Pool and cleaned his cage and everything. He found his igloo to hide out in and sort of just stayed there. I was going to put him back in his cage when he decided- "ok, you just scared the pee out of me, I'll go exploring". He started making the little happy guinea pig noises and I was sort of trying to catch him.
I wound up first standing in the pool, with him running around and over my feet and sniffing my pants. Till I just sat down on the clean towel.....
I became a jungle gym, Winslow thought it was the best thing ever. Up one leg, down the other side, use an arm to look over the side of the pool. (That really was his whole goal, could not see over the pool edge.)
Well, here are the pictures. Yes, I managed to take them while sitting there.

So, we played for a while. My feet got stiff, so I went to get some parsely and some carrot to share. After I sat down again we found that eating on me is even better.
Then he didn't want to get down. He was snuggling in to take a nap. I decided that I wanted a more comfortable chair, so we moved over to the computer. He pratically purred like a cat and then the darn phone rang. Oh well. He went back into his cage and I got some food.
Needless to say, it seems my job title is now Guinea Pig Jungle Gym. Have a great day...

HAPPY NEW YEAR

It is the new year and I am suffering from too much of everything....
I woke up this morning with a sore throat and after cleaning Winslow's cage, I have plopped myself in front of the computer to see what the rest of the world is up too. IT seems that no one else (I know well) has had the chance or maybe felt up to greeting the new year by Blogging yet. OR they blog at work (sacriledge) and don't go back till tomorrow like most normal people.

I have to admit that just when things seem to be going well for me, something that is or could be earth shattering happens. In 2005 it seemed that things were going very well. I had a job that I basically liked, Tom was doing ok at work, we managed to visit people and friends got married and much was right with the world.
Then at the End of October I was fired from my job. (Must note 5 of us were fired in the same week - make of that what you will - it will be in court in April) Now once upon a time, I think that would have really messed me up. I am not going to say that I haven't slipped into the SLOTH of the unemployed, but I certainly have not retreated to depressed lady. (Ok, maybe a little if you ask Tom).

I feel actually a little proud of myself. I still function, I still get up everyday and I have even started cooking more (thank God for the Crock Pot). I have good friends and a Husband who is probably the MOST patient man on the planet. I probably don't thank him enough for taking care of me.
My husband thought I needed a dog. Nope, not that much insanity thank you, but the Guinea Pig is really more my speed. I can leave the house and not worry about him, and when I really do want to play with Winslow he can be a lot of fun. (Just watch those LONG teeth- if he likes it he wants to chew it - including my fingers.)

It is a new year - 2006. I haven't really spent anytime thinking about that. Most people, like Carrie have their resolutions planned out and are raring to go. (And I have to admit she does a pretty good job on the choices of resolutions..) Where I have let that slip by.

What have I managed to do? I have scheduled two classes at Wayne State for the winter. Continuing to work on that Masters degree. I really don't care how long it takes me to do it. I enjoy going to school. (Sick - I know.) I only have like 2 classes with that big ugly thesis to do and I can have my Masters. But I figured out that with No Child left Behind, I need to round out my English classes into a Major. (So many credits - like 60) So, I have about 5 classes to take in that category. That will easily give me a year or two of school left to do. As long as Wayne likes getting money, I don't think they will complain about the thesis not being done. (Might have to go ask about that.)

New Years resolutions are not something I really enjoy getting into. Resolutions in general are not my thing. Maybe that should be my goal for this year, set one or two goals a month and get them done.... I could go the easy way and say - blog on a regular basis - but I think I have that down.

I know most of you prefer the pictures, but sometimes it is good to get something off your chest. I will try not to bore you this year, and hopefully we will have a good time getting to December of 2006 - because we did have a pretty good time getting to December 2005.

Tam

What did you do for New Years eve? We went to the annual party at Carrie C's house. Last year we tried to take a group picture on the couch and it was REALLY bad. This year we tried the stairs with a Chair for the tripod- I need a small tripod (like one of those bean bag ones). Anyway, with a little fixing - this turned out to be a rather good picture of all of us. Top- Carrie, Tom Middle - Jason Z, Jason, Matt & Silvia. Bottom - Tammy and Paul. Much Dominos were played and Apples & Oranges. We partied until after 2am. Watched the Ball drop on a drunk host on MTV or something and basically had a lovely time. Have to check the other blogs to see if they remember having a good time. HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL. Tammy and Tom