Ok, posting this because a few friends have asked about it. Plus, somewhere for the hubby to see a list, cuz he's always running around last minute, lol.

1. A job. A lead to a job. A decent, fulltime, paying more than minumum wage job that I can actually count on for a weekly paycheck, and that will help pay the bills and allow us to actually SAVE some money. ;3
(Hey it's a wish! It counts!)

2. Gift certificates to Micheals, ACMoore, JoAnns, Utrecht, Dick Blick....pretty much anywhere I can buy more art supplies. Practical is good.

3. Warm slippers and/or boots in size 9 womens. Seriously, I am death on footwear, and eat thru warm fuzzy slippers like botulism through a stomach. And after waking up this morn to 4" of slushy icy snow on the ground, I realized I have NO practical, warm, weatherproof boots. Sneakers or clogs + stepping in snow and slush higher than your foot = suuuuuuck! Also, really cold toes.

4. Knitted wool arm warmers. My circulation is shit, and sitting doing art for hours makes it worse. These are awesome, and help without hampering my ability to draw, etc.. Anything knitted, and wool, would be much appreciated! Neutral, earthy colors are nice. ( http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=36073409&ref=sr_list_7&&ga_search_query=knit+wool+wrist+warmers&ga_search_type=handmade&ga_page=3&includes[]=tags&includes[]=title )

5. Art of - Wynd (http://www.furaffinity.net/view/2737042/) *eyes should be bright green
Johnny (http://www.furaffinity.net/view/2644647/) *african cape dog w/ rams horns and bright blue swirly tribals around his left eye (which is brown...right eye is same bright blue as swirly tribals)
H.M. the Gear Wyrm (http://www.furaffinity.net/view/2690207/) *gears and markings aren't specific and keep changing. Anything neon green, with gears, that you think looks neat. Should have a toothy, kind of Tim Burton esque grin.

Badges, sketches, mood icons, LJ icons, whatever you feel like! I have become addicted to collecting the arts!

6. Donations in any denomination, in Rama Schrute's name, to http://www.uswardogs.org

7. You to pay it forward. No, seriously. Do something nice for someone this time of year. Especially animals, who can't always help themselves. Adopt a Petfinder animal instead of supporting a puppy mill or pet store, donate time to a local shelter to feed or socialize their animals, anything. Our furry and scaled and feathery brothers and sisters share this planet with us. They enrich our lives, are by our sides through thick and thin, and are often overlooked this time of year. So do something nice for a non-human this holiday season. Trust me, they'll be eternally grateful.

8. To win lotto or powerball, so we can pay off our house and the hubby and I can spend more time together.
(Hey, it could happen! ;D)

9. Umm....that's pretty much it.

10. Yup.

STEP TWO
# Surf around your friends list to see who has posted their list. And now, here's the important part...
# If you see a wish you can grant, and it's in your heart to do so, make someone's wish come true.
# You needn't spend money on these wishes unless you want to. The point isn't to put people out, it's to provide everyone a chance to be someone else's holiday elf - to spread the joy. Gifts can be made anonymously or not - it's your call. There are no guarantees with this project, and no strings attached. Just... wish, and it might come true. Give and you might receive. You'll have the joy of knowing you made someone's holiday special.


*If you've filled out this Wishlist Meme and posted it on your journal as well, please leave a link to it here, so I can check it out!*

OK, I was really hoping to not make this post.

Some very dear friends of mine just lost their canine daughter, Rama, a german shepherd and one of the sweetest dogs I've ever had the honor to meet and get to know. It was sudden, totally unexpected, and unavoidable. She got sick out of the blue, and when they brought her to the vet it was discovered she had bleeding tumors on her spleen, some of which had ruptured and were bleeding into her abdomen. After emergency surgery, they waited, and prayed. Days later, their beloved baby girl was still suffering complications from surgery, and not getting any better. After spending time with her, hoping she'd start to pull through, and watching her continue to suffer and be in pain, they made the hardest choice any animal lover or pet parent ever has to make. ( http://bearknight.livejournal.com/146573.html )

Rama Schrute slipped over the rainbow bridge and into the meadow of the Sky Bears at 8.35pm on Dec. 8th, 2009. She waits now for her human mom and dad, at peace and no longer in pain.

If you have [i]ever[/i] lost a beloved pet, or have animal children that live with you and share your life now, you have a pretty good idea of how much they are hurting right now.

I can't bring their daughter back. I can't ease the pain that they are now working through. But what I can do is help honor Rama's memory the best way my abilities allow.

So I'm opening up commissions, of all types, as I had planned, originally to raise money for xmas shopping. I'm throwing open the doors for Holiday presents, be they badges, sketches, carvings, sculpted items, you name it. Heck, those 3 crumpled dollars in your back pocket you were debating getting coffee with? Throw it my way, and I'll do a quickie sketch for you! Every dollar helps! If orders are placed in the next 48 hours, they WILL be ready and shipped out in time for xmas. (priority shipping for physical objects, digital stuff will be sent as soon as it's completed) Paypal only.

[i][b]The big difference now, is that each and every penny of the proceeds from these commissions will be put aside. On Dec 21st, Winter Solstice, I will be going to the bank to deposit this money. I will then be writing a check for the total amount raised to the United States War Dog Association, to be donated in Memory of Rama Schrute. A holiday gift to help her canine brothers and sisters, both at home and overseas. I like to think this would please her, and make her give one of those sweet doggy smiles.
[/b][/i]
http://www.uswardogs.org/ (If you've never heard of them before, take a peek. Bring tisssues)

So, for anyone looking for a gift or gifts for the holidays, please
drop me a line! I'd really like to spread the word, so if you know of others who are pet parents or animal lovers that might be looking for last minute holiday gifts, let them know! Heck, if you don't have a lot of cash but want to donate a few bucks, go ahead! I promise everyone that donates will get something for their kindness.

You will be missed, Rama girl. <3


* easiest way to check out examples of my work is to go to - http://www.furaffinity.net/
I can do furry, fantasy, and wildlife art, as well as a number of craft type items. Have a look around, and if you see something you like that doesn't have a price range listed, ask! I'm willing to make deals for multiple purchases. The goal here is to raise $ for a good cause t, so name your price range and I'll work with you!

OK, I was really hoping to not make this post.

Some very dear friends of mine just lost their canine daughter, Rama, a german shepherd and one of the sweetest dogs I've ever had the honor to meet and get to know. It was sudden, totally unexpected, and unavoidable. She got sick out of the blue, and when they brought her to the vet it was discovered she had bleeding tumors on her spleen, some of which had ruptured and were bleeding into her abdomen. After emergency surgery, they waited, and prayed. Days later, their beloved baby girl was still suffering complications from surgery, and not getting any better. After spending time with her, hoping she'd start to pull through, and watching her continue to suffer and be in pain, they made the hardest choice any animal lover or pet parent ever has to make. ( http://bearknight.livejournal.com/146573.html )

Rama Schrute slipped over the rainbow bridge and into the meadow of the Sky Bears at 8.35pm on Dec. 8th, 2009. She waits now for her human mom and dad, at peace and no longer in pain.

If you have [i]ever[/i] lost a beloved pet, or have animal children that live with you and share your life now, you have an idea of how much they are hurting right now.

I can't bring their daughter back. I can't ease the pain that they are now working through. But what I can do is help honor Rama's memory the best way my abilities allow.

So I'm opening up commissions, of all types, as I had planned, originally to raise money for xmas shopping. I'm throwing open the doors for Holiday presents, be they badges, sketches, carvings, sculpted items, you name it. Heck, those 3 crumpled dollars in your back pocket you were debating getting coffee with? Throw it my way, and I'll do a quickie sketch for you! Every dollar helps! If orders are placed in the next 48 hours, they WILL be ready and shipped out in time for xmas. (priority shipping for physical objects, digital stuff will be sent as soon as it's completed) Paypal only.

[i][b]The big difference now, is that each and every penny of the proceeds from these commissions will be put aside. On Dec 21st, Winter Solstice, I will be going to the bank to deposit this money. I will then be writing a check for the total amount raised to the United States War Dog Association, to be donated in Memory of Rama Schrute. A holiday gift to help her canine brothers and sisters, both at home and overseas. I like to think this would please her, and make her give one of those sweet doggy smiles.
[/b][/i]
http://www.uswardogs.org/ (If you've never heard of them before, take a peek. Bring tisssues)

So, for anyone looking for a gift or gifts for the holidays, please
drop me a line! I'd really like to spread the word, so if you know of others who are pet parents or animal lovers that might be looking for last minute holiday gifts, let them know! Heck, if you don't have a lot of cash but want to donate a few bucks, go ahead! I promise everyone that donates will get something for their kindness.

You will be missed, girl! Gotari Mah-ru

Asked for and received permission to post the phalloi myself and others have created, after being infected with the bug by ursulav. She took the creatures known to the Romans and Greeks as Herms, basically little penis creatures with wings and tails, and made them....cute. Like, disturbingly cute. Cute in that way that while your brain cries out "Dear god, do you KNOW what these ARE???" you just smile and want to cuddle them. Or maybe that's just me. Freud? Yes, I've heard of him.

So, I bring to you, poor 'innocent' viewers, my humble submissions to this rapidly spreading craziness. And no, I'm not even the least bit sorry. ;p

http://DArtJunkie.deviantart.com/art/Tufted-Tit-Mice-146115553

http://DArtJunkie.deviantart.com/art/Chuuu-146116011

.....really need to be dragged out into the street, castrated, and left tied to a red ant hill while lit on fire.

http://www.connpost.com/ci_13945793

This sick SOB is walking free, for the bargain price of 1000$. Guess a baby animal's life isn't worth more than that.

What makes me utterly disgusted and ill is that had this been a human being, he'd be in jail for life, or would have been put down like the diseased animal he is. Instead, they took his other dogs and gave him a slap on the wrist. WTF???

I'm sorry, but dogs are nothing but loving and devoted. Humans are their friends, guardians, and ultimately the ones they trust with their lives, unconditional love, and well being. Betraying that is the most revolting violation of that trust imaginable. We need, as a society, to stop considering pets as 'property' under the law, and start considering and treating them as intelligent, living creatures that deserve the same respect and protection we afford our fellow human beings. Until then, people like this, and those that run puppy breeding mills, will continue to get away murder.

Today's Crossfit working is.....Fran. O.O

I'm not gonna be walking/moving/lifting my arms at ALL tomorrow. :p
(I do lighter weights, but it still kicks mah tush. Owchie)

Things have been. as per usual, crazy. Picked up a PT temp job, which crapped out the first day. Seriously??? If you don't have enough work for the hours you claim people will be working, don't hire 3 temps. Worked 4 out of 5 hours the first day, doing basically telemarketing, despite telling the temp agency I'm not comfortable doing telemarketing/cold calls. (It was a fund raiser thing for MS, good cause and all, but still....def not my thing. I suck at it.) Then, when we blew through the list they told us to go home early and said they would maybe have a half day the next day, until they figured out what their next fundraising event date would be/where it would be/etc. Really? 2.5 hours of work, at 10$ an hour, driving half an hour to get there? I can make that and then some doing one mini sculpt, and I don't have to burn gas or dress up to do it. (Yes, we had to dress business like, even though it was 100% PHONE WORK, because they "shared a building with other businesses and wanted us to look professional.") The other businesses are a Dr.'s office, with sick people coming in in their PJ's, and a law firm with folks that totally ignored us when we passed them in the hall. :/ ???

In any case, I got home, told the temp lady it wasn't going to work out but I'd LOVE to hear from her re: any secretary/office work, as I said in my very first interview, and waited. Still haven't gotten paid for those 4 hours, was told they'd mail out the check and I should have it by mid week. Um.....it's friday guys. I did my unemployment and got THAT check, which is - the amount I was supposed to make for the temp job. I'm giving it until the mail gets here today and if it's not in my mailbox they're going to be getting a phone call. It's only 40 bucks, but it's MY 40 bucks, damnit.

The truly ironic part is that the day after I bowed out of going back to this place, I got an email re: someone wanting to commission a leather mask. Whoot! Influx of cash to pay bills, I shall now do the dance of joy! The design is really neat too, and I'm going to be playing w/ fabric dye and fleece to make dreads that will attach to the hood, so should look awesome when it's done. I love playing with leather!

On the up side MFF is fast approaching. I have stuff to bring, and am about to hit the gym then shower and get back to making MORE stuff to sell. Hopefully will do decently, I've never done this con, and am hoping to get into Artist's Alley, so we'll see. It's going to be so weird going to a convention without Clint.

Ah well. I should get off the computer and into the gym. Today feels very strange, there's something in the air and the light outside is really kinda weird. My friend texted me this morn asking if he was the only one who felt like it was the morning after the Apocalypse, and I had to agree. I know when I go out, I shall be on my guard for zombies shambling in the streets. Better step up that cardio. I want to be prepared! ;D

 Whew, been ages since the last update. 

So, few things of note. FurFright went well. Sales were ok, broke even and came out a bit ahead, though not as much as last year. I've heard that from a number of artists though, so I think it's a lot to do with the fear of people losing their jobs. When you worry about paying the electric bill or the grocery bill, art becomes much lower on the list of priorities, understandably. 
We DID do really well for the charity, which makes me happy. FF raised over 7000$ for the United States WarDog Association! Blows last year's charity donation out of the water. And Bear announced afterwards that WarDogs are going to be FF's chosen charity 'until the job gets done', so until these awesome puppies get the honor and recognition they rightly deserve. 

What else....hmm.....OH! I got poked and nagged about going to Midwest Furfest, and had convinced myself there was no way I could go. Clint couldn't get the time off, money was too tight, we had no hotel room, no dealer's room space, no possibility for sales to recoup the con cost, etc. etc.
Well it turns out Skulldog was looking for people to room share. And Ark and Gel are driving down, and are willing to let me hitch a ride and share driving shifts. And pre-reg is not, in fact, over yet. I also got art show space, 1/2 table and panel in the naughty art room. (Regular panels were full) And MFF's Artist's Alley is apparently huge, and my chances of NOT getting space are pretty darn slim. 

Oh, and I picked up a commission in the past day and a half that will cover all my convention costs, without tapping into my FF money and thus allowing us to keep that money in savings, as intended. 

So.....yeah. I have officially run out of excuses, lol. Guess I'm doing another convention. In less than a month. EEK!

Aside from that, life is decent. Clint had a full week off from both jobs, which was bloody amazing. We need to win lotto, so it can be like that all the time. <3 

Um....I fell down the short stairs onto the langing while going into the basement and trying to sidestep Tiger and get Jacob his breakfast kibble. Got some lovely rug-burn on my left hand/wrist, and my big toe on the left foot slid under me while falling. It's swollen, being iced as I type, and I have limited ability to wiggle it. Not 100% sure yet if it's just strained/sprained or dislocated/broken/something that will actually require a Dr.'s visit. Will see how it feels after some Advil and ice. 

Hmm....saw Where the Wild Thing Are with the hubby. Was cute, costuming and puppets were lovely, as one would expect from Henson's studios. Story is definitely more sad/involved than I recall.....not sure I'd call this a kid's movie. The general vibe I got as the theater was emptying was of kids asking their parents questions and being confused about some of the stuff....perhaps intended more for those who read/had the book read to them years ago and are now grown up themselves?

Guilty admission, I have utterly failed in remaining on the gym schedule. Between con prep and con recovery, We totally slacked. Was fully intending on hitting the gym today to get back on track. Hmm. Run 800 meters x 3, along w/ other stuff while not sure is toe is broken? Yeaaaaah.....think I'll wait and see if it's more than just strained before I hie myself upon yon treadmill, thank you. 

For now, off to clean and finish up commission stuff. Lots to do, and with the days being so much shorter, I wanna take advantage of every blessed hour of daylight we've got! 

 In which we actually tok eeeeveryone outta the tank, dumped the old sand, which was gross and algae slimed, and scraped/scrubbed the entire tank down. New live sand, hanf the water in the tank was water changed, and a slightly new layout to the rockscape. End result? Well, the buffer left a whiteish scuzz on everything, but that's happened a few times. I give it a day or two and blow the yuck off everyone with the turkey baster Of Doom, and eventually the nastiness gets filtered out and cleaned off. Which reminds me...pick up new filter pads today. 

The upside of all this is that everyone seems to be ok, including Clark (catalina goby), Odo (lawnmower blenny) and ChibiThullu (serpent star) as well as the myriad of snails. The corals look ok, the only two in a bit of a mess are the two mushrooms that weren't attached to rocks. They blew off their sitting places and a bit later today, when the tank settles more, I need to rescue them from their spots on the floor of the tank and put the on rocks, so that they can open and not be covered in sand/silt.  

For the moment, all seems well. Here's hoping it stays that way. Lots of crud to do today, so I'm hoping it's a productive day. Fingers crossed! Only 2 weeks until Furfright, so it's really crunch time. Ahh...con prep. How I loathe thee! Can't wait to be AT the con, enjoying talking to people, and not spazzing over having enough stock made. Ah well, all part of the job. ;3

 I'm tired, frazzled, sore, tired.....

Trail has officially started. nice group of kids this year. A lot of newbies, but they seem to be trying, which is good. Makeup trailer is total win....MUCH warmer than the big metal dumpster thingie we froze our butts off in a few years back. Less mosquitoes too, which is always nice.

What else....getting ready for Furfright....gods, only 16 days left. Hope my business cards get here in time. Sooooo much left to do. Going to be antisocial the next few weekends...must work and rock the dealer's room this year! 

Well, should go grab some lunch, and get my tush back to work. Ta!

 Oh my.....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=urNyg1ftMIU&feature=related
And.... ?!?!?!? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3muIYf2oWs8&feature=player_embedded THIS is the dude from Hot Fuzz that had no real lines, only grunted and killed people????? *blink blink* Holy crap! (I'm a George RR Martin fan, loved the Ice and Fire books, and am excited about the HBO show on his series....and I can TOTALLY picture him as The Hound.) But...wow. Hearing the Hound talk is gonna be.....distracting. ;D

 Oh my.....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=urNyg1ftMIU&feature=related

 Back on the workout train. Here's hoping this time I don't fall off. ;p

Arms and legs feel like jelly, and allover body aches a bit, but I feel better for having done the workout. I'm going to renn faire this Sat, and if all goes well w/ my costume (pray for me!) I'm going to have an interesting time walking around...between the achy legs and my...well, nevermind that. if it gets done in time I'll post pics, and you'll see. Need to finish commissions and cleaning the house first, because Sunday is our First Annual Walker Spar-B-Q. Sooo...after an entire week of working out, and renn faire, I'm going to try swinging a sword and not kill myself. Riiight. Should be an adventure.

For now though, back to the studio (AKA the Art Cave). Work to do!

I've picked up some new icons I thought I'd share. Be warned....here there be bewbs an' peen!

http://www.furaffinity.net/view/2823256/
http://www.furaffinity.net/view/2823267/
http://www.furaffinity.net/view/2818740/
http://www.furaffinity.net/view/2818736/

 Deviantart is holding a contest along w/ the movie company that produced 9. I decided to enter. I made a thingie....critter....beast. My hands hurt and are cut/scraped/burned, but it's done, damnit!

The LightEater

Don't know if comments help them chose, but it's worth a shot. I figure I've got a snowball's chance. People like snow. Right????

 ...nope. Same oww. 

Made it 2 miles, switching between walking/jogging/running, which is better than I thought I'd do. Then I did 10 thrusters to make up for my weak ass attempt last night.

Kinda glad I only did the 2 miles, cuz when I got off the treadmill I felt woozy and...drunk? Vision was funny, like I'd had a few beers. And before anyone asks, I drank plenty of water...had a uber sized bottle of Dasani w/ me, and drained most of it. 

Feeling passed pretty quickly. Got weird looks when I walked into the free-weights room. Filled with big burly men. I was the only chick. And there were like, a dozen or more women at the gym. lols

Tomorrow is a 'rest' day, though we're still supposed to do something of our choice. MY choice would be a hot bath and a, ice cream sunday, buuut..... ;3

Will probably walk w/ Jacob, and maybe see if I can con anyone into sparring w/ me with the foam escrima sticks.  Finger feels better, and foam shouldn't risk injury......right?

 So, I checked the tank this morning and Sassafras, our crown hermit crab that had been scuttling around eating algae in the buff for days, was face up. :( I was really hoping things would be alright, but.....

I'm not sure what we're doing wrong, but it's depressing. I've checked the water levels and aside from some slightly low PH, we seem to be ok. I added PH leveler stuff, and have to test it again a bit later today to see if it's where it's supposed to be. This sucks large. I loved that little crab!

Saltwater reef tanking is hard. You get really emotionally involved with creatures that are tiny, and not furry or cuddly in the traditional sense. But  damn it still sucks to lose one of them. :C

The algae is still out of control too, but I'm really afraid to get another crab. I don't want to kill it. Have tried giving the tank less light and nutrients, but I don't want to starve the critters that are in there. *siiigh* 
They need to have a Geek Squad for saltwater tanks. 

 So......yeah.
Linky link

Just.....read. Ladies, you know where I'm coming from. ;p

 ...in which the entire purpose is to use my incredibly spiffy and OMG Luv It new icon, done by the very talented artist NaniOokami. She is awesome sauce. Go! Check out her page. Commission her for arts. Ya know you want to... ;3








PS...finger still hurts. Is still fugly. Want to do art. Can I have Wolverine's healing factor, even just for a few days? Plz???

 http://www.furbuy.com/auctions/1011551.html

Want to replace them w/ Derwents. Prismas are awesome sauce, I just prefer the way the Derwents watercolor ones work with the way I color stuff. 

Tell your friends. Cheap Prismas up for grabs. Whoot.