mousenomiatadpole

[mousenomiatadpole]

Hello, and welcome to my new Instagram account. I guess? Anyway, this is the picture my profile pic is based off of. Hopefully, there will be more to come. https://www.instagram.com/p/COOJxOuBDf1/?igshid=19i96o2o4cnmk

[mousenomiatadpole]

This past week, my mom and I went to IL, to help her sisters/my aunts clean out Nana and Pop's house. But we also had fun. My aunt Laurie had booked a spa day for herself, me, Mom, aunt Ellen, aunt Julie, and my cousin Sarah on Thursday. Unfortunately, Laurie couldn't join us due to extenuating circumstances. The rest of us went, though. I got a mini-mani and a cut-and-color. A mini-mani is just that - an abbreviated manicure. The gal filed and buffed my nails and then painted them. The results are pictures 1 and 2 - a pale pink polish, which, of course, I was immediately chipping or gouging. Not on purpose, mind. And they didn't give me this weekend off from work, because it's a dishwashing weekend for me. Hence, in pictures 3 and 4, the polish is off, but the mini-mani remains. (You'd never know I used to bite my nails.) As for my hair. It's naturally a curly brown mess of frizz and flyaways and split ends. That's pictures 5 and 6. I got it cut to about where my jaw meets my chin, so considerably less than shoulder length. And I was thinking something red for the color. Or auburn. Auburn is what I went with. Picture 7 is the result; not the best picture, but I'm tired. So that was my week. Back to the grind. https://www.instagram.com/p/CNOfvhoBRrl/?igshid=1ik9p7pr8e6qj

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Okay, this looks like an ordinary fountain drink cup. And it is. It's just plain old Diet Coke. But it tastes like root beer, ice cream, and Diet Coke all at once. But it's not! How in the world did they manage that?!? However they did it, it's delicious! https://www.instagram.com/p/CNDRjXbh_10/?igshid=1c6qp4ilr2epr

[mousenomiatadpole]

So after the derecho back in August, the artistic community known as "New Bo" (as in New Bohemian) decided to make something good out of the disaster. Behold. Coasters made out of real derecho tree debris. There were various designs on them, and this was the design my Younger Brother chose. Unfortunately, they are all sold out of every design, and no more will be made. Younger Brother loves these. He says it looks like it's giving a middle finger to 2020. Yeah, I'll give him that. https://www.instagram.com/p/CNAvGBXhXOL/?igshid=1suvczvd4g0wm

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One of my Younger Brother's biggest "Star Wars" models. Yeah, I'd say that's about to scale. (....when you get it....) https://www.instagram.com/p/CNAuhMHBkbE/?igshid=c64n3esiruz8

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My Older Sister loves to play "Skyrim." I don't understand the game at all, but it is beautiful to look at, and the music is gorgeous. Finn is now a fan - as long as there are torchbugs involved. Like in this moment. Well, he is also a TV fan in general. Silly cat. https://www.instagram.com/p/CMww_UABFdA/?igshid=3v78f8mb27ad

[mousenomiatadpole]

Okay, see that little bugger of a squirrel? He likes to help himself to the bird seed we put in that particular bird feeder. I know what you're asking yourself - "Well, he must scale the pole to get to it, right?" You would be wrong. Within the tall grass/brambles to the lower left of the bird feeder (lower left in this pic), you see that jutting rock? Straight up from the ground, topped off with a platform? Perfect for jumping? Yeah. That's how the squirrel gets to the bird feeder - he freakin' jumps from the rock to the bird feeder. As of this moment, he's still feasting. I wonder how he gets down.... https://www.instagram.com/p/CMkUVochNZs/?igshid=131q89jjdct2u

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So.... Who thinks March 4th should now be a national holiday? 😝 But, seriously, if you think about it, it makes sense. From this moment on, we will march forth as we always have. Without having to worry about the orange dumbell. And people don't forget easily. Keep that in mind. I saw this little rock at work on an office windowsill. I have no idea why it's there. But it sure is funny. https://www.instagram.com/p/CMBiaI9BpHK/?igshid=1xgu5892lndx7

[mousenomiatadpole]

In the closing words of DJ MoZo (a/k/a Dad): "Be well, be blessed, and know that you are loved." Happy Valentine's Day, everyone! https://www.instagram.com/p/CLRp6tVhBsP/?igshid=43a41cqu7jnl

[mousenomiatadpole]

In these frigid winter days (which, by the way, are like 'yawn' to my family and me), in addition to keeping ourselves warm, we also try to make sure our pets stay warm. Mercy in particular, because, of course, he has to go outside to go potty. So, a couple years ago, we got him a little doggie winter coat. He hates his coat. When we go to put it on him, he shrinks back, his tail goes between his legs, and he shakes. So in these two images, I had just brought him back in from a potty run. He ran right into the living room, and I think he's just anxious to get his coat off. Nope. Jumped right up into Older Sister's lap. In his coat. Instant Kodak moment. In his coat. Dogs. 🤪 https://www.instagram.com/p/CLQDjR3Bpjl/?igshid=o3ezyg3jeu2b

[mousenomiatadpole]

Instead of people taking pictures of their COVID-19 Vaccination Record cards and posting them to their social media accounts (those cards contain personal and sensitive health information, people!) - - this is what they should be posting instead. This little sticker is proof enough. So who just got her 2nd (of 2) COVID vaccination? 👆 This gal. I'm dreading what might happen in the next 24 to 36 hours, side effect wise. But I am glad it's been done. https://www.instagram.com/p/CK7UHb0hF9P/?igshid=16n8o0hmnvyfh

[mousenomiatadpole]

So the first 2 photos, I meant to post the other day. It's the damaged tree in our front yard. I don't know why, but something about the frost on the branches in the light of the streetlight was pretty. So I took a couple pictures. (This tree and the other tree on the other side of the driveway are both tagged for takedown by the city, so eventually.) Perfect segueway into today, and the video. This is the start of the blizzard we're in for. We're only supposed to end up with 3-4 inches of snow, but the winds are what will make it a blizzard. And Youngest Brother and I have to get ourselves to work today. During what will be the worst of it all. Yippee. Bonus - if you look close enough at the video, you will see a squirrel getting suet from the little hanging wire container. Don't worry, it's there. And it's funny. Little daredevil. https://www.instagram.com/p/CK4A31KBpyR/?igshid=1ps7u09ant499

[mousenomiatadpole]

Photo 1 = in the bleak midwinter. We've gotten about 6 inches of snow since yesterday afternoon. It's not doing anything anymore, but the sun is trying to break through. So that's something. Photo 2 = baby Mercy Yoda. 'Nuff said. Cutie. Photo 3 = an image I found on Pinterest. Can't remember where of how I found it. All I thought of when I saw it was "Paint the sky with stars;" it's an Enya song. And then this morning, we watched a movie called "Over the Moon." So, appropriate. Photo 4 = Elsa's signature snowflake. Again, 'nuff said. Welcome to winter in the Midwest. https://www.instagram.com/p/CKt968bhOUe/?igshid=u0aojqoxfxsv

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This was our Christmas present from our dad. It's Baby Grogu Yoda! So cute! I had to wait to post pictures because Younger Brother had to get his first. See, one was for us, and one was for Younger Brother. I love the 2nd picture, the Baby looking all mystical. Full of the Force. In the 3rd picture, he's like, 'Hey, how's it goin?' Younger Brother actually took the 4th picture. He texted it to us with the 'caption,' "I think Grogu is looking at my drink...." Well, if you get home and things have moved on their own, you know who to blame! (I think makers of "The Mandalorian" said people can call him The Baby, The Child, or Grogu. Wish Mando had called him Grogu upon their parting, but I understand why he didn't.) https://www.instagram.com/p/CKOrN2qBFE1/?igshid=wc2ruf4pmnmt

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I meant to wear the headband yesterday, but I had to work. It is a "Frozen"-inspired headband. You know, Elsa. Note the shirt, too. Also "Frozen"-inspired. Yesterday was my 2nd birthday. All of you in the know know what I'm talking about. In reality, I am over that proverbial hill, but as for my 2nd birthday, I am 23 years old as of yesterday. So. Happy 'birthday' to me. And guess what? Lily approves. That's the 3rd picture - I asked her if she liked my headband, and that's the look I got. At least, I hope that's a look of kittie approval. Little sweetheart. https://www.instagram.com/p/CKG_2FaBFQR/?igshid=40oaw2145ubi

[mousenomiatadpole]

It's that time of year again. The Big One. (Ha. See what I did there? Because the year ends in 1, and it's The Big One. It's funny.) Not going to make a big deal about it. After all, it's just another day. I have to work tonight. Hopefully, they have the crosswalks at 4th and 10th cleared of the mountains of snow so I can cross the streets. 🙄 Honestly, they hound residents to make sure their sidewalks and walkways are cleared of snow, but when it comes to city streets.... Anyway. Today is the day I go over that proverbial hill. I won't get macabre on you. Believe me, such sentiments exist. .... Actually, I wouldn't call them sentiments - far from it - but we won't get into that. Before I have to head out the door, I hope to do some more writing, and I hope to catch the first 20-minute 'class' that is the "History of Swear Words" on Netflix. Hosted by Nicolas Cage. 😊 What more could a girl ask for? A good day. "All is right with the world." Have a good one, yourselves. https://www.instagram.com/p/CJqkBt0BvZw/?igshid=14v6imf259uhz

[mousenomiatadpole]

Why couldn't this have happened at Christmas time?? Oh, well. At least it's now. And it's so pretty. https://www.instagram.com/p/CJoM_JwhhYS/?igshid=5v4ohjhf3fiy