A Fairy Tale

Once upon a time, a young teen got creative and made up a whole bunch of cute Christmas sled ornaments for all of her family. She used popsicle sticks to form the little sleighs, wrapped up tiny pieces of styrofoam to look like presents, attached strings to them for hanging on the tree, and personalized each and every one with the recipient's name. The 13-year-old carefully packed each family's ornaments and wrapped them in bright shiny paper, then either delivered them or mailed them out. Everybody liked their little sleds.

31 years later, one of the girl's cousins posted on Facebook about the adorable ornament from her childhood that she always placed on her tree, along with a picture of said ornament. Other members of the extended family chimed in, discussing how they always kept them safe and still hung them on their trees each year. One cousin's wife even described how her husband made sure to carefully wrap it each year and put it in a place of honor on the tree each year. This made the girl feel very loved, and close to her family, even though they are spread out across the entire nation.

Though the girl, now a widowed woman, was having a pretty terrible year, this one bright point gave her hope that she just might be able to get through it all anyway. She may not be living happily ever after, but at least there's hope for an after.

THE END.

Where Does The Time Go?

So when I woke up today, it was just another day. But then I looked at the calendar, and realized what day it was! Today is two years since I started this blog! That sounds like reason for a party or something.

So, even though I've been very very absent, this is still a pretty special day, and I had to make a post to say something about it. I should be able to get back to blogging within a week, maaaaaybe two, and I'll probably have a giveaway once I am back in the swing of things. I have been doing my nails still, so there will be plenty of pictures to enjoy before long as well.

For now, I'm going to crack a bottle of wine, toast my blog and the wonderful readers that have stuck with me all this time, and probably fall asleep before I finish the glass. Hee.

Not Really About Nail Polish

Okay, so you've heard me talk about The Band before. Well, if you've been reading you have. If not, then you should certainly be checking them out. Anyway, so last night one of the band members found out her son Jack has leukemia. Yeah, super serious stuff. Now it seems this is ALL, which is one of the "better" ones to have, but still, a 5 year old should NOT have to deal with this crud. So we're all teaming up to send our best wishes to him, and he's gonna KICK ASS and get healthy.

Now, I don't have any orange ribbons, so I'll have to post some orange polish for you to enjoy while I tell you more about what you might be able to do to help. Yes, YOU.

Did that bright orange polish catch your attention? Good. One of the most important things you can do to help out folks with leukemia is to join the Be A Match Registry. It won't cost you a penny during the month of January, because American Express has given a grant to cover the expenses (it normally costs $100, which may or may not be covered if there have been enough contributions). You could be a super man/woman to somebody out there if you are their match.

It may turn out that Jack doesn't need a transplant, but even if you don't happen to help him, you could help somebody else. Somebody's son or daughter. Somebody's brother, sister, or cousin. Somebody's best friend.

So, have further questions on what you'll need to do to join, or how this all works? Just check out their Frequently Asked Questions section. It's got everything you need to know.

Maybe you are ready RIGHT NOW to possibly help save a life? Then you can go here and follow the instructions to join.

Or are you one of those people who is already signed up, and just waiting for the call that asks you to help? Are you certain your information is up to date? If not, then you should head on over and make sure it is.

Perhaps you're like me, and are unable to join for some reason. I have psoriasis, and that precludes me from being able to help in this way. But take heart, there are other things you can do to get involved.

There are even several ways to donate money if that's how you prefer to do things.

Maybe you are reading all this and just not quite sure what leukemia is exactly, or how it can be treated. Well, the Band has put up a resource page that can help.

If you'd like to learn a bit more about Jack, and/or follow along, you can visit his Caring Bridge page. He's so adorable and sweet. No kid should have to go through this.

If you'd really like to send Jack a get well e-card or an email of support, just contact me, or any of the Band members for an email address. Or just leave a note at his Caring Bridge site Guest Book.

Band members have also started using the #jackonaut hash tag on twitter to send Jack messages of hope and light.

If you'd like to stick one of the cool buttons on your blog to show your support, even for just a day or so, you can grab it from the Band post. Well, that's about all I can think of for the moment. I'm going to dig up several orange polishes and wear them this week in Jack's honor - as well as all the other kids who are dealing with leukemia in their lives.

Oh, one last thing... if you're just itching to spend some money on something, here's Jack's Amazon wishlist. How about you, do you know somebody special who is going through a rough time? Maybe you can do something small to help lift their spirits.

Because I Am A Follower.

I'm doing this meme with Aunt Becky. Except I'm going to put polish pictures in between the questions. That's just how I roll and stuff. Okay, let's get to the fun!

All I Got For Christmas...

Well, I say all, but it wasn't a ton of stuff. I can't sleep, so I thought I'd share my review of the Cult Nails base and top coats, which I used for the first time when I got Vicious from them back in September. I know, I know, I'm running way way behind on that, but as you may have noticed, life has been whompin' on me lately. It's all good though. I'm not gonna sit around and whine about the crud, I'm going to enjoy the wonderful good stuff. Let's jump in!

Happy Happy Birthday Baby!

Today marks sixteen years that my sweet Sarah Bera entered my life. I cannot imagine how my life would be changed without her (or any of my three monsters). I could write for hours and hours and paragraphs and paragraphs, and still not even come close to expressing how much she means to me. Not only that, but she impresses me as well, and makes me so proud to know her.

Limping Along Here

Just a fast post to let you know that I'm still around, and will hopefully be back to regular posting before long. Lotsa dumb medical stuff, and so on have kept me from being on the computer much, and even from doing my nails as much, but things are on the upswing now (I think haha). Just because, here are a few phone pictures of recent manis to share with you what you might see soon.

Bloggers Speak Out

I'm certain by now that most anybody who reads nail blogs has seen the article from Nails Magazine about bloggers, and the fauxpology that was printed after bloggers spoke up about it. I was rather shocked in general, and couldn't really formulate a response. However, there are 9 bloggers out there (that I found) who did, and far more eloquently than I ever could. I think it's important that we consider what they've said, and realize that bloggers and professionals can certainly coexist side by side.

Ever Wanted To Say You're With The Band?

Well, if you do, then you can. See, I am with The Band. Band Back Together, that is. And today is the first birthday of that lovely place. There is so much awesome about the band that I can't even begin to describe it. And because I want to fling glitter everywhere when I think of the band, I did a most glitterific mani to celebrate it.

I'll have better pictures later, but even that is not enough glitter to express the awesomeness of BB2G. To be a part of it is one of the best things I've ever done, and I'm pretty proud of it. But I'm even more proud of all the other band members.

(I will be back to regular blogging before too long, but I'm not going to make any excuses or anything for being gone so long. Let's just say I got really busy and call it good.)

OMG I HAVE A BLOG AWARD!

I'm so so excited to share this news with you! I'm so hyped up that I had to run right over and post, even though I was actually busy playing with the dogs now that it's cooled down enough to be outside for more than 3 minutes without suffering from heat stroke. And yes, I play with the dogs outside at night the most. In the dark. Cuz that's how I roll. So anyway, check this out, how can you NOT be way impressed at this award?


I totally lifted it from Fare Forward, who nabbed it from Oh Rachel, who swiped it from Siren Song. There is, like, one rule, or suggestion, and that is to link back to where you appropriated it from so they can follow the chain back through or some such. Whatever, it's all unimportant, because the important thing is that I HAVE A NEW BLOG AWARD! STOP LAUGHING AT ME!

Also, I so have some pictures of polish to share with you, so let's take a peek at some recent polishes.

Please Help Me Choose a New Header

I've been playing around with settings and such, and I'd really like to get a better header on here (yeah, the one there is, um, a placeholder), so I'd love it if you would help me choose. Here's the base for my new header, without text.

I like it because DUH nail polish. Hee. So under the cut I have a selection of a few to share with you, and a poll so you can vote for the one you like best.

Happy Memorial Day!

No pics today, just a fast post to let you know I'm still alive, and kicking. I have all sorts of pictures to share, once I have some time to sit down and DO IT. Of course, it's 3am, so now is not that time. Haha. It's been a busy week, what with Missy's last day, a new dog (yeah, color me insane), and just general trying to get things done. AH yes the new dog... I haven't brought her up anywhere so as not to jinx things, but it looks like we have a permanent new member of the house, another husky! And here I was thinking that things were going to get calmer. Anyway, I'll post more about her on my other blog when I have some time, and I know I have a mondo amount of catching up to do here.

I just want to wish you all a Happy Memorial Day (if you're celebrating it) and I hope you find time to remember all those who should be remembered. If you aren't, then, uh, Happy Monday? Or maybe Tuesday, depending on where you are.

I'm Not Missing! Haha!

It might seem like I am, when I don't post for so long, but things have a way of getting extra busy around here, pretty much every time I think it's going to calm down. Mostly right now we are dealing with the dogs not getting along (Missy and Lassie), and The Mate's soreness in the rain, plus we had to go to a frou-frou dinner the other night. And other junk that nobody really wants to hear about. Hee. Anyway, why don't I get back to showing pictures instead of babbling?

More Swatches To Share!

Okay, this time I'm actually getting back to this before a week has gone by! Go me! It's windy and rainy, and I've had a really rough day, so I'm kicking back with a Subway sub, some delicious wine (a Sangria from Brookmere), and the time to do a little 'housekeeping' on both my blogs. Maybe I'll even find the time to get some more swatching in tonight, unless I get tipsy. Of course, that wouldn't take much. So let's go through how my day went while we see the rest of the WNW swatches. (Fair warning, there is some gross talk in here!)

La La La! I R Random.

I'm all sorts of scattered, so this is just going to be random. And hopefully you won't mind. First, I want to share some pretty neat blog posts (old and new) that kinda fascinate me. And they all have to do with nail polish storage, especially shelves. I dunno if I've said anything about it before, but I want to set up one of the bedrooms as my own polish room, and I have plans for shelves to display my polish. I'd like to set up a manicure station, a light box, and basically everything I could need when it comes to my polish. But, it's probably going to have to wait while we get some other things done. That's okay. So anyway, feel free to click and check out my musings.

Sneak Peek and Babbling.

So, after all my whining in the last post, I thought I'd be a little more cheerful tonight. Mostly because I'm up to day four on the meds, and the moods are already stabilizing a bit, and I'm not having the really yucky symptoms. Some dry mouth and skin, extra aches and pains, and a bit of peeling on the bottom of my foot... plus the moody thing which hopefully is easing up. Oh, and wanting to sleep way more than usual. Those are all very tolerable!

I used my phone to take this snipshot of my nails tonight, so feel free to guess what it is! I have a lot of editing to do, but hopefully I'll find some time this weekend, and do some catching up. I've got a whole bunch of WNW and ELF swatches to share, and then plenty of NOTD pics as well.

I've also gotten back to catching up on my other blog as well. Since I can't transport right now (the Jeep is DOWN dangit!), I can catch up there, and maybe do some fine-tuning on both blogs. Of course, if a transport comes along that is one dog, or a couple really small ones, or even a couple kitties, I'll certainly jump in there with our little pickup. I also took the money I would have spent in gas, and donated it to Doctors Without Borders. (I will admit, I totally thought about buying nail polish with it, but even *I* am not that selfish. Mostly.)

Well, I guess I'd better crawl into bed, and hopefully get some really good sleep so that I can do lots of chores tomorrow. The faster I burn through them, the more I can edit and post!

Nicole, Why Are You Shaped So Oddly?

Warning: this post is going to be rambly, kinda soul-baring, and likely a bit depressing. Please feel free to skip the words and just look at the pretty (I hope) pictures. After my week of OPI, I kept sort of along the same lines, and went with Nicole polishes. This was the week leading up to VD (uh, hopefully you know I mean Valentine's Day - though VD is about as welcome to me as that holiday haha). Not that I don't love the idea of chocolate (heck, the after holiday sales ROCK), or being loving and caring towards my partner; I just feel that should be happening EVERY day, not just once a year. Hmm, maybe I'll stop rambling and get to the pictures.

A Whole Year Already?!

Wow, I can't believe I've been playing around with this thing for a whole year now! I've been kicking around a lot of ideas, and I think I'm going to move this blog more towards the polish area, and start another with more of the animal details. So, I set up a new blog with WordPress on my site over here. Right now it's one testing post, and I'll have to work on figuring out how to configure it all and so on, but I'll be moving my animal transport pictures over there. And probably all my critter posts. We'll see if I can keep up with TWO blogs! Muahahaha!

So, considering that, I'm going to post a bunch more swatches here today, and then hopefully get caught up on my transports over there. I hope you'll bear with me as I get organized and figure out exactly what I'm doing! Let's look at some polish now.

Random Tuesday Thoughts

Click on the graphic to vist The UnMom!

Still trying to get a pet into the winners section for Bissell's MVP contest. If you'd like to help, vote every day for Missy here, starting tomorrow!

Had such a wonderful time going to the doctor today. Haha. Naw, he's pretty neat, but then they had to draw like 84 tubes of blood. Okay, 4. Still, yuck. At least the person doing it was good with the needle. And we're doubling up on the Psoriatane, so look for future posts full of ranting about the side effects. Or probably not so much, but it will likely get mentioned.

VD is over, so now maybe I won't have to listen to those stupid commercials telling me I'm not loved because he didn't buy me diamonds. Honestly, he loves me every day, and we kinda just pass off VD as a nothing sort of day. We do say, "Happy VD" a lot though. Yeah, I have a 12 year old sense of humor.

Started working on shaping with Krissie and the clicker. I am going to try to teach her to pick up a small toolbox. This might be fun!

Finally got all the snow off our ramp, so it's more usable. Which is good, because we really can't use the side door since I didn't put a gate in my little fence project. We will when we get real fencing in this summer.


I didn't pick up cat food today (busy with everything else) so I'm going to have to run tot he grocery store and pick up something to get them by tonight. Bleah.

Got my new Cult Nails polishes, so you know what's going on my nails the next few days! And by the time I run through those, my new Clarins should be here. I'm SO SO SO excited!

We finally got our GPSs updated, and now our maps will be current. Yay us! The Mate had to do a lot of work to get his computer to let him do it.

We splurged and bought tickets to see TSO in April. I can barely wait! I've wanted to see them in concert for a long long long time.

Random Tuesday Thoughts (Now With Pictures!)

Since I missed being all random-y last Tuesday, I'm going to include pictures this week. Aren't you lucky?!

I should totally be in bed asleep right now. Haha.