New Office

So this is kinda a long story, but it's pretty cool to me.  About a month ago, I was preparing to get a hamster (this was the hamster I intended to get from the Pipsqueakery).  This would be a third hamster, and I figured since I love hamsters and will continue to get them, I should have a better way to handle their housing so our office doesn't get too crowded.  I decided to buy a shelving unit for the corner of our office.  I picked it out and impatiently waited for it to arrive.  Quick tangent: the package started in Gary, IN, but instead of coming straight to Fort Wayne which is like 3 hours away, it took days as it went to IL, TN, OH, and then back to IN.  So yeah, I was impatient as I waited.  Hahaha!  Anyways, the shelves came and I rearranged our office which meant we no longer had space in the office for this small desk.  I wasn't sure what to do with it, but I had this thought that I should hold on to it.  It was sent down to the basement to be stored and forgotten.  In the meantime, I set up another bin and waited to get another hamster (and in case you missed my last post, I ended up getting 2 dwarf hamsters from the ACC!)  But then, the schools closed and my husband was suddenly home.  I knew that sharing our desktop in the office is hard enough during summer when he isn't working, so during this time when he would still be trying to work, we would need a better solution.  I remembered the desk and realized my studio would be the perfect spot for it.  It makes me sad that my studio has become an office space since I would much rather be using it for its intended purpose of photographing babies.  However, with the work we are both still doing, it's been SO awesome having a second office, and making it SO much easier to take turns using the desktop in our actual office.

Laurelin didn't seem too impressed.  She was just wondering why I didn't have a treat for her.  My bad, Laurelin!  😁

Here's a picture of the new setup!  My OCD wants to get another Samla bin from IKEA so they are uniform.  I had actually planned to stop in Fishers on the way to the Pipsqeakery, but that didn't happen.  😞  I'll get there again eventually.  😊

Tarmund really enjoyed exploring this desk and my Chromebook.  He's a good boy.  😊

Meet Kili and Fili!

It's been a weird couple weeks, and I'm sorry I missed posting last week.  Honestly, last week really sucked for me.  I struggled a lot with so many changes happening at once and so much uncertainty.  Thankfully, this week has been SO much better!  I've been so much more productive than I have in a while!  Since my husband is now working from home, I've had to be much more intentional with what I do and when I do it.  But enough of that boring personal stuff.  This post is to introduce my two new hamsters, Kili and Fili!

If you have been following me, you know I was going to get a Syrian hamster from the Pipsqueakery.  Unfortunately, I wasn't able to get there before things got crazy and they got sick, likely with coronavirus.  I was then torn, not knowing if I should wait for an unknown amount of time for things to clear up enough for me to be able to safely make the trip to the Pipsqueakery, or if I should instead use this opportunity to see if there were any local hamsters in need.  Sure enough, there were 6 baby dwarf hamsters at the Fort Wayne Animal Care and Control.  I had been following their story from the beginning when the ACC discovered these new babies born after a recent intake of a mother with her older babies.  I waited a bit, hoping they would find homes since I would rather a Syrian, but ultimately, as much as it sucks, I know the Pipsqueakery is more than capable of caring for the numerous animals under their care, and I felt it was better to help these babies at the ACC.  

On Tuesday, I arrived 5 minutes before the ACC opened and saw a crowd of people and dogs that had already formed outside the building.  The ACC was waiving all adoption fees in hopes of clearing out their facility before they would close for two weeks.  I already had my form filled out, and made my way to the table where I ended up getting the number 43 out of 44.  Within a minute or so, they said they wouldn't be accepting any more applications for now and sent everyone to their cars to wait.  I secretly hoped they would let me in sooner, knowing that my process would be much faster than anyone there for a dog or cat.  But they didn't and I waited for 2 hours and 45 minutes until it was my turn.  I had intended to only get one hamster, but there had been no interest from anyone else, and I fell in love with the 2 boys of the litter.  I kept them living together as they had been, and I am closely monitoring them in case they need to be separated (which I am already prepared for), but so far, they are happy!  I'm happy to also report that the ACC has closed with only a few lost pets and 2 of the 6 dwarf hamsters.  So, here are Kili and Fili who are 5 weeks old.  Kili is much smaller and so sweet.  Fili is the boss and protector, but is warming up to me quickly.  Aren't they precious?!!?  😍

Couch Potatoes

I really didn't think that I would be a person that loves hamsters like I do.  But here I am, with a blog full of pictures of these precious little creatures and struggling to fall asleep at night because I'm so excited to get another one soon!  I mean, since I was a child, everyone assumed I'd become a veterinarian, and I really considered it, but I didn't think I could handle seeing so many sick ones day after day.  Now that I am older, I occasionally find myself wondering how different my life might be if I had taken that career path.  One thing I do know is that I wouldn't have as much time at home with my own pets, so when I think about it that way, I have no regrets.  😊

Laurelin's fur is thinning out, which from my experience is the first and sometimes only sign of aging.  😔  She is approximately 1 1/2 years old now, but I have no knowledge of what the first 8 months of her life was like.  I do like that I feel more freedom to spoil her now with treats that would normally be off-limits.

Tarmund doesn't seem to be getting any older, and I hope and expect to have a lot longer with him.  He does seem more relaxed and chill about life, but he's not slowing down unless there are treats!

Lemons and Limes

It's another dreary, rainy day.  However, it's gonna be pretty warm this week, and I'm finding myself thinking more and more about springtime!  My daffodils and crocuses seem to also think it's spring.  I expect that by the end of this week, they will be blooming.  Hopefully they don't get frozen if winter isn't ready to be over yet.  Anyways, this warm has me wanting those yummy citrus flavors!  I'm thinking key lime pie and lemon bars.  😋

Laurelin was basically a perfect angel for these pictures.  She's such a happy little sweetheart.  😊

Tarmund wasn't too interested in the food I gave him to eat, and instead tried to attack the limes.  I'm tell you, this little dude has issues sharing his space with anything.  😂