New Flowers!

The weather was gorgeous on Saturday, and I was finally able to start fixing up the landscaping in the front of the house.  Part of my motivation was getting these new flowers planted!  I actually ended up going back to get more from the Botanical Conservatory's used bulb sale they were doing, but I wasn't able to get those planted yet because it got really cold again.  But the weather is looking good again, and I'm excited to get outside today and make more progress towards completing this project.  I've been planning this all out since last fall, and it's been very slow and a long wait!  But before I go out and get my hands dirty, I gotta finish editing pictures.

Fili was not interested in the strawberry or the flowers.  He just wanted off of the stool, which he managed to do and was wandering around in the flower pots before I caught him.  😅  I'm impressed with how young he acts since he is actually quite old for a ham.

Haleth was very pleased to get some strawberry, and I'm sure she would have gladly taken Fili's piece too, but I didn't let that happen.  Fruit is a nice treat for a ham, but does need to be limited like all treats.  I'm fairly certain Haleth lacks self control when it comes to any food, so I have to moderate treats for her.  

Windowsill (RIP Kili)

My sweet Kili passed away on Good Friday.  As I was working on Thursday, I heard a ham running on a wheel.  I was a bit surprised since they normally are sleeping, and Kili was the only hamster that would ever spend a decent amount of time up during the day, but even then it had been quite a while since he had gone for an afternoon jog like that.  I peeked behind me to see who it was and to my delight it was my dear Kili.  He only jogged for less than a minute, but I was still impressed.  He had gotten wobbly and was showing signs that his old age had caught up to him.  I've known for a while now that he didn't have much longer left, and each day that I got to spoil him with more treats was such a joy for me.  I feel blessed to have gotten to care for this little guy from the ACC for 25 out of his 26 months of life.  Sometimes I really wish hamsters lived longer, but then I think about all the wonderful hams I've been blessed with over the last 8 years of owning hamsters.  I'm missing my squeaky little office buddy who provided a bit of entertainment for me while I worked.  For those wondering, Kili's twin brother Fili is still doing well, but he and Haleth are very quiet if they get up during the day so I rarely notice when they are awake.  Below are some of my favorite pictures of Kili.  💓

Fili is oblivious to his brothers passing and is just starting to show signs of how old he is as I've noticed he is slowing down some.  So, I don't know how long Fili will stick around, but now he'll be getting the bulk of the special treats as he's clearly earned it.  😊

Haleth seems like a giant if you are used to seeing a dwarf hamster.  But she is just so sweet and I absolutely love photographing her!  She is gorgeous and poses naturally.  I love my big girl.  😊

Little Basket

These up and down temperatures and cloudy days are getting me anxious for warmth and sunshine.  I feel like I have so much yardwork to do, but I really don't like working in the cold and I get cold easily.  So for now I've been putting off the yardwork.  I've been working on getting caught up with computer projects.  Today I'm working on deleting extra pictures.  As a photographer, there are inevitably outtakes that aren't worth saving and since the RAW filles take up so much space, I regularly go through and clear out anything I didn't use.  I also double check that I've properly backed up the good stuff in all the various places I use to keep them safe.  This morning I made a new playlist which has helped immensely with providing the motivation I need to get through the monotony of this massive project.  😊

 Fili isn't nearly as active during the day as Kili is.  And yes, Kili is still alive and getting spoiled with all the treats.  💓  I mean, not actually all of them because as you can tell from Fili's very round shape, he is also getting more than his share of treats. 😂

Haleth initially decided she could hide in this basket, but I guess curiosity got the best of her and she poked her head out for a look.  I don't have any more pictures because once she got a quick look around, she decided she should try to eat any plant close enough to reach, and I had to put a hard stop to that.  I love these plants!  😅

Happy Gotcha Days to Fili, Kili, and Haleth!

It's hard to believe that I'm celebrating 2 years with Fili and Kili!  I got these munchkins on March 24, 2020.  I brought them home from the Fort Wayne Animal Care and Control right before the pandemic really hit our area and the first stay at home orders started.  They were the perfect buddies for me during what turned into a much longer time at home than what was anticipated.  A year later, on March 17, 2021, I brought home Haleth also from the ACC.  I really appreciate that there are plenty of good options near me for adopting hamsters such as the ACC here in Fort Wayne, the Pipsqueakery in Bloomington, or even getting connected to people who've had accidental litters so I can have hamsters without going to pet stores which supports hamster mills with horrible living conditions.  That said, I do think it would be awesome if eventually I could buy a hamster from a reputable breeder such as Strongbrew Hamstery who focuses on hamster genetics and breeding better, healthier lines.

Fili doesn't really show any signs of aging, which is quite impressive since he is likely over 25 months old.  He gets really excited when he sees me because he wants treats.  However he always seems so grumpy if I reach in and give him pets instead of food.  Hahaha!

Part of the reason I am posting these a week early is because Kili probably doesn't have much longer left.  I'm spoiling him with so many yummy treats to encourage him to eat.  He still gets around and is my most active ham during the day, but he has been sleeping more and more, so I know the end is near.  I don't intend to get him out for any more photo shoots, but I'll keep you posted on him.  💓

Haleth has always been the most timid hamster I've ever owned, which is a shame because she is such a cute model!  Anyways, I don't know if I've mentioned this before, but at some point I discovered that Haleth is not at all afraid of our cats.  😒  There have been so many times when I've heard banging coming from the office and I'll go in and see the cats sitting in front of Haleth's bin watching her loudly rearranging her home as one does.  But as soon as Haleth becomes aware that I'm there watching too, she darts for cover.  I've even caught them all sniffing noses through the mesh.  😂  Anyways, I am glad that Haleth is happy and healthy even if she likes that cats more than me, and I certainly hope I have her for at least another year.  It would be so fun to celebrate a second "Gotcha Day" with her.

It was at this point that I realized that Haleth was putting SO much food in her cheeks that the hat would be hard to get off, so we took a break so I could take it off and then let her continue stuffing her face.  😂

Haleth wanted to check out Mr. Owl as he was the only guest invited to her party.  

Wooden Box

I'm once again waiting on Frontier, but this time I'm sure it won't be Bill coming to my house because this time we are getting our speed upgraded.  I gotta say, I'm looking forward to 1 GB upload/download more than I thought I would.  While I wait, I'm enjoying the sunshine and my plants and thinking about all the pictures I need to edit.  

Fili sure does love his treats, and yet out of the hams, he's often the hardest to photograph because he just does not sit still.  I did get this picture of him enjoying a yogurt treat.  😊

Kili nibbled at his yogurt treat, but then he was more interested in sniffing the plant.  

Haleth was only interested in the plant.  This is a peperomia frost.  I typically don't like peperomias, but this one caught my eye, and I think it is so stunning the way it shimmers in the sunlight!  Haleth really wanted to taste it, but I only let her look.  😁

New Blanket

 This little taste of warm weather is getting me excited for spring!  I know we aren't done with the cold yet, but we are getting close.  I also have to say that today's date is pretty cool, especially because it falls on a Tuesday.  Fun dates like today kinda make me miss being in elementary school because we celebrated just about everything.  Haha!  Anyways, I hope y'all are having a great Twosday!  😊

Speaking of twos, Fili and Kili are likely already 2 years old since I have had them for almost two years now.  I realized I should start planning a little party for them to make sure their "gotcha day" is extra special.  Fili will be especially happy for some of his favorite treats.

I was surprised that Kili didn't want to eat this carrot.  I think he was just too distracted because he wanted to explore.  I made sure he got the carrot to enjoy when he was back in his bin though.  😊

Haleth is so cute with everything she does.  I love the way she holds the treat in her tiny paws and how she looks to be enjoying it so much!  She's so precious!