Our life currently

It appears that it has been ages since I have done a "slice of life" post.  There is a good and honest reason for that.  The reason is simple, our life is a little on the boring side.

We moved into a new apartment last month.  That was a trial and I completely hate having to move.  We did it alone again this time, which just made it worse.  By the end of the move Jason and I were at wits end.  Thus not everything is unpacked or sort yet.  I am going to get the rest of my reading space finished this weekend and try to finish the bedroom (which requires moving the bed). Jason has the task of finishing the kitchen and hanging things in the living room.  May be after all that I will post some pictures.

I am still working at the Zoo and I do enjoy my work there.  I do wish I could do more but that has not been in the cards for me.  So for right now I am going to be happy with what I have and not complain.

Reading is one of my favorite past times right now.  I still sew and in fact working on several projects for next month.  I am also learning to work in leather.  Leather presents a whole new challenge for me and I find I really enjoy it.

See I told you our lives have been fairly boring and mundane of late.  Not that I am complaining but it makes for a boring blog at times. 

Zoo Animal!

African Spoonbills:

Spoonbills use their open bill to catch foods by swinging it from side-to-side in the water, which catches foods in its mouth.

Scientific name: Platalea Alba from the family Threskiothidae of the order Ciconiiformes. (1)

The African Spoonbill is white bird with long red legs that they use to wade into the water.  With it's distinctive coloring and lack of a crest, unlike the common spoonbill, it is easy to distinguish them from other species. (2)

Their natural habitats are marshy wetlands with some open shallow water like river banks, lake shores, marshes, plains, savannas, swamps and water-meadows. They feed on fish and aquatic invertebrates. The inside of the spatula-shaped beak reacts to touch.  When it touches something in the water, it snaps shut quickly. (1)

They will nest from winter to spring in trees above the water.  Eggs are generally laid between April and May.  Both parents will tend the eggs for 29 days during incubation and continue caring for the young for another month. (2) At birth, the African spoonbill’s beak does not resemble a spoon. It is born with a short beak that gradually develops into a spoon-like shape. It usually resembles a spoon right before it is time to leave its nest.(1)


Spoonbills can live up to 30 years in captivity.  They are classified as least concern since their population is stable and they cover a vast range of area.(1)

1. Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens: African Spoonbill
2. African Spoonbill Wikipedia

Sadie Ellen has arrived

My dear sweet sister Kat had her first little girl last night at 7pm.  I am so happy the Miss Sadie Ellen has arrived.  I will not be able to visit until the Christening in Sept and I cannot wait.  I know that all of my is so excited for the new bundle of joy.

Sadie in Uncle David's arms

David, Kat and Daddy admiring Sadie

Kat all dolled up for a mom and daughter shot. (I made her fancy pillowcase)

Title change explained

As many will see the title of the Blog changed today.  There is a simple reason.  Jason is taking a year off.  We knew going in what the stress would be like for Law School, but something was not meshing for us and law school.  So we are taking a year to step back to reevaluate what are plans are going to include.  Jason has asked several times for me to change the title, so I did.  I will give more information on what we decide when we get to that point.

Things you learn on a bad day

Yesterday was a tough day.  I am still not sleeping well in the new apartment.  That means I am having many cranky mornings.  Usually I would mess on the internet and be in a better mood but Comcast is having issues getting our service on.  That aside yesterday was just a plain bad day. 

Well all day was not bad but the morning was horrid enough to almost cancel out the normal stuff.  I woke feeling rough, I think I have an allergy headache type thing.  So I was sluggish all morning, thus we did not get out to the car until 10 min before work.  Normally that is not an issue since I work 5 min away.  The car would not crank.  Not in the least.  We did try getting a jump from a neighbor and still no crank.  So, I run back in the apartment to change tops to walk to work.  By my calculations my zoo is about 2 miles from the apartment.  So I walk it.  I am out of shape so 20 min into the walk I was ecstatic to have James (Security James) stop on his motorcycle and cart me the rest of the way in.

Now to what I learned:

1. I am out of shape.
2. The walk to work is a nice one.
3. I like motorcycles.
4. Friends are wonderful when you need them!
5. Exercise really does make you feel good.

#4 is also because our car was fixed yesterday by a friend's little brother.  He replaced the starter and was going to only ask for 20 bucks.  So he got 30 and the trade in money for the old starter. 

Self potrait 1

This will not fall under the "emotion" portrait series.  I am still working on that list and coming up with ideas.  It will mostly like start in September after the crazy has died down in my life.

The portrait was done spontaneously this week at work.

7/30/13