I'm addicted to cute things!

I have my Milo. Then we got guinea pigs (and then whoops - accidental babies). Then, this furry little guy caught my attention.

No, I'm not talking about my husband.

I'm talking about my hamster, Youssarian (I picked up the name from the Animal Planet show Meerkat Manor).



That picture was taken the day I got him. He does look rather surprised.

He is not the easiest thing to take a picture of, being a wiggly little hamster and all.



I call that one "Please get that camera out of my face?". The Connor says he looks like he's praying.

My most favorite of him though is a recent one (and I had this one printed to put up on my wall, because I think it's just that cute).

In search of - one good Chinese restaurant.

.... on the west side of town.

I mean, I'll drive back to the east side and go to Jade Garden if I have to (and we probably will), but sometimes I get a craving for it and don't want to drive that far, LOL.

We're at 10th and Cascade if that helps anyone.

I've always lived on the east side - it's like moving to a whole new town over here!

House pictures!

The only rooms you won't see are the boys' rooms because they were still asleep when I took these pictures.



Living room - view 1 (that Spiderman poster will NOT be staying there no matter what Pookey thinks).







Living room - view 2







Living room - view 3







Living room and office view from my dining room. I don't like that you can see that speaker wire above the doors.







Dining room (with birthday party stuff on my table).







Part of my kitchen.







Bathroom (obviously). I love that tub.







My bedroom. *bow chicka bow bow*







I think the only thing I'm missing now besides the kids' rooms is my office. I'll work on that one, lol.

Things that scare me. Yes, I have a list.

As I'm sure you've read by now (or heard it directly from me), I am afraid of fireworks.

To that you can add the following:

• balloons. I don't like that they pop - it's a loud, sudden noise thing just like the fireworks. I'm a very skittish person. I also don't like that squeaky eeky noise they make when people's fingers touch them.

• cats. I had a really nasty run-in with a barn cat as a teenager. Pictures of cats are ok, but get me anywhere near one and forget it. I have a scar running the length of my right hand to remind me of that day.
  

• tractor-trailer trucks. They're much, much larger than I am. 'Nuff said.

• refrigerator biscuits. Again, it's the sudden noise thing. I'm not afraid of the biscuits themselves, because they are rather tasty - it's the unopened container that I don't like. If we have these with dinner I will hand Pookey the container and run like the wind. I will NOT be in the same room as him at that time.
  

I never said I was normal.

I think I cursed myself....

....trying to bake brownies in 90 degree heat.

I was sitting there mixing up my brownies when the phone rang. It was my friend Shel - who is coming to spend the day with me tomorrow! I got my brownies poured into the pan ... put into the oven. About 10 minutes goes by -- and THE POWER GOES OUT ON OUR BLOCK.

Kids are freaking out, dog's freaking out, Dave's sitting upstairs in the dark. None of us can remember where we put the flashlight. SO Dave gets the brilliant idea to light up the room with his lightsaber that I bought him for Christmas a couple years ago. It actually worked pretty well. Now all I had to do was to keep the kids from hitting each other (and me) with it.

The timer I had set for my brownies was set on the microwave - which went out when the power went out. I had no idea how long my brownies had been in at this point. About half an hour goes by (which is how long they were to cook for) and I get Dave to get the pan out of the oven with only the lightsaber for light. The brownies are still completely gooey in the center. Aparently, the oven we have is gas - but has an electric starter, or something like that - and it stopped working when the power went out.

That batch of brownies will go in the garbage and I'll make a second batch for the blogger picnic.

We ended up going for a ride in the air conditioned van because it was just too damned hot in this house. The power was on when we got home, thankfully!

OH! Before I forget, while the power was out, I took the dog outside so he could do his business. That's not the interesting part, I promise, LOL. We're standing there next to a tree across the street when some bonehead up a block sets off fireworks. I never expected it. I just about hit the ground. I went running full speed back across the street to the house with the dog flying behind me still attached to his leash and came bursting in the door. The three stooges are sitting there laughing at me because they had heard the fireworks and know my fear of them.

This entry has gone on long enough so I'm going to go up to the a/c in the bedroom and wind down.