An April Challenge

While perusing Pinterest (which I do waaay too often for many hours), I found a photo challenge someone had posted. The idea appealed to me (though not the specific one that I found). Inspired, I went in search of other photo challenges that I could do easily using my phone and Instagram. In addition, I needed one that wouldn't be a huge time commitment because, you know, grad school.

Eventually I stumbled upon this: Let Your Worry Down: 30 Day Challenge.

Here was this blogger's 30 day photo challenge (that can easily be done using Instagram and not too much time):

How about that? Fun little thing that I can do for April that won't take tons of time from my school work and will keep me engaged in my blog! Plus, there is the added bonus of it providing a little break from what promises to be an insane month (my scholarly paper is due on the 22nd--that's my graduation project! Ahh! And I have to present on it tomorrow! I'm not ready!). First photo post scheduled for tomorrow! Hopefully this will be something fun. I welcome any of my friends and fellow bloggers to join me!

When You Become a Crazy Rat Lady...

You buy a carrier to take them everywhere with you.

Romulus sticking his head out.

Yep, that's me, the crazy rat lady. I love my ratties so much! I spoil them rotten (which is part of why they are chub-sters). I have been trying to get them used to coming out with me. They handle it well, actually. So I got a ferret carrier for them. I put in some bedding and an old shirt that they like to burrow in inside the carrier. I have to be creative, but I plan to cut a little hole that I can stick a water bottle into in case we have a longer trip.

And they have really taken to the carrier! They like it!

Romulus washing Remus's face inside the carrier.

So there you have it. When I'm not doing schoolwork, I spend as much time as possible with my rats! 

Sleepy rat in his carrier!

Remus washing in the carrier.

March 12

Today is my step-grandmother's birthday. Yay! Happy birthday! (I'm not sure that she sees my blog, but I stalk her on Facebook and, of course, I am thinking about her today.)

And then I remembered that it was also the second anniversary of my grandfather's death (as well as the day I took the GRE). First off, what a horrible birthday for my step-grandma. I can't imagine how heartbreaking that would be. She's a strong lady, though, and she somehow manages to handle everything. Tough as nails.

I was remembering the day I took the GRE. I was a horrible, nervous wreck. My mom met me for a bit so I could grab a chai before the test (to avoid the caffeine headache). She knew that Grandpa had passed away earlier that morning, but didn't tell me because she didn't want to stress me out more or distract me from the GRE. And even though she must have been heartbroken, she actually hid it from me pretty well and tried to keep me positive.

So I was remembering and feeling a little sad, but grateful for my incredible and amazing mom and my wonderful and tough grandma. I feel that I have been a pretty lucky girl with my family. I guess I just wanted to share.

The Plaster Queen

That's what I call myself now. We had several, smallish repairs to make on the walls of our condo and I headed this project.

I learned how to patch drywall and plaster! Here are a couple of handy videos and such for you:

Drywall patching: How to patch a hole in your wall.
Plaster repair: How To Plaster A Hole In The Wall.
An article on the differences between plaster and drywall from How Stuff Works: What is the difference between drywall and plaster?
Another article to help with drywall patches: Hole in the Wall Help.

And here is some of my excellent work! Or decent work.

Drywall patching:

Before

After! But before sanding and painting.

Plaster patching:

This corner was particularly nasty to fix. Luckily the trim will cover most of it.

More plastering:

A mostly finished patch. It needed one more layer.

After that was finished, we primed the walls and repainted:

The lighting makes it tough to see, but the new, light green is on the right and the old, olive-y green is on the left. Looks brown here...

After that was underway, Isaac and I went to Ikea and bought curtains and panels. Our balcony door has not been covered for months! It's nice to have the privacy back.

I know it is difficult to see, but the walls are light green and the hangings are grey and white. The curtains are brown.

Recently, we went and got a brand new bed, too! That was very exciting! Got a nice bed frame, a new mattress (which we desperately needed) and a box spring. Thanks Ikea!

So there are some of the most recent home repairs! Our living room is really coming together. Just a little more painting to do, the trim, and to hem the curtain! Then we get to move on to the dining area and kitchen! So exciting! And thanks to my love, Isaac, who did almost all of the tiling and he put the hangings and curtains up! Though I did hem them. Badly, because Ikea's curtains are not straight and even. Oh well.