Help the Moose

I received an email from one of the animal/environmental organizations that I donate to. It was about the decline in the moose population of Minnesota. In 1985, as many as 4,000 moose roamed the woods and grasslands of northwestern Minnesota. By 2003, the number is 237. Scientists believe that is due to higher temperatures due to global warming. Average winter temperatures in northwestern Minnesota have climbed 12 degrees F during the past 40 years. These warmer temperatures have stressed the moose, making them less healthy and more vulnerable to parasites. If temperatures remain high, moose in Minnesota will disappear altogether.

Weighing nearly 1,000 pounds and standing 6 feet tall, moose are majestic symbols of wilderness in many parts of the country. I am sad to think that one of my dreams to see them in the wild one day won't come true. We have to do something and do it now before it is too late.

There are many people who don't believe in global warming (Rush Limbaugh is one-idiot) and think it is something environmentalists have made up. It is isn't. And we all have to do our part. There are a lot of organizations with websites about how to help stop global warming. Next time you are surfing the net, look at a few. Even very small things will help. Please think about it. I know I do every day. The moose, polar bears and song birds that are on the brink of disapearing will appreciate it. And so would Mother Earth. And so would I.

My latest "weirdness"

Ok. This is going to sound weird but my new obsession is my lawn. First let me say that I hate mowing the grass. I also don't water it. So it has brown sections but that is not what I obsess over. It is how short it is and what pattern has been used while cutting it. Diagonal? Square? Strait Lines? Sometimes I will cut it twice just to make sure that I got it all and that when I stand on the deck, I can see that the rows are even. For those of you that know me at all, you know I am not a stickler for neatness: meaning, I don't care if the papers on my desk are perfectly stacked or the towels in my bathroom are hanging straight and folded perfectly. But the grass MUST HAVE AN EVEN, STRAIGHT PATTERN. Am I the only one like that?

I am annoyed

Ok, so there are a few things that are annoying me. And here they are:

Old Navy has decided to stop selling Plus Sized clothing in their stores. They will only sell it online. Now it is hard enough for me to find clothes that look half way decent and now one of my favorite places won't be a favorite any more. I don't like buying clothes online because I can't try them on or feel them or even tell what color they really are. What a pain! Thanks Old Navy. Thanks a lot.

Slugs. Yes, those gross things that are like snails without shells. They get in my stray cat's food and I have to throw out the whole bowl and give them new food. Gross creatures. What is their purpose anyway? The same purpose that Camel Back Cave Crickets have I suppose! Disgusting!

And while we are talking about them, Camel Back Cave Crickets. My crawl space was full of them and my poor dad had to go under there and spray the heck out of them with bug killer. I swear, if I were a genius I would make it my life's purpose to eradicate them from the earth, or at least my little corner of it.

The price of gas. If I could afford a new car I would get one of those Prius cars that get 40+ miles per gallon. I would have to keep an SUV because of all the dogs but at least I could save on gas to and from work. I mean seriously. Oil companies-give us a freakin' break already!

Mosquito bites. And I get a lot every summer. The mosquitoes LOVE me. And I hate them.

People who run over snakes on purpose. This REALLY MAKES ME MAD. I know people have a huge dislike of snakes, but they can be good and killing something on purpose is just plain wrong (except Camel ack Cave Crickets). So, I even stop and rescue snakes from the road. Well non-poisonous ones any way. And I think the 2 that I have saved so far really appreciated it. One was a Eastern King Snake. They EAT COPPERHEADS. A non-poisonous snake that eats a poisonous one. Hello! This is a good thing. Now I don;t think everyone should run out and start picking up snakes but at least try and avoid running over them while they are stretched out on the asphalt trying to get warm.

Ok, off the annoying soap box for now.

PTO

Ahh...I am on PTO for the next 3 days...What is PTO you ask? Well where I work it means Paid Time Off. Yep, I am off for the next 3 days plus Saturday and Sunday! 5 whole days. Where am I going you ask? HOME. I am hanging out at home. I will do a little cleaning, a little laundry, a little jewelry making and perhaps some hanging out with the family. Oh and A LOT of sleeping! The dogs and I are excited! Of course I have a huge to do list. Very ambitious things. It looks a little like this:

1 Laundry (all)
2 Clean off kitchen table
3 Clean off kitchen counter
4 Clean bath room
5 mow grass (gas for lawn mower?)
6 Take items to Retails (like Goodwill but benefits spay/neuter for homeless animals and low income families)
7 Take books to Mr. Mike Used Books - get store credit
8 Make cupcakes with M & P
9 Caulk kitchen window
10 get bills ready for the 15th
11 Make Dr. Appt. (ick)
12 Dust (everything)
13 go to chelle's
14 vacuum (everywhere)

And it just goes on and on for pages. I probably won't get through half of it,but at least I made a list! Well Mr.Sandman beckons...

Happy Moment

Just a quick post. Saturday we all went to Sesame Street Live, and I had a great time. Here are me and "the nieces" after the event. Cookie Monster was FABULOUS! Also, a bottle of water was $4.00. I went thristy. There was no way that I would pay $4.00 for water. And even though most things were a rip off (parking $8.00, Cotton Candy $6.00), it was so much fun to see the girls have such a great time. If I had to I would pay $80.00 for water just to see them so happy!