If it isn't one thing it's another. A buddy of mine is taking on a special needs rescue. Steve the alligator isn't in fantastic shape. Please read his story here

http://www.gofundme.com/nztbbs

Please share this if you're reading this. Even if someone can't donate you can still help by passing this along.

Three words for you guys: Jenny Lynn Stacy.....

You're asking yourself "Who?"

Well, Jenny Lynn Stacy, my friends, is a local artist (Quad Cities IA/IL). A local artist who is trying to release her first album.

"Why should we care?"

I don't normally seek out her musical style, but I listened on a whim, and guys, her music made me feel happy. It's cute, catchy, and an all around pleasant listening experience.

Go take a peek, if you don't have any interest/ability to donate to her campaign, what will it hurt to at least listen to the magic?

https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/.....-first-lp#home

Swiped from

Comment on this journal and I'll...

1. Tell you something I learned about by looking at your Fa page for 13 seconds

2. Tell you a colour you remind me of

3. Tell you my first memory of you

**4. Ask you a question **

5. Tell you something I like about you

6. Give you a nickname

7. Tell you the object that is to the left of me

8. Dare you to do this yourself in your journal

A Different Kind Of Love Song
Cher


What if the world was crazy and I was sane
Would it be so strange
I can't believe that I am alone in saying
The things I'm saying
I am - part of you
These are - universal truths
We're all - part of the light that flows through everything

[Chorus:]
This is a different kind of love song
Dedicated to everyone
Different kind of love song, - oh, oh
This is a different kind of love song
A higher plane we can go on
Different kind of love song - oh, oh

What if the world calmed down and we could all breathe
Together easily
Connecting the sky and the ground with you and me
And everything in between
I am - part of you
We have - living proof
There is - some kind of light that flows through everything

[Chorus]

This is a different kind of love song
Ooh, Ooh
This is a different kind of love song
A higher plain we can flow on
Different kind of love song

This is a different kind of love song
Ooh, A love song
Ooh, Ooh, Ooh
This is a different kind of love song
Dedicated to everyone
Different kind of love song
Ooh, Ooh, Ooh
This is a different kind of love song
A higher plane we can go on
Different kind of love song
Ooh, oh oh - Ooh, oh, oh
This is a different kind of love song
This is a different kind, a different kind
of love song
Ooh, Ooh, Ooh

I NEVER go on a vacation with my family again, it will be too soon...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z9Rb3VCOUj4

Within Temptation
"Iron"

Left in the darkness
Here on your own
Woke up a memory
Feeding the pain
You cannot deny it
There's nothing to say
It's all that you need to fire away

Oh damn, the war is coming
Oh damn, you feel you want it
Oh damn, just bring it on today

You can't live without the fire
It's the heat that makes you strong
'Cause you're born to live and fight it all away
You can't hide what lies inside you
It's the only thing you've known
You'll embrace it and never walk away
Don't walk away

Don't walk away
Don't walk away
Don't walk away

Raised in this madness
You're on your own
It makes you fearless
Nothing to lose

Dreams are a joke here
They get in your way
That's what what you need to fight day by day.

Oh damn, the war is coming
Oh damn, you feel you want it
Oh damn, just bring it on today

You can't live without the fire
It's the heat that makes you strong
'Cause you're born to live and fight it all away
You can't hide what lies inside you
It's the only thing you've known
You'll embrace it and never walk away
Don't walk away

(You need not fear us,
Unless you are a Darkheart
A vile one who preys on the innocent
I promise
You can't hide forever from the empty darkness
For we will hunt you down like the animals you are
And pull you into the very bowels of hell)

Oh damn, the war is coming
Oh damn, you feel you want it
Oh damn, just bring it on today

You can't live without the fire
It's the heat that makes you strong
'Cause you're born to live and fight it all away
You can't hide what lies inside you
It's the only thing you've known

You'll embrace it and never walk away
Don't walk away

Don't walk away
Don't walk away
Don't walk away

I feel useless 90% of the time already, but she always manages to find a way to make me feel worse...

Just had my last two wisdom teeth pulled today...had one pulled last Friday too. Have been in constant severe pain for about two months now...has a few fillings done, and then was in worse pain, and the problem on the right side seemed to be a wisdom tooth...either way they're ALL gone now...maybe there will bea little bit of relief for a while

Happy birthday to me, I got to, so far this morning, corral the dog back in the house, go see what she had in her mouth and was shaking, found out it was a fuckin GROUNDHOG, then while trying to bathe the blood off of her face I found out it was HER blood, not the groundhog's...Holding a pit bull still to flush out face wounds with peroxide before washing them in general is NOT an easy task

Well, Maddie's knee surgery is scheduled for April 5th.....crap.....

She's already lost quite a bit of muscle mass in that leg, and the vet (went to a different one, since I knew she was better) wants to take care of the torn tendon, or it won't ever get any better...said she'll end up having arthritis in that leg either way...*sigh*

Grandpa died exactly one year ago today. He was, by far, one of the greatest men I ever knew. Everyone dies though; it is a part of life. My sisters have been re-living the events and re-mourning to remember him. I would like to just pay tribute to his memory. Yes, I'm saddened, and yes, it still hurts, but I don't think that ornery fucker would want everybody running around moping...this is the man who hollered at Grandma to 'bring him a hatchet' because he was having trouble opening a Little Debbie oatmeal cream cookie...He'd look at me, grin, and say "Your grandma suffers from CRS, you know what that is?.....Can't remember shit!" He'd be laying down resting, and when I'd go in to check on him and chit chat a little, and ask how he was doing he'd say things like "Oh, I'll survive..." then he'd grin and add "At least until I die"

Cantankerous old fart! He'd pick us up after school, and I can remember my first taste of beer and drag off of a cigar...I was in grade school...and these took place in the van when he CAME TO PICK US UP...and he'd stop at the liquor store for another case of beer before we went back to their house...with an open can of beer in the console...but it still amuses me.

He wasn't perfect, but he was a wonderful man...he loved all six of his granddaughters, and did everything he could to make us happy. I was terrified of him finding out I was a lesbian (the age thing...older people usually don't approve) and grandma told me not to tell him, but a few months before he died my father accidentally outed me to him, and all grandpa wanted was to meet my future (at the time) wife...he didn't care, he loved me all the same. His memory will go on through all of us grandchildren and the two great-grandchildren; maybe we'll meet again on the other side, who knows?

Thanks for listening...gonna have a shot of whiskey in his honor, and listen to a sad song (or two) then get on with my day...

At least I can say I'm good at something...the only down side is the only thing I'm good at is fucking things up...

Stole this from  LyricVixen

Your fursona is based on:

[x]An existing irl animal
[ ]An extinct animal
[ ]An imaginary animal
[ ]An hybrid between several animals
[ ]A Pokemon
[ ]A Digimon
[ ]other:

Why did you choose this animal/creature for your fursona:

[x]It's based on my fav animal/creature!
[x]I feel close to this animal/creature (behaviour, abilities, etc)!
[ ]I always wanted to be this animal/creature!
[ ]I pick this animal/creature at random!
[ ]Because i use to have/to see one!
[ ]Because i love the (animated) series/movie where this animal/creature is!
[ ]I don't know!
[ ]other:

Your fursona's gender is:

[ ]Male
[x]Female
[ ]Hermaphrodite
[ ]Cuntboy
[ ]other: ___________

Your fursona's diet is:

[x]carnivorous
[x]omnivorous
[ ]vegetarian
[ ]herbivorous
[ ]other-furs-vorous
[ ]candyvorous ^^
[ ]other: ___________

The best place(s) where your fursona will settle his den is/are:

[x]a mountain
[ ]a jungle
[ ]a swamp
[ ]a desert
[ ]an ice floe
[x]a forest
[x]a tundra
[ ]a volcano
[ ]a savannah
[ ]a town
[ ]other:

Your fursona's power(s) is/are:

[ ]Elemental control (water, fire, earth, wind, ice, lava...)
[ ]Shapeshifting (TF, TG, WG, shrink, grow up)
[ ]Thunder control
[ ]PSI powers
[ ]Huge Strengh
[ ]Create some things from nothing (money, candies, etc)
[ ]Spit lasers (by mouth, eyes, etc)
[ ]Being an exceptional fighter/swordsman
[ ]Being an exceptional alchemist
[ ]To heal easily from a severe injuries
[ ]Immortality
[x]other: Ask?

"I hope that the worlds turns, and that things get better. But what I hope most of all is that you understand what I mean when I tell you that, even though I do not know you, and even though I may never meet you, laugh with you, cry with you, or kiss you, I love you. With all my heart, I love you."


(quote from V for Vendetta, but I mean every bit of it...I love each and every one of your fuzzy butts!)

Merry Christmas to everyone, (or Merry/happy insert other celebrated holiday here)

Here's a little something to start it off right:

http://brentalfloss.com/comic

Had to get rid of our pit bull puppy, Riley. He has refused to leave the cats alone, and the other morning he actually growled and took off after one. He would have gotten it if there hadn't been a gate up across the basement steps. It broke my heart to give him up, but those cats were here first, and the one he went after is my wife's baby...I've done a lot of crying, but I did find him a good home, where he's the only pet and gets all of the attention to himself. To lessen the pain and make the transition easier I did bring home another dog though. As I was getting ready to post an ad online for Riley I'd noticed, right in front of my face, an ad for a boston terrier that hadn't been there five minutes before. My wife loves bosties, and our older pit bull loves smaller dogs, so I went to meet her and brought her home. The older pit, Maddie, has been a lot happier since Riley has been gone...she's actually relaxed and started playing, and adores the boston terrier, Georgia. (Georgia LittleBritches Von BrindleButt) Riley didn't even hesitate to go with and jump in the car with his new parents...and I called earlier to make sure he was doing ok, and he doesn't seem to miss us at all. That's ok though...I'm just glad he's going to be happy.

I'll never be worthy. Just a useless fuck up.




...I should be used to it by now...

Its a sad day when I have to go in and make a Paypal dispute because an artist I commissioned refuses to respond to multiple contact attempts...

Its not quite been a month; I have no problem waiting for my commissions, especially considering its the end of the semester and a lot of the artists I know/know of/talk to are in school, and finals are upon us...but almost a month and she REFUSES to respond to my emails and messages, every place I've tried to get in touch with her. Am I in the wrong? Please tell me if I am.

I just need to vent...

So the disastrous event that took place Thursday is one my family likes to call Thanksgiving...

It so happens that this year the holiday fell on my grandma's 82nd birthday, and the first Thanksgiving without grandpa. My wife and I were going to go the hour and a half to my hometown to see her regardless of what else was going on, but I decided to contact others and see what their plans were. Everybody had talked about various ideas, but nobody wanted to make a solid decision or get together to come up with an agreement...

I, being the youngest of the six grandchildren and the closest of the two living out of Illinois, decided I was making plans for what was going on. I got in touch with everyone, came up with a meal arrangement (Kroger holiday meals are awesome, by the way) and set up a time, again, since nobody else would. No big deal in theory.

When my mother, who is having health issues (like most of the population) found out what the time was set for she flipped out. She was the one who suggested the Kroger meal since she couldn't stand in a kitchen long enough to cook anything (not to mention the kitchen is buried under piles of crap...their entire house looks like something out of the show 'Hoarders') She was upset because the time was set for 4pm; a logical time in my mind. My middle sister works second shift at the local hospital, and was unable to be there at 4. Mom started freaking out and getting upset, so I tried to change the time, though she told me to leave it alone...told her I loved her an hung up on her, just to get shit done. Called my sister, and she was perfectly fine, knowing the hazards of working second shift. So, I set up a time for my sister and I and anyone else who wanted to show up to have lunch at my grandma's on Thanksgiving. No big deal, problem solved, I though. Talked to my mother, she was appeased, and talked to everyone else about it. Planned to bring sandwiches over for a light lunch since the dinner would be a little more substantial.

The day loomed over closer, and I thought everything was groovy and running smoothly: Dinner had been ordered, a cake had been ordered, extra stuff to be brought had been assigned, and invites were extended to the usual people who showed up to these things. The night before I headed down without my wife to go ahead and pick up the dinner, so it could be thawing for the next day (it was cooked, but frozen...) I was supposed to stop at my parents' house to pick up a gift certificate to pay for said dinner, but when I got there I couldn't find it (through the maze of clutter and bullshit) and couldn't get them to answer their phones. I decided to hell with it, I have the credit card...So I went and picked it up, ran into my mother's friend, who they'd just been to dinner with, and got the sandwiches while I was there...thought I was being smart. Then mother called back. Told her I had the goods, and sandwiches. She started getting pissy because she was under the impression that we were going to have a small scale turkey dinner at grandma's for lunch. Then said whatever, and hung up. So, being pissed off, I checked out, and took the stuff to my aunt's house, who my mother despises.

Mom's main issue, other than the numerous neuroses and issues on the plate, is that she's controlling. She's not happy unless she's controlling whats happening, then bitches about having to do everything, but complains that its not done right. My aunt is a bit of a tool sometimes, wanting to help, but going about it the wrong way, so when she jumps right in with both feet to help with stuff, and try to make the load easier on others, mother thinks she's just taking the control away from her...I don't think thats whats really happening, but she doesn't listen to me, she stays butthurt forEVER and holds grudges.

That being said, I divided the stuff to be heated between my aunt and myself and went to go find my mother and sister. Mom wasn't home, went to go find her, and found her and her friend and my sister walking out of their usual haunt, the local McDonald's. Mom wouldn't even talk to me, neither did her friend. Ok, fine. My sister walked to the car and talked to me a bit, then we went our separate ways and met back at her house. I took the stuff to her fridge instead of mom's since it blatantly seemed like mom was mad at me. No big deal, hung out with my sister and her husband all night before bed. The next day things got pretty interesting...and when I say interesting I mean bad...

The day started with my sister being mad and arguing with her husband before he left to go to his parents' house. This is normal for them, so I thought nothing of it, but its still not a good way to wake up. Talked to my wife, she was already on her way to town, but her mother decided not to come down, so Sarah left early and her mom was gonna take care of our dogs. Ok, cool. Collected the sandwiches and my sister and headed to grandma's.

When we got there Sarah was already there, but that was it. Went in, and my dad had brought over the cake and a gift and left. Couldn't even stay 5 minutes. Just dropped that stuff off and left. Mom sent texts saying stuff like 'if you need the crackers dad forgot you'll have to come get them (for a cheese tray)' and 'don't forget to put grandma's christmas decor up' but nothing else. Apparently they were to busy to have lunch with us. Ok, fine. I was a little miffed, but I'd get over it. Had a nice lunch and visit, then had to take my sister to work. Things went down hill from there.

Started getting flustered, and had wanted to just go home after the lunch ordeal, but stayed because I had the turkey. Ran to my sister's to go get it in the oven. Had not heard from my parents, and dad was supposed to carve the bastard bird. The edges started to singe, so after only an hour I had to take it out, and started trying to get it cut, but it wasn't working too well. Called grandma's, and they said to just bring it over. Got the rolls my sister forgot to take with her to her work potluck over to her, and found out she'd been screwed over and wasn't going to get to leave...they'd sent someone else home even though it was my sister's turn (long story, just go with it) and that upset me a bit...and I was already on the verge of a breakdown.

Got to grandma's, the turkey got carved, and everything else was set up...my parents were nowhere to be found. I vented to my cousin a little of what was going on, and she said flat out it was bullshit, and that they should at least come and pretend to be happy like everybody else (though the rest of us do genuinely get along for the most part)

The night went on, a blessing was said, and I almost cried hearing the part about giving thanks for 'everyone being together'...My aunt tried to call them to see where they were, but nobody got back to her (surprise surprise) and nobody else had heard from them. I refused to try and get a hold of them. So we started dinner, and had a good time. As the night dragged on my parents still never showed up. If she was that pissed at me because the plans I made didn't fit into her idea of what should've went on and didn't want to be there, fine, but grandma was the one who suffered. Dad couldn't even be bothered to show up for his mother's birthday...her 82nd birthday...and she kept asking about them. It broke my heart that she was so upset that they weren't there, and I got even more pissed off. They didn't even call. My aunt ended up paying me for the dinner, even though I didn't want to take her money; she yelled at me, so I took it.

Later on, when I was on my way to Walmart (had just left grandma's at about 9:45, and it was almost 10:30 at this point) since they were opening for certain things at certain times for sales mom texted me, wanting me to come over and get money. I told her no, so she pushed it, and I told her my aunt had paid it. She asked if I was going home that night, and I plainly replied with a yes. That was the end of the corresponding that night, and I haven't heard anything since.

I've talked to a few people about it, but I'm still upset about everything. Its like she did that to deliberately hurt me. Any time I try to do something nice it usually blows up in my face, almost like anything I do just isn't quite good enough for her. I don't let her buy us groceries anymore, though she tries (she does for my other two sisters also, then complains about not having any money) and she doesn't pay for any of my stuff anymore, if she tries, I won't let her, so its not like she has a say anymore in what I do, and I think she's upset about that. But then this...it just hurts that she didn't even want to spend time with her youngest child...not to mention, again, that it hurt grandma. Her birthday, and the first holiday without grandpa, and he was pretty much the brick that held us all together.

I don't know what to do, nor what to say, if anything...it just...hurts...and whats worse is it hurts even more since it seems like she hurt me on purpose...

Officially a student of Penn Foster University (online)

Getting an associate's degree in PC Repair Technology and getting a comprehensive artist certificate on the side...

For Alanis Morissette fans!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kBgGiwtaCrU

From her first album 'Alanis' released in Canada in 1991

I've been inspired lately (for a change) and have picked up my amateur artistry once again.

After watching some streaming artwork I started to almost regret not going through and getting my AAS in Electronic Design...almost. The school I went to sucked balls, and didn't have just a graphic design degree (only certificate) and I had no interest in web design at the time...being young and extremely stupid I up and quit...

Luckily I've found an online school (because I don't like dealing with stupid people face to face) that has a couple of degree programs that I'm interested in that don't cost an arm and a leg...(just a kidney)

So, we'll see where it goes from here.

I gots an icon by  seraphimmoonshadow

It be nifty...

And I am going to create a new hammer, similar to a ban hammer, but instead it will be a herp derp hammer...TO SMACK ALL THAT ARE UNGRATEFUL TO THE ARTISTS, ESPECIALLY WHEN THE ART IS FREE!!!

...and to smack people when they're being stupid in general...

I will be making the first HerpDerp Hammer for IrishSpring

Though I don't know if it will be digital or traditional...

(I'm horrible with characters, but not too shabby when it comes to inanimate objects and abstract art)

I feel like my pack doesn't care anymore...I know I moved about an hour and a half away, but still, I've made attempts to contact them, and I get a hold of them when I'm back down there, but is it too much to ask them to send me a message, or call? Am I just being stupid about it, or do I have the justification to feel like they've moved on?

.....am I now a lone wolf because I chose to be with my mate???

Bogarted from Aethze


HOW OLD DO YOU ACT?


[X] You know how to make a pot of coffee.
[X] You keep track of dates using a calendar.
[X] You own a credit card.
[X] You know how to change the oil in a car.
[X] You've done your own laundry.
[X] You can vote in an election.
[X] You can cook for yourself.
[X] You think politics are interesting

TOTAL SO FAR: 8

[X] You show(ed) up for school late a lot.
[X] You always carry a pen/pencil in your bag/purse/pocket.
[ ] You've never gotten a detention.
[X] You have forgotten your own birthday.
[ ] You like to take walks by yourself.
[X] You know what credibility means, without looking it up.
[X] You drink caffeine at least once a week.

TOTAL SO FAR: 13

[X] You know how to do the dishes.
[X] You can count to 10 in another language.
[X] When you say you're going to do something, you USUALLY do it.
[X] You can mow the lawn.
[X] You study even when you don't have to.
[X] You have hand washed a car before.

TOTAL SO FAR: 19


[X] You can spell experience, without looking it up.
[ ] The people at Starbucks know you by name.
[ ] Your favorite kind of food is take out.
[X] You can go to the store without getting something you don't need.
[X] You understand political jokes the first time they are said.
[X] You can type pretty quick.

TOTAL SO FAR: 23

[ ] Your only friends are from your place of employment. (well school anyway)
[ ] You have been to a Tupperware party.
[X] You have realized that practically no one will take you seriously unless you are over the age of 25 and have a job.
[X] You have more bills than you can pay. (I don't pay bills, but I figure my debt from student loans count toward this)
[X] You have been to the beach.
[X] You use the internet every day.
[ ] You have been outside of your home country 3 or more times. (no, but I going to España in my junior year!)
[ ] You make your bed in the morning. (lol you kidding)

TOTAL SO FAR: 27

[X] You have filed a tax return.
[X] You have used a pay phone.
[X] You have been served alcohol without being ID'd.
[X] You have purchased stamps at the grocery store.
[X] You have purchased a lottery ticket.
[ ] You still have and use a VCR. (not much anymore, but sometimes)

Grand Total = 32
Actual Age = 23