Hey all,

Thought I'd give everyone a bit of an update. Things are finally starting to come down to the wire and I'm scared/excited! I'm starting to have firm dates for when thesis things are due, which makes it easier in my mind to figure out what needs to be done when. I'll need to have a draft of my thesis (all my chapters) done by Feb. 1st and hopefully have a fairly final draft by March 15. Thankfully this does seem possible. I have something written for all my chapters right now, though they are heavily in need of editing. My biggest concern at the moment isn't my own writing schedule, but the fact I need to address comments from not only my adviser but three other committee members and make sure they're happy before I can call this thing done...and academics are notoriously bad at getting things done in a timely manner. XP

On another note, I managed to pull the HELL outta my neck at work the other day. Don't try and lift a 20lb bag of dog food above your head and push it onto a shelf. Bad things happen

So I finally got around to posting the wonderful avatar that  crassafox was kind enough to make for me! Thanks you so much! Rew looks so cute! ^.^

Finally getting into the Christmas spirit! Its not that I've been avoiding it, but time seems to just kinda sneak up on me. I looked at our schedule the other day at work and about wigged out b/c I hadn't realized Christmas was next week O.O Thankfully I've been prepared for the last few weeks except for a few last minute items. I'm trying really hard to be productive along with all these festivities but my will to do work has been a lot less vocal as of late :-P

I wanted to post this as soon as I found out, but as some of you may have noticed, FA's been down a bit

Anywho, my doggie has been found! It turns out, she was at our vet's the entire time. They must have tried to call my parents old number before they turned the phones back on, so they couldn't get a hold of us. My mom thought about calling the vet (since Tippy has her rabies tag) and they were like "Oh Tippy! yeah she's been here all week! we just couldn't get in touch with you!"

*Lets out a big sigh of relief* So thankful for that!

In other news, I was just in and out of Philly this past weekend for a major anthropology conference. It was hectic and the drive was long, but pretty fun and productive overall. Plus I got to see snow!

I'm also hurting like hell right now...I'm trying to get back into shape with a friend of mine, so we're going running a few times a week. Our first day was Monday and owie....I hurt in muscles I didn't know I had! I just keep reminding myself, its good for me :-P

Thanks to everyone who replied to my last journal *hugs* I'll try to do my best to stay more active and on top of things. Hopefully this whole thesis thing will be done by May. *slogs on*

I had a pretty good Thanksgiving although I had to be back at home today for work and I have to work the whole weekend :-P. We had both my and Robbie's family over and as an added bonus one of my close friends who just got into the Navy came by with her fiance and stayed most of the day. She's trying to see everyone she can 'cuz she has to leave for Japan in January. I'm sad to see her go but I'm gonna start saving now so I can go out and see her...I've always wanted to go to Japan!

Unfortunately, this Thanksgiving was marred by a big bit of bad news. My parents just moved into a new house about 15 min or so from where they used to live. My dad bought a large chunk of land out in the boonies and built their house in the middle of the woods. They we finally settling down on Tuesday and brought my childhood dog, Tippy out there. She's always been an outdoor/garage dog and she was thrilled to have a huge patch of woods to explore.

We have an invisible fence (we didn't want her getting in the road in our neighborhood) and Dad set it up again. I've been worried about it not working for a while, but Tippy was so used to where her boundaries were at the old place it wasn't a big deal. She's about 12 now so she'd usually just sleep and eat anyway. My dad and brother were outside with her while she explored the new place, but all of a sudden she was gone...probably off tracking down a new smell (she's a Beagle/Basset mix).

They searched for her through the woods for hours and took the car up and down our new roads trying to find her, but she was no where to be found. As of last night, she's still missing. I managed to hold it together though thanksgiving, but I'm having a tough time now. Its gotten so cold out there...I hate to think she's out there alone. I really hope she finds her way home, but with each passing day I'm having less and less hope.

I was sitting on my computer this afternoon looking through some of my FA stuff when it just hit me...hard...I really miss getting to talk and chat with my furry friends.

I know most of it is my fault - I've been so friggin busy and absent minded due to stress, work, thesis, etc. that I haven't had time to get online and really talk to people. I miss getting onto the Clawcast IRC, I miss posting my writing and reading other people's stories and getting into FA discussions. I REALLY miss being at cons (even though I technically haven't missed any of my usual cons yet). *le sigh*

I can't wait until I'm done with this stupid thesis. Its dragging me down so much and while I know I won't have a super amount of free time when I'm done, at least it won't be hanging over my head any more. Bah!

Anywho, I wanted people to know I wasn't trying to be a dick by just not talking to anyone anymore...I tend to be very focused and single minded. When I've got a bunch to do, I tend to have tunnel vision just for that thing, and unfortunately a lot of other people and hobbies get pushed to the side.

*huge hugs* I still love all of you out there. Don't be afraid to drop me a note if you want to talk sometime and I'm being absent...its nice sometimes to be jerked out of my hermitness

Well I just got back a few days ago from an archaeological conference in Mobile, AL. It was a lot of fun and there was so much nerdiness ^.^ It was even better 'cuz I didn't have to present this year, so I could just enjoy my time there and listen to papers without freaking out about my own. Two of my colleagues and I went to a lot of panels on public outreach in archaeology given we've decided to start our own non-profit public outreach organization in SC. Basically we want to write ourselves some job for when we finally get finished with thesis stuff.

Speaking of thesis, I am slogging along slowly but surely. I've found having chats open and taking a few second breaks to play Ninja Warriors or Mafia Wars on facebook actually helps keep me focused so I don't start twitching from all the words I need to put on papers. :-P

On a more disappointing note, Kiro and I are pretty much certain we will not be able to attend Furry Weekend Atlanta this year We've been there the past three years or so, but finances are much tighter than usual. Hopefully we should still be able to make our yearly pilgrimage to Pittsburgh though.

Hope everyone out there is doing well *gives everyone a big hug* Sorry I've been so scarce. Between these public outreach activities, work, thesis, actually seeing my husband, and keeping myself from going bat-shit insane, I haven't had as much time as I'd like to be online. Ah well someday....

Just wanted to write a quick note thanking everyone for the kind words after the loss of Jemima. I made her a tag at work the other day so we'll always have something to remember her by

Now I'm back on frustration of trying to get this damn thesis written...in addition to all the public outreach stuff and working at the pet store. Why can't I just say no sometimes? XP I'm just thankful I don't have classes anymore.

Last night was not a good night for me. As many of you know, Kiro and I have already adopted one cat, Quaxo, who is a spoiled brat and is sweet as can be. What you might not have known (can't remember if I mentioned it here) is that his sister was still at the store I worked at. I was a little unsure about getting one cat, much less two, and hoped once they were split up she would find a good home.

Well, after a few weeks, she managed to get ringworm and had to be put in the back while we treated her. Meanwhile, I'm finding less and less reasons not to take her home once she's cured. She was a sweetie as well and it really broke my heart when we couldn't really pet her without gloves due to the ringworm.

I'd finally made a decision (with much prompting from Kiro) and said as soon as she was spayed (the people who found her had some free coupons at the local spay/neuter clinic) we'd bring her home as our second kitty. We'd even picked out a name: Jemima, Jem for short. I was planning on buying her collar and tags last night.

I was working last night when one of the ladies who found her came in. I knew right away something was wrong, given she had picked up Jem yesterday to take her in for her spaying appt. She said Jem died on the operating table...she had some sort of horrible reaction to the anesthetic. The people at the clinic did all they could, but they lost her pretty fast.

I was really floored. She had been bright, active, and alert last time I'd seen her. She'd finally made a recovery from the ringworm and I'd been able to go in the cage and cuddle her again. I managed to make it through the next few hours of work, but as soon as I went into the back to water some of the animals near where we'd kept her, I lost it. I know I never got to take her home, but I'd been working with and beside her for about two months now...it was like she'd already become a pet of mine.

I'm just thankful Quaxo didn't have a similar reaction...he's already been neutered with no complications, so I'm hoping it was just a freak occurrance. I was pretty broken up last night, but Kiro came home early and we went out with a friend of mine, which really did help to cheer me up.

RIP Jemima...I'm thankful you were taken off the street and well taken care of for your short time here...

For those of you who requested, here is a link to where I've posted pictures of the museum exhibit I've been working on for the past year:

http://johanneskolbsiteexhibitharts.....hutterfly.com/

Boy does it feel good to have that up. Everything seemed to go well and I'm quite pleased with how it looks. There are apparently a few mistakes I need to fix, but that's to be expected. You stare at something long enough, you'll start missing things (as backwards as that may seem)

On a slightly more depressing note, I will not be graduating in December as I'd hoped. I just don't have the time to finish my thesis document, get it edited, work part time, and work on some public outreach projects I've got going. It shouldn't take more than one more semester, but that means paying for another class and STILL have this stupid thing hanging over my head :-P Ah well, such is life.

Yup, if you've wondered where I've gone for the past month or so, I've been working from bell to bell trying to make sure my masters thesis exhibit actually goes up. I've had a few scares, namely I've learned NEVER to take someone's word that they'll help you, always get it in writing, and always agree on the details first...XP Lotsa blood, sweat, and tears but I actually think I may pull it off.

The exhibit opens on Oct. 1st and I'm holding a reception October 5th. I'm not expecting it to be the best exhibit in the world, but hopefully it appeals to a number of people. My biggest problem is myself...I'm very much a perfectionist and it really bothers me when things don't go off as I've planned. Plus, I'm bad about trying to please everyone with myself. I just need to come to grips with the fact that I can't please everyone all the time. :-P Easier said than done I think.

Anywho, I'm hoping to be a little more active once this is up and done. *runs off to cut more panels*

http://www.weather.com/newscenter/h.....l?from=hp_news

I know they've spelled it with a "c" before, but this is the first time I remember it with a "k." I am officially a tropical storm.

School's been back in session here for about a week, and this has to be one of the strangest semesters ever for me...

First of all, this is the first time I haven't lived close enough to campus to walk to the Anthro department. That means when I do have to go in, I have to drive about 20 min and battle the stupid freshman for parking spaces.

I find I"m getting much more crochity in my old age as well. Was I really that stupid as an undergrad?

This is also the first time since Kindergarten I've been out of classes. I'm teeeechnically still a student b/c I'm still finishing my thesis, but I'm completely done with all my classwork. It is WEIRD to walk around my department and not be hurrying to class. Also strange not having homework to work on (not that I don't have enough projects....)

Finally I was nominated by one of my favorite professors/colleagues to serve on the ASSC (Anthropological Society of South Carolina) board for next year. Now, its not a HUGE organization, but it's always been run by people I saw as my superiors; those who had been working in the field for a time and knew their shit. The fact I was nominated kinda struck me as a surprising blow - people I respect consider me in a position to help serve on this board....I've apparently had enough education and experience to know what I'm talking about o.O I still don't feel like I know enough or have had enough experience...but then I don't know if I'll ever feel that way. I still kinda feel like I'm playing at being an archaeologist/adult....like its still some silly school assignment, not my real friggin life.

I'm gonna go eat chocolate cereal and watch cartoons till this feeling passes....:-P

...my relative freedom of summer that is. XP

I knew I had a thesis to write, and I did get some stuff done, but there's nothing like the beginning of the semester to have that nasty reality of everything I have to get done come crashing back down on me.

This month has also been uber crazy. I agreed to do a flinknapping demonstration at a nearby museum, which ended up going very well, but made me incredibly stressed and nervous for the week or so before. I also got some good new and bad news regarding my museum exhibit. The good news is the Hartsville museum wants to display it soon, meaning I don't have to wait till next summer to put it up. The bad news is they want it about Mid September...which is SOON! I have most of the stuff already developed, but stopped working on most of it when the Florence museum dropped me. Now I have to figure out how soon I can scrape most of it together. Not to mention I need to defend my thesis by November to graduate on time o.O Argh!

Still gonna try to do arts and stuff to keep my mind from going totally crazy. Have a few things I need to take pictures of and post. Keep my mental health in your prayers! XP

So we took Quaxo to the vet yesterday for his second round of shots and a general check up. Poor guy has some nasty ear mites, but we've got some medicine to take care of the problem. He was one of the most well behaved animals I've ever seen at the vet...didn't mind all the poking and prodding...and he actually sat still for most of it! I think he just reaaally didn't want to go back in the carrier XP

Anywho, I noticed right after I brought him home from the pet store there was a little lump on his chest. It didn't seem to hurt him or anything, but I wanted to ask the vet if it was anything I should be concerned about. She checked it out and said "well, its the right size, shape, and density...I think its a BB." I was like O.O "what?"

Yup, looks like when he was less than 3 months of age, some jackass took a BB gun and shot my poor kitty in the chest. Luckily it doesn't seem to have hurt him. The vet said the BB wasn't causing any problems, but if we wanted it taken out we could do that when they put him under to be neutered. Who the hell would shoot a poor defenseless kitten? >

Yeah...working at a pet store and being the kind of person I am, I knew it was inevitable. I brought home a new animal

Kiro and I are now proud parents of a new little kitten! There were a few strays that were brought into the store around when I started working there (about a month ago) and two of them have been there for about the past 3 wks. They're SUCH cute tabby brothers and little by little my defenses were worn down. Kiro's been wanting a cat since...well since I've known him. I've never owned a cat before but have grown very fond of them. I finally broke down a few days ago, we talked about it for a while, and decided to bring him home last night.

His name is Quaxo (from Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats) Quax for short. We bought all kinds of toys, bed, scratching post, food (thank god I get a discount a the store...). He came home with me after work last night and I just left him in the open carrier in his designated room (not the ferret room obviously!) We had a bunch of people come over, but we didn't want to freak him out any more so we pretty much left his room alone except for a few excited peeks. It only took him about 20 min or so to get brave enough to leave the carrier and start exploring the room. After an hour or so I went into the room and sat down near the chair he'd snuggled up on. After a few minutes of scratching him he jumped down from the chair and started snuggling in my lap, purring like a maniac. A few of our friends came in cautiously and after a brief bit of skittishness, he also started snuggling them. I can see we're going to have a problem with shyness

He was still a little skittish this morning when I first came in the room, but he warmed up pretty quickly. I think it'll just take some time. I'll post some pics as in a few days...I don't want to freak him out any more by suddenly sticking a camera in his face!

I finally got tagged on one of these things so I figured...why not? I'm gonna break a rule and not tag anyone tho...if you want to fill it out yourself, go for it!

1)these are the rules
2)post 8 true things about yourself
3)at the end you must tag 8 people and post their icon
4)then you must go to their page & tell them you got tagged
5)NO tag backs!


1. I get extremely lost very easily and being lost really frightens me...I reallllly need a GPS.

2. When I was about 3 or so I stuck a pussy willow (little fuzzy things) up my nose (don't ask me why...) and had to go to the emergency room to get it out...the same day our dishwasher flooded.

3. I collect Indiana Jones paraphernalia...stuff from the new movie is okay, but I really love any of the books, action figures, promotional material, etc. from the first three movies.

4. I have an irrational fear of tornadoes and tidal waves...though tornadoes also fascinate me

5. I have a lazy eye...not one that points in a different direction, but is very hard for me to see out of (and yes, I did have to wear a patch for a few years as a kid)

6. Some people here might not believe it, but I'm usually extremely shy until someone else talks first...then I'll be your best friend

7. I tend to be surprisingly good at things I first try...but then do not to improve unless I devote a LOT of time to said activity.

There we go...all your burning questions answered!

I'm one of the lucky people who's parents a) know I'm furry and b) are totally cool about it. Though I didn't start going to cons and really getting into the fandom till I was out of the house and in college, I'm still rather close to my family and had to come up with some sort of explanation as to where I was going on these "vacations." Plus I usually stay with my grandmother when going to AC, so I sort of needed to tell here where Kiro and I were going to each morning :-P I don't think they fully understand the fandom, but they've seen pictures, heard my stories, and think its pretty cool. They're probably not surprised because I was always into wolves and other animals growing up...I just never grew out of it

Anywho, my parents are on vacation in Delaware right now and my mom called me the other night just to catch up. Partway through the conversation my dad gets on the phone and was like "Oh yeah, we wanted to tell you and Robbie...we saw a guy walking around downtown with an Anthrocon shirt!" After a little questioning I figured out it was one of the Furnandos t-shirts from this year. Yay for furries ALL OVER THE PLACE! ^.^

So I finally watched the Time Team episode on Topper today (if you want to see it, check out the PBS website, search Time Team or Topper and you should be able to watch it online). Having been there for the shooting, I wasn't surprised how it turned out. I mentioned in my last journal there was a little debate surrounding the episode, and I'll try to explain that here.

First of all, as a general archaeology show, I was relatively pleased. They didn't show flashy objects and wonderful treasure...they did a fairly good job at representing archaeology as it really is...slow, hot, dirty, and very buggy (Newsflash: SC is hot, humid, and has bugs....DUHHHHH!). Yes we do dig down 5cm at a time in order to preserve the exact depth at which we find the artifacts, which helps give us an idea of how old they are or what may have happened to the site.

The Ground Penetrating Radar they did was a little absurd in my mind...no kidding your not going to be able to see much due to roots, you're in the freaking WOODS!

Scott Jones and his primitive technology demonstrations were by far my favorite thing. First of all, Scott is an awesome guy. I've met him a few times now and he's an amazing primitive technologist. I learn a ton every time I sit down to watch him flintknapp (and yes, he does break rock barefoot...man is tough as nails). Also, I'm a HUGE proponent of primitive technology and making sure all archaeologists try their hand at it at least once in their carriers. What good is trying to reproduce stone tools you may ask? Well, like Al mentioned archaeology is like a giant jigsaw puzzle with most of the pieces missing. We do what we can with the material we have, but we still can't get the full picture. By taking the raw materials these people had to work with and trying to make these tools ourselves, we can fill in a few of the gaps. Even if we found an entire point, that still won't tell us what size rock he started with, how he hit the stone to take off certain flakes, and what tools were used to remove those flakes. Only by experimenting ourselves can we even begin to guess how primitive tools were made. You can postulate all day long based on theories and guesswork, but if you sit down to try something and find it physically impossible...well then they probably didn't do it either. Plus its a helluva lot of fun

Now, my (and a few other people's) beef with the show. No matter what archaeological site you go to, you will NOT be able to answer any huge burning questions (like whether preclovis existed or not) in 3 days...and they actually seemed to think they could come up with some hypothesis after three days of barely any work in the preclovis pit and NO lab work (which I'm a bit miffed at, not only 'cuz it meant I wasn't in the show at all [vanity, they name is Rew], but also lab work is one of the most important parts of archaeology...for every hour in the field its about 3 hours in the lab figuring out what the heck it was you dug up!)

Also, the way they represented the site really ticked me off. It was like Time Team were these wonderful saviors that were nice enough to come and lend their expertise to us. No. I'm sorry. None of those people knew ANYTHING about Clovis/Preclovis. The one person who did, our site director, wasn't introduced until about 10 min into the show. Some of those "archaeologists" I don't think knew what they were doing either. The one girl Chelsea, had no idea how to hold a stadium rod (used in surveying) which is very much archaeology field school 101. A lot of the questions they were asking (which don't get me wrong, questions are good!) made me wonder if they'd ever been in the field before...and they were represented as the people doing the excavation/interpretation of the site! They didn't even acknowledge our staff...our head archaeologist, field crew, and volunteers in their show at all. That's what Topper is all about - the dedicated people - students, professors, and regular volunteers - are the only reason Al is able to excavate this site at all. This may come off as me just wanting to be on TV or in the spotlight, which I honestly don't care about, but I felt they needed to show that this site was being dug by a group of people who come back year after year...not this Team that shows up for 3 days and then leaves.

Okay, sorry about that...ends my rant. It was a stressful week while they were filming and I think a lot of us were quite disillusioned with the show by the end. They pretty much ignored us while they were there filming, which I thought was rather rude. Heaven forbid I try to do some of my lab work, which may involve turning on water while they were filming!

...and I don't mean to offend any artists out there, but why the hell was the artist the host of an ARCHAEOLOGY show? Anyone else find that a bit strange?

...and may be on the real thing too!

http://www.pbs.org/opb/timeteam/sit.....hp#videoplayer

Watch the flintknapping video and you'll see a few glimpses of yours truly (you'll know me by the bandanna!). Keep in mind, I was told to keep quiet and look interested!

If any of you are curious about the site I go spend 6 weeks at ever summer, the new PBS show Time Team America did an entire episode at our site. Now...the manner in which they represented archaeology and Topper is under some heavy debate. I was quite disappointed with most of the crew while they were there, but that's for another journal after I finally see the episode. Anywho, the premiere is tonight at 9:30 eastern time I believe. I'm pretty sure its on PBS stations all over America tho. If all else fails I hope to be able to watch it online later, 'cuz I'm not sure if we get PBS and I don't think I'll be home from work in time

I finally got a part time job!!! Woot!!! I am once again working at a pet store (which could end up being a bad thing...the animals are so cuuute!). Another plus is that my good friend Isaac (the other half of Cranky) works there as well, so he's been showing me the ropes and stuffing my head with a million and one facts to keep straight about the store and all the animals. Having worked in a pet store before helps, but this one is much bigger and they have a much more complicated register system (which scares me a bit). Its been fun tho, everyone who works there seems nice enough and its an overall friendly environment. I'm not sure how many hours I'm getting yet (I've only done training so far), but I'm holding my breath for at least 20/wk. I won't get more than minimum wage, but woot for minimum wage going up this month ^.^ This job will hopefully keep Kiro and I better afloat until I can finish my masters and get something more substantial.

Yup, I know your inboxes are probably filled to capacity with these posts but...I DON'T CARE! MUAHAHAHAHAH!

Kiro and I got back safely from AC and thankfully didn't have any adventures on the way home (except getting lost in Pittsburgh for an hour trying to find our highway...but that's beside the point). The way up however was interesting...not long after we entered the great state of PA, Kiro got out of the car and discovered our front left tire was starting to come apart! O.O the tread was coming away and we could see the metal weave inside. Not a good thing. We found a Wal-Mart auto center and then found out we have an extremely unique tire size (Cameros are big heavy cars). Let me also add we got into town about the same time ALL the car places in Pittsburgh were closing. After calling no fewer than 5 stores, we finally found a Firestone that was kind enough to pull strings for us and get some tires in the next morning. We did have to spend 3 hours of our first con day and a great deal of p0rn money to get the tires replaced, but it was worth it to know now we didn't have to worry about them blowing up partway down the road.

The con itself was FANTASTIC! I don't know how Kage manages to put on one of the most awesome furry parties every single year, but he does. This year we did a lot more hanging out with fuzzy friends rather than going to panels. I'll try to do a roll call of everyone we saw, but please forgive me if I forget...this wolfess has a bad memory. We first hooked up with Sookta and his uber cute girlfriend Ta-ek who was here all the way from Puerto Rico (which is an island that apparently does not stock white gel pens...go figure)! We later found Kaishi, Kris, Tenza, Suka, Tiberius, Harui, HB, Dari, Rok, Reaux, Dustwing, and even got to wave and Wolfmoon a few times. Again, if I'm forgetting anyone, please flog me gently.

Tiberius was cool enough to do an awesome Indiana Jones themed couples badge for Kiro and I, which I was completely geeked out about. She said she got some scans, so I'll probably wait and let her post them when she has time. Harui and I geeked out about video games and such, and thanks to her I now have a PS2 to further distract me (that thesis is SO not getting done!) You rock Harui! Suka was also an uber sweetheart and gave me a cool new purple swirled bandanna which tips my collection to 30. Do I have a problem? nahhh....

It was truly awesome getting to hang out with new and old friends, wander around the dealers den and cry at how little money we had, and play random games in the zoo until 2 am. The programing we were sure to attend were Kage's Story Hour, 2's Rant, and 2 and Kage's Charity Presentation, all of which left me laughing so hard I had tears running down my cheeks.

I also made the mistake of finding an awesome comic shop near the con where I blew even more money on some old Indiana Jones comic books and such. I wish they'd had more Indy collectibles there, but its probably better for my wallet they did not. I should photograph my entire collection sometime to prove to people how big a nerd I really am...

Now I'm home, still looking for a job and fighting off post con depression....*sigh*

Ouchies...so I was hosing off my tent and setting it out to dry when I encountered the bane of the ant world. A nice big nest of fire ants had appeared (I swear they weren't there when I first put the tent down) right along the edge of my tent, swarming all over it and all over my poor hand that was trying to pick it up. I managed to hose most of them off before too much damage was done but a few persistent buggers got me a number of times between my thumb and index finger. I didn't realize how bad they got me till it started aching and swelled up a few times its normal size. :-P Stupid ants...

Woot, well my dig has ended and not too soon for the wonderfully humid and hot south. XP I now really understand why we dig in may and only early June. It got HOT!! We packed everything up yesterday and I made it home this morning. I'm glad to be back, but my busyness never seems to end...Now I need to find a job (who doesn't right now?) at least part time to help with bills at the new house...which still needs to be completely unpacked. I have an interview with a pet store (yay!) later this week which will hopefully pan out. If not, I'm going to get down on my knees and beg the archaeologist I was working with this summer for some lab work to float me for a little while. Also, a friend of mine is coming to stay with us for a few weeks while she finishes her thesis and looks for a place to live/job (I'm sensing a pattern here...). It'll be a little strange having another person here for a while, but of all my friends, I think she'll be one of the easiest to live with.

So...now to catch up on sleep and my enjoyment of air conditioning. ^.^

Hey all, just wanted to pop my head in and say I'm alive. I'm still out at the Topper site diggin dirt and analyzing artifacts. Having a good time and enjoying time out there with friends and colleagues, but I'm also kinda sick of being away from home. I usually get the weekends back with my house and my hubby, but it makes it all the harder to go back the next Monday (its about a 2 hour trip). I think the fact I go from an air conditioned house to a tent may have something to do with it :-P

Oh and in case anyone was wondering, yes Kiro and I are still planning on going to AC...we're going to have to bee extremely frugal, but we want to be there none-the-less. Who will we see in good 'ol Pittsburgh?

So, as if school wasn't enough to keep me away from the intewebs and my furry friends, I now have one more time sink to add to my list...but this is a very happy time sink...

Kiro and I now own a house! ^.^

We closed on it yesterday. Today and tomorrow will be spent cleaning and making it livable as well as moving over some of our non-essential stuff. We basically have the month of May to move, but it will be tricky given I'll be at Topper (archaeological site) for the entire month of May minus the weekends. Rew might be a little stressed out by the end of this. >.< But right now I'm just excited and a little intimidated...I owns a house! O.O Let the debt begin!

I promise to post pictures as soon as I take 'em ^.^