Creativity with violins = love

To commemorate Vivaldi's 334th birthday and the creation of the Four Seasons Suite, Google decorated themselves in this way:

Happiness :D

This library is officially one of the coolest ones I've ever seen. Doesn't that just entice you to walk inside? And guess what? It's in Kansas City, Missouri. Believe me, I will go there someday :)

Phoebe

I'm so very worried about my little Phoebe. Two nights ago, she was chipper and hyper (as usual) and climbing all over the bars of her cage (also as usual). We went to sleep annoyed, actually, because of all the  noise she was making.

Then, Thursday morning. I saw some movement in her cage and went to say hello. Immediately, I knew something was wrong; I've watched a lot of hamsters reach the end. Phoebe looked utterly miserable--bedraggled, groggy, sad. I hoped I was overreacting, but then I noticed her walking. Or rather, trying to walk. She was limping badly and favoring one of her hind legs. She climbed into her wheel and attempted to run, but fell out.

That night, Josh cautiously picked her up--we weren't sure if she'd try to snap at us if she was in pain--and we examined the damages. Her leg had swelled to twice its size and looked like it wasn't bending properly. It's so dang sad! We're positive she did it while doing her acrobatics. She likes to climb to the top of the cage and let go. Only this time, she must've gotten her leg stuck in between the bars while falling.

I've never had an injured hamster before, and we're not sure what to do. Obviously, you can't make her a splint or hold ice to her leg. We're hoping that, with time, she'll heal on her own. But how do you keep a hamster from trying to run on a bad leg? We have moved her food dish to the lower level of her cage, though, so she won't be quite as compelled to climb. We're also taking it as a good sign that she still likes to be held and stroked. We're assuming that means she isn't in too much pain? But still, watching her stumble around is heartbreaking, and we went to bed fighting back tears.

So, this may seem silly, but could you pray for our little animal? We haven't even had her a year, and she's such a fun addition to our family. I don't want to have to part with her yet!

Olympics 2010

Ice dancing is now my new favorite sport. The way the dancers tie their movements, their costumes, and their music together is so movingly artistic that at some points, I swelled with emotion. I don't know much about dancing, but I know that there were some beautiful lines and complex--though deceptively simple-looking--moves being presented. The sport is so romantic and theatrical, it's a little strange that it is a sport. But I am so pleased to see art represented in the Olympics and in such a lovely way! Here are my favorites from the free dance night.

Jana Khokhlova and Sergei Novitski of Russia 

dancing to Stravinski's Firebird Suite

Meryl Davis and Charlie White of USA

dancing to Phantom of the Opera

(Please note: I will someday have a dress like that)

Good Taste

Yesterday, I thought I'd expose the little munchkin I nanny to some quality music, so I brought The Phantom of the Opera. I sang along with the movie while she was eating. It took her much longer to devour that bottle, because she kept smiling and giggling. Now there's a little girl who is off to a great start musically! I have to admit, she made me proud :) Any suggestions on other musical selections I should bring her?

Four Nights a Week

There's something very haunting and poetic about the Minneapolis skyline at night. And I get to experience it four nights a week as I drive to pick up Josh.

Can it get any prettier than that?

Why I need a new bookshelf

Every night when I'm going to pick Josh up from work, I get a terrible urge to stop at the Micawber's Bookstore, which is conveniently (or perhaps inconveniently) right on the way. There are three things holding me back from actually browsing the shelves and coming home with more books. One: It's usually 11:30 p.m. when I drive by. Two: I've got a huge pile of books I have yet to read. And three: Besides the floor, I have no where to keep them! 

Which is why I've started a Bookshelf Fund to save up for this fine beauty:

Feel free to donate to my cause :)