1. Would you rather have a fun job that doesn't pay well or a boring job that does? A fun job..my job doesn't pay super high, but I'm not doing it for the money (though it is nice lol). Except for counting change, I love pretty much everything I do. It's not worth getting paid a lot but being miserable at a place I hate
2. Would you sacrifice your morals for a job? No. A customer wanted me to lie yesterday (he hid the person he was with's books and told me to tell him someone already bought them), but when he came to the register and was like "where are my books??" I looked at the other guy and said "you'll have to ask him!" Yeahh I'm a terrible liar and I just can't do that :P
3. Would you ever take a job that requires you to be in costume? Maybe if it's just for things like Halloween or something
4. What is your fantasy job? I really like working at the bookstore I'm at..it's fun, everyone supports each other and are so friendly..we're pretty much a family. Plus you never know what book will come in next, and I love that! It's like Christmas every day haha
5. Would you like fries with that? Sureee haha

I had a big scare with Abby this week..she was sneezing, hardly eating anything (when I tried giving her a Greenie, she'd try to chew it and spit it out), barely moving from the bed (and walking slowly and shakily when she did move), and just had this miserable look in her eyes..I could tell she wasn't feeling well at all. She had become super bony too. I was hoping she'd get better on her own, but I knew I had to call the vet when she wasn't getting better. I can't watch slow suffering like that, it's awful. I was very upset last night, shedding some tears and gently petting Abby. I thought for sure that this was the end, and that today I'd have to put her to sleep. I took off work and got an appointment at the vet. Both my parents came over to love on Abby, in case it was her last few hours alive. After I called Vicki, I put my head on Abby's and cried. I took her to the vet, and she lost her mind when she saw the clinic's cat, Glitter (who is super friendly and loving). She was growling and hissing all over the place. The vet said they'd do bloodwork, but the technician was at another clinic and she'd be in in an hour, and I think the bloodwork takes 45 minutes, so we left Abby there and went home, going crazy with anxiety. A couple hours later, the vet called and said Abby has hyperthyroidism (she had lost two pounds, which was probably from that. She said surgery can remove the benign tumor that's there, but Abby's far too old) and now stage 3 kidney failure. She gave Abby subcutaneous fluids and a couple meds (one to stimulate her appetite and I think the other one was anti-nausea meds). She got a dropper thing with food and squirted it in Abby's mouth, then gave her a bowl of food, which she devoured. She said that had Abby still not wanted to eat, then we probably would have had to put her to sleep. She ate right before we left too, yay! We all thought this was going to be a far different outcome, and we were all relieved. She ate when she got back home too, yay! No one is sure how long she has left, but hopefully the meds and special food will help her be comfortable. She seemed somewhat better when she got back home, less haunted looking, and is taking a well-deserved nap. I will cherish every day I still have with her, she's an amazing kitty. <3 I'm absolutely drained and had to take a Clonazepam so I'd stop freaking out lol. I'm so glad I get more time with her. I'm working tomorrow since I took today off, and since Vicki's sick. Saturday is usually pretty busy, so the day usually goes by fast lol

A couple days ago was my 7-year anniversary of going to Cherry's grave, which Facebook reminded me of (I knew it was coming up though, of course), so I reposted it and said "That was 7 years ago?!? Where does the time go? Definitely one of the best days of my life, I felt butterflies all the way to my toes when I saw the first sign for Wheathampstead. ❤" The next morning, I got this message from Cherry's uncle, Hugh: "Hi Heather, your "That was 7 years ago" post really touched me. It is lovely that getting close to Cherry meant so much to you. I know you are based a long way from here, but if and when you next find yourself in eastern England, do get in touch. I would love to show you what I have of Cherry's library and watercolours - we also live very close to Oates's village and would happily take you there"

OMG NO WAY?!?? Oh my goodness, that is SO nice of him, and glad he's not creeped out by my admiration of Cherry lol. I'm sure Hugh is in his 70s or 80s, so I'd have to see him sooner rather than later. That would be amazing, sitting together over tea or whatever, talking about Cherry, looking at his collection..wow. I'd like to ask him if there's any recording of his voice, I've been dying to hear it all these years. That was definitely a nice thing to wake up to <3

( feb 22-28 )

1. Do you like your birth name? Why? Sure, it's fine lol..being named after nature is cool :P
2. If you could change your name to anything else, what would it be? Morgan..I've loved it ever since I was a kid
3. What names would you consider giving your children? I don't want kids, but if I did, maybe Morgan or Freya or something like that
4) If you had a band, what would you name it, and why? Glacier Kitty, because that's the best nickname I've thought of for myself..too perfect!
5) Is there a name that you completely hate? Why? Bertha..it just doesn't sound nice to me. I also had a bully named "Kenneth/Kenny," so I'm not fond of that one either

I don't usually talk about politics, but.."Red, White and Blueland"?? Are you kidding me?! I can't believe that is an ACTUAL bill and not a joke..pretty much the most ridiculous bill ever. Ugh! Glad to see his priority is renaming everything :/ (and the Oval Office curtains are still hideous D:)

Mom is going to Mexico with Cindy and Gina tomorrow! They're going to do food stuff, like cooking and touring some factory, I think. Hopefully they'll have nice weather and good food! (I hope there are no plane crashes too..that's freaking me out this year O_o)

( feb 2-7 )

1. Which book made you cry? Mrs. Chippy's Last Expedition..I had to hug Abby after reading it lol
2. Which book would you like to see adapted for a television series? The Running Grave (CB Strike mysteries)..The Ink Black Heart was released this year (I still need to watch this week's episode!), so hopefully the next one will be released next year. It'll give me time to read it lol
3. Among books you’ve read, which was most recently published? The Mistletoe Mystery (pub. Oct 2024)
4. If your personal January 2025 were a novel, what would be its title? Uhh.."The Fairbanks Bookstore"??
5. When reading a physical book, how do you mark your place when you set it down? A bookmark, or open upside down if I'm coming right back to it

I had to call the doctor back about the CT scan/bloodwork, because he obviously wasn't going to call. The nurse said there's fat on my liver, but it's functioning fine, and I'm anemic, so I should take an iron supplement or multivitamin..I'll have to look next time I'm at the store. Of course my new glasses aren't right either..the doctor forgot to put in the progressive (reading) part! I'm about ready for laser eye surgery, it's ridiculous how complicated and exact my prescription has to be..I'll have to ask next time I see him..

I think I mentioned last year the building at work is for sale..I think we have a potential buyer and have to be out of the building by June. Lucie said she and the board of directors have been looking at buildings, hoping to find a good one. After 16 1/2 years of working there, that'll be weird! I hope I can still walk to the new building. It's definitely going to be hard work moving, we have SO many books and other things stashed away! Hopefully the new building will have lots of space and the ceiling won't drip every time it gets warm haha

( jan 25-31 )

1. Has the death of a famous person (not connected to you personally) ever made you cry? I don't think so..I definitely still miss Heath Ledger though, he was such a great actor!
2. Have you ever sent money as relief aid after a disaster? Maybe, I can't remember for sure though (I think I've donated to someone's GoFundMe type thing though)
3. How will the recent declaration affirming alcoholic beverages as cancer-causing affect your consumption? EVERYTHING causes cancer now lol. I rarely drink though, maybe two or three times a year, so it probably won't change
4. What is the most bizarre (or difficult to understand) movie you’ve seen? Vanilla Sky, Mulholland Drive, The Passion of Darkly Noon, etc..I remember not understanding The Matrix when I first saw it, but I watched it again when I was older and it made more sense
5. How willing and able are you to separate art from artist when a musician, actor, writer, or other creator is discovered to have behaved very badly? Depends..somehow I can do it with J.K. Rowling, but Harry Potter was part of my childhood and is embedded in my soul or something, so I doubt I could ever truly dislike it though. Instant dislike for Bill Cosby and The Cosby Show after what he did though..he just looks so creepy in pictures/videos now. O_o I cringe when I read books from the 1800s/early 1900s and they say things like "coolies," but I have to remind myself what era they're from..

They still haven't called me about my CT scan..I hate how slow Fairbanks' health care is :/

( jan 16-17 )

1. What’s something you enjoy that contains garlic? Bread
2. What’s something you enjoy that contains ginger? Gingerbread men
3. What’s something you enjoy that contains cloves? I had no idea what food has cloves in it, so I had to Google it haha, so pumpkin pie
4. What’s something you enjoy that contains cinnamon? Cinnamon rolls, cinnamon toast, etc..I love cinnamon haha
5. What’s something you enjoy that contains celery? Minestrone soup

Today when I got to work, it was FORTY-NINE DEGREES inside the building!! Considering it was almost -30 outside, that was not good. I called Vicki, who told me to call Shelby, who called our maintenance guy, who then called a guy who fixes boilers. Shelby didn't want to close the store, so we all wore our jackets and warmed up next to space heaters haha. The boiler was fixed about the time I left (the fuel pump wasn't working, I think), so by tomorrow it should be nice and warm again. My legs are still cold! *gets an electric blanket* The store was super busy (everyone was probably tired of being stuck inside their houses lol), so I guess it was good we braved being cold :P

( 3. Do you believe in soulmates? )

1. What was especially good for your mental health this year? Work, curtains haha, traveling, etc
2. What was especially good for your physical health this year? I walk a LOT at work, though my knee is "creaky" now because of that haha
3. What did you learn this year? Various facts I've learned in books and stuff
4. As this year ends, what’s trending to make you optimistic about next year? A fresh start is usually nice! A couple books are coming out that I'm excited about too
5. What’s better now than it was twelve months ago? My Internet..much faster now, yay!

Yesterday was work's annual Christmas party! We were able to bring a +1, so mom could go, yay! We ate food, opened our stockings (all of us brought stocking stuffers..my stocking was very full haha), and did a white elephant gift exchange..I was the second person to go, and the present I chose had two books, a fancy Robert Frost poetry book, a journal with a cool cover, and a scented candle (something to do with rain)..I immediately knew Vicki has brought those, it was definitely her style! Last year I also got her present (The Sleeper and the Spindle)..I must be drawn to them lol. The person next to me stole my gifts, and the next gift I opened was..transmission fluid?! Woooow, so special LOL. Mom knew I really wanted those books back, so she took them and she swapped those with the transmission fluid..so nice of her!! My books were safe then because they had been stolen twice, yay! After that we did the "Reindeer Olympics." Each program got together (GED, Bookstore, etc) and we each did one event. The first was picking up a marshmallow with a straw and putting it on a plate, the second was drawing a snowman blindfolded, the third was tossing rings on a reindeer hat one of us was wearing (I was the reindeer, and Vicki got seven rings on my antlers, so we won that event!) and the last was wearing cups on your hands (like reindeer hooves) and picking up marshmallows (small and large..the small ones were worth two points because they were harder to pick up) and putting them on a plate (I also did that one..it was harder than it sounded! I got 70 something points though, nice!). How fun! The bookstore got 4th place, I think. I also got a $300 Christmas bonus!! Considering we're a nonprofit, that's super generous! The bookstore is open Monday and then I'll be off for about two weeks..I hope I don't get bored!! I saved up on hidden cat games, so that'll help too lol

( a few pics from the night )

Mom said dad had the stomach flu a couple nights ago! Before that, the only time either of us had known him to throw up was when dad and I took the ferry up the Inside Passage in 2012. Very unusual! That is definitely one of the worst sicknesses to have. He's feeling better today, but tired..the stomach flu definitely takes a lot out of you! (Literally and figuratively lol)

14. What’s the Best Gift You’ve Ever Given or Received? The junk journal mom made, a glacier cake, a cat with a sign that says "I love you" that I gave to mom, etc

15. What Annoys You? Being mean for no reason, chewing/popping gum loudly, snoring, etc

16. If the World Was Ending, What Would You Want to Do? Spend time with loved ones

17. What Role Does Procrastination Play in Your Life? I procrastinate a lot haha, especially when it comes to housework :P

18. Have You Ever Changed Your Mind About a Hot-Button Issue? Probably

19. What Are the Best Things You’ve Watched, Read, Heard or Played This Year? The Cormoran Strike series, The Mystery Guest, Stray, "Defying Gravity," etc

20. Was There a Toy You Wanted as a Child but Never Got? I wanted "real" pixie dust..mom gave me a box with stuff inside it (cinnamon, maybe??), but the note said not to open it because all the magic would leak out. She told me when I was older that she didn't want me jumping off the balcony to "test" it..probably a good idea lol

1. If the world were to suddenly end right now, what do you wish you would have done? Gone to Iceland/Antarctica, read more good books haha, etc
2. How many times do you hit the snooze button before getting out of bed? I actually don't use an alarm..I go to work at 10 and I always wake up at 8 or 9 something (I have to read before going to work, of course :P). Last time mom set an alarm (in Kansas) for 8 something I already was kind of awake, but was lazy until mom told me to get up haha..if mom hadn't been there, I probably would have just gotten out of bed on my own. Maybe I'd need one if I had to wake up SUPER early, but my body just seems to know when to wake up! (Not that I'm necessarily happy to be awake, I'm so not a morning person lol)
3. What cartoon do you enjoy watching from the present (or the past)? I don't really watch any anymore (unless movies count), but I loved things like Spongebob, CatDog, and Rugrats when I was a kid
4. If you could go to any time and/or place in history, where/when would it be? When Scott was in Antarctica, so I could meet happy Cherry haha
5. If your life were a movie, what would it be rated and why? G or PG, maybe? I don't really do anything scandalous LOL

Other people decorate a tree for Christmas...

...I decorate a bed! I need more ornaments though..there are probably cool cat ones somewhere lol. It's funny..the other day I was like "I don't know what to get anyone!!" and the universe must have heard me, because that very day or day after I found something, and now things just keep appearing for me to buy! (Work is a very good place to get gifts, I shouldn't have even panicked haha.) It's definitely fun finding the perfect thing unexpectedly!

I have to work tomorrow (we're taking turns working on Saturday since Denise isn't there anymore), so I was off Monday, and this whole week has felt off now..today feels like Thursday, not Friday! Hopefully it won't be a slow day :P

( dec 2-6 )

1. Which partially-read book would you especially like to finish someday, and why didn’t you finish it last time you read it? Hmmm..not sure..
2. Which partially-watched TV series would you like to complete? The Expanse, Bones
3. Which half-completed task is nagging at you most insistently? Housework, always..who wants to do that after work though lol?
4. Which incomplete project is likeliest to get some attention in the near future? I'll probably wash the dishes or something haha
5. Which half-consumed item in your refrigerator or pantry are you thinking about right now? Water

I finally found a copy of this movie!

It was hard to find for some reason..with a title like that, of course I had to get it LOL. I hope it's not boring! Hugh (Cherry's uncle) commented "Is that Cherry looking over your shoulder? It's his stance, but I'm not sure..." Oh yay, it's not just me, the Cherry Stance is real! Haha. I've been able to pick him out in pics with other people because of his stance. I hope he's not weirded out that I have posters of his uncle on my wall LOL..hopefully he's glad people still remember and care about Cherry!

Yesterday at work a couple classes came over on a field trip..one kid was named Osiris, and one chaperone was like "do you know where your name came from?" and he said "yeah, I used to be a god!" LOL awesome :P

( nov 16-22 )

1. In German, fernweh is a longing for distant places, perhaps even places you’ve never been. What place you’ve never been do you have fernweh for? Iceland, for one
2. In Finnish, myötähäpeä is “the kinder, gentler cousins of schadenfreude, something akin to “vicarious embarrassment.” For whom did you last feel myötähäpeä? One of the most annoying customers at the bookstore..she thinks she's being amusing, but she just gets on my nerves! One time Vicki checked her out and when she found the book she wanted she literally got on her knees and was like "HALLELUJAH!!!! PRAISE THE LORD!!!" O_o She actually worked at the bookstore for awhile but didn't last long because she was that annoying D:
3. In Japanese, shouganai means “there’s nothing we can do about it, so we accept it, rather than waste time worrying or being angry.” How good are you at saying shouganai and putting it into practice? I've gotten better, but it can be hard, like the situation with Denise..I keep thinking about all the ways it *should* have gone lol. Sometimes I'll sigh and shrug it off and keep going lol
4. In Scots, tartle is the “panicky hesitation just before you have to introduce someone whose name you can’t quite remember.” When did you last experience tartle and how did you handle it? Not sure..
5. In Georgian, zeg means “the day after tomorrow.” What are you doing zeg? Relaxing online, probably going to the grocery store, etc

Tonight's sunset was so cool!

So pretty!! The sunrises/sunsets are definitely great this time of year!

( nov 7-8 )

1. Which partially-read book would you especially like to finish someday, and why didn’t you finish it last time you read it? Hmmm..maybe The Discovery of Slowness? (About John Franklin.) It seemed boring at the time, but my mood could change lol
2. Which partially-watched TV series would you like to complete? Maybe The Expanse. I need to read the other books it's based on first though!
3. Which half-completed task is nagging at you most insistently? Cleaning in general
4. Which incomplete project is likeliest to get some attention in the near future? I feel like my semi-annual apartment inspection is coming up soon, so maybe cleaning my apartment
5. Which half-consumed item in your refrigerator or pantry are you thinking about right now? Chicken and rice, for one

Yay, my ninth unique edition of The Worst Journey in the World came in the bookstore this week!

I've seen a bunch of different editions online and stuff, but I'd never seen that one before! I love the cover! It's an abridged version, but still cool! I have a special Worst Journey spot on my shelf LOL. Weird how I didn't find any "new" editions for years and this year I've found two so far! Hopefully the trend will continue :P

Here's the title page:

Cool!

( oct 2-4 )