tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28769465172079452202024-03-05T13:11:29.839-05:00New York City SquirrelScurrying in the CityCaseyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02163454889133519781noreply@blogger.comBlogger225125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2876946517207945220.post-46232452345897887212012-04-05T21:01:00.000-04:002012-04-05T21:01:35.812-04:00Squirrel Stuff I Own: Ridiculous Squirrel Wallet<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Is this even a wallet? What do you call this? It has slots for cards inside of it and that is my definition of a wallet so we're just going to go with that.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTegJBc7Oi3cc1NRmJWWwBLUpiudWSZyASPR5lmLni3XhbbF8UF-NFDo51wgtFpAJMJRl1bdbN1qCCWPx4AABtWwdUHMKrkUL7FOsTvhAwq9WNGqUl7HuEttpQBx3sNuZUP_1UC0pVNcE/s1600/IMG_1114.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTegJBc7Oi3cc1NRmJWWwBLUpiudWSZyASPR5lmLni3XhbbF8UF-NFDo51wgtFpAJMJRl1bdbN1qCCWPx4AABtWwdUHMKrkUL7FOsTvhAwq9WNGqUl7HuEttpQBx3sNuZUP_1UC0pVNcE/s320/IMG_1114.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
I bought a new handbag today (it has come to my attention that they are no longer called purses) and was thinking of upgrading my wallet while I was at it. I was admiring some very conservative grown-up wallets when I pulled this one from the back of the pile. I looked at it, thought about it, and immediately put it back on the shelf because it was ridiculous. Then I kept looking at the adult wallets. Then I realized that there was pretty much no way I could walk out of that store without purchasing this ridiculous thing.<br />
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RIDICULOUS I SAY. I'm not sure if I'll feel gleeful or embarrassed the first time I have to get this out in public.Caseyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02163454889133519781noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2876946517207945220.post-66732956527095719092012-02-28T07:59:00.002-05:002012-02-28T14:00:50.089-05:00Westminster Kennel Club 136th Annual Dog Show: Casey's Guide to Attending the Big Show<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">So on Friday, February 10, I made the somewhat impulsive decision to attend the Westminster Kennel Club show at Madison Square Gardens on the following Monday. I've always wanted to go, but have never had the nerve to take a full day off work and dive into this crazy subculture. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">But this year I did it.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I had no clue what to expect when I bought tickets. They started judging breeds at 8:30 AM, but I didn't make it to the Garden until about 10:30 AM. During breed judging they have 7 separate rings operating throughout the venue, and the audience can basically wander around as they please, either taking a seat up above or standing down below near the action. I got a front row spot for the border collies!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DAm1EyWL8gI/Tz2mgcebg0I/AAAAAAAAMr8/J6X9nymUMXg/s1600/IMG_0400.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DAm1EyWL8gI/Tz2mgcebg0I/AAAAAAAAMr8/J6X9nymUMXg/s320/IMG_0400.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It was a little difficult finding my way around (and it was my first time at Madison Square Garden) so I mostly just wandered around until I found new cool things. For instance, I thought I would need to be an owner or handler to get down on the floor at the rings, but it turns out anyone can hang out down there. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsBtTwPPhddFrvnwtP-o0xgjbWkWTVAG8sajSbzg4hixK65Iy8caisxjkQkOOKzGOLO5Ex4ihG9T8xlUrvlbpLARVq8un1JDLAmHLWIsfuQor1R0pL5c_pl0t0IIGdguuDIXJCzrw6rL4/s1600/IMG_0428.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsBtTwPPhddFrvnwtP-o0xgjbWkWTVAG8sajSbzg4hixK65Iy8caisxjkQkOOKzGOLO5Ex4ihG9T8xlUrvlbpLARVq8un1JDLAmHLWIsfuQor1R0pL5c_pl0t0IIGdguuDIXJCzrw6rL4/s320/IMG_0428.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
During the day it seemed that the audience was composed mostly of owners and handlers and breeders and others with some sort of investment in the show. The conversations around were very serious and along the lines of "Oh, that's Patrick's border collie... he's the one to beat" and "Last year our dog took third in his breed but this year we're winning for sure." I very much enjoyed the conversations I overheard.<br />
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Eventually, after more wandering around I found the "benching" area. I had read about this in the show guide online, but could not for the life of me figure out what benching was. Turns out, that's where they groom the dogs. I couldn't believe that they just let the public wander around back there. It was crazy.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLQ1azASFnA-lQLWUg2ZYDg4CrsQbTqOfk5F9pLaiJez2Ub72cnhtxcpfTWqhRe_XcK-b7GnjTSqnLtW8v7H-vhanJV7ghcsP6xO9I-ReqoigqJ8N9-uVwh19PPZkTrN8aWmfnLG4vFYA/s1600/IMG_0442.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLQ1azASFnA-lQLWUg2ZYDg4CrsQbTqOfk5F9pLaiJez2Ub72cnhtxcpfTWqhRe_XcK-b7GnjTSqnLtW8v7H-vhanJV7ghcsP6xO9I-ReqoigqJ8N9-uVwh19PPZkTrN8aWmfnLG4vFYA/s320/IMG_0442.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
It was by far the most crowded part of the entire event. I really enjoyed seeing all the dogs "off stage" but I felt bad that they had so much going on around them, and so many people petting and prodding at them. It was completely overwhelming for me and I wasn't tied to a table and being photographed over and over!<br />
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They did the Junior Showmanship competition in the afternoon, so I left for a couple hours and came back to see the group judging.<br />
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This part of the show was totally different from the first part. There was not as much freedom to move around, benching was surprisingly<i> more</i> insane, and there were cameras everywhere. I had only bought general admission tickets, so I settled into a decent seat at about 6:15 and had to wait for the 8:00 show.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VT3EUVrzamI/Tz2mjVzB-QI/AAAAAAAAMsU/Q6eIRWwPMWQ/s1600/IMG_0462.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VT3EUVrzamI/Tz2mjVzB-QI/AAAAAAAAMsU/Q6eIRWwPMWQ/s320/IMG_0462.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
It was really fun watching the group judging in person. I've watched it on television most years, but it's really great to see what the dogs are doing when they aren't on camera. The basenji was absolutely adorable jumping in and out of his box during the hound group. During the toy group judging, after the pug and his handler moved off camera, the handler got down on all fours and nuzzled the pug for a few seconds, which was both strange and adorable. That was fun to see. The picture above is of the dalmation winning the non-sporting group.<br />
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I'm really glad that I went to this event, but I don't think I would go again. It's much easier to see the dogs on television, after all, and I'm not the type who really enjoys live events. I did like attending alone during the first part because I moved around at my own pace, but it would be much more fun to go with a friend for the second half, especially since then you can take turns saving seats and you can get drunk and not feel pathetic (oh yes, that's the other thing: I was surprised at how much drinking was going on at this thing, even during the day!). <br />
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Anyway, this is my review, and although I know of only 3 people who actually read this blog regularly, I am hopeful that someone looking for more information about attending the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show will come across this entry and will find it useful. Hey, you never know, there are some <i>weird</i> search phrases that lead people to this blog, if you can believe that.Caseyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02163454889133519781noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2876946517207945220.post-9171944939962592952012-02-26T19:49:00.001-05:002012-02-26T19:49:00.171-05:00Happy Valentine's Day, Rodent Style!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I received some excellent Valentine's Day presents in the mail in early February. They are not squirrel related, but they are rodent related, and I love them!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rzqNjYQAGEY/Tz2kSLEaWhI/AAAAAAAAMr0/sUgpbdubpZ4/s1600/IMG_0464.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rzqNjYQAGEY/Tz2kSLEaWhI/AAAAAAAAMr0/sUgpbdubpZ4/s320/IMG_0464.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
It's hard to see in the picture, but the hamster sticker are puffy stickers! And the heart tin has two beavers on it and it says "Wood you be mine?" which is hilarious and I can't believe I never came up with that joke. <br />
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These came from my Minnesotan friend, H. Thank you, H!Caseyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02163454889133519781noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2876946517207945220.post-56765808858032124682012-02-24T09:50:00.000-05:002012-02-24T09:50:00.662-05:00Squirrel Stuff I Own: Vintage Squirrel Salt and Pepper Shakers<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">My friend E procured these little dudes for me and they are just delightful! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8RvSbSwrfyk/TzkjXC_JvSI/AAAAAAAAMrs/H0ji9u3gw0I/s1600/IMG_0351.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8RvSbSwrfyk/TzkjXC_JvSI/AAAAAAAAMrs/H0ji9u3gw0I/s320/IMG_0351.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
They are supposed to be salt and pepper shakers, but I don't want to expose them to the horrors of the dining room table, so they've taken up residence on our bookshelf. I love their little Disney eyes. Sometimes I set them up so they look like they're kissing as a secret message to B, but I don't think he notices.Caseyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02163454889133519781noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2876946517207945220.post-88045309557500365762012-02-20T08:15:00.000-05:002012-02-20T08:15:00.777-05:00Squirrel Stuff I Own: Know Your Rodent<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I had to get drunk before I wrote this post because it was the only way to calm myself down enough to think clearly and write a few sentence fragments.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This book. Received for Christmas. So awesome.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yrLPNdzZV4U/TzhkVmcwTcI/AAAAAAAAMrk/iixbYicnJYM/s1600/IMG_0191.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yrLPNdzZV4U/TzhkVmcwTcI/AAAAAAAAMrk/iixbYicnJYM/s320/IMG_0191.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
I said, "Oh my God, this is so amazing! I can't believe I don't already own this!" Friend said, "I can't believe you didn't <i>write</i> it!"<br />
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On bedside table now. Still exciting. Not conducive to sleep.Caseyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02163454889133519781noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2876946517207945220.post-78611643392396855442012-02-16T20:50:00.000-05:002012-02-16T20:50:00.149-05:00Chip and Dale: Rescue Rangers!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">So I went to Gamestop (my favorite place to spend B's money) the other day, had a disappointing look around the store, and left. (Side note to all game developers who read my blog: I am not interested in first person shooters or anything that has "Momma" or "Puppiez" in the title. Please stop making all of those games.) I was sad, shuffling down the street back toward my officez when I noticed a sketchy man selling comic books had taken up residence next to the sketchy man who sells bongs on that corner.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Now, I have many interests, of wide range and quality, but comic books do not generally rate among my interests. There is, however, one particular comic series that I was deeply dedicated to in the early 1990s. "Oh, I'll just check out the kids section of Sketchy McSketcherson's comic book stand," I said to myself.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And I found it. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-c6BjQ6XwrPY/Tzg9O9T_O-I/AAAAAAAAMrU/tGF7Wsdi5FI/s1600/IMG_0339.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-c6BjQ6XwrPY/Tzg9O9T_O-I/AAAAAAAAMrU/tGF7Wsdi5FI/s320/IMG_0339.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
Chip 'N Dale: Rescue Rangers, the comic book! I had a small stack of these when I was a kid, and I remember excitedly pawing through the comic books at Safeway every week looking for the latest issue. Sketchy dude was selling this for $5, which I'm sure was five times what it cost back in 1992. But I was in the mood to spend money, damnit, so I did it. I purchased a small part of my childhood.<br />
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You can bet I'll be hanging out on the corner with the bongs much more frequently now!Caseyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02163454889133519781noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2876946517207945220.post-72609885442669593642012-02-14T08:37:00.001-05:002012-02-14T08:37:01.163-05:00Found Squirrels: Creepy Bike Squirrel<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Although I really dislike crowds, especially in Midtown Manhattan, I do always enjoy seeing the holiday windows in New York City.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XJTN8Yrpj_k/TzfqIjMEPnI/AAAAAAAAMrE/R6DaQ9WLpSU/s1600/IMG_0136.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XJTN8Yrpj_k/TzfqIjMEPnI/AAAAAAAAMrE/R6DaQ9WLpSU/s320/IMG_0136.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
And I especially enjoy the particularly whimsical and nonsensical windows, like this one, where we see a squirrel inexplicably riding a penny-farthing bicycle over the roofs of various townhouses whilst wearing a Santa hat. I mean, why not?<br />
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Today, on a hunch, I went back to my folder full of photos from my previous phone, and finally figured out why this window seemed so familiar. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CX65ztImiu0/TzfqcFD5jGI/AAAAAAAAMrM/6_-r4ZSaWqA/s1600/205.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CX65ztImiu0/TzfqcFD5jGI/AAAAAAAAMrM/6_-r4ZSaWqA/s320/205.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I took this photo during my holiday window viewing in December of 2009, and I'm pretty sure this is the exact same squirrel! Either that or multiple stores own copies of this squirrel riding a bicycle, which would just be odd. </div>Caseyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02163454889133519781noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2876946517207945220.post-43033670169516251332012-02-12T11:26:00.000-05:002012-02-12T11:26:49.463-05:00Found Squirrels: Squirrel Mummy<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Guys, I'm so behind in my squirrel blogging! I'm sitting here enjoying the sweet sounds of Britney Spears (she's back; did you know?) and combing through my photos from the last few months and becoming completely overwhelmed by the number of posts I need to write. How did I let this happen? I blame the three week period in January when I tried to give up coffee. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Way back in December we went to the American Museum of Natural History with a friend who was visiting from out of town. I always enjoy this museum, particularly the room that addresses the evolution of mammals.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sOai7806m4g/TzfkQDjzLPI/AAAAAAAAMq0/Cti_14x0cPI/s1600/IMG_0127.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sOai7806m4g/TzfkQDjzLPI/AAAAAAAAMq0/Cti_14x0cPI/s320/IMG_0127.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
That's some squirrel taxonomy and evolution for y'all. Check out the sweet capybara up there. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_drfBqiisRc/TzfkRKzT0kI/AAAAAAAAMq8/WTXZeEAq9lw/s1600/IMG_0130.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_drfBqiisRc/TzfkRKzT0kI/AAAAAAAAMq8/WTXZeEAq9lw/s320/IMG_0130.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>And they had a mummified squirrel! Poor little guy looks so uncomfortable. But I was so pleased to see him in the museum. Everyone is always going on and on about the freeze-dried woolly mammoths that scientists are finding all over the place. What about the squirrels? What about the giant prehistoric beaver? Why isn't anyone else excited about bringing back the rodents of yesteryear?Caseyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02163454889133519781noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2876946517207945220.post-79907059172934109002012-02-06T22:11:00.004-05:002012-02-07T07:47:54.582-05:00What do you call a groundhog's laundry?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Hogwash!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">As longtime readers of this blog already know, I get really excited about Groundhog Day. As longtime readers should <i>also</i> know, this is because a groundhog is a type of squirrel (a ground squirrel) and I love any day when we celebrate squirrels. (I celebrate squirrels every day in my head, but when the rest of the world celebrates with me, well, that is a special day.) So I threw a surprise Groundhog Day party for my office!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qSl8BDeHUco/TzCSUprudpI/AAAAAAAAMqU/loffhwEnyPQ/s1600/IMG_0259.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qSl8BDeHUco/TzCSUprudpI/AAAAAAAAMqU/loffhwEnyPQ/s320/IMG_0259.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Hey, somebody has to make use of the color printer! I designed the banner like three weeks ago and I was ridiculously excited about finally debuting it.<br />
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Probably the best part of Groundhog Day at my office this year was the presents. Last year I was super lame and just made cards for everybody with fun facts about groundhogs. This year I went all out and purchased delightful children's books about groundhogs for each of my coworkers! And I included a card because I'm an adult now and actually enjoy giving and receiving cards.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RtVXWib9NPE/TzCSVTTrIYI/AAAAAAAAMqc/gSPr1qNoAjo/s1600/IMG_0263.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RtVXWib9NPE/TzCSVTTrIYI/AAAAAAAAMqc/gSPr1qNoAjo/s320/IMG_0263.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
I left a gift on everybody's desk so they would have something exciting to greet them when they came in. I think everyone was suitably excited. As one of my coworkers put it, "I woke up this morning, saw that it was Groundhog Day, and wondered if there would be some sort of insanity going on at the office. Why did I wonder that?"<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--h9rA2lsa10/TzCSV-ef5WI/AAAAAAAAMqk/IpTmSgrQlG4/s1600/IMG_0265.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--h9rA2lsa10/TzCSV-ef5WI/AAAAAAAAMqk/IpTmSgrQlG4/s320/IMG_0265.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
I also purchased special Groundhog Day donuts. I was going to write some cute little poem about how the groundhog comes out of his hole and now we can all enjoy a donut without a hole... but I couldn't get my shit together in time. My trains were messed up that morning and I almost didn't make it in time to set up everything for the party.<br />
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I think everything came together nicely, and my coworkers seemed both pleased and amused, which is what I was going for. <br />
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Next year I'm bringing in a real groundhog!Caseyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02163454889133519781noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2876946517207945220.post-82489841204833419732012-02-05T18:02:00.000-05:002012-01-29T23:16:17.262-05:00Found Squirrels: Santa Squirrel Selling His Sole for Shoes<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">He he, do you see what I did there? Yeah, you do.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">My new iPhone has really revolutionized the way I record squirrel stuff sightings, in a crazy way. I used to struggle to find squirrel things to post about, and now I continually have a backlog of squirrely bits for my blog! How is a full-time employed hermit woman supposed to keep up?!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0Hc-XDk-728/TyYW0nF-R2I/AAAAAAAAMpc/PGpZXW4gQT0/s1600/IMG_0142.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0Hc-XDk-728/TyYW0nF-R2I/AAAAAAAAMpc/PGpZXW4gQT0/s320/IMG_0142.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>I found this squirrel on the door of a running store (or maybe it's just a shoe store?) in Manhattan before Christmas. I'm not particularly fond of this example of squirrels in advertising, as it appears the squirrel is either dead or "crunk," as B would say. I recommend <a href="http://newyorkcitysquirrel.blogspot.com/2010/01/found-squirrels-hp-printer-squirrel.html" target="_blank">my treatise on the HP printer squirrel</a> if you're interested in seeing what I think is a fantastic use of a squirrel in advertising. <br />
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Madison Avenue, take note.Caseyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02163454889133519781noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2876946517207945220.post-89242893020724830112012-01-30T20:06:00.000-05:002012-01-30T20:06:00.082-05:00The Rescuers<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I watched <i>The Rescuers</i> the other night, you know, that Disney movie from I think 1977 about the mice? I am actually a little too young for this particular movie, and was more familiar with <i>The Rescuers Down Under</i> which I think came out in the 1990s. But I sure enjoyed watching the original the other day.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG2evMdeTyOhISC-b728BxshO6hhikm3xHg0VZFQF0sN_Tmw2zfzV_KVXhafZBOTfmzBqeNoQ3auUS0YlzbLq44Pw5HZH5zElpJ52u6-hgdauIFqBIph0mb7HT0lK4YATnQQ7TOnBVIcU/s1600/IMG_0246.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG2evMdeTyOhISC-b728BxshO6hhikm3xHg0VZFQF0sN_Tmw2zfzV_KVXhafZBOTfmzBqeNoQ3auUS0YlzbLq44Pw5HZH5zElpJ52u6-hgdauIFqBIph0mb7HT0lK4YATnQQ7TOnBVIcU/s320/IMG_0246.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
But wow, I realized that I am a sucker for rodents wearing tiny hats and tiny shirts. And not only do they have tiny hats and shirts and tiny umbrellas, they also have a tiny United Nations of their own! And it's here in the regular-sized human United Nations in New York City! So cute! I may or may not have squealed with glee, I'll leave that to your imagination.<br />
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Also, I now have a picture similar to this as my lock screen on my iPhone and it never fails to bring me joy when I look at it.<br />
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I have a rodent problem.Caseyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02163454889133519781noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2876946517207945220.post-15978242651295356892012-01-29T22:54:00.000-05:002012-01-29T22:54:23.372-05:00Birthday Squirrel Card Series - Part 4<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Normally if I'm having a bad day, I turn to my secret magic recipe for bringing happiness to myself and others (if they are lucky enough to be in the room with me): Twenty minutes of keyboard cat on loop followed by at least one episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation, and ending with four Britney Spears songs, but not the one with Madonna in it. I now have a new item to add to my Recipe for Keeping Your Casey Clean and Happy.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_3rWtbYwtro/TyYSjmmb80I/AAAAAAAAMpM/nH-aAxK41bs/s1600/IMG_6148.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_3rWtbYwtro/TyYSjmmb80I/AAAAAAAAMpM/nH-aAxK41bs/s320/IMG_6148.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
This lovely little birthday item was made for me by my friend S. See how well she knows me? It incorporates so many of my interests! It is beautiful! It is perfect! It is all Casey all the time(registered trademark, bitches)!Caseyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02163454889133519781noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2876946517207945220.post-48133800270030866442012-01-21T15:41:00.001-05:002012-01-21T15:42:57.693-05:00Happy Squirrel Appreciation Day!<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hGlj4yFyTUQ/TxsjMysDpcI/AAAAAAAAMoo/mectwmIQxtM/s1600/IMG_0113.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hGlj4yFyTUQ/TxsjMysDpcI/AAAAAAAAMoo/mectwmIQxtM/s320/IMG_0113.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5700188456039458242" /></a>From a real New York City squirrel!<div><br /></div>Caseyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02163454889133519781noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2876946517207945220.post-44610792378925518642012-01-19T21:02:00.001-05:002012-01-29T22:18:36.282-05:00Birthday Squirrel Card Series - Part 3This treasure of a card comes from my friend M, who lives on the other side of the country but is still committed to both mailing and emailing me awesome squirrel stuff on a regular basis.<br />
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</div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-81ca2pNukNc/TxRuEwlZgZI/AAAAAAAAMoU/sIlsWpbgte0/s1600/IMG_6150.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5698300456570814866" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-81ca2pNukNc/TxRuEwlZgZI/AAAAAAAAMoU/sIlsWpbgte0/s320/IMG_6150.JPG" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 240px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /></a>It was suggested that this card may have originally been a Thanksgiving card rather than a birthday card. It also came with this assortment of woodland creature stickers!<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JFpk73KJYUY/TxRuEmsWlfI/AAAAAAAAMoM/4rba0Og929g/s1600/IMG_6151.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5698300453915629042" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JFpk73KJYUY/TxRuEmsWlfI/AAAAAAAAMoM/4rba0Og929g/s320/IMG_6151.JPG" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 240px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /></a>Aren't they just wonderful? I especially adore the little acorn stickers. I'm a big fan of acorns in general, not for eating necessarily, but because they are the stereotypical squirrel accessory and they crack me up because they come with their own tiny hats. </div>Caseyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02163454889133519781noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2876946517207945220.post-9914577949661141822012-01-16T13:35:00.000-05:002012-01-16T13:35:28.448-05:00Birthday Squirrel Card Series - Part 2<div>It may not be obvious from the contents of this blog, but I am not just a big fan of squirrels. I am also an aficionado of all things rodentia, and an admirer of pretty much any fuzzy animal.</div><div><br /></div><div>Except weasels. I really don't like weasels.</div><div><br /></div><div>So I was very pleased to receive this card full of fuzziness from my friend G, and my woodland friends!</div><div><br /></div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dVA2-YdGkE4/TxMJpwX6nLI/AAAAAAAAMoA/iniXvvoVJEc/s1600/IMG_6149.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dVA2-YdGkE4/TxMJpwX6nLI/AAAAAAAAMoA/iniXvvoVJEc/s320/IMG_6149.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5697908566518308018" /></a>And it's even weasel-free! <div><br /></div><div>I should perhaps note while we're on the subject that while I like raccoons in theory, I am generally terrified when I see one in real life. They look so cute in all the cartoons, but when you run into one in your backyard at 10 PM you realize that they are actually the size of a Panzer tank, and all you can do is walk <i>very</i> slowly back to the house and pray that the monster before you doesn't realize that you're holding a Tupperware container full of cat food. They love cat food.</div>Caseyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02163454889133519781noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2876946517207945220.post-6845232535367633942012-01-01T08:18:00.000-05:002012-01-01T08:18:00.407-05:00Birthday Squirrel Card Series - Part 1<div>It seems fitting on this, my one month birthday, to begin my blogging series on the many excellent birthday cards I received for my birthday. It was really an avalanche of squirrel card awesomeness this year, and I was informed by multiple people that birthday cards were purchased for me many months in advance. </div><div><br /></div><div>Let's start out with what was probably the most amazing birthday card of Casey's Squirrelday 2011.</div><div><br /></div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2hbvjburU4c/Tv-YpCwpluI/AAAAAAAAMns/TXH3VGE7g7A/s1600/IMG_6154.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2hbvjburU4c/Tv-YpCwpluI/AAAAAAAAMns/TXH3VGE7g7A/s320/IMG_6154.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5692436284902577890" /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hFkDsE6Pt68/Tv-YpFomm9I/AAAAAAAAMnk/hYjL2mhgnwU/s1600/IMG_6155.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hFkDsE6Pt68/Tv-YpFomm9I/AAAAAAAAMnk/hYjL2mhgnwU/s320/IMG_6155.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5692436285674134482" /></a>Squirrel card. Beer card. Squirrel and beer card. It is all things at all times. It is, in fact, and I apologize to everyone who did not get this card for me, the perfect birthday card for a Casey. Amazing.Caseyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02163454889133519781noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2876946517207945220.post-82717748151832734162011-12-31T18:00:00.002-05:002011-12-31T18:15:59.109-05:00Squirrel Stuff I Own: Jesus Squirrel Shirt<div>Folks, this is not the first time we've seen a rodentia and religion mash-up on this here blog, but it may well be the classiest time. </div><div><br /></div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UO6J-YSfNho/Tv-UMZhZP6I/AAAAAAAAMnY/jH5zVWO2wRI/s1600/IMG_6147.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UO6J-YSfNho/Tv-UMZhZP6I/AAAAAAAAMnY/jH5zVWO2wRI/s320/IMG_6147.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5692431394749890466" /></a>My friend A sent this to me ages ago and I'm so embarrassed it took me so long to put this on the blog, because damnit, it's so awesome. You can't tell from the photo, but this is actually on a t-shirt and I would totally wear this if I weren't such a slave to fashion.<div><br /></div><div>He he.</div>Caseyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02163454889133519781noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2876946517207945220.post-30531446522450114312011-12-22T09:43:00.000-05:002011-12-22T09:43:23.939-05:00Squirrel Stuff I Own: Squirrel Nutkin Sticker BookOh Squirrel Nutkin, your strange story of tormenting the angry owl and (spoiler alert!) eventually losing a part of your tail is so very strange. What is the message here for children? <div><br /></div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LUv4uX-lGek/Tt9iAMRYC8I/AAAAAAAAMmw/zHlhR8FgnRg/s1600/IMG_0043.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LUv4uX-lGek/Tt9iAMRYC8I/AAAAAAAAMmw/zHlhR8FgnRg/s320/IMG_0043.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5683369010198481858" /></a>I guess the message here is "Hey, there are stickers in this book and it's only 99 cents!"Caseyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02163454889133519781noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2876946517207945220.post-3398067687888265112011-12-13T22:39:00.003-05:002011-12-14T10:56:28.006-05:00Listen to the SquirrelsI left my office today to get some fresh air during lunch. I went through the nearby park because I like to admire the fat little fuzzy squirrels who inhabit it. As I walked through, I noticed the squirrels were going a little crazy. They were making that disturbing chattering noise that they make when they're upset, and they were all standing totally still.<br /><br />"What's wrong, little squirrels?" I asked. And that's not a lie. I actually said that to one of the squirrels.<br /><br />I finally figured out what they were all looking at.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-v5ixxZNpVuw/TugasgF0pdI/AAAAAAAAMnI/uTCo2IA73oQ/s1600/IMG_0104.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5685823881386173906" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-v5ixxZNpVuw/TugasgF0pdI/AAAAAAAAMnI/uTCo2IA73oQ/s320/IMG_0104.JPG" /></a> This hawk was just hanging out in the bushes nearby. And this photograph is just barely zoomed in. I was probably three feet away from him. He was very, very intense.<br /><br />If I hadn't paid attention to the squirrels I would have walked right by him.Caseyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02163454889133519781noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2876946517207945220.post-78453599702127608712011-12-07T21:41:00.001-05:002011-12-07T21:44:21.536-05:00Found Squirrels: Starbucks Squirrel<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5UuxDSO0NVM/TuAj7oaQyFI/AAAAAAAAMm8/M_iDzgE26D4/s1600/IMG_0088.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5UuxDSO0NVM/TuAj7oaQyFI/AAAAAAAAMm8/M_iDzgE26D4/s320/IMG_0088.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5683582237108389970" /></a>Why didn't anyone tell me that there were squirrels on the Starbucks holiday cups this year?!?Caseyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02163454889133519781noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2876946517207945220.post-81157521053846152952011-12-03T12:10:00.003-05:002011-12-07T07:53:21.376-05:00Found Squirrels: Bergdorf Goodman Window Squirrels<div>I spotted these creepy little white squirrels while we were admiring the many holiday window displays on Fifth Avenue yesterday.</div><div><br /></div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zrvAMb3kw6c/TtpYKIRSQ5I/AAAAAAAAMmk/fRgERc5VmOU/s1600/IMG_0068.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zrvAMb3kw6c/TtpYKIRSQ5I/AAAAAAAAMmk/fRgERc5VmOU/s320/IMG_0068.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5681950810923221906" /></a>Definitely creepy. And I love rodents, so I imagine most people are skeezed out by these guys.Caseyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02163454889133519781noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2876946517207945220.post-15527038523578650602011-11-30T23:19:00.000-05:002011-11-30T23:18:05.331-05:00Found Squirrels: Memory Squirrels<div>Oh man, how excited was I to discover this particular set of squirrels? We played Memory: Animal Families during Thanksgiving weekend at our friend E's house. Never mind that the instructions say for children ages 3 to 6 and that every single one of us is more than four times that maximum age.</div><div><br /></div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0SF156hQlkw/TtJnpcbHo5I/AAAAAAAAMmM/vjNxRW8zGW8/s1600/IMG_0033.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0SF156hQlkw/TtJnpcbHo5I/AAAAAAAAMmM/vjNxRW8zGW8/s320/IMG_0033.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5679716041769853842" /></a>I was very upset when B ended up matching the squirrel mommy and squirrel baby and adding them to his stack. And in fact I lost miserably at Memory: Animal Families, but ended up rocking it when we played the original Memory later.Caseyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02163454889133519781noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2876946517207945220.post-58123153903083095812011-11-28T20:30:00.000-05:002011-11-30T23:18:37.164-05:00Found Squirrels: Decorative Squirrel FigureFound this little treasure in the same thrift store as the cross-stitch. I suspect that someone with rodent-loving tendencies like me has recently passed away, because this particular establishment seemed to have quite a few squirrel-themed items.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2H6jIYrfWCqUrCb8vmCue3JBjMA7ytGyiKpE1_d2mAPyp_UW958LDk3it3mK-lHsoR1eSLjszcH1BFzuxv5jbf_eehkDtCJfB6gM3G1pwGRnWWdj-eUBtuB1OrIsCKSRlZFyN1rKMMhU/s1600/IMG_0029.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5679853187713779554" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2H6jIYrfWCqUrCb8vmCue3JBjMA7ytGyiKpE1_d2mAPyp_UW958LDk3it3mK-lHsoR1eSLjszcH1BFzuxv5jbf_eehkDtCJfB6gM3G1pwGRnWWdj-eUBtuB1OrIsCKSRlZFyN1rKMMhU/s320/IMG_0029.JPG" /></a>It makes me kind of happy to think that someday all of my squirrel stuff will go to a thrift store somewhere and some young lover of squirrels will freak out with joy when she sees all the awesomeness I've collected over the years. They better price my cool squirrel stuff at higher than $6, though!Caseyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02163454889133519781noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2876946517207945220.post-54287281091198589032011-11-27T11:17:00.000-05:002011-11-27T11:17:00.483-05:00Found Squirrels: Squirrel Ornament<div>Oh Christmas squirrel, oh Christmas squirrel! Your tail is always fuzzy!</div><div><br /></div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-s43652Z9Un4/TtFzw8YbYNI/AAAAAAAAMmA/XQ7QqFJlUdA/s1600/IMG_0026.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-s43652Z9Un4/TtFzw8YbYNI/AAAAAAAAMmA/XQ7QqFJlUdA/s320/IMG_0026.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5679447889770406098" /></a>Found in a fancy knick knack store in New Jersey. I think my new cellphone with its fancy, fancy camera is really going to revolutionize the way I blog.Caseyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02163454889133519781noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2876946517207945220.post-68888579027084027882011-11-26T12:47:00.002-05:002011-11-26T12:51:33.713-05:00Found Squirrels: Cross Stitch Squirrel<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixKg-XHxi5iU0ViBN9IN7oGEpGVakCy1jESbljukTnJ26l70cRSlugQxlyk4OCsTsCRSz6RknXNY91LU5WBpmext2_IOmbetSMxL7MAq9NsMfQsuJKGhaOdTzTPj_jXroTngX2vWi7Zsw/s1600/IMG_0031.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixKg-XHxi5iU0ViBN9IN7oGEpGVakCy1jESbljukTnJ26l70cRSlugQxlyk4OCsTsCRSz6RknXNY91LU5WBpmext2_IOmbetSMxL7MAq9NsMfQsuJKGhaOdTzTPj_jXroTngX2vWi7Zsw/s320/IMG_0031.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5679362912630934898" /></a>Found at a thrift store in New Jersey. Seriously considered bringing it home, but was easily distracted by a Squirrel Nutkin sticker book.Caseyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02163454889133519781noreply@blogger.com0