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| Tweet Topic Started: Feb 5 2008, 08:00 AM (1,690 Views) | |
| Inky | Feb 5 2008, 08:00 AM Post #1 |
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Thai
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When I returned from a week-long trip, I discovered that my pet rat Olga had developed an abscess on her face that had ruptured. She was in really bad shape, and I took her in to the emergency vet clinic where I used to work and still pick up relief shifts. My favorite vet Katie was working, thank god, and she's been working with me to get Olga back to good. She's put a lot of time and concern into this, and it's not over yet, and since I'm an employee, she won't be paid by the clinic. She's also going to be moving to Montana at some point, once she sells her house. We've never been close, really...we're both pretty independent, but I've always admired her enormously. She's one of the kindest and most capable people I know, and I want to get her something to thank her for taking care of Olga and for being her. I'm really really awful at this gift-giving thing, though, and you're all such nice people and seem like you're on top of thoughtful gestures, and I'd love some suggestions. She likes books, but I've already had a few attempts at giving her books flop. She's very outdoorsy, but owns all the gear she wants/needs. |
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_____________ Jobbar du naken? | |
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| Bex | Feb 5 2008, 01:47 PM Post #2 |
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puppet dictator
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I'd actually still suggest something like a guidebook to Montana's best hikes or somesuch. Then it's useful and personal, but not so dependent on taste as a literary book. (And I am sorry to hear about Olga but hope she will continue with a successful recovery.) |
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I belong to one of those families that does not speak to or see its members as often as we should, but if someone needed anyone to fall on a sword for her, there would be a queue waiting to commit the deed. -Min Jin Lee | |
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| lara | Feb 5 2008, 04:06 PM Post #3 |
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Kopi Luwak
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I struggle with these things, as well, but we all love you for the compliments in this thread.
:) I think Bex's suggestion is pretty good. It's easy to move, too. I often go for consumables. A really nice bottle of wine, or chocolates, or if I'm on a trip, a specialty of the area I visited (fruit sauces and jams from the Okanagan Valley, for example). Not overly exciting, but at least they don't have to be moved, and they can be given to guests if the recipient isn't a big fan. |
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| Eral | Feb 6 2008, 12:02 AM Post #4 |
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Kopi Luwak
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What about a print/framed photo of a beautiful scene from the area you live in, or Montana? Or a re-print of a beautiful painting? A piece of beautiful pottery? Platter or bowl or decorative item? Coffee mug? Teacup set? A small sculpture of a rat? A silk or woollen scarf? There's always the good old book voucher - you could make it the price of a visit to the vet's (if that's not too dear) and it could be a gift and payment for services. Does she wear jewellery? Earrings/bracelet/necklace? Fillagree? Gemstone? Something from the BodyShop? I'd suggest a houseplant, but am unsure if moving to Montana means having to abandon all your plants. ( That must be so painful.) Photo frame? Music/CD voucher? |
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| Inky | Feb 6 2008, 01:58 AM Post #5 |
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Thai
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Excellent suggestions, everyone, thank you! Man, this is not my week. Sprained my ankle this morning on the VERY FIRST problem I was working on the VERY FIRST time I went to a new climbing gym. At least I have insurance now. |
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_____________ Jobbar du naken? | |
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| lara | Feb 6 2008, 02:14 AM Post #6 |
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Kopi Luwak
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I'm glad you have insurance, although I'm sorry about your ankle. A reminder of why I'm grateful for universal medicare. It was a bit of a shock to read that. |
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| Inky | Feb 6 2008, 03:40 PM Post #7 |
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Thai
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I was uninsured for several years. I had one or two jobs that offered it, but it was poor coverage and ridiculously expensive and I felt I would be less likely to go poor paying for my own health care. I almost went broke seeking a diagnosis for a mystery illness I have decided isn't pursuing and then avoided doctors for years until this came up. I was still panicky and hesitant to go to a doctor until a friend made the appointment and drove me and the office told me I didn't owe them ANYTHING and that was so nice. |
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| Regullus | Feb 6 2008, 03:52 PM Post #8 |
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Reliant
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I hope Olga is better. I'd suggest something but the bases have been covered. I like Bex's hiking guide book idea.
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| Inky | Feb 6 2008, 04:58 PM Post #9 |
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Thai
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I do too. I'm thinking I'm going to take a little from everyone and make a gift basket with a Montana book, a bottle of wine or some nice tea, and a mug crafted by someone with talent. Olga's...well, I dunno. We'll see how adding another antibiotic to the regimen helps. |
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| Regullus | Feb 6 2008, 05:11 PM Post #10 |
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Reliant
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Is Olga old? I thrive on gift baskets. There's bound to be something they like or can use. :D |
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| Bex | Feb 6 2008, 06:44 PM Post #11 |
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puppet dictator
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Gift baskets are so fun to put together. re: Olga :( |
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I belong to one of those families that does not speak to or see its members as often as we should, but if someone needed anyone to fall on a sword for her, there would be a queue waiting to commit the deed. -Min Jin Lee | |
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| Inky | Feb 6 2008, 08:52 PM Post #12 |
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Thai
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She's 2 1/2, which is getting up there for a rat. Her cagemate died of unknown causes a few months ago, and my attempt to find Olga a home with other rats was unfruitful. I didn't want to get a younger rat and start the cycle over again, so I've just been trying to spend as much time with her as I can, since they're social animals. I figured eventually she'd die quietly and then I could put the cages on Freecycle or something, but instead she's got this illness and she's had enough appetite and energy that euthanasia didn't feel right. She's going downhill, though, and if she isn't improving in the next few days I will probably have her put down. |
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_____________ Jobbar du naken? | |
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| Nibsi | Feb 6 2008, 08:57 PM Post #13 |
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Te zijner tijd
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I'm really sorry to hear that Inky. My sister used to keep rats, and they were the cutest little beasties. Very social indeed. A damn shame I was allergic to them, but that never stopped me from having them crawl up and down my sleeves and under my shirt and everything. :lol: When I or my sister was having a shower we'd let them loose in the bathroom, so they could run around. Drying yourself was a bitch because they'd keep on latching themselves into your towel. Amazing critters. Two of them had an abscess as well. It seems rats are prone to having them. |
| -Nibby | |
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| Burgundy | Feb 6 2008, 09:48 PM Post #14 |
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Used to be alright; what happened?
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Yeah, one of my sister's did too. |
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"Though We are not now that strength which in old days Moved earth and heaven; that which we are, we are; One equal temper of heroic hearts, Made weak by time and fate, but strong in will To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield." Alfred, Lord Tennyson - Ulysses | |
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| Eral | Feb 7 2008, 12:10 AM Post #15 |
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Kopi Luwak
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Inky, I'm glad we helped with the gift ideas. Take all the credit for yourself, though. |
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| Inky | Feb 7 2008, 03:14 AM Post #16 |
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Thai
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I get most of the icons, but toilet paper is one that's eluded me. |
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| Regullus | Feb 7 2008, 03:34 AM Post #17 |
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Reliant
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Anytime you would use a tissue. Usually sympathy, support, consolation. Example: Poster 1: Poster 2: or
Endless variations but it's kinda like handing someone a tissue. How about the :rooster:, , and ?I'll translate: = rage , = futility , = zebra of zings and = well, anything you want.Actually all the emoticons are pretty flexible except for which means Bex and me. ![]() |
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| Eral | Feb 7 2008, 04:22 AM Post #18 |
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Kopi Luwak
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The Toilet paper of Tea and Sympathy. Once, we made a point of having reasons for our smileys. Now, we have less pride. |
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| Bex | Feb 7 2008, 04:32 AM Post #19 |
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puppet dictator
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There's too damn many to have a reason for all of them. (You know I am not skilled in smilie nuance. I like to think I make up for it with my other fine qualities, whatever they may be.) I requested the because it reminds me of a friend every time I see it, and therefore it makes me happy.
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I belong to one of those families that does not speak to or see its members as often as we should, but if someone needed anyone to fall on a sword for her, there would be a queue waiting to commit the deed. -Min Jin Lee | |
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| Blood_Raven | Feb 7 2008, 02:53 PM Post #20 |
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Come burn with me.
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TheFrozen North forums. Where it's at. Mood for today: Perfection | |
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| Inky | Feb 8 2008, 04:42 AM Post #21 |
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Thai
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*feeds the raven her corpse-foot* |
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| Blood_Raven | Feb 8 2008, 02:10 PM Post #22 |
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Come burn with me.
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TheFrozen North forums. Where it's at. Mood for today: Perfection | |
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| Inky | Feb 8 2008, 05:39 PM Post #23 |
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Thai
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I suspect that given the choice between an ice-cream cone and roadkill most ravens will go for the roadkill every time. Nifty birds, yes, but not birds you want to make kissies with. |
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_____________ Jobbar du naken? | |
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| Bex | Feb 8 2008, 08:10 PM Post #24 |
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puppet dictator
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Ravens will preferentially eat Cheetos. True fact. (That book Camlos recommended was awesome.) |
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I belong to one of those families that does not speak to or see its members as often as we should, but if someone needed anyone to fall on a sword for her, there would be a queue waiting to commit the deed. -Min Jin Lee | |
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| Inky | Feb 9 2008, 01:20 AM Post #25 |
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Thai
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Seagulls eat peanut M&M's the same way they eat other hard-shelled goodies, by smashing them on rocks. We have quite a few ravens around here. They're not as big as I've seen them up North, but they're good-sized, probably pushing two feet long. On quiet mornings you can find a dozen or more congregating around a dumpster like a dead moose, and some have their distinct territories around town. It's interesting to see which birds learn different sounds. "Running water" is one of my favorites. |
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That must be so painful.)
I'd suggest something but the bases have been covered. I like Bex's hiking guide book idea.

,
and
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= rage ,
which means Bex and me. 


4:32 PM Jul 13