Hammy, Version 2.0 - now with extra life

We visited eight pet stores before finding Manni our new hammy. On Friday, we'd contemplated bringing home a hammy who had a hurt mouth from another pet store; however, when we returned on Saturday he had already found a new home. At one of the last stores we were visiting, we asked if they had any really dark brown hamsters; the employee said they had a bunch of new hamsters in the back that were just released from quarantine (yippee!). We picked Manni out of a bunch of squirming little hamsters. He didn't protest being picked-up and he hasn't nipped (good signs).

The name, Manni, is from the German movie Run Lola Run or Lola rennt. So our Manni is a Russian Dwarf Hamster with a German name. We're excited to have a new littl' member to the household!

Blurry picture of Manni trying to escape from the confines of the pet shop box.

HAIR

It was time to donate my hair again! I brought along some work-friend gals and went to a downtown salon called Static; the Hair Tech, Jayde, did an awesome job with my new do. Today, I sent off my ponytail to Locks of Love. Looking back, it was May of 2007 when I last made a hair donation.

MINI Awareness Day at MOM

Saturday we showed our support and love for MINI Coopers by joining fellow MINI people at MINI of Murray (MOM) for MINI Awareness Day [wow, that last sentence has some serious word repeating going on in it]. We watched the Italian Job, ate bratwurst (with caramelized onions - YUM), and then a caravan of MINIs did the test drive loop. We picked up our MINI at MOM five years ago on April 1. Thus far, our MINI has brought us new friends, a new love for the road, and thanks to the rallies, it has taken us to countless places where we wouldn't have traveled to/experienced otherwise.

Check out that windshield crack - eek!
The weather wasn't so great but we were still DOIN' IT!

Police watching us... no tickets today.

...and I thought OUR MINI was small!

Goodbye Brown Hamster

After being in the animal hospital less than 24-hours, Ken received the call that Hamsta's little body had given up. His sudden sickness still remains unexplainable. After work, we picked up his remains, which will be buried in the backyard. We are thankful to have been his Goodie Dispensers and already miss him so much. Thanks to all who send their condolences.

Brown Hamster 03/2008-04/01/2009