Is the Zoo still open?

Helloooooooooooooo, to my beautiful Zodiac Zoo Crew! It has been so long that I bet you forgot that's what you're called, huh? I mean, I see I've lost some followers, and that's my fault. But I'm back and ready to get back in the swing of things.

I must say I have missed you all and your blogs. It's a bit confusing to me how I ended up making LESS time for my blog after I finished school, since I was juggling work, school, and the blog before. I wish I could say it's because I got a snazzy new job with my degree, but that is not the case. All in good time, though. I have high hopes.

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I can't wait to read all about what you have all been doing in my absence. I see it wasn't dusting and cleaning up around this place! Phew! I think there are still remnants of the last Zoo party around here. Ahhh, I miss the Zoo parties. I bet someone has one going on around here now that I'm missing. Eek! 

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Okay, that picture is more than a little disturbing, which is why I had to show it. You all missed me, didn't ya? Admit it! :) 

So, let's see. What do you need to be filled in on since my last post? Actually, not a whole lot of life-changing type information. I've been busy with work and family things, but luckily no more tragedies since the horrible last summer we had. And yes, I am quickly knocking on wood as I type that! 

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I bought myself two of those lucky bamboo thingies after the summer our family had. The real shocker isn't that we've been okay, but that I've managed to keep the plants alive. Need I remind you of the mums? No, I won't post that pitiful picture again. 

Soooooo, I'm back and I'm not going to abandon you all anymore. I realize how much I miss doing this and how big a kick I get out of reading your comments and your blogs. You all make me smile every day, and I need that back in my life. 

Plus, I figured today was a good day to start since it's freaking cold outside so I am definitely not looking for any reason to do anything outside. But mainly it's because I missed you guys... mostly. 

I really want to thank all of my followers who stuck around in my absence. You all are the greatest! It will be worth it, I swear. Now I am off like a prom dress to go check out what my peeps have been up to. 

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Have a great week!

Happy 100th to The Zodiac Zoo Crew!

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So it's official! You Animals have been stuck with me for 100 blog posts. Well, you might not have been here that long, but there are that many for you to take your happy ass back to read. Aren't you thrilled? I am sitting at 95 followers, so I'm hoping that will jump over 100 soon.

In honor of the 100th post, I think I'm going to give you some links to a few of my favorite posts. Personally, I'm going to take it easy on this Monday and enjoy reading YOUR blogs since I've done so much hard work for 100 posts. What? You don't think that was hard? It's very taxing on my brain, ya know! Even though I try to kill off the weak brain cells when I can... I am so behind in my Reader anyway, that this will give me an excuse to take it easy today because I absolutely love reading everyone's posts.

So here are a few I enjoyed writing, and I think others enjoyed reading...

My Mom stories always seem to be a big hit. My mother is a trip and a half, so feel free to look back on these: Reindeer Games for Mom, Up on the Rooftop.. with Mom, Mom's Adventures on Noah's Ark. I think I have one or two more of those yet to write so stick around.

These were pretty popular posts as far as views go... My Dentist is Hot!, Then and Now, A Jackass tried to ruin the Christmas Parade. 


I think that's enough reading material for you. And look, no animal posts. Well, not really. Hmmmm... When I first started writing you all recommended me because of my animal posts. Is it a good or bad thing I moved away from that?? Something to think about for the next 100!

Thanks for sticking with me and making me feel like what I had to say was pretty good reading, folks. I am truly thankful for each and every one of you who take the time to read my blog since I know there are so many other places in cyberspace you could be right now.

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Come join the shout-out party, and find out your new name!

Now for the moment you have all been waiting for... You will officially be named, my wonderful followers, by the end of this blog post. So I have until then to make up my mind for sure, right? Good, because I am still debating between a couple of things, and I don't know how to handle it.

I figured I would go ahead and pimp out... I mean, give a shout-out to everyone who participated in the contest and/or decided to steal my fancy new button. Since your responses and suggestions were so great, I'm putting them all here for everyone's enjoyment. Feel free to comment and give us all a link to your blog even if I didn't link you up here so you can join in on finding some new blogging friends.

Cinderita from The Adventures of Cinderita: Fellow bullshitters (She was worried that was wrong? Not with this crew!)

Amy from This House Gets Crazy at Three O'Clock: Little Lovelies (She did the wonderful drawings on my site, by the way!)

Vicki from Glitter Frog: Bullettes (get it? like bullets but... shit, never mind, she says)

Abby from Abby Has Issues: We could be "calve-aleers" or "bullies" or something with horny in it...

Alessandra from The Life and Times of A. Nighbert: How about Tauries? You know like the Tories only better... Hey, how about Boveeners?

Oilfield Trash from Make Daddy a Sammich: I would say bullshitters but you don't have a dirty mouth. So how about Ballsy Bulls? (Ha! He doesn't think I have a dirty mouth. Tell that to my momma.)

Amber from Amber LaShell Rants and other blogs: Hmmm, maybe Talkers? Is that stupid? I was thinking Bailey Bugs, you know after your dog..but that might be just cause I was looking at a picture when I thought of it. LOL (I thought they were both cute and NOT stupid, by the way! And she did the new design for my blog.)


Yvonne from Writing my life away!: How about "Talkative Readers"?

J.Day from The Ramblings of Charlie Brown: Oh man! I was gonna say "bullshitters"! LOL Oh well, if we stick with the cow thing... um, your "herd"?

ib from The Habitual Hobbit: Krissy's Kurmudgeon's  - A curmudgeon is defined as one that dislikes humanities absurdities. But, see what I did? I replaced the (C) with a (K) to fit better with Krissy, cause it's fu... ahh, forget it. I'm suck. (You most definitely aren't suck, and I SERIOUSLY considered this.)

The Adorkable Ditz from The Adorkable Ditz' Missteps: Taurites, Cow Pies, ChatterCows, Literate Bulls...

lyndylou from The Giggle Fest: How about My Little Taureans?

Don (who doesn't write a blog but should and gives many of us mad blog love and encouragement): Name your followers "Beautiful Babes and Horny Jerks." LOL (Virtual hugs and kisses being sent your way at your request, Don.)


becca from My Life: I like the name Scoobies, or bullpen.

AbsolutelyPrimed from Over Developed, Under Exposed: Hmmmm... Bull Chasers? Running with the Bull?

The Tame One from Thoughts of an Oxymoron: Taureans! Well, except I'm a Scorp, but still. Either way, I'm your bullshitter baby. ;-) (And I love that you are, girl!)


John from Full-On Forward: Total BSFrom... or BuckOff.. How about Matadorians, or Bullfighters..

Emily from Shut Up and Smile: hmmmmm how about your pitbulls. I know it's a dog.. but I think it sounds cool. (So did I!)


Canadian Blogger Girl: Still sticking with your Zodiacs for the name of ur peeps. (She is in the process of moving, but you'll love her when she comes back if you don't already follow her.)


Kat from Tapetum Lucidum: Well naturally you know that I like Rita's "The Bullshitters." ;-) Members of the Bull Pen? Since a Taurus=Bull, Pen=writing, and it's... I'm overexplaining, aren't I? I'm so sleeeeepyyy... (I thought that explanation made it so much cooler!)


Patty from Patty Punker: Toros!

Now, before I reveal the winner that I have not listed yet, I want you all to know I LOVED all of your suggestions. It was very hard for me to choose, and I honestly needed the extra day to make up my mind on a couple of things. But I won't stall anymore... The winner came from...

Average Girl from It's an Average Life (and other great blogs!): THE ZODIAC ZOO CREW

I absolutely fell in love with that one as soon as I read it! Though it incorporates what CBG suggested with the Zodiacs, I think expanding it to The Zodiac Zoo Crew means I will actually call you my Animals for short. I hope you all like it because you are stuck with it now. I thought you all being Animals was kind of fitting since many people give me praise on their blogs for being such an animal lover, and you all know I love you all to pieces!

So there ya go, my Animals. (AG, let me know what website you want your $25 gift certificate from, and I'll be sending it your way.) Thanks so much for all of the help, everyone! And for those who didn't participate, don't forget to give us your link in the comments so others can find you, too.

Update: Since AG is a woman after my own heart, she has chosen for me to donate the money instead to my local shelter. Because she was so generous to give up her shopping trip so readily for something I hold dear, I've chosen to double it. We just saved some puppies and kittens, people!