Author Archives: 551647992381435

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Hello...

Ande here! Last, but not least!

It's safe to say I'm the black sheep of the Tiptoe family.  I'm only 21 years old (turning 22 the end of June though)!! I don't have a wonderful husband or a sweet, little child of my own to tell you about.  Instead, my life runs on a completely different level....

I just completed my junior year as a biology student at Shepherd University.  Although, the likelihood that you've seen me elsewhere is very high. The entire time I've been in school, I've also been a volunteer at Briggs Animal Adoption Center, a volunteer/intern at the Blue Ridge Wildlife Center in VA, a sales associate at Petco, a berry vendor at the Farmer's Market in down town Charles Town and Middletown, a volunteer for my friend's Relay for Life team-Sister's With a Cause, and an avid member of Gold's Gym. Do you want me to go on? Because I totally could! Lol! All in all, I'm a busy girl, and I like it that way.

When I'm not being a busy body, I'm most likely sleeping. And you might think that's understandable seeing as how I'm always running around, but when I say I sleep...I mean I sleep.  I can't get enough of it, seriously.  I've slept a solid 20/24 hours before and it's been that way since I was about 12 y/o.  I normally average out at about 10 hours each night though.  It's my guilty pleasure and it's pathetic, I know. Other than that, I'm probably having cuddle time with my kitties or at the dog park with my 1 year old. Although, I might also be watching Netflix (I'm finishing 'Orange is the New Black' right now!!) or reading various pleasure books (text books during the school year though, ew).

I also spend a good chunk of time with my magnificent boyfriend of 3.5 years (fingers crossed that I will be calling him my fiance at some point this summer)!  Some people would say that we're joined at the hip.  We do everything together, because life is bearable and overall just more functional with eachother side by side. So with that being said.... okay, here's the doozy.....

Ehem.

I regret to inform you that I will be leaving Tiptoe Studios in order to further my acedemic career at the Davis College of West Virginia University as an Animal and Nutritional Sciences major this August.

Let me explain...Chris, my magnificent boyfriend I was talking about, will be attending WVU's Dental graduate program this fall. So I was faced with the very difficult decision to leave my life here behind to venture to this new beginning with Chris or to stay behind and finish my undergrad degree at Shepherd University.  Either way, I will have to leave eventually so I can attend Veterinary school so there was really no reason to delay the inevitable.  Attending WVU will give me a better chance of getting accepted into a vet school and I get to start this exciting, new chapter in my life!!

I would like to thank...

my parents-for dealing with me and letting me live with them up until now

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my siblings-for simply being there for me when I needed to complain about the struggles of being a student

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my boyfriend-for being the definition of perfect and for being by my side through thick and thin

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my friends-for being so supportive and always being down for a good time

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my pets- and really all animals in my life, past and present, for inspiring me to become a veterinarian. I love my poopsies :3

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my girls- for EVERYTHING.  I joined the team right out of high school and I couldn't have ever imagined that you guys would take me on such an adventure. You all are the freakin' dream team.  I can't wait to see what the future holds for Tiptoe and I can't express how thankful I am to have been a part of this. I LOVE YOU GUYS SO MUCH!

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And with that, I will say...

...Goodbye.

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Every year, there's this group of people who collectively express their enmity for February 14th. Some of them just outright hate this day simply because they don't have a significant other to share it with. They just get in this bad mood and they let it be known to the world.  Others, however, shut themselves away with a gallon of ice cream in one arm and a box of tissues in the other.  Adele plays in the background while 'The Notebook' is set to re-run on TV. They turn into a big ol' sob bucket for a day and mope around all because no one loves them like Noah loves Allie.

Now, if you're having difficulty identifying whether you're being a V-Day downer or not, here are a couple signs to determine where to place yourself in this discussion...

You're status updates say something to the effect of, "Ugh!! This is such a stupid holiday.  THIS girl don't need a man in order to be happy.  V-Day's such a joke!"

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"I can't even go to the store without seeing hearts and chocolates and all the cute things that no one will be getting me for Valentine's Day....I guess I'll just stay home by myself.  Hopefully 'The Notebook' is on TV. I need a good cry."

Alright, LOOK HERE YOU..... Firstly, you're taking a dump on everyone else's Valentine's Day, so stop.  Don't take away a smile on someone else's face just because you decided not to have one on yours.

Here's why you should have a smile on your face though...

  1. 'Walking Dead' comes back on Sunday night.
  2. You have an excuse to make/buy goodies and eat them!
  3. Because you deserve it - Don't tell me you can be so easily defeated...by a date on the calendar!?  Don't make yourself miserable over it.  It's supposed to be fun and just because you don't have a 'special someone' at the moment doesn't mean you're excluded from the party.
  4. Because life is easier when you make the best of it - Even if you can't see it now, there IS a positive side to every situation.  You might not realize it for years to come, but it's there, I promise. So on Valentine's Day, shut up and make the best of it.
  5. There's enough negativity in the world already - Pleeease don't add to it.  The less, the better.
  6. Lastly, there is ALWAYS someone, something that is in need of love - So spread the good feelings and in turn, it might just brighten your own day. Win-win.

A lot of the time, Valentine's Day is thought to exist solely for the pleasure of those who have husbands, wives, boyfriends, or girlfriends. But there is so much more to it!!  Love isn't restricted to a partner.  Here's some ways to enjoy yourself and let the good feelings flow on Valentine's Day (with, or without a partner).

  1. Spend the day making crafts and baking V-Day cookies with your little one. Decorate one for eachother and chow down while you watch your favorite movies together.
  2. No kiddies? Maybe fur babies are the center of your life...Bake homemade treats for the fluff balls. Do things together that you both enjoy. An outdoor stroll, fetch, a trip to the petstore for a new plaything or a rawhide of choice. Please don't do those things with your cat though... I would suggest inviting them on your lap while you sip tea and read that book that you've been meaning to break out. Afterwards, maybe get real crazy and break into the catnip.
  3. Can't get enough of the outdoors?  Take a day trip to a place you've never been before.  Then, treat yourself to that restaurant you've been eyeing for the past year and end the day with a glass of wine.
  4. Create something, just to create.  Treat yourself to some new art supplies and a bottle of the good stuff. Let the creativity flow.
  5. Bring your co-workers a couple dozen Valentine's Day donuts or have a bake day and surprise them with cookies on Monday.
  6. Adopt a furry friend. There's always a bundle of fluffy love out there in need of a good home.
  7. Give a homeless guy breakfast and a blanket.
  8. Put more gas on your pump than you can put in your car. Let the next person have whatever's left.
  9. Spend the day making your neighbors little gift baskets and leave it at their door for when they get home.
  10. Make cupcakes. Eat all of them.

Y'all get the point. Spend your day doing something you love, being with someone/something you love, or just showing love.  Enjoy life and all it's given you. And honestly, don't just apply this to your Valentine's Day, apply it to any day. With that being said...

Happy Valentine's Day everyone!!!<3

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I'm now one (very huge) step closer to working side by side with wildlife, but this time rabies vectors included.  In another month, this girl will be able to take on racoons, skunks, bats, fox, and more!  Maybe that sounds more scary than exciting to you, but for me, it's one giant step towards experiencing a lifetime of excitement and adventures with the amazing variety of wild animals the east coast has to offer.

The preventative Rabies vaccination comes in a series of three intramuscular injections. The first and second are one week apart and the last shot is about one month after the second. (I've got two more to go, Lord help me.) I HATE needles. And that's an understatement. I walked into the Public Health Department for my injection last week, nervous smile,  heart beating like a little mouse, and boyfriend in tow.  No way was I doing this solo...no intense hand holding? No one to make sure I don't hit my head on something when I faint? No one to roll their eyes at me when I start tearing up?  That's not how this Ande gets her shots....There's either a hand to hold or it's not happening.

The injection was actually the best (if there is such a thing) needle related experience I've had. Just a little poke and it was over! I was very pleasently surprised, because I've read about how painful the injection can be. About 12 hours later I realized why it was said to be such a painful injection. For a solid 24 hours, it felt like someone had used that one area of my arm as a punching bag. Can't wait for round two this week! lol

One last note...Because I care about you guys...If you see a wild animal that appears as though it may be injured or suffering from a disease or virus like Rabies, first, take a step back and contact your local Wildlife Center (closest to Jefferson County is the Blue Ridge Wildlife Center-they're awesome). Let them guide you in what you should do. Their guidence can be crucial for your safety and the animal's wellbeing. ALWAYS make this your first step, because if you get bitten by a rabid animal, you have to get a series of five shots AFTER the series of three shots. That's a total of eight shots that all make you feel like a muscley, 300 lb. man used your upper arm as a punching bag. Not to mention, the post-exposure injections that will save your life will also cost you almost $20,000. So be smart!!

First preventative injection down! Two to go. Watch out all you little cute rabies vectors, I'm coming to help rehabilitate you!<3

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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The excitement began here. We were finally aboard the plane and heading towards the runway. Then, in what seemed like a matter of seconds, we went up, up and away! Adventure awaits!!

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At this point in time, nothing but the overwhelming beauty of the land filled my thoughts. I love being in the air! My very first flight, which I took out to AZ when I was about 10 years old, excited me to the point in which I vowed to one day earn my pilots licence.  That vow still stands.

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Okay. So enough sight seeing! Let's go!! At this point, my partner was strapped tight to the back of me. If he leaned right, so did I and if he leaned left, I did too.  In this case, all he had to do was lean forward and we would be falling out of the plane, because my legs were already dangling thousands of feet in the air. I couldn't bring myself to look down, so I looked at Chris until.....

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Goodbye cozy comfort box and hellooooo Adrenaline!

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I love this shot because the plane is right above us and the initial feeling of the jump is still fresh. Just wow. At this point, I was just observing how free falling felt.  It felt like pressure on the entirety on your body. Like the driest mouth you've ever had and the most quiet scream that's ever left your mouth. You see the whole world before you, yet you hear absolutely nothing. It was raw feeling and thought; the very first of a kind you've never experienced before. Breathtaking....literally....

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We were about done our fall in this photo so we were most likely plummeting towards the earth at about 120 mph.

P.S. If you plan on doing this, keep your mouth closed. lol It's a lot easier to breathe through your nose than your mouth while falling!!

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By now, my partner has released the parachute, but that didn't mean the excitement was over! We were the third group to exit the plane, but the first group to reach the ground because we spun our butts off!! Check out that angle!!

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Cruising...the ride's about over, but my Adrenaline is still flowing.

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Landing was the easiest part of the process. You simply lift your legs up and (oh, so gracefully) scoot your butt along the ground until you stop. Success! After what seemed like a lifetime in the air, you're finally back on the ground. As soon as I landed, I had to just sit there on the ground and let my brain digest what had happened over the past few minutes. I willingly got into a plane, attached myself to a complete stranger, and threw myself out of the aircraft thousands of feet above the ground.

And I'd do it again in a heartbeat.

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Every year, the county fair is something I look forward to. If you put aside the flocks of screaming teenagers pushing past you, the deep, warm pile of cow dung you just stepped in, and the massively overpriced food that smells sooo good (but is sooo bad for your wallet and your health) then the fair is really fun!

I go at least three times during the week. My first trip is usually to watch my brother play in the school band.  This year, he's a freshman at Washington Highschool, so it was kinda cool to see how far they've come with the show music.  Every year I watch him perform at the fair, it brings back a whole flood of band memories from my own middle school/highschool years. *tear runs down my cheek*

The second time I go to the fair, it's usually for some event.  Sometimes I watch the Demolition Derby or the bull riding.  This year, I attended "Cow Chip Bingo"! I never even knew such a brilliant game existed until Tara mentioned it.  I bought my square for bingo Thursday evening and I was feeling really good about my F8 square, but Blanca the cow decided that E10 (only two spots away from mine) was the $1000 winner when she pooped on it (not even 10 seconds after entering the ring, btw). There's always next year F8...

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My third and last trip to the county fair is usually, you guessed it, food based. I have to have my last butterfly fry, funnel cake, and sweet tea meal for the year.  It's kind of my way of saying goodbye to summer.  Right after the fair, I usually begin school and the next 8 months of my life consists of nothing except biology and chemistry and research and sleeplessness and exams and you get the idea......

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Until next year Jefferson County Fair<3

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Many of the residents of Jefferson County are familiar with the All Good Festival which took place this year at a privately owned farm along the dinky backroads of Summit Point.  I live on those very same backroads.  In fact, I could see the festivities from my backyard!

I've heard a lot of negativity regarding All Good, but I've also heard a lot of positive outlooks on it as well.  I can't say that it was one or the other, because there are pros and cons to every situation, but I can share my individual experience as an up close and personal resident of the Rippon/Summit Point area.

I began to see changes about a week before the festival started.  "EXPECT DELAYS" signs were aligning Rt. 340.  An absurd amount of "POSTED", "NO TRESPASSING", and "PRIVATE PROPERTY" signs were popping up in nearly all of my neighbor's yards. (By the way guys, All Good is over sooo you can take your signs down now...we are beginning to look like the least friendly neighborhood in all of West Virginia lol). And the seemingly endless, serene field that I admired nearly every day slowly became enclosed by fences, uprooted by trucks, and disbanded by people.

The first day, I left my house in the midst of action.  (This girl's got places to be and things to do!! I will not be deterred!)  With my neon yellow "LOCAL TRAFFIC" sign in hand, I braced myself for the worst.  My backroads were fine, but a friend informed me Route 340 was impossible to maneuver that day.  I, however, had no difficulty getting to where I needed to be all week long via backroads.  (And a huuuge thanks to the PoPo for keeping the local routes clear for locals only. You guys did awesome!)

The second day, I decided to grab my #rideordie girlfriend and dive into the action.  I mean, I had free week-long passes because I lived so close, so was I gonna hit that up?? Uhm, YEAHHH! And honestly, I'm glad we did.  The music was fabulous, the food (or at least the hushpuppies there) were great, and ohhh my gosh, don't even get me started on how magnificent the people watching was...  As day turned into night, more people came out in the yard area to grab a bite, listen to great tunes, and nurse a beer (or five).  My friend and I ended our night by watching a talented group of fire dancers perform before starting on our quiet walk back home.

For the remainder of the festival, I was stuck at work, but I do plan on attending next summer. And as for the field, well, it's working it's way back to looking like the rolling green hills I know so well.

Crappy phone pics for your viewing pleasure...

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Ande here! With your daily, animal-lovin' blog! JK...kinda.

But seriously...story time and yes, of course it involves animals.

A couple months ago, I caught one of the many feral cats that occupy my yard.  My intent was to socialize it so I can get it out of my yard and into someone's loving arms. (Yeah, update on that, it's not happening.  I still have her and she still hates me with all the hate a single feline can possibly muster.)

After a period of time had passed, I figured if she hadn't warmed up to me by now, then living a tame life just wasn't in the cards for her.  I'd get her spayed and then let her go on her way.

I made the call to Spay Today and I was heading to Briggs to finalize her appointment when I discovered...kittens. Great! She popped five of those suckers out the night before which left me with a mother cat that wants to claw my eyes out and her five newborns. They are all sweet and, naturally, as curious as ever. They're just over a month old now and I'm on the search for loving forever homes.

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Of course I had to have a mini-photoshoot with them...approaching 2 weeks old

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It really doesn't get any cuter.

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One month now...mischievous little buggars (apologies for the poopy phone quality photos)

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Can't you just hear the 'MEWW'!?

If you or anyone you know is looking for a life companion, please call or email me (540-686-5888//arccows@gmail.com) If I don't find home for these little babes I don't know what I'm going to do with five kitties!!

 

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Everyone knows that I'm a huuuuge animal lover.

Photography may be half my life, but the other half is, undoubtedly, animals.

I mean... I work at PETCO. I'm a PET sitter for half my neighborhood. I'm a PET mommy. I'm a college student currently gearing up for vet school so I can take care of PETS!! My life pretty much revolves around animals!!

So it's only natural that I combine my two most favorite things in the world into one! Introducing Mini Sessions for you AND your furry/feathered/scaly friends! ALL animals welcome!

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Multitasking has never been such a huge part of my life as it is now.

I’m not just a Tiptoe girl.

I’m a cashier at your local Ranson Petco.  I’m a volunteer for the Blue Ridge Wildlife Center.  I’m a volunteer at Briggs Adoption Center.  I’m a Biology student with a Chemistry minor at Shepherd University.  I’m a co-worker, a caregiver, a sister, a daughter, a girlfriend, a best friend, a bridesmaid, a pet mommy, should I go on? Lol

But the truth is… I LOVE IT ALL.

I’ve long since realized life will never be ‘simple’ again.  It will only pile on heavier.  As my life has gotten more and more chaotic, photography has become even more rewarding.  I know I’m not the only one whose life is going a hundred miles per hour.  So knowing that I'm helping preseve a sliver of time for someone else is awesome and reminds me to do the same for myself.  I guess this kinda coincides with Lisa's post from a couple weeks ago, but seriously...it's important!  Take a moment and realize how great life is.  Capture it.  And then keep doing everything you love. Repeat.