Jenn Martinelli Blogging in Boston

Last night we took care of our semi-monthly task of getting a zipcar to make a "big" grocery shopping trip. Typically this means a trip to BJs to get big bulk things and usually another grocery store other than those we can reach on foot in the city to get better selection and pricing. Typically, of late, we had been going to various Stop and Shops in places like Somerville, Dedham, and various other towns. In our experience Stop and Shop has overall better pricing than Shaw's, which is the only kind of grocery store we can easily reach in the city (there is one right at the Prudential Center and another in walking distance to our condo in East Boston).

However, we had been wanting to try stopping in at the enormous Marketbasket in Chelsea, which we pass on the way to the BJs in Medford. We decided to check it out last night, and let me tell you, this store is amazing.

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If that doesn't warm your heart then you probably have no business being here at my site.

This is a puppy named Guppy and a tortoise named Crouton. They live at Rocky Ridge Refuge which is about one of the most wonderful places I've ever heard of.

( Update : This puppy is one that Janice decided to keep as a companion for Crouton because she loved this litter of puppies so much. The others were adopted. So sweet that Crouton gets to keep this friend!)

Janice, the owner of the land and the woman who runs the refuge, goes above and beyond what most people would expect on a regular basis to help the animals that end up in her care.

She has rescued, rehabilitated, and cared for everything from dogs and cats to water buffalo, zebras, deer, skunks, and capybaras.

Want to see dogs napping in a field with deer? Janice has it. Bunnies snuggling with pit bulls? Check. Ducklings and kittens hanging out together? Yep.

Beyond the ridiculously adorable photos such as this one, Janice does really important work and is kind of my hero.

If you ever have the desire to donate to an animal rescue related cause, I'd love for you to keep Rocky Ridge in mind. It is entirely funded with Janice's own personal resources and donations.

Check out her site as well. She does outreach locally and welcomes visitors to the refuge.

And Happy Anniversary to my very dear friends who were married on this day 7 years ago! I was lucky enough to be there for the happy event. Happy Anniversary Clementine and Hashbrown!

Sometimes you really do me proud, Massachusetts.

This is a test

Dear Mass:

I have a real love/hate relationship with you at times. I adore your pinko commie ways, but I don't understand why you usually insist on electing looney republicans like Mitt Romney as your governor.

Anyway, be that as it may, today I am happy because you let both Rob and me file our taxes online for free, and the process was pretty painless and fast (about a half hour for both of us) despite the fact that each of ours was a little complicated at least.

So, thank you, Massachusetts Department of Revenue, for making my life easier.

love,
Jenn

Also, please note how infrequently this category, "Thanks" is actually used.

Anyone who knows me knows my life is less than ideal right now. But it could be a lot worse, and there are a lot of problems I don't have to deal with right now.

I know a lot of folks who had a lot of bad stuff go on over the holidays, sudden deaths and illnesses, break-ups, other bad stuff.

I need to remember to be happy for what I have even while working to make everything else better. But my heart goes out to everyone who has so much more to worry about right now.

Here's to a good new year for everyone.

(Well, everyone I don't hate. Let's be honest here.)

Brian bought me the foot massage gizmo I asked for the other day. Isn't he so nice?

It just arrived at my office as a surprise and it's so awesome! I love it, it makes my foot feel 100% better while I'm using it.

Thanks, Brian!