The girls are settling in pretty well, given that they were not hand-raised and are pestered by Tigger all of the time. *laughs* Instead of picking up Speedy and Sammy, I have changed tactics and am just petting them while they remain in their cage. They are trusting me more, and are climbing all over my hand and arm. I've got to be careful to actually keep them in their cage. lol
I just love that they are lively little girls, and have taken to climbing the walls and ceiling of their cage so they can play with me and chase me around (they know that I am the one who brings peanut butter). It's really cute. I even saw Speedy playing with the house that I got them the other day. Yay!
I have noticed that the girls are trying to make a habit of mouthing my fingers. That may not make sense to those who haven't had rats, but I learned quickly with Henry. He would walk around on me and grab my digits in his mouth. He wouldn't bite me, only hold my finger or toe in his mouth. It was kind of weird, but he didn't hurt me at all. The girls are now doing that, which is a new development. At least they aren't bolting away from me. They, like Henry, are wanting to rub on my hand and nibble my fingers. I know, I'm not supposed to let them do that, but so long as they don't bite, I'm not honestly bothered. We are just getting used to each other, and I don't mind them trying out their curiosities, so long as it doesn't involve tasting the inside of my finger. lol So far, Sammy is the more easy-going of the two, and isn't quite as easy to startle. She is the first to stick her nose through the cage to search me out. Speedy is catching on though, and is making some good progress. I really like Sammy, but Speedy is kind of my little 'pet project'. I want to work with her so she will relax and become a good friend.
Anywho, it's time to change the bedding of our ratty home, and that is some expensive stuff. We do not use pine or cedar shavings for our bedding, because it is bad for the respiratory health of the rats. So, I buy bedding that is made from some recycled paper. It is very absorbant, and fluffy. Because of the cost though, I've decided to put some of my childhood art knowledge to use.
When I was young, my uncle bought me a paper making kit, to make art projects out of. Now I am using the same kind of principles to make bedding for my furry girls. Basically, I am taking old news papers and washing them. I have a big bucket that DH gave to me, and I soak the paper and work it back into a paper pulp, and then go about removing the dye. After the paper is suitably clean, I strain the pulp, squeeze the excess water out, and crumble the paper on a large aluminum pan that I have (disposible). Then, if the day is nice and sunny, I could set it outside to dry. This time, I have chosen to cook the paper in the oven to bake the moisture out of it (LOW heat). When it is done, it looks just like the packaged bedding that you buy in the store, and it doesn't cost $8+ for a small bag. Since we get the Wednesday paper for free, it doesn't actually cost us anything to make our own rat bedding. If anyone ever decides to do this, I would advise wearing rubber kitchen gloves, unless you like to have funky looking hands. Lots of dye comes off of the newspaper, though it will make for easier handling if you strain the paper out and rinse it again. :o ) 
