2 new fur kids

Here are the new members of the tribe!  Oscar and Felix.  I adopted them from Purr Partners Rescue.  They are 7 month old litter mates that were rescued from a local shelter.  

After we lost Otto, the girls and I really needed some new life in the house.  We were not ready for a new dog (and still aren't) but I thought kittens might be ok.  And it turned out to be a match made in furry heaven!  Of course my being allergic to cats presented a problem, but it was nothing that Benedryl and Zyrtec couldn't fix!  They are so much fun and make me laugh all the time.  I will write more about their antics and I think Bunnie and Chloe probably have a few words to say about them, but for right now, just check out their incredible cuteness!

In the negative

I have had a rough couple of days. So, to rid my karma of all of this negative energy, I am going to post all the things that are driving me crazy right now:
It is illegal to drive while listening to an iPod, yet I can’t find any specific information on it being illegal to READ THE NEWSPAPER WHILE DRIVING DOWN INTERSTATE 540 at 70 miles per hour. I think listening to my iPod is way less distracting.

It annoys me that my car has to be safety inspected. Really? How about inspecting the guy reading the paper…

When you see a sign that says FREE FLOW LANE-that means you FREELY FLOW INTO THE NEXT LANE!!! Don’t stop. That is what a STOP sign is for.

My car is not invisible. Please do not cut me off. I am trying to get somewhere just like you are.

Also, tailgating is annoying. If I can see you picking your nose when I look in my rearview mirror you are too close.  BACK OFF!!!!

Hmmmm….I see a pattern here….

In honor of Otto

On July 11, 2010 I lost my Otto.  He went to the Rainbow Bridge with me holding him and telling him how much I loved him.  I know it was the right thing to do-to let him go-but it was the hardest thing I have ever done.  I always wondered how I would know when the time came.  How do you make a decision like that?  I have been afraid of that day for years.  And it finally came.  I never thought Otto would be the first of my fur kids to leave me, but he was so sick.  I just could not let him suffer.  He was the best boy and I miss him every single day.  I know he is running around Dog Heaven (yes, I do truly believe there is one) barking and eating as many treats as he wants.  His friends are there: Finn, Zack, Sophie, Beau and Max and so many others.  I will never forget how soft his ears were or how sweet he was when you got one of his very rare kisses.  Otto, I will always love you and you always be my most special boy.

Where am I?

Wow, it has been a long time since I blogged. And so much has happened (some happy and some down right AWFUL)! I guess I need to update the 3 people who read this. So here it goes, hold on because it is going to be a bumpy ride!

A Short Ode to Chloe, on Her Birthday

Happy Birthday Chloe! You turn 14 today. I am so proud to be your dog mom. You are such a good girl and I love you so much.  You have been with me through the darkest times of my life and have been my comfort and joy. I can only hope that I have been half as good to you as you have been to me.

I love you Bumble Bee!!

Happy Moment # 1

The look on my niece's face when she saw that I was still wearing the plastic pony bead bracelet that she made me for Valentine's Day. 

Let it Snow

Well, we have our first official snow stormof 2010 here in North Carolina.  And I already have cabin fever.  In theory, I love a good snow storm and resulting snow days.  It is so comforting to think about staying home, cozy in flannel pjs bottoms, sweatshirts and socks.  Watching t.v. shows on dvr, taking naps whenever you want, eating cereal for dinner and pizza for breakfast.  And then there is the reality; dogs constantly wanting to go out, tracking in snow every 30 minutes, worrying about the power going out because it is sleeting, empty dvr and not being able to go anywhere.  This time, I am going to try and make this snow day a day I always want.  A day where I don't worry about getting here and going there, trying to get 500 things done and worried about what time it is.

It is noon-time for breakfast!

So, I have been very neglectful of my blog lately. I think it is because I feel like I have to post something meaningful or wise each time. And lets be honest; I am neither wise nor do I think meaningful things all the time. So, I decided to do my blog a little more like Facebook or Twitter. You know, little short updates, or goofy things I am thinking about. We will see how this goes. Here is the first one: (I know, you are super excited, right? Ha ha)

I went to Target last night to get some Christmas lights. Just the basic 100 lights on green wire type. I know I should buy the expensive LED lights, they are more energy efficient and better for the environment. And if you know me, you know I am all about being green, recycling, reducing my carbon foot print…except when it comes to Christmas lights. I can’t see paying $14.99 for 100 LED lights when I can pay $2.49 for 100 regular lights. I know the other ones last longer but really? I mean they come out once a year and half the time you have to replace bulbs etc. I just don’t have time for that. I know I am lazy. but the regular ones do say they are now 40% more energy efficient. But I am getting off topic…

So I went to Target and could not find the lights that I wanted. There were, net lights, icicle lights, Fancy LED lights for inside in all shapes and colors, rope lights…but no regular, run of the mill multi lights on green wire. So I asked the salesperson about it. The conversation went something like this:

Me: “Hi, I can’t seem to find the boxes of 100 multi lights”.
Mr. Target: “That is because we don’t have any out”.
Me: “Oh, well do you know when they will put more out”?
Mr. Target: “Nope. I don’t think we will be re-stocking”.
Me: “Oh, so you are not re=stocking tonight”?
Mr. Target: “Nope, we are not re-stocking at all. We are sold out and no, I don’t think we will be getting any more of those lights”
Me: “but it is only December 7th. There are almost 3 weeks left until Christmas”…
Mr. Target: Shrugs and walks off

So, I am perplexed as to how Target can be sold out of lights. I mean come on folks. There are 17 more days until Christmas! What do you mean you are out of lights? I had to go to another Target where I did find them but even there, they had very few. I heard that stores were going to be ordering less merchandise this year so as not to be stuck with a whole lot after Christmas. I get that. But there should still be basic lights available. Bah Humbug!

Looks like "I need a little Christmas NOW"!

Thanksgiving

Well it is that time of year again when families and friends gather for a big turkey dinner and plan their shopping strategy for "Black Friday" (ok, at least that is what my family does after dinner)!

I started to think about Thanksgiving and everything that I have to be thankful for.  And really, there were too many things to think about!  And that is a good thing.  No a great thing!  I am thankful for everything that I have (family, dogs, friends, house, car, job..) and everything that I don't (illness, strife, loneliness, poverty..).

I wish for you all things to be thankful for.

Do you ever feel like this?

Hair Dos

I am obsessed with my hair. That sounds so vain doesn’t it? And if you know me than you know "vain" is not a word that describes me. However, when it comes to my hair, I guess that I am.  And I freely admit that...


For example, I very rarely wear make up on the weekend. Maybe for church, but even that is rare. But my hair has to look good.  I can have some ratty tshirt and old sweat pants on but my hair has to be just so. I am not sure how this happened. But I can remember even being that way in high school.

My bathroom is full of hair products from shampoos and conditioners to pomades and hair sprays. I have flat irons and round brushes and flat brushes and hair clips of every type. And I am always looking for new stuff.  A spray to make your hair shiney...I want that! 

Maybe I am this way because my hair and my eyes are the only two parts of me that I really like. Maybe it is because I feel like that is one thing that I have control over. 

So if you see me, tell me my hair looks good. ;-)

My sister-in-law wrote a post on her blog today that got me thinking. (If I was smart enough I would link to it, but I am not today.) The gist was that there are professional sports people out there making millions of dollars for playing a game-that’s right it is only a game-and we have people in this country that can’t go to the doctor because they have no health insurance. There are elderly people who have worked their entire lives and they are faced with having to chose between buying their medications or food for the week. I can’t fathom it. And yes, I know there are people out there trying to beat the system and get something for nothing but seriously how many of those do you think there are? There are always going to be those that want to take the easy way out, but for the majority, they are out there working as hard as they can to make it, and all it takes is one illness to destroy everything. And that is not right. It should not be that way.

Do I have the answer for this problem? No, I don’t. In fact I don’t even understand all of the jargon that is being used in the healthcare debate. But what I do know, is that something has to change.

Worry Wart

So I am an overachiever when it comes to worrying. I mean I am an expert at it – which is why this weekend was a marathon for me.

I found fleas on 2 of my dogs last Wednesday. I can not tolerate fleas. Not even one. They disturb me. So I have been vacuuming 3 times per day, pouring Borax powder all over the carpets and then vacuuming it up, washing all of the throw rugs, and dog beds and sheets, constantly checking the dogs for fleas, put Frontline on them as well as gave them a new pill called Capstar which kills all adult fleas on the dog. Now for most people, this would suffice. But not me. Instead, I am online researching flea infestations and what can you do to prevent them and then if you have one what can you do to stop it.

I am exhausted and worried. I mean sometimes the internet is detrimental to my psyche.

A First Time for Everything

I did something this weekend that I have never done before: I went to the movies by myself. And the interesting thing is that I loved it! There was no one to wait for, no one to save a seat for, no long discussion about where to sit. I did not have to figure out who was getting the popcorn and drinks ( I just got a large cola ICEE) and who was finding the seats. It is so much easier. I think I will definitely be doing that again! And the movie was very funny. I had no idea how cute Ryan Reynolds is!

1 Hit Wonders

I am so tired this morning. Why you ask? Because last night I got sucked in to watching 100 1 Hit Wonders of the 80’s on VH1 Classic. As a child of the 80’s I am pretty fascinated with anything from that era. I mean I lived it, so I like seeing things from when I was growing up For instance, parachute pants (yes, I had 2 pairs!), jazz shoes, 500 rubber bracelets, bug huge earrings…yep I had it all. And then there were the music videos. To me, still the best music ever. But I guess everyone feels that way no matter era they were a product of…

So last night I could not tear myself away from them! Here were a few of the highlights:

I Ran – A Flock of Seagulls (I saw them in concert at Duke University. Fantastic!)
I Want Candy – Bow Wow Wow
Take On Me – Aha
Shake you Down – Gregory Abbott (Still like this song)
Beat So Lonely – Charlie Sexton (I don’t think I have heard this song since 1985)
They Don’t Know – Tracey Ullman (A goofy song but seriously good!)
True - Spandau Ballet
Beds are Burning – Midnight Oil (A seriously great song)
Buffalo Stance – Neneh Cherry
Video Killed the Radio Star – Buggles (The first video I ever saw, and not on MTV mind you, and still a great tune to sing a long to)
Genius of Love – Tom Tom Club (Complete “Genuis”!)
I Know What Boys Like – The Waitresses
Under the Milky Way – The Church (Still sounds amazing)
Wouldn’t It Be Good - Nick Kershaw
Voices Carry – Til Tuesday (Ok , who didn’t want to stand up in the middle of a crowded theater and sing “Hush, Hush…)

So if you were a child of the 80’s rush over to vh1.com and look for VH1 Classics. You can watch all 100 videos. You won’t be sorry. Just don’t stay up too late! ;-)

Rest in Peace MJ

I was never a HUGE Michael Jackson fan although I liked his music and still do today (Smooth Criminal is an AWESOME song and the video...wow). I didn't have posters of him taped up to the walls (that space was reserved for Duran Duran, the Police and U2) but I remember heading over to the tv to see the debut of the Thriller video.

Michael Jackson and I are from the same place. He was from Gary, I was from Hammond. A few miles apart and all steel mills and refineries. His dad worked at the mills; my grandfathers, uncles and even my dad for a while did too. That is what you did when you were from "the region". I left for NC when I was 8. I think MJ left for CA when he was 9. I don't know why I felt it important to say that. I didn't know him-obviously. But I am proud to be from the Midwest, maybe he was too? Anyway...

I have heard all the stories of all the weirdness and all the scandal-how could you not? Do I believe it all? No, not all of it. Do I think he had some problems...that is an understatement. but of all the bad stuff that has been said, true or not, there is one thing that I always go back to. His children. And if you saw his daughter Paris at the memorial you can see how much they loved and adored him. And that is how it should be. He was obviously a devoted, caring, involved father. And they loved him. And that to me is what ought to be remembered right now. Was he a bad guy? Honestly, I don't know. I guess that is between God and MJ. But I came accross this in an online article:

"And all at once, Jackson wasn't the larger-than-life King of Pop, or Wacko Jacko the tabloid freak. He was a doting father who had left three adoring young children behind.
He was "Daddy."

And to me, that is it. Let his memory and his children be.

I am having one of those moments. Where nothing seems to go right. Nothing. Work life, home life, financial life, you name it and it is going wrong. I get in the car after working all day and my rearview mirror falls off or I want to make a cheese sandwich and the bread is moldy and I can't buy any more because my funds are really low because I have just paid for all of Otto's meds, syringes and vet bills. But then I think about all that is good and that is what is important. I need to keep remembering all the "good stuff":

My dogs and how excited they are to see me when I get home from work.

Family dinners at my parents house and watching funny videos.

My nieces yelling "Mimi"! when I walk in the door and running over to me and give me a hug.

My friends who randomly tell me I am awesome, funny, kind or telling me "love your guts, ass eyes" (Yes, that's right, my best friends ever calls me Ass Eyes among other terms of endearment...)

Coming home to a house that is mine. It might be a mess but it is mine and comfortable and I love it.

Having a Frosty from Wendy's with my friends from work.

There are lots more and I will try to keep all of those in mind before I jump in bed, pull the covers over my head and vow to never leave the house again! :-)

It has been so long since I have blogged! I can’t believe almost a month! Truth be told, I am just exhausted. Work, pet sitting, home...from everything. And then last week I learned that poor Otto is Hypothyroid and diabetic. He is being such a good boy. I am so proud of him. Hopefully he will continue to do well once I start his insulin shots.

The summer always makes me feel lazy. It is too hot to go outside and do anything, and if I do have to go out it is to do a chore like mowing the grass or picking the millons of weeds that have sprung up all over. I should be exercising. I even bought new running shoes to, well, run in. But it is either way too hot or raining-like today. Maybe it is a sign not to run! :-)

Well, to the 3 people who read this blog, I promise to try and be better about updating it!

Things I love right now...

1. Poker Face by Lady Gaga-I am so addicted to this song!

2. The New Bachelorette that starts tonight on ABC. I know, I know but Jillian rocks! Everyone needs a little reality tv in their lives right?

3. One Hit Wonders from the 80s on VH1. This show brings back so many memories of sitting in my room, writing 20 page notes to my friend Susie (who I had just seen 3 hours before and would see the next morning) and wishing that Greg L would like me....Oh those were the days...

4. Malted Milk Balls from Fresh Market...still my favorite...

5. My virtual Pet Turtle George on Super Poke Pets...Yep, another time waster! :-) But it is free, fun and cute!!!

6. Lucky Brand Purses. So Awesome.

7. PTO. In other words...Paid Time Off

8. The Big Breakfast from McDonalds. Eggs, hashbrowns and a biscuit. YUM!

9. My new doctor, Dr. K. Just a great guy.

10. The show Being Erica on Soapnet. It is a bout a girl who gets to go back in time and redo the things that she regrets. Oh I so wish I could do that!

Happy Birthday

Well I feel a little bad that I did not do this for Chloe and Bunnie's is just around the corner so who knows if I will remember next week so ...here are 3 birthday posts in one.

Happy 13th Birthday Chloe! You are such a good girl. So sweet and loving to your family and everyone you meet! It is hard to imagine that someone could throw you in the dumpster and you will never know how glad I am that the lady rescued you from the trash and that I adopted you. Every day that I get to spend with you and looking at your cute face is a treasure for me. I hope you are with us for many more years to come. Happy Birthday Princess Chloe Bumblebee!

Happy 10th Birthday Otto! There were times when I really wondered if you would make it through all of your illnesses but you always did and you never complained. I know that you are misunderstood by many and I wish that I could do something to change that. But always know that I love you so very much and I know what a smart, loving, happy boy that you are. You have been such a trooper about all the meds and vet visits that you have endured. It is clear how much you love your mommy and I love you too! You and your sisters never let me be lonely and I am so grateful for that.

Happy 11th Birthday Bunnie! I can't believe it has been that long since I found you lost and wandering around the front yard covered in fleas, missing big spots of hair from mange and sick. It took 3 weeks to get you to come and stay inside the house with us, but once you did I knew you would be with us forever! You are a good leader and so sweet and loving. You are always on the go and you are a master at scaring all the birds out of "your yard". You always know when I need a "kiss" and when you give me the "moo cow eyes" you know that you will get whatever you want! Thanks for helping keep everyone in line Ms. Alpha! I love you!

I know it is probably weird to some to send a post to your dogs that obviously don't read. But, these 3 have been with me through the hardest times of my life. I mean they are my kids. They never judged me or lost faith in me, even when I lost faith in myself. They are always there to help me pick up the pieces or do something goofy because they know I need a laugh. So, Happy Birthday to all of my "kids". I love you all lots and lots!