O Possum!

A few nights ago I had let the dogs out and when I went to call them in, Bunnie kept ignoring me. She was lying in the middle of the yard staring at a tree. Weird I thought. So I grabbed a flashlight, put shoes on and went out to investigate. I thought maybe her knees were bothering her and I would need to carry her in. A daunting task considering that she weighs about 60 pounds! Well I went out and she was in this weird trance so I looked where she was looking and the picture above is what I saw. A HUGE opossum. It scared the crap out of me because the tree is not that tall so we were pretty close to one another. Of course after I recovered from the shock of seeing a opossum this close and getting Bunnie inside, I had to get the camera. He was not to happy about it, but I thought he posed well. I love the wildlife!

Princess Chloe Bumblebee!

Otto says hi!

Spring has SPRUNG!

Dear Bunnie, Chloe and Otto

(this has gone around the email world for a while but so true for me and the tribe. I changed it a little and gave it my own spin!)

To be posted VERY LOW on the refrigerator door - animal nose height:
Dear Bunnie, Chloe and Otto,


The dishes with the paw print are yours and contain your food. The other dishes are mine and contain my food. Please note, placing a paw print or your nose in the middle of my plate and food does not make it your food and dish, nor do I find that aesthetically pleasing in the slightest.

The deck stairs were not designed by NASCAR and are not a racetrack. Beating me to the bottom is not the object. Tripping me doesn't help because I fall faster than you can run.

We cannot buy anything bigger than a queen sized bed. it won't fit in the room. I am very sorry about this. Do not think I will continue sleeping on the sofa to ensure your comfort. Dogs and cats can actually curl up in a ball when they
sleep. It is not necessary to sleep perpendicular to each other stretched out
to the fullest extent possible. I also know that sticking tails straight out and having tongues hanging out the other end to maximize space is nothing but sarcasm.

For the last time, there is not a secret exit from the bathroom. If by some miracle I beat you there and manage to get the door shut, it is not necessary to claw, whine, try to turn the knob or get your paw under the edge and try to pull the door open. I must exit through the same door I entered. Also, I have been using the bathroom for years --canine attendance is not required.

The proper order is kiss me, then go smell the other dog's butt. I cannot stress this enough!

To pacify you, my dear pets, I have posted the following message on our front door:

To All Non-Pet Visitors Who Like to Complain About My Pets:

1. They live here. You don't.
2. If you don't want their hair on your clothes, stay off the
furniture. (That's why they call it "fur"niture.)
3. I like my pets a lot better than I like most people.
4. To you, it's an animal. To me, they are adopted children who are short, hairy, walks on all fours and don't speak clearly.

The Birthday List

I know it seems a bit early for this because my birthday is 3 weeks away, BUT I have actually had an inquiry or two about what I wanted/needed so I thought I would make one list, post it and that would be it! I have to say that I do feel a little weird posting things that I want for my birthday because except for my parents and grandma, I really don’t expect people to get me stuff. I really appreciate it and it always touches me that people think enough of me to get me something but I feel lucky just to have my friends and family! But for those of you who wanted a list, here it is:

Gift cards for Old Navy, Pet Smart, Petco, Target or Wal-Mart. I always need dog stuff, basic clothes for work or food so these would be great! :-)

*An Individual Membership to the NC Zoo. (I love the zoo and would be there every weekend if I could!) Thanks to Michelle F who got me this already! You are awesome! The Red Wolves and Polar Bears will be completely sick of seeing me! :-)

Adopt a Polar Bear, Black Bear or Wolf in my name from Defenders of Wildlife. (www.defenders.org)

An individual membership to the International Wolf Center (http://www.wolf.org/wolves/shop/shop.asp?cat_id=10)

A gift card for Archiver’s (a scrapbook store.) I am hoping to take some workshops there and get some scrapbooks finished!

The book: Homeopathic Medicine for Dogs: A Handbook for Vets and Pet Owners by Hans Wolff (It is available on Amazon)

Postage stamps. I mail a lot of cards :-) and bills :-( !

New pillows for my bed. They actual have stomach sleeper ones (that’s me!)

These bags:
http://www.reusablebags.com/store/acme-bags-workhorse-style-1500-p-1.html
I want to stop getting the plastic ones from stores.

Anything that anyone wants to give me!

Thanks ahead of time!

The Animal Rescue Site

Since I am on a Help Homeless Animals track these days I thought I would tell you about The Animal Rescue Site.

This is from their website. They say it better than I ever could!

The Animal Rescue Site focuses the power of the Internet on a specific need — providing food for some of the 27 million unwanted animals given to shelters in the U.S. every year. Over 10 million animals are put to death every year in the U.S. alone because they are abandoned and unwanted.

Each click on the purple "Fund Food for Animals" button at The Animal Rescue Site provides food and care for a rescued animal living in a shelter or sanctuary. Funding for food and care is paid by site sponsors and distributed to animals in need at the Fund for Animals' renowned animal sanctuaries (including Cleveland Amory Black Beauty Ranch in Texas and the Wildlife Rehabilitation Center in California), pet shelters supported by the Petfinder Foundation, North Shore Animal League, and other worthy animal care facilities supported by the GreaterGood.org foundation.

100% of sponsor advertising fees goes to our charitable partners.

How You Can Help In Mere Seconds — Every Day
The Animal Rescue Site provides a feel-good way to help promote awareness and prevent rescued animal deaths every day — through easy and quick online activities.

Please remember to click every day to give help and hope to those most in need. Every click counts in the life of a rescued animal.

You Can Help Even More
In addition to clicking the purple "Fund Food for Animals" button, visitors can help more by shopping in The Animal Rescue Site store. With each item purchased, shoppers generate funds for the feeding and care of animals in shelters and sanctuaries. The store offers a wide array of items to show your support.

Please visit http://www.theanimalrescuesite.com for more information.

A Real Tear Jerker

Have you seen the new Pedigree Commercial? David Duchovny (X-Files Fame) is the narrator. It starts with pictures of different dogs in an animal shelter and the narrator is talking from the dog’s point of view. He says things like: I know how to sit, I know how to roll over, I know I am a good dog. What I don’t know is why I am here”. And that is when the tears start. I am crying right now just thinking about it. I have seen this commercial many times and I still cry EVERY time I see it (or think about it I guess!). I think it is because in all the years that I have been volunteering for animal rescue, I have seen this too many times. Perfectly wonderful, sweet, loving, loyal dogs (and cats) who get dumped for a myriad of stupid reasons. And because there so many dogs, (4 million dogs end up in animal shelters every year)less than half get adopted.

Are you looking for ways to help?

If you are looking for a pet, please check out the animal shelter in your area first. There are tons of loving animals look for good homes.

If you have a pet, PLEASE have them spayed or neutered.

If you have the means, donate to a rescue or humane society in your area.

There is a ton of information out there about what you can do help solve the pet over population problem and adopting. A good basic place to start is http://pedigree.com/home.asp

Picture of the Day

Polar Bears at the NC Zoo playing in the snow. I wonder what they thought? We don't get a lot of snow here.

Save the Planet

Here is my public service announcement. I guess it cropped up because I watched the Oscars last night and saw Al Gore and Leonardo Di Caprio talking about how the Oscars had gone green. So, I went on a few websites and gathered some ideas of things you can do right now to help stop Global Warming. I know most people have heard of these but I was really amazed how beneficial doing them would be! There was a long list at stopglobalwarming.com. I listed the things that I am going try and do this year.

Ways you can help stop Global Warming

Use Compact Fluorescent Bulbs. In one year this could save 300 lbs of carbon dioxide and $60. I am switching out my regular light bulbs for these as I buy them. They cost more than incandescent but the benefit truly out weighs the cost to me.

Check to make sure that your tires are adequately inflated. Save 250 lbs of carbon dioxide and $840!

Change your cars air filter. Check it monthly and change when needed. This could save 800 lbs of carbon dioxide and $130 per year. I am going to figure out how to do this! I am not very up on cars.

Make sure that your dishwasher is full before starting it. This would save 100 lbs of carbon dioxide and $40 per year. I already do this. With one person it takes a while to fill it up but I always wait.

Use recycled paper. Save 5 lbs of carbon dioxide per ream AND countless trees!

Adjust your thermostat. Heat down 2 degrees and air conditioning up two degrees in summer. Save 2000 lbs of carbon dioxide and $98 per year. I already do the heat one. The air conditioner will be harder but I will try.

Change your AC filter. Save 350 lbs of carbon dioxide and $150 per year. I change mine monthly.

Buy locally grown/made products. This will reduce the amount of energy required to truck products in!

Plant a tree. Trees suck up carbon dioxide and make clean air for us to breath. Save 2000 lbs of carbon dioxide per year. My spring project is to plant some trees in areas that I had to take some out that were dead or damaged and create a wildlife habitat on the other side of my fence for birds and small mammals.

Unplug un-used electronics. Even when electronic devices are turned off, they use energy. Save over 1000 lbs of carbon dioxide and $256 a year. I am doing this as soon as I get home. I had no idea that even if something is turned off it can still use energy if plugged in.

Bring cloth bags to stores. I have never done this but I am going to start. I have some string bags that I found in a box and I am going to stick them in my car so I can use them. I read that if you go to IKEA and buy something there and you want a bag they will charge you a nickel for it. That nickel will then be donated to an environmental group. GREAT idea IKEA!

Air dry your clothes. You can save over 700 lbs of carbon dioxide and your clothes will smell great! I am going to do this when it gets a little warmer out.

I have thought about switching to cloth napkins among other things to save on paper products but I am not sure if the increase in laundry would cancel it out? I will have to think about that one.

Do you have tips you can share?

A Few More of My Favoite Things

Wade Whimsies: I just discovered these in a box of Red Rose Tea. I LOVE THEM! They are cute and right up my alley. They have been around for a while, I think since the 1950's and are made by Wade Pottery. Wade Pottery has been around since the 1800's and made/makes all kinds of items. So, now I am on a mission to collect the Whimsies! Ebay here I come!






French Fries: My favorite food! I like crinkle cut, skinny, steak fries, natural fries, seasoned, plain...I like them with ketchup or ranch dressing or just a little salt. I think the best fast food french fries are McDonalds or Steak and Shake. In the triangle area, Snoopy's or Hayes Barton. I know they aren't good for me but I need something! :-)

Naps: Nothing is better than a Saturday afternoon nap. Especially on a rainy, cold day. The dogs and I get all comfy and take a little siesta. I think places of employment should offer nap rooms. Some place where the employees can go on their lunch break and take a nap if they want. All you need is a few recliners, an alarm clock and people can bring their own pillows and blankets. Think how much more productive we would be if we had a 45 minute nap at 12:30 p.m.? Yes, a nap room is a good idea. I need one right now!

Cordless phones that have multiple handsets but only need one phone jak: Whoever figured this out is a GENIUS! I live in an old house and there are only 2 phone jaks in the whole house. So until I stumbled upon this item, I had to carry my cordless phone all over the house with me. So half the time I would forget to put it back in the charger so I couldn't use it, or I would put it somewhere and forget where it was. Now, if my phone rings and I am in the kitchen, boom, there is my phone! Fabulous!

Gift cards: This is one of my favorite presents to get. I love being able to go to a store and get something without having to have money or use a credit card. I never have money and this lets me get something I WANT instead of using all my money for what I NEED (dog food, medicine, gas for the car etc) which is what I usually do. Some people find them impersonal but I think it is a nice gift. I never have to worry about if the recipient will like the present I got them. They will because they picked it out!

Well that is the list for today! What is your favorite thing today?

Fractured Prune

So today I ventured to a new donut place called the Fractured Prune. A friend of mine had told me about it while she was over delivering a lovely bookshelf to me (thanks Whitney!) and I could not stop thinking about it. Basically, it is a design your own donut place. You can chose one of their 15 glazes and/or their 10 toppings. They also have Specialty Dounuts which is what I chose. (at 8:00 a.m. it was too early for me to design my own.) I chose the O.C. Sand which is honey glaze with cinnamon sugar. IT WAS THE BEST THING I HAVE EVER TASTED! It was hot and gooey and absolutely delicious. Donuts are .95 a piece or 8.95 a dozen which is a bit expensive for a donut but so worth it. Check out their website at www.fracturedprune.com and see what they have to offer and the story behind their name. If you have a Fractured Prune in your area, check it out. Next time I am getting a lemon glaze with granulated sugar. Yum! This could be a problem…

Things that I don't like, make me mad or just drive me nuts!

I have not done this list in a awhile so I think it is time!

1. When you pull your favorite navy blue sweater out of the dryer and it is covered in little lint balls. Then you have to spend 20 minutes using the lint roller tape thing to get them all off.

2. The smell of peas cooking. I make them for the dogs and it grosses me out but they love them!

3. Balancing my check book. You would think it would be easy since there is never any money in there (haha) but it never is!

4. Having to Pre-Pay for gas because I am paying cash. I never know how much it will take to fill it up and then if you go over, you have to go back in for change or if it is not enough than you car is not full. It is just a big pain!

5. Realizing how much prescriptions actually cost the insurance companies. Someone REALLY needs to investigate that. I really have a hard time believing that 1 prescription could cost over $200 for a month. I feel really bad for people who do not have health insurance and have to pay full price for them. I mean the drug companies can pretty much charge what they want because if you are on a prescription you usually have to have it. That just drives me nuts.

6. Having to throw away 2 jars of Peter Pan Peanut Butter because it might be contaminated with salmonella. Yikes!

7. When you go on cragslist to look for something that you need and you find one for a great price and then read the description only to find out it doesn't work. I know some people look for things to fix but not me. I feel lucky to change out a light bulb!

8. When you are trying to load new software for your new internet card on your computer and it is not working properly. so, you call the service number for help and they tell you they can't help you because you have not registered your product. You explain that the problem is that you can't get online because the thing you are trying to load doesn't work therefore you can't get on the internet to register the product. AND THEN THEY TELL YOU OH WELL TOO BAD! They suggest you go to a friend's house and do it and then call back. Are they nuts? JUST HELP US!!! I mean that is their job right?

So what drives you nuts?

MOMENT OF COMPLETE CUTENESS 2!

How cute is this turtle?!!! Can you believe how tiny he is?

Ok, so I am NOT the next American Idol!

Well, at least my dogs don't think so.

In a previous post I wrote about my MP3 player that I got for Christmas. Well, I have been fairly industrious and have more than 100 songs on it right now. These are all my favorites and it is a pretty eclectic mix as I stated. But the thing is, because they are all my favorites, and I am in the mood to sing, well I am. With feeling and maybe a little dancing.

I have been whizing around here trying to get things done for the work week and it helps pass the time while putting monumental amounts of laundry away. And the dogs must think I am terrible because they keep barking whenever I sing.

At first I thought "Hey, they are singing with me!" but then reality set in and I realized, they wanted me to stop!

Well, I should say Otto doesn't like it. Bunnie could care less and Chloe doesn't bark unless I sing TO her. But Otto, well I get a verse or two out and he barks. And he won't stop unless I stop. And it seems odd but I can tell the difference between his barks and this one is definately "Quit the sinigng now"!

Now, seriously I know that I can't sing-I can't carry a tune at all. But, this does not stop me from doing it in the privacy of my home or car or church (you don't have to sing well to sing in church. God doesn't care. I figure he knows I can't sing so I hope he just appreciates my effort.) Now there are very few people that I will sing in front. They consist of my friend Jenn, my nieces, my brother, my mom and dad and my friend Chelle. I figure these people love me for who I am and they don't care that my singing is well...bad. But Otto not liking my singing, man that hurts. Oh well. Otto is going to have to get over it.

I love you buddy but you are going to have to listen to mommy sing Driver 8 one more time!

Funny Otto

Otto is being so completely cute and funny right now. Sometimes he gets these bursts of playful moments and tonight is one of those nights. He got a squeaky toy that looks like a present for Christmas and has completely ignored it until tonight. Now he is flipping it, catching it and squeaking it all over the living room. It is so funny because he really dives after he flips it.

It cracks me up. He can be such a funny boy.

Otto, thanks for making me laugh.

I really needed it!

Moment of COMPLETE CUTENESS!

HOW CUTE IS HE??!!!

Getting Ready

We have snow and ice in the forecast for tomorrow and every good North Carolinian knows what that means…you have to get ready by rushing en mass to the grocery store and buying up all the milk, bread and batteries. I, however tend to go for things like Mountain Dew, chips and Reese Peanut Butter Cups. I mean when you are stuck inside on a snowy day who wants bread and a glass of milk? But seriously, I find my self sitting here at work thinking of everything that I need to do at the house if we are going to have an ice situation. I have a list made of what I need to do and it looks like this:

Vacuum
Finish doing all the laundry (this is a TALL order. I always have laundry, and lots of it)
Fill all available containers with water including tub while showering.
Make sure kitchen is cleaned up.
Go to Target for a new ceramic heater or electric blanket for outside for Flounder
Get out Flashlights and put one in each room.
Make sure dogs have clean blankets in kennels.
Bird Seed
Extra cat food
Candles?
Find Batteries and radio.
Fill car with gas.
Get some Cash.
Make sure cell phone is charged.

And that is the short list. I have good reasons for this list. No really!

For one, I have been stuck in an ice storm without being prepared and it stunk. We did not have electricity for 2 days. Which was short compared too many others who were without power for a week or more. So, without electricity the pump for the well did not work so there was no water. Luckily, because it was cold the dogs did not drink too much so it wasn’t too bad. But with no extra water we could not do important things like flush the toilet…ewww or brush our teeth! After that I swore I would not be caught unaware again. So while it sounds weird to fill your tub with water while you are showering, it makes sense if you are going to use that water to pour into the toilet to flush it if you have no electricity.

Now the gas, cash and cell phone is something that stemmed from an episode 2 years ago where we had a freak ice storm and traffic crisis and it took me 9 hours to get home. I live 20 miles from work. This is a 30 minute drive. I was stuck in the car for 9 hours, with no food, no water, no cash, no credit card, in a skirt and heels with no way to go to the bathroom. (So the no water thing was probably ok!) I was afraid to get out of traffic for fear I would never be let back in. I also had to drive on the sidewalk because the hill was icy and everyone was spinning out and off the road. It is weird to be dodging road signs and mailboxes while making your way down Durant Road! Plus, I realized that if I did have to get out and walk I was wearing tights and heels. Not good for trekking through snow and ice. If work is not canceled, I will be wearing jeans and boots to work. The bird seed, extra cat food and heater are probably over kill BUT I want to make sure that all the creatures have something to eat, and provided we have electricity, warm.

Just a few days ago, I wished for a snow day. Now it looks like I might get my wish. I just hope I am prepared so I can enjoy it!

Random thoughts and moments from this weekend:

A smack on the head moment: I went to visit my old high school on Friday and I was telling the students that I graduated in 1988 and one boy’s response was “oh my gosh, I wasn’t even born yet!” Great. Thanks for that reminder! Sheesh!

A warm fuzzy: My vet telling me how much it meant to him when he got my thank you card that I sent him on Friday for taking such good care of Otto during his suture emergency on Thursday. Dr. Brian is the BEST VET EVER!!

A really special day: On Sunday I went to see an old friend that I have known for over 12 years but have not seen in about 6 years. We have kept in touch via email but we had not seen one another. It was funny though because I felt like no time had passed since the last time I saw her. We fell into that old easy way of talking about stuff, the way good friends do. I didn’t realize how much I missed her until I saw her yesterday. Thanks for having me over Chelle. I love you! Let’s get together soon, I will bring the dinner!

Great idea: I took some things that I was getting rid of to a place called Retails. It is a thrift store that benefits Animal Kind-a charity that works to offer low cost spay/neuter programs in this area. So not only did I get a tax write off but I got rid of erroneous stuff! Animal Kind you are awesome!

Warm fuzzy moment 2: My niece and I snuggled on one of my parent’s couches watching Max and Ruby. That is one of those moments that helps me through the tough times.

Sweet moment: All three dogs curled up in the living room sleeping while I beaded bracelets. Bunnie was dreaming and making these cute little squeaking noises while Otto just kept sighing. Chloe was snoring which was really cute then-but not so much at 1:30 a.m. on Sunday!

Sweet moment 2: Dallas my friend’s dog, remembering me and Jade her new dog liking me!

I hope you all had some sweet moments, warm fuzzy moments, great ideas and yes even a smack on the head moments!

Squeak Goes Home

For those of you who have been following my saga with Squeak (the kitten I found) I thought I would let you know how it all ended last night.

I found Squeak hungry and scared in my car port about 3 weeks ago. I could tell he had lived with someone because he was so loving and friendly. I took him in and let him live in the laundry room that is off of my car port. With three dogs in the house there was no way that Squeak could come in and Flounder my outside cat was not really fond of him so I had to keep him in there. Plus, he did not act extremely street savy so I worried about him getting in to the road. I posted to the Found Board at Animal Control that I had found him and where.

So each morning and night I would go out several times to visit him, clean his litter box, feed him and play with him. I loved this cat and I would have kept him but I thought it was unfair since he loved to be with people so much, he really needed to be inside. So I contacted the rescue that I volunteer with and they said they would take him as soon as there was space. So 2 weeks or more went by with no room for Squeak. Yesterday I contacted another rescue who said they would take him after he was neutered. I had an appointment to have Squeak neutered on January 30th through a lost cost spay/neuter program. So everything was moving along.

Then yesterday I got a call from a lady who said her neighbor had lost a kitten around Christmas. She had decided to go to Wake County Animal Control’s website and check the found ads. She saw mine and thought maybe this was her neighbor’s cat since we lived so close to one another. She told me she had no idea what made her think of going there. She just did it. I described Squeak as best I could and said that she thought it was their cat, could she give them my phone number. OF COURSE!! So to make long story short a very nice man named Roger came over and took Squeak home. He was their cat!

Yesterday was just one of those days where for a split second, everything in the world is aligned just right. Now Squeak is safe at home with his family and I feel so happy. I prayed for a positive outcome to this situation and I certainly got what I prayed for. I think the Lord works on mysterious ways!