So, What Exactly is Going on in My Life?

So Odd...

To be in my brain last night:

My mom came over for dinner, I just had to show her my new fish tank. Off to the bathroom we went and it was a huge jacuzzi tub half filled with water.   I was proud, I can only imagine what she must have though.    I then point out the spot that has no gravel near it.   Oh" that's Jack favorite place to sit and watch the fish (yes, in the water)...

She then says that she and my dad are gong to las vegas to try out custom whatnot's - I'm not sure what she says but it's something along the line of surf boards???    I then point out that I found a fish that I had not seen for a long time.  Oddly it's not in the water but rather, its flopping around the house I am I trying to catch it.    She leaves and within minutes I am out the door; Keys in hand, grab shoes , cell phone and wallet plus Ellie and Benny.     We jump in the car to go where they are going. 

We get there and I am trying to find them and end up near a beach.  I go down a long path that's very crowded and at the end of the line find a seat.     Then I realize it's a roller coaster ride, now I am scared out of my wits.  I close my eyes and hang on for dear life.     I can see the mechanics of it in front of me but other then a moving sensation I don't notice much.  Then the mechanics start to move and I get more scared!    Then all of a sudden it gets dark and we start to bank to the left and the seat swings out.   I spy see a huge matte silver Winnebago coming up quickly and as I swing around it (thinking I'm going to smash into this thing) it comes to a dead stop.... right next to Gene Simmons of Kiss.  Who happens to be sitting on top of the Winnebago in a huge garage in a lawn chair.  He says something to me... Hello.    

As I climb down from the top, there is his wife  - Shannon Tweed - absolutely beautiful - gives me a big hug and says come on over to the house, its just up the road. But first they have to go down to the beach to get fitted for a custom surf board.   Off we go, Me Gene, Shannon, Ellie and Benny.   I watch with Shannon and the dogs as a guy makes a custom board for Gene.    Once done, we set off for their house.

 The house is amazing, set not far off the main street (of where-ever I am) built into the side of a hill surrounded by mammoth sky scrapers.     The house is amazing, they are having a party and there are beautiful people and dogs every where.   Some even look like Benny and Ellie.     But I get nervous as I don't have leashes for them.  But we continue through the house meeting people, having fun.   Everyone is wonderful but a fear starts in me and I can't find Ellie or Benny.  Shannon says  - it's ok their here somewhere.   I go looking for them.  I met amazing people along the way - see the cutest dogs.     Travertine steps and floors are explored to no avail. I am panicked.  I try to call them but can't quite do it.     I run into Nick Simmons, he says he will help - I'm forever grateful at this point.   

We head across the street to a dingy hotel and look for them everywhere.   He says he has to go and leaves, me left alone trying to find the dogs and my phone - to call someone for help.    In a panic I head out the door only to be stopped by someone saying $60?     I 'm mortified and slam the door.    I go looking for my phone again and when I open the door the guy is still there saying something about being too good for him.  I ignore him as I walk past him down a huge set of travertine stairs with beautiful pots bursting with flowers.  

The steps seem to go nowhere.    It's now dark and I hear a sound - it's familiar  - as it get loouder I realize that it's the opening music from the show "How It's Made" slowly I come to the realization that it's coming from my own TV.   I'm about to cry for the lose of my dogs when reality sinks in more and I can feel Ellie at one end of the couch, Benny at the other and Jack on the floor.     I realize that I did not lose them - I was dreaming.  

I hate it when I fall asleep on the couch, it always gives me a crick in my neck...

 

Merry Christmas!

Silly Dogs

It's now a few days later and everyone seems to be settling in well.       Both Jack and Benny are now signed up for obedience classes for january.     Jack on Mondays and Benny on Wednesday.    

Jack is turing out to be a smart boy.     I received his paperwork/shots info yesterday and turns out that the Brooklyn Shelter found him as a stray and listed him at 4 years of age.    They found him to be fearful and shy and unapproachable.    Very different to who he is today.      Turn out he knows hand signals for his commands; sit, stay and down are the ones I have figured out so far.  Will do a bit more research on hand commands to see if he knows any more.   Quite an impressive guy.    He is very sensitive and likes calm.   Ellie and Benny were playing the other day and Benny fell off the couch on to Jack while he was sleeping.  Scared poor Jack and Benny!   Jack jumped up and yelped and Benny ran for the hills!    Play time was over needless to say.     He never snapped or was aggressive towards Benny, just very very surprised!  

Here are a few funny shots from this week:

Twins!

Where's Jack  - can you find him in the photo?   (Hint; he's behind the bird feeder)

Handsome Jack - I spy a few grey hairs!

Goofy Benny - some days he likes to approach his food from above...

Dork Dog

Three... Really?

Yup!  There are three now.      I could not help myself!  He's been with us for a week now but the adoption process has been about 6 weeks in the making.     I'll write more about Jack as we all settle in together and learn more about each other.  

Here is a quick snippet of the handsome boy.     Little Miss Ellie and Benny are doing very well with him, though Benny does tend to push him around  - go figure.  9lbs verse 85 lbs and the 9lb pound monster wins.    Jack was found wandering the streets of Queens NY and with very few foster home for Cane Corso's he made his way to Texas about a year ago and has been in a kennel for 9 months and a foster home for the last three.    He's quite a sweet boy and gets along with the two little one wonderfully!  

 

 

And Then There Were Two

The house is making its way back to it's old self.   It all started with lonely Little Miss Ellie and me, missing the companionship of another dog.   We grew tired of staring at each other, going for endless walks.  We both were sad with the loss of Grover and I decided it was time Ellie picked out her own little friend.  We thought a foster dog might be best to ease us out of our sadness.      

Along came Benny.   We spent the day at a friends adoption site combing the kennels and pens for a friend.  I was so proud of Little Ellie,  she was unfazed at the drama of all the dogs barking, some nice others not so nice.  She immediately took a liking to 4 little dogs.  We spend several hours that afternoon with them and she finally decided on one little shy guy.  About half her size but there was a connection.   We brought Little Benny home and within a few hours Ellie was back to her puppy-hood - they play endlessly with each other.  At almost 13 years of age, Ellie is acting like a young little girl again.  Running circles around the couch, chasing each other, mock fighting, silly growls.   Benny hiding under the couch, nipping at her feet.    They are smitten with each other and for the 1st time in years (7-8 by my recollection) she has a friend that actually likes to sleep with her.    Its adorable to see Benny curled up with her on the couch or in their dog bed.    Needless to say the foster situation turned into a forever-home within three weeks.

Here's the little monster:

Their like little twins, never far from each other

My Mom came for a visit, she not a small dog person per se - but she's in love with little Benny!


So the next big question on  every one's mind, what breed mix is he?   Terrier? Westie? Dachshund?   We were dying to know,   my vet included.   I must admit I did DNA testing in Little Ellie awhile back only to find that she is Schnauzer, Dachshund, Poodle and smidgen of pit bull!  (no wonder she's been able to handle playing with the big boys all her life)  So on to testing Little Benny - We were all shock, so shocked I had to call my vet and tell her as well - Can you guess? 

 

100% Chihuahua - a 9lb nippy stubborn bully of a Chihuahua!    That I happen to be in love with... Right along with Ellie!

 

 

then there was one

it was a tough day on my little part of the world.   

Grover was an amazing dog.   Though, I didn't know it the 1st time I met him.    He was a rescue doggie that came to by way of Community Concern for Animals out of Tampa.   He needed a home I had a home.  Jet, Ellie and I drove out to meet with the owner who had a dog that really needed a stable forever home.    The day we met him he was outside on the driveway in a large round pen sleeping in the warm sun.   Ellie and Jet stayed in the car while I went to meet him.   He was drowsy and aloof neither  interested nor disinterested and was as cute as the day is long.

We introduced him to Ellie and Jet about 15 minutes later and to my surprise there was little reaction on either side.    They seem to be fine with each other, Little Ellie the most interested.  Grover leaned up against my car tire while Jet and Ellie sniffed him out.    It seemed that a happy family could be had with the three of them.  We packed up the newest family member and headed home.

I'm not sure why he came into my life that day.  I was not looking for another dog per se, and I don't really remember how the owner and I came into contact.   But we did and looking back over the years I am ever grateful that we did.     

Once home we got off to a rocky start.   Grover passive and uninterested in us or much of anything other then keeping his distance.    Grover came to us when he was 8 month old or so. He had been through 5 homes already and the wear and tear of this was easy to see by his distance.   He didn't know how to interact with any of us.  Kept his distance and was at best mildly interested.    But I guess time paid off.  Over the years he blossomed into an amazing dog.    He had few issues, learned over time that it was ok to come and ask for love, enjoyed lizards, squirrels, and came to love Little Ellie.   Jet and Grover tolerated each other and at times loved each other.  

Grover had a silent way about him.   He didn't ask for much but gave a ton in return.   He loved to be outside, playing in the river, hiking, had a great re-call off leash and was a great dog to have around.   A dogs dog. low maintenance, hardy, loving, sweet, funny, goofy, and so so lovable.  He had this way of sitting on the couch like a person, leaning up against me that made me laugh every-time he did it. He loved to sleep under the bed, snuggle with me in bed on Sunday mornings.  We'd lie there together in a pile of blankets me petting/scratching him, he pawing me when I stopped.       I will miss him terribly and Sunday morning will be tough this week  - actually for many weeks to come.. 

Ellie and I are now looking at each other in dismay, she not understanding where Grover went, me understanding that Grover is gone.   She has hidden behind the couch for most of the day today.   Not understanding why for the 1st time in her life she was at home alone.  she's never been alone a day in her life.  Ranger and Mechee where there when she was little, then Jet and Grover as she has grown into a little senior doggie.  Countless rescues have entertained her as well through the years.  She was a wreck when I got home today but so was I.

A huge part of my heart went with him today.    It has been a horrible 24 hours of watching him slowly fade away and realizing that it was his time.  Surgery might have help but in the end I felt it was better to let him go.   It would have only been a band-aid  of time for me.

The sudden loss of Grover is a heart breaker.   A Heart Tumor.  Yesterday morning he was fine, chasing Ellie, chasing squirrels, loving life and today in my arms at the vet as they administered the his final shots.  On the floor together I held him with his head in my hands, at the last minute he lifted his head and put his forehead against my cheek in a final good bye and then he was gone.      Dr. Nogler and I cried together; She leaving a pool of tears on his shoulder me leaving mine on the floor next to his head.  I think that is the last thing I will remember of this day, the tears of love that showered my sweet Grover boy.    

I will miss him everyday.  Cheers Grover, for being part of my life, loving me and for being the sweet boy you grew to be.

 

More Heat!

It's hot out and more of it to come and I'm still pissed at Obama. 

 

Dallas, TX has seen 37 straight days of temperatures of at least 100 degrees, 5 days from tying the all-time record of 42 days set back in 1980. Annually, Dallas sits tied at 6th all-time for the number of 100+ degree days (44).

 

Today Aug 8	Tue 9	Wed 10	Thu 11	Fri 12	Sat 13	Sun 14	Mon 15	Tue 16	Wed 17

MostlySunny	Mostly Sunny	Mostly Sunny	Mostly Sunny	Sunny	Partly Cloudy	Partly Cloudy	Partly Cloudy	Mostly Sunny	Sunny
107°F High	108°	108°	105°	104°	103°	104°	103°	105°	107°
82° Low	83°	82°	81°	82°	82°	81°	81°	81°	83°

Great overview of our "Fabulous" President!  Whoo Hoo - Go Obama!   

http://bigpeace.com/shazlett/2011/04/08/a-chronicle-of-obamas-failures/

As the Presidential campaign season begins, it is important to reflect on President Obama accomplishments after his first two years. Rather than rehash all his achievements and failures, a simple chart can be more effective in telling the story.

Compared to President Bush, President Obama’s annual budget deficit is 7.5 percentage points worse on average. Under Obama, average monthly unemployment is 4.1 percentage points higher than unemployment under President Bush. Average monthly housing starts are 66% lower under Obama. Average annual food stamp participation has increased 63% from 22.7 million to 37.0 million. In January 2001, when President Bush took office, the monthly participation rate was 17.2 million. By January 2011, food stamp particpation reached a high of 44.2 million under President Obama.

President Obama, the first American President to win a Nobel Peace Prize for “hope” rather than any substantive accomplishments, also added another conflict to the two he inherited from his predecessor.

Under President Obama, daily crude oil prices have been 41% higher on average and the average weekly retail gasoline price has been 25% higher than prices during the Bush administration.

Do you miss President Bush yet?

 

Thanks Obama!

For frickin' pushing through crappy-ass legislation that has cost America dearly, sat on your ass with indecision, played passive on the debt issue, creating class warfare and for being an overall douchbag.    You said you stood for change - yeah the kind of change that creates class warfare, additional debt the country can't take on, and socialism.  All the while socialist countries finally owned up to the fact it doesn't work and you want to take us there?     Are you Frinkin' kidding me?

Oh yeah, thanks for the help on my 401(k)!   Nothing like losing $50K overnight!  Whoo hoo - I get to plan on pushing back my retirement age to god knows when and hope that the money I have work dearly for over the year might be able to feed myself!    Good thing you,  and fat-ass congress/senate don't have to worry about such things.  Nope, what good for the goose apparently is not good for the gander!

You promised us change, to make it better.  I did not believe you for one moment and I am embarrassed for my friends that did think you would bring good to our country.  You have not and are not capable of doing so.    

You should be creating jobs.  You know what it takes to create jobs, Mr. Educated?   Less restrictions/legislation, lower taxes, Let America do what it does best - innovate and create.  It's what got us to the point of being The Most Powerful Nation in the World    

And you constantly playing the blame game like a 5 year old.   It boring and old... Own up to the fact that you are here now and have to work with what you have.   You spend ridiculous amounts of time on air and off air pointing the finger at everyone else. 

Life a bitch, get over it and get over yourself and send socialism back to someone else.  Do the country some good, would you?

 

 

Hotter then Hell!

What do you do when its 100 bazillion degrees out and only going to get hotter this week?

The temperature at 3 p.m. was 105 degrees at the Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport and climbing, making it the 31st consecutive 100-degree day in the area.  

Not event the squirrels want to do anything!  I've all but given up on trying to keep my hanging flower pots going.   Each one in the shade is now reserved for Squirrels (2).   I water them daily (not the squirrels silly) and each day they come to dig and rest in the moist dirt.   Each night I add back in the dirt they dumped out and the watering starts over.     I also dump a handful of food in them - If I were them I'd be grateful for it and they do appear to be.    My hanging baskets may never be the same again but the Squirrels are happy and it's too hot for Grover to chase them...

The bird bath and feeder have nary a bird at them mid day - too hot for them as well...   Grover is sacked out on my bed right under the AC vent and Ellie Bean is doing the same but in the dining room... me, I am working in the back living room and its Hotter then Hell in this room!

 

I wish I had a pool now

My personal favorite!  Look at that little hand and dirty little nose - sooo cute!

 

Dallas, TX (75211) Weather

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Updated: Aug 1, 2011, 3:45pm

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Video: Dallas' 60 Second Forecast   | iWitness: Hot squirrel, cool groundhog  

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Heat Continues to Worsen Across Plains

Didn't think it could get any hotter? It appears summer is continuing to tighten its grip in the Plains this week.

Read More   |  2011 Heat Superlatives 

Tonight Aug 1	Tue 2	Wed 3	Thu 4	Fri 5	Sat 6	Sun 7	Mon 8	Tue 9	Wed 10

Partly Cloudy	Mostly Sunny	Sunny	Sunny	Sunny	Sunny	Mostly Sunny	Partly Cloudy	Sunny	Sunny
-- High	110°	110°	108°	107°	107°	105°	103°	105°	105°
83° Low	84°	84°	83°	83°	83°	82°	81°	80°	80°

Expand Graph

◄ 5-Day Month

I am not sure....

what I am so afraid of, what is so fearful for me.   I don't know how to explain it or really what it is, but it's there.   A fear that is so real and so painful yet pushed so deep down to a place that I hardly recognize it when I arrive.   I often wonder do other people have a place like this?   Is it like my place?

I arrived there today, out of the blue.    I didn't expect to be there yet there I was.   It's almost like a fear of life; living life, sharing life.  I watch life go on around me.   Most of the time I participate in it and enjoy it and I do like it.    Then there are the other times it scares me to the very core.   Like it has today.   I think that I have the skills to cope with it but then I find myself in it, living it and I have no idea where to go next, what to do next.  So I let it be.  I let it over take me, fill me and wait for it to fade away back to where it came from.  It always does.  So today I wait. I wait for it to fade away

 

Found Something Cool!

From the day I moved into this little house, I have been down sizing my furniture to fit this ol' house.  And needless to say it's been quite a challenge.   My previous house was indeed smaller then this one but after a year of pain and suffering I started and finished building a garage.  It was a love hate relationship with that damn garage. I loved it once it was done, I hated it because it took 3 contractors, my neighbor George,  and additional budget of $8K , several trips to the BBB and a herniated disc to complete it...   Anyway, it had space; an office, storage and was just perfect.   The one I have now - all but falling down so I am always on the hunt for storage.

Getting back on track -  I have been looking for a coffee table for almost 5 years now.  Yes, five years! wood, metal, glass, you name it I have looked for it - never quite finding the right one.  That is, until the other day.  There it was in my favorite drive by tchotchke shop.  On the floor behind a ladder.   The couple that owns the shop often get in very unique things but most are scaled for large homes. This shop has the most amazing selection of "finishing touch" items I have ever seen (in my neck of the woods at least).  Love that place.     So here it is in all its old worn glory.    Once it was a Mason's tool chest, now it is my coffee table with storage to boot!  Inside cleaned with a bit of murphy's oil soap as you can still smell the faint odor of tools... definitely was a tool chest!    Old green worn paint, casters on the bottom: now home to all the paints and brushes I own that never had a home.  

 

Poor Fireplace was neglected for years. I ripped off the old mantel when I moves in as it was way over the top!  Scary way over the top and huge.  So it sat empty for the last 4 years - but now it has a cap!  Though I must admit I really don't like it.  Don't like it at all.  But its done and painted.   Mom, thinks it needs to be another color and quite frankly I agree...  decision for another day.

Then there's the GroveMeister - he was enjoy a particularly relaxing day.  Didn't even move while I was taking pictures - opened his eyes to see what was going on and promptly went back to sleep.  Still there I suspect.    Now you can see why I have covers on my love seat.  one side for Grover, the other for Ellie.   At least someone gets use out of it!

Finally

I had a dream last night.   One that I have often, never the quite to same but the end result always was, until last night.

Last night I was in a beautiful modern white villa.  Arched doorways, square curves, stairs leading every where.  A view that could make it in postcard world. Inside but unsure how I came to be there.  Seems as though Ellie was there.   We were just about to leave as I had he sense I should not be there.   Up the stairs we went but towards the top I could see out the glass front door that the owner was coming home.  At this point in the past I have always run.  This time I paused.  The owner came in, looked mildly stunned.  I stuttered something about lost dog open door.    Not phased in the least, asked me if I wanted a tour to see the new breakfast area overlooking the sea.    Off we went.    It was gorgeous, white, had intricately poured concrete relief's, I remember touching them. They were amazing, the details crisp and clear.  She was so proud of them, you could read it in every ounce of her being. 

I had always choose to run away but not last night.

 

Fishing

My heart was broken, in the most hurtful of ways, not so long ago.   Its taken me much time to reconcile the way it was handled and to believe that good that will come from it, somehow. 

I got a call today.  One that was strange indeed.   The Heart Breaker is now struggling with a work situation that in the end may cause him by choice to work with not-so-ethical people.    He asked, "was he really put on this earth to do do his job and then let god sort it out in the end?"  That he was not the one who could pass judgement on them in the end; that god was the one who would. Good Catholic boy...

Strange indeed as all the conversations we have had in the past surrounded him purporting to: treat others fairly, help those who need helping, choosing to do the right thing, make the hard decisions, take the road less traveled, helping no matter the cost.  I honestly believed that he lived his life this way.  I had seem him do this very thing over and over with Family, Friends and total strangers. I thought it so true, everyone around him does, my own mother.  Taken by his charm and caring manner.   But,  sadly I have come to understand that it is not so.  Just a self serving facade carefully built over the years. to help in the most visible, self serving ways.  A facade that is very believable to the average joe (or jane) and even the not so average.   I took the bait; hook line and sinker.  And as I sat on the phone and listened to his words I realized once again the hook was dangling, for reasons I don't understand.  This time I knew better then to bite.  Clearly he does not even see,  understand or care about the pain or the confusion he caused. Am I the only one who can see this?  It just can't be.

My counsel: Is it his duty to himself and to god to do the right thing. That yes, in the end god would handle these people in the manner in which was appropriate.  But that he had a moral obligation to do the right thing and protect the innocent or the wronged.  That his standing by would be doing exactly what god would not want him to do. To allow the innocent to be harmed or to be a part of it no matter how small. 

Was that not obvious?  Mr. Morality wanting to walk away from helping others or at the worst allowing them to be hurt, doing nothing, turning a blind eye, joining in?

It hurt so much to have that silly 5 minute conversation.  He; so moral, able/ willing to hurt and betray the one he held so close, so easily?  Yet feel it ok to seek guidance on morality from the one he wronged?  He's now off to seek further internal guidance from god, me left with the whole fucking nightmare to live over once again.   Funny and sad at that same time.   He often said he had great intuition, could read others, knew what they were thinking...  Though he never could read me or know what I was thinking and it perplexed him.  That's not intuition, that's just being a good "player".  I have met many a great "Player" over the years, I now think I have met one of the best.

I hope he finds the answers he is looking for...

 

2010 In Review

I was very bad in keep up with my blog in 2010 (thank you for the reminders!) So I decided to do a photo look-back at the year!  

We had an amazing winter last year and in February we received over 8 inches of snow!   It made for a lot of fun for the little ones...

Poor Ellie did not know what to make of it all and Grover loved every moment of it

 

  Are they leaves?

Nope - just a huge flock of bird descending on my Photinea Tree!   They were beautiful - can you see all of them in the photo - 11 in this shot alone!

Then there was the traditional dog arrival of 2010 - I really have no idea where they all come from, but come they do.  This one was sad due to the fact that he gave me a nasty bite due to being so scared.  Since he was a pit bull and bite me I called Animal control and turned him over to them - the kiss of death sadly.  they held him for 14 days (no rabies) and then put him down.  I wish I could take them all and overall he settled down and was very sweet for the two days I had him but he was so focused on biting when he got scared that it was too much for the kids.

There was one more rescue this past year - I ran across a cute shitzu mix, called her "Happy".  She was matted and dirty.  Steve and I spent 4 hours shaving her and bathing her.  Three days later she found a hole in the garage and ran away - or hopefully home - no photos of her though...

Then the crazy squirrels,   I hope they are warm this winter - new flower basket liners needed as they really liked these ones!

Then a few trips  for relaxation!  Not a big travel year but did make to a few new places.

Can you say anymore about Mexico then this?

 

 

Big Happy Beaux Beaux, he does actually have front legs...  Silly dog

 

 

Random bike shots that I thought were pretty cool.

This little guy (at the rim of the pepsi can) spent 3 days flying back and fourth to the can.  It had about 1/4 of the pepsi left in it.   I guess he found a little bit of heaven in the can.  He didn't come back on the 4th day so off to the recycle bin the can went!

 

What to do with these ~~~

I have this poor house plant that I keep forgetting about in the front living room.  I feel so bad for this poor guy.    He's hung in there for the last year with little to no growth and has lost most all of his leaves; twice!  He deserves so much better.   So, I set off on-line to try and find a water minder system to help him (me really) and his watering woes.     

I struck upon this:   A Sub-Irrigation system!

So brilliant me got this idea with a few house hold items to do the same!  

Here is what I accomplished:

Take one old pot (its been painted three times and has no holes in the bottom of it, debated about painting it again but threw my back out and decided it was too much trouble)

Then grabbed a cheap old plant container from last spring (I knew it would come in handy!)

X-acto knife in hand  - Holes in el-cheapo pot and bottom taken off

Scrounge up one hard plastic bottom saucer from garage - x-acto knife at play again. I guess I know why I now keep some of this stuff!   Cut hole just a bit smaller then el-cheapo nursery pot and wah-la!

Dug through my Aquarium supplies and found this:

 

More fun with the x-acto knife, scissors, and then a dry run

 

Then back to the garage to dig up old window screening for lining el-cheap nursery pot holes - to keep the dirt in place.    

Over all I am very happy with the results  - time will tell if mister plant does any better this year!

The over all premise is to water from beneath.  El-Cheapo pot with the holes is lined with window screening and filled with soil-less soil.   Water goes down the black tube and the plant takes up the water it needs from the reservoir around el-cheapo pot.    I was surprised that the clear saucer and el-cheap pot really created a strong base for the rest of the soil and the plant!     Mister Plant is back in his home, hopefully ready for spring and less of my watering neglect!

I found a ton of information on sub-irrigation - apparently its the bomb for healthy plants.   Seems as though many people actually garden in 22g el-cheapo Walmart totes - go figure.    I don't think I am ready for my yard to be taken over by el-cheapo tubs but what a great idea!   All this for free and about 60 minutes of work!    

Where does the time go?

I have every intention to update this darn blog regularly but the days and then months get away from me.

Everyday I hear a bit of info I swear I will post on!  Obama... can I say more?    How did it get so screwy and depressing.  I am all for helping the next guy but come on - forced to go along with what they feel is the right direction?     Make my blood boil to no end.  It breaks my very soul to see our great country torn apart.  All the damn hype that he was going to cross racial lines, uniting everyone towards the same common goal.    Bullshit  - we are more divided then ever, the space between the rich middle and poor is becoming wider and wider each day the middle class groups is shrinking.    I may not have the answer on how to improve what we are faced with but I do know who does not have the answers!!!!!!!

Here is my gift to everyone on what they can do to make a change:

Blow Out Congress

Its worth a spin around the site!

 

Neighborly Love

I thought this was great and had to share!

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This guys neighbor is a "lefty" of sorts (Obama bumper stickers, Gung-ho socialized medicine, "guns should be banned", etc.).    So, He put this sign up in his yard after one of his neighbors anti-gun rants at a neighborhood cocktail party.  The sign wasn't up more than an hour before his neighbor called the police wanting them to make him take down the sign.  Fortunately, the officer politely informed him that it was not their job to take such action without a court order, and that he had to file a complaint "downtown" first, which would be reviewed by the city attorney to see if it violated any city, county, or state ordinances, which if there was a violation, a court order would be sent to the offending party to "remove the sign in seven days".  

After several weeks, he was informed that the sign was legal (by a quarter of an inch), and there was nothing the city could do, which obviously made him madder.  He tried to smooth things over by inviting his neighbor to go shooting with he and his friends at the hunt club, but that seemed to make him even more angry.  He then asked him if he wanted to go to a Tea Party rally, but again the neighbor declined the outreach efforts to bring about a better understanding between political and social opponents.

He's now at a loss how to reconcile our long relationship (notice he did not say friendship),

Any suggestions would be welcome.

Anyway, that's life in his neck of the woods, how's about yours?

It's Strange to think of Planning the Death of a Good Friend

I wrote this about 2 months ago but did not have the heart to come back to it as it means that I have lost my Dear Jet to bone cancer.    It has been a few rough months but the remaining crew and I are doing much better now. 

I am sitting here today struggling with the planning of the death of a good friend. 

We have been great friends for 7 years now.  We have celebrated birthdays, holidays and every day in between.   He has stood by me in the good and bad of life. He's been very good and on occasion very bad.   I love him just the same everyday. 

He has protected me and been my guardian. 

He's met a few cats he likes and more that he does not like.  

He has been a great friend and playmate to Little Ellie and Grover but will they miss him?    Will they understand that once I do this that he will be no more?   

I can't count the hours I have spent cleaning up his drool; wall, door jams, carpet, off of him, off Ellie and Grover and off of me... 

He will leave a big hole in my life, no pun intended. 

I sat with him for hours last night on his giagantic dog bed.  His feet smelled of Doritos...   Such a funny thing - all doggy feet smell like this.  With the exception that his smell like a huge bag of them!  

I am going to miss him dearly, my big o'l slug of a dog, Jetter's.

Here are photos of our last few days...   

Silly Boy would not stand up for anything and made me get down on his level!

Feet, one of my favorite things about him next to his big old mug

Steve bought them chew bones for Christmas and the aftermath was a large amount of it stuck to his nose... this was after 15 minutes of washing his face to get most of it off... He loved every minute of that last bone!

 

Jetter's Favorite spot, right smack dab int he middle of everything; sleeping peacefully!

Ok there is one place he liked better  - sleeping on his own giant dog bed next to my bed...  I surre do miss his snoring

So there it is, a simple farewell to a great dog

Climbing back on the blog saddle

It surprises me as to how fast life is flying by!   It is hard to believe that May and June have come and gone, July is well on it's way to being over and Micheal Jackson is dead.   

OK, so it does not surprise me that he is dead but I can say I am over all the media coverage!    Great musician, loved Thriller and even burned a CD for my car about 3 months ago and retired it to the house about a week before he died. Leaving it in the house for another year or so  - I am so over the guy at this point.   Maybe next year I can stomach it again.   

Life has been so hectic lately but I have missed updating the ol' blog...    Here is a quick montage of the last few months and what has been going on...

A quick trip down to San Antonio with Clay, His friend Dave and a girl friend of his.  We had a great time at River Walk eating and drinking and a lot of relaxing!  

Mom, this one is for you!

The next adventure was  trip back to Tampa for work.  I was able to catch up with a few friends: Doug and Alex.   It was great to see them, although was to short as we were only able to fit in a quick dinner.  I did finally get to meet Alex's little doggies Sabastian and Isabella - two cute little Chi wa wa's! 

Alex, Victoria, Kristen, Doug and me - Dinner at Tony and Chiccios - Sushi...    Who knew there was Italian Sushi?

 

We did a dinner at Dianna's house.   Gae, me and Manny relaxing on the 20th floor condo over looking the water - such a relaxing night!

Have to admit we did do a bit of drinking - Tequila... need I say more?  L-R: Christina, Me, Matt, Sheila, Kevin and Melissa.  
Fun was had by all, thanks to Dianna for letting us use her condo for the get together!

A dinner with Clay and his daughter at the Melting Pot.   It was the strangest dinner I think any of us had in a long time.  The waiter was way to talkative, the managers was rude and they decided to run the vacuum cleaner during our dinner...  It might be the last time we go there!

 

 Another work trip!   This time down to Houston for a group meeting.

 

L-R: Me, Clay (yes another Clay in TX believe it or not!) Laura, Vicki, Amanda, Carrie, Catherine, Kristen, Wayne and Rhonda - GO TEXAS TEAM! 

Part of the "Texacagolina" Team: L-R:  Will (Chicago), Rhonda (San Antonio), Laura (Dallas) and Penny (NC).  the bestest Peeps in the world! 

More of the Bestest Peeps - Kristen and Pam! 

And More!   L-R: Penny, Rhonda, Jill and Victoria! 

The next adventure is a quick road trip with Grover to Clayton Lake (there we go with Clay again) to camp with my parents. It will be good to back in the car and doing a bit of traveling.   I am excited to see my parents and spend a few days with them in the great outdoors.   I'll report back on all the fun! 

PS for those who asked for an update on the Wyoming road trip  - it is still in the works  but may have to be put off until next year.  I have about 3/4 of the destinations mapped out and a Realtor or two waiting in the wings!  See you all soon! 

More Always Means Less

This was part of a note written by Dr. Bill Lawrence  to Pastor Andy at Irving Bible Church who was recently diagnosed with cancer.    When I read it the words came to life for me.     It is all about time;   making the most of it, wanting more of it, not having enough of it and not knowing when it will be over. 

“More always means less. There's always more out there somewhere. More opportunity, more recognition, more power, more control, more success, more money, more everything. But more always means less. You see, to get more of whatever we seek, we always end up with less time. That's what we do in life-we trade our time for whatever we gain. Now everything in life is finite, but nothing is more finite or more final than time. There's more of everything else, but there's never more of time. We kid ourselves into thinking we have more time. We say, "I think I'll put more time into sales or management or golf," but we don't really have more time, we just manage ourselves differently in the time we have. We'll never have more time. In fact we have no idea how much time we do have. We look at the game clock and think, "I have years to go before the game ends," but only the Timekeeper actually knows how much time we have. And He's not telling. So here's the deal. More means less. No matter how much more you get, in the end you always have less time. Now all of us need to go after more because that's the way life works. It's just that you need to make sure the more you're going after is worth the less time you'll have once you get it. . .so what "more" are you going after? At this point in your life what makes the "more" you're seeking worth the less time you will have once you get it?

Something to think about...