Another Year Gone

As I get older, the years seem to fly by faster than when I was younger and the end of another one is here.

The year seemed to have gone by so fast, where did the time go? We had a pretty good year, thank God and I pray that the next one is just as good or better.

Everyone wants the next year to be better, right? Or if it can't be better, no worse than the last. I pray it's also better for those who lost their jobs and/or homes. I know how that feels firsthand and I wouldn't wish it on anyone. This past year has been tough on so many in this country and around the world, with the economy being what it's been and not to mention the natural disasters, it has been a year that no one, I'm sure, wants a repeat.

A new year gives us all a new beginning, a new hope for things to be better, even if it's just succeeding at the new year's resolutions we made. I've made one, one I've made in the past, to lose weight. One I'm sure so many others have made. I've lost some over the last few months, but I still have about twenty more to go. I've lost it before, so I know I can do it again, it just takes getting up and doing it, getting motivated. Thank goodness I haven't given up my Weight Watchers on line membership.

The hardest part for me is the "getting motivated" part, as I'm sure it is for a lot of people. This coming year though I plan to succeed for good. I said that the last time too, only to gain the weight back, but this time, I plan not to have that happen.

I know that if I put my mind to it, I can do it. I quit smoking and that was almost fourteen years ago and I never looked back. I need to have that same mindset again. I had it the last time I lost weight, but lost it. I need to find it again.

I, like so many others I'm sure, resolve to make the coming new year better than the last and I plan to succeed. I also pray that everyone else who made the same resolution succeeds. But to make sure that you make it into the new year, please if you're going to party tonight, do it wisely. If you drink, don't drive. Have a designated driver.

Here is my wish for everyone, have a safe and a very happy New Year. May God bless you in the coming year and in those that follow.

Wishing you all

A Safe and Very

And A Safe and
Very Happy New Year!

♫I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas...♫

Wishing everyone who is dreaming of one, a White Christmas.

☃☃☃☃☃☃☃☃☃☃☃☃☃☃☃☃☃☃☃☃☃☃☃☃☃

Kroger Recalls Pet Food

Got this from Dogster.com

From a press release issued by the Kroger Co. this weekend:
The Kroger Co. said today it is recalling select packages of pet food sold in some of its retail stores because the products may contain aflatoxin, which poses a health risk to pets. Aflatoxin is a naturally-occurring toxic chemical by-product from the growth of the fungus Aspergillus flavus on corn and other crops. If your pet shows any symptoms of illness, including sluggishness or lethargy combined with a reluctance to eat, yellowish tint to the eyes and/or gums, and severe or bloody diarrhea, please consult your veterinarian immediately.
Kroger stores in the following states are included in this recall: Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, Ohio, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia and West Virginia.
The recall also includes Dillons and Gerbes stores in Kansas and Missouri; Baker’s stores in Nebraska; Food 4 Less stores in Nebraska, Illinois and Indiana (Chicago area); and Jay C, Hilander, Owen’s, Pay Less and Scott’s stores in Illinois and Indiana. Stores the company operates under the following names are not included in this recall: Ralphs, Fred Meyer, Fry’s, King Soopers, Smith’s, QFC, City Market, Foods Co., and Food 4 Less stores in California and Nevada.
Kroger is recalling the following items:
Dog food:
Old Yeller Chunk Dog Food sold in 22 lb. packages with a sell by date of OCT 23 11 DP and OCT 24 11 DP under the following UPC code: 1111074566
Old Yeller Chunk Dog Food sold in 50 lb. packages with a sell by date of OCT 23 11 DP and OCT 24 11 DP under the following UPC code: 1111074563
Kroger Value Chunk Dog Food sold in 15 lb. packages with a sell by date of OCT 23 11 DP and OCT 24 11 DP under the following UPC code: 1111071559
Kroger Value Chunk Dog Food sold in 50 lb. packages with a sell by date of OCT 23 11 DP and OCT 24 11 DP under the following UPC code:1111000108
Cat food:
Pet Pride Cat Food sold in 3.5 lb. packages with a sell by date of OCT 23 11 DP and OCT 24 11 DP under the following UPC code: 1111088128
Pet Pride Cat Food sold in 18 lb. packages with a sell by date of OCT 23 11 DP and OCT 24 11 DP under the following UPC code: 1111071357
Pet Pride Tasty Blend Poultry & Seafood Cat Food sold in 3.5 lb. packages with a sell by date of OCT 23 11 DP and OCT 24 11 DP under the following UPC code: 1111088152
Pet Pride Tasty Blend Poultry & Seafood Cat Food sold in 18 lb. packages with a sell by date of OCT 23 11 DP and OCT 24 11 DP under the following UPC code: 1111074580
Pet Pride Kitten Formula Food sold in 3.5 lb. packages with a sell by date of OCT 23 11 DP and OCT 24 11 DP under the following UPC code: 1111071903
Kroger Value Cat Food sold in 3 lb. packages with a sell by date of OCT 23 11 DP and OCT 24 11 DP under the following UPC code: 1111000018
The safety of our customers and their pets is important to Kroger. The company is using its Customer Recall Notification system to alert customers who may have purchased these recalled products through register receipt tape messages and automated phone calls. Customers who have purchased a recalled item should not use it and should return it to a store for a full refund or replacement. Customers who have questions about this recall may contact Kroger toll-free at (800) 632-6900. For more information, please visit www.kroger.com/recalls.

By: Maria Goodavage

Disappointing News Last Night

I called Kenneth to see what his and Elicia's plans for Christmas were since I hadn't heard from him to let me know when they would be coming up. It turns out they're not.

It would have been nice for him to have let me know sooner. He never does though, I usually have to be the one doing the calling because I don't like last minute surprises, like this one, but if they're not coming, there's nothing I can do about it and since there were just the three of us on Thanksgiving, another last minute surprise of his, they did come that Saturday though, we'll do our own celebrating.

I just hate when we're not all together for the holidays though. That has been the one thing I have hated about living so far away from Pittsburgh, not being able to be with the whole family every year at this time. They don't know how lucky they are back there and how much I wish each year that we can be there with them.

Oh well, I can sit here and dwell on the disappointments all day and make myself depressed, something I'm already on medication for, or get on with life and make the best of what I was dealt. I choose the latter. Our tree looks gorgeous, in fact all the decorations do, and it looks like we're going to have the white Christmas I was hoping for. Dave and I will be able to go out skiing over the weekend, we do cross country, no mountains to fall off of. It's fun and good exercise. Dave will also be able to try out the new boots he bought for himself. Weather permitting, we're also planning on hitting the malls and a few other stores on Christmas eve. It'll be nice being on the other side of the register this time. For years I was the one working. I will set the table for Christmas dinner like I had planned and we will have a nice meal. I think I'll even bake the Scottish shortbread cookies that a friend gave me his old family recipe for.  I might even pull out the pizzelle press I have and make some pizzelles, I haven't made those in awhile.

I do wish that Kenneth and Elicia could be here on Christmas, but even though they can't, I'm going to make it a merry one anyway, I'm not going to let the depression win, plus I can't wait to see the look on Dave's face when he opens the gift that David and I bought him. Boy is he going to be surprised!

So, it won't be a sad Christmas after all, I won't let it.

Are Poinsettias poisonous to your Pets?

By S. Elliott

Despite persistent rumors to the contrary, poinsettias are not poisonous, and munching on the occasional poinsettia leaf won't kill your pet. According to the American Association For the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) Poison Control web page, eating poinsettias will probably produce gastrointestinal tract irritation, but no serious symptoms. If your pet is elderly, ill or very young, take extra precautions, but with some prudent placement, poinsettias can brighten up even a pet owner's home.

It's good to know the truth after all these years.

Procrastination

Okay, I have to admit, that I am a procrastinator about things, especially housework and maybe that's where he got it from, number one son that is. But if I have a short amount of time that I am told that something needs done, I get it done quickly and not wait around, especially if it's something important.

Well, on Friday or Saturday, he got a call from the company he works for that they were doing their interviews with employees to verify that they can lawfully work here in the US. I forget what the form is called, but it's done annually. He was told that he would be receiving an email giving him all the information about where to call, where to go, and what to take. He had only three days to set up an interview, yesterday, today, and tomorrow. Knowing that I'm the one who has to drive him because he doesn't drive, I would have hoped that he would call early to see if an appointment was needed.

Wrong! Yesterday he should have called, but didn't and to tell the truth, I didn't know about it or I would have reminded him to get it done. It was not until last night, after it was too late to call, that I found out about it and that he had only three days to get it done. Needless to say, I was ticked and he knew it.

Luckily for him, which he found out when he called this morning, I made him call first thing before he did anything else, an appointment isn't needed and he can go in anytime between nine and five, except lunchtime. So, instead of procrastinating any longer we are going this afternoon, oh and did I mention that we have to go up to Des Moines, to get it done. I may stop and do some more Christmas shopping while I'm at it.

Oh yeah, one more place we have to stop is at the courthouse in town to get his state ID renewed. He let that expire. It should have been renewed back in October.

I guess this is one lesson he really took to heart. I wish he hadn't.

Grow Old With Dogs

I found this at Useless Graphics.com. 

GROW OLD WITH DOGS

When I am old...

I will wear soft gray sweatshirts...

and a bandana over my silver hair...

and I will spend my social security checks on wine and my dogs.

I will sit in my house on my well-worn chair and listen

to my dogs'  breathing.

I will sneak out in the middle of a warm summer night

and take my dog for an ice cream , if my old car will allow...

When people come to call,

I will smile and nod as I show them my dogs...

and talk of them and about them...

...The ones so beloved of the past

and the one so loved today...

I will still work hard cleaning after them mopping

and feeding them  and whispering their names in a soft loving way.

I will wear the gleaming sweat on my throat, like a

jewel and I will be an embarrassment to all...

especially my family...

who have not yet found the  peace

in being free to have dogs as your best friends...

These friends who always wait, at any hour, for your footfall...

and eagerly jump to their feet out of a sound sleep,

to greet you as if you're a God,

With warm eyes full of adoring love and hope that you will always stay,

I'll hug their big strong necks...

I'll kiss their dear sweet heads...

and whisper in their very special company...

I look in the Mirror...

and see I am getting old...

this is the kind of person I am...

and always has been.

Loving dogs is easy,

they are a part of me.

 Please accept me for who I am.

My dogs appreciate my presence in their lives...

they love my presence in the their lives....

you will understand when you are old....

If you have dogs to love too.

Blizzard Warning?!!

Wow, what a difference a day makes, yesterday it hit the 50s and today it's 18.8 according to our little weather thing-a-ma-jig. The wind is really howling too.

We're supposed to get between two to four inches of snow, with more possible. The blizzard warning said between five and eight, but the forecast said two to four, so depending on who you're listening to or reading, depends on what forecast you get.

I do pity the people who have to go to work today. I wouldn't want to be out there driving, but I'm sure there are people who are who don't have to be. People will drive in all kinds of weather. They'll even go around the gates up north that block them from getting on the freeway when it's closed. Stupid! It's closed for a reason people! It also makes me wonder how many hunters are out there braving the temps just to get a deer. With the wind chill as low as it is, they'd be wise not to. Me, I'm not going anywhere.

Well, the old saying sure came true, "If you don't like the weather, just wait awhile. It will change." I wish it would change back to yesterday's weather.

It sure doesn't feel like Christmas today

Dang, it's already close to 50 degrees outside. We're going to wish we had these warm temps tomorrow and Sunday especially, when it's supposed to drop into the low double digits.

I actually got two Christmas presents bought, one for Dave and one for David. I still need to get a few more things. Luckily I don't have a lot of people to buy for. It's hard enough buying for the ones I have.

We're getting a combined gift for Kenneth and Elicia, which is easier than trying to figure out what to get them individually. They are by far, the two hardest people to buy for. But Dave came up with what I think is a very good idea. I'll probably still get them a little something for each of them individually. I'm sure everyone has someone like that.

Anyway, today is going to be warm, it's funny how a couple months ago it would have been considered cold. Even Rolli is liking it because it means she gets to stay outside longer. But she really likes snow too. She loves to jump into snowdrifts. But Sunday will be a very different story, probably no snow, but too cold for even Rolli.

December 7, 1941

A day that will live in infamy, the bombing of Pearl Harbor. May we take some time out of our busy lives today to remember those who perished. Let us not forget. God bless America.

So there I was...

Yesterday, driving down the freeway on my way home from a dentist appointment. I had the cruise control on set to the speed limit of 70, had my radio set to my favorite station. No one was near me, it was almost like I had the road to myself, when what do my eyes see in my rear view mirror, some jerk in a red SUV coming up behind me and sitting on my tail, trying to get me to go faster.

Now mind you, there was hardly anyone driving on this section of the freeway because we were far enough south of Des Moines that the traffic had thinned out. And I gotta tell you, there is hardly anything south of Des Moines until you come to Osceola and the casino and then nothing after that until you get to the Missouri line.

Like I said before, there was no one near me, not in front of me, not next to me, not behind me, that is until this person came riding up on my tail, and he sat there, only a few feet away, or so it seemed for a good five minutes. Why he thought I was going to speed up, I didn't know, but I had no reason to. I was in no hurry. I was having a nice time, driving and listening to my favorite station on the radio. I even had a cup of mocha cappuccino that I had bought for myself when I stopped to get some gas.

There's a short story there too, the guy inside said that he thought I was going to leave without paying. Probably because I reached inside the van to get my purse and he thought I was getting in to leave. I would never do that, it's not worth losing my license over, but I'm sure some people have.

So anyway there I was with this guy behind me disturbing the good time I was having. So what did I do, I started talking to him in my rear view mirror, not yelling just talking, telling him that I wasn't going to go any faster and if he didn't like it, tough sh*t and to go around me, but I guess he wasn't buying it because there he sat, riding my tail trying to get me to speed up.

He did finally pass me, I don't know, maybe the bright idea to do so just came to him at that moment, but he did pass me and I was able to get back to my driving, tunes, and cappuccino.

Some people are just crazy drivers in a hurry to go nowhere. They're the kind I'd like to, as my mother would say, "Hit upside the head with a 2x4 and knock some sense into them." Again, I would never do it... but sometimes I'm tempted.

The First Snow

Had our first snow this morning, well actually it was just a dusting, but it was still snow. I had decorated the tree yesterday, so it was kind of fitting. It did make it feel like it is really the Christmas season.

Speaking of the tree, so far the cats have been very good kitties and have left it alone at night. I hope it stays that way.

Back to the snow. To tell the truth, I'm not looking forward to the first real snowfall, but I would like a white Christmas. I mean, we've learned since we were youngins that you're supposed to want a white Christmas, right, and growing up in Pittsburgh, I remember having a lot of them. I also remember not being scared to drive in snow, until I had that bad accident that is. Even then I still loved it. I remember how disappointed I was when we lived in California and Virginia and how excited I was when it snowed after we moved here.

Well, times change and so do people and I've changed in how I feel about snow. Now after driving in it and worrying about Dave having to drive in it, I don't look forward to it. If it happens when no one has to go anywhere then that's fine, but if someone does, then I'm a worrywart. I hate thinking of them having to drive in the stuff and what might happen. I'm not happy until they're home safe and sound.

And I haven't even touched the cold that goes with it.

Oh, and as for the tree, this is how it turned out, not too bad I must say.

Christmas Time is Here

Got the autumn wreath on the front door taken down and have the tree up, but not decorated. Dave wants to see how the cats react to it before I decorate it. That will determine if they have to stay in their room all night or if they get to roam the house, something I would prefer. It's a pain trying to get all for of them in there at once, plus the mice seem to take advantage of the situation, so this year if we can, we've decided to let them stay out.

One of the things I've been thinking of is wrapping the tree with chicken wire at night so that they can't climb it or knock the ornaments off. It's something I'm still contemplating. I'll see how tonight goes first.

They knocked the tree over one year. I think that was when we started confining them to their room at night. It was also then that I realized that four cats and a tree with glass ornaments did not go together well. Unlike our last two cats, who never bothered the tree much less try to climb it, these guys loved taking the chance. I think one of them would climb it while the others egged them on, or they would all take turns. I wonder who was doing the climbing when it got knocked over. I bet they had a shocked look on their face when it happened and probably ran to hide, something they all do when they know they're going to be in trouble. Unlike the dogs, they don't kiss up.

Our old tree was one of those that you pushed the branches into a little notch-type thing, so in the morning I would also see branches knocked out, but miraculously, the ornaments would still be on it. I wonder who was responsible for that one, Patches probably. She is the smallest one of the four and the most ready to take chances like that. Maybe it stems from her being an outside cat or rather kitten longer than the other three.

We have a new tree this year, one of the pre-lit kind. I didn't want a pre-lit one, but it was the only one I could find to fit in front of our window and not stick out into the living room too much. We have a long narrow room which also has way too much furniture in it. This one fits in it perfectly. Let's just hope the cats don't like it as much as they liked the other one and leave it alone. I'm sure though that if it were up for bets in Vegas, the odds would probably be 1000 to 1. Wanna place bets?

Happy Thanksgiving

From our home to yours, 

Wishing you a Safe and Happy Thanksgiving.

Some Thoughts

I've been here thinking that I can't believe that it's almost the end of the year. This Thursday is Thanksgiving and then onto Christmas and after that 2011.

And anyone who really knows me knows how much I love my dogs. You're probably thinking, "What's that got to do with the end of the year," right?

Here's what. I was thinking that in 2011 Jake and Rolli will both be 11 and Angel will be 9. Max will be 4. I still remember when they all were puppies, when we adopted Jake from the shelter, when Rolli and Angel wandered into our yard, and when Max followed Dave and Rolli home. It's sad to think that three of them are in the last half of their lives.

Jake is slowing down, a lot. He still acts like a pup at times, but the times are getting fewer. He still has his hyper moments though such as when a car goes up or down the road and he barks up a storm. I don't think that will ever change. I do miss him sleeping beside me on the bed at night like he used to do. Now he prefers the floor. I don't know why, he just just started doing it this year. Looking at his whitened face and muzzle, it used to be a beautiful strawberry blond where most of the white is now, I'm not looking forward to the day when he'll no longer be with us, but I know that day is coming.

Rolli is more active than Jake and acts like a puppy more times than he does. It's funny when she goes into what we call, "Rolli mode." She acts so goofy that it just cracks me up. And seeing her playing with Max outside, especially seeing the both of them digging side by side, even though they know that it's a no no, is just so cute. He loves to torment her, probably because she's the same size as he is, only rounder. But just looking at her gray muzzle lets one know that she's not so young anymore either.

Angel is slowing down too. It looks like she may be developing hip dysplasia because I've noticed that she's having trouble jumping on and off our bed. She's walking slower too. Her breed is one that is prone to it. Hopefully though, she still has a lot of years left. Other than her slowing down, she doesn't look any older. One thing that will never change is that she'll always be my baby girl.

Max, our little puppy butt and spoiled little mama's boy, still is a puppy at heart. He tries to bully Jake, but Jake has gotten to where he just ignores him, which is good. I guess Jake finally decided that he's too old to let it get to him anymore. He loves to torment Rolli, but I already said that. He's so cute when he "roo roos" her or anyone else for that matter. He's such a little clown. Right now he's in one of his favorite spots, sleeping next to me here on the couch. He hates when Jake gets there first.

I guess the weather today has a lot to do with my thinking. It's cloudy and dreary. Winter is definitely on it's way, but I'm glad that it decided not to arrive early like it did last year. We had had our first snow by now then. This year at least we haven't had that yet.

The good Lord is the only one who knows exactly how much longer any of us have here on earth and I'm going to try not to think about it as often, but to saver the time I have left making the time the pups have left as happy and comfortable as they can be. I owe them that much for all the joy they have brought into our lives. Our home would have been so empty without them. I'm so thankful they chose us.

Thank a Veteran

Today is Veteran's Day, be sure that if you know a veteran to thank him for serving. If you see one of our men or women in uniform, thank them too, they deserve it and it makes them feel good to know that you appreciate what they are doing.

I Have Learned My Lesson

Never go to a store opening especially if it opens on a weekend. Bad bad move.

That's what Dave and I did yesterday. They opened a Trader Joe's here, well not here here, but in West Des Moines and being that we became fans of the store when we were in Indy on business, we were looking forward to the one opening here. It actually opened on Friday but being that we had to go there, to West Des Moines on Saturday anyway, we decided to check it out. Bad decision.

We didn't have a problem finding a parking space, which was kind of surprising, but once we got in the store, there was hardly any breathing room, let alone walking room. Talk about feeling like a sardine in a can. There were people everywhere. And you know how people always tend to stop in the middle of the aisle at grocery stores, yes, even I have been guilty of it, people were doing it in every aisle. Since people were coming the other way in the same aisle, it was very hard to get around the person doing so. When the line was moving, I felt like I was in a very slow moving assembly line. I felt really bad for the employees too, the stuff was selling faster than they could restock the shelves.

The next time we go, it'll be after the newness of the store being here all dies down. Then we'll be able to really enjoy it. We learned our lesson, that's for sure. Hopefully we've learned it for good.

The Morning After

Whether you liked or disliked yesterday's election results, I'm sure we can all agree about one thing, that we're glad those campaign ads are no longer running.

But...don't get too comfy because in their places for the next month and a half we will be bombarded with store Christmas commercials. Those annoying ads begging us to buy buy buy. Macy's got the jump on everyone and started theirs early.

It's funny seeing Macy's commercials here in Iowa because there are no Macy's here. I believe the closest one is either in Minnesota at the Mall of America or down in Kansas City. I don't want to go shopping at Macy's that bad. I wouldn't mind going back down to Kansas City or back up to Minnesota, but not to go to Macy's.

They tried getting a Macy's here once and almost succeeded, but instead got a Dillard's. I guess Macy's didn't think Des Moines had a big enough shopping population for them. That's okay, there are plenty of other stores to shop at. And if I really want to shop there, I can do it on line, one of the perks of having the internet right at my finger tips, well maybe not for my wallet.

Iowa used to get looked over for a lot of things, except during the presidential elections, that "First in the Nation" thing. That's slowly changing. People are starting to notice our little state for more than that. It's nice in some ways and not so nice in others. I just hope that it doesn't cause Iowa to lose all the charm that makes it Iowa.

Oh, and as for those annoying Christmas commercials, at least they'll be gone after Christmas, only to be replaced by News Years Day ones, Valentine day ones, etcetera, etcetera. One thing we can always count on are commercials wanting us to buy, it's like knowing the sun will come up tomorrow, we can almost certainly count on it.

Just a Reminder

If you haven't done so already,

TOMORROW NOVEMBER 2

All Saints Day

I remember when I was in grade school, went to a Catholic school from first grade to eighth, we used to have the day off school and would celebrate All Saints Day by going to Mass. One of the perks of going to a Catholic school was that we got days off that the public schools didn't, but we also got out for summer after they did.

If I remember correctly and believe me, this was a long time ago, All Saints Day was considered a Holy Day Of Obligation, meaning you had to go to Mass or it was a sin if you didn't. I remember there being a lot of those.

I remember going to confession too. Our pastor's name was Father Frawley, they named the church's hall after him, Frawley Hall, it's still named that. When we had to go to confession every Friday, we kids hoped and prayed that we wouldn't get him to confess our sins to. He would give out the longest penances, the prayers you had to say when you were finished confessing your sins. Instead of a few Hail Marys and Our Fathers, he would give us lots to the point we felt like we were never going to be finished saying them. He was also tall and an ex- Marine, which made him seem all that more menacing to us.

I don't go to Mass anymore, but I did go through high school. By that time they had started having Mass on Saturday evenings if you didn't want to wait to go on Sunday, so a couple friends and I would go. We would sit in the back rows so that as soon as Mass was finished, we would be the first ones to leave. I think we only went because our parents wanted us to go.

The old school has closed down, but the church is still active. Father Frawley of course is no longer there, but we still have the hall to remember him by. The wedding reception for my brother's wedding was held in that hall. Maybe the next time I go back home to visit, I'll stop in. It can't hurt and who knows, maybe I'll run into some of those friends I used to go to church with long ago.

Hubby Vent, and Who Doesn't Have at least One?

Has your husband ever done something and instead of admitting it, took the defense?

Dave did that yesterday and it wouldn't have been so bad, but he does it all the time. I mean, what am I going to do, give him a time out, a spanking? Please! Some of you are probably thinking, "Hey, he might like the later." Get your minds out of the gutter people.

Here's what happened. Friday is usually laundry day around here because that way the weekend is free for other things. Dave also usually goes into the office on Friday, but since he had to go in Monday and Wednesday for meetings, he stayed home to work yesterday, but that wasn't the problem.

Like I said earlier, Friday is laundry day. Thursday David did his laundry and after he was done, Dave decided to wash some winter coats and stuff. Not a problem except he forgot to tighten the cap on the laundry detergent when he was done. Well Friday morning when I went to use it, you guessed it, the cap fell off and laundry detergent spilled all over the rug in front of the washer. Thank goodness for the rug because otherwise I would have had a worse mess to clean up. At least the rug can be picked up and washed.

Anyway, as you might have guessed, I said a choice word and then yelled to David, forgetting that Dave had been the last to use it, that was until he said those magic words, "Well it wasn't like that when I used it." No duh! That's because he was the one who left it like that. No saying, "Oh I was the last one to use it so it must have been me." Nothing like that, no apology, nothing. He expects David and I to admit our mistakes, but no, not him. He, like I am far from perfect, so why not admit it? When he doesn't, all it does is tick me off for the rest of the day and makes his life miserable. You would have thought that after 32 years of marriage, he would have figured it out by now, don't tick me off or your life will be miserable. It's been that way in marriages for eons.

I know I shouldn't sweat the small stuff, but to tell the truth, sometimes I just have to. It's not in me not to hold on to a grudge for at least a day. He's just lucky I'm not holding on to it longer. I can keep a grudge for years and he knows it.

There, now I let it go and things are better... until the next time and we all know there will be a next time. It's inevitable.

The "Butt Scratch Boogie"

Just a little something to make you smile. :)

This is one of Max's favorite things to do. He stopped when he saw that I had the camera. Kenneth laughed so hard when he was here for Christmas last year and had his foot sticking out and Max started doing his thing. :)

He also likes Dave or I to scratch his back with the back scratcher David bought for them at the fair last year. I have a video of that too. :) He's such a funny pup.

The Godfather and The Cats

I think I know where the story for the Godfather came from, it came from watching cats.

Cats are sadistic little beings. I think they've been trying to leave a not so nice message for me. Twice now when they have caught a mouse, I have found only half of it. I think I know which cat it is too. I have it narrowed down to either Peanut or Patches, or Patches doing Peanut's dirty work. She is after all, the younger sister and being a younger sister, I remember how my older sisters made me do all their dirty work. I've also seen Patches with a mouse that she's caught; she is one sadistic little kitty.

I have a couple theories as to the message they're trying to convey. It could be, "Tell Max to quit chasing us or he gets it." Being a Jack Russell, he naturally likes chasing things and in the house, even though he knows he's not allowed to do it and has plenty of toys, he likes to chase the cats. And of all the cats, he likes chasing Peanut best, when he can catch her in the hallway that is.

It could be the message isn't for me after all, but for the mice. Maybe the cats are sending the mice a message that if they don't want the same thing to happen to them, they will find other living accommodations. That would be my best bet and if that is the message, I wish the mice would take the warning and leave. They are nasty little creatures.

But whatever the message was and whomever it was for, at least this time they were a little neater about it.

 

Patches, even the look on her face is saying, "Mice beware!"

Those Election Ads

I'm sure everyone else is going through it too, being bombarded with political ads from all sides. Every two years we go through it and it keeps getting worse.

If you're like me, by this time you are so sick of the ads, you mute every one. And they run one after another, so you just keep the mute on until the program you've been watching resumes.

Now I don't mind the ads candidates put out that describes what their accomplishments have been, but the ones that bash the other candidate have got to go. If you can't run on your own accomplishments, don't run at all. This year especially, it seems some candidates in this state have run ads bashing their opponents and also, bashing their opponents for things they, themselves voted for. I know, it doesn't make sense, but it seems they want to confuse the voters into thinking that they are the party of the other candidate. It would be funny if they weren't so desperate.

There was one ad running by an incumbent candidate that really hit rock bottom when it came to attacking his opponent, bringing up the guy's past personal financial problems at a time when hundreds of thousands are going through the same thing. He's since cleaned the ad up, but not by much and I think the only reason he did was because it was backfiring on him. I'm hoping it's done so much damage for his campaign that he isn't re-elected but unfortunately he probably will be.

There is one incumbent candidate that is running solely on his accomplishments and has not run one ad bashing his opponent. His opponent, however, has run ads bashing him that in my opinion were pathetic. No wonder she's thirty points behind in the polls. She's since been running ads trying to make herself look good, but I think it's too little too late.

I will be so glad when election day finally comes and the ads stop. Unfortunately with being the "First in the Country,"  here in Iowa, we already know that the ads for those presidential hopefuls aren't far behind. It seems that we just can't catch a break.

Corn Mountain

There is one town we go to every so often. We used to go to it more, but since they built the Wal*Mart in the one closest to us, we go there more now.

In that town there is what used to be a farmer's co-op, it may still be one, but the original one went bankrupt a few years back, so now it's in new hands. Anyway, when harvest time is in full swing, at that co-op or what used to be one, farmers come to store their grain until the following spring, when they plant their new crops or they sell it and each fall, there is a mountain of golden yellow that grows and grows. Each spring it shrinks down, but while it's growing, it's an impressive sight that can be seen by people as they're driving to and from town. I saw the mountain this morning as I drove into  town for a doctor's appointment and again as I left.

Iowa doesn't have any mountains, per say, but for the last few months of every year and the beginning few of the next, in this area and I'm sure in others as well, we have the golden mountain to look forward to seeing. It reminds us all of the hard work farmers do to grow the food that we put on our tables each day.

A little reminder in a little more than a month as we all sit down to Thanksgiving dinner, thank a farmer for his hard work and God for making it all possible.

The Smaller They Are

Did you ever notice that the smaller dogs are, the more room they take up? That was the case last night when Jake went to sleep on the floor, Max decided to sleep in his space.

First, it was something I should have discouraged, which I usually do, but last night I was extra tired from taking an allergy pill, my medications that I take at bedtime, and a sleeping pill, because I knew that if I didn't the allergy pill would keep me awake.

It did me hardly any good, thanks to Max. For a little dog, he takes up a heck of a lot of room, plus he snores. If that wasn't bad enough, he snuggled himself right next to me with his head either on my pillow, which isn't that big, or buried his nose under it, so that when he snored, it went right in my ear.

If he wasn't right there next to me, he curled himself into a ball, but did it so that he had most of my side of the bed and I was sleeping, or rather trying to, practically on top of Dave. Shucks, even Jake or Angel, when she sleeps there, isn't THAT bad about hogging space and they're bigger than Max is.

When he sleeps in his usual spot, at the bottom of the bed, Max will stretch himself out width wise, across the bottom of the bed so that between him and Angel, I have hardly any foot room. In the summer it's not a problem because both of them sleep on the floor and since Rolli can't jump on the bed anymore and Jake has started sleeping on the floor, it gives Dave and I our bed back. Jake will, in the middle of the night, jump back on the bed, but only for a little while. When the weather gets colder however, Max and Angel are back on the bed. You know that warm air rises and cold air falls thing, I think that's why.

I really don't mind them sleeping on the bed, but geeze, we have the biggest size made, a California king, and when they take up most of it, there's no room for us. Something's gotta give. Maybe we should just sleep on the sofa bed and give them our bed, think that'll work? Nah, they'll be in there sleeping with us and taking up that bed too.

On the Straight and Narrow Once Again

I went to the dentist for a realignment of my plate the other day and when I got home, realized that it was off center. Can you imagine going through the days with off center teeth? Neither could I so I went back today for another realignment. This time instead of the tech doing it, the dentist himself did it and afterwards apologized repeatedly for the screw-up. He was really nice about the whole thing. We even laughed when it was all over.

It feels good to have a straight smile again. My whole face felt cockeyed from my teeth being off center. Now when I look in the mirror, I won't feel all off center anymore, which is good because I get dizzy easy. Being off center can do that to you. I know because I've been off center in other ways for years.

A Must See for Dog Lovers

This just might change your mind about Pitbulls. It's a great video.

The History of the Pitbull

Is it my imagination, or...

Is my mom's memory slowly getting better?

I called there yesterday to talk to my sister because I didn't get a chance to call her on Sunday and I thought she might have off, being that it was Columbus Day.

Well, she was at work, so my mom answered. Now normally she can't hear me that well, but again yesterday, she could. This was the second time in a row. Could be that her hearing aid was clean and my sister turns up the volume on the phone when she's gone. But that's not all, her memory was better again too. I haven't talked to my sister, so I'm not sure if Mom remembered to tell her that I called, but if she did, that would be the second time in a row too.

I do hope that it's not my imagination and her being off all the medication the doctors had her on is finally having a good effect on her memory.

Wouldn't that be great?

Harvest time Equals Barking time

Every year our one neighbor uses one of our grain bins to store his soybeans in. Well yesterday was the day they started cutting and bringing them here to store. I'm surprised the dogs haven't lost their bark from barking so much, especially Jake and Rolli. They are the two who have been doing the non-stop barking.

Max on the other hand, will go out for a little bit, bark and then turn around and want right back in. Then he'll sit in here and bark really low so that no one outside can hear him, but we can. I guess he thinks he's protecting Dave and I in case any of the people outside decide to try to get in the house. Of course they would have to make it past the other three first.

Jake just came in, I think he may have a sore throat from barking so much. I know if it were me, I would. He's now at the back door barking, but it does seem kind of hoarse. The two girls are still outside, but I don't hear Rolli barking, only Angel.

Finally Rolli and Angel are in. I think Rolli got bored with the whole barking thing or just tired herself out because she was just laying on the sidewalk when I went out. Angel tried to keep up the whole fearsome doggy routine, but I think she was getting tired as well. It now seems as if they've all worn themselves out keeping up the whole fearsome doggy routine and have crashed here in the house. They did put on a good act though.

Well, the bin is now full for another year and the pups have all settled down, all tuckered out from protecting their domain; except Jake, he's always on the alert, ready to bark whenever needed... or not.

The lucky dog!

A friend of mine is going to be in the Burgh over the weekend, the lucky dog!

He's a friend from high school who I got back in touch with through Facebook. He's actually going to be there for a couple dog shows. He and his wife raise and show Belgian Shepherds. They have four, three that they show.

Anyway, while back there, he's going to take a ride out to our hometown, to one of that town's favorite places for hoagies and pizza. He let it be known that he would be there tomorrow evening.

I'm jealous, not only because he'll be there and not me, but that he'll be having one of those great hoagies. I couldn't eat one right now even if I had one, but that doesn't matter, I'm still jealous.

Wow, October already!

Boy, this year has gone by really fast, already it's October. Before you know it, it will be Halloween, then Thanksgiving, and then Christmas.

Does anyone besides me not like Halloween? I'm so glad that we live in an area that does not have trick or treaters.

I used to like Halloween. I remember as a kid, we used to go everywhere trick or treating and got tons of stuff. We used to use pillow cases and would have to go back home and get another after we would fill the first one up or carry several for that reason. We would have candy until Easter. A friend and I even went trick or treating in our senior year of high school. Of course that was a long time ago. Nowadays a lot of areas have an age limit. There are even limits on how long trick or treating will last. Okay, that one I agree with. I even agree with the age limits too. Trick or treating should be for the little kids, not ones who can buy their own stuff.

Now Thanksgiving and Christmas I like because the family, meaning Dave, David, Kenneth, his fiance Elicia, and I all get together and have a nice day.

We bought a sleeper sofa so that Kenneth and Elicia could spend the night and not have to drive all the way back to Kansas City, but they prefer to do that and as Kenneth's mom, I worry the whole time. He doesn't always call to let us know that they made it okay either, which makes me worry even more until I see him on Facebook and then I get mad. I did teach him better than that, but he will do what he wants to do, he is after all, a grown man, even though he's still my baby.

Speaking of Kenneth, he'll be 30 at the end of the month. I was hoping to be a grandmother by now, but so far, it ain't happening and it doesn't look like it will anytime soon. Others I know are grandmothers, but not me. I have come to the conclusion that it probably won't happen and have learned to deal with it. I'm not happy about it, but I am dealing with it.

Oh well, at least the weather is cooperating.

In Memorium

The board I belong to lost one of its favorite members last week. We knew him as Buddy Roe. He had fought a hard fight against cancer, but the nasty disease finally got the best of him.

He was a good guy, one of those who always had something nice to say to everyone. He was someone the world could use more of. He would  joke about his illness, possibly to keep the rest of us from worrying too much about him, but we still worried, we couldn't help but worry. We knew he was ill and we knew what cancer could do, some of us had seen its destruction before or experienced it ourselves.

One of Buddy's greatest pleasures was going to his house in the country. You could just feel the contentment he felt there just by the words he wrote. He loved the country and the country loved him. It let him forget, even for a little while, about his illness. It let him feel alive again, as if he wasn't ill.

We are not the only ones who will miss Buddy, he had a partner and family who loved him very much and will miss him even more because they had the privilege of knowing him in real life, not as a name on a message board.

May you rest in peace Buddy in the knowledge that you were loved and admired by many, many of which only knew you by the words you wrote on a message board.

Well, I finally did it!

I finally did something that I had been wanting to do for years, corrected something that I have been ashamed of for too long, I got dentures. I feel like a whole new person.

I only got the top done for now and will get the bottom done in January. I already know that I need a partial there. I'm looking forward to getting the whole process completed, but for now it feels good just having the top done. I've even been practicing smiling, something I've been embarrassed to do for quite awhile.

My teeth had been a mess for quite sometime and I've had a real phobia of dentists, but I finally convinced myself that I needed to do something. If I go back east next June for my niece's wedding, I want to go with a full set of teeth, not the mess that was there before. It'll feel good to finally be able to do that.

What a beautiful ending to what was a beautiful day. Fall is in the air, the corn crops are close to harvest and the soy crops aren't far behind. Not only that, my Steelers won today. :)

September 11, 2001

Let us not forget those who lost their lives nine years ago today. Please say a prayer for those who lost someone that day.

Three Strikes

Today was not a good day, to say the least. I had another appointment this morning, which did not go as well as I had hoped, but more on that in a little bit.

Let me say first that day started out fine, except I didn't hear the alarm go off, but I woke up a few minutes later anyway, so no time was lost. I had Dave put gas in the van yesterday so that I wouldn't have to stop for gas today. It was a good thing too because they started construction on the 35 going north to the next county's border, so you guessed it, one lane of traffic for about 12 miles. Luckily traffic wasn't too bad, that was until I hit the outskirts of Des Moines. Another one lane of traffic and this time it was heavy. I didn't think I would make my appointment on time, but I did, barely.

Like I said before, the appointment didn't go well. I had assumed some things which it turned out, were not correct. I also was told that I might have to wait a little longer than I was previously told for an item that I ordered. It is supposed to be here next Wednesday and I'm still praying that it makes it by then.

After the disappointment of the appointment, I decided to do some shopping and drove to PetCo because I was going to buy one of those inflatable collars for Angel to keep her from messing with the bandage on her leg from her surgery on Tuesday, but remembered that I hadn't measured her neck. As it turned out, she didn't need it anyway. I looked around some more and decided to head to PetSmart to see what they had and while there bought Rolli and Max new collars; I didn't find any that I liked for Jake and Angel. I also wanted to run next door to Bed, Bath, and Beyond. I did find something there that I needed and I also bought the pups a new toy, which unfortunately it looks like they don't like. After that, I headed home, but not before I stopped at Wal*Mart to pick up a couple things. I also got some money for David's lunches this weekend.

When I left the store, I had the money in my hand, wrapped in the receipt. When I got home, I had neither. I even called the store hoping that someone turned it in, but unfortunately no one had. I don't know what happened to it, I could have dropped it in the parking lot when I was opening the back door on the van, or it could be in the van somewhere and David and I hadn't found it when we searched. Luckily I had a $20 bill in my purse left over from the fair, so I gave him that. I will check back with the store tomorrow to see if by some miracle, someone turned it in, otherwise someone is $40.00 richer. I just hope if that's the case, that it was someone who really needed it.

Thank goodness tomorrow's Friday.

Another Week almost Gone

Boy, the weeks have really been flying by. It's Wednesday already and it feels like we haven't had Sunday, Monday, or Tuesday yet. We have been busy though.

This past weekend was of course, Labor Day weekend. Dave and I spent it putting the new windows in over at my desk and here in the living room. What a difference they make. I was so glad we found the ones for here in the living room. It feels so good to be rid of the ugly things that were in here before, plus the new ones are double hung, meaning both the top and bottom open, much easier when it comes to putting the air conditioner in; the old ones were sliders. The new ones should make a big difference this winter. The other ones leaked like sieves.
 
Yesterday was extra busy, for me anyway. I had to get up early to make sure to get Angel to the vet by 8:00 because she was having surgery on her front leg to remove a fatty tumor. Needless to say, she's not too happy with me today. I was, after all, the one who left her there.

Yesterday, I also had two more appointments up in Des Moines.   I also got the time for one of them wrong. Thinking it was an hour earlier than it actually was, I went straight from the vet's and drove up to Des Moines to make sure I made it on time. I left here at 7:15 and didn't get back until almost 3:00. I also hadn't eaten all day, but I was at least able to pick up the chargers at Hobby Lobby that I saw last week and liked. Today will be spent doing laundry, running to Wal*Mart to get some more stuff to keep Angel's leg wrapped for the next two weeks; that in itself is going to be a chore, keeping her from tearing it off without putting one of those collars on her that make her look like a canine satellite dish. Tomorrow is yet another trip up to Des Moines for yet another appointment. At least I know the correct time for this one.

The coming weekend should be fairly quiet except Saturday is the bi-annual Antique Jamboree, we missed the first one, but then another busy week next week. I'm exhausted already just thinking about it.

Beautiful Ending to a Great Day

Had a great day today. Dave and I went up to Des Moines this afternoon because I had a 3:00 appointment and before that we wanted to go to the Habitat for Humanity ReStore because we wanted to see what they had new before the weekend came and it was all gone.

I was hoping to find an old door that I liked to use as a headboard, but unfortunately the kind I wanted, they had one and it was not in the best of shape. More importantly, however, we found windows to fit the living room, without losing any width and only six inches in length, not a big deal. And best of all, they were less than $50 each! These are 46 inch wide windows, a size we never thought we would find, especially at the ReStore.

After we were finished there, we headed over to where my appointment was. We were early, so we checked out the Hobby Lobby close by. Not only do they have their Halloween stuff out, but also their Christmas. I felt like it was December instead of September.

We ended up getting to my appointment early, which was actually good because they were able to get me in early. All in all, that took a little over an hour, no big deal.

Now for what was the highlight of the day, while driving home and after it quit raining, luckily it didn't rain all day, we saw a rainbow. A nice way to top off what was a great day.

Not a mourning of a Loss, but a Celebration of a Life

Four years ago today, Dave's dad passed away. He was 72 years old. Like Dave, he was a Navy vet. During his time in the Navy, he fought in the Korean War.

Dave and his dad were very close, they were also very much alike. Even now, I see things in Dave that remind me of his dad.

Dave's dad was a good man and a great father-in-law. I remember after Dave and I got married and he was out to sea, our car broke down and I was able to call Ken, his dad's name, to come and help me.

Dave told me of another time when the car we had just bought had a tire blow and Ken went with Dave to the dealership to tell them. I was pregnant with Kenneth at the time and Dave told the dealer that I was the one who usually drove that car and that the tire could have very easily blown on the freeway and I could have been killed, along with the baby. When the dealer refused to fix the tire, Ken stood up and said, "You know, you're an asshole." Ken was tall like Dave, over six foot. At that, the dealer agreed to replace the tire. Maybe he replaced all four, I can't remember, but that story always brings a smile to my face.

He was thrilled that we decided to name Kenneth after him. I'm glad that we did. Kenneth is named for both grandfathers, he has my dad's name as his middle name.

He was so proud of Kenneth when he received his Bachelor degree and of David and me when we received our Associate degrees. I wish he were able to see all three of us graduate, but he was there in spirit. He loved his grandsons and me. I was proud to be his daughter-in-law.

So today, instead of mourning our loss, we are going to celebrate the man that Ken was. We miss you Dad.

Smile...

I just realized this morning that I need to take some new pictures of things other than the pups. I'm always taking pictures of them, so much so that they now turn their heads. I guess they're sick of being my models. I really can't blame them, I hate having my picture taken too.

I took a picture of the wildflowers in the field across the road a couple years ago. It looked so gorgeous, I'm going to have to see if I can find it and post it here.

Well, unfortunately I couldn't find that picture. It's a shame too, but I did find this one:

This is along the fence line between our property and that directly south of us.  You can see that it was taken awhile ago.

Oh, and another thing I found was a picture of Max when he was just a pup, the day he showed up. Wasn't he a cutie?

Actually he still is and knows it, but I think I've already mentioned that before.

Let's see what else is happening, not too much really. That's the way it is here in Iowa sometimes. We've gotten so laid back since we've been here, sometimes I even lose track of the days. Don't worry, I do eventually remember. It's nice though. I never want to go back to the way we lived before.

ETA: It was so cute just now, I was bending down looking under the couch because I had slipped my laptop under there earlier to get it out of the way. Angel was laying right in front of it so I of course had to tell her to move. Next I hear Dave telling me that she's helping me. She was laying down in front of his chair which is next to the couch, her head between her front paws, looking under it. Come to find out her squeaky ball was under there and she wanted me to get it out for her. 

Okay...

This is going to be a happier post than yesterday's. And why shouldn't it? It's another gorgeous day here in our little part of Iowa. The birds are singing, the pups are relaxing, and it's just one of those types of days that make you happy.

I can't believe it's almost the end of August already. All the kids around here are back to school, or at least I think they are. Since ours are out of school, I don't pay much attention to that kind of thing anymore. I figure that I don't have to worry about all the stuff that goes along with it, like school supplies, clothes, lunches, etc. It's kind of nice not having to worry about that stuff anymore.

Just think, less than four months from now till Christmas. I love Christmas, but let's not get ahead of ourselves here. I like it now too. I love when the weather is nice and comfortable, not hot and sweaty, but nice to where you can still wear shorts during the day, but you can sleep with your windows open at night. That's the way it's been for the past week around here.

One thing I like about living in the country like we do, no sirens every few minutes because the police are after someone or there's been an accident, shooting, or whatever. You may hear a coyote every once in awhile, or an owl, and off in the distance the train going through town, but that's it, nice and peaceful. Oh and on a clear night, you can see so many stars in the sky, it's breathtaking. Nothing like it looks in the city where the city lights block the view.

I have really come to love this kind of life. No one bothers us, heck our closest neighbor is over a mile away and around us are nothing but open fields and pastureland with some crops mixed in. Nice and quiet, this is definitely God's country.

Vent

What great weather we've had this week, not too hot, not too cold, and no rain. Too bad it can't last.

My sister has finally joined the computer age, she set herself up an email account. I received an email from her this morning, asking why I hadn't called. Easy, I've been busy.

Why is it that I'm the only one who must do all the calling and traveling concerning my family? Why is it that we're expected to spend our money, but no one else can be bothered? I'm tired of it.

I mean if I don't call, no one else calls here unless it's bad news. Every time I go back there, my mom asks me the same question and not just once, whether I've gone down the street to see my brother. She even told me that I should have been ashamed for not going to visit him when I was home a couple years ago. I finally asked her why she was so obsessed that I see him.

No one in my family came to visit us when we lived in Virginia unless we paid for it. My sister came down to "watch" the house once and put over 1000 miles on my car. My mom came, but only because Dave drove up to Pennsylvania to pick her up and then drove her back. My sister came out here last year, but only because I drove out there to pick her up and then drove her back. Okay, to be honest, I told her that I was doing so only because I knew she would back out if I didn't and I left it up to her to drive out here. She also helped to pay for gas and such.

The other sister, the eldest one and my brother never came to visit us here or in Virginia, oh and did I mention that we lived in Virginia for 12 1/2 years and here for over 14 now. Oh, but oldest sis did go down to Richmond, two hours from where we lived in Virginia to visit her sister-in-law. She and her family vacationed in Myrtle Beach, SC, but they couldn't make it to David's, our oldest, graduation that same year. She never sent a card for his or Kenneth's, his younger brother. We went to her son's the year before. When I called my brother about David's graduation because he promised that he would be there, his words to me were,"Why are you making such a big deal?" Makes a person feel real loved, I tell you. I didn't bother inviting them to Kenneth's graduation because I knew they wouldn't come. I did send out announcements though.

Oldest sis did offer to drive out here once, to drop off her son's one dog that she wanted to get rid of. I don't know if her son knew of her plan or not. I told her,"no." He ended up moving out and taking the dog with him. The dog now has an entirely new home and family, which I'm sure he loves.

I did tell my oldest sister and my mother how I felt before, but I think it fell on deaf ears for the most part. She did make the comment to other sis that she must have really opened a can of worms when I gave her a piece of my mind after she complained that Kenneth never called her "Aunt" when he had gone out to visit.
 
I don't know why I'm bringing this all up, probably because sister asked me why I hadn't called. It always brings up those memories of not being important enough, of feeling like I'm the one who has to do all the calling, of Dave and I taking the time and money to go out there to visit, but no one there can make the same effort concerning us. It is good to write it down though and get it out of my system whenever I feel like this. My family just irks the heck out of me!

Thanks for listening.

Max, aka Zoom-Zoom

Went to let Jake out this morning and of course, Max went running out too. He always has to go out whenever one of the others go out. He's always has to be where he thinks the action is going to be. He also loves going outside to explore and to see what he can dig up, literally.

It was so funny this morning though, he went running down the sidewalk towards the back gate, made a sharp left turn behind the lilac bushes and then stopped. The next minute a bird came flying out of one of the lilac bushes and flew away. I'm sure it was laughing at him the whole time.

Another thing Max loves are his squeaky toys. So much so that if Angel tries to take the one that he has, he'll growl at her. Or if she das one, he'll take it from her. We call it that terrier attitude, he thinks he's the boss, numero uno, no number four for this little guy, no way, no how; that is until one of the others puts him in his place.

Even Jake, wuss that he may be, will put Max in his place when he's had enough of Max bossing him around. After all, he was the first one here and is the oldest. He lets Max know that he deserves respect, not too often though.

Rolli though is the real boss, the real numero uno and lets everyone know. For a small dog, she sure has a big attitude. She's not that far behind Jake in age, but everyone knows, even Jake, that she is top dog. It's always been that way.

Max loves to torment her though. She's about the same size and weight that he is, so she's the perfect target as far as he's concerned. He'll pull on her collar or harness and bark at her or roo-roo her. When he roo-roos, it usually means he's telling her off. It means other things in other situations, but it's funny when he does it, but then again, almost anything he does is funny. He is such a funny pup.

What will the next months bring?

Finally, some nice, not so hot or humid weather. The type of weather we all wish for in the summer. Whenever we get weather like this in mid August, which actually is pretty normal in these parts, I can't help but start thinking about fall and the coming winter after.

It's kind of sad, the coming end of summer with its long, warm days and the coming of fall and after, winter with their shorter, colder days. I and I'm sure so many more will, come winter, be wishing for warmer weather. Especially if we have the type of winter we had last year.

Now normally if we have a lot of snow in the winter, we have a fairly dry summer. Not this year though, from the end of winter, through spring, and now summer, every month has been wet, wetter than usual. This is one summer I'm not going to miss, all that rain, all that humidity. It makes for a big ? as to what winter is going to be like. If we have a wet summer, winter is usually pretty dry and not that cold. But it seems all bets are off this year. Will it be wet, dry, colder than normal, warmer than normal, or just normal? We'll just have to wait to see, hope for the best, but prepare for the worst.

Where kitties go...

o, I'm not talking about outside, in fact I only stepped outside once today and that was to tell Dave that our neighbor called to say that he wanted to come and pick up his trailer. Why do we have it, you might be asking. Well it's for the horses, rather he brings us about 180 bales of hay for the horses every year that lasts us pretty much until the end of winter. In payment for it, we let him store soybeans in one of our grain bins. Pretty cool deal if you ask me. Any hay we get from him after that Dave pays for, until the next trailer full.

Well, that wasn't my excitement for the day though, heck no. It was time to change the cats' litter boxes. Such a fun thing to do, yeah right!

I told myself after Velcro died, man I loved that cat, I cried for a week after he died. Anyway, after he died, I told myself that I did not want another cat. Then I told myself only if it was another tuxedo because I thought it would be like Velcro. Well, that quickly changed after two feral cats gave birth to kittens on our property, one in the stable stall that we keep hay in. The first one I saw was another tuxedo and I got excited, so much so that I ran in the house and excitedly proclaimed to Dave, "We have a tuxedo!" He was cute too, along with the other four kittens.

I never intended to have four cats, Patches came a year later under similar circumstances, but one morning when I went out to feed them, one was missing, a mostly white one, the one I really wanted to keep too and in it's place was this little tiny calico. She was the kitten of the other feral cat. Our best guess is that she replaced the other kitten who was the largest of the bunch with this tiny one. We never found the missing one. But so that no more disappeared, Dave and I collected up all of the kittens and took them inside. I was really upset for a long time over that one kitten disappearing and for while, I told myself that I couldn't accept the new kitten, but slowly and surely I did and now she is my favorite. I swear she even has Velcro's personality. She has turned out to be the cutest little cat too.

Anyway, the one thing I hated about owning a cat was changing litter boxes. That was the main reason I told myself that I didn't want another cat. I should have known better, but you already know, we now have four.

Oh, and if you're wondering what happened to the other two, Kenneth our youngest son has them. Their names are Charlie and Shadow.

Note to self:

Always measure before you buy. I bought a shade for the kitchen window at Wal*Mart this morning thinking the window was one width, only to find out it's wider, UGH! What's that saying, "Measure twice, cut once." In my case it should be, "Measure twice buy once."

On to a happier note, the Iowa State Fair started yesterday. It goes on until the 22nd.

Dave is there right now. No, he didn't go without me, he had to go because where he works is doing one of those team building things. He said that they're doing a treasure hunt. In my opinion it's not going to make teams work together any better. Now I can tell you, I've had to do team projects when I was in school, there was always those who did not pull their weight, it never failed.

We are planning on going to the fair one day next week. It's also supposed to be much cooler and dryer then. Can't live without one of their funnel cakes. Yum! That's the only time I have one. It's become a tradition in our house.

Did you realize that today is Friday the 13th? I didn't until I woke up this morning. On the good side, it's supposed to cool down after the rain moves out. It's been as hot as he!! here.

ETA: Dave bought me a present at the fair, a Pittsburgh Steeler popcorn bucket. :) Now I'm ready for some football. We decided that we're going to the fair on Tuesday, that seems to be the best day as far as the forecast goes.

I quit!

That's it, I quit! I've hung out a couple loads of laundry on the line, but I've been getting eaten alive out there. I didn't want to heat up the house, but I refuse to be those little buggers' lunch, so in the dryer the other loads go. Luckily I have only two more loads, plus the one that's already in the washer.

I need to get some Off the next time I go to the store.

Rants and Angel

Okay, I don't get the big deal about Brenda coming back to General Hospital. My question is why is she coming back? Can't she find an acting job anywhere else? The only other show I remember her being on was 90210, was she ever on anything else but that and GH? Oh yea, there was that one about the casino that was canceled. There was another former soap star on that show. I can't remember now from what soap, but I do think he went on to do some movies.

Okay that is my rant for today other than it being as hot as haties again so I don't feel like doing anything other than trying to stay cool. Parts of the state are also seeing more heavy rain, something not needed anywhere in the state.

I'm going to try something new here and post a picture. It's one of Angel sleeping on the couch this morning that I took with the camera on my computer, here goes:

Cool, it worked. She looks comfy, doesn't she? :)

For the love of a dog

I was up at 2:30 this morning giving Jake another quick bath, well actually it was just the one end. One bad thing about having a long haired dog. I gave him some keopectate and it seems to be helping. Boy, I hope so! Luckily someone on the message board I go to mentioned it, thank God for that board because I never would have guessed.

Dave ticked me off last night too, granted he was tired, but so was I and he was also scaring Jake by yelling at him. The poor dog is hyper to begin with. Dave also has this habit of getting all "poor me" and goes, "Yea, mean Dave," when I told him that he was scaring Jake. Last night yes he was, plus he was standing there in our tiny bathroom, which barely holds one person, let alone one short one (me), one tall one (Dave) and Jake. I told him to get out and he said that he was just trying to help, by doing what? It's not like I didn't know what I was doing and after he left, Jake calmed down some. I was even able to go back to sleep when I was done, but I didn't want to get up this morning. I know what I need, some caffeine!

What we do for our dogs. :) But it doesn't even compare to what they do for us.

Got severe thunderstorms north of here. We may get some later. We don't need anymore rain. Unfortunately they're not going to make it any cooler either.

Had to give Jake a bath when we got back from Des Moines. He looks so cute after a bath because his fur gets all curly just like when he was a puppy. He also smells a lot better too.

More troops left for Aphganastan today. Iowa now has the most troops per capita deployed than any other state in the country. May the Good Lord keep them and all the others safe.

Another day in Iowa

Another hot, humid Sunday is upon us. We're supposed to have dangerous heat indexes of 110-115 degrees. Dave and I are supposed to go up to Des Moines today. I have some jewelry that I need to get checked and he wants to run to Lowes. We'll probably have lunch there too.

The person who owns the property across the road from us has been clearing all the trees off of it. It's a same to see them go. Our neighbor down the road said that he's doing it so that he can plant it  next year. It's a shame because that's where we always see deer in the mornings. We see them elsewhere, but mainly in that field. We now have a better view out of our living room window, but come this winter, I have a feeling that if we get the amount of snow we got last year, we're going to have an even higher snowdrift in the road because those trees won't be there anymore to block the wind. It also looks so bare now. :(

Who would have thought...

That 20 or 30 years ago if someone told me I'd be living in Iowa someday,  I would have told them that they didn't know what they were talking about and yet here I am, for 14 years now. Don't get me wrong, I like Iowa, but it just wasn't one of me first choices of places to live.

I'm from the eastern part of the country, Pittsburgh, PA to be exact. Moving here was literally a culture shock to me, after living in the places I lived  and being from where I was. But I think I've adjusted pretty well. I won't lie, I do miss the Burgh at times and I'll always consider it home in my mind, but this is home now. I do get to go back there to visit, so not all is lost, and according to some people, I still have my Pittsburgh accent, even though you couldn't prove that by me.

"How did you end up in Iowa," you might ask. Well, it all started back in 1978, when I married my husband, from here on in, to be known as Dave. He was in the Navy, so we moved around from one end of the country to the other, going from California and ending up in Virginia. After nine years for me and twelve for him of Navy life, we hit civilian life. From there and after several layoffs, he was offered a job here in Iowa, so here we moved and we've been here ever since, again, going from one end, but this time ending up in the middle.

We have two sons too. One lives here with us, the other lives with his fiance in Missouri. They both work full time and we're proud of each of them for their accomplishments, especially successfully furthering their education, something that was important to Dave and I. one graduated from high school in Virginia, the other here in Iowa, but they both graduated from college.


Since we've lived here, we have acquired four dogs, four cats, and three ponies, one of which passed away this past winter. She was the oldest of the three. The other two, geldings, we still have. You'll hear stories about them all, especially the dogs because they're always doing funny things. Their names are from oldest to youngest, Jake, Rolli, Angel, and Max. The cats' names are Oreo, a male and Peanut, Patches, and Pumpkin, all females. The ponies' names are Spots and War. The ironic thing about War's name is that he's so laid back. Oh, I forgot to tell you, we own a small farm, very small.


Well, that's the short version of a story some 32+ years long.


Sometimes I still can't believe I live in Iowa.