Yo homies! I be sitting here with a cup o' joe and chillin' with the dawgs.
Fantabulous morning. Weather's clear & dry and temps in the low 50's. Actually had to put on long pants this morning to walk the kids.
One more week in the books. Made it through the week without too many scars/injuries. As my old platoon sergeant used to tell me: "One more day closer to retirement, sir". I still got a boatload of vacation piled up that I have to take before the end of the year (use it or lose it) and I am playing hooky today. No real plans for the extended weekend but taking care of lots of little projects. I may go up to College Station to the football game tomorrow. I may work on the Mustang. Need to clean out garage. Helping momma get her new toy this morning. She's has been seriously into quilting for many years using an old Singer sewing machine she's had since high school (before we ever crossed paths). The old 35+ year old machine finally gave up the ghost two weeks ago (I offered to take a whack at it to fix it, but was gently rebuffed). So, momma has gotten the urge to get a new machine that will support her habit. Just like looking at new cars, you just can't settle for the same old plain ride. She picked a state of the art machine that will pretty much quilt by itself. All sorts of bells and whistle and doo-dads. Definitely not your momma's old Singer. This new toy ain't the most expensive but it does cost more than my last computer. It's a wee bit pricey/extravagant and she is feeling guilty about getting this but I feel she's earned it. I've already given her the green light and she is still trying to justify it to me. Ordered it two weeks ago and it just arrived at the shop yesterday so we are going to pick it up today. This weekend should be like an early Christmas.
I keep expecting to get an espresso from it or maybe even access the Internet.
29 October 2010
22 October 2010
Friday at last
Here I sit. Momma has is off at bunco. One dog at my feet. The other is sleeping out on one of mom's "Oh No you didn't" quilts. Been a long week. I figured, that, since my boss was off the grid for a week, this week would be some serious coasting time. No worries. Let's get this party started. Au contraire. I had plans to get a lot of things done but life has a way of throwing you curves. I guess I should be glad I made it to the weekend in one piece, but just not sure in what condition.
I sit here with a glass of scotch and one needy dog (Claire) and surf the net to see who or what is out there. I'm listening to one of my favorite musicians, Jesse Cook, playing a mean flamenco guitar. I got hooked on him about 10 years ago out in Fredricksburg while wandering through an antique/art shops. Was so infatuated by his music (Tempest), I bought the store CD. Literally. I bought the dang CD they were playing in the store. Been a huge fan of his ever since. Ok, there was one or two CDs that I wasn't as impressed with, but, overall, I like his style of music. I even managed to hook my redneck, opinionated, "A" personality brother onto his music, so there has to be some social benefit there.
Ya'll have a nice weekend. I am working on mine.
I sit here with a glass of scotch and one needy dog (Claire) and surf the net to see who or what is out there. I'm listening to one of my favorite musicians, Jesse Cook, playing a mean flamenco guitar. I got hooked on him about 10 years ago out in Fredricksburg while wandering through an antique/art shops. Was so infatuated by his music (Tempest), I bought the store CD. Literally. I bought the dang CD they were playing in the store. Been a huge fan of his ever since. Ok, there was one or two CDs that I wasn't as impressed with, but, overall, I like his style of music. I even managed to hook my redneck, opinionated, "A" personality brother onto his music, so there has to be some social benefit there.
Ya'll have a nice weekend. I am working on mine.
20 October 2010
Have a little Faith
Occasionally, I will mention the dog group we belong to/enlisted in. Ok, maybe a bit more than occasionally. I try to vary my topics so this doesn't wind up becoming a boring all-dog blog (Oops, too late), but when your kid is out of the house, and your spouse is spending her days over at her parents, and work seems to all about who's fault is it, the dogs tend to be my outlet. It's cheaper that drinking and way more socially acceptable.
Anyhoo, we are tied into the group in many ways. Last weekend's picnic, monthly meet & greets, the occasional parade, displays at local festivals, dog show, dock dog diving, Barktoberfest, Mutt Strut. All are great opportunities to showcase the club and show off some of the available dogs and recruit more minions for the cause. Given the amount of intensity that some of the group has, I'd almost classify us as "cult-like", just without the robes and secret handshake. There are lots of roles in the club. Adoption panel, recovery people (pick up new dogs), communications, foster families (we failed there). Many members have been with the team for a long while. Cil has been one of the die-hard devotes of the cause and has worked miracles with a number of dogs. She has two dogs of her own and is always ready to take on another dog who needs a home. She has fostered a number of dogs through adoption and we really don't know how she does it. We did two fosters and failed miserably. Her latest dog is nothing short of amazing.
Faith was picked up from BARC (Bureau of Animal Regulation & Control) in early August in bad shape. Serious mange, skin conditions, joint problems, emaciated. We honestly believe that she was going to be put down within a day or two. The group swooped in and picked her up and gave her to Cil for some TLC.
This past weekend, Faith found her new forever home with a loving family.
Anyhoo, we are tied into the group in many ways. Last weekend's picnic, monthly meet & greets, the occasional parade, displays at local festivals, dog show, dock dog diving, Barktoberfest, Mutt Strut. All are great opportunities to showcase the club and show off some of the available dogs and recruit more minions for the cause. Given the amount of intensity that some of the group has, I'd almost classify us as "cult-like", just without the robes and secret handshake. There are lots of roles in the club. Adoption panel, recovery people (pick up new dogs), communications, foster families (we failed there). Many members have been with the team for a long while. Cil has been one of the die-hard devotes of the cause and has worked miracles with a number of dogs. She has two dogs of her own and is always ready to take on another dog who needs a home. She has fostered a number of dogs through adoption and we really don't know how she does it. We did two fosters and failed miserably. Her latest dog is nothing short of amazing.
Faith was picked up from BARC (Bureau of Animal Regulation & Control) in early August in bad shape. Serious mange, skin conditions, joint problems, emaciated. We honestly believe that she was going to be put down within a day or two. The group swooped in and picked her up and gave her to Cil for some TLC.
This past weekend, Faith found her new forever home with a loving family.
THIS is one of the reasons I joined this crew.
18 October 2010
Coincidence
With all of last week's hoopla over the rescue of the miners, I found it interesting to note that Thursday (10/14) was the anniversary of when they rescued Jessica McClure in Midland, Texas. It was 23 years ago that she fell down an open well shaft and it took 58 and a small army of of rescue workers to pull her out of the well. According to some of the pundits, her saga garnered worldwide attention that was only second to the death of Princess Diana.
Of course, this was before there was the Internet, 24 hour news feeds, instant messaging, cell phone cameras, digital photography, facebook, and twitter. With all the tragedies and bad news around the world, it is nice to see & hear a few good stories.
Of course, this was before there was the Internet, 24 hour news feeds, instant messaging, cell phone cameras, digital photography, facebook, and twitter. With all the tragedies and bad news around the world, it is nice to see & hear a few good stories.
Dogapalooza
It's that time again. GBGRR Annual Picnic. 11th annual shindig. Seems to get bigger each year, but since this is only our 2nd year with the group, I will just have to take every one's word for it. Took both Chaos & Pandemonium out to the gig this year. Grayson participated last year and this was Claire's first experience. Lots of dogs to see, tails to sniff, balls to chase.
Everyone had a blast. Over 250 dogs (plus a few humans). Lots of food to eat, people to meet, fields to run in. Even had some alligator tacos. Both dogs slept all the way home. Another successful outing.
Clair gets a trim
Not enjoying myself
Grayon has a drinking problem
Ok. Seriously.
Are we done yet?
More fun than a pack of wild dogs
There goes that grooming job
My ball! My ball!
Can we haz some more BBQ?
Pleez?
One of our supporters who owns a local restaurant has 5 White Goldens.
Incredibly well behaved dogs.
They range from 18 months to 12 years old.
Everyone had a blast. Over 250 dogs (plus a few humans). Lots of food to eat, people to meet, fields to run in. Even had some alligator tacos. Both dogs slept all the way home. Another successful outing.
16 October 2010
Saturday chores
Made it to the end of another week. The weeks just seem to keep getting longer & longer. Would love a break, but boss is off the grid on vacation and I have to keep the home fires burning. Had an offer to go up to College Station to see the football game, but too much to do to try and arrange the trip. Besides, the way they played, I'm glad I did not try to make the trip.
Finished up trimming the bushes today. Four trash cans full of branches and leaves. Glad it was not too hot to work in the beds. The dogs hate it when I work in the yard and they don't get to help. They always want to be apart of any activity. My last mutt, Shadow, would sit in the side yard and never leave the yard (unless another dog was walking by). Grayson & Claire I don't trust as much, yet. Claire is a good dog off leash. She will hang by me and comes when I call. Gray, however, is always an excitable dog and will take off if he spots another person/cat/dog. Working on that problem. My ideal dog (if there ever is one) is one that will sit by you as your work in the yard or on the car or on the house. But until he walks up my driveway, I guess these two nuts will have to do.
Finished up trimming the bushes today. Four trash cans full of branches and leaves. Glad it was not too hot to work in the beds. The dogs hate it when I work in the yard and they don't get to help. They always want to be apart of any activity. My last mutt, Shadow, would sit in the side yard and never leave the yard (unless another dog was walking by). Grayson & Claire I don't trust as much, yet. Claire is a good dog off leash. She will hang by me and comes when I call. Gray, however, is always an excitable dog and will take off if he spots another person/cat/dog. Working on that problem. My ideal dog (if there ever is one) is one that will sit by you as your work in the yard or on the car or on the house. But until he walks up my driveway, I guess these two nuts will have to do.
13 October 2010
How soon is too soon?
I like walking the dogs early in the morning. Oh, sure, it is sometimes a pain to try & herd these two mutts around the block on their "sniff & pee" patrol, but I enjoy the early, pre-dawn quiet. There is something serene about the early morning hours that inspires me with new resolve. Typically, I take the time alone to go over the day's tasks, gather my thoughts and plan my attack on the day. I've won lots of debates (internal) with myself as I walk the dogs.
We also tend to see strange sites in the wee hours before dawn. Yesterday, as I rounded the backside of the neighborhood, I spotted some lit figurines in a neighbor's yard. A few people in my hood will decorate for the holidays. Some, who will remain nameless, Lynn, seem to decorate for every holiday. Now, this guy has not been one to put out a lot of decorations in the past. I don't recall too many decorations for other holidays, so I figured this was some Halloween ornaments. I know the family that lives there. Nice guy. Sweet wife. A couple of cute/young kids (2 girls, 1 boy) and they are always out walking at night. As I got closer to the two foot tall figurines (three), I was able to make out the statue of Joseph and Mary and one wise guy. I know people like to get a jump on the holidays, but ain't it a wee bit early?
We also tend to see strange sites in the wee hours before dawn. Yesterday, as I rounded the backside of the neighborhood, I spotted some lit figurines in a neighbor's yard. A few people in my hood will decorate for the holidays. Some, who will remain nameless, Lynn, seem to decorate for every holiday. Now, this guy has not been one to put out a lot of decorations in the past. I don't recall too many decorations for other holidays, so I figured this was some Halloween ornaments. I know the family that lives there. Nice guy. Sweet wife. A couple of cute/young kids (2 girls, 1 boy) and they are always out walking at night. As I got closer to the two foot tall figurines (three), I was able to make out the statue of Joseph and Mary and one wise guy. I know people like to get a jump on the holidays, but ain't it a wee bit early?
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