Tuesday, April 29, 2008

Wanna creep yourself out?

Anyone use Google maps? Have you noticed their new feature? (Disclaimer: It may not always work) Type in your address, hit "search maps". In the little bubble that pops up, hit "street view". (some addresses may not have this function yet) It has an actual picture OF THE FRONT OF YOUR HOUSE!!!! A little big brother-ish???? I think so! Anyone who knows me knows that I'm not crazy protective of our personal information (I know you're cringing, Mom!) but this totally freaked me out! What if you were standing naked in your front picture window when the picture was taken?!? (Disclaimer: I don't stand naked in our front window...ever.) Or what if your garage door was open when the picture was taken, and people can see right into your house?!? Just a little creepy, me thinks!

One thing I have loved about living where we live, is a quality Zoo. Our zoo passes expired in Jan, but we went with Sharon and the boys yesterday for free with some guest passes, and I have missed it. It was my camera's first time at the Zoo, and it had fun!









Friday, April 25, 2008

It has been brought to my attention.....

that I'm being neglectful....of my blog. Well, here we are. writing a blog. let's hope I can think of something interesting to say.

Well, I've been a little busy, trying to manage my herd of dogs. I realized, after Polar and Polly had been here for a couple days, they must have been backyard dogs. They have NO manners, and even less obedience. But, in all of the frustration, it's been good for me to brush up on my training skills. It's hard trying to teach "sit" and "down" when they don't even know things like "off" and "out" and "knock it off" and "shut the---" wait. nevermind! So, we're starting from square one with them, and it's going ok. They both have a long way to go, but they're quick learners. And they're so gosh darn cute, they probably get away with more than they should!






Brent went on a giant hike last weekend...up Mount San Jacinto. A group of crazy guys from church went last weekend, to try to reach the summit. They encountered so much snow, they had to turn back before they wanted to. But they got pretty high, close to 9000 ft or so. They hiked about a mile vertically, and 11 miles round trip. I was pretty nervous for Brent, I was glad that expert mountain climber, Micah with them, but I just had this sick feeling that something bad might happen. I couldn't shake the feeling, so I decided to take my mind off of it, and take Judah to Erica's salon to get both of our hair cut. Turned out to be a pretty good tactic, b/c by the time we got home, Brent was on his way back. He had a pretty big fall. He lost his footing on a really icy slope, and started sliding, feet first down the side of the mountain. He braced himself to try to catch his feet on a tree, hit a bump, which spun him around, and he ended up hitting the tree smack dab on his thigh/hip area. In retrospect, he may have broken a leg if he hit the tree head on with his feet, so I'm glad it happened the way it did. He's got a pretty sweet bruise too, which is nice. They're going to attempt to reach the summit again, but make it an over night trip. lovely. I may have a buzz cut by the time it's all over.









(thanks to Vince for the photos....I was not about to give Brent my new camera to take with him!!)

Oh, and since we're on the pictures kick, here's Judah's haircut....I just can't seem to cut it all off. I wonder what he'd look like with a buzz cut?!?!?


evil plotting Judah


Oh, and I've also been knitting alot. I joined a local knitting and crocheting group (because apparently I'm a grandma and a giant nerd). I go to meetings about once a week or every other week. It's been a good time to get away, have an adult conversation, and make some new friends. Right now we're working on a project together, making a knit/crochet square blanket for a lady who owns a local yarn store. She just had a brain tumor operated on, and now is going through chemo. Usually we just bring whatever we are working on to the meetings, but the past few have been working on making the blanket together. It's been really fun and encouraging. I think we're meeting to give it to her this coming Tuesday. It's going to be fun!






What the dogs do at the dog park...




What Judah does at the dog park...


Yes, that's a 6 foot chain link fence. And yes, he's climbing his way into the small dog area!

Goodnight!

Saturday, April 19, 2008

A New Challenge

Yesterday I pulled 2 dogs from the San Bernardino City Animal Shelter, a cramped, high-kill shelter a little north of us. The first picture I saw online was this:


So, being the bleeding heart that I am, I called the shelter to see just how long he had been there. Turns out, he and his kennel-mate were dropped off by their original owners over 2 weeks ago, and they didn't have much time left. The were also fairly bonded to each other, and the shelter was looking for someone to adopt them together. (which could possibly be why they were still there) So I decided to head up there, and bring them home, and give them a second chance at life with a family. They're both only 8 months old, and so sweet. They have alot to learn, seems like they were backyard dogs exclusively, no manners, no crate training, they share food from each others bowl, stuff like that. So, without further ado....

POLAR




POLLY





Polar is already neutered and ready to go, and Polly is getting spayed in a week and a half, and then will be ready as well. They are looking for good forever homes, so if you know anyone that's interested, let me know! You might be surprised at how good I am at putting together transports! The rescue that I adopted Lilah from transported a dog from Fresno, CA to Seattle, WA !!! And Honey went from here to San Francisco, so anything is possible!

Wednesday, April 16, 2008

no fun being sick.....

we've been through the ringer this past week. About a week ago, Judah came down with some sort of a stomach bug. Right when he was starting to feel better, I got sick. And I'm just now getting back to feeling sort of myself. blech.



We had planned on celebrating Brent's birthday last Friday, but were amidst the sickness, so we postponed it until last night. We had a blast! Micah and Erica joined us on our outing to the Stone Brewery for a tour, tasting and dinner. I brought my camera, but was having too much fun to take pictures, so you'll have to just take my word for it that we had a fantastic time! Delicious food, tasty beer (including a beer float for Brent) and great friends made for a wonderful night of Birthday bliss!

Judah stayed at the Paschall's house while we were out, thanks Jeff and Sharon for taking care of him! Per Judah's report, they had "some green stuff I didn't like" for dinner, and then "rice with cinnamon and sugar on it!" I didn't get the full lowdown from Sharon when I went to pick him up, b/c he was asleep, in Ben's bed w/ Ben! That is so exciting for me, b/c I've always thought he was not capable of a sleepover at someone else's house, but Sharon said that Jeff put them to bed, and before she knew it, they were both asleep! This gives me hope. Not sure what for, not that Brent and I will ever have a use for this, but it's just one of those "he's growing up" things, and it makes me proud and happy!


he doesn't need a haircut, does he???

Wednesday, April 09, 2008

Tag....You're it! & Happy Birthday Brent!!

Kelly tagged me, so I decided to oblige. I'm officially tagging Mary (the mafiosos) and Jessica! (c'mon, I did it, you have to also!)



1.Were you named after anyone? I don't think so. I just know that I would have been Nicholas if I was a boy.

2.When was the last time you cried? Sunday in church. I'm sappy like that. (and it was communion, which almost always makes me cry)

3.Do you like your handwriting? Not most of the time. I usually write too fast, and it ends up looking like a Doctor or something.

4.What is your favorite lunch meat? Honey roasted Turkey Breast

5. Do you have kids? uhhhh......KID!

6. If you where another person would you be friends with you? Sure! I could hypothetically be friends with alot of people!

7.Do you use sarcasm a lot? No......me? never. (ha)

8.Do you still have your tonsils? Lemme check......yup!

9.Would you bungee jump? Nope. I mean, for a million dollars I might. Anyone got that? Didn't think so.

10. What is your favorite cereal? It's a tie between Cracklin' Oat Bran & Peanut butter Cap'n Crunch

11. Do you untie your shoes when you take them off? Never.

12. Do you think you are strong? Heck yes! I've got skills.

13. What is your fav. ice cream? Breyers Mint Chocolate Chip

14. What is the first thing you notice about people? Hair.

15. Red or Pink? Red, baybee!

16.What is the thing you like least about yourself? Laziness

17. Who do you miss the most? Prolly my sister.

18. What color pant and shoes are you wearing? Jeans and black converse

19. Have you ever re-gifted? I'm sure I have. I'm cheap. That's how I roll.

20.What are you listening to right now? something on Discovery Channel. I tend to tune it out.

21.If you were a crayon what color would you be? Burnt Sienna

22. Favorite smell? Tie between first few minutes of rain & orange/clove.

23. Who was the last person you talked to on the phone? Grandma Vay

24.Do you like the person who sent this to you? of course!

25. Favorite sports to watch? UFC / Wrestling / Volleyball

27. Scary movies or happy endings? Scary movies WITH happy endings!

28. Last movie i watched? Horton Hears a Who

29. What color shirt? Salmon. I hate it.

30. Summer or winter? Summer. As long as I have air conditioning and a friend with a pool and plenty of gas to go to the beach. K---maybe winter.

31. Hugs or kisses? kisses

32. Fav. dessert? cheesecake. mmmmmmm......... :::drools:::

33. What book are you reading now? books? I don't need no stinking books!

34.What did you watch on tv last night? The Biggest Loser! Go vote for Roger! He rocks!

35. Favorite sound? Brent playing the drum while I play my guitar.

36.Rolling stones or Beatles? The Beatles. Forever.

37. what's the furthest you 've ever been from home? Prolly Atlanta, if airports count.

38. Do you have a special talent? Well, I can sing and play the guitar, but there's not really anything special about that!

39.Where were you born? Boise, Idaho



OK. Now that THAT is over, down to business!

! ! ! ! HAP
PY BIRTHDAY BRENT ! ! ! !

It's hard to believe you are only 1 year away from 30....It is also hard to believe that this is the 13th birthday I've gotten to celebrate with you!!! You are such an amazing man, I've loved getting to grow up with you, and see you mature into the man that I know you God made you to be. We've gone through thick and thin together, and I can't wait to spend the rest of my life with you by my side. You are a wonderful husband, and an even more wonderful father. You are my inspiration and my love. Happy Birthday!!!








Monday, April 07, 2008

not alot goin' on here....

just a little of this:



and some of this:


and ALOT of this:



and, well, this...


Jager, being the guard dog at the park. I thought it was really cute, and funny, b/c he kept growling at something, and nothing was there, well, nothing to the naked eye. But hey! Maybe he scared off whoever it was!??!

Seriously....this is the face that would make a criminal turn and run....



New knits hot off the needles are:

1. Recycled silk hobo bag! I love this thing!


2. Horton's clover, complete with speck!


Judah hears a Who...






Happy Monday!

Wednesday, April 02, 2008

Judah-isms....

"What are my options?"

--when asked what he wanted for Breakfast.



"Moose, you're such a hamburger helper."

--Talking to Moose, the cat.



"Daddy, I got some gummy bears when we went to the philbrook store."

--telling Brent about our trip to JoAnns (the FABRIC STORE).



Oh, and we went to the beach last Friday! It was a little chilly at first, but it warmed up to be a beautiful March day at the beach. Judah even got in the water a little bit, and I started working on my tan for this year! Thanks, Emily, for going with us! We had a great time!