Friday, June 25, 2010

Relay For Life ... (updated)

The 2010 Relay for Life is tonight.   18 hours of walking in remembrance, honor, companionship, love and acceptance .. among other things.

I am a little disappointed in the lack of showing with my team from last year - some are on vacation, (scheduled before they knew the dates, and some - scheduled even though they knew the dates ...), some are showing no interest, some are sick, or busy ... I get it, we all have things to do ... however, kicking my bronchitis, sinus infection and double ear infection aside - I am walking tonight.

I am also disappointed that I didn't reach my personal fundraising goal, and know it's my own fault, I did nothing - or next to nothing - to bring to people's attention what I was doing, and why.  Next year, will be different.   Next Year - I will plan ahead, As in - Start planning for it - Tomorrow.

This year, Tonight, I am walking to honor those survivors, and remember those lost.   I am walking for myself, for Emily, for those that cannot walk, and for those that are walking with me.

If you'd like to help, and haven't - here's my team link - well, my personal link, I've dropped my personal goal from 500 to 250, I know the economy is tough right now, and I know people are having a rough time.  We are too.  I appreciate anything, and everything - people can do for this cause.


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I made it 16 hours, 130 laps {roughly 32 Miles} (before I stopped counting) with minimal breaks, lots of water, lots of support and a great friend by my side.





Wednesday, June 23, 2010

I'm siiiiick ...

Back in the 90s (wow, does that sound weird to say) there used to be some shows that were considered "family shows" - and EVERY Friday night, they were aired on prime time TV - this was called "TGIF" - I'm sure, you my faithful readers remember it well.

It went through some changes, new line ups, new times, new characters, new shows ... but all in all, it was a good wholesome time to watch TV with your kids - before watching TV became the devil (this blog does have a point - let me get to it ...) One of these shows was the bane of my existence from it's inception, until they finally - mercifully - cancelled it - and then even after, in the land of re-runs.  I am talking about - of course -  "Full House".   

I'm probably alone in my opinion of this dreadful show, however, I stand by it - and it has not changed ... Not when they gave Kimmie Gibler more air time, not when they introduced Gia, not when they gave DJ a boyfriend named Steve ... not even when Darling Uncle Jesse caught himself a girlfriend, and subsequent wife, in Danny's co-host Rebecca, or for that matter when they had twins, or when Danny finally landed himself a new girlfriend in his SECOND co-host Vicki.  (ask me why I remember these inane details ... my sister, the younger one, used to torture me - daily - with this damn show.   Reruns, new episodes, quoting lines "you got it duuuuude" .... etc) at any rate, I loathe this show - to this day.

There was one episode where DJ didn't want to go to school - I can't recall what was so bad at school that day that she decided to skip - and lie about it.   Uncle Jesse (you remember, the COOOOOOL uncle) taught her his tricks to "fake sick" .. stick the thermometer into a baked potato, (on a lamp would make it too hot to fast, and you'd be sure to be busted) ... drop your voice an octave and drop your head to the side a bit, and down towards to floor and say "I'm Siiiiick" (he even specified, not that's with FIVE I's) .. among other tidbits.

Why, then, if I loathe this show so much am I spending so much time and energy writing a blog about it?  Simple, it's not really about it ... and by now, I've actually reached the "important" part.

See, I'm Siiiiick ... no, not the Uncle Jesse/DJ fake sick (but I so stole his spelling of it) ... but seriously sick enough where I've actually taken myself to the doctor, and then taken a day off ... which I NEVER do.  Ever.  After waiting 40 minutes to see a doctor, I was finally diagnosed.   Double Ear Infection, Sinus Infection and Bronchitis ... awesome.

Apparently, when I get sick, I really GET SICK.  Of course, I suppose, if I went to the doctor when I started feeling crummy, I wouldn't be as sick later on, right?

Meh, I'll get over it ... I have antibiotics and a prescription cough medicine now ... should be better in a few days - right?   I hope so!

Friday, June 18, 2010

The Tails of Dexy & her sister Pixie ... and a Sera cat in there as well ...

In early 2003 Mike and I rescued a 3 year old Italian Greyhound, her name - at the time - was Bella. 

Her owners, at the time, had decided that they didn't have the time, or energy, to take care of her anymore, and wanted to either find a new - permanent - home for her, or were going to take her to the shelter, and request she be put down.  (I know, believe me, I know) 

After meeting her, getting to know her, and feeling the love just pour out of her - we decided to give her a fresh new start, with a new family, and a new name.   We called her Dexter (Dexy for short) - she just had that face.  You know the one?   The name has fit her, just fine - and she took to it rather quickly.

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Shortly after, okay - almost 2 years after - we got the okay from my parents (whom we were renting a house from) to rescue a second dog.  This time, we went through an Italian Greyhound Rescue League and adopted another female.  She was timid, friendly, and so lovable, she fit in right away.   The Rescue Lady (Whose name is Mary) had chosen her for us - based on her name.   Pixie.   If fit us.  Perfectly.

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We paid our rescue fee, gave all the pertinent information and set in for the long trek home (oh, I forgot to mention - the Rescue League?  Located in Wharton MA, quite a bit south of us ... and Mike? Yeah, he hates to drive in MA.  But so worth every minute of that drive) ... Pixie hid in the backseat for a little bit, and when she was comfortable enough, she came up to the front to snuggle with Dexy and I.   We soon realized, however, that her favorite place to be - was in the drivers lap.  

After arriving home, Pixie and Dexy became fast friends .. nearly inseparable actually.

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My babies are 10 (dexy - April), and nearly 10 (pixie - September) and 8 (Serandipity {we call her Sera})  - respectively - each day they get a little older, and as such, a little fragile-er ... (so not a word) ... and it makes me sad.  I know what's coming, and I really dread it.  Having just lost Rufus, I sometimes worry myself to a state of beyond comprehension.  It's a gift, to have so many fur babies in my life - the love they give is enormous.

What makes me hurt, is when they're in pain - even more so??  When I don't know they are. 

We have spent - more money than I care to count - on these two girls.  Between Grooming, every 6-8 weeks and vet visits (their annual appointments once a year), licensing, and the occasional emergency, or unforeseen vet visit (Dexy's teeth, or Pixie's Eye {or lyme disease}) ... they have, over the years, cost us as much - if not more - than having a child has, and I don't regret a single penny.

They are our babies, our responsibility.   To thank us?  They love us - unconditionally, always.   

Thursday, June 17, 2010

Tasty Treats for your Furry Friends (well, the K-9 furry friends)

On the heels of Pixie's eye removal surgery, Mike and I decided she deserved a special treat upon returning home.   Well, really, Mike decided I should make her a special treat --- 








Peanut Butter Dog Biscuits

1 ½ cups water 
½ cup oil 
2 eggs 
3 tablespoons peanut butter 
2 tsp. vanilla 
2 cups flour 
½ cup cornmeal 
½ cup oats 

Blend wet ingredients together. 



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Whisk dry ingredients together in a separate bowl, and then mix with wet mixture to form a ball of dough.
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Roll out and shape as desired. 
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Place on a non-stick cookie tray or lightly greased pan. 
Bake twenty minutes at 400 degrees. 
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When finished, turn off oven and allow the biscuits to cool inside oven until crisp and hard. 
Then store in an airtight container. 


Happily borrowed from:

Thursday, June 10, 2010

Let the "touristy" summer begin ...

This past weekend I was planning to take Emily and Mike to the Chowder Fest and Maritime Day celebrations in Portsmouth.  Unfortunately, we weren't anticipating such a high price of admission, and only brought so much cash with us.  While walking back towards the parking garage, we passed by what is arguably one of the more interesting, educational and neat "tourist" type attractions in our area (that is, within 30 minutes of our house) - and it is so affordable, we had the best time ever.   Without exaggeration.

I hope you enjoy a glimpse into our day ... well over 200 photos were taken :) these are a handful of my favorites.

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It's this way daddy, follow those peoples.

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And so it begins!!
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I want one of these, so very badly .. the way the vines climb this trellis - words escape me
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Stopping to sniff the daisies
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and any other flower she came across
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.... Every Family Has a History .... 
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A neat door ... thought it looked pretty cool
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She thought this was a dog house, it's an umbrella stand :)
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Here birdie --- Momma, I'm sneakin'.
She got pretty close to him, and he never flew away ... LOL
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Followin' Daddy <3
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JD . The Strawbery Banke Cat ... we searched for him ALL day.
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They have fairy settings set up in the "childrens garden"
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Making corn meal.
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Cheese Momma <3
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Pretty Fountain at the "governors mansion"
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WHEW what a day :)


Wednesday, June 9, 2010

New Residents?

I apologize, my faithful readers, for the sporadic nature of my recent postings.    While we have had some obstacles, for lack of a better term, lately - we are choosing not to dwell on those, and have decided to move forward with a happy attitude, and a happier outlook.  I'd be going against that outlook if I posted about them here, so ... That is all I'm going to say about it.   However, believe me when I say - we are better off without these obstacles, we are better off with this outlook.

Now, onward and upward ... We've added some bird feeders, seed bells and a thistle "sock" (for the finches) to our front yard, and are in the process of potting (well, re-potting) some plants and flowers we had last year, that some how survived my black hands (not just thumbs, here, I can't seem to keep plants/flowers alive!!) and the winter.   (Once they're finished, I'll have pictures of that stuff too.)   It's been incredibly difficult for us to keep the feeders full, and it's not entirely the birds!

No siree, it's been the squirrels, the chipmunks, field mice ... other rodents (who are all equally adorable, and annoying) who reside in our yard, trees, neighborhood ... I'm contemplating buying a squirrel feeder, and hanging it somewhere a little away from the bird feeders, but, I haven't decided if that's a good idea.  I don't want them to "go away" but I don't want them to get too comfy either.

The other night, after work, when Mike was clearing some branches, brush and other yard-ish debris, in order to put an air conditioner in the downstairs window - he had the bulkhead to the basement open.   Standing at the end of our kitchen table, waiting for the AC to be handed up to me, Emily and I were looking out the window, into the yard and talking about where she wanted to hang a bird house, another bird feeder, and where the best place to put her "garden" might be.  

This is what - or rather - who we saw:

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This little guy, and his Friends &/or Family - have decided to take up residence in front of the bulkhead, and have a series of tunnels - with entrances and exits - all over our yard.  Now that we're trying to find ways to - accommodate? - the critters in the yard, we're not sure if we should try to have them moved, or just leave them where they've nested.

I think, for now, as we haven't had any damage to any property, or any structural issues - we'll just leave them.

For Now ... :)


Thursday, June 3, 2010

You Play, I Play, Yo-Plait!

I am on a smoothie kick.  Fresh smoothies, frozen smoothies, any  kind of smoothies.  And while I'm partial to the "fresh" - I'm also on a mission to find whatever is easier - quicker, while not giving up the taste.

Here's what we made last night, Mike and I ...

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Looks great right?   It SO was ... here's what it took:

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Add 1 cup of milk to this fantastic new product, and blend!!   We actually found, however, with our blender  we had to add a little more .. like an additional 1/4 cup or so of milk.

Garnish with a fresh slice of something - and enjoy!

Wednesday, June 2, 2010

Oh self esteem, where are you?

SO ... my younger sister got married this weekend.  And in true Katie fashion - she chose a pink dress for her bridesmaids to wear.   Yep.  Pink, one of my least favorite colors.   I have been on a diet (so to speak) since before Thanksgiving.  It hasn't been "easy" but it hasn't been entirely difficult either - don't get me wrong - there were days when I just wanted a big greasy cheeseburger with a heaping helping of french fries - on those days, I compromised - I'd have the burger, sans bun with chips, instead of fries ... still not the best for me, but way better than what I was actually craving - with enough of the same stuff to make sure I had what I 'wanted'.

At any rate, I've lost somewhere between 1 and 2, possibly 3 pants sizes ... while that's fantastic, and I know it's a HUGE (pardon the pun) thing, I can't help but feel like I'm a failure in some respects - before you get all angry at me, let me explain.

I would love nothing more than to have my "pre-Emi" body ... what's more, I would love to have my "pre-19 year old" body.  I know that's unrealistic - in a way - as we get older, our bodies change.  Chemically, physically - well, you get the idea, anyway, I have added physical activity, though not nearly as much as I possibly should - as well as changing the way I eat, when I eat, and more importantly WHAT I eat.    So, that's where I'm at - "a Stalemate" ... so to speak ... I can't seem to lose anymore - or, I can't seem to lose it in the right places ... With all that said ... the reason for this blog ... here goes nothing!

Standing next to 5 others girls in that same pink dress - five girls of varying sizes - I felt uncomfortable, unhappy, not myself.   I'm not the kind of person who gets my hair done, wears make up, or dresses - or more accurately, I'm the kind of person who hardly gets my hair done, wears make up, or dresses.  I felt like a walking pink marshmallow, with make up on.  Every person that I spoke to made sure to tell me how amazing I looked, every person who has commented on my pictures on Facebook has told me how amazing I looked ... however, I didn't feel it.  Still don't feel like it.   Though, I appreciate the words - more than I could ever express, I still don't feel like that person they "saw".  Does that make sense?

At any rate - I'm not going to :stop: this new lifestyle just because the big day is over ... Hopefully, this time next year, I'll be in an even smaller size, and happy, with myself, my body, just ... Happy.  Or, Happier.

At times like this, as a female, it's helpful to have a person (or people, as the case may be) who make you feel beautiful ... like the most beautiful woman in the world ... who make you feel.  I am so lucky to have people like that in my life, namely, my husband, who made it a point to tell me repeatedly that day, and every day since - how gorgeous I was.  Just his smile, the way his eyes lit up when he saw me ... made me feel like I'd reached my goal weight, and size.  

I have this - ring tone - specifically for Mike when he calls me.  It makes me remember why (especially on those really hard to remember occasions {which don't happen often}) we're still together.  So, here it is, I THINK I've posted it before, but ... here is is again, as well as a picture of Emi and I from Sunday.

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Smile
Uncle Kracker

You're better then the best
I'm lucky just to linger in your light
Cooler than the flip side
Of my pillow, that's right

Completely unaware
Nothing can compare to where
You send me, lets me know that it's okay
Yeah, it's okay
And the moments where my good times start to fade

You make me smile like the sun, fall out of bed
Sing like bird, dizzy in my head
Spin like a record, crazy on a Sunday night

You make me dance like a fool, forget how to breathe
Shine like gold, buzz like a bee
Just the thought of you can drive me wild
Oh, you make me smile

Even when you're gone,
Somehow you come along just like
A flower pokin' through the sidewalk crack
And just like that
You steal away the rain, and just like that

You make me smile like the sun, fall out of bed
Sing like bird, dizzy in my head
Spin like a record, crazy on a Sunday night

You make me dance like a fool, forget how to breathe
Shine like gold, buzz like a bee
Just the thought of you can drive me wild
Oh, you make me smile

Don't know how I lived without you
'Cause every time that I get around you
I see the best of me inside your eyes
You make me smile

You make me dance like a fool, forget how to breathe
Shine like gold, buzz like a bee
Just the thought of you can drive me wild

You make me smile like the sun, fall out of bed
Sing like bird, dizzy in my head
Spin like a record, crazy on a Sunday night

You make me dance like a fool, forget how to breathe
Shine like gold, buzz like a bee
Just the thought of you can drive me wild
Oh, you make me smile
(Oh, you make me smile)
Oh, you make me smile
(Oh, you make me smile)
Oh, you make me smile


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ffej15-Dgl0&feature=fvsr


Thank you Honey.  
For now, and always.
<3<3<3