Happy New Year!!!

Just a few hours left until we say goodbye to 2008 and we ring in 2009. Anyone have any big plans?

How about New Years Resolutions???

I typically don't make resolutions. New Years Resolutions fall flat by mid-January anyways, but this year I'm going to try again. I'm not going to make the typical lose weight, quit smoking, blah blah blah, resolutions.

I know I want to blog more. As you can tell, I have neglected blogging for a while. I'm not sure anyone will even read this. I've been in a funk lately, then the holidays came on so quickly and I was busy. I know, just excuses. But, I'm back, and I'm blogging now, and I intend on blogging more often!

I want to make some changes in my life. I'm not sure what they are, but I know I need to do something different. Might be something small, might be something big, I'm not sure yet. I just know something isn't right because things are as they should be. So, things need to change. When I figure it all out, I will let you know. Vague resolution, but it is a start. For those that know me well, they know something has been amiss for a while, I'm trying to figure it all out guys!

I want to train the muttniks better. Heater has regressed a bit on the separation anxiety. Probably with all the holidays and I'm home a bit more, so that need some more work. And all dogs just need more training.

That's it! What are your resolutions for 2009?

Gemini says have a Happy New Year and here's to a short recovery from all the drinking!

MONEY MONEY MONEY!!!

If money was no object, what would I do?

1. I've been reading everyone else's memes on this and the running theme is obviously the greyhounds and SEGA. Which is no surprise being that I read the SEGA blog ring! So, SEGA gets a chunk of money!

2. I would build a nice house so I would be comfortable, my current animals would be comfortable and the future animals would be comfortable. The house would be on a huge amount of land, and I would have a stupid amount of fun decorating it! It would have everything I've ever wanted in a house. And since the holidays are coming up - I would want a double oven! The kitchen would be huge! The master bedroom would have a sitting room off to the side that would be actually be the dog's bedroom. And of course I would have a maid to clean the house and the litter box!

3. I would have a condo on a beach, one in New York and one in Vegas. That's just a start, maybe add more as I travel.

4. Of course, I will take care of my family and friends. But, being a CPA, I will do it in such a way that there are no tax consequences, so it may not be stupid amounts of money all at once, but they will be taken care of...

5. I would probably have a little work done on myself. Nothing to extreme. I have always hated my teeth, but to have them fixed is purely cosmetic, so not covered by insurance, so would be done. I don't know about any other work, but who knows.

6. Travel. I want to see the world. I would start with Prague. I am part Czech and have seen Travel Channel specials on Prague and that is on the top of my list. I'll probably hang out there and travel through Europe with the dogs while my house is being custom built.

A poem

While going through some of Grandma's writings, we came across this poem. Now, my Grandmother was a always a lady, but she had a great sense of humor. This is just too funny not to share....

The Golden Years

(Caution: Keep out of the hands of small children)

The Golden Years? Don’t hand me that!
My hair is thin; my ankles fat.
I laugh by chance
I wet my pants.
My figure has turned upside down;
My boobs are flat, my stomach’s round.
My love canal
Is dry as hell.
And just my teeth go out at night.
A b.m. is the day’s highlight.
My organs are all out of tune.
The Golden Years? Go suck a prune!

- By Marie Horejs

The world is less bright today

I just want to share a few memories of my grandmother, one of my favorite people. She passed away this morning, leaving the world a little less bright today. She would be very embarrassed about the all fuss made over her.

This picture was taken in 1989, it shows she was always a kid at heart.

One of the first life lessons I remember was at church. I was probably 7 or 8 years old and we were exited the service, shaking hands with Dr. Grossman as we left. That is when she taught me not to have the “dead fish” handshake. I think she may have commented, in her non-judgmental way, that Dr. Grossman’s handshake could stand to be a bit more firm.

My grandmother was a smart woman. A genius in fact! A Mensa member, and proud of it! Years ago, when I graduated college, Grandma made the trip to South Georgia, along with other family members. At the time, my friend was working at a small publishing company. Well, Grandma wanted to see a sample of the magazines. So, my friend, proud of the work her company produces, brings over a published copy of a magazine. Well, lo and behold, Grandma finds a typographical error! That friend still asks about Grandma all the time.

Because of her, I learned not to be ashamed or hide my intelligence. I learned that my opinion does matter. And, most importantly, I learned the recipe for the traditional Czech bread, Hoska!

She loved her puzzles and game shows especially Wheel of Fortune. So tonight, I’ll time dad when he does the jumble and make sure he does not cheat, and I hope Heaven has all the vowels she needs.

Some of her last words to me were: “don’t forget me”. Grandma, I never will.

Last Mango In Paris...

I am a ParrotHead, all hail Jimmy Buffett. In his song Last Mango in Paris, which is my all time favorite Buffett song, he pays tribute to Captain Tony. Well, Captain Tony passed away Saturday. Here's a link to the story:

http://www.margaritaville.com/index.php?page=news&n_id=673

And here's a link to a youtube video of the song:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NbuppicoI88

A legend never dies.

Cold night and a Spooked Hound

I'm not one to turn on my furnace easily at the drop of temperatures. I grew up in the Midwest and I know cold weather. I will admit it's getting chilly here, but I refuse to turn on my furnace yet!

Last night Gemini was trying to get under some covers in his crate, so I decided to get another blanket for both the dogs. I turned on the light, made sure I had Gemini's attention, and laid another blanket on him. All was well.

Heater's turn. I thought he was awake. I laid a blanket over him. He shot up, tried to get into the crate with Gemini, jumped on my bed, jumped off my bed and paced the room. I scared the poor boy. I called him back to me, and petted him a bit, got him to lay back down, put the blanket back on him and the same thing. I think I scared him so bad with the blanket that he was having nothing to do with it. Poor Heater. Maybe he lives up to his name and doesn't need the blanket on a cold night....

Techie Girl's Latest Obsession

I've become a bit of a techie lately. I have never been one to have to have the latest technology. I usually wait until others have it for a while, all the bugs are worked out and it's no longer "bleeding edge". I was actually accused of being a gamer today. Still unsure of how to react to that one......

Well, that changed last week. I've been wanting a new phone. I've had iPhone envy and Blackberry envy for a while. I have T-mobile and searched their available phones and there was not anything that had everything I wanted, until just recently. They came out with the G-1.

So, I pre-ordered it, it was delivered the day before it was released to the general public and I have been playing with it obsessively ever since!

I can check my e-mail on it, I can browse the web, it has google maps and GPS, games and tons of fun stuff. And I can make phone calls too!

Ok, enough of the blogging, I have to play with my phone some more......

Napping and the velcro dog

I love to nap. What can I say, as I age I look forward to stretching out on the couch on a Sunday afternoon and taking a nap.

Gemini doesn't have the separation anxiety that Heater has but does typically follow me from room to room in the house. When I'm sitting on the couch, he can see me from his dog bed. When I lay down for a nap, he come over and lays down on the floor right next to the couch. Very cute, right?

It's cute, until he starts whining to be petted and puts his on the couch and looks at me. You can barely resist. You pet him, he puts his head back down, relaxes and I start to doze off and I stop petting. The whole routine starts again, and will continue, again and again. The whine is so pathetic, I can hardly resist. Most of the time I doze off petting the dog. Spoiled dog........

Bad Kitty Mom

I have had Lucky, my cat since 1999. Found her as a stray, the vet had estimated her age then to be between about 3 and 4 years old. Of the four animals in the house now, she has been here the longest, and I let her rule the roost. She is the reason no dogs are allowed on the furniture, I want her domain and the other cat, Reily's domain, to remain intact.

Shortly after I first got Lucky (sounds a bit dirty doesn't it?) I was working in a CPA firm and the first tax season rolled around. That means 14+ hour days. I let Lucky develop a bad bad habit of drinking out of the sink faucet. I don't know if I didn't keep her water bowl clean enough for her or what I did, but to this day, she does not drink out of her own water bowl. The dog's water bowl is good for her and sink faucets are good.

She will come into the bathroom with me every morning and meow at me till I turn on the faucet for her.

She has also taught this to the other cat Reily.

By the way, for those that grew up in the 80's, Lucky is named after the cat in the TV show ALF.

your feet, my feet

There are several questions I often ponder with these hounds. One is how the dog can be walking along and step over a pile of poop with his hind legs, which is 2 1/2 feet behind his nose?

But the same dog, will step on my foot with his front paw on a regular basis?

I really want to have a professional pedicure again. But my toes and feet end up with cuts on them that I don't dare go into a salon and risk infection with open sores. Will I ever have pretty feet again? Am I force to where steel toe boots in the house at all times?

Will the dogs ever learn the difference between my feet and their feet?

Spooky McBeggers

I'm hanging out at Jodi's house as she is decorating for Halloween. She comes across a witch's hat made for a cat. Hilarity ensues.

And the cat wins......

Being sick with the dogs

The rule in this house is no dogs on the furniture. The reason behind it because the furniture is the cats domain and when I first got Gemini, I wanted the cats to keep their areas so they would still feel safe.

I have had to retrain Heater to stay off the furniture. I know that consistency is key when training. When I am away, both dogs are put in my bedroom. I have found evidence that Heater gets on my bed. There isn't much I can do about it since I am not there and can't catch him in the act.

I've been down with a migraine for the last 3 days and must give kudos to these dogs. They have behaved very well and were not their normal needy selves, for the most part.

Yesterday afternoon, I was napping in bed. I heard heard Heater start to whine a bit., in my drug induced state, I fell right back asleep. Next thing I know, Heater is on the bed with me. I think I tried to tell him to get down, which is the command for laying down, so he plops his bony butt next to me. I was really sweet that he wanted to snuggle. I love to snuggle with the animals. But, by the time he became comfortable, his bony butt and spine were against my back and I was being pushed off the bed. I guess my nap time was over. Luckily the headache is just about over also.

Heater

Heater, Gemini and myself and Greyfest

When I did the wordle, I noticed that Heater was not featured as much as Gemini, who has now been nicknamed Whizzer (see the last post). And a few people have also pointed out that Heater isn't featured as much.

Well, in my defense, Heater doesn't pull as many antics as Gemini. But, I shall dedicate this post to Heater.

Heater was bounced from a home in Florida after 9 years. His original foster mom was Laura Parker, who then met the Florida couple to pick Heater up after they gave him up. The Parkers kept Heater for a while until I was able to foster him.

Heater was then adopted but his severe Separation Anxiety kicked in and was bounced again. So, he ended up back here. The SA isn't bad here because he is with another dog all day when I'm gone.

Heater is also known as:

Heater Beater Pumpkin Eater

Heat

Heat Beat

The Beat Man

Old Man

Three Toe Wonder

The Florida couple called him Bubba - what a HORRIBLE name for a dog of such a noble breed!

OK - now a few short stories.

When I had my gallbladder out, I had terrible gas. I was belching a lot. Some of the belches may have won belching contests. I'm not proud, it's just a fact and I couldn't help it. Well, I would belch and Heater would come right to me, EVERY TIME!!! I just wonder what the previous owners taught him, especially when they called him Bubba!

The second story happened at Greyfest. I was looking at those cute bags and Heater was next to me. There was a lady standing next to me, and I'm sorry but I didn't get her name. I looked down and him whole head was underneath her skirt! I was so embarrassed! So, to that lady, I am very sorry that my dog acts like a dirty old man! The picture by the way is Heater after he nuzzled in between my legs.

And a picture of the Old Man snuggled with a toy sleeping

This was taken before I adopted him, when he was still a foster. He already knew he was here to stay. Thank you everyone for allowing Heater into my life.

BLUR OF FUR WINNER - NOT

I can't begin to explain how excited I was about this year's Blur of Fur. This was the first year that I was able to be there for the Blur of Fur and I want to know how fast the pooch can run.

So after trotting along side of the brat for over have the course, he finally stopped and peed. I think I heard someone say "How fast can the SEGA member run?"

Pile in the Car!

Heater is typically the one that starts the piles in the house. Well, today, on the way to Greyfest, Gemini started the pile!

And, my official pile designator, Jodi, was there to witness the pile, and snap the picture.

OK - I did the wordle:

Dog Sitting

For the last two days, I've been sitting a dog I previously fostered, Riley (f.k.a. Notorious Verona).

It is not that often that I walk three greyhounds at the same time, but every time the view is the same.....

Just Kidding, sort of.....

Anyways, Riley is so close to Gemini's twin. Both fawn, both have that little ridge of fur on the back of their neck that stands up, and both have a white tip on their tail, although Gemini's is a bit darker. I'm not going to post those pics cuz I don't want to tip the competition for Greyfest (and truthfully, I don't have good photos that so those traits!)

Greyhound Statue

FACTS:

1. I have had Gemini for 3 years and up until 3 weeks ago, he has not got himself into any situations that he needed rescuing from.

2. I had surgery 3 weeks ago and have a weight restriction on lifting of 20 pounds.

3. Gemini weighs somewhere between 75 and 80 pounds.

SCENE: 5:00 am Tuesday morning. Typical morning, I roll out of bed, come downstairs and the dogs follow me. I light up a cigarette (yes, I'm an evil smoker, we all have our vices) and let the dogs out and step onto the patio.

Gemini immediately spies something moving, probably a little lizard, and goes after it. Next thing I know, he is stuck between the gas meter and the house.

Now, for all of you that have greyhounds, you know that when they get spooked, they turn into statues.

I tried to persuade him to go backwards, he wasn't having it. He couldn't figure out how to navigate the turn going backwards.

At this point I noticed the post the meter is one is a bit sharp and the top is rusted. Have to change the strategy.

So, I try again to get Gemini to go backwards and he barks and tries to nip. I muzzle him and spy the camera in the house.

While trying to think about what to do, I snap the above picture. I know, kinda mean, but he wasn't going anywhere and I had to think.

I can't lift the dog, I am willing to risk a hernia, but the gas pipe is above him so even if I could lift him, I couldn't get him out because of the pipe.

I can't squeeze him through without busting his skin open against the rusted post, which means an immediate trip to the vet, so that is not a good option.

I was debating about calling someone. But at 5 o'clock in the morning, by the time they woke up, was no longer mad at me for waking them up, and got over to my house, the situation would probably be resolved so they would just be mad again so that wasn't a good idea. (You can thank me now Jodi.)

So, I found a stool, lifted a back leg onto the stool with his full force resisting me, and he took it from there. Jumped up enough to clear the post. He did not injure himself, thank goodness!!!

I think he stayed stuck for about 5 solid minutes while I worked through how to figure all this out, poor dog. Amazingly, I managed to stay calm to entire time.

And the whole time, Heater just wanted to play.

STUCK!

I will post the story once my heart beats normally again. But, I will say that everyone is ok!

Butt-Head and Piles

I knew that Heater was a bit stubborn, but he has really proven to be a true butt-head lately, and I have photographic proof!

But, all joking aside, Heater will initiate the dog pile by reaching out and touching Gemini. According to Jodi, my Pile Definer, if they are touching, it's a pile!

And another pile.

Gemini looks a bit irriatated, but he tolerated it!

Sketchy Internet

I haven't posted for a while cuz my internet and cable have been down for going on 5 days!!!!

Right now I'm currently positioned with my laptop delicately balanced at the edge of the dining room table, using some very nice neighbor's unsecured wireless signal. (ok - I've hijacked someone else's signal, but it's only for a little bit)

After 15 phone calls (no exaggeration) to Comcast, it may be fixed tomorrow. I am cautiously hopeful, because there has already been one tech out here and the whole area was out for two days and I keep getting different answers.

I better go before I lose this signal, I still have to check one more e-mail account.......

I've been meme'd

I've been meme'd by http://greytblackdog.blogspot.com/ to list six things you don't know about me.

This is off the cuff, so here it goes!

Six things you don't know about me.......

1. I am very shy. I've worked hard over the years to fake it so I can appear confident, but if I'm in a room of people, I tend to stick around just the ones I know well. I am so envious of the people that can make small talk and "work the room" because I'm way to nervous to do that.

2. Dead bodies, remains, and ashes FREAK ME OUT!!!! It is one of my few true fears. When my Grandfather died, one of my cousins had a really sweet idea of all the grandchildren splitting up his ashes and taking back to are various locations around the country and spreading them. Well, it took a bottle of wine (or three) and a very good friend for me to be able to even open the bag the ashes were in, let alone release them in the ocean.

3. I had an ex-boyfriend stalk me. Dated him in high school into college, and he would not leave me alone after I broke up with him. I was never hurt or anything. It was before any stalking laws were in effect, so not much I could do about it. It stopped when I moved, so no worries now!

4. I cheated on the Meyers-Briggs personality test in junior high! I wanted to be a photographer and knew that required creativity. So, I answered all the questions as if I was the person I wanted to be instead of the person I was. I still dabble in photography, but I quickly learned I didn't have the talent to make a living, so I went into accounting, where being creative can get a person in some serious trouble.

I've since retaken the Meyers-Briggs test two other times, and answered honestly, and the test is fairly accurate. I forget my letters though....

5. I wish I could be more spontaneous. I have to plan, plan, plan. EVERYTHING! It's tough for me to just let go, to go with the flow. I'm working on it. But it's just part of my personality.

6. I have 2 tattoos. One is a small daisy, about the size of a dime, on one of my toes. That one is visible and when I wear sandals people can see it, so it's not really a secret. The other one was my last fling with non-conformity! It's a fish, not visible when I wear clothing, and I will leave it at that!

So, there you go. Six things you didn't know about me. I know a few people may already know these things (Angie and Jodi), but their payments are in the mail to kept there mouths shut about the rest. Just kidding!

7. BONUS - I'm still on a hijacked connection so if I don't respond it is because I still don't have internet and it got too cloudy to use a neighbor's connection.

I'm going to tag Gerry. After all the fantastic reporting at Elle! trial, (see http://oaklandgold.blogspot.com/ ) she needs to reveal something about the reporter!

I Failed!

I was welcomed to the Failed Foster Club today! I adopted Heater. After some very nice people came and looked at him Saturday and their dog decided it wasn't a good match, I realized that I was very relieved that he wasn't going. That sealed the deal for me.

I think Heater had already decided he was here to stay anyways and was just waiting for me to clue in.....

So Heater, welcome to your final Forever Home!

More signs?

Today is Heater's (my current foster) birthday. HAPPY BIRTHDAY HEATER BEATER!

Sign 1:
Yesterday a couple came over to meet him and potentially adopt him. Of course they fell in love, who doesn't fall in love with this beautiful sweet hound. Well, their grey didn't care for Heater too much. And, very understandable, they must take care of their greyhound first and foremost. So, Heater is still chilling with Gemini and me.

Sign 2:
I'm playing at http://www.greyhound-data.com and looked up Heater's race record. (BTW - no races) Well, I clicked on his sire - and his sire raced at Bluffs Run. Which is the track that I would go to growing up, which is where I fell in love with the bred!

I holding to my timeline of after my surgery, if Heater is not adopted, I will make the decision THEN. But, Heater my have already the decision to stay.

middle aged?

I went for my annual today. After the exam, the doctor recommended that I have my first mammogram, because of my age, we need have a base line mammogram. Let's examine that phrase: BECAUSE OF MY AGE!!!! OUCH! The needle stick didn't hurt as much as that did.

I've been successfully denying that I'm aging. But this month, it's coming back to haunt me, in spades!

Gallstones!
Mammograms!
Grey hairs in places I don't want to talk about!
Holy buckets! I'm middle aged!

When did this happen?

This sucks...

Failed Foster?

As many of you know, I am fostering another dog. This one is a bounce. I fostered him a few months ago and now he is back. This one has been, by far, my favorite foster EVER!!

Is it a sign? Was he meant to live out the rest of his days with Gemini and me? He has bonded with Gemini quite a bit. I am going to plead the 5th on how I feel.

Many have told me I need to adopt him myself. But, by doing that, I would probably have to stop fostering.

Here's the deal:
IF Heater has not been adopted by the time I recover from surgery; and
IF his separation anxiety is under control after I go back to work after the surgery; and
IF I have the finances;
I will consider adopting him.

JODI - I said CONSIDER!!!! Settle down.

Now, you can check out his SEGA blog. It's listed on the sidebar to the right!

just venting

VENT 1
This morning, I'm walking Gemini and Heater. I'm in the common area as Gemini is finishing his business (good boy gemmy) and a neighbor opens her back door and turns out her great dane puppy and stands at the door to watch.
In my mind, I'm already seeing the disaster.

The other dog sniffs and then notices my dogs. I'm already starting to position myself in between the great dane and my dogs. The great dane takes off running in my direction and the lady FINALLY steps out her back door with the lease, nonchalantly calling her dog.

Gemini stiffens up and barks at the great dane. If you have ever been around Gem, he NEVER barks!! This was NOT a play bark, he was PO'd. I move my dogs back and stand in between and start moving my dogs away. She finally gets her dog and walks away.

HEY LADY - THERE ARE LEASH LAWS IN THIS COUNTY!!!! Being a responsible pet owner also involves the people, animals and property in your surroundings!

VENT 2
I'm in the check out line at Petsmart. Luckily the hounds are at home.

A man walks in with his puppy on a leash. The puppy nips my ankle! I turn around and the man is just continuing to walk, dragging the puppy behind him, not paying attention to what his dog is doing.

I sure hope they were there to attend dog training classes.

Thanks for listening to me vent. Sometimes you just got to gt things off your chest! I'm so glad I'm part of the greyhound community. Every greyhound owner I meet is so loving and responsible about their pooch.

Heater Beater Pumpkin Eater

Heater's back in my house. Long story, but he's here with those beautiful puppy dog eyes!

This foster mom has some work to do, but he is in great shape for his age! One of the best personalities I've seen in a greyhound.

Tonight, all the animals are shacked out napping, all nice and quiet, I think I'll take their hint and hit the sheets myself.

It's all about how it makes you feel....

Gemini is scared of thunder. Whenever it storms, he goes to the base of the stairs and tried to get as far under the lip of the first stair as possible.

3 feet long, 2 1/2 feet tall, 80 lbs
1 inch lip on the stair
The math does not work in Gemini's favor, but he feels better there then anywhere else.

Shaq the Foster and the Night at the Roxbury

Roxbury Pamela Anderson
by fobe88

So, I currently have a foster dog, Shaq, at least until tomorrow. He is a sweet, loving dog, who feels the need to be right by my side when we walk. Sometimes Gemini also feels the need to be right by my side when we walk. During many of these walks, the only thing I could think of was the Saturday Night Live sketch, "Night at the Roxbury".

If you are not a fan of SNL, watch the video and you'll understand. The dogs would be the two guys.

Mulberries

When I was a child, there was a mulberry bush on the way to the pool. When dad would take me to the pool, we would walk by the mulberry bush. On the way home, he would let me eat as many as I wanted.

If you are familiar with mulberries, when squished, the juice will turned your skin purple. I would come home with a purple mouth, purple hands, arms and probably purple all over, head to toe.

Dad would proceed to walk into the house and mom would come out of the house and hose me off before I could come in.

Well, I took Gemini, my greyhound, to the vet yesterday. As the vet was examining his paws, she asked what the mark on his paw was. It was too purple to be blood, she says. I flashed back to childhood, then remembered there is a mulberry bush in my neighborhood. Gemini stepped on some mulberries and stained his paw!

There is now no denying this is my dog!