Saturday, October 15, 2011
Monday, September 5, 2011
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
Stole this from my Dad's blog
Questions?????
1. What time did you get up this morning? 6:25 AM
2. How do you like your steak? medium well, a little pink
3. What was the last film you saw at the cinema? Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
4. What is your favorite TV show? Grey's Anatomy
5. If you could live anywhere in the world where would it be? NC, but I would like to visit lots of places. I wouldn't want to live very far from my family.
6. What did you have for breakfast? Coffee only
7. What is your favorite food? pasta
8. What food do you dislike? Beets
9. What is your favorite place to eat? The Italian Table in West End, NC
10. What is your favorite dressing? Greek with feta cheese
11. What is your favorite clothes? Pajamas
12. Where would you visit if you had the chance? Italy
13. Cup 1/2 empty or 1/2 full? 1/2 full
14. Favorite time of day. Evenings just before dark
15. Favorite sport to watch. College football
16. Favorite fragrance. Lola by Marc Jacobs
17. Favorite fruit/vegetable. Plum/Potato
18. People watcher? yes
19. Are you a morning or night person. Night
20. Do you have any pets? 4 Dogs and 1 cat
21. Any new & exciting news to share. Going on vacation next week!
22. Any pet peeves? Slow traffic
23. Favorite flower. Poppy
24. Do anything spontaneous lately? Scheduled a last minute vacation
25. Last vacation. July 2010 to Biloxi, MS
26. Last person you went out to diner with. My husband
27. Favorite color. Blue, but I love to wear red.
28. How many tattos do you have? Zero
29. What habit or habits do you need to stop? Talking/thinking about work when I am at home.
Saturday, August 13, 2011
Sunday, July 24, 2011
Sunday, July 3, 2011
Friday, May 6, 2011
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Happy Birthday to my Dad (Odie)!!!!!! March 24th is Celebrate Odie Day!
 |
| Happy Birthday to a wonderful dad who is loved very much! Have a wonderful birthday weekend! |
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
Sunday, February 13, 2011
Smash and Pass blog survey
My friend Shady forwarded me a survey and I have finally completed my answers! Sorry it took so long!
I am required to answer the 19 survey questions and then pass the questionaire along to 4 more bloggers. Here goes!
Survey Questions:
1. If you have pets, do you see them as merely animals, or are they members of your family?
Well, anyone who reads my blog knows that I see my 6 pets as much more than just animals. They are definitely my children!
2. If you can have a dream to come true, what would
it be?This is a tough one! I would love to sing a duet with James Taylor, or have an amusement park all to myself for a day, or win the lottery! But less selfishly, I would want hunger to end. It is so senseless for people to go hungry when there are so many that have more than they need.
3. What is the one thing most hated by you?
A bully
4. What would you do with a billion dollars?
I would do the obvious things, like quit my job, pay bills, shopping spree, new house and car, and helping my family members live comfortably. Then I would do some traveling. But I would love to invest some money for an animal sanctuary for any animals who don't have a home or have been abused or abandoned.
And I would get really nice cameras so I can have fun with photography.
5. What helps to pull you out of a bad mood?
Listening to music or playing with my dogs
6. Which is more blessed, loving someone or being
loved by someone? being loved
7. What is your bedtime routine?
I get the dogs settled inside, and read my book until I fall asleep. My husband is always taking my glasses off my face and putting them and my book away.
8. If you are currently in a relationship, how did you
meet your partner?
I was 25 and working for a medical office. We were upgrading our medical billing software and the salesman/computer guy was there. My coworkers were throwing me a surprise housewarming party and they invited him to come too. We hit it off instantly but he lived 2 1/2 hours away. He called me everyday and even though I tried to tell him that a long distance relationship probably wouldn't work and I wasn't ready for a relationship, he would not take no for an answer. After a couple of years of traveling, we married in 2002.
9. If you could watch a creative person in the act of
the creative process, who would it be?either James Taylor in the recording studio or Jack Hanna on a wildlife safari
10. What kinds of books do you read?
All kinds of books, but mostly fiction. I have read most of Oprah's book list, and follow authors like Ken Follett, Jodi Picoult, and Dean Koontz. I just finished reading "The Help" by Kathryn Stockett.
11. How would you see yourself in ten years time?
I would love to be in a new home, with a job I enjoy, and be more financially stable.
12. What’s your fear?Losing a family member (death). And spiders.
13. Would you give up all junk food for the rest of your
life for the opportunity to visit outer space?I don't think so. I don't really want to go to outer space, and I love potato chips too much.
14. Would you rather be single and rich or married
but poor? Married and poor
15. What’s the first thing you do when you wake up?hit the snooze button!
16. If you could change one thing about your
spouse/partner what would it be?his messiness
17. If you could pick a new name for yourself
what would it be?Lola
18. Would you forgive and forget no matter how
horrible a thing that special someone has done?
Forgive maybe. Forget probably not.
19. If you could only eat one thing for the next
6 months, what would it be?Grilled cheese sandwiches or french fries
Now, I would like to tag the following four bloggers to participate in the survey:
Thisisme. at Southhamsdarling
Kathiey at Kathiey's World
lyndylou at THE GIGGLE FEST
Belle at Tales From a Loser
I am required to answer the 19 survey questions and then pass the questionaire along to 4 more bloggers. Here goes!
Survey Questions:
1. If you have pets, do you see them as merely animals, or are they members of your family?
Well, anyone who reads my blog knows that I see my 6 pets as much more than just animals. They are definitely my children!
2. If you can have a dream to come true, what would
it be?This is a tough one! I would love to sing a duet with James Taylor, or have an amusement park all to myself for a day, or win the lottery! But less selfishly, I would want hunger to end. It is so senseless for people to go hungry when there are so many that have more than they need.
3. What is the one thing most hated by you?
A bully
4. What would you do with a billion dollars?
I would do the obvious things, like quit my job, pay bills, shopping spree, new house and car, and helping my family members live comfortably. Then I would do some traveling. But I would love to invest some money for an animal sanctuary for any animals who don't have a home or have been abused or abandoned.
And I would get really nice cameras so I can have fun with photography.
5. What helps to pull you out of a bad mood?
Listening to music or playing with my dogs
6. Which is more blessed, loving someone or being
loved by someone? being loved
7. What is your bedtime routine?
I get the dogs settled inside, and read my book until I fall asleep. My husband is always taking my glasses off my face and putting them and my book away.
8. If you are currently in a relationship, how did you
meet your partner?
I was 25 and working for a medical office. We were upgrading our medical billing software and the salesman/computer guy was there. My coworkers were throwing me a surprise housewarming party and they invited him to come too. We hit it off instantly but he lived 2 1/2 hours away. He called me everyday and even though I tried to tell him that a long distance relationship probably wouldn't work and I wasn't ready for a relationship, he would not take no for an answer. After a couple of years of traveling, we married in 2002.
9. If you could watch a creative person in the act of
the creative process, who would it be?either James Taylor in the recording studio or Jack Hanna on a wildlife safari
10. What kinds of books do you read?
All kinds of books, but mostly fiction. I have read most of Oprah's book list, and follow authors like Ken Follett, Jodi Picoult, and Dean Koontz. I just finished reading "The Help" by Kathryn Stockett.
11. How would you see yourself in ten years time?
I would love to be in a new home, with a job I enjoy, and be more financially stable.
12. What’s your fear?Losing a family member (death). And spiders.
13. Would you give up all junk food for the rest of your
life for the opportunity to visit outer space?I don't think so. I don't really want to go to outer space, and I love potato chips too much.
14. Would you rather be single and rich or married
but poor? Married and poor
15. What’s the first thing you do when you wake up?hit the snooze button!
16. If you could change one thing about your
spouse/partner what would it be?his messiness
17. If you could pick a new name for yourself
what would it be?Lola
18. Would you forgive and forget no matter how
horrible a thing that special someone has done?
Forgive maybe. Forget probably not.
19. If you could only eat one thing for the next
6 months, what would it be?Grilled cheese sandwiches or french fries
Now, I would like to tag the following four bloggers to participate in the survey:
Thisisme. at Southhamsdarling
Kathiey at Kathiey's World
lyndylou at THE GIGGLE FEST
Belle at Tales From a Loser
Saturday, February 12, 2011
Happy Valentine's Day!
Friday, February 4, 2011
Fabulous Friday
I have lost a whopping 4 pounds this week! I have had a good week changing some of my eating habits. Lunch has always been my big meal of the day and since I was terrible about bringing my lunch, I was eating a lot of fast food. I brought my lunch every day this week and kept smart snacks in my office. I added some exercise and stopped eating after 7 pm. Whatever I am doing is working so far!
(Great food find: Laughing Cow Light Spreadable Cheese Wedges are only 35 calories per wedge and yummy)
(Great food find: Laughing Cow Light Spreadable Cheese Wedges are only 35 calories per wedge and yummy)
Monday, January 31, 2011
A Successful Day
So, today I began my diet and exercise plan. I had already starting walking on Saturday and Sunday, but today was the official start of my lifestyle change. I counted my calories today and made some good food choices. I pushed myself to get on the treadmill when I finished supper tonight. I feel really good after getting moving the last couple of days. I have been so lethargic for a while now and zapped of energy.
I needed to make this change so badly. I know this was just the first day and I have a long way to go. It should get easier though after a few days of routine. I wish it wasn't dark when I get home from work, so I could walk outside. My husband and I need to push each other and motivate each other so we can both succeed, be healthier and feel better.
So, overall, it was a great start towards my goals of losing 13 pounds and preparing for a 5K in April.
I needed to make this change so badly. I know this was just the first day and I have a long way to go. It should get easier though after a few days of routine. I wish it wasn't dark when I get home from work, so I could walk outside. My husband and I need to push each other and motivate each other so we can both succeed, be healthier and feel better.
So, overall, it was a great start towards my goals of losing 13 pounds and preparing for a 5K in April.
Saturday, January 29, 2011
For my dad
I was thinking back to when I was little or at least a teenager, and the things I haven't thought of in a long time. I know my dad will remember most, if not all of these things.
War Games
The Last Starfighter
MacGyver
Knight Rider
Airwolf
Rambo
Stuffed Peppers
Pete's
Joyner's Supermarket
Medoc Mountain
Happy Little Trees
Cicadas
National Geographic
Camel Crickets (!)
Watching thunderstorms on the front porch
Newspaper route
Pool Hall cheeseburgers
Alice's Beauty Shop
Mr.Warren's cats
Mr. Wizard's World
War Games
The Last Starfighter
MacGyver
Knight Rider
Airwolf
Rambo
Stuffed Peppers
Pete's
Joyner's Supermarket
Medoc Mountain
Happy Little Trees
Cicadas
National Geographic
Camel Crickets (!)
Watching thunderstorms on the front porch
Newspaper route
Pool Hall cheeseburgers
Alice's Beauty Shop
Mr.Warren's cats
Mr. Wizard's World
Saturday, January 22, 2011
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Cockeyed Optimist
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uBGx7jVZqiU
This song from the musical "South Pacific" always brightens my mood.
This song from the musical "South Pacific" always brightens my mood.
Sunday, January 16, 2011
An Incredible Journey
I have always had a pet of some kind. Growing up, we had dogs, guinea pigs, hamsters, and a rabbit. I spent a lot of my time outside, exploring the yard for anything from frogs and lizards to caterpillars and cicadas. So, as long as I can remember, I've always been a lover of animals and wildlife. (Although, I admit I never have taken a liking to spiders or stinging insects!).
Max came into my life when I was about 20 years old. He was a 5 month old tabby cat who had not been treated very nice in his short life. He was very timid and nervous around people and would hide for hours if someone new came in the house. A couple of years later, I heard about a litter of kittens someone was giving away. They were 4 weeks old and solid black. I picked one and named it Sassy, thinking it was a girl. Before I realized it was a male, the name had stuck. My parents got Sassy's sibling, Sheba.
Max and Sassy did not get along at first. I had to keep them separated for a while. Sassy was so tiny, I was afraid I would lose him. As time went on, they got used to each other and they got much bigger.
In 2002, I got married and left my cats with my mom for a while, since my husband and his oldest daughter are allergic to cats. But she later re-married and she couldn't keep them anymore. So we designated part of our house for the cats and they moved in.
By the time the cats came to live with us, we had gotten a black lab from the local shelter whose picture had been in the newspaper, and was in danger of being euthanized. Mollie was already 10 months old and spayed when we adopted her in December of 2004. Mollie has always been an indoor dog. We initially decided we wouldn't let her on the furniture. Well, that didn't last long. She now lays anywhere she wants, including our bed. Mollie had to be kept on a leash until we built a fence because she would run like the wind, and when we tried to catch her, she would run farther and faster. Other than the occasional times she has escaped, Mollie has been a well-behaved dog. She was queen of the house until March of 2009.
I was driving home from work about 6 PM one evening and saw a cardboard box beside the road that was turned on its side. Then I saw the puppies. I knew instantly that someone had abandoned them and I hit the brakes. I pulled over and tried to keep them from running into the road. I finally managed to get all 3 of them back into the box and carried it to my car. Keep in mind, I had NO intention of keeping these dogs. I knew I couldn't leave them there and I would take them to the shelter ASAP. I got them some puppy food and loaded Mollie's doghouse (which she never used) with blankets. I think I got up several times that night and went outside to check on them. The next day, I had to go to work and the shelter didn't open until lunchtime. I had taken pictures and made a flyer to try to find them homes. I found out that the shelter wasn't keeping animals more than 72 hours because they had too many. So, by the 3rd day, I was already getting attached to them, and was only halfheartedly trying to find them homes.
We started trying to name them, just to have something to call them to keep them apart. The little runt of the group was significantly smaller than the other two and looked a little sickly. My stepdaughter kept calling her Scruffy and the name stuck. Maggie, who has the most personality of all of them and a very intense stare, was at first nicknamed Trouble. Gracie is the quiet one, with big brown eyes. She was the cutest puppy, I think, and we temporarily named her Sweet Eyes.
So, needless to say, we added 3 more family members. Mollie didn't like the puppies, and she would show her teeth, but accepted it for the most part. However, the puppies loved Mollie. They would aggravate her by constantly trying to lick her. Mollie could walk by, and they would instantly lay down and roll over, submissive to her.
Mollie has continued her queen status in the house, but she is very jealous of the puppies. We have to divide our love and attention between all of them now. Mollie is clearly in charge and will run them down and scold them if she thinks they are doing something wrong.
It has been tough having 6 animals. The chewing and destructive phase was difficult and costly, as well as keeping all of them fed, medicated, shots, spaying, and containment. At one point, Maggie and Gracie were climbing our 6 foot fence and escaping. They wouldn't go too far, but I was afraid of them getting out while we were gone and getting hit by a car, or hurt by another animal. That was a very stressful time. We eventually got our neighbor to install an electric wire that ran across the top of the fence as well as the bottom to keep them from digging or climbing out. That has seemed to work wonderfully, although it was tough watching them hit the wire to realize their boundaries.
We also had a custom doghouse built that matches our house with shingles and a little porch. They can all fit inside comfortably if they need to get shelter from bad weather. We started letting them come in at night when the temperatures got below freezing, but then it became a habit. So now they sleep inside with us every night.
There is an occasional fight between the puppies. Scruffy usually starts it, is always involved, and is the one with the most injuries. Her poor little ears have been bitten so many times, it's no wonder she always has one ear up and one ear down! Scruffy is our little diva. She loves to sleep and takes her sweet precious time to eat. She causes me delays every morning waiting on her to finish eating. But she is a Mama's girl and I can tell by the way she looks at me that she loves me. My husband will let the dogs in occasionally when we are home and they start looking around to see where I am. The moment Scruffy sees me is completely priceless. She almost has a grin on her face and she takes off running to greet me. That, my friends, is a wonderful feeling that makes me know without a doubt that those puppies were meant to be mine. I may not get to travel much anymore or afford as much as I want, but my 6 fur babies are worth it.
Mollie is now almost 7 years old, the puppies turned 2 yesterday, Max is 16 years old and Sassy is 14. Mollie is overweight from lack of exercise and Max has recently been put on medicine for hyperthyroidism, but otherwise everyone is healthy. Mollie visits the cats with me at least twice daily, but we don't let the puppies interact with the cats.
I know they won't be with me forever, but I am thankful everyday for the joy and blessings they each bring me. I am one very lucky mama.
Max came into my life when I was about 20 years old. He was a 5 month old tabby cat who had not been treated very nice in his short life. He was very timid and nervous around people and would hide for hours if someone new came in the house. A couple of years later, I heard about a litter of kittens someone was giving away. They were 4 weeks old and solid black. I picked one and named it Sassy, thinking it was a girl. Before I realized it was a male, the name had stuck. My parents got Sassy's sibling, Sheba.
Max and Sassy did not get along at first. I had to keep them separated for a while. Sassy was so tiny, I was afraid I would lose him. As time went on, they got used to each other and they got much bigger.
In 2002, I got married and left my cats with my mom for a while, since my husband and his oldest daughter are allergic to cats. But she later re-married and she couldn't keep them anymore. So we designated part of our house for the cats and they moved in.
I was driving home from work about 6 PM one evening and saw a cardboard box beside the road that was turned on its side. Then I saw the puppies. I knew instantly that someone had abandoned them and I hit the brakes. I pulled over and tried to keep them from running into the road. I finally managed to get all 3 of them back into the box and carried it to my car. Keep in mind, I had NO intention of keeping these dogs. I knew I couldn't leave them there and I would take them to the shelter ASAP. I got them some puppy food and loaded Mollie's doghouse (which she never used) with blankets. I think I got up several times that night and went outside to check on them. The next day, I had to go to work and the shelter didn't open until lunchtime. I had taken pictures and made a flyer to try to find them homes. I found out that the shelter wasn't keeping animals more than 72 hours because they had too many. So, by the 3rd day, I was already getting attached to them, and was only halfheartedly trying to find them homes.We started trying to name them, just to have something to call them to keep them apart. The little runt of the group was significantly smaller than the other two and looked a little sickly. My stepdaughter kept calling her Scruffy and the name stuck. Maggie, who has the most personality of all of them and a very intense stare, was at first nicknamed Trouble. Gracie is the quiet one, with big brown eyes. She was the cutest puppy, I think, and we temporarily named her Sweet Eyes.
So, needless to say, we added 3 more family members. Mollie didn't like the puppies, and she would show her teeth, but accepted it for the most part. However, the puppies loved Mollie. They would aggravate her by constantly trying to lick her. Mollie could walk by, and they would instantly lay down and roll over, submissive to her.
Mollie has continued her queen status in the house, but she is very jealous of the puppies. We have to divide our love and attention between all of them now. Mollie is clearly in charge and will run them down and scold them if she thinks they are doing something wrong.
It has been tough having 6 animals. The chewing and destructive phase was difficult and costly, as well as keeping all of them fed, medicated, shots, spaying, and containment. At one point, Maggie and Gracie were climbing our 6 foot fence and escaping. They wouldn't go too far, but I was afraid of them getting out while we were gone and getting hit by a car, or hurt by another animal. That was a very stressful time. We eventually got our neighbor to install an electric wire that ran across the top of the fence as well as the bottom to keep them from digging or climbing out. That has seemed to work wonderfully, although it was tough watching them hit the wire to realize their boundaries.
We also had a custom doghouse built that matches our house with shingles and a little porch. They can all fit inside comfortably if they need to get shelter from bad weather. We started letting them come in at night when the temperatures got below freezing, but then it became a habit. So now they sleep inside with us every night.
There is an occasional fight between the puppies. Scruffy usually starts it, is always involved, and is the one with the most injuries. Her poor little ears have been bitten so many times, it's no wonder she always has one ear up and one ear down! Scruffy is our little diva. She loves to sleep and takes her sweet precious time to eat. She causes me delays every morning waiting on her to finish eating. But she is a Mama's girl and I can tell by the way she looks at me that she loves me. My husband will let the dogs in occasionally when we are home and they start looking around to see where I am. The moment Scruffy sees me is completely priceless. She almost has a grin on her face and she takes off running to greet me. That, my friends, is a wonderful feeling that makes me know without a doubt that those puppies were meant to be mine. I may not get to travel much anymore or afford as much as I want, but my 6 fur babies are worth it.Mollie is now almost 7 years old, the puppies turned 2 yesterday, Max is 16 years old and Sassy is 14. Mollie is overweight from lack of exercise and Max has recently been put on medicine for hyperthyroidism, but otherwise everyone is healthy. Mollie visits the cats with me at least twice daily, but we don't let the puppies interact with the cats.
I know they won't be with me forever, but I am thankful everyday for the joy and blessings they each bring me. I am one very lucky mama.
Thank you!
Thanks to everyone who visited my blog! I enjoyed designing it with all of my favorite things! I have not had an opportunity to read everyone's blogs, but I glanced at a few of them and look forward to following! I appreciate all of your comments. I already have 8 followers!
I am working on something I hope to post later today. Happy Sunday everyone!
Karen
I am working on something I hope to post later today. Happy Sunday everyone!
Karen
Saturday, January 15, 2011
 |
| Scruffy on icy patio table |
 |
| Mollie (almost 7 years old) |
 |
| Scruffy on the day I rescued her |
 |
| Scruffy chillin' |
 |
| Gracie and Maggie |
 |
| My little lady |
 |
| Mollie |
 |
| Mollie in action |
 |
| Mollie |
 |
| Gracie on day I rescued her |
 |
| All 3 puppies on 1st day (less than 2 months old) |
 |
| Gracie |
 |
| Scruffy and Maggie |
 |
| Maggie |
 |
| Scruffy |
 |
| Scruffy |
 |
| Gracie |
 |
| Gracie |
 |
| Scruffy |
 |
| Maggie in ambush mode (Scruffy is victim) |
 |
| Maggie and Scruffy at play |
 |
| Maggie |
 |
| Gracie |
 |
| Maggie and Gracie |
 |
| Max (16 years old) |
 |
| Scruffy (smiling) |
 |
| Max |
 |
| Sassy (14 years old) |
 |
| Gracie and Maggie (Maggie is so intense!) |
My First Blog Post!
I am now officially a BLOGGER! My dad has a pretty cool blog and I enjoy reading it, so I finally figured out how to start my own. I would love to share my fun stories about my 6 pets that bring me so much joy and entertainment. Three of my dogs, who are siblings that I rescued in March of 2009 are 2 years old today. I just sent my husband out to get them each a little cupcake (not chocolate, of course). My lab, Mollie, will also get one since she is invited to the "party".
I look forward to sharing pictures and stories, and hope to have as many followers as my dad does!
Karen
I look forward to sharing pictures and stories, and hope to have as many followers as my dad does!
Karen
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)