My New Favorite Website

Ok, I've found a really, really good website. Here's a sample:










It's at www.awkwardfamilyphotos.com

Rain, rain and more rain. Wait, there's the sun. Oh, never mind. It's going to rain again tomorrow.

It's been a long and busy week, and filled with grey skies and rain. The sun is out today, and it feels like an old friend has come back.

Wednesday, Richard and I went to pup class, and Debbie met us there. She took Inky back for the long weekend...and we miss her like crazy. Very quiet around here. Mookie is moping a bit. I've only heard from Debbie once, and things are going fine over there. We're really hoping that we can do a dual-raise for the rest of the time that Ink is here.

Thursday I got up really really early (like Richard early), and made my way to Barb and Randy's house, where we met up with their son, daughter in law, grandaughter and Barb's mom; we drove up to New Castle, where Barbara was being honored with a Jefferson Award. It was a fun ride, with much laughter and discussions, and giant cups of coffee.

We got there, and there were five people being honored. The Jefferson Awards were started by Jackie Kennedy to recognize outstanding service to community by individuals. There was Barbara, and then there was a lady who was a breast cancer advocate (she lost her mom to breast cancer, and was also a survivor herself), a lady who worked at Delmarva Power who organized and orchestrated a gift drive for needy children and senior citizens who wouldn't otherwise have had any holiday gifts, a doctor who worked with the terminally ill and their families, and a man, who was very involved in his community (not sure what he did, he was rather shy and did not make a speech). The award itself is beautiful and heavy (I told Barb we needed to put it on a big chain and then she could wear it like Mr. T).
One of the highlights of the whole morning was Maggie, Barbara and Randy's grandaughter. She is just so funny, and several hours in, she had warmed up to me, and was shaking my hand and sharing her bracelets with me. Definitely a heart stealer, for sure.

I must admit to being a bit jealous, as Debbie has called Auntie Barbara for a several hour babysitting job for the littlest Maggie; Debbie doesn't like to inconvenience people, and hesitates to ask anyone. Her email to Barbara said something like "I figured I'd ask you before we asked the neighbors". I can just picture Barbara responding with lightening speed (she herself told me it was in all caps...) that she'd love to babysit.

This is the picture I got this week...she's the world's smallest fencer. "En guarde!"

You know I'm going to get around to putting a tiny little fencing sword in her hand at some point.

Goodness, kids are awesome.


Yesterday was my Maggie's 22nd birthday, and she took the night off from work to come and spend it with us...I was really glad! I did figure that she's got Roger now, and she's young, she would want to go out somewhere...but she opted for hamburgers and hotdogs, homemade potato salad, french fries and cake with her family. Roger got there a bit after dinner from Seaford, and it was a really nice nite. I totally slothed out and got a cake from Food Lion, which was good, but just not homemade. I was writing the message on the cake in blue icing, and it all came out in a glob...it looked awful...but we laughed about it. I made a rather politically incorrect joke about it, and lit many many candles. It was a very nice night; Maggie and Roger are on different schedules than us...11 pm for them is just getting started. I could barely keep my eyes open! It was a good night, and it's truly hard to believe she's 22 years old.

Today I'm going to catch up on all that I didn't get to this week...get ready for the weekend. It is Mother's Day, and we're going to Diane and Joe's for dinner on Sunday. All the women don't have to cook...and that's a good thing. It's going to be a nice, low-key day. Joe even made the cake! (I hope it's chocolate chip cake!)

It's now 10:45 am on Friday...and it's getting cloudy. No more sun until Sunday, but that's ok. It's going to be there for Mother's Day (if it knows what's good for it)....

Thursday, almost Friday

Today, Ink and I took a ride to Harrington to see Debbie and Christian, and of course, the marvelous Maggie. After the less-than-thrilling response from Ink at the festival last Saturday, Ink greeted Debbie and Christian with much more enthusiasm...which made me feel much better.

It was Ink's first meeting with her new sister, Maggie. I was a bit anxious about it, and had brought the "baby" doll home last night from puppy class. Ink pretty much ignored it, but that really didn't make me think that she'd ignore the baby.

I stopped to pick up Panera (Debbie's favorite), and we made our way north. I was excited about seeing Debbie and Christian, and seeing baby Maggie and how much she's grown.

What a wonderful surprise when I got there...Debbie looked wonderful and Maggie looked bigger and Christian looked tired but happy...and they were so excited to see Ink, and Ink was excited to see them. I was very happy about that. Ink sniffed around for a bit, and pretty much totally ignored the baby. Christian went so far as to bring Maggie down to Ink's level; still nothing. There was a tiny bit of sniffing, and she would look over when the baby would cry or grunt, but Ink too the whole thing completely in stride; she behaved exactly as she should have.

As the minutes wore on, Ink seemed to acclimate herself to the house. She checked out her bed, still right in the same spot that it had always been, and she climbed right in and made herself at home. Christian picked up the tennis balls, and Ink got up and played soccer, and chase me, just like nothing had every changed, that she had never left. I really enjoyed seeing her doing this, and I tremendously enjoyed Debbie and Chris' reaction to Ink being home. They've missed her so much.

I, of course, maximized my opportunity for baby time. Debbie was enjoying herself, as was Christian, so bit the bullet and said I'd hold the baby. Those tiny, tiny fingers. I was telling her to say "Aunt Margo"...she just grunted at me, and that made me laugh. I still swear it sounded like "Aunt Margo". :)
She is a tiny little ray of sunshine. Feeling that tiny little head nestled against yours is almost indescribable.

We went to take a walk before it was time to go, and Debbie took Ink and the stroller too, just to see if she could. It worked out beautifully. Ink walked at about 95% loose leash, and actually walked by "Jack" the miniature collie with hardly a glance.

We talked about Ink coming back home, and about a trial-sit, which we're going to do the weekend after next. That way, we'll be home in case it gets to be too much, and we can come and pick Inky right back up. They are also going to sit when we head down to North Carolina for Marissa's graduation and party. I said we could co-raise, and split the time; or work up to Ink coming back full time slowly. Or we could finish her. It's their call; no matter what happens, we'll all be heartbroken together when it's her turn to go.

I didn't get home until 4:30...it's been a long time since I've just gone "visitin' ". Going to do it next week too...Poor Deb is a bit lonely and needs some company! This flu epidemic makes her wary of going out (and rightly so). It's starting to make me wary.

We've made such great and wonderful friends with this group of people; we've almost become "social". I think I've finally found my "niche".

S**t

We got the news today that my sister-in-law, Jennifer, is battling breast cancer. We don't have any of the details yet.

Talk about feeling totally ineffectual and inadequate. I wish there was something I could say or do.

Prayers please.

Quiet Sunday Morning

Well, here's Richard and Ink with all the beauty queens of Delaware....very sweet ladies, who were so impressed with our dogs.

We went to the Bug and Bud Festival yesterday in Milford to help staff the Guiding Eyes booth. It was so hot, and I was a little bit nervous about how Ink would behave. I'd say the first five minutes were a little difficult, but she hit her stride quickly and behaved like a champion for the rest of our "shift". Mr. Elton and Linda were there, and Elton was extraordinary...he's quite the crowd pleaser as people don't know whether he's a dog or a horse. Lots of children came up to the booth, and it was a lot of fun. We had a 50/50 raffle, and money was flowing in. I spent lots of time handing out information, and telling people how great it is to raise a pup. It was hot as blazes, and we were very grateful for the tent. Delicious festival fare for lunch, sausage and peppers. Fun day.

We were right across from Brutus, a St. Bernard belonging to a lady who did massage. He was big, slobbery and very cool. :)

Our booth at the festival. Thank goodness for the shade!

Debbie came down with Miss Maggie, and my she's grown already! Debbie looked wonderful. Miss Ink didn't give Debbie the greeting I'd hoped she'd give her, but it was probably the worst place for a first meeting...way too many distractions and Ink, by the time Debbie got there, was exhausted. She and I are going to see Debbie and Maggie this week, during the day, when it's quiet, and not in the middle of a crowd of people . I know that Debbie had to be a bit disappointed in the lack of excitement from Ink (I would have been), but I think it'll be different when we go to the house.

The end of the day held the prom for Max and April. She looked beautiful, and he looked handsome...and both looked so grown up. We went to April's house for pictures, and met her whole family, who were great. They were all ribbing Max, and it was taken in great stride.

Of course, we had to have the once-over with the sticky tape to get rid of the dog hair.

Always my babies.

It was a good day.

Bon Voyage, Mr. Kramer

Kramer left yesterday to begin the second leg of his wonderful journey.  We're all going to miss him so much; he was the dog that we all looked to when we began the region here.  We all wanted our pups to be "just like Kramer".

His kennel will be very hard to fill.

 

Coming soon to a sign in Salisbury......

....or muskrats!"

Jones Good Ass Barbeque and Foot Massage

Not sure if you can see this clearly, so if you really want to explore this website, the address is Jones Good Ass Barbeque & Foot Massage

You betcha.

Wednesday, and the last day of rain....

It's been so dismal, and as soon as the sun peeked out...I took Ink and ran out for an adventure (a walk). We headed north, to the great north shopping plaza. First in to Southern States, where we picked out a toy (a camouflage wubba), and then took a long walk around the store's perimeter. That's when I heard peeping. I looked up, expecting to see baby birds in a nest. Nope. It was coming from the middle of the store; there were three horse troughs filled with baby ducks and baby chickens. So so cute. Ink really wanted to get right in with them. We settled on her getting a little bit close, but not close enough to grab one!

Of course, after we left the store, we started our walk around the perimeter of the parking lot, behind Target, behind Home Depot, behind the yellow/blue electronics store of which we do not speak. We were about halfway around, and the skies opened up. I guess guide dogs must always be prepared to work in any weather. Guide dog puppy raisers need to be better prepared. :)

Been a busy month so far. Last weekend I rode up to New York with Barb and Randy. We went for Barb's friend Cathy's graduation; Cathy was getting her second guide dog, Ginny. Her first dog, Mogie, also attended. What a sweetie. Cathy is keeping her. It was very inspirational to see the new guide dogs with their new owners...the puppy raisers all sitting together, all crying. One of the graduates was a close friend of Jane Goodall, who taped a really nice message of encouragement for all.

We toured the kennels then, and I made an attempt to kiss and be kissed by every single dog in there. What a bunch of big sweeties. I wish I could have seen when they let all the dogs out at once (one kennel at a time, about 100 dogs each kennel)...it must be a bit of controlled chaos. I'll see that next year at the Regional Coordinator's Conference, which I'll be missing this year (Max's graduation falls right on day 2!). Barbara introduced me as a co-coordinator of the Delmarva region...I was surprised and very tickled. :) Lunch was at a real deli, Boars Head ham and swiss on a real kaiser roll. Heaven.

It was a day that just made me feel that what we're doing is important and needed; you know it, but seeing it on such a personal level really solidifies it, kinds of buffers the feelings of loss we all feel.

Mr. Kramer is leaving us tomorrow, to begin his journey. I look at him now, and I cannot believe he's the little pup I met that day in February that got me started raising these dogs. He was the example I looked to, as we are about four months behind him with our dogs. We had a little going away party for him last Wednesday, as it was his last class with us. It was not without tears, presents or Frosty Paws for the pups. This morning, as I was sending a note to Barbara, offering her hot fudge sundaes, alcohol, crying towels, chalupas, anything to help, I started to cry. Great, let me lend you my shoulder, just wait until I stop crying myself. Ha!

It's been an emotionally challenging week, many ups and downs; however, tonight, after all this rain, the sun shone. I saw the sun out while it continued to rain, and ran for the camera. It was out there, just like I'd hoped. It was good to see it.

Monday Monday

A few seconds to start the week off right:

Holy Bunny, it's Easter Already

Hard to believe, tomorrow is Easter. This is my first without any Easter baskets, and I'm halfway missing doing them, and halfway relieved that I didn't have to do them. We are having an Easter dinner though; roast beef, garlic mashed potatoes and strawberry shortcake for dessert. Not a typical Easter meal, but then, we're really not typical people. :)



The week started out with a shock on Monday night; all House fans will know what I'm talking about. Kuttner was a character on that show that I really liked, and although I know it's a show, it made me sad. This followed a few days of sad movies...first we saw Marley and Me, which was good (not as good as the book) and sad, and then we watched Seven Pounds, with Will Smith, which was an incredibly good movie, although it did cause me to sob rather hysterically at the end.

Richard and I travelled to Virginia Tuesday and then on to Baltimore on Wednesday morning. Three jobs, and lots of driving. I played chauffeur; Richard drives so much, and I really enjoy it. After we finished the second job in Virginia, we headed to Newport News, and we had dinner with Jimmy and Charlee. We got to meet their dog, who was a big sweetie, and their apartment was cute. It really reminded me of apartments I had when I was younger...I don't miss apartment living! We went to Chili's; unfortunately I was driving, so I stuck with iced tea. It was a nice dinner, and it was nice to get to know Charlee a bit better. After dinner, we parted ways, and we headed back towards Richmond, and to a Holiday Inn. I love staying in hotels...king sized beds, lots of pillows, and Coke machines right down the hallway. The wake-up call came way too early, way before sunrise, and we were headed towards Baltimore. Unfortunately, we had to fight the Washington, DC traffic, and it made me think of how much I don't miss commuting. After Richard finished the last job, it was on to Milford, DE for a quick lunch and then Puppy Class at 1:30. We had a great meal at a restaurant called The Georgia House, and the cream of crab soup rivaled Annie's soup (it only lacked the huge pile of crabmeat Annie's puts in the middle of the bowl). Richard napped in the car while I did class, and then it was on to home, and boy was it great to get there. Going away always makes you appreciate your own home and your own stuff.

While in Virginia, we passed a sign for the town of Croaker. I really liked that name. It might even be in my top ten list of town names. However, it will never surpass Two Egg, Florida, Hot Coffee, Missouri or Dildo, Newfoundland.

But Croaker, Virginia was cute. I wonder if there were lots of frogs there.

Or maybe a lot of deaths.

Thursday, Richard went back to see Dr. Cuomo, who's a bit concerned about his inability to bend his fingers. He's going to talk to Salisbury's only hand specialist, who may want to see Richard. Doctor spoke about a procedure called a capsillectomy, which would open his fingers at the joints and loosen the tension on the tendons. But that's getting ahead...

Friday he went to the nephrologist, the kidney guy. He's ordered some tests, and wants to compare them to the last ones done in December. But we did get some questions answered regarding diet; we only have to worry about protein intake if his function drops to 15 - 20%, and that's hopefully not something we'll ever have to face, because at that point we would also be dealing with either dialysis or transplant.

Next week it's the Hematologist/Oncologist. Maybe we'll be able to find out if this is a kidney problem, a blood problem, neither or both.

I really really like things in black and white; Richard's health has way too many shades of grey for me to be comfortable. Must be the control freak in me.

This morning was our last pre-puppy class; we had four raisers show up to let the new people work with their dogs. Its hard to believe this is the third generation of pups coming from Delmarva. This coming Wednesday, it will be Kramer's last class before he heads to New York for his IFT (In For Testing). So we're planning a little bon voyage party with some cupcakes and some frosty paws for the pups. Hard to believe that this is the tiny little black puppy that I was so impressed with at that very first meeting. Time flies.

Poor Debbie is going through her post-partum blues; poor thing. I told her that she would stop crying when Maggie turns 21. That at least made her laugh. Hopefully, she'll be coming to class on Wednesday with the baby; she told me that she had taken her first walk around the block yesterday, and she cried because she missed Miss Ink. I think that I may ask her to sit for Ink when we go to Marissa's graduation in June...if she's ready.

Ok, guys, it's 10:30 and I'm sleepy. My pillow is calling me. Richard is asleep. Dogs are asleep. Cats are asleep. My turn.

I'll post VERY soon with pictures of pool destruction. Its going slowly (due to the lack of manual laborers), but it's going. But there's no rush. The garden club won't be touring any time soon.

night night.

Local Commercials...gotta love em

Crazy Bruce's Liquor - watch more funny videos

Sheep Art

Take two minutes and forty four seconds and watch this. It's very cool. Might have had a little digital help with some of it, but it's fun.

Welcome, Miss Magnolia Lee

Weighing in at 7 pounds, 11 and 1/4 oz, Miss Magnolia Lee Parrish (Maggie) has finally arrived. I say finally, but she was not due until April 1st.

There's just something about holding a baby in your arms that makes the world seem all right.

May God bless her always.

Joke of the Day (Week, Century?)

A man gets on a Greyhound bus and sits down next to another man. The man who was already seated looks at him and says, "Hey guy, your face is really flushed, are you feeling alright?"
The man replies, "I'm not sick, just really embarrassed. I bought my ticket here at the counter from a woman who was very well-endowed and I said to her, "I'd like a ticket to Tittsburgh, please."
The first guy laughs and says, "I wouldn't worry too much about that; I remember seeing her, she's probably heard much worse than that from guys. Besides, that was just a harmless Slip-Of-The-Tongue;
why just the other day my wife asked me to pass her the salt & pepper at the dinner table and I said to her without thinking, "You stupid bitch you've ruined my life!"

Transitions

Today in the middle of puppy class, Debbie had to say goodbye to Ink for awhile; tears ensued. But this is a short hiatus. Debbie and Christian plan to have Ink back for at least the last month before she goes back to New York, perhaps sooner. We've put our puppy plans on hold until after Max goes to Texas and gets settled. This works out for everyone; Debbie and Christian can see if it's working with Ink and the Munchkin, and if it's too much, Ink can come back here. If Ink does go back to them earlier than we think, then we can babysit, etc. until after August.

I felt awful for Debbie, and on the drive home, I kept looking at Ink, and she just looked so very sad. Or maybe it's just those soulful lab eyes. I was thinking that she must have sensed something was going on, something was different in the house. Between the baby preparations, and seeing her stuff all packed up, she must have been a bit confused. Poor thing.

Miss Ink is in the middle of her first heat, and we have some concerns, as her discharge has a strange color and a foul odor. We've contacted the GEB vet, and I may end up taking her to Harrington to Debbie's vet. We'll see. But we did stop and get her proper "pooch pants" from Pet Smart. The region bought them, and I think it's a great investment. They're washable, and we can pass them around as needed. I, of course, went back to Pet Smart and got two more pair, because you really need one extra (at least) while you're washing the original pair. She looks cute in them, but not as cute as she looks in the Scooby Doo underpants.

We got home, and her reunion with Mookie was a great one...they really enjoy each other. I'll probably inundate Debbie with pictures and movies and stories, just to keep her up to date on her puppy.

Here's pictures from yesterday's class, teaching the pups to "get dressed". This is Kristoff, who I would steal in a minute. He's the mellowest pup, and has a huge head and giant paws. He's going to be a giant...albeit a gentle one.

In other, non-dog related news.....last Saturday Max and I took a road trip to UTI in Exton, PA. I was more than impressed with the operation. We took a tour of the school, and Max took a 200 question scholarship test. I kept looking at all the new students and say $25,000, $25,000, $25,000.

Of course, it wouldn't be complete without pictures!

(I'm pretending to look concerned about some reading on some kind of computer equipment for reading some kind of revolutions per minute).

I have no clue about cars.

I do wish that Max was attending in Pennsylvania...it's so much closer. AND, it also has this place to buy your beverages.


I'm done thinking now. I'll post again tomorrow. Brain is turning off....now.

My Father Makes Me Laugh....

My Next Phone

Gas Prices on the Rise Again

This story from today's news:

Talk about skyrocketing gas prices! One man from Richland, Washington was in for the shock of his life when he filled up the gas tank of his ‘94 Chevy Camaro.

When Juan Zamora stopped to refuel his car at a Conoco service station in Richland, the gas pump’s calculator registered a total fee of $26.

But in a freak computer hiccup, the PayPal debit card he used recorded the transaction as $81,400,836,908. Yes, you read that correctly, that’s more than 81 billion dollars.

“That’s a B, as in billions!” Zamora told the Tri-City Herald.

Zamora says that he always refuels at the same gas station during his weekly commute.

He only learned of the astounding figure when he received an email later that afternoon informing him that his debit card, which started out with $90 on it, was maxed out.

Initially, Mr. Zamora thought it must’ve been a joke. But after contacting PayPal customer service he was surprised to see that the company treated it as anything but a laughing matter.

“Somebody from a foreign country who spoke in broken English argued with me for 10 to 15 minutes,” Zamora said. ” ‘Did you get the gas?’ he asked. Like I had to prove that I didn’t pump $81,400,836,908 in gas!”

He would have needed more than 3 billion fill-ups of the amount he actually pumped into his tank in order to reach that outrageous sum.

Eventually, Zamora said, he was finally able to convince the representative that he didn’t deserve to be in the same position as General Motors, who has lost roughly 80 billion dollars since 2005.

When Zamora returned to the Conoco gas station, he said, the attendant would not believe him until he showed her the printout of the PayPal receipt.

The exact cause of the error is still unknown.

As always, there’s a lesson to be learned. “I guess the moral of this story is ‘pay cash,’ ” Zamora said.

My favorite line? "Did you get the gas". Outsourced idiot.

I'm So Glad It Snowed!

It really was a glorious snowfall, still pretty almost 10 hours later. We really thought we wouldn't see anything, because we never do. Boy were we surprised.


The birds somehow knew we had fresh birdseed, and we had a large group in the morning; by mid-afternoon, the big guys were here; lots of big blackbirds, but also grackles and red-winged blackbirds. We fed and watered them all; but I did put a secret stash on the porch steps for the little guys once the big guys came in. I absolutely love the junkos; they are my favorite year-round residents. Them and the cardinals.


Mookie had a wonderful time in the snow; it made us all think of Roxanne, and how she would suddenly become a puppy again when it would snow. I was really wishing Fina was here. I think she would have had a blast in this snowstorm. I'm sure she's in the middle of one too, and probably has more snow to play in than we have here; I just wish I could have seen it!

But, as much as I've loved this storm, I don't want to deal with the cold for months! It's going to be up in the mid-50's by the end of the week, and I'll appreciate that.

Wait, actually, for Richard and I, it's going to be in the low 80's; we're going to Florida on Friday, doing a job Friday, seeing my parents, and then leaving for West Palm Beach on Monday, to do another job before we fly home. The weather is supposed to be beautiful, and we're both looking forward to it! I'm hoping that it's still time for the strawberry festival, even though it's been a crappy year for them. We may have missed it. Last year when we went down, we got strawberries that were so incredibly good; they tasted like the first summer strawberries up here, or the first ear of corn that's local.

They tasted like summer.