First Snow Oct 27th 2010

White Gift

Sneek and Zoe early a.m. snow romp

We woke up to a few inches of snow this morning.
I was actually happy to see it. We haven't had much valley snow this year, at least at my house. It seems the past few years, the valley has more spring snow storms than winter snow storms.

The snow brings out a certain "wild side" of the dogs. They act like someone lit a fire cracker under their butt; even in the early morning. Zoom Zoom Zoom they go.

Unfortunately, it was 5:30 am, and Maddie tends to bark as she zooms. So, I couldn't let her out to play with the the others . Sorry baby girl. :-( She did get to go out with me - but after the third time of letting her out, I had to have her settle in her crate.

Glad they got to have a little run time this morning. I hope it isn't melted by time I get off work. They deserve more play time in the snow.

WW - YUCK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

WW - My Other Splurge

I have buds!

I planted lilac and snowball bushes last year. I was a little worried that they would not bloom this year. I don't exactly have a green thumb...But to my pleasant surprise, my lilac bushes have buds. I was so excited when I saw them yesterday.

I love the smell of the lilac. Growing up, we had a huge huge lilac bush by the drive way. I loved smelling the lilacs when I would come home and open the car door. My mother loved it also. My father did too, except when it got so big and crowded the garage door. He did get in trouble a few times for cutting it too short. Imagine that - I can remember those arguments!

I think that is part of the reason I planted so many lilac bushes - not only the smell, but as a way to remember home, a way to honor our Mom...

I splurged!

So, I was able to get out of my contract with Qwest wireless with no charge - finally. And since I did not want to switch to Verizon, who is now the carrier for Qwest wireless, I canceled my contract.

I decided to go with T-mobile so Billy and I can do the family plan. Monday, I went to get a phone and, oh boy, did I splurge. I am now a member of the crackberry club!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!



I purchased a Blackberry Curve 8900. I can't stop playing with with my new toy! I am able to check all my email accounts, FB, twitter, blogs, forums, etc right from the phone. I also downloaded Vlingo. I can just talk into the phone and it will type whatever I am saying to whatever application I choose (text, email, google maps, etc). I can also sycronize my contacts, tasks, and calender from my microsoft outlook to my crackberry. How useful is that??!!

So, I am now having way too much fun. The camera on the BB isn't the best, but it is so much better than I had before...

Will Mother Nature be kind today?

I sure hope so.

I awake to sun coming thru the blinds. Is this a joke or will Mother Nature actually shine her rays of light onto our area today? I sure hope she will. If we actually have a sunny, warm Sunday, it would be so uplifting for my mental state, and good for my bored rowdy pack .

I should probably start walking the dogs now - just in case Mother Nature changes her mind. You know how us women are ;)

Only in Utah......

This has to be a joke!

Lawmaker proposes possible caffeine tax


March 12, 2009

SALT LAKE CITY -- A Utah state lawmaker is proposing a tax on caffeine.

Rep. Craig Frank, R-American Fork, tells the Salt Lake Tribune the state already taxes addicted smokers, so why not target a broader-based addiction? He says it's a response to proposals to hike the tax on cigarettes. Those measures failed this Legislative session.

This is part of a master study resolution that lawmakers unanimously approved, so it will get a closer look over the next year.

Frank told the Tribune he has seen research that caffeine can cause spontaneous abortion, psychological abnormalities and other disorders.

How nice is it to -

Leave work after a crazy day - a day you just want to throw up your hands and say ENOUGH!
Get home from work while the sun is still shining?
For the sun to actually be shinning?
To hear and see the happiness from your dogs as you walk thru the door?
No snow on the ground?
Take your dog for a walk and the weather cooperate?
To feel that crisp semi-wintery weather as you walk?
To have a bounce in your step because your i-pod is playing old Prince jams? - we are talking pre- Purple Rain album....
To forget everything and walk in tune with the music and your dog?(boy, do I get the looks b/c I kind of dance as we walk - hehe)
To have your dog offer a sit/stay at a crosswalk?
To have people in cars see your dog sit/stay/down etc at the crosswalk and they smile or wave or give you a thumps up?
As you bend over to sing the chorus of the song in your dogs face, she smothers you with Bully kisses?

How nice is it? Nice doesn't describe it. It's one of those afternoons you savor - one of those walks that move you - body,mind, and soul - into a different plane. The one you have longed for but can't just reach ...It's not just a "walk with my dog". It is something different.

it's a beautiful thing......thanks for the beautiful walk Universe....

What happens when you are late for work

I was running late this morning. So, I was running around like a chicken with her head cut off.

Well, guess what I just noticed while walking to the restroom at work?

I have two different shoes on! - Right foot is a green keen and left foot is a maroon keen. OMG! How embarrassing!
Thanks for the chuckle this morning, Universe. Lesson learned!

WW - More Snow Tug

WW - Yummy...... Fresh Snow

Finally!

Awww how sweet the site of dogs running!

Finally, we got some soft snow to cover up all the ice left over...So the dogs were able to RUN RUN RUN! It was so nice to take them out to the park. I took Jake Neek and Zoe out to the park and they were zooming all over..I always laugh watching them. They run, scoop snow in their mouth, run, run, scoop snow in their mouth. That is their pattern. needless to say, lots of potty breaks tonight,

Then Maddie , Zoe , and I drove to the tennis courts. Maddie was bouncing all over. And Maddie was actually catching snowballs. So was Neek as a matter of fact. Neek would be running and I would throw her one and she would catch it. YEA! good sigh that she can catch a moving ball , especially if it comes out of a flyball box ;)

Ahhhh..It felt so good to actually get out and let them run to their hearts content. And Zoe going twice - she got such a work out. After dinner, she was out for the night

And how sweet - no bleeding feet!

Lori, yep, told you I would blog about it... :)

Random views

Christmas Day snow fun
Iz sleeping ma!

What a pretty face you have.....
What gorgeous markings you have. After all, that is how daddy convinced me to bring you home...

It's so warm up here...

Zoe see the birdies?Can you seem them Neeko?
Wez so comfy Mom....

King of the dog beds.....

Vegging at home

Haven't posted much this week.
I have been vegging on the couch ,during my non working hours, watching a tv series called The Wire.
I have really enjoyed it.

I have needed to be at home and have some down time. The month of December has been non stop and it's taking a toll. So much going on at my day job and working three shifts at my second job . Plus with my Aunts death - well - the grief and denial is laying dormant and escaping in ways that are unhealthy for me and those I am around - I have been eating non stop - mostly starch and carbs and I have been a total b*tch.....

I have missed my down time with the dogs. Just laying around snuggling on the couch.
It's funny. By 7:30 all the dogs are ready for bed. Seems a little early to me but I am grateful. Between Maddie and Neeko's zoomies - well it can get a bit rambunctious here...Mama's boy, Jake, has been extra clingy to me while I have been home. I think he gets lost in the house with the wild girls.

The snow is frozen into ice and it made Neeko and Jake's feet bleed. So, no running around in the snow for them until it either melts or we get fresh stuff.

I actually have a Saturday off. I worked Monday and Tuesday nights at our companies direction. I have to get my oil changed today and go to Wally World. I would love to find the energy to vacuum and wash the rugs too. But I don't see that happening... Maybe a triple Mocha is in order.........

Enjoy your day - R3K9S - maybe a little gift for yourself is in order

Runnin' in a Winter Wonder Land

Jake says " I beat you all to the frisbee -nanny nanny hoohoo"
Neeko says "Yea i might not be able to catch the Frisbee - old fart - but I can sure beat you back to mom! Eat my snow Mr Grouch!"

Frisbee tug - lab style



Mine All MINE!!!!!!!!!!!Now try and catch me you big black labs!
Poor Zoe. Getting harder for her to run in the cold. "Mom do those special throws just for me - pretty please??"


And no post is complete without a photo or two of the beauty of the pack; Miss Maddie.

More Snow

More snow today...

I left my house at 6:30, just as it was starting to come down. Got to work about 7:30. The commute wasn't as bad as the other day.

But - It is now 10:50 and still snowing.

I wanna be at home playing in the stuff with the pups..

Snowing again

It is snowing so hard down here at work.

It took me over an hour to get to work. Once I hit the point of the mountain, it was pretty bad - snowing and the roads in Happy Valley were AWFUL! Thank God, I have a reliable 4 wheel drive vehicle. I told my E how much I love it once I arrived safely to work.

I should have stayed home today - believe me I totally thought about it.

Why stay home? Because my favorite thing to do when it is snowing is go play with the dogs! Jake and Zoe are SNOW MANIACS! Really, the love it so much. While there is snow they will stay out playing forever - I have to drag them in. And the falling snow does not bother them at all. In fact - it seems they are happier playing as the snow is falling. I take the tug to the park - and they go nuts with it. They become tug freaks!

Not sure how Neeko will react to actual snow fall itself - She loves the snow on the ground - but again, how she feels about a heavy wet snow coming down on her - is soon to be revealed.

Maddie - the prissy princess- loves the snow but NOT while it is falling. She will run so fast into the house while it is coming down. I am sure it is just too cold on her thin coat. Even with her coat on during the falling snow, she runs back in.

Finally - We have some snow!

Most of the Salt Lake Valley got dumped on...Here, in our area, maybe 2-3 inches at the most.
Just enough for the dogs to romp around in..
Here are some random shots from this weekend..

What is this stuff?
Maddie and Zoe at the Tennis Courts...

Notice the dog in the background on other side of fence in below photo. There are homes with dogs on both sides of the court. Maddie has made friends with one - a small black dog. They chase up and down the fence line and Maddie play bows to her she even cries to go play with the dog. The one in the background of this photo was a new dog to Maddie . She was the normal Maddie - and thank goodness the dog went back to his home.
Snow Tug!
Neeko's face in this shot had me LOL



We met up with our flyball team for some fun in the snow.
Jake dressed up as Santa Clause
Neeko dressed up as Mrs. Clause
Jake, Neeko and I. Yes, sometimes I feel as if I am one of their "elves" - lol
thanks Dave for taking the photo and thanks G. helping to get the dogs focused...

7 1/2 hours.....

Till Vacation!
w00t!
I am off of work all next week (well - I have to come in Wednesday afternoon for EOM).

I will spend most of my time cleaning the house and running errands. Not a vacation per say - but spending time at home with the dogs is always a vacation in my mind.

Then Wednesday evening, the family arrives.. I have lived her 10 years and this is the first visit for my Dad and my brother (he drove me here but left the next day). So, it is a HUGE deal to have my Dad visit.... Hadley was here last year with my sister.

..I am nervous and excited at the same time. Mostly nervous about cooking...

My father says "doesn't matter what we eat or what we do. I just want to spend time with you, Ann..." And..."Is there a motel near by - in case the dogs need a place to stay while I am there?" LOL

I just LOVE my dad!