Saturday, May 31, 2008

2 Points of Order

First, as the women in my family have enjoyed reading my blog but rarely comment on it, I have been corrected concerning a couple prior blogs - see "Sloth vs. Bear" & "Sanity is a Distant Memory". I was reminded of the following occurrence concerning DD.

On Christmas Eve several years ago, we were at my parents house opening presents from aunts and uncles. My Aunt Colleen had sent the children several presents and the kids were overly excited about opening anything. This was at a time when my children had to announce, to no one in particular, what they received at the top of their lungs. DD had ripped into her present, pulled out a stuffed animal and the following conversation ensued.

DD - "It's a duck!!!"
Mom and Me (we often talk in unison) - "No, it's a penguin."
DD - "No, it's a duck.
M & M - "No, it's a penguin."

This is the point when we give up, because she was insistent that it was a duck, so.........

We have a lion that is a (stuffed) tiger
a sloth that is a (stuffed) bear,
a horse that is a (real) dog,
and a duck that is a (stuffed) penguin!

Do we see a pattern here?!?!?!?

Second - Gretta update with pictures.


Taken 5/18 - Look how long I am!!


Taken 5/31 - My legs are getting sooooo long.


I love my frog - I'm practicing for the Jack Russells that live behind me!


Who me?????

Friday, May 30, 2008

What is a Gemini?

As my birthday approaches (TZ - it's nice to share a 40th birthday month with a friend) I decided it would be fun to look up my astrological sign, as I do on occasion. It's nice to see that there may be people out there like me and it might explain, to all, why I do what I do!
Zodiac Symbol Twins
Birth Dates (Tropical) May 21 - June 21
Constellation Gemini
Zodiac Element Air
Zodiac Quality Mutable

Gemini is the third astrological sign in the Zodiac, originating from the constellation of Gemini. In astrology, Gemini is considered a "masculine", positive (extrovert) sign. It is also considered an air sign, and is one of four mutable signs. Gemini has been closely associated with the planet Mercury and is considered to be ruled by it.

Air Sign - According to astrological theory, air signs are the dreamers and communicators of the zodiac. Typically they are supposed to be free spirited, philosophical, intellectual and open-minded – able to discuss and debate just about any topic. Air signs are also the masters of social graces. They are often seen as so idealistic that they are unable to be practical and realistic.

Air signs are like gypsies, so changeable that they cannot stand one place for too long before their need for change and adventure takes over. Air signs can be extremely restless so they have trouble with serious concentration on any single job they might be required to carry out. But when need be, they are capable of tapping into a their hidden willpower and put their whole self into what they feel needs to be done.

Air signs are unpredictable like the air and wind, itself. One day, they can be quite obsessive, scattered and radical, and then change in an instant to a carefree, spacey attitude. Air signs' role is seen as providing the ideas that make the future different from the past, whereas fire signs carry out the actions necessary for this. Air signs continually thirst for interaction and view every experience as a potential opportunity for adventure, learning, indivituality, and growth as a person.

In human relationships, air signs are said to be gregarious and extroverted, often attracting friends very willingly and easily with their mysterious charm and open nature. However, air signs are believed to be lacking in certain passion and dedication to form strong, lasting relationships; astrologers believe few air sign people are able to have a single marriage, for they are said to be as apt to try out new people as new ideas. However, they're usually good at compromising time and space, and given enough leeway from their partners, this helps to keep them from feeling 'trapped' in an old relationship. They are also thought to be extremely emotionally aloof because they tend to intellectualize their feelings and generally want to avoid difficult obstacles that might be needed to hold a partnership together.

Air is generally laid back and a lover of life, but can be crafty, underhanded and ingenious when it comes to evil -- though not prone to physical violence. Chief fault is manipulation, when need be, they can become very convincing liars in order to get what they want. At their worst, Air can be fault finding, mean-spiritedness. Air is swift to express opinions and is more opinionated than most. Air can often use their words like daggers, where as physical violence is not their way of expressing their frustrations.

Mutable signs - In astrology, the mutable signs are a subgroup of the zodiac. They are Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius and Pisces. The mutable signs straddle two temperate zone seasons, encompassing an inherent duality in its symbolism.

In the tropical zodiac, mutable signs coincide with the times of change in the seasons. They are associated with change and versatility. Individuals born under the four mutable quality signs are thought to be adaptable, impressionable, sharp, sympathetic, communicative, resourceful and restless, with a gift for seeing both sides of a situation at the same time and an immense desire for knowledge, variety and new ideas. They supposedly adapt very well to new situations, possess much flexibility, seldom have any particular agenda and are perfectly happy to fill in an assigned role. However, they are also said to be inconsistent, changeable, nervous, indecisive and irresponsible, with a tendency to get wrapped up in tiny particulars. There is also a certain duality associated with all the mutable quality signs.

Characteristics considered positive

  • Active
  • Adaptable
  • Articulate
  • Communicative
  • Inquisitive
  • Intellectual
  • Charming
  • Multitasking
  • Nimble
  • Entertaining
  • Upbeat
  • Whimsical
  • Witty
  • Straight-forward
  • Social
  • Talkative
  • Open-minded
  • Experimental
  • Joyful
  • Enthusiastic
  • Attention-loving
  • Energetic
  • Playful
  • Out-going
  • Adventurous
  • Broad-minded
  • Mind oriented
  • Spontaneous
  • Verbal
  • Risk-taking
  • Friendly
  • Dynamic
  • Youthful
  • Clever
  • Imaginative

Characteristics considered negative

Ideal Careers - Actor/actress, architect, archaeologist, comedian, teacher, model, playwright, diplomat, public speaker, author, psychologist, poet, journalist, lawyer, movie writer or director, debater/politician.

Likes - Talking, the unusual, teaching, learning, different things in life, having multiple projects all going at once, traveling, making jokes, jet-setting.

Dislikes - Feeling tied down, losing, being wrong, being in a bad situation, mental inaction, being alone, not getting credit for one's successes.

Sooooo.......How many of you really think over-talkative is a negative trait???? Be honest!


What Flower Am I?

As I was perusing my friends blogs, I found this. I'm not sure if it describes me or not. Today however I was reminded that I tell people "how it is". Is that a good trait or bad, you decide!!


I am a
Canna


What Flower
Are You?



"You stand up for what you believe in, even if it gets in the way of what other people think. You are proud of yourself and your accomplishments and you enjoy letting people know that."

Tuesday, May 27, 2008

The Laundry Quandary

As we are trying to co-exist with the new carpet and a new puppy, I have a nagging feeling that there is something just not right with the world. I then realize that there is a mountain of laundry in the basement.

Mountain tends to be an understatement. Bob complains that he doesn't get to the mountains enough, little does he realize that I am going to start charging admission for people to start being able to ski in our basement. That would save the problem of no more spring skiing.

I'm not sure who's laundry I'm doing, but it certainly can't be ours. I look in the closets, drawers, floors, under beds, and things stuffed in toys and I find enough clothing to keep a family of 10 or 12 dressed for a month. So how do I still have a mountain of laundry? Could it be that my husband has found an additional income source? There no articles of clothing that look unfamiliar, maybe they bought identical clothes? Surely there is no other reasonable explanation.

As I ponder this situation, I realize that DD is insistent on picking out her own clothes. While this is a great thing for me, it isn't such a great idea for my laundry quandary. I also realize that while DS isn't the clothes hog DD is, he still has dance three times a week and now plays baseball.

As I am still befuddled by the ever growing pile, I am very glad that I don't have to use one of these!!





This one sort of scares me!!!


Gretta update!
Gretta had her next visit to the vet today. She is 22 1/2 pounds and is growing rapidly!!! For my fellow neighborhood moms, she is already as tall as the sofa. Was there ever any doubt? There was a 6 month old Boxer at the vet's office and Gretta was almost as big as he was. I really need to get the house together so I can have you all over. It's coming along!

Friday, May 9, 2008

Sanity is a Distant Memory

Last April we lost our dog, Austin, of 13 years. He was a very sweet and lovable companion and friend. We had gotten Belle, our Bernese Mountain Dog, about three weeks before we lost Austin. We had hoped that she would provide some companionship to Austin, but it was not meant to be.

In the last couple months we have traveled and left Belle at Camp Bow Wow and she has loved it. She plays and plays and collapses when she comes home. She also pouts. If you have ever seen a Berner pout, it's almost as bad a watching DD pout!!

I had my mind set on getting Belle a friend. My friend had a litter of German Shepards. They were bred from dogs from Germany so didn't have the traits or look of the American bred German Shepards, which I prefer. DH was set against getting another animal. So we missed the litter and they went to other, well deserving homes.

When we got our new carpet (picts to follow) Belle attended Camp Bow Wow and played non-stop for 3 days. Bob then decided that I might be right in stating that Belle needed a buddy. So we went on our search for a puppy. We looked at the paper and found several that we thought would be a good fit.

Meet Gretta, our Great Dane puppy.......


She is currently 7 weeks old and weighs 15 pounds.



She is very cute and loves her daddy.


These are her parents. Harley, her mom, is on the right and Hogan, her daddy, is on the left. I think the little fuzzball is Gretta.

They are very sweet and seem to be great dogs. We are very excited to add her to our family. DD thinks that Gretta is HER baby and doesn't want anyone else to be around her. DS is overjoyed that he has another playmate. Belle is not sure what to think. She's too small to really play, but she seems like a dog. Mom is happy that she got her way, again.....

So, in addition to the lion that is a tiger and the sloth that is a bear, we now have a horse that is a dog. (See previous blog for explanation!)

Did I mention that we just got new carpet?!?!?!?