Sad.......

Tonight Jason and I had to go by the local animal shelter to pick up something, so while we were there we had to look at the dogs. It was SO sad--I almost cried while we were there and got teary in the car thinking about it. There were so many beautiful dogs just wanting to be loved, wanting a home. Some were so scared and shaking, they were hiding in the corner of the kennels, others were eager for attention. They were all behind glass, but a couple of times I put my hand up to the glass, and they tried to sniff my hand, begging for me to pet them. It was soooo heartbreaking.

Whenever the time comes for me to get more dogs, I don't know if I will ever be able to get a puppy again. There are so many dogs in shelters and rescues that need homes. I have often considered volunteering at an animal shelter, but I think I would be an emotional wreck. I know some of you have worked with rescue, and I so admire those of you who do. Thank you for all you do!

I did it!

I finished the 7th Harry Potter book tonight, and it was SOOOOOO good! I couldn't put it down, and now I am a little sad that it's over. The series is definitely a must read for those of you who have not read it!

It's Fixed!

Thanks to my genius husband, my laptop is now fixed!!! Apparently some things were jostled loose in the slam, but he fixed everything and all is well. My computer is just like new! I am so thankful for a husband who loves computers and knows a lot about them!

Broken Laptop

Well, I have gone and broken my laptop, so I will not be doing much blog checking or emailing for a while. I will have some access at work, but if you don't hear from me for a few days, that's why. Sad day. :(

While I would like to use this as an excuse to get a new laptop (perhaps a pink laptop!), this one is only 6 or 8 months old. Plus, it is broken because I slammed it shut in a little fit of anger. So no new laptop for me. It will probably have to go to the shop or to HP. That'll teach me a lesson! Keep your fingers crossed that the hard drive is okay.

Pugs in Sunshine

Daisy and Oscar have been enjoying our nice sunny days!

Harry Potter

*******SPOILER ALERT--DO NOT READ IF YOU ARE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HARRY POTTER SERIES*******************************

So I am a little behind the times and am just now working my way through the Harry Potter series. I LOVE them--they are so creative and imaginative. I have actually been listening to them on CD to and from work, which makes the drive much more bearable (okay, it really isn't that bad to begin with, but it's more fun with Harry).

BUT. Tonight I am not happy with JK Rowling. Not happy at all. I am in book 6 and Dumbledore just died. I CANNOT believe it. I am in shock, I am horrified. JK, how can you do this to us, your loyal readers and HP fans?! The injustice. And killed by Snape?! Auuuuuuggggh!

My brother tells me book 7 is worse, that he has friends who sobbed through the entire book. I don't think I can handle it. I like happy stories. I know, it has a happy ending. But surely there was a better way. Blech.

On another note, tonight I went to a drug dinner and wore my new dress (see below). The waiter was making his rounds with more wine and said to me "If I were a cross dresser, I would wear that dress. I love it!" Is that a compliment or should I be worried?

But I don't wanna get up!

This was Oscar as I was getting ready for work this morning

I know, buddy, I feel the same way in the mornings.

I almost forgot!

I intended to include this with my last post but it slipped my mind. But I wanted to post this in honor of my neighbor!

This is the dress that I wore to the tea. I didn't really intend to match my table, but I wanted a chance to FINALLY wear this fun dress that I recently purchased.

My neighbor and I went swimsuit shopping several months ago (me for the cruise, her for a fun tropical honeymoon), but we were a little distracted. I found this dress and LOVED it but didn't plan on buying it until my neighbor pursuaded me I NEEDED it! So I bought it. But then I had buyer's remorse and took it back. A few weeks later, I decided (with again the help of my neighbor) that I did in fact need it, and I went back and bought it again! I am glad I did, because it really is a nice dress, and I love summer dresses! The picture doesn't do it justice (all it does is shows how short I am!) but the black portions are all embroidered.

Thanks for your shopping help, neighbor! We may have to shop together more often!!!

Ladies Tea

This past Saturday we had our annual Ladies Tea at church. I was a table hostess (even though I swore last year I wasn't going to do anything this year but attend--but I am a sucker who can't say no) and had a wonderful time. I went with a black, white and red theme and was very excited to find everything I needed for very cheap! Like I said before, I LOVE a good deal!

This picture does not do the roses justice--I purchased them at Sam's, and they are beautiful! I received so many compliments on them Saturday. I also used my china, which was fun because I rarely use it. I did decide, though, that I need to start using it more often. That's what it's for, after all!

Black tablecloth: $9.99 on clearance at Bed, Bath, Beyond

White cloth napkins: $4.00 for all 8! at Tuesday morning

Vase: $4.99 at Ross

I did enjoy decorating and hostessing my table--but I still want to just go and enjoy myself one year!

For inquiring minds.....

Several people asked about the cost of my Cricut machine and cartridges, and while it was expensive, I am happy to talk about it because I feel like I got a good deal (and I LOOOOOVE good deals!). I actually purchased everything off ebay. I went with the "buy it now" option on everything. The machine, which comes with one cartridge, was about $165 (including shipping). The Disney cartridges were about $40 each (including shipping). The cheapest I could find the machine anywhere else was $185 at Walmart (before tax). Everything was "new in box" and worked perfectly on arrival. So it was a bit of an investment, but I definitely did some research and found what I feel was a pretty good deal. And I LOVE it!

On a completely unrelated note, I just have to share how well Daisy is doing. She never acted really sick, but she is now getting her energy back and is back to her hyper, crazy self. I chalked up her lethargicness to her getting older, but I guess it was really the infection and not feeling well. Poor little girl. Jason says she is back to her annoying ways, but I find those annoying ways endearing. Well, most of the time.

New Toy!

I know, I know, too many posts in one day, but there is just too much to share with the blog world! But I am just so excited, and I can't hide it!

I have had my eye on a Cricut machine for a while but never imagined I would have one of my own due to the cost. But I recently received a bonus at work and thought I should treat myself to a little something for putting up with those crazy patients. So I did it--I bought a Cricut machine!!! And you know what? I LOVE IT! It is the most amazing thing. I feel like I have died and gone to heaven. I can't believe I have scrapbooked this long without it! Can you tell I am excited?!

Along with the machine, I purchased 2 other cartridges--one of Disney fonts and one with Disney characters. It will be PERFECT for my Disney scrapbook. I CAN'T WAIT! Anyone want to come have some Cricut fun with me? RPM? Nevis? Punchy?

Bipolar Colorado Take 2

Yesterday it was 80 degrees here. And today?

The view outside my scrapbooking room.

Please spring, come and stay.

Weekend Fun

Last Saturday we spent the day skiing at Crested Butte. A friend of ours had free ski passes and offered to share them with us, so we took him up on the offer. We had never been there before, so it was fun to try someplace new!

We drove to Gunnison after work on Friday and spent the night there. The drive was VERY scary (icy, windy, low visibility in spots, cars running off the road) but thankfully Jason is a very good driver. We headed to Crested Butte on Saturday morning. It was a BEAUTIFUL day--sunny and semi-warm. Plus there were no crowds! We had a wonderful time!

This is where we had dinner on the way home

It may have been our last ski day of the season, and it was a great way to end it!

Daisy Update

I took another urine sample to the vet yesterday, and it was good news! Her numbers are MUCH improved, so I think she is going to be okay! Her pH was back down to normal, and there was only a trace of protein. So it looks like it may have just been an infection after all! The vet wants me to keep her on her special food and finish her antibiotics and then bring another sample to him in about a month.

I am so happy and relieved! Thanks for all of your thoughts and prayers!

American Idol

Hmmmmm, I think maybe they counted the votes wrong this week. How could Michael Johns be voted off? Granted, it wasn't his best performance, but he did way better than some of the others. Poor guy, he looked shocked! And he was one of my favorites. Sad day :(

Weird Little Oscar

Apparently Oscar got a little hungry last night and got up and had a snack. When Jason went downstairs this morning, he found an empty bag from the hamburger buns we had in our pantry. I guess Oscar was hungry, and the pantry was open but the only thing he could reach were the buns. Can you imagine just eating bun after bun after bun? I think there were only 3, but they must have filled him up because he didn't even want any breakfast (which is REALLY unlike Oscar).

Things like this never happened when we just had Daisy. We didn't have to worry about the pantry or trash or anything. But I wouldn't trade Oscar for anything, although I tell them all the time it's a good thing he's cute!

I just found the bag that Jason left on the counter. Can you see the hole? Busted! And there are crumbs all over the floor!~

All About Me in Pictures

Many of you have had this on your blogs already, but I am just getting around to doing it. But it was fun!

Here’s how it works:
1. Go to http://www.photobucket.com/
2. Type in your answer to the question in the “search” box

3. Use only the first page

4. Insert the picture into your Blog

Ready?

1. What is your relationship status?

2. What is your current mood?

3. What is your favorite band/artist?

4. What is your favorite movie?

5. What kind of pet do you have?

6. Where do you live?

7. Where do you work?

8. What do you look like?

9. What do you drive?

10. What did you do last night?

11. What is your favorite TV show?

12. Describe yourself.

13. What are you doing today?

14. What is your name?

15. What is your favorite candy?

If you haven't done this, join the fun!

Another update

Well, the vet called this evening with Daisy's bloodwork results, and thankfully, everything looked fine! I didn't actually get to talk to him, as we played phone tag back and forth several times, but he seemed to think all of her chemistry panel was right where it needed to be, indicating that it is not a liver problem. Thank goodness! At this point, we will give her 10 days of amoxicillan, try some new food to help lower the pH of her urine, and take her back in for another urinalysis after her course of antibiotics is finished. The vet seemed a little perplexed by it all, but I am just so thankful it doesn't (so far) look like anything serious. Thank you so much for your prayers, concern and well wishes. I can't imagine what I would do if anything happened to my little Daisy!

Update

Thank you all for your concern regarding my sweet little Daisy. We just returned from the vet, and something is amiss. They did bloodwork and a urinalysis. The urinalysis showed large amounts of protein in her urine and the pH was pretty high. There was a little bacteria in her urine but her white blood cells weren't elevated, which the vet felt meant that it isn't an infection. He started amoxicillan, though, just in case. He said it could be something with her liver or something metabolic, and her blood work should show that. He may be able to get the results from her blood work this evening. So that's what we know! Poor little girl, she was so nervous at the vet! I will let you know when we find out anything else. Thanks for thinking of us!

Worried

Okay, those of you with dogs will understand why I am worried, and those of you without dogs may think I am crazy. But I'm okay with that!

For the last month or so, it has seemed like Daisy lost some weight. I tried not to overreact and decided to just keep an eye on her. It didn't make much sense, since we had actually been getting less activity, but we tried to feed her a little more and not worry. In the last few days, it definitely seemed like her weight was down. I took her by Petsmart today, and her weight on the scale there was 16.5 pounds. I called the vet, and at her last appointment (last summer) was 19.1 pounds. Eek! Almost 3 pounds is more than 10% of her weight! So I made an appointment to take the little girl in tomorrow for a little check up.

They asked me if she had been drinking and urinating more, and I honestly haven't noticed a difference. She has always been a good drinker and pee-er, so it is hard to say. But I will let you know what we find out! Hopefully it is just my imagination and everything is just fine.

Tricia's transplant

Please join me with your thoughts and prayers for the Lawrenson family. I know some of you follow their blog, and Tricia had her double lung transplant last night! This family is amazing, their faith is evident and they have already touched so many people through their blog and through their story.

Product Review

As previously mentioned, I purchased several new things for our Disney trip.

One of the first things I bought were a pair of Keen sandals, as seen below. I must say that I LOVE these shoes. I wore them all over Disney World, in the Bahamas and even on our kayak trip in Castaway Cay, and my feet did not hurt once. I wouldn't recommend these shoes on the beach, as sand tends to get stuck in the toes, but just for walking around they worked out great!

I also purchased a new bag to carry around Disney World. I ended up getting a PacSafe bag, and it is great! It has anti-theft features, so I felt really good about carrying it around. And it was the perfect size and not too heavy.