Save 1.800.SUICIDE

Got this link from www.postsecret.com. It's important...and all you have to do is click the link to email government, the rest is filled in for you.

Shelter Dogs

Interesting documentary about a shelter that practices euthanization in a human way. Of course, adoption is their goal and they don't always have a "set" timeframe for adopting out before euthanizing.

It was interesting to see her take on "no kill" shelters and how, for many dogs, it's worse than euthanisia because they often sit in their kennels for years. Also about how the country has gone "no kill" and abandon animal control. The basic sentiment is that the idea of "no kill" is excellent but we just haven't gotten to the point where we can give them a good quality of life. It was just a point of view that I hadn't considered. I think it's changed the way I think.

In other news...I went to the beach this morining. Something about the water is so rejuvinating and relaxing. Maybe it's because I grew up on Lake Mead but I have always had a peacefulness whenever I'm around water. How lucky am I, that every morning I cross the Julington Creek bridge and glance out to the Saint Johns river...beautiful. It's a great way to start off my work day :)

Ok, off to pick up the house, do some laundry and go the grocery store.

These Two...

look so sweet and innocent BUT they
can get into a lot of trouble, very quickly. They've been a handful since JT went back to work. I expected this but tonight, I lost my cool...and yes, I feel guilty about it. I think I need a break.

During this week, they have gotten into a box of vitamins, doggy pain meds, prenatal vitamins, the garbage (with glass!), up onto the counter to doggy joint vitamins, and dog treats. Jenny has stolen JT's glasses and thrown up (not the glasses). Of course, the missing glasses had both JT and I up at 2:30 AM to look for them. Tonight, they were being more active than usual. This always happens on night when JT is tired and barely capable of helping me out. So, I took them for a drive...around the neighboorhood, then to the gas station. Everything was going fine until I let them out of the car. Then they took off across the field, across a dirt road (!), and into the neighboor's yard. So, I called, angrily, for them to come. Whenever that fails, I always go pick up (literally) the dog that won't come and bring them back to where I called them from. This time is was Basil. So, I picked him up like I've done a bunch of times and proceeded to step into a hole and twist my ankle...and drop Basil! He hit the ground and let out a yelp. He must have tweaked his bad knee and wouldn't put any wieght on it. I instantly started apologizing and lovin' on him...while Jenny found a place in their yard to take a dump. So, after she finished, I picked her up and carried her a little while. After I put her down, she started to dawdle but one sharp "come" seemed to get her back on track. So here the three of us are...limping and dawdling our way back to the house, where JT was asleep! That didn't last long because I slammed the door, told him what happened, then made my way back across the field to pick up the poop. Oh yeah, and as I picked up the poop...the fire ants decided to try me on for size (I won). The dogs and I made up quickly, Basil is fine, and JT is sleeping...ah, my not-so-perfect family. I just wish I could always stay cool and calm no matter what was happening or how much I hurt myself. Alas, that's just not me...good thing JT has the patience of a saint :)

Job...found

JT's got a job! So, that means no more daily visits to the dog park for Basil and Jenny. It also means that I'm going to have to start pitching in more around here. It's kind of a mixed blessing. I really enjoy JT being home...for purely selfish reasons of course :) It means I have more time b/c I don't have to cook, clean, or exercise the dogs every day. But, things will be going back to normal. JT needs a challenge, he needs to work. And this job should be fairly easy, mostly inside, and only 50 hours a week. I'm used to 60-70 hours a week so we'll take it. Of course, the money doesn't hurt either. Now, it's time to really nail the debt and start focusing on buying a house.

A place of our own, to do with whatever we want...yep, that's the next goal!

Proof

This picture is proof that we had visitors and proof that JT's parents came all the way from Tennessee :) They came to deliver an electric dryer for us because we only have a gas dryer but no gas hook up. We spent 2 1/2 days just hanging out, eating, and talking. It was so hot! Mom made it out to the dog park with us on Sunday. She also brought fabulous fresh garden vegetables - including corn! Delicious corn! We did make a trip to Sams Club. Exciting, I know, but it was air conditioned. I just love spending time listening to their stories about the "good ole days" - great stories about being in the Navy, raising two boys, working a farm. I'm so lucky to have great in-laws! I hope they'll come back when it's a bit cooler and we can go out somewhere.

Update

Time to update and show some new pictures :) Big news is that I recently passed my Senior Professional in Human Resources exam...like a CPA for the HR profession. So, that's pretty cool. And possible the last "test" I'll ever take. I did it in record time, 1.5 hours. They allow 4 hours so that was really quick but I've always been that way. Always the first or second one done, usually meant a good grade. Right after the exam, I attended an industry conference...great learning and great fun. Spent a week in D.C. and did the tourist thing on Saturday. My favorite spot was the National Gallery of Art. So much to see and do. Got to peek at Cassat, Renoir, and even a Da Vinci - pretty cool. I also stopped at the American History museum. Mostly wanted to cool off but I ended up walking upon the Flag that was flown at the Pentagon on 9/11. I really didn't expect the reaction I got...tears. I just started softly crying. I never forget that day but sometimes, the sadness just takes me by surprise. It's a good reality check.

Work has been busy...no real change there :) I have made a new friend and she has a boxer too. We met this Saturday with Basil and Peanut, hoping they would get used to each other. They did, they ran around together and only had one small "issue" that was quickly nipped in the bud. Now, we just need to add Jenny to the mix. Hmmmm...we'll wait a while for that one. Ruth and her husband also came over for dinner on Saturday night. I had so much fun just hanging out and the boys really seemed to hit it off. Sure is nice to have friends nearby.

Those pictures are from Saturday as well. It was a beautiful day out, perfect time to practice my photography. I'm really working on getting the "catchlight" in their eyes. I'm pleased with how they turned out. JT's parents are coming for a visit this weekend - I'm excited to see them, it's been a while. Not sure what we'll do or eat, but we'll figure it out.

Pure

Pure joy, pure fun, pure puppy. That's what this picture is to me. Basil is loving living near the beach. Jenny just seems to tolerate it...like I said, she's happy eating dead crab bodies (again, yuck). But Basil, he loves the surf and the sand, loves running into the water, and jumping over waves. It's so wonderful to be a part of it all.

Drying clothes on the line brings back memories. My mom and I have line-dried our clothes for as long as I can remember. Growing up just outside of Las Vegas allowed us to line-dry our clothes pretty much any time of year. But, the strongest memory is of 100+ degree days...on these days, the clothes would dry in 20 minutes or less. Now, that's faster (and cheaper) than any dryer. So, now that I'm in Florida, where it's plenty warm enough, I'm going to line-dry as many clothes and sheets as I can. Of course, that's barring any rain, which is far more common here than in Nevada. I can't wait to fall asleep with that fresh, sunny smell on my sheets...Yum!