Pip Peeps

Sweet baby!  I'll have a Pip update once things calm down around here.

Waiting for Santa...

...and his birthday.  Hardy will be 15 years old on Christmas Day.  :*)

Christmas Time with Friends

Last night Jason and I went to an awesome Christmas party, hosted by Charlie & Christina.  Wow, they know how to throw a party!  Great food, a hilarious white elephant gift exchange and great company.  It was so nice to get out for a night and kick back and relax and catch up with old friends.

John & Jenn put together a very nice video slide show here.  It was great to see everyone again and we had a great time.  So good, in fact, that I think we're going to invite the same gang plus some out for a New Year's Eve bash at our place!

Christmas Woes

Every year I tell myself that I will start Christmas shopping in October and save myself from the stress of last minute brain wracking and penny pinching. And every year it comes down to two weeks before Christmas and I have barely started. This year is no different. Here it is, the 11th of December and I have one, yes ONE, gift purchased...and that is a stocking stuffer for Portia. (We did have one early Christmas family gathering already with Mama Rosie, so at least that portion doesn't fall into play in the next couple of weeks.) I really want to do my shopping online, I detest crowds, traffic and rude holiday shoppers, but if I don't get my butt in gear soon I'm going to miss my window for on time deliveries. It would help if I even had a clue of what I am getting for everyone, but I don't even have that.

I am also having difficulties in finding time to do everything that needs to be done. My Christmas tree isn't even up yet - usually it goes up the week after Thanksgiving. I did, surprisingly, manage to get my Christmas cards done this year - even counting 30 hand made ones....because I started in October. Success!

Jason and I were invited to three parties this Saturday and had to choose one...I hate missing parties and turning down gracious hosts who take it upon themselves to add even more to their December by hosting great parties. But the one we are going to will be a blast! We're even doing the White Elephant gift exchange - I love those! And best of all, they are free! I'm very bummed that we're missing our Flickr holiday party though. We always have such an awesome time with the gang, though I know there will be many photos of the festivities for us to see in the days following the party. Still no New Year's Eve plans yet, though I'm sure something will come up. It always does.

Even with all my complaining, in the end I am very grateful for our friends and family, good health and blessed lives. I wish everyone a safe and memorable holiday season!

Gah!

I am hopelessly in love!

Mouse Times Three!

After talking to rodent friends who have successfully kept wild mice (thanks Kate, Linda & Cal!), I took their advice and got Pip two roomies. They are probably a little older than is ideal, but it was my only choice. I did choose the smallest two of the group of five. They don't have names yet, but I'm pondering on Hazel and Moo.

Pip is still holed up in his corner and the girls are showing some interest in him but not antagonizing him. Though the larger of the two girls keeps trying to bury him in the bedding. He doesn't seem too freaked out by them. They both seem perfectly content and have been exploring and wheel running for the better part of an hour. I have them in a 20 gallon aquarium for the time being. Once Pip is big enough I plan to get a cage topper for the tank as an expansion. And the cool thing is they are on a table right by my desk in the office so I see them all the time!

I took a few photos - didn't want to freak anyone out too bad. Stay tuned for more mousie adventures!

Moo


Hazel


Pip in Hiding

Meet Pip Squeak *squeee!*

Two blogs in one day - who'da thunk?

So last night Portia and her friend were in the basement working on a school project when we hear a bunch of girly screaming.  A phone call soon follows (from the basement) from Portia saying "We have mice!".  Jason went down to investigate.  Knowing my rodent infatuation, he came back up with a container hidden from me and said "I don't even want to show you this or you'll fall in love".  Given that, I had to see.  In a fish specimen container was this teeny, tiny baby mouse, full fur and eyes open and bouncing all around.

Given that it is December in Kentucky we really weren't sure if he would survive if let out into the elements - afterall, it is hitting the single digits at night and barely above freezing during the day on some days.  After doing some research on wild mice in captivity and after the "sucker" stamp reappearing on my forehead, we decided to keep the little guy.  Being the rodent lover that I am, I am happy to announce that I now have a new fur-baby, aptly named Pip Squeak.  We believe that Pip is a white-footed mouse, based on the descriptions I've read during research.  He's quite agitated right now, and understandably, seeing as he's moved houses three times today.  But we finally have him (I'll call him "him" until I find out otherwise) in a nice, cozy 5 gallon aquarium until he gets big enough to move into a larger, wired cage.  He escaped from a wired cage earlier today and Jason had to retrieve him from the top of the office curtain rod.  Oops.

So....meet Pip!  Isn't he adorable!  :D

Louisville - City of Possibilities

For anyone that has never been to Louisville, Kentucky (or those that have, even) there is a wonderful Flickr group dedicated to our fine city.  The photographers involved in this group have done a wonderful job of depicting Louisville and the surrounding areas.   Check it out - come visit!

Louisville - City of Possibilities

A Teenager is...

A teenager is...

...someone who can't remember to walk the dog each day but never forgets a phone number she heard once.

...a weight watcher who goes on a diet by giving up candy bars before breakfast.

...someone who receives her allowance on Monday, spends it on Tuesday, and borrows it from her best friend on Wednesday.

...someone who can pick out the voice of a friend from three blocks away, but can't hear her mother calling from the next room.

...a computer whiz who can operate any new gadget within seconds but can't make the bed.

...a romantic who never falls in love more than twice a week.

...a connoisseur of two types of fine music: loud and very loud.

...a person who can bike for miles but is usually too tired to help with the dishes.

...your own reality show but with fewer commercials.

...someone who will pitch in and help clean every room in the house, as long as it's the neighbor's house.

...painfully funny at many times. At other times a teenager is just painful.

I'm trying to find humor in a particular situation...'tis not working!

Thanksgiving Song

My favorite Thanksgiving song...with some cute photos. :D

Perplexed

Poor Blue, he's just here to be Lois Lane's own personal chew toy.  How is it that the world's sweetest dog can be so brutal with one brother?

Then on the other hand, so gentle with the other brother?  She only gives Hardy gentle nibbles.

Feed the Pups!

I came across this cool site on someone's blog the other day and thought it was a really cool way to help feed needy dogs and cats. You simple go to the site, play the trivia question of the day and whether you get the answer right or wrong your participation helps to send kibble to shelter dogs and cats.

Click on the banners below and play along! It's fun and a good cause! You can even add a link banner from your own site or blog. :)

Feed the pups

Feed the cats

Feed the Pups!

I came across this cool site on someone's blog the other day and thought it was a really cool way to help feed needy dogs and cats. You simple go to the site, play the trivia question of the day and whether you get the answer right or wrong your participation helps to send kibble to shelter dogs and cats.

Click on the banners below and play along! It's fun and a good cause! You can even add a link banner from your own site or blog. :)

Feed the pups:





Feed the cats:

Prowling Vampires

'Tis All Hallows' Eve...do you know where your children are?

Prowling Vampires

'Tis All Hallows' Eve...do you know where your children are?

Portia was an awesome vampire this year!
(and my new studio lights rock!)

It's a Dog's Life...

On the days that I trudge down to the basement to walk a mile and a half to nowhere Blue likes to join me. And I don't mean he likes to join me in the workout...as I puff along, sweating, cramping, waiting for the commercials to go away so I can watch something half-way interesting...this is what he does:









Oh the life of a spoiled dog...

It's a Dog's Life...

On the days that I trudge down to the basement to walk a mile and a half to nowhere Blue likes to join me. And I don't mean he likes to join me in the workout...as I puff along, sweating, cramping, waiting for the commercials to go away so I can watch something half-way interesting...this is what he does:










Oh the life of a spoiled dog...

Meet Poe

This is Poe. He sits beside me on my desk and keeps me company on the evenings and weekends while I work. He's my left-hand man, my stress relief, and sometimes my distraction. He's much happier now that he's out of his 1 cup of water from the pet store and into a gallon and a half bowl. He's a handsome fella.

Meet Poe

This is Poe. He sits beside me on my desk and keeps me company on the evenings and weekends while I work. He's my left-hand man, my stress relief, and sometimes my distraction. He's much happier now that he's out of his 1 cup of water from the pet store and into a gallon and a half bowl. He's a handsome fella.

Horse Play

Taken at the Haupt Farm today during Jason's company's annual Halloween bash. Gotta love velvety smooth horse snoots!

Horse Play

Taken at the Haupt Farm today during Jason's company's annual Halloween bash. Gotta love velvety smooth horse snoots!

B.Dog Development Launches New Site Design

I was finally able to complete and launch the new and improved B.Dog Development site for my web design/development company (aka job #2). The original site was one that was sort of thrown together quickly and sort of swept under the rug and ignored. Like the old saying goes..."the shoemaker's kids go without shoes".

Check it out, tell all your friends... ;)
http://www.bdogdev.com

Shot Me an 8-Point Buck!

Shot with my Nikon, that is. ;) You all know I could never kill an animal! This guy was a beauty. We were hanging with some friends and he walked through with four of his lady friends. He was kind enough to stop and pose for a few minutes before resuming his evening stroll. (Please ignore the graininess of this photo - it was getting dark and this was the best I could do!)

 

 

Shot Me an 8-Point Buck!

Shot with my Nikon, that is. ;) You all know I could never kill an animal! This guy was a beauty. We were hanging with some friends and he walked through with four of his lady friends. He was kind enough to stop and pose for a few minutes before resuming his evening stroll.

(Please ignore the graininess of this photo - it was getting dark and this was the best I could do!)

Birthday Camping Recap

This is Dog Woods on a camping weekend with great friends and perfect weather!

Even though we pulled up to four trees across the driveway and many more down around the campsite due to the windstorm Ike brought in, we had a blast - and needless to say, plenty of firewood. The electric company had already been out to fix the downed lines. Jason and Eric were on tree removal duty while Teena and I unpacked the vehicles and started piling up brush and twigs that were all scattered around the campsite. Paul joined us on Saturday afternoon and stayed until we packed up to leave on Sunday.

We had fires going all day all weekend, played cornhole until it got too dark to see the blue bags winging at us from out of nowhere, and when it got too dark for anything else we had some drinks and chatted around the campfire.

We ate good all weekend and had Jason's birthday dinner on Saturday beginning with fillet mignon and sauteed squash on the grill and ending with an apple cobbler that Paul cooked up in his Dutch oven. We have got to get us one of those!

The dogs did great. We had our three and Logan, a four month old chihuahua. At night we put glow necklaces on them, each with their own color, so we could always see where they were. Worked like a charm!

We're already planning our next weekend out since there won't be too many more this year before it gets to cold. We have some other friends that are hoping to join us on some of those weekends as well. More good times!

Go here for all photos.

Birthday Boy

Blue is at home in Dog Woods

Me and my camping hat

Eric & Teena playing cornhole

Paul Twittering

Little Logan in his camping sweater

Teena manning the fire

Birthday Camping Recap

This is Dog Woods on a camping weekend with great friends and perfect weather!

Even though we pulled up to four trees across the driveway and many more down around the campsite due to the windstorm Ike brought in, we had a blast - and needless to say, plenty of firewood. The electric company had already been out to fix the downed lines. Jason and Eric were on tree removal duty while Teena and I unpacked the vehicles and started piling up brush and twigs that were all scattered around the campsite. Paul joined us on Saturday afternoon and stayed until we packed up to leave on Sunday.

We had fires going all day all weekend, played cornhole until it got too dark to see the blue bags winging at us from out of nowhere, and when it got too dark for anything else we had some drinks and chatted around the campfire.

We ate good all weekend and had Jason's birthday dinner on Saturday beginning with fillet mignon and sauteed squash on the grill and ending with an apple cobbler that Paul cooked up in his Dutch oven. We have got to get us one of those!

The dogs did great. We had our three and Logan, a four month old chihuahua. At night we put glow necklaces on them, each with their own color, so we could always see where they were. Worked like a charm!

We're already planning our next weekend out since there won't be too many more this year before it gets to cold. We have some other friends that are hoping to join us on some of those weekends as well. More good times!

Go here for all photos.

Birthday Boy

Blue is at home in Dog Woods

Me and my camping hat

Eric & Teena playing cornhole

Paul Twittering

Little Logan in his camping sweater

Teena manning the fire

Birthday Camping

This Sunday, September 28th, is Jason's 34th birthday. To celebrate we are heading out to Dog Woods with a few friends to go camping for the weekend. (If anyone reading this wants to join us give us a call and we'll get you directions!) We've got some people tent camping and others coming for the day on Saturday. We'll have cornhole, good food, a campfire and perfect camping weather...check this out:

Can't beat that with a stick! I'll be taking the camera and capturing glimpses of the festivities to post when we return. Happy early birthday to Jason - I hope it's a good one!

Birthday Camping

This Sunday, September 28th, is Jason's 34th birthday. To celebrate we are heading out to Dog Woods with a few friends to go camping for the weekend. (If anyone reading this wants to join us give us a call and we'll get you directions!) We've got some people tent camping and others coming for the day on Saturday. We'll have cornhole, good food, a campfire and perfect camping weather...check this out:








Can't beat that with a stick! I'll be taking the camera and capturing glimpses of the festivities to post when we return. Happy early birthday to Jason - I hope it's a good one!

I <3 Hummingbirds

Today I was finally able to capture hummingbird photos without them being on the feeder - something I've been trying to accomplish for quite some time. When Ike came through Kentucky last weekend our screen got torn off the side of the deck where the feeder usually hangs. Without the screen there the hummingbirds kept getting caught inside the porch. For fear of them not finding their way out, being hit by a ceiling fan or eaten by a dog we decided it would be best to move the feeder to the evergreen tree in the backyard until we get the screen fixed. Had I known that was all it would take I'd have tried this a year ago! Now when the hummingbirds decide to take a rest from eating or want to check things out before they approach the feeder they perch in the branches of the evergreen - perfect photo op!

(Click for a larger view)

I <3 Hummingbirds

Today I was finally able to capture hummingbird photos without them being on the feeder - something I've been trying to accomplish for quite some time. When Ike came through Kentucky last weekend our screen got torn off the side of the deck where the feeder usually hangs. Without the screen there the hummingbirds kept getting caught inside the porch. For fear of them not finding their way out, being hit by a ceiling fan or eaten by a dog we decided it would be best to move the feeder to the evergreen tree in the backyard until we get the screen fixed. Had I known that was all it would take I'd have tried this a year ago! Now when the hummingbirds decide to take a rest from eating or want to check things out before they approach the feeder they perch in the branches of the evergreen - perfect photo op!

(Click for a larger view)