My, What Big Eyes You Have! (Project 365: 59/365)

Buddy has the best, big, brown eyes!  I wanted a macro shot for today's photo and they pulled me right in!

This is yesterday's photo.  Jason and Tom were having a Wii boxing match...and placing bets on the game as usual.  It's been a great weekend!

Feed Me! (Project 365: 57/365)

Every day at 5:30 Buddy knows it's time for dinner. If you dare stand up, this is what happens until you feed the Giant Dawg and his three side-kicks.

In other news:

I found out a couple of weeks ago that I have gall stones.  In fact, one third of my gall bladder is full of stones.  So I had a consultation with a general surgeon this morning and the gall bladder is coming out.  On March 11 I can say good riddance to that worthless organ and resume my beer and wing eating habit.  Until then I have to watch the fat intake else I end up writhing around in misery, so it's a good thing to have yanked out.  Odd to think that up until 6 months ago I'd never been in the hospital for anything and now I'm going in for my second organ removal.  I hope this isn't some new trend because I'm not digging it.

And - it's Friday!  Going to hang with friends tonight, seeing Shutter Island tomorrow afternoon and hanging with friends again tomorrow night.  Gonna be a great, relaxing weekend!

My Rock (Project 365: 56/365)

I don't do a lot of portrait photography - it just isn't my thing.  But every once in a while it's nice to have some people photos. Particularly family people photos.  Even more particularly, family people photos who you don't have many photos of.  No, he does not like his photo taken.  I told him I wanted him to be my project photo tonight.  In his typical fashion he said "You have one shot", while standing in the kitchen with the refrigerator door partially open.  Anyone that knows him can hear that tone in his voice, along with the raised eyebrows that say "I'm serious".  This is my one shot.

Not only is this my one shot - this is my everything.  I live for this man.  He is my best friend, my confidant, my animal rescue partner...my everything.  I never dreamed I would meet someone I could connect with on every level...but yet here he is, married to me...me!  For almost 16 years now we've been together.  We've been through a lot and we've had a lot of good times.  And it's only the beginning.  I love you, babe!

Stir Up Some Fun! (Project 365: 55/365)

I wanted something sweet but wasn't hungry and found some Nesquik in the pantry. It's been sooo long since I've had a glass of chocolate milk! I happily consumed my prop once I was finished. :)

Stealer of Cat Food (Project 365: 54/365)

This Northern Mockingbird sure mocks our cat!  He keeps stealing the cat's food from the cat bowl that sits on the front porch.  I think he's not only puffed up from the cold, but a wee bit pudgy from the cat food calories!  (And don't worry, Big Worm the Cat stays plenty warm outside all winter huddled up in his insulated cat house!)

My Bone! (Project 365: 53/365)

Lois Lane is once again content now that we're home from our weekend away.  Her and Buddy even got into it today over a piece of treat they both found on the floor.  Neither was any worse for the wear, aside from the massive amounts of slobber all over Lois.  (That's a Buddy hair hanging off her lip, by the way - heehee!)

Lake Cumberland Weekend!

This weekend we finally made it to Lake Cumberland for our birthday celebration that was supposed to have been in January, but the snow had other plans for us at the time.  Though it actually worked out great.  The weather this weekend was gorgeous!  We had a wonderful, relaxing, fun weekend that was long over due.  We sat around all weekend playing pool, air hockey and the Wii.  There was also a hot tub that was nice (when it was working) and lots of good conversation along with a few adult beverages.  As with all fun weekends, it went by way too fast!  And a special thanks to Jenn and John for taking care of our pups at the last minute - you guys rock!

Since our Internet connection was very spotty I didn't get a chance to upload my Project 365 photos, so I'm lumping all three into this post.  They are all from Lake Cumberland, so it's fitting!

This is the front of the cabin we stayed in. It looks quite tiny from the front, but it was very spacious and slept 10 people. Since we were up on a mountain the back drops out into two stories and upper and lower decks.


Saturday night the Cats were playing so I managed to get most of the group in one shot while they were watching the game.


And today before we headed home we walked down to the boat ramp just down from the cabin to check out the water. The water level is low, but the water was beautiful!

The Madness (Project 365: 49/365)

I know this is a lame project photo, but thought it would be interesting to share the madness we go through (and our pet sitter will be dealing with - God love them) daily with our dogs. We went from zero dogs on meds to 3 dogs on meds, possibly for life, in a matter of 4 months, all for different things. Tell me how this happens?

I would have attempted a better photo, however, it struck me kinda crazy what we do for our pets.  But I wouldn't change a thing if it meant losing any of them!  They are all worth it.  :)

Iridescence (Project 365:48/365)

Gotta love the iridescence of a peacock feather!  I've had this feather for about 18 years now and originally got it at the Louisville Zoo gift shop, if I recall correctly.  It's arranged in a floor vase with other feathery, plant like stuff and sits in my main hallway entrance.

In Over His Head (Project 365: 47/365)

Jason went to fill up the feeders and as soon as he left this little white-throated sparrow jumped into his footprint in the snow and started chowing down.

Love Thy Valentine (Project 365: 45/365)

Hope everyone had a wonderful Valentine's Day!  :)

Meet Zeus (Project 365: 44/365)

This is Zeus. He's a Great Pyrenees that we helped transport from a shelter in southern Kentucky to a rescue organization in Ohio. He was supposed to be transported two weeks ago, but with the winter weather we've had it had to be postponed twice.  So as not to duplicate, you can see more photos and read more about Zeus' transport on my Pet Research Blog.

Colorized Poe (Project 365: 43/365)

I was playing with the kenko extension tubes again and Poe was a willing subject.  Actually he kept challenging me and bumping the glass...I don't think he wanted his picture taken.

Happy B! (Project 365: 42/365)

Blue Boy is happy as a lark.  As of his vet checkup today he is officially off 24/7 cage rest!  After 6 weeks that has to be a relief to him (and to us).  He'll still be in the cage when we aren't home to watch him and probably at night to keep him from jumping on the bed and hurting his back again, but he's free to roam during the day!  He's off the prednisone and only on metacam and some other preventative daily meds.  He doesn't need a recheck for three months, unless other problems come up, so it's a good day for all!

Blanket Hog (Project 365: 41/365)

Lois Lane decided to take all the blankets when I got up off the couch - guess she was chilly, too!  Sorry for another dog shot, but I'm not feeling up to par tonight and she was just looking too cute.

Kitteh Prints (Project 365: 40/365)

Big Worm is our cat, a stray who showed up 9 years ago and decided to stay, thus he lives outside.  He has a heated, insulated cat box on our covered front porch that he stays in when it's cold.  I can put my hand in that box anytime he is in there and feel the heat so I know he stays warm enough.  Today I could tell that he recently left the box due to the kitty trail he left on the porch steps.  (I'll add a link in a couple of days on how to build the insulated kitty box).

How to build an insulated cat box - step by step instructions and photos.

PetResearch.net (Project 365: 39/365)

PetResearch.net is a pet resource site that Jason and I started up about a year ago. It's come a long way in that year and started out as just a pet project (no pun intended) and has grown to be a valuable resource. We have spent the last several weeks revamping the site and adding in user pet blogging capabilities, a discussion forum and other hands on features, with more to come in future releases. If you're a fellow animal lover, come check us out!

A screenshot of the site would have been a cleaner image, but that would be cheating for Project365, now, wouldn't it? ;)

Frosted Flakes (Project 365: 38/365)

These frost particles were on my truck windshield this morning.  I pulled out the Kenko extension tubes to see what I could get and this is what I ended up with.  Not too bad for the first attempt.  I'd really like to get a true macro lens for this type of stuff (and bugs).

So it's Super Bowl Sunday.  We've been invited to several outings, though don't know if we'll make it out at all.  I still have quite a bit of work to catch up on so it mainly depends on how much I get done and how much I feel like going out after working all day.  I do have some money on the Colts through an office pool, so GO HORSE!

Bamboo Bows to Mother Nature (Project 365: 37/365)

...or rather bows because of Mother Nature!

We got a couple inches of very heavy, wet snow last night and the bamboo around the pond just couldn't handle it.  I'm guessing it's pretty resilient foliage, but we'll see how it fares come spring.  Fishes are under there somewhere, hovering in their winter state and waiting until the spring thaw.

Bone Appetit (Project 365: 36/365)

If a dog's prayers were answered, bones would rain from the sky.

Reading? What's That? (Project 365: 34/365)

I'm an avid reader, usually reading 3 to 4 books a month. Sadly, the last several months have been uber busy and I'm only a fourth of the way through "The Pillars of the Earth" by Ken Follett that I started in...*gasp*...September! The shame! I finally did pick it back up yesterday while waiting on an appointment and got back into it again. Maybe I'll finish it before spring! If you're interested in any other good books, see my book list.

ROYGBIV and Then Some (Project 365: 33/365)

Oh how I love colored pens and markers, particularly Sharpies!

Not much to report on today.  Hardy goes back to the vet on Friday.  His vestibular disease is getting worse and he's becoming more and more disoriented. The vet said we could possibly try some Alzheimer's medication for dogs to see if that would help, but we're running out of options with the poor old man. On the other hand, Blue is showing good improvement in his back.  He's not limping as much and is walking better, but is still on cage rest for another few weeks.  Buddy and Lois Lane are doing great *knock wood* and continue to mooch food constantly.

Three Little Words (Project 365: 32/365)

Those three little words that can turn your day around even at the worst of times.  I like to leave little post-it notes for Jason occasionally for him to find when he wakes up in the morning after I've left for work for the day.