A girl and her Hellhound

Garden Loot

2011-08-02T13:58:00.000-07:00

I haz plenty of garden loot this year! Last year sorta sucked for gardeners and this year has only slightly sucked less. My tomatoes are not really doing all that well, but they are much larger and i have much more waiting to ripen then last year. Now that it's staying about 80 consistently my plants are happy. So i guess my garden isn't at that much of a loss :)

I have potatoes, green beans, peas, cucumbers (2 types), 8 tomato plants, bell peppers, jalapeno peppers, lettuce, spinach as well as two types of sage, oregano and lavender. OH and some fruit trees haha. Yes this year has been very productive for me yay! I finally found my green tumb!

My view from my patio table

My peas which are now about 6.5 feet tall!

My cucumbers which are now even bigger than when this pic was taken a few weeks ago. I should have planted them further apart but oh well

My loot from Saturday night

I also have about 9 more cucumbers about ready to be picked. I am on the official cucumber diet. Wonder if i write a book ill make money from it?

The nice think is that i'm only buying fruit/Romain heads and meat from the store. Yay! My weekly grocery bill is half of what it was!

I really should get my Az/Nm Trip pics up but there are so many! And i haven't had time to shrink them down.

My next trip Boise, ID. Going to hang out of my very good friend and maybe do some house shopping for my auntie and a little retail therapy for myself along with some spa time. Ahhh i love vacations.

Back to reality...

2011-05-02T08:51:00.001-07:00

After the flight leaving late and US Airways checking my carry on AGAIN, I'm back home to reality. As much as I like to travel it's always good to be home to sleep in your own bed and get kisses from your own dogs. Athena missed me enough to eat so much grass and weeds yesterday that she was sick half the evening and puked at 4am today. At least she woke me up to go out vs puking on my bed right? Instead my slow ass didn't get to the door in time so she puked on the back rug. Could be worse really, could be on something I can't wash. I guess that was her way of telling me the yard needs to be mowed again.

The weather was perfect on the road trip with the exception of a wind/dirt storm coming down through NM on Friday. But other then that we had clear skies and much of the area we drove I want to go back with a bike and ride. The petrified forest and monument valley were just amazing. I really want to go back but at various points during the day. I think the painted desert would be best in the afternoon sun for pictures.

As much as I love road trips, I think my next vacation will be something where I can sit around and get a few massages and just veg out. Maybe another trip to FL....

Pics to come when I can get them resized :)

Things I think about at the airport...

2011-04-27T09:02:00.001-07:00

Everytime I come to an airport I almost always thinking "what if". I always wear tennis shoes while flying because you never know when you will need them. I would think exiting the plane in an emergency in flip flips or spiked heels would be a bitch no? Granted I have never had to do this,but it does happen. Plus all the gross stuff on the floors through security. Thousands if not more people walk through barefoot everyday and I for one prefer to keep a pair of socks between that and my barefoot.

And I know the airport is a public place,but what happened to personal space? There is a git sitting about 6 feet away from me with his ear phones so loud I can hear the song clearly. Maybe he's that deaf? If not he will be in a few years....

Of course I also think about where I'm going and how much fun I will have lol. Today I'm on my way to beautiful Arizona for a 5 day weekend of driving and being tourist. I think it's funny that I normally hate heat but love Arizona lol. I guess I'm a little backward eh?

Spring is here...i think

2011-03-29T15:05:00.001-07:00

The rain has stopped for now and the sun is out! To celebrate Athena received a new collar in the mail :)

Blessing and a curse...

2011-03-17T16:24:00.000-07:00

I was wandering through target one day when I spied a Chuck it on Clearance....I had looked at the chuck it launchers for a long time, but never bought one due to the high price they wanted for them. And since I try to keep Athena away from her tennis ball obsession I never purchased one Until this winter...I welcomed the idea of being able to throw a ball clear across a baseball field with little effort! esp when the winds kicked up and the frisbee had a mind of it's own. And let me tell you 30min of Chuck it = one tired ass dog.

And just like that Athena had a new form of crack...or rather she was revisiting one I took away from her a long time ago for my own health and hers LOL. Every night now when I get home she greets me then waits at the closet door for me to take out her new favorite toy. And if I don't? I spend my workout hour with her either under foot or trying to time my bike pedals to get the toy she stuck under there. And unlike most dogs she does not learn what being whacked in the head by the pedals means.

I really should know better then to buy a tennis ball launching toy. And since Athena generally breaks the ball after 3 flexes of her mouth (She seems to think it will squeak at her) I ordered some all rubber chuck it balls.

It could be worse...I could have a dog who tears my house apart right?

Maybe I'm the toy monster not Athena ...

Candy

2011-02-10T08:18:00.000-08:00

Since I don't see the point in posting a name or bra color to raise awareness maybe something a little more educational? I know I'll get the usual "you spoiled it" or "you aren't fun", but really cancer of any form isn't fun. So wouldn't you rather give people the knowledge of how to prevent it or identify the signs you may have cancer? How many women actually do a self exam on a regular basis? Maybe reminding them how to preform a self exam will keep another woman from finding out too late.

HOW TO DO A BREAST SELF-EXAM

In the Shower

Fingers flat, move gently over every part of each breast. Use your right hand to examine the left breast, left hand for the right breast. Check for any lump, hard knot, or thickening. Carefully observe any changes in your breasts.

Before a Mirror

Inspect your breasts with your arms at your sides. Next, raise your arms high overhead.

Look for any changes in the contour of each breast, a swelling, a dimpling of the skin, or changes in the nipples. Then rest your palms on your hips and press firmly to flex your chest muscles. Left and right breasts will not exactly match—few women's breasts do.

Lying Down

Place a pillow under your right shoulder and put your right arm behind your head. With the fingers of your left hand flat, press your right breast gently in small circular motions, moving vertically or in a circular pattern covering the entire breast.

Use light, medium, and firm pressure. Squeeze the nipple; check for discharge and lumps. Repeat these steps for your left breast.

For pictures : http://www.nationalbreastcancer.org/About-Breast-Cancer/Breast-Self-Exam.aspx

BREAST CANCER MYTHS

The Myth

Finding a lump in your breast means you have breast cancer.

The Truth

If you discover a persistent lump in your breast or any changes in breast tissue, it is very important that you see a physician immediately. However, 8 out of 10 breast lumps are benign, or not cancerous. Sometimes women stay away from medical care because they fear what they might find. Take charge of your health by performing routine breast self-exams, establishing ongoing communication with your doctor, and scheduling regular mammograms.

The Myth

Men do not get breast cancer.

The Truth

Quite the contrary. Each year it is estimated that approximately 1,700 men will be diagnosed with breast cancer and 450 will die. While this percentage is still small, men should also give themselves regular breast self-exams and note any changes to their physicians.

The Myth

A mammogram can cause breast cancer to spread.

The Truth

A mammogram, or X-ray of the breast, is one of the best tools available for the early detection of breast cancer. It CANNOT cause cancer to spread, nor can the pressure put on the breast from the mammogram. Do not let tales of other people's experiences keep you from having a mammogram. Base your decision on your physician's recommendation and be sure to discuss any questions or concerns with your doctor.

The Myth

Having a family history of breast cancer means you will get it.

The Truth

While women who have a family history of breast cancer are in a higher risk group, most women who have breast cancer have no family history. If you have a mother, daughter, sister, or grandmother who had breast cancer, you should have a mammogram five years before the age of their diagnosis, or starting at age 35.

The Myth

Breast cancer is contagious.

The Truth

You cannot catch breast cancer or transfer it to someone else's body. Breast cancer is the result of uncontrolled cell growth in your own body.However, you can protect yourself by being aware of the risk factors and following an early detection plan.

The Myth

Knowing you have changes in the BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene can help you prevent breast cancer.

The Truth

While alterations in these genes in men and women can predispose an individual to an increased risk of breast cancer, only 5% to 10% of patients actually have this mutation. This is not an absolute correlation. Like your age or having a family history of breast cancer, it's a factor you just can't control. But you can let your physician know, perform regular breast self-exams, and focus on the fact your chances of not having this disease are greater than 90%.

The Myth

Antiperspirants and deodorants cause breast cancer.

The Truth

Researchers at the National Cancer Institute (NCI) are not aware of any conclusive evidence linking the use of underarm antiperspirants or deodorants and the subsequent development of breast cancer.

For more information, please visit:

http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/Risk/AP-Deo.

Happy Holidays

2010-12-23T08:54:00.000-08:00

Happy Holidays! This year I have a great surprise for my mom coming today. My auntie is flying out to spend Christmas with us. My mom and her have not spent a Christmas since I was 10! It's been hard to keep it quiet so long and hide the gifts I was suppose to mail out on Monday. But I get to pick her up tonight woot! My mom has absoultely zero idea shes on her way :) I love surprises like this.

And to Athena....the dog who's ears are now evil. After 4 weeks of very strong anti biotics she still has brown gunk :( So the vet wants me to keep cleaning then and put drops in for another week. I have been thinking back to when this whole issue started with her ears and realized it was shortly after getting the last bag of dog food. After doing some reading on the food I bought i found out they recently changed their formula...AGAIN. So after some thinking I decided to change her food. It's a little frustrating considering I don't feed the crappiest food on the market. Only grain free for my baby. I guess I should have expected as much from a company I switched from when Athena was still growing due to formula change. So after chatting with a friend who's dog had yeasty ears and her trails with dog food. I decided to switch from the Canadae grain free to Natural Balance Grain Free Duck and Potato. All the reviews are good and they have many different flavors I can rotate though. I'm just hoping this works. I know she hates having a gross ear and so do I! Thus far Athena seems to like the food. I'm mixing it half and half for right now, but Athena doesn't like that as she has been spitting out the old food in favor of the new LOL. So tonight I'll be tossing the last of the old food (about 2 cups) and using the new. *sigh* what we don't do for our kids.

OH and Athena had her 4th Birthday on the 20th! My big girl is growing up *sniffle*

Happy Holidays Everyone!

Just when i thought it was safe...

2010-12-03T12:20:00.000-08:00

Just when I thought it was safe to say Athena was all healed up she proves me wrong lol. Last night I come home to a dog who yelps when I barely touch her head. So i look in her ear and everything was fine like before...So i try to get her to bark because that was the first thing to go last time. And she refuses to bark :( So a 20min phone call to the vet and shes going back in anti biotics for 2 weeks maybe more if it's not clearing up.

I feel so bad for Athena. She has never had something majorly wrong like this before, well besides her weed eating incident a few years ago. At least this time I don't have to take time off work to bring her in. The vet is just re filling the script. Also Athena HATES these pills. I have to crush them up into some yogurt because they are chewable pills and huge so i cant force them down like other ones.

On a better note, I found my granpa's old tri pod and it works with my camera! My mission this weekend will be to get an X-mas pic out of the beast and make dog cookies. I think Athena will forgive me for messing with her ears if I make her tons of dog cookies. Peanut butter & Pumpkin and Peanut butter cookies are on the menu.

I guess what they say is right. Tis the season to spend money though I think most people spend it on gifts. Though I think getting my dog healthy again is a good xmas gift to me LOL.

Where has this year gone?

2010-12-01T08:28:00.000-08:00

Wow I can not believe it is December 1 already! I am hoping December is going to be much better and less financially draining then Sept/Oct/Nov.

I love Athena, but she's gotta get a job to pay for her medical bills Ha! It all started in September when she got a foxtail UP her nose *sigh*. Never in all my years have any of my dogs had one up their nose. Toes and ears yes, but not the nose. Then in October she started acting not like her self. She didn't want to move and all she wanted to do is hide. I instantly thought it was her ears because 1. she had some gunk more then normal and 2. she kept trying to shake her head but would just hang it to the side. So off to the vet we go and of course my brain went into worse case scenario thinking she messed her back up or something horrible. The vet (new to us i might add) told me she might have pulled her neck and gave me a series of drugs. They looked in her ears, but told me they looked great. I honestly left the office thinking it was still her ear, but maybe the vet knows better? She seemed to get better until a week after she finished her drugs and then she was back to feeling like shit and imo even worse then before.

So back to the vet we go. By this point Athena has become more and more ear shy due to various encounters of her ears. While she will let me look inside and do whatever i want, she likes to scream in pain of the doc gets too far down into her canal. So the only way to get a great look was to sedate her....And what did the doctor find??????? A festering inner ear infection AND a small tear in her ear drum.....I refrained from saying SEE I TOLD YOU. After a long discussion with the vet about what caused this infection we both agreed that it could have been caused by the foxtail from September. The ear affected was the same side the foxtail came out. Two weeks of some strong anti biotics and shes back to normal. I never thought I would be so happy to get dog food kisses or hear her bark.

And although the new vet was very nice I just wish she took my concern about the issue being her ear more seriously. Athena is not one to show pain. My mind often goes through the "should haves", but you cant change that now. So long story short. Athena is back to her normal bouncing off the walls self and just in time for this cold snowy season.

I am proud to say that ALL of my holiday shopping is done! Yay! I have a few more items to crochet and then I'll be done and able to start wrapping. Speaking of crochet. I have been a crocheting fool. I guess it's in my blood. I have finished a TON of scarfs, a few hats and a few shawls. Most of the stuff i have made is for xmas, but i have some that i'm going to put up for sale. I took a big leap and put some stuff up on my artfire page only to take them down the next day. Why? Well you see...i like to prewash stuff before i sell it or give it away. Mostly so i know it wont fall apart if someone else needs to wash it. And the yarn i made the couple scarfs with washed up UGLY. And by ugly i mean ugly. The yarn it's self was this really soft fluffy acrylic yarn. And after the washing and hang dry process the fuzzy clumped together :( So not cool. And this scarf, which i totally fell in love making it

Had random loops come out of place after i washed it! It's not even like we have a top load washer. I put everything on super gentile then air dried. I guess they did not want to leave my neck? LOL. Oh well I guess I have new scarfs for the winter or maybe I'll clean them up and donate them. I'm sure there are people out there who need a warm neck more then I do, but i think ill keep the pink one haha.

Back to the grind. Work is calling my name.

Happy Holidays Everyone!

Nothing like a little Inspiration

2010-06-07T12:31:00.000-07:00

Ah spring time. Land of fresh fruits and veggies from the farmers market and most of all the start of many gem shows and craft fairs.

I headed out the International Gem Show last Saturday and it was so much fun seeing how other people put their jewelry together. I bought some stones and wire for a fraction of what I'd spend in the store. I was like a kid in a candy store and i have so much stock at home i really need to work more on making things.

My loot from the show. I'm partial to the ruby red beads. My mind is throwing around ideas and I'd much rather be at home working some of them out.

And a few things i put together this weekend. I experimented with crocheting wire and i have to say i really liked how it turned out. My friend even bought my prototype yay!

Gold colored wire with some fake pearls i had for practice.

And a quick four strand i put together one night. My mom promptly took over this one since it matched the earrings i got her in AZ.

I find my self whining "do i have to work i wanna go home and craft"

Puppy Brain is leaving

2010-05-25T08:12:00.001-07:00

Sniffle Sniffle....Why?!!!! Oh why is my girl growing up? ....I guess I can't be that upset about Athena listening better. I was noticing last night how she has changed colors yet again and how adult she is looking. Even the way she goes about things seems less puppy impulsive and more adult rational. Example...instead of trying to shove her self under the couch to get her toy. She gets down and slowly puts her paw under and tries to sweep it out.

She even listened to commands when other people were around even her most favorite person in the whole wide world! On mothers day we had about 6 people over for dinner. I told the dogs "Out" as in out of the kitchen /dinning room area and she and my moms dog both went and laid on their beds. No lap begging. And this great obedience continued the whole 2 weeks my aunt visited. Making me look like the best dog trainer ever! My aunt even told me when the time comes for her to get a dog she will pay me to come out and train the dog LOL.

The light finally turned onto a higher setting and I'm really liking it even though it does make me teary eyed sometimes.

Heh yeah right I'm not growing up. I'm just letting you get your guard down....

Blisters are Evil

2010-05-13T08:44:00.000-07:00

Out of all the years of hiking, walking, biking, running (in high school) i never ever had issues with blisters. Once or twice i got them on my heel when i was breaking in new boots but never with broken in shoes. Yesterday my aunt and I wandered around the city walking up and down the piers on the Sunny day SF had yesterday and for the first time in a long time I have not one but TWO blisters on the bottom of my feet. I have worn those shoes before many times and i have worn those same socks with those shoes many times. I wasn't any hotter then usual so i have no idea why i got blisters.

They hurt like a mother because they are right on the pads of my feet between my big toe and 2nd toe over. So I'm walking like a idiot on the sides of my feet, which I'm sure is not good. I keep popping them but they keep coming back :(. I guess i need to break down and get those blister bandaids. BUT on a nicer note i had a blast touring the city and down the coast with my aunt. I bought some candy at pier 39 and stuff at the herb room in Santa Cruz and hit up Valley Fair for some much needed bra shopping. It was so relaxing...and i'm sitting here at work not wanting to work LOL. I wish my auntie would finally find a job out here! Know anyone who is hiring a Labor Delivery nurse? LOL.

I want to go back....

2010-05-04T08:08:00.000-07:00

To the land of no allergies aka Arizona. I was amazed how good I slept and felt there. No stuffy nose, no itchy eyes or mucous. Ahhh pure bliss!

I just got back from Az on Sunday and I had a blast. Bead shopping in Scottsdale, The heard museum in Phoenix, Jewelry shopping in Mesa, a tour of the Apache rez and great friends and pooches to escort me around, what more could a girl as for on a short 4 day vacation??? My trip reminded me just now much love it there. Maybe one day I will find a job in my favorite City down there (Flagstaff). I'm sure Athena and I would enjoy the mild heat in the summer and snow in the winter.

Molly I thought of you! There were cyclist everywhere on our way out of town. One even had a red bike like yours, but i knew you wouldn't miss a sharks game :)

BTW....GOOOOOOOO SHARKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Lets go boys bring home the cup!!!!!!!!!!!!

She is lucky i love her

2010-04-08T08:43:00.000-07:00

Athena was almost a dead dog last night......

So i spent about 3 hours planting zucchini, cucumbers and peas. I had turned one of Athenas old pools into my planter box. I planted them all nicely. So i let her out for her nightly romp. I go to bring her in and i'm thinking WTF were you in you are filthy and wet...i look up...and what do i see????

SHE DUG UP MY WHOLE FRIGGIN PLANTER BOX....*deep breaths* So i calmly dry her feet off shove her inside and go and correct what she Destroyed! My mom let her out and i looked up and told Athena "House" in a voice that even shocked my mom. oh i was so dog damn mad! Maybe she was looking for water? i dunno. But we did a little aversion training last night.i think she got that her old pool is now mine and to leave it cause this morning she didn't even travel with in 3 feet of it LOL. And she wont be in the yard unsupervised until i can get some chicken coup stuff to put around it. What gets me is she never did this before. But i never put a garden in her old pool before either.

In a way i guess it's good she did that because it reminded me we have cats that could do the same.

Old Pictures

2010-04-01T08:21:00.000-07:00

My brother was holding out on me! He had a few CD's of old Family photos of my grandparents their youth. It's so fun to go through them all and remember stories told by family or learn new ones from my mom. I think one of my projects this summer is to get them all scanned. This way they won't fade anymore then they are and i can fix some that are faded (hopefully). I was also thinking that since my brother has a new house that i'll get some printed for him. We both miss my granma and what better way to help him feel at home then pictures of our family!

My granma before she married my granpa- What a fox she is!

One of my great uncles. who in his day was an actual hobo.

My granpa and his sister. It's so strange to see them so young lol.

Moods

2010-03-31T09:20:00.001-07:00

It is amazing how much exercise or lack of exercise messes with your moods. After a new workout last Thursday i decided to take a few days off from my routine to let my confused aka sore muscles recover. So i spent the weekend doing yard work, planting my garden, moving soil around and playing with the dogs. I didn't notice until Sunday when i was trying to go to sleep at 10pm how crappy i felt and i couldn't fall asleep until about 2am. Come 7am Monday morning i was not in a good mood and my body was just not feeling the whole needing to work thing. I could feel my energy below the surface but it just wasn't full swing. I felt like i was looking at my energy at the bottom of the pool. So close yet so far away.

So when i got home i changed and set up my laptop turned on my favorite show and did 50 min of a hard workout that left me hot, sweaty and thinking I'm crazy. And afterward i felt great! I still didn't get to sleep until well after 1030pm, but i woke up feeling good and did not wake up once during the night. When the alarm went off i popped out of bed ready to go. I guess my body is getting into the swing of having a good workout. Lesson learned. No more then 2 days with out some sort of heart raising activity!

Spring is in the air!

2010-03-22T08:24:00.001-07:00

Spring is here! Spring is here! As much as i love my winter days it is nice to have sunny and warm days. I wish it stayed sunny and 70-80 all summer. I really hate anything over 80 degrees esp since i don't have AC at home.

Yesterday my brother and i spent a few hours chopping up a fallen tree and i spent most of the morning bagging up all the crap on the patio left over and forgotten from the kitchen remodel. the patio is starting to look like a patio again and not a storage closet. And since it was warm out Athena took it upon her self to go jump on her pool. I say on because it was flipped upside down from being in the rain. She wanted to cool off in the standing rain water. I can understand that. But in the process she poked a few holes in it. Good thing it was below the water line i normally fill up too. So i need to pick up some duct tape to fix the holes. We can't have precious water splashing out right??? She was also very happy i put up her screen room. Yes she has a little tent like structure just for her pool. I found that in the shed last year after getting so annoyed that the pepper tree was making her pool water nastier then she was!

Athena was very happy Mommy loves her. Frisbee in the am till she dropped, watching mom do yard work, ball fun with her fav person ever and her pool! She was in all sense of the words a dead dog last night. She even woke me up in the middle of the night Snoring LOL

(The tarp is suppose to go on top. i had not secured it yesterday so it fell)

Hello spring. I'm so glad march is going out like a lamb :)

Lets make a deal....

2010-03-18T08:22:00.000-07:00

Dear Body,

Lets make a deal shall we? How about you comply to my workouts and in return I'll feed you good stuff and get massages regularly? This whole being sore has really got to go! I get you are freaking out because everything I'm doing is new. But please don't be afraid of change. It really is for the better!

Remember these?
Yes? Well those will be on your feet IF you cooperate with me and we make my goal. So do we gotta deal?????

Signed the one who really wants those boots!

The world lost another wonderful lady.

2010-03-16T08:19:00.000-07:00

I met my friend Sherry not in person, but online. We met on a forum and bonded over the love we have for our pets. From there our friendship blossomed to emails and offline conversations. We shared our lives ups and downs and we supported each other like we had known each other our entire lives.

Last year Sherry was diagnosed with cancer. A aggressive yet treatable form of cancer according to her doctors. She fought with everything she had in her. She woke up every day fighting like a gladiator not only for her self, but for her young daughter. Sadly no amount of chemo or radiation could tame the cancer that raged inside of her determined to take her life. On March 12th in the early hours of the morning she passed with her family surrounding her.

Sherry was a dedicated friend, animal lover, animal rescue worker and most of all Mother. She will be missed more then words can described. Where ever she is i hope she is raising hell and partying it up. Rest in Peace Sister.

2010-01-07T16:17:00.000-08:00

Early Morning is not my friend!

2010-01-06T12:44:00.000-08:00

So as always my goal for this year is to get in shape and loose weight. My off and on working out proved not to be good for loosing weight go figure. So I sat down and planned out weekly workout on excel and even plan on using my new phone app to track how far i go and record that too. I also had this wild idea that early morning workouts would be a great idea.....

My alarm went off at 5am. I got up put the dog out and fed her. And for the life of me i could NOT keep my eyes open. So back to bed i went. I guess my body is determined to be an evening workout person.

So keeping my scheduled workouts the same i will just do them when i get home in the evening which is about 5pm. And maybe gradually set my alarm earlier and earlier so waking up at such an ungodly hour isn't so hard.....

I Can dooooo this!!!!

What do you say?

2010-01-04T14:05:00.001-08:00

A very dear friend of mine has been fighting cancer. Until recently i was over the moon optimistic that everything would be ok. I was positive she would keep waking up every day, going to work, laughing and among many more things watch her daughter grow into a beautiful woman.

Then i heard the news no one wants to hear. "The cancer has spread and if this next round of chemo doesnt work you have 6-8 weeks to live." What do you say to that? How do you comfort a woman who has been fighting to survive not only for her self but more importantly her daughter. I try to stay positive for her and i hope she doesn't hear the pain in my voice or in my words when i write or speak to her. What else can i do? If i could magically take the cancer away i would in a heartbeat, but i can't.

Another friend of mine is collecting letters to put them in a book to give to her when she visits this month. I'm faced with a task of writing a letter to her. I say task because it's not something i really want to do. Not because i do not love her, but i'm at a loss as what i want to say. Do i write an encouraging letter that she will beat this no matter what or do i tell her that she has been and will always be a great friend where ever she will be. I don't want her to feel like I'm giving up on her because i am not. However reality is her body is giving up on her. Maybe i'll make my letter a collection of pictures that somehow express how i feel with out having to say the words: you are a wonderful loving woman, mom to many and you will be missed. le sigh

Woot

2009-10-21T12:33:00.000-07:00

Finally! i found a helmet that fits right. Although ill probably get a new set of goggles because mine just don't sit right. Stupid short forehead! I scored quite a deal. i found a 160 dollar helmet for 62 bucks including shipping. Can't beat that! When i was putting it on Athena took a liking to it. she kept wanting to sniff it. ...So i put it on her goggles and all LOL. The second i put it on she just froze and let me take pictures. At least now its properly broken in dog hair and all.

So now i am set to be injury free!...well hopefully!

And Some sunset pics from my dads place

Annoyed

2009-10-12T08:42:00.000-07:00

This weekend was the first weekend i didn't have something planned from dawn to dusk. I woke up Saturday feeling great with no soreness from last weeks workouts. So i loaded up Athena into the car and headed out to out favorite recreational place. The morning was crisp and over cast and just how i like it. Like always i tie extra doggie poop bags onto my leash and off we go...

Not even 25ft from the trail entrance and trash can was poop galore. And most people would say to me "well it is a wild life sanctuary maybe its their poop". No it wasn't. It was dog poop. WTF people. Not only was their a trash can 25feet away but they also provide Poop bags at the start of the trail FREE. As we continued on our walk i saw more and more dog poop everywhere. It was disgusting!!! To the point where i did not want Athena walking anywhere near it and instead of letting her have free rein to explore the 6ft of her leash i kept her at my side. Never in all my years of going to this place have i ever seen so much dog poop littering the pathways.

So as we are making our little walk Athena decided to do her business just for me. So i pick it up and double bag it since i have about a mile left in our walk and there are no garbage cans to be found. At one point Athena and i stop to watch the birds and enjoy the view of the salt flats. A guy walks up to us to take some pics and turns to see me picking up the bag i have to carry back to the trash can. The only trash cans are at the trail entrance and at a picnic area. Since the budget cuts of our east bay parks i have noticed that the extra garbage cans that use to be at various points are now gone. The guy gives me an odd look and asks what is in my bag. So i tell him and he gets this grossed out look on his face and asks why i am carrying dog poop and how unsanitary it is. Well, i said, there are no garbage cans and i am not going to leave it on the ground for someone to step in. I think i can carry it to the trash and not die. Plus the people who don't pick up after their animals are ruining it for the rest of us. All the state needs is an excuse to A. Close the parks or B. ban dogs at parks. This is one of our favorite places to come to relax and enjoy i prefer it to stay that way. The man mumbles under his breath and walks away.

Seriously people how hard is it to pick up dog poop? It specifically says to pick it up and they give you FREE bags. If you are scared of the smell then bring a ziplock bag. I don't like poop scooping but as a dog owner it's my job to do so.

OK ok....end rant.

There is snow in dem mountains

2009-10-08T08:17:00.000-07:00

Last weekend Tahoe had SNOW. Yes i know it's a bit early to start doing the snow dance or is it?!?! I have read that El Niño will cause this winter season to be very wet. Yay right? Well i have also read that although it will be wet for most of CA it might be dry in up north. With normal snow fall but not what we want to fall. I personally am doing the snow dance for a few reasons. 1. CA needs this snow pack to help us make it through another year. 2. I LOVE the snow and so does Athena. 3. I want to get good on the snowboard.

Over last weekend my brother and i were talking about the upcoming season. We are both excited. So excited that i started shopping for my protection gear. You see my brother and many of his friends are all about prevention. Which is fine with me. Using his knee pads last year when he took me out, more then likely saved my knees for lots of pain. Last year he made me wear his helmet, which was 2 sizes too big for me. So this year i found one on REI outlet site and it was for a great price. So i ordered it. I really hope *crosses fingers* it fits right. My bruder even offered to pay for it as my birthday gift yay!. I had expressed my concerns about it being white and blending in too much. My bro just said "well we can paint it". I really love my brother! So all that is left to buy is knee pads and wrist guards. Helmet, wrist guards and knee pads...sounds like a wild night LOL.

This was me Last year

Being a total wuss and not even trying to go down the green run. My brother was very patient with me and even made me wear his helmet and knee pads so i didn't "kill my self", as he put it. This year i want to get better and be more comfortable out there. Maybe one day i'll be able to follow him around with my camera and get some nice action shots.

Come on everybody do the SNOW DANCE *dances around*

Is it suppose to hurt?

2009-09-18T08:29:00.000-07:00

Over the last few years i have been dealing with off and on shin splint pain. And its a big pain in the shins. My body goes through phases of "i'll cooperate and let you run/walk" as well as " I hate you you must be in pain and not be able to walk." So after reading Molly's Blog about ART i thought it might be a good idea for me to try it. Since all the stretching and ice and rest I've been doing hasn't worked much. I sent her an email asking what she went in for and she made a point to tell me that its going to hurt. Pain?!? sweet...See i'm one of those folks who believes in no pain no gain. I guess i get it from many years of receiving deep tissue massage. Many years of little fingers/elbows and forearms digging their way around my back seeking out knots and destroying them. Pain is expected and honestly its welcomed because i know the next day i will feel like a new person.

Fast forward a few days to my appt. The doctor was nice watched me walk and played with my feet a little. Then asked if i was ready and he gets to work. He said my feet are a mess and my calves are super tight. He asked if i have had any heel spurs before.I said yes once about a year ago and they were cured by taping and rest. The pressure wasn't as intense as i was expecting. It felt like a Swedish massage rather then a deep tissue. At that point as i'm laying there i was thinking "wow this is not painful at all is he doing it right". Before i left he told me i should start taping my arches for a few days after the treatment. So i have to go get some more athletic tape or maybe something not so harsh on my skin. Before i walked out he showed me some exercises to strengthen my arches and inner leg muscles. I left with my legs feeling a little looser, my ankle beginning to be a little sore from all the manipulation and walking straighter.

Now i know that not everyone's experience is the same in any thing, but honestly i thought i was missing out LOL. I even emailed Molly when i got home asking if it was suppose to hurt! i guess ill have to get my massage therapist to torture me when i go in next. She is more then willing to make me feel like a broke chicken wing. Actually i think she takes some pleasure in making my muscles do what she wants them to do.

This morning I'm not really sore. My right shin, which is the bad one of the two, feels a little tender. Not tender to the touch but tender as in how i feel the day after i have a freezing episode. So maybe this will work? I'm seriously hoping so because Athena loves her walks and i love my work outs! Tonight will be the test. I'm planning on a long walk with Athena due to us leaving early tomorrow for a 2 hour drive to Sacramento!

Thanks Molly for all your help!

Blood, Sweat and Tears...

2009-09-08T14:22:00.000-07:00

OK It was more like Blood, Cursing and Frustration and maybe not blood, but i did it! I got my craft on.

This labor day weekend i actually didn't have something i had to do. So i asked my mom "Can i use your sewing machine? Can you show me how to put together this kit quilt that has been sitting on my shelves for almost 2 years?" To which she replied "Umm....did the world stop turning?" LOL

But i did it! Yay me!

After i stopped stressing over the fact the lines of the quilting are not straight. I had a good time putting it together. And i even started a 2nd quilt but i ran out of fabric...So i gotta go buy some more....I never thought i'd hear my self say i need more fabric. Maybe the world has stopped turning on its axis?

Flordia 2009

2009-08-18T08:24:00.000-07:00

I recently go back from my annual pilgrimage to FL to see my sister, nephews and friends. I had a blast and drove all over central and northern FL. We even did wine tasting at San Sebastian Winery. Where i found a red wine that i really really like. I miss visiting with family and friends, but i missed home more lol esp Athena. My mom said she was a good girl and took up most of the bed so much so she had to sleep on mine, which is bigger LOL. Kids!

Pointed Rocks down in Sarasota

St. Augustine beach dunes

St.Augustine Beach

St. John River

Angry Skies on the way to dinner

Part of my friends fish tank-i so wanted to take it home lol

Seagulls in Sarasota, i loved how they dive bombed the water.

A rock i found and brought back with me.

I have more pics but they need to be organized. So there will probably be like 3 FL blogs LOL. Enjoy :)

Long time no blog....

2009-07-17T08:47:00.000-07:00

Yikes i've so been slacking on the blogging! I have been in a funk and sick again, but finally feeling better. I went for a massage on Wednesday and let me just say that woman is a god! Oh it was painful, but a deep tissue massage is just what my back needed and i'm sleeping so much better and over all feel 100% better. And my nose cleared up after that one session. I can finally breathe un assisted!

I'm back on my workout routine after slacking. I have walked 6 miles this week and biked (stationary bike) 10 miles (in 30 min) and planning on doing another 10 tonight woot for me! I'm doing 30 min a night on the bike and then Athenas walk which is about 1.5 miles and her frisbee run. I'll get there i know it takes time :)

I'm having fun with my camera still and bought photoshop which i love!

Athena at my dads

My moms opera man

And one just to make you laugh

Hot Summer Days

2009-06-28T16:06:00.000-07:00

I think Athena has the right idea...

Finally...

2009-06-17T14:31:00.000-07:00

After a few weeks of my walk runs i think my body is finally getting it. Night before last i take our usual trip out to the salt flats having every intention on doing my normal walk 1 min and run 1min. But as i took off watching how fast i'm going and concentrating on staying relaxed and controlling my breathing, i realized after i passed my normal area i stop to walking i wasn't out of breath. In fact i ran a whole 3 min before stopping my self because my shins were starting to feel the burn. WOOOHOOO for progress. So now i'm going to move to 2min run 1 min walk. I'm just happy my body is finally getting it!

The Smell of Spring is in the Air!

2009-06-08T12:15:00.000-07:00

I had a fun weekend filled with base ball and a dog who decided to eat enough calories in one sitting as he would in a week LOL

My moms little dog decided Athenas food was just so good he HAD to eat about 1 1/4cups of it when Athena decided to sleep instead of eat breakfast. Her food bowl is slightly raised so he only could reach half of the food in her bowl, but it was enough for him to make his belly painful to the touch as well as 3 times it should be LOL. Never mind the fact he had already had his breakfast nope he wanted MORE....

Even later that night he had not learned his lesson. He was standing behind Athena waiting for her to walk away so he can snag whatever she might have left. All is well again with him though after 24 hours of digesting so much food and many BIG poops later hes back to his glutton self :)

Some friends and i went to the A's on Friday night and Sunday day and watched them Kick the Orioles in the butt both days. wooohooo Go A's

My little camera did not like low lights but i got a few decent pics

Next time I'm getting closer seats and bringing my good camera LOL must get clear pics of their butts muahahaha i have my priorities!

I also ended up at target yesterday. I bought some comfy wedges for summer wear
http://www.target.com/Mossimo-Supply-Co-Wendell-Sandals/dp/B001GRSBCK/sr=1-5/qid=1244477408/ref=sr_1_5/184-3047348-2114104?ie=UTF8&frombrowse=0&index=target&rh=k%3Awedge%20sandals&page=1

And a new chicken for Athena

And since i totally blew my diet this weekend...i will be running my ass off this week LOL

Lazy Saturday Mornings

2009-05-30T10:35:00.000-07:00

Well maybe not that lazy. I was planning on getting up first thing and heading over to the high school to use their track to better track how far i do my walk/runs, but i didn't get up early enough. By the time Athena and i made our way over at 7:45am there were way too many people to be able to do my work out and keep Athena from dragging me over to say to everyone. So we went out to our favorite place and took in the early morning smells of the water and salt.

When we got home Athena curled up on the couch and hasn't moved even more so after i covered her with the favorite Yoda Blanket, which she stole from me as a pup.

Maks takes advantage of Athenas warmth too

Dogs have the Hardest life EVER

So tomorrow i shall try to get my butt up and out the door earlier if i can remember to hit the bed earlier and not get sucked into another new book LOL.

And Molly i know that Boise is not too far off, but i wanted to say GOOOOOD LUCK! and i know you will kick ass and take names later :)

Yay Me

2009-05-19T20:33:00.000-07:00

After ~5 weeks of eating better and working out i can proudly say i lost 14lbs. Yay me! I know its probably water weight but i don't care i LOST weight and i get more determined every day! My clothes are starting to fit better too which helps motivate me more and more.

My friends and i have made a weight loss pack. We pay each other 1 dollar for every pound we loose by our FL girls trip August 6 of this year. Each week on Saturday we text each other pics of the scale showing our weight to keep track.Then come August we either give each other gift certificates to clothing stores or donate to our favorite cause. So at this rate I shall be rich by the time August 6 rolls around.

And after 2 weeks of rest Athena is back to her normal self, no limping and back to her frisbee crazy self. I'm relieved to say it was just a strained muscle.

Tonight after speaking to a few friends about my cardio options i was encouraged to start running again...slowly to let my shins catch up since i tend to get shin splints easy. So off to my favorite spot i got with Athena in tow. She was happy to have me running with her. Although i wish i could trot forever like she can. Maybe one day though. But for now I'm starting with 1 min running 2 or 3 min walking and did that for almost 1.5miles. Other then a little shin soreness i feel pretty good. I'm applying some ice for now and stretching before i hit the bed. Maybe this whole running thing will come back to me and I'll be out running miles with music and dog in tow again soon LOL. One can hope anyway....

And for those who like pics (i haven't posted many lately)

Athena practicing her down stays at a corner

A picture from the KFOG KaBoom Concert i went too a few weeks back

Athena with her Precious

And of her tongue

Injured Dog

2009-05-05T08:31:00.000-07:00

How do you keep an injured dog quiet? You can't!

Sunday afternoon while playing Frisbee my brother noticed Athena's gate was off. So he stopped playing cooled her off and brought her in. Later that night she started limping and progressed into not using her back right leg at all. So Ice and rest time for the beast. She was not happy about that, but soaked up the sympathy like a pro from me and her grandma.

So yesterday i called the Vet. He said "is she whimpering?" No "Does she yelp when you move it?" No. "Is she putting any weight on it?" Sometimes...His prognosis? Keep her quiet, make her rest and no walks for at least a week and no frisbee for 2 weeks and if shes not getting better by Wednesday to bring her in. WHAT? 2 weeks???? Mind telling me how to keep her from her precious Frisbee to for 2 weeks????? He laughed at me and said "I'm sure you will figure something out."

So I am stuck watching her pee and making her walk around the yard when she really wants to run full force like normal. I'm glad i taught her the "Slow" command makes it a lot easier then having to leash her up in the yard. It is so pathetic watching her mope around the house and whine and mope and whine so more. But i refuse to take her for a walk when shes barely using her back leg. It's all i need is to carry a ~60lb dog for a mile or more ....though it would be a good work out LOL My nightly work out partner will have to stay home for 2 weeks. Guess i'll be going out before dark then since i don't have her to watch over me.

My body hates me

2009-04-22T07:47:00.000-07:00

So i go into the doctor yesterday thinking i had an ear infection. My ears have been sounding blocked for the last week and a half due to me being sick. What do i get?

Apparently i have 101 temperature and a sinus infection of some kind. My ears look clear, heart healthy, lungs health. He gives me some antibiotics and nasal spray and sends me on my way. Then it was not until this morning that i have green phlegm, but at least i can breath through my nose again. Everything coming out is being coughed out. I guess i caught this at the beginning of the infection? At least I'm hoping. Started my antibiotics last night, but my teeth hurt this morning (sigh). Body please stop hating me!

And this is how Athena feels about 1. Not playing frisbee in the 90 degree heat and 2. sharing the bed with my moms dog while shes out of town. And its about how i feel about being sick.

Drinking Right?

2009-04-21T10:40:00.000-07:00

So I'm doing good. I'm eating better on my set meal plan sticking too it not cheating woot good for me right? Well sorta. I'm craving drinks. Specifically Arizona Green Ice Tea. I love love love my plain ice tea, but if i don't have it at work pre made i end up buying the AZ tea, which is loaded with Sugar and isn't good. So Last night I made Ice tea to bring to work so i am not tempted to buy sugar infested tea. On another note. i'm not wanting soda. i look at it and totally pass it up because it is too sweet for me. Never thought i'd say that!

I booked my Trip to FL to have a girls week with friends. So Now i'm even more motivated to get my arse in to shape. No excuses anymore....well maybe no more excuses after i get my sickness and possible ear infection cleared up LOL. My goal is to fit into this suit by the time my trip rolls around. I know i can do it. I just need to push!

Everybody needs some zen time

2009-04-08T16:27:00.000-07:00

Last Saturday i woke up to the sun shining and the birds singing. So what did i do? packed my camera/water and extra leash for Athena and headed out with the beast to the bird sanctuary. This place is our local zen place. It's so much fun to go out there and take a deep breath in and enjoy the sights, sounds and smells. A place where i can take pictures and get my exercise in and a place where Athena can watch birdies from afar, chase lizards and get muddy with salt pond mud :) And its free to the public. This place has always held a special place in my heart for me. I remember my grandpa taking me out there as a kid letting me use the camera or binoculars. To me there is nothing better then walking around and just enjoying everything the outdoors has to offer

Watching the Birdies

Poppies in Bloom

Watching the Cyclists near her water fountain LOL

Watching over the backpack

Being good in the truck

Fun Filled Frisbee Weekend

2009-03-23T08:59:00.000-07:00

This weekend had odd weather. I woke up to hail on Saturday and then rain most of the day. Then Sunday i woke up to overcast sky and what looked like rain. And poor Athena was driving me Insane with her "Lets play frisbee" Whine, yes she has a specific whine for it now. But suturday afternoon turned out to be clear, but windy. The sun dried the mud out nicely so we played Frisbee. And i got to get a feel for my neeeewwwww camera :)

Concentration I haz it

Meep Meep

Almost there...

Wipe out!

MINE

Cool Down...gotta keep those feet in shape and cool the beast off

Such a hard life she has

Athena had a play date sunday

2009-03-17T12:25:00.000-07:00

With this cutie pie! Meet Harley! He is a Lab/Border Collie mix

It was such a blast being around a puppy again. Made me miss the good ole days. Athena had a blast playing with him.

Although she didnt want to share HER Frisbee she showed Mr. Harley the tricks of the trade.

Harley had his own Frisbee though and Surprisingly Athena left it be!

I think Athena really enjoyed having a dog that would chase her around. Most dogs give up after a few rounds, but Harley kept going.
Playing keep away

Funny pic of Athenas tongue

I loved watching Harley stalk athena. He'd crouch down low walk a few steps then plop down as flat as he could. Then do it again until he got close enough to pounce on Athena LOL. I think that is his border collie side coming out for sure!

New Camera!!!!

2009-03-16T14:05:00.000-07:00

I'm psyched! I ordered my newwwww camera yay! The Canon EOS Rebel XS shall be at my door by friday. I would have had free shipping, but that would mean i have to wait until next tuesday. So i paid 5 bucks for 3 day shipping to have it by the weekend! *dances around*

For those who are thinking "A what now?"
http://www.usa.canon.com/consumer/controller?act=ModelInfoAct&fcategoryid=139&modelid=17316

I've been saving and watching the price go down on this bad boy. I don't think they will get any lower then 499 so i snatched it up! I can't wait!!!!

I'll be taking a photo class this summer too so ill really learn how to use it properly!!

Who says little dogs can't do agility?

2009-03-12T08:52:00.000-07:00

Oh...That's right i said that LOL. Stupid Maks proving me wrong!

Who would have thought this sunbathing boy

Would want to do agility? Granted he probably just wanted treats, but i decided to try it with him.

I guess he's not so bad. He did it with out treats later last night. Forgive my makeshift jump i'm making some nice ones this weekend :)

Happiness is.....

2009-03-07T16:11:00.000-08:00

One thing that makes me super happy is hearing from the vet that Athena is one of the most athletic healthy dogs hes seen in a long time! She passed her yearly exam with Flying colors! She even didn't embarrass me at the vets office. She walked nicely at my side and said hello to everyone politely.

Happiness to Athena? Frisbee of course

She is currently 59.1 pounds up from 56.7 when we went in august. My little girl keeps growing!

DNA Results are INNN...Athena Is......

2009-02-16T15:05:00.000-08:00

So a while back...well ever since i got Athena i have wondered what she is. My vet and most of my family and friends think Dobie/Shep.....well the DNA is in baby....Athena is....

The breeds listed on the certificate indicate those that were detected in your dog. They are reported as 5 possible levels to help you understand which breeds are more prevalent in your dog. A current list of the possible breeds detected by this test can be found at our website, www.vetdnacenter.com

Level 1: Over 75% of the DNA found in your dog is contributed from the breed listed
Level 2: Each breed listed contributed 37-74% of your dog's DNA composition
Level 3: Each breed listed contributed 20-36% of your dog's DNA composition
Level 4: Each breed listed contributed 10-19% of your dog's DNA composition
Level 5: Each breed listed contributed less than 10% of your dog's DNA composition

Dalmatian-2
Mastiff-3
German Shepherd Dog-4
Great Pyrenees-4
Yorkshire Terrier-4

Yorkie???Er....okay then....

Pics of the beast

Athena the Klutz

2009-01-28T13:28:00.000-08:00

So night before last Athena was relaxing on the couch with my brother. As i walked into the room he said "Get her". Most normal dogs would get up and come over right???? nope not my dog. she flew out of his lap and into the coffee table. Then proceeded to limp over to me. Goof Ball. Only later did we realize that she took off a chunk of her fur and it was bleeding. Way to go Athena! So i cleaned it up and slathered some bag balm on it and clipped the air around the wound so it can heal nicely.

The Damage

I told her no Frisbee until it scabs over. i don't need dirt getting in an open wound and getting infected. So shes moping around the house and getting all the extra love she can. Kids!

Holy Shoes Batman

2009-01-13T13:36:00.000-08:00

So after reading up on various types of shoes and how they fit etc. I started my journey for a new pair of good all around pair of shoes for my work out ventures... I had long talks with my friends at various fitness levels about my re occurring shin splints and the type of shoes i should get this time around. Since apparently i'm shoe stupid when it comes to running shoes. none i have bought in the past few years don't really work for me.

So off i go to look for a supportive, cushioned shoe. While waiting for my brother to get his hair cut i thought i'd stop into Sports Authority to see what shoes/clothes they have i couldn't live with out. As i walk down the isle of running shoes, squishing and bending all those i pass. I stop at a pink pair....Pink? i normally do not like pink and i resist the urge to pull my hand back. They feel pretty cushiony. I pull out my size and slip them on...... Holy cow oh my friggen god its like walking on PILLOWS!!! So i walk back and forth and around the shoe department seeing if they fit right etc. Put them back in the box and frown as i put my other shoes back on....they are not pillow shoes LOL.

Never thought i'd buy Pink Shoes. I've many color of shoes but never pink. I guess i always associated it with too girly so i stayed away.

That night when i got home i put them on and took Athena for a walk. i did about a half mile and relized that 1. i was walking pretty fast with no shin pain and 2. No hip pain either!

Maybe this whole working out thing can be comfortable after all. Maybe these shoes will be the ones that will help me get back into running and extend Athenas walks a few more miles each day. i swear i vow never to be shoe stupid again. And seriously i wish i could find just the insoles and put them in all my shoes esp my heels!

For the rest of my work out/ food planning. I've been good about sticking to watching my calories and for now walking Athena 4 miles a day (now i can do it faster woot). Its only been a couple of weeks but i' m already down a pound. I've started a written food diary as well and have been eating more fruits and veggies too. I have replaced my mid day coffee with a green ice tea. I'm getting there slowly but surely.

Saturday Morning Walkies

2009-01-11T10:39:00.000-08:00

So yesterday i woke up to a beautiful morning. Then skys were clear and the sun was shining and it was a cool 50 degrees out. So i thought i'd take Athena to the Bird Sanctuary. We had not been there in a while and it is one of her Favorite places to have walks at!

Don Edwards
For those who have never been there i suggest you go first with out the doggies, since they aren't allowed into the visitors center, and then with the doggies! They are not allowed off leash but its fun none the less! A great place for anything from biking, hiking to running along the salt ponds!

Athena loves to watch the birdies

Sniff where others have been

Run around

And enjoy the sun

Though the bridge (dumbarton) is right next to it the place is still so peaceful. i love going out there and just sitting. Sometimes i take a book and just read :)

When i got home Athena was not tired. So i made her sit for some pics..

well then the dog started barking so the next one i got was this

Winter Wonderland

2009-01-06T09:38:00.000-08:00

As i was scanning through my snow trip pictures. It made me want to live in the snow. Although many people would probably think i am crazy and maybe i am, but the snow to me is so beautiful! How it hangs on trees, rests on boulders or how the snow kicks up in the wind like a dust storm. All of it is just breath taking :)
Pinecrest, CA

Along 108

My dad and brothers

Me and my brother Alex

My dad, me and my brother Alex

Goals for 2009

2009-01-05T09:35:00.000-08:00

I call them goals because resolutions tend to fail. I don't have many per say but here are a few that i want to concentrate on.

Personal Goals

Getting in shape- Now i know that this is probably everyone's goal every year, but im honestly sick of being over weight. Nothing fits and i feel like crap. Plus ever since i started continually working out last semester my migraines have lessened! Radical concept right? Although i got them just as bad when i was in shape. So maybe my body will decide to like me from now on LOL.
Eat better- this goes along with the whole getting in shape
Get a better control on my migraines- for many years my migraines have come and gone. Some are easy to deal with and some not so much. I've learned many things that trigger them and things that tend to keep them at bay.
Learn more about photography- I have signed up for a class and will be getting a newer cooler more advanced camera. I really love photography and can not wait to advance my skills. Who knows maybe just maybe I'll be famous one day LOL. i already have a few friends and family who want me to print, sign and frame a few photos ive taken.
Work on scheduling- I know most people would say "why schedule your life away? dont be such a stick in the mudd" etc. This semester i am taking 2 online classes. So for me i have to get back into scheduling my time. Not just for my grades but for my own sanity. Ever try busting ass on a weeks worth of work 3 hours before midnight? I did that before and trust me it sucks. If i make a schedule and stick to it i not only get my work done, but i also have free time or what i like to call "me time" *gasp*.

Doggie Goals

Why doggie goals you ask? Well i do want to improve on Athenas skills as a whole. Most who know me know that i can be a little obsessive about my dog. And i think this year is just going to make it a little worse then usual LOL.

Walking at a heel with a flat collar- i got her this spiffy new leather collar and i'd like to use it and not have to poke new holes in it because she stretched it out. So far she can walk at a heel with no distractions, but once something catches her attention she loses her flat collar walking zone.
Make my dog bi-lingual- why you ask? Well mainly for my amusement, but also when i use German she tends to pay more attention to me. Maybe its because i put more firmness behind the language then i do in English. Whatever reason i have noticed using German make her "work" better. So far she has Sitz and Platz down to a T onto other words! Plus it makes me brush up on my foreign language skills
Go to At least a few Frisbee Trails- Athena LOVES her Frisbee and i want to get her out to a few trails or fun days.
Begin basic agility- Agility has always been a basic goal for Athena. Shes fast, smart, agile and now that she has good recall skills and adult focus (well most of the time) i would like to get her into something that challenges her more!

OK so there you have it my Goals for the Year. As i was re reading i was thinking to my self "Is that too little? or is it too much?" But i think for now those goals are something i can do and work with. Maybe i'll add some more through out the year, but right now those are what i want to work on no matter what 2009 brings me.

Here is to 2009 being one kick ass year!! To those who also have goals/resolutions i wish you luck!

Snow? snow snow snow

2009-01-02T08:35:00.000-08:00

I took Miss Athena up to the Snow over Christmas weekend. She was hopping around and running through the snow like a champ. At one point both of her front legs were sunken but her butt was in the air. She wiggled her butt and then stomped her back legs down and poof! she was free and running around like mad...where was my camera during this time? In my pack of course LOL. It is kinda hard to hold your camera while wading through thigh deep snow. Next time...next time....

After i told her to "Freeze" since she was about to run after a bird on ice

Nala my dads old dog (13) enjoying the welcomed icey snow for her joints

Only Sad thing is there should be 3 times that much snow at this point in the year :( Hopefully we shall get it! California needs it badly!

Look out Tyra

2008-12-23T08:55:00.000-08:00

you have competition on the cat walk....

Here with have Athena modeling the lastest fashions in winter wear. Please note the striking colors that not only are complimentary to her coloring but they are great for safety purposes.

The hood is fashioned to allow the wearer a full range of vision while keeping her ears warm and toasty.

The non binding sleeves will provide hours of warm comfort while frolicing in the winter wonderlands.

Of course we all have to note that Athena has been waiting for this day...she is known only by her first name, just like Prince, Maddona and now ATHENA !!

Thank you to our Friend Sodas Mommie for the awesome commentary!

Temporary Guest in the Smith House

2008-12-18T15:33:00.000-08:00

Meet Caya

I'm holding her until the weekend so she can go back to where she came from originally in 2005. She was adopted out and then recently dropped at my Local shelter. So i offered to pull her and drive her to Modesto this weekend.

She is a sweetie pie. Just isn't compatible with my crew 100%. Athena is a in your face rough and tumble, bark and wrestle with me dog. Caya Not so much. Even my moms dog was trying to get her to play and she snapped at him for trying. So for now she stays on the dog bed (which she loves) and Athena and maks sit on the couch staring her down wondering why she isn't like them LOL.

Hopefully she will find a owner who will put some time into her. she needs obedience training to keep her from jetting off when the door opens and basic manors. She does know how to sit though that's a plus right? haha

Athenas "your not replacing me are you?" Look

Maks "i don't know about that one auntie"

Some times i forget how difficult it can be to find compatible dogs to live together. I've been lucky to find dogs willing to put up with Athenas rough and tumble antics or dogs who are just like her....

Helloooo Santa

2008-12-15T08:28:00.000-08:00

I want lick you. You taste good, why does your beard move when i lick you? Is it a toy? You are moving do you want to play? I love the santa whats under your hat?Are there treats? Why was there flash? Hey Santa..how do you know my name? I'm a good girl. I want ALL the toys here.

End product

Santa looks a little weary of such an inquisitive dog :)

Young Lady

2008-12-08T10:10:00.000-08:00

Two years ago roughly i went to a ladys house who had a litter of oops puppies. I wasnt hopeful i would find anything. I had been searching for a pup for a while and for some reason her ad caught my eye. As i sifted through the puppies. One kept crawling into my lap wanting only to be with me. When i put her down she proceeded to chew and pull on the back of my scrubs. I looked at my friend who came with me and we both just smiled. I scooped her up and took her home. In reality looking back she was probably a easy puppy. Picking up new tricks and commands like a pro. What i got is one Kick ass dog.

Happy Early Birthday Athena

First day i got her home

First Bath

Big girl Pic

Precious Frisbeeeeee

Mt girl through and through

O where O where did my little dog go?? Here she is not so little anymore!

Go Frolic in the catnip Fields and be at peace

2008-12-05T08:18:00.000-08:00

Howard was one kick ass cat. I got him From my ex who no longer wanted to keep him for what ever reasons. i fell in love with him while we were dating and told my ex he was not allowed to take Howard to the pound because i will take him. The first few days he just hid under my bed. Wondering if it was safe this new place, with new smells and people. After a few days it was his house. He was a mischievous cat, stealing my keys and hiding them, slippers etc. When Athena came along he taught her all the tricks of the trade, Opening doors, getting out of her crate, innocent yet guilty looks. Howard was my best friend, my cuddle buddy, my confidant and my cat. I miss my boy 15lbs of lovin!

December 15, 2007 one of the hardest nights of my life. I came home to blood and urine everywhere and my big man looking at me like "mom i can't do this anymore." Howard my big cat had re blocked only after a week of being home from unblocking him. I called an e-vet in fremont that we took our dog in the past too. They told me to take my time making my way to the office. So i sat on the ground crying and talking to him in my room. Apologizing for not being able to make him better. i blamed my self. Maybe if i had more money to spend, maybe if i hadn't fed him that food, maybe maybe maybe. But this wasn't about me anymore. It was about my cats quality of life. And as much as i loved him. i couldn't put him through anymore pain. I've had enough bladder infections to know they are very painful, but a urinary blockage? i can not imagine what type of pain he was going through.

I packed Howard up into his crate as well as Athena his partner in crime and best friend and went on my way to the Evet in Fremont. Why Fremont since the San Leandro vet was much closer? I didn't like how they treated me when i took him in when he first blocked and i wanted his passing to be a peaceful and stress free event. On the long journey to the Vet Athena cried the whole time and curled her self around Howard's crate. How could i take her best friend away? After all i think she is more cat then dog sometimes. When they first met he wasn't too found of her, but before long he was talking to her and coming to get me when she was doing something not to his liking. They played like they had known each other forever. They had a bond i hadn't seen between a cat and dog. Maybe because Howard was part dog? He came when he was called, played fetch with his ball and LOVED his belly rubbed. As we pulled into the parking lot. i just sat in the space and cried. People pulled up next to me and knocked on my window asking if i was ok. I told them no, but thank you for the concern and i had a sick cat that i was brining in to be put down. They gave their condolences and went on their way. I gathered up both howard and Athena. And despite her normal out of control self when she was in new places. Athena was extremely calm by my side wanting to be as close to her friend as possible.

I sucked it up long enough to check into the office and wait for the doctor. This sweet lady (i can't remember her name) who i remember from when my old dog lucy was sick came out and we sat and talked about everything he had gone through in the last month. I told her that it was just not fair to put him through anymore pain. She supported me in every way possible. I am truly greatful for her support through this. She took Howard back and put in his iv and brought him back to me to say my final good byes. I let Athena say good bye as well she was sitting next to my legs leaning on me. She gave me a look of udder confusion as to why i'm crying and why her best friend was just laying there. The doctor came back in asking if it was time. I nodded yes. She sat on the ground and administered the meds to send him on his way. With his final breath Howard put his head on my leg and just sighed. At that moment the doctor said " Go frolic in the catnip fields and be at peace." And i lost it. The doctor squeezed my hand and left me to my grieving. I whispered a prayer and told my granma to look after him and that he loved to be petting and have his belly rubbed. I stood up and reached for the door. Before i opened it. i said one last good bye and attempted to walk out. I was stopped not by my own self, but by Athena. she was confused as to why we were leaving her best friend, her partner in crime, her big brother. I told her that it was time for him to go home to my granma. She turned and looked at him walked over and gave him one more kiss. Then she looked at me not with a confused face, but acceptance like she knew Howard had left. I left the office with a weak smile trying to keep the receptionist from crying after she saw Athena's reaction. There was a new client waiting to be seen. All they saw was a girl crying her eyes out walking out with a perfectly health puppy and the look on their face was confusion. I hope that someone explained to them as to why i was crying because i just couldn't. A few weeks later i sent a Thank you card to the clinic with a picture of Howard thanking them for having such compassion during a time where i was falling apart inside from loosing my best friend. To this day Athena will look around if i say his name. Makes me cry every time.

RIP big man Mommie will always miss you so will Athena.

Pet my Belly

I'm so cute

Best Friends

Behave Big Man

Schedules

2008-12-03T08:17:00.001-08:00

It's amazing how altering your daily schedule puts a kink into your body. When i had to commute 25 miles each way i had a strict schedule. I lived on my own with no one to mess up my sleep schedule. My roommates kept to themselves. Now that i live with my mom its a whole other way of living. I got use to sleeping in to the last min then rushing around the house. Though Athena had me up by 5am every day i went back to sleep after i let her out in the back yard rather then taking her for a mile walk. I didn't realize how this messes with my energy and mental alertness though out the day. And now that i am on some migraine prevention pills that make me even more groggy if i don't eat or sleep, i decided i needed to get back on a schedule again.

So last night after getting home from Athena's training class. I wound down. Had some tea, watched my favorite show (NCIS) and got ready for bed. I was in bed and out light a light by 9:45pm. I set my alarm for 6am and told my self that Athena would go back to sleep if i ignored her.She needs to get back on a schedule as well. And when the alarm went off it woke both Athena and I up. I guess she was tried from class since she tries to get me up at 5am most days LOL. I let her out to potty and fed her and sat down with come coffee to read through the Safeway ad. To my surprise Athena came into the living room and curled up on the couch next to me instead of going back to bed with my mom, her granma. Of course i couldn't help cuddling her for a a few before getting into the shower and leaving early for work.

So far i'm feeling pretty good. Not sluggish or anything. I stopped by walfart to get some vitamins since i haven't taken any in a while and i thought that maybe another reason for my tiredness was not only the pills or lack of sleep, but maybe i was not getting what i needed out of my food. So Vitamins it is. I do not mind taking them since i use to take them daily and felt awesome when i took them. Silly body why must you be so complicated?

Over weekend i plan on sitting down and writing out my schedule. This will help me stick to my goals of working out and more importantly sleep.