Patience and Understanding

These are two things I'm usually good at but I have encountered the one person who tries both of these for both me and for Ryker.

You may have heard me speak of her before. I shall call her Boxer Lady. She does not like us.

Way back when, when we first got Ryker, he was accompanying me to the car and caught a wiff of Boxer Lady and Boxer Dog. (she has a boxer, an 80+ lb male boxer). Ryker sprinted after them a little ways down from our house on the sidewalk. From the time I made it from the door to the dogs, they were growling and snapping. She then proceded to lambast me up oneside and down the other. Neat.

Anywhoo, since then, Joe and I have tried saying hi and waving to Boxer Lady and Boxer Dog when we see them. We get nothing in return. PERHAPS a look of disgust, but usually just a head down and move to the other side of the street.

Joe and I went garage sale hopping last Saturday and hit one up directly behind our house a bit. We left Ryker in the car and he started barking. Joe went to check on him only to report that Boxer Lady and Boxer Dog were walking by. He also noted that Boxer Lady stopped and looked like she was going to say something to Joe, but shook her head and kept walking.

THEN today, Ryker and I were saying goodbye to Joe as he left for the day. I usually wave from the poarch and Ryker eats leaves (don't ask me, I have no clue). But today, he caught a wiff and Joe did not warn us from his vantage point of the street. You guessed it. Boxer Lady and Boxer Dog.

Ryker started sprinting and whining. Joe and I both called. He stopped and started coming back where I grabbed his collar and said good dog as we went back to the house. (Please note, that Ryker DID listen and didn't leave our property! Go Ryk!) Meantime Boxer Lady has the look of fear in her eyes and is jerking up on 80 lb Boxer Dog's leash (also note that Ryk is 40 lbs and a head shorter). UGHHH!

This is the only dog Ryker has ever shown aggression towards and I believe it is because they tussled, the boxer is a bigger dog, he's protecting me and his territory AND most of all, they've never been introduced properly.

This lady grates at me. She makes me mad and sad. And the only conversations I've had with her is when she's yelling at me or accusing me. I try to be nice, I try to smile. But I think I am over it. AND if we're such the spawns of satan that we seem to be, why does she keep walking by our house??

It is silly I know. But I pray about it and just hope that God shows me what he'll have me do. In the meantime, I hope I just don't have to see her. Boo.

Go watch it!

You need to.
You really do.

This was such a fun movie. Joe and I went on a little date the other week after getting to meet our new friend Baby Jacob.

I am a super fan of Pixar (although our relationship was a little diminished by Wall-E).
UP focuses on Carl, a crotchety old man being forced from his home by urban sprawl, but decides to take matters into his own hands and goes UP! During the first half of the movie, we learn Carl's back story and understand why he is the way he is. But the rest of the movie is a hilarious, touching and imaginative adventure story. The cast of characters also includes the endearing wilderness scout Russell, crazy Kevin and lovable Dug.

Action, adventure, family, friends and REALLY funny circumstances makes for a great movie to be enjoyed by all. Go see it! You'll be glad you did!

The Back Yard - Agains...

Just an update on the goings-on of our backyard. You may remember the images a while back of the strange concrete objects. Well, Joe put them to good use constructing our deck while I was gone with the sister to her shower in our home town.

After a few days, we're almost finished. And when the boards are all laid out, we'll stain it and be good to go.

Our handy-dandy site supervisor surveying Joe's work...he says it's good to go.

Only a few more boards left, then we can party! Ryker's just happy he has another perch!
We also moved around a rose bush that we were sure was about to kick the bucket, but as you can see, our little yellow rose of Texas did us proud! Way to go little one!

Wasn't this a cool picture. The light was just so beautiful this morning and I figured out how to get the sun flare when I wanted it!

Happy Day to You!

Lucky 200!

Can you believe it? I've made it to my 200th post. And sadly not much to say.

Except, Sew Mama Sew...excellent giveaway. I actually won something...a few something. Crazy! There are some amazingly creative people out there who are wonderful enough to share their craftiness and their passion with the world. It's a good thing. Handmade things with love are the best -- especially when they are cute to boot! Thank you to all the talented crafters who participated!

Also, my mom told me the other day that one of our faithful neighborhood cats has been having a hard go of it lately. He's about 12 yrs or so, and life may just be catching up to him. So in honor of Wilbur the Wondercat, I thought I would share a few of these with you: