Happy New Year!!

Wishing you all a happy and safe New Year's Eve and a wonderful start to 2010!

Ryker's Lame Christmas Present

Ryker received his Christmas present yesterday. And, boy was it lame.

You ask what it is?

It was a biannual trip to the veterinarian! Woohooo!

He was due for some vaccinations, but I also needed to go to get his tooth checked out. As some of you may have seen on facebook, Ryker decided he wanted to eat through the fence again while Joe and I were gone at a Christmas presentation. In his escape attempt, he chipped off a large chunck of his upper right canine. I was NOT a happy momma...many tears...many, many tears.

So, the doc checked him out. Said his tooth looked like it was ok so far, just something we have to watch and see to make sure it doesn't get infected or he does more damage to it since it there isn't much there to take much more. =( Poor pupster.

We also chatted about the reason behind his crazy behavior, and after chatting a bit and going over Ryker's history (including the weird seizure thing he had sever months ago), we decided that we would try a medicine to help with his separation anxiety. A few dogs in the study suffered seizures, so this was a concern. But we both agreed that what he goes through daily is not that much better.

So, after a costly little visit including the vaccines, heartworm, and new medicine we left and I rewarded my little dog with a nice visit to the park.

I would like to ask you all to pray for little Ryker as we start this new medicine and hope for good results and good health!

Oh, and don't worry...we have some treats for Ryker's stocking! =)

O'Christmas Party - Oh, What a Great Time!

Last night, we celebrated the Christmas season with our second annual O'Christmas Party!

After lots of cleaning and cooking, Joe and I got to enjoy the best part! Our family and friends.

We had a great time feasting and talking. This year we also had quite the entertainment with four kids under 3! They all behaved wonderfully and charmed everyone!

Thank you all to our wonderful friends, we do feel blessed! And if you weren't here, don't worry, we still love you too!

Wishing all of you a happy Christmas time with your family and friends!

Frustrations in the Ease of Home Delivery

It's Christmas time.

That means for most of us that we are dabbling in the trend of online shopping. Oh, it sounds so promising. Search, find, click, save, ship. You can find bargains online, true, and sometime score the occassional free shipping too if you do it right.

Sounds so great...

THEN comes the Dance of the Delivery Services.

You don't know if it's coming FedEx, UPS or USPS. For some reason, some will be left on the door step, some require signatures, some get hung up in customs. And of course if you're not there when those dudes come, you gotta start tracking them down before they take your package back ever so rudely!

Why can you not schedule when you get delivered to. And why do they think someone will always be home on a Tuesday at 2 p.m. to sign for something?

Ugh, what a lovely little holiday tradition.

But it saves us time, right?

Right?

Is this thing on?

Oh well...Merry Shipping

Beatles Mania -- in Spanx!

I had a glimpse of what it must be like for pop stars and their crazed fans. Young girls crowding together just to get a glimpse of Paul or John. The screaming, the cheering, the clapping, the sheer amount of people.

This was a Christmas gift from Lydia.

She so innocently gave me a cookbook, but what came along next was, well, read for yourself...

You see, this wasn't just your run of the mill Betty Crocker cookbook. No, this was the first ever, first edition The Pioneer Woman cookbook.

The Pioneer Woman is a wonderful 'little' blog I read almost daily. She's a self-proclaimed accidental country girl who found herself living on a family-run cattle ranch in Oklahoma with her personal Marlboro Man and 4 punks of their own.

She writes of their ranch lives, cows, silly dogs, family, photography, real-people cooking, home schooling and just fun things. I enjoy it...and well, it seems so do A LOT of other people.
As part of the release of her first cookbook, her publishers have sent her on a book tour that PW herself has deemed the "Griswold (Drummond) Family Book Trip." And while winging their way across the country, they decided to stop in at a Dallas Borders.And that's where we went!

Lyd and I put the puppy out in the cold, bundled up and headed over around 5 p.m. to get the lay of the land before she showed up at 7 p.m. for the signing. We were doing so good. All early and everything. We went to the store, asked around and received 2 pink wrist bands, and were informed we'd be called by color groups. Awesome! Let's go eat.

We hit up a great pizza place right down the way and enjoyed a personal favorite of mine, pepperoni and black olive! So, after chatting and finishing up we headed back over, thought we might grab a coffee and see what we had to see.

What we had to see were LOTS and LOTS of ladies, babies, a few stray husbands and grandads...THIS STORE WAS PACKED!!!
Oh Lordy! What have we gotten into.

Around 6:30 they started calling color groups to line up! What, you mean we don't get to hear her talk or anything? NOPE!

There were 3 groups in front of us. Each consisting of about 100 people we were told. WHAT!? And there were at least 3 groups behind us that we knew about!! So on the shy side, there were 7 hundred crazy people in that store that night!

So, we began our wait. We were standing for quite a while till we decided that was just stupid. So we sat, and waited and waited. We were rewarded with a small treat seeing Ree, PW herself, and her two cute girls released from their holding sell in the back of the store.
After that...we waited...and waited.

Lyd and I talked, enjoyed some coffees and started meeting the people around us. Niccole and Jen were two cute friends who had come together. Sydney was in front of them and later joined by her sister Sarah...and their very tired and over stimulated children. There was a very kind grandpa behind me. And these were our friend for the next 4 HOURS!
Over the next 4-plus hours:
- We found Religion. See, right there...we were camped out here for most of our time. The line did NOT move for at least two hours...maybe God was teaching us patience -- in the religion section.- We learned names, names of children, proper cloth diaper care, birthing philosophies.
(I tuned out on several occasions to save my sanity.)
- Lyd and I looked at author names and tried to come up with good baby names. Somehow Erasmus and Attilla were nixed by my good friend.
- We took turns going to the bathroom.
- We got our coffee/hot chocolate and a delightful apple tart.
- I went with Jen and Niccole to cheat and get the PW girls to sign our books so we could insure getting a t-shirt.
(Those country kids just weren't ready for our wily city ways. Just kidding, they were delightful, gracious and having way too much fun not sitting in a line.)
- We almost had a riot on hand when a woman, a Plano principle of some sort, behind us almost lost it over more yellows getting in line before us. She didn't like the Borders employee's explanation that they got their arm bands first so they could do that. Really, don't you teach this stuff in school lady? Calm down! It's ok!
- We were bombarded with children up WAY past their bed time, given coke and not completely supervised. Ugh. Take deep breaths. It's ok. But really, isn't that what dads or baby sitters are for?
When we finally did start moving, we started moving at a good pace. Around 10:45 we were in site of the table. We felt so proud. We felt so accomplished.

It was almost our turn. I handed my book over, complete with my name post-it so she'd spell it right. We waited. We met, we said it was so nice to meet you. A girl came back, crowded in and asked another question...that's fine. But then the grandpa came up before we got our picture. NOOOO. We waited this long! We're getting a picture!!!

So, I politely asked if he could wait a sec, he did (he's a nice grandpa), the Borders guy snapped a pic...we said goodbye.
That was it! Our 2-second brush with fame!

Perhaps not quite what we were expecting, but it was definitely an experience we will both never forget.

We drove home giddy and a little drunk with exhaustion. I loaded up my pal with a Dr Pepper and said good bye. I came inside to my nice warm house knowing I have a great friend, a great husband for letting me do things like this, a signed cookbook, a t-shirt and a silly story to tell!

Off to pick a recipe!


**The Spanx refers to a comment Ree makes about herself on her many public appearances.

Adventures of No, No, Bad Dog - The Thanksgiving Edition

Hello dear readers,

It is I, No, No, Bad Dog returning for another enjoyable installment of my latest trials and tribulations.

As you all are aware of last week we celebrated a delectable holiday called Thanksgiving. I will refer to this as the Feast of the Big Bird!

My parents made the silly decision to leave me to visit Leanna's folks in Houston. I am not allowed to go, something about allergies and fencing not up to puppy code. So, for my first night of alone-ness, they left me at Doggie's Wonderland.

Oh, you'd think I'd have a great time frolicking and romping with 30-plus dogs my size also left over the Feast of the Big Bird. Truth is, you'd be right -- BUT WE'RE NOT GOING TO TELL THE PARENTS THAT...GOT IT!?

I was picked up the next day by my aunt, Sarah, and you know what...they didn't even give her my leash! Said I didn't have one or something (we picked it up yesterday, my mom takes care of me!). So she has to get me to her car on a busy road with dogs barking and no leash...thank you, Sarah!

And so began my stay with the grandfolks and the cousin pups, Baily and Ursa. We had a good time. On a few occasions I had to go back to stay at my house while they ran errands because their new fence isn't quite Ryker-tested just yet. I was super excited the first time they dropped me off thinking Mom and Dad were home. THEY WERE NOT! The next time, I was not so excited, so when they showed up to pick me back up, I leaped into the car and told them to take me home and LOVE ME!!

Now, here's where it gets good peeps! On one such day when we were all at home, the grandfolks went inside to clean up a bit from all of our adventures in their massive yard! When they returned a while later, I was NOWHERE in site! NOWHERE!

The panic set in. They surveyed the yard. They saw no holes. No boards missing. They called, and nothing! Where did I go!!?? (teehee, if only they knew.)

Ursa and Bailey just set there looking at them giving away nothing of my secret. They decided that I must have scaled the fence and made a break for home. So they both jumped in their cars and headed over...only no pupster.

After an hour or two of searching the neighborhoods in two cars and talking to my dad, they decided to come home and search one more time there. My dad said if they were home and the garage door was open, I wouldn't leave. He was right...but not in the obvious way.

Holly checked upstairs and the attic -- nothing. Jim decided to try calling again...and that's where he heard my sad little whine.

He called again and finally realized I was under the deck in the back yard. Not just with my head stuck, butt in the air, but UNDER THE DECK. IN THE MIDDLE.

-- Here's the deck!--

See, I was on an adventure and I just couldn't manage to turn around and get back out, so I just stayed. Jim rescued me by unscrewing a few boards, and out I popped. I was fine, really, just a little stuck!

Really, what was all the fuss about?

Between the grandparents and dad, they decided not to tell mom. But someone let it slip out, and my story was told. I didn't get into too much trouble, but they did tell me not to do it again.

I'll do my best, but sometimes it's just hard!

Stay tuned for my next adventure! Who knows what can happen over Christmas, right!?

Thanksgiving Anecdotes

A few Thanksgiving thoughts to put you in the holiday spirit:
(thanks dad)

"When I was a kid in Indiana, we thought it would be fun to get a turkey a year ahead of time and feed it and so on for the following Thanksgiving.
But by the time Thanksgiving came around, we sort of thought of the turkey as a pet, so we ate the dog. Only kidding. It was the cat."
- David Letterman

"At Thanksgiving, my mom always makes too much food, especially one item, like 700 or 800 pounds of sweet potatoes. She's got to push it during the meal. 'Did you get some sweet potatoes? There's sweet potatoes. They're hot. There's more in the oven, some more in the garage. The rest are at the Johnson's.'"
- Louie Anderson

"We're having something a little different this year for Thanksgiving. Instead of a turkey, we're having a swan. You get more stuffing."
- George Carlin

Couponing...

Couponing - a way of life for some; a trivial waste of time for others - which are you?

After enjoying our lovely dinner out on the town with my sissy and bro-in-law WITH OUR COUPON we all commented that we enjoyed saving money with our coupons!
We enjoyed two steak dinners at Roadhouse for a whopping $15.

So it got me thinking, do others of you dine with coupons? Do you clip coupons from the Sunday paper? Where do you find your savings?

I subscribe to most e-blasts from the stores and restaurants I frequent and end up getting some very good deals. Especially around Christmas and birthdays.

I used to get the paper every other Sunday and enjoy a lazy afternoon of paroozing the ads and clipping coupons. However, when the Dallas Morning News hit $3 or $3.50 for a Sunday paper, I've since quit.

I guess if I am doing my couponing diligently and remembering to bring them to the store, I would recoup the cost, but I haven't quite been able to do that.

Would love to hear from you where you find your savings and if you have some good places online, we'll add a few links!

Go Carl! Go!

Go Carl! Go!

I guess it has been about a year since we planted Carl, and let me tell you he is doing a fabulous job. When the trees started changing colors, Carl was still green. But as we headed into November, I saw a miraculous change! No longer just green-leafed, Carl was morphing into a beautiful orange and red fall maple tree!

Here's a few pics highlighting Carl's fanciful fall coat!

Silly...

One thing Ryker Hasn't done yet...

see more dog and puppy pictures

To Those Without Pets

To those without pets, you should get one.

HOW, unless your apartment makes it ridiculously expensive to have one or your parents forbid you, do you not have a pet?
They are so neat! They are so fun! They are so silly! They are so loud!

They are so loving. They are so friendly. They are so caring. They are so concerned.

They smile. They snuggle. They ignore you. They laugh at you (you know they do). They kiss you.

If you don't have one, you need one. Adopt an instant best friend, it's pretty cool!

Knowing One's Limitations...

I really should know better.

I really should remember my limitations.

But I get frustrated.

I can do NOTHING in a straight line. Walk - no. Cut - no. Draw - no. Drive - best of all (thank you power steering).

Ugh, I'm trying my hand at a patchwork blanket. I see so many beautiful creations out there in the blogosphere. I think, "Dude, I can totally do that." (yes, dude) So I bust out my little scraps, trace my square, cut, sew. Noooo....

Why don't they match up? Why? You're all supposed to be the same size! I use the same seam allowance? What are you doing to me!? Arg.

Let the seam ripping ensue. =(

Nubs: A True Story of a Mutt, a Marine and a Miracle

I remember hearing about this story a while back -- A Marine stationed in Iraq comes across some street dog with nubs for ears (someone along the way had cut them off). He and his buddies spend time playing with the dog and working with the dog while they are in the area for a patrol. What comes after that is truly a heart-warming story of love and determination from Marine AND Mutt!

Major Brian and Nubs!

Happy Birthday!

This weekend is my dad's 60th birthday!

He was born on November 1st - All Saints' Day.

Yes, I too get a great, wonderful laugh out of that little fact each and every year! Ha!

Happy Birthday Daddio!
We love you!

Road Crossing Anxiety

Let's face it. I am a bit of a jay walker. I think designated crossings are for sissies.

But after seeing this article, about some Canadian 'deer,' I may be mending my ways. I WILL be looking at ALL angles before stepping out in fear of coming face to face with one of these mutant cousins of Bambi!
And that's all I have to say about that! You've been warned.

Monday Musings

Fill in the Blank Fun:

Found this and thought it was pretty amusing, so here you go!

1. If I was on a first date with someone and s/he ordered a sparkling water or something completely off the menu with thirty nine substitutions because he's allergic, I would probably end the date early.
2. When I’m sick I really want someone to make sure I have tissues, medicine and a book, then turn the lights off and leave me alone to die.
3. I know that some people really love collecting figurines, but I don’t understand how they spend so much money on it.
4. I know that some people think I’m crazy for spending so much money on stationery and paper products, but I really love them.
5. I’m so glad that I’ve outgrown plaid shirts and bad short haircuts since high school.
6. I am living proof that the stereotype about Baptists isn’t always accurate.
7. I know that it is a made-up word; but frelling! is a permanent part of my vocabulary.
8. I can’t wait for Roomie Reunion '09 next week!
   
9. The most common misconception about me is that I am the 'quiet one.'
   
10. I wish I wouldn’t wimp out on things, but sometimes I just can’t stop myself.
11. If I never heard the word (or phrase) John and Kate again, it would still be too soon.
12. I have a hidden talent for having the uncanny ability to know where other people left their things, but NOT my own that no one would ever expect of me.
13. I am not a fan of extraordinary rendition; but if it were to take place for crimes against ridiculously priced items that only ensue wanting then Pottery Barn execs should be the first person(s) on the plane to Guantanamo.

NNO and the Return of Boxer Lady

So last night was National Night Out..and being 'good neighbors', we had to participate. This is an event for neighbors to meet each other and to kick crime out by knowing your neighbors and your surroundings.

We headed out a bit late because Joe was finally able to prepare the flower beds for his EIGHT new blueberry plants. In the meantime, he was chastised several times for not making an appearance yet! (You see, we are on the end of the alley on the end of the street where the event was being held.) But we did make it out with the pupster and met a few of our neighbors we knew and a few we didn't, including several of Ryker's neighborhood barking buddies.

As the evening was winding down, I saw a reddish dog come running along without his person. I had put up Ryker a few minutes before, because it was just getting too much for him. So, of course I was thinking this is our Houdini dog...

It wasn't, it was our neighbors from behind. She went to go sniff out a little white dog...and then...it happened. Barking, growling, biting, yelping, crying...ugh. Big Red tried to take down little white dog.

And the first one on the scene to give her two bits, yep, Boxer Lady. After talking with Big Red's owner later, it seems Boxer Lady offered her services to the little white dog's person as an eye witness to the aggressive attack. Even to go so far as to give up her own terrifying account pointing to us, as Joe tells me later.

REALLY??? Really? Why do some people always have to be up in your business when unpleasant things happen? Why do they want to continue the unpleasantness? Why not offer your assistance, see if the dogs are ok and go from there? Why is it always a jump to, "Don't worry, we'll make them pay for being horrible human beings?"

After talking with Joe later, I had to calm myself down and just remember that God charges us to love all people. Even less-than-loving neighbors.

But this National Night Out did end on a high note. We did meet a good chunk of our neighbors. We did get to see a bike cop motorcycle and fire engine up close. But the best was when one of our neighbors asked the cop to go knock on her door and interrogate her 16-yr-old about driving with too many people in the car. Oh, it was so mean, but wow, what an awesome prank. And by your own mom! Priceless!

Happy...whatever...

For the past several years holidays have been getting funnier and funnier. And not always in a good way.

Is there a reason we need to start stocking up on our Halloween decorations in August? I get the Christmas in July concept, but not actual Christmas in July.

And don't even get my started on people combining things, watering down things or just tossing things out all together because they are no longer P.C.

So when I saw this card the other day in my inbox, I just had to laugh.
Merry Everything!

WWWWHHHAAAA????!!!!

Well, there you go folks...Merry Everything...from your friends, The O...oh, who cares...

I miss this.

I miss this.
I do.
I don't think I took enough advantage while we were there to really just sit and enjoy God's amazing creations.
Anyone have a few bucks I could borrow to go back???

Along Came a Spider

The other day, Ryker and I were returning from a walk when I saw something glinting in the morning light beside our fence."Oh," I thought, "a beautiful spider web!"

THEN I LOOKED CLOSER!
A beautiful spider web holding a spider big enough to strangle ME AND RYKER in just a few short seconds. So, I casually high-tailed it back inside and called Joe to let him know I had a job for him later. He's thinking, oh, silly Leanna...she's afraid of a bug.

Most of you know I am not the biggest fan of bugs, but I usually do not go running for the hills when I see them later. He should have known something bigger was afoot, or perhaps, atalon!

My knight came home. We armed ourselves with our trusty weapons. He a can of wasp spray and a shovel. Me my camera and my dog! This sucker was huge! He was at least 5 inches all the way around, with a long thin body, half black, half orange legs and pointy talons. He was the stuff of nightmares!
Joe then threw down his gauntlet and let the beast have it. His spray was mightier than the web, and we finished him off with the shovel...beacuse I WAS NOT taking any chances with this one!
...later while reading my Country Living it had an article about gardening and had a feature of some spider that was harmless and usually showed up in gardens. It looks ever so much like our beast. But you know, I feel better knowing he is not hanging around our house any more!

ICK!

DOUBLE ICK!

AND GOOD RIDDANCE!