Empty crate

Today was the day. Today was the day we were supposed to bring home Gumbo.

But, there is an empty crate sitting in my office. No new dog smell for Doodle the Poodle to find...

We went to pick him up....the over worked people at the Poodle Rescue accidentally told us he was heart worm free.

But, when we went to pick him up, the vet tech came out from the back and started giving me instructions on the heart worm treatment.

My eyes filled with tears....not necessarily for me....but, for the dog and for my kid.

She has been talking about it for weeks. Planning, shopping, name choosing. And here I was with a brand new plaid collar with a name tag on it and I didn't have the "all healthy" dog I thought I was going to get.

He will be treated for heart worms....but our family can't provide the "quiet and calm" atmosphere he needs during his recovery. A 1 1/2 year old dog and a 3 1/2 year old kid leave no room for calm.

Standard Poodles are hard to find to adopt. I am confident he will find a wonderful home.

Still searching...and will just be patient for the right dog.

it's official

The name is official.

"Gumbo"

I will be the owner of not just one 50 pound Poodle tomorrow....but TWO.

Seems like just yesterday I traveled down the highway with a perfectly groomed champion blood line 12 week old Standard Poodle on my lap.

Tomorrow....I will be traveling down the highway with a scroungy, shaved, previously matted, sun bleached, Standard Poodle in the back of my station wagon and have no clue about his pedigree.

::Knock, Knock!:: Is Allison there? HELLO!? Has anyone seen Allison?

All kidding aside...all calling me crazy aside....all making fun of me aside....and all just calling me plain nuts.... ;)

We are looking forward to introducing Doodle the Poodle to Gumbo. I am sure the next month will be interesting.

Fingers crossed all the episodes of The Dog Whisperer that I have watched actually pay off. ;)

a new friend

Each day brings the Shorty family closer to being a little more crazy than we already are.

You see....we adopted a dog (pending a vet check, neuter job, and that the pup isn't playing host to any legless organisms.)

This scroungy looking dog is named Chopper. He is from Louisiana. He has not been given the best life....but seems to be the sweetest dog.

Adding a second dog to our family has been on our minds for 6 months I guess....and we finally decided to opt for a rescue dog instead of another puppy.

Standard Poodles seem to be the only canine that fits here....I like big dogs and Shorty is allergic to most all dogs aside from Poodles.

"Chopper" has his chopper surgery tomorrow....so I will know tomorrow if he is a go....

So, stay tuned for news....and....feel free to suggest names.

We are changing his name....Shorty had a dog named Chops that he called Chopper during his childhood...so that won't work.

A Cajun name is what we want....so...leave a comment with your suggestions!

This new dog looks scroungy yes....but, you can tell he is a pretty dog underneath all that lack of care.

Names please!

Christmas is....

Christmas is magical when you are 3 1/2.

Christmas is tiring when you are 33 1/2. But, still fun.

Christmas seems to always sneak up on me....every year. Never living up to the empty promises I make to myself every year about having all my shopping done and finished the first week in December. Typical style...I was finishing up on the 3rd week....

So back to normal....back to a schedule...and back to skipping toffee and haystacks for breakfast.

Happy New Year!

sick or something?

First time in three days these fingers have touched this keyboard...and first time I have sat up straight for longer than 5 minutes.

This lady was sick....

But, thankfully back to "normal" ;)

Here are 2 pictures from the Santa breakfast we went to last week. That was the day I came down with the funk.

This picture makes me smile....second visit with Santa this year....and the moment she sat on his lap she started posing for the picture. Guess she didn't want me to act like a fool and dance around like a loony farm resident. Kid is smart enough now to realize if she just smiles...it is over with faster. ;)
A friend of mine hosted the "Santa Breakfast" at her house. Serious fun.

Doughnuts, blueberry muffins, sausage balls, breakfast casserole, Chick fil a breakfast sandwiches, kolaches, cookies...and 956 other things to eat. All the ladies in the picture above and I went to school together. Known two of them since I was 4. So hard to believe I have known them for 20 years!!! ;)

Got to eat the delightful potluck buffet and visit and then Santa arrived. Each kid got to sit with him....share wishes....he passed out books...and had to hurry back to the North Pole!

There were several "older" kids there who were totally into the Santa experience...the younger ones...not so much.

Was fun....was a hit.

Now, time to get busy!!!

Santa rocks

Pictures of pictures don't turn out so well....

But, I'd say the kid likes Santa....a whole bunch....what do you think?

Merry Christmas Ya'll!

something new?

Had to share this old school Poodle picture I found online tonight.

Think I will clip Doodle the Poodle to look just like this.

The reason I was looking at pictures of Poodles on line is because I think I want another one.

Yep....I hear you....I am crazy.

Didn't say I was gonna get one....difference between want and get, right?

The Shorty house hold is a one kid family....and the kid keeps asking for a puppy.

As of right now I am 60% against....and 40% pro puppy.

Tomorrow it may be different.

Sing it Patsy!

"Crazy.............."

Twice in one day

So this new, organic, expensive, and trendy little market just opened right down the street from out house.

And, to top it off.....it has a little cafe with an organic, NOT expensive, and trendy little menu.

Salad bar, soup bar, free range chicken, Kobe beef, and fancy flat breads.

The market however specializes in things like $30.95 balsamic vinegar and $7.00 tiny Santas made from chocolate.

A fun place to browse around.

Shorty loves the place. Took my Mom there with the busy body 3 1/2 year old for her birthday lunch....and went again that night for a bite to eat after Christmas shopping for the said busy body.

I snapped a picture of my dinner.

Chicken and asparagus. That is it. Lean meat as big as your fist (yes this is a tad larger) and two veggies the size of your palm. How we should all eat, right?

Was really good....but was still hungry after this meal.

As they say "give your food time to digest, then you will be full." was true.....but was hungry again an hour later.

Dang healthy eating.....

mmmmmmmm.....wish I had a $7.00 chocolate Santa.....

Makes me want to cry

Giant piles of laundry....full washers....packed dryers....and folding laundry make me want to cry.

I know it is my job....yes, I am a housewife by choice and I signed up for folding socks while watching Dora the Explorer.

But, how on EARTH do 3 people make so much laundry?

My neurotic tendencies make me do laundry almost every day. I hate to have a full laundry basket, wet washcloths CAN NOT enter my piles, and gym clothes have to be washed that day.

Yes....I know....I need to make an appointment with a therapist.

So, little loads all combine in the dryer....and leaves me with one gargantuan stack to fold....and it takes forever.

Always remember my Mom being adamant that I NOT leave my clothes in the basket inside out.

Now, I know why.

Sorry Mom.

Gotta go. Laundry to fold.

Geezzzz.........

Love at first sight.

Boy oh boy! Another horse post! Aren't you excited?

At my lesson today....I got to ride a horse named Conrad. Just under 18 hands and flat out beautiful.

When my instructor pointed me in the direction of this lovely animal's stall....I fell in love when I opened his door!

Car lovers would dream to drive a Lamborghini or a Ferrari and a Porsche.....

This is the equivalent for a horse lover. Was an amazing ride....I was a tad more nervous that usual. Because of his size and the actually belongs to someone....

And being nervous around horses and bees isn't good.

The lesson was still so cool...he did everything I asked with no complaints....and was so fun to ride!

The horse isn't for sale....but would probably cost about what a brand spanking new BMW would sell for.

Crazy isn't it?

Too bad he can't come live with us. He would be so happy in our postage stamp back yard. ;)

Sorry it was another horse post....but, just couldn't help myself.

Conrad is on my mind. ;)