Capturing Laughter

Marshal has the cutest, most infectious laugh I've ever heard. Of course, I could be completely biased...seeing as he is my son.

Kids and dogs make for great entertainment, and mine did not disappoint. Timber has always loved water. When we'd put out a sprinkler we'd have to keep him inside or he'd "play" with it so much he'd destroy it. He loves to try to 'eat' the water coming directly from the hose. It's hilarious.

But add Marshal into the mix - now it's even better. Daddy was washing the truck so he had the hose out front with Timber tied up (he'd run away...being tied out is a must if Timber goes in the front yard) and for some reason Marshal and daddy ended up spraying the water for Timber. It was hard to video and not crack up laughing.




Is there anything more precious than a child's laugh? I wish I could bottle it for times when I'm feeling sad. It's impossible not to smile while listening to a truly carefree laugh.

A Special Dog

Please head over to my other blog, Home Zookeeper, and read about a very special dog named Otis who needs to find his forever home. I'd absolutely adopt him if we didn't already have four dogs and a baby on the way. =)

Pet Lovers - Please Assist

Please head over to my pet blog - Home Zookeeper - and spread the word about these four dogs who are currently in Taiwan. They are so precious and I hope we can get them transferred to the U.S. in an adoption or foster home in time to save their lives.

Cross Posted at Amid Clutter.

Life Brings the Unexpected

I've had a bad couple of days.

And yet, despite the horror of my life, business goes on. Orders come in. Orders must be finalized and shipped.

Thankfully, my wound is on my left hand and just one finger so making jewelry isn't impossible - though it is difficult.

If I were more badly injured I may have had to cancel an important order and refund the customer's money. What else would I have been able to do if I couldn't fill the order in time?

Life doesn't always follow your carefully laid out plans. And this incident shows me that I need to have some sort of backup plan. Hubby may need to get more involved - at least to the point that he can contact my customers if he ever needs to.

*sigh*

Support Saving Shelter Pets

Saving Shelter Pets is a wonderful organization that works super hard to rescue and place those wonderful dogs who find themselves in a Shelter through no fault of their own.

Starting today, October 27, they are holding an auction to raise funds and one of my necklaces is on the auction block for you to win!!!

Bid on goodies through November 21 and get them in time for Christmas. There's even a diamond pendant!!!

Their goal is to raise $2,500 and I hope we can help make it happen. I've already started bidding ... don't outbid me okay? *grin*

Welcome Fall

Yesterday was so cold in the morning that I was actually shivering. Of course, I was outside in the fog with Trooper for agility so we warmed up once we started moving. And he loves the cold.

I hope that we actually get some snow this year. The doggies deserve some snow. And hubby and MIL miss it greatly. If we don't get any at our level (just barely above sea level) then we may need to travel to the mountains to play.

Dog fights have been occurring in our household with sad frequency. Thursday hubby got bit trying to break up Timber and Trooper. Friday Trooper got sent home from daycare with a note because he got in a scuffle. I talked to the staff and apparently he'd been getting more and more assertive with other dogs since Timber came into our pack. :(

Then Sunday there was yet another brawl as daddy made breakfast. *sigh*

So we are on full alert at our house. So far no major injuries (not counting the pretty bad bite that hubby got) but these are both big dogs with a lot of muscle and energy. We don't want to take any chances.

Other than that, the weekend was pretty nice. Sunny after the fog burned off and crisply cold. I volunteered at the GOP headquarters to make phone calls on Saturday. I HATE making phone calls but it wasn't too horrible. It was a lot different than 4 years ago. Much more automated with these great phones that we used to record answers. Not like the paper and pencil I used last time.

If you ever get a call at home and someone wants to ask you just a couple of questions please say yes. =) I had three questions that literally took less than 30 seconds and was so thrilled when someone actually answered them. Even if they gave negative answers I was just glad to interact. Because it's pretty boring making phone calls ... 3/4 of the calls end up being answering machine messages which can get really dull.

Sunday started with Agility where Trooper did wonderfully. I'm afraid they're going to ask us to trial soon. *gulp* Then headed home where hubby finally got out of bed (lazy bum...hahahaha not really...he'd worked overtime late Saturday night) and we decided to run to Schucks to get oil and change my car's oil for the first time ever.

No, not that my car hasn't had an oil change. But I've always taken it to a place to have it done. We've never done it ourselves. And by "ourselves" I mean hubby did it. I pulled the "woman" card and stayed inside to bake a cake and make lunch. I have no interest in learning to change my own oil. If hubby's not around there are people out there who do it for a living.

But the good news is we saved quite a few dollars. Not a ton though because we bought some other things ... anti freeze, windshield wiper fluid, etc. I was nervous to have hubby do it because he's never changed my car's oil before and ... well ... I don't like change. But he did great and even reset my 'maintenance required' light. What a guy. Now if he'll keep doing it we'll be saving at least $25 a time.

And I really did bake a cake. An Extra Dark chocolate cake to which I added chocolate chips. *mouth watering* The frosting is triple chocolate chocolate chip. *drooling* It is SOOOO good. We had it for dessert last night.

It was a great weekend. =)

Oh and I made a bunch of jewelry and took photos last night. I was on a total pearl kick. I can't wait to get the photos edited...I am really sucking at taking photos. The pearls keep getting washed out. They're so much prettier in person.

Have a great Monday!!!

And Now Something More Mellow and some Randomness

Phew...that debate last night was way better than the last two but I'm definitely tired of listening to both candidates yammer on.

I have TONS of work to do today for my "real" job but I have all these ideas for new jewelry. Plus I have to take Trooper to the vet. :( Poor guy. He's had all kinds of bright green goop in his eye for the last few days. So back to the vet to help him fund his kid's college fund. *grin* We love our vet though so I don't mind that he's 30 minutes away and more expensive than some. He's been our vet for years and he rocks.

Working at home is so nice...all my doggies are snoozing right now and are so adorable. I wish I could be snoozing too. LOL

It's freezing in here though. I REFUSE to turn the heat on yet this season. I'm just too cheap. I keep telling hubby to put more clothes on, but one of these days he will insist. We go through this ever year. I hate seeing our power bill go up. The cheapest it has been so far this year was around $130. :( I blame hubby. ha! But he does leave his computer on at all times. I tried convincing him that it costs a lot but he won't turn it off. Arg!

Last winter our bill went over $300 several times. There's only TWO of us in this house and it's not a big house. Jeezalou. We do love our natural gas fire place...it's so pretty ... but the natural gas is more expensive than the electricity. I hope we can keep it under $300 this year.

And here's some of my new jewelry. I'm having a ton of fun lately.

I love this bracelet. I've had several sterling silver magnetic clasps and finally started using them. They are SUPER strong. And look great with this simple olive green pearl strand.
I love playing with Resin and this is one of the first pieces I made on my own outside of class. The pendant is made with precious metal clay...two layers placed together...so it's pretty thick. I showed it to one of my coworkers and her first comment was how heavy it was. It is heavy duty. And I love it!

I just finished two gorgeous (can I say that about my own work?) necklaces made with stick pearls and keishi pearls. They are SOOOOOO yummy. I just need to photograph and list them. I have so many pearls and have been having fun just playing with simple stringing. =)

Have a Happy Thursday!

A New Casto Family Member

Head on over to my other Blog, Home Zookeeper, to read about our latest addition. He's an abused rescue who was shot with a BB gun, beaten with a rake, and kept outside with no shelter for hours on end. I think he'll eventually fit in just perfectly with our pack. =)

No Respect

If you weren't aware...we're fostering a dog. And she has no respect for other people's space. It's hilarious. Except when I'm sleeping and all of a sudden feel her bony butt on my head!

Here she takes a nap with foster papa - with...on...what's the difference?

Kodiak's butt apparently makes a really good pillow.


Kodiak is not so happy. That is his "mom, make her stop" face.

Be sure to visit my doggies and our adventures at Home Zookeeper.

And by the way, Bullet (the dog with space issues) is available for adoption via Ginger's Pet Rescue. I've tried convincing hubby to let me keep her but he is being stubborn.

And Bullet Makes Four

We now have four dogs in our house. None of them small. It's been a crazy weekend.

Read all about Bullet on my Home Zookeeper blog. She's an angel and available for adoption!

I hope I'll be able to let her go. :(

Is Your Dog Green?

Because mine is...or he was last night. Read all about our adventures over at my new animal-centric blog Home Zookeeper. We had a grand time. {insert sarcasm here} I am not a hot weather person. My head still hurts. :(

But it's Friday so I'm definitely happy. Hubby works tonight so the house is mine...all mine! And what will I do with this freedom? Laundry.

Yes, laundry. While I can generally go over a week without needing to wash clothing, it's been almost two and things are looking pretty pathetic around our house. I've been feeling very domestic as well lately. I made bran muffins again (they didn't turn out as good - I think because I used more whole wheat and a different type of sugar) and have plans to try two new recipes that I've never done before. I am not sure what is wrong with me (no I am not pregnant and nesting!) but this is definitely not like me.


I was chatting with my good friend Jennifer Casady. We were both raised to be strong, independent females. My mom always told me that I had to learn to depend on myself and not rely on a man. She didn't say it out of meanness or some supreme feminist anger. She wanted to make sure that I could take care of myself. My dad died when I was 8 years old, leaving my mother, at the age of 34, to take care of two kids by herself. Which she was able to do because she had prepared to take care of herself and not rely on having my dad around forever. So I get it.

And I'm perfectly capable of taking care of myself. It's just that I'm not so sure that I really want to be a "working" woman outside of the home for much longer. Which is such a foreign thought to me. There's never been a question in my mind for as long as I've lived that I would go to school and get a job that would become my career. But there is this gnawing aching feeling that I just want to stay home. There are SO many things that I want to work on - organizing the house, designing jewelry, volunteering. Things that I cannot do because of my job.

Hubby wants things both ways. He wants me to cook and clean and take care of the house. But he also wants me to go to work and bring home a paycheck. Sorry mister. Can't have your cake and eat it too.

It will be at least two years before I actually do anything about this desire and who knows, by that time it might be gone. But right now I really want to be home doing laundry (is that sick or what?!).

Doggies and Pets Get a New Home

Well, it's happened. I've gone and lost my ever lovin' mind.

Since I don't have enough things to keep track of online I've started a NEW blog!!! OMG. Someone stop me!

Home Zookeeper

Ha! The good news is that it's going to be dedicated to animals. Which is great because I love love love animals. Plus my doggies will be their own superstars. I've got all kinds of ideas lined up for posts.

Of course the new blog is in Word Press and I've never used it before. So that will be a new hurdle and learning curve. I won't be doing anything fancy until I get the hang of it. And I want to get a new banner designed.

The new blog is part of the 451 Press network where I was accepted as a writer recently. Which was super exciting in and of itself. I was approved!!! :)

The blog was once written by another person, named Lynn and there is some great content there already that you may enjoy. I'm looking forward to making it "mine" and sharing with everyone. 'Cause I'm nothing if not an open book.

I hope you will all come visit me and my crazy pets! Stop by, look around, leave me some comments, and if you're interested book mark our new animal home. =)

Go Boom Boom Fall Down

Ouch. I am not 16 anymore. Tonight just reminded me of that fact.

We had agility again and Trooper was doing excellent, of course. We were doing a Chute, Jump, Jump run and at the first jump I feel my foot sort of hit an uneven patch of ground and my leg sticks and I start to wobble, shake, and try to catch myself.

Nope. About my third stumble I give up trying to stay righted and down I go. I literally tumbled. And I laid there for a few seconds, the wind knocked out of me, trying to assess the damage.

It brought tears to my eyes, not necessarily because I was in a ton of pain, but the shock of it all. The trainer came over and I pushed up off the ground and limped over to Trooper, who had finished the run. GOOD BOY! =)

And now my entire body HURTS. My neck, my hip (an old injury), and the back of my thigh.

As my husband so kindly pointed out - it's supposed to be Agility Training. Not fall down on your butt training.

har har.

Staying Together - Fighting for Life

Update: Sentenced To Die Friday AM!!! :(

This sweet duo deserves a second chance. Can you help them?

HoundsGood is sending out the call to find a no-kill rescue or a home so that these two can stay together. Look at that face!!! The girl is on the right and I just want to hug her.

Their time is "up" on Friday. Please spread the word!

Sunny Lucas Dancing Fool

If you haven't discovered Sunny Lucas yet, you are so missing out. She gets my vote for president as well. She is so multi-talented and here she expresses her mad dancing skills.



Sunny Lucas in the Ring of Fire from Rachel Lucas on Vimeo.

Seriously. How could you not want Sunny as your president???

Saturday Photo Hunt - Time

Another hard theme for me. I decided to not go for the obvious clock photo.

This is Trooper Bear when he was only 2 1/2 months old. NAP TIME! He was a very sleepy puppy with his new home and new brother & sister. :) He used to love sleeping on the bricks next to the fireplace ... he doesn't fit anymore. LOL

Save a Puppy - Stop the Cycle

These sweeties, 21 puppies in total, are being fostered and provided for by Saving Shelter Pets (a wonderful charity that I love supporting). Their mama is being spayed and all the puppies will get their shots and treatment until they are adopted.

Read their story at HoundsGood and consider donating a few dollars to help with their care. Every little bit helps.

ZOEY IS HOME!!!

YAY! Lost doggy Zoey from TNChick was lost for 6 days but thank God has been returned home! I can't even imagine how scared and desperate I would be if my babies got out (two of them have in the past but never more than 12 hours!).

I've never heard of Find Toto (warning - stupid evil talking popup window but you can X out of it easily...I hate those things) but I'll definitely use their services if I have the need. Sounds like it saved Zoey's family more heartache.

Wordless Wednesday - One Happy Boy

Other Wordless Wednesday Participants

Tired and Fluffy

Trooper is a tired puppy. We had agility training yesterday and then he got to go to daycare today. He gets so excited but he's such a good boy and very patient getting in the car. He doesn't howl and whine and bark like my other two monsters when they get to go. And he stays and waits when I open his door and get his leash. And then he tries to pull my arm out of the socket to get to the kennel.

I think I got one of the girls in trouble today though. *oops* I've specifically asked that he NOT get rawhide bones. With his jaw strength he's going to snap those suckers (they're the skinny twisted ones, not the bone looking ones) and swallow it in chunks. And his little picture label even has in big letters "NO RAWHIDES OR CHEWS" ... but sure enough when I looked in his assigned kennel this morning there was a rawhide.

Do you know how hard it is to duck into a kennel (it's only about waist height tall) while your dog is lunging at the other dogs in their kennels? He's not a mean dog in any way and they even confirmed today when I talked to them that he has NO issues with other dogs. They say that when "mommy" is there the dogs tend to get more protective. lol

Anyhoo...so I duck in and grab the rawhide before he can go in and get it. He is good at "leave it" but I didn't want to risk it. Before I left I got him a chicken strip and his water. I wish I could watch him play while at daycare. As I was leaving he was "woooo woooo wooooing" even though I KNOW that he loves it there.

So hubby picked the boy up around 3 ... and today was his first day of grooming at daycare. Apparently he didn't want to go up the steps to the grooming section and they had to carry him. ROFL I can just imagine this poor girl carrying 85 pounds of wiggle.

But now he's super fluffy and super tired. My favorite!!! And they even put on a cute little scarf!!!


Look at that tail!!! =)

And Quinnie was getting a good nap this evening too.


Can you tell that we don't use our couch for us? LOL The dogs own this place!