Puppy Pics

May Day

VB3 is deep into puppy hood. She's had two sets of shots, the squirts, made friends with Daisy the neighborhood dog and managed to piss off the cat on a daily basis.

She also has had her first outing/long walk and was fascinated with every single person that went by either on foot or on bike. She sasses back at me when I scold her and loves on me when she knows she's about to be put in her crate and tomorrow she'll have her first visit to the kennel for a weekend stay.

I tell Steve everyday about some new thing she's done - give him details about her potty schedule and talk about how good she is to sleep through the night and how cute she is when she runs after her ball and blah blah boring blah.

I think if I were a 'real' mom with a 'real' kid I'd be one of those obnoxious "look at how pretty my sweet angel baby princess of god's poop is" moms. I'd hate me.

It's been just over a year since I moved to Nashvegas - seriously where has the year gone? It's amazing how much can happen in such a short period of time. New job, move, move again, get engaged, get married, get step-kids, get a dog...and scene.

Snooky is graduating this weekend with her MBA (holla) from UK. We are taking a trip up there to help her celebrate! Congratulations!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QiypzraVx0o
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F4QBc5rfMy8

Field Trip

We took a field trip to Trussville AL to visit the Amerex fire extinguisher facility.

430 miles in one day - not bad though...lots of laughs, some chocolate pie, and passed a "gentlemen's club" somewhere in AL with a very catchy and yet classy name... BOOBIE BUNGALOW.

Had a good time.

Lance - two thumbs up for having to ride in the backseat with me - we did a smokin' rendition of Salt n' Pepa's Shoop. I was Salt he was Pepa.

Reese gives the roadtrip 1 enthusiastic thumbs up

Alissa, Candice, Reese, me, Amanda, Lance, Phillip

Would you like cheese with your whine

A short vid clip of the cat whining at the door. He has it in his head that he needs to be outside and he will literally meow like this for an eternity. He also likes to wake us up in the morning with the 'pitiful' sound too. It's comical albeit annoying.

Half Asleep Ramblings

It's raining this morning. I didn't sleep well and it would be nice if it was Saturday and we could sleep in and listen to the rain; instead I'm up even earlier than usual sipping coffee and listening to the cat talk to himself, or me, or who knows.

Jared sent me a picture of our parent's house - they got rain yesterday - enough to flood the street and up past the mailbox.

The cat has passed out (in the middle of the floor of course); content and satisfied that he got me out of bed way to early. I'm off to get ready for Friday...I'll be sure to wake up Rufus as I walk past him :)

All Dogs go to Heaven

Some of you know but sweet little Violet passed away on Saturday night. She had lots of love in her short little puppy life though but it's been a sad few days.

On another sad note - Super Dog Jake (my landlord in Maine's Lab) was put to sleep today. He lived a long happy life and had lots of love too. He got to spend lots of time running on the beach, loved riding in the car, and kept me company during my winter in Maine. Maureen said their other dog Nellie has been looking for Jake all day.

That's enough dog sadness for awhile.

I told Steve surely dogs go to heaven - there is nothing sweeter in the world than a dog's face and eyes. The debate is still out on cats though - at least in the case of Rufus ;)

Hitting in the Lottery

How sweet would it be if you put a quarter into a change making machine and got $7 in quarters back? How sweet would it be if you put a quarter in 10 times and each time got $7 in quarters back. Pretty sweet.

It happened to someone I know. A mini lottery windfall courtesy of a defective change machine on campus.

In other news Jayrod got a job ~ way to go Jarrito!

In other other news - Operation pick up the cutest puppy in the world is on hold until her cold gets better.

In news past - Stef was here for a visit last weekend and it was so pleasant and relaxing...we ate too much but that was the worst of it. No crazy pictures or wild times at the saloons and honky tonks downtown. Just a nice visit :)

New Link

Through a friend of a friend I came across Melinda's Blog Anything Said. It's one of my favorites and I check religiously. I think you'll enjoy it so I added her to my links. Give it a read.

Dressed for Easter

Violet wishes everyone a Happy Easter!

The headline of the Year

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,339270,00.html

Puppy Butt

More Spam

I got this email today at work - Obviously Spam but it made me laugh- this is what it said - followed by a link to some penis enhancing site:

The face of a man is usually an open book to most women.
They can read practically anything in our faces.
I’ve known ladies who could tell the size of my penis, bank account and the status of my sex life by taking only one look at me.
Of course, the look was followed by the lady’s departure in the opposite direction.

Casual Friday

It's "Jeans Day" in the office today - as well as "Bagel Day" (our CFO brings in bagels from Panera - yes it's a good place to work). So besides the fact that it's Friday this is my favorite day of the week - Jeans and free Bagels.

My question though today is "Am I too casual for casual Friday?" Do I need to wear cute boots or shoes instead of my ultra comfy Merrell sporty sneakers? Is the white thermal long sleeve shirt paired with the orange T-shirt too 'weekendy'?

And finally completely off topic - I had to put up a picture of the cutest thing in the whole wide world - besides me in my 'casual weekend wear' - Violet in Repose. Thanks to V & M for sending me pics this week :) Please notice the cute little puppy butt and the tiny little 'bat' face.

So True

Stef sent me this today

The Story of Adam & Eve's Pets

Adam and Eve said, 'Lord, when we were in the garden, you walked with us every day. Now we do not see you any more.

We are lonesome here, and it is difficult for us to remember how much you love us.' And God said, I will create a companion for you that will be with you and who will be a reflection of my love for you, so that you will love me even when you cannot see me.Regardless of how selfish or childish or unlovable you may be, this new companion will accept you as you are and will love you as I do, in spite of yourselves.'

And God created a new animal to be a companion for Adam and Eve. And it was a good animal. And God was pleased. And the new animal was pleased to be with Adam and Eve and he wagged his tail . And Adam said, 'Lord, I have already named all the animals in the Kingdom and I cannot think of a name for this new animal.' And God said, 'I have created this new animal to be a reflection of my love for you, his name will be a reflection of my own name, and you will call him DOG.'

And Dog lived with Adam and Eve and was a companion to them and loved them. And they were comforted. And God was pleased. And Dog was content and wagged his tail. After a while, it came to pass that an angel came to the Lord and said, 'Lord, Adam and Eve have become filled with pride. They strut and preen like peacocks and they believe they are worthy of adoration. Dog has indeed taught them that they are loved, but perhaps too well.'

And God said, I will create for them a companion who will be with them and who will see them as they are. The companion will remind them of their limitations, so they will know that they are not always worthy of adoration.'

And God created CAT to be a companion to Adam and Eve. And Cat would not obey them. And when Adam and Eve gazed into Cat's eyes, they were reminded that they were not the supreme beings. And Adam and Eve learned humility. And they were greatly improved.

And God was pleased . . . . . . And Dog was happy. . . . And Cat didn't give a shit one way or other....

More V

Michelle & Valerie sent me pictures of Violet today...I promise not to do this everyday but these are too cute not to post.

Violet

Introducing Violet Bugg. She'll be ours on April 5th. She's adorable - as you can see :)

Always the Planner

I was talking with my parents tonight and the conversation reminded me of something that happened when I was a kid.

There was a place in New Baden (where I grew up) called The Frosty Whip - I love it. http://beaner33.blogspot.com/2006/12/this-ones-for-you.html

At some point as a child I decided (not sure if I ever told my parents until I was much older) that if my parents were ever to divorce I would go live with my father. My reasoning? He would take me to The Frosty Whip and my mom wouldn't.

Fat Kids r Us

Just because women are "plus size" does not mean that they/we/me specifically are 6 feet freaking tall. While I can shop at the 'normal size' stores; sometimes I can't get the best fit - and so I checked out a plus size boutique today and I'll be damned all of the clothes were too big and too long. Most of the shirts in the store came close to mid-thigh and hung off the shoulders.

I'm in the middle...nowhere close to thin and tall...or really big and tall - I'm short and chubby. Yes chubby - that's what I'm going with. So how bout somebody make clothes for me and the short chubsters like me?

I have a butt and boobs, my waist though is smaller so I need something that fits the butt and the thick thighs, but at the same time comes in at the waist. As it is now if it fits in the thighs and butt then you can bet there's a big gap in the back or the crotch is down to my knees. And don't even get me started on the fact that finding pants the right length is IMPOSSIBLE!

I have wobbly arms that need full and true short sleeves - not cap sleeves a-hole - sleeve sleeves.

I don't want my shirts to look like I'm with child - I want them to go in at the waist - not out and flowing - I don't need to stuff it with pillows and various other things like perhaps an illegal immigrant.

I don't want awful prints and clothes that look like a fat prostitute/stripper lost her wardrobe at the store (Lane Bryant is really good at doing this).

And honestly it's been a few years since I've been a regular shopper at the 'chub' stores but today's experience brought back the angst. The anger and frustration and shame of being a 'fat kid' my whole life and trying to find clothes that fit and still look cute and age appropriate.

I guess I could get my chub ass back to the gym...or not.

Jesus & Social Security

I went to the social security office today to officially become a 'Bugg' . I was expecting the worst considering the DMV experience, but I was surprised. It still left me wondering if there was a rich person's SS office somewhere - perhaps a whole suite of governmental offices just for the rich. It also still made me feel like I needed a bath but the wait was only about 45 minutes and there was the happiest man who came in talking about Jesus coming. He was 'preaching' to all of us and no one at the same time and he had the biggest more genuine smile on his face. I would have taken a picture but I didn't want people to think I was making fun of him.

At first I was annoyed b/c honestly the people I normally see doing this sort of thing are several bricks shy of a full load - but this guy was different.

I don't think Jesus is going to show up at the SS office - Jesus and Pedro maybe - but not Jesus Jesus.

DMV Hell

There's a reason people complain about the DMV - it's hell on earth. I've been to the TN DMV twice in the last few months - most recently today - and a few things crossed my mind during the 2 hour wait...

1. They really let some of these people drive?!?!!? Old, high, stupid...it's amazing the people that are allowed to operate a vehicle. It also explains a lot about road rage.


2. Is there a special DMV for rich people that we don't know about? Not that I could afford to go to the rich people's DMV but it's almost like a state fair with the crowd - and not just TN - I'm talking IL/MO/MA - it's all the same. And yes I realize how snotty I sound but I'm just calling it like I see it. So many people sitting there with dead eyes and open mouths.


3. It's dirty and I always feel like I need to bathe when I leave.


4. I could NEVER for any amount of money work at any DMV - I would hurt someone no doubt about it.


5. The people at the TN DMV all have great attitudes and that made the 2 hours standing in the stuffy smelly room a whole lot better. They were working their butts off and I appreciate it.

Rock n Roll Revival

We went with Rese & Darren to see Kid Rock last night. It was the Rock n Roll Revival tour in support of his new album Rock n Roll Jesus.

He put on a great show. 2 hours worth of rock, rap, and country; he even sang "This Little Light of Mine".

It was like a revival - all those people gathered for the same reason - to be entertained/moved by the spirit - in this case the spirit was music.

Love this

saw this today...

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20080226/people_nm/dutch_annefrank_dc

Vacation Aftermath

The cat is up my ass tonight - He is none too happy that we left him (even though he did have a cat sitter come check on him). Anyway - he's sitting in my lap - pawing my hand as I try to type.

On Vacation

We went on a mini vacation last week to visit my parents in Florida. It was actually sunny and warm this year as opposed to last year's cold rainy weather. Bugg got plenty of sun - he fished away the hours with my dad and burnt to a crisp on his neck and ears. I sat in the shade of the screened in porch and read, did some shopping and lunching with my mom, got in lots of quality golf cart - which is one of my fav things to do in FL. Lee also came for a visit on Saturday (go Lee!) and I'm sad b/c I didn't get a picture with him :( but it was so good to visit with him!! Back to reality now...which isn't such a bad place to be.

This is why you should NEVER sleep in the airport - I will spot you and take your picture - all while you sleep with your mouth open - totally unaware.

Honest Abe

We were in downtown Nashvegas Saturday night meeting up with DeeAnne/Steve and Emma and the derby girls - and as Steve and I were crossing the street we see the Abe Lincoln impersonator.

As we pass him we hear this lady yell "Hey HONEST Abe - tell me, am I going to win the lottery?"

It made me pause and I looked at Steve and said "It's honest Abe - not psychic Abe."

It's not nearly as funny written as I thought it would be - but I'm going to go with it anyway.

Happy President's Day!

Went to the Chapel

We're legit - 2 legit to quit

Just Curious

Why is that whenever you are calling someone (credit card company, bank, cable company) with an automated menu they always say "Please listen to the following menu options as they have RECENTLY changed". Why is it always 'recently'. And why is it always changing? The options have to be pretty standard. Why can't they just say - "Press 1 to speak to a live person"?

And I noticed the other day when Bugg when 'talking' to one of the automated menus that takes voice cues that he raised his voice at it and it occurred to me that I do the very same thing. I can't speak nicely or in a normal voice when I get the voice cue ones. I get a bitchy irritated tone and I practically scream in the phone "OPERATOR"!!!

Does anyone else do this?

Guilty Pleasure

Just so you know I am practically addicted to American Gladiator.

I don't know what's wrong with me - maybe it's the writer's strike and the lack of options; maybe it's Wolf's really really white teeth and Big ol Helga.

Who knows - but I watch it every Monday and I cheer on the contestants and boo at the Gladiators when they play dirty - I wring my hands, bite my lip, and hold my breath as they race towards the finish on the Eliminator.

SNOW

We finally have snow!!!

It's not a lot, but you can see it and it's sticking to the icy patches in the parking lot.

It's beautiful!

Thank you sweet baby Jesus for making it snow!

And another thing

They are trying to bring Bible Park USA to a neighboring town here in TN: http://bibleparkusa.com/

A two hundred acre 'Bible Park' park 35 miles outside of Nashville is being proposed. I think there may already be one in Florida.

It's not a good day for the non-Bible-Beating liberal. Not a good day at all.

The Park’s founder, Ronen Paldi, an Israeli-born American, has a long-held dream of offering a taste of the Holy Land to fellow U.S. citizens who may never have a chance to visit the Holy Land themselves. His vision is the basis of the Park. I will say that at least this part ("seeing" the "holy land") is a nice idea but they have really taken the commercialization of Jesus and the Bible to the extreme - it's getting to worse than Xmas.

:(

Peeved

In TN you can get “Choose Life” license plates for your car – complete with a picture of a baby in the background. To say it irks me is an understatement. Just writing about it makes my stomach twist in knots and I can feel my blood pressure rising.

I don’t know if other states offer these types of plates but I think it’s totally out of line. I can’t quite put into words why I find it so offensive but I do. Something to do with a state sponsoring it I guess is what I find so offensive.

The bumper stickers and the freeway signs, the white crosses in the church yards, and the sign holders in front of the Planned Parent Hoods aren’t enough (not to mention the clinic bombings, doctor shootings, and patient harrassment). I guess you need to flaunt your “morally superior values” and your “Christian like virtues” on your tacky license plates too.

That's exactly how most of them act too - like they are so enlightened and so righteous (and I've talked to them, I've listened to them - I'm not just stereotyping). By most of them I mean the ones that insist on waving their banners and insist on everyone seeing it their way b/c it certainly is the ONLY way - the ones that quietly believe what they believe - I have no problem with.

I looked on the TN license plate website and didn’t see an option for “Pro-Choice”. I want equal time.

It’s so cliché but honestly if you don’t believe in it don’t do it. I think it’s really simple. Keep your beliefs, hold fast to them, but don’t shove your them in my face.

Sneaky

My brother called me tonight and told me kind of a creepy story. See what you think...

Let me set the scene: Jared went to Mardi Gras this weekend in STL and his tennis shoes got dirty with puke and beer (kidding I made the puke and beer part up). He's anal and can't stand dirty tennis shoes so he washed them and put them in the dryer. The sound of banging shoes in the dryer drives him ape shit so he went into his room and shut the door.

He could still hear the clanging banging shoes but they weren't as loud and therefore slightly less annoying. Note that he is the only one in the house - no dog, no cat, no parents, no Jewels - just Jayrod and the sneakers.

After awhile he notices he doesn't hear the shoes clanging and banging anymore - he thinks to self "maybe the shoes found a groove - sweet". Not long after this he goes to check on the shoes and discovers that one shoe is OUT OF THE DRYER and the dryer door is CLOSED - not half closed or a little bit closed but latched closed.

He has no idea how the one shoe made a run for it and somehow shut the dryer door after itself. I'm thinking it's that time in the movie when the audience starts yelling at the screen "GET OUT OF THE HOUSE - RUN RUN RUN!!!

Check it out

I found out today that the Super Weeble imageI posted awhile ago was done by an artist named Jason Chase. And I'd like to give credit where credit is due - that and he asked nicely that I not use his stuff without crediting him. Which is fair and cool.


Another cool thing is he's from Boston - So Girls go check him out Suburbanamerican.com!! I think you'll like him. Super Weebles rule.

In other Boston related news I went to a luncheon today and listened to the CEO of Dunkin Brands speak - they gave away free donuts and coffee of course and gift cards and cute t-shirts. I was in heaven. I know I have serious issues with my Dunkin Coffee Obession. Instead of OCD I have DCO. Ha.

And then after work RP and I went and did some browsing at some cute shops in the Hillsboro area and had dinner at Fido. It reminded me of Boston. It was even cold and rainy not unlike winter in Boston.

Cutest Brat in the World

We love him. We hate him. He's sweet and cuddly. He's a nasty bastard. But I can't help but think he's the cutest thing ever when he's all snuggled up like that.

Funny Dream

I woke up about midnight last night laughing my ass off. I have no idea what I was dreaming but I remember being sort of awake and sort of asleep and thinking whatever was going on in my dream was the funniest thing EVER! My laughter woke Bugg up and when he started asking me what was so funny I came out of the rest of the dream but couldn't stop laughing.

I told him what I was laughing about but neither of us can remember what it was...

Deal or Duh...

Miss Tater Day on Deal or No Deal just revealed she thought she needed a passport to travel to California. She said "I've never been on this side of that river." That river being the MISSISSIPPI.

Nice quote and appropriate for the holiday

We Must accept finite disappointment, but never lose infinite hope.
Martin Luther King Jr.

An adverb says what???

Top Pic: Me & Snooky in our "Blueberry Cocoons". Finally I can get/stay warm!!
Bottom Pics: Snooky, Bugg, Me in some candid spur of the moment totally not posed or staged shots










"An adverb modifies a verb". This was overheard at a bar we went to Friday night.
Saturday night was a decent night out at the Flying Saucer despite the fact there was no place to sit and hear the band (we sat in a back pool room instead), the waitress was terribly slow and almost devoid of any personality (it took 30 min and 4 times asking to get a water), and they were out of Pretzel Bratzles and regular Pretzels (the big soft German variety).

Toys...

Here are a couple things I found in the toy section at Wal Mart last night...

Not exactly sure what the kids are going to do with a big ass Elvis head. I wonder if you can comb his hair like we used to do with the Big Barbie Heads?? Or maybe you can feed him fried peanut butter and banana sandwiches and various pain killers.

This is a sweet baby jesus action figure - it goes along with the other Bible Based toy line from http://www.one2believe/

My favorite - pictured below - is from their Spirit Warrior line

hmmm...I didn't think the Bible was down with this sort of thing...

Happy Birthday Bugg!

Bugg joined the ranks of the 'halfway to 70' gang today and we celebrated with Mexican food, one big ass beer, and one theme cake that was dry and overly sweet but it was cake so how bad can it be. Happy Birthday!

If you'd have asked me I could have told you..

Apparently adults are just figuring out that kids don't like clowns...

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20080116/od_nm/clowns_odd_dc_1;_ylt=AgaJSc1GV_6Eze031MpkMqgE1vAI

Is this really news? I thought everyone knew clowns were an issue.

My favorite quote in the article is when Penny Curtis, a senior lecturer in research at the university says, "We found that clowns are universally disliked by children. Some found them quite frightening and unknowable."

Not sure why but the unknowable part makes me laugh...like a crazy scary clown...bwahahaha

For Snooky

Holy Hooters

Went to church today and sadly was uninspired.

After church we had lunch at Hooters. Wasn't inspired there either but the hamburger was decent.

Where have you been all my life...

Lorna Doones are my new favorite cookie. I have been searching the office the last week for a nice cookie to go with my afternoon vanilla chai tea and nobody had any for the offering. I went down to the little deli in our building and there sitting on the shelf waiting patiently for me to open my eyes and see what had been there all along were lovely green 100 calorie packages of Lorna Doones.

Sweet sweet Lorna Doone. They taste similar to the Girl Scout's Trifoil (or whatever they have changed the name to now) but dare I say it...they taste even better. I'm quite simply in love.

*sigh*

Not the best way to start the morning...

I took the Mini to get it serviced this morning and was waiting behind a few other cars at the service entrance for them to open. It was 10 after 7 and I thought they opened at 7 so I was getting a bit antsy b/c they weren't opening the doors and I needed to get to work....

I had noticed a man dressed in a work coat and sock sat walking back and forth from a BMW to the entrance area. I assumed he worked there and thought he might be able to help me figure out where I could pick up the loaner car and get my car ready for service.

I got out and said 'Excuse me, do you know where I can pick up my loaner car?' He looked at me blankly and kind of annoyed and I repeated my question. He then said, "Can I ask you a question? Why did you ask ME that?" At which point (and it still makes me sick to my stomach) I realized that he thought I assumed he worked there b/c he was black - not for the real reason which was b/c he had on a black work coat.

I was immediately ashamed and explained to him that it was his coat and hat that made me think he worked there. He just turned and got into his car. I wanted to vomit.

The guys coat looked like a mechanic coat, I never saw him get into the car and assumed he was starting to take care of the cars who left their keys in the overnight drop box. It was a completely innocent assumption - it had nothing to do with his skin color - it actually had to do with what he was wearing and the fact that he was a guy - my bias/stereotype/prejudice is this: man+mechanic coat=mechanic. NOT this: black man=mechanic.

I so wanted/want to explain this to him. I know I'm guilty of certain prejudices and stereotypes but this wasn't one of those times and it made me feel sick.

I don't think he's completely innocent in all of this either - he didn't have to automatically assume I was being a racist ass - he could have given me the benefit of the doubt - but I guess the experiences in his life don't offer him that luxury. Sad really.

A variety pack

1. Britney needs some help - and not the exploitative kind Dr. I think I'm a God Phil is offering
2. Liar Liar pants on fire – they are EVERYWHERE
3. My New Years Resolution: Let go of the ‘drama mamas’ and ‘unhappiness whores’ and enjoy 2008.
4. If Huckabee wins I'm moving to Canada – here are some of the reasons why (found on what I think is a reputable website – don’t give me any shit if it’s wrong – it’s campaign season – all the info out there is wrong)

• Believes purpose of marriage is loving relationship, not happiness (My question is - why can't it be both and doesn't it seem natural that if it's loving it will also be happy and vice versa? And of course he believes marriage has to be between a man and a woman. Good news Gays - you get to be happy b/c you can't be married - yippee!)
• Does not believe in evolution (I just can’t understand this from him or anyone else – not even a tiny bit of belief in evolution?? Perhaps the website took it to the extreme and misquoted him - but no I think he pretty much does not believe in evolution - nada)
• Thinks we should send illegals home so all in US can hold their heads high (For the record I don't have a problem holding my head high regarding the 'illegals' - it's the war, the dip shit President, and a whole other list of reasons that make it sometimes hard to keep the melon up)
• A "grace Christian": dislikes "law Christians" AND liberals (I don’t know what a Grace Christian is and I’m afraid to find out - but isn’t part of being a Christian to be loving? Wasn't Jesus all about love? But I bet if Jesus knew about 'grace Christians' he wouldn't like them - he'd try to like them but he wouldn't) p.s. if you know wht a GC is please enlighten me -thanks
• Does not support a woman’s right to choose (It's ok to kill prisoners (which I'm not saying I'm opposed to the death penalty) but it's not ok to terminate a pregnancy if say you were raped or molested or perhaps going to die as a result of the pregnancy? He also give a big NO to stem cell research - god forbid they find a cure for Alzheimer's or Parkinson's or ALS or any of the hundred other horrible, demeaning, crippling, diseases.)
  

First Star Sighting

Had my first star sighting in Nashvegas today while out make up shopping with Rese. Leeann Rimes walked into Woo this morning. She's tiny and a either hunch backed a bit or just so skinny that her shoulder bones were sticking out sharply under her coat. She's beautiful - even without makeup - very striking. I didn't drool or go up to her but it was cool.