Thanks to the Giving

Hi! Happy Thanksgiving! This year I was able to visit my aunt, uncle and cousin in Missouri.

Let me introduce you to the humans and animals. This is my cousin Laura and Snazzy. I like him. Not only is he snazzy, but also rather sassy, and I happen to love alliteration.

Snazz was being mentored by Howdy. Right now they are looking at Rudy, who was doing something crazy.

And here we have Rudy. She wouldn't do anything crazy when I got out my camera. She just wanted to look pretty. But let me tell you, once I put my camera away, she went simply wild! That's basically how I roll too, so I could understand that. The family does have another horse, Jerry, but I couldn't get a good picture of him.

 

This is Zobal. He looks precious in this picture, I know. He's in my room, and he was trying to get me to let him stay and sleep there. Everyone said that he wouldn't jump up on the bed, but he's done it before, and I certainly didn't trust him.

To distract him from his idea of sleeping in my room, I fed him. it worked out pretty well.

Uncle Pat and the Green Egg. I think that is what it is called. I kept asking, and I kept forgetting. But this Green Egg is where Thanksgiving Turkey Glory is made. The turkey was quite delicious.

For those of you who don't know, this is the aunt who is the daughter of the infamous Grandma, so later that night we skyped with the family in California. No matter how much we try and explain what Skype is, I'm pretty sure Grandma will never understand.

Yes, I know you want to see a close up of the mantle decoration, so here it is:

Perhaps one of the best parts of this visit was being able to tour the town. I saw the Walmart, and the grocery store. I saw the feed shop, and even went in. We had to get grain or something. I'm not really sure, I don't usually feed horses. But what I am certain about is that while I was waiting in the feed store, I looked at the bulletin board and found this little gem: 

 I wonder if the internet exists for these people in southern Missouri. Obviously, they didn't want to go on the InterWebs, which is why they chose to dig this little paper out of the bottom of the purse, write a plea for housing and stick it up on the feed store bulletin board, but I figured I would share it on the InterWebs anyway. Maybe you could help.

 Also, we went into this fine establishment:

Who doesn't love a nice taxidermy and bead shop? Bucks and Beads. There's that alliteration again. I'm sold.

I'll Bring My Jokes

Mother and I took Greta to the dog park for our very first time. We view the dog park as a treat, so we made her work for it. First she had a nice long walk, then we practiced some of her obedience skills. After that, it was dog park time.

This is a whole new social situation. I had no idea. First, the dog must socialize, and it turns out the human must also socialize. Naturally I wanted to keep the status quo. When we entered, almost every human was gathered around this one picnic table with a shade cover. By "gathered" I really mean "jammed in". I had assumed we would let Greta wander around and Mother and I would sit on a free bench somewhere. Nope. Apparently the dog park is really a human park. Everyone knew each other! They were all chatty! Everyone knew the names of all the people there, the names of all the dogs there, the names of the people and dogs that weren't there, and there is a standing joke about a guy named Mike! I almost jumped in with a joke about Mike, but wasn't sure how it would be received from an outsider, so I held back. These people were very nice. They offered space at their table, but we politely declined. Even their dogs were nice. Almost every one of them let me pet them. It was a wonderful thing.

So my question is: Have you ever been to a dog park? What was your social experience?

I had no idea we would need to socialize. I figured Greta would, but not us. I just wasn't ready. Next time I'll bring my jokes.

Bike Greta

Problem: I needed to be at FHE with a lesson and activity by seven. I would get home by 5:30. I needed to eat something and walk Greta. Greta needed a nice long walk so she would be exhausted, and not try to chew everything in sight after I left. Obviously, I didn't have time to walk Greta for hours. I could run her, but I tire out way before she does, and plus I didn't want to be sweaty before I gave the lesson at FHE.

Solution: Bicycle. I could ride, Greta could run, it would be fast and effective!

I'm brilliant.

Problem: I don't own a bike.
Problem: I haven't ridden a bike for at least five years.

Solution: I walked Greta over to Brandon and Jodie's, and Jodie generously offered the use of her bike. Now, my nieces had just learned to ride two wheelers, and they said, "Does Aunt 'Riah know how to ride a two wheeler?" Turns out not so much. After trying on every helmet the girls brought me, I tried to take the bike out for a little spin. I was terrible! I couldn't even turn! What happened to the confidence and skill I had when I was ten? Are the glory years gone??

No matter, after a wobbly 50 yards I told Brandon I was ready to try taking Greta with me. I had her leash in hand and started to pedal. I went down the road a little, then turned around to head back to their house. Doing so, I basically ran into Greta and kinda fell off the bike. I looked up to see Brandon and Jodie doubled over with laughter. It was very funny, and obviously quite unsuccessful.

But I will dominate that bike! I will! It can't bring me down!

In the meantime, maybe we should get Greta a treadmill.

The Dog Jog

There is something of a story leading up to this post, but I'm short on time this morning so let's jump right in:

Yesterday Greta and I participated in the DOG JOG 2010! It was my first numbered race, and it was Greta's first bandana'd race.


We were both really nervous, but calmed down after some stretching.




This was a very casual race, and after the announcer made some confusing remarks and started the 4k group five minutes late, I took off with them even though I was in the 2k race.


Because of this, when it came time to turn off on the 2k route, I was the first one. This is a lovely feeling, with the station people cheering you on, telling you are the first one through. I started to feel like that wasn't quite right, as I had left too early, so Greta and I stopped at each station for long drinks of water. I didn't want to be the first one in! Part of the route took us through residential areas and to kill some time I stopped at two garage sales. We didn't really see anything we wanted, which was good, because all I had in my pockets where some dog treats and a fancy bag for picking up dog poop. Maybe I could have bartered?

Finally I saw some 2k peeps coming up, so Greta and I took off again to finish the race.

Greta got a medal at the end. She was so proud. Greta did wonderfully in her first race as she only tried to trip me twice.




After checking out all the vendors, we went to the Cohen's house so the kids could practice Dog Jogging around the backyard.


She had a huge day yesterday, and as soon as we got home she curled up for a long nap.


The Dog Jog was da bomb dot com. We are now looking forward to other Parks4Pups events. Thanks Dog Jog!

Introducing Little Foot!

Or Noodle, or Floppy, or Val, or Sally the Dog.




Or Stealth, or Ninja, or Phantom.


Or Chocolate Chip, or Lady, or Duchess, or Greta.
I have no idea. I think tomorrow I'm going to call her Little Foot all day and see how it goes.

Sally the...

I guess we have a dog. My parents never cease to surprise me, and today was our second day with our 4-month-old female black Goldendoodle. I feel like hybrids are trendy right now, and I'm trying not to hold it against our new pup.

Anyway, we need to name the pup.

Mother wants Greta or Fern.

Dad likes Val or Lady

I like Scout or Sally.

Now, some of you may know that we have a cat named Sally. Sally the Cat. Our dog would be Sally the Dog, so I don't anticipate any confusion. Also, Sally the Cat keeps a pretty low profile outside of our house, so it's not like we are going to ever have two Sallys in one room. It's just not gonna happen. I introduced the idea of Sally the Dog to Mother this evening, and she thought it was funny. She thought it was so funny that she thinks I'm kidding. But I'm not. I'm really voting for Sally the Dog.

Pups to save my blog.

As many of you dedicated blog readers know, we are getting a puppy. Today we went to go visit them. We will bring one home on February 19th. I am very excited. These pups are German Short Hair Pointers.


We want a well balanced dog, so everyone in the family (except Mary) is reading up on all the tips and tricks from the Dog Whisperer. We are trying to learn how to Whisper ourselves.


I am already a huge fan of little Wilma (if it's female) and I sure hope she's photogenic.

Because, if she is photogenic, then I can start making this blog all about the puppy. I can become obsessed! I was getting tired of myself, so I think this is a good move. It was bound to happen. I don't have a husband to blog about, I don't have children/pregnancies to blog about, I have no cutesy craft business to blog about. Man, what have I been blogging about anyway? I'm glad the pup is coming to save my blog.

Good Things

I am sitting here waiting for the numbness from my dental work to wear off. My ear is beginning to feel tingly, my lower lip is starting to function again, and my gums are telling me they have just been poked and prodded for an hour and a half. I can't decide if I should slowly sink into the comforting depths of depression as I start to feel the pain, or if I should stay positive and update everyone on the good things that have happened in my life.

I guess option two is best. I guess.

GOOD THINGS:

1) Although it feels like it could happen soon, my face has not actually fallen off.

2) I played catch with Dad after the dentist. It felt good to throw again, and my face was still really numb, so I felt great.

3) My manicure looks freakin' awesome.

4) I gave a good lesson at FHE last night. We read and discussed this talk by Neal A. Maxwell.

5) I started cleaning my room.

6) I met this little guy at the dentist:
Yup, that's a pup at the dentist's office.

7) A few weeks ago I sat on this chair in this alley behind my work as a coworker gave me a haircut right next to the Bio-Hazard bins. It was great.
8) I was driving home from Grandma's and I saw someone recycling their tree. I don't know why they couldn't cut it any smaller, but I guess they couldn't.

9) And finally, the last time I saw the Balls, they gave me the most stellar gift: Their Boo Boo Records frequent buyer card. It was all filled up, and all I had to do was use it.

I will write all about what I got at Boo Boo's in a later post. Right now I'm going to crawl into bed.

In the black!

Somehow, I'm exhausted. I've been tired for a few days now, so I've concluded my body is trying to fight something off. I've been trying to help by getting a lot of rest, fluids, a balanced diet, and Emergen-C.

But really what it comes down to is that I haven't been able to read as much as I usually do, I'm behind on two Netflix movies (Mary has already watched Finding Forrester and Willow, whereas I've only completed 20 minutes of Willow) and I've been meaning to paint my nails black, and then after a week paint them bright blue. Tonight I looked over at Mary and saw she had painted her nails black! And she plans on doing a bright color next! I'm so behind! I had the great idea, but I haven't been able to accomplish it! Mary is going to be onto her bright nail color, and I'm going to still be in the black!

Sigh. I'm exhausted. I haven't even had time to finish eating a little bowl of jello I started on Saturday.

But the good news is that I got to play with a puppy today.
He misses you, Elizabeth.

Christmas Eve!

Quick update:

Christmas Eve was most excellent.

As tradition goes, the extended family gets together for food, fun and merriment. So, we got all gussied up (we looked fierce) and went on over to the Aunt and Uncle's house. The thing about Cohen Christmas Eves is that everyone usually forgets that we aren't actually eating dinner there, but instead will snack on hour'dourves, with the crowning glory as the macaroni shrimp salad which is mayo based, which means I've never been smitten by it. So, usually our eating is a bit off as we don't actually have dinner. BUT, this year I remembered the food situation and had a tamale at home. Wicka wicka!

We ate and opened presents and we all made out pretty good and were very happy, although if you based our happiness on the excitement level shown (screaming) Laura would have been declared "happiest".

This year we even sang songs around the piano, which should explain the pictures. Oh, and of course, what is Christmas Eve without Zobal the Rottweiler? Zobal has a crush on me, so he followed me around all night, but it was okay because I have a crush on him too.


Tomorrow is Christmas and I am soooooooooooooooo excited. For reals man, I probably won't be able to sleep tonight.

Also, according to Zobal's pack leader, that is suppose to be a bow tie, but it keeps moving all around his neck.

An Announcement

The other day Mother and Father gathered Mary and I and announced they were going to get a dog.


Say what?!

This is the best day of my life!

They have decided on a German Short Hair Pointer.


We have been discussing names, and as it seems the name Severus has been thrown out the window, Father is really pushing for the names Amber or Ginger.


Tonight at dinner Grandma says, "If I'm going to have anymore great granddaughters, I think their names should be Amber or Ginger."

We told her Father wanted to name the dog that, and Grandma was absolutely appalled.