Sunday, December 30, 2012

2012 Goals Revisted.

On January 1, 2012 I posted some resolutions, oops, goals for myself.  There weren't many, just 4 little things, you can revisit them here, if you like.  I thought it was time to take a look back and assess myself on how I did.

1)  This one was the easiest.  I did manage to reduce my fabric stash by making 19 dresses for orphaned girls in Africa.  I had hoped to make more and do another shipment later in the year but I started working full time in late March, so my extra time disappeared.  Grade: PASS

2)  This one was hit or miss.  I was more active at times, but at others was still a couch potato.  Grade: NEEDS IMPROVEMENT

3)  We did manage to reduce some of our debt, but again got caught with some unexpected expenses.  Grade:  NEEDS IMPROVEMENT

4)  As predicted this was the hardest one to achieve.  Of course it didn't help that I didn't even try to make a pair of pants this year.  Aside from the girl's dresses I didn't do much sewing this year.  Grade:  EPIC FAILURE

Well, that's it, 1 out of 4.  I think I will go for the same 4 goals in 2013, see if I can improve and check them all off this year!

Update:  I need to add two things to this list, a new throw quilt for The Husband and a queen size quilt for our bed.  Both of these current quilts are about 20 years old and in tatters, so even though I burnt out on quilting 3yrs ago and haven't made any since, I am going to have to add them to my goals for 2013.

Saturday, December 29, 2012

Holiday Traditions

Christmas breakfast:


Bloody Mary starter......but not to strong!



Home-smoked fish and homemade lox.



Assorted olives, onions, some schmear and gorgeous heirloom tomatoes. YUM!

Then there was dinner:



Kir Royale to start.



Beef carpaccio appetizer.



Pan sautéed Amberjack over kale and fingerling potatoes covered in a scrumptious Bernaise sauce. We were stuffed so we just had brownies for dessert. The Husband did a great job, as usual!

Hope everyone had a great Christmas.

Tuesday, December 25, 2012

Greetings


Best wishes to everyone this holiday season.  May your day be merry and bright!

Chris, The Husband 
and
Louis the VII Rottweiler

Tuesday, December 11, 2012

The Chronicles of Louis the VII Rottweiler

On the Job

Louie and The Husband had their first gig today at Destin Healthcare and Rehabilitation.  Louie did his full repertoire of tricks much to the delight of residents and staff.  Afterwards they visited with some of the residents in their rooms for some one on one petting time.  They were a big hit and have been asked to come back again!

I'm proud of both them for all the time and hard work they have been putting in on training.  It has paid off with the all smiles they brought to many people today.


Thursday, November 22, 2012

Happy Thanksgiving

For The Husband, for Louie,
for Lily and Edgrrr,
for Emily and Tyson,
for Wysti and Echo,
for family and
friends.
 
Wishing everyone a Happy Thanksgiving!

Thursday, November 15, 2012

Hear Ye, Hear Ye!

Louie is jumping for joy because he passed his Canine Good Citizen test AND his Therapy Dog test!  He and The Husband worked very hard together and will soon be joining 'Paws for Friendship' therapy group.

It's incredible that Louie will only be with us for 5 months on Monday, Nov 19th.  It has been a journey for all of us.

Special thanks again to Last Hope Rescue in Tallahassee for saving him for us!



Monday, November 12, 2012

The Chronicles of Louis the VII Rottweiler

Higher Education

Louie graduated his advanced obedience class today.........by the hair on the tip of his stubby little tail.  We think he may not have been feeling very well today and that gurgling sound coming from deep in his tummy was our clue.  But he did pass and has really come a long way.  The Husband opted not to have him do his CGC test today....a wise idea.  So he will probably try for sometime later this week.

Here's the proud graduate:


(Ruby, this one is for you, baby!)

Sunday, November 11, 2012

Veteran's Day 11/11/12

To all who have served and continue to serve........
THANK YOU!

Saturday, November 3, 2012

The Chronicles of Louis the VII Rottweiler

Bad Momma

I hang my head in shame, I can not believe I haven't given an update on Louie in over 2 MONTHS!  What a bad Mom I am.  I don't know where the time has gone or how it got away, but it did.

Louie is in advanced obedience, 5 weeks into it actually, and hopefully graduates next Sunday.  He has been doing really well and The Husband has been working really hard with him taking him places where he meets lots of people and other dogs.  It is possible they will test him for CGC next week, The Husband thinks he will be ready.

He has been going to doggy daycare at our Vet one day about every other week, so if we need to kennel him he will be accustom to everyone there (they run both the daycare and kennel).  He has done great, so we feel comfortable if we have to leave him he will be in familiar surroundings,

Here is our handsome man:

He has filled out and muscled up nicely in the past four months.  About a month ago it seems like he realized that this is his home, he became much more lovey and playful with us.  He is also letting us file his nails with a Dremel tool now, so easy!  He really is a very good boy and we are so, so happy to found him! 

Wednesday, October 31, 2012

In Memory of Edggrrr .....Oct. 31, 2002 - February 20, 2011

Happy 10th Birthday, my sweet boy................




We still miss your big Rottie grin.

Sunday, October 28, 2012

Hurricane Sandy




(Photo by NASA)

The outer most bands of this system reached us yesterday, and we are nowhere near the center of this storm (see us in red circle).  It has brought us much cooler weather (yea!) and very, very windy conditions (boo, not good for the coastlines). 

My thoughts are with everyone along the eastern seaboard.  Take precautions and be safe!

Thursday, September 27, 2012

Over the Bridge

Mango 2005 - 2012

Another beautiful dog leaves us way too soon.
Run free, Mango, run free

Sunday, August 26, 2012

Isaac Update

My good fortune is someone's misfortune. 
 Courtesy of NOAA


Isaac is now looking to track a little farther west, at the moment straight up Mississippi.  We are just on the very eastern edge of the cone right now.  It's still a few days out and anything can change, but NOAA is pretty good at predicting these things.

We will keep our fingers crossed that where ever it goes it is a high 1 or low 2, or perhaps fall apart altogether.  And as season doesn't end until Nov 30th, we will keep watch for the next one.

Thank you all for you well wishes.

Friday, August 24, 2012

Woe Is Me


Preparing for Isaac this weekend, shutters, extra food and water.  If this path is fixed he will come in almost on top of us.  Hoping he moves a little more east, the less time he is over open, warm water the better for everyone.  Arrival time, 8am Weds.

Saturday, August 18, 2012

The Chronicles of Louis the VII Rottweiler

Two Month Gotcha Day

It seems longer, he fits us just like a glove, but today it has been two months since Louie entered our lives.

He hasn't diminished our love or our longing for Lily and Eddie, but he has filled our lives and our hearts, easing the loses, making them bearable.

We hope we are making a good home for him, I think we are.  Today we went to PetSmart for food and, of course, a new toy.  Several people stopped to pet him and say how handsome he was.........and as he picked out that new toy, how lucky he was....they didn't know how anyone could give him up.  Neither can we,  but if they didn't and if Last Hope Rescue didn't see something in him worth saving he wouldn't be ours and that would be our loss.

Happy Two Month Gotcha Day, Louie boy, life would not be the same without you!


Sunday, August 5, 2012

The Chronicles of Louis the IIV Rottweiler

 The Graduate

The night we brought Louie home we stopped at Pet Smart and signed him up for obedience class.  Even from the short time we knew him we knew he had the basics down and were able to get him in an intermediate class.  Well, yesterday was graduation day!

What started out as a class of four ended as a class of two.  Here is Louie's fellow student, Sweet Sissy paying strict attention in class.
She is just the cutest thing. Here she is practicing her down-stay.
Froggy style!  Louie shows he can do a down-stay, too!
The students waiting with anticipation.
"Louie, do you think we passed, huh, huh, Louie, you listenin' to me?"
Sweet Sissy passed, much to her relief.  She is adorable as ever in her little cap.  And what about Louie....
He passes with flying colors. " Ladies, I'm not only handsome, I got me some smarts too!"
"What do you think of this pose? I call it ' Brown Steel',  BOL,  move over Zoolander!"

Now that Louie has passed, he plans to pursue a higher education, going for his Advanced degree, CGC and hopefully, Therapy Dog certification.  Louie has a great future and is going places................
Well, he'll go those places later, right now he's going to take a nap!
 





Sunday, July 22, 2012

Sewing? What's that.........?

I can't remember the last time I posted about any sewing projects.  I think the last was the little dresses project early in spring.

Anyway, I have been doing a little sewing because it's too hot to do anything outside!

Let's start with a winner.....


New Look 6895

It doesn't look like much but it looks really good on and it was super easy to make.  Sometimes with these super easy top patterns they can end up looking boxy (especially without any darts like this one).  But I think this lightweight crinkle poly crepe made it work.  The color is a taupe/mushroom and looks really good with jeans.

Now for a loser..........

NL6803

No, that is not a potato sack, it's a dress.  I got this pretty striped seersucker fabric and was going to make a summer blouse.  Then I got the bright idea it would make a nice cool summer dress.  I didn't have enough for a lot of the dress patterns I have but this on would work.  I've made a different view of this dress with the pleated neckline and the obi belt so I knew it would need a belt and I found a nice one.  But even with the belt I'm not lovin' it.....
It really screams HOUSEDRESS when you put it on even with the belt.  And the front neck vee is really, really low....it stops past my boobs.  I'm disappointed.

Another winner.................

B3717

This pattern is OOP and is my one of my go to skirt patterns.  A simple slim skirt with narrow waistband and back kick pleat.   What makes this so special to me is the fabric.  I LOVE IT! Animal camo!!!  Here's a close up.
Mostly dogs with a few cats, bunnies and birds thrown in for good measure.  Adorable.

As Mr. Meatloaf would say ...."two out of three ain't bad".


Wednesday, July 18, 2012

One Month for Louie

It's hard to believe that it has already been a month since we brought Louie home.  We think he is settling in nicely and bonding with us.  We couldn't have asked for a better dog.  Thank you again to the Last Hope Rescue in Tallahassee for saving our Louie from certain death.

Sunday, July 15, 2012

The Chronicles of Louis the VII Rottweiler

Louie has been doing really well and becoming more and more comfortable in his new home.  He started intermediate obedience class last Saturday at the local Pet Smart and is doing good. 

We do find things out about him everyday as he experiences new things.  For example, The Husband found out in the middle of class yesterday that Louie might have issues with tall men in white baseball caps when he put up a big ruckus when he saw a tall man in a white baseball cap (although he was wagging his tail through all this a mile a minute)!  He has shown some hesitation with men in the past but has never put up a fuss.

We still have not been able to cut his nails.  He put up a major fuss at both our regular vet and at the local Pet Smart vet.  The technician at Pet Smart has to 2 rescue dogs, a dobie and shepherd, so she knew what we were facing.  All they did was bring out the clippers and he went ballistic.  His nails are not a huge issue yet so we are taking him for daily walks on the concrete to help keep them trim.

Those of you with rescue pets, don't you wish you knew about your pet's past?  We have been carefully watching Louie and how he reacts to things and have pieced together this scenario:  He was kept in an outdoor kennel with his dad, while somewhat trained and treated good, he was only played with once a day with a tennis ball and or possibly driven someplace to place with the tennis ball (dog park or field).  We don't think he was socialized real well.

Louie is really a good dog, he is learning everyday and becoming more comfortable around people and strange situations.  If he would let someone cut his nails he would be close to perfect.  Maybe someday, after all we haven't even had him a month!






Gus

So far Louie hasn't any more encounters with Gus, but we keep a very close watch.  I cleaned Gus's pen today while he roamed the yard (Louie was inside).  Here is where Gus lives:


It's 8' x 6' and located in a nice shady part of the yard (has morning sun).  He spends most of the day under the bush but I put up the umbrella to provide a little extra shade at midday over his water.
When I put Gus back in his nice clean pen he made a beeline for his bush.  I came out a little while later to get a picture and couldn't find him.  I had to get down and look hard under the bush but here I found him.
Burrowed under the fresh hay, keepin' cool ....................

Saturday, July 7, 2012

One Month.....




 but it seems like just yesterday you were here, smiling, begging, cuddling in my lap.  
I miss you so much, Lily girl.

Dog's lives are too short.  Their only fault really.......
.......Agnes Sligh Turnbull

 



Wednesday, July 4, 2012

Let Freedom Ring...............




Have a safe and happy holiday!

Saturday, June 30, 2012

The Chronicles of Louis the VII Rottweiler

As you can see Louie is making himself right at home!  We have had a good and bad week.  First the good, he is not as possessive with his toys and is learning to give them to us.  We have not revisited the rawhide bone issue yet......baby steps.  He is really focused on his toys and would play until he dropped if we let him.  With the kind of heat we've had recently we limit playing outside to early morning and late evening.

We did get him a new toy to channel some of this energy.

A Boomer ball!  Tyson, the first male we had before Edgrrr, loved his Boomer ball and could actually pick it up in his mouth (he was a BIG boy).  I don't think Louie's gonna make that happen.
But not for lack of trying.  He loves it to say the least and lets us participate in a little yard soccer. 
Louie is walking nicely on leash and is getting use to the Gentle Leader.  This morning we took him down to the Harbor and walked the length of the docks.

He was the perfect gentlemen, meeting all kinds of people and a few of the dock dogs.  He also probably had his first encounter with stairs, but after a puzzled moment took to them readily.

He had to revisit the Vet this week, and while it was better than the first visit, he still needs improvement.  They had to shave a little section where his tail meets his back and didn't take to that too well.  Although he did cuddle with the tech afterwards and didn't hold it against her.  He has some nasty old flea bites that got infected so we have a spray and antibiotics.  With Lily and Ed I use to just open their mouths and shove them down........luckily Louie LOVES his dinner, so I just open the capsules and mix them in.  He lets The Husband spray his flea bites and kind of lets him put drops in his ears.  He gets better every time.

Now for the bad.
This is Angus T. McTurtle (aka Gus). He wandered into our yard in early May and liked it, so we built him a little pen in the yard.  He is very tame and not afraid of us so we think he either escaped another yard or some numnut let him loose.  When he hears the sound of my voice he will usually come out from under the bush in his pen.  He is an older male Gulf Coast box turtle, he likes eggs, sardines, strawberries and LOVES blueberries and blackberries.

Lily never really paid Gus no mind.  She investigated his enclosure right after we built it but that was about it.  When we brought Louie home he kinda did the same thing, showed a little interest but not a lot.

I get up really early, like 4 or 5.  I like to sit outside have my coffee and look for satellites and meteors (call me crazy).  Louie likes to get up early and, well....pee.  Tuesday we go out he does his stuff but doesn't want to come back in, so I leave him out while I make coffee.  When I go back out I can't find him (it is dark outside) finally I see him .....IN GUS'S PEN!!!! He's rooting under the bush, pulls Gus out and tosses him in the corner.  I run, yelling for him to stop (waking up the neighbors....it is about 5am) and haul him out of the pen.  Louie slinks to the house and I put him inside.

Gus is in the corner and has gone 'turtle' tighter than my favorite jeans.  He looks none the worse for wear and finally pokes his head out, gives me an indignant look and marches off back under the bush.  The next time Louie goes out he takes a wide route around Gus's pen.

Yesterday I get home from work and ask The Husband how everything went.......all was fine until he took his eyes of Louie (damn those iPhones).  He looks up to Louie rooting around under the bush and toss Gus like a frisbee OUT of his pen.  After a lot of' "Louie NO' and "Bad Dog", he gets Louie in the house.  Gus has once again gone 'turtle'.  He was unharmed but I think, is understandably pissed.

We don't think Louie means to hurt him but just play with him.  But a 2 or 3 pound turtle is no match for a Rottie.  So Gus is getting a renovation on his digs to keep the unscheduled play dates at bay.

And Louie's list of things to learn gets longer.