An early anniversary present from my hubby!

While talking about my desire for an electric kettle in my office Jerry had a wonderful idea to get a Keurig for our anniversary allowing me to take our kettle to the office.  We normally like to travel for our anniversary, but since we cannot do that this year, this was a wonderful substitute.

At first I was hesitant.  I had real trouble wrapping my head around this gadget; I just didn't "get it".

I enjoy tea and despise the taste of coffee, sometimes even the smell, so I didn't desire even the hint of coffee in my tea.  The only time I did drink coffee, I was 23, at IHOP, at 2:00 in the morning after a night at Piranha's and I have no desire to repeat the experience.

I was concerned about the taste of my husband's coffee coming through in my tea.  So far so good.  I brewed a cup of herbal tea immediately after Jerry made some Italian Roast and I didn't even get a hint of coffee!  We've made about 10 cups so far and are enjoying the machine.

Run for the Hills 5K, March 17 - Our first 5k!

Forest Hill Neighborhood: 'via Blog this'

We just signed up for our first 5k!  What a way to spend our 13th Anniversary!

We are taking the 2 Pomeranian's with us, but there is NO way we will be taking home any prizes!

A Terrified Public - How the Pit Bull Got A Bad Rep

"My kids are around pit bulls every day. In the '70s they blamed Dobermans, in the '80s they blamed German Shepherds, in the '90s they blamed Rottweilers. Now they blame the Pit Bull." 
- Cesar Millan (The Dog Whisperer)

A Terrified Public

"...A classic case in point, Weela, the 1993 Ken-L Ration’s Dog Hero, that saved 30 people, 29 dogs, 13 horses, and a cat, during heavy floods in Southern California. Reader’s Digest refused to include, that Weela was an American Pit Bull Terrier, when writing their article, depicting her heroic acts.

Today, these strong proud animals, are used in a variety of helping functions in society including police work, search and rescue, or therapy dogs in hospitals. Their fun loving, energetic, personalities, high level of intelligence, and athletic bodies help them to excel in all K-9 sports such as agility, dock diving, fly ball, weight pulling, rally obedience, flying disc - the list is endless. Anything, any other breed can do, so can a bully. Because, as the media reports it…….if it’s not a Pit Bull, It’s just a dog. Strong, confident, never give up and never back down, is so much a part of who we are as a society, how did we become so afraid of these virtues?”

10 Early Signs of Parkinson Disease

Parkinsons Disease

According to widely used guidelines from the United Kingdom Parkinson's Disease Society Brain Bank, the first indicators of a Parkinson's diagnosis are sign #1 and at least one of signs #2 through #4.

Cardinal signs

1. He or she moves very slowly and seems clumsier. It takes longer than usual to button a shirt, make a phone call, or do any task that requires hand coordination -- and there's no other obvious explanation for it. This slowness of movement is known as bradykinesia. As the disease progresses, Parkinson's disease patients may find themselves momentarily “freezing” like a statue while walking or turning, unable to take the next step.

2. His or her hand or leg shakes when in a resting position. About 70 to 80 percent of Parkinson's disease patients have a "resting tremor" in the hands, arms, legs, jaw, or face. The shakiness occurs when, say, the patient rests her hand relaxed in her lap, as opposed to when moving to pour a cup of tea. The trembling could make it look as if she's rolling a pill between her thumb and forefinger.

Folding a fitted sheet

I just had to post this because I will fold a fitted sheet neatly only 1 out of every 10 times...

Folding a Fitted Sheet How-To

1. Stand holding the sheet by the two adjacent corners of one of the shorter edges. With the sheet inside out, place one hand in each of these two corners.

2. Bring your right hand to your left, and fold the corner in your right hand over the one in your left, enveloping it. Next, reach down and pick up the corner that is hanging in front; bring it up, and fold it over the two corners in your left hand; the corner that's showing will be inside out.

Pet Periodontitis - Gum Disease Can be Fatal to Pets

Caring for Your Pets Teeth at Home Easily

Pet Periodontitis

Toothaches, Bad Breath are Not Reserved For Humans Alone

It creeps in slowly and unseen. What starts out as all-familiar, sweet puppy breath evolves into something smelly and foul. It’s not just bad breath your pet is puffing all over you.

It’s gum disease.

The easiest way to help keep your dogs teeth healthy is to feed your dog a dry food diet and only use wet food as a treat.  This will also help reduce gas and stool odor.

Pets Benefit From Dental Checkups

It’s estimated that more than 80 percent of pets in the U.S. experience gum disease by age 3. Left untreated, abscesses and plaque buildup can turn into a costly visit to the veterinarian.

The Dogs First Snow!

With the exception of our 13 year old, Flapjack, the dogs loved their first snow!  Cupid was rolling around in it and bot Cupid and Romeo loved chasing snowballs and having snowballs tossed so they could try and catch them in their mouths!

We had a blast playing in the snow last night!

Lipstick Art, Very Cool!!

Chuckle for the Day - What You Give A Woman

'Whatever you give a woman, she will make greater. If you give her sperm, she'll give you a baby. If you give her a house, she'll give you a home. If you give her groceries, she'll give you a meal. If you give her a smile, she'll give you her heart.

She multiplies and enlarges what is given to her. So, if you give her any crap, be ready to receive a ton of shit.'

Happy Valentine's Day!

In honor of this Valentine's Day, here is a picture of my awesome husband on our first Valentines Day 14 years ago, 1998.

Can You Be Friends With Your Sister?

Can you be friends with your sister?

I tried, and ultimately failed, at my attempt to be friends with my sister.  I guess when there is a significant age difference and you weren't raised knowing each other, it just isn't realistic.  This is especially true if one side doesn't care about the other as a person, much less a relative and especially as a sibling.

Dog Dental Care Done Easy at Home

February is Dog Dental Care Month!  Many clinics offer discounts on teeth cleaning during the month.

Anesthesia does have it's risks in dogs just as it does in humans.  To keep your dog away from the vet, there is quite a few things you can do at home to extend the life of your dentist cleaning and even prevent having to have a cleaning at all.

Dog Dental Care: An Introduction: Caring for Your Pet's Teeth: Pet Care

Yes you are supposed to brush their daily, but let's face it, who among us does that?

Here's what we do on our 3 dogs and to a lesser extent, our cat:

Romeo's teeth (our 6.5 lb Pomeranian).  We rescued him in June 2009,
he has never had a vet cleaning, though  he does have annual check ups

Daily: A water additive, dry food (in addition to tooth decay, wet food also is very fattening, causes irregular blood sugar, loose stools, gas and other gastro intestinal problems, talk to your vet), a treat designed for teeth/breath (Greenies, C.E.T. Enzymatic Chews, etc...), and at bedtime, I squirt about a teaspoon of Tropiclean Fresh Breath Clean Teeth in between their teeth and cheeks along their gumline alternating between bottom and top.

Chuckle for the Day - Resume vs. Reality

Happy Birthday to my baby brother!

Wow!  I can't believe my baby brother is 27!  

Does not seem possible...

Anne Taintor - Vintage Sarcasm Artist

We've probably all seen it on magnets or notecards, but I don't imagine very many people know that there is an artist behind it and it's not just a team of writers in a corporate office somewhere.  I've included a few of my favorites below the post. 

Visit her website here! 

Chuckle for the Day - Sparkly Jewelry

Starting Juicing All Over Again

Well the diet went to hell these past 3 weeks being home and bored... BUT, with a new permanent job starting tomorrow I am rededicating myself to our juicing.  It is very hard for me to stick with it when I'm home 24/7 but I find it very easy to do when I'm working.

I am basically starting all over again and will have to work twice as hard to catch up with Jerry who dropped approx 24 pounds in January and is looking great!

Very Excited! Lots & Lots Going On!!!

So much going on this week!  Very exciting!  Everything is falling in to place and coming together very nicely.

We just reached our 6 months in Richmond mark, and we love it here!  I would have liked to see some snow my first winter out of San Antonio in over a quarter century, but at least the unseasonably warm winter has given Jerry a chance to ease into it.  I'm glad he had a gentle winter, but at this point I'd settle for some ice at least!

Jerry has an interview with the state juvenile justice system today and I have a good feeling!  He looks very sharp in his gray suit and cornflower blue shirt, with the 25 pounds he lost in January, he is looking pretty H.O.T.; but then, he always does.

Tiny Bathroom Storage Solution

My Husband and I went from a large 1970's Ranch house with 2 full baths that had plenty of storage to a 1940's Bungalow with one bathroom that has virtually no storage.

After a few months I thought maybe a hanging shoe organizer would do the trick, except in true mid-century style, the bathroom door is significantly more narrow that the bedroom doors.  The shoe organizer was just too wide at 28 inches.

Chuckle for the Day - iPhone Humor

Cowboy Boots

A woman went into a bar in Texas and saw a cowboy with his feet propped up on a table. He had the biggest feet she’d ever seen.

The woman asked the cowboy if it’s true what they say about men with big feet. The cowboy grinned and said, “Sure is, little lady! Why don’t you come on out to the bunk house and let me prove it to you!”