Quote For Thought

“The difference between a boss and a leader: a boss says, ‘Go!’, and a leader says, ‘Let’s go!’”.

E. M. Kelly

Wow! Some much to update on/not enough time. I have/had some many ideas about my blog. I just don't seem to put it all together like I wanted to. These last few weeks have been long and I wish I kept up more on the blog. I have tons of ideas.....I just don't seem to execute them properly. So instead, I'll give you a mini update and go from there.

Ryan and I just got back from Vegas! We were in a $100,000 Black Jack Tournament. We could have been better in the tournament. We keep learning and growing our skills in black jack tournaments. Ryan did great in the gambling world. He came back with money. SCORE! Me, AKA The Cooler, well, I lived up to my Vegas nickname. Walked up to a craps table..... "7". Bad. Ryan bet against me (hoping I would roll 7s). He didn't win. I just have BAD luck sometimes and effects the entire table around me. The Cooler, I cool down hot tables. It is an old superstitious casino thing.

Ryan surprised me with tickets to go see Le Reve (which means “The Dream” in French) at Wynn for our "February Gift" (we don't celebrate Valentines day...we call it February day). LOVED it. Cirque du Sole never lets me down! It is our 4th major show we have seen in Vegas.




I have also been reading TONS lately. I never really read books, as you can see from my grammar - HORRIBLE!

I just finished the "Twilight" series by Stephenie Meyer. First of, I am OBSESSED (Ryan reading this right now is probably thinking "obsessed" is an understatement). I think about the characters NON stop. I have dreams about it. I compare my life to the stories and characters. I am telling you OBSESSED!! I am just in love with the idea of love that is shared with the main characters, Bella and Edward. It is so rare to find love like theirs.....it is making me obsessive. I know, I know, it is just fiction. It is a story about vampires for God-sakes, but I am just so fascinated by the impossible love story. I want more Stephenie Meyer. I WANT MORE! Don't leave me hanging in this Twilight hangover today (I just finished Breaking Dawn yesterday....the 4th book). I just REALLY want more, I am showing signs of withdrawal today.

Hopefully, I'll get over it and get back to reality. I have my Edward....I have Ryan.

Kudos to Stephenie Meyer, a local Valley resident for making such a fantastic series. I am just starting on The Host today, I am sure you won't disappoint. At least the book is for Adults, not teens.

I also finished The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini. FANTASTIC! I also really got "emotionally" involved with the book. It just changed my entire point of view of Afghanistan and why our troops are fighting for the citizens of Afghanistan. Khaled is a fantastic story teller and he make you want more and make the characters so alive....with emotions and feelings. I wish him the best of luck and I hope he produces more literary work and spread the word and charity to help the true citizens of Afghanistan. Help share the pride and the true meaning of what it means to be a Afghani citizen.

Other recent books was The Reader by Bernhard Schlink. It was good.....I just never really got into it, but it was good. I am sure I will like the movie more. I haven't read the last few pages, that might change things for me. Rosemary's Baby by Ira Levin. Very good! Another movie that I would like to see. I am also reading Confessions of a Shopaholic at this time.

Look at me! A little bookworm! Do you remember when you where in school and you got "star" sticker for a button? Once you filled all the spaces, you got a free personal pan pizza from Pizza Hut. I wish I had that now. I could really go for a pizza right now.

Now that I bored the few readers I do have, I'll update more later.

The case of the Blair Witch Rock Pile: Solved!

The mysterious case of the Blair Witch Rocks in my backyard has finally been solved. There were these very bizzare rock piles forming in my backyard. Several little piles of rocks that didn't belong there. Every once in while, another pile would form. It just wasn't making sense. I didn't think Ryan was doing that. Who has that much time on their hands to go get the rocks, bring them in the corners of my yard and pile them in these mini piles of rocks. Each time I would discover another Blair Witch pile, I was getting more and more paranoid, my mind was wondering in all direction.

Well the mystery has been solved. Case closed. Paranoid thoughts over. Ryan and I left to go for a walk with TiVO and the second we open door, our neighborhood kids was on our front porch. Dressed in camouflage, with some type of weapon. Uhhhhhhh WTF are you doing on my property? Hiding? If they are that bold to do that, I am sure they would go in our backyard and do crazy stuff, like Blair Witch piles. So I asked Ryan about the rock piles. After a year (did I mention at least a year) of my mind running and crazy thoughts would merge. I finally ask my husband about Blair Witch rock piles.

"Oh, those piles, I did them." Ryan said casual.
"Uhhhh, really, why....WHY?" A entire year of emotions built up.
"I find the rocks that don't belong in the yard, stack them, and keep meaning to go pick up all the rock piles."

Blair Witch Rock Pile Case: Case closed.

'What Dog Breed Are You' Quiz

Labrador Retriever
The Caretaker

Your family is what makes you tick, and you never "flea" from an opportunity to hang out with the whole gang. A family picnic complete with hot dogs, deviled eggs and a refreshing swim in the lake is hard for you to stray from. Your sparky temperament and dogged intelligence mean you are not only a blast to hang out with, but great to work with as well. Your close pals appreciate your patience and forgiveness, knowing you'd rather let sleeping dogs lie than dwell on the mishaps of the past. Your dashing good looks may one day lead to a modeling career, if only you can tame the unfortunate clumsiness that sometimes causes you to go flailing from the catwalk.

TiVO Afraid of His Water Dish

This is what we have to go through everyday and night! He is getting better though.

Petwalk

The Petwalk in Tempe was a lot of fun. Over whelming, but lots of fun. TiVO had a blast! I think it is good for him to get out and meet other dogs. He was intimidated by them I think, but he just wanted to check them out, then he could have cared less about them. After the first mile and half (it was a 5k walk), he was done. Just laid down in the grass. We stopped several more times. Poor guy, he was just pooped!

I am glad that several thousand people turned out for this great event. Lots of money was raise to help out animals in need.

Ryan and TiVO after the 5k. I am lingering in the background.

My grandma just adopted a dog from the Sedona Humane Society. His coloring looks a lot like TiVO. Hopefully they will start to adjust to each other soon.

Three Weeks with TiVO

TiVO and his bones. LOVES them like he LOVES the bunnies.

Daddy.....give me the ball. PLEEEEESSSSE give me the ball.

Please? I'll be good. I want the ball.

What is it going to take for you to give me the ball? Want me to dance? Here is a little dance for you. Now give me the ball! (Yes, TiVO does get on his hind legs.)

Oh, crap, the ball went into the pool. Now what?

Belly rub time!

Old photo with his cone still on and pre-groom, but I just LOVE the heart on his nose.

Wow. I can't believe it has only been three weeks with little TiVO! He has been adjusting and getting more comfortable by the day. He goes outside more without us. He goes in different rooms without us know. Ryan and I are enjoying his independence. We are learning things about him all the time. We found out that he is scared of so much! He is TERRIFIED of his water dispenser. We have to hug him and pet him and encourage him to drink his water. This is all day and night. He barks at objects, like vases, ceiling fans and our George Foreman Grill. He is slowly getting better.

TiVO has also discovered the bunnies that live in the backyard. His life's mission is to get one. He spends hours with his nose to the ground, on the hunt for bunnies. He has now eating the grass and digging holes because they are flavored "bunny".

Last week TiVO and I went to Wags for Wishes. He had a great time and I wish he was able to participate in activities, they they included him to be off the leash. Not going to happen. He also got groomed. They butchered him, but they were sweet to him. I can't wait until the hair grows out.

This week, the three of us are attending PetWalk.

We are so lucky to have TiVO apart of our lives. We love him so much!

Inaugural PetWalk

Join AAWL / SPCA for the PetWalk

You can sign up to be on team AAWL/SPCA or be an individual walker and raise money for AAWL/SPCA or another shelter of your choice. AAWL/SPCA is the oldest, no-kill shelter in Arizona. The shelter facilities provide a temporary home for nearly 2,000 dogs and cats every year, offering medical and behavioral treatment for those in need.

You can also sponsor Ryan and I by clicking here.

100% of proceeds from AAWL/SPCA designated Walkers goes to AAWL/SPCA

Click here to join the AAWL / SPCA Team

When: Sunday, January 25th
Registration begins at 1pm, the walk begins at 2:30pm
Where: Tempe Town Lake

This is the first-ever PetSmart Charities PetWalk! PetSmart Charities funds programs that assist animal welfare agencies in their life-saving work across the United States and Canada. The PetWalk will raise money for the local agencies we support and the thousands of homeless pets they help find loving homes for every year.

The inaugural PetWalk will be held on Sunday, January 25, 2009, at Tempe Town Lake in Tempe, Arizona. This event is more than a walk; it is a festival to celebrate the love we have for pets as well! It will be a fun-packed day with lots of activities for children, adults and pets.

Click here for more information on the walk, including registration forms and donation forms.

Go CARDINALS!
We wish you the best of luck in Tampa!

Sincerely,
Your bandwagon fan

Wags for Wishes

Wags for Wishes is a 3 day event, raising money for Arizona's Make a Wish Foundation. The event is held at Sahuaro Ranch Park. (59th Avenue and Mountain View Road). The dates are Friday, January 16th through Sunday the 18th. It is a $5 admission price, but it goes to a great cause.

Click Here for Website

Some of the Competition Events Scheduled:

• Agility
• Fly Ball
• Disc Dogs
• Splash Dogs Dock Diving
• Obedience, Rally

Activities Scheduled:

• Chasing a Coyote tail around a fenced “circuit” at LURE FOR THE CURE $6 per run
• Test your dog’s skills to find a “hidden treasure” at the BARN HUNT $5 per run
• Preserve your dog’s PAW PRINT…Makes a GREAT wall hanging
• Visit the VENDOR VILLAGE for lots of dog-related products
• Watch MANY demonstrations on the MAIN PROGRAM STAGE (see the schedule)
• Test your dog’s manners and get the Canine Good Citizen Certification $10
• Certify your dog at the Therapy Dog International Testing station $10
• Showcase your dog’s talents at the AMERICAN FIDO competition Saturday AM
• Learn to throw a Frisbee for your dog at the Disc Dog clinics (fees)
• Test your dog’s herding instinct $20 per run