5K's, nephews, and excitement

so, I've started a 6 weeks to a 5K running program...with 5 weeks before the race. I know, I started it a week late, but at least I started it. I'm now into week 2 and it is going well, and I have a great running, actually the best running partner

yes, none other than my spunky girly girl, and since she's going to be running in the actual race w/me, I see no reason why she should get to skip out on the training. After all I'm doing this for her, and to fit into my jeans again, and for her...

What about Deezel, you say? Trust me running in a 5K is definitely not up his alley, he would much rather go to the event and make it his personal goal that everyone, and I mean everyone stops and pets him. Or he would be just as content snoozing on his couch, happy to have it all to himself, not having to share it with a certain someone that doesn't respect his space...

and tend's to wegde herself in, no matter what. And that green shirt on Deezel, that's so he'd stop licking a spot on his front leg, ahhh...the things I put him through.

Hmmm...let's see, this past week or two has just flown by.

Clete and Chris, my brother and sister-in-law, came down not to long ago with my nephews for an impromptu lunch at my Mom's. We grilled out, brats (ewww) and italian sausage, with saurkraut and peppers, baked beans, fresh fruit, potato salad... typical but good cookout food.

I love my nephews, Noah and Ben...they are growing up too fast.

Noah is 3

and Benjamin is 1

they don't live too far away, but far enough that I only see them every few months.

This past weekend, I was down in Kentucky for an overnight...attending my Mom's Family Reunion. Lot's of fun, yet we couldn't stay for the main event on Saturday because of a prior obligation back here in Columbus, but Friday evening story time was a good time. I get car-sick really easily, like too easily so I was ready to get out of the car, getting there and getting home. And even though I was only gone for the night, don't you just love getting home, I do.

A special Thank you to Caleb for his first official dog-sitting night...he survived and so did they.

Things I'm excited for:

-Pedicures with Kathryn and Gina (I haven't ever had one, but would love too)

-Possibly going to the Ohio State Fair, again something else that will be a first for me, and besides who doesn't love fair food? (according to my Mom, I went when I was little, who knew, Oh, well I'm not counting it, because I don't remember...)

-This 5K DogJog with Josi

-Friday evening, I get to watch Jack (Emily's baby boy), can't wait...while they go out to a movie, yea!

-oh, and my brothers new job, it's artsy fartsy and perfect for him, congratulations Caleb

Cousins

mkay, so when I say cousins, I mean the term loosely
as a term of closeness, as in these four are quite the click and although they aren't all related by blood they are related in terms of adopted family. You've got my two, Deezel and Josi and Aunt Janell's two, Sydney and Arthur.


I just love these two babies; I met Janell about 3 years ago at the dog park.
At the time she just had Sydney, the fawn dane, and after she first put Deezel in his place, she soon began singing a different tune and they've been friends ever since. I mean how could she resist Deezel's charms?







On Friday, I threw my two in the Jeep and headed over for some quality play time. Arthur and Josi are completely rotten and just love playing, along with getting into no good.






as in digging in the yard...


hmmm...Arthur how all that dirt end up on your tongue?







and while the spotteds were being ornery, Deezel and Sydney were getting some quality snuggle time in











Ha! Deezel's expression had Janell and I rolling on the ground, I think Sydney even found it hilarious...






After working up a good thirst and just hanging out,





we were ready to go home and eat



these two are eating me out of apartment and home!!! especially the grey one she's such a little piglet:)

oh, and just so you all know


Josi is not the only pillow stealer in the family...only at least Deezel is courteous enough to lay beside me. Which is good in the winter yet not so much in the summer, let's just call him a little furnace, o.k. a big furnace.

Salmon Burgers, Babies, and Long Lost Friends

so, the other night, Wednesday, I walked down to my friends (Kathryn and Gina) to have Salmon Burgers. Now, my Mom makes the best ever Salmon Patties (which are not the same thing as burgers), along with Meatloaf, Tuna Noodle Casserole, Spaghetti, Deviled Eggs, and pretty much everything...but then who's Mom doesn't make the best _____?

Back to the Salmon Burgers, now Kathryn and Gina were hesitant to let everyone see them - insisting that they did not look very appetizing ( I believe the term, puke burger, might have been vocalized), before grilling them...

besides chopped up fresh, deboned and skinless salmon, there's apparently some spinach, scallions, soy sauce, um...and raw ginger (grated sans grater; don't ask - that's a whole other story...

After getting over the 'oh, crap - I didn't spray the foil first and now the burgers are sticking' debacle, along with the 'dang these baked potatoes are taking way too long' and 'should we or should we not use the curdled sour cream' issues; we finally sat down to eat.

Now my picture doesn't do the thing justice; I guess I was a little to close with the close-up shot. This burger looks like a green burger, not the pink/green that it really was. Oh, and for toppings there's the ole' tomato and lettuce, along with some dijon mustard...overall the burgers were a success - everyone really surprisingly liked them.

Thanks for dinner girls...

Speaking of Kathryn, we ran into each other not to long ago, and realized, 'hey, I know that girl' - OU alums rarely forget a face...it turns out she lives a hop away from me.

here she is with her furkid, Skylar - you can't tell from this picture; but Skylar has those baby blues that just melt your heart. That and she's just so darn cute and very opinionated too. At first she was a little timid and unsure about Deezel and Josi (their size tends to have that effect), but she likes them now and they like her too.

here she is at lookout point; the place she likes to sit in her yard and people/dog watch.

on to babies...

Back in June I went with my Mom to a women's spiritual retreat and met Emily Martin. We instantly connected and I'm glad she's become a part of my life. She's married, has two furkids, and a currently 4 1/2 month old baby boy, Jack

now how adorable is this little man...you might have seen him not to long ago on NBC 4 . They did a piece on ways to save money in regards to babies and Emily is a big advocate of cloth diapers. They've come along way, baby - and are not the ones your grandma/mom used to use; now they are quite user friendly, not to mention wallet, plus they are a great way to go green, who knew?

Don't you just want to pinch those cheeks?

Last night was very humid/hot but, we wanted to keep our walking date, here's Emily with Jack and picture hogs Deezel and Josi

as I like to say a good dog is a tired dog; and trust me my two love air-conditioning the most when we get back from walking

and I love having tired, good dogs; they ususally lay on the floor for about 1/2 hour not moving a muscle. Then eventually decide 'wait, a minute - why am I laying on this floor' and move to softer ground.

mkay, so Deezel and Josi sleep in my bed with me, yes, I know...really it's their bed and I'm just fooling myself thinking it's mine, especially when considering Josi's favorite sleeping position of late...
this is from this morning; apparently she's decided that she's been missing out all this time on the pillow, and yes Amy that's Kip, and yes to everyone else I also share my bed with a stuffed bear - he has managed to elude being torn apart thus far. If you ask me I think that the furkids and the bear, Kip, are actually snuggle buddies.

The point is Josi insists on laying like this, while I am trying to sleep...my night consists of her shoulder digging into my back or being crushed when she manages to lay right on me. When I woke up this morning I slid out of bed and took this just to show everyone what a pillow stealer she's become. And just in case anyone is wondering, Deezel had already high-tailed it to his couch in the living room awhile ago...he had enough of girl time.

And now for some very exciting news...I checked my blog this morning, and yay! I had a comment...from one Miss Erinn Hoban and my jaw dropped open. She's very near and dear to me, yet we had lost contact about 3 long years ago. I even might have teared up a little, man do I miss her. She's goal number 81 in my 101 goals to do in 1001 days post from June 18th; in which I stated that I would find my long lost friends, Erinn Hoban and Matthew Hunter. One down, one to go...although technically she found me, I'm still counting it as partially completed. I'm soooo excited I can't wait to catch up, I'm about to pee my pants, okay not literally like someone I know...

oh, and Thanks Erinn for your comments, I love you girl!!

Flowers...why, oh why

Things I love:

My Black-Eyed Susan Flowers, this one's name is Lola

Things I don't love:

Wilting Flowers....why is this one so sad, what am I doing wrong? Please help save Evangeline...she's getting the same treatment as her perky sister. I make them trade spaces, I rotate them, I give them the same amount of water, lately I've been giving Evangeline pep talks...what do you suggest?

The Boys

My good friend, Janell (Aunt Janell to Deezel/Josi - she's basically a second Mom to them) came over for a visit last night with her babies, Sydney and Arthur. We took the furkids for a walk, Arthur's been having a rough time of late, so we kept it short that plus it was still a little to warm out.


Afterwards she stayed for dinner - Mike's potatoes and scrambled eggs-and while the girls took the comfy spots (the couch/twin bed) the boys decided to camp out on the floor.

Aren't they handsome?

And what are Mike's potatoes you ask; Yellow gold potatoes (yes, apparently it's a sin if you use another kind, say for instance, organic russet - how was I to know!), a yellow onion, fresh garlic - both coarsly chopped, and a healthy sprinkling of olive oil, ground blk. pepper and sea salt. You roast them and then apply a layer of cheedary cheesy goodness, melt and devour - gaining 10pds in the process....next time I make them I'll be sure to take a picture for all of you visual types:)

My Weekend

Boy, oh boy did I have a fun-filled full weekend!

Alright so Friday evening, consisted of working late and taking a walk w/ the doggies. Time consuming? yes Fun-filled? no, yet it was a relaxing way to unwind after work.

Saturday, I was up early (can anyone explain why it's impossible to sleep in on Sat/Sun, yet so tempting throughout the week?), out the door for a long (2hr) walk, with Deezel and Josi in tow, why of course. Then it was on to the grocery store - I'm a Kroger girl- we needed a few things and my Dad was coming into town for the night, so I wanted to get stuff for dinner. If you ask me I'd rather make dinner and visit than go out when entertaining relatives, but that's me.

I do have a new food obsession - True North (brand) Almond Clusters - yum:) oh, and Simply Orange, oj - with lots of pulp. I know that was random but I was thinking about the grocery store.

Afterwards, I spent a couple hours chopping up goodies in the kitchen - watermelon, onions, peppers, tomatoes, olives, lettuce...yes I decided to make tacos for dinner. Growing up, we loved taco night, where everyone made a mess while eating to the bursting point. Nonetheless, I wanted to have most of the food prepped because I was going out for the afternoon.

I went down to the North Market (downtown Columbus), to a wine tasting event with my friends, Kathryn, Gina and Kristy. I was really excited for two reasons, 1. who doesn't like wine? and 2. I love the Pesto from Pastaria, this stuff is amazing, and I needed to replinish my empty spot in the freezer.
The wine tasting was a good time, yet it was a scorcher and very crowded, I had never been to one before, and I'll definitely go again.

My dad showed up about the time I got home, we (Caleb, he and I) chatted while I finished dinner. Then we feasted on Tacos and went to the Chocolate Octupus for some good ole' ice cream for dessert. We planned on taking a little walk after that but got rained out. So I made some pasta, fresh cheese tortellini, for the pesto while the men watched Dangerous Catch on A&E.

Sunday, I was up early again and My Dad and I, along with the furkids took a long walk, making it back just in time before it started to rain. Then we went to try out Rise & Dine, a new breakfast place that recently opened near us, we all gave it a thumbs up - although I still like First Watch better. Around noon, my Dad took off for home and I finished up a book I was reading during the afternoon.

Deezel and Josi had a birthday party to attend at 6pm - Happy Birthday Scarlet- there friend was celebrating their 4th birthday. We had a really great time, lotsa treats (cupcakes - for dogs, beef and chicken and watermelon ice cubes, peanut butter in a cup) games and general run around like crazy dog playing filled up the next few hours. We were home from the party around 9pm and by then it was time to go to bed shortly and get ready for Monday, egh....back to the work week.

I Love My Furkids

I have two furkids that I'm completely, absolutely, unconditionally, hopelessy in love with.

Here's the general rundown on each of them:

Let's start with Deezel first because, 1. he's older and 2. just because I want to.

He's 3 yrs young (born 12.16.2004), and is my meet and greeter - he just loves people. He is my handsome boy that is very Tall to say the least, measuring close to 39" at his shoulder and weighs about 155lbs. Other things he loves: his couch, air conditioning, laying (not walking) in the sun, ice cubes, watching SportsCenter with my brother for 'man time', my Mom, sleeping, squeaky tennis balls, cow bones, Sydney, drinking water from the sink, snuggling with me, blankets and his sister, Josephine.I got Deezel first and he melted my heart from the beginning, in fact I wanted a black Dane with no white and ended up with the male with the most white, he was just so determined to stay by my side, even after his brothers lost interest, that I couldn't resist. After bringing him home I decided that I wanted one of his littermates, yet they had all been spoken for already. So I opted for a female from the next litter (they are actually 1/2 brother and sister - same papa), there was only one blue merle female, and I wrote a check before I even saw her, enter Josi....

Josi (Josephine) is also 3 yrs young (born 3.8.2005), and is the Calvin (from Calvin and Hobbes) that I always said I wanted. Growing up and still to this day, Calvin and Hobbes was/is my favorite comic strip and I've always said that I want lots of little boys just like Calvin. I didn't expect to get one in the female form, but she's completely ornery from nose to tail:-) and I wouldn't have it any other way. Things she loves: Trouble, my bed, being independant, giving kisses, keeping on the go, sleeping - yes she's quite the contridiction - Arthur, eating, destroying stuffed animals, cow bones, having her eyes covered while sleeping when there are lights on, her backpack, My Dad, eating everything, cuddly time with me, pestering her sister, Doobie (Caleb's cat) one would think that by now she would think that the cat is not that interesting anymore...and her brother Deezel. For anyone that's keeping tabs, she measures 34" at her shoulder and weighs close to 140lbs.

How cute is that face, tell me how am I to resist?

And this one, his leg's are longer than mine, that's so not fair......






Basically this is where all my money goes, just kidding, sort of.

They are two peas in a pod, I guess growing up with one another will do that. I love that they are both relatively the same age (separated by about 10wks) and that they do have each other. We are out everyday, o.k. maybe not during the winter, for our long walks, which is one thing we all love. The saying "a good dog is a tired dog" is so true.

Question: Who are your furkids?