Nook Discoveries!

Yep, I got a Nook for Christmas. I want to share some of the things currently on my Nook.

Crock Pot Cookbook by R. Wilson : This 1007 page cookbook was only $.99!! I've made the Sweet & Sour Chicken and plan on making the Coq Au Vin II tomorrow for New Years. No pics, but pretty simple recipes with only a few ingredients. It's also lendable.

100 Quotes to make you think! by Wolfgang Riebe : Just a cute quick read when you dont have time for a chapter book. I believe this one was free.

Fire Burn and Cauldron Bubble, a Paranormal Romance / Urban Fantasy (Book 1 of the Jolie Wilkins Series) by H.P. Mallory : I JUST finished this book today. It was $.99 and is lendable. It's just a super fun book about a regular girl that finds out she's a witch. And of course she's in love with a super cute English warlock!

Toil and Trouble, a Paranormal Romance / Urban Fantasy (Book 2 of the Jolie Wilkins Series) by H.P. Mallory : And there's a sequal!! I have read the first few pages of this one as a preview. This one is also lendable. And it was $2.99.

If you want to borrow any of these books, just let me know! Just leave a comment with your email. Or email me at sara.sutliff@gmail.com.

Dog Days Are Over

My new favorite song. This is how I imagine I will feel the day Joe comes back. The dog days are over. Happiness will hit with one hug. Great beat too.

By Florence + The Machine

Happiness hit her like a train on a track
Coming towards her stuck still no turning back
She hid around corners and she hid under beds
She killed it with kisses and from it she fled
With every bubble she sank with her drink
And washed it away down the kitchen sink

The dog days are over
The dog days are done
The horses are coming
So you better run

Run fast for your mother, run fast for your father
Run for your children, for your sisters and brothers
Leave all your love and your longing behind
You cant carry it with you if you want to survive

The dog days are over
The dog days are done
Can you hear the horses?
Because here they come

And I never wanted anything from you
Except everything you had and what was left after that too, oh
Happiness hit her like a bullet in the head
Struck from a great height by someone who should know better than that

The dog days are over
The dog days are done
Can you hear the horses?
Because here they come

Run fast for your mother, run fast for your father
Run for your children, for your sisters and brothers
Leave all your loving, your loving behind
You cant carry it with you if you want to survive

The dog days are over
The dog days are done
Can you hear the horses?
Because here they come

The dog days are over
The dog days are done
The horses are coming
So you better run

99 Things

Here are 99 things that someone somewhere thinks people should do... Let's see how many I have done (they will be in BLUE). I stole this from another blog. ")

1. Started your own blog - Oh yeah, you are on it right now. :)

2. Slept under the stars -

3. Played in a band - I played the Clarinet in the school band.

4. Visited Hawaii

5. Watched a meteor shower

6. Given more than you can afford to charity

7. Been to Disney World - I've been to Disneyland

8. Climbed a mountain

9. Held a praying mantis

10. Sang a solo - I dont sing. Period.

11. Bungee jumped - NEVER!!

12. Visited Paris - two Paris' actually :)

13. Watched a lightning storm

14. Taught yourself an art from scratch

15. Adopted a child

16. Had food poisoning - it was at a Taco Bell when my family was on vacation in Oklahoma

17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty

18. Grown your own vegetables

19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France - the Louvre was on strike when we tried to go.

20. Slept on an overnight train

21. Had a pillow fight

22. Hitch hiked - NEVER

23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill

24. Built a snow fort - I grew up in Arkansas, we dont get enough snow

25. Held a lamb

26. Gone skinny dipping

27. Run a Marathon

28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice

29. Seen a total eclipse

30. Watched a sunrise or sunset

31. Hit a home run

32. Been on a cruise

33. Seen Niagara Falls in person - I was 12 with my aunt and uncle and brother and cousin

34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors

35. Seen an Amish community

36. Taught yourself a new language

37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied

38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person

39. Gone rock climbing

40. Seen Michelangelo’s David

41. Sung karaoke

42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt

43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant

44. Visited Africa

45. Walked on a beach by moonlight

46. Been transported in an ambulance

47. Had your portrait painted

48. Gone deep sea fishing

50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris

51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling

52. Kissed in the rain

53. Played in the mud

54. Gone to a drive-in theater

55. Been in a movie

56. Visited the Great Wall of China

57. Started a business

58. Taken a martial arts class

59. Visited Russia

60. Served at a soup kitchen

61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies - for 11 years!!

62. Gone whale watching

63. Got flowers for no reason

64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma

65. Gone sky diving

66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp

67. Bounced a check

68. Flown in a helicopter

69. Saved a favorite childhood toy

70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial

71. Eaten Caviar - LOVE it!

72. Pieced a quilt

73. Stood in Times Square

74. Toured the Everglades

75. Been fired from a job

76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London

77. Broken a bone

78. Been a passenger on a motorcycle

79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person

80. Published a book

81. Visited the Vatican

82. Bought a brand new car

83. Walked in Jerusalem

84. Had your picture in the newspaper

85. Kissed a stranger at midnight on New Year’s Eve

86. Visited the White House

87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating

88. Had chickenpox

89. Saved someone’s life

90. Sat on a jury

91. Met someone famous

92. Joined a book club

93. Got a tattoo

94. Had a baby

95. Seen the Alamo in person

96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake

97. Been involved in a law suit

98. Owned a cell phone

99. Been stung by a bee

I got 36/99. I'm boring. :)

What is your score?

Graduate Student

I am officially a grad student! This has been a dream of mine for years now. And it's finally the time to go back. I am SO excited!!

I am going to the University of the Rockies to get a Masters in Psychology. My first class is Child & Adolescent Development! That is one of my favorite topics in psychology. The goal is to get my degree before Joe ETSs and we move back home. I am pretty darn excited about that too. I want to be normal again.

Breakeven

By The Script

I'm still alive but I'm barely breathing
Just prayin' to a god that I don't believe in
Cause I got time while she got freedom
Cause when a heart breaks no it don't break even

Her best days will be some of my worst
She finally met a man that's gonna put her first
While I'm wide awake she's no trouble sleeping
Cause when a heart breaks no it don't breakeven... even... no

What am I supposed to do when the best part of me was always you,
And what am I supposed to say when I'm all choked up that you're ok
I'm falling to pieces, yeah,
I'm falling to pieces

They say bad things happen for a reason
But no wise words gonna stop the bleeding
Cause she's moved on while I'm still grieving
And when a heart breaks no it don't breakeven even... no

What am I gonna to do when the best part of me was always you,
And what am I supposed to say when I'm all choked up that you're ok
I'm falling to pieces, yeah,
I'm falling to pieces, yeah,
I'm falling to pieces
(One still in love while the other ones leaving)
I'm falling to pieces
(Cause when a heart breaks no it don't breakeven)

Oh you got his heart and my heart and none of the pain
You took your suitcase, I took the blame.
Now I'm try'na make sense of what little remains ooh
Cause you left me with no love and no love to my name.

I'm still alive but I'm barely breathing
Just prayin' to a god that I don't believe in
Cause I got time while she got freedom
Cause when a heart breaks no it don't break
No it don't break
No it don't break even no

What am I gonna do when the best part of me was always you and
What am I suppose to say when I'm all choked up that you're ok
(Oh glad your okay now)
I'm falling to pieces yeah
(Oh I'm glad your okay)
I'm falling to pieces yeah
(One still in love while the other ones leaving)
I'm falling to pieces
(Cause when a heart breaks no it don't breakeven)

Oh it don't break even no
Oh it don't break even no
Oh it don't break even no

Hypocrite

Have you seen this on Facebook?

I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND TO THE REPUBLIC FOR WHICH IT STANDS, ONE NATION UNDER GOD, INDIVISIBLE, WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL. (I grew up saying this every morning in school--it's a shame we no longer do this for fear of offending someone). NOW, LET'S SEE HOW MANY AMERICANS WILL REPOST!

Yeah, I didn't repost it. I worked in an elementary school for a year while living in Kansas. Every morning the pledge came over the intercom. And no, I didn't say it. We all had to stand, just in case we were being watched (as we sometimes were), but I never said it. Because hypocrisy pisses me off.

First of all, it's not even the original pledge. If you want to get on your high horse about the damn pledge, lets at least go back to the ORIGINAL version. But that's a problem isn't it? **insert eye roll here**

And second, once I live in a country were we have LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL I will say the freaking pledge. But we don't. So I don't. I live in a country where people try to make laws to keep others down just because they are different. And that's really pathetic.

Comfort... drink?

I was going through my extensive stash of k-cups for my Keurig and I just couldnt decide on anything that I wanted this morning. But I came across a special winter treat that a co-worker made for me when we were in Kansas. She gave us all a jar of Spiced Tea. And her mix is my favorite by far! There are a million spiced tea recipes out there. I posted one on my BLOG a while back. But it's not as good as this one.

Here's her recipe with a few of my own tweaks.

1 1/2 cups instand tea powder
2 cups Tang
1/3 cup powdered Country Time Lemonade mix
3/4 cup sugar
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp ground clove
1/2 tsp ground ginger

Her recipe calls for a whole teaspoon of clove and 3/4 of a teaspoon of ginger. So if you're into those spices, add more.

And just an FYI, I had the HARDEST time finding Tang in our local grocery stores. I found it in the commissary on post, a big DUH right? :)

Anyway, this is what I'm having this morning, even though it's July 24th and it's not something I would be having in Arkansas because it would be 100 degrees outside already. But here in Colorado, it's 75 with a breeze. Yeah, you know you're jealous. I dont know how I am supposed to move away from here. I love this place!!

Dog groomers

No, I have never been a dog groomer. But I have had Rigel for almost 4 years now. And as a yorkie in a puppy cut, he needs a hair cut about every 4 months. I have one BIG problem with most dog groomers.

It does not take 4 hours to clip and bathe a 6lb yorkie.

Rigel has been to many different dog groomers, in my attempt to find a good one. And we had a GREAT one, but I will tell you about her in a sec.

As it has been explained to me by many groomers, they work on many dogs at once. So while one is drying from a bath, another is being clipped. Plus many groomers I have tried do the dog drop off before the groomer even gets to work. So if I drop Rigel off at 8:30, and the groomer doesnt show up until 9am (which, lets face it, she doesnt come in and get right to work. She needs coffee and to chat with her co-workers, then she gets the first dog), Rigel could be in a cage for a good 45 minutes. Rigel is not a cage dog. He doesnt have a kennel with bars at home. He has a soft sided mesh box and he's usually left in a room when I'm gone. Sure, I'm a snob when it comes to Rigel, I'd be the first one to tell you that. But I'm paying for a service and I should get what I pay for. There have been many times I pick up a terrified anxious dog 4 hours later. And that just doesnt cut it folks.

So my parents have a neighbor that is a former dog groomer. She is a single mother and my parents help her out a lot, fixing her sons' bikes, mowing her lawn, etc. So she would clip Rigel for free. I would take him over and while we chatted, she would cut Rigel and bathe him. Even while talking and laughing, tending to her sons, and answering her home phone, she would STILL have Rigel done in about an hour.

So Rigel goes to the groomer next Wednesday. He has been to this place before. They did an okay job with his actual hair cut, but we're going back to them because he came out of the back room acting like my Rigel, not the tail-tucked scared pup I usually get back. I'll let you know how it ends.

Somewhere out there

Today is our 3rd wedding anniversary. I'm going to stay positive today, and not dwell on the fact that Joe isnt here. We've had two great anniversaries together, not bad for a military marriage. And I know he's somewhere thinking of me.

I've been thinking about this song a lot lately. I havent seen An American Tale in years, decades even.

Somewhere out there beneath the pale moonlight
Someone's thinking of me and loving me tonight

Somewhere out there someone's saying a prayer
That we'll find one another in that big somewhere out there

And even though I know how very far apart we are
It helps to think we might be wishing on the same bright star

And when the night wind starts to sing a lonesome lullaby
It helps to think we're sleeping underneath the same big sky

Somewhere out there if love can see us through
Then we'll be together somewhere out there
Out where dreams come true

And even though I know how very far apart we are
It helps to think we might be wishing on the same bright star

And when the night wind starts to sing a lonesome lullaby
It helps to think we're sleeping underneath the same big sky

Somewhere out there if love can see us through
Then we'll be together somewhere out there
Out where dreams come true

Fuck Hawaii

This is just a small excerpt of the post entitled Sanctity of Marriage, I urge you to go read the whole thing. I'm reposting it in response to the shameful veto that happened in Hawaii today. SHAMEFUL!! We can once again be embarrassed and ashamed of America, once again denying equality to all of it's citizens.

Remember reading in your history books a time where a whole bunch of stuffy white men had to decide whether or not black men were humans and could have EQUAL rights? Whether or not they could vote and own property? Same with females. Do you remember reading about these brave women fighting for YOUR right to vote and have EQUAL rights to men?

Now you have to tell me how homosexuals fighting for EQUAL rights is any different than that. And you can keep your religious nonsense to yourself. I don't care to hear it. None of it is a good excuse to deny rights to any human being. Your religious shit is just an excuse for you to be a bigot and then hide behind some stupid book.

Now I would like to post a quote from the Governor Bigot of Hawaii:

"It would be a mistake to allow a decision of this magnitude be made by one individual or a small group of elected officials," Lingle said.

Seems fairly hypocritical to me since ONE woman vetoed the bill.

And since when do we allow the majority to vote about the minority? Isn't that what our government was set up for, to protect the minority, to allow everyone to have a voice? Again, like the post says, what do you think the majority voted about when it came to segregation and suffrage? There wouldn't have been the struggle if there hadn't been so many people standing in the way. I cant imagine living in a world where I couldn't vote or own property or marry whomever I loved. Voting for equality is an archaic practice. I cant believe this is even an issue in 2010. Grow the fuck up, America!! Heard today: *There's a reason why God created Adam and Eve - not Adam and Steve.* Very mature, don't you think?? Don't you think we should be allowing these amazingly bright rhyming bigots to vote about the happiness of others?? Would you want them voting on something that meant the world to you??

A Forever One

"You know how you can just tell that some friends will be your friends forever and some will fade away after you move away? I can tell you are a forever one, so thanks." ~Lucy

4th of Julys, revisited

Missing Joe a lot this weekend. The 4th of July is his favorite holiday. We made some awesome memories in the last two years in Kansas. We could shoot of fireworks in the backyard! It was so much fun. So I'm going to think about those great memories this weekend.

July 4th 2008

July 4th 2009

*no dogs were harmed in the 4th of July celebrations

Too many Vampires?

I had the strangest dream last night. I cant get it out of my head.

I was a vampire, the old school kind; mean, only out for blood, only at night.

I was licking bright red blood off of someone's warm neck. I can still see the color. It was so vivid.

Someone else walked up and asked me if I was going to turn "that one" or just kill it. I looked down.

It was Joe.

Nuts, right? So I wake up at 3am and turn to Rigel, who is standing in my face, and tell him I would most definitely turn Joe into a vampire. And as a wannabe psychologist, how am I supposed to interpret this particular dream??? :)

Father's Day

Me and my dad

Two babies

Prom

Small dogs

As if I need to tell you, small dogs are not the same as big dogs. Anyone with small dogs can back me up here. As much as Rigel acts like a big dog, when your 90lb black lab starts tossing him around trying to sniff his bits, Rigel is going to snap at your dog. It's one thing to play, Rigel is all about chasing a ball or barking and running around. But when they decide to stand over him and mess with him, he will snap at your dog. Small dogs can feel overwhelmed by hyper big dogs fairly easily. Maybe not all small dogs, but Rigel gets anxious when big dogs start tossing him with their big noses.

There is an older man that lives in our apartment complex. He has 3 big dogs that he tries to walk all at once on stretchy leashes. He never has control of them. And one of them is a very young lab puppy. The guy does not listen to me, and when I think he has, he doesn't comprehend much. I have started being very rude to this man hoping he gets the hint that I don't want him to come talk to me and have the puppy rush Rigel. Rigel is almost 4 and is very stuck in his ways. He has already bit this puppy on the nose once. The puppy hit Rigel so hard it rolled him over. So Rigel hopped up and bit the puppy. I felt so bad. But the old guy didn't seem to care. So last week this guy sees us outside on my lunch break. I'm trying to get Rigel to use the bathroom quickly so I can get back inside for lunch. And this guy starts heading towards us. So I promptly turn the other way and start walking away. I go so far out of my way to avoid this guy. But here he comes up behind me. And the dogs are all the way out on their leashes, 15 to 18 feet. The leashes are all tangled and the dogs are pulling to get to Rigel. I'm on my way back towards my apartment and he cuts across the lawn so his dogs can get to Rigel. The puppy is getting pretty close. The puppy is pulling so hard, it's gasping for air because the collar is choking him. And the amazing part of all of this, Rigel is trying his hardest to get away from these dogs. He's doing his best to avoid the situation. He's such a good boy!! So I pick up my dog and turn around to the old man and ask him again to keep his dogs away from my dog. And without even missing a beat he starts telling me how his dog has a tumor and is being put down this week. Well, he's been telling me this since I moved here in December. So now I think he's also a compulsive lyer too. He got the new puppy and tells some people that it's his, but others that he's dog sitting for his sister. He's told me both stories.

I feel really bad about complaining about this guy. He's just some dumb old man. But if Rigel hurts his dogs, it's my fault, even if his dog starts it. So it's my responsibility to keep his dogs safe?

We have another big dog in the neighborhood, her name is Roxy. Her owner's name is Beth. Roxy is calm and very gentle. She sniffs Rigel, lets Rigel sniff her, then they roll around in the grass together. I dont worry about Rigel or Roxy. This is what happens when you train and socialize your animals. Rigel was raised with big dogs, in fact, one of them was a 110lb German Shepherd. He's fine around big dogs, unless the dog wants to toss him around.

I know many of you are great responsible dog owners and dont need to hear this from me. But I needed to just put it out here for the people that have only owned big dogs and dont know about the small dog anxiety.

Faithfully

Journey

Highway run
Into the midnight sun
Wheels go round and round
You're on my mind
Restless hearts sleep alone tonight
Sendin' all my love along the wire
They say that the road ain't no place to start a family
Right down the line it's been you and me
And lovin' a music man ain't always what it's s'posed
to be
Oh girl, ya stand by me
I'm forever yours...
-Faithfully

Circus life under the big-top world
We all need the clowns to make us smile
Through space and time
Always another shore
Wonderin' where I am
Lost without you
And bein' apart ain't easy on this love affair
Two strangers learn to fall in love again
I get the joy of rediscoverin' you
Oh girl, you stand by me
I'm forever yours
-Faithfully

Whoa oh oh oh,
Whoa oh oh oh,
Whoa oh oh oh oh oh
Faithfully, I'm still yours
I'm still yours...Faithfully

**Interestingly enough, if you replaced "music man" with "Military man" it would describe a deployment perfectly.**

Tortilla Soup

I made Tortilla soup today. First attempt at any sort of tortilla soup and I must say this recipe is easy and quick. My friend Ashley referred it to me. This is also the first time I have ever tried blue corn chips. I thought they would taste different, but they don't. Joe apparently isn't a fan of many soups and doesn't like the idea of mushy chips in soup. But even without the chips, it would make a very nice chicken soup. I have seen many recipes for tortilla soup, but they have all been a lighter color. This one got my attention because of the spicier components.

For the link to the recipe click HERE.

Ingredients
1 tablespoon canola or vegetable oil
1 cup diced red onion
1 1/4 pounds ground turkey breast I used a store bought rotisserie chicken (because I'm lazy), I just broke it apart with my hands.
4 cups chicken stock
1 teaspoon crushed garlic
1 (4-ounce) can diced green chiles
3/4 cup tomato puree (I only used one 6oz can)
1 tablespoon enchilada sauce mix (recommended: Lawry's)
1 avocado, pit removed, flesh chopped
1 cup shredded Mexican-cheese blend
3/4 cup crushed baked blue corn chips
1/4 cup sour cream
1/4 cup finely chopped fresh cilantro leaves I HATE cilantro!!!!

Directions
Heat a large pot over medium-high heat, add oil and saute the onions. Then add the fully cooked chicken.

Add the chicken stock to the pan and stir in garlic, chiles, tomato puree and enchilada sauce mix. Bring to a boil then reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes. Put some of the chopped avocado in the bottom of each bowl and ladle the soup on top; stir to combine. Top with cheese, crushed chips and sour cream.

Second Class Citizens

It's All Right Here

Renee Stahl

You could travel halfway 'round the sun,
Or try to bat a thousand'n'one home runs
Never really feel like you are loved by anyone

You could be a famous astronaut,
Or even a poet laureate
And never really know just what you've got

You are the one that I adore,
I couldn't love you any more
You know that you don't have to look so far, my dear
It's all right here

You could read a hundred million things,
You could travel to and from Beijing
Never really feel like you've accomplished anything

But you are the one that I adore,
I couldn't love you any more
You know that you could have most anything, my dear
It's all right here

And if you need to go away
You know that I will make you stay
And know that everything you need is near
It's all right here

Cause you are the one that I adore,
I couldn't love you any more
You know that you don't have to look so far, my dear

Cause you are the one that I adore,
I couldn't love you any more
You know that you could have most anything, my dear

It's all right here
It's all right here
It's all right here
It's all right here

Stay

Safetysuit

Walking out the door this morning
Wondering what it is that's going on with you on with you
Thinking of a way to say I'm sorry
For something that I'm not sure I do sure I do

So come on baby let me in
And show me what this really is

'cause something must have made you say that
What did I do to make you say that to me?
Something must have made you so mad
What can I do to make you say come back to me?

Hoping for a moment that I turn around
And you'll be coming after me after me
'cause all that I can say is that it's obvious
It's obvious you're all I see all I see

So come on baby let me in
And show me what this really is about
'cause I can't read you
Come on baby let me in
And show me what this really is

'cause something must have made you say that
What did I do to make you say that to me?
Something must have made you so mad
What can I do to make you say come back to me?
Come back to me

And I'll be here in the morning if you say stay
If you say stay to me oh
And I'll be here in the morning if you say stay
If you say stay to me oh
And I'll be here in the morning if you say stay
If you say stay to me oh

Something must have made you say that
What did I do to make you say that to me?
Something must have made you so mad
What can I do to make you say come back to me?

Something must have made you say that
What did I do to make you say that to me?
Something must have made you so mad
What can I do to make you say come back to me?

When You Got A Good Thing

Lady Antebellum

Everybody keeps telling me I'm such a lucky man
Lookin at you standin there I know I am
Barefooted beauty with eyes that blue
The sun shine sure looks good on you
I swear

Oh I can't believe I finally found you baby
Happy ever after, after all this time
Oh there's gonna be some ups and downs
but with you to wrap my arms around
I'm fine

So baby, hold on tight
Don't let go
Hold onto the love we're making
Cause baby when the ground starts shakin
You gotta know when you got a good thing

You know you keep on bringin out the best of me
And I need you now even more than the air I breathe
You can make me laugh when I wanna cry
This will last forever I just know, I know

So baby, hold on tight
Don't let go
Hold onto the love we're making
Cause baby when the ground starts shakin
You gotta know when you've gotta good thing

We got a good thing, baby, woah
So hold on tight
Baby, don't let go
Hold onto the love we're making
Cause baby when the ground starts shakin
You gotta know, oh you gotta know
Oh you gotta know, you gotta know
When you got a good thing

We got a good thing baby
Woah, woah, woah, woah

Your dog is not a teacup or a tiny toy.

I'm not sure if the person this is aimed at even reads my blogs. But it needs to be said. And she is not listening to me. I will not name names, or dog breeds. This will be an open letter to anyone that thinks they own a "teacup" or "tiny toy" dog.

Your dog is not a "teacup" anything. No dog breed comes in a teacup size. There is a toy group. Your dog is in the toy group, as is my yorkie. But they are not toy dogs. They are standard dogs. There is one breed standard for their breed.

Yorkies come in one size.

Chihuahuas come in one size.

Pomeranians come in one size.

Malteses come in one size.

(Yes, poodles are different, they come in three sizes, however none of them are teacup or tiny toy.)

Saying your dog is a toy is still incorrect. Your dog comes in one size. Stop promoting bad breeding practices by pretending your standard dog is anything other than that. I'm so sorry you didn't do your research and bought your dog for far too much money from a god damn puppy mill. Am I surprised that your dog has already had health problems? Of course not! And to top it all off, you want to feed your dog some crap food. Do you care about your dog at all? You tell me you are an animal lover, and yet you perpetuate the stupidity of poor breeding practices and all that that means for the unfortunate females and unhealthy puppies. So you can agree with me all day long, but actions speak louder than words. And know that I am so very disappointed in you. You have listened to me SCREAM about puppy mills and backyard breeders and nasty dog food since the huge recall of 2007. Have you learned nothing? So you call me whining about the vet bills and fees you've had to pay. I don't care!!!! It serves you right. I don't feel bad for you. I feel bad for your dog. I feel horrible for your dog. And yes, I roll my eyes when you talk about your tiny teacup runty mutt. I'm sorry you cant see it over the phone. Your dog is not a purebred, it cant be when you DON'T HAVE PAPERS and you buy it from a very unsavory source. And yes, I pointed this out as much as I could just to piss you off.

I'm done talking to you about this. You know it pisses me off. If you truly love dogs, do your fucking research and stop whining about the mess you created for yourself. You now have a small life in your hands. Pay the damn vet bills and feed your dog a high quality food, or surrender your animal.

http://www.barkrescue.net/teacup.htm

http://www.gopetsamerica.com/dogs/tea-cup-yorkies.aspx

http://www.myyorkiesecrets.com/teacup-yorkie-puppies/the-truth-about-the-teacup-yorkshire-terrier.php

Mother's Day

Me and my mom

Sad Post

Joe's grandma, Betty, died last night. She had been in the hospital for 3 weeks with many complications. Please keep Joe's mother and sister in your thoughts.

If you're going to say something stupid, don't get offended when someone calls you out on it. Stand by your foolishness! OR think before you speak! - from my deliciously snarky friend, Sara M.

Age

Age is just a number, not a measure of maturity or intellect.

Graupel

I learned a new term on Twitter the other day. And was able to experience it today.

To learn more about graupel click HERE.

Graupel (also called small hail, soft hail, or snow pellets) refers to precipitation that forms when supercooled droplets of water condense on a snowflake, forming a 2–5 mm ball of rime; the snowflake acts as a nucleus of condensation in this process. Graupel is the German word for this meteorological phenomenon.

My Duty

"Missing you is my hobby, caring for you is my job, making you happy is my duty, and loving you is my life."

Miss you most

"I miss you when I'm sad. I miss you when I'm lonely. But I miss you the most when I'm happy."

True Love

"Distance, it is a test of love, many will fail, but for those who can withstand it have the answer: true love."

Night Sky

"When you miss me just look up to the night sky and remember, I'm like the stars; sometimes you can't see me, but I'm always there."

Distance

"Distance between two hearts is not an obstacle, rather a beautiful reminder of just how strong true love can be."

Deeply Loved

Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength; loving someone deeply gives you courage ~Lao Tzu

Neighbors

***WARNING***
I use some very harsh language about a child. I don't want anyone complaining about my language. If you don't like it, stop reading. Yes, I understand I want to be a developmental psychologist, but that doesn't mean I cant think a child is a stupid fucking moron. I'm pissed and I'm blogging to get it out of my system. Now on to the original blog:


It seems like a have a definite love/hate relationship with my neighbors. Even in college, they either loved me or hated me and the feelings were mutual. I lived in apartments all through college and it's a GREAT way to make new friends!

But I managed to make another enemy tonight.

I really consider myself a friendly person. I try to smile at everyone and say hello when I pass them in the courtyard. Rigel is a great icebreaker. And most people here are very friendly in return.

But the lady that lives next to me is a serious bitch, not just to me either. She hates all dogs, all old people, all children, all people that park next to her car. It's absurd. I can hear her yelling at her husband all the time. Maybe she's just an unhappy person in general. But I've stopped trying to be nice to her.

I love most of the kids that run around here with their siblings and their dogs. Great way to meet their parents and get to know new people. But there is this little boy that rides his scooter on the sidewalks around the courtyard. Last week when the weather started to warm up, my doors and windows were open. The moment he found out there was a dog in my apartment, he decided to stand next to my window and bark into my house at Rigel. I kindly asked him to stop and he did... for about an hour. It REALLY pissed me off. Then the weather got kinda nasty again and he wasn't a problem. The last two days have been beautiful outside, and the barking kid is back. This kid has to be about 12 and should know better. He really works Rigel up. I try everything I can to calm Rigel back down. But this retarded kid stands at the edge of the sidewalk and barks into my house!! So I close all of the windows and blinds and that pisses me off. It's pretty outside, I shouldnt have to do that.

So tonight was the same story. I waited until he was gone to take Rigel outside to potty. We were out there for 30 seconds when he comes speeding towards us on the sidewalk SCREAMING at the top of his lungs. Rigel went crazy. So I scold Rigel and walk down a different sidewalk, avoiding this stupid child. And here he comes. So I turn around and ask him to please leave us alone. And walk down a different sidewalk. Maybe he's truly mentally retarded because he just followed us. So again, I asked him to LEAVE US ALONE!! GO AWAY!!! But nothing. So Rigel and I went inside. He walked to the porch doors and waved at me. I made a 'go away' hand gesture. A few minutes later Rigel is barking his head off in the bedroom. This stupid fucking moron has his face pressed against the screen of my bedroom window. Well, that was it. I started screaming at this retard. He ran off. Five minutes later, here he comes again... with his mother. She doesn't knock at my front door. She comes to the porch doors and... yells into my house, so I just assume that she's retarded too. I put Rigel in his room and step out on my porch. Very politely the mother asks me if I yelled at her son. I'm honest. I told her exactly what I said. But then I asked her if her son told her what he did to piss me off. She said it was because I didnt like the noise his scooter made. I just shook my head and told her the whole story. And she didnt believe me!! She scolded me for yelling at her son. I told her that I would stop yelling if she kept better tabs on her kid. And that if I found him next to my window ever again I was filing a complaint with the office.

Am I totally off base here (minus the lovely choice words)? Am I expected to just sit there while some dumbass barks at my dog? I've worked with kids (I've worked with SPED kids!!) and I know they can understand what is asked of them. Maybe I have really high expectations of others' children.

Please dont let your children be retarded.

Potato & Spinach Soup with Gouda

By popular demand, this is the recipe for the soup I made today. I think it smells and tastes a lot like my dad's Vichychoisse, a French leek and potato soup. But it was much easier to make.

Combine in crock pot:
6 cups of Yukon gold potatoes, peeled and cubed
2 (14oz) cans of chicken broth
1/2 cup water
1 small red onion, finely chopped
5 ounces of baby spinach
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground pepper
1/4 teaspoon ground red pepper

Cook on low for 10 hours, or until potatoes are tender. On high it took about 6 hours.

Slightly mash the potatoes in the crock pot.
Add:
2 cups of shredded Gouda cheese
1 (12oz) can of evaporated milk

Cook on high for 20 minutes or until the cheese is melted.

The recipe now says to thinly slice a clove of garlic and cook the slices in oil on the stove until they are golden brown and then put the slices of garlic in the bowl while you spoon out the soup. But that's not what I did, basically because I'm lazy. I just added a teaspoon of minced garlic (out of a jar) to the crock pot while it was cooking.

And of course for garnish and because I love Gouda cheese, sprinkle some more cheese over the bowl of soup.

Makes 8 to 10 servings.


And if you have a bread maker, I would suggest making some garlic rosemary bread for dipping. Basically it's just a normal box of bread mix with some garlic powder and some rosemary that I've crushed up in my hand. Joe calls it Macaroni Grill bread, since they both have rosemary in them and we dont get out much.


From a Rival Crock Pot Simple 1-2-3 Recipe book.

Hour of Separation

"And ever has it been that love knows not its own depth until the hour of separation."

-Kahlil Gibran

Lost Moon

New Moon

I was like a lost moon

my planet destroyed

in some cataclysmic,

disaster-movie scenario of desolation

that continued, nevertheless,

to circle in a

tight

little

orbit

around the empty space left behind,

ignoring the laws of gravity.