If you've read comments from the Popcorn post, this one will make sense.
Molly likes to tease me. Come to think of it, so does John. Darn it all, so does Mike. Since I am an eternal optimist, I like to believe they tease because they love. Or do they just love to tease? Whatever it is, I can dish it out too, so I'll shut up now.
As I busied myself with more research the other night, Bryan picked up one of my latest soaps. I heard, "Hey, you could make money on this. I'd sure buy it!" He was commenting on a favorite soap recipe, Oats and Apples. It is scented with Apple Slices, Cinnamon and French Vanilla fragrance oils. It smells, quite literally, good enough to eat. It has a couple more weeks to cure before he can enjoy it.
His reaction was a little strange to me. Normally Bryan teases as eagerly as my AAR team. I didn't know if I should take him seriously or not. I explained the soap-making process to him and showed him the other batches curing and his wheels started turning. He believes! Now it's time to think about turning a life-long hobby into a business venture. Could be exciting actually using my biz degrees for myself. Who knows...
Sunday, March 29, 2009
Get it?
Teagan and I are always looking for creative outlets. Here's our latest creation:
Did you get it? (Note the creative photo angle to highlight what you're looking for...)
Be the first to answer correctly in a comment for this blog and win this card with a custom coordinating envelope. If you're not the Pastel Purple type, you can choose from Pastel Pink, Pastel Blue or Pastel Green. If you have a specific color in mind let me know and I'll see what I can do.
If I don't know you, then please give me an address to send it to. If I do know you, I'll bring it along the next time we meet.
Did you get it? (Note the creative photo angle to highlight what you're looking for...)
Be the first to answer correctly in a comment for this blog and win this card with a custom coordinating envelope. If you're not the Pastel Purple type, you can choose from Pastel Pink, Pastel Blue or Pastel Green. If you have a specific color in mind let me know and I'll see what I can do.
If I don't know you, then please give me an address to send it to. If I do know you, I'll bring it along the next time we meet.
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
As the poop turns - Volunteering again...
Most weeks are the same at Animal Control. It's especially nice now that I have figured out the late arrival no poop equation.
This week I met the most muscular Chihuahua in the world. Imagine a chihuahua, then imagine Arnold Schwartzenager's muscles on him. He even had a little toothy grin.
I was walking this little man when a dog-walker friend showed up. Immediately she phoned a friend about him. Happy news: He got a GREAT home today! My good deed for the day was accomplished.
On the other hand, one poor Pit named Tucker has been at AC since before I started. He's starting to lose it. Imagine being in stinky solitary for a few months. Poor guy. I took him out and let him into a run while my friend let her inmate in an adjoining run. They ran back and forth dozens of times repelling off of the fence to turn around. He kind of short-circuited. I know a few people like that. Too bad you can't save them all.
Hug your dogs. Make your day count.
Peace out.
This week I met the most muscular Chihuahua in the world. Imagine a chihuahua, then imagine Arnold Schwartzenager's muscles on him. He even had a little toothy grin.
I was walking this little man when a dog-walker friend showed up. Immediately she phoned a friend about him. Happy news: He got a GREAT home today! My good deed for the day was accomplished.
On the other hand, one poor Pit named Tucker has been at AC since before I started. He's starting to lose it. Imagine being in stinky solitary for a few months. Poor guy. I took him out and let him into a run while my friend let her inmate in an adjoining run. They ran back and forth dozens of times repelling off of the fence to turn around. He kind of short-circuited. I know a few people like that. Too bad you can't save them all.
Hug your dogs. Make your day count.
Peace out.
Some people just GET IT!
In life, you meet people who just get it, whatever "it" is. Well, my daughter gets it. This kid understands goals and measurements better than many so-called managers.
Remember a few posts ago how she brought home "Vegas"? Understanding that her cat had certain basic habits and needs, she listed them to be sure he 'accomplished' his list every day. Here's the check list she created. The only contribution I made was about spelling. The rest was all her.
Did I mention she is only 4?!?
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Popcorn...
A very good friend of mine is often accused of being an idea freak. Every time you talk to him a new business idea is on his mind. We joke that his ideas are like popcorn - popping up all of the time.
To me this seems like it is a huge advantage. Think about it. For every successful idea there are dozens-if not hundreds-of failed ideas. The law of averages is on my friend's side.
Think of the billionaires in our time that have built and rebuilt wealth over and over during their lifetimes. T. Boone Pickens comes immediately to mind. Here this guy is 80 or so, has been flat broke several times and is still now a billionaire. What's our excuse?
My old teammates and friends are joking about me and my money making ideas now that I am no longer employed. Will it be soap, greeting cards, a restaurant, dog walking, horse training? Maybe a combination of all... Who knows. As long as it does not involve some bald-headed mindless boss it doesn't really matter, does it?
To me this seems like it is a huge advantage. Think about it. For every successful idea there are dozens-if not hundreds-of failed ideas. The law of averages is on my friend's side.
Think of the billionaires in our time that have built and rebuilt wealth over and over during their lifetimes. T. Boone Pickens comes immediately to mind. Here this guy is 80 or so, has been flat broke several times and is still now a billionaire. What's our excuse?
My old teammates and friends are joking about me and my money making ideas now that I am no longer employed. Will it be soap, greeting cards, a restaurant, dog walking, horse training? Maybe a combination of all... Who knows. As long as it does not involve some bald-headed mindless boss it doesn't really matter, does it?
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
We Love Vegas!
My family loves Vegas - both Sin City and our new family member: VEGAS the CAT!
Teagan has been wanting a pet of her own for many months now. Seeing as I am home so much now, and that I have an inside track on the best inmates at Animal Control, we ended up adding on. Big surprise, right?
Originally my neighbor, Teagan and I went to AC to see about a little female cat named Karma. She was full grown and about 4 pounds - if that. Well, she had some unfortunate incident earlier in the day and was no longer there for us to look at. While I was listening to the story of Karma, out of the corner of my eye I saw Teagan playing with a cute White/Spotted/Striped kitty. They hit it off immediately. Do you believe in signs? Seeing as his name is Vegas, and that's Bryan's favorite place in the world, we could not refuse.
I took some video and pics of him with Teagan, but need to find that thingy to move the pictures from the cameras to the PC. I'll update this soon to show you what the little cutie looks like.
UPDATE: Found the thingy.
Mike, What's the over/under on us getting a pet? Who won?
Friday, February 27, 2009
Volunteering Part 2 - It's all about Being Prepared!
The second Monday of my new volunteer experience is over. Now that I knew the ropes I was in BUSINESS! In fond memory of my last experience, I brought TOOLS! Imagine a nice, long-handled pitchfork used for moving hay or other large animal 'stuff'. Now imagine that much smaller, but still with a nice long handle. Yeah, that's right, no more stoop for poop. Dry heaves begone. Cleaning time was a cool 20 minutes from start to finish. Good thing too. The ruckus would have woken my own dogs happily sleeping 10 miles away.
This time I had 5 wards:
Lily the loud beagle found a home. Woo Hoo. Paws to you chickie.
"Nugget" is the name of the old Golden I fell in love with last week. True to form the old guy didn't mess his kennel area up. He's lost a little weight in the past week making him much sleeker. It looked like his paws saw some grooming too as his fluffy hair socks were no more. He prances like a king. Awesome dog. Jackass owner for relinquishing him. OK, maybe I am being too harsh. Perhaps the owner was critically ill and could not keep him. Was there NOBODY else that could take him in? If there's anyone out there that wants to help out this old guy he will make a wonderful pet. Maybe you're thinking about getting a dog, but don't want the hassle of housebreaking. Here's your dog.
"Gordita" was still there too. She looked a little different this time. Turns out she had just had 14 teeth removed. Poor little girl. She took 10 seconds outside then turned tail and begged to go back in. I petted and cuddled her inside for a few minutes to make up for the short walk. Hopefully an Italian Greyhound rescue will take her in and get her out of little dog jail.
"Brownie" is still there too. Not a surprise. WTF is it with all the Pit Bulls? These dogs are big, smart, powerful animals that need attention. She walks with me like a champ and still likes to fetch, but could use someone to spend some time teaching her. She'd be a great walking/jogging partner for someone who lives or wants to live an active lifestyle.
New dog #1: "Jimmy Boots" is a Jack Russel Terrier mix. Not sure what the mix part is, but that dog can JUMP. He stands about 14 inches tall, but was eye-level with me most of the time I was around his kennel. (For those of you who don't know me, I'm 5'5", so that dog was probably mixed with Mexican Jumping Bean. Not 2 seconds after I got him collared and leashed headed out to the walk area he lifted a leg and, you know whatted all over the other leashes hanging outside the kennel area. Jackass. I got him outside as fast as I could and he proceeded to pee on anything vertical. Overall his other manners were, well just OK. Turned loose in the chain link area you could see him calculating how much of a running start he would need to clear the 6' fence. Leash on buddy. It's not his fault... It's not his fault... repeat.
New dog #2: "Dorrian". Pit bull about 1 1/2 years old. I repeat, WTF is it with people getting PIT BULLS they are not prepared to train. He was pretty scary in his kennel. The whole time I was nearby he half-crouched and puckered his muzzle like he wanted to say something while staring me down. I faced my fear of being mangled, walked in and tried to nimbly slip the collar over his ears. They wouldn't put a biter out here with the volunteers right? He jumped up on me, got to 2nd base and tremled when we left the kennel. OUtside he was a nice dog - just uneducated. His thing was to jump up and smack boobs at every opportunity. Who was he in a previous life, I wonder? He managed to kind of learn a sit while out there. Then he heard a loud noice and buried himself between my knees shaking like he expected something really bad... Poor dog. Jackass prior owner. I wish I had time to foster him and teach him something. He could make a nice dog. He'd be another really good jogging partner. I jogged around the parking lot with him a few times to test him out. Yes, I got strange looks.
Now for the soap box. Last week I took criticism for not making the experience sound glamorous. Newsflash-there's nothing glamorous about dumping your untrained dog when it's no longer a cute puppy. These dogs sit around next to their own and other dogs' filth while waiting, wishing for someone to save them.
If you want to do something good for your dog, train it. I'm not suggesting it needs to perform like an agility champ at Westminster. Just make it adoptable for crying out loud. Sit. Down. Off. Drop it. Don't pee on everything in sight. Walk like a civilized dog on a leash. Basic stuff really. Nobody is impressed with your dog when it acts like a lunatic dragging you or your child at the other end of a leash. I promise you that.
I shudder to think that Gracie the WonderLab, AJ or Weatherby could find their way to a place like this. It's not out of possibility really . If anything happens to me and my husband what will happen to the dogs? Their only chance to find a reasonably good future home is to behave and act like something another person would like to have. They need to be marketable.
Down from soap box.
Be happy. Hug your pets. And for Gawd's sake, teach your pets (and children)something. It could save their lives.
This time I had 5 wards:
Lily the loud beagle found a home. Woo Hoo. Paws to you chickie.
"Nugget" is the name of the old Golden I fell in love with last week. True to form the old guy didn't mess his kennel area up. He's lost a little weight in the past week making him much sleeker. It looked like his paws saw some grooming too as his fluffy hair socks were no more. He prances like a king. Awesome dog. Jackass owner for relinquishing him. OK, maybe I am being too harsh. Perhaps the owner was critically ill and could not keep him. Was there NOBODY else that could take him in? If there's anyone out there that wants to help out this old guy he will make a wonderful pet. Maybe you're thinking about getting a dog, but don't want the hassle of housebreaking. Here's your dog.
"Gordita" was still there too. She looked a little different this time. Turns out she had just had 14 teeth removed. Poor little girl. She took 10 seconds outside then turned tail and begged to go back in. I petted and cuddled her inside for a few minutes to make up for the short walk. Hopefully an Italian Greyhound rescue will take her in and get her out of little dog jail.
"Brownie" is still there too. Not a surprise. WTF is it with all the Pit Bulls? These dogs are big, smart, powerful animals that need attention. She walks with me like a champ and still likes to fetch, but could use someone to spend some time teaching her. She'd be a great walking/jogging partner for someone who lives or wants to live an active lifestyle.
New dog #1: "Jimmy Boots" is a Jack Russel Terrier mix. Not sure what the mix part is, but that dog can JUMP. He stands about 14 inches tall, but was eye-level with me most of the time I was around his kennel. (For those of you who don't know me, I'm 5'5", so that dog was probably mixed with Mexican Jumping Bean. Not 2 seconds after I got him collared and leashed headed out to the walk area he lifted a leg and, you know whatted all over the other leashes hanging outside the kennel area. Jackass. I got him outside as fast as I could and he proceeded to pee on anything vertical. Overall his other manners were, well just OK. Turned loose in the chain link area you could see him calculating how much of a running start he would need to clear the 6' fence. Leash on buddy. It's not his fault... It's not his fault... repeat.
New dog #2: "Dorrian". Pit bull about 1 1/2 years old. I repeat, WTF is it with people getting PIT BULLS they are not prepared to train. He was pretty scary in his kennel. The whole time I was nearby he half-crouched and puckered his muzzle like he wanted to say something while staring me down. I faced my fear of being mangled, walked in and tried to nimbly slip the collar over his ears. They wouldn't put a biter out here with the volunteers right? He jumped up on me, got to 2nd base and tremled when we left the kennel. OUtside he was a nice dog - just uneducated. His thing was to jump up and smack boobs at every opportunity. Who was he in a previous life, I wonder? He managed to kind of learn a sit while out there. Then he heard a loud noice and buried himself between my knees shaking like he expected something really bad... Poor dog. Jackass prior owner. I wish I had time to foster him and teach him something. He could make a nice dog. He'd be another really good jogging partner. I jogged around the parking lot with him a few times to test him out. Yes, I got strange looks.
Now for the soap box. Last week I took criticism for not making the experience sound glamorous. Newsflash-there's nothing glamorous about dumping your untrained dog when it's no longer a cute puppy. These dogs sit around next to their own and other dogs' filth while waiting, wishing for someone to save them.
If you want to do something good for your dog, train it. I'm not suggesting it needs to perform like an agility champ at Westminster. Just make it adoptable for crying out loud. Sit. Down. Off. Drop it. Don't pee on everything in sight. Walk like a civilized dog on a leash. Basic stuff really. Nobody is impressed with your dog when it acts like a lunatic dragging you or your child at the other end of a leash. I promise you that.
I shudder to think that Gracie the WonderLab, AJ or Weatherby could find their way to a place like this. It's not out of possibility really . If anything happens to me and my husband what will happen to the dogs? Their only chance to find a reasonably good future home is to behave and act like something another person would like to have. They need to be marketable.
Down from soap box.
Be happy. Hug your pets. And for Gawd's sake, teach your pets (and children)something. It could save their lives.
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