Laundry

I don't want to shock anyone, but I'm not really a domestic goddess. I don't mind doing laundry too much (especially since we splurged for Christmas a year ago and got nice front-loading machines that I'm pretty sure would launch a space shuttle if I only hit the right combination of buttons...but, I digress). But I confess that I don't believe in ironing. It's just not going to happen except in extreme emergencies! Fortunately, we have a system in our house. When the clothes come out of the dryer I take them back to our bedroom and spread them out on the bed...where they are pressed for me before they're folded:

Sometimes, the folding is done hours later!

We've Been Tagged

Mom's beautiful orchids

This week has been a bit nuts. (So, what else is new?) I've had the crud (vs. the funk..which I had in the fall, thank you very much!). I've decided that I have issues with how 2012 has started, so I decided to start over. Today. Happy New Year!

I was recently tagged by Lori at  What Remains Now to answer some questions about myself. Following her lead (and that of several others) I thought it would be more fun if the furrbabies helped answer as well. Gwyn's very much her own dog and wanted to answer each question. While Oz & Willow have very different personalities, as siblings they share a lot too and wanted to present the united feline front. They chose to answer together. So, without further ado:

1.  Describe yourself in seven words.
Kat: sensitive, creative, loving, musical, off-the-wall (does that count as one word?), self-conscious, neurotic (sometimes. maybe. a little.)

Gwyn: joyful, beautiful, silly, fast, gorgeous, playful, gwyndiculous! 

Oz & Willow: FELINE (you should require no further words...but if you do...fabulous, purrumbly (is so a word!), brilliant, amazing, fantastic, sweet 




2.  What keeps you up at night?

Kat: Very little (other than goofing off online too late)...staying awake is my problem, not going to sleep!

Gwyn: I have no worries, so I'm with Mom on this one!

Oz & Willow: Sometimes we have to wait for our people to come to bed when we're already ready for bed (like right after supper). It's frustrating when you think you have them trained and then they backslide on you! 

3.  Who would you like to be?

Kat: Me, only with just enough more money that I could do all the fun things I feel like I don't have enough time for...and have enough land to rescue all the critters I want to rescue!

Gwyn: Me. Who else could possibly have it this good?!

Oz & Willow: Us. With opposable thumbs! And more money for noms. And servants. Definitely more staff!


4.  What are you wearing right now?

Kat: Black yoga pants (right on, Lori!) and a UNC sweatshirt. 

Gwyn: My gorgeous brown martingale collar.

Oz & Willow: The most luxurious fur the world has ever seen! 

 5.  What scares you?

Kat: Fire.

Gwyn: The thought that my mommy or daddy might both leave the house one morning and forget to walk me first! (Nevermind that I get to go out in the fenced-in yard to take care of business...a day just can't start right without a walkabout first!)

Oz & Willow: The thought of running out of noms!!!! That would be awful. It would probably mean the end of the world.

 6.  The best and worst of blogging?

Kat: I had no idea when I started this thing how much fun it would be to play around with some writing and explore my photography a bit. And I really wasn't prepared for how neat it is to connect with others through their blogs. The worst part is when I haven't had enough time to keep up with posting and then I feel guilty and frustrated.

Gwyn: It's cool that Mom has a place to share with others how wonderful I am but it still isn't getting me walked!

Oz & Willow: Why??? Why do people stare at and poke that stupid machine when it has never ever given out noms even once?

7.  What was the last website you visited?
Kat: Annie's Stories Annie is a writer friend of my SIL's (and now I count her as my friend too even though I haven't gotten to meet her in person!).
Gwyn, Oz and Willow: Really? You're asking us? Actually, we sometimes press keys just to watch Mom jump and holler! Tee hee.
  
8.  What is the one thing you would change about yourself?

Kat: I'm with Lori (though I swear I'm not copying your homework!)...I struggle on a regular basis with the whole procrastination thing...

Gwyn: ??? I'm too busy enjoying myself right this second!

Oz & Willow:  We are FELINE! Oh, yeah, the whole opposable thumbs thing would be nice so we could open the nom packages.

 9.  Slankets, yes or no?
In unison: No. Never heard of 'em before this 'game'. Although they do advertise Snuggies here which appear to be the same thing.

10.  Tell us something about the person who tagged you.
Kat: It's really funny because I remember my SIL shooting me a link to Lori's What Remains Now  right about the same time I discovered it through Houndstooth's mention on Tales and Tails I was drawn to Lori's love of her greyhounds and sharing about the wonders of the breed, but have stayed to admire her writing, her creativity and all the neat ideas she shares. I feel like I know her a bit. And the fact that she served our country in the armed forces...ROCKS! Thanks Lori!!!


Now we’re supposed to name 8 bloggers to participate in the challenge.  Accept if you would like, if not, that’s okay too! Picking these was tough for me...there are so many great bloggers out there. I'm going to deviate a little from some of my animal-related bloggers (and also throw in a little nepotism...maybe spur someone on to keep up the blogging!):
One Heart, One Hope
If I didn't Have a Sense of Humor (just discovered this one!)
House of Carnivores
Goblins in my Garden
The Pioneer Woman (Okay. Ree's was one of the first, if not the first, blog I started reading regularly. She's an amazing woman who has her hands full and probably not enough time to play along here...but I met her at a book signing and have to say she's amazingly gracious as well. I mainly included it so maybe you'll check her out if you haven't already.)
Pepper at the Quilt Studio
Itsa Greyt Day
The Thundering Herd

Love This - Glass Photo Coasters

Received as a Christmas present from my Mom & Dad...I love 'em! These particular ones are made by Sarah Peyton home...

The photos I used are some taken at our shoot with J. Frazz Photography. (Thanks again, Joe...you rock!)

Been sick most of the week...will catch up & post more soon, including answers to the questions that What Remains Now tagged me with.

The Horror!

Bad enough that my blog has "dog" in the title, and generally has something to do with dogs in one way or another...but today is a momentous day...that's right: It's Oz & Willow's 12th birthday!!! And who (whom?) should be pictured bright and early this morning??? Gwyn! That blog hog! We are not amused!

We look all cute & cuddly, but actually you caught us in the middle of plotting to take over the world. We would have already done it if only we had opposable thumbs!

We weren't sleeping!

Did you at least bring home birthday noms?

Dogs Rule

We picked this t-shirt up at Westminster one year (courtesy of Pedigree who was one of the sponsors and who does a lot for rescue groups)...when we still had Phil. It was too small for him, but actually fits Gwyn pretty nicely. It was so cold this weekend that she seemed to enjoy wearing it in the house. You can't argue with the sentiment!

Happy Valentine's Day...Hat Tip to Houndstooth

Happy Valentine's Day!

May I say that in some ways it's been a difficult week or so...lots of life stuff going on...one piece of which included some dear friends losing a very dear pet in a tragic accident. Once again I try to remember to revel in the day...live fully in the moment...love...These are all things my dog teaches me. I aspire to live with one tenth as much joy as my dog and to love my family & friends with complete abandon as she does.

I know who Gwyn's gonna ask to be her Valentine!

Laughing hound

On another note, I started this blog 4 years ago after visiting the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show for the first time. My friend (who also happens to be our small animal vet) took us...We've gone to 3 of the last 5 shows with her. This year we couldn't make it work as we had the holiday visit to the UK. But we were there in spirit yesterday cheering her on as GCH Live Oaks My Name is Mike took Best of Opposite Sex in the Bluetick Coonhounds: Mike's results linky

And finally, (for today) I tip my hat to Houndstooth over at Tales and Tails I have truly enjoyed following her blog and through her, many others. Today's post Pillars of Strength really touched me and so eloquently expressed many of my thoughts and part of what I attempted to share with my friends who are grieving their dearly departed boxer

Archie

Please take a minute to check it out, send some thoughts and prayers KB's way, and go spend your Valentine's Day with the ones you love!!!!!

Does it Make Me a Redneck...

...that I sorta' want to buy this???

On an unrelated note, this is the card I sent my SIL the other day...it made me laugh:

And this is one of the numerous reasons I love coming home:

Best Therapy...

...for a crummy attitude: time in the saddle!

We took Solana and 'Mo on a trail ride Saturday and had an absolutely glorious time! Weather was perfect. Horses were fabulous. Couldn't have asked for nicer. Ah, that every day could be spent on horseback!

Smack Down

Why you little pipsqueak....!

I dub thee...

Yes, oh Great Leader, and then what?

Forbidden Love

Yes, there's kissing going on!