UPDATED PICS

My baby girl, Sweden then and now...she just came in from outside...dirty girl!

Pins and Needles

Big day tomorrow - well one of two actually. I have, hopefully, something good coming our way very soon but it won't be confirmed til Wednesday for sure. It's been a very long road trying
to make things come together. I must say that so far we've done very well and have been extremely lucky on our endeavors. Hopefully it holds up for at least a bit longer.

October and the weather that comes with it has finally arrived. We've had the windows open all week and aired out the house which has been much needed since we are presently STILL with 7 dogs. (three pups). If I could I would keep them all 'cause I'm crazy like that. Hey, we have over an acre. There's plenty of room!!! But my better and more logical half, says no. We did have homes for them - even before they were born but alas two of those who were taking a little one home have had some life changes that altered those plans. I refuse to just give them to anybody.

We took them to the vet the other day and Sweden, the one we're keeping, is apparently not a special (as in short bus) puppy. Since she was born she was not like the others. Stared at walls and didn't play or intereact with the other pups. Her development has delayed compared to her siblings. Her teeth don't look right, they're barely peeking through gums. Her sisters are a bit bigger as well. Vet said she's normal, slower developer but normal. Yea, not buying that but thanks doc. Getting a second opinion in 3 weeks when I go in for the 2nd booster. Probably with all three of them in tow...they are wonderful and so make me happy. Can't even describe it.

Not only have I grown attached but I always have an overwhelming sense of obligation when it comes to animals. We rented out the old house but I still go by every couple of days to check on Cat and make sure her food and water is good. We can't take her home but we can keep tabs and health on her. There's a new cat lingering at the house - some mangy white and grey fluffy thing with bent ears and not friendly. Cat hisses at it when I stop by letting me know it's an unwanted visitor. Felt bad for it though so I gave it some food under the hedges away from Cat's area.

WHAT a WEEK!

So I took my state exam last Thursday. I had my study materials since, oh, the 5th? Finally got around to installing the software and ran through a couple practice tests the afternoon before the test. On the morning ot the test, I got turned around and finally got to the facility (late), got into my computer booth, and began looking at a completely foreign language. This isn't what I studied for...and I use studied loosely.

The software I purchased was to be a mock version of this exam covering the same material. This was financial mumbo jumbo with questions about things I've never needed to use in my past 24 months of DOING the WORK...let alone what was on the exam prep. Okay, so they gave me 3 hours to take it and I was done in 40 minutes. I sat for another 20 to look like I was really trying and to just check over a couple of formulas but when it was all said and done and that little box read "Are you sure you want to submit this test?" I closed my eyes, took a deep breath, and hit the mouse. Hey if I know it I know it, if I don't it isn't like it's just going to come to me. Might as well get on with my day, reschedule the test, better prepare or at least prepare at all!

So I exited the room, told the facilitator I was given the wrong test (jokingly), and she stamped my certificate and said I passed. "I what?" "You passed, sometimes tests go like that." Meaning you feel you did miserably and voila. I'll take it.

Drove the whole way home bewildered, "How in the hell did I pass that test?" It was like I had somone who knew somone rig the testing booth software server thingamajigger. To say I was in shock is so understated. I called my hon and told her and she was like, duh, of course. But no, I insisted there's no way I did anything but get really freakin' lucky; no modesty, I wasn't playing humble, I really didn't know dink on that exam. But all is well that ends well, and well, I do know how to do what I have been doing, even the test says so :)

So now on to the next "project" at hand. I'll have more news on that later. In the meantime, my baby girl is growing fast. Her name is Sweden, we call her Sweetie and here she is in her T which is just a slight too big. She is such a love. I love puppies!

Happy Anniversary!

For our 4th anniversary...already FOUR years!? I surprised my hon with tix to see Diana Krall.

Bought them in May and did my best (succeeding) to keep it a secret. Well, I took her to dinner and then to the show this past Thursday eve.

She was pleasantly surprised but I think more so that I KEPT it a surprise cause I usually suck like that...lol! Chris Botti opened and did a phenomenal job. Had him sign our CDs and tix as well. Incredible talent.




Diana came on and dazzled the crowd with her voice and ability on the keys. She was backed up beautifully by a jazz trio and the night flew far too fast.

Although, she didn't play our song, we had a great evening and will definitely look forward to when we can catch her again.

Our actual anniversary is this Wednesday but we're both in the midst of our work week so to cap off the celebration we're taking a ride up the hill this weekend. Going to try to dodge the holiday rush and just go for the day to escape the heat and appreciate some alone time...out of range (mostly) from the valley below.

Ahhh, really looking forward to it and so very overdue for us both. Between cleaning, painting, peeling, and trimming then moving, texturing, repairing, and putting things away in general - we are both quite beat and are really ready to get in some down time.

Things aren't done but we've a good leap on things in less than a month so we're playing hookey on what needs finished to maintain our sanities. I'll have to post some pics of the new homestead when I get a chance...I think I may have some lot shots...nope, not on me. Some other time.