cats and dogs

All of my readers know how big of a softie I am when it comes to animals. I cannot stand all these stories about people abusing their animals. How can someone be so heartless? I was very disgusted last week whenever certain events took place regarding a pet cat of someone whom I love dearly. VERY CRUEL torture was performed on a cat (that turned out not to be this particular pet cat) and it is digusting. I know I have already used that word, but there is no other word. I was so furious that I literally wanted to go knock on every door in their neighborhood and demand answers.

Now on to more pleasant things... Giambi & Bentley have been battling allergies lately. Who knew that your pet can have allergies just like you? The vet said to give them a small amount of children's Benadryl. So yesterday I gave them the medicine. They were so cute. Giambi just went right to sleep, but not Bentley! He had to fight it. He would start to doze off, then get mad that he was dozing off, so he would start growling at himself. It was the cutest thing!!

The dogs had a big weekend! Myra was in visiting for most of the week and Giambi rarely let her leave his sight. He gets really attached to people who visit us a lot. Then Buford, Brooke, and Christian visited us, too, and so they had a very good time with lots of hands petting them. Such a spoiled life! (I wouldn't have it any other way)

Here's a really cute photo that someone sent me on an email a while back. The little dog looks so much like a maltese!

Seriously?

What in the world is going on with people these days? Did you see the moustache that Paula Abdul let Simon draw on her last night on American Idol? Why in the world would she let him do that? I felt that it was insulting to the contestants the way those two acted for the majority of the show--very unprofessional.

Then this whole Octomom thing with her firing the non-profit organization that was volunteering their time. Seriously? I know there is a whole big dramatic story there, but I don't think that Nadya is behaving in the best interest of those children by allowing the paparazzi to follow her every move. That whole scenario is unnerving.

Locally there was a puppy mill that was busted with over 350 animals. I don't even have the words to express how much this disturbs me. What kind of person can be cruel to an animal? Someone told me once that the way you treat your animals is a direct reflection of how you treat your children, spouse, and yourself. So why does this horrible cycle continue? Stop the abuse. BREAK THE CYCLE, PEOPLE!! That's what I want to scream at them.

I was sad to see Maks go so early on Dancing with the Stars. Hopefully he will be back to dance with the pros on elimination night. My new favorite is Melissa.

Let's see, what else? I can't wait for my friends to get back from their cruise because I want to hear all the details!! Lee's Mom is visiting this week and I always enjoy her visits. I selfishly wish that she lived closer. I'm gearing up for a baby shower for one of my best friends (I gotta get working on those invitations!) and a wedding shower for another one of my best friends! Busy April ahead!!

Slime attack

We took Christian, Brooke, Taylor, and Dylan to the Science & Math night this past Tuesday, which also happened to be St. Patrick's Day. We had such a good time! One of the favorites was the slime. I snapped a couple of pics.

Urine

I received this on my email today... how VERY TRUE...

Like a lot of folks in this state, I have a job. I work, they pay me. I pay my taxes and the government distributes my taxes as it sees fit. In order to get that paycheck, I am required to pass a random urine test with which I have no problem.

What I do have a problem with is the distribution of my taxes to people who don't have to pass a urine test. Shouldn't one have to pass a urine test to get a welfare check because I have to pass one to earn it for them?

Please understand, I have no problem with helping people get back on their feet. I do, on the other hand, have a problem with helping someone sitting on their rump, doing drugs, while I work. . . . can you imagine how much money the state would save if people had to pass a urine test to get a public assistance check?

I guess we could title that program, 'Urine or You're Out'.

Tuesday

Sorry for the lack of posts lately. Things have been very busy for me! I finished my CASA training and will be sworn in by the judge sometime this week. I attended an Interior Design Tea last week (my favorite part of that was hanging out with Amanda!). Let's see, we had our usual board game night, saw Watchmen at IMAX, visited with my Grandma and Dad, lots of Linco stuff, the usual.

I've been keeping Lee's brother and sister after school lately. I know everyone says this, but kids say the cutest things! I picked them up one day at school and they were talking about how much they've grown in life and in general. Christian said that when he was 5 he used to get homesick a lot whenever he would go anywhere, but now he is 8 and living the dream! It was so funny! I'm amazed at some of the words he uses (and even in the right context) so I guess that is a lesson to always watch what you say around little ears. Not that he is saying bad stuff, it's all been good, just surprising. Another example is from last night. We made cookies at the house and they were decorating them with icing, chocolate chips, sprinkles, the works. Lee asked Christian how they tasted and Christian said they were fabulous. It was very cute.

And I don't want to leave out Brooke. She is so smart! I'm positive that she will be able to earn a full scholarship to college in the future. She always makes A's. With all the instability in her life recently, I'm so proud that she has had such resilience. I went and ate lunch with her at school last week (by the way, Cabot school lunches are NOT as good as Mt. Pleasant school lunches) and we had such a good time! Brooke introduced me to all of her friends as her sister, she showed me her classroom, I met her teacher, she introduced me to Christian's teacher. I am very glad that Lee and I are able to be in their lives in such a big way, I think it has been very good for them with the transition back to Cabot.

Last but certainly not least, happy birthday to Dad today!!! Love you!

Rob Thomas thinks Giambi is a rockstar

I'm so excited!!! Check it out--Rob Thomas and his wife Marisol are huge animal lovers and support a wonderful shelter called Pets Alive that is located in upstate New York. Pets Alive is a no-kill animal shelter and they even take the old carriage horses from Manhattan.

Anyhow, to raise awareness for Pets Alive, they had a contest where you dress your pet up as a rockstar and send it in. Rob & Mari judged and awarded winners. Giambi did not win, but they liked his enough to put it up on their website! Check it out:

http://robthomashq.com/service.php?module=messages&message=furry_tail_gallery

I definitely agree that the winners chosen put a lot more effort into it than I did. I just put Giambi's "Rockstar" studded t-shirt on him and snapped his cute little picture.

I'm even a bit jealous--I wish Rob Thomas knew who I was instead of Giambi, but I'll settle for having a semi-famous dog! LOL.

FYI

Thanks to those of you who asked, the hamster made it home safely when Buford came to pick up the kids. All is well in the world still. =)

tiny bit exhausted

It has been such an exhausting week! I have spent way too much time inside the courtroom this week, I can tell you that. Too much drama in my life. Does anyone know how to make it stop?? LOL. Vacation, I think that is the answer. And maybe not owning your own business or being self employed--those things are so overrated. =)

I'm just having one of those days and I think with a little bit of rest and some reality tv, I'll feel a lot better and back to my old self. I probably just need a day to have for myself.

I'll leave you with the newest entertainment news I have--it is rumored that the other Dancing with the Stars contestant will be Melissa from the Bachelor. She will be taking the other slot for the injured dancer. I will totally root for her!!

DWTS injuries

The season hasn't even started and two stars have already had to drop out of Dancing With the Stars due to knee/leg injuries. Jewel and Nancy O'Dell will not be able to compete, and rumor has it that one of the replacements will be Holly who is Hugh Hefner's former Playmate girlfriend. I haven't heard about the other one yet, but the replacements will officially be announced on Monday's season premiere.

Linco Ribbon Cutting Ceremony

Just got that pic in from the newspaper.

such a BUSY week

Where has this week gone? It has been one of the most hectic for me, that's for sure. I had to go to court on Monday and I have to go back tomorrow. Yesterday was Linco's ribbon cutting ceremony with the mayor. I was shocked at how many people came out for that! Cabot is such a wonderful community!!! Our picture will be in the Cabot paper in the near future so I'll try to get a copy of that on here. (I got to hold the gigantic pair of scissors and cut the ribbon--it was great! The scissors really do work, too!)

In addition to all of that, we have been babysitting Brooke and Christian. Fortunately they are great kids, so it's not too bad. They'll be staying with us for a couple more days. We diverted the biggest possible catastrophe by keeping their hamster safely in its cage--Giambi is obsessed with the hamster. Lee took the hamster out and let Giambi smell it, I don't think he wanted to try to eat it, but I wasn't willing to take too big of a chance. Giambi just sits and stares at the hamster in its cage. Don't worry, we put the hamster in the bedroom and shut the door so there will not be any disasters while we are at work today. He is definitely fascinated with this new creature that has entered his home.

American Idol 03/04/09

I was very sad to see Felecia get cut! I really liked her. However, I was happy to see Jorge Nunez make it. I didn't think he would have the number of votes to make it thorugh although he technically sang an excellent version of the Elton John song.

I was overall disappointed with the 8 people that the judges selected to come back. I was not surprised that one of those 8 was Tatiana--I knew that was coming.

American Idol 03/03/09

This one is going to be short because Linco has our ribbon cutting ceremony with the mayor today. (So exciting!!)

I loved last night's episode with all the Elton John and Alicia Keys songs! My favorites were Kristen McNamara, Felecia Barton, Scott MacIntyre, and Jorge Nunez. I also enjoyed the country singer Kendall Beard. My predictions for the top 3 are Scott MacIntyre, Lil Rounds, and Felecia Barton.

WTC?!?!

I shouldn't have been shocked, but I was shocked. I have known for weeks what was allegedly going to happen on the finale of the Bachelor but I was secretly hoping that it would be wrong. Instead, it was spot on! I cannot believe what a disgusting pig that man is for doing that to Melissa on national television. Why would he not have broken up with her quietly (and privately) off camera, then came on tv and said it didn't work out with Melissa, I made a mistake, I would like to see where things go with Molly.

Furthermore, I am covinced that Molly has known all along. She did not seem surprised to me, she did not seem to have genuine emotions (she's not a great actress), and some of the questions that Chris Harrison asked her were such a giveway because he should not have been asking her leading questions if Jason and Melissa were in fact still supposedly together.

The greatest part of the night by far was when Melissa called Jason a b@stard. He totally deserved that one. He deserved a lot worse than that actually. Then Jason went on Jimmy Kimmel and stated that he hoped he and Melissa could be friends in the future--to which Jimmy Kimmel laughed in his face and said not a chance. That was pretty funny, too.

Poor Melissa. ABC screwed her over on this one. I'm Team Melissa 100%.

volunteering

I have got this question a lot lately: How do you find time to volunteer?

Everyone knows that I am very busy, and this was a big concern of mine as well. It is not uncommon for me to work at least 60 hours per week. In the end, I just prayed about it and decided that the worst that could happen is that I volunteer and then find that I cannot do as much due to time restrictions.

I was up front with the director of the CASA program about my busy schedule, but she has been great at assuring me that my schedule will not be a problem. And so far it hasn't. There are so many unfortunate life stories out there and the people attached to them just want someone to give them hope, someone to hear them, someone to help them. No matter if you can only donate one Saturday a month, it is very worth it to know that you are making a difference in someone's life. The great thing about CASA is that you are potentially saving a young life or changing the direcion of that young life for a more positive future. There is nothing more rewarding than that!

One person in particular that I have spoken to about volunteering is my great friend Coy. And I know you read my blog so you are reading this right now!! I have known Coy practically my whole life and I know without any doubt that Coy will be a great volunteer. He has such a genuine soul and big heart, he is exactly what the world needs more of. I also know he has a very busy schedule just like me working two jobs, but I have faith that he could make a big difference in a child's life just by dedicating a Saturday morning or afternoon once every 4 to 6 weeks. He would be a great mentor!! In fact, if it weren't for Coy, I would not have the life I have now. He was one of the people who was responsible for my relationship with Lee. He has played such a big role in my life and he probably doesn't even think of it that way, but if he hadn't stepped in and set me up with Lee, my life would be completely different right now. I am so thankful to have you in my life Coy!!!

DISGUSTED!!!

As some of my readers know, I have recently become a CASA volunteer (Court Appointed Special Advocate). I've felt for a while now that I really wanted to do something for my community to give back, and I chose CASA. It is such a wonderful organization. CASA volunteers basically advocate on behalf of children who are a victim of child abuse and/or neglect.

I'm gonna be honest with you, I know I am blessed and very fortunate. I have a wonderful family who I am very close to (as well as Lee's family) and I did not grow up as a victim of child abuse or neglect. It has been such a challenge to see these children and know their stories of how they have been abused. I just don't understand how someone could hurt a child (or anyone for that matter) like what I have recently become aware of. With that being said, no matter how challenging this is to me, I could not turn a blind eye now. I will stand up and fight for the best interests of these children. I would encourage you to learn more about CASA and help out with this wonderful program if you feel like I did--that you just needed to give back in some way.

An incredibly horrific DISGUSTING side note: The 6 month old baby that was choked to death last week by her father in Pine Bluff--the grandmother allegedly called Child Services 25 times to file complaints!!!! Why was nothing done? If that child had been removed from that home by DHS, she may still be alive. I hope that matter is investigated further and necessary action is taken to prevent anything like that from happening in the future. I know no system or person is perfect, but where the hell did everyone's common sense go? Most days I feel like common sense is a rare commodity in today's world.

time for the truth

I am so glad that tonight I will finally know what happens at the conclusion of the Bachelor when the finale airs. I have (sadly) become obsessed with this show and I gave in to read all the spoilers that have leaked on the internet which resulted in my maddening obsession. This really must stop because I'm driving myself crazy. =) Only a few more hours now...