Southern Cali

On my way to El Centro

nhra fram nationals

having a good time!

I'm an aunt! Again!

My Niece

At the hospital. My sister getting ready for her c-section. Everything looking good.

Happy Fourth Of July!

I hope everyone had a happy and safe Fourth of July weekend!

I can't believe how stupid people can be when they are using fireworks. People just don't think. It's not always just people drinking either. I have seen plenty of sober people just going crazy because they are caught up in the moment. Last night my neighbor was holding two fountain fireworks in his hands and twirling them around like they were sparklers. Okay, I know I live in California and all we have is safe and sane fireworks... but that's only if you use them properly! This isn't the worst I've seen, just one small example of people being stupid.

I've never been a fan of fireworks. It started when I was young when the city I was living in was having a fireworks display. Well, something went wrong and the fireworks were exploding only about 50 feet off of the ground. The ashes and sparks were raining down on the spectators and I got burned. No, not bad like some people have been unfortunate enough to experience. But it did hurt and it is something I will never forget.

My husband grew up in Washington where many fireworks are legal. Or at least legal if you buy them off of an Indian reservation. He hates the fireworks that we have. But me, this is one of the few moments in my life I am actually happy to live in California.

Just Waiting

Standing at my bus stop waiting for my bus. Nice day out

Jumpy's

Hot dog flavored potato chips from Australia. My coworker brought them back with her. im going to try to get the husband to eat them :)

Passion Flower

Here are some pictures of my other passion flower vines. This is a different variety then the other one pictured on my blog that has the bees on it. This vine is also a lot healthier but I think thats due to the location. The all white one is in full sun all day. This one gets early morning shade and late afternoon shade.

Air Show

The local air show happened over the weekend. I live next to two county airports and a military base so I frequently get the chance to see air shows take place. The plus is also that I never have to pay to see them and simply can sit in my backyard and watch. The downside, if something bad were to happen I think I may be a little to close. Its awesome when the air force does theirs because all the fighter jets. But the small county one was fun to watch with all their stunt planes. Here are some pictures from it. Its kinda small... I still need to invest in a zoom lens.

What Does This Say?

This message was left scralled at a crime scene in Michigan. A well liked couple was killed in their home. America's Most Wanted is asking viewers what they think the message could have been. The murderer caught one of the victims writing a message with their own blood and mopped it up, missing this section underneath the car.

Me, wanting nothing more then to be an investigator have been spending my time trying to figure it out. I have a couple ideas. But could be wayyy off. And probably am. But I figure, what the heck, won't hurt if I try.

Free Salad

What's left of the free salad I was given.

BJ's Brewery

Long wait at BJs and im bored

The Dog

Testing out my camera trying to get action shots. We were out back playing ball and frisbee.

Bumble Bees

The bumble bees are back. Every year we get huge bumble bees that come to our house for our passion flowers. They are back now. We get two different kinds, or they are the same kind but look different, not sure. The one I got pictures of today is the all black one. The other bumble bee that comes is almost all black but has a bright yellow square spot up top where their wings connect. Once I get a picture of one of those I will post it. If you know anything about this specie of bees I would love to learn more.

Mystery Shopping

I just recently started as a mystery shopper. Won't tell you where I do it or who I do it for though. Sorry :) I will tell you that its fun but there is a lot of work that goes along with it. The actual shopping is easy but you have to fill out a report afterwards. There are opportunities to shop fast food locations, restaurants, retail stores, pharmacies, hotels and more. If you are interested in learning more go to http://www.volition.com/ I have found the website very helpful. There is also a forum where you can speak to other shoppers about their work.

Buffalo Games Puzzle

Want to know why I have been slacking on the blogging duties? Take a look at this puzzle and you will know why.

I love doing puzzles but I don't have a chance to do them very often. This is probably the hardest one I have ever done. It was a gift from my step-grandmother. We got engaged in New York City so she found this puzzle for us.

If you're looking to do a puzzle look into Buffalo Games. I have never done one of theirs before that I can remember. Best quality puzzle I have seen. And made in the USA!

Promotion

I have the opportunity to promote with my job but now I am not sure what to do. I can promote at my current job in my current location doing the same exact thing but making more money. Or, I can promote and start a new job in a new location. I'm so torn. I obviously like the idea of staying in my current position because I already know the job and all the people I would be working with. But I would also like going to a new location and experiencing and learning new things. I know I don't want to do what I am doing forever and having a more diverse background will help me with jobs in the future. The other good thing is I wouldn't be stuck with my annoying boss. But I just don't know. Upper management keeps asking me not to leave and they really want me to stay. Thats always a good sign. Well I know what I am going to be thinking hard about.

I Got A Helmet!

The husband bought his motorcycle in April of last year. I told him that I would not ride on his bike with him until he was a more experienced rider. Well now that it has been over a year he was practically begging for me to get a helmet. So yesterday since it was our day off (stupid furloughs) I told him we could go get a helmet.

Its a great helmet. It is a Icon helmet and is Snell and DOT approved.

Yesterday then was my first ever ride on a motorcycle. Scott took me out slowly around town then we went over to a friends house a few blocks away. He also has a motorcycle so he joined us for a ride. We went onto the freeway and drove around for about an hour and a half.

Riding the bike was scary and fun to me at the same time. I do have to admit however that once you are on the bike it feels a lot safer then it looks like it would be. But of course I know it can still be dangerous and you always have to stay cautious.

Happy Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day to all you mothers out there! The work you do is hard so relax and enjoy yourselves today!!

The Dogs at Chico's East Bidwell Park

This morning we took our dogs to East Bidwell Park in Chico. We went to attend the Butte Humane Society's annual Mutter's Day in the Park event. We were running a little slow so we didn't get there until right before they started to pack up but we did get to talk to a few people. Then we decided to head down one of the trails and take in the park. We do not live near Chico so we wanted to enjoy our time there. Down one of the trails we found another one that took us into the river where we found this little island to stand on. The chihuahua did good because he hates water so he didn't wander far. The current was running pretty strong so we kept the border collie on an extended leash just in case. But nothing bad happened and the dogs had a wonderful time.

The Dogs

Just wanted to display some updated pictures of my babies. I didn't realize while I was doing it the poor things were staring into the sun. Thats why they are squinting and the chihuahua is refusing to look at the camera.

Petland

This Saturday May 9th will be the latest protest in front of all Petland stores. Join your fellow animal lovers in trying to stop this corporation from continuing to support animal cruelty.

If you don't already know (and I sure hope you do) Petland buys their puppies from puppy mills. If you ask the company they will tell you they do not buy from puppy mills. Well technically, they don't. What they do is buy their dogs from brokers who in turn get the dogs from puppy mills. Its the same thing!

Dogs in puppy mills are almost always abused, sick, and malnutritioned. The parents of these puppies spend their whole lives living in small cages never being allowed out to walk or play. They are forced to breed over and over until they are no longer able and then left to die. It is common to see dead dogs mixed in with live dogs in the breeding cages.

When a rescue company approached Petland and asked for the names of the companies they got their dogs from Petland refused to provide the information. If you weren't doing anything wrong then why would you refuse? They claim to be from reputable breeders. I know if I got my dog from a reputable breeder I wouldn't be scared to say who it was. I would be proud!

Please take the time to check out these web sites and learn more about the cruel practices Petland supports.

http://www.hsus.org/pets/pets_related_news_and_events/petland_puppy_mill_112008.html

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27822309/

http://www.consumeraffairs.com/pets/petland.htm

http://www.1800blogger.com/2009/05/07/petland-puppy-mills/


Okay. Lets go into fantasy world for a minute and pretend that Petland is telling the truth. The dogs come from glorious farms where they are free to frolic all day with their parents. They are fed great food and receive veterinary attention whenever it is even thought it was needed. They have room to run and the parents are happy dogs that are well socialized. Okay here we are in happy world.... I STILL think that Petland should stop selling puppies and supporting the over breeding of dogs in America. Our shelters are full to the brim and dogs and puppies are euthanized everyday because there is not enough room to keep them. Why should we keep breeding puppies just so a business like Petland can continue making money? How about we think of all the dogs suffering right this very second first? Lets give them a chance!

PLEASE. Stop shopping at Petland!!

Man And His Dog

I have seen this story before but just recently had it emailed to me again. I love it...

A man and his dog were walking along a road. The man was enjoying the scenery, when it suddenly occurred to him that he was dead.

He remembered dying, and that the dog walking beside him had been dead for years. He wondered where the road was leading them.

After a while, they came to a high, white stone wall along one side of the road. It looked like fine marble. At the top of a long hill, it was broken by a tall arch that glowed in the sunlight. When he was standing before it he saw a magnificent gate in the arch that looked like mother-of-pearl, and the street that led to the gate looked like pure gold. He and the dog walked toward the gate, and as he got closer, he saw a man at a desk to one side. When he was close enough, he called out, 'Excuse me, where are we?'

'This is Heaven, sir,' the man answered. 'Wow! Would you happen to have some water?' the man asked.

Of course, sir. Come right in, and I'll have some ice water brought right up. 'The man gestured, and the gate began to open.

'Can my friend,' gesturing toward his dog, 'come in, too?' the traveler asked. 'I'm sorry sir, but we don't accept pets.'
The man thought a moment and then turned back toward the road and continued the way he had been going with his dog.

After another long walk, and at the top of another long hill, he came to a dirt road leading through a farm gate that looked as if it had never been closed. There was no fence.
As he approached the gate, he saw a man inside, leaning against a tree and reading a book. 'Excuse me!' he called to the man. 'Do you have any water?'

'Yeah, sure, there's a pump over there, come on in.'

'How about my friend here?' the traveler gestured to the dog.

'There should be a bowl by the pump.'

They went through the gate, and sure enough, there was an old-fashioned hand pump with a bowl beside it.

The traveller filled the water bowl and took a long drink himself, then he gave some to the dog. When they were full, he and the dog walked back toward the man who was standing by the tree.

'What do you call this place?' the traveler asked.

'This is Heaven,' he answered.

'Well, that's confusing,' the traveller said. 'The man down the road said that was Heaven, too.'

'Oh, you mean the place with the gold street and pearly gates? Nope. That's hell.'

'Doesn't it make you mad for them to use your name like that?'

'No, we're just happy that they screen out the folks who would leave their best friends behind.'

So What's The Point?

with all the calendars I already have why the heck does my stupid boss insist I waste paper to post this one for him on my wall? does he not know how to read the other ones?

another...

another calendar on my cubicle wall

another calendar

calendar on my computer anyone can access at work

calendars

calendars on my wall at work

I'm Back

Okay, I am back from my wedding and settling back into the normal groove that is my life. And boy is it hard! Its been over a week since I was on a schedule. I was out every night having fun all night. Then bam! This morning I had to get up at 4:45am for work.

I'm happy to see that all of my cell phone pictures and blogs made it up okay. I'll probably keep that up because its simple and fun . It will really let people know what I am up to at that point in time.

DMV

I'm at the DMV getting my name changed for my drivers license. Now just have to see how long this takes...

My Mom's Dog

Here is my mom's dog. Isn't he beautiful? The sweetest dog ever.

Bellagio

Good view

Flowers

Some flowers

Breakfast Has Arrived

Our complimentary breakfast. Time to eat!

The Ring

I love seeing his ring on him!

The View

View from our awesome suite

Having Fun

The girls took me out and where havin fun

Limo

In the limo getting our marriage license :)

And It Starts

At the airport. Time for the first drink!

Wedding Shoes?

Maybe!

Another Store...

Yep. There is a Louis Vuitton in my mall. And I don't even live in a big city!