Need my Lawnmower back!!!

So... I'd taken in my lawnmower for servicing and sharpening back on December 28th to Garden World (off Buck Owens Blvd.) where I bought it two years ago. Two years ago, I was pleased with the service and knowledge of the owner (who had been in the business for a LONG time) but since then he has retired and sold the company. I just figured it was still the place to take it for servicing as they still sell the same brand. The new guy told me that he was swamped with sharpening huge saw blades and wouldn't get to the mower for at least a week--I agreed to that. However, that was a total joke...several calls were made and he always had a "story" for why my mower wasn't done yet. I even went into the business hoping a face-to-face would put more urgency in my disgruntled customer complaints. Mind you, it has now been SIX weeks since I'd taken my lawn mower into this place!!! Had I been a gardener I'd've lost ALL my clients by now! Instead, I'm a simple homeowner dealing with 4 inch tall grass in my back yard and in desperate need of my mower back because it is NOT fun to pick dog poo out of grass that is tall and thick. Finally, in my desperation I took my weed-eater out back and just started scalping my lawn! About three hours later I had the whole yard whacked down nearly to the dirt and then began the tedious task of raking up all the carnage! After that I was so sore and even more irritated! Six and a half weeks since the drop off date, more phone calls and finally I was assured the mower would be done that Saturday after 3pm...Ha! By the time I settled the bill, (which was more than the original estimate) got the mower loaded it was AFTER 4:30!!! UGH...I do NOT recommend that anybody go there...I sure won't!!!

Photo Opportunities!!!

Since Ginger was a young pup I'd never again taken the time to get Baylie and Ginger together to get their picture taken with props and everything...until now. A friend of mine told me about a photographer that was taking animal photos at the Fur and Feathers resort on January 23rd and 24th. That Sunday the 24th the sun had finally made it out after a full week of rain so Mom and I had decided to take the girls on a walk along the bike path. On the way I convinced her we needed to make a quick pit stop to get the girls' picture taken. It was STRANGE...the woman wouldn't let me come in the room, claiming that dogs often do better without their owners there. As she took the girls back she asked if they'd have any problems being LIFTED??? Who puts BIG dogs on tables for photos--like I said, STRANGE. I told her to be careful with Baylie's back leg because of her recent surgery but told her they should be alright. I then listened anxiously at the door. About 10 minutes later the girls were dragging the woman out the door toward me! She then tells me that she'll email me the photo she feels came out best without any royalty restrictions within 1-2 weeks. She only showed me ONE photo and I didn't get to choose the one I liked best and was essentially paying for!?!?! So STRANGE! I kept my fingers crossed that she'd pick a good one but when I got the email I was so disappointed by Baylie's uncomfortable stance and near snarl. I then emailed her asking for her to send me one where Baylie was smiling because she almost ALWAYS smiles in a photo! I was grateful that she did send me a better shot without asking for more money. O-well...guess I should look into a photographer a bit more before I decide on a whim to employ their services to avoid future STRANGE! :)

Sponge Pudding?!?!?

Wayne and I got a kick outta this...found it at Fresh & Easy.  Neither of us had EVER heard of it, so we soon found ourselves compelled to buy it for no other reason than it's VERY inappropriate label! Carter was just an innocent bystander!   :)

New Year's Eve Play Date '09

It was the last day of the year and I got the "spring cleaning" bug...took down all my exterior Christmas lights! In trying to put them all away in the garage I decided to take in the nearly years worth of recycling in to the exchange center to reclaim my space. I had 14 pounds of plastic and 27 pounds of aluminum which amounted to a stifling 57 bucks!!! Later I took Kailey, Baylie and Ginger back to my house to play for a while in the back yard before I needed to be back at mom's place for our belated Christmas now that Carter is feeling better.

Merry Christmas 2009!!!

Spent Christmas day at my Grandma's house (my mom's mom)...the cousins and everybody did Christmas dinner pot-luck style so that Grandma didn't have to do the cooking. Everything turned out really good and there was lots of left-overs! It was sad though, Sherry, Matt and Carter didn't get to come because poor little Carter came down with pneumonia and was running a fever but after a trip to the urgent care and some antibiotics he is on the upswing thank goodness! We are postponing our immediate family Christmas for next week when Carter feels better! Ginger and Baylie got to "open" some of their gifts (squeaky stuffed toys for Ginger and balls for Baylie) on Christmas eve and shockingly no lost stuffing yet! Then on Christmas day they got to finally get into the box they've been sniffing at for weeks...the Nylabones!!! They have been playing and chomping ever since! They are spoiled, I know but they are all I've got to spoil so they are the lucky beneficiaries! :) I just can't believe that my 2 week break is already half over...but I've stayed busy! Each day we fit in at least 1-2 short walks to try and build up Baylie's muscles and stamina now after all the restrictions from her knee surgery. Then today Wayne, Mom, and I got all of her old 80's aluminum mini-blinds taken down and replaced them with the updated faux-wood blinds we ordered a while ago. They look much better but it's left us with some patchwork and touch up paint jobs we'll have to tackle on another day! Well, that is it for now...hope all of you enjoyed your Christmas!!!

Carter and Ginger...best buds!

Well...I got my blogs a bit outta order (wish they'd let you insert posts wherever you wish o-well)...anyhow this one happened before Christmas but the pictures were cute enough that I wanted to share anyway! Sherry and Matt had decided to do a date night and asked me to watch Carter. They went out to dinner then went to see that "New Moon" movie. Ginger had recently gotten a new Nylabone that Carter was just sure he wanted! He kept taking it from her then giving it back (this went on for quite some time) and they both seemed to enjoy it. Enjoy the happenings! :)

Getting Ready for Christmas!!!

The lights are my favorite part of Christmas and last year I just never found time to decorate like I wanted to, so this year I'm getting a jump start!!! I'm not really doing anything for Thanksgiving this year so I figured I might as well use my time off wisely. I know the "rule" is that your Christmas lights aren't supposed to go up until AFTER Thanksgiving...but too bad folks, I put mine up ON Thanksgiving day because I had nothing better to do! If I didn't get my decorating done this weekend it probably wouldn't get done and I hate decorating right before Christmas because you do so much work only to take it all down in a week!!! I knew my next weekend off wouldn't be until after school lets out for break on the 19th because next weekend I have to drive down south again for Baylie's 8 week post-op check-up (fingers crossed that she doesn't have to be crated anymore!!!). So long story short, I got my lights put up outside and put up my tree and stockings...and beat all my neighbors to the punch this year!

Grandpa's Memorial Service 11-21-09

Grandpa Don's memorial services were held at the Evans Miller Guinn Exeter Chapel on Saturday, November 21, 2009 at 10:00 am followed by a quaint reception at Mama's Restaurant. We decorated the chapel with plenty of memories...through photographs collected by my Grandma Nita and arranged and displayed on large boards by my Uncle Larry. Sherry and Matt helped create the beautiful display of Navy items and flags to show Grandpa's accomplishments. Mom and Grandma collaborated with the florist to make sure the big sprays were representative of Grandpa's life...the one displayed like a big white anchor complete with the heavy duty rope and the other was inundated with real oranges to show how Grandpa truly loved his oranges and refereed to them as gold. For him oranges were gold and it was his primary way he earned his living. In the spirit of Grandpa's loves Mom and I worked on creating a memorial bookmark to be added into the pamphlets given out to family and friends. The quote for the front was one everyone really liked and it read, "When someone you love becomes a memory, the memory becomes a treasure." Mom came across the poem for the back but it too was well written and read, "Our journey through life is not a simple, straight line from birth to death, but is dotted with milestones; celebrations and sorrows that help us to learn and grow; to become the best people we can possibly be." I also created and printed thank you cards in hopes of helping my Grandma. Long story short, the memorial had a wonderful turnout of friends, family, and people Grandpa's life had touched along the way. Lovely memories were shared, beautiful songs were sang, and taps were played in honor of Grandpa's service in the Navy. It was nice to see family, I only wish it were under different circumstances. We love you Grandpa and will always keep you in our hearts and memories!

Carter Grimes & Charlotte Smith--Playdate!

So during the time Sherry and Matt were in Mexico for a wedding Mom and I were babysitting Carter. Mom had him for the majority of the time but I had him a couple times, once when she had class and one other time when she was in Exeter helping Grandma plan for Grandpa's Memorial services. On one of those days my friend Kim brought over her little girl Charlotte who is just about 4 months old (Carter was about 9 1/2 months old at the time). Carter REALLY liked Charlotte's hair clip and so he kept trying to touch it--too funny! The play date only lasted about 30 minutes as both babies started getting cranky for dinner! The rest of the photos are from the other day I had just Carter...my pup Ginger really LOVES him...and Baylie is starting to see his potential now that he is picking up balls. Soon he'll be able to throw them and Baylie will be happy to fetch for him!!! We are still hoping that Baylie will be off restriction after our 8-week check-up next week! Notice that her hair is almost grown back...still a little way to go but her scar is almost fully covered! Enjoy the photos...