Why, Mother Nature, Why???

I am very firmly entrenched in my belief that it should not snow after March. So imagine my dismay when I woke up on April 27, to this:

Yuck.

Izzy, Emma, and Casey seemed to enjoy it though.

Summer, Where Are You?

Snowicane, Snowpocalypse, Snowmaggedon. I don't care what you call it, I DO NOT approve of 20 inches of snow in my driveway. Boo, winter. BOO.

I was a little concerned that my deck might collapse under Winter's Wrath...

But Izzy was delighted!

I am still not sure what all the hullabaloo was about. I mean, it's central New York. It snows here, and quite a lot. Syracuse and Rochester vie for Snowiest Metropolitan Area every year. I just don't like when it snows all at once, because that requires getting it out of my car's way. On the bright side, I didn't have to go to the gym today, since I spent 4 hours shoveling snow by hand. That's right, I don't have a snowblower or a husband. I guess I really need to get to work on that. Or move to Hawaii!

Demo Doggies

No, the girls were not present for the actual demolition of Ugly Kitchen Wall, or construction of the new wall, but they did come to visit shortly after:

Casey (aka K.C. Masterpiece, ChubChub, or Squirrel)

Izzy and Emma (aka The Perps, Eejits, or Black and Brown)

I love my puppies!!!

How awesome is Captial One's new idea?

I went online yesterday to pay my Capital One bill of $6.86 (okay, so I don't use it very much) and was greeted with a new offer from them: design your own credit card. They give you two options: pick a photo from thousands already on their website, or upload your own picture. Note: nudity and pornographic images are not allowed, nor are photos of celebrities, so no, you won't be able to make a card with John Krasinski's picture on it. Believe me, if it was allowed, I would totally have done that! Anyhow, I went through my favorite pictures to find one that would fit on a credit card, and came up with an adorable picture of Izzy from when she was about 3 months old. My photo was approved today, and Capital One emailed me a picture of what my new card will look like:

Needless to say, I am pretty excited about my new card, which will arrive in 7 business days and was totally free! I might actually start using Capital One more often...although those 10% coupons from Target do make using their card very worthwhile.

Our Newest Family Member

So I've been a bit busy this summer, working lots of overtime, and not being at home very much. Sadly, my few minutes of internet time at night are spent on Facebook, which is quite addictive, so I've been a little negligent about blogging. I realized today that I never even introduced our newest family member, and she's actually been living with us for over two months now!

Casey

Casey is a two-year-old border collie that my friend Tracy let me borrow while she was on vacation. We liked Casey so much that Tracy and her family let us keep her!

Casey likes hanging out with friends, particularly her BFF Izzy:

Izzy and Casey

She is also an active member of the Seward Ave Canine Soccer team:

Emma, Izzy, Sally the Mormon dog, and Casey

We are all very fond of Casey...well, except for Henry and Ruthie, who have decided that they do not like being herded around the house and yard.

Old Baby Pictures

I really, really miss my babies! And I couldn't even find a picture of my poor little Ruthie, but here are some of Henry, Emma, and Izzy that I just took a few weeks ago:

His Lordship of Seward Ave, Sir Heinrich

My un-photogenic little brown dog, Emma.

Izzy-dawg, who looks sad in this picture despite being the canine form of Prozac in real-life!

Extra Baby Pictures!

I just thought I'd share a few more pictures that I found on my camera today!

Ruthie, with an angry-looking Henry.

Very serious Izzy...kind of unusual, since she's generally the clown of the family!

Henry, making it known that he is NOT in the mood for a belly rub.

My little brown dog Emma, smiling because she probably just snuck upstairs for a cat food snack!

Did you miss us?

So it's been kind of a long time since I last blogged. Almost two months. 53 days, according to TimeandDate.com. Or 4,579,200 seconds. In other words, I totally suck! But on the bright side, really not much has happened here since November. But to catch you up, here goes:

In early November, not one, but BOTH of my computers crashed. Now, my desktop is over 3 years old, so I wasn't too upset about that, besides being highly annoyed that someone smart enough to create a virus that could ruin my computer was actually wasting their time creating a virus instead of doing something productive like finding a cure for cancer. But whatever. People are time wasters (I'll admit to it!) and I wanted a new desktop anyway.

It was the strange downfall of my six-month-old Dell laptop that was mildly confusing. You see, I was merely watching The Hills Aftershow online because my DVR for some reason didn't record, and right as I was about to hear what Heidi's sister really thought of Heidi and Spencer's faux elopement in Mexico, my computer just died. I almost cried. I also almost threw the computer against the wall. I mean, Heidi and Spencer had ELOPED and my computer couldn't even wait until the end of the show to crash? WTF?

But I persevered, and fixed my laptop and found an awesome new desktop! Yay!!!

It's just so beautiful...*tear*...

My other notable November event was hosting Thanksgiving at my house. By hosting I mean that my mother came and cleaned my house the week before, and then she and my grandmother came down the night before, cooked everything, and then I set the table. It was exhausting.

December involved decorating my house for Christmas and shoveling a lot of snow. Fortunately my mother helped with the decorating. I couldn't find anyone willing to help with the snow. Of course, I didn't offer to pay. That usually brings Ross and Luke to my house in a matter of minutes!

My Christmas Pharmacy Village...I'm such a nerd!

Henry spent a great deal of the month batting at low-hanging Christmas ornaments...

Note the absence of Christmas lights...this photo was taken after Emma ingested a 6 foot extension cord...and yes, it was plugged in at the time...

Sadly, I have no pictures of Ruthie to share. She refused to sit by the Christmas tree, and although caught on more than one occasion sleeping in the Christmas Pharmacy Village Square, I was unable to find my camera to preserve those precious moments. Maybe next year...

Vacation!!

So I've been on vacation for a few days, and it's gotten a little boring. Mainly because we didn't go to Hawaii after all, and my friends are all working. The highlight of my week has been walking over to the middle school to vote. Although the 50% off sale at Coach Outlet might surpass that. I'll update tomorrow if I have any sucess! So I'll leave you with pics of my very photogenic black dog Izzy, and my very surly yellow cat Henry.

I feel no guilt about posting such an uncomplimentary pic of Henry mainly because he tried to bite me today. Biting is VERY inappropriate!

We Passed Basic Obedience...Just Barely!

Today was our last class in Basic Obedience training at PetCo. And the girls passed! Well, not that they were actually tested or anything, but I'm pretty proud of them. They even posed quietly for their diplomas!

Izzy, still having some difficulty with "watch me!"

Emma, who has finally mastered the "down" command. Yay!

We learned a lot this time around, probably because Iz and Em were the only two students, and we lucked out and had two instructors! We learned how to walk on a loose leash, leave it, stay, down, respond to "come" with an appropriate finish (sitting at the person's side), and to "wait" as well!

I'm kind of sad that school is over, since it was fun going every week and learning new things. (Yes, I actually miss school, go ahead, make fun of me!) But it was really worth it...I think if we keep practicing, I will soon have two model canines. Now, if I can just keep them from chasing squirrels into the neighbor's yard...

Baby Izzy

I found an adorable picture of Izzy when she was just a bitty puppy, so naturally, I had to make a new scrapbook layout:

I used the "Harvest Spice" kit from Shabby Princess Designs. There are some beautiful kits on their site, so check it out!

I'm such a slacker!

Not too much is happening here on Seward Ave. Izzy and Emma are still going to obedience classes. And Henry, Ruthie, and I all have colds. I'm feeling great, thanks to a combo of Aleve-D, Zyrtec, and Mucinex (gotta love polypharmacy!), but I feel so bad for little Henry and Rue. They're both trotting around with runny noses, and sneezing all the time. I hope they get better soon.

"I'm sick and you're taking pictures of me...what kind of a cat-mother ARE you?"

The girls have been spending lots of time with the Mothership out on the farm, running around the gardens and grape field. I drop them off at 8am every morning and spend the entire day at work being jealous that they're tearing around outside and I'm stuck indoors dealing drugs to people who constantly inform me that I will be voting for Obama. FYI - you make me want to be a conservative, and just for trying to force your political opinions down my throat, I'm going to go get some Sarah Palin bangs. So there!

Today it was so nice out that I let the girls spend most of the day out in the backyard while I did laundry. They're so sweet, everytime I come outside to visit them, they act like it's Christmas or something. They're better than Prozac!

"Ohmigosh...Mom just came outside...woohoo...this is the BEST DAY EVER!!!"

I have to say, having pets really does add some color to your life. For instance, I finally captured on camera (though not very well) what greets me every time I come up the back steps to my house:

Normally, he's not quite so sad looking, but remember, he's sick today, poor boy.

And last but not least, there's my little brown dog, Emma, who is providing us with "Crazy Dog Face of the Day:"

The dorkiest dog I ever met, but I totally love her!

And now I must be off to finish my laundry...I always save the red and khaki for last, even though it's what I need to wear to work tomorrow!

Round Two of Dog School: Basic Obedience

So Izzy and Emma have enrolled once more in one of PetCo's dog training classes. This time it's Basic Obedience, and sadly, the girls are the only ones there. Now, you're thinking that's a good thing, as they'll get extra attention and learn lots, right? Well, it's the extra attention that is embarrassing to me, because all of our faults are on display. Okay, mine and Izzy's. Emma and the Mothership seem to be doing quite well.

(Even when there are more interesting happenings, she is still willing to "watch me!")

Week One went okay. The girls remembered their commands, and the Mothership and I weren't too horrible. (Really, it's the humans being tested in dog school...the dogs are just the means for testing!) Week Two, however, was a different story. Izzy refused to cooperate, and I was SO embarrassed! I think she was punishing me for putting her walk off until after school. Never again! I shall take Izzy first from now on!

(At this point, Izzy wouldn't "watch me!" if she was starving and I was holding a steak!)

So now we're on to Week Three. I'm not positive about what our homework is this week, as I was so disheartened by my little Iz. I think we're supposed to be working on the girls coming to us, and sitting down at our sides automatically. I'm also working hard on the loose leash walking, since that's what upsets the Mothership most. We had a most successful walk this evening, if you ignore the fact that Emma was whisper-barking at some chick on her cell phone. But seriously, who talks on their cell phone outside at 10:30 at night in 40 degree weather? Someone who is hiding something from her parents, that's who. She totally deserved to be barked at, even if it was only a whisper-bark.

I just can't help but laugh at them. They're so sweet and goofy!

Why I Spend Several Hundred Dollars a Month at PetCo

I like to shop a lot. Lately I've been on a budget, so my only shopping joy comes from frequent visits to PetCo, which some people have deemed unnecessary, but I think are absolutely mandatory. Somehow, I don't think I even need words to explain what some call my "frivolous spending," but for those who do not have pets, I will try to enlighten:

Doesn't a cute cat like this deserve a nifty Igloo litter box?

And why shouldn't my boy have the finest Temptations Dental Treats the world has to offer?

And seriously, could you feed these two anything less than Nutro, which is going to keep their joints healthy for years to come?

My babies are cute and fun and loving and totally worth the expenditures. Even if it means our country estate will take a few more years to get! And I think only my Aunt Paula understands, as she sent me a gift card to PetCo for my birthday. It must take one crazy pet person to know another!

Bonding with Izzy

Last Friday, Izzy and Emma were scheduled to be spayed, as I have no desire for little Izzys and Emmas to be tearing around my house in the near future, or ever. But because Izzy is on her third round of antibiotics (after conquering staph and strep in her bladder and kidneys, now we're working on E. coli...delightful) her operation was postponed, and my poor Emma had to go alone.

I dropped Em off at 8:30 am. I have to say, I always get nervous dropping my babies off for operations. I almost canceled Ruthie's appointment because I was scared she might not survive, because I am an idiot! And I was worried that Emma would make a scene at the vets because she hates to be separated from Izzy. Nontheless, I left her in Moravia, and headed back to the lake/farm with Izzy in tow. Since we had to wait until 4:30 to pick Emma up, we had plenty of time to play.

I decided we would practice fetching, because Izzy has a habit of leaving expensive fetching toys in the middle of the lake so that someone else has to get it instead...Luke has taken the Sea-Doo out on numerous occasions to retrieve what the RETRIEVER has refused to swim after. I have to say, for a dog that is mostly inclined to ignore any command sent her way, she did really well with our lesson:

Step 1: Run and get the ball.

Step 2. Tear around the yard while listening to Sarah tell you to "bring it here...come on, Izzy...Izzy, bring me the ball!"

Step 3. When Step 2 finally becomes boring, bring the ball back so that the process can be repeated.

Bathing Beauties

I have to say, I think I have the two most amazing dogs in town, and the people that pull over in their cars when we're out on our morning walks all seem to agree. But they really surpassed themselves at the lake today. Emma finally learned to swim. I know, I know, what kind of lab doesn't know how to swim? And it's true, she was once able to swim, but something must have happened because the dog hasn't actually swam since late April. She'll go out neck deep, even sit and lay in the water, but will not paddle around. She's always been kind of a strange little dog.

Regardless off Emma's oddities, yesterday I carried her out a few times and then set her in the water so she could swim back to shore. It didn't seem to scare her, since she let me do it over and over, but she still refused to swim out herself. Well, not so today! The Mothership and I were out floating, and out paddled Emma to see us:

"Look, Mom, I'm swimming without floaties!"

I know I'm turning into some weird animal person, but I was so proud of her I almost cried. I'm kind of afraid I'll be one of those crazy mothers that attends all of my children's games in t-shirts with their pictures on them. So I think maybe I'll reconsider the whole child thing for now...

So, onto Izzy...Izzy has been swimming nonstop all summer. She'll come out with us while we're floating, and swim around for a while, rest on shore for a bit, and then swim some more. I guess she must have gotten sick of all the paddling around, because as I was shooting Emma's first real swim, Izzy decided to steal my SmartFloat. My first thought was "please don't pop the SmartFloat" because, well, SmartFloats are about the best inflatable water toy ever, and I didn't want to have to trek all the way down to Target to get another one. But then I realized that my dog had actually climbed onto a raft by herself, and was chillin in the water with the Mothership. You have to admit, it's impressive!

"Oh, a puppy's life is so tiresome, sometimes I need to kick back and float the day away..."

Izzy's Illness: Update

Izzy went to the vet this week for a checkup, along with Woody, Henry, and Ruthie, who all needed either rabies shots or leukemia vaccinations.

While she's better, the vet still can't figure out what's wrong with my Izzy. Her kidneys still aren't working right, despite the special kidney food. Poor Izzy. Although judging from her antics at camp today, she must not be feeling too out of sorts.

According to the vet, she most likely has a kidney infection, since our spot check urine sample showed more bacteria. Strangely, the new bacteria is not the same as the old bacteria, so we're sending yet another sample for culture to Cornell. Aren't I so lucky to live so near to an overly expensive Ivy-League university with a college that specializes in veterinary medicine? I guess for Izzy's sake, I'm grateful!

Izzy, Emma, and Sarah Take a Mini-Vacation

Today was such a beautiful day. It was sunny, and warm, and dry, and gorgeous. What better day to go camp? I can't think of one, unless it's all of the above combined with a heat wave. (I seriously hope that doesn't happen!) Anyhow, I mentioned to the Grandmother that camp might be nice to visit today, turned around and saw Izzy and Emma perked right up at the word "camp." Very cute.

"Please, please, please can we go to camp???"

So, being the good dog-mother that I am, of course we went to camp! When we arrived, the girls didn't even stop to greet the Mothership...they ran straight down the stairs to jump in the lake.

"Emma, wait for me!"

We decided to test out the new Bubba Kong for Water that we bought at PetCo last week. I have to say it works great. Izzy can grab onto it while she's swimming, and she chases it every time.

BubbaKong is almost as big as Izzy's head. I think it helps her float, though.

Emma on the other hand, is content to wait on the shore until Izzy gets back to where she can walk in.

I guess if someone else was willing to fetch things for me, I'd sit back and let them, too!

Then she pounces and tries to get BubbaKong away from poor Izzy, who had to do all the work. Cheater!

"Get away from me Emma, I swam halfway across the lake for this!"

And that was our day at camp. Nothing too exciting happened, except Emma trying to roll on a dead fish, but I am ecstatic to say that she has learned "leave it" and walked away when I told her too. I'm so proud! (Puppy kindergarten really did work!)

"Gee, that was fun, think we can convince her to bring us back everyday?"

Chillin at the Farm

After Izzy's vet visit today, we decided to stop by the farm to check out the Fathership's new fields of grapes. While we didn't see much grape action, as the little plants had just poked up through the dirt, our visit did give us plenty of opportunity for photos:

Okay, done looking at the vinyard, onto some fun!

Emma and Izzy checking out the garden...aren't the Stella D'Oro gorgeous this year? Must be all the rain this spring!

Emma decided that the grass was perfect for rolling.

Izzy, diagnosed with dehydration just a few hours earlier, perked right up at the thought of rolling in something smelly!

Woody seemed to be the only one able to maintain a sour attitude throughout the day.

Izzy and Emma had a hard time staying out of trouble (i.e. not eating things the vet would be sure to yell at Sarah for!)

When the girls were called away from their stick, the perfect photo op presented itself!

And now it's time for bed, since all the frolicking at the farm has tired us out!