RickyBobby is in a better place.............................No, Eric did NOT shoot him. He has gone to a foster home that has been described as the "magic house" or the "dog whisperer home". This was a far cry from the stress and resentment he got here. The humane society came to get him on Monday. (which actually sounds more menacing than it was....it was one very sweet lady~not the whole society:) The kids knew RickyBobby was going to a new home this week, so they were prepared.....or so I thought. The four of us were ALL crying, but I got over it and the kids didn't. Specifically, the boys didn't. Max was still crying at bedtime. Jay was bawling harder than I think I've ever seen him-short of a bad injury. I really felt bad, but deep down, I knew it was for the best.

*Sidenote~~ A consumer report regarding invisible fences.... you get what you pay for. We went the "do-it-yourself" route, and I have never had the confidence that the damn thing has ever really worked right. Even when the equipment IS working properly, Boo and Gracie both run through it if there's something they want bad enough. I do not know if that means they are smart to figure out that 2 seconds of pain is worth the thrill of the chase, OR that they are really stupid to think that "thrill of the chase" is worth the pain of shock upon re-entry (which is a lengthier process as I'm carrying that dog across the wire). Anyhoo, I know it does work for some dogs, but you don't really know until you've got it already. I have heard that it can traumatize a dog and that it doesn't keep other vermin from entering YOUR yard. So, if I had to do it all over again, I would put up a fence-it's less area for the dogs to roam, but I wouldn't get so flippin mad at them each and every time they run through the invisible one. JUST AN FYI.........

This is Uncle R. I had no idea what a big deal he was!! He retired from the Air Force with honors. It was a very surprisingly emotional ceremony. My BIL rocks!!!!!
Here are the Schreiber kids under a gigantic airplane. Of course the "Schreiber Men" were very impressed. I thoght they were .......airplanes...........I'm sorry that I do not share the intensive excitement.
Here are our homies!!! Eric's homies to be exact. Eric sat outside and shot the shit with these guys. One word........halarious! I went out to let Eric know it was time to leave. Instead of my "wife" warning, it was the "mom" warning. "Eric, you have 5 minutes!........" For the rest of the weekend, I was known as 'Five Minutes' ..................Good times....................

Even if it was about 45 degrees with a breeze, it was still ..... a beach!!! The view was amazing and the sound was soothing........
Of course Max HAD to test the waters. First, up to his knees...then all the way. He was fine at first, but soon was freezing!!!!!! He looks a little tortured in this picture.
Cousin C. wanted to get buried, but the joke was on HIM!!!!!! hee hee hee........
*The "male part" was made bigger, later.
No matter where Jay is, he is creative. He found all sorts of things....many rocks, shells, etc. Of course, he wants to bring everything home. We did bring back a couple rocks. Like my luggage wasn't heavy enough!!!!:)

Here's the first installment of pictures from the California trip. The above is what we did the entire day on Wed. Our flight out of Dayton, was cancelled, so we rented a car and drove to Cincinnati to catch a flight. We started our whole journey at 6:30 am, and laid our heads on the hotel pillow at 10:00pm California time(1:00AM~Ohio time)!!!!!!! And yes, Max was sick.............
Our first adventure was Muir Woods in San Francisco. The Redwood and Sequoia trees were incredible. We even fit 6 Schreiber kids in one!!
It was beautiful here. The streams, trees, etc. We brought home a Sequoia tree to plant. We should be able to see it's magnificent stature in about 3,000 years.....

I'm a little late in the new years resolution to lose weight. After having the stomach flu in December, I actually lost weight over the holidays. Did it stay off? Not so much..... I especially noticed this past weekend when I wore a pair of khaki's that were quite uncomfortable, and I thought what?? How can this be? I refuse to believe my routine of eating whatever I want and not working out is to blame for this.

I researched some moves that would give me the most bang for my buck as as far as my "problem areas" are concerned. Turns out, an old Cindy Crawford workout with the lunges and squats really was one of the best. I truly enjoyed this video (yes, VHS). Of course, I no longer have it due to the basement flood of '06. I remember most of it, so I will continue to lunge with Cindy and Radu. I also brought out the "big ball" and will work my abs with it. I saw this on the Today show where Natalie Moralis tried it and it looked pretty effective.

The above will take care of the "sculpting" part, but I really don't love running, so the treadmill isn't calling me so much. Even when I get on it, I have no real motivation to push myself. In the past, when I actually went to the gym, I would stay on for at least 25 minutes because I didn't want the people around me to say, "Dang, lady, what's the point? 15 minutes? Pussy." However, I will get on that treadmill and like it, knowing in only a few short months, I'll be able to get out on the trail with my new rollerblades. Did you read that right? Yes. I said NEW rollerblades. I'm excited~soooooo excited. I would really like a pair of "off-road" blades like Cesar (the dog whisperer) wears. However, these are pretty pricey. I'll stick with the standard type, and still squeak with joy.


If any of y'all out there know of some great motivators or great work-outs you'd like to share....I'm up for (almost) anything!!!!

YAY!!!!!! I took my final for the medical transcription course last week. I called today and found out that I passed with a 90%(A). I was nervous, cuz the final was a little tougher than I thought. So, that class is done, and I start the next one. I was told this one will be a little faster (hopefully).


Since I was between classes, going in to our trip to California, I was able to read something other than a textbook on the plane. I did finish the book I was hoping to get to. "Another Day in the Frontal Lobe". Man, I miss reading!!!!!

I will post pictures of our California trip soon!

We had a Super Bowl get-together last night in which I made Toscana Soup. (the soup from Olive Garden) It is sooo good. I thought I would share the recipe. I've been making lots of soups, lately~just plain good weather for it......cold, damp, cloudy...........ugh.

2 3/4 chicken stock or broth
1/4 heavy cream
1 medium russet potato
2 c. chopped kale
1/2 lb. spicy Italian sausage-it calls for links, but Eric prefers it with ground sausage and I have to agree
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes

1. Combine the stock and cream in saucepan over medium heat.
2. Slice the unpeeled potato into 1/4 inch slices, then quarter the slices and add them to the soup.
3. Add the kale
4. Grill or saute the sausage. When cooked and cooled, cut the sausage at an angle into slices about 1/2 inch thick. Add the sausage to the soup
5. Add the spices and let the soup simmer for about 1 hour. Stir occasionally


BTW...................Yay Giants!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!