Monday, October 18, 2010

Meet Bosley

So, my parents have a new member of their family. I suppose you could say I have a new four-legged brother. His name is Bosley, and he's a mid-size Australian Labradoodle. He's goofy, he's a thief, he's got sharp little teeth, and he's just about as sweet as they come.

While I was blow-drying my hair one morning, he absconded with my sandal - luckily I caught him before any damage was done.

Bosley looks just like a stuffed animal that I had when I was little called Fuffy. Just like fluffy without the "L".

He's little now, but he should end up around 40 lbs.

Oh yeah - those sharp little teeth? Twice he's tested them out on my big toe. I was just standing there, minding my own business, and YEOWWW! Sure enough, the teeth work.

P.S. Poor Lillabee is terrified of him. I think it's cuz he's the only animal smaller than her that she's ever met. They'll be friends soon, I'm sure of it.

Alert! I need your fashion help!

This is the "Hot or Not?" portion of my blog. I'm going to post pictures of three pairs of shoes and I'm hoping you'll tell me that I'm on the right track as far as what to do...

The background is this: I leave for NYC in less than 24 hours (there are stops on the way, but I digress). I would like to look stylish while maintaining my comfort in the big apple. So, in a fit of indecision, I purchased three pairs of shoes yesterday. I will share them now with my comments, and I'm hoping you'll share your comments as well.

The shoes are meant to be worn with black leggings and long sweaters - so all are black shoes.

First up, a test shot with my Thanksgiving turkey socks.

Okay, now I'm serious. The first pair of shoes is the cushiest. They've got the highest heel and seem to be pretty comfortable, although it's difficult to know for the long haul. I think they're pretty cute.

Next we have suede slouchy boots. These always look funny to me. Even on other people, I start thinking about Robin Hood, or something. But, they don't look that bad in these pictures. The only issue is they have ZERO cushion. If you vote for these, and know of a good insole - please share that info, because I'm pretty sure that's the only way these are viable.

Finally, my personal favorites - but they're still not quite perfect... These are kind of cowboy, kind of motorcycle. I'm thinking these would be good, with another pair (or two) for variation for the toes. Again, it's the long haul that I'm a bit worried about.

So, there is my dilemma, in black and black. Speak words of wisdom to me, friends of electronic assistance!

I suppose a fourth option would be to shop when I get there... ;)

Saturday, October 16, 2010

Little Projects

I've gotten a few little things done! Nothing big, mind you, but they might add up to one mid-size accomplishment, so here goes!

I planted a "garden". It was contained in two pots, and I started them from seeds. I had bachelor buttons and marigolds, the seeds of which were both gifts from Firefly.

Here are the marigolds, just starting out - not very big.

Then, they started doing really well, but a raccoon decided that he wanted to eat the bugs that were living in the soil and he tore up my nicely tended "garden". These two flowers survived:

It's getting cold enough that they'll probably all go away soon, so I might get some bulbs ready to plant... they're always pretty in the spring!

Next, I crocheted a monkey! (One of my coworkers wonders if that's a euphemism for anything.) Isn't she cute! She needs a little sundress and a bow for her "hair", but for now the fact that she exists is enough for me.

Here she is trying out the strainer as a swing.

I like to buy myself flowers and practice my arranging skills - here's the latest: spray roses in a spherical vase.

And finally, tonight's project was a baby sling for a friend who's due to deliver next week. Nothing like waiting until the last minute, right? Turns out I didn't buy enough fabric, so it took some fancy cutting and sewing at the beginning, but it was a fairly simple process once I got those kinks worked out. I used the tutorial found here.

The inside fabric has the names of all different kinds of tea - picked out by the expectant mother. I found the polka dot fabric to match at Joann. It's reversible, and I believe that the words can be right side up. (That did stress me out a bit.)

Fun stuff, and like travel, it makes me want to do more!

Travels, part 2.

My second trip took me to Spokane area to catch up with old friends and be guest at a wedding. It was beautiful weather, as it often is in Eastern Washington. I've never been really sure about Spokane as a city (too much sprawl), but the people who live there are wonderful and I had a great time. This first picture shows what I mean about too much sprawl - this is "downtown".

But, then again - look at the sky!

I forgot my camera in the hotel when I went to the wedding, so I can't show you pictures, but I can tell you, it was a really fun wedding, and I hope the bride and groom will be together forever. They were really cute and seemed to genuinely enjoy each other.

Afterward, I went to a friend's aunt's house, and had some DE-licious cake.

Firefly loved it too.

While I was there, I actually did some work! I checked out a slow sand filtration system and met an expert in the field. It was so much fun, and I confirmed that I am, indeed, a giant nerd. The best part was the boat ride to the system.

I also spent a day with Mary and her daughter - don't you want to hug them!?! We had Red Robin (Yum!), which I love, and afterward found a little chocolate shop where I got a pretzel dipped in caramel and then chocolate. It doesn't get better.

Back at Mary's house, Kenzie and I modeled the latest in farming fashion. In fact, we submit that this will be the cover of the top-selling issue of Farming Weekly in history.
It was a good trip with all the essential elements: wonderful friends, good food, fabulous weather, and entertaining things to do.

Travelling (back in time)

Some time ago, I made a couple trips within days of each other... Here are the posts about them. First up, Tri-Cities, where we find a group of old friends descending upon the area for a birthday, a baby, and a whole lot of laughter.

Andria and I matched at church, reinforcing the fact that we are identical twins despite the drastic differences in our height and coloring.

I sat next to Loni's daughter, Alisha, who I would like to kidnap (not really, of course). She is such a doll!

While I was there, Andria and I visited Amber at her work, Chandler Reach Vineyards. It was a beautiful warm day, and I wanted to stretch out on the grass and just get warm through and through.
But, since there were people around, I opted for the more socially acceptable option of sitting at a table in the courtyard.

While there, we celebrated Tamara's birthday. She chose Starbucks, mani/pedis, and lunch out for the celebration, and we had a great time. Since she'd just had a sweet baby, there was a lot of birthing discussion. It was educational. Loni got a dessert at the restaurant that was nearly sinful - I forget what it was called, but it was basically mango whipped cream. Yum.

We spent time at Tamara's house, and got to see that Booger continues his quest for world-record status as the Biggest. Cat. Ever.

Little Ian stretched out the most for me that he had yet! He was such a brand new baby that he still preferred the scrunched up position, but here he is going for "tall".

Couldn't resist showing you this picture - baby bottom!

What a wonderful vacation. Now that I've written this up, I'd like to go back, please.