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The Day After...

With all the new toys, games, books, and builders, leave it to my son to play with the stool, a laundry basket, a cardboard box and an old silk rose all day!  Can you find the Squish in this picture?

Merry Christmas!

I hope everybody's day was filled with happiness, joy, food, family and fun!  Ours was!

As our fire fizzles out (literally and energy-wise!) we are left with a kitchen full of leftover food, two dogs passed out on the couch, my husband snoring away, Tweenie hiding in her room with her new loot, and the sounds of every train, firetruck, ambulance and toddler toy going off all at once while Squish looks on in a sort of stunned exhaustion.  

It is a warm and peaceful feeling.  I am content...  No, I am more than content--I am happy.  I think I will sip my cup of tea and revel in it.  

Happy Holidays to all, and to all, I say, "good night!"

Television

I am not a TV buff.  I just don't get into television all that much.  There are a couple of shows I enjoy sometimes, but the idea of arranging my schedule around a television line-up?  Seems like a waste of perfectly good time.  Cable tv?  Seems a waste of money to me, and I can't help doing the math and thinking of how that amount could have helped build up the (perpetually empty) savings account.  My hubby disagrees, and so month after month, we pay that outrageous bill--mostly, it seems, so that we can all complain about the lack of anything worthy of watching...  And I know we're not the only ones.

BUT!

Being the documentary aficionado that I am, I was thrilled to see that they've added another History channel!  H2!    Is this new, or do I just pay that little attention?  If I watch anything, I tend to flip to Netflix or pull out a movie, but I can always get talked into watching National Geographic, Biography, History, Discovery or the like.

So this morning, as I caffeinate myself, Squish and I are immersed in a program about mythical Sea Monsters on History 2 channel!!!

...sure beats Blue's Clues...  

I really need a dentist

I don't even want to get into how long it's been since I've been to a dentist.  Let's just say...  It's been a while.  We never seem to be able to afford that particular expense, and without dental insurance, it has just become something that, well, gets forgotten.  My kids get to the dentist religiously.  And I take good care of my teeth--always have!  I floss, I brush with my Sonicare toothbrush (and change the head religiously), I use the WaterPik to make extra sure I've gotten everything...  But I really, really need to get to a dentist.  I think I need one right now.  Really.  I think I may have a problem tooth.  But I'm not sure if it's really my tooth, or perhaps my ear, because it's kinda in my upper jaw.  Sometimes I think it's my ear, and sometimes I think it might be a tooth.  And it's been goin' on for a while.

...sigh...  Ideas?  Realistic, budget friendly ideas?

Season of Second Chances and Fresh Starts

These dogs were rescued on 12/8/11, and bear the scars of the fighting ring--most were used as bait dogs or breeding dogs.  Give them a chance at real life, and spread some love!  Contact information follows.


PLEASE NETWORK THESE NINE LIVES:
I will allow them to be adopted/rescued to an individual that has experience with this breed and rescuing them. They must have references from a rescue organization and a veterinarian. They will be spayed/neutered and vaccinated. I will do whatever I need to do to save them. They have been through enough. They were used as bait and breeding dogs. Some of the older ones are very unsure of humans but have shown no aggression they just need some love. They have shown no animal aggression but they have fought before. The older dogs are scarred from head to toe. The puppies are wonderful happy puppies. Thanks for any help you can provide.
Mitzie Smith
Amory Humane Society
Amory, MS 38821
662-256-7566

Click HERE for pictures of, and information about these dogs!  

My baby blog!!!

100+ pageviews, five countries, and my first official follower!  I now feel like a REAL blogger!

...happy dance, happy dance, happy dance!!!

Six days until Christmas

Now I don't know about everybody else, but we are pretty broke this Christmas.  Between preparing for the move west, buying an RV (mind you, we got it for pennies, but still!), paying those pesky bills (or trying to!), and the incidentals (little things, like crashing my jeep into the woods, my son shattering the oven)...  there's just not a whole lot left!  Well, really, there's really NOTHING left.

So I have been busy making things for people.  Socks, slippers, sweaters, and little stuffed dolls and animals are falling off my crochet hooks.  Pajama pants and home-made heating packs are zipping through my sewing machine.  Beads are being strung, woven and twisted into earrings, necklaces and other baubles...

And in the next couple days, I plan on making sugar cookie house sets!  I have found a few sites that look promising, recipe and direction-wise, but by far, my favorite one, and the one I am DYING to try out is the one posted by blogger eighteen2. Click here for THE ABSOLUTE CUTEST COOKIE HOUSE KIT EVER!

Have you ever seen anything cuter???  Not only are there full directions, but there is a downloadable label to put on your kit.

Those little containers with the candies in them?  Find them anywhere that sells fishing gear or arts and crafts stuff!  Some of them are even adjustable, so that you can decide how many bins you want in them, and how big you would like them to be.

Zip on over to eighteen25.blogspot.comhttp://eighteen25.blogspot.com/2011/12/todays-guest-bee-in-our-bonnet.html for full recipe/directions!  

Saturday...

My coffee says "Ginger!"  That made me smile.   ♥♥ 

Friday One Dollar Give-away!

In about six months, we will be leaving the woods of New Hampshire for the vast, open plains of Wyoming, where we will be building our very own little house on the prairie from the ground up.  We've got an RV, and we will be towing a vehicle behind that, and driving out a pickup truck.  The only belongings we can bring with us for this fresh new start are the items that fit into these three vehicles.  ...Now we are a family of four, so that means a LOT of purging.  Every Friday, I will be giving away one item for one dollar.  I will choose the recipient of the item by your comments, telling me why I should choose you for this item, and what you plan on doing with it!  The only thing I ask is that you click the "support my blog" link at the bottom of the page (or you can email me if you prefer PayPal) if you are the chosen winner and be willing to pay the cost to ship it to wherever you are (unless, of course, you're close enough to pick up!) plus one dollar. I will take the item to be mailed, and give you an exact quote on the price so you will never be asked to send me more than the actual cost of getting it to you, plus one dollar (unless you want to send more!).  That dollar will go into our "Movin' West" fund--to be used to restock the house after it is built!  And I'd love it if you could email me a picture of you with your new item once it's received!  People who win can be chosen more than once, it is completely at my discretion, and it's your job to convince me to choose you!  I will look for different elements in your posts--whether it's something  you really need, or it's something that you really make me laugh with, or whatever happens to grab my attention the most (and this judge is not entirely put off by blatant bribery!).  Please keep your comments appropriate and inoffensive, and make sure to share my link with your friends to get them in on the give-away action!  You have all week, and have as many tries to convince me as you choose!  Winner will be chosen Thursday night and announced during next week's featured give-away!

**BONUS INFORMATION**  Any amount sent over the initial dollar will be split evenly between the "Movin' West" fund and a donation to Bruised not Broken Pit Bull rescue organization (click on their website on the right side of my blog).  I also highly encourage to this fabulous organization (or many, many others), dedicated to rescuing Pit Bulls from high kill shelters-- where they would otherwise often be put down, for crimes as simple as just being a Pittie-- and finding them forever homes.  BNB also works hard to educate and raise public awareness of this much misunderstood, oft-stereotyped breed.  Let's hear it for the the Bully Breeds!

 This week, I am giving away this infinity wall calendar.  It features a day of the week, a month, and a date scroll that can be changed and used all year, every year.  It would be great in a classroom, your living room, your office, or anywhere else you feel like displaying it!  It is wooden, seems somewhat "antique-y," (it was a thrift store find, so it may well be an antique!) and is a very interesting, attractive piece!  

SPREAD THE WORD!!!

Hawaii Five-0 crew disgraceful to WWII Pearl Harbor survivors | Colorado's Morning News

How many of you watch the New Hawaii Five-O?  I challenge you to read this article and re-think your support;  I for one, have not watched it, never have, and will continue to not do so.  I will also be blocking CBS from my own personal "view list," as nothing they have in production or on TV is worth my time after a disgusting stunt like this one.  I would, personally, feel as though I was condoning the behavior!

So begins my boycott of CBS, and a letter expressing my disappointment and repulsion is in the works!

Check out this piece, by Steven Tubbs of the Colorado Morning News:

Hawaii Five-0 crew disgraceful to WWII Pearl Harbor survivors | Colorado's Morning News: (NATIONAL CEMETERY OF THE PACIFIC – HONOLULU)It looked strange from the moment we pulled up to the Punchbowl, a sacred Hawaiian site once the lo

Best Friends' Vick-tory dogs!

Anybody who knows me knows of my love of dogs.  I have two dogs:  a Pit Bull/Boxer cross, and a Boxer.  Both are rescues, both come from troubled backgrounds, and they are both valued members of my family.  I love my bullies.  With so many Pit Bulls and bully breeds in shelters, pounds, and rescue organizations all over this country, I would never dream of going to a breeder or buying one from a store.  I like the idea that any money I choose to spend to give a loving dog the home they deserve goes into the care and treatment of other dogs in need.  And there are hundreds of organizations out there.  I'd love to talk about them all, and over time, I plan on talking about different organizations that work to rescue, rehabilitate, and home Pit Bulls and other Bully breeds, as well as educate to raise public awareness of these fabulous dogs and combat stereotypes associated with them.

Here is a video update from one of my favorite organizations: Best Friends Animal Society. When these dogs were rescued from Michael Vick's fighting ring, they were deemed dangerous to society as a whole. Best Friends is showing that these Pit Bulls are true fighters--fighting to overcome their past and their stereotypes.

For those who thinks a dog with a fighting past cannot be rehabilitated with love, patience, and determination, this may well be a slap in the face.  If they'd had their way, every last one of these dogs would have been euthanized upon their discovery, and not rescued.  Fear and lack of education is a monster all by itself--it leads to inhumane, unforgiving attitudes.



Thank you, Best Friends', for all you do.  You are proof positive that there really are angels.

When we decided that we were making the move to Wyoming, I discovered that we will be a day's drive from Best Friends Animal Sanctuary--so exciting!  I have already geared up and am excited for our first family camping trip down that way to do some volunteer work, and maybe even meet and spend some special time with my hero dog--Georgia, who is featured in this video clip:





To view Best Friends' website and see what they are all about (trust me, you'll be blown away!), donate, and look at the adorable adoptables, click www.bestfriends.org or find them on Facebook.  Their link is permanently placed to the right side of this blog, as well.

I love you, Best Friends Animal Society!  Keep up the good work, and I will see you guys next year!

Banner week for the Air Force

I am a military veteran.  I spent six years in the Air Force, and while I determined that it was not the lifestyle I was meant to lead long-term, I am proud of the time I served.  I am proud of the people I served with, and I am proud of our troops and their families for serving along with them.  This week, however, has made me shake my head and wonder exactly what people were thinking, and marvel at the decision making process that made these news headlines possible.

First, the news of bodies and body parts being buried in a landfill in Virginia.



Desecrating the remains of our troops?  Tossing them in a landfill as "medical waste?"  Really? I am truly disgusted and so saddened by this piece.  More than that, I am saddened by the way the Air Force is now choosing to handle it--defending the practice, saying that families signed off on "proper disposition" of the bodies.  I would venture a guess that this is not what they had in mind when they signed off on the bodies of their loved ones.  The Air Force continues to defend its position, arguing that everybody has different traditions and ways of grieving and mourning, and take the position that they did nothing wrong.  So what tradition is it that says "burn 'em up and dump 'em out with our medical trash?"  I am thinking I got lost on this one.  Shame on the powers that be for allowing this.  Shame on the powers that be for defending it.

Then this group photo...  All I can say is "WHAT were they THINKING?"  And "WHOSE bright idea was THAT?"  

Casket photo sparks investigation at Lackland - Navy News | News from Afghanistan & Iraq - Navy Times

At a time when our troops are abroad, representing to the world what we supposedly stand for, I would think a little more sensitivity and caution would be exercised by those in charge.  I'm sure it was done in the spirit of "fun," and somebody thought it was "creative."  I hope they are embarrassed.  I know I am.  

Think a little.  BEFORE acting, preferably.

It's a warm Play-dough kind of day

So it's cold out, we have a fire going, and Squish has resorted to tossing legos in the air to entertain himself.   We decided to make playdough!  Squishy, soft, and sooo much fun!

Here's our recipe:
1 cup flour
1/2 cup salt
1 cup water
2 tbsp baking powder (If I'd had cream of Tartar, I would have used that instead)
1 tbsp canola oil
1 tsp vanilla extract (optional, I like the smell!)
food coloring, as desired (less will be more pastel, more will be vibrant)

**you can use koolaid packets for coloring and different smells, too, instead of the food coloring**

Whisk it all together until pretty smooth in a stick-proof pot, then put it on the stove on medium-high heat and keep mixing until it gets too hard to mix it.  Then, plop it onto a floured surface and knead it until it's not too sticky,and is the proper texture!  (It shouldn't be too hot to handle at this point).

Voila!  Less than 10 minutes of work for days and days of enjoyment!  Non-toxic and easy to clean up!  This stuff won't go bad, either--stick it in an airtight freezer bag or a tupperware-type container, and use it until it's too gross to use any more or until you make new dough!

A Dog's life...

If only life were this easy for everybody...

My two dogs get up in the morning, roll out of bed, go out to the bathroom, and climb back on the couch to sleep until noon.  EVERY DAY!  When I rescued them, I promised them a life of ease, plenty of spoiling, and cuddles galore.  ...They really take this promise seriously, almost like it's their job!

The brindle Pitty mix is my Ginger, and Bailey is the sprawled out Boxer on the end.  They are the reason we have a ginormous couch -- We all just make ourselves comfortable around wherever they happened to have flopped!  

The Girl

I'm interested to see what Hollywood will do to The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo. I read Stieg Larsson's Millennium Trilogy a couple years ago for the first time, and the entire set quickly moved to the top of my " gotta read it again (and again)" list. Lisbeth Salander is easily THE most interesting literary heroine since Scarlet O'Hara, in my mind. In fact, I am pretty sure it's heresy to say so, but I would say she tops out Scarlet. The Swedish version of the movie was, in a word, AMAZING. It held true to the book, the casting was superb, and I was blown away. I don't think there is any need to make another movie, but Hollywood, in typical fashion, thinks it would be better in English--mostly I just think they have run out of original ideas. Regardless, I am excited to see what they do with it. But no matter how good or bad a job they do, I will say this: watch the original Swedish version. And for Pete's sake, READ THE BOOKS!

Here is Hollywood's trailer:

My first time...

So they say you never forget your first time.  Here goes!  Blog #1: Introductions!

As a member of the human species, I occupy a number of roles and have any number of titles:  mother, sister, wife, Air Force veteran, proud dog owner and animal lover (Love my Bullies!), teacher, student, crafter...  and the list goes on and on!  That being said, you can expect this blog to be about, well, anything that crosses my mind!  You can expect a lot about dogs (my dogs, and dogs in general, especially the much-maligned Pit Bull and other bully breeds), animal rescues, my "mom" experiences (proud mom of a moody, angst-ridden tween, aka Tweenie, and a terrific toddler, aka Squish), favorite things, experiences, complaints, shoes, crafts--you name it.  I don't consider any subject off limits, and I love a good debate.

And now I'll take my leave for the evening, and make my way into my kitchen, where I'm sure to find the dishes I asked Tweenie to wash still piled on the counter!

'til we meet again,
Elle