I miss all the excitement.

Filed Under: Argo the wonder dog, STELLA

Stella hates the stove.  When it's in use, she lies on the kitchen floor watching us carefully like she's expecting the oven door to open up and swallow us whole.  She won't eat, she won't drink, she won't let the person cooking out of her sight.  And even when the stove is not in use, if she has to walk past it, sometimes she'll do the same quick little scurry run we all did as kids when we didn't want the monsters under our bed to grab our ankles. She's never been hurt by our stove, there's never been an incident in the time we've had her, but on the list of Stella's nemeses, the stove is … [Read more...]

And the winners are!

Filed Under: books are awesome

Kim & Kim (animallover75)!Congratulations!!!  Please e-mail me your address so we can get the books to you!And a HUGE thank you to Kate Ledger, author of REMEDIES for sponsoring this contest!  You can learn more about Kate on her website, and follow her on Twitter and Facebook!Happy Valentine's Day!!! … [Read more...]

Valentine’s Day Giveaway!

Filed Under: books are awesome

It's that time again!  Conversation hearts are on the shelves!!!! Am I the only person on the planet who actually like conversation hearts?  They taste like chalk, only sweet.  What's not to like?  The purple ones are the best. To celebrate Valentine's Day, the lovely Kate Ledger, author of Remedies, has generously offered to give two lucky readers a copy of The Dogs' Book of Romance!All you have to do to enter is leave a comment below!  Two winners will be chosen using a random number generator on February 14th at noon! You can learn more about Kate on her website, and follow her on … [Read more...]

More cute than annoying

Filed Under: Argo the wonder dog, German Shepherds, STELLA

If I wear flip flops in the house, Stella feels it's her job to follow me around and step on the backs of them while I walk. When it's raining or snowing, Argo likes to bug me to let him outside, but then he'll come right back in, because he likes being dried off with big fluffy towel we keep by the door. If I tell the dogs, "Gentle," when I hand them a treat, they will take it carefully from my hand.  If I don't, they will practically take my fingers off.  If I give them more than one treat, I have to say "gentle," every time I hand one over. … [Read more...]

Ridiculous things I’ve caught myself saying to the dogs

Filed Under: Argo the wonder dog, STELLA

Do you like my singing?  Exactly!  Because it's fabulous.Don't yell at me. It's not my fault you fell off the bed.  I don't appreciate your tone, young lady.I know what you're trying to say, you're trying to say it's time for breakfast 'cause it's breakfast time! Oooh! It's my turn on the treadmill.  You already had your turn!I'm stress eating.  Don't judge me.Yeah, well, I don't get a treat every time I want one either. … [Read more...]

2011 in Review

Filed Under: year in review

Here's my review from 2010, and here's 2009 part one & part two. 1. What did you do in 2011 that you’d never done before?I went rock climbing! On actual rock! We stopped in Asheville on the way to Florida this spring, and had the most patient guide (Ron Funderburke at Fox Mountain Guides). I got the shakes and was going to just hang back and watch while J climbed, but Ron helped me get past my fear and do some climbing. It was a great experience. 2. Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year?Last year, spurred by the somewhat horrific realization that … [Read more...]