New Shoes!

I got new shoes this weekend and I took them out for their inaugural run today. They are awesome! I bought the updated version of the shoe I wore last year, the Mizuno Wave Alchemy. I was really impressed that Mizuno was able to improve on their shoe from last season without hosing it up. Normally what happens is I find a shoe I like and then the next season in an attempt to make the shoe better, the shoe company ruins it. I have to say I'm not wild about the red and orange, but whatever, I'll get used to it.

And even though the full marathon totally won in my poll, I made my decision and I'm only doing the half. I should have take a picture of my blisters last year. Maybe then you people would understand, LOL!!

Want Me Wednesday - December 26

Well Christmas is officially over :( and I need to change to music on my blog. However, it's not to late to give a needy pug a home. If you are in the New England area, check out the pugs at Precious Pug Rescue. They are the home of this week's feature pug, Max. Here's what they have to say about him:

The only thing Max wants for Christmas is a forever home...
If you are looking for easy going, lovable little companion why not consider adopting our amazing Max? This very special little 9 year old, fawn fellow is super mellow and oh so sweeeeet.

He loves people and loves to follow his foster mom around everywhere...around the house, around the state, around the country. He's a traveling fool! He and his foster mom just took a road trip to Florida and he's proved himself to be the perfect travel companion: sitting on his throne on the seat next to her, picking up his head at the sound of a rustling snack bag, patiently waiting for his cut then settling back down to snooze. Not a single complaint about his foster moms singing abilities (or lack thereof) either.
Max suffered a back injury prior to coming into PPRA that has left him with weakened back legs. After seeing several specialists it was decided that he would do well with a doggie cart. And well he has done! SO well that he won the senior division race at the last pug party! He actually came zipping to his foster mom when called while all of the others went wandering.

He gets along well with his many other foster siblings and he is completely unaware of being different than other dogs. He's been great going potty outside and has been getting bolder, exploring the yard in his cart. He can be a bit apprehensive around strangers at first but warms up quickly. Max has recently been neutered and is up to date on his vaccinations. Like Most pugs he needs inexpensive lubricating drops for his eyes.
Please consider welcoming this very special little pug into you your family...

For more info please contact *No1PugMom@aol.com*

If you are in the New England area won't you consider being Max's forever home?

Want Me Wednesday - December 19

Today's Want Me Wednesday pug is from Pug Savers pug rescue of Northern California. He is such a handsome fella!! Here's what the kind people over at Pug Savers have to say about him:

My name is Buddy and I am around 8-10 years old. I was found as a stray at the Sacramento pound with a pug girl. They found my original owner, but since they were going to have to have me neutered as it was my 2nd "incarceration," they didn't want me. They had been using us to breed. I am very sweet and loving, but I did have 2 "incidents." They aren't exactly a seizure, but I can't stand up when I have them, although I can hear you. PugSavers has been taking me over to UC Davis Vet Teaching Hospital for examinations and hopefully they can find out what is wrong with me. I'm SO happy I ended up with people who are willing to help find out what is wrong with me, even if it costs money. They told me there are wonderful people out there who will make donations to help with my care, so I sure hope they are right!
UPDATE NOVEMBER 15:

The potassium bromide has been helping Buddy tremendously and he now rarely has seizures. He is so very sweet and loving and is hoping that someone will open up their heart to him.

If you are the forever home that Buddy has been looking for please fill out and application today!!

It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year!!!

I bet you thought I was talking about Christmas didn't you?? Nope, I'm talking about the start of marathon training season!! Our schedule this year has our very first training run on Christmas, LOL!! I promised myself that I was just going to run the half this year (you know the kind of promise you make yourself when you have a blister burst at mile 22), but now I'm starting to get that itch again...

I've added a poll at the top of the page to get some feedback from you all!!

Want Me Wednesday - December 12

Today's Want Me Wednesday pug is Leia from Dallas Fort Worth Pug Rescue. She is just so cute!! Here is what DFW pug rescue has to say about this doll:

Hello dear friends! It's Leia here - Princess Leia to be exact and I do like to be treated like a princess. My previous elderly human decided she could no longer take care of me because her health was declining. DFWPRC rescued me from animal control ASAP which is a good thing because that is no place for a princess. I have overheard my foster mom telling others that I seemed to have been spoiled a bit! I am a few pounds overweight, love having my belly scratched, beg for table scraps now and then, scratch to be let in if I am outside alone for more than a few minutes & enjoy sleeping on a comfy human bed. But is that so horrible?? I don't expect handouts. I will work for treats by sitting when commanded. I really do try to please my humans. I used to be a little fussy with my new foster siblings but when my humans reprimanded me, I changed my ways. I would do well in a quiet home as an only dog or in a more active home with other dogs and children (which happens to be my current situation).

Oh my goodness, I forgot to tell you how gorgeous I am!!! I am the most beautiful, one eyed, APRICOT, yes, I said Apricot lady you have or ever will see. The story about my eye is a long one so I won't bore you with details. My other eye is so perfect that I don't even need eye drops in it like so many other pugs do! So don't you worry, I can follow humans as well as any two eyed pug out there! My vaccinations are all current. I am scheduled to be spayed next week and begin heartworm treatment soon. Although, I was clearly an indoor pug, my previous human failed to give me heartworm prevention and you know all it takes is one mosquito bite and WHAM! I should be ready to go in about 9 short weeks. So that will give you plenty of time to prepare a corner of a room fit for a princess. Be sure to list Leia on your application. Nice talking to you..... Leia

P.S. I LOVE pink!!

If you or someone you know if searching for a wonderful companion in the Dallas/Ft Worth area please remember Leia and all the pugs at DFW Pug Rescue!

Ornament Party!

Yesterday I hosted an ornament making party at my house. It was so much fun this just might become an annual event! I was so busy helping everyone and making ornaments of my own I didn't take any pictures, but here are a few of the ornaments and one group shot. Thanks again Ladies for coming!! I had a blast!!

Want Me Wednesday....errrr Thursday!

I can't believe I completely forgot to post the Want Me Wednesday Pug for yesterday!! I confess I got all wraped up in Project Runway last night and totally forgot what day it was - anybody else watching?? I'm on team Jack!!




Anyway, without further ado this week's featured pug is from Music City Pug Rescue . Her name is Eloise and here is what MCPR has to say about this little lady:

This is Eloise and she is a sweet and dignified old lady. Moving towards her senior years, Eloise would love to sit around on her princess pillow and share quiet afternoons with her new family.

Eloise was found wandering around East Tennessee on the streets!

Facts:
Approx. 8 years old
Old lady vision
Potty trained
Very Sweet
Adoption Fee:
Donation

If you are the forever family that Eloise has been looking for, please fill out an application today!!!

New Paint!

As I mentioned earlier John was kind enough to paint our living room and kitchen over the Thanksgiving Holiday. I am so happy with the way it turned out. Here are some pics I took last night of the paint colors and our Christmas Decorations.

The Kitchen:



The Living Room:






Christmas Decorations:



Christmas just can't come without a little Burl Ives...


Yukon CORNEILIUS!!


and the Winter Warlock


And as promised here's my pink tree all decorated up


AND LOOOOOK what was waiting for me in the mail when I got home tonight!!!



It's a super cute picture frame from my friend Tracy!! I LOVE it and I know just where I am going to put it. Thank you Tracy!!!!

Want Me Wednesday

It's baaaa-aaack!! After a long hiatus Want-Me-Wednesday is hitting the blog once again. This week I'm featuring the little pound pug I mentioned in my last entry. She's named Clara and she is being fostered by the wonderful people from Kentuckiana Pug Rescue.





Here's what her foster mom had to say about her:

Clara (# 366) came to KPR after two angels in Tennessee saved her from euthanasia. This sweet pug is estimated to be 10-12 years old. Despite falling into neglect, she is calm, fully house broken, loves to be held and knows all the rules. Clara has sowed her wild oats and thinks of herself as "semi-retired." She enjoys outside walks on the leash and even a short run, but fetch or outside play, not so much. Clara weighs 13.2 lbs. and the vet says this is just right for her. Clara is the lone pet in her foster household, but is curious and calm with her doggie cousins and neighbors. She spends nights in her cozy crate next to her foster Mom's bed and prefers a full 10 hours of beauty sleep. Clara has an audible heart murmur from a leaky heart valve. At some point in the future she may need medication for this. Right now she has no symptoms and doesn't worry about it at all. Clara is one wonderful pug.

Adoption Donation - $225

I can personally vauche for this little girl being a sweetheart. Won't you give her the forever home she deserves for Christmas?

Where have I been??

It seems like it's been forever since I updated my blog but I have a really good reason for being MIA. I've been getting things done!! Ever since I got back from China I couldn't shake this feeling of being behind, but thankfully over the long weekend I was able to get some stuff done. And from the list maker in me, here's what I've been away from the computer doing:



1) Breaking out a little old pug from the local pound. The photo I'm showing is the one in her petfinder add when she was still in the shelter and not doing so well. I got an updated photo of her earlier today, but I'll have to post it later since it's on my work computer.



2) Finishing up the Christmas Cards I made and sold for SEPRA.



3) Finishing up my LOs for the Scrapbook Warehouse DT contest. Wish me luck, I should know by Dec 7th if I made it.

4) Finished up my Christmas shopping, YAY!

5) Running in this year's Boulevard Bolt on Thanksgiving Morning.

6) Painting my living room and kitchen. I can't really take any credit for this though, all the manual labor was done by John. I did pick the colors though, LOL. I love the way it turned out and will try and get some pics up soon.

7) Addressed and sent out all of my own Christmas cards (keep an eye on your mailbox!).



8)Put up the tree and decorated the house for Christmas. I think one of my favorite things about Christmas is ornaments. I just love rediscovering my favorites year after year.

And last but not least, we subjected the babies to a little Christmas photo shoot tonight. They were less than cooperative but here are a few that turned out.

Dora



Genie



Kinley



And Einstein flat refused to have his photo taken until the rest of the hair around his eye grows back in. Hopefully next week, his follow-up vet visit for the mange is Saturday.

Have a great week everybody. I hope to get back to my regularly scheduled "Want Me Wednesday" this week so stay tuned!!

Lazy Sundays

I LOVE lazy Sundays. Especially after a long hard week at work. In keeping with my lazy theme today I'm going to be lazy and only tell you a few things.

(1) I finally finished the Canvas for the class I'll be teaching at Paper Candy! This will be my first class ever and I'm more than a little nervous about it (eeeek!). I'm not sure what weekend the class will be yet, but we've estimated the cost to be about $20. I hope some of you local gals will take it so I have some friendly faces in the class. Here's what we'll be making:



(2) I bought the cutest PINK Christmas tree today for my scrapbook room. I had to take it out of the box to make sure it worked, but I'll hold off on decorating it until the day after thanksgiving.



Have a great week everybody!!

China - Day 7

Our last day in China :( We decided to take it easy and just take in a few sites in the morning and then shop in the afternoon. On our way to the ATM in the morning, we found the most wonderful used bookstore. I was able to pick up all sorts of calligraphy books, vintage postcards, and other items that will be handy in scrapping my trip. After we dropped our purchases back off at the hostel, we caught a taxi and headed for Tiananmen Square. The last item on my list of "must sees" was Chairman Mao's body which lies preserved in a crystal coffin. We arrived at the building and found not only was there a 2 hour+ wait, but you were allowed to take nothing in with you and you needed a passport to enter. Tiffany and Sarah didn't bring their passport so we decided to just skip it. It was disappointing, but not that big of a deal in the grand scheme of things. Hopefully I'll make it back to Beijing one day and I can do this then.

From Tiananmen, we decided to walk through the Houtongs over the BeiHai park. There is a temple on top of a hill in the park that provides a view of the entire Forbidden City. The steps up to the temple were quite challenging considering how sore we were from the Great Wall yesterday, but we made it to the top. The view was less than great as it was a hazy, polluted day. It wasn't a wasted journey to the top, however, because there was a gorgeous Buddha at inside the temple and just outside the temple was a place to pose for photos while wearing ancient imperial clothing. We had seen these stands several places before and we decided it would be fun to do. We inquired about the cost (it was incredibly cheap!), paid our fee, and got dressed. I swear to God, every eye at that temple was on us, and most of them were taking pictures LOL. It was as though aliens had landed and were there at the temple. It was priceless.

A Canal at the entrance to the Houtongs


The temple atop the hill in BeiHai park


Buddha in the temple


Tiffany's headress hurt her head, LOL.





Tiffany noticing that all eyes were on us.




After we finished with our pictures, we took a stroll around BeiHai Lake. We took some photos of the famous white pagoda and then went back to the hostel for lunch and a nap. After we got all rested up we took a taxi over to the silk market and a few other shopping areas we had heard about. We had the best time haggling and shopping. I wish we had something like that here! It is like an adrenaline rush when you get something for dirt cheap, LOL!!

The White Pagoda




The spoils of our shopping


After shopping we decided to go to dinner back at HoHai Lake, the area we had been to a few nights earlier. We found a nice bar and hung out, chatted, and laughed about our adventures for the rest of the evening. It was a fantastic end to a fantastic trip.